Tag Futebol

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

Heather Knight has point to prove as Women's Ashes reaches grandest stage

Healy declares herself fit but not locked in, Dunkley to play but Cross unavailable

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

Healy in doubt for rest of Ashes series as she misses first T20I

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.

Two years after announcing her retirement, Dottin is back in the West Indies fold

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Aug-20241:54

Dottin: Young, determined WI players are improving through WCPL

Two years after unexpectedly announcing her retirement, Deandra Dottin is back in West Indies’ squad for the upcoming women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE. Dottin, the scorer of the fastest century in women’s T20Is, made a sudden decision to quit in 2022, citing a “non-conducive” environment within the West Indies set-up. She reversed that decision last month, with one eye on the upcoming World Cup.She was named in the 15-member squad announced by Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Thursday, which also features an uncapped player in Nerissa Crafton.”We have a nice mix of experience and youth,” Kishore Shallow, the CWI president, said after the announcement. “We have some players bordering [on] 19; I think Zaida [James] is still probably a teenager and one or two of the young players there. So, really happy with the mix.Related

Australian Deitz is trying to put more West Indies into West Indies cricket

Aaliyah Alleyne's four helps Barbados Royals defend WCPL crown

Dottin ends international retirement ahead of T20 World Cup

Aug 2022: Deandra Dottin announces West Indies retirement

“Also, I think, we all as West Indians are excited to see Deandra Dottin back. It has been a year of communication – back and forth – with Deandra, and I particularly want to recognise the involvement of Ann Browne-John who has led those conversations over the last year, even when she wasn’t officially the selector. She was integral in Deandra coming out of retirement.”Dottin’s recent form is particularly encouraging: she was the third-highest run-getter in WCPL 2024 league phase, with 113 runs in four innings at an average of 28.25 and strike rate of 111.88. She was also the only batter to have hit more than two sixes this WCPL season, leading into the final. Her 53 off 38 balls against Guyana Amazon Warriors set up a Super-Over finish at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Dottin returned to bat in the Super Over, her unbeaten 13 off four balls paving the way for Trinbago Knight Riders’ win.ESPNcricinfo LtdHead coach Shane Deitz welcomed Dottin back into the West Indies set-up. “Her record is phenomenal and she is doing it again at the WCPL as we speak,” Deitz said of Dottin. “We’ve been really working hard off the field with our team culture, and the leadership group within the team. Denadra and the other players who are coming into the side – they are all going to be welcomed in the same manner.”On the field, as I said, her record is unbelievable and gives us flexibility with power-hitting and smart batting as well. [She is] an unbelievable fielder, does death bowling and some other bowling in between and she really steps up to bowl the big overs and she is an absolute winner. She has been here at the camp past week and really fit in well. Great to get her back in the squad and we’re looking forward to her contributions in the World Cup.”When Dottin had announced her retirement in August 2022 at age 31, she had played 127 T20Is (alongside 143 ODIs) for 2697 runs and 62 wickets. That record fastest hundred of hers came at a T20 World Cup, back in 2010; she got to the landmark off 38 balls – at the time a record across both men’s and women’s cricket – and went on to smash 112 off 45 balls against South Africa in St Kitts.She took to the T20 circuit after her retirement, but had not played competitive cricket since September 2023 before taking charge of TKR at the ongoing WCPL.West Indies’ leadership team at the World Cup will remain the same, with Hayley Matthews to lead and Shemaine Campbelle her deputy. The team has been impressive in T20I cricket leading into this World Cup; they travelled to Pakistan in April-May and won 4-1, before going to Sri Lanka and taking the series 2-1.That was their previous assignment, and the World Cup XV included four changes from that squad. There was no room for Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Rashada Williams and Late Wilmott. They made way for Ashmini Munisar, Dottin, Mandy Mangru and Crafton. Mangru is uncapped in T20I cricket and has played just the one ODI.West Indies begin their World Cup campaign on October 4 in Dubai against South Africa, and then have the rest of their Group B games lined up against Scotland, Bangladesh and England. The top two teams from the group will proceed to the semi-finals. The final is scheduled for October 20.West Indies squad for 2024 Women’s T20 World CupHayley Matthews (capt), Shemaine Campbelle (vice-capt), Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Ashmini Munisar, Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafton, Qiana Joseph, Shamila Connell, Stafanie Taylor, Zaida James
In: Ashmini Munisar, Deandra Dottin, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafton
Out: Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Rashada Williams, Late Wilmott

أعلن نادي الأهلي السعودي، عن تعيين أمير توفيق المدير التنفيذي السابق لـ النادي الأهلي المصري، في منصب جديد بالنادي السعودي.

وكان الأهلي قد أعلن قبول اعتذار أمير توفيق عن عدم الاستمرار في منصب المدير التنفيذي لشركة الكرة بالنادي الأهلي بوقت سابق.

وكشف الأهلي السعودي عن تعيين أمير توفيق بمنصب الرئيس التنفيذي للقطاع التجاري بالنادي السعودي، وذلك في إطار خطة استراتيجية تهدف إلى تعزيز الموارد وتنمية الشراكات الاستثمارية محليًا ودوليًا.

وسيتولى أمير توفيق الإشراف على جميع الملفات التجارية والاستثمارية للنادي، مع التركيز على زيادة الإيرادات وتوسيع قاعدة الرعاية، بما يعزز من مكانة الأهلي على المستويين المحلي والعالمي.

وأكد نادي الأهلي السعودي في بيانه، أن أمير توفيق يملك خبرة واسعة في إدارة الملفات التسويقية والرياضية، حيث تولى منصب مدير التسويق والتعاقدات بالأهلي بين 2018 و2023، ثم عمل كمدير تنفيذي لشركة الأهلي لكرة القدم بين 2023 و2025.

طالع | رياض محرز يتحدث عن خلافاته مع جوارديولا.. ويصرح: كان بارعًا في استخدامنا

كما أنه ساهم في تنظيم عدد من البطولات الكبرى، بينها البطولة العربية للأندية وكأس العالم للشباب بالسعودية، ويحمل دبلوم (FIFA/CIES) في الإدارة الرياضية، ويدرس حاليًا دبلوم فيفا في الإدارة التنفيذية.

وخلال مسيرته، أبرم توفيق العديد من عقود الرعاية الكبرى مع شركات مثل: صلة، برنتشين، المتحدة للخدمات الإعلامية، وكذلك شركات (Adidas، Panini، EY، Red Bull، وCoca-Cola).

كما أطلق أكاديميات الأهلي المصري الدولية في الإمارات، كندا، والولايات المتحدة، وشارك في التعاقد مع نخبة من اللاعبين الذين ساهموا في تتويج الأهلي ببطولات محلية وقارية بارزة.

تُعلن شركة نادي الأهلي عن تعيين الأستاذ أمير توفيق الرئيس التنفيذي للقطاع التجاري، في خطوة تهدف إلى تعزيز مسيرة النمو التجاري للنادي وتطوير الشراكات الاستراتيجية بما يواكب تطلعات الكيان وجماهيره.

متمنين له التوفيق في مهمته. pic.twitter.com/DzJwbR30Vd

— النادي الأهلي السعودي (@ALAHLI_FC) September 8, 2025

Liverpool have now joined Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign an “excellent” £42 million player, according to a new report.

Liverpool chasing teenage defender as Joe Gomez future unclear

There are a number of areas of the team that Arne Slot will want to address this summer, but none may be more important than the defence. That is because Trent Alexander-Arnold has already left, while Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk are not getting any younger despite their legendary status.

Milos Kerkez is edging closer to a move to Anfield, and he is likely to replace Robertson straight away, and now the Reds have their eyes on a young central defender who could one day succeed Van Dijk.

Their own Mbappe: Liverpool make £150m star their dream target after Wirtz

Liverpool could be about to make another huge move for a player during this summer’s transfer window.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 4, 2025

According to Moroccan outlet Le360 Sport, via Sport Witness, Liverpool have made a concrete offer to sign Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal from Stade Rennais. It isn’t clear how much this offer is worth, but the Reds have obviously seen enough, despite the fact that the teenager hasn’t played for Stade Rennais’ first team, to make an offer. They are not alone in their pursuit, as Newcastle United have met with the player’s agent and are also interested in a deal.

This comes as Premier League bound Burnley are interested in signing Joe Gomez. Liverpool are said to be open to offers for the defender, and this has alerted the Clarets as well as teams such as Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham, Leeds and Sunderland, who are all keeping a close eye on his situation. Gomez is valued at around £25 million by the Premier League champions.

Liverpool join PSG in transfer Zabarnyi race

The Reds’ decision to allow Gomez to leave may be because, according to TBR Football, Liverpool are interested in signing defender Illia Zabarnyi from AFC Bournemouth.

The Cherries have already lost Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid this summer, and Kerkez looks set to move to Anfield, but the departures may not stop there. Zabarnyi was another impressive individual for Bournemouth last season, and while the Cherries don’t want to lose him, that might be easier said than done.

L’Equipe have already reported that Zabarnyi has become a defensive priority for PSG, as Luis Enrique has been left impressed by his defensive capabilities. The French champions have made contact with Bournemouth over a move, as they want the defender in before the Club World Cup.

However, they are not alone, as now Liverpool and Chelsea have also joined the race to sign the defender, who will not be allowed to leave Bournemouth for anything less than €50 million, which is roughly £42 million.

Ilya Zabarnyi’s 24/25 Premier League stats
Appearances	36
Clean sheets	8
Interceptions per game	1.1
Tackles per game	1.4
Balls recovered per game	4.4
Clearances per game	5.0
Errors leading to a goal	0

Liverpool are huge admirers of Zabarnyi, who has been dubbed “excellent” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, and they are keeping an eye on his situation. The Reds’ move for Zabarnyi may depend on what happens to Gomez, but either way they will have a smooth route to negotiations, as the 47-cap Ukraine star uses the same agency as midfielder Curtis Jones.

The fallout of Manchester United’s Europa League final defeat has largely been centred around the future of manager Ruben Amorim, as well as that of rising star, Alejandro Garnacho.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Amorim, however, is said to have told his squad that he will still be at the club next season, despite their 15th-place Premier League finish, following a meeting last week.

That same announcement came alongside the revelation that Garnacho is set to be shown the door, with recent reports indicating that the Portuguese coach told the 20-year-old – in front of his teammates – that he will have to “pray” that a new club wants to sign him.

It could be argued that the former Sporting CP boss will also need to ‘pray’ that the Old Trafford side are capable of signing an upgrade on the Argentine winger. Thankfully, that search looks firmly in motion, not least amid Matheus Cunha’s impending switch…

Latest on Cunha's move to Man Utd

It’s been no real secret that United have been chasing a move for the Brazilian in recent weeks, with The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell notably confirming that interest last month, alongside the club’s admiration for Ipswich Town talisman, Liam Delap.

Despite signing a new contract at Molineux back in January, Cunha’s exit from the Midlands side has appeared an inevitability over the past few months, having notably outlined his desire to take “the next step” in his career.

Well, that next step appears to be leading him to Manchester, with it having been widely reported that the 25-year-old is set for a medical, after the two clubs agreed terms regarding the payment of his £62.5m release clause.

That move is expected to see the former Atletico Madrid man take on the number ten shirt, thus ousting the exiled Marcus Rashford from that jersey – providing a further hint to where the Englishman’s future lies.

As for Cunha, the 15-goal sensation is expected to line up in one of the two attacking roles behind the striker in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, having already starred in that set-up under Vitor Pereira.

With Garnacho potentially departing – and Amad Diallo able to slot in at right wing-back – the other number ten berth may well be filled by another Premier League talent this summer.

Man Utd's search to replace Garnacho

The deal for Cunha appears to be edging ever closer toward completion, with the INEOS regime seemingly looking to get their business done early, ahead of a summer free of World Cup or European Championship commitments.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

According to reports in Spain, the move for the Old Gold ace is likely to be followed by the pursuit of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, with it claimed that United are already ‘moving decisively’ to sign the 25-year-old.

Indeed, while the Cameroon international is set to be courting interest from ‘several clubs’ following a fine campaign at the Gtech, the report indicates that it is those at Old Trafford who have ‘made the first formal move’.

The suggestion is that with the former Troyes star having just a year left on his existing deal in west London, he would command a fee of around £50m, representing good value for the perfect Garnacho upgrade.

How Mbeumo compares to Alejandro Garnacho

Garnacho, it must be said, would hardly rank among the first crop of players that supporters would wish to see leave this summer. Indeed, the youngster managed to chalk up 21 goals and assists in 2024/25 – a record bettered only by Bruno Fernandes among his teammates.

Man Utd – 2024/25 squad stats

Player

Goals & Assists

Goals

Assists

Bruno Fernandes

39

19

20

Alejandro Garnacho

21

11

10

Amad Diallo

20

11

9

Rasmus Hojlund

14

10

5

Joshua Zirkzee

10

7

3

Marcus Rashford

10

7

3

Christian Eriksen

10

5

5

Casemiro

8

5

3

Diogo Dalot

8

3

5

Manuel Ugarte

8

2

6

Stats via Transfermarkt

It certainly doesn’t sit well that last season’s FA Cup final goalscorer may be shipped off due to his struggle to fit into Amorim’s system, with that certainly something of a gamble considering the manager could find himself under intense pressure if results don’t improve at the start of next term.

That said, perhaps now is the time for the manager to truly be backed, and if it is Mbeumo whom the 40-year-old has identified as a replacement, then so be it. That would certainly not be a deal to turn your nose up at.

Indeed, the France-born speedster is coming off the back of a simply sensational Premier League season, having scored 20 league goals for Thomas Frank’s side, while operating off the right flank or in a central role.

To put that into perspective, no player back at Old Trafford has hit 20 top-flight goals in a single campaign since Robin van Persie in 2012/13 – the last time that the club claimed the title.

Mbeumo vs Garnacho – 24/25 PL stats

Stat (*per game)

Mbeumo

Garnacho

Games (starts)

38 (38)

36 (23)

Goals

20

6

Goal frequency

171min

366min

Big chances missed

9

14

Assists

7

2

Big chances created

17

4

Key passes*

1.8

1.0

Pass accuracy*

74%

83%

Successful dribbles*

1.4

0.7

Stats via Sofascore

With seven assists also under his belt, Mbeumo enjoyed a far superior return to what Garnacho achieved in 2024/25, with the Argentina international registering just six goals and only two assists.

The Brentford man’s impressive output goes beyond just goals and assists, however, as indicated by his superior record with regard to key passes, successful dribbles and ‘big chances’ created. With regard to that latter stat, for instance, the aforementioned Fernandes managed to supply ‘just’ 16 big chances.

It must be said that this is no flash in the pan either, with Mbeumo also shining in 2023/24 with nine goals and six assists to his name in the league. Garnacho, meanwhile, recorded seven goals and four assists, in what was his first full season at senior level.

With the Bees star lauded by analyst Ben Mattinson as “one of the most deadly players on transition” in the division, he can also take on Garnacho’s mantle of being a real outlet on the counterattack – a trait that that United have already been the victim off, as he rounded off Brentford’s 4-0 win over Erik ten Hag’s side back in August 2022.

While a deal for Cunha is enough to get tongues wagging, managing to land Mbeumo to further bolster the attack would represent a potentially even bigger coup for those at Old Trafford.

Yes, the decision to sell Garnacho may well be viewed upon as a real mistake in years to come, although United could hardly have identified a better replacement.

Related He'll be amazing with Mbeumo: Man Utd agree personal terms to sign £30m ace

Manchester United already appear to be making serious moves for multiple targets this summer.

Posts ByEthan Lamb May 27, 2025

After winger Mohamed Salah’s new contract was announced over the last couple of weeks, Arne Slot can turn his attention to other areas of the Liverpool squad ahead of next season’s Premier League campaign.

The Egyptian penned a new two-year deal at Anfield, extending his stay at the club to over a decade, hoping to add to the success he’s enjoyed during previous years.

However, if the 32-year-old is to achieve yet more glory on Merseyside, the manager will need to strengthen to help the side maintain the levels they’ve reached in the last few months.

With the summer transfer window now just around the corner, the hierarchy will need to identify players who are capable of bolstering the ranks, with a real emphasis needed on quality over quantity.

One department of the pitch could be set for a huge overhaul, with numerous players already touted with moves to and from Merseyside ahead of the upcoming window.

The latest on Liverpool’s pursuit for new attacking stars

With the futures of Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez up in the air at Liverpool, it would be a surprise to no one if both players were offloaded to raise funds for new attackers this summer.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz is the latest name thrown into the mix over the last couple of days, with the German on the club’s shortlist ahead of the off-season.

However, the Reds are unlikely to be alone in their pursuit of the 21-year-old, with fellow English side Manchester City also firmly in the race for his signature despite his £111m price tag.

Other forwards like Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké remain on their list, but Ademola Lookman is the latest player the hierarchy are targeting to bolster the front line ahead of 2025/26.

According to new reports from Italian outlet, Corriere dello Sport via Sport Witness, Slot’s side are keen admirers of the 27-year-old left-winger.

It’s stated that if Atalanta receive an offer of at least £50m from Liverpool or any other party, the winger’s sale in the summer would be ‘inevitable’.

Why Liverpool’s £50m target could be their best LW since Mane

In the summer of 2022, all Liverpool supporters were shocked by the news that winger Sadio Mané would be joining Bayern Munich, ending his six-year stint at Anfield.

The Senegalese international was a key part of the success they endured under Jürgen Klopp, forming a deadly partnership with Salah and Roberto Firmino at the top of end of the pitch.

The infamous trio catapulted the side to Premier League and Champions League glory during their time together, with Mane undoubtedly one of their best-ever additions.

He cost £34m from Southampton back in the summer of 2016, going on to register 120 goals in his 269 appearances – finishing as the division’s joint-top scorer back in 2018/19.

However, his subsequent departure saw Luis Diaz tasked with the responsibility of filling the void, with the Colombian only notching a total of 11 league goals throughout Slot’s maiden season at the helm.

Such form has led to links to Lookman, with the Nigerian undoubtedly providing an upgrade on Diaz, subsequently making him the club’s best left-winger since Mane departed nearly three years ago.

When comparing their respective stats from the ongoing season, the Nigerian has massively outperformed the 28-year-old in various key areas, showcasing what a sensational signing he would be this summer.

Games played

27

32

Goals & assists

18

16

Progressive carries

5.7

4.2

Carries into final third

2.9

2.1

Shot-on-target accuracy

41%

40%

Crosses completed

4.7

1.2

Shot-creating actions

5.6

4.8

Aerials won

58%

26%

Lookman, who’s been labelled “world-class” by commentator Matteo Bonetti, has managed to register more combined goals and assists than the Colombian this campaign – showcasing the attacking threat he possesses.

He’s also managed to achieve more progressive carries per 90, whilst bettering the current Reds winger’s carries into the final third, highlighting the danger the former Everton ace presents when having the ball at his feet.

His dominance doesn’t stop there, registering more shot-creating actions, along with more crosses completed, and subsequently able to aid other players within the final third.

It may be a brutal decision to drop Diaz in favour of a move for the Atalanta talent, but from the stats produced, it’s evident that he’s a huge talent and one that would inject added quality to the front line.

£50m in today’s market is an excellent price for a player of his quality, potentially allowing the club to sustain the levels of success endured during Slot’s first year in charge.

£111m Szobo upgrade: Liverpool chasing "the best midfielder in the world"

Liverpool will need to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold’s creativity this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 22, 2025

Steven Smith retired from ODIs after Australia’s semi-final defeat in the 2025 champions Trophy. He scored 5800 runs in the format and was part of two World Cup winning teams

Namooh Shah05-Mar-20255369 – Steven Smith’s runs in ODIs since being promoted to the top order during the 2014 tri-series in Zimbabwe. He averaged 47.51 in 129 innings since then. Before that Smith had scored only 431 runs in 25 innings at an average of 20.52 and a high score of 46*.52.01 – Smith’s average at No. 3 is the highest for any Australian with a minimum of ten innings at that position. Overall, only five men average more than Smith at No. 3 in ODIs for a minimum of 50 innings.56.77 – Smith’s average in ODIs in Australia, the highest among batters with 1000-plus runs. His average is also the fifth best for any batter with 2000-plus runs at home in men’s ODIs.Related

• Steven Smith as captain: a litany of what-ifs

• 'I missed a full toss' – Smith after semi-final exit

• Smith retires from ODI cricket

4 – Fifty-plus scores for Smith in the knockouts of the ODI World Cup, joint-most by a player along with Sachin Tendulkar. He scored three of them consecutively in the 2015 ODI World Cup : 65 in the quarter-final against Pakistan, 105 in the semi-final against India, and 56 not out in the final against New Zealand.Smith’s 345 runs in ODI World Cup knockouts is the third highest aggregate, behind Ricky Ponting (442) and Martin Guptill (346).ESPNcricinfo Ltd11 – Fifty-plus scores by Smith in ODI World Cups, the joint most for Australia along with Ponting and David Warner.1136 – Total runs scored by Smith in the ODI World Cup, the third highest for Australia behind Ponting (1743) and Warner (1527).

Tailormade home conditions and the Impact Player rule could make MishiMania a thing this season

Sidharth Monga07-Apr-2023The start of the IPL usually coincides with the end of the WrestleMania season. This is the time WWE brings out the veterans of pro wrestling, and usually books them in spots where they come out looking good. It just creates a warm, fuzzy feel around the edgier product. And nostalgia never doesn’t sell.In that regard, the IPL is cricket’s WrestleMania. MS Dhoni is the part-timer who has moved in years and on to Hollywood, but has a few big matches left in him. There are enough legends in the back rooms to spark nostalgia. There are Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and until last year, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard.Still, nothing screams WrestleMania season more than Amit Mishra turning up at 40 – and looking every bit 40 – and ripping big legbreaks and wrong’uns and returning figures of 4-0-23-2 with two overs bowled at the death.Related

Rahane, Chawla, Mishra and others with surprise comebacks at IPL 2023

Super Giants look to build on momentum against Royal Challengers as Rahul returns home

Tom Moody: Sunrisers' right-handedness a glaring issue

Krunal: 'I am in a good headspace, I have much more clarity'

Krunal's all-round display helps LSG brush Sunrisers aside

This, though, is cricket. An unscripted sport. Not professional wrestling where the promoters create matches and stipulations where the legends – code for oldies – can hang in with young pro wrestlers. If the legend is struggling, they can call an audible and finish early. Where’s that option in cricket, you are no doubt asking.The IPL in its current form, though, can make it possible. Under the Impact Player regulation, Mishra doesn’t have to be on the field for the length of the match. It creates space for super specialists, who come in, execute their primary skill, and don’t have to bother about fielding and the other skill. Mishra, though, stayed on just long enough to pull off a diving catch. The rest of the greatest hits were with the ball.Also making it possible for Mishra to play is Lucknow Super Giants’ shrewd premiere of the future of home advantage. For their last home match, they had rolled out a quick red-soil pitch against Delhi Capitals, who were still awaiting Anrich Nortje’s arrival. Against a pace-heavy Sunrisers Hyderabad, who let go of Rashid Khan before the 2022 season, Super Giants chose to play on the black soil that famously produced a sub-100 thriller not long ago.Keep an eye out for the pitches Super Giants play their remaining five home games on.2:53

Did SRH make best use of their Impact Player?

We are not complaining. We got to see Mishra playing on the telly for the first time since April 2021. He doesn’t play first-class or List A cricket anymore. He turns up for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to keep himself available for the IPL, but had no takers last year. This pitch and the Impact Player regulation gave him a comeback, and his fifth IPL team. He must have resisted the “legends leagues” money just for this one opportunity.Make no mistake, Mishra is a legend of the IPL. He is its fourth-highest wicket-taker, he has taken three hat-tricks, and has gone at only 7.33 an over. He didn’t walk out to the kind of pop returning wrestling legends get, but he did come out with an experimental look: long hair, thick beard, thicker moustache. You would have been forgiven for thinking: here’s the neighbourhood bully who can’t run around but stands and brutalises bowlers with boundaries.Except that Mishra bowls. And there is nothing brutal about what he does. Introduced in the 13th over, the second ball he bowled – the first to a right-hand batter – spun past Rahul Tripathi. Those supple wrists were imparting the revs just fine. You may as well have had Michael Cole screaming “vintage Amit Mishra” into his microphone.

It will take only a particular set of circumstances for Mishra to keep playing, but if ever there was a time for it to happen, the first year of the Impact Player rule and a team that can produce tailored conditions for its home games is it.

Jokes aside, there was an unscripted contest on. Mishra had to prove he was fit for purpose. Just the greatest hits wouldn’t do. To the left-hand batter, he bowled a restrictive trajectory, and the slider and the wrong’un. He tried to get out of overs with flatter deliveries last ball. And then he also bluffed with a really slow legbreak to end the 17th. He even put in a full-length dive to make up for his slow early movement to take a catch at short third.In the 19th came two wickets, as Mishra beat Washington Sundar off the track and Adil Rashid in the air. There aren’t many warmer and fuzzier feelings in T20 cricket than Mishra slowing it down and bowling orthodox, traditional, hard-spun legbreaks when spinners are losing out on selection because they are too slow in the air. He then went off as soon as he completed his allotment of overs, which might happen earlier in future games now that Mishra has dispelled fears of ring rust.It will take only a particular set of circumstances for Mishra to keep playing, but if ever there was a time for it to happen, the first year of the Impact Player rule and a team that can produce tailored conditions for its home games is it. Could it be? Could it just be MishiMania this year?