Latest news with #Wirtz
New York Times
a day ago
- Business
- New York Times
How can Liverpool afford Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike?
This is an updated version of an article first published in June 2025. After the quiet of a year ago, this summer has been anything but for Liverpool. Florian Wirtz's club-record arrival last month was sandwiched by the signings of Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, with the trio costing around £170million in transfer fees alone. The signing of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for about £79million ($107m) has pumped that figure even higher. Advertisement Include the £25m spent on Giorgi Mamardashvili (a deal agreed last year but one where the goalkeeper only joined from Valencia this summer) and add on estimated agent fees and transfer levies and you are left with a startling figure. Liverpool have spent in the region of £300m, and there is still over a month of the transfer window to run. The £100m deal to sign Wirtz and Ekitike's arrival marks the pair out as Liverpool's first and fourth most expensive signings, with only Virgil Van Dijk and Darwin Nunez interrupting their new team-mates. Wirtz has signed a five-year deal while Ekitike has agreed terms at Anfield for the next six seasons, where they will both be paid handsomely. How, then, can the Premier League champions afford all of this? The arrivals of Wirtz and Ekitike come at a time when Liverpool are enjoying record revenues. They cleared £600m for the first time in 2023-24, a year in which they had to make do with Europa League football and finishing third in the Premier League. Last season, with a return to the Champions League and a 20th domestic title secured, alongside a full season of the extended Anfield Road End being open and continued commercial growth, Liverpool should have topped £700m in turnover, a feat only previously managed by Manchester City in England. A further record in 2025-26 looks likely. The Athletic estimates Liverpool earned £181.5m through winning the Premier League and, even if they don't retain the title in 2025-26, they will still benefit from an uptick in the league's overall income. A new TV rights cycle starts this season, with the Premier League expecting to earn £12.25bn over the next three years — a 17 per cent increase on the 2022-25 cycle. Liverpool's commercial growth is well-placed to continue. August will see them begin a new kit deal with Adidas. The agreement, while incentive-based, represents a significant potential increase on the club's already lucrative arrangement with Nike. The latter secured Liverpool a base payment of £30million a season, but garnered around double that in reality. Booming revenues are all well and good but of little use if your expenditure is through the roof. Liverpool lost £57.1million pre-tax in 2023-24, the worst financial result in the club's history, so are costs are swallowing their income whole? Not really. That big loss a year ago was out of the ordinary for a club who, across Fenway Sports Group (FSG's) near-15 years at the helm, have broken even. They' have most likely done better than that: as detailed in The Athletic's BookKeeper series, published in March, we expect Liverpool to have returned to profitability in 2024-25, and healthy profitability too. Even if the wage bill crept up to the £400m mark — not a guarantee by any stretch, but possible once league-winning bonuses were handed out — we project Liverpool could still have booked a £30m profit. Advertisement The club are big wage-payers, as evidenced by their 2023-24 bill only trailing Manchester City domestically. The Athletic understands Wirtz will earn around £200,000 per week at Anfield, before any bonuses which may accrue to him. From Liverpool's perspective, inclusive of employer-related costs on top of his basic salary, Wirtz will cost them at least £12m a year. Ekitike will plainly be paid well too. During Newcastle's pursuit of him, his salary demands were expected to be between £200,000 and £220,000 per week. Whether that held during negotiations with Liverpool is unknown, but taking the midpoint as his basic salary and applying employer-related costs on top sees a £12.6m cost to Liverpool to employ him each year. Across Wirtz and Ekitike, the club have added a minimum of around £25m to the annual wage bill. Liverpool have some world-class players and pay them accordingly, but will benefit from the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who cost them £12m a year in employment-related costs (again before bonuses). Any further high-profile sales will help too and, even as the 2025-26 wage bill should easily go past £400m, it will be manageable in the context of the club's earnings. Liverpool's wages to revenue has hovered between 62 per cent and 65 per cent, a healthy ratio, in each of past four seasons. One of the reasons the signings of Van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson are often pointed to as examples of Liverpool not skimping on fees is they were pretty much outliers; they did spend big on the pair, but their transfer spending has generally trailed domestic rivals. At the end of 2023-24 the cost of assembling Liverpool's squad, across transfer and agent fees, was £749.4m, the seventh most expensive squad in the world but well behind Chelsea (£1.4bn), Manchester City (£1.1bn), Manchester United (£943.9m) and Arsenal (£882.4m). Correspondingly, annual amortisation costs hitting the club's books were well below domestic peers; Liverpool's amortisation bill of £114.5m last year was over £20m behind Spurs and £75m less than Chelsea. After a quiet summer in 2024, amortisation won't have ticked up much, if at all. Wirtz's £100m fee, plus assumed agent fees on top of around 10 per cent, alongside a four per cent transfer levy payable to the Premier League by clubs on all new signings, will add £21.4m to Liverpool's 2025-26 amortisation bill, with a further £22.7m per season following thereafter until 2029-30 (a small sliver, £1.9m, will fall into 2030-31 as a result of the club's May 31 accounting date). Advertisement The deal for Ekitike, meanwhile, adds a further £13.4m to 2025-26, £15.7m a season to the end of 2029-30 and around £2.3m into 2030-31 (despite signing a six-year deal, Premier League and UEFA rules mean his fee can only be spread over five years for PSR purposes). Alongside the recent signings of Frimpong and Kerkez, Liverpool have added around £54m a season onto their amortisation costs, or almost half what their amortisation bill was in 2023-24. Even so, that would still only push them a smidge ahead of Manchester City's bill that year, who have spent plenty themselves recently. Liverpool will have narrowed the gap in amortisation costs to the rest of the 'big six', and have possibly surpassed Spurs. This summer's spending on transfers has brought their amortisation expenditure closer to those at the top, but it is likely they will still trail four domestic rivals. None of which is to say this looks likely to become the norm at Anfield. FSG appear to have decided the best approach to capitalise on last year's success is to lay down a significant marker, and catch up on transfer spending which has dropped relative to peers. Liverpool's net transfer spend dipped to zero in 2019-20, then did so again last season. Across the past five seasons, seven English clubs spent more on players. It is a point worth remembering when contextualising this summer's activity. No. We recently explained how Liverpool could have lost £75m last season without breaking any Premier League rules. Across wages and transfer fee amortisation, signing Wirtz and Ekitike will add an extra £63m or so in annual costs. Add in estimates for Frimpong and Kerkez, and the four might have added £90m to £100m to the annual expenditure — but it comes at a time of booming income, on the back of a profitable season in 2024-25, and when outgoings look more likely. Those sales probably are not needed to satisfy Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) in the immediate term — the profitability of 2024-25 and growing revenues will ensure no issues there — but they will help balance the squad and the books. Liverpool have signed up to several years of costs this summer, so, as with any business, there is a need to offset those where possible. Advertisement FSG has long sought to run Liverpool sustainably and, while they can and have splurged this summer without fear of bankruptcy or rule-breaking, and can lose a chunk of money in 2025-26 if they wish to, that doesn't mean they will do it for the sake of it. A big money departure, likely Nunez, would be no surprise. Cash worries are different from PSR ones, but Liverpool have little concern there either. Access to funds is no problem. Even if FSG was reluctant to loan money in (something they have generally preferred to do for infrastructure spend rather than operational costs), the ownership refinanced a revolving credit facility in September last year, lifting its limit from £200m to £350m. At the end of May 2024, it had only drawn down £116m of the original £200m, so there is plenty to be dipped into if the need arises. Liverpool may not need to increase borrowings anyway. Operating cash flow was positive at £83.7m in 2023-24 even without Champions League revenue, while cash spent on infrastructure has reduced following the completion of the revamped Anfield Road End. The cash position at the end of last season is likely to have been strong. It is no coincidence that the end of those works has been followed by this summer's spending. Liverpool have spent heavily on infrastructure: over the last decade, only Tottenham and Everton, both of whom built new stadia in that time, have paid out more in capital spending. Now that spending has been reduced, Liverpool have invested heavily in the playing squad, enjoying the cash benefits of, for example, higher gate receipts from a bigger ground. As well, their relatively low spending on transfers — and keenness to pay more of deals up front if they can — means Liverpool owe far less than peers in outstanding fee instalments. At the end of May 2024, they owed a net £69.9m, an amount which is expected to have dropped even lower in the past year. The previous figure was lower than seven other Premier League clubs at the time and nowhere near the £308.9m Manchester United owed at the end of March 2025. There is also the point, linked, of those potential sales. How Liverpool have structured payments on this summer's new signings is unknown, but any imminent big-money sales would clearly help to offset cash going the other way. This summer represents a significant undertaking for Liverpool. Across Wirtz and Ekitike alone, transfer fees, assumed agent fees, transfer levies and respective five and six-year contracts put the total cost to the club of signing and employing the pair at an estimated £326.7m. That is without including add-ons and bonuses, or the costs of bringing in Frimpong and Kerkez — and Mamardashvili — alongside them. Advertisement These are huge sums, but then Liverpool are a wealthy club. It would be a surprise if some sales don't now follow, but they will have been planned for as part of this summer's activity. FSG's ownership has not been to every fan's taste, but it is precisely because of its past frugality that Liverpool have been able to make this a summer of statement.
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Mundelein project developers promise ‘unprecedented' community; ‘This … will forever transform our village'
Driving west on Route 60 in Mundelein, motorists will get to a point where the big box stores suddenly stop, the road narrows and farmland opens up all around them. A sign proclaims the picturesque fields to be 'Ivanhoe Farms.' The farm's owners are the Wirtz family, and they have been for nearly 170 years. The family, through the Wirtz Corporation, most famously owns the Chicago Blackhawks, as well as various business holdings such as the Breakthru Beverage Group, a beverage wholesaler. The family has big dreams for the 800 acres — Ivanhoe Village, a self-described 'traditional neighborhood development' that will 'forever transform' Mundelein, according to village officials. It's a massive project that will bring several thousand housing units — in the form of houses and apartments — and more than 2 million square feet of commercial space over decades of planned construction. Developers call it an 'unprecedented' opportunity for Mundelein — potentially the first of its kind for the Chicagoland area — and emphasize how it fundamentally differs from typical suburban neighborhood developments. But what is a 'traditional neighborhood development,' and will Ivanhoe Village really create the vision as promised? According to Don Vitek, senior vice president at Wirtz Realty, when fully complete, Ivanhoe Village will have more than 3,100 residential units, including for-sale and rental, in a variety of sizes and types. About 25% of that will be targeted or restricted to seniors. Residential development will be limited to 155 units in any given year to control growth, with less than a third of those being single-family detached dwellings. Between its Village Center, medical offices, health-related commercial space and small industrial facilities, it will have more than 2.2 million square feet of commercial space, Vitek said. Developers and Mundelein officials emphasize its nature-oriented design — the farm will remain, with 11 acres to provide locally grown produce. More than 40% of Ivanhoe Village's land will be preserved as open space, Vitek said, and it will have a network of paths and community amenities connected by 12 miles of trails. Every resident, he said, will be within a few blocks of a trail entrance connected to the neighborhood's amenities and the regional Millennium Trail. Ivanhoe Village is designed to reduce dependence on vehicles, lead planner Marina Khoury said. Residential, commercial and civic spaces will be integrated. Cars and garages will generally be accessed from rear alleys, with the fronts featuring porches and landscaping to create pedestrian-friendly streetscapes for walking and 'everyday interactions between residents.' The Village Center will provide space for shops, restaurants, services and workplaces, as well as a gathering space for events and activities. The development's renderings paint an idyllic image of an American community, literally. Using vibrant watercolors rather than the more typical 3D models, they depict bustling historical downtown-esque streets and communal green spaces, where neighbors sit in the shade of trees. It's a vision drawing from the development's traditional neighborhood development (TND) principles, developers say. Emily Talen is a professor of urbanism at the University of Chicago. TNDs are not a technical thing defined by an official body, she said, but more a philosophy around development. Talen said it traces its roots back to the 1980s as a reaction to suburban sprawl. 'New urbanists' emphasize building in more traditional ways, with walkable neighborhoods and nearby services. She said similar concepts under different names, like 'garden cities,' were launched in the United Kingdom and Germany in the 19th century. Modern suburban neighborhoods have numerous issues that experts like Sybil Derrible, a professor of urban engineering at the University of Illinois-Chicago, point out. Their heavy reliance on cars creates environments unfriendly for pedestrians or building communities. They're usually not within walking distance of businesses, schools or community amenities, and lack alternative transportation options beyond personal vehicles. Pedestrians face long, winding streets that discourage walking. 'I always say, 'Can you go and buy a pint of milk by walking?' That's my criteria,' Derrible said. Derrible's initial reaction looking at Ivanhoe Village was a positive one. He noted the walkways, parks, leisure areas and green infrastructure. Numerous trees will provide shade and help lower ambient air temperature, and the landscape architecture will help handle stormwater. He did wonder about where stores will be located throughout the community, and how that would play into walkability. 'I'm cooking and I need tomatoes. Can I send my daughter just to buy some tomatoes, and can she just walk there in five minutes and come back?' Derrible said. 'If the stores are well-located, then people are going to have the option to walk there if they want.' He also praised the long-term perspective of the developers. Rather than maximizing profit over a short period of time, he sees a commitment to, 'make sure the residents are happy, enjoy their lives, have neighbors and build a community.' It's a hard quality to find in developers. 'I think the intention is there,' Derrible said. 'Making it happen the way they want is challenging, so I really applaud their effort.' New urbanism and TNDs aren't without their critics, and Talen outlined some of the issues that have been raised. While one of the tenets of TNDs is a diverse community, many 'didn't end up being socially diverse,' she said. Their very strengths, like superior aesthetics and walkability, make them very attractive and subsequently very expensive, creating a socially and economically uniform community. One of the most famous TND examples, Seaside in Florida, today is 'completely bougie,' Talen said. TNDs like Seaside also face another criticism best highlighted by its use as the filming location for 'The Truman Show,' a 1998 movie starring Jim Carrey about a man unwittingly raised in a fake city for the entertainment of television viewers. Because of the control wielded by developers of such projects, they can have a sense of fakeness, Talen said. 'The Seaside people were really mad at the makers of that movie, because they didn't know they were going to be characterized as being this cartoon fantasy of what a community is,' she said. 'A very Kafka-esque kind of situation.' The top-down control of a TND, compared to a community built 'bottom up' by residents, can conjure up images of towns built by the 'benevolent industrialist' with their hearts in the right place that ultimately go wrong in some fashion, Talen said, such as Pullman in Chicago. And some consider new urbanism to be little more than a 'better form of sprawl,' Talen said, making a community that is only slightly less car-dependent. She noted, however, that having amenities embedded into the community, like schools and businesses, still helps reduce car use. While TNDs push back on many of the issues seen in typical suburban developments, which Talen considers a good thing, there's an argument to be made for 'good being the enemy of the best.' She said she is personally wary of the promises of Ivanhoe Village. While developers underscore the 'attainable housing' it will bring, she sees its potential to become another Seaside: a predominantly white, wealthy enclave. In response to questions about how the village will be able to keep its middle housing offerings affordable, Khoury said the large variety of housing types and sizes will create a diversity of price points. Smaller homes on compact lots, cottage courts, townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and small apartment buildings meet different needs at different price points, compared to the monospecific offerings seen in other developments, she said. Mundelein for its part has embraced the philosophy of new urbanism and TNDs, Mayor Robin Meier said. It was partially that acceptance that helped attract the developers to Mundelein, she said. For village staff and officials, discussions about Ivanhoe Village began in 2022, but according to Vitek, the concept goes back more than a decade, with William Rockwell 'Rocky' Wirtz seeing it 'as a way to celebrate the family farm and its history, while allowing the farm to contribute to the long-term development of a vibrant and resilient TND within the Mundelein community.' Wirtz died in 2023, and his role as owner and CEO of the Wirtz Corp. was taken over by his son Danny. Meier said the development will be a boon for the village, creating an 'enormous number of jobs' and 'significantly' boosting its tax revenue stream. It will also fill a housing gap for the entire region, with a variety of home types. 'This is a legacy project for Mundelein, and will forever transform our village,' she said. The unique nature of the Wirtz family's connection to the area, and their long-term commitment, make the project especially attractive, she said. The 'amount of open space and trails, connectivity and accessibility cannot be overstated,' she said, and the focus on neighborhood aesthetics, amenities and green space is, 'a product type that production builders are not going to deliver.' It takes 'a great deal of time and willingness to abandon the cookie-cutter style of development.' Vitek said the Wirtz family was an 'ideal steward' for the project with a 'multi-generational' perspective. While possible elsewhere, developments like Ivanhoe Village require, 'more than just land and funding,' he said. 'They require vision, patience and a developer committed to long-term stewardship rather than short-term gains,' Vitek said. 'Great communities are grown over decades, not overnight.' Meier emphasized the project is no fly-by-night operation. It's planned to take place over more than two decades, and will employ a town architect to oversee the, 'integrity of construction and the vision of the development.' There is still plenty of work ahead. According to Vitek, the first residences are still a few years out at the earliest, with planning is still ongoing. For now, it remains quiet farmland.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bayern Munich have lost their appeal! Why Bundesliga champions missed out on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool explained by club legend Oliver Kahn
Wirtz signed for Liverpool for British transfer record fee Was heavily linked to Bayern as well Kahn explains why youngster chose a move to England Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 WHAT HAPPENED? Legendary former goalkeeper Kahn tried to explain why Bayern Munich were snubbed by Wirtz in favour of a move to Liverpool. The Bayer Leverkusen man was heavily linked with the Bavarians over the years, but ultimately decided to move to the Premier League for a British transfer record fee of £116 million (€135m/$157m). THE BIGGER PICTURE Wirtz's father, Hans-Joachim, explained that a call with Liverpool boss Arne Slot made all the difference, with the 22-year-old impressed with the Dutch manager's sporting vision. Moreover, Bayern sporting director Max Eberl conceded in June that they were not in a position to match the financial muscle of the Reds. It is understood that Liverpool's project and Bayern's comparatively weaker financial power led to the Bundesliga champions missing out on their most sought-after transfer target. WHAT OLIVER KAHN SAID Speaking to Sky Sport in Germany, Kahn said: "I don't know if you should break it down to the club issue. I think you should first break it down to the league issue. I don't know if that's a problem for FC Bayern or a problem for the Bundesliga itself. Because if I'm a player, the Premier League is the most attractive league. Sportingly, economically, and media-wise, too. It has completely different marketing opportunities, even globally. That's the first thing I would consider as a player. "And if you think about it, 'Okay, I'm going to FC Bayern and then becoming German champions for the 15th, 16th, 17th time, is that really so appealing to me?' Of course, winning the Champions League is always incredibly appealing. There are a lot of thoughts that a young player has. Then, of course, the team comes into play at some point. You think about which team, which system, which coach I'm a better fit for. I didn't think about it so much before. For me, there was only one club back then. That was Bayern Munich. "But you see how times change. I experienced it myself when I was in charge, always with the players, how much thought they put into any career move. It's almost nothing to do with gut feeling anymore. A huge number of things are analyzed, and then a decision is made. The final decision is still a bit of a gut feeling. But the amount of thought that goes into it is quite astonishing. "FC Bayern have won the German championship 12 times in 13 years. Is it really still a motivation to become German champions for the 13th or 14th time? But of course, there are many things, even if you talk about turnover. Many coaches have come and gone. With that, the philosophies and ideas have changed again and again. The squad. It always feels like a constant roster shake-up. "All of that naturally creates a kind of unrest. And I'm self-critical enough, don't get me wrong. During my time, this very issue of continuity in all areas, I would have liked to have done better. But that's something that many players then say, including coaches, by the way, I have to think about very carefully." WHAT NEXT FOR FLORIAN WIRTZ? The German international made his unofficial debut for his new team last weekend as Liverpool beat Stoke 5-0 in a pre-season outing. He is expected to be in the starting XI for the next summer friendly, which takes place on July 26 against AC Milan.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Florian Wirtz Liverpool transfer sparks bitter row as Bayer Leverkusen chief hits out
Liverpool pipped Bayern Munich to the signing of Florian Wirtz last month for a British transfer record of £116.5m in a major coup, but Borussia Dortmund's chief believes the decision weakened the Bundesliga Bayer Leverkusen chief Fernando Carro has hit back at his Borussia Dortmund counterpart after criticising the club for selling Florian Wirtz to Liverpool instead of Bayern Munich. Wirtz eventually joined Liverpool in a British record £116.5million deal but the player looked destined to join Bundesliga rivals Bayern after his incredible recent seasons that inspired Leverkusen to their first ever league title in 2024. But the playmaker had a change of heart after speaking with Reds boss Arne Slot as he linked up with the Premier League champions. Leverkusen's decision to sell to a team in a different league was met with opposition by Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke, who said the situation was a "real shame" because it made the Bundesliga a weaker division. "It's a real shame, especially for the DFL, that a player like Florian Wirtz is leaving the Bundesliga,' Watzke told Kicker. "I wouldn't have had a problem at all if he had gone to FC Bayern. "That would have been better for the Bundesliga. It doesn't really matter for the national team. He'll play at the highest level in Liverpool, too. "He could have worked better with (Jamal) Musiala in Munich, but two such good footballers can find each other anyway." But Carro said he "didn't understand" how a top German club in Dortmund would want Bayern to get stronger by signing another top player from the Bundesliga - and said by selling to Liverpool it ensured the division remained more competitive. "Honestly, yes. I have a different opinion than Hans-Joachim Watzke,' Sarro said, speaking to Welt am Sonntag. "I don't understand how he, as the boss of Borussia Dortmund, could have been happy if Wirtz had gone to Munich. "That would have made Bayern even stronger. I want an exciting Bundesliga. I'm happy when more clubs – besides us – make life difficult for Bayern, because I believe that benefits the Bundesliga." It comes after the player's father - also called Hans-Joachim - revealed how Slot convinced Wirtz to join Liverpool after laying out his vision to the youngster and explaining how he would fit into his tactical set-up at Anfield. "Arne Slot presented his playing philosophy, the team tactics in possession and pressing, and how Florian can develop his strengths in these areas," he said. "This made a decisive impression on Florian. The training conditions in Liverpool were also totally impressive." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool's pre-season tour: 5 things to watch out for as Reds head to the Far East
Arne Slot's team jet off to Hong Kong before heading to Japan for four friendlies across 10 days as they gear up for a defence of their Premier League title Liverpool are jetting off on their pre-season tour to Asia this morning with Arne Slot's Premier League champions playing four games before taking on Crystal Palace in the Community Shield in three weeks' time. And while the Reds continue to mourn the tragic passing of Diogo Jota earlier this month, anticipation of a strong title defence is building. Once they get used to the conditions and time difference, Liverpool will take on AC Milan next weekend before facing Yokohama Mariners and then take on Athletic Club in a double-header on the same day. Here are some of the things to look out for as the new campaign appears on the horizon. Wirtz debut The Germany star did not make his much-awaited debut against Preston North End last weekend so anticipation remains high ahead of his first appearance for the club following his record move. It will almost certainly come against Milan next Saturday (12:30pm BST) and considering the fee paid there will be pressure on Wirtz to adapt immediately. Ekitike offer Not content with spending £211m in the market already, Liverpool are now pushing on with a move for the Eintracht Frankfurt striker who could cost another £80m. Newcastle are out of the running, a bid is in the pipeline, personal terms are no issue and once a fee is agreed between the clubs the young France striker could be part of the second half of the tour. Nunez departure That would expedite the likely departure of striker Darwin Nunez, who will be part of the touring party but could well bid farewell before the rest of the squad returns to Merseyside. Inevitably he is now being linked with a switch to Newcastle but more realistically could head to the Saudi Pro League, with several clubs there keeping a keen eye on the Uruguayan. Youngsters' big chance A travelling squad is yet to be announced and there is an expectation that fewer academy players compared to this time last year will be given a look in because Slot's squad has so much more depth to it following the signings - joining Wirtz are Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and goalkeepers Giorgi Mamardashvili, plus youngsters Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman. But Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha and Ben Doak could be among those set for some window of opportunity to impress. Jota tributes Diogo Jota's sad death continues to cast a shadow over everything and the respectful tributes will continue during the tour - not least from the thousands of passionate fans the club has across Asia. Supporters clubs in Hong Kong and Tokyo have confirmed they will mark his passing.
