Tag Futebol

Aston Villa are yet to show off their best in the Premier League this season.

It has been a disorienting summer for Unai Emery’s men after all, with the likes of Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins being consistently looked at by their fellow top-flight rivals, away from the disappointing departure of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United for £43m.

Still, with the transfer window wrapping up very shortly, the Spaniard will hope he can keep a firm grip on his top assets – away from the sad exit of Ramsey – with a bounce back from his side’s two winless opening matches also on the cards.

On top of that, he will further be eager to welcome in a few new additions before August is out, with a whole host of fresh signings reportedly on the Villans’ radar.

Aston Villa show late interest in £40m star

Minus splurging out £30m on Evan Guessand, Villa have been quiet in terms of flashy incoming signings.

Transfer Focus

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

That could soon change if Emery and Co are finally successful in their advances to land Chelsea outcast Nicolas Jackson, with Villa having reportedly made him their top target for the remainder of the window.

A deal makes sense, particularly considering he’s already worked with Emery. However, he isn’t the only costly addition rumoured to be making the switch to Villa Park.

The Daily Mail Online have revealed that Villa are in the hunt to sign wantaway West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta.

It won’t be straightforward for Villa to win the Brazilian, who has a hefty £40m price tag above his head, with the report further clarifying that Tottenham Hotspur are also keen to pick up another asset from their near-London rivals, having sounded out Paqueta as a target to now pursue after losing out on Eberechi Eze.

Yet, if Villa were to find themselves at the front of the queue for the lively 27-year-old, they might be about to win a far better signing than a hit-and-miss Jackson entering Emery’s group.

Why Paqueta could be a better signing than Jackson

Rampant transfer talk surrounding Watkins deserting Villa Park has died down in recent weeks.

Therefore, forking out £60m on a striker such as Jackson, who has been prone to widespread barren patches of form at Stamford Bridge, might not be the most sensible move, with £30m already shelled out on landing Guessand to enhance the Premier League side’s forward personnel.

Worryingly, Jackson has squandered a colossal 43 big chances across his last two league seasons at Chelsea.

His goal return of 24 league strikes when he isn’t being wasteful ultimately falls flat next to Watkins’ far superior 35 efforts across the same span.

While the former Villarreal forward might not be viewed as the most sensible use of money, landing Paqueta for £40m could be deemed a masterstroke if he can let his football do the talking in the West Midlands, away from being embroiled in off-the-field controversies at the London Stadium.

AM

55

9 + 9

CM

22

3 + 0

LW

13

2 + 4

LM

13

2 + 0

DM

5

0

CF

4

1 + 1

RW

1

0

RM

1

1 + 0

Indeed, Paqueta has stood out as a vibrant, versatile presence throughout his 122-game stay in East London, with his collection of 19 goals and 14 assists from those clashes seeing him line up in a plethora of different positions, showcasing precisely why he’s been described as “one of the best 10s in the world” by one data analyst.

Having been one of a select few to exit West Ham’s recent 5-1 loss with Chelsea with his head held high, too, having smashed home the Hammers’ opener, the Brazilian will be champing at the bit to line up alongside faces such as Watkins and Rogers, hoping he can elevate his game to their lofty standards in the process.

Well, he should be up for the test, having further been hailed as “magic” by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Emery will also immediately want Paqueta’s energy from the middle of the park to rub off on his players after a lifeless opening to the season, with the Hammers’ number 10 winning a high six duels per game in league action throughout 2024/25.

Jackson could well go on to do a reasonable job up top in claret and blue, but with Paqueta once being touted for an £85m switch to Manchester City, snapping him up for just £40m is surely the better move to sign off on.

Villa already have Watkins and Guessand who can play up top, but adding another creative face to take the burden away from Rogers – particularly considering he could leave – would be a wise use of funds.

Their next Ramsey: Aston Villa advancing to sign £26m star in late move

Unai Emery could swoop in for his next Jacob Ramsey at Aston Villa by successfully purchasing this £26m ace.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 25, 2025

أجرى محمد صلاح، نجم فريق ليفربول، حوارًا مع شبكة قنوات “بي إن سبورتس” القطرية حيث تطرق خلاله للحديث عن العديد من الأمور، على رأسها لياقته البدنية ومنافسيهم على لقب الدوري الإنجليزي.

ويتصدر ليفربول جدول الدوري الإنجليزي برصيد 18 نقطة، بالعلامة الكاملة بعدما حقق الفريق الفوز في مبارياته الخمس الماضية في البطولة.

وعندما سُئل عن كيفية حفاظ الفريق على النسق الخاص به وإصلاح المشاكل التي يتعرض لها، رد محمد صلاح: “فيما يخص إصلاح الأمور، عليك أن تسأل المدرب، شيء رائع أن يكون لديك رد فعل سريع تجاه الأمور السلبية التي قد تحدث في كل مباراة، سعيد بما حدث وردة الفعل، ولكن هذا شيء يجب أن ندرسه بعمق، ولا بد من إيجاد الاستجابة السريعة، أعتقد أن هذا يُعد أمرًا قابل للإصلاح”.

وفيما يخص دوره مع الفريق في الدقائق الأخيرة من المباريات من أجل تحقيق الفوز، قال: “أنا أتحدث من وجهة نظر مهاجم، ولكن عليك كذلك سؤال المدافعين والمدرب، لكن لقد كان لدينا إيمان في حظوظنا حتى الدقيقة الأخيرة، مثلما حدث أمام بورنموث ونيوكاسل يونايتد، لقد وجدنا الوقت المناسب والحلول اللازمة”.

وأضاف: “ولكن بورنموث وجه لنا صفعة في الدقائق الأخيرة، إذا رغبت في الفوز بلقب الدوري الإنجليزي، عليك إيجاد التوازن بين خط الهجوم والوسط والدفاع، استقبال الأهداف الكثيرة ليس بالإشارة الجيدة، ولكن لابد من إصلاح الأمور خاصة فيما يتعلق بتسجيل الأهداف من الهجمات المرتدة، الأمر لا يتعلق بعدد اللاعبين المتواجدين في مركز ما”.

وعن المنافسين لـ ليفربول على لقب الدوري، قال: “تواجدت هنا على مدار 9 مواسم تقريبًا، وأعتقد أن مانشستر سيتي سيكون المنافس المباشر، وكذلك آرسنال وتشيلسي، هكذا ستسير الأمور حسبما أعتقد”.

اقرأ أيضًا | رسميًا.. ليفربول يحذف ليوني من دوري أبطال أوروبا ويضم لاعبًا آخر

وفيما يخص لياقته البدنية، قال: “لا يوجد سر في هذا الصدد، أنا أثابر في التدريبات وأحافظ على نفسي بطريقة جيدة، لدي روتين يومي وأحافظ عليه، أستيقظ في الصباح وأؤدي صلواتي وأستمع إلى الموسيقى وأتناول زيت الزيتون وأحتسي القهوة، وأتناول وجبات خفيفة مثل الكرواسون، بناءً على المران، وكذلك السلطة، ربما شيء من الدجاج واللحم، وكل الفيتامينات، وأتناول كذلك البطاطس، وفي الليل أتناول بعض الخضراوات والكربوهيدرات”.

واسترسل: “التمرين في المنزل؟ نعم، بعد الانتهاء من التدريبات في الفريق، أذهب إلى المنزل وأتجه إلى غرفة اللياقة البدنية، حوالي السادسة والنصف مساءً، وأقضي 40 دقيقة في التمرين اليومي حتى أستعيد لياقتي البدنية ثم أذهب إلى الساونا، وإذا كان لدي وقت قبل تناول العشاء في 7:30 مساءً، أذهب إلى المسبح”.

وعن مشاعره الجياشة بعد نهاية مباراة ليفربول وبورنموث في الجولة الأولى من الدوري الإنجليزي، مع الجماهير، قال: “لقد تفاجأت بما حدث، ذهبت إلي فان دايك وتبادلنا العناق، لدي علاقة بناءة معه، لم أنطق بأي كلمة، ولكن المشاعر كانت عالية للغاية، استمتعت بأوقاتي مع بقية اللاعبين والجماهير، رأيت شخصًا من الجماهير يبكي وتحركت داخلي المشاعر (بسبب وفاة جوتا)، وقررت البقاء حتى النهاية”.

واستكمل: “اللاعبون الجدد؟ يجب علينا إيجاد التوليفة الجيدة بين كل اللاعبين، وعلى كل لاعب أن يفرض نفسه في التشكيل الأساسي، حتى هذا ينطبق على لاعبي دكة البدلاء، لابد من فهم أسلوب لعب سلوت وتحليل مقاطع كل فريق تواجهه، خاصة عندما يتعلق الأمر باللاعبين ذوي الجودة المرتفعة، عليهم ألا يترددوا في طرح الأسئلة والمثابرة في التدريبات”.

وأضاف: “إيكتيكي لاعب محير، لا تنتظر الكثير منه، ولكن لديه ميزة تميزه، تشبه ديفوك أوريجي، هناك الكثير من العناصر التي تميزه، يعرف دوره الذي يتعين عليه القيام به، لقد سجل أهدافًا عدة معنا، نعلم أن هناك ضغط عليه بسبب قيمة صفقة انتقاله إلينا، إلا إنه يتعامل مع الأمر جيدًا، ولكن أنا سعيد من أجله وأتمنى أن يستمر على هذا النحو”.

وعن الأسيست الذي قام به ضد نيوكاسل يونايتد في الوقت القاتل، وسجله اللاعب ريو نجوموها، وعن تعزيز مركزه على صعيد التمريرات الحاسمة في الدوري، قال: “هذا شيء يسعدني، لا أركز في الإحصائيات، أنا أركز على مساعدة فريقي وتحقيق الفوز”.

Rapid five-wicket haul is followed by fast-paced fifty to leave Derbyshire on the ropes

ECB Reporters Network17-Sep-2024Middlesex, trying to close a 15-point gap behind second-placed Yorkshire in the promotion race, utterly dominated an afternoon in Derby where the home side, attempting to overcome their own 19-point deficit to elude a first wooden spoon since 2016, lost six wickets for three runs in 43 balls.With Toby Roland-Jones returning five for 34 in all, Derbyshire ignominiously sank from 130 for two to an eventual 173. The decline set in when Harry Came fell for 66 as the Middlesex captain extended his recent superb sequence to 36 wickets at 16.92 in six matches.Led by Mark Stoneman’s rampant, unbeaten 79, Middlesex then romped through the evening, too, reaching 125 for one in reply on the first day of a vital Vitality County Championship meeting for them. No home seamer could match the accuracy and late movement on an occasionally two-paced pitch that meant “TRJ” claimed all his five scalps bowled or LBW.Belatedly exploiting conditions after Ryan Higgins’s outswing had undone Luis Reece for 20, he first removed Brooke Guest, missed by Noah Cornwell off his own bowling when three but out for seven 50 minutes from lunch, which arrived at 99 for two.Startling carnage then swept in from nowhere from the afternoon’s seventh over. Came lost his off stump and, after Wayne Madsen top-edged a cut at Ethan Bamber to first slip to go for 20, Roland-Jones knocked over two more for ducks and a then a third without score once David Lloyd had returned a catch to Bamber for two.Derisive applause greeted the single that finally took Derbyshire off 133, the score at which the last hapless trio had fallen, and the former England man’s spell ended with 8-5-6-4. It took the 17-year old bowler Harry Moore, in only his third first-class innings, and spinner Jack Morley, on loan from Lancashire, to add 35 for the ninth wicket.Having resisted 38 balls for one run, Morley unaccountably then leapt out to Luke Hollman’s leg spin and was bowled by his 39th before Moore miscued a lofted drive to deep mid-on for 32, which brought tea two overs early.In five of their last eight completed innings, Derbyshire had failed to better their 173 here. But Middlesex were aware at the interval that Yorkshire were doing well in Cardiff and that Sussex, the other side above them, already seemed well set for success in Bristol.If the obvious task was to make their own advantage now count, it didn’t help that the second ball of the reply, a half-volley from Zak Chappell, was clipped by Sam Robson low to mid-on. But their response to being one down without a run scored was full-on aggression: a dozen fours had come by the twelfth over.Chappell, who’d received his county cap in a presentation at the start, could celebrate no further as the two left-handers, Stoneman and Max Holden plundered 71 in the hour that took the former to his first fifty for eleven innings, off only 41 balls.If the tempo eased against the spinners on a surface already taking turn, Holden, the foil to Stoneman’s belligerence, moved quietly on to 44 not out by the close and the pair will resume their 125-run partnership on Wedneday with Middlesex only 48 in arrears.

Bayern Munich have now made an approach over a potential deal for a Chelsea star who excelled at the Club World Cup, according to a report.

Blues crowned Club World Cup champions in New Jersey

Few would have predicted the Blues to cause an upset against European champions Paris Saint-Germain, but they put in a remarkable performance to secure a 3-0 victory, with all three goals coming in the first-half.

Cole Palmer is likely to get most of the headlines, with the England international bagging a brace, and the 23-year-old’s second goal was extremely well-taken, creating space with a shimmy that was impossible for Lucas Beraldo and Vitinha to predict.

However, Enzo Maresca has praised the entire team for the way in which they were able to implement his game plan, saying: “It went well, but I think we won the game in the first 10 minutes, when the team came out to demonstrate that we were here to try to win, respecting the rival, considering the rival the best team in the world at this time.

“But I think in the end, you can give the players a plan, but in the end it’s them who have to execute it, and they did it very well.”

Another player who caught the eye was Malo Gusto, with the right-back assisting Palmer’s opening goal vs PSG, while also being trusted by Maresca throughout the tournament, featuring in every single match.

Chelsea now in race to sign PSG's "sensational" £34m Ballon d'Or contender

The Blues are vying to sign one of the world’s best-performing players…

ByDominic Lund Jul 14, 2025

However, according to a report from France, Gusto is now attracting interest from across the continent, with Bayern Munich submitting an enquiry over a potential deal, given that Sacha Boey is expected to leave the German club this summer.

It is currently unclear whether the Blues would be willing to listen to offers for the Frenchman, who started against PSG, but they should be in a strong negotiating position, as he remains contracted until 2030.

Chelsea must reject Bayern's advances

Maresca could be brewing something special at Stamford Bridge, with the statement victory over PSG suggesting his side may be Premier League title contenders next season, and Chelsea must not put that at risk by selling one of their key players.

The France international made 32 appearances in the Premier League last season, indicating Maresca trusts the full-back, with the Italian also describing the 22-year-old as one of his “favourite” players.

As such, it seems unlikely that a departure will be on the cards this summer, especially in the wake of the Club World Cup final triumph, which may convince the defender to continue being a part of Maresca’s project.

That said, if Chelsea do decide to cash-in, they should hold out for far more than the £31m they forked out to sign him from Lyon back in January 2023.

Lancashire 176 for 8 (Wells 66, Hasan 3-47) beat Birmingham Bears 168 for 6 (Hain 59, Wells 2-25) by eight runsEarly pacesetters Lancashire Lightning beat Birmingham Bears at fortress Emirates Old Trafford to stay top of the embryonic Vitality Blast North Group table, with Luke Wells to the fore.Lightning just defended a 177 target to win by eight runs, sealing their third victory in four games as Wells opened with a career best-equalling 66 off 32 balls, then returned 2 for 25 with his legspinners and added two catches.Bears missed the chance to leapfrog their hosts to the group’s summit, losing for the first time in three matches as they replied to 176 for 8 with 168 for 6 despite Sam Hain’s 59 off 44.Lancashire are now unbeaten in 23 group fixtures at Emirates Old Trafford since the end of summer 2020, excluding matches where not a ball was bowled. Surrey did, however, win here in last summer’s quarter-final.Wells clattered five early sixes before bowling Chris Benjamin to put the skids under Birmingham at 56 for 3 in the seventh over of their chase.The tall left-hander, playing his 48th T20 match, lit up the first half of Lancashire’s innings with his flurry of sixes, including three successively over midwicket off Pakistan pacer Hassan Ali at the start of fourth over, which went for 27.That gave Lightning, invited to bat on a used pitch, valuable momentum at 47 for 1 having only taken eight runs from the first two overs.Wells only scored one off his first six balls yet reached his fifty off 22, taking Lancashire to 73 for 1 after six.He dominated an 80-run stand inside six overs with captain Keaton Jennings from 18 for 1 in the third over. But Bears fought back superbly with four wickets for 30, starting with Jennings stumped off a leg-side wide from left-arm wristspinner Jake Lintott.As spin put the squeeze on, Lintott also had Wells stumped by captain Alex Davies to finish with 2 for 29, while Danny Briggs got Tom Bruce and a brilliant George Garton throw running in from deep midwicket ran out Matty Hurst – Lancashire 128 for 5 in the 14th.Hasan returned to get three wickets in the final over – Steven Croft, Chris Green and Luke Wood caught in the deep – as the hosts lost momentum.But their score was still very competitive courtesy of Wells’ early fireworks, which felt like the exception rather than the norm on this sluggish surface.Lightning quicks Mitchell Stanley and Luke Wood removed openers Davies and Rob Yates caught at third and deep square-leg respectively in the space of three balls to leave Bears 23 for 2 in the third over. Benjamin was then bowled trying to slog sweep Wells, and Bears were struggling.They reached 76 for 3 after 10 overs, needing 101 more. England fringe quick Saqib Mahmood, playing his first T20 match in just over a year following injury, then had Dan Mousley caught at long-leg by action-man Wells – 76 for 4 in the 11th.Bears then hit back, as they had done with the ball. Hain and Jacob Bethell shared 62 inside seven overs, the latter contributing 33 before falling caught behind off Wells.At 138 for 5 in the 17th, Bears needed 39. But Hain, with a season’s best score in all formats to his name, then drilled Wood to Wells at mid-off – 147 for 6 with 11 balls left. That proved decisive, leaving Mahmood defending 24 off the last.

This is the summer for signing a new striker, with that certainly true of those at Manchester United, having been forced to witness Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund score just seven Premier League goals between them in 2024/25.

Having splashed out over £100m on that youthful pairing across the last two summers, the Red Devils are once again ready to dip into the market for a centre-forward. The problem is, so is everyone else.

Indeed, reports have suggested that Liverpool are seeking to secure a replacement for the potentially departing Darwin Nunez, while Arsenal’s lengthy bid for a proper number nine could also come to an end, amid links to RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have already edged out Ruben Amorim and co for the capture of Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, with the Blues also among those in the mix for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike – now that’s just getting greedy.

Unsurprisingly, those top-flight rivals appear to be shopping in the same pool, with Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres no doubt an in-demand target, amid his expected exit from the Lisbon outfit.

A reunion with Amorim in Manchester has been more than mooted, but the prolific Swede certainly isn’t the only target under consideration.

Latest on Man Utd's striker search

With it already reported that Gyokeres is open to making a move to Old Trafford, despite the lack of Champions League football on offer, further reports outlined that a bid is in the works for the £60m man.

The now 27-year-old previously scored 66 goals in just 68 games during Amorim’s spell in charge of the Primeira Liga outfit, with the 6 foot 2 ace unsurprisingly earmarked as a standout target to ease United’s goalscoring woes.

That said, alternatives are also under consideration, with Italian outlet Tuttosport suggesting that the Red Devils could be ready to battle the Gunners for the signing of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.

Transfer Focus

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

Indeed, the belief is that the Nigerian sensation has turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi side Al Hilal, amid the hope of securing a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs instead.

The report goes as far as to suggest that it is the interest of both United and Arsenal that led to the 26-year-old snubbing a move to the Middle East, albeit with it yet to be seen whether the pair will firm up their apparent interest.

If either side does wish to prise the former Lille man from Naples, following his year-long loan spell at Galatasaray, then previous reports have indicated that he could be available for a fee of around €75m (£63m).

Why Osimhen could be the next Ronaldo

The wait for a centre-forward solution continues at Old Trafford, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s haul of 18 league goals still ranking as the joint-best top-flight return for the club in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

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

Ronaldo, of course, endured an ultimately acrimonious exit from the Red Devils in the end, albeit while still clinging on to the limelight three years later, following his crucial equaliser in Portugal’s eventual Nations League final triumph over Spain on Sunday night.

Ever the man for the big occasion, the 40-year-old is THE goalscorer of this or even any era, with his latest effort taking him up to 938 career goals in total.

Osimhen, meanwhile, may currently rest on ‘just’ 151 club career goals – plus 26 for his country – although that has come from only 264 games, having been a hit in Belgium, France, Italy and Turkey thus far.

Indeed, the centre-forward “monster – as described by analyst Ben Mattinson – ended 2024/25 with 37 goals to his name in all competitions for Galatasaray, with 26 of those coming in the Turkish Super Lig.

Previously a central figure in Napoli’s 2022/23 Scudetto charge, following his 26-goal Serie A haul, Osimhen, in a similar vein to the great Ronaldo, appears to have that knack for being able to shine no matter the club, country or arena.

It is for that reason that former Besiktas forward Nihat Kahveci has described him as being “like Cristiano Ronaldo”, while Osimhen also boasts a remarkable heading ability, akin to his Al Nassr counterpart, having been hailed as a “beast in the air” by Mattinson.

A man who also likes to steal the limelight – like ‘CR7’ – Osimhen is also a true “goal poacher” too, as hailed by compatriot Segun Odegbami, with such instincts seemingly lacking from Hojland and the current crop.

As already stated, the battle is on across the Premier League and Europe for a new centre-forward. Osimhen, unsurprisingly, will have a long list of suitors – now is the time for United to pounce.

Bruno will make him world-class: Man Utd prepare bid for "insane" £60m star

Man Utd could be set to land the perfect partner for Bruno Fernandes this summer

ByRobbie Walls Jun 9, 2025

Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany is now very eager for the Bundesliga giants to sign a top Chelsea transfer target, with Enzo Maresca’s side facing even more competition for one player they are seriously pursuing.

Chelsea target new centre-back with summer names identified

The Blues are reportedly planning to reinforce the centre-back area this summer, following Wesley Fofana’s long-term injury and an evident shortage in that position.

Chelsea now very keen on signing "superstar" striker; may submit £39m offer

The Blues could be willing to launch a move for a forward, who may now be allowed to leave his club this summer.

ByDominic Lund Apr 15, 2025

Chelsea activated the recall clause in Trevoh Chalobah’s loan deal at Crystal Palace to bring him back to Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window, rather than sign a completely new name mid-season, but the Cobham academy graduate isn’t expected to have a long-term future under Maresca.

Fulham (away)

April 20th

Everton (home)

April 26th

Liverpool (home)

May 4th

Newcastle (away)

May 10th

Man United (home)

May 18th

It is believed Chelsea are likely to let Chalobah go permanently in the summer (BBC), so the west Londoners will be in need of another centre-back to reinforce Maresca’s defensive options, ahead of his second season in charge, where they could be competing in the Champions League.

According to reliable journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea are expected to ‘go big’ on the signing of a new defender, with Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi and Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen on their radar.

Stamford Bridge chiefs, according to The Mirror, are even contemplating the possibility of a £50 million part-exchange bid for the former, and could offer Chalobah as part of the deal to re-sign their ex-player.

Meanwhile, Huijsen’s excellent season at Bournemouth, combined with the fact he’ll be available for the value of his £50 million release clause this summer, has piqued interest from Chelsea and other elite Premier League sides.

According to the reliable David Ornstein, Chelsea have reached out to Huijsen’s camp for talks ahead of the summer window, so it appears the Spain international is a firm target for Maresca.

However, following these discussions with Chelsea, competition is growing for the “sensational” 20-year-old’s signature, and Maresca now faces a serious threat from Bayern in pursuit of Huijsen.

Vincent Kompany tells Bayern Munich to sign Dean Huijsen

According to Football Insider and journalist Pete O’Rourke, Kompany is “pushing” Bayern to sign Huijsen this summer, and the Bavarians have joined the hotly-contested race for his services as a result.

Kompany is said to be a “huge fan” of the former Juventus defender, and they’re believed to be really pressing for Huijsen alongside Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle – with Tottenham also believed to have made contact (David Ornstein).

However, all of them may even be left disappointed, as Huijsen reportedly favours a move to Real Madrid.

In any case, the Spaniard’s next destination is fast becoming one of this summer’s most intriguing transfer stories, and it isn’t hard to see why so many clubs are keen on him after his hugely impressive debut season in the Premier League.

“He is one of the highest quality prospects in European football at this age level,” said Fenerbache boss and former Blues manager José Mourinho.

“He will be a great footballer in the future.”

Three more points in the bag. Newcastle United might just claim a top-four spot in the Premier League, you know, to make an incredible season even more special.

Leicester City were tired and weary against a Newcastle side that pulled no punches. The Foxes limped through the contest, picked at by the swooping Magpies.

Eddie Howe has worked wonders at the club, reaching such heights this year off the back of a disappointing 2023/24 campaign and a frustrating 2024 summer transfer window.

But he needs a big push this summer, should United rise to the next level in 2025/26. Holding onto Alexander Isak will be key, but that’s not to say Howe’s squad won’t need a new centre-forward anyway.

Newcastle make contact with striker

As per Calcio Mercato over in Italy, Newcastle have made contact with Moise Kean’s agent as they prepare to chase down his signature this summer, though caution is needed with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur also eager to sign him.

Kean, who flopped during his younger years at Everton, has bloomed into one of Serie A’s leading strikers over the past few years, currently enjoying a prolific campaign with Fiorentina.

With a release clause in his contract worth £45m, the 25-year-old could be on the move this summer and St. James’ Park would be the perfect new stomping ground.

What Moise Kean would bring to Newcastle

PIF will hope that their valuation of Isak, north of £150m, will deter interested parties this summer. In any event, Howe needs new forwards, with Callum Wilson’s contract expiring this summer and William Osula as yet unproven as a reliable option.

If Newcastle are to sign a new number nine, they might be wise to target one in the same vein as their Swedish sensation. Kean is that man.

The Italy striker, who has scored 22 goals for Fiorentina this term, so strong and assured of himself, so “fearless” and “courageous,” as has been noted by Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel.

Reviving his career after a rocky start – a bit like Isak at Real Sociedad, before his £63m transfer to St. James’ Park – Kean has the athletic skill set to succeed in the Premier League.

He boasted such quality before, but was felled by a lack of composure and frustrations concerning being an up-and-coming talent in a turbulent Everton team.

Fiorentina – 24/25

28

17

3

Juventus – 23/24

19

0

0

Juventus – 22/23

28

6

0

Juventus – 21/22

32

5

3

PSG – 20/21*

26

13

0

Everton – 20/21*

2

0

0

Now, he’s enjoying the apotheosis of his career (thus far), with his clinical nature marrying into an aggressive approach to the final third, actually ranking among the top 9% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

This is a further illustration of how he could slot right in as Isak’s partner, mirroring the superstar while bringing something new to the table too.

Last month, BBC Sport’s Mina Rzouki remarked that Kean “made the best decision of his career to go to Fiorentina and leave Juventus.”

Newcastle could provide a similar hothouse for development, and he should emulate his international teammate Sandro Tonali in making the move to Tyneside.

As good as Murphy: Newcastle star just proved he's as undroppable as Isak

The Newcastle United star showed why he is as undroppable as Alexander Isak.

ByDan Emery Apr 8, 2025

Accurate and near unplayable, the England spinner played hard on the field but always had room for a beer after a well-fought game

Ian Chappell21-Apr-2024There are some humorous and often applicable nicknames in cricket but none more suitable than “Deadly” for Derek Underwood.Derek was a deadly accurate bowler and a fierce competitor who sadly died recently from dementia complications. Despite being a feared competitor, he was a respected opponent.Always – and I mean every night – Underwood was available for an after-play drink in the dressing room. When it came to cricket, two of his main loves were bowling and beer.He employed an extraordinarily long run-up for a spinner and operated nearer medium pace than the typical speed of a slow bowler, but boy, he was accurate. Too speedy to use your feet to, and difficult to drive, he was the hardest spinner to score off who I played against.Related

Deadly venom: the terror of Derek Underwood

Derek Underwood, England and Kent's legendary spinner, dies aged 78

Goodbye Deadly, fierce of arm, gentle of heart

Right-hand batters had to scrounge for every run. The highly skilled West Indian Viv Richards was one of the few right-handers who had the courage and the skill to loft him over cover.Nevertheless batters had one thing in their favour. Underwood wore his heart on his sleeve: you knew when he was pissed off. And he was most aggrieved by the sweep shot.Having retired from first-class cricket, I shared a London cab with him in 1977, when only the players knew about the existence of the highly secretive World Series Cricket (WSC). Without divulging much, I said to him, “It’s on again, mate.”Underwood knew exactly what I meant and replied, “That bloody broom – I thought I’d seen the last of it.”The broom was a reference to my penchant for sweeping Underwood. I discovered that was one of the few ways to score off him and, as I said, it annoyed Deadly.He was deservedly pissed off at the Oval in 1972 but for an entirely different reason. A West Indies supporter of Australia in that game constantly called out when Underwood was operating: “Bad-wicket bowler. Don’t let him get you out.”

Batters had one thing in their favour. Underwood wore his heart on his sleeve: you knew when he was pissed off. And he was most aggrieved by the sweep shot

In his self-deprecating manner, Underwood described spin bowling as “a low-mentality profession: plug away, line and length, until there’s a mistake”.As a batter he was not the most gifted but he was determined. He and England’s Tony Greig had a useful partnership at the Gabba in the first Test of 1974-75 before I turned to our golden arm, Doug Walters.Walters dismissed Underwood with his first ball, and when we gleefully congratulated the bowler, he produced a typically smart-aleck retort: “A lesser batsman wouldn’t have got a bat on it.”However it was Underwood’s bowling that deservedly gained him a glowing reputation. On dampish pitches he was nigh unplayable, and his ally Alan Knott was a master wicketkeeper, especially on treacherous pitches. Underwood specialised in the superman ball – up, up and away – but Knott, in typically expert fashion, handled the difficult task of gathering those deliveries easily.It was on such a pitch at Adelaide Oval in 1975 that he took the first seven Australian wickets. Gritty opener Ian Redpath battled his backside off but eventually was incorrectly given out in the final over before lunch. Sitting in the dressing room an exasperated Redpath spat on his bat. The mirth of that moment did not detract from the fact that it had been an engaging sight to watch two highly competitive players involved in such a herculean struggle.In 1975-76 a mixed team of Australians and cricketers from other countries played in an International Wanderers tour to South Africa captained by my brother Greg Chappell and managed by the revered Richie Benaud. A dignitary at a cocktail function in Soweto welcomed the “Australian” team to the city, so I went to Underwood and said, “Congratulations on finally representing a good team.” His answer was unprintable but it definitely included “piss off”.Underwood later signed for WSC and also represented England on the 1981-82 rebel tour of South Africa. His defiant decisions were a mark of his single-mindedness but also of his belief that a professional cricketer should be paid his worth.In a distinctive life after retiring from cricket, the universally popular Underwood was appointed president of the MCC in 2008.It was a privilege to compete against such a tough but exemplary opponent.

The ACC’s decision to have an all-female umpires’ panel at the Asia Cup has opened doors for the likes of Saleema Imtiaz

Mohammad Isam03-Oct-2022Like all debutants, Saleema Imtiaz had a bout of the nerves when she officiated in an international match for the first time, earlier this week in the India vs Sri Lanka game at the Women’s Asia Cup. But it lasted all of one ball. She has umpired at the domestic level for more than a decade, so once the ball was set rolling, she was in her comfort zone.For Saleema, and many others, the Asian Cricket Council’s decision to appoint an all-female group of umpires for the tournament, being held in Sylhet, has meant new opportunities.”I have been umpiring for 15 years, but I was shocked when I got called by the Asian Cricket Council,” Saleema told ESPNcricinfo. “I was a little nervous making my international debut. It is a first exposure for me. I was obviously very excited. But it was a great experience. When the first ball was bowled in the match, I became confident. I told myself, ‘I can do this’.”It is a great opportunity from the ACC to the female umpires and match referees. We are from different countries and cultures, but we are here like a family. We support each other. We teach each other. There should be more such opportunities. The male umpires have been doing it in previous Asia Cups. I think we are doing a good job. I also want to thank the PCB for selecting us.”

“Males don’t have as many problems as females, especially in Asian countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan. If they trust their daughters, wives and mothers, they will bring honour to the family”Saleema Imtiaz

She isn’t the only one from Pakistan at the Asia Cup, there’s also Humaira Farah. And there a number of umpires and other match officials from other Asian countries, including from Qatar, Malaysia and the UAE.Saleema started umpiring in 2006 after taking part in a course conducted by the PCB. Prior to that, her career as a player had been a short one – she played just couple of years of domestic cricket. She also works as a sports coordinator at Karachi’s Nixor College. As for the dream of representing her country as a player, it has been realised through her daughter, Kainat, who has turned out 35 times for Pakistan since her debut in 2010 and is in Sylhet with the Asia Cup team too.Their paths have crossed on the field, but they have been quiet affairs.”I stood umpire in two one-day matches that Kainat was playing, she didn’t bother me at all,” Saleema said. “I also don’t think I bothered her. We have different job scenarios. She had to perform her role, and I had to perform my role. On the ground, she is not my daughter, and I am not her mother.”That’s when they are on the field together. Otherwise, Saleema is extremely proud of her daughter’s achievements.”I always tell Kainat that she is living my dream. She has to fulfil my dream of playing for Pakistan,” Saleema said. “It is a very proud thing for myself, my family and friends. She gets the whole support of her father. We have never come between her dreams.Kainat Imtiaz has played 15 ODIs and 10 T20Is for Pakistan as a medium pacer•PA Images”I had tears in my eyes when she wore the Pakistan blazer for the first time. It is a great honour for every mother that her child is representing the national team.”The way things have worked out in her family makes Saleema believe that it is possible for women from her country to pursue careers in sports.”I want to tell the families to keep supporting their daughters,” she said. “Let them do what they want to do. Males don’t have as many problems as females, especially in Asian countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan. If they trust their daughters, wives and mothers, they will bring honour to the family.”I am happy that I have a husband who always supports me and Kainat. Her husband also supports her. If a father supports the daughter, she can go out and play with a big heart, that ‘I have the backing of my father’. She will give her all.”