Glamorgan 247 for 9 (Douthwaite 55, Ingram 47, Root 46, Barnard 4-34) beat Warwickshire 208 (Burgess 85, McIlroy 3-42) by 39 runsDan Douthwaite turned into a matchwinner with both bat and ball as he guided Glamorgan into the Metro Bank One-Day Cup final at Trent Bridge next month with a 39-run victory over Warwickshire at Sophia Gardens.It was his lusty batting that first caught the eye as he hauled the home side through to a 50-over total of 247 for 9 after they had earlier been floundering at 44 for 4 in the 15th over. He hit four sixes – one out of the ground and into the River Taff – in his sparkling 55, hitting 16 off the final over from Oliver Hannon-Dalby.Prior to that Colin Ingram (47) and Billy Root (46) had steadied the innings. Then Douthwaite got into his bowling rhythm and removed Chris Benjamin and Kai Smith to catches at the wicket by Will Samile as he reduced the visitors to 62 for 6 in reply in the 21st over. They were eventually all out for 208.Timm van der Gugten, who had earlier scored 26 with the bat, picked up the wickets of Rob Yates (4) and Will Rhodes (4), while fellow paceman Jamie McIlroy got rid of the dangerous Ed Barnard (14) and Hamza Shaikh (8).Tight bowling and energetic fielding by the home side turned the screw on Warwickshire as the run-rate climbed to more than seven per over in the 26th over. The 100 came up in the 32nd over as the rate rose to more than eight per over.Michael Burgess was the only batter to provide some solid resistance in the middle order and he reached his half-century with a six off the spin of Ingram. He obviously enjoyed the experience as he hit the next two over the boundary for maximums.His seventh wicket stand with Jake Lintott reaped 87 runs and his 85 contained four sixes and six fours. His departure, caught at mid off by Douthwaite off the bowling of the returning McIlroy, left Warwickshire at 149 for 7 – still 99 short of their target with 11 overs to go.When Lintott was caught off a reverse sweep of the bowling of Ben Kellaway for 26 the game was up. There were a few big hits in defiance at the death – Michael Booth hit three sixes – but Warwickshire ended 40 runs short of the victory target.Warwickshire captain Barnard had no hesitation in asking Glamorgan to bat when he won the toss. Playing on the same Sophia Gardens wicket as used for the home side’s win last week over Yorkshire that earned them a straight semi-final tie, Barnard had obviously taken note of the help the pitch had given the seam bowlers in that match.It proved to be a good choice for the seam attack that he led. Opening the bowling and running straight through his allotted 10 overs, the visiting skipper ripped through Glamorgan’s top order and ended with 4 for 34 in his top-class spell.Three of his victims were caught in the slips by Rob Yates – Asa Tribe (13), Kiran Carlson (2) and Will Smale (13) – and he trapped Sam Northeast (8) lbw. That reduced the home side to 4 for 44 in the 15th over and he could have had a fifth wicket had Yates not put down an easy chance Colin Ingram in the 17th over.At that stage the Ingram had only scored 18 and he went on to notch 47 before he was fifth out, trapped lbw by Michael Rae. Ingram steadied what looked like being a sinking ship in tandem with Billy Root as they put on 46 for the fifth wicket.Building on his midweek half-century in the win over Yorkshire Vikings, Root five fours in his 46, sharing in invaluable stands of 55 with Ben Kellaway and then 22 with Douthwaite before his departure in the 40th over made it 167 for 7.At that stage Warwickshire must have been hoping to mop up the tail quite quickly, but Douthwaite, van der Gugten and Andy Gorvin had other ideas. Between them they conjured up 92 runs as they plundered 79 off the last 10 overs to set the visitors a target of 248.Douthwaite ended on 55 and thumped four enormous sixes and four fours as he took 15 and then 17 off the final two overs. That meant the Welsh side at least had some sort of total to defend – which they managed to do with a few overs to spare.

Tottenham Hotspur’s frontline has been impressive throughout the 2024/25 campaign, managing to catch the eye despite the club finishing in a lowly 17th position in the Premier League.

The Lilywhites netted 64 goals in their 38 outings, with only six other sides in the division scoring more, four of which managed to secure Champions League qualification.

Brennan Johnson finished the season as their top scorer in the league with his tally of 11 goals, adding to his excellent collection, which saw him net the winner in the Europa League final.

He was the only player to register double figures in the league, but numerous players across the squad managed to register key goals, which contributed to their excellent tally.

However, new boss Thomas Frank has immediately wanted to target reinforcements in such an area, evidently wanting strength and depth in his quest for success.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new attackers this summer

After his successful stint at Brentford, the Dane has already targeted a move for striker Yoane Wissa, with the Congolese star a man in demand this window.

He’s not the only Bees star on their radar, with Bryan Mbeumo another player who’s been strongly linked with the Lilywhites, but it appears they’ve missed out on his signature, with a move to Manchester United now edging closer.

Another name has been mentioned in recent days as a result, with Canadian international Jonathan David firmly on their radar, according to Get Football News Italy.

They report that Frank’s side have made contact with his representatives over a move to North London with his contract at Lille set to expire at the end of the month.

It also states that the 25-year-old has now halted talks with Italian sides Napoli and Juventus to explore a deal to the Premier League, after scoring 25 times in 49 appearances this season.

Why Spurs’ latest target could be Frank’s own Kane

Harry Kane is a player who has cemented himself in Spurs’ history forever, catapulting himself into the hearts of the fanbase given his spell in the first team over a 10-year period.

The 31-year-old rose through the youth ranks before registering 280 goals for the club, a tally which has made him the highest goalscorer in the club’s history.

However, his goals weren’t enough to catapult the Lilywhites to any form of tangible success, subsequently seeing the forward leave for Bayern Munich in an £82m deal back in 2023.

Since his departure, the club have spent big on Dominic Solanke, dropping a club-record £65m fee to secure his signature, but he’s struggled to maintain elite levels of performance over the course of his first campaign – scoring just nine goals in the process.

The club have greatly lacked that clinical presence in forward areas, something which David could provide in North London should the club land him in the coming weeks.

When comparing his stats to those of fan-favourite Kane, he’s managed to outperform him in numerous key areas this campaign – with FBref labelling him as a similar player to the England international.

David, who’s been labelled “one of the best strikers in the world” by Tony Marinaro, has achieved a better shot on target rate than Kane this season, highlighting his clinical nature within the final third.

How David compares to Kane throughout the 2024/25 campaign
Statistics (per 90)	David	Kane
Games played	32	31
Goals & assists	21	35
Shot on target accuracy	43%	42%
Pass accuracy	82%	78%
Key passes made	1.3	1.2
Take-on success	48%	43%
Progressive carries	1.4	1
Fouls won	1.3	0.7
Stats via FBref

He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted and registered a higher tally of key passes per 90, offering Frank’s side an all-round option that can provide alongside scoring.

The Canadian has further demonstrated his all-round talents, registering a higher take-on completion rate, whilst posting more progressive carries per 90 – having the skillset to create his own opportunities, rather than be dependent on his teammates.

Given that the forward is available on a free transfer this summer, it would be a no-brainer for Spurs to strongly pursue a move to avoid missing out on his signature in the coming weeks.

If he can get anywhere near close to the levels produced by the departed forward in North London, it would be a superb signing, with his talents undoubtedly handing the manager the attacking quality he desires.

Frank's answer to Bale: Spurs make huge bid to sign "sensational" £70m star

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be making huge strides in a deal for one attacking star.

2

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 24, 2025

The Russell Martin regime is in full swing at Rangers, with the Ibrox side having already confirmed seven new signings this summer, with 21-year-old Djeidi Gassama the latest of those to arrive.

Following what was a largely miserable 2024/25 campaign for Rangers, excluding an encouraging Europa League run, a real overhaul is needed for the Light Blues, as they bid to close the gap at the Premiership summit.

The defensive unit, in particular, looks set to undergo noticeable change, with Martin having already brought in Emmanuel Fernandez, Nasser Djiga and Max Aarons thus far, with veteran centre-back Leon Balogun having departed on a free transfer.

With John Souttar attracting interest from abroad, alongside Turkish full-back, Ridvan Yilmaz, there looks likely to be further upheaval before the window is out, ensuring there could be a much-needed fresh look to the Gers’ backline next season.

While Martin’s free-flowing brand of football will put greater emphasis on the attacking ranks to shine, having a solid base to build from will be crucial, with recent reports indicating that a deal for experienced centre-back, Conor Coady could be in the works.

Capped ten times for England, the 32-year-old would be a worthy addition to the Ibrox dressing room, albeit with Martin and co perhaps having their eyes fixed on a far more exciting centre-back signing.

Latest on Rangers' search for a centre-back

Reports late last week revealed that the Gers were still showing an interest in bringing Coady to Glasgow, with that coming following prior claims that Rangers were actually in advanced talks for the one-time Wolverhampton Wanderers man.

A deal for the £75k-per-week star – who has a year left on his contract at the King Power Stadium – may not be too far from completion, albeit with the Gers still keeping their options open for potential alternatives in the centre of defence.

Indeed, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Old Firm side are among the clubs interested in signing Xavier Mbuyamba from Dutch outfit, Volendam, with Gent also in the mix.

Transfer Focus

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

Romano reported that the 23-year-old – who was previously on the books at both Barcelona and Chelsea – is available for a fee of just €500k (£434k), having failed to agree to a new contract with his current side.

It is claimed that clubs in England are also keen on the former Celtic target, with the race now on to see if Rangers can secure the signature of a potentially game-changing signing.

Why Rangers need to sign Mbuyamba

As has already been explored, there is certain merit in bringing in a ‘leader’ like Coady, with the Englishman the type of figure who can replace the likes of Balogun, and Connor Goldson before him, as the centre-piece of the defence.

That said, the ageing star would be more of a short-term fix than a long-term solution, having also been part of a dismal Leicester side that slumped to relegation last time out, after making 22 Premier League appearances in 2024/25.

Mbuyamba, however, could be a star both for now and for the future, having previously been hailed as an “elegant and dominant centre-back” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, who also likened him to ex-Manchester City captain, Vincent Kompany.

For those in the Premiership, a more interesting comparison has been drawn in the past between the 6 foot 5 Dutchman and his high-profile compatriot, Virgil van Dijk, with Sky Sports stating back in 2023 that such likeness has been noted by ‘coaches and media in Holland due to his similar playing style and huge potential’.

That link to Van Dijk had come amid claims that Celtic were interested in signing the then-21-year-old, although two years on, it might well be Martin and Rangers who manage to finally bring Mbuyamba to Glasgow.

While he was operating in Holland’s second tier last season, the in-demand defender did enjoy a fine campaign in all, having showcased his brilliance in both boxes, after scoring five times in 34 league outings, while providing one assist and creating five ‘big chances’, as per Sofascore.

Defensively, the towering ace also helped to keep 12 clean sheets, while averaging 2.8 tackles and interceptions per game. That dominance also saw Mbuyamba win 61% of his total duels.

Games (starts)

34 (34)

Goals

5

Assists

1

Big chances created

4

Key passes

0.4

Pass accuracy

86%

Tackles & interceptions

2.8

Dribbled past

0.2

Total duels won

61%

As for Coady, while he was operating at Premier League level, the one-time Liverpool man scored once, while averaging just 1.2 tackles and interceptions per game, alongside winning just 45% of his total duels.

That represents a noticeable drop off from his final season at Wolves in 2021/22, with the then-Old Gold skipper – who was operating as part of a back three at the time – scoring four goals, while averaging 1.5 tackles and interceptions and winning 53% of his total duels.

The dream squad Rangers can build: £19.5m quartet & "sublime" star all sign

Rangers will be eyeing plenty more signings this summer

4 ByRoss Kilvington Jul 5, 2025

Whether, at 32, Coady is merely now on the decline, or perhaps better suited to life in a back three, is up for debate, but either way, his recent woes should have alarm bells ringing for those at Ibrox.

As for Mbuyamba, the former Netherlands youth international still appears to be a player on the rise, with it an exciting prospect to consider whether or not “the new Van Dijk” – as described by journalist Tom Maston – could flourish under Martin’s watch.

On the evidence of his recent form, Coady has already hit his ceiling as a player. Mbuyamba’s potential is yet to be truly explored…

Sima repeat: Rangers working to agree deal for "fearless" star this week

Rangers could repeat their Abdallah Sima blinder by signing this star this summer.

ByDan Emery Jul 15, 2025

Newcastle United and iconic centre-forwards go hand in hand. Both Hughie Gallacher and Jackie Milburn made massive impressions for the club during the first half of the 20th century.

The former helped the Magpies win the First Division title in 1926/27 and scored 143 goals in 174 matches, while the latter scored 200 goals for the club and won three FA Cups during his spell in the north-east.

The 1970s saw Malcolm Macdonald emerge as the next big thing, before Kevin Keegan and Peter Beardsley made their mark during the 80s.

Andy Cole’s spell on Tyneside was short, but boy was it sweet. He netted 68 goals in just 84 matches, but departed for Manchester United after only two years.

Elsewhere, Alan Shearer goes down as the best centre-forward in the club’s history. His ten-year stint with his boyhood team might have finished trophyless, but the Englishman broke Milburn’s scoring record in February 2006.

Supporters of the current generation have Alexander Isak, and what an impression he has made during his three years at Newcastle.

Alexander Isak’s Newcastle record

Eddie Howe made Isak the club’s record signing when he splashed out a staggering £63m to bring the Swedish hitman to the Premier League.

Fast-forward three years and the move is arguably one of the finest in the club’s recent history. Since joining, Isak has registered 73 goal contributions – 62 goals and 11 assists – across just 109 matches.

He may have suffered from injury issues during his first campaign, but ever since, Isak has been a goal machine.

The 25-year-old enjoyed his best season yet during 2024/25. A tally of 27 goals in 42 appearances helped the Toon secure a Champions League place next season.

Furthermore, he also scored in the League Cup final against Liverpool, ending the club’s 70-year major domestic trophy drought. There is no doubt he will go down as one of the finest strikers in the history of the club.

Metric

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Goals

10

21

23

Assists

1

2

6

Shots per game

2.3

2.6

2.9

Goal conversion percentage

20%

27%

23%

Key passes per game

0.7

0.9

1.2

Compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Isak ranks in the top 8% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90 over the previous 365 days, while also ranking in the top 12% for non-penalty goals during the same period.

These statistics suggest that Isak is one of the best strikers on the continent and the longer Howe can keep hold of him, the better.

Of course, his performances have caught the eye of several teams, Liverpool included. The Anfield side have earmarked the 25-year-old as their number one striker target.

The Magpies are demanding a British record transfer fee of around £150m for the sale of Isak, which Howe will hope puts many teams off.

Regardless if he moves or not, Isak’s form over the previous three seasons places him in the bracket of one of the club’s most impressive signings of recent times.

Might Howe be looking to land the club their biggest signing since with a move for a current Premier League star?

Newcastle's search for a new forward

Despite actively looking to bolster their squad ahead of another campaign filled with European football, Howe hasn’t had much luck in the transfer market thus far.

He has targeted moves for both Anthony Elanga and James Trafford, but deals have yet to materialise for the pair.

One move which may be close to finally being sealed is that of Joao Pedro. According to the Chronicle, Newcastle are now in advanced talks to sign the Brighton and Hove Albion star.

Discussions have been ongoing this week. The Magpies valued Pedro at around the £50m mark, although Brighton are holding out for a fee closer to £60m.

It would be an excellent first signing to make this summer for Howe, especially considering that the Brazilian has plenty of experience in the Premier League and will be ready to hit the ground running.

Dare I say it, but he might be the biggest signing the club have made since Isak.

Why Newcastle must sign Joao Pedro

The Magpies have made some impressive signings since the arrival of Isak in the summer of 2022.

Anthony Gordon joined the club in January 2023, while Sandro Tonali followed that summer. Both have since proven they are excellent signings, but Pedro’s arrival could take the club to new heights.

Since making the move to England more than five years ago, the forward has scored 54 goals and grabbed 18 assists across spells with both Watford and Brighton. For comparison, Gordon had scored just seven goals in 78 games at Everton, prior to making the switch.

In the Premier League, 32 of these goal involvements were recorded, indicating that he will have no problem performing in the top flight under Howe; that much is certain.

When compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Pedro ranks highly over a range of performance metrics.

Indeed, not only does he rank in the top 12% for assists (0.28) and shot-creating actions (3.33) per 90, but the Brazilian also ranks in the top 4% for progressive passes (3.6) and for progressive carries (3.05) per 90 over the previous 365 days.

These stats prove that while he is a major threat in the opposition penalty box, Pedro is also capable of generating chances for others while successfully getting the ball into dangerous areas.

He was even hailed by commentator Kevin Hatchard for his “magical” ability on the ball, and this is a move that Howe must be desperate to get over the line sooner rather than later.

If so, it will surely give the whole club a major boost. The St James’ Park faithful will hope that once one player has been signed, the rest will follow.

Keeping Isak will be vital if Newcastle want to go far in the Champions League next term, while aiming for another trophy win.

Should an offer too good to turn down arrive, however, Pedro would make for a more than able replacement heading into the 2024/25 campaign.

Self proclaimed "world-class" star has now "agreed" terms to join Newcastle

The Magpies finally look to be getting their man.

2 ByHenry Jackson Jun 27, 2025

Manchester United are in a race with fellow Premier League side Everton in a bid to sign a £9 million international who has been labelled the “bargain of the summer”, according to a recent report.

Man Utd eyeing new midfield reinforcements

The Red Devils return to action at the end of this week, as they travel to Stockholm in Sweden to face rivals Leeds United in their first game of pre-season 2025. The hope Ruben Amorim will have is that his side will finally have Bryan Mbeumo through the door before that game gets underway.

Man Utd make loan proposal to sign £166k-a-week Bayern ace and get a reply

Man United have submitted a bid to sign a player from Bayern Munich on loan.

ByBrett Worthington Jul 13, 2025

Once the deal for Mbeumo is completed, there has been a lot of talk that the next target will be a striker, but INEOS and co are also scouring the market to strengthen their midfield department. It was recently reported that United have made a move for not one but two new midfielders.

It’s been claimed that United have made an approach to sign Richard Rios from Palmeiras, who has been heavily linked with a move to AS Roma. The Brazilian side are said to want at least £25 million for Rios, who could be considered a replacement for Casemiro.

The second midfielder United are chasing is Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha. The Red Devils have submitted a loan approach for Palhinha, but the German side turned it down straight away, with Bayern looking to sell the player on a permanent basis instead. These two players could be very good signings for United, but there is another midfielder firmly on their list of potential summer signings.

Man Utd in race with Everton to sign £9m ace called "bargain of the summer"

According to Football Insider, Man United are very interested in signing Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City. The 28-year-old has just suffered relegation with the Foxes, and while he is under contract until 2027, the midfielder has a £9 million release clause that can now be activated.

The Nigeria international is expected to leave the King Power Stadium, and while United are an option for the player, Everton, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Juventus are also in the race for the Nigerian international.

Ndidi, who has been dubbed the “bargain of the summer” by Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, has been a Leicester player since 2017. During that time, he has faced the Red Devils on 14 occasions in all competitions, and he has lost 10 times overall, with the Foxes only winning two games.

Apps

220

Goals

7

Assists

14

His potential arrival at Old Trafford could see him be a replacement for Casemiro, who could remain at United but may not have a bigger impact this season than he did last, due to competition for places and the fact he isn’t getting any younger. Despite the Foxes’ struggles last season, Ndidi still managed to impress, recording five assists in 28 Premier League games.

أعلن الاتحاد الدولي لكرة اليد، عن جدول مباريات الدور الأول لبطولة كأس العالم للأندية لكرة اليد 2025، والتي تشهد مشاركة الأهلي والزمالك.

وتقام بطولة كأس العالم للأندية لكرة اليد، في مصر، للمرة الثانية على التوالي، خلال الفترة من 26 سبتمبر حتى 2 أكتوبر المقبل، على صالة نادي النادي بالعاصمة الإدارية الجديدة.

وبحسب نظام البطولة، يتأهل إلى نصف النهائي متصدر كل مجموعة، إلى جانب أفضل فريق يحتل المركز الثاني، بينما تخوض الفرق الخمسة الأخرى مباريات لتحديد المراكز من الخامس إلى التاسع.

طالع| مواعيد مباريات الأهلي في كأس العالم للأندية لكرة اليد

وكان النادي الأهلي حسم التأهل إلى بطولة كأس العالم للأندية بالفوز بلقب كأس السوبر الإفريقي على حساب الترجي التونسي، بينما سيشارك الزمالك، بصفته الفريق المنظم لبطولة كأس العالم للأندية التي تقام في مصر. جدول مباريات الدور الأول لـ كأس العالم للأندية لكرة اليدالجمعة 26 سبتمبر 2025

الشارقة الإماراتي مع كاليفورنيا إيجلز.. الساعة 3:30 مساءً.

الزمالك مع توباتي البرازيلي.. الساعة 5:45 مساءً.

الأهلي مع سيدني الأسترالي.. الساعة 8:30 مساءً. السبت 27 سبتمبر 2025

ماجديبورج الألماني مع كاليفورنيا إيجلز الأمريكي.. الساعة 3:30 مساءً.

برشلونة الإسباني مع توباتي البرازيلي.. الساعة 5:45 مساءً.

فيزبريم المجري مع سيدني الأسترالي.. الساعة 8:00 مساءً. الأحد 28 سبتمبر 2025

الشارقة الإماراتي مع ماجديبورج الألماني.. الساعة 3:30 مساءً.

الزمالك مع برشلونة.. الساعة 5:45 مساءً.

الأهلي مع فيزبريم المجري.. الساعة 8:00 مساءً.

It’s been a hectic couple of weeks for Arsenal.

After watching their Premier League rivals make signing after signing, the Gunners are finally starting to make a splash in the transfer window.

For example, after months of speculation, Martin Zubimendi was finally announced yesterday morning, and then, if that wasn’t enough, a deluge of reports suggesting a deal for Viktor Gyokeres is close also emerged.

Moreover, the Gunners are now getting close to securing the services of a Premier League star, someone who’d be a far better signing than Noni Madueke.

Arsenal looking at signing another Premier League star

While most of the links to players this summer, and the two signings already confirmed, have been met with positivity from the general fan base, the same can’t be said for links to Madueke.

Transfer Focus

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

It was revealed late last week that the Gunners had already reached an agreement on personal terms with the Chelsea player.

There is no denying that the winger is talented, but he’s hardly blown anyone away in West London, and at a potential price tag of £50m, it’s easy to understand why many fans might look at him as a misuse of funds.

Fortunately, the North Londoners are also reportedly closing in on a deal for another Premier League star, someone who’d be a far better signing than Madueke: Eberechi Eze.

At least that is according to David Ornstein, who, on a recent episode of The Athletic’s podcast, reaffirmed reports that Arsenal are highly interested in signing the Crystal Palace star this summer.

Ornstein reveals that he is now one of the club’s top target and is now seriously high in their consideration this summer. Moreover, he revealed that “they’ve held some conversations” with the player’s camp, and that they would like to sign him for under his release clause of £68m.

However, the Eagles are understandably keen on receiving the full fee to sell their talismanic attacker this summer.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Eze’s ability, it’s one Arsenal should fight for, especially as he’d be a far better signing than Madueke.

Why Eze would be a far better signing than Madueke

Okay, so the first thing to say is that, yes, Eze and Madueke do operate in different areas of the pitch, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the former would be a far better signing than the latter.

The first reason is down to their respective output, as in 43 appearances last season, totalling 3303 minutes, the Palace ace scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists.

That means he averaged a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes, and, on top of that, he scored important goals, such as the winner in the FA Cup.

In contrast, the Chelsea ace racked up a tally of 11 goals and five assists in 45 games, totalling 2625 minutes, which comes out to a far less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.81 games, or every 164.06 minutes.

The second reason the Eagles’ “superstar,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, would be a better signing is their underlying numbers.

Non-Penalty G+As

0.52

0.44

Progressive Passes

3.37

3.05

Progressive Carries

2.40

6.81

Key Passes

2.01

1.42

Passes into the Final Third

1.70

0.71

Live Passes

29.5

29.2

Shot-Creating Actions

4.69

3.50

Goal-Creating Actions

0.35

0.35

Successful Take-Ons

2.33

1.99

Tackles

1.35

1.11

Ball Recoveries

5.07

3.72

For example, when we take a look under the hood, the former QPR gem comes out on top in practically every relevant metric, such as non-penalty goals plus assists, key passes and successful take-ons.

These statistics demonstrate that, in addition to scoring goals, the 27-year-old is a brilliant creator and someone who can generate chances through his passing and carrying abilities.​​​​​

Ultimately, if Arsenal can only afford to sign one other attacking star from the Premier League this summer, then they have to go with Eze, as he’s simply better than Madueke in every meaningful way.

Talks open: Arsenal submit offer to sign "standout" 17 y/o after Zubimendi

The midfielder is the Gunners’ second summer signing.

ByTom Cunningham Jul 7, 2025

Celtic are in the market for more signings this summer and may have landed a boost in their pursuit of a key target, according to recent developments.

Brendan Rodgers quells Celtic transfer concerns

Since Celtic announced former Kawasaki Frontale forward Shin Yamada as their latest signing, there has been little in the way of rumours on incomings surrounding the Scottish Premiership champions.

Nevertheless, Brendan Rodgers is confident the Hoops can strengthen before the window is out, claiming that his side will act to replace the presence of Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn in attack.

He stated: “I’m not really fixated on, ‘I need £10m, £15m or whatever’ – I just need quality players. That is about opportunity and seeing the right players with the right value. The market is complicated, especially when you are trying to get of the level we would like.

“We all know we’ve lost goals and would love to replace it with quality. The market is not as easy as it may seem but I am very confident as a club we will bring in the right players.”

One story that has come to the surface is Celtic’s pursuit of FK Cukaricki midfielder Andrej Bacanin, who is also being tracked by Rangers, Udinese and Ajax following a series of encouraging displays in his homeland.

As exciting as Balikwisha: Celtic contenders to sign "outstanding" star

Celtic are one of the contenders to secure a deal for a star who would be as exciting as Michel-Ange Balikwisha.

ByDan Emery Jul 23, 2025

Furthermore, the Bhoys have saw a £1.5 million bid turned down for Go Ahead Eagles star Jakob Bruem. Putting a spanner in the works, he is reportedly valued at £5 million.

With plenty of stories beginning to escalate, Celtic have now received a clear indication that one of their targets has his heart fully set on a move to Parkhead.

Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha wants move to Celtic Park

According to the Daily Record’s Scott Burns, Royal Antwerp ‘know’ winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha wants to move to Celtic as direct discussions continue to take place over a potential cut-price deal.

Sporting director Marc Overmars is ‘reluctant’ to climb down from his £5 million asking price, but he knows that the Belgian Pro League club may need to offload the 24-year-old this summer to avoid losing him for free when his contract expires in 2026.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha’s injury hit 2024/25 campaign

Appearances

18

Goals

4

Assists

3

Dubbed a “technically sharp wide option” by scout Will Glavin, Balikwisha has been on Celtic’s radar for quite some time and could also be joined by another striker and a midfield arrival should he make the move to the Scottish Premiership.

Marco Tilio and Luis Palma’s recent loan departures have left Daizen Maeda, James Forrest and Hyunjun Yang as the only recognised wingers at the club and Rodgers’ variety in the final third is dwindling ahead of his side’s league opener against St Mirren next weekend.

Balikwisha is a known commodity among the corridors of influence at Parkhead, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this one pick up over the next few days.

Nottingham Forest have submitted an offer for a “superb” player, who is now pushing for a move to the City Ground, according to a report.

Nottingham Forest eyeing new signings amid Gibbs-White saga

Having already lost Anthony Elanga this summer, it would be a blow for Forest if Morgan Gibbs-White were to move on too, but there has now been a twist in the ongoing transfer saga.

It has emerged that Gibbs-White hasn’t travelled with the squad for the start of the pre-season tour in Portugal, although Forest have stated the reason isn’t transfer-related, while Ola Aina has revealed that his teammate is still maintaining professionalism.

Aina said: “He’s keeping it professional; I don’t know the ins and outs of that. He was here today, playing, and he’s training, keeping fit as normal.

“At the end of the day, we’re all professionals – we’ve got a job to do and that’s what Morgan is doing right now. He’s keeping it professional.”

Nuno Espirito Santo will be faced with the very difficult task of finding a replacement for the attacking midfielder, should he move on, while the manager is also keen to bolster his options in defence, and there has now been a new update on the pursuit of RCD Mallorca’s Pablo Maffeo.

According to a report from Marca (via Sport Witness), Nottingham Forest submitted an improved offer for Maffeo over the weekend, increasing their proposal to €5m plus €1.5m in bonuses, around £6m in total.

The La Liga club do not plan to accept Forest’s most recent bid, as they are looking to receive €8m (£7m), which Forest are hesitant to pay, meaning the deal could be at a standstill.

Nottingham Forest to advance deal to sign "incredible" £25m ace this week

Nottingham Forest are ready to progress with a deal to sign a Premier League player who has many admirers.

ByBrett Worthington Jul 21, 2025

However, the player himself is seemingly very keen on a move, with the 28-year-old said to be putting on the pressure, and he hopes Nuno’s side are able to finalise a deal quickly.

"Superb" Maffeo could be solid Nottingham Forest signing

There are signs the Spaniard could make an impact in both an attacking and defensive sense, given that he ranks in the 93rd percentile for successful take-ons per 90 over the past year, while also placing in the 93rd percentile for clearances.

Once described as “superb” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Argentina-born defender has been a dependable option for Mallorca across a number of seasons, most recently making 30 La Liga appearances as his side secured a 10th-placed finish.

That said, it may be very difficult for the defender to displace Aina in the starting XI, given that the former Chelsea man impressed across the 2024-25 campaign.

As such, while it would be nice to have Maffeo as a back-up option, with a Europa League campaign on the horizon, it would not be the end of the world if Forest were unable to get a deal over the line.

Liverpool are the reigning Premier League champions, but like most of the division’s elite clubs, they still aren’t satisfied with their current attacking options.

With Darwin Nunez looking set to seal a move to Napoli, the need for a new number nine has only been heightened even further, with the Reds having been stung by that club-record mistake.

With Luiz Diaz’s future uncertain, amid interest from Bayern Munich, Arne Slot is in real need of a new attacking figurehead, even after Florian Wirtz’s £116m arrival.

Two £100m+ signings start: AI predicts Liverpool's line-up for next season

Mohamed Salah would get plenty of service in this side…

4

By
Ben Goodwin

Jun 18, 2025

Amid that ongoing striker search, we’ve asked the AI tool ChatGPT to predict which of the Anfield’s targets would score the most goals for the club next season, provided they stay injury-free…

Hugo Ekitike – 16–18 Premier League goals

The latest update regarding Liverpool’s interest in Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike is that they are “exploring” a move for him, in the event that Nunez is able to secure an expected exit in the coming weeks.

Formerly of Paris Saint-Germain, the £85m man – who can operate off the left flank – ended 2024/25 with 22 goals to his name in all competitions, with 15 of those coming in the Bundesliga.

Still only 23, ChatGPT believes that the Merseysiders would have to “expect a reasonable adjustment period” if the Frenchman were to sign, although “his mobile, press-savvy style aligns well with Arne Slot’s transition-heavy approach”.

Alexander Isak – 20–23 Premier League goals

The dream that won’t go away, not even amid the prospect of a £150m price tag.

Yes, it’s no secret that Liverpool’s first-choice option would be Alexander Isak, with the Newcastle United talisman having scored 44 Premier League goals across the last two seasons combined for the Magpies.

Although the evidence points to the Swede staying put at St James’ Park, although if a deal can be agreed, ChatGPT expects the 25-year-old to continue that momentum at Anfield, as Slot’s “high tempo, fluid front three [is] suited to Isak’s movement, finishing, and aerial presence”.

Viktor Gyokeres – 29–31 Premier League goals

Isak may be the name on everybody’s lips, although it would appear that Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres might actually be the better option – if Liverpool can edge out Arsenal in the race for his signature, that is.

The Gunners have even reportedly agreed personal terms with the former Coventry City man, although those at Anfield aren’t out of the frame just yet, with competition rife for a player who has scored 97 goals in just 102 games in Portugal.

Top Scorers – Top 10 Leagues (24/25)
#	Player	Apps	Goals
1.	Viktor Gyokeres	33	39
2.	Kylian Mbappe	34	31
3.	Mohamed Salah	38	29
4.	Robert Lewandowski	34	27
5.	Harry Kane	31	26
Data via Transfermarkt

Yet to enjoy a taste of Premier League football, having failed to get a look in at Brighton and Hove Albion in the past, there are likely to be doubts over the Swede’s ability to hit the ground running back in England.

Well, ChatGPT has no such worries, suggesting the 27-year-old is “perfect” for Slot’s set-up, as he is “mobile, press-focused, [and] lethal in and around the box”. He could potentially even reach Mohamed Salah levels of goalscoring…

AI predicts the 2025/26 Premier League table

Who are the winners and losers from AI’s table?

1

By
Charlie Smith

Jun 7, 2025