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Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is seemingly plotting a potential masterstroke as a major update emerges on Mateusz Bogusz.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports from Polish publication Meczyki, Bogusz’s time at Elland Road may be coming to an end, with Legia Warsaw in advanced talks to sign him this summer.

Now, WP SportoweFakty (via Sport Witness), claim that while Bielsa is keen on sending him out on a loan deal, the Whites would also be prepared to let him go on a permanent deal at the end of that spell, if Legia agree to include a buy-back clause in any transfer.

The report reveals that “if there’s an option to make the deal permanent in 2022, then the English club will also insert a €8m (£7m) buyback clause.”

A masterclass from Bielsa

While the 19-year-old hasn’t exactly lit Elland Road up with his time at the club, he is certainly someone with a lot of potential and a player who could grow into a very fine performer in the future.

Czeslaw Michniewicz, his manager at international youth level, hailed his potential, saying: “He is at a similar level as (Poland international) Sebastian Szymanski in his previous youth. He has great talent.”

Meanwhile, he has also earned rave reviews from the Yorkshire Evening Post, with Lee Sobot describing him as a player “brimming with pace, confidence and natural talent.”

Bielsa himself has previously gone on record to talk about Bogusz, saying: “He is growing in training. He’s an offensive playmaker. I thought he would be an option for today’s match. He is more offensive than (Jamie) Shackleton and (Robbie) Gotts.”

The addition of a buy-back clause in a potential deal that would see Bogusz leave on a permanent basis would protect the Whites’ long-term interests.

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If the Polish youngster does indeed turn into a real star in his time away from Leeds, then Bielsa’s side can simply exercise their option and bring him back to Elland Road when they see fit, for a very reasonable price too.

It has all the hallmarks of being a real masterstroke idea, and one that should have fans very much relieved that they won’t just be losing a bright young talent for absolutely no reason with no way of getting him back if he flourishes away from the Elland Road spotlight.

Meanwhile, Leeds must finally wave goodbye to this star…

Mitrovic gave the Reds a torrid afternoon

Liverpool had to come from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw with newly-promoted Fulham in their first Premier League game of the season.

Mohamed Salah’s late strike rescued Jurgen Klopp’s men at Craven Cottage, after the home side had twice led through Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Darwin Nunez marked his league debut with the Reds’ first equaliser, having come off the bench early in the second half, but Liverpool were far from their usual selves all afternoon and lost the influential Thiago Alcantara to injury to make matters worse.

Jordan Henderson almost won it for the visitors in stoppage time, but saw his 25-yard effort come back off the crossbar as Fulham began life in the top-flight with a deserved point.

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  The Winners

  Aleksandar Mitrovic

  He scored only four times in his last Premier League campaign, but after 43 goals in the Championship last term, all eyes were on Mitrovic to see whether he could carry that form into the new season. 

  He could, needing a little over half an hour to open his account with a towering back-post header. 

  His tail up, he remained a menace thereafter, worrying Virgil van Dijk into conceding a penalty 19 minutes from time, which he then stepped up to convert coolly.

  Other than that, this was an accomplished performance from the Serbia international, who ruffled Van Dijk and Joel Matip throughout and led the line superbly for Marco Silva’s side.

  Darwin Nunez

  It hasn’t taken long for the Uruguayan to show what he is all about. Having scored off the bench in last weekend’s Community Shield win over Manchester City, Nunez was at it again here.

  Replacing Roberto Firmino early in the second half, the 23-year-old immediately brought a threat that had been previously lacking. He grabbed Liverpool’s equaliser, albeit in somewhat fortuitous fashion, and then got the assist for Salah’s late strike.

  His ability to create chaos in and around the penalty area is already clear. He can tidy himself up, for sure, and will need time to read his team-mates’ moves and tendencies, but Nunez’s potential is huge.

  Liverpool needed him here.

  Mohamed Salah

  Another day, another record, for this relentless goalscoring machine. 

  For the sixth year in a row, Liverpool’s Egyptian King marked the opening day of the Premier League season with a goal.

  Fulham may have thought, with some justification, that they had handled Salah pretty well for an hour, but you can’t keep the Reds’ No.11 quiet for long, and by the time the final whistle came, he had written his name all over another game.

  He set up his side’s first goal, sliding in a perfect cross for Nunez to – eventually – force home at the near post, and then picked up one for himself, a poacher’s effort after Nunez’s touch fell to him in the box.

  Whatever Liverpool achieve this season, Salah will have a huge role to play again.

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  The Losers

  Jurgen Klopp

  Another game, another injury. That’s 10 first-teamers on the sidelines for Liverpool now, with Thiago Alcantara the latest to fall. 

  Klopp’s squad, when all are available, is extremely strong, but at the moment it looks wafer-thin, which does not bode at all well ahead of such a gruelling campaign. 

  The bench here, for example, contained three players – Sepp van den Berg, Luke Chambers and Stefan Bajcetic – without a single minute of Premier League experience. 

  Klopp says, as things stand, there are no plans to dip into the transfer market before the window closes, but his side already look stretched, and August is barely underway.

  Virgil van Dijk

  There haven’t been too many games like this for the Dutchman, since his move to Anfield four-and-a-half years ago.

  But Van Dijk, normally so cool and composed, was given a hell of an examination from Mitrovic here, and came off second best.

  It was his dangling leg which led to the penalty from which Fulham won the game. A piece of defending we rarely associate with the 31-year-old, who was far from his usual self throughout.

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  Liverpool Ratings: Defence

  Alisson (5/10):

  Could he have done better for the opening goal? It certainly looked that way. Otherwise had little of note to do, until he was beaten well by Mitrovic from the penalty spot.

  Alexander-Arnold (5/10): 

  Nullified as an attacking threat in the first half, and exposed at the back post by Mitrovic for the opening goal. Better in the second half, and his ball brought about the second Liverpool equaliser, but overall he was far from his best.

  Robertson (6/10):

  Important block to deny Reed, and Liverpool’s threat in the first half came mainly from him and Diaz. Less effective after the break.

  Matip (6/10):

  Forced into some important blocks and headers in the opening stages, he caused problems when stepping into midfield initially but his distribution faded in the second half.

  Van Dijk (5/10):

  Tested by Mitrovic’s physicality and work rate, the Dutchman’s trademark diagonals were not to there usual high standards, and he conceded the penalty from which Fulham’s No.9 made it 2-1.

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  Midfield

  Fabinho (5/10):

  Not given time and space in a hectic midfield, the Brazilian looked ill at ease and couldn’t influence the game at either end.

  Henderson (5/10):

  Sloppy in possession and looked leggy. Lucky to stay on as long as he did, in truth, though he almost won it for his side in stoppage time with a stunning strike which hit the bar.

  Thiago (6/10):

  Making his 50th Premier League appearance, the Spaniard tried to inject some tempo into Liverpoo’s play, but succumbed to an injury early in the second half. Worrying, to say the least, given Liverpool’s already-large absentee list.

According to the Daily Star, Tottenham are interested in signing Yves Bissouma from fellow Premier League outfit Brighton.

Spurs eye Bissouma

Spurs are among a number of clubs interested in the 24-year-old, with Arsenal, West Ham and Everton also mentioned as potential suitors.

The Gunners are believed to be confident in getting a deal done for the £15.3m-valued Mali international (Transfermarkt), with the Seagulls demanding £30m for his signature.

Interesting option

Bissouma has been a key player for Brighton this season, playing in all but two of their 34 Premier League matches to date (Transfermarkt). Given the interest from other clubs, it is clear he has plenty of talent and could have a big future in the game.

The former Lille man is an all-round midfielder. For example, he has managed more tackles per game (2.8) than Tottenham enforcer Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (2.6) this season, while he has also averaged more dribbles per match (1.5) than Son Heung-Min (1.2).

With him in the middle of the park, Spurs would have a real driving force. If Daniel Levy were able to beat Arsenal to his signature, that would make his signing all the sweeter.

In other news, this Champions League winner is interested in managing Tottenham.

There were some huge deals made this summer, with Kai Havertz, Leroy Sane, Thomas Partey, Victor Osimhen and Ruben Dias among the most eye-catching

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  20Nelson Semedo | Barcelona to Wolves | £28m/$36m

  Wolves fans were left disappointed when right-back Matt Doherty moved to Tottenham, but they will hope to have brought in an upgrade with the arrival of Nelson Semedo from Barcelona.

  "It isn’t often that we have the opportunity to sign a world-class player from a world-class club," said Wolves chairman Jeff Shi. "Nelson’s signing shows we will never stop progressing and we are still hungry and humble in our heart."

  The fee for Semedo was slightly more than those reported for Sergio Reguilon, Thiago, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jonathan David this summer.

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  19Ollie Watkins | Brentford to Aston Villa | £28m/$36m

  After three hugely impressive seasons in the Championship, Ollie Watkins made the step up to the Premier League this summer, becoming Aston Villa's record signing in the process.

  Eyebrows were raised over the fee but the 24-year-old wide forward has already looked to justify his hefty price tag, scoring in back-to-back games in the Carabao Cup before netting a sensational hat-trick against champions Liverpool.

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  18Francisco Trincao | Braga to Barcelona | £28.3m/$37m

  Barcelona announced the signing of Portuguese wonderkid Francisco Trincao back in January, but the move did not become official until July 1.

  The 20-year-old winger is thought of as one of Europe's most exciting young forwards, and he came off the bench in each of Barca's first three games of the season.

  Since joining Barca, Trincao has also made his senior international debut, replacing Bernardo Silva in a 4-1 Nations League win over Croatia.

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  17Rodrigo | Valencia to Leeds | £30m/$39m

  Leeds showed they mean business on their return to the Premier League with a number of big signings, but Spain international Rodrigo topped the lot.

  Now 29, the forward is back for a second shot at English football after a brief stint at Bolton 10 years ago. Since then, he has impressed at Benfica and Valencia, though 2019-20 only brought seven goals in all competitions.

  Rodrigo opened his Leeds account with the equaliser in his side's thrilling 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City.

The Reds have already brought in Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri but remain eager to strengthen further before the window closes next month

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  1Julian Draxler | Paris Saint Germain

  Another player targeted by Liverpool in the past – they bid for Julian Draxler when he left Wolfsburg for PSG in January 2017 – and one who could well be on the move this summer.

  Draxler can play wide or centrally, and has good pedigree from his Bundesliga days with both Schalke and Wolfsburg.

  With PSG potentially set to spend big again this summer – Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante have been linked – the opportunities for the German international could be further limited.

  Again, he would cost a lot, but we know that Klopp admires the 24-year-old. 

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  2Kai Havertz | Bayer Leverkusen

  Another teenager from the Bundesliga, and one who has made a big impression over the last 18 months. Kai

  Havertz, 19, has performed well for Bayer Leverkusen and has attracted scouts from across Europe. Liverpool are among those who have noted the forward's progress, making regular checks on the German youth international.

  It may be a little soon for him to be considered as a possible first-teamer for the Reds – especially at the fee Leverkusen are likely to demand – but his talent and versatility would definitely appeal to Klopp.

  One to keep an eye on, for sure.

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  3Domagoj Vida | Besiktas

  It's no surprise to see Domagoj Vida linked with numerous clubs following his World Cup exploits with Croatia. The ponytailed centre-back stood out alongside Dejan Lovren as his side enjoyed a remarkable run to the final, and looks set to earn a move off the back of his performances.

  Liverpool have been linked by the Turkish media, but Goal understands that the club are unlikely to recruit a central defender this summer. Virgil van Dijk, Lovren and Joel Matip are the senior options, with Joe Gomez and Ragnar Klavan offering ample cover.

  At 29, Vida does not fit the profile of player Klopp and his recruitment team are looking to bring in.

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  4Julian Brandt | Bayer Leverkusen

  Another favourite of the Reds' recruitment team, Julian Brandt was on the club's radar throughout the 2016-17 season, before they eventually plumped for a free-scoring Egyptian from Roma called Mohamed Salah.

  That turned out well but, with depth wanted (and needed), there is still an interest in how the 22-year-old is progressing in the Bundesliga.

  Brandt can play anywhere across the attacking line – a trait valued by Klopp – and was one of the few players to emerge with credit from Germany's terrible World Cup campaign.

  He'd cost a lot, mind, and would not be guaranteed a starting berth.

Carlo Ancelotti must immediately usher Dominic Calvert-Lewin back into the Everton starting line-up for Friday night’s trip to Arsenal.

The Toffees boss has confirmed that Calvert-Lewin will be available for selection at the Emirates Stadium after recovering from an abductor problem, in a quintuple injury boost.

Calvert-Lewin’s issue had kept the 24-year-old out of his side’s last two Premier League games, as the Goodison Park natives were held to draws with Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur.

Everton are set to be with Yerry Mina at Arsenal, as well, after a similar abductor problem, while Andre Gomes (hamstring), Fabian Delph (tendon) and Bernard are also due to return after spells on the sidelines.

Ancelotti will still be without Abdoulaye Doucoure in north London as the Frenchman continues his recovery from a small fracture on his foot, while Jean-Philippe Gbamin remains out alongside the £20m summer signing due to the knee injury he sustained in training earlier this month.

“We have a lot of players available – almost all the squad, apart from Doucoure and Gbamin who are out,” the Blues boss said on Thursday. “The others are in good condition.

“We are ready to fight for this final part of the season. The squad is now much, much better and I have a lot of options, so I am pleased and confident.”

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Everton travel to Arsenal three points better off than Mikel Arteta’s side in the Premier League table and having played a game less, but are without a win in any of their last five league games.

The Toffees also last beat the Gunners in north London in January 1996, losing 22 of the following 26 encounters across all competitions including each of their last seven visits.

Ancelotti will no doubt be loath to see his side’s torrid record continue having already brought one lengthy drought to an end, by orchestrating Everton’s first win at Anfield since 1999 when they beat Liverpool 2-0 in February’s Merseyside derby.

Clinching a first Everton win at the Emirates would catapult the Blues back into the European conversation, as well, with the Goodison Park natives losing ground in the race for the top-four after three-straight draws.

Everton cannot overtake any side by winning their game in hand, but will move one point behind Tottenham – who have played two games more – and Liverpool by beating Arsenal, while edging to within a win of fifth-placed West Ham United.

Calvert-Lewin represents Everton’s best chance of a rare result away to the Gunners, with the 24-year-old not only their top-scorer with 14 goals in 25 Premier League games but also key to how Ancelotti’s offence operates.

Everton are rarely the same unit going forward without having Calvert-Lewin to target and his off-the-ball runs, which create space for Richarlison to push up the pitch and James Rodriguez to find pockets of space to pick out defence-splitting passes.

Ancelotti, then, must instantly unleash Calvert-Lewin – who Noel Whelan believes has “exceeded every expectation possible” this season – now that he has been declared fit, in a huge boost for the Blues’ European ambitions, let alone being one of five returning players.

AND in other news, Everton have been told to pay £34.5m for a 23-year-old that Carlo Ancelotti would welcome at Goodison Park…

Despite claiming an impressive 2-1 win over Everton last week in the Premier League, Aston Villa manager Dean Smith must consider dropping Bertrand Traore for Sunday afternoon’s clash against Manchester United.

While the Burkina Faso international claimed the assist for Anwar El Ghazi’s goal, the winger hasn’t been consistent enough over these past few weeks to warrant still being in the starting line-up.

Alan Hutton has raised his concerns about Traore and the rest of Villa’s attack recently, saying that it’s looked a “struggle” to score goals.

He said: “Defensively, they’ve been strong but moving forward they just don’t create enough. Simple as that. They have tried different things, whether it be Trezeguet, Traore, Anwar, Ross Barkley coming off the bench. It looks a struggle at times.”

In response to Hutton’s comments, former Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie spoke exclusively to Football FanCast about how Traore, among others, has really failed to step up in Jack Grealish’s absence.

He said: “I think what Hutts is talking about is that with Jack not being in the frame, you need standout players, you need exciting players that are going to step up to the plate and fulfil Jack’s role, because otherwise you’re going to get branded as almost a one-man team.

“So, yes, I’m totally, totally with Hutts on that because when you’ve got someone of his (Traore) ability, that’s where he needs to come on and be that player.”

With no goals in the Premier League since mid-February, Traore just hasn’t shown the kind of cutting edge up front which Smith has desperately needed from him, especially with Grealish out injured – in fact, as per Whoscored, out of the last ten matches he has played for Villa, only once has he gone above a 7.0 match rating.

With high-flying Manchester United to come on Sunday, Smith will need all his players in form and on song, and he can’t afford to be carrying any passengers in his team.

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The £55,000-a-week Traore has been ineffective for a while now, and it’s about time Smith takes him out of the firing line.

Meanwhile, Villa must land this £60m-rated star in the summer…

Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Juventus for €100 million, so where does the forward rank on the list of the biggest deals of all time?

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  101David Beckham | €37.5m

  Given David Beckham was one of the most marketable sporting stars on the planet, Real Madrid could not believe their luck when Manchester United told them they could have the England captain in 2003 for €37.5m.

  Of course, former Red Devils boss Alex Ferguson wanted rid of Beckham, feeling that the midfielder had become more of a celebrity than a footballer, but it still proved a shrewd move by Los Blancos, who made a fortune in sponsorhip and shirt sales off, as well as winning La Liga in the style icon's final season at the Santiago Bernabeu, in 2006-07.

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  100Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain | €38m

  Many Liverpool fans wondered why manager Jurgen Klopp elected to spend €38m on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ahead of the 207-18 season when it was clear that there was a great need to strengthen the Reds' defence.

  However, whereas it was initially thought that the versatile winger would prove little more than a valuable squad player, Oxlade-Chamberlain now looks set to become a key man at Anfield thanks to his impressive performances, both on the wing and in midfield, and the departure of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona.

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  99Andre Silva | €38m

  It is easy to understand why AC Milan felt compelled to sign Andre Silva for €38m as part of their 2017 summer spending spree. The young striker had impressed in the Champions League for Porto, while Cristiano Ronaldo had labelled him the heir to his throne within the Portuguse national team.

  However, while Silva has had no issues scoring in the Europa League, he has thus far struggled horribly in Serie A and there is even talk that Ronaldo now wants Real Madrid to sign his compatriot, so that he can take the No.9 under his wing at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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  98Mats Hummels | €38m

  Having come through the youth-team ranks at Bayern Munich only to fail to force his way into the first team, Mats Hummels departed for Borussia Dortmund in 2009, after a successful loan season at Signal Iduna Park.

  However, the Bavarians rectified their mistake seven years later by returning to their favourite super-market with €38m in the wallet to re-sign the defender, who, in spite of some fitness and form issues, remains one of the game's top centre-halves.

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to right their midweek wrongs when they return to Premier League action this evening.

Jose Mourinho’s side head to the Midlands to face an Aston Villa side who are just one place behind them in the standings ahead of kickoff.

The north London giants embarrassingly crashed out of the Europa League on Thursday night, so now a desperate push for the top four is required if Spurs are to get back into the Champions League.

But tonight’s encounter is no mean feat, and Mourinho has plenty to ponder…

On the Chalkboard

Individual defensive mistakes were once again the root cause of much of Spurs’ woes, so the Portuguese boss ought to make some changes to his backline, especially as Villa now have a prolific option in Ollie Watkins.

Mourinho was reportedly interested in signing the 25-year-old as a back-up to Harry Kane during the summer window, but he was always playing a losing game – firstly, no one wants to be a second choice, and secondly, he cost a whopping £33m with add-ons.

But boy, has that transfer paid off for Dean Smith. Watkins has bagged 12 times in all competitions this season, including a hat-trick against Liverpool and a brace against arch-rivals, Arsenal. Clearly, the “lethal” talisman likes to turn up for the big occasion.

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Given the number of issues Spurs have had at the back, it seems like a recipe for disaster if Mourinho were to start both Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier – the pair were dubbed the worst partnership in the league by ex-Spurs midfielder and talkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara.

On the latter, he added: “As a centre-half, he just looks lost around the box. In my opinion, he needs to be dropped.”

And we’re inclined to agree. As we outlined after the Europa League game, the long-serving star badly let down the fanbase. Evening Standard reporter Dan Kilpatrick claimed the 27-year-old endured a ‘wretched’ night, claiming: ‘Defensively all over the shop and passing was poor. Gave away silly fouls.’

Watkins averages 2.8 shots per game and is fouled an average of 1.3 times per outing too, via WhoScored. So based on his midweek display, £85k-per-week Dier has no place to be starting as he’ll get torn apart, especially as he has only managed 0.8 tackles per match, too.

Another key ability of Watkins is his pace and acceleration, something that isn’t on Dier’s side either – speaking to Football Insider this week, pundit Alan Hutton claimed the Spurs centre-back “gets exposed at times with a lack of pace.”

Often lambasted as a “liability” amongst the fanbase, the £26m-rated calamity should be axed from Mourinho’s starting XI tonight. If he starts, he could well be haunted by Watkins all night, and then the pressure will only mount on the likes of Harry Kane and Gareth Bale to deliver.

AND in other news, Levy’s genius: Spurs struck dream deal over £45m-rated gem dubbed “phenomenal” by Gold…

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has exclusively told Football FanCast that he’s baffled as to why Ezri Konsa wasn’t named in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad.

Konsa, whose won seven caps for the Under-21s, has been one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders since lockdown, but wasn’t included in Southgate’s 26-man party for World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.

His Villa teammate Tyrone Mings was selected, along with Harry Maguire, John Stones, Conor Coady and Tottenham’s Eric Dier as England centre-backs.

Konsa has started all but three of Aston Villa’s 28 Premier League matches this season, and Hendrie, who was capped once against Czech Republic in 1998, cannot believe that the 23-year-old was overlooked.

Hendrie told Football FanCast: “Konsa has been excellent. The times that Mings hasn’t performed, Konsa has been an outstanding defender.

“Do I feel like he was due to get an England call-up? I feel like the squad that was selected, I totally do. He’s the kind of defender that puts his body on the line.

“And I feel why he wasn’t in the current England squad, I am a bit baffled. He has been possibly one of the top performers over recent weeks, so why shouldn’t he be granted a chance of being involved with the England set-up.

“If you’re comparing him to [Eric] Dier, I think Konsa has been far better.”

This does feel like a case of big team favouritism. Konsa has been outstanding this term, whilst Dier has struggled for consistency throughout the campaign, making a host of errors, which has led to him being dropped by Jose Mourinho.

If Konsa keeps performing at his current level, surely Southgate won’t continue to ignore him ahead of the Euro’s.