The batting allrounder has recovered from the shoulder injury that put him out of the T20Is in South Africa and the ongoing series against England

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jan-2025

Riyan Parag has been declared fit to return to action in the seventh round of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, which will start on January 30. Parag, 23, will lead Assam in their final league fixture against hosts Saurashtra in Rajkot.Parag’s last competitive game was the third T20I against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in October last year. After that, he was not considered for the T20I series in South Africa and the ongoing T20I series against England because of a shoulder injury for which he required surgery. He didn’t make it to India’s Champions Trophy squad either, but some game-time could help him get match fit in case India need him as cover next month.Parag has played ten white-ball internationals for India, having made his debut against Zimbabwe in a T20I in Harare in July 2024. His big hitting aside, his quickish spin added depth to India’s attack before he got injured.In the previous Ranji Trophy season, he scored 378 runs in six innings at an average of 75.60 and strike rate of 113.85. Nobody hit more sixes than Parag’s 20 last season.Parag’s comeback is a boost to an Assam side that is currently languishing at the bottom of the Elite Group D table, with zero wins, two losses and four draws in six matches. While Assam are out of contention for the knockouts, Saurashtra are still in the race to qualify for the next round.Assam squadRiyan Parag (capt), Denish Das (vice-capt), Mukhtar Hussain, Mrinmoy Dutta, Rahul Singh, Dipjyoti Saikia, Parvez Musaraf, Sumit Ghadigaonkar (wk), Rishav Das, Anurag Talukdar (wk), Avinav Choudhury, Sibsankar Roy, Akash Sengupta, Pradyun Saikia, Amlanjyoti Das

There’s been a newfound sense of excitement building at Leeds United in recent months, undoubtedly aided by their return to the Premier League for the 2025/26 season.

The opening day victory over Everton at Elland Road has certainly heightened the mood amongst the fanbase, with the hierarchy conducting excellent business in the market during the off-season.

Lukas Nmecha, who arrived on a free transfer from Wolfsburg, scored the winner against the Toffees, already making an immediate impact and catching the eye of the fanbase.

Other additions, such as Anton Stach and Gabriel Gudmundsson, have already cemented their place in the side, potentially playing a key role in Daniel Farke’s quest for survival come the end of May.

However, despite the previous work done by the hierarchy in recent months, other potential signings continue to be lined up before the transfer deadline on September 1st.

Leeds targeting move for further attacking options

In an effort to bolster the options in the forward line, Leeds have previously made a move for Inter Milan star Mehdi Taremi during the summer transfer window.

However, in the last few weeks, a move has gone quiet for the Iranian international, which has potentially seen the hierarchy move onto other targets as a result.

In recent days, the Whites have been conducting work to land Stuttgart talisman Ermedin Demirovic, according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.

His latest update claims that Farke’s side have made an approach to the Bundesliga outfit over a deal to land the 27-year-old, who scored 17 goals in all competitions last campaign.

Plettenberg also stated that Nottingham Forest are also in the race for the Bosnian’s signature, potentially leading to a £35m deal taking place before the summer deadline.

Why Leeds’ latest target would be a better signing than Okafor

Despite the efforts elsewhere, Leeds have already completed the £18m signing of Noah Okafor from Italian side AC Milan – handing needed depth to the side within the final third.

The Swiss international can operate in a central striker role, or even off the left-hand side, providing needed versatility in the club’s quest for top-flight survival.

Whilst he only registered one goal in the 2024/25 season, the 25-year-old has previously showcased his quality, notching 34 goals in his 110 appearances for RB Salzburg – but injuries have certainly halted his progress in recent seasons.

However, the deal has still brought about added excitement to the fanbase, understandably so given his experience in top divisions across Europe – plying his trade in Italy, Switzerland and Austria.

He’s not the only player the fans should be eager to see, with Demirovic also able to offer further quality, that’s if the hierarchy can complete a deal for the forward before the summer window slams shut.

Such a move would see the Whites land the big-money centre forward they’ve been craving, with the Bosnian able to massively transform the club’s fortunes in the final third.

When delving into his stats from the Bundesliga last campaign, the striker produced numerous impressive figures that rank him highly among other attackers in Europe.

Games played

34

Goals & assists

16

Goals per 90

0.73

Shots on target

1.3

Goals per shot on target

0.56

Aerials won

1.7

Touches in opposition box

6.1

Fouls won

1.3

Demirovic, who’s been labelled “incredible” by one analyst, ranked in the 90th percentile for goals per 90 (0.73) whilst also placing in the 86th percentile for goals per shot on target (0.56) – highlighting the clinical edge he possesses in front of goal.

He also won 1.7 aerials per 90 in the Bundesliga last campaign, offering a focal point and outlet for the Whites to play long ball football if they’re under pressure at the back.

The Stuttgart star also notched 6.1 touches in the opposition box per 90, ranking him in the 81st percentile – a skillset that would provide Farke’s side with a needed poacher in the final third.

Whilst his £35m asking price may seem a tad steep, it would hand the side an immediate top-level talisman in their attempts to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

Should he replicate his numbers from 2024/25 at Elland Road, he would undoubtedly be a more exciting addition than Okafor, with the supporters having the opportunity to adore a new talisman this season.

Their new Raphinha: Leeds could hijack late move to sign £32m "magician"

Leeds could pull off a last-minute hijack

1 ByJoe Nuttall Aug 22, 2025

Manchester United are reportedly willing to sacrifice Kobbie Mainoo in a sensational part-exchange bid for Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde. The Red Devils are said to have put €50 million (£44m) on the table alongside the 20-year-old talent, but Los Blancos see the Uruguayan as a cornerstone of their future plans. Amorim, meanwhile, continues to cast doubts on Mainoo’s role.

• Man Utd's daring bid for Real Madrid's Valverde

  According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Manchester United have offered Mainoo plus cash in a bold attempt to land Valverde. The England midfielder has found himself behind Bruno Fernandes in Amorim’s pecking order, leading to frustration about his lack of minutes. Real Madrid, however, are not entertaining the deal, as Valverde is viewed as untouchable in their project.

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• Man Utd midfield options light despite extravagant spending

  Manchester United spent over £200m in the summer to strengthen their attack, but questions remain over the midfield. Mainoo had been linked with loan exits before the season, with interest from Newcastle, Bayern Munich and Napoli. Now, the Red Devils’ willingness to include him in a blockbuster swap suggests Amorim is unconvinced about his immediate value to the team, and wants to bring in Valverde to bolster the team.

• Mainoo wants minutes – Real Madrid want midfield successor

  Mainoo still believes his long-term future could lie at Old Trafford but wants regular football, especially in a World Cup year. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have been monitoring him as they look to replace the departed duo of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Despite his potential, Los Blancos’ stance is clear: Valverde is non-transferable and being groomed as a future captain.

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  Man Utd and Amorim under immense pressure

  Manchester United are languishing in 14th and desperately need solutions to avoid another dismal season. Amorim will be under pressure to stabilise results while also managing frustrated talents like Mainoo. Madrid, meanwhile, will keep monitoring young midfielders but are unlikely to budge on Valverde anytime soon.

علق الإعلامي أحمد شوبير على تعادل نادي الزمالك أمام غزل المحلة بهدف لمثله، في اللقاء الذي جمع بينهما مساء أمس السبت، ضمن منافسات الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، مشيرًا إلى أن الفريق الأبيض نجا من أزمة لائحية كادت تكلفه خسارة نقاط المباراة إداريًا، كما وجّه انتقادات فنية لبعض قرارات المدرب يانيك فيريرا وأداء عدد من اللاعبين.

وقال الإعلامي أحمد شوبير في تصريحات إذاعية صباح اليوم الأحد: “الزمالك نجا بالأمس من أزمة كبيرة، فحتى النقطة التي حصل عليها كانت مهددة بالضياع”.

وأوضح: “اللائحة الخاصة بالدوري المصري تنص على قيد ستة لاعبين أجانب فقط في القائمة، على أن يشارك منهم خمسة داخل الملعب، وقد بدأ الزمالك المباراة وفي قائمته سبعة لاعبين أجانب، وهم: محمود بنتايج، خوان بيزيرا، صلاح مصدق، شيكو بانزا، عبد الحميد معالي، سيف الجزيري، وبارون أوتشينج الكيني”.

وأضاف: “يبدو أن أحد مسؤولي الزمالك تفطن للأمر قبل انطلاق اللقاء، فتم استبعاد بارون أوشينج وإدخال سيف جعفر بدلًا منه، وبالمناسبة، القائمة المعدلة التي تم اعتمادها رسميًا هي التي سُجلت في الاتحاد، لأن بعض الجماهير كانت تعتقد أن الزمالك سيُعتبر خاسرًا إداريًا بثلاثية نظيفة، كما حدث في واقعة سابقة بين مودرن والإسماعيلي الموسم الماضي حين فاز الأخير إداريًا، لذلك يجب على إداريي الزمالك أن يكونوا أكثر انتباهًا لمثل هذه التفاصيل”.

وتابع شوبير: “أريد أن أتوقف قليلًا عند المدرب يانيك فيريرا، أنا لست من أنصار التغيير السريع في الأجهزة الفنية، لكن ما حدث بالأمس كان غريبًا، فقد استبعد المدرب اللاعب آدم كايد لأسباب فنية رغم أنه كان أساسيًا في جميع المباريات السابقة، ولم يكن يفكر في إشراك سيف جعفر أصلًا، ثم قرر ضمه فجأة بعد استبعاد أوتشينج، وأشركه خلال المباراة بشكل غير متوقع، هذا القرار يثير التساؤلات”.

وأوضح: “عندما أُصيب عدي الدباغ أمام الأهلي، دفع المدرب بناصر منسي لكنه لم يقدم الأداء المنتظر، وأمس عندما أُصيب أحمد شريف – الذي كان من أنشط لاعبي الفريق في الجهة اليسرى – شارك عبد الحميد معالي ولم يقدم أي إضافة، ثم بدأ المدرب في تغيير المراكز بين بيزيرا وناصر ماهر ومعالي، فتأثرت المنظومة الهجومية بشكل واضح، وهذه نقطة فنية مهمة للغاية”.

طالع أيضًا | يانيك فيريرا بعد تعادل الزمالك مع غزل المحلة: اللاعبون ليسوا “روبوتات”

واستطرد: “تحدثت قبل لقاء الأهلي والزمالك وقلت إن مفتاحي لعب الزمالك هما ناصر ماهر وعبد الله السعيد، لكنهما لم يظهرا بالمستوى المطلوب في القمة، ناصر ماهر يمتلك مهارة عالية، ولكن عليه أن يدرك أنه يلعب في نادٍ كبير ينافس على البطولات دائمًا، اللعب الفردي لا يخدم الفريق، فنحن لا نتحدث عن ألعاب فردية كالكراتيه أو التنس، بل عن كرة القدم التي تتطلب جماعية في الأداء”.

وأردف: “ناصر ماهر أضاع العديد من الفرص في الفترة الأخيرة بسبب الفردية الزائدة، وهو ما يثير غضب جماهير الزمالك، أحمد ربيع قدم مباراة ممتازة وسجل هدفًا رائعًا من ضربة ركنية حولها برأسه إلى الشباك، كما ظهر أحمد حمدي بشكل مميز في خط الوسط وشكّل مع عبد الله السعيد ثنائيًا متجانسًا، من الناحية الفنية لا توجد مشكلة كبيرة في وسط الزمالك، لكن هناك خللًا دفاعيًا واضحًا يحتاج إلى معالجة”.

وأوضح: “هدف غزل المحلة في مرمى الزمالك كان غريبًا للغاية، الكرة جاءت عشوائية من دفاع المحلة، لكن مدافعي الزمالك تعاملوا معها باستهتار، فقدموا الكرة هدية لمهاجم المحلة الذي مرر لزميله، وأصبح الموقف اثنين ضد اثنين أمام دفاع الزمالك، وهو وضع دفاعي لا يُعد سيئًا إلا إذا كان المنافس من طراز عالمي كـ ليونيل ميسي أو كريستيانو رونالدو، ومع ذلك، استغل مهاجم المحلة الفرصة وسجل محمود صلاح الهدف ببراعة في شباك محمد صبحي”.

واستمر: “نحن نتحدث عن لاعبين دوليين في صفوف المنتخب الوطني، لذلك من غير المقبول أن تحدث مثل هذه الأخطاء، الجميع يُشيدون بحسام عبد المجيد ومحمد إسماعيل، لكن ما حدث بالأمس يطرح علامات استفهام حول تركيز اللاعبين داخل الملعب”.

واختتم شوبير تصريحاته قائلًا: “المدرب فيريرا عليه أن يتحكم في ردود أفعاله، فليس من اللائق أن يواصل نشر تعليقات عبر صفحته بعد كل مباراة تحمل طابعًا انفعاليًا، تصريحاته مثل: (نفقد نقاطًا لا نستحقها والمباريات لها سيناريوهات مختلفة) غير مناسبة، لأن عليه أن يتعامل مع هذه السيناريوهات باحترافية، وأن يركز على معالجة الأخطاء بدلًا من تبريرها، الأمور في الزمالك تحتاج إلى هدوء وعمل منظم أكثر من أي وقت مضى”.

India went to tea with strong hopes of drawing the Boxing Day Test, but Cummins and Co kept pegging away to seal a fantastic win at the MCG

Andrew McGlashan30-Dec-2024
Early in the final hour at the MCG, Australia won an epic Test that had been played in front of a record crowd to take a 2-1 lead in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, having snared seven wickets in the final session when it appeared India were on track to save the game. Yashasvi Jaiswal defied the home side for 208 deliveries before falling to the herculean Pat Cummins while hometown star Scott Boland made three key incisions to secure one of Australia’s most significant victories of recent history.Nathan Lyon claimed the final wicket, when he pinned Mohammed Siraj lbw, sparking wild celebrations for the home side: a margin of 184 runs did not do justice to the tension and drama of the final day and the importance of the result to this Australia team who have turned their fortunes around after the crushing opening defeat in Perth.Related

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After India had slid to 33 for 3, Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant added 88 in 32 overs to take India into the final session with seven wickets in hand, but Travis Head burgled the wicket of Pant and Australia seized their moment as India lost 7 for 34. The quick bowlers were immense, Mitchell Starc bowling in the mid-140kph region despite a back niggle, while Cummins and Boland added further chapters to previous MCG heroics. Cummins earned the Johnny Mullagh Medal as Player of the Match for an outstanding all-round Test in which he also contributed 90 runs alongside his six wickets.There was a dose of controversy, too, when Jaiswal’s rearguard was ended via the DRS after he gloved a pull down the leg side against Cummins. Snicko did not register anything, but third umpire Sharfuddoula ruled he had seen a clear a deflection, which matched what was shown on TV. Jaiswal appeared to know he had hit it but spoke with the umpires on the way off. It meant India’s lower order had 21 overs to survive and it proved too much.The defeat means India’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final are now out of their hands, but in terms of this series they can still retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with victory in Sydney. For Australia, a win in the final Test – and a 3-1 margin – would secure their spot in the WTC final alongside South Africa who qualified yesterday with their own gripping victory over Pakistan.The final day dawned with Australia nine down and they opted to continue batting which added just a further six runs but removed four overs from the day’s allocation. Lyon became the fifth wicket for Jasprit Bumrah, retaining his record of having the most Test runs without making a half-century. It all meant that India needed 340 in 92 overs and talk of the Gabba 2021 was never far away.Pat Cummins was awarded the Mullagh Medal after being named Player of the Match•Getty ImagesIndia were very cautious early on against some extremely testing new ball bowling; Rohit Sharma later said they set out wanting to lay a platform for a chase but it always looked a long shot. Australia were made to wait for their opening incisions before, as has so often been the case, it was Cummins who came to the fore. He had the struggling Rohit edging to gully, where Mitchell Marsh took a sharp catch, and five balls later squared up KL Rahul with a superb delivery which ended in the hands of first slip.In the final over before lunch, Starc was rewarded for battling through the pain barrier when he lured Virat Kohli into his latest drive outside off, the edge reaching Usman Khawaja. The wicket ended a controversial time in Melbourne for Kohli, and made it clear that there was no realistic chance of India chasing down the target.Jaiswal and Pant played very solidly through the afternoon to repel everything Australia threw at them. Jaiswal, who dropped three catches yesterday, including a vital chance off Marnus Labuschagne, survived a tight lbw appeal against Starc on 31 and brought up his second fifty of the match off 127 balls.Shortly after tea, India were 121 for 3. Head, who was used partly to improve Australia’s over rate which risked WTC points deductions, dropped a ball short outside off stump and Pant went for the pull, finding Marsh at long-on who took an excellent catch. It gave Australia an opening. And belief.Cummins quickly returned to Boland and he soon made a delivery jump at Ravindra Jadeja to take the shoulder of the bat through to Carey. In the next over from Lyon, India’s first-innings rescuer, Nitish Kumar Reddy, edged a delivery which went straight on and Steven Smith took a superb catch, low to his left at slip. Australia had taken 3 for 9 to crack the innings wide open.Steven Smith gets into position to take the catch that got Nitish Kumar Reddy•Getty ImagesJaiswal’s dismissal will likely be dissected in detail over the coming days and the DRS was called into action again to rule that Akash Deep had got a thin edge into his pad which went to short leg. By then, Australia were firm favourites, especially with a new ball soon to be available, but in the end that wasn’t even needed.Boland found Bumrah’s outside edge, with Smith taking another superb catch, and then Lyon cannoned one into Siraj’s front pad. Inevitably India reviewed but it was going nowhere but the stumps. When the decision was confirmed, Lyon did a jig of delight. Overall, the Test had been watched by 373,691 spectators, a new record for a Test match in Australia. It will go down as one of the more memorable.

South Africa’s sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, has added his voice to the growing backlash at Afghanistan’s participation in next month’s ICC Champions Trophy, comparing the Taliban regime’s treatment of women in the country to Apartheid, and saying it would be “hypocritical and immoral to look the other way”.McKenzie’s intervention comes with South Africa due to face Afghanistan in their tournament opener in Karachi on February 21, and follows similar political pressure on fellow Group B participants, England. Earlier this week, a group of 160 British politicians called on the ECB to boycott its fixture against Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26.”If it was my decision, then it certainly would not happen,” McKenzie said in a statement from South Africa’s Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture. “As a man who comes from a race that was not allowed equal access to sporting opportunities during Apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when the same is being done towards women anywhere in the world.”His intervention comes after Peter Hain, the renowned anti-apartheid campaigner and former British government minister, wrote to Cricket South Africa to voice his own concerns about the ban on women’s and girl’s cricket in Afghanistan, which has effectively been in place since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.In a subsequent statement, CSA acknowledged receipt of Hain’s letter, but echoed the response offered by the ECB, saying that, as the Champions Trophy is an ICC event, “the position on Afghanistan must be guided by the world body in accordance with international tournament participation requirements and regulations”.This stance has also been taken by the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, who urged the ICC to “deliver on their own rules”, which state that all Test-playing nations must also have in place a national women’s team and a programme of women’s cricket.However, an ICC spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo that the Afghanistan Cricket Board could not be held responsible for policies set out by its national government.”The ICC will not penalise the ACB, or its players, for abiding by the laws set by the government of their country. We will continue to constructively use our influence to assist the ACB in developing cricket and playing opportunities for both men and women in Afghanistan.”Both the ECB and Cricket Australia – who complete the four-team Champions Trophy Group B – have refused to engage Afghanistan in bilateral contests, with Australia having indefinitely postponed a T20 series that had been scheduled for last March.South Africa did, however, face Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series in the UAE in September, with CSA stating at the time that it would continue to schedule bilateral engagements as there was “no justification for subjecting Afghan cricket players – both male and female – to secondary persecution for the actions of the Taliban.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Juan foi o responsável pelo quarto gol do São Paulo na vitória por 4 a 2 contra o Vasco no estádio do Morumbi. Inclusive, este foi o primeiro gol da Cria de Cotia na casa tricolor.

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Após o confronto, Juan contou como foram as conversas com Dorival Júnior antes de entrar em campo. O atacante começou o duelo no banco de reservas, entrou no segundo tempo e quase nos minutos finais da partida balançou as redes. Durante sua resposta, ainda disparou: ‘Quem tem saído do banco, tem decidido’.

ATUAÇÕES: “Crias de Cotia”, Beraldo e Juan garantem vitória do São Paulo diante do Vasco pelo Brasileirão

O jogador afirmou que o Vasco era uma equipe complicada de enfrentar, mas ressaltou que ‘manter a cabeça no lugar’ foi o essencial para a equipe conseguir sair com a vitória.

+ Clique aqui e veja como apostar no Brasileirão

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– Vasco é um adversário difícil, está em reconstrução e sabemos o valor da equipe deles. Quando tomamos o empate, foi importante o time manter a cabeça no lugar, acho que foi o principal ponto da partida. Quando tomamos gol, foi importante para a gente buscar a virada. Quando eu entrei, o Dorival pediu para tentar decidir. Nos últimos jogos, quem tem saído do banco, tem decidido a partida – disse.

Na base, Juan atuava majoritariamente como um centroavante. No profissional, com Rogério Ceni, passou a atuar mais como um ponta. Agora com Dorival, está voltando a jogar mais centralizado. Juan respondeu sobre a posição que o deixa mais confortável.

– Dorival sempre pede para a gente entrar e dar o nosso melhor porque a gente está descansado. Nesse momento da minha carreira, sempre fui acostumado a fazer diversas funções, eu sou um jogador que gosta de jogar centralizador, Dorival sabe. Mas depende da partida, do momento em que ele me coloca, centralizado, jogando aberto, a gente precisa jogar em prol da partida. Às vezes, a individualidade se destaca – relatou.

Agora, o próximo desafio do São Paulo é pela Copa Sul-Americana. O Tricolor volta a campo na terça-feira (23), às 21h30 de Brasília. O duelo será contra o Puerto Cabello e acontecerá na Venezuela. Juan destacou a importância dessa partida.

– Agora é hora de virar a chave, temos um jogo que garante nossa classificação, é um cronograma mais pesado, a gente saí feliz, mas já passou. Agora é jogar para vencer – concluiu.

The loss to Tottenham Hotspur last week might have taken the shine off somewhat, but this summer has still been a brilliant one for Arsenal so far.

Mikel Arteta’s side have looked great in their other pre-season games, and Andrea Berta has been very busy in the transfer market.

The Italian has already made six first-team additions, with Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi undoubtedly being the most exciting of the lot.

Yet, it appears as if the Gunners aren’t done there, as they continue to be linked with Eberechi Eze, and with reports claiming that they’re now in talks to sell a peripheral player, they may soon have the money needed to sign the Englishman.

Why Arsenal want to sign Eze

Arsenal have been linked with Eze for a long time now, with some reports touting the 27-year-old for a move to the Emirates last summer.

However, it would be fair to say that the links have become far more concrete this summer.

In fact, some from last month claimed that talks with the player have gone well, and that the North Londoners are just waiting for the Crystal Palace star’s £68m release clause to expire later this month, so they have more wriggle room in negotiations.

Whatever the final price for the Eagles ace ends up being, it’s easy to see why Arteta and Co are so keen to sign him.

For example, despite playing for a mid-table side at best last season, the “superstar” attacker, as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, racked up a tally of 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances, totalling 3303 minutes.

Appearances

43

Minutes

3303′

Goals

14

Assists

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

132.12′

In other words, the former QPR ace averaged a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes across the campaign.

On top of that, the Greenwich-born maestro played a pivotal role in Palace’s FA Cup triumph, scoring in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final.

In all, Eze looks like he’d be a sensational signing for Arsenal, and it appears as if the club are making room for his arrival.

The Arsenal star who could be sold for Eze

While the focus of this summer for Arsenal has been the incomings, there are still several players around the first team who have been linked with possible exits.

Transfer Focus

For example, Gabriel Jesus was supposedly of interest to Brazilian side Flamengo last week, while Leandro Trossard has been linked to Borussia Dortmund on multiple occasions, and even Jakub Kiwior has been turning heads at Porto.

However, as things stand, the player who looks most likely to leave this summer is Fabio Vieira, who first moved to the Emirates three years ago for around £34m.

At least that’s according to a recent report from Sebastien Vidal, who claims that German outfit VfB Stuttgart are now interested in the Portuguese midfielder and have been in talks with Arsenal over a permanent transfer.

The 25-year-old would undoubtedly leave for a loss, but even then, it is probably time Arteta and Co cut their losses, as there is no indication he’ll ever develop into the player they hoped he’d become.

After all, he was only able to amass a tally of 13 goal involvements in 49 appearances across the two seasons he’s spent with the club, and then even last season, when he was on loan with Porto, he didn’t look much more than okay.

For example, the “exceptional” midfielder, as talent scout Jacek Kulig once dubbed him, produced 11 goal involvements in 42 games, but eight of those came in just 26 league appearances.

Appearances

39

33

16

42

Goals

7

2

1

5

Assists

16

6

3

6

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

0.24

0.25

0.26

Ultimately, Vieira clearly has some talent, but it’s equally clear that he’s not good enough to play for Arsenal, and if his departure can make room for Eze, then the club should thank him for his efforts and send him on his way.

Saka & Rodrygo hybrid: Arsenal in contact to sign "amazing" £61m sensation

The talented international would add some real class to Arsenal’s squad.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 4, 2025

It’s been a rollercoaster couple of weeks to be a Crystal Palace supporter.

Eagles fans did manage to see their beloved team win at Wembley again in the Community Shield final, having witnessed their never-say-die side fight back from 2-0 down to surprise Arne Slot’s Liverpool to lift the early-season honours.

However, all this ecstasy so early into the campaign hasn’t been enough to tempt Eberechi Eze to stay put at Selhurst Park, with his disallowed free-kick effort against Chelsea on the opening day in the Premier League all she wrote on a stunning Palace career, as he now edges ever closer to a £60m move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Marc Guehi could be the next high-profile name to ditch Oliver Glasner’s men, too, leaving the South London side with plenty to do in the transfer window before September’s abrupt cut-off.

Crystal Palace in talks to sign £14m star

It had been an extremely low-key window so far from a Palace perspective up until this boiling point.

The only notable addition to the building for the Eagles this summer has been ex-Ajax full-back Borna Sosa joining for £3m, but with Guehi and Eze both looking to be heading out the exit door, expect their activity to ramp up.

Jakub Kiwior looks to be on their list of centre-back targets if the forceful Englishman does seal a move away to Liverpool, while Bilal El Khannouss is also on the Palace radar to try and soften the blow of the former Queens Park Rangers attacking midfielder leaving.

There are also striker targets on Palace’s mind, too, if reports are to be believed, with a loan move allegedly in the works for hit-and-miss Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-Chan to move to Selhurst Park, away from Molineux.

The Athletic has revealed that talks have taken place over a move that will help Glasner and Co. fill the void left by Eddie Nketiah’s notable injury absence, with no deal in place just yet.

While he will be viewed as a temporary sprinkle of quality, the £14m man does possess shades of Palace fan favourite Jean Phillippe-Mateta’s game at the peak of his powers, which will hopefully be on full view in South London shortly.

Why Hwang possesses shades of Mateta

After all, even if those named do desert Selhurst Park this summer, Glasner will know he can rely on Mateta to deliver more moments of magic like this chipped effort against Arsenal for the Eagles across the 2025/26 season.

In total, the towering, but skilful, Frenchman has a lethal 47 strikes next to his name from 154 appearances for Palace, which included him bagging his side’s opener at Wembley to kickstart the Community Shield comeback.

However, he hasn’t always found his time at Selhurst Park to be a smooth sailing experience, with only 13 goals coming his way across his first three seasons at the Premier League outfit, before everything impressively clicked into gear.

Hwang has faced a similar reality at Wolves, but while Mateta has come into his own donning Palace’s distinct claret and blue over the past few seasons, his Asian counterpart has found that his own goalscoring prowess has somewhat fizzled out.

Indeed, last season saw Hwang only fire home a meagre two goals across 26 competitions, while Mateta reached 17 across all his games, on the contrary.

Yet, just the season before Mateta’s explosion, the former RB Leipzig attacker had managed to collect an impressive 13 strikes for the Old Gold, leading to former Arsenal goal machine Ian Wright declaring that the 29-year-old has “got everything” you want in a desirable striker.

His standout efforts during the 2023/24 campaign did see him fall short of the FA Cup-winning attacker again – with Mateta trumping his tally by six goals – but the pair were deemed as statistically similar across this season, as per FBref, as Hwang attempts to be another unsung hero-style figure for the Eagles up top.

After all, both strikers in question joined the English game from Germany with points to prove, as they now prepare to potentially link up with each other in attack at Selhurst Park, while Glasner’s men also look for a positive future on the horizon, likely without Guehi and Eze.

Crystal Palace receive reply to £27.6m bid for 21-goal star

He would be a big-money signing at Selhurst Park.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Aug 19, 2025

كشفت تقارير إعلامية اليوم الخميس، عن وجود اهتمام من قبل نادي أوروبي كبير للتعاقد مع نيكو شلوتربيك، نجم نادي بوروسيا دورتموند، وذلك خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي العام المقبل.

شلوتربيك من المتوقع أن يكون حديث الميركاتو الصيفي المقبل، خصوصًا مع عدم تجديد عقده مع دورتموند والذي سوف ينتهي بنهاية شهر يونيو من عام 2027.

ويعتبر شلوتربيك من بين أبرز اللاعبين في مركزه في أوروبا خلال السنوات الأخيرة، وقدم مستويات مميزة حقًا رفقة دورتموند.

وأدى تألق شلوتربيك إلى ارتباطه بالانتقال إلى صفوف ريال مدريد، وكذلك إلى ليفربول.

أقرأ أيضًا .. أوين: ريال مدريد رفض بيعي إلى الدوري الإنلجيزي

لكن صحفي شبكة سكاي سبورتس، فلوريان بليتينبيرج، أكد اهتمام نادي بايرن ميونخ بالتعاقد مع شلوتربيك خلال صيف العام المقبل، حيث يبحث النادي البافاري عن ضم قلب دفاع مع غموض مستقبل دايوت أوباميكانو، وكيم مين جاي.

وأضاف بليتينبيرج في حديثه، أن بايرن ميونخ ينتظر ما إذا كان شلوتربيك سيجدد عقده مع دورتموند أم لا، بينما يعتبر اللاعب مترددًا في اتخاذ قرار واضح بشأن مستقبله مع الفريق الأصفر.

وأردف الصحفي الألماني، أن شلوتربيك ليس هدفًا لليفربول، في حين يعتبر أمر انتقاله إلى ريال مدريد غير مرجح على الإطلاق.