Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has recommended a highly-rated attacker to the Lilywhites hierarchy, and he could come in to replace a forward who’s not in the Dane’s long-term plans.

Related Frank holds Tottenham talks over signing £300k-p/w ace who's open to joining

The Spurs boss has been discussing him with Lilywhites hierarchy.

Posts 1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 18, 2025

Spurs have many incomings and outgoings to address over the coming months, as chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange reshape the squad to best prepare Frank for his first ever campaign as a Champions League manager.

Manor Solomon and Bryan Gil are almost certain to be leaving N17 this summer, having just spent 2024/2025 on loan at Leeds United and Girona respectively, with the latter confirming his intention to leave in a recent interview.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025

Average match rating

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

“That’s something my agent will tell me where things are going, but they [Spurs] told me, and I told them, that the best thing is for us not to continue being linked to Tottenham,” Gil told Estadio Deportivo in April.

“They bet on me when I was young, and they’ve treated me fairly well, but if I have to go back there, I’ll focus on giving my best as always. I’m calm because no one can have a bad word to say about me not being professional. Without playing, I’ve always trained well, I’ve done what I had to do, so whatever has to happen, will happen. We’ll see where we are next year.”

Solomon’s sale would count as pure profit in the eyes of PSR, considering he signed as a free agent in the summer of 2023, so it is likely that Spurs will sell the Israel international unless Frank or Levy decide otherwise.

Uncertainty surrounds the futures of Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero as well, amid repeated links to Saudi Arabia for the former and Atletico Madrid for the latter, with reports from Italy now claiming Wilson Odobert has been put on the transfer list as well.

Thomas Frank green-lights Gustan Isaksen move at Tottenham

That is according to Lalaziosiamonoi.it, who report that Frank doesn’t fancy Odobert, and he will be allowed to leave N17 this summer.

They add that the 51-year-old personally has his eyes on a replacement for Spurs’ exit-bound winger – Lazio star Gustan Isaksen.

The Denmark international racked up 49 appearances for Lazio in all competitions last term, registering 12 goal contributions in that time (six goals and six assists), and Frank is believed to be “crazy” about his compatriot.

Lalaziosiamonoi.it state that Frank has recommended Isaksen to the Tottenham hierarchy and would “welcome” a move for the 24-year-old. Isaksen would also be available for around £25 million, meaning he wouldn’t exactly break the bank from Spurs’ perspective.

The right-winger, who scored against European champions Spain and Switzerland during Denmark’s UEFA Nations League campaign, could be a bargain heir to Son or Odobert, if either men do call time on their Tottenham careers before deadline day.

“He has started to become decisive,” said ex-Lazio boss Marco Baroni about his former star winger. “I have always felt that he has been ready to explode on the big stage.”

There is no denying the fact that this season was a disappointment for Arsenal fans.

After coming so close to winning their first Premier League title in a generation in the prior two campaigns, there was hope, if not expectation, that Mikel Arteta would lead the team over the line this year.

However, an unfortunate mix of injuries, suspensions and lack of cutting-edge coalesced to see the Gunners finish ten points off Liverpool in first place.

One of the most disappointing stars for the North Londoners has been Gabriel Martinelli, who looks a shadow of that star who terrified defenders in 22/23, and based on recent reports, that could be about to see him lose his place in the team altogether this summer.

Arsenal transfer news

With Arteta’s options on the left-hand side failing to keep up with Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri on the right, it’s hardly been surprising to a host of talented left-wingers linked with Arsenal in recent weeks and months, such as Rafael Leao and Antoine Semenyo.

Transfer Focus

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

The former is undoubtedly one of the most exciting attackers in Europe, and his brilliant haul of 12 goals and 13 goals in 50 shows how effective he can be, although, with a release clause reportedly worth £145m, he might just be out of reach.

Semenyo, on the other hand, could cost the Gunners around £70m, and while that is still a lot of money, he has proven his ability in the Premier League and was able to rack up a tally of 13 goals and seven assists in 42 games for Bournemouth this season.

However, with so many other areas of the team still needing to be addressed, the North Londoners might want to spend even less than that on an exciting up-and-coming Martinelli upgrade, which could explain the links to Malick Fofana.

Yes, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are one of several top-flight teams interested in signing the Lyon gem this summer.

In fact, the report has revealed that, alongside Liverpool and Aston Villa, the Gunners are leading the race for the 20-year-old star, who is valued at around £42m by the French giants.

It could be a complicated and somewhat costly transfer to get over the line, but given Fofana’s immense ability and potential, it is one well worth fighting for, especially as he’d be a great upgrade on Martinelli.

How Fofana compares to Martinelli

While Fofana has occasionally played off the right and up top in his short career, his primary and unquestionably best position is off the left.

Therefore, his biggest competition for game time at Arsenal next season – if he joins – would be Martinelli, but how do the pair stack up against one another?

Well, in terms of raw output, it’s the Lyon ace who comes out on top, as in 41 appearances, totalling 2280 minutes, he scored 11 goals and provided six assists this term, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.41 games, or every 134.11 minutes.

In contrast, the former Ituano gem scored ten goals and provided six assists in 51 appearances, totalling 3564 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.18 games, or every 222.75 minutes.

Okay, who comes out on top when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers?

Well, unfortunately for the Gunners’ number 11, the comparison only becomes more one-sided here, as while he does do better in a few metrics, the young Belgian does better in the vast majority.

For example, the “game-changing” prospect, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, does far better in metrics like non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, passes and crosses into the penalty area, tackles, blocks, interceptions, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons and many, many more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty G+As

0.51

0.47

Progressive Passes

2.54

2.05

Progressive Passes Received

11.6

11.4

Progressive Carries

6.33

4.88

Shots

1.76

2.16

Shots on Target

0.85

0.94

Passing Accuracy

77.4%

71.4%

Expected Assists

0.25

0.19

Key Passes

1.41

1.57

Passes into the Final Third

1.13

0.43

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.81

1.46

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.73

0.59

Live Passes

35.2

26.7

Shot-Creating Actions

3.12

2.91

Goal-Creating Actions

0.62

0.27

Tackles

1.24

0.91

Blocks

0.68

0.59

Interceptions

0.45

0.20

Clearances

0.34

0.75

Successful Take-Ons

1.36

1.30

Ball Recoveries

3.56

3.07

Finally, according to Mango, the youngster is also blessed with “frightening speed & acceleration,” so the North Londoners wouldn’t miss out on Martinelli’s breakaway potential if he was replaced on the left.

Ultimately, Fofana might not be the biggest name around at the moment, but he looks set to become a superstar and is already better than Arsenal’s regular starting left-winger.

Therefore, the club should do everything possible to sign him as soon as possible.

Arsenal very close to signing £50m star who's a Saka & Rodrygo hybrid

The uber-talented international could be just the winger Arsenal need.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 6, 2025

Sadia Iqbal’s 4 for 16 goes in vain; Sri Lanka to face India in a repeat of last edition’s final

Srinidhi Ramanujam26-Jul-20242:31

Athapaththu shows versatility but also finds support

Chamari Athapaththu’s fighting 63 off 48 balls and Anushka Sanjeewani’s unbeaten 24 off 22 helped Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by three wickets in a last-over thriller in the second semi-final of Women’s Asia Cup 2024. The win saw Sri Lanka march into the final for the second successive edition.Two years ago in Sylhet, they held their nerve with the ball to overcome Pakistan by one run in the semi-final. Once again, Sri Lanka will meet India in the title clash.On Friday, momentum swung multiple times during the course of the match. After restricting Pakistan to 140 for 4, Sri Lanka had to dig deep in the chase as Sadia Iqbal spun a web around their batters with a four-wicket haul. But Athapaththu stayed firm and found able partners, first in Kavisha Dilhari and then in Sanjeewani. With the latter, Athapaththu shared a match-changing stand of 42 off 29 balls for the fifth wicket. However, Iqbal dismissed Athapaththu in the 17th over to turn the tide Pakistan’s way yet again.At that point, Sri Lanka needed 21 off 20 balls with five wickets in hand. They lost two more wickets but with three required from three balls, Sanjeewani and Achini Kulasuriya took the team home.Muneeba Ali was the top-scorer for Pakistan•Asian Cricket CouncilMuneeba, Feroza put up solid opening standMuneeba Ali and Gull Feroza continued from where they left off against UAE. The Pakistan openers set the tone early by adding 45 runs in the powerplay.Feroza, coming off two consecutive fifties, was off to a flying start, punishing seamer Achini Kulasuriya for three fours in the third over. After a quiet over from Sugandika Kumari, Muneeba swept Athapaththu for two fours and started the next over, by Udeshika Prabodhani, with an elegant straight drive.Prabodhani, Dilhari’s double-strikes; Sana’s cameoSri Lanka pulled things back in the middle overs, conceding only 56 runs between overs 7-16 and picking up four wickets. Playing her 100th T20I, Prabodhani removed Feroza when the opener miscued one to deep midwicket in the tenth over of the innings. Five balls later, she cleaned up Muneeba as the batter shuffled across too much to sweep and exposed her stumps.Nida Dar broke the shackles with a six and a four off Kulasuriya in the 14th over but Sidra Amin, who was struggling at the other end, holed out to short third when she mistimed a reverse sweep off Dilhari in the next over. Four balls later, Dilahri trapped Dar lbw.At 101 for 4 after 16 overs, Pakistan found quick runs from Fatima Sana. She smashed Dilhari for two fours in the 17th over and Inoshi Priyadharshani for another boundary on the first ball of the 19th. Her unbeaten 23 off 17, and an unbroken stand of 41 off 31 balls with Aliya Riaz, lifted Pakistan. Sri Lanka’s fielding was disappointing as they dropped catches, missed run-out chances and had several misfields.Sadia Iqbal’s 4 for 16 kept Pakistan in the game•Asian Cricket CouncilThe frantic chase: Athapaththu’s fifty, Iqbal’s four-forSri Lanka lost Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama early and ended their powerplay on 35 for 2. But Athapaththu and Dilhari steadied the innings by adding 59 off 46 balls for the third wicket. Athapaththu, after a sedate start, picked up the pace and found the boundary at a steady rate.With 63 needed from 52 balls, Pakistan stormed back into the game, thanks to Iqbal’s double-wicket over that left Sri Lanka at 78 for 4. But Sanjeewani and Athapaththu blunted Pakistan with a flurry of boundaries in the next few overs. En route, Athapaththu also notched up her 11th T20I half-century. That Pakistan were also sloppy in the field – Muneeba missed stumping Dilhari and later failed to appeal when she stumped Athapaththu – didn’t help them either.Just when it looked like Sri Lanka would have it easy, Pakistan fought back again through Iqbal. She dismissed Athapaththu in her final over to finish with figures of 4 for 16. In the following over, Hasini Perera was run out after a mix-up. Nashra Sandhu then conceded 13 of the penultimate over, where Kumari hit two fours to bring the equation down to three needed from six balls.Dar brought herself on for the final over and dismissed Kumari off the second ball but it wasn’t to be for Pakistan.

Far removed from the days of Sir Alex Ferguson’s hairdryer treatment or Brian Clough’s no-nonsense approach, players have all the power in modern football.

Teams who hover around the bottom half of the Premier League have felt the full force of player power since the rise of the ‘big six’, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Matheus Cunha and Kalvin Phillips moving within the top flight for huge fees in recent years.

Leeds United have dealt with their fair share of star players leaving for pastures new, including Ballon d’Or candidate Raphinha and academy starlet Archie Gray.

Leeds' record departures

10. Chris Wood

Burnley – £14m

9. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Atletico Madrid – £14.5m

8. Luis Sinisterra

Bournemouth – £20m

7. Tyler Adams

Bournemouth – £23m

6. Crysencio Summerville

West Ham United – £25m

5. Rio Ferdinand

Manchester United – £30m

4. Archie Gray

Tottenham Hotspur – £40m

3. Georginio Rutter

Brighton – £40m

2. Kalvin Phillips

Manchester City – £42m

1. Raphinha

Barcelona – £50m

Despite Leeds’ status as a huge club with a rich history, some players are just destined for greater things, as Pascal Struijk revealed just how good Raphinha was right from the off at Elland Road: “I knew for sure that he would be able to play with a top team.

“You look at his goals and assists, which he did for us as well. When you go to a big team, it’s about how you react when you make a move like that and I always believed in his ability, I had no doubts.

“My first impression of him was, ‘this guy’s got quality’. Sometimes you have players and you see them on the pitch and you think, he’s got that bit extra. When you see him doing it in the Prem, the talent speaks for itself.”

The Brazilian left Yorkshire on good terms after scoring in the game that secured the Whites’ Premier League status for another year, but not everyone on the list above can say the same.

I was as good as Gerrard and Rooney at youth level, but only scored 3 goals for Leeds

Things didn’t really work out at Elland Road.

ByCharlie Smith Jun 5, 2025 Ferdinand: 'I was a nightmare to make Leeds sell me'

Rio Ferdinand was perhaps the most controversial transfer of his time, leaving Leeds to join arch-rivals Manchester United in 2002, going on to win six Premier League titles under Fergie as one of the greatest centre-backs of all time.

And while it may be of little surprise to the Elland Road faithful who have never forgiven the legendary England defender, he told talkSPORT this week that he refused to leave then-chairman Peter Ridsdale’s office, imploring Leeds not to haggle on their price.

That’s not to say Leeds were hard done by from a financial point of view however. Accounting for inflation, Ferdinand would be the second most expensive Premier League transfer of all time, coming in at around £200m in today’s terms.

Considering Southampton only received £75m for Van Dijk, widely regarded as the world’s best current centre-back, when he joined Liverpool in 2018, Ferdinand certainly cost the Red Devils a pretty penny.

However, his attitude towards his former employers only soured relations further after what was already a controversial move, taking advantage of the club’s financial difficulties as they plummeted to the third tier of English football.

Arsenal are poised to complete the signing of a Premier League star imminently, with the player now undergoing his medicals ahead of his proposed move to N5.

Related Arsenal trying to convince £55m ace to join, Arteta is speaking to him

The Gunners boss is getting involved.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Jul 4, 2025

Andrea Berta’s appointment is starting to pay dividends, as Mikel Arteta prepares to welcome a host of new signings to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£5m

Arsenal have already acquired Kepa Arrizabalaga, who officially became Berta’s first signing in a £5 million move from Chelsea earlier this week, with the Gunners also finally sealing a deal for Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

The Premier League title hopefuls are actively trying to sign an attacker too. Arsenal are reported to be in “advanced” talks with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze over terms (L’Equipe), but this won’t have an impact on their efforts for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, as it is believed both players could join them in separate deals (Fabrizio Romano).

All of this comes amid Berta’s pursuit of a new striker as well – likely to be one of Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres or RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko – with the director having worked extensively on deals for both men simultaneously before deciding which move would be best for the club (BBC).

However, one man who looks certain to land before the likes of Eze, Madueke, Sesko or Gyokeres is Brentford captain Christian Norgaard.

Arsenal recently agreed a deal which could reach £15 million for Norgaard, with reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano confirming that the necessary paperwork has been exchanged ahead of his switch.

The 31-year-old Bees figurehead is an adept and Premier League-proven player, with reliable journalist Ben Jacobs sharing when supporters can expect him to be announced as a new Arsenal player.

Arsenal expected to complete Christian Norgaard signing next week

Speaking on talkSPORT, Jacobs reports that Norgaard is undergoing medical tests at Arsenal, and has completed the first half of his physical assessments. The Denmark international is expected to fully complete his move next week, so it won’t be long until supporters can officially welcome him.

“It’s Eze plus a left winger, and then you have a number nine as well,” said Jacobs on the club’s transfer plans.

“Add in Norgaard, who has done the first part of his medical, and is expected to complete his move next week.

“On top of that factor in the €60m or so outlay for Martin Zubimendi and Arsenal are getting going. Mosquera is another one they’re very optimistic on.”

Arsenal’s signing of Norgaard has been praised by critics, like former Tottenham director Frank Arnesen, who recently told Danish news outlet Tipsbladest that he’s the full package.

“Christian is a fantastic guy,” said Arnsen.

“I have nothing but good things to say about him. You meet players many times in your life, but I always hoped this one would have a fantastic career. He has got that. He has become captain of Brentford and has done incredible.

“Mikel Arteta was fantastic as a player, I think, and as a coach he has done absolutely superbly, both as an assistant at Manchester City and afterwards at Arsenal with the way he plays football.

“He doesn’t just take a player in without knowing exactly what he’s going to use him for. Maybe he won’t play 50 games, you don’t know, maybe it’ll only be 30, but it’s about the whole package. He gets the whole package with Christian.”

In AC/DC’s iconic hit , chants of “Thunder” burst through the opening thrum, building the excitement before that unmistakeable high-pitched lead vocal kicks in.On the most picture-perfect day for cricket at Trent Bridge, Mark Wood interrupted the gentle murmur of the first nine overs, in which West Indies openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis had eased their side to 32 for nought, with a barrage of fire that had the batters rocking and the packed stands audibly in awe.Four overs in which his speed never dipped below 92mph went unrewarded – as did Wood all day – but what a curtain-raiser it was to the main performance of the day, Kavem Hodge’s maiden international century. Had Hodge screamed “I was caught… In the middle of a railroad track” as he punched a Ben Stokes inswinger for four through long-off to bring up his ton, it wouldn’t have sounded out of place, such was the tone as he screeched in sheer joy.By the end of the day he had fallen for 120, lbw to Chris Woakes in a decision upheld on umpire’s call during the evening session.By the end of the day, England and their supporters were willing Wood to take a wicket, just one, feeling he deserved it for all his gut-busting effort through his first 14 overs. Instead, he left the field one ball into his 15th, seemingly as a precaution after feeling his hamstring, some 35 minutes before the close.Hodge formed half of a hugely exciting partnership alongside Alick Athanaze, worth 175 for the fourth wicket, with Athanaze falling for 82, also in the evening session, but not before playing his part in driving West Indies to within 65 runs of England’s first-innings 416. Between them, they have only played 10 Tests, but they played defiantly to put their side in a much better place after an innings defeat in the first Test at Lord’s.Hodge should have been gone for 16 – to Wood, no less – but Joe Root put down the catch at slip. He and Athanaze both went to tea with half-centuries to their name, having added 123 runs while England went wicketless in the middle session.Athanaze’s ears would have been ringing when, on 48, he was struck flush on the helmet, right next to the badge, by a Wood short ball at 91mph. Hodge’s reaction at the other end was a mirror image of his batting partner’s as he reeled back in shock. Wood was first to ask, “are you ok?” and England’s fielders also approached to check on him before the medics arrived to conduct official tests. But he was passed fit to continue and reached his maiden Test fifty just two balls later, with a nudge off the hip for two in Gus Atkinson’s next over.Athanaze went on to unfurl some lovely cover drives, and his slog-sweep for six over midwicket off Shoaib Bashir in the penultimate over before tea was glorious. Ben Stokes, however, prised him out with a century looming in the evening session, as he chased a wider delivery on 82 and sliced to Harry Brook at gully.Mark Wood blew up the speed-gun in his 14.1 overs but went unrewarded•Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Although the rest of his evening’s stay would prove to be a bit of an ordeal, Jason Holder got his runs flowing immediately, guiding his first ball for four through the slips cordon and, two balls later, clearing cover where the diminutive figure of Ben Duckett leapt somewhat belatedly and in vain as the ball sailed over his reaching hands and to the boundary.Wood returned to the attack and beat Hodge’s outside edge with a fantastic outswinging yorker on 92, before giving in to a wry grin when the last ball of the same over swung away again for another near-miss. Hodge forged on, past his century – reached with that punchy drive off Stokes – and put on 46 runs with Holder before he departed.Stokes took the second new ball with just one over left in the day. He handed it to Atkinson, who conceded five, Joshua Da Silva pulling four through midwicket to finish the day not out 32 with Holder on 23.Brathwaite and Louis weathered Wood’s earlier onslaught and after the first hour, West Indies were 48 without loss.But wickets to Bashir and Atkinson had them 89 for 3 at lunch with the innings of Athanaze and Hodge in their infancy.Wood came on in the 10th over and managed to produce some swing, which had been non-existent to that point on Friday. But it was his unbridled pace that had everyone transfixed as he twice nudged the 96mph mark and hit 95 twice more in the over.Wood’s second over was equally rapid, clocked at 94mph five times and 95 once, with testing lines as he twice beat Brathwaite’s outside edge.The Trent Bridge crowd gasped in unison as the scoreboard flashed up the speed of Wood’s fifth delivery in his third over – a staggering 97.1mph. That was understandably a maiden and after three overs, his figures read 3-1-5-0.Brathwaite managed to find the boundary, guiding the ball fine off his ribs, in Wood’s fourth over, which still contained some lightning speed.It was Bashir who made the breakthrough in the 15th over, shortly after the drinks break, as Brook took a nerveless catch running a long way to his right from mid-on to remove Louis for 21. It was Bashir’s first Test wicket from two matches at home after not bowling in the first game of this series.Related

• Ben Duckett bends another Test to his will to add to his family lore

• Battle with Mark Wood 'brutal' – Kavem Hodge

• Spectators become spectres as Anderson, Broad loom large over England's toil

• Ben Stokes feels the need for speed as England move on from Anderson-Broad era

• West Indies cling to England's coat-tails on day of heart and flaw

Bashir could have had his second in his next over when he rapped Kirk McKenzie – on nought at the time – on the pad and appealed but the umpire was unmoved, as were England who didn’t seem interested in deferring to the DRS, although replays later showed the ball would have hit the top of leg stump.Atkinson returned for his second spell to replace Wood and he soon removed Brathwaite for 48 trying to turn a short, straight delivery down the leg side but looping it off the shoulder of the bat straight to Ollie Pope at short leg.Bashir did take his second wicket shortly before lunch, McKenzie serving up a simple catch to Stokes at mid-on.But, hours later, you couldn’t help feeling that it was England who trudged off just a little bit Thunderstruck.

Chris Woakes and Shoaib Bashir also included in XI for first Test at Lord’s

Vithushan Ehantharajah08-Jul-20241:59

Ehantharajah excited to see what Atkinson can offer England

England will hand debuts to the Surrey duo of Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith for the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s, which begins on Wednesday.Chris Woakes also returns to the XI, his first Test appearance since being named player of the series in last summer’s Ashes, while offspinner Shoaib Bashir makes his home debut after three Tests in India at the start of the year.Atkinson, who has made 12 appearances for England in white-ball cricket, was unused on the tour of India but has been earmarked as a long-term pace option, registering in the late 80s and early 90s mph at his most fluent. A breakthrough 2023 summer saw him earn selection for the ODI World Cup, though he was omitted for this summer’s T20 World Cup. This season, he has taken 14 County Championship wickets at 29.78 for Surrey, who lead Division One.England XI to play West Indies•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Smith, meanwhile, will assume the gloves as England move beyond Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow. The 23-year-old has been in fine form across all formats and marked his maiden call-up with his second first-class century of the season. He is currently Surrey’s top-scorer with 677 Championship runs at 56.41 with a strike rate of 76.67. He earned two ODI caps against Ireland at the end of last summer and will slot in at No. 7 with Harry Brook returning to the No. 5 position having missed the India series following the death of his grandmother.Ben Stokes slots between the pair at six, and is back to fulfilling his allrounder duties, which has allowed for the selection of Bashir. After impressing with 17 wickets in India, England underlined their faith in the spinner by selecting him in the squad ahead of Jack Leach, despite the fact Bashir had to move on loan to Worcestershire for first-team opportunities with Leach the No. 1 spinner at Somerset.Related

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Woakes adds to that balance as an option with the bat, and will likely be an ever-present this summer in what is set to be a transitional period for England with the impending retirement of James Anderson.England XI: 1⁠ ⁠Zak Crawley, 2⁠ ⁠Ben Duckett, 3 ⁠Ollie Pope, 4⁠ ⁠Joe Root, 5 ⁠Harry Brook, 6⁠ ⁠Ben Stokes (capt) 7⁠ ⁠Jamie Smith (wk), 8⁠ ⁠Chris Woakes, 9⁠ ⁠Gus Atkinson, 10⁠ ⁠Shoaib Bashir, 11 ⁠James Anderson

توقع كيليان مبابي، نجم نادي ريال مدريد، الفريق الفائز بلقب دوري أبطال أوروبا هذا الموسم، حيث من المرجح أن تحدث منافسة قوية بين كبار الأندية الأوروبية على اللقب بعد التدعيمات القوية هذا العام.

ريال مدريد يدخل هذا الموسم بهدف الفوز بلقب دوري أبطال أوروبا، حيث خرج الملكي من الموسم الماضي بشكل مخيب للآمال من دور ربع النهائي، وذلك على يد آرسنال والخسارة 3-0 ذهابًا و2-1 إيابًا.

طالع.. هويسن: لاعبو برشلونة سخروا مني بعد التوقيع مع ريال مدريد.. وسنرى في الكلاسيكو

ويرى مبابي في تصريحات لصحيفة “سبورت بيلد” الألمانية، أن ريال مدريد هو المرشح الأوفر حظًا للفوز بدوري الأبطال هذا الموسم.

وقال مبابي: ”توقعي للفائز بدوري أبطال أوروبا؟ أقول دائمًا ريال مدريد، هناك العديد من الفرق الجيدة في أوروبا، وقد رأينا ذلك العام الماضي مع النظام الجديد، هذا العام سيكون دوري الأبطال أفضل”.

وعن كبوة الموسم الماضي، أضاف مبابي: ”أعتقد أننا تعلمنا الكثير من الموسم الماضي، لكن حان الوقت لإظهار ذلك، بالطبع الأمر سيستغرق منا بعض الوقت لكي نصل إلى أفضل مستوى لدينا”.

واختتم كيليان: ”هذا الموسم مهم جدًا للنادي، ونحن نتجه أيضًا نحو كأس العالم، لذا فهو مهم أيضًا لكل لاعب يرغب في المشاركة في هذه البطولة بمن فيهم أنا”.

It is set to be a busy summer at Aston Villa.

According to widespread reports, the Villans could be forced to sell a key player before 30 June, which is only ten days away now, to avoid breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.

This issue was only exacerbated by the fact Unai Emery’s team missed out on Champions League qualification on the final day, forced to settle for a significantly less lucrative spot in the Europa League.

So, with a claret and blue stalwart or two potentially on their way out of Villa Park, has Emery already identified a dream replacement?

Aston Villa targeting a new striker

With Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio heading back to their parent clubs at the end of their loan spells in the Midlands, Villa clearly need to strengthen their forward line.

Well, according to a report by GIVEMESPORT, Aston Villa are ‘eyeing’ a move to sign £32m Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, should the Senegalese international become available this summer.

It’s revealed that Villa ‘are ready to enter discussions’ over what it would take to tempt the forward away from Stamford Bridge if they decide to transfer-list him.

The Blues have already signed Liam Delap for £30m earlier this summer, also purportedly interested in many other centre-forwards, including, most-notably, Hugo Ekitike, suggesting Jackson could get squeezed out.

Manager Enzo Maresca has always been full of praise for his striker, labelling him “fantastic” and “very important”, but the sheer churn at Chelsea in recent years means no one’s future at Stamford Bridge is ever certain.

So, could he soon be swapping West London for the West Midlands?

How Nicolas Jackson would improve Aston Villa

Aston Villa sold Jhon Durán to Al-Nassr for a reported fee of £71m in January, with Rashford and Asensio ostensibly coming in as the Colombian’s replacements, albeit both only on loan, and it remains to be seen if either will return to Villa Park.

Durán arrived from Chicago Fire for around £16m in January 2023, and was absolutely on fire during the first half of this season, scoring 12 goals in 29 appearances, thereby averaging a goal every 87 minutes, before being flipped for a massive profit, a business model Villa would surely like to replicate going forward.

Neither Rashford nor Asensio favour playing as a central striker, leaving Ollie Watkins as the only player for that position at the club right now, and even he is itching for a move away this summer, according to Football Insider.

Reports suggest Arsenal are still very much interested in Watkins and Villa could be looking to cash in on the 29-year-old to help comply with PSR.

So, would Jackson be a shrewd replacement? Well, let’s assess how the duo compared this season.

Jackson vs Watkins PL 24/25 comparison
Statistics	Jackson	Watkins
Appearances	35	54
Minutes	2,501	3,578
Goals	13	17
Goals per 90	0.49	0.44
Assists	6	14
Shots on target %	47.5%	42.6%
Shot-creating actions per 90	2.75	2.19
Goal-creating actions per 90	0.41	0.44
Big chances missed	22	31
Touches per 90	28	22
Average Sofascore rating	7.07	6.88
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, FBref.com and SofaScore

As the table shows, Watkins and Jackson’s statistics were broadly very similar throughout last season, with the Chelsea striker scoring just four fewer goals in around 1,000 fewer minutes, largely due to the fact he spent around two months on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury between February and April.

The Senegalese star though, did come out on top when it comes to goals-per-90, as well as a higher shots on target percentage and shot-creating actions-per-90, while registering more touches-per-90 and squandering fewer Opta-defined big chances.

Moe Adikwu of Breaking the Lines believes that Jackson has become a ‘proper centre-forward’ at Chelsea, adding that he ‘offers a lot more than his goals’, praising his work-rate, link-up play and ability to hold up the ball while journalist Rahman Osman has praised his “special” ability.

Thus, given that Watkins is 29 and Jackson is 23, if Villa could secure a big fee for the former and then snap up the latter, that would surely be shrewd business for a club operating under tight financial constraints.

Aston Villa now in the conversation for shock deal to sign £85m striker

He would take Villa’s frontline to a new level…

1

By
Tom Cunningham

Jun 19, 2025

Glasgow Rangers manager Russell Martin is still dealing with changes to his first-team squad as he prepares for a European qualifying clash later this month.

One player whose future at Ibrox remains uncertain is striker Cyriel Dessers, who was not involved in Rangers’ friendly draw last weekend.

After the game, Martin explained the striker’s absence: “Cyriel has had a bit of a niggly ankle so he was here today. We turned down a bid a while ago for him that was nowhere near our valuation at the football club.

“He’s been great, he’s been desperate to train but he’s had some treatment this week on his ankle. He’s coming back and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

The Ibrox boss confirmed that the club have turned down an offer for the 30-year-old attacker, who has been linked with a move to AEK Athens, and it remains to be seen whether or not the striker will still be at the club come September.

It could, however, make sense for Rangers to part ways with the experienced forward in the coming weeks, in order to improve Martin’s team for next season.

Why Rangers should sell Cyriel Dessers

It makes sense from a financial perspective because the striker is now in his 30s, in the latter stage of his career, and only has two years left to run on his contract at Ibrox.

This means that this summer could be the club’s last chance to get optimal value for the former Cremonese star, as he will only have 12 months left on his deal next summer at the age of 31.

It could also make sense from a footballing perspective because Dessers has not been clinical enough in front of goal to be a reliable number nine for Rangers in the big moments.

Wasteful finishing, like the attempt in the clip above, has been a recurring issue for the Rangers number nine, who has only scored two goals in ten matches against Celtic.

His performances on the European stage for the Light Blues were particularly telling of his quality in front of goal, as he struggled against top-tier opponents.

Appearances

12

xG

5.49

Goals

3

Big chances missed

10

Big chances created

2

Assists

2

As you can see in the table above, Dessers missed a staggering ten ‘big chances’ in just 12 Europa League matches, and underperformed his xG by over two goals.

The wasteful striker has missed a whopping 59 ‘big chances’ in his two seasons at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership and European competitions combined, which is why the Gers could benefit from selling him to fund the signing of a new striker who can provide more quality in front of goal.

Rangers in the race to sign LaLiga striker

According to Macedonian news outlet Gol Mk, Rangers are one of a number of clubs in the race to sign Girona centre-forward Bojan Miovski before the end of the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Light Blues want to sign the Macedonia international to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch, one year on from his move to Spain from Aberdeen.

Transfer Focus

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It adds that German sides Hamburg and Freiburg have both made contact with Girona to enquire about a possible deal for the forward, whilst Celtic are also interested in the left-footed marksman.

However, the outlet does not reveal how much the Spanish team would want in order to sanction a move for the striker, who was signed from Aberdeen for a reported fee of £6.8m.

If the Gers can win the race for the 26-year-old centre-forward in the coming weeks, though, then Martin would have a big upgrade on Dessers on his hands.

Why Miovski would be an upgrade on Dessers

The Light Blues would improve their team by selling the Nigerian forward in order to bring the Macedonian marksman back to Scotland this summer, because of his ability in front of goal and his record in the biggest games.

During his time with Aberdeen, Miovski scored four goals in nine matches against Rangers and three goals in seven games against Celtic, making it an impressive haul of seven goals in 16 games against the top two teams in the country.

Whereas, as aforementioned, Dessers has only found the back of the net two times in ten games against the Hoops, as he has let his side down too many times in the biggest matches.

This suggests that Miovski, who was once hailed as a “complete number 9” by journalist Josh Bunting, would be more likely to be a difference-maker for Rangers in the games against Celtic, both in the league and in the cup competitions, to increase the club’s chances of clinching silverware ahead of their closest rivals.

Appearances

75

70

Shots

171

185

Goals

32

34

Big chances missed

31

47

Big chances created

10

10

Assists

4

6

As you can see in the table above, they have a similar goal return across their two seasons in the Premiership, but Dessers has missed significantly more ‘big chances’.

This suggests that Miovski’s output could be even greater as a scorer if he were in a Rangers team that consistently creates the high-quality chances that the current Gers number nine gets on a weekly basis.

The left-footed striker endured a difficult season in LaLiga, with just two goals in 17 games, but he is a proven performer in Scottish football who would, in theory, be able to hit the ground running at Ibrox next season if the club can agree a deal to sign him this summer.

This is why Rangers must push to cash in on Dessers to fund a move for Miovski in the coming weeks, as they could improve their team by signing a proven Premiership star who has the potential to deliver even more quality in front of goal than the AEK Athens target.

Martin's own Defoe: Rangers "frontrunners" to sign "sensational" striker

Rangers are leading the race to sign a forward who could be their next Jermaine Defoe.

2 ByDan Emery Jul 8, 2025