Ahead of the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign, Arsenal fans will possess a cautious sense of optimism ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s side have finished as runners-up in each of the last three years, hopefully going one better this season after making numerous key additions during the summer window.

The hierarchy have backed him in the transfer window, solving a problem position by landing striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP after he scored 54 goals in the recent season.

Other areas of the pitch have also been subject to investment, with Martin Zubimendi and Cristhian Mosquera arriving at the Emirates and bolstering the midfield and defence departments, respectively.

However, despite the heavy spending in recent weeks, another player has consistently been on their radar – in the form of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.

The latest on Arsenal’s hunt for Eze

Throughout the summer window, the 27-year-old attacking midfielder has been heavily mentioned over a move to join Arsenal, subsequently improving the options at Arteta’s disposal.

However, they face stiff competition from North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who have also been credited with an interest in his signature during the off-season.

Thomas Frank’s side have been in talks with the English international, with both sides looking to take advantage of the £60m valuation placed on his head by Eagles boss Oliver Glasner.

In recent days, it’s been reported that the Gunners could walk away from negotiations in the coming days, currently seeing his asking price as out of range, given the money already splashed this summer.

He’s not the only midfield star in their sights between now and the September 1st deadline, potentially seeing a move open up for a top-level European star.

Arsenal’s hunt for another midfielder this summer

Earlier on in the summer window, Arsenal were one of various Premier League sides linked with a move to land PSG youngster Warren Zaire-Emery ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

However, no deal could be reached for the Frenchman, unsurprisingly given the Ligue 1 side’s asking price, which saw a £100m price tag mooted.

He’s not the only European star who’s appeared on the Gunners’ radar as of late, with Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong also in their sights, according to one Spanish outlet.

Their report states that Arteta’s side are closely monitoring a move for the Dutch international, who only has one year remaining on his current contract with the LaLiga giants.

It also states that with no new deal yet on the horizon, the 28-year-old could be open to exploring a move this window, resulting in a £35m asking price being raised.

Why Arsenal’s latest target is a bigger talent than Eze

Missing out on Eze would be a bitter blow for the Arsenal fanbase, especially given the huge rumours linking him with a move to the club over recent months.

Their misery would undoubtedly be compounded if the player himself were to move to Spurs, which would see the Englishman certainly make Frank’s outfit a stronger one.

However, it’s important that the Gunners don’t overspend this summer and pay over-inflated transfer fees – with other serious quality available in the current market.

A deal for De Jong could provide just that, possessing years of experience of operating at the very top-level of European football – something which will be vital if the club are to reach the next level.

Whilst the pair operate in slightly different positions, the 28-year-old has proven in Spain over recent years that he is a leading talent in the box-to-box area – able to add further quality into the heart of Arteta’s side

.

His underlying stats from the 2024/25 campaign highlight the quality he would add to the first-team squad, able to have a major say on their success at either end of the pitch.

According to FBref, De Jong, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Simone Inzaghi, ranked in the 99th percentile for passes completed (94%) and 97th percentile for progressive passes (9.5).

Frenkie de Jong’s stats for Barcelona (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Games played	26
Goals & assists	4
Pass accuracy	94%
Progressive passes	9.5
Shot on target accuracy	60%
Passes into final third	11.1
Carries into final third	3.1
Tackles won	1.5
Interceptions made	2.4
Stats via FBref

Such numbers could allow him to pick out the likes of Gyokeres within the final third, allowing the Swede to have a huge impact during his maiden campaign in North London.

Despite featuring in a deeper position than Eze, he has still showcased the threat he possesses in front of goal, achieving a 60% shot on target rate – putting him in the 99th percentile of all midfielders in Europe.

Out of possession, the former Ajax star has also impressed, winning 1.5 tackles per 90 and making 2.4 interceptions – able to break up the player before progressing the ball into dangerous areas.

Whilst another attacking-minded player is still high on the club’s shortlist, a deal for De Jong is one the hierarchy simply can’t pass up between now and the transfer deadline.

If he can replicate such talents in England, he would be a bargain transfer and one that can still help the club in their quest to end their two-decade wait for a top-flight title.

Arsenal could seal a better signing than Gyokeres & Eze in £100m sensation

Arsenal could land a better player than Eze & Gyokeres in sensational talent.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Aug 16, 2025

Scott Boland claimed a 10-wicket match haul but Victoria’s batting collapsed on a tough pitch

Andrew McGlashan20-Feb-2025Jackson Bird joined an elite group of bowlers to take 400 Sheffield Shield wickets as he propelled New South Wales to a victory that put them firmly in contention for a place in the final.Bird claimed 5 for 68 on the third day, making full use of a surface that was getting tougher to bat on, as Victoria were bowled out for 154 chasing 230, the margin only narrowed by a late dip from Todd Murphy who flayed 40 off 32 balls.Related

Konstas calms himself but can't cash in as New South Wales take control

Morris turns up to the heat as WA thrash Queensland

Scott Boland had earlier finished with 6 for 46 and a match haul of 10 for 102 as NSW lost their last six wickets for 31 but a fourth-innings chase was always going to be a tall order for the visitors.Bird’s first wicket of the final innings, finding the edge of Marcus Harris, took him to his milestone as he joined Clarrie Grimmett, Michael Kasprowicz, Andy Bichel and Jo Angel as the only bowlers in the 400-club.”It probably means I’ve been around a long time,” Bird said. “It’s nice to tick off the milestones along the way, but when you have a good win like that with a team, it makes it more special. So it’s a great team effort.”It’s nice to be in that [400] group. But the goal of mine now is to win a Sheffield Shield. I’ve never won a Sheffield Shield, so that’s more important to me at the moment and it’s what’s driving me to keep playing at my age.”Bird, 38, indicated that any decision on whether he would continue his career would be made at the end of the season. “I’m just taking it game by game at the moment,” he said. “I didn’t have much left in the tank after this afternoon. I don’t want to hang on too long. Whether I can mentally do another pre-season. If I do play next year, it’ll probably look different in terms of my availability.”None of Victoria’s top five reached double figures as they slid to 31 for 5 which effectively decided the contest. Bird had Tom Rogers taken at first slip, Harry Dixon miscuing a pull and forced Peter Handscomb to fend a viciously rising delivery into the cordon. He later returned to remove Fergus O’Neill for his fifth wicket and finished the game with a season’s tally of 30 at 13.96.Captain Jack Edwards was again impressive with the ball while Liam Hatcher chipped in with a brace.The victory pushed NSW into second place in what looks like a race to play South Australia in the final. It was Victoria’s third consecutive loss leaving them a tough route to the final with games against the leaders, SA, and an away trip to Western Australia.”Dropping Ollie Davies in the first innings cost us quite a bit,” coach Chris Rogers said. “With our batting we lost a number of wickets in and around breaks and just probably not up to the standard we needed to be if we’re going to win games of cricket. We’ve got a lot of questions we need to answer.”Playing our last Shield game against Queensland before the BBL break I didn’t imagine us being in this position. We’ve only got ourselves to blame. It’s frustrating and shows how competitive this league is. We’ve let too many moments slip and we need to question why that’s happening.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Virou rotina? Após o gol contra o Tolima, na goleada por 5 a 0 na Copa Sul-Americana, Calleri entrou para a história do São Paulo com mais um feito. Agora, o argentino se isolou como o maior artilheiro do clube em competições internacionais – com 11 gols.

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De acordo com o historiador do São Paulo Michael Serra, Calleri ultrapassou até mesmo Pedro Rocha – um dos mais históricos estrangeiros que já passaram pelo clube do Morumbi. Pedro Rocha, uruguaio, havia marcado dez gols em competições continentais. Ou seja, neste ranking, ninguém acima de Calleri.

Mas não para por aí. Nas últimas semanas, Calleri tem acumulado uma série de recordes e rankings pelo Tricolor. Além de maior estrangeiro em competições internacionais, também é o maior estrangeiro na história do Campeonato Brasileiro – conseguindo este posto com o gol contra o Grêmio – agora com 30 marcados na competição nacional.

ATUAÇÕES: Em noite de golaços, ataque do São Paulo brilha em classificação na Copa Sul-Americana

Além disso, ainda contra o Tolima, Calleri também passou a integrar o top 3 no ranking de jogadores que mais abriram o placar em jogos do São Paulo no século XXI: 23 vezes. Neste em específico, ultrapassou grandes nomes como Borges e Dagoberto. O camisa 9 está abaixo somente de Rogério Ceni (que abriu 44 vezes) e Luís Fabiano (que abriu 74 vezes). Em quarto lugar, Borges e Dagoberto abriram 21 vezes e Hernanes, Danilo e Washington abriram 20. Estes dados foram levantamentos realizados pelo ‘SPFC Estatísticas’.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

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Ainda falando sobre os estrangeiros históricos, Calleri está no top 3 na listagem de maiores estrangeiros do clube, somando todas as competições. Em um total, conta com 55 gols. Em segundo lugar, está Antonio Sastre, com 56. Ou seja, mais dois e ultrapassa. Em primeiro, Pedro Rocha ainda está isolado, com 119 gols.

Manchester United have offered emotional support to winger Amad Diallo after he was subjected to sickening online abuse. Amad took a picture with former team-mate Alejandro Garnacho after United beat Chelsea at Old Trafford, leading to a fan backlash.

• Amad's photo sparks controversy

  Amad was bombarded with online abuse after posting a photograph alongside former United winger Garnacho, who departed the club in the summer. Amad held Garnacho's blue shirt, while the Argentine held Amad's red kit, sparking controversy among the Old Trafford fanbase. 

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• Instagram (@amaddiallo19)
  

  United reach out to Amad

  In response to the abuse, Amad deleted every post on his Instagram account, and United made sure to check on his mental state on Monday. A source told The Sun that Amad is "okay" but also claim that the upload of the photo was "naive". 

• A deeper connection

  Amad and Garnacho share an agency and are said to have grown close through their time at Old Trafford. The latter, however, left for Chelsea in a £40 million ($54m) deal in the summer. 

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  Garnacho vs Amad in 2025-26

  Amad has made five Premier League appearances this season, laying on one assist, but Garnacho has, thus far, only played once in the top-flight for Chelsea after being a part of Ruben Amorim's 'bomb squad' at Old Trafford. 

Josh Windass revealed a gruesome injury to his social media followers after coming off early in Wrexham's Championship draw with Leicester City. The Foxes went ahead in the first half through Jordan James’ and held onto their lead until the 77th minute. However, nerves and wastefulness opened the door for Wrexham, with Nathan Broadhead grabbing a late equaliser at the King Power Stadium.

• Agony for Windass in Foxes clash

  Windass left fans wincing after revealing a new injury. The forward came off just after the hour mark, replaced by Broadhead, who turned saviour for the Red Dragons with a late equaliser. What came next was a grim social media update. Windass posted a close-up of his severely bruised ankle, swollen and mangled, with the caption:

  @windassjnr Instagram

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  Windass’ injury curse strikes again

  Windass only recently clawed his way back from a hamstring tear suffered in Wrexham's 3-2 defeat to West Brom. That setback kept him out of five matches before he finally made his return against Norwich on September 20. Now, the 31-year-old could be set for another period on the sidelines, with a medical examination on his ankle likely to take place later this week. Manager Phil Parkinson may be robbed of one of his most experienced heads for another important stretch of the campaign.

• Parkinson’s warriors refuse to fold

  Parkinson’s men continue to show steel after a tough start to the 2025-26 campaign. The boss, who has masterminded three successive promotions to guide Wrexham into the Championship, stuck with the same XI that battled through a bruising 1-1 draw with Derby just days earlier. And once again, his players found a way. Lewis O’Brien’s relentless chase of a lost cause created the late chance against Leicester, and Broadhead’s ice-cool finish ensured Wrexham’s remarkable record of scoring in every league and cup fixture this season remained intact.

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  Hollywood derby up next

  All eyes now turn to Friday night, when Birmingham City arrive at the Racecourse for the latest edition of the “Hollywood derby”. Injuries may be piling up, but Wrexham’s spirit is unbreakable, and the script feels primed for another nail-biter.

Liverpool reportedly still have a chance of signing a Bayern Munich star in 2026, but his club are doing all they can to ensure he stays put there amid interest from Barcelona and PSG.

Isak gets minutes ahead of Liverpool debut

Reds supporters are having to wait patiently before they get to see Alexander Isak for the first time, with the current international break getting in the way.

The Swede could be rusty after playing so little football in recent months, however, so it would be a surprise if he started Liverpool’s trip to Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

On the plus side, though, Isak earned some key minutes for Sweden on Monday evening, coming on as a second-half substitute in his country’s 2-1 defeat away to Kosovo.

It wasn’t an ideal night for Liverpool’s record signing, but it was also a step in the right direction, ahead of what could be his debut this weekend. Now, another attacking star is being mentioned as a future option for the champions.

Liverpool could sign Bayern "magician" in 2026

Speaking to The Boot Room, journalist Graeme Bailey talked up Liverpool’s interest in signing Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise in 2026, saying there is a slim chance of them getting him next summer.

“So – firstly, Rogers and Olise won’t be leaving in January, but Liverpool are very much aware of both players – they like them both, but then again, there isn’t a major club in Europe who doesn’t. In terms of Olise – along with the likes of Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola, there are few more highly rated young wingers in the world.

“Olise looks a different class at the moment, he really has taken a huge leap since moving to Bayern Munich. It would take some huge money to get him – I don’t see him being available next summer, but never say never, when you are a club who can attract (Alexander) Isak and (Florian) Wirtz in one window – nobody is beyond your reach.”

The update does also claim that Bayern are “hoping” to sort a new deal for Olise with a “huge pay rise”, not wanting to lose him to Liverpool at this point in his career, or to Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain for that matter.

Olise, who cost £50m from Crystal Palace, stands out as possibly the most exciting right-sided and left-footed option to be Mohamed Salah’s long-term replacement at Liverpool, with the Frenchman a dazzling footballer who has been hailed by Bayern teammate Dayot Upamecano.

“He’s a magician. His technical level is very high. He can do everything. He can score, set up, and even defend.”

Appearances

34

Starts

28

Minutes played

2348

Goals

12

Assists

15

Key passes per game

2.7

Shots per game

2.5

Dribbles per game

2.1

Tackles per game

1.1

In truth, it is a move that could be difficult to get done, given Bayern’s stance, but the fact that the Reds signed both Isak and Florian Wirtz for record transfer fees this summer will make them feel that any business is possible.

Newcastle United have built their modern reputation not just on financial clout but on shrewdly identifying opportunities that balance ambition with strategy.

Their recruitment since the change of ownership has been measured, targeted and often brave.

The signing of Sandro Tonali in 2023 epitomised that approach.

In making the AC Milan midfielder the most expensive Italian player in history, Newcastle showed their willingness to gamble on a player who combined proven Serie A quality with enormous potential upside.

Despite his 10-month suspension for breaching betting regulations, Tonali has since returned to play a central role in Eddie Howe’s side.

He was instrumental in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup triumph – their first domestic silverware in 70 years – and now forms part of a midfield three with Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton that ranks among the most complete in Europe.

That calculated risk has paid off.

It has also demonstrated to Newcastle’s hierarchy that Italian football remains fertile ground for elite talent that can be persuaded to make the move to the Premier League.

Newcastle make contact over Inter star

They have already dipped back into Serie A this summer, recruiting Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, further evidence of a strategy built on trusted relationships and a willingness to invest in players who can adapt quickly to Howe’s aggressive, high-pressing football.

Transfer Focus

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

Against that backdrop, it is no surprise that Newcastle are once again monitoring the Italian market.

According to reports in Italy, via Sport Witness, Newcastle have made initial contact with Inter Milan regarding midfielder Davide Frattesi.

While discussions have not moved beyond a preliminary stage, the very fact the club have opened a dialogue underlines their intent to explore whether another Serie A talent could be lured to Tyneside.

Frattesi, 25, has long been viewed as one of Italy’s brightest midfielders.

He joined Inter in 2023 from Sassuolo, and since then, he has grown into an important option for Inter.

Christian Chivu, Inter’s new head coach, considers him a key part of the squad, but with the likes of Nicolo Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Piotr Zieliński and Luis Henrique all competing for central roles, a departure cannot be entirely ruled out.

Still, Inter’s position is firm: any suitor must meet their €40m (£35m) valuation.

That figure is not insignificant, particularly for Newcastle, who have already invested heavily this summer.

Jacob Ramsey’s arrival from Aston Villa strengthened their midfield department, making a further signing in that area less of a priority.

Yet Frattesi’s profile fits with Howe’s long-term vision of building a squad capable of competing both domestically and in Europe.

Lessons From Tonali and the Italian Connection

Frattesi’s numbers underline his threat.

He scored five times and registered two assists in 28 Serie A appearances last season, while also making an impact on the European stage with two goals in 13 Champions League outings, including a decisive strike in Inter’s semi-final victory over Barcelona.

Internationally, he already has 29 caps for Italy and an impressive return of eight goals.

Beyond raw output, his underlying metrics stand out. According to FBref, he ranks in the 99th percentile among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty expected goals per 90 (0.37), the 95th percentile for total shots per 90 (1.91) and the 93rd percentile for touches inside the attacking penalty area per 90 (3.08).

Few central midfielders in Europe consistently arrive in advanced areas with such effect.

The parallels with Newcastle’s pursuit of Tonali are obvious. In both cases, the club identified a player who, while not surplus to requirements, could potentially be prised away from one of Serie A’s giants for different reasons.

In Tonali’s case, although he was a key player in Milan’s 2021/22 Scudetto-winning side, the club’s difficult financial situation forced his transfer.

By contrast, Frattesi’s place in Inter’s starting lineup is far from guaranteed.

This situation could play into Newcastle’s hands, particularly if the player desires a more consistent role ahead of a potential World Cup campaign with Italy.

At 25, he has room to grow further, and his skillset – high pressing, ball-carrying, late penalty-box entries – aligns with Howe’s blueprint.

The challenge is financial. Inter, flush with midfield depth but also mindful of squad harmony, are under no pressure to sell unless their €40m (£35m) price tag is met.

Newcastle, mindful of PSR Regulations, may be wary, having already spent significantly on Ramsey, Anthony Elanga and Thiaw this summer.

That said, Newcastle’s Serie A ventures are rarely speculative.

Their recruitment team has cultivated strong networks in Italy, and the arrivals of Tonali and Thiaw underline the willingness of Italian clubs to engage with them when the price is right.

Whether or not a deal for Frattesi materialises, the broader point is that Newcastle are doubling down on a transfer strategy that has already brought success.

Tonali’s rehabilitation from suspension into a central figure was a vindication of Newcastle’s faith in Serie A talent.

Frattesi, with his goalscoring instincts and ability to operate at both ends of the pitch, could be the next step in that evolution.

For Newcastle, the Serie A experiment has already paid off once – a repeat, even if not immediately, seems only a matter of time.

Their answer to Guehi: Newcastle weigh up late move to sign £30m "monster"

Newcastle aren’t just looking at forwards as the transfer window enters the final stretch.

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 24, 2025

It is fair to say that the deadline day of the summer transfer window at the start of this month did not go exactly to plan for Celtic and Brendan Rodgers.

The Hoops wanted to make several additions to their forward line heading into the day, and allowed Adam Idah to sign for Swansea City on a permanent deal.

Sebastian Tounekti arrived from Hammarby on a permanent deal to add to the manager’s options on the right wing, but they did not land a striker or a right winger.

Celtic were reportedly interested in a deal to sign Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on loan from Crystal Palace, only for him to remain at Selhurst Park. Meanwhile, the club made a £10m offer to sign Kasper Dolberg from Anderlecht, but lost the race for his signature to Dutch giants Ajax.

Missing out on those deals meant that the Scottish Premiership giants had to dip into the free agent market to tempt Kelechi Iheanacho into a reunion with Rodgers at Parkhead, having worked with him at Leicester City in England.

Whilst it remains to be seen whether or not the former Manchester City centre-forward will be a success in Glasgow, it was a blow for the Hoops to miss out on Dolberg.

Why missing out on Kasper Dolberg was a blow for Celtic

Missing out on a deal to sign the Denmark international from Anderlecht on deadline day was a big blow for Celtic because he could have been the main number nine for the club this season.

As aforementioned, Idah’s move to Swansea left the Hoops in need of a new centre-forward. Dolberg’s form in Belgium in recent seasons suggests that he could have been the perfect replacement.

The new Ajax signing scored 44 goals in 96 appearances in all competitions for Anderlecht, per Transfermarkt, and started the current campaign with a return of five goals in nine games.

Dolberg’s output in the Belgian Pro League in the 2024/25 campaign in comparison to Idah’s in the Premiership, in particular, illustrates the gulf in class between the two.

Appearances (starts)

31 (30)

35 (19)

xG

16.70

N/A

Goals

18

13

Conversion rate

22%

17%

Goals from outside the box

3

2

Assists

2

0

Duel success rate

50%

41%

As you can see in the table above, the 27-year-old marksman could have arrived at Parkhead as a big upgrade on the Ireland international to provide Rodgers with a lethal and reliable centre-forward option this season.

Instead, Celtic have had to take a gamble on Kelechi Iheanacho, who scored four goals in 26 matches in all competitions last season for Sevilla and Middlesbrough combined, per Sofascore.

Therefore, Celtic’s failure to get a deal over the line for Dolberg on deadline day last week was, ultimately, a big blow because of his quality and because of the gamble they have had to make as a result of that failure.

The club’s options in the number nine position could have looked a lot different, though, because they once had a striker on trial who is now worth more than £20m more than the £10m they bid on Dolberg.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

Brighton & Hove Albion centre-forward Evan Ferguson, who is currently loan at Roma, previously revealed that he had trials with the Scottish giants in his younger days.

Celtic missed out on Evan Ferguson

When asked last October if Celtic had tried to sign him in recent seasons, the striker said: “No, nothing. I went on a few trials when I was younger.”

The young marksman played for St. Kevins Boys and Bohemians in Ireland before his move to Brighton’s academy in 2021, but it is unclear as to when he went on trials with the Hoops, whether it was just before his move to Brighton or before his move to Bohemians.

Either way, Celtic will rue the fact that they missed out on bringing him over to Glasgow, whether it was their decision or his, because he is now a top striker prospect who is an incredibly valuable asset.

Ferguson scored 18 goals in 39 matches for Brighton at U21 level, per Transfermarkt, before being thrust into first-team action at the age of 17. He was valued at just £519k by Transfermarkt when he made that step up.

The Ireland international has scored 17 goals in 80 first-team matches for Brighton, but he may not get a chance to add to that tally because Roma reportedly have an option to sign him on a permanent basis for a fee of roughly £35m, which shows how much his value has soared in recent years.

Ferguson, who scored against Hungary for Ireland last weekend, scored two goals in two games for his country during the current international break, but is still looking for his first competitive goal for Roma.

22/23

5.67

6

+0.33

23/24

3.97

6

+2.03

24/25

1.36

1

-0.36

Total

10.29

13

+1.89

As you can see in the table above, the 20-year-old marksman’s finishing quality in the Premier League for Brighton suggests that he will score goals for the Italian side if they provide him with enough chances.

Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker compared him to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland during the 2023/24 campaign, saying: “I do see a hint of Haaland about him, his stature, his movement, his youth and stuff like that.”

That was an incredibly high praise from Lineker, a former striker himself, and it came off the back of Ferguson scoring six goals in the Premier League as a teenage centre-forward, which is partly why he is such a valuable young player, because he has proven himself in a major European league.

Now, he is worth £35m, £25m more than the £10m that Celtic were willing to pay for Dolberg, and the Hoops could do with a talented striker like him in their current squad after their deadline day woes.

Brown 2.0: Celtic have their next number 8 in the making & it's not Nygren

Celtic may have their next Scott Brown in the making and it is not Benjamin Nygren.

ByDan Emery Sep 6, 2025

Sai Kishore is now the joint-third on the bowlers’ list

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Apr-2025

Sai Sudharsan made 49 off 36 against RCB•Associated Press

Orange cap listLucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) Nicholas Pooran continues to be the highest run-scorer with 189 runs at an average of 63.00 and a strike rate of 219.76. He scored 44 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) following returns of 75 from 30 balls against Delhi Capitals and 70 from 26 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) .GT’s Sai Sudharsan has moved to the second position after his 49 off 36 balls against RCB. In the earlier two games, Sudharsan had scores of 74 and 63. His overall tally – 186 – is just three short of Pooran’s.The next on the orange cap list is another GT batter: Jos Buttler. Batting at No. 3 this IPL season, Buttler scored a match-winning 73 not out off 39 balls on Wednesday night to steer GT’s chase. In all, he has 166 runs at a strike rate of 172.91.1:54

Bangar: Sai Kishore has steely resolve

Purple cap listNoor Ahmad is currently the purple-cap holder in IPL 2025. Turning out for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who also have R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in their starting line-up, Noor has been by far the most successful, his left-arm wristspin bringing him 4 for 18, 3 for 36 and 2 for 28 so far. That’s nine wickets, five more wickets than Ashwin and Jadeja combined.Mitchell Starc is just one wicket behind Noor, with eight in just two games for Delhi Capitals (DC). He was expensive in his first game, against LSG, conceding 42 runs for his three wickets, but against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), he had his career-best T20 returns – 5 for 35.There’s a four-way tie for third place. R Sai Kishore, who picked up 2 for 22 against RCB, took his tally to six wickets from three games. RCB’s Josh Hazlewood, LSG’s Shardul Thakur and CSK’s Khaleel Ahmed also have six wickets each.Highest batting strike rates
Best bowling economy rates
Most sixes
Best bowling figures in a match

Ibrahima Konate was fiercely defended by Liverpool head coach Arne Slot amid his rising errors at the back as the Reds look to end their losing run. The French centre-back was shaky against Crystal Palace, gifting two gilt-edged chances in a disastrous first half and picking up a booking in the process. A similar story unfolded at Galatasaray on Tuesday, where his hesitant defending and loose touches under pressure left fans biting their nails.

Konate's rough patch

Against Galatasaray, Konate's struggles were compounded by a costly pass that set Victor Osimhen free, forcing goalkeeper Alisson Becker into a desperate sprint. The Brazilian hurt his hamstring in the process and now faces an extended spell on the sidelines, adding to Liverpool’s mounting defensive headaches.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportNot at ease with the ball at his feet

Konate’s acknowledged weakness on the ball has long been an area of concern. While the Reds continue to work on improving this aspect of his game, the spotlight is firmly on the Frenchman as Liverpool try to halt a worrying slide. Even going forward, Konate has been frustrated. From corners in both matches, he sent headers wide that should have been hammered home.

Slot refuses to panic

"If you are losing a game of football, it doesn’t help if you lose the ball a few times very easily," Slot said at a press conference on Friday. "Ibou has been one of them, but definitely not the only one. Against Galatasaray, apart from the penalty, maybe they got three or four other moments, all from us losing simple balls without any pressure, which happened to him once in the Palace game and once against Galatasaray.

"If you lose there is so much focus on that moment and, all of a sudden, 90 minutes have been very poor. That’s not the way I analyse a game when I watch it back. I see what we did well and what we did wrong. In the last two games, it has been obvious and clear we have made a few errors, not only him, but also others we are not used to. If you do things that people are not used to then normally the manager gets criticised."

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AFPWorrying record for Slot

Liverpool's record this season tells a worrying story: only two clean sheets in ten games and four in 21 since a 1-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain back in March. Contrast that with four clean sheets in the first six games of last term, and it’s clear Liverpool’s defensive issues run deeper than any one player. It remains to be seen if Slot chooses to stick to Konate against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge or tries out Joe Gomez.