Manchester City have reached a verbal agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz but he is unsure about a move to the Etihad.
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Bayer and City reach verbal Wirtz agreementWirtz reportedly not interested in move to CityWould prefer a move to Bayern Munich or Real MadridFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Wirtz is labelled as one of the best talents of his generation, and after having spent the last five years with Bayer Leverkusen, the Germany international is considering leaving his 'comfort zone'. The 22-year-old has been linked with the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
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Sky France's Sacha Tavolieri has now reported that Pep Guardiola and City are ready to convert their interest in Wirtz this summer and make a transfer move before other clubs try to strike a deal. The report has suggested that the eight-time Premier League champions have reached a verbal agreement with Bayer Leverkusen over a summer deal for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder.
DID YOU KNOW?
Despite the verbal agreement between Bayer Leverkusen and City, Sports Zone has reported that Wirtz himself is not convinced of a move to the Etihad Stadium this summer. The Germany international is said to prefer a move to Bayern Munich instead and would even be open to a move to Real Madrid.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR WIRTZ?
The 22-year-old is likely to be taking part in his last match with Bayer Leverkusen when they take on Mainz on Saturday, May 17. Regardless of his reported decision to reject City, he is likely to be subject to a transfer move away from Die Werkself.
Newcastle United are preparing for life back in the Champions League in the 2025/26 season after a positive 12 months at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe’s side ended the Magpies’ long wait for a trophy by lifting the EFL Cup, whereas they also finished in the top five in the Premier League to ensure a return to Europe’s biggest club competition.
As a result, PIF and co could be busy in the transfer market ahead of the new season, looking to ensure Newcastle can cope with their return to Europe.
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Now, Grok, the AI tool on X, has predicted Newcastle’s starting line-up ahead of their first Premier League game against Aston Villa on August 16.
AI predicts Newcastle’s 2025/26 line-up 1 GK: James Trafford
Expected to finally arrive at St James’ Park this summer after months of rumours is goalkeeper James Trafford.
The Englishman starred at Burnley in 24/25, conceding just 16 goals in 46 games, and his ‘ball-playing ability suits Howe’s evolving style’, so he has been backed to cost £30m and start ahead of Nick Pope.
2 RB: Tino Livramento
After helping England win the U21 European Championships this summer, Tino Livramento is set to keep his place in the XI ahead of Kieran Trippier.
Grok says ‘Livramento has emerged as a dynamic option’ for the Magpies and is still under contract for another three years.
3 CB: Sven Botman
Described as a ‘cornerstone’ in Newcastle’s side, Sven Botman’s place in the side looks nailed on when he is fit.
The Dutchman only made eight Premier League appearances in 24/25, though, so he’ll be looking to put his injury woes behind him.
4 CB: Marc Guehi
Partnering Botman, Grok have predicted Marc Guehi to sign for Newcastle in a £46m deal this summer, despite interest from a number of other clubs.
The Crystal Palace captain has been on Howe’s radar for a long time now and may depart Selhurst Park with 12 months left on his contract.
5 LB: Lewis Hall
After making his loan move permanent in 2024, Lewis Hall has been a regular at left-back for Newcastle and has been predicted to keep his place in the XI.
Games
34
Assists
5
Yellow cards
4
Minutes played
2,661
Grok says Hall’s ’development into a key starter’ has been noticeable, chipping in with five assists last year.
6 CM: Bruno Guimaraes
Despite being linked with a move away from Newcastle once again this summer, Grok have predicted Bruno Guimaraes to remain at St James’ Park and play an important role once more.
The Brazilian’s ‘leadership and all-action style are vital’ in Howe’s side, and he still has three years remaining on his contract.
7 CM: Sandro Tonali
Alongside Guimaraes is a player he knows well in Sandro Tonali. The Italian ‘has proven indispensable’ under Howe and missed just two league games in 24/25.
Grok adds that Tonali’s ‘box-to-box energy complements Howe’s system’, but there may be no place for Joelinton in the XI.
8 AM: Eberechi Eze
Completing a three-man midfield in an attacking role is potential new signing in Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, with Newcastle keen on the Eagles star.
The Englishman has a release clause of £68m which may need to be triggered, and Grok have stated that Eze’s ‘versatility as a No. 10 or winger fits Howe’s fluid attack’.
9 RW: Mohammed Kudus
Another star linked with a move to Newcastle this summer is West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus, who has been backed to start on the right-hand side for the Magpies.
With the Hammers open to offers in the region of £60m, PIF may need to act fast with Tottenham and Chelsea also showing an interest in Kudus.
10 ST: Alexander Isak
Arguably Newcastle’s most important piece of business this summer will be keeping hold of star striker Alexander Isak.
After qualifying for the Champions League, Grok thinks Isak won’t be going anywhere, labelling him as ‘untouchable’ at St James’ Park.
Manchester United are weighing up a move which they believe will improve the atmosphere at Old Trafford after listening to fans' opinions.
Red Devils want to raise noise levels at stadiumSupporters stress importance of generating atmosphereFan survey will dictate whether measure is adoptedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Red Devils have written to season ticket holders to inform them of a proposal to play no music in the 15 minutes before the players come out of the tunnel at home games and after full-time. The club have been conducting post-match surveys and done research as part of the move towards building a new 100,000-seater stadium, hoping to understand attitudes on different aspects of the matchday experience.
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Their research showed that creating an atmosphere to inspire the players was of utmost importance, which is why fan group The Red Army (TRA) has requested that music is turned off for a period in order to make the stadium as loud as possible. United currently play music during and after the players warm-up, while 'Glory Glory Man United' is played after victories. The club still plan to play unofficial anthem 'This is the One' by the Stone Roses when the players walk out of the tunnel, followed by the Premier League's official anthem – as is standard at all stadiums across the English top-flight – and then 'Take Me Home Country Roads' before kick off.
DID YOU KNOW?
Roy Keane complained about the declining atmosphere at Old Trafford in 2000 by saying: "Away from home our fans are fantastic, I'd call them the hardcore fans. But at home they have a few drinks and probably the prawn sandwiches, and they don't realise what's going on out on the pitch. I don't think some of the people who come to Old Trafford can spell football, never mind understand it." Since then, Old Trafford has been known for its poor atmosphere, with Keane's comments leading to rival fans mocking United supporters by calling them 'the prawn sandwich brigade'.
Getty WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?
Fans have been asked to respond to a two-minute survey on the proposal by Friday afternoon. If the measure is backed then it could be implemented as soon as Sunday's Premier League match against Arsenal, giving Bruno Fernandes and Co extra encouragement for their blockbuster season opener with the Gunners. And if the move is a success then Old Trafford's previously flat atmosphere could be replaced by a cauldron of noise, as has happened at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta.
Anderson’s story is remarkable because of the improvement he’s shown with his bowling in this period
S Rajesh11-Feb-2021When James Anderson defeated the defences of Ajinkya Rahane with a stunner on the final day of the Chennai Test, he went on top of the list for most wickets taken by a fast bowler after the age of 30. That wicket was Anderson’s 342nd after turning 30, and he later added Rishabh Pant to that tally as well, to increase his lead over Courtney Walsh (341) on this list.This should say a lot about Anderson’s fitness levels, and his story is even more remarkable because of the improvement he’s shown with his bowling in this period.ESPNcricinfo LtdAnderson turned 30 on July 30, 2012. Since then, he has averaged 23.45 in 87 Tests. Among the 15 fast bowlers who have taken 150 or more wickets during this period, only three – Pat Cummins, Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada – have better averages. None of them, though, has taken even 60% of the number of wickets Anderson has taken in this period. In the 71 Tests Anderson played before turning 30, he averaged 30.37, which means his average has improved by almost 23% since he turned 30.ESPNcricinfo LtdBefriending the older ball
When Anderson started out he was excellent with the new ball but with the older ball in hand, he wasn’t quite as effective. In the 71 Tests he played before turning 30, he averaged 27.67 in the first 15 overs of an innings, but between overs 16 and 80, he conceded 34.54 runs per wicket.ESPNcricinfo LtdOver the last eight-and-a-half years, though, the skillset has gradually expanded to include reverse swing, cutters, changes of length, pace and angle, and greater cricketing nous which comes with experience. Not only does he have a wider range of skills now, but also seems to have a much clearer idea of the execution.The results are there for all to see. Since August 2012, Anderson’s average in the first 15 overs has improved marginally – from 27.67 to 25.09 – but in the 16 to 80 overs range, the difference is stark: from 34.54, the average has dropped to 24.16, an improvement of 30%.Among the 23 fast bowlers who have bowled at least 500 overs during this phase of an innings in this period, only three have better averages – the South African trio of Rabada, Steyn and Vernon Philander.ESPNcricinfo LtdOvercoming the Asian challenge
For a bowler like Anderson, whose innate strength is the ability to swing the ball, doing well in Asia is a huge challenge. Before 2012, he played only five Tests in the continent, taking 12 wickets at 45.41. Then, in early 2012 – just before he turned 30 – he played back-to-back series in the UAE against Pakistan and in Sri Lanka. Though he didn’t take a huge number of wickets – 18 in five Tests – he was giving little away: those 18 wickets came at an average of 24.72, and an economy rate of 2.46.That was followed by a solid series in India, and though he had a lean time in Asia between 2016 and 2018, he has bounced back superbly this time around: he had a match haul of 6 for 46 in Galle, which was followed by 5 for 63 against India in Chennai. Since turning 30, Anderson concedes nearly nine fewer runs per wicket in Asia, compared to his numbers before he turned 30.ESPNcricinfo LtdHowever, with Anderson, it’s not only the wickets that matter; it’s also the control he provides to the team with his ability to choke the run-flow: among the 13 non-Asian fast bowlers who have bowled at least 200 overs in Asia since the beginning of 2012, Anderson’s economy rate of 2.4 is the best, marginally better than Philander’s 2.5.The extra bows in Anderson’s armoury have been even more useful in Asia, as they have made him a threat even with the older ball, something that wasn’t necessarily true in the early days of his career. Before he turned 30, Anderson averaged 47.77 runs per wicket between overs 16 and 80, and had a strike rate of 101 balls per wicket. Since then, the average has improved to 22.72. Nowhere was that improvement more evident than in the 27th over of India’s second innings in Chennai, when those two wickets of Shubman Gill and Rahane decisively swung the game England’s way.ESPNcricinfo LtdHowever, his numbers in Australia haven’t improved as dramatically – he averaged 35.79 in eight Tests there before turning 30, and 35.09 in ten Tests since then – but his last series there was pretty impressive: 17 wickets at 27.82, conceding just 2.11 runs per over.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe matchwinner
In the post-30 phase of Anderson’s career, England have won 37 of 87 matches he has been part of, and in those 37 wins, Anderson has taken 170 wickets at a stunning average of 16.43. Among the 23 bowlers who have taken at least 75 wickets in wins during this period, no one has a better average. In defeats or draws, the average goes up to 30.36. His numbers in wins illustrate just how important Anderson is, even at 38, to England’s Test fortunes.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that the club will bring in another central defender before the transfer window slams shut at the start of September.
The Hoops swooped to sign Hayato Inamura on a permanent deal earlier this month, but the Japanese defender is one for the future and another option in that area of the pitch is expected.
Rodgers already has Auston Trusty, Liam Scales, Dane Murray, Stephen Welsh, and Cameron Carter-Vickers in the centre-back positions, on top of the signing of Inamura, and they are looking for another.
CelticWay have reported that the club are weighing up a possible move to sign Dutch central defender Justin De Haas from Famalicão to add to their ranks.
The 25-year-old, left-footed, titan is valued at £3m by the Portuguese outfit, and could come in to compete for a place at the heart of the Hoops defence.
The role that Justin De Haas could play for Celtic
The potential signing of the Famalicão titan is an interesting one for the Scottish giants, because it would leave Rodgers with three left-footed centre-back options, in him, Scales, and Trusty.
Last season, the manager said that he prefers to play centre-backs on the side of their stronger foot because it “allows you to get through the pitch quicker and have more speed playing forward”, which suggests that De Haas will be competing with Trusty and Scales.
Based on their respective performances at league level in the 2024/25 campaign, De Haas’ biggest hurdle to making the starting XI could be the Ireland international.
Trusty joined from Sheffield United last summer and endured a difficult campaign in Scotland, as he ended the season as a back-up option behind Scales, and the Dutch star could come in as an upgrade on him.
Appearances
29
22
26
Goals
2
1
2
Tackles + interceptions per game
3.0
2.3
1.9
Dribbled past per game
0.3x
0.5x
0.2x
Clearances per game
5.4
4.0
4.8
Error led to shot
0
4
1
Error led to goal
1
1
0
Penalties committed
0
0
1
As you can see in the table above, De Haas could even offer more to the team than Scales, with more defensive actions and fewer errors leading to shots, goals, or penalties overall.
Liam Scales
This suggests that he could be a starting-calibre left-sided centre-back option for Celtic if he can translate his form over to the Scottish Premiership, but there is also the possibility that he is a second-choice to Scales, with Trusty demoted to a reserve.
Overall, given he will need to adapt to the league, De Haas could be a back-up centre-back at first, which is why their pursuit of a new winger is an even more exciting prospect.
Celtic in talks to sign new winger
According to the Daily Record, Celtic want to spend the money they are set to rake in from Como for Nicolas Kuhn to sign two new wingers this summer.
The German forward is set to sign for the Italian side for a reported fee of £16.5m, which will provide the Hoops with funds to dip into the market themselves.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
This latest report from the Daily Record states that the Scottish Premiership champions are locked in talks with Royal Antwerp over a deal for Belgian winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
The outlet states that Royal Antwerp value the forward at a fee of around £5m, but they may lower it in order to push a transfer through in the coming weeks.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha against Porto in the Champions League.
It adds that the 24-year-old attacker, who predominantly plays on the left flank, is keen on a switch to Parkhead this summer, which suggests that personal terms would not be too much of a problem if a fee can be agreed.
Why Balikwisha would be an exciting signing
Balikwisha would be an even more exciting signing than De Haas for Celtic this summer because he could slot straight into the starting XI from the first match.
Jota is set to miss the first half of the season with a knee injury, having suffered an ACL blow last term, and that has left a vacant spot on the left wing ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha for Royal Antwerp.
Until a new senior centre-forward is in the building, Daizen Maeda could continue where he left off as the starting number nine, which means that he would not be the starter on the left flank. Therefore, Balikwisha could have a free run at the left wing position to be a starter in the Premiership.
This means that, unlike De Haas, Celtic supporters could expect to see the Belgian wizard in the starting line-up when the Hoops host St Mirren at Parkhead on the opening day in August.
As well as being a potential frontline starter, which the Dutch defender may not initially be, Balikwisha could also be a more exciting signing because he is an attacking player who has the potential to deliver goals and assists.
Starts
27
12
xG
6.46
2.65
Goals
7
4
Big chances created
6
7
Key passes per game
1.5
1.6
Assists
5
3
As you can see in the table above, Balikwisha has produced 11 goals and 13 ‘big chances’ created in his last 39 starts in the Belgian top-flight for Royal Antwerp.
The 24-year-old star was described as a “creative” talent by analyst Will Glavin, which is backed up by his return of seven ‘big chances’ created in 12 starts in the Pro League last season.
Balikwisha is a winger who has shown that he has the ability to deliver goals and assists at a fairly impressive rate in Belgium, which suggests that he could thrive in a dominant Celtic team that wins week-in-week-out.
The £5m-rated star could get supporters off their feet with his quality in the final third, as the anticipation could build whenever he picks the ball up in space out on the left flank.
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Therefore, the Royal Antwerp wing wizard could be an even more exciting signing than De Haas due to his potential to be an immediate starter, as well as him being an attack-minded player, rather than a centre-back.
Well, if Arsenal didn’t already need a new striker, one look at their first six fixtures of the new Premier League season tells you they certainly do.
Andrea Berta has replaced Edu and he’d been completing negotiations on a number of targets but now is the time to strike and ensure the Gunners are ready to hit the ground running once the campaign commences in August.
Arsenal’s opening PL fixtures
Date
Opposition
17th Aug
Manchester United (A)
23rd Aug
Leeds United (H)
30th Aug
Liverpool (A)
13th Sept
Nottingham Forest (H)
20th Sept
Manchester City (H)
27th Sept
Newcastle United (A)
Truth be told, Mikel Arteta and Co couldn’t have been handed a much tougher start with away fixtures at United, Liverpool and Newcastle, while having to play newly-promoted Leeds and title rivals Man City.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetaduring a lap of appreciation after the match
So, this squad needs to be ready. It needs extra firepower. But, the age-old question, who will they sign?
The latest on Arsenal's striker hunt
Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko are the two names that feature most prominently on Arsenal’s summer wish list but both deals, at the moment, look complicated.
Gyokeres – the scorer of an enormous 54 goals in 2024/25 – is likely to leave Sporting but Portuguese reports revealed earlier this week that Arsenal have so far yet to meet the Lisbon club’s demands. As a result, they’ve put their pursuit of the Swede on hold.
That means that Sesko has become the number one target again. One report comes from journalist Graeme Bailey who now insists that ‘Sesko is still the furthest along in terms of a deal being done’.
That said, if a deal cannot be agreed, Bailey reveals that ‘it wouldn’t take an awful lot for Arsenal to divert’ their attention elsewhere.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Gyokeres is name-dropped, while Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike are also on the shortlist.
While Arsenal tried and failed to sign Watkins last January, Ekitike isn’t a name we’ve heard mentioned too often in Arsenal circles. Up to now, the race has been between Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.
What Ekitike could bring to Arsenal
Arsenal need goals. In 2024/25, no player recorded double figures in the Premier League. Kai Havertz was the top scorer with just 15 – albeit with the caveat that he missed several months through injury – and Mikel Merino ended the campaign as the centre-forward.
To Merino’s credit, he did a fine job, scoring six goals in 12 games. Obviously, that wasn’t enough to help them reach the Champions League final and it served as evidence that the Gunners need a new striker. No ifs, no buts, no maybes, they simply have to sign one.
So, if it’s goals Arsenal require then surely Gyokeres must be the number one option? He scored more than any other player in Europe’s top leagues over the last season and is a rampant finisher. He’s even got experience of English football having played for Brighton and Coventry.
However, there have been doubts, some red flags, so to speak. Had the powerful Swede scored that many goals in a top-five league, you doubt there’d be question marks. However, he did it in the Portuguese top-flight.
We’re not trying to dismiss the quality of the division here but it does pale in comparison to the Premier League or LaLiga for instance.
Then you have the traits Gyokeres could bring. Competent in front of goal, of course, but as data analyst Ben Mattinson outlines, the Swede has a “heavy first touch” and “doesn’t anticipate contact or shield the ball well.”
So, is there a player out there with a better all-around package? In that regard, Ekitike’s your man.
Cast out by PSG despite being heralded as the “next Kylian Mbappe” in some quarters, he departed Paris having played just 33 games, scoring four goals in the French capital.
Luis Enrique and Co are unlikely to lose much sleep given their recent Champions League heroics, but the 22-year-old has become something of a phenomenon in the Bundesliga for Frankfurt.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Hugo Ekitike.
The Frenchman ended 2024/25 with 22 goals and 12 assists to his name. Not mindblowing numbers, sure, but his electric play is seriously pleasing on the eye.
What should fill Arsenal fans with excitement is regular comparisons to their all-time leading goalscorer. Scout Jacek Kulig has suggested that his most similar player is the great Thierry Henry, while one PSG content creator went as far as to claim he is “the new Henry.” Fine praise indeed.
So, what makes them alike? Well, the goal below tells you all you need to know.
The similarities between Henry and Ekitike here are scary. He’s got the same languid but smooth and powerful running style, brushing defenders aside with ease and then sliding the ball home.
His movement is first class, he’s a phenomenal dribbler and unlike Gyokeres, there’s less chaos to his running style and first touch. Everything feels a bit neater and tidier in that regard.
Let’s throw another bonus in there for you. One of Ekitike’s most similar players in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year, according to FBRef, is Alexander Isak.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsakcelebrates scoring their first goal
Now, we all know how much Arteta rates the Swede and for a fraction of the price, they could sign a player with the potential to be just as good.
Gyokeres might be the best goalscorer on the planet right now but doubts surrounding his playstyle continue to linger. Ekitike is a proper on the last shoulder of the defender striker, someone with pace, power and a Henry-likeness to boot. Arsenal should be all over this move.
He's a lot like Isak: Arsenal in talks to sign amazing upgrade on Sesko
Arsenal are turning their attention to a striker they tried to sign in the winter.
As NWSL returns, league-leading Kansas City Current reportedly get stronger by adding USWNT star Sentnor
Utah will receive $600,000 in transfer funds
Kansas City Current at the top of NWSL standings
Sentnor selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 NWSL draft
Getty Images
WHAT HAPPENED
With the NWSL set to resume its season after the international break, the league leaders just got even stronger. The Kansas City Current acquired forward Ally Sentnor from the Utah Royals on Friday, according to The Athletic.
Sentnor, 21, was named the 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year. Kansas City are in first place in the NWSL standings, with an 11-2-0 record. Sentnor, who's been with the Royals since being drafted first overall in 2024, will leave the league's last-place team to join the club at the top.
The Royals will receive $600,000 in transfer funds.
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Imagn Images
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Current have everything to gain with this acquisition. For one, their midfield will need some assistance with Vanessa DiBernardo now out because of her pregnancy. When Debinha is back, Sentnor will have a dream midfield.
Utah, on the other hand, is losing perhaps their only bright light this season. While Sentnor was able to produce some magic for the Royals, she was often limited without much help on all both of the ball.
For Utah, though, the funds could be instrumental in building out the team before the transfer window closes.
Getty Images
DID YOU KNOW?
Sentnor's impact on the senior national team has been nothing short of amazing. The Massachusetts native already has four goals in 12 appearances for the USWNT, and was also named the 2024 U.S. Young Female Player of the Year.
Getty Images
WHAT'S NEXT FOR ALLY SENTNOR?
Expectations are that Sentnor will join the Current soon, as the second-half of the NWSL season gets underway.
da roleta： Arsenal are in hot pursuit of fresh squad upgrades ahead of a crucial campaign for Mikel Arteta, with the pressure on for him to deliver major silverware.
Benjamin Sesko has now made "unusual" demand in Arsenal transfer talks
The Slovenia international wants something out of the ordinary.
ByEmilio Galantini Jun 20, 2025
da betsson： It’s been five years since Arteta lifted his first major honour, which came at the end of his first season in charge of the Gunners. Since then, barring Community Shield wins, their trophy cabinet has remained barren, despite coming close on a number of occasions.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)
Money on new signings
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
Man City edged Arsenal in each of the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 title races, with Arteta’s side battling Pep Guardiola until the very final day last year. However, it was close but no cigar, and Arsenal meekly surrendered the latest Premier League crown to Liverpool by a seismic 10 points.
After many seasons steadily building the project, Arteta has undoubtedly transformed the Gunners into an elite-level side, and this was evident in the Champions League last season when they put 15-time European champions Real Madrid to the sword.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetain the stands before the match
The progress made has been clear, but Arteta has still come under fire for Arsenal’s lack of trophies over the last few years.
New sporting director Andrea Berta has been tasked with backing the Spaniard this summer, and Arsenal are set to sign both midfielder Martin Zubimendi and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (The Times) in what is a real boost.
However, their lack of a prolific striker is seen as a major elephant in the room. It is by far the position which supporters are most keen to see strengthened, with Berta working on deals for both Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
Viktor Gyokeres convinced he's going to join Arsenal
The former has been central to a tense transfer saga, with Sporting publicly denying claims that Gyokeres can leave for £60 million and their president, Frederico Varandas, taking aim at the player’s agent.
The “underrated” striker’s 54-goal haul in all competitions last season helped the Primeira Liga giants lift their first domestic double in two decades, and Gyokeres won’t be leaving for Sporting until one of his suitors meets his asking price.
Arsenal do possess a trump card, namely reliable reports that Gyokeres is prioritising a switch to the Emirates Stadium (Fabrizio Romano).
Now, as per talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Gyokeres is apparently convinced that he’ll join Arsenal, and has even made this clear to his close circle.
“I had a message 24 hours or so ago suggesting that Viktor Gyokeres has told friends and family he expects to join Arsenal,” said Crook on talkSPORT Breakfast earlier this week.
“We know that Manchester United are interested in signing him as well, obviously there is that pre-existing relationship with Ruben Amorim.
“But Arsenal can offer Champions League football, maybe can offer a tilt at the title next season. Sporting are going to play hardball, there’s been a fallout between Gyokeres and the club because his agent has suggested that they had a gentleman’s agreement he could leave for £60million, I think they’re looking for nearer £80m.
“Arsenal are juggling both him and Benjamin Sesko, they’ve opened talks with Leipzig as well but at the moment, I would say Gyokeres looks the more likely.”
The player’s willingness is crystal clear at this point, but Sporting’s demands remain a major roadblock, so it will be very interesting to see how this consistently evolving story unfolds over the coming weeks.
As the Royal London Cup comes to Gosforth, it is a reminder of the strength of the club scene in England’s north east
Paul Edwards29-Apr-2019″I tell you what, there’s still a lot of passion for cricket in the north east,” says Steve Chapman. “We have three Saturday teams, an Academy team on Sundays, a midweek/senior team, a women’s team, an Under-14s girls team, two Under -15s teams, three Under-13s, three Under-11s, Under-9s softball and we’re starting a women’s softball team this year.”Chapman is the director of coaching at South Northumberland CC and Durham’s batting coach. He knows whereof he speaks. And another manifestation of commitment will be seen on Tuesday when South North hosts Durham’s Royal London Cup match against Lancashire. The ground can be found at the end of Roseworth Terrace and the two ends are named Grove and Park. This is no exercise in pastoral irony. The club’s home is in Gosforth, one of Newcastle’s more prosperous and most blossomed suburbs. Until he was made Durham’s director of cricket last year Marcus North was chief-executive at South North, whose first-teams have won five national competitions since 2006. The club has a powerful claim to be the strongest in the country.But the immediate validity of that claim will be tested in less than a fortnight when South North meet one of their great rivals, Chester-le-Street, in the next round of the Royal London Club Championship. The Durham club’s Ropery Lane home is a few hundred yards from the Riverside and its players are also well used to September’s great stages, when trophies beyond the ambition of most recreational cricketers are handed out.
There is a legacy of the mining villages each having a football team and a cricket team and largely those clubs are still the focus of the communityJohn Windows, Durham academy manager
Yet when debates take place about the strongest club cricket in England how many people mention the north east of England? And how many of those are aware that while South North and Chester may currently be at the apex of the pyramid, there are a host of other clubs, some relatively small, who sustain the game in an area usually associated with the mania of its football supporters?”It’s a strong community,” says John Windows, the manager of Durham’s academy and a former Northumberland player. “There is a legacy of the mining villages each having a football team and a cricket team and largely those clubs are still the focus of the community. The pits have gone, the banks have closed but the clubs are still there and I think cricket in the north east is based in them. There are a lot of small clubs that give more opportunities to youngsters than might be the case elsewhere in the country. Durham’s been fortunate to reap the rewards of that talent and that system.”England, too, of course. Both Steve Harmison and Mark Wood learned their cricket at Ashington while a young Paul Collingwood quickly established his second home at Shotley Bridge. “I think it’s the biggest factor,” he said when asked by Stuart Rayner to identify what part league cricket played in the success of Durham’s academy. “My life was at Shotley Bridge…literally seven days a week. I’d come home from school, put down my bags and walk to Shotley, whether to help my dad on the roller, or to get into the nets.”Paul Collingwood grew up playing at Shotley Bridge CC•Getty ImagesRayner’s fine recent book painstakingly chronicles the building and rebuilding of Durham following their “rescue” by the ECB in 2016, It is littered with mentions of local clubs in the north east where Durham’s many home-grown cricketers learned their skills. However, this is not to say there is no distinction between Northumberland and Durham. Such carelessness could endanger one’s health in an area renowned for its deep allegiances. After all, Northumberland remains, in cricketing terms, a minor, although soon to be “national”, county as part of an ECB revamp, and when presented with a choice between representing their club in a national competition or their county, most players choose the former.”Wearing my Northumberland hat, I think we would have the right to say that if you decline to play for the minor county, you aren’t allowed to play for your club side,” says Gordon Halliday, who manages to combine being secretary of South North with chairmanship of Northumberland. “But in practice we’ve never enforced that. We encourage clubs to release their players and some are better at it than others. In two weeks’ time South North are playing Chester-le-Street, and I would expect that two lads won’t be available for Northumberland’s game against Cheshire. We do have some clubs whose main priority is to win national competitions.”It is not difficult to recognise South Northumberland as one the relatively limited number of sides in England who enter national competitions with a realistic chance of winning them. Roseworth Terrace boasts a five-lane indoor school which would be the envy of some counties. Chapman attests that over 30 clubs use the facility each winter and points out that the site effectively houses two businesses: the cricket club and the cricket centre. And he is quick to deny any suggestion that any players disrespect minor counties cricket.”South North, like every Northumberland club, is proud of the minor county and we try to support them as much as possible,” he said. “We are unique in the facilities we can offer and we extend the county as much respect and courtesy as we can. We look up to the county rather than look down on it.”Roseworth Terrace hosting an England U19s game•Getty ImagesPerhaps it is also fair to say that some clubs in the north east also look up to South North. Chapman, who was born in Crook, County Durham, identifies it as the establishment club, although its status has been earned by excellence rather than privilege. “We have four or five lads in our first team that would walk into North East Premier League first teams but they like to play at South North, they like what the club’s about,” he says. “It’s a bit old school because people think I’ll play in the second team and if I’m good enough for the first team, I’ll get picked for it.”Of course, it might be argued that old school is out of fashion and that changing leisure habits mean it’s less easy for captains of, say, third teams to put out competitive sides. The north east is not immune from those pressures but one is still impressed by the vibrancy of the club game in this area. And it is not absurd to think that when Roseworth Terrace welcomes Lancashire’s cricketers, the game will, in its way, symbolise the strength of cricket in a region paid too little attention by national media.That strength has a rich heritage; Halliday does not need too much prompting to talk of the era when Courtney Walsh and Ian Bishop played for Tynedale. But the introduction of Premier Leagues has helped clubs in the north east to compete with the best that London, Yorkshire and the rest can put out. And if you want to be reassured that Durham will complete its recovery from the great duffing-up of 2016, you might do worse than visit Ashington, Hetton Lyons, Shotley Bridge. Or there is Gateshead Fell, Sacriston, Blaydon, Benwell Hill, Percy Main, Boldon. The collieries once associated with one or two of these places are gone but the cricket clubs remain. Their survival is a cause for celebration as we greet another glad season.
Liverpool have entered the fray to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, potentially disrupting Newcastle United's long-standing pursuit of the 22-year-old striker having made their interest known in the Magpies' Alexander Isak. The Merseyside giants have initiated contact with the Bundesliga club, seeking to open negotiations.
Liverpool set sights on FrankfurtNewcastle are also vying for his servicesThe Reds are tracking Alexander Isak as wellFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Newcastle, who have tried on two previous occasions to bring Ekitike to St. James’ Park, had a recent offer believed to be worth around €75 million (£65m/$87m) rebuffed by Frankfurt, according to . With the Magpies’ attempts again facing resistance, Liverpool have moved swiftly to explore their own interest.
Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Liverpool's renewed focus on strengthening their attacking options has gained urgency after their attempt to sign Newcastle's Isak met resistance. They have seemingly made public their willingness to offer up to £120m ($161m) for the Swedish forward, but Newcastle’s firm stance that the striker is not available has complicated matters. Moreover, the player himself has not communicated his desire to leave the club, but if Liverpool continue to push, there might be a change in the scenario, as revealed by The report also claims that the Geordies are determined to make their own statement by landing Ekitike, having held positive talks.
DID YOU KNOW?
With both Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz potentially on their way out, Liverpool have made acquiring a top-tier centre-forward a priority. Ekitike fits the bill after his impressive output last season – 22 goals and 12 assists across 48 appearances in all competitions – played a key role in Frankfurt securing a third-place finish in the Bundesliga.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
Having already brought in Florian Wirtz and promising talents like Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Armin Pecsi, spending a combined £185m ($247m), Liverpool are still prepared to invest further. With financial expert Kieran Maguire confirming Liverpool's healthy PSR standing and revenue streams, the Reds are well-positioned to fund another marquee signing without regulatory issues. While Isak remains their top priority, Ekitike is increasingly seen as a realistic, high-upside alternative who could flourish under Arne Slot’s guidance.