Burnley’s hopes of completing the signing of a key transfer target in the summer window have now been given a significant boost.
Parker wary of Man Utd backlash for Burnley
The Clarets head to Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, looking to pick up a memorable result at the biggest ground in the division.
The Red Devils are wounded after their shock EFL Cup exit at the hands of League Two side Grimsby Town in midweek, and while some may feel that Burnley could heap more pain on them, manager Scott Parker is wary going into the game.
“You can look at one side of it and say, it’s a bit of a wounded animal with world-class players that can obviously have a reaction. On the other side, of course, there may be a bit of edginess, but fundamentally, we’ll try and give our best version and take on the task of going to play Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Burnley managerScottParker
“We need to go there with a real belief about us. Believe in what we are, believe in how we go there with a game plan and try and execute that. Of course it’s a tough arena, a 70,000 crowd and the stadium itself, along with the magnitude of what Manchester United and Old Trafford is.”
Away from Saturday’s action, Burnley have also now received a potential big boost in their efforts to sign a player before the summer transfer window closes on Monday.
Burnley have offer accepted for "amazing" player
According to Romano on X, Burnley have had a breakthrough in their quest to sign Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis, with a loan offer for the midfielder being accepted, and an obligation to sign him permanently for £21m next summer.
Luis could be a brilliant addition to Parker’s midfield, not to mention being a real coup, with Everton among the clubs who have been tracking him throughout the summer.
The 26-year-old is a proven top-level player, having made 24 appearances in the Champions League, and his former coach, Joao Tralhao, has lauded his quality in the past.
“Technically speaking, it’s not easy to find a midfielder with the defensive qualities he has. I used to joke with him and say that he saw the game two seconds before everyone else. It’s amazing the amount of interceptions he makes, the way he can be in the right position all the time.”
Burnley now eye "exceptional" Casemiro-like star with £100m+ release clause
His club have dropped their asking price.
ByCallum Kemp Aug 28, 2025
Luis could slot straight in as a key starter for Burnley, adding box-to-box ability and experience, and if he shines at Turf Moor, a permanent move next summer would make complete sense.
The winds came howling into Wellington off the Cook Strait but they were only blowing one way. England rolled through New Zealand inside three days at Basin Reserve to secure their first Test series win in the country since 2007-08. They were buffeted by a blistering hundred from Tom Blundell but could not be knocked off course.New Zealand had two notional targets: score 583 to win or survive almost nine sessions for a draw. Neither was a hot ticket, especially after they had shipped four wickets inside the first 14 overs of their innings. The card was given some respectability by Blundell’s counterattack, although it didn’t make much of a dent in the margin of victory. New Zealand’s next-highest score was the 42 contributed by Nathan Smith at No. 8.Sitting on an already formidable lead, England made a brief show of batting on, thereby enabling Joe Root to notch his 36th Test hundred, before getting down to the business of bowling out New Zealand for a second time. Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse made the initial incisions, before Ben Stokes himself finished things off with a trio of short-ball dismissals against the tail.The main resistance came from Blundell, who crashed 13 fours and five sixes in an innings that might have borne comparison with Nathan Astle’s famous 2002 Christchurch assault had he sustained it for another hour. Shoaib Bashir came in for severe punishment but was the bowler to eventually see Blundell off, albeit plenty of credit should go to Ben Duckett, who anticipated Blundell’s attempt to scoop and ran around from slip to intercept it down the leg side at the second attempt, after palming the ball up.New Zealand had been 59 for 4 when rain took the players off for an early lunch, and Blundell might have been dismissed third ball after the resumption. Jacob Bethell, at third slip, was unable to cling on to a thick outside edge off Carse, and Blundell was rock solid from that point on, initially in a steadfast partnership with Daryl Mitchell and then with increased abandon as he and Smith slammed 96 from 82 balls.Blundell’s fifth Test hundred, raised from 96 balls shortly after the tea interval, may not have altered the result but it was still a significant personal milestone, coming after a 22-month period in which he had averaged 13.52 from 14 Tests, with one half-century.Ben Stokes picked up three wickets to hasten the end•Getty Images
His dismissal, Bashir’s second wicket after that of Glenn Phillips during the afternoon session, was the cue for New Zealand to run up the white flag. Matt Henry launched Stokes’ fourth ball into the hands of the diving Bethell at deep midwicket, before Smith gloved a pull behind and Tim Southee, in his last Test appearance at Basin Reserve, fell swinging to leg.By that stage, England were content to wait for victory to fall their way – but they had begun the day in a hurry, Root gamboling to his hundred before Stokes’ declaration gave them time to knock over New Zealand’s top four before lunch.No team had successfully chased down more than 418 in the fourth innings of a Test – in fact, only in the timeless Durban Test of 1939 have more runs been scored, regardless of the result. That there was still the better part of three full days left in this game underlined the scale of the challenge for New Zealand.That only increased as Woakes, bowling into the wind, struck with his seventh delivery. Devon Conway perhaps made it look better than it was, leaving a big gap between bat and pad, but there was much to admire about Woakes’ wobble-seam nip-backer that kissed the top of off. Woakes then claimed the prize scalp of Kane Williamson with one that kicked up and left the New Zealand No. 3 for a thin edge through to Ollie Pope.Tom Latham fell to Carse, plunging acrobatically to his right in his follow through to hold a return catch off a leading edge. Mitchell responded with a salvo of boundaries before Carse had Rachin Ravindra edging behind trying to force a cut, the batter looking to the skies as the rain began to fall.England had resumed in an unprecedented position of comfort, sitting on a record second-innings advantage of 533 after two days of play. There was time to play for milestones, although only 6.1 overs were needed for Root to get to his hundred; Stokes then walked off with an unbeaten 49 to his name.Root’s innings had been a serene affair, but he went to three figures in somewhat ungainly fashion, tumbling over on to his backside while attempting his infamous reverse-ramp. Fortunately there was enough contact with his gloved hand for the ball to clear Blundell and bounce away for four, allowing Root to celebrate with an impudent smile. He was caught behind two balls later, at which point he and Stokes charged off and the main event could begin.
The American winger has struggled for call ups and playing time, but showed his quality with incredible opening goal
Zendejas scores second USMNT goalScored on a tight volley vs JapanAssisted by Max Arfsten in first halfFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
U.S. international Alejandro Zendejas got a rare start against Japan on Tuesday, and he took full advantage, scoring an incredible volley off a whipped cross from Max Arfsten in the 30th minute to give the U.S. men's national team a 1-0 lead over he Samurai Blue
It was his second goal for the USMNT, coming in just his 13th appearance for the national team.
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Zendejas's status with the USMNT has come under question since Mauricio Pochettino arrived as manager almost a year ago. The Club America winger, who has won league titles in four of the last five years, only received one call-up from the Argentine manager, and it came under his first camp.
Zendejas, for his part, was diplomatic when asked about it during the MLS All-Star break.
"That's his decision for him to make, and I respect it 100 percent," he said. "What I can do is my job, you know, I got to perform on the field, and then hopefully that call up will come."
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WHAT NEXT FOR USMNT?
The U.S. will focus on upcoming friendlies in October as they're set to lineup against Ecuador and Australia.
West Indies had done well to recover from a poor start and make 162, but it wasn’t nearly enough
Andrew Fidel Fernando17-Oct-2024Pathum Nissanka sent Sri Lanka’s chase screaming out of the blocks, before Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera put on a clinical and unbeaten 106-run stand for the second wicket. For a team that had never before beaten West Indies in a T20I series, this chase was almost too effortless to believe. Each of the top three produced sparkling innings, as the hosts galloped to the target of 163 with 12 balls remaining, in front of a packed Poya-day crowd in Dambulla.West Indies had earlier done well to get to 162 themselves, though they largely have a late assault from Gudakesh Motie – who bludgeoned 32 off 15 – for getting to what was perhaps a higher-than-par score on a spin-friendly track.Though Dunith Wellalage went for runs, Sri Lanka’s remaining spinners kept a lid on the scoring. This too, was a key difference between the teams.Kusal Mendis went on to register the game’s highest score, with 68 not out off 50. Perera crashed 55 off 36. Nissanka had played the most aggressive innings, plundering 39 off 22.The 2-1 result is a further sign of resurgence from Sri Lanka, in the format in which they have arguably struggled the most in the last two years. They have this year won five Test matches, and had in July beaten India in a bilateral ODI series as well. This win also sees new coach Sanath Jayasuriya’s stock rise further.Sri Lanka attack earlyWest Indies bolstered their spin atttack by bringing Fabian Allen into the side for this match, but Nissanka ensured Sri Lanka’s batters established their dominance early. He cracked three fours off the first over, bowled by Allen, before launching seamer Alzrri Joseph for two sixes and a four next over – the runs coming all around the ground, though he did favour the square region on the offside. By the time Nissanka was bowled by a Motie slider after 5.2 overs, Sri Lanka had already sped to 60.Kusal Mendis and Perera consolidate, then accelerateThe early middle overs were quieter than what had come before. But soon, Perera began to find the boundary particularly off his legs, and the Sri Lanka run rate was off again, before West Indies could apply serious pressure. Kusal Mendis, who had begun to score rapidly towards the end of the powerplay, continued to strike regular boundaries as he strode to a 15th T20I fifty. Perera reached his half century – also his 15th – in what became the final over of the game.Pathum Nissanka came out of the blocks firing•Getty ImagesWest Indies miss chancesWest Indies had chances to dent the chase. Rovman Powell could have caught the dangerous Nissanka in the first over, but misjudged the high ball and palmed it into the rope instead. Later, Roston Chase dropped a straightforward return chance off Kusal Mendis on 44 – though Sri Lanka were well en route to victory by then. Shai Hope could have run out Kusal Mendis on 34 too, had he hit the stumps with a throw in the ninth over.Motie’s maulingThe high-point of West Indies’ innings, was the 15th over of the match, in which they reaped 25 runs. Their innings had been flagging at 86 for 5 after 14 overs, with plenty of spin to come from Sri Lanka. But Motie would lay into left-arm spinner Wellalage to revive the innings. His first boundary came off the outside edge, but the next three were towering, successive sixes – the first down the ground, the next two over deep midwicket. He was out soon after, but set West Indies on a better course.
Leeds United are believed to be interested in signing a “special” player in the summer transfer window, with Daniel Farke a big admirer of the individual in question.
Leeds preparing for Premier League return
The Whites are edging closer to their first game back in the Premier League, with Farke and his players preparing hard after their return to pre-season training.
Leeds’ first match is a home clash with Everton on August 18th, with Elland Road likely to be in raucous spirits under the lights and in front of the Sky Sports cameras, following a couple of seasons away from the top flight.
It has been a productive summer transfer window for the Whites to date, with the likes of Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Sebastiaan Bornauw all brought in, but further fresh faces are required, in order to give Farke’s side the best possible chance of avoiding a swift return to the Championship in 2025/26.
Leeds have reportedly made an offer for Fenerbahce and Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, as they look to find an upgrade on Illan Meslier between the sticks, but it looks as though another player who Farke knows well could be an alternative option in the coming weeks.
Leeds keen on signing "special" free goalkeeper
According to journalist Barry Anderson on X, Leeds are interested in signing goalkeeper Angus Gunn this summer, with the Scot available on a free transfer after leaving Norwich City at the end of last season.
Gunn could be such a shrewd signing by the Whites, not only because he would arrive for free, but also due to the vast experience he now possesses.
The 29-year-old is a 16-cap Scotland international, being hailed as “special” on the international stage by David Marshall, and Farke is a huge fan, saying of him all the way back in 2017:
“Angus is very highly-rated and a really talented goalkeeper. He’s brilliant with his feet as well as his hands and is tall too. We’re happy to have him here for the next season and are thankful to Manchester City for helping us with this deal. I’m looking forward to working with such a great talent.”
Gunn has come up against Leeds so many times in his career, losing on five occasions at Elland Road in total, four of which came as a starter, but he could bring great quality in goal for plenty more years.
More important than Longstaff: Leeds submit bid for "big-game" £11m star
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He already has 31 appearances to his name in the Premier League, as well as 166 in the Championship, and he could be a safe pair of hands for the Whites, even as a second or third choice option.
Chelsea are one of the busiest Premier League sides this transfer window, with just days remaining for Enzo Maresca and BlueCo to register new players in time for the Club World Cup.
Who Chelsea could sign after Liam Delap
The Blues have already sealed their first signing of the summer after shaking hands on a deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap (Fabrizio Romano), who joins in a £30 million deal, but Chelsea are by no means done following the Englishman’s arrival.
Chelsea inform £170k-a-week star they're ready to pay his £50m release clause
The Euro 2024 winner is a serious target for Enzo Maresca’s side.
ByEmilio Galantini Jun 3, 2025
Work is happening behind-the-scenes at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea attempting to bring one or two more signings through the door before they kick off their CWC campaign on June 16 against Leon (Simon Phillips).
Rank
Team
Points
GD
Man City
71
+28
Chelsea
69
+21
Newcastle
66
+21
6
Aston Villa
66
+7
7
Nottingham Forest
65
+12
It is believed that the west Londoners are laying the groundwork on potential deals for wingers and attacking midfielders as one key item on their agenda. Chelsea held talks with the representatives of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams last week, and informed the Spaniard’s camp that they’re prepared to pay his £50 million release clause.
As well as the 22-year-old, Kenan Yildiz (Juventus), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Jeremy Doku (Man City), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Max Tillman (PSV), Jamie Gittens (Borussia Dortmund), Alejandro Garnacho (Man United) are all reportedly on Chelsea’s shortlist of wide-attacking targets.
Chelsea are expected to sign a centre-back too, amid links to Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, and they’re currently in talks with AC Milan over a deal for French international goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
AC Milan's MikeMaignanreacts
The 29-year-old’s contract expires next summer, and this situation has alerted Chelsea to a potential upgrade on Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen.
However, there is still a major gap when it comes to price, so the west Londoners are prepared to walk away and stick with what they have if Milan don’t lower their demands.
That being said, even if the clubs are failing to find common ground right now, Chelsea do have the player’s approval.
Mike Maignan gives green-light to join Chelsea from AC Milan
According to Football Italia, Maignan has given his green-light to join Chelsea, with the Frenchman approving a switch to Cobham as he ponders life after the San Siro.
The outlet adds that a formal bid is expected to arrive from Chelsea “in the near future”, and if they can reach an agreement on Maignan’s final asking price, he could depart the Rossoneri “in the coming days”.
There is no doubt he would be a stellar addition between the sticks, with Liverpool star Alisson believing Maignan is in the “elite” bracket of keepers. Milan are also eyeing up Torino number one Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in the event they do lose their star shot-stopper.
This saga definitely appears one to watch over the next week, and it could prompt BlueCo to undergo a major goalkeeping reshuffle considering Chelsea’s backlog of five keepers already on their books.
Arsenal supporters are being forced to wait patiently for their first confirmed signing of the summer, despite new sporting director Andrea Berta’s well-documented transfer attempts behind-the-scenes.
The Gunners are reportedly closing in on a few key deals, namely for Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
Arteta wants Arsenal to sign £204k-p/w forward with crucial meeting this week
The Spaniard is personally very keen to sign him.
ByEmilio Galantini Jun 14, 2025
Arrizabalaga looks poised to complete a £5 million move to Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s new back-up keeper and understudy to David Raya (David Ornstein), while Zubimendi is on course to seal a switch to the Premier League one year after rejecting Liverpool.
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
Zubimendi actually caused quite a stir with his recent comments suggesting that his future was still up in the air, but the likes of Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano have since confirmed that Arsenal are still expected to sign the 26-year-old after agreeing a deal with Sociedad.
After Zubimendi and Kepa, the north Londoners also remain in the market for a new winger and striker.
Arsenal have Real Madrid forward Rodrygo on their long list of wide options, with links still surrounding Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams, so that is certainly a position to keep an eye on. However, the most noise continues to surround Berta’s attempts to bring in a centre-forward.
Groundwork has been laid on deals for both RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, according to the BBC, with Arsenal exploring the conditions of moves for both men before deciding which one to formally pursue.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokereskisses the trophy as he celebrate after winning the Taca de Portugal
While Arsenal have already held “concrete” talks over Sesko, Gyokeres remains firmly on the radar.
Portuguese newspaper Record even reported this week that Arsenal made an official £55m opening bid for Gyokeres, with journalist Graeme Bailey sharing an update on the story.
Viktor Gyokeres camp clash with Sporting over rejected Arsenal bid
Speaking to The Boot Room, Bailey reports that the offer has been rejected by Sporting, which isn’t surprising when factoring in that their president, Frederico Varandas, confirmed that an offer below £60m wouldn’t be enough.
Bailey adds that Gyokeres’ camp clashed with Sporting after they snubbed Arsenal’s offer, but Arteta’s side remain in “constant contact” over his signature alongside Man United.
“Speaking to sources, Gyokeres is convinced that he is moving this summer, and he believes he will be in England – not that he has ruled out other countries, it is just where he believes he will be playing,” said the reporter.
“He did make it clear from the start that a deal with Saudi Arabia’s Pro League was not a consideration despite them making an approach this month.
“Arsenal and Man United are in constant contact, the lines of communication with those two clubs has been ongoing for months.
“The player’s representatives are working hard on his future, but there is no deadline here – it could be this month, but likely July, I am told, before something is agreed, but there is no panic. They are calm.”
Varandas’ preferred price tag could be around £68 million, but there are the strikers wages to consider, with Gyokeres reportedly demanding as much as £250,000-per-week.
Liverpool have won back the Premier League from Manchester City, five years after they last stoop atop the mountainous English pyramid.
Pep Guardiola’s side have broken records to win four in a row since Jurgen Klopp put Liverpool back on their perch, but City have fallen by the wayside this season and Arsenal have never managed to build the requisite consistency to end their recent runner-up reputation.
But consistency has been Arne Slot’s middle name this year, his first since replacing Klopp in the Anfield dugout and putting the Reds back in the ascendency.
It bears testament to FSG’s business model that already sporting director Richard Hughes is liaising with Michel Edwards ahead of the summer transfer window, with signings needed in defence and attack to protect this exciting new position at the summit.
Ryan Gravenberch, a revelation
Gravenberch is a Premier League-winning midfielder. The Dutchman has started every single match as Liverpool have capered toward the title, deeply set in the midfield soil, no way of being uprooted.
Who saw it coming? Many of a Liverpool persuasion will no doubt admit they had reservations after a stop-start 2023/24 campaign, his first in England after Klopp completed his midfield rebuild by signing the Bayern Munich prospect for a £34m fee at the end of the 2023 summer transfer window.
The Netherlands international, 22, has recently spoken of the adversity he has had to overcome after playing so infrequently last year, and while he’s looked a little sapped at times recently, Gravenberch has been “first-class all season” in the eyes of pundit Peter Crouch.
Ryan Gravenberch in the Premier League
Stats (* per game)
23/24
24/25
Matches (starts)
26 (12)
34 (34)
Goals
1
0
Assists
0
4
Touches*
28.8
67.3
Pass completion
83%
89%
Key passes*
0.6
0.7
Dribbles*
0.9
1.0
Ball recoveries*
2.8
5.3
Tackles + interceptions*
1.5
3.6
Duels (won)*
2.8 (47%)
5.0 (58%)
Stats via Sofascore
He’s effectively improved across every metric, turning from a meandering midfield prospect into a deep-lying general of surpassing quality.
However, Gravenberch has indeed alluded to the fact that he’s been overworked, and it’s something Slot and Hughes have considered, for Liverpool seem to be getting ready to sign a midfield rival this summer.
Liverpool ready to sign Premier League midfielder
According to reports, via Caught Offside, Liverpool are interested in signing FA Cup hero Adam Wharton this summer and are preparing to lodge a £50m offer in the coming months.
Wharton, 21, has been a revelation at Crystal Palace and is not going to be short of suitors, with Arsenal and Manchester United also reported to be keen on doing a deal.
Though Liverpool’s title-winning midfield is probably the area of the pitch least in need of external assistance, Wharton might prove to complete the puzzle and maybe even leave Gravenberch sweating over the security of his starting berth.
Why Adam Wharton would be perfect for Liverpool
Crystal Palace produced a consummate performance against Aston Villa last weekend to set their place in next month’s FA Cup final. Wharton was among the standouts, with BBC pundit Shay Given even likening him to a rather well-respected midfielder of old.
Centre-midfielder Wharton left Blackburn Rovers in the Championship to sign for the Eagles for an initial £18m fee, leaving the club that had reared him.
He’s not going to have looked back, striking from the get-go a reputation for his slick passing and composed stride in the centre of the park.
His renown has burgeoned over the past 15 months, reaching its apotheosis (so far) after dismantling a Villa side at Wembley to move within touching distance of a first major trophy in Palace’s long history.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton
As per FBref, Wharton ranks among the top 5% of Premier League midfielders this season for progressive passes, the top 9% for ball recoveries and the top 15% for shot-creating actions made per 90, perfectly illustrating his elite passing game, crisp as you like while being creative too. He’s also a thoroughbred athlete, covering so much ground.
It’s a similar profile to that of Gravenberch. Although the argument that he’s performing such metrics to a lesser standard is there. It’s recorded that the Dutchman ranks among the top 31% of said midfielders for progressive passes, but also among the bottom 36% for shot-creating actions per 90.
Given that both players operate in positionally similar zones, it’s easy to ascertain that Wharton is the better man in distribution. Moreover, he doesn’t shirk from his defensive duties either, winning 1.8 tackles per Premier League game this season, as per Sofascore.
There’s nothing to say that these two players couldn’t work in conjunction within Slot’s Liverpool set-up, but there’s little question that Gravenberch lacks the natural-born seamlessness in possession. Not to say it’s a tactical deficiency of his, but rather, a glowing endorsement of Wharton’s talent.
The fact is, Gravenberch has lulled, and while he has areas that eclipse that of Palace’s man, the semblance between the two, which still manages to contrast and show off distinctive qualities, suggests that Liverpool would hit the jackpot in forging ahead with a deal for Selhurst Park’s midfield star.
Slot’s finely-wrought system hasn’t seen too much tinkering this term, but Wharton would be able to ply his work effectively at number six, fitting in for Gravenberch and given the opportunity to make the role his own.
He’s demonstrated his capacity on the big occasion, with esteemed journalist Henry Winter describing Wharton as a “passing machine” and the “best player on the pitch” during the FA Cup semi-final.
You could even make the strong claim that the one-cap England international has the superior ball-playing game to Gravenberch and may well be a more fitting number six in Slot’s flowing system.
In any case, having both in the mix would hardly be a bad thing; indeed, this is exactly the type of move that Liverpool need to make so as to consolidate their position at the top of the Premier League.
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Manchester United are now working on a deal to hijack Newcastle United and sign a £25 million ace this summer, according to a new report.
Man Utd stepping up transfer plans as horror form continues
The Red Devils have all eyes on the Europa League, as that competition is all that is left for United in terms of bringing some sort of success to this dismal campaign. Given how bad the season has gone for United, this summer is huge in terms of moving forward under Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese knows how big of a job this is, and to make it slightly easier, he is going to want his own types of players at the club.
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It already appears that INEOS are trying to get ahead of the game and make some expensive purchases. According to a report from Africa Foot, per Sports Witness, United have already begun working on a deal to sign Jonas Adjetey from Swiss side FC Basel. The centre-back is only 21 years old, and the Premier League side believe he is “one of Europe’s most promising defenders”.
It doesn’t stop there for United, as INEOS are now willing to make a £70 million offer to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. The Englishman has been outstanding for the Midlands side this season, and his performances have now made him a ‘top target’ for United, and they are looking to do everything they can to secure an agreement.
Man Utd and INEOS now looking to hijack Newcastle move for Luis Henrique
The arrivals at Old Trafford are not expected to stop there, as according to TBR Football, Man United are now keeping an eye on Marseille’s Luis Henrique ahead of making a move in the summer transfer window.
Olympique de Marseille'sLuisHenriquescores their third goal
The report states that United are already doing work on a potential deal for the Brazilian but face stiff competition, as Newcastle United have opened talks to sign Henrique. Nottingham Forest are also very keen on a potential transfer, and Serie A champions Inter Milan have been public about their interest in the attacker.
Despite the heavy interest, United and INEOS have still opted to join the race, as they are keen to bolster their options for Amorim ahead of next season. The 23-year-old, who can play on either the left or right-hand side of the attack, is seen as a player who could possibly play in the right wing-back spot at United under Amorim, despite the Magpies wanting him as a winger, where he has played this term.
Luis Henrique’s 24/25 Ligue 1 stats
Apps
29
Starts
26
Goals
7
Goal conversion rate
26%
Assists
5
Big chances created
9
Key passes per game
1.7
Tackles per game
0.5
Successful dribbles per game
1.6 (58%)
Henrique is under contract in France until the summer of 2028, and it’s been reported that it could cost as much as £25 million to get him out of France, as Marseille may need to sell the player to balance their books. His potential arrival would bring a goal threat to United’s right-hand side, as he’s netted seven goals in Ligue 1 this season.
From missing the U-19 World Cup to starring for Karnataka, Smaran’s rise has been built on discipline, long levers, and belief
Shashank Kishore14-Aug-2025In March 2025, whispers of a new name began echoing through IPL scouting circles: R Smaran.Clips from his trials with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had gone viral within the inner sanctums of IPL talent scouts. Smaran wasn’t just clearing the ropes; he was launching spinners out of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.Smaran, 22, received excellent feedback from almost all the trials he attended, but quietly decided to craft his own routines over the next few weeks to make up for the disappointment of not featuring in the IPL.Batting sessions, gym work, and running throughout the day were topped up with pickleball in the evenings. He wanted to keep himself away from overthinking. And then, when he least expected it, his phone rang. Sunrisers Hyderabad came calling. They needed a replacement for the injured Adam Zampa.He was no legspinner, and nowhere close to a like-for-like replacement. But the intriguing signing was an indication he might be a long-term investment. But even before the doors could fully crack open, they slammed shut.Smaran tripped over the advertising hoardings while attempting a catch at training and injured himself. And just like that, his IPL season was over.
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On Tuesday, in just his second competitive outing since his season ended, Smaran smashed an unbeaten 55 off 22 balls for Gulbarga Mystics against defending champs Mysore Warriors in the KSCA Maharaja T20 Trophy.Fittingly, the left-handed batter hit a six, out of the ground and into the trees, to seal the win. There couldn’t have been a better start to what is going to be his second season as a professional cricketer.Smaran is tall, nearly six feet. The penchant to clear the ropes comes from having long levers that he uses to his advantage. But that is only one aspect of a game that he says is very much “work in progress.” In his short career already, he’s shown the ability to grind his way through. Smaran is strong square of the wicket, a by-product of his ability to pick lengths and play well off the back foot. He also prides himself on being an excellent player of spin, something a lot of former Karnataka players and talent scouts have vouched for.”Right from the beginning, I’ve had the ability to clear fences,” Smaran tells ESPNcricinfo. “But I think there’s still a fine line between formats, where in order to be really good at all three formats, you still have to learn to curb your game.”But I think in T20, especially with the wickets being the way it is – really good to bat on – and the size of the grounds in India also not being the greatest when it comes to T20. I think it just comes naturally to me. I wouldn’t say [I’m] a six-hitter, but I back myself to hit sixes on the balls that are loose to me.R Smaran scored 516 runs in ten innings in the last Ranji Trophy season•R Smaran/KSCA”But growing up, the red ball was always a priority. Even now, my main goal is to represent India in Tests. And I think T20 will come as a by-product of that.”Smaran’s 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season started poorly. Five matches in, he hadn’t notched up a single half-century batting in the top five. When Ranji season hit a pause midway for the white-ball leg, the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s (SMAT), he wondered if he’d fluffed his chances.Smaran sat out the first game, but was later drafted into the XI for their second game against Tripura after the selectors decided to drop Manish Pandey. Smaran hit a half-century on debut – 57 off 31 – to help chase down 191.”That knock was a confidence booster, since I had a string of low scores,” he says. “Team-wise, SMAT wasn’t great for us, but it gave me the batting rhythm I needed and I was able to carry that forward into the Vijay Hazare Trophy.”That 50-over tournament was a game-changer for Smaran. Having endured the pressure of replacing Pandey, a senior player in the XI, he hit a superb 101 off 92 in the final against Vidarbha. He helped bail Karnataka out from 67 for 3 in wintry conditions as they posted 348. They ended up winning by 36 runs.Smaran finished as Karnataka’s second-highest run-getter, hitting 433 runs in seven innings at an average of 72.16 with two hundreds and two half-centuries.
“Growing up, the red ball was always a priority. Even now, my main goal is to represent India in Tests. And I think T20 will come as a by-product of that.”R Smaran
“My only goal was to win games for the team,” he says. “One game after another, we started winning. Slowly the belief came in that we can go all the way and win the championship. Once we won, it was surreal.”It’s on the back of this run that Smaran entered the second leg of the Ranji season, in January this year, under immense pressure to keep his spot. On a green top at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Smaran saw the Shubman Gill-led Punjab being bundled out for 55. And when he walked in to bat, conditions were far from easy. Smaran defied the odds and conditions to convert his maiden first-class century into a double ton.”That knock needed mental discipline because conditions were tough, particularly the first day,” he remembers. “It gave me the confidence that I had the ability to play a different style of cricket if required. I’m glad it came off.”Smaran ended the Ranji season with another century to boot against Haryana. Having started the season poorly, he accumulated 516 runs in ten innings at an average of 64.50.
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By 2019-20, Smaran had been a prolific run-getter for Karnataka Under-19s, and was shortlisted as part of a wider pool of targeted players the BCCI felt would form part of their mix for the Under-19 World Cup in 2022.But in early 2020, Smaran had a stress fracture on his right shin. He played through pain, but eventually he had to listen to his body. He was advised to take eight months off the game.Fortunately for Smaran, the injury came around Covid lockdowns. It meant he didn’t miss much competitive cricket, but the long layoff from injury led to weight gain that hampered his form upon return.Smaran couldn’t quite make the same impression as he pushed for an India Under-19 berth. He was left out of the Under-19 World Cup, and India went on to win the tournament under Yash Dhull’s captaincy.R Smaran smashed an unbeaten 55 off 22 in the KSCA Maharaja T20 trophy on Tuesday•Maharaja T20″It felt like the world had ended,” he says about not being selected for the Under-19 World Cup. “I didn’t look forward to anything for the next month. My coach Syed Zabiullah, he’s like family to me. He lifted me up and told me this isn’t the end and there’s lots to look forward to. The main goal should be representing Karnataka at the highest level.”Smaran had two prolific seasons after he fully regained his fitness, but found it hard to break into the Karnataka setup. Until a debut finally came late last year.”I’m glad that it happened last year,” he says. “So overall, I think a lot of credit goes to Syed sir for pushing me throughout during the off-season as well. And also me for putting that effort into training, gym and also hitting the nets.”Smaran’s journey is an ode to his dedication. It was particularly tough because he didn’t come from a family that had anything to do with sport. His father, a mechanical engineer, makes solar inverters. His mother, a housewife, wanted her son to also be an engineer.
I just lacked the confidence [when I started last season]. But now I feel that while I’m still not there, I’ve gotten a step better in terms of knowing my game well.”Smaran on his game
“But the way I progressed, even my mom now keeps asking me, when I’m going to do my Masters,” Smaran, who has a bachelor’s degree in commerce, laughs.”After I represented the state in age-groups, they were like, okay, you can pursue commerce now and pursue cricket,” he says. “I think there’s a lot of conflict between me and my parents (laughs), but I think they’ve really supported me throughout and they’ve let me pursue what I love. But yeah, lot of engineers in the family.”As he looks ahead, Smaran is focused on trying to tick another box. “To bring home the Ranji Trophy for Karnataka,” he says. It’s something they haven’t been able to achieve since 2014-15.”I just lacked the confidence [when he started last season]. But now I feel that while I’m still not there, I’ve gotten a step better in terms of knowing my game well. The main goal while batting is to win games for your team. Whichever team that is, and the rest will take care of itself.”