Manchester United’s activity within the transfer market over recent years has been questionable to say the least, wasting a whole host of money in the process.

Erik ten Hag’s tenure was arguably one of the worst for the club, with the hierarchy providing the Dutchman with over £600m worth of funds to improve the first-team squad.

However, his highest finish in the Premier League at Old Trafford was third place, but ultimately his additions failed to make the desired impact – which led to his dismissal in October last year.

The Red Devils’ failures in the transfer market have made Ruben Amorim’s task in the role a tad harder, having to work with the players already at the club – which has seen him notch a measly 40% win rate.

That could all be about to change this summer, with the hierarchy already backing the new boss, whilst also preparing other offers for additional signings before the transfer deadline.

Man Utd targeting Bruno Fernandes midfield partner

The midfield department is next on the agenda for United, with Fermin Lopez one of the players in their sights, according to some of the latest updates on the 22-year-old’s future.

It’s been reported that the Red Devils have already made a £69m offer for the Barcelona star, with the player himself keen on a switch to the Premier League this summer.

However, he’s not the only player currently being considered by the club’s hierarchy, with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba also firmly in their sights, according to David Ornstein.

Speaking on the Sports Agenda podcast, the journalist claimed that the 21-year-old is now Amorim’s top target this summer, after securing a move for Benjamin Sesko last week.

He also confirmed that talks have already been held with the players over a switch to Old Trafford, but it could prove to be a mammoth addition, given his current £100m asking price.

Why United’s latest target will be the best signing since Bruno

Despite United struggling over recent years, Bruno Fernandes has been the club’s captain and still managed to provide some incredible numbers in the process.

He registered a total of 37 combined goals and assists last season, helping the Red Devils reach the Europa League final and undoubtedly preventing the side from finishing further down the table.

However, other big-money additions haven’t been as successful, with Rasmus Hojlund unable to make the desired impact after his £72m move from Atalanta back in the summer of 2023.

The Dane has only scored 26 times in his 95 outings to date, subsequently being strongly linked with a cut-price departure to join Italian giants AC Milan this window.

Undoubtedly, there will be hope that some of the big-money additions from the current summer will have more of a positive impact – with Baleba potentially falling into that category.

The Cameroonian international has all the tools to be the perfect ball-winner at the heart of the squad, that’s if he can replicate his stats from the recent campaign at the AMEX.

Baleba, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one analyst, managed to win 2.7 tackles per 90 and make 1.6 interceptions per 90 last season via FBref.

Carlos Baleba’s stats for Brighton in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Games played	34
Goals & assists	4
Pass accuracy	87%
Progressive passes	4.1
Tackles made	2.7
Interceptions made	1.6
Blocks made	1.6
Clearances made	1.5
Take-on success	58%
Stats via FBref

Such numbers could see him add the needed presence in the middle of the park, but he has also showcased he has the tools to provide others with chances around him.

He completed 87% of the passes he attempted in the Premier League throughout 2024/25, 4.1 of which per 90 were progressive – able to give the new additions in the final third the opportunity to succeed.

As seen by the recent reports, it’s clear that the staff behind the scenes rate him highly, subsequently making him the next key target in their overhaul of the squad.

If Baleba can have the success Bruno has endured since his own big-money move to Old Trafford, it would be a deal worth every penny despite the massive transfer fee.

Bigger talent than Baleba: INEOS chasing "phenomenal" £100m CM for Man Utd

Manchester United are making another huge move in the transfer market this summer.

1

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 13, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras foi derrotado no domingo (25), pelo Botafogo, por 1 a 0, no Allianz Parque, com direito a gol de Tiquinho Soares. O atacante botafoguense é o artilheiro do Brasileirão com 10 bolas na rede e já teve seu nome ventilado nos corredores da Academia de Futebol há cerca de dois anos, mas em momento algum esses ventos apontaram para uma negociação real.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasOLHAR DO PORCO: De cabeça mais fria, Palmeiras precisa ligar o alerta no BrasileirãoPalmeiras26/06/2023PalmeirasANÁLISE: derrota para o Botafogo escancara necessidade do Palmeiras em encontrar uma ‘sombra’ para VeigaPalmeiras26/06/2023PalmeirasAbel Ferreira dá pistas sobre o seu futuro no Palmeiras: ‘Quero estar onde sou feliz’Palmeiras26/06/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Em 2021, Tiquinho estava em litígio com o Tianjin Teda, da China, e teria sido oferecido a alguns clubes do futebol brasileiro de olho em um retorno ao seu país natal. Na época, sua assessoria de imprensa chegou a dizer que o jogador foi sondado pelo Verdão, pelo Corinthians e pelo São Paulo.

+ Até 50% OFF em produtos do Verdão para os torcedores fanáticos!

Segundo apurou o Lance!, de fato intermediários apresentaram uma lista de nomes de centroavantes ao Palmeiras naquela época, entre eles o de Tiquinho Soares, que estava mantendo a forma física em João Pessoa. O clube, porém, como sempre tem feito em ocasiões assim, estudou os nomes apresentados, mas nenhum deles foi em frente.

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De acordo com o que soube a reportagem, nem se chegou a conversar especificamente sobre a vinda ou não de Tiquinho Soares, apenas ele estava em uma lista de nomes que não foram considerados naquele momento. Não houve negociação ou recusa de uma parte e de outra.

+ Abel rasga elogios ao Botafogo e vê Palmeiras ineficaz

Alguns meses depois, o atacante conseguiu deixar seu clube na China e fechou sua ida para o Olympiacos-GRE, onde permaneceu por uma temporada até assinar com o Botafogo em 2022 e se firmar como um dos principais goleadores do país.

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has told Cole Palmer to sit out Chelsea's fixtures before the international break due to his ongoing injury concerns. The England star was substituted after just 20 minutes against Manchester United last weekend and is now set to miss games against Brighton & Hove Albion, Benfica, and Liverpool.

Palmer's injury blow

During Chelsea's farcical 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, the England international was substituted after just 20 minutes, with his side already down to 10 men after the sending off of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez in the first five minutes of the encounter. Palmer appeared particularly aggrieved to be taken off, and headed straight down the tunnel, but it was soon revealed that the playmaker had suffered a recurrence of a persistent groin injury. He also missed clashes against West Ham and Fulham due to the ongoing issue, and surgery has been discussed as a potential solution, although his manager has now appeared to soften his stance on that prospect. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMaresca taking no chances

Manager Maresca has confirmed that he has advised Palmer to rest, but stopped short of saying that the Englishman needs to go under the knife. Instead, he faces missing two Premier League games and one Champions League clash; it is, at this point, unclear if Thomas Tuchel will include him in his Three Lions squad. England play Wales in a friendly on October 9 before travelling to Latvia for a World Cup qualifier on October 14. 

Maresca said, per Ben Jacobs: “We decided to protect a Cole a little bit [to] not let his injury get worse. We decided to rest him for two-three weeks until the international break to see if he can recover 100%. I don’t think he needs surgery. It’s just a matter of managing the pain in his groin.”

Palmer's latest setback

While Palmer has developed into one of the best attacking midfield players in the world at Stamford Bridge, and also on the international stage with England, Palmer has struggled for form since the turn of the year. In the first half of the 2024/25 season, up until New Year's Day, Palmer scored 12 league goals and registered six assists. Since ringing in 2025, he has managed just four goals and three assists, and now faces a prolonged period on the sidelines. During his time at Stamford Bridge, he has missed a total of seven Blues games but that number is now set to rise to at least ten. Maresca will hope that he can put the problem behind him as quickly as possible. 

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Palmer's big ambitions

The injury comes at a galling time for Palmer, having hailed the club's ability to go "toe-to-toe" with the best in the world after their narrow Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich. 

He said: "The manager said to us before that he knows we can go toe-to-toe with anyone, and I think we showed that tonight despite the result.

"It’s a good learning curve for tonight and to be back in the competition is nice, so we just need to kick off from here.

"We’re not in this competition for it to be a learning curve for us. I feel like we showed tonight that we can compete and we want to do as best as we can."

Palmer has now brought up a century of appearances for the Blues following his move from Manchester City back in 2023; he has a 10-year contract until 2033, so there is plenty of time for him to get back on the pitch and continue impacting games for the west London giants. 

Brooklyn Beckham has broken his silence on the feud that has supposedly ripped an iconic sporting family apart. The eldest child of Manchester United legend David and former Spice Girls popstar Victoria has seemingly severed ties with his mother, father and siblings. Brooklyn was a notable absentee when his ex-England captain dad celebrated turning 50 in May 2025.

• Getty Images Entertainment
  

  Are Brooklyn & David Beckham on speaking terms?

  Booklyn formed no part of the lavish parties thrown by David Beckham, who is now working with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi as a co-owner of MLS side Inter Miami. His brothers Romeo and Cruz were involved, along with sister Harper. Questions were being asked before that point of whether all is well in the Beckham family unit. It is claimed that Brooklyn is no longer on speaking terms with his famous parents.

  There have also been reports to suggest that he has blocked his brothers on social media, meaning that no communication takes place there either. Brooklyn did wish a happy birthday to Harper when seeing her turn 14 in July. His wife, Nicola Peltz, also passed on a message. The American actress has found herself at the centre of much of the Beckham feud rumour and gossip. Brooklyn and Nicola recently renewed their wedding vows without inviting David, Victoria and Co to that ceremony.

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• What Brooklyn said about supposed Beckham feud

  Brooklyn is focused on his own life for now, with the 24-year-old forming part of the pre-Ryder Cup activities in New York – ahead of that epic golfing showdown between Team USA and Team Europe taking place at the iconic and notoriously difficult to navigate Bethpage Black course. Beckham lined up for an A-list European side against American opposition in a celebrity event.

  Brooklyn was inevitably quizzed on the apparent breakdown in his relationship with David, Victoria, Romeo and Cruz, but was quick to shrug off that probing and play down the intense speculation that he continues to generate. He told the : “There's always going to be people saying negative things but I have a very supportive wife. Me and her, we just do our thing, we just keep our heads down and work. And we're happy.”

  Brooklyn went on to say, while pointing out that he “never” worries what people outside of his close circle of friends have to say in the global media and online: “Everyone is always going to say rubbish. I just try and do this, play some golf with some friends. It's good fun.”

• Getty
  

  Beckham taunted by fans at 2025 Ryder Cup event

  Brooklyn and his family were last pictured together on Boxing Day 2024. He does not appear to have rubbed shoulders with them since, instead choosing to focus on his own work and lifestyle commitments.

  He paired up with former NBA star Toni Kukoc at the Ryder Cup event, as they faced off against comedian Colin Jost and Super Bowl-winning ex-New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Unsurprisingly, Beckham found himself becoming an easy target for those in the crowd – not that he has any issue with that.

  He said of attracting taunts on the tee box and fairways: “I feel like they didn't like me at all – but it was amazing. They gave me a bit of rubbish but I kind of expected it – being in New York, going against Eli… they were just laughing. But it is what it is, I was having fun out there. I did the best I could. It was honestly just really fun. Honestly, it was really nerve-wracking… but it was such a cool experience – I couldn't say no. It was amazing.”

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• What does Brooklyn Beckham do for a living?

  Brooklyn said he is now planning to head back to Los Angeles, rather than hang around on the east coast, with his wife being left at home in California with their four dogs. He also stated that he needs to “get back to work”.

  Beckham worked as a model and a photographer before building a hot sauce brand called Cloud 23. That number offers a nod towards the shirt that his father wore when representing Real Madrid and first moving to the United States and joining the LA Galaxy.

New South Wales opener Sam Konstas batted maturely on a tricky WACA surface late on day four to fend off Western Australia’s unlikely push for victory as the pivotal Sheffield Shield clash ended in a draw.It means both teams will have to rely on results going their way in the last round to make the final after Queensland leapfrogged them into second-placed with their earlier victory against Tasmania.The WACA has hosted the previous three finals, but South Australia locked up hosting rights with their thrilling victory against Victoria. Three-time champions WA will play fifth-placed Victoria, still mathematically able to qualify for the final, in the last round while NSW travel to Tasmania who have been knocked out.Related

• NSW coach sees Konstas reining in his audacious style

• Queensland revive final hopes with thumping victory

• Lehmann and Scott lead South Australia to home Shield final

• 'We want to play there' – Adelaide Oval could host Sheffield Shield final between AFL games

WA declared their second innings at 346 for 4 early in the second session with Hilton Cartwright finishing unbeaten on a first-class career best score of 171 not out.NSW needed 282 runs off 57 overs for the victory needed to move into second spot, but they did not attempt to chase down the total on a surface that proved particularly difficult for batters against the new ball.Konstas was a steadying presence with 50 off 107 balls before Matthew Gilkes and Ollie Davies held firm in the final hour.All eyes at the start of NSW’s innings were on Konstas and whether he would try to make a play at the total. But he was watchful from the get go much like during his limited time at the crease in the first innings. The fireworks happened at the other end when opener Nic Maddinson fell for a duck on the third ball of the innings after edging left-arm quick Joel Paris to second slip.Konstas was unperturbed and intent on defence, taking until his eighth delivery to register his first run. In a big moment, Kurtis Patterson had a let off on 1 after he was dropped by Paris at gully in a tough chance.Paris and Cameron Gannon produced considerable seam movement, but Konstas was rock solid and only had one scoring shot from his first 23 balls. Lance Morris entered the attack in the 11th over and there was an unknown over how many overs he would bowl. Under a restriction of around 30 overs per game to manage his body, Morris took career best first-class figures of 5 for 26 off 20.3 overs in NSW’s first innings.Morris ended up bowling 12 overs, but he was unable to rediscover his accuracy and control as Konstas played him with relative ease.Batting became easier as Konstas and Patterson, NSW’s first innings top-scorer with 86 off 262 balls, made it through to tea and they knocked the ball around after the resumption.Hilton Cartwright finished unbeaten on a career-best 171•Getty Images

The match unexpectedly sparked to life when Paris bowled Patterson with a delivery that crept low. Paris continued to target divots as he troubled left-handed batter Gilkes, while offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli started to menace with sharp bounce.He had Konstas on 38 poking to short-leg, but it was given not out. Konstas reached his half-century and the match again appeared to be fizzling away until he missed a straight Rocchiccioli delivery and was stumped before Josh Philippe was caught at short-leg on his first ball.But Rocchiccioli could not get his hat-trick or produce the necessary heroics as the match petered out to a draw.Earlier, WA resumed their second innings on 209 for 2 with a lead of 144 runs. There was intrigue over how WA would play the situation and when they would eye a declaration. Cartwright and Cameron Bancroft batted cautiously against the new ball with runs hard to come by as the clock started to tick.Bancroft’s 276-ball stonewall ended on 86 after he edged Jack Edwards to first slip. Playing his 100th Shield match, Bancroft trudged off disappointed but satisfied in his return to the field after a horrific on-field collision during a BBL game in early January.Bancroft’s wicket didn’t prompt a change of tactics from WA with batter Sam Fanning struggling with his timing. Emerging left-hander Fanning does tend to either bat in two modes – aggressively or dour – and he was stuck in the latter with just three runs off his first 31 balls faced.But with the ball losing its shine, Fanning eventually got into his groove and runs flowed after lunch. The batters had fun for 30 minutes after the interval with Fanning launching offspinner Chris Green down the ground on several occasions.Cartwright overtook his previous highest score of 170 before he soon walked off the field to a rousing ovation.

تحدث محمد عبد الواحد، المدرب المساعد في جهاز منتخب مصر، عن الأزمة التي نشبت بين لاعب الأهلي إمام عاشور وحسام حسن المدير الفني للفراعنة خلال الفترة الماضية.

وكانت العلاقة بين إمام عاشور وحسام حسن توترت خلال الآونة الأخيرة، وكشف مدرب منتخب مصر أن استبعاد إمام عاشور هو قرار انضباطي، قبل أن يعتذر لاعب الأهلي عقب نهاية الموسم الماضي للتوأم، لكن الإصابة هي التي منعت تواجد إمام في صفوف المنتخب في الفترة الأخيرة.

طالع | أخطأ مرتين وهذا شرط عودته.. حسام حسن يعلن سبب استبعاد إمام عاشور من منتخب مصر

إمام عاشور يغيب في الفترة الأخيرة عن صفوف فريقه الأهلي، بسبب إصابته بفيروس A، ويخوض مرحلة من التأهيل للتعافي، خلال الوقت الحالي.

وقال عبد الواحد خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “أون سبورت 2” لبرنامج “هاتريك”: “كانت توجد مشكلة صغيرة حدثث، وهو لم يأخذ رد الفعل السليم، فحدثت فجوة، وبالمناسبة الفترة التي لم يكن ينضم معنا فيها للمنتخب لم يكن مستواه الفني كما هو الحال الآن”.

وأضاف: “إمام عاشور كان يفتعل أشياء خارج الملعب تثير جمهور الزمالك، فكان غائبا عن التركيز، وليس في مستواه، هو لاعب كبير ونجم وهو عنصر أساسي معنا في المنتخب”.

وتابع: “قبل تعرضه للإصابة، اعتذر للكابتن إبراهيم، والجميع يعمل لمصلحة منتخب مصر، ولا توجد أي أغراض من أي شخص داخل جهاز المنتخب تجاه أي لاعب”.

وأكمل: “عندما تولينا المسؤولية، الجميع قال إن هناك خلافات ستحدث بين التوأم ومحمد صلاح، لكن لم يحدث أي شيء، محمد صلاح يقوم بدور رائع جدًا معنا كجهاز، ورائع مع كابتن حسام، ومساند لنا”.

وكان منتخب مصر اختتم مشواره في تصفيات كأس العالم بمواجهة غينيا بيساو في الجولة العاشرة والأخيرة من مباريات المجموعة الأولى لـ تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.

واستطاع منتخب مصر تحقيق الفوز على غينيا بيساو، بنتيجة 1-0، ليؤكد صدارته للمجموعة في تصفيات كأس العالم برصيد 26 نقطة، علمًا بأنه حسم التأهل إلى كأس العالم منذ الجولة التاسعة بالفوز على جيبوتي 3-0.

Tottenham Hotspur have been given a late-summer transfer boost as Daniel Levy and the Lilywhites recruitment team scramble for reinforcements.

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Spurs want to sign a centre-back, playmaker and a new winger (Sky Sports), but bringing in all three is perhaps unlikely at this stage of the window and with such little time remaining.

The north Londoners have found it notoriously difficult already, having seen high-profile blockbuster deals for the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze fail in dramatic fashion.

After weeks of talks, Spurs have also got nowhere with their bid for Savinho, as Man City make it crystal clear that the Brazil international is not for sale.

It remains to be seen who they target as an alternative to the 21-year-old, but it is evident who has become their top playmaker target during this final stretch.

According to numerous sources, RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons is in London right now, with both Chelsea and Tottenham pursuing a deal for the highly-rated Netherlands international.

The 22-year-old is valued at around £60 million, which is a similar price that Spurs were once prepared to pay for Eze and Gibbs-White. With there being precious few available playmakers who could truly make a difference for Thomas Frank, Simons has emerged as their potential saving grace.

He racked up 11 goals and eight assists over 33 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig last term, and Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes that Simons is an “unbelievable” player.

Tottenham have now submitted a near-£60m bid for Simons, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, with journalist Graeme Bailey also sharing the player’s stance on joining Frank’s side.

Xavi Simons ready to join Tottenham after talks with his camp

As per the reporter, it is believed that Simons is ready to join Tottenham, who’ve held talks with his representatives, after Chelsea began stalling their deal – with the attacking midfielder growing impatient.

The west Londoners have been in talks for weeks, but there are complications with player sales.

They also haven’t found a full agreement with Leipzig in all of that time, and that has allowed Spurs to move in to hijack their negotiations. Right now, Simons is happy to stop pausing on a move and sign for Tottenham instead, despite already agreeing personal terms with Chelsea.

This flurry of promising developments, including Levy’s offer, means that they could be on the verge of finally signing their desired number 10. However, as we’ve seen with Tottenham, no supporter should celebrate until the ink is dry.

“I think he’s going to have a really good career at the highest level,” said Bayern Munich sporting director, Christoph Freund.

“He has everything, mentality, character and is just an exceptional player.”

Manchester City have now received an offer for a £90k-a-week player, who Pep Guardiola has previously described as “exceptional”.

Pep questioned after deadline day Donnarumma signing

The emphatic 4-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers to kick the season off was arguably a false start for Man City, who have since been brought back down to earth with consecutive defeats, most recently suffering a late 2-1 loss away at Brighton.

As such, Guardiola has already made the big call to bring in a new goalkeeper, with City completing the deadline day signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is seemingly set to displace James Trafford in the starting XI.

There are some question marks over the signing of Donnarumma, given that the Italian isn’t regarded as a ‘Pep keeper’, as he is not well-known to be particularly impressive with the ball at his feet.

Former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel said: “Donnarumma had a really good season with PSG and was instrumental in PSG winning the Champions League. He is OK with his feet but he is not Ederson – no-one is Ederson.”

With Ederson departing to join Fenerbahce, City are back to having four goalkeepers on the books, with Marcus Bettinelli also arriving this summer, but they now have a decision to make about the future of Stefan Ortega.

That is because a report from Sporx (via Sport Witness) has revealed that Trabzonspor have made a bid for Ortega, with the Turkish Süper Lig side keen to bring in a new goalkeeper before their transfer window comes to a close.

Ortega is not the only option available to the Turkish side, however, with it being revealed they have also been offered the opportunity to sign Manchester United’s Andre Onana, who is seemingly being forced out following the arrival of Senne Lammens.

"Exceptional" Ortega should be allowed to move on

Following Donnarumma’s arrival, the £90k-a-week goalkeeper is unlikely to have any opportunities, with Trafford ahead of him in the pecking order, while Bettinelli is also on the books in the case of a real emergency.

Every Premier League Club's Net Spend in 25/26 Summer Transfer Window

Liverpool broke the British transfer record twice…

ByBen Goodwin Sep 2, 2025

As such, Man City should sanction the 32-year-old’s departure, despite the fact he has impressed at times in a City shirt, with Guardiola saying in the 2022/23 campaign: “The way he’s played in Carabao Cup and FA Cup so far. Even in the Champions League when he played against Dortmund.

“We were qualified but fighting for the first position. He’s an exceptional goalkeeper. Exceptional.”

The German has been at the Etihad Stadium for two Premier League title triumphs, and famously played a pivotal role in the 2023-24 campaign, producing a crucial save to deny Son Heung-min in the penultimate game of the season.

That said, Pep is now well-stocked in the goalkeeper department, so there is no reason to stand in Ortega’s way if more clubs come calling.

Green had hoped to play for WA in the final Shield round but is unlikely to be ready in time

Alex Malcolm04-Mar-2025

Cameron Green is continuing his recovery from back surgery•Getty Images

Cameron Green is unlikely to play any Sheffield Shield cricket before his County Championship stint with Gloucestershire as he continues to recover from back surgery.Speaking at the Australian Cricket Awards last month Green had flagged that his recovery was on track to have him available for Western Australia’s final Shield match against Victoria on March 15 as a batter only. But despite returning to the nets and hitting balls regularly over recent weeks, ESPNcricinfo understands that he is unlikely to be cleared to play before the end of the Australian domestic summer. WA are not expecting him to be available for the contest with Victoria or the Shield final if they qualify.Green has to get regular scans on his back to check on his progress before returning to play, having undergone spine surgery in October. Green’s first match back is likely to be in division two of the County Championship for Gloucestershire against Kent in Canterbury on April 18.Related

Morris set for rare back-to-back Shield games as WA press for another final

Mystery benefactor clinches Cameron Green's Gloucestershire deal

Green out for the season as he takes surgery option

Green has signed a five-game deal with Gloucestershire thanks to the help of a “significant donation” from one of the club’s members. Those five matches are against Kent (twice), Leicestershire, Lancashire and Northamptonshire prior to the WTC final at Lord’s. However, it remains to be seen whether Cricket Australia’s medical staff allow him to play five straight first-class matches leading into the WTC final coming off no cricket since September and no first-class cricket in 13 months, despite the fact he will not be bowling in any of them.Green is in the frame to play in the WTC final in June as a batter only having played all 28 of his Tests to-date as an allrounder. Australia also have a three-Test tour of the Caribbean starting late June, but he will not be available to bowl until later in the year in the build-up to the home Ashes series which starts in late November.His availability as a batter only will create a selection squeeze in Australia’s line-up. Green made 174 not out in his second last Test match batting at No. 4 but Steven Smith’s triumphant return to that spot means Green will have to bat somewhere else if he plays in the WTC final against South Africa.Travis Head will also return to No. 5 after opening in Australia’s most recent Tests in Sri Lanka, meaning Australia will need another opener to partner Usman Khawaja. Sam Konstas is in the frame to return after missing selection in Sri Lanka and is keen to play in the County Championship but is yet to secure a deal.Green could possibly bat at No. 3 or No. 6 but that would displace either Marnus Labuschagne or Beau Webster. If the latter were to be left out, it would leave Australia without a fourth seam option, although that may not be a major consideration for a one-off Test in England in June. Josh Inglis’ recent run-spree across all formats makes him an enticing selection prospect for the final as well. Australia do not need to name a 15-man squad until May.

After a long summer full of twists and turns, we’ve made it to deadline day, and Chelsea look set to complete some last-minute business.

The Blues have already backed Enzo Maresca and his squad in a big way this window with eye-catching additions like Joao Pedro, Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens.

Yet, with the club set to compete in the Champions League for the first time in years this season, there is a sense that the West Londoners could do with a little more quality in the side.

Fortunately, if reports are to be believed, Chelsea are eyeing a late move for an international gem who has been compared to Lamine Yamal and Bukayo Saka.

Chelsea eye late swoop for Yamal & Saka hybrid

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Chelsea are still very interested in Fermin Lopez.

Transfer Focus

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Interestingly, there are several other sides also keen on landing the Barcelona gem, but the West Londoners appear to have the most concrete interest at this point.

The report has revealed that the Catalan giants would be willing to part ways with the 22-year-old for a fee of up to €90m, which is approximately £78m.

While that is a substantial amount, it might well be worth it for a player compared to those of Yamal and Saka.

How Lopez compares to Saka & Yamal

Now, there are several surface-level similarities you can point to between Saka, Yamal, and Lopez, such as all three being young attackers who play for one of the biggest teams in their league – alongside one another in the Spaniards’ case.

However, thanks to FBref, we know that there are also some undeniable statistical similarities between them, as according to them, the Englishman has been the seventh most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Barça gem over the last 365 days, and his teammate was the fourth most similar in La Liga last season.

You can gain a better understanding of how these comparisons were made by examining the underlying numbers in which Lopez ranked closely to the two international monsters.

Lopez & Saka

Statistics per 90

Lopez

Saka

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.69

0.71

Non-Penalty G+As

0.79

0.78

Tackles

1.37

1.51

Successful Take-On %

45.5%

45.6%

Carries into the Final Third

1.58

1.67

Aerial Duels Won

0.65

0.52

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Campaign

Interestingly, when it comes to the Gunners’ mercurial number seven, the El Campillo-born dynamo ranks closely in things like expected and actual non-penalty goals, tackles, aerial duels won, carries into the final third and more, all per 90.

Yet, when it comes to his club teammate and compatriot, the “spectacular” midfielder, as dubbed by former manager Xavi, ranks similarly in metrics such as key passes, crosses, progressive passes, and other key creative statistics, all per 90.

Lopez & Yamal

Statistics per 90

Lopez

Saka

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.69

0.75

Progressive Passes

5.68

5.05

Key Passes

2.09

2.02

Live Passes

44.9

47.2

Crosses

3.38

3.41

Tackles

1.37

1.32

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Campaign

In other words, it looks like the La Masia product could be as much of a goal threat as the North Londoners’ talisman, while being as creative and intuitive as the Catalan’s Ballon d’Or winner in waiting.

While he still has plenty of developing to do, that sounds like a pretty sensational combination, and when you factor in that he scored eight goals and provided ten assists in 46 appearances, totalling just 2,039 minutes, last season, it becomes clear why Chelsea are so keen to sign him.

Therefore, while it won’t be cheap, the Blues should do all they can to bring Lopez to Stamford Bridge before the window slams shut at 7pm this evening.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Sep 1, 2025