This is why these supercomputers in the UK can’t tell us if football season should start back up – Evening Standard..
This round-up focuses on the latest transfer news from Liverpool and Manchester United around the web.
Liverpool’s Heavy Outlay on Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool closing in on Hugo Ekitike in huge boost for summer transfer wind.ow Liverpool aon re the brink of securing a major summer signing ahead of rivals Chelsea with a gigantic deal for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.
Key Details:
Fee: There is a £69m (€80m) guaranteed payment from Eintracht Frankfurt to Liverpool and another potential £10m (€12.5m) in add-ons. This would take the potential total deal value to £79-80m.
Profile Player: Ekitike, 23, French forward who has played previously at PSG and had a good season in the Bundesliga at Eintracht Frankfurt. He is also “relatively young and still relatively untested” in terms of consistent high output over multiple seasons, with “just one really strong season” in the Bundesliga.
Deal: Ekitike set for medical tomorrow, signs six-year contract with Liverpool.
Data Algorithms and Information: Liverpool.. The recruitment is also based on “data algorithms and information.” These metrics involvanalysingng a player’s “how many forward runs do they make,, how good are their spring,ts how much do they press from the front, how good are they with the ball,,l how many chances do they take, how many times do they get the ball in the opposition’s box.” Here is how Ekitike’s offer came to fruition based on his good data and “Good Versatility.”
Managerial Vision (Arne Slot): new head honcho Arne Slot is after ‘multi-position’ players, those who “cly play in multiple positions and adapt and build really good strike forces.” Slot’s philosophy is based on “playing two false nines”, “two 10s”, and wide men – a mutable front line.
History: This deal makes Ekitike the third-most expensive signing in Liverpool’s history, for less in guaranteed money than Florian Wirtz (100m) but more than Núñez, Van Dijk. The report reads that the likes of Van Dijk, Alisson and Dominik Szoboszlai went before him, and they “all [bring] their club more success than the money they have invested”, adding a bit of pressure to Ekitike’s success.
Total Summer Spending: Liverpool could spend as much as £295 million this summer, factoring in add-ons for players such as Florian Wirtz and Jeremy Frimpong. If Liverpool spends that, the speaker says, it means “they’ve been very successful, the individual players have been successful, they’ve all been part of what they’ve done, they’ve all won multiple Premier League Champions League, a couple of League Cups and F.A. Cups.”
What’s Next: Liverpool are not done yet in the transfer market, with an eye on “maybe selling a player or two and recycling some cash” and possibly “one or two jigsaw pieces” in addition.
Manchester United: Exits And Next Announcements
Manchester United are closing on a new arrival and have announced a big goodbye.
Key Details:
Bryan Mbeumo, the new number 10, has been confirmed with Bryan Mbeumo set to be confirmed as a Manchester United player and is set to undergo his medical and agree on deals.
Marcus Rashford Loaned to Barcelona: Marcus Rashford has moved to Barcelona on a one-year loan, with Barcelona having an option to buy.
Purchase Option: Barça have an option to buy Rashford for £26m (€30m). It represents a £40m cut from Aston Villa’s previous option.
Financial Benefits for Manchester United The loaning of Rashford out involves Barcelona paying Rashford wages “over £300,000,” a deal which helps to free up the wage bill at Manchester United.
PSR Profitability: Selling on an academy product such as Rashford for £26m would be “100% PSR profitable” for Manchester United and highlights the financial return clubs can achieve by cashing in on their homegrown players.
This briefing emphasises the proactive nature of Liverpool’s transfer policy, underpinned by data and a preference for multipurpose talents under Arne Slot, while also outlining the fact that Manchester United have to think short-term to make room in their squad and maintain some financial sanity in player sales.
