That gave the three English clubs a very useful chance to look at the Portuguese champions against strong Premier League opposition.

A Bola says they were among 18 foreign clubs represented at the Dragão. Manchester United and Everton also had people there.

The newspaper doesn’t say who Forest, Brentford or Ipswich went to watch. There were certainly a few interesting options in Porto’s squad, though.

Plenty of names to take a look at

Jakub Kiwior is an obvious one. The former Arsenal defender is now one of Porto’s most important players and started against City. He also played well despite his side losing 2-0.

There’s obviously less homework required with Kiwior. Forest, Brentford and Ipswich will already know plenty about him from his time in England.

Nehuén Pérez and Martim Fernandes are perhaps more interesting from a scouting point of view. Both started against Enzo Maresca’s side and got the chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s best attacks.

Porto also brought Borja Sainz, Seko Fofana and Francisco Moura (this one was a Coventry target all summer) off the bench. All affordable, smart possible targets.

Again, there’s nothing from A Bola saying any of those players were the reason for the English visits. They are simply some of the names who were on show of cours.

But for clubs looking for clever additions outside the most expensive end of the market, Porto isn’t exactly a bad place to go shopping.

One player was impossible to ignore

Even if the scouts travelled with completely different names on their lists, Diogo Costa probably ended up taking plenty of their attention.

City won 2-0 and Erling Haaland scored both goals. Without Costa, it could have been much uglier for Porto. The goalkeeper had a superb night.

But Costa isn’t some hidden gem waiting to be discovered of course. He’s Portugal’s number one and would cost serious money.

The more realistic scouting work for Forest, Brentford and Ipswich may therefore have been happening elsewhere on the pitch.

Either way, Porto against Manchester City was a pretty good place to spend an evening taking notes.

The post Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Ipswich send scouts to Porto – Smart shopping opportunity appeared first on Sport Witness.

The Brazilian scored on his debut, has started against Manchester United and is expected to keep his place in the starting XI against Liverpool tonight as well.

That makes an interview he gave to Brazil’s Globo Esporte in Brazil last month worth revisiting.

Emersonn spoke at length about his route to England, his difficult breakthrough in Brazil and what Ipswich can expect from him. There is quite a lot behind the 1.93m striker who has suddenly found himself in English football.

Surprised to have reached the PL

Emersonn is the first to admit this has all happened much quicker than he expected.

“I didn’t expect to achieve this dream so quickly,” he said. “I thought I would stay another year at Toulouse because I was very happy there.

“Now I’m here, it was a step I wanted to take. It’s a dream I wanted to achieve. I want to score my goals and keep Ipswich at the top level.

“And, God willing, by giving my best, [I can reach] the national team. It’s good to get that taste again. I played for Brazil when I was in the youth teams and now I want the senior team. That’s another level.”

Emersonn represented Brazil at U15 and U17 level. For now, his more immediate job is making his mark at Ipswich. He’s certainly started well on that front.

From helping his father to English football

The striker’s route to Portman Road hasn’t been conventional. Emersonn grew up in a small town in Espírito Santo state. His father Edmílson worked as a caretaker on farms. Until he was 11, Emersonn regularly helped him.

“I spent my whole childhood there, until I was 11,” he explained. “I grew up right in the middle of nowhere. So I was always living on farms, helping my father because we were caretakers.

“Now I just have to take the opportunity. I remember being there and my father saying: ‘Emersonn, cut the sugar cane. Cut it for me. Load the cart.’ Then he’d take it away. ‘Unload the cart, chop the cane.’ Now it’s only good things. Now I’m only doing what I like!”

That background also shaped the way Emersonn approaches football. He says his father and grandfather provided examples of hard work. Football was always around the family too, including through his mother.

“They’ve always loved playing football,” he said. “Whenever they had time, they played. My mother loves football too and plays. So it’s about working hard every day. That’s our bread and butter. It’s what we love doing.”

“My father worked as a caretaker, but he loves working. If I tell him, ‘Dad, stop working’, he’ll go crazy at me.”

“He’ll say: ‘Are you crazy, Emersonn? I’m strong. I have to make the most of it. I’m still young.’ So it’s about making that effort every day, giving our best and taking the opportunity in whatever we’re doing.”

Former club didn’t have patience

Things could easily have gone very differently for Emersonn. He came through Athletico Paranaense and had been prolific at youth level. In 2024, he scored 15 goals in 31 matches for their U20 side.

His introduction to senior football was much harder. Emersonn made 13 first-team appearances that year. Athletico were fighting relegation and eventually dropped into Brazil’s second division.

A young striker was therefore walking into a particularly unforgiving environment.

“I’m very grateful to Athletico for everything the club did, but I don’t think they had patience with me,” he said.

“When it comes to us players coming through the academy, not everyone is going to step up with the mentality prepared to play for ten minutes and already have the supporters booing.”

“It’s very different when we’re playing at Athletico’s training centre, where there aren’t supporters, and suddenly they put you in the stadium with more than 30,000 fans and you need to win to avoid relegation.”

Emersonn admits the reaction from supporters got inside his head. As this was his first experience of senior football, he wasn’t yet equipped to simply block it out.

“You hear people talking and, because they were my first steps as a professional, I paid too much attention to what the supporters were saying,” he explained.

“That really affected how I played and performed. I was thinking: ‘How have I worked my whole life to be here, trained, done everything, and now I’m afraid to do the thing I love most?’ I was afraid to play.”

“The first game was very good, the second was good, then after the third it wasn’t the same. You need a little more experience and a little more time. Athletico didn’t have that patience with me.”

The turnaround since then has been pretty dramatic. A brief spell at Göztepe in Turkey was followed by Toulouse. His progress in France then took him to Ipswich much sooner than he had imagined.

His move also made him Toulouse’s record sale, according to Globo Esporte. Emersonn doesn’t sound particularly interested in carrying that price tag around with him.

“I don’t see that as pressure,” he said. “I’m very proud of what I did there. Toulouse will always be in my heart. I want to represent Toulouse here, score my goals and be happy.”

What Ipswich have actually signed

For Ipswich supporters still getting to know him, Emersonn also offered his own scouting report. At 1.93m, the obvious assumption is that Ipswich have bought a big target man. Emersonn believes there’s quite a bit more to his game.

“I’m tall, strong and quick,” he said. “For me, I have good control of the ball. You didn’t follow me much at Toulouse, but I played some very good matches there and, for me, I made history there.”

“I changed games and I’m going to continue doing the same here, making an impact in every game, whether I come on or start.”

Emersonn has gone from talking about wanting to make an impact at Ipswich to actually doing it within weeks.

His confidence also comes across throughout the interview. At one point, he caught himself saying he “hoped” to keep giving his best at Ipswich. He immediately corrected himself.

“I hope to continue giving my best… No, I don’t hope. I will continue giving my best.”

Also, Globo Esporte asked him about Gabriel Magalhães, Gabriel Martinelli and Igor Thiago. All three reached English football without first becoming major stars in Brazil. Emersonn sees something of a pathway there.

“Of course they inspire me,” he said. “We see that you don’t have to stand out [in Brazil] to get here and perform. So for me, it’s a dream come true to be here at Ipswich and play in the Premier League.”

“Of course, me being here also opens a door for the next players coming through. I want to keep that door open for those who come next.”

Things have moved very quickly. Emersonn appears quite happy for them to keep moving that way.

The post “Tall, strong and quick” – Ipswich Town signing explains exactly what he brings appeared first on Sport Witness.

Foot Mercato report on the potential domino effect today. They explain that if Newcastle secure a deal for Fernandez-Pardo, Lille could turn to Burnley to help fill the gap.

The website explains that the French side are looking to bolster their attacking options before deadline day. That’s largely due to the uncertainty around Fernandez-Pardo.

Newcastle United efforts

The 21-year-old has found himself in Newcastle’s sights in the final days of the transfer window. Sport Witness reported on that interest from France over the course of this week.

First a report on the 24^th stated that Newcastle had made a €40m bid for the winger. A follow up report today then stated that Newcastle were continuing to push for the deal.

Indeed, it stated that a bid had been tabled and there was plenty of optimism for the Magpies.

Foot Mercato now report that Lille are looking at potential replacements should that deal go through. They have already lined up a move for Martin Terrier, who could arrive on loan from Bayer Leverkusen.

But the French club also ‘remain in discussions’ with Burnley regarding a deal for Zian Flemming. The belief is that he could cost around €10m in a permanent transfer.

Brentford and Ipswich

Lille are not the only side to have shown an interest in the 28-year-old striker this summer.

Sport Witness also covered a report stating that Brentford were keen and showing ‘serious interest’ in a deal for the striker.

Ipswich Town have also been linked with a move, meaning that Lille could be about to provide disappointment to them as well.

For now, it all appears to hinge on Matias Fernandez-Pardo. If he departs for Newcastle, that will prompt Lille to enter the market.

The post Transfer to Newcastle United can see swoop for Burnley player and ruin Ipswich Town’s chances appeared first on Sport Witness.

At the start of this month, Sport Witness relayed news of a few English clubs sending their scouts to watch him in a pre-season friendly against Arsenal.

This included West Ham and Ipswich Town, but not Southampton. The latter have joined the chase.

West Ham, Southampton and Ipswich Town in mix 

The midfielder struggled for a prominent role in his debut season, playing 1,491 minutes from 33 matches. This includes 735 minutes from 20 La Liga appearances.

Manuel Pellegrini utilised him as a striker during the pre-season, mainly because of lack of options. The manager considers him as a midfielder, where he has other players ahead of him this season.

On August 13th, we relayed news the Colombian international is open to England move if the offer attracts him both financially and sporting wise.

Diario de Sevilla now reports West Ham United, Southampton and Ipswich Town are his suitors from England.

Real Betis want to get rid of Deossa

The 26-year-old came off the bench and played 10 minutes in Real Betis’ 1-0 league win over Real Sociedad.

Despite this, the newspaper states he has no future with the Andalusian club. In fact, Real Betis want to offload him to lower their wage bill.

Nelson Deossa isn’t short of options as several clubs are ‘willing to negotiate and pursue’ him. This includes West Ham United, Southampton, Olympiacos, Vasco da Gama and Club América. Ipswich Town have already asked about him.

The long list of interested parties are ‘waiting for Deossa’s yes’ to move forward on negotiations with Real Betis. That hasn’t happened yet because the player isn’t keen on a move.

West Ham, Southampton, Ipswich Town and others can only hope Deossa will change his stance soon.

Key transfer points

• West Ham, Ipswich Town sent scouts earlier this month
• Southampton join Hammers and PL side in transfer chase
• Real Betis want to offload South American soon 
• For now, Deossa is refusing to leave  

The post West Ham, Southampton and Ipswich Town ‘waiting for player’s yes’ for late signing appeared first on Sport Witness.

The Premier League side have kept pushing after their previous attempts fell short of the German club’s demands.

Argentine journalist Renzo Pantich now brings a significant update. He says Ipswich’s latest package is worth €30m (£26m), including the transfer fee and bonuses.

More importantly, this third attempt could finally get the deal over the line.

Ipswich and Leverkusen “very, very close”

Pantich says Ipswich have submitted their third consecutive offer and hope it will be their last.

Speaking about the situation, he says the clubs are “very, very close” to reaching an agreement and completing the transfer.

Ipswich’s first offer was considered insufficient by Bayer Leverkusen. Reports from Argentina put the German club’s demands at around €35m (£30.3m).

A second proposal followed, but that also remained below Leverkusen’s expectations.

Ipswich have now increased their package to €30m (£26m). Pantich’s information suggests that has brought the clubs much closer together.

Previous obstacles appear to be fading

There had also been some doubt over Palacios’ willingness to make the move. La Nación previously reported that the midfielder would prefer to join a “bigger club” if he left Bayer Leverkusen.

Now Pantich says Palacios is now very keen to becoming a Premier League player.

The 27-year-old has been at Bayer Leverkusen since January 2020. His last season was disrupted by a serious right adductor injury, which kept him out for much of the first half of the campaign. He still finished with 25 appearances, one assist and a World Cup call.

River Plate would also benefit considerably from the transfer. Pantich says the Argentine club should receive around €4.3m (£3.7m) from the operation through their rights connected to a future sale and FIFA’s solidarity mechanism.

For Ipswich, though, the important part is that their persistence appears to be paying off. After two unsuccessful attempts, the €30m (£26m) third offer has seemingly put Palacios within touching distance of a move to England.

The post Ipswich Town make third offer for key target – €30m package could finally seal deal appeared first on Sport Witness.

Superdeporte report that the 23-year-old has been left out of Ipswich’s squad for the season, despite only joining in the summer transfer window.

That’s left him edging closer to becoming Valencia’s latest addition. The Dutch goalkeeper is all set to travel to Valencia to finalise a season-long loan deal. Ipswich Town have now given the green light for him to do so.

The move had been in the works for several days. Now, all signs point to the goalkeeper being added to Carlos Corberán’s squad.

Ipswich Town exit explained

Superdeporte report that the ‘latest clues’ pointing to his departure have come directly from Ipswich.

The Premier League side released a video featuring 26 players Gary O’Neil is counting on this season. Kayne van Oevelen did not appear among them.

The Dutchman had been included in the full squad list published by the club a couple of days earlier. He had also been assigned the number 31 shirt. So, the feeling in Spain is that his absence was ‘significant’.

It appears that Ipswich will go with Kjell Scherpen, Christian Walton, and Alex Palmer. The former has already spoken about discussions with his fellow Dutchman about the situation, Sport Witness covered his comments last week.

Monday arrival

Although Kayne Van Oevelen’s move to Valencia has been delayed by a few days, the deal was never at risk.

Journalist Héctor Gómez of Tribuna VCF has even confirmed that the goalkeeper would arrive in Valencia on Monday.

He stated that the goalkeeper had been asked to stay at Ipswich for a few extra days to ‘help the team’. That was likely due to Palmer being absent with an elbow issue over the last few weeks.

Now he appears destined to move to Valencia over the coming days. The feeling in Spain is that everything is now in place for him to move to the Mestalla and become their sixth signing of the summer.

The post Ipswich Town man ready to fly and seal transfer – Everything on track appeared first on Sport Witness.

The Morocco international looks likely to leave the Spanish club before the window closes. And Hull and Ipswich are now among the sides pushing hardest for him.

Spain’s Mundo Deportivo provide an update on the 26-year-old’s future.

Hull and Ipswich make their move

Hull City and Ipswich Town have “started to push” for Ounahi. Both English clubs want the midfielder and are now “moving with intensity” as they try to get a deal moving.

They have plenty of competition. Al-Ittihad are also applying pressure and offer the former Marseille player the possibility of moving to Saudi Arabia. Ajax have meanwhile returned to the picture after showing interest earlier in the summer.

The Dutch side have an obvious card to play. Manager Míchel knows Ounahi well from his time together at Girona and would be keen to work with him again.

Ajax previously struggled to make progress because of Girona’s financial demands and competition for the player. Their renewed interest now adds another option.

Ounahi wants the right project

Mundo Deportivo explain that Ounahi wants a project which convinces him. That could give Hull and Ipswich something to work with as they compete against the financial attraction of Saudi Arabia.

Ounahi has recently returned to Girona following the World Cup with Morocco and his subsequent holiday. His performances at the tournament helped put him further in the shop window. He also became the first Girona player to score at a World Cup finals.

Girona, for their part, have reasons to encourage a transfer. Selling Ounahi would bring in money and free up an important place on their wage bill. That would give the Spanish club more room to make further additions before the deadline.

Hull and Ipswich have now moved beyond simply being interested, at least according to Wednesday’s report. With Ajax and Al-Ittihad also pushing, the next issue is which project can convince Ounahi.

The post Hull City and Ipswich Town ‘started to push’ for signing – Club want sale to happen appeared first on Sport Witness.

Ipswich Town’s second offer for Exequiel Palacios still falls short of Bayer Leverkusen’s demands, despite growing optimism around the deal.

The Tractor Boys have stepped up their efforts for the Argentina international after seeing an opening bid rejected earlier this month.

Reports on Tuesday revealed Ipswich had returned with a new official proposal and believe they can get the transfer over the line quickly. There is, however, still a gap to bridge.

Second Ipswich offer below Leverkusen demands

South American journalist César Luis Merlo now provides more detail on the negotiations and identifies the latest proposal as Ipswich’s second formal offer for Palacios.

According to his information on Tribuna, the improved bid remains below the figure Bayer Leverkusen are demanding for the midfielder.

That would explain why an agreement hasn’t been reached yet, despite the confidence coming from the Ipswich side.

The German club haven’t closed the door. Talks remain open and Ipswich are working to move closer to their demands before the transfer window closes.

Earlier reports from Argentina had placed Bayer Leverkusen’s asking price at around €35m (£30.3m).

We covered last week that Ipswich’s first proposal was considered insufficient. Also, Argentine reports previously stated Palacios would prefer a move to a bigger club.

There is no mention of that preference in Tuesday’s latest update, and Ipswich’s continued push suggests they believe a deal remains achievable.

Ipswich still have work to do

Merlo also says Palacios remains highly regarded by Bayer Leverkusen’s coaching staff. That puts the Bundesliga side in a strong position during negotiations. The 27-year-old has been at the club since January 2020 and remains under contract.

Ipswich have at least made significant progress since their interest first surfaced.

Initial contacts took place with the player’s representatives, before the Premier League club moved on to a first formal offer. They have now returned with an improved second attempt.

The message coming from the latest reports is therefore fairly clear. Ipswich are pushing hard and believe the transfer can happen, while Bayer Leverkusen are yet to receive an offer which fully satisfies them.

Finding that middle ground is now the remaining task.

The post From South America: Ipswich Town’s second offer still short of club’s asking price appeared first on Sport Witness.

Tuesday’s print edition of Levante EMV reports the Spanish side have selected the Ipswich summer signing to compete with Stole Dimitrievski this season.

Valencia are holding ‘intensive negotiations’ with Ipswich Town to secure him on loan for this season. Indeed, they want to finalise the deal this week so the 23-year-old can arrive over the weekend.

That would allow him to begin training with the squad ahead of La Liga beginning this weekend. Valencia kick off against Celta Vigo at the Mestalla on Saturday.

Where negotiations currently stand

Negotiations are well advanced. The hope is to close the deal in the coming days. They are willing to accept Ipswich Town’s terms, which are plentiful.

The Premier League side want to ensure that their summer signing plays and has a fair chance of competing for the number one spot. They want the youngster to compete in a more competitive league than the Eredivisie, where he previously excelled with Volendam.

Valencia are fine with this. Their coaching staff want a goalkeeper who can raise the level of competition for Dimitrievski.

When he became an option on loan – following a failed transfer effort – they moved quickly to get him. He was the ‘consensus choice’ among the club’s coaching staff.

Ipswich Town’s conditions

Now they are hoping to finalise a loan deal. All indications are that it will be a straight loan deal, with Ipswich Town determined not to include a purchase clause in the deal. They don’t appear to have even contemplated the option.

Van Oevelen has become something of an issue for them this summer after signing him and then bringing in Kjell Scherpen not long afterwards.

The solution, it seems, is to send one Dutchman on loan to Valencia for the season. The Spanish side are now eagerly trying to finalise the deal as soon as possible.

The post Ipswich Town blocking potential permanent exit – Won’t give an option appeared first on Sport Witness.

Journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu reports on the 19-year-old striker today and an official bid from an unnamed Premier League side now being on the table.

Unnamed club make bid

‘A Premier League club’ has made an official offer for Sidiki Chérif. There is no hint in his post about who that club may be.

However, the journalist does provide other hints. In a reply to the original post, a follower challenged the journalist to simply name the club. Sabuncuoğlu responded to this, stating that he had wrote about two Premier League teams previously.

That is in reference to a post at the beginning of August. Again, stating exclusive information, he reported that Ipswich Town and Coventry City both ‘keeping tabs’ on Chérif this summer. So, it is safe to assume that it would be one of those two clubs.

If we had to guess, Coventry would make more sense. They have Haji Wright, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ellis Simms as their forward options at this moment in time.

Ipswich, on the other hand, have George Hirst, Emersonn, Chuba Akpom and Ali Al-Hamadi in their ranks. Emersonn cost €28m to sign from Toulouse, so it would be strange to then target another striker on top of that.

€18m at least

Of course, that is just guesswork from Sport Witness at this point. Given Sabuncuoğlu won’t go into further details – at this point anyway – that’s all that we can do.

The likelihood is that the bid for Chérif is from either of the promoted sides given his previous information.

The question is what kind of deal they’re offering. Sidiki Chérif cost Fenerbahce €18m to sign permanently this summer, so they’re sure to want that money back at least. They also paid a €4m loan fee in January, so that will need to be accounted for also.

Whether Ipswich Town, Coventry City, or anyone else is willing to pay that, remains to be seen.

ÖZEL | Premier Lig’den bir takım, Fenerbahçe forması giyen Sidiki Chérif için resmi teklif yaptı!

— Yağız Sabuncuoğlu (@yagosabuncuoglu) August 14, 2026

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