Are Aston Villa now able to spend freely?

On Monday, completely coincidentally on the final day of their accounting year, the Villans sold their women’s team to themselves, thereby avoiding breaching the Premier League’s Profitability & Sustainability Rules.

So now, having avoided a potential points deduction, Unai Emery will be looking to bolster his squad, so could Villa land a new striker?

Aston Villa targeting attacking reinforcements

Jhon Durán has to go down as one of the best pieces of business in modern Premier League history, joining Aston Villa from Chicago Fire in January 2023 for a reported fee of around £13m, having made just 27 appearances for the Men in Red in Major League Soccer, scoring eight goals.

Well, two years later, following his scoring spree at the start of last season, Durán was sold to Al-Nassr for £71m last January, representing a near 600% return on investment, easing the Villans’ PSR concerns.

Well, the Colombian is back in the news again because, after a miserly 18 appearances in Saudi Arabia, scoring 12 goals, he is reportedly set to join José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe, continuing one of the more unique and bizarre career arcs.

Transfer Focus

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

Well, speaking of İstanbul-based giants, a report by TurkishFootball.com claims that Villa are in talks with Beşiktaş over the possibility of signing striker Semih Kılıçsoy, adding that he is valued at €15m (£13m).

Well, the Black Eagles themselves, who are managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjær these days, have just signed Tammy Abraham from AC Milan for the exact same amount, with the England international having been handed Kılıçsoy’s number nine shirt.

In response to this, journalist Fırat Günayer stated that he would be “surprised” if Kılıçsoy was still with Beşiktaş by the end of the transfer window, adding “there are a few offers… on the table”.

So, could the 19-year-old be set to swap the Bosphorus for Birmingham?

Why Semih Kılıçsoy could replicate Jhon Durán's success at Aston Villa

After joining Beşiktaş as an 11-year-old, Kılıçsoy made his Süper Lig debut against Antalyaspor in February 2023, before scoring his first goal for the Black Eagles during a Conference League qualifying victory over KF Tirana five months later.

In total, he has netted 16 times in 85 appearances for the Turkish giants, winning the Türkiye Kupası in 2024, his most notable goal coming against Malmö in the Europa League last November, this coming in a 2-1 victory at Tüpraş Stadyumu.

His performances have earned international recognition too, debuting for Türkiye against Italy at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara last June, subsequently included in Vincenzo Montella’s Euros squad.

Given his performances, analyst Ben Mattinson has dubbed him a “very powerful” forward, while Luis Kircher of Total Football Analysis believes that he is known for his ‘lethal finishing capabilities’ and ‘versatility’, forecasting that he will become a ‘prolific’ goalscorer at the elite level in the coming years.

So, let’s see how Kılıçsoy compares to Durán, prior to his move to Villa from Illinois.

Semih Kılıçsoy at Beşiktaş vs Jhon Duran at Envigado & Chicago Fire
Statistics	Kılıçsoy	Durán
Appearances	85	75
Minutes	4,227	4,182
Goals	16	17
Assists	9	10
Senior international caps	4	3
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

As the table outlines, Durán, prior to joining Aston Villa, and Kılıçsoy right now boast similar levels of experience, with the Turkish striker actually having accumulated more senior appearances and minutes, scoring just one fewer goal. He also boasts that necessary “selfish” streak that the Colombian possesses, as Mattinson noted.

Also, Durán had played in Colombia’s Categoría Primera A and MLS which, according to Global Football Rankings, are the 32nd and ninth-strongest leagues in the world, with the Turkish Süper Lig somewhere in the middle at 18th.

Thus, it is clear that Kılıçsoy is a high-quality, high-potential player, one that is seemingly on the way out of Beşiktaş, suggesting he is available and more than talented enough to be a star at Villa Park.

Potentially arriving as a relative unknown teenager, in a similar vein to Duran, the promising marksman could be Emery’s next Villa success story.

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1

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 1, 2025

Manchester United continued their pre-season preparations for the 2025/26 campaign with a 2-1 win over Premier League rivals West Ham United in America on Saturday night.

Bruno Fernandes scored both of the team’s goals in a narrow win over the Hammers, scoring from the spot in the first half before delivering a fantastic finish in the second.

There was another outing for new signing Matheus Cunha, who played the opening 66 minutes of the game, but Bryan Mbeumo was not ready to don the shirt for the first time.

Whilst fans have had the chance to watch last season’s team, along with Cunha, ramp up their preparations to improve on last year’s dismal showing, there are a number of players who have not been part of the travelling party.

Ruben Amorim decided to leave several players at home for this tour and the Premier League summer series, as the club are looking to move on from them this summer.

One of the players in the ‘bomb squad’ is Brazilian forward Antony, who spent the second half of last season on loan with Real Betis in Spain.

Why Man Utd should sell Antony

It simply has not worked out for the left-footed dud in England and it appears to be the right time to allow him to move on from Old Trafford on a permanent basis, after a successful loan spell.

United reportedly agreed an £85m deal with Ajax to sign Antony in the summer of 2022 to bolster Erik ten Hag’s options at the top end of the pitch, but he has only mustered up 12 goals and five assists in 96 appearances for the club to date.

The 25-year-old star has not offered enough in the final third to suggest that he has much of a future in English football, rarely scoring or creating goals in his three years in Manchester so far, which is why it could be the right move to cash in on him this summer.

It could also be a smart time to cash in on the winger because he is fresh off the back of a successful loan spell with Real Betis, which shows that he does have the quality to make an impact in other leagues in Europe.

Antony (24/25)

LaLiga

Conference League

Appearances

17

9

xG

2.87

1.41

Goals

5

4

Big chances created

8

5

Key passes per game

2.2

1.1

Assists

2

3

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the former Ajax star caught the eye with nine goals and 13 ‘big chances’ created in 26 appearances for the Spanish side, which may help United to attract interest from other clubs this summer.

Whilst it remains to be seen where Antony will end up by the conclusion of the summer transfer window, there is an even bigger United flop closing in on a move away.

Man Utd flop agrees personal terms on exit

According to the print edition of Corriere dello Sport (26/07/2025), as relayed by Tutto Mercato Web, Jadon Sancho has agreed personal terms with Italian giants Juventus.

The report claims that the England international, who is not part of the club’s pre-season tour, has verbally agreed to a five-year contract with the Old Lady, which would see him earn around £5.2m-per-season.

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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It states that Sancho is aware that his race is run at Manchester United and he is willing to drop his wage demands from the £8.7m-per-season he is said to earn at Old Trafford in order to seal a move to Italy.

However, the sticking point is currently the transfer fee. United want a fee of around £22m for the former Borussia Dortmund star, whilst Juventus are currently offering up to £17m.

This is a move that appears to be heading in the right direction, though, given that he has already agreed personal terms, which means that flop could be closing in on an exit from Old Trafford.

Why Sancho is even worse than Antony

Cashing in on Sancho would be a great move for United because he has flopped in Manchester and is currently even worse than Antony as a wide option.

The English forward joined from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £73m in the summer of 2021 and has scored 12 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils in the subsequent four years, which is as many as Antony has scored for the club in three years.

Sancho was not a part of Ten Hag’s plans at the start of last season and the Dutchman sent him out on loan to Chelsea for the 2025/26 campaign, but he struggled to offer consistent quality for the Blues.

24/25 season

Antony (Real Betis)

Sancho (Chelsea)

Appearances

26

42

xG

4.28

2.60

Goals

9

5

Big chances created

13

11

Assists

5

8

Games per goal/assist

1.85

3.23

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Sancho only averaged a goal or an assist every 3.23 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last term, as Antony outperformed him during his five-month spell with Real Betis.

These statistics show that the Brazilian winger was far more effective during his loan spell away from Old Trafford, as he scored more goals and created more ‘big chances’ in 16 fewer appearances.

As Jamie Redknapp said in the clip above, Sancho simply does not do enough in the final third to produce goals and assists to help his team win matches.

The 25-year-old flop has scored 12 goals in four years at United and only managed five goals in 42 games on loan at Chelsea, which backs up the pundit’s point about his lack of output at the top end of the pitch.

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Therefore, United should be delighted that Sancho has agreed personal terms with Juventus and is now closing in on an exit, with the finer details of the transfer fee just to be ironed out, because he is even worse than Antony, and possibly a bigger flop despite a smaller fee.

With talents such as Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri breaking onto the scene, Arsenal are primed for many years of success and excitement at the forefront of domestic and European football.

But, for now, Mikel Arteta is thinking in the present, and he knows that these prodigious youngsters must be eased onto the senior stage. That’s why he has been so focused on signing superstars to improve his Gunners squad this summer.

Arsenal have finished second across the past three Premier League terms, but there’s no question that this team has made considerable gains since the Spaniard took to the dugout five years ago.

Now, the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard need to spearhead this project toward silverware, crowning a golden era with something tangible.

The £63m acquisition of Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, one of the most feared centre-forwards in Europe, has certainly inched the club that step closer, but a creative winger is sought-after too.

Arsenal lining up new winger

Arsenal are pushing to sign Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, who has a £68m release clause.

A principal agreement for the base layer of that clause has been agreed, but details remain before technical director Andrea Berta steers the deal across the finish line.

Eze operates across multiple attacking berths. His high-speed, fleet-footed dribbling makes him apt to star out on the left, although he has typically been played as a central midfielder with a license to roam while with the Eagles.

Attacking midfield

74

25

11

Left winger

52

9

7

Central midfield

25

6

3

Right winger

3

0

0

The 27-year-old might not be the out-and-out winger that Arsenal need, perhaps even bearing a skill set that could see such a player join the crew alongside him in the coming weeks.

Well, The Athletic have reported that both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, who came under fire at times last term for their performances, may be sold before the summer is up.

As such, it might be wise for Berta to consider signing another left-sided forward, who could sign in Eze’s stead or indeed cohabit with the Three Lions star in the Arsenal squad.

Arsenal lining up Eze alternative

According to transfer reporter Ben Jacobs, Arsenal are still monitoring the situation of Xavi Simons, with the RB Leipzig player expected to sign for a new club this summer.

Simons, 22, is one of the best young playmakers in Europe, and he’s versatile besides. Chelsea are engaged in talks with the Bundesliga side, but Arsenal and Bayern Munich remain interested. He is expected to cost around £56m.

It won’t be an easy one to pull off. Chelsea are indeed the frontrunners to sign the Netherlands international, so the Gunners will need to get a move on if they hope to steal ahead.

Why Arsenal should sign Xavi Simons

Formerly a prospect at Paris Saint-Germain, Simons arrived in Leipzig as a loanee at the start of the 2023/24 season before signing permanently in a €50m (£42m) deal.

Across 76 appearances for the Germans, he has scored 21 goals and has supplied 23 assists, operating, like Eze, across central and wide attacking midfield roles. Last season, he was most often found out on the left flank, where he notched nine goal involvements across only 17 outings.

Hailed as a “superstar” by analyst Ben Mattinson, this diminutive Dutchman has the remarkable blend of balance, technical skill and confidence to hit the ground running in the Premier League, sure to thrive where Eze would have at the Emirates Stadium, and sure to impress ahead of the aforementioned strugglers on the left flank in north London.

Matches (starts)

25 (25)

34 (31)

Goals

10

8

Assists

7

8

Shots (on target)*

2.0 (0.9)

3.0 (0.9)

Touches*

68.0

46.6

Pass completion

83%

82%

Big chances created

12

11

Key passes

2.0

1.7

Dribbles*

1.3

2.0

Ball recoveries*

5.1

4.3

Tackles + interceptions*

1.6

1.4

Duels won*

5.4

4.8

Eze is a little quicker, a tad more active in carrying the ball up and tracking back down. The Englishman likes to get shots off with greater consistency; however, a conversion rate of just 8% in the Premier League leaves plenty to be desired in that department.

In Simons, who has been described as a “special player” by coach Harry Brooks, Arsenal would be signing a potent and dynamic threat who would be the perfect Eze alternative, for he is both positionally and tactically similar.

Moreover, he would prove an upgrade on Arteta’s existing left wingers, who have both struggled to assert themselves thus far during Arsenal’s pre-season and will have undoubtedly provided him food for thought.

Martinelli is a talented winger, but he’s struggled to reach elite levels over the past couple of seasons, hitherto renowned as one of the most exciting up-and-coming forwards.

Across the past two Premier League seasons, he’s bagged himself 14 goals and eight assists across 68 matches. Hardly an awe-inspiring return, having drifted in and out of games and indeed the starting line-up too.

Then, with the 30-year-old Trossard, the boss might be seeking a more talented and complete winger, a fine goalscorer though Trossard may be. Last term, in fact, the Belgian missed more big chances (9) than he scored (8), as per Sofascore, which is the first time that has happened in five top-flight seasons.

It’s clear that Simons, a rising star with a point to prove, could be the perfect addition to an Arsenal side in need of some more creativity to complement Gyokeres up top.

Simons could be the perfect signing, should efforts to reel Eze over prove fruitless.

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ByMatt Dawson Jul 28, 2025

Liverpool exceeded expectations when they won the Premier League last season, but Darwin Nunez struggled to perform at the expected level throughout.

The 26-year-old striker is a maverick, for sure, but he’s also erratic and chaotic and often incapable of harnessing and channelling his skills into something coherent.

With Luis Diaz’s future looking more certain to exist outside of Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich both vying for his signature and receiving plenty of encouragement, Liverpool might not want to cash in on Nunez.

However, the Uruguay international is in talks to join Napoli, and selling him may well be for the best.

Why Liverpool should sell Darwin Nunez

When Liverpool signed Nunez, they purchased a young and exciting striker who had just come off the back of a 34-goal campaign with Portuguese giants Benfica, scoring twice against Liverpool on Europe’s elite stage.

Klopp, perhaps, had a glint in his eyes when watching the Uruguayan run rampant over many of Europe’s finest; maybe the savvy tactician saw the reincarnation of Luis Suarez in Benfica’s man.

Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Nunez has flattered to deceive for much of his time on Merseyside, even if he’s shown flashes of the quality that convinced the German manager to fork out an initial £64m fee from FSG’s coffers.

He is expected to depart this summer, and while a popular figure, Nunez hasn’t succeeded in emulating his iconic countryman.

What Liverpool need is a striker who embodies some of Suarez’s qualities but also has experience competing consistently at the very highest level.

Liverpool eyeing Darwin Nunez upgrade

As per TEAMtalk, Slot’s dream signing for the rest of the summer is Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, even if a deal would be extremely difficult to complete.

After the Magpies sealed their place in next season’s Champions League, The Athletic’s David Ornstein claimed there was “no chance” he would leave St. James’ Park. This has since been corroborated by the news that he has been valued at an eye-watering £200m.

Recent events will rightly halt any immediate developments, but Liverpool may well make a concerted effort to challenge the Magpies for their star man later in the transfer window.

Why Alexander Isak can be the new Luis Suarez

Isak has played for Newcastle across three seasons, and he’s improved incrementally.

A shoddy fitness record has been left in the past, with the Sweden star’s athleticism and strength having come on leaps and bounds. His application even led Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher to hail him as “the best striker in the Premier League” last season.

Alexander Isak’s Record at Newcastle (all comps)
Season	Apps (starts)	Goals	Assists
24/25	42 (41)	27	6
23/24	40 (36)	25	2
22/23	27 (18)	10	3
Data via Transfermarkt

In the Premier League, Isak played a monumental part in guiding Eddie Howe’s side back into the Champions League, sealing their place on the final day of the 2024/25 campaign.

His goals counted for plenty, with the 23 strikes put away in the Premier League bettered only by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

However, Isak also ranked among the top 16% of positional peers competing across Europe’s top five leagues last term for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

His all-encompassing attacking game even suggests that he could become Slot’s own version of former Redmen superstar Suarez, who, incredibly, posted 82 goals and 32 assists across only 133 appearances.

Suarez might have reached his career zenith at Barcelona, but who can argue against him being in a different stratosphere to the rest of the Premier League when he plied his trade on Merseyside?

Suarez was a devastating finisher, to be sure, but he was so much more than a simple goalscorer. Steven Gerrard once said the marksman “had everything”, and named him the best forward he had ever played with.

The iconic Anfield skipper went into further detail about exactly what set Suarez apart from his positional peers: “He could embarrass you, even with stuff that I don’t think that he knew he was doing. He was a ricochet merchant, he would run over you, he’d dominate you and bully you.”

Given the stage-by-stage progress that Isak, still only 25, has enjoyed in England, there’s certainly a good chance that he could reach the level of Liverpool’s one-time South American talisman, bringing a “world-class” striking ability, as has been praised by pundit and Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer, to Slot’s squad.

But then, as the aforementioned FBref data suggests, Isak might also thrive in link-up situations, bouncing off the creativity of stars such as Salah and Florian Wirtz, who joined Liverpool in a deal rising to a British-record £116m.

After all, the £120k-per-week number nine created 11 big chances in the Premier League last season, as per Sofascore, emphasising just how creative and intelligent he is in his attacking play.

Suarez perhaps reached the highest level of any forward to have ever played in the Premier League when he was at his apex. Many would contest such conjecture but it’s an argument that would hold at any table.

In Isak, Liverpool might just find the perfect, belated successor, and Slot might secure his perfect new centre-forward.

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Robbie Walls

Jul 2, 2025

Yorkshire’s fourth win in five matches moves them up to second with two rounds to go

ECB Reporters Network11-Sep-2024

George Hill took his second five-wicket haul of his career•PA Photos/Getty Images

Yorkshire moved a step closer to securing promotion after completing a three-day victory over Leicestershire in Division Two of the Vitality County Championship despite more time lost to the weather.Leicestershire, who had trailed by 281 on first innings after being dismissed for 98, were bowled out for 209 second time around as all-rounder George Hill played the starring role.The 23-year-old seamer took the last half-dozen wickets to fall for season’s best figures of 6 for 59, handing Yorkshire a fourth win in five matches by an innings and 72 runs, the last wicket falling just as dark clouds were threatening to cause a fourth stoppage in a disrupted day.The win lifts Yorkshire to second place in the table, where they will find themselves with two games left if Middlesex fail to beat Gloucestershire at Lord’s.All-rounder Rehan Ahmed celebrated his England recall with an aggressive but well-crafted 77 from 86 balls but India star Ajinkya Rahane could make only 32 and, with top-scorer Peter Handscomb having returned to Australia for his own domestic season, Leicestershire were unable to force Yorkshire to bat a second time.After more than half of day two was lost to the weather, rain restricted the opening session of day three to 14 overs, during which Leicestershire, who had been 35 for 2 overnight, advanced to 90 for 3, still 191 runs away from making Yorkshire bat again.Yorkshire’s pace spearhead of Coad and Fisher were eager to build on their work of the two days before, having shared eight wickets as Leicestershire were shot out for 98 on day one, which Fisher followed up by picking up both second-innings wickets to fall before rain set in on Tuesday.Coad’s celebrations were cut short in the fifth over of the morning when his appeal for caught behind against Ajinkya Rahane was turned down and it was Fisher who drew first blood on the day as Lewis Hill was caught low down at second slip in the next over.Two boundaries in Fisher’s next over gave immediate notice of Rehan Ahmed’s intended approach to his side’s predicament. He was dropped at first slip on 13 off Jordan Thompson shortly before the first of the day’s stoppages but looked in good touch nonetheless and he and Rahane, fresh from his first century for Leicestershire last week, had added 50 in as many minutes – 38 from Ahmed – when the England player crashed Coad square on the off-side for his seventh boundary.Ahmed lofted Coad somewhat imperiously over long-on for six and brought up his personal half-century from 47 balls, but if the division’s current leading wicket-taker was beginning to suffer any frustrations, they were abated in an instant when Rahane bottom-edged him into his own stumps, a major breakthrough regardless of Ahmed’s impact at the other end. At 131 for 4, Leicestershire were still 150 in arrears.Yet in the event, it was Hill who delivered the decisive spell of the day after replacing Fisher in the attack just before Rahane’s dismissal.In the space of six overs before tea, the 23-year-old found enough movement to remove Louis Kimber and Ben Cox leg before and, crucially, Ahmed, responding to belted back down the ground for six by finding the outside edge, Adam Lyth taking the catch at second slip.Hill’s spell continued after the interval and soon accounted for Tom Scriven, also leg before, before clipping Scott Currie’s off stump with another fine delivery past the outside edge, the wicket giving him the second five-wicket haul of his career after his 6 for 26 against Lancashire at Old Trafford in 2022.After 33 overs already lost on the day, Yorkshire were looking upwards anxiously as dark clouds rolled in from the west but Hill spared his teammates the prospect of coming back tomorrow as last man Chris Wright skied one into the offside field and Fisher ran round from mid-off to take the catch at just before 4:40pm.

بدأ منذ قليل لقاء ليفربول وأتلتيكو مدريد على ملعب أنفيلد، في الجولة الأولى بمرحلة الدوري بدوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويعتمد سلوت على تشكيل لفريق ليفربول مكون من: أليسون، فريمبونج، فيرجيل فان دايك، إبراهيما كوناتي، روبرتسون، سوبوسلاي، فيرتز، جرافينبيرخ، إيزاك، محمد صلاح، جاكبو.

ويجلس على دكة البدلاء كل من: مامارداشفيلي – وودمان – جوميز – أندو – كركيز – ألكسيس ماك أليستر – برادلي – ليوني – ايكتيكي – ريو – دانس

ونجح اندرو روبرتسون أن يفتتح التسجيل لصالح ليفربول في الدقيقة الرابعة بعد تسديدة من محمد صلاح، قبل أن يعزز المصري بالهدف الثاني بمجهود فردي رائع.

وبحسب شبكة “4 3 3” العالمية فقد وصل محمد صلاح للمساهمة رقم 65 في دوري أبطال أوروبا، حيث سجل 48 هدفا وصنع 17 أسيست.

أقرأ أيضاً.. فيديو | محمد صلاح يسجل هدف ليفربول الثاني أمام أتلتيكو مدريد

وأصبح محمد صلاح نجم ليفربول اللاعب الوحيد في تاريخ دوري أبطال أوروبا الذي يسجل ويساهم في صناعة هدف في أول 6 مباريات لفريق إنجليزي، وأكثر لاعب يسجل ويصنع في مباراة واحدة في دوري أبطال أوروبا منذ موسم 2017-2018 متجاوزاً ميسي ومبابي.

وأصبح محمد صلاح أول لاعب في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز يساهم بشكل مباشر في 45 هدفا في جميع المسابقات عام 2025، حيث سجل 17 هدفا وصنع 8 تمريرات حاسمة.

وأصبح صلاح كذلك ثالث لاعب يسجل ويصنع تمريرة حاسمة خلال الدقائق الست الأولى من مباراة في دوري أبطال أوروبا بعد بومباردا وكريم بنزيما.

وأحرز محمد صلاح هدفه الثامن والأربعين في دوري أبطال أوروبا لينضم إلى زلاتان إبراهيموفيتش وأندريه شيفتشينكو، وهناك عشرة لاعبين فقط سجلوا أكثر منه.

وتخطى محمد صلاح الهداف الفرنسي السابق تييري هنري في قائمة هدافي دوري أبطال أوروبا، ليصبح صلاح عاشر أفضل هداف في تاريخ دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ونجح محمد صلاح أن يسجل ويصنع في نفس المباراة خلال 54 مباراة مع ليفربول في جميع المسابقات، ويعد ستيفن جيرارد أقرب لاعب له برصيد 27 مباراة.

Half-centuries from captain Paul Stirling and Harry Tector, and an all-round bowling effort helped Ireland to a consolation win in the third ODI against South Africa. This was just Ireland’s second win over South Africa in the format.Winning the toss for the first time in the series, Ireland put on their best batting display before their bowlers made the most of friendly conditions under lightsJason Smith, playing his second ODI, made a fighting 91 but it was an effort in vain after Ireland had run through South Africa’s top five inside 20 overs.In the last two ODIs, Ireland bore the brunt of having to bat under the lights and suffered collapses. But on Monday, South Africa found out just how different a proposition it has been to bat second in Abu Dhabi.With the new ball swinging appreciably more under lights than in the last two games (broadcast showed average swing of 2.1 degrees on Monday compared to 1.1 over the previous two games), Ireland’s quicks made early inroads after their batters got them to a competitive total. Mark Adair had Ryan Rickelton edging to the slips cordon in the first over and trapped Rassie van der Dussen in front three overs later.Reeza Hendricks, flown in from South Africa due to the injury to Temba Bavuma, lasted just seven balls as he edged Graham Hume to Andy Balbirnie at second slip.Kyle Verreynne counter-attacked with six boundaries, but was trapped lbw for 38 by Craig Young as he missed his flick after going across the stumps. Smith and Tristan Stubbs tried to rebuild but Young had the latter nicking off with a harmless length ball in the 20th over.There was another stand of resistance between Smith and Andile Phehlukwayo, but the latter scuffed a pull to fine leg to give Fionn Hand a first ODI wicket on debut.Jason Smith scored his first international fifty but in vain•Cricket Ireland

Smith then took charge of the scoring, driving with authority on the off side, but lost partners at the other end. Bjorn Fortuin hung around before being bowled by left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys. Young then had Williams edging it to the keeper as he tried to ramp a short ball.Smith also launched Young and Adair over the leg side for a couple of sixes after bringing up his maiden international half-century. He moved into the eighties with a powerful flick wide of long-on off Adair in the 43rd over, before flicking him through midwicket for another boundary. He finished that over by swatting the fast bowler over wide long-on as he quickly moved into the nineties.But Adair had the last laugh when he caught Smith at deep point to end his resistance as the batter sliced a wide yorker from Hume. He hit nine fours and four sixes in his 93-ball knock, which followed a duck on ODI debut. Hume wrapped up the win when he had Lungi Ngidi edging behind with 23 balls to go.Ireland built their score on the back of Stirling and Andy Balbirnie’s first 100-plus partnership in ODIs. They made the most of good conditions on a fresh pitch, with Stirling starting off with a powerful cover drive off Ngidi in the first over. There were some edges that either went in the gaps or didn’t carry as Ireland’s openers saw out the powerplay.Stirling even took on South Africa’s best bowler in the series, Lizaad Williams, hooking him for six. Balbirnie was slower to start, taking his time to settle in. It was in the 13th over that he really got going, flicking Ngidi through midwicket for a boundary. In Ngidi’s next over, Balbirnie hit him for six before getting a couple of boundaries off Fortuin.There were a couple of quiet overs that followed during which Stirling got to his half-century, but Balbirnie holed out as he miscued a pull off Williams. The 101-run stand between Stirling and Balbirnie was Ireland’s second-highest in ODIs against South Africa.Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie put up a solid opening partnership•Cricket Ireland

Stirling immediately tried to put the pressure back on South Africa as he drove Williams through cover before hitting Fortuin wide of long-on. Curtis Campher started quickly, picking two boundaries off a Williams over before clubbing Fortuin over wide long-on for six. Stirling and Campher added 58 runs for the second wicket before Campher tried to paddle Baartman only to see the ball crash into the stumps.Stirling went on to drive Ngidi over long-off for another six before crashing Baartman behind point for a boundary, but was then cleaned up by an in-ducker for the second straight game, falling 12 short of a century.Lorcan Tucker, fit again and back in the side, kept Ireland ticking alongside Harry Tector, picking up regular boundaries as they added 54 runs to Ireland’s score. The stand was broken when Tucker tried to scoop Phehlukwayo only to sky it behind, with Ryan Rickelton taking a good catch running back.Phehlukwayo struck again in his next over, as George Dockrell cut him straight to point.Tector lofted Ngidi over long-on before cutting him behind through point for four to reach his half-century in the 48th over. Williams, who was not having his best game of the series until this point, finally made his mark in the penultimate over. He left the middle stump broken as Adair went across the stumps to try and scoop him. He then trapped Hand in front next ball and yorked Hume off the final ball to finish the series with 11 wickets.Tector finished on 60 off 48 as he was run out in the final over trying to run a second to keep strike.

Leeds United are closing in on a deal to sign Newcastle United central midfielder Sean Longstaff to bolster Daniel Farke’s options in the middle of the park.

Fabrizio Romano claims that the club have placed a £12m bid on the table for the English maestro, who has already agreed personal terms with the Championship champions.

The 27-year-old midfielder started eight of his 25 appearances in the Premier League for the Magpies last season, and would arrive at Elland Road as a proven performer in the top-flight.

However, Longstaff did end the campaign without a single goal to his name in 32 games in all competitions, which suggests that he is not likely to provide much of a goal threat for the Whites from midfield.

Leeds eyeing another Newcastle midfielder

The Premier League newcomers, however, are reportedly eyeing another Newcastle midfielder who could provide a threat at the top end of the pitch.

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 TEAMtalk, Leeds United have held internal talks over the possibility of a swoop to sign versatile Newcastle star Joe Willock this summer.

The report claims that the Whites are considering a swoop to sign the English attacker as an alternative to Manor Solomon, as he has the versatility to play in a central midfield role as a left winger.

It adds, though, that Crystal Palace are also monitoring the former Arsenal man’s situation and that he would prefer a move to London over Leeds if given the chance to pick.

This means that it could be a difficult deal for the Whites to get over the line if they decide to act upon their interest in him, but if they can convince him to make the move to Elland Road, Farke could have his own Mateusz Klich.

Why Willock would be the new Klich for Leeds

When Marcelo Bielsa brought Leeds up to the Premier League, Klich played a key role in the middle of the park with four goals and five assists in 35 games.

The Poland international made 1.4 tackles and interceptions per game to go along with his nine goal contributions in 29 starts in the top-flight that term, providing dynamism and energy to the team.

Willock has scored 18 goals in 143 matches for Newcastle in all competitions in his career to date, which suggests that he has the attacking potential to replicate the kind of performances Klich put in for Bielsa in the 2020/21 campaign.

xG

0.14

Top 21%

xG on target

0.09

Top 42%

Goals

0.00

Bottom 3%

Assists

0.17

Top 20%

Chances created

1.84

Top 13%

Touches in the opposition’s box

4.86

Top 5%

He may have ended last season without a Premier League goal to his name but, as you can see in the table above, the midfielder was doing all the right things.

Willock got himself into high-quality shooting positions and delivered decent shots, with 0.09 xG on target per 90, but was foiled by quality goalkeeping, whilst his touches in the opposition box per 90 show that he is a constant threat on the pitch.

The 25-year-old star, who was once described as “special” by Mikel Arteta, has the potential to deliver goals and assists at an impressive rate if given more opportunities at Leeds, and if he gets more luck with goalkeepers not stopping his high-quality shots.

Willock only started 11 times in the Premier League under Eddie Howe last season, and a move to Elland Road could provide him with a chance to play week-in-week-out and deliver quality in the final third on a regular basis, to be Farke’s own version of Klich in midfield.

More important than Gudmundsson: Leeds open talks to sign £19m star

Leeds have made an enquiry about a deal to sign a star who would be an even more important signing than Gabriel Gudmundsson.

ByDan Emery Jul 8, 2025

What the contenders need to do to qualify for the World Test Championship final

S Rajesh02-Oct-2024 • Updated on 24-Oct-2024India
Despite the loss in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, India stay in a healthy position at the top of the table. For them to get enough points to seal their place in the WTC final regardless of other results, they need at least four wins and one draw (52 points) in their remaining seven Tests, which will give them 65.79 percentage points. South Africa can get up to 69.44 if they win each of their remaining six Tests, but Australia can only reach 62.28 with four wins and one draw (assuming they lose two to India and draw one, and win the other four Tests).If India get fewer than 52 points, then there is a possibility of them not being in the top two. For instance, if they win four Tests (48 points, 64.04%), then it’s possible for Australia and South Africa to overtake them. Sri Lanka can finish with more than 67% too, but wins for them will be at the expense of points for both Australia and South Africa. That will work in India’s favour as Australia and South Africa could then both finish below India. New Zealand can finish as high as 64.29% if they win each of their five remaining Tests.Australia
Currently in second place at 62.5%, Australia can finish on a maximum of 76.32 if they win each of their remaining seven Tests. The two teams against whom they play their remaining series, India and Sri Lanka, are also strong contenders for the final, so wins against them will doubly help Australia’s cause. Five wins will lift their percentage to 65.79, but India and South Africa can still go past them. Things will be clearer by the time they start the series against India, though, as the visitors would have finished their three home Tests against New Zealand.South Africa
South Africa’s victory against Bangladesh in the Mirpur Test has kept them in the race for a top-two finish. If they win each of their five remaining Tests they will finish with 69.44%, which will surely be enough for qualification, as only one out of India or Australia can go past that number. Four wins and a draw will leave them with 63.89, which will still keep them in contention, while four wins and a defeat will lower the percentage marginally to 61.11, which will still give them a chance if other results go their way. The second Test against Bangladesh, ahead of four home Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan later this year, is shaping up as a crucial fixture.Sri Lanka
With a full 24 points gained from their last two Tests, Sri Lanka have made a strong push towards a top-two finish in this WTC cycle. Their four remaining Tests are against two opponents who are also contenders for the final. If they win each of those matches and take home 48 more points (keep in mind over-rate deductions are always a threat), they will finish on 69.23% and assure themselves of a place in the final regardless of other results. If they lose one and win three they will end up at 61.54, which will still leave them with a chance of qualifying, depending on other results.Australia would have a clearer picture of qualification ahead of the home Tests against India•AFP/Getty ImagesNew Zealand
New Zealand can still finish with a percentage as high as 64.29 if they win all five remaining Tests, but that remains a tough ask despite their victory in the first Test against India in Bengaluru. Even if they win three of those five Tests and lose two, they will finish at only 50%.England
After winning and losing their first two Tests in Pakistan, England can no longer finish with more than 60 percentage points. For them to qualify with that score, they will need several other results to work in their favour.Bangladesh
The two defeats in India and now one at home to South Africa have hurt Bangladesh badly – from 45.83% they have dropped to 30.56. Even if they win each of their three remaining Tests, it is unlikely to be enough for a place in the top two.Pakistan
Pakistan’s win against England in Multan has pushed their percentage points above 20, but they can’t get above 60 even if they win all their remaining matches in this cycle.West Indies
West Indies have already played four series and have only scored 20 points out of 108. Even if they win their last four Tests, they can only finish on 43.59%.

Tottenham are after a few more key summer signings before deadline day on September 1.

£43m star "clear" he wants to join Tottenham in talks with club chairman

He’s expressed his desire to seal a Spurs switch.

3 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 15, 2025

Preferably for new manager Thomas Frank, they’d secure their desired targets before taking on European champions PSG in their looming UEFA Super Cup final, but it is rarely that straightforward when it comes to Spurs.

The Lilywhites are currently embroiled in a lengthy transfer saga involving Morgan Gibbs-White, who was due to have a medical on July 11 before Nottingham Forest blocked the 25-year-old’s move and threatened legal action against Spurs.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

This has caused an unceremonious delay, but Tottenham are optimistic they can still sign Gibbs-White behind-the-scenes (Fabrizio Romano), even if they may have to wait a bit longer before announcing the England international as their fifth major signing of the summer after Kevin Danso, Mathys Tel, Kota Takai and Mohammed Kudus.

If Spurs’ £60 million deal for Gibbs-White goes through, then it would take Daniel Levy’s summer spending to around £172 million, providing they don’t have to pay Forest more compensation to sweeten the deal.

“The end result is that to get this deal done, Tottenham are probably gonna have to negotiate with Nottingham Forest a fee that includes not just the £60m release clause, but a little extra to effectively buy themselves out of the dispute, or walk away,” said Football Finance expert Stefan Borson to Football Insider.

“Now, we’ve seen in the past other teams have walked away. Of course, we know Liverpool walked away from Van Dijk and came back in January.

“I still think the most likely scenario is that Spurs are the only team that want to buy the player right now, that they’ll pay an extra, let’s say, £5-10m, maybe an extra £5m plus £5m, and the deal could get done. That would be the most likely outcome.”

As well as Gibbs-White, Tottenham are targeting a new number six, with Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha on their list of potential targets, as reliably reported by Alasdair Gold.

The north Londoners are also contenders to sign Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, alongside Newcastle United and Forest, with the Congolese recently travelling to London for talks over his future (Ben Jacobs).

Tottenham's four-word transfer promise to Thomas Frank

Whatever the outcome of these pursuits, it appears Levy and co are very active in the market right now, which links in to an alleged promise they’ve made Frank about recruitment this summer.

According to Spanish news outlet Diario AS, Tottenham have given Frank an encouraging four-word message in regard to their transfer plans before 2025/2026 – simply stating “investment and more investment” – as quoted by the outlet.

This comes as Levy looks to make a “statement” to the rest of the Premier League this summer, which comes as a promising bit of news for supporters who are about to watch Frank’s attempts to compete on multiple fronts.

They were once tipped for a ‘sell to buy’ summer at one stage, but their advancing talks over a stadium naming rights deal and rumoured cash injection from ENIC appear to have negated the need for high-profile players to depart.

Now, Frank is set to benefit, and as things stand, Levy is making good on the club’s pledge.