MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo venceu o Santos por 1 a 0 neste domingo (30), pela sexta rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, na Vila Belmiro. O gol da vitória rubro-negra foi marcado pelo atacante Gabriel, aos 53 minutos de um primeiro tempo marcado por uma arbitragem polêmica, que anulou dois gols do Peixe.

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Embora o Alvinegro Praiano tenha obtido maior posse de bola e finalizado mais durante todo o jogo, os comandados de Cuca não convertaram essa superioriade em gols e perderam o seu segundo jogo no Brasileirão, o primeiro em casa.

VAR 2 X 0 SANTOS

O Santos iniciou melhor a partida, explorando as suas jogadas mais do que “manjadas”, com Marinho pelo lado direito. No entanto, com o apoio do lateral Pará, o camisa 11 teve mais sustentação ofensiva. E foi assim que o Peixe abriu o placar aos 15 minutos de jogo. Marinho foi pra cima de Filipe Luís, soltou para Pará que cruzou a meia altura para Raniel abriu o placar. No entanto, o atacante estava à frente do último homem da defesa flamenguista e o gol foi anulado pela arbitragem de vídeo.

Cinco minutos depois, Marinho marcou o segundo tento do Peixe,novamente anulado pelo VAR. O atacante bateu direto uma falta aberta pela direita, a bola passou pela área e morreu no canto direito do goleiro Diego Alves. No entanto, o árbitro Wilton Pereira Sampaio foi até o monitor e considerou a participação do volante Jobson, que estava impedido, no lance, ao fazer menção de cabeceio.

Ambas as marcações demoraram um tempo considerável, tanto que o primeiro tempo contou com dez minutos de acréscimos, o que irritou os santitas, tanto dentro, quanto fora de campo. Entre os atletas, o clima ficou tenso e de muita discussão. No banco de reservas, o técnico Cuca deixou o gramado extremamente irritado, fazendo sinais para a equipe de arbitragem. Já nas caeiras da Vila Belmiro, o estafe do Peixe reclamou de forma muito efusiva. Ao fim da primeira etapa, inclusive, alguns deles foram ao gramado tirar satisfações com a equipe do apito.

LATERAIS DO SANTOS SÃO DETERMINANTES

Nas últimas partidas do Santos é comum vermos os laterais avançando mais do que vinham com Jesualdo Ferreira no primeiro semestre. Embora Felipe Jonatan já tenha caracteríticas ofensivas mais fortes, Pará também tem avançado mais costumeiramente, tanto que participou do primeiro. Em alguns momentos, o Peixe construiu as suas saídas de bola desenhado em 3-6-1, com Jobson indo buscar a saída de bola entre os zagueiros e os laterais preenchendo o meio de campo, com os dois pontas, Marinho pela direita e Soteldo pela esquerda, posicionado nas extremidades.

O posicionamento foi importante para que o Alvinegro Praiano tivesse domínio, principalmente nos primeiros 45 minutos, mas fragilizou a parte defensiva. Na primeira oportunidade, Pará tentava fechar os espaços de Arrascaeta, que encontrou Bruno Henrique livre entre os zagueiros e parou no goleiro João Paulo. Já nos acréscimos do primeiro tempo, Felipe Jonatan perdeu a bola o ataque e deu o campo ofensiva ao Fla, que desceu com muita liberdade em contra-ataque e marcou o primeiro gol.

Como o Peixe teve que ir para cima na segunda etapa, os espaços ofensivos voltaram a se repetir

LEI DO EX NÃO FALHA

Teve gol do Gabigol. Atacante revelado pelo Peixe fez primeiro tempo discreto, assim como todo o time carioca, que criou as suas principais oportunidades nos erros de posicionamento santista. No entanto, ao receber passe em velocidade de Michael pelo lado direito de ataque, não perdoou.

Na segunda etapa, o camisa nove foi mais participativo, mas perdeu dois gols que não costuma perder. O primeiro aproveitando mais um espaço deixado pelo Peixe na lateral. O segundo, em uma boa trama criada pelo lado direita, onde mandou para fora ao escorar no segundo pau.

Aos 30 minutos do segundo tempo, sentiu após uma arrancada e foi substituído por Diego.

VITÓRIA PRAGMÁTICA DO FLA

Embora tenha vencido o jogo, o Flamengo ainda não repetiu o futebol empolgante de 2020. O time se mostrou pragmático, virando o jogo pelas extremidades e apostando nas jogadas individuais dos seus pontas, ao abrir para o chute.

No segundo tempo, com o Peixe se lançando à frente, viu nos espaços laterais a oportunidade de jogar no erro do adversário.

O time teve menos posse de vola e quase o dobro de chutes a menos que o adversário, embora numericamente as suas finalizações fossem melhores direcionadas.

Defensivamente, as laterais deram muito espaço para os dois principais atletas santistas, Marinho, pela direita, e Soteldo, pela esquerda.

FICHA TÉCNICA
SANTOS X FLAMENGO

Estádio: Vila Belmiro, Santos (SP)
Data/hora: 30/08/2020, às 16H (horário de Brasília)
Árbitro: Wilton Pereira Sampaio (GO)
Assistentes: Bruno Raphael Pires (GO) e Leone Carvalho Rocha (GO)
Árbitro de vídeo: André Luiz de Freitas Castro (GO)
Público/renda: sem público
Cartões amarelos: Pará, Jean Mota, Ivonei, Jobson e Cuca (Santos); Renê, Michael, Gabriel, Bruno Henrique, Willian Arão e Gérson (Flamengo)
​Cartões vermelho: –

GOLS:

0-1 Gabriel (53’/1T)

SANTOS: João Paulo; Pará, Lucas Veríssimo, Luan Peres e Felipe Jonatan (Ivonei, 38’/2T); Jobson (Jean Mota, 25’/2T), Diego Pituca e Carlos Sánchez (Lucas Braga, 25’/2T); Marinho, Raniel (Kaio Jorge, 33’/2T) e Soteldo. Técnico: Cuca

FLAMENGO: Diego Alves (César,18’/2T); Renê (Isla, 20’/2T), Rodrigo Caio, Gustavo Henrique e Filipe Luís; Thiago Maia, Gerson (Willian Arão, 20’/2T), Michael, De Arrascaeta e Bruno Henrique (Éverton Ribeiro, 20’/2T); Gabriel (Diego, 30’/2T). Técnico: Domènec Torrent.

Chelsea are "really close" to completing the signing of a midfield star with "enormous potential" and could announce his arrival as soon as Tuesday, per transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.

Chelsea news – what is the latest?

It's been a ridiculous transfer window for the Blues this summer, and not in a bad way. The West Londoners kicked off their business by sanctioning what felt like a firesale of first-team players, with the club seemingly intent to ship off the squad that helped them win their second Champions League title only two years ago.

Players like N'Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy made their way to the absurdly wealthy Saudi Pro League. At the same time, others such as Kai Havertz, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount opted to stay in England and joined Premier League rivals instead.

With the squad adequately trimmed and the wage bill freed up, Mauricio Pochettino's side turned their attention to incomings and began splashing the cash.

There has been a real focus on youth this window, with the likes of Nicolas Jackson coming in from Villarreal, Lesley Ugochukwu from Rennes, Angelo from Santos and, of course, Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE…

The Ecuadorian was involved in potentially the most entertaining transfer saga in quite a few years when it looked like Liverpool might've hijacked his move with a £111m bid on Thursday night, only for the 21-year-old to stick to his word and join the Blues for a Premier League record fee of £115m.

And now it looks like Chelsea have taken a leaf out of the Reds' book as they look to have successfully hijacked the Merseysiders deal for Southampton starlet Romeo Lavia, with the 19-year-old making it very clear now that he wants the move to Stamford Bridge over Anfield, per transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.

He explained the situation around this £50m move and the influence of Joe Shields on his YouTube channel, saying:

"About Romeo Lavia, there is an important story, important news of the day, of the night, because Romeo Lavia communicated in a very clear way to all parties involved, Chelsea, agents, people from Southampton, of course, that he wants to join Chelsea.

"So, the decision has been made, and Chelsea and Southampton, in contact during the night, are really close to completing the agreement for Romeo Lavia; it's a matter of hours while I am speaking to see Romeo Lavia as a new Chelsea player.

"Chelsea's idea is to announce the signing this week. So after Caicedo, Chelsea also want to unveil Romeo Lavia as a new signing, and it could be Tuesday, the right day to make the deal happen.

"On this deal, Joe Shields has been absolutely crucial. Joe Shields is one of the directors at Chelsea and is the man who almost created Romeo Lavia as a player. He was a director at Manchester City Academy and signed Romeo Lavia, then joined Southampton as a director and signed Romeo Lavia for £12m, and now Joe Shields is at Chelsea, and he's going to sign Romeo Lavia.

"For Chelsea it's a huge deal because they will close this negotiation for something around £50m plus add-ons."

How much did Southampton pay for Lavia?

With the Saints set to sell their young Belgian for around £50m per Romano, they are set to make a profit of about £36m after deducting the £14m they spent to bring the youngster to the south coast and away from Manchester City last summer.

While it's undoubtedly a massive markup in price that the Blues are having to pay, he looks like he'll be worth every penny, and if he can reach the "enormous potential" that football talent scout Jacek Kulig believes he has, £50m might end up looking like a bargain.

According to WhoScored, in his 26 league starts last season, he scored one goal, took 0.4 shots per game, maintained a passing accuracy of 86.4% and averaged a match rating of 6.56, which considering he was tasked with playing in the centre of an incredibly dysfunctional Saints side is pretty impressive.

That said, it's his defensive awareness that elevates him above his peers, with the Brussels-born gem in the top 4% of players in Europe's top five leagues for making blocks, at 1.90 per 90, per FBref.

And then there's his mentality and determination, areas in which he has demonstrated real maturity, with Kulig hailing him as "the future midfield leader of Belgium NT and a top Premier League club."

If Chelsea can get this deal over the line, then with Enzo Fernandez, Lavia and Caicedo, they could have their midfield sorted for the next decade or more.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsGetty Images

Danielle Wyatt saw Beth Mooney’s blistering hundred and raised a barnstorming century of her own at Manuka Oval as England took the final Twenty20 match of a series that leaves the Ashes in Australian hands.In a last encounter thrilling for its high-scoring – the highest aggregate in all women’s T20 internationals – but also notable for signs of mental fatigue on both sides after seven matches in less than a month, the hosts seemed content with a tally of 2 for 178 built upon Mooney’s freewheeling 117 from 70 balls.However Wyatt’s response was bolder still, rattling England’s first ever T20I century from 56 deliveries in a victorious chase that was aided not only by captain Heather Knight’s typically mindful contribution, but also the dropping of no fewer than four catches by Australia.In the progression of the women’s game to full professionalism such lapses are likely, much as the advent of domestic T20 tournaments such as the IPL and BBL exposed domestic male players to hitherto unknown pressures from crowds and television cameras.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Rachael Haynes had been happy to win the toss for Australia as they fought to win the match and so claim the multi-format contest on points, having ensured the safety of the urn in the opening T20 at North Sydney Oval on Friday. Mooney was into stride quickly, taking a heavy toll on the usually exemplary Anya Shrubsole, who was so expensive as to only be called on for three overs costing 36.Alyssa Healy, Elyse Villani and Ellyse Perry all offered support, but it was very much Mooney’s show, backing up her equally arresting display in game one of the T20 matches. It left England with plenty to do, but a warm night under the Canberra lights and an effectively dead rubber as far as the Ashes were concerned gave Wyatt plenty of licence.She needed to show all her ability after three early wickets left England a decidedly wobbly 3 for 30, but a measure of Knight’s leadership was provided by how she did not panic, while also supporting Wyatt in her bolder approach. The dropped chances were telling in terms of mental fatigue, but they also served to let Wyatt carry on until the pursuit was all but completed.Like Shrubsole, the otherwise excellent contributions of Megan Schutt were somewhat sullied by a last game blowout. But the final win for England and the overall result for an Australian side shorn of Meg Lanning due to a shoulder surgery meant both sides could finish the night with happiness of different sorts.

Aston Villa are reportedly on the hunt for further summer reinforcements, as Unai Emery prepares to finalise his squad before the close of the transfer window.

The Spaniard has teamed up with Monchi to welcome some impressive new arrivals already from the market, breaking the club’s transfer-fee record to capture the signature of Moussa Diaby in a deal worth £51.9m.

The Frenchman’s arrival added an immediate threat to the squad, with him scoring on his Premier League debut, however according to recent reports, another dynamic wide player could be waiting in the wings.

Who could Aston Villa sign this summer?

One name that circulated Villa’s transfer talk earlier in the summer was Wilfried Gnonto, who looks certain to leave Leeds United this window as he protests against playing Championship football.

Read the latest Aston Villa transfer news HERE…

The Italian was a rumoured target for the Villans, however, the 19-year-old looks set to join Everton – as journalist Paul Brown recently told GIVEMESPORT that the youngster “clearly wants to join” the Toffees – or remain at Elland Road following his reintegration into Daniel Farke's squad this week.

Not getting Gnonto could be a blessing in disguise for those at Villa Park, with reports this week claiming that Villa have made an offer for Barcelona starlet Abde Ezzalzouli.

News in Spain stated that the Catalan giants would expect a price in the region of €20m (£17m) for the Moroccan, who could leave the club this summer due to his wishes for game time and to relieve financial pressures at the Camp Nou.

How good is Abde Ezzalzouli?

Having been dubbed as a “Moroccan flash” by scout Jacek Kulig, the 21-year-old gem has earned himself 14 senior appearances for Barcelona so far in his budding career.

Deployable across the front line, the right-footed winger is best equipped on the left flank, where he is notable for terrorising defences with his direct approach to play in the final third.

Last season, the youngster spent the year on loan at Osasuna in a bid to gain further experience in LaLiga, where he netted six goals in all competitions for the side, registering impressive performances to gain attention.

For Villa, potentially capturing the Barcelona starlet could be a bigger coup than signing Gnonto, making the path that the two deals are going down an impressive piece of business in the window for the Midlands side.

When comparing their numbers in their respective 2022/23 league campaigns, their averages showcase their similarities in approach to play, and also the Villa targets superiority over the Leeds want away.

As per FBref, Ezzalzouli averaged 5.57 progressive carries and 3.53 successful take-ons per 90 for Osasuna, with his rate of successful take-ons placing him within the top 3% of wingers in La Liga in that area.

Having also been hailed for his “frightening speed” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the forward exceeded the averages recorded by Gnonto in the Premier League last season, who averaged 4.39 progressive carries and 1.40 successful take-ons per 90 for the Whites.

Emery could find himself getting the better deal in equipping his side with the promising Moroccan over the teenager, in a move that could prove to be fundamental for both the player and the club’s progression.

Glasgow Rangers look like they are prioritising a defender as the end of the summer transfer window edges ever closer.

Michael Beale’s side have endured a mixed start to their 2023/24 Premiership campaign, claiming just one win from their opening two matches, and it was a defensive mishap in the box against Kilmarnock which could force Beale into the market.

The 42-year-old might also be looking at bringing another attacking option to Ibrox, especially with the recent departure of Fashion Sakala.

How many more players could arrive at Rangers?

Defenders Jake Cooper, Harry Souttar and Zak Vyner are the latest names to be linked with a move to the Gers amid the need for another centre-back at the club.

it isn’t all just defenders who have been touted with moves to Glasgow recently however, as Beale is a big admirer of young Hamilton Academical talent Ryan One.

According to TEAMtalk earlier this month, the Light Blues have shown interest in the teenage striker, although they will have to compete with sides such as Burnley, Celtic and Brighton and Hove Albion, while Liverpool and Newcastle United have made enquiries.

Read the latest Rangers transfer news HERE…

He wouldn’t be a first-team option, at least not straight away, yet his potential is surely worth taking a gamble on amid Sakala's exit.

Why did Sakala leave Rangers?

Sakala is the latest player to leave Rangers this summer, and although he often perplexed supporters, there is no doubt his enthusiasm shone through.

He did offer a reliable goal threat under Beale last season having been frozen out by Giovanni van Bronckhorst during the first half of the campaign.

Under the Dutchman, he scored and assisted once apiece, yet by the end of 2022/23 he added 11 goals and seven assists by shining under the Englishman.

Decent, if hardly world-beating totals, yet it looks as though the manager is moving in a new direction and the likeable Zambian heads off to Saudi Arabia with best wishes.

Who is Ryan One?

One may not be ready for the rigours of the Premiership quite yet, but he has already experienced plenty of senior football for Hamilton.

Having just turned 17 in June, the teenager has already amassed 34 senior appearances for the club, scoring three goals and grabbing an assist, showing remarkable maturity to thrive among the physicality of Scottish football.

Lauded as “fast” and a “craftsman” by coach Ioannis Kyrapoglou, he has showcased the talents which have allowed him to perform well in the lower leagues and perhaps a move to Ibrox could give him more of a challenge.

A goal and an assist already this season suggests he isn’t slowing down and One is fast becoming one of the most talked about talents in the Scottish game.

With seven caps for the Scotland U17 side which included matches at the recent U17 European Championships, the 17-year-old is on the fast track to becoming a teen sensation, if not one already.

The Rangers B team has talents such as Zak Lovelace and Ross McCausland thriving in the setup and One could soon join them, with the goal of becoming a long-term heir for Sakala.

Leeds United could finally be set to continue their summer spending, having seen most of their first-team stars escape at the first time of asking…

Who are Leeds United signing this summer?

For a summer that once promised much, it truly has fallen apart for Daniel Farke.

The German likely expected a strong squad with which to tackle the new Championship campaign, and yet he has had to frustratingly oversee the departure of no less than eight of his key men.

Pairing this with their poor start to the league season that has yet to bring a win, and there has been little for fans to cheer about of late.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

However, journalist John Percy has finally offered some fresh hope for the Whites, as he took to social media on Wednesday to issue an update on their pursuit of Manchester City's Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Writing on the platform, he issued the following update on the man reportedly valued at £15m: "Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis is a loan target for Championship clubs including Leicester, Leeds and Southampton. City are also open to selling the England under-21 captain at the right price before the window closes."

How good is Taylor Harwood-Bellis?

Despite having now enjoyed his fourth full year in senior football, the 21-year-old centre-back has already shown enough to suggest he is more than ready to be handed an improved role.

Especially given the maturity and experience he boasts for someone so young, having recently led England U21s to European Championship glory earlier in the summer, without conceding a single goal.

His boss at international level, Lee Carsley, was quick to praise him: "Like a lot of these young players, he has grown into being a leader."

This success came off the back of his starring season on loan at Burnley too, as he maintained a 7.21 average rating in Leeds' new division, buoyed by his 85% pass accuracy, 1.8 interceptions, 1.1 tackles and 3.1 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

Such a rating would have made him Leeds' highest-performer by far last campaign, with his clearances per game also enough to have seen him ranked third.

Such an aptitude when in possession blended with his towering physique understandably draws parallels with another of Pep Guardiola's top defenders, Ruben Dias.

The Portugal international has turned into a true star under the Spaniard, winning the Premier League Player of the Season award in his debut term, leading his new side to the title.

This was spearheaded by his 7.11 average rating, as he posted stats which excelled in key areas where Harwood-Bellis has also shone. After all, he too maintained a 93% pass accuracy, alongside 0.8 tackles, 2.8 clearances and 1.1 interceptions per game, via Sofascore.

Such form understandably drew praise, with Guardiola leading it: "Ruben is not playing just his game. He is playing the game for everyone. He has the ability to see and solve the problems for many things. His character is so important. His leadership is huge especially even when he didn’t play."

To further emphasise his similarities with his young teammate, FBref helps outline the underlying statistics that outline Harwood-Bellis as a true ball-playing star. When compared to other centre-backs across the eight leagues most similar to the Championship, he ranks in the top 1% for passes attempted per 90, the top 4% for progressive passes per 90, and the top 9% for interceptions per 90.

Should he prove to be half as instrumental as Dias was upon first moving to the Etihad, and the Stockport-born star could finally turn the tide at Elland Road and return some positivity to Yorkshire.

كُشف منذ قليل، يوم الجمعة، عن هوية الفائز بجائزة أفضل لاعب شاب في موسم 2023/24 من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وسينتهي الموسم الحالي من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز يوم الأحد المقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا.. رسميًا | رابطة البريميرليج تعلن الحارس الفائز بجائزة القفاز الذهبي 2023-2024

وحسبما أعلن ناديه، فإن كول بالمر لاعب فريق تشيلسي، فاز بجائزة أفضل شاب في الدوري الإنجليزي لهذا الموسم.

وانضم بالمر إلى تشيلسي قادمًا من مانشستر سيتي الصيف الماضي، حيث سرعان ما تألق رفقة البلوز في موسمه الأول.

وتمكن اللاعب الإنجليزي صاحب الـ22 عامًا من تسجيل 22 هدفًا وصناعة 10 أهداف.

وفاز كول بالمر بتلك الجائزة بعد تفوقه على كل من ثنائي مانشستر سيتي إيرلينج هالاند وفيل فودين، وثنائي آرسنال بوكايو ساكا وويليام ساليبا، ولاعب مانشستر يونايتد كوبي ماينو ولاعب توتنهام أودوجي.

MatériaMais Notícias

Fim da invencibilidade do Paraná na Vila Capanema. Diante do América-MG, o Tricolor foi superado e perdeu a primeira dentro de casa na Série B.

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Na coletiva de imprensa, o técnico Allan Aal não escondeu o jogo e reconheceu que o time foi muito abaixo do esperado contra o Coelho.

‘A gente entrou com um pouquinho de excesso de confiança, achando que poderia fazer o gol a qualquer momento e acabou pagando o preço. Além disso, quando um ou dois jogadores não estão em uma noite inspirada e de qualidade técnica, a equipe consegue responder’.

Na visão do comandante, apenas o goleiro Alisson, que evitou um revés maior ao defender o pênalti, ninguém se salvou.

‘Agora, falei para eles, se a gente for analisar, com exceção do Alisson, do 2 ao 23, não rendeu nem metade do que pode render’, concluiu.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has given an emphatic answer when asked about the possibility of Mohamed Salah heading to Al-Ittihad this summer.

Is Mo Salah going to Saudi Arabia?

The big news at Anfield this week is that the club's star winger is reportedly the next key target for the ever-growing Saudi Pro League. Indeed, as per Ben Jacobs, the Egyptian has been offered a huge contract.

The trusted journalist explained on Twitter that Salah could be handed a three-year deal with the promise of making him "one of the best-paid players" in the world. The base wage being prepared is £65m with other earning opportunities on top of that – he added that this package could get close to (or even surpass) what Cristiano Ronaldo is earning at Al-Nassr.

Of course, Liverpool do already have a working relationship with Saudi too, having sold Fabinho to Al-Ittihad for £40m this summer, as well as Jordan Henderson to Steven Gerrard's Al Ettifaq for around £12m.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

However, according to Fabrizio Romano's report in The Guardian, the Reds have no intention of selling their prized asset, with Al-Ittihad previously thought to be willing to bid about £52m for the 31-year-old.

Further backing this up, manager Klopp has now publically made his position very clear when speaking to the press this week. As seen in this video shared by Football Daily, he sounded adamant that Salah's wasn't for sale.

In full, he said: "If there is something coming up, well I don't think [there is], or I don't know, then I can think about that. But I said already, if there would be something [from Al-Ittihad] it would be a no."

When asked if he felt Salah was still committed to Liverpool, Klopp insisted he was, saying: "100 per cent."

How many goals has Salah in his career?

It's not a surprise that the winger is being targeted by the Saudi Pro League. After all, having already landed top players like Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, Neymar and Aymeric Laporte this summer, Salah would be the next jewel in their crown.

And with 264 goals and 133 assists in 558 games across his entire career (with 187 of those coming for the Reds), he certainly would be a huge coup for Al-Ittihad as they look to bring more European football stars to the Middle East.

One thing that will be a big boost for any concerned Liverpool fans – on top of the evidently strong insistence from their club and manager that Salah is not up for sale – is the fact that the player's agent has already insisted this summer that his client won't be leaving Anfield.

Indeed, Ramy Abbas Issa took to Twitter at the start of the month to say: "If we considered leaving LFC this year, we wouldn’t have renewed the contract last summer. Mohamed remains committed to LFC."

Still, we all know money talks within the world of football so it will be very interesting to see how this plays out over the coming weeks. It certainly doesn't feel as though this potential saga has quite been put to bed just yet.

West Ham United have gotten off to a great start in the Premier League this term.

A solid draw away to AFC Bournemouth was followed by a stunning win against Chelsea last weekend, ensuring that Mauricio Pochettino still has to wait for his first win.

Recent signing James Ward-Prowse was excellent in the 2-1 win, grabbing two assists and it clearly justified manager David Moyes’ decision to spend £30m in order to lure him from relegated outfit, Southampton.

Although he endured a slow start to his transfer activity during the summer window, it appears as though the Scotsman is making up for lost time, and he has already signed Edson Alvarez and defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, along with the aforementioned Englishman.

Could Moyes be about to complete his most ambitious deal yet, however?

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has been linked with the Hammers…

Could West Ham United sign Romelu Lukaku?

According to Caught Offside, the Irons have ‘asked for information’ regarding a potential swoop for the Belgian striker before the transfer window closes.

Having already sold Italian frontman Gianluca Scamacca, Moyes is looking rather short in terms of out-and-out strikers and a move for the Chelsea titan, while ambitious, certainly makes a lot of sense.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

He is currently valued by FootballTransfers at €38.3m (£33m), although no fee has been mentioned as yet with regard to any potential transfer.

Could Romelu Lukaku improve West Ham United?

Last season, only three players at the club scored more than ten goals and only one of them was a striker – Michail Antonio.

The Jamaican international netted 14 goals across all competitions, and although this tally was actually one more than the previous term, at 33 years of age, Moyes surely won’t have long left to utilise him.

Lukaku could not only offer Moyes more in terms of attacking quality, but it may also give him the licence to ditch Antonio in the process.

Indeed, when compared to positional peers, the 30-year-old ranked in the top 2% for assists per 90 (0.32) while also ranking in the top 5% for shot-creating actions per 90 (4.21) and the top 7% for progressive passes received per 90 (8.69), clearly suggesting that he can set up teammates often while also getting into the best positions to score plenty of goals.

In contrast, Antonio fails to even rank in the top 30% when compared to peers for all three metrics, indicating that the Belgian would be an instant upgrade.

The former Inter Milan hitman has scored a total of 270 club career goals, adding another 75 for his national side, whereas Antonio has netted 124 goals and it’s evident who would be the bigger danger in front of goal.

Defender Leanardo Bonucci has previously lauded the player, saying:

“Romelu Lukaku has proven himself to be a complete striker. He can win games on his own. When you come up against him you have to be switched on for 100 minutes a game.

"Unfortunately for us defenders, we can’t disengage our brains even for 10 seconds because those 10 seconds might be lethal. You must never engage Lukaku in a physical battle or play touch-tight. Instead, be ready to drop off because when his team has the ball, he will try to run in behind.

"In the box, he’s great at playing man-to-man so you need to be on the front foot, try to read the game and play hard. If you let him take up a position and he gets ahead of you, you won’t be able to step out and anticipate what’s coming.”

There is no doubt he could improve West Ham and after a difficult year or two, a fresh start under Moyes at the London Stadium could be the ideal remedy for him to recapture his best form.