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Premier League strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers have sacked manager Vitor Pereira following the club’s poor start to the season. The Molineux club are the only team in England’s top four divisions yet to win a league game in 2025-26, having lost eight of their 10 matches under the Portuguese, who was only handed a new contract in September.

• Wolves dismiss Pereira with club bottom of the Premier League

  Following a winless start to the league season which has seen Wolves earn just two points from 10 games – via draws with Tottenham and Brighton – the club are currently bottom of the table. The Midlanders secured victories over West Ham and Everton in the Carabao Cup, but they have been unable to replicate that form in the league.

  Confirming Pereira had been relieved of his duties after 11 months in charge, Wolves executive chairman Jeff Shi said in a club statement: “Vitor and his team worked tirelessly for Wolves and helped guide us through a challenging period last season, for which we are grateful.

  “Unfortunately, the start to this season has been a disappointment and, despite our strong desire to give the head coach time and matches to find an improvement, we have reached a point where we must make a change.

  “We thank Vitor and his staff for their efforts and wish them the very best for the future.”

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  Portuguese said he was 'trying everything' to improve club's form

  In what has turned out to be Pereira’s final game in charge, Wolves suffered a 3-0 loss at Fulham on Saturday. Strikes from Ryan Sessegnon and Harry Wilson, as well as an own goal from defender Yerson Mosquera, brought about another defeat for Pereira's side, who were also reduced to 10 men after Emmanuel Agbadou was sent off after 36 minutes.

  Following the game, Pereira said he was “trying everything” to arrest Wolves’ slide, telling the club’s official website: “I’m trying everything to mentally keep the team in conditions to compete. I had very good feelings from the last game, especially the second half, but I don’t think two days was enough to recover for this game. But it’s my responsibility.

  “I’m not a manager to put the responsibilities on the players, but together, we need to have a talk, and to assume the responsibilities together as a group because we cannot accept this level that we played today.

  “I understand [fans’ frustration] because if I’m not proud with what we did today, they – for sure – will not be. I must accept it because they are frustrated and I’m frustrated too.

  “I’m suffering because it’s my work and I do my best every time, as I did last season, but today, technically, physically and practically, we didn’t play in our level. It means that they come here to support us and thanks for them, but in the end, I understand their frustration.

  “I’m a fighter. I never give up. I’m not this kind of person. I will try my best in the next training to mentally recover the team, to tactically recover the organisation that we need for the next game.”

• Pereira stressed importance of staying 'united' after signing new deal

  Pereira was only handed a three-year contract in September as the club looked to install stability in the dugout. Following Nuno Espirito Santo’s four-year spell in charge between 2017 and 2021, steering the club to Premier League promotion in 2017-18, Wolves employed managers Bruno Lage, Julen Lopetegui and Gary O’Neil but none of them were able to achieve two years at the helm.

  The new deal was also seen as a reward for Pereira after the former Porto boss helped the club avoid relegation to the Championship last season. Succeeding O’Neil in December 2024, the 57-year-old guided Wolves to 16th in the table, 17 points clear of the drop.

  Speaking after signing his new contract, Pereira said: “I’m very proud to be Wolves head coach. It's an honour for me. This is the club that gave me the chance to come to the Premier League, the best league in the world. The people here embraced me as a member of the family, me and my staff we feel very good in the city, among the supporters.

  “This is the moment that we need to be united. We are a one club city, and this city loves football. It is a passion. This is the spirit that we need to create together, to face and to compete with the best teams in this league.”

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  Ex-Porto boss involved in angry confrontation with fans after Burnley loss

  But while the new contract was a show of support from the club’s hierarchy, Wolves’ form was unable to improve under Pereira. And with emotions running high following the last-gasp 3-2 league defeat against Burnley on 26 October, an angry confrontation took place between Pereira and the Molineux faithful, with the head coach needing to be pulled away.

  Following the ugly scenes, Pereira said: "We understand the frustration of the people and supporters but what I must say, if we fight united with them, we can win games and compete and achieve our targets – without them, it is impossible. If we win two or three games in a row, things will change. Two months ago they sang my name, because together with the work we did last season, we are competing in the Premier League and not the Championship. 

  "Now they sing my name to sack me. If I was a supporter, I would feel proud of my team because they worked and showed the spirit, mentality and ambition to win the game, even losing 2-0 [after 30 minutes]. If you fight for 90 minutes to win a game and in the last minute, when the other team was trying to get a draw, wasting time to finish the game, defending in a low block to defend the result, even if we draw it was not fair. We deserved the three points but it's football. I feel proud of my players because they showed in a very difficult moment, the mentality, the team spirit, the organisation to try until the last minute to win the game."

Manchester United are now targeting a record-breaking goalkeeper who’s “good with his feet”, and there are signs he could rival Senne Lammens for a starting spot.

Man Utd looking to sign new goalkeeper to rival Lammens

After arriving from Club Brugge at the end of the summer transfer window, Lammens’ introduction to the Man United starting XI has been gradual, with the Belgian making his first start in the 2-0 victory over Sunderland prior to the international break.

Having kept a clean sheet in his opening game, the 23-year-old is off to a solid start, making two saves from inside the box to keep Sunderland at bay, which resulted in a 7.8 SofaScore match rating, the highest of any player.

The Stretford End were clearly left impressed by their new goalkeeper’s performance, chating ‘Are you Schmeichel in disguise’, but it is still very early days, with a difficult trip to Anfield to come on Sunday.

Having struggled to find a suitable no.1 since the departure of David de Gea, Ruben Amorim will be hoping Lammens is the long-term solution between the sticks, but The Red Devils have now joined the race for another goalkeeper.

That is according to a report from The Boot Room, which reveals SC Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu has emerged as a genuine target for Man United, having watched him in action multiple times already this season.

Graeme Bailey adds that United want to bring in a new goalkeeper regardless of how Lammens performs, with the journalist also hinting that a deal for Atubolu could be possible.

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Bailey said: “United are doing their due diligence on goalkeepers, even if [Senne] Lammens comes in and does well, they still want and need another, as [Andre] Onana and [Altay] Bayindir won’t be hanging around in the long-term.

“They are well-versed on options, but I am told that Atubolu is one who has impressed United’s scouts this season. He is emerging as one of the very best in the Bundesliga, and Freiburg are expecting to sell in 2026.”

Record-breaking Atubolo could be instant Lammens upgrade

Lammens is off to a fantastic start at Old Trafford, but there are signs the Freiburg shot-stopper could be an instant upgrade, having already proven himself at a higher level than the former Club Brugge man.

In the 2024-25 season, the 23-year-old broke a Freiburg club record by going 576 minutes without conceding a goal, and he has since gone on to break a Bundesliga record by saving five penalties on the spin.

Not only has the German goalkeeper established himself as a top Bundesliga goalkeeper, but he is also better with his feet than Lammens, placing in the top 1% for touches per 90 over the past year.

Statistic

Noah Atubolu

Senne Lammens

Save % (penalty kicks)

100%

75%

Clean sheet %

34.5%

12.5%

Touches per game

47.99

42.58

Freiburg manager Julian Schuster has praised Atubolu in the past too, saying: “He has good reflexes. He makes good saves and is also good with his feet. We’re very happy to have him.”

It is always difficult to keep two goalkeepers happy, so it would be a risk to sign the Freiburg star, but there are clear signs he could challenge Lammens for a starting spot.

Skipper’s unbeaten 97 followed Derbyshire losing their last six wickets for 80

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay19-Apr-2025Northamptonshire skipper Luke Procter led from the front as his team fought back on the second day of the Rothesay County Championship Division Two match against Derbyshire at Derby.Procter made an unbeaten 97 and shared an opening stand of 143 with Ricardo Vasconcelos who passed 50 for the first time this season, scoring 82 off 117 balls, as the visitors closed on 236 for 3 in reply to Derbyshire’s 307.Procter also finished with figures of 3 for 61 with Justin Broad claiming 4 for 60 as Derbyshire lost their last six wickets for 80 runs, including Brooke Guest who top scored with 91.Northamptonshire’s bowlers had something to prove after a below par performance on the first day and they delivered a much improved display in terms of control and discipline.Guest had played a counter-attacking innings which had disturbed the bowler’s lines and he resumed with a crisp straight drive down the ground against Liam Guthrie to move into the nineties.But Guthrie had the last word when Guest went to drive a widish ball and dragged it into his stumps to give the visitors the early breakthrough they needed.When Broad replaced Guthrie, he found some inswing to trap Anuj Dal in front and then beat Martin Andersson’s loose drive to reduce Derbyshire to 267 for 7.Zak Chappell edged a forcing stroke behind to give Broad his third victim of the morning and Derbyshire were in danger of falling below 300 when Luis Reece was caught down the legside aiming to pull Guthrie.Blair Tickner secured a second bonus point when he pulled Dom Leech to the ropes before Procter took the new ball and had Jack Morley caught behind.It was a good session for the visitors who dominated the afternoon with Vasconcelos and Procter batting through to tea. Vasconcelos was close to being lbw to Tickner early in his innings but after a sketchy start, a glorious on drive off the New Zealand paceman showed his confidence and touch was returning.As well as he and Procter batted, it was not a good session for Derbyshire’s bowlers who failed to maintain the consistent lines to build pressure. An off drive off Andersson brought Vasconcelos his 10th four and took him to 50 before he whipped Reece to the midwicket boundary to bring up the 100 stand which came from 135 balls.Procter completed his half-century after tea and when Wayne Madsen could not cling on to a fierce chance at second slip off Tickner when Vasconcelos was on 76, it threatened to be expensive.It certainly looked that way when the opener pulled the next delivery for four but when Tickner tempted him with a wide-ish ball, he slashed it to gully where Andersson made no mistake.Vasconcelos knew he had thrown away the chance of a hundred and had to drag himself from the crease but he and Procter had given their team a good platform to build on.Procter was building another partnership with George Bartlett until Chappell got enough lift off a length to have the latter caught behind and James Sales never got going, playing across a full ball from Reece.Derbyshire were much better in an extended final session but Procter and Rob Keogh reduced the arrears to 71 before bad light ended play.

Arsenal have their eyes on an “extraordinary” attacker amid their transfer talks for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.

Andrea Berta has enjoyed an extremely busy and productive first summer window at the Emirates Stadium already, and Hincapie could be their latest in a long line of excellent additions for Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners have quietly transformed their squad this summer through purposeful reinforcements, with Kepa Arrizabalaga between the sticks, Martín Zubimendi anchoring the midfield, Christian Nørgaard offering depth, Noni Madueke adding pace on the wing, Cristhian Mosquera bolstering the defence, Viktor Gyökeres adding a proven goal return and Eberechi Eze injecting serious creativity behind the striker as their new number 10 in place of the injured Kai Havertz.

While Berta’s spending has been lavish, with reports placing the total close to or over £270 million, it has been strategically spread across key positions rather than wasted on a single marquee name.

This approach has reinforced multiple areas across the pitch and allows for serious tactical flexibility, as well as responding to the inevitable injuries of a demanding season – which has already happened following Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka’s injuries last weekend.

While Saka is expected to miss four weeks, Odegaard could play against Liverpool on Sunday (football.london). Still, the north Londoners now have quality players to jump in their place, unlike last season.

Arsenal have covered every base: creativity, goals, stability and versatility. With the structure now there, Arteta’s side look ready and raring to take the final step and bring home a Premier League trophy after over two decades of waiting.

They’ve already made an excellent start to the campaign, scoring six goals in two games whilst conceding zero – beating both Man United and Leeds respectively as Arteta’s side gear up for a tough trip to Anfield.

Despite their flurry of transfer activity this summer, they may not be done there, with Arsenal in talks to sign Piero Hincapie after agreeing terms with the Ecuador international as a replacement for FC Porto-bound Jakub Kiwior.

As well as this, with Arsenal often conducting their transfer plans months in advance, the club are scouting future targets.

Arsenal targeting Ajax forward Oscar Gloukh

As per The Mail and journalist Simon Jones, Arsenal have their eyes on four young stars ahead of potential moves, and one of them is highly-rated Ajax forward Oscar Gloukh.

The Israel international has only just signed for Ajax this summer from RB Salzburg for around £12.5 million, but Arsenal are believed to be eyeing Gloukh as a potential future signing alongside the likes of Jon Martin (Real Sociedad), Arnau Martinez (Girona) and Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjælland).

The 21-year-old Gloukh is a particularly interesting name, as he’s been linked with a move to the Premier League before and already boasts a fantastic reputation.

كشفت تقارير صحفية أن قطبي الدوري الإسباني برشلونة وريال مدريد يتنافسان على التعاقد مع أحد نجوم منتخب المغرب للشباب بعد تألقه في بطولة كأس العالم تحت 20 عامًا في تشيلي.

وخاض منتخب المغرب نهائي كأس العالم للشباب، فجر يوم الإثنين الماضي، ضد الأرجنتين حيث حقق فوزًا بهدفين دون رد، ليحقق بطولة تاريخية.

وذكرت شبكة “ديفينسا سنترال” الإسبانية أن لاعب واتفورد، عثمان معما، نال اهتمامًا من جانب نادي ريال مدريد بعد أدائه المميز في بطولة كأس العالم للشباب رفقة منتخب المغرب.

وأوضحت أن الانطباعات الداخلية في ريال مدريد بشأن معما كانت إيجابية للغاية، مع العلم أن قوته، سرعته، جودة مراوغته وتمركزه في الجناح الأيمن، دفعت كشافي النادي الملكي إلى الاهتمام به والتفكير به مستقبلًا.

وسيجمع رئيس قسم الكشافة في ريال مدريد، جوني كالافات، معلومات خلال الموسم لتحديد ما إذا كان معما يلبي التوقعات بالنظر إلى المستوى الذي سيقدمه مع واتفورد، وإذا نجح في ذلك، سيكون مؤشرًا قويًا على إمكانية التعاقد معه في المستقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أول رد فعل من ميسي على خسارة الأرجنتين أمام المغرب في نهائي كأس العالم للشباب

وتعاقد واتفورد مع معما مقابل 1.3 مليون جنيه إسترليني ذلك الصيف، ولكنه لم يشارك بعد في أي مباراة في تشامبيونشيب ذلك الموسم، مع العلم أنه يمتلك عقدًا حتى 2029.

ومن المتوقع أن يرتفع سعر معما بعد أدائه المميز في كأس العالم للأندية، كما ستزداد فرصه في الحصول على فرص للعب المنتظم مع واتفورد، ولذلك يراقبه ريال مدريد بحذر، مع العلم أنه يُذكره ببدايات كريستيانو رونالدو.

كما ذكرت شبكة “Fichajes” الإسبانية أن مسؤولي برشلونة يراقبون عثمان معما، مع قدرته على اللعب علي أي من الجناحين، ونال اهتمامًا من جانب بطل الدوري الإسباني بأدائه في مونديال الشباب حيث سجل هدفًا وصنع 4 في 6 مباريات.

وأوضحت أنه بعد انطلاقته، أصبح معما محط اهتمام برشلونة الذي يتطلع إلى الاستفادة من موهبته قبل ارتفاع قيمته التسويقية.

MatériaMais Notícias

As definições marcaram o início da CPI da Manipulação de Resultados. Após a instalação da comissão, o movimento entre os parlamentares é de otimismo com a rota projetada para a investigação do esquema fraudulento esteja em um caminho certo.

Presidente da CPI, o deputado Júlio Arcoverde (PP-PI) apontou quais são as primeiras perspectivas em torno dos requerimentos apresentados até o momento.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

– A gente fez uma reunião interna. Fecharemos os detalhes até sábado e confirmaremos tudo o que será apresentado na reunião na CPI na próxima terça-feira (23), às 14h30 – disse ao LANCE!.

O parlamentar destacou que a CPI pretende dar ouvido a todos.

– Vamos dar espaço não só para o que está acontecendo na investigação do MP-GO, mas também para ouvir representantes de entidades de futebol e das casas de apostas – afirmou.

Arcoverde detalhou as perspectivas entre os integrantes da comissão.

– Todos nós, membros desta comissão, estamos muito animados. Temos esta questão que vamos avaliar do MP-GO e acreditamos que não vamos só punir os responsáveis, mas também passaremos a acreditar em priorizar o combate ao crime. Também temos de cuidar de regulamentação das casas de apostas – disse o deputado.

Em seguida, o parlamentar foi taxativo.

– O Governo Federal falou há algum tempo em relação a regulamentar os jogos e isto tem de ser colocado em pauta para que evitemos manipulações como estas.

AoL!, os representantes do Instituto Brasileiro de Jogo Responsável e da Associação Nacional de Jogos e Loterias manifestaram-se favoráveis à regulamentação para o setor e repudiaram a manipulação de resultados (clique aqui e veja os detalhes).

A reunião de alinhamento teve a presença do relator Felipe Carreras (PSB-CE), além de integrantes de suas respectivas equipes e de dois consultores.

André Figueiredo (PDT-CE), Daniel Agrobom (PL-GO) e Ricardo Silva (PSD-SP) foram designados vice-presidentes. A previsão é de que os depoimentos durem 120 dias. Ao final, será elaborado relatório com as conclusões da CPI ao Ministério Público ou à Advocacia-Geral da União, com objetivo de que promovam a responsabilidade civil e criminal dos infratores ou haja adoção de outras medidas legais.

ENTENDA O CASO

A investigação sobre suspeita de manipulação de resultados teve início em novembro do ano passado. O mandatário do Vila Nova, Jorge Hugo Bravo, descobriu que jogadores do clube vinham sendo aliciados por um grupo de apostadores antes da partida contra o Sport pela Série B. O dirigente juntou provas da tentativa de manipulação e procurou os promotores que combatem o crime organizado no estado.

Oficial da Polícia Militar, Hugo Jorge Bravo descobriu que o atleta Marcos Vinícius Alves Barreira, apelidado de Romário, tinha sido aliciado. Como o jogador não foi escalado, tentou induzir algum companheiro de time a levar um cartão vermelho ou cometer um pênalti no seu lugar. O valor combinado, segundo depoimento de Romário, era de R$ 150 mil, com uma “entrada” de R$ 10 mil, conforme vídeo de seu depoimento divulgado no programa dominical “Fantástico”, da Rede Globo. Entre os vídeos,há ameaças de um integrante do esquema ao zagueiro Eduardo Bauermann, do Santos.

A investigação apontou que houve manipulações em jogos das Séries A e B do Brasileirão de 2022 e em partidas de Estaduais. O grupo pagava para que jogadores fizessem determinadas ações, como receber cartões amarelo e vermelho ou cometer pênaltis. Em paralelo, os integrantes apostavam em sites do ramo que esses lances ocorreriam durante os jogos e conseguiam lucros.

Há estimativas de que o grupo “investiu” R$ 8430,00 e somou ganhos de R$ 730.616,00. O MP-GO continuará a apurar o caso e não descarta que ocorreram manipulações de resultados em outros jogos de futebol. A Operação Penalidade Máxima está em sua segunda fase.

England tried everything after losing Ben Stokes to injury but struggled to stop the hosts’ charge

Valkerie Baynes16-Dec-2024Kane Williamson’s superb century led New Zealand to a gigantic lead over England on a third day which swung from potential tragedy for the tourists to bizarre comedy for all concerned.”Tragedy” is often misused to describe events which are far from it and probably over-states the hamstring injury which forced Ben Stokes from the field mid-over and kept him out of action for the rest of New Zealand’s imposing innings.Related

Stokes leaves field with recurrence of hamstring injury

But “comedy” perhaps understates the scenes which followed as England, with Ollie Pope standing in for Stokes as captain, resisted taking the second new ball until 13.4 overs after it was due, 1.4 of those bowled by Harry Brook by the time it was delivered to the middle.Brook had bowled 14 overs in Tests prior to this game, eight on England’s previous tour of New Zealand at the start of last year when he claimed his only wicket – Williamson caught behind, no less – and six overs during the 2023 Ashes. The first delivery of this short spell had Mitchell Santner seeing the funny side as he jabbed it away from his face, then grinning some more after he launched a six over long-off four balls later.Brook sent down two deliveries with the new ball, one of those punched through the covers for four by Tom Blundell, before he was withdrawn from the attack.England’s seamers were undoubtedly tired after their side was bowled out in their first innings for just 143 inside 36 overs and they were a man down without Stokes.And in fairness, England’s spinners took the last six New Zealand wickets to fall – three of them with the second new ball – as left-arm spinner Jacob Bethell claimed his maiden Test wicket and two more to end with 3 for 73.But it seemed as though the visitors were clutching at straws in the face of Williamson’s typically composed 156 in 204 balls which included partnerships of 107 with Rachin Ravindra for the fourth wicket and 92 with Daryl Mitchell for the fifth.There was nothing funny England could see about the fact that by stumps they had lost both openers with just 18 runs on the board, staring down defeat as they needed 640 more.Having reached fifty just before the close of the second day with his side already 340 runs ahead, Williamson pressed on through an extended afternoon session after rain had cancelled any play before lunch. He brought up his 33rd Test century – and seventh at Seddon Park – with a thunderous six down the ground and his 150 with a lofted drive over extra cover off Bethell.Bethell had stepped in to finish Stokes’ over and he returned to play a bigger part in the attack after the tea break as Williamson made the most of his chances to score off him and offspinner Shoaib Bashir.England had their chances against Williamson too. He survived a close lbw decision on umpire’s call off Brydon Carse while on 73 with replays showing the ball was ever so close to clipping the bails at the top of leg stump. He was also dropped by Pope on 86 when his attempted pull off Stokes made its way into the glove but the wicketkeeper, leaping a long way down the leg side couldn’t hold on. Then, on 106, Williamson edged fine of second slip where Brook wrongly anticipated his shot off Bashir and inadvertently created space for the ball to squeeze through.But Williamson marshalled the innings expertly when New Zealand resumed on 136 for 3. He and Ravindra added 50 runs in the first 19 overs as the latter exercised greater caution than previously in the series when he unnecessarily chased the ball outside off stump to his peril.Biding his time in the face of some targeted verbal attacks from England’s bowlers, Ravindra started playing some shots midway through the afternoon, including four off the Stokes short ball which caused the England skipper to pull up sore in the same hamstring he injured during the Hundred, leading to two months on the sidelines on that occasion. But Ravindra couldn’t follow Williamson to a landmark score – he fell on 44 to a leading edge off Matthew Potts.Williamson was next man out, his top-edged sweep off Bashir sailing to substitute fielder Rehan Ahmed running round at deep-backward square leg.Mitchell added 60 off 84 before he holed out to Potts to give Bethell his first, and Glenn Phillips fell cheaply before Blundell and Santner put on another 63 runs for the eighth wicket. Santner unleashed five sixes in his 49 off just 38 balls, but it was the retiring Tim Southee the home crowd wanted to see, giving a huge cheer when he walked out after Santner had slashed Joe Root to backward point.Desperate to see Southee score the two sixes that would take him to a tally of hundred in his final innings with the bat, they were left disappointed when he holed out trying off Bethell with just two runs next to his name.Southee wasn’t done, however, bowling Ben Duckett in his first over before Matt Henry removed Zak Crawley for the sixth time in as many innings this series, pinned lbw and leaving England rather unamused.

Manchester United are now keen on signing a “talented” PSG defender who is free to leave the French capital in search of more playing time, according to a new report.

INEOS identify new transfer targets for Man Utd

There are still over 40 days remaining in this transfer window, and given what was reported of what United would like to do this summer, it could be a busy few weeks for the Red Devils as they look to wrap up a deal for Bryan Mbeumo and many more.

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Man Utd have finally begun official talks.

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The Premier League giants have now made contact with Aston Villa over the signing of Emiliano Martinez, who appears to be a top target when it comes to replacing Andre Onana, but he is not the only deal the club are working on.

Ben Jacobs reported on Tuesday evening that United hold a genuine interest in Pervis Estupiñán and have held talks with the representatives of the defender.

Meanwhile, a new report has revealed that the Red Devils have registered their interest in signing Andre from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Brazilian impressed for the Midlands side last season, and now he is wanted by United as well as Liverpool, who could sign him for just £30 million.

Man Utd keen on signing "talented" £25m+ defender

Estupiñán may not be the only defender to arrive at Old Trafford this summer, as according to a report from Spain, Man United are now interested in signing Lucas Beraldo from PSG.

It was previously reported that the defender has handed in a transfer request, as he wants to play regular football, and given the French champions want players who are 100% committed to the club, they have agreed to part ways.

PSG are ready to replace the young defender and United are very keen, as they believe he still has time to develop in a new environment. The 21-year-old joined the Champions League winners back in January 2024 and has gone on to play 62 times for the club in all competitions.

It had previously been reported that PSG would look to get at least €30 million (£25 million) for Beraldo, who has been dubbed “talented” by scout Jacek Kulig.

Beraldo played 25 times in Ligue 1 last season, 22 of which came as a starter, but the defender only appeared in four Champions League games, as the club went on to claim victory. Beraldo did have more of an impact in the Club World Cup this summer, as he played five times and made three starts, but it now appears he could have played his last game for the club.

His potential arrival at Old Trafford would see him come up against Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven and Lisandro Martínez in a bid to be a regular starter in Ruben Amorim’s back three.

James Sales hit an excellent career-best 135 as Northamptonshire piled on the runs on day two of this Vitality County Championship match against Leicestershire at Wantage Road.The Northamptonshire youngster made the most of his recent elevation up the order, stroking 16 boundaries in more than four hours at the crease, facing 197 deliveries in an innings of real maturity.While he was dropped on 86 and 121 off two rare false shots, his innings was notable for his fluency, placement and timing. It stood in contrast to his maiden first-class ton in April, scored against the kookaburra ball on a docile pitch which had offered little for the Middlesex attack.Sales and Rob Keogh (49) extended their overnight partnership to 117, before runs kept flowing during Sales’ stand of 131 off just 134 deliveries with a resourceful Saif Zaib. Stroking a run-a-ball 71, Zaib garnered most of his runs from the sweep and reverse sweep as he put the spinners to the sword, a wayward Rehan Ahmed taking the brunt of his offensive.Leicestershire seamer Ian Holland, who found some inswing with the second new ball to end Sales’ innings, helped wrap up the Northamptonshire tail to finish with figures of four for 53 as the hosts were bowled out for 383 to take a first innings lead of 180.When Leicestershire replied, Northamptonshire tied them down, runs coming at a pedestrian rate with legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal finding plenty of turn. The Indian international claimed two wickets as Leicestershire closed on 69 for four still trailing by 111.Earlier Sales, 21, quickly got into his work, driving Sam Wood through the covers for four and dispatching him down the ground as he reached his half-century off 82 balls. He smashed Rehan over long-on for four, but otherwise manoeuvred the ball into the gaps nicely, driving sweetly and playing a delicate late cut.Despite nursing a bad back, Keogh provided good support, twice pulling Rehan over long-on before he was trapped lbw, struck on the back leg as he went back to a full delivery from the England legspinner.Zaib got off the mark first ball, cutting Ahmed square for four and sweeping Liam Trevaskis effortlessly behind square. Proving an ideal partner for Sales, he ran sharp ones and twos to keep the scoreboard ticking over and the pressure on the fielders.Sales survived his first false shot when Louis Kimber put him down at short cover off Trevaskis, the fielder injuring his hand in the process.Undeterred, Sales reached his century shortly after lunch by slapping Rehan through the covers for his 13th boundary as he and Zaib plundered 86 off the first 10 overs after the interval.Zaib meanwhile was tucking into some increasingly loose bowling from Rehan, sweeping with ease as he brought up his half-century off 55 deliveries before pulling a half-tracker square for six. At the other end, Sales benefited from another drop in the covers off Trevaskis, responding by smashing the bowler down the ground for four.But both batters departed in quick succession to spark a mini Northamptonshire collapse, four wickets falling for 21 in 6.1 overs. First Zaib was trapped lbw as he played another sweep, to give Sol Budinger his maiden first class wicket. Then, when Leicestershire took the new ball, Holland swung one back in to bowl Sales as he attempted to drive.Justin Broad was next to go when he pushed at one from Holland and was well caught by a diving Rishi Patel at first slip. Next Ben Sanderson was denied the three runs he needed for 1,000 career first-class runs when Holland trapped him lbw without scoring.A counterattacking Lewis McManus extended Northamptonshire’s lead as he took on the new ball clubbing five boundaries in a knock of 27 before becoming the sixth lbw casualty of the innings, Holland claiming his fourth wicket. Wood then wrapped up the innings by demolishing Jack White’s stumps.White struck immediately with the fifth ball of Leicestershire’s reply. Budinger, top scorer in the first innings, fell without scoring when he played inside the line of one which hit the top of off-stump.Patel (35) and Holland (11) found scoring tough going, accumulating at just 1.5 an over. Holland was eventually stumped off Chahal as he advanced down the wicket.With Keogh unable to bowl due to his back injury, Northamptonshire turned to Zaib to bowl his slow left-armers and he soon accounted for Patel when he flicked a half volley on leg stump straight to Sales at short midwicket. Leicestershire quickly lost another when Rehan danced down the wicket to Chahal, missed and was stumped by McManus.

Liverpool are gearing up for the imminent exit of Jarell Quansah, who will sign for Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £35m after returning from the U21 European Championship with England, triumphant.

Nothing’s set in stone, but the anticipation is that Harvey Elliott will follow suit, coveted by a host of outfits both at home and abroad after his peripheral season under Arne Slot’s wing. The 22-year-old led the Young Lions’ charge and will fetch a pretty penny.

If and when both players part ways with the Anfield side, FSG will have banked just shy of £100m from player sales, offsetting somewhat the vast expenditure that has already been overseen this summer, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz the staple signings of a summer still in the making.

Darwin Nunez is still to be sold, the Uruguayan striker the heart of negotiations between Liverpool and Napoli. The two outfits want to get the deal done but reportedly sit far apart on agreeing on a price.

A slew of potential replacements have been bandied about, but there’s little question that Liverpool want Alexander Isak above all others.

The latest on Alexander Isak to Liverpool

Mohamed Salah was the only man to outscore Isak in the Premier League last season, and if that doesn’t underscore Liverpool’s interest, what will?

The problem is that Newcastle United know they have one of the world’s best strikers in their mix and have allegedly priced him at £200m.

The latest on Liverpool’s end is that a July bid should not be discounted, but it’s going to be a very tricky one to complete.

Indeed, signing him would drive Liverpool above the £400m mark, which is quite a startling thing to think about. As such, it’s no surprise that Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has been tasked with capturing an alternative, one who would allow for the centre-back signing Liverpool still desire, Marc Guehi at the top of the list.

Isak is a “world-class” player, as said by pundit Alan Shearer, but he’s not the only talented number nine on the block.

Liverpool make Isak alternative a priority

According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool have shortlisted Hugo Ekitike alongside Isak, with the Eintracht Frankfurt’s star singled out as being “very high on the list” of targets at Anfield.

The French forward, 23, has risen to prominence over the past year and has attracted the attention of every Tom, Dick, and Harry, although Die Adler are very much aware of this and have listed him at €100m (£85m) to ward off the rabble.

However, Liverpool need a centre-forward and appear keen on advancing their interest, especially as he’s dynamic, young and far cheaper than Isak.

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For what it’s worth, Frankfurt are adamant that they aren’t negotiating with interested parties, at least until August, and that more concrete movements won’t occur for at least a month.

How Hugo Ekitike stacks up compared to Isak

Liverpool like to wrap up their summer business nice and early, but perhaps FSG would be willing to wait in the case of Ekitike, having placed him at the top of their list and conducted the lion’s share of their spending already.

Having finished his first full season in Germany, Ekitike has established himself as “one of the best strikers out there”, according to analyst Ben Mattinson, scorer of 22 goals and placer of 12 assists across all competitions.

He didn’t match Isak’s 27-goal haul, but the 23-year-old is undoubtedly emerging as a focal presence who could play the role Liverpool envisage for the Sweden striker.

Described as the “next Mbappe” by journalist Graeme Bailey, Ekitike is a relentless ball striker, but he’s also a silky and seamless dribbler, a creative partner for his teammates. Apt for a high-pressing team, Liverpool would surely raise their game with him in the ranks, especially when considering the current crop who would elevate the player’s game higher still.

And when peering at Ekitike and Isak’s metrics across the past campaign, it can be noted that Frankfurt’s man produces slightly more dynamic playmaking performances, and he’s more active in carrying the ball himself too.

Hugo Ekitike vs Alexander Isak (2024/25)

Stats (per 90)

Ekitike

Isak

Goals

0.51

0.75

Assists

0.29

0.20

Shots taken

3.74

3.10

Shot-creating actions

3.50

3.00

Touches (att pen)

6.73

6.17

Progressive passes

1.95

2.87

Progressive carries

3.04

2.71

Successful take-ons

1.90

1.37

Ball recoveries

2.75

1.80

Tackles + interceptions

0.96

0.49

Aerial won (%)

2.00 (50%)

0.85 (32%)

Data via FBref

Moreover, he’s a more commanding aerial presence. This is less important than in years past, Slot opting against the cross-heavy style of Jurgen Klopp, and especially so now that Trent Alexander-Arnold has signed for Real Madrid, but it still adds an important dimension.

We can nitpick who ranked higher than who across the past 12 months, but there are some caveats that are worth noting: namely, Isak plies his trade in the Premier League, widely regarded as a tougher division than the Bundesliga.

Isak’s slight inferiority in ball-carrying numbers also owes to his drop-back duties in Eddie Howe’s squad, influencing from deeper and progressing play forward with stroked passes and off-the-ball movements.

What does matter is Isak has been drawn by FBref as one of Ekitike’s most comparable players, indicating a stylistic approach that could see the France talent dovetail into Slot’s system, for Isak has been comprehensively profiled and would be the perfect fit.

But given the exorbitant price demands Newcastle have placed on the table, it surely makes more sense to go for the younger man, who has been praised for his “incredible” quality by teammate Rasmus Kristensen.

Though an uncut gem, Ekitike is still a jewel who could sit at the front of the Liverpool crown for many years to come, combining with Wirtz, Salah and the like. He’s the real deal, and do Liverpool not like to take exciting talents and shape them into something refined and world-class?

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Jun 30, 2025