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Leeds United have made a fine start to life back in the Championship this season as they have made themselves play-off contenders so far.

The Whites are currently sitting in fifth-place and have only lost two league matches in 11 outings under German head coach Daniel Farke, who was brought in to replace Sam Allardyce over the summer.

A number of players were snapped up in order to bolster the ex-Norwich City boss' squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, following their relegation from the Premier League.

Jaidon Anthony, Joel Piroe, Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow, Sam Byram, Djed Spence, Glen Kamara, Ilia Gruev, and Ethan Ampadu were all signed either on loan or on permanent deals.

Despite the side's strong start to the season, the upcoming January transfer window will provide Farke with an opportunity to improve his team again.

One player whom he must look to reignite his interest in is Genk ace Joseph Paintsil, who would thrive alongside Georgino Rutter if the talented whiz can adapt to English football.

Were Leeds interested in Joseph Paintsil?

The Athletic reported that Leeds made an offer of €10m (£8.7m) to sign the Ghana international during the summer transfer window.

It was stated at the time that the player's preference was a move to Elland Road after a transfer to Championship rivals Southampton had fallen through, due to Paintsil and Paul Onuachu – who was set to go the other way – opting against the switch.

However, the Whites were unable to get a deal over the line for the exciting forward and it has since been revealed, by the player, that it was due to reasons out of their control.

Paintsil claimed that he was not interested in a move to Southampton or Leeds as his dream is to play in the Premier League, or in one of the other major European leagues.

The £8.7m-rated whiz added that it was not about Farke's side being a 'bad' team but he could not be convinced to make the drop down to the Championship at that moment in time.

However, the German head coach could make a more convincing case to persuade the Genk star to join the Yorkshire-based outfit in January if his team are well in the race for promotion to the top-flight.

The player has confirmed that his dream is to play at the top level in England and Leeds could offer him a good chance to join a side that could be promoted to that level if they are in the play-off, or automatic, mix by the time that January comes around.

Why were Leeds interested in Paintsil?

Farke and the club may have been interested in a deal to sign the Ghana international due to his phenomenal form for Genk throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

The 25-year-old winger showcased his ability to score and create goals at an impressive rate in the Belgian top-flight and his statistics suggest that he could have been a superb addition to Leeds' squad.

Paintsil was a regular for his side over the course of the campaign as he made 36 league appearances and started 36 times, with an average of 81 minutes per outing, as per Sofascore.

The right-footed whiz was lethal in front of goal and proved himself to be a reliable option to chip in with goals at the top end of the pitch from a wide position.

He ended the Pro League season with a stunning 17 goals from out wide, with only six 'big chances' missed in total. Meanwhile, no Leeds player managed more than 13 league goals last term and no Whites ace has scored more than 17 in a season since Chris Wood in the 2016/17 term.

Paintsil also caught the eye with his ability to carve open the opposition's defence to create opportunities for his teammates. Farke's target created 12 'big chances' and assisted 11 goals in total throughout those 36 outings.

Whereas, no Leeds player produced more than seven assists over the course of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign and no Whites star has hit double figures for assists since Pablo Hernandez did (12) during the 2018/19 Championship season.

These statistics, which were described as "sensational" by Scott Coyne of the Belgian Football Podcast, suggest that the Genk magician has the quality to be a terrific forward for the club and he could thrive alongside Rutter if Farke can snap him up in January.

How has Rutter performed this season?

The French wizard has enjoyed a fantastic start to the campaign and has proven himself to be a big threat at the top end of the pitch at Championship level.

Rutter has contributed with two goals and three assists in nine league starts for the Whites so far this season and has been an exceptional creator for Farke.

The former Hoffenheim prospect has produced ten 'big chances' for his teammates and only been rewarded with three assists for his efforts.

As per FBRef, the 21-year-old maestro ranks within the top 6% of his positional peers at Championship level for xAG (0.49) and shot-creating actions (4.27) per 90.

This essentially means that there are not many players in his position who are able to create high-quality chances as frequently as Rutter.

However, there is work to do with his own finishing as the talented youngster has missed five 'big chances' to go along with his two goals, which suggests that he could be more ruthless in front of goal.

Should Leeds sign Paintsil?

Leeds should, therefore, reignite their interest in Paintsil during the January transfer window as his goalscoring record for Genk suggests that he would thrive alongside Rutter.

The 5 foot 7 talent has proven himself to be a prolific scorer from a wide position and rarely misses presentable opportunities at the top end of the pitch, as shown by his aforementioned statistics from last season.

Starts

Eight

Goals

Two

Assists

Three

Big chances created

Four

Paintsil's form this season (via Sofascore)

This suggests that the Whites target would be able to make the most of the chances that the French wizard is putting on a plate for his teammates week-in-week-out.

Paintsil's creative number also indicate that he could provide Rutter with the ammunition he needs to find the back of the net on a regular basis, if the ex-Bundesliga man can find his feet and form in front of goal during the second half of the season.

Barcelona boss Xavi made a bizarre claim that his side would be top of the league if 'big data' was to be believed.

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Barcelona steal late winBeat Celta Vigo 2-1 with stoppage-time penaltyBarca sit seven points off MadridGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Xavi spoke after the game and was critical of his side's wasted chances as they stole a narrow 2-1 victory over strugglers Celta Vigo. A resurgent Robert Lewandowski scored a brace, including a 97th minute penalty, to secure the three points. However, perhaps a little frustrated the Polish striker hasn't been able to be at his best all this season, Xavi bemoaned the number of opportunities to score they pass up.

AdvertisementWHAT XAVI SAID

Speaking after their victory, Xavi said: "We dominated. But we struggled to create in the final third. [Celta] worked so hard defensively. It's an agonising triumph, but it's welcome.

"They passed me a stat saying that, according to Big Data, we would be leaders [going] by chances created."

Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

Xavi's side have a number of players capable of producing special moments out of nothing. No more so than Ilkay Gundogan who has created 67 chances for his team-mates this season, second only to Real Betis' Isco (68). Maybe the Spanish boss has a point.

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WHAT NEXT FOR XAVI AND BARCELONA?

Xavi has made the decision to leave Barcelona at the end of the season so will be dreaming of ending his spell in charge on a positive note. They sit seven points off league leaders Madrid, who have a game in hand, and begin their Champions League knockout stage run on Wednesday against Napoli.

After Arsenal’s win over Liverpool, Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Jorginho who he revealed has been playing through pain for some time.

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• Arteta praises Jorginho for performance
• Reveals midfielder playing through pain
• Arsenal win 3-1 over Liverpool

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  After the Gunners' 3-1 win over league leaders Liverpool, Arteta praised the Italian, whose performance on the night was crucial for Arsenal leaving the Emirates with three points. The 32-year-old had not started a league game since November, and the Arsenal manager claimed that he had played through agony to aid the club while suffering from a persistent physical issue that has not been revealed by the Spaniard.

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• WHAT ARTETA SAID

  Talking to the media after the game, Arteta said [via The Athletic]: "(He was) Unbelievable. I always say that he’s an example, a role model. He’s been in a lot of pain because he’s had an issue he’s been carrying for months. He didn’t want to stop, he’s been playing with that. He’s been training, always the first one in and the last one out.

  "For all the kids at the club, if you want to look at somebody, just look at him. He’s won everything but if you ask him not to play or play one minute last week he’s happy to go there. Ask him to play 90 minutes at that rhythm and he’s able to do that. I’m really lucky to have players like this.

  "It’s a game that I had in my mind. I was imagining how much we were going to need him. He’s a really intelligent player, his biggest quality is that he makes the people around him better. He connects everybody. I think he was man of the match."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arsenal won convincingly at Emirates Stadium thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Bukayo Saka. Arsenal now sit just two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool as a result of the outcome. With two games in hand, Manchester City trail Liverpool by five points and are the clear favourite to take the lead in the Premier League until the number of games equalises.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR JORGINHO?

  The Italian has been touted by Arteta earlier as a key part of his system at Arsenal and will likely be in action against West Ham on Sunday, February 11.

Sheffield United captain Anel Ahmedhodzic has criticised Rio Ferdinand for his "clearly biased" coverage of the penalty incident against West Ham.

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Ahmedhodzic calls Ferdinand 'biased'Ferdinand believes West Ham should have had a penaltyClaims Ahmedhodzic pulls Bowen to the groundWHAT HAPPENED?

Oli McBurnie's late penalty in the 103rd minute gave the Blades a 2-2 draw with the Hammers at Bramall Lane on Sunday, and West Ham manager David Moyes was incensed with several refereeing and video assistant rulings. Essentially, it was a potential foul on Jarrod Bowen as Ahmedhodzic and the West Ham attacker grappled inside Sheffield's box. The 24-year-old Bosnian lost sight of the ball as he wrapped two hands around the England international, which caused the pair to go down. The West Ham players immediately called for a penalty, but referee Michael Salisbury decided that there was not enough in the incident to warrant a spot-kick.

TNT Sports pundits Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand both stated that West Ham ought to have received a penalty after the game. However, Ahmedhodzic retaliated against the two last night, calling the former West Ham academy graduates "clearly biased."

AdvertisementWHAT AHMEDHODZIC SAID

In a video shared by TNT Sports on , the Blades captain said: "Clearly biased. You can see in the unedited footage where he pulls me down with him which makes me lose sight of the ball. Obviously, it’s been edited to make it look like a pen to West Ham."

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Moyes was also left bemused when McBurnie was found to have been fouled by Alphonse Areola, even though the Hammers keeper was helped off the pitch as he sustained cuts on his nose and mouth, which allowed the Blades to equalise in the 103rd minute. For the Blades, the draw meant they breached the double-digit point-tally, becoming the last team to do so this season. West Ham, meanwhile, have fallen further behind Spurs in the battle for fifth and now sit within striking distance of Manchester United.

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DID YOU KNOW?

The goal by McBurnie was the latest on-record goal scored in the Premier League, overtaking Dirk Kuyt's penalty for Liverpool against Arsenal in April 2011 scored at 101:48 as per OptaJoe.

As part of Tottenham Hotspur's summer spending thus far, new boss Ange Postecoglou notably sanctioned the permanent capture of Sweden international, Dejan Kulusveski, with the 23-year-old signing on a £25m deal after spending the last 18 months in north London.

The wing wizard was originally snapped up by former boss Antonio Conte on loan from Juventus back in January 2022, with the Lilywhites having opted to bring the forward to England alongside teammate, Rodrigo Bentancur.

While Conte – and ex-sporting director Fabio Paratici – are no longer at the helm at N17, it looks as if the Premier League side are still scouring the Serie A market in order to find possible recruits, having already sealed a deal for Empoli goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario earlier in the window.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

Postecoglou and co could again look to Italy to try and secure a repeat of their Kulusevski masterclass, amid reports that the club are interested in Juve full-back, Andrea Cambiaso.

Who is Andrea Cambiaso?

According to a report from Italian outlet, Tuttosport last week, Tottenham have been named alongside Nottingham Forest as the clubs who are interested in signing the 23-year-old this summer, with the former Italy U21 international having spent last season on loan at Bologna.

As per the piece, the Old Lady are looking for a fee in the region of €20m (£17m) if they are to part ways with the former Genoa ace over the coming weeks, with the emerging talent having yet to make a first-team appearance for his parent club since making the move to Turin last year.

While Cambiaso is yet to try his hand outside of Serie A – much like Kulusveski prior to joining Spurs – the promising defender could prove to be another wise investment as far as Daniel Levy is concerned.

How good is Andrea Cambiaso?

Having splashed the cash on Kulusevski of late, the Lilywhites seemingly liked what they saw from the wide man over the last year-and-a-half, with the one-time Parma ace having warranted that strong show of faith.

Despite enduring a difficult 2022/23 campaign, the 6 foot 1 dynamo was still able to contribute a respectable haul of two goals and seven assists in 30 Premier League games, having previously registered 13 goal involvements in just 18 appearances in the competition in the tail-end of the previous season.

Lauded as "a real player" by pundit Paul Robinson, the hope will be that Kulusevski can kick on again next term now that his future is secure, with the Stockholm native having clearly shown more than just glimpses of his quality in a Tottenham shirt to date.

While making the transition to life in the Premier League from Serie A may not be easy, Kulusevski has shown the benefits of looking to the Italian market, hence why snapping up Cambiaso – who has been "on fire" of late according to talent scout Jacek Kulig – could prove a wise move.

The Juve ace notably registered three assists in the league last season during his spell at Bologna as a marker of his creative threat, having also chipped in defensively after averaging 2.6 tackles and interceptions per game – a greater record than Ben Davies achieved, for instance, for Spurs (1.5 tackles and interceptions per game).

A player who is comfortable on the ball and can easily beat a man down the flanks, the £31k-per-week machine notably ranks in the top 15% among his European peers for pass completion, as well as in the top 14% for successful take-ons.

Such traits could well help the Genoa native slot in nicely into Postecoglou's attack-minded, 4-3-3 formation, with the hope being that he can replicate Kulusevski's impact at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Everton will need to further supplement their attacking ranks this summer to hit the ground running this season, with Sean Dyche setting his sights on Southampton striker Che Adams.

Who are Everton signing this summer?

According to multiple sources – including BBC Sport – the Toffees are closing on a deal for Sporting Lisbon striker Youssef Chermiti, aged 19, who broke into first-team contention last term.

Ashley Young has already been signed on a free transfer while Arnaut Danjuma arrives on a one-year loan transfer, but a recognised and established centre-forward would also be well-received as Everton strive to avoid another season mired in relegation troubles.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

And so, Adams – who was relegated with Saints last season – is also being considered for transfer, with Football Insider revealing the Merseyside outfit have a genuine interest in the Scotland international, with Premier League rivals Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers also in pursuit.

Should Everton sign Che Adams?

Adams penned a deal with the south coast club for £15m from Birmingham City in 2019, and has scored 31 goals and supplied 15 assists from 145 outings across all competitions.

Once quirkily likened to "the ketchup bottle phenomenon" by former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl for maintaining his hunger for goals despite a concerning goal drought, Adams is the tenacious and multi-skilled striker Everton could benefit from.

He suffered an injury-disrupted campaign as Southampton fell into the second tier, but still plundered five goals and three assists from 23 starts, as per Sofascore, forging 1.7 shots and 0.9 key passes per match.

To compare this to Dyche's attacking options last term, Maupay scored once, averaging 1.2 shots and 0.3 key passes per match, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin only scored twice as he fought his own fight against injury, though did average 1.8 shots and 0.5 key passes per outing.

As per FBref, Adams is interestingly considered the most comparable player to Roma striker Tammy Abraham, and given the former Chelsea ace's dynamism and variety in attacking approach, Dyche could certainly benefit from adding a similar player to the ranks.

Abraham was once described as "incredible" by former manager Frank Lampard, and has impressed during his time in Italy, scoring 36 goals and supplying 12 assists from 107 appearances, winning the Conference League in the 21/22 campaign.

The 11-cap England international averaged 1.6 shots and 0.9 key passes per game last season and as such boasts a similar profile to Adams, which would only play in Everton's favour.

There is a cautious optimism that Calvert-Lewin will play a major role in the forthcoming campaign, and has been partaking in a new summer fitness regime to build his resilience.

The 6 foot 2 focal point will be the team's main goal-grabber if he can indeed put his medical issues behind him, and Adams could prove to be the perfect partner, offering a more dynamic, multi-faceted threat.

Abrahams once claimed that Jose Mourinho's tutelage in Rome was turning him into a "monster", and perhaps Dyche can play to Adams' strengths to a similar effect.

Sir Ian Botham has called for the ECB to offer greater rewards to counties producing first-class players through their academy system after Durham’s NatWest Blast captain Paul Coughlin rejected a new contract and opted to join Nottinghamshire.Botham did not rule out support for a football-style transfer system if satisfactory compensation figures could not be agreed.He also lambasted directors of cricket who also serve as England selectors – putting Nottinghamshire, where Mick Newell fulfils such a role, in direct line of fire.Coughlin, a combative allrounder, joins a Nottinghamshire side that has won both limited-overs trophies and is poised to return to the first division of the Specsavers Championship.Durham say they “made a substantial offer to keep his services”, but that he has decided to accept an offer elsewhere.”It was an extremely tough decision to leave Durham, but I am very excited about joining Nottinghamshire and playing at Trent Bridge,” said Coughlin.”It is a fantastic opportunity to continue my development and I look forward to working with Peter Moores and his coaching staff.”Coughlin, born in Sunderland, came through the Durham Academy, making his first-class debut against Australia A in 2012 as a 19-year-old and has since made 29 appearances in that format. He took over as captain of the T20 side this season.Newell, unabashed at Notts’ transfer success, said: “We see Paul as someone who can be influential for us in all forms of cricket and fits the type of cricketer that we want to sign.”He is a dynamic fielder, bowls quickly and is an aggressive batsman – he’s an exciting young player.”From our perspective, he is coming to a club where we have a good coaching team in place who we think can improve him as a player. We want to help Paul be the best cricketer that he can be.”It is another blow for Durham, who suffered heavy points penalties this season as punishment for having to seek a bale-out from the ECB to preserve their Division One status.Coughlin, brought through Durham’s academy system and helped through some severe injury problems, is currently injured with a side injury and won’t feature again for Durham this season.Botham, Durham’s president, said: “Following Paul Coughlin’s decision to leave Durham County Cricket Club, I would like to express my frustration at a number of issues.”Despite offering Paul – a player we have nurtured through our academy system and someone we hold in extremely high regard – a very competitive contract extension, our devoted support during periods of injury, continuous development and leadership opportunities; the player has chosen to leave Durham.”I respect Paul’s right to move clubs and understand that players at certain times in their careers may want to move on.”However, it’s without question that our second division status, points penalties and difficult financial situation has created an opportunity for rival counties and intermediaries to unsettle players with promises of first division cricket, greater England opportunities and immediate financial reward.”It concerns me that the current arrangements within cricket do not reward counties that invest in academies and produce exciting young English players.”Botham promised that Durham would be at the forefront of the fight to win greater financial compensation for counties who produce their own players – and did not rule out support for a transfer system if suitable compensation was not possible.He went on: “The ECB is currently reviewing its partnership agreement with the counties and Durham will be making strong representations to properly reward those that invest in the development of local talent.”They need to introduce a transfer or similar system of compensation, to remove the potential for conflict of interest by preventing serving directors of cricket acting as selectors and to better regulate the behaviour of agents.”Durham receive about £100,000 as a direct grant from the ECB towards the running of their academy which despite stringent cost controls costs about £230,000 a year.As transfers become increasingly common, clubs with a strong commitment to producing players within their own community are increasingly exasperated.Durham’s promotion ambitions were scuppered by a 48-point penalty, although they have put together a decent run of form as the season has gone on.”In the meantime, Durham will devote all of its available resources to putting together a squad of players that are committed to the club and share our ambition to return to the first division and winning trophies,” Botham said.”We are currently negotiating with a number of players, domestic and overseas with a view to returning to the top flight next season.Durham’s academy has been marked as outstanding by the ECB and no fewer than 75% of the 1st XI squads in 2016 were drawn from north-eastern communities.

A new possible transfer target has emerged for German head coach Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool during the summer transfer window…

What's the latest Liverpool transfer news?

According to Foot Mercato, the Reds are one of the teams named as a potential suitor for Zenit attacker Malcom ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The report claims that the Premier League side 'appreciates his profile' and that the Brazilian forward is expected to move on from the Russian club over the coming months.

French giants Paris Saint-Germain were interested in signing the 26-year-old dynamo during the January transfer window and the player is said to be hoping that they come back in for his services this time around.

Liverpool have made two additions to their squad so far this summer as Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have arrived to bolster their options in midfield, with this latest rumour suggesting that the attack could also be strengthened.

What happened to Malcom at Barcelona?

The Zenit winger joined Barcelona for an initial fee of €41m (£35m) in 2018 and only made six LaLiga starts, in which he plundered one goal to go along with two assists, as the exciting attacker failed to nail down a regular starting berth.

His disappointing debut campaign with the Spanish giants led to him joining his current club in the summer of 2019, where the two-cap Brazil international has been able to thrive on the pitch.

Malcom's incredible form for Zenit last season suggests that the potential is there for him, as a left-footed right winger, to be a dream alternative to Mohamed Salah for Klopp at Anfield.

There is no doubt that the Egypt international is the manager's star attacker as the former Chelsea man registered 19 goals and 12 assists in 37 Premier League starts, with no other Liverpool player able to match his tally in either statistic.

The 31-year-old superstar also topped the charts for league goals (23) and assists (13) for the Reds during the 2021/22 campaign, which highlights his importance to the side as their main attacking threat.

Malcom, whose season was described as "sensational" by journalist Graeme Bailey, showcased his quality with a staggering 23 goals and seven assists in 27 Premier Liga appearances last term.

The 26-year-old averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.95, which would have placed him top of the Liverpool squad, and created 2.3 chances per match for his teammates – a tally on Trent Alexander-Arnold (2.8) bettered for Klopp's men, which indicates that the former Bordeaux gem could be a terrific rotational player for the English giants.

Therefore, the £108k-per-week phenomenon has been a prolific scorer and creator for the Russian outfit, whilst also being able to deliver consistently exceptional performances from the right wing.

Given his struggles with Barcelona, it is hard to judge whether or not Malcom is capable of replicating his exceptional displays in a major European league. Although, the goalscoring whiz is five years older than he was at the time of the move to Spain, which could mean that the maturity is there for him to handle another big transfer this time around.

His outstanding contributions for Zenit in recent seasons suggest that the potential is there for him to be a delightful alternative option to Salah, for Klopp to use in cup competitions or as a rotation option in the Premier League, as a left-footed right winger who can score and create chances on a regular basis.

This is why Liverpool must take a calculated gamble on the former Barcelona prospect this summer with the hope that his performances translate to success in England.

It looks as if Mason Mount may not be the only midfield addition at Manchester United this summer, with the Red Devils reportedly eyeing a move for Southampton sensation, Romeo Lavia.

What's the latest on Lavia to Man United?

According to 90min, the Old Trafford outfit are still seemingly keen on strengthening in the centre of the park despite the recent £60m capture of Mount, with young Lavia said to be among the options being considered by Erik ten Hag.

While the report suggests that the signing of a new striker and goalkeeper remains the 'priority' for the former Ajax boss ahead of next season, a move for a player like the Belgian teenager – who has been valued at around £50m – could also be considered.

This comes amid a similar piece from Manchester Evening News which also revealed that Ten Hag is contemplating whether to make a second midfield signing, with the 19-year-old maestro believed to be being 'monitored' at present.

Who is Romeo Lavia?

The former Manchester City youth star – who made the move to St Mary's on a £14m deal last summer – was arguably one of the breakout stars of the 2022/23 campaign despite his side's eventual relegation, having been tipped to be a "top player" in the future by international colleague, Kevin De Bruyne.

Also regarded as a potential "leader" for his country and for a top Premier League club in the years to come – in the words of talent scout Jacek Kulig – Lavia has already made a strong impression during his embryonic senior career, having also earned notable praise from United legend Paul Scholes last season:

"He has got a pass in his locker and he is big and strong and likes to defend. He does not want to get forward too much and sits in-front of the back four and sets the play in motion from there."

As has previously been suggested, Ten Hag is believed to view the youngster as a potential successor to experienced Brazilian, Casemiro, in that defensive midfield role at the Theatre of Dreams, with further midfield depth also needed amid the uncertainty surrounding the futures of both Fred and Scott McTominay.

To be able to bring in such a highly-regarded wonderkid could have the adverse effect of harming one of United's own teenage gems, however, in the form of Kobbie Mainoo, with the 18-year-old Englishman potentially set to see his chances of game time hampered as a result of Lavia's possible arrival.

The "exceptional" talent – as described by MEN journalist Steven Railston – enjoyed a handful of outings in Ten Hag's senior set-up last term, with the expectation being that he will earn a permanent promotion to the first-team ranks moving forward.

A midfielder by trade – who operated in a deeper role in front of the back four during the club's glorious FA Youth Cup run in the 2021/22 season – Mainoo may then find that pathway blocked by the addition of Lavia, with it likely that the United boss would be more prone to handing minutes to a £50m, marquee signing, rather than a promising academy talent.

Of course, there may be hope for the Stockport native to ply his trade in a more advanced midfield berth, although the increased competition that would be provided by the Southampton star's arrival could prove to be bad news for his development.

The Portugal international arrived to much fanfare over the summer, but has only found the net in one game thus far and fallen out of the line-up

After just about surviving his first season at Paris Saint-Germain, all eyes were on how Luis Campos would rebuild at one of Europe's most demanding clubs. The French champions' lead football advisor relieved manager Christophe Galtier of his duties and sold Neymar, while he did not stand in the way of Lionel Messi departing either.

After hiring Luis Enrique, his reported fourth choice to replace Galtier, Campos went about assembling a new-look squad. One of his first moves was to sign Goncalo Ramos on a loan deal from Benfica with an obligation to buy. Although they didn't send the Portuguese side a cent this summer, Ramos will someday cost the Parisians up to €80m.

On the surface, it made some sense. PSG were rife with uncertainty in regards to Kylian Mbappe's future, but knew they were moving on from Messi and Neymar. A forward — of any description — was necessary. However, Ramos wasn't the only attacker to walk through the entrance door at Parc des Princes during the transfer window.

Of the 11 signings Campos sanctioned in a that three-month period, six were attacking players who would be made available to Luis Enrique in 2023-24. That doesn't include Xavi Simons, who was immediately loaned out to RB Leipzig but is expected back at some stage. Factor in that Mbappe eventually opted to stay, and suddenly the cupboard was far from bare.

Someone was bound to become a spare part, and right now that looks to be Ramos. The obligation to pay an initial €65m (£57m/$70m) already feels like an unnecessary financial burden that will need to be dealt with in the coming months, and is a sign that despite claiming to be more sensible spenders, PSG remain prone to the odd reckless investment as they search for a winning formula that will work outside of France.

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  Signing that made sense

  In the summer of 2022, when PSG drew up their summer target list, they included a number of big names. Manchester City's Bernardo Silva was reportedly in there. So too was Gianluca Scamacca, who eventually joined West Ham. With both players off the market, PSG turned to Ramos.

  And in many ways, it made sense, as the Parisians needed a central striker. With Messi and Neymar no longer out-and-out goalscoring threats, and Mbappe insisting on having a No.9 to play alongside rather than be deployed there himself, Ramos, who had scored seven goals as a 21-year-old in the shadow of Darwin Nunez for Benfica, seemed an investment for both the present and future.

  Campos, who had deep connections to Portuguese football, pushed for the move. But it never materialised, and the Parisians instead bought Hugo Ekitike — a talented but raw striker who had bagged 10 Ligue 1 goals for Reims the previous season.

  That sequence of events eventually benefitted Ramos immensely. The forward was handed another year of development in his homeland, and scored 27 goals, leading the Primeira Liga in non-penalty goals, and averaging 0.79 non-penalty xG per 90 minutes.

  But it was at the World Cup where he really turned heads. Portugal famously benched misfiring captain Cristiano Ronaldo for their last-16 clash with Switzerland in Qatar. In his stead, Ramos exploded, bagging a hat-trick that included a thumping near-post finish for one of the goals of the tournament.

  That showing made him one of 2023's hottest transfer targets. At various points, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich were all said to be interested. PSG, though, had already done the groundwork, and were always likely to beat the other interested parties.

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  A poor start

  Ramos' start to life at PSG has been mixed, at best. His full debut, the Parisians' 0-0 draw with Lorient to open the season, was marred by missed chances and underwhelming sequences. The striker was handed his side's best opportunity of the day, but nodded wide in the 78th minute to spoil what would have been a dream beginning in Paris.

  He started the next fixture, another draw in which he failed to score, and has since drifted in and out of the starting XI. His only goals in a PSG shirt have come in the 4-0 thrashing of Marseille. In his first Classique, the Portuguese replaced the injured Mbappe, and was arguably more effective than the France captain on the day, bagging a brace and leading a famous rout of their old rivals.

  This isn't a player who has forgotten how to score altogether, though. Ramos has been effective for his national team, fitting into the same side as Ronaldo — the man he once replaced — to great effect. He has found the net three times in his last two games for the Selecao, showing the kind of cutting edge that saw him become so coveted by most of Europe's best just six months ago.

  Still, for all of this success in a national-team shirt, domestic goals have proved elusive. Ramos has put just 31 percent of his shots on target, putting him in the 19th percentile among Ligue 1 forwards, according to while he is also slightly under-performing his expected goals. Something just isn't clicking.

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  Competition up front

  Ramos' struggles have only been amplified by the depth in the squad that has been built around him. Luis Enrique's initial flirtations with Marco Asensio, a free signing from Real Madrid, as a No.9 seemed guaranteed to budge the glut of PSG's other striking options out of contention. But when the Spaniard picked up an injury, a chance emerged.

  It was, at first, Ramos' spot to lose, but he swiftly played himself out of contention. Randal Kolo Muani now appears to have the central spot nailed down, with Mbappe on one wing, and Ousame Dembele on the other. And when Luis Enrique shifts to a 4-2-4 formation — something he has experimented with to varying degrees of success — both Bradley Barcola and Lee Kang-in have had their names called before Ramos.

  And while none of the Parisians' attackers have truly hit a groove in front goal, the Kolo Muani and Mbappe link seems to be working. There is, of course, the French connection there, as Mbappe and Kolo Muani have formed a solid partnership up front for the national team, and Mbappe made it clear that he wanted to play alongside a more recognisable central striking force.

  Additionally, the Kolo Muani is slightly more suited to that need than Ramos. He is more comfortable drifting into wide areas, or running channels, while he is also a sharp passer, and tidy with the ball at his feet, especially given his size.

  Things get even trickier for Ramos when the manager opts for an extra attacking player. That system typically requires Mbappe and Kolo Muani to occupy the two central roles, leaving four players to fight for spots out wide — an area of the pitch in which Ramos simply doesn't excel.

  Luis Enrique will, of course, have few complaints about the depth of his squad — and Ramos has not been frozen out entirely. But, for now at least, he finds himself far down his manager's pecking order.

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  Not playing to his strengths

  Many attacking players tend to have their favourite spots in the final third. For Mbappe, it's the left corner of the 18-yard box, ideally cutting onto his right foot. For Mohamed Salah, it's the same space, but on the right side. Cristiano Ronaldo typically drifts to the far post. Erling Haaland sort of makes the whole penalty area his, such is his size, tenacity, and general obsession with finding the net.

  Ramos' favoured area is highly-specific. He, in fact, scores the same goal a lot of the time. Of his 27 goals in all competitions last season, 19 came from inside the six-yard box. A large chunk of those resulted from runs across defenders, and ensuing one-touch finishes at the near post. It was a near-perfect formula for Benfica, who utilised the pace and crossing ability of Alex Grimaldo to find Ramos as he made that signature dart in front of opposition centre-backs. Portugal caught on, too, with one of Ramos' treble against Switzerland coming in a similar manner.

  Unfortunately for him, it's not the kind of move that PSG piece together. In general, the full-back on the left side of the pitch offers cover for Mbappe — and is seldom asked to get forward. And if there is any space at the near post, it is Mbappe's to exploit. That run, Ramos' go-to dart, is almost impossible for him to make. His preferred spot is rendered unavailable by the very nature of his most talented team-mate's playing style.

  Luis Enrique has admitted that Ramos isn't always the best fit for his team, either. "He moves very well. It's true that we're not a team that crosses a lot so maybe we don't see his best statistics, but he's a top player, who does a spectacular job," he said before PSG's recent win over Brest. In the most measured way possible, his own manager admitted that his big-money signing simply isn't the right fit.