Arsenal are believed to still be pursuing Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, despite recently adding Eberechi Eze to their ranks alongside fellow attacking stars Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres this summer.
The north Londoners also agreed a new deal with Leandro Trossard, which includes a pay rise, so the Belgian won’t be going anywhere this summer with two years remaining on the contract (BBC).
Eze, while viewed as a central playmaker to fill the void left by Kai Havertz’s injury, can also play on the left-wing when required, so it would seem that Arteta has more than enough options on that side with Gabriel Martinelli too.
On the right, Arsenal also have Madueke and star man Bukayo Saka, so any move for Rodrygo at this very late stage of the window would be both a surprise and a real statement of intent from Andrea Berta.
Rodrygo in action for Real Madrid.
Berta has been linked with a move for the Brazil international all summer, holding exploratory talks as far back as May, and that interest apparently remains.
The 24-year-old, who scored 14 goals and registered 11 assists in all competitions last season, was left out of Brazil’s latest international squad by Carlo Ancelotti – which has cast further doubt on his future.
While Rodrygo started Los Blancos’ latest La Liga win over Real Oviedo, he was benched for their opening weekend win over Osasuna, and Xabi Alonso’s hesitancy to start the winger regularly appears to be having consequences.
What Real Madrid have told Rodrygo's agents with Arsenal deal on
As per journalist Graeme Bailey, speaking to TBR Football, intermediaries are working on a potential Arsenal or Man City deal for Rodrygo behind-the-scenes.
What’s more, Real have sent a clear message to Rodrygo and his reps – that he’s free to leave before the deadline on September 1.
However, when it comes to the ‘right offer’, this still may be too high for Arsenal or City.
According to reliable media sources, the lowest bid Real could entertain for him as we approach deadline day is around £51.5 million, which is still a hefty sum considering Berta is also trying to sign Piero Hincapie to replace the potentially exit-bound Jakub Kiwior.
That being said, a player of Rodrygo’s quality and versatility would add even more dynamism to Arsenal’s attack, and amid serious competition from Liverpool, it could be something worth considering.
Jacob Duffy’s international career has been a stop-start one. Since making his T20I debut in December 2020, he has largely been on the bench, with Tim Southee ahead of him in the pecking order. Till 2023, he did not play more than four T20Is in a calendar year. But in 2024, he was given more chances, and that’s helped him build his rhythm and finally deliver “genuine and match-winning contributions”.”I think it’s just nice to be able to contribute towards the New Zealand team,” he said after the third T20I against Sri Lanka. “I’ve sort of been around a while now, doing little bits here and there without probably really any genuine and match-winning contributions. To have that sort of impact on a game and a series is pretty special and hopefully more to come.”Duffy played seven T20Is in 2024, the last two of which were the two wins in the home series against Sri Lanka, which ended 2-1 in New Zealand’s favour after Sri Lanka picked up a consolation win on Thursday. He picked up seven wickets in those two wins which earned him Player-of-the-Series award.Related
Sears out of Champions Trophy with hamstring tear; Duffy brought into squad
Jacob Duffy the slayer as Sri Lanka suffer horror collapse
Jacob Duffy lands knockout blows to claim 2-0 series lead
Perera ton gives Sri Lanka consolation win
Duffy announced himself on the international stage with a four-for on debut, but since then he had only managed seven wickets in 13 T20Is before the start of this series.In the first game in Mount Maunganui, when Sri Lanka were cruising in their chase of 173, Duffy shifted the momentum with a triple-wicket over which included removing Kusal Perera and Kamindu Mendis for ducks. It was a blow Sri Lanka couldn’t recover from, triggering a slide as the visitors fell eight runs short.In the second game, Duffy removed both of Sri Lanka’s highest scorers – Perera and Pathum Nissanka – to help bowl them out for 141, sealing a 45-run win, while also registering career-best figures of 4 for 15.Duffy will now want to take his momentum into the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, and with Southee having retired from international cricket, he hopes to cement his position in New Zealand’s white-ball sides.”I guess in my role, I guess sitting behind Tim [Southee] really for a long time, You might get a game here or two games here and you just don’t quite get the comfortability at an international level but a momentum,” Duffy said.”So to get a whole series and go out and perform and start feeling a little bit more at home, that’s got a huge sort of mental positive for me. So hopefully more of that come ODI series and just hungry for more international cricket.”
Luis Diaz admitted to having talks with Barcelona over a possible move from Liverpool in the summer transfer window before the 28-year-old winger joined Bayern Munich. The Colombian had been on Barca's list of targets as they pursued a new attacker but ultimately lost out as he pushed for Liverpool to accept the German club's bid instead.
Luis Diaz confirms Barcelona talks in the summer
Buzzing from Bayern's latest win against Chelsea in the opening fixture of the Champions League, the Bayern attacker confirmed that Barcelona were chasing his signature this summer. However, he chose to join Bayern instead as he believed it was an best decision for his career, signing a four-year contract upon a €70 million (£60m/$82m) transfer.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDiaz is extremely happy having joined Bayern Munich
Diaz told : "I am very happy to be at this great club. There have been talks [with Barca], as is usual in the market, with several teams. I made an objective decision about my future, and the most important thing is that I'm coming to a great club. So I'll try to do my best."
Diaz, on his win against Chelsea, said: "I'm very happy with the win; it lives up to our expectations. A start like this is important for the team to stay calm. Now it's time to rest."
Barcelona's pursuit of a winger this summer
Barca's pursuit of a winger during the summer 2025 transfer window began with strong interest in Liverpool's Diaz, considered a top target, but talks stalled due to Liverpool's unwillingness to negotiate. The focus then shifted to Athletic Club's Nico Williams, leading to a month-long saga that collapsed over his insistence on an exit clause and registration guarantees, after which he extended his stay at Bilbao. In the end, the Blaugrana turned to Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, securing him on a season-long loan with an option to buy-a pragmatic move shaped by financial and registration constraints.
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AFPWhat lies ahead for Diaz and Barcelona
While Diaz has won his opening Champions League clash against Chelsea, Barca are heading to St. James' Park to face Newcastle on Thursday without teenage star Lamine Yamal. However, coach Hansi Flick is optimistic, with Rashford starting in his place for this crucial match.
The fast bowler will miss the remainder of the SA20 season as well
Firdose Moonda15-Jan-2025South Africa have been dealt a massive blow ahead of the Champions Trophy after Anrich Nortje was ruled out with a back injury. Nortje has not played any international cricket since the T20 World Cup last June and was due to make a return for the white-ball series against Pakistan but broke his toe in the nets. He has since not played at all for his SA20 franchise, Pretoria Capitals, and has also been ruled out of South Africa’s marquee T20 tournament. South Africa will name a replacement for the Champions Trophy squad imminently.Gerald Coetzee, who has returned to action for the Joburg Super Kings after sustaining a groin injury in the Durban Test against Sri Lanka last November is the likeliest replacement. South Africa’s white-ball coach Rob Walter, who is also the sole selector of his squads, explained his initial selection was a straight shootout between Nortje and Coetzee, and he opted for Nortje’s experience over Coetzee. He also indicated he was confident in Nortje being declared fit. “He’s an ultimate professional. He looks after himself, takes care of his conditioning. From my side, I trust him and trust that he’ll be ready to go,” Walter said on Monday.Just over 48 hours later, a Cricket South Africa press release said Nortje had undergone scans on Monday afternoon and “is not expected to recover in time for the 50-over tournament.”This is the third time in the last six ICC events that Nortje has been ruled out through injury, and all of them are ODI tournaments. He was due to play at the 2019 World Cup but broke his thumb in the lead-up to the tournament, then missed the 2023 World Cup with a suspected stress fracture of the lower back and is now out of the 2025 Champions Trophy. Nortje has played in all three T20 World Cups he has been available for – 2021, 2022 and 2024 – but has opted out of a national contract as he aimed to manage his workloads. He has not played ODIs since September 2023 and Tests since March 2023.In a summer where South Africa suffered a spate of fast bowling injuries, Nortje’s is among the most severe. Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi (both groin) and Wiaan Mulder (broken finger) have all returned to play but Nandre Burger (lower back stress fracture) and Lizaad Williams (knee) are out for the rest of the season.
Before Nair’s fireworks, Yash Rathod and Dhruv Shorey scored hundreds to set the platform for a comfortable win
Shashank Kishore16-Jan-2025
File photo – Karun Nair continued his excellent form•Maharaja T20
Karun Nair’s glorious run of form brought him an unbeaten 44-ball 88 as Vidarbha beat Maharashtra comfortably in the second semi-final of the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy. The result sets up a fascinating prospect where Nair will be up against Karnataka, his former team, in Saturday’s final.Nair narrowly missed out on a fifth straight List A century only because he ran out of time. That he even got close to one is because of a sensational end-overs acceleration. On 51 off 35 balls with two overs remaining, Nair hit four sixes and three fours in the last two overs. This included a sensational sequence of 4, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6 in the final over against Rajneesh Gurbani, who was up against his former team. Nair took his run tally to 752 runs while being dismissed just once.The only time Nair didn’t middle something was while attempting a couple of reverse sweeps early in his innings to build on the platform laid by the openers. But that didn’t stop him from being enterprising, as he played some delicate paddles, audacious scoops as well as some clean strikes down the ground – he hit nine fours and five sixes in all.After being put in, and setting a target for the first time in the tournament, Vidarbha posted 380 for 3, the last seven overs alone producing 108. Nair’s sensational late carnage came on the back of a 224-run opening stand between Dhruv Shorey and Yash Rathod in 34.2 overs. Jitesh Sharma, who came in at No. 4, also cashed in, hitting a 33-ball 51 in a 93-run stand with Nair off just 59 deliveries.Maharashtra’s chase didn’t take off till the 30th over, when they were 153 for 3. Except for a four-over window from here, where Ankit Bawne and Arshin Kulkarni upped the ante with an array of stunning shots, the intent to make a serious pitch to scale down their target seemed missing.File photo – Yash Rathod was the Player of the Match for his 116•PTI
It didn’t help that they lost Ruturaj Gaikwad in the third over when he top-edged a pull off Darshan Nalkande and was sensationally caught by Jitesh, who covered nearly 30 yards to his left before diving full-stretch to pluck a one-handed stunner.Rahul Tripathi, their other big-match player capable of taking the attack to the opposition from get-go, made an attractive 27 off 19 before a heave across the line had him nicking behind in the ninth over. This is when Kulkarni appeared to have gotten stuck, on the face of some impressive bowling from Vidarbha, particularly from Yash Thakur, who was zippy, and Harsh Dubey, who was able to keep it tight with his left-arm spin.Despite Kulkarni putting on a half-century stand with Siddhesh Veer, Maharashtra lacked the middle-overs firepower that allowed them to put any kind of pressure on Vidarbha as the game meandered until it briefly came alive in that short window after the 30th over. But those hopes ended when Kulkarni and Bawne fell in quick succession after scoring 90 and 50 respectively. Kulkarni’s runs came at a strike rate of 89.10 when the requirement was much higher.Earlier in the day, Shorey began with three fours in the very first over off Gurbani, while Rathod brought the typical left-hander’s flair to get going as he climbed into left-arm seamer Mukesh Choudhary. The pair accelerated steadily, bringing their half-centuries in the 19th over.Rathod was the more adventurous against spin and used his feet superbly to hit both with and against the turn. He brought up his second List A century of the season off just 90 balls in the 31st over and then tried to up the scoring. Shorey got there soon after, zipping through the 90s with two back-to-back boundaries and then bringing up his second straight hundred off 104 deliveries.Maharashtra had their chances but they didn’t take. In the 24th over, they should have had Shorey for 57 when he got a bottom edge to wicketkeeper Nikhil Naik off Siddesh Veer. Had Maharashtra opted to review, they would have been able to overturn the on-field decision of not out. In Veer’s next over, Naik missed a stumping chance to dismiss Rathod on 76.Then in the 45th over, Jitesh was put down on 19 when Naik failed to latch on to a skier to make it a forgettable day that even his 49 late in the second innings couldn’t quite compensate for. Nair, too, received a reprieve when, on 30, he was put down by Pradeep Dadhe at fine leg.Whatever Nair did on the field from there on worked magically as Vidarbha recorded their eighth successive win to secure a maiden entry into the Vijay Hazare final.
Leeds United were given a reality check on Saturday when they were hammered 5-0 by Arsenal at The Emirates in their first away game of the Premier League season.
The Whites beat Everton 1-0 at Elland Road on the opening day of the season, lifting the mood instantly, but were brought crashing back down to earth against the Gunners.
During the Sky Sports commentary of the clash with Arsenal, Gary Neville noted that the starting front three for Leeds needed everything to be “perfect” for them to make an impact, due to their lack of physicality.
That front three included Dan James, Joel Piroe, and Wilfried Gnonto, who were all key players in the Championship title-winning campaign last term. The Premier League is a different beast to the Championship, as Neville explained, and Daniel Farke needs more physicality in his frontline.
Leeds will be well aware that they will not be able to be in control in matches as much as they were in the second tier, which means that they will have to do a lot more scrapping and fighting to earn points at this level.
That is why the 2024/25 Championship top goalscorer, Piroe, may eventually find himself watching on from the sidelines more often than not.
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To his credit, Farke has tried to remain fairly faithful to the players who got the club to the Premier League in the first two matches, starting the Dutch striker in both games ahead of Lukas Nmecha.
Unfortunately, however, Piroe’s lack of physicality has already been very apparent. The striker has lost ten of his 11 duels in the top-flight so far, per Sofascore, which shows that oppostion centre-backs have found it far too easy to get the better of him in physical battles.
This is not a new concern over the former Swansea City marksman, though, as the left-footed centre-forward struggled with the physicality of the Championship at times in the 2024/25 campaign as well.
24/25 Championship
Joel Piroe per 90
Percentile rank vs STs
Dribble success rate
31.8%
Bottom 27%
Successful dribbles
0.41
Bottom 35%
Fouls won
0.44
Bottom 9%
Duels won
2.24
Bottom 3%
Duel success rate
26.9%
Bottom 10%
Aerial duels won
0.90
Bottom 12%
Aerial duel success rate
21.4%
Bottom 17%
Stats via FotMob
As you can see in the table above, Piroe ranked very poorly among his positional peers in a host of physically-based metrics, which is why his start to the Premier League season has not been a surprise.
Leeds were a dominant team that did not need to scrap for second balls and constantly engage in duels in the Championship, which allowed the striker to simply focus on tucking away chances, which he did very well.
Piroe scored 19 goals for Leeds last season, per Sofascore, but his lack of physicality may prevent him from making a similar impact in the Premier League.
Leeds make contact to sign LaLiga star
That is why a fresh report linking the Championship champions with interest in a physical forward should come as very bad news to the current Whites striker.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to AS, as relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs to have made an approach to Getafe over a potential deal to sign Christantus Uche this summer.
The report claims that the Whites have made contact with the Spanish side to register their interest in the versatile attacker, but they have not formalised their interest with an offer as of yet.
It adds that Sunderland, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Burnley have also made contact with Getafe in pursuit of a possible deal for the Nigeria international.
AS also reveals that Getafe are preparing to cash in on Uche to improve the club’s finances and have currently set an asking price of around £17m, but it remains to be seen whether or not any of the four mentioned clubs are prepared to pay that much for him.
Why this is bad news for Joel Piroe
As aforementioned, Piroe’s lack of physicality appears to be an issue for him, and the team, in the Premier League, and it could cost him his place in the starting XI.
The club’s reported interest in signing Uche is, perhaps, a sign that Farke recognises the need for more physicality at the top end of the pitch, because the Getafe star is an incredibly physical attacker.
In fact, the Nigerian star has played 31 times as a central or defensive midfielder in his career, per Transfermarkt, and U23 scout Antonio Mango claimed that he could be developed into a “midfield monster”.
Whilst, due to his experience and potential to play in that role, Farke could utilise Uche in the middle of the park, the 22-year-old played as a striker for Jose Bordalas against Celta Vigo on the opening day of the LaLiga season.
Uche scored and grabbed an assist in a 2-0 win for Getafe away at Celta Vigo, and the clip above shows how the attacker used his mobility and strength to find the back of the net.
Uche (LaLiga)
24/25
25/26
Appearances
33
1
xG
3.73
1.01
Goals
4
1
Big chances created
7
1
Assists
6
1
Duels won per game
6.8
9.0
Aerial duel success rate
42%
75%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the £17m-rated forward also showcased his physicality in LaLiga last season, winning 6.8 duels per game on average, compared to Piroe’s 2.24 in the Championship.
Whilst, perhaps because of his outings in midfield as well as up front, Uche is not a prolific goalscorer who is likely to go and score 15 or 20 goals in the Premier League, the Getafe star could be the physical outlet that Leeds are currently lacking.
Leeds United manager DanielFarkecelebrates after the match
Having a ‘monster’ like Uche to hold the ball up, win flick-ons, and compete with Premier League centre-backs in duels could help the Whites in tight games where they will not be in complete control of the ball.
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Not just Gruev: Farke must drop 4/10 Leeds star who lost 100% duels
Daniel Farke should ruthlessly drop this Leeds flop as well as Ilia Gruev for the next Premier League game.
ByDan Emery Aug 24, 2025
This is why the club’s interest in the forward is bad news for Piroe, because the 22-year-old star is the profile of player who could send the Dutchman down to the bench.
Celtic simply require more signings before the transfer window closes on 1 September.
Earlier this week, the club confirmed the arrival of teenage centre-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, joining on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
He becomes Brendan Rodgers’ seventh summer recruit, but his squad is still lacking attacking quality, following the sale of Nicolas Kühn to Como.
Benjamin Nygren has arrived from Nordsjælland, making his debut from the start last Sunday against St Mirren, while new striker Shin Yamada, who’s come in from Kawasaki Frontale, was an unused substitute on flag day, hoping to see some action against Aberdeen at Pittodrie this forthcoming weekend.
Nicolas Kuhn
Nevertheless, in need of top-end talent, could Celtic return to a familiar source?
Celtic's English Football League signings
Celtic’s scouting department scour far and wide for new signings, but one of their favourite pools of talent remains the English Football League, as the table below documents.
Selected Celtic’s EFL signings (2010-present)
Players
Signed for fee
Appearances
Sold for fee
Adam Idah
£8.5m
73
Current player
Auston Trusty
£6m
38
Current player
Matt O’Riley
£1.5m
124
£25m
Scott Sinclair
£3.5m
167
Free
Moussa Dembélé
£500,000
94
£19.7m
Leigh Griffiths
£1m
262
Free
Joe Ledley
Free
157
£800,000
Gary Hooper
£2.4m
138
£5m
Kris Commons
£300,000
227
Retired
All statistics and information courtesy of Transfermarkt
As the table documents, Celtic have unearthed plenty of gems from within the EFL during the last decade and a half, but none have proved to be more profitable than Matt O’Riley.
The Danish international was signed by Ange Postecoglou from Milton Keynes in January 2022 for just £1.5m, and would go on to make 124 appearances in hoops, scoring 27 goals and registering 35 assists.
His tally of 19 goals during his final season in Glasgow saw O’Riley named Celtic’s Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year, earning a £25m move to Brighton soon after, equaling the Celts’ club-record sale.
So now, could Celtic complete a similar move, one which possibly has as much upside?
Celtic's search for new forwards
According to journalist Ron Walker, Wycombe Wanderers have lowered their asking price for forward Richard Kone to £3m plus add-ons, with the 22-year-old into the final year of his contract; he did not feature in the Chairboys’ EFL League One opener against Bradford City on Saturday.
Richard Kone
Earlier in the window, it was reported that Celtic were interested in signing the striker, but were put off by the £7m asking price; has that situation now changed?
Back in January, Wycombe rejected a £6m bid from Luton Town for their star forward, but are now desperate to cash in to avoid him departing on a Bosman in a year’s time.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Fair to say, Kone has taken an unusual route into professional football.
He arrived in the UK in 2019 to represent Côte d’Ivoire at the Homeless World Cup, staying in the country and joining Athletic Newham in the Essex Senior League, part of England’s ninth-tier, playing for them for five years.
His big breakthrough came in January 2024, offered a trial at Wycombe, impressing so much that he then signed a full-time contract, which has certainly proved to be a worthwhile decision.
Speaking on CBS’ Morning Footy, Wycombe legend Adebayo Akinfenwa asserted that “if Hollywood was going to have a script for a story, this would be it”.
That’s because, last season, Kone scored 25 goals in all competitions for the Blues, his first full campaign as a professional, thereby awarded both EFL League One player of the season and young player of the season.
Richard Kone
Writer Kai Watson labels him a “mentality monster”, praising his ‘exemplary’ dribbling and link-up play, as well as his positioning in the penalty area and out of possession ‘work rate’.
So, let’s outline his statistics from last season.
Richard Kone 2024/25 EFL League One statistics
Statistics
Kone
League One rank
Goals
18
3rd
Shots
100
5th
Shots on target
40
5th
Shots per 90
3.28
3rd
Successful dribbles
44
16th
Big chances missed
16
6th
Statistics courtesy of FBref.com and SofaScore
As the table documents, Kone ranked highly for all attacking metrics included, very much a high-volume shooter, performing in, according to Global Football Rankings, the 53rd strongest league in the world, which is just ten spots below the Scottish Premiership.
Scouted Magazine asserted that, ‘in a couple of years’ time, Kone will be worth £25m, forecasting a similar astronomical rise in valuation that O’Riley enjoyed, so the Ivorian could prove to be the latest in a long line of transfer market bargains Celtic snap up.
Celtic could repeat Hooper masterclass by signing "extraordinary" £7m star
Celtic could find their next Gary Hooper with a swoop to sign this target from the lower league in England.
The INEOS hierarchy at Manchester United has been hellbent on avoiding the same mistakes as the previous regime, although there does appear to be a real sense of Deja Vu with regard to Jason Wilcox’s pursuit of a new centre-forward.
Rewind two years ago, with then-boss Erik ten Hag having identified Harry Kane as his primary striker target, albeit with United wary of engaging in protracted negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur chairman, Daniel Levy.
The ageing Englishman instead packed his bags for Germany, while the Old Trafford side went down the high-potential route. Despite reportedly being Ten Hag’s fifth-choice option at the time, in came a 20-year-old Rasmus Hojlund for an initial fee of £64m.
Season
Player
Goals
2024/25
Bruno Fernandes & Amad
8
2023/24
Bruno Fernandes & Rasmus Hojlund
10
2022/23
Marcus Rashford
17
2021/22
Cristiano Ronaldo
18
2020/21
Bruno Fernandes
18
2019/20
Marcus Rashford & Anthony Martial
17
2018/19
Paul Pogba
13
2017/18
Romelu Lukaku
16
2016/17
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
17
2015/16
Anthony Martial
11
2014/15
Wayne Rooney
12
2013/14
Wayne Rooney
17
2012/13
Robin van Persie
26
A player coveted by Paris Saint-Germain at the time, Hojlund had been earning rave reviews amid his promising displays in Atalanta, with then-boss Gian Piero Gasperini highlighting his electric pace that had ripped through Serie A defences.
We’d all seen the clips of the young Dane bursting into the box at breakneck speed. All dreamed of this ‘new Erling Haaland’ proving to be the next Scandinavian striking sensation on Premier League soil.
Overlooked, however, was the mere nine league goals he had scored in his solitary season in Bergamo, with such a gamble having yet to pay off for the Red Devils. The same mistake can’t happen again under Wilcox.
Latest on Man Utd's striker search
Speaking after scoring in the recent 4-1 victory over Bournemouth in the latest Premier League summer series clash, the 22-year-old – who had been linked with a move to Inter Milan earlier in the window – outlined his desire to “stay and fight for his spot, whatever happens”.
A bright start to pre-season has raised hopes that United’s number nine can kick on in 2025/26, although Hojlund might not get his own way, with reports indicating that he could be used as part of a deal to bring in a new striker.
Indeed, it has been claimed – including by The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell – that a swap deal could be on the cards which would see the Denmark starlet head to RB Leipzig, with Benjamin Sesko moving in the opposite direction.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Additional reports, as per journalist Graeme Bailey, having indicated that there is an “internal confidence” at Old Trafford that a deal for Sesko will get over the line amid their ongoing talks, with the club currently going toe-to-toe with Newcastle United for his signature:
Reportedly valued at around £70m, Sesko – who has been the subject of a bid from Newcastle – is hot property amid two solid seasons in Germany. That said, doesn’t this all feel a little familiar?
Why Man Utd are risking a Hojlund repeat
For a brief moment, it looked like United’s decision to plump for Hojlund had paid off, following his destructive debut away to Arsenal in September 2023. Having endured an injury-hit start to life in Manchester, the towering left-footer announced himself in fine fashion, proving a real nuisance for Gabriel and William Saliba in the home defence.
That image of Casemiro grabbing the youngster by the jersey – a mark that he was to be the man to win the game for Ten Hag’s men – evoked that strong early impression, with Hojlund also subsequently making his mark by netting five times in six Champions League group stage outings, including a breathtaking brace at home to Galatasaray.
Such moments have indicated that there is a player in there somewhere, yet with 26 goals to his name in 95 appearances, this is an expensive risk that has yet to pay off, with TNT Sport commentator Darren Fletcher notably describing the misfiring marksman as perhaps the “most unlucky number nine Manchester United have ever had”.
Man Utd strikers
But should his woes be a surprise? His only season in a top-five league had yielded only nine Serie A goals, having previously scored 17 goals in 53 games for Sturm Graz and FC Copenhagen combined. Thrusting him in as the leading striker was perhaps a step too far, too soon.
Sesko’s path has worryingly been rather similar to date, with the 22-year-old – who is actually younger than Hojlund – having spent two seasons in the Bundesliga, after previously scoring 29 times in 79 games for Austria side Red Bull Salzburg.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates their second goal scored by Lukas Klostermann
A player whom United turned down for a fee of around £2.5m back in 2019, the Slovenian has reached double figures for league goals in each of the last two campaigns, although he hasn’t exactly ripped it up with 13 and 14 goals, respectively.
Like Hojlund, at 6 foot 4 the in-demand striker is an eye-catching figure, having been described as a “monster” of a striker by analyst Ben Mattinson. His penchant for the spectacular will also have onlookers licking their lips – boasting a highlight reel of goals that any number nine would be proud of.
That said, in the view of The Athletic’s James Horncastle, speaking on the Libero podcast, there is a sense that he merely is a “highlights player”, with the respected journalist even quipping that he is akin to a ‘Slovenian Andy Carroll’ in that regard.
A scorer of great goals, but not exactly a great goalscorer then, with United again at a juncture where they are in need of a proven talent, rather than a player of undoubtedly exciting potential.
Benjamin Sesko 2024-25 stats (timeless)
Like with Ten Hag and Kane two years ago, Ruben Amorim is said to have a preference for signing Premier League menace, Ollie Watkins. Perhaps listening to the Portuguese coach would be the right choice this time around?
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The home side pulled off a fantastic chase after earlier seeing two of their bowlers ordered out of the attack for running on the pitch
AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jan-2025
Jake Fraser-McGurk launches down the ground•Getty Images
Jake Fraser-McGurk finally found his hard-hitting best, blasting Melbourne Renegades to a thrilling three-wicket BBL win over Brisbane Heat that ended their title defence but the home side’s finals hopes were fleeting.Out-of-form this summer for South Australia and Renegades, Fraser-McGurk smashed 95 from 46 balls to help Renegades pull off the second-highest successful BBL chase at Marvel Stadium.The dynamic 22-year-old attempted to reach his maiden BBL century with a six down the ground, but Matt Renshaw took an impressive catch near the rope with Renegades still requiring 17 to win.Related
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But Fergus O’Neill finished the job as the Renegades chased down Heat’s 196 for 4 with 12 balls to spare. It left Renegades, for a few hours, fourth in the table but Perth Scorchers’ win over Adelaide Strikers ended their finals hopes.Fraser-McGurk, who missed out on selection for Australia’s Champions Trophy squad last week, entered the match having made just 93 runs from his first nine BBL games this season.But he destroyed a star-studded Heat bowling attack containing internationals Spencer Johnson, Xavier Bartlett, Mitchell Swepson and Michael Neser. It was his best BBL score and his third fifty in 45 matches in the competition.After winning last year’s title, Heat needed to defeat the Renegades to be any chance of qualifying for the finals.They racked up 196 for 4 after being sent in to bat as opener Jack Wood, keeper Tom Alsop and Renshaw unleashed on the Renegades attack.Umpire Donovan Koch removed Will Sutherland and Fergus O’Neill for running in the protected zone•Getty Images
During a bizarre innings, Renegades captain Will Sutherland and fellow quick O’Neill were both banned from bowling for the rest of the match following intervention from umpire Donovan Koch for running in the danger areaSutherland was taken out of the attack with a ball to go in his third over after Donovan spoke to him, while O’Neill still had nine deliveries he could have bowled for the innings. It is rare for one player to be removed from bowling mid-over, but two in the same match is virtually unheard of.Renegades opener Josh Brown, who has never bowled before in his 37 previous T20 appearances, was forced to fill the void left by Sutherland and O’Neill.Brown’s 2.4 overs went for a whopping 0 for 48, as Heat piled on the highest total at Marvel Stadium this season. But Brown later began Renegades’ chase with 32 off 11 balls.Sutherland had a nightmare start to the match, twice being hit for three-consecutive sixes – first by Wood in the third over, then by Renshaw in the 12th.
Newcastle United are believed to be in the mix to sign an “incredible” player this summer, as they look to hijack Everton’s move for him.
Howe provides new Isak update
The Magpies are preparing to host Liverpool in the Premier League on Monday night, with St James’ Park likely to be at its atmospheric best amid the Alexander Isak saga.
Eddie Howe has confirmed that the Swede will play no part in proceedings against the club who want to sign him this summer, also reacting to his statement about being let down by Newcastle earlier this week.
“It was a sad moment. My preference is these things do not happen publicly. They are better dealt with behind closed doors. But needs must: the club has spoken, and justifiably so in that moment, the club has to act in the best interests of Newcastle United.
“It will do that in every situation. He’s contracted to us. He’s our player. My wish is that he would be playing on Monday. He won’t be, and that’s regrettable. But 100 per cent I want him back in a Newcastle shirt.
Away from the Isak situation, Newcastle are still working hard on possible new signings at both ends of the pitch, and they are reportedly battling others for the signing of a Premier League player.
Newcastle eyeing move for Man City defender Nathan Ake
According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle are potentially looking to hijack Everton’s move for Manchester City defender Nathan Ake this summer. While Everton are already in talks and the Magpies are only “monitoring” the Dutchman, he is represented by the same agency as several Newcastle stars, including Lewis Hall and Harvey Barnes, so there could be a smooth path to personal negotiations.
Manchester City's Nathan Ake
Ake could be a brilliant addition for Newcastle, bringing a wealth of experience of him, not least six Premier League titles and one Champions League crown. The 30-year-old is capable of thriving at both centre-back and left-back, which Howe has shown he appreciates with his use of Dan Burn, and Pep Guardiola spoke glowingly about him during last season.
Champions League
Manchester City
2023
Premier League
Manchester City
2024
Premier League
Manchester City
2023
Premier League
Manchester City
2022
Premier League
Manchester City
2021
Premier League
Chelsea
2017
Premier League
Chelsea
2015
Europa League
Chelsea
2013
FA Cup
Manchester City
2023
EFL Cup
Manchester City
2021
EFL Cup
Chelsea
2015
Club World Cup
Manchester City
2023
Super Cup
Manchester City
2023
In some ways, it seems strange why City are willing to sell a player who still has so much to offer, but if Guardiola no longer sees him as an important part of his plans, Newcastle should pounce.
Hopefully, the lure of a move to St James’, including playing in the Champions League, ultimately appeals more to Ake than joining Everton, even though the Blues are starting a new era at their impressive Hill Dickinson Stadium this season.
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The £160,000-a-week Ake is a class act who has proven himself at the highest level, and at 30, there is no reason why he couldn’t enjoy three or four good years at Newcastle.