The signing of Bryan Mbeumo was finally announced earlier this week, handing Manchester United the added attacking threat they’ve been craving.

Whilst a deal may have cost £71m, a pretty expensive figure for the Brentford star, it could prove to be a bargain should he replicate his form from last season.

The 25-year-old managed to register 27 combined goals and assists in the Premier League, a tally that was nine more than the Red Devils’ highest contributor, Bruno Fernandes.

He will be joined in the final third by Matheus Cunha, but it’s unlikely that the pair will be the only attacking additions during the current summer transfer window.

Numerous other players have been linked with a move to Old Trafford during the off-season, strengthening the options currently at Ruben Amorim’s disposal.

The latest on United’s hunt for new attacking options

In recent days, Benjamin Sesko has reappeared on United’s shortlist, unsurprisingly so given Viktor Gyokeres’ pending move to join Arsenal after rejecting a reunion with former boss Amorim.

The Red Devils could even be about to prepare an opening offer for the 22-year-old’s signature after he netted 21 goals across all competitions throughout 2024/25.

However, he’s not the only attacker currently on their radar, with Bologna forward Riccardo Orsolini also in their sights this summer, according to Il Resto del Carlino.

They claim that the Red Devils have already made a direct call to the Serie A outfit over the availability of the 28-year-old star during the current window.

It also states that his current employers are preparing a new contract for the Italian, after he notched 17 goals and four assists across all competitions last time around.

Reports from earlier in the window suggested that he could be worth around £22m if he moves on this summer.

Why United’s latest target would be another Mbeumo

As previously mentioned, a deal to sign Mbeumo this window has generated excitement amongst the fanbase, understandably so given his form in England’s top-flight.

The Cameroonian will be entering the prime years of his career at Old Trafford after his big-money move, and also able to play a key role in any revival during the Amorim era.

The 40-year-old will be hoping that he can integrate the forward into the side and mould him into the perfect number ten in his current 3-4-2-1 system.

Given the mammoth transfer fee, it’s a surprise to no one that Mbeumo will have a lot of pressure on his shoulders to succeed, even more so given the club’s lowly league finish last campaign.

However, he could be aided in any attempts with a potential move for Orsolini, with the Bologna attacker possessing a very similar skillset to that of Mbeumo.

The Italian is also left-footed and likes to cut inside onto his stronger foot off the right, having huge success with such a technique, as seen by his goal tally from last season.

However, Orsolini, who’s been labelled “sensational” by talent scout Antonio Mango, has also produced numerous incredible underlying stats which have helped him in the final third as of late.

Riccardo Orsolini’s stats for Bologna in Serie A (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

30

Goals & assists

19

Shots on target

1.2

Chances created

1.4

Successful dribbles

1.6

Tackles won

81%

Duels success rate

52%

Aerials won

55%

Stats via FotMob

In Serie A throughout 2024/25, he notched 1.4 chances created, along with 1.6 successful dribbles per 90, subsequently having the tools to provide Mbeumo with chances within attacking areas.

Despite his excellent attacking figures, he also won 81% of the tackles he entered, whilst coming out on top in 52% of duels, potentially being the perfect wing-back for Amorim if needed.

The attacker’s dominance also didn’t stop there, notching 1.2 shots on target per 90 and 55% of aerials won, with both tallies ranking him within the top 10% of all players in the division.

Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal for the 28-year-old would cost this summer, it’s evident that he has the tools needed to thrive within the Premier League.

He would offer needed depth in multiple key areas of the pitch, whilst also having the ability to aid Mbeumo and potentially work with him to catapult the club to glory in the years ahead.

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Manchester United appear to be edging ever closer to their next addition of the summer window.

Posts 1 ByEthan Lamb Jul 24, 2025

After welcoming Sean Longstaff earlier this week, Leeds United are now reportedly set to sign another midfield star in a deal worth over £17m this summer.

Longstaff: Leeds is the "perfect" move

Becoming the Whites’ fifth signing of the summer, Longstaff will instantly add some much-needed Premier League know-how to Daniel Farke’s side ahead of next season. The former Newcastle midfielder won’t steal the same headlines as the likes of Jaka Bijol, but he could prove to be equally important at Elland Road.

Speaking for the first time since putting pen to paper, Longstaff told the official Leeds website: “I spoke to [Karl] Darlow straight away, but I have got to meet everyone. It seems like a really good group. I have heard great things.

“I think there is something to be said for a team that wants you and a club that really wants you. I think from the first time I spoke to Leeds, I sort of got a feeling that they really wanted me.

“It just fills you full of confidence and it just makes you want to repay those people. It is a massive, massive football club similar to Newcastle in a lot of ways.

49ers have now "rejected" formal bid for "excellent" 21 y/o Leeds talent

The Whites are holding out for a higher number…

1 ByHenry Jackson Jul 19, 2025

“It was going to take a lot for us to leave Newcastle to be honest and I wasn’t just going to leave to go anywhere so it had to be the right place for me and my family and I think this is a perfect place. I got to watch pretty much all the games and see a team that was really exciting to watch, athletic, really good on the ball.

As pleased as they’ll be to have signed Longstaff, however, the 49ers aren’t stopping there. Reports are now indicating that they’ve instantly agreed another deal to sign their sixth fresh face of the summer and another midfield star.

Leeds agree deal to sign Anton Stach

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Leeds are now set to sign Anton Stach after agreeing a deal worth more than €20m (£17m) with Bundesliga club Hoffenheim. The 6’4 midfielder is set to put pen to paper on a four-year contract, as those at Elland Road prepare to welcome another signing.

With plenty of Bundesliga experience to his name and even appearances in the Europa League last season, Stach represents another solid signing by all involved at Leeds.

It’s no surprise that the towering midfielder has earned impressive praise during his time in Germany, either. Former coach Florian Kohfeldt recalled Stach’s days as a youth player at Werder Bremen, claiming that he was already a talented player at a young age: “He didn’t have such an easy time here at Werder when he was at boarding school.

“He was a bit behind his peers physically when he was young, but in my opinion he already had a very strategic disposition in his game and was incredibly goal-oriented and ambitious.”

The Athletic’s Beren Cross has also heaped praise on Stach in reaction to the deal, sharing on X on Saturday: “Another giant, another 26-year-old, Leeds are finalising a transfer (in excess of £17.3m) for Anton Stach. A sixth new face and a real unit that played as a defensive midfielder and centre-back with Hoffenheim.”

Celtic find themselves becoming very busy in the transfer window and could now move to add further solidity to their backline, according to reports.

Celtic begin to turn the screw on defensive reinforcements

Kieran Tierney agreed his emotional return to the Bhoys in January and confirmation of his arrival at Parkhead was hardly a surprise, even if supporters are delighted that he is back in the building.

However, Hayato Inamura’s arrival at Celtic from Albirex Niigata has also created headlines, with some fans expressing concern at his lack of experience in a top-flight environment before moving to Glasgow.

Brendan Rodgers has since confirmed that he is part of a dual strategy to improve the first-team environment and to also invest in long-term assets who can come good in time: “No, he won’t be (part of the first-team). He’s, again, a part of the investment of the club.

“To bring a player in, we’ll assess and see where he’s at as a young player. And then it’s whether he stays with the squad or whether he has to go out on loan”.

With that in mind, Justin de Haas has been identified as a defensive reinforcement for Celtic that could form part of the senior picture after some solid displays for F.C. Famalicão in the Primeira Liga.

Bid made: Celtic submit formal offer less than half of "ridiculous" valuation

This could be a strong piece of business by the Hoops.

By
Henry Jackson

Jul 7, 2025

The Dutchman coming in could throw the cat among the pigeons regarding Auston Trusty and Liam Scales’ future at the heart of Rodgers’ backline. Either way, it is a sign the Irishman wants fresh faces to fuel another Scottish Premiership title challenge.

Now, another name has entered the mix as the Bhoys get to work on bolstering the ranks ahead of another exciting campaign for all involved.

Celtic enter race to sign Etienne Youte Kinkoue

According to L’Equipe, Celtic are keen to sign Le Havre defender Etienne Youte Kinkoue this summer alongside Besiktas and Anderlecht, while Burnley have also been mentioned as another suitor in the hunt for the 23-year-old.

Formerly of Inter and Olympiacos, the ex-France Under-21 international could be allowed to leave his homeland for a fee in the region of £4.3 million, though his current employers are yet to receive any formal approaches for his services.

Sheffield United and FC Köln are among Kinkoue’s other admirers, signalling that he is a highly sought-after option on the market this summer due to his affordable price-tag and robust attributes.

Last campaign, he made 28 appearances across all competitions as Le Havre managed to cling on to their top-flight status, though the fact he is out of contract in 2026 has contributed to his availability at a cut-price fee.

Celtic have allowed Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke to leave the club, while Stephen Welsh is on the periphery, so it makes sense that Kinkoue is now on their radar amid the need for another right-footed central defender within Rodgers’ squad.

There was confusion, and no little anger, as India were at the centre of an umpiring controversy during their women’s T20 World Cup match against New Zealand in Dubai on Friday, which India lost by 58 runs.They felt they had a legitimate wicket – a run-out of Amelia Kerr – but it wasn’t to be, with the umpires deciding the ball was dead when the dismissal was effected.The appeal for the run-out came after Kerr was caught short of her ground while attempting a second run at the end of the 14th over of New Zealand’s innings. Having hit the ball towards long-off off the last ball of Deepti Sharma’s over, Kerr and Sophie Devine took a single, and didn’t seem to have any plans to push for the second. Deepti asked the umpire to hand her cap back to her and was been given it.However, with Harmanpreet Kaur, the fielder, collecting the ball and ambling in with it in her hands, Kerr and Devine tried pinching a second. Harmanpreet fired the ball in, Richa Ghosh collected it, and broke the stumps with Kerr short of her crease.The umpires – Anna Harris and Jacqueline Williams – decided the ball was dead, and anything that came after, the dismissal in this case, would not count as having occurred with the ball “in play”. Section 20.1.2 of the dead-ball law says: “The ball shall be considered to be dead when it is clear to the bowler’s end umpire that the fielding side and both batters at the wicket have ceased to regard it as in play.”For that moment when the bowler collected her cap and the batters seemed happy with just the single, it is reasonable for the umpire to deem the ball dead. However, the umpires omitted to send the batters back to their respective ends. Kerr should have been back on strike for the start of the next over, but it was Devine who took strike against Renuka Singh and nudged a single. Kerr was out off the following delivery when she hit the ball to Pooja Vastrakar at extra cover, to be dismissed for 13 off 22 balls.Related

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Before that, though, play was held up for over seven minutes, with India head coach Amol Muzumdar visibly upset at the ruling, engaging in an animated chat with the fourth umpire, while Kerr was near the boundary before being called back.Speaking after the game, Jemimah Rodrigues said, “I was not there when the umpire gave the cap to Deepti, but, I mean, New Zealand were pretty sure that it was a double run and Amelia went for it, which showed that the over was not called out yet. And we all thought that, okay, we got that run-out.”What if that run-out wouldn’t happen? Would they give us a two for that. So I think, honestly, that’s not in our control at the end. We respect the decision of the umpire and we were okay with that. But yeah, it’s a bit harsh when Amelia herself walked out because she knew she was out.”Devine, who was batting alongside Kerr, explained she hadn’t heard the umpire call the over and they were trying to pinch a second run. “My understanding is that the ball is dead when the umpire calls ‘over’ and I didn’t hear the umpire call ‘over’,” she said. It was an interesting one, and I guess it broke a little bit of momentum and maybe stalled them [India] a bit.”That’s part of cricket. Interpretation is going to be slightly different. We were always trying to pinch runs here and there because you never know when one run is going to change things. The umpires have a job to do and we respect that, and I sometimes push the boundaries a little bit.””We know how important Amelia’s wicket was, at that moment it felt a little [like] why didn’t it go in our favour,” Rodrigues said. “But, at the same time, I think we did what we can.”We spoke to the umpire. Then we had to accept the decision of the umpire and move on. So I think that’s what we did really well, that we just moved on from that. And we got her out pretty soon. So that works for us.”

No play possible at Headingley, Hove, Grace Road or Cardiff after persistent rain

ESPNcricinfo staff and ECB Reporters Network26-Sep-2024

Sussex tightened their grip at the top of the table while Yorkshire edged closer to promotion at the expense of Middlesex, after a complete washout on the opening day of the final round of fixtures in Division Two of the County Championship.With promotion already sealed and a 20-point cushion at the top, Sussex need only to avoid defeat against third-placed Middlesex to ensure they return to the top flight as champions. A haul of five bonus points from a possible eight would also suffice.Though there was no chance to pick up any points at Hove, with persistent rain forcing an early abandonment, the lack of play was far more damaging to Middlesex. They now have just three days in which to force victory, without which they have no chance of closing their 15-point deficit on second-placed Yorkshire. Although Friday’s forecast is slightly better, the outfield was saturated by the time of the abandonment at 1.05pm, and it will take a prolonged spell of dry weather to get the ground playable.As for Yorkshire, play in their final home fixture against fourth-placed Northamptonshire was also abandoned by lunch on the opening day, with the only moment of note coming when their young batter, George Hill, was presented his county cap by his team-mate, Jonny Bairstow, who has been a fixture of their promotion push since being overlooked across formats by England.Yorkshire need just 10 points to guarantee their return to the top flight, following their relegation in 2022, and are currently on a run of five wins in their last six games, having had to wait until the competition’s sixth round in May to register their first win.”It’s hard not to enjoy it,” Bairstow told the ECB Reporters Network. “Naturally, it’s been a pretty disappointing summer for obvious [personal] reasons, and I don’t need to get into that at the moment.”I’ve been happy. I got asked to show some form, and I’ve been pleased with the way I’ve kept as well,” he added. “I’ll do what I can with this group, and the first thing is to get promotion.””It will be a very nice way to finish the summer if I can be a part of that group that goes up with a record in the last five or six games that’s been outstanding. Most of all, it’s been great fun with a good bunch.”In the unlikely event that Yorkshire and Middlesex finish level on points, the tiebreakers of most wins, then fewest losses and then head-to-head record would come into the equation. Both teams are level on most wins and fewest losses – five wins, two defeats – but Middlesex have the advantage on head-to-head having won at Lord’s and drawn at Headingley.There was no play possible in either of the Division’s two remaining games, Leicestershire versus Derbyshire at Grace Road, and Glamorgan versus Gloucestershire at Cardiff. Each of the four teams concerned are in the bottom half of the table, with Derbyshire – 19 points adrift – all but guaranteed to finish bottom.

أعرب خالد الغندور، نجم الزمالك السابق، عن استغرابه من الجدل الذي أثير مؤخرًا حول مقاطع الفيديو التي ينشرها عبر صفحاته الرسمية، مؤكدًا أن الهدف منها هو الترفيه فقط، وليست موجهة للإساءة إلى الأهلي أو جماهيره، كما تطرق إلى الخلاف الذي وقع بينه وبين سيد عبد الحفيظ مدير الكرة السابق بالنادي الأهلي.

وقال الغندور في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون سبورت”: “أنا أقدّم فيديوهات عن الأهلي والزمالك، وعلى فكرة أنا أعتبر الإعلام وسيلة للتسلية، أي موضوع ترفيهي قليلًا، نضحك ونمزح من خلاله”.

وتابع: “والدي أكبر مشجع للأهلي في مصر، ونحن كأصدقاء وزملاء نلتقي في الشارع أو في أي مكان أو في المقهى، وأنا شخص عفوي، وأشعر أن ذلك نوع من الترفيه، وليس شيئًا يقلل من الأهلي أو من الزمالك”.

وأضاف: “على فكرة أنا أقدّم أيضًا أغنيات عن الزمالك، لكن إذا كان ذلك يسبب لجمهور الأهلي الضيق فلا داعي للاستمرار، والله أنا بالفعل لا أتعامل مع هذه الأمور كما يظن البعض، كرة القدم شيء جميل في حياتنا ونوع من التسلية والترفيه”.

وعن خلافه مع سيد عبد الحفيظ، أوضح الغندور: “هو في الحقيقة ليس خلافًا، فقد فوجئت وأنا في البرنامج، ثم خرجت فوجدت أن مصر كلها منشغلة والناس يتصلون بي، ويرسلون لي فيديو للكابتن سيد عبد الحفيظ يقول عني: دمك ثقيل”.

طالع أيضًا | خالد الغندور يرد على سخرية سيد عبد الحفيظ: تعلمت الاحترام في بيت المستشار

وواصل: “بعد ذلك أرسلوا لي الفيديو، فوجدت كابتن طارق السيد وكابتن مدحت عبد الهادي يتحدثان، وكانا يقولان ذلك على سبيل المزاح، أو ردًا على منشور كتبته أنا عن أن سيد عصبي، وهذا أمر وارد”.

واستكمل: “أنا ليس لدي مشكلة مع الكابتن سيد عبد الحفيظ، فهو شخصية ناجحة، وأدعو الله أن يوفقه في حياته وأن يوفقه مع النادي الأهلي في المرحلة المقبلة”.

واستمر خالد الغندور: “(والزعل كان على قدر العِشرة)، مدحت وطارق هما أخواني الصغيران، وكانا أكثر من يحب الجلوس معي في الغرفة لنضحك ونمزح، شعرت بالضيق حين قيلت هذه الكلمة عني وهما جالسان، لكن في النهاية هما أصدقائي وعشرة عمر”.

واستكمل: “أنا ليس لدي مشكلة مع أحد، كل ما أطلبه أن نختلف بأدب ونحترم بعضنا البعض ونقدّر بعضنا، ما المشكلة إذا كان هناك اختلاف في الانتماء أو اختلاف في الآراء أو في الرؤية؟”.

واختتم الغندور تصريحاته قائلًا: “الخلاف انتهى.. صفحة جديدة مع كل الناس، وأتمنى ألا يكون هناك أحد غاضب مني، ومن أغضبني أنا أسامحه”.

Pakistan have retained Shan Masood as their captain for the first match of their three-Test series against England, which begins in Multan on October 7. Aamer Jamal has found a place in their 15-member squad following his return from a back issue, while Khurram Shahzad, who took a six-wicket haul in the second Test against Bangladesh, misses out having failed to fully recover from an injury to his left side.Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who didn’t feature in the Bangladesh series, returns to the side as a second frontline spin option alongside Abrar Ahmed.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

There was some scrutiny around Masood’s position in the aftermath of the 2-0 home Test series defeat to Bangladesh earlier this month, but he retains the role for now, with Pakistan looking to overturn a run of poor results in the longest format. They have lost each of their last five Test matches, all with Masood in charge, and they are on a 10-match winless streak in home Tests.One piece of positive news for Pakistan is the return of the fast-bowling allrounder Jamal, their most impressive performer on their 2023-24 tour of Australia. Jamal has been dealing with lower-back issues over recent months, and didn’t take part in the series against Bangladesh. He has since returned to 50-overs action in the Champions Cup.This is counterbalanced, however, by the absence of Shahzad. He picked up the side injury during the second Test against Bangladesh, and was expected to be fit in time for the England series when a fracture was ruled out, but he hasn’t yet staged a complete recovery.Top-order batter Kamran Ghulam and fast bowler Mohammad Ali, who were part of the squad for the Bangladesh series, have been left out. A PCB release said both “remain firmly in the selectors’ plans. However, due to the selection policy’s emphasis on consistency and continuity, and the belief that 15 players are sufficient for a Test, they have been advised and encouraged to continue representing their teams in the Champions One-Day Cup and the President’s Cup, starting on 3 October, to ensure they stay match-ready through competitive cricket.”The players selected in the Test squad have been withdrawn from the Champions Cup playoffs to enable them to rest before the start of the England series. The squad will assemble in Multan on September 30, with their pre-series training camp starting on October 1.

Pakistan squad for first Test against England

Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel (vice-capt), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Last season, little was expected of Arne Slot’s Liverpool. In the overtures to the campaign, anyway.

But then Liverpool started playing, started to strut their stuff in a new system. Slot’s side ceded ground in just two of their opening 13 Premier League matches, creating a gulf that proved too wide for the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City to bridge.

In fairness, the overarching scepticism was understandable. Jurgen Klopp had stood down from his revered post, and historic cases of similarity in the Premier League suggested the Reds were in for a rough ride.

But FSG chose wisely when swiping Feyenoord’s shrewd head coach, who indeed won the English top flight in his maiden year and did so with relative ease.

Now, Liverpool are showing ruthless ambition in the summer transfer market as they look to consolidate their position of power over the coming years.

So many bumper deals have been pulled off already, the latest of which is set to be the £79m signing of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, but Luis Diaz’s uncertain future could see another one cross the line.

Liverpool looking to replace Luis Diaz

Liverpool have completed a plethora of exciting signings this summer, and there may well be more still to come. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid, and now Diaz could be on the move too.

The Colombian winger, 28, has just shy of two years remaining on his contract, and Liverpool have not engaged in any concrete talks to extend his stay on Merseyside.

While the outward stance has been that Diaz is not for sale, FSG may have a tacit acceptance that he could be sold, with Bayern Munich pressing ahead and trying to sign him after seeing an opening £58.5m offer knocked back earlier in July.

It goes without saying that Liverpool would need to replace such a crucial part of Slot’s set-up, and while the likes of Real Madrid’s Rodrygo have been touted, the Reds seem willing to head down a shrewder track.

Liverpool open talks for Diaz replacement

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool chiefs are holding talks with the agents of Malick Fofana, who has been linked with a move away from Lyon this summer.

Bayern are also keen on signing the Belgium international, but only if Liverpool bar Diaz’s potential departure this summer. Thus, Liverpool shouldn’t face stiff competition if the various cogs fall into place.

Transfer Focus

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

Lyon would hope to secure as much as €60m (£51m) for Fofana’s sale, but FSG would no doubt hope to sign the 20-year-old for a more modest figure.

Why Liverpool want Malick Fofana

Liverpool want Fofana because, if Diaz leaves, they will need to sign a left-sided forward. But why, specifically, has Fofana been earmarked as an option alongside a superstar such as Rodrygo, who Los Blancos have priced at £87m?

Well, Fofana would come at a cheaper price, and with Cody Gakpo already occupying Liverpool’s attacking left flank, this might be a more prudent move.

Fofana’s term-and-a-half in Ligue 1 has garnered praise. Analyst Ben Mattinson hailed his “explosive” qualities down the wing, and having now completed 62 senior appearances for Lyon after joining from Genk in Belgium, he has scored 15 goals and supplied seven assists.

Moreover, he’s positionally versatile, with this a skill which Slot would put to good use, for he did the same with Diaz last season.

Left winger

55

7

7

Right winger

9

2

1

Centre-forward

7

0

2

Attacking midfield

2

2

0

Though he’s not yet reached full bloom, Fofana has the makings of a prolific winger, and in this way, he could be the perfect partner for Ekitike, who is on the brink of completing his move to Merseyside.

As per FBref, Fofana ranked among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for non-penalty goals, the top 16% for touches in the attacking box and the top 2% for progressive carries per 90, underscoring his burgeoning potency and pace.

In order to maximise Fofana’s potential as a goalscoring winger, playing alongside a “complete forward” like Ekitike, as he has been named by talent scout Jacek Kulig, would only enhance such a quality.

Ekitike might be a striker first and foremost, but he’s also an exceptionally dynamic and intelligent player. Last season, in the German Bundesliga, he created 12 big chances and averaged 1.3 key passes and 4.2 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore.

Slot will expect the France talent to add goalscoring threat, but he’ll also expect him to widen the creative parameters of his frontline, utilising that off-the-ball movement and playmaking prowess to enhance Mohamed Salah’s chances, and indeed Fofana’s too.

Further evidence of Fofana’s clinical potential can be found in his conversion rate. Sofascore also record that the young winger has only missed six big chances since arriving in France for the first time in January 2024, and given that he’s scored eight goals, he’s got that natural-born coolness in the final third to make things happen.

Moreover, his efforts in the Europa League last year had something interesting to say about his potential. Fofana scored six goals across Lyon’s continental campaign without missing a single big chance.

There’s so much to like, and given the richness of Liverpool’s squad, which will be richer still once Ekitike’s deal has been wrapped up, Fofana would make a wise decision in entrusting Slot with his development over the next few years.

Their own Zubimendi: Liverpool favourites to sign "generational" £100m CM

Liverpool are reportedly favourites to sign one of the Premier League’s best young midfielders.

1 ByMatt Dawson Jul 21, 2025

Proteas batter’s 279 sets new first-class record for the county as one-way traffic continues as Chester-le-Street

ECB Reporters Network11-Sep-2024Durham maintained their complete domination of their Vitality County Championship match against Lancashire on a day when David Bedingham became the highest individual scorer in the county’s first-class history.Bedingham’s 279 surpassed Martin Love’s 273 against Hampshire in 2003 and his innings was the bedrock of his team’s 573 for 9 declared. Facing a deficit of 345, Lancashire ended the day poorly placed on 155 for 4 with Matthew Potts having taken three of the wickets. Keaton Jennings’ side therefore need another 190 runs to avoid their fourth innings defeat of the season.And it was a day when other records tumbled at the Riverside. Bedingham and Colin Ackermann’s 424-run fifth-wicket partnership set a new record for any wicket in Durham’s first-class history, easily eclipsing the 334 put on by Stewart Hutton and Michael Roseberry against Oxford University in The Parks in 1996.It is also the eighth-highest fifth-wicket stand in the history of first-class cricket and the second-highest first-class partnership for any wicket against Lancashire.The mammoth stand was eventually broken by the leg-spinner, Luke Wells, who had Ackermann leg before wicket for 186 in the fourth over after lunch. Wells then enjoyed more success when he had Ben Raine caught at backward point by George Bell for 17 and Bas de Leede stumped by Matty Hurst for four.Tom Hartley took his only wicket of the innings when he had Potts leg before wicket for four and the declaration was applied when Bedingham was caught at long-on by Anderson Phillip off Wells. He had batted 489 minutes, faced 359 balls and hit 27 fours and a six.Wells finished with respectable figures of 4 for 69 but was soon out in the middle again when he opened Lancashire’s second innings with Jennings. However, their alliance lasted only nine balls before the Lancashire skipper was caught at second slip by Ackermann off Potts for nought.Josh Bohannon joined Wells and guided Lancashire to 49 for 1 at tea but the visitors lost two wickets in five balls immediately after the resumption. Wells was bowled by Callum Parkinson when attempting to reverse sweep the slow left-armer and George Bell was caught behind by Ollie Robinson off Potts for a two-ball nought.Bohannon and Hurst then added 73 for the fourth wicket in increasingly untroubled fashion before Bohannon groped at a ball from Potts without moving his feet and was caught at first slip by Scott Borthwick. Hurst ended the day on 43 not out and he and George Balderson ensured no more wickets fell before the close of play.However, Lancashire have so far earned just one point from this match and their relegation fears will not have been eased by this third day’s play. By contrast, Durham have eight points with plenty of power to add more tomorrow.

Newcastle United supporters will be filled with relief after seeing Eddie Howe secure his first major signing of the summer transfer window.

A move for Anthony Elanga was finally confirmed on Friday, but this deal has been weeks in the making.

The Swedish winger cost the Toon around £55m, but Howe will be hoping that this fee eventually turns into a bargain.

“Elanga is an exciting talent with attributes that make him a unique attacking threat,” said Howe upon Elanga’s arrival at St James’ Park.

“His pace, energy and ability to create and score goals will strengthen us and complement the way we want to play.”

Champions League football will take centre stage next season and Howe will be aiming for his side to do better than when they were last in the competition. Newcastle finished bottom of their group during 2023/24, despite claiming a famous 4-1 win over PSG.

With Elanga now signed, it should be the catalyst for the manager to land another couple of signings in the coming weeks.

The former Nottingham Forest star has plenty of Premier League experience, but what exactly will he offer the Magpies next term and beyond?

What Anthony Elanga will offer Newcastle

Since making the move from Manchester United to Forest in the summer of 2023, Elanga has been at the forefront of their recent success.

Across these two seasons, the winger has scored 11 goals in the Premier League, while chipping in with 20 league assists in that time.

He doesn’t just offer a clear-cut threat in front of goal either. According to FBref, when compared to his positional peers in the Premier League last term, Elanga ranked in the top 3% for crosses (6.66) per 90, along with ranking in the top 10% for goal-creating actions (0.65) and in the top 27% for carries into the opposition penalty area (1.73) per 90.

While signing the 23-year-old is a boost for the team, plus giving Howe an excellent attacking option for the next few years, was signing another player in this area a priority for the club?

Jacob Murphy was excellent on the right flank last term, tearing it up for the Magpies in the top flight. Indeed, across 35 top flight games last season, the Englishman scored eight goals while recording 12 assists for the Magpies.

If comparing him to fellow wingers Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, who registered 12 and 14 goal involvements in the Premier League, Murphy was by far the best-performing wide man in the squad.

Of course, he won’t be around forever, and some competition would be ideal, but in terms of improvement, the right flank shouldn’t be Howe’s priority ahead of next season.

The defence is an area which requires strengthening, notably at centre-back and between the posts.

Howe is certainly making inroads to bolster both positions and he has been given an exciting update regarding a transfer target recently.

Newcastle’s search for a defender

Marc Guehi still looks like a target, although it remains to be seen exactly how far Howe is prepared to go in order to sign him.

Elsewhere, Malick Thiaw and Leonardo Balerdi are both defensive targets, with Howe expressing interest in both centre-backs recently.

The one player he appears to be most keen on is Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini. The Italian could be set to leave the Serie A side this summer, but they have placed a £50m price tag on his head.

According to The i Paper, the Toon have ‘carried out preliminary work on a possible deal’, but there are a host of clubs keen on securing his signature, including Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus.

Scalvini has reportedly stated he is intrigued by the prospect of playing in the Premier League, while also gushing about both the club and manager when on international duty of late.

Could this help Howe get a deal wrapped up sooner rather than later? Only time will tell.

Why Newcastle must sign Giorgio Scalvini

Newcastle must add at least one centre-back to their squad this summer. Last season, Howe mainly relied on Dan Burn and Fabian Schar. Both are excellent players, but they are both 33 and won’t be around forever.

Indeed, the only centre-back in the current squad who is under 30 is Sven Botman, but he has missed 59 games since the start of the 2023/24 season.

As such, a move for Scalvini is a must for the club. He missed the majority of last term due to injury, but throughout the 2023/24 campaign, he was superb.

Accurate passes

37.8

Tackles

1.6

Interceptions

1.8

Clearances

2

Total duels won

4.8

Balls recovered

4.9

Hailed as a “top talent” by Fabrizio Romano in 2022 – as well as a “world-class” centre-back by talent scout Jacek Kulig – Scalvini ranked highly across a range of metrics in Serie A during 2023/24.

Compared to his peers, he ranked in the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90, along with ranking in the top 11% for touches in the attacking penalty area, the top 4% for interceptions and in the top 16% for aerials won per 90.

If he is able to replicate those types of performances at Newcastle, then Howe would have landed an excellent signing for the club.

The best thing is, Scalvini has yet to even reach his peak, indicating that the next few years could see the Italian defender only going from strength to strength.

Although Howe has just spent £55m on Elanga, there is no doubt that a deal to sign the Atalanta starlet would be viewed as a more important signing, especially with concerns about the defence.

Scalvini has showcased his talents in Europe before, impressing during the 2024 Europa League final as his side defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0.

Performing in the Champions League will be a massive step-up for the youngster, but if he wishes to take his game to the next stage, this is the level he should be playing at.

The next few weeks will be interesting for the club. That much is certain.

Elanga's new Gibbs-White: Newcastle leading race for £40m "magician"

Newcastle are hoping to make more signings after landing Anthony Elanga.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 12, 2025