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Liverpool’s summer transfer window has been defined by a mix of strategic reinforcement and high-profile exits.

The departures of Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz have left gaps in the Reds’ squad, prompting Arne Slot and sporting director Michael Edwards to seek both immediate impact and long-term value.

With a Champions League campaign to contend with and a Premier League title defence underway, the urgency to reinforce the spine of the squad has become paramount.

So far, Liverpool have bolstered their ranks with Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike, blending young talent with proven performers.

The opening weeks of the season have seen the side make a strong start, with victories over Bournemouth and Newcastle.

Yet, the club are now targeting the gaps which remain ahead of the closing days of the transfer window.

Central to this strategy is Liverpool’s ambition to secure a transformative duo – a forward capable of dominating the final third and a defender who can anchor a restructured backline.

Reports suggest that at least one of these players is expected to join before Deadline Day, potentially rewriting the club’s transfer narrative in a manner few signings have in recent memory.

Liverpool hoping to complete double deal

According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool are “very optimistic” about concluding deals for both Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi, although financial realities may dictate that only one is completed initially.

The Swedish striker, valued at around £130m, has made his desire to leave Newcastle abundantly clear.

Isak did not feature in Newcastle’s opening Premier League fixture against Aston Villa and is expected to remain sidelined as the club works to finalise his transfer.

The arrival of Nick Woltemade for £69m has cleared a pathway, enabling the Magpies to consider sanctioning the deal.

On the defensive side, Liverpool have identified Palace captain Guehi as a solution to a backline in transition.

With Virgil van Dijk entering his thirties, Ibrahima Konaté nearing the end of his contract, and Jarrel Quansah sold to Bayer Leverkusen, the Reds face a pressing need for a centre-back capable of delivering both consistency and versatility.

Guehi’s contract is entering its final year, and while Palace value the England international at £40m, Liverpool are reportedly holding out for a reduction, mindful of the player’s ambition to secure regular game time ahead of next year’s World Cup.

A modern-day Suarez and Carroll

The potential arrival of Isak and Guehi represents a seismic shift for Liverpool, both in tactical terms and in financial prudence.

Historically, the Reds have made headline-grabbing acquisitions such as Luis Suárez and Andy Carroll.

Suárez, signed for approximately £22.8m from Ajax, became a club legend, scoring 82 goals in 133 appearances and winning the FWA Footballer of the Year in 2014.

Carroll, by contrast, was a £35m British-record signing whose impact was underwhelming, netting just 11 goals in 58 appearances before a £15m exit to West Ham.

Isak and Guehi present a dual solution that combines the promise of Suárez with the physical presence Liverpool initially sought in Carroll, without the risk of underperformance.

Isak has emerged as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards, scoring 23 goals and providing six assists in 34 Premier League matches last season.

He also contributed in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, demonstrating his capacity to deliver in high-pressure moments.

Alexander Isak – 2024/25

Matches Played

24

Goals

23

Assists

6

Progressive Carries

83

Progressive Passes

88

Source: FBref

Guehi, meanwhile, made 34 appearances for Crystal Palace last season, contributing three goals and excelling defensively with 4.6 clearances and 1.8 tackles per game.

He is also effective in ball progression and offensive phases. According to FBref, he ranks in the 98th percentile for through balls and the 88th percentile for shot-creating actions among centre-backs.

At 25, Isak is entering his prime, with a 2024/25 campaign marked by 29 goal involvements, 3.1 shots per 90 minutes, and 2.71 progressive carries per 90, reflecting his ability to drive play while finishing efficiently.

His progressive passing distance of 53.7 metres per 90 and shot-creating actions of 3.01 per game highlight a forward capable of linking with teammates and influencing wide and central zones alike. Meanwhile, Guehi offers a rare blend of defensive solidity and technical intelligence.

His aerial dominance, tackling efficiency, and ability to progress the ball are complemented by an unusual offensive contribution for a centre-back, ensuring Liverpool can build from the back while retaining a threat during set-pieces.

In a system that relies heavily on full-backs and ball-playing defenders, his 77th percentile ranking for crosses and 75th percentile for switches per 90 minutes underlines his compatibility with Slot’s tactical philosophy.

Taken together, Isak and Guehi constitute a more complete strategic investment than the club’s previous marquee signings.

Where Suárez delivered pure offensive output and Carroll offered raw physicality with mixed results, this duo promises a combination of scoring prowess, versatility, and adaptability that could provide immediate returns while underpinning Liverpool’s long-term squad structure.

Transfer Focus

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

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For a club with ambitions of Premier League supremacy and deep European runs, securing both players would represent not merely squad reinforcement but a redefinition of transfer strategy – a calculated, high-value investment in proven performers with a capacity for sustained impact.

Should Liverpool succeed, the window will be remembered as one of the best in the club’s history – eclipsing previous transfers in both scope and quality.

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Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Aug 30, 2025

Newcastle United’s summer has been anything but straightforward.

With the new Premier League campaign just days away, the club are still scrambling to resolve the situation at the top of the pitch.

Star striker Alexander Isak has made it clear he has no intention of reintegrating into the squad, regardless of whether he is sold before the close of the transfer window.

The Swede’s stance follows a drawn-out saga sparked by interest from Liverpool.

The Magpies have made it clear a deal will only happen if they secure a replacement, but time is ticking.

Newcastle’s pursuit of Benjamin Šeško ended in disappointment when the Slovenian opted to join Manchester United, and while Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson is also on their radar, he is far from a guaranteed arrival.

Howe’s side are keen to kick on after reinforcing other areas of the squad this summer.

Powerhouse striker on Newcastle's Radar

Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw, and Aaron Ramsdale have all arrived, while a £40m deal for Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey is also close.

But for all these moves, one priority towers above the rest: finding a forward capable of leading the line immediately.

That need has now led Newcastle towards a different profile of striker – one whose power, aggression, and direct approach offers a striking contrast to Isak’s elegance and technical artistry.

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 Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Newcastle are expected to submit a bid for FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, a forward described by talent scout Jacek Kulig as “a true monster in the making.”

Porto are understandably reluctant to lose their talisman, particularly so late in the window, but are braced for offers after the 21-year-old’s outstanding season in Portugal.

Since joining from Atlético Madrid last summer in a deal worth around £15 million, Samu has netted 27 goals in 45 games, including 19 in the league and six in the Europa League.

Standing at 1.93m, he blends physicality with pace, making him a constant threat in attack.

Porto are holding firm with a £70m valuation, buoyed by the fact Atlético Madrid hold a 50% sell-on clause, making any sale difficult.

Samu is said to be open to a Premier League move, drawn by the league’s competitiveness and profile, but happy to stay at Porto if no deal materialises.

For Newcastle, though, his mix of power, directness, and ruthless finishing could be exactly what is needed to replace Isak and keep their attacking structure intact.

A contrasting style to Isak

Newcastle’s interest comes with good reason.

According to FBref, Samu ranks in the 75th percentile for non-penalty xG per 90 (0.43), the 86th percentile for total shots (3.10), and a remarkable 96th percentile for pass completion (77.8%).

His 5.45 touches in the opposition penalty area per game reflect a striker who lives on the shoulders of defenders, while his high work rate – ranking in the 73rd percentile for interceptions – shows his willingness to press from the front.

While both Isak and Samu are prolific centre-forwards, their playing styles differ significantly.

Isak combines close control and quick footwork to manoeuvre through tight spaces.

He excels in link-up play, often dropping deep to bring teammates into the attack, and shows exceptional composure when finishing with either foot.

His intelligent positioning and subtle movement make him difficult to mark, opening channels for runs in behind from the likes of Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon.

Samu, on the other hand, is a more direct, physically dominant striker.

He thrives on aggression, often backing into defenders to hold up play before spinning into space.

His aerial presence is matched by a powerful burst of acceleration, making him ideal for counter-attacking situations.

Unlike Isak’s more measured style, Samu looks to unsettle defences through constant pressure, using his frame to win duels and his pace to exploit gaps.

In statistical terms, Samu’s higher volume of shots and penalty-box touches suggest a striker who is more frequently the direct end point of attacks, whereas Isak’s strengths lie in creating space for others as well as for himself.

The potential shift from one profile to the other would require tactical adjustments.

Newcastle may become more direct in transition, with a greater emphasis on exploiting Samu’s physicality rather than the intricate build-up play often used to accommodate Isak’s style.

For Eddie Howe, that change could also provide a fresh dimension.

Newcastle’s transfer strategy this summer has already been shaped by necessity.

Missing out on Šeško and facing stiff competition for other targets has narrowed their options, but Samu’s profile stands out.

If Newcastle can push a deal over the line, they won’t just have a like-for-like replacement for Isak, they’ll have a completely different type of threat, one capable of bullying defenders, dominating aerially, and finishing with the same efficiency that has made him one of Europe’s most coveted young strikers.

Whether that change will ultimately strengthen the Magpies’ attack or force an adjustment period remains to be seen – but in the short term, it could be the bold, aggressive step they need to keep their season on track.

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ByWill Miller Aug 13, 2025

Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra trust in their team’s ability to adapt but don’t want to go into the game with “too many preconceived ideas”

Deivarayan Muthu23-Oct-20241:08

Manjrekar: Rank turner will be an acid test for New Zealand

New Zealand have played down all the talk around the Pune pitch – a slow, dry, black-soil surface is in the works – but if conditions turn out to be extreme and the ball turns square from the first day, it could favour the visitors’ spinners too. This is the assessment of their captain Tom Latham on the eve of the second Test against India at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.”I guess whatever we’re presented with, it’s about, for us, trying to adapt as quick as we can; that’s something that we can’t control with the wicket,” Latham said. “So it’s about trying to go out there and adapt as quick as we can, and if it’s going to be a wicket that turns a little bit more, then we’ve obviously got four spinners in our line-up, so fingers crossed that will play into their hands, but yeah, as I said, it’s about trying to adapt on the run, and try not to go into the game with too many preconceived ideas.”Allrounder Rachin Ravindra, who is among New Zealand’s spin options, agreed with his captain. When Pune had served up a sharp turner in 2017, it had backfired on India, with left-arm fingerspinner Steve O’Keefe spinning Australia to victory inside three days. O’Keefe took 12 wickets, which was as many as R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja combined.Related

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“If it’s an extreme wicket, it almost brings us into the game more,” Ravindra said. “If you win the toss, all of a sudden you take a couple of wickets and you’re right into the game on a wicket that’s pretty spicy and turns a lot. As a team, it’s about accepting what’s in front of us. We can’t change that. We can’t control what wicket they’re going to roll out.”But we can control our attitude, how we approach it, and each and every position we get into with the bat or consistency with the ball. We’re excited for the challenge, whatever it may be.”New Zealand had picked three spinners for the first Test in Bengaluru, but didn’t need any of them with the ball in the first innings in seaming conditions. Their workload, however, could be much heavier across both innings in Pune. New Zealand are also open to selecting an extra spinner in place of a seamer if the conditions dictate the need for it. Offspin-bowling allrounder Michael Bracewell has returned home for the birth of his second child, but they have other options in Mitchell Santner (left-arm fingerspinner) and Ish Sodhi (wristspinner).Rohit Sharma and Tom Latham chat after Bengaluru Test•BCCI

“Yeah, I obviously had a little bit of a think around what that [the playing XI] may look like, but we’ll make those final decisions after I speak to you guys, Latham said. “So yeah, as I said, it’s just about trying to make sure we adapt as best we can, and try to get a little bit of information from previous games here, and also the practice wickets that we’re on will hopefully be something around, or similar to what we’re getting, so I think that’s the beauty of our team, is trying not to go into the game with too many preconceived ideas, and trying to make sure we adapt as best we can.”Latham also looked back fondly on the success in Bengaluru – he became only the third New Zealander to captain the side to a Test win in India – but he quickly shifted the focus to Pune, where New Zealand hope to go one better and seal the series.”Yeah, obviously very special, I guess to be… there’s myself, Graham Dowling and John Wright, to be in this position is really special, Latham said. “But for me it was a team effort, it wasn’t just me that obviously contributed to the win, you know, the guys did a fantastic job, and obviously that was last week, we obviously celebrated what was a special performance.”But our attention turned quickly to this game, and we’re trying not to, I guess, rest on what happened last week, as trying to take the confidence from last week, and take that into this game, and hopefully hit the ground running.”

Glasgow Rangers could need to sign a new centre-forward to bolster their squad before the summer transfer window slams shut at the start of September.

Russell Martin currently has Danilo, Hamza Igamane, and Cyriel Dessers at his disposal at Ibrox, but it remains to be seen if all three of them will still be at the club when the window closes.

After the 2-2 draw at Ibrox on Sunday, the Rangers head coach officially confirmed that the club have rejected an offer that was way below their valuation for Dessers, which shows that there is concrete interest in the attacker.

Meanwhile, Lille have reportedly been in talks over a potential deal to bring Igamane, who scored 16 goals last season, to Ligue 1 this summer.

This means that Rangers may lose two of their three centre-forward options during the window, which may be why they have been linked with an interest in veteran forward Jamie Vardy.

Why a move for Jamie Vardy could make sense

It was recently reported that the Scottish giants are the ‘frontrunners’ to secure a deal for the free agent number nine after Genoa dropped out of the race for his signature.

Vardy ended his long-term association with Leicester City this year after a return of 200 goals in 500 matches for the Foxes, helping them to win a Premier League title and an FA Cup.

He turned 38 in January, which means that the forward is in the latter stages of his career, but the former England international still has the capability to make a big impact in front of goal at the top level.

Vardy ended the 2024/25 campaign with nine goals in 35 Premier League starts for Leicester, despite their relegation from the division, which came after the attacker had managed 20 goals in 37 games in all competitions when they were in the Championship in the 2023/24 campaign.

As you can see in the table above, the English dynamo’s nine-goal haul in the Premier League last season was particularly impressive, when you see that he was the only player aged above 34 within the top ten scorers over the age of 30 in the division.

This shows that he is still at a very high level in front of goal, despite his age, which is why Vardy could make a lot of sense as a short-term addition for Rangers.

Striker considering move to Rangers this summer

However, the Scottish giants appear to have an opportunity to sign another experienced free agent centre-forward who could be an even better signing than the former Leicester man.

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 journalist Sebastien Vidal, veteran Dutch striker Luuk De Jong is “considering” a potential transfer to Rangers after his exit from PSV.

The 34-year-old attacker became a free agent at the start of the month and is currently weighing up his options, with a switch to Scotland seemingly a realistic option for him.

Meanwhile, PSV boss Peter Bosz, when asked about interest from Rangers in the striker, revealed that he has spoken to De Jong about the possibility of him signing for Martin’s team.

It now remains to be seen whether or not the Light Blues can tempt him enough to make the move to Ibrox, as he is still ‘considering’ his options at this moment in time.

Why Rangers should sign De Jong over Vardy

If presented with the choice, Rangers should decide to sign De Jong instead of Vardy because he could be an even better signing for the Scottish side this summer.

The former Netherlands international is four years younger than the ex-Leicester marksman, which means that he may have a few more years of service to offer on the pitch for the Gers, making him a potentially better medium-term addition to the side.

His goalscoring record in the past two seasons for PSV also suggests that the Dutch dynamo has the potential to deliver more than Vardy in front of goal for Rangers, if he can adapt to Scottish football and hit the ground running at Ibrox.

In the 2024/25 campaign, the 34-year-old striker plundered 18 goals and 12 assists in 47 matches in all competitions. That came after the veteran attacker produced a staggering haul of 38 goals and 18 assists in 48 appearances in the 2023/24 season for PSV.

This means that De Jong has scored 56 goals and assisted 30 for the Dutch giants in the past two seasons, whilst Vardy managed 30 goals and six assists in that time for Leicester.

These statistics suggest that the former Barcelona ace could offer way more to Rangers as both a scorer and a creator of goals than the Englishman, whilst also being four years younger, because, quite simply, he has scored and assisted significantly more goals.

As you can see in the table above, De Jong has consistently provided goals and assists over the past two years at league level, and has even been unfortunate not to have more assists to his name.

He is an experienced and lethal marksman who can find the back of the net on a regular basis whilst also creating high-quality chances for his teammates week-in-week-out, which could make him a fantastic all-round centre-forward option for Martin.

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Whilst, at 34, De Jong may not represent the future for the Ibrox giants, the Dutch striker could make a big short-term impact as the Gers look to wrestle back control of the Scottish Premiership next season.

Nottingham Forest have now made an approach to sign an “unstoppable” forward, who is set to be available for a fee of £39m this summer, according to reports.

Nottingham Forest eyeing replacement for Elanga

Anthony Elanga is set to sign for Newcastle United in a £55m deal, meaning Edu Gaspar’s first task as Global Head of Football will be to find a replacement for the winger, although it may not be a quick process.

Speaking about the way in which he goes about making new additions to the Forest squad, Edu said: “You can’t just sign for the sake of signing. It has to be a process that takes weeks and weeks. Right there on my desk, I have reports with over 180 pages on a player. It’s really detailed.

“Physical, technical, and mental profiles, whether they have Premier League experience, whether they’ll be able to adapt. It’s all there. We analyse our weaknesses, where we can improve, where we can invest, and then we go looking for that new name.”

Seemingly PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko ticks a lot of boxes for Edu, as Forest have now entered talks over a deal for the winger, who is viewed as a direct replacement for Elanga.

However, the 22-year-old is not the only option on the shortlist, with the Tricky Trees also making an approach to sign Benfica winger Kerem Akturkoglu, according to an update from reporter Kutlu Akpinar on X.

Forest were the “first” team to make contact over a deal for the forward, and they were told that €45m (£39m) would be enough to get a deal done, although there could be competition for his signature.

The Turk has made it clear that the only team he wants to play for in his home country is Galatasaray, but there could be rival interest from within the Premier League, as Sunderland and Everton are also named as potential suitors.

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Posts ByTom Cunningham Jul 7, 2025 "Unstoppable" Akturkoglu could be fantastic signing for Forest

Once lauded as “unstoppable” by U23 football scout Antonio Mango, the Benfica star was a regular source of goals and assists last season, picking up 22 goal contributions in the Liga Portugal alone.

With Forest set to embark on a European adventure, Nuno Espirito Santo will also be keen to bring in players with experience in the biggest competitions, and the 26-year-old also caught the eye in the 2024-25 Champions League, netting four goals.

Considering the former Galatasaray man has predominantly featured at left-wing throughout his career to date, it is unclear whether he would be viewed as a direct replacement for Elanga, but he could be a fantastic addition to the squad nonetheless.

Not only that, but Forest should be in a strong position to beat Sunderland and Everton to Akturkoglu’s signature, given that European football will be on offer at the City Ground next season.

Tottenham Hotspur will be wanting to right the wrongs of this season’s failure in the Premier League, which saw the club finish just one place above the relegation zone.

Despite winning the Europa League, it was the Lilywhites’ lowly league standing that spelled the end for Ange Postecoglou in North London, subsequently being sacked after two years in the role.

Daniel Levy wasted no time in appointing Thomas Frank from fellow top-flight side Brentford, but it’s crucial that the Dane is handed time to transform the side next campaign.

Alongside the players currently on the books, additions are also needed during the current window to help the 51-year-old in his quest for success during his tenure in charge.

Work appears to be conducted behind the scenes to help the new manager in the market, which could see moves made for various targets this summer.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new signings this summer

In recent days, Spurs have appeared to be stepping up their efforts to land Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo this summer, after it was confirmed the club are set to make a bid for his services.

He’s not the only attacker on their radar, with OGC Nice striker Evann Guessand another option under consideration ahead of Frank’s debut campaign at the helm.

However, another name has now entered the mix, with one Spanish outlet claiming that the Lilywhites hold serious interest in a move for Boca Juniors striker Miguel Merentiel.

The report claims that the 29-year-old’s agent is aware of interest in the forward after he scored a tremendous solo effort against German champions Bayern Munich at the ongoing Club World Cup.

It also states that no formal offer has yet been made, but the hierarchy are monitoring a move for the Uruguayan, who has netted 43 goals in the last three campaigns.

Why Spurs’ latest target could be Frank’s answer to Gyokeres

Spitting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres has been one of the most sought after talents throughout this summer window, looking almost certain to leave the Portuguese outfit ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Various sides across the globe have been touted with a move for the 27-year-old’s signature and, unsurprisingly so given his record of 54 goals in his 52 outings this season.

Manchester United appeared to be the most likely destination given his previous stint under Ruben Amorim, but it now looks as though the Swede is pushing for a move to join North London rivals Arsenal.

Such a move will likely hand Mikel Arteta’s side an added attacking threat next season, with Spurs needing to make a move to land their own talisman this window.

Frank could land his own version of Gyokeres in the form of Merentiel, with the Boca talisman labelled as a similar player to the goalscoring sensation, according to FBref.

When comparing the pair’s respective stats, the Uruguayan has managed to match or better the Swede in various key areas, looking to be a shrewd addition for the Lilywhites this summer.

Merentiel, who’s been labelled “incredible” by journalist Johannes Skiba, has matched the Sporting star for goals per shot on target, but bettered him for shot-on-target accuracy – taking advantage of more opportunities that fall his way.

How Merentiel compares to Gyokeres in 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Merentiel

Gyokeres

Games played

22

33

Goals & assists

10

46

Shot-on-target accuracy

62%

52%

Goals per shot on target

0.4

0.4

Passes into final third

1.7

0.5

Take-on success

60%

45%

Carries into final third

1.6

1.3

Progressive passes made

3.2

2.1

Stats via FBref

He’s also completed more progressive passes and completed more passes into the final third, having the all-round ability to provide those around him rather than relying on teammates creating chances for him in the final third.

The Boca star’s talents are further demonstrated with his take-on success and carries into the final third, showcasing his desire to take the ball forward at any given opportunity – therefore handing Frank’s side an added threat.

It’s unclear how much a deal for the 29-year-old would cost this summer, but it’s evident that he has all the tools needed to thrive in the Premier League.

If he can add further goals to his game in North London, he would be an excellent option for the Lilywhites in their quest to be competitive in Europe and England’s top flight next campaign.

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Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Jun 21, 2025

Manchester City have now opened talks to sign a £42m attacking midfielder who’s “one of the best” number 10’s in the world, according to a report.

Man City making progress in Rayan Cherki pursuit

Man City have set their sights on a new attacking midfielder this summer, following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne, and their pursuit of Lyon star Rayan Cherki is progressing nicely, with Fabrizio Romano recently dropping an exciting update.

The deal to sign Cherki is now thought to be close, with Lyon expected to ask for a fee of £35m, and the attacking midfielder cannot wait to make the move to the Etihad Stadium.

However, the move isn’t over the line just yet, which means Pep Guardiola’s side are still considering other potential targets, and they have now opened talks over a deal for RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons.

That is according to a report from L’Equipe, which states Simons has been identified as a back-up option for Cherki, should the deal for the 21-year-old fall through, with the Dutchman now expected to leave the German club this summer.

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After arriving at Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of €50m (£42m), the attacking midfielder’s time with the Bundesliga side appears to be coming to an end, and there is no shortage of interest, with Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal also keen.

Simons could be among the world's best no.10s

Replacing De Bruyne was always going to be a difficult task, with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak recently stating he believes the Belgian is the best player ever to wear the City shirt: “What Kevin has given to this club, in my view, he is the greatest player to play for this club. I think his accomplishments speak for themselves.”

In truth, it will be very difficult for any player to replicate the 33-year-old’s achievements, but there are some signs the RB Leipzig star could be on a similar level, having been singled out for very high praise by one scout back in January.

That said, the Blues making a move for Simons appears to be contingent on the Cherki deal falling through, and they should also be extremely happy if they secure the Frenchman’s signature, given his goal and assist return this season.

Cherki’s season

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Ligue 1

30

8

11

Europa League

12

4

8

Coupe de France

2

0

1

Brighton & Hove Albion have now submitted an opening offer for one of “Europe’s best talents”, according to The Athletic reporter David Ornstein.

Seagulls pursuing striker amid Pedro uncertainty

Joao Pedro has once again been among Brighton’s best players this season, having picked up ten goals and six assists in the Premier League, but the Brazilian’s performance levels mean he is now attracting the attention of some of England’s top clubs.

Chelsea and Newcastle United have most recently been named as potential suitors for Pedro, with Magpies legend Alan Shearer praising the striker earlier this season, and there is a feeling that an offer of £51m could be enough to get a deal over the line.

The Seagulls are well-known for their model of buying talented youngsters, before selling them on for a major profit after developing at the American Express Stadium, and it looks as though Pedro’s potential replacement could fit that mould.

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Ornstein recently took to X to state that Brighton are pursuing a deal for Olympiacos striker Charalampos Kostoulas, who is regarded as one of “Europe’s best talents”, and they have now submitted an opening bid of £30m plus Abdallah Sima.

The bid is expected to be rejected by the Greek club, who clearly feel they can command a higher fee, given Kostoulas’ potential, but it remains to be seen whether Fabian Hurzeler’s side are willing to increase their offer.

"Powerful" Kostoulas could be Pedro heir

£30m is already a sizeable offer for the Olympiacos striker, given that he is just 17-years-old and unproven in a major league, but there are some signs that he could be a suitable heir for Pedro, having already started to make a name for himself at first-team level.

The Greek forward has seven goals to his name for the senior side, while also receiving high praise from football scout Ben Mattinson, who said: “He’s had a similar position journey as Morgan Rogers due to him being a very powerful ball carrying striker/winger with good link up play… leading to him becoming a #10.”

Much like Pedro, Mattinson indicates that Kostoulas specializes in setting up chances for his teammates, which could make him the perfect heir for the 23-year-old this summer, at which point Mattinson believes one of Hurzeler’s attackers may have to leave.

Of course, Brighton will be hoping to retain Pedro beyond the summer, as he has once again underlined his importance to the side this season, but should they be unable to retain the Brazil international, Kostoulas’ style of play indicates he could be an ideal replacement.

Following the news that Kevin De Bruyne is set to depart as a free agent this summer, Manchester City have now been handed a fresh concern by Real Madrid’s reported interest in signing one of Pep Guardiola’s star men.

Guardiola preparing for Man Utd revenge

In what will now go down as De Bruyne’s final Manchester derby, Guardiola and his Manchester City side will be seeking revenge over their rivals after Amad Diallo’s shock last-gasp winner left them on the losing side earlier in the campaign. In what has been a campaign to forget, the Citizens will be hoping to at least compile the misery on Manchester United.

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Guardiola reiterated that his side are currently in a good place ahead of the chance to earn revenge against their rivals, telling reporters: “Good. The last two games we were good and hopefully we continue in the last eight games in the Premier League and prepare. The people rest and tomorrow we’re going to prepare the game.”

However, the Spaniard’s main focus was on De Bruyne’s announcement and how he will miss the Belgian’s quality, saying in his pre-match press conference: “Sad day. It’s a happy day for the fact of the pleasure that I live this time that I have with him. He gave all of us his humanity and of course his influence in all our success. The last decade would not be possible to imagine without him.”

That said, De Bruyne may not be the only star man that Guardiola is left bidding farewell to this summer, with Real Madrid now readying a shock move to sign one particular Manchester City star.

Real Madrid readying Bernardo Silva move

According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid are now readying a move to sign Bernardo Silva this summer, with the midfielder keen to leave the Etihad and end an incredibly successful tenure in the Premier League. Like De Bruyne, Silva has played a pivotal part in City’s dominance over the years as a jack of all trades at Guardiola’s disposal.

After a difficult campaign, however, the Portugal international could be among those allowed to leave the club in what would arguably be coming at the right time for all involved.

Once dubbed “irreplaceable” by Guardiola, Silva is now struggling to keep up with the pace of the Premier League and must make way for a much-needed rebuild at Manchester City this summer. And if that means a move to Real Madrid, then not many could argue over whether a player of his success deserves such a move.

South Africa came into this match against Australia with a proud record against legspin. Then they ran into a genius

S Sudarshanan25-Oct-2025

Alana King took the best figures in the history of the Women’s World Cup•ICC/Getty Images

You can tell when a legspinner is in rhythm. It’s a sight to behold when they get the ball to rip away from the right-hand batter. Add drift to the mix, and the spectacle reaches another level.Annerie Dercksen found this out the hard way on Saturday, against Alana King. Dercksen was on the front foot, looking like she wanted to drive inside-out. She may even have been in a good position to middle the ball, had it not kept drifting into her and bowled her after beating her inside edge.Related

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It’s hard enough to play a legspinner when you know where the ball will land. When you’re never quite sure… well, that’s what happened to Chloe Tryon off the very next ball. She looked in a pretty good position for a front-foot flick towards mid-on or thereabouts, until King’s in-drift kicked in, forcing her to play around her front pad and chip a catch straight to short midwicket.King was all over South Africa, landing her legbreaks exactly where she desired, laughing at the notion that wristspinners’ wickets tend to come at the cost of runs and control. At the cost of runs? How about figures of 4 for 0 in 2.3 overs?South Africa had come into this Women’s World Cup 2025 match against Australia with one of the best-performing top orders against legspin in recent years. Since the start of 2023, five members of their top seven in this match – Tazmin Brits (80.00), Sune Luus (77.50), Marizanne Kapp (66.33), Laura Wolvaardt (58.33) and Tryon (57.00) – had had 50-plus averages against this style of bowling.3:06

Review: South Africa undone by the ‘King’ of Indore

Those numbers hadn’t fazed Australia in the least. They brought King on as early as the 12th over of South Africa’s innings. She had come on as early against Pakistan too, but before this World Cup, the last time she had bowled this early in an ODI was back in October 2023.And King, right from the start, had the ball on an almost literal string. If her first two wickets, of Luus and Kapp, had come against batters looking to take her on, these two fully showcased her artistry.She took just 21 balls – a record for Women’s ODIs where ball data is available – to complete her five-wicket haul, and by the time she was done she had taken the first seven-wicket haul in a Women’s World Cup game.Six games into this World Cup, King has 13 wickets at 12.92. And an economy rate of 3.57.King’s final wicket showcased the other quality that sets the best legspinners apart: big, ripping turn. Nadine de Klerk knew she could expect in-drift, and seemed to have the threat of lbw in her mind. It meant, however, that her feet were firmly cemented, nowhere near the ball when it ripped across the face of her bat to hit the top of off stump.Masabata Klaas lost her off stump to Alana King•Getty ImagesKing had figures of 7 for 18, the best by an Australia bowler in ODIs, bettering her team-mate Ellyse Perry (7 for 22) and her head coach Shelley Nitschke (7 for 24). All seven of her wickets had come off legbreaks.”I’ve become more consistent with my stock ball and I trust that,” King told the broadcaster. “It has been my go-to ball and has given me my reward.”It wasn’t all that long ago that Georgia Wareham was ahead of King in the pecking order of Australia’s legspinners. That Wareham could lengthen the batting strengthened her case. But King’s bowling has improved leaps and bounds, and she has also demonstrated an ability to hit sixes with great frequency – she hit six of them in just 31 balls in an ODI series in India in 2023-24. She has made herself hard to look past. King has been an ever-present in Australia’s XI during this World Cup, while Wareham has played just the three games, and didn’t even get to bowl against South Africa.”She’s been fantastic,” Nitschke said about King’s growth. “She’s a big-game player and when she’s up and about, she brings a lot of energy to the team. She obviously burst onto the scene a couple of years ago and had a really strong Ashes for us and has continued to perform particularly in this format. So fantastic to see her out there tonight, still performing for us in the middle of a World Cup and a big game.”South Africa headed into this game full of confidence, having won five matches in a row. Then they happened to run into Alana King.