Like any club, Newcastle United have seen a number of young talents go on to fail to make the grade at first-team level, with that transition from the youth ranks into the senior set-up not always running smoothly.

One notable example of a player who was unable to build on their early potential was Slovenian international, Haris Vuckic, with big things having been expected of the then-teenager after he was snapped up from Domzale back in January 2009.

Who is Haris Vukic?

The suggestion at the time – as per Sky Sports’ Pete O’Rourke – was that the youngster was ‘regarded as one of Europe’s brightest talents’, having even reportedly had a trial with Serie A giants AC Milan prior to making the move to St James’ Park.

With it undoubtedly representing something of a coup for the Magpies to have secured the forward’s services, Vuckic was then handed his debut for a League Cup tie at the start of the 2009/10 campaign, coming on as a substitute against Huddersfield Town.

While the 6 foot 3 playmaker was gradually eased into the first-team squad, he continued to perform for the Tynesiders’ U21 side, eventually scoring 14 goals and providing nine assists in just 31 games at that level.

That early impact ultimately saw the Ljubljana native awarded a new deal in January 2011 at the age of 18, with manager Alan Pardew stating at the time of that contract extension:

“Haris is a player with real potential who we believe could have an exciting future here at Newcastle.”

Pardew would also go on to laud the emerging star for his impact off the bench in a Carling Cup clash against Scunthorpe later that year, with the Englishman providing a glowing assessment of the midfielder’s talent:

“When I first arrived I remember the staff saying to me: ‘We’ve got a really good young player but he’s injured at the moment. This tall, nice, Slovenian guy [Vuckic] kept passing me in the corridor and smiling. Haris is such a nice guy.

“He’s a lovely boy [who] we’ve got big hopes for; he’s got tremendous technique. Haris needs to learn to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League but he’s only 19 and his potential is excellent. He’s got a really clever pass on him. It’s a pass about 85% of Premier League footballers couldn’t even see.”

Despite that potential, however, Vuckic would spend much of the next few years out on loan at clubs lower down the footballing pyramid, with arguably the only notable success having come during his time at Scottish giants Rangers, where he scored nine goals in just 22 games in all competitions in the second half of the 2014/15 season.

As it proved, the 12-cap maestro would ultimately make just 19 appearances back at his parent club in total as he failed to earn a regular role under a succession of managers prior to his departure in 2017, with his solitary goal having come in a Europa League encounter with Atromitos in 2012.

Where is Haris Vuckic now?

Having been shipped off to Dutch outfit FC Twente just under six years ago, the one-time Cardiff City loanee would initially struggle to make his mark in his new home, albeit while enjoying a standout 2019/20 campaign in the Eredivisie, after scoring 11 league goals.

That impressive season has proven something of an anomaly rather than the norm for Vuckic, however, with the struggling asset subsequently failing to score after making the move to Spanish side Real Zaragoza the following season, before spending the next 18 months or so at Croatian side, Rijeka.

That spell at what are now his former employers saw the towering asset record a respectable haul of 16 goals and six assists in just 43 games in all competitions, although the 30-year-old has since decided to leave European football in order to try his luck in Thailand with Buriram United – scoring six times since making the switch back in December.

To have moved to such an obscure league is perhaps somewhat telling of the decline that the previously highly-rated midfielder has endured since his early days at Newcastle, with his career perhaps a case of simply wasted potential.

BBC pundit Chris Sutton has claimed the future of Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane is in doubt now that he has become the club’s record goalscorer.

What’s the word?

It was a pretty good weekend for the Spurs striker as he helped his team pick up an important win in the Premier League. Indeed, the 29-year-old scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Manchester City.

However, not only did that goal help Tottenham pick up all three points and move just one point and one place behind Newcastle United in the Champions League places, but it also saw Kane reach an important milestone.

Indeed, the England captain netted his 267th goal for Spurs, meaning he has now supposed Jimmy Greaves to become the north London club’s all-time top scorer.

However, having achieved this goal, Sutton has wondered if that could be enough to convince Kane that this summer will be the right time to finally leave the club for pastures new.

Speaking live on BBC 606, he said: “I mean, it does beg the question, doesn’t it?

“Now that, you know, he’s got the record at Spurs, what happens in the summer? I mean, are there Spurs fans out there who think that he could be lured away? I don’t know.”

Next challenge

With Kane yet to win a major trophy at Tottenham, he has had to become a club legend by setting personal records and now that he arguably has the most important individual accolade a player can have at a club, he may feel the time is right to seek a new challenge.

What’s more, he will be turning 30 in the summer and with his contract expiring in 2024 this might be the best chance to leave Spurs while he is still in his prime years.

The likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich are both often touted as possible destinations and it’s certainly reasonable to think he would have a better chance of winning silverware with those clubs.

It’ll certainly be interesting to see how it all plays out in the summer. For now, though, Kane seems pretty happy to have beaten this record at Tottenham.

Indeed, speaking after the game, he BBC Match of the Day: “When you look at the names who have been here, to overtake Jimmy Greaves – one of the greatest to play the game – I’m extremely grateful.”

EFL Championship is a football league championship that keeps the world on edge with every match on air. Keep reading the article until you decide on a stable start! Are you interested in the links between the EFL Championship and Premier League?

Get Ready to Be on the Edge with the New Season of the English Football Leagues

It’s that time of the year, bettors! The EFL Championship 2023 is already on air, and the 31st season of the Premier League will take place from August 2023. GGBET will do half the stressful work for you, so focus on your instincts until then. Moreover, you must know that the top two teams in the EFL championship will automatically be promoted to the Premier League. Yes, this is how it works! Also, the teams in the ranks ranging from 3rd to 6th in the EFL Championship can compete in the promotion playoffs at the Premier League. In addition, this article includes all such important information that you need to know about these two biggest English Football Leagues before you bet on the respective teams. So, keep scrolling, as GGBET has some exciting and trendy tips for your success in the betting journey.

Player’s Transfer in EFL Championship

A transfer in the English Football League (EFL) Championship is when a player moves from one club to another, usually for a transfer fee. The transfer fee is typically agreed upon by the two clubs and paid to the club selling the player. The player will then typically sign a contract with the new club. It can happen during the transfer window, which is a period (usually in the summer and winter) when clubs are allowed to buy and sell players.

Sports Betting in EFL Championship

If you are a punter, this part of the article will surely fall under your interests. We all know the impact of the EFL Championship among football fans. And no wonder almost everybody on earth is a fan of this sport. Moreover, EFL Championship is one of the most significant football leagues yearly. Also, this League drives a massive amount of wealth every season. The betting bookies allow you to bet on either the talented personalities or one among the twenty-four teams participating in the League. Before digging deep into the EFL Championship content, better focus on finding a stable sports bookmarker. We saved you some stress and brought the best suitable betting platform to get a fantastic experience in EFL Championship odds. GGBET offers its users with assurance of which matters the most. This betting platform will also have many regular promotions and bonuses.

Furthermore, you will also get an option of live betting and streaming here. Whenever there is a match, the GGBET will upload the probable odds for that match, leading you toward the win. So, all set for a new start, correct?

Player’s Transfer in Premier League

The 31st season of the Premier League and the 124th season of the overall English Football Association is knocking at the door! Also, there are a few significant developments introduced in this season. The participating teams in the League can have five substitutions rather than just three. In the English Premier League, a transfer refers to the process by which a player moves from one club to another. It can happen during the transfer window, which is a period during the year when clubs are allowed to buy and sell players. The transfer window is usually open for a few weeks in the summer and a few weeks in the winter. When a player wants to transfer to a new club, the two clubs negotiate a transfer fee, which is the money the new club will pay to the old club for the player’s rights. The transfer fee is often based on the player’s market value, which is determined by age, skill level, and experience.

Once the transfer fee has been agreed upon, the player will typically need to pass a medical examination and consent to personal terms, such as salary and contract length. If the transfer is completed successfully, the player will officially become a new club member and be eligible to play for them in the League. This season of the Premier League came with lots of postponement along with developments, but the matches were more thrilling.

Sports Betting in Premier League

Ever watched the gameplay of the OG, Manchester city? Yes, we are talking about the teams in the Premier League. And the English Football League, with the best football clubs on earth, automatically acts as a magnet for attracting more fans and sports bettors. The teams like Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Manchester United scream ‘power’ whenever they play a match. Also, these four teams rule the world when talking about football clubs.

Furthermore, deciding who will win that match becomes more exciting when there is no scope for a one-sided game. So, you want to know about the various bargains and winning odds for the upcoming season of the Premier League? Then click here, https://www.gg.bet/en/fifa, as GGBET has the best tips and predictions for you. It was Manchester City to bag away the Championship trophy last time. So, let us see which team will be the new champion this season, or will it be the same as the previous two years?

Final Words

Football is a world-famous sport as it unites different emotions and players worldwide. Well, punters become more experienced when they learn to love the ups and downs of their journey. So, train yourself in this way. Also, GGBET is the best for betting on the EFL Championship and the Premier League.

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Aston Villa have held talks with Juventus over a potential deal this month for the American midfielder Weston McKennie, according to Fabrizio Romano.

What’s the latest?

There have been reports linking McKennie away from Turin for a number of months now with the Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur, credited with an interest for a while now.

And it is now believed there is an opportunity for the 24-year-old to leave the Serie A side this month with the Italian club currently in a real spot of bother off the field.

Speaking to CBS Sports, Romano has now claimed Unai Emery’s Villa are one of the sides to have recently discussed a potential deal for the American:

“Let’s see what happens with McKennie because they had some conversations with Aston Villa, with other English clubs. At the moment, Juventus have not received any official bids yet, but for McKennie, it’s a possibility to leave the club in January.”

The American dream

Although Romano claims there have been talks over a potential deal for McKennie, he does also say that there is yet to be any formal bids made.

In a recent report from the Daily Mail, it has been suggested that the midfielder could be able to leave Turin this month for a fee in the region of £26m-£30m.

And with the current Juventus regime believing McKennie is a player who is replaceable, it does seem as if there is a real opportunity to be had with some Premier League clubs showing an interest.

Despite Juventus reportedly being open to selling McKennie, the midfielder has played a fairly significant role in Massimiliano Allegri’s side this season with 14 appearances and 11 starts in Serie A.

However, in comparison to Villa’s Douglas Luiz, McKennie has provided fewer tackles, fewer shot-creating actions, fewer passes and fewer goal contributions so far this season (via Fbref).

So there would have to be the question of where would McKennie fit into this Villa side?

Emery set Villa out with two holding midfielders in their last game against Wolverhampton Wanderers with Boubacar Kamara partnering Luiz.

McKennie has marginally provided more of an attacking threat than Kamara this season, but again, the Villa man has offered more defensively with over three times as many tackles per 90 than McKennie (via Fbref).

Given Tottenham’s director of football, Fabio Paratici, is believed to want to reunite with the player this month, there is clearly something McKennie has that the stats do not necessarily show.

And during his time in Qatar for the winter World Cup, it was apparent the 24-year-old did impress with Jamie Carragher taking to Twitter to hail the American as “excellent”.

Liverpool have not opened talks to sign Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo despite reports suggesting as much, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. 

The Lowdown: Liverpool linked with Caicedo

Earlier this week, it was claimed that the Reds had made an enquiry to Brighton over a potential transfer move for the Ecuadorian and are looking to speed things up to sign him.

The 21-year-old has also been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United as he continues to impress on the south coast.

Reports in the player’s homeland (via DaveOCKOP) then alleged that Julian Ward and FSG had actually begun talks over a deal for Caicedo, but Jacobs thinks otherwise…

The Latest: Not so fast

In a recent Twitter post, Jacobs had this to say on the situation surrounding Caicedo.

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“Not a lot has changed in terms of how ‘messy’ a deal might prove. Historical interest doesn’t mean anything active right now. Told, contrary to some reports, LFC have not opened any talks whatsoever with Brighton.”

The Verdict: Liverpool should sign Caicedo

Caicedo’s performances for Brighton in the league this season have proved why he is so highly sought after and why he reportedly has a price tag of £85m.

For example, having appeared in all 15 of the Seagulls’ league games, the midfielder has made more progressive passes (68) than any other player at the club as well as having the highest combined total of tackles and interceptions (65) at Brighton.

The Ecuador international’s overall performances for Brighton this season have earned him a season rating of 6.9/10 from WhoScored, making him the fourth-highest rated player at the club.

Hailed as an “outstanding” player by Curtis Woodhouse, Caicedo would certainly be a strong addition to Liverpool’s midfield, as he has shown how useful he is in possession in terms of moving the ball forward as well as how impressive he is when trying to win the ball back for his side.

Moving forward, we feel that, despite Jacobs’ recent update, the Reds should be working on a potential January deal for the midfield star.

Leeds United are reportedly keen on moving for a new full back this January…

What’s the latest?

According to Spanish publication AS, the Whites are among several European clubs interested in the exciting Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda.

Having withstood an onslaught last year, the La Liga side now seem set to lose their starlet.

With a host of Italian clubs, and Arsenal, Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Everton, Brentford, Southampton and Fulham all noted from the Premier League, it seems that this January promises to be a transfer bloodbath to secure the teenage sensation.

The report does cite a current €30m (£25.7m) release clause, though, which could prove a stumbling block for many of these prospective suitors.

Ditch Kristensen

Should Jesse Marsch win this hotly-contested battle for Fresneda, it could perhaps mark a lack of faith in his summer signing Rasmus Kristensen.

Adding a young right-back could be seen as just putting a backup in place, but when it’s someone like Fresneda who has such pedigree and hype surrounding him, the 18-year-old would surely demand a starting spot.

That is all the more so if he can translate his fine form from Spain into the Premier League, as he is currently lighting up La Liga with his impressive all-round displays.

Despite only boasting nine senior appearances, the Madrid native plays with a maturity and skillset far beyond his years. Journalist Juan Arroita even claimed: “Iván Fresneda has a beastly ability to take measured crosses from the right-handed lane. How good does the boy look?”

In what has been his breakout season, this year he is averaging a rating of 7.02 in the league from Sofascore. This is supported by his match averages of 1.3 interceptions, 2.5 tackles and 2.8 clearances, which he partners expertly with 1.5 key passes per game (via Sofascore).

Clearly he is adept at breaking up attacks and also has the ability to then look up and find a killer pass to set his team on the break.

This is a far cry from what Kristensen has offered since his move to Leeds, with the Denmark international offering an unspectacular option for Marsch. With just one assist and no goals to his name at Elland Road, it seems that the 25-year-old’s offensive game has suffered since his move to England.

The Dane looks to mould his game around solidity, although his statistics suggest that he hardly blows Fresneda out of the water in that regard either. Kristensen has recorded 1.8 interceptions, 2.9 tackles and 2.4 clearances per game this season (via Sofascore) – only slightly up on the Spaniard for each metric.

There is no great gulf in class despite the seven-year age gap, and bringing in the Spanish stalwart could help to lock down the position at Elland Road for the next decade.

The future looks incredibly bright for Fresneda, and securing a deal for him would be a real statement of intent from the Yorkshire outfit.

Crystal Palace are reportedly still interested in Watford winger Ismaila Sarr and the Senegal international could be the ideal man to replace Wilfried Zaha at Selhurst Park.

Patrick Vieira’s side were linked with the 24-year-old during the summer but he would remain with the Hornets in the Championship and has caught the eye with his performances, contributing six goals and four assists in the second tier.

It seems as if the Eagles could make another move for Sarr in next month’s transfer window, especially after some quality performances for the Lions of Teranga at the World Cup in Qatar.

In a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT, the Guardian’s Ed Aarons provided the latest on Premier League interest in Sarr.

He said: “We talked about Villa last time, and Palace are still interested in him.

“But his contract’s coming to an end, I think it ends in 2024. So, there could be a good deal for somebody coming up.”

If Vieira wasn’t already interested in Sarr, he certainly will be after watching him play for the African Cup of Nations holders in Qatar over the past few weeks.

While Senegal’s tournament came to an abrupt end on Sunday night as they lost 3-0 to England, Sarr was a bright spark throughout their time in Qatar, with his 7.02 average rating from WhoScored – ranking him as the best player in Aliou Cissé’s side of those to feature in every game.

Palace will be looking for a direct winger who can dribble and shoot to replace Zaha, who looks likely to leave when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign, and Sarr’s statistics at the World Cup suggest he could be the ideal man.

As per Sofascore, only five players have taken more shots than the former Stade Rennais man, while only four players have completed more dribbles, with Sarr’s nine putting him on par with Lionel Messi – who is widely regarded as the best footballer of all time.

The Argentine has been fooling defenders with his extraordinary dribbling ability for nearly two decades so it certainly bodes well that the Palace target is keeping up with the Paris Saint-Germain star in that attribute.

Ben Foster labelled Sarr a “freak” talent during his time at Watford and it is easy to see why given his recent displays, so Palace should definitely be looking to bring him to Selhurst Park next month.

Manchester City are ‘ready’ to make a summer 2023 move for AC Milan star Rafael Leao, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Attacking abundance…

The Premier League champions are currently enriched with real depth in the attacking areas as top-flight clubs continue to struggle with Pep Guardiola’s scintillating brand of football.

No other team in the English top tier has scored more goals than City so far this season, thanks in part to the imperious form of marquee summer signing Erling Haaland, who already has a staggering 18 goals in 12 league games.

Alongside the Norway star, Guardiola has Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez at his disposal going forward in a real nightmare for their competitors.

Despite City’s numerous attacking options, though, sporting director Txiki Begiristain is seemingly always working overtime to bolster Guardiola’s squad even further.

The Latest: Man City ‘ready’ to make Leao move next summer…

Reports suggest that City and Begiristain are firmly in the mix to sign Leao, who is in line to feature for Portugal at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

The 23-year-old has been a key player at the San Siro for some time, prompting interest from the Sky Blues and other major clubs.

Journalist Rudy Galetti claims on Twitter that City are ‘ready’ to knock on Milan’s door for Leao next summer, alongside Chelsea and Ligue 1 giants Paris-Saint Germain.

The Verdict: Ambitious move…

Milan apparently value their ‘jewel’ at no less than €120m (£105m), but if City were to move for him next year, Leao’s club may be forced to accept a lower offer.

The 23-year-old’s current deal expires in 2024, and if he hasn’t penned fresh terms by then, the Rossoneri would have to consider either selling him or else risk losing him for nothing soon after.

Called ‘world class’ by members of the Italian press, no Milan player has attempted more shots or completed more dribbles per 90 than Leao this season (WhoScored), so it’s clear to see why a pursuit is firmly on City’s agenda.

Leeds United will remain in Europe during the World Cup having initially planned a trip to America, reliable journalist Phil Hay has confirmed.

The Lowdown: World Cup fast approaching

The Whites have three more Premier League matches to come before the World Cup gets underway next month, starting with Saturday’s trip to Liverpool.

It is a huge period for Jesse Marsch, who knows that he will likely be out of the job after the tournament ends, should performances and results not improve, with next week’s match against Bournemouth perhaps the major breaking point.

Leeds were planning to cross The Atlantic during the World Cup and enjoy a training camp in California, friendlies with Mexican teams and a visit to the club’s minority shareholder in San Francisco, but a fresh update suggests that the club have had a change of heart.

The Latest: Leeds to stay in Europe

Taking to Twitter on Friday, The Athletic‘s Hay confirmed some changes to the training schedule through the international break, including cancelling the trip to San Francisco:

“Few EPL teams are more in need of the World Cup break than Leeds United, to reset and regroup. So changes afoot. Club now planning to stay in Europe during it, rather than heading to the US. Time off for players not involved in the World Cup to be cut.”

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The Verdict: Right call?

While a trip to California may have had its benefits, allowing the non-World Cup players some warm-weather training and potentially growing the club’s popularity in America, this sounds like a more logical option.

It means less travel for Marsch and his squad, assuming he is still in charge at that point, and possibly a more settled time of things for the players without a long excursion, as they look to work on solving their current issues.

It’s also unlikely fans would be too delighted to see their players frolicking around in the California sun given their current predicament.

Either way it is going to be a vital period in Leeds’ season, in terms of working on tactics and recharging the batteries, as they look to fend off the threat of relegation.

Newcastle United star Allan Saint-Maximin has suffered a third injury setback involving his hamstring, according to Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope.

The Lowdown: Saint-Maximin injury

After spending six weeks out on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, the Frenchman made his return to action in the Magpies’ 5-1 demolition of Brentford earlier this month.

However, the day before the Toon’s clash at Old Trafford on Sunday, it was revealed the 25-year-old had irritated his previous discomfort, ruling him out for the game against Manchester United and also prompting likely absences for upcoming Premier League fixtures against Everton and Tottenham.

The Latest: Further woe for Saint-Maximin

After securing a point in a 0-0 draw against the Red Devils, Eddie Howe confirmed the reason for the winger’s absence, while the Newcastle manager also shared an update on the 25-year-old’s injury situation.

Taking to Twitter, Hope relayed this news, having stated: “Eddie Howe also confirms below setback for Allan Saint-Maximin. Third time he has aggravated same hamstring. “It’s very minor but it’s going to keep him out for a period” #nufc.”

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The Verdict: Massive blow

Having ranked in the top 1% across Europe’s top five leagues for dribbles completed by wingers over the past year (via FBRef), Saint-Maximin’s electric pace will continue to be a big miss for the Magpies, who have so often relied on the attacker to generate chances in the final third.

In the Premier League this season, the 25-year-old has been rated as the Tynesiders’ best attacking player, having averaged an impressive 7.36 match rating – inclusive of an incredible 8.5 display in the thrilling 3-3 showdown against Manchester City in August (via SofaScore).

Having been hailed as ‘superb’ by journalist Mark Douglas, Saint-Maximin’s recurrent hamstring injury will worry Howe, as the Frenchman appears to be struggling to shake it off and get back firing to the best of his ability.