Rahul Lakhani

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Goalkeeper.com | Who Will Be Spain's Number One?

As La Roja enter a new goalkeeping era, Rahul Lakhani looks at Spain between the sticks now and then…

As soon as Andres Iniesta’s shot found the back of the Netherlands’ net in Johannesburg with just four minutes of the 2010 World Cup final remaining, Spain had cemented themselves at the pinnacle of world football. The winners of Euro 2008 had found success on the biggest stage, and wrote their names into the history books with an era of dominance over global football which would continue until

Goalkeeper.com | Andriy Lunin: The First El Clasico

How impactful was Lunin's performance in the most recent Real Madrid/Barcelona clash?

When it was announced that recent Yashin trophy winner Thibaut Courtois was set to miss a short period of matches with sciatica, Andriy Lunin probably didn’t consider that the period would include the highly anticipated El Clasico match between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Only when Carlo Ancelotti that the Belgian would not be fit in time for the top-of-the-table clash could reality set in. After five years of
Villarreal USA •

Ben Brereton-Diaz profiled as Villarreal lead transfer race for Blackburn Rovers star

Blackburn Rovers striker Ben Brereton-Diaz has been linked with a move to Villarreal, with his contract set to expire in the summer.

The 23-year-old may sign a pre-contract, and there is speculation that Villarreal could even strike a deal with his club to bring him to the club now, although he has previously stated his desire to finish the season at his club to try and help them reach the promotion playoffs.

With Nicolas Jackson and Arnaut Danjuma seemingly close to the exit door, attacking r
Villarreal USA •

Villarreal draw Real Madrid in Copa del Rey Round of 16

Villarreal have been drawn to face Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey round of 16.

The Yellow Submarine have never won the competition, or even reached the final before, reaching the semi-finals just once in 2014-15, losing 6-2 to eventual winners Barcelona over two legs.

After two years of incredible European runs, the Copa Del Rey could prove to be an opportunity at more cup glory, but it will not be an easy route to the final.

The tie will be played between Tuesday 17th and Thursday 19th Janu
Villarreal USA •

Villarreal ‘set to’ complete deal to secure Suarez’s return

Denis Suarez is to join Villarreal on a free transfer from Celta Vigo in June, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Spaniard could even move in January if Celta are willing to strike a deal to let him go now, and would provide additional creativity to the squad.

Suarez, 28, played for Villarreal during the 2015-16 season and was excellent, scoring five times and providing 12 assists in 48 appearances as the club finished fourth in La Liga and reached the Europa League semi-finals under Marcelino.
thisisfutbol.com •

Rangers need to be careful with Goldson

Rangers defender Connor Goldson is putting his career at risk by returning from injury early, according to pundit Frank McAvennie.

The Gers defender was absent for around two months after picking up an injury in October and recently returned to action against Aberdeen.

With a lack of depth at the back, teenage defender Leon King stepped up in Goldson’s absence, but Rangers’ league form suffered – and that ultimately cost Giovanni van Bronckhorst his job.

The 30-year-old’s absence was felt, bu
thisisfutbol.com •

Saka and Martinelli to start against West Ham

Arsenal’s World Cup stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will start against West Ham United in the first game after the Premier League break, according to journalist Charles Watts.

The pair both reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup with England and Brazil, with Saka playing an instrumental role, whilst Martinelli made a few appearances off the bench, and they returned to club action in a 0-0 friendly draw against Luton Town behind closed doors.

A big worry for Premier League clubs w
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Arteta will be backed in the January window

Journalist Charles Watts believes that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be backed with funds in the January transfer window.

The Gunners currently sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League after a stunning start to the season, although question marks remain over their strength in depth.

Star striker Gabriel Jesus is absent with a significant injury, and the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Oleksandr Zinchenko have all missed plenty of games.

Speaking on his YouTube ch
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Cody Gakpo could join Newcastle

Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan has claimed that Newcastle United could make a move for PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo.

The Dutchman has been in electric form with 13 goals and 17 assists this season and also impressed for the Netherlands at the World Cup.

The 23-year-old, who supposedly has a price tag of €60m (£52m), has been linked with Manchester United, but Whelan believes that Newcastle could throw their hat in the ring.

Eddie Howe’s side currently sit third in the Premier Leag
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Man United remain interested in Gakpo

Manchester United are exploring a deal to sign PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The club have been strongly linked with the winger for a while, and the Dutchman has 13 goals and 17 assists this season.

Gakpo, who has been hailed as ‘sensational‘, played a starring role at the World Cup for the Netherlands, which will only have increased his value, but United remain interested in the versatile attacker.

The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo means Erik ten Hag now has t
thisisfutbol.com •

Aaron Wan-Bissaka could leave Man United

Manchester United want to find a solution for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The right-back has made just one appearance this season as he struggled with injury, and is clearly not rated by Erik ten Hag as Diogo Dalot is his first choice.

With a number of clubs interested, United have made it a priority to sort his future out, with either a loan or permanent deal, and the club will then dip into the market to find a replacement for him if he goes in the winter window.

The En
thisisfutbol.com •

Moshiri may have had Everton investment talks

Financial expert Kieran Maguire has claimed that Everton owner Farhad Moshiri may have held discussions about investment into the club with Qatari businessman Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani after an image emerged.

The pair were pictured together in Qatar attending a World Cup match, and Maguire has claimed that this meeting probably went beyond pleasantries, and investment could have been discussed.

Everton are in the process of building a new stadium at Bramley Dock, with a
thisisfutbol.com •

Man United De Jong deal unlikely

A Manchester United deal for Frenkie De Jong looks impossible right now, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Dutch midfielder has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for a long time, and United were heavily interested in the summer. However, the 25-year-old is happy at Barcelona and has no intention of leaving.

De Jong is not a guaranteed starter at the club, with youngsters Pedri and Gavi, as well as veteran Sergio Busquets ahead of him in the pecking order, and has been inconsistent at tim
thisisfutbol.com •

Fabrizio Romano gives Mudryk update

Arsenal will need to act quickly to secure the signature of Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk, with the club in conversations, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Mikel Arteta has prioritised a move for the 21-year-old in January, as he looks to add more firepower to his squad with Gabriel Jesus injured for an extended period.

The Gunners currently sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League, but are looking to strengthen their depth to keep up their consistency for the rest of the season,
thisisfutbol.com •

Fabrizio Romano gives Mudryk update

Arsenal will need to act quickly to secure the signature of Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk, with the club in conversations, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Mikel Arteta has prioritised a move for the 21-year-old in January, as he looks to add more firepower to his squad with Gabriel Jesus injured for an extended period.

The Gunners currently sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League, but are looking to strengthen their depth to keep up their consistency for the rest of the season,
thisisfutbol.com •

Conte to hold talks with Djed Spence

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte is to have talks with Djed Spence about his future, according to Dean Jones.

Conte signed the fullback from Middlesbrough in the summer for around £20m, but has not started him in any games this season despite his other right-backs failing to impress, with Emerson Royal receiving heavy criticism for his performances.

The 22-year-old was excellent on loan at Nottingham Forest last season, as he helped them secure promotion back to the Premier League, but
thisisfutbol.com •

Conte to hold talks with Djed Spence

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte is to have talks with Djed Spence about his future, according to Dean Jones.

Conte signed the fullback from Middlesbrough in the summer for around £20m, but has not started him in any games this season despite his other right-backs failing to impress, with Emerson Royal receiving heavy criticism for his performances.

The 22-year-old was excellent on loan at Nottingham Forest last season, as he helped them secure promotion back to the Premier League, but
thisisfutbol.com •

West Ham stadium deal praised

Financial expert Kieran Maguire has praised West Ham’s agreement which sees them rent the London Stadium as a very smart deal.

The club left their iconic ground Upton Park in 2016, and moved to the London Stadium, which was built for the 2012 Olympics.

With a capacity of 66,000, the London Stadium can hold nearly double the number of supporters as the 35,000-seat Upton Park could, and is also used for other major events beyond football.

Instead of building a new ground, West Ham made the shor
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Celtic should be excited about Gue-Sung

Celtic fans should be excited about potentially signing Cho Gue-Sung from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, according to journalist Dean Jones.


The South Korean forward has been linked with a move to Celtic Park, and has scored 21 goals in 35 appearances for his club this season.

The 24-year-old has had strong goal records at all of his clubs, and played a starring role for South Korea in the World Cup with two goals in his four appearances as they reached the knockout stage.

With Celtic nine points
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Aston Villa are not pursuing Danjuma

Aston Villa are not currently in the race to sign Villarreal winger Arnaut Danjuma, according to journalist Ryan Taylor.

Manager Unai Emery signed the Dutchman when in charge of the La Liga club, and the attacker played some of the best football in his career in his first season at the club, impressing as Villarreal reached the Champions League semi-finals.

The 25-year-old has suffered from injuries in recent months, and missed out on a place in the Netherlands squad for the World Cup, but has
thisisfutbol.com •

Jesse Marsch could help Leeds sign Cunha

Jesse Marsch’s relationship with Atletico Madrid striker Matheus Cunha could help convince the player to move to Elland Road, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Brazilian forward has been linked with a move to Leeds and Wolves as he looks set to depart Madrid in the January transfer window.

Marsch was assistant manager at RB Leipzig when Cunha played there, before the striker moved to Hertha Berlin in 2020, and the pair know each other well.

Cunha scored nine goals and provided three
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