Tottenham boss Thomas Frank hailed Joao Palhinha’s role as emergency centre-half and opening goalscorer in the 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Doncaster.
Palhinha’s improvised strike, a Jay McGrath own goal and Brennan Johnson’s stoppage-time breakaway comfortably disposed of League One Rovers.
Frank hails Tottenham star Palhinha
On-loan Portuguese midfielder Palhinha, who picks £7m per year, wants to seal a permanent move to north London in 2026. He stepped into an injury-hit back-line while Archie Gray, often forced to play auxiliary centre-back under previous boss Ange Postecoglou, took his preferred midfield role.
“Archie can play centre-back and right-back but I see him as a midfielder and I like to see him there.”
Spurs would have scored more but for two remarkable air shots from Mathys Tel from only six yards out. Tel has yet to find the net since making a permanent switch to north London this summer but Frank said: “I don’t think he’s having a bad run.
“I think it was a step up in terms of performance. He got into good situations.”
"Goes under the radar" – Tottenham told "important" Frank star deserves far more credit
He goes largely unnoticed.
ByEmilio Galantini Sep 24, 2025
Spurs went ahead in the 14th minute after Rovers goalkeeper Ian Lawlor missed his punch at a corner.
Sean Grehan headed the loose ball off the line but only as far as Palhinha, who hooked an overhead kick back over the defender and into an empty net.
Spurs doubled their lead three minutes later when Wilson Odobert raided down the left and sent in another low cross. Doncaster defender McGrath was unable to sort his feet out in time and succeeded only in bundling the ball into his own net.
Rovers almost pulled one back before the break when Owen Bailey’s Paolo Di Canio-style volley was tipped onto a post by Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky.
That was the only moment of mild peril Spurs faced, however, and Frank was able to shuffle his pack by sending on Lucas Bergvall and Richarlison for the final 30 minutes as well as handing a late debut to 16-year-old Luca Williams-Barnett.
Johnson wrapped things up in stoppage time after being sent racing through on goal by Bergvall.
Rovers boss Grant McCann said: “I was disappointed with the goals we conceded.
“I don’t think we made it hard for them to score against us but in between that, especially in the second half, it was an excellent performance.”
شن محمد أبو تريكة، محلل قنوات بي إن سبورتس، هجومًا شديدًا على الهولندي آرني سلوت، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول، بعد الهزيمة أمام مانشستر يونايتد.
واستضاف ملعب “أنفيلد” مباراة ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد، في تمام الساعة السادسة والنصف مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.
وخسر ليفربول بثنائية مقابل هدف، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الجولة الثامنة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “بريميرليج”.
وتعتبر هذه الهزيمة الرابعة المتتالية التي تلحق بالريدز بقيادة آرني سلوت بعد كريستال بالاس وتشيلسي وجالطة سراي في دوري أبطال أوروبا واليوم أمام مانشستر يونايتد.
وقال أبو تريكة، خلال الاستوديو التحليلي للمباراة: “أقول نفس الحديث الذي قلته حينما كان ليفربول متصدرًا للدوري، بهذه الطريقة وبهذا الدفاع لن تفُز بأي بطولة هذا الموسم”.
اقرأ أيضًا | موعد مباراة ليفربول القادمة بعد الخسارة أمام مانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي
وأكمل: “النتائج خادعة، سلوت قال إنه متصدر الدوري وجمع 15 نقطة، رأيي أنه جمع أكثر مما يستحق بالمقارنة بالأداء الذي قدمه خلال المباريات السابقة، الناس حاليًا يقولون إنني كنت على حق، هذا أمر طبيعي للأداء الذي قدمه سلوت الذي يُذكرني بالمفتش كورومبو”.
وأضاف: “أموريم رغم أنه فاز اليوم إلا أنه قدم أداءً مميزًا وأفضل بكثير أمام آرسنال ومانشستر سيتي، رغم أنه خسر المباراتين لكن النتيجة تغطي على العيوب”.
وأردف: “الفوز على ليفربول في أنفيلد يعطي أموريم رصيدًا لدى الجمهور إنما على المستوى التحليلي فإن يونايتد لديه كوارث عديدة”.
واستطرد: “ليفربول فقد هيبته أمام الفرق، حينما تخسر 4 مباريات متتالية تتجرأ الفرق عليك ويزداد الطمع فيك”.
وأتم عن صلاح قائلًا: “هذا شكل ليفربول بدون محمد صلاح، حينما يكون سيئًا وليس في أعظم عطاء له يكون ليفربول في المركز الثالث أو الرابع، نعم صلاح لديه مشكلة تحديدًا في اللمسة الأولى، تشعر أنه متأثر بالانتقادات الأخيرة، وأوجه رسالة له بأن تترك الحديث لأنك نجم”.
Luan, meio-campista do Corinthians, foi agredido por torcedores da equipe nesta madruga de terça-feira (4), em um motel na Barra funda, bairro da zona oeste de São Paulo. Veja no vídeo acima o momento da agressão.
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Segundo apurou a reportagem do Lance!, um grupo de torcedores invadiu o motel e tirou o camisa 7 corintiano à força do local. O atleta estava acompanhado de algumas mulheres, que passavam a noite com o jogador.
+ Janela aberta! Veja os nomes que já estão acertados com o seu clube
Em nota oficial, o Corinthians condenou as agressões contra o ex-camisa 7 e está oferecendo suporte ao jogador.
– O Sport Club Corinthians Paulista recebeu com tristeza e indignação a informação de que o atleta Luan foi agredido por supostos torcedores na madrugada desta terça-feira (04), em São Paulo. O clube acompanha a apuração dos fatos e está oferecendo todo o suporte necessário ao jogador, como sempre fez desde a sua chegada, em 2020. Depois de mais um repugnante caso de violência, o Corinthians lamenta o atual momento de intolerância que domina o futebol brasileiro. Nada justifica a agressão covarde sofrida pelo atleta. – postou o Corinthians.
continua após a publicidade
A reportagem do L! entrou em contato com o motel, que disse não comentar nada sobre nenhum cliente. A assessoria do atleta ainda não se posicionou sobre o caso.
LUAN NO CORINTHIANS Eleito Rei da América em 2017, quando foi protagonista do título da Libertadores do Grêmio, Luan foi contratado pelo Timão já em baixa, no início de 2020, por R$ 28,9 milhões. Sem jogar pelo clube desde fevereiro de 2022, o ex-camisa 7 totaliza 80 partidas, com 11 gols e cinco assistências.
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Afastado do elenco e treinando em horários alternativos desde que retornou de empréstimo do Santos, Luan revelou ter conversado com Vanderlei Luxemburgo e pediu para ser reintegrado ao grupo. O treinador rebateu a declaração do atleta após a derrota contra o Bragantino, afirmando que a torcida não quer mais ver o meia com a camisa corintiana.
The former captain made his first-class debut aged 17, scored 28 Test centuries and led Australia to 2015 ODI World Cup
AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jan-2025Former captain Michael Clarke has been inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of FameClarke, 43, accepted the honour on Thursday, nearly a decade after he closed the chapter on his remarkable playing career. He is the 64th inductee, with two further members to be named this season.Making his first-class debut for New South Wales at 17, Clarke captained Australia to victory in the 2015 ODI World Cup and led the side across 47 of his 115 Tests.Overall, Clarke scored 8643 Test runs, putting him sixth on Australia’s all-time list, and 7981 in ODIs where he stands fourth. His tally of 28 Test centuries also leaves puts him sixth on that list.Having impressed early in his ODI career – he wasn’t dismissed in his first three innings – Clarke burst onto the Test scene during Australia’s 2004 tour of India, crowned the player of the match in Bengaluru after scoring 151 on debut.After being dropped in late 2005, Clarke returned a even more formidable player. He became the sixth Australian to score a Test triple-century after posting an unbeaten 329 against India at the SCG in the 2011-12 series.He followed up his SCG performance with a double century in the fourth Test against India, before notching two further double centuries against South Africa the following season.Other standout innings included the 151 against South Africa at Cape Town in 2011 (from a total of 284) in the game Australia were later dismissed for 47, his 161 at the same venue in 2014 when he defied a broken shoulder to set up a victory that would take Australia to No. 1 in the world and the hugely emotional 128 against India at Adelaide in 2014 shortly after the death of the Phillip Hughes in what would prove his final home Test.Michael Clarke was prolific in the period from 2012 to 2014•Getty ImagesIt had been in 2011, after England won the Ashes 3-1 in Australia, that Clarke succeeded Ricky Ponting as captain. At his peak, he was ranked the best batter in the world. He was also at the helm for the Ashes whitewash in 2013-14 and retired at the end of the lost 2015 campaign in England.”To be able to sit along so many wonderful players, idols, role models growing up as a kid and looking up to is something I’m honoured by,” Clarke said. “Retirement does a lot of things to you. Through stages of watching cricket now, you miss parts.”When you play at the highest level, people talk about your international career but for me, it started at six years of age. I retired at 34 so it was my life. It’s still a part of my life.”Cricket – it’s probably so similar to life in general. You walk out and make 100 and then lift the bat, and then you walk out to field, field in slip and drop a catch second ball of the game.”Australian Cricket Hall of Fame chairman Peter King praised Clarke as a player who “defined his generation”.”Michael’s extraordinary first-class playing career started at just 17 at the SCG – the place where many of his highlights occurred, including a Test triple century against India in 2012,” King said.”Michael’s career will forever be remembered fondly by the Australian public and his standing held alongside those at the upper echelon of our game.”Clarke also proved capable as a left-arm spinner. It was his spell of 3 for 5 in 1.5 overs in 2008 against India that helped Australia retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and extend their winning streak to a record-equaling 16 Tests. In his debut series against India he had also taken 6 for 9 in Mumbai.
Tottenham are now targeting a Premier League star who’s rejected several attempts from his club to agree a contract extension, according to a fresh report, with the player also very keen to play in the Champions League.
Tottenham moving for £78m "crown jewel" signing after arrival of new investor
Spurs have fresh financial backing.
2 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 30, 2025
Spurs have a few key areas of Thomas Frank’s squad they still wish to strengthen before deadline day on September 1.
After missing out on Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White in bizarre fashion, the north Londoners remain in pursuit of fresh attacking options to instill some much-needed creativity.
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
According to some reports, Tottenham have held talks with intermediaries over an audacious move for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, which would potentially require chairman Daniel Levy to shatter the club’s transfer record (AS).
A new number six is also possible, if Spurs make room in their squad by selling a midfielder (Alasdair Gold), with reliable media sources confirming that Bayern Munich and former Fulham star, Joao Palhinha, is on their list of targets.
Another area to look out for is at centre-half, despite Frank’s current abundance of defenders.
Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Radu Dragusin and Luka Vuskovic are on Tottenham’s books right now, but the latter two may not be solid options to call upon ahead of the new season.
Vuskovic is still raw and could go out on loan again, as is the case with Ashley Phillips after he sealed a return to Stoke City, while Dragusin is still in recovery from a crushing ACL injury.
Tottenham were forced to utilise teenager Archie Gray as a makeshift centre-half amid their injury nightmare under Ange Postecoglou last season, and Frank will be very keen not to suffer the same fate as his predecessor.
Spurs are believed to remain contenders for Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi as a result, coming after they had a mammoth £70m offer rejected for the Englishman in January, but he isn’t the only Premier League stalwart on Levy’s agenda.
Tottenham eye Brighton contract rebel Jan Paul van Hecke
According to Voetbal International and reporter Joost Blaauwhof, Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke is attracting interest from N17 too.
The Dutchman’s form last season prompted a call to the Netherlands international team, whilst also winning Brighton’s Player of the Season award following a stellar 2024/2025.
Brighton, for their part, are desperate to agree an extension and have made ‘several’ new deal offers. Fabian Hurzeler’s side were even prepared to table a record-breaking new contract by making van Hecke the highest-paid player in their history.
However, the 25-year-old has no interest in committing his future, and he’s firmly set his sights on a move away.
According to Voetbal, Tottenham are eyeing a move for van Hecke alongside Newcastle, with the former NAC Breda sensation dreaming of moving to a Champions League side.
Tony Bloom and co have priced van Hecke at around £43m, which could be seen as amazing value considering both his age and proven top-level experience. Just two years remain on the player’s current contract, though, so there is scope for Levy to even whittle down this price tag.
Okay, so that might have just been Arsenal’s third official pre-season friendly, but we can admit that losing a North London Derby always hurts.
Mikel Arteta’s side looked to continue their perfect record this afternoon, but Tottenham Hotspur had other ideas.
The Lilywhites scored in the first half, and while there were a few chances to draw level, the Gunners just did not look anywhere near as sharp as they have in the two games prior.
Unfortunately, several players stood out for all the wrong reasons, including one who was so underwhelming, he showed just why Andrea Berta needs to get Eberechi Eze to the Emirates before the Premier League season starts.
Arsenal's underwhelming stars
While there is no need to go in too hard on anyone in a pre-season friendly, there were more than a few starters this afternoon who’ll really need to bounce back in a significant way against Villarreal next week, such as Kai Havertz.
Performance in Numbers
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The German set up two goals for the team against Newcastle United in the last game, but was entirely ineffective against Spurs today, offering little to no threat as a goalscorer or creator.
In fact, the most notable thing the German did was take out Djed Spence with a sliding tackle after being nutmegged by Cristian Romero, and therefore more than deserving of the 5/10 match rating he received from the Standard’s Simon Collings.
Another player to get a 5/10 was David Raya, who was lobbed from the halfway line by Pape Matar Sarr after Myles Lewis Skelly lost possession.
It wasn’t just the goal, though, as the Spaniard looked off his game for practically the entire match and, as Collings put it, was ‘unusually shaky when trying to deal with set-pieces’.
Arsenal'sDavidRayaapplauds fans after the match
However, there was another starter who really let himself down, someone whose lacklustre display only further made the case for why Berta and Co need to sign Eze as soon as possible: Gabriel Martinelli.
Martinelli's lacklustre showing against Spurs
Unfortunately, it really was a game to forget for Martinelli this afternoon, as while Bukayo Saka endeavoured to make something happen on the opposite flank, he failed to do much of anything.
In the first half, the Brazilian international failed to make the most of the space available to him and was easily dealt with by Pedro Porro.
Then, in the second half, as Spurs began to sit back more, he was completely unable to get past the Lilywhites’ low-block.
Arsenal's GabrielMartinellireacts
We weren’t the only ones disappointed with the former Ituano gem either, who took fewer touches than Raya, as Collings dished out another 5/10 rating for the 23-year-old, writing that it was a ‘quiet game’ for the winger.
It was his inability to have any discernible impact whatsoever in the second half that truly highlighted the need for a player like Eze this summer, as while the Crystal Palace ace spent most of last season in midfield, he’s also an accomplished and creative winger.
For example, in 32 appearances off the left for the Eagles, the 27-year-old “magician,” as dubbed by pundit Micah Richards, has scored six goals and provided six assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.66 games.
In contrast, the Gunners’ number 11 has scored 40 goals and provided 26 assists in 179 appearances there, which comes out to a worse average of a goal involvement every 2.71 games.
Eze vs Martinelli at LW
Players
Eze
Martinelli
Appearances
32
179
Goals
6
40
Assists
6
26
Goal Involvements per Match
0.37
0.36
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Moreover, he’s achieved those numbers in a team that have been challenging for the title over the last three years, whereas Palace are a mid-table side at best.
Ultimately, we aren’t saying Arsenal need to sell Martinelli, but the game today once again made it crystal clear that against a low-block, he’s incredibly ineffective, and therefore, Berta should be doing what he can to bring in Eze, as he’s got the creativity to help the club solve that problem on the left.
Arteta's new Saka: Berta working to sign "incredible" £86m star for Arsenal
The sensational winger could be a real game-changer for Arsenal.
Setting their sights on signing another attacking addition this summer, the Friedkin Group are now reportedly plotting a move to sign a talented £50 million star for Everton.
Friedkin could hand Everton £150m spree
Friedkin are in a strong position to make some much-needed changes at Everton this summer. As revealed by earlier reports, the Toffees are able to spend as much as £150m if they please ahead of next season, having already signed Thierno Barry, Mark Travers and Carlos Alcaraz on a permanent deal.
Villarreal's Thierno Barry
As they head into a new era at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, David Moyes still reportedly wants to sign two midfielders to soften the blow of Abdoulaye Doucoure’s exit and a new winger.
Several targets have emerged who would tick those boxes too, with the likes of James McAtee and Takefusa Kubo chief among their priorities. Both would be excellent additions, especially the latter, who came through at Real Madrid and has since thrived at Real Sociedad.
The Japan international, whilst not at his true best last season, still managed seven goals and four assists; the type of numbers that would see Everton land an instant upgrade on former loanee Jack Harrison.
Whether Moyes’ side can agree a deal with Sociedad in the coming weeks is the big question.
The Merseyside club are reportedly preparing to submit an offer worth around £35m, which they hope will be enough to advance any deal to sign Kubo. The move would mark Everton’s second La Liga signing of the summer after Barry and would once again steal plenty of headlines.
That said, Kubo isn’t the only option on their shortlist.
Takefusa Kubo scores for Japan
Indeed, reports are now suggesting that Friedkin have set their sights on another talented winger.
Everton plotting Tyler Dibling swoop
As reported by The Times’ Paul Joyce, Friedkin are now plotting a fresh swoop to sign Tyler Dibling from relegated Southampton this summer. The teenage talent was one of few standouts for the Saints in a season to forget last time out, and he could now get the chance to retain his Premier League place.
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Everton targeting former Premier League midfielder to partner Douglas Luiz in central role
ByWill Miller Jul 26, 2025
Dibling won’t come cheap, however. There are claims that Southampton are looking to secure as much as £50m to sell the 19-year-old this summer in what would make him Everton’s joint-record signing with Richarlison.
The big question will be whether Dibling is worthy of breaking that record, and based on Russell Martin’s praise last season, the answer is a resounding yes.
Southampton's TylerDiblingin action with Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Ian Maatsen
The former Southampton boss told reporters:
“Tyler was unfortunate not to play earlier because he had an amazing pre-season.
“So he has an incredible belief in himself in a really nice, humble and modest way. But he has to just keep living at 100 per cent and understand where that is and understand what’s got him this far.
“I think he has a brilliant support network with his family. He has a lot of trust from us and he has that back. It’s not always plain sailing with young players.”
Lancashire lose fourth game in a row after posting sub-par total
ECB Reporters Network02-Aug-2024
George Thomas’ maiden hundred led Somerset to victory•Getty Images
Kasey Aldridge recorded career-best figures of 6 for 33 and George Thomas a maiden List A century as Somerset made it three wins from four Group A games with an eight-wicket victory over Lancashire at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.The visitors could post only 218 all out after losing the toss, Australian allrounder Chris Green hitting 65 off 68 balls and opener George Bell 56 off 81. Tall seamer Aldridge was not introduced into the Somerset attack until the second half of the innings and took his wickets from 7.1 overs.In reply, the hosts raced to 220 for 2 off 40.5 overs, Thomas leading the way with an unbeaten 106 off 142 deliveries, with 14 fours and two sixes. James Rew contributed 60 not out and Lewis Goldsworthy 38 to inflict Lancashire’s fourth defeat in as many group matches.They never gained much momentum to their innings after a cautious start against the impressive Alfie Ogborne, which saw Bell and Harry Singh put together an opening stand of 47, ended in the 13th over when Singh was bowled by Jack Leach aiming a forcing shot through the leg side.It was 79 for 2 in the 20th over when Thomas bowled visiting captain Josh Bohannon playing down the wrong line. Bell went to fifty off 72 balls, but the tempo of the innings was never fast enough on such a quick-scoring ground.Balderson was caught and bowled by Goldsworthy off a leading edge for 27 and Aldridge had IPL winner Venkatesh Iyer caught by the diving Sean Dickson at cover as Lancashire slid to 121 for 4.Bell chipped a catch to mid-on off Aldridge and Rocky Flintoff gave Goldsworthy a second caught and bowled before Aldridge sent back Jack Blatherwick and Tom Aspinwall with successive deliveries, forcing Mitchell Stanley to face a hat-trick ball on his List A debut. He survived it before falling to a stunning catch by Leach, diving full length on the run from mid-off as two team-mates converged on him to give Aldridge his fifth wicket.Green blasted four fours and four sixes and shared a last-wicket stand of 51 with Charlie Barnard. But when he also skied a catch off Aldridge in the final over Lancashire looked well short of a competitive total.So it proved, as despite losing Andy Umeed early in their reply, Somerset attacked the meagre target with gusto, Thomas and Goldsworthy producing a boundary blitz that took their team to 64 for 1 by the end of the tenth over. The score had extended to 73 when Goldsworthy was bowled leg-stump by left-arm spinner Barnard in his opening over.Thomas slog-swept a six off Barnard in moving to a 79-ball half-century and soon celebrated with a pulled six off Aspinwall. He found a reliable partner in Rew, who gradually found his timing to join in the glut of boundaries.Thomas was given a life of 77 when dropped at long-on by Stanley off Green before bringing up the century stand with Rew by sweeping a four off Barnard. The Taunton-born 20-year-old went to three figures with a single off Green, raising both arms in celebration before turning to hug Rew, who seemed equally delighted for his friend and team-mate.A handsome cover-driven four off Blatherwick took Rew to a 56-ball fifty as the stand with Thomas became a Somerset List A record for the third wicket against Lancashire, beating the 118 put together by a certain Ian Botham and Vivian Richards in a 40-over game at Bath in 1978.
Liverpool’s summer transfer window is beginning to form a coherent picture, with FSG acting quickly to tidy up the defensive flanks and get the mammoth deal for Florian Wirtz over the line.
The Bayer Leverkusen superstar gave curious Liverpool supporters a taste of his quality during Germany’s Nations League semi-final tie against Portugal this week, scoring during the 2-1 loss.
Florian Wirtz – Stats vs Germany
Stats
#
Minutes played
90′
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots (on target)
2 (2)
Accurate passes
32/42 (76%)
Key passes
0
Dribbles
3/5
Tackles
3
Duels won
9/16
Stats via Sofascore
His intelligence, tenacity and movement underscored the playmaker’s ability, having been utterly fantastic during his time in Leverkusen’s squad, winning the 2023/24 Bundesliga Player of the Year after triumphing as an invincible before claiming more Man of the Match awards than any other player across this term’s Champions League campaign.
We’re a whisker away from a positive development in Liverpool’s bid to secure a marquee deal, but it might be a case of one out, one in.
While the Wirtz deal won’t have any bearing on the potential sale of Luis Diaz, the Colombian’s departure is something to consider.
The latest on Luis Diaz's future
On Thursday, Liverpool rejected an approach from Barcelona for forward Diaz, who scored 17 goals and laid on eight assists for Slot’s side this year.
The 28-year-old, who is entering the penultimate year of his contract, will only be allowed to leave if Liverpool are offered a significant sum; the Saudi Pro League have known admirers of the South American talent.
Though the thought of Diaz and Wirtz combining in a new-look Liverpool frontline is exciting, there may well be an opportunity to secure a new, younger signature.
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz
FSG’s no-sell stance is laced with the undertow of an openness, should the right offer be tabled.
Especially when talks have been held for an almighty replacement on the left flank.
Liverpool hold talks for marquee signing
According to transfer insider Ben Jacobs, Liverpool held discussions concerning Real Madrid’s Rodrygo last month, their intrigue persisting after initially drawing him up as a Mohamed Salah successor, should the Egyptian have left this summer.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Arsenal would be Anfield’s most notable rival in the race, and though the Gunners have a vested interest, they have not yet launched an official bid for the Brazil forward.
Rodrygo, 24, has become disillusioned with life at Santiago Bernabeu, frustrated to be perceived to be in the shadow of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
For their part, Real no longer consider Rodrygo untouchable, but would only cash in if their €100m (about £84m) valuation was met.
What Rodrygo would bring to Liverpool
While the jury will remain out for a little while as Xabi Alonso’s plans at Real Madrid begin to shape up, it’s difficult to imagine the Spanish tactician will remove Vini Jr. from his left-sided berth.
This could lead Rodrygo to make the eventual decision to leave Los Blancos, having featured 267 times, posting 118 goal contributions, for the club since signing from Santos for a £39.5m fee when he was just 18.
However, most of those outings have come off the right wing, whereas the right-footed forward prefers the alternate side as he feels it is here he reaches his zenith.
Rodrygo – Real Madrid Stats by Position (24/25)
Position
Apps
Goals
Assists
Right winger
29
7
4
Left winger
12
6
6
Centre-forward
8
–
–
Stats via Transfermarkt
If the 2024/25 campaign has any say on the matter, it certainly looks like this is the case, which is why Liverpool could hit the jackpot in bringing Rodrygo over as Diaz’s heir.
Especially when considering the partnership that could be forged with Wirtz, the two starring in the Champions League and driving Anfield through the domestic campaign.
Wirtz brings so much to the game, astounding in his creative output and indeed willingness to take on his man and drive the ball into the danger area himself.
The German international ranked among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Bundesliga this season for assists, the top 6% for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for progressive passes and progressive carries, and the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
For a gifted and technically crisp winger in Rodrygo, this could be a brilliant way to add intensity and fluency to an already thriving Liverpool frontline. Rodrygo, indeed, is a natural-born goalscorer, with his finishing once described as being “terrifyingly good” by journalist Sam Tighe.
Though he only managed to score six goals in La Liga this season, the “special” Rodrygo, as he has been praised by Carlo Ancelotti, only missed one big chance, as per Sofascore, highlighting the underlying data that Wirtz’s prowess would only enhance at Liverpool. Wirtz, in fact, created 17 big chances and supplied 12 assists in the Bundesliga this term despite only starting 25 matches.
Whether Liverpool act on their interest and launch a big-money bid for the star remains to be seen, but there’s no question he would be an incredible addition to one of the best teams in the world.
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For now, we will have to wait and see whether FSG accelerate their intrigue in the superstar, but with Arsenal keen and yet to show their hand in the transfer market, it would certainly help if sporting director Richard Hughes could draw rumours over Diaz’s future to a close.
If a suitable offer does arrive, Rodrygo might just follow Wirtz through the Anfield gates, consolidating Slot’s team as a goliath of the modern European game – here to stay.
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Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has now dropped a hugely promising Sunderland transfer update, following the permanent signing of Enzo Le Fee.
Le Fee joins Black Cats in permanent deal
It has been a positive start to the Black Cats’ summer, as they immediately plan for life back in the Premier League after their memorable promotion from the Championship last month. Sunderland have made a big statement by signing Le Fee on a permanent basis, following his loan spell at the Stadium of Light in 2024/25, snapping him up for a club-record fee of around £20m.
The Frenchman played his part in Regis Le Bris’ side’s promotion, registering three assists in 14 Championship starts, and he has spoken of his happiness at extending his stay on Wearside.
Sunderland could surpass Le Fee signing in summer spree
Writing on X on Thursday, Downie claimed that Sunderland could again break their transfer record this summer, overtaking the amount paid for Le Fee as they splash out on as many as five new arrivals.
This will be music to the ears of Black Cats fans, with the club showing real signs of ambition before the 2025/26 season gets underway.
In the past two years, all three promoted Championship sides have gone straight back down from the Premier League, so Le Bris’ job is to put a stop to that, aided by signing some top-quality players.
1. Enzo Le Fee
Roma
£20m
2. Didier Ndong
Lorient
£16.9m
3. Asamoah Gyan
Rennes
£13.5m
4. Steven Fletcher
Wolves
£12.8m
5. Adam Johnson
Man City
£10.7m
6. Jack Rodwell
Man City
£10.5m
7. Darren Bent
Tottenham
£9.9m
8. Wahbi Khazri
Bordeaux
£9.9m
9. Jeremain Lens
Dynamo Kyiv
£9.6m
10. Tore Andre Flo
Rangers
£9.3m
If Sunderland are able to break their transfer record twice in the same summer, it could only bode well in that respect, and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has further hinted at a busy summer taking place.
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Sunderland also must try and convince Jobe Bellingham to stay put, making it the perfect summer, but that may be wishful thinking at this point, with a move to Borussia Dortmund seemingly on the cards.