Tottenham have entered "pole position" to sign a "dominant" defender alternative to Nice star Jean-Clair Todibo, according to a new report.
Spurs attempting to sign centre-back in January
Widespread reports from the past month and beyond indicate that Spurs are seriously looking to bring in a new centre-back next month.
Levy preparing bid for "rising star" with Spurs "in a hurry" to seal deal
He’s a real standout talent right now.
By
Emilio Galantini
Dec 21, 2023
The January window's opening is right around the corner, with manager Ange Postecoglou saying just last week that Tottenham are pushing hard for new mid-season signings.
A new central defender is thought to be the first priority for chairman Daniel Levy, technical director Johan Lange and the club's transfer chiefs. There have been many names already mentioned as Spurs targets ahead of January, including Nice's Todibo, while another who's repeatedly linked is Genoa star Radu Dragusin.
The Romania international has been a standout under Alberto Gilardino this term, and Fabrizio Romano says he could still make a move to the Premier League, despite a proposed new contract.
Reports from Italy are claiming that a Spurs bid is imminent for Dragusin, while the player's own agent Florin Manea has publicly stated that there has been discussions in north London.
“The people from Genoa know (that he will soon leave),” Manea explained to Fanatik recently.
"I have been in London for some time and have almost weekly meetings with important teams. We are getting closer. I spoke with Newcastle, with Arsenal, with Tottenham. I also have the messages with them, conversations. There are teams that ask.
Radu Dragusin's best Serie A performances – 2023/2024
Match Rating (via WhoScored)
Genoa 1-0 Verona
7.60
Genoa 4-1 Roma
7.56
Genoa 1-0 Salernitana
7.50
Lazio 0-1 Genoa
7.45
Torino 1-0 Genoa
6.96
"Radu will play for a very strong club. One in the top 10 in the world. He wants to be in the Premier League, but I know that Milan like him a lot. I talked to the people there.”
Tottenham in "pole position" for Dragusin
Now, another report from Italy has shared some information on the 21-year-old and his possible move to N17.
It is believed Tottenham are in "pole position" to sign Dragusin in January, and Genoa could even let him go for as little as £22m.
Atalanta are very keen to bring him through the door, as he is seen as perfect for them, but Spurs' presence in the race looks likely to scupper their chances of signing Dragusin as things stand.
This is all according to newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Sport Witness, which backs claims from Dragusin's agent that he is a very popular player in England.
Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig has perhaps suggested why on X (formerly Twitter) in the past, previously likening the centre-half to Mats Hummels and calling Dragusin a "dominant" defender.
حققت بعثة السعودية المشاركة في دورة الألعاب البارالمبية “بارالمبياد” باريس 2024، إنجازًا تاريخيًا بحصد ميدالية ذهبية.
وتحتضن العاصمة الفرنسية باريس خلال الفترة ما بين 28 أغسطس والثامن من سبتمبر منافسات دورة الألعاب البارالمبية، عقب انتهاء دورة الألعاب الأولمبية الصيفية التقليدية.
مانشيني: مواجهة إندونيسيا صعبة.. تابعنا تطورهم في الـ10 سنوات الماضية
واستطاع البطل السعودي عبد الرحمن القرشي الفوز بالميدالية الذهبية في سباق 100 متر كراسي متحركة لفئة T53.
وجاء ذلك بعد أن نجح القرشي في تحقيق الميدالية البرونزية في منافسات بارالمبياد طوكيو 2020.
الجدير بالذكر، أن مصر تشارك في الدورة ببعثة قوامها 54 لاعبا ولاعبة يمثلون 10 رياضات، هي: “رفع الأثقال البارالمبي – ألعاب القوى البارالمبي – الكرة الطائرة جلوس – كرة الهدف – السباحة البارالمبي – تنس الطاولة البارالمبي – الباراتايكوندو – البوتشيا – التجديف البارالمبي – الباراكياك”.
يذكر، أن مصر حققت 184 ميدالية متنوعة خلال مشاركاتها السابقة في دورة الألعاب البارالمبية، بواقع 49 ذهبية و68 فضية و67 برونزية.
Após massacrar o São Paulo fora de casa, o Internacional assumiu a liderança do Campeonato Brasileiro e ganhou status de favorito para ficar com a taça do torneio nacional.
+ TABELA DE CLASSIFICAÇÃO DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO
Dentro do clube a ansiedade é gigante e o primeiro dos sete compromissos restantes é o Grêmio, clube que tem sido um algoz do Colorado nos últimos anos.
Nesta sexta-feira, João Patricio Hermann, vice-presidente do Inter, não fugiu da responsabilidade, valorizou o Tricolor, mas vê o seu clube como o favorito.
‘Teremos sete finais até o fim e isso começa já neste domingo. De forma alguma o Inter é favorito para o Gre-Nal. Nosso adversário é cascudo, tem um treinador experiente, um elenco experiente, que sabe jogar clássico, sabe jogar jogo grande. Não tem favorito. É um jogo de boas equipes’, disse ao programa Repórter Esportivo, da Rádio Guaíba.
+ Internacional assume a ponta e Botafogo se afunda: confira a classificação do returno do Brasileirão!
Internacional e Grêmio se enfrentam no próximo domingo, a partir das 16h (Horário de Brasília), no Beira-Rio.
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Everton recently felt the full force of the Premier League when they were handed a 10-point deduction for breaching Financial Fair Play rules. The deduction put them back in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety, and undid all of Sean Dyche's excellent work in the last month or so. Ready to go again after the international break, the former Burnley boss must simply pick up where he left off and guide the Toffees back on course for safety.
The off-field news hasn't stopped there, though, with Everton playing their part in even more Premier League controversy which has left many frustrated, including talkSPORT host Mark Goldbridge, who shared his thoughts.
The Premier League really never stops delivering drama, particularly after Everton's point deduction amid the ongoing investigation into Manchester City. On top of that, however, clubs have voted for and against transfers between related-party clubs. A ban on such transfers would leave the likes of Chelsea unable to deal with Strasbourg and Newcastle United unable to sign players from PIF-owned clubs. Meanwhile, if 777 Partners complete their takeover of Everton, they would have been unable to deal with the likes of Genoa and Hertha Berlin.
In the end, those aforementioned clubs needn't have worried, as the Premier League did not get enough votes in favour of a transfer block, with Everton, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley voting against a ban on loans, according to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail.
Goldbridge reacted to the news of the vote, posting on X: "Ridiculous 7 Prem clubs voted against that loan between owned clubs deal."
Everton's potential advantage after the vote
The vote once again brings forth the question as to whether the Premier League needs an independent regulator rather than relying on the clubs to come to a decision. In the end, clubs in favour of the transfer block were just two votes away from it taking place, yet it is the eight clubs who voted against the block that will now benefit. It came as little surprise that Everton were among those, too.
The Toffees are currently the subject of an ongoing attempted takeover by 777 Partners. 777 Partners' portfolio includes seven other clubs and the advantage that Everton could now have is the ability to negotiate with those other clubs with far more ease, given their clear link. This could result in loan deals to and from sides such as Standard Liege and Hertha Berlin, as Dyche looks to strengthen his side.
777 Partners at Everton's Goodison Park.
If 777 Partners do complete their takeover of the club and it is all wrapped up by January, then Everton will certainly be an interesting side to keep an eye on when it comes to transfer activity. Those at Goodison Park could have the chance to welcome a number of reinforcements.
Since Arsenal lost Granit Xhaka in the summer transfer window, a rather large hole has been left behind in Mikel Arteta's midfield.
The Swiss was a force of nature in the middle of the park for the Gunners last term, recording career-best figures as the club nearly won the title.
In total, Xhaka found the net on nine occasions and even registered seven assists for his troubles. Since moving on, he is yet to find the net in Bayer Leverkusen colours but he has been part of a Xabi Alonso side who are yet to lose a single game this term, as they sit pretty at the top of the Bundesliga.
On the flip side, Arsenal also sit top of the Premier League. In that regard, Xhaka isn't missed but they do miss a potency from central areas that they had last term.
How Arsenal can fix Xhaka's absence
Arsenal moved swiftly in the summer to secure the services of £65m Kai Havertz but it hasn't gone according to plan yet for the German who has scored just three times since arriving.
Greener pastures have emerged in the last week – Havertz scored against Brentford and Lens – but he still has a great deal to do in order to repay that summer fee.
As such, another midfielder is being targeted ahead of 2024. That happens to be Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz.
At the beginning of November, outlet TEAMtalk revealed that he is one of Edu's top targets, although Arsenal may well have to cough up £80m to lure him to the Emirates Stadium, as per another report from the same publication.
The Gunners have tried previously to sign Luiz, notably submitting three bids in 2022, one of which was a £25m offer that was rejected on transfer deadline day that summer.
Douglas Luiz's style of play
Luiz is seemingly the perfect type of player to fill the Xhaka void in the middle of Arsenal's midfield.
Capable of dictating play from deep and breaking up the play, he offers certain elements of the game that Declan Rice has so successfully brought to Arsenal after his £100m move from West Ham.
Douglas Luiz celebrates for Aston Villa
However, Luiz's qualities in the final third also evoke memories of Xhaka and indeed Martin Odegaard.
Stats-based website FBref actually notes that Rice is one of the most similar players in the Premier League to the Brazilian. That can be seen in a certain array of defensive metrics.
#1 Bruno Guimaraes
#2 Christian Eriksen
#3 Pascal Gross
#4 Conor Gallagher
#5 Rodri
#6 Enzo Fernandez
#7 Mateo Kovacic
#8 Declan Rice
#9 Idrissa Gueye
#10 Dominik Szoboszlai
Indeed, in the defensive and middle thirds of the pitch, the two make a very similar number of tackles per 90 minutes while they boast a similar number of touches each match, highlighting the regularity with which they are involved in proceedings.
Furthermore, their passing lines are alike, with the total distance of their passes and completion rate not too dissimilar.
andre-declan-rice-liverpool-opinion
Then, when it comes to the offensive side of the game, Luiz ranks closely to Odegaard for certain metrics. This term, their expected goals per 90 tally is exactly the same and they're both highly involved in general shot-creating actions – that counts passes, take-ons or fouls that consequently lead to a shot on goal.
For context, Rice makes 1.72 per 90 to Luiz's 3.71 and Odegaard's 4.86. You can clearly see, therefore, how the Brazilian “warrior” as he was labelled by broadcaster Jack Grimse, has the best of both Arsenal stars.
Tackles*
2.42
2.01
Defensive 3rd tackles*
0.81
0.82
Middle 3rd tackles*
1.05
1.04
Touches*
76.4
75.4
Progressive passing distance*
259 yards
252 yards
Pass completion %
85%
90%
Goals
5
4
Expected goals (xG)*
0.26
0.26
Shot-creating actions*
3.71
4.86
Progressive carries*
2.42
2.43
Signing such a player, who has also been lauded for his "ridiculous" ability by journalist Sam Tighe, would be a big capture.
Arsenal like to sign players from the Premier League; you only need to look at the business they've done this year to notice that and Luiz simply has to be the next.
He not only fills the Xhaka void but he could add an extra glue and offensive verve that takes Arsenal to another level. At £80m, it might be worth the hit.
Newcastle United have been forced to balance European football and Premier League action this season after qualifying for the Champions League during the last campaign. And, whilst the Magpies have enjoyed impressive victories over Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, they have also suffered defeats against the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion and Borussia Dortmund as the fixtures and injuries mount.
Newcastle's up and down run will have given Eddie Howe plenty to think about ahead of the next two transfer windows, as those at St James' Park reportedly set their sights on some defensive depth for the former Bournemouth boss.
Newcastle United transfer news
At the time, it looked as though Newcastle spent well in the summer, welcoming Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and some young defensive talent to reinforce Howe's side. Months later, and that's anything but the case. Tonali is at the start of a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules, Barnes is injured and the Magpies have just three recognised centre-backs after failing to add depth to their backline. And that's a problem that they could look to solve next summer in a deal that could eventually look like a stroke of genius.
According to 90min, Newcastle are keeping tabs on Tiago Djalo and are ready to battle for the Lille defender's signature against Serie A giants Inter Milan. Djalo's current Lille contract expires at the end of the season, making him a free agent, and he is open to a move. The Premier League side have reportedly been tracking the defender for a year now and will continue to monitor him upon his return from injury.
Soccer Football – Ligue 1 – Lille v Nantes – Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France – November 27, 2021 Lille’s Tiago Djalo in action with Nantes’ Randal Kolo Muani REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol
Djalo's versatility would certainly provide Howe with a major boost. The 23-year-old can play in every position across the backline, which would solve Newcastle's growing concern over their depth.
"Strong" Djalo can solve Newcastle's depth problem
We've already seen Sven Botman shoehorned in at centre-back this season and Howe will be well aware of the need to avoid a similar situation next season. And that's where the arrival of Djalo could help. The Lille man has earned the interest of both the Magpies and Inter Milan through excellent performances in Ligue 1. When compared to Newcastle's current options too, Djalo's stats last season show that he is more than capable of keeping up.
Player
Progressive Carres Per 90
Progressive Passes Per 90
Tackles Won Per 90
Interceptions Per 90
Tiago Djalo
0.40
3.13
1.38
1.03
Sven Botman
0.23
2.51
1.10
0.98
Fabian Schar
0.76
3.90
1.32
1.46
It's no surprise then that Djalo has been at the centre of praise during his career, including from Zach Lowy, who posted on X: "Tiago Djaló. After moving from Sporting to Milan in January due to a contract dispute, he’ll need to impress for the Primavera and then get a loan before he can contest the likes of Caldara and Romagnoli. Agile, strong, quick but needs to improve his decisions and IQ."
Having matured with age but kept the same athletic traits that made him such a highly rated prospect back then, it will certainly be interesting to see whether Newcastle make their move.
Tottenham Hotspur's start to the season has been nothing short of sensational, with Ange Postecoglou's impact instant and revolutionary.
The Australian was a well-liked figure from his previous roles with the Australian national team, Yokohama F. Marinos and Celtic among many others, but few could have predicted that a man without experience in such a high-pressure job would take to north London with such ease.
In fact, the 58-year-old has proven to be one of the finest tacticians in the Premier League, having cultivated a feel-good atmosphere in N17 once again, the likes of which have not been seen since Mauricio Pochettino's tenure.
As such, he has implored fans to let their imaginations run wild with regard to expectations for the season, noting: "No, no, no, let them go, let them enjoy it. I've said this before, my role is not to burst peoples' bubbles. Let them get excited and ahead of themselves, that's the beauty of being a supporter.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou.
"They go through enough pain, let them enjoy and if they think we're going to be world-beaters great, it's then up to us to match those expectations. Our supporters deserve to have some happiness and they can enjoy it anyway they want to."
Whilst he alone is being credited as the driving force behind this return to form, James Maddison's work on the pitch cannot be understated. He too has hit the ground running following his move, and promises to be a true spearhead for their revolution.
How good is James Maddison?
Unloading £40m on the recently relegated maestro was a fee that many likely questioned given the decreasing bargaining position of sellers Leicester City. However, with Newcastle United also interested, it made sense to ensure a deal could be completed with ease.
Especially given the way the 26-year-old has enjoyed his start to life in north London, having scored twice and assisted a further five across just eight Premier League fixtures.
His unrelenting creativity and deceptive trickery have seen him instrumental in some key results earned, with Joe Cole even suggesting his acquisition had been the best throughout the window: "The more I think about it he could be the best signing of the summer. I am so excited for him, especially the way Ange plays."
Not only are his tangible figures exemplary, but the underlying ones match those trends to suggest that it is a partnership set to earn long-term success. After all, when compared to other attacking midfielders across Europe, he sits in the top 1% for assists and shot-creating actions per 90, the top 6% for progressive passes per 90, and the top 3% for expected assisted goals, via FBref.
It should come as no surprise that he has become one of the division's top creators, with his assist tally making him one of three with the most in the entire Premier League.
The praise showered on him by talkSPORT pundit Andy Townsend therefore makes complete sense, as he claimed: "I have really enjoyed watching Maddison. I have enjoyed watching him play because I think he enjoys being kind of almost the pivotal part of the team. I think that suits his personality. I have been impressed."
However, one of that trio on five assists for the season is actually a former Lilywhites star, and one they surely regret offloading. After all, few could have predicted how exceptional Kieran Trippier's twilight years would be.
Why did Spurs sell Kieran Trippier?
Although the former Burnley man had become a true Spurs stalwart, as a key cog in their run to the Champions League final alongside a couple of limp title pushes, the 33-year-old would reveal just how disappointing the manner of his 2019 exit would be whilst speaking to The Athletic.
The Yorkshire-born ace noted: "As a footballer, you're trying to do your best and sometimes things don't go your way. It just wasn't happening, but I was still getting picked by Mauricio Pochettino.
“After the Champions League final, it felt like the right time to move on. The media weren't really on my side at the time and maybe I needed to get out of England for a bit just to clear my mind. I never looked back.
Newcastle United'sKieranTrippier
"What annoyed me … as you know, people in football speak and there are always rumours, but I know 100 per cent for a fact – and this is what I was most angry about – that two months before the end of the season, Daniel (Levy, the chairman) was offering me to other clubs.
“I knew for certain that was happening, so I knew my time there must be up. I was playing for my teammates and the supporters, but I also knew I wasn't wanted.”
So, he would depart for just £12m amongst a betting scandal, having since returned to Newcastle United to spearhead their own incredible revolution.
How is Kieran Trippier performing now?
Whilst Trippier may be level with Maddison in the league, his assist in their 4-1 Champions League rout over Paris Saint-Germain has actually seen the right-back surpass the midfielder in assists across all competitions.
It should come as no surprise to see the £120k-per-week wizard maintain his immense creativity from defence, especially after the truly outstanding year he enjoyed last campaign. Featuring in every single league game as they finished fourth against all the odds, his eight goal contributions were supported by 2.9 key passes and 1.9 tackles per game, via Sofascore.
His bravery to return to a relegation-threatened club and steer them to safety has been lauded by many, with Alan Shearer leading the praise, Shearer: "Some of the balls he was putting into the box were just unbelievable. What a signing he has been for Newcastle, he’s in great form".
Hugo Lloris
Danny Rose
Kevin Wimmer
Toby Alderweireld
Kieran Trippier
Eric Dier
Tom Carroll
Dele Alli
Erik Lamela
Heung-min Son
Andros Townsend
Pundit Trevor Sinclair would support such a notion: "When you're injured and have a long-term injury which Kieran Trippier has got, you don't need to go [to the matches]. It's not something that he has got to do as a member of the squad.
"You don't have to go to away games, especially as it's 200 to 250 miles away. But that, for me, just shows the personality of Trippier and why signing him wasn't just for him going there for a bit of money and glory. He was going there to try and achieve something and coming back for other reasons as well."
It is fair to say that he has attained such a goal, with his efforts in out-creating Maddison just one of his many accolades.
Inter Miami have included four new signings into their matchday squad against New York Red Bulls on Saturday following Lionel Messi's absence.
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Inter Miami confirmed four new signings
All four players drafted into matchday squad against NY Red Bulls
Includes MLS SuperDraft pick Yannick Bright
WHAT HAPPENED?
After confirming the signing of 2024 MLS SuperDraft pick Yannick Bright on Friday, Inter Miami have now announced the arrival of three players from the reserves side Inter Miami CF II on short-term deals. All four players have been included in the club's matchday squad for their upcoming MLS clash against New York Red Bulls on Saturday, which won't feature Messi due to injury.
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Getty/FOX Soccer
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Herons decided to add four new players to their senior team after Messi picked up an injury. The veteran footballer was forced to leave the pitch in the second half of their CONCACAF Champions Cup against Nashville on March 13. The Argentina skipper missed the club's clash against DC United and was even removed from the national team for their upcoming international friendlies as a result.
DID YOU KNOW?
As per MLS rules, short-term agreements allow clubs to rope in players on loan from their respective MLS NEXT Pro affiliate. The players are eligible to play in the MLS, the U.S. Open Cup, the CONCACAF Champions League, Canadian Championship and exhibition matches.
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WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?
With no risks being taken with the 36-year-old's fitness, Messi is expected to be back in action by April 3. He is therefore likely to be available for selection for the club's CONCACAF Champion Cup quarter-final first leg clash against Mexican side Monterrey.
Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has suggested that a win at all costs mentality played a part in the deterioration of the team’s on-field behaviour which ultimately led to the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.On field antics had already raised eyebrows during the Ashes and earlier in the series against South Africa – Nathan Lyon was fined for a send-off given to AB de Villiers – before the dramatic events unfolded at Newlands which led to captain Steven Smith and David Warner being banned for a year and Cameron Bancroft for nine months.Hazlewood, who is missing the current one-day series in England due to a back injury, said it was only the results on the field which mattered and not how the team or players were portrayed, something that he believes the new coach Justin Langer is trying to change.”It’s a big tour always South Africa, coming off the back of an Ashes as well which was quite stressful,” Hazlewood told . “All big tours are stressful and that added pressure we probably put on ourselves as much as anyone to win.”Where the stress has come from is that we are pretty much measured on our cricket ability, not as people off the field, which we had probably got away from in the past six months, 12 months. A focus only on results I guess drives people to do different things and we are only measured on our cricket success.”I don’t think that’s how it is now, I think that’s changed a little bit, JL has talked a lot about how we are behaving off the field and we are going to be measured on that as well which is a good sign.”Hazlewood admitted that the Australians didn’t grasp the seriousness of the ball-tampering controversy until the following morning when it had started to register back home. Smith was immediately stood down for the remainder of the Cape Town Test before the trio involved were handed their sanctions a few days later.”We went to bed that night and Australia hadn’t woken up yet, when it hit back in Australia and we woke up it was quite surprising how big a reaction it was,” he said. “It wasn’t massive in South Africa, all the Australian writers know it’s going on here and there and around different teams and people have been done in the past, I guess they talked it down a bit if anything but once it hit home the media went the other way and the reaction was massive.”Hazlewood also hinted at agreement with Langer that Smith – who Langer said in an interview with Sky Sports “maybe just wasn’t strong enough in his leadership” – lacked the experience needed to keep the team on track but added that these days players are often required to do all their learning on the international stage.”Cricket-wise I think he was ready, he probably wasn’t ready with everything that came with it I guess,” he said. “It’s a different time now where we’re basically cricketers from the time we leave school and we don’t really experience life outside of cricket and the cricket environment, back in those times they probably got out in the world, had a few jobs, learned a lot of life lessons. Now you go straight from school into a cricket environment and cricket is all you know.”
Glasgow Rangers did not hold back in their recruitment over the summer transfer window as they added a host of players to Michael Beale's first-team squad.
Who did Rangers sign this summer?
The Light Blues head coach snapped up nine new recruits to bolster his options across the pitch with the view of competing for trophies during the 2023/24 campaign.
Player signed
Type of transfer
Cyriel Dessers
Permanent
Danilo
Permanent
Sam Lammers
Permanent
Jose Cifuentes
Permanent
Kieran Dowell
Permanent
Dujon Sterling
Permanent
Leon Balogun
Permanent
Jack Butland
Permanent
Abdallah Sima
Loan
Eight of the additions came in on a permanent basis, with four of those being free transfers. Sima, meanwhile was brought in on loan from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.
Three strikers were signed by Beale to improve his forward line after Alfredo Morelos and Antonio Colak departed Ibrox earlier this summer; with Dessers, Lammers, and Danilo arriving from Cremonese, Atalanta, and Feyenoord respectively.
Rangers were linked with a number of other centre-forward options throughout the summer transfer window and one player they were touted with an interest in was Josh Maja.
Did Rangers nearly sign Josh Maja?
According to a report from Football Scotland at the end of June, the Light Blues had the Nigeria international on their list of targets after they had already snapped up Dessers and Lammers.
The outlet named him alongside Danilo as two number nines who were on Beale's radar as the English head coach wanted to add a third striker to his squad before the window slammed shut.
Instead of moving for Maja, Rangers ended up securing a deal to sign the Brazilian attacker from Dutch side Feyenoord for a reported fee of up to £6m and that was the last piece of business that the Scottish giants did in terms of adding to their attacking arsenal.
Where is Josh Maja now?
After the Gers opted to go with another target, the Nigerian dynamo went on to sign for English Championship side West Bromwich Albion.
He was available on a free transfer after his contract with Bordeaux in Ligue 2 expired following their failure to earn promotion back to the top flight of French football, which opened the door for him to return to his country of birth.
The 24-year-old finisher has endured a difficult start to life in England this year, however, as he has failed to break into the starting XI for the Baggies, with four appearances as a substitute so far.
He has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.70 across those four outings and has been unable to do enough to convince Carlos Corberan that he is ready to start, with one 'big chance' missed and zero 'big chances' created for his teammates. Clearly, he has done very little when actually afforded a chance.
The 5 foot 11 striker has also lost 100% of his aerial battles and, therefore, struggled with the physical tests that the Championship provides.
Maja also failed to find the back of the net in the last four matches of the Ligue 2 season last term for Bordeaux, which means that he is currently on a goalless run of eight competitive games.
How many goals has Maja scored?
The new Baggies striker did plunder 16 league goals for the French side in 34 outings in total last season but that was an outlier for the Nigerian marksman in recent years.
Fulham striker Josh Maja.
He produced a solitary strike in 15 Championship matches on loan at Stoke City during the 2021/22 campaign and that came off the back of five goals in 32 Premier League and Ligue 1 games combined for Fulham and Bordeaux the previous term.
In total, Maja has scored 60 goals in 208 appearances throughout his youth and senior club career to date, which also includes his time with Sunderland at academy and first-team level.
Danilo, on the other hand, had shown himself to be a consistent scoring threat throughout his time in the Netherlands and, on paper, was always better option than the English-born ace.
How many goals has Danilo scored?
The Brazil U23 international has racked up 89 goals, along with 18 assists, in 183 club career matches so far, which works out as a strike every 2.06 outings on average.
Whereas, Maja has averaged a goal every 3.47 games throughout his career, indicating that Danilo has the potential to offer far more when it comes to being a reliable scorer for the Light Blues.
The 24-year-old produced ten goals and three assists in 14 Eredivisie starts for Feyenoord last season and his form for the Dutch club came after an incredibly prolific spell with Ajax's youth teams.
Rangers striker Danilo.
Rangers' summer signing fired in an outstanding 47 goals in 73 U19 and U21 matches combined, which is one every 1.55 appearances on average, whilst he also managed nine goals in 20 appearances for their first team.
How many goals has Danilo scored this season?
The former Feyenoord ace has scored two goals in nine outings for the Gers so far this term, which includes one goal in one Scottish Premiership start. Evidently, he has not enjoyed a prolific start to life in Scotland.
However, his impressive statistics in the Netherlands suggest that there is far more to come from Danilo as he has been a reliable scorer throughout his career and has already shown glimpses, with his two strikes, of his attacking prowess for the Ibrox giants.
The Brazilian hotshot, whose winning goal against Greenock Morton in the League Cup is shown above, has had a more impressive start to life for Rangers than Maja has had for West Brom, given their respective records.
Their career goal tallies also suggest that Danilo has more potential as a consistent scorer than the Nigeria international would have done if Beale had snapped him up.
Therefore, the Gers head coach certainly dodged a bullet by deciding to go with the £6m-rated ace instead of signing the Sunderland academy graduate. Hopefully, his decision will continue to be vindicated throughout the season and over the years to come.