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da pinnacle： Pep Guardiola remains coy, but the plain truth is that Manchester City have closed ground on Premier League table-toppers Arsenal ahead of the Christmas period, and Sky Blue supporters know they would be wise to buckle in.

da leao： But then, another truth would be that this is simply not Pep’s strongest City squad. That said, there is enough quality within the Etihad Stadium to challenge for and potentially win the league title, especially with Erling Haaland in such impudent goalscoring form.

However, Haaland can’t do it alone all year long, with the list of the club’s top scorers underscoring the need for more firepower.

Man City – Top Scorers 25/26 (all comps)

Player

Apps

Goals

Erling Haaland

20

20

Phil Foden

19

9

Jeremy Doku

21

3

Rayan Cherki

14

3

Josko Gvardiol

16

2

Ruben Dias

20

2

Tijjani Reijnders

21

2

Phil Foden is going from strength to strength, and that could be a defining factor in City’s revival, but it’s understandable that Guardiola and the board are hoping to sign a new wide forward.

City's winter transfer plans

Haaland continues to defy expectations. Even his soaring expectations. But there’s no question that Guardiola’s side could pack a few more angles into their punches, and that’s something that may need to be fixed in January if the Premier League title is to return to the blue side of Manchester.

Given that the Norwegian goal machine is fixed into his starting berth at number nine, perhaps a goalscoring wideman could be what Pep needs.

According to TEAMtalk, Man City still have a strong interest in signing Antoine Semenyo despite Liverpool’s ostensible lead in the race. All the pointers suggest the 26-year-old is inching toward an exit from Bournemouth in 2026.

Semenyo has been one of the standout players in the Premier League this season, and with his £65m release clause switching on in January, City will need to pounce quickly to beat off the thick competition for his signature.

Why Pep wants to sign Semenyo

Most of the noise surrounding Semenyo and his future centres around struggling Premier League champions Liverpool, but City know they have it in their power to convince him to join their project.

A big-game player and with six goals and three assists to his name in the English top flight this term, Semenyo is riding the crest of a wave, with a skillset that looks perfect for a team fighting at the top.

His potency and pace could lead him to rival Jeremy Doku as City’s new version of Leroy Sane, who is fondly remembered to this day for his exploits in Manchester.

But, more accurately, Semenyo could actually emerge as Pep’s own version of Sadio Mane, the former Liverpool attacker.

Liverpool analyst Josh Williams has actually suggested that the Ghana international is “the closest you’ll find to peak Mane right now” , and given the terrorising of Premier League defences – including City’s – that the Senegalese winger used to inflict, Pep could do a lot worse than add a new version to his ranks.

Looking at the former Liverpool man during the 2021/22 campaign, leading to a second-place finish at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, in comparison to Semenyo this season, you can perhaps see why such a claim was made, with the Cherries star boasting a completeness that few can claim they have within their locker.

Premier League – Sadio Mane vs Antoine Semenyo

Stats (* per game)

Mane (21/22)

Semenyo (25/26)

Matches (starts)

34 (32)

14 (14)

Goals

16

6

Assists

2

3

Shots (on target)*

2.9 (1.1)

2.4 (1.4)

Big chances missed

13

5

Accurate passes

23.6 (77%)

19.8 (78%)

Chances created*

1.3

1.3

Succ. dribbles*

1.4

1.6

Tackles*

1.0

1.7

Duels won*

4.7

6.5

Data via Sofascore

Both players are combative and dynamic and deadly in the final third, and while Semenyo has the pace and athleticism to rekindle memories of a star like Sane, it is the one-time Liverpool icon, who he bears a more striking tactical likeness.

Two-footed and able to play across both wings, Semenyo is the real deal, and though Bournemouth are struggling for form at this moment in time, he remains a beaming beacon for Andoni Iraola in the final third, having been named the “best winger in the country” by Chris Waddle for his efforts this season.

How City could do with a fleet-footed winger in their mix like Sane right now, someone to contrast with the electric Jeremy Doku.

Semenyo, with all his hustle and bustle, could be the perfect man for the title-chasing task at hand.

Related Worse than Nunes: Pep must drop Man City star who "doesn't have the legs"

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola should drop this star who was worse than Matheus Nunes against Fulham.

Posts ByDan Emery Dec 3, 2025

كشفت تقارير صحفية إيطالية، أن نادي آرسنال الإنجليزي حدد هدفه لتدعيم هجوم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم، بالتعاقد مع مهاجم من الدوري الإيطالي.

آرسنال يعاني هذا الموسم بسبب إصابات جيسوس المتكررة، وتذبذب مستوى كاي هافيرتز، وبالتالي يريد ميكيل أرتيتا تدعيم الهجوم.

انتهى ميركاتو الشتاء، ولكن في سوق الانتقالات الصيف القادم، يحدد أرتيتا مهاجم فيورنتينا الإيطالي مويس كين، حسب ما أفادت صحيفة “توتوسبورت” الإيطالية.

طالع أيضًا.. كاراجر يكشف عن الفريقين المرشحين للمنافسة بقوة على لقب الدوري الإنجليزي

وشددت الصحيفة على أن آرسنال بدأ التواصل مع وكلاء مويس كين، الذي انفجر هذا الموسم تحت قيادة رافائيل بالادينو في فيورنتينا بعد الرحيل عن يوفنتوس.

19 هدفًا في 29 مباراة حتى الآن، حصيلة مويس كين الذي لم يتمكن للوصول إلى هذا الرقم في مسيرته بموسم واحد، سواء مع يوفنتوس أو باريس سان جيرمان وكذلك إيفرتون.

المهاجم الإيطالي أصبح ضمن مخططات سباليتي لتدعيم منتخب بلاده في دوري الأمم الأوروبية مارس المقبل، كما هو ضمن اهتمامات آرسنال لضمه في الصيف.

اللاعب الإيطالي انضم إلى فيورنتينا من يوفنتوس الصيف الماضي مقابل 13 مليون يورو، بالإضافة إلى 5 ملايين إضافات، ولكن قيمته السوقية وصلت إلى 30 مليون خلال الأشهر القليلة الماضية.

Last week, head coach Misbah-ul-Haq accused Amir of making up the circumstances around which he announced his retirement

Danyal Rasool18-Jan-2021Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has left the door ajar for a possible return to international cricket, but reiterated he would “only be available once this management leaves”. Amir, who last month retired from international cricket alleging he was being “mentally tortured”, has seen his relationship with the current PCB board and management deteriorate steadily over time, with the war of words showing no signs of simmering down since Amir walked away from the national side.Last week, Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq accused Amir of “making up” the circumstances around which he announced his retirement, claiming the bowler had missed out on selection for a number of series previously because his performance hadn’t been good enough. He dismissed suggestions Amir’s omission came about as a result of a personal feud between the 28-year old and bowling coach Waqar Younis, saying “nobody supported his selection” among the six association coaches, Misbah himself, and the Pakistan captain Babar Azam.Upon missing out on selection for the series against New Zealand, Amir had tweeted that “only Misbah” could explain why he hadn’t been included, before criticising bowling coach Waqar Younis for talking about his workload. That, coupled by Amir’s frequent praise of former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur, at one point saying he would “love to play under Arthur for any side in the world”, offered insight into how he viewed his relations with the current coaching staff.The PCB told ESPNcricinfo they had no further comment on Amir’s latest remarks, insisting they would not issue statements through the media on matters pertaining to a retired cricketer.

He bowled only a one-over spell with ten minutes left, but that was enough to change the complexion of the game

Andrew McGlashan05-Jan-2024Mitchell Starc has had his inswingers. Pat Cummins is, well, Pat Cummins. Nathan Lyon claimed his 500th wicket. Mitchell Marsh is enjoying the finest run of his Test career. David Warner is on his farewell lap.Plenty of Australians have had their moment in the sun in this series. Now it was Josh Hazlewood’s turn. To be fair, his ball to Babar Azam in the second innings at the MCG was worth talking about more, but Australia’s surge to victory meant it got a little lost.In Sydney on Friday, Hazlewood had already opened his account when Shan Masood poked at his second ball of the innings after Australia collapsed to concede a first-innings lead of 14. Now, with ten minutes to go on the third evening, he was thrown the ball again by Cummins. It ended up being a one-over spell, but what an over it was as he cut through an already wobbling Pakistan innings with three wickets.Related

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An edge to slip, the off and middle stump taking a beating, and a nick to Warner. With each wicket, the noise got louder. A big SCG crowd had stayed late into the pink day. It wasn’t quite the scenes in Cape Town that prompted an already immortal line from Ravi Shastri, but this was again Test cricket on fast forward.”You hear a crowd get behind it, and that’s why Test cricket is so exciting,” Alex Carey said of Hazlewood’s over. “You have six hours of play, then the last five minutes you get the crowd going like that. Growing up as a youngster, you play a bit of backyard cricket, you come in and watch the last little bit, and it’s so exciting to see an over like that and a session like that.”The final session had begun with Australia six down in their first innings; it ended with Pakistan seven down in their second and needing a miracle to avoid defeat. Aamer Jamal was still talking positively about Pakistan’s prospects; but even on a pitch playing a few tricks, it will need a remarkable performance.Another whitewash on home soil. Business as usual, then? Well, not quite. Even if they canter to victory on Saturday, Australia will have been pushed close to their limits at times in this series, which is a rare thing to say on their own turf.Last week’s MCG Test was arguably the best men’s game in Australia since the famous game against India at the Gabba in early 2021. This series won’t go down in folklore as that one did, but it is comfortably the best in Australia since then. England were rolled in 2021-22, West Indies brushed aside last summer and South Africa overwhelmed.Josh Hazlewood rattled Pakistan with three wickets in an over•Getty ImagesPrior to India’s visit in the Covid-19 season of 2020-21, Pakistan and New Zealand had been beaten by whopping margins in five consecutive Tests the previous season. The 2018-19 summer was another famous one for India and stood tantalizingly at 1-1 after two matches, but the edge was taken off a little by the absence of Warner and Steven Smith.The point of all this is that to challenge Australia at home is a rare achievement. Ultimately, it appears Pakistan’s batting will have proven too brittle – and their catching too poor – to break the back of the Australians. But they have gone where many teams have not been able to. Until their late slide, they had again clung to Australia’s coat-tails.When Marnus Labuschagne and Smith had laid the base for a strong first innings with a stand of 79 in 29.5 overs, Mir Hamza went around the wicket to remove Smith with a well-set off-side catching ring. Smith has made important contributions in this series, but has had to work very hard. His strike rate sits at 39.25, only the fourth time he has struck at below 40 in his career – and three of those have come since 2022.Agha Salman then produced one of the balls of the series to rip through the gate of Labuschagne, while Travis Head’s lean series continued when he was lbw to Jamal. Over the next couple of hours, it again looked like Australia were taking a grip of the game when Marsh, using up his share of good fortune along the way, and Carey added 84 to approach Pakistan’s first-innings total. But on the stroke of tea, Sajid Khan squeezed one between Carey’s bat and pad to graze the top of the leg bail.After the interval, Marsh drove to mid-off, and the tail was blown away by Jamal, who has left an indelible mark. Not many would begrudge him if he was named Player of the Series even if it was 3-0 to Australia. For the first time since the MCG Test against India in 2020, Australia trailed in the first innings at home. Their lower order had also been put in the shade by Pakistan’s: on the first day, the visitors’ last wicket had added 85, and the last four 123.Mitchell Starc clean bowled Abdullah Shafique•Getty ImagesBut then Australia flexed their muscles with the ball in the second innings. Starc produced a first-over gem that snaked back between Abdullah Shafique’s bat and pad to condemn him to a pair. The SCG had found its voice again, and you wondered whether the home side would get on an unstoppable roll.”The crowd can feel that,” Carey said. “They clapped that whole over when he was charging in. You get a fast left-armer steaming in with the new ball, [and] it’s pretty hard to keep out an inswinger like that. He was in the contest today; he was grumpy. Think we left him stranded. He probably felt like he was going to get some runs.”Saim Ayub had been handed a tough examination to open on his Test debut, and, like Shafique, had been on a pair. He avoided that in the second over, but all of a sudden decided to show some of his T20 skills, scything Starc through backward point and upper-cutting him for six in the same direction. He greeted Cummins’ first ball of the innings by taking him over mid-on.Australia burned a review for a caught behind against Babar Azam, and were just getting a little twitchy when Lyon trapped Ayub lbw. Three overs later, Babar’s below-par series was over when he edged a drive against Head. The prospect of setting a target of around 200 was receding into the distance. A few minutes later, as Hazlewood wheeled away in celebration after celebration, it was a blip on the horizon.So it will probably be 3-0. In years to come, when only the scoreline is mentioned, it may look like a normal summer’s work for Australia. The reality is, it’s been anything but.

Ajmal Shahzad, looking to reawaken his career with Notts, admits he was “stubborn” in the stand-off that saw him leave Yorkshire, but he is burning to show them what they are missing

Jon Culley26-Jan-2013Trent Bridge shivers under a blanket of snow but in the picture in Ajmal Shahzad’s mind it is April, the grass is vibrantly green, he has a new ball in his hand and a statement to make. When that day finally comes there will be no Nottinghamshire bowler more eager to set his standards high, in Shahzad’s case to relaunch a career that he feels stalled when he left the field in Chittagong after England’s defeat to Bangladesh in the 2011 World Cup.It was not only his last appearance in international cricket – the following week he would be on a plane home after a recurrence of a hamstring injury – but the start of a turbulent year that culminated last May in an all-too-familiar Yorkshire bloodbath when it was announced that Shahzad could look for a new club, after he was accused by the chairman, Colin Graves, in an extraordinary public attack, of playing for himself rather than for the team.Eight months on, Shahzad has asked enough questions of himself to conclude that it was a divorce with faults on both sides. But while he accepts he was “stubborn” in the way he resisted Yorkshire’s attempts to curb his natural instincts as a bowler, it is an admission that does not amount to repentance.”I’ve always seen myself as an attacking, aggressive bowler,” he said. “I always wanted to take the new rock, bowling short, sharp bursts, intimidating batsmen and hopefully getting a few wickets. That had always been the way I bowled from the start of my career but it came to a point at Yorkshire when I wasn’t being given the new ball and instead was being asked to do more of a holding role, bowling line and length.”Don’t get me wrong, that job has to be done. But with my natural attributes – skiddy quick, having a good yorker, a bouncer and a few tricks up my sleeve, things that served me well when I had my best season for Yorkshire – I wanted to be given my head and it frustrated me when that didn’t happen. When the new ball was taken off me, it hurt.”It all came to a head when I was told Yorkshire did not intend to play me again in any of the teams. There was a clash of personalities but there had been problems that had been niggling underneath for about a year before I left.”The clash of personalities came with Jason Gillespie, Yorkshire’s Australian coach. Gillespie’s attitude seemed to change dramatically as he began his first season in the job. Shahzad’s axing came only a week after Gilllespie had described him as “a fantastic bowler” but it soon became clear their differences were irreconcilable.Shahzad regrets that the relationship did not flourish. “I wish I could have worked longer with Jason Gillespie, wish I could have picked his brain more because he is a legend of the game. Maybe we would have gelled a bit better, maybe he would have got to know me better and the way that I work.”But whether you are a legend or just a mediocre player, coaching is all about managing your players. I wish he would have handled me and one or two of the other lads a bit differently and got to know me a bit more. And I would have got to know him a bit better.”If he was disappointed over Gillespie, he was especially dismayed over the chairman’s comments, not only those that came with the parting of ways but the previous autumn, too, when Yorkshire were relegated and Graves said that the county’s England players had “let us down”.”What was quite upsetting is that when he sat down and spoke to me face to face he never had a bad word to say,” Shahzad said. “It was hard to read, hard to stomach.”When I had a bad season for Yorkshire in 2011, I had ankle problems. I kept having injections and had surgery at the end of the year. I was half-fit and didn’t do as well as I would have liked. So getting slated at the end of the year for not pulling my weight was out of order.”When Colin gave his press conference at Scarborough after I had been told I could go, I felt he made some rash comments. But I know the kind of character he is, passionate about his cricket. He is a typical Yorkshireman, saying what was on his mind, as we all do, saying things we probably shouldn’t.”It could have been handled better from both sides. I was a little bit stubborn, didn’t want to give in, and it was the same on the management side. I wish I could turn back time and smooth it all out and play it a different way but that’s the way it was, and now I’m at Notts, it’s a fresh start.”It seems like a good match, given Nottinghamshire’s lack of a cutting-edge strike bowlers since England claimed Stuart Broad and Ryan Sidebottom rejoined Yorkshire. Yet neither party was the other’s first choice. Shahzad would have been happy to continue with Lancashire, where he saw out last season, while Notts’ coach Mick Newell had hoped to recruit the coveted former Glamorgan pace bowler James Harris, only to lose out to Middlesex.”I wanted to stay at Lancs,” Shahzad said. “It was quite close to home, they are a good bunch of lads, Peter Moores is a great coach. But it just came down to the length of deal really.”Mick came in quite late for me but he laid his cards on the table. He told me they were hoping to get Harris, but that if he didn’t come they wanted me and they would do it quickly, on a three-year deal. It’s not that far from home, an hour and 15 minutes up the M1. It’s a great place to play cricket for a bowler, so it has panned out well.”Resuming his England career is at the top of his priorities. “I had my Test against Bangladesh in 2010 that I thought went well, that I bowled nicely. I got into the T20 and one-day set-ups and every time I played, I think I did well. But I picked up a hamstring strain in the World Cup from trying too hard and just drifted away from it after that.”I was trying to get my form back in England but I had my ankle impingement at the time and it was always sore and that, combined with the troublesome time I was having at Yorkshire, did not really help. It put me on a downward spiral.”But that’s another good thing about being here, to play alongside top-class players who are in the England set-up and playing in international tournaments. If I can do well against these guys in the nets and stand out amongst some of the best it can get me back in the spotlight because I still have massive ambitions and I think my best is still to come.”The move has meant leaving the family home in Bradford for the first time. “It has made me grow up a bit, moving – and knowing I have the responsibility now of being a senior player at 27,” he said, although he is planning to rein himself no more than he feels is necessary when the ball is in his hand.”Mick has told me exactly where he wants me to fit into his plans and I’m very happy with that. He wants me to take the new ball in one-day cricket and four-day cricket as well, batting at No. 8 hopefully, as an allrounder – because I can bat.”I’ll still bowl aggressively, still try to make things happen and use the skills I have to do that but try to use that yorker as a shock delivery rather than feeling I have to bowl one every over. I want to set the right standard as the senior bowler taking the new ball.”Home now for Shahzad is a stylish apartment overlooking the Trent in an exclusive complex where Sven Goran Eriksson used to rest his head while Notts County were occupying his attention. Some might wish Shahzad had more in common temperamentally with the unflappable former England football manager. Then again, when has there been a fiery Yorkshire bowler with the off-field demeanour of a cool Swede? It simply wouldn’t happen.

The defending champions completed a dominant performance against Tasmania to enter the BBL break in good spirits

AAP07-Dec-2025South Australia secured a Sheffield Shield double against Tasmania, beating them for the second time in four weeks.After winning in Hobart last month, the reigning champions backed it up by completing a comprehensive 10-wicket win at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday.Even without captain Nathan McSweeney (Australia A) and star quick Brendan Doggett (Ashes duty), SA proved too strong for Tasmania at home. The hosts claimed a first-innings lead of 231 after centuries to Jake Lehmann and Liam Scott powered them to 426.Related

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• Scott, Lehmann tons help SA dominate Tasmania

Tasmania, missing Test opener Jake Weatherald and allrounder Beau Webster, were skittled for just 195 on day one. They didn’t fare much better in their second innings, but at least were able to force SA to bat again.Tim Ward (66), captain Jordan Silk (46) and a solid contribution from allrounder Nikhil Chaudhary (42) helped Tasmania to 260. Nathan McAndrew ended Ward’s resistance when he nipped one between bat and pad.Jordan Buckingham was the star with the ball, collecting 4 for 49 and 4 for 58. On the third day he trapped Ruwantha Kellapotha lbw with a full toss and had Nikhil Chaudhary pulling down the leg side.SA had no problem chasing down the minuscule target of 30, with Mackenzie Harvey and Henry Hunt completing it in six overs.A win was vital for SA, who entered this round in fourth spot on the ladder, just behind Tasmania. After a drought-breaking title win last season, SA started slowly with three-straight losses, but are in striking distance of another final berth going into the BBL break.

Leeds United have come back from adversity this season, looking to bounce back after missing out on promotion in the play-off final against Southampton at Wembley.

As if missing out on a return to the Premier League was bad enough, the first-team squad was ransacked, leading to numerous talents departing Elland Road for a move to England’s top flight.

Top scorer Crysencio Summerville departed in a £25m deal to join West Ham United, with top assister Georginio Rutter leaving in a club-record £40m transfer, moving to Brighton and Hove Albion.

The pair combined for 49 goals in the 2023/24 Championship season, undoubtedly a huge loss for boss Daniel Farke, but they tried to combat such losses with new additions over the summer.

However, the upcoming January window presents a new opportunity for the German to improve his attacking options, potentially going back in for one player who was on their radar during the off-season.

Leeds target January move for £8.5m talent

According to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, Leeds are pondering a potential move for Hammarby IF’s striker Jusef Erabi in January, having followed the forward of recent months.

The 21-year-old was touted as a potential option for the Whites during the summer, but a move failed to materialise – with the youngster staying in Sweden.

However, fellow Championship side Norwich City and Serie A outfit Genoa are also both named in the report over a potential move for the attacker, who’s currently valued at €10m (£8.5m) by his current employers.

Leeds certainly have the funds available after the huge departures over the summer, with Erabi one player who could be on their list ahead of the winter window.

The forward would provide an upgrade on one player currently plying his trade at Elland Road, handing them a boost in their promotion ambitions between now and the end of the campaign.

Why Erabi would be an upgrade on Bamford for Leeds

Striker Patrick Bamford has certainly had his doubters over the years but managed to be a huge part of their success in the Premier League a couple of years ago.

The Englishman notched 17 goals during the 2020/21 season, helping the club register a top-half finish in the first year after promotion from England’s second tier.

However, since relegation, he’s struggled to replicate such form, scoring just eight league goals, with injuries restricting him to just 77 minutes of action so far in 2024/25.

As a result of his recent tribulations, the hierarchy could be forced into dipping into the transfer market, with Erabi just one option who would provide an upgrade on the 31-year-old.

The Swede has registered nine goals in all competitions during this calendar year, massively outscoring Bamford and offering that added firepower to push them over the line in their promotion battle.

However, when delving into the underlying stats, the Hammarby star has also massively outperformed the current Leeds forward – demonstrating what a superb addition he would be should a deal be completed.

Games played

23

7

Minutes played

1670

77

Goals & assists

10

0

Shot-on-target accuracy

43%

0%

Fouls won

1.8

1.1

Times caught offside

0.7

1.1

It’s safe to say it’s been a sad decline for Bamford, failing to consistently produce the goods for the Whites, leaving the supporters wanting more within the attacking area of the pitch.

Erabi, who’s been dubbed “powerful and prolific” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, could be the man to provide that added impetus, having the ability in front of goal to transform the fortunes in the final third in the coming months.

£8.5m would be another huge investment from the board, but it could prove to be one for the short and long term, having an immediate impact but also potentially making them a sizeable profit at some point down the line.

It could also help to finally send that man Bamford packing, with just 18 months left to run on his existing deal.

Farke must sell Leeds flop who Marsch was "convinced" would be "great"

The Leeds United defender must be cashed in on at the earliest available opportunity.

ByDan Emery Dec 5, 2024

Leicester City have received transfer offers worth more than £4 million to sell one of their players before the deadline, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Leicester transfer news

It has been a quiet January transfer window for the Foxes so far, as while they have made one signing in Woyo Coulibaly, it has been quiet in terms of other potential arrivals. Leicester have just sold Tom Cannon to Sheffield United for a hefty price, so that could now allow the Premier League side to enter the transfer market.

Leicester City lining up new forward who's risen through the lower leagues

He could be a late addition to the ranks at the King Power Stadium.

By
Ben Browning

Jan 24, 2025

Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed that they are looking at options to possibly strengthen the squad, saying: “We are looking at options within the possibility to strengthen the squad, and also this deal with Tom [Cannon] is part of that situation. So, we are addressing that and are looking at players to strengthen the team within the possibilities that are there at the moment.”

Cannon’s move to Bramall Lane has freed up money, and it’s been reported that Leicester have now made a move to sign Strahinja Pavlovic from AC Milan. The 6 foot 4 player is a defender by trade, and since joining Milan in the summer transfer window, he has struggled to make an impact. But given Leicester’s poor defensive performances, van Nistelrooy will hope Pavlovic’s potential arrival can help improve their defensive flaws.

Leicester receive £4m+ transfer offer to sell 23 y/o ace

As arrivals will be a priority for the Foxes, there could also be another departure on the cards, as Romano reports that Bundesliga side Hoffenheim have made ‘multiple offers’ for Leicester’s Luke Thomas.

Romano adds that those offers from the German side are believed to be around €5 million, which is £4.2m. However, those offers are yet to convince the Premier League side to sell the defender and as of yet are not willing to sanction a sale.

The 23-year-old came through the academy at the King Power Stadium and has played 90 times for the club’s first team in various competitions. However, he has only featured twice for the Foxes in the Premier League this season, 90 minutes against Brentford in November and 90 minutes against Aston Villa earlier this month under Van Nistelrooy. Thomas hasn’t featured for Leicester since, and with his contract up in 2026, a move this month could suit all parties.

Luke Thomas’ 24/25 Premier League stats
Apps	2
Starts	2
Key passes	0.5
Interceptions per game	1.0
Tackles per game	2.5
Balls recovered per 90	3.5
Dribbled past per 90	1.0
Clearances per game	1.5

Thomas has had recent loan spells with Sheffield United and Middlesbrough, but he has been unable to show it at Leicester, and that is despite him being a key performer under ex-manager Brendan Rodgers, who once labelled him “brilliant” after a Carabao Cup game against Liverpool.

Rodgers said: “I said to him afterwards that he was brilliant during the game. He’s developing so well. It’s another great experience for him. The atmosphere was great, as it always is at Anfield. It was a really good game. It was unfortunate for him to miss the penalty, but in the game he was exceptional. He’s a tough boy, and he will move on.”

da esport bet： Newcastle United’s Premier League campaign has started with more frustration than fluidity.

da premier bet： A goalless draw with Aston Villa on opening day saw Eddie Howe’s side look the more dangerous outfit, but they lacked the cutting edge to secure three points.

Stalemates against Leeds and Bournemouth then further highlighted the side’s lack of rhythm in the final third. Against Leeds, Newcastle were wasteful despite moments of control, and at Bournemouth, Howe’s decision to trial a more defensive 3-4-2-1 setup blunted their attacking potential even further.

The Magpies have generated just 4.6 expected goals (xG) across their first five league fixtures – a figure better only than the three promoted sides, Wolves, and Aston Villa.

The midweek 4-1 win against Bradford City in the Carabao Cup was a welcome tonic, with a strong XI fielded to sharpen patterns in attack.

Yet with a Champions League trip to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise before facing Arsenal on Sunday, Howe must find a way to get more out of his new-look attack.

The question is whether his summer signing in attack, Nick Woltemade, can be trusted to lead the line consistently so early in his Premier League career.

Why Woltemade needs time to adapt

Newcastle made a statement when they secured Nick Woltemade this summer, fending off Bayern Munich, who had three bids rejected for the striker.

Standing at 1.98m and fresh from a 12-goal Bundesliga season with Werder Bremen, Woltemade brings a blend of aerial presence and technical quality.

He also impressed for Germany at the U21 Euros and earned senior caps in recent international fixtures, including an assist in the 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland.

He introduced himself to the St James’ Park crowd with a debut goal against Wolves, but his performances have shown the reality of adapting to English football.

In the Bundesliga last season, Woltemade was involved in 14 goals across 28 matches, averaging 4.38 shot-creating actions per 90, per FBref.

His ability to progress the ball is also evident, carrying it forward 26 times per 90 minutes and adding 2.89 progressive passes, per FBref.

These numbers highlight a striker who is comfortable linking play rather than just finishing chances. Yet so far in England, those qualities have been less visible.

He also contributes defensively, averaging 0.56 tackles and 1.28 blocks per 90 last season, which shows that he is willing to press. However, Howe will be aware that a club-record signing will be judged primarily on goals, and right now, Woltemade still looks like a player learning the rhythm and relentlessness of the Premier League.

Patience is needed, but Newcastle may not be able to wait if they want results quickly.

Osula can be the difference for Newcastle

That’s where William Osula comes in.

The 22-year-old striker, signed from Sheffield United for £15m, has flown somewhat under the radar since his arrival.

He made 25 appearances across all competitions, scoring five and assisting twice, but crucially showed signs of being the “natural #9” that Newcastle desperately need, as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Osula was nearly allowed to leave on deadline day, with Frankfurt circling, but Newcastle pulled the plug following Yoane Wissa’s injury on international duty. It already looks a shrewd decision.

The Dane scored his first Premier League goal last season against Ipswich last season, and this campaign has already opened his account with a strike in the loss to Liverpool. Midweek against Bradford, he made a statement.

William Osula Vs. Bradford

Match Rating

8.2

Goals

2

Shots on Target

4

Dribbles

3 (2 successful)

Touches

39

Passes

16 (15 accurate)

Ground Duels

11 (5 won)

Source: SofaScore

This was a centre-forward performance full of hunger, sharpness, and clinical finishing – precisely what Newcastle have lacked in their league fixtures.

His pressing from the front also allowed the midfield to play higher up, easing pressure on the defence. For a side starved of attacking fluency, Osula represents the kind of direct, instinctive forward who can turn half-chances into goals.

A partnership potential with Woltemade, once the German fully settles, could give Newcastle multiple tactical options.

One towering, playmaking striker alongside a more mobile, poacher-type forward. With tough opponents on the horizon, Howe must balance pragmatism with ambition.

Related Newcastle: Eddie Howe impressed with £25k-a-week Magpies player in training

He starred in the week against Bradford City.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Sep 25, 2025

Yet if Newcastle truly want to ignite their season, unleashing Osula more consistently might be the spark that transforms their attack.

MatériaMais Notícias

da realbet： No jogo marcado por quem ficaria com o primeiro lugar do Grupo D, Botafogo e Junior Barranquilla empataram, sequer movimentaram o placar na noite desta terça-feira (28) e avançaram às oitavas da Libertadores. Os colombianos se classificaram em primeiro colocado, enquanto o Alvinegro em segundo. A partida válida pela última rodada da fase de grupos foi no Estádio Roberto Melendez Metropolitan Stadium. Confira o Lance! Final no player acima.

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✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
JUNIOR BARRANQUILLA 0 X 0 BOTAFOGO
6ª RODADA DA FASE DE GRUPOS – LIBERTADORES
🗓️ Data e horário: terça-feira, 28 de maio de 2024, às 19h (de Brasília);
📍 Local: Estádio Roberto Melendez Metropolitan Stadium, em Barranquilla (COL);
🟨 Árbitro: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela);
🚩 Assistentes: Jorge Urrego (VEN) e Tulio Moreno (VEN);
📺 VAR: Germán Delfino (Argentina).

JUNIOR BARRANQUILLA (Técnico: Arturo Reyes)
Santiago Mele; Edwian Herrera, Mena, Emanuel Olivera e Gabriel Fuentes; Didier Moreno, Cantillo (Luis González) e (Hinojosa); Déiber Caicedo (Vladimir Hernández), Enamorado e Homer Martínez (Jhon Vélez); Bacca (Steven Rodríguez).

continua após a publicidade

BOTAFOGO (Técnico: Artur Jorge)
Gatito Fernández; Damián Suárez, Alexander Barboza, Bastos e Hugo (Mateo Ponte); Gregore, Tchê Tchê (Marlon Freitas), Diego Hernández e Óscar Romero (Luiz Henrique); Yarlen (Fabiano) e Júnior Santos (Tiquinho Soares).

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