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Liverpool continue to pursue a move for Crystal Palace and England star Adam Wharton, with talks now reportedly taking place over a move to Anfield.

The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most promising young players in the country, bringing so much maturity in the middle of the park for Palace.

The £100m-rated Wharton also started for England in their 2-0 win away to Albania on Sunday, which could be the first start of many for the Three Lions in the coming years, having been hailed by former Palace teammate Eberechi Eze.

“He’s an incredible player to play with. Playing with him at Palace, I’ve got used to seeing the way he plays and understanding him. He’s very calm, composed, and a joy to play with. For someone so young, he’s very mature and very wise. When you speak to him, it feels like you’re speaking to someone older than you, that’s the type of person he is. He’s an incredible player.”

Liverpool have been linked with signing Wharton for months now, but he stayed put in the summer, and now an encouraging fresh update has dropped.

Liverpool in talks to sign Adam Wharton

According to a new update from DaveOCKop, Liverpool are “holding initial talks” over the signing of Wharton in 2026, as they ramp up their interest in him.

It is stated that this is a move that is “likely for the summer of 2026 rather than in the January window”, with Palace understandably keen on keeping hold of one of their most prized assets until at least the end of this season.

Wharton stands out as an exceptional option for Liverpool, with the youngster already such an impressive performer for Palace, playing with maturity beyond his years.

He is an unruffled presence with the ability to not only dictate games at his own pace from his deep-lying midfield role, but also put out fires, showing good positional sense and making importantly-timed tackles.

Granted, Wharton wouldn’t arrive at Liverpool on the cheap, especially as he is a young English player, but he could be worth every penny over time, becoming a fulcrum of the Reds’ midfield after already beating them twice this season in the Community Shield and Premier League.

New Trent: Liverpool star is "one of the most underrated players in England"

Slot could find a shrewd solution to Liverpool’s problems in this talent.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 17, 2025

With some doubts persisting over Alexis Mac Allister’s long-term future at Anfield, the England star could be a great choice to come in alongside Ryan Gravenberch, although it would still be far better to sign him and also keep hold of the Argentine World Cup winner.

Liverpool willing to sell first-team star to fund Adam Wharton move

Erling Haaland has revealed why he had to be restrained by Manchester City team-mate Gianluigi Donnarumma during Norway’s 2026 World Cup qualification clash with Italy. The prolific striker netted another brace in that contest, helping to fire his country to a major international tournament, with a fire being lit in the 25-year-old after seeing his “ass” grabbed.

• Haaland bags another brace as Norway reach 2026 World Cup

  Haaland lost his temper during a meeting with the Azzurri that saw Norway confirm their qualification for a first World Cup finals since 1998. They knew that anything but a heavy defeat on Italian soil would see tickets to that competition secured.

  In the end, Haaland helped to inspire a convincing 4-1 win. It took him until the 78th minute to find the target in that contest, before going on to net twice in a little over 60 seconds. Italy did their cause few favours when winding up a rival that needs little added motivation.

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  Why Haaland confronted Italy defender Mancini

  Haaland was provoked by Gianluca Mancini. An explosive argument was sparked inside the Italian penalty area. Haaland, who was visibly agitated, had to be held back by club colleague Donnarumma – preventing him from confronting Mancini face-to-face.

  Quizzed by Norwegian television on what happened, Haaland said: “At 1-1, he started grabbing my ass, and I thought, ‘what are you doing?’ So I fired myself up a bit and said to him, ‘thanks a lot for the motivation, let’s f*cking have it.’ Then I scored two goals, we win 4-1, so that’s great. Thanks to him!”

  Haaland fired Norway in front with a superb volley, before capitalising on a poor clearance moments later. Wolves frontman Jorgen Strand Larsen added a fourth in stoppage-time as Stale Solbakken’s side secured automatic World Cup qualification in style.

• Red-hot Haaland matches international goal streak record

  Haaland finished the qualifying phase with 16 goals through eight matches – matching Robert Lewandowski’s record haul in that department. Norway took maximum points from all eight of their fixtures, leaving Italy to settle for a runner-up spot. They must now go through the play-offs, having previously suffered agonising defeats to Sweden and North Macedonia in such contests to deny them spots at the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals.

  Haaland is heading to the first major international tournament of his career. He does so having equalled the all-time record for consecutive international matches scored in. The City superstar has found the target in his last 11 outings for Norway.

  That streak dates back to November 14, 2024 when he found the target in a 4-1 win over Slovenia. Norway have won all 11 of the matches that Haaland has netted in. Their talismanic No.9 did not feature in a 1-1 friendly draw with New Zealand.

  Haaland has matched a record set by Abdul Ghani Minhat of Malaysia. He scored in 11 straight games between May 28, 1961 and August 28, 1962. Said record – which has stood for over 60 years – has been confirmed by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

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  How Haaland's record compares to Ronaldo & Messi

  The stunning standards being set by Haaland are further highlighted when his international exploits are compared to the best runs to have ever been enjoyed by all-time greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

  Portuguese icon CR7 has managed to score in six consecutive matches for his country on two separate occasions – most recently between June 7 and November 17, 2019. Argentine GOAT Messi found the target in eight successive matches between December 3, 2022 and September 8, 2023.

  Haaland now has 32 goals to his name this season through 20 appearances for club and country. He has drawn a blank in just two outings – against Tottenham and Aston Villa in the Premier League.

  He will not be in action for Norway again until the next international break is reached in March 2026. If his remarkable run on the goal front can be extended there, then it will be carried into the World Cup finals – with Norway preparing to make their first tournament appearance since Euro 2000.

Manchester United have now reportedly been offered the chance to sign an England midfielder for just £26m when the January transfer window arrives.

Man Utd seeking midfield reinforcements

In the summer, it was Ruben Amorim’s frontline that took the focus as INEOS welcomed Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko in an impressive window. Now, when 2026 arrives, it looks as though Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to turn his attention towards Man United’s midfield.

Those at Old Trafford were eyeing a move for Carlos Baleba at the end of the summer window, before Brighton & Hove Albion priced them out of a move. Months on, it seems as though the midfielder has fallen down Man United’s shortlist of targets, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson now taking centre-stage.

The 23-year-old is quickly becoming the most sought-after player in the Premier League, but he’s not the only option on United’s list of targets in the middle of the park.

They’ve also reportedly been told that they can now sign Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid at a bargain price in January. The former Chelsea man could be on his way back to the Premier League as he looks to earn his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Man Utd now offered bargain Conor Gallagher deal

According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Man United have now been told that they can sign Gallagher for just €30m (£26m) when 2026 arrives. The England international has become surplus to requirements at Atletico Madrid and he’s now ready to leave the club in pursuit of consistent game time.

Dubbed “intense” by Simeone, Gallagher could provide the legs in United’s midfield that Casemiro is otherwise unable to provide these days. The 25-year-old is a true midfield workhorse, who also has a knack for popping up with goals when needed.

Although United’s big target is Anderson, they’d be doing their top four prospects no harm by welcoming Gallagher in the January transfer window, especially at just £26m.

Man Utd eye move for £80m star who Man City would "love" to buy in January

The Red Devils could be in a direct fight with their Premier League rivals to land his signature.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Nov 29, 2025

Whether INEOS will be willing to act as early as the winter window remains to be seen, however. They may yet put all of their funds towards winning what is looking likely to be a hectic race for Anderson next summer.

INEOS can fund Elliot Anderson move by offloading Man Utd's "best player"

Arne Slot's days at Liverpool are numbered, according to former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann. The Dutchman guided the Merseyside giants to the Premier League title in his debut season at Anfield but Liverpool's title defence lies in tatters with six defeats in the opening 12 league games of the season. And on a dire run of form, it's perhaps only a matter of time before Slot is shown the exit.

• Liverpool now 11 points off the pace

  Liverpool returned from the international break with a 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, and followed up that loss with a 4-1 mauling at the hands of PSV in the Champions League. The midweek reverse against the Dutch side means the Reds have lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions, with pressure mounting on Slot to turn the club's fortunes around.

  The Reds will hope to get their season back on track when they face West Ham on Sunday afternoon, though even that will prove easier said than done. The Hammers, resurgent since sacking Graham Potter, are on a run of two wins and one draw in their last three league outings as they look to boost their survival hopes and claim a major Premier League scalp in the process.

  Defeat in the capital this weekend will heighten calls for the club to sack Slot. Even so, former Liverpool midfielder Hamann believes that the "end is near" for the former Feyenoord boss on Merseyside.

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  Slot's 'credit has run out'

  On the pressure mounting on Slot, Hamann, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, told : "Slot's end is near. I never thought it would come to this after the brilliant season he had, but I believe his credit has now run out.

  "I believe Arne Slot has lost control of the team. It's falling apart, everyone is doing what they want, like Salah before PSV's second goal. Liverpool will have major problems finishing in the Premier League top four. I don't believe these problems can be solved quickly or easily. The situation is so complex that the club will certainly be discussing the manager's position."

  Attention has even turned to who could succeed Slot at the Anfield helm, with Real Madrid boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso and current Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann mooted as potential successors for the Dutchman. And some Reds fans are pining for Jurgen Klopp to make a dramatic return to Merseyside in the foreseeable future.

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  Could Klopp return to Liverpool?

  Klopp left Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season and took up a role with Red Bull at the start of this year. Hamann has suggested that Liverpool could look to try and tempt the 58-year-old back into management, adding: "Many are already longing for Jurgen Klopp's return. If you ask the fans, many will surely say: 'That would be something.'

  "How likely is it that he'll return to Liverpool? I have no idea. But it would be the story of the decade. The club will already have considered alternative managers. I assume they've spoken with Klopp."

  Hamann's claims come after former Reds defender Jamie Carragher suggested Slot has a week to save his job. Liverpool follow up Sunday's game against West Ham at the London Stadium with the midweek welcome of Sunderland and a trip to Leeds next weekend and Carragher has warned that "anything fewer than seven points will make an already unacceptable situation untenable".

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• Crucial week for Slot at Liverpool

  Writing in his weekly column for the , Carragher stated: "Arne Slot has a week to save his job. It is hard to believe that sentence is being written, but Liverpool's next three games are against West Ham United, Sunderland and Leeds United. Anything fewer than seven points will make an already unacceptable situation untenable.

  "No one knows better than me how much that reality will be hurting everyone connected with my old club. Liverpool do not willingly sack coaches, especially those that bring great success.

  "After Slot won the Premier League in his first season, he seemed destined for a long stay on Merseyside too. Now, just six months later, he is hanging on."

  On Slot's tactical changes, Carragher added: "It felt wrong on day one of the season, and it has led to a mess right now."

The San Diego Padres have been struggling lately and when things aren't going well for you, sometimes a little luck can be exactly what you need.

That's just what the Padres got in the bottom of the 11th inning Monday night at home against the Miami Marlins when they found a wild way to get a walk-off win.

With one out and runners on first and third, Miami's Cade Gibson threw a wild pitch that bounced away from his catcher. Nick Fortes was able to quickly get to the ball and tried to make a play at the plate but San Diego's Tyler Wade slid in safely to end the game.

Here's how that played out:

The Padres are just 3-7 in their last 10 games so maybe this type of win is just what they need to get things going in the right direction.

The summer transfer window saw Arsenal enjoy one of the most exciting transfer windows in their illustrious history.

Edu had left the club and Andrea Berta had arrived. The job he performed was incredible during his first window in charge of recruitment.

Viktor Gyokeres was the marquee addition but the likes of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke have bolstered the forward line and ensured that Mikel Arteta can afford to rest and rotate a little bit more.

The defence was also strengthened, of course it was. Arteta loves a defender. Although, with both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes currently out injured, it’s probably just as well Cristian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie signed.

So, what could January hold?

Where Arsenal could strengthen in January

Given the mass spending over the summer, it’s quite unlikely that Berta signs anyone throughout the winter.

That being said, with injuries ravaging the squad, it would not be a total surprise to see even more depth added.

Transfer Focus

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

It’s in the forward line where another player could arrive. Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz have both been linked, as has someone from Real Madrid.

According to Caught Offside, both Liverpool and Arsenal are ‘preparing their bids’ for Brazilian winger Rodrygo.

The Gunners were linked with the Madrid star right throughout the summer window but he ultimately ended up staying at the Bernabeu.

A few months on and rumours of a Rodrygo move to north London are gathering pace again. Caught Offside state that as a result of the attacker’s limited game time this season, they are willing to sanction his exit if a bid of around £78m is made.

Liverpool and Arsenal both currently lead the race but you would sense a move to Anfield is more likely given the Gunners already have plenty of options in wide areas.

Why Rodrygo would be a good signing for Arsenal

How we judge Rodrygo is a tricky one. This season, the 24-year-old has played 16 games but has only started three times in LaLiga. He’s failed to score and only registered two assists. It’s pretty evident why he’s searching for a way out of Madrid this winter.

Last term was a better one for the Brazilian, scoring 14 and supplying 11 goals for his teammates. That said, he failed to score in his final 13 league outings. Worrying signs.

At his best, however, he is “one of the best wingers in the world” in the words of analyst Spencer Mossman. He’s also a “world-class superstar” in the eyes of former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric. He’s certainly seen a few greats come and go in the Spanish capital.

It was only back in 2022/23 that Rodrygo, still a spring chicken in the world of football, scored 19 goals. He’s a goal threat and a creative outlet too. He’s rather similar to Eze in that regard.

While Rodrygo can play on either flank, it’s on the left, one of Eze’s best positions, where he’s most at home. Both fabulous ball carriers and comfortable in tight spaces, they are particularly alike with regard to their flair and the excitement they offer in the final third.

Analysing their numbers over the last two and a half seasons, it’s clear to see just how alike the two dynamic forwards are.

Over several metrics they’ve been registering near identical numbers, specifically when it comes to shots on target, key passes and shot-creating actions.

Eze has been a breath of fresh air since joining Arsenal from Palace. That hat-trick against Spurs will go down in history as one of the most memorable moments from a north London derby. To sign a similar player in Rodrygo, therefore, is sure to delight supporters.

Creative, capable of scoring goals and fleet-footed, another Eze could be on their way to north London.

Arteta must drop Arsenal star who had fewer touches than Raya vs Brentford

It was a game to forget for the Arsenal star on Wednesday night.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Dec 4, 2025

Cardiff City have released a passionate and powerful statement in relation to the passing of Emiliano Sala. The 28-year-old lost his life when travelling to Wales to complete a transfer in January 2019. A seven-year legal battle is now drawing to a close, with the Bluebirds taking aim at Nantes and Sala’s representatives for the role that they played in “a tragedy that could and should have been avoided”.

• Sala tragedy: Plan crashed when travelling to Wales

  Argentine striker Sala died when the private plane carrying him from France to Cardiff crashed into the Channel. He was in the process of completing a £15 million switch from Ligue 1 side Nantes. He lost his life alongside pilot David Ibbotson, with the flight having been organised by agent Willie McKay and his son Mark. The journey was unlicensed and a legal dispute has dragged on for several years.

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• How much are Cardiff seeking in damages?

  Cardiff are seeking £105m ($140m) in damages. They were a Premier League side when agreeing a deal for Sala, but suffered relegation out of the top flight at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

  David Anderson, who helped to organise the flight in question, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in the tragedy. On December 8, 2025, proceedings will begin at the Nantes Commercial Court as Cardiff state their case.

  The presiding French judge will consider whether Nantes are liable for the financial losses being claimed by Cardiff. If the Bluebirds are successful, then a decision will be made on how much they are owed.

• Cardiff City condemn Nantes & McKay in statement

  The Welsh outfit have said in a strongly-worded statement: “Nantes' commercial court will finally hear the substance of Cardiff City Football Club's case against FC Nantes. We want FC Nantes to be held accountable for the faults committed by Willie McKay, FC Nantes' true agent. This tragedy, which began nearly seven years ago, cost Emiliano Sala his life.

  “It is a tragedy that could and should have been avoided, had the people involved in the transfer on FC Nantes' side not relied on the services of a banned agent, who went on to organise illegal flights to get the deal done. On the eve of the hearing, however, there is hope.

  “The hearing marks another step towards uncovering the truth and establishing more accountability in football. This case isn't about harming football: it's about protecting its integrity. This is about ensuring higher standards across our sport, especially surrounding transfers. Because Emiliano Sala deserved better. Because football deserves better.”

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  Sala case: When is a verdict expected?

  At the hearing in France, the judge will open proceedings – which get underway at 4pm UK time – by delivering an initial summary of the case. All documents submitted by both clubs have been reviewed. Legal teams from each party will then present their respective arguments.

  While the matter is now in court, after almost seven years, a final verdict is not expected until the spring of 2026. That means full closure remains some way off, but an end to the lengthy saga is now in sight.

  Sala’s body was found in the wreckage of the plane transporting him to the United Kingdom on January 21, 2019. The aircraft in question went down near the Channel Island of Guernsey. Ibbotson’s body was never recovered.

  While they were a Premier League outfit at the time of the transfer for Sala being agreed, Cardiff now find themselves in the third tier of English football. They are top of the League One table through 17 fixtures in 2025-26.

Behind the wicket is this unorthodox India batter’s happy place

Deivarayan Muthu22-Oct-20241:37

Manjrekar: Sarfaraz should walk into India’s XI for the Australia tour

When Will O’Rourke, at 6’4″, the tallest bowler in the current New Zealand attack banged one into the pitch in Bengaluru, it seemed destined to smack Sarfaraz Khan on his head until an impish intervention from the batter. Sarfaraz had originally misjudged the bounce as he tried to avoid the bouncer. To make matters worse, it kept veering into him as well. The fates had decided he was going to end up on his backside. He said, ‘fine but I’m getting something out of it’ and somehow ramped a ball that was pushing him down into the floor for a boundary.Ramps are ostentatious shots for most batters but for Sarfaraz it is staple. It’s his signature. Like how the cover drive is Virat Kohli’s. Like how the pull is Rohit Sharma’s. Like how the one-handed loft is Rishabh Pant’s.Having been bred on the bouncy, red-soil pitches in Mumbai, Sarfaraz has developed various versions of this shot, from the delicate dab ramp over the cordon to the full-blooded scythe over deep third. And he can play these shots to balls ranging from just back-of-a-length to a bouncer by twisting his body like a contortionist to get underneath the ball.He even played the ramp off a full and wide one from Bhuvneshwar Kumar back in IPL 2016 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Having spotted Sarfaraz manufacture swinging room, Bhuvneshwar had shifted his lines wide of off stump, but the batter still caught up with the ball, got underneath it, and ramped it over the deep-third boundary. Sarfaraz was only 18 then. This ability to manipulate the “V” behind the wicket has been with him from day one of a professional cricket career that is now in its 10th year.Sarfaraz showed his full range behind square in the first Test against New Zealand at the same venue where he had bested Bhuvneshwar as a teenager. Look at his wagon wheel from the recent Bengaluru Test. He scored 96 of his 150 runs behind the wicket.Fourteen of Sarfaraz’s 21 boundaries in the first Test came behind the wicket•ESPNcricinfo LtdSarfaraz was dismissed for a duck in the first innings. When there was excessive seam movement for New Zealand’s seamers under overcast skies, he went hard at the ball and ended up playing well in front of the body, shanking a catch to mid-off. In the second innings, when the pitch had lost its early juice, and there wasn’t as much lateral movement, Sarfaraz allowed the ball to come onto him and kept directing it behind the wicket. Believe it or not, he had not scored a single run in the “V” in front of wicket until after his hundred.”I like playing the balls that rise high. I have a bouncy wicket back at home [Mumbai], and I play regularly there, and the bounce easily allows me to cut,” Sarfaraz said. “They [New Zealand] were trying to bowl short at me, and I simply played accordingly. It was fun.”Related

• India's invincibility under threat as NZ look to complete the impossible

• Mitchell: 'We can't change the wicket, but we'll find a way to adapt'

• Rohit praises Sarfaraz and Pant for showing maturity

• Pune set to roll out slow turner for second Test

• Williamson to miss second Test against India

It’s not always fun though. The same shot that left jaws on the floor in Bengaluru – the duck ramp – led to his downfall in Lucknow. It was IPL 2023. Mark Wood was the bowler and he was giving Sarfaraz a serious working over to the extent that he was caught off a bouncer that he had initially tried to avoid. That couldn’t have felt good. It certainly didn’t look good. That dismissal epitomised the risk that comes with unorthodox strokeplay; not so much that it could result in your downfall but more that it makes you look silly. Sarfaraz is happy to live with this risk. He trains to try and minimise this risk. When he met Wood again in the Dharamsala Test earlier this year, he ramped the fast bowler, nonchalantly, to the deep-third boundary.The pitch in Pune might not offer as much bounce for Sarfaraz to play his ramps, with a bald, back-soil surface set to negate the seamers and bring the spinners into play. Sarfaraz, though, can also disrupt spin, thanks to a number of sweeps, including the reverse. He crouches low for these sweeps and often crunches them flat and hard – both in front of and behind the wicket.Sarfaraz Khan countered the short balls with the ramp•BCCIWhen Ajaz Patel dangled a full ball up outside off in India’s second innings in Bengaluru, Sarfaraz stretched out, met the pitch of the ball, and swept so hard that it sounded like a thunderclap. Earlier, in the Irani Cup, when Saransh Jain, the emerging offspinner from Madhya Pradesh, blocked the sweep with a packed leg-side field, Sarfaraz unfurled the reverse-sweep and countered him.With Shubman Gill likely to be fit for the second Test, India will have to make a choice between Sarfaraz and KL Rahul. It will incredibly hard for the team management to ignore Sarfaraz, especially after he had scored his maiden Test hundred, which had them dreaming about a remarkable comeback win at one point, though Rahul has a case for himself: he was a bit unlucky in Bengaluru and has a strong body of work overseas.”Sarfaraz was obviously brilliant in the last Test,” Ryan ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach, said on Tuesday. “I went to KL after the last Test and said: ‘how many balls did you play and miss at?’ He didn’t play and miss one ball and that’s what tends to happen when you’re not getting runs. He got the two balls in the game – one caught down the leg side and one that he managed to nick.”So there’s certainly no concerns about KL. He’s batting nicely, he’s in a good mental space, but yeah, we’re certainly going to have to fit seven pieces into six spots for this Test and look at the pitch now and decide what’s going to be best for the team.”For so long, Sarfaraz has been on the outside looking in on this Indian team. But bit by bit, day by day, shot by shot, his chances of making it to the first-choice XI are ramping up.

Aston Villa could make a move for an “excellent” striker in 2026, amid Ollie Watkins’ struggles to make an impact.

Villa lay down marker with victory over Arsenal

Villa secured their seventh win on the spin in all competitions on Saturday, courtesy of a 2-1 victory against Premier League leaders Arsenal, which came in dramatic fashion, with Emiliano Buendia firing home a late winner to send Villa Park into raptures.

Unai Emery was delighted with the result, despite also making it clear his side must keep their feet on the ground, saying: “Today we must be happy, the supporters, Aston Villa fans and ourselves because we did the job we needed.

“Of course, we got three points and we are, in the Premier League, the most difficult league in the world, more or less, now feeling strong and feeling comfortable.

“But this is a race for 38 matches and we are on 15.”

It is difficult not to get too carried away, with the Villans now just three points behind Arsenal, but Watkins may need to get back to his best if Emery’s side are going to make a serious push for the Premier League title.

The Englishman has scored just three goals in 15 league outings, and Aston Villa are now lining up a move for a new striker in 2026, with a report from Tuttosport (via FC Inter News) revealing they could launch an attack to sign Bologna’s Santiago Castro next summer.

Nottingham Forest are also in the race for the centre-forward, and a deal could be on the expensive side, with the Italian club potentially set to demand €40m – €50m (£35m – £44m) for his services.

Ideally, Bologna would like to keep hold of the 21-year-old, and they are planning to offer him a bumper new contract in the coming weeks, in order to ward off the interest from elsewhere.

Emery's a fan: Aston Villa willing to make mega-money bid for £52m "baller"

The Villans are lining up a winter move for a new midfielder.

By
Dominic Lund

Dec 7, 2025

Castro could be "excellent" addition to Villa's attack

Donyell Malen has proven himself as a solid option at striker this season, scoring seven goals in all competitions, but Villa may still have room to bring in another centre-forward, given that the Dutchman regularly features out wide.

Castro has proven he could be a viable target with some of his displays this season too, having scored five goals in all competitions, two more than Watkins, while he also showcased his ability to create chances last term, leading to high praise from scout Jacek Kulig.

The Argentinian hasn’t been prolific since moving to Bologna, chipping in with 16 goals and 10 assists in 71 outings, but he is still very young, having only turned 21 in September, and Villa should continue to monitor his performances between now and next summer.

Jamie Carragher has blasted Liverpool’s "disconnected" online fans that are struggling to see the bigger picture when it comes to Mohamed Salah’s explosive outburst against the club. In the opinion of an Anfield legend, "those who dedicate their life to supporting the team" will always side with a title-winning manager during any dispute with a disgruntled player – regardless of the status that said performer enjoys.

• Dropped after explosive rant: Salah's state of play at Anfield

  Salah is a modern day legend on Merseyside, with the Egyptian superstar registering 250 goals for the Reds. Over the course of eight memorable years, he has captured two top-flight crowns, savoured a Champions League triumph, won four Golden Boots and three PFA Player of the Year awards.

  The talismanic 33-year-old has, however, accused his current employers of throwing him under the bus in a disappointing title defence. He has also admitted to seeing his working relationship with head coach Arne Slot break down.

  Slot took to dropping Salah from his squad for a Champions League clash with Inter, with many supporting that stance as the Dutch tactician sought to ensure that his authority at Anfield is not undermined. Fans at San Siro backed their manager with chants from the terraces.

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  Salah vs Slot: Who do Liverpool supporters favour?

  Carragher saw that as no surprise, with the former Liverpool defender saying in his column for : "In a choice between a title-winning Anfield manager and a multi-title-winning footballer, the coach wins every time. The relationship between a successful Liverpool boss and the Kop is, through my eyes at least, unique. The fans have a banner that displays the faces of all the most revered managers in the club’s history. Slot’s face was added this year. What other fanbase would back a manager who has only been at the club 18 months over a superstar who has delivered every honour in the game for eight years?"

• Taking sides: Carragher sees true fans backing Slot

  Not everybody is on Slot’s side in his row with Salah – who has reacted angrily to being benched of late – but Carragher believes that true fans know where their allegiance lies. He added: "There will be those reading this column, or more specifically commenting on it online, who will vehemently argue against my submission that the die-hard supporters are overwhelmingly behind Slot on this issue. Like many clubs’ fanbases, Liverpool’s is divided between those who dedicate their life to supporting the team – the familiar faces you see and hear even as players at home and away – and those who spend their time on social media and are disconnected from the mood in and around the city and the stadium itself.

  "After I spoke on the Salah situation on Monday Night Football, I was alerted to those who disagreed with my take. I couldn’t care less, because I intuitively know I am on the same page as those supporters who were at San Siro on Tuesday night. I am in touch with enough of them to be able to measure if my mood reflects theirs. The day I no longer believe that to be true is the day I stop commenting on Liverpool.

  "There is a newer generation of supporters who follow players more than a club. If Salah had left two years ago or last summer, they would have taken their allegiance with him. I would go so far as to say that there are some who would have happily seen Liverpool lose to increase the prospects of Salah staying and Slot leaving.

  "This issue was never going to be just about Slot versus Salah, or even Salah versus Liverpool’s executives. To those who understand Liverpool, it is about their perception of what the club stands for and how those representing it should behave. They see the manager as the embodiment of their values. Once that connection is established – and Slot secured his in his first year – the bond is reinforced when someone threatens it. For all the poor recent performances, questionable tactics and contentious substitutions, for those supporters who are the true lifeblood of the club, Slot always had an ace up his sleeve; he is a Premier League-winning manager."

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  Salah future: Liverpool stay or Saudi Pro League transfer?

  The big question now is: Does Salah have a future at Liverpool? On that subject, Carragher said: "There might be no way back for Salah now he is heading to the Africa Cup of Nations, but I genuinely hope there is. Even though I have been furious about what he said last weekend, it would be an absolute travesty if that interview is remembered as his last meaningful act for Liverpool. He has done too much for the club for that to be so. He owes it to himself to make sure he is afforded a farewell fit for a legend – whenever that might be. If that means he has to apologise, so be it.

  "As things stand, it would be no surprise if Liverpool sold Salah to fund another spree in January because the lack of resources on the substitutes bench in midweek was extraordinary given how much was spent last summer. That was a key takeaway from another dramatic Anfield week. Slot’s squad is weaker than it should be."

  Salah, who signed a two-year contract extension in April, is already being linked with teams in the Saudi Pro League. Slot has confirmed that internal talks will be held ahead of a Premier League clash with Brighton at Anfield on Saturday – a contest which may become a farewell event for one of the Reds’ brightest stars.