Can Bangladesh maintain their aggressive batting approach?
Bangladesh captain Litton Das elected to bowl in their Asia Cup opener against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi.Litton said he decided to bowl since they were not aware of the pitch conditions at the venue. He confirmed that Bangladesh were playing three seamers, two spinners, and six batters.Hong Kong captain Yasim Murtaza was happy despite losing the toss because he wanted to bat first anyway. Murtaza said that the batters made some mistakes against Afghanistan and that they wouldn’t want to repeat them. There were no changes to the Hong Kong side, with Murtaza backing the same XI to come good tonight.The pitch report sugges a dry surface with some cracks opening up but remains run friendly. The shorter boundary on one side of the ground could interest the battersOne losing record promises to come to an end tonight. Bangladesh have never won a T20I in Abu Dhabi. Hong Kong are yet to win an Asia Cup match.Bangladesh XI: 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Parvez Hossain Emon, 3 Litton Das (capt & wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Shamim Hossain, 6 Jaker Ali, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Tanzim Hasan, 9 Rishad Hossain, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur Rahman.Hong Kong XI: 1 Zeeshan Ali (wk), 2 Anshy Rath, 3 Babar Hayat, 4 Nizakat Khan, 5 Kalhan Challu, 6 Kinchit Shah, 7 Yasim Murtaza (capt), 8 Aizaz Khan, 9 Ayush Shukla, 10 Ateeq Iqbal, 11 Ehsan Khan
Barcelona centre-back Andreas Christensen addressed his future at the club, claiming that he doesn't "have a Plan B" in case he doesn't receive a contract extension from the reigning La Liga champions. Persistent struggles with injuries have prevented the defender from becoming a vital player for Hansi Flick, with the club reportedly wanting him to leave as a free agent next summer.
Christensen no longer important for Hansi Flick
Christensen had won over the trust of head coach Flick towards the 2024-25 season after spending the majority of the campaign on the sidelines due to an Achilles tendon injury and muscle issues. The centre-back played only six games, all of them towards the end of last season, making two starts. His return was a big positive.
Ahead of the start of the ongoing season, Barcelona sold Inigo Martinez – one of the best performers last season – to Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al-Nassr, with the ex-Athletic Club defender claiming he felt he wouldn't be able to contribute at the highest level anymore.
Despite a spot alongside Pau Cubarsi opening up, Christensen still remains a long way from sealing his starting berth. While the Danish international has featured in 10 games across all competitions, he has managed to accumulate a paltry 342 minutes of action. He has been handed a place in the starting XI only thrice, although it may be argued that he spent two weeks out of action due to a calf injury last month.
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No renewal in sight for Christensen
All signs point towards the reigning La Liga giants opting against offering a new deal to the 29-year-old, especially if Flick doesn't use him a lot between now and the end of the season. Numerous reports have stated that Barcelona have no intention of keeping Christensen on their books beyond next summer, despite the player's wish to continue in Catalunya.
Last month, Barcelona sporting director Deco refrained from commenting extensively on Christensen’s future but hinted that a contract renewal remains a possibility.
“We’re taking Andreas step by step. He had a spectacular first year. Then injuries have affected him quite a bit,” he told last month. “We’ll see how he does this season and we’ll talk. He’s a great player. We don’t have to renew all the players in October either."
Christensen has no 'Plan B' amid contract uncertainty
Speaking to , Christensen admitted that Barcelona had not yet reached out to him with regards to an extension. When asked if he was bothered by it, he said: "No, not really. I don't think so. I think we're in a good situation, and there's not really anything that can change anything I do in my everyday life. Of course, you want to have it in place and know what's happening. But it's not something that changes our mood during the days, or something we talk about
"Of course we have desires, we all do, but it's not something I think about in my everyday life. I try to do what I can do on the pitch, and hopefully that's enough for me to stay there."
Christensen also admitted that his agent will remain involved over future decisions. "If there is something that needs to be done, he will of course do it. Of course I would like to know what is happening, but I would rather focus on what I can do, and that is to do what I can do.
When asked about whether he knows what Barca will do, he added: "Oh, no, I have no idea. Not yet. I'm just choosing to focus on being part of the team and playing as much as I possibly can. Hopefully that's how it ends up, but I'll have to take it as it comes, right now.
"Not at all. No plan B," he replied when asked he has started thinking about the potential leagues he could join should he leave as a free agent next summer.
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Christensen to return to Denmark?
The former Chelsea centre-back, in the same interview, was also asked about whether he considers a return to Brondby in Denmark to be a possibility. In reply, Christensen said: “In an ideal world, I would like to finish my career at Brondby, but it also depends on the stage of life I’m at. It also depends on what my family is doing. I feel I still have a lot to offer; I’m 29 years old, and I can still compete.
“When you’re that age… it depends a lot on the situation, so it’s difficult to say. I repeat, in an ideal world, I would like it to happen. But if it doesn’t, I won’t be angry or sad. It depends a lot on my family’s situation and my performance as a player.”
Shohei Ohtani is not messing around in his pursuit to become the first member of Major League Baseball's 50-50 club.
On Tuesday night, Ohtani hit his 48th home run of the season and he thoroughly punished the baseball. The blast came with Ohtani's Los Angeles Dodgers trailing the Miami Marlins 4–0 in the top of the third inning. On a 1-1 pitch, Darren McCaughan threw an 82 mph sweeper to the soon-to-be National League MVP.
That was a mistake.
Ohtani absolutely demolished the ball, launching it into the upper deck at LoanDepot Park. It flew 402 feet out to right field and left the bat at 105.3 mph. An absolute laser.
Footage is below, but beware it could be disturbing if you're protective of baseballs.
It was hit so hard Ohtani even admired his work afterwards. As he should have.
That home run gave Ohtani 48 on the season to go along with 48 stolen bases. It would be incredibly surprising if he didn't hit the 50-50 mark by the end of the season with 12 games left to go.
Ajax’s fall from grace in both domestic and European competition has taken another grim turn, with Remko Pasveer claiming the club still hasn’t recovered from the loss of Jordan Henderson. The goalkeeper has claimed that the ex-Liverpool captain’s leadership “held everything together” and his departure to Brentford has left a void the Dutch giants can’t seem to fill.
Ajax spiralling
Ajax’s Champions League campaign went from bad to worse after suffering a humiliating 5-1 defeat against Chelsea. The result has piled further pressure on head coach John Heitinga, who is already facing a furious fanbase following earlier losses to Olympique Marseille and Inter Milan. With the Dutch giants languishing in fourth place in the Eredivisie, nine points behind leaders Feyenoord, frustration over the team’s lack of direction has reached breaking point.
In the aftermath of the Stamford Bridge rout, veteran goalkeeper Pasveer acknowledged supporters’ anger and admitted the team has been far from its best. He described the defeat as “unfortunate,” pointing to a red card and two conceded penalties that derailed any hope of a comeback. When pressed to explain Ajax’s ongoing struggles, the 41-year-old didn’t hesitate to single out the impact of Henderson’s departure.
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A leadership void
“We’re playing a little differently, and in Jordan Henderson, we’ve lost a clear leader,” Pasveer told reporters after the Chelsea defeat.
“He held everything together, and you definitely miss that. Because a player like that is important for a team with so many young players. You do miss a bit more direction now.”
Pasveer’s words echo the sentiment among Ajax fans, many of whom believe the club has failed to replace Henderson’s influence both on and off the pitch. However, Ajax chief Alex Kroes has defended the decision to allow the England international to leave the club for Brentford, stating that Ajax were undergoing a major restructuring aimed at cutting costs after missing out on the Eredivisie title.
“It’s very simple. We made an agreement with Jordan when he was able to leave in January,” Kroes explained. “He gave his all to help us reach the Champions League, and then had until July 14 to leave on a free transfer. That was a good agreement for both sides.
“At the beginning of July, there was still nothing, so I called his agent and pointed out the approaching date. He informed me that Jordan would very likely leave, but he didn’t yet know which club. In the end, it was Brentford.
“I understand people have different opinions about that. But they don’t know the details, and we don’t have to share them."
Henderson returns to England
Henderson’s stint at Ajax may have been brief, but it left a significant impression on the club. The former Liverpool captain joined the Dutch giants in January 2024 from Al-Ettifaq on a free transfer, immediately becoming club captain and injecting a sense of professionalism and leadership into a youthful dressing room. Over 57 appearances, he scored once and provided nine assists, helping Ajax stabilise their form and qualify for the Champions League last season.
The relationship came to an end just 18 months later. In July 2025, Henderson and Ajax mutually agreed to terminate his contract so that he could pursue a move to Brentford. Since then, the former Liverpool captain has played a major part with the Bees under Keith Andrews. He has featured in eight Premier League matches, starting in seven of those, and has contributed two assists so far.
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What comes next?
Ajax’s path to recovery will depend heavily on how quickly they can regain composure and rediscover a sense of identity. Heitinga faces mounting pressure to steady the ship, with the board expected to evaluate his position if results fail to improve in the coming weeks. For now, their Champions League campaign hangs by a thread, and qualification for the knockout rounds looks increasingly unlikely. As for Henderson, his career in England has regained momentum, with the midfielder thriving at Brentford and drawing praise for his professionalism and work ethic.
Russell Martin’s days as Glasgow Rangers manager are surely numbered.
To date, the shortest-serving permanent head coach in the Ibrox club’s 153-year history is Pedro Caixinha, who took charge of just 26 games in 2017.
For Martin to reach that mark, he would still need to be in charge by the time the Light Blues face Braga in the Europa League on 27 November which, right now, feels frankly fanciful.
On Saturday, the Gers were beaten 2-0 by Heart of Midlothian at Ibrox, meaning they’ve failed to win their opening five league fixtures for only the second time in their entire history, also doing so in 1978, currently sat tenth in the Premiership table.
Thus, supporters are already wondering who will replace Martin as manager, hoping the 49ers make this decision sooner rather than later, but should they go for a more left-field candidate, one praised for the “outstanding” job he did at his previous club, rather than the obvious options?
Leading candidates to become Rangers manager
According to reports, the two front-runners to become the new Rangers manager are Steven Gerrard and Sean Dyche.
Gerrard has been out of work since being sacked by Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in January, having won only 19 of 55 matches in charge.
His time as Aston Villa boss didn’t go particularly well either, but the Liverpool legend did enjoy a very successful time at Ibrox.
In 192 matches as Rangers boss, Gerrard collected 124 wins, leading them to memorable European victories over Porto, Feyenoord, Braga, Galatasaray and others, historically guiding the club to their sole top-flight title since 2011, crucially denying Celtic ten-in-a-row.
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Other candidate, Dyche, meantime was sacked by Everton in January, but is best known for his work at Burnley, leading them to two promotions, six successive seasons in the top division and a maiden European campaign since 1967.
Everton manager Sean Dyche
The Englishman is vastly experienced, having managed 332 Premier League games; for comparison, Martin has overseen just 16, winning only one.
Dyche would represent the archetypal safe pair of hands appointment, while re-hiring Gerrard would suggest the new owners are simply looking to the past to rediscover former glories, so they should instead target an up-and-coming young coach.
Rangers' dream Russell Martin replacement
When searching through the current out-of-work managers, one name leaps off the page and that is Danny Röhl.
Reports emerged over the summer that he was on the Gers’ shortlist, but it’s unknown if any contact was made.
After an unremarkable playing career, appearing for lower league German clubs FSV Zwickau, Sachsen Leipzig and Eilenburg, he retired at the age of 21 to focus on becoming a coach.
Well, this has certainly paid off because, after joining RB Leipzig in 2010, he worked as a youth coach and a video analyst before being appointed assistant manager in 2016, following die Roten’s promotion to the Bundesliga, working alongside Ralph Hasenhüttl.
After that, he went with Hasenhüttl to Southampton, before moving on to Bayern Munich, learning under Niko Kovač and then Hansi Flick at the Rekordmeister, subsequently working under Flick again with the German national team for two years.
However, after Flick was sacked as die Mannschaft boss in 2023, he took his first head coach role, appointed Sheffield Wednesday manager, thereby becoming the youngest permanent boss in EFL history at the age of just 34.
Well, Röhl would oversee 89 games in charge at Hillsborough, very much beloved by supporters, with Philip Buckingham of the Athletic describing the job he did in charge of the Owls as “outstanding”, suggesting that numerous big clubs should “covet” his signature.
The table below documents his statistics from his time in Yorkshire.
Röhl at Sheffield Wednesday
Statistics
Röhl
Matches
89
Wins
34
Draws
19
Loses
36
Win %
38%
Goals scored
122
Goals conceded
137
First league finish
20th
Second league finish
12th
Via Transfermarkt
While finishing 20th and then 12th may not appear spectacular, worth noting that, in his first season, when the German arrived in October, Sheffield Wednesday had failed to win any of their first 13 EFL Championship fixtures, losing ten of them, collecting 14 points from their final six matches to pull off a great escape.
Meantime, last season’s mid-table finish looks even more impressive given that owner Dejphon Chansiri is essentially running the club into the ground, with players and other staff repeatedly not being paid on time, if at all, hence why Röhl walked out over the summer.
Rangers themselves have already benefited from the crisis at Hillsborough, signing star winger Djeidi Gassama for around £3m, when it is clear to everyone he is worth more than that.
Thus, Röhl has already proven that he is capable of managing a crisis club, as well as coming in and having an instant impact mid-season, all things Rangers need right now, so the 49ers should be bold and appoint the 36-year-old as soon as possible.
49ers can axe Martin at Rangers by bringing 5-time trophy winner to Ibrox
As pressure continues to mount on Rangers manager Russell Martin, the 49ers should use their contacts to appoint a trophy-winning manager at Ibrox.
If Arsenal’s victory over Nottingham Forest was about sweeping joyous football and a team that reminded us of 2022/23, the 2-0 win over Athletic Club in the Champions League was more about attrition.
It was a reminder of the progress and changes Mikel Arteta has made to his team since 2022. Arsenal are more stern; they’re difficult to break down and it’s about trying to find a way to win at all costs. They did that in Bilbao on Tuesday evening.
This was not their finest performance in Europe over the last few years, far from it, but they found a way and their ability to get over the line courtesy of their impressive defence was seen again.
This was the Basque club’s first game in the Champions League for 11 years. The first time the euphoric theme song had been played inside their stadium for over a decade. It was never going to be an easy tie. It proved just that.
Ultimately, the north Londoners left it late but headed back to the English capital with a pair of substitutes to thank. This time it wasn’t about the shiny new toys, as it was against Forest. This time, it was two of the old guard who rescued Arsenal.
How Arsenal won in Bilbao
Heading into this clash, Arteta made just one change to his starting XI, which saw Declan Rice come into the team at the expense of the injured Martin Odegaard.
There was perhaps a surprise in defence too. Riccardo Calafiori, who spent a lot of last season out with injury, played his fifth game in a row, starting ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly and new signing Piero Hincapie.
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It’s evident Arteta really values the way the Italian can drive forward and invert from left-back.
A lot of the praise come full-time was deservedly sent the way of Calafiori and his fellow defenders, not least Cristhian Mosquera, who continues to go from strength to strength in Arsenal colours.
William Saliba, who? The young Spaniard has ensured that Saliba’s injury hasn’t impacted the side at all.
While the hosts did not dominate possession, they had their spells in the game, but ultimately they came to very little. Gabriel and Mosquera were titans at the back, the former winning five of his six duels and the latter winning seven of his 13 battles.
It was perhaps up front where the Gunners struggled most on this occasion.
A few days ago, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke dazzled as they defeated Ange Postecoglou’s men but on this occasion, they found it more difficult.
Madueke was still a consistent threat, attempting four dribbles but unlike Forest, he struggled to create. He provided five key passes a few days ago but none on Tuesday.
On the other hand, Eze really found his work difficult. He made one key pass and didn’t have a shot. His magic abilities were limited but he will no doubt have brighter nights in Europe this season.
What that meant is that with just under 20 minutes to go, Arteta needed a rescue act. He got that courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
With Madueke and Eze entering the building, it looked like their days as regular starters were numbered but they issued a reminder on Tuesday night that they are still part of this squad.
Within 36 seconds of coming on Martinelli showed he’s made for European away nights, bursting clear of the Bilbao defence before coolly slotting the ball past Unai Simon having been subbed on for Eze.
Martinelli was involved in the second goal too, acting as the supply line for Trossard who scored his first goal of the campaign with just three minutes to go.
It was a difficult night for the Gunners, one where they had to suffer, and it was made trickier by the midfield three.
Arsenal star must be dropped after Bilbao
Against Liverpool a few weeks ago, a match in which Arsenal set up tactically in a similar fashion to Tuesday evening on the continent, Arteta selected a midfield three of Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Rice.
For Zubimendi and Merino, this week’s clash was one with extra narrative. Once of Real Sociedad, they were heading back to the club’s rivals. They knew what this game and type of atmosphere would bring.
Unfortunately, they struggled to make much of an imprint on the game. Merino was perhaps the biggest culprit in that regard.
Merino’s time at Arsenal has been curious. In midfield, he’s showcased his technical ability but also his flaws. It’s actually up front where he’s shone most, notably scoring six times towards the back end of last season when operating as an emergency striker.
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He has showcased he can do it from deeper areas too, scoring a hat-trick for Spain against Turkey over the international break.
However, he had no such joy in Bilbao on Tuesday. In fact, Arteta should have picked a more creative outlet with Odegaard out injured, perhaps Ethan Nwaneri.
Merino vs Bilbao
Minutes played
90
Touches
40
Accurate passes
21/28 (75%)
Key passes
1
Accurate crosses
0
Shots
1
Dribbles
0
Ground duels won
2/6
Aerial duels won
3/7
Possession lost
11x
Fouls
3
Stats via Sofascore.
Fielded in the ‘Odegaard role’, the 29-year-old struggled to get on the ball much, ultimately having just 40 touches, 16 fewer than goalkeeper David Raya, not what you want from a midfielder on a big night in Europe.
Described as “clunky” by the Athletic’s Aaron Catterson-Reid, with those touches, he completed just 75% of his passes. Only one of those passes transpired into a key pass or a goalscoring opportunity.
Usually heralded as something of a duel monster, Merino struggled in this capacity too.
The Spaniard won just two of his six ground duels. He also only won three of his seven aerial battles. This wasn’t a good night for him and Arteta must consider dropping him to the bench when they take on Manchester City this weekend.
Merino and Rice as the two 8s in this team simply doesn’t work. They are fantastic players, but they look a lot better when paired with someone more creative.
Arteta must heed that warning against Man City, or else it may be another struggle for Arsenal to create. Stable and tenacious Merino may be, but his influence on this Arsenal team wanes significantly when he plays in Odegaard’s position. It must not happen again.
They lost the ball 25x: Arteta must never start Arsenal duo together again
Arsenal sealed a 2-0 win over Athletic Club in their opening Champions League clash of the season.
Manager Javier Mascherano lamented Inter Miami’s missed opportunity to climb in the Eastern Conference standings after a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on Saturday night, just 72 hours after facing NYCFC. While his side still hold games in hand, the dropped points complicated their pursuit of the Supporters’ Shield amid a congested schedule.
Getty Images SportInter Miami let chance slip away
Mascherano credited a strong performance from USMNT goalkeeper Sean Johnson as part of the reason why Miami dropped points Saturday.
“I think we deserved to win – we had the clearest chances," the Argentine coach said. "We had 15 minutes of confusion in the second half, but the match was under control. I believe their goalkeeper was the man of the match.”
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The Herons now face a tight turnaround, hosting Chicago Fire Tuesday at Chase Stadium.
“We have to keep going. We have four matches left and we’ll try to win them all to finish as high as possible," Mascherano said. "We’re focused on ending the regular season near the top. Maybe we missed an opportunity today, but we want home-field advantage in the playoffs. We’ll keep fighting for the Supporters’ Shield – we have that obligation."
Getty Images Sport'Not even 72 hours had passed'
The coach acknowledged the heavy workload his team has faced in recent weeks, especially after competing in the Club World Cup.
“It was always going to be a tricky game. Not even 72 hours had passed since the match in New York. It’s a huge physical toll, and we faced a team that hadn’t lost in its last five games,” he said.
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Getty Images SportSupporters’ Shield chances at risk
Inter Miami had controlled their own destiny in the Supporters’ Shield race. Following the draw with Toronto, the Herons will need help from other results – even if they win their remaining four games – to claim the trophy.
The closing days of the transfer window have rarely been straightforward on Tyneside. Newcastle United’s summer has already been defined by turbulence, with Alexander Isak refusing to reintegrate with the squad.
Eddie Howe’s side, who finished fifth last season and are preparing for a Champions League campaign, are under pressure to refine their squad while managing the fallout of internal distractions.
So far, the Magpies have done solid business.
The arrivals of Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw, Aaron Ramsdale, and Anthony Elanga have freshened up the squad with youth and Premier League experience.
Most recently, a £69m deal was struck with Stuttgart for Nick Woltemade, the towering German forward who had been courted by Bayern Munich before Newcastle convinced him to make the switch.
Despite the new additions, the midfield remains an area of particular concern.
Joelinton, one of Howe’s most important lieutenants, limped off in the defeat against Liverpool, raising doubts about their fitness in the weeks to come.
In this context, Newcastle’s recruitment team has set its sights astonishingly high, making enquiries about one of Europe’s most coveted defensive midfielders – a player widely regarded as one of the finest in his position.
Newcastle’s make offer for midfield sensation
According to reports from Spain, Newcastle recently lodged a bid with Real Madrid for France international Aurélien Tchouaméni.
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The 25-year-old has long been considered a cornerstone of the Spanish giants’ midfield, and sources suggest Los Blancos wasted no time in rejecting the approach.
Madrid are understood to have already rebuffed a €100m (£90m) bid, setting a firm valuation of over €200m (£185m) to ward off interest.
Club officials, and new manager Xabi Alonso, view Tchouaméni as untouchable.
Having been heavily criticised last season, the Frenchman displayed resilience and tactical maturity, winning back the trust of both teammates and supporters.
He has since emerged as a key figure in Real’s long-term project, combining physicality with intelligence and composure under pressure.
Writer Raj Chohan, speaking on the player’s profile, described him as “one of the best defensive midfielders on the planet.”
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni
For Newcastle, the enquiry was little more than exploratory.
The PIF-backed ownership has demonstrated its willingness to pursue ambitious targets, but the reality is that Real Madrid are unwilling to negotiate at this stage of the window.
Still, the move itself reflects Newcastle’s intent to match their lofty ambitions with equally elite personnel, even if such pursuits appear beyond reach in the short term.
Comparing Tchouaméni and Guimarães
The comparison with Bruno Guimarães is inevitable.
Bruno Guimaraes
The Newcastle captain has been central to the Magpies’ transformation since his arrival, but many observers might suggest that Tchouaméni represents an even higher ceiling in the defensive midfield role.
Both are internationals – Bruno with 35 caps for Brazil and Tchouaméni with 41 appearances for France, including a starring role at the 2022 World Cup – yet their profiles and statistical outputs highlight differing strengths.
In possession, Bruno offers greater attacking thrust.
Matches Played
38
Goals
5
Assists
6
Progressive Carries
74
Progressive Passes
271
According to FBref, last season he averaged 1.24 shots per 90, with 0.36 on target, and produced 3.66 shot-creating actions per 90.
His progressive passing numbers were also outstanding, with 7.47 progressive passes per 90 and 216.5 progressive passing distance.
These metrics reveal a player comfortable dictating tempo while also pushing Newcastle forward in transition.
Tchouaméni, by contrast, leans more toward control and precision.
According to FBref, he attempted and completed far more passes overall, averaging 62.5 completed passes per 90 at a staggering 92.3% success rate, compared to Bruno’s 40.8 at 82.3%.
His ability to recycle possession without error is invaluable in a side like Madrid, where maintaining rhythm is paramount.
The Frenchman also excels at advancing the ball over distance, with 357.7 progressive passing distance per 90, underscoring his ability to bypass opposition lines.
Defensively, both players bring tenacity, but in distinct ways.
Bruno averaged 2.29 tackles per 90, highlighting his willingness to press and break up play higher up the pitch.
Tchouaméni, however, demonstrated more balance, contributing 1.57 tackles per 90 alongside 1.14 blocks, while also being one of the top midfielders in Europe for aerial duels.
At 1.88m, his physical presence makes him an imposing shield in front of the back line – a trait Newcastle arguably lack when Bruno is deployed as the deepest midfielder.
The statistics paint a clear picture: Bruno is more adventurous, combining flair and playmaking with defensive graft, while Tchouaméni epitomises composure, efficiency, and tactical balance.
Both are invaluable, but in different contexts. For Real Madrid, the Frenchman’s precision and resilience make him untouchable.
For Newcastle, Bruno remains indispensable as captain, though the speculation reflects a desire to add depth and variation at the base of midfield.
Bruno Guimaraes celebrates for Newcastle
Ultimately, Newcastle’s enquiry may have been quickly dismissed, but it speaks volumes about the club’s ambition.
With a Champions League campaign looming and pressure mounting domestically, the Magpies are aiming for world-class reinforcements to complement their growing project.
While a move for Tchouaméni is off the table for now, the intent shown is unlikely to go unnoticed – both in Europe’s elite boardrooms and among supporters eager to see Newcastle compete at the highest level.
Upgrade on Joelinton: Newcastle in talks over signing “one of the best CMs”
Newcastle are looking to make another addition to their midfield ranks…
Glasgow Rangers are now closing in on the signing of a “powerful” player this summer after a breakthrough this week.
Martin already under pressure at Rangers
The Gers have made a hugely disappointing start to the Scottish Premiership season, drawing their opening two matches and already slipping four points behind rivals Celtic. It has been a baptism of fire for new manager Russell Martin, who is already showing signs of feeling the pressure at Rangers, admitting that there will be no “quick fix” under him.
“We are at a point now at this club where something needed to change.”The ownership has changed, there’s a new coaching staff, there’s new players, there’s hopefully a new way of behaving in the training ground – properly, every single day, regarding standards and what’s expected at this football club. So it’s not a quick fix and this is not me coming out and making excuses.
“I think we change the manager from year to year and nothing really changes. So now it’s about really changing the culture and the feel of the club day in and day out. That will end up in a good outcome. Good process, good people, will always end up in a good outcome. But maybe not so quickly as everyone wants.”
For things to change for the better at Rangers, more signings are needed this summer, and on the plus side, it looks like one piece of business is now on the cusp of being done.
Rangers closing in on signing of "powerful" ace
According to Chris Jack on Monday morning, Rangers are now “close” to completing the signing of Real Betis centre-back Nobel Mendy, with a fee of around £2m agreed after a breakthrough in negotiations and the player set to sign a long-term contract.
Mendy has been a key target for a while now, and the fact that they have beaten Vallecano to his signature has to be considered a coup. The 20-year-old has the potential to be such an influential long-term signing for Rangers, with scout Kai Watson describing him as a “powerful” player, as well as possessing other key attributes.
The fact that Mendy’s versatility allows him to shine at right-back and left-back is an added bonus for Martin, who will hope that the Senegalese is a big player for him for years to come.
Rangers target now "for sale" with "sky high" record-setting valuation
The Gers need reinforcements after a stumble out the gates…
By
Callum Kemp
Aug 10, 2025
No clean sheets to start the Scottish Premiership campaign hasn’t been ideal, but Mendy will hopefully come in and sure things up.
Sunderland now lead West Ham in the race to sign a brand-new £22 million “magician” after making an approach, according to a recent report.
Sunderland plan to continue spending spree after passing £100m mark
The Black Cats got their pre-season underway over the weekend, beating non-league side South Shields 4-0 in what has been an epic summer for the club so far. Sunderland have added six new players to their squad already this summer, passing the £100 million mark, with midfielder Habib Diarra being the club’s most expensive capture so far.
Contact made: Sunderland prepare bid to sign £25m star who is open to move
The Black Cats are making plenty of impressive moves…
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By
Sean Markus Clifford
Jul 13, 2025
Despite the heavy investment, the Premier League newcomers are not stopping there, as Sunderland are interested in signing Charlie Cresswell from French side Toulouse. The defender is already known in English football, after spending time at Leeds United, and now the Black Cats are keen to bring him back to England in a deal that could cost them as much as £18 million.
As well as looking to improve their central defence, Regis Le Bris and co are also looking at potential new goalkeepers, despite Anthony Patterson impressing last season. Sunderland have made contact with representatives of Aaron Ramsdale and are now preparing an offer to Southampton. The 27-year-old is said to be open to a move to the Stadium of Light, as he would remain in the Premier League, but it could cost Sunderland £25 million to get a deal completed.
Sunderland lead West Ham in race to sign new £22m "magician" after approach
The new arrivals may not even stop there, as according to L’Equipe, via Get French Football News, Sunderland have approached Leicester City over the signing of midfielder Bilal El Khannouss.
Leicester City's BilalElKhannoussin action
The report states that as well as the Black Cats, West Ham United and AS Monaco have made enquiries about signing the 21-year-old, who has just suffered relegation with the Foxes. However, it is Sunderland who are considered to be leading the race to sign El Khannouss.
The Moroccan international, who was dubbed a “magician” after his performance against Southampton last season, only joined Leicester last summer from KRC Genk. El Khannouss contributed to five goals despite the Foxes struggling all season at the bottom end of the Premier League.
Bilal El Khannouss’ 24/25 Premier League stats
Apps
32
Goals
2
Shots per game
0.9
Goal conversion
9%
Assists
3
Touches
42.5
Big chances created
8
Key passes
1.3
Interceptions per game
0.2
Tackles per game
1.6
El Khannouss is still under contract until 2028, and it’s been reported previously that the Foxes would be looking to get around £22 million should he leave during this transfer window. Sunderland have already added a couple of midfielders to their ranks this summer, but El Khannouss’ potential arrival could be another way the Black Cats try to fill the void left by Jobe Bellingham, featuring in an attacking midfield role or out on the wing if needed.