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Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund says they weren't the ones to publicly reveal their attempts to sign Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart.

Stuttgart rejected Bayern Munich's €60m offer for WoltemadeBayern's sporting director stressed the club never discussed figuresSays there's no update on his transferFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Bayern's third bid of €60 million (£52m/$70m) for Woltemade was rejected by Stuttgart, who have now reportedly upped their asking price to €75m (£65m/$88m). When asked for the latest update on Woltemade's transfer, Freund claimed the matter was handled internally and no details were released. He further blamed the Stuttgart camp for causing the media frenzy surrounding the player.  

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Bayern reignited their attempts to sign Woltemade as the striker asked both clubs to enter negotiations but Stuttgart once again rejected their advances. Stuttgart have reiterated their stance multiple times that they plan on keeping the player, with Stuttgart sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth and CEO Alexander Wehrle both stating that Woltemade will play with them next season. When asked about the forward's future, the sporting director clearly stated that they are not the ones using the situation to generate talks.

WHAT FREUND SAID

In a press conference, Freund confirmed that there have been no talks with Stuttgart and insisted Bayern are not responsible for all the media speculation. He said at a press conference: "Bayern wasn't the match that generated so much discussion. We never commented on deadlines or figures. There's no update either. We play against Stuttgart tomorrow, where the player is under contract."

Earlier Stuttgart coach was also asked about Woltemade's future, to which he said: "Nick is a part of our team and a very important building block in our team. Nothing has changed about that."

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN?

Stuttgart's new price tag makes it increasingly difficult for the German striker to leave the club with the striker's agent having labelled Stuttgart's demands as "completely unfounded". The two clubs are now set to face each other in the German Super Cup on August 17.

Chennai Super Kings are expected to host Mumbai Indians on March 23

Nagraj Gollapudi15-Feb-2025Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening match of IPL 2025. ESPNcricinfo has learned the season opener will be played at Eden Gardens on March 22 and the IPL final will be played on May 25.While the IPL is yet to release the schedule, it is learned that last season’s finalists Sunrisers Hyderabad will begin their campaign at home against Rajasthan Royals on the afternoon of March 23. Later that Sunday evening, Chennai Super Kings are likely to host Mumbai Indians at Chepauk.The 10-team league is set to start 12 days after the Champions Trophy final on March 9 and will be played at 12 venues – the ten traditional homes of the franchises as well as Guwahati (second venue for RR) and Dharamsala (second venue for Punjab Kings).Related

• Samson undergoes finger surgery, expected to be fit in time for IPL 2025

• Rajat Patidar appointed new RCB captain for IPL 2025

The opening fixture will feature two teams led by new captains. While RCB recently appointed Rajat Patidar as their captain, KKR are yet to announce the successor to Shreyas Iyer, who led them to the title in 2024. RCB had finished fourth in the league last year, following a streak of six defeats with six wins to make it to the playoffs where they lost the Eliminator. KKR have been dominant against RCB in Kolkata, winning eight of their 12 matches at Eden Gardens.PBKS, who have a new captain and coach in Shreyas and Ricky Ponting, will play three of their home matches in Dharamsala – one more than the usual two they play each season at the picturesque venue in Himachal Pradesh. Their remaining four home matches will be at Mullanpur in Punjab.

Over the past couple of seasons, Chelsea have signed several players who played for Manchester City’s academy. Cole Palmer was the first, and they have also brought in the likes of Tosin, Jadon Sancho on loan and Liam Delap will be the next addition who fits the trend.

Well, in the last few days, Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers, who also came through City’s academy, has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. Indeed, reports suggest the Blues are ‘prepared to bid for him’ this summer.

However, it is by no means a guarantee that they will sign him. If Rogers is off the table, then Chelsea seem to be lining up the dream alternative.

Chelsea's dream Rogers alternative

Whether or not it was planned, the Blues have certainly signed a number of players from City’s academy but if a move for Rogers doesn’t materialise, they could turn to a player from Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy, instead.

Transfer Focus

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

According to a report from TEAMtalk, the West Londoners ‘are seriously considering an approach’ for Xavi Simons, RB Leipzig’s talented, versatile attacker. They are thought to be ‘primed to launch a formal approach’ for the Dutchman after contact with his representatives.

However, they will face tough competition from sides in the Premier League. Two of those hail from London, with rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur interested.

The other is newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool. Chelsea, or indeed any of the other interested sides, will have to pay upwards of £67m, as per another report from TEAMtalk back in March.

Why Simons is the dream Rogers alternative for Chelsea

Despite being just 22 years of age, Simons has been a key player once again for German outfit Leipzig. The versatile forward, who was born in Amsterdam, overcame injury issues to put in some excellent performances in the 2024/25 campaign, showcasing why he is “one of the best 10s in the world” in the words of one analyst on social media.

His numbers speak for themselves. In 33 appearances across all competitions last season, he managed 11 goals and eight assists. When you break that down further and look at his numbers in the Bundesliga, they read ten goals and seven assists, in just 25 games.

Simons’ goal and assist per game tally last term in the German top flight was impressive. In total, he averaged 0.67 goal involvements per game, showing excellent consistency throughout the campaign.

Interestingly, that is a better goals and assist ratio per game than Rogers. Last term for Villa, the England international played 37 games in the Premier League, scoring and assisting 19 times. That left him with a tally of 0.52 goals and assists per game, some way under Simons’ tally.

It is perhaps worth mentioning that the Englishman played over 20 more games than Simons last term.

He was also successful in the Champions League, a competition where the Dutchman struggled. Rogers contributed to seven goals, including a hat-trick against Celtic in the group stage.

One thing that is quite similar between the two players is their versatility. In the 2024/25 campaign, Simons played as both a number 10 and a left-winger, with Rogers slotting in the same roles, as well as playing as a right-winger and a number nine.

Interestingly, there is evidence to suggest that Simons would be a perfect alternative to Rogers when looking at the FBref underlying stats. For example, the Leipzig star averages more key passes per 90 minutes, with 2.13 to Rogers’ 1.47.

There is no doubt that SImons is a “magic” player, something Statman Dave once said about him. He would add a goal threat and creativity to this Chelsea attack, whilst being able to play in numerous different positions.

At just 22 years of age, he will surely only get better and grow into the project at Stamford Bridge. If Rogers is unattainable this summer, then surely Simons is the perfect alternative.

Better than Gittens & Sancho: Chelsea targeting "electric" £49m star

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Turning their focus towards summer arrivals, the Friedkin Group have now reportedly made their first contact in the race to sign an award-winning Championship star for Everton.

Everton confirm departures

After their season ended with an unexpected victory over Champions League-chasing Newcastle United, who qualified nonetheless, Everton confirmed the news that a number of stars will be leaving the club next month. The Toffees have said farewell to Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic, Joao Virginia and, most surprising of all, Abdoulaye Doucoure ahead of the summer transfer window.

Doucoure came as a surprise following how important he became under Sean Dyche and then David Moyes, but it is a decision that Everton have decided to make. The French midfielder announced his departure, saying: “I am going to leave the football club at the end of the season. After five wonderful years, my time at Everton came to an end.

“Everton means a lot to me, the past five years have been hard but I will always remember my time as a dream for me to play for Everton Football Club. Obviously I am sad to leave the club but I feel the time has come for a new chapter for me and the club as well.

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“I will be always grateful for what the club did for me. My best memory will be the goal I scored against Bournemouth to keep the club in the Premier League. This is something I will always be proud [of]. It was a wonderful moment for me and my family and the club as well.”

As one key man departs, it will be important for Everton to get their recruitment right in the coming months. So far, reports have certainly been positive on that front too, with rumours linking them to Liam Delap and now a Championship award winner.

Everton make first enquiry to sign Sheffield United star Hamer

According to Ben Jacobs, Friedkin have now made their first enquiry to sign Gustavo Hamer from Sheffield United this summer. The midfielder won the Championship’s Player of the Season award, but ultimately missed out on promotion in heartbreaking fashion against Sunderland in the playoff final. If ever there was a player who deserves a place in the Premier League, however, it is Hamer.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is one of many who is well aware of the quality that Hamer possesses and knows that quality is always bound to attract other suitors.

He told reporters at the end of April: “When Gus speaks, everybody listens. And rightly so, there should have been interest in him in the summer, because of how outstanding he was in an incredibly disappointing campaign for us.

“He cleaned up in the Player of the Year awards, so there was always going to be interest in him. I’m okay with stuff like that, because he’s a good player, and I would not expect anything different off the back of that.”

Newcastle United have accepted that a move for long-time transfer target Bryan Mbeumo may not work out this summer, with the Brentford forward reportedly preferring to sign for Manchester United.

Whether that will happen is another matter, and no longer the Magpies’ concern, for Eddie Howe and the powers that be have turned their attention to alternative options, Anthony Elanga and Mohammed Kudus among the targeted.

While Newcastle are in talks with Callum Wilson for a new contract, the ageing striker failed to register a goal contribution in the Premier League last season as he battled through injury problems, and some extra firepower to complement Alexander Isak wouldn’t go amiss.

Newcastle plotting to sign new striker

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro is right at the top of the shopping list, but Newcastle may well be plotting to sign an even more exciting centre-forward.

Transfer Focus

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

According to Football Insider, Newcastle are considering an official move for Porto’s Samu Aghehowa in the coming months, having been keeping tabs on the prolific striker.

Though the 21-year-old has an £82.5m release clause in his contract, he could be sold for considerably less, with a fee of £63m mooted.

Manchester United are also interested as they search for an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund, and the Premier League competitors may well battle it out for the number nine.

What Samu Omorodion would bring to Newcastle

Tall, powerful and blessed with swift pace, Aghehowa has the fundamental skills to become a fearsome marksman in the Premier League, more still a perfect counterpoint to ther breezy dynamism of Isak.

He might not be the finished article, but this wouldn’t actually be a negative: Aghehowa would join a Newcastle team blessed with “the best striker in the Premier League” in Isak, as has been said by pundit Jamie Carragher, and Wilson, an experienced poacher.

It’s a fantastic mix, and one which could see Aghehowa springboard into the ascendency. Who knows, he might even prove an even bigger star than Pedro with some careful man-management over the coming years.

Though Pedro has impressed since joining Brighton from Watford in a deal worth around £30m two years ago, scoring 30 goals and providing ten assists across 70 matches, 18 of those strikes have come from the penalty spot.

Aghehowa’s ceiling is higher.

Joining Porto from Atletico Madrid last summer just weeks after a move to Chelsea collapsed, Omorodion has thrived in Portugal, scoring 25 goals across 42 matches in all competitions, including a six-goal haul in the Europa League that saw him fire two past Man United.

Pedro

Matches (starts)

30 (23)

27 (23)

Goals

19

10

Assists

3

6

Shots (on target)*

2.7 (1.1)

1.7 (0.7)

Big chances missed

18

7

Pass completion

79%

75%

Big chances created

5

11

Key passes*

0.6

1.1

Dribbles*

0.4

1.1

Duels won*

3.3

4.9

Hailed as a “monster in the making” with a “complete profile” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Aghehowa has the mark of an elite-level goalscorer, and while Brighton’s Brazilian forward is more creative and dynamic, Newcastle must invest their chips in the man who could become one of the deadliest number nines in the business.

The dream XI Newcastle can build: No Gordon; Joao Pedro & £120m trio sign

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Darwin Nunez scored a first-half hat-trick as Liverpool put Stoke to the sword in a 5-0 pre-season victory at Kirkby as Florian Wirtz made his debut.

Nunez hits hat-trick against StokeWirtz makes highly anticipated debutChiesa and 16-year-old Ngumoha also scoreFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

As reported by The Athletic, the Uruguayan struck a quick-fire treble against the Championship side, playing in a front three which included Mohamed Salah and 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha. British record £116m signing Wirtz started behind them wearing the Red of Liverpool for the first time. A goal from teenage sensation Ngumoha saw Arne Slot's side race into a 4-0 half-time lead, before 10 changes were made at the break and substitute Federico Chiesa added a fifth goal.

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Nunez has been the subject of much transfer talk throughout the summer, but he has now scored four goals in just two halves of football in pre-season so far. He paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota with his celebration after a goal against Preston North End last week. Liverpool are reportedly set to bring in Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, so the Uruguayan's future at Anfield remains up in the air.

DID YOU KNOW?

Liverpool will soon head off for their pre-season tour of Asia, which begins with a fixture against AC Milan at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium. A clash against J1 League side Yokohama F Marinos then follows in Tokyo, in the Reds' first trip to Japan in 20 years since they lost to Sao Paolo in the Club World Championship final.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR NUNEZ AND LIVERPOOL?

Whether or not Nunez remains at Anfield come their opening Premier League fixture against Bournemouth on August 15 remains to be seen. The Reds have a tough challenge on their hands in defending their league title, but their transfer business this summer has shown the club's ambition to create a new dynasty.

His iconic strike sealed Mexico’s 4-2 win over the USMNT in the 2011 final at a packed Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.

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Article continues below

Article continues below

One of Mexico’s most unforgettable goals in Gold Cup history came from Giovani Dos Santos in the 2011 final against the United States.

Gio scored a moment of pure magic. After drawing U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard out of his goal, he chipped the ball with exquisite technique into the top corner – arguably one of the tournament’s most beautiful strikes and a highlight in Mexico’s national team legacy. This year marks the 14th anniversary of what’s widely celebrated as the best goal ever seen in Gold Cup history.

• AFP
  

  THE BUILD-UP

  In that final at the Rose Bowl, the U.S. struck first – with Michael Bradley scoring in the eighth minute and Landon Donovan doubling the lead by the 23rd. More impressively, Freddy Adu had assisted on both goals. But Mexico would respond before halftime. Pablo Barrera scored in the 29th minute, and Andrés Guardado added another in the 36th to restore parity.

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• AFP
  

  THE COMEBACK

  Just after the break, Barrera completed his brace, giving Mexico a 3–2 advantage. The U.S. pressed to equalize, but Mexico pushed for the knockout blow. A long pass to Javier Hernández ricocheted, eventually falling to Gerardo Torrado, who released a perfect ball to Dos Santos. After controlling superbly on his left foot, Gio dribbled past defenders and Howard before lofting the ball into the far upper corner – sending the 90,000-strong crowd into delirium.

  Though the U.S. had been dominant at home, losing only once in their prior 11 encounters with Mexico on U.S. soil, that night at the Rose Bowl belonged to El Tri. They won 4–2, with Dos Santos’s goal becoming the iconic moment that sealed the title.

• AFP
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Dos Santos is considered one of the greatest talents ever produced by Mexican football. From an early age, he was in the spotlight – especially after leading Mexico to the U-17 World Cup title in Peru in 2005, a historic achievement for the nation.

  However, despite his undeniable individual quality, many feel that his career with the senior national team fell short of expectations. Gio earned 107 caps with, scoring 19 goals. He featured in three World Cups (South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, and Russia 2018), showing flashes of brilliance -most notably his memorable goal against the Netherlands in the 2014 tournament.

  Despite some shining moments, inconsistency, injuries, and off-the-field decisions kept him from reaching the legendary status many predicted in his early years. Still, his legacy includes unforgettable highlights, such as his stunning goal against the U.S. in the 2011 Gold Cup final – widely regarded as the best in the tournament’s history.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MEXICO NATIONAL TEAM?

  The U.S. vs. Mexico rivalry resumes Sunday in the 2025 Gold Cup final. Will there be more brilliant strikes like Dos Santos'?

MatériaMais Notícias

da brdice： A Seleção Brasileira será convocada para a Copa do Mundo Feminina da Austrália e da Nova Zelândia no dia 27 de junho (terça-feira). A técnica Pia Sundhage revelará a lista das 23 jogadoras no auditório da sede da CBF, no Rio de Janeiro, às 16h.

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da brwin： + Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Além da lista final para a disputa do Mundial, serão anunciadas as três atletas suplentes para o período de preparação com o grupo.

A lista também atenderá a disputa do último jogo amistoso antes da disputa da Copa do Mundo. O Brasil enfrenta o Chile no dia 2 de julho, às 10h30,no Mané Garrincha, em Brasília (DF).

O Brasil está no Grupo F da competição juntamente com França, Jamaica e Panamá. A estreia da Seleção será no dia 24 de julho (segunda-feira), às 8h, em Hindmarsh, na Austrália, pela primeira rodada da fase de grupos.

علق جمال عبد الحميد، نجم الزمالك السابق، على أداء الأبيض، أمام الأهلي في المباراة التي انتهت بفوز الأخير بهدفين مقابل هدف في الدوري المصري.

وقال جمال عبد الحميد، على قناة النهار: “أهدرنا هدفين في بداية المباراة ومثلهما في نهايتها، وبقية المباراة كان الأهلي مسيطرًا، والزمالك اكتفى بالرد ولم يقدم فعلًا حقيقيًا”.

طالع.. مصطفى عبده: الزمالك أضاع الفوز على الأهلي.. وكنت خائفًا من هذا اللاعب

وتابع: “هذه أسوأ مباراة للزمالك رأيتها في التاريخ، لم أشاهد الزمالك سيئًا بهذا الشكل من قبل ودائمًا يحل مشاكل الأهلي، والزمالك ساعد الأهلي كثيرًا بهذا المستوى الضعيف”.

وواصل: “هذا عيب اللاعبين، عندما ألعب المباراة بشكل جيد جدًا وأبذل أقصى ما لدي وألعب بروح عالية، حتى لو خسرت، سيُقدّر ذلك دائمًا، ولكننا لم نرَ ذلك، وكان حسام عبد المجيد الوحيد المميز”.

وأتم: “فيريرا كان غير قادرًا على إدارة مباراة الأهلي، ومنذ لقاء وادي دجلة بدا واضحًا أنه غير قادر، هناك قلق حيال قدراته لأنه ليس بمستوى نادي الزمالك”.

The international break came at precisely the right time for Glasgow Rangers. The Ibrox side had progressed to the quarter-finals of the Europa League before beating Celtic at Parkhead just three days later.

Barry Ferguson will have had a few days to enjoy those results, particularly the latter while keeping an eye on several players who are away representing their national teams.

Speaking of which, what have the boys in Light Blue been up to over the last week or so?

The Rangers players on international duty

It’s been a busy week or so for those at Rangers, travelling off on the globe. Perhaps the most notable national side inclusion was Hamza Igamane. His rampant form at Ibrox earned him his first call-up to the Morocco squad, making his debut against Niger in a World Cup qualifier.

Nedim Bajrami played 63 minutes against England on Friday evening, while Ianis Hagi and Vaclav Cerny both appeared for Romania and the Czech Republic in their recent international games.

Elsewhere, Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo were called up for Wales, with the latter scoring the opener against Kazakhstan during a 3-1 victory. Lawrence failed to come off the bench.

John Souttar started both games against Greece for Scotland, as the 3-1 aggregate loss sent the nation back to League B.

It was a mixed bag for the Rangers contingent, but one player certainly made the most of his first international call-up…

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast’s Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

Nico Raskin's incredible display for Belgium

Raskin has arguably been one of the Gers’ finest performers this season, none more so than in the recent Old Firm game when he dominated the midfield and scored the opener.

This led to him being called up for the Belgium squad for their Nations League double-header against Ukraine.

He came off the bench for the final ten minutes during the first leg during the 3-1 defeat, although he did succeed with 93% of his passes and won 100% of his aerial duels despite his limited time on the field.

Having to overcome a two-goal deficit, Raskin was awarded with his first start for Belgium as they defeated Ukranian 3-0 to remain in League A for the next Nations League campaign.

The Gers starlet claimed the Man of the Match award for his performance, which was outstanding to say the least. He completed 91% of his passes during the game, while also making one key pass, winning four of his five ground duels contested and making four tackles.

Deployed at the centre of a three-midfield, Raskin was one of the stars of the 3-0 win, outshining fellow players such as Hans Vanaken and even Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne.

The latter was even hailed as “one of the best players in the world” by Rio Ferdinand just a few years ago and he provided an assist against Ukraine on Sunday evening.

Still, all the talk was about Raskin and how he settled into the midfield with ease, especially with pressure on the country to win by three goals or more to remain in the top division.

The 2026 World Cup starts in just 15 months. If Raskin can replicate these performances between now and then, he will surely be on the plane to North America. That’s for sure.

Rangers can find their new Igamane in 17-year-old who's "making waves"

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