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O Corinthians está no mercado atrás de um lateral-direito. O técnico Vítor Pereira pediu, e o Timão abriu conversas para contratar Rafael Ramos, lateral de 27 anos do Santa Clara, que disputa a primeira divisão portuguesa.

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> GALERIA – Veja retrospecto do Corinthians contra times da Bolívia

Rafael Ramos possui vínculo com o Santa Clara até o final de junho, e pode assinar um pré-contrato com qualquer clube, algo visto com bons olhos pela diretoria do Corinthians.O interesse do alvinegro paulista no atleta lusitano foi noticiado primeiramente pelo jornalista Samir Carvalho e confirmado pelo LANCE!

Caso queira contar com o lateral português para o início do Brasileirão, o Timão precisa correr contra o tempo, tendo em vista que a janela para transferências de atletas do exterior para o Brasil fecha na próxima terça-feira (12). Após esse prazo, ela só voltará a abrir em 18 de julho.

O defensor passou pelas categorias de base do Sporting e Benfica, mas jogou a maior parte de sua carreira na MLS, onde defendeu o Orlando City por três anos, e depois o Chicago Fire.

Após a passagem pelo futebol norte-americano, Rafael passou uma temporada no Twente, da Holanda, e em 2019 retornou ao seu país para jogar no Santa Clara. Na atual temporada, disputou 20 dos 28 jogos da equipe no Campeonato Português.

> TABELA – Timão avança na Libertadores? Confira a tabela e simule os jogos

Para a lateral-direita, Fagner é o titular absoluto da posição no Corinthians, mas sofreu uma lesãono músculo reto da coxa esquerda na semifinal do Paulistão, contra o São Paulo, e pode perder a estreia do clube na Libertadores, contra o Always Ready-BOL, na terça-feira (5).

Na teoria, o reserva do camisa 23 é João Pedro, que chegou no segundo semestre de 2021, mas o atleta perdeu espaço com VP, que preferiu improvisar João Victor na lateral-direita na semifinal do Paulista. João Pedro está emprestado ao Corinthians pelo Porto até o final de junho de 2022.

With just under two weeks until the transfer window swings open, Newcastle United have reportedly turned their attention towards a forward who has been compared to Premier League legend Didier Drogba.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies’ unpredictable form has continued in recent weeks, having been defeated 4-2 by Brentford in the Premier League, only to then thrash Leicester City 4-0 and send the Bees packing in a dominant 3-1 victory to advance into the last four of the Carabao Cup. It was the Sandro Tonali show at St James’ Park, with the Italian scoring twice to seal an impressive performance which could finally earn him a starting place under Eddie Howe.

Advancing in the Carabao Cup will once again test Newcastle’s squad to its limit, however, and once again signal the growing need for reinforcements when 2025 arrives.

On that front, names such as Bryan Mbeumo have been stealing the headlines, with the Brentford star seemingly high up on the Magies’ list of candidates to sharpen what has been a blunt attack at times this season. But he may not be the only one to arrive.

Saved by Tonali: Newcastle star played his worst game of the season

The Newcastle United attacker did not enjoy his best evening against Brentford.

ByDan Emery Dec 19, 2024

According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Newcastle have sent scouts to watch Hamza Igamane and are now racing to sign the Rangers forward alongside Everton, West Ham United, Bournemouth, Brentford and Fulham in what could be a hectic race for his signature.

The interest of the Premier League should come as little surprise after Igamane left Tottenham Hotspur shocked in the Europa League, scoring the opening goal in an eventual 1-1 draw at Ibrox last week. His exit would, of course, be a major blow for Rangers but one that Newcastle could yet take full advantage of in January or perhaps even the summer transfer window.

"Strong" Igamane can replace Wilson

Given that Callum Wilson is currently heading for the exit door as a free agent at the end of the season, Newcastle should be expected to eye up potential replacements in the coming months. And among those may well be Igamane. Still just 22 years old, the Rangers forward is a star on the rise and one of the few bright sparks in a fairly dim season under Philippe Clement, scoring six goals in 17 games.

Those around Ibrox have certainly been impressed with the young striker too, with Leon Balogun going as far as comparing him with Chelsea and Premier League legend Drogba. The central defender told reporters as relayed by The Scottish Sun: “Hamza’s had an excellent run, he’s a strong player. I don’t want to praise him too much, but the way he controls the ball reminds me a little bit of Didier Drogba.”

Of course, if Igamane is anything close to the play that Drogba was then Newcastle should go all out to land his signature as soon as they get the chance, be it as early as next month or in the summer transfer window.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has reportedly made two more of the club’s players available for transfer in January as he plans a mini squad overhaul.

Rashford transfer latest

After almost a decade as a first-team United player, Rashford has now stated his desire to leave the club. The English forward made the shock admission in an interview with Henry Winter just two days after he was left out of United’s squad for the Manchester derby earlier this month.

“For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps,” Rashford told Winter.

“When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person. If I know that a situation is already bad I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen how other players have left in the past and I don’t want to be that person. When I leave I’ll make a statement and it will be from me.”

Since dropping the bombshell, the 27-year-old, who has seven goals in all competitions this season, has again been left out of United’s squads for their games against Tottenham and Bournemouth – both of which ended in defeat for Amorim’s side.

Suitors are already lining up for Rashford, including Barcelona, who, according to Football Transfers, have now submitted a £35m bid to sign the striker in what would initially be a January loan move before a permanent deal takes place in the summer.

Amorim ready to axe two more Man Utd first teamers

Rashford isn’t the only player who is likely to leave Old Trafford after the New Year. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, both Christan Eriksen and Victor Lindelof have now been made available for transfer in January.

The two players, who are both tied to United until 2025, were given rare starts against Tottenham in the EFL Cup last week, but neither are part of Amorim’s plans moving forward. The Portuguese boss, who has the final say in contract extensions at Old Trafford, is understood to be unconvinced by what he’s seen from the pair so far.

“Eriksen and Lindelof are available for January market, but at the moment there’s still nothing concrete. For sure both are players who could be available in January,” Romano wrote on GiveMeSport.

Eriksen, 32, is attracting interest from a number of clubs, including his boyhood club Ajax, as well as Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic. Lindelof, who is two years Eriksen’s younger, meanwhile, has attracted interest from both Turkey and Italy.

Premier League clubs are also circling the Swede, including Leicester City, who are currently managed by United’s former interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Lindelof and Eriksen collectively earn £270,000 per week at Old Trafford, so getting them off the wage book would certainly help United ensure they are meeting the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

Deepak Hooda’s 39-ball 59 went in vain as Super Giants fell short in a chase of 179

Alagappan Muthu15-May-20222:43

Did KL Rahul get his choice of bowlers right?

Rajasthan Royals are happy to have four No. 11s in their line-up. And this is why. Each of them – led by Trent Boult – produced a match-winning contribution and this one will taste ever so sweet because it takes them close to a place in the IPL playoffs. They knocked the stuffing out of Lucknow Super Giants, who in all likelihood will be one of the teams they will meet in those knockout matches later this month. So this win – defending 178 – isn’t just that, it’s something to carry forward.The Royals promise
A young batter with a power game is one of the most exciting things in cricket. Yashasvi Jaiswal (41 off 29) certainly lived up to that billing tonight.At one point, he was beaten by Avesh Khan, the ball storming past his outside edge like it was offended he had even tried to hit it. In the next over, as if deciding enough was enough, Jaiswal made the darn thing disappear.That six into the crowd behind square leg in a Dushmantha Chameera over that cost 21 runs, combined with Sanju Samson’s takedown of Ravi Bishnoi in the eighth over, threatened something special.Trent Boult bagged two new-ball wickets after biffing an unbeaten 17 off 9•BCCIIt’s good to have options
This game was all about punch and counterpunch.The first part of that equation is a given. Batting teams in T20 cricket seldom hold back. But for a bowling team to respond, it takes either a lot of effort, or a lot of options.Super Giants had a LOT of options.Five balls after Samson pwned Bishnoi, he fell to Jason Holder.So in came Devdutt Padikkal, who hit five of the first 10 balls he faced to the boundary.One ball after that run-spree, Ayush Badoni dismissed Jaiswal.KL Rahul used eight bowlers, all of whom combined so well that by the start of the 17th over, the opposition’s finisher James Neesham was batting with just R Ashwin for company and those four No. 11s to come.A mix-up, and a botched attempt by the less recognised batter to sacrifice his wicket, left Ashwin and Boult at the crease with 14 balls still remaining, but they managed to biff 26 off those 14 balls. Who needs batting depth?Lightning Boult
A Brabourne pitch that offered movement + Boult = Magic.The Royals new-ball phenom took two wickets in the third over – Quinton de Kock caught off a long hop and Badoni lbw with mesmerising inswing.Prasidh Krishna took out Rahul from the other end – cramping the batter for room as he tried to play the cut – and that virtually was the game.Super Giants have relied heavily on their captain this season. More than 30% of their runs (421) in winning causes have come off his blade. But here, he was gone with 14.3 overs still to play.Deepak Hooda struck a 33-ball fifty•BCCIChahal vs Hooda
Super Giants were on the mat. They were 34 for 3 at the end of the powerplay. They hit just five boundaries in the eight overs that followed. Royals were squeezing the life out of them thanks to Ashwin (4-0-24-1) and Obed McCoy (2-0-16-0)Deepak Hooda (59 off 39) tried to break free of this strangle and he chose to do so against the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2022. Yuzvendra Chahal was hit for a six and a four to start the 11th over. But this is not a bowler who backs down. He didn’t against Glenn Maxwell. He didn’t against Kieron Pollard. He didn’t against MS Dhoni. And he didn’t against Hooda either.The game itself was long since over, but this head-to-head was still simmering.Hooda has been one of the IPL’s perennial itinerants, never establishing his place in any of the teams he’s played for.A player with so many gifts, foremost among them his long reach and plenty of power, should be dominating this tournament. But on occasion his decision-making has let him down.At Super Giants, it seems he’s been given the confidence to play the way he likes. He’s been given responsibility too, batting at No. 3. When you’ve spent a long time on the fringes, and suddenly someone comes along and gives you that kind of trust, you will never want to let them down.Hooda did what he could but in the end, it was just too much. He charged at Chahal once again in the 16th over, but this time the legspinner angled the ball into his pads, denying him the room to free those hands, and had him stumped off an inside edge. Everyone just went through the motions after that.

An elite European side have held “new talks” to tie down one of their forwards with a brand-new contract, with Arsenal lurking in the background for his signature.

Arsenal draw transfer shortlist as Mikel Arteta targets new winger

The Gunners are back to their imperious best, winning their last three consecutive games by very convincing margins, including a 5-2 victory over West Ham United, which equalled the Premier League record for most goals scored within a first half.

Arsenal could eclipse Declan Rice fee with £112m bid for "superb" forward

It would be their most expensive ever transfer.

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 3, 2024

Arsenal still languish nine points behind Arne Slot’s near-unbeatable Liverpool team, who’ve lost just one league game so far this season, but we’ve seen even more surprising comebacks in years past – so Mikel Arteta is by no means dead and buried in the title race just yet.

Like many other sides, the north Londoners have been forced to contend and improvise with numerous injuries to key players so far, which has undoubtedly played a major role in their form overall.

Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori are just some of the Arsenal crop sidelined by injury at various points this term, with White missing until next year after undergoing knee surgery.

This has reportedly led Arsenal to scour the transfer market for alternatives to key men, including Saka (Mick Brown, Football Insider), as it is believed that interim director Jason Ayto and Emirates Stadium chiefs are targeting a new wide player.

Arsenal are keen on Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo as one option, according to some reports, while rumoured summer target Nico Williams also remains on Arteta’s transfer wishlist.

Closer to home, there are suggestions that Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo is a target for Arsenal heading into 2025 (GiveMeSport). Another potentially astute option, who could be available at zero cost next summer, is Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane.

The Germany international winger’s future remains up in the air heading into next year, with Sane’s contract expiring in the summer and elite clubs able to sign him for free.

Sky Sports Germany, via Florian Plettenberg, have reported that Arsenal are looking at signing Sane as a result, and they’re keeping a keen eye on developments regarding a new deal, with Arteta and co weigh up the possibility of bringing a proven, elite winger to north London.

Bayern Munich hold "new talks" over Leroy Sané contract as Arsenal circle

Plettenberg has now shared a fresh update on the 28-year-old’s future, as Bayern try to stop Sane from joining Arsenal or any other interested side for nothing.

Plettenberg writes that new talks have taken place over a new deal for the £239,000-per-week forward, and while the Bavarians are keen to tie him down, they would consider “top offers” for him as early as the January window – if no progress is made in talks.

Sane has Premier League experience from his time at Man City, where he worked closely with Arteta under the guidance of Pep Guardiola at the time.

Ipswich Town, on course for relegation and humiliated by Newcastle United last time out, have unsurprisingly turned their attention towards the January transfer window and one potential bargain deal.

Ipswich transfer news

The Tractor Boys were handed the ultimate reality check against Newcastle just one week after they picked up a vital last-gasp victory over relegation rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers. Now sat two points adrift of safety, Kieran McKenna’s side face quite the fight to maintain their Premier League place at the first time of asking and could look at fresh faces when the January transfer window swings open.

On that front, the transfer rumours are already underway. Names such as Emmanuel Latte Lath have been mentioned in recent weeks, with the Middlesbrough star continuing to impress in the Championship.

Seemingly destined for the Premier League with or without Boro, Ipswich could swoop in and ease the goalscoring responsibility on Liam Delap by signing Latte Lath in January. Before they turn towards the Championship, however, the Tractor Boys could welcome a player who has more than enough Premier League experience.

According to reports in Spain, Ipswich Town are now eyeing a move to sign Hakim Ziyech in the January transfer window. Now 31 years old, the former Chelsea winger could reportedly see his contract terminated at Galatasaray ahead of the winter window, which would make him a free agent.

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Opening the door for a bargain deal, Ipswich could look to beat the likes of West Ham United to Ziyech’s signature and welcome the winger back to the Premier League.

Looking to survive, Premier League experience is the direction that Ipswich’s recruitment arguably should have headed towards in the summer transfer window. Now, six months later, they have it all to do.

"Wonderful" Ziyech could help Ipswich

The importance of the January transfer window cannot be overstated enough. It can make or break a title charge or, in Ipswich’s potential case, keep a side afloat in the Premier League. And, for the sake of their survival, Ipswich must welcome reinforcements – perhaps starting with Ziyech.

The winger hasn’t enjoyed his best spell at Galatasaray – scoring just eight goals and assisting a further five in 34 games in all competitions and not scoring once this season so far – but the chance to return to the Premier League could be exactly what he needs.

At his best, Ziyech has earned some impressive praise, including from managerial legend Louis van Gaal. The former Netherlands boss told reporters as relayed by The Metro following Ziyech’s 2022 World Cup performance with Morroco: “But I can answer the other question by talking about Ziyech for instance. He was of course trained in the Netherlands and Ziyech is a wonderful player.

“He makes an enormous contribution to the Moroccan squad and before this new head coach came in he wasn’t being played, so that says something about the head coach.”

Both the sides have missed out on qualification for playoffs, even before their last league game

S Sudarshanan21-May-20222:43

Was Mayank’s form a major reason for Punjab’s inconsistency?

Big pictureRahul Tripathi and Abhishek Sharma are uncapped and have been impressive. Umran Malik has been fast, fiery and impactful, albeit a bit expensive at times.Arshdeep Singh and Kagiso Rabada have economy rates of 7.31 and 8.30 respectively in the death overs, the first and third-best among bowlers in IPL 2022. Shikhar Dhawan has yet again been among the runs, the seventh successive time where he has crossed the 400-run mark in a season. Liam Livingstone is among the top six-hitters this IPL while Jitesh Sharma has been a revelation as a finisher.LIVE in the USA

You can watch the game in the USA on ESPN+.

But at the end of it all, both Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings have missed out on qualification for playoffs, even before their last league game, thanks to Royal Challengers Bangalore’s win over Gujarat Titans.Both teams would look to sign off on a high, in what is a dead rubber, something that is not too usual in the IPL.In the newsKane Williamson has flown back to New Zealand for the birth of his second child. Sunrisers haven’t yet announced their captain for the last game, though Bhuvneshwar Kumar has led them in the past while new West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran could be another candidateLikely XIsSunrisers Hyderabad: 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Priyam Garg, 3 Rahul Tripathi, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Nicholas Pooran (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Washington Sundar, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Fazalhaq Farooqi, 10 Umran Malik, 11 T NatarajanPunjab Kings: 1 Jonny Bairstow, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Mayank Agarwal (capt), 4 Liam Livingstone, 5 Bhanuka Rajapaksa/Benny Howell, 6 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 7 Harpreet Brar, 8 Rishi Dhawan/Ishan Porel, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Rahul Chahar, 11 Arshdeep SinghStrategy puntAlthough Kings tend to bring Rahul Chahar into the attack a bit later in the innings, there could be a case of him coming on earlier against Sunrisers given he has dismissed Abhishek twice in two innings and Tripathi twice in four meetings. Moreover, that could mean he would not be on when Pooran walks out to bat as the left-hander has a strike rate of 154 against the legspinner.Livingstone has been out to left-arm spin three times in the six innings he’s faced that type of bowling. Sunrisers could use Abhishek against him if they don’t get J Suchith in.Stats that matterKings’ scoring rate of 9.73 in the last four overs is the worst among teams in IPL 2022. Their economy rate of 9.28, though, in that phase is the lowest among the sides while Sunrisers are among the most expensive at 11.91 Kagiso Rabada has picked up at least one wicket in 11 of the 12 innings he bowled in IPL 2022 Kings have conceded the fewest sixes (16) in the last four overs this season while Sunrisers have hit the fewest (18) in the phase

After Todd Boehly’s takeover of Chelsea back in May 2022, no one could have predicted the massive influx of transfers that would take place at Stamford Bridge.

The American purchased the club from Roman Abramovich for a reported £4.25bn, but despite the huge acquisition to buy the Blues, he’s since invested a whole heap of cash into the playing squad.

Nearly three years on since he arrived in London, Boehly has spent around £1.2bn on new talents, investing for the present whilst also keeping one eye on the future.

Somehow, the club have avoided any punishment from the Premier League for breaking PSR or FFP – an unthinkable situation given the funds they have spent in recent times.

With such an array of transfers made, it’s obvious that some were going to fail to live up to expectations, but there are numerous who have caught the eye since their move to the Bridge.

Some of Chelsea’s best signings of the Boehly era

Striker Nicolas Jackson was a player who came under fire during last season under the former management regime despite scoring 14 Premier League goals.

However, since Enzo Maresca’s appointment during the summer, the Senegalese has taken his game to the next level – starring in front of goal.

The 23-year-old has already found the back of the net eight times in his opening 13 matches, sitting as joint top scorer in the league alongside Cole Palmer with a third of the season already complete.

Moises Caicedo arrived in West London with huge expectations after his £115m transfer from Brighton – a deal that broke the record for being the most expensive in English football.

However, he’s already made 63 appearances, scoring twice, including a phenomenal long-range effort against Bournemouth towards the back end of the season.

The price tag would’ve played on the mind of the 23-year-old, but he’s proven to be worth every penny of the fee paid for his services, but the same can’t be said for one of his current teammates.

Todd Boehly's worst transfers at Chelsea… so far

There are plenty to choose from, but who has been Boehly’s biggest mistake at Stamford Bridge?

2 ByStephan Georgiou Aug 23, 2024 The high-earning Chelsea player who Maresca needs to sell

After his summer arrival, boss Maresca has already created a settled side, as demonstrated by their current league standing, which sees them sit third and level on points with second-placed Arsenal.

His arrival has allowed for a fresh start for numerous players, including left-back Marc Cucurella, who has nailed down the position in recent months, featuring in 12 of the 13 Premier League games this campaign.

Other players have not been so lucky, including central defender Benoit Badiashile, starting just one league meeting to date, featuring for a combined 157 minutes.

However, the Frenchman arrived with high hopes after his £35m transfer from Monaco back in January 2023, but he’s only made 44 appearances since his big-money deal, finding himself down the pecking order this season.

Badiashile, who earns £90k-per-week at the Bridge, has mainly been restricted to Europa Conference League appearances this campaign, not at the level required for Maresca given his lack of league action.

1) Levi Colwill

1169

2) Wesley Fofana

1017

3) Marc Cucurella

919

4) Malo Gusto

733

5) Reece James

241

6) Tosin

172

7) Benoit Badiashile

157

8) Axel Disasi

95

9) Ben Chilwell

0

He still has plenty of time on his side given his tender age of just 23, but it’s safe to say that the move hasn’t worked out, especially after owner Boehly was “delighted” to secure his services nearly two years ago.

Given his £35m fee, the defender has currently cost the club £800k per appearance he’s made, a huge amount given his lack of impact in recent months.

His hefty wage, unfortunately, doesn’t reflect his game time since the appointment of the Italian, with a transfer away from the Blues potentially needed to kickstart a career which has become rather “dreadful” at Stamford Bridge in the words of pundit Gabby Agbonlahor.

There’s no way given his recent form, that the hierarchy would be able to make a profit, potentially taking a massive hit on their investment, but giving him the opportunity to resurrect his once-promising career.

Their answer to Odegaard: Chelsea keen on signing "world-class" £42m star

Chelsea could be about to make a move for a huge European talent.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 3, 2024

Dele Alli has hit back at his critics after being sent off on his Como debut and has vowed to "achieve greatness" with the Serie A side.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Dele saw red on nightmare Como debut
• Speaks out about sending off
• Vows to achieve greatness in Italy

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Como boss Cesc Fabregas handed Dele his Como debut on Saturday but saw the former Tottenham star sent off less than 10 minutes after coming on in a nightmare afternoon for the midfielder. Dele was shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fabregas was critical of his new signing after the match.

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• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Dele has had to be patient and wait for his chances at Como after arriving at the club back in December. He now faces more time on the sidelines due to suspension and has now explained what he was trying to do when he came on at San Siro.

• WHAT DELE SAID

  He told the club's media: "It was definitely a special feeling just because I know the journey. I'd been obviously focused on the game and trying to help the team. We were 2-1 down, so I wanted to go out there, I wanted to help, to score or help the team score, just play a part and turn the result around. For me it was clear what I was trying to do, it was a tactical foul, a tactical yellow, no malice or force, or recklessness in the challenge. You see the pictures after the game of my stud on his calf but there was no force or anything. If you pause the image of course it looks bad."

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Dele has signed an 18-month contract with Como and is confident he can achieve success with the Serie A side despite a disappointing start. He added: "I hope to achieve a lot of things, trying to achieve greatness because I think that's what Como is destined for and I want to be a part of that."

Ipswich Town fans will be hoping that 2025 is the year their side bravely remains put in the Premier League, despite recent poor results suggesting that an immediate return to the Championship is a more likely outcome.

At the time of writing, the Tractor Boys only have a sorry two wins next to their name and a low 12-point total to shout about, as the task of keeping his side up against all the odds continues to weigh heavy on Kieran McKenna.

But, the January transfer window could breathe some belief back into proceedings, especially if the relegation candidates are proactive and improve in certain areas of the pitch ahead of a slog of fixtures to come in the New Year.

Ipswich transfer news

One of those positions McKenna is reportedly interested in strengthening is the centre of the park, with ex-Leeds United midfielder Glen Kamara allegedly on the club’s radar.

As per a report by football journalist Graeme Bailey, the Finland international could up and leave his current employers Rennes this coming window in a bid to return to English shores with the Tractor Boys.

Ipswich aren’t a lone suitor looking at Kamara, however, with Ivan Juric’s Southampton also eyeing up the experienced midfield head to help with their own relegation concerns, alongside further speculation suggesting that Burnley and Middlesbrough are keen from the Championship.

A switch in the region of £8.4m could potentially secure a deal – considering that is what Kamara joined Rennes for just this summer – with McKenna presumably wanting to improve his options centrally away from a stuttering Kalvin Phillips.

Moreover, having once been referred to as a “monster” in the heart of midfield by former boss Steven Gerrard when the pair were together at Rangers, he could link up with Jens Cajuste well if he relocates to Suffolk, with the Swede impressing those at Portman Road of late with his own full-blooded offerings.

What Kamara could offer Ipswich

Having been a rip-roaring success in the Scottish first division, time will only tell if the 29-year-old can go on to be a top buy for Ipswich in another high up league.

The 2020/21 season for Kamara playing week in week out for Rangers in the league saw him average a sterling 91% pass accuracy per clash, whilst also displaying a bite in his game that could be key when games are attritional near the foot of the top-flight, with 3.9 duels won also averaged.

Stat – per 90 mins*

Kamara

Cajuste

Phillips

Games played

13

12

9

Games started

8

9

8

Goals scored

0

0

0

Assists

1

0

0

Touches*

38.2

33.1

49.8

Accurate passes*

28.5 (91%)

20.2 (86%)

28.4 (82%)

Tackles*

1.8

1.3

1.8

Ball recoveries*

3.2

3.1

3.9

Total duels won*

3.9

2.8

4.3

Whilst Phillips has averaged more duels and ball recoveries this season in the Premier League when thrown into action by McKenna, Kamara would likely offer the Tractor Boys a calmer presence as well as one unafraid to be dirty, with the Rennes number 15 completing more accurate passes per 90 this season in Ligue 1, despite averaging less touches.

Moreover, Kamara has been dependable wherever he’s been over the last couple of seasons unlike a topsy-turvy Phillips, with the 29-year-old making 42 appearances last season for Phillips’ ex-employers in Leeds, becoming known as a composed figure on the ball in the second tier.

It does remain to be seen whether Kamara would start from the get-go – owing to the fact McKenna has remained loyal to long-standing club servant Sam Morsy centrally this season – but if Morsy was out of the first-team picture on occasion, he wouldn’t hesitate playing him alongside Cajuste in attempting to make his side harder to break down.

January will prove to be a crucial month for McKenna’s side, with additions such as the £29k-per-week Kamara in through the door perhaps boosting their chances of survival.

Ipswich Town now make offer to sign "fantastic" 22 y/o defender in January

An offer has been made for the player.

ByHenry Jackson Dec 27, 2024