All posts by h716a5.icu

Chelsea have made an enquiry for Lyon forward Bradley Barcola, but a reliable journalist has revealed that they aren’t the only club in the race to secure his services with interest outside the Premier League.

Who is Bradley Barcola?

Barcola is naturally a right-winger who has plied his trade at the Groupama Stadium since his childhood days having worked his way up through the various youth ranks to get promoted to the first team back in January 2022, where he’s since gone on to make a total of 46 senior appearances.

The France youth international still has another three years remaining on his contract, but having established himself as Laurent Blanc’s third best-performing offensive player last season, he’s caught the eye of Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge.

According to RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins, Todd Boehly has placed the 20-year-old on a shortlist of options as an alternative to Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise who ended speculation of a move by signing a new long-term contract with Roy Hodgson’s side, with chiefs entering the market to find a replacement for Christian Pulisic following his permanent switch to AC Milan.

Are Chelsea signing Bradley Barcola?

Taking to X, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Chelsea have now developed their interest in Barcola by approaching Lyon to discover what it would take to complete a transfer before the end of the summer window. He wrote:

“Paris Saint-Germain are not happy with club to club talks for Bradley Barcola as OL have changed original asking price multiple times. Barcola agreed terms with PSG in June but club to club situation now tense. Chelsea also asked for Barcola deal conditions last week.”

In Ligue 1 last season, Barcola racked up an impressive 14 goal contributions (nine assists and five goals) in 26 appearances, form which saw him receive three man-of-the-match awards, but he also proved to be a threat even when the ball didn’t always hit the back of the net.

The Gestifute client, who pockets £6k-per-week, ranked in the 94th percentile for number of attacking touches in the opposition’s penalty area and the 92nd percentile for aerial wins, highlighting his desire to not only create chances but additionally make himself a target man in the final third, despite only standing at 5 foot 11.

Read The Latest Chelsea Transfer News HERE…

Furthermore, Villeurbanne’s native has been deployed in four different positions since the start of his career, including everywhere across the frontline and even slightly deeper on the left side of the midfield, so he would provide the boss with some welcome versatility where he could easily adapt to the role he’s asked to play in.

Finally, Barcola has been dubbed an “elite” player by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, and whilst it's unknown whether he would be ready to slot straight into the first-team fold considering that he's still only 20 and has no experience at this level, Pochettino clearly feels he can utilise him immediately to be targeting him as an alternative to Olise.

Jonny Bairstow says that England must begin the process of winning back the trust of their fans at the WACA next week

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Dec-20172:01

Our relationship with fans has been tested – Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow says that England must begin the process of winning back the trust of their fans at the WACA next week, as they seek to put to one side the off-field controversies that have over-shadowed their tour of Australia.England have to avoid slumping to what would be their eighth consecutive Test defeat in Australia if they are to retain the Ashes, but their attempts to refocus in the wake of last week’s second Test in Adelaide took a blow on their return to Perth, when the England Lions batsman, Ben Duckett, was suspended from the remainder of the tour after pouring a drink over James Anderson in a bar in Perth.That incident took place at The Avenue, the same venue at which Bairstow greeted Cameron Bancroft with a “head-butt” on England’s first night in Australia, leading an exasperated head coach, Trevor Bayliss, to threaten to drop any players who continue to step out of line.Bairstow brushes off sledging controversy

Jonny Bairstow insists that he was not unsettled by the content of Australia’s on-field chat during the Brisbane Test, in spite of suggestions that their words may have touched a nerve.
“It didn’t really. It is something that was said, but there are different ways to look at it and use it in a positive manner as well,” Bairstow said.
“Certain people react in different ways but it didn’t affect the way I played. It didn’t change how I played in the second innings.
“I didn’t say a word. When it comes to things like that, what is said on the field needs to stay on the field and I’m sure if you spoke to ex-players they could tell you plenty of stories about what was said on the field.
“It is part and parcel of sport and a player’s code.”

Though Bairstow did not directly address the Avenue incidents, nor the nature of the sledging that he was subjected to during the first two Tests at Brisbane and Adelaide, he acknowledged that England have reached a watershed moment of the Ashes tour.”I think it has all been dealt with, and we need to move on from that,” Bairstow said. “As players we get back into training tomorrow and that is at the forefront of our mind. We’ve got three matches to go and we’ve got to win three Test matches. That is the challenge we’re faced with.”There are things that have been blown up, but at the same time it is your job. If we don’t play cricket well, then we lose our jobs.”That is part and parcel of it, and we need to rebuild the trust we had built over the last few years as a team. That starts on Thursday morning.”You rebuild it by winning games of cricket. You’ve got to go out and win games and that starts at training and then in the Test.”There could be few more daunting venues for England to begin their Ashes fightback, however. In the 47-year history of the WACA, England have won just once, against a Packer-weakened Australia in 1978-79, while they have lost each of their last seven Tests at the venue, dating back to 1990-91.”We’re 2-0 down and it is a situation you don’t want to be in,” he said. “At the same time we’re not completely out of it, we’ve got three opportunities to go and do something special.”South Africa won at the WACA last year. They’ve won there the last two times, so there is no reason why we can’t.Jonny Bairstow at a Yorkshire Tea event in Perth•Getty Images”As a side we’ve played some good cricket so far in the series but not done it for long enough,” he added.”They’ve won the key periods of play. The guys have spent time in the middle but not spent long enough. That is effectively what we need to do. We need to be out there for 110, 120, 130 overs and, at this moment in time, we’ve not done it.”We were in a position to win that game [at Adelaide] on the last day. Going into the fifth day there was a genuine belief we could win that Test match and we could be sat here at 1-1.”We need to bat longer than we’ve batted and we need to get their bowlers into fourth spells. It is as simple as that. Bat for a longer period of time than we have done.”We’ve been in, but we need to bat longer as a unit. It doesn’t just affect that innings or that game.”Despite a top score of 42 in the series to date, Bairstow has looked as fluent as any of England’s batsmen, leading to suggestions that he might be promoted from his current No.7 position, not least – as a right-hander – to counter the threat posed by the offspinner, Nathan Lyon. The man himself, however, did not think this was on the cards.”I’ve got no idea. I don’t think so,” he said. “I’ve not heard anything. I don’t think that is an issue to be honest. The side that walks out on Thursday has to be the side that Joe [Root] is happy with and confident with, in whichever order it is he and Trevor think puts us in the best shape to win the Test.”Jonny Bairstow was speaking on behalf of Yorkshire Tea and Chance to Shine, inspiring the next generation of cricketers

The ODI series begins on April 8, five days after the end of the tri-series that also involves Australia and India

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Dec-2017Itinerary

April 8, 1st ODI

April 11, 2nd ODI

April 14, 3rd ODI

England women will play three ODIs in India in April next year, after competing in a T20 tri-series involving the hosts and Australia women.The series begins on April 8, five days after the tri-series final in Mumbai. India women haven’t played ODI cricket since their stellar run to the World Cup final in July, when they narrowly lost to England, but they will have some ODI game time before they meet England again. India will play Australia women in a three-match ODI series in Baroda, which begins on March 12.The venues for the series against England are yet to be announced.

Manchester United suffered their first Premier League defeat of the 2023/24 campaign over the weekend, losing 2-0 to a revitalised Tottenham Hotspur side

There were several poor performances throughout, with summer arrival Mason Mount failing to generate the spark that Erik ten Hag required during the match, as he completed only 15 accurate passes.

Could this poor performance tempt the Dutchman back into the transfer market and sign another midfielder?

The Red Devils are showing interest in a current Paris Saint-Germain gem.

Will Manchester United sign anyone else?

The Old Trafford side were in the hunt for a new defender, being linked with Marc Guehi and Benjamin Pavard of late, yet with Harry Maguire seeing a move to West Ham United fall through, it appears as though Ten Hag is looking at bolstering other areas of his team.

According to French news outlet L’Equipe (as relayed by Get Football News France), United have shown interest in midfielder Marco Verratti, who appears free to leave PSG this summer.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

They will face stiff competition from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich for his signature, though, so his 11-year stay in the French capital seems to be coming to an end.

During the early stages of the window, it looked as though Verratti was moving to Saudi Arabia, yet PSG and Al-Hilal couldn’t agree on a fee, and it looks as though he could be available for €60m (£51m).

How good is Marco Verratti?

The Italian international joined the French side back in 2012 and has since emerged as one of the finest midfielders on the continent. During his 11 years at PSG, he has won a plethora of trophies, including nine Ligue 1 titles while making over 400 appearances for the club.

The 30-year-old was once dubbed “the only genuine talent in Italian football at the minute” by Gianluigi Buffon a few years ago and the midfielder is also statistically similar to current Chelsea starlet Moises Caicedo.

The Ecuadorian just broke the British transfer record by joining the Blues in a £115m move and according to FBref, the former Brighton & Hove Albion machine is the third-most similar player across Europe’s top five leagues to Verratti.

Given his meteoric rise and wonderful performances for Brighton and Hove Albion over the previous 12 months, it isn’t a bad comparison and Ten Hag could land his own Caicedo by signing the PSG star.

Last season, both Verratti and Caicedo registered similar statistics with regard to pass completion percentage (92.6% v 88.5%), tackles won (51 v 58), successful take-on percentage (54.7% v 51.9) and shot-creating actions (83 v 88).

This demonstrates they are both wonderful passers and can also generate plenty of scoring opportunities while not neglecting their defensive duties and this is something United urgently require at the heart of their midfield.

WhoScored also suggests that both Verratti and Caicedo excel at passing and tackling, meaning they are excellent players to have to dictate the play and win the ball back often.

Caicedo will get the chance to prove his worth by starring for Chelsea in the coming years, yet the Italian has been doing it for years at PSG.

Luring him to Manchester may give Ten Hag – and his engine room – the boost that he desperately needs.

Liverpool have been credited with an interest in a long-term midfield target as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to complete his transfer activity and ensure his club is well-placed for an auspicious season.

What's the latest on Liverpool's midfield hunt?

Following a report from Anfield Watch, the Reds are considering a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Matheus Nunes, having agreed a £44m fee for the former Sporting Lisbon before his move to Molineux.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

Liverpool have prioritised a No. 6 this summer and still scour the market after failing to sign both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, with both joining Premier League rivals Chelsea.

However, given the mass exodus at Anfield, there is likely room for Nunes to join, and the Merseyside team could complete their rebuild by belatedly making a swoop.

How good is Matheus Nunes?

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola once heralded Nunes as "one of the best midfielders in the world", and while this seemed perhaps somewhat heightened praise, he has glistened in the centre of the Old Gold midfield since joining last year.

Indeed, the Portugal ace made 34 appearances in the Premier League last season, completing 82% of his passes, making two tackles per match and succeeding with 61% of his attempted dribbles.

While the 24-year-old might've taken some time to acclimatise to the rigours of English football last season, he kicked the current campaign off with aplomb, earning a Sofascore rating of 7.40 as Wolves narrowly fell to defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford, incredibly winning 14 of his 24 ground duels, making five interceptions and three tackles, and creating two key passes.

This all-engulfing midfield display epitomises exactly what Klopp needs from his midfield, with such tenacity and intensity likely combatting the crux of last year's issues, where the Reds' sapped midfield failed to adequately protect the defence.

It brought shades of former Liverpool star Gini Wijnaldum, with the Dutchman hailed as "irreplaceable" by Richard Jolly after playing his industrious role superlatively at Anfield after signing from Newcastle United for £25m in 2016, making 237 appearances, yet only scoring 22 goals and supplying 16 assists, keeping things tidy with an infallible passing prowess, never falling below an 87% success rate.

Nunes only scored one goal and assist apiece last season, with his skills also lying outside the plundering of direct goal contributions, but given that he ranks among the top 18% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, he is clever in possession.

Just like his 87-cap Netherlands counterpart, Nunes could be "perfect" under Klopp's stewardship, as Wijnaldum was once lauded by his former Liverpool manager, and his acquisition could restore the cohesiveness of the side.

Once praised as "unbelievable" by ex-teammate Goncalo Santos, Nunes would be a credit to the Liverpool side, and given that Klopp and co have clearly done their homework on the £85k-per-week maestro, he could slot into the system without seam.

Quarter-finalists of the 2016 Under-19 World Cup handed the defending champions of the Asia Cup a rude shock in Kuala Lumpur

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Nov-2017Kaushal AdhikariNepal stunned defending champions India on the third day of the Under-19 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur. Playing a key role in the 19-run win was the captain Dipendra Singh Airee. First he made 88 in Nepal’s modest 185 for 8. Then he took 4 for 39 to wrestle India down from 91 for 1 to 166 all out.There were several points in the match when the eventual result looked quite unlikely. Like when Himanshu Rana got the chase off to a brisk start, smacking seven fours and a six in his 38-ball 46. Though he fell to Kamal Singh Airee, India seemed to have things well in hand. At one point, they only needed 96 runs in about 27 overs with nine wickets in hand.The game turned when Dipendra dismissed Atharva Taide. Pawan Sarraf (2-24) and Shalab Alam (2-11) also chipped in with a couple of wickets to ensure India’s middle and lower order felt the pressure of the chase. And eventually the quarter-finalists in the last Under-19 World Cup secured victory.It was perhaps the situation Dipendra had hoped for when he was batting earlier in the day, doing his best to repair the innings after the loss of both openers inside 10 overs. He added 49 for the third wicket with Jitendra Singh, before taking charge with an innings that included six fours and two sixes. Having faced 101 deliveries, he was dismissed only in the penultimate over.Nepal, who were beaten by Bangladesh by two wickets in their tournament opener, play Malaysia next on Tuesday, while India, winners by 202 runs against Malaysia, take on Bangladesh.

Crystal Palace could be set to lose one of their most important players this summer due to a clause in his contract at Selhurst Park, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

Which clubs are keen on signing Michael Olise this window?

According to Football Insider, Crystal Palace could be 'powerless' to stop winger Michael Olise from leaving Selhurst Park this summer due to a £35 million release clause in his current contract at the Eagles, which is set to run until 2026.

Manchester City and Chelsea are both keen on offering the France youth international a fresh challenge in the final weeks of the window and the former are targeting him as a potential replacement for Riyad Mahrez, who has recently completed a move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli.

Last term, Olise showed his creative efficiency for Crystal Palace on a consistent basis, registering two goals and 11 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

In conversation with Sky Sports via The Sun, Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson admitted that the final decision on Olise's future will be left down to the Hammersmith-born playmaker to determine, as he stated in a recent interview: "No one knows at this moment. If there are clubs desperately preparing a bid and tempting him then he'll decide. I can only wait and see what decision he will make; he knows we want to keep him."

Olise is contracted to Crystal Palace until the summer of 2026 and is believed to earn in the region of £85,000 per week on the books at Selhurst Park, as per Capology.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Sky Sports reporter Sheth thinks that Olise's release clause will indeed signify that he will get the final decision on whether to stay at Crystal Palace or leave his current employers this window.

Sheth stated: “It's a little bit up in the air. Crystal Palace are desperate for him to stay, but I think, as it stands, there is some sort of release clause there. If someone can trigger that release clause, then Crystal Palace might not be able to do anything about keeping Olise or not. It will be down to the player himself. So, I think that's where we stand with City just now.”

What now for Crystal Palace?

According to journalist Alan Nixon on Patreon, Crystal Palace are eyeing a move for Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy as Hodgson looks to add depth to his goalkeeping department.

Leicester City stopper Daniel Iversen is another name that has been earmarked to come in and replace Vicente Guiata, who is refusing to play for the Eagles at present, as per The Daily Mail.

Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall has agreed a new contract at Stamford Bridge which could run until the year 2030 and will spend the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Crystal Palace, as per The Evening Standard.

Hall is capable of playing in central midfield and filling in at left-back and Crystal Palace look to have beaten off competition from Newcastle United to bring in the 18-year-old.

With roads sealed off and huge security convoys, the security arrangements provided to the Sri Lanka team are similar to the protocol followed for a presidential visit

Umar Farooq in Lahore29-Oct-20173:05

‘Would love to drive the Sri Lankan team bus again’ – Khalil

The Sri Lanka T20 squad were surrounded by ‘extraordinary’ security arrangements upon their arrival in Lahore on Sunday morning, for the third T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium. This is the first Sri Lanka team to visit Pakistan since the terror attack targeting Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore in 2009.The side, which flew in from Abu Dhabi, was escorted to the team hotel in a bomb-proof bus. The routes from the Allama Iqbal Airport in Lahore were virtually sealed off with thousands of armed police deployed along the 14 km route. The streets leading to Mall Road were also deserted as the team was flanked by a large convoy of police commandos. The arrangements were similar to the security protocol followed for a presidential visit.A Sri Lankan security delegation had visited Lahore over the last two days to oversee the arrangements. A full dress rehearsal of the security arrangements from the airport to the hotel to the stadium – involving the Pakistan army, Pakistan’s paramilitary force, the Rangers, and the Punjab police – was also held.”We are prepared to host Sri Lanka team,” Dr Haider Ashraf, Deputy Inspector General (operations) of Punjab Police, told reporters at Gaddafi Stadium. “Under the umbrella of the Punjab government, and with the help of Pakistan army, rangers and intelligence agencies, we are geared up to make this event successful.”I can assure that the entire administration from Punjab government and police is very much professional and competent to handle such event. A Sri Lanka security delegation was here and nobody has so far objected or expressed any dissatisfaction about any of our arrangements. We have adopted all the best international practices and everyone on board is satisfied. International security consultants are also on board. There are four layers of security check points to enter the stadium and Lahore administration has put a shuttle service in place to take fans from the parking area to the stadium gates. There are four parking points covering all direction of the city.”The team that landed in Sunday does not include any player or coach who was present in 2009. Sri Lanka Cricket had announced a new-look T20I squad after several senior players refused to travel to Lahore. Sri Lanka’s regular T20I captain, Upul Tharanga, had pulled out, along with Lasith Malinga, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal and Akila Dananjaya. The team is being captained by Thisara Perera. SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala and sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekara have accompanied the side to Lahore.Sri Lanka’s cricketers were driven to the team hotel in a bomb-proof bus•PCBSunday’s match is yet another attempt by the Pakistan Cricket Board to show the country’s will and capacity to host international cricket, which had stopped for many years following the 2009 terror attack. In March 2009, the Sri Lanka team bus was attacked en route to the Gaddafi Stadium for the third day of the second Test, at the Liberty Roundabout situated 1.5 kilometres from the stadium. Eight people were killed in the attack and a few Sri Lanka players were injured. With teams refusing to tour Pakistan in the aftermath of the attack, the board had to adopt the UAE as its home venue for international cricket.The landscape of the city, however, has changed drastically over the last eight years. The flow of traffic around the Liberty Roundabout has been altered, and the Nishtar Park complex, which houses the Gaddafi Stadium, is now well protected with huge metal gates.In 2015, Zimbabwe became the first Test-playing nation to tour Pakistan since the attack, with a limited-overs series held in Lahore. Despite extensive security measures, a bomb blast occurred 800m away from the Gaddafi Stadium during the second ODI, killing two people. Zimbabwe stayed on and finished the series two days later, but the tour did not lead to a change in the perceptions about security in Pakistan.The next high-profile match in Lahore was the Pakistan Super League final in March 2017. This was followed by a successful tour of the World XI for three T20Is in September, which saw a number of high-profile cricketers turn out. The World XI side was coached by Andy Flower and included five players from South Africa – including Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla – three from Australia, two from West Indies and one player each from England, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. The series was officially backed by the ICC, who also hired independent experts to oversee security arrangements. Players were offered US $100,000 to play the series, which spanned five days. It was a key step for the PCB in its efforts to convince teams that Pakistan is ready to host top-flight international cricket.The PCB is now in talks with Cricket West Indies for three T20I matches in November, but the West Indies board has not yet confirmed the series.

Stuart Law has called on West Indies’ batsmen to focus on getting their tempo right as he looks for improvements in the 50-over format

Nagraj Gollapudi26-Sep-2017Stuart Law was keen not get involved in the absence of Ben Stokes and Alex Hales from England’s side for the fourth ODI at The Oval. What Law cared more about was West Indies’ batsmen understanding the simple art of pacing the innings, of playing at the correct “tempo”.What Law wants his batsmen to do is set the right pace in the middle-overs segment, overs 16-40 – a phase where West Indies tended to become stagnant. Numbers expose this weakness: since the 2015 World Cup, West Indies’ average run rate in the middle overs has been 4.98, which is the lowest among all top-eight ranked teams. It has not improved in 2017: a run rate of 4.64 is again the lowest in the middle-overs phase.Pacing an innings has acquired a new meaning, with the best ODI teams scoring at about six runs an over in the middle period, with at least one top-order batsman playing deep into the innings. Virat Kohli, David Warner, Steven Smith, Kane Williamson and Hashim Amla have consistently set the tempo for their respective middle and lower-middle orders to capitalise upon in the death overs.Unfortunately for the West Indies, no top-order batsman has shown the patience and the capability to bat longer. West Indies batsmen have scored just five centuries since the 2015 World Cup in 34 matches, which again is the least among the major teams.Law does not need the numbers to tell him what is wrong and wants West Indies to recalibrate so they can dominate during the World Cup Qualifiers next March. “We are not quite playing at the tempo that suits one-day cricket,” Law said. “We are caught between Test cricket and T20 cricket. Of course we are very good at T20 cricket. We are ever-improving in the Test match arena. This is the arena we need to make sure that we start grabbing hold of and we start understanding, particularly with what we have got coming up early next year [at the World Cup Qualifiers in March].”As an example he cited the Bristol ODI on Sunday, where Chris Gayle powered the West Indies to a robust beginning before the innings floundered equally swiftly, England winning the match with 10.5 overs to spare.”We are either going too hard too early, and not spacing it out over longer period of time,” Law said. “It was pretty evident the other night – we got bowled out with 11 overs to go and we were still up with the rate. Our tempo was pretty good in certain aspects, but we need to improve. We need to make sure that we have two set batsmen going in the last 10-15 overs. If we have got that we can be even more destructive.”If there is one thing West Indies batsmen have excelled at, it is at hitting sixes. They have hit 150 sixes since the last World Cup, which is about a six every 54 balls. Only England and New Zealand have better frequency at clearing the boundary. “We just need a little bit more from the rest of our top order and bit smarter batting through that middle period. We have got the power to hit the sixes. We have got the power to drive it home in the last 10-15 overs.”Throughout this series Law’s message to the squad – both Test and limited-overs – has been to stand up and fight. Get better. Keep repeating the good things. Those are not just empty clichés. Law clearly wants West Indies to be start getting consistent at doing the simple things right in order to become consistent at winning.

West Ham United are in desperate need of reinforcements in midfield following the departure of Declan Rice and Manuel Lanzini; now a fresh update has emerged on the club's pursuit of a transfer target.

What's the latest on West Ham's interest in Youssouf Fofana?

According to the Daily Mail, West Ham are stepping up their efforts to sign Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana this summer.

As per the report, there are growing frustrations in east London as it is claimed that coach David Moyes and director of football Tim Steidten are not on the same page when it comes to identifying players who can improve the Hammers for next season.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

However, the Irons are now set to step up their pursuit of the Ligue 1 midfielder over the coming days and will also make a move for his compatriot Adrien Truffert.

How good is Youssouf Fofana?

West Ham will kick off their 2023/24 Premier League campaign next Saturday with an away clash at AFC Bournemouth, so getting some business done will be imperative in the next few days.

The Hammers sold their most valuable asset in Rice last month for a whopping £105m to Arsenal, so the east Londoners are not short of financial power as they enter the final weeks of the summer transfer window.

Indeed, Moyes' side have been pushed away when approaching targets, with a £40m bid rejected for Conor Gallagher and their Carlos Borges deal hijacked by Ajax earlier this week.

As a result, the signing of Fofana could be a great piece of business for West Ham as they look to strengthen their presence in the centre of the pitch and could even be a better option than Gallagher.

The 24-year-old machine – who has a reported price tag of up to £31m – has been going from strength to strength in the French league and has been one of the stand-out performers in his position over the last 12 months.

As per FBref, Fofana ranks in the top 16% of midfielders in the top five European leagues for progressive passes, progressive carries, successful take-ons and interceptions per 90 minutes, proving that he is a confident ball-winner with strong abilities to progress forward.

When comparing the Monaco midfielder's output to Gallagher's last season, Fofana comfortably outperformed his positional peer in several key attributes including pass completion (81.6% v 81.1%), goal-creating actions per 90 (0.32 v 0.17), successful take-ons (50.5% v 42.6%), percentage of dribblers tackled (51.4% v 27%) and aerial duels won (54.8% v 40.4%).

Not only that, the Frenchman – once hailed "magnificent" by talent scout Jacek Kulig – is versatile in his positioning with the ability to play both central and defensive midfield, something that would be a precious asset to Moyes due to his desperation for quality and depth, particularly in the engine room.

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer for West Ham to secure the services of Fofana this summer, as he could not only provide the Scotsman with the much-needed quality and consistency in midfield next season but would also soften the blow of missing out on Gallagher too.