Everton’s summer transfer strategy has been bold but calculated.

The arrival of Thierno Barry from Villarreal for £27.6m underlined a clear ambition to reshape the attack after the departure of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Tall, powerful, and direct, Barry has been brought in to spearhead David Moyes’ frontline, but even with his signing the squad is not yet incomplete.

The most pressing gap is on the right wing. With Jack Harrison returning to Leeds after his loan, Moyes has been left without a natural option in that role.

Everton’s interest in Southampton’s Tyler Dibling and Leicester’s Abdul Fatawu shows the urgency of the search, but reports suggest their main focus has been on securing a player capable of making an immediate difference in the Premier League.

The profile they are chasing is clear: a young winger with the ability to carry the ball over long distances, stretch opposition defences, and contribute in the final third. Such a signing would not only bring balance to the squad but also unlock Barry’s strengths by providing him with the service and support needed to thrive.

Everton’s interest has already led to an ambitious approach in the transfer market.

Everton’s pursuit of Malick Fofana

That ambition has been embodied in their attempt to land Malick Fofana from Lyon.

The 20-year-old Belgian winger has been described as “explosive” by football analyst Ben Mattinson and labelled a market opportunity that Europe’s elite should be targeting.

According to L’Equipe, via Sport Witness, Arsenal and Bayern Munich are also among the clubs monitoring his situation, but so far Everton have been the only side to explore a move with a formal offer.

The proposal, worth €36m (£31m) including bonuses, was rejected, with Lyon insisting on a fixed €40m (£35m) fee. The French club are under financial pressure, needing to raise €40m (£35m) before June 2026 to balance the books.

Manager Paulo Fonseca is keen to keep Fofana, but the economic reality may force their hand.

For now, the player is only prepared to leave for Champions League football, which means that the Toffees will need to convince him to make the move to Merseyside.

In stylistic terms, he shares traits with Kaoru Mitoma and Pedro Neto: direct, unpredictable, and relentless in moving the ball forward.

For Everton, who lacked that profile last season, such qualities would transform their attack.

Why Everton should sign Malick Fofana

Fofana’s statistical output places him among Europe’s most exciting young wingers.

According to FBref, he ranks in the 97th percentile for progressive carries per 90 (6.60), the 94th percentile for carries into the final third (3.28), and the 85th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area (6.14).

His efficiency in the final action is just as impressive, with a 99th percentile ranking for shots on target percentage (55.8%) and the 93rd percentile for penalty-area crosses (0.62 per 90).

Malick Fofana – Ligue 1 2024/25

Matches Played

29

Starts

16

Goals

5

Assists

4

Progressive Carries

112

Progressive Passes

45

What makes Everton’s pursuit of Fofana particularly intriguing is how well he could complement Barry.

The 22-year-old French striker is a classic target man in some respects. Standing at 6ft 5in, he dominates aerial duels, winning nearly two-thirds of those contested inside the penalty area.

Yet his game is not limited to physicality. Barry ranks highly for runs in behind and crosses received, showing a willingness to stretch defences and exploit space.

Last season at Villarreal, he scored 11 goals from an expected goals tally of 11.7, per FBref, adding four assists in the process. His aerial presence is matched by a sharp instinct for finding pockets of space, a skill that drew comparisons with Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade.

Everton see him as the long-term successor to Calvert-Lewin, but Moyes has admitted he will need time to adjust to the Premier League.

This is why a player like Fofana could be invaluable.

His ability to dribble past opponents and deliver precise balls into the box would immediately provide Barry with the kind of service he thrives on.

By cutting inside from the right, Fofana could create overloads in central areas, forcing defenders to step out of position and leaving Barry with space in the penalty box.

His 93rd percentile for penalty-area crosses suggests he is adept at picking out strikers, while Barry’s 86th percentile for aerials won shows he would be ready to capitalise.

The partnership would not be one-dimensional. Fofana’s threat in front of goal, reflected in his 55.8% shot accuracy, means opponents should not simply treat him as a provider.

Defences would be stretched both vertically and horizontally, creating opportunities for Everton to vary their attacking play. For a team that often struggled with breaking teams down last season, this variety could be transformative.

Everton’s 13th-place finish last year was built on defensive resilience and a late-season surge, but their lack of attacking spark prevented a higher finish.

With Barry and potentially Fofana, they would have the balance of power and flair: a forward who can dominate penalty areas and a winger who can consistently carry the ball into dangerous zones.

Of course, the financial challenge is significant. Meeting Lyon’s €40m (£35m) demand would represent a huge outlay, and Fofana’s preference for Champions League football complicates matters further.

Grealish can make him world-class: Everton "in negotiations" for £40m star

Everton still need to sign several more first-teamers before the end of the transfer window.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 22, 2025

Yet the logic behind their pursuit is plain to see. At just 20, he offers immediate impact and long-term potential, making him a rare opportunity in the market.

For Everton, landing Fofana would be about creating a partnership in the final third that could reshape their identity under Moyes. Barry’s power and presence combined with Fofana’s creativity and explosiveness could provide exactly the attacking edge the Toffees have been missing.

يواصل الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر سيتي صحوته خلال المباريات الأخيرة في مشواره بالموسم الحالي بعد الفوز على فياريال ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وحقق مانشستر سيتي فوزًا مريحًا بثنائية نظيفة على فياريال في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم، الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وواجه مانشستر سيتي نظيره فياريال مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.

اقرأ أيضًا | موعد مباراة مانشستر سيتي القادمة بعد الفوز على فياريال في دوري أبطال أوروبا

وأحرز هدفي فوز مانشستر سيتي على فياريال إيرلينج هالاند وبرناردو سيلفا، وقدموا أداءً رائعًا في المباراة بقيادة بيب جوارديولا. رجل مباراة مانشستر سيتي وفياريال في دوري أبطال أوروبا

ووفقًا لما نُشر على الموقع الرسمي للبطولة، فإن الدولي البرازيلي سافينيو، جناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي قد فاز بجائزة رجل مباراة مانشستر سيتي وفياريال.

ولعب سافينيو 86 دقيقة في أرض الملعب واستطاع أن يساهم بتمريرة حاسمة في الهدف الثاني الذي أحرزه برناردو سيلفا، كما وصلت دقة تمريراته إلى 86%.

Mohammad Rizwan’s 105 not out in 63 balls went in a losing cause as Karachi overhauled Multan’s 234 for 3 in the last over

Rvel Zahid13-Apr-2025

An action-packed run fest worth 470 runs that goes down to the last few balls. Every T20 tournament can do with a few of those, and PSL 10 got its on the second day itself. Two centuries too. On a woeful day for bowlers, a 142-run partnership between James Vince and Khushdil Shah separated Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans and took Karachi, the hosts, to the third-highest successful chase in PSL history.Vince, whose purposefulness was evident from the moment he walked out at the fall of David Warner’s wicket in Karachi’s chase of 235, orchestrated the win with a 43-ball 101, while Khushdil, the perfect foil for Vince, kept his end of the bargain with a 37-ball 60 from No. 6. It was a much-needed shot in the arm for Karachi, who missed the playoffs in the last three seasons.Earlier, put into bat, Multan put on a show of their own, posting 234 on the back of Mohammad Rizwan’s fluent century – 105* in 63 balls. Adam Milne struggled to control his swing early on and bled plenty in the powerplay. Hasan Ali drew an outside edge off Shai Hope early in the piece and bowled with superb control in the powerplay, but his two-over spell at the death went for 35 runs.Usman Khan stuck to his chaotic methods and eventually got stumped after getting a start. Kamran Ghulam didn’t let the momentum drop and scored a brisk 36 in 19 balls before holing out in the 15th over. Multan needed a big finish, and they got it from the bat of the in-form Michael Bracewell, who played the kind of innings that he does so frequently for New Zealand, sparing no bowler with a 17-ball 44 not out.Karachi should consider themselves fortunate that even after conceding 22 extras, they kept the target where they could overhaul it. It was a largely an erratic bowling display, especially towards the death.Mohammad Rizwan’s century gave Multan a big total•AFP/Getty Images

In the chase, the spotlight was on Warner and the stage was set for him to get his team off to a flier. Warner opened his account lashing a boundary off David Willey – who had a forgettable day going for 40 in two overs – but his stay was short and streaky. He was undone by Bracewell, trapped lbw, but it was a decision that would have been overturned with DRS, but Warner didn’t opt for it.Tim Seifert attacked from the other end in his pulsating 16-ball 32 and then nicked one through to the keeper off Akif Javed, who bowled the fastest delivery of the day at 147.6kph and finished with 3 for 41.Karachi were in a tricky situation at the end of the seventh over, precariously placed at 79 for 4, but that’s when the foundation of a match-winning stand was laid as Khushdil joined Vince. Together, they took the game away from Multan.Vince raced away to a 23-ball fifty in the 11th over while Khushdil warmed up to the task from the other end. The debutant Shahid Aziz was introduced in the 13th over and was visibly nervous; he was handed the ball at a stage when both batters were well set. Karachi were sitting comfortably at 155 for 4, needing 80 more in seven overs.Chris Jordan nailed his yorkers in the 14th over and pulled things back a bit, and still had two overs left. But for someone with a lot of late-overs bowling experience, he was taken for 21 in the 16th over, and that put the match beyond Multan. Akif lost his control as Vince smashed him for a six and three boundaries in the 17th.Vince and Khushdil weren’t in the middle to hit the winning runs and there was a glimmer of hope that Multan might create some panic, but with only 14 left to score and still some batting to come, Karachi didn’t botch the chase.

Viktor Gyokeres has been defended from critics that “don’t have a clue about football”, with Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson of the opinion that his star striker remains in decent form. That is despite the prolific forward enduring a barren run at Arsenal on the back of his big-money move from Sporting over the summer. Gyokeres has failed to find the target through his last six appearances for the Gunners.

Gyokeres Arsenal record: Early goals in bright start

The 27-year-old enjoyed a productive enough start to the 2025-26 campaign, netting on his home Premier League debut for Arsenal as he bagged a brace against newly-promoted Leeds. He was also on target in a victory over Nottingham Forest, taking him to three efforts through four outings.

End product has dried up since then, leading to inevitable questions being asked of a man who cost Arsenal £63.5 million ($85m) at the end of a protracted transfer saga. Doubters have been quick to point out that Gykoeres is struggling to impact games, with the burly frontman not involved as much as he could be when failing to fire on all cylinders.

AdvertisementGettyWhy Sweden have no Gyokeres concerns

That is, however, how his game works – much like Erling Haaland, who rarely needs many touches in order to make a decisive contribution for Manchester City. The Swedish national team certainly have no concerns when it comes to their talismanic No.9.

Tomasson told reporters when asked about Gyokeres and his supposed dip in form: "Viktor Gyokeres is in very good form at the moment and is very good. If people say he doesn’t have an impact (on matches), then they don’t understand football and don’t have a clue about football. He creates space for other players, works on the ball and makes runs. It’s excellent and he scores goals almost all the time, so he has an impact and has been very good. It’s always nice, as you need time when you come to a new club.”

Gyokeres has been included in Sweden’s squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Kosovo. That double-header will give him the chance to enhance an international record that currently stands at 15 goals through 28 appearances.

Gyokeres learning to ignore outside noise

A productive international break will see him returned to Arsenal full of confidence, although a deaf ear continues to be turned towards any detractors. Gyokeres has told of adjusting to life in England: “It's been different games. Some games have been tougher – where I couldn't perform how I wanted. That's maybe depending on how the game looked. But I had games where I felt very good. So it's been up and down but overall, I've managed to score a few goals and we won most of the games. So it's been quite a good start, but it could be better.”

He added on learning to ignore any outside noise: “You have to do your own thing, you have to adapt to where you're playing. You have to believe in yourself and keep going, no matter what happens – whether that's on the pitch or outside. I don't think you have to take in what everyone around you says. You don't have to listen to everything you hear.”

Asked if that is tougher under a Premier League spotlight, the Swede said: “Yeah maybe? When I played in Portugal there was also a lot of that. They live for football there as well. So in one sense, it's a bit similar but of course it's much, much bigger here. They analyse everything you do. But that's the way it is, there's nothing wrong with that.

“Maybe it isn't my No.1 priority to read everything that's being said or what people write. It's just think about the things you can control and do those things right. Train everyday, play games and of course the things around that prepare you for the next game, the things where you can take care of your body. It's those things – and of course try to switch off sometimes.”

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Getty ImagesTitle puzzle: Is Gyokeres the final piece for Arsenal?

Arsenal signed Gyokeres in a bid to end their barren run on the Premier League title front, which stretches back to the ‘Invincibles’ of 2003-04. Mikel Arteta’s side have hit top spot, picking up 16 points from seven games, and will return to action on October 18 when taking in a derby date with London neighbours Fulham.

MatériaMais Notícias

Até dois meses atrás, o Palmeiras vivia uma temporada perfeita até aqui sob o comando de Abel Ferreira. Campeão dos dois campeonatos que disputou no primeiro semestre, a boa fase de alguns titulares mascarou bem a necessidade urgente de reforços.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Com 14 pontos de distância para o líder Botafogo, muitos torcedores já jogaram a toalha da disputa pelo Brasileirão e apostam todas as fichas neste segundo semestre na conquista da Libertadores, fato bem parecido com o que aconteceu na temporada de 2021.

Apesar dos dois títulos conquistados já neste ano, o Verdão deu adeus a Copa do Brasil ao perder para o São Paulo e assim como em 2021, também oscilou bastante no primeiro turno do Brasileiro, o que fez com que Abel Ferreira apostasse todas as fichas na Libertadores no segundo semestre.

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O problema é que diferente de 2021, agora Abel tem um elenco curto nas mãos e boa parte da torcida não confia de que este grupo pode ter forças para alcançar o Tetra da América.

+ Verdão tem reunião com agente de Wendel para tentar acordo

Em 2021, além dos experientes Felipe Melo, Willian e Luiz Adriano, o Palmeiras contou com o retorno de Dudu, que reforçou o time na janela do meio do ano, após breve passagem pelo Catar.

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Deyverson foi outro nome que acabou sendo importante ao final daquele ano, que também reforçou o elenco já no meio da temporada de 2021.

Em comparação com o atual elenco alviverde, acho que a opinião é unânime entre a torcida de que o grupo de 2021 era mais equilibrado e um pouco mais experiente para buscar a conquista da América.

Enquanto a torcida palmeirense vive ansiosa na espera por reforços, o tempo vai passando e o limite para contratações nesta janela também vai se esgotando.

Ao torcedor alviverde, resta se apegar na recuperação de importantes titulares, casos de Raphael Veiga, Dudu, Rony e Zé Rafael, e também na manutenção do zagueiro Gustavo Gómez, que está sendo muito assediado pelo Al-Nassr, da Arábia Saudita.

Caso isso não aconteça, vai ser difícil o Verdão finalizar a temporada de 2023 com mais um título, e com todo respeito à Supercopa do Brasil e ao Campeonato Paulista, seria uma temporada muito decepcionante para o atual campeão brasileiro.

Manchester City will hope to ride the crest of a wave as they plot a route into the Premier League race, and the Citizens may also be preparing for a fight with Liverpool to sign a lucrative international at zero cost.

Manchester City look to kick on after derby victory

The Etihad Stadium paid witness to some raucous scenes last weekend as Manchester City swept aside Manchester United to move within six points of Liverpool at the top of the table.

Before the match, Erling Haaland urged his new teammates to take on added responsibility after a busy transfer window that saw his side lose a number of influential figures. When it mattered, they all stepped up to deliver a stirring display.

Speaking after his side recorded a convincing triumph, Pep Guardiola reserved special praise for his Norwegian talisman and homegrown hero Phil Foden, who both got themselves on the scoresheet.

Starting with Haaland, the former Barcelona manager said: “Erling has been incredible since the start but this season he is better than ever. I would say better than the Treble year. He’s dynamic and I don’t judge him for the clearance, we want him to score goals and to help us.”

Later, he added on Foden: “We missed him so much and the season before he was the best player in the Premier League so we need him, he has a work ethic. Phil is the core, the heart of the club, from the academy and he loves City. To have him back is good news.”

With 2026 not too far in the distance, Manchester City are set to block interest from Al Nassr in a £112 million move for Phil Foden, and they now have their eye on one of his international teammates.

Man City ready to up the ante to land Marc Guehi in 2026

According to The Mirror, Manchester City are huge admirers of Marc Guehi, planning a move and will throw everything at landing him on a free transfer in 2026, with Crystal Palace unwilling to sanction his exit in the January window.

Despite Liverpool’s well-documented interest in the former Chelsea man alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Juventus, the Citizens are hopeful they can secure his services without having to pay a transfer fee, teeing up the saga of next summer.

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Labelled a “monster in defence” by Bobby Manzi, Guehi has handled himself exceptionally well despite being at the centre of a failed move to Anfield on Deadline Day, even scoring once in seven appearances across all competitions.

Guardiola’s backline has been altered following the departures of Manuel Akanji and Kyle Walker, and there may be more movement to come as they step up their efforts to land Guehi.

It remains to be seen who will win the battle for his signature, with Barca and Real described as ready to move. But regardless, Manchester City seem ready to go all-in given the lucrative possibility of signing a reliable Premier League performer.

Shreyas Iyer had a century for the taking. He was 97 off 42 when the final over against Gujarat Titans began but he did not face a single ball of it, having told his partner Shashank Singh don’t worry about my hundred. He had spoken prior to the start of the season that he wanted to bat at No. 3 and he showed against GT the extent of damage he can do. He smashed nine sixes, his second most in an IPL innings.Punjab Kings had other contributors as well. Their debutant opener Priyansh Arya looked in sync with the quality of cricket at the IPL, scoring 43 off 27 balls. He was responsible for eight of the 12 boundaries his team scored in the powerplay. Spin helped stall Punjab’s progress, Rashid Khan picking up a wicket in his first over. R Sai Kishore was on a hat-trick during the course of his spell. He finished with 3 for 30 with a little help from Glenn Maxwell who began his third stint with Punjab with a first-ball duck. It needn’t have been that way. Had he reviewed the lbw decision, he would’ve survived. Sai Kishore’s delivery was projected to bounce over the stumps.Ahmedabad is a chase-friendly ground. Five of the last six IPL games have been won by the team batting second and that was a big reason for Shubman Gill choosing to bowl first. Iyer, though, might have nullified that advantage with an innings so full of intent. He really didn’t bother trying to keep the ball on the ground. He hit the fourth ball he faced for six. He hit two off Sai Kishore in the over after he picked up two wickets in two balls. He hit Rashid for two sixes as well. He was so switched on, he could spot wides from the non-strikers’ end (happened in the 15th over from Mohammed Siraj), and he dispatched that extra ball for six too.Titans will have to pull off the IPL’s second biggest chase if they are to win this game.

Celtic are thought to be in pole position to complete the signing of an international attacker, with the individual in question a new target for the Scottish Premiership giants.

Sutton makes demand to Celtic manager Rodgers

The Hoops are back in action this weekend, during what has been a tough period for the club, with doubts surrounding the future of manager Brendan Rodgers.

Writing for The Daily Record, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has demanded that Rodgers make a decision about his next step either way, with it acting as a distraction currently.

“I think Rodgers will simply now have to come out and tell everyone if he’s going to be staying or going. If he’s going at the end of the season, so be it. We saw it at Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp and it’s happened elsewhere. There needs to be some clarity – for everyone.

“It could be that he’s not made his mind up yet, or even that the club wants to go down a different route, which is another matter altogether. You look at the muck being thrown around with claims about Rodgers trying to engineer an exit, which wasn’t mentioned in the statement.

“Are they going to stumble on with a manager who doesn’t want to be there and a club that feels the same? How is that going to work?”

Rodgers made it clear that he wasn’t happy with Celtic’s business in the summer transfer window, but a new update suggests they are in a strong position to possibly make a new signing in 2026.

Celtic in pole position to sign international forward

According to reports from abroad [via The Celtic Way], Celtic are leading the race to sign winger Galymzhan Kenzhebek, who could join on a free transfer in the January window, with the winger a new target for them.

The 22-year-old Kazakhstan international is out of contract at the end of December 2025 and the Hoops are thought to be at the front of the queue to snap him up, having sent scouts to watch him in action.

Not a huge amount will be known about Kenzhebek, considering he is currently plying his trade at homeland club Yelimay Semey, but the fact that he is an international winger immediately outlines his pedigree.

In fact, he has registered six goal contributions in only seven appearances for his current club, with four goals and two assists coming his way, and he can play on either side.

Celtic are in need of some attacking inspiration, given the lack of reinforcements that came their way this summer, and Kenzhebek could ultimately be a shrewd and cheap option midway through the season.

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For Rodgers, that would be a welcome shot in the arm, during a period in which all is not well at Parkhead, but that is assuming the Northern Irishman is still in charge of Hoops by the time the January window arrives.

Aston Villa’s growth under Unai Emery has been one of the Premier League’s standout stories of recent times.

The Spaniard has not only restored European football to Villa Park but also instilled a new sense of ambition.

Yet, Emery and the club’s hierarchy recognise that their squad is still evolving.

This summer has already tested Villa’s ability to balance growth with financial sustainability.

The departure of academy graduate Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle was a painful reality check under PSR rules, while the arrival of striker Evann Guessand from Nice provided depth but not necessarily a guaranteed game-changer.

Adding further quality up front remains a clear priority. Ollie Watkins, who hit 16 league goals last season, is attracting outside interest, but Emery has been unequivocal that his talisman is not for sale.

The challenge now is to find someone who can complement Watkins – offering competition, cover, and potentially a successor if he does move on.

In that search, Villa appear to have identified a striker who not only carries enormous potential but also evokes memories of two very different forwards who left their mark in claret and blue: Jhon Durán and Christian Benteke.

Villa make Nicolas Jackson their top target

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Aston Villa are pushing hard to land Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, making him Emery’s top attacking target.

Chelsea’s initial valuation of £80m has softened, with Ed Aarons of the Guardian suggesting the Blues are now prepared to accept a fee closer to £65m.

That figure still represents a major investment for Villa, but Emery’s belief in the player appears firm.

The two share history from Villarreal, where Jackson was first introduced to senior football, and their relationship is understood to be strong.

Talks are ongoing over the structure of the deal.

Chelsea’s willingness to negotiate is partly shaped by squad dynamics: Jackson, despite scoring 24 goals and supplying 10 assists in 65 Premier League matches, per Transfermarkt, has slipped down the pecking order behind new arrivals Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.

Villa, however, see untapped potential, but the competition is fierce.

Newcastle, still searching for Alexander Isak’s replacement, and Bayern Munich, searching for a reliable deputy to Harry Kane, are both interested.

For Villa’s recruitment staff, Jackson’s profile is exactly what they have sought: a player who has proven he can deliver in the Premier League but who remains young enough to develop further.

What Nicolas Jackson could bring to Aston Villa

The comparisons with Aston Villa strikers of the past decade tell their own story.

Nicolas Jackson is viewed as a bridge between the youthful rawness of Jhon Durán and the physical dominance once provided by Christian Benteke.

Duran’s time at Villa was brief but explosive.

Just 21 when he left for Al Nassr in a £70m deal in January, the Colombian forward had already scored seven goals in 20 Premier League appearances, per Transfermarkt.

Fans loved his unpredictability: thunderous strikes from distance, fearless runs, and a relentless willingness to shoot.

Yet he was still unpolished.

According to FBref, his progressive carries were relatively low (0.99 per 90 compared to Jackson’s 1.90), and his passing accuracy (70.6%) suggested areas for development.

Jackson, at 24, feels like the next step on from Duran.

His numbers highlight a more rounded attacker: 3.08 shots per 90, 2.80 shot-creating actions, and a pass completion rate of nearly 76%. He can still be erratic – disciplinary lapses are proof of that – but he has already combined raw energy with improved efficiency.

In many ways, he offers the qualities Villa wanted from Duran but with the added benefit of two seasons’ experience at Chelsea.

The other reference point is Christian Benteke, whose three-year spell at Villa Park between 2012 and 2015 remains fond in the memory.

Signed for less than £7m from Genk, Benteke bulldozed his way to 49 goals in 101 appearances.

He was Villa’s battering ram: a centre-forward who thrived on crosses, bullied defenders in the air, and carried the team in difficult moments.

Jackson is not a like-for-like Benteke successor.

He does not rely on aerial dominance to the same extent, nor is he tasked with leading a one-dimensional attack as Benteke once was under Paul Lambert. But the essence is there.

At 1.87m, Jackson has the frame to occupy defenders physically, and his 79th percentile ranking for touches in the attacking penalty area (5.72 per 90) shows his knack for positioning himself in dangerous spaces.

Like Benteke in 2012, he is not yet the finished article but has the platform to become a talisman.

What unites Duran, Benteke, and now Jackson is the idea of potential. Duran was raw and thrilling but left too soon. Benteke arrived as an unknown and blossomed into a Premier League goalscorer. Jackson sits between the two: already proven at a high level, but still with room to grow into a player who can define an era at Villa Park.

The financial risk is clear. £65m is a significant outlay for a club already trimming costs elsewhere, and Jackson’s red cards raise questions about temperament.

But Villa know what is at stake.

To cement themselves among the Premier League’s elite, they cannot afford to stand still. And if Jackson fulfils even part of the trajectory Benteke once set, the investment will feel justified.

As scouting analyst Jacek Kulig described, Jackson is an “extraordinary” talent. For Emery, that talent represents more than just goals. It represents continuity – from Duran’s brief spark to Benteke’s dominant reign – and a forward line that can carry Villa into their next chapter.

تغلب فريق ريال مدريد الإسباني على يوفنتوس الإيطالي، بهدف دون رد، خلال مباراة الفريقين مساء اليوم الأربعاء ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

واستقبل ريال مدريد نظيره يوفنتوس على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” ضمن مباريات الجولة الثالثة لمرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وحاول يوفنتوس التسجيل خلال الشوط الأول بعدة فرص على مرمى تيبو كورتوا، لكن دون أن يتمكن من هز شباك أصحاب الأرض.

وخلال العشرين دقيقة الأولى، بلغت نسبة استحواذ فريق ريال مدريد 71% مقابل 29 لصالح يوفنتوس.

وفي الربع ساعة الأخيرة لشوط المباراة الأول، لاحت فرص للاعبي ريال مدريد، لكن دفاع يوفنتوس منعهم من هز الشباك، لينتهي الشوط الأول بالتعادل السلبي.

ونجح جود بيلينجهام في تسجيل هدف أول لصالح ريال مدريد في الدقيقة 57، بعدما انطلق فينيسيوس جونيور بمراوغة رائعة، وواجه الحارس دي جريجوريو وجهاً لوجه، ثم سدد في القائم الأيمن فتابعها بيلينجهام بتسديدة هزت الشباك. هدف بيلينجهام في مباراة ريال مدريد ويوفنتوس

القائم يمنع هدف فينيسيوس 🚫⚽️

لكن بلينغهام في المكان المناسب ليكملها في الشباك ويمنح التقدم لريال مدريد! 👏🔥

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📱 https://t.co/alkogGtHdW#دوري_أبطال_أوروبا #ريال_مدريد #يوفنتوس pic.twitter.com/wGLNLiM4Se — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) October 22, 2025

ولاحت فرصة أخرى لريال مدريد عن طريق كيليان مبابي لكن حارس مرمى يوفنتوس دي جريجوريو تصدى لها.

في المقابل حاول لاعبو يوفنتوس إدراك التعادل لكن دون خطورة حقيقية على مرمى ريال مدريد، ليستمر تقدم أصحاب الأرض.

انتهت المباراة بفوز ريال مدريد بهدف دون رد، ليرفع رصيده للنقطة 9 في دوري أبطال أوروبا، ويتجمد رصيد يوفنتوس عند نقطتين.