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Charlotte FC are in advanced negotiations to sign Uruguayan starlet Luciano Rodriguez from Liverpool Montevideo, GOAL understands.

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• Charlotte FC near deal for striker
• Hero of U-20 World Cup
• Had drawn interest from River Plate and Feyenoord

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The third-year MLS club is closing in on the striker, who was Uruguay's star at the U-20 World Cup in 2023 as they triumphed in Argentina. Charlotte are in negotiations to sign the 20-year-old forward to a Young Designated Player contract and, while some details are still being ironed out, the fee would be among the largest ever in MLS. Sources say the fee would end up being among the top five in MLS history, which puts it at at least $12 million. The current MLS record is Thiago Almada, who was signed by Atlanta United for a $16m transfer fee.

  The potential deal comes after Charlotte lost two of their three DPs this offseason. Karol Swiderski departed the club for Hellas Verona on an initial loan while Kamil Jozwiak made a permanent move to Granada. That leaves just Enzo Copetti as the club's lone DP, with Rodriguez set to join to provide Charlotte with a young striker to help lead the attack.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Rodriguez has burst onto the scene over the last year thanks to his exploits with Uruguay's youth national teams. He was his country's hero at the U-20 World Cup as he scored the winning goal in the final against Italy to help Uruguay lift the trophy for the very first time.

  Rodriguez has also shone for Uruguay's U-23s, having scored six goals in as many appearances, and in January he was named to the country's squad for CONMEBOL Olympic qualifiers. Uruguay, unfortunately for Rodriguez, crashed out, despite a hat-trick performance from the striker against Paraguay and goals against both Peru and Argentina.

  On the club level, Rodriguez joined Liverpool Montevideo in 2023 after coming through the ranks at Progreso. In his first season, he scored nine goals for the club and was named the Uruguayan League's Young Player of the Year in 2023. Additionally, he was named to the Uruguayan Primera Division Team of the Year.

  The striker has previously drawn interest from the likes of River Plate and Feyenoord.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Rodriguez is the latest Uruguayan to make the move to MLS, with the league continuing to be a hotbed for young South American talent. Diego Rossi and Facundo Torres have become stars in MLS after making their own early-career moves to the US, while legendary Luis Suarez recently signed with Inter Miami to link up with former teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHARLOTTE FC?

  Charlotte FC will open the MLS season, the club's first under new coach Dean Smith, on February 24 at Bank of America Stadium as they host New York City FC. The club is entering its third season having made the playoffs for the first time in 2023 before falling to the New York Red Bulls in their first match.

Adin Ross has revealed that he was beaten to a luxurious Miami mansion by Lionel Messi following the Argentine’s stunning move to the United States.

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• World Cup winner now in the United States
• Family happily settled in Florida
• Argentine icon always gets what he wants

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 2022 World Cup winner, who now has eight Ballons d’Or to his name, completed a switch to Inter Miami during the summer of 2023. Having bid farewell to Europe following spells at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Messi needed a new base for his young family.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  He quickly identified a waterfront property in Florida, with a deal done there which left streaming star Ross – who shot to fame in 2019 playing NBA 2K on Twitch and now boasts a lucrative deal with Kick – left frustrated as he was outbid by a “very famous professional athlete.”

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Ross has said of missing out on a home that he also viewed before missing out to an all-time great from the sporting world: “It’s nothing about me being broken. I just couldn’t get to there in time. I saw the house, but they were already in talks and all that. The professional athlete is Messi.”

  Expanding on how he was left empty-handed, Ross added: “Messi’s parents, I think it was? I believe it was his grandparents, or I don’t know who the f*ck it was. Messi, they wanted a crib for their grandchildren or some sh*t, they were playing a game. I don’t even know, and they got it.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Ross is reported to have a net worth of around $40 million (£32m), but Messi is said to come in at over $600m (£484m) and was always going to have the financial muscle required to prevail in any bidding war for a home that he intends to fill with more medals across an initial two-and-a-half-year contract with MLS side Inter Miami.

Some West Ham United fans have been left delighted as a transfer update emerged on Duje Caleta-Car.

As per The Athletic, the East London club are set to re-enter in the race to sign the Marseille central defender once the summer transfer window opens.

Although David Moyes’ team were very impressive in the Premier League in the 2020/21 term, finishing in sixth spot, they conceded no fewer than 47 goals in total, which was more than Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Brighton and Hove Albion, who all finished below them in the table (BBC Sport).

Thus, a new centre-back will be needed in order to bolster the defence, especially given that they will be playing in the UEFA Europa League as well.

Caleta-Car could well fit the bill, given his monster six-foot-three frame, which would be useful in both boxes in the top flight and in Europe, as well as coming off the back of an impressive Ligue 1 season in which he won 3.7 of his duels per match and averaged an impressive 3.9 clearances and 1.3 interceptions per game too (Sofascore).

Nonetheless, he is certainly a player that some members of the London Stadium faithful seemingly want to see come through the door.

West Ham fans on Caleta-Car transfer update

These Hammers supporters raved as the transfer update was shared on Twitter (via West Ham Central):

“This would be great if we can get it done for £25 million like we was close to before”

Credit: @Irons_Stuff

“I’m on my knees”

Credit: @1bbyWHU

“YESSSSSSSSS”

Credit: @whujoe

“Oooooh yes”

Credit: @_ghzst

“Him and Milenkovic would be a class window”

Credit: @JamieWHU__

“Vroom, vroom, get in me Car!!”

Credit: @whuamen

In other news, find out what transfer update has left Irons buzzing here!

Leeds United have reportedly set their sights on signing Nahitan Nandez in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Midfielders struggle with injuries

There were a few central midfield players who struggled with injuries during the 2020/21 season at Elland Road, namely Kalvin Phillips and further forward Rodrigo, and so it should really be an area that Marcelo Bielsa would be looking at strengthening.

Nandez could well fit the bill in that regard, as a latest update has been given on the Yorkshire club’s pursuit of the Cagliari ace.

The Latest: Leeds set sights on Nandez

As per Calciomercato, Leeds, as well as Inter Milan, have set their sights on signing Nandez.

Relations between the presidents of both Cagliari and LUFC are reportedly ‘excellent’, while Bielsa likes the profile of the Uruguay international.

Nandez has a deal at the Serie A club until 2024, and has a release clause of €36m (£30.9m), a sum that Leeds may well be tempted by.

The Verdict: Leeds should sign Nandez

Nandez would certainly be a shrewd addition to the squad for the Whites should they be able to beat the likes of Inter to his signature.

Allegedly admired by Bielsa, the Argentine will likely already have a system in mind for how he would like to play Nandez, and with his added versatility to be able to play in a number of different positions, it could well turn out to be a match made in heaven.

Italian football journalist Mina Rzouki described Nandez as ‘unstoppable’ in a performance for Cagliari against UEFA Europa League semi-finalists AS Roma back in May, and at 25 years of age, he still has plenty of room to grow.

In other news, find out why Victor Orta’s summer transfer plans have been described as ‘huge’ here!

The midfielder once looked destined for the top, but never made an appearance at the senior international level

It's the summer of 2014, and the New York Red Bulls are facing Arsenal in what would end up being Thierry Henry's testimonial. It wasn't known as that at the time, of course, as Henry had yet to announce he would retire at the end of that MLS season, but it had all the feelings of a goodbye game. The club he is most associated with travelled across the Atlantic to visit his new home, as fans both old and new gathered for a match that very much honored the French icon.

Henry, of course, received the loudest reception of the day as supporters on both sides applauded their hero. Arsene Wenger also received a large ovation from the New Jersey crowd. But, Henry aside, the player that received the most attention wasn't an Arsenal hero of yesteryear; it was Gedion Zelalem.

Just 17 years old at the time, Zelalem was a rising star in the Arsenal academy. He was also at the center of an international tug-of-war between Ethiopia, Germany and the United States. At Red Bull Arena that day, there were signs in the crowd pleading him to choose the U.S. men's national team, as the race was seemingly between the U.S. and Germany for a player of Zelalem's caliber.

On Saturday, the USMNT and Germany will face off in a friendly as both march towards the 2026 World Cup, and Zelalem will be on neither side. Once a highly regarded prospect at Arsenal, a legitimate German youth international and the potential savior of U.S. Soccer, Zelalem never made an international appearance for any of the three senior teams he was eligible to represent.

So what happened to Gedion Zelalem, the U.S.-eligible wonderkid and future Arsenal star that was once dubbed the next Cesc Fabregas? Well, to put it lightly, he didn't have the luck needed to reach the level many thought he would.

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  American beginnings

  Born in Berlin to Ethiopian parents, Zelalem learned the game in Germany, featuring for Hertha Berlin's academy at the youngest of levels. In 2006, at the age of nine, he arrived in the U.S. with his father following the passing of his mother in the previous year, moving to the DMV area and quickly establishing himself as a rising star in local circles.

  It was during that time he was discovered by former Arsenal full-back and then-scout Daniel Karbassiyoon, who convinced the Gunners to take a chance on the young American and offer him a trial. His stay was quickly made permanent.

  “It was surreal,” Zelalem told in 2019. “I saw the first-team players, I was starstruck. I saw Arsene Wenger, I was starstruck. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I thought I was living in a movie.”

  Zelalem was a Gunner, and he looked set for big things.

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  Emerging from the Arsenal ranks

  Zelalem was initially introduced into Arsenal's Under-17s, but graduated to the U21s in April 2013, despite being just 16 at the time. By that July, Zelalem was training with the first team for their preseason tour of Asia, a surprising inclusion given his lack of experience.

  It was at that time that the comparisons started. Hailed as the next Fabregas, expectations were high for the young midfielder. "He is a player with a good eye and good technique and is very agile," Wenger told in 2014. " He has the ambition to find the ball on the field. So he's the kind of player who could be of use to the United States. He's in some ways the type of player the U.S. was missing in the World Cup.

  "He is potentially an international player, for sure. But the next two or three years he will have to show he has the mental qualities to fill that potential. That's what's at stake for him now. If he grows physically, since he's slim, and continues to develop his mentality, the potential is there for him to be a top professional player."

  He continued to rise through the ranks at Arsenal, making the bench that September before an unfortunate injury delayed a potential Premier League debut. In January, though, he made his first senior appearance for the club, replacing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in an FA Cup win over Coventry City.

  That March, he signed a new contract in north London. His club future was sorted, but the rumblings were just beginning regarding his international allegiance.

• International hype

  There are few things American soccer fans enjoy than annointing the next big thing and, in a world where the U.S. now sees players playing at the very top of the world game, it's a bit harder to explain the climate that Zelalem was in back in 2014.

  American soccer fans salivated at the idea of having an Arsenal-trained star leading their midfield for years to come. Because of that, the full-court press was on from the moment Zelalem burst onto the scene.

  Germany, though, seemingly had the upper hand. Having already turned down overtures from Ethiopia, Zelalem played for Germany's youth teams multiple times from 2012-13. He had trained with the U.S. U15s at one point in 2012, but was unable to actually play for the team as he was considered a resident, but not yet a citizen.

  The option, though, opened up in 2014 when it was confirmed that his father intended to apply for U.S. citizenship, which would extend to Zelalem due to the Child Citizenship Act of 2000. In the summer of 2014, though, on that day at Red Bull Arena, Zelalem was coy.

  "At the moment I'm just trying to break into the first team of Arsenal," he said. "They're both great countries. The U.S. is on the rise. Germany is already a great country. So whichever country I choose will be a good choice."

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• Mark Robinson
  

  Zelalem commits, stars & goes out on loan

  In December 2014, reports emerged that Zelalem had become a U.S. citizen. Soon after, Sunil Gulati, then U.S. Soccer's president, announced that the process had begun to being Zelalem into the national team.

  By 2015, Zelalem's status was confirmed, as he linked up with the U.S. U20s for the 2015 U20 World Cup despite being just 18 years old. He played in five matches that summer as the U.S. made it all the way to the quarter-finals.

  “Gedion is simply the most technical player I’ve ever had on the youth national team,” ex-U.S. U20 head coach Tab Ramos said. “Really easy on the ball, can get out of trouble. I saw someone for, at that time, he was really special and different than anyone we ever had.”

  In 2015-16, after making two total appearances for Arsenal in the years prior, Zelalem went out on loan to Rangers as the Gunners pushed for him to add more physicality to his game. The year after, he went to VVV Venlo in the Netherlands to help him mature in the attacking end. At one point, he was linked with Borussia Dortmund. Zelalem was a rising star, and the world was watching.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists Jadon Sancho's future at the club is "up to him", having repeatedly excluded him from the club's squad.

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• Sancho exiled by manager
• Ten Hag and player in public spat
• Manager sends blunt message

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Sancho has been exiled by Ten Hag after claiming he was being made a "scapegoat" by the manager, who claimed his performances in training were not up to scratch. Since then, the England international has not played for the club.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Reports in Germany have since claimed that Sancho's gaming habits have resulted in limited sleep, and affected his time with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. Ten Hag opted against responding to such rumours, but he has claimed that the 23-year-old is in control of his own destiny at Old Trafford.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Sancho has deleted his Instagram account and the United boss was asked whether such a step could improve the forward's chances of returning to the team.

  He said: "I don't know, it's up to him. I don't comment on players who are not available."

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  United return to Premier League action this weekend, against Crystal Palace.

Forming part of the Lionel Messi circus at Inter Miami is “fun”, says Robert Taylor, with added attention embraced by the Argentine’s club colleagues.

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• Argentine chasing the American dream
• Made an immediate impact in the States
• Every move covered in minute detail

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The eyes of the world have descended on south Florida since seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi completed a stunning move to the United States in the summer of 2023. The presence of an all-time great in MLS has raised the profile of the division as a whole and those the iconic Argentine is working alongside at DRV PNK Stadium.

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  WHAT THEY SAID

  Messi delivered a historic Leagues Cup triumph within weeks of his arrival in America, while also booking a place in the U.S. Open Cup final, and Taylor is among those loving life under the brightest of spotlights. He has said of playing with legends of the game. “It’s fun. The more eyes on you the better as a player. Every footballer wants to play in front of as many fans as possible. At home, our crowds are incredible and when we go out on the road the stadiums are all sold out. That’s a really fun thing.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Messi’s move to Miami, alongside Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, has helped to raise collective standards in Tata Martino’s squad. Finland international Taylor admits as much, adding: “As soon as we got the new signings, everyone’s level has gone up and mine too. It can always be better but at the moment we’re all looking strong. For me it’s always fun to score goals and get assists and win games – that’s what we all play for.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Inter Miami will be back in action on Wednesday when facing the Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup final. It remains to be seen whether Messi will figure in that contest as he has been nursing an injury picked up on 2026 World Cup qualifying duty with Argentina.

Arsenal have reportedly learned how much a late-window transfer swoop for Benfica defender Alexander Bah will set them back.

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• Danish defender impressing in Portugal
• Cover for Timber required at the Emirates
• Money to spend after Balogun sale

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Gunners are said to still be in the market for reinforcements to their defensive unit as deadline day approaches. That is because Mikel Arteta has seen new recruit Jurrien Timber ruled out with an unfortunate, and long-term knee ligament injury.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arsenal have already splashed out over £200 million ($253m) on the likes of Declan Rice, David Raya, Kai Havertz and Timber, but still have money in the bank after sanctioning the sale of USMNT striker Folarin Balogun to Monaco.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  reports that Denmark international Bah is a player in the Gunners’ sights. The 25-year-old is a versatile operator that could fill in at centre-half, left-back, right-back or on the left wing for the north London heavyweights. He will not come cheap, though, as his asking price has reportedly been set at €30-35 million (£26-30m/$33-38m).

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  While mulling over a move for Bah, who joined Benfica in 2022, Arsenal are also being linked with Barcelona’s former Manchester City centre-back Eric Garcia, Galatasaray’s Victor Nelsson and Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong.

Chelsea are reportedly ready to give up on their protracted pursuit of Moises Caicedo, with Leandro Paredes emerging as an alternative target.

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• Blues looking for midfield reinforcements
• Seagulls proving difficult to deal with
• World Cup winner may be lined up

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Blues remain in the market for midfield reinforcements after parting company with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic. They had been hoping that long-standing interest in Brighton star Caicedo would reach a positive conclusion in the summer transfer window.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  That has not been the case, with the Seagulls knocking back several bids as they refuse to budge in their £100 million ($127m) valuation of the highly-rated Ecuador international. Chelsea are now turning their attention elsewhere, with claiming that Paris Saint-Germain ace Paredes is in their sights.

• AND WHAT'S MORE

  Mauricio Pochettino previously worked with the Argentina international at PSG and – with the 2022 World Cup winner into the final year of his contract in France – he is considered to be a cut-price option at Stamford Bridge. He does not fit the profile of player usually targeted by the Todd Boehly-Clearlake ownership team, but the 29-year-old’s experience could prove invaluable.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  There remains a chance that Conor Gallagher will also leave Chelsea before the next deadline passes, with the Blues still keeping an eye on Edson Alvarez of Ajax, USMNT star Tyler Adams of Leeds, Everton’s Amadou Onana and Celta Vigo star Gabri Veiga.

Here's where you can watch Minnesota vs FC Dallas in the MLS on TV or live stream.

Minnesota United will play Dallas on matchday 10 at Allianz Field on Sunday, hoping to prevent their longest losing streak in a Major League Soccer regular season since 2021.

The Loons have now lost three straight domestic games, most recently a 1-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders, while Dallas' three-match unbeaten streak was ended by a 3-1 loss to New York City FC.

▶ Watch every MLS match, including the playoffs, here

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Minnesota stepped into the month as one of the league's unbeaten teams but they are now in a slump, losing three consecutive games by a single goal.

The Loons are one of three MLS teams without a home victory this season, and they are now on their longest winless streak at Allianz Field (three) in the regular season since failing to win four consecutive home games in 2017.

A traditionally solid backline was unlocked for three strikes in quick succession last weekend, the most that Dallas has given up in a single game all season.

Like Minnesota, Nico Estevez has seen his Toros squad drop points, squandering four from winning positions in 2023, all of which came away from home, while they gave up a late one at Los Angeles FC when they had one point in their pocket.

They have 14 points after nine matches, putting them fourth in the Western Conference, but have given up 11 goals thus far, a mark they did not get to last season until matchday 13.

GOAL brings you everything you need to know about where to watch the game on TV and how to stream it live online.

• Minnesota United vs FC Dallas date & kick-off time

  Game:	Minnesota United vs FC Dallas
  Date:	April 30, 2023
  Kick-off time:	9:00 pm ET / 2:00 am BST (May 1)
  Venue:	Allianz Field

  Minnesota United and FC Dallas face off at the Allianz Field on April 30. The kickoff for the game is set for 9:00 pm Eastern Time (ET), or 2:00 am BST (May 1).

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• Where to watch Minnesota vs FC Dallas on TV & how to stream it

  Fans in the United States and across the world can watch MLS with Apple TV MLS Season Pass.

  Country	TV channel	Live stream
  US	FS1 / TSN	Apple TV
  Global	N/A	Apple TV

  • Check out GOAL's football on UK TV guide
  • Check out GOAL's soccer on U.S. TV guide

• Team news & squads

  Minnesota United team news and squad

  Minnesota United have Bakaye Dibassy and Mikael Marques unavailable for selection. Ryen Jiba could be an option to start the game for United, however, his minutes are to be managed due to his injury concerns.

  Minnesota United possible XI: St. Clair; Valentin, Boxall, Tapias, Taylor; Trapp, Dotson; Lod, Fragapane, Hlongwane; Garcia

  Position	Players
  Goalkeepers	Irwin, Dick
  Defenders	Henry, Taylor, Tapias, Kallman, Valentin
  Midfielders	Reynoso, Lod, Hlongwane, Arriaga, Rosalaes, Fragapane, Trapp
  Forwards	Amarilla, Garcia, Oluwayesi, Weah, Dunbar, Jiba

  FC Dallas team news and squad

  FC Dallas has Tarik Scott unavailable after he underwent ACL surgery. Ema Twumasi is suspended for the game.

  FC Dallas possible XI: Paes; Junqua, Tafari, Martinez, Farfan; Lletget, Quignon, Pomykal; Arriola, Ferreira, Obrian

  Position	Players
  Goalkeepers	Paes, Maurer
  Defenders	Farfan, Geovane, Martinez, Ibegaha, Korca
  Midfielders	Pomykal, Lleget, Cerrillo, Quignon, Ntsabeleng
  Forwards	Ferreira, Velasco, Arriola, Jimenez, Obria

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• Useful links

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