Red-ball cricket, meet white-ball cricket – this is (the new) England.Set 299 from a minimum of 72 overs to win the second Test and take an unassailable 2-0 series lead, England mowed down the target thanks to an incredible onslaught from Jonny Bairstow after the tea break on the final day at Trent Bridge.A capacity crowd, granted free entry by Nottinghamshire CCC, were treated to a jaw-dropping display as Bairstow blazed his way to 136 off 92 balls, which included 14 fours and seven sixes, his 77-ball hundred falling just one ball shy of England’s 120-year-old record for their fastest Test century.Following Bairstow’s dismissal, Ben Stokes and Ben Foakes saw their side home inside 50 overs, the highest successful Test chase at Trent Bridge. Stokes remained unbeaten at the close with 75 off 70, his 179-run stand with Bairstow for the fifth-wicket stand off 20.1 overs at 8.87 was the third fastest century stand in Tests, in terms of run rate.Related

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• Tom Latham rues the moments that got away as depleted New Zealand are put to the sword

• Kyle Jamieson to miss last Test in England with 'stress-reaction' in lower back

Resuming after the interval with 160 runs still needed from 38 overs, Bairstow – unbeaten on 43 – led a brutal assault as Matt Henry’s short-ball tactics came to grief. Bairstow brought up fifty with back-to-back fours off Henry in the first over, which went for 13 runs in all, and he didn’t let up, lofting Trent Boult for six over long-off in the next, which also went for 13 to put England ahead of the required run rate. Two more maximums to Bairstow off Henry’s following over meant England had added 43 runs off three overs.With Kyle Jamieson, the pick of New Zealand’s bowlers during their five-wicket defeat in the first Test at Lord’s, unable to bowl after breaking down with lower back pain on the third evening of this game, the visitors began to look bereft of ideas in a hurry.Stokes appeared to twist his knee lunging forward to a Henry delivery with Bairstow approaching the nineties but he forged on despite appearing to be in clear discomfort. When Bairstow brought up his ninth Test century steering Tim Southee through backward point and shouting “yes, yes, yes” as he called his batting partner through, they ran three.Jonny Bairstow celebrates after scoring a 77-ball hundred•AFP/Getty Images

As Bairstow’s attack on the boundary continued, Stokes did not need to worry about running so much and he launched into a power game of his own, bringing up his fifty off 55 balls with a six down the ground off Southee, at which point England needed 50 runs off 28 overs. Stokes then muscled spinner Michael Bracewell into the back of the second tier of the stand over long-on.By the time Bairstow was caught behind off a bottom edge to Boult, England needed just 27 runs. There one more moment of drama when Foakes was dropped by Bracewell at cover with 14 needed before Stokes struck the winning runs with a blistering cut for four off Boult.While Bairstow is not new to the Test side or even an aggressive playing style, all the talk of a “positive” approach from this team under Stokes as captain and Brendon McCullum as new head coach made this feel like laying down a marker as England moved from one win in 17 Tests to to two in two. In eight innings since his century in the first Test against West Indies in March, Bairstow had failed to pass 30 but he rediscovered his form when his side needed it most.Earlier, Boult had Zak Crawley out for a duck, caught at second slip by Southee to send England to lunch at 36 for 1. By tea, Boult had claimed the vital wicket of an in-form Joe Root, Henry had seen off Ollie Pope cheaply and Southee – who battled for rhythm and wickets through the match – removed Alex Lees for 44 to leave England 93 for 4.Boult had also played a neat cameo alongside Daryl Mitchell, who remained unbeaten on 62 as New Zealand were bowled out for a second-innings 284 with just over half-an-hour left in the morning session, having resumed on 224 for 7.Henry, dropped by Root at slip on the second ball of the day when Leach got one to grip and rise to meet the edge, powered Stokes through cover for four in the second over before Stokes had him ducking and swaying like an air dancer outside a car dealership to avoid some well-directed short balls thereafter. It was Stuart Broad who made the breakthrough, however, when he had Henry caught behind with just his fifth ball.Boult punched Stokes through wide long-on and ran two to finally grasp the title of highest Test run-scorer at No.11 outright after being stranded equal with Muthiah Muralidaran on 623 since making an unbeaten 16 off 18 balls in the first innings.Broad took the second new ball three overs after it had become available and was duly bundled over the rope at long-on by Mitchell. James Anderson returned to the attack in the next over and ended New Zealand’s innings with his fourth ball back when he had Boult caught by Stokes at mid-off for 17.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em busca da primeira vitória no Brasileirão Série B, Vila Nova e Novorizontino entraram em campo na noite desta terça-feira, no Estádio OBA, em Goiânia (GO). Mesmo com os dois times mostrando disposição até o fim no duelo dos Tigres, o placar não sofreu alterações em Goiânia para frustração de ambos os lados: 0 a 0.

Com o resultado, a equipe comandada por Higo Magalhães chegou aos 2 pontos, pulando para a 5ª colocação, enquanto o time treinado por Allan Aal acabou ficando na 13ª posição, agora com 1 ponto somado.

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>Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS

BOM INÍCIO DO VILA NOVA

Fazendo valer o mando de campo, a equipe do Vila tratou de ir para cima do Novorizontino logo nos primeiros movimentos. Porém, apesar de aparecer mais em seu campo de ataque do que o adversário, pouco conseguiu assustar o goleiro Giovanni até meados dos 15 minutos.

Na sequência, a equipe paulista passou a arriscar mais. Sendo assim, criou uma boa chance com Danielzinho, mas a bola acabou subindo mais do que o esperado. Com Allan Aal tendo que promover uma troca ainda na etapa inicial, ao tirar Bruno Silva, que deixou o campo lesionado, para colocar em seu lugar Barba, viu os mandantes neutralizar suas ações, conseguindo voltar a oferecer maior perigo até meados dos 35 minutos, desperdiçando uma grande de tirar o zero do placar com Pablo, que acabou acertando a trave, para frustração do atleta e da torcida colorada.

RETA FINAL DE PRIMEIRO TEMPO

Ditando um pouco mais o ritmo, o time goiano seguia ligeiramente melhor. Entretanto, não muito diferente de como foi durante boa parte do tempo na etapa inicial, o Novorizontino apostava em espaços cedidos, enquanto o Vila arriscava mais de fora, como no chute de Pablo Dyego, sendo esse o último lance dando a deixa para a arbitragem, momentos depois, mandar os atletas aos vestiários.

CONFRONTO EQUILIBRADO

No retorno para a etapa complementar, nenhum dos dois treinadores optou por mudanças. Sendo assim, até meados dos 15 minutos, o panorama em campo era de total igualdade em ações, com o famoso ‘lá e cá’, porém sem exigir muito dos arqueiros.

VAR ANULA PÊNALTI PARA OS MANDANTES

Após promover sua primeira troca no jogo, o técnico Higo Magalhães viu sua equipe melhorar. Sendo assim, aos 16 minutos, após cruzamento de Pablo Dyego, o goleiro Giovanni até chegou a tirar, com o juiz marcando penalidade ao ver um toque de Walber. Entretanto, após checar o VAR, Ivan da Silva Guimarães voltou atrás anulando o lance.

MUDANÇAS POUCO SURTEM EFEITO

Vendo o placar em aberto, os dois treinadores então optaram por algumas modificações, dando prioridade ao sistema ofensivo. Porém, apesar de uma insistência por parte dos donos da casa, mesmo com o gás renovado em campo a bola insistiu em não balançar as redes, parando até na trave no arremate de Jean Silva quase no fim, sendo esse um dos últimos momentos de emoção antes da arbitragem colocar um ponto final na partida realizada no estádio OBA.

FICHA TÉCNICA
VILA NOVA 0x0 NOVORIZONTINO

Data e horário: 12/04/2022, às 19h (de Brasília)
​Local: Estádio OBA, em Goiânia (GO)
Árbitro: Ivan da Silva Guimarães Júnior (AM)
Assistentes: Marcos Santos Vieira (AM) e Uesclei Regison Pereira dos Santos (AM)
VAR: Adriano Milczvski (PR)

Cartões Amarelos: Danielzinho, 41’/1ºT;Douglas Baggio, 8’/2ºT;Rafinha Silva, 11’/2ºT;Arthur Rezende, 14’/2ºT;Lucas Tocantins, 19’/2ºT

VILA NOVA: Georgemy; Alex Silva, Renato, Rafael Donato e William Formiga; Rafinha (Daniel Amorim, aos 13’/2ºT), Pablo Roberto (Eberê, aos 36’/2ºT) e Arthur Rezende; Matheuzinho (Jean Silva, aos 36’/2ºT), Victor Andrade (João Lucas, aos 28’/2ºT) e Pablo Dyego.
(Técnico: Higo Magalhães)

NOVORIZONTINO: Giovanni; Willean Lepo, Joílson, Walber e Romário; Bruno Silva (Barba, aos 27’/1ºT),Gustavo Bochecha e Danielzinho (Rômulo, aos 36’/2ºT);Douglas Baggio (Léo Tocantins, aos 27’/2ºT), Lucas Tocantins (Cléo Silva, aos 27’/2ºT)e Quirino (Diego Torres, 27’/2ºT).
(Técnico: Allan Aal)

Looking ahead to 2025 and the chance to welcome the reinforcements needed to ensure their Premier League safety once and for all, Crystal Palace now reportedly want to use their John Textor link to complete a stunning triple swoop.

Crystal Palace transfer news

The Eagles have at least stopped the rot in recent weeks, defeating Ipswich Town 1-0 before compiling Manchester City’s misery even further with a well-earned 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park. Now, just as their form turns a corner, Oliver Glasner will have the chance to hand Palace fans an early Christmas present in the form of victory over rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.

Still just four points ahead of the relegation zone, however, Palace’s job is far from done and January reinforcements are a must. On that front, the rumours have already started too. The likes of Romaine Esse has already been linked with a winter switch to Selhurst Park in what would see the young attacking midfielder swap Millwall and the Championship for Crystal Palace and the Premier League.

The Eagles haven’t just set their sights on the Championship though. According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Crystal Palace now want to use their Textor link to sign Rayan Cherki, Ernest Nuamah and Sael Kumbedi from Lyon in 2025. Eyeing a triple swoop, any deals should be made easier by the fact that Textor has a stake in both clubs, with Lyon in desperate need of funds.

Crystal Palace plotting January swoop for £15m gem who plays like Madueke

Crystal Palace are among multiple Premier League teams interested in signing the young winger.

ByBrett Worthington Dec 11, 2024

In fact, things are so bad that the French giants will reportedly be relegated into Ligue 2 if they fail to pay off their debts at the end of the season. And as Lyon’s scramble for funds commences, it could be Crystal Palace who take full advantage.

"Quality" Cherki can finally replace Olise

Replacing Michael Olise following his departure to Bayern Munich was never going to be an easy task for Palace in the summer and it was one that they, ultimately, failed. When the January transfer window swings open, however, they have the chance to make up for that failure by signing Cherki and adding that much-needed piece of quality to their frontline.

The attacking midfielder, who can also play on both wings, recently found himself at the centre of praise from Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig, who described the Lyon star as “pure quality”.

Alongside Eagles star Eberechi Eze, Cherki could form the partnership that Palace have lacked since Olise’s departure. Given Lyon’s financial difficulties too, it wouldn’t be absurd to suggest that Palace may be in position to land a bargain deal when the January transfer window swings open in just under a month.

At the start of the season, Arne Slot faced a few questions regarding his true tactical integrity and how much of Liverpool’s rip-roaring start was a product of Jurgen Klopp’s legacy.

For sure, some claimed the Dutchman was riding on his predecessor’s coattails, but such arguments have been reduced to flaking, brittle deadwood as Liverpool enter the new year confidently atop the Premier League and Champions League tables.

Klopp’s residual ferocity, his counter-pressing snap, can be found in this current Liverpool team. It’s like one of those lenticular paintings that shift when moving to different perspectives.

Optical illusions on the pitch can give the appearance of Klopp’s system, but make no mistake, Slot is very much his own man. He has willed and shaped the Anfield side into his own design despite the weight of the task and the bereftness of activity during the summer transfer window.

Liverpool in the Premier League – 23/24 vs 24/25

Match Stats (per 90)

23/24

24/25

Goals scored

2.11

2.50

Goals conceded

1.08

0.94

Possession

61.3

56.9

Progressive passes

55.5

47.7

Progressive carries

24.3

21.4

Ball recoveries

53.5

44.3

Tackles won

11.0

11.7

Duels won

48.9%

51.2%

Stats via FBref

Sidenote: See the table above; Liverpool are more relaxed in their build-up, less frenetic and energetic. However, they are scoring more and conceding less. This is the marker of Slot’s genius, calming things down through phases while ensuring that his side retain the ability to ramp it up to the nth degree when the situation demands.

Federico Chiesa was snapped up for an eye-catching £12.5m but has only featured four times as he battles injuries. With Darwin Nunez’s future somewhat unclear too, FSG could authorise a statement signing this year – and perhaps even this month.

Liverpool eyeing new forward

As per Sky Sports, Liverpool have shortlisted Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo and may move to sign him this year. While the door is not closed on January spending, resolving Anfield’s contractual concerns is the pressing issue.

Mbeumo’s a prized signature after his prolific performances in the Premier League this term, with reliable reports suggesting that Newcastle United are also in the race and willing to pay £50m this month, though they are wary of PSR restrictions.

Liverpool boast the world’s best right winger in Mohamed Salah but with Chiesa homesick, peripheral and looking for a way out, this could be the perfect move to bolster Slot’s thriving frontline.

Bryan Mbeumo's season in numbers

Mbeumo has been a part of Brentford’s remarkable journey under Thomas Frank’s management, notching 105 goal contributions over 222 appearances.

Joining from Troyes in French Ligue 2 in 2019, Mbeumo has achieved modern-legend status in west London and, still only 24 years old, will feel that his best days lie ahead.

And rightly so. Regarded as one of the Premier League’s most exciting forwards, his goal against Arsenal on New Year’s Day was his 45th since the start of the 2022/23 campaign, placing him seventh in the division since that timeframe, directly behind Alexander Isak.

Premier League – Top Scorers 24/25

Rank

Player

Apps

Goals

1.

Mohamed Salah

18

17

2.

Erling Haaland

19

14

3.

Alexander Isak

17

12

3.

Cole Palmer

19

12

5.

Bryan Mbeumo

19

11

5.

Chris Wood

19

11

Sourced via Premier League

He’s always there, hunting down goals, but he’s not just a marksman. As per FBref, Mbeumo actually ranks among the top 9% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for shot-creating actions and progressive passes, the top 12% for progressive carries and successful take-ons and the top 14% for tackles per 90. He’s the complete package.

In fact, such metrics have seen him compared to players such as Isak and Nunez, among forwards in his position across Europe’s top five leagues. The Liverpool striker has his faults, to be sure, but he’s still imbued with a kind of electricity and chaoticness that convinced Liverpool to pay for his services.

And Isak. Well. Wouldn’t Liverpool like to sign the kind of forward who could replicate some of the Newcastle man’s quality?

A Darwin Nunez & Alexander Isak hybrid

Imagine a player carrying properties distinctive to both Nunez and Isak. Imagine the kind of player you’d get. Mbeumo could be that type of striker for Liverpool, one who can shift between number nine and the flank.

It could be an irresistible recipe for success. After all, Slot has demonstrated through Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz that he is willing to field wide players in central striking roles to great effect.

For example, Mbeumo has scored 20 Premier League goals since the summer of 2023, missing only 14 big chances in that timeframe, as per Sofascore.

Isak, one of the deadliest finishers on the continent, has missed 30 big chances since 2023/24, albeit scoring 33 goals since. Nunez represents the converse, having scored just 13 Premier League goals in the discussed timeframe, missing, however, 30 big chances, embarrassingly matching Isak.

It’s grim reading for Nunez acolytes, albeit they can take solace in the fact that Liverpool’s agent of chaos is a thorny customer, using his athletic style and dynamism to help his team toward their goal.

He ranks among the top 14% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 3% for tackles per 90, which is impressive, but we can see that Mbeumo would implement a tactical strategy that could negate Nunez’s role, his expertise while bringing a whole new cutting edge to complement the likes of Salah and Cody Gakpo.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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While Mbeumo wouldn’t provide Liverpool with the ball-striking ability of Isak, they could mimic it in their own form. This is enough. More than enough. Liverpool perhaps boast the finest frontline in the country under Slot, and Mbeumo, described as an “output machine” by producer Michael Johnston, would make it even better. It’s as simple as that.

Related Worth more than Trent: Liverpool have hit gold on £115m star in the making

Arne Slot has turned this Liverpool talent into a superstar.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Jan 2, 2025

Chloe Kelly would welcome the opportunity to make her loan spell at Arsenal permanent, with the England international enjoying her football again.

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• Joined Gunners on short-term deal
• Contract at Manchester City running down
• Hopes to remain in north London

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  That was not always the case towards the end of her stint at Manchester City, as game time became limited as her contract ran down. A deal was eventually agreed that allowed the Euro 2022 winner to return to her roots in London.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kelly has been among the goals for the Gunners, while registering another assist in their 4-0 Women's Super League win over Crystal Palace. The 27-year-old is putting her experience and ability to good use alongside fellow Lionesses Beth Mead, Alessia Russo and Leah Williamson.

• WHAT CHLOE KELLY SAID

  Quizzed on whether she would like to remain at Arsenal beyond the end of the season, Kelly told : “This is a great club. I think, for me, I just want to focus on being the best I can be every day to contribute to this amazing club, amazing team. I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring me here on loan. Of course, I’m still contracted to Manchester City, so I think I have to show respect, but I think for me, I just want to be at my best every single day, give what I can for this season. And who knows what the future holds.”

• Getty
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Kelly added on rediscovering her passion for the game: “It’s been great. I always said I really wanted to get my smile back and this club has has done just that for me and I’m very grateful and you can see when I have a smile on my face, I just play free and I have good energy. For me that’s what it’s all about. I think when Renee [Slegers] gives that confidence to you, you just have to show and repay that. I’m just having fun, so when I’m having fun, I’m at my best.”

Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta drew comparisons with Justice League's Cyborg after donning special headgear on his return from a head injury.

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Mateta suffered horror head injuryReturns with special headgearFans revel in eye-catching appearanceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Mateta was rushed to hospital after being accidentally kicked in the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the last-16 of the FA Cup. After having 25 stitches on his ear, the Frenchman was back in the starting lineup for their quarter-final clash at Fulham on Saturday – prompting a big reaction on social media due to his head protection.

AdvertisementWHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

@brentmannerss posted on X: "JP Mateta out here looking like Cyborg from Justice League…stinks of a hat-trick for the boy #boomboomboom."

@DANTC46 tweeted: "What is Mateta wearing, looks like he is playing Call of Duty. These players are too pampered nowadays #mateta."

@kav_paul commented: "Looking at Mateta's ear protection, I do hope he can hear okay through that ear! #CPFC."

@MattyT_631 put: "Mateta is a G for playing," though @DannyMa42210645 criticised: "Mateta seems to be a bit cautious, not really getting involved at all."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Palace star Mateta, who has been linked with a Manchester United move, feared he would suffer a bleed on the brain as a result of the challenge but less than a month later, he is back playing for his club.

AFPWHAT NEXT?

Mateta will hope to return to Premier League action when Palace travel to relegation-threatened Southampton on Wednesday.

Four quick wickets before lunch brought Sussex back into the contest

ECB Reporters Network14-Jun-2022

Eddie Byrom joined Colin Ingram in the 170s•Getty Images

Sussex 376 and 86 for 2 (Clark 32*, Carter 22*) trail Glamorgan 494 (Ingram 178, Byrom 176) trail by 32 runsDespite a flurry of early morning wickets pegging them back, Glamorgan have finished the third day of the LV= Insurance County Championship match against Sussex with a chance to push for victory.The day started with Eddie Byrom and Colin Ingram taking their outstanding partnership past 300 before four quick wickets before lunch brought Sussex back into the contest.Glamorgan’s lower order took their score to 494, a first-innings lead of 118, with Byrom making a career-best 176 and Ingram dismissed for 178.Two early wickets, and Ingram picking up a third from the last ball of the day, has left Sussex with work to do to save this game, still 29 runs behind Glamorgan going into the final day.Having resumed with their partnership on 253, Ingram and Byrom took their stand to 328, the highest ever stand for the second wicket for Glamorgan, going past the 291 put on by Nick Selman and Marnus Labuschagne against the same opposition in 2019.It was a pretty miserable first 90 minutes of the day for Sussex with wicket-keeper Tim Seifert dropping a simple chance to dismiss Byrom for 126 being the lowlight, but the cluster of wickets before the lunch interval brought them back into the game.It was Ingram’s wicket which ended the partnership with Byrom, Henry Crocombe the bowler to make the breakthrough. Ingram’s attempted pull shot caught was at mid-wicket with Tom Alsop the fielder.Having waited so long for a second wicket Sussex had Glamorgan five down in quick time. Sam Northeast was bowled first ball with a lovely yorker as two wickets fell in as many balls. It was Crocombe who also got the fourth Glamorgan wicket with Kiran Carlson given out caught behind. Crocombe would go on to claim a career-best 4 for 84 in the Glamorgan first innings.When Sean Hunt trapped Billy Root lbw for 5 Glamorgan had lost four wickets in the space of 17 runs and were still 28 runs behind the Sussex innings.The sixth Glamorgan wicket fell with Sussex still four runs in front, Hunt bowling James Weighell for 16 and the home side were in danger of squandering the fantastic position they found themselves in overnight. Some excellent lower-order contributions took them to a lead of 118, one that could be telling at the end of this game.Byrom was dismissed just after Glamorgan had claimed maximum batting points but Michael Neser and Andrew Salter hung around with Chris Cooke who was batting at 10 with a runner due to the calf injury he sustained on the first day.The evening session saw Sussex attempting to erase the first-innings deficit on a pitch that had the odd ball keeping low. Sussex lost both openers early on to add more pressure, Alsop and Tom Haines both falling with the score on 29.First-innings centurion, Oli Carter was at the crease at the close but Tom Clark failed to keep out a ball from Ingram that trickled into his stumps to have him bowled for 34 by the last ball of the day.The draw is still the favourite result, but a Glamorgan victory is the close second.

Wrexham’s rise up the leagues has been extraordinary, with owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney transforming the Welsh side both on and off the pitch.

Reynolds and McElhenney have splashed the cash on a number of signings since arriving in 2020, with the Red Dragons eventually hoping to be playing Premier League football.

But who is the current record signing at the Racecourse Ground? We’ve taken a look at Wrexham’s most expensive signings in their history, with the help of Transfermarkt and news reports.

Rank

Player

Fee

Signed from

Year

Nathan Broadhead

£7.5m

Ipswich Town

2025

Ben Sheaf

£6.5m

Coventry City

2025

Callum Doyle

£5m

Manchester City

2025

Lewis O’Brien

£3m

Nottingham Forest

2025

Liberato Cacace

£2.1m

Empoli

2025

Conor Coady

£2m

Leicester City

2025

Kieffer Moore

£2m

Sheffield United

2025

Sam Smith

£2m

Reading

2025

George Thomason

£1.2m

Bolton Wanderers

2025

Ryan Hardie

£700k

Plymouth Argyle

2025

Mo Faal

£500k

West Brom

2024

Ryan Longman

£500k

Hull City

2025

Ollie Rathbone

£414k

Rotherham United

2024

Lewis Brunt

£400k

Leicester

2024

Seb Revan

£350k

Aston Villa

2024

Dan Scarr

£300k

Plymouth Argyle

2024

Ollie Palmer

£300k

AFC Wimbledon

2022

James McClean

£250k

Wigan Athletic

2023

Joey Jones

£210k

Liverpool

1978

Ben Tozer

£200k

Cheltenham

2021

Andy Marriott

£200k

Nottingham Forest

1993

Celtic are set to take an astonishing lead of 14 points at the top of the Scottish Premiership table into the new year after their 4-0 win over St Johnstone on Sunday.

The Hoops secured a comprehensive victory at Parkhead at the weekend to ensure that they start 2025 in a sensational position in the division, with Rangers dropping points against Motherwell to help extend the gap.

Kyogo Furuhashi scored twice and Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda both got on the scoresheet, whilst Kasper Schmeichel kept his 15th clean sheet in 18 matches.

The Bhoys have won 16 and drawn two of their 18 games in the league, dropping points away at Dundee United and at home to Aberdeen, so far, and are on course to win a fourth straight title.

Celtic’s immense form in the division, however, does not mean that Brendan Rodgers will not be looking at ways to improve his side in the January transfer window, which officially opens for business on Wednesday.

The Scottish giants will constantly be looking at ways to improve, particularly with the knockout stages of the Champions League potentially to come in 2025, and are reportedly eyeing a new midfielder.

Celtic eyeing English midfielder

According to The Boot Room, Celtic are lining up a swoop to sign Burnley central midfielder Josh Brownhill at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The report claims that the 29-year-old star has not accepted the new contract on the table from the English Championship side, with his current deal due to expire next summer.

This means that the former Bristol City dynamo is due to become a free agent at the end of the season, and will be available for pre-contract talks with teams from Scotland and Europe – outside of England – in the January transfer window.

The Boot Room adds that Fiorentina and Lazio have already placed their cards on the table with offers to sign the English gem on a free transfer.

It adds that both Celtic and Rangers are also interested in landing the experienced whiz and are considering their own offers to bring him up to Glasgow, although it remains to be known whether or not he would be interested in moving to Scotland.

West Ham, Leeds United, Crystal Palace, and Brentford are among the English sides said to be keen on Brownhill, but they would not be able to negotiate a pre-contract deal in January and would have to wait until the summer, unless they looked to reach an agreement with Burnley for a permanent transfer in January.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

This shows that there is plenty of competition for the Burnley captain’s signature and that it will not be an easy move for Celtic to get over the line, particularly with offers already coming in from the Serie A.

His form for the Clarets in the Championship this season, however, suggests that he is a player worth fighting for, as the English ace could be an excellent addition to Rodgers’ squad and the perfect midfield partner for Arne Engels.

Arne Engels' form this season

The Celtic board sanctioned a club-record deal of £11m to sign the Belgium international from German side Augsburg in the summer transfer window, after Matt O’Riley was sold to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Engels arrived as a young player who needed time to develop and grow before hitting his stride at Parkhead, but has still been expected to deliver on the pitch given the money that was spent on him.

The Belgian starlet has produced five goals and eight assists in 24 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops to date, including one goal and three assists in six Champions League matches.

Appearances

15

Starts

10

Goals

4

Big chances created

4

Key passes per game

1.4

Assists

1

As you can see in the table above, Engels has been incredibly unfortunate with the quality of finishing from his teammates in the Premiership so far this term.

They have only rewarded him with one assist from the four ‘big chances’ and 21 key passes that he has produced for them, which suggests that too many players have been wasteful with their efforts in the final third.

This is why Brownhill could come in as a perfect signing for Engels in the middle of the park, as the pair could combine to lethal effect at the top end of the pitch.

Why Celtic should sign Josh Brownhill

Celtic could land a bargain by securing a deal to bring the English maestro to Parkhead on a free transfer at the end of the season, or in a cut-price deal in January, because his form in the Championship has been outstanding.

In the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, Brownhill produced four goals and two assists in 23 starts as his side were relegated from the top-flight.

That came after the former Bristol City star had racked up seven goals and eight assists in 41 appearances during the 2022/23 campaign, in which Vincent Kompany’s team won the Championship title.

Burnley dropped back to the second tier in England this season and his form has, once again, caught the eye with his contributions at the top end of the pitch.

Appearances

23

xG

4.69

Goals

9

Big chances created

3

Assists

3

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.4

As you can see in the table above, Brownhill has been incredibly efficient in front of goal from a midfield position, with nine goals from just 4.69 xG in the Championship.

The £45k-per-week ace, who was hailed as “fabulous” by pundit Lee Hendrie, has the quality to make the most of the chances that his teammates create for him, with 13 goals from 6.63 xG since the start of last season.

This suggests that the Celtic target would be the perfect signing for Engels, as the Belgian whiz would have another player capable of taking advantage of the ‘big chances’ that he is able to create in the Premiership, making them a lethal pairing.

Rodgers could land big Maeda upgrade in Celtic swoop for £5m talent

Celtic could improve the quality of their attack by making this signing in January.

ByDan Emery Dec 27, 2024

Bukayo Saka has been told he needs to decide whether to remain a one-club man or go and win silverware elsewhere.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Saka's ambition questioned
• May have to move to win trophies
• Contract is up in 2027

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Saka returned from a three-month hamstring injury with a goal against Fulham on Tuesday evening, but his side's title bid has stalled in his absence and the Champions League is their last chance to avoid another trophyless season. Former Manchester City winger and Premier League title-winner Shaun Wright-Phillips has questioned Saka's motivations, claiming he may have to leave to become a serial title-winner.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Saka has won just one trophy since breaking into the Arsenal first team, an unused substitute for the 2020 FA Cup final. Kylian Mbappe signed for Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer with England team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold set to follow in the coming months – and Wright-Phillips suggests a move to Spain could pay off for Saka. Arsenal have been stung in previous circumstances before, when they were forced to sell star striker Robin van Persie to Manchester United with one year remaining on his deal in 2012.

• WHAT WRIGHT-PHILLIPS SAID

  Wright-Phillips told : "In Saka's position, does he want to be a one club man, or does he actually want to go and win silverware? I’m not saying Arsenal won’t win anything, but players know that if they sign for Real Madrid, they’re going to get a medal every season. That could be in their thought processes. From what I see, Saka and [William] Saliba love the club. So for them not to sign new contracts, that would catch me off guard."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SAKA?

  Saka is fully fit for the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid beginning next week, but is first back in action for the Gunners' trip to Everton on Saturday.