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Jack Grealish has reportedly sacrificed a hefty chunk of his Manchester City fortune to seal a shock loan move to Everton, who have the option to buy him outright for £50 million ($67m) next summer. The England international, kitted out in a sleek black velour tracksuit, ticked off his medical on Monday ahead of his official unveiling at Everton.

• Grealish accepts pay cut for Everton loan
• Medical completed ahead of Leeds clash
• Eyes England World Cup 2026 comeback

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to the England midfielder was pocketing around £300,000 a week at the Etihad. However, it is understood that he has gone “above and beyond” financially to force the deal with Everton over the line, as he is determined to revive his career on Merseyside with one eye on next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Grealish spent much of last season drifting on the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s plans. He managed just seven league starts for City while his stock for club and country dipped alarmingly. However, the former Aston Villa talisman has been convinced by David Moyes that Everton can provide the springboard to reignite his form. 

• DID YOU KNOW?

  It is understood that Grealish has been assured that he will be the heartbeat of the side, given the freedom to dictate games, and that Everton will provide the stage to catch England boss Thomas Tuchel’s eye ahead of the 2026 World Cup. It was a crushing blow for Grealish to be left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad, and he is geared up to make amends in the next campaign by playing every week and thereby rediscovering the swagger that made him one of English football’s most exciting attacking talents. Importantly, the switch across the North West means Grealish won’t have to uproot his young family, a major factor in choosing Everton over other suitors.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR GREALISH?

  Everton open their Premier League journey next Monday at Elland Road against Leeds United, a match that could mark the beginning of Grealish’s fightback if his unveiling goes ahead as planned. If Moyes gives him the nod in the starting XI, all eyes will be on how quickly he can adapt to his new surroundings and deliver the spark Everton fans crave.

AC Milan have been told to drop their interest in Rasmus Hojlund if the Manchester United striker does not jump at the chance to play for the club.

• Hojlund rejects Milan
• Sacchi attacks Danish forward
• 22-year-old not in United's plans

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Manchester United and Milan have been in talks over a potential loan move for Hojlund, which would include a buyout option at the end of the season. However, Hojlund has put up some resistance over a transfer, having made it clear that he wants to fight for a place at United. The Red Devils, meanwhile, don't consider him a part of the project anymore. 

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  Hojlund failed to impress last season, where he scored only four times in the Premier League and recorded 10 goals overall, across 52 games. United, who lacked the thrust in the attacking third last season, made crucial signings this summer, roping in Matheus Cunha from Wolves, Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, and Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. The arrival of Sesko means Hojlund will have to sit on the bench and ex-Milan boss Arrigo Sacchi has advised the club to leave him there if he is not motivated to join the Italian side.

• WHAT SACCHI SAID

  The 79-year-old said to : "If he prefers to sit on the bench or in the stands at Old Trafford rather than start for AC Milan, then the Rossoneri management should let this striker go and focus on someone who truly wants to wear the Rossoneri shirt. AC Milan must be loved; it can't be a second-best option. The first quality required: reliability. Then comes everything else. But if you're not reliable, if you don't have fire inside, if you're not willing to sacrifice yourself for the club and your teammates, it's better for him to stay home."

  He added: "First of all: we're not talking about [Marco] van Basten, nor one of the best strikers in Europe right now. He's a decent player, nothing more. So, this pursuit of him seems exaggerated to me. However, since there's a shortage of strikers, I understand the Rossoneri directors' desire to secure one. But he's eager to come to Italy, he's not acting up… I don't understand his choice. If Milan calls you, you should pack your bags and get on the first plane to Malpensa. Milan, in the world of football, is a legendary name. I would take all the players who are bought for a tour of the trophy room so they can fully understand where they ended up. They're the ones who should be thankful for having been signed, not the other way around. Do I make myself clear? The club comes first, then the player. Of course, Manchester United, for goodness' sake, is also a legendary team, but on one side there's a club, Milan, that offers you a permanent position, and on the other there's another that He's doing everything he can to sell you. Perhaps he wants to prove to Manchester United that he's as good as the newly acquired players? That could be an explanation, but sometimes following your instincts isn't a good way to get far. I think it would have been important for Hojlund to seize the opportunity AC Milan offered. He's hesitant and unconvinced? No problem. He stays where he is and Milan thinks about another player who, possibly, has the desire to wear the Rossoneri shirt."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR HOJLUND?

  Milan director Igli Tare is still in England monitoring the 22-year-old's situation. United are keen to offload him but it all depends on what Hojlund's decision. 

Savinho's proposed move to Tottenham Hotspur is on the verge of collapsing as Manchester City are all set to block the transfer, despite the Brazilian's interest in joining the north London club. Savinho was not included in the matchday squad for City's season opener against Wolves last weekend but Pep Guardiola later insisted that he wants the player to stay.

• Savinho's move to Spurs might collapse
• Man City blocking transfer
• Face Spurs on August 23

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Tottenham got off to a bright start in the Thomas Frank era as they beat newly promoted Burnley 3-0 in their season opener last Saturday. Following their victory in the opening clash, the club also got captain Cristian Romero to sign a new contract. Now, the North London side wants to add one more player to their squad before the transfer window closes and they have their eyes on Manchester City outcast Savinho. 

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  However, a fresh report from claims that City are set to block Savinho's transfer to Spurs this summer as manager Pep Guardiola wants to retain the player's services beyond the current transfer window. After the Wolves clash on Saturday, Guardiola insisted that the club would keep the player at least for one more season.

• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  On Savinho's situation, TBR Football's Graeme Bailey claimed: "Savinho has been informed that the deal is a non-starter. I believe it was possible, but with just a few weeks left, it is not ideal. Also, as we reported, Pep Guardiola did not want to lose him, and I am told that was key. The hierarchy were open to a deal, but they wouldn’t simply go against Guardiola."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

  After a thumping 4-0 win at Molineux, City will next host Spurs in the Premier League on August 23.

Xabi Alonso has moved to clarify his decision-making process after leaving Vinicius Jr. on the bench for Sunday's comfortable league win.

• Alonso confirmed Vinicius was benched for tactical reasons
• Brazilian came off the bench to score in Madrid's 3-0 win
• Decision was part of Alonso's rotation policy

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Real Madrid manager Alonso has stated that his decision to bench Vinicius Jr for the 3-0 La Liga win against Real Oviedo was made purely for the good of the team. Alonso addressed the Brazilian's surprise omission from the starting XI in his post-match press conference, explaining that such choices are based on tactical needs. Despite starting as a substitute, Vinicius came on to score the final goal in the 90th minute, adding to a brace from Kylian Mbappe.

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  The victory maintains Real Madrid's perfect start to the La Liga campaign, with two wins from their opening two matches, placing them third in the table behind Villarreal and Barcelona on goal difference. The 3-0 victory marks Real Madrid's second consecutive clean sheet in La Liga this season. Despite the perfect start, the decision to drop Vinicius for Sunday's game raised a few eyebrows amid fears over the attacker's future, given he reportedly rejected a new contract offer from the club.

• WHAT ALONSO SAID

  Speaking on the Brazilian's rare appearance among the substitutes, Alonso said: "Everyone is different, and you have to demand respect, and the relationship is a little different. In football, decisions are made with the team in mind; you have to understand things, and that was the case today.

  "The substitutions from game to game depend on what we need in terms of workload and opponent. I haven't made any decisions for next month. It's important for people to feel important, ready, and ready for the next game. It's important to maintain a stable performance as a team. It was a game to see that we continue to grow. After Tuesday against Osasuna, we've grown today, and we want to continue like this.
  "

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  With a busy schedule of domestic and Champions League fixtures on the horizon, squad rotation is set to continue under Alonso. All eyes will be on the teamsheet for their next La Liga match against Mallorca to see if Vinicius Jr is restored to the starting lineup. Meanwhile, players like Rodrygo and Franco Mastantuono will be hoping their performances have earned them further opportunities.

Mehdi Taremi’s future at Inter looks increasingly uncertain, with fresh Bundesliga interest adding to competition from Greece.

• Bremen join Olympiacos in race for Taremi
• Panathinaikos lead pursuit with bid submitted
• triker has 24 hours to decide before deadline

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Werder Bremen are considering a late move for Inter striker Taremi, according to a report from Gianluca Di Marzio. The Bundesliga club expressed an interest in the 33-year-old, but are yet to make a formal offer with the transfer window set to close on Monday.

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  WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND?

  The German side faces stiff competition from Greece for the Iranian international's signature. Panathinaikos are reportedly the favourites to sign Taremi, having already submitted an official offer to Inter. Their rivals, Olympiacos, share a similar level of interest to Werder Bremen but have also not yet tabled a concrete bid.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Taremi only joined Inter on a free transfer from FC Porto in July 2024. He has since struggled for form, scoring just three goals in 43 appearances. The striker has not played a single minute for Christian Chivu's side this season and does not appear to be part of the manager's plans, despite having a contract until 2027.

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  WHAT'S NEXT?

  With the transfer deadline fast approaching, a decision on Taremi's future is imminent. The striker has reportedly been given 24 hours to respond to the offer from Panathinaikos. Werder Bremen and Olympiacos will have to move quickly to formalise their interest if they hope to hijack the deal before the window shuts.

Rangers have been deemed "too small" for Jose Mourinho as the ex-Chelsea & Manchester United boss has been urged to return to England and chase a fourth Premier League title. Mourinho is once again at a crossroads in his storied career after being dismissed by Fenerbahce just 14 months into the role. The Turkish giants pulled the trigger following a crushing 1-0 Champions League play-off defeat to Benfica, a result that ended their hopes of dining at Europe’s top table this season.

• Mourinho sacked by Fenerbahce
• Gallas says Rangers “too small” for Jose
• Ex-defender calls for Premier League return

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The dismissal has sparked immediate speculation over where the self-styled “Special One” will land next. With Mourinho’s reputation for box-office drama intact, every managerial vacancy across Europe is now inevitably being tied to his name. One of the early rumours making the rounds is a potential shock switch to Rangers. Mourinho himself has previously spoken admiringly about the Glasgow club and is believed to be on the radar should Russell Martin step aside.

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  WHAT GALLAS SAID

  But not everyone is buying into the idea. Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has poured cold water on the prospect, claiming Mourinho is far too big for the Scottish Premiership stage.

  "Absolutely not," Gallas declared while speaking to when asked if Mourinho could head to Ibrox. "There’s no way Jose Mourinho will go to Rangers. I mean no disrespect, but Rangers are just too small for Jose. He needs one last job at a big club. However the last few years have gone for him, you can see that he’s got the aura, got the magic. He still has that unique attitude."

  He added: "Everyone wants to see him, he’s box office. But the problem is that life goes so fast, especially in football, and I don’t know if there’s a club that can match what he needs to succeed. It might be time for him to consider international management, where he’s still on a big enough stage for his talents."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Closer to home, Nottingham Forest have found themselves unexpectedly linked with Mourinho amid reports of growing tension between boss Nuno Espirito Santo and owner Evangelos Marinakis. With the relationship reportedly strained, Mourinho’s name has been tossed into the rumour mill as a potential replacement. While the prospect of Marinakis and Mourinho working together is pure drama fodder, Gallas is unconvinced.

  "I definitely want to see Jose Mourinho back in the Premier League," he said. "I think I’m one of millions who wants to see him, not just back in the Premier League, but lifting that league title one more time. I still want to see him be champion of Europe one more time.

  "We know that the press will want him back, too. Every time there’s a job opening in the Premier League, they’re going to link him with it. With his personality, everyone will want him back in the Premier League. But it can’t just be any club in the league, it has to be one that can match his ambition."

  Turning specifically to the Forest chatter, Gallas was dismissive.

  "Nottingham Forest, I don’t see them convincing him to join them," he said. "Can you imagine Evangelos Marinakis and Jose Mourinho, what a combination! That would definitely have some sort of drama involved. I don’t think Forest, the owner or Mourinho need that right now."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MOURINHO?

  For any club contemplating Mourinho, the decision is far from simple. His CV speaks for itself: three Premier League titles with Chelsea, Champions League glory with Porto and Inter Milan, and silverware almost everywhere he’s gone. But his last few roles, Roma and now Fenerbahce, have ended in acrimony and questions about whether his methods still resonate with modern players. If Forest, Rangers, or indeed any side were to make a play, they would be gambling on Mourinho’s experience and charisma outweighing the friction that so often follows in his wake.

The South African ace has frequently been forced to score tough runs in recent times, through injury or circumstances. Against Daredevils, he seemed to shed all that weight off his shoulders

Nikhil Kalro22-Apr-2018In January 2017, AB de Villiers said he “felt like the world is on top of my shoulders”. An elbow injury and a focus on prioritising his limited-overs career forced him to take a break from Tests for the most of 2017. This was about the time he was seen as a fading threat. Through a combination of his health, a transitioning South African team and a sub-par IPL season – he scored 216 runs in nine games – in 2017, de Villiers was shackled.Frequently forced to score tough runs, de Villiers has had to embrace a new role recently: not to sweep fast bowlers or hit 31-ball ODI hundreds, but to primarily rebuild faltering innings. For a spectator, it seemed the quality was there but the fun had gone away from de Villiers’ batting.In the recently-concluded series against Australia, bowlers attempted to throw de Villiers’ rhythm off by sledging. Then Nathan Lyon dropped a ball near him after he was run out in Durban. Australia won that match by 118 runs. De Villiers responded with one of his finest Test innings ever, an unbeaten 126 in Port Elizabeth that turned that series around.Still, there was no freedom. There was a 23-ball 44 against Kolkata Knight Riders in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s first game of the season. There was also a 40-ball 57, another innings of tough, scrappy runs against Kings XI Punjab. But finally there was a complete release against Delhi Daredevils in Bengaluru on Saturday.Batting with the knowledge that there was Virat Kohli as a failsafe at the other end, de Villiers’ batting was fun again: sweeping spinners into gaps early in his innings, hitting sixes onto the roof, scooping fast bowlers over fine leg and then improvising forehand swats over cover when he couldn’t sweep quicks bowling over 130 kmph. It was the complete range, the 360-degrees of modern T20 batting, invented by de Villiers himself.Interestingly, it began because he was intimidated. “I felt a bit threatened by the left-arm spinner [Shahbaz Nadeem] because he got a wicket, the ball was gripping a bit in the deck,” de Villiers said in a post-match interview. “I felt I had to apply pressure on him, otherwise he was going to get me out. It was a counterattack in a way.”Much of de Villiers’ batting is down to his hand-eye coordination and his history with other sports, like tennis and rugby. Much more of his batting is down to the speed of his decision-making. Currently, there are few batsmen who make decisions quicker than de Villiers. And, very often, his judgement is right.It’s a case of mind and body being in unison. Such as when he flicked Nadeem between long-on and deep midwicket, aware of a gap in that region and relying on placement instead of power, with a fast outfield. Or when he picked the length of a short ball from Rahul Tewatia, rocked back and pulled a six onto the roof.His reactions to these decisions are also responsible for his superior timing. De Villiers is almost never hurried into a shot he doesn’t want to play. That extra time allows him to get his hands in position to meet the ball when he has to. When he is late, his athleticism bails him out. On Saturday, there were several one-bounce fours from shots he didn’t intend to hit for six.”It’s a matter of seeing the ball well,” de Villiers said. “It doesn’t happen every night, like my last knock in Mumbai. I wasn’t seeing it well. If you pick up that information, the first metre or two, the ball coming out of the hand, you can analyse what’s coming. You have that extra time to make the right decision. Then it comes down to experience, preparation and backing your ability to clear the boundary when that does happen.”De Villiers finished with 90 off 39 balls, while the rest of the batsmen on Saturday scored at an average strike rate of 129. In smart strike-rate terms – ESPNcricinfo’s new metric to make sense of numbers in the shortest format – he struck at 332.52. Mandeep Singh, in a post-match press conference, said it was de Villiers’ best T20 innings ever.Considering several factors around him, as per the smart runs index, de Villiers’ innings was worth 40 more runs, equating to a 39-ball 130. That’s the kind of fun de Villiers likes to have while batting. On Saturday, it felt like the weight of the world was lifted from his shoulders.

Crystal Palace and Chelsea are set to enter a battle for Strasbourg's Emanuel Emegha as the Eagles look for a Jean-Philippe Mateta replacement.

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• Crystal Palace expecting Mateta's departure
• The Eagles are interested in Strabourg's Emegha
• Chelsea also interested in their sister club's striker

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Crystal Palace are reportedly expecting the departure of Mateta this summer as the French striker is said to be looking to play Champions League football. The 27-year-old striker has been in fine form over the last two seasons, as he has scored 36 goals for the Eagles in all competitions during the period.

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  The Sun has now reported that Crystal Palace are considering Strasbourg striker Emegha as the perfect replacement for Mateta, considering he will leave the club this summer. The 22-year-old striker has scored 14 Ligue 1 goals this campaign, a feat that is only bettered by Ousmane Dembele, Mason Greenwood, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Jonathan David.

• TELL ME MORE…

  Unfortunately for Crystal Palace, Chelsea are also said to be interested in signing Emegha this summer. The Blues will definitely have the upper hand in the transfer battle as Strasbourg are owned by Clearlake Capital, who also own Chelsea, making the negotiations between the two sides very easy to undertake.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR EMEGHA?

  Strasbourg are currently fighting for a spot in the Champions League qualifier for next season as they sit level on points with Nice and Lille in the fight for a fourth-placed finish in Ligue 1. They will be in action next when they take on Le Havre on May 17.

The five-year extension, from 2024 to 2028, cost Tata INR 2500 crore (US$301 million approx.)

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jan-2024The Tata Group has extended its title sponsorship of the IPL for another five years, from 2024 to 2028, for INR 2500 crore (US$301 million approx.), making it the “highest-ever sponsorship amount in the history of the league,” a BCCI statement said. The group were the IPL title sponsors in 2022 and 2023, and are also the title sponsors of the Women’s Premier League (WPL).”The collaboration with TATA Group for the title sponsorship of IPL 2024-28 is a significant milestone in IPL’s journey,” IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal said. “The record-breaking sum of INR 2500 crore by TATA Group is a testament to the immense value and appeal that the IPL holds in the world of sports.”This unprecedented amount not only sets a new benchmark in the history of the league but also reaffirms the IPL’s position as a premier sporting event with global impact. TATA Group’s commitment to cricket and sports is truly commendable, and we look forward to scaling new heights together and providing fans with unparalleled cricketing entertainment.”The Tata Group had replaced Vivo as IPL title sponsors for the last two seasons. The BCCI had temporarily severed ties with Vivo, a Chinese mobile and technology company, following political tensions between India and China in June 2020. Vivo had originally bagged the title sponsorship for 2018 to 2022 for INR 2199 crores (US $341 million approx. at the time), but for the 2020 season, it was replaced by Dream 11, before Vivo returned for the 2021 season.Tata’s bid for the next five years is a 13.7% jump over what Vivo had paid for 2018-22.”This collaboration embodies the spirit of growth, innovation, and a mutual dedication to excellence,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said. “The unprecedented financial commitment reflects the immense scale and global impact of the IPL on the international sports stage.”The 2024 IPL will be played from March 22 and run till the end of May, just before the men’s T20 World Cup kicks off on June 1.

The gifted teenager has completed a £12.5m move to the Etihad Stadium after making a record-breaking start to his career in Norway

"Sverre Nypan is extremely exciting, and I get a bit of the same feeling as when I saw Martin Odegaard break through as a boy," Norwegian football expert Jesper Mathisen told in August 2023, after watching the 16-year-old star for Rosenborg in a Conference League qualifier against Hearts.

At the same age, Odegaard had already signed for Real Madrid after generating a huge buzz at Stromsgodset, but most would agree that move came too early for him. Odegaard would only make 11 senior appearances in six years at Santiago Bernabeu, and was sent out on loan four times before he joined Arsenal permanently in 2021 and really started to fulfil his potential.

Nypan could have taken a similar route. Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have all reportedly been tracking the teenager since his graduation to the Rosenborg first team in 2022, according to reports in Norway. The allure of playing for the best clubs in the world often proves impossible to resist for young players, but not Nypan, as he signed a contract extension with Rosenborg a month after the European clash with Hearts, which tied him to the club until 2026.

Fast-forward almost two years, and Nypan's mature decision has paid off, as it allowed him to earn plenty of senior experience before completing a move to Manchester City this week. Nypan is no longer a raw talent still learning his trade; he's ready to pursue greatness at the Etihad Stadium.

• Where it all began

  Nypan was born in Trondheim, Norway's third-largest city, in December 2006. He showed an interest in football from a very young age, and after turning five, joined district club Nardo FK, who are situated just a stone's throw away from Rosenborg's famed Lerkendal Stadion.

  Success wasn't immediate for Nypan, though. "I wasn't any good then. In the first training session, I think I scored an own goal and ran home screaming," he said in an interview with in 2022. "It wasn't fun, but then I was persuaded to try again."

  With a supportive family around him, Nypan soon overcame those teething problems to emerge as a real prospect over his next eight years with Nardo. As a 14-year-old, he notched a staggering 45 goals in 17 games, which caught the attention of Rosenborg.

  Nypan joined Rosenborg's youth ranks in 2020 and signed his first professional contract in January 2022, spending the next year combining school lessons with first-team duties at one of Norway's biggest clubs. Nypan made his Eliteserien debut as he played the full 90 minutes in a 4-2 victory over Jerv that November, which saw him become the youngest player in Rosenborg's history at just 15 years and 322 days old.

  "It was better than I thought. I thought I would be much more nervous," Nypan said of the experience. He probably would have made his bow much sooner, had it not been for several injury setbacks, but he dealt with each one in a mature fashion.

  "I got a lot stronger and put on a few kilos during that period," Nypan added. "It really only helped me. I have become a better player after the injury period than I was before."

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  The big break

  Comparisons to Odegaard naturally began to spring up after Nypan's debut, given the Arsenal captain also burst onto the scene at Stromsgodset at the same age, but then-Rosenborg boss Kjetil Rekdal did his best to shut them down. "Sverre is probably bigger and physically stronger at the same time than Martin Odegaard was, but then he was perhaps a different type of player than Sverre, who is an all-rounder," Rekdal told .

  Nypan missed the first four games of the 2023 campaign, but certainly appeared in top physical shape when he eventually returned to action, and opened his goal account for Rosenborg in a 3-2 defeat to Bodo/Glimt, tapping home at the back post after a swift counter-attack. Rekdal talked up Nypan's "enormous potential" after the match, with the teenager setting another new record as Rosenborg's youngest-ever goal-scorer in the Eliteserien.

  When it was put to Nypan that pressure doesn't seem to affect him, he responded: "What pressure? There is nothing to be afraid of." That confident attitude, bordering on arrogance, is another hallmark of a potential superstar.

  Nypan would finish his first full league season with five goals, but it was his performance against Hearts in the first leg of Rosenborg's Conference League third-round qualifier that really made fans across the continent start to take notice. The academy graduate provided both the assists in a huge 2-1 victory.

  His performance left team-mate Emil Frederiksen in awe, as the scorer of Rosenborg's first goal added: "He is an incredibly skilled player. He has a great future ahead of him. It is only to be enjoyed that he is here, because he is really, really talented." Hearts ultimately progressed after a 3-1 win in the second leg, but that didn't deter Nypan from committing to fresh terms at Rosenborg.

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  How it's going

  After that contract renewal, Rosenborg's sports manager, Mikael Dorsin, leaned into suggestions that the club had placed a €100 million (£84m/$110m) price tag on Nypan. "That it is at the levels that he is delivering now," Dorsin said to .

  Nypan seemingly made it his mission to justify that valuation in the 2024 season. He racked up 15 goal contributions in 28 league appearances, helping Rosenborg secure a fourth-placed finish while earning 53 points, 14 more than they managed in the whole of the previous campaign.

  Nypan's standout display came in a 4-0 rout of Lillestrom, as he became the first 17-year-old to score a hat-trick in the Eliteserien since a certain Erling Haaland, who achieved the feat for Molde back in 2007. The original meeting between the two clubs at Lerkendal was abandoned due to fans hurling objects onto the pitch in protest at a VAR decision, including fishcakes and smoke bombs. As punishment, Rosenborg played the rescheduled game behind closed doors, but some die-hard supporters still showed up to watch from the hill situated just outside the far left corner of the stadium, and Nypan hilariously cupped his hand to his ear to demand more noise from them when celebrating his first goal.

  That natural penchant for showmanship also shone through when Nypan had the opportunity to play against Manchester United in a friendly clash during the summer of 2024. Rosenborg pulled off a shock 1-0 victory over the Premier League giants and Nypan tormented their defence in his 45 minutes on the pitch; beating four players in one particularly eye-catching sequence before forcing United goalkeeper Radek Vitek into a superb save.

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• Biggest strengths

  Nypan typically lined up on the left in a midfield three for Rosenborg, with manager Alfred Johansson favouring a 4-3-3 system that allowed the 18-year-old the freedom to express himself. He's versatile enough to operate as a deep-lying playmaker, in a box-to-box role, as a winger, or a traditional attacking midfielder, and is equally strong with both feet while being adept at finding pockets of space to exploit between the lines.

  Rosenborg gradually rose back towards the top of the Eliteserien largely due to Nypan's direct style of play. He boasts a wicked turn of pace and is already an accomplished ball-carrier who relishes one-on-one battles.

  The Norwegian's passing range is developing at a rapid rate, and he provides a huge goal threat with his late runs into the box. He's defensively solid, too, setting the tone for the rest of the team with his relentless pressing.

  It's still very early to judge Nypan, especially as he's yet to test himself in one of Europe's top five leagues, but he has all the makings of a world-class player, including an excellent footballing brain.