USMNT and Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Gio Reyna has joined the ownership group of Fort Lauderdale United FC. The South Florida club fields a women’s side in the USL Super League and plans to launch a men’s team in USL League One next season. Its latest investment round pushes the club’s valuation to $55 million.

Getty Images SportUSMNT midfielder expands portfolio

The 22-year-old Bundesliga midfielder has made his first significant entry into the business side of soccer by joining Ft. Lauderdale United. Reyna's investment comes as part of a broader funding round that includes multiple investors, though specific financial details of his personal stake have not been disclosed.

"We are incredibly proud to welcome Gio Reyna to the Fort Lauderdale United family," Smith said, as per ESPN. "This investment not only reflects our club's immense potential but also solidifies our position in the American soccer landscape. With our strong youth program and state-of-the-art facilities, we are proud of our ability to create a signature professional pathway on both the men's and women's sides."

AdvertisementAFPFamily connections

Personal relationships played a significant role in bringing Reyna into the club's ownership structure. Hassan Pinto, one of the club's existing owners, had previous connections to the Reyna family, having played youth soccer in New Jersey with Giovanni's father, Claudio Reyna, on the Olympic Development Program Region I team. Additionally, Pinto was a college classmate of Danielle Reyna, Giovanni's mother, at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Reyna explains decision to invest

Reyna said discussions with club leaders and a tour of their facilities convinced him to invest, citing the club’s potential to drive player development in U.S. soccer.

"What truly sold me on Fort Lauderdale United was the ownership group's comprehensive vision. They're not just creating two professional teams; they're building a complete ecosystem for player development, from the youth level all the way to the pros," Reyna said in a statement. 

"Combining that with the fantastic South Florida location and state-of-the-art facilities, it became clear this was a perfect opportunity to not only invest in the club's success but also to help develop the future of American soccer."

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Getty Images SportUSMNT investments into clubs continue

Reyna's decision to invest follows a growing trend among active professional players to take ownership stakes in lower-division American clubs. Fellow USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams recently joined the investment group of USL League One side Westchester SC in January 2025, while Chris Richards also became a part of the Birmingham Legion's ownership group a month later.

Bond reckons that there is a lot to with the Bangladesh bowling attack but the batting is the problem

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Feb-20251:58

‘Disappointing to see Bangladesh’s big players go missing in a must-win game’

Bangladesh endured another dismal campaign in a global event which has placed a harsh spotlight on their batting unit. They were knocked out of the Champions Trophy after two sub-par totals – 228 all out and 236 for 9 – which, in former India batter Wasim Jaffer’s view, continued the trend of their experienced players not turning up in ICC events.Jaffer was particularly critical of Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim’s performances in the five-wicket loss to New Zealand on Tuesday. Both men were dismissed playing rash shots which left Bangladesh five down in just the 27th over. New Zealand hardly broke a sweat in chasing the eventual target down.”We’ve only seen probably Shakib [Al Hasan] with that 2019 [ODI] World Cup where he was a standout player,” Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo’s Match Day. “But I don’t know if it’s the pressure that gets to them or they put too much pressure on themselves, they just don’t turn up.”Related

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Mahmudullah has history in performing well at ICC events, he made back-to-back hundreds in the 2015 ODI World Cup and a hundred when Bangladesh beat New Zealand in the 2017 Champions Trophy. But here, he missed their first match with injury and self-destructed in the second.”Even the shot selection we’ve seen today was very disappointing,” Jaffer said. “Mushfiq [Mushfiqur] playing that shot, Mahmudullah playing that wild shot. And this is a must-win game. You want them to step up in these kinds of games and make themselves count. So that’s been the story in the ICC events, unfortunately.”Jaffer also felt that Bangladesh were at least “50 to 60 runs short” on a Rawalpindi surface which wasn’t offering much help for the bowlers.”They could have easily put 300-plus on that pitch,” he said. “They have got themselves to blame. It is too much to ask from the bowling unit to get a team New Zealand all out for below 240.”Shane Bond, the former New Zealand fast bowler, suggested that while “there is a lot to work with” Bangladesh’s bowling attack, their batting seems to be a problem. He also said the chances Bangladesh missed in the field also played a role in their five-wicket loss. Rachin Ravindra survived a run-out chance when he was on 26 and was dropped on 93 by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and then by Mahmudullah on 106.1:07

Jaffer: Bangladesh at least 50-60 runs short

“I like the look of their bowling attack,” Bond said. “They have got the heat, they have got the left-armer [Mustafizur Rahman] which New Zealand and a team like England doesn’t have. The spinners are good.”Also the fine margins… they missed chances. If you miss those run-out chances or those dropped catches, they are the difference between winning or losing a game. If they had taken those chances, this game could have been completely different. There is a lot to work with with their bowling attack. I think their batting in the end was the problem.”Bond, who coaches extensively in the franchise T20 circuit, also felt that any coach would “feel a bit grumpy” after the kind of performance Bangladesh put in as their Champions Trophy 2025 journey came to an end.”I think it’s the natural inclination as a coach to feel that way,” Bond said. “If you start talking about what you shouldn’t do and let emotion pour out as a coach, it’s a dangerous place to go. So you’re still trying to create an environment where you want guys to come out and play positively, you want them to be really clear about how you’re going to play.”And at the end of the day, if they go out and try to execute their game plans and play the way that you want and they lose, then that’s okay. If they don’t, then it makes it very difficult. So that’s what you’re looking for as a player.”You want, ‘this is how the coach wants me to play my role in the team. If I go and do that to the best of my ability, then it’s okay.’ You know, some days it’s not going to work and we’re not a fly on the wall in the Bangladesh camp, so we don’t know what those conversations are and it’s difficult to make judgments on that stuff.”

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi was originally meant to be part of the presentation after the final, but the host board said he was unwell and unable to travel to Dubai

Danyal Rasool10-Mar-2025The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked the ICC for an explanation after the Champions Trophy tournament director Sumair Ahmed was not included in the post-final presentation ceremony in Dubai on Sunday. Sumair, who is also the chief operating officer of the PCB, was in Dubai for the final in his capacity as tournament director and Pakistan’s representative at the final. Pakistan were official hosts of the Champions Trophy.After India beat New Zealand to secure the title, four officials were part of the presentation ceremony, including Jay Shah, the ICC chair, two from the BCCI, one from New Zealand Cricket but none from the PCB. Other than Shah, the officials present were BCCI president Roger Binny, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and NZC director Roger Twose. It is not customary for representatives of nations playing the final to feature in post-tournament ICC ceremonies, unless the final involves the host country.ESPNcricinfo understands the PCB was puzzled by the presence of Saikia, given that one BCCI official – Binny – was on stage anyway. But it is the exclusion of the host representative that has most antagonised the board. Representatives of the host nation are generally part of trophy presentations. The PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi was originally meant to be part of the presentations but the PCB said he was unwell and unable to travel to Dubai. They expected Sumair to stand in as Pakistan’s representative.Related

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While it is understood the PCB did not reach out to the ICC to inform it that Sumair would take Naqvi’s place on the podium, the Pakistan board believes the onus was on the ICC to contact it about Naqvi’s replacement. The PCB is aggrieved no ICC representative reached out to the board at any stage during the final to discuss plans for a Pakistani presence on the podium post-match.A PCB official said the ICC was yet to respond to the PCB with any explanation. ESPNcricinfo has also reached out to the ICC for a comment.The final was held in Dubai as part of a deal struck between the PCB and the BCCI. Naqvi was initially adamant the entirety of the tournament – the first ICC event Pakistan has hosted since 1996 – would be held in Pakistan. However, the BCCI said the Indian government had refused permission to their cricket team to travel to Pakistan. As such, the two boards reached an arrangement that saw India play all their games in Dubai, with all ICC events the two nations host over the next three years seeing the other side play their games at a separate neutral venue.This is the third time this tournament the PCB has approached the ICC for explanation following incidents they feel have undermined Pakistan as official hosts of the Champions Trophy. During the second game of the tournament, when India played Bangladesh in Dubai, Pakistan’s name was omitted from the logo on the official broadcast.The following day, when Australia played England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the Indian national anthem briefly began to play instead of the Australian anthem. The PCB squarely held the ICC responsible, saying the anthem playlist was produced and distributed by the governing body, with the ICC in charge of playing the anthems before the matches. The ICC put the absence of the logo down to error, while, according to the PCB, the global governing body offered its regrets for the anthem mix-up and put it down to a DJ error.

MatériaMais Notícias

A segunda-feira amanheceu azeda para o torcedor palmeirense após a derrota por 1 a 0 para o Botafogo no Allianz Parque, na partida que fez o Fogão abrir oito pontos de vantagem em relação do Verdão, que ainda viu Flamengo e Grêmio o ultrapassarem na tabela do Brasileirão 2023.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasANÁLISE: derrota para o Botafogo escancara necessidade do Palmeiras em encontrar uma ‘sombra’ para VeigaPalmeiras26/06/2023PalmeirasAbel Ferreira dá pistas sobre o seu futuro no Palmeiras: ‘Quero estar onde sou feliz’Palmeiras26/06/2023Fora de CampoÍdolo do Palmeiras diz que Botafogo ‘soube sofrer’ e admite derrota: ‘Resultado justo’Fora de Campo25/06/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Abel Ferreira fez questão de enfatizar na coletiva de que não desistiu do título e que o clube vai lutar pelo bi brasileiro até o final. Mas pra que o momento conturbado não vire uma bola de neve ainda maior, o Verdão terá que se recuperar no campeonato com uma sequência duríssima pela frente.

O atual campeão brasileiro tem agora pelo frente o Athletico-PR em Curitiba na próxima rodada, depois recebe o Flamengo no Allianz Parque e viaja para encarar o Internacional no Beira-Rio. Tudo isso com os dois jogos diante do São Paulo pela Copa do Brasil no meio desse caminho.

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Se quiser voltar a brigar pelo título, o Palmeiras precisa no mínimo não perder nenhum jogo dessa difícil sequência e somar no mínimo sete pontos de nove possíveis.

Enquanto o clube negocia uma das suas principais joias da base para o mundo árabe, a torcida desconfia e pressiona cada vez mais a diretoria por reforços, uma vez que o banco de reservas não vem ajudando muito nas últimas partidas.

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Fato é que um time que havia perdido apenas três vezes no ano até o mês passado, acumulou duas derrotas em menos de uma semana, para adversários piores e com muito menos investimento que o Verdão, apesar do ótimo início de campeonato do Botafogo, não dá para o Palmeiras perder pontos para o time de Luís Castro se quiser pensar em título.

Chegou a hora de ligar o alerta para que o elenco mantenha o foco e a competitividade que o segundo semestre vai exigir. O sarrafo subiu, o preço do ingresso também e a exigência da torcida é apenas uma consequência dessa equação.

Quinta-feira estamos de volta para ver se o clube consegue sair dessa maré de azar e confirme o primeiro lugar no seu grupo da Libertadores.

Who’s playing

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, 7.30pm IST

What to expect

A lot of things are working for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). So they would not want to dwell on the loss to Mumbai Indians, and instead get back to winning ways in their second home game of the season. The major talking point from that loss was RCB’s middle order collapsing around Ellyse Perry. Despite posting just 167, the likes of Kim Garth, Georgia Wareham and Ekta Bisht still took the defence to last over. Hence there’s no need to panic yet. With just one defeat from three matches, RCB top the points table.Unlike RCB, UP Warriorz have just got their first points in three games with a thumping win over Delhi Capitals. They would want their openers to start strong and will hope Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris pick up pace with the bat as they head into crucial phase of the tournament. They haven’t done particularly well in the middle overs, either slowing down or losing wickets in a cluster in this phase. They had Chinelle Henry’s explosive innings down the order in the last game, and then their bowlers got the job done. They would be keen to carry this momentum forward to move up the table.

Team news and likely XIs

RCB are unlikely to tinker.RCB (likely): 1 Smriti Mandhana (capt), 2 Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Raghvi Bist, 5 Richa Ghosh (wk), 6 Kanika Ahuja, 7 Georgia Wareham, 8 Ekta Bisht, 9 Kim Garth, 10 VJ Joshitha, 11 Renuka SinghLeft-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad was replaced by seamer Saima Thakor in Warriorz’s first match in Bengaluru. With the conditions offering assistance to pace bowlers, they might continue to have Thakor in the XI.UP Warriorz (likely): 1 Kiran Navgire, 2 Vrinda Dinesh, 3 Deepti Sharma, 4 Tahlia McGrath, 5 Shweta Sehrawat, 6 Grace Harris, 7 Uma Chetry (wk), 8 Chinelle Henry, 9 Sophie Ecclestone, 10 Saima Thakor, 11 Kranti Goud

Players to watch: Smriti Mandhana and Kranti Goud

Smriti Mandhana likes the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The last time India played three ODIs in Bengaluru, she scored two hundreds and a 90 against South Africa. When RCB played five games at this venue last year, she smashed 219 runs at a strike rate of 154.22. Her last season’s highest score of 80 also came against Warriorz here. In her previous two games, she’s got 26 off 13, and 81 off off 47. Don’t bet against more fireworks from Mandhana.Kranti Goud bowled a dream spell against Capitals on Saturday, claiming a four-wicket haul. She used the movement off the pitch to account for Capitals’ top order and Jess Jonassen. After going wicketless in the first two matches, this performance would have given the youngster a lot of confidence in her debut WPL season.

Key stats

• Warriorz have hit 17 sixes so far, the second most in this WPL
• The Warriorz pace bowlers have conceded 9.02 runs an over in three matches so far – the highest economy rate for fast bowlers of any team in this WPL.
• Mandhana has scored 245 runs in Bengaluru in the WPL, the most for a player at this venue.

Tottenham Hotspur are very much active as the summer transfer window winds down. Clubs all over Europe are scrambling to wrap up a variety of deals, and Thomas Frank’s side are eager to add some creative quality to their side.

For James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are sidelined, the former for most of the campaign and Kulusevski for an indeterminate period, sidelined for several months already.

Xavi Simons has been signed from RB Leipzig to temper such blows, but more might be needed, hence why they’ve agreed a deal to bring Randal Kolo-Muani to north London.

However, Frank isn’t only limited to the number ten position or forward areas, actually keen on signing a ball-playing defender before the end of the day too.

Spurs open talks for new signing

According to Caught Offside, Tottenham are interested in signing Inter Milan defender Benjamin Pavard before the looming closure of the transfer window, having opened talks with the Serie A giants.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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The 29-year-old also has attracted attention from Manchester United and Marseille, but Spurs have the most advanced interest at this stage, having made initial contact already.

The France international is understood to be open to moving to the Premier League by the end of the day, and Inter would consider cashing in, should their €20m (£17m) price tag be met.

Why Spurs want Pavard

Pavard is an accomplished defender with a wide range of qualities that allow him to play both in central defence and out wide, at right-back.

He would add depth and dynamism to Frank’s outfit, and given that he ranks among the top 18% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion, the top 16% for progressive passes and the top 16% for through balls per 90, would add much fluency to Tottenham’s build-up play.

Once hailed by then Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel for his “underrated” qualities within teams challenging at the top, Pavard could certainly prove to be Tottenham’s best deadline-day deal since landing Kulusevski from Juventus in January 2022, especially when considering Levy would be keeping the Serie A connection alive with this one too.

Kulusevski has been a wonderful player for Tottenham, immense in Ange Postecoglou’s system last year despite the issues the club were beset with.

Pavard might be at a different stage of his career, but there’s no question that he would solidify Tottenham’s backline while adding some creative impetus to the ranks too.

24/25 PL stats – Kulusevski

Stats (* per game)

#

Matches (starts)

32 (27)

Goals

7

Assists

4

Touches*

44.5

Accurate passes*

20.0 (81%)

Big chances created

9

Key passes*

2.1

Dribbles*

1.2

Tackles + interceptions*

1.8

Duels won*

4.1

Stats via Sofascore

It would be a fallacy to believe that Tottenham’s playmaking potential would be unlocked solely through the signing of attacking midfielders.

It’s a team sport, after all, and players such as Pavard would feed through the lines while protecting the goalmouth too.

Kulusevski has proved a bona fide success in London, and the same could be true for an experienced star like Pavard.

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تقدم منتخب مصر الثاني بالهدف الثالث أمام البحرين، بالمواجهة التي تجمع بينهما وديًا، ضمن الاستعدادات لـ كأس العرب.

ويلعب منتخب مصر أمام البحرين، في مواجهة ودية، تقام ضمن المعسكر الإعدادي المقام في المغرب، استعدادًا لـ بطولة كأس العرب.

طالع.. فيديو | السولية وميدو جابر يسجلان هدفي مصر الأول والثاني أمام البحرين

ويشارك منتخب مصر الثاني، في بطولة كأس العرب، المقرر إقامتها في قطر، تبدأ في 1 ديسمبر وتختتم بالنهائي في 18 ديسمبر 2025.

وسجل الهدف الأول لـ منتخب مصر، اللاعب عمرو السولية من تسديدة قوية في الدقيقة 48، وأضاف الهدف الثاني للفراعنة، ميدو جابر، في الدقيقة 50.

وأحرز محمد شريف الهدف الثالث بالدقيقة 64، بعدما اخترق دفاع البحرين وتلقى تمريرة من أحمد عاطف قطة وصوبها في المرمى مباشرة. هدف منتخب مصر الثالث أمام البحرين وديًا

A “great” Liverpool player has now reportedly held talks with a foreign club’s sporting director over a summer move there, with a four-year deal being offered to him.

Liverpool handed potential fresh Isak boost

The Reds have had a summer transfer window to remember, with the likes of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez hopefully taking them to new heights under Arne Slot.

After smashing their transfer record on Wirtz, Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has now emerged as Liverpool’s next dream target, although the Magpies are refusing to budge currently after rejecting an opening offer for the Swede.

A new update from The Athletic‘s David Ornstein does claim that Isak is “adamant he will not play for Newcastle again”, however, adding that even if he stays put at St James’ Park, he has “no wish to reintegrate” with his teammates.

This acts as a boost to Liverpool, who clearly still want to sign the 25-year-old, but the coming weeks have the potential to be unpredictable, as the Premier League champions consider a second offer, hoping that the Magpies’ stance softens at the same time.

While plenty of focus is on Isak, and a possible new centre-back signing, a new claim has dropped regarding the future of a current Reds player.

"Great" Liverpool player in talks with foreign club

According to a new report from Caught Offside, Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott’s move to RB Leipzig this summer could be edging closer, with the Reds wanting £47m with a buyback option or £56m without during discussions.

The Bundesliga club have now offered the 22-year-old a four-year contract, and it is claimed that “manager Ole Werner and sporting director Marcel Schafer have already held direct talks with the player, outlining their vision for him to become a central figure in the team’s attack-minded system.”

Elliott is a popular figure at Liverpool, helped by the fact that he grew up supporting the Reds, but now feels like the right time for him to enjoy a new challenge, and the report says he is open to an Anfield exit.

The Englishman isn’t a regular starter under Slot, and that won’t change unless there are serious injury problems, and he has reached a point in his career where he needs to be playing week in, week out.

Elliott could be a great signing for Leipzig, and an ideal potential replacement for Xavi Simons, as the report alludes to, with former Liverpool man Joe Cole hailing him earlier this summer.

“I love the kid, he plays football the right way. I am excited for his future. He has done a great job for Liverpool, but if he decides to move on, there are levels to move on again. That passion, he can show every week.”

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Whether Leipzig agree to a buyback option remains to be seen, but even if they don’t, this is the right time for Liverpool to sanction Elliott’s exit, allowing him to kick on elsewhere, not to mention ensuring the Reds receive good money for him.

This season marks a new era for Tottenham
Hotspur football club, as Thomas Frank leads the side into the 2025/26 campaign after his appointment from Brentford.

It’s already been the perfect start for the Dane, picking up three points in the Premier League opener against Burnley – with a Richarlison double and a strike from Brennan Johnson securing the win.

However, if the side are to continue their charge this campaign, the hierarchy will need to once again back the manager to make the changes he craves to his side.

Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha have made moves from West Ham United and Bayern Munich, respectively, whilst Mathys Tel also made his loan move permanent from the latter.

However, despite the £85m already splashed during this window, the Lilywhites could’ve forked out a much bigger sum, had they managed to complete a deal for another big-money talent.

Spurs’ failed move for Gibbs-White this summer

Earlier this summer, Spurs made a surprise move for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White, with a deal for his signature seemingly progressing rapidly at the time.

The Lilywhites had gone from being interested in a move for the 25-year-old, to agreeing a deal, and the player himself set for a medical with the North London outfit.

However, the deal wasn’t plain sailing, with the club’s decision to trigger his £60m release clause one that caused controversy with Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis.

The Greek businessman put a halt to the move, after claiming Frank’s side had made an illegal approach for his signature, subsequently threatening legal action against the club.

A deal for Gibbs-White’s signature subsequently fell apart, leading to the England international signing a new three-year contract at the City Ground – becoming their highest paid player in their history.

After missing out on his signature, other options have been considered by the Lilywhites’ hierarchy, leading to numerous other options being considered in recent weeks.

Spurs’ hunt for a Gibbs-White alternative this summer

Eberechi Eze has been the biggest target for Spurs in recent weeks, with the Crystal Palace star seemingly set for a departure from Selhurst Park between now and the end of the window.

Talks have been held between the two clubs over the last few days, leading to claims that an agreement has been reached to sign the 27-year-old, with a £60m fee currently being mooted.

However, he’s not the only player in their sights this window, leading to Roma talent Lorenzo Pellegrini being labelled as the latest target, according to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport.

They claim that Spurs have made an enquiry to land the Italian midfielder, who made 34 appearances for the Serie A outfit throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

It also states that his current employers will be looking to offload him this window, opening the door to a switch to North London with just one year remaining in his current deal at the Stadio Olimpico.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be their answer to Gibbs-White

After James Maddison’s ACL injury, it has left a huge hole in the number ten position at Spurs, highlighting the need for added reinforcements in such an area.

A move for Gibbs-White would’ve provided added competition for places in the side, but at present, Frank’s side don’t currently have a recognised attacking midfielder to fill the void.

However, after missing out on his signature earlier this window, the need for another talent in such an area is desperately needed before the window’s September 1st deadline.

Whilst Pellegrini won’t be many supporters’ first choice this window, at 29, he could be the perfect squad option, especially if Eze completes his own move to join the club.

To sweeten the deal for the Lilywhites faithful, he’s been labelled as a similar player to Gibbs-White by FBref, able to offer a cheaper alternative to the Englishman.

When delving into their respective stats from the 2024/25 season, the Italian managed to outperform him in numerous key areas, showcasing why he’d be a superb addition to the current squad.

Pellegrini, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri, managed to complete more of the passes he attempted, with more of which per 90 being defined as key passes.

Such figures highlight the quality he possesses with the ball at his feet, offering Frank’s side a more creative option to the Lilywhites within the final third.

He also completed more of the take-ons he attempted, whilst also completing more carries into the final third – subsequently being able to drive with the ball into dangerous areas, adding another dimension to the club’s attack.

The Italian has also completed more crosses per 90, whilst drawing more fouls per 90, showcasing the threat he carries when having the ball at his feet – with the opposition unable to contain his talents, as seen by the fouls drawn tally.

It’s unclear how much a deal for Pellegrini would cost this summer, but it’s evident that any move could be a shrewd piece of business that would aid the club in their hunt for success.

If he can match the levels produced by Gibbs-White in the Premier League, it would be an excellent deal, subsequently softening the blow of missing out on the Forest star.

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Leeds United recently made an approach for an “elite” player, who has since signed for Premier League rivals Manchester United in a last minute deadline day move.

Farke likely to be disappointed after Leeds' quiet deadline day

Heading into deadline day, Daniel Farke made it clear that he wanted to make two more additions to his squad, with the manager particularly keen to strengthen in attacking areas, having identified Facundo Buonanotte and Harry Wilson as targets.

However, the Whites were unable to get any new signings through the door, with it being widely reported the Cottagers pulled the plug on a deal for Wilson at the last minute, while Buonanotte ended up signing for Chelsea on loan until the end of the campaign.

As such, Farke is likely to be frustrated by the end to the transfer window, but the manager can take some solace in the fact he has managed to improve his squad in a number of key areas this summer, not least between the sticks.

Lucas Perri was signed as a replacement for Illan Meslier, who has been attracting interest from the likes of Rangers and Lorient, but a report has now revealed a different goalkeeper was being considered as a replacement for the Frenchman at one stage.

According to a report from Belgium (via The Daily Mail), Leeds made an approach to sign Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, but ultimately walked away from a deal when they discovered the hefty asking price.

Scouts from both Sunderland and Leeds decided against bringing in Lammens, given that it would be a risk to throw him straight in as first-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League, and he ended up joining Man United for a fee of around £18m instead.

"Elite" Lammens would've been risky signing for Leeds

Despite being described as having “elite potential” by scout Ben Mattinson, signing the former Royal Antwerp man would’ve been a gamble for Leeds, given that he is yet to prove himself in one of Europe’s major leagues.

The Belgian is just 23-years-old, meaning Perri has far more experience, and barring the trip to Arsenal, the Brazilian has made a solid start to life at Elland Road, keeping two clean sheets in his opening three Premier League games.

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Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca was also left very impressed by the 27-year-old’s performances in Ligue 1 last season, saying in March: “Right now, the best goalkeeper in the world is Lucas Perri.”

As such, Leeds made the correct decision signing the former Lyon man instead of Lammens, who has a daunting season ahead of him, with the young Belgian tasked with trying to establish himself as number one for Man United.