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The Toronto Blue Jays have added a veteran ace to their starting rotation.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Thursday that the Blue Jays are signing right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer to a one-year deal worth $15.5 million.

At 40 years old, Scherzer was one of the top remaining starting pitchers available in free agency.

Scherzer battled injuries all season long with the Texas Rangers in 2024. He underwent back surgery in the offseason, worked through a thumb issue and returned to the mound in June before a shoulder injury sidelined him again. In all, Scherzer logged a 3.95 ERA and 40 strikeouts in nine starts for the Rangers.

Over 17 seasons, Scherzer has logged a 216–112 record with a 3.16 ERA while winning three Cy Young awards, two World Series titles and earning eight All-Star nods. He has proven to be durable in the later years of his career, making 30, 23 and 27 starts the three years prior to '24 before he ran into injury issues.

Scherzer now bolsters a talented rotation in Toronto, joining Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Bowden Francis. The Blue Jays' rotation was in the middle of pack last year, registering a 3.95 ERA, which ranked 14th in baseball.

Toronto has been in the mix to sign just about every notable MLB free agent this offseason, including Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes. Now, the Blue Jays finally landed one of their targets as they look to rebound from a disappointing 74–88 season.

Unbeaten innings from stand-in skipper ensures Kent’s winless run continues

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay25-Jul-2025

Kiran Carlson made an unbeaten 89 to see his side home•Huw Evans Picture Agency

Glamorgan 327 (Kellaway 90, Ingram 87, Agar 4-58, Parkinson 4-103) and 189 for 5 (Carlson 89*, Parkinson 4-82) beat Kent 155 (Bell-Drummond 55, van der Gugten 3-27, Harris 3-35) and 360 (Finch 68, Stewart 63) by five wicketsStand-in captain Kiran Carlson lifted Glamorgan into promotion places with a five-wicket win over Kent at Sophia Gardens.Kent’s winless run in the Rothesay County Championship continued for an eighth match after setting just 189, which they were unable to defend on a sun-beaten day four in Cardiff. The visitors remain bottom of Division Two with their last win coming in April while Glamorgan move up to second ahead of Derbyshire.Carlson eliminated any concerns of defeat from 25 for 2 with an nerveless 89 not out, negating a tireless spell from Matt Parkinson who claimed 4 for 82.Nerves would’ve been in both dressing rooms after Kent dominated day three albeit to only give themselves half-a-chance. Glamorgan had a full day to find 164 with eight wickets in hand in sunny conditions with a Kookaburra ball that would age.Glamorgan’s openers faltered on the previous evening under dim light and a brutal spell from Wes Agar, which left Carlson and nightwatcher James Harris to resume the innings.A drop at slip from Daniel Bell-Drummond with Carlson reverse-sweeping on 9 could’ve been a turning point as the Welshman took full advantage of the life.Harris wasn’t as fortunate with his edge to slip off Parkinson, which brought Billy Root to the crease. The left-hander, playing in his first game this season, showed innovation against the vast turn from Parkinson’s legspin, looking to sweep or defend as his only options – including getting off the mark first ball with a reverse-sweep for a single.While his brother was passing Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid in Test folklore at Old Trafford, Root was playing a vital role in taking Glamorgan to a promotion-chasing victory with 30 from 31 balls in a 68-run partnership; a potentially key innings for his Glamorgan future, lifting his side from a precarious position.Carlson took a leaf out of Root’s book as the certainty of victory increased, reversing and hard sweeping to go with his typically elegant open-faced guides and back-foot punches to accumulate with ease.Root’s dismissal brought about another twist, with 81 still needed when Colin Ingram strode out. Glamorgan’s leading run-scorer this season demonstrated his status with a fearless attack of the bowlers to leave 20 runs needed after lunch with a second 50-plus stand of the session.The South African was unable to see home the win with his captain after being dismissed first ball of the afternoon but No. 7 Ben Kellaway ensured no concerns for the Welsh county as the progressed to victory.

Teenage wonderkid JJ Gabriel has been promoted to first-team training at Manchester United, with Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim eager to take a look at the exciting 15-year-old. The hottest of prospects, who has been dubbed 'Kid Messi', is being tipped to enjoy a bright future. United do, however, have a fight on their hands when it comes to retaining his services.

• Exit fear: Can Man Utd retain the services of Gabriel?

  There remains the threat of Gabriel being prised out of United’s clutches at some point before a professional contract can be signed. The Red Devils are, however, doing everything they can to convince the highly-rated playmaker that he is in the best possible place for his future development.

  A rival academy scout recently told the : "United is a big club, a huge club, and it fits JJ’s profile and JJ fits United’s profile, he’s something they haven’t got at all. But United have to be careful they don’t get things wrong with him. They know they are in a fight to keep him."

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  Ronaldo advice: CR7 used as an example for 'Kid Messi'

  Gabriel was invited to attend United’s opening Premier League game of the 2025-26 campaign at Old Trafford, alongside his family. He was given tickets to the directors’ box, allowing him to cast an eye over the Red Devils’ senior stars as they lined up against Arsenal.

  While forming part of the Red Devils’ youth system, Gabriel was recently introduced to head coach Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese was already aware of the talented teenager and how much hype he is generating.

  Amorim is said to have spoken to Gabriel about his efforts to become a senior star, with Cristiano Ronaldo – a former team-mate of United’s current boss – being used as an example of how hard work is integral to any success. 'Kid Messi' is considered to already boast the mindset of a professional footballer, with no stone being left unturned in his bid to unlock full potential.

• Big break: Amorim welcomes Gabriel into Man Utd first-team fold

  That ongoing quest has been offered another boost, with Gabriel revealing on Instagram that he has been working with United’s first-team squad. According to BBC Sport, he took part in a full 11 versus 11 practice match at the Red Devils’ Carrington training base.

  There is no word on how he fared in the company of Bruno Fernandes and Co, but the expectation is that he will have held his own. Gabriel has already been likened to Portuguese GOAT Ronaldo and Brazilian superstar Neymar.

  A source has told the : "He’s going to end up like Ronaldo. Just goals, goals, goals.” Alfie Brooks, owner of Ole Futsal and Gabriel’s specialist one-to-one coach, added: “He was very raw but he was very competitive. When he first started training, those were the standout attributes.

  "I’ve coached nearly 1,000 academy players over my time – four of them in Josh Nichols (Arsenal), Josh Acheampong (Chelsea), Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) and Tyrique George (Chelsea) have made their senior debuts – and JJ is the best I’ve ever seen. He could go into a Premier League changing room right now and technically he would be better than all of them. It wouldn’t even be close."

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• History maker: Man Utd & Premier League records that Gabriel can break

  Speculation is already rife regarding a potential senior debut for Gabriel that could break all kinds of records. As things stand, Angel Gomes (16 years, 263 days), Shola Shoretire (17 years, 19 days) and Chido Obi (17 years, 79 days) are the youngest players to make a Premier League appearance for United.

  Gabriel could rewrite the history books at Old Trafford, and in the English top-flight as a whole. He only turned 15 on October 6, meaning that time is on his side when it comes to bettering the efforts of Arsenal starlets Ethan Nwaneri (15 years, 181 days) and Max Dowman (15 years, 235 days) – who are the youngest players to grace a Premier League fixture.

  United will not want to rush Gabriel, but competitive game time would help to convince him to stay put and offer supporters a glimpse of what the future will look like as the inconsistent Red Devils work through another rebuilding project.

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Mike Hesson has been announced as head coach of the Pakistan white-ball team. The former New Zealand head coach, who is currently with PSL defending champions Islamabad United, will join the PCB from May 26, the day after the conclusion of the PSL 2025. The PCB have not officially revealed the length of Hesson’s contract, but ESPNcricinfo understands he has been appointed on a two-year deal.Hesson replaces Aqib Javed, who was interim head coach for five months, taking over after Gary Kirsten abruptly resigned six months into a two-year contract as head coach. Javed, meanwhile, has been appointed director of High Performance. ESPNcricinfo understands he will continue to remain in position as one of five voting members on the PCB selection committee, a position he continued to hold while serving as head coach.”I am pleased to announce the appointment of former New Zealand cricketer and renowned coach Mike Hesson as the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan men’s team,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said. “Mike brings with him a wealth of international experience and a proven track record of developing competitive sides. We look forward to his expertise and leadership in shaping the future of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket. Welcome to the team, Mike!”Related

• BCB in 'active discussions' with PCB over upcoming Pakistan tour

• PSL 2025 to resume on May 17, final scheduled for May 25

The PCB pursued Hesson as their first priority as soon as the position became vacant in April. His first assignment is likely to be a five-match T20I series against Bangladesh at home, should it go ahead according to schedule.Hesson, 50, was appointed head coach of New Zealand in 2012, enjoying a highly successful six years in the position with the national side. Under Hesson, New Zealand became a dominant force at home and reached their first World Cup final in 2015, when they lost to Australia.He was appointed director of cricket for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL in 2019, before they parted ways in 2023.Pakistan do not currently have a red-ball coach, with no details on when one is expected to be appointed. Javed served as interim Test coach for Pakistan’s tour of South Africa and home series against West Indies at the turn of the year after Jason Gillespie quit the role six months into his stint. Pakistan’s next Test series comes at home against South Africa in October.

Vinicius Junior’s time at Real Madrid has been full of highs and lows. Now, former teammate Lucas Vazquez has lifted the lid on what life was like for the Brazilian inside the dressing room during his struggle last season on and off the field, revealing how he "didn’t always listen" to advice from senior players.

Vazquez recalls how Vinicius struggled with outside noise

In an interview with , the former Real Madrid defender spoke about his time at the club and revealed that Vinicius, who has often faced heavy media and fan scrutiny, sometimes struggled to block out the outside noise, even as his teammates urged him to stay calm and focus on football. The Brazilian winger, who came close to winning his first Ballon d’Or in 2024, has faced constant criticism from Spanish media and fans for his on and off-field behaviour ever since joining Los Blancos in 2018.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'He didn’t always listen' – Vazquez on Brazilian's struggles

Vazquez, who left the club this summer after 18 years, spoke about how Vinicius struggled to deal with the hostile treatment he often received from rival fans. "It was tough on away match days because you see your teammate and friend not having a good time,” Vazquez said. "You want him to be at his best, and he can’t be in the spotlight for things that aren’t football-related. We told him not to let it affect him, but he didn’t always listen."

Vinicius stays under spotlight despite strong start

After struggling to find his rhythm last season, the Brazilian international looks back to his best. The 25-year-old has kicked off the new campaign in fine form, scoring five goals and providing four assists in eight La Liga games. He is linking well with Kylian Mbappe and has helped Real Madrid win seven of their first eight matches to sit at the top of the table. Still, the noise off the pitch hasn’t gone away. Vinicius recently apologised publicly to Brazilian influencer Virginia Fonseca after it was claimed their brief relationship ended over messages he sent to other women.

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GettyWhat's next for Vinicius?

While he continues to play a key role in Xabi Alonso’s team, Vinicius continues to find himself in a contract standoff with the Spanish giants. The club are reportedly unwilling to improve their current offer, despite the winger’s demand for a pay rise. The Brazilian's current deal runs until June 2027, but unless an agreement is reached soon, his future at the Bernabeu could once again become a major talking point as the season unfolds.

Arsenal managed to offload out-of-favour midfielder Fabio Vieira by the skin of their teeth at the end of the summer transfer window.

The Portuguese was once tipped for a big future by manager Mikel Arteta, after former sporting director Edu orchestrated a £34 million deal to sign Vieira from FC Porto in 2022.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

£5m

Martin Zubimendi

£60m

Christian Norgaard

£15m

Noni Madueke

£52m

Cristhian Mosquera

£13m

Viktor Gyokeres

£55m

Eberechi Eze

£67.5m

Piero Hincapie

Loan

However, while the 25-year-old came to north London with plenty of promise, things didn’t quite go to plan.

Vieira failed to play his way into Arteta’s plans, making 19 of his 22 Premier League appearances off the bench during his debut campaign, even if he did impress at times with a goal and two assists in eight Europa League starts that year.

His game time was even more limited in 2023/2024, thanks partly to groin surgery. Vieira started just two top flight matches all season, and it soon became apparent that the playmaker wasn’t at Arsenal’s required level for their quest to become English champions.

Vieira was sent back on loan to Porto in 2024/2025, where he managed to impress in parts with eight goal contributions in 26 league appearances.

However, it was nowhere near the kind of form which originally prompted Arsenal to splash the cash on him, with the player’s best season to date still that exceptional 21/22 season in the Primeira Liga.

Vieira racked up six goals and 14 assists in the top flight alone that year, and he’s now been given another chance to rediscover that level of quality on another loan spell at newly-promoted Hamburg in the Bundesliga.

In a last-minute summer deal, Arsenal managed to agree a loan exit with Hamburg for Vieira, and the versatile creative ace once very similar to club captain Martin Odegaard is now in danger of becoming a real waste of club funds.

Vieira’s Arsenal contract expires in 2027, but luckily for the Gunners, sporting director Andrea Berta made sure there was a way to make some money back off him in 2026.

Arsenal could be set for record-breaking Fabio Vieira windfall after news

According to German news outlet BILD, Hamburg’s deal for Vieira includes an option to buy worth £17 million, and if activated, it would break a record.

Indeed, Vieira could become Hamburg’s most expensive signing in history, but the caveat is that Merlin Polzin’s side might not have to pay their £346,000 loan fee if he becomes a regular starter for them.

In any case, Arsenal could still recuperate half of the transfer fee they paid for Vieira, but it depends on Hamburg making a big decision. The deadline for Polzin and co to take up his £17 million buy option is the middle of May in 2026, right after the end of the Bundesliga season, and Arsenal will be hoping he can impress in the meantime.

MatériaMais Notícias

Alisson analisou a vitória do São Paulo contra o Athletico-PR, por 2 a 1 pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, e considerou uma partida ‘difícil’ para a equipe.

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Diferente do que estava acostumando a acontecer sob o comando de Dorival Júnior, no jogo desta quarta-feira (21) Alisson começou o confronto no banco de reservas, com Wellington Rato em seu lugar e entrou em campo somente no segundo tempo.

De acordo com o camisa 7, ‘a equipe sabia da dificuldade do adversário, mas está de parabéns pela forma que se comportou’. Com o resultado, o Tricolor chegou ao G6 na tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro.

ATUAÇÕES: Gabriel Neves vai do inferno ao céu e Luciano comanda virada do São Paulo contra o Athletico-PR

Para os tricolores apaixonados: produtos a partir de R$39,90 na FutFanatics!

– Sabíamos da dificuldade que seria o jogo, equipe muito qualificada, mas feliz. Feliz por estar ajudando, a equipe está de parabéns pela forma que se comportou – disse.

O jogador também comentou sobre o problema com as lesões que o elenco tricolor está enfrentando. Embora tenha uma boa quantidade de atletas em fase de transição física, o Tricolor, agora, tem mais uma preocupação: a situação de Diego Costa.

Ainda no primeiro tempo, o zagueiro deixou o gramado chorando bastante após sentir a coxa, e Alan Franco entrou em seu lugar. Alisson destacou que, em grande parte, as lesões que o elenco sofreu recentemente são aquelas que ‘não dá para fazer nada’, mas afirmou que ainda não sabe a verdadeira situação do companheiro. A expectativa é que Diego Costa seja avaliado logo na reapresentação do elenco, nesta quinta-feira (22).

+ Clique aqui e veja como apostar no Brasileirão

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

+ Confira os jogos e classificação resultados do Brasileirão-23 na tabela do LANCE!

– Se fomos parar para analisar, ver as lesões, são lesões que não pode fazer nada. Às vezes joelho, tornozelo, mas sobre o Diego, não sei se teve lesão. Foi uma pancada, tomara que fique nisso e que ele possa estar com a gente no próximo jogo – completou.

O São Paulo volta a campo neste sábado (24), contra o Cruzeiro. A partida será em Belo Horizonte e o elenco embarca na sexta-feira (23), durante a parte da tarde.

Australia prevailed amid a flurry of DLS calculations in Canberra and can now set their sites on a whitewash

Andrew McGlashan24-Jan-2025After retaining the Ashes in Sydney, Beth Mooney didn’t want to get drawn into talk of a whitewash before the series was won but with that box ticked team-mate Grace Harris now wants to “embarrass” England with a 16-0 scoreline.Australia prevailed in Canberra amid a flurry of DLS calculations – England were ahead when the game was stopped for the first time – and latterly Heather Knight played a defiant hand before rain returned with 18 needed off five balls.Australia have been hugely motivated by the draw in the 2023 Ashes which left them with muted celebrations when they lifted the trophy at the end of the series having seen England fight back from 6-0 down. Now, with the final T20I to come in Adelaide followed by the day-night Test at the MCG, the focus turns to not allowing the visitors to get anything on the board.Related

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Jon Lewis: Culture, not fitness, at root of Australia's dominance of Women's Ashes

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McGrath, Harris, Schutt and rain help Australia win the Ashes

“Of course, I have thought about 16-0,” Harris told after the win. “A whitewash would be outstanding. England got the better of us in the last series.”To me, it’s a loss, a draw is boring. But 16-0, that would be very, very good if we could embarrass this England team because they’re actually a very competitive outfit and they’ve got some really good players among them.”Stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath, who has taken over from the injured Alyssa Healy since the start of the T20I series, admitted relief was one of the initial emotions after the Ashes were secured outright having been behind the DLS when play was first suspended.”It hasn’t quite sunk in yet, there’s just so much drama in that game and so much mental capacity taken up watching DLS, watching run rates, radars, so it was a weird way to wrap up and win them outright,” she said. “Relieved, happy to win it this early, it would be nice when we get a chance as a group to properly celebrate together but job not done, still two really big games to go.””[A whitewash] would be pretty special to us. The Ashes last year, retaining them in England didn’t quite sit well with us and we’ve been hungry for a while and looking forward to these Ashes for a very long time. We’ve been playing some really good cricket but still feel like there’s areas to improve.”Tahlia McGrath has been in resounding form in recent games•Cricket Australia via Getty ImagesMcGrath herself has played a key role with the bat in the last three games after a lean start to the series which, amid Australia’s abundant batting talent, put her under scrutiny. But she has responded with a 38-ball ODI fifty, 26 off nine balls at the SCG and an unbeaten 48 off 35 in Canberra having come in when Australia had lost 3 for 9.”I was really disappointed with my batting in the first two games,” she said. “I went away from my natural game a little bit. I like to take the game on, I like to move around the crease and I sort of went away from that.”I went into my shell a little bit the first two games so I went back to a blueprint that has worked for me in the past and just trying to be a bit braver, a bit more fearless and lucky enough that it’s come off for the last couple of games.”But Grace was huge for me because I was scratching around a little bit and struggling and she came out and took the pressure off me and just freed me up a little bit at the back end as well.”

Bangladesh surprisingly declared their first innings 181 runs behind, after which WI were bowled out for 152

Mohammad Isam25-Nov-2024West Indies are three wickets away from clinching the Antigua Test against Bangladesh. The visitors ended the fourth day on 109 for 7 after they were set a target of 334. Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales led the way for the hosts with three wickets each, as Bangladesh’s specialist batters failed to put together a performance for the umpteenth time this year.West Indies themselves couldn’t put up a bigger target after they were bowled out for 152 in the second innings. Taskin Ahmed got his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests, finishing up with 6 for 64. This came on the back of Bangladesh’s surprise declaration on the fourth morning, despite being 181 runs behind West Indies’ first-innings total of 450 for 9.Bangladesh’s batters, however, couldn’t repay their bowlers. Both their openers got out similarly to how they were dismissed in the first innings. Zakir Hasan inside-edged Roach on to his stumps, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy edged Seales to third slip. Roach then set Shahadat Hossain up in the 11th over, getting the ball to seam away several times before bowling a booming inswinger. The ball kissed Shahadat’s gloves as he tried to get out of the way, before Joshua Da Silva took the inside edge.Shamar Joseph then saw two dropped catches in his first over, both of Mominul Haque. Da Silva dropped a chance down the leg side, before Mikyle Louis couldn’t hold on to a straightforward one at gully. Mominul, however, couldn’t last long, as Roach took a superb caught and bowled from his drive in the next over.Taskin Ahmed took a career-best 6 for 64•CWIBut Shamar’s bad luck continued at the other end. Alick Athanaze dropped Mehidy Hasan Miraz at second slip, with the Bangladesh captain on 14. Litton Das cut one uppishly, only for Seales to get a hand on it at backward point. Shamar’s exasperation at having four catches dropped off his bowling, however, didn’t last too long. He had Litton caught at fine leg for 22 to reduce Bangladesh to 59 for 5 in the 18th over.Mehidy was the only one fighting for Bangladesh, riding out the short-ball barrage, and keeping the scoreboard moving. He made 45 off 46 balls with five fours and a six, before Seales got him caught behind, as Da Silva took a fine catch. Seales then clean bowled Taijul Islam as well.West Indies’ morning had started with good fortune despite the declaration surprise. Shahadat, at first slip, dropped captain Kraigg Brathwaite on 9. Next ball, Taskin slammed an inswinger into Louis’ front pad, but umpire Kumar Dharmasena said not out. Replays showed that the batter was plumb in front, but Bangladesh hadn’t taken the review.Taskin, however, removed Louis in his next over when the opener was caught behind for 8. Taskin then had Keacy Carty caught at third slip, a further reward of his excellent line and length in his first spell. Brathwaite then guided Shoriful Islam to second slip in the following over, as the visitors’ decision to declare got an early vindication.Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze nearly got West Indies out of trouble. The pair struck eight fours either side of the lunch break, but just when they added 50 for the fourth wicket, Bangladesh struck three times in as many overs. Taskin’s beautiful delivery that nipped slightly away had Hodge caught behind for 15. It was also Litton Das’ 100th catch in Tests.File photo: Jayden Seales also finished the day with three wickets•AFP/Getty ImagesMehidy then removed Athanaze in the following over. He made 42 off 63 balls, with seven fours, but the young left-hander played a superfluous shot, struck on the back foot while trying to cut a ball that was spinning into him. Then Taskin clipped Justin Greaves’ off stump with another fantastic delivery, as the first-innings centurion made just 2 in the second.Alzarri Joseph immediately counterattacked against Taskin, and this time there were no verbal exchanges between the two. Da Silva followed suit by getting two fours off Taskin’s next over. He struck Taijul for a straight six, but then the left-arm spinner got one to get big on Da Silva, who gave a catch to point.Alzarri then holed out to short fine leg after top edging Mehidy. He had earlier survived a similar top edge, but Mominul had dropped a relatively difficult chance. Mominul had earlier also dropped Carty at short cover.It was, however, all forgotten when Taskin yorked Shamar to complete his first five-for. He finished up the West Indies innings when Mehidy took a brilliant diving catch at mid-off, after Roach was deceived by a Taskin’s slower ball.But Bangladesh’s batters couldn’t be inspired by their bowlers, as they crumbled on the fourth day.

Still looking to add much-needed depth behind Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool are now reportedly eyeing a move to sign an impressive Serie A teenager.

Liverpool yet to solve centre-back problem

For all of Liverpool’s gargantuan spending this summer, it should concern Arne Slot that his side had just one senior centre-back feature across two friendly games against Athletic Bilbao earlier this week. With Van Dijk absence through illness and Joe Gomez injured, the Reds had just Konate to turn to when it came to recognised central defenders.

It’s an undeniable problem for Liverpool, but one that Slot has insisted that he has versatile options at his disposal to solve his centre-back issue this season.

There’s under a month left until the transfer window slams shut and as positive as Slot has been when speaking about his defensive options, it wouldn’t be absurd to suggest that Liverpool’s focus should be on their weakness rather than pursuing another attacking star.

As much as Alexander Isak would steal endless headlines and send the ultimate statement, a move for Marc Guehi would arguably complete the Premier League champions far more.

To that end, however, reports have indicated that Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are reluctant to meet Crystal Palace’s £50m price tag now that Guehi is into the final year of his deal.

Leaving those at Anfield to consider their options, Liverpool are now reportedly eyeing a Serie A alternative at a cheaper price.

Liverpool eyeing Leoni move

According to The Times’ Paul Joyce, Liverpool are eyeing a move to sign Giovanni Leoni from Parma this summer. Unlike Crystal Palace’s hefty price tag, the Italian side reportedly value their impressive defender at €40m (£35m) in a deal that the Reds may be more tempted by in the coming weeks.

Dubbed “one of the most complete” teenage centre-backs in Europe by scout Jacek Kulig, Leoni would be a perfect replacement for Jarell Quansah, who has similar potential.

With Konate and Van Dijk nailing down the starting roles, having a younger option like Leoni waiting in the wings would hand Liverpool the depth they need without immediately disrupting their backline.

Ekitike repeat: Liverpool prepare £50m offer for "monster"; it's not Isak

Liverpool are still hoping to complete several signings before the end of the transfer window.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Aug 5, 2025

Whether those at Anfield push on and prioritise the addition of a defender this month remains to be seen, however.