Liverpool could yet invest further in their midfield selection despite several arrivals in the middle of the park last summer.
The Merseysiders signed Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo following a tumultuous 2022/23 campaign.
One name Arne Slot’s outfit has been linked with, somewhat tentatively, in recent months is that of Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes.
However, Ben Jacobs now reports on X (formerly Twitter) that a switch to Manchester City is the ‘most likely destination’ for the midfielder should he depart this summer.
Manchester City remains the most likely destination if Bruno Guimarães leaves #NUFC. They currently are the only club contemplating triggering his £100m clause or offering a similar number to it. Contact has already been made with the Guimarães camp, as revealed.#AFC appreciate… pic.twitter.com/Yo1SgkH3kz
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 4, 2024
If Liverpool are to sign any midfielder this summer, it will realistically be a holding six.
We’ve lacked serious quality in that position since Fabinho made the switch to Saudi Arabia. Wataru Endo has been a fine stopgap solution but arguably shouldn’t be considered the long-term fix. Likewise, Stefan Bajcetic remains far too young to be entrusted with the responsibility.
It’s worth noting that Guimaraes can file out as a holding midfielder and has done so for the majority of 2023/24.
The 26-year-old ranks extremely highly for progressive elements of his game (87th and 97th percentiles for progressive passes and successful take-ons), according to FBref.
Against the ball there’s certainly enough there to suggest he’d make an efficient destroyer at Anfield with his willingness to cover ground and do the dirty work in games.
Back in April, Premier League stats had the footballer down as one of the most effective possession-winners in the Premier League behind Alexis Mac Allister and Rodri.
The only question that remains is whether we’re prepared to fork out a ridiculous asking price to land his services this summer.
More must-reads:
There may be more to Christian Wilkins’ recent surprise release from the Las Vegas Raiders. NFL reporter Josina Anderson reported Saturday that "some sources believe an incident involving a teammate may have factored in-part into the Raiders' fatigue and release" of Wilkins. The nature of the incident is not clear. However, many believe the Raiders had a very good reason to move on from Wilkins considering the money they had invested in him. It also suggests the Raiders saw no alternative if they went straight to a release. Wilkins was dumped by the Raiders just one year into a four-year, $110 million deal. The Raiders suggested Wilkins failed to take rehab seriously as he tries to work his way back from a foot injury. Other teams do not appear to have the same concerns about Wilkins as the Raiders did, and he should find a new landing spot fairly easily. That is one of the reasons some suspect there is more to the Raiders’ decision than they are publicly saying.
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh clubbed his 40th home run of the season on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Angels, not only extending his major league lead but also making him the first player in baseball to reach the 40-home run mark this season. It also helped him make some history. With his 40th home run, Raleigh became both the first catcher and the first switch-hitter in baseball history to reach the 40 home run mark before the end of July. Here is a look at his 40th home run. He is already in the process of having one of the best seasons ever for a Mariners player, and also one of the best seasons ever for a catcher, for any team. Especially when you add in his defense, where he is one of the best defensive catchers in the league. His only serious competition for the American League MVP Award remains New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. But with Judge sidelined for some time now due to an elbow injury, it might open the door for Raleigh to put himself in the lead for that award.
Dallas Cowboys fans appear to have one thing on their mind during training camp, and they made sure to let team owner Jerry Jones know about it on Saturday. Hundreds of Cowboys fans showed up to the team's annual "Opening Day Ceremony" on Saturday in Oxnard, California. Jones addressed the crowd, and the 82-year-old was greeted with a lot of restless supporters when he took the microphone. As Jones began talking about how disappointed he was with his team's 7-10 season last year, many fans shouted the same two-word message: "Pay Micah!" The fans eventually settled enough for Jones to urge them to take note of all the changes the Cowboys have made this offseason. "I was shocked last year when we ended up with the record that we had. I never saw that coming. I want you to know, and I want you to look for as you watch practices this week, I want you to watch what we've done in the areas that we needed to work on," Jones said. "Look at what we've done in this offensive line. Look at what we've done, if you will, with our receiver cops. Look at what we're doing with our defense. A lot of changes out here -- a lot of coaching changes, a lot of player changes." Parsons is set to make $24M in the final year of his rookie contract this season. He is undoubtedly seeking to become the highest-paid defensive player in football, which would mean topping the $41M per year T.J. Watt recently got with his new deal from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Parsons had 12 or more sacks in each of his first four NFL seasons. Jones has hinted that he is playing hardball with the star linebacker in contract negotiations, and Cowboys fans do not seem to appreciate it.
The Minnesota Vikings knew they were getting a strong-armed quarterback when they drafted J.J. McCarthy last year, but the second-year signal-caller may be just a bit too strong so far. McCarthy has taken the lead in training camp after the team let veteran Sam Darnold leave in free agency following his career-best season. The Vikings have returned to their plan to have McCarthy at the top of the depth chart after an injury ended his rookie season before it began, but the team has one concern with the quarterback so far -- he's throwing too hard. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said McCarthy has been throwing well overall, but sometimes puts too much velocity on throws that require more touch. "He's working on different trajectories," O'Connell said. "You're still seeing the revolutions on the ball but not that heavy finish." ESPN's Kevin Siefert reported that McCarthy is showing progress, dropping a nice pass into the hands of tight end T.J. Hockenson during practice then putting the proper touch on another pass to wide receiver Jalen Nailor. "There is still more work to be done, of course. Earlier in the practice, McCarthy had rifled a short pass toward running back Aaron Jones, who couldn't react fast enough to catch what should have been an easy completion," Siefert wrote. "But close observers of practice can see the progress."
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