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The Punjab Kings [PBKS] batting unit, led by Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 87 off 41 balls, will get all the plaudits after they topped Mumbai Indians’ [MI] 203 with an over to spare. But bowling coach James Hopes was also effusive in his praise of the PBKS bowling group, particularly the way they “just hung in there the whole night” on a belter of an Ahmedabad surface in Qualifier 2.Sent into bat, MI had raced to 65 for 1 inside the powerplay and regularly went at better than ten runs an over through the middle phase. But the PBKS bowlers struck at regular intervals to prevent the death-overs assault.”There was a stage where I reckon they [MI] were looking at 220, 225 and we just kept pegging them back at the right time,” Hopes said in a press conference after PBKS qualified for their first IPL final in 11 years. “We never went for that big over of 18, 19. We kept pegging them at 10, 11 knowing that we got Arshdeep [Singh] coming at the end and Azmatullah [Omarzai] bowled beautifully as well.Related

• Sensational Shreyas Iyer powers PBKS to second IPL final

• Shreyas Iyer on his Qualifier 2 classic: 'I love big occasions'

• The night MI felt the full force of Shreyas' ire

• Hardik, Santner not completing quota 'an opportunity missed'

“We gave them a few extra runs, yeah, but that’s why I was saying I thought they were going to get 220. There was a bit of confidence in our group when they only got 200 [203], thinking we’ve dragged them back here. You could even tell our first over batting the way the ball came off the bat, it was just skipping off the bat a little more and you could tell there was just a little bit of dew, a little bit of wetness out there, that was going to help us, and it did.”Chasing 204 against five-time champions MI, who had never before lost a game defending a score in excess of 200, was going to be a tough ask. Especially when the bowling group was led by Jasprit Bumrah, who was coming into the game with an economy rate of 6.36.But Josh Inglis was determined to not let Bumrah settle down, crashing him for two sixes and two fours in his opening over – the fifth of the innings – to give the chase the momentum it needed.”The way Josh Inglis attacked Boom [Bumrah] up front to get him off his game a little bit… if you’d told us we were chasing 200 at the start of the day and we were going to take 40 off Jasprit, we would have taken that every day of the week and liked our chances,” Hopes said. “Josh has got a pretty good record against him in short-form cricket. He plays him well.”I don’t think it was a conscious decision to go after [Bumrah in that] over. He just got some balls and he put them away, and on another day, those balls go to the fielder and he’s not taking what he did off that over. So doing that to him in the first over not only has a flow-on effect for his bowling but has a flow-on effect for the rest of their team as well.2:31

‘Such a big over’ – Aaron on Inglis taking 20 off Bumrah in the fifth

“We were having the chats at half-time that if Bumrah bowls four overs for 26, what do we need off the other 16 overs? So there’s just an expectation he’s going to be at a certain level every game, and even tonight he bowled well.”Varun Aaron and Tom Moody agreed that Inglis’ assault on Bumrah formed the base of PBKS’ successful chase. That they were all “cricketing shots” and Inglis was not “trying to just hit the cover of the ball” was the highlight.”Big over, such a big over,” Aaron said on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out. “It was down to someone to take him [Bumrah] on tonight. These are those big games where somebody has to show up and be like, ‘you know what, I’m going to take the bull by the horns and I’m going to take down their biggest bowler’, and that’s Jasprit Bumrah, and he did that so well. Just played cricketing shots.”Moody pointed to Inglis’ technical acumen against Bumrah.”He [Inglis] has got a really good technique,” Moody said. “So when it comes to playing high-quality bowling, like Jasprit Bumrah, he’s got the ability to play proper cricketing shots that have penetration – whether that be the cover drives, the shot down the ground; the six he hit, it was the slower ball, he was technically in perfect position [to play it].Shreyas Iyer led Punjab Kings’ chase with a composed half-century•Associated Press

“So it’s not like he is trying to just hit the cover of the ball. Just identified it was an off-pace delivery and hit straight through it. And most batters when they are facing Bumrah, they are more in the defensive position. He is still engaged in the contest – ‘okay, you’re bowling it short, I am still comfortable because I back myself to get into that position; if you’re slightly fuller, I’ll take advantage and cover drive; slower ball, I’m hitting you over the top’.”

‘Shreyas a sensational captain, a sensational player’

While Inglis’ 21-ball 38 put PBKS’ chase in top gear, it was captain Iyer who formed the spine of the innings with a clinical knock. He measured his innings, rotated the strike well, before going on an all-out attack. Hopes, who has worked with Iyer previously at Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2020, said that his calmness stood out.”He doesn’t get flustered very easily and he knows his match-ups,” Hopes said. “He knows what he has to do at certain times and he’s prepared to take that risk. When he was a younger player in Delhi, he was a little bit more explosive and gung-ho, but he scores at a high strike rate now strictly because he knows when a bowler comes on that that’s his match-up and he’s going to take it and with his captaincy.”Tonight we kept them to 200 when I reckon they could have got 220, 230 and just because the way he pulls the strings out there and manoeuvres bowlers around. We had [Vijaykumar] Vyshak with one over left. He took his gut call to bowl Azmat. He’s a sensational captain and he’s a sensational player.”

كرر الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، فوزه أمام إيجل نوار البوروندي، ضمن مباريات إياب دور الـ32 من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بهدف نظيف.

واستضاف الأهلي نظيره إيجل نوار، على ملعب استاد القاهرة، في إياب دور الـ32 من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

طالع.. فيديو | عمر كمال يسجل هدف الأهلي الأول أمام إيجل نوار

ولعب الأهلي بعشرة لاعبين منذ الدقيقة 16 من عمر الشوط الاول، بعدما حصل جراديشار على طرد من حكم مباراة إيجل نوار، بعد احتكاك بدون كرة مع لاعب المنافس.

وجاء الهدف عن طريق عمر كمال عبد الواحد في الدقيقة 58 من تمريرة من محمد علي بن رمضان قابلها عمر كمال بقدمه في الشباك.

وكان الأهلي قد حقق الفوز في مباراة الذهاب بهدف دون رد، على إيجل نوار، السبت الماضي، ليصعد لدور المجموعات في دوري أبطال إفريقيا بنتيجة 2-0 بمجموع المباراتين. أهداف مباراة الأهلي وإيجل نوار اليوم في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

Fans crowded into Adelaide’s city centre on Monday, two days after the memorable scenes at Karen Rolton Oval

Andrew McGlashan01-Apr-2025The celebrations for South Australia’s first Sheffield Shield title in 29 years continued on Monday as locals swarmed to Rundle Mall in Adelaide’s city centre for a reception with the team as both coach Ryan Harris and captain Nathan McSweeney admitted the magnitude of what had been achieved was still sinking in.Officially part of the nation-wide schedule announcement for next season, Cricket Australia’s new chief executive Todd Greenberg was quick to say the occasion was more about SA’s historic moment which had been crowned by what has become an iconic ground invasion at Karen Rolton Oval.Related

'Haven't achieved much at all' – Harris' message as South Australia defend twin titles

'Still people talking about the final' – Sangha hopes to channel Shield joy

Sangha and Carey tons hand South Australia first Shield title in 29 years

'They saved my career' – Sangha repays South Australia's faith with Shield final heroics

“It was unreal,” Harris said. “I remember when we got upstairs and looked over the ground and saw the crowd, I just looked at the boys’ faces and I probably don’t think they thought how important this was and is.”I even talked to them yesterday, they’re all still buzzing about it. Everyone running on, again, [like] scenes from 29 years ago.”McSweeney, watching from the dressing room as his side neared the target after a stand of 202 between Jason Sangha and Alex Carey, could see the crowd getting closer to the fence.”I grew up watching cricket on TV, I always remember the fans running onto the field and all the players trying to run off and it was just cool to be a part of and to see it all happen,” he said. “I think everyone who was there will remember that forever and it was a great spectacle. It’s never happened to me before and we were all wondering, it was like, are we going to run on or are the fans going to run on.

Big love to all our fans who came to our Championship Celebration todaypic.twitter.com/0Ty5CXsggE

— South Australia Cricket Teams (@SACricketTeams) March 31, 2025

“It was just awesome to be a part of and I think people there at the game will remember that forever. We will remember that forever. We’ve got so many texts from mates that are living in Brisbane saying how cool it was and I wish I could have been there so I think it’s good for the game, it probably shouldn’t happen every week, it’s a little bit dangerous but it’s a very special moment.”McSweeney also acknowledged the fresh opportunity a host of players – including himself – had been given with South Australia. In the immediate aftermath of the victory Sangha, who averaged 78.22 in the season after his move from New South Wales, said the state had “saved his career.””So many players in our squad have been gifted an opportunity by the SACA and to be able to, I guess, give back and win the Sheffield Shield and see how much it mattered to all of them is very pleasing and it’s why you play the game, for sure,” McSweeney said.”I think I was averaging 14 for Queensland when they gave me an opportunity to come down here and play cricket and since then, I’ve been able to get better as a player, as a person.The view from the Karen Rolton Oval grandstand when the Shield trophy was presented•Getty Images”Very lucky and hopefully this is just the start of something that we can keep building on. Winning two trophies is the goal and it’d be nice to do that every year but I really think, if we can keep this core group together, we can do this for a long period of time and I’m very lucky to be a part of it.”Harris, meanwhile, will reflect on the achievements in his first season as head coach on a holiday in Bali next week before turning his attention to how the team follow their twin titles having also secured the One-Day Cup.”To win two is unheard of, it’s never been done here,” he said. “I moved back here to win trophies and I told the boys that when I took over. I told them that last year even. I know Dizzy [Jason Gillespie] was in charge last year, but from afar, moving back from Queensland, I did it for a reason.”I’ve got to make sure the messaging is fresh and get all that happening over the next few weeks ready for when they come back in June. I’ve spoken about it with them. They know hopefully this drives them. Winning’s good. Winning’s nice.”It doesn’t always work out that way, obviously, but that’s my job over the next few months now is to make sure that when they do come back, they’re hungry again to make sure that all the things we’ve just spoken about, that we go out, we fight, we play well, we play hard and we want to have sustained success.”

Everton have made some terrific moves in the summer transfer window to bolster David Moyes’ options across the pitch, with the headline-grabber so far being the arrival of Jack Grealish.

The England international has registered an eye-catching haul of four assists in three Premier League outings for the Toffees so far, per Sofascore, with two assists against Wolves and against Brighton.

Kieran Dewsbury-Hall also arrived from Chelsea on a permanent deal and produced a goal and an assist in the 3-2 win over Wolves in the top-flight at the weekend.

Everton eyeing new right-back

The Toffees are now looking at the other end of the pitch for potential reinforcements to improve the back four in front of Jordan Pickford before the deadline passes.

Transfer Focus

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

According to journalist Alan Myers, Everton have an interest in Norwich City right-back Kellen Fisher ahead of the end of the summer transfer window this evening.

The reporter adds, though, that he is not aware of a formal bid having been placed for the England U21 international, which suggests that there has not been any concrete movement as of yet.

Everton’s interest in the 21-year-old talent does seem to show that the club are eyeing a last-minute move to sort their right-back position out.

What Kellen Fisher could bring to Everton

Moyes could have a natural right-back who could take Jake O’Brien out of that position if the club are able to strike a late deal with Norwich for the defender, who was hailed for his “crunching” tackles by reporter Connor Southwell.

Unlike O’Brien, who is a centre-back by trade, Fisher is an out-and-out right-back who has plenty of experience now playing for the Canaries in the Championship, and for England at U20 and U21 level.

In the 3-2 win over Wolves, the current Everton ‘right-back’ lost seven of his nine ground duels and lost possession of the ball a staggering 26 times, per Sofascore, whilst the Canaries gem only lost possession 7.4 times per game on averag last term.

That performance highlighted the need for the Toffees to have a natural full-back in that position to be mobile enough to win duels as well as good enough technically to progress up the pitch and create chances for the team.

Appearances

38

20

Big chances created

4

1

Assists

4

0

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.7

1.5

Duels won per game

3.9

3.8

Ground duel success rate

53%

53%

Aerial duel success rate

62%

58%

As you can see in the table above, Fisher and O’Brien’s respective statistics at league level last season suggest that the former is far more likely to provide a threat in the final third, by pushing on from right-back to create ‘big chances’ chances for his side.

The Norwich youngster being an athletic, pacey, right-back also means that he is more effective in duels, as illustrated by those statistics, because he is combative and quick across the ground, whilst O’Brien is a natural centre-back who wants to step off instead of potentially having to deal with a foot race.

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Everton plan to seal a statement signing before the imminent transfer deadline, with Moyes looking for his next Tomas Soucek…

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 1, 2025

Therefore, Fisher has the qualities and the profile to replace O’Brien as the first-choice right-back for Everton if he can adapt to the Premier League, by offering the team more as a strong defender and as a creative threat in the final third.

Marcus Rashford has been dropped for Barcelona's La Liga clash with Getafe after reportedly turning up late to the team's Sunday morning meeting. The Manchester United loanee scored a brilliant brace for the Blaugrana in their 2-1 Champions League win over Newcastle United in midweek but this indiscretion left him having to make do with a substitute role against Getafe.

Rashford's Newcastle heroics forgotten

The 27-year-old's double inspired Barcelona to a Champions League win at Newcastle, but that has seemingly been forgotten as Rashford allegedly fell afoul of manager Hansi Flick's strict time-keeping rules. According to Mundo Deportivo, the England international arrived a 'little late' to this squad meeting, and was then left on the bench for the Getafe encounter.

AdvertisementGettyBarcelona boss won't tolerate Rashford's lateness

This is not the first time Barca boss Flick has punished one of his players for lateness. Jules Kounde, Inaki Pena, and even captain Raphinha has been on the receiving end of the German's wrath, highlighting that no matter how good you are, Flick is in charge.

Point to prove for Rashford

Manchester United academy product Rashford had not set the world alight at Barcelona prior to the Newcastle game, but that superb display showed he can make a difference at the Catalan outfit. Now, he will have to impress Flick yet again, which is a new challenge in and of itself.

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GettyBarcelona chasing Real Madrid in La Liga

After the Getafe game, Flick will continue preparing his side for La Liga commitments. Barcelona are playing catch-up to arch-rivals Real Madrid in the early stages of the new season, and will look to bridge the gap by winning their final two fixtures of the month against Real Oviedo and Real Sociedad.

عقد توماس توخيل مدرب منتخب إنجلترا مؤتمراً صحفياً بعد قائمته التي أعلنها لمواجهة منتخب ويلز ودياً ولاتفيا في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.

وفي تصريحات نشرتها “بي بي سي” البريطانية، أكد توخيل سبب استبعاد نوني مادويكي وتوني ليفرامنتو من القائمة: “يغيبون للإصابة”.

وأضاف: “روح الفريق في المعسكر الأخير كانت في اعلى مستوياتها على الإطلاق ولهذا السبب لم تتاح سوى فرص قليلة، هناك طريق أمام اللاعبين غير المنضمين للعودة بنسبة 100%، لكن في الوقت الحالي هذا هو القرار الأمثل والأوضح”.

وسئل توخيل عن غياب بيلينجهام عن قائمة الأسود الثلاثة رغم عودته من الإصابة: “يستحق بيلينجهام التواجد دائماً في المعسكر التدريبي، لكنه لم يستجمع إيقاعه بالكامل مع ريال مدريد، لم يبدأ أساسياً سوى مباراة واحدة لذا لم يستعد كامل لياقته البدنية، تلقيت اتصالاً هاتفياً منه حيث أراد التواجد معنا”.

ونفى توخيل حقيقة وجود أي خلاف بينه وبين بيلينجهام: “لا توجد أي مشكلة أيضاً بيني وبين جاك جريليش وبيني وبين فيل فودين”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. قائمة منتخب إنجلترا لمباراتي ويلز ولاتفيا.. استبعاد ثلاثة نجوم

وذكر المدرب الألماني: “اللاعبون غير المنضمين للمنتخب يحتاجون فقط لمواصلة العمل الجاد، استدعينا اللاعبين الأفضل بناء على المعسكر الأخير، هناك بعض اللاعبين الذين يستحقون الانضمام لنا لكن في هذا المعسكر أردنا أن يكون القرار واضحاً والبقاء مع نفس المجموعة، لم تكن هناك محادثات غريبة مع اللاعبين بل محادثات مباشرة”.

وسئل توخيل عن سبب اختيار مايلز لويس سكيلي رغم قلة دقائق مشاركته مع آرسنال: “مجرد كونه مواطن صالح في المعسكر لن يكفي، لقد كان جزءا من معسكر سابق جيد جداً لذا ينسب له الفضل في ذلك، ولماذا لا نختار لاعبين إذا لم يكونوا مصابين؟”.

وشدد توخيل: “لا توجد أي ضمانات على الإطلاق لأي لاعب عندما يتعلق الأمر باختياره في القائمة”.

وعاد توخيل للحديث عن سبب استبعاد بيلينجهام: “هو لاعب مميز وللاعبين المميزين قواعد خاصة، لكننا قررنا الاستمرار بدعوة المجموعة نفسها، نحن فريق أفضل معه نعم ولكن كما قلت سابقاً، ماذا نفعل إذا أصيب قبل كأس العالم؟ هل نلغي مشاركتنا في البطولة؟”.

Celtic have already lost one of their best players during the summer transfer window, as Nicolas Kuhn recently completed a permanent move to Italian side Como.

The Scottish Premiership champions reportedly raked in an initial fee of £16.5m for the German winger, who joined the club from Rapid Vienna at the start of 2024.

Kuhn scored 24 goals and provided 18 assists in 69 appearances for the Hoops in all competitions during his 18-month stay in Glasgow, which shows that Brendan Rodgers has lost a huge attacking talent from his squad.

The left-footed winger may not be the last star player to move on from Parkhead before the end of the window, though, as Daizen Maeda has also been linked with an exit.

TEAMtalk claims that Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, West Ham United, and Brentford are all keen on the forward, who is valued at £25m by the Hoops.

It now remains to be seen, though, whether or not any of those Premier League clubs are willing to stump up the cash required to sign the Japan international this summer.

Why selling Maeda would be a big loss for Celtic

Losing Maeda would be a big blow for Celtic and Rodgers because they would be losing a player who delivered outstanding performances in the 2024/25 campaign.

The 27-year-old attacker, as shown by the post above, won the Player of the Year award in the Scottish Premiership, which speaks to how highly he is valued in Scotland.

Maeda earned that award by delivering goals and assists on a regular basis in the division, whilst playing on the left and through the middle as a striker, which was a far cry from what he produced in the 2023/24 campaign in Rodgers’ first season back at the club.

Daizen Maeda (Premiership)

23/24

24/25

Appearances

28

34

xG

8.29

12.76

Shots on target

25

28

Goals

6

16

xA

1.70

5.99

Assists

3

10

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, the Japanese attacker’s output as both a scorer and a creator of goals soared last term, scoring ten more goals and providing seven more assists.

He went from underperforming his xG by over two goals to overperforming his xG by over three goals, which speaks to his development at Parkhead and why it would be such a blow to lose him this summer.

However, Celtic have been replacing their best players, like Virgil van Dijk, Matt O’Riley, Odsonne Edouard and others, for many years, and they are reportedly eyeing a forward who could be even better than Maeda.

Celtic have had bid rejected for a striker

According to iAM Sports, Celtic are pursuing a deal to sign CFR Cluj centre-forward Louis Munteanu, as they look to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.

The report claims that the Hoops have already made an offer to the Romanian side for the 22-year-old striker, worth around £7m, but their bid was turned down.

Transfer Focus

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

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It adds that CFR Cluj owner Ioan Varga rejected the offer from the Scottish giants because he is currently holding out for a fee closer to £15m for the impressive young forward.

The outlet states that Rennes, Nice, and Lille are also interested in signing the Romania U21 international, but it remains to be seen whether or not they are prepared to pay the £15m that CFR Cluj are demanding for his services.

Celtic may be hoping that those clubs are not willing to pay that price and that Varga decides to lower the valuation later in the window, which could then present the Hoops with an opportunity to go back in for him again.

Why Celtic should sign Louis Munteanu

If CFR Cluj lower his valuation to an attainable figure for the Scottish giants, Munteanu could be an excellent signing for Celtic as a replacement for Maeda, should the Japanese star move on from Parkhead this summer.

Celtic, as aforementioned, would lose a lot of goals from the team if a Premier League club signs the Japan international, but the CFR Cluj centre-forward would make up for that with the goals that he could provide.

In the 2024/25 campaign, Munteanu scored an impressive 25 goals in all competitions for his club, whilst he has also scored six goals in 20 caps for his country at U21 level.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig described the former Fiorentina youngster’s season as “magnificent”, and it is hard to disagree with that claim when you look at his statistics at league level, which suggest that he could be even better than Maeda as a goalscorer for Rodgers.

24/25 season

Munteanu (Super Liga)

Maeda (Premiership)

Appearances

35

34

Shots on target per game

1.7

0.8

Goals

23

16

Goals per game

0.7

0.5

Big chances missed

16

17

Big chances created

7

10

Duels won per game

3.4

3.1

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, the 22-year-old attacker scored seven more goals, whilst missing fewer ‘big chances’, than Maeda at league level last term, and only created seven fewer ‘big chances’.

This suggests that, if Munteanu can adapt to the Premiership, the Romanian marksman could come in as an even better forward option for Celtic because of his ability to find the back of the net on a regular basis, whilst also being able to create opportunities for his teammates.

At the age of 22, the £15m-rated striker is also five years younger than Maeda and, therefore, has more time left ahead of him to develop and improve even further, to be an even bigger upgrade on the Japanese ace in the future.

This is why the Scottish giants should swoop to sign the CFR Cluj star, should a deal become viable this summer, as a potential replacement for Maeda, as he could be even better at the top end of the pitch for Celtic with his ability to score and create goals.

Related Balikwisha will love him: Celtic exploring deal to sign "exciting" star

Celtic could land a dream signing alongside Michel-Ange Balikwisha by landing this star.

Posts ByDan Emery Jul 17, 2025

Wicketkeeper-batter leaves Warwickshire in pursuit of opportunities across formats

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Sep-2024

Chris Benjamin has been regular in T20 for Birmingham Bears•Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Kent have signed wicketkeeper-batter Chris Benjamin from Warwickshire on a three-year contract.Benjamin, 25, made headlines when drafted as a replacement player during the 2021 Hundred, having only played one senior T20 for Birmingham Bears. He scored 24 off 15 balls to see Birmingham Phoenix over the line and went on to feature regularly over the tournament’s first three seasons.Benjamin also scored a century on first-class debut for Warwickshire but had limited opportunities in the longer format, making 10 appearances for the county and averaging 22.23.His arrival will strengthen Kent’s options in the wicketkeeping department, with Ollie Robinson and Jordan Cox having left over the last two seasons, and Sam Billings signing a white-ball contract. The club’s keeper in Championship cricket this summer has been Harry Finch.”We’re delighted to have attracted a player of Chris’ talent to Kent on a long-term contract,” Kent’s director of cricket, Simon Cook, said. “He is still a young player with a lot of potential to improve further, and we’re pleased to Kent to be the place for him to do so.”Although Benjamin was born in South Africa, he is a British passport holder through his father and has played in the UK since moving to study in 2018.”I’m excited to be joining Kent and having the opportunity to play regularly across multiple formats,” Benjamin said. “There is a young squad here that will only improve over time, and there’s a clear plan for Kent to return to the highs of their recent successes in the future. It’s an exciting project to be a part of.”Kent were relegated in the County Championship earlier this month, ultimately ending up bottom of Division One. They also finished last in the South Group of the Vitality Blast and seventh in Group A of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.

Before the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Liverpool had gone three transfer windows having spent nominally.

Indeed, last August’s £12.5m purchase of Federico Chiesa was the only Anfield addition since Jurgen Klopp’s ambitious midfield rebuild in 2023.

So while rivals may be frustrated at the Merseysiders’ spenging spree, they may want to check themselves after letting Arne Slot waltz into the Premier League and get his hands on the title with scarcely any investment, not 12 months after Klopp vacated his throne.

To think that these remarkable Reds have already reached a higher level than their domestic peers is frightening, for Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have strengthened the defensive flanks, Florian Wirtz has arrived for a British-record £116m fee.

And let’s not forget Giorgi Mamardashvili, who replaces Caoimhin Kelleher between the sticks after a £29m fee was agreed last summer.

However, for all this productive restructuring, there may be plenty more yet to come.

Liverpool's new-look frontline

Mohamed Salah certainly pulled his weight for Liverpool last season, practically dragging Slot’s side to the Premier League title that he promised after a disappointing end to 2023/24.

But he’s now 33, and will need greater support. With Darwin Nunez, Chiesa and Diogo Jota all rumoured to be leaving Anfield this summer, a few more incomings could go down a treat, especially as Luis Diaz is also being chased by Barcelona and Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Already, Wirtz’s arrival opens up a whole new world of possibilities as far as the attacking line-up is confirmed, and that’s without even considering the addition of an out-and-out striker.

Where Wirtz could feature for Liverpool

Liverpool, to be sure, have spent a lot already this summer, but sales and careful planning has led the outfit to an enviable position that may yet see them break the bank once again.

And we all know who we’d like up top.

Liverpool pushing for elite striker

According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are still pushing for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, who is supposedly unavailable after the Magpies qualified for the Champions League, thus pricing him at £200m.

But in spite of such claims, Liverpool’s interest persists. There have even been claims in the previous week suggesting the Sweden international wants to leave St. James’ Park as the Merseysiders ramp up the gas, although it feels unlikely that he would hand in an official transfer request.

Speaking to Rousing the Kop, Bailey said: “Liverpool are not being deterred, we’re not sure quite why that is, but they seem to think there’s a chink of light there.”

Why Liverpool should sign Alexander Isak

Given the technicalities of a prospective bid for Isak, and indeed the finances involved, Newcastle’s stance, yada yada, FSG would be forgiven for focusing their attention elsewhere.

Liverpool, after all, have stocked up with some incredible signings already this summer.

But Isak is a special player, hailed by analyst Raj Chohan last season as being “the best striker in the world” and an “unstoppable talent” in the words of writer Adam Keys. Some would refute that initial claim, but then who can deny that the 25-year-old’s completeness in the final third makes him one of the most dangerous players out there?

Liverpool certainly know how it feels to come unstuck against the shifty forward, whose intelligence and movements saw him score in the Carabao Cup final in March, winning the Magpies some silver at Slot’s expense.

Across 42 matches in 2024/25, he scored 27 goals and laid on six assists. Newcastle are a fantastic team, but you get the sense that haul could swell under Slot’s management at Liverpool. With the likes of Wirtz and Salah creating for him, surely anything’s possible?

Salah, while renowned for being one of the deadliest strikers of his generation, is also an incredible playmaker, having assisted 88 goals across 301 Premier League fixtures. He racked up 18 assists from last season alone.

And then Wirtz will bring a more focused brand of creativity to the Liverpool fold. The German, still only 22, was hailed as a “genius” by his former Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso for his intelligence and eagle vision.

As per FBref, he ranked among the top 9% of attacking midfielders and wingers last year for assists, the top 7% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes, and the top 2% for passes attempted per 90, underscoring that point.

Adding him to a team already blessed with supreme creative production must be a daunting thought for opponents, especially when throwing Isak into the equation.

1.

Liverpool

112

2.

Chelsea

93

3.

Arsenal

91

3=

Man City

91

5.

Aston Villa

90

Injuries aside, it’s hard to imagine the Newcastle sensation flopping. His roundedness and ability to drop deep, influence and then carve through defences with blistering speed, measured strides, makes him a unique adversary, and one who has yet to taste Slot’s tactical guidance.

While Liverpool would have to break a bank still shattered after Wirtz’s arrival, there are few – if any – forwards who would be more fitting than Isak, who is proven in the Premier League and endowed with the phyiscal and tactical properties that are perfect for a place at the front of the Anfield ship.

He only missed 18 big chances in the Premier League last term, as per Sofascore, scoring 23 times, and with such deadly finishing and a balanced style, it’s time for Liverpool to move the requisite pieces and shake the division by testing Newcastle’s resolve.

A Mane repeat: Liverpool likely to finalise move for £40m "monster" soon

Liverpool have enjoyed a fantastic transfer window and it’s not slowing down.

1 ByMatt Dawson Jun 29, 2025

Arsenal have been tipped to sign a “world-class striker” after completing a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with manager Mikel Arteta putting pressure on the club’s board to compete in the transfer market.

Arsenal seal Martin Zubimendi agreement with medical imminent

On Wednesday afternoon, BBC journalist Sami Mokbel was the first to break news that Zubimendi is set to undergo a medical at Arsenal ahead of sealing a switch to north London.

Arsenal ask about signing "important" Real Madrid player alongside Rodrygo

Andrea Berta’s talks for him hit a snag earlier this week.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 28, 2025

Arsenal have been in negotiations for the Spain international since January (The Mail), and Real Madrid were reportedly threatening to hijack their move for him at one stage, given the length of time it was taking to shake hands on an agreement.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)	Money on new signings
19/20 – winter	£0
20/21 – summer	£81.5m
20/21 – winter	£900k
21/22 – summer	£156.8m
21/22 – winter	£1.8m
22/23 – summer	£121.5m
22/23 – winter	£59m
23/24 – summer	£208m
23/24 – winter	£0
24/25 – summer	£101.5m
24/25 – winter	£0

However, those fears are now seemingly being put to rest, and it looks beyond all doubt that Zubimendi will become Andrea Berta’s first signing as Arsenal’s new sporting director.

Arsenal will trigger his £51 million release clause and bring in an adept replacement for Jorginho, who is off to Flamengo after agreeing a pre-contract, with Arteta’s side potentially going into next season with a solid centre midfield trio of Declan Rice, Zubimendi and Thomas Partey – if they can indeed extend the latter’s deal.

The 26-year-old comes to N5 with a glowing reputation as a top-performer for boyhood club Sociedad, who also helped Spain to win Euro 2024 last year, with Arsenal praised for signing a “perfect foil” to Rice in the middle.

Ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer window for Berta, attention now turns to who will follow Zubimendi to the Emirates.

Arsenal tipped to sign "world-class" striker after Martin Zubimendi

According to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Arteta has been pushing high-ranking Arsenal officials to be active in the market, with Zubimendi potentially just one of many new incomings.

After the Spaniard, Solhekol tips Arsenal to sign a “world-class” striker, amid links to RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.

“We have heard Mikel Arteta say that when Arsenal come calling, players most often say yes. They find it difficult to turn them down,” said Solhekol.

“I’m sure Zubimendi has been very impressed by what Mikel Arteta is doing at Arsenal. Arsenal are pressing ahead with completing a deal. He will become Arsenal’s first signing of the summer.

“Not the last. Arsenal will sign a striker this summer. I think they will sign a world-class striker, like Victor Gyokeres from Sporting or Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. It will be Zubimendi and a striker, as well as other players. Next season, Arteta wants to win the title. He has been putting pressure on the board.

“They will be active in the window.”

This comes as a very encouraging update for supporters, especially after they finished 10 points behind Premier League champions Liverpool and ended 2024/25 trophyless, with Arteta determined to get it right next term.

An elite centre-forward is quite simply imperative after they fell short of their previous goalscoring standards this year, with just 69 scored in the league, not to mention registering more draws than any other side in the top 10.