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Newcastle United have emerged from the summer transfer window with a quietly impressive array of signings, Eddie Howe bringing together an exciting new chapter against the backdrop of much summer turmoil.

Alexander Isak was sold to Liverpool for a British record £125m fee. In his stead, Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade have arrived, the latter emphatically announcing himself with a debut goal against Wolves at the weekend, sealing United’s first three points of the Premier League season.

Cashing in on Isak was a rueful thing, but the 25-year-old intimated in no uncertain terms his desire to leave St. James’ Park, and keeping him on would only have disrupted and tattered the harmony Howe has spent so long perfecting.

However, the number nine spot wasn’t the only point of reshuffle for the Toon, with Anthony Elanga landing as the man to strengthen the attacking right flank instead of other high-profile targets.

Why Newcastle signed Elanga

Newcastle signed Elanga, 23, from Nottingham Forest for £55m in July, signing a winger who believes himself to be “one of the fastest players in the league”.

This is true: Elanga clocked a top speed of 36.7 km/h when he broke free and darted 85 yards upfield to score against Manchester United for Forest last season.

Indeed, he adds quite the zippy dimension to Howe’s frontline.

But he wasn’t actually the first choice this summer. Bryan Mbeumo was chased before he opted to sign for the Red Devils, and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo was also of a vested interest, ultimately staying put despite fierce efforts from multiple clubs for his signature.

However, Semenyo’s £70m price tag was off-putting, but his excellent start to the season, a continuation of last year’s success, surely leaves some PIF officials regretting their decision not to make their move.

Interest could have been entirely waived from the get-go, though, had Newcastle kept their hands on another young and exciting forward.

Newcastle must regret selling £30m star

Yankuba Minteh is the man in question here, sold to Brighton & Hove Albion for £30m in July 2024 to turn the glare of PSR away.

Minteh had initially joined Newcastle from Danish side Odense in 2023 and spent the following season on loan with Arne Slot’s Feyenoord, and he left Tyneside having never worn the United shirt in a proper capacity.

It was a necessary sale, but Minteh, now 21, showed plenty of promise with the Seagulls last term and has started the current campaign off in the right way too.

Spanish reporter Jose Alberto Chozas even called him “public enemy number one for Newcastle fans”, for he has scored twice in two matches against the Magpies.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

In total, the right-sided forward has scored seven goals and provided six assists across 41 games for Brighton.

Minteh is so young and yet so talented and so comfortable on the Premier League stage. He’s not got the smooth lick of paint on his exterior that Semenyo has showcased over the past year, but the best times are still to come for this one, no doubt about that.

Matches (starts)

4 (4)

4 (4)

Goals

3

0

Assists

2

1

Shots (on target)*

3.0 (1.3)

1.8 (0.5)

Accurate passes*

18.8 (72%)

11.3 (55%)

Key passes*

1.8

1.5

Dribbles*

2.3

3.3

Ball recoveries*

4.5

4.5

Tackles*

1.5

1.5

Duels won*

7.3

7.8

The biggest difference, clearly, is that Semenyo has notched five goal contributions from just four matches so far, whereas Minteh has just one assist to his name.

A prolific touch has not yet materialised for the Gambian talent, but he really is just that: a top talent.

And the underlying data threads together a similarity of style that suggests that Minteh, with the right work over the next few years, could become a player of a similar standing in the Premier League.

Given that Howe has conceded that he did not want to sell Minteh before he could even make his competitive debut for the Toon, it’s clear that there is plenty of resentment underneath the decision to pass him on to a divisional rival.

Might Newcastle have been better off cashing in on Anthony Gordon, who had been linked with a move to Liverpool and who was tied to rumours of a £100m price tag?

As Minteh continues to go from strength to strength on the south coast, it’s one which will continue to sting Newcastle and Howe.

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كشفت تقارير صحفية أن أحد لاعبي فريق ريال مدريد اضطر إلى خوض مباراة الكلاسيكو ضد برشلونة، مساء يوم الأحد، وهو يعاني من حالة مرضية سيئة.

واستضاف ريال مدريد خصمه برشلونة في قمة منافسات الجولة العاشرة من الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم، على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”، حيث فاز بهدفين لهدف.

وذكرت صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية أن فيدي فالفيردي خاض مباراة ريال مدريد أمام برشلونة في الكلاسيكو وهو يعاني من حمى، وليست إصابة، حيث كان لديه شعور بالضيق ملحوظ، إلى جانب الصداع والالتهاب المعوي.

وأوضحت أنه على الرغم من كل ذلك، قرر فالفيردي اللعب وخوض المباراة أساسيًا في مركز الظهير الأيمن وأن يرتدي شارة القيادة.

وأفادت أن كل شئ بدأ عشية المباراة حيث عانى فالفيردي من وعكة خفيفة، وتفاقمت تدريجيًا، وصولًا إلى المباراة، ولكن الوضع لم يكن يُحتمل في الدقيقة 72، حيث نظر آنذاك إلى دكة البدلاء في إشارة لكونه يرغب في الخروج، وهو ما تم بالفعل ودخل داني كارفاخال مكانه.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ماتيو لاهوز: لولا الكلاسيكو لتحصل برشلونة على ضربة جزاء واضحة أمام ريال مدريد

وأشارت إلى أن الأعراض الأولى ظهرت على فالفيردي، يوم السبت، ولكن بدرجة خفيفة جدًا وليست مقلقة، وتفاقمت صباح يوم الكلاسيكو، ودار حديث مع تشابي ألونسو حيث أكد أنه يتطلع إلى اللعب ومستعد لذلك رغم الانزعاج المرضي.

وأكدت أن فالفيردي تناول المسكنات قبيل المباراة، حيث كان يعاني من حمى، تعرق والتهاب معوي، وكان لها تأثير ما ولكن دون جدوى، ولكنه لم يتراجع وأصر على موقفه، اللعب دون شيء آخر.

وبذل فالفيردي قصارى جهده في مباراة الكلاسيكو حتى جاءت لحظة خروجه، ولكن ليس قبل أن تظهر عليه علامات الانزعاج الواضح، حيث أجرى كارفاخال الإحماء المكثف بين الشوطين، بعدما تبين أن الأوروجواياني يعاني من وعكة صحية شديدة.

وفي الدقيقة 60، استلقى فالفيردي على أرض الملعب وطلب المساعدة الطبية، حيث لم يكن يعاني من إصابة، بل الحمى، وخضع كارفاخال للإحماء مجددًا، ولكن زميله قرر استكمال اللقاء حتى تبين أنه لم يعد قادرًا بعد مرور ما يزيد عن 10 دقائق أخرى.

MatériaMais Notícias

A notícia de que Gustavo Gómez poderia estar deixando o Palmeiras ganhou força nesta semana. O Al Nassr-SAU, time de Cristiano Ronaldo, acenou com interesse no zagueiro paraguaio, segundo a imprensa internacional. O Verdão, porém, descarta vender seu capitão e fará os esforços possíveis para mantê-lo.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de Campo‘Abel Ferreira chegou no fim do ciclo com o Palmeiras’, dispara ídolo do São PauloFora de Campo18/07/2023PalmeirasPróximos jogos do Palmeiras: onde assistir ao vivo, datas, horários e calendárioPalmeiras10/10/2023PalmeirasContagem regressiva! Saiba até quando o Palmeiras pode contratar reforços nesta janela de transferênciasPalmeiras18/07/2023

+ Clube de CR7 acena com interesse em Gustavo Gómez, mas Palmeiras descarta vender capitão

Diante os rumores que circulam no mercado da bola, a mãe de Gómez, Gloria Portillo, em entrevista à uma rádio paraguaia, deu a entender que as conversas entre o capitão alviverde e o clube árabe estariam avançadas. Ainda, reiterou o seu desejo de que o zagueiro permaneça no Palmeiras, mas que a mudança para o Oriente Médio seria uma conquista e a realização de um grande sonho do filho.

Apesar da declaração, segundo apuração do Lance!, nada oficial chegou para as partes. Embora não tenha recebido oferta formalizada, o Alviverde sabe que a qualquer momento pode ser abordado por um emissário saudita para saber da situação de Gustavo Gómez. Acontece que o clube pretende negar qualquer proposta pelo ídolo alviverde.

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No mês passado, a presidente Leila Pereira afirmou em entrevista coletiva que não venderá nenhum jogador que ‘prejudique a performance esportiva’ da equipe’. Com isso, o entendimento é que o clube mantém a posição de que não negociará atletas titulares nesta janela de transferências.

– Em hipótese nenhuma vou prejudicar nossa performance esportiva para aumentar receitas do Palmeiras. A gente tem outros meios de se conseguir. Nosso objetivo principal é conquista de títulos e só se consegue isso com elenco forte. Não farei nenhuma venda que atrapalhe nossa performance esportiva – disse Leila.

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+ Contagem regressiva! Saiba até quando o Palmeiras pode contratar reforços nesta janela de transferências

No entanto, se o Al Nassr optar por pagar a multa rescisória (cujo valor não foi revelado), a decisão sobre ir ou não para a Arábia Saudita ficará com o jogador, que provavelmente terá uma proposta salarial bastante acima da realidade brasileira, mesmo que ele esteja entre os mais bem pagos do elenco atual palmeirense. Vale lembrar que o técnico do time saudita é Luis Castro, ex-Botafogo.

Recentemente, o Palmeiras vendeu dois jogadores para o Oriente Médio: Giovani para o Al Sadd, do Qatar, e emprestou Bruno Tabata para o Qatar SC. Nenhum deles, porém, era considerado titular e foram liberados para negociar com os clubes.

Tudo sobre

Al-Nassrgustavo gómezPalmeiras

Newcastle United have emerged from the throes of the summer transfer window with a squad fit for purpose, in spite of all the disruption which has hampered Eddie Howe’s side’s start to the season.

Two points from three opening Premier League matches isn’t good enough, but context is oh-so important, and Howe will be confident and adamant to restore that winning feeling to Tyneside.

However, he and his team will have to do so without the services of Alexander Isak, who has completed his British record transfer to Liverpool on transfer deadline day.

Newcastle have strengthened considerably across the past several months, even if at times it felt that imapctful signings simply wouldn’t find their way into Howe’s brood, and while the late signings of Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade has ensured that Isak can leave without it being to the detriment of squad depth, it rankles all the same.

Why Newcastle sold Isak

The summer transfer window’s most protracted saga is over, and Howe must be relieved that he can now get to work with the players who want to fight for the black-and-white badge.

Isak, 25, had been on strike for the final month of his Newcastle career, looking to force through a move to Liverpool. He got his wish, and United banked a record-breaking fee.

While Isak contributed toward the most successful period in Newcastle’s modern history, his conduct has left a stain on his legacy, with Newcastle’s 37-word confirmation of his sale, opting against expressing gratitude, bleak evidence of that fact.

Still, while Isak’s decision to pack up and leave stings, the Sweden international’s sale has added plenty to the coffers, with PIF redistributing the wealth into a new frontline.

The addition of a Prem-proven striker in Wissa and a potential superstar in Woltemade eases the blow, to be sure, but Howe has overseen another sale in recent memory which was laced with just as much pain.

Only this departee conducted himself far better than the club’s former talisman.

Howe's most painful Newcastle sale

Isak’s sale was freighted with emotion, much of which stemmed from the Tyneside faithful’s disbelief that he would – for want of a better term – throw his toys out of the pram after cementing himself as a legend.

But cement can be chiselled to dust, and Isak is now just another one-time star. However, the same cannot be said for Elliot Anderson, who had to be sold to Nottingham Forest one year ago so that PIF could placate the temper of the Premier League’s PSR rules.

It was July 2024, and Nottingham Forest bagged themselves one of Newcastle’s own for £35m, Anderson having made his senior debut for the Toon in 2021 and gone on to feature 55 times.

Still only 22, he was integral in Forest’s success last year, regularly playing from the outset in the Premier League and impressing with his multi-faceted approach to his play.

Last month, Thomas Tuchel handed Anderson his first England call-up, a testament to his good work.

It’s been a tough pill for the Magpies to swallow, not least because of the knowledge that he would rather ply his craft under the St. James’ Park lights, a boyhood fan and indeed only jumping ship because external forces demanded it.

Anderson’s form since leaving absolutely suggests he could be a major player in Howe’s system, perhaps precluding last week’s £43m signing of Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa, had he stayed.

We are but three fixtures into the 2025/26 campaign, and so metrics drawn from Premier League performances are skewed, but Anderson has started off in fine fettle, all right, marking a continuation from last season’s success in Nuno Espirito Santo’s European-qualifiying team.

Anderson – PL record for Forest

Stats (*per game)

24/25

25/26

Matches (starts)

37 (33)

3 (3)

Goals

2

0

Assists

6

1

Touches*

54.2

105.0

Pass completion

82%

89%

Big chances created

7

1

Key passes*

1.0

1.7

Dribbles*

1.0

1.0

Ball recoveries*

5.6

6.0

Tackles + interceptions*

2.5

4.0

Duels (won)*

6.5

8.7

Data via Sofascore

Whether he can keep it up is another question entirely, but Anderson is certainly showing that he has the making of an elite Premier League midfielder, with Forest fan Adam Wilco remarking to BBC Sport that he has “the world at his feet”.

After all, Anderson ranks among the top 12% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for both assists and tackles, and the top 11% for successful take-ons per 90, data courtesy of FBref, which emphasises that bit more his propensity for complete midfield play.

Newcastle will get over the sale of Isak. They will soon forget that world-class striker who made it his wish to leave Tyneside this summer no matter what.

However, Anderson could find himself pitted against Howe’s side in five years to come, and still the Newcastle crowds would pay respect to an up-and-coming prospect, an academy graduate, who was forced into leaving, understandably so, to stop the threat of financial repercussions.

Of course, there’s every chance that Newcastle will look to re-sign their youngster who flew the nest, but reports stemming from his sale do confirm that a buy-back clause was not inserted when the signatures were scribbled off.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

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Hailed in the past as a “phenomenal” young talent by former teammate Alex Rodman while out on loan with Bristol Rovers, Anderson might not play for Newcastle any longer, but he’s still remembered fondly by the fanbase.

The same can’t be said for all.

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The match was overshadowed by a horrific on-field collision between Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams, which held up play for 20 minutes

Tristan Lavalette03-Jan-2025Sherfane Rutherford hit a boundary off the last ball as Sydney Thunder edged Perth Scorchers in a thrilling BBL match overshadowed by a horrible on-field collision involving Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams.Needing 15 runs off the last over to chase down 178, Rutherford blasted veteran seamer Andrew Tye for three boundaries including a thick inside edge that raced past short fine-leg for the winning runs. He finished 39 not out from 19 balls and had help from debutant Hugh Weibgen, who came on as a concussion substitute.After being sent in on a batting-friendly Optus Stadium, Scorchers were ignited by a second consecutive half-century from opener Finn Allen.But their innings in the 16th over was halted by 20 minutes after Bancroft and Sams collided in the outfield trying to get to a catch. Both players were concussed and sent to hospital, but conscious and talking.The crowd of 46,471 is Scorchers’ highest ever home attendance during the regular season.David Warner goes up, and over, during his 33-ball 49•Getty ImagesWarner stars at the start, Rutherford at the closeWith Bancroft sidelined, Thunder’s hopes largely rested on skipper David Warner, who was fresh off his 86 not out against Melbourne Renegades.He mixed inventiveness and power to help Thunder keep pace. Just before the drinks break, Warner sensed his move against legspinner Matthew Spoors, who was playing in his second BBL game. After reverse-sweeping him for a boundary, Warner was pinned on the pad by a quick delivery from Spoors, who mimics his bowling action on Rashid Khan. The lbw appeal was turned down, but Scorchers reviewed and Warner started to walk off the ground.But ball tracking had the ball clipping the top of the leg stump and the decision stood, and Warner had to scurry back. He seemed intent to cash in before holing out, but Thunder received a lift in the back-end from Rutherford.Weibgen had a tough initiation in his BBL debut but smashed a huge six off quick Jason Behrendorff in the penultimate over to leave Thunder needing 15 runs off the last over.Rutherford stepped up and his winning blow triggered scenes of celebration from Thunder on the sidelines with Warner jumping for joy.Cameron Bancroft left the field with a bloodied nose after the collision•Getty ImagesThe horrific Bancroft-Sams collisionPlay was halted during Scorchers’ innings after Bancroft and Sams clashed heads when they both tried to take an outfield catch to dismiss Cooper Connolly. Sams appeared to be knocked out cold and had to be stretchered off in a mini-ambulance, while Bancroft walked off with his nose bloodied.It was a collision that evoked images of Steve Waugh and Jason Gillespie in Sri Lanka from 1999. Bancroft, who plays for Western Australia in domestic cricket, and Sams received a strong ovation from the fans as they left the field.Having clawed back in the middle overs through spinners Chris Green and Tom Andrews, who combined for four wickets, Thunder were understandably rattled on resumption as Scorchers went big in the death overs.Finn Allen was quick off the blocks and ended with a 31-ball 68•Getty ImagesFinn Allen fires againMuch like last season, Scorchers had endured top-order wobbles and struggled during the powerplay. With consecutive belligerent half-centuries, Allen has provided the necessary spark and Scorchers’ batting-order looks much more imposing.Having scored only ten runs in his first four innings, Allen exploded with 50 off 23 balls against Adelaide Strikers on New Year’s Eve and he carried that form over much to the delight of a heaving crowd.Allen started somewhat cautiously by his standards before smashing Lockie Ferguson into the second tier over square leg in a very high blow that almost sailed parallel to the headlights of the massive ground.He dominated Scorchers’ powerplay of 35 for no loss and continued to strike mighty blows in his favoured area down the ground. He did have some luck after being dropped on 30 by backpedalling wicketkeeper Sam Billings before reaching his half-century in style with a six off Rutherford.Allen’s fireworks were made even more notable with Matt Hurst and Aaron Hardie struggling with their timing.He finally holed out in the 13th over, but Connolly and Nick Hobson once again batted well in tandem with a rapid 67-run partnership to lift Scorchers to a big total.Chris Green got wickets off successive balls in the 13th over•Cricket Australia via Getty ImagesLance Morris ramps up his speedLance Morris is known to be arguably the fastest bowler in Australia. He’s been clocked at speeds over 150kph early in his career, but injuries in recent years have forced him to be careful going full bore.Fit and firing, Morris has been ramping up his speeds, and after a sluggish start to the season – where he had the ignominy of being dropped – he has been a strong performer across Scorchers’ past three matches.Morris was sizzling with the new ball, reaching speeds of close to 150kph, and dismissed opener Blake Nikitaras with his first delivery. He returned to take the big wicket of Warner in the 14th over before finishing with 3 for 22 off his four overs.

Hayley Matthews gave Renegades a flying start to the chase but 21-year-old legspinner Parsons changed the game

AAP30-Oct-2024Brisbane Heat legspinner Grace Parsons starred in just her second WBBL match in a history-making 28-run win over Melbourne Renegades.The 21-year-old snared 3 for 22 in four overs to turn the game after Renegades started fast in pursuit of the Heat’s 169 for 8 at Allan Border Field.The win marked the first time in WBBL history that Heat had started a season with consecutive wins.Related

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Renegades made a blistering start courtesy of West Indies gun Hayley Matthews (35 off 28) before Parsons captured two wickets in her opening over, her first victims in the WBBL.It got better for Parsons when allrounder Deandra Dottin was controversially given out lbw after the ball had deflected off her glove and onto the pad. Dottin called for a review but there was no DRS in this match, although 33 out of 43 WBBL games this season will feature the review system.Renegades fell apart with opener Courtney Webb run out and skipper Sophie Molineux both falling in the 10th over as the visitors slumped to 71 for 5 after being 51 for 0.Heat turned the screws with seamer Shikha Pandey continuing her excellent start to the season to restrict Renegades despite a quickfire 38 from Naomi Stalenberg.Parsons suffered a shoulder injury last year and missed the entire WBBL season after she was Queensland’s leading wicket taker in the WNCL.Such is her talent she recently won Australia A selection against India ahead of what looks set to be a fruitful career.She said learning off former Heat legspinner and New Zealand’s T20 World Cup star Amelia Kerr had helped with her craft.”Learning off Amelia the last three years has been really special because she is the best to do it,” Parsons told AAP. “Our spin bowling coach at the Heat is Cameron Boyce and he is amazing at what he does and it has been really cool to pick his brain.”It was a long countdown to Big Bash but I got here in the end and it was super special to play my debut game at Allan Border Field.”Earlier, experienced Heat duo Georgia Redmayne and Lauren Winfield-Hill added 66 from 46 to set the innings up. Redmayne was savage square of the wicket and pulled her first four boundaries stylishly.Winfield-Hill rotated the strike while punishing anything loose. One stylish reverse sweep rocketed to the fence of spinner Georgia Wareham before the Englishwoman was well caught at mid-wicket.Charli Knott, player of the match against Adelaide Strikers in the season opener, holed out for just one before Dottin drew an edge from Redmayne and the hosts slipped to 86 for 4.Swashbuckling Laura Harris (31 off 16) upped the ante as only she can with a quickfire innings during the power surge that included a cut over point for six.Heat skipper Jess Jonassen finished unbeaten on 25 to get the Heat to a competitive total.

Sunderland are back in the Premier League and look poised to pursue another statement signing that may help their quest for survival, according to a report.

Sunderland in surprise Armand Lauriente U-turn

While the Black Cats’ ability to attract premium talent this summer cannot be faulted, supporters may be surprised at the swift turnaround involving a proposed deal to sign Sassuolo striker Armand Lauriente.

Taking to social media platform X, Fabrizio Romano confirmed Sunderland will no longer sign Lauriente after his move collapsed despite traveling to the North East for a medical.

He stated: “Armand Lauriente’s move to Sunderland has collapsed after player travelled for medical and signature on Saturday. Deal off with Sassuolo winger due to return to Italy.”

Despite a peculiar turn of events on that front, the Black Cats have already closed out six deals in an eventful window, with Habib Diarra, Enzo Le Fee, Simon Adingra, Noah Mandava, Reinildo Mandava and Chemsdine Talbi arriving at the Stadium of Light.

Granit Xhaka could be another high-profile addition at Sunderland and links to players with such pedigree are a major source of encouragement for supporters, though it remains to be seen if he will be willing to give up regularly challenging for the title in Germany.

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Sourcing an imposing centre-back to deal with Premier League strikers is also a priority for Regis Le Bris, so it will come as no surprise to hear that the Wearsiders are sizing up a move for Bologna star Jhon Lucumi.

Plenty of time exists to make sure Sunderland find deals that suit their aims. Either way, they don’t seem to be wasting a moment as another defender has cropped up on their radar.

Sunderland make approach to sign Igor Julio

According to The Mirror, Sunderland have enquired about Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Igor Julio, therefore making an approach for the Brazilian defender who is also subject to interest from other clubs.

Intriguingly, Real Sociedad were in talks over signing the 27-year-old, but their efforts to bring him to La Liga have stalled and offered a window for the Black Cats to swoop in under their noses.

Five similar players to Igor Julio (FBRef)

Kevin Vogt

Bochum

Pierre Kalulu

Juventus

Archie Gray

Tottenham Hotspur

Anthony Jung

Freiburg

Becir Omeragic

Montpellier

Labelled an “animal” by former Seagulls boss Inigo Calderon, Julio struggled for fitness last term and made just 16 appearances across all competitions due to a hamstring problem, which forced him further down the pecking order on the South Coast.

Nevertheless, he did make 42 recoveries on Premier League duty when called upon, illustrating that there is a place for him somewhere in the top-flight.

Sunderland will hope to capitalise on his need for a new challenge, leaving a potential scenario open where £45,000 per week earner Julio could move to the North East to strengthen Le Bris’ backline.

West Bromwich Albion’s Championship season derailed at a worryingly quick pace last campaign.

Heading into Christmas last year, the Baggies were just about holding onto a playoff spot in sixth position, but right after Carlos Corberan’s exit to Valencia was confirmed, West Brom’s promotion push fell off a cliff.

Their woes on the pitch weren’t helped whatsoever by their demoralising striker situation, as the majority of 2025 in the second tier for the Baggies had to be endured without 12-goal menace Josh Maja leading the line owing to injury.

He will be back and raring to go under Ryan Mason’s guidance, but more strength in depth is desperately needed up top just in case Maja suffers from another season-ending setback, with Leyton Orient goalscoring sensation Charlie Kelman now reportedly on the shopping list.

West Brom's ongoing pursuit of Kelman

With Daryl Dike also prone to a long-standing issue in the Hawthorns treatment room, it’s no shock to see West Brom are attempting to be proactive in adding more stars to their often depleted centre-forward department.

Journalist Darren Witcoop first revealed at the tail-end of June that West Brom were keen on adding the Queens Park Rangers outcast to their squad this summer after an explosive loan stint with Richie Wellens’ O’s.

Even though Orient would come up short in their bid to win promotion to the Championship, Kelman would still manage to come out on top as the division’s top goalscorer, with a lethal 26 strikes coming his way in all competitions.

Yet, the 23-year-old has seriously struggled in the second tier previously – with no goals next to his name from 23 appearances in the unforgiving league – meaning other targets might well be sought after by Mason and Co, with one loanee also on the Baggies’ radar potentially even more exciting than the golden boot recipient joining the club.

The "phenomenal" attacker who is more exciting than Kelman

One bonus of having Mason in the dug-out is his connections to the Premier League, with the 33-year-old perhaps able to raid ex-club Tottenham Hotspur for some of their top, young assets.

Will Lankshear is certainly one up-and-coming talent that could tick many of West Brom’s boxes in their search for a deadly, new striker, with reports recently suggesting a move for the 20-year-old to return to the Hawthorns on a loan basis is on the cards.

Of course, there may be some hesitancy on West Brom’s end about diving back in to land the promising striker – considering he netted zero times last season during a brief loan stint – but it’s clear he has more to give away from these struggles, having already bagged a senior strike for Spurs.

Indeed, Lankshear was arguably shoved into the deep-end last campaign at the height of West Brom’s problems on the pitch, with his unbelievable goal record at youth level in North London potentially ready to come to the surface in men’s football now, especially as a familiar face in Mason – who worked closely beside him at Spurs in youth circles – would be by his side.

Games played

61

209

Age

20

23

Goals scored

32

47

Assists

5

11

Staggeringly, despite playing 148 games less than Kelman, the four-time England U20 international is only 15 goals off matching the ex-Orient loanee’s entire career goal tally, albeit from primarily playing Premier League 2 football.

Still, with Kelman only managing a meagre 13 goals from 101 clashes away from his celebrated O’s spell, the “phenomenal” youngster – as he was once labelled by football journalist John Wenham – could well be deemed as the better option.

After all, the QPR reserve attacker would also cost a significant fee to win, which makes the move even riskier when assessing his patchy goalscoring record away from East London.

Whereas, Lankshear would be picked up temporarily, with the 20-year-old no doubt eager to right his earlier West Brom wrongs if he were to join as the Baggies gun for promotion glory.

West Brom can secure perfect Swift replacement by signing "incredible" star

West Bromwich Albion could instantly respond to John Swift leaving the Hawthorns by snapping up this EFL ace.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 2, 2025

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca isn’t resting on his laurels in the transfer market as he attempts to get several deals done swiftly.

Jamie Gittens looks to be closing in on a move to Stamford Bridge. Borussia Dortmund accepted a bid of around £55m for the English talent, and he is set to have his medical soon.

The move for the 20-year-old is certainly a statement of intent by Maresca, but the Blues are also closing in on another attacking player.

Indeed, Joao Pedro looks set to make the move from Brighton and Hove Albion to Chelsea, as the Blues have agreed a deal worth up to £60m for the versatile forward.

Why Chelsea are signing Joao Pedro

Maresca will be looking to move on both Christoper Nkunku and João Felix during the summer transfer window.

As such, bringing in a versatile forward like Pedro makes perfect sense. He may have scored just ten goals in the top flight last season, but his attributes stretch to more than just finding the back of the net.

Indeed, he demonstrated his creative side by registering 11 big chances in the top flight, along with averaging 1.1 key passes and 1.1 successful dribbles per game for Brighton. This certainly proves he’s a particularly dangerous player in the final third.

This is the sort of forward that can thrive in Maresca’s system, no doubt about that. Add someone like Gittens on the wing, and it is a recipe for success.

Goals

10

Assists

6

Big chances created

11

Key passes per game

1.1

Successful dribbles per game

1.1

Shots per game

1.7

The Blues may be paying a premium price for the Brazilian, but they’ve had success when signing a similar player before…

The Chelsea star who's worth more than Pedro

When Chelsea spent £40m to sign Palmer from Manchester City in 2023, plenty of eyebrows were raised.

Not because of the fee, but because Pep Guardiola decided to let a player of such potential leave for so cheap. The Spaniard even lauded the player as having a “special quality” in front of goal after he scored his first Champions League goal for City, aged just 18.

The Stamford Bridge side have witnessed Palmer’s maturation over the previous two seasons, going from a winger to an attacking midfielder and even a false 9, starring in similar positions on the pitch to the incoming Pedro.

Across 94 games in all competitions, the 23-year-old has registered an enormous 68 goal contributions – 40 goals and 28 assists – in just 94 matches.

These statistics have more than repaid the £40m spent on him two years ago, but Palmer shines across other areas also.

When compared to his peers in Europe’s top five leagues, the former City starlet ranks in the top 12% for progressive passes (6.04) per 90, while also ranking in the top 10% for total shots (3.41) and in the top 5% for shot-creating actions (5.7) per 90.

This set of figures proves that Palmer is one of the finest attacking midfielders on the continent, which is evidenced by his market value.

According to Transfermarkt, the youngster is now valued at a whopping €120m (£102m), which is an incredible rise from the £40m they paid in 2023.

Not only that, but he is worth way more than Pedro, suggesting the Blues have struck gold by bringing Palmer to London.

He'd be unplayable with Pedro: Chelsea also trying to sign £85m PL star

Chelsea are looking to sign a Premier League winger

1 ByRoss Kilvington Jun 30, 2025

Afghanistan boosted their Super Eight chances with yet another dominating win, this time thumping New Zealand by 84 runs in Providence. Having beaten Uganda by 125 runs in their opening match, they are now at the top of Group C with a net run rate of 5.225.After being sent in, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran gave Afghanistan a start of 103 in 14.3 overs. It came off the back of the 154 the pair added against Uganda, thus making them the first opening pair to register two successive century stands in the history of the T20 World Cup.Afghanistan’s was an innings of two halves. They scored 55 for no loss in the first ten overs and 104 for 6 in the last ten, with Gurbaz contributing 80 off 56 balls. New Zealand, who had decided not to play any warm-up games, looked every bit rusty as their fielders dropped catches and missed run-out opportunities.With the pitch assisting both seamers and spinners, chasing 160 was not going to be easy. But few would have expected New Zealand to collapse in the manner they did.Related

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Fazalhaq Farooqi picked up three wickets in the powerplay and Rashid Khan three just after it. Eventually, both ended with identical figures of 4 for 17 as New Zealand were bowled out for 75 in the 15.2 overs. Glenn Phillips and Matt Henry were the only New Zealand batters to reach the double digits.

Afghanistan’s shaky start

Trent Boult found some swing in the opening over but Gurbaz and Ibrahim showed their intent by picking up three fours off Henry from the other end.Both batters had luck on their side, too. Gurbaz got a second life when he skipped down the track to Santner and missed the ball, which went on to brush the leg stump but the bails did not budge. In the following over, Finn Allen dropped Ibrahim off Henry at the deep-square-leg boundary.That was not all. Gurbaz got another reprieve after being involved in a miscommunication with Ibrahim. Having taken off for a single, Gurbaz had to retrace his steps and would have been run out had Conway not fumbled the throw.Two balls later, New Zealand finally seemed to have found success when Santner pinged Ibrahim’s pads and umpire Kumar Dharmasena ruled it lbw. But the batter got the decision overturned on review as the ball was heading down the leg side. Immediately after that, Ibrahim hit Santner for an inside-out four as Afghanistan ended the powerplay on 44 for no loss.

Bracewell, Ferguson put the brakes on

New Zealand went against the prevailing wisdom of not bowling an offspinner when two right-hand batters at the crease, and Michael Bracewell repaid that faith by conceding only six off his first two overs.Lockie Ferguson was even more frugal, going for five in his first two. He could have had Ibrahim off a slower full toss but a leaping Kane Williamson failed to pull off a one-handed stunner at mid-off. That meant while Afghanistan remained unscathed, they had only 55 on the board after ten overs.

The acceleration

Afghanistan had not hit a single six in the first ten overs, but there were five in the next three, including three in one Bracewell over as Gurbaz and Bracewell stepped on the accelerator. The pair took the side past 100 in the 14th over. New Zealand finally broke through when Ibrahim bottom-edged a short ball from Henry onto his stumps, after having been hit on the grille on the previous delivery.Promoted to No. 3, Azmatullah Omarzai played his part with 22 off 13, which included two sixes in three balls off Henry. Mohammad Nabi fell for a first-ball duck but Gurbaz kept finding the boundary at regular intervals. However, a three-wicket, three-run final over by Boult kept Afghanistan to 159.Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored his second fifty in as many games•ICC/Getty Images

Farooqi rocks New Zealand early

Farooqi gave Afghanistan a dream start with the ball. With the very first delivery of the innings, he uprooted Finn Allen’s leg stump as the ball moved in late. In the seamer’s next over, Conway pushed at one that seemed to come slower off the surface and was caught at extra cover.The decision to give Farooqi a third over in the powerplay brought further rewards. This time, bowling around the wicket to Daryl Mitchell, he got a length delivery to just straighten and take the outside edge. Gurbaz took a regulation catch to complete the dismissal and leave New Zealand 28 for 3.It could have been worse for New Zealand. In between, Naveen-ul-Haq had rapped Kane Williamson’s front pad after the batter had moved across to play a delivery. Afghanistan sent it upstairs for an lbw review but the umpire’s call saved the New Zealand captain.

Rashid joins the party

Afghanistan did not have to wait too long for Williamson’s wicket. Rashid brought himself on after the powerplay and struck straightaway as Williamson guided one to first slip. But Rashid was just warming up. In his next over, he dismissed Mark Chapman and Bracewell off successive deliveries to leave New Zealand on 43 for 6. Chapman went for a pull and got bowled; Bracewell was late to bring his bat down and was lbw.Phillips was New Zealand’s last hope. He did hit a couple of boundaries but was soon caught at long-on when he tried to take on Nabi. That ended any hopes of revival New Zealand might have had.