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Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron need to step up, says former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey.

Last season, the £42.7m-rated attacking duo scored seven league goals combined, which was five less than what top scorer Callum Wilson managed on his own (as per WhoScored).

The Englishman is Newcastle’s talisman but has struggled with injury during his time at St James’ Park.

Considering that, Howey feels Wilson is not a player you can afford to solely rely on and is now calling for the likes of Saint-Maximin and Almiron to do better in front of goal so that Newcastle do not suffer in the absence of their first-choice striker.

“The two of them can show flashes,” the ex-Newcastle player told TT. “I think sometimes it’s the final end product with both players.

“Saint-Maximin is one of those players where he does get you off your seat and fans love watching him live. Almiron is so quick and defenders hate that. He got a couple of goals last season, but he still had a lot of chances where he missed those chances.

“It is a worry if Wilson gets injured, but then you need other players to step up.”

Saint-Maximin already has one Premier League goal to his name for the season, so from a Newcastle perspective, hopefully he can build on that. Almiron, however, is yet to register, while Wilson once again tops the list with his two strikes.

Nigel Jemson has warned Nottingham Forest fans may have to be patient with Josh Doig if the Championship club succeeds in signing the talented teen.

The 19-year-old left-back has made an impressive start to his career and already amassed 26 appearances in the Scottish Premiership.

Doig has been involved in five Hibernian fixtures so far this season and has been sought-after throughout the transfer window.

Hibs sporting director Graeme Mathie has labelled bids lodged for Doig as disrespectful, with Premier League suitors Leeds United being told to fork out £5million if they want to seal the deal.

But Leeds are not the only side courting Doig, with Forest, Watford and Burnley also keen ahead of the window slamming shut next week.

Reports suggest Forest could even negotiate a loan deal with Burnley if Doig opts to complete a switch to Turf Moor.

Former City Ground favourite Jemson believes Doig has the potential to succeed at Forest and would be interested to see how quickly he adjusts to life in the Championship.

He exclusively told The Transfer Tavern: “He’s got good pedigree. He has been involved with the Scotland under-21s so there must be a player in there.

“Coming from Scotland down to England, is he going to take a bit of time to settle down or fly out of the blocks? We don’t know.”

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's efforts at Wrexham will be hard to replicate for other investors without "deep pockets", says a finance guru.

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• Reynolds and McElhenney a hit at Wrexham
• Salford's Class of '92 owners seeking new investment
• Finance guru issues warning to prospective owners

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  While the Red Dragons have gone from strength to strength under their Hollywood owners, League Two rivals Salford City announced on Monday they were on the lookout for new investment "opportunities". The club co-owned by the famed Manchester United Class of '92 side, including David Beckham, Gary Neville and others, announced on Monday their desire to bring in "strategic partners" going forward. Financial expert Dr Rob Wilson claims this move may serve as a warning to future investors in the game, particularly regarding the difficulties in generating funds.

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• WHAT WILSON SAID

  The finance guru, who is also a professor of economics at Sheffield Business school, told : "I think it [Salford's move] really shows the challenges in the financial landscape of owning a professional sport enterprise and particularly one that operates in the UK football system. It demonstrates that some deep pockets are still required, notwithstanding the financial regulations that are in place by the EFL or indeed the EPL, that those external investments are important for infrastructure and really for building solid foundations for the teams to progress. It also demonstrates that you don’t do quick fixes very often in football.

  "And while the Wrexham story, the Salford City story, and one or two others showcase what can be achieved at times, in order to generate long-term sustainable sporting organisations it needs lots of careful and incremental progression to make sure that you don’t rise too high too quickly and then fall quite hard. I think this is perhaps eye-opening for any investor that looks to associate themselves with professional team sports generally, and football more specifically. And showcases the importance of having a decent amount of liquidity to put in with your investment so that you can have a significant impact on the sporting success of the organisations you choose to be involved in."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  At Salford, Neville stepped down from his role as CEO back in 2022, with ex-Red Devils midfielder Nicky Butt taking over the reigns. Under the Class of '92 ownership Salford have achieved four promotions in nine years, while also expanding their stadium by almost double its capacity.

  Wrexham's is arguably even more of a success story, though. Reynolds and McElhenney secured promotion to the Football League after two-and-a-half seasons and continue to make significant efforts in the community as well as for the club. They too recently expanded their stadium capacity by the introduction of a new Kop stand.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR SALFORD & WREXHAM?

  The League Two duo are both in action on Tuesday evening. Salford host Colchester as they look to lift themselves off 19th spot, while Wrexham travel to Forest Green in an attempt to shake off their terrible form of late and cement a promotion charge for the second time in as many seasons. Phil Parkinson's side have slipped to fourth after 34 games, four points behind leaders Mansfield.

USMNT striker Josh Sargent net a brilliant brace for Norwich City on Saturday, marking his ninth and 10th goals of the campaign.

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• Josh Sargent scores for fourth-straight game
• USMNT striker has 10 goals in 13 appearances
• 23-year-old spearheading promotion fight

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  To open the scoring, the 23-year-old leaned back as he fell over, whipping a right-footed effort into the bottom corner of the net for his ninth goal of the campaign. He added a second in the 54th minute by pouncing on a rebound in the box off his own shot.

  The two strikes marked four-straight games with a goal for the 23-year-old, who is experiencing the best form of his life – while also spearheading Norwich's promotion fight.

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• WATCH THE CLIP

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Sargent made just his 13th appearance of the season on Saturday, after missing nearly the entire first half of the campaign due to injury. However, since his return at the flip of the calendar year, he's been nothing but incredible for the Canaries.

  His form might be exactly what the USMNT needs right now, too, with three major competitions on the horizon. All three of the CONCACAF Nations League, Copa America and Paris Olympics are on the horizon for the USA and they are going to need their best players to be in-form ahead of each tournament. If Sargent can stay healthy and continue to score, there's no doubting him being chosen in Berhalter's XI.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SARGENT, NORWICH AND THE USMNT?

  The 23-year-old striker will look to continue his hot form into their next match against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, February 23. The USMNT, meanwhile, will gather this March for their Nations League semifinal against Jamaica.

Manuel Neuer believes Bayern Munich midfielders need to provide more service to Harry Kane in order to get the best out of the English striker.

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• Neuer wants more service for Kane
• Kane failed to score against Bayer Leverkusen
• Bayern face Lazio next in Champions League

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The veteran German goalkeeper claimed that the Bayern players are yet to come to terms with losing 3-0 against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend as he demanded more service for star striker Harry Kane up front.

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• WHAT MANUEL NEUER SAID

  Speaking to reporters, Neuer said, "We haven't quite gotten over it. When you lose like that, it does something with you. We've spoken about it, analysed it and been clear about it. The good thing is we've got a game straight after. We want to get to the next round. We want to make up for things that we didn't do well in Leverkusen.

  "It's important that we stick at it. It's a new competition, a new day. Even when Bayern Munich lose, the sun still rises. We're looking forward to the game.

  He added, "We didn't play in a clever way. Our positioning wasn't how we'd planned. Harry Kane needs to be fed by us. When we feed him, he's a phenomenon. We need to make sure he gets into dangerous areas with the ball so we can have success."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The former Tottenham Hotspur striker has enjoyed a rich vein of form ever since he moved to Munich from London in the summer. He has already scored 28 times in as many games across all competitions and has broken multiple records at the Bundesliga club. The England captain, though, had a rare off day against Xabi Alonso's side as he managed just 18 touches throughout the game.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN MUNICH?

  Thomas Tuchel's side will now shift their focus to the Champions League as they take on Lazio in the first leg of their round of 16 clash on Wednesday.

According to The Daily Mail, Southampton are to battle fellow Premier League club West Ham United in their attempts to sign Nice defender Flavius Daniliuc.

The Lowdown: Saints boost defence

The Saints are preparing for the new campaign – they are now just ten days away from their season opener with Everton on Saturday 14 August 14.

So far, they have made three new signings – two of them, in Romain Perraud (southamptonfc.com) and Danyl Simeu (chelseafc.com), are natural defenders; while the other, Valentin Livramento, has played regularly at right-back at youth level.

The Latest: Saints eye Daniliuc

It now seems that the Saints are looking to bring in another defender in £5.4m-valued Nice centre-back Daniliuc (Transfermarkt).

With plenty of competition for places at Les Aiglons, he could be allowed to leave the French club this summer.

The Verdict: Right area to target

Even at the age of just 20, Daniliuc has already been on the books of European giants such as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid (Transfermarkt). Last season, he made 26 appearances in all competitions for Nice (Transfermarkt), showing his talent and ability. He also has five Austria under-21 caps to his name.

In 2020/21, Southampton conceded 68 goals in the Premier League (Sky Sports). Only relegated West Bromwich Albion, with 76 goals shipped, had a worse record. The Saints have already looked to sort out that problem at the back this summer, and they seem willing to bring in even more reinforcements in that area of the pitch if they are going after Daniliuc having already signed several new defenders.

In other news, many Southampton fans are delighted with this new arrival.

Former Netherlands international Quincy Promes has been sentenced to six years in prison for his involvement in cocaine smuggling.

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• Promes sentenced to prison time
• Alleged to have been involved in cocaine smuggling
• On the books at Spartak Moscow

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Promes has been sentenced to six years in prison for allegedly smuggling over 1,350 kilograms of cocaine. The prosecution had been seeking a nine-year prison sentence but he has instead been sentenced to six years behind bars, according to .

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The player currently plays for Spartak in Russia and, as such, was not present at the hearing in the Netherlands. Promes has continually maintained his innocence, with the main evidence against him consisting of intercepted "crypto messages". He is likely to appeal the sentence, with the smuggling allegedly taking place in January of 2020, when Promes played for Ajax.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Russia has no extradition treaty with the Netherlands, meaning that Promes can likely continue his career with Spartak if he simply refuses to return to his homeland. This is not the first time the winger has been in trouble with the law, as he was given an 18-month jail term for assault last year after stabbing his cousin at a party.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PROMES?

  As mentioned, he is likely to appeal his conviction. Spartak are next in action on Wednesday against Kairat; it remains to be seen if Promes will be involved.

GOAL takes a look at some of the best magazines to read if you're a football fan

Whether you're looking for a magazine that covers football culture or one that keeps you up to speed on the latest happenings in the game, there is no shortage of football magazines out there.

But which should you be reading? Here, GOAL brings you some of the best football magazines to read right now.

• MUNDIAL

  MUNDIAL reminds you why you love football.

  Described by Kelly Cates as "the world's most beautiful football magazine", MUNDIAL takes you on a journey through football culture in all its glorious forms, from grassroots astro dreams and classic kits, to cult heroes and raucous away-day capers.

  If you're inclined to carefully chart the chronicles of Paolo Maldini, remember when Zinedine Zidane became a superstar at Bordeaux or worship at the altar of O Fenomeno, MUNDIAL is the magazine for you.

  Released four times a year, MUNDIAL also has a membership club, with loads of perks and goodies for subscribers. Oh and they have a few decent podcasts too, such as GIANT and Reminding You Why You Love Football.

  Get the latest issue of MUNDIALOrder now

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• World Soccer

  World Soccer magazine is the oldest continually published football magazine in the United Kingdom and its pages have been graced by some of the best writers in the business.

  Released each month, the magazine focuses on soccer around the globe, with specials on major tournaments, transfer window round-ups and scout reports on the best players to watch across the planet.

  As well as providing insight, analysis and features, World Soccer also hands out awards for the best player, coach and team in a given year.

• Four Four Two

  Launched in 1994, Four Four Two magazine is a favourite of many football fans in the UK, with 13 issues each year.

  The magazine is known for fascinating interviews with players and insightful features taking a look at the latest developments in the game.

  Four Four Two can be purchased in print at most newsagents and there is also an app and a digital edition, with different options available for subscribers.

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• When Saturday Comes

  When Saturday Comes heralds itself as "the half decent football magazine" in typically self-deprecating style, but it is one of the leading independent football magazines in the UK.

  Having launched its first issue in 1986, WSC has sought to provide a blend of insight from its readers as well as well known football journalists, giving its content a distinctly terrace-informed voice.

  Interestingly, When Saturday Comes have also published a number of books and the podcast is worth a listen too.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is pleased to see Lionel Messi at Inter Miami as he claims that MLS audiences “started watching baseball” after he left America.

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• Swedish striker spent two years in California
• Claimed to be the best MLS player ever
• Ballon d'Or winner now in the United States

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The legendary Swedish striker spent two seasons with the LA Galaxy between 2018 and 2019, scoring 53 goals in just 58 appearances. Another superstar performer has now headed to the United States, with seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi making an immediate impact in Florida – with A-list celebrities flocking to see him in action as ticket prices soar each and every time that he takes to the field.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ibrahimovic has told journalist Luigi Garlando at of American fans getting excited about Messi: “I'm happy for them. They can watch soccer again. When I left, they started watching baseball.”

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Ibrahimovic has previously claimed to be the best player that MLS has ever seen, telling back in 2022 of his time in California: “I was still too alive. So I was too good for the whole competition. That is what I showed. And I'm the best ever to play in MLS and that is not me having ego or trying to show off now. That is true. And when I was there, I enjoyed [it]. I had a good time. And I like the way they were working, the way they were doing the marketing stuff. And I think [playing in MLS] was the best way for me to come back after my injury. I was in the best condition ever. And I'm very proud I played for the MLS, because they were saying to me the stadiums are pretty empty when you play in that. There was no empty stadiums when I was playing. It was even overbooked, so I cannot complain, and I'm very happy I was there.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Messi may now have taken the title of MLS GOAT, with the Argentine icon inspiring Inter Miami to a historic Leagues Cup triumph within weeks of his arrival. For all of the quality that Ibrahimovic added to the Galaxy’s ranks in Los Angeles, he never got his hands on a trophy.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly considering abandoning his bid to buy Manchester United and will instead try to purchase a minority stake in the club.

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• Ratcliffe bidding for Man Utd takeover
• Competing with Sheikh Jassim from Qatar
• Billionaire may buy minority stake instead

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ratcliffe's company, Ineos Sports, has been one of the frontrunners to take ownership of the Red Devils since the Glazer family put it up for sale.

  However, the process has been dragging on for almost 10 months and reports the British billionaire is willing to settle for a minority stake in the club.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ratcliffe had put in a bid that would see his group become a major stakeholder, but his switch to the pursuit of a minority share of the club would allow the Glazer family to remain in control of United.

  It is unclear how the deal would be structured and if Ratcliffe and Ineos see it as a possible path to majority control of the Old Trafford team.

  Such a deal may anger United supporters, who are eager to see the Glazer family relinquish ownership of the club completely.

• WHO ELSE COULD BUY MAN UTD?

  Ineos are one of two main candidates to purchase United from the Glazers.

  Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar has also been vying for control of the Red Devils and his bid remains on the table.

  There have also been several bids from other sources for minority stakes in the club received by the Glazer family.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  While the takeover process continues, United will return to on-field action when they meet Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday.