While Arsenal have made their fair share of big signings in summers past, it would be fair to say the way the club has acted in recent weeks is somewhat unprecedented.

Andrea Berta and Co have already secured the services of Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arizabalaga for a combined £65m, and on top of that, David Ornstein has confirmed that Christian Norgaard’s £15m transfer has been completed.

Furthermore, the links to Noni Madueke don’t seem to be going anywhere, and most exciting of all, it looks more like a matter of when, rather than if, the club will announce the signing of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

The Swedish international could be a total game-changer for the Gunners, and interestingly, if reports are to be believed, the club could be looking to sign another dynamic attacker who’s a lot like him.

Arsenal target Gyokeres-esque star

After another season in which Arsenal produced the best defence in the Premier League but still fell short, signing a new striker this summer became a necessity.

Transfer Focus

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

For much of the summer, the forward who looked most likely to join Arteta’s side was Benjamin Sesko. However, since it was revealed that RB Leipzig were asking for up to €100m, which is approximately £86m, the club’s focus shifted to Gyokeres.

The pivot to the Sporting CP star has been rapid, as an agreement on personal terms has already been reached, and talks between the two clubs are progressing, with some reports claiming that the final fee will be up to £70m including add-ons.

Interestingly, the North Londoners do not seem content with just the one forward signing, though, as they are also keen on Ademola Lookman.

At least that’s according to a recent report from The Athletic, which has revealed that Arsenal have held discussions concerning the Atalanta star.

The report claims that while the Gunners are fans of the talented international, they do not want to pay the Italian side’s valuation, which some reports have claimed is as high as £55m.

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Lookman’s incredible ability, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he’s won comparisons to Gyokeres.

How Lookman compares to Gyokeres

When it comes to Lookman’s similarities with Gyokeres, the first place to start is with the statistical side of things.

According to FBref, the Swedish international was the fifth most similar forward to the Nigerian ace in last season’s Champions League.

The best way to understand how they reached this conclusion is to examine some of the underlying metrics in which the pair ranked closely, which include things like goals per shot and shot on target, passing accuracy, key passes and more, all per 90.

Goals per Shot

0.18

0.18

Goals per Shot on Target

0.45

0.44

Passing Accuracy

82.2%

80.0%

Key Passes

2.64

2.50

Aerial Duels Won %

33.3%

30.8%

However, the similarities go beyond these statistics, as just like the Sporting star, albeit to a slightly lesser extent, the Atalanta star has been “one of the best forwards in Europe” in the words of journalist Oma Akatugba recently.

For example, in the 22/23 season, he racked up a brilliant haul of 23 goal involvements in 33 games, which he then followed up with an even better tally of 27 in 45 games the following year.

Then, last season, for the third consecutive campaign, the “world-class” 27-year-old, as dubbed by journalist John Bennett, continued to blow opposition teams away by producing another 27 goal involvements, this time in just 40 games.

Ultimately, whether it’s down to their underlying numbers or the sheer weight of goals and assists they produce, it’s easy to make comparisons between Lookman and Gyokeres.

Appearances

33

45

40

Minutes

1858′

2809′

2871′

Goals

15

17

20

Assists

8

10

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.69

0.60

0.67

Minutes per Goal Involvement

80.78′

104.03′

106.33

Therefore, if Arsenal really want to supercharge their attack this summer, they should do what they can to bring in both of them.

Super agent in talks for £30m star to join Arsenal, it could be done in days

He’s trying to seal a north London move for his client.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 8, 2025

Leeds United are now keen on signing an “unplayable” forward, who could be brought in as an alternative to Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao, according to a report.

Farke looking to sign new winger

With Leeds looking to avoid relegation in their first season back in the Premier League, they are vying to sign a new winger that would guarantee goals, and Paixao has emerged as a major target over the past few days.

The Whites are said to be chasing the Brazilian winger, who performed remarkably well in the Netherlands last season, while also proving himself in the Champions League.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Eredivisie

34

16

14

Champions League

11

2

5

Given the level of the forward’s performances last season, however, there is widespread interest in his signature, with the likes of AS Roma, Atalanta and Marseille also being named as potential suitors this summer.

Consequently, it could be difficult for Daniel Farke’s side to get a deal over the line, but the Feyenoord star is not the only option on the shortlist.

Indeed, according to a report from Leeds Live, Leeds are expected to make further additions to their squad this summer, and Tottenham Hotspur’s Manor Solomon could be among them, given that he remains well-liked by Farke.

Paixao would love him: Leeds in talks to sign £18m Joseph upgrade

Leeds United are reportedly in talks to sign a star who transfer target Igor Paixao would love.

ByDan Emery Jul 22, 2025

Solomon has expressed a desire to remain at Tottenham and prove himself to Thomas Frank upon returning from injury, but Spurs may choose to cash-in before the end of the summer transfer window, opening the door for a move to Elland Road.

As such, a move may not be in the offing anytime soon, with Frank also expected to take a look at the former Leeds loan star when he recovers from a minor calf injury, in order to make a decision over his future.

"Unplayable" Solomon ready to test himself in the Premier League

The Israeli was one of the driving forces behind the Whites’ promotion to the Premier League last season, collecting 10 goals and 12 assists in 39 Championship games, with former Leeds boss Neil Redfearn lauding him after an impressive performance against Hull City.

Redfearn said: “I thought Manor Solomon was probably the man of the match to be honest. He’s got a quality that is better than this level, you can obviously see that. Initially in the first 20 minutes it was like tackling smoke. He was unplayable at times.”

With Tottenham setting an asking price of £20m back in May, a deal for the 25-year-old could be on the expensive side, but he is clearly ready to make the step-up to the top flight.

However, Paixao could also be an attainable target for Leeds this summer, with widespread reports suggesting Marseille’s pursuit of the forward is at a standstill, and given his performances in the Champions League last season, he could be the preferable option.

This summer is shaping up to be one of Arsenal’s best in a very long time.

It might sound hyperbolic, but it’s really not, as, following a slow start to the transfer window, the club have already officially announced four signings, including Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke.

Add to that the renewed contracts of Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, plus the fact that Cristhian Mosquera is already reportedly out in Singapore, and it’s easy to see why some fans are getting very excited.

Moreover, while he’s not been announced yet, the club appear to have finally agreed a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres, and based on reports, they’re also keen on someone who’d be his dream winger.

Arsenal target dream winger for Gyokeres

The most significant transfer saga involving Arsenal this summer has undoubtedly been about Gyokeres.

Transfer Focus

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

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At first, it looked like Benjamin Sesko was the club’s first-choice option to lead the line next season, but once RB Leipzig priced him out of a move, the North Londoners turned their full attention to the Swedish international.

Finally, after what had felt like weeks of stalemate between Sporting CP and the Gunners over the add-ons in the deal, Fabrizio Romano gave the transfer the ‘here we go’ treatment yesterday afternoon.

It’s a potentially game-changing addition to a team that needed a clinical number nine last season, and better yet, the club are now being linked with someone who could be the striker’s dream winger.

According to a recent report from The Athletic, Arsenal are interested in Anthony Gordon.

The report claims that the Newcastle United star is a player the Premier League runners-up currently ‘admire’, but that the futures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard could determine whether that admiration develops.

In terms of how much the Englishman may cost, reports from earlier this summer claimed a fee of around £100m could be enough, and while that’s a lot of money, it might prove worth it to sign someone who could be Gyokeres’ dream winger.

Why Gordon would be a dream teammate for Gyokeres

So, to first determine which wingers would be dream teammates for Gyokeres, we need to take a moment to look at how the striker plays the game.

While Arteta and Co will surely be able to further develop the way in which the Swede plays, it’s crystal clear from both his heat map last season that he spends most of his time in and around the penalty area.

Moreover, when we take a look at his shot map in all competitions last season, it becomes even more apparent that he is a traditional number nine, a fox in the box, if you will.

So, to get the most out of him and maximise his strengths, the Gunners need a winger who is effective at getting the ball into dangerous areas, and based on some of his underlying numbers, Gordon fits the bill.

For example, FBref placed him in the top 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League last season for crosses into the penalty area and the top 15% for passes into the penalty area.

Additionally, FBref ranked him in the top 1% for penalty kicks won and the top 3% for goal-creating actions the previous season, suggesting that the Englishman will create chances for his teammates, either through winning a foul or ingenious play.

Finally, you don’t just have to look at the underlying metrics to see the Liverpool-born “nightmare,” as he described himself, could be a real game-changer for the Gunners and Gyokeres, as his output also makes the case.

For example, since the start of the 23/24 campaign, he’s scored 21 goals and provided 23 assists in 90 appearances, totalling 6815 minutes.

In other words, that means the 24-year-old ace has averaged a goal involvement every 2.04 games, or every 154.88 minutes.

Gordon’s recent form

Season

23/24

24/25

Appearances

48

42

Minutes

3869′

2946′

Goals

12

9

Assists

16

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

0.38

Minutes per Goal Involvement

138.17′

184.12′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Ultimately, Gyokeres looks like he’ll be an incredible addition to this Arsenal squad, but if Arteta and Co want to get even more out of him, they’d do well to bring in Gordon as well.

Related He'd be Nwaneri 2.0: Arsenal agree fee to sign "technically gifted" star

Arsenal could sign their new Ethan Nwaneri this summer.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 23, 2025

Emerging quick Lance Morris admits it’s been “frustrating” working his way through another rehab from a back injury, but hopes a cautious approach will prove beneficial as he earmarks playing in the Sheffield Shield ahead of Australia’s Test series against India this summer.The 26-year-old has not played since the ODI series against West Indies in February. After making his international debut in the series opener, Morris claimed two early wickets in the third match in Canberra before suffering a side strain which ended his season.Morris had been due to line-up for Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket before post-season scans showed a hot spot in his back and he wasn’t considered for Australia’s current tour of Scotland and England. It was a recurrence of the injury that ruled the West Australian paceman out of the Ashes tour in 2023.Related

• Morris ruled out for up to 12 months after opting for back surgery

• Lance Morris sidelined by quad strain but hoping for short layoff

• 'Feels like we're in rarified air' – WA face their toughest test in pursuit of history

• Sheffield Shield preview: Western Australia chase history, Test stars to play early rounds

• Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson set for domestic returns with WA

“It’s been a bit frustrating,” Morris told ESPNcricinfo. “I guess you call it a stress fracture, but when we scan it, it doesn’t have the natural characteristics of a usual stress fracture. So there was some confusion at first around exactly what it was.”The tricky one for me was I didn’t actually have any back pain when I was bowling. I get monthly check-ins with an MRI on my back to make sure things are heading in the right direction. And it’s been clearing up… healing, so that’s a positive.”While he maintained his fitness levels through running and regular gym, Morris was unable to do any skills work for around eight weeks.”Frustrating to have to stop for a couple of months. I’m at that stage in my career with a Cricket Australia contract….it’s a transition into a 12-month cricketer,” he said.”I was continually preparing to go [to MLC], but never managed to get over there.”But the silver lining is I’ve stayed fit and I feel stronger than ever. Whereas if I ignored it and cracked on with things, there’s every likelihood that I would spend 12 months on the sidelines.”Lance Morris suffered a left side strain in his second ODI in February•Getty Images

Dubbed ‘The Wild Thing’ – in a nod to former tearaway Shaun Tait – Morris garnered considerable attention for his ability to bowl over 150kph. Regarded as arguably the fastest bowler in Australia, he became an enforcer for Western Australia on bouncy WACA decks and rose to the fringes of Australia’s Test team over the past couple of seasons.Having slowly built up his bowling loads, Morris had been left wondering whether he could reach maximum speed again until going “full tilt” in recent weeks restored his confidence.”The tricky thing with loading up really slowly is that you have restrictions on the pace you can bowl at different intervals,” he said. “You sort of wonder how you’re going to get back up to top speed.”But over the last couple of weeks, it’s been basically shackles off. It’s been nice to let the ball go.”Morris is set to make his return through Australia’s domestic 50-over competition starting later this month before eyeing a red-ball comeback in the Sheffield Shield. Three-time defending champions Western Australia start their Shield season against Queensland at the WACA on October 8.”Conversations so far… basically it’s ok to start playing one-day cricket, so [I might play] one of the first two white-ball games,” Morris said with WA opening the One-Day competition against New South Wales on September 22 before playing South Australia two days later.”There will be a little bit of a process in building up and getting ready for Shield cricket. But I think all going well, I should be available for round one or round two. I’m not too sure exactly yet, but we’re not far off.”There are four rounds of the Shield before the first Test in Perth. A solid base of competitive cricket might propel Morris into the mix with concerns over Australia’s depth behind incumbent pace trio Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.”I have no expectations at all. But if the opportunity does arise, hopefully I can jump on it with both hands,” Morris said of his Test prospects. “Fingers crossed I can stay on the park this season because I think there could be a few opportunities that arise.”Liam Haskett will miss the first half of WA’s season with a back injury•Getty Images

Meanwhile, WA left-arm quick Liam Haskett is set to miss the first half of the Sheffield Shield season as he recovers from a stress fracture in his back.Post-season scans confirmed a recurrence of an injury Haskett suffered a few years ago. The towering six-foot seven-inch paceman emerged during a breakout debut season when he claimed 20 wickets at 24.75 from six Shield matches. Haskett, 23, starred in the final round with six wickets against Victoria at the Junction Oval, but missed the Shield final against Tasmania due to a heel injury.”A rough timeline would be getting back towards the end of November-early December, but that could change with a scan result,” Haskett told ESPNcricinfo. “It’s frustrating coming off the season I had, but we’ll keep working towards getting back on the field around the middle part of the season.”

Bad weather spares Leicestershire further examination but innings defeat looms

ECB Reporters Network10-Sep-2024

Matthew Fisher was in the runs and wickets on day two•Getty Images

Yorkshire remain on course for a victory that they believe may be enough to realise their promotion ambitions despite bad weather washing out more than half of the second day of their Vitality County Championship match at Leicester.Leicestershire will resume on day three at 35 for two in their second innings, trailing by 246 after Yorkshire had posted 379 following an excellent 126 from captain Jonny Tattersall and a career-best 88 from pace bowler Matthew Fisher, who also claimed both Leicestershire wickets.Rain forced the players off shortly before two o’clock and they were unable to return. It meant 57 scheduled overs were lost but with two full days still to come Yorkshire would be mightily disappointed should they fail to turn their strong position into a win.Ahead of this fixture, head coach Ottis Gibson predicted that one win from his side’s final three Division Two matches would be enough to secure a top-two finish, even though they trailed second-placed Middlesex by a point going into this round.In the play that was possible, Leicestershire’s hopes of limiting Yorkshire’s lead after they were dismissed for 98 on day one went unfulfilled in an opening session dominated by a 138-run ninth-wicket partnership between Tattersall and Fisher, who could not be parted for an hour and a half, and only when home skipper Lewis Hill had belatedly recalled Rehan Ahmed into the attack.The England wrist spinner, who turned 20 last month and has been named in the squad to tour Pakistan next month, was successful with his fourth delivery (having struck with his second in his first spell on day one) as Tattersall’s fine innings ended with an edge to slip. He finished with three for 60.The Yorkshire captain had completed his second hundred of the season in the sixth over of the morning from 170 balls. He celebrated with two lovely straight driven fours off Scott Currie and had raised his boundary count to 14 by the time he was out.The pitch appeared to offer far less to the bowlers than it had 24 hours earlier, when the first dozen overs of the morning saw Leicestershire lose seven wickets for 15. The corresponding period this time resulted in Yorkshire adding 51 without loss as Fisher posted his maiden first-class half-century for the county. Even the new ball, taken as soon as available nine overs into the day, had little effect.More to the point, in the broader context, the shift in the balance of the contest had enabled Yorkshire to turn one batting bonus point overnight to three, which may be vital as they bid to seal their return to Division One, matching Middlesex’s haul against Gloucestershire. They were one short when Tattersall was out, but Fisher and Ben Coad added another 31 from just 26 balls before Ahmed dismissed Fisher, helped by a sharp catch snapped up at ankle height by wicketkeeper Ben Cox.Seamer Tom Scriven, still searching for his first five-wicket bag in first-class cricket, finished with four for 103.There was time for Leicestershire to face one nervy over before lunch, and though they survived that one, they slipped to 34 for two for two shortly before the rain arrived, Fisher continuing his productive day by taking both wickets.Opener Rishi Patel, whose approach to his side’s 281-run first-innings deficit was to be ultra aggressive, profited only briefly from it before he was leg before playing a horrible hoick across the line. Partner Ian Holland was more cautious but departed quickly nonetheless, caught at first slip.

No head of the committee has been named but it now means that since August 2021, Pakistan have used 26 different selectors

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Oct-2024The PCB has reconstituted its selection committee again, the latest on the day of another home Test thumping, this time at the hands of England. Shortly after England completed an ultimately comfortable innings win in Multan, the PCB announced Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali as the new members of the panel, joining Asad Shafiq, the analyst Hassan Cheema, and the captain and the coach, who were already part of the committee.All seven members will have a vote on selection. In addition, there are four non-voting members in Azhar Mahmood (the assistant coach), Bilal Afzal (an advisor to the PCB chairman), Nadeem Khan (director – high performance) and Usman Wahla (director – international cricket).The additions came ten days after Mohammad Yousuf’s resignation from the panel. No head of the committee has been named but it now means that since August 2021, Pakistan have used 26 different selectors.The appointments came within an hour of Pakistan’s innings-and-47-run defeat, becoming the first team in Test history to lose a Test by an innings after scoring over 550 in the first attempt. It was Pakistan’s third Test loss at home in a row and their seventh in their last nine home Tests.The immediate task for the new committee will be to pick a squad for the second Test, also in Multan, which starts next Tuesday – the PCB had only announced a squad for the first Test. The members met at the PCB’s National Cricket Academy in Lahore on Friday afternoon, and will travel to Multan on Saturday to meet the head curator, captain Shan Masood and head coach Jason Gillespie, after which they will finalise the squad.Changes are likely with the performances of four to five players under the scanner. And despite scoring a hundred in the first innings, Masood’s captaincy is likely to be a subject of discussion given his longer run of indifferent form and a record that now reads zero wins and six successive losses. Pakistan have now slipped to the bottom of the WTC points table with only 16 points from eight games.When asked at the post-match presentation in Multan if Pakistan could see some new faces for the second Test, Masood said, “Look, we’re in the middle of the series. We’ve talked about a squad mentality. We’ve talked about consistency. Where I’d like the team to improve is no matter what the pitch is like, we must find a way out. And England showed us the way in this Test match, you have to give huge credit to them.”The selection panel had been restructured only earlier this year – with no chief selector – under PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, but has since seen Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq sacked after Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup in June, without any replacements named. Yousuf’s resignation at the end of last month also did not lead to a replacement immediately, which left Shafiq as the only voting member outside of the captains and coaches.Dar’s appointment is bound to attract attention, given how rare it is for umpires to become selectors. Though he stepped down from the ICC’s elite panel last year, he has continued to umpire domestically and in home internationals. He announced recently, however, that this season would be his last as a professional umpire.

And breathe. It’s finally happened. Manchester United have reached a breakthrough with Brentford for the transfer of Bryan Mbeumo, who will join Old Trafford in a deal worth up to £71m.

Of course, the Cameroon winger hasn’t signed yet, with his medical slated for this weekend. But this is a significant step forward, ending the interminable negotiating with Premier League rivals Brentford for their star man.

United have bagged Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £62.5m; Ruben Amorim is redefining his frontline, but more is needed to spark a much-needed resurgence after finishing 15th in the top flight and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

In any case, the Red Devils have stepped in the right direction, but more is certainly needed.

The latest Man Utd transfer news

United have secured their offensive flanks, but they still need to sign a striker, with Rasmus Hojlund flattering to deceive last season, scoring just four times in the Premier League.

However, with Christian Eriksen having left at the end of his contract, United also need to improve their midfield, and while a wealth of names, such as Atalanta’s Ederson, have been bandied about, Amorim appears to have centred on a talent who could make a lasting impact.

As per Calcio Mercato Javier Guerra has reached a verbal agreement with Man United as he leans toward an exit from Valencia.

The clubs are still negotiating the details, but this is a promising update indeed.

Further outfits from Spain and England have made enquiries, while AC Milan failed with a move in June. The 22-year-old is valued at £26m, but could be a shrewd long-term investment.

What Javier Guerra would bring to Man Utd

Guerra is, thus far, a one-club man, having graduated from Valencia’s Mestalla reserve side to complete 89 senior appearances for the first team, scoring eight goals and providing four assists.

Regarded by talent scout Jacek Kulig to be a deep-lying playmaker with a tactical style akin to Xabi Alonso, Guerra would instil composure, ball-playing intelligence and clear vision to Amorim’s set-up, making it easier to put emphasis on transitional play and ferry the ball forward to the likes of Bruno Fernandes.

He would, in this way, prove a seamless replacement for Eriksen, all the while packaging the United system with his own brand, having actually been hailed as a “phenomenal young talent” by journalist Zach Lowy.

Indeed, Guerra ranked among the top 15% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues last term for shots taken, the top 17% for successful take-ons and the top 18% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.

The Spaniard’s blooming roundedness even suggests that he could be the next version of his legendary countryman Rodri, only this time playing on Manchester’s red side.

To claim that Guerra would emulate his fellow Spaniard Rodri from the off in the Premier League would be a fool’s game, to be sure. Pep Guardiola’s Ballon d’Or winner joined Man City from Atletico Madrid in a club-record deal worth £63m back in July 2019, when he was 23 years old.

Rodri was further in his development than Guerra at that stage, but the similarities are there, even if the Valencia star is more of a pass-focused player than he is, with the City sensation encapsulating every facet of the midfield game to a preternatural level.

Rodri Pep Guardiola Manchester City

The 29-year-old has won the whole gamut with Pep Guardiola at Man City, and he won the 2024 European Championship with his nation too.

If United can forge their own version of the modern great in Guerra, Amorim’s vision truly could have lift-off in the coming months and years.

It would be redundant to contrast and compare Guerra with the current iteration of Rodri, who is both vastly superior and missed the majority of the 2024/25 campaign through injury.

So, instead, let’s have a look at Guerra’s La Liga statistics from the recent term against Rodri’s from his final year in his homeland. Though the latter maintained a higher level, there’s plenty of promise to be taken from the collation.

Matches (starts)

36 (31)

34 (32)

Goals

3

3

Assists

3

1

Touches*

49.8

69.8

Pass completion

80%

91%

Big chances created

6

2

Key passes*

0.6

0.5

Dribbles*

0.8

0.6

Ball recoveries*

5.9

9.2

Tackles + interceptions*

2.0

4.2

Duels won*

3.5

7.1

As you can see, Rodri was by far the more combative and commanding midfield general, with his energy and tenacity seen through his rate of defensive contributions and ball recoveries.

But Guerra has put in a terrific campaign on his own merits.

It’s also worth noting that Guerra has been competing in an imperilled Valencia side, who looked doomed and headed for the second tier across the opening half of the season before a resurgence after a wintry 7-1 defeat to Barcelona in January sparked new fluency and focus.

The victory that followed that hammering, by the by, was crafted by Guerra, who scored and assisted in a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo.

Certainly, Guerra is showing himself at a younger age to have a bit more creative flair about him than Rodri, who marshalled so confidently an organised Atletico Madrid side.

To set the expectation that he would reach Rodri’s lofty level would be the instant undoing of this talented young midfielder. But can Amorim not fashion his own version, one not expected to reach his compatriots’ level, but instead offer his technical qualities to Man United and improve them?

Signing a rising star with a point to prove is exactly the kind of move Amorim needs to make, and it’s one which might establish foundations for a much-needed revival.

He's more important than Mbeumo: Man Utd to make bid for £30m "machine"

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ByEthan Lamb Jul 18, 2025

خاض فريق برشلونة، بقيادة المدرب هانز فليك، مباراته الأولى في الموسم الجديد من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، موسم 2025/26 مرحلة الدوري، ضد خصمه فريق نيوكاسل يونايتد.

واستضاف ملعب “سانت جيمس بارك” مباراة فريقي نيوكاسل يونايتد وبرشلونة في الجولة الأولى من مرحلة الدوري، حيث فاز الأخير بهدفين مقابل هدف. أهداف مباراة برشلونة ونيوكاسل يونايتد في دوري أبطال أوروبا

كان الشوط الأول من المباراة قد انتهى بالتعادل السلبي بين الفريقين، حيث لم يتمكن أي منهما من التسجيل طوال الدقائق الـ45 الأولى، مع العلم أن الأفضلية كانت لـ نيوكاسل يونايتد، وسنحت لهم أكثر من فرصة خطيرة، وضغط بشكل قوي على منطقة جزاء برشلونة في أكثر من موقف.

واستمر التعادل السلبي في الشوط الثاني قبل أن يتغير الأمر تمامًا بفضل ماركوس راشفورد، الذي تمكن أخيرًا من قص شريط أهدافه مع برشلونة وسجل الهدف الأول، في الدقيقة 58، بعد تمريرة من كوندي، لتصل إلى الإنجليزي الذي سددها برأسه في شباك نيك بوب.

ويبدو أن شهية راشفورد قد تضاعفت بعدما سجل هدفه الأول، حيث تمكن من إحراز هدفه الثاني له ولفريق برشلونة، في الدقيقة 66، بعدما سدد كرة رائعة من خارج منطقة الجزاء، لتهز شباك أصحاب الأرض.

وتمكن نيوكاسل يونايتد من إشعال المباراة بعدما سجل هدف أول في شباك خوان جارسيا، عن طريق أنطوني جوردون بعد تمريرة من ميرفي، وصلت إلى زميله الذي سدده في شباك برشلونة، ولكن لم يكن ذلك كافيًا لمنع البرسا من الحصول على نقاط اللقاء كاملة في النهاية.

تابعنا مباراة برشلونة ونيوكاسل يونايتد في دوري أبطال أوروبا، لحظة بلحظة… 

الشوط الأول

1′ الكرة بين أقدام لاعبي برشلونة في الثواني الأولى.

2′ ضربة مرمى لصالح برشلونة ينفذها الحارس خوان جارسيا. 

2′ تمريرة من فيرمين لوبيز جاءت غير دقيقة لتتحول إلى ضربة مرمى. 

3′ خطأ لصالح نيوكاسل يونايتد ودفاع برشلونة يشتت من داخل المنطقة.

4′ ضغط قوي من نيوكاسل يونايتد داخل منطقة جزاء برشلونة.

5′ انطلاقة رائعة من جانب إيلانجا من الناحية اليمنى حيث مرر الكرة ناحية جوردون ولكن لم تكن متقنة، لتضيع فرصة خطيرة على نيوكاسل. 

6′ تسلل على نيوكاسل بعد تمريرة من برونو جيماريش إلى هارفي بارنز.

9′ تسديدة من هارفي بانز والحارس خوان جارسيا يتصدى بنجاح.

9′ انطلاقة من ماركوس راشفورد الذي توغل داخل المنطقة وسددها ولكن تمر بجوار المرمى.

10′ استمرار التعادل السلبي بين الفريقين.

12′ خطأ لصالح نيوكاسل يونايتد.

14′ رمية تماس لصالح برشلونة وكوندي على التنفيذ.

14′ تسديدة من هارفي بارنز وتصطدم بـ كوندي وتتحول إلى ركلة ركنية لصالح نيوكاسل.

15′ ركلة ركنية جديدة لصالح نيوكاسل بعد إخراج رافينها للكرة.

18′ تمريرى من رافينها تصل إلى ليفاندوفسكي كاد أن يسدد الكرة برأسه لولا تدخل من حارس نيوكاسل نيك بوب. 

21′ راشفورد كاد أن ينطلق بالكرة في تهديد جديد على منطقة جزاء نيوكاسل ولكن الدفاع نجح في التشتيت مبكرًا.

22′ تهديد جديد من إيلانجا والدفاع يشتت ويحافظ على منطقة جزاء برشلونة. 

24′ خوان جارسيا يتصدى لفرصة هدف لصالح نيوكاسل بعد تسديدة من هارفي بارنز، وتتحول إلى رمية تماس.

25′ ركلة ركنية لصالح برشلونة ورافينها على التنفيذ.

26′ خطأ ضد ماركوس راشفورد لصالح نيوكاسل. 

28′ بطاقة صفراء أولى في المباراة ضد جويلينتون.

30′ كوندي يشتت هجمة لصالح نيوكاسل يونايتد وسط ضغط مستمر من أصحاب الأرض.

30′ تسديدة من هارفي بارنز وتصل الكرة في يد خوان جارسيا. 

32′ خطأ لصالح ليفاندوفسكي ضد فابيان شار.

33′ سقوط رونالد أراوخو على أرض الملعب.

36′ ضغط متبادل بين الفريقين.

39′ تسديدة قوية من جانب رافينها تعتلي المرمى.

40′ 5 دقائق تفصلنا عن نهاية الوقت الأصلي من الشوط الأول.

43′ ركلة ركنية لصالح نيوكاسل يونايتد.

45′ بطاقة صفراء لصالح لاعب برشلونة جيرارد مارتين.

45′ احتساب دقيقتين كوقت بدلًا من الضائع للشوط الأول.

45+2 بطاقة صفراء ضد بيرن بعد تدخل قوي على كوندي.

نهاية الشوط الأول (0/0)

الشوط الثاني

46′ رمية تماس لصالح برشلونة.

47′ ركلة ركنية لصالح نيوكاسل يونايتد بعد إخراج رونالد أراوخو للكرة.

48′ جويلينتون كاد أن يسجل هدفًا لصالح نيوكاسل بعد رأسية مرت بجوار مرمى خوان جارسيا.

49′ ضغط مبكر من نيوكاسل مماثل لما كان عليه الوضع في الشوط الأول.

50′ تسديدة من راشفورد ولكن تصطدم في وجه أحد لاعبي نيوكاسل.

51′ توقف المباراة لإسعاف لاعب نيوكاسل فابيان شار بعد اصطدام الكرة بقوة في وجهه.

53′ استئناف اللقاء.

54′ خوان جارسيا يمسك الكرة بعد تسديدة قوية من أليساندرو تونالي.

56′ ركلة ركنية لصالح نيوكاسل يونايتد بعد تغطية دفاعية من كوندي.

58′ هدددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددف! ماركوس راشفورد يسجل هدف أول لصالح برشلونة بعد تسديدة رأسية عقب تمريرة من كوندي.  هدف راشفورد الأول أمام نيوكاسل يونايتد

GOAL!

A superb header from Marcus Rashford gives @FCBarcelona the lead at St. James’ Park!

🤝 Jules Koundé assist#beINUCL #NewcastleBarça #UCL pic.twitter.com/u56PWjLLdf — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) September 18, 2025

59′ تسديدة قوية من فيرمين لوبيز في محاولة لتسجيل الثاني، ولكن تصطدم بالدفاع وتتحول إلى ركنية.

61′ 3 تبديلات في صفوف نيوكاسل يونايتد.

65′ الكرة بين أقدام لاعبي برشلونة بعد التقدم بهدف، في محاولة للحفاظ على النتيجة أو تسجيل هدف التعزيز.

66′ هددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددف! راشفورد يسجل الهدف الثاني بعد تسديدة قوية من خارج منطقة الجزاء بعدما راوغ الدفاع ببراعة.  هدف راشفورد الثاني أمام نيوكاسل يونايتد

GOAL!

What. A. Strike.

Marcus Rashford with a missile to double his tally and @FCBarcelona’s lead 🚀#beINUCL #NewcastleBarça #UCL pic.twitter.com/Gy9swf1XpD — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) September 18, 2025

70′ تبديلان في صفوف برشلونة بخروج ليفاندوفسكي ودخول فيران توريس، خروج كوبارسي ودخول كريستنسن. 

75′ فيرمين لوبيز يتحصل على بطاقة صفراء. 

78′ تراجع ملحوظ في أداء نيوكاسل بعد هدفي برشلونة.

80′ خروج ماركوس راشفورد ونزول داني أولمو، خروج جيرارد مارتين ونزول إريك جارسيا.

81′ بطاقة صفراء ضد فرينكي دي يونج. 

85′ هدوء حذر في مجريات المباراة مع اقتراب نهاية الشوط الثاني.

88′ تسديدة ضائعة من فيرمين لوبيز.

90′ هددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددددف! جوردون يسجل هدف أول لصالح نيوكاسل بعد تمريرة من ميرفي.  هدف نيوكاسل الأول أمام برشلونة

90′ احتساب 7 دقائق كوقت بدلَا من الضائع للشوط الثاني. 

90+3′ تبديل لصالح برشلونة، خروج فيرمين لوبيز ودخول كاسادو.

90+4′ خطأ لصالح بيدري بعد تدخل من تونالي.

90+5′ أولمو كاد أن يسجل هدف ثالث لصالح برشلونة بعد تسديدة تجاه مرمى نيوكاسل ولكن الحارس تصدى.

90+6′ تسديدة قوية من فيران توريس، تصطدم بالدفاع، وتتحول إلى ركنية.

90+7′ بطاقة صفراء ضد كاسادو بعد تدخله على ميرفي لمنع هجمة مرتدة.

90+8 خطأ لصالح نيوكاسل يونايتد بعد تدخل من بيدري.

90+8′ تسديدة من تونالي وتصل الكرة بسهولة إلى خوان جارسيا.

نهاية الشوط الثاني والمباراة بفوز برشلونة على نيوكاسل يونايتد بهدفين لهدف.

It’s been a hectic couple of weeks for Arsenal.

After watching their Premier League rivals make signing after signing, the Gunners are finally starting to make a splash in the transfer window.

For example, after months of speculation, Martin Zubimendi was finally announced yesterday morning, and then, if that wasn’t enough, a deluge of reports suggesting a deal for Viktor Gyokeres is close also emerged.

Moreover, the Gunners are now getting close to securing the services of a Premier League star, someone who’d be a far better signing than Noni Madueke.

Arsenal looking at signing another Premier League star

While most of the links to players this summer, and the two signings already confirmed, have been met with positivity from the general fan base, the same can’t be said for links to Madueke.

Transfer Focus

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

It was revealed late last week that the Gunners had already reached an agreement on personal terms with the Chelsea player.

There is no denying that the winger is talented, but he’s hardly blown anyone away in West London, and at a potential price tag of £50m, it’s easy to understand why many fans might look at him as a misuse of funds.

Fortunately, the North Londoners are also reportedly closing in on a deal for another Premier League star, someone who’d be a far better signing than Madueke: Eberechi Eze.

At least that is according to David Ornstein, who, on a recent episode of The Athletic’s podcast, reaffirmed reports that Arsenal are highly interested in signing the Crystal Palace star this summer.

Ornstein reveals that he is now one of the club’s top target and is now seriously high in their consideration this summer. Moreover, he revealed that “they’ve held some conversations” with the player’s camp, and that they would like to sign him for under his release clause of £68m.

However, the Eagles are understandably keen on receiving the full fee to sell their talismanic attacker this summer.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Eze’s ability, it’s one Arsenal should fight for, especially as he’d be a far better signing than Madueke.

Why Eze would be a far better signing than Madueke

Okay, so the first thing to say is that, yes, Eze and Madueke do operate in different areas of the pitch, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the former would be a far better signing than the latter.

The first reason is down to their respective output, as in 43 appearances last season, totalling 3303 minutes, the Palace ace scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists.

That means he averaged a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes, and, on top of that, he scored important goals, such as the winner in the FA Cup.

In contrast, the Chelsea ace racked up a tally of 11 goals and five assists in 45 games, totalling 2625 minutes, which comes out to a far less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.81 games, or every 164.06 minutes.

The second reason the Eagles’ “superstar,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, would be a better signing is their underlying numbers.

Eze vs Madueke
Statistics	Eze	Madueke
Non-Penalty G+As	0.52	0.44
Progressive Passes	3.37	3.05
Progressive Carries	2.40	6.81
Key Passes	2.01	1.42
Passes into the Final Third	1.70	0.71
Live Passes	29.5	29.2
Shot-Creating Actions	4.69	3.50
Goal-Creating Actions	0.35	0.35
Successful Take-Ons	2.33	1.99
Tackles	1.35	1.11
Ball Recoveries	5.07	3.72
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 PL Season

For example, when we take a look under the hood, the former QPR gem comes out on top in practically every relevant metric, such as non-penalty goals plus assists, key passes and successful take-ons.

These statistics demonstrate that, in addition to scoring goals, the 27-year-old is a brilliant creator and someone who can generate chances through his passing and carrying abilities.​​​​​

Ultimately, if Arsenal can only afford to sign one other attacking star from the Premier League this summer, then they have to go with Eze, as he’s simply better than Madueke in every meaningful way.

Talks open: Arsenal submit offer to sign "standout" 17 y/o after Zubimendi

The midfielder is the Gunners’ second summer signing.

By
Tom Cunningham

Jul 7, 2025

Century stand between second-wicket pair puts Essex on front foot before rain arrives

ECB Reporters Network26-Sep-2024

Dean Elgar passed 1000 runs for the season•Getty Images

An unbeaten century second-wicket stand between Dean Elgar and Tom Westley before the rains came brought champions Surrey back down to earth after their week-long celebrations.Surrey completed their third successive Vitality County Championship win in their last game against Durham but were on the back foot during the 28-and-a-half overs possible until persistent heavy rain drove the players off the pitch nine minutes before lunch. By that time, Essex, who won the toss, had reached 116 for 1 with Elgar and Westley hitting an under-strength Surrey attack to all corners of Chelmsford in a stand worth 112 in 26 overs.Westley had started circumspectly but accelerated the more the partnership became entrenched. He had 11 boundaries in his 52 from 78 balls. Elgar, who passed 1000 runs for the season during his 54 from 88 balls, had started brightly before handing the initiative to his captain.Play started promptly but only after groundstaff had started pumping 4500 litres of water off the playing area from 6.30am. The operation started all over again just as they were settling in for their lunch break with play called off for the day at 2.30pm.Under heavy clouds but with some sunshine interspersed, Essex got off to a disastrous start with Robin Das lasting just six balls before he hung his bat out to Tom Lawes and helped settle whatever nerves Josh Blake might have had behind the stumps. Blake, who posted an unbeaten century at Chelmsford in the Metro Bank Cup earlier in the summer, was one of three first-class debutants for Surrey, batsman Ollie Sykes and spinner Yousef Majid completing the triumvirate.Elgar dominated the first fifty of the stand with Westley contributing just 13 to that point. The South African took three boundaries off Kemar Roach early on, two of them driven crisply through the covers. His seventh four, flicked to fine leg off Dan Lawrence, took him to four figures in his first year at Essex; a single off James Taylor carried him past fifty for the ninth time this season.Westley, who passed 1000 runs for the first time in his career last season, accelerated as the clouds turned threatening and the rain approached. He reached his sixth fifty-plus score of the year – as well as passing 700 runs – shortly after the pair’s century stand had been marked.Westley’s half-century took 76 balls, two fewer than Elgar’s, with three of his 11 fours coming in a frenetic six-ball spell against Taylor and Lawrence that was followed two balls later by four leg byes. The best of some well-placed shots from the one-time England batter was a sharp pull backward of square off Taylor