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Resolute batting by Lancashire’s Luke Wells and Tom Hartley frustrated Gloucestershire’s bowlers and helped ensure that the Rothesay County Championship match at Emirates Old Trafford ended in a draw.The visitors declared on their overnight score of 589 for eight, giving them a lead of 139, and when they reduced the home side to 160 for six half an hour before tea, they looked well placed to beat Lancashire for the first time since 2015.But Wells and Hartley shared an seventh-wicket partnership of 69 in 28 overs either side of tea and the game ended at 5.53pm when Lancashire were 255 for eight and had a lead of 116 with only eight overs left in the match.Hartley was caught by James Bracey off Ajeet Singh Dale for 37 but that wicket fell just before players shook hands with Tom Bailey on nine not out and Saqib Mahmood unbeaten on nought. For Gloucestershire, Tom Price ended the day with three for 52 and Graeme van Buuren took three for 36.Gloucestershire take 13 points from the game to Lancashire’s 12 but that hardly reflects the difference in the quality of the cricket played by the sides, particularly on the last two days of the game.Having declared this morning with a lead of 139, Gloucestershire were rewarded for their enterprise when they dismissed both Lancashire openers inside the first dozen overs of their side’s second innings.George Bell departed for 28 when his waft outside the off stump to a ball from Tom Price only edged a catch to Cameron Bancroft, the only slip. Two balls later, Keaton Jennings joined his opening partner in the pavilion when he was beaten by Singh Dale’s nip off the pitch and Bancroft took his second catch when fielding at a conventional second slip.That left Lancashire on 50 for two, still 89 runs in arrears, and things got worse for the home side 15 minutes before luncheon when a flighted ball from Graeme van Buuren tempted Marcus Harris out of his crease and Bracey completed the stumping.Lancashire were 89 for three when Harris departed for 24 but Josh Bohannon and Matty Hurst cleared Lancashire deficit and had built a mere four-run lead before both were dismissed by Tom Price and the game was tossed into the hazard once more.Hurst was the first to go when having made 33 in 72 minutes, he inside-edged a ball onto his leg stump; four overs later Bohannon pushed a little tentatively at a delivery that seemed to bounce more than he was expecting and was caught at slip by Bancroft for 30.Lancashire’s lead was only 13 when Bohannon was dismissed and it had been increased to only 21 when George Balderson was caught behind by Bracey off van Buuren for two.But Wells and Hartley took their side to tea on 178 for six and the eighth-wicket pair then inched Lancashire to safety on the resumption, extending their partnership to 69 before Wells was caught behind off van Buuren for 36.The result means that all three Championship games at Old Trafford this season have been drawn with the visiting team only batting once on each occasion.

Liverpool, along with every other Premier League club, could be set for a mega pay-day if Manchester City are found guilty in their long-running Financial Fair Play (FFP) case. At least 115 charges have been hanging over the Etihad Stadium since February 2023. A final ruling, following an independent hearing, is expected at some point in the near future, with several potential outcomes still being speculated on.

• Getty/GOAL
  

  Man City verdict: Waiting on ruling after independent hearing

  City stand accused of not providing accurate financial information and failing to cooperate with investigations that covered a nine-season period between 2009 and 2018. The Blues have always maintained their innocence, denying any wrongdoing on their part, and continue to battle behind the scenes in a bid to clear their name.

  An independent panel trawled through all of the evidence, while listening to arguments from all sides of a protracted debate, before seeing proceedings at the International Dispute Resolution Centre wrapped up late in 2024. A final judgement is still pending, leaving everybody hanging on a ruling that may have far reaching consequences.

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• Potential punishments for Man City speculated on

  City remain confident of avoiding the harshest of punishments – having seen points deductions, transfer embargoes and expulsion from the English top-flight speculated on – but are still waiting to discover where they stand. It could be that huge compensation claims are made by rival outfits if the Blues are considered to have breached the rules.

  Everton recently settled a case with Leeds United regarding lost revenue after being docked points themselves in a Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR) case. They finished above Leeds in 2021-22 but were found to have stepped outside the financial threshold that has been put in place when it comes to monetary matters at Premier League clubs.

• Getty
  

  Compensation packages: Man City face threat of more legal disputes

  That case could set a precedent for City and Co. It is being suggested that Liverpool’s owners, FSG, would be prepared to incur hefty legal costs if it meant recuperating an even larger fee from City regarding funds that they missed out on as a result of the Blues failing to adhere with FFP guidelines.

  Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has told : “As far as Liverpool are concerned, the legal bill is the cost of doing business. They see themselves as one of the clubs who will have been significantly disadvantaged should Man City be found guilty. If we take into account the settlement between Everton and Leeds United, that could be significant precedent.

  "But that is if City are found guilty – and that is a big if. And although you wouldn't expect them to say any different, all the noises I am getting from Manchester are very confident. If it's going to cost Liverpool £5m but they could potentially get much more if City are found guilty… They will have effectively worked it out on an insurance basis. It might be a short-term pain, long-term gain scenario. But the costs have certainly got out of control. Other costs have gone through the roof too, such as utilities and administration at club level.”

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• Man City FFP case: The Premier League's stance

  Premier League chief executive Richard Masters told when asked about City’s FFP case: “My frustration is irrelevant. I just have to wait. Legal processes rarely take less time than anticipated. We have to be patient.

  “I can't talk about it. Our rules are very specific, they say we can't talk about things as the charges are made and not until a decision has been published. We still await that decision, and I can't talk about the timing and speculate when that may be.

  “What I can tell you about is the system and how it works: it's an independent judiciary. Once the allegations and charges have been put forward, they go before an independent panel which is independently selected. And they are then in charge of the process and its timings.

  “They hear the case, they decide the outcome. We have no influence over that or its timing. And that's right from an independent point of view, you have independent people making those decisions. And we just have to wait.”

  It has been a case of business as usual for City in 2025-26, on the back of more summer spending in the transfer market. Liverpool also invested heavily in the last window, with both clubs chasing down more domestic and continental honours.

The left-arm spinner was tested in Brisbane over the weekend having been reported after the second Test in Sri Lanka

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff19-Feb-2025

Matt Kuhnemann now faces a wait to find out whether his action is clear•AFP/Getty Images

Matthew Kuhnemann is expected to learn his fate by the end of next week, after being put through intensive tests on his bowling action in Brisbane over the weekend.Just a week after being reported during Australia’s 2-0 Test series win in Sri Lanka, Kuhnemann has now completed tests on his suspect action.Related

'It will always be there' – Botha warns Kuhnemann after suspect action report

Kuhnemann's action to be tested despite thumb injury

“Matthew has completed the assessment which was performed at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane,” CA said in a statement on Wednesday. “The ICC will make a determination in due course. Neither Cricket Australia nor Matthew will be making any public comment at this time.”The 28-year-old was put through his paces during a session that lasted more than one hour in Brisbane, asked to bowl at a similar speed and with similar revolutions to what he did in Galle.International Cricket Council (ICC) experts watched on, with Kuhnemann wearing markers on his body and being surrounded by several high-speed cameras, and a 3D motion analysis system.The results of those tests will be assessed over the next week, before a determination is made by the ICC on Kuhnemann’s action. If he is found to extend his elbow by more than 15 degrees on his stock ball, Kuhnemann will be banned from bowling until he can prove he has remedied the issue.Otherwise, the spinner will be cleared to continue bowling for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield and be available for Australia’s tour of West Indies in June.The ICC also has the power to determine if a bowler’s action is only problematic on certain types of deliveries. In that case, a player would be able to continue bowling in matches without those variations until cleared.Australia’s players are no stranger to biomechanical testing, with high performance staff often using the same facilities to help streamline or improve the bowling actions of quicks.Kuhnemann’s test came as he was put on ice for Tasmania’s Shield clash with South Australia this week, still battling the thumb injury he suffered in the BBL. He was, however, still able to get through the ICC testing given the injury is on his non-bowling hand.Kuhnemann also played through the pain to be the leading wicket-taker of the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy with 16 wickets at 17.18 in the two Tests in Sri Lanka. It was after the second Test that Kuhnemann was told his action had been reported, for the first time in eight years of professional cricket.Australia’s players have backed Kuhnemann in the bid to have his action cleared, with stand-in captain Steven Smith expecting him to have no issue.”It’s come as a bit of a surprise to me,” Smith, who captained Australia against Sri Lanka, said last Friday. “He has been playing for eight years in professional cricket and nothing has been said in that amount of time.”I am thinking of him, at present, he has to go through the process.  We’re confident he will pass. He will go through that process back home, we wish him all the best.”

Arsenal have been in contact to sign a brand new target who has been compared to former Gunners defender Sead Kolasinac.

Arsenal and Berta eyeing more signings after Gyokeres

The Gunners and new sporting director Andrea Berta have really kicked into transfer business in recent weeks ahead of the new 2025/26 Premier League season.

Incomings	From	Fee
Viktor Gyokeres	Sporting CP	£63.5m
Martin Zubimendi	Real Sociedad	£55m
Noni Madueke	Chelsea	£48m
Christian Norgaard	Brentford	£15m
Cristhian Mosquera	Valencia	£13m
Kepa Arrizabalaga	Chelsea	£5m

The most eye-catching signing to arrive at the Emirates has been striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has joined from Sporting CP in an initial deal worth £55m. Taking Arsenal’s famous number 14 shirt, Mikel Arteta shared his delight after Gyokeres was announced as a Gunners player.

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Viktor Gyokeres to the club. The consistency he has shown in his performances and availability have been outstanding, and his goal contributions speak for themselves.

“Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels. He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat.

“We’re excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him. We welcome Viktor and his family to Arsenal.”

Arsenal coaches have been left stunned by Gyokeres in training, with Berta and co now on the hunt for a seventh senior signing of the summer.

Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze has been heavily linked, but another new defender after bringing in Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia is also of interest.

Arsenal make contact to sign Jeremy Jacquet

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have made initial contact over a deal for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet.

Any move this summer could be based on any further Emirates outgoings, with Jacquet under contract with the Ligue 1 side until 2029.

Still just 20 years of age, Jacquet has been called an “aggressive wide centre back who glides through the thirds, carrying the ball and contributing to the attack” by Football Economist.

Defenders similar to Jeremy Jacquet	Club
Trevoh Chalobah	Chelsea
Lisandro Martinez	Man Utd
Wilfried Singo	Monaco
Sead Kolasinac	Atalanta
Florian Lejeune	Rayo Vallecano

As can be seen, the Frenchman has even been likened to former Gunners left-back Kolasinac, who is now on the books with Serie A side Atalanta.

It remains to be seen how much Jacquet could cost Arsenal, but it looks as if a deal is one to keep an eye on between now and the September 1 deadline.

Chelsea transfer chiefs could actually be in the market for another striker after sealing a £35 million deal for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato earlier this week, despite already bringing in Liam Delap and Joao Pedro this window.

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Hato has put pen to paper on a seven-year contract after completing a medical on Friday, with the Dutchman set to provide cover for Marc Cucurella at left-back whilst also potentially reinforcing Enzo Maresca’s central defensive options from time to time.

The 19-year-old arrives at Stamford Bridge after making over 110 senior appearances for Ajax, despite his young age, which includes experience in European competitions as well.

Whilst Hato began his career predominantly at centre-half, Chelsea agree with former Ajax manager, Francesco Farioli, that his future is in the full-back area.

“Jorrel started as a central defender, but under our guidance he became a full-back at national team level,” said Farioli, via Ben Jacobs on X.

“This kind of transformation stems from a detailed analysis of his technical and physical attributes. “Hato has excellent technical skills, he’s physically strong and fast, and he’s good in one-on-one situations. While he may not have a natural defensive instinct as a centre-back, his experience in that role gave him good game-reading abilities.

“Ajax still viewed him as a central defender, but I believe that at the very highest levels, like the Premier League, a player who stands at 1.81m will struggle to play centrally, especially in physically demanding duels.

“In my opinion, his future lies more as a left-back, a position that requires both attacking and defensive qualities and fits better with his characteristics.”

Chelsea’s immediate next transfer plans will most likely revolve around their attack.

RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons remains in talks to join Chelsea, with the Netherlands international opting out of training on Friday and removing Leipzig from his Instagram bio as he pushes for a Stamford Bridge move (Fabrizio Romano).

Chelsea are also expected to bid for Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho in what would be a separate deal to Simons, with Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha remaining on BlueCo’s radar too.

Chelsea looking to strike "early" cut-price deal for Emmanuel Emegha

Reports suggest that Chelsea could still sign another striker if Nicolas Jackson leaves, and Emegha is chief among their targets after an excellent season in Ligue 1.

Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season

Average match rating

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

The 22-year-old was clocked as the fastest player in France’s top flight last season with Chelsea looking to strike an “early deal” for Emegha, anticipating that his price tag could soar to £44 million-plus in the next few years if they don’t act now.

That is according to Telegraph journalist Matt Law, who told the London is Blue podcast this week that Chelsea aim to sign the Dutchman for a cheaper fee this

window.

“I was told by someone who works around the Strasbourg end of things, that they believe that one day this guy could be a €50m-plus striker,” said Law.

“I think maybe they’re looking to do an early deal for him, to get him into a Chelsea player, is looking at that fair market value.

“Because if you do it now, you can probably do it around, I’m guessing here. I don’t know that this is a figure, but say €25m (£22m). If you do it another year down the line, you might be looking at a fair market value of around €40m (£35m).”

Emegha bagged 14 Ligue 1 goals last term, alongside being Ligue 1’s most explosive player, but it is unclear what Chelsea’s plans will be for him, or whether he’d be thrust straight into Maresca’s first team.

Leeds United have brought in Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, and Lukas Nmecha to bolster their squad ahead of the Premier League season.

They have placed a clear emphasis on the defensive side of the team in the opening weeks of the summer transfer window, as three of those four players are defenders.

The Championship champions have plenty more work to do to build a squad that can avoid an instant relegation from the Premier League, though, and there is plenty of work going on behind the scenes.

David Ornstein has claimed that the Whites have agreed a fee of up to £15m with Newcastle United to snap up central midfielder Sean Longstaff this summer.

The Magpies academy graduate is now poised to become the club’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window, and will come in to bolster Daniel Farke’s options in the middle of the park.

What Sean Longstaff will bring to Leeds

It will be interesting to see the kind of role that the 27-year-old midfield maestro will play within the Leeds squad next season, and what formation the manager decides to go with.

Should Farke stick with the 4-2-3-1 that has dominated his time in England, with both Norwich and Leeds, then Longstaff will be one of the options for the double pivot in front of the back four.

On paper, Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka are the starting options for the Whites in those positions when fit and available, but a fee of £15m is a significant sum of money for a player if the Whites are not planning for him to be a starter.

What Longstaff has over both Ampadu and Tanaka is that he is a proven Premier League performer who has shown that he can produce solid performances at that level, as shown by his defensive output last term.

Tackles

3.05

Top 19%

Interceptions

0.79

Bottom 35%

Blocks

1.92

Top 8%

Clearances

0.79

Top 46%

Percentage of dribblers tackled

66.7%

Top 4%

Passes blocked

1.35

Top 11%

Errors

0.00

Top 12%

As you can see in the table above, the English ace ranked well among his positional peers in the league in a host of defensive metrics for Newcastle, which shows that he could provide a solid presence in front of the back four.

However, Longstaff also scored zero goals, created zero ‘big chances’, and registered zero assists, which suggests that he is not likely to make a big impact in possession.

Therefore, the experienced midfielder could bring solid, albeit unexciting, performances to the team in midfield, and that could play an important role in the club’s attempts to avoid relegation.

Leeds in talks to sign another midfielder

The Whites could, however, land an even bigger signing for their midfield than Longstaff, as they are reportedly pursuing a deal for a Bundesliga star.

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 Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, Leeds United are in talks to sign Hoffenheim central midfielder Anton Stach this summer.

The reporter claims that the two clubs are in negotiations over a possible deal for the 26-year-old giant, but there is no agreement on a transfer fee at this moment in time.

Plettenberg adds that the West Yorkshire outfit have already agreed personal terms with the German midfield star, which suggests that there will not be many hurdles to clear if they can agree a fee with the Bundesliga side.

He also reveals that Hoffenheim are looking for a fee of around £17m, with add-ons on top of that, to allow Stach to move on this summer, and it remains to be seen whether or not Leeds are willing to splash that kind of cash on him.

Why Stach would be a bigger signing than Longstaff

Stach would be a bigger and more important signing for the Whites than Longstaff for several reasons, not least because he would cost at least £2m more to bring to Elland Road.

As well as potentially costing more than the nearly-completed deal for the Newcastle star, the German giant is also five inches taller than the Englishman and would provide more of a presence in the middle of the park.

Possible signing Anton Stach

6 ft 4

Ilia Gruev

6 ft 1

Ethan Ampadu

6 ft

Ao Tanaka

5 ft 11

Sean Longstaff

5 ft 11

Brenden Aaronson

5 ft 10

As you can see in the table above, Stach would be the tallest central midfield option at Farke’s disposal next season, by some distance, if he joins the club.

The £17m-rated star used his physicality to his advantage in the Bundesliga last season by winning 59% of his ground duels and 57% of his aerial duels, winning 5.6 duels per game in comparison to Longstaff’s 1.7. This suggests that he could provide more strength to the team out of possession than the Magpies man.

Stach’s form in the German top-flight also suggests that he has the potential to make more of an impact at the top end of the pitch, as he scored two goals and created four ‘big chances’ for his side, showing that the midfielder can push forward to make things happen in the final third at times.

He also averaged 5.29 progressive passes per 90, compared to Longstaff’s 4.51 per 90 in the Premier League, which suggests that he may progress play more frequently for Leeds by playing through the lines and attempting risky passes.

As further illustrated by the chart above, Stach has the potential to offer more to the team in pretty much every facet of midfield play, with his qualities on and off the ball, based on their respective form in the 2024/25 campaign at league level.

This is why the Hoffenheim star would be an even bigger signing for the Whites because he would provide more quality to Farke’s side on the pitch, and increase their chances of avoiding instant relegation even more than Longstaff would.

49ers biggest deal yet: Leeds weighing up bid to sign £22m James upgrade

Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing a star who would be a Dan James upgrade.

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أعلنت رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز عن اسم الفائز بجائزة مدرب الشهر خلال أغسطس الماضي من بين عدة مرشحين متنافسين على الجائزة.

وعبر الموقع الرسمي فقد تم الإعلان عن اختيار آرني سلوت مدرب ليفربول كأفضل مدرب في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لشهر أغسطس بعد قيادته الريدز لبداية مثالية للموسم.

The only side with a 100% record 💯

Arne Slot is @BarclaysFooty Manager of the Month after three wins in three matches in August 🔴 pic.twitter.com/06lE8RpiP4 — Premier League (@premierleague) September 12, 2025

واختير سلوت بعد أن قاد ليفربول لبداية مثالية موسم 2025-2026، وحقق الفريق تحت قيادته ثلاث انتصارات من أصل ثلاث مباريات ليصبح الريدز الفريق الوحيد الذي حقق العلامة الكاملة في الشهر الافتتاحي.

أقرأ أيضاً.. رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي تعلن عن الفائز بجائزة لاعب الشهر في أغسطس

وسجل فريق سلوت أعلى عدد من الأهداف في الدوري بثمانية أهداف خلال مباريات صعبة، حيث بدأ ليفربول المسابقة بفوز مثير ضد بورنموث بأربعة أهداف لهدفين في ملعب أنفيلد.

وحقق ليفربول فوز آخر ضد نيوكاسل يونايتد خارج ملعبه على سانت جيمس بارك بثلاث اهداف لهدفين واختتم الشهر بفوز صعب ضد آرسنال بهدف نظيف ليعزز فرصه في التتويج باللقب في بداية هذا الموسم.

وتعد هذه هي المرة الثانية التي يفوز فيها آرني سلوت بجائزة أفضل مدرب في الشهر بعد أن فاز بها لأول مرة في نوفمبر 2024، خلال موسمه الأول في الدوري.

وحصل آرني سلوت على أعلى أصوات من قائمة تضم أربعة مرشحين وجاءت هذه الأصوات من جانب الجماهير ولجنة من خبراء كرة القدم.

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

Polly Inglis earns maiden NZ call-up, Lauren Down returns for India ODIs

Very little Down time – NZ batter keen to seal top-order spot after baby break

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

Having already reached a verbal agreement to sign Botafogo trio Igor Jesus, Cuiabano and Jair Cunha, Nottingham Forest are now reportedly ready to take the next step in their move to sign a 20-goal forward this summer.

Nottingham Forest reach agreement to sign Jesus

Whilst both Cuibana and Cunha are impressive in their own rights, Jesus is the name that stands out the most. The talented forward is a Brazilian international and joins after showcasing his goalscoring prowess in Brazil – netting seven and creating another one in 24 games throughout the current campaign. With Chris Wood not getting any younger, the arrival of the 24-year-old couldn’t be coming at a better time.

Spending for the first time this summer, owner Evangelos Marinakis clearly means business. The Greek businessman will, like everyone else at the City Ground, will be desperate to see a repeat of the season just gone when August arrives.

Nottingham Forest came within touching distance of Champions League qualification, before being forced to settle for the Europa Conference League. Set for a European tour nonetheless, Nuno Espirito Santo and his side will be hoping to cause even greater shocks next season.

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Whether those in the Midlands prove to be one-hit-wonders or push on next season is the big question. Already, the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White have been linked with moves away to Manchester City in what would be a damaging departure for Forest.

As stars head for the exit door, however, further arrivals could yet join Jesus, Cunha and Cuiabano at the City Ground to strengthen Espirito Santo’s squad.

Nottingham Forest readying next step in Wissa move

According to The Athletic, Nottingham Forest are now readying their next step to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford this summer. Those at the City Ground were interested in the forward in January, but were quickly put off by his £40m valuation. Now, six months later, it looks as though they’re set to go again in pursuit of the impressive striker.

Negotiations are unlikely to be easier this time around, though. Brentford are already likely to lose Bryan Mbeumo this summer amid interest from Manchester United and there’s no denying that losing Wissa on top of their main talisman would deal Thomas Frank the biggest blow of his time in the Premier League.

After scoring 20 goals in all competitions throughout the campaign, Forest’s interest in Wissa should of course come as little surprise. Frank is well aware of the quality that his forward, who has become a superstar in his homeland with 31 caps for DR Congo, possesses.

The Brentford boss was full praise for both Wissa and Mbeumo back in April, telling reporters: “It’s a duo, of course, him and Wissa. Wissa is fantastic. He has scored actually more open-play goals than Brian still. But Brian is the penalty taker, unbelievable at penalties, assists, work ethic, an unbelievable player.”

Tottenham Hotspur star Lucas Bergvall will miss at least the rest of the season and the next round of international fixtures, according to reports in Sweden.

Bergvall injured as Spurs hunt Europa League glory

There’s no question the Lilywhites won’t have 100 per cent of their focus on the all-London clash with West Ham this weekend, despite the unquestionable morale boost a win over the Hammers would provide.

Ange Postecoglou’s side travel to Norway next week with a 3-1 aggregate lead over Bodo/Glimt, knowing if the manager can fulfil his second season trophy promise it would not only rescue a diasastrous domestic campaign but also present more opportunities in the transfer market with Champions League football on offer.

They will have to do it without perhaps their player of the season however, with Swedish starlet Bergvall injured in training and since spotted wearing a protective boot.

Explaining the problem in his pre-West Ham press conference, Postecoglou said he expects the 19 year-old, who has just signed a new contract, to miss most or all of the remaining matches: “Just something you see all the time. It wasn’t a tackle, he was on his own, he just went to turn and just his ankle gave away, so it’s just one of those things.

“Sometimes life works in mysterious ways and it’s denied Lucas the opportunity to play in a big game last night (Thursday). He’s been a massive contributor to us, but I’ve got no doubt he’ll come back stronger from that.”

Tottenham may sign £300k-p/w Premier League star if they win Europa League

A lot is on the line.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 1, 2025

Swedish media share Bergvall return date

According to Swedish outlet Fotboll Direkt, translated by Sport Witness, Bergvall is without a doubt set to miss the entire Spurs fixture list, including a potential all-English Europa League final in Bilbao on May 21.

However, Ange may have underplayed the issue, with this update suggesting the teenager’s return is “at least eight weeks” away, meaning he would also miss Sweden’s matches against Hungary on June 6 and Algeria on June 10, as well as the opening stages of Spurs’ pre season, with a return date expected around July 1.

This would of course be a massive blow for a player who has taken huge strides this season, having featured in 27 top flight matches and 12 more in European competition.

The young midfielder expressed his delight this week after signing a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2031, but will now have to wait until the middle of the summer to continue that journey.

As for Ange, he will have to rely on a combination of Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur and Bergvall’s compatriot Dejan Kulusevski to fill the gap against West Ham, in Norway on Thursday and beyond.