All posts by h79snht.top

Arsenal have been blessed with some utterly superb strikers in the past.

From Ian Wright in the early 1990s to the legendary Thierry Henry in the 2000s and even Robin Van Persie in the early 2010s – although the less said about him, the better.

However, while the team are in a far better place than they were five or six years ago, it would probably be fair to say that the last great striker who played for the club left in 2022, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Fortunately, Mikel Arteta and Co finally seem to be addressing the squad’s need for a clinical number nine, as recent reports have touted one of Europe’s most exciting strikers for an imminent move to the Emirates, a striker who’d be Arsenal’s best since Aubameyang.

Arsenal's striker search

Given Arsenal’s lack of goalscoring threat this season, it’s hardly surprising that the last few weeks have seen a number of top strikers linked with the club, such as Evann Guessand and Serhou Guirassy.

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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The former could reportedly be available for just £25m this summer, and while he might not be particularly well known to Premier League fans, his tally of 13 goals and 10 assists in 42 games for OGC Nice suggests he’d be worth picking up.

Guirassy, on the other hand, has a release clause worth £59m in his contract, but that too might prove to be more than fair, as in 45 appearances for Borussia Dortmund this season, he’s racked up a stellar haul of 34 goals and nine assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.04 games.

However, to ensure they sign someone who’d be their best striker since Aubameyang, the Gunners might want someone even more prolific than the Guinea international, someone like Viktor Gyokeres.

According to a recent report from Monday’s print edition of Portuguese outlet O Jogo, as relayed by Football Transfers, Arsenal have made massive progress in their pursuit of the Swedish international.

In fact, the report goes a step further, revealing that the North Londoners have struck a €65m – £55m – deal with Sporting ‘to sign the striker’ and that they will ‘officially complete the signing’ next week.

It’s a lot of money to spend on a forward from outside a top-five league, but given Gyokeres’ simply unreal record, it looks like it’ll be money well spent, especially as he could be the club’s best nine since Aubameyang.

Why Gyokeres will be Arsenal's best striker since Auba

While he left in unceremonious fashion and wasn’t exactly lethal towards the end of his time in North London, it cannot be forgotten that for much of his time at Arsenal, Auba was a tour de force in front of goal.

For example, he became the fastest player in club history to hit 50 Premier League goals in July 2020, and then, even with his downturn towards the last 18 months of his time at the Emirates, he left the club with a brilliant record of 92 goals and 21 assists in 163 games.

Since he left, Arteta has used Alexandre Lacazette, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz as his starting strikers, and while they’ve all done well enough here and there, none of them have been or are particularly prolific.

Gyokeres at Sporting vs Arsenal’s recent CFs

Player

Gyokeres

Lacazette*

Jesus*

Havertz*

Appearances (*at Arsenal)

101

206

96

86

Minutes

8297′

13222′

5461′

6617′

Goals

96

71

26

29

Assists

28

35

20

13

Goal Involvements per Match

1.22

0.51

0.47

0.48

Minutes per Goal Involvement

66.91′

124.73′

118.71′

157.54

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, the Frenchman left the club with 71 goals and 35 assists in 206 games, while the Brazilian has amassed 26 goals and 20 assists in 96 games, and the German has 29 goals and 13 assists in 86 games.

In contrast, Gyokeres has been simply unstoppable since moving to Lisbon in the summer of 2023.

In 101 appearances for the Portuguese champions, the goalscoring “monster,” as dubbed by data analyst Ben Mattinson, has put the ball in the back of the net on 96 occasions and provided 28 assists, which equates to a sensational average of 1.22 goal involvements per game for just under two years.

Moreover, the Stockholm-born phenomenon has also been a dangerous outlet for the Swedish national side, as in just 26 appearances, totalling 1568 minutes, he has scored 15 goals and provided six assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.23 games, or every 74.66 minutes.

Ultimately, while Arteta has had some talented forwards in his squad since Auba left, Gyokeres looks like he could be the first one to match the Gabonese icon’s ability, making his supposed signing look like a masterstroke.

Related Arsenal ready big bid to sign "unbelievable" £68m upgrade on Odegaard

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes May 20, 2025

Leeds United need to have a huge summer transfer window if they are to be successful during their first season back in the Premier League after a two-year absence.

Daniel Farke has led the Whites back to the promised land after securing the Championship title, with the German deserving of the opportunity to try and keep the club in the top-flight.

He’s been subject to a potential change, but the board have come out and publicly backed the 48-year-old to be a success and lead them to survival in 2025/26.

If he is to keep the club in the division, he will need backing in the transfer market, handing him the funds to make the additions he will certainly need to inject further quality into the squad.

With the window opening earlier this week, it presents the manager with the chance to improve various key areas of the side, leading to numerous names already being mentioned over a move to Elland Road.

The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new additions this summer

It’s been reported that Leeds could have a sum in the region of £100m to spend on new additions this summer, with key quality and depth needed all over the pitch.

The likes of James McAtee, Igor Paixao and Callum Wilson have all been key targets this summer, but as of yet, no progress has been made to take any of the trio to Yorkshire during the off-season.

However, a new name has entered the mix over recent days, with Getafe attacking midfielder Christantus Uche firmly on their radar, according to Spanish outlet Marca.

Their report claims that the Nigerian has a €25m (£21m) release clause in his deal, but that the Whites are preparing a move in the region of £17m for his signature.

The 22-year-old, who’s registered four goals and six assists in LaLiga this season, also has interest from Wolves and Brentford ahead of the summer – with Farke’s men needing to act quickly to land his signature.

Why Leeds’ £17m target could be Farke’s own Rodrigo

Back in the summer of 2020, Leeds splashed a fee in the region of £26m on Spanish star Rodrigo, looking to add serious quality to their front line ahead of their return to the top-flight.

He joined from LaLiga outfit Valencia, scoring seven goals in his first year in Yorkshire, helping Marcelo Bielsa’s side register a top-half Premier League finish.

The attacker would end up scoring 28 times in his 99 appearances for the Whites, subsequently departing the club after dropping back into the second tier in 2022/23.

Rodrigo’s contributions within the final third saw him become a fan favourite during his time at Elland Road, something which Uche could replicate if he joins the club this summer.

The Getafe star would follow in the Spaniard’s footsteps, potentially being their marquee signing in their first season back in the Premier League – also joining from another Spanish top-division outfit.

When delving into his stats from the current campaign, the Nigerian international has massively impressed, leading to his maiden call-up with his country this month against Jamaica.

His tally of 10 combined goals and assists will certainly give Farke the added threat in attacking areas he will crave in the top-flight, adding a new dimension to the club’s front line.

Christantus Uche’s stats for Getafe in LaLiga (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

33

Goals & assists

10

Chances created

1.1

Successful dribbles

1.2

Duels won

8.1

Aerials won

3.3

Touches in opposition box

4.1

Stats via FotMob

Uche, who’s been labelled a “monster” by talent scout Antonio Mango, has also created 1.1 chances per 90, along with 1.2 successful dribbles – having the skillset to take the ball into forward areas and cause the opposition havoc.

The youngster’s talents don’t stop there, winning 8.1 duels per 90, 3.3 of which were aerially, handing a serious threat from set pieces which could hand Farke an added dimension to his squad.

Such an all-round skillset showcases the talent that Uche possesses, only improving more over the next couple of years, especially considering his tender age of just 22.

Given the interest from other sides in England’s top-flight, the hierarchy will have to act quickly to avoid missing out on his signature, with the Nigerian having the tools to play a key role in their hopes of survival throughout 2025/26.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Jun 4, 2025

As Newcastle United continue to chase a move to sign Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace could reportedly accept a player-plus-cash deal which would see them welcome an experienced defender.

Newcastle pushing to sign Guehi

Newcastle’s interest in Guehi is far from new. The Magpies were in pursuit of his signature last summer before Crystal Palace ultimately priced them out of a move. At the time, those at St James’ Park had PSR issues to consider, whilst Palace were in no position to budge from their strong negotiation position. One year on, however, the script has seemingly flipped.

As things stand, the England international has just one year left on his contract at Selhurst Park, which means that unless anything changes, this summer will be the first of just two more chances for Crystal Palace to cash in.

Related Glasner wants Crystal Palace to sign £40m ace as possible Guehi replacement

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Posts ByBrett Worthington Jun 9, 2025

Unlike last summer, their position in negotiations with Newcastle is far weaker. They can no longer price the Magpies out of a move. Instead, reports have suggested that Newcastle could end up paying just £50m to sign Guehi this summer in a deal that is more or less done if recent rumours are to be believed.

The defender’s departure would be a major blow for all involved in South London, who already had to replace Michael Olise and Joachim Andersen last summer. As doubts creep in over their Europa League spot too, the last thing that Crystal Palace need is to lose one of Oliver Glasner’s most important players.

If Guehi is to depart, though, the Eagles would be wise to get something in return. Whilst they can no longer price Newcastle out of a move, Palace could yet form an interesting swap deal which would solve an immediate problem within Glasner’s side. It would far from make up for Guehi’s exit, of course, but it would see the South London club at least come away with something.

Crystal Palace could sign Targett in Guehi swap deal

As reported by Andrew Musgrove on The Everything is Black and White Podcast, Crystal Palace could now sign Matt Targett in a surprise swap deal for Guehi this summer which would of course also include a transfer fee. A player-plus cash deal, Palace would get the chance to solve their left-back problem following the end of Ben Chilwell’s loan spell and cash in on their star defender.

Musgrove revealed: “I’ve been told that Matt Targett could potentially hold the key. Now we know Targett is probably going to leave this summer, but interestingly, it has been said that he could move this deal along slightly because Ben Chilwell has gone back to Chelsea after he was on loan at Palace as back up to Tyrick Mitchell.

“Now they want another left back to provide that competition, but really back up to Mitchell, and maybe that could be ideal for both Newcastle and Matt Targett. It has been suggested that Palace would not be against the idea of taking Targett as part of a cash per player deal.”

A player who Newcastle boss Eddie Howe described as “reliable” in September, Crystal Palace could yet have a decision to make as to whether they deem Targett a suitable arrival in return for Guehi this summer.

He suffered a side strain while batting during the game against England and was forced to retire hurt

Matt Roller20-Jun-2024

Brandon King looked to be in some pain•Associated Press

Brandon King is a doubt for the rest of the T20 World Cup after suffering a side strain in West Indies’ match against England in St Lucia on Wednesday night.King raced to 23 off 12 balls to get West Indies off to a flying start, including a towering 101-metre six off Reece Topley which flew with the wind over the midwicket boundary and necessitated a replacement ball.But he was injured while facing his 13th ball, having charged down the pitch attempting to hit Sam Curran through cover. King took one further step then crumpled over and was forced to retire hurt after receiving treatment from a member of West Indies’ medical staff.He did not field in England’s run chase, with Shimron Hetmyer replacing him as a substitute fielder, and Cricket West Indies confirmed he had been diagnosed with a side strain. “Brandon King has suffered a side strain and will not return to the field of play in this evening’s match,” CWI said.He has travelled to Barbados for West Indies’ Super Eight game against USA on Friday, but they are still awaiting the results of the MRI scans from the CWI medical team.Side strains tend to take several weeks to heal fully, making King a major doubt for the rest of the World Cup with only 10 days remaining before the end of the tournament. Captain Rovman Powell admitted that King’s injury was a “worrying” sign for his side.”Yes, a little bit worrying but hopefully he can pull through for the next game,” Powell said after England cruised past West Indies. “We know how important a player he is for us.”While King has not been at his best so far, with a top score of 34, it would be a significant blow to lose a senior player who stepped in as captain against South Africa last month while Powell was at the IPL.West Indies have five players on standby for the World Cup: Andre Fletcher, Kyle Mayers, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh Jr. and Matthew Forde. Mayers is the most likely replacement, having been widely considered unfortunate to miss the initial cut, though Fletcher is another contender as a top-order batter.

After a slow start to the summer transfer window for Arsenal, they look as though they’re closing in on sealing two signings.

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s move from Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium won’t exactly be met with much fanfare considering he’s there to play second fiddle to David Raya, but it’s an important move nonetheless.

At just £5m, the Gunners have found a replacement for Neto and due to the price, it frees up money to spend elsewhere, hopefully on a wealth of attacking reinforcements.

The other arrival will see another Spaniard in the form of Martin Zubimendi head to North London. At just over £50m, that move is certainly a more exciting ones but he’s not the only midfielder who could arrive.

Arsenal looking to sign another midfielder after Zubimendi

Last summer, it looked as though Zubimendi was going to head to Liverpool. Sadly for the Anfield side, he did not. Whether or not he regrets that decision based on Arne Slot’s title success is unknown.

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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Well, a year on, he will now finally head to England, but it won’t be the red of Liverpool he’ll be donning. Instead, it’s the red of Arsenal.

The Gunners first made their move to sign the Spain international last January when they signalled their intentions to trigger his £51m release clause at Real Sociedad. Since then, an agreement has been tied up that will see the club spend a tiny bit more than that exit clause so they can pay it in instalments.

Zubimendi was reportedly in London over the weekend to wrap up the formalities of his move.

Yet, he could well be joined in the middle of the park next season by Brentford’s Christian Norgaard. That’s according to a number of sources, notably the Athletic’s David Ornstein.

He reported on Wednesday afternoon that Arsenal are “exploring” a deal to sign the Dane and have lodged their first offer, believed to be around €11m (£9m).

Fabrizio Romano furthered those claims by revealing on social media that the 31-year-old “wants to join Arsenal” this summer, so much so that personal terms have already been agreed between player and club.

Since then, BBC Sports’ Sami Mokbel has revealed that an agreement could be reached at £15m, including add-ons. A move appears to be advancing quickly, with Ornstein later reporting on Wednesday evening that the Gunners are now in the process of ‘finalising’ a deal to sign the player. A medical is also in the process of being planned.

Why Norgaard would be a good signing for Arsenal

With Jorginho having left the Emirates on a free transfer, heading to Flamengo, and Thomas Partey increasingly unlikely to sign a new deal, Arsenal need two midfielders.

Zubimendi ticks one box and in the form of Norgaard, although this would be a surprising move, it certainly makes a lot of sense.

Like Kepa, Arsenal would not be spending a bucket load on improving the squad and thus, would be leaving room to spend where it really matters this summer; on a new striker.

So, what could Norgaard offer to Mikel Arteta’s midfield? Well, like the departing Jorginho and Partey, he’s got a wealth of experience and, pivotally, he’s played in England for a long time now.

He signed for Brentford back in 2019 and has since gone on to feature 196 times for the Bees, playing 122 times in the Premier League.

34 of those top-flight outings came in 2024/25 where he scored five goals and also supplied four assists.

A holding midfielder who also chips in with goals and assists, there is reason to believe that Arteta could be signing a more experienced version of Declan Rice here.

Arsenal podcaster, Alex Moneypenny, who has appeared on Sky Sports and BBC Sport, outlines the Dane’s qualities perfectly. He’s a “search and destroyer”, a midfielder who specialises in “progressive passing”.

That’s backed up by the numbers with Norgaard ranking among the best holding midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passing distance. In fact, he ranks almost identically to Zubimendi in this category.

The ability to turn the ball over from deep or in more advanced areas certainly makes him like Rice, as does the ability to progress play. Captain of Brentford too, he’s got the natural leadership skills that Arsenal’s record signing boasts.

But, what do the statistics say?

Norgaard vs Rice: 2024/25 Premier League

Stat (per 90 mins)

Norgaard

Rice

Goals

0.16

0.13

Assists

0.13

0.22

Goal-creating actions

0.42

0.32

Pass success rate

82%

83%

Progressive passes

4.92

6.11

Passes into final 3rd

4.38

4.36

Tackles

2.52

1.69

Succesful take-ons

0.22

0.42

Stats via FBRef.

With the benefit of playing further forward and taking set-pieces, Rice does better Brentford’s captain for assists and successful take-ons. It’s in the passing department where they are most alike.

They complete a similar percentage of their passes per 90 minutes and there’s not a huge difference between the number of those passes that are progressive in nature.

So, while a move of this nature is hardly going to blow supporters away, he’d be a steady pair of hands just like Jorginho was. If he hits the ground running like Rice did too, fans will soon take to the Bees star.

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Posts 1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 24, 2025

It has been a busy summer already for newly promoted side Leeds United. The 2024/25 campaign was sensational for Daniel Farke’s side, racking up over 100 points and winning the Championship title, and, of course, promotion back to the Premier League.

Leeds are looking to break the streak of newly promoted sides getting immediately relegated, as we have seen the last two seasons. With that in mind, they have been busy in the transfer market already, signing defender Jaka Bijol from Udinese and striker Lukas Nmecha from Wolfsburg on a free transfer.

With two parts of the pitch already strengthened, Leeds are now seemingly ready to turn their attention to the midfield, if recent reports are true.

Leeds' midfield target

One man who the Elland Road side have on their list for a new midfielder is young Anderlecht midfielder Mario Stroeykens, with talkSPORT reporting that they ‘hold an interest’ in the Belgian. However, with West Ham United also in the race, it is unclear if they will sign him.

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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A deal that is far more advanced is for Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra. According to a report from Africa Foot, the Senegal international is now ‘the subject of an official offer’ from the 49ers Group.

The Yorkshire outfit have reportedly sent a bid of £24m to the French side for Diarra, after initially having a bid of £21.3m rejected earlier in the window.

Leeds have also offered him personal terms, thought to be a three-year deal if he is to make the move to Elland Road.

How Leeds' midfielder would shape up with Diarra and Tanaka

21-year-old Senegal international Diarra would be joining Leeds with a great pedigree. After coming through Strasbourg’s youth system, he has gone on to become the club captain, showing excellent leadership qualities at such a young age.

Last term, the Strasbourg number 19 was a key player for his side, as they qualified for the UEFA Conference League next season. He featured in 30 top-flight games, scoring four times and grabbing five assists in that time.

Diarra is an extremely versatile midfielder, with football analyst Ben Mattinson posting on X that whether you need a “6, 8, 10, Habib Diarra can do it”. Indeed, last term for Strasbourg, he played both as a number 10 and a number eight. As Mattinson said, he is a “complete midfielder”.

The 21-year-old bagged for his country in their recent friendly against England at the City Ground, showing off his attacking nous. It was a smart run in behind the Three Lions’ defence, curving his run to get space, before carrying into the six-yard box and slotting into the far corner.

One thing Leeds fans can perhaps look forward to if they sign Diarra is the partnership that could develop between him and Ao Tanaka. The Japan international was a key player under Farke last season, after joining from Fortuna Düsseldorf.

The 26-year-old, who is a defensive midfielder by trade, chipped in with five goals and two assists in 43 Championship appearances. Despite his excellent performances, he never really found a permanent partner, but perhaps Diarra could be that player.

With Tanaka’s ability from a defensive standpoint, it could unleash Diarra and allow him to venture forward to try and impact the game in more advanced areas. The stats are there, via FBref, that certainly support this theory.

For example, Tanaka averaged 3.97 tackles and interceptions and 5.9 ball recoveries per 90 minutes last season, showing just how efficient he was at sitting deeper and breaking up play. As for Diarra, he averaged 1.03 key passes and 0.31 goal-creating actions each game. This certainly highlights just how effective he can be in and around the penalty box, as does his goals and assist tally from last term.

Diarra and Tanaka key stats

Stat (per 90)

Diarra

Stat (per 90)

Tanaka

Goals and assists

0.34

Progressive passes

7.04

Key passes

1.03

Passes into final third

7.01

Goal-creating actions

0.31

Tackles and interceptions

3.97

Take-ons completed

0.5

Blocks

1.25

Progressive carries

2.34

Ball recoveries

5.9

Stats from FBref

The partnership that Leeds fans could expect to see between Tanaka and Diarra is hugely exciting. They could become unplayable together, with the progression of the Japan star feeding the Strasbourg skipper in the final third, who would have less defensive responsibility.

For just £24m, this could be a bargain for the Yorkshire outfit, and one that would really upgrade their midfield.

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Posts 1 ByDan Emery Jun 25, 2025

Wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis received the offer of a central contract for the first time

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jun-2024

Lauren Down last represented New Zealand in December 2022•Getty Images

Batter Lauren Down is set to return to New Zealand Cricket’s list of contracted women players. She was one of 17 players to be offered a central contract for 2024-25. Down had declined the contract offer last season while on a maternity break, but was named in the ODI squad to tour England later this month.Down, who has played 28 ODIs and 13 T20Is, last represented New Zealand in an ODI against Bangladesh in December 2022.The 2024-25 contracting period begins on August 1, with the players having until June 17 to accept the offer.Also named in the contracts list was wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis, who received the offer for the first time. Inglis got 103 runs for New Zealand A in three one-dayers against England A at home in March, as the hosts won the series 2-1. Before that, she hit 324 runs – the second-most – in NZC’s Women’s One-Day Competition, the domestic 50-over tournament for women.Related

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New Zealand women’s head coach Ben Sawyer said: “We’ve landed on a strong list of 17 names that we think are going to play an important part over the next 12 months… A big part of the selection process this year was looking at who could take part in the 2025 ODI World Cup.”Among the centrally-contracted players from 2023-24, the ones to miss out are wicketkeeper-batter Bernadine Bezuidenhout – who has retired from international cricket – and batter Kate Anderson, who wasn’t given an offer.New Zealand Women central contract offers for 2024-25Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe and Lea Tahuhu

تحدث ماليك فوفانا لاعب فريق ليون الفرنسي، عن سبب رفضه الانتقال إلى ليفربول وتشيلسي، خلال سوق الانتقالات الصيفي.

وأكد فوفانا أن ليفربول أبدى اهتمامًا حقيقيًا به خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية، وأفادت صحيفة “ليكيب” الفرنسي في يونيو الماضي، أن ليفربول كان في محادثات مع وكلاء اللاعب.

وقدّره ناديه بقيمة 50 مليون يورو، واستمرت هذه الاتصالات بين ليفربول ووكلاء فوفانا حتى يوليو، قبل أن تتراجع في الأسابيع الأخيرة.

وأوضح فوفانا في تصريحات أدلى بها لصحيفة “HBVL” البلجيكية: “كان هناك اهتمام من هذين الناديين (ليفربول وتشيلسي)، لكن في النهاية لم يكن هناك شيء ملموس”.

وأضاف: “فكرتُ في الانتقال، لكنني الآن أعتقد أن الأهم هو أن ألعب كثيرًا، وهذا ما أراه ممكنًا في ليون، لأنه لا يزال أمامي بعض التقدم”.

اقرأ أيضًا | محمد صلاح يحرج أسطورة ليفربول بعد تصرفه في مباراة مصر وإثيوبيا

كان ليون يسعى للحصول على 50 مليون يورو، وفي ظل الصفقات الكبرى التي أبرمها ليفربول في الصيف وإنفاقه الواسع، أصبح اهتمامه غير ملموس، وقرر منح الثقة للاعبه الشاب ريو نجوموها.

وأبرم ليفربول عدة تعاقدات هجومية هذا الصيف، بضم ألكسندر إيزاك (125 مليون جنيه إسترليني)، وفلوريان فيرتز (116 مليون جنيه إسترليني)، وهوجو إيكيتيكي (79 مليون جنيه إسترليني)، والمهاجم الشاب ويل رايت (200 ألف جنيه إسترليني).

No place for Foakes or Bairstow with Smith set to make Test debut as wicketkeeper

Alan Gardner30-Jun-2024

Jamie Smith has scored one hundred and four fifties for Surrey this season•Surrey CCC/Getty Images

England are set to hand the wicketkeeping gloves to debutant Jamie Smith for the first two Tests against West Indies. Both the previous incumbents behind the stumps, Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow, were omitted from the 14-man squad, and there was also no place for Jack Leach, Mark Wood or Ollie Robinson as England seek to reboot their Test line-up.With the first Test, starting on July 10 at Lord’s, being the last before James Anderson’s retirement, the West Indies series will see a change of guard in the seam attack. Dillon Pennington, like Smith, has won his first call-up and seems likely to compete with Gus Atkinson for a Test debut. Matthew Potts, whose last appearance came more than a year ago, against Ireland, has also been included alongside Chris Woakes.Shoaib Bashir was preferred as the spin-bowling option in the squad, despite Somerset allowing him to go out on loan while picking Leach, with Dan Lawrence the spare batter after an impressive start to the season since joining Surrey.Related

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Holder, Seales back as West Indies name 15-member squad for England Tests

Knee injury rules Kemar Roach out of West Indies Test tour of England

However, it was Smith’s anointment as Test keeper that was the most significant. Despite regularly playing as a specialist batter at Surrey, where Foakes is still first choice behind the stumps, Smith’s selection represented a fresh start for England, who have chopped and changed between Foakes, Bairstow and Jos Buttler for much of the last decade.Smith, who will turn 24 on day three of the Lord’s Test, currently averages 50.70 in this year’s County Championship and is Surrey’s leading run-scorer in the Blast, where he also keeps wicket. He has impressed with England Lions and won his maiden senior cap with the ODI team during the series with Ireland at the back end of last summer.Others in the frame to take the gloves included England T20I opener Phil Salt and Durham’s Ollie Robinson, who made a career-best 198 against Essex earlier in the week.The absence of the other Ollie Robinson, who began the season with Sussex admitting he had a point to prove, is also noteworthy. Robinson was previously deemed the seam bowler likeliest to step up following the departures of Anderson and Stuart Broad, but he was again affected by fitness issues on the tour of India earlier this year and has been in modest form in the Championship, taking 21 Division Two wickets at 27.85.England Men’s Test squad•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Instead, it is Woakes, England’s Player of the Series during the 2023 Ashes, who has been recalled after missing the tour of India, who seems likeliest to inherit the mantle of attack leader from Anderson when the teams move on to Trent Bridge for the second of three back-to-back-to-back Tests against West Indies.That may only be a short-term move, with Woakes’ last overseas Test coming in March 2022, but he has the experience in English conditions to help bring through the next crop of seamers this summer, which also features a three-Test series with Sri Lanka in August-September. Atkinson, who was unused on the tour of India, seems set to add a Test cap to his collection, having played both white-ball formats, while Potts returns to contention despite averaging 37.17 in the Championship this season.Most intriguing is Pennington, who moved from Worcestershire to Nottinghamshire over the winter with the aim of boosting his international prospects, and currently sits joint-second on the Division One wicket-takers’ list with 29 at 23.03. With injuries affecting a number of Test candidates, including Josh Tongue, Jamie Overton and Sam Cook, Pennington could be the beneficiary.”The first Test of the summer is always a special moment, but it will be extra poignant with it being Jimmy’s last Test before he retires,” England men’s managing director, Rob Key, said. “He has given everything to the sport since his Test debut in 2003. We all would like to wish him well as he walks out at Lord’s for the last time for England.”We are looking forward to getting the season underway against a strong West Indies side in what will be an excellent Test series.”England Test squad: Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Dillon Pennington, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes

Sunderland are looking to build a squad capable of thriving in the top-flight and have now entered the race to sign a striker who excelled last season, according to a report.

Sunderland begin exciting summer of recruitment

Enzo Le Fee and Habib Diarra have been brought in at the Stadium of Light from Roma and Strasbourg, respectively, with the former becoming the Black Cats’ first addition of the window after a fine loan spell last season.

However, another brilliant piece of news for Sunderland is that Florent Ghisolfi has now arrived as their new Director of Football in the North East, and BBC radio’s Simon Pryde believes his remit will be solely focused on recruitment with Kristjaan Speakman handling external matters.

He stated: “I think Ghisolfi will be on recruitment. His umbrella will be over player recruitment and the first team squad. Speakman has a wide brief at the moment and this will allow him to focus because the structures in the Premier League are vastly different than those in the EFL.”

He added: “Ghisolfi has plenty of experience. (He was) assistant manager at Lorient for two years. (As a football director) he’s been at Lens, and he’s been at Nice, so he has a glowing reputation within football as a director.”

With that in mind, who could arrive to bolster the ranks? Reports suggest Lorient star Arthur Avom Ebong could be next to join Sunderland and discussions are an advanced stage between all parties over a £4 million deal.

Sunderland’s first five Premier League fixtures

West Ham United (H)

Stadium of Light

Burnley (A)

Turf Moor

Brentford (H)

Stadium of Light

Crystal Palace (A)

Selhurst Park

Aston Villa (H)

Stadium of Light

Now, the Black Cats are reportedly in the hat to sign a striker who showed a clinical edge in front of goal last term that hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Sunderland position themselves to sign Luis Suarez

For the avoidance of doubt despite a name that will attract attention, Sunderland have entered the race to sign Almeria forward Luis Suarez this summer alongside Sporting Clube de Portugal, according to reports in Spain via Sport Witness.

The Colombia international registered 31 goals and eight assists in 43 matches across all competitions, though his side failed to gain promotion to the top-flight of Spanish football in the end.

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Notably, Sunderland and Ghisolfi are willing to pay the £21.5 million fee needed to tempt Suarez to England, while Sporting feel that figure is excessive.

However, they have doubts the Santa Marta-born man would favour a switch to the Stadium of Light as he is being lined up in Lisbon as a replacement for Viktor Gyokeres.

Talks have taken place with ‘several’ clubs regarding his future, though the Black Cats’ interest in the 27-year-old is said to be fresh, so it remains to be seen how this one pans out as Regis Le Bris looks to bolster his side’s chances of remaining in the Premier League.