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Everton have got themselves up and running over the past couple of matches in the Premier League, having won at their new home against Brighton & Hove Albion before securing a win on the road against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Integral in both victories was new loan recruit Jack Grealish, assisting twice and then twice again. Everton are looking to make real headway under David Moyes’ wing this season, challenging high up the table, away from the relegation dog fight.

A range of exciting signings have been made, Grealish so far proving the cherry on the cake, but Moyes appears keen to land another midfielder before the window slams shut.

Everton still searching for midfielder

Having emerged as a top target at Everton since Moyes replaced Sean Dyche in January, it looks like the pursuit of West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek is going down to the wire.

However, Graham Potter might want to keep him on the books for depth, and so the Toffees may want to make a lunge for an alternative.

And perhaps that could be Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old wants to leave Old Trafford on loan before the deadline, and Everton have been credited with an interest over the past few weeks.

Man United have informed their academy product that he is expected to stay and fight for his place over the coming campaign, but much could change at the eleventh hour of the transfer window.

Newcastle United have also shown interest in signing the Red Devil, but Everton might feel that Mainoo could best foster his clear talent at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Why Everton must sign Mainoo

Mainoo might be out of favour at Man United, but he has been described as a “generational” talent by journalist Andy Dunn and as a future “£100m-plus footballer” by United writer Alex Turk.

Why? He’s already played 74 times for the senior side, scoring seven goals (including a crucial strike in the 2024 FA Cup final against Manchester City).

Even if Everton only manage to land him on a loan deal, they should consider opting for Mainoo ahead of Soucek, even though the Czech Republic international has a wealth of experience in Moyes’ former Hammers system.

Mainoo struggled last year, but he showcased remarkable quality when breaking onto the scene in 2023/24, and given his strength when carrying the ball forward and technical quality, he could add that physical shine that Moyes covets while adding some flair to the side too.

Soucek (24/25) v Mainoo (23/24)

Stats (* per game)

Soucek

Mainoo

Matches (starts)

35 (30)

24 (24)

Goals

9

3

Assists

1

1

Touches*

38.2

49.0

Pass completion

75%

87%

Big chances created

1

0

Key passes*

0.4

0.6

Dribbles*

0.2

1.3

Ball recoveries*

1.8

4.0

Tackles + interceptions*

1.9

2.9

Duels won*

5.0

5.0 (52%)

Stats via Sofascore

He’s less of a goalscoring threat than Soucek, but more active in the duel, more energetic and more fluid with his passing.

Indeed, even though he endured a tough campaign, Mainoo ranks among the top 11% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

Having watched Grealish hit the ground running as a loanee from Manchester, Everton might want to sign Mainoo in the coming hours, adding some youthful exuberance and plenty of technical quality besides.

Related Beto upgrade: Everton battling PL rivals to sign “unstoppable” £17m gem

Everton could continue their summer spending spree with another centre-forward addition to replace Beto

Posts ByWill Miller Aug 30, 2025

Newcastle United have had a helter-skelter of a summer transfer window, and Eddie Howe’s side haven’t reached the end of the tunnel just yet.

Of course, the frenetic nature of this window doesn’t necessarily mean it’s been a poor one for the Magpies, even though a slew of transfer targets have slipped through Toon fingers, namely at centre-forward.

And so we have the Alexander Isak conundrum. Will the Sweden striker play in black and white two weeks from now?

If Newcastle stick to their guns and resist the player and Liverpool’s attempts, his threats of maintaining his self-ostracisation might seem somewhat shallow, for the 25-year-old would surely not jeopardise his career in such a manner, with Champions League football looming and a World Cup campaign looming on the horizon across the pond.

However, keeping Isak at St. James’ Park comes with the huge caveat that there is no telling what version – if any – will front Howe’s ship over the coming year.

That’s why sealing a move for Yoane Wissa is so important.

The latest on Yoane Wissa to Newcastle

Wissa was one of the most prolific forwards in the Premier League last season, scoring 19 goals across the term. Bryan Mbeumo often took the plaudits under Thomas Frank’s wing, but the DR Congo striker was every bit as effective.

Frank, now manager at Tottenham Hotspur, wants to sign Wissa before the closure of the transfer window, thus putting another spanner in the works for Howe.

Luckily, the 28-year-old is determined to sign for Newcastle this summer, having removed all Brentford affiliation from his social media footprint as he looks to seal his move to England’s North East.

A deal for Wissa has always been a separate entity when considering the fight to keep Isak on Tyneside.

That’s why – while Newcastle are prepared to keep their star striker at the club – plans are still being explored for a potential successor.

Newcastle consider rejoining transfer battle

According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle are willing to forgo their interest in Nicolas Jackson if it means Aston Villa secure the Senegalese’s services, because then they could re-enter the race for Ollie Watkins.

Villa have been hindered by the trammels of PSR this summer, but the public stance at Villa Park is that their 29-year-old talisman is going nowhere, even if they land Jackson from Chelsea.

However, this hasn’t stopped Newcastle from preparing to register their interest once again, though it would seem that Aston Villa are sticking to their £50m valuation.

Why Newcastle should sign Ollie Watkins

Despite the late advance of Tottenham, Wissa continues to keep his sights on Newcastle’s first team, and at some stage, Brentford are sure to ease their resistance.

Whatever happens, Newcastle must also put their focus into signing Watkins, for he would do a half-decent job at stepping in for Isak.

Described as “one of the best 9s in the world” by Statman Dave, Watkins has proven time and time again his expertise as a Premier League frontman, and that could remain so with a one-way trip to Tyneside at this later stage of his career, leading the line as Isak’s replacement, should that come to pass.

He has a good record against Newcastle: five goals and three assists across ten matches. Watkins blanked, however, last weekend.

Even so, it wouldn’t hurt to take from the Premier League a striker rich in potency when pitted against United, and fronting their team with him.

Last season, Watkins wasn’t at his best, but he still managed to finish the league campaign with a return of 16 goals and eight assists.

A willing runner behind defences and a combative forward with a wide breadth of ways to hurt opponents, Watkins would be the cream of a new crop of attacking talent at Newcastle, for sure.

While Wissa and Watkins could cohabit within Howe’s Newcastle frontline, it’s hardly controversial to suggest that the former might outrank the other. The Villan star has proven himself and then some in the world’s toughest league, and he’s also got more variation to his attacking game than the Brentford sharpshooter.

Indeed, as per FBref’s data, Watkins ranks among the top 3% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 19% for progressive carries per 90.

Quite the player. And he’s something of a star on the big stage too, boasting some pretty impressive individual records against the English top flight’s legacy ‘big six’.

As Howe looks to mastermind the latest success in his growing list of triumphs as Newcastle manager, there’s every chance that Watkins at the spearhead would allow Newcastle to reprise their place in the Champions League at the end of the season while competing for further slices of silverware, having gotten a taste for the big prizes during last season’s Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool.

Would Watkins definitively prove to be an upgrade on Wissa? It would appear so. He’s got more about him, and even after a ‘poor’ campaign in the Premier League last year, the Three Lions star still managed to trail Wissa in his pomp by just three goals.

Newcastle have a problem in Alexander Isak. He has divorced himself from the Newcastle squad and appears willing to stay in isolation.

But with Watkins added to the fold, United would have what they need to attack the season. He’d certainly be an upgrade on Wissa, but given the two forwards would be competing alongside each other, that doesn’t really matter, does it?

Superior to Wissa & Watkins: The "next Gyokeres" is Newcastle's new target

Newcastle could sign the new Viktor Gyokeres before the deadline.

ByMatt Dawson Aug 21, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo venceu o Flamengo por 3 a 2 em jogo eletrizante neste domingo, no Maracanã, pela terceira rodada do Brasileirão. Tiquinho Soares, duas vezes, e Danilo Barbosa marcaram para o Alvinegro, enquanto Léo Pereira também anotou duas vezes para o Rubro-Negro. O duelo também ficou marcado por expulsões e polêmica envolvendo a árbitra Edina Alves por não expulsar Thiago Maia.

Com o resultado, o Flamengo volta a perder posições na tabela de classificação e pode terminar a rodada na 14ª posição, enquanto o Glorioso é líder e único time com 100% de aproveitamento no Brasileirão. Na próxima jornada, as equipes enfrentam Athletico Paranaense e Atlético-MG, respectivamente.

+ Veja a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

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INÍCIO EQUILIBRADO, FLAMENGO COM A BOLA

O início de jogo foi com o Flamengo mais com a bola no pé, bem no estilo praticado por Jorge Sampaoli. Vidal teve grande chance, mas parou na trave, enquanto Everton Cebolinha chutou perigosamente para a defesa de Lucas Perri. A proposta do Botafogo, por sua vez, era de se fechar e buscar o erro do adversário para armar um contra-ataque. Até os primeiros 25 minutos, o duelo foi bastante estudado.

FLAMENGO VACILA, E BOTAFOGO SAI NA FRENTE

Quando o Botafogo conseguia melhorar na partida, veio o primeiro bom golpe da partida. Victor Sá arrancou pela esquerda, “chamou para dançar” e Wesley, garoto, deu toque sutil e suficiente para derrubar o atacante. Pênalti para o Glorioso, convertido aos 30 minutos por Tiquinho Soares. Foi o primeiro gol do principal artilheiro do Alvinegro em clássicos.

FESTA DO GLORIOSO NO FIM DO PRIMEIRO TEMPO

O restante do primeiro tempo voltou a ter o Flamengo com a posse, mas sem muita objetividade. Mesmo com o pênalti cometido, Wesley foi um dos nomes mais importantes na parte ofensiva para o Rubro-Negro, criando muita dificuldade para Marçal. Gabigol combinou algumas vezes com o jovem lateral em boas tramas. No entanto, o castigo do Rubro-Negro veio no último lance da etapa inicial.

Primeiro, Tiquinho Soares arriscou chute de longe e obrigou Santos a fazer grande defesa. No escanteio, o Botafogo castigou com Danilo Barbosa, sem chances para o goleiro do Flamengo. Aos 50 minutos da etapa inicial, o Glorioso ampliava a vantagem de maneira justa. As escolhas de Sampaoli se provaram erradas, e o Rubro-Negro foi para os vestiários com dois gols de desvantagem.

COM O JOGO NA MÃO, BOTAFOGO PERDE A CABEÇA

O segundo tempo parecia que vinha mais do mesmo: o Botafogo controlava as ações com tranquilidade, enquanto o Flamengo tinha muita dificuldade para criar. No entanto, um lance despretensioso mudou a partida. Everton Cebolinha fez falta em Júnior Santos, mas recebeu um pisão violento de Rafael na sequência da jogada. O lateral alvinegro já tinha amarelo e foi expulso.

Muita reclamação por parte dos jogadores alvinegros, mas nada se comparou a Luís Castro. O treinador não se segurou, gritou com a árbitra Édina Alves e também foi expulso. Em meio ao momento de desatenção, o Flamengo aproveitou para diminuir. Aos 13 minutos, Léo Pereira recebeu cruzamento de Fabrício Bruno e mandou para o fundo das redes.

BRILHA A ESTRELA DE TIQUINHO SOARES

Justamente no momento em que o Flamengo parecia chegar ao empate, com alto volume, o Botafogo aproveitou e fez o terceiro. Aos 26 minutos, em momento de desatenção da defesa rubro-negra, Tchê Tchê fez linda jogada, passou por três e serviu Tiquinho Soares. O atacante teve o trabalho de apenas deslocar Santos e ampliar para o Glorioso.

LÉO PEREIRA DIMINUI, MAS NÃO É SUFICIENTE

A partir daí, foi a vez do Flamengo perder a cabeça. Primeiro, Marinho e David Luiz receberam amarelo por faltas violentas, mas Thiago Maia subiu o tom e quase foi expulso. Em dividida com Di Plácido, o volante rubro-negro deu um pontapé no jogador rival e a árbitra Edina foi chamada pelo VAR para rever o lance. Na tela, ela analisou a entrada de Thiago Maia, mas optou pela não expulsão, decisão que revoltou os jogadores, torcedores e a comissão técnica do Botafogo.

No entanto, o Fla ainda teve tempo de diminuir aos 40 minutos, de novo com Léo Pereira de cabeça.O Botafogo se fechou e segurou a pressão final para conquistar os três pontos. Matheus França, Pedro, Marinho e outros rubro-negros tiveram chances para empatar, mas pararam no goleiro Lucas Perri, um dos destaques do jogo. Frustração na Gávea e festa em General Severiano.

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FICHA TÉCNICA
FLAMENGO 2 X 3 BOTAFOGO

Estádio: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Data e Hora: 30 de abril, às 16h
​Árbitro: Edina Alves Batista (SP/FIFA)
Assistentes: Neuza Inês Back (SP/FIFA) e Leila Naiara Moreira da Cruz (DF/FIFA)
Árbitro de vídeo: Daiane Muniz (SP/FIFA)
Renda/Público: 53.138 presentes e R$ 2.880.695,000

Gols: Tiquinho Soares (BOT 0-1, 30’/1T), Danilo Barbosa (BOT 0-2, 50’/1T) e Tiquinho Soares (BOT 1-3, 26’/2T); Léo Pereira (FLA 1-2, 13’/2T e 2-3, 40’/2T)

Cartão amarelo: Gabigol (FLA), Vidal (FLA), David Luiz (FLA), Thiago Maia e Marinho (FLA); Rafael (BOT) e Tiquinho Soares (BOT)
Cartão vermelho: Rafael (BOT) e Luís Castro (BOT)

FLAMENGO (Técnico: Jorge Sampaoli)

Santos, Wesley (Marinho, 12’/2T), Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira e David Luiz; Ayrton Lucas (Everton Ribeiro, 1’/2T), Thiago Maia (Matheus França, 35’/2T), Vidal (Victor Hugo, 35’/2T); Everton Cebolinha (Bruno Henrique, 27’/2T), Gabigol e Pedro.

BOTAFOGO (Técnico: Luís Castro)

Lucas Perri, Rafael, Adryelson, Victor Cuesta e Marçal; Danilo Barbosa, Tchê Tchê (Philipe Sampaio, 48’/2T) e Eduardo (Marlos Freitas, 23’/2T); Júnior Santos (Di Plácido, 10’/2T), Victor Sá (Luis Henrique, 23’/2T) e Tiquinho Soares.

كشفت تقارير صحفية، آخر تطورات المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي بعد رحيل الإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو بسبب سوء النتائج.

ورحل الإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو عن تدريب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي بعد الأداء السيء الذي ظهر به الفريق تحت قيادته على مدار بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025 والدوري المصري.

ولم يفُز ريبيرو سوى بمباراة واحدة في بطولة الدوري كانت على حساب فريق فاركو برباعية مقابل هدف، بينما تلقى هزيمتين وحقق 4 تعادلات.

ورحل ريبيرو بعد الخسارة أمام بيراميدز في الدوري المصري بثنائية نظيفة، عقب أداء سيء للغاية والكثير من المعاناة التي ظهرت على لاعبي الأهلي.

اقرأ أيضًا | لجنة الحكام تفاجئ الأهلي بـ رد رسمي على بيان أزمة مباراة سيراميكا كليوباترا

ووفقًا لموقع TFS البرتغالي، فإن المدرب برونو لاجي، المدير الفني السابق لفريق بنفيكا، أحد أبرز المرشحين لتدريب النادي الأهلي خلفًا لـ ريبيرو.

المدرب الذي تمت إقالته قبل أسبوع تقريبًا من نادي بنفيكا رغم التأهل إلى مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا عقب الفوز على فناربخشة بقيادة جوزيه مورينيو، الذي أخلفه في تدريب النادي البرتغالي، أبدى اهتمامًا بالعرض المقدم من الأهلي لتدريب الفريق.

ووفقًا لشبكة “SAPO” البرتغالية، فإن العرض المالي المُقدم من النادي الأهلي مغريًا بالنسبة لـ برونو لاجي، إذ سيتقاضى 3 أضعاف ما كان يتقاضاه في بنفيكا البرتغالي.

ولم يتخذ برونو لاجي قرارًا نهائيّا حتى الآن بشأن عرض الأهلي، ولكن الشبكة نفسها أشارت إلى إنه من المتوقع عودته للتدريب قريبًا.

Liverpool haven’t pulled their punches in the transfer market this summer, and Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are still planning to throw a few more haymakers before the window slams shut.

Having won the Premier League with ease last summer, some might have felt the Reds should have kept their title-winning squad together, but with Trent Alexander-Arnold now playing for Real Madrid and Luis Diaz on the cusp of signing for Bayern Munich, a £65.5m deal agreed, change is afoot.

And the Merseysiders have, of course, been busy with incomings. Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong make a new wide duo; Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike will redefine Liverpool’s frontline.

Giorgi Mamardashvili’s red gloves are on, one year after a £29m package was agreed with Valencia for their fast-rising shot-stopper.

However, despite Wirtz, 22, signing from Bayer Leverkusen for a British-record £116m fee, Liverpool are primed to smash the record which they set only one month ago, with Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak in FSG’s sights.

Why Liverpool want to sign Alexander Isak

The potential for Isak to complete the attacking set remains. It would be quite a thing, and has left many of Liverpool’s rivals incredulous. But the finances are there and if Darwin Nunez is sold, this dream could become a reality.

Napoli pulled out of their bid for the Uruguayan due to financial differences between the two clubs, but he still has suitors over in the Saudi Pro League and is open to getting on the flight to the Gulf nation.

Isak, it goes without saying, would stand as a significant upgrade. After all, due to his 27-goal campaign with the Magpies, Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher declared him to be “the best striker in the Premier League right now.”

While Isak is ostensibly Diaz’s replacement, the Colombian is typically a high-speed wide player, only used by Slot last year as a makeshift striker due to the likes of Nunez flattering to deceive.

With this in mind, Liverpool might need another left-sided forward too.

Liverpool in for new winger

According to Spanish reports, Liverpool are preparing a mammoth bid for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, who is anticipated to leave the Santiago Bernabeu after falling down in Xabi Alonso’s estimation, only starting one Club World Cup match.

Rodrygo, 24, would cost around €120m (£104m) to sign, but Los Blancos are indeed open to selling. Liverpool are putting a formal proposal together but Arsenal are also keen on the Brazilian.

Liverpool have also had Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon on their shortlist, but it’s highly unlikely Eddie Howe would grant his departure along with Isak, having priced the Three Lions star at £100m.

Why Liverpool should sign Rodrygo

Rodrygo is quite the player, and he ticks a lot of boxes for Slot’s Liverpool side. The Reds head coach demands fluidity and dynamism from his forwards, and he wants them to work hard too.

Rodrygo, hailed for his work-rate and selflessness by pundit Thierry Henry last season, would fit right in, especially as he yearns for more football on the left flank, as opposed to the right-hand side he has so often been deployed on under Carlo Ancelotti’s wing.

The right-footed has a wide span of skills to inflict damage on defenders, but his sharp goalscoring ability is an admirable thing, having been described by journalist Sam Tighe for having a “terrifyingly good” eye for the back of the net.

Playing him on the side which he favours, naturally, would elevate his performances. Slot will know this.

Rodrygo – Real Madrid Stats by Position (24/25)

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Right winger

29

7

4

Left winger

12

6

6

Centre-forward

8

0

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

Slot will also know that Rodrygo could be deadly alongside Isak at number nine, with his dangerous goalscoring ability only one string to his bow, ranked as he was last season among the top 2% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for pass completion, the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 21% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.

Even coming off a ‘bad’ year, Rodrygo shone as one of the game’s finest forwards, certainly proving himself to be the “world-class superstar” that former teammate Luka Modric has said he is.

His big-game mentality attests to that, and in this way, he could help settle Isak by being his next Gordon, who shall remain at St. James’ Park.

Newcastle signed Gordon from Everton for £45m in January 2023, and he’s made the steady progress toward renown as one of the Premier League’s most talented wide forwards, with Bruno Guimaraes hailing his “unbelievable” ability to bring all the aspects of his game together.

Though Cody Gakpo is a fine player for Liverpool, Gordon plays the out-and-out role of a winger, and that’s something that Rodrygo can do too, even though he’s an excellent goalscorer.

In this way, Rodrygo could prove to be Isak’s dream partner, maximising Slot’s chances of winning the biggest prizes next year.

Gordon has even said that the Sweden striker is “the best in Europe”, when asked about what it is like to combine with him.

The English talent has become quite the player over the past several years, and he would be a credit to Slot’s side.

Across his two full campaigns at Newcastle, the 24-year-old has scored 22 goals and supplied 17 assists across all competitions. Quite an interesting balance of output.

Well, Rodrygo can match that, and actually eclipse both modes of direct involvement. Liverpool could do far worse than sign the Real Madrid mainstay this summer, who would effectively replace Diaz while bearing the specific qualities to create a wonderful partnership with Isak.

Related Bigger loss than Diaz or Nunez: Barcelona charge into race for £70k-p/w Liverpool star

The Reds could lose a key man.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Jul 26, 2025

Celtic have now opened talks to sign an “outstanding” striker, who’s open to a move to Parkhead this summer, according to a report.

Hoops looking to sign new goalscorer

The Hoops lost Kyogo Furuhashi during the January transfer window, with the Japanese striker signing for Rennes, meaning Brendan Rodgers could do with bringing in a new striker this summer, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Daizen Maeda’s future.

The likes of Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Brentford and Fenerbahce could battle it out for the Japenese forward, who really stepped up in Kyogo’s absence last season, regularly providing goals and assists in all competitions.

Daizen Maeda 24/25

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Scottish Premiership

34

16

10

Scottish FA Cup

4

0

3

Scottish League Cup

3

6

1

Champions League

9

4

1

Losing a forward who provided so many goal contributions last season would be a real blow for Rodgers, which is why the manager is desperate to keep hold of the 27-year-old, and the reigning Scottish Premiership champions are confident they can agree an extension.

However, the manager may also be keen to bring in an out-and-out striker this summer, and the Hoops are now stepping up their pursuit of a centre-forward who has already proven himself in the Scottish Premiership…

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Celtic have now opened talks with the agents of Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Edouard over a potential return to Parkhead, and the Frenchman is said to be open to the move.

Edouard left the Scottish side for £15m back in 2021, and he could be available for a similar fee this summer, with Palace willing to sanction a departure, given that Jean-Philippe Mateta has emerged as their first-choice striker.

However, there may be some way to go before a deal can be agreed, as the Hoops are unwilling to fork out £15m up front and would prefer to loan the centre-forward until January initially, but a deal of that nature does not appeal to Palace.

"Outstanding" Edouard could be ideal signing for Celtic

The former Celtic star has already proven he has what it takes to be a key player for a top Scottish Premiership side, most notably performing remarkably well in the 2019-20 campaign, during which he picked up 22 goals and 10 assists in 27 league games.

In that season, the Kourou-born forward was described as an “outstanding, talented player” by Neil Lennon, while he also caught the eye in the Europa League, opening the scoring with a well-taken goal in his side’s 1-1 draw against FC Copenhagen.

Not only did the Palace forward impress under Lennon, but he also performed very well under Rodgers, netting 14 league goals in the 2018-19 campaign, so Rodgers will know he can trust his former player.

As such, Edouard could be the perfect addition for Celtic at striker, but the deal looks some way off completion as things stand, given their desire to sign him on an initial loan deal.

Manchester United are now in talks to sign an “incredible” striker who Ruben Amorim thinks is a perfect fit, according to a report.

Man Utd's striker pursuit takes new twist

Man United have set out to sign a new striker this summer, with Viktor Gyokeres being identified as a potential target, having recently made calls in an attempt to lure the Sweden international to Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old is determined to leave Sporting this summer, even threatening to speak to the media himself if the Portuguese club continue to stand in his way.

The Sporting star is worried that the £68m asking price could deter potential suitors from making a move, with the forward dreaming of making a move to Arsenal, and there has now been a new update on his future.

According to a report from The Mirror, United have now accepted defeat in the race for Gyokeres, as they are convinced he would rather sign for Mikel Arteta’s side, meaning they have now moved on to alternative targets.

The Red Devils are now stepping up their interest in Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, having held tentative talks over a deal for the England international, with Amorim of the belief he would be the ideal player to lead the line.

A deal will not be cheap, however, with Villa set to hold out for a fee of £60m, which Man United are unwilling to pay, considering he is now 29-years-old, which means there is a lack of re-sale value.

Related Man Utd in contact for £34m star who's "the best in his role in the world"

The Red Devils have now approached the agents of a player who featured in the 2025 Champions League final.

Posts ByDominic Lund Jul 3, 2025

There had been a willingness to use Marcus Rashford in a swap deal, but Unai Emery’s side are no longer interested in signing their former loanee.

Watkins could be "incredible" Gyokeres alternative

Of course, Amorim knows all about Gyokeres from their time working together at Sporting, and his goal record last season speaks for itself, but there are plenty of signs that Watkins could be a solid alternative.

Unlike Gyokeres, the Torquay-born forward has already proven himself over a number of years in the Premier League, picking up 75 goals and 36 assists in 184 appearances in the competition.

The Englishman also has experience at the highest level, most notably scoring a dramatic late winner to send the Three Lions to the Euro 2024 final.

Man United have made the mistake of signing players without Premier League experience in the past, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failing to adapt to life in England, while Watkins has already proven himself to be a reliable source of goals.

After overseeing a third-consecutive promotion to make unforgettable history, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have now reportedly put Wrexham in pole position to sign a clinical MLS talent.

Reynolds & McElhenney full of praise for Parkinson

Whilst it’s Reynolds and McElhenney who steal the headlines, Phil Parkinson is one of the main reasons why Wrexham find themselves in the Championship from National League frustration. The experienced manager will forever be a legend at the Welsh club and is now set to take charge of a side in England’s second tier for the first time since Bolton Wanderers in the 2018/2019 campaign.

Reynolds and McElhenney are well aware of their manager’s impact too. The former told reporters after promotion was sealed: “You can look at so many beating hearts at the club but it all goes back to Phil, I mean the leadership in that locker room and we thankfully don’t make football decisions but the faith that the club has in Phil and the community has in him speaks volumes.”

McElhenney then added onto that by saying: “In Phil we trust and Ryan and I always find it silly that at the end of the games it’s us standing here with microphones because we’re not the ones out here on the pitch doing the work.”

Alas, the Hollywood stars are far from finished even after securing a place in the Championship. They, alongside Parkinson, will have their sights set on causing their biggest upset yet in the Championship, and the summer transfer window is likely to play a large part in that.

Wrexham lead Sunusi Ibrahim race

According to GiveMeSport, Reynolds and McElhenney are now leading the race to sign Sunusi Ibrahim for Wrexham this summer. The Montreal talent is reportedly valued between $300,000 and $500,000 (£222,000-£370,000) this summer and could be on his way to English football after struggling for starts in the MLS.

Although there may be some concerns that Ibrahim, 22, has yet to earn his place in Montreal’s starting side, it must be said that it’s not for the want of trying. The Nigerian has scored seven goals in around 1,000 minutes this season – the same as just over 11 games – but has still been forced to settle for a bench role.

Reynolds and McElhenney plotting Wrexham move to sign "great" 7-goal star

He could be their first Championship signing…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 29, 2025

Whether that starting place would come his way at Wrexham is the big question. Those in Wales can’t risk getting things wrong on the transfer front ahead of their return to England’s second tier and whether they take a risk on an MLS talent remains to be seen.

As ever, of course, Wrexham will be ones to watch when the transfer window swings open amid links to Ibrahim and Cardiff City’s Isaak Davies in recent weeks.

The Sri Lanka quick stuck to his strengths against England and, for a change, got the rewards he so deserved

Shashank Kishore27-Oct-2023It’s a story similar to that of many of his team-mates. Lahiru Kumara made his ODI debut as a 20-year-old in 2017, but has managed just 28 games over the years. He’s battled all sorts of fast-bowler injuries in between: knee, back, ankle, hamstring, side… But every time he’s returned, the one constant has been pace, bristling pace.Unfortunately, he’s been prone to waywardness and inconsistency; an ODI economy of 6.48 is some indication of that.He doesn’t swing the ball but can be more than handful if there’s lateral movement. He also has the ability to work batters over with the short stuff. But, at the World Cup, on largely flat surfaces, he has had to work that much harder to execute.Related

• Samarawickrama – Doing it with style, doing it with substance

• Kumara out with thigh injury, Chameera comes in as replacement

• England's lurching between attack and defence leaves them in no man's land

• Are defending champions out of the World Cup?

• Peak Sri Lanka too sharp for England

Kumara didn’t start the tournament and was largely seen as a back-up option. But Sri Lanka’s pace stocks have been depleting faster than the world’s gold reserves. Injured fast bowlers have recuperated and come in to replace other injured fast bowlers as a result. Kumara has been part of this merry-go-round for a while now. At the World Cup, he may well have been on the bench had Dushmantha Chameera been fit, but an injury to Matheesha Pathirana forced Sri Lanka to alter their combination.On Thursday, Kumara was up against England on one of the flattest decks in the country. He came in with a clear plan. He was told clearly to forget about Australia – he managed all of four wicketless overs and got taken for 47. “Just go flat out, bowl short, and be the middle-overs enforcer.”It’s easier said than done. But Kumara had been putting in the long hours in training. His nets sessions have been devoid of much drama. Just three stumps, the bowling coach on the side, and him. The mandate: bowl fast, hit the area marked out between short of length and good length repeatedly, and stick to one line. And Kumara had been at it, 30 minutes non-stop, sometimes 40, every day.

For once, he’s not in the news for a scan or a period of rehab. It’s about a bowling performance that has reinvigorated Sri Lanka’s flagging World Cup campaign

Kumara is strongly built. Broad shoulders, ripping muscles, he generates the strength from his core. The run-up may not be butter smooth, but there’s a hustle, effort, the grunt as he finishes off in a whippy open-chested action.On Thursday in Bengaluru, his pace and seam movement accounted for Jos Buttler. He bowled it just a touch fuller than Buttler probably anticipated as he tried to flay it on the up, the ball decking away and taking the thick outside edge to be superbly grabbed by Kusal Mendis behind the stumps. This was Kumara in his zone. He was simply running in and letting it rip. It’s likely he wasn’t sure how the ball was going to behave after pitching.The ball that got Liam Livingstone lbw ducked back in off a length to trap him lbw as he played all around it. Kumara was simply targeting one spot, give or take a few centimetres this way or that. Most times, this small margin is the difference between good and bad deliveries on flat decks. Against England, Kumara also got a touch lucky that England were on damage-control mode after a top-order meltdown when he got into his act.Kumara’s biggest wicket was yet to come. Ben Stokes had begun to raise hopes of a rearguard of the kind he’s known for. With England’s campaign on the line, he reined himself in for much of his stay. It hadn’t quite got to a point where he had to tee off, but he did nonetheless.1:46

Shane Bond: Hopefully this win kickstarts Sri Lanka’s campaign

But Kumara, by then, was like a four-stroke engine. Bounding in, hitting hard lengths, generating some movement. He beat Stokes twice with balls that held their line. Stokes, though, couldn’t hold back when he finally saw one dropped short. He took him on, pulling it from outside off, but picked out deep midwicket.Kumara was modest enough to admit afterwards that the Stokes dismissal played out accidentally. It was perhaps just the rub of green he needed.”Stokes,” he said spontaneously with a smile when asked after the match which of the three wickets he had enjoyed the most. He led the flag wave with a few Sri Lankan fans, chatted with the press pack, and walked off with the contented smile of a man who had thoroughly enjoyed his moment in the spotlight for all the right reasons.For once, he’s not in the news for a scan or a period of rehab. It’s about a bowling performance that has reinvigorated Sri Lanka’s flagging World Cup campaign.

Stats highlights from Ross Taylor’s long and storied international career

S Rajesh08-Jan-2022With an aggregate of 18,145 runs, Ross Taylor has scored 2679 more runs than the next-best for New Zealand across all international formats. He has scored more Test runs, ODI runs, ODI hundreds and overall hundreds than any other New Zealand batter. That speaks of a career which has combined longevity with prolific run-scoring. He hasn’t always been counted among the very best batters in the world – and we’ll see the reasons for that later – but that in no way diminishes his overall contribution to New Zealand cricket.ESPNcricinfo LtdTaylor’s Test career can neatly be split into three phases. Till 2011 he was a competent, but not exceptional, middle-order batter, averaging 40.81 from 33 matches. He was superb in home conditions, averaging 49.62, but it dropped to 32.58 in away games. Similarly, in the period since the start of 2018 the returns haven’t been impressive: the average has dropped to 34.36, and away from home he averages only 25.82.