Former Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has now given his thoughts on the Black Cats’ Championship promotion push, in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.
Black Cats seal play-off final spot after Ballard heroics
After picking up a 2-1 victory away at Coventry City in the first leg, Sunderland were in a strong position to reach the play-off final, but as ever, they didn’t do things the easy way, with the game going to extra-time after Ephron Mason-Clark’s late goal for the visitors.
However, Regis Le Bris’ side managed to get the job done in dramatic fashion, with Daniel Ballard scoring a stoppage-time equaliser, booking his side a place at Wembley against Sheffield United on May 24th.
It has been a tumultuous eight years for the Mackems since being relegated from the Premier League in 2017, spending four years trying to get out of League One, but they now have a golden opportunity to bring top flight football back to the Stadium of Light.
That is despite losing five straight matches heading into the play-offs, which was a concern for former manager Poyet. In partnership with BetBrain, the 57 year-old told Football FanCast he was impressed by their ability to bounce back from such a horror run of form.
The Uruguayan said: “Now, I’m a little bit more calm. Before the (first) Coventry game I thought ‘what is going on?’. Tremendous season, and then finishing the season in the worst way. When you talk to a psychologist, they’ll say the worst way to head into a play-off is losing five games in a row, mentally. But, in football, nothing is right or wrong, they went on and beat a very good Coventry team.
Speaking about playing in front of what was a raucous Stadium of Light crowd, he said: “I wouldn’t say there’s pressure, pressure is when you’re fighting relegation, that’s pressure,” before adding: “Wembley is always difficult but it’s always an opportunity, so I’m really looking forward to seeing if they can make it this year.”
Nothing to fear for Sunderland at Wembley
There were some justified concerns heading into the play-offs, given that Le Bris’ side had lost their previous five games on the spin, but Ballard’s late goal should give them confidence ahead of the play-off final against Sheffield United.
Having finished on 90 points, the Blades will undoubtedly be the favourites heading into the match, but there is nothing to fear for the Black Cats, considering they defeated Chris Wilder’s side 1-0 in their most recent encounter.
Sunderland star has now proven he's their best signing since Defoe
Sunderland could now have stumbled upon their best buy since Jermain Defoe.
ByKelan Sarson May 13, 2025
Le Bris took the time to praise the part the fans played on Tuesday night, saying: “The atmosphere was crazy. They helped a lot because we went through difficult moments, their energy was contagious. They were our twelfth man, really they were.”
With another trip to Wembley now pencilled in for May 24th, the fans will have an even more important role to play in just over a week’s time.
Manchester United’s move for Matheus Cunha appears to be all but completed, although that deal will likely be just the start of a hectic summer at Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim expected to oversee a real squad overhaul.
While the Portuguese has admitted that incomings may be limited due to the club’s failure to secure Champions League qualification, he also hinted that he could look to work with a smaller squad as a result, heightening the need for further departures.
Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans all said their goodbyes during Sunday’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa, while sales for Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony are all set to be prioritised, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Evans and Lindelof
A bold call has been made by Amorim and INEOS over the future of Alejandro Garnacho, with the Argentine currently the major talking point at the club – alongside in-demand captain, Bruno Fernandes.
Latest on Bruno Fernandes' future
In the aftermath of last week’s Europa League final defeat, Fernandes – who had put in a surprisingly muted performance in the Bilbao showpiece – admitted for the first time that the club could decide to cash in on him, having previously rejected an “offer” from elsewhere last summer.
The 30-year-old did put pen to paper over a contract extension ahead of the start of this season, although intense interest from Saudi Arabian side, Al Hilal, has thrown his future in doubt.
It has been claimed in recent days that the playmaker has been given 72 hours by the Pro League outfit to decide whether or not he is open to a move, having spent the last five-and-a-half years in Manchester.
Bruno Fernandes
The belief is that Al Hilal are willing to almost treble Fernandes’ wage, should he agree to a switch, with United’s talisman in line to take home £700k-per-week, totalling £200m over a three-year contract.
Should that mammoth offer prove too tempting for both player and club – with an £100m fee having been mooted – then Amorim and co will need to seek out a suitable replacement.
Man Utd's search to replace Fernandes
With Cunha having one foot in the door, the search to find a new attacking talisman is already underway, although for a side who failed to score in 16 games in all competitions in 2024/25, further reinforcements are needed.
With that in mind, Caught Offside are reporting that the Red Devils are ready to capitalise on the uncertainty surrounding Lee Kang-in’s future at Paris Saint-Germain, with talks said to have hit a snag over the South Korean’s contract extension.
As per the report, while the 24-year-old still has three years left on his existing deal, the failure to tie him down to fresh terms has ‘opened the door’ for suitors to pounce, with the Old Trafford side said to have ‘made a move’ to sign him.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Any deal could cost in the region of £36m, with The Athletic reporting in January that the Ligue 1 side are looking to at least double their €22m (£18m) investment, after landing the playmaker from Mallorca in 2023.
That reported price tag was mooted amid interest from Arsenal, with the Gunners among a raft of clubs to have made contact, alongside the likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
Paris St Germain'sLeeKang-in, Paris St Germain's Nuno Mendes and Paris St Germain's Achraf Hakimi
A hotly-contested race then it would seem, although if United can win the battle, Lee could represent a wildcard Fernandes replacement.
Why Lee Kang-in could be a perfect Fernandes replacement
It is a summer in which many top-flight clubs are looking to strengthen their attacking ranks, with rivals Liverpool seemingly stepping up their pursuit of one of the most high-profile deals to have been touted so far, with regard to Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.
The subject of an offer worth over €100m (£86m), the German sensation looks to have selected Anfield as his next destination, despite interest from Bayern Munich, with the 22-year-old enjoying a fine campaign in which he registered 31 goals and assists in all competitions.
While Lee may not have hit such heights back in Paris, having registered just 12 goals and assists amid his bit-part role under Luis Enrique, it is encouraging to note that he has been deemed a statistically similar profile to Wirtz, among those in their position in this season’s Champions League, as per FBref.
Lee vs Wirtz – 24/25 UCL stats
Stat (per 90)
Lee
Wirtz
Non-penalty goals
0.00
0.59
Assists
0.00
0.12
Shot-creating actions
5.00
5.10
Pass completion
86.1%
85.8%
Progressive passes
7.50
6.28
Progressive carries
3.65
3.32
Successful take-ons
1.54
2.13
Tackles
1.73
0.71
Interceptions
0.19
0.47
Stats via FBref
As indicated in the table above, the two men – both of whom can operate off the flanks or in a central role – are particularly adept at providing a creative outlet in attack, with Lee ranking in the top 1% of Champions League forwards for progressive passes per 90. Wirtz, for context, ranks in the top 3% in that regard.
The duo’s dribbling prowess is also worth noting, with Lee – who did only feature for 468 minutes in the competition – ranking in the top 18% for successful take-ons per 90, with his German counterpart ranking in the top 1% for that same metric.
Previously described as an “incredible” talent by international teammate Son Heung-min, the former Valencia starlet has recorded 22 goals and assists in 81 games during his time in Paris, while previously registering 17 goal involvements in 73 games for Mallorca.
It is also worth mentioning that despite registering just six goals and six assists in Ligue 1 in 2024/25, the Korean gem did create 16 ‘big chances’, while averaging 1.9 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.
Wirtz, for example, was only just ahead after creating 17 ‘big chances’ in the Bundesliga, albeit while averaging 1.8 key passes, while as for Fernandes, the Portuguese hero also created 16 ‘big chances’ in the Premier League.
That indicates the type of threat that Lee can offer, particularly if afforded regular game time under Amorim’s watch, with the silky left-footer courting such interest for a reason, heading into the summer window.
Lee Kang-in for Paris Saint-Germain
For United to be able to land a Wirtz-like talent on the cheap could prove a masterstroke, with the PSG contract rebel representing a potentially left-field solution should Fernandes’ void need to be filled.
Another Sancho situation: Man Utd plot move for "world-class" £30m star
Manchester United could be about to make a move for a star who could replicate Jadon Sancho’s footsteps.
It might be a tired cliché, but this summer looks set to be Arsenal’s most important in years.
After failing to win the Premier League at the third time of asking and coming painfully close to the final of the Champions League this season, Mikel Arteta’s side have to deliver one or the other next year.
To help them do that, new Sporting Director Andrea Berta and Co have to deliver the goods in this summer’s transfer window by signing ready-made stars to help them win now.
However, while the focus has to be on those who can make an immediate impact, there is always room to pick up a few future stars, and based on recent reports, Arsenal may be about to sign someone who could be their own Rayan Cherki a few years down the line.
Arsenal transfer news
It was just over a month ago that Arsenal were linked with a £30m move for Cherki, and it’s not hard to see why some fans would love him to make his way to the Emirates.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
For example, in 44 appearances for Lyon this season, totalling 3097 minutes, the young Frenchman scored 12 goals and provided 20 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.37 games, or every 96.78 minutes.
However, the stories touting him for a move to N5 soon dried up, and now it looks like Manchester City are going to be the ones who sign the 21-year-old, with transfers expert Fabrizio Romano confirming yesterday morning that the club had agreed personal terms with the player.
Rayan Cherki
While missing out on the Lyon star isn’t ideal, the good news is that Arteta and Co might soon have their own incredibly exciting youngster on the books in Konstantinos Karetsas.
Yes, according to a recent report from Greece, Arsenal are incredibly interested in signing the Genk gem.
In fact, in something of a surprise, the report has revealed that the North Londoners are ‘very close to an agreement’ for the player, which will see them pay the Belgian outfit around €45m, which is about £38m, and leave him on loan with the team for next season.
It’s undoubtedly a lot of money to pay for someone so young, but based on his ability and potential, it may well be worth it, especially as he could be the club’s own version of Cherki a few years from now.
Why Karetsas could be Arsenal's Cherki
So, the first thing to say, and it’s an important qualifier, is that Karetsas is not at the same level as Cherki at the moment, and fans should not expect him to be.
After all, the Greek prospect is four years the Frenchman’s junior and, as a result, is much further behind in his development.
However, with some key similarities between the pair, it’s not hard to see a world in which the 17-year-old follows his development and eventually becomes a truly top-level player.
The first of these similarities is where they play, as while the Lyon ace has just about spent more time off the right this season, his most played position across his career has been in attacking midfield.
Likewise, the incredibly exciting Genk gem is primarily an attacking midfielder but has made a few appearances out wide, and according to respected analyst Ben Mattinson, his “1v1 ability and 2 footedness will make him deadly on the wings.”
That description of the youngster sounds an awful lot like the City-bound star, who has more than proven his own 1v1 ability and is unquestionably brilliant with both feet.
Furthermore, on top of his dribbling, Mattinson highlights the Genk-born talent’s ability on the ball, describing him as someone capable of playing “defence splitting passes” and saying that he should not be given any “space anywhere near the box on either side as he’ll hit the corners.”
In short, Mattinson’s description of the youngster as someone who “has it all” doesn’t feel too wide of the mark, and his underlying numbers from this season further back up that assessment.
According to FBref, he sits in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the next 14 competitions for carries, total carrying distance and fouls drawn, the top 3% for key passes, crosses and shot-creating actions from dead-balls, the top 5% for expected assists and shot-creating actions, the top 6% for take-ons attempted and more, all per 90.
Karetsas’ Scout Report
Statistics
Per 90
Percentile
Carries
48.80
Top 1%
Total Carrying Distance
327.41
Top 1%
Fouls Drawn
3.41
Top 1%
Carries into Final Third
3.80
Top 2%
Key Passes
3.18
Top 3%
Crosses
7.37
Top 3%
SCA (Dead-ball Passes)
1.47
Top 3%
Progressive Carrying Distance
148.03
Top 4%
Expected Assists
0.31
Top 5%
Shot-Creating Actions
5.66
Top 5%
Touches
65.09
Top 6%
Take-Ons Attempted
5.74
Top 6%
All Stats via FBref
Ultimately, while it’s a lot of money to spend on someone so young, it might end up being an incredible bit of business a few years from now, as, just like Cherki, Karetsas looks like he has everything a number ten or winger would need to succeed at the very highest level.
Their own Kane: Arsenal begin talks to sign "exceptional" £42m goalscorer
The promising poacher could develop into something special at Arsenal.
The close relative of a “great” Liverpool transfer target has claimed that his move to Anfield this summer is now “basically a done deal”, in an exciting new update.
Florian Wirtz week at Liverpool
The Reds have already brought in Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen since the end of last season, but this week has the potential to be a particularly memorable one at Anfield.
Liverpool appear to be edging closer to the stunning signing of Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz all the time, with fresh reports claiming that he will be in England on Thursday, with his medical and official unveiling taking place on Friday.
While much focus is on Wirtz currently, which is no surprise considering he is seen as one of Europe’s best players currently, a move for Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth is also close to happening.
The 21-year-old has emerged as the perfect left-back to come in and be Andy Robertson’s long-term successor at Liverpool, and now a new update suggests that the transfer is closer to happening than ever.
Liverpool signing Kerkez "basically a done deal"
Speaking to Super Indirektno [via The Mirror], Kerkez’s father, Sebastijan Kerkez, claimed that his son’s move to Liverpool is “basically a done deal”, also discussing the huge influence of sporting director Richard Hughes.
“It’s only Liverpool for us and we’re not going anywhere else and we won’t talk to other clubs. Everything is done between us (personal terms) we just need to sort out some details but it’s basically a done deal. Richard Hughes brought us to Bournemouth, if he said we go to India, then we go to India, everything is agreed, just some little things.”
AFC Bournemouth's MilosKerkez
This is fantastic news for anyone of a Liverpool persuasion, with Kerkez looking tailor-made to thrive in this Premier League-winning team under Arne Slot.
Milos Kerkez’s 2024/25 Premier League stats
Total
Appearances
38
Starts
38
Minutes played
3341
Goals
2
Assists
5
Clearances per game
2.6
Tackles per game
1.4
Interceptions per game
1.2
The Hungarian caught the eye so often with his performances for Bournemouth in 2024/25, standing out as one of the best left-backs in the country and being hailed by manager Andoni Iraola.
“Milos has improved a lot from past season. He has done a great job defensively. I think he’s a player that because of his physical condition arrives so many times to the last third with the ball under control to put good crosses that the number of assists, of good balls he was having, was quite low past season, but this season I think he’s deciding much better. He’s adding quality to his deliveries.”
Big Ekitike upgrade: Liverpool dreaming of signing "the world's best CF"
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There is always a risk that any move won’t work out, but assuming he avoids serious injury, the £40m-rated Kerkez looks primed to be a massive player for Liverpool for many years to come.
It would be fair to say that this season was something of a disappointment for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side ended up ten points off Liverpool in the Premier League, failed to make a dent in the FA Cup, and, with better finishing, could have realistically been in a Champions League final.
However, while it’s easy to focus on the negative, there have been at least a few positives, such as the development and performances of Jurrien Timber, who seriously stepped up in the absence of Ben White.
The Dutchman is now unquestionably one of the manager’s best signings, and based on reports, it looks like he could soon have himself another younger version of the international.
Arsenal transfer news
Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other young talents Arsenal have been linked with in recent weeks, such as Adam Wharton and Konstantinos Karetsas.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former is reportedly available for close to £80m this summer, and while that is a lot of money to spend on someone who is just 21 years old, he’s more than proven his ability at Crystal Palace and played a key role in their FA Cup triumph this year.
Karetsas, on the other hand, is a little harder to justify at a whopping £38m, as while he’s seriously impressed in Belgium this season, he is still just 17 years old, and that sort of money would probably be better off being spent on someone who could play for the team next year.
With that said, while these two youngsters are incredibly talented, neither one can be described as anything like Timber, unlike Jorrel Hato.
Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several teams incredibly interested in the Ajax star.
The report has revealed that Arsenal, alongside the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United, have already made contact to find out more information about a possible transfer.
However, on top of having to contend with some serious competition, Andrea Berta and Co would have to stump a fee of up to €50m to get their man, which is about £42m.
Ajax Amsterdam's JorrelHatocelebrates after the match
It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but it is one Arsenal should be fighting for, especially as he’d be the club’s next Timber.
Why Hato would be Arsenal's next timber
Now, it might sound like a bold claim to suggest that a teenager from outside the top five leagues could develop into a full-back who was impeccable against Real Madrid home and away in the Champions League.
Arsenal's JurrienTimbercelebrates after the match
Yet, that is exactly what we are suggesting, and there are a number of reasons why.
Firstly, the Eridivise might not be one of the best leagues in Europe, but it’s only just outside the top five, sitting in sixth place, and crucially, Timber made his way to North London from the Netherlands.
In fact, not only did the Gunners’ ace join Arteta’s title challengers from the same country, but he did so from Ajax, which is where Hato is currently plying his trade.
Furthermore, the pair are both Dutch and on top of coming up through the Ajax academy, they also share the ability to play in more than one position, depending on what the manager wants and needs.
Hato & Timber’s positional versatility
Hato
Games
Goals
Assists
Left-Back
68
3
6
Centre-Back
41
1
3
Left Midfield
1
0
0
Timber
Games
Goals
Assists
Centre-Back
170
9
6
Right-Back
82
4
5
Left-Back
22
1
1
Defensive Midfield
2
1
0
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, we all know that Timber is at his best at right-back, but he’s already played at centre-back and left-back since moving to England, just as the in-demand youngster has primarily played at left-back in his career but is more than comfortable at centre-back as well.
Finally, it’s not just us who see the parallels, as respected analyst Ben Mattinson has described the 19-year-old gem as “Timber 2.0.”
Ultimately, he might not be cheap, but Hato looks destined to be a monster of a defender, and for that reason, Arsenal should do what they can to bring him to the club, as he could be their new Timber.
Arsenal targeting £80m "nightmare" who'd be more exciting than Zubimendi
Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Martin Zubimendi.
It’s not easy to make an impact when you face only a few balls and bowl a few overs, but the England allrounder is determined to fulfil that role during the World Cup
Sidharth Monga24-Jun-2024
Liam Livingstone doesn’t get much time in the middle during the T20 World Cup•Getty Images
Liam Livingstone has batted just 33 balls in three innings at three venues during this T20 World Cup. He has 61 runs at a strike-rate of 184.84 but he is a disappointed man. Welcome to the world of a lower-middle order batter in a short and sharp tournament in atypical conditions characterised by slower pitches. He is most disappointed with his 33 off 17 against South Africa, when he hit a full toss into a strong wind, leaving England needing 25 off 16.They didn’t make it. The next game a must-win for England in which Livingstone didn’t get to bat but played a role with the ball: his offbreaks to left-hand batters and legbreaks to right-hand batters yielded 4-0-24-1.The thing on slower pitches is that the top order tries to bat deeper, the No. 7 gets to bat either in crisis or when it’s time to go, go, go, and has to adjust to many variables that are hard to train for. After that four-over spell against USA, Livingstone was asked whether he felt like he is the tournament.”It’s a bit different,” Livingstone said. “I don’t really have the most glamorous role in this team, to be honest. I guess my role in the team is to be there, bang on it whenever I’m needed. And even the game against the West Indies, having bowled that one over, getting the wicket of Rovman Powell, I’d probably rather take that 1 for 20 than none for 4 or something.”It’s a different role to what I’ve been used to my whole career. It’s something that takes a bit of getting used to more mentally than anything else, and that’s why I was so disappointed the other day that I didn’t finish it off against South Africa because I felt like that was my time in the tournament, my chance in the tournament to really win us a game. Hopefully there’s a time still to come.”It’s different: bowl when I’m needed, don’t always bat in the games that are finished quite quickly. I guess it’s more a mental challenge for me over the last few months of making sure that I’m right on it whenever I’m needed.”Liam Livingstone has faced only 33 balls in three innings during this T20 World Cup•ICC/Getty Images
It is difficult because elite cricketers are ultra-competitive athletes who have made it this far by getting involved in every bit of play they can. “As a kid, I always wanted to be involved,” Livingstone said. “That’s the reason I started bowling a few years back. Bating at seven and bowling one over every couple of games or whatever … that’s where the hard bit comes because you want to try and get involved in the game. But yeah, it’s the role that I’m playing in this team and the best way for me to do well for the team is making sure that I’m right on it whenever I’m needed.”Thankfully the last two games I feel like I struck the ball pretty well against South Africa and I feel like I bowled pretty well today. So I guess they’re the last two performances with bat and ball. I feel like I’m in a really good place. So who knows, hopefully I’m not needed in the next two games and we can win a World Cup, but if I am needed, I feel like I’m in a decent place.”When that rare chance comes, though you strike the ball well, you are expected to finish the game, which Livingstone didn’t. But the fact is that nobody has aggregated 100 runs batting at Nos. 6 and 7 this World Cup.”Look, I’m in the team to finish off games with the bat and try and get wickets with the ball when we feel like we’re struggling for one,” Livingstone said. “So yeah, I’m always going to be harsh on myself. I had the chance to finish the game off the other day and didn’t quite do it. But yeah, I feel like I was hitting the ball really well. I felt like I was bowling really well. I guess the most pleasing thing for me over the last two or three years is my body feels really good, and that’s the biggest pleasing thing for me. If there’s an opportunity to affect a game of cricket over the next one or two games, then hopefully I’m ready to do that.”It’s difficult to train for such a role too. Without giving away secrets, Livingstone shed some light on his process. “Anything that you do for a living, you’ve got to find a way to train for that,” he said. “My training’s been a bit different. You’ve got to try and put yourself in pressure situations. Having Polly [Kieron Pollard] around has made things a little bit easier for me, having someone who’s done the role for so long, being able to speak to him about that. I guess I’ve kind of enjoyed the challenge of not getting loads of opportunities, but when it comes, trying to make sure I can deliver.”The physical challenge of this role often doesn’t get spoken about. Livingstone nearly did his knee at the IPL two years ago. He almost injured his side in this tournament. “Touch wood, a lot of wood,” Livingstone said when asked if his side was fine. “Yeah, my knee’s been really good. I had the same sort of thing in an IPL a couple of years ago when I missed the ball, and I think it comes from sitting down for a couple of hours and then trying to hit the ball out the ground first ball.”Yeah, my side feels alright. My knee is really good, which is most pleasing thing for me. So fingers crossed, the last couple of years of niggles are behind me and I’m back enjoying my cricket and that’s the main thing for me. So playing with a smile on my face, which is something that I always used to do.”
Liverpool have found out their fate for their title defence in 2025/26. The Premier League fixtures were confirmed on Tuesday morning, with Arne Slot hoping to lead his team to the title for the second year in a row.
With Florian Wirtz set to join soon, and the experience of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the squad, they have an exciting side. Indeed, those players and their teammates will begin the title defence on Friday, 15th August, at home to Bournemouth. Their first away trip will see them travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United.
It has already been a busy summer at Anfield, and things will now only ramp up with the announcement of the fixtures.
Liverpool's latest transfer target
Liverpool’s 2025 summer window has started quickly. They already have Jeremie Frimpong in the door, and seem set to add Wirtz and Milos Kerkez from the Cherries, sooner rather than later. Then, the attention can turn to their next reported target.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The highly reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano has recently confirmed on YouTube, via Caught Offside, that the Reds hold “concrete interest” in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. Romano explained that Reds ‘are involved in the story’ for the Frenchman this summer.
However, the deal can’t progress yet, because Liverpool ‘are waiting to find a solution for Darwin Nunez’, who will leave the club this summer.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
Once that transfer has gone through, a move for Ekitike might speed up. The Mirror recently quoted his price at £60m, so it is safe to assume the Merseysiders will need to pay somewhere in that region.
Why Ekitike could help Salah break more records
At just 22 years of age, Frankfurt superstar Ekitike has garnered himself a fantastic reputation, having shone in the 2025/25 campaign. Football scout Antonio Mango once called him a “gem” of a footballer while journalist Graeme Bailey has outlined how some think he could be “the next Mbappe”. It is easy to see why.
Hugo Ekitike for Frankfurt.
The Frenchman, who came through the Reims academy, where he was born, managed to score 22 goals and grab 12 assists across all competitions last season.
He played 48 games and was a really important part of a Frankfurt side that finished third and qualified for the Champions League.
Indeed, Ekitike comes with a great pedigree in Europe, too. Of his 34 goals and assists last term, seven came in the Europa League, which included a goal away to eventual winners, and Liverpool’s Premier League rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.
If the Reds are able to get this deal over the line, Ekitike could become the perfect player alongside Salah. The Liverpool legend was sensational yet again last season, winning the Golden Boot with his 29 goals and picking up 18 assists, too.
With 87 assists to his name in the Premier League and no signs of slowing down, there is a realistic chance that the man lovingly dubbed the “Egyptian King” by the Anfield faithful could climb higher up the list of all-time most assists in the English top flight.
Ryan Giggs currently tops it with 162 assists, so Salah has some way to go, but matching his assist total from 2024/25 next season will see him climb to fourth and go far ahead of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
Ekitike could be the perfect player to help get him there. His underlying stats on FBref from last season are those of a true goalscorer, with 0.53 goals per 90 minutes ranking him in the top 19% of Bundesliga forwards.
The Frenchman is a complete centre-forward, and wouldn’t just help boost Salah’s assist numbers. He is a chance creator too, averaging 1.55 key passes each game, which places him in the top 12% of Bundesliga forwards. With Salah’s eye for goal, they could form a deadly duo.
Ekitike key stats from 2024/25 Bundesliga season
Stat (per 90)
Ekitike
Percentile vs. Bundesliga forwards
Goals
0.53
81st
Goals and assists
0.81
88th
Expected goals
0.76xG
95th
Key passes
1.55
88th
Shot-creating actions
3.55
84th
Stats from FBref
There is no doubt that Liverpool’s investment this summer has been huge, but in many ways, it has to be in order to compete for the Premier League title again. Perhaps, for just £60m, Ekitike could be the missing piece in their side.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
It will be fascinating to see how this move develops, but one thing is for sure: the Frenchman could form a superb partnership with an all-time legend of the Premier League.
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يستعد منتخب مصر الثاني بقيادة حلمي طولان المدير الفني، لخوض أولى مبارياته الودية استعدادًا لبطولة كأس العرب في قطر، بمواجهة قوية أمام تونس.
ويستضيف منتخب مصر الثاني نظيره تونس، على أرضية ملعب هيئة قناة السويس في الإسماعيلية، في المباراة الودية.
ويشارك منتخب مصر في بطولة كأس العرب المقامة في قطر، في نسختها الثانية، التي تبدأ في 1 ديسمبر المقبل، وتختتم بالنهائي يوم 18 من الشهر ذاته.
طالع أيضاً.. فيديو | منتخب مصر على أعتاب كأس العالم 2026 بثنائية صلاح ومرموش أمام إثيوبيا
ومن المقرر أن يلعب المنتخب المصري مباراتين وديتين أمام تونس، اليوم موعدًا للمباراة الأولى، و9 سبتمبر موعدًا للثانية.
ويخوض منتخب مصر المباراة تحت بقيادة حلمي طولان مديرًا فنيًا ومعه أحمد حسن مديرًا للمنتخب وعصام الحضري مدربًا للحراس، بقرار من اتحاد الكرة المصري، بعد رفض حسام حسن المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر خوض البطولة في وقت الاستعداد لـ كأس أمم إفريقيا بالمغرب. موعد مباراة مصر وتونس الودية اليوم
من المقرر أن تُقام المباراة اليوم السبت في تمام الساعة الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة مصر وتونس اليوم
من المنتظر أن تُذاع المباراة عبر قناة “أون سبورت 1”.
ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.
The four-day squad has Matthew Breetzke from the current Test tour to West Indies, while Dewald Brevis is in both squads
Firdose Moonda01-Aug-2024
Neil Brand captained the South Africa side in New Zealand•Getty Images
Discarded Test captain Neil Brand, who led a second-string South African side in New Zealand in February, has been tasked with leading a South Africa A side against Sri Lanka A next month. Brand will take charge of a home series that includes two four-day matches aimed at preparing players considered to be on the fringes of the national side to make the step up. The red-ball matches are preceded by three one-day games, with Test wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne in charge of the white-ball squad.South Africa’s fifty-over playing group also includes David Bedingham, who scored a Test century in New Zealand under Brand, Tony de Zorzi, who made his ODI debut last year and Tristan Luus, who played at the Under-19 World Cup. The four-day squad also has Matthew Breetzke from the current Test tour to West Indies. Dewald Brevis, the breakout star from the 2022 under-19 World Cup, is in both squads.Interestingly, the number of black African players in the squads far exceeds the national target of two players per XI (on average over the course of a season) with six black African players in the one-day squad and four in the Test squad. Allrounder Mihlali Mpongwana, who is currently captaining a South African Emerging squad in Zimbabwe, is in both squads along with Lutho Sipamla, the bowler who has been capped 17 times across all formats internationally but has struggled with recent injuries. In the four-day squad, batters Tshepang Dithole and Sinethemba Qeshile are included while in the one-day squad batters Andile Mokgakane and Andile Simelane are joined by allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo.The selection indicates a clear focus on Cricket South Africa’s aims to develop more black African batting talent as they plan for the home ODI World Cup in 2027. There were no black African batters at the recent T20 World Cup and only Temba Bavuma plays regularly in ODIs. CSA’s recently concluded Diversity, Equality and Inclusion conference placed an emphasis on ensuring there is enough black African talent at provincial level for the national coaches to select, after white-ball coach Rob Walter asked for the domestic set-up to “up the ante,” when it comes to advancing transformation.The series is set to run from August 31 to September 18. Walter and Test coach Shukri Conrad selected the two squads. Conrad will oversee the entire tour, with Walter involved with the national team on trips to West Indies and the UAE. All three one-day games will be played in Potchefstroom and the four-day matches in Kimberley and Benoni. South Africa A one-day squad: Kyle Verreynne (capt), David Bedingham, Eathan Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Dayyaan Galiem, Tristan Luus, Mihlali Mpongwana, Andile Mogakane, Senuran Muthusamy , Andile Phehlukwayo, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla, Codi Yusuf South Africa A four-day squad: Neil Brand (capt), Marques Ackerman, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Tshepang Dithole, Jean du Plessis, Patrick Kruger, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Mihlali Mpongwana, Migael Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lutho Sipamla, Prenelan Subrayen, Beyers Swanepoel, Codi Yusuf
Manchester United have now opened talks to sign a £52m midfielder who’s “out of this world”, with Ruben Amorim identifying him as one of his top targets, according to a report.
Neville urges Man Utd to sign new midfielder
The rebuild is well underway at Man United, with Matheus Cunha becoming the first major signing of the summer, while they remain in the running for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, but Gary Neville believes several other signings will be necessary.
The United legend said: “It needs a big overhaul in the summer. Five or six players minimum to be able to change the direction of how he wants to play. There’s at least two forwards, a central midfield player, definitely two wing backs and another centre-back. They need six players minimum.”
The Red Devils are now closing in on a new central midfielder, with a deal for Valencia’s Javi Guerra thought to be edging closer to completion, while they have also stepped up their pursuit of a Serie A star.
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That is according to a report from GOAL (via Football Transfers), which states that Man United have now opened talks over a deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, having been identified as one of Amorim’s top targets.
The central midfielder is highly sought-after, with AC Milan and Juventus submitting enquiries of their own, while he also has plenty of admirers from within the Premier League, including Arsenal, Newcastle United and Chelsea.
None of the aforementioned English clubs are expected to make moves, however, potentially opening the door for a move to Old Trafford, but a deal is unlikely to be cheap, with the Italian club setting an asking price of €60m (£52m).
Ederson could take Man Utd's midfield to next level
Former England boss Fabio Capello was left extremely impressed by the Brazilian’s performances last season, saying: “He is out of this world for his ability to combine running, physicality, technique and intelligence”.
Atalanta's Ederson in action
Central midfield has been a real problem position for the Red Devils in recent times, with Manuel Ugarte’s struggles since arriving at Old Trafford well-documented, while Jamie Carragher infamously suggested Casemiro is finished at the top level.
With the former Real Madrid man now 33-years-old, it is clear that Amorim needs to bring in a long-term replacement, and the Atalanta star could be a solid option, having been dubbed a “machine” in midfield by journalist Carlo Garganese.
Ederson could be a fantastic signing for Man United this summer, and it is a boost that Arsenal, Newcastle and Chelsea aren’t expected to make approaches, given that the propsect of playing in the Champions League could appeal to the Brazil international.