Talks held: Celtic make first move to sign 16-goal forward ahead of Rangers

Celtic have reportedly held talks to sign an in-demand teenage attacker who is set to leave his current club this summer.

Celtic transfer speculation

The Hoops and Brendan Rodgers are yet to make a summer signing following a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup triumph last season, although the Northern Irishman did admit back in February the club could look to be braver with their signings, presumably starting this summer.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans.

“I would go with supporters thinking we could maybe be a little bit braver in terms of bringing in another level of player. But that’s up to me to try and fix that over the course of my time here. You look at the strategy here and you have to be careful because in some ways it has worked. You bring in players for a minimal fee and then they go out and make the club a lot of money.

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The Hoops are reportedly interested in signing the talented young centre-forward.

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“What I want to hopefully balance in my time here is that we can still do that, because it is an important part of the modern game. But we also want to be brave enough to hang our hat on a ready-made player.”

That ‘another level of player’ Rodgers is talking about signing could be a big-money deal for Croatia international Dominik Livakovic. The Hoops are after a new first choice ’keeper following Joe Hart’s retirement and have reportedly submitted a big £7.6m bid for his services to Fenerbahce.

Alongside a goalkeeper, a new winger and striker are also wanted at Parkhead. In regards to specific attacking targets, the likes of Panathinaikos’ Fotis Ioannidis, Motherwell’s Theo Bair and last season’s loanee Adam Idah have all been linked with moves to Glasgow.

Now, a much younger attacking target has emerged on the radar at Celtic Park.

Celtic hold talks for teenage striker

According to The Secret Scout on X, Celtic are one of six clubs who have held talks to sign forward Ajay Matthews, who is set to leave Middlesbrough this summer.

Alongside the Hoops, rivals Rangers have also been in discussions, alongside four Premier League clubs who are also hoping to win the race for Matthews’ services. Impressively, Matthews scored 16 goals in 17 starts for Middlesbrough’s youth side last season, and it looks as if a number of clubs are aware of his talent and are looking to seal a cut-price deal as a result.

The 18-year-old may not be too far from first-team football, should he carry on his prolific form in front of goal at youth level, and who knows, we could see him turning out under Rodgers in years to come, should Celtic win the race for his services this summer.

Em véspera de jogo-treino, elenco do Corinthians faz trabalho por setores

MatériaMais Notícias

da cassino online: De olho na estreia do Campeonato Paulista, no próximo dia 25 de janeiro, às 21h, contra a Ferroviária, na Neo Química Arena, o elenco do Corinthians segue em treinamentos de pré-temporada. Neste sábado (15), pela manhã, o atletas corintianos fizeram uma atividade por setores.

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da casino: Para essa divisão de elenco, o técnico Sylvinho contou com os seus auxiliares, Fernando Lázaro ficou com os defensores, zagueiros e laterais, para atividades de posicionamento, enquanto Alex Meschini e Doriva trabalharam movimentação, passes, cruzamentos e finalizaçoes com os meias e atacantes.

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Antes, os jogadores fizeram uma atividade de posse de bola em campo reduzido.

Recuperado da Covid-19, o centroavante Jô finalizou as avaliaççoes físicas, que iniciaram na sexta-feira (14), e fez um trabalho com bola separado do restante do elenco, com o preparador físico Flávio de Oliveira.

Neste domingo (16), os atletas corintianos voltarão aos trabalhos, com treinamento na parte da manhã e um jogo-treino contra a Inter de Limeira no período da tarde, ambos no CT Joaquim Grava.

"Increasingly real" chance £63m star moves this summer as Man City lurk

Manchester City have been handed something of a boost as one of their targets seems increasingly likely to leave this summer, with the Citzyzens among those credited with an interest should he do so.

Summer of change for Manchester City

It is shaping up to be a big summer for Manchester City despite having won their fourth Premier League title on the bounce under Pep Guardiola. Kevin de Bruyne is being regularly linked with Saudi Arabia, and has revealed that he has "to be open to everything", fanning the flames of his rumoured departure.

Meanwhile, fringe duo Sergio Gomez and Kalvin Phillips are both likely to depart, with the Spaniard being tracked by clubs in La Liga and Phillips returning from a dreadful spell on loan with West Ham.

Kalvin Phillips for West Ham

In addition, there has been speculation around the futures of Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva, with the latter having a £50m release clause in his contract in Manchester. Between the posts, Stefan Ortega has ended speculation surrounding his future by penning a new contract at the Etihad stadium, which will keep the German at the club until 2026.

However, there remains significant speculation over the future of last season's no.1 Ederson, who is thought to be subject to interest from Saudi Arabia and could yet depart this summer, with the club not set to stand in his way should he choose to do so.

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If he does leave, they will need to move to find a new shot-stopper, with veteran Scott Carson the only other recognised goalkeeper on their books. Now, they may have been handed a boost in their chase.

City target likely to move on

That comes in the shape of FC Porto and Portugal no.1 Diogo Costa, who is set to start the EURO's as Roberto Martinez's first choice. The 24-year-old has long been linked with a move to the Premier League but for the majority of the time it has been with cross-city rivals Manchester United.

He still has three years left to run on his £23,000 a week deal at the Estadio de Dragao, but there remains a 75m euros (£63m) release clause in his contract, something that has prevented his departure until now.

As per reports in Portugal [via Sport Witness], departure this summer is becoming an 'increasingly real scenario' as it has been claimed that Porto may need to make a big sale this summer to balance their books.

City's interest is matched by Arsenal and of course Chelsea, who are not content with the two goalkeepers signed last summer and would reportedly like to add another.

How Costa compares to Ederson (23/24 domestic league)

Ederson

Diogo Costa

Appearances

33

33

Clean sheets

10

13

Saves per 90

1.81

1.62

Save %

70.7%

72.7%

He won't be available for nothing though, with Porto still keen to receive a fee close to the release clause, though anything less will surely be considered if there is a real need to sell the goalkeeper.

He remains a work in progress, but has been hailed for his "world class" potential by compatriot and Man City rival Diogo Dalot: “I grew up with him, he’s my friend, there’s a great relationship between us and I know perfectly well that he has the capacity to one day be world-class.”

If City make a move, the friends will be facing off next season.

Deal close: Man Utd nearing move to sign winger represented by Jay-Z agency

Manchester United are close to signing a new teenage winger, according to reliable reporter Samuel Luckhurst.

Man Utd making academy moves

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is into his first transfer window as co-owner of the Red Devils and is yet to make a senior signing for Erik ten Hag. The new co-owner has recently said that it will take two or three summer windows to complete an Old Trafford rebuild when it comes to the playing squad.

"I don't think the solution is to buy an Mbappe. We are more grassroots than that. One player is not going to solve the problem at Manchester United. The first thing we need to do is build a balanced squad and ultimately maybe top it off with one or two players like Mbappe. It will take two or three summer windows to get to a better place.

It looks as if a new centre-back and centre-forward are on the to-do list at Old Trafford after Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial left upon their contracts expiring at the end of June. Ten Hag could target his fellow countrymen when it comes to defensive and attacking reinforcements, Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee and Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt two heavily linked players.

However, alongside senior signings, the club have also been working to secure the services of potential stars in the making at academy level. The club have already sealed deals for teenager Silva Mexes, the son of former Cardiff and West Brom striker Rob Earnshaw, and Australian James Overy, whereas Camron Mpofu from Reading is also expected to sign.

Now, another teenager has emerged on the Carrington radar, and it looks as if a move could be a matter of when he signs for United, not if.

Man Utd close to signing teenage winger

According to The Manchester Evening News’ chief reporter Luckhurst, Man Utd are close to signing Crystal Palace gem Samuel Lusale. The 16-year-old plays as a winger and recently represented Slovakia at the Under-17 European Championship in May.

Interestingly, Lusale is represented by the agency Roc Nation, which was founded by American rapper Jay-Z. On their website for Lusale’s profile, they describe the Palace gem as a quick winger who can play on either side.

“Samuel is a quick, dynamic winger who is regarded as one of the most exciting attacking players in the UK at under-16 level. Comfortable playing off the right or left wing, his electrifying pace and direct running with the ball makes him a constant threat to the opposition defence. He is often the source of goals and assists for his team.”

Man Utd chiefs ready to sell £190,000-p/w star who Ten Hag called "massive"

Ruthless from the Red Devils.

2 ByTom Cunningham Jul 4, 2024

His next move could be north to Manchester by the looks of things, and who knows, he could be the next wide teenager to progress into the first team after spending time in the academy after Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

Sophia Dunkley guides England to five-wicket win after Kate Cross five-for

Katherine Brunt provides vital support in sixth-wicket stand after India post 222 target

Annesha Ghosh30-Jun-2021England Women 225 for 5 (Dunkley 73, Winfield-Hill 42, Brunt 33*, Poonam 2-63) beat India Women 221 (Raj 59, Verma 44, Cross 5-34, Ecclestone 3-33) by five wicketsKate Cross’s second career five-for and a second successive three-for from Sophie Ecclestone, followed by a sixth-wicket unbeaten 92 stand between half-centurion Sophia Dunkley and Katherine Brunt set up England’s five-wicket win in the second ODI as Mithali Raj’s second fifty in as many games was in vain.India scored 71 off their last 15 overs to set England 222; the hosts needed 65 off theirs to clinch a second straight win and bolster their lead to 6-2 in the seven-match multi-format series. By then, Dunkley, batting for the first time in ODIs having made her debut in the format on Sunday, had put on 24 with Brunt. It took the duo less than 13 of those 15 overs to overhaul the target as Dunkley finished on 73 not out and Brunt on an unbeaten 33.Exuding the nerveless, clear-headed approach that underpinned her 74 not out on Test debut earlier this month, Dunkley steadied England’s chase after the home team lost half their side with 79 still needed. Her release shot – an imperious six into the long-on stands off pacer Shikha Pandey in the 34th over – put England in the driver’s seat after intermittent strikes had denied England’s top five any fifty partnerships.A maiden from Pandey in the first half of the Powerplay set the tone for India’s defence, under stand-in captain Harmanpreet Kaur as Raj didn’t field owing to neck pain. Jhulan Goswami drew first blood with a jaffa in the fifth over. Landing one on a good length, Goswami had it seam away slightly after pitching on middle, when, as replays suggested, the original line had been heading down leg. The misreading of the line caused the in-form Beaumont to be bowled for just 10.Beaumont’s opening partner, Lauren Winfield-Hill, showed early promise with a bouquet of cracking drives through the covers and over the bowler’s head. She hit four fours and a six en route to her 42 but fell to a feather of an edge in Pandey’s second spell thanks to brilliant Taniya Bhatia, standing up, with the gloves.Pandey could have had a second wicket a ball later. Kaur claimed a low catch diving forward to a Sciver lofted drive to mid-off, and was adamant her fingers were under the ball as she did so. The on-field soft signal, however, was not out, and was duly upheld, much to her displeasure, when the zoomed-in TV replays proved inconclusive.Kate Cross claimed a five-for as England took control of the second ODI•PA Photos/Getty ImagesIt could have proven to be a pivotal flashpoint. Instead, on 92 for 3, with Sciver having added another six runs since the close shave, offspinner Rana caused her to edge to Bhatia for the second of the wicketkeeper’s superb takes. Poonam picked up Amy Jones in the 29th over, keeping India’s chances alive, until Brunt and Dunkley staged a meticulous rebuild.As with their bowling performance, with the bat, India showed better intent than the first ODI. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma’s fifty opening stand came up in the 11th over, but in the next over, the introduction of England’s third pacer, Cross, led to the first breakthrough, with Mandhana chopping on a good-length, scrambled-seam delivery that nipped away from the bat.England had turned to spin as early as the ninth over, with Ecclestone bowling six overs for 20 runs and picking up the wicket of Verma in her first spell. Badly dropped on 21 by Winfield-Hill at mid-off, and parched of runs in the first three balls of the 17th over, Verma, six shy of a maiden ODI fifty, trotted down the pitch but was stumped adeptly by Jones as Ecclestone dragged her length back.No. 3 Jemimah Rodgriues, replacing Punam Raut as one of three changes to India’s XI, struck two emphatic fours in Ecclestone’s fifth over. That’s all she could score in her 15-ball stay before coming down the wicket to Cross, and offering up a leading edge for Brunt to complete an easy take.After India slipped from 56 for 0 to 77 for 3 in the space of 29 balls, Raj and her deputy, Kaur, strung a fourth-wicket stand of 68 runs, their third fifty-plus stand in their last four ODI innings together, to lift India to 145 for 4 by the 34th over. Their stand ended with Cross eliciting a cavalier hoick off Kaur that ended up in a benign top edge for the bowler herself to gobble up.Related

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The next-best partnership was worth just 15, between Raj and Deepti Sharma, whose flick found Dunkley in the deep, as Cross made giant strides on her merry march to the Player-of-the-Match honours. Sharma’s wicket capped off Cross’s four-for, the first by an England bowler in a home ODI since Anya Shrubsole’s epochal five-for in the 2017 World Cup final at Lord’s.Cross sealed her five-for with the wicket of Sneh Rana, who made the XI at the expense of Pooja Vastrakar. Drawing a leading edge similar to Rodrigues’, Rana was held at the second attempt by a relieved Heather Knight, as England celebrated with a group hug to mark a fine performance from a popular player.Ecclestone followed up her 3 for 40 in the first game with 3 for 33 in the second, Bhatia her second scalp at Taunton. In Shikha Pandey, Sciver picked up her 50th ODI wicket.Raj found support towards the end of the innings from No. 10 Goswami, who pulled Brunt twice with aplomb in her unbeaten run-a-ball 19. Regular dismissals at the other end meant Raj dropped the scoring pace somewhat as she neared her fifty, a highlights-worthy compilation of back-foot punches, cuts, trademark cover drives, and a failed attempt at pulling a superb Cross bouncer in the 36th over.On 48, Raj copped a bouncer from Cross on the front of her grille, but quickly shook it off to bring up a half-century, her 57th in the format. However, she was run out nine runs later, after a terrific recovery from Dunkley on the deep square boundary. After recovering from a misfield, her bullet throw was well gathered in front of the stumps by Jones, who whipped off the bails to claim the key scalp among her day’s four dismissals.A 29-run tenth-wicket stand between Goswami and Poonam Yadav, who was picked over Ekta Bisht as the second frontline spin-bowling option, dragged India past 200. Ecclestone bowled Yadav for a 15-ball 10 off the final delivery of the innings. And though India bettered their 201 tally in the first post 221 in the second, it again proved insufficient to get the better of England.

Stats – India first team to lose a Test despite five centurions

There were a number of records made in Headingley as England scripted another memorable win

Sampath Bandarupalli24-Jun-2025371 – The target England chased down at Headingley. It is the second-highest fourth-innings chase for England in Test cricket and the second-biggest by any team against India. The highest was when England chased down 378 against India in 2022 at Edgbaston.ESPNcricinfo Ltd350 – The runs England needed to score at the start of the fifth day’s play. Only one team has successfully chased a higher total on the last scheduled day of a Test match – 404 by Australia against England on day five of the 1948 Headingley Test.1 – India became the first team to lose a Test match after scoring five individual centuries. Only once before has a team lost a Test with four hundreds – Australia against England in Melbourne in 1928.835 – Runs that India aggregated in the Headingley Test, the fourth-highest to end up on the losing side. The previous highest for India in a losing cause was 759 against Australia in 2014 in Adelaide.ESPNcricinfo Ltd3 – Number of Test matches with 350-plus totals in all four innings. The previous two such instances came in the Ashes – in 1921 in Adelaide and in 1948 in Headingley.1673 – Runs aggregated by England and India at Headingley, the highest for any Test match between the two sides. The previous highest was 1614 runs in Manchester in 1990, which ended in a draw. The 1673 runs are also the fifth-highest aggregate for any Test match not to end in a draw.5 – Number of successful 300-plus chases in the fourth innings at Headingley. The only other venue with more than two successful 300-plus chases is Durban’s Kingsmead with three.ESPNcricinfo Ltd149 – Ben Duckett’s score is the highest by any batter in the fourth innings of a Test match against India, bettering Joe Root’s 142* at Edgbaston in 2022.Duckett’s 149 is also the second-highest score by an England opener in the fourth innings, behind Mike Atherton’s 185* against South Africa in 1995.188 – The opening partnership between Duckett and Zak Crawley is the fifth-highest in the fourth innings of a Test match. It is also the second-highest for England, behind the 203 by Atherton and Graham Gooch against Australia in 1991.12 – Batters to have ended on the losing side despite scoring hundreds in both innings of a Test match, Rishabh Pant joining the list after the Headingley Test. The last of the previous eleven was Brendan Taylor against Bangladesh in 2018.

الأهلي يسقط أمام الاتحاد السكندري في مباراة مثيرة بدوري كرة السلة

نجح فريق الاتحاد السكندري في تحقيق فوز مثير على نظيره الأهلي، بنتيجة 87-84، وذلك بالمباراة التي جمعت بينهما أمس في بطولة دوري السوبر لكرة السلة.

والتقى الأهلي مع الاتحاد السكندري، على صالة حسن مصطفى الفرعية، في إطار قمة لقاءات الجولة السابعة بنهاية الدور الأول من المرحلة الترتيبية للبطولة.

وكان الأهلي قد تقدم على حساب الاتحاد السكندري، في الربع الأول بنتيجة 25-17، ثم حافظ على تقدمه بنهاية الربع الثاني بنتيجة 44-41.

طالع أيضاً.. حكم مباراة بيراميدز والمقاولون العرب في كأس مصر

ووسع الأهلي الفارق مع نهاية الربع الثالث متقدمًا بنتيجة 70-58، لكن زعيم الثغر قلب الطاولة في الربع الرابع والأخير، ليحسم اللقاء لصالحه بريمونتادا بنتيجة 84-87.

بهذا الفوز، يحتل الاتحاد السكندري صدارة جدول ترتيب المرحلة الترتيبية في دوري السوبر لكرة السلة برصيد 12 نقطة، متفوقاً على الأهلي الذي يحتل نفس عدد النقاط، ولكن على مستوى المواجهات المباشرة.

Liverpool now "super confident" of signing "fantastic" £65m Euro 2024 star

Liverpool are believed to be "super confident" of completing the signing of a "fantastic" player in the summer transfer window, with a £65m deal possible.

Liverpool transfer news

With Euro 2024 done and dusted, attention is now more likely to turn to transfers, with Arne Slot no doubt desperate to bring in new players who can aid his start to life at Anfield.

Two England players who have been linked with summer moves to Liverpool are Marc Guehi and Anthony Gordon, both of whom have been a part of their Euro 2024 journey this summer. The former is a boyhood Reds supporter, but Newcastle United are thought to be desperate to keep hold of him.

Liverpool target Anthony Gordon in action for England at EURO 2024.

It has also been claimed that the Merseysiders have made progress in their efforts to sign Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio, with a £52m transfer mooted. Centre-back additions are vital, with Slot's squad looking slightly light in that area, and the Portuguese could be a perfect addition.

Eberechi Eze has been mentioned as a possible target for Liverpool, too, should Slot feel that the Crystal Palace star could be an upgrade on Luis Diaz out on the left-hand side.

Liverpool believe they could sign "fantastic" ace

According to a fresh claim from TEAMtalk, Liverpool are "super confident" of completing the signing of Guehi in the summer transfer window, with the Crystal Palace and England defender a wanted man after impressing at the Euros.

The Reds are "set to ramp up their pursuit" of the 23-year-old, with sources close to the club saying they "know what they need to do" to get their man. He is valued at £65m by the Eagles.

Guehi's rise in recent months has been huge, considering he has gone from being a good Premier League player to arguably England's most consistent performer at Euro 2024.

The 23-year-old filled in expertly alongside John Stones, playing a big role in the Three Lions reaching the final, with an average of 2.2 aerial duel wins and two clearances per game. He also completed 93.5% of his passes, while Kyle Walker has heaped praise on him.

"Marc, I thought he was fantastic. He didn't put foot wrong and hopefully that has got his feelings right now and settle the nerves a little bit, and we can form a good partnership along that back line."

For these reasons, it is easy to see why Guehi would be a good signing for Liverpool, with his age meaning he could even be looked at as an option to eventually lead the defence when 33-year-old Virgil van Dijk eventually departs.

That being said, the Dutchman is also a left-sided centre-back, so fitting both he and Guehi into the team from the off may not be easy, which could suggest a right-sided signing makes more sense currently, unless one of the players wants to change sides.

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There is also a risk that the Palace man's performances this summer could actually lead to him being over-priced, so it is important that Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are convinced that he is their top target.

West Ham submit £30m bid to sign "complete package" ahead of Man Utd

West Ham United have made a £30m offer to sign a new player ahead of Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Steidten and Lopetegui making West Ham moves

The Hammers have brought in teenage Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras and experienced goalkeeper Wes Foderingham after he left Sheffield United, but that could be just the start of a productive few months in the transfer market.

Speaking at Lopetegui’s first official press conference as Irons boss on Monday, Steidten said it would be a “busy summer”.

“I can’t tell you specifics, but it will be a busy summer for us for sure. The owner and the board have done a really good job over recent years, so we’re in good shape financially. We’re trying to build up the squad. We’re not limiting ourselves to one position – we’re looking at all areas.”

West Ham readying new bid to sign £50,000-a-week star

Julen Lopetgeui wants him as captain.

ByCharlie Smith Jul 2, 2024

Meanwhile, Julen Lopetegui added when asked about further signings: “Of course we are working to improve (the squad). The first thing to highlight is that we’re happy with the players, but of course we’re going to try to improve. We have to work very hard to be ready for the Premier League, and we would like players as soon as possible, but it’s not easy.”

Reports in recent weeks have stated that the Irons have made offers for former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, now at Galatasaray and Fluminense forward Jhon Arias, while agreeing terms with Vitoria Guimaraes attacker Jota Silva.

At the back, an opening offer for Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back Max Kilman was also submitted but then turned down, with Lopetegui even willing to make him Hammers captain, should a reunion materialise. Kilman isn’t the only defensive target that West Ham have made a bid for, with a new update emerging on Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo.

West Ham make £30m offer Todibo

According to reliable French outlet L’Equipe, relayed by Sport Witness, West Ham have made an opening offer for Todibo worth in the region of €35m (£30m). The Hammers have already had a reply from Nice, with the report adding that the bid was immediately dismissed by the Ligue 1 club.

Nice defenderJean-Clair Todibo.

Man Utd have also been pushing to sign Todibo this summer, however, new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his association with Nice have made a deal difficult. Reports have even suggested that Ratcliffe is willing to sell his stake in the French club in order to sign the centre-back over the coming months, but it appears as if the Irons are looking to steal a march, so it will be interesting to see if they return with an improved offer.

Ratcliffe wasn’t happy at not being able to sign Todibo for Man Utd, saying: “UEFA said we can sell him to another PL club, but we can't sell to Man Utd. But that's not fair on the player, and I don’t see what that achieves.”

The 24-year-old has been called the “complete package” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, and a move to the Hammers is one to watch.

Aston Villa player once worth £100m+ now set to officially leave on July 13

da lvbet: Having already sold Douglas Luiz to Juventus, Aston Villa are now reportedly set to show the door to another senior player, who will be announced by his new club on July 13.

Aston Villa transfer news

da realsbet: It's been a frantic first few weeks for Aston Villa in the summer transfer window. Luiz has swapped the Midlands for Juventus in a deal that saw Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea arrive, whilst the Villans also made time to welcome Ross Barkley and Ian Maatsen. The former comes in following an excellent season at Luton Town and four years on from his loan spell at Villa Park.

With four fresh faces through the door, Unai Emery will hope that Luiz's exit doesn't deal his side too much a blow ahead of his side's Premier League and Champions League campaign next season.

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As four new stars arrive, however, one transfer flop is reportedly heading for the exit door to bring an end to a spell to forget at Villa Park over the last two years.

According to Lucas Pedrosa, Philippe Coutinho is set to leave Aston Villa and will be formally announced by Vasco de Gama in exactly 10 days to bring his career full circle, having started his career at the Brazilian club. Over a decade later and now 32 years old, Coutinho is set to end a frustrating spell in the Midlands and return to the most familiar surroundings, being unveiled on July 13 before making his debut on July 17.

Aston Villa forward Philippe Coutinho.

Whilst the move has a wholesome element, Coutinho should be leaving with the question of what might have been at Villa Park in what sums up his career trajectory since swapping Liverpool for Barcelona in 2018 in a blockbuster deal worth a reported £142m. Since then, the midfielder has struggled and Liverpool have thrived, perhaps representing the Brazilian's ultimate regret.

Why Coutinho is leaving Aston Villa

When Coutinho first arrived in the Midlands, he was very much tipped for great things once again in the Premier League. The returning star seemingly had an ideal platform to get his career back on track and, to his credit, his debut campaign showed enough glimpses to suggest that was exactly the case. Following that campaign, which saw him score five and assist a further three goals in 19 appearances, the former Liverpool star failed to make a significant impact.

Coutinho at Aston Villa

Stats (via Transfermarkt)

Appearances

43

Goals

6

Assists

3

Looking around Villa Park these days, as Iling-Junior, Barrenechea, Maatsen and Barkley arrive, it's clear that there's no room left for Coutinho in Emery's squad in what will see the former star leave with nothing more than a whimper in the next couple of weeks.

A player who rose at Inter Milan, starred at Liverpool, before flopping at Barcelona and adding salt to their wounds by scoring in an 8-2 humiliation with Bayern Munich, Coutinho's career will be looked back on as one with plenty of moments but, ultimately, one that could have left him sitting alongside some of Brazil's greats.

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