Manchester United now hold the strongest interest in a “sensational” goalkeeper target, having already made contact to discuss a deal, according to a report.
Man Utd looking to replace Andre Onana
It was yet another difficult campaign for Andre Onana at Old Trafford, with former United man Nemanja Matic particularly critical of the goalkeeper prior to the Europa League quarter-final clash against Lyon.
Of course, Ruben Amorim’s side went on to progress past the French club, but after losing the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur last month, it appears as though the manager has now set out to replace his goalkeeper.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that Man United are well-placed to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez as a replacement for Onana, and there has since been a further update on their pursuit of the Argentina international.
According to a report from TyC Sports (via Sport Witness), United now hold the strongest interest in Martinez, having made contact to discuss a potential move several months ago, before ultimately deciding to stick with Onana.
Barcelona have also expressed an interest in the Villa shot-stopper, but the La Liga champions now appear to be going for Joan Garcia, which could open the door for a move to Old Trafford.
A deal could be on the expensive side, with the report revealing Unai Emery’s side are set to hold out for a large fee, although it is unclear how much they would be looking to receive.
"Sensational" Martinez could be huge Onana upgrade
Onana would’ve been hoping that a good showing in the Europa League final would give him a shot at redemption, but he ultimately put in a disappointing display, and it is clear that Amorim must bring in an upgrade this summer.
There are signs the Argentine could fit the bill, having outperformed the Cameroonian across a number of key metrics for goalkeepers per 90 minutes over the past year.
Statistic
Emiliano Martinez
Andre Onana
Goals against
1.20
1.32
Save %
72.1%
68.9%
Clean sheet %
28.3%
23.4%
Crosses stopped %
11.3%
5.5%
Jamie Smith has lauded the 32-year-old as “sensational” in the past, and he won the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award in both 2022 and 2024, once again indicating that he would be a real improvement on Onana between the sticks.
Man Utd hold secret talks to swap Sancho for "generational" £75m PL forward
The Red Devils have held discussions over a swap deal involving Jadon Sancho…
By
Dominic Lund
Jun 4, 2025
It remains to be seen whether the £150k-a-week goalkeeper would be interested in a move to Old Trafford, without European football of any description on offer, but he would be a real statement signing for Man United this summer.
Tom Bailey, Will Williams wrap up Kent resistance to give Lancashire a lift in relegation fight
ECB Reporters Network26-Jun-2024Lancashire have routed Kent by an innings and 83 runs in their Vitality County Championship showdown at Canterbury.The visitors bowled Kent out for 222 in their second innings, Will Williams taking three for 26 and Tom Bailey three for 36. Charlie Stobo hit his highest first-class score of 64 but the hosts were all out after 30.2 overs on day four.The result, against the only side who were below them in Division One before this round of fixtures, drastically increases Lancashire’s chances of avoiding the drop, while Kent remain anchored to the foot of the table.It was an outcome that had looked almost inevitable ever since Kent lost a cluster of wickets midway through day one. The hosts were a shadow of the side who won convincingly at Old Trafford earlier this season, with six of the players who pulled off what remains their only red ball win of the season injured or unavailable.They resumed on 143 for six and with a deficit of 162 not many observers were expecting them to take the game deep into the fourth day.Beyers Swanepoel, batting with Tawanda Muyeye as his runner, was the first man to fall, cutting Bailey to Jack Blatherwick for 26 in the fourth over of the morning, but Stobo and Matt Parkinson responded with an obdurate stand that took out 18.3 overs.The sparse crowd meant the on-field chatter was amplified, especially, it seemed, when George Balderson bowled. During one over Lancashire’s fielders shouted: “Go on Baldie!” or variations thereof, a staggering 37 times, including 10 after a single delivery. No other bowler received this level of encouragement: Nathan Lyon’s next over was greeted with near silence.The partnership broke when Parkinson, who’d joked on Tuesday night that he planned to block for 96 overs, abandoned his previous discipline. He tried an ill-advised pull shot against Lyon and although that was spilled by Bailey at backward square leg, he was out to the next ball he faced.Stobo brought up his second first-class fifty in the next over when he drove Luke Wells for four, but after taking a single Parkinson was left with the strike and Wells pinned him lbw for seven.Wells then had George Garrett caught at first slip by Keaton Jennings at first slip for five and the victory was sealed when Williams used the new ball to send Stobo’s off stump cartwheeling.
They were originally booked at a hotel 90 minutes from the cricket ground in New York
ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jun-2024Pakistan have made a change to their accommodation in New York, switching to a hotel closer to the cricket ground in Nassau County, where they will play two T20 World Cup group games on June 9 and June 11.Pakistan were originally booked to stay at a hotel about an hour and a half away from the venue. ESPNcricinfo understands the PCB took exception to the arrangement and arranged for the team to move to a hotel in Long Island, about a ten-minute drive from Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.Pakistan arrive in New York from Dallas on June 7 and play India at the venue two days later. The Indian team has been accommodated at a hotel about ten minutes from the ground, and have been in New York for more than a week, having played their warm-up match against Bangladesh and their first group game against Ireland at the venue.Generally at World Cups, hotel bookings are handled by the ICC working with the Local Organising Committee (LOC), a body that includes the host board. It is rare for teams to change hotels but given Sri Lanka’s experience during their stay in New York, arrangements have come under scrutiny.Sri Lanka were staying in Brooklyn ahead of their game against South Africa, 90 minutes from the ground. The logistical complications resulted in them cancelling their training session on the eve of the game to prevent fatigue. Ahead of their morning match, Sri Lanka were forced to start their day at 7am and ultimately succumbed to a heavy defeat against South Africa. Bowler Maheesh Theekshana called the scheduling and logistics “unfair” and Sri Lanka’s manager Mahinda Halangoda told ESPNcricinfo they had lodged an official complaint about their travel arrangements in this tournament.The PCB decided not to wait and raised concerns about their hotel being too far from the ground, insisting on a change in accommodation. The ICC eventually acquiesced to the request. Pakistan play India on Sunday 9 June, and Canada two days later in New York.
Tottenham Hotspur are back in the Champions League next season and riding high off their Europa League triumph in Bilbao last month, with new head coach Thomas Frank now preparing to build upon their fantastic end to 2024/2025.
The Dane is tasked with picking up where Ange Postecoglou left off, and he stands to inherit an awkward dressing room atmosphere considering just how popular his predecessor was with the Spurs squad.
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James Maddison, Pedro Porro, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray were among the players who spoke out in support of Postecoglou, but that wasn’t enough to convince chairman Daniel Levy not to part ways with the 59-year-old who ended their 17-year wait for a major trophy.
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
The Lilywhites cited their torrid domestic form as the main reason behind Postecoglou’s dismissal, and it is hard to argue with a record-breaking 22 Premier League defeats which handed them a lowly 17th-placed finish in the table.
Frank must now win over the members of his new team in quick fashion, and it is very likely that the former Brentford favourite will bring in new players of his own.
Right now, Spurs are being repeatedly linked with a vast array of wingers, including the likes of West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, Man City star Jack Grealish, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, Southampton’s Tyler Dibling and Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.
Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo places his penalty.
However, while the signing of another wide forward could be imperative, especially given Son Heung-min’s potential exit to Saudi Arabia, it is also believed that the north Londoners are keen to strengthen at centre-half again.
Tottenham were seriously hamstrung by repeated injuries to their backline last term, with Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, Kevin Danso and Cristian Romero all sidelined for extended periods, which even required teenage midfielder Gray to provide cover at one point.
The 19-year-old filled in excellently, and you’d think the arrival of Danso in January would negate the need for another body in that area. However, Romero could well leave Spurs for Atletico Madrid, so Frank would need a replacement for the Argentine.
Tottenham preparing bid for Parma defender Giovanni Leoni
As per CaughtOffside, towering Parma defender Giovanni Leoni is now on their radar as a possible new defensive addition.
Napoli's Romelu Lukaku in action with Parma's GiovanniLeoni
The Italian has been called a “rising star” by sources within the industry, as quoted by this report, and the young 6-foot-5 colossus is a man in demand. Antonio Conte’s Serie A champions Napoli, Inter Milan and AC Milan are all expressing Serie A interest, while Bournemouth and Wolves are believed to be keen on tempting Leoni with a move to England.
Tottenham are even understood to be preparing a £21m bid for Leoni, but this won’t be enough as Parma demand closer to £30 million at least. The teenager was a regular in the top flight last season, and Parma are aware that they have a real talent on their hands, even if the right offer could put them under some pressure to sell.
Serie A has been a fruitful pool of talent for Levy in recent years, so this could be one to watch over the coming weeks, if Spurs decide to go in with a bigger bid.
Winger Manor Solomon is a player who has captured the hearts of the Leeds United fanbase, impressing during his loan stint at the club during the title-winning campaign.
The Israeli international joined the Whites on a season-long loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur, looking to get his career back on track and fire Daniel Farke’s side back to the Premier League.
It’s safe to say that the 25-year-old has done exactly that, registering 10 goals and 13 assists across all competitions, leading to calls for him to be signed on a permanent basis.
With the transfer window now open once again, the club have the opportunity to complete such a deal, but up to now, there has been no progress, with it remaining unclear whether he will return to Yorkshire.
As a result, other forwards have since emerged on their radar as the German looks to build a side capable of surviving the drop come the end of May 2026.
The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new attackers this summer
In recent days, striker Davie Selke has emerged as a potential option for Leeds this summer, with a report claiming that they’ve already held talks with his representatives over a move to Yorkshire.
The 30-year-old has been in splendid form throughout 2024/25, scoring 22 times in his 31 appearances – the most in the Bundesliga 2 and helping Hamburg secure a return to the top-flight.
Hamburger SV's DavieSelkescores their third goal
However, another name has entered the mix in recent days, with Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao a summer target, that’s according to Dutch outlet FR12.
The report claims that the Whites have made an enquiry to sign the 24-year-old star, who’s registered 32 combined goals and assists across all competitions this campaign.
It also states that Marseille and Brighton and Hove Albion have made moves for the Brazilian, who could be available for a fee in the region of £34m this summer.
Why Leeds’ £34m target could be Farke’s own Sinisterra
Colombian winger Luis Sinisterra was seen as a huge addition back in the summer of 2022, joining Leeds in a £21.4m deal – looking to add key depth to their frontline.
The 25-year-old only made 19 appearances during his first season at Elland Road, but managed to find the net on five occasions, with injuries plaguing his progress after his big-money move.
After the side suffered relegation back to the Championship, he would leave to join Bournemouth on loan, before making his move permanent last summer in a £20m deal.
It was a partially successful deal, which only saw them lose £1.4m on their investment, in a move that was ultimately cut short due to the club’s slide down the football pyramid.
However, they could repeat such a deal this summer with Paixao, potentially joining Farke’s side from Dutch outfit Feyenoord – just as Sinisterra did three years ago.
When delving into the Brazilian’s underlying stats from 2024/25, he’s managed to outperform Solomon in numerous key areas, allowing the manager to forget about a dream reunion this summer.
Paixao, who’s been labelled “exquisite” by talent scout Antionio Mango, has registered more goals and assists, whilst posting a higher shot on target rate – subsequently showcasing his clinical edge in attacking areas.
Games played
34
39
Goals & assists
26
22
Shot-on-target accuracy
45%
40%
Shots on target per game
1.4
0.8
Carries into final third
2.4
2.3
Passes into final third
1.8
1.4
Aerials won
41%
0%
He’s also completed more carries into the final third and made more passes into the opposition area, having the tools to aid the likes of Piroe in being a success in England’s top flight.
The 24-year-old has also won more aerial duels, offering Farke a top-level all-round option in attacking areas – something which will be vital if they are to secure survival.
£34m may seem a huge fee for a player who’s unproven in the Premier League, but his talent is there for all to see, undoubtedly providing a better option than Solomon next season.
A move for Paixao is certainly a risk worth taking this summer, but the hierarchy will have to work quickly to avoid missing out on his signature, given the interest from elsewhere.
A better signing than Phillips: Leeds eye move for "phenomenal" £10m star
Leeds United should prioritise this phenomenal signing over attempting to bring back Kalvin Phillips to Elland Road.
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.
Recent history suggests that Leeds United are going to find it incredibly difficult to avoid an instant relegation from the Premier League next season.
The last six teams to have been promoted from the Championship have been relegated in their first season back in the top-flight in the last two campaigns, including Southampton, Leicester, Ipswich, Burnley, Sheffield United, and Luton.
This illustrates the huge gap in quality between the two divisions and shows that the Whites will not find the step up easy, despite their 100-point haul in the second tier.
Daniel Farke, of course, already has experience of how difficult it can be, as his Norwich City side were relegated in the 2019/20 campaign, after they had won the Championship title the previous season.
However, his Canaries team went up alongside Aston Villa and Sheffield United, and both of those teams avoided the drop in their first year back in the Premier League.
There were many reasons that those sides stayed up and Farke’s Norwich outfit did not, but a key player in Villa’s success since their promotion has been all-action midfielder John McGinn.
Why Leeds United need a player like John McGinn
Without meaning to state the obvious, the Premier League is an incredibly high-quality division that requires a high level of both technical quality and athleticism in order for players and teams to shine.
It is not enough to just be technically sound, if you do not have the athleticism to match it, and it is not enough to just have physical qualities, as you need to be technically good enough to compete.
McGinn has been a key player for Villa since earning promotion with the club in 2019 because he has the physical and technical qualities required to be a star in the middle of the park, racking up 203 appearances in the Premier League to date.
The Scotland international has provided a threat at the top end of the pitch for the Villans, with a return of 17 goals and 25 assists in those 203 outings, which shows that he can make a decent impact in the final third from a central midfield position.
McGinn can also compete out of possession with his peers in the top-flight. In the 2024/25 campaign, for example, he averaged 1.5 tackles and interceptions per game and won 4.1 duels per match in midfield.
Leeds need their own version of the Scottish star because they need players who can compete technically and physically in the Premier League, and they are reportedly eyeing a gem who could be Farke’s own version of the Villa ace.
Leeds in talks to sign Ligue 1 star
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Leeds United are in talks to sign Strasbourg central midfielder Habib Diarra to bolster their options in the middle of the park.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the Italian reporter stated: “They are in negotiations for the player. He’s really appreciated.
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“Diarra is one of the most appreciated options internally, but it’s not an easy deal because of the valuation, so it’s still complicated to make it happen. But Leeds are trying.”
It was previously reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post that the Championship champions have already had an offer of £22m rejected by the French side for the midfielder, and it remains to be seen exactly how much it will take to secure his signature this summer.
Senegal's Habib Diarra in action against England's Eberechi Eze.
Leeds are in talks, per Romano’s latest update, though, and they will now be hoping to strike an agreement with Strasbourg in the weeks to come.
Why Leeds should sign Habib Diarra
The Whites should be pushing to get a deal over the line for the 21-year-old central midfielder because he has the potential to be Farke’s own version of John McGinn.
Per FBref, the Aston Villa star is the most comparable player to Diarra in the Men’s Big 5 Leagues and European competitions out of all attacking midfielders, based on their respective statistics over the past 365 days.
As you can see in the chart above, McGinn and Diarra excel in similar areas of the game, particularly in possession, and this means that the Senegal international could come in and have a similar impact at Elland Road as the Scottish dynamo has had at Villa Park.
The Leeds target has been a regular for Strasbourg in Ligue 1 in recent seasons, which means that he has already proven himself in one of Europe’s major leagues. Whereas, the likes of Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, and Ao Tanaka have all yet to establish themselves as top-flight players.
Diarra, who scored against England for Senegal in June, caught the eye with his impressive performances in and out of possession in the French top-flight in the 2024/25 campaign.
Appearances
30
xG
3.34
Goals
4
xA
4.27
Assists
5
Recoveries per 90
3.44
Duels won per 90
3.78
Tackle success rate
59%
As you can see in the table above, the right-footed dynamo has similar attributes to McGinn in the middle of the park, as he can deliver goals and assists whilst also winning duels and being efficient as a tackler.
The 21-year-old star, who was described as a “complete” midfielder by analyst Ben Mattinson, can combine solid defensive work off the ball with the potential to be a difference-maker in the final third with his quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
Senegal's Ismaila Sarr celebrates withHabibDiarraand Cherif Ndiaye after scoring their first goal
Diarra could, therefore, be Farke’s own version of McGinn at Elland Road, and be a Premier League-ready talent for the Whites to put in their starting XI on day one in August.
As aforementioned, Leeds need players who can combine physical and technical qualities if they want to avoid an instant relegation, and signing the Strasbourg star would mean that they have one more of them in the door.
Leeds open talks with agent of "talented" Champions League level star
Manchester United’s side is one that has massively struggled over recent seasons, struggling to match the levels that were produced during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign.
The Red Devils have now gone 12 whole seasons without a Premier League triumph, with current boss Ruben Amorim the latest to try his luck at Old Trafford.
However, so far, the 40-year-old has been unable to transform the situation, achieving a 40% win rate in his 42 games in the role, leading to a 15th-place league finish this season.
Leeway should be handed his way, however, only having the January transfer window earlier this year to make the additions he wanted to help him in his quest at the club.
However, this summer is a huge period in his stint in charge at the Theatre of Dreams, needing to find the right players for his system if he is to be a success in the role.
The latest on United’s hunt for new additions
Viktor Gyokeres is a player who has been firmly on their radar over the last couple of years, but United now appear to be in pole position for his signature after the latest update on his future.
Warren Zaire-Emery is another surprise name on the club’s shortlist, after the hierarchy made an enquiry to sign the PSG youngster, who’s currently valued at £85m.
However, a new name has entered the mix over the last couple of days, with Borussia Dortmund’s midfield star Felix Nmecha on their radar, according to one Spanish outlet.
They claim that the Red Devils are preparing an offer to land the 24-year-old this summer, with a £28m price tag mooted for his signature in the coming months.
It also states that the former Manchester City academy star could have his head turned by the Red Devils ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, but that the Bundesliga side have no intention of offloading him.
Why United’s £28m target would be perfect for Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo has been a name on the lips of all supporters over the last couple of weeks, understandably so given the keen interest in his signature.
The 25-year-old has been a player who’s thrived in the division over recent years, but he produced his best-ever campaign last time around, scoring 20 times in the Premier League for Brentford.
However, a deal hasn’t been easy up until now, with the Red Devils having two separate offers rejected, the latest being a fee in the region of £60m.
A deal should be completed smoothly if a fee is agreed, after the Cameroonian international has agreed personal terms with Amorim’s side over a move to Old Trafford.
He could be boosted in his chances of success should Nmecha move to the club, as the German possesses a lot of qualities that would aid the forward in attacking areas.
Borussia Dortmund's FelixNmechaleaves the pitch
When delving into his stats from this campaign, he’s thrived in numerous key areas, making him the perfect box-to-box option within Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.
Nmecha, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by former boss Nuri Şahin, has registered an 88% pass accuracy along with 5.1 progressive passes per 90 – subsequently showing why he’d be perfect for Mbeumo and having the tools to provide him with the opportunities needed.
Felix Nmecha’s stats for Dortmund in the Bundesliga (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
26
Goals & assists
5
Pass accuracy
88%
Progressive passes
5.1
Passes into final third
5.4
Progressive carries
1.3
Take-ons completed
65%
Tackles won
1.3
Interceptions made
1.4
Aerials won
1.4
Stats via FBref
He’s also completed 65% of the take-ons he’s attempted, whilst also registering 1.3 progressive carries per 90, further demonstrating his desire to take the ball into forward areas.
The German has also starred without the ball, winning 1.3 tackles per 90 and 1.4 interceptions per 90, making him the perfect ball-winning option in the middle of the park.
£28m for a player of Nmecha’s calibre could prove to be one of the bargain additions of the summer, offering Amorim a new dimension to his midfield and taking the side to new heights.
If he can excel without the ball and provide Mbeumo with added chances in front of goal, it would be a sensational signing and one that could push them back up the table in 2025/26.
Bruno will make him world-class: Man Utd hold talks for "phenomenal" star
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England suffer a 68-run loss in Guyana as India avenge 2022 defeat, also at the semi-final stage
ESPNcricinfo staff27-Jun-2024
Jos Buttler looks on from the dugout as England’s title defence goes up in smoke•ICC/Getty Images
Jos Buttler, England’s captain, admitted his team had been comprehensively outplayed in their 68-run defeat to India in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final in Guyana, but insisted his decision to bowl first after winning the toss had not been a significant factor in the result.After handing over first use of a spin-friendly surface that was liable to get slower and lower as the day went by, Buttler conceded that India’s total of 171 for 7 – thanks to 57 from 39 balls from his counterpart Rohit Sharma, ably backed up by Suryakumar Yadav’s 47 from 36 – was “20-25 runs too many”.In reply, England were rattled out for 103 in exactly 100 deliveries, with Axar Patel striking the key blow with his first ball of the match, in the fourth over of the powerplay, as Buttler top-edged a reverse-sweep to the keeper to depart for 23 from 15.Related
Manjrekar: India had a 'clear advantage' in knowing their semi-final venue in advance
Rohit, Axar and Kuldeep lead India's dismantling of England in semi-final
Thereafter, Axar struck with the first ball of each of his next two overs to remove Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali on his way to Player-of-the-Match-winning figures of 3 for 23, before Kuldeep Yadav’s left-arm wristspin ripped through an exposed middle-order to finish with 3 for 19.”They certainly outplayed us,” Buttler said at the post-match presentation. “I think maybe we let them get 20-25 runs too many. That was a challenging surface that they played well on. But they outplayed us and fully deserved the win.”Morning rain delayed the start of play by more than an hour, and returned to cause a further lengthy interlude midway through India’s innings, and England opted to stick to the same seam-heavy line-up that had carried them through the Super Eight, with Reece Topley and Chris Jordan both retained ahead of an extra spinner in Tom Hartley, as well as Ben Duckett’s prowess against the turning ball.In the final analysis, however, it was England’s chosen spinners, Liam Livingstone and Adil Rashid who proved the most potent weapons, as they conceded a combined total of 49 runs in their eight overs (6.13 rpo), compared to 12 overs for 120 (10 rpo) from the four quicks.Moeen Ali, however, was overlooked, possibly as a consequence of the damp conditions early in India’s innings. Not only did Buttler admit he had erred in ignoring Moeen, he also admitted that the eventual impact of Rashid and Livingstone had caused him to fear what India’s potent spin attack could achieve on the same surface.”Obviously, they’ve got some fantastic spinners,” Buttler said. “Our two guys bowled well, but in hindsight, I should have brought Moeen [on] in that innings, with the way that the spin was playing.”Obviously with the rain around in those conditions, I probably didn’t think it was going to change that much,” he added. “And I actually don’t think it really did. I thought they out-bowled us. They had an above-par score. So I don’t think necessarily the toss was the difference between the teams.”The result was every bit as comprehensive as England’s ten-wicket victory had been at the same stage of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Adelaide, after which Buttler’s men went on to become the first men’s team to hold both 50- and 20-over world titles at the same time.1:33
Dasgupta: Axar a standout performer from game one
Both those trophies have now been prised from England’s grasp, and while a semi-final exit is a significantly better defence than the team managed in the 50-over World Cup last year, England still exit the tournament after losing three of their four matches against major opponents.Their early loss to Australia left them needing favours to progress from the group stage, while their narrow defeat to South Africa in St Lucia condemned them to the tougher semi-final draw, where India were waiting to avenge that Adelaide result with what Rohit pointedly described as a “satisfying” performance.”Two years on, in different conditions, it’s very different,” Buttler said, when asked to reflect on his team’s changed fortunes. “Credit to India, they played a really good game of cricket and they deserve the win.”With everything that’s happened throughout the whole tournament, we’re really proud of everyone’s efforts to be here,” he added, recalling their fraught progression from Group 2, when only a late break in the clouds in Antigua had allowed them to take the field in a must-win match against Namibia.”You can only play who’s put in front of you. We’ve had lots of adversity throughout the competition. We’ve stuck together well as a group, and played some really good cricket in patches but came up short when we needed it most.”
For so many years, winning the Premier League was the great white whale for Liverpool, elusive and unattainable, always falling short in the race for England’s biggest prize.
Then Jurgen Klopp came along, and everything changed. The German restored Anfield to its former standing as a global superpower. Now he’s gone, and Liverpool are champions once again.
Jurgen Klopp lifts the Champions League
Arne Slot has proved the perfect successor, and he did it all without any proper first-team investment. That owes largely to Klopp’s midfield rebuild, and indeed his work with Michael Edwards and co over so many years, piecing together lasting stars who will continue to shine through the 2025/26 campaign.
But now, the signings are flowing through in cascades, with a deal wrapped up for Bayer Leverkusen right-sider Jeremie Frimpong and an agreement finally reached for his teammate, Florian Wirtz, who will become the most expensive player in British history.
It’s a lot of money for a 22-year-old playmaker, so how exactly is Wirtz going to improve Liverpool?
Why Liverpool have signed Wirtz
Liverpool have broken the bank to sign Wirtz, but sometimes, securing such a marquee deal is worth it. Having won the Premier League last season, the Reds are now consolidating their position at the top.
And Wirtz, having conquered his homeland, is ready to make the move to English football, where he could take Kevin De Bruyne’s vacated spot as the country’s foremost number ten.
Florian Wirtz
As per FBref, the playmaker ranked among the top 2% of positional peers in the Bundesliga last year for assists, the top 6% for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for passes attempted and the top 5% for both progressive passes and progressive carries per 90.
Where Dominik Szoboszlai is industrious, Wirtz is incisive and influential to a different degree. Former Werkself striker Patrick Helmes has even gone as far as to say he’s “probably the best midfielder in the world.”
With Trent Alexander-Arnold gone, Liverpool will need to find new ways to maintain their peerless creativity; sparking chance after chance has been the foundation of their success in the Premier League across these recent successful years.
Premier League – Most Big Chances Created
Season
Team
BCC
24/25
Liverpool
112
23/24
Liverpool
102
22/23
Liverpool & Man City
103
21/22
Liverpool
97
20/21
Liverpool
82
Data via Premier League
Curious that Trent created fewer big chances (15) than across any of Liverpool’s past four top-flight campaigns. Wirtz will fix all that, and if FSG secure a talented new striker, Liverpool may just reach a whole ‘nother level.
Liverpool interested in signing LaLiga striker
As per Diego Simeone, Liverpool are among the clubs interested in signing Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez this summer.
Transfer Focus
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The renowned manager was responding to a journalist’s comments on Atletico’s striker being one of the hottest commodities on the market, and Simeone said he was flattered, name-checking Arsenal, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain too.
Simeone stated: “Every club wants to sign Julián Álvarez. It’s logical. I can’t imagine it any other way. Of course every top club wants him—Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, Liverpool… all of them. And for us, for Atlético fans, it should be a point of pride that everyone wants him. Why? Because he’s ours. And since he’s ours, we need to protect him. We have to make sure he feels happy. And how will he feel happy? By winning. And to get there, we all need to give 110%.”
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez
The 25-year-old Alvarez has only been in the Spanish capital for a year, but he’s enjoyed a world-class campaign and boasts dynamic attacking properties that suggest he’d be tailor-made for Slot’s system.
However, Los Colchoneros would reportedly be seeking a figure as high as €170m (£142m) to part with their star man.
What Julian Alvarez would bring to Liverpool
Alvarez enjoyed his time at Manchester City, posting 55 goal contributions across 103 matches before earning Simeone’s attention. Atletico would then sign the silky forward for £81.5m.
This sparked derision from some, but Alvarez has since proved the doubters wrong, scoring 29 goals and supplying seven assists across 54 matches in all competitions.
He’s settled into his throne as the free-scoring frontman, but he’s far more than just a goalscorer, ranked among the top 4% of strikers across Europe last season for passes attempted, shot-creating actions and progressive carries, the top 8% for progressive passes and the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90, according to FBref.
You can only imagine how he would perform in Slot’s Liverpool system, with Wirtz pulling the strings behind him. Journalist Roy Nemer actually hailed Alvarez as “the best striker in the world” for his performances across the past year, not just striking true but working hard to outfox defenders and create space for teammates.
Moreover, he’s demonstrated a propensity to do it on the biggest stage, scoring a stunning goal against Real Madrid in Atletico’s controversial Champions League quarter-final defeat in March.
Considering Alvarez has a wealth of trophy-laden Premier League experience in Pep Guardiola’s system, Liverpool might just find themselves hitting even loftier targets next year,
As per Sofascore, the Argentina superstar only missed seven big chances across the 2024/25 La Liga campaign, converting 17 strikes. Given that he created 11 big chances and averaged 34.9 touches per game too (which is high for a centre-forward), Alvarez’s dynamic approach has been underscored.
Truly, he’s one of the deadliest and most multi-faceted forwards on the market, with exceptional off-the-ball movement that Slot could use to an emphatic effect, with Wirtz and Mohamed Salah making things happen around him.
Liverpool’s new playmaker created 17 big chances in the Bundesliga last season after winning the division’s Player of the Season award one year prior. Clearly, he’s got the world at his feet, and Alvarez would be the grateful recipient of his production if signed by Liverpool this summer.
Whether Liverpool have the financial means to bring Alvarez back to England remains to be seen. Certainly, FSG won’t green-light a deal in the ballpark of £142m.
However, if something more agreeable can be found, Liverpool have got to pounce on this one, for he would be the perfect fit for Slot’s set-up.
A right-footed Salah: £80m winger is now Liverpool's top target after Wirtz
Liverpool will need to sign a new left-sided forward should Luis Diaz be sold.