Leeds United have been linked with a couple of former players in recent Leeds United transfer news. The most recent to pop up on the rumour mill is Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook, who left the Elland Road giants back in 2016.
Football Insider reported Bournemouth have slapped a £15 million asking price on the 23-year-old midfielder.
The Cherries, who have already lost Nathan Ake this window, could see several more key players leave as the club looks to bring in transfer revenue after their relegation.
Former England international Danny Mills thinks Cook would be a great signing, but he has tried to calm expectations with his comments to Football Insider.
Mills said, “I would like to see him back at Leeds because he is a quality player.
"But I am not convinced that Leeds are going to do an awful lot in the transfer market because Bielsa likes a small tight squad. He will not want anybody to leave, that will be very important.”
A squad overhaul seems unlikely from Marcelo Bielsa, though recent reports suggest Leeds will be slightly more active than Mills expects.
The BBC pundit continued, “I think they will add two or three players maximum. I do not think there will be an influx like everybody thought there would be despite all of the money that is now available.”
There’s no question Cook would be a great signing for the Whites, though they have other options if they wish to add to their midfield including a fellow former player.
Whites Preparing Rodrigo Bid
Leeds are going to make their first bid for Valencia striker Rodrigo according to Spanish outlet AS.
This is a transfer story that has rumbled on over the last few days, but it appears there’s something in it with Leeds set to make an offer to Valencia.
The Spanish club are looking to sell this summer to raise funds – Rodrigo is one of several first team players who could be the out the door.
Per AS’ reports, Bielsa has asked Leeds to sign Rodrigo and their first offer will be around the £22 million mark.
Spanish sources confirm Leeds interest in £30 million rated Valencia striker Rodrigo #lufchttps://t.co/q4YbMKRjzV
Valencia supposedly do not have a fixed price in mind for the Spanish forward, though Leeds could face competition from Atletico Madrid who had a bid rejected earlier this year.
A move for Rodrigo is still considered a long shot by The Athletic’s Phil Hay, and Rodrigo’s lingering knee injury is clearly a concern.
Leeds need any signings to be able to help them straight away – spending big on a player with injury issues doesn’t make much sense.
This won’t be the last we hear of this transfer story. The Rodrigo saga could rumble on for weeks to come.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo*
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
One of the biggest pieces of Leeds United transfer news so far sees Manchester City defender and England international John Stones linked with a move to the club.
Stones has fallen out of favour at Manchester City, and it seems likely Pep Guardiola would let him leave in this transfer window. The signing of Nathan Ake from Bournemouth has pushed Stones further down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium.
Leeds aren’t the only club to be linked with Stones, however.
Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham have all been rumoured to have an interest in Stones, a player who has failed to live up to his potential at Manchester City after his big-money move from Everton.
Ex-Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes Marcelo Bielsa could bring the best out of Stones, as reported by Leeds Live.
Robinson said, “He’s clearly not in favour at Manchester City at the moment and with the way Bielsa likes to play – with centre-halves having to be comfortable with the ball at their feet – and he certainly fits that criteria.”
It wasn’t all positive from the former Tottenham shot stopper.
He had some concern about Stones’ defensive ability saying, “But in the Championship Leeds conceded too many goals through defenders taking risks – John Stones is a player who takes too many chances and gets caught too often.”
Improving the defence is important for Leeds as they prepare for their return to the Premier League. They have also been linked with a permanent move for Ben White, but are yet to meet Brighton’s asking price.
Leeds Aim To Re-Sign Former Star
Leeds are keen to re-sign Ronaldo Vieira according to Il Secolo XIX.
It was reported Leeds were one of several Premier League clubs who sent scouts to watch the Sampdoria man last month with an eye on signing him before the start of the 2020-21 season.
Burnley, Southampton, Leicester, Everton and West Ham are also interested in Vieira, who Leeds sold for just under £8 million in 2018.
Andrea Radrizzani described Vieira as a ‘great player’ when Leeds sold him and admitted it was a ‘sacrifice’ to help balance the books, per BBC Sport.
After breaking onto the scene for Leeds United, Ronaldo Vieira was sold to Sampdoria in the summer of 2018 for €7.1 million, replacing the outgoing Lucas Torreira.@VitoCDoria takes a look at Vieira’s development in Italy so far.https://t.co/JBYJlo39Ggpic.twitter.com/8CfMRcAmrG
The Italian press reports Vieira could be available for somewhere in the region of £9 million, a reasonable fee for a Premier League club and markedly less than the cost of several others they have been linked with.
Although the Elland Road hierarchy clearly rate Vieira highly, they may prioritise central defence and attack before adding a midfielder like Vieira.
Still only 22 years old, Vieira has developed during his time in Italy and has made 44 Serie A appearances across the last two seasons.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo*
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
Securing promotion to the Premier League is the dream for every Championship club at the start of each season but only three clubs can reach the promised land each year.
However, records show that only 50% of promoted clubs manage to avoid relegation in their first season in England’s top flight. That in itself shows the gulf in class between the Premier League and the Championship.
As the Big 6 have strengthened their grip on the Premier League in recent times, promoted clubs have failed to compete at the top of the table.
Without further ado, it is time to look at the best performing promoted clubs. Could one of the 2020/21 Premier League promoted sides challenge to break into these rankings?
5) Sunderland
Having secured one of the best ever Championship seasons, Sunderland were expected to do reasonably well under manager Peter Reid in the Premier League.
But the Black Cats exceeded all expectations as they finished seventh – four places clear of arch rivals Newcastle United. The likes of Kevin Kilbane and Steve Bould played key roles for Sunderland having joined the club ahead of 1999/00.
Kevin Phillips was outstanding, notching an incredible 30 Premier League goals to finish as the league’s top scorer. In addition, his tally was enough to ensure that he became the first Englishman to win the European Golden Boot award.
4) Ipswich Town
One year after Sunderland’s exploits, Ipswich went even better. The Tractor Boys were the surprise package in their debut campaign, finishing fifth despite making a limited number of changes to the squad.
Richard Wright and Titus Bramble went on to enjoy solid Premier League careers but it was Marcus Stewart’s 19 goals that really helped Ipswich to climb the table.
Incredibly, Ipswich finished the campaign just four points behind second-placed Arsenal. It was an astonishing achievement given the club’s stature but the Tractor Boys failed to cope with qualifying for the UEFA Cup as they were relegated in 2001/02.
3) Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn earned promotion despite finishing as low as sixth in the second tier. However, Rovers saved their best form for the postseason and it was enough to go up to the Premier League.
Club owner Jack Walker moved to invest heavily in the club, bringing in the likes of Graeme Le Saux and Stuart Ripley. However, Alan Shearer was the biggest draw of all.
Shearer missed half the season but notched 16 goals in 21 matches to help Blackburn to fourth in the table. While Rovers missed out on Europe, they more than made up for it by winning the Premier League title two years later.
2) Nottingham Forest
Forest defied the odds to finish third in 1994/95 – which still ranks as the joint-best finish for a newly promoted side from the Championship. Having been relegated two years earlier, most fans expected Forest to struggle.
The City Ground faithful saw Forest hit the ground running straight away, avoiding defeat in 11 consecutive matches. Stan Collymore scored 22 goals as Forest qualified for Europe, an impressive haul that earned him a move to Liverpool.
With Collymore gone, Forest failed to hit those lofty heights again. The two-time European champions will be a popular pick in 2020/21 Championship betting odds.
1) Newcastle United
Newcastle earned respect from Premier League fans for their efforts in 1993/94, with Kevin Keegan’s men given the nickname ‘The Entertainers’.
Having finished clear as second tier champions, the Magpies were optimistic of avoiding relegation in the Premier League but nobody expected Newcastle to finish third in the table after a fantastic campaign – particularly in the final third.
Peter Beardsley and Andy Cole formed one of the Premier League’s most dangerous striker partnerships, scoring a combined 55 goals that season. Keegan’s men broke a number of club records and will be remembered for their entertaining style.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Charles Dharapak / AP Photo*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
Boxing is one of the toughest sports on the planet. Not for the faint hearted, you have to be made of pretty stern stuff to engage in physical combat in the boxing ring.
Only the best fighters will go on to achieve greatness in the sport, though some fighters are determined to put on a show while going about their business.
You can be a great champion without putting on a show. The likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr and Wladimir Klitschko were ruthless but neither fighter stood out for entertainment value.
Here, we have a go at ranking the 10 most exciting fighters in boxing. If you want to be on the edge of your seat while boxing betting, these are the fighters to follow.
10 - Artur Beterbiev
Now 34 years old, Beterbiev has dominated the light heavyweight division for some time. Since claiming the IBF world title in 2017, Beterbiev has dealt with each challenge thrown his way.
Although not the most technical boxer in the world Beterbiev is incredibly powerful and his 100% win by knockout rate puts him in an elite group of fighters.
Beterbiev showed his class when beating the undefeated Oleksandr Gvozdyk last year – a victory that confirmed his status as the best light heavyweight in boxing.
9 - Dillian Whyte
With 18 of his 29 wins coming by way of knockout, Whyte is certainly capable of producing a highlight reel moment for heavyweight boxing fans.
In play betting odds had Whyte as the clear favourite against Alexander Povetkin before the Russian landed a stunning uppercut to claim victory. At heavyweight level, that is always the risk.
However, Whyte can avenge that defeat with success in the rematch. The wait for a world title fight goes on but Whyte remains one of the biggest power punches in boxing.
8 - Terence Crawford
For the boxing purist, Crawford is arguably the most technical boxer in the world. With fast hands, intelligent thinking and reliable defence, Crawford is an exceptional fighter.
Crawford has been there and done it all in three different weight classes. While you could claim that Crawford has yet to fight a superstar, he is still very exciting in the ring.
Should Crawford, unbeaten in 36 professional fights, beat Manny Pacquiao or Errol Spence Jr in the near future, he may rank even higher on boxing lists in the future.
7 - Manny Pacquiao
A true legend of the game, Pacquiao has been around for longer than any of his rivals on this list. If you want to learn more about boxing, watch Pacquiao’s fights.
Pacquiao has won a world title in eight different weight classes over the years and he is still one of the most consistent fighters around, even at 41 years old.
According to reports, Pacquiao could be set to take on four-weight champion Mikey Garcia next year and that would be a mouth-watering bout for boxing fans around the world.
6 - Oleksandr Usyk
Having turned professional in 2013, Usyk has gone from strength to strength in recent years and dominated the cruiserweight division – winning his first world title in his 10th bout.
Usyk decided to make the step up to heavyweight after unifying the division in 2018 though he has made just one appearance in the ring since then.
The Ukrainian oozes confidence and cruises through his fights before landing a devastating combination quick as a flash. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Usyk competing for the world heavyweight title in the near future.
5 - Katie Taylor
Taylor has helped to put women’s boxing on the map and the Irish fighter is a destructive figure in the sport. At the time of writing, she has a 16-0 record with six knockouts.
Already the undisputed world lightweight champion, Taylor has achieved greatness during her professional career. However, she is targeting more success in the coming years.
Keep an eye out for Taylor in sports betting odds ahead of her next bout. She is regarded as the best female boxer on the planet and the sky is the limit.
4 - Naoya Inoue
Inoue has been involved in some fantastic fights throughout his career, none more so than the 2019 Fight of the Year contender with Nonito Donaire.
Some way clear as the best bantamweight boxer on the planet, Inoue has fans on the edge of his seat whenever he steps foot in the ring. He is an absolute joy to watch.
Now promoted by Top Rank, Inoue will be fighting in the United States of America in the near future. A move up to the next weight class could be on the cards…
3 - Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez
Canelo has fought some of the greatest fighters in modern times, defeating the likes of Miguel Cotto and Daniel Jacobs. Oh, and he also claimed victory against Gennady Golovkin in one of the best fights in boxing history.
The only loss on his record came against the legendary Floyd Mayweather Jr though many believe that bout came too soon for Canelo. The Mexican was just 23 years old.
Alvarez defies logic with his performances in the ring – he is the super middleweight master but could arguably defeat anyone at middleweight and light heavyweight.
2 - Vasyl Lomachenko
Widely regarded as the top pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, Lomachenko has taken his game to new heights since turning professional in 2013.
Hailed for being one of the greatest ever amateurs, Lomachenko won gold at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012 – and he is now the king of the lightweight division.
In terms of athleticism, Lomachenko is up there with the best in the business and he rarely makes a mistake. A real expert of his trade, Lomachenko always puts on a show.
1 - Tyson Fury
Lomachenko comes close to top spot but Fury’s comedy value puts him clear as the most entertaining fighter in boxing. From press conferences to in-ring antics, Fury is an iconic figure in the sport.
Responsible for some of the greatest boxing quotes, Fury has defied the odds throughout his career but he is now back to being at the top of the heavyweight division.
While some would argue that there is no room for showboating in boxing, Fury has the tactical nous and physical strength to pull it off.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Adam Hunger, Archivo / AP Photo*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
QPR star Eberechi Eze has been linked with Leeds in the past and the latest Leeds United transfer news features a major update on his future.
Eze was left out of QPR’s matchday squad for their Saturday friendly with AFC Wimbledon, following the match, QPR boss Mark Warburton suggested Eze could be on the move in the not too distant future.
Warburton said, “He’s a QPR player but there are a few bits and pieces going on.”
Back in July it was reported by The Sun that Leeds were interested in Eze. According to reports, Leeds told QPR in January they would make a bid of around £20 million in the summer if they got promoted.
With their Premier League status secure, Leeds are one of several clubs keen on Eze.
Tottenham and fellow newly promoted side Fulham have both been featured in Eze transfer news this summer. Fulham, per Sky Sports, are the most likely team to meet QPR’s valuation.
Warburton did not mention which teams have been in touch, but he implied there could be movement in the next few days.
The QPR manager said: “We look after all of our players. It was the right decision [not to play him] today and we’ll see what happens in the coming days.”
Gerrard Gives Leeds Hope Of Signing Kent
With a £10 million bid rejected in the week, Leeds’ hopes of signing Rangers winger Ryan Kent took a major blow. Rangers manager Steven Gerrard was clear about his plans to retain the former Liverpool speedster.
This saga took another twist with Gerrard giving the impression that Kent has a release clause.
The former England international said, as reported by Leeds Live, said, “Every player has different things in their contracts, that's just the way it is.
"Negotiations take place between each individual and the club and it's not my place to divulge what is in an individual's contract."
Gerrard continued, mentioning that Kent’s future will ‘probably be taken out of his hands’.
Marcelo Bielsa has been desperately looking to add more wing options to his squad, and it appears Leeds have a clear path to signing Kent if they choose to.
Highly regarded football journalist Guillem Balague reported on his YouTube channel that Rodrigo is open to the possibility of a move to Elland Road according to HITC.
Balague became the latest person to praise Leeds’ work in transfer market saying, “I’m sure the wages Leeds could offer would match and improve the ones from Valencia.
"For Leeds it makes complete sense – intelligent, hard worker, desiring the success of the collective. We will have to keep an eye on it. We are still in the early stages in terms of club conversations.”
He added that ‘Rodrigo likes the idea of Leeds’. The Spaniard would certainly be an exciting addition to the Leeds squad and bring crucial versatility in the final third.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo*
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
One of Leeds’ main transfer targets has been compared to two of the greatest players of the modern era. Rafael Leao, who featured in yesterday’s Leeds United transfer news, is one of several strikers linked with Leeds.
Both Milan’s head coach Stefano Pioli and director Paolo Maldini have heaped praise on the Portuguese starlet with the pair clearly desperate to keep him at the club.
Pioli has claimed Leao has ‘incredible potential’ and he’s clearly a key player as Milan look to return to the top of Italian football. If Leeds do pursue a move for 21-year-old, he won’t be cheap.
Leao has drawn comparisons with both Ronaldos from his former Sporting coach who deemed him better as a youngster than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of all the players linked with Leeds, few are as exciting as Leao, but it will take something special for Milan to let him go.
Merson Urges Leeds To Replace Bamford
Paul Merson is worried about Leeds’ ability to avoid relegation if they don’t sign a striker. Writing in his column for the Daily Star, Merson had greater faith in Fulham staying up than he does in Leeds.
Merson said, “It’s Leeds I worry about if they don’t sign a striker. I don’t see how they survive. I don’t see Patrick Bamford scoring the goals Mitrovic will.”
Luckily for Leeds fans, the latest transfer news suggests Marcelo Bielsa is doing all he can to bolster his goal scoring options for the upcoming campaign.
Merson clearly thinks a new centre forward should be of the utmost priority of the Yorkshire-based club, adding: “If Leeds can get a top quality forward, they might be okay. But that’s where Fulham have such an advantage.”
Patrick Bamford was Leeds’ top scorer in the Championship with 16 goals, but he missed a lot of good opportunities. No other player in the Leeds squad reached double figures.
Former England Star Excited By Leeds Plans
Former England striker Darren Bent has been very impressed with Leeds’ transfer plans.
Bent believes Leeds are short creativity at the moment, and could do with bolstering that area of the squad. He sees Ryan Kent as an ideal signing after Leeds had a £10 million bid rejected on Friday.
Bent said, “He’s certainly got that Ryan Kent and I understand what Bielsa’s doing. I really like what Bielsa’s doing – he’s identifying his squad, he knows his squad’s very good but they need more and I really like what he’s doing there.”
Kent has already found the net twice for Rangers in the first four matches of the Scottish Premiership season and has been a crucial player for the Glaswegian club.
Steven Gerrard doesn’t want to sell, but there’s likely plenty more to come in this transfer saga.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo*
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
Leeds have shown interest in wantaway Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, per reports from the Daily Express in the latest Leeds United transfer news.
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa managed Batshuayi during his stint as Marseille manager. Batshuayi scored 10 goals in 29 appearances then, and it appears the iconic Argentine manager is looking to reunite with the out-of-favour Belgian.
The Express adds that Atalanta are also interested in the services on Batshuayi and have made contact about a loan move.
Batshuayi has been on several loans over the last few seasons and with his £100,000 per week contract expiring after this season, Frank Lampard is thought to be keen to sell.
After starting just one Premier League match last season, Batshuayi is a bit of an unknown for any club that takes him on.
He’s been inconsistent throughout his time with Chelsea and it’s no surprise to see them looking to move him on considering the attacking signings they have already made in this window.
Crystal Palace have also been linked with a move for Batshuayi, but his wages could prevent that from happening.
Leeds Move On From Ben White
Leeds are one of several Premier League clubs showing an interest in Freiburg centre-back Robert Koch.
The Sun reports Leeds could be the first to make a bid for the German international after having a series of bids rejected for Ben White.
Tottenham and Newcastle are both interested in the ball-playing central defender, as are Serie A giants Lazio and Champions League semi-finalists Leipzig.
Ben White really pushing for a move to Leeds @skysports_sheth reporting he’s turned down a third contract offer at Brighton. #Lufc have made a third bid for the defender worth 25 million pounds.
Leeds are ready to table a £20 million bid, however, and Freiburg are seemingly willing to sell to avoid the risk of losing Koch for free at the end of the season.
Koch started 31 Bundesliga matches for Freiburg last season on their way to an eighth-place finish. He’s comfortable on the ball and can play centre-back or defensive midfield.
With Brighton apparently not willing to sell White, Koch could be an important option for Leeds. Improving their defence will massively help their Premier League odds – they are currently 4/1 to be relegated.
Phil Hay Sheds Light On Transfer Plans
Speaking on an episode of The Phil Hay Show, The Athletic’s Leeds United reporter Phil Hay shed some light on their plans to bolster their centre-backs options.
Hay backed up recent reports of Leeds’ interest in Robert Koch.
He said, “They’re very keen on Robin Koch over at Freiburg, who’s somebody that [Victor] Orta, in particular, has been scouting for a long time.
"He has a lot of similar attributes to Ben White, he’s a similar age category, he’d almost certainly cost less than the amount that Brighton would be looking for if they were backed into a corner.”
Leeds continue to feature regularly in the latest Premier League transfer news. It appears they will be very active before the season begins next month.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo*
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
Leeds have had a bid of around £10 million rejected for Rangers winger Ryan Kent, as reported by BBC Sport in their Leeds United transfer news section.
Kent was signed by Rangers for £7 million last summer after impressing during a loan spell. He has been productive during his 80 appearances for the Glaswegian giants, scoring 16 and assisting 13.
The 23-year-old would bring directness and pace to the Leeds attack. Speaking to Football Insider, former Leeds striker Noel Whelan is confident that Leeds will continue their pursuit of Kent.
Whelan said, “I would say so, it’s a bit like buying a house, you put down a little tester offer to begin with and then you go and offer a bit more, a bit like they’ve been doing with Ben White.”
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard issued a ‘hands off’ warning and said the offer had been ‘strongly rejected’. Marcelo Bielsa went to watch Kent last year, however, and Whelan is clearly confident that Leeds will move again for the former Liverpool forward.
Leeds Turn Attention To Leverkusen
Bielsa is clearly keen to bolster his attack. It was reported earlier today that Leeds are on the lookout for a striker or two with Rodrigo and Rafael Leao both linked.
According to reports, Leeds have got their eyes on another big name in the shape of Bayer Leverkusen star Leon Bailey.
Manu Lonjon claims that Leeds have already made a bid for Bailey, who has previously been linked with several of the Premier League’s top clubs.
Bailey is electric and can play on either flank. Leeds are evidently looking to build up some depth on the wings and a player like Bailey would be a great addition to their squad, though he will be an expensive option.
With Kai Havertz likely leaving Leverkusen for a massive fee, the Bundesliga side are under no pressure to sell the 23-year-old.
Cornet Enquiry Made
Wingers have been the focus of Leeds United transfer news on Friday. The theme continues with a further report from Lonjon stating that Leeds have enquired about the availability of Lyon star Maxwel Cornet.
Although mainly utilised on the right, Cornet can play anywhere across the frontline and has shown he can play in a deeper role when required.
Lyon were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich earlier this week and will probably be forced to sell some of their key players during the transfer window after missing out on European football.
Leeds aren’t the first Premier League team to be linked with Cornet, who scored against Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Liverpool were interested in him last summer, and this won’t be the last transfer rumour featuring the Ivory Coast international this offseason.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo*
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
Leeds are working towards adding two experienced strikers to their squad before their Premier League season starts against Liverpool on September 12th.
Football Insider has reported that Leeds are pursuing Spanish international Rodrigo from Valencia and have been in touch with AC Milan about acquiring Rafael Leao.
The club could end up spending north of £50 million on the two strikers as they look to bolster their attacking options.
Having been urged to sign Ollie Watkins by former Leeds man Noel Whelan last week, a striker is clearly a top priority for Marcelo Bielsa and co. in the transfer window.
Valencia are looking to raise funds by selling some of their key players. They recently let Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin leave cheaply – Leeds will be hoping Rodrigo is available on a cut-price deal.
Leao, who scored six Serie A goals in 12 starts last season, will be the more expensive of the two.
Per Football Insider, the Leeds board have ‘given the green light’ for Bielsa to add a couple of forwards to compete with Patrick Bamford.
Phillips: White Deal Will Get Done
Despite having a series of bids rejected for Ben White, former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips believes Leeds will sign the centre-back on a permanent deal before the window shuts.
Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips said, “I do actually think he’ll end up at Leeds. I think nowadays the players have the power and I think he’ll push it because it seems that he wants to go there.”
Chelsea have also been linked with White, but Leeds are clearly the frontrunners at this stage and Phillips is very confident the transfer will get done.
He added, “Leeds really want the player. The deal will get done, it’s just how it gets done. I firmly believe the lad will end up at Leeds.”
King Will Cost £30 Million
The latest Leeds United transfer news rumours suggest that the club will have to splash £30 million to sign Josh King from Bournemouth.
The Cherries are set to clear out their squad this summer following relegation, but King will not be available cheaply. The Daily Express reported Manchester United had a £20 million bid turned down in January.
King continues to be linked with Manchester United, West Ham and Everton. There’s plenty of competition for his signature.
Bournemouth have already seen Nathan Ake leave this summer, and others will follow him out the door, but that hasn’t stopped them slapping a high asking price on King.
The 28-year-old can play anywhere across the frontline and has proven to be a versatile player for Eddie Howe over the last few seasons.
His 2019-20 campaign was a bit disappointing, however, with just 10 goal contributions in 24 Premier League starts.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo*
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
Mixed martial arts has been around for decades but UFC has really taken off in the last 20 years or so. In fact, the sport is now arguably more popular than it has ever been.
One of the main reasons for UFC’s success is personality. Both in terms of the sport itself and its fighters, you have to be a specific type of person to succeed in UFC – both in and out of combat.
There are a few UFC stars who narrowly miss out on this list. Nate Diaz, Daniel Cormier and Brock Lesner all deserve a token mention – though our rankings are entirely subjective of course.
Without further ado, it is time to take a closer look at our five standout UFC fighters. Who is the biggest icon in UFC history? Scroll down to check out our list.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Sneaking into the top five is Khabib Nurmagomedov. Some may say his inclusion in this list is a tad far-fetched given the calibre of fighters but Khabib is a global superstar and he is well worth his place in our UFC fighters rankings.
With over 15 million Instagram followers, Khabib is incredibly popular with new UFC betting tips followers and his impact and influence on promoting the sport in recent years has really helped to attract a wider audience.
Khabib’s fight with Conor McGregor at UFC 229 still holds the record for the most PPV buys, with an estimated 2.4 million purchases in the United States alone.
Jon Jones
Supremely talented, Jones made unprecedented strides through the UFC rankings and his legacy is firmly established as potentially the greatest MMA fighter of all-time. When Jones got going, he was impossible to stop.
After suffering the first defeat of his professional career in 2009, Jones embarked on one of the best winning streaks in UFC history. He won 14 consecutive bouts, beating the likes of Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen and Vitor Belfort.
Having dominated the lightweight division, Jones became the youngest UFC champion of all-time when winning the light heavyweight belt in 2011. His list of achievements is ridiculous.
Ronda Rousey
The first name to spring to mind when thinking of women’s MMA, Ronda Rousey was an absolute animal in the Octagon. Rousey really helped to put UFC on the map, becoming the first ever female champion.
In fact, the American went undefeated for nearly three years – a run that ranks along the best UFC veteran streaks in the sport. Rousey was the headline act for various PPV events and her influence helped to revolutionise the UFC game.
Having thrived at the top of the sport for so long, Rousey became the first female fighter to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Anderson Silva
Widely regarded as one of the most talented UFC fighters of all-time, Anderson “The Spider” Silva dominated the middleweight division during his career. He was the longest reigning champion in UFC history – a fact that shows just how superior he was.
At his brilliant best, Silva was unbeatable. The Brazilian amassed an incredible run of 16 consecutive victories, with 10 defences of his UFC middleweight crown, before losing to Chris Weidman in 2013.
Second only to Conor McGregor in terms of popularity, Silva has been named the greatest UFC fighter of all-time by the likes of Dana White and Joe Rogen.
Conor McGregor
The name that everybody knows, Conor McGregor is undoubtedly the most famous and well known UFC fighter in the history of the sport. Nicknamed “The Notorious”, McGregor was popular in UFC betting odds since breaking into the sport in 2013.
The Irishman instantly caught the eye, recording a number of sensational knockout wins early in his career. Aside from his impact in the Octagon, McGregor attracted lots of attention for his behaviour in press conferences.
To this day, McGregor has headlined some of UFC’s biggest PPV events and he remains an iconic figure with MMA fans.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to John Locher / AP Photo*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
