<p>Looking forward to the next transfer window, Brentford needs a power boost.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ivan-toney-available-for-january-transfer-at-bargain-price-20231026-WST-465019.html">Ivan Toney</a> is a top player for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/england-national-team-tv-schedule/">English national team</a>. He looks likely to leave west London when his extended absence ends on Jan. 16. Bryan Mbeumo, the club’s current leading scorer, is also out until March with an ankle injury.</p>



<p>Many teams are keeping an eye on Toney as they seek a central striker during the next transfer window. His skill and the lack of competition at the position have piqued the curiosity of top clubs like as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/toney-sparks-speculation-in-arsenal-move-with-instagram-post-20231206-WST-475233.html">Arsenal</a>, Chelsea, and Tottenham.</p>



<p>He has an eight-month ban for violating betting regulations. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/brentford-tv-schedule/">Brentford</a> is ready to conduct business after adjusting to his absence. Numerous teams intensified their pursuit in anticipation of the upcoming removal of that ban.</p>



<p>The most probable destination has always been Chelsea. However, to comply with Profit and Sustainability regulations, they need to make a lot of sales in January.</p>



<p>And that’s before they ever consider making a purchase, particularly for a player with a projected upfront value of $76 million and a potential total worth of $102 million. Also changing the race is the fact that Chelsea has been underperforming when compared to Arsenal.</p>



<p>The opportunity to challenge for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> championship this season is presented to Mikel Arteta’s squad. That is why, according to <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-ivan-toney-transfer-news-b2467231.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Independent</a>, they are now the English striker’s first choice.</p>



<h2>Brandon Vazquez set for Premier League move to Brentford</h2>



<p>Brentford wants to add a striker during the January transfer window, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/12/11/brentford-transfer-news-target-us-striker-brandon-vazquez/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Telegraph</a> reports.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231229_WST_480246_Vazquez-Cincinnati-1200x675_69b1ee69.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-480272" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Vazquez-Cincinnati-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Vazquez-Cincinnati-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Vazquez-Cincinnati-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Vazquez-Cincinnati.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>The eight months that Toney was suspended for violating the betting regulations of the Football Association will end next month. At the end of the summer transfer window, he will still have one year remaining on his contract and is likely to garner attention from other teams.</p>



<p>Whatever happens with the player’s future, the Bees are already planning for a multitude of possible outcomes by adding strikers to their roster. They will reportedly continue to do so even if he remains.</p>



<p>As a result, Brentford is keeping an eye on several strikers, including American international Brandon Vazquez. The report goes on to say that they are prepared to put pen to paper on a deal for Vazquez, even if the 25-year-old is returning to the field.</p>



<p>The transatlantic transfer is something FC Cincinnati is on board with. The Ohio club supports its striker’s goal to play in Europe.</p>



<h2>Cincinnati’s star striker</h2>



<p>Following his time with Atalanta as a youth, Vazquez, now 25 years old, has been a member of FC Cincinnati’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a> team since 2020. His goalscoring tally has increased to 36 in the last two seasons. He also scored in the Conference Finals versus Columbus, but his team ultimately lost 3-2.</p>



<p>Vazquez had a breakthrough year in 2022. The 25-year-old striker narrowly missed a berth on the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a>‘s squad for the World Cup in Qatar. His goal record for his nation is four goals in eight games. He has since been a regular in Gregg Berhalter’s team.</p>



<p>German clubs have been keeping tabs on the rising star. In Spain, Real Betis has an interest in Vazquez. January could see a spike in offers for him.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>

Brentford to replace Ivan Toney with USMNT's next big thing

Looking forward to the next transfer window, Brentford needs a new striker, and Brandon Vazquez could be its answer.


<p>Lionel Messi returned to the field for Inter Miami as they fought Cincinnati on a rainy night. While the Argentine’s team had high hopes for the postseason, they ultimately fell short after a 1-0 defeat.</p>



<p>In spite of the Herons’ tough playoff odds, the atmosphere at DRV PNK Stadium was upbeat before the game since <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/january-loan-deal-mounting-for-messi-where-could-he-go-20231007-WST-461006.html">Lionel Messi</a> would be available again as a substitute.</p>



<p>The first half belonged to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/inter-miami-tv-schedule/">Miami</a>, but despite having three good opportunities, they were unable to score, as all three attempts hit the woodwork.</p>



<p>Once the teams returned after the break, Cincinnati took control. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was sent out onto the pitch in a desperate attempt to break the deadlock. However, he could do very little since the away side finally scored with 10 minutes left on the clock.</p>



<p>Alvaro Barreal scored the go-ahead goal after Miami goalie Drake Callender mishandled a powerful attempt from Yuya Kubo. Despite their best efforts, the home team was unable to score the equalizer, much alone the game-winning goal they would have needed to keep their playoff hopes alive.</p>



<h5>How did Messi fare against Cincinnati?</h5>



<p>Messi’s two missed free kicks were his only significant contributions. Both attempts flew far past Roman Celentano’s crossbar in goal for Cincinnati, one in the 58th minute and the other in added time.</p>



<p>“His injury is healed, but his rhythm was just off”, Miami boss Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino remarked, via <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38595842/lionel-messi-returns-inter-miami-squad-vs-fc-cincinnati" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN</a>. “He hasn’t played much, that’s why I only played him 35 minutes.”</p>



<p>The Argentine veteran had played only 37 minutes total in his team’s previous six games leading up to Saturday, with Miami going winless five times without him.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Inter Miami have been eliminated from the MLS playoffs ⛔️🇺🇸<br><br>After their October 21st match, Inter Miami will NOT play another MLS game until late February.<br><br>Since Messi&apos;s debut, Inter Miami only won one of the six games he missed and only lost one of the 13 he&apos;s played in. <a href="https://t.co/VxbvSMILcf">pic.twitter.com/VxbvSMILcf</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1710836835553869949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h5>What now for Messi?</h5>



<p>The 36-year-old will report for international duties with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/argentina-national-team-tv-schedule/">Argentina</a> for their World Cup qualifying campaign. The defending champions host Paraguay on Thursday and travel to Peru the following week.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, Messi won’t play in the Herons’ next match, which comes on October 18 and is a makeup against Charlotte FC. </p>



<p>If he recovers in time, he could be able to play in the second game, which is scheduled for the last day of the regular season and takes place in North Carolina.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</p>


Messi's return not enough: Inter Miami fail to reach MLS playoffs

Inter Miami were eliminated from MLS playoff contention when Lionel Messi made his comeback in a 1-0 defeat to FC Cincinnati.

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Brentford to replace Ivan Toney with USMNT's next big thing

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Messi's return not enough: Inter Miami fail to reach MLS playoffs