Arsenal are considering an offer to sign another high-profile striker, which could happen within these next two days, as manager Mikel Arteta and interim sporting director Jason Ayto identify alternatives to Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins.

Arsenal target centre-forward in final days of January window

This year’s winter window closes on 3rd February, so the Gunners are running out of time to get a prolific new forward through the door after long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.

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The Gunners are still searching for a new forward.

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Arteta has admitted that Arsenal want a fresh attacking option, but it is highly likely they’ll miss out on top target Watkins. Villa rejected their opening £60m bid earlier this week, and now that Jhon Duran has sealed a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, it is pretty obvious that Unai Emery will be unwilling to part company with two top strikers in such quick succession.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games	Date
Man City (home)	February 2nd
Leicester City (away)	February 15th
West Ham (home)	February 22nd
Nottingham Forest (away)	February 26th
Man United (away)	March 9th

Emery’s side also may have been unhappy at the timing of Arsenal’s offer, which was right before Villa’s Champions League win over Celtic, so relations with their Premier League rivals certainly wouldn’t have been helped.

Now, attention turns to who they could realistically acquire instead of the England international, and Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović could be an option.

The Serb is out of contract in 2026, meaning Juve have a serious decision to make about his future if they cannot agree fresh terms. Vlahovic, on a surprisingly hefty reported £313,000-per-week wage in Turin, has scored 12 goals in all competitions so far this season.

Arsenal consider weekend bid for Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović

According to journalist Rudy Galetti, writing in a piece for TEAMtalk, Arsenal are considering an offer for Vlahovic this weekend.

The ex-Fiorentina star is open to making a move to England, handing Arteta a boost if Arsenal are to submit an imminent offer for Vlahovic, who is apparently one of their top targets.

However, a potential deal is deemed complicated, given Juve have next to no time to source a replacement. The Old Lady did seal a loan move for Randal Kolo Muani earlier this window, but manager Thiago Motta isn’t convinced that he can lead the line alone as they attempt to reignite their chase for Champions League football next season.

If Arsenal can somehow persuade them to part company, Vlahovic would certainly bolster Arteta’s attack.

“I’ve been saying it for a long time,” said former Juve striker Roberto Boninsegna about Vlahovic’s quality in an interview.

“He’s strong, massive, he fills up front, he’s a reference, he’s a ‘left-footer’ full of courage. A good centre-forward.”

Sarfaraz Khan, the Mumbai batter, is recovering well from an illness and has been declared fit to resume playing.He is currently in Ranchi with Mumbai’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but was rested from their second league fixture against Services on Sunday after he pulled up unwell before the game. He was replaced in the XI by Armaan Jaffer.Related

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Sarfaraz was diagnosed with symptoms of acute kidney stones, which doctors believe can be dissolved through medication. He was briefly admitted to a city hospital but was discharged later in the day. It was precautionary, given he was in some discomfort.”The doctors are satisfied with his recovery, and [they] don’t think it will affect his cricket in any way,” Naushad Khan, Sarfaraz’s father, told ESPNcricinfo. “He’s doing fine, and should be available for the next match.”With one win and a loss in two games, Mumbai are currently fourth in Elite Group E. They next play Maharashtra on Tuesday. Each side plays six league games, with the group topper assured of a quarter-final berth.Sarfaraz has been in the form of his life in domestic cricket, and was widely tipped to be part of India’s Test squad for Bangladesh next month. In the week following his non-selection, he played a match-winning hand to help Mumbai beat Himachal to win the Syed Mushtaq Ali title in Kolkata last week.But he is expected to be part of India A’s squad for the two four-day games in Bangladesh. The yet-to-be-named squad is set to depart India on November 25.

Everything you need to know about Ian Maatsen's salary at Aston Villa

Dutch wing-back Ian Maatsen joined Aston Villa ahead of the 2024-25 season after spending five seasons with Chelsea, which included numerous loan spells. The Dutch star played for Charlton Athletic, Coventry City, Burnley, and Borussia Dortmund before finally making a permanent move to Villa Park.

Maatsen has been a perfect fit in Unai Emery's Villa side and was instrumental as Villa reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League in their return to the competition after a long absence.

He signed a six-year contract with the club, keeping him at Villa Park until 2030. Although not one of the highest-paid players in the squad, Maatsen earns a substantial salary playing for the Premier League side. Exactly how much does he earn?

GOAL delved into the numbers with Capology and found out!

*

Ian Maatsen's wages at Aston Villa in numbers

Under Maatsen's current six-year agreement with Villa, he secures a weekly salary of £100,000 ($132,128), amounting to £5.2 million ($6.8m) annually.

Player

Nationality

Weekly wages in GBP

Weekly wages in USD

Annual wages in GBP

Annual wages in USD

Ian Maatsen

Dutch

  £100,000

$132,128

£5,200,000

$6,870,669

AdvertisementAFPTop earners at Aston Villa

At Villa Park, the highest earner is Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, on loan. The English forward significantly surpasses others in the wage hierarchy.

Trailing Rashford are Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, and Emiliano Martinez, occupying the second, third, and fourth positions, respectively, with equal salaries.

Completing the list is Dutch player Donyell Malen in fifth place.

Player

Nationality

Weekly wages in GBP

Weekly wages in USD

Annual wages in GBP

Annual wages in USD

Marcus Rashford

English

£225,000

$297,289

£11,700,000

$15,459,005

Boubacar Kamara

French

£150,000

$198,192

£7,800,000

$10,306,044

Youri Tielemans

Belgian

£150,000

$198,192

£7,800,000

$10,306,044

Emiliano Martinez

Argentine

£150,000

$198,192

£7,800,000

$10,306,044

Donyell Malen

Dutch

£140,000

$184,980

£7,280,000

$9,618,937

Top 5 earners in the Premier League

While Aston Villa players earn substantial salaries, their compensation is modest compared to the Premier League's top earners. The list is predictably led by the league's most prominent figures.

Erling Haaland of Manchester City tops the list, having secured a nine-year contract that extends his stay at the Etihad until 2034. Following him is fellow City player Kevin De Bruyne, with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah ranking third.

Casemiro represents Manchester United as the fourth highest earner, while Liverpool's captain Virgil Van Dijk completes the top five.

Player

Club

Weekly wages in GBP

Weekly wages in USD

Annual wages in GBP

Annual wages in USD

Erling Haaland

Manchester City

£525,000

$693,673

£27,300,000

$36,071,012

Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City

£400,000

$528,513

£20,800,000

$27,482,676

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

£400,000

$528,513

£20,800,000

$27,482,676

Casemiro

Manchester United

£350,000

$462,449

£18,200,000

$24,047,342

Virgil Van Dijk

Liverpool

£350,000

$462,449

£18,200,000

$24,047,342

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Getty Images SportHighest paid players in the world

Despite the substantial salaries in the Premier League, neither player ranks among the top earners in global football.

Leading the list is Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time top scorer of the Champions League, currently playing for Al Nassr. He is followed by his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema.

Ex-Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez holds the third position, while Senegalese internationals Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly complete the list in fourth and fifth places, respectively.

Player

Club

Weekly wages GBP

Weekly wages USD

Annual wages GBP

Annual wages USD

Cristiano Ronaldo

Al Nassr

£3,224,935

$4,166,513

£167,696,622

$215,658,680

Karim Benzema

Al Ittihad

£1,612,468

$2,083,257

£83,848,311

$108,329,340

Riyad Mahrez

Al Ahli

£1,003,846

$1,087,460

£43,768,818

$56,547,915

Sadio Mane

Al Nassr

£644,987

$833,033

£33,539,324

$43,331,736

Kalidou Koulibaly

Al Hilal

£559,526

$722,890

£29,095,364

$37,590,281

كشف الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم “يويفا” عن الفائز بجائزة أفضل لاعب شاب في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا 2024-2025.

وتوج باريس سان جيرمان بطلاً لدوري أبطال أوروبا لأول مرة في تاريخه، على حساب نظيره إنتر ميلان الإيطالي.

واكتسح باريس سان جيرمان خصمه إنتر ميلان، بخمسة أهداف دون مقابل، على ملعب “آليانز آرينا” في ميونخ.

وتم اختيار ديزيري دوي لاعب باريس سان جيرمان، كأفضل لاعب شاب في دوري أبطال أوروبا 2024-2025.

اقرأ أيضًا | يويفا يعلن أفضل لاعب في دوري أبطال أوروبا 2024-2025

وأوضحت مجموعة المراقبين الفنيين بالاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم: “كان دوي بمثابة اكتشافٍ مذهل هذا الموسم”.

وأضافت: “لقد حقق إنجازًا مذهلاً في الأدوار الإقصائية، حيث وصل إلى النهائي وقدّم أداءً رائعًا في المباراة ليلة السبت، ليصبح أول لاعب مراهق يسجل هدفين في مباراة نهائية، من الرائع أن يكون لدينا قدوة تُشجع اللاعبين الشباب الآخرين على التألق في المستقبل”.

وقال دوي: “لا أصدق ما حدث، لقد صنعنا تاريخًا للنادي في كرة القدم الفرنسية، وفي كرة القدم الأوروبية، لقد كان موسمًا رائعًا، نحن فريق رائع جماعيًا، وقد أثبتنا ذلك، لا يزال عليّ أن أدرك أننا فزنا بدوري أبطال أوروبا وأعدنا كتابة تاريخ هذا النادي، إنه لأمر رائع حقًا”.

🏆 Désiré Doué named 2024/25 UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season 💫#UCL | @PSG_inside pic.twitter.com/WiKBQvPkzb

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 1, 2025

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah may not win the Premier League Player of the Year award, with Virgil van Dijk tipped for glory instead.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Salah told Van Dijk should win POTY award
• Egyptian has broken records this season
• Club captain imperious in defence

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Salah, who has endured a terrific run of form in the 2024-25 campaign with the Reds, ended a mini goal drought in his team's 5-1 humiliation of Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday, which sealed the Merseyside club's 20th English top-flight title. He is also the frontrunner to win the Golden Boot this year with 28 strikes to his name in 34 league appearances. However, despite his heroics for Liverpool, ex-Manchester City star Richard Dunne believes that Van Dijk has been the most influential player in Arne Slot's team and the Dutch defender should be given the Player of the Year award.

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• WHAT RICHARD DUNNE SAID

  Speaking to , Dunne said: "The Player of the Season has to come from Liverpool, and I think you have three players to pick from. Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch are the players that immediately spring to mind. The way Gravenberch moves the ball from defence into attack, his fitness and his stature have been fantastic this season.

  "People will say Liverpool would be nowhere near the level they are without Salah’s goals and assists, but for me, it has to be Van Dijk. He brings a calmness and coolness to the club. Without him in the side, Liverpool don’t have the same calibre of leadership; he’s been a standout player for them week-in, week-out, which is the decider for Player of the Season."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Salah's goal against Spurs helped him become the outright highest foreign goalscorer in the Premier League, leapfrogging City icon Sergio Aguero in the race. With 185 goals to his name, he is now fifth on the list of all-time highest scorers in the Premier League, behind only Alan Shearer, Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  Slot's men will next face Chelsea as the newly crowned English champions on Sunday in a Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester City are in pole position to sign a “sensational” defender who has a gentleman’s agreement with his club that he can leave, according to a new report.

Man City transfer news

The Blues were one of the busiest sides in Europe when it came to transfers in January, and given how things haven’t quite gone to plan since the arrivals, there could be more comings and goings when the summer transfer window opens in a few months time.

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There are a few City players whose futures are starting to come into question, as Kevin de Bruyne has yet to agree a new contract at the Etihad. Bernardo Silva is also being linked with a move away come the summer, and that may mean City need to bring in a new number 10. It’s been reported that City are seriously interested in signing Charles De Ketelaere from Atalanta, given his excellent form in Italy this season, but face competition from Manchester United.

Ederson’s long-term future at the Etihad is also under some fresh doubts, as he’s been at fault for a few goals they have conceded this season, none more so than against Real Madrid last week.

The Blues could be ready to part ways with the Brazilian as Pep Guardiola believes Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia could be a great addition for his squad. The 23-year-old has tremendous ability with the ball, which is an important quality under Guardiola.

Man City in pole position to sign "sensational" full-back

As well as a new goalkeeper and midfielder on the list, the Blues are also looking to find a long-term replacement for Kyle Walker, and according to TEAMtalk, Man City are leading the race to sign Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

The report states that Frimpong is keen on a move to the Premier League and has interest from City as well as Liverpool, but the Premier League champions are in pole position. The Blues are keen to re-sign a player they once let go, and a deal is there to be done, as Frimpong has an agreement with Leverkusen meaning that he can leave in the summer if a bid is made of around £33 million.

The 24-year-old, who has been dubbed “sensational” by The Guardian columnist Dominik Diamond, was so important for Leverkusen last season as they sealed an unexpected league and cup double. The Dutch international scored nine goals and recorded nine assists in the league, as well as three goals in the Europa League, where they reached the final.

Jeremie Frimpong’s 24/25 Bundesliga stats

Apps

22

Starts

16

Goals

3

xG

3.32

Shots per game

1.0

Assists

4

xAG

3.10

Big chances created

4

Key passes per game

1.0

Interceptions per game

0.3

Tackles per game

1.1

Frimpong is not only a right-back, but under Xabi Alonso he has become more of a right wing-back or even right-winger at times. So, if City were to sign Frimpong, it would be interesting to see where Guardiola plans to play him, as given his pace and attacking threat, he could be wasted playing just as a right-back in a four.

NSW declared 117 behind in pursuit of victory, but could go winless through first four rounds first time since 2011-12

AAP14-Nov-2022

Tim Ward ended unbeaten on 90 from only 71 balls•Getty Images

New South Wales (NSW) are on the verge of their worst start to a Sheffield Shield season in 11 years after Riley Meredith’s wickets and an all-out assault from Tim Ward put Tasmania in control in Hobart.Tasmania went to stumps on day three at 2 for 176 from 24 overs in their second innings, and with a lead of 293, with Ward leading the charge with an unbeaten 90 from 71 balls.It came after NSW declared 117 runs behind on their first innings in a desperate pursuit of victory that is now looking nigh impossible. It means that NSW will need a miracle on Tuesday to avoid going winless through their first four rounds of a season for the first time since 2011-12.On a dominant day for Tasmania, Meredith claimed four wickets in his first four overs of the day to leave Blues reeling at 5 for 74 in reply to Tasmania’s first-innings 333.The paceman had Kurtis Patterson, Moises Henriques and Matthew Gilkes all out edging before lunch, while Blake Nikitaras found fine leg while trying to hook. Meredith was unlucky not to claim five, when a ball bounced off Baxter Holt’s body and hit the stumps but the bails remained in place just before tea.Jason Sangha and Sean Abbott offered the only real fightback for Blues, both scoring 53 as they put on an 86-run partnership for the sixth wicket. But when they both fell, NSW made the call to forego a shot at any meaningful first-innings bonus points and chase the six points on offer for an unlikely win by declaring after tea. It did not pay off.Tasmania’s opener Ward crunched a 32-ball half-century, regularly cutting and cover-driving NSW’s quicks to the off-side boundary. The left-hander hit five fours through the off side in one Ben Dwarshuis over, while 15 came in another off Abbott as part of an opening stand of 84 from 57 balls with Caleb Jewell.Jewell also hit 34 off 25, and when he was bowled by Sangha, Matthew Wade took over with 41 off 34. It helped Tasmania set up for a possible early declaration with a big lead on Tuesday, with a real chance of their second win of the season.

Leeds United will be hoping that their attacking firepower can help carry them to promotion this season. The Whites have been in good form, and currently sit top of the table in the Championship, but it is not going to be a straightforward title race. Although they have a game in hand, just one point separates them and fourth place Sunderland.

Joel Piroe has been fantastic for Daniel Farke’s side this season and has ten goals and five assists in all competitions. Brendan Aaronson and Daniel James have seven goals apiece across all competitions, with Welshman James grabbing four assists and USA international Aaronson notching up two.

Incredibly, to add to the quality in forward areas, Leeds are plotting a move for another exciting striker.

Leeds target new striker

The player in question here is Southampton centre-forward Cameron Archer. The Saints attacker has only been at the club for a few months, after moving from Aston Villa in the summer, but could be on the move again.

Transfer Focus

According to an exclusive report from Football League World, the Championship leaders are ‘planning to table a new bid’ for Archer in the coming hours, after an initial bid was rejected by the Saints.

It remains unclear what type of bid the Whites will place, although the side bottom of the Premier League initially rejected a loan bid.

There is no clarity on whether Leeds will aim to sign Archer permanently or make a move on loan, just that they are ‘planning on making a new offer for the forward’ in an attempt to lure him to Elland Road.

Why Archer could be a good signing

It has certainly been a tough season for Archer in the Premier League. He has played 21 games in total for Southampton, scoring just two goals, although gave his side the lead in a game away to Arsenal. The Saints went on to lose 3-1, however.

If there is one thing that Archer could bring to the Leeds squad, it is even more goalscoring pedigree in the English second tier. He has had previous loan spells in the Championship with Preston North End and, more recently, Middlesbrough.

In that time, the former England under-21 international found the back of the net 18 times and registered seven assists in 40 appearances for both clubs. That included two goals and two assists in the same game for Boro, a 5-1 thrashing of Norwich City.

Should the Whites sign Archer, it could be a repeat of the deal to bring Chris Wood to Elland Road. He signed from Leicester City for an undisclosed fee back in July 2015, as a 23-year-old, just like Archer is.

Wood is loving life in the Premier League this season for Nottingham Forest, but really became a deadly striker as a Leeds player.

He played 88 times for the Yorkshire side, scoring 44 goals and grabbing nine assists in 88 appearances, having previously endured numerous stints across the EFL, much like Archer.

There are certainly similarities between the two players, more so than the fact they would be the same age joining Leeds if Archer was to make the move. In fact, statistical comparisons can be drawn via FBref, with the pair deemed to be similar players in the Premier League.

This season per game in the top-flight, there are clear similarities between the players, despite the fact Wood has 14 goals to Archer’s two. For example, the Saints star is averaging an expected goals tally of 0.38xG and 1.12 shot-creating actions, compared to Wood’s 0.4xG and 1.33 shot-creating actions.

Stat (per 90)

Archer

Wood

Expected goals

0.38xG

0.4xG

Non-penalty expected goals

0.31xG

0.32xG

Shots

1.9

1.91

Goals per shot on target

0.33

0.57

Shot-creating actions

1.12

1.33

Archer, a “ball-striking monster”, as football analyst Ben Mattinson described him, could be the difference maker for Leeds. He is proven in the Championship and could try and replicate what Wood did in that famous white shirt all those years ago.

Be it a loan or a permanent deal, this late move could be exactly what the Whites need to help in their quest for promotion.

Farke's next Pukki: Leeds enter talks to sign "incredibly prolific" CF

Leeds United could be about to give Daniel Farke the dream striker he’s been craving all January.

1 ByEthan Lamb Jan 31, 2025

The ECB informed the PCB on Thursday morning that they had enough fit players to field an XI

Vithushan Ehantharajah01-Dec-2022The first Test between Pakistan and England in Rawalpindi will start as scheduled today after the visitors passed a medical assessment on the morning of the match. However, changes are expected to the playing XI that England had announced 48 hours ahead of the match.The prospect of the Test being delayed arose on the eve of the match after an illness swept through the England camp, casting doubt over whether they would have enough fit players to take the field.Following emergency talks on Wednesday evening between PCB chairman Ramiz Raja and ECB officials Rob Key and Neil Snowball, along with ECB medical director Nick Peirce and team doctor Anita Biswas, a decision was made to wait until 7:30am on Thursday morning before determining whether the Test would go ahead as planned or be delayed by 24 hours. The virus had initially wiped out 14 members of the touring group including half of the 16-man playing squad, with symptoms including diarrhoea and vomiting.Related

First Test could be delayed by 24 hours

Morning decision for Rawalpindi Test as illness hits England camp

Following an assessment by Dr Peirce and Dr Biswas of the touring group, many of whom were confined to their hotel rooms on Wednesday, the results confirmed England would be able to field an XI.A joint statement from the ECB and PCB said: “The ECB has informed the PCB that they are in a position to field an XI, and, as such, the first Test will commence as per schedule today (Thursday, 1 December) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.”The make-up of the team, however, is subject to change. Captain Ben Stokes, who named his side on Tuesday, James Anderson and Jack Leach were among the worst affected, with others due to play also battling to shake off the bug. Training on Wednesday was optional with only Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope and Joe Root attending the session. All bar Jennings had been named in the initial team, along with a debut for Liam Livingstone, a recall after six years for opener Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, and Ollie Robinson.England will leave the Serena Hotel at 8am as originally planned and will name their XI at the toss, which is due to take place at 9.30am local time.

As the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park approaches, Everton have been handed a potential boost on the injury front with one player now back in training ahead of the game.

Everton injury news

There’s no denying the impact that David Moyes has made at the beginning of his second stint in charge of Everton. The Toffees have even been free-scoring at times and remain on course for Premier League survival. Liverpool will be their biggest test yet, however. The Reds have lost just one league game all season and are yet to suffer defeat on the road in the top flight.

That said, their shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup last time out should certainly hand Everton plenty of hope in pursuit of their second derby victory in a row at Goodison Park.

Everton, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from defeat of their own, meanwhile. The Toffees also suffered FA Cup defeat last time out, losing 2-0 at home to Bournemouth.

With both Merseyside rivals seeking victory, Moyes will be relieved by his side’s recent injury boost. As revealed by the manager, Vitaliy Mykolenko has now returned to Everton training and could yet feature against Liverpool.

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When asked about potential injury returns, Moyes told reporters: “He’s started some training today (Tuesday) so hopefully he could be available. That’s probably going to be the only one.”

After missing defeat against Bournemouth last time out, the left-back could be in line for an instant return to hand Everton the boost they had been hoping for.

Whether the Ukraine defender will become a difference-maker on such a big occasion remains to be seen, but the Toffees’ performance against the Cherries certainly highlighted his role.

"Solid" Mykolenko is growing in importance

There was a stage in Mykolenko’s Everton career when his importance could have been questioned, but those days are beginning to come to an end. In fact, it could be argued that the 25-year-old is growing in influence and is gradually making that left-back spot his own ahead of the experienced Ashley Young.

It’s a slow rise which has been coming at Goodison Park, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig full of praise for Mykolenko almost three years ago when he dubbed the defender’s performance against Manchester United as “solid”.

Almost three years on and whilst it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, the £58,000-a-week defender is becoming an important member of Moyes’ backline and one who could make an impact against Liverpool.

As Goodison awaits its final-ever Merseyside derby, the potential return of Mykolenko could just be the start of a week to savour in the Premier League.