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Kulkarni, Kotian and Mulani picked three wickets each to bowl Vidarbha out for 105

Shashank Kishore11-Mar-2024

Dhawal Kulkarni, playing his final Ranji Trophy game, picked three wickets•PTI

Vidarbha’s hopes of winning the Ranji Trophy for the third time seem to be hanging by a thread. They needed one big batting performance on the second day to inch closer to Mumbai’s 224. Even that would’ve perhaps just kept them in the game, but by being bowled out for 105, they seem to have conceded way too much ground to recover.That became increasingly evident when Musheer Khan and Ajinkya Rahane hit industrious unbeaten half-centuries in an unbroken 107-run third-wicket stand that helped Mumbai end the day effectively on 260 for 2.Resuming on 31 for 3, Vidarbha ran into an inspired Dhawal Kulkarni. The veteran, playing in his final Ranji Trophy game, built on his overnight two wickets by snaring a third when he had the in-form Atharva Taide nicking a superb away-swinger behind in the same over where he nearly had him lbw.Related

Rahane, Musheer get down and dirty to leave Vidarbha in the mud

Tanush Kotian raises his all-round game for Mumbai

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Aditya Thakare, the nightwatcher, and Akshay Wadkar, the captain, resisted briefly in putting together 40 for the fifth wicket. It was the only passage where Mumbai were made to earn their wicket, with Tushar Deshpande, the fast bowler, resorting to short-ball tactics especially when the two offered good technique against the seaming ball.As he’s often done over the past two seasons for Mumbai, Shams Mulani, the left-arm spinner, delivered the breakthrough. He first had Thakare lbw with an arm-ball and then had Wadkar jabbing at one that dipped and spun away, as wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore took an excellent catch.From 85 for 6, offspinner Tanush Kotian got into the act, running through the lower order as Vidarbha lost all their seven wickets before lunch, lasting all of 45.3 overs. Kulkarni finished with 3 for 15, while Mulani and Kotian between them had 6 for 39.Deflated but needing early wickets to stay alive, Vidarbha had a shot in the arm when Yash Thakur clean bowled Prithvi Shaw with an in-ducker that snuck through bat and pad. One became two when Harsh Dubey, the left-arm spinner, had Bhupen Lalwani flicking to short midwicket to leave Mumbai 34 for 2, with their lead at 153.This is when Rahane and Musheer got together in the middle session. For a better part of their first hour at the crease, batting was a struggle. Rahane was beaten on both edges, he played and missed on a number of occasions and seemed extremely fidgety while defending, especially against Umesh Yadav’s late reverse.Musheer tried to negate the movement by batting well outside the crease and then taking a step further down the pitch as part of his trigger to try and meet the ball early. It didn’t necessarily make for pretty viewing with both of them struggling to get going, even as scoring was reduced to a crawl. At tea, Mumbai were 52 for 2 after 25 overs.After the break, Rahane seemed to turn a corner. He played a gorgeous on-drive and then executed a superb pull in front of square to get into his element. As his innings progressed, time spent at the crease helped him grow in confidence and runs began to flow. He brought out a trademark flick against the turn through midwicket off Aditya Sarvate and then superbly square drove Umesh for a four to bring up only his second half-century of the season.On 38, Rahane was given out lbw to Dubey, but was saved by the DRS when replays confirmed he had got a thin inside edge onto the pad. That he built on this reprieve and batted sedately for the remainder of the day had the entire Mumbai contingent delighted as they closed out a day of dominance.Rahane has been steadfast in his belief that it needs just one knock to turn the tide. After an entire season of struggle, it looks like there’s light at the end of the tunnel. He’d want – and all of Mumbai would want – for him to go on and get to that century and beyond to bat Vidarbha completely out of the match.

Somerset chip away throughout day with Shoaib Bashir putting in another marathon stint

Vithushan Ehantharajah13-Apr-2024

Dom Sibley made Surrey’s first hundred of the season•Getty Images

The first sunny Saturday at the Kia Oval rarely disappoints. This place may turn into the biggest beer garden in London when the Blast and Hundred are in town, but it’s the County Championship that gets first use of this joint for a more relaxing ease into the summer. And as close to 2000 whittled the hours away in the stands, Surrey’s push for a three-peat truly began.They lead Somerset by 73 runs, thanks largely to Dom Sibley’s first hundred at home since returning in 2023, with valuable contributions from skipper Rory Burns, Jamie Smith, and Ben Foakes. Was it perfect? Certainly not. They could and perhaps should have been more than 358 to the good in their first innings, with more than the four wickets left to play with on Sunday.Somerset hustled throughout, Lewis Gregory shuffling his attack and tinkering with his field in a bid to squeeze as much juice as possible from the Kookaburra to make amends for their batting errors on day one. Bowlers will welcome the Dukes’ return next week like a long-lost friend. But while there were moments during an opening stand of 167 when the visiting attack would have been cursing the Australian ball in their possession, they gave their all.Sibley’s 20th first-class century was two-paced and immaculate throughout. The straight drives in the 29 scored the night before were on show here, though a slight misjudgement when attempting the stroke almost brought about his end on 49. Luckily, Migael Pretorious’ away swinger had a little too much shape, clearly missing the edge of his bat, despite the vociferous appeals.With the support of Burns, at ease after reaching a 94th fifty-plus score with an eighth boundary pulled gloriously in front of square, the opening pair were seemingly set to match Somerset’s 285 all by themselves. Even when Burns fell on 75, 118 away from parity, Surrey looked like they’d only be batting once.That feels less certain now, though remains a possibility. Despite their control, Surrey ended up losing four batters for the addition of 99 runs. Though not quite mimicking Somerset’s capitulation from 196 for 1 to 216 for 8, the calibre of the four lost carried a similar frivolity.England vice-captain Ollie Pope lazily hooked Kasey Aldridge to sub-fielder Alfie Ogborne at deep backward square leg. Sibley, like Tom Lammonby 24 hours early, was 100 and done, albeit in quirky fashion. An attempt to hit Lewis Goldsworthy’s left-arm spin to Vauxhall tube station resulted in an inside edge onto his boot, sending the ball spinning back on to the stumps.A brief interlude from the back-and-forth came in the form of Smith, who took the match on an altogether different path. He was hell-bent on making up the 71 deficit that greeted his arrival to the crease all on his own. His third ball was a picture-perfect on drive; the sixth pulled through midwicket. The first of his two sixes – both off Gregory, both sent deep into the Peter May Stand, both Surrey’s firsts of the season – took him to a run-a-ball 30 in which all but four had come in boundaries.At tea, Smith had 47, accompanied by Ben Foakes on 18, seemingly set for launch. Whatever international rivalry there may be for the Test wicketkeeping berth, collective defiance was the main priority. And when Smith momentarily drained the malice from his wrists to guide the second new ball down to third for four to go to 51 from 76, those watching in this corner of south London were primed for a spectacle.A delivery later, Smith was walking back to the home dressing room, undone by a bit of nip and a lot less bounce from Craig Overton’s good length that sent off stump for a walk. When Dan Lawrence’s maiden knock for his new club lasted just 20 deliveries – struck in front of middle and leg by Aldridge – Somerset, trailing by six, were optimistic of limiting the hosts to a nominal first-innings lead.That it might not come to pass does not diminish the way they grafted throughout the afternoon. Smith’s blitz against the old ball at the back end of the second session aside, Surrey’s scoring had been capped, evident in the breakdown of Sibley’s century. The first 50 came in 85 deliveries, the second needed 123.The main suffocater was Shoaib Bashir. England’s new marathon man spinner picked up where he left off in India with a metronomic, almost trance-like passage from the Vauxhall End, notably during an unbroken 16-over spell. Just 31 runs were conceded in this passage – including five of the nine maidens he has so far – along with the dismissal of Burns, who edged a cut to wicketkeeper James Rew, seemingly done by a surprise bit of skid off the pitch. It was overdue given Burns’ life on 56 – dropped at deep square leg in the 31st over that would have made it 121 for 1 and handed Pretorious his maiden Somerset wicket.Foakes’ resistance, alongside a more cavalier approach from Cameron Steel, put on 48 for the sixth wicket. Though a jumping swivel pull through midwicket took Foakes to a first half-century of the season, he was soon on his way when Gregory trapped him in front, attempting to shuffle across his stumps to work something into the leg side.It was left to Steel to pick up Surrey’s third and final batting point. Just as he had done with a back-foot punch through cover-point for the second, he threaded a boundary – this time through cover – to take Surrey to 352, before knuckling down to the close.

Everton are edging closer to mathematically securing their place in the Premier League for next campaign, but could be set to lose one of their most influential stars heading into 2025/26.

Everton close to retaining Premier League status despite striker shortage

Following a narrow derby defeat way to Liverpool in midweek, Everton claimed an impressive point at home to Arsenal in a 1-1 draw on Saturday that has taken their tally to 35 points for the Premier League season.

David Moyes has led his side to a run of only two losses in 11 top-flight fixtures since his return to Goodison Park, which has put his side well clear of the drop zone, even if they aren’t yet mathematically safe.

Considering Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury status, the Scot needs to be commended for the way he has handled the Toffees’ striking situation. Beto has come into a run of 5 goals in 9 top-flight starts despite only being an occasional substitute under Sean Dyche.

Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti have returned from their own knocks to supplement Everton’s attacking options. However, you get the impression there will be changes through the middle once the window opens for business.

Out wide, Liverpool’s Ben Doak has been cited as a controversial target for the Blues if they can afford his £30 million transfer fee. Convincing him to cross the divide would also be a fascinating prospect.

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Either way, new blood arriving at Bramley-Moore Dock could also signal the end for some of the old guard, paving the way for a different approach in attack.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin could make surprise Tottenham Hotspur switch

According to reports in Spain, Everton striker Calvert-Lewin is being lined up by Tottenham Hotspur this summer, and Ange Postecoglou’s side have already made moves to secure the Three Lions international’s services.

His impending exit is now deemed closer than ever, which would come as a bittersweet development for supporters. His presence has been a constant for the Toffees over recent years, though his injury record and £100,000-per-week pay packet are factors that possibly soften the blow of losing the former Sheffield United man.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s record at Everton

Appearances

269

Goals

71

Assists

20

Labelled “excellent” by former boss Dyche, Calvert-Lewin has notched three strikes and two assists in 22 top-flight appearances this term, but it has become clear the forward is unwilling to sign a new contract on Merseyside despite several efforts to arrange an extension.

Should he depart for Tottenham, it would be intriguing to see the reception he would prospectively receive in future matches. Nevertheless, there is a feeling among the Everton support that it is time to shake hands and move on before next campaign.

Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha is on their radar to strengthen up top, lending credence to the fact that the Toffees may have already drafted up a list of replacements ahead of the window.

Glasgow Rangers return to action on the European stage this evening as they prepare to welcome Spanish side Athletic Bilbao to Ibrox in the Europa League.

The Light Blues are looking to take an advantage over to Spain for the second leg next Thursday, as they aim to book a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Barry Ferguson is hoping to be the first manager since Giovanni van Bronckhorst, in the 2021/22 campaign, to lead the Gers to a European final this season.

The Scottish boss has already won a knockout tie in Europe during his short tenure as the interim head coach, beating Fenerbache on penalties.

Multiple Rangers players got big moves off the back of the Europa League run under van Bronckhorst, which ended in a defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties in the final, and one of those stars was versatile defender Calvin Bassey.

Why Calvin Bassey was important for Rangers in Europe

The Nigeria international, who currently plays for Fulham in the Premier League, made 65 appearances in two seasons with the Scottish giants, but his best form came in the 2021/22 campaign under the Dutch head coach.

50 of his appearances came in that second season and he started 24 matches as a centre-back and 23 games as a left-back, showcasing his impressive versatility across the backline.

The left-footed star’s versatility allowed for plenty of tactical flexibility for van Bronckhorst, as he could step forward from centre-back to start attacks – due to being used to playing as a left-back – and he could sit deep and tuck in from left-back to provide extra cover for the two centre-backs when needed – due to being used to playing as a central defender.

His out-and-out defending as a left-back made him an important cog in the Europa League run, because of the defensive insurance he could provide on the left flank in comparison to a natural left-back who is not used to playing at centre-back.

21/22 Europa League

Calvin Bassey

Appearances (starts)

14 (12)

Big chances created

2

Assists

0

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.0

Clearances per game

1.6

Dribbled past per game

0.2x

Duel success rate

60%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Bassey did not offer a great deal of threat as an attacking force from left-back, but was a rock defensively, winning the majority of his duels and rarely being dribbled past by opposition forwards.

These statistics show why having a centre-back who can play at left-back was so important for van Bronckhorst in Europe, because it added another layer of defensive strength to the backline.

It also allowed James Tavernier to push even further up – recording seven goals and two assists in Europe that term – to make an impact in the final third, because it meant that Rangers then had Connor Goldson, Leon Balogun or John Lundstram, and Bassey essentially forming a back three out of possession to defend against transitions.

Bassey also played as a traditional centre-back during that run, with Borna Barisic to his left, which showed that van Bronckhorst trusted him in both positions.

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His performances for Rangers that season led to interest from elsewhere and a £19.6m transfer to Dutch giants Ajax in the summer transfer window, which was a significant profit on the £230k that they had paid Leicester City for his services.

Ferguson could, now, unearth his own version of Bassey during the current Europa League run by boldly unleashing Clinton Nsiala for his European debut against Athletic Bilbao this evening.

Why Rangers should unleash Clinton Nsiala

The Spanish side offer a huge threat on the flanks with the Williams brothers, Inaki and Nico, and that was evident in their 3-1 win over Roma in the second leg of their last 16 tie, as Nico scored twice.

Inaki Williams typically plays on the right flank, up against a left-back, and has produced five goals, five ‘big chances’ created, and one assist in nine starts in the Europa League this term.

Nico Williams, meanwhile, usually lines up on the left and has scored four goals, created two ‘big chances’, and recorded two assists in his nine starts.

This suggests that the 30-year-old, elder, brother could be the biggest threat for Rangers to deal with, rather than the 22-year-old European Championship-winning Spain international.

Therefore, Ferguson must boldly unleash Nsiala in a hybrid left-back role that would see him form a back three with John Souttar and Dujon Sterling in possession, allowing Tavernier to push on from right-back.

The French defender, who was described as “tall and powerful” by scout Ruairi Criscuolo, is a centre-back by trade but has played at left-back earlier in his career, which suggests that he could follow in Bassey’s footsteps by offering versatility in both positions for the Light Blues.

His natural centre-back qualities could help him to deal with the threat of Inaki Williams, who has been on fire in the Europa League, as a left-back.

Nsiala has yet to make an appearance in Europe but was on the bench for the games against Fenerbahce last month, and has had some experience in the Premiership in recent months – playing as a centre-back.

24/25 Premiership

Clinton Nsiala

Appearances

9

Starts

8

Pass accuracy

90%

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.0

Dribbled past per game

0.4x

Ground duel success rate

52%

Aerial duel success rate

50%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the 21-year-old defender has held his own in physical duels and made more defensive interventions than times dribbled past in the top-flight.

He has also provided a reliable presence in possession of the ball, completing 90% of his attempted passes, which suggests that Ferguson can rely on him to be solid on the ball at left-back.

The Rangers boss must, now, boldly bring Nsiala into the team, in place of natural left-back Jefte, to make a tactical tweak to the system in order to defend against the Williams brothers in transition with three centre-backs, without sacrificing any of the midfielders or attackers.

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Nsiala could, then, become the next version of Bassey at Ibrox if he can prove his quality at both left-back and centre-back for the Gers on the European stage.

Tottenham Hotspur secured their place in the semi-final of the Europa League last night, with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.

Dominic Solanke’s first-half penalty was enough for Ange Postecoglou’s side, securing a 2-1 aggregate win after the 1-1 draw in North London last Thursday.

The triumph sets up a last-four clash with Bodo Glimt, moving the Lilywhites one step closer to European glory and potentially putting a superb end to a dismal season.

It certainly was a night to remember, giving a generation of supporters a new high in their time supporting the club, aiming to reach a first European final since 2019.

However, despite the impressive victory, numerous players failed to deliver in Germany, potentially putting their place in the side at huge jeopardy going forward.

Spurs’ poor performers against Eintracht Frankfurt

Winger Mathys Tel has been an inconsistent player to say the least since his January loan move from Bayern Munich, with last night no different for the Frenchman.

The 19-year-old only completed one of the five dribbles he attempted, whilst finding a teammate on just 33% of the times he delivered the ball into the 18-yard box.

He wasn’t the only one who struggled, with Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur looking a shadow of his former self during the victory over Frankfurt.

He featured for the entirety of the contest, but only managed to win 17% of the ground duels he entered, along with getting dribbled past twice as he was unable to make a huge impact on proceedings.

Despite the showings of the aforementioned duo, one other player failed to impress, with boss Postecoglou desperately needing to drop him ahead of Monday’s game with Nottingham Forest.

The Spurs player who needs to be dropped after Frankfurt

Injuries at Spurs have left Postecoglou with limited options at numerous points of the season, undoubtedly having a huge impact on the club’s lowly league standing.

Such an occurrence has allowed numerous players to stake their claim for a regular starting role, taking advantage of an opportunity that often wouldn’t be thrown in their direction.

Lucas Bergvall is arguably the biggest example of the situation, now being a vital member of the side, featuring for the entirety of the win against Frankfurt last night.

However, despite his success, winger Brennan Johnson was unable to have a similar impact, once again struggling to provide a reason as to why the hierarchy paid £47.5m for his signature.

The Welshman featured for 85 minutes before being replaced by Kevin Danso, with Ange opting to see out the result and switch to a back five for the closing stages.

Such a change was inevitable, but the 23-year-old did himself no favours during his time on the pitch, completing just 69% of the passes he attempted, whilst losing possession six times.

He also lost 66% of the duels he entered against the German opposition, whilst managing just 22 touches – a tally less than that of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who registered 45.

Brennan Johnson’s stats for Spurs against Frankfurt

Statistics

Tally

Minutes played

85

Touches

22

Passes completed

11/16 (69%)

Duels lost

4/6 (66%)

Possession lost

6x

Shots taken

0

Dribbles completed

0

Stats via Sofascore

As a result of his showing last night, Johnson was handed a measly 6/10 match rating by the London Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick – highlighting how disappointing he was in the triumph.

Given his display, Ange simply has to drop the winger ahead of the clash with his former side, needing to give other players an opportunity to demonstrate their quality.

He’s struggled massively in recent weeks once again, potentially needing to be taken out of the firing line to recapture his early season form in North London.

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Nottingham Forest have now intensified their contacts to sign a Serie A “star” this summer, according to a new update.

Nottingham Forest transfer rumours with Champions League football on the cards

Nuno Espirito Santo has worked wonders in his first full season in charge at the City Ground as he prepares his Forest side for an FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City this weekend.

The trip to Wembley will be Forest’s first since their playoff final triumph over Huddersfield Town back in 2022, and the club have made great progress since then.

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With five Premier League fixtures remaining against Brentford, Crystal Palace, Leicester City, West Ham and Chelsea, the Reds are in a great position to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Should Forest finish in the top five, Evangelos Marinakis could splash the cash in the transfer market ahead of the 2025/26 season. A new forward appears to be at the top of the wishlist for Forest, with the likes of Wolves star Matheus Cunha and Brentford ace Bryan Mbuemo both linked in recent weeks.

Nottingham Forest 2024/25 signings

Player

Fee

Elliot Anderson

£35m

Nikola Milenkovic

£12m

Ramon Sosa

£9.3m

Morato

£12.6m

David Carmo

£10m

Jota Silva

£5.9m

Marko Stamenic

£4.6m

Carlos Miguel

£3.4m

Eric da Silva Moreira

£1.25m

Tyler Bindon

£2m

Alex Moreno

Loan

The club could look to shop abroad as well as eyeing players with Premier League experience, with FC Nordsjælland defender Daniel Svensson and Juventus centre-back Federico Gatti also of interest. Now, a new update has emerged on another Juventus player who is on the City Ground radar.

Nottingham Forest advancing in contact to sign Douglas Luiz

According to reports from Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest are making advances in their move to sign Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz this summer.

Linked with the Reds back in January, Forest have now intensified contacts with Luiz’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, who has close ties to Edu Gaspar. Forest could soon be about to bring Gaspar in as part of their recruitment team, and it looks as if they may make an offer for Luiz over the coming months.

The former Aston Villa “star”, as dubbed by Graeme Bailey, scored twice against Forest in the 2023/24 season and could be the subject of a loan offer with an option to buy, the report claims.

Currently on around £135,000-a-week in Turin as one of Juventus’ top earners, Luiz has made 23 appearances since moving to Italy but is yet to score or register an assist, starting just six games in all competitions.

He clearly had a better time of things in England with Villa, so a return to the Premier League and the chance of playing in Europe with Forest could appeal to Luiz, making this one to watch following the recent transfer update.

Manchester United lost for the 16th time in the Premier League this season when they were beaten 4-3 by Brentford away from home at the weekend.

The Red Devils have endured a dismal domestic campaign, under both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, and are just two points ahead of 17th in the table.

There is the mitigation of their place in the semi-finals of the Europa League, though, and that may have had an impact on the manager’s team selection for this match, as the likes of Chido Obi Martin, Tyler Fredricson, and Harry Amass were named in the starting XI.

Obi Martin, 17, made his full Premier League debut and was given the full 90 minutes by Amorim, but was, unfortunately, unable to find the back of the net.

Meanwhile, Brentford’s forwards, Yoane Wissa, Kevin Schade, and Bryan Mbeumo caught the eye in an excellent win for the Bees against Manchester United on Sunday.

Mbeumo, in particular, is a player who is reportedly of interest to the club. It was recently claimed that the Brentford star and Wolves forward Matheus Cunha are both targets for the upcoming summer transfer window.

Why Mbeumo and Cunha are attractive targets for Manchester United

The headline is that both Mbeumo and Cunha are proven Premier League performers who have shown that they can contribute with goals and assists at that level on a consistent basis.

This suggests that they would be more likely to hit the ground running and be successful signings for Manchester United compared to a signing from abroad with no prior experience of the English top-flight.

Mbeumo has produced 18 goals and seven assists in 39 appearances in all competitions for Brentford so far this season, which speaks to the goal threat that he can provide at the top end of the pitch.

The Cameroon international has scored eight or more goals in each of the past four seasons in all competitions since the Bees were promoted to the top-flight.

Meanwhile, Cunha has caught the eye with his performances for Wolves in all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign, as he has showcased his ability to score and create goals at an impressive rate.

Matheus Cunha (24/25)

Premier League

FA Cup

League Cup

Appearances

30

2

1

xG

7.94

N/A

N/A

Goals

15

2

0

Big chances created

12

2

0

Key passes per game

1.8

2.5

0

Assists

6

0

0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Brazil international has racked up 17 goals and six assists for the Old Gold, including 15 goals in the Premier League.

These statistics show why Cunha and Mbeumo are both attractive options for United this summer because they have both provided their respective teams with plenty of goals and assists this season.

However, the Red Devils are also reportedly interested in an even more prolific forward from abroad who could come in to bolster the club’s attacking options.

Manchester United in regular contact over deal for Bundesliga star

According to The Boot Room, Manchester United are one of a number of clubs lining up a move for RB Leipzig centre-forward Benjamin Sesko ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report claims that fellow Premier League sides Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea are also keeping tabs on the Slovenian marksman, and that they had scouts in attendance to watch him score against Bayern Munich at the weekend.

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It states that a move to England to play in the Premier League is the most ‘likely’ outcome for the Leipzig sensation this summer, as his representatives are currently in talks with multiple clubs.

The Boot Room adds that Manchester United and Newcastle United are in regular contact with the player’s agents ahead of a potential swoop for his services in the coming months.

INEOS must push to win the race for Sesko, who is reportedly valued at £60m by Leipzig, because he is even more prolific than Cunha and Mbeumo and could be an excellent addition to Amorim’s squad.

Why Manchester United should sign Benjamin Sesko

Firstly, the Slovenia international is only 21 and would come in as a long-term option for the Portuguese head coach, as a player who has plenty of time left to develop and improve.

He is four years younger than both Mbeumo and Cunha, who are both 25, and this suggests that he has more scope to grow and progress as a footballer during his time at Old Trafford, whilst also having the quality to provide goals in the short-term.

The 21-year-old marksman has also outscored the Brentford and Wolves forwards with a return of 21 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig this season, which shows that he is more prolific in the final third.

Sesko, who was once dubbed a “monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has been in fine form for Leipzig in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, showcasing his lethal finishing at the top level.

Benjamin Sesko (24/25)

Bundesliga

Champions League

Appearances

31

8

xG

9.87

3.57

Goals

13

4

Big chances created

5

0

Assists

5

0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the £60m-rated ‘monster’ has been incredibly clinical in those two competitions, with 17 goals from between 13 and 14 Expected Goals.

Sesko has proven that he knows how to find the back of the net on the European stage and in one of Europe’s major leagues, as well as scoring four goals in the DFB Pokal, and this suggests that United would be signing a striker who is in-form and able to make an instant impact at Old Trafford.

Of course, he has not played in the Premier League, or in England at all, and that could make him a riskier addition than Mbeumo or Cunha, who are currently thriving in the division.

But his goalscoring record across all competitions and his age profile suggest that it would be a high-risk, high-reward, signing for the Red Devils, which is why they should take a gamble on him and attempt to win the race for the impressive young forward in the summer transfer window.

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Aston Villa must win their remaining two Premier League matches if they are to secure qualification for the Champions League next term.

Depending on other results, it might still not be enough. But if Unai Emery is to continue signing world-class players, playing in the competition is imperative.

It will be a busy summer for the club in the transfer market, with plenty of ins and outs looking likely.

With Ollie Watkins’ future unclear, Villa will be in the hunt for a new striker.

Aston Villa’s chase for a new striker

Watkins has played second fiddle to Marcus Rashford since he arrived on loan in the winter window.

The striker claimed he was “fuming” after playing just 20 minutes against PSG I each of the quarter-final ties. Could this see him leave in the summer? Especially with Arsenal interested.

According to Caught Offside, Villa are showing strong interest in Atlético Madrid centre-forward Alexander Sorloth this summer, as they push to land the former Crystal Palace attacker.

Newcastle United also have the striker in their sights, and surely only a club that will be playing Champions League football next season stands a chance of signing him.

No transfer fee has been mentioned as of yet, as it appears Sorloth isn’t seeking a move away from Spain.

Should Villa submit a bid too good to ignore, however, things could change quickly indeed.

Alexander Sorloth could replace Ollie Watkins

“Ollie Watkins is very fantastic.” Said Emery after Watkins became the club’s highest ever Premier League goalscorer after netting against Bournemouth.

Not something he would say if Watkins was planning on being sold, but if a big offer arrives when the window opens, Emery might just strike when the iron is hot, especially with them needing to make a big sale.

A total of 87 goals across 221 games for the club will be difficult to replace, but in Sorloth, Villa had the ideal man to take over the mantle.

He has been in stunning form for Atlético this season. In 33 La Liga games, the Norwegian has netted 17 goals, with 21 his overall tally this term.

He was dubbed “legendary” after scoring the earliest hat-trick in La Liga history during a recent victory over Real Sociedad, netting three times in the first 11 minutes. Indeed, he finished the game with four goals.

When compared with his positional peers across Europe’s big five leagues, Sorloth ranks in the top 1% for non-penalty goals (0.96) and in the top 3% for total shots (4.24) per 90 over the previous 365 days.

This suggests he would make for a dream replacement for Watkins should the Englishman be keen on moving away from the Midlands this summer, which is further evidenced by his strong form in LaLiga this term.

Alexander Sorloth’s stats this season

Metric

La Liga

Appearances

33

xG

13.91

Goals

17

Shots per game

2.1

Goal conversion percentage

25%

Goal frequency (minutes)

87

Assists

2

Via Sofascore

Facing profit and sustainability (PSR) issues this summer, if they don’t make a big sale, Emery might be forced to cash in on one of his prized assets.

Given his age, Watkins might be the chosen candidate. If so, a move for Sorloth must be given the go-ahead because he has showcased his finishing quality and ability to find the back of the net consistently in one of Europe’s major leagues.

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Tottenham Hotspur now hold a strong advantage over their Premier League rivals in the race for a £68m “superstar”, according to a report.

Spurs set out transfer plans despite managerial uncertainty

There have been widespread suggestions that Ange Postecoglou is set to leave regardless of the outcome in the Europa League final against Manchester United this week, with a European triumph unable to paper over the fact Tottenham are 17th in the Premier League.

Having famously stated he always wins a trophy in his second season, Ange will have a shot at European glory in Bilbao on Wednesday night, but the Australian could be replaced in the summer, with several potential options now on the shortlist.

Departing Ajax manager Francesco Farioli is now a top target for Daniel Levy, despite the Italian’s side losing the Eredivisie title in dramatic fashion, with PSV Eindhoven overturning a nine-point gap to clinch their 26th championship.

Fulham manager Marco Silva also remains an option, with the Cottagers’ 3-2 victory against Brentford on Sunday afternoon moving them up to 10th in the table, 16 points clear of Postecoglou’s side.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Ange’s future, Tottenham are still making plans for the summer transfer window, and there has now been an update on their pursuit of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze in a report from The Sun.

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The report states that Spurs have expressed an interest in Eze, alongside Premier League rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, with the Englishman determined to play in the Champions League, which could play a big part in his decision-making.

Although there is widespread interest in the 26-year-old, the Lilywhites are believed to hold a strong advantage over their rivals, but a deal is unlikely to be cheap, given that there is a £68m release clause in his contract.

"Superstar" Eze writes his name into Palace folklore

It has been the year of the underdog in England’s domestic cup competitions, with Newcastle United ending their 70-year drought and lifting the FA Cup, while Crystal Palace’s FA Cup triumph over Manchester City secured their first-ever trophy.

Eze played a crucial role in the Eagles’ shock victory, scoring the only goal of the game in the first half, which will no doubt only increase the interest in his services this summer, while it could also tempt the Englishman to remain at Selhurst Park a little longer.

Palace secured qualification for the Europa League with their FA Cup triumph, which means a move to Spurs may only be an attractive proposition if Ange’s side are triumphant against Man United and seal a return to the Champions League next season.

Having been lauded as a “superstar” by football scout Ben Mattinson, Eze could be a fantastic signing for Tottenham this summer, but their ability to compete for his services is likely to hinge upon Europa League success.

Liverpool’s forward line has been a huge asset in their success during Arne Slot’s first year at the club, undoubtedly catapulting them to Premier League success.

The Reds have scored 85 times to date, 15 more than any other side in the division, highlighting the impact they’ve had within the final third this campaign.

Mohamed Salah has certainly been the star in attacking areas in 2024/25, scoring 28 times and registering 18 assists – being responsible for 54% of all league goals scored this season.

The Egyptian signed a new two-year deal in recent weeks, handing Slot the added option throughout 2025/26, but he will need other talents to spread the goals if they are to sustain their success.

Numerous players have been linked with a switch to move to Anfield, all of which would improve the chances of another league title in just under 12 months time.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new attackers

Various attackers have been linked with a switch to join Liverpool this summer, with Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota both likely to depart during the off-season.

Benjamin Sesko, Julian Alvarez and Victor Osimhen are just three names who have been thrown into the mix, all appearing on their shortlist ahead of the summer.

However, another name has been touted over the last couple of days, in the form of Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, that’s if reports in Spain are to be believed.

The report states that after a deal for Jeremie Frimpong, they will target a move for the German attacking midfielder and are ready to make a huge offer to force the Bundesliga side into allowing him to depart.

It also claims that Slot is a huge admirer and sees him as a great fit for his side, and doesn’t want to sign any player with a lower profile than the 22-year-old.

Why Liverpool’s latest target is a bigger talent than Isak

Alexander Isak is a striker who’s been on Liverpool’s radar over the last couple of months, as Slot looks to add needed quality to the forward line.

The Swede has registered a staggering 23 goals in his 33 league outings throughout the current campaign, with only Salah scoring more throughout 2024/25.

Slot will undoubtedly want a player of his quality at Merseyside in the near future, but may be unable to land the 25-year-old given the £150m price tag placed on his head.

Such a figure has led to other targets being considered, allowing the manager to invest in numerous key areas – leading to pending deals for Frimpong.

A move for Wirtz this summer would allow Slot to land a bigger talent than Isak, albeit in a different position, but the German is evidently a star who needs to be signed.

The 22-year-old is already miles ahead of the Swede in terms of progression at such an age, offering the Reds a huge talent for the immediate and long-term at Anfield.

Wirtz, who’s been labelled “world-class” by departing boss Xabi Alonso, has registered 30 combined goals and assists in his 45 appearances across all competitions this season.

However, his underlying stats are just impressive, handing Slot a sensational option in the final third and strengthening their ambitions of retaining their top-division title.

He’s registered 1.5 shots on target per 90 along with 6.2 touches in the opposition box per 90 – having the tools to threaten with goals himself rather than teeing up his teammates.

Florian Wirtz’s stats for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

31

Goals & assists

22

Shots on target per 90

1.5

Touches in opposition box

6.2

Chances created

2.2

Dribbles completed

3.1

Duels won

6.2

Stats via FotMob

The German has also created 2.2 chances per 90, whilst completing 3.1 dribbles per 90, allowing other stars around him to improve their own tallies should he move to Merseyside.

There’s no doubt that his transfer would set the hierarchy back a huge sum, but his talent is there for all to see – having the potential to improve further given his tender age.

They should certainly prioritise a move for him over Isak, with the Reds able to add an all-round talent in Wirtz, having the skillset to provide for himself but also offering a different dimension to the current attacking department.

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