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One TalkSPORT pundit believes Leeds can find their next Archie Gray by spending just £5 million on a player they have recently been linked with, according to a new report.

The Yorkshire side saw their two-game winning run end on Tuesday evening, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Norwich City. However, they remain firmly in the play-off places after eight Championship games played.

80% duels lost: Farke must drop Leeds star to unleash teen titan instead

The Whites central defender endured a difficult night against Norwich City.

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By
Dan Emery

Oct 2, 2024

Leeds transfer news

The Whites are suffering from a lot of injuries of late, and while January is still a bit away, the club may be putting plans in place to be active once the transfer window reopens once again.

Leeds have recently been linked with a move for Port Vale youngster Karl Agnero. Stoke City and Norwich City are also keen on the 16-year-old, as well as other teams from the Championship and the Premier League. Agnero has been impressing in Port Vale’s under-18s and was handed his first team debut earlier this season in the EFL Trophy against Wolves’ under-21s.

As well as looking at Agnero, Leeds are also interested in signing Bristol Rovers’ Kofi Shaw. The 17-year-old has broken into the first team at the Memorial Stadium, and his performances have caught the attention of the Whites and Premier League side Aston Villa. Now one TalkSPORT pundit believes if Leeds want to find their next Gray, then it could cost them just £5 million to sign Shaw.

Carlton Palmer says Kofi Shaw will cost at least £5m

Leeds are among the teams interested in signing Shaw, as the winger has impressed in the handful of appearances he has made this season. And TalkSPORT pundit Carlton Palmer believes it would cost Leeds around £5 million to sign Shaw, and he could be their next Archie Gray.

Palmer told Football League World: “Daniel Farke has shown that he is prepared to give young players the opportunity. Look at Archie Gray, the young 18-year-old who’s just moved on to Spurs, and he featured 40-odd times for Leeds last season.

“What he’s worth is a difficult one, as he’s a very talented youngster. Obviously, he needs to be getting game time and Matt Taylor has said they are conscious he’s only 17, and that they need to manage his game time and how he plays.

“Bristol Rovers will be looking for decent money for him already; maybe £5 million or 6 million with add-ons. Then maybe Bristol Rovers could do a deal which involves him being loaned back, so that he gets his education.”

Leeds will be keen to add the next young star to their squad whether that be for their own top flight conquest or for future big money sales, and it seems Shaw and Agnero are top of the list for the time being.

Only a matter of days ago Arsenal swept PSG aside with a comfortable win inside the Emirates Stadium.

It wasn’t easy, per se, but the confidence with which Mikel Arteta’s men brushed aside one of Europe’s elite clubs 2-0 was impressive.

Therefore, it makes their matches against Leicester City and Southampton which sandwiched that Champions League tie rather more perplexing.

Arsenal were coasting at half-time last week only to be undone by two James Justin goals from nowhere. The Gunners did end up winning the game but they did so in dramatic last-gasp fashion.

Late heroics weren’t needed against Southampton but they were given a scare on Saturday. Cameron Archer opened the scoring against the run of play but the Gunners fought back in deadly style.

Almost single-handedly Kai Havertz decided to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and once his equaliser went in, Arteta rang the changes. Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Jorginho were all off. On came Gabriel Martinelli – scorer of Arsenal’s second on the day – Leandro Trossard and new signing Mikel Merino. Boy did they make an impact?

By the time the whistle went at the end of 99 long minutes of play, it was 3-1 as Bukayo Saka capped off a fine individual afternoon. We want to talk about Havertz first, though.

Kai Havertz's performance in numbers

This time last year the German had just been gifted a charity penalty. Let’s be honest, that’s what it was.

Arsenal were in a comfortable position away at Bournemouth and Saka was about to put the ball down on the spotkick. Over came captain Martin Odegaard who whispered in the Englishman’s ear before presenting the opportunity to Havertz. He duly obliged and the £65m signing was finally off and running in Arsenal colours.

Since that moment at the Vitality Stadium, the former Chelsea man has only gone from strength to strength. In fact, he’s now one of the club’s most important players. Gabriel Jesus, who?

Arteta trialled him as a no.8 following the departure of Granit Xhaka but the Germany international offers so much more up top. He’s painted out as a false 9 but he’s now blossoming into an elite centre forward.

Havertz now has seven goals in seven straight home games and as a striker for Arsenal in Premier League action, he has registered 20 goal involvements in 20 games (12 goals and 8 assists), averaging one every 83 minutes.

Against Southampton, he proved exactly why he’s so valuable. The way he took his goal was Robin van Persie-esque. The 25-year-old burst forward, took a few touches to get the ball into a commanding position before hammering it home via the post.

If that didn’t sum up his display then a display of duel-winning right near the end of the contest did. Havertz entered a duel about 25 yards from goal in a central area and hustled and harried the visiting team into ceding possession, eventually winning it on the touchline and setting up another Arsenal attack.

In total, he won seven duels which was perhaps every bit as important as his rasping equaliser on 58 minutes.

It was a phenomenal performance but there was one that caught the eye even further.

Bukayo Saka's performance in numbers

There’s always discourse surrounding Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Saka. Last weekend it was Palmer’s opportunity to showcase just how much of a threat he is. The Chelsea star did so emphatically, scoring a ridiculous four times against Brighton.

A week later it was Saka who proved why he could be the most special of the trio, picking up two assists and scoring the final goal against Russel Martin’s Saints.

Like Havertz, the 23-year-old put in a remarkable attacking performance and is now proving himself to be one of the game’s elite creators.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Before last week’s match with the Foxes, no player on record had managed seven shots and seven chances created in a single Premier League game. Well, Saka did so against Leicester and on Saturday when Southampton came to town, he did the same again.

Yes, he may well be on corners, but this weekend both of his assists came from open play. The second was a peach, curling the ball to the back post where Martinelli was left with a simple finish from close range.

For the season, he now has seven assists in seven top-flight games and has created 27 goal-scoring chances, at least four more than any other player.

In intriguing circumstances, it seems as though Arsenal may have just unearthed the heir to Mesut Ozil’s crown.

Saka certainly has a bit more energy and drive to his play but Ozil, lest we forget, is one of the best playmakers of the 21st century.

In Arsenal colours, the German registered a whopping 75 assists in 254 games, 19 of which came in the same 2015/16 season as he came ever so close to matching Thierry Henry’s record for a Premier League campaign of 20.

Saka could well be in contention to match or beat that come the end of the term. He certainly will do if he continues at his current rate.

It’s crazy to think that the England international only registered nine in the entire league campaign last time out. At the age of just 23, the Arsenal star is getting even better. Scary times indeed for Premier League left-backs.

Saved by Saka: Arsenal must drop 5/10 ace who had fewer touches than Raya

The Gunners won in the Premier League, but not everyone was at their best…

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 5, 2024

Mauro Icardi has bitten back at Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho after seeing “The Crying One” aim a “Handball Word Cup” dig at Galatasaray.

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• Portuguese coach ruffling more feathers
• Argentine striker quick to respond
• Mourinho unimpressed with Turkish officials

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Outspoken Portuguese coach Mourinho continues to ruffle feathers in Turkish football. He has fired shots at Super Lig referees on a regular basis, with the ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid manager boasting a colourful history when it comes to conflict with match officials.

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• WHAT JOSE MOURINHO SAID

  He has delivered another jibe on social media, with Mourinho using an image that appears to show Galatasaray defender Davinson Sanchez handling inside the box – with no penalty being awarded – to accompany a message which reads: “In the Handball World Cup that ended last Sunday, my Portugal brilliantly reached the semifinals and I want to congratulate them for such an achievement and the impact they will create on our country’s youth.”

• Instagram
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ex-Inter striker Icardi, who is now on Gala’s books, has been quick to offer a response to his domestic rival. He has dusted off “The Crying One” meme, in reference to Mourinho previously anointing himself as ‘The Special One’, while posting his own picture of a supposed handball by a Fenerbahce player that went unpunished.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  It is not the first time that Mourinho has been accused of hypocrisy, and probably will not be the last. The 62-year-old has always been a master of mind games, as he looks to get under the skin of those that he comes up against, and will make no apologies to Icardi or anybody else for continuing to speak his mind.

West Ham have been used to having a “defend first” policy in recent years, and are trying to change this dynamic under new manager Julen Lopetegui, to be more on the front foot, and dominate games on the ball.

Having said that, The Hammers are coming off the back of one of their worst defensive campaigns in recent years, conceding 74 goals during the 2023/24 season, giving them the fourth worst defensive record in the division.

They have already conceded more this season (11) than they have scored (10), which could tempt the Hammers back into the market in January in order to strengthen those defensive options.

West Ham target available on the cheap

According to reports from the Star, via the Evening Standard, West Ham target Harry Maguire could be available for just £10m in January.

The defender is approaching the final months of his deal. Manchester United will want to extract some sort of fee for the 31-year-old defender, who they originally bought for £80m.

Maguire has made 215 appearances for United, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists in 17,193 minutes. He also has 64 international caps for England, scoring seven goals, making his debut in 2017.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Maguire vs Rice comparison

Declan Rice made 245 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 15 goals, providing 13 assists and totalling 20,580 minutes played for the club.

He was named club captain when Mark Noble left the club, and led his side to European glory in 2023, winning the UEFA Conference League with a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina.

The 25-year-old made 20 appearances for Ireland in the youth ranks, before making three senior appearances for them.

He then changed alliances and has made 60 appearances for England, scoring four goals in that time, and reaching the Euro finals twice.

It was a big loss, more specifically from a leadership point of view, but Maguire could help make up for that absence. The English defender captained United from 2020-2023, and this sort of leadership could be very valuable to West Ham, who saw Rice head to Arsenal for a mega £105m.

Maguire was praised as “one of the best defenders” in the history of English football by international teammate, Harry Kane and one of his best weapons, alongside his leadership, is his aerial prowess for both defending the box, and attacking set pieces.

That shows in the stats, winning 3.90 aerials per 90 and generating 0.11 xG per 90, which largely comes from attacking set pieces. Out of the three players we have compared, he also scored the most goals per 90 with 0.16.

The 31-year-old defender would bring improved defensive numbers ahead of Kurt Zouma who left the club on loan this summer, whilst also adding extra leadership that the club has missed since Rice left the club.

Lopetegui could already have his own Jhon Duran in West Ham machine

West Ham could already have their own Jhon Duran at the club.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 16, 2024

RAJ Sports ownership made the groundbreaking announcement Thursday

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• Portland Thorns and future WNBA team to share new facility
• Will cost $75 million to build, and will be privately funded
• Will be the first training center shared by two women's teams in different sports

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  A state-of-the-art facility and a first-of-its-kind, the Thorns and Portland's future WNBA team are expected to open a joint practice facility by early 2026, owners and operators RAJ Sports announced Thursday.

  The 12-acre facility will be a repurposed office complex recently occupied by Nike, and it will cost $75M to build. Completion of the Thorns' portion of the facility, and the shared areas, are expected to be completed in time for training ahead of the 2026 season — while the unnamed WNBA team's section will expect to be completed by the start of their inaugural season in the summer of 2026.

  RAJ Sports projects to invest more than $150M into the multi-phase project, with the 63,000-square-foot facility being the first stage of their investment specifically for women athletes.

  The ownership behind the project, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage, purchased the NWSL side for an estimated $63M in January 2024 and paid the WNBA $125M for an expansion franchise in September later that year.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  “When we acquired the Portland Thorns and the Portland WNBA franchise, our family committed to investing into the Thorns, the WNBA franchise, and the Portland metro region,” Merage, Governor of both teams, said in a news release. “Building an innovative training facility that provides the best possible environment for our athletes across professional soccer and professional basketball will be a game changer for women’s sports. Our goal is to create the most inclusive and welcoming environment for our athletes, staff, supporters, fans, partners, and community as we strive to be an elite organization on the field, on the court, and in the community.”

  The facility will include a 17,000-square-foot basketball gym featuring two full-size courts, two soccer pitches alongside an outdoor training zone, dedicated dressing rooms featuring a "spa-like setting," with amenities aimed toward female athletes; a full-time chef and nutritionist working within a shared dining room; social media content creation rooms, team meeting rooms and family rooms along with strength facilities, outdoor turf zones, yoga and pilates rooms, and sports science and sports medicine areas.

  “It’s an exciting time for our club, and as players we are thrilled to be getting a first-of-its-kind, dedicated women’s performance center,” Thorns forward Sophia Wilson (formerly Smith) said in the news release. “This kind of high-performance training facility allows us to elevate every part of our game, becoming better and more well-rounded athletes. Having a space designed specifically for female athletes gives us yet another leg up on the competition and will be vital to our future successes.”

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Portland was one of the NWSL's founding teams in 2013. The city also had a WNBA team, the Fire, from 2000 until it folded in 2002 — where they averaged 8,000 fans in attendance at the time.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PORTLAND?

  The facility will serve it as the first time a pair of women's teams, in different sports, will practice together. Slated to open in 2026, construction will now begin rapidly in the buildup to opening.

  The Thorns, meanwhile, begin their 2025 NWSL campaign on March 15 against the KC Current.

Manchester United may be in line for a transfer boost from Mason Greenwood and Barcelona, with the Liga giants piecing together recruitment plans.

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• Greenwood left Old Trafford in 2024
• Has been starring in France for Marseille
• Back on the radar of La Liga giants

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The £27 million ($34m) deal that took Old Trafford academy graduate Greenwood to Marseille in the summer of 2024 includes a 50 per cent sell-on clause. United reportedly have the option to increase that stake in future windows.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  They may not get that opportunity, with reporting that La Liga giants Barca are rekindling their interest in Greenwood. They saw him star in Spanish football last season during a productive loan spell at Getafe.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Barcelona are said to be “planning to look closely at Greenwood's situation in the summer”, with the 23-year-old forward hitting 14 Ligue 1 goals for Marseille this season. Paris Saint-Germain are also being heavily linked with the one-cap England international.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Marseille are not expected to do business with PSG, as a direct domestic rival, but Barca could hand United a welcome injection of funds. If they do formalise their interest in Greenwood, then the Red Devils will pocket a tidy sum that could be used to aid their supposed hunt for another proven goalscorer.

Jordan Henderson has been linked with a sensational return to Sunderland and Dan Neil has now provided some interesting words regarding a possible reunion.

Henderson linked with Sunderland return

The Black Cats are flying this season, sitting five points clear at the top of the Championship table and excelling under new manager Regis Le Bris. On Saturday, they picked up a 2-0 win at home to Oxford United, as they continue to look like a side capable of winning the title.

While Sunderland have a squad brimming with quality, including highly-rated pair Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham, they are also a young group of players who could do with extra experience as the season goes on and more pressurised matches arrive.

Henderson has been backed to make a stunning return to his former club in recent months, having fallen out of favour at Ajax and generally lost his way since leaving Liverpool for the Saudi Pro League last year, in what represents a hugely exciting transfer rumour.

It has even been claimed that the 34-year-old is open to the idea of coming back to Sunderland after bursting onto the scene as a teenager, earning him a big-money move to Anfield in 2011 in the process.

Neil makes Henderson claim at Sunderland

In quotes provided by The Daily Mail, Sunderland ace Neil admitted he has spoken to Henderson in the past, adding that he would “love” to play with him at the Stadium of Light.

“Jordan is someone I’d love to play alongside, he’s a top quality player who has won everything in a great career so he’s welcome to come back if he wants. He’s inspired us local lads to keep striving to emulate him.

“I got in contact with him a couple of years back, and we met for a coffee. He gave me some good advice which I’ve kept to heart. It might be a bit nerve-wracking captaining a side with him in it but it’s something I’d happily do.”

Signing Henderson in January could prove to be a masterstroke by Le Bris, should the former Liverpool man be genuinely keen on an emotional reunion taking place.

The Englishman clearly isn’t the force he was during the peak of his powers at Liverpool during his late 20s and early 30s, during which time he captained the Reds to Premier League and Champions League glory, also winning multiple other trophies as skipper.

He is still good enough to be playing for Ajax, however, and there is no reason why he couldn’t be a real force back at Sunderland, putting his vast experience to good use and being a great foil for the likes of Rigg and Bellingham.

Sunderland injury not deemed serious in new major boost for Regis Le Bris

A relief for the Black Cats.

By
Tom Cunningham

Oct 27, 2024

Henderson may have to accept a squad role, considering how well the Black Cats are already doing this season, but he could ultimately be the cherry on top when it comes to Le Bris’ side being a Championship-winning outfit, coming to the fore in big matches and proving to be a calming presence.

Jack Grealish celebrated Manchester City’s FA Cup win over Plymouth at a £3-per-pint social club, with girlfriend Sasha Attwood staying at home.

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• England international figured in Plymouth win
• Headed out for a few drinks the following day
• Left the North East looking a little worse for wear

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The England international, who has made just 14 appearances in the 2024-25 campaign, was included in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI for a meeting with Plymouth at the Etihad Stadium. City fell behind in that contest, but battled back to claim a 3-1 win and book a quarter-final date with Bournemouth.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  The day after figuring in cup competition, Grealish was spotted letting his hair down in the North East. He visited North Biddock Social Club near Sunderland, having also spent time at the Lord Nelson pub in Gorton, Manchester.

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  THE GOSSIP

  Grealish ended his boozy Sunday by visiting The Dubliner, where he was seen looking a little worse for wear when stumbling towards a waiting chauffeured car. There was no sign of his partner Attwood, who will be filling parenting duties after giving birth to the couple’s first child in September 2024.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Grealish also hit the town without Attwood in mid-February when attending the glamorous Chiltern Firehouse venue in Marylebone. After being followed out of that establishment by former model Emma Silverton, Grealish shouted “she’s not with me” before eventually being driven away from central London.

Dwight McNeil is a doubt for Everton’s upcoming Premier League fixture against West Ham United. It’s a big one. And it’s a big blow. The dynamic attacking midfielder has posted three goals and three assists apiece in the top flight this term.

It’s a worrying possible absence, not least because McNeil is the creative lifeforce of Sean Dyche’s attack, having created eight big chances and averaged 2.7 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.

It could have a detrimental effect on the performance of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who isn’t at his best right now.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin's current form

Calvert-Lewin is out of contract at the end of the season and perhaps this is what’s preventing the 27-year-old from hitting his stride in terms of goalscoring.

Of course, after several seasons of ups and downs on the fitness front, it’s just pleasing to see him in regular action, starting all ten of Everton’s Premier League fixtures this term.

However, Calvert-Lewin has blanked across his past six matches, failing to score or assist since Everton broke free from the four-match losing run that started their season off on the wrong footing.

His inconsistency could see the improving Beto earn his first starting berth of the season in the Premier League, but whatever the decision against West Ham, some supporters must rue the failure to once sign a striker now thriving at the very top of the game.

Everton missed out on the dream Calvert-Lewin upgrade

In 2022, Everton were interested in signing Coventry City’s Viktor Gyokeres in a deal worth £10m. They failed, with the Sweden international moving to Sporting Lisbon and since becoming one of the most coveted players in the world.

Indeed, now hailed as “one of the most feared strikers in Europe” – as said by reporter Harry de Cosemo – Gyokeres could instead be plying his trade for an Everton team fighting further up the table, closer to those elusive European spots.

Indeed, Frank Lampard had personally identified Gyokeres, now 26, as the perfect player to spearhead the Everton charge, but his career went down a different avenue and he is now scoring hat-tricks against Manchester City in the Champions League.

Even so, this merely accentuates the misery of failing to get the deal done. When comparing the forward’s league efforts this term against those of Calvert-Lewin, it’s clear that Dyche’s system – or perhaps Lampard’s, had this move been completed – would be operating at a higher level.

And anyway, Gyokeres is now considered among the finest that the game has to offer, dubbed “unplayable” by former teammate Maxime Biamou. It’s a matter of when, not if, he will land a transfer to one of Europe’s pre-eminent competitors.

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast's One That Got Away series.

Sporting, who are losing their manager Ruben Amorim to Manchester United, are expected to welcome bids of £60m for their prized asset, which actually means that he is worth 500% more than the figure that Everton were hoping to pay for his services.

It’s one to look back at ruefully, but given the heights that Gyokeres has since reached – and will perhaps reach down the line – it’s better not to look back at all.

Everton had the next Barkley in teen talent, then he was sold for £1.5m

Everton once had the dream Barkley heir but he was sold for just £1.5m.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 8, 2024

in an anonymous survey with The Athletic, MLS executives weighed in on several topics impacting the league

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• MLS executives offered opinions on state of the league
• Praised the league for handling of Messi, but admitted fear about retirement
• Opinions were mixed on the potential fallout from the Club World Cup

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  MLS's future remains bright, but with the 2026 World Cup just more than a year away, there remain questions about the league's future direction.

  With the 2025 season underway, MLS executives weighed in on some of the biggest topics in the league. In an anonymous survey with , the execs addressed Lionel Messi's influence on American soccer, the potential switch to a fall-spring calendar, and the potential threat posed by a rival Division 1 setup from USL.

  READ MORE: GOAL's MLS Player Survey: Weighing on best player to best run club

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• ON MESSI

  Responding to the survey, some executives argued that MLS has taken full advantage of Messi:

  "I think going after the world’s best player and bringing them here shows that it’s pretty damn important and a pretty big statement.”

  Others, though, said that the league hasn't done enough to prepare for his inevitable retirement.

  "I think that clearly Messi’s been a monster. And the real question now is what is this going to lead to after he goes?"

• ON A FALL-SPRING CALENDAR

  The consensus was pretty much unanimous, though, that a switch to a fall-spring calendar is necessary.

  "We can’t keep playing where our season ends in October and then all of a sudden you play a round of playoff games and then you have an international break, then you play another couple rounds of playoff games, and you’re in a thick of it, and then you have another international break," one exec said. “I mean, you lose all momentum as a team. It’s terrible for our game, fans, everybody. I just don’t see how it works. And then the other thing is we’re not aligned with the rest of the world on the acquisition and transferring of players. And I think all those things are incredibly important in order to take the MLS to another level."

  There was a general sentiment that it would help the transfer market.

  “If we go to secondary markets, we’re basically asking for the team’s best players, and they’re like, ‘You kidding me? We’re qualifying for Europe. No chance.’ So either you grossly overpay or you don’t get your guy. Competing in the summer is going to be a little easier."

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• ON APPLE TV STREAMING DEAL

  There is concern over the league's current streaming pact with Apple, according to some execs.

  “Change the format, change the salary cap, allow us to bring more attractive players. But also they have to end the deal with Apple. It’s bad for the fans.”

  Another added, "I think we have to be on more linear outlets."