Category Uncategorized

Ousmane Dembele couldn’t hold back his emotions as he thanked his family after winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or. His story is one of resilience. A star boy who threatened to end in failure, surrounded by injury struggles and a Barcelona move which simply never clicked. But ultimately a player who now sits atop football’s throne after undergoing his very own remontada at Paris Saint-Germain.

For all the opinions about those who missed out on the award, it should not take away from the Frenchman’s own story. No one could have foreseen the genius of Luis Enrique’s new false nine other than the PSG boss himself. Dembele became reborn. A player who simply did not score enough became a player who could not stop doing so.

By the time the final whistle sounded in PSG’s 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the Champions League final, Dembele had scored 35 goals and assisted another 16 in all competitions, with seven of those contributions coming in the knockout stage of Europe’s elite competition. There aren’t many who enjoyed a better season than the former Barcelona man. France Football believes that not a single player did, in fact.

Ballon d'Or 2025 Final Rankings

Where did the 30 nominees finish?

ByCharlie Smith Sep 23, 2025

Lamine Yamal was forced to settle for second place. He’s the star boy that Dembele was and so much more, but he’s been forced to wait before his potential era of dominance commences. Vitinha, meanwhile, surprised many by placing third. The classy midfielder played a key role alongside Dembele in PSG’s treble last season and has earned his place among the world’s best from Wolverhampton Wanderers failure years prior.

And then there’s Mohamed Salah in fourth. Yes, fourth. The Egyptian, who missed out on nomination altogether last season, failed to even make the podium following a year that many believe was worthy of winning the award itself.

Why Salah was robbed of the Ballon d'Or

There aren’t many players who enjoyed a better season than Dembele, as mentioned, but Salah did. The Egyptian created history in the Premier League with more goal involvements than any other player in the history of a 38-game season and even matched the record set by Alan Shearer, who needed 42 games. Simply put, he was unstoppable.

Appearances

52

53

Goals

34

35

Assists

23

16

The Ballon d’Or’s social media revealed the criteria for winning the award before the ceremony, stating that individual performances, decisive and impressive character, team performances and achievements, class and fair play would decide the rankings.

Based on the above metrics, it feels absurd that Salah finished outside the top three. The only player close to matching him was indeed Dembele, who deserved to be neck and neck with the Egyptian, not miles beyond him.

Where Salah lost Ballon d'Or votes

Ultimately, Salah will look back on Liverpool vs PSG as the turning point for the Ballon d’Or. Once again, rightly or wrongly, the Champions League took precedence over anything else in the minds of France Football. One penalty shootout between two of the world’s best, who just happened to meet in the last 16, arguably played a large part in Dembele’s eventual victory and Salah’s snub.

That’s where the award is slightly flawed. It’s human nature to lean towards recency, but those voting for the Ballon d’Or winner simply must consider the season as a whole rather than the final months before the ceremony. Salah was strolling towards his throne in the first-half of the campaign, having recorded 30 goal involvements in the Premier League by the time that January arrived.

Dembele, meanwhile, was yet to get going. The forward had recorded 13 league goal involvements and had found the back of the net just eight times. It was far from Ballon d’Or-worthy. We now know, of course, that Enrique’s genius soon played a part and the Frenchman’s best was unlocked, but it was Salah who looked on course for the famous award.

By no means did the Liverpool man bring his form to a sudden halt, either – adding 17 more goal involvements to his name before the Premier League campaign came to an end. Alas, somewhere along the way, the glimmer of PSG’s Champions League trophy blinded France Football to the history that Salah had created.

For now, Liverpool’s Egyptian King is forced to wait for his crowing moment on football’s biggest stage. Whether his time will come at all is now the big question. If that does not arrive, then Salah will no doubt join the likes of Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry as one of the greatest players to somehow miss out on the award.

The offspinner has signed for four Championship games in June and July

Alex Malcolm12-Jun-2025Offspinner Todd Murphy will become the third Australian Test player to play for Gloucestershire this season after signing a four-game County Championship stint through June and July.Murphy, 24, will play under Cameron Bancroft, following on from Cameron Green’s successful five-game stint before the T20 Blast break. Murphy was set to play for Australia A in a series of 50-over and four-day matches against Sri Lanka A in July but has prioritised taking a county offer to play for Gloucestershire with the blessing of Australia’s selectors.Murphy has not played in the County Championship before but has earned two of his seven Tests in England. He was set to play for Durham in 2023 ahead of the Ashes that year but was unable to fulfill the deal. He featured in the Headingley and Oval Tests in the Ashes series but has only played one Test since, as one of three spinners in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle earlier this year.Australia’s incumbent offspinner Nathan Lyon has vowed to play through until the 2027 Ashes but will be 39 when that series starts. Murphy is one of a handful of candidates alongside left-arm orthodox spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and Western Australian offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli to succeed Lyon as Australia’s No.1 spinner long-term and a four-game stint in England will do his development no harm although the four matches he will play will be with the Kookaburra ball.”I am really pleased to have signed with Gloucestershire,” Murphy said. “I’ve always wanted to play county cricket in England, and I am thankful that Gloucestershire has given me this opportunity.”Gloucestershire coach Mark Alleyne was pleased to sign a Test spinner for a four-game stint.”I’m really excited for the arrival of Todd, who will be joining a group in fine Championship fettle,” he said. “He is a spin bowler with brilliant pedigree and experience on the international stage and will complement our bowling group really well over the next four Championship games.”These matches will be played with a Kookaburra ball which he is really familiar with, and the fans will enjoy his tenacious offering.”

Newcastle United’s summer business underlined just how far the club has come since the takeover and how much further they still want to go.

It was a window marked by frustration, last-minute deals and big-money moves.

The Magpies were forced to bide their time as a string of forward targets slipped away, with Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro and Benjamin Sesko all proving elusive.

Persistent interest in Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa also seemed destined to end in disappointment.

Yet as the window drew to a close, Newcastle’s hierarchy finally pulled the trigger.

Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade arrived in a £69m deal, paving the way for Alexander Isak’s record-breaking £125m switch to Premier League Champions Liverpool on deadline day.

Wissa’s determination to join also paid off, with a £55m agreement finalised as the player drove through the night to force the transfer.

Early results, however, have been mixed. A goalless draw with Aston Villa, a 3-2 home defeat to Liverpool and another 0-0 against Leeds have highlighted Newcastle’s need for attacking fluency.

Wolves at St James’ Park and a glamour Champions League tie against Barcelona await after the international break – fixtures that will test Howe’s new-look group immediately.

Nick Woltemade: Newcastle’s headline addition

At 23 years old and standing at 1.98m, Nick Woltemade is the archetypal modern target man.

Tall, technically secure, and more mobile than his frame suggests.

His 12 goals in 28 Bundesliga games for Stuttgart last season marked him out as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards, and it was no surprise that Bayern Munich had three bids rejected earlier in the summer.

Persuaded by direct conversations with Howe, Woltemade chose Newcastle as the platform for the next stage of his career.

The Germany international already has four senior caps to his name and impressed at the U21 European Championships this summer.

Most recently, he showcased his playmaking instincts with an assist in Germany’s 3-1 win over Northern Ireland.

A closer look at his data from 2024/25 paints a picture of a well-rounded striker.

Matches Played

28

Goals

12

Assists

2

Progressive Carries

31

Progressive Passes

52

Across 28 appearances, Woltemade was involved in 14 goals, with a shot-on-target percentage of 50%.

He averages 1.28 shots on target per 90 and creates 4.38 shot-creating actions in the same span, evidence of his ability to contribute beyond finishing.

His 2.89 progressive passes and 1.72 progressive carries per 90 show a player comfortable linking play, while 26.1 carries per 90 underline his willingness to drive the ball forward.

Even defensively, Woltemade has shown application, recording 0.56 tackles and 1.28 blocks per 90.

For a Newcastle side that often struggles to break down low blocks, his mix of aerial presence, movement and creativity looks like the perfect tool.

That being said, perhaps Newcastle have a gem in their ranks who could surpass the big German.

The hidden Newcastle gem with superstar potential

While Woltemade is already making headlines, Newcastle may have secured an even greater long-term prize in the form of Vakhtang Salia.

The 18-year-old Georgian striker joined on a five-year deal this summer and is expected to be a key figure in the U21 squad this season.

He arrives from Dinamo Tbilisi, where he registered eight goals and four assists in 57 senior appearances.

Modest numbers on paper, but performances that convinced scouts from across Europe.

Salia has already attracted admiration from giants including Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG and Bayern Munich, while both Arsenal and Manchester City explored a deal.

In the words of journalist Graeme Bailey he is regarded as “one of the best teenage prospects in the world,” a label that has earned comparisons to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

What makes Salia so intriguing is his potential. At a market value of just €800k (£600k), Newcastle have invested in a player who could grow into a genuine superstar.

His performances at youth international level for Georgia have already caught the eye, and he has shown maturity beyond his years in leading the line against more experienced defenders in the Georgian league.

For Howe, Salia represents an opportunity. The club must carefully manage his development, ensuring he does not suffer the setbacks that have stalled other highly-touted prospects.

If handled correctly, though, Newcastle may find themselves with a striker capable of eclipsing Woltemade.

PIF have already signed Newcastle's new Elliot Anderson and he's "terrific"

Eddie Howe will hope he has his own Elliot Anderson now at Newcastle United in this terrific talent.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 8, 2025

Allen and Shakeel set the platform with flying fifties before Abrar’s four-for sealed the deal

Danyal Rasool12-Apr-2025Quetta Gladiators swept Peshawar Zalmi aside, railroading them by 80 runs to get off the perfect start in the tenth edition of the PSL.The win was set up by an imperious batting performance, with Finn Allen’s whirlwind 25-ball 53 setting the tone for the rest of the innings. Saud Shakeel’s own brisk half-century in Allen’s slipstream got Gladiators off to a flyer in the powerplay. Hasan Nawaz, Rilee Rossouw and Kusal Mendis ensured there was no let-up as they set Zalmi 217 to win.Zalmi’s response never threatened to insert jeopardy into the game despite a 38-ball half-century from Saim Ayub on his return. Abrar Ahmed ran riot through the middle and lower order with four wickets as Zalmi lost six for 24 runs, with only an entertaining cameo from Australian Mitchell Owen sparing them an even bigger defeat.Zalmi had won the toss and opted to chase, but that immediately pitted their weakest skillset against Gladiators’ strongest. Ayub opened the bowling and went for 11, but that was almost economical in comparison to what happened to Zalmi’s specialists. Alzarri Joseph and Mohammad Ali were flayed by Shakeel and Finn Allen as 65 came in the powerplay. When Zalmi’s trump card Sufiyan Muqeem was called up, Allen smashed him for three sixes and a four off his first four balls, and even though Muqeem dismissed Allen off the over’s final ball, the damage had been done.Mohammad Amir dismissed Babar Azam for a duck•PSLNawaz and Rossouw kept the momentum of the powerplay up through the middle overs, with emerging quick Ali Raza the only one to stem the flow of runs. However, Zalmi couldn’t find the penetration to blast their way through the upper middle order into a less explosive lower order and a potentially long tail. Shakeel and Nawaz’s departure only heralded the arrival of Mendis, whose destructive cameo – an unbeaten 35 off 14 – came as part of a rapid partnership with Rossouw, which brought 58 runs off the innings’ final 23 balls.Zalmi had never chased a total this big, and when Babar Azam chipped Mohammad Amir to short extra cover for a second-ball duck, it didn’t look likely to change. Mohammad Haris and Ayub came together – perhaps the two best positioned to bat through a Zalmi powerplay. A few boundaries in a cameo of a partnership sent them on their way, but when Abrar latched onto a shot from Haris off his own bowling in the fourth over, it was followed up by a two-ball duck from Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and the tide turned irreversibly.Hussain Talat resisted alongside Ayub as Zalmi worked frantically to keep their head above water, but with the asking rate approaching 14, even their best efforts saw their side chasing shadows. High-risk cricket was unavoidable, and a reverse sweep from Talat brought about his downfall. That opened the floodgates. Max Bryant clipped Usman Tariq back to the bowler the very next delivery, and a back-of-the-hand slower ball from Kyle Jamieson sent Ayub on his way soon after he reached his half-century.Abrar returned to run through the lower order, and though Owen offered Zalmi some encouragement for death hitting in the remainder of their campaign, smashing four sixes in a 13-ball 31, it was short-lived. Amir returned to draw a top edge from the Australian, with Mendis getting underneath it sharply with the gloves. It was a clinical, professional end to a game where Gladiators had been exactly that.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may not be happy with Andrea Berta’s transfer talks to offload a “sensational talent”, with the Gunners believed to be locked in exit discussions after a meeting in the last 48 hours.

Premium Arsenal Experiences

Secure your matchday experience with Seat Unique.

See at Seat Unique

Fresh off a solid start to their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win over Man United at Old Trafford, Arteta could still see a host of deals conducted at the Emirates Stadium ahead of deadline day on September 1.

Unfortunately for the supporters who wanted to see Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze link up with Arteta, that dream appears to be on the verge of collapsing.

Tottenham have verbally agreed a deal for Eze after Arsenal’s reported hesitation to move for the England international, with the club apparently deciding not to move, partly due to their desire for Ethan Nwaneri to get more minutes this season (talkSPORT).

Meanwhile, it is now believed that winger Leandro Trossard is on the verge of signing a brand-new deal at Arsenal, following previous reports that Berta could move for another left-winger if the Belgian leaves.

Given he is set for a salary increase, but the actual length of his deal hasn’t changed, it is unclear exactly what Arsenal’s plans are for the long-term when it comes to bringing in an eventual replacement for the 30-year-old.

However, in the meantime, Arsenal’s focus could be purely focused on outgoing transfers.

Fabio Vieira, Karl Hein, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Reiss Nelson, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior have all been linked with moves away from N5 in the last few weeks.

Stuttgart remain in lengthy talks for Vieira, which now centre around the possibility of a loan deal that includes an obligation to buy for £17 million, dependent on certain conditions.

Zinchenko has attracted interest from Italy and Turkey, with some reports suggesting that the Ukraine international has already discussed a move to Fenerbache with José Mourinho (Sabah).

Arsenal in talks to offload with FC Porto to offload Jakub Kiwior

According to GiveMeSport, following a meeting on Monday with FC Porto, Arsenal are also locked in talks over letting Jakub Kiwior depart for the Primeira Liga on loan.

The Poland international deputised brilliantly for the injured Gabriel at the back end of 2024/2025, impressing with some solid performances, but Kiwior is firmly a squad player under Arteta.

GMS report that Porto are pushing to sign Kiwior on a temporary deal, including an obligation to buy for 2026, with the major obstacle in negotiations believed to be the 25-year-old’s wages.

Francesco Farioli’s side want Arsenal to cover the majority of his salary before agreeing a move. It is interesting to note that, given just how highly Arteta rates the player, the Spaniard may not be keen to lose a reliable member of his squad.

Kiwior has also been called a “sensational talent” during his time in N5, but Portugal could now be beckoning.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sam Billings and Tom Curran were picked up in Monday’s draft

Matt Roller13-Jan-2025English players are seeking clarity from the ECB over whether they will be granted No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) after they were signed to play in the PSL at Monday’s draft in Lahore.Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Peshawar Zalmi), Sam Billings and Tom Curran (both Lahore Qalandars) were signed in Monday’s draft, while James Vince (Karachi Kings), Chris Jordan and David Willey (both Multan Sultans) were all previously retained. The PSL has moved into an April-May window for 2025, meaning it will clash with the start of the English season for the first time.Players reacted furiously in late November when the ECB announced a new policy on NOCs, which chief executive Richard Gould said was designed to “defend our game”. The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) were blindsided by the policy and said that their sense of “genuine collaboration” with the ECB had vanished.Related

Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars to kick off PSL 2025 on April 11; final on May 18

PSL 2025 draft – Williamson among seven New Zealanders drafted; Warner, Mitchell among Platinum picks

County players discuss Hundred boycott as 'nuclear option'

'Anger and resentment': PCA holds crisis talks over NOC policy

Players threaten legal action over new ECB stance on NOCs

The new policy will see players denied NOCs for all overseas leagues that take place during the English summer, including the PSL, the CPL and MLC – with the notable exception of the IPL. Players on white-ball contracts with their counties will be granted NOCs for competitions that do not clash with the T20 Blast or the Hundred.The ECB initially planned to block players with any provision for red-ball appearances from missing County Championship fixtures to play overseas, but have since softened their stance after pressure from players, their agents and the PCA. At this stage, Billings, Curran, Jordan and Willey are all expected to be granted NOCs for the PSL.The board’s stance is that its NOC “consultation group” will consider all requests against the criteria set out in November. ESPNcricinfo understands that in the case of the PSL, this will mean players will be eligible for NOCs if they are on white-ball contracts, or if they choose to renegotiate existing multi-format deals after the draft.James Vince was retained by Karachi Kings ahead of the PSL draft•PCBKohler-Cadmore and Vince are on all-format contracts with their respective counties – Somerset and Hampshire – and both are understood to be considering their available options. The PSL is due to run from April 8 until May 19, and both players will miss at least the first six Championship games of the season if they fulfil their PSL deals.ESPNcricinfo understands that six players with England central contracts registered themselves for the draft, but were marked as “unavailable” on a longlist sent to franchises on Sunday after the ECB clarified it would not grant them NOCs. These included Jonny Bairstow – who has not played for England since June – and Adil Rashid, who is a white-ball specialist.A PCA spokesperson said: “Following the announcement of the NOC policy and its proposed implementation, the PCA has been engaging with its members, legal team and the ECB, collectively representing current players to find solutions on restrictions. Progress has been made across a number of implementation areas, however, each NOC request is on a case-by-case basis and there remains ongoing consultation.”

Leeds United finished their pre-season schedule ahead of the 2025/26 campaign with a 1-1 draw against European giants AC Milan at Elland Road on Saturday.

Anton Stach, who joined on a permanent deal from Hoffenheim earlier this summer, scored the only goal of the game for the hosts, with a stunning strike from the left corner of the pitch, just outside of the box.

The Championship champions now have around a week to prepare for their opening Premier League game against Everton at Elland Road next Monday.

Daniel Farke, though, has made it absolutely clear that he is not happy with how his squad is looking ahead of the first match of the campaign, due to the lack of attacking reinforcements.

The Whites have not paid a single penny for a transfer fee for an attacking player as yet, as Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer from Wolfsburg is their only forward signing to date.

When Marcelo Bielsa won promotion to the Premier League in 2020, Leeds swiftly splashed the cash to sign experienced attacker Rodrigo for a reported fee of £27m.

Why Leeds need their next Rodrigo

The Whites spent the money required to bring in a quality operator who had already proven himself in one of Europe’s major leagues, in European competitions, and at international level, and he went on to score 28 goals in 97 matches for the club.

Rodrigo scored 59 goals in 220 games for Valencia, had already been capped by Spain, and played 30 times in the Champions League before his move to Elland Road in 2020.

This meant that Leeds signed a proven star who had the ability and experience to step straight into the team as a difference-maker at Premier League level, which helped the team to avoid an instant relegation.

Rodrigo’s debut season impact (20/21 Premier League)

Opposition

Contribution

Result

Man City (H)

Goal

1-1 draw

Newcastle (H)

Goal

5-2 win

West Brom (A)

Goal

5-0 win

Newcastle (A)

Assist

2-1 win

Spurs (H)

Goal

3-1 win

Burnley (A)

Two goals

4-0 win

Southampton (A)

Assist

2-0 win

West Brom (H)

Goal

3-1 win

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Rodrigo’s seven goals and two assists in the top-flight in his first season were vital, as they contributed to seven wins and a draw.

This is why Leeds need to attempt to repeat that masterclass by bringing in a proven and experienced attacker who can hit the ground running to make a big impact in the Premier League, and their latest reported target appears to fit the bill.

Leeds leading the race to sign Serie A striker

According to the print edition of Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds and Fulham are currently leading the race to sign Inter centre-forward Mehdi Taremi.

The report claims that both clubs are interested in a deal to sign the 33-year-old marksman, who could be on his way out of the Champions League finalists before the end of the summer window.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

It adds that Taremi is keen to move to the Premier League, which is why Leeds and Fulham are leading the race for his signature, but he has yet to decide which club to sign for.

The outlet reveals that a decision is going to come soon, within the next few days, and Farke will surely be hoping that the experienced number nine opts to make the move to Elland Road.

If Leeds can beat Fulham to his services, with a reported fee that may have to be around £9m, then they could have their next Rodrigo in West Yorkshire.

Why Leeds should sign Mehdi Taremi

The Whites must push to convince Taremi to turn down a potential move to Craven Cottage, where he may be a back-up to Raul Jimenez or Rodrigo Muniz, and make the switch to Elland Road.

At the age of 33, the Iran international would not be a long-term signing or someone who is likely to make the club a profit in the future, which was also the case when they signed Rodrigo from Valencia in 2020.

However, like the former Leeds man, Taremi is an experienced centre-forward who could hit the ground running and score vital goals to keep the team in the Premier League, which would make him worth his weight in gold and leave no one worried about his resale value.

The £9m-rated striker only scored three goals in all competitions for Inter, but he only started seven Serie A games and had to play a back-up role to Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez, which meant that he was unable to showcase the best of his ability.

He has, however, scored five goals and provided four assists for Iran at international level over the past 12 months, taking his tally to 53 goals and 24 assists in 93 matches for Iran.

Mehdi Taremi’s Liga Portugal career

Season

Appearances

Goals

Assists

23/24

23

6

4

22/23

33

22

8

21/22

32

20

13

20/21

34

16

15

19/20

30

18

5

Stats via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, Taremi also showcased his lethal nature in front of goal during his time in Portugal with Rio Ave and Porto, scoring 16 goals or more in four of his five league campaigns.

The 33-year-old marksman, whose finishing skills were once hailed as “ridiculous” by pundit Rio Ferdinand, has scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists in 38 outings in the Champions League in his career on top of that.

His statistics at international level, in Portugal, and in the Champions League all show that the veteran striker is a lethal goalscorer who almost guarantees goals when fit and playing regularly.

Inter did not give him the chance to play regularly, understandably so with the quality of attackers at their disposal, and Leeds now have the opportunity to take advantage of that by swooping in to sign him.

Related Dan James upgrade: Leeds lining up late move for "sensational" £20m star

Leeds United are reportedly lining up a swoop for a star who could be an upgrade on Dan James.

Posts 2 ByDan Emery Aug 10, 2025

Taremi appears to have all the attributes and experience, aside from having never played in England, to hit the ground running to make an instant impact, just as Rodrigo did five years ago.

Chelsea are set for a short pre-season after winning the Club World Cup final, with just five weeks separating their 3-0 win over PSG in New Jersey and their first Premier League game of 2025/2026 against Crystal Palace.

Chelsea hold talks with £100k-per-week England star this week

Enzo Maresca is prioritising one key area.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 17, 2025

They have scheduled just two pre-season matches as a result of their CWC triumph, needing to fit a holiday in for both players and staff after what was a successful but very long campaign.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

Chelsea will take on both Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan on August 8 and August 10 respectively, but as things stand, these are the only friendlies they’ll play before facing Palace in the top flight a week later.

It remains to be seen how Enzo Maresca’s side will fare given their minimal preparation, but the Italian did get a chance to try out new tactics during their CWC campaign in the US.

He also managed to give some of his major summer signings a run-out. Joao Pedro seriously impressed at the tournament in particular, scoring three goals in three CWC games, including a brace in their semi-final against Fluminense and a goal in the final against PSG.

Despite Chelsea’s need to sell players and balance out the squad due to a pact with UEFA (Kaveh Solhekol), Maresca could still add more fresh faces before their new season kicks off against Palace.

This will be dependent on departures (Simon Phillips), but perhaps Djordje Petrovic’s £25 million move to Bournemouth has freed up space for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan to come in.

The France number one was a serious target for Chelsea earlier in the window, and they tried to complete a deal for him before competing in the CWC. However, Milan and Chelsea failed to find an agreement, despite Maignan’s eagerness to join.

Despite reports to the contrary, Chelsea could go back in for Maignan before deadline day on September 1, with Robert Sanchez also told he’s free to find a new club away from Stamford Bridge (Graeme Bailey).

Mike Maignan very keen to join Chelsea, he's a top target

TEAMtalk have another update on the situation this week, claiming Maignan remains a top target for Chelsea.

The 30-year-old is also “enthusiastic” about joining Maresca’s side this summer, even if negotiations previously failed, with the main roadblock being Milan’s £22 million asking price – a figure deemed too high by Chelsea considering both his age and his contract situation.

However, given Maignan’s pedigree as one of world football’s most commanding shot-stoppers, £22 million is surely a price worth paying – especially if they sell Sanchez.

Every title-winning side in history have one thing in common – the presence of a world-class keeper. Maignan, who’s been lavished with praise by his fellow top-level players, arguably stands out as the best option by far this summer.

“He is physical, quick, he has clean technique. He is very strong. He is one of the best in the world,” said Liverpool keeper Alisson about Maignan’s quality.

“The quality of goalkeepers has really increased – Mike Maignan is within this elite.”

Sunderland supporters must constantly be checking up on transfer rumours involving their busy side this summer.

The bold Premier League new boys have already welcomed in a jaw-dropping six new signings into Regis Le Bris’ camp, and supporters thought that number would reach seven when Armand Lauriente’s arrival from Sassuolo was officially announced.

The 18-goal hero had been pictured jetting into Wearside ahead of completing a statement £17m move to the Stadium of Light, but things have taken an unexpected twist.

Indeed, Sky Sports’ north east reporter Keith Downie revealed on Sunday that a deal is now off after failing to reach an agreement between all parties. As a result, Sunderland have decided to end discussions.

Lauriente had travelled to Portugal to join up with the Black Cats squad ahead of pre-season but has now had to go back to Italy.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

As a result, what’s next for Sunderland?

Sunderland still pursuing £34m striker

There will come a time when Sunderland’s fast approach in the transfer market does inevitably slow down, but that doesn’t look like arriving anytime soon.

Indeed, it’s back to the drawing board for the Mackems now as Sunderland go about finding someone to make up for the fact that Lauriente won’t be arriving at Wearside this summer.

As per a development from journalist Ryan Taylor, Sunderland’s move for Almeria goal machine Luiz Suarez could now be back on after once going cold.

Indeed, the Spanish outfit have stated that they will be moving forward soon with negotiations with other clubs for their star-man, having been subjected to a slog on the end of Sporting who are waiting for Viktor Gyokeres to move to Arsenal before committing to a switch.

The Black Cats have already made contact over a deal for the £34m-rated attacker, with Burnley also previously lodging an enquiry, as Le Bris’ men now pray another statement signing is willing to call Wearside home.

Why Suarez would be even better than Lauriente

Across 33 Serie B clashes last season, Lauriente regularly tore the Italian second division to shreds, culminating in him ending the campaign with 18 goals and five assists next to his name, as promotion was also instantly won back up to Serie A for Fabio Grosso’s men.

Amazingly, Suarez was even more prolific in the Spanish second division with Almeria across 2024/25, demonstrating why, perhaps, Lauriente may not be such a miss for Sunderland if they can sign an alternative.

Suarez’s league numbers last season for Almeria

Stat

Suarez

Games played

41

Goals scored

27

Assists

8

Shots per game

4.1

Big chances missed

27

Big chances created

10

Stats by Sofascore

In total, Suarez scored 27 goals and assisted eight goals too. He also created a hefty ten big chances demonstrating his creative side.

Indeed, the striker doesn’t just possess a “crazy” record in front of goal, as he’s been labelled previously by scout Jacek Kulig, but he’s got creativity to boot, just as Lauriente has.

Yet, it’s Suarez that surely comes out on top in the two key areas for a forward, goalscoring and creativity.

He’s not a one-hit wonder either, notably bagging 19 in 38 league outings in the Spanish second division in 2019/20.

The Almeria star is clearly a prolific forward and despite missing out on Lauriente, it might not be all doom and gloom for Le Bris. Suarez looks like a pretty handy talent too.

Related Alongside Xhaka: Sunderland make "direct approach" for £38m maestro – Romano

The Black Cats are looking to sign a new central midfielder.

Posts 1 ByDominic Lund Jul 17, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur’s activity in the transfer market over the last few days has been frantic to say the least, with huge moves being made by new boss Thomas Frank.

Mohammed Kudus appears to be the first major signing of the Dane’s tenure in charge, after a £55m deal was agreed between the Lilywhites and West Ham United.

The Ghanaian could prove to be an excellent addition for the club, with the 24-year-old scoring 19 times during his two years with the Hammers after joining from Ajax.

It certainly would be the start of what’s going to be a huge window for the club, especially if they are to rise up the Premier League table throughout 2025/26 after their dismal finish last year.

However, numerous other players still remain on their radar between now and the end of the window, but it remains to be seen how many more deals will be completed.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Brentford striker Yoane Wissa has been labelled as a potential option for Spurs this summer, potentially following Frank in moving across the capital to join the Lilywhites.

A £50m price tag has been mooted for the 28-year-old, who registered 19 league goals for the Bees during the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

However, another player in England’s top flight has emerged on their radar, with Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White a key target, according to The Athletic.

They claim that direct talks have been held between the two clubs, with a deal now being given the famous “here we go” by Fabrizio Romano who has suggested that it is a “massive” move for the club.

Whilst no deal has yet been formally completed, journalist Ben Jacobs has stated that the player has “agreed” to the move and will head to north London for around £60m, a bargain for Frank’s side.

The player is set to undergo a medical on Friday, according to Mike McGrath of The Telegraph.

Why Spurs’ £60m target would be a better signing than Kudus & Wissa

Whilst a deal for Kudus is pretty much in the final stages, it’s evident that the board are serious about completing moves for numerous players ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Daniel Levy evidently wants to back Frank in his quest for success, looking to build on the Europa League triumph they achieved at the end of last season.

Kudus and Wissa would add further quality to the frontline without a doubt, with the pair registering a combined total of 24 league goals throughout 2024/25.

However, despite their pending arrivals, a move for Gibbs-White would undoubtedly be a better option, with the England international one of the most sought-after talents in the division after being on Manchester City’s radar earlier this summer.

When comparing his stats to those of the aforementioned duo, he’s massively outperformed the pair in numerous key areas, handing Frank the attacking quality he has craved this window.

How MGW compares to Kudus & Wissa in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Gibbs-White

Kudus

Wissa

Games played

34

32

35

Goals & assists

15

8

23

Progressive passes

5.3

2.7

2.1

Passes into final third

4.2

1.6

1.3

Shot-creating actions

3.7

3.6

2.1

Take-on success

50%

44%

30%

Aerials won

1.3

0.3

0.9

Key passes

1.3

1

0.8

Stats via FBref

Gibbs-White, who’s been labelled “world-class” by journalist Jamie Martin, has registered more progressive passes per 90, along with more key passes completed – having the creativity ability to allow those ahead of him to thrive in front of goals.

He’s also registered more shot-creating actions despite his deep-lying role, whilst completing a higher percentage of his take-ons, subsequently able to create chances for himself or his teammates.

The 25-year-old has further showcased his dominance with his higher figure of aerials won per 90, with his skillset handing Frank a superb all-round option within the final third.

£60m for a player of his talent in today’s market would be an excellent piece of business by the hierarchy, offering the side yet another incredible talent within the final third.

There’s no denying that Kudus or Wissa would also be impressive signings, but given the stats produced and his current international status, Gibbs-White would blow the pair out of the water, potentially playing a huge role in any future success under Frank.

Related A better signing than Eze: Spurs set to make bid for "magical" £20m star

Tottenham Hotspur appear to have ended their pursuit of Eberechi Eze with a move for another talented star.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Jul 10, 2025