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Jose Mourinho’s commitment to Benfica is highlighted by his “sunrise to sunset” routine, with the Portuguese giants revealing that their enigmatic head coach can often be found sleeping on the club’s campus. The self-anointed ‘Special One’ occasionally passes up the opportunity to head home, with the decision taken to remain on site and dedicate himself to a demanding coaching role.

Full circle: Mourinho back where it all began

Mourinho returned to familiar surroundings when heading back to Lisbon in September. His glittering managerial career started at Estadio da Luz, with his first stint as Benfica boss in 2000 lasting just 11 games.

Having gone on to collect major silverware with the likes of Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Roma, the charismatic 62-year-old has retraced professional steps to where it all began for him.

Mourinho is determined to enhance his highly-decorated CV after taking on another challenge in his native Portugal, with Benfica expected to compete for top honours at home and abroad. Their head coach is leaving no stone unturned in that quest.

AdvertisementSleeping on the job: Why Mourinho beds down at Benfica

Benfica have revealed that Mourinho spends a lot of time at the club’s Seixal stadium training base, which allows him to mingle with youth team players at their cafeteria. The Portuguese giants have stated on their : “The coach has established a routine from sunrise to sunset in Seixal, frequently attending games and training sessions of the club's youth teams.

“On certain occasions, Jose Mourinho joins those who make Benfica Campus their residence, sharing a dinner table with players and coaches in the youth academy's cafeteria, who find inspiration in the illustrious presence of the award-winning coach.”

It has also been revealed that Mourinho beds down for the night when his working day extends late into the evening. Benfica added: “The late working hours have also led the coach to his room at Benfica Campus, where he has slept several nights before the start of a new day entirely dedicated to the entire Benfica football structure.”

Future Portugal boss: How long will Mourinho spend at Benfica?

Mourinho has stated on a regular basis that he is fully committed to his latest post, telling reporters ahead of a Champions League clash with Newcastle, having previously been linked with the Magpies: “I've turned down a few clubs, respectfully, but Newcastle never contacted me. To be honest, they don't need a manager. That means everything is fine for the club and for Eddie [Howe], and that's what I wish for them. Right now, there wouldn't be another club that motivates me and makes me happier than Benfica. I wouldn't trade Benfica for any other club in the world right now.”

While Mourinho claims to be focused on only one club, former Benfica presidential candidate Manuel Manteigas is not convinced that the nomadic Portuguese is in Lisbon for the long haul. He has said: “He’s not a coach with a future here.

“Everyone in football knows Mourinho wants to be the national team coach. Mourinho is a winning coach. If there's anyone capable of making Benfica champions this year, it's Jose Mourinho. He's such an experienced and successful coach that he'll be able to overcome obstacles faster than any other coach we'd want to bring into a project that isn't his.”

Manteigas added: “Mourinho isn't going to stay at Benfica for two, three, or four years. Who doesn't know that Mourinho wants to be the national team coach? Who doesn't know in the industry? The other candidates may not know, but those who work in the industry, who doesn't know that Mourinho spoke with Pedro Proenca to discuss a possible appointment to the national team?”

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Getty ImagesBenfica fixtures: Next up for Mourinho

Benfica currently sit third in the Liga table, four points adrift of leaders Porto and one behind cross-city rivals Sporting through 10 fixtures in the 2025-26 campaign. They will be back in Champions League action on Wednesday when playing host to German giants Bayer Leverkusen, before reaching the next international break after welcoming Casa Pia to Estadio da Luz on Sunday.

MatériaMais Notícias

Premier League (Inglaterra), Bundesliga (Alemanha), Brasileirão Betano – Série B, Brasileirão Assaí – Série A, Série A Tim (Itália) e Liga Portugal Betclic e LaLiga EA Sports (Espanha), são os principais destaques deste sábado (30) de futebol. Confira onde assistir ao vivo e os horários das partidas.

Germany and Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus believes head coach Vincent Kompany has brought back a "sense of solidarity" and has "united the team again." Matthaus compared the current Bayern team to the German side that lifted the 1990 World Cup, adding that the unity within the players is "the best sign that the coach has the team under control".

• Bayern Munich in unstoppable form

  The Bavarians began the 2025-26 season by lifting the DFL-Supercup after beating last season's DFB-Pokal winners Stuttgart. They have won the opening six games in Bundesliga to send a clear message that they will not lose the throne they reclaimed five months ago. Convincing victories over Chelsea and Pafos further solidified their stature as one of the most frightening teams in Europe at the moment. 10 games, 10 wins, and 38 goals scored – Kompany's Bayern look like the team to beat right now.

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• Imago Images / Sven Simon
  

  Matthaus commends Kompany's work so far

  Speaking to , Matthaus claimed that Kompany has been successful in making his team resemble the Bayern of old, even comparing the current side to 1990's World Cup-winning Germany squad, of which the legendary German was the captain. 

  "Vincent Kompany has brought something back to Bayern that some coaches before him hadn't managed, namely a sense of solidarity, a respectful way of dealing with one another," he said. 

  "He has united the team again. Similar to us at the 1990 World Cup: You get the feeling that the substitutes are just as happy when goals are scored as if they were on the pitch themselves. That's the best sign that the coach has the team under control, that the players also have good contact with one another and are giving their all for one another to achieve the greatest success.

  "Kompany has further developed the team. He makes substitutions that he might not have made a year ago, so he's keeping the whole team together. Everything works, everyone enjoys being involved. They implement the coach's instructions and win their games with dominance, ease, and joy. But they also cleverly switch to management mode without losing focus, because they know which intensive weeks the players will have. There's almost no one who doesn't go to a national team."

• Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies will make Bayern more formidable

  While Matthaus admitted that the return of Musiala and Davies from their respective injuries will undoubtedly make Bayern even tougher, he emphasised on the need to "maintain this sense of togetherness and enthusiasm."

  "Bayern absolutely has the potential to improve even further," he added. "When Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies return from their long-term injuries, it's actually inconceivable that they, with their quality, will be sidelined. With them, the squad will be even stronger in terms of quality. How that works on the pitch is another story. It's important that Bayern maintain this sense of togetherness and enthusiasm for the game, even when difficult personnel decisions have to be made more often."

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• Getty/GOAL
  

  Borussia Dortmund challenge awaits Bayern Munich

  Bayern and Dortmund, currently the top two teams on the Bundesliga table, will lock horns for the first time this season at the Allianz Arena on Saturday. Matthaus believes that Niko Kovac's side must prevail for the sake of the league. 

  "An exciting championship run to the end would be more attractive for the Bundesliga, also in terms of interest abroad," explained Matthaus. "The Bundesliga would benefit if Dortmund, in this case the underdog, could pull off a sensation away from home against the previously unbeatable Bayern. The best result would be three points, of course. But at least they shouldn't lose if they want to stay within striking distance."

  However, the 64-year-old doesn't consider Dortmund to be close to Bayern's level. "No," said Matthaus when asked if two rivals are on par. "Bayern have earned the clear favourite role over a long period of time, and after two or three years of atmospheric disruption, they've regained it. Given the quality of their squad, they would have had the opportunity to prevent this even in Leverkusen's miracle year."

MatériaMais Notícias

A Copa do Brasil conhecerá seus finalistas nesta quarta-feira (16). Às 19h30, São Paulo e Corinthians se enfrentam no Morumbi e a partida terá transmissão do SporTV (rede fechada), Premiere (Pay-Per-View) e Prime Video (streaming). Já às 21h30, é a vez de Flamengo e Grêmio, no Maracanã, e você pode assistir na Rede Globo (e afiliadas), além de SporTV, Premiere e Prime Video.

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+ Com treino aberto, Corinthians inicia decisão por vaga na final da Copa do Brasil mesmo antes da bola rolar

No clássico paulista, o Alvinegro tem a vantagem do empate por ter vencido a ida por 2 a 1, na Neo Química Arena, com dois gols de Renato Augusto; o gol do Tricolor foi marcado por Luciano, que levou um polêmico cartão amarelo pela comemoração e está de fora da partida de volta.

Já no confronto entre o Rubro-Negro e o Tricolor, a vantagem está com os cariocas. A vitória por 2 a 0 na Arena do Grêmio deixou o Fla em ótima situação para a decisão em casa. No entanto, o Flamengo não terá Wesley, suspenso após terceiro amarelo na ida. Já o Imortal não conta com Kannemann, expulso no primeiro jogo.

+ Mesmo sem Kannemann, Grêmio ganha opções para duelo decisivo na Copa do Brasil

Veja abaixo o chaveamento da Copa do Brasil.

Manchester United’s midfield continues to dominate transfer headlines, with Ruben Amorim intent on reshaping the heart of his side before the transfer window closes.

The club have already committed over £200m this summer on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško, but despite this heavy spending there remains a glaring gap in midfield.

Amorim’s tactical blueprint demands an athletic, technically secure player to complement captain Bruno Fernandes.

So far, the Portuguese coach has opted for 33-year-old Casemiro, with mixed results.

United narrowly fell to defeat against Arsenal on the opening weekend before following up with a frustrating 1-1 draw at Fulham, leaving Amorim with just four Premier League wins since taking charge last November.

Midfielder pushing for Man Utd move

The club’s lack of European football this season adds further pressure to get domestic results right.

With last year’s disastrous 15th-place finish and Europa League final defeat to Spurs still fresh in the memory, United cannot afford another season of underachievement.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Amorim knows the answer lies in midfield, and the search has become increasingly urgent.

According to reporter Ross Harwood, Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is now waiting for a deal to be finalised, hopeful that his long-anticipated move to Old Trafford can be sealed before the September deadline.

The journalist noted: “Baleba is eager to get this move before the window closes – he feels now is the only chance.”

The 21-year-old, described as “colossal” by journalist Aden-Jay Wood, has emerged as United’s primary midfield target.

However, there is also interest in Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Sevilla’s Lucien Agoumé.

Baleba was visibly distracted during Brighton’s 2-1 defeat to Everton at the weekend, withdrawn at half-time following conversations with manager Fabian Hürzeler.

Reports suggest the player is not in the right frame of mind, desperate for the switch to materialise as he feels this window could represent his best chance.

United’s pursuit, however, is complicated by Brighton’s valuation. The Seagulls are holding out for £100m, a figure comparable to Palace’s price tag for Wharton.

Why Baleba fits better than Mainoo

The deal, if completed, would cap off another transformative summer for United’s squad.

But it is also a gamble, one that comes amid a backdrop of criticism regarding the club’s recruitment, with some questioning whether such heavy investment is sustainable without the cushion of Champions League revenues.

To understand why Amorim is pushing so hard for Baleba, it is necessary to look at United’s current midfield balance – and in particular, the situation surrounding academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo.

The 20-year-old remains a fan favourite, scoring a famous goal in the FA Cup victory over Manchester City and earning a starting role for England in the Euro 2024 final.

Yet under Amorim, opportunities have been limited.

Mainoo has started just 15 of the manager’s 44 games in charge, and this season has been an unused substitute in both league fixtures so far.

The reason lies in Amorim’s system, something he outlined over the weekend.

Preferring to deploy an attacking-minded player alongside his defensive midfielder, Amorim has little room for another deep-lying option unless Fernandes shifts into one of the number ten roles currently occupied by Cunha and Mbeumo.

With Fernandes unlikely to be dropped, Mainoo finds himself caught in a tactical squeeze.

Baleba, by contrast, offers qualities that fit directly into the Portuguese coach’s demands.

Aged 21 and under contract at Brighton until 2028, the Cameroonian midfielder made 34 league appearances last season, contributing three goals and one assist.

His athleticism, work rate and progressive tendencies stand out when compared with Mainoo’s more measured style.

The numbers underline this difference.

According to FBref, Baleba made more tackles (2.67 to 2.51) and blocks (1.59 to 0.87), highlighting his greater presence without the ball.

In terms of possession, the pair are evenly matched. Mainoo averaged slightly more touches (58.0 per 90 compared to Baleba’s 57.3 but trailed in pass completion rate (86.5% against 87.4%).

The statistics suggest both are technically secure, but Baleba’s edge in carrying, passing progression and defensive activity point to a midfielder more suited to Amorim’s high-energy, dual-pivot approach.

Premier League – 2024/25
Stat	Mainoo	Baleba
Matches Played	25	34
Starts	19	31
Shot-Creating Actions	34	66
Progressive Carries	22	43
Progressive Passes	65	118
Source: FBref

Mainoo’s situation is not necessarily terminal. His talent is undeniable, and he could still evolve into a central figure at Old Trafford.

But in the here and now, Amorim requires an engine capable of covering ground, breaking lines, and complementing Fernandes’ creativity. That profile aligns more closely with Baleba than with the academy product.

Of course, there are risks. A £100m outlay would demand consistent excellence from the Cameroonian, and Brighton are renowned for extracting maximum value from departing players.

There is also the question of squad balance – investing heavily in yet another attacking-minded player while defensive reinforcements remain limited could backfire.

Yet the logic behind the move is clear. If Manchester United are to restore control and consistency in midfield, they need a player capable of combining technical quality with physical dominance.

Baleba, by all accounts, is eager to be that player.

Whether United can meet Brighton’s demands before the window closes will determine whether Amorim gets the midfielder he craves.

Perfect for Cunha & Mbeumo: Man Utd lead race to sign £69m English star

Manchester United could be about to make a move for another big-money signing this summer.

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 24, 2025

في رد منه على التصريحات الأخيرة لأمين صندوق نادي الزمالك الدكتور حسام المندوه، الذي أبدى فيها تخوّفه من أن النادي “يموت تدريجيًا” بسبب أزمته المالية الخانقة، أكد أحمد سليمان، عضو مجلس الإدارة، أن القلعة البيضاء باقية ولن تزول مهما اشتدت الأزمات.

وقال أحمد سليمان في تصريحات لبرنامج “اللعيب” عبر قناة MBC مصر: “هل الزمالك يموت؟ لا، بالطبع لا، هذا كلام غير صحيح، الزمالك نادٍ عظيم وتاريخه كبير، ولا يمكن أن يُقال عنه إنه يموت بأي حال من الأحوال”.

وأضاف: “الزمالك نادٍ شامخ بعراقته وتاريخه، لكن مصدر قوته الحقيقي هو جماهيره، جماهير الزمالك تمتد شعبيتها في إفريقيا والدول العربية، وأنا شخصيًا رأيت هذا بنفسي خلال جولاتي المختلفة”.

طالع أيضًا | طارق يحيى يُحذر: الزمالك في خطر حقيقي.. والأبطال لا يعيشون على “التبرعات”

وتابعا: “في إحدى زياراتي إلى ليبيا لحضور مباراة للفريق، شاهدت استقبالًا غير مسبوق وحضورًا جماهيريًا هائلًا في الملعب، كذلك في السعودية والإمارات، أينما يذهب الزمالك تجد جماهيره تملأ المدرجات، سواء في مباريات السوبر أو كأس مصر أمام الأهلي، هذه الشعبية الواسعة دليل على أن الزمالك كيان حي لا يموت”.

وأردف: “شعبية الزمالك لم تتأثر، لكن ما حدث أن الطموح داخل النادي ارتفع كثيرًا، ما تطلب زيادة في الموارد والإنفاق، خصوصًا مع التوجه نحو تطوير الفريق والتعاقد مع لاعبين على مستوى عالٍ”.

وأوضح: “في السنوات الأخيرة بدأ النادي يتعاقد مع لاعبين ذوي جودة عالية بمبالغ غير مسبوقة، مثل اللاعب ألفينا الذي تم التعاقد معه بمقابل مالي كبير مقارنة بما كان يُدفع سابقًا، الطموح كان كبيرًا، لكن الأزمة المالية أثرت على هذا المسار”.

وعند سؤاله حول صفقة خوان بيزيرا وقيمتها المالية التي قيل إنها بلغت مليونًا و800 ألف دولار، أجاب سليمان: “لا أتذكر الرقم بدقة، لأن مثل هذه الأمور تُدار داخليًا بين المدير الرياضي والمشرفين على الكرة، ولا يصح الاعتماد على ما يُتداول عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي، فحوالي 80% مما يُقال هناك غير دقيق”.

After a very quiet start to the transfer window, things are really starting to heat up at Aston Villa.

Back-up goalkeeper Marco Bizot was the only new signing to start the Claret and Blue Army’s Premier League opener against Newcastle, deputising for the suspended Emi Martínez, while their most noteworthy new recruit, Evann Guessand, was an unused substitute.

Meantime, as they seek to stay compliant with the Premier League’s Profitability & Sustainability Rules, Villa have made a few sales in recent days, so could this lead to them making a notable addition?

Aston Villa's new look attack

On Sunday, it was confirmed that Jacob Ramsey had departed Aston Villa, the club he joined as a six-year-old, signing for Newcastle United for a reported fee of £43m.

Meantime, having not even been on the bench at the weekend, Leon Bailey is expected to complete a move to Roma this week, with the Giallorossi paying a £2m loan fee, the deal containing a £19m option to buy.

So, could these departures facilitate an attacking addition or two being added to Unai Emery’s squad?

Well, according to a report by the Daily Mirror, Aston Villa are ‘interested’ in signing Leandro Trossard from Arsenal, with Brentford as well as ‘several foreign clubs’ also monitoring the Belgian’s situation; Fenerbahçe and Bayern Munich have been mentioned in the past.

Interestingly, the £18m-rated forward was an unused substitute during the Gunners’ Premier League opener at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Mikel Arteta turning to new signing Noni Madueke instead, when the Belgian had previously been the first man off the bench for so long.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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Having spent big, Arsenal need to raise funds in the remaining weeks of the window, looking to offload Oleksandr Zinchenko, Reiss Nelson, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fábio Vieira and possibly Trossard too, so could he soon swap North London for Villa Park?

What Leandro Trossard would bring to Aston Villa

Ever since he first arrived in the Premier League, joining Brighton from Genk, Trossard has been a consistent performer.

He scored 25 goals and registered 15 assists in 121 outings for the Seagulls, most notably bagging a hat-trick against Liverpool at Anfield, before a public falling out with Roberto De Zerbi in January 2023 saw him depart.

Having failed in their pursuit of Mykhailo Mudryk, Arsenal swooped in and signed Trossard, and this has certainly proved to be £27m well spent.

The Belgian has racked up 28 goals and 23 assists in 124 Arsenal appearances, earning a reputation as something of a super sub, often making key contributions off the bench, including scoring with his first touch at Villa Park almost exactly 12 months ago, this the last time Aston Villa tasted defeat in a league match at home.

Ben Jacobs of talkSPORT labelled him a “clinical” finisher, while manager Arteta described him as “competitive”, adding “he wants to win… he always wants to be the best”. In the words of one Arsenal content creator, he is “one of the most underrated player in the Premier League”.

Trossard featured in all 38 of Arsenal’s Premier League matches last season, the only outfielder to achieve this, filling in across the front line, deployed as a centre-forward and a second-striker, as well as on both flanks, given the Gunners’ injury crisis.

Should he move to Villa, Emery would surely appreciate this versatility, but let’s assess how he compares to the outgoing Bailey.

23/24 & 24/25 PL comparison

Stat

Trossard

Bailey

Appearances

72

59

Minutes

4,197

3,220

Goals

20

11

Assists

10

11

All statistics below are on a per-90 basis:

Shots

2

1.4

Shots on target

1.1

0.7

Chances created

1.5

1.8

Big chances created

0.34

0.42

Big chances missed

0.34

0.06

Take-ons completed

1.4

2.2

Take-on success %

55.83%

50.55%

Average Sofascore rating

7.07

6.94

via Squawka and Sofascore

As the table outlines, Trossard has produced a far greater output across the last two Premier League seasons, albeit Bailey does come out on top in terms of assists, chances created and dribbles per 90, albeit the Belgian completed a higher proportion of his take-ons.

So, in terms of being an out-and-out goal threat, Trossard would surely represent a clear upgrade on what Villa are selling.

Also, as already documented, the Belgian is very durable, while the same cannot be said of the departed Ramsey, who missed eight Premier League matches last season due to a hamstring injury, having seen little over 1,000 minutes during the previous campaign due to metatarsal, foot, toe and hamstring issues.

Even last year, when making 46 appearances, accumulating over 2,300 minutes, the 24-year-old scored just four goals and registered a mere seven assists across all competitions.

Given that Villa could play as many as 67 matches this season, including up to 17 in the Europa League, Trossard’s availability would surely prove invaluable.

Thus, if Arsenal are eager to sell, and the 30-year-old is available at the right price, he would add plenty to Emery’s squad.

Related Asensio repeat: Aston Villa making late push to sign "superb" Spanish star

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Posts 1 ByKelan Sarson Aug 18, 2025

Manchester City are now set to “present an offer” for a £43m star who Pep Guardiola called “sensational”, journalist Orazio Accomando has revealed.

Man City looking to offload more players before deadline

Guardiola has previously made it abundantly clear he doesn’t want to work with an oversized squad next season, with the Man City boss saying: “I said to the club I don’t want that. I don’t want to leave five or six players in the tribune. I don’t want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay.”

As such, despite recently offloading Jack Grealish, City may look to get some more players off the books before the transfer deadline, and Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Galatasaray are pursuing Ederson.

It remains to be seen whether City opt to cash-in on the Brazilian this summer, with reports from elsewhere revealing they have little interest in sanctioning a departure, but if they do, they may need to bring in a replacement.

That is due to the fact that new arrival James Trafford has limited experience in the Premier League, making just 28 appearances in the competition, and the Blues could now make a move for a goalkeeper who has proven himself at the top level.

That is according to an update from Accomando on X, who states that Man City are now set to “present an offer” for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the next few days, as they continue to work on offloading Ederson.

Donnarumma is also a major target for Manchester United, and PSG are now willing to sanction a departure, having made it clear that Lucas Chevalier is their new number one, with the French club looking to receive £43m.

Pep's an admirer of "sensational" Donnarumma

Guardiola is a long-term admirer of the Italian goalkeeper, having once lauded him as “sensational” after impressing against City in the Champions League, and he continued to catch the eye in last season’s competition.

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ByDominic Lund Aug 13, 2025

Indeed, the Italy captain played a major role in his side reaching the Champions League final, with journalist Carlo Garganese singling the 26-year-old out for praise after impressing in the semi-final against Arsenal.

That said, there are doubts over whether Donnarumma would be a good fit in a Guardiola system, given that he isn’t the best with his feet, averaging 29.95 touches per 90 over the past year, compared to Ederson’s 60.34, so it may be worth persisting with the Brazilian.

It’s not been a year to remember for West Ham United supporters, and there are few signs of encouragement so far this summer.

The Hammers finished 14th in the Premier League last season, sacking Julen Lopetegui in January, having picked up 1.15 points-per-game under the Spaniard, before this actually dropped to 1.11 points-per-game following Graham Potter’s appointment.

As they look to improve ahead of next season, star attacker Mohammed Kudus has been sold to fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur, while full-backs Kyle Walker-Peters and El Hadji Malick Diouf have arrived.

Now though, with another one of the Hammers’ most high-profile players potentially on his way out, should they replace him with an “exquisite” talent?

West Ham target Lucas Paquetá's replacement

On Friday, it was reported by Martyn Ziegler and Matt Lawton of the Times that Lucas Paquetá is ‘set to be cleared’ of spot-fixing.

As documented by Mario Cortegana and Roshane Thomas of the Athletic, the Brazilian was alleged to have intentionally collected yellow cards in four Premier League matches, thereby ‘affecting or profiting from the betting market’, which, if found guilty, would have seen him handed a lifetime ban by the FA, but this will now not come to pass.

These allegations scuppered Paquetá’s proposed move to Manchester City two years ago, but it is now forecast that the Brazilian will push for a transfer this summer, reportedly valued at around £80m by West Ham.

Should he depart, the Hammers would need to sign a replacement, hence why journalist Ben Jacobs is reporting that they are interested in signing Fábio Vieira from Arsenal, adding the Irons are ‘planning to add multiple midfielders’ to their squad.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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Vieira was not included in the Gunners’ squad that is currently in Hong Kong, but that’s due to his exploits at the Club World Cup, starting all three of Porto’s fixtures in the United States last month, providing an assist during their bonkers 4-4 draw with Al Ahly.

So, could he become the latest player to go directly from Arsenal to West Ham, following in the footsteps of Jack Wilshere, Manuel Almunia, Jérémie Aliadière, Marouane Chamakh, Carl Jenkinson, John Hartson, Freddie Ljungberg, Lucas Pérez, Davor Šuker, Nigel Winterburn, Ian Wright, and many others? We could go on!

What Fábio Vieira would bring to West Ham

Vieira joined Arsenal from Porto three summers ago for a reported fee of £34m, and has shown glimpses of why they paid that money, but has never produced on a consistent basis.

The table below illustrates Vieira’s statistics for the Gunners, as well as what he produced last season, having been loaned back to Porto.

Fábio Vieira season-by-season statistics

Statistics

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Appearances

33

16

42

Starts

14

3

30

Minutes

1,415

561

2,698

Goals

2

1

5

Assists

6

4

6

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

As the table notes, Vieira never managed to establish himself as a first-choice figure in the Arsenal team, starting just three times during his most recent campaign with the club, his only goal an 88th-minute penalty during a 5-0 demolition of Sheffield United.

Despite this, his talent is obvious, with presenter Adam Keys impressed by his “incredibly clean ball-striking” ability, labelling him “exquisite”, while Lorihanna Balabanova of Total Football Analysis outlines how he is at his best as a ‘creative attacking midfielder’ who likes to ‘occupy the right half-space’.

Well, similarly, Karim Shahine of Total Football analysis notes that Paquetá thrives as a ‘right-sided half-space’ number ten, praising his ‘creativity’ and ‘tactical flexibility’.

Based on that, it would appear as though Vieira would be the ideal replacement for his fellow left footer, so let’s take a look at how the duo compared last season.

Lucas Paquetá vs Fábio Vieira 2024/25 comparison

Statistics

Paquetá

Vieira

Minutes

2,533

2,239

Goals

5

5

Assists

0

6

Big chances created

4

11

Shots

39

59

Shots on target %

7.7%

30.5%

Shot-creating actions

82

116

Goal-creating actions

6

16

Progressive carries

26

32

Progressive passes

155

154

Take-on success %

44.7%

41.2%

Touches per 90

64

56

Average SofaScore rating

6.92

7.29

Statistics courtesy of FBref.com and SofaScore

As the table outlines, in 300 fewer minutes, Vieira’s statistics were, almost across the board, more impressive than Paquetá’s, notably when it came to chances created, shooting and dribbling.

Of course, the caveat is that he was doing so at a lower level, with the Primeira Liga ranked by Global Football Rankings as the seventh-strongest league in the world.

Nevertheless, Vieira is certainly available this summer, no longer in Mikel Arteta’s plans, so the Gunners may well sanction another loan deal, making his signing a low-risk, high-upside move for West Ham.

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Glasgow Rangers are reportedly planning to table an offer for an attacking player who “does everything”, seeing him as a potential alternative to Jamie Vardy.

Rangers linked with stunning Vardy signing

Vardy has been one of the most prominent attacking stars in the Premier League over the past decade, famously starring for Leicester City en route to an unfathomable title triumph in 2015/16.

Now, the 38-year-old is being strongly linked with a summer move to Rangers, having brought to an end a legendary spell at the King Power Stadium at the end of last season, saying goodbye to the fans.

“I’ve had 13 unbelievable years at this club, with lots of success, some downs, but the majority all highs. But it’s finally time to call it a day, which I’m devastated about but I think the timing is right. I just want to sincerely thank you all for taking me in as one of your own.”

Recent reports have suggested that the Gers have opened talks with Vardy over a move to Ibrox, seeing him as an ideal option to bring added firepower to Russell Martin’s squad, as the new manager looks to win the Scottish Premiership title at the first attempt.

Given his age, it is understandable why some may have reservations about a move, but there are no great signs of the Englishman slowing down, and he could be an inspired signing for a year or two. It looks like a younger option is being looked at, though, following a new update.

Rangers planning bid for attacker who "does everything"

According to Gol [via The Daily Record], Rangers are planning a bid for Girona striker Bojan Miovski, seemingly seeing him as an option if they miss out on acquiring Vardy’s signature. The 26-year-old is also reportedly wanted by Celtic this summer, so it could be a tug of war between the two biggest clubs in Scottish football.

Miovski could be a great signing for Rangers this summer, even though Vardy is arguably the preferable choice in the sense of high level experience, with the striker 12 years younger than the Leicester icon.

The Gers have felt the wrath of the North Macedonian plenty of times in the past, with Miovski scoring four goals against them in nine appearances, three of which came in six league outings.

Meanwhile, former Rangers attacker Billy Dodds has lauded his ability, saying: “I really like Miovski. How he played against England, you’re stepping up the levels and notching up the standard of football, then seeing him today, seeing him throughout the season. You get some people who don’t join in the game, don’t link up, but score goals. Others you see not scoring goals but they link up. This guy does everything.”

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ByHenry Jackson Jul 8, 2025

A return to Scotland may appeal to Miovski, having only netted twice for Girona in 17 La Liga appearances last season, and he stands out as a top-quality option for Rangers alongside Vardy.