After agonising rain delay, defending champions overcome early stumble against Namibia

Valkerie Baynes15-Jun-20241:46

Do England have the bowling attack to win the World Cup?

Watching rain fall doesn’t sound like a nail-biting pastime but for England the hours waiting to start their final group match of this T20 World Cup, against Namibia, were gripping. England’s eventual victory, by 41 runs in a match reduced to 10 overs per side in Antigua on Saturday, was pure relief for the defending champions.No result other than a win would have kept England in contention for the Super Eight phase but they had to get on the park for that. After the toss was delayed by three hours – won by Namibia, who chose to bowl first – they finally had the chance to control their own destiny, to a point. The equation was simple. England had to beat Namibia and then wait to see whether Australia defeated Scotland – which they duly did, though not without a struggle – to ensure England joined the Australians in progressing from Group B.Showers before the scheduled start returned to Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in the form of a torrential downpour just as it looked like the covers would be lifted. England had to hold onto hope of a reduced-overs match despite the rain appearing to have set in. Eventually, play began at 4pm local time, reduced to 11 overs per side, which became 10 when rain intervened once more, albeit briefly, with England 82 for 3 after eight overs.Harry Brook’s unbeaten 47 off 20 balls and Jonny Bairstow’s 31 off 18 steadied them from a perilous 13 for 2, the pair sharing a 56-run stand for the third wicket to help lift their side to 122 for 5. With Namibia chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 126, England’s bowlers didn’t allow them to score fast enough and secured a comfortable victory, after a torturous wait.Namibia’s dream, England’s nightmareDavid Wiese conceded just a solitary run from the first over on an understandably tacky wicket, testing England openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt by varying his lines and lengths. Then Ruben Trumpelmann removed Buttler for a four-ball duck with a wonderful inswinger that crashed into leg stump with the second ball of the next over in a dream start for Namibia. It wasn’t until 10 balls into the match that England scored their first boundary, which became two when Salt lofted wider deliveries from Trumpelmann for four down the ground and over deep third. When Wiese returned for a second over on the trot, he had Salt caught behind off an excellent knuckle ball, delivered slow outside off stump and finding a thick edge to put England in trouble at 13 for 2 inside three overs.Bairstow unleashedLeft-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz came into the attack in the fourth over and in for some Bairstow treatment, reverse-swept for four and muscled over long-on for six next ball. Bairstow skied Gerhard Erasmus’s third ball back over his head and, to England’s relief, the ball plugged in a gap between an advancing long-off, long-on and the bowler running back. He crashed the next through the leg side for four. Brook chimed in with a powerful six over deep midwicket off Jack Brassell and sent the next through point for four to bring up England’s fifty off 34 balls. When Erasmus returned, Bairstow immediately nailed a six over midwicket.Bairstow survived a run-out chance on 31 and hadn’t added to his score when he top-edged an attempted cut off Scholtz towards short cover, where keeper Zane Green collected. Bairstow’s 18-ball knock was his first foray into double figures in three innings at this tournament and his highest score at a T20 World Cup, setting a solid platform after England’s shaky start before more rain arrived to halt play.Brook in on the actAfter such a long wait to learn whether they would get to play again, England’s innings was further reduced to 10 overs when rain caused another 10-minute stoppage, by which time Brook and Moeen Ali were left with twelve balls to set an imposing target. They took 19 runs off Brassell in the penultimate over, 18 of them to Brook, who finished with 4,6,4 to take England past the 100 mark. Moeen fell for 16 off six balls but Liam Livingstone blasted the first two balls he faced from Trumpelmann for six before he was run out on the last ball of the innings and left the field clutching his side in some discomfort. Ben Duckett’s appearance as substitute fielder in his place raised further concerns over Livingstone’s fitness.Davin makes way for WieseReece Topley conceded only two runs off the opening over of Namibia’s pursuit, one of them a front-foot no-ball on the first delivery of the innings. England’s bowlers were keeping a lid on Namibia’s scoring and, needing 83 more off the last four overs, Nikolaas Davin retired out on 18 off 16, the first player to do so at an ICC event, making way for the vastly experienced Wiese. He clubbed the first ball he faced – off Sam Curran, making his first appearance at this World Cup – for four through backward point. Wiese proceeded to smash back-to-back sixes off Adil Rashid over long-off and deep midwicket then pierced the covers for four.But they needed 55 off the last two overs and Michael van Lingen holed out to Brook off Chris Jordan, brought into the side for Mark Wood on the strength of his death bowling, on the final ball of the ninth. When Jofra Archer removed Wiese, again via a Brook catch in the deep in the final over, the 39-year-old walked off amid handshakes from several England players, a fitting international farewell in his last game for Namibia, the nation he transferred his allegiance to in 2021 after 26 matches for South Africa.

Sunderland now know who they will face in their opening set of Premier League fixtures.

It will have suddenly become very real for those with connections to the Black Cats when looking at the list of clubs Regis Le Bris’ men will soon face, with August throwing up fixtures against West Ham United, Burnley, and Brentford to kick off their daunting top-flight survival mission.

Le Bris will hope his newly promoted side can steadily adjust to their intimidating level, with plenty of signings still needed to help keep their heads above water.

Sunderland have already had success in this department when securing the permanent services of Enzo Le Fee, but another midfield talent might soon join the ranks to link up with the skilful Frenchman.

Sunderland monitoring bargain midfielder

As per a report by OnTheMinute, Sunderland are now monitoring the situation of Clermont Foot midfielder Habib Keita.

The report states that Keita has become a much sought-after talent after impressing in Ligue 2, with QPR, Stoke City and Crystal Palace all said to be keeping tabs on the promising 23-year-old.

Valued at just £1.2m via Transfermarkt, this could go down as another steal utilising the French market, much like when Le Fee joined the building initially on loan.

How Keita can be Le Bris' next Le Fee

With Jobe Bellingham also now gone, which has left a considerable hole in the midfield areas, this would be a shrewd pick-up as Sunderland attempt to acclimatise back to the challenges of the Premier League.

After all, Le Bris has presumably had the Malian on his radar for quite some time now, with the ex-Lorient boss no doubt a keen fan of the 23-year-old when still situated in the managerial dug-outs of his native France.

Much like Le Fee at Le Bris’ ex-employers, Keita would have been viewed as an exciting talent when rising through the Lyon ranks as a youngster.

But, in a similar fashion to the now Sunderland number 28, his career hasn’t been without its obstacles, resulting in the midfielder moving out to Belgium after exiting the Groupama Stadium, before returning to France reinvigorated with Clermont Foot.

Last season, even as his Ligue 2 employers struggled in 16th position in the league standings, Keita still managed to come away from the campaign with a goal and four assists to his name, meaning he might well thrive in another basement battle to follow with Sunderland.

Games played

27

15

Goals scored

1

1

Assists

4

1

Touches*

52.1

55.8

Accurate passes*

31.1 (85%)

28.5 (84%)

Key passes*

0.8

1.3

Big chances created

6

2

Ball recoveries*

5.3

3.6

Total duels won*

4.6

5.5

The table above certainly reinforces the idea that Keita could go on to be an even better talent under Le Bris’ wing, like Le Fee, with the midfield duo notching up similar numbers when comparing their statistics from last season, as seen in their similar passing numbers.

But, away from their ability to carve out an opening, the midfield pairing also excel as energetic bodies, with a high amount of duels won, which will come in handy as games become more attritional and tensely fought in the Premier League.

Much like Le Fee too, who can happily line up down the wings away from slotting in the middle of the park, Keita is also capable of being flexible with eight of his overall career appearances seeing him come into an XI as a number ten, alongside another four clashes where he’s been deployed down the right flank.

The worry will just be if the Malian can instantly hit the ground running in his new terrain. But, if Le Fee is anything to go by, Keita might well be the next sensational capture from Le Bris’ homeland.

Sunderland in advanced talks to sell "fantastic" 22 y/o in permanent deal

Would moving him on be the right decision?

ByHenry Jackson Jun 22, 2025

Arsenal have now held talks over a deal for an “unbelievable” forward, amid doubts over Gabriel Martinelli’s future, according to a report.

Gunners could now be ready to sell Martinelli

It has been revealed that Mikel Arteta may now be ready to sell Martinelli this summer, as the manager looks to reshuffle his squad, and AC Milan have emerged as potential suitors, with Rafael Leao’s future at the San Siro still very much up in the air.

Should the Gunners decide to cash in on the Brazilian, they would be looking to receive a fee of at least £50m, although he is currently planning to fight for his place in the starting XI, and has no plans of pushing for a move elsewhere.

It would certainly seem harsh to sell the 23-year-old, considering he has been a regular source of goals and assists over the past four seasons, but Arteta has shown he is willing to make big decisions in the past, most notably replacing Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya.

Season	PL appearances	Goals	Assists
2021-22	29	6	6
2022-23	36	15	6
2023-24	35	6	4
2024-25	33	8	4

According to a report from Football Transfers, Arsenal have now held talks over a deal to sign West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus, who could seemingly be brought in as a replacement for Martinelli, as he is said to be capable of playing on both flanks.

However, the two London clubs may be some way apart in their valuation of Kudus, as he has a €100m (£84m) release clause in his West Ham contract, while the Gunners are hesitant to stump up more than €55m-€60m (£46m – £51m).

The Ghanaian is keen to leave the Hammers this summer, as he intends to play in Europe next season, meaning a move to the Emirates Stadium could be of great appeal, although Chelsea and Newcastle United are also in the race for his signature.

"Unbelievable" Kudus could excel at the Emirates

The 2024-25 campaign was not the 24-year-old’s best, picking up just five goals and three assists in the Premier League, but he was part of a West Ham side that underperformed as a whole, and the winger’s previous exploits indicate he could be a success at Arsenal.

Indeed, the former Ajax man enjoyed a very impressive debut campaign in England, amassing 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions, during which time he was lauded as “unbelievable” by teammate Michail Antonio.

Antonio was left particularly blown away by the winger’s dribbling ability, which was also on display regularly last season, despite not setting up or scoring as many goals as in previous campaigns.

There are certainly signs that Kudus could kick on at the Emirates Stadium, but that said, he should not be brought in as a direct replacement for Martinelli, considering the Brazil international is still young, and it would be very harsh to sanction his departure this summer.

The senior allrounder scored his first T20I fifty in two years to help Bangladesh beat Netherlands

Shashank Kishore13-Jun-20241:42

Maharoof: Shakib was prepared for Netherlands’ short-ball tactics

Prior to Thursday, Shakib Al Hasan had last registered a T20I half-century in October 2022. Since then, he’s battled a number of issues, on and off the field, including an eye condition that has hampered his batting.In his first two matches at the T20 World Cup, he was knocked off for 8 and 3. But in a vital group fixture against Netherlands, he broke the 19-match streak without a half-century with an unbeaten 46-ball 64 that helped Bangladesh post 159, which proved to be 25 too many for Netherlands. This puts Bangladesh in an excellent position to make the Super Eights going into their final league fixture against Nepal on Monday.”It was important for someone from the top four to bat throughout the innings,” Shakib said after being named Player of the match. “Happy with the way I contributed. It wasn’t an easy wicket [to bat on] but we held our nerves and put on a decent total.”Related

Shakib has arrived at the T20 World Cup, finally

Shakib, Rishad and Mustafizur take Bangladesh one step closer to Super Eight

Shakib walked into bat with Bangladesh in trouble at 23 for 2 but looked in sparkling form right from the outset. His counterattack along with Tanzid Hasan, with whom he added 48 in just 32 balls, caught Netherlands briefly off guard.The acceleration gave Bangladesh a little bit of breathing space on a surface that slowed down considerably as the match progressed. It set up cameos from Mahmudullah and Jaker Ali as Bangladesh made 54 off the last five overs.Shakib admitted assessing the surface wasn’t easy considering this was the first T20I at the venue in over 10 years. Shakib himself has had some experience of playing here, having featured in Bangladesh’s first-ever Test win overseas, back in 2009.While that may have elicited happy memories, it’s unlikely they could’ve drawn upon something from that experience. “There’s hardly been an international game here in the last four-five years, so we didn’t know what a good score was,” Shakib explained.”We had to keep wickets in hand to see where we would be after 14-15 overs and then see how far we go. Our total [159] was decent, in a World Cup can it’s always tricky to chase. I won’t say it was a winning total, but it was a challenging total.”Netherlands were in the hunt for the first 14 overs of the chase. After losing openers Michael Levitt and Max O’Dowd inside the powerplay, they accelerated courtesy Vikramjit Singh and Sybrand Engelbrecht. Then with Scott Edwards coming in and picking off runs against spin, especially towards the shorter leg-side boundary with the breeze, they brought down the equation to 56 runs needed off 36 balls.It’s at this point that legspinner Rishad Hossain turned the game around by picking up Engelbrecht and Bas de Leede in the space of three deliveries to turn the game around. He would finish with figures of 3 for 33 to take his wickets tally to seven in the competition, just two behind the leader, Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi.”They [Netherlands] had their moments,” Shakib said. “In the 12th over, they were close to 90 for 3. Ten an over from there on this wicket with the wind going one way, it wasn’t easy to restrict them but credit to our bowlers for the way they held their nerve.”

Celtic are preparing for the 2025/26 season after another successful year under Brendan Rodgers, with the Hoops lifting another Scottish Premiership title.

Their dominance in Scotland is showing no signs of slowing up, and something those at Parkhead have done well in recent years is making a number of shrewd signings.

They have also cashed in on a plethora of Celtic Park stars at the right times, making profits on the likes of Matt O’Riley, Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota, with the latter of the three since returning.

Celtic’s 5 record sales

To

Fee

Year

Matt O’Riley

Brighton

£25m

2024

Jota

Al-Ittihad

£25m

2023

Kieran Tierney

Arsenal

£25m

2019

Moussa Dembele

Lyon

£19.7m

2018

Odsonne Edouard

Crystal Palace

£14m

2021

But who could be in line to leave Celtic this summer? Grok, the AI tool on X, has predicted five players the Hoops will cash in on ahead of 25/26, and if they are correct, Celtic will receive more than £50m.

Related £20m+ spent as "next Neymar" joins: AI predicts 5 players Celtic will sign

The Hoops could back Brendan Rodgers this summer.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Jun 14, 2025 AI predicts 5 players Celtic will sell this summer 1 Reo Hatate (£25m)

The first player Grok has predicted to leave Parkhead is midfielder Reo Hatate, who they say has been a ‘standout performer’ for Celtic.

Signed for just under £1.5m in 2022, Hatate could generate a huge profit and has been backed to exit for up to £25m.

AI adds that Hatate’s ‘versatility, work rate, and technical ability make him a prime candidate for a big move’.

2 Cameron Carter-Vickers (£15m)

Centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers has been heavily linked with a move away this summer, so it isn’t a shock that AI believes an exit could happen.

Purchased for an initial £6m from Tottenham back in 2022, Carter-Vickers has made Celtic Park his home following plenty of loan spells earlier in his career but is now wanted by multiple clubs in England.

Grok says that £15m could be enough for Celtic to sell, basing that off the club’s previous defensive sales, such as when Virgil van Dijk joined Southampton and Kristoffer Ajer moved to Brentford.

3 Daizen Maeda (£12m)

After Kyogo Furuhashi left Celtic at the beginning of 2025, Daizen Maeda featured in a more central role in the latter stages of the season and ended the campaign with 33 goals in all competitions.

As a result, the Japan international has been linked with a move to the Premier League as he enters the final two years of his current Parkhead contract.

It is stated that following Furuhashi’s exit, ‘Maeda could be next if Celtic look to refresh their attacking options’, with a £12m fee mooted.

4 Gustaf Lagerbielke (£3m)

After spending the 24/25 season on loan at FC Twente, Gustaf Lagerbielke is looking to leave Celtic this summer, so it’s no surprise that he is on AI’s list.

Lagerbielke stats for Celtic

Games

10

Goals

1

Red cards

1

Minutes played

576

The Sweden international hasn’t lived up to expectations at Parkhead and is among several fringe players who ‘don’t fit into Rodgers’ long-term plans’.

If a permanent sale materialises, Grok feels a transfer could be worth up to £3m, around the fee they paid Elfsborg back in 2023.

5 Hyeok-kyu Kwon (£1m)

Another player who looks surplus to requirements is midfielder Hyeok-kyu Kwon, who has had loan spells at Scottish Premiership sides St Mirren and Hibernian since moving to Celtic Park.

Yet to make a competitive appearance for the Hoops, the 24-year-old is still under contract until 2028, but the club are open to offers for Kwon.

Grok says a fee worth just £1m could be enough for Celtic to sell the midfielder.

Liverpool’s expeditious start to the summer transfer window has seen the double signing of Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz wrapped up before the end of June, and Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is set to follow.

And there’s more yet to come. With a deal agreed for the transfer of Jarell Quansah to the BayArena, Liverpool have upped their interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who is entering the final year of his contract.

Of course, the Reds still need a striker too.

Liverpool chasing Premier League star

Darwin Nunez’s proposed transfer to Serie A champions Napoli could see efforts on that front doubled over the coming weeks.

Saying that, though, Liverpool love a market opportunity, and are monitoring a right-sided Premier League forward as Federico Chiesa expects to leave Anfield as well this summer.

As per French reporter Sébastien Vidal, in a bid to possibly replace Chiesa, Liverpool are interested in signing Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, though they face stiff competition from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

The Cherries have valued the Ghanaian at £70m, a figure none of his suitors are willing to meet, but if that figure can be whittled down, Mohamed Salah would have the perfect understudy to cover him on the right.

This isn’t a priority for Liverpool, but the versatile Semenyo has the perfect profile for Slot’s system and could become the latest jackpot signing from the south coast.

Why Liverpool want Antoine Semenyo

Liverpool have raided a rising Premier League winger from the south coast before. Indeed, Sadio Mane is one of the club’s most iconic modern players, starring under Jurgen Klopp’s wing for many years after joining from Southampton for £35m in 2016.

Semenyo carries certain similarities to the prolific Senegalese, who was a deadly goalscorer but also a fierce advocate of his manager’s vision, working like a machine, covering numerous positions. Klopp once called Mane a “complete” and “world-class” player, and who would argue against him?

Hailed as a “workhorse” and a “duel monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Semenyo has been instrumental for Andoni Iraola’s system at the Vitality Stadium, scoring 13 goals and assisting seven more across all competitions last season.

Mane, let’s not forget, wrapped up his Saints career with 15 goals and seven assists across 43 matches in 2015/16, so, like Semenyo, he wasn’t the finished product and needed that move to a club on a higher rung of the ladder.

Right winger

46

13

3

Left winger

29

7

5

Centre-forward

6

1

0

As per FBref, the versatile forward also ranked among the top 20% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the English top flight last season for successful take-ons and the top 5% for shots taken per 90, underlining his prowess as a pressure-applying force in front of goal but also a player who can drive play into the danger area himself.

All told, Semenyo is a talented and proven Premier League star who would not only cover Salah but also use his dynamism to cover on the left flank too.

To reach Mane’s level would be difficult indeed, but he’s certainly underrated, and a move to Merseyside could help put his name on the map.

The next Torres: Liverpool preparing huge bid to sign "frightening" striker

Liverpool aren’t messing around in the transfer market this summer.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Jun 23, 2025

Worcestershire 212 (Libby 77, J Taylor 3-19, Lawrence 3-49) and 207 for 5 f/o (Kashif 66, Roderick 63, Clark 3-31) trail Surrey 490 by 71 runsLeaders Surrey remain on course to win their fifth Vitality County Championship match of the season despite prolonged resistance from Worcestershire’s Gareth Roderick and Kashif Ali on day three at Visit Worcestershire New Road.Surrey achieved the first objective before lunch in claiming the final three Worcestershire first innings wickets and enforcing the follow on with a lead of 278 despite resistance from top scorer Jake Libby, Ben Allison and Adam Finch.Opener Roderick and Kashif then dug in to add 135 from 34 overs in relatively untroubled fashion for the second wicket. But three wickets then fell in three overs to turn the game firmly back in Surrey’s favour in the final session of the day.Jordan Clark was the chief thorn in Worcestershire’s side with three wickets as they closed still needing 71 to make Surrey bat again.England spin bowling coach, Jeetan Patel, was at New Road and put Shoaib Bashir, on loan to Worcestershire from Somerset, and Dan Lawrence through their paces before the start of play.He saw Lawrence quickly strike for a third time in the innings after only nine runs had been added to the overnight 147 for 7. Allison, having added 54 for the ninth wicket with Libby, pushed forward to the spinner and edged to Surrey captain Rory Burns at slip.Finch provided Libby with staunch support during a stand of 15 overs before the latter’s five hour resistance came to an end. He was on the receiving end of a fine delivery from Gus Atkinson which left him and Foakes gobbled up a fifth catch of the innings.The innings was wrapped up when Shoaib Bashir pulled James Taylor straight to square leg to leave Finch unbeaten on 27 spanning 71 balls. The final three wickets held out for 43 overs – the same as the first seven dismissals.When Worcestershire followed on, Libby did the bulk of the scoring but after making 28 out of 33 he went for an expansive drive and was bowled via an inside edge by Jordan Clark.Roderick cut and cover drove Taylor for four but was fortunate when he mistimed a drive against Clark which flew in the air past the bowler and Lawrence at mid-on.Kashif Ali needed treatment after being struck on the hand by Gus Atkinson and then nicked the same bowler for a fortunate four but he also played some delightful late cuts.Roderick was first to his half century off 114 balls with seven fours and just ahead of Kashif whose fifty was completed off 85 balls.The century partnership was completed off 167 balls but the two batters fell in quick succession. Roderick (63) edged Clark and was caught low down at slip and then Kashif (66) went to pull Atkinson and lobbed up a simple catch to square leg.Rob Jones (0) fell to a diving catch by Foakes off Clark from a delivery that was too full to attempt a cut. Ethan Brookes also nicked through to Foakes when trying to force Abbott off the back foot – his eighth catch of the match.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin heading for the exit door, Everton have turned their attention towards a La Liga star and are now reportedly ready to match his release clause worth over £30m.

Everton set to lose Calvert-Lewin

Calvert-Lewin’s contract situation is one that has been rumbling on for some time. In truth, however, a new deal has never really seemed likely for the academy graduate, who now looks destined to depart as a free agent at the end of this month.

It puts the Toffees in an interesting position. Whilst they wouldn’t have been desperate to lose an academy graduate, Calvert-Lewin’s form and injury history across recent years have hardly made him the main man in Merseyside, especially with Beto finding his feet under David Moyes in the second half of last season.

2024/25

3

2023/24

7

2022/23

2

2021/22

16

Circumstances have been tough at times, but Calvert-Lewin’s drop-off is undeniable. From scoring 16 goals in one season to finally bursting into life and finding his best form, the forward has managed a combined total of 12 in the last three seasons. For all parties, an exit makes perfect sense.

That said, Everton must still replace the 28-year-old and they seem well aware of that. The Friedkin Group already attempted to make a statement by winning the race to sign Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, only for Chelsea to come calling with an offer that the forward could not and did not refuse.

Now, they’re back to the drawing board. Ahead of a new era, a marquee signing to lead the line certainly wouldn’t go amiss. After missing out on Delap, the big question is just who Everton will turn to in the coming months.

The rumours are coming thick and fast regarding a La Liga star, however, who has a similar release clause to the aforementioned Delap.

Everton ready to match Thierno Barry's release clause

According to TEAMtalk, Everton are now ready to meet Thierno Barry’s release clause this summer which is worth €40m (£34m) this summer. Having initially shown interest in the Villarreal forward, those in Merseyside are reportedly ready to step up their move to commence their transfer business with the La Liga star also keen on a move.

It’s clear to see why Everton are so eager to push on with their move for Barry too. The 22-year-old got off to a rapid start at Villarreal last season, earning the praise of scout Jacek Kulig who dubbed him an “exciting CF investment”, and has since stolen even more headlines.

Everton now gifted chance to sign "excellent" £300,000-p/w PL star on loan

The Toffees could sign a vastly experienced star…

BySean Markus Clifford Jun 8, 2025

By the time that last season reached a conclusion, Barry had found the back of the net 19 times in all competitions. If Everton are to welcome a marquee signing to commence their summer business, he should be at the top of their wishlist.

Newcastle United have yet to show their hand in the summer transfer market, though Eddie Howe and his transfer coterie are hard at work as they look to strengthen the first-team squad.

Heading back into the Champions League, the 2024/25 Carabao Cup champions are looking for new forwards.

João Pedro is the focus of expected talks with Brighton & Hove Albion, but Chelsea have also reportedly opened communications with a view toward signing the Brazilian forward.

Newcastle chasing new forward

It’s not just focal frontmen on the Tynesiders’ agenda. Howe needs more wingers to strengthen his side, and he is currently mulling over a move for one of the Premier League’s most prominent figures.

Transfer Focus

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

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle are monitoring Jack Grealish’s situation at Manchester City as he prepares to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.

A host of further clubs – like Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Serie A champions Napoli – are all keen, with Everton also interested in pursuing a loan move.

Given Pep Guardiola has issued confirmation of the Three Lions star’s looming exit, Newcastle may well find a smoother path toward agreeing on a financially acceptable deal, one that might set them back around £40m if prior reports are to be believed.

Why Newcastle should sign Grealish

When Manchester City signed Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021, they broke the British transfer record, landing the England international for a fixed £100m fee.

Not quite defined by his prolific output, Grealish’s grasp of the game’s technicalities, his faculty for tricks and flicks and a “little touch of magic”, as has been noted by journalist Henry Winter, set him apart from most other attacking midfielders, bringing something every bit as important as a rifle-crack shooting ability.

But something’s gone awry under Pep Guardiola’s leadership. Now, the 29-year-old is not so much a magician as a machine, limited to a mechanical, structured role that promotes possession play but has clipped the wings of a high-flying player.

Across 157 performances for Man City, Grealish has scored 17 goals and supplied 23 assists. Of course, he’s also won the treble (in perhaps his finest year at City), and many more titles besides.

Howe could bring him back to the fore. In fact, if the Newcastle boss can unlock the door which has barred Grealish’s better football, he might even find a new star man in attacking midfield, better even than Anthony Gordon.

Gordon is an electric and dynamic winger whose performances on Tyneside have been instrumental to the side’s success of recent years, but Grealish at his finest is a cut above.

The City star has a natural bent for the artful side of the game, and it grew his reputation to a record-breaking level at Aston Villa, earning him that mammoth move to Manchester.

Prem Comparison – Jack Grealish vs Anthony Gordon
Match Stats (* = per game)	Grealish 20/21	Gordon 23/24
Matches (starts)	26 (24)	35 (34)
Goals	6	11
Assists	10	10
Shots (on target)*	1.9 (0.7)	2.3 (0.9)
Big chances missed	4	9
Pass completion	83%	82%
Big chances created	14	16
Key passes*	3.2	1.6
Dribbles*	2.5	1.5
Tackles + interceptions*	1.7	1.8
Total duels (won)*	8.9 (61%)	5.3 (49%)
Stats via Sofascore

Here we have Grealish’s Premier League data from his final season in a Villan shirt matched against Gordon’s from 2023/24, his first full term as a Magpie, when he was awarded the club’s Player of the Season.

Bringing power, energy and enthusiasm, Gordon was a “nightmare for anyone” he came up against, something he claimed himself while at EURO 2024.

That’s all well and good, but given that Grealish is the “closest thing to Paul Gascoigne” in the eyes of talkSPORT’s Troy Deeney, Howe might just find he could add a new attacking star who’s more nightmarish yet.

Grealish’s desire to win duels, outfox opponents and create for his teammates is exactly the kind of skill set Newcastle need, especially since their Merseyside-born winger has just come off a less-than-perfect year at St. James’ Park, posting six goals and six assists apiece in the Premier League.

Still, though rumours of Gordon’s summer sale float about, there’s no reason why these two mavericks can’t play in conjunction at Newcastle next season.

PIF’s current target earns a pretty penny, taking home £300k per week, and thus would need to reduce his earnings if he wants to find his finest football once again, but if he demonstrates the willingness to do so, who better than Howe to bring him back to his zenith as United look to build on their recent success?

Dream Gordon replacement: Newcastle eye up move for £40m "big-game player"

Newcastle might need to replace Gordon if he joins Liverpool

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By
Joe Nuttall

Jun 18, 2025

Chief selector Upul Tharanga said Angelo Mathews was not being considered for selection in T20Is any longer

Madushka Balasuriya24-Jul-2024Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s home series against India with bronchitis and a respiratory infection. Asitha Fernando is his replacement in the ODI and T20I squads.Chameera played for Kandy Falcons in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) earlier this month, though he wasn’t picked in the side towards the end of the tournament.”Only yesterday did we get back the reports, and it can be confirmed that he will miss the T20Is and ODIs against India,” Sri Lanka’s chief selector Upul Tharanga said at a briefing, alongside newly appointed interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya on Wednesday, where he outlined the road ahead for Sri Lanka in T20 internationals.Related

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What next for Angelo Mathews?Mathews had received an unexpected recall to the T20I side at the start of the year, ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 in June. However, despite scoring 261 runs at a strike rate of 151.74 in the LPL, he was not in the squad to face India.While Mathews is yet to retire from T20Is, Tharanga seemed to confirm the 37 year-old was no longer being considered as Sri Lanka build towards the next T20 World Cup in 2026.Chief selector Upul Tharanga said Angelo Mathews is not part of Sri Lanka’s T20I plans•Bangladesh Cricket Board”When we came in [as selectors] we spoke to Angie about playing in this past World Cup, that was the plan,” Tharanga said. “But after the tournament we spoke again, and this time we told him he wasn’t in our plans for the next World Cup.”But during the brief time he was in the side after we brought him in, he played well. And in the LPL as well he did will as a finisher. But we need to look to the future. There’s a big gap to fill when it comes to an allrounder in the side – we have about two-three new players in mind to slot into that role. We’ll give them an opportunity and get them ready for the next World Cup.”How do Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Perera fit in?Chandimal and Perera had excellent performances in LPL 2024, scoring 287 and 296 runs respectively at exemplary strike rates while opening the innings.But competition is tough at the top of Sri Lanka’s batting order, with Tharanga confirming Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis as first-choice openers. It’s also likely that Kamindu Mendis will slot in at no.4, with Avishka Fernando – who also had an impressive LPL – the back-up.Dinesh Chandimal is back in Sri Lanka’s T20I side after an impressive LPL season•SLCCaptain Charith Asalanka will remain at no. 5, which leaves one spot – at no.3 – for either Chandimal or Perera.What will Sri Lanka’s attack look like against India?With all three T20Is being played in Pallekele, a venue that has offered more pace and bounce than anywhere else in the country, Tharanga said Sri Lanka’s could play three fast bowlers.Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando and Matheesha Pathirana could be the first-choice combination, with each offering something different in the powerplay and death. Dasun Shanaka is another seam option at no. 6, with the uncapped allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe serving as a back-up.On the spin front, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana will play, with Dunith Wellalage an option if Sri Lanka want an extra spinner.What can we expect from Jayasuriya, the coach?Jayasuriya’s international career spanned 22 years. After retiring in 2011, he remained in the game in different capacities: most recently he was cricket consultant for SLC, overseeing players and coaches at the high-performance centre. The home series against India will be his first as a head coach of the national side.Sanath Jayasuriya was Sri Lanka’s cricket consultant during the T20 World Cup 2024•ICC/Getty Images”I was here as a consultant, I’ve played for Sri Lanka for 22 years, and I’ve worked under a lot of great coaches. I think whatever I can do, I will do with the side,” Jayasuriya said when asked about his new role. “Yes, I don’t have experience as a head coach, but I will try and do my best with this challenge. That said, I’m only in the role on an interim basis, so we will have a permanent coach coming in soon.”How have Sri Lanka prepared for India?Every member of the squad played in the recently concluded LPL. They will be familiar with the conditions in Pallekele, having played one of the legs of the tournament there.The team is currently having a training camp in Kandy ahead of the series and is working with Rajasthan Royals high-performance director, Zubin Bharucha, on a short-term basis. The move was facilitated by former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, who is the director of cricket at RR.”It was great training with Zubin, as we did a lot of things that we had not done before,” Jayasuriya said. “There was a lot of work done with him, we learnt a lot from him, and I hope the players have learned about more optimal practicing and techniques. So I think preparations have been really good – and we have another two more days in Kandy.”