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West Ham United are looking at signing a centre-back who silenced Kylian Mbappe recently, as technical director Tim Steidten seeks defensive upgrades.

Aguerd and Zouma attract Saudi interest

A real worry for manager David Moyes this season has been West Ham's lack of solidity in defence at times. The Hammers have been on the receiving end of some real drubbings this season, including a 5-0 at Fulham, 5-1 loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup and 6-0 home defeat to Arsenal.

West Ham chiefs believe they can sign a "world class" talent this summer

He scored 21 goals last season.

By
Tom Coates

Mar 25, 2024

Concerns have surrounded the form of Nayef Aguerd, who is often prone to a fatal defensive error, with reports suggesting that both the Morocco international and central defensive partner Kurt Zouma are attracting interest from the Middle East.

Clubs in Saudi Arabia are eyeing up moves for Zouma and Aguerd, and the latter has been linked with a move away since before the new year. West Ham are said to be targeting defensive reinforcements ahead of the summer window, especially as Angelo Ogbonna's contract runs down to expiry.

Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo is an apparent target for West Ham, while Steidten also keeps tabs on other big name options from the continent.

West Ham looking at signing Jonathan Tah

According to HITC, Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah is one such option. The Germany international has been an ever-present in Xabi Alonso's starting elevens, as table-topping Leverkusen seek to make history by pipping Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title.

Tah has started 23 league matches under Alonso, even getting on the scoresheet four times, and his impressive form has earned him the nod from Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann. West Ham are apparently looking at signing Tah this summer and ran the rule over him during Germany's clash with France on Saturday. He managed to keep the likes of Mbappe at bay, as the PSG superstar could only muster a booking in a quiet display, which Germany won 2-0.

The defender's contract also expires next year as things stand, which could make him a relatively low-cost option. Tah already has a gleaming reputation from his time in the Bundesliga, with those close to him heaping praise on the player's physicality, attitude and general application.

"Jonathan has a great history here. He's an international player. He's ambitious. He is held in high regard by his teammates. We expect him to take the next step personality-wise," once said former Leverkusen boss Gerardo Seoane (via Bundesliga).

Former Germany manager Joachim Low, once drawing attention to his potential, heralded Tah's bursts of speed as a real plus point as well. Low said (via Bundesliga): "He's a young player with a lot of potential. He's physically strong and very quick. Everything is possible."

If Moyes is granted a stay beyond the end of 2023/2024, a defensive asset of Tah's calibre and experience could be just what West Ham need to take their backline to the next level.

Tottenham Hotspur are a team with imperfections. Daniel Levy knows that, as does Ange Postecoglou. Despite losing successive Premier League matches, hampering the bid to qualify for the Champions League, Levy will still be confident that his decision to appoint Postecoglou last year was the correct one.

Fifth in the standings, Tottenham have two games in hand and only trail fourth-place Aston Villa by six points, though still face Chelsea and Liverpool away from home, also welcoming Manchester City to north London.

But should the club miss out on a spot among Europe's elite next year, the progress made under new management should not be discredited, with this developing squad boasting all the signs of a promising project still in its embryonic stage.

Postecoglou's expansive, free-flowing style of football won fans over instantaneously at the start of the campaign but inconsistencies and injuries have since marred the success that saw him become the first manager to win the Manager of the Month award in each of his first three months in the Premier League.

The latest on the never-ending injury front has seen pacy winger Timo Werner pick up a hamstring injury during Sunday's loss against the Gunners, withdrawn after 31 minutes.

Joining Spurs on loan from RB Leipzig in January – with the option to make the deal permanent for £15m – Werner has scored two goals and supplied three assists from ten starting appearances in the Premier League, remarking "I love it here" during one post-match interview.

With trips to Chelsea and Liverpool looming in the English top-flight this week, Postecoglou will likely need to shuffle the pack, with Werner starting the past five games – but who could replace him?

1 The obvious choice Brennan Johnson

Most Lilywhites supporters wanted Brennan Johnson to start over Werner against Arsenal, offering a fleet-footed style but having also found greater, richer potency in front of goal this season, especially over the past few months.

Signed from Nottingham Forest for a whopping £47.5m fee last summer, the Wales international is shaping into a very useful asset, with plenty of room for improvement but plenty of ways to enflame the ire of Tottenham's opposition.

Content creator Dan Cook – known as 'HLTCO' on X (formerly Twitter) – perhaps summed up Johnson's skill set best, saying: "Brennan Johnson is such an exciting player to watch. He’s got frightening pace and directness; constantly looking to make something happen, it must be an absolute nightmare to defend against him."

While Johnson is typically found on the right flank, his two-footedness makes him a danger wherever he is deployed and he may well be the No. 1 choice to replace his German peer at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

2 The tactical tweak Heung-min Son

Next we have Heung-min Son, whose return to the left wing wouldn't be a revelation down N17 but given that he's started out wide just twice in 2024, it would be something of a tactical tweak.

Tottenham's long-time star has been in fine fettle this season, scoring 16 goals and supplying nine assists across 30 Premier League matches and playing a pivotal part in his outfit's resurgence under new management.

Of course, with Harry Kane not directly replaced as the focal frontman at the start of Postecoglou's reign, Son is needed at centre-forward, though Richarlison is pushing for a return from the outset and his brilliant purple patch earlier in 2024 underlines his prowess as an efficient striker.

As per FBref, the Spurs skipper ranks among the top 2% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 11% for shot-creating actions, the top 7% for progressive passes, the top 3% for pass completion and the top 6% for progressive carries per 90.

1.

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

21

2.

Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United

20

3.

Heung-min Son

Tottenham Hotspur

17

3.

Dwight McNeil

Everton

17

5.

Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City

16

5.

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal

16

Only Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah and Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes trump the South Korea star in big-chance creation this season and it's no joke that Son is one of the most dynamic players in the business.

He might be one of the deadliest finishers in the Premier League, but Son can throw down with the best when it comes to playmaking and controlling the flow of play.

Perhaps, playing Tottenham's best forward in his natural position to combat Werner's absence is actually the way to go – who'd have thought it?

3 The academy star Mikey Moore

The wildcard. The up-and-comer. England's most prodigious talent. That last sentence is admittedly subjective but 16-year-old Mikey Moore has now been training with the Tottenham first team and will be desperate to make his professional debut before the campaign's conclusion.

This season, the dynamic forward has been in staggering form at youth level, scoring 16 goals and providing nine assists for his teammates over just 14 outings across the U18 Premier League and the FA Youth Cup.

Described as a "superstar" by Fabrizio Romano, it's a dangerous game to heap praise too lofty on a youngster before they've even dipped their toes into the senior scene but Moore's age-belying talent makes it hard not to get giddy if you're wearing lily white.

A stunning ball-carrier with a ferocious strike and balletic movements, Moore's regular inclusion in the senior training set-up speaks of the high regard he is held in and he might just find himself unleashed in the fixtures to come, should Werner fail to make a quick recovery from his hamstring issue.

Usually placed centrally for Spurs but enjoying prolific success on the left flank for England, scoring a hat-trick against Croatia U17s last time out, Moore has the built-in athleticism and natural swagger to propel him to the front of the pack and there is now every chance that Postecoglou could decide to unleash his starlet at the season's final stage.

It might just be the start of something special…

Spurs star who dropped a 4/10 in the NLD must never start for Ange again

Tottenham’s top fours hopes were dented following defeat against Arsenal in the Premier League

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 29, 2024

Former India allrounder wants the national team to hire a team psychologist

ESPNcricinfo staff13-May-20202:38

Here’s who Yuvraj Singh thinks will break his fastest fifty record

Yuvraj Singh believes Hardik Pandya has the potential to become a “massive asset” for India by the 2023 World Cup, subject to the latter working on his temperament. Yuvraj said Hardik was a “phenomenal” talent and only one of the two current batsmen, along with his Indian teammate KL Rahul, who have the potential to break his record for the fastest T20I fifty, achieved in the 2007 World T20 against England.”I feel Hardik has the potential (to break my fastest T20I fifty record),” Yuvraj said on Sportscreen’s YouTube page. “I feel Hardik is someone who has got amazing talent, phenomenal talent. But probably someone needs to work with his head, where his head is, he is such a hard working guy, he is a nice guy.”Yuvraj buttressed his assertion by pointing to having seen Hardik’s amazing ball-hitting skills from up close during his stint with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019. He cited the example of Hardik’s 91 – his personal T20 best – against KKR at the Eden Gardens. Mumbai still lost the game, having been set a massive target of 233.Yuvraj had even called Hardik’s innings “the best” he had seen in IPL, and had told the Baroda allrounder he could be India’s lynchpin at the 2019 World Cup with both bat and ball. Eventually, Hardik made 226 runs in the World Cup without a half-century, and picked up 10 wickets. In the semi-final against New Zealand, Hardik made 32 a slog across the line proved to be his undoing.According to Yuvraj, Hardik still needed to perform in “crunch” moments, which could be achieved by working on the mental side of the game.”He hits the ball spectacularly,” Yuvraj said. “I was at Mumbai Indians last year and he got 90 odd off 30 balls [91 off 34 against KKR], it was a phenomenal innings. He can actually be the next big allrounder for India, but he hasn’t performed at crunch times. Those performances haven’t come because he is a big hitter and he likes those big hits, but when he starts to know when to take a single and a double, and when to hit those big sixes, then he will actually work as a better player. So Hardik has massive potential to be a world class player. If someone works on his mind, he can be a massive asset till we get to the next World Cup.”Yuvraj Singh joins in the celebrations•Craig Golding/AFP/Getty Images

Yuvraj further emphasised the need for India to rope in a mental conditioning coach, particularly with a view to help youngsters deal with the intense scrutiny and pressure of the international game. He cited the examples of Rishabh Pant and Prithvi Shaw, who he felt could benefit most from such an appointment. Pant, in a short international career, has already experienced volatile ups and downs scarcely imaginable for a 22-year old, and Shaw, a centurion on Test debut, has served a ban for a doping violation.During Yuvraj’s time, Paddy Upton combined as the mental conditioning and strategic leadership coach, finishing his three year stint in those positions after India won the 2011 World Cup. Yuvraj felt that though India had done well under the current coaching staff, a psychologist was needed to help youngsters cope with the mental side of the game.”I feel the current players don’t have anyone to speak about the mental side of the game to,” Yuvraj said. “We have guys like Rishabh Pant, guys like Prithvi Shaw, they are so talented, and obviously unfortunately there’s intense scrutiny these days because of the number of media outlets – one game you fail, you feel like you’ve failed the series. So, there’s nobody to talk to them about the mental side – what’s going on? How can we get better? Or probably don’t do this or do that. Share your experiences. I’ve been saying for a while, the team needs a good psychologist. But it should be someone the players respect. That’s important because there are a lot of young players, and younger players, as when we are growing up, we feel we know more than our parents and coaches.”Yuvraj even questioned whether the Indian coaching staff lead by Ravi Shastri and batting coach Vikram Rathour, while being equipped to deal with the technical stuff, could manage to sort the mental challenges players faced.”Players have done quite well under Ravi Shastri. They won in Australia, they have done quite well. But my point is – as a coach I don’t know how Ravi is – I know that you cannot have a particular way with every player, you have to have a different way with every player. I don’t see that with the coaching staff. You have guys like Vikram Rathour, he has been my senior, he has been a mentor at times when I was playing state, but with all due respect, if someone has not played cricket at that level for a long time, the younger generation which is more prone to T20 and 50-over, what are you going to tell them? Vikram Rathour might tell them about technique or how to hit the ball, but there’s no one to work on the mental side. The captain can only do so much. The coach can only do so much. That’s why I’m saying that you need a psychologist who actually talks to players after a particular session.”

Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson has warned Wrexham that they won’t "run away with another promotion" ahead of Saturday's League One encounter.

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• Wrexham travel to Peterborough
• Red Dragons aiming for third-straight promotion
• Ferguson spent eight years at Wrexham

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Dragons are aiming for their third-straight promotion after climbing from the National League to League One in the space of two seasons. Phil Parkinson's side have made a positive start to life in the third-tier, collecting seven points from their opening three matches, but Ferguson has warned them that tougher times lie in store ahead of Saturday's highly-anticipated match against fellow promotion-hopefuls Peterborough.

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• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Wrexham showed their title credentials with a 0-0 draw at Bolton before comfortably beating the previously unbeaten Reading 3-0 last weekend. Star striker Paul Mullin returned to action from the bench in the Reading win after recovering from spinal surgery in the summer. Saturday's game against Peterborough, who finished fourth last season, will give us another indication of where Wrexham's ambitions for the season should lie.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT FERGUSON SAID

  "They've hit the ground running this season which doesn't surprise me at all," Ferguson, son of the legendary former Manchester United manager Alex, said to reporters. "They have carried great momentum from last season and they have a real understanding of how they play under a manager who has been there for a long time now. They have been very good at home so far and they also picked up a very good point at Bolton, but they will find this season a lot tougher. They are certainly not going to run away with another promotion. We know we are in for a tough game though, but I am really looking forward to it. The atmosphere will be great."

  Ferguson spent eight years as a Wrexham player, leaving in 2007, but joked that it's not been difficult to follow their progress since the arrival of Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2021.

  The 52-year-old added: "Since I left I have always looked out for how they are getting on, but you now don't have to look very hard because the club is always being spoken and written about!"

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Ferguson will come up against his former side on Saturday afternoon in a match that pits seventh-placed Peterborough against their Welsh opponents, who currently sit fourth in the table.

Patrice Evra has posted a gorilla mating video that's left John Terry in hysterics – days after the Frenchman received a suspended jail sentence.

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Evra has received suspended jail sentencePosts bizarre gorilla video on social mediaEx-Chelsea man Terry finds post hilariousWHAT HAPPENED?

Not long after ex-Manchester United defender Evra was handed the suspended 12-month jail sentence for alleged family abandonment, the former left-back took to social media to bash the French press. The 43-year-old performed an eyebrow-raising commentary to two gorillas mating – something former Chelsea star Terry found very funny.

AdvertisementWHAT PATRICE EVRA SAID

He wrote on Instagram: "🔞🔞🔞 sound on loud 🔊 since the French media are soo interested about my private life, when soo many sad events are happening around the world let the circus 🎪 begin!! When she know djhu dhu [sic] he's soo weak weak and you pretend to be strong 🤣🤣🤣

#ilovethisgame #positive4evra #wakeuppeople."

Then in the comments section, Terry posted three crying with laughter emojis.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

The former Juventus man was found guilty of abandoning his family for a two-year period, with Evra reportedly ordered to pay his wife €4,000 for moral damages and €2,000 for legal costs. He was handed the suspended sentence for allegedly failing to pay around £800,000 in alimony payments to ex-wife Sandra.

يستعد فريق ريال مدريد لاستئناف مبارياته في بطولة الدوري الإسباني، مساء اليوم السبت، بعد انتهاء فترة التوقف الدولي الخاص بشهر سبتمبر.

ويحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا على خصمه ريال سوسيداد، في إطار منافسات الجولة الخامسة من الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2024/25، على ملعب “ريالي آرينا”.

ويحتل ريال مدريد حاليًا المركز الثاني برصيد 8 نقاط، بفارق 4 نقاط عن برشلونة صاحب الصدارة في الوقت الحالي.

في حين أن ريال سوسيداد لديه 4 نقاط حيث يحتل المركز الثالث عشر في جدول الدوري الإسباني. موعد مباراة ريال مدريد وريال سوسيداد اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة ريال مدريد وريال سوسيداد اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

تُذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN Sports HD 1. معلق مباراة ريال مدريد وريال سوسيداد اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

سيعلق عصام الشوالي على أحداث مباراة اليوم. 

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا.

As the January transfer window edges closer and closer to slamming shut, Crystal Palace could yet add to the arrival of KRC Genk right-back Daniel Munoz with an attacking player who will hope to replace Wilfried Zaha. One key obstacle stands in the way of the Eagles' potential deal, however.

Crystal Palace transfer news

After welcoming Munoz for a reported £6.8m, Palace chairman Steve Parish said via BBC Sport: "We are delighted to welcome a player of Daniel's quality and character to the club. He has experience at the highest level for club and country, and he possesses an impressive record going forwards for a full-back. I am certain his ability, athleticism and tenacity will be a huge boost to the squad for the remainder of the season, and beyond."

Those at Selhurst Park may not be done there when it comes to incomings, however, even after finally confirming the arrival of Adam Wharton. Meanwhile, a further development has taken place in the Eagles' attempt to sign Maxwel Cornet from West Ham United. According to Ed Aarons, Crystal Palace have agreed terms over a potential loan deal for Cornet, but the move still hinges on whether the Hammers can find a replacement. The Guardian journalist posted the news on X, saying:

With that said it could be a busy final few hours in London for all involved. West Ham could yet find their replacement, which would then allow their Premier League counterparts to get their man before the transfer window slams shut. That said, the player has been named on the bench as they host Bournemouth tonight, so the Irons have clearly had no indication that a deal is likely to go through just yet.

"Quality" Cornet needs fresh start

The fact that Cornet could now complete a move away before the end of the window says it all about just how disappointing his West Ham spell has been. Arriving at the London Stadium for a reported £17.5m in 2022, the winger was at the centre of praise from an optimistic David Moyes, who said via Sky Sports: "We are delighted to welcome Maxwel to West Ham United. He is a versatile player with good experience, both in the Premier League and in European football, and will add strength and quality to our squad.

"He made a big impact with his performances for Burnley last season and he has impressed me with his desire to improve and challenge himself further here at West Ham. We look forward to bringing Maxwel into the group and wish him all the best in his career with us."

Things just haven't worked out, however, with Cornet's stats reflecting that. The former Burnley man has scored just one goal and assisted a further six in 31 appearances for the Hammers after having a hand in 11 goals in 29 games for Burnley a season before the move. Now, in need of a career revival, Cornet could turn to Crystal Palace, who could help the winger finally rediscover his best form.

MatériaMais Notícias

da apostebet： O São Paulo anunciou na tarde desta terça-feira (30), a contratação do meia William, de 34 anos, que estava no Toluca-MEX. O jogadorassinou contrato até o final da temporada, com a possibilidade de renovação por mais um ano.

Dez anos do gol 100: Relembre 10 gols marcantes da carreira de Rogério Ceni

William já vinha treinando com o elenco nos últimos dias, mas esperava algumas burocracias para ser anunciado pelo clube do Morumbi. Ele já realizou os exames médicos na capital paulista e está integrado ao elenco de Hernán Crespo.

CONFIRA A TABELA ATUALIZADA DO CAMPEONATO PAULISTA DE 2021

RelacionadasSão PauloPaulinho Boia, do São Paulo, avança em recuperação de artroscopiaSão Paulo30/03/2021São PauloApós caso de doping e dois gols marcados, Carneiro deixa o São PauloSão Paulo30/03/2021São PauloBelmonte explica contratação de William no São Paulo e revela ‘ajuda’ de VolpiSão Paulo16/03/2021

da luck： William iniciou sua carreira nas categorias de base do Juventus, mas foi realmente nas categorias de base do Palmeiras que o atleta destacou-se. Após se recuperar do problema cardíaco, retornou ao futebol em 2006, e em 2007, começou bem o ano, após marcar dois gols na estreia do Palmeiras no Paulistão.

✍️ São Paulo define a contratação de William

Meio-campista assinou contrato até o fim da temporada

Saiba mais > https://t.co/zGoJuDzCJ9#VamosSãoPaulo 🇾🇪 pic.twitter.com/9BlX18pBXY

— São Paulo FC (@SaoPauloFC) March 30, 2021

Ele teve passagens por diversos clubes brasileiros, como Goiás, Náutico e Joiville. Logo depois, se transferiu ao Busan IPark, da Coréia do Sul. Passou ainda pelo futebol mexicano, jogando no Querétaro, América e Toluca, seu último clube.

Em 2021, o meia disputou dois dos seis jogos do Toluca, todos entrando na segunda etapa, diante do Querétaro e do Tijuana.

da pinnacle： Liverpool have been handed a huge boost regarding the future of one of the stars of their Carabao Cup triumph, with journalist Fabrizio Romano relaying comments made by Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool win EFL Cup at Wembley

da fezbet： The Reds enjoyed a day to treasure at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, as they sealed their first trophy win of the season in unforgettable fashion. An injury-ravaged Liverpool side took Chelsea to extra-time, by which point a number of teenagers had needed to be introduced to aid tired legs, but Virgil van Dijk's late header sealed glory for Klopp's men.

It was an astonishing effort from all involved, considering the likes of Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota were all missing for the Reds, and it goes down as one of the best triumphs of the Klopp era.

It was a game that saw so many Liverpool players perform heroically, with Caoimhin Kelleher a brick wall in goal, Van Dijk imperious at the back and Wataru Endo superb in midfield, and there were simply too many outstanding players to mention.

Now, a key claim has emerged regarding the future of one of the Merseysiders' EFL Cup heroes, following a big update over his future.

Wataru Endo likely to sign new Liverpool deal

According to Romano on X, who shared comments made by Klopp after the Chelsea game, a contract extension for Endo at Liverpool is on the cards.

"Jurgen Klopp: 'I'm pretty sure that Wataru Endo will sign another long term contract at Liverpool. He might be 31 on the passport but… he's a machine!'."

Extending Endo's stay at Liverpool has to be considered a complete no-brainer for the club, with the Japan stalwart overcoming a slow start to become a hugely influential player this season.

Wataru Endo's EFL Cup final stats

Total

Minutes played

120

Pass completion rate

91%

Ground duels won

11

Tackles

6

Clearances

3

Key passes

1

While he may not be as explosive or talented as Alexis Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Jones, the 31-year-old has been so important sitting in front of the defence, especially with injuries affecting the Reds so much. Klopp clearly had no doubt about him having a big impact, too, recently saying of him:

“You need a bit of time, that’s all. We see him every day in training and he is one of the hardest-working people I ever met. It was always clear that it will be good, but I’m happy obviously for him that the public could see it now as well, because that’s pretty helpful in our job."

There is an element of cult hero status about Endo that has seen him become a very important popular figure among the Liverpool fanbase, and while he doesn't represent the long-term future, giving him a new deal would be both richly deserved and positively received.

Related FSG chiefs have “strong relationship” with “unbelievable” Liverpool target

The Reds are reportedly interested in signing him.

Posts ByHenry Jackson Feb 26, 2024

When everyone is fit, the Japan international is probably a squad player, but he can continue to be a key man for the foreseeable future, and on current form, there is no reason why he should lose his place.

da wazamba： Nottingham Forest aren't shy of a transfer or two as demonstrated since their promotion back to the Premier League in May 2022.

da 888casino： Since promotion, the Reds have made 34 new additions, with owner Evangelos Marinakis investing over £200m on new players to establish the club as a modern-day Premier League outfit.

Players such as Taiwo Awoniyi, Morgan Gibbs-White and Ibrahim Sangare have all broken Forest's transfer record within the last two years, showcasing the owner's ambition to take the club forward.

Not all of Forest's signings have been successful, with players such as Emmanuel Dennis and Jonjo Shelvey joining for hefty fees and wages, but failing to provide value for money.

Despite the club's erratic dealings in the transfer market, they missed out on a deal a few years ago that would have for sure made them a huge profit in 2024.

Nottingham Forest missed out on clinical striker in 2020

After missing out on a play-off place on the final day of the 2019/20 season, the Reds needed to build on a positive campaign in order to push for promotion in the following campaign.

The club were forced to sell right-back Matty Cash to Aston Villa after failing to win promotion, with the now Poland international moving to Villa Park for £15m.

The club used the money to bolster the squad ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, spending £12m on new players, which included Loic Mbe-Soh from PSG and Harry Arter from Bournemouth – a deal that proved to be a complete disaster with the player eventually alienated from the first-team picture.

During the same summer, Sabri Lamouchi was reportedly interested in signing Peterborough United striker Ivan Toney after he scored 26 times in 39 league outings the season prior.

The club faced a battle with fierce rivals Derby County for his signature. However, neither club failed to agree a deal for the striker.

Toney eventually joined Brentford in a deal rising to £10m with add-ons – a deal that looks to be a bargain given his form for the Bees in the Championship and Premier League.

Related Nottingham Forest star who left in 2022 has been on fire this season

He’s scored 8 goals in 16 games so far this season.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Feb 14, 2024 Ivan Toney's stats for Brentford since 2020

No one could've envisaged the impact Toney would've had at the GTEC Community Stadium after he arrived from League One. The striker took the Championship by storm, scoring 31 times for the Bees in the season they gained promotion to the Premier League for the first time in the club's history.

Toney's tally that season broke the Championship record for most goals in a 46-game season until it was broken by Fulham's Aleksander Mitrovic during the 2021/22 campaign.

The striker continued his brilliant form in the Premier League under Thomas Frank, scoring 12 times in his first Premier League campaign. However, it was his second season that brought all the attention to Toney for on and off-the-field reasons.

The former Newcastle United forward scored 20 times for the Bees but was hit with an FA charge for breaking betting rules that would see him serve an eight-month ban from all competitions.

His first game back from his ban was in the 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest, with Toney scoring and claiming the Man of the Match award – a real case of showing the Reds what they could've had.

He's since been linked with a huge £100m move to the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal this summer, with Forest missing out on a deal that would've brought them a brilliant striker in the Premier League but also an exceptional profit to help the club in their battle against FFP.