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Leeds United have had a busy summer transfer window, with a large focus on strengthening their attack.

Despite finishing as the Championship’s leading goalscorers last term, Daniel Farke’s side have concentrated on signing new forwards to help add to their forward line ahead of their relegation fight from the Premier League.

Two of their new additions have been free transfers, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin switching to Elland Road after his Everton contract expired, and Lukas Nmecha joining from Wolfsburg. Their other addition in attacking areas was that of AC Milan and Switzerland star Noah Okafor.

However, Farke is clearly still keen to add attacking depth to his side. Leeds are linked with a late move for yet another attacker.

Leeds push for new attacker

As the Whites’ search for a fourth attacker in the window goes on, they have been linked with a shock move for former Chelsea and Tottenham star Timo Werner. However, the RB Leipzig star rejected the newly-promoted side.

Transfer Focus

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

Instead, Farke and his side could make a move for a Ligue 1 star.

That’s according to a report from Sky Sports who say that Leeds are said to be looking for a ‘versatile forward’ in the next few days, and Strasbourg star Dilane Bakwa is a player ‘of interest’ to the 49ers group.

Leeds have been smart with their money on forwards this summer, making those two free signings, so there could be room left in the budget.

That is money that would be needed in this deal, given that Bakwa has been reportedly valued at £30m by Strasbourg this summer.

Why Bakwa would be a good signing

France U21 international Bakwa has certainly garnered a huge reputation in Ligue 1. He ticks the versatile attacker box that Leeds are looking for, and can play on both the right flank and as a centre-forward.

Last season, the 23-year-old, who hails from Creteil, just outside of Paris, played a huge part in Strasbourg reaching the UEFA Conference League. In 30 top-flight appearances for Liam Rosenior’s side, he bagged six goals and assisted a further nine.

The Strasbourg number 26 has already started the new campaign on fire. In the first two Ligue 1 games of the season, he has two assists, including this pinpoint cross to Emmanuel Emegha, which the striker headed home.

If Leeds manage to agree a deal to bring Bakwa to Yorkshire, they’d love for him to replicate the impact of their last great signing from Ligue 1, Raphinha.

Of course, the Brazilian is a Ballon d’Or contender for Barcelona, and has been on fire under Hansi Flick for the past 12 months.

Looking back at his days at Elland Road will surely always remind Leeds supporters just how good he was in White.

The Brazilian superstar played 67 times for the club, scoring 17 goals and assisting 12. Strikes like this against Everton were what made him so deadly.

Well, there are certainly similarities between Raphinha and Leeds’ potential new signing Bakwa. The attacker is also lighting up Ligue 1 before his prospective move to Elland Road, and is predominantly a right-winger but can lead the line, just like his Brazilian counterpart.

When looking at the underlying statistics from their most recent seasons in Ligue 1, it is easy to see why Bakwa could be the second coming of Raphinha at Leeds.

For example, the Frenchman averaged 3.86 progressive carries and 0.51 goals and assists per game last season, compared to the former Rennes winger’s tally of 3.40 progressive carries and 0.43 assists per 90 minutes.

Goals and assists

0.51

0.43

Progressive passes

4.66

3.67

Goal-creating actions

0.58

0.27

Progressive carries

3.86

3.4

Ball recoveries

3.32

5.21

A fee of £30m is a big investment just days before the transfer window slams shut, but Bakwa could be worth it for Leeds.

He is a “menacing” attacker, according to football scout Antonio Mango, and can hurt Premier League defenders with his efficiency in the final third.

If Bakwa can replace Raphinha, then he will be well-loved by Leeds fans this season and beyond.

Better than Okafor: Leeds eye last-minute move to sign "unplayable" star

Leeds United are reportedly eyeing up a last-minute move to sign a star who is even better than Noah Okafor.

2 ByDan Emery Aug 27, 2025

Voll, 21, is set to make her ODI debut against India as an opener while Healy is hopeful of returning for the NZ series

Alex Malcolm23-Nov-2024Alyssa Healy has been ruled out Australia’s upcoming women’s ODI series against India with 21-year-old Georgia Voll called up to her first international squad following some stunning domestic form.Healy will miss the three-match home ODI series against India that starts on December 5 in Brisbane due to a knee injury and her availability for the following series against New Zealand in New Zealand remains unknown.Voll has been added to Australia’s 13-player squad for the India series only. Tahlia McGrath will captain the team in Healy’s absence as she did at the end of the T20 World Cup.Related

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Voll has produced three eye-catching domestic innings so far this summer. She made 98 off 94 for Queensland against Western Australia in the WNCL before plundering 92 off 55 and 97 not out off 56 in two WBBL innings recently for Sydney Thunder. The powerful right-hander looks set to be given a chance to open the batting alongside Phoebe Litchfield as Australia looks to add some youth into their experienced line-up.”Georgia Voll has had a strong start to the summer and has shown her potential over several years,” Australia women’s national selector Shawn Flegler said.”She’ll form an exciting partnership with Phoebe Litchfield at the top of the order in what will be a great opportunity for her to get a taste of international cricket against a strong India side.”Alyssa Healy remains sidelined by a knee injury•AFP/Getty ImagesFlegler added that a decision on Healy’s fitness for the New Zealand series, which begins in Wellington on December 19, will be made in due course.”The decision for Alyssa Healy to miss the India series was made with a longer-term view to the Ashes, with her availability for the New Zealand series to become clearer over the next few weeks,” Flegler said.”Tahlia McGrath impressed as captain in tough conditions during the World Cup and will have strong support from Ash Gardner who has developed into a strong leader within the side, both on and off the field.”Australia have included both Sophie Molineux and Darcie Brown despite both players carrying issues in the WBBL.”Sophie has returned to play following knee soreness which will continue to be managed over the course of the summer,” Australian women’s physiotherapist Kate Beerworth said.”Darcie has resumed training following a hip muscle strain and is on track for both series.”CA confirmed that fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck has undergone shoulder surgery following her injury in the T20 World Cup and will not be available for the remainder of the summer.Australia squad for women’s ODIs against India and New ZealandAlyssa Healy (*New Zealand series only), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll (*India series only), Georgia Wareham

After welcoming a wrath of new signings to Anfield already, Liverpool are not showing any signs of slowing down in the transfer market.

If you thought the arrival of Florian Wirtz for a Premier League record fee of £116m was a big splash, then think again. The Reds could be set to break the British record again before transfer deadline day.

With Darwin Nunez reportedly on his way out of Merseyside, Liverpool’s desire to sign a new striker has been no secret.

Their admiration for a certain Alexander Isak is no secret either, and that move looks as though it’s now gathering momentum.

The latest on Alexander Isak to Liverpool

What a move this would be, and despite the obstacles surrounding a deal, it does look more likely than it ever has done now.

Indeed, on Tuesday afternoon, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that Liverpool have made an approach to sign Isak from Newcastle.

Transfer Focus

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

A formal offer has yet been made and the Toon’s stance remains that they do not want to sell him this summer. Alas, the Reds have signalled their intention to do a deal at £120m.

While the fee certainly complicates things, so does Hugo Ekitike. Newcastle submitted their first bid for the Eintracht Frankfurt attacker on Monday and the word on the street is that he wasn’t going to be an Isak replacement, but someone capable of playing alongside the Swede.

The trouble is, Liverpool are also interested in Ekitike and, according to Fabrizio Romano, Arne Slot’s men will likely look towards signing the Frenchman if they cannot get their hands on Isak.

Liverpool pursuing Isak alternative

With that situation a rather sticky one as far as Liverpool are concerned, perhaps they will look elsewhere in the Premier League.

Reports from French outlet Foot Mercato reported at the start of the week that Liverpool reps have flown to Paris to speak with the agents of Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

While the likes of Isak and Ekitike will cost a shedload, any deal for Mateta is likely to be considerably cheaper, with the report stating that he could be sold for something between £43m-£52m if he leaves Selhurst Park this summer.

So, if all else fails, he’d be a great signing right? Well, he certainly stacks up well to Mr Isak.

How Mateta compares to Alexander Isak

Of course, Isak is the dream signing this summer, the Toon’s main man always has been. You don’t score 23 Premier League goals in a single season without catching the eye of other clubs.

Yet, we must not turn our noses up at Mateta either. In the words of the Sportsman he is a “goal-scoring machine” and as Reds writer Ben Bocsak notes, he is one of the “best finishers in the Premier League.”

Indeed, during the 2024/25 campaign, only Isak (25%) and Bryan Mbeumo (24.3%), registered a better season in terms of goal conversions than Mateta’s 23.3%. Mo Salah, for context, delivered a goal conversion rate of 23%. The Eagles centre-forward is already in the conversation of being among the division’s elite attackers.

He ended that term with 14 league goals in 37 outings and has been one of the top-flight’s leading figures in the last two seasons, notably bagging 16 in 35 during 2023/24.

The French sensation is not just a goalscorer either. Like Isak, he’s a proven bagsman in England’s top-flight, but like Isak, he’s also capable of the extraordinary, something we saw when Mateta travelled to the Emirates Stadium and scored an audacious lob against Arsenal.

Isak might be more of a direct runner but they’re both powerful and some statistical similarities can be drawn upon.

Assessing the data, via FBRef, it becomes clear where the key similarities and differences lie.

There are obvious differences in the way they beat a player. Isak is more fleet-footed, possessing that dangerous burst of pace to get beyond the defensive line. Mateta, on the other hand, is more likely to outmuscle a centre-back and hold the ball up.

He’s like an “old-fashioned” striker as Thierry Henry once said. Yet, they are actually involved in the play at a similar rate.

They touch the ball a similar number of times per 90 minutes, register a similar number of shots on target and shoot from a similar distance, just beyond the penalty spot. On that evidence, they’re not just out-and-out poachers; they offer goals from distance too.

Isak would be an unbelievable signing for the Reds but in Mateta they could sign a Premier League-proven forward with a similar conversion rate for a fraction of the price. Just imagine what he could do in a team where more chances are created. This move feels like a no-brainer if Ekitike and Newcastle’s number 9 are off the table.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 15, 2025

يبحث الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي عن تصحيح مساره والعودة للانتصارات في بطولة الدوري المصري عندما يخوض مواجهة قوية أمام نظيره سيراميكا كليوباترا، مساء غدٍ الجمعة.

ومن المقرر أن تقام مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا على أرضية استاد القاهرة، في إطار لقاءات الجولة السابعة من الدوري المصري، في الثامنة مساء.

طالع| حكم مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا في الدوري المصري

ويرغب الأهلي، الذي سقط في فخ التعادل مع إنبي بهدف لكل فريق، في آخر مباراة بالدوري، في تحقيق الفوز وحصد ثلاث نقاط تعيده إلى المنافسة من جديد على لقب البطولة المحلية.

ويعاني الأهلي، بقيادة عماد النحاس، من الغيابات التي ضربت الفريق، وعلى رأسها أحمد سيد زيزو وإمام عاشور، وكذلك كريم فؤاد ومحمد شكري، فيما عاد للقائمة ياسر إبراهيم وعمر كمال عبد الواحد.

ويتواجد الأهلي في المركز السادس عشر بجدول ترتيب الدوري المصري برصيد 6 نقاط، من 5 مباريات، حقق الفوز في مباراة وتعادل في ثلاث، وتلقى هزيمة واحدة.

في المقابل، يدخل سيراميكا كليوباترا اللقاء بطموحات كبيرة، حيث يسعى الفريق لتحقيق الفوز على حامل اللقب، لاقتحام المربع الذهبي.

ويتواجد سيراميكا كليوباترا في المركز السابع بجدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، ولديه 10 نقاط من 5 مواجهات، فاز في 3 وتعادل في لقاء، وتلقى هزيمة وحيدة.

The 25-year-old registered his first professional century having come in at 53 for 3

ECB Reporters Network09-Aug-2024

Josh Blake registered a sensible run-a-ball century to carry Surrey to only their second Metro Bank One-Day Cup victory of the season at Chelmsford.The left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman survived on 40 when Luc Benkenstein floored a chance at deep square leg, but having come in at 53 for 3 after 14 overs, had doubled his previous highest score and was still there on 100 not out when Surrey closed on 306 for 4.Blake put on 98 in 20 overs for the fourth wicket with opener Ryan Patel (83 from 106 balls) and then an unbroken 155 in 16 pulsating overs for the fifth with the hard-hitting Ollie Sykes, who hit five sixes in an unbeaten 87 from 56 balls.Defeat meant neither team could qualify for the knock-out stages and Essex never looked likely to record their second win of the tournament. Only captain Tom Westley offered much resistance with 78 from 84 balls as dispirited Essex fell 90 runs short of their target with more than three overs unused.Surrey elected to bat and got off to a slow start, meandering to 39-2 in the first powerplay. But they upped the tempo in the second half of the innings when they added 192 in 25 overs, 117 of them in the final 10 as Blake and Sykes smashed the toiling Essex bowlers to every corner of the Cloud County Ground.Patel had held things together early on, but his innings was comparatively sedate by what came later. He reached his fifty from 68 balls with his seventh four, a cover drive off Tom Westley. He followed that with No8, cutting Jamal Richards to the longest boundary on the ground, to bring up Surrey’s 100. But by that time he had lost three partners before forming the alliance with Blake.Jamie Porter, with a white ball in hand for the first time in a year, took two of that trio, bowling Dom Sibley shouldering arms to one that swung in and took oft-stump, and claiming a second when Cameron Steel moved across to give himself room and was lbw to a straight delivery. In between, Shane Snater had Ben Geddes pinned in front, playing down the wrong line.Though the boundary to the Pavilion side was less than 50 yards from the wicket, Essex defended it resolutely and it was not until the 33rd over that Blake pierced the field with a reserve-sweep off Westley. Next over, though, brought the downfall of Patel as he drove Noah Thain uppishly to wide mid-off where Westley took a diving catch.Sykes had scored eight in his List A debut on Tuesday, but eyed up the shorter side where he deposited Thain twice for sixes in an over that cost 15. He added a third off Richards before lofting Porter over the longer midwicket boundary. A fifth over midwicket off Snater took the 19-year-old to a 34-ball fifty.Blade was not hanging around either, and lifted Snater over cover point for his only six to sit alongside nine fours before a single in the last over took him to three figures from 100 balls.Essex’s pursuit of 307 never really got going as wickets fell regularly. Nick Browne slashed Conor McKerr to slip, Feroze Khushi swung at James Taylor to be caught behind, and Robin Das was stumped by the alert Blake off a legside wide from Patel.Benkenstein pulled Nathan Barnwell to deep square leg with the floodlights now on and the run-rate rising. Noah attempted to reverse-sweep Cameron Steel and fell lbw, Simon Fernandes tickled McKerr behind, while Westley’s two-hour knock ended when he slashed Steel to short mid-off.Snater lasted three balls before he was bowled by Yousef Majid, Richards was stumped, Ben Allison lofted the only six of Essex’s innings in a career-best 32 not out before Steel claimed his fourth wicket for 50 when Porter hammered to long off.

Arsenal have earmarked the potential signing of a highly-rated forward as an absolute “dream” scenario for Mikel Arteta, with the Gunners extremely keen to secure his signature after hearing bad news about a key target.

Andrea Berta's promising start as Arsenal sporting director

Andrea Berta has made a promising start to life at N5 already, with the Italian sporting director sealing Martin Zubimendi’s signing from Real Sociedad for around £55 million in total (Fabrizio Romano).

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The 53-year-old has also finalised Kepa Arrizabalaga’s £5 million arrival from Chelsea, with the Spaniard swapping Stamford Bridge for north London in what is a very astute move by Berta to secure a capable David Raya alternative.

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

This has now been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, too, with all documents “sealed” for Kepa who becomes Arsenal’s second unofficial signing after Zubimendi.

Arteta’s engine room and goalkeeping options have been bolstered with proven quality, but according to Romano again, £205,000-per-week Real Madrid forward Rodrygo is another man high on Berta’s agenda.

The Brazil international commands a price tag of around £77 million, as well as high wages, so he could be a pricey deal to pull off, but Romano is adamant that Arsenal have placed him at the top of their shortlist of wide targets.

Arsenal "dream" of signing Rodrygo for Mikel Arteta

Speaking on his personal YouTube channel, the respected journalist says that Arsenal “dream” of signing Rodrygo, especially that Nico Williams appears far more likely to join Barcelona.

Williams was a key target for Arsenal, and Berta even held talks with the Spaniard’s representatives in one of his “first acts” as sporting director, as per The Guardian’s Ed Aarons, but his move to London is now deemed “impossible”.

“Arsenal love Rodrygo. When I say Arsenal, it’s about the management, it’s about the coach, it’s about Mikel Arteta,” said Romano.

“They consider Rodrygo as a fantastic player, a dream target as a winger, also because they feel Nico Williams is impossible to reach this summer. Rodrygo, he remains a strong name, for sure, on the list at Arsenal.”

The 24-year-old has racked up 14 goals and 11 assists for Real in all competitions throughout 2024/2025, including the Club World Cup, with Rodrygo’s elite-level experience coming as a major positive, despite barely hitting his prime yet.

The challenges behind any move for Rodrygo are both the finances involved and convincing him to leave world football’s most appealing destination so he can start completely fresh in the Premier League, but Arsenal’s serious interest is crystal clear.

West Bromwich Albion’s drawn-out search for a new manager has ended with Ryan Mason now officially in the Baggies’ hot seat.

There is plenty of intrigue surrounding this appointment as the Championship side ditch the tried and tested approach of Tony Mowbray for something left-field and fresher, with the 33-year-old taking on his first ever head coach role having only once been a stand-in option at ex-employers Tottenham Hotspur.

He will want to get down to business soon in the transfer market to begin to leave a lasting mark on his new side, with plenty of signings rumoured to be entering the building alongside the fresh-faced manager.

West Brom locked into talks with new striker

Mason could utilise those Spurs connections when adding to his Baggies squad, with North London prodigy Mikey Moore already being tipped to make a loan move to the EFL to expand his horizons, away from previous links suggesting Jamie Donley could call the West Midlands home shortly.

Further, it looks as if West Brom could win themselves a new deadly marksman in the form of Hearts’ goal machine Lawrence Shankland.

Journalist Mark Hendry has now revealed that West Brom are locked in talks about bringing the prolific 29-year-old to the Hawthorns, as the Hearts captain increasingly looks more and more likely to walk away from the Edinburgh giants on a free transfer.

But, the Championship promotion hopefuls aren’t alone in their interest, with Hendry surprisingly adding that both Al-Ettifaq and Al-Wedha are sniffing around from Saudi Arabia.

How Shankland could be West Brom's best striker since Maja

If West Brom were to pip these outfits to the coveted signature of the Scotsman, they could be about to seal their best striker signing since Josh Maja’s addition, with the equally lethal attacker going on to be a golden purchase up top himself, considering he joined the ranks in 2023 on a free transfer as well.

Maja has endured difficult periods at the Hawthorns, however, with a mammoth 44 games missed through injury over the last two seasons.

But, when he’s fit, there’s a real lack of strikers in the Championship that possess the same clinical edge the Nigerian has in abundance, with the devastatingly effective number nine picking up 12 goals last campaign, despite only being fit enough to line up for 26 league clashes.

Shankland has also displayed a “ruthless” cutting edge – in the words of pundit Chris Sutton – throughout his celebrated spell on the books of Hearts, with this last-gasp goal against arch rivals Hibernian just one of many crucial strikes the Glasgow-born attacker has powered home for Derek McInnes’ men.

Having played up and down the various Scottish leagues across his goal-laden career to date, it does feel like the time is right for Shankland to test himself in a new and challenging environment, with the 6 foot 1 menace hopeful he can take to the pressures of the Hawthorns in his stride, much like Maja did when taking the plunge two years ago.

24/25

43

9

11

23/24

47

31

8

22/23

47

28

4

After all, before his return to England, the ex-Sunderland forward had begun to garner his own reputation for being a reliable source of goals when leading the line for Bordeaux, with 29 goals tallied up from 93 appearances.

Therefore, when assessing Shankland’s monstrous total of 68 strikes from 137 contests for Hearts, he should find his shooting boots are an equally uncomplicated find in the EFL’s elite league.

Mason would love to welcome in Shankland then as one of his first signings, with the 33-year-old no doubt crying out for a potent forward line to help his new side instantly gun for promotion.

Mason can sign West Brom's next Fellows in young star who's like "Neymar"

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Despite sitting as low as 16th in the Premier League, Manchester United and INEOS reportedly have full belief that they will win the race to sign one particular attacking reinforcement this summer.

Man Utd's disastrous season

When Ruben Amorim arrived to replace Erik ten Hag in November, Manchester United were a side struggling to gain a foothold in the race to secure European football. At the time, it seemed as though it was impossible for things to get worse. This was the Red Devils at their lowest, many believed.

Fast-forward six months, however, and United have been handed a brutal reality check. Amorim’s side not only sit adrift of European football, they sit just two places above the relegation zone with two games left to be played. Yet to even reach the 40-point mark, which is usually considered the stage of safety, United are arguably fortunate that Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town already have their relegations confirmed.

Admitting his embarrassment over his side’s league position after suffering a 2-0 loss at the hands of West Ham United on Sunday, Amorim told reporters: “How a manager of Manchester United is supposed to feel in that position – embarrassed, and it’s hard to accept.

“I think everybody has to think seriously about a lot of things here. Everybody is thinking about the final. The final is not an issue in this moment in our club. We have bigger things to think and we have to change a lot of things in the end of the season.”

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With plenty of work to do whether they win the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur or not, it looks as though Manchester United could start by reinforcing their frontline.

Man Utd confident that they'll sign £30m Delap

According to The Boot Room, Manchester United now believe that they’ll sign Liam Delap ahead of Chelsea this summer, with technical director Jason Wilcox now pushing to get a deal done, in what is a boost for Amorim and the Red Devils.

A former Manchester City player, Delap’s arrival wouldn’t be without some headlines but it is, ultimately, one that the Red Devils should be making following the forward’s excellent season at Ipswich Town. Given that he will reportedly be available for a release clause worth just £30m after Ipswich’s relegation too, United could be landing a bargain deal.

Praised for his “warrior-like” approach by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Delap has quite the decision to make this summer. Unlike in the past, game time wouldn’t be an issue at a club of Manchester United’s stature, and he would likely be an upgrade on Amorim’s current options. But after such a disastrous season, attracting players will be more difficult than ever for the Red Devils this summer.

Newcastle United are well in contention to finish in the Champions League slots and could strike on the market to bring in one of the world’s most recognisable defenders, per a report.

Newcastle look to cement themselves among Premier League elite

Eddie Howe has done a fantastic job at Newcastle and is rightfully adored by their fanatical support, having ended their 56-year trophy drought a matter of weeks ago against Liverpool at Wembley.

Now, the Magpies are firmly in the hunt for a top-five finish and look odds-on to secure a Champions League place for next season, which, in turn, could see a raft of exciting reinforcements targeted to bolster PIF’s mission to establish their side among the elite.

With the potential to make a statement, Newcastle are in the mix to sign Manchester City star Jack Grealish. However, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur also want to buy the veteran England international.

Arriving at the Etihad Stadium in a £100 million deal back in 2021, it feels unlikely that the Citizens would look to recoup anywhere near that level of fee for his services.

Offering encouragement, Newcastle find themselves in pole position to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford and may be able to do a deal worth in the region of £50 million.

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Attacking reinforcements appear to be on the agenda in the North East, especially when considering the depth they will need balance continental football and Premier League duties next term.

The same train of thought applies to the other end of the field, and Newcastle are now eyeing a potential move for a star could garner global attention.

Newcastle look open talks to sign Bayern Munich's Kim Min-jae

According to Foot Mercato, Newcastle have made contact over a move for Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae after reaching out to his representatives to express their interest. Chelsea are also in the mix for the South Korea international, who is said to be open to a summer departure following his £42.8 million move to the Allianz Arena in 2023.

Kim Min-jae’s solid Bundesliga campaign – 2024/25

Tackles won

20

Duels won

124

Aerial duels won

82

Interceptions

36

Recoveries

150

Pass accuracy

92.6%

Labelled “extraordinary” by Park Ji-Sung, the 28-year-old has made 42 appearances across all competitions this campaign, registering three goals in total.

Fabian Schar has recently signed a new deal at St James’ Park and Jamaal Lascelles has another year than initially thought as club captain, but Kim would presumably seek to be first choice with the skipper used more as a depth option again.

Bringing leadership and quality in central defence, the former Napoli man is the sort of player that could take the Magpies up a level or two in their hunt to consistently challenge for major honours under Howe’s stewardship should they be able to push a deal over the line.

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Shashank Kishore05-Aug-2024

Prithvi Shaw – Northamptonshire

Shaw last played for India in 2021, and has been set back by injuries, loss of form, and disciplinary issues. On the comeback road following a modest IPL 2024, where he managed just a solitary half-century in eight innings, Shaw is back in the UK playing for Northamptonshire as part of a deal he struck with the county last August after being out with a knee injury.Related

• Venkatesh Iyer joins Lancashire for maiden county stint

• Prithvi Shaw agrees Northamptonshire return for 2024

Shaw’s run of form until that point had been scintillating – 429 runs in four innings, including a record-breaking 153-ball 244 against Somerset, the second-highest List A score in England. He seems to have taken off from where he left off in the one-day competition. After scores of 9 and 40 in his first two outings, Shaw has now recorded 76, 97 and 72 – all at a strike rate of over 120 – in his last three innings. The most recent knock, a 59-ball 72, set up a thumping 130-run win for his side over Worcestershire. Prior to the List A appearances, Shaw also featured in two championship games.Shaw’s county assignments will have him miss Mumbai’s pre-season tournaments, starting with the Buchi Babu Trophy in Chennai. He had also missed the side’s conditioning camp in Bengaluru late last month. Sarfaraz Khan will lead Mumbai in Chennai, where they will miss several first-choice players, including Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube.Ajinkya Rahane will be pushing for an India Test recall•PTI

Ajinkya Rahane – Leicestershire

Rahane last played a Test during India’s 2023 tour of the Caribbean and isn’t part of the selectors’ plans – he’s not part of the annual retainers’ list released by the BCCI. But with a busy Test season coming up, which includes a tour of Australia, where he led India to a historic triumph three years ago, he will have an incentive to keep knocking on the doors.He led Mumbai to their 42nd Ranji Trophy title earlier this year, but his own contributions were modest – 214 runs in 13 innings at an average of 17.83 with just two half-centuries. He followed that up with a poor IPL, where he managed just 242 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 123.46.So far, Rahane has struck two match-winning half-centuries for Leicestershire in the one-day competition. Batting at No. 4, he built on twin-half-century stands to make a 60-ball 71 in Leicestershire’s 369 for 6 in his first outing in the last week of July. His most recent innings on Sunday was a 57-ball 68 in Leicestershire’s 363 for 7 against Sussex.Venkatesh Iyer had a stellar time at the IPL 2024 for KKR•AFP/Getty Images

Venkatesh Iyer – Lancashire

Iyer was in the middle of his honeymoon in the UK when he received a call from Lancashire for a month-long stint prior to the start of India’s domestic season. Iyer made a quick dash back home to sort out his paperwork – he needed to get a sports visa – before returning to England. He has made scores of 15 and 4 in his two outings so far in the One-Day Cup. Prior to the county stint, Iyer played several critical knocks for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during their run to the IPL 2024 title. Most notably, he struck match-winning half-centuries in both the first qualifier and the final.Iyer hasn’t featured for India since the home T20Is against Sri Lanka in February 2022 but remains on the fringes as a top-order batter who can bowl seam-ups. He went through the entire 2022-23 season without bowling after breaking his ankle when he fell down the stairs of his team hotel during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, but has since recovered following extensive rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy and hopes to push for a national recall during India’s home season that begins with the Duleep Trophy next month.