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Major League Soccer sold two of the biggest stars to ever pass through the league, and Goal looks back at how they rank with all-time DP signings

Miguel Almiron and Sebastian Giovinco, two of the most exciting and effective players in Major League Soccer history, both said goodbye to MLS on the same day, each completing transfers during what has been a busy offseason of transfers for the league.

Almiron and Giovinco leave having led their respective teams to MLS Cup titles, and with each living up to the high expectations that arrived with them. They were both high-profile designated player signings, and each dominated the league with their own unique attacking styles.

How do they measure up compared to some of the best DP signings in MLS history? You can definitely make the argument that they are two of the best DP signings ever, if not the very best. Giovinco's MVP season in 2015 was arguably the best individual season in league history, while Almiron's two-year stint with Atlanta United saw him emerge as the Five Stripes' most dangerous player.

Measuring the impact of designated player signings goes beyond wins and losses and trophies. There have been players who secured trophies, but also made a major impact in terms of marketing and boosting the visibility of teams in certain markets, as well as visibility internationally.

For the purposes of this list of top designated players, we will focus solely on players who arrived in MLS as DP signings, and excluding all players who began their MLS careers on non-DP contracts. That leaves out the likes of Landon Donovan and Bradley Wright-Phillips, among others. We are also focusing on players with multiple MLS seasons under their belts, so Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney will have to wait to work their way onto this list.

Here are the top 10 best DP signings in MLS history:

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  10Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)

  When Henry arrived at Red Bull Arena, the New York Red Bulls had just recently moved into their new stadium, and they badly needed a star to help them rebuild their fan base. He wasn't able to help the Red Bulls end their MLS Cup drought, but he did help them win their first piece of silverware (the 2013 Supporters' Shield) and finished his five-year stint with the Red Bulls as the leading assist man in team history.

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  9Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders)

  When the Uruguayan playmaker arrived in 2016, the Seattle Sounders were a mess, having recently fired then-coach Sigi Schmid and trying desperately to turn things around. Lodeiro helped the Sounders regroup and eventually win the 2016 MLS Cup final. Lodeiro's three-year stint in Seattle saw the Sounders return to the MLS Cup final in 2017 and reach the playoffs yet again in 2018. He has delivered 19 goals and 36 assists in regular season action for the Sounders.

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  8Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls)

  The Colombian striker was one of the league's first designated player signings, arriving in 2007, the same year David Beckham landed in Los Angeles. Though his arrival didn't bring the same level of international fanfare, Angel became a fan favorite with the New York Red Bulls by delivering goals for four straight years and helping the Red Bulls reach the MLS Cup final in 2008. He left the Red Bulls after scoring 62 goals in four seasons, a team record that stood until Bradley Wright-Phillips broke it.

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  7Josef Martinez (Atlanta United)

  No player in MLS history has had a better two-year run than Martinez, who shattered the single-season goal-scoring record, notching 31 strikes to help Atlanta United win the MLS Cup title. Martinez's 50 goals in two seasons is an unmatched run, and his status as the face of the franchise helps put him high on this list after just two seasons. If he can add a few more titles to his total, Martinez could be topping this list in a few years.

With the window in Italy having slammed shut ahead of the new top-flight campaign, Goal looks at the new faces from whom big things are expected

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  Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid to Juventus

  Five-time Ballon d'Or winner, five time Champions League winner and a domestic title winner in England and Spain, perhaps the world's finest marksman decided now was the time for him to leave Santiago Bernabeu behind and try his hand at winning the Scudetto.

  Ronaldo's move for around €100 million (£88m/$117m) sent shockwaves through the footballing world and he looks set to be the star attraction wherever he goes in Italy once the season gets under way.

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  Radja Nainggolan | Roma to Inter

  Having been surprisingly left out of Belgium's World Cup squad, Nainggolan wasted no time in plotting his next career move as he swapped Stadio Olimpico for San Siro in a deal worth an initial €38m (£33.5m/$44m).

  Having worked with Inter boss Luciano Spalletti at Roma he should need little time to settle in as he looks to bring some steel to the Nerazzurri's midfield.

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  Joao Cancelo | Valencia to Juventus

  With the full-back having impressed during a loan spell with Inter during the 2017-18 campaign, the Serie A champions decided Cancelo was the man to act as Stephan Lichtsteiner's long-term successor in Turin.

  Though €40m (£35m/$46m) may seem a lot for a 24-year-old defender who has been capped just seven times by Portugal, the Bianconeri see a lot of potential in Cancelo and expect him to flourish alongside even better players.

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  Tiemoue Bakayoko | Chelsea to AC Milan

  After a horror debut season in west London and with both Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic added to the Chelsea squad, Bakayoko is in need of a fresh start with the Rossoneri.

  Though he has initially signed on loan, the France international has the option to make the move permanent if Milan are willing to fork out €35m (£31m/$40m) at the end of the campaign.

This season has been a torrid affair for everyone at Celtic, no less than Neil Lennon.

Their capitulation this term led to his departure and there were no shortage of reasons as to why he left Parkhead.

They have lost their dominance on Scottish football and performances, certainly from a defensive point of view, have been lacklustre.

Though, one issue lying slightly beneath the surface is a lack of minutes for their younger players. Cameron Harper has left the club while Karamoko Dembele could follow him through the exit door this summer when his contract expires.

As a result, a host of their talented reserve players have headed out on loan. Luca Connell is spending the second half of the campaign on loan at Queen’s Park while talented Norwegian Leo Hjelde is with Ross County until the climax of the season.

The centre-back has already been compared to both Virgil van Dijk and Kristoffer Ajer but his development for now, is clearly best suited away from the Hoops.

One player who has earned the trust of coaches at Celtic, however, is Dane Murray. Another 17-year-old defender, he is now training with the senior team.

There is no loan spell in the pipeline for Murray but such is his immense potential that he’s already getting used to his surroundings among the first team squad at Lennoxtown.

He has trained under John Kennedy on a number of occasions now, a period he’s described as “brilliant.”

After penning new terms with Celtic, Murray spoke this month about his development and transition to playing alongside more experienced players.

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“Everything about your game comes on more when you train with the first-team,” he began. “The standard and intensity are much higher. Everyone helps you along every step of the way and they’re constantly giving you information. They just want the best for you really.”

The teenager is clearly being guided by the right people and he has been extremely keen to learn from someone like Ajer.

The Norway international came to Scotland as a teenager and has developed into one of Celtic’s key players.

“You also have Kris Ajer who came in at 17 and look at him now. The change he’s made has been brilliant,” Murray explained.

“Then you have the club captain Scott Brown. What he’s done in his career has been brilliant and I can only hope for even half of that,” he added.

It’s not just the age at which Ajer and Murray broke into the set-up that’s similar, however. The latter started out as a midfielder and is still very much capable of playing further forward, as well as in defence.

Ajer has played in a holding role in the past and has also performed admirably at full-back. Versatility like that, particularly at a young age, is a very useful asset to have.

With that in mind, it might make the transition to first team life a little smoother for Murray.

Unlike Hjelde, he has been trusted to stay at the club and develop. That can only be a good thing.

AND in other news, Celtic may be on the verge of repeating Deila’s costly blunder, fans should be fuming…

The Reds saw their German custodian endure a nightmare evening in the Champions League final, with Jurgen Klopp now expected to dip into the market

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  Alisson

  The Brazil international is very much in vogue, with his reputation having soared during a 2017-18 campaign which saw him collect 17 clean sheets in Serie A – with only champions Juventus boasting a better defensive record than Roma. At just 25 years of age, Alisson is yet to reach his peak and would be a solid option for the present and future. Roma sporting director Monchi has claimed that he will only sanction a sale if he comes out of retirement and a “sack of money” is tabled. He may need to start clearing his desk and dusting off his gloves.

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  Gianluigi Donnarumma

  A man with 125 appearances for Italian heavyweights AC Milan under his belt is still only 19 years of age. The winner of the Goal NxGn in 2017 and runner-up this year, Donnarumma boasts scary potential which appears destined to benefit somebody outside of San Siro. Super-agent Mino Raiola is in charge of his future and has hinted on a regular basis that a big-money move is in the pipeline. The Italy international, who is seen as the natural heir to the great Gianluigi Buffon by the man himself, would be a statement of intent at Anfield.

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  Jack Butland

  If Liverpool opt to favour Premier League experience, then it may be that their search for a new goalkeeper leads them no further than Stoke. With the Potters having suffered relegation out of the top-flight in 2017-18, a cherry-picking of their top talent this summer is to be expected. Butland certainly falls into that category and may be offered a World Cup shop window in which to display his talent this summer after forming part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad. He has long been linked with Liverpool and has been talked up for a move by Reds legend Ray Clemence.

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  Jan Oblak

  The Atletico Madrid star would not come cheap, but then who does in the current transfer market? The Slovenia international is reported to have a €100 million (£87m/$118m) release clause in his contract – a price tag that his current employers are hoping to raise with the agreeing of fresh terms. Oblak has admitted to being unsure as to what the future holds for him, as interest in his services builds, but Atletico are reluctant sellers and any suitor hoping to land a 25-year-old considered to be among the best in world will need to have deep pockets.

Celtic are thought to be looking at former Borussia Dortmund manager Lucien Favre as an alternative to Eddie Howe.

That’s according to an exclusive report from Football Insider, who have been informed by a Hoops source that the 63-year-old is a real contender for the vacant post, should Howe snub a Parkhead move.

Celtic’s Howe fear

There are fears Howe is having second thoughts over becoming Neil Lennon’s long-term successor, resulting in the Hoops drawing up an alternative shortlist.

Favre has been out of work since December and has held eight managerial positions over the last 30 years.

Transfer Tavern take

Favre averaged over two points per game during his time in charge of Dortmund and boasts a wealth of experience across Europe. He’s also managed in France and Switzerland, however, in regards to the long-term, we think Howe is the smarter option.

Financially, Favre picked up €4.5 million a year with Dortmund, whereas Howe was thought to be closing in on a deal worth £2 million a year at Parkhead. Howe is also 20 years Favre’s junior, so his outlook could be beneficial in the long run.

It remains to be seen how strong Celtic’s interest in Favre is, but it seems as if their eggs aren’t all in Howe’s basket just yet.

In other news: Premier League side set to bid for Celtic midfielder, find out more here. 

David Moyes has claimed that Jesse Lingard is getting fitter and fitter at West Ham United and will be in contention to face Arsenal in Sunday’s Premier League clash.

The Irons were without the England international as they lost 1-0 to Manchester United last weekend due to the on-loan playmaker being ineligible to face his parent club.

Lingard had been in terrific form in claret and blue before the Hammers visited Old Trafford, with the 28-year-old scoring four goals and providing two assists in six games played since joining in the January transfer window.

His form under Moyes has seen Gareth Southgate recall the 24-cap midfielder to the England squad for this month’s international break, having not featured for his country since the UEFA Nations League finals in June 2019.

Moyes is delighted for Lingard to be given another chance to represent his country as he deserves the call-up, and looks forward to seeing what more he can produce at West Ham.

“I’m really pleased for Jesse,” the Irons boss said on Friday. “It’s great for him and his performances have warranted it in how he’s played for us.

“I have to say he’s been very good. We just hope that continues and we want him to keep showing exactly what he can do on the pitch and he’s helped us. He’s been a good acquisition to the squad, and we hope he can add more goals between now and the end of the season.

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“He’s looked very good in training this week and I think since the day he came in everybody has been a bit surprised how good his fitness is and how good his all-round game is.

“I can see by the way he is working that he’s even getting better, and his physical data is getting better and overall, he’s been very good for us. He’s helped us, he’s given us another string to our bow in terms of attacking options, so we’re really pleased with him.”

Lingard had only played three times this season for Manchester United before joining West Ham on loan, with two outings coming in the Carabao Cup in September and one in the FA Cup in January.

It is no surprise, then, that Lingard’s overall match fitness has somewhat been lacking, given he had only played 179 minutes over those appearances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, yet the £13.5m-rated maestro has still had a huge impact on West Ham’s form.

No Irons player has found the back of the net more often than Lingard since he moved to the London Stadium, with Tomas Soucek, Declan Rice, Issa Diop, Ryan Fredericks, Michail Antonio scoring two each and Craig Dawson accounting for West Ham’s other goal.

Moyes sharing that Lingard’s fitness is only getting better the more time that he spends at Rush Green may now allow the Red Devils product to reach an even higher level to his game, having occasionally waned towards the end of matches.

Having Lingard able to operate as close to 100 per cent for longer in matches will be a huge boost for Moyes after the international break, too, as the Hammers will still have to face Leicester City, Chelsea and Everton in the fight for a top-four Premier League finish after hosting Arsenal on Sunday.

His immediate availability could be beneficial at home to the Gunners, who will be striving to bounce back from a first defeat in five games after losing to Olympiacos in the Europa League on Thursday night.

AND in other news, a West Ham winter target is set to be available for £17m this summer…

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been reacting to the club’s official Twitter post regarding Premier League dates for next season.

The Premier League have announced that the 2021/22 campaign will start on the 14th August 2021, and end on the 22nd May 2022.

It seems extremely likely that the Eagles will be taking part in the top-flight once again next season, with Roy Hodgson’s side 11 points clear of the drop zone with nine games still to go.

Hodgson will turn 74 days before the new season kicks off though, with his Selhurst Park future up in the air and time on his contract ticking down.

Reports last month suggested the Englishman was ‘undecided’ over his future at the club, with his current deal due to expire at the end of the season.

Palace fans react

Palace posted the dates regarding next season on their official Twitter page on Thursday afternoon.

This is what these Eagles fans had to say, with some poking fun at Hodgson’s expense.

“Hopefully the start of a new and better era!”

Credit: @CPFCAlfie

“Just don’t tell Roy”

Credit: @Ukhilal1957

“Can’t wait to be back”

Credit: @cpfc_sean

“Sack Roy”

Credit: @DonnyToIiver

“Will we have a squad”

Credit: @rickyj555

“Announce Hodgson octogenarian contract”

Credit: @JA9GOAT

In other news: Palace eye Championship centre-back valued at just £450k, find out more here. 

Former Liverpool forward Stan Collymore has talked up the possibility of a summer overhaul at Anfield.

The Reds’ title defence has unravelled rather spectacularly, with a mid-table finish increasingly on the cards after a sixth home defeat on the bounce against relegation-threatened Fulham on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp’s side may have reached the end of its cycle, with evolution required to avoid a sustained drop-off.

Collymore pointed out in a tweet that Liverpool’s current three have ‘won the lot’ and may ‘fancy Madrid, Bayern or Juve for a new challenge’.

The money involved in a Liverpool evolution

If Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane were to leave, it could fetch the Reds up to €120 million if they met their valuations. Roberto Firmino, meanwhile, is valued between €70 and €90 million (via CIES Football Observatory).

Liverpool tend to spend only what they earn, and so one of these deal could enable them to target a younger, blockbuster replacement.

Collymore says Erling Haaland (£120-£150million), Jack Grealish (£40-£50million) and Ansu Fati (£90-£120million) could be among those on the Reds’ list.

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Mohamed Salah is the only member of the renowned trio who has performed this season.

Sadio Mane has managed just seven Premier League goals, while Roberto Firmino very much looks to have peaked too.

It would be rash to entertain the idea of selling Mane unless he were to push for a move (which seems unlikely).

But if a respectable offer arrives for Firmino, the club ought to seriously consider it.

The Brazilian has left an indelible mark at Anfield but his sale, in conjunction with others, could conceivably fund a move for Haaland and whoever signs the Norwegian, you feel, is in for a glittering decade.

In other news, this LFC player came under fire after his post-Fulham Instagram message

Liverpool are interested in bringing Udinese midfielder Rodrigo De Paul to Anfield, according to reports.

Rodrigo De Paul to Anfield?

The 26-year-old is a highly respected captain over in Serie A and Italy, having been described as a player who “can play under any conditions” by Argentina legend Juan Pablo Sorin, via Mundo Albiceleste.

Corriere Dello Sport (print edition, page 25, 15/01/2021) revealed that Jurgen Klopp is ready to take on Leeds United in competition for his signature, coming after other reports (via TeamTalk) claimed that the Reds see him as a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum.

The future of Wijnaldum remains unsolved. With six months left on his current deal, he has the right to negotiate a pre-contractual agreement with another club.

During the current campaign, De Paul has scored three goals and provided two assists from 16 Serie A appearances, and is valued at £31.5m (TransferMarkt), with Udinese just four points outside of the relegation zone before the weekend’s action.

Transfer Tavern Verdict

It appears that Liverpool are putting measures in place in case Wijnaldum decides to leave at the end of the season, which is a sensible decision from Klopp.

At the same time, it is an even better call to bring another leader into the dressing room. Because of this, he could be quick to adapt to his new teammates and the German tactician’s playing style.

Realistically, De Paul is just a backup plan. If Wijnaldum stays, we imagine that Liverpool will withdraw from the pursuit.

In other news, Jurgen Klopp confirmed £120k-p/w star will miss Manchester United table-topping clash.

Jairo Riedewald has signed a new three-year contract with Crystal Palace which will keep him at Selhurst Park until 2024.

While it’s a welcome boost for Roy Hodgson, the same can’t be said for James McCarthy, who faces an uncertain future in south London.

Riedewald scored a worldie of a goal after his 20-yard screamer took a deflection off Ciaran Clark to ensure the Eagles recorded back-to-back-wins in the Premier League for the first time since September as they overcame a spirited Newcastle United on their own home turf at St James’ Park.

He then marked the special occasion by putting pen to paper to a new deal to commit his future to the club.

McCarthy, on the other hand, has struggled for game time under Hodgson this season, with Luka Milivojevic and James McArthur often preferred in his place, having made ten appearances across all competitions, earning a rather disappointing WhoScored match rating of 6.36 overall for his efforts.

By comparison, the 24-year-old has been in superb form for Hodgson’s side since the start of the season, averaging a solid 6.44 for the Eagles in all competitions.

In fact, it’s fair to say that Hodgson’s midfield is pretty well-stocked at present. He’s got Milivojevic, McArthur, McCarthy and Riedewald at his disposal, with the first two making at least 37 appearances between them this season thus far.

And the Eagles also have Cheikhou Kouyate on their books, albeit the 31-year-old has shifted to more of a defensive role as of late.

With Riedewald now penning a new deal, you do worry that McCarthy could soon be deemed surplus to requirements by the south London club.

Hodgson previously praised McCarthy for his role in Palace’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City last season, saying: “He’s been excellent and he’s getting better and better. We knew it would take a little time. He was training with Everton, so when he came to us he was technically fit and there was nothing wrong with him but of course he was not that close to the first-team for periods of time, not knocking on the door if you like.

“I knew the more he did with us, the chances he would get, he would get stronger and stronger. The action he performed for our equalising goal was quite incredible. That amount of running at that point in the game and to produce that pass was a class act. My faith in him and his faith in himself and determination to get back to that level of football has been rewarded. When you get these serious injuries which take you out of football for a long period of time it’s not easy.”

Unfortunately for McCarthy, since those promising comments, he has still been forced to settle for a spot on the bench more often than not so far this season and with Riedewald seemingly here to stay, the Irishman may have to get used to a place on saidthe aforementioned bench.

If he can’t re-establish himself in the first team between now and the end of the season, then it wouldn’t be a a surprise at all to see him leave Selhurst Park in the summer.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace will rue not signing Bayer Leverkusen winger Demarai Gray…