Arsenal could finalise a deal to sign a “world-class” player this weekend, alongside Chelsea’s Noni Madeueke, according to a report.

Madueke deal edging towards completion

Fabrizio Romano has revealed the Gunners’ deal for Madueke is now very close to completion, with the winger jetting back from the Club World Cup to seal a move across the capital.

However, a section of the fanbase isn’t exactly overjoyed by the news, with some fans even signing a petition in a desperate attempt to stop the move going through, which has angered former Manchester United man Rio Ferdinand.

Weighing in on the issue, Ferdinand said: “It’s fine for fans to disagree with signings or decisions made at their football club but the way some fans have publicly voiced their opinions and those who have gone a step further in publicly joining a petition for this player not to be signed by their football club is beyond me. I have never seen anything like this before, and I hope I don’t ever again.”

A good way of getting the fans back on side may be to finally get a striker through the door, and there has now been a suggestion that a deal for Viktor Gyokeres could be wrapped up in the very near future as sporting director Andrea Berta ramps things up a notch at the Emirates.

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According to a report from The Guardian, Sporting CP retain feint hope the deal with Arsenal could be finalised this weekend, with Gyokeres making it clear he has no interest in remaining at the Portuguese club.

The Sweden international has failed to return to pre-season training, in order to try and force through a move to the Emirates Stadium, but a deal will not be cheap, with president Frederico Varandas holding firm on a total package of €80m (£69m).

"World-class" Gyokeres could be final piece of Arsenal jigsaw

While some Arsenal fans have been left angered by the decision to spend big on Madueke, there should be less outrage over signing the Sporting striker, given that he is clearly ready to make the move to a top club.

At 27-years-old, the Swedish forward should now be in his peak years, and he was lauded as “world-class” by members of the media after putting in a fantastic performance against Manchester City in the Champions League last season.

The Sporting star scored a hat-trick in his side’s 4-1 victory over City last November, which should allay some fears about whether he would be able to make the step-up to the Premier League.

Gyokeres is clearly determined to seal a move to the Emirates Stadium, and his exploits in the Liga Portugal indicate he could be a real difference-maker in Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title next season.

Nat Sciver-Brunt and Ash Gardner set up nerve-jangling win at Edgbaston

ECB Media12-Aug-2024Trent Rockets were victorious in a nervy must-win encounter against Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred at Edgbaston on Monday. The Rockets drew level on points with third-placed Northern Superchargers to keep themselves in the hunt for a place in the knock-outs, as they came out on top by three wickets with just three balls to go in a tense affair.Birmingham Phoenix won the toss and chose to bat, with both sides sitting on six points in the table and looking for the opportunity to keep their seasons alive. Phoenix had to make do without Sophie Devine, forced to miss out through injury.That required a batting order shuffle for Phoenix but their shuffled top order didn’t last long: three wickets fell early for the home side as they lost captain Ellyse Perry, Fran Wilson and Amy Jones in the opening 15 balls before they had reached double digits. Alexa Stonehouse grabbed the big wicket of Perry, Sciver-Brunt dismissed her one-time housemate Wilson and her maid-of-honour Jones first-ball.ESPNcricinfo Ltd”I was very happy with how the ball came out today,” Sciver-Brunt said. “I probably haven’t had that much success or that much consistency, so I was very happy with my personal bowling performance today.”Phoenix’s recovery was as impressive as it was crucial, with Sterre Kalis and Indian international Richa Ghosh putting on 95 for a record fourth-wicket partnership in the women’s Hundred. Ghosh made 41 from 36 and Kalis 47 from 44 as they took the hosts to 112 for 6.After her early wickets Sciver-Brunt finished with figures of 2 for 16. Australian international spinner Ashleigh Gardner also picked up a critical late couple of wickets to take 2 for 17.Nat Sciver-Brunt and Ashleigh Gardner took two wickets each•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesPhoenix needed early wickets to help them defend their below-par total and they managed just that, with Bryony Smith and Nat Wraith dismissed in the first 20 balls. Unfortunately for Phoenix, that brought Sciver-Brunt to the crease, the leading run-scorer in The Hundred this year – and indeed the record-holder for the highest aggregate ever in the women’s competition.With Sciver-Brunt and Gardner at the crease the visitors looked to be cantering in the chase, but a flurry of wickets at an inopportune moment from balls 70-80 – including a timely run-out from Perry – made things suddenly appear much tricker for the Rockets. Not for the first time, the Rockets found themselves trying to scrap over the finish line, but this time it was a must-win encounter.They benefitted from a debatable no-ball call, which saw Josie Groves reprieved having initially been given out caught, but on this occasion they had enough in the locker to get over the line – Katie George there at the end alongside Groves to keep alive Rockets’ hopes of going further in the Hundred.”In terms of the chase, we probably got ahead of it a bit earlier and gave ourselves a bit of relief towards the end, so the pressure didn’t build up too much,” Sciver-Brunt said. “For the two batters to come out at the end, who hadn’t faced many balls, they were very brave, and I was really pleased for them to get the job done.”We’ve had so many close games, so to come out on the right side of it this time feels really good. It’s still all in our hands, if we beat the Oval Invincibles in our last game then we will be in that top three.”

After an opening day dominated by a lengthy delay for bad light, the third Test between England and Sri Lanka at the Kia Oval plumbed farcical new depths on the second afternoon, when Chris Woakes was forced to bowl spin midway through an over, due to the on-field umpires’ concerns about the deteriorating conditions.The incident occurred two balls into the seventh over of Sri Lanka’s innings, moments after they lost their first wicket when Dimuth Karunaratne was run out for 9 by Olly Stone’s direct hit from the covers.Kusal Mendis came in at No. 3 to face his first ball, but with an increase in cloud cover between deliveries, Joel Wilson and Chris Gaffaney decreed it was now too dark for quick bowling, albeit Woakes’ average speed in this Test match has been in the region of 80mph.The decision was met with a chorus of boos from a capacity Oval crowd, as well as bemusement in the commentary box. Michael Atherton declared on Sky Sports that “the game’s gone mad” as Woakes served up a first-ball long-hop that Mendis pulled to deep midwicket for a single, then added “oh, that’s filth” as Woakes’ next delivery pitched three feet outside off stump.Joe Root reacted with an amused raise of the eyebrows, while Ben Stokes – on the England balcony – gesticulated his disbelief before turning to walk into the dressing room.A third-ball long-hop was then dragged for four by Pathum Nissanka, meaning that the interlude cost England six runs from four balls. The farce was then compounded moments later, when the cloud cover rolled away, and Gus Atkinson, England’s fastest bowler on show, was permitted to continue after a subsequent light-meter reading.It was the third time in as many Tests that Ollie Pope, England’s stand-in captain, had been required to make a decision about how England responded to the umpires’ concerns.At Old Trafford, he had chosen to stay on in gloomy conditions, bowling 12 consecutive overs of spin that arguably helped Sri Lanka to recover from a nadir of 113 for 7 to reach 236. At Lord’s, on the other hand, he chose to take his players off early rather than risk wasting the new ball, a decision that brought strong condemnation from England’s former white-ball captain Eoin Morgan.Pope then chose to stay on the field while the light faded once more after tea on the second afternoon at The Oval, with Bashir, Dan Lawrence and Joe Root bowling 17 consecutive overs of spin in the final session, as Sri Lanka again capitalised through Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis, who added 118 unbeaten runs for the sixth wicket before the umpires took the players off for good.According to Law 2.7.1, which pertains to bad light and other weather-related issues, “it is solely for the umpires together to decide whether either conditions of ground, weather or light or exceptional circumstances mean that it would be dangerous or unreasonable for play to take place”.However, the law subsequently adds: “Conditions shall not be regarded as either dangerous or unreasonable merely because they are not ideal.”The Woakes incident followed on from a frustrating opening day of the contest, which featured a near three-hour delay from 12.18pm to 3.10pm, in which barely a drop of rain fell but a dense layer of cloud cover prevented a resumption. Play was then suspended again at 5.54pm, and abandoned shortly before 6.30pm, with just 44.1 of the day’s scheduled 90 overs possible.Speaking at the close of the opening day, however, Ben Duckett defended the decision, and argued that England’s batting – led by his 86 from 79 balls and a first home-ground century for Pope – had given the fans their money’s worth.”I think they saw quite a good day’s cricket in the short amount of time there was,” Duckett said. “That’s living in England and playing cricket in England, they’re the conditions. It’s very easy to sit there as a supporter and want to see more cricket but if it does get really dark and more dangerous, we’re the ones out there playing.”

West Indies are waiting on injury updates for a couple of key players ahead of their next women’s T20 World Cup match, against Scotland on Sunday, where they will try to put their campaign back on track.A ten-wicket defeat at the hands of South Africa in Dubai on Friday was soured further when opening bowler Zaida James suffered a blow to the jaw attempting a return catch off Laura Wolvaardt, the ball deflecting off her hand and on to her face. It was the first ball of the second over as South Africa began their pursuit of 119, which they achieved with 13 balls to spare. James left the field but was later seen sitting on the sidelines with a plaster on her chin. After the game, she went to a clinic to have her injury assessed.Stafanie Taylor also looked in some discomfort during a gutsy innings of 44 not out from 41 balls. It emerged that she had been troubled by soreness in her knee. She was due to undergo a medical evaluation before training on Saturday morning.Related

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“Zaida for sure, I know, it was pretty much just a knock on her face,” Hayley Matthews, West Indies’ captain, said immediately after the match. “I think the seam might have hit her on her face so she was in a bit of discomfort and [had] a bit of swelling around her jaw. But she’s a tough girl, so hopefully that’s just one of those knocks that you get on the field and she hopefully will be able to be back up for the next match.”Several other players also looked like they were struggling in the intense heat of Dubai, were temperatures soared to 38° Celsius.”It is pretty hot here,” Matthews agreed. “I have to say probably the hottest place I’ve ever played cricket, or have ever been on the whole, and I mean, that’s someone coming from the West Indies. Definitely some difficult conditions but we’ve been here for about two weeks now, thankfully, so we’ve been able to acclimatise as much as we possibly can with conditions like this. Thankfully we’ve got the rest of our games as night ones so I hope not as much sun.”Speaking about the pitch, where West Indies struggled pretty much all the way through their innings, Matthews said, “We came down here probably expecting some pretty good wickets. We camped here quite a bit before we went to Pakistan in April and we tend to spend a bit of time down here in training, so we knew what the ICC Academy grounds are like and those were pretty decent wickets early on so that’s what we’re expecting.Stafanie Taylor hit two fours and a six during her 41-ball stay on a hot Dubai afternoon•ICC/Getty Images

“It wasn’t a bad wicket today, I think South Africa showd that you can really bat on a wicket like that, even us in parts. Stafanie Taylor was able to really take charge of the game as well throughout the middle, so I don’t think the conditions surprised us too much, we probably just didn’t adapt to them as well.”With Matthews and Deandra Dottin both falling cheaply, for 10 and 13 respectively to Marizanne Kapp inside the first seven overs, Taylor proved crucial in West Indies putting up some fight in the face of Nonkululeko Mlaba’s career-best 4 for 29.”She’s a huge part of us and she has been to West Indies cricket from 2008,” Matthews said of Taylor. “Her importance within the team has never gone down, it’s probably only gone up more and more as the years have gone on so it was great to see her out in the middle today.”I think she still has a lot of doubters over the last few years so I think it was great that she could go out there and stand up and put her hand up when we were where in trouble. Once again the conditions, it’s obviously pretty hot, so it was hard to watch her stand up out there and fight but still good to see at the same time that she showed a lot of character with it.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has already been able to bring in several new players to bolster his first-team squad during the summer transfer window.

Benjamin Nygren, Kieran Tierney, Ross Doohan, Hayato Inamura, and Callum Osmand have all already come through the door since the end of last season.

There is more yet to come for the Scottish Premiership champions in the coming weeks, though, as the Hoops are looking for further signings, particularly in the attacking areas.

One player who looks set to join the likes of Tierney and Nygren is Japanese centre-forward Shin Yamada, after Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claimed that the club have agreed a £1.5m deal with Kawasaki Frontale to secure his services.

As explained in the post, the 25-year-old number nine is currently at an international tournament, which means that supporters may have to wait for an official confirmation from the club.

What role Shin Yamada could play at Celtic

The £1.5m striker is an interesting prospective signing for the Scottish giants because he is coming off the back of a poor season in the Japanese top-flight.

In the 2025 season, the right-footed striker has scored two goals and provided one assist in 21 appearances in the J1 League, which is far from an impressive return for the forward.

Speaking about that form, Yamada said: “On a personal note, I have to admit I have had a disappointing season. I set high standards for myself and I don’t think I met them if I am being honest.”

These statistics do not suggest that the forward is going to make a big impact at Parkhead next season, but he did thrive in front of goal in the 2024 campaign, before his struggles this year.

Appearances

38

21

Goals

19

2

Minutes per goal

107

573

Big chances missed

14

8

Key passes per game

0.7

0.4

Assists

3

1

As you can see in the table above, Yamada enjoyed a terrific spell in 2024 with a return of 19 goals in 38 games, but his form fell off a cliff since the turn of the year.

There is no guarantee that he can return to his form from last year, as it may have been a flash in the pan, which is why this is a risky signing for Celtic, and why he could be a back up option within the squad next season if he does not go back out on loan.

Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke claims that Rodgers wants a “marquee” striker who can “guarantee” goals, and Yamada does not appear to fit the bill for what the manager is looking for.

This suggests that another number nine could come through the door before the end of the window, and David Strelec would be an interesting option.

Celtic's interest in David Strelec

Herald Scotland recently reported that the Slovakian striker has been a long-term target for the Scottish giants, although it remains to be seen if they are willing to make a move for him this summer.

The Hoops were interested in a deal to sign the Slovan forward, who played against Celtic in the Champions League last season, in the January transfer window.

Transfer Focus

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

However, Slovan decided to demand a whopping fee of £9m in order to sanction an exit for their star centre-forward, which put any potential transfer to an end.

With Rodgers wanting a ‘marquee’ striker to ‘guarantee’ him goals, though, Strelec could emerge as an option for the Scottish giants this summer, should the price tag drop or should Celtic decide to pay the money.

Why Celtic should sign David Strelec

The Hoops should push to sign the Slovan striker this summer after missing out on him in January because he could be brought in as a much better centre-forward than Yamada.

Whilst the Japanese forward has struggled in front of goal this season and does not look to be the immediate answer to the club’s goalscoring needs, Strelec’s form last term suggests that he has the tools to hit the ground running in Glasgow.

The left-footed star, who was described as a “tireless runner” by analyst Louorns on X, ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of 25 goals and eight assists in all competitions, including two goals in the Champions League.

Strelec, who has scored seven goals for Slovakia at international level, showcased his ability to score and create goals at an exceptional rate as a centre-forward, and he could come in as an in-form striker who could provide a big threat in front of goal for Rodgers.

Appearances

29

21

Goals

20

2

Minutes per goal

102

573

Big chances missed

9

8

Big chances created

9

2

Key passes per game

1.1

0.4

Assists

5

1

As you can see in the table above, the Slovakian marksman’s form suggests that he would be a far better option than Yamada, whilst also being one year younger than the potential Hoops signing.

He would also arrive at Celtic with experience in European football and having played in the Champions League, whilst the Japanese striker would have to adapt to European football.

Therefore, Strelec has far more potential to be the marquee striker who guarantees goals for the Premiership champions than Yamada does, because he would arrive at Parkhead off the back of a 25-goal season, rather than a two-goal one.

At the age of 24, the Slovakia international would also have room to develop and improve during his time at Celtic, making him a potential candidate to be sold on for a substantial profit in the future, even if they have to splash out £9m to bring him to the club.

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This is why the Scottish giants should be pushing to sign the Slovan sensation in the coming weeks to be the prolific number nine that Rodgers is desperate for.

Pre-season games often feel like a non-event, but for those packed inside the Singapore national stadium on Sunday evening, they were treated to the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal.

The Swede wasn’t in the matchday squad after being confirmed as a Gunners player on Saturday but received a warm welcome nonetheless, unveiled in the Arsenal home strip before kick off.

Once the football got underway, it was a classic Arsenal vs Newcastle match, really. The Toon were missing Alexander Isak but Eddie Howe’s men still had that steely never-say-die nature to their play. They were aggressive and dogged but Mikel Arteta’s men prevailed, winning 3-2.

Anthony Elanga opened the scoring for the Magpies early on but Mikel Merino soon scored against his former employers, picking up where he left off last term.

Arsenal were ahead minutes later courtesy of an own goal but in the second half, Newcastle fought back again as Jacob Murphy squirmed an effort past David Raya.

The win was sealed from the penalty spot late in the day when skipper and second half substitute Martin Odegaard converted his spot-kick.

The main takeaways from Arsenal's win over Newcastle

With Gyokeres unveiled to spectators prior to the game kicking off, it felt like this was a match where Kai Havertz needed to make a statement.

While the German didn’t find he net, going closest when heading over from a Merino cross, his link-up play was exceptional as it always is.

It was Havertz who was the provider of Merino’s equaliser. Leandro Trossard played a neat ball into the forward who set it off for the Spaniard to fire past Nick Pope.

Moments later, Havertz was the provider again as his cross from the left-hand side diverted into his own net by youngster Alex Murphy.

The £65m man is yet to find the net in pre-season but a display like this demonstrated why Arteta is such a big fan.

As they did against Milan a few days ago, the Gunners didn’t have any problems creating chances, registering 15 shots but notable moments went begging, only illuminating the need for Gyokeres.

Elsewhere, we saw a first start in Arsenal colours for new signing Martin Zubimendi who looked tidy in midfield again, completing 91% of his passes.

The biggest concerns, however, will lie in Riccardo Calafiori, who limped off injured in the second half and Trossard.

In both pre-season games now, Trossard and Martinelli have struggled to make an impact from the left wing, showcasing why Arsenal have been linked with several wide forwards during the summer.

One player who could replace them is Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. The Gunners may well have found their own version of the England international.

Arsenal already have their own version of Eze

After signing Gyokeres, the word on the street is that the next leading target for the Gunners is Eze.

Talks have reportedly been held to bring him to the Emirates Stadium but it’s widely expected that the north Londoners will need to pay his £68m release clause in order to prise him away from Selhurst Park.

A “Premier League-proven magician” in the words of the Telegraph’s Sam Dean, Eze would give Arteta something his current side lacks; ingenuity. Of course, Arsenal have the likes of Bukayo Saka and Odegaard in their ranks, but Eze is someone who possesses the ability to produce something out of nothing. He’d be a fabulous capture.

Yet, Arteta must be cautious. With Eze most at home as an attacking midfielder, what would his arrival mean for someone like Ethan Nwaneri? The Hale Ender is set to sign a new contract with the club this summer but his game time would be damaged if the Palace superstar does arrive.

It may also dampen the game time of a certain Max Dowman, a player who possesses very similar skills to Eze. He’s showcased that in his first two senior games.

Dowman made his senior debut for the club last Wednesday in the 1-0 win over Milan, completing 92% of his passes and only losing a single duel.

Just 15 years of age, the teenager’s ability to create something with a burst of acceleration and dazzling piece of skill is truly a sight to behold.

In that regard, he’s cut from a similar cloth as Eze and his performance from the bench against Newcastle showcased once again why he’s so highly rated.

Within moments of coming on, Dowman burst forward with the ball through the centre of the pitch before arriving on the edge of the area and forcing a smart save from Pope.

The way he glides forward with the ball and manipulates possession is incredible, even winning the penalty from which Arsenal won the game.

Dowman had Joelinton on toast, skipping beyond the Brazilian before the tough midfielder brought him down by the byline.

Minutes played

30

Touches

16

Accurate passes

4/4 (100%)

Key passes

0

Accurate crosses

1/1

Shots on target

2

Shots off target

0

Successful dribbles

2/3

Duels won

6/8

Possession lost

x2

Fouled

x3

Tackles

1

It was a near-impeccable cameo from the teen who left the field having completed all of his passes and won six of his eight duels.

Handed a stunning 9/10 match rating by Football.London’s Rob Guest at full-time, the reporter wrote: ‘Almost had his first Arsenal goal but for a Pope save after troubling the Magpies with a brilliant solo run from midway inside their half. Went close with another effort that tested John Ruddy late on and won a penalty following another driving run. Excellent cameo as he displayed his incredible talent.’

While caution must be urged when hyping up someone as young as Dowman, he really does look like the real deal. Not many can remember seeing someone this good come through the academy at his age. He is a special talent. Dare we even say a generational one, too?

Blessed with electric dribbling, creativity and an eye for goal, scoring 19 times in 23 appearances at youth level last season, it looks like Arsenal have produced their own Eze out of Hale End.

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Liverpool did not know how things would pan out as they stepped into the unknown following Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step down. But the Reds rode the crest of that wave of belief and emerged as Premier League champions with Arne Slot at the helm.

Milos Kerkez, one of Europe’s most promising full-backs, has been signed, and Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz have both completed transfers from Bayer Leverkusen to Merseyside. Giorgi Mamardashvili is Alisson Becker’s new training partner between the sticks.

And, of course, Liverpool have now finalised a £79m deal for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, who has been described as “the perfect centre-forward” by pundit Owen Hargreaves.

The exciting part is that there’s more still to come. However, this isn’t one-way traffic for the Anfield side: Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid many weeks ago; Darwin Nunez is slated to move away.

And Luis Diaz is the focus of a concerted approach from Bayern Munich.

The latest on Luis Diaz's Liverpool future

There’s a lot of noise around Diaz and his Liverpool future, and it feels like he might be set to leave in the coming weeks.

Bayern have already seen a £58.5m bid knocked back for the Colombia international, and they are reportedly ready to bid again.

Though Slot won’t want to lose such an important part of his first-team squad, Diaz is 28 and has entered the next-to-the-last year of his contract. A new deal doesn’t appear to be forthcoming.

Liverpool have Cody Gakpo on the left flank, but Diaz has emerged as a shrewd option at centre-forward in Slot’s system, and it might take more than just Ekitike, who is 23, to replace him.

Left winger

76

31

21

Centre-forward

16

8

1

Right winger

6

1

1

Thus, the spending might not be concluded just yet for the Merseysiders.

Liverpool favourites for Diaz replacement

On Thursday, perhaps the biggest breaking news of the transfer window emerged. Alexander Isak wants to explore a move away from St James’ Park this summer.

Well, according to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have retained their interest in the Newcastle United striker, even after sealing a deal for Ekitike, with a first approach made at the start of last week regarding his availability.

In fact, Arsenal and Chelsea, both keen on the Premier League superstar, have been informed that his preference would be to join Liverpool this summer, should he leave St. James’ Park.

However, Isak would cost a significant outlay. The Magpies would want him to eclipse the June deal for Wirtz, seeking a British-record £130m fee for his signature.

The 25-year-old has not travelled with Newcastle for their pre-season tour in Asia and is exploring his options as he targets a move to Merseyside.

Why Alexander Isak could help Liverpool replace Diaz

Analyst Raj Chohan declared Isak to have been “the best striker in the world” last season, having scored 27 goals and supplied six assists across 42 matches in all competitions for Newcastle.

The likes of Erling Haaland and Viktor Gyokeres might have scored at a more clinical rate, but the Sweden star is unmatched when it comes to creativity, completeness.

As per FBref, he ranked among the top 16% of centre-forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last season for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 8% for progressive carries and the top 7% for successful take-ons per 90.

It’s accepted that Isak would take Liverpool’s team to the next level, combining with Ekitike and Wirtz and Mohamed Salah to an extraordinary effect. There’s no question that he would be the pick of the goalscoring bunch.

The £120k-per-week striker would definitely mark an upgrade on Diaz, who impressed as a makeshift number nine last season but doesn’t have that natural-born instinct that Isak would bring to the table.

To be sure, Diaz stood out for his electric movements and off-the-ball movements, ranked among the top 3% of strikers across Europe last year for both progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90.

However, in Isak, Liverpool would be signing a new sensation capable of upholding such tactical virtues while concurrently transcending the goal threat that Slot currently has at his disposal from central options, with pundit Alan Shearer noting his “world-class” ball-striking ability.

1.

Erling Haaland

97

85 (0.88)

2.

Mohamed Salah

108

66 (0.61)

3.

Alexander Isak

86

54 (0.63)

4.

Ollie Watkins

112

50 (0.45)

5.

Bryan Mbeumo

101

38 (0.38)

Furthermore, while Diaz’s haul of 17 goals and eight assists across all competitions in 2024/25 denotes his high-level clinical ability, he enjoyed several purple patches throughout the season, bagging braces against Manchester United and Bournemouth in September, and another against Tottenham Hotspur in December.

Diaz also posted a hat-trick during Liverpool’s 4-0 romp over Bayer Leverkusen Champions League.

Such details are hardly to the South American’s detriment, but they do highlight his proneness to stretches without prolific impact, and in Isak, Liverpool would not have that same problem, for he is one of the most consistently threatening strikers in the business, and creative besides.

If the cogs fall into place and Liverpool truly have a window to strike at Newcastle’s talisman, they must do so. Such a signing would cement Slot’s project as one of the definitive of this generation – worldwide.

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Nottingham Forest are now “ready” to submit a new offer for a “fantastic” forward, who is keen on a move to the City Ground, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

Forest keen on new forward after securing Gibbs-White's future

In perhaps one of the most surprising twists of the summer transfer window, Morgan Gibbs-White has now committed his long-term future to Forest, signing a new contract which will keep him at the club for the next three years.

Gibbs-White had been expected to join Tottenham Hotspur, with the north Londoners controversially triggering the £60m release clause in his contract, but the attacking midfielder is now set to remain at the City Ground.

In a recent statement, the 25-year-old revealed that Evangelos Marinakis’ ambition was one of the main reasons he decided to extend his deal.

Consequently, Nuno Espirito Santo will no longer be faced with the difficult task of finding a replacement for the England international, but he remains keen on a new forward, and there has now been an update on Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Bologna’s Dan Ndoye.

Taking to X, Romano has revealed that Forest “will bid again” for Ndoye, with a new proposal “ready”, having had their initial offer knocked back by the Italian club.

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The Tricky Trees are “ready to push” for the 24-year-old starting next week, having already struck an agreement on personal terms, with the Bolgona star keen on a move to the City Ground.

However, Nuno’s side may have to stump up a lot of money to get a deal over the line, with Bologna set to hold out for around £39m, and there could be competition for his signature from Napoli.

"Fantastic" Ndoye could excel at the City Ground

With Anthony Elanga moving to Newcastle United, it is clear that Nuno will need to bring in a new right-winger this summer, and the Bologna forward could be an excellent replacement for the Sweden international.

Last season, the former FC Basel man proved himself as a reliable source of goals and assists in the Serie A, picking up eight goals and four assists in 30 matches, while he has also impressed at international level.

Indeed, the Swiss forward received high praise from manager Murat Yakin after impressing at Euro 2024, with the Switzerland boss saying: “His development is fantastic, I can see it day after day,”

“He’s young, I like having him in the team a lot with his unpredictability and his clear head.”

Gibbs-White committing his future to Forest came as welcome news, and it would be an added bonus if they were able to get a deal for Ndoye over the line too.

Keogh, Miller, Sales extend lead after India spinner rips through Derbyshire

ECB Reporters Network10-Sep-2024

Yuzvendra Chahal bowls during a training session•Getty Images

Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal claimed five wickets as Northamptonshire ran through Derbyshire’s batting line-up on a day dominated by spin at Wantage Road before Northamptonshire’s batters put the hosts in the ascendancy.Chahal, veteran of 152 white-ball internationals, finished with figures of five for 45, only his third career five-wicket haul, as Derbyshire lost their last six wickets for just 15 runs in 10.2 overs.For most of the morning Chahal bowled in tandem with off-spinner Rob Keogh on a pitch offering plenty of turn and bounce with fielders stationed all around the bat. Keogh also took three wickets for 65 as Northamptonshire claimed a handy first inning lead of 54 on day two of this Vitality County Championship encounter.Luis Reece had top scored for Derbyshire with 50 and while Wayne Masden (47) and Aneurin Donald (21) staged a fightback during a 51-run partnership, Chahal removed both batters in a lengthy spell which included a double wicket maiden.In Northamptonshire’s second innings, teenage Derbyshire quick Harry Moore took two early wickets for just six runs, before youngsters Gus Miller (42) and James Sales (40) mounted a stand of 76. Rob Keogh hit a well-paced unbeaten 46 as Northamptonshire closed on 178 for five, leading by 232 when heavy rain and bad light stopped play.Earlier Ben Sanderson made the initial breakthrough for Northamptonshire, knocking back Brooke Guest’s (28) off stump, while Reece’s innings ended when he edged one from Keogh which spun away. Keogh struck again in his next over when David Lloyd was adjudged lbw as he attempted to sweep.Masden refused to be bowled at, coming down the wicket to strike Keogh over midwicket, cutting and sweeping the spinners as he and Donald manoeuvred the ball into the gaps and kept the scoreboard tickingDonald swept Chahal square for six when he tossed one up, but the bowler got his man when Donald swept a half-volley straight to Sales at square leg. Chahal almost had another wicket with his next ball but Sales, now at short leg, could not hold onto a sharp chance offered by Martin Andersson.Masden was undone by one from Chahal that pitched middle and hit the top of off-stump, while Chappell, hero of the One Day Cup fixture here in July, fell two balls later when he chipped to Luke Procter who ran in to take a diving catch at mid-off. Keogh then removed Andersson thanks to an excellent sharp grab by Justin Broad at leg slip.Chahal wrapped up the innings immediately after lunch, Alex Thomson top edging an attempted sweep, Prithvi Shaw running behind the stumps to take the catch. Chahal then bowled Jack Morley next ball to end the innings.Debutant Moore had Shaw adjudged lbw in the second over of Northamptonshire’s innings, while Procter edged him to Masden at second slip, the Derbyshire man’s 250th first-class catch for the county.Miller though started positively, driving Chappell through mid-on for four to get off the mark before Derbyshire turned to their own spin duo of Thomson and Morley who, while they created problems of their own, were inconsistent, failing to apply sustained pressure.Miller cut Morley for four to take Northamptonshire’s lead into three figures, Sales steering the spinner square for four and flicking him through midwicket for another. Miller duly drove Thomson through cover to bring up the 50 partnership.Miller though became the latest batter to perish playing the sweep, trapped lbw by Thomson shortly before tea, while Sales departed to seam shortly after the break, given out caught behind off Andersson.Saif Zaib and Keogh shared a stand of 41 for the fifth wicket to push the Northamptonshire lead towards 200. Zaib picked up where he had left off in his first innings 90, playing some crisp drives against Andersson and reverse sweeping the spinners, but he departed in a rush of blood, bowled as he danced down the track to Morley.Keogh profited from the reverse sweep in particular, deploying the shot to collect three consecutive boundaries off Thomson. He struck eight fours in total and despite the light worsening during the evening session, he helped Northamptonshire towards a daunting lead.

أوضح هشام نصر، نائب رئيس نادي الزمالك، حقيقة الأنباء التي انتشرت مؤخرًا حول وجود تواصل بين النجم البرتغالي كريستيانو رونالدو وإدارة القلعة البيضاء، بهدف ضخ استثمارات في شركة كرة القدم المزمع إنشاؤها بالنادي.

وكانت بعض التقارير الصحفية قد أشارت إلى أن قائد فريق النصر السعودي يدرس فكرة الاستثمار في الزمالك، حال تأسيس الشركة، لافتة إلى وجود محادثات أولية بين المدير الرياضي للنادي جون إدوارد وممثلي رونالدو.

طالع أيضًا | ميدو: أنا من أحضرت جون إدوارد لـ الزمالك.. ولكن

وفي تعقيبه على هذه الأنباء، أكد هشام نصر في تصريحات لصحيفة “عكاظ” السعودية، عدم وجود أي تواصل رسمي أو ودي مع رونالدو أو ممثليه بشأن استثمار محتمل، مشدداً على أن ما تردد في هذا الصدد لا أساس له من الصحة.

ويعيش الزمالك فترة مميزة على المستوى الفني، بعدما اعتلى صدارة جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري الممتاز برصيد 13 نقطة، متقدمًا بفارق نقطتين عن المصري البورسعيدي صاحب المركز الثاني.

ويستعد الفريق الأبيض لمواجهة نظيره الإسماعيلي غدًا الخميس، ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة من الدوري المصري الممتاز.