Celtic enter the market with a clear idea of where they need to strengthen and could now turn to a recognisable name to solve their quest to land another centre-forward, according to a report.
Celtic's quest to add attacking firepower
Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda ended the campaign as Celtic’s only two senior centre-forward options, while Johnny Kenny came in from the cold to supplement their output from the bench.
Late attempts in January to secure a striker fell through, despite the Bhoys’ failed pursuit of Danny Ings from West Ham United following Kyogo Furuhashi’s departure to Rennes.
Brendan Rodgers
Nevertheless, the calculated decision to stick with what they had at the time has allowed more time to make sure the right man arrives to bolster Brendan Rodgers’ pool of attacking talent.
Youssef El Kachati was mooted as a Celtic target. However, the former Morocco Under-23 international looks set to join NEC Nijmegen under freedom of contract on a three-year deal from Telstar.
Rodgers could potentially be left with more work to do on that front if Fenerbache or Tottenham step up their interest in Japanese forward Maeda. Both clubs are keen to deal him in, though have been told a fee in excess of £21 million is required for his services.
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The Bhoys are set to witness movement in both directions this summer…
1 BySean Markus Clifford Jun 6, 2025
Left-back, centre midfield and on the flanks have been mooted as areas of the field where Celtic could look to enact squad surgery, whetting the appetite for a summer of significance before they enter the Champions League qualifiers at the playoff phase.
Encountering a quick turnaround, the Bhoys may now look to a former player who is available on the market to add some expertise in front of goal.
Celtic hero Kyogo Furuhashi wants to return to Parkhead
According to reports in France, Celtic are ‘ready’ to offer an olive branch to former striker Furuhashi following his frustrating spell at Rennes, where he has yet to score in six appearances.
The Ligue 1 outfit are set to part ways with the 30-year-old this summer, and it is now said that the Bhoys icon is in favour of completing a sensational return to Parkhead. However, Bournemouth are also lurking in the distance and could submit an offer.
Kyogo Furuhashi’s excellent time at Celtic
Appearances
165
Goals
85
Assists
19
Rennes boss Habib Beye is set to omit Furuhashi from his pre-season plans and will put him up for sale after he failed to live up to expectations at Roazhon Park.
Labelled “excellent” by Rodgers, he made his move to France for roughly £10 million mid-season, though he has only completed 120 minutes of football, coming mostly as a substitute.
Truthfully, it did seem like a strange move in January for the Nara-born man in light of his new club’s close brush with relegation, but a swift exit would suit all parties, including the player and his desire to be considered for Japan’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Whether he could achieve that feat at Celtic remains to be seen. Either way, the prospect of Furuhashi returning to Glasgow’s east end could soon become a reality.
Nottingham Forest have now tabled an offer to sign a “brilliant” £13 million winger from Championship side Norwich City, according to a new report.
Harry Toffolo reacts to City Ground exit as Nottingham Forest identify his replacement
As every club does at this time of the year, Forest announced their retained list this week, and they revealed that left-back Harry Toffolo will be leaving the club once his contract expires at the end of this month.
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Toffolo joined the club back in 2022 and made 57 appearances for the Reds, but he only played four times in the Premier League last season, so his departure may not come as too much of a surprise. After confirming his exit, Toffolo took to social media to thank the club and stated Forest and the supporters have “given me moments I’ll never forget” and the current crop of players are a “special group”.
Toffolo’s exit from the City Ground means Forest are likely to be in the market for a new left-back, and according to Ben Jacobs, they have made an approach to sign Reinildo on a free transfer. The defender is set to stay with Atlético Madrid for the Club World Cup, but once that is finished, he is expected to depart. As well as Forest, Sunderland, Leeds and teams from Saudi Arabia and Turkey have also made offers to sign him.
Nottingham Forest submit bid to sign "brilliant" Sainz
It is not just a new left-back that is on the Reds’ agenda, as according to Spanish outlet Marca, relayed by Nottingham Forest News, Forest have submitted a £13 million bid to sign Borja Sainz from Norwich.
Portuguese side FC Porto had already submitted a bid for Sainz, and now Forest’s bid has matched that of Porto. The report claims that the Canaries are weighing up the offers, but they may not get an answer back straight away, and that is because Athletic Bilbao have identified the Championship winger as someone who could replace Nico Williams, should he leave this summer.
The former Spain under-19 international scored 18 goals and registered four assists in 41 Championship games this season. He ended the campaign as the league’s second-highest goalscorer alongside Burnley’s Josh Brownhill, averaging 0.45 goals per game and a goal conversion rate of 15%.
Borja Sainz’s Norwich City stats
Apps
82
Goals
27
Assists
6
Forest do already have the likes of Callum Hudson-Odi, Anthony Elanga, and Jota Silva as wide options, but Nuno may want to add more goals and creativity to his side as they have Europe to deal with next season. Sainz really impressed during 2024/25, with former Norwich boss Johannes Hoff Thorup labelling the Spaniard as “brilliant”.
“Also, he raises a good atmosphere with the crowd. He’s one of these players who can create that atmosphere in the stadium.
“He can do something on his own once in a while, and he can do brilliant shots and dribbles and stuff like this. I’ve been pleased with his pressing game because he’s covered a lot of ground. I think he’s definitely moving in the right direction.”
After signing Florian Wirtz for a British-record £116m on a contract worth £200,000-a-week, Liverpool are now reportedly willing to sell one of their star men after he demanded to match that salary.
Liverpool unveil Florian Wirtz
Not many gave Liverpool a chance when rumours initially emerged that they were battling Bayern Munich and Manchester City for Wirtz’s signature, but the German’s mind was soon made up and football’s latest open secret quickly stole the headlines. With a Premier League winners’ medal around his neck following his first season at Anfield, Arne Slot now arguably has the best No.10 that European football has to offer at his disposal.
Wirtz didn’t come cheap, but talents of his calibre rarely do in today’s market and that record price-tag will quickly become worth it if he replicates his Bayer Leverkusen numbers during his time at Anfield.
Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen
Stats (via Transfermarkt)
Appearances
197
Goals
57
Assists
65
It’s no surprise that Liverpool decided to make their new signing one of their highest earners, either, with reports suggesting that he’ll earn around £200,000-a-week in Merseyside – a salary that only Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk better on the Reds’ wage bill.
After putting pen to paper, Wirtz explained his move – telling Liverpool’s official media channels: “I just thought that it was the right point in my career to make the next step and of course I wanted to get to a club that is from the top three in the world, and in my opinion Liverpool was one of them.”
Liverpool hold talks to sign "fantastic" star loved by Jordan Henderson
The Reds are making more moves on the market.
2 BySean Markus Clifford Jun 21, 2025
Despite spending big money on their new signing, however, it seems as though Liverpool are not prepared to do the same to keep hold of one of their star defenders this summer.
Liverpool now willing to sell Konate
According to Caught Offside, Richard Hughes and Liverpool are now willing to sell Ibrahima Konate this summer for around €60m (£51m) after he demanded a wage increase to £200,000-a-week at Anfield.
With just one year remaining on the Frenchman’s current deal too, the Reds are desperate to avoid a repeat of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit as a free agent and have reportedly set a contract deadline until the end of the summer.
What only adds fuel to the fire of Konate’s current position are reports that Liverpool are now looking to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace this summer. Whilst, as things stand, it seems as though the Palace man would be replacing the Leverkusen-bound Jarrel Quansah, there’s no doubt that the Reds will be well aware that he could also solve their Konate problem.
Whether Guehi can truly match Konate’s quality will be the big question if the move happens. It would certainly be a bold move by all those involved at Anfield.
Championship challengers keep the deficit to 12 points ahead of crucial meeting next week
ECB Reporters Network26-Jun-2024
Dean Elgar made his 50th first-class hundred•Getty Images
Essex 339 (Walter 134, Critchley 53, Potts 4-71) and 208 for 2 (Elgar 120*, Westley 63*) drew with Durham 587 and 184 for 8 dec (Borthwick 71, Harmer 4-75, Porter 3-18)Dean Elgar reaped his 50th first-class century as he and Tom Westley dropped anchor to secure a draw against Durham in the Vitality County Championship.Former South Africa international Elgar batted the whole of day four, almost exclusively with Westley, to make sure Durham didn’t have a sniff of victory.He ended up with 120 after an epically stoic 165 runs, 421 balls and 276 minutes third wicket stand with Westley – who scored 63 not out.Essex are now 12 points behind leaders Surrey ahead of their meeting next week, while Durham remain in the chasing pack having collected 16 points from a match they led throughout.The hosts needed 405 runs to win on the final day, a tough but not impossible task, but made no attempt to secure a fifth victory of the season.The rationale made sense with a draw meaning Essex would fall 12 points behind table-toppers Surrey – but victory at the Kia Oval next week would likely even things back up.Durham’s initial aim had been to see off the night watcher Jamie Porter.They managed to do that in the fifth over as the day when Matthew Potts beat his fellow fast bowler for pace and crashed into his off stump.From then on, Elgar and Westley got their tents and airbeds out to camp out for the day – as Durham couldn’t extract anything from the pitch to aide a wicket.Westley took 19 balls to get off the mark, and when he did, he also ended a 27-ball spell barren of runs.The lack of opportunity or entertainment seemed to get to the Durham team who took to slow clapping the bowler, in a similar manner to a long jumper preparing to leap.Members of the crowd did not take kindly to the jesting and things got testy when a shout of “no ball” went up as Ben Raine was halfway through his run-up. The incident prompted the umpires to chat to Durham captain Scott Borthwick, while angry comments were volleyed between spectators and fielders.Elgar and Westley were unfazed by the shenanigans as they reached lunch with just 54 runs scored in the morning session.Things didn’t change afterwards, but milestones began to appear. The fifty stand came in 168 balls, Elgar reached a half-century in 96 deliveries and the century partnership in 247 balls.As close as Durham came to a wicket was when Elgar tried to clip Borthwick into the leg side but the ball struck Michael Jones at short leg and ballooned up for Ollie Robinson to pouch. But the umpires, and subsequent replays, made it clear it had been a bump ball.It was one of only three appeals against Elgar, with the other two hopeful lbw shouts at best, with technique and temperament coming to the fore.His maiden first-class century had been scored in Bloemfontein for Free State against Limpopo in 2007 as a 19-year-old.Now 37, Elgar has a half-century of them to help Eagles, South Africa A, Knights, Somerset, Titans, Surrey and Northerns, although his most prized will be the 14 Test tons he plundered before retiring from international cricket last winter.This one came up in 170 balls with a pronounced tickle around the corner before he lifted his helmet, clapped the balcony, and earned a hug off Westley.A mere 85 runs came in the afternoon session, and once Westley had reached an 86th first-class fifty in 198 balls – and 17:00 BST had been reached the hands were shaken on a draw.To sum up Elgar and Westley’s solidity, exactly 400 dot balls had been delivered in Essex’s second innings.
Newcastle United’s main worries this summer will lie in keeping a firm grip on Alexander Isak, away from pursuing any transfer targets of their own.
Staggeringly, it’s even being reported now that the Magpies have placed a mammoth £200m price tag above the lethal Swede’s head, as they attempt to scare off suitors such as Liverpool and Arsenal circling.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsakcelebrates scoring their first goal
The Reds have flexed their financial muscle recently by landing Florian Wirtz, and with Isak just fresh off a mightily impressive 27 strikes in all competitions last season, a superpower out there, such as Arne Slot’s reigning Premier League champions, could be tempted to bid such a ludicrous amount down the line.
Newcastle looking at £26m attacker
Eddie Howe’s men are already eyeing up plenty of striker targets, with the Magpies’ numbers in this department short even as Isak remains put for the time being, with Callum Wilson out of contract and young William Osula not yet relied upon too frequently. So, who could be lined up?
Well, according to reports coming out of Italy, Newcastle could soon enter the fray to land imposing Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic.
The report states that the Serbian goal machine is not interested in relocating to Turkey to link up with Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce. Instead, Vlahovic might well wait it out for Newcastle, with his price tag all the way down at a reasonable £26m.
Juventus' DusanVlahovicduring the warm up
Vlahovic wouldn’t displace Isak on his arrival, but he would be able to offer Howe’s Toon another fantastic option up top, especially as Champions League action returns to St. James’ Park.
Nottingham Forest are also named as an onlooker in other reports, but if Newcastle were to land the 6-foot-3 menace, they could be about to land a star who possesses shades of Aleksander Mitrovic’s intimidating, yet potent game.
How Vlahovic possesses shades of Mitrovic
It’s been some time since Mitrovic donned Toon black and white, with the now even more lethal 30-year-old plying his trade at St James’ Park when the club were disappointingly marooned in the Championship, before moving back up to being Premier League regulars.
He scored a promising 17 strikes from 72 Magpies appearances, but he would really spark into life on the books of Fulham directly after his Newcastle spell, with a mighty 111 goals coming his way in total at Craven Cottage.
Vlahovic’s G/A record by club
Club played for
Games
Goals
Assists
Juventus
143
56
14
Fiorentina
108
49
8
Serbia
36
14
0
Partizan
27
3
1
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Amazingly, Vlahovic is only five off matching Mitrovic’s blistering Cottagers total when glancing at his numbers strutting his stuff for both Juventus and Fiorentina, with an additional 22 assists also sticking out.
That’s led to shouts by journalist Siavoush Fallahi that the Belgrade-born attacker is “world-class”, with even more to come from the 25-year-old, perhaps, if he were to embark on a fresh adventure on Tyneside.
The similarities between Vlahovic and Mitrovic don’t just end with their shared fearlessness in front of goal, however, with both attackers also unafraid to utilise their lofty figures if needed, as seen in the Turin-based menace heading home the last-gasp effort captured above.
Whilst Mitrovic has a reputation for being a towering machine – much like the Toon target – he is actually just shorter than Vlahovic at 6-foot-2, with Vlahovic’s ability to throw himself about giving Howe another unique option in attack, away from Isak’s opposing strengths.
Juventus' DusanVlahovicin action with Empoli's Liberato Cacace
Previously dubbed as an “absolute monster” in this regard by Italian football expert Carlo Garganese, Newcastle could be about to win themselves a golden steal if they pick up Vlahovic, particularly if they fancy themselves a more imposing attacker in the same mould as Mitrovic.
After all, the Juventus number nine used to be worth a fee around the £70m mark, meaning the Toon must power ahead soon to land him for such a cut-price.
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Both teams have seen enough of each other in recent times to treat the contest as a serious game of cricket, and not much more
Sidharth Monga08-Jun-20244:48
Rohit: Only openers’ batting position is fixed
The 2011 ODI World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan in Mohali was such a significant occasion that the then India coach Gary Kirsten and the rest of the staff left the meeting room to give the players a moment to themselves.”After the show [a presentation by the team analyst] is over, Gary says the support staff is mostly non-Indian,” R Ashwin writes in the book . “They value this team, and it’s a big game for them too, but they can’t even begin to imagine how big playing Pakistan in a World Cup is for us players. He says they’re all leaving now, so we can be alone and conduct the rest of the meeting ourselves.”That was about two hours before the match, which was to be played in the presence of the highest political leaders of both countries, many celebrities, and packed stands. Sachin Tendulkar gave a rousing speech, about how he had been thinking for the last two-three years of facing Pakistan in the semi-final or the final and winning the trophy. Everybody left the meeting with goosebumps.Related
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India versus Pakistan, but different
2011, though, was a different world. These matches used to happen rarely and organically. Now, there’s a World Cup every year and groups are planned so India and Pakistan play in the league stage. The occasion remains significant, but the edge is taken off a little.Results in ‘big matches’ have become a millstone around the current Indian team’s neck, though they don’t necessarily play poorly in such fixtures. On the eve of the match against Pakistan, Rohit Sharma was asked whether anything was different about games where expectations and stakes are higher. Small markers such as how their brains work in the lead-up, how well they sleep, how they feel during warm-ups. Not much, said Rohit.”Nothing has changed from last seven months because we played them [Pakistan] in the Asia Cup, the ODI World Cup, and now the T20 World Cup,” Rohit said. “Earlier it was a different ball game because we used to play them every maybe once in four years, or two years, now it’s a different ball game. We literally played seven months back in Asia Cup and the World Cup and here we are again now.”So, for me, I think nothing changes. I want to approach this as another international game where I get myself collected and make those decisions on the field. I am sure everyone will have their own way of dealing with games like these, but I have my process. Being a captain, I have to make decisions on the field. So, I think what’s more important for me is to just think about what I need to do right now, or this particular over – not to even think of how much do we need to get after 20 overs, or how much we need to bowl them out for. I think it’s about that one over, how we want to finish that over, staying in the present, and literally just nailing down maybe over by over, and think about what you need to do in that particular over, and that is where the skill of captain comes into play.”I’m sure other captains think differently. Everyone has their own way but this is how I like to think about that one particular over. Because this is literally a place where you can’t think too far ahead. Game changes every over here. So, you need to think about that particular over and how you can win that one over and then move on to the next over. I know there’s a lot of thinking that needs to go in this kind of thought process, but I’m okay with that.”Gary Kirsten has been on both sides of the India-Pakistan rivalry•ICC via Getty Images
Rohit was not part of the semi-final 13 years ago but he has won a World Cup final before and a few games against Pakistan too. India’s coach in 2011 is Pakistan’s coach in 2024. A bowler who took a five-for that day in Mohali is now a selector, and Wahab Riaz couldn’t keep himself from bowling in the nets on Saturday.Not only has he been India’s coach in the past, Kirsten has also worked with players such as Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill as director of cricket at Gujarat Titans in the IPL. When asked if his experience brings valuable intel, Kirsten said Pakistan’s players didn’t need it.”That’s a good question and the way I’d answer that is I think these players have seen enough of each other and how they play,” he said. “In the end we want to make sure that we get our game right. Look at the conditions and what is required on the conditions because I think that’s going to be a big day tomorrow.”Kirsten said the vibe also felt different. “I think it is a little bit different because it’s not in India or Pakistan,” Kirsten said. “I went for a ride early this morning, which I like doing most mornings, and I certainly rode around the stadium a little bit and I kind of felt that there’s going to be a good vibe there tomorrow. So that’s going to be exciting for us all to have that many people that have come out to support the two teams.”If Rohit is going to approach it as any other international match, Kirsten’s advice is to embrace the occasion. “Well, not to hide from the fact that it’s a big game, but to treat cricket like cricket should be treated,” he said. “Every game you need to play well, you need to hit the ball in the right areas, you need to score enough runs, you need to take your catches and field well. I don’t think it’s ever changed the game. It changes a little bit because of the formats, but that’s certainly what we’re going to go out and try to do tomorrow. If we play a really good game of cricket with our abilities, we have a good chance of winning the game.”
It’s safe to say that Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar’s squad building at Arsenal hasn’t been the greatest.
Yes, the Gunners have been able to put together a starting XI capable of challenging for both the Premier League and Champions League.
Yet, amid injuries and suspensions last season, they struggled to maintain their form post-Christmas.
Arsenalplayers pose for a team group photo before the match
While the semi-finals of the Champions League were reached, their domestic form took a turn for the worse, ultimately finishing ten points behind Liverpool in their quest for the title.
To rubberstamp Arsenal’s at times puzzling strategy in the transfer window, they have signed six players from Chelsea in the last seven years, the latest of which saw Kepa Arrizabalaga arrive as David Raya’s back-up in a £5m move.
Incredibly, the north Londoners have now also signed more goalkeepers since Arteta’s arrival than wingers and strikers.
So, it’s clear they need to do better in the ongoing market and what better way to do so than by handing the manager a wealth of new forwards.
Here’s what Arsenal’s dream squad could look like if everything goes according to plan this summer.
The goalkeepers Raya vying for the Golden Glove again
Having won the Golden Glove in consecutive years, Raya is the undisputed number one at Arsenal now.
His arrival back in 2023 was undoubtedly a strange one. Arteta claimed that he had two number 1s and that Raya and Aaron Ramsdale would battle it out.
Sadly for the latter, he was rather cast aside by the Spaniard, eventually sold last summer to Southampton, who became one of the worst Premier League sides in history.
Neto came in as backup, but after playing just one game while on loan, he has departed Colney and has now been replaced by the aforementioned Kepa.
Goalkeepers signed by Arteta
Player
Fee
Alex Runarsson
£1.5m
Mat Ryan
Loan
Aaron Ramsdale
£30m
Matt Turner
£5.5m
David Raya
£27m
Neto
Loan
Kepa Arrizabalaga
£5m
Signed from Chelsea, the Spaniard enjoyed a pretty decent time of it on loan at Bournemouth last season and his error-ridden days appear to be behind him. Now 30 years of age, he’ll provide strong competition for Raya.
Full list of goalkeepers: David Raya, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Karl Hein.
The defence New centre-back signs to compete with Gabriel & Saliba
Undoubtedly, the strongest point of this Arsenal team in the last two years has been their defensive record. No side has shipped fewer goals than Arteta’s men in 2023/24 (29) and 2024/25 (34).
Any success this team have next season will be built on strong foundations again and with Gabriel Magalhaes having already signed new terms in recent months, Arsenal will be hoping they can swap William Saliba away from the jaws of Real Madrid by tying him down too.
Gabriel’s stand-in, Jakub Kiwior, has been linked with a move away, but having stood out during the Brazilian’s absence through injury, deserves his place in this squad now. He could be joined, however, by young Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera. The 20-year-old “wants” Arsenal in the words of Fabrizio Romano and a deal could be done for a cheap fee of £17m.
At full-back, while Jorrel Hato of Ajax has been touted with a switch, it’s unlikely that move goes through if Mosquera arrives.
Cristhian Mosquera for Valencia.
As a result, despite Kieran Tierney’s exit and Oleksandr Zinchenko’s likely departure, the right and left side of defence will have a familiar ring to it. Expect Myles Lewis-Skelly to dazzle again after being rewarded with a new contract. Here’s hoping Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori can stay fit too.
Full list of centre-backs: William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jakub Kiwior.
Full list of right-backs: Jurrien Timber, Ben White.
Full list of left-backs: Myles Lewis-Skelly, Riccardo Calafiori.
The midfielders Two new signings arrive
There could be big changes in the middle of the park this summer with the Gunners moving quickly to fill gaps in the squad.
Martin Zubimendi is due to arrive from Real Sociedad for just over £50m, having been billed by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente as “one of the best midfielders in the world”.
Vying for a spot as the holding midfielder will be Brentford captain Christian Norgaard. A surprise transfer is in the works for the Dane to come to Arsenal for £10m and he is likely to play second fiddle to Zubimendi.
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Elsewhere, Arsenal do lack genuine depth for Martin Odegaard but a sliver of minutes could be handed to Max Dowman, the current poster boy for the Hale End academy.
Declan Rice will be the standout option as the left 8 but expect Mikel Merino to continue impressing after his strong end to the 2024/25 campaign.
Full list of midfielders: Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Max Dowman.
The forwards A big improvement for Arteta
Here we go, then. Just what can Arsenal do to bolster their tame forward line this summer? The fanbase are expecting that a shiny new centre-forward arrives but before we get there, let’s evaluate options out wide.
The Gunners have long needed cover for star boy Bukayo Saka on the right wing but the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri last season is set to save them a bucket load of cash on finding a deputy.
Nwaneri is one of the finest young talents in the game and will be ready to make a splash again after scoring nine goals in his 37 first-team outings.
The left-hand side is where big improvements are required. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are decent options but after scoring ten goals apiece last season, failing to really stand up when the likes of Saka and Kai Havertz were injured, Arteta needs to be ruthless.
Arsenal have been linked with several wide forwards, notably the likes of Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers but we expect Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Crystal Palace superstar Eberechi Eze to arrive.
The club have flirted with making a move for Rodrygo this summer and it’s reported that positive talks have been held. Yet, with a possible £85m fee lined up, it’s not an easy deal to do. Still, the Brazilian should be pushing for a move having played just 88 minutes at the Club World Cup so far. He’s clearly not in new manager Xabi Alonso’s plans.
David Ornstein has reported that Arsenal’s pursuit of Eze is separate from their chase of a winger and if they could get both deals over the line here, it would significantly improve their forward line. Once rejected by the Hale End academy at 13, the Eagles star has dreamed of playing for the first team and that could become a reality in 2025/26 if his £68m release clause is activated .
Eberechi Eze: Last three seasons
Stat
22/23
23/24
24/25
Games
40
31
43
Goals
10
11
14
Assists
4
6
11
Mins played
2,686
2,285
3,303
Stats via Transfermarkt.
At long last, we come to the striker position. This is where Arsenal need to improve big time and failing to get a new centre-forward in this summer would be a disaster.
Viktor Gyokeres, the scorer of 54 goals in 52 games last season, remains a key option and reports this week have suggested he’s already agreed a five-year deal to sign. Still, there remains a gap in what Arsenal are willing to pay and what Sporting want to receive.
A deal for Benjamin Sesko, billed as “the new Haaland” by scout Jacek Kulig, remains in the works and reports this week suggested that they are moving closer to an agreement with Leipzig on what could be a £64m fee.
While the Slovenian is not as prolific as Gyokeres, scoring 21 goals last term, he’s got an amazing profile that consists of pace, power, height and goalscoring. There are few better options out there and he could truly explode in Arsenal colours.
Full list of wingers: Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Rodrygo, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard.
Full list of strikers: Benjamin Sesko, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus.
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Gets to the landmark in the third ODI between India and Sri Lanka at Khettarama
Andrew Fidel Fernando07-Aug-2024
Ranjan Madugalle has officiated over 200 Tests as well•AFP/Getty Images
Ranjan Madugalle has become the first match referee to officiate 400 ODIs, with his taking charge of the third ODI between India and Sri Lanka at Khettarama.Madugalle has been a match referee since 1993 and in that time has also officiated more than 200 Tests, also a record. He had, in addition, served as the ICC’s chief match referee until that position was removed.Simon Taufel, former elite-panel umpire and the former umpires performance and training manager for the ICC, paid tribute to Madugalle.”Ranjan’s longevity is remarkable,” Taufel said. “He was there at the beginning of my international umpiring career and the end. He has served Sri Lanka, the ICC and game of cricket with distinction and integrity. This milestone highlights his commitment and dedication to the sport he loves.”Madugalle, in a statement put out by the ICC, said getting to this landmark was “dreamlike”. “It has been a great honour and privilege to have officiated in international cricket for so many years and it’s almost dreamlike to be reaching this milestone.”I was pleased when I got the opportunity to be associated with the game after my time as a cricketer but never thought that it would stretch to over three decades!”During this period, I have had the chance to officiate all over the world and in several World Cups, relishing every moment.”I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ICC, Sri Lanka Cricket and my colleagues with whom I have worked over the years for their support and friendship, as well as my family and friends, without whose support it would not have been possible to have come this far.”Before turning his attentions towards officiating games, Madugalle had played 21 Tests and 63 ODIs for Sri Lanka as a batter.
علق ميكيل ميرينو، نجم نادي آرسنال، عن الهاتريك الذي سجله يوم أمس الأحد وذلك خلال مواجهة منتخب إسبانيا مع تركيا لحساب التصفيات المؤهلة لبطولة كأس العالم العام المقبل في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وكندا والمكسيك.
ميرينو تألق وسجل ثلاثة أهداف ”هاتريك” مساهمًا بذلك في انتصار منتخب إسبانيا العريض على حساب تركيا بستة أهداف مقابل لا شئ، ضمن تصفيات كأس العالم.
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وأكد ميرينو في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة موندو ديبورتيفو، أن مشاركته كمهاجم مع نادي آرسنال الموسم الماضي ساعدته كثيرًا في تحسين لمسته الأخيرة على المرمى.
وقال ميرينو: “أنا سعيد جدًا بكل شيء، للفوز ولحصولنا على ست نقاط من أصل س٩ت نقاط بالكامل ولإنجازي ذلك بطريقة مقنعة وكذلك لتسجيلي لأول ثلاثية في مسيرتي. نادرًا ما أسجل أهدافًا وتسجيل ثلاثة أهداف يجعلني سعيدًا للغاية، لقد كان تركيا خصمًا قويًا كما رأيتم في بطولة أوروبا العام الماضي بمستواهم وعلى ملعب صعب للغاية حيث لعبنا جميعًا مباراة رائعة”.
وأتم ميرينو في حديثه عن مشاركته كمهاجم: “إنه مجال أتطور فيه من خلال اتخاذ خطوة مهمة للأمام بالنسبة للاعبي خط الوسط، وتسجيل الأهداف ومساعدة الفريق. في العام الماضي لعبت مع آرسنال كمهاجم، واعتدت على اللعب في مناطق متقدمة، والآن أجد سهولة أكبر في التأقلم وأنا أمام المرمى، لحسن حظي تمكنت من وضع الكرة في الشباك”.
Earlier this week, Everton finally secured the signature of striker Thierno Barry in a £27m deal from Villarreal.
David Moyes has been working to get this one over the line, and there is no doubt Barry could become a major hit on Merseyside next season.
Everton manager DavidMoyes
The supporters will be hoping that the Frenchman isn’t the only attacking player to arrive this summer, especially as Moyes will be looking to drag Everton back into the top half of the Premier League table.
Recent news suggests Moyes might be close to signing another player. Could he be an even bigger talent than Barry?
Everton hold talks with Manchester City starlet
According to Football Transfers, Everton are aiming to finalise a move for City starlet James McAtee after they held talks with his representatives earlier this week.
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West Ham United are also keen on securing his signature, and the youngster could cost Everton around £30m should he choose them.
The next few weeks could be interesting indeed, as McAtee certainly appears to be a man in demand. If Moyes is able to wrap up a deal sooner rather than later, he could transform the club’s attacking department.
England's James McAtee applauds fans after the match asHarveyElliottlooks on
Furthermore, McAtee would turn out to be an even bigger talent than Barry over the next few years.
Why Everton must sign James McAtee
For Villarreal last season, Barry scored 11 times in La Liga, going on to grab four assists also, as he established himself as one of the best young forwards in the division.
McAtee may have only played 27 times for Man City last term, with only nine of them coming in the starting XI, but he still managed to find the back of the net seven times.
James McAtee’s statistics at Man City last season (PL only)
Goals
3
Assists
0
Key passes per game
0.2
Big chances created
2
Successful dribbles per game
0.1
Shots per game
0.8
Via Sofascore
He also shone for England at the recent U21 European Championship, scoring once and grabbing two assists as the country retained their title. Barry also featured at the tournament, but he managed to score just once as France were knocked out at the semi-final stage.
McAtee also averaged 1.7 key passes per game, while averaging 2.3 shots and 36.3 touches per match at the competition. Barry, on the other hand, could only muster 0.4 key passes, while averaging two shots per game, and 13.2 touches each game.
While the former Villarreal starlet was clearly close to his best last term, considering his displays in La Liga, it is evident that McAtee has yet to truly blossom.
Given that Pep Guardiola once hailed him as a “special talent”, once he finds a team that is willing to utilise his skills on a regular basis, the Englishman will be unstoppable. Indeed,
The pair would combine to great effect next season should Moyes secure a deal with City, but given their respective ceilings, it is McAtee who has the potential to be the bigger talent. Indeed, managing to poach such a player from an academy like Man City’s would be truly exciting.
Everton could be a team to be feared next season, especially should a move for McAtee go through in the coming weeks, that’s for sure.
Moyes' own Palmer: Everton enter race for "special" £35m McAtee alternative
Everton are making sweeping changes in the summer transfer market.