The 18-year-old has been crowned the winner of NXGN 2025 after excelling at club level and for the Spain national team
Jonatan Giraldez remembers, vividly, the first time he saw Vicky Lopez play. It was at Spain’s annual youth tournament for Under-12s, in which all regions participate, and his Catalonia side were up against a Madrid team led by Lopez. They lost. Why? “Because Vicky was there,” he tells GOAL, matter-of-factly. “She was the most important player at that moment in the country at under 12. She was the most promising player in Spain.”
That hype has followed Lopez around for a long time. When she was 15 years old, she made her senior debut in the Spanish top-flight for Madrid CFF, increasing the expectation. She was the star of Spain’s U17s as they reached the final of the Euros and won the World Cup in 2022, despite being the youngest player in the entire squad. At the latter, she won the Golden Ball, as she would also do at the Euros a year later. Oh, and on her 16th birthday, she was announced as a Barcelona player.
This is the sort of hype, expectation and, well, pressure that can get to top prospects in a bad way. That’s not the case with Lopez. Now 18 years old, her performances for Barcelona, the European champions, and Spain, the world champions, only show signs that she will live up to it all.
“She has the personality to cope with the pressure,” Giraldez, head coach at Barca when the teenager arrived there, says. It’s part of the reason why she ranks at the very top of the women's NXGN 2025 list.
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Young star
To ask Giraldez what stood out about Lopez all those years ago is to prompt him to reel off a near-never-ending list. “I remember she was playing in the middle, but she was able to have success in one-v-one situations, shooting with the left and with the right,” he recalls. “I remember she could put crosses in with the right and with the left, at U12 level. For [senior players], that is very, very difficult, and she could do it. I remember beautiful last passes, scoring goals, beating opponents in one-v-one, one-v-two, one-v-three [situations].
“She was leading the team even in terms of personality, in terms of position. I think the capacity that she had, in possession and out of possession, showed why she was the best in that moment. It was too easy to decide that she was the best player at her age.”
That ability to do so much so well has stuck with Lopez as she has risen through the ranks. She did not just stand out at U12 level; she has continued to in each age category, even when playing up and, most significantly, even when stepping into the senior game.
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Breaking through
That first foray onto the very highest level would come on the first weekend of the 2021-22 Liga F season. Having turned 15 in the summer, Lopez was then eligible to play in the Spanish top-flight and Madrid CFF, whom she joined in 2015, did not hesitate to give her the opportunity. Aged 15 years and 41 days, she made history as the division’s youngest-ever player.
But there was a balance to strike. Lopez was incredibly talented and, in that sense, ready to take this step into the senior game. But she was also a 15-year-old girl who had no prior experience of the level, especially of its physicality. Fortunately, her coaches understood this, even if, through her eagerness, the youngster herself didn’t always.
“She was very young and in development, so I considered that, at a conditional level, we had to do a good job with her to avoid injuries, at that time and in the future,” Maria Pry, who took over at Madrid CFF midway through that 2021-22 season, tells GOAL. “She didn't understand it at first because she always wanted to play, but I made her see that the important thing in football is to get there and stay there, and for that to happen she had to arrive without discomfort or injury.”
That is not to criticise Lopez’s attitude or character, with Pry keen to stress that she was always a player who made things “very easy” for her coaches because of how she “always wants to improve and learn”. But the right guidance is necessary with youngsters. Lopez had that in Madrid, where she made eight first-team appearances during her debut campaign, as well as 18 for the B team in the second division.
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Blockbuster move
Despite not being in the spotlight in Liga F on a weekly basis, big clubs were watching Lopez closely. Barcelona’s interest became known to Pry midway through the 2021-22 campaign and she was not surprised whatsoever by it. “She was the best young talent there was in Spain,” she explains. Lopez’s performances at May’s U17 Euros reiterated that fact and, soon enough, she would bring her seven-year association with Madrid CFF to an end. On her 16th birthday, she was unveiled as a Barcelona player.
It was a move that put Giraldez and Lopez on the same team, with the former Catalan Federation coach now leading Barca. Having followed her development over the years, Giraldez could have hardly rated the 16-year-old more highly – and yet, working with her on a day-to-day basis, he saw “much more” from her.
“For me, the biggest surprise was about her personality, to do the same things that she was doing when she was young. She could do the same things when she was working with the best players in the world,” he explained. “That was also a big surprise for me in pre-season. Being so young, she was able to do exactly the same things as the players in the first team. Usually you have to modify and do a different part of the training because they are not ready to – but she was ready.
“And the second thing, the capacity that she had, being so young, to play with the left and with the right foot. It was a big, big surprise, better than other players that in that moment were working in the first team. I said, 'Oh my God, she's brilliant'.”
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Adapting impressively
Initially signed to train and play with Barcelona’s B team, which competes in the second division, Lopez would be brought into first-team training soon enough, and by the end of her first campaign in Catalonia, she had made 13 appearances – all before turning 17 years old. That was also despite the U17 World Cup, at which Lopez won the Golden Ball after helping Spain lift the title, running through the first two months of the season.
It laid a nice foundation for her to really take off the following year – and take off she did. The teenager was with the first team for the whole campaign, and her opportunities came thick and fast as Barcelona won an historic first quadruple on the women’s side. Perhaps most impressive about her explosion into the first team was not her age or how she performed her game-changing qualities on the biggest stage, but how she adapted so quickly to the club’s unique style.
Speaking to GOAL previously about the impact of Norway winger Caroline Graham Hansen, Giraldez explained how “it is not so easy for the foreign players” to grasp the timing, the rhythm and everything that is needed to be part of Barca’s play, while marvelling at how the winger herself “had it” upon arrival. When asked about Lopez’s adaptation to this, as a player from a different youth system and one still in her formative years, Giraldez accepts that she needed to improve her rhythm a little but, otherwise, it was “easy”, because of how good she is.
“Try to do the same things, but quicker,” he says, explaining what Lopez needed to improve, and did improve, in his time with her, before he left to take charge of the Washington Spirit in the summer of 2024. “She can keep improving, for sure, but she understands that if in U16s you have one second, when you are getting older, you have half the time. So, try to do the same things and try to scan before you receive the ball, advance the decision that you were going to make with the ball, make the first touch shorter to make sure that you are going to play the next pass quicker. It's all about the rhythm and I think she's getting it.”
A dedicated group of Indy Eleven supporters completed an extraordinary 2,530-mile round trip to support their team in an away match against Miami FC in their opening league game of the 2025 USL Championship season.
The fans shared their journey on social media, with Indy Eleven shocked at their dedication. The USL Championship club said in a post, “Things you absolutely LOVE to see”.
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WHAT INDY ELEVEN POSTED
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Indy Eleven defeated Miami FC 3-1 in their USL Championship season opener. Jack Blake opened the scoring with a penalty in the third minute, Aodhan Quinn scored in the 18th minute, and Pat Hogan added the third goal in the 35th minute.
Kevin Hoyos scored a consolation goal for Miami FC in the 65th minute. Indy Eleven dominated the first half, scoring three goals before Miami FC even managed to lay a finger on them although they did respond late in the match.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Following their 3-1 win over Miami FC, Indy Eleven face Lexington SC on the road on March 22 before returning home for back-to-back home games against Colorado Spring Switchbacks FC and North Carolina FC on March 29 and April 5, respectively.
Everton are seen as the Premier League frontrunners to sign a “humble” ex-Liverpool player in January, in what could be a controversial signing.
Everton manager & transfer news
It has been another underwhelming season at Goodison Park to date, with the Merseysiders sitting 16th in the table and playing some fairly forgettable football under Sean Dyche.
For now, the current Everton manager just about looks safe in his role, but a recent report has claimed that Dan Friedkin is eyeing a manager who plays a different style of football in the long-term future, suggesting that time isn’t on the current boss’ side.
New signings are needed for the Blues, in terms of adding squad depth and quality for Dyche, and young Ajax striker Brian Brobbey has been linked with a move to Goodison. The 22-year-old has three assists in as many Europa League appearances this season, as well as scoring once in the competition.
Meanwhile, Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante is also reportedly seen as a target for Everton, with the 29-year-old starting 10 Serie A games in 2024/25 to date and possessing a huge amount of experience in the middle of the park.
Everton leading Premier League race to sign "humble" midfielder
According to Tuttosport [via Sport Witness], Everton are well-positioned to complete the signing of Arther Melo from Juventus in the January transfer window.
The Blues are described in the report as the “most concrete possibility” among Premier League clubs currently, with his agents working hard on securing a move away from his current club. Marseille are also mentioned as suitors, with manager Roberto De Zerbi an admirer of the 28-year-old.
Arthur-melo-juventus-wolves-target
The signing of Arthur would immediately catch the eye at Everton because he spent a spell at rivals Liverpool recently, being drafted in to help deal with their injury problems during the 2022/23 season.
The Brazilian ended up making just one solitary appearance for them, however, and not playing once in the league, Despite this, he still received praise from former Reds youngster Charlie Hayes-Green, who said of him:
“He was really good, a proper professional. Before the game, it was a fantastic opportunity for me to be around players who have played in such big games. He’s obviously played for Juventus, Barcelona and huge teams with huge players, being around him and how he did things was so professional. He came down, was humble, spoke to all of us and helped us in the changing room and throughout the game so it was a good experience.”
This all points towards Arthur being an astute signing by Everton, and while some could be concerned about the manner in which his career has halted a little in recent years, he has proven pedigree.
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The Toffees have scored just 10 Premier League goals this season.
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Barney Lane
Nov 21, 2024
The Juventus man has won 22 caps for Brazil, which is no mean feat, as well as playing for Barcelona in the past, and at 28, he is still far from an old player. The idea of regular time could appeal to him, so it may well be a match made in heaven.
Is it too early to say Manchester United are back? Probably, but who doesn’t love a bit of hype? It feels like an age since the Red Devils had something to smile about so we’ll let them off on this occasion.
Since Erik ten Hag’s sacking last month, United have been excellent. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s interim period in charge didn’t see Old Trafford outfit lose a single game and since Ruben Amorim was appointed, they’ve not lost either.
The draw with Ipswich a week ago wasn’t the most ideal of ways to start and there were some nervy moments against Bodo/Glimt in midweek but everything came together against Everton on Sunday afternoon.
This was arguably United’s finest performance of the season to date as they stuck four past the Toffees whose relegation-threatened woes show no sign of letting up.
So, who was the main winner from the hosts’ excellent win on Sunday? That was arguably Amad Diallo.
Man United's best player against Everton
What a win this was. Even Joshua Zirkzee found the net twice. The Netherlands international has been far from his best since arriving in the summer and these were his first Premier League goals since that late debut strike against Fulham on the opening night of the campaign.
From that moment onwards his play has been sluggish, his touch lacks any form of finesse and he has been shoddy in front of goal.
That wasn’t the story on Sunday as he and Marcus Rashford, a man reborn since Amorim came in, helped to send the home support home rather cheerfully.
They owe a great deal of thanks to 22-year-old winger Amad, however. When he signed for United it’s unlikely he saw his future as a wing-back.
After all, this is a hugely exciting winger, someone who thrives in the final third of the pitch. Well, having now played there on a couple of occasions over the last week, he’s been one of the real bright sparks of the new manager’s tenure.
He has four assists in his last four games and the display we saw from the Ivorian on Sunday was quite marvellous. He galloped forward to tee up Rashford’s second and was also the provider of Zirkzee’s second, racing away from the Toffees defence before laying the ball on a plate.
Amad vs Everton
Minutes played
90
Touches
71
Accurate passes
42/49 (86%)
Key passes
3
Assists
2
Shots
2
Successful dribbles
4/4
Ground duels won
11/14
Aerial duels won
1/3
Fouled
3x
Stats via Sofascore.
A genuine livewire, no player left the field having completed more dribbles or made more key passes than Amad.
It’s a timely return to form for the Manchester club who now head to Arsenal in midweek. They will do so without Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez who have both been suspended.
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Man United's biggest underperformer against Everton
While the likes of Rashford, Zirkzee and Amad have surely made themselves undroppable with their fine displays on Sunday, the same cannot be said of Casemiro. Is that a surprise?
The trouble is that Amorim may well start him. With Mainoo suspended Manuel Ugarte will need someone to partner him. Well, that player could well be Mason Mount who came on in the 80th minute for Mainoo.
He happened to last longer than Casemiro who was hauled off after 66 minutes having “copped some grief” from the manager in the words of journalist Samuel Luckhurst, who wasn’t happy at the Brazilian’s lack of pressing.
To visibly irk a new boss is far from ideal and after this, it would not be a surprise if he is dropped. The Arsenal midfield – chiefly Martin Odegaard – isn’t a player you can treat lightly and playing Casemiro against the Norwegian feels like a recipe for disaster.
Handed a 5/10 match rating by the aforementioned Luckhurst, the writer noted that ‘his tendency to slide in desperately was evident again’. That’s something you simply cannot afford to do against a team as good as Arsenal.
Casemiro vs Everton
Minutes played
66
Touches
47
Accurate passes
29/34 (85%)
Key passes
0
Crosses
0
Shots
0
Dribbles
0
Ground duels won
6/7
Aerial duels won
1/3
Possession lost
6x
Interceptions
1
Tackles
3
Stats via Sofascore.
From a numbers point of view, it was an alright performance, truth be told. Casemiro won seven of his ten duels and ended the game with an 85% pass success rate.
That being said, it’s not a role the likes of Ugarte or Mount can’t perform themselves while offering a better degree of mobility and pressing. They should start instead in a few days time.
INEOS must sell Man Utd dud who was one of Europe's "most exciting" talents
The Manchester United flop simply hasn’t lived up to expectations at Old Trafford.
Gio Reyna has been described as an "elusive unicorn", with the USMNT star told that he "has to get a move" away from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
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Playmaker on the bench at international level
Has struggled for regular game time in Germany
Advised to move on in summer transfer window
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The talented playmaker is still just 22 years of age, with time on his side when it comes to unlocking full potential, but struggles for form and fitness are hindering his progress with club and country. Reyna only made one cameo appearance off the bench as the United States suffered disappointing defeats to Panama and Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League finals.
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He has made 21 appearances for Dortmund across all competitions this season, but only three of those have been Bundesliga starts. Reyna has been advised to escape bench duty in Germany as quickly as possible, with a transfer required in order to get his career back on track.
WHAT STUART HOLDEN SAID
That is the opinion of ex-USMNT star Stuart Holden, who has told Alexi Lalas’ podcast: "Gio Reyna is this elusive unicorn to me. We have seen these moments and flashes of brilliance, but the reality is – and we have to start having this real conversation about him – what is his level? What is his potential? What is the ceiling?
"But first and foremost he has got to get on the field for his club team. He has to get a move in the summer. He has to figure out himself how to go through these tough moments, ride them out and be a realistic contributor.
"And, by the way, he’s not good enough from what I’ve seen that he can roll into camp after playing five minutes at the end of every single game and that he should expect to play a more meaningful role for the USMNT. I just haven’t seen it.
"Sure, he could have come on earlier in the game [against Canada] or come on against Panama and maybe had a little moment of brilliance, but I want to see something that is consistent, that is going to be there all the time and be a dependable asset, because that’s the type of player that I am going to build my team around."
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WHAT NEXT FOR GIO REYNA?
Reyna has seen questions asked of his future at club level for some time, having taken in a frustrating loan spell at Premier League side Nottingham Forest last season. He has been linked with clubs across Europe, which suggests that he will not be short of options if the decision is taken to push for a switch this summer.
The San Antonio FC season ticket holders transform the player’s walk out-tunnel at Toyota Field into a vibrant canvas every season
Season ticket members paint the player tunnel every year
Artwork features heartfelt messages and unique designs
Newly signed players also join in alongside the fans
WHAT HAPPENED
For the fifth straight season, San Antonio FC invited season ticket members to paint the player tunnel at Toyota Field, adding a personal touch to the team's pregame walkout. The club shared images of the newly decorated tunnel on social media, showcasing the fans' artistic contributions and messages of support.
This long-standing tradition goes beyond mere decoration, symbolizing the deep connection between San Antonio FC and its fanbase.
“We have a clear walk out tunnel where obviously home side comes from one, away side comes from the other. We painted it all black as a canvas and we provide paint in the colors of our crest which is red, silver and white to our members to go in and paint whatever,” associate manager of membership services Taylor Knuckles said.
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The tunnel painting project, now in its fifth year, has become a hallmark of San Antonio FC's commitment to fan engagement and community building.
This initiative has grown from a novel idea into a key annual event for season ticket holders and showcases the club's growth while ensuring that the players know that they have a strong fan base behind them.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Thanks to a superb start to their 2025 USL Championship season, San Antonio FC sit at the top of the Western Conference table. They face Lexington SC next on March 29 before hosting Phoenix Rising FC on April 6.
Queens Park Rangers are interested in signing a “really exciting” striker in the January transfer window, according to a recent report. The Rs made it five unbeaten and back-to-back wins on Wednesday night, as they beat Oxford United 2-0, a result that sees them climb to 19th in the Championship table, four points adrift of the relegation zone.
QPR considering hiring former PL left-back as new manager – report
QPR are rooted to the bottom of the Championship table after a dismal start to the season.
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By
Brett Worthington
Nov 13, 2024
QPR news and updates
It was another impressive night for QPR in front of their home fans, but it could have potentially come at a cost, as Marti Cifuentes revealed a concerning update on midfielder Nicolas Madsen after the game.
Cifuentes said: “For the second game in a row, he gets a big impact around his ankle, shin, and calf all this area. He was very painful, so immediately when he went out, he told me that he would try but that he was not feeling very confident. Hopefully, it will just be a knock, and he will be ready for Saturday.”
Despite the upturn in form in recent weeks, QPR will still have their eye on potential business for January, as they look to climb the table and not continue this fight at the bottom. It was reported earlier this week that QPR are among the teams interested in signing Louie Barry on loan from Aston Villa.
The forward is expected to be recalled from his loan at Stockport County and then sent out to a higher-level team next month. The Rs could face a difficult battle to win this race, as Middlesbrough are said to be leading this charge, and Leeds United are also interested in signing Barry.
QPR join transfer race to sign Leeds outcast According to Football League World,Queens Park Rangers are interested in signing Joe Gelhardtfrom Leeds in January, which would perhaps pave the way for the aforementioned Barry to move to Elland Road. The 22-year-old looks set to leave Yorkshire in some capacity in January, as he’s fallen way down the pecking order under Daniel Farke.
Celtic transfer target Joe Gelhardt in action for Leeds United.
Gelhardt, who earns £15,000 a week, has played just three times for Leeds this season; two have been substitute appearances in the league, which add up to a total of nine minutes of football, and the other was 63 minutes in the Carabao Cup.
It was reported earlier this week that Gelhardt is keen on joining Rangers after they made their interest clear, but Leeds were undecided as they didn’t know whether to sell the striker or loan him out. But Gelhardt has another option to consider, as QPR are also interested in signing him in January.
Joe Gelhardt’s Championship record
Apps
49
Goals
4
Assists
3
Football League World reports that the 22-year-old, who has been dubbed “really exciting” by Jamie Redknapp, is on the Rs’ radar ahead of next month, but they face plenty of competition to secure a transfer, as a host of other Championship teams are also interested. It is likely that QPR will only be able to afford a loan deal for Gelhardt, so it will depend on what Leeds want to do with the striker.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim's wife has reportedly struck up a surprise friendship with the partner of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
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New friendship blooming in Cheshire
Maria Diogo spending time with Alisson's partner
Also friends with new Man City director's wife
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Amorim might be enduring a turbulent first season at Old Trafford, but off the pitch, his wife Maria Joao Diogo appears to be adjusting to life in England in unexpected ways. According to the Portuguese manager’s spouse has reportedly developed a close and somewhat surprising friendship with Natalia Loewe, the partner of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Despite their husbands managing and playing for two of English football’s fiercest rivals, the two women are said to have grown close while settling into life in Cheshire, where their families reside.
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Adding to the growing Portuguese circle in Manchester, Maria is soon expected to welcome another familiar face to the city. Hugo Viana, who is set to become Manchester City’s next director of football, will be joined by his wife Raquel Viana, who happens to be a longtime friend and business partner of Maria. Together, the two women co-own the interior design firm Dois Tons, which they founded back in Portugal. Their business venture has now become a bridge to renewed companionship as Raquel prepares to move to Manchester, reuniting with Maria in the process.
DID YOU KNOW?
Though Maria Joao Diogo has built new social connections, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Early reports from those close to the family indicated that she initially struggled to adapt to Manchester’s notoriously gloomy weather. The frequent rain and lack of sunshine reportedly left her longing for Portugal’s warmer and brighter climate.
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WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?
While Maria's personal life begins to settle down, Amorim's professional challenges continue to mount. Manchester United are currently sitting in 13th place in the Premier League, a far cry from their usual top-four ambitions. The Red Devils face a huge test this Sunday when they welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford for one of the season’s most anticipated fixtures – the Manchester derby.
In recent years Arsenal have got a lot better at tying down their key players and ensuring they don’t leave the Emirates Stadium behind.
It wasn’t long ago that the likes of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Martin Odegaard all penned new terms to keep them in north London.
It hasn’t always been like that, however. There were the horrible days of Manchester City pillaging players from Arsenal with the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri all trading the capital for the north west.
Robin van Persie did the same, although headed to Old Trafford, and another club captain in Cesc Fabregas also wanted to seek pastures new, eventually moving to boyhood club Barcelona after a barren run without a trophy.
There’s also the classic example of Serge Gnbary, perhaps the biggest what-if story in the club’s recent history.
Why Serge Gnabry left Arsenal behind
Having made waves in the Arsenal academy, a certain Gnabry made his debut for the Gunners in 2012.
The occasion wasn’t a big one as far as the club were concerned but it was a landmark moment for the player nonetheless, starting a League Cup tie against Coventry City.
Remarkably, despite his eye-catching skillset, he only made a further 17 outings at a first-team level under the legendary Arsene Wenger.
Why, we hear you asking? Well, he had a pretty impressive crop of players to usurp with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott ahead of him on the wings and in central attacking areas. Despite that, he did his best to make an impact and did so against Swansea City when he bagged his first top-flight goal for the Gunners.
Wenger still didn’t take much of a fancy to him and following that infamous loan spell under Tony Pulis at West Brom, he decided that leaving English football behind was for the best.
Since that moment, the German talent has made Mr Wenger and Mr Pulis look rather foolish
He initially joined Werder Bremen for just £4m and then, of course, was snapped up by Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich where he has been nothing short of a sensation. Gnabry has won the league title five times, lifted the Champions League aloft and contributed 86 goals and 56 assists in 255 outings. Not bad, is it?
Gnabry’s club career in numbers
Club
Games
Goals
Assists
Arsenal
18
1
1
West Brom
3
0
0
Hoffenheim
26
10
7
Werder Bremen
27
11
2
Bayern Munich
255
88
56
Stats via Transfermarkt.
So, to repeat that error would be a mistake, surely? Well, it could well happen.
Arsenal heading for a Gnabry repeat
Over the last few years, the Gunners have had great success selling on Hale End stars for future profit. You only need to look at the deals surrounding the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Folarin Balogun and Co.
It’s not just been prominent names who have decided to flee the Emirates Stadium either. Thankfully, they have been able to entice Ethan Nwaneri into committing his future to Arsenal but the same sadly could not be said for Chido Obi Martin, their former teenage goal machine.
He departed for Manchester United over the summer after rejecting fresh terms at Colney and a repeat scenario now looks as though it’s emerging.
According to journalist Graeme Bailey this week, teenage sensation Ayden Heaven is attracting interest from a host of domestic and European outfits.
Ayden Heaven for Arsenal.
Heaven – aged just 18 – was a regular feature during the club’s pre-season preparations and then made his competitive senior bow in this term’s Carabao Cup. However, according to the report the teen has so far rejected all proposals of a professional deal.
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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Capable of playing in midfield or central defence, Heaven is versatile and offers a “highly unique” skillset in the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson. He’s also labelled the teen starlet as “fantastic”, hailing his ability in possession of the ball.
Alas, it’s suggested that Premier League big boys such as Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United all have an interest.
There are also foreign suitors in the form of Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Napoli and, coincidentally, Gnabry’s Bayern Munich.
Of course, Heaven has not made a similar impact on the first team yet as Gnabry did during the Wenger years, but a move to Germany at a young age would be eerily similar.
It must be admitted that losing such a young player would not be a blow to Arsenal’s immediate ambitions but losing Gnabry when they did wasn’t either.
The future ramifications, however, particularly considering the Gunners went on to spend £72m on Nicolas Pepe were colossal.
They cannot afford to be looking back on this situation in a few years time wondering what if again. Tying down Heaven, introducing him more to first-team life and selling for a decent fee in the future would be the wisest idea here.
Balogun, Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah serve as fine examples of that particular notion.
Arsenal can solve Saka crisis by signing "unstoppable" £60m "machine"
The incredible player could pick up some of the slack for Arsenal amid Bukayo Saka’s massive injury blow.
Jose Mourinho and Steven Gerrard “fit the bill” for Rangers, but Ally McCoist has highlighted a transfer “need” that has to be addressed at Ibrox.
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Gers need a new permanent boss
Title won under Gerrard in 2021
Portuguese hinted at Scottish role
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Gers find themselves in the market for a new permanent boss. Philippe Clement was relieved of his duties in February. Former club captain Barry Ferguson has been overseeing first-team affairs on an interim basis since then.
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Old Firm rivals Celtic are closing in on another Scottish Premiership title, with there clearly work for Rangers to do heading forward. Liverpool legend Gerrard was the last man to deliver a domestic crown to the blue half of Glasgow in 2020-21. He is out of work after leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.
DID YOU KNOW?
Mourinho, meanwhile, has admitted that he may be tempted to link up with a Scottish giant at some stage – with the outspoken former Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid boss currently in Turkey with Fenerbahce.
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WHAT ALLY MCCOIST SAID
Gers legend McCoist has told when asked if Gerrard or the ‘Special One’ would be good fits at Ibrox: “Yes, I think both could fit the bill in terms of stature and what they’d bring to the club and Scottish football in general. But they’d both need proper financial backing. The current squad just isn’t strong enough.”