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West Ham United were reportedly interested in signing Barcelona striker Paco Alcacer before they snapped up Lucas Perez towards the end of the summer transfer window, and it may be a decision that they are regretting.

The print version of The Sun, via HITC, reported at the start of August that Irons manager Manuel Pellegrini was keen to bring the Spaniard to the London Stadium to boost his attacking options, but no deal materialised before the Chilean sealed a swoop for Perez on deadline day instead.

Part of the reason may have been the fact that The Sun, via HITC, suggested that the east London club may have had to pay the player’s £150,000-a-week wages in full to seal a loan move, but it remains to be seen whether his current club Borussia Dortmund are doing that.

Anyhow, while Perez has found first-team minutes hard to come by for the Irons so far this term – featuring in just 85 minutes of Premier League football – Alcacer has netted six times in just 81 minutes on the pitch in the Bundesliga across three substitute appearances, including a hat-trick in the 4-3 win against Augsburg at the weekend, as well as scoring once and missing a penalty in one Champions League outing.

We decided to ask West Ham fans to vote on our poll to see whether they thought the club should have signed Alcacer instead of Perez during the summer transfer window, and a majority 67% said they would have as you can see from the results below.

While the Hammers’ form has turned around under Pellegrini in recent weeks, it seems as though Alcacer would not only have pushed Marko Arnautovic even further, but he may have also been a regular starter given his clinical record in front of goal.

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According to reports in The Daily Mail, West Ham United have been in talks with FC Porto over a deal for £22m-rated attacker Moussa Marega, and their arch London rivals Tottenham Hotspur must hijack any potential deal.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Daily Mail says that the east London club have held discussions with the Portuguese champions about bringing the 27-year-old to the London Stadium, with manager Manuel Pellegrini clearly not yet satisfied with his attacking options.

The Chilean boss may have added Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson to his squad, but it appears he still wants a player who could bring some further competition to the likes of Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez if the link to Marega, who has the same agent that took Dimitri Payet to West Ham previously according to The Daily Mail, is anything to go by.

The Mali international certainly showed his prowess last term as he netted 22 times in 29 Liga NOS matches to help his side win the title, even though he often played in a slightly deeper role behind Vincent Aboubakar.

Why should Tottenham hijack the deal?

Well, with reports suggesting that Mauricio Pochettino, who must forget Djene Dakonam and sign a £35m-rated former Arsenal target instead, is ready to offload both Vincent Janssen and Fernando Llorente before the transfer window slams shut on August 9, it is clear that Spurs need to bring in a striker to provide Harry Kane with some competition before the start of the 2018/19 campaign.

The fact that he can play out wide or just behind the centre-forward means he could also provide some cover for Dele Alli in that role, and given his impressive record last term and the fact that he could be available for £22m, he would certainly fit into their budget and his pace and strength in the air should mean that he fits into Tottenham’s style better than Janssen or Llorente did.

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Chelsea fans have hit out at Diego Costa after he reiterated that he wants to leave the club and rejoin Atletico Madrid.

The Spain international has caused controversy this summer as he is yet to return to Cobham for training having spent the last month or so in his homeland Brazil.

In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Costa accused Chelsea of treating him like a criminal and alleged that manager Antonio Conte informed him that he was no longer wanted via text message.

According to Sky Sports, the 28-year-old has been fined around £300,000 for failing to turn up for pre-season training.

The conflict looks to rumble on for some time, as Costa has spoken out again, this time releasing a statement after holding a meeting with the Football Association of Sergipe.

“My destination is already made. I must return to Atletico Madrid. It turns out that there is the impasse that Chelsea does not want to release me. But I believe that this situation will be resolved now on my return to Spain.”

Some fans may have wanted the situation to be resolved and for Costa to be reintegrated into the team, but after his latest comments, the supporters have turned against him.

Some supporters learned about Costa’s statement from London Evening Standard journalist Simon Johnson, who tweeted the news.

Sunderland welcome Southampton to the Stadium of Light this weekend as David Moyes’ side continue their fight against relegation.

The Black Cats put in a mightily impressive performance last weekend to thrash relegation rivals Crystal Palace 4-0. An early goal from the returning Lamine Kone had put Sunderland ahead, before Didier Ndong’s strike made it two just before half-time. Main man Jermain Defoe then netted two in two minutes straight after half-time to complete the rout.

Moyes and his men remain bottom of the table, though, but with improved performances such as that, another great escape could just be on the cards.

Their next opponents, Southampton, have had a strange old season thus far. An EFL Cup final awaits, as does the potential for a first major trophy since 1976, but the Saints’ league form has left much to be desired, with the Hampshire outfit having won only once since the turn of the year. Claude Puel’s side currently sit dangerously close to the relegation zone, hovering only seven points above the bottom three.

So who will come out on top on the weekend: Sunderland or Southampton? The Black Cats or the Saints? The north or the south? Here are FIVE statistics you need to know ahead of the upcoming clash…

Defoe’s is no Saint…

Not only is Jermain Defoe bang in form with 14 Premier League goals to his name this season, the Englishman has also been known to enjoy scoring against the Saints, especially in recent seasons.

Defoe has netted six times against Southampton during his career, notching two in the previous three meetings between the two clubs. Now the seventh highest scorer in Premier League history, the striker will be keen to add his 155 efforts and continue his good form against the Saints.

Head-to-head looks good for Puel’s men…

In the last six meetings between the two clubs, Sunderland have been victorious only once. There have also been two draws, however, Southampton have won the other three fixtures – one of them being an embarrassing 8-0 thrashing of the Black Cats back in October of 2014.

In the most recent fixture between the two earlier in the season, the Saints came out 1-0 winners thanks to a wonder-goal from summer signing Sofiane Boufal. The odds are certainly in favour of the side from the south, then.

Goals?

Aside from the 8-0 thrashing back in 2014, this fixture is one that is notorious for not producing many goals.

Since 2000, the clash has averaged just over one goal-per-game, and no side has scored more than two goals against each other since way back in 1996 (again, aside from the 8-0 anomaly result). So for over 20 years, this fixture has been one that more often than not stinks the place out, but will it change this time around? If the sides’ form this season is anything to go by, maybe not, which leads us on to our fourth statistic…

Poor goal-getters…

Both sides have played 24 Premier League games this season, and, believe it or not, both have scored 24 goals, too, meaning each of them averages only, yep you guessed it, one goal-per-game. Top of the class for your maths skills.

Only Middlesborough and Hull have scored fewer goals this season, making them the joint third worst scorers, alongside reigning champions Leicester City who have also only managed a mere 24 goals. If we were hoping that the two sides could produce a goal-fest to buck the trend of their usual results, we might just have to think again.

Travel-sick Saints…

Southampton are one of three Premier League sides yet to collect a point away from home in 2017, along with Burnley and Bournemouth, who also have failed to register a point whilst on their travels this year.

Without their main striker, Charlie Austin – who has been out injured since the beginning of December – the Saints have struggled, especially on the road. Can Claude Puel and his side finally get themselves a point or three on the road this weekend?

After successfully seeing off Liverpool last time out at the Boleyn Ground, and subsequently putting a rather abrupt end to Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of winning the FA Cup in his debut season on Merseyside, the good times have continued for West Ham in 2015/16 – and they just don’t look like letting up any time soon…

The Hammers remain well placed within the top half of the Premier League table, the likes of Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini have proven to be revelations, while the football being played is effective and attractive. And as Slaven Bilic’s side still march on in the FA Cup with Paul Lambert’s Blackburn Rovers next on the agenda, maybe this current West Ham outfit are almost on the verge of achieving something truly special in the club’s last ever season at the Boleyn Ground.

So then, with talk of Slaven Bilic being offered a new long-term contract that will possibly keep him at the club until 2021 at the very least, does the current Hammers boss deserve to be honoured in such a way after spending less that one whole season in the often testing Upton Park dug-out?

Well, even though collective opinion among the Boleyn Ground faithful was initially split regarding their Croatian tactician at the start of the 2015/16 campaign, few West Ham fans ultimately show much trepidation or concern towards Bilic right in the here and now.

The former Hammers centre-back has taken to his managerial duties in the East End of London in very impressive style this season it must be said, turning a once rather one-dimensional team (‘proudly’ shaped and moulded by his predecessor, Sam Allardyce) into a progressive, impressive possession-based unit that can seemingly beat any supposedly superior Premier League outfit on its day.

Whilst West Ham’s success among the English top flight hasn’t been quite as dramatic as Claudio Ranieri and Leicester City’s, Bilic nonetheless deserves a great deal of praise for restoring a much-needed sense of identity back at the Boleyn Ground this season.

Many carelessly tipped West Ham as outside relegation battlers upon Bilic’s arrival in light of the decision to part ways with ‘Big Sam’ at the end of the 2014/15 campaign – a tried and tested manager with a notorious reputation for knowing what it takes to survive within the English top-flight. The enigmatic Croatian coach has nevertheless impressed greatly at Upton Park thus far, and although it remains to be seen whether or not Bilic has what it takes to become a long-term success with his current employers, the immediate future certainly looks bright for the Boleyn Ground faithful with the 47-year-old tactician at the helm.

With the former Croatia international calling the shots this season, everyone at West Ham – from the players, coaches, chairmen and paying supporters themselves – seems to pulling in the right direction for a change. The east London club must therefore do everything within their power to make sure Slaven Bilic stays for the foreseeable future, and possibly even beyond that!

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Manchester United will be without centre-back Harry Maguire for their FA Cup fifth-round tie against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

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Maguire unavailable for FA Cup tieVarane & Fernandes also doubtsUnited face Nottingham ForestWHAT HAPPENED?

The defender has been ruled out of the midweek trip to Nottingham, joining Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw on the sidelines, manager Erik ten Hag confirmed on Wednesday. Fellow central defender Raphael Varane and midfielder Bruno Fernandes are also in danger of missing out.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT TEN HAG SAID

Ten Hag told club media: "We have some question marks in our squad. Harry Maguire will not be available. Bruno is doubtful. Also Rapha Varane is doubtful. We have to watch and see what we will have and then pick a team, with the aim of course [of winning]. It's an FA Cup game, so it's about win or lose. Black or white. We have to win and that should be our approach."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

With Maguire out and Varane possibly following, United have only Jonny Evans, Willy Kambwala and Victor Lindelof available to play at centre-back. Lindelof played on the left side of the defence in Shaw's absence against Fulham last week, meaning all three could start.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR UNITED?

The FA Cup represents United's only realistic hope of winning silverware this season. They sit sixth in the Premier League after 26 matches and have already crashed out of Europe, so Ten Hag will hope to have his team fired up despite their fitness issues.

The Premier League's top six teams are in line to be handed a greater proportion of the competition's prize money, according to a new report.

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Big clubs will receive more prize moneyCould reignite tensions amongst clubsEverton recently deducted 10 pointsWHAT HAPPENED?

Per the Daily Telegraph, the Premier League's top six clubs are set to be handed a greater proportion of revenue in a move that could further shift the power balance in the competition towards those at the top-end. Champions Manchester City earned £161m last season, while 20th-placed Southampton earned £100m. The ratio is currently 1.6 to one, but the league are planning to increase it to 1.8, which would net the biggest clubs tens of millions more.

AdvertisementGetty THE BIGGER PICTURE

The change could take place from the 2025-26 campaign, and the rise is due in part to high rates of inflation across Europe. The move will be a part of the New Deal for Football, which must still be voted on by clubs. In addition to the new rate, £130m could be allocated towards lower-league clubs.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Premier League set a new record for spending in the summer, splurging a staggering £2.36 billion ($2.36bn). Were the prize money to increase, one has to think that spending will only increase in future windows.

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Getty Images WHAT NEXT?

Premier League clubs will vote on the proposed deal. More than half of them must agree for it to pass. As we approach the half-way point in the 2023-24 season, City are back at the top of the league with 28 points from their opening 12 games.

Despite their improvements this season, the Gunners have lot to sort out ahead of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign

Arsenal face a huge summer as they look to build on the impressive season they have enjoyed under Mikel Arteta. With some high profile arrivals and departures expected, it’s going to be a big few months for the Gunners leading up to the 2023-24 campaign, when they will not just be competing in the Premier League, but in the Champions League as well.

From player contracts, to new signings, there are plenty of situations that need resolving before the new season gets underway in August.

Below, GOAL takes a look at some of the most pressing matters facing Arsenal over the coming weeks…

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  Saliba’s contract 

  Arsenal have done some great work when it comes to getting key players tied down to new long-term deals. Gabriel Magalhaes started things off earlier in the season, then Gabriel Martinell followed suit, and in the past fortnight extensions have been announced for Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka.

  But despite talks having been ongoing throughout the season with William Saliba’s representatives, the centre-back has yet to put pen to paper on a deal of his own.

  And with just 12 months of his current contract remaining, that is something that has to be resolved quickly this summer for Arsenal to avoid being placed in a difficult position with the France international, who could walk away on a free transfer at the end of the 2023-24 season.

  That’s why it’s imperative that contract talks come to a swift conclusion over the coming weeks.

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  Sign Rice and replace Xhaka

  An overhaul of the midfield is going to be one of the key parts of Arsenal’s summer, with their attempt to land Declan Rice at the heart of it all.

  With Granit Xhaka set for Bayer Leverkusen, a new face is needed and Arsenal have identified Rice as a priority. He will not be the only midfield arrival, as there is also interest in Moises Caicedo, Mason Mount and Ilkay Gundogan, but the West Ham skipper is the man who Mikel Arteta really wants.

  It would be a huge signing for Arsenal if they can get it done, one that would send a message of intent out ahead of the rest of the summer.

• Sort out Smith Rowe’s future

  Emile Smith Rowe remains a hugely popular figure at Arsenal, which is why his continued absence from the team on a weekly basis causes so much debate. Given what he produced last season, it’s understandable that fans are confused as to why the attacking midfielder is being constantly overlooked by Arteta.

  So Arenal need to make a decision this summer when it comes to Smith Rowe, because his current situation is not helping anybody. If Arteta does not see his part of his long-term plan, then he should be moved on, with the money that comes in being reinvested elsewhere.

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  Make a decision on Balogun

  Another player who Arsenal must decide on is Folarin Balogun. After enjoying such an incredible season on loan with Reims in France, Balogun is due for talks with Arsenal over his future this summer.

  He has already made it known that he wants to be playing regular first-team football next season and at present that looks unlikely at Arsenal. And with Balogun having just two years left on his contract, another loan spell will not do the club any good, unless he signs an extension before he went out.

  That scenario looks all but impossible, so it feels like the best thing Arsenal can do this summer is get as much money for Balogun as they possibly can. His stock is incredibly high right now and with several clubs understood to be interested, the young forward should bring in a very big transfer fee.

MatériaMais Notícias

Nas últimas horas, a tatuagem de Vitinho no braço direito, emhomenagem aos jogadores da Chapecoense que morreram na tragédia aérea, em novembro de 2016, viralizou. E, nesta quarta, o próprio atacante do Flamengo gravou um vídeo e, a exibindo, explicou mais a respeito de sua motivação para fazê-la:

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– Jogava no Internacional na época (do acidente), e tive a chance de jogar com o Alan Ruschel, um amigo querido que é um sobrevivente. Fiquei muito sentido com o que aconteceu e quis fazer essa homenagem para todos aqueles atletas e tínhamos jogado recentemente contra, e deixar essa homenagem para eles e todos que estavam naquele voo. A gente sente pois faz parte do nosso dia a dia viajar para os jogos, então eu imaginei que poderia ser um voo que eu estivesse e poderia ter deixado minha família, todas as pessoas que eu amo, meus amigos – disse o atacante do Fla, completando:

– Alan (Ruschel), um abraço pra você meu irmão, sempre na torcida pra você, para o Neto, Jakson (Follmann), deixar muita força pra todas as famílias. A tradução da minha tatuagem quer dizer que pessoas legais nunca morrem e eles estarão eternamente em nossos corações.

MAIS QUE FUTEBOL! 🏹⚽️💚

Nos últimos dias, uma imagem rodou as redes sociais e chamou a atenção dos apaixonados por futebol de todo o Brasil. Nela, o jogador Vitinho aparece erguendo a taça durante a comemoração de um título do @Flamengo. + pic.twitter.com/Lwmi1wiOrg

— Chapecoense (@ChapecoenseReal) July 29, 2020

A assessoria de imprensa da Chapecoense quis saber mais sobre a homenagem, quando a mesma viralizou. Como resposta, recebeu o vídeo (acima e também postado pelo Flamengo) diretamente do atleta. Nas redes sociais, o perfil oficial do Verdão do Oeste agradeceu:

-Mesmo após tanto tempo, homenagens como essa são um alento. Elas renovam a nossa certeza de que tocamos o mundo. De que, no futebol, há coisas que superam qualquer rivalidade… E de que são essas as que realmente importam!

Vitinho tem uma tatuagem em homanagem as vítimas do acidente da Chapecoense.

No braço, tem escrito: "pessoas legais nunca morrem", um avião e a data do ocorrido. Máximo respeito! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZNofFGI1LC

— FutebolNews (de 🏠) (@ofutebolnews) July 28, 2020

The French bounced back from losing the Euro 2016 final by doing one better at the World Cup in Russia

France won their second World Cup title in 2018 as they beat Croatia 4-2 in the final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Les Bleus won six out of their seven World Cup games to be crowned champions, defeating Argentina (4-3), Uruguay (2-0) and Belgium (1-0) in the round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final respectively.

The final between France and Croatia saw the champions take the lead in the 18th minute via Mario Mandzukic’s own goal.

Croatia came back into the match with Ivan Perisic’s strike in the 28th minute, though. 

France eventually took the match away from the Croatians when Antoine Griezmann converted a penalty in the 38th minute and then Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe scored in the 59th and 65th minute respectively.

Mandzukic then scored a consolation goal for his side late on.

Who were France’s World Cup winning players and what has happened to them since?

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  Hugo Lloris – Goalkeeper

  France's No.1 has been playing for Tottenham Hotspur since 2012, having previously represented the likes of Nice and Lyon in Ligue 1.

  He has had some difficult moments in recent years at both club and international level, but remains the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Spurs and France.

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  Benjamin Pavard – Right-back

  When you say Pavard, you say wondergoal against Argentina. An absolute beauty of a strike. Period.

  The versatile defender played for Lille and Stuttgart before joining Bayern Munich in 2019, where he currently plies his trade.

  Pavard is no longer quite the undisputed starter he once was at Bayern following the arrival of Noussair Mazraoui, but remains an important first-team member at the Bundesliga giants.

  At international level, he continues to be the main man down the right, whether that's in a traditional right-back role or slightly higher up the pitch in a 3-4-3 formation.

• Raphael Varane – Centre-back

  The defender joined Real Madrid from Lens in 2011 and spent 10 seasons at the club, before he moved to Manchester United in 2021.

  After a somewhat underwhelming first season at Old Trafford, Varane is now a key figure at the back alongside Lisandro Martinez, with manager Erik ten Hag preferring him over Harry Maguire.

  Varane made his international debut for France in 2013, was an integral part of the World Cup-winning side in 2018 and remains one of the first names on the teamsheet for Didier Deschamps to date.

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  Samuel Umtiti – Centre-back

  The centre-back's career had been on a bit of a downward trajectory ever since lifting the World Cup.

  He delayed knee surgery to play at the World Cup and never really recovered fully afterwards.

  Barcelona eventually managed to send him out on loan to Lecce in 2022 after repeatedly trying to get him off the books due to his excessive wages.

  There's no denying Umtiti in his prime was one of the best left-footed defenders around in the game, though.