Keep up to date with all the movements around the counties as preparations are made for the 2024 seasonDerbyshireIN: Martin Andersson (Middlesex)
OUT: Sam Conners (Durham)
OVERSEAS: Caleb Jewell, Blair Tickner, AM Ghazanfar (T20)DurhamIN: Emilio Gay (Northants), Will Rhodes (Warwickshire), Sam Conners (Derbyshire)
OUT: Michael Jones (Lancashire), Jonathan Bushnell, Brandon Glover, Oliver Gibson (all released)
OVERSEAS: David Bedingham, Brendan Doggett (April-May), Zak Foulkes (T20)EssexIN:
OUT: Ben Allison (Worcestershire), Feroze Khushi (released), Aaron Beard (retired)
OVERSEAS: Simon HarmerRelated

• Meredith to return for Somerset in 2025

• Green agrees Lancashire deal for 2025 and 2026 Blast

• Benjamin signs three-year contract with Kent

GlamorganIN: Ned Leonard (Somerset)
OUT: Harry Podmore, Prem Sisodiya (both retired)
OVERSEAS: Colin Ingram, Asitha Fernando (April-May)GloucestershireIN:
OUT: Zafar Gohar
OVERSEAS: Cameron Bancroft, Cameron Green (April-May)HampshireIN: Sonny Baker (Somerset), Mark Stoneman (Middlesex)
OUT: Ian Holland (Leicestershire)
OVERSEAS: Kyle Abbott, Jack Edwards (April-May), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (T20), Dewald Brevis (May-July)KentIN: Chris Benjamin (Warwickshire)
OUT: Hamidullah Qadri, Arafat Bhuiyan (both released)
OVERSEAS: Wes Agar (May-July), Tom Rogers (T20), Kashif Ali, Keith Dudgeon (both April-May)LancashireIN: Michael Jones (Durham)
OUT: Steven Croft (retired), George Lavelle (released)
OVERSEAS: Marcus Harris, Anderson Phillip (April-July), Chris Green (T20), Ashton Turner (May-July)LeicestershireIN: Ian Holland (Hampshire)
OUT: Sam Evans (released)
OVERSEAS: Peter Handscomb, Logan van Beek, Shan Masood (May-Sept)MiddlesexIN: Ben Geddes (Surrey), Zafar Gohar (Gloucestershire, UK passport)
OUT: Martin Andersson (Derbyshire), Ethan Bamber (Warwickshire), Mark Stoneman (Hampshire), Thilan Walallawita (released), Robbie White (retired)
OVERSEAS: Kane Williamson (May-Sept), Dane Paterson (April-May), Josh Little (May-Sept)NorthamptonshireIN: Dom Leech (Yorkshire), Liam Guthrie (Queensland, UK passport)
OUT: Emilio Gay (Durham), Jack White (Yorkshire), Alex Russell, George Gowler, George Weldon (all released)
OVERSEAS: Matthew Breetzke (April-July), Harry Conway (May), Ashton Agar (T20), Yuzvendra Chahal (June-Sept)NottinghamshireIN: Conor McKerr (Surrey)
OUT: Fateh Singh (Worcestershire), Luke Fletcher (released), Tom Loten, Toby Pettman (both retired), Alex Hales (retired from domestic white-ball)
OVERSEAS: Kyle Verreynne, Fergus O’Neil (April), Mohammad Abbas (May & September), Daniel Sams (T20), Moises Henriques (T20)SomersetIN:
OUT: Sonny Baker (Hampshire), Ned Leonard (Glamorgan), George Thomas (Sussex), Roelof van der Merwe (released)
OVERSEAS: Riley Meredith (T20), Matt Henry (April-June), Migael PretoriusSurreyIN: Matthew Fisher (Yorkshire)
OUT: Conor McKerr (Nottinghamshire), Ben Geddes (Middlesex), Amar Virdi (released)
OVERSEAS: Kemar Roach (April), Nathan Smith (May-Sept), Mitchell Santner (T20)SussexIN: George Thomas (Somerset)
OUT:
OVERSEAS: Daniel Hughes, Jayden Seales (April-May), Nathan McAndrew (June-July), Gurinder Sandhu (June-July), Jaydev Unadkat (Sept)WarwickshireIN: Ethan Bamber (Middlesex)
OUT: Will Rhodes (Durham), Chris Benjamin (Kent), Liam Norwell, Michael Burgess (both retired)
OVERSEAS: Tom Latham, Beau Webster (May-July), Hasan Ali (May-September), Vishwa Fernando (April)WorcestershireIN: Ben Allison (Essex), Fateh Singh (Nottinghamshire)
OUT: Joe Leach, Josh Cobb (both retired)
OVERSEAS: Jacob Duffy (April-June), Ben Dwarshuis (T20)YorkshireIN: Jack White (Northamptonshire)
OUT: Matthew Fisher (Surrey), Dom Leech (Northamptonshire), Mickey Edwards (retired)
OVERSEAS: Will Sutherland (May-July), Will O’Rourke (T20), Ben Sears

This was Ireland’s first T20I win against South Africa and second overall against them in internationals

Firdose Moonda29-Sep-2024
Ireland beat South Africa for the first time in a T20I after posting their highest total against them and successfully defending it in Abu Dhabi. In the process, they became the first team to win a match batting first at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in the last eight T20Is at the venue.In what was a family affair, Ross Adair grabbed the early headlines when he scored a 57-ball hundred, his first in T20Is – and Ireland’s third century in the format – before his younger brother, Mark Adair, took 4 for 31 to seal the win.Ross set the tone when he shared Ireland’s second-highest opening stand in the format – 137 – with his captain Paul Stirling, who scored his first fifty in 21 T20Is. Their start meant Ireland were on track for a score above 200 but lost 6 for 43 in 32 balls to leave some runs unscored. Still, they asked South Africa to complete the highest successful chase in T20Is at this venue and they made a fist of it.Reeza Hendricks scored his second successive half-century Matthew Breetzke his first but Ireland struck often enough to ensure the required run rate got too big on South Africa’s middle order. They needed 108 off the last 10 overs, with nine wickets in hand, and 53 off the last five overs, with seven wickets in the bank, and that is when Mark Adair struck. He went around the wicket to Tristan Stubbs, who pushed at a wide ball and was caught behind. That sparked a collapse that saw South Africa lose 5 wickets for 25 to fall 11 runs short.Ross Adair rides his luckTake nothing away from Ross’ innings, which was an exhibition of all-round hitting, but he will know he should have been out not once, not twice, not three, not four but five times. He offered South Africa a first chance on 19, in the powerplay, when he was cramped by a Lizaad Williams short ball and miscued a pull to deep square leg. The catch was taken but Williams had overstepped and Adair batted on.Then, in the 14th over, immediately after Stirling was dismissed, Adair, on 78, hit Wiaan Mulder to Williams at deep backward point. Williams got both hands to it but palmed the ball over the boundary rope to send Adair into the 80s. Adair swung wildly at the next ball and hit it straight up but Ryan Rickleton couldn’t make enough ground to take the catch. And the ball after that, Adair was at the non-striker’s end when Harry Tector called him through for a single and then changed his mind. Patrick Kruger could have run Adair out but he missed his throw from extra cover. Adair had not quite had enough of danger and in the next over, on 90, he offered Kruger a return chance but it just went over him and Adair kept going. He brought up 100 off 57 balls and finished with nine sixes, the most by an Irish batter in the format.ESPNcricinfo LtdSA strangle Ireland in end oversIn the first match, South Africa gave away only six runs in the last two overs of the Ireland innings to leave them short of a par score; this time they gave away only 19 in the last three overs to keep Ireland under 200. Lungi Ngidi, who has been excellent on the tour, started the squeeze with an over of slower balls. That included a ball that completely foxed Neil Rock, who was far too early on his shot, and took out his middle stump. Ngidi finished with an analysis of 1 for 23 in four overs. Kruger bowled the 19th, which started with a run-out as Mark Adair was scrambling for a second run and was also peppered with pace-off. And Williams was given the last over by which time South Africa incurred an over-rate penalty and had to have an extra fielder in the ring. Still, he did not concede any boundaries as he stuck to yorker lengths.Humphreys belated birthday giftLeft-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys turned 22 on Saturday and celebrated with a trip to the Abu Dhabi Louvre but the real gift came 24 hours later when he took his first wicket of the series, and it was a big one. After conceding 26 runs in his first three overs, Humphreys was given the 14th over to finish and he made a big incision. With 66 needed off 39 balls balls, Aiden Markram premeditated a reverse-sweep but did not account for the change of pace from Humphreys. He sent the ball down quicker, it beat Markram and bowled him. Humphreys finished with 1 for 30 and left South Africa’s middle order with too much to do.Mark Adair magic After dismissing Stubbs, Mark Adair opened up South Africa’s middle order and then dismantled it in the 19th over. South Africa needed 23 runs off the last 12, and Mark Adair sent down a slower ball to Mulder, who hit straight up and Adair took it on himself to complete the catch. Two balls later, Breetzke tried to swat Mark Adair through the leg side but sent the ball straight to Harry Tector at long-on. Mark Adair closed out his over when Nqaba Peter hit him to extra cover, where Stirling took a diving catch to put Ireland in the pound seats. Graham Hume had 17 runs to defend off the last over and picked up two wickets in the process of doing that.

Besides from picking up Anthony Elanga for a whopping £55m, Newcastle United has been quiet with incoming signings this summer transfer window so far.

Unfortunately, multiple advances, away from securing the ex-Manchester United winger’s services, have fallen to the wayside, with James Trafford looking more likely to move to Manchester City now over relocating to Tyneside, alongside long-term Magpies target Hugo Ekitike also favouring Liverpool over St James’ Park.

Thankfully, time is still on the Toon’s side as the early September deadline is a month and a bit away, with Newcastle now wanting to press on with securing some other new additions, away from cursing any failed captures.

Newcastle send scouts to watch £34m star

Clearly, the Magpies want to add another exciting striker to their ranks this summer – even if Alexander Isak does remain put – as the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Yoane Wissa appear on Eddie Howe’s ambitious shopping list.

Reports do suggest that Sesko would cost an extortionate £78m to obtain, on top of Wissa being valued around the £40m mark, with far cheaper targets on Newcastle’s radar when trying to bolster their personnel defensively.

Indeed, as per a development from NUFC Blog, Newcastle are now interested in a £34m deal to bring Inter Milan centre-back Yann Bisseck to England, having even sent scouts out to Italy to watch him in action.

The report also states that further Premier League interest has come Bisseck’s way from Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur, but the Magpies will hope they can land the 6-foot-5 titan’s signature at the expense of their rivals, as they bid to replicate their Sandro Tonali magic with another gem from Italy.

How Bisseck can be a Tonali repeat

Much like Bisseck has managed at the San Siro, Tonali would rise from being a promising starlet at Inter’s foes in AC Milan to becoming a dependable first teamer worthy of a pricey move to English shores.

Tonali would tally up a promising seven goals and 13 assists on the books of the Rossoneri before St James’ Park came calling, and the battling 25-year-old has never looked back since, with the Toon number eight only missing two Premier League clashes all of last season as one of Howe’s first, concrete names on the teamsheet.

Four goals and two assists would also come Tonali’s way across those 36 top-flight outings, with this wonderfully struck effort the pick of the bunch from the efforts that were cannoned home.

Bisseck will pray that if a move to Newcastle gets off the ground, he can make similar strides and become a key first-teamer under Howe’s wing, with his numbers in the Serie A this season just gone pointing in the direction that he could soon make these dreams a reality.

Bisseck’s league numbers for Inter (24/25)

Stat – per 90 mins*

Bisseck

Games played

27

Goals scored

3

Assists

2

Touches*

55.4

Accurate passes*

43.0 (92%)

Ball recoveries*

2.4

Clearances*

2.3

Total duels won*

2.9

Clean sheets

3

Stats by Sofascore

Looking at the table above, there is plenty to be encouraged by if Newcastle were to land the £34m titan, with Bisseck putting his towering 6-foot-5 frame to effective use when chipping in with three goals last season in Serie A action, on top of also being assured with the ball at his feet as an imposing presence with 43 accurate passes averaged per league game.

He does have room to improve, too, but he has also shown flashes of his “commanding” excellence – as he was once labelled by football analyst Ben Mattinson – in the Champions League with eight duels won in total across two legs versus Barcelona last season, whilst also silencing Man City menace Erling Haaland in a 0-0 stalemate versus the Citizens during a group stage affair.

Newcastle will be competing on Europe’s grandest stage again next campaign, meaning Bisseck might well be just the buy to pursue to improve Howe’s options as the fixture list grows in size, with a golden Tonali-like repeat hopefully in the offing.

Related More clinical than Ekitike: Howe plotting Newcastle move to sign £75m+ star

Losing out on Ekitike could prove to be a blessing in disguise.

Posts 2 ByTom Cunningham Jul 19, 2025

After a string of low scores, Shafique notched up his first century in more than a year in “extreme heat” in Multan

Danyal Rasool07-Oct-2024

An emotional Abdullah Shafique said he was relieved to put the “challenges of failure” behind him after just his second hundred in two years. Having been through a prolonged slump after a blistering start to Test cricket that once put him on the cusp of becoming the fastest cricketer ever to reach 1000 Test runs, Shafique put together a 253-run stand with captain Shan Masood, managing a stirring century of his own.”A sportsman has to face challenges and go through failure,” Shafique said. “I’m thankful to the team management and the captain for trusting me and giving me a fair run. You face a lot of mental challenges and lots of doubts, but you have to overcome it all and perform.”Shafique’s gratitude to his captain is well placed. Pakistan’s impatience for poor form and alacrity with which they have tended to drop struggling players is lore by this point. But Masood, upon assuming the captaincy, stressed the need for players to feel secure in the side, making an impassioned case for keeping faith in him.Related

Masood, Shafique hundreds see Pakistan take control

Shan Masood's statement of intent sets out Pakistan's stall for the series

“Saim [Ayub] scored two 50s in the last two Tests, if we’d dropped him after the first Test, I’ve had that happen to me; it’s not nice,” he had said. “When I was out of the team for two years, I averaged over 60 in List A cricket, but Imam [ul-Haq-] and Fakhar [Zaman] were consistently performing. I didn’t complain that I wasn’t being selected, because I understood the level of competition was high. If the coach was backing the players, they were doing the right thing.”Shafique, though, knows there were ultimately limits to Pakistan’s selectors’ endurance. Since he scored a hundred in the first Test against England two years ago, he averaged 24.57 in 21 innings; he crossed 30 just five times, and managed one hundred and one half-century. With a difficult tour of South Africa coming up over the festive period, he was well aware he needed to vindicate his captain.”It was a very important day as the first one of the series,” Shafique said. The whole team understood the value of setting the tone up front because that’s the mode in which the team plays thereafter. The wicket is challenging to bat on a fresh pitch with the new ball, but the partnership between me and Shan gave the team a big boost.”After Ayub fell early, Pakistan might have feared another probing day with the bat, but Masood took the attack to England’s bowlers, with Shafique content playing second fiddle. As the scoreboard began to slant in Pakistan’s favour, there were glimpses of Shafique’s style and panache; he brought up his half-century with a six, and went from 94 to 100 with perhaps the shot of the day, an elegant gallop forward to drive Jack Leach into the long-on advertising hoardings.”It’s a challenge batting for long because of this extreme heat in Multan. But you can’t let yourself make excuses and keep trying to do what you are required to do. How well you take your opportunity is what matters. It’s not just the batter but the whole team which is confident when you do well.”Pakistan seem never to have lost their confidence in Shafique. Across two sessions as England’s bowlers toiled in Multan, Shafique went about demonstrating why that was.

Manchester United have been extremely active within the transfer market during the summer, as the hierarchy look to back the manager in his quest for success.

Ruben Amorim took the reins back in November after Erik ten Hag was dismissed, only having the January transfer window to make the changes he desired to the squad.

However, this window presents fresh opportunities, securing the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from fellow Premier League sides Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford respectively.

Such dealings have seen the Red Devils already splash over £125m on new additions this summer, but their spending looks set to continue in the coming weeks.

A new striker remains a priority for the club this summer, leading to numerous players being linked with a move to join Amorim’s revival during the 2025/26 campaign.

The latest on United’s striker hunt this summer

Randal Kolo Muani has emerged as a potential target for United this summer, with the Frenchman set to leave current side PSG during the off-season.

The Red Devils have reportedly prepared an offer for the 26-year-old in recent days, with the Ligue 1 outfit currently demanding a fee in the region of £39m for his signature.

However, he’s not the only name currently on their shortlist, with Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson firmly on their radar this window, according to TEAMtalk.

They claim that Jason Wilcox has been at the centre of internal talks to land the 24-year-old, after he registered 13 goals for Enzo Maresca’s side last campaign.

It also states that winger Alejandro Garnacho could be used to sweeten any deal after he was left out of the Red Devils’ pre-season tour, reducing the cost of the Senegalese international’s fee, as he’s currently valued at £80m.

Why United’s latest target would be perfect alongside Mbeumo

There’s no denying that Mbeumo is an exciting talent that will hand the United side the needed attacking threat they’ve craved ahead of next season.

The Cameroonian managed to register 20 goals in the Premier League last season, a tally that was just under 50% of what the Red Devils first team managed collectively during the same period.

Despite his goalscoring tallies, he’s also impressed in teeing up his teammates, ending the most recent season with eight assists across all competitions for the Bees.

His underlying stats are just as impressive, registering 1.8 chances created during the 2024/25 campaign under boss Thomas Frank, having the tools to create carnage at Old Trafford.

Such figures could hugely benefit potential new addition Jackson, with the forward potentially getting all the ammunition needed for success from the Cameroonian.

His stats from his spell at Stamford Bridge highlight the talent he possesses in the final third, certainly aiding Amorim in his quest for success during his time in the role.

Jackson, who’s been labelled a “monster” by former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel, registered 1.4 shots on target per 90 last season, playing a huge role in his tally of 13 goals across all competitions – subsequently handing the side the focal point they’ve been craving.

He also won 38% of the aerial battles he entered, offering Amorim’s side a focal point to play off, which could allow Mbeumo to improve his own tallies as a result.

That ability to aid United’s new man is also seen in Jackson’s statistical likeness to both Ollie Watkins and Yoane Wissa, as per FBref, two players whom Mbeumo thrived alongside at Brentford.

Indeed, the left-footer and Wissa contributed to 39 league goals between them last season, having previously scored 42 goals combined with Watkins during the 2019/20 campaign in the second tier. Could Jackson be next?

The Senegalese international’s impressive form within attacking areas is further reflected in his tally of 6.2 touches in the opposition’s box per 90, potentially being the poacher they’ve lacked since the 40-year-old’s appointment.

It may prove to be an excellent deal for United if they can land Jackson, with the forward able to transform the Red Devils’ fortunes in attacking areas – whilst also moving Garnacho out of the door in the opposite direction.

The prospect of the 24-year-old linking up with Mbeumo in 2025/26 is certainly an exciting one, certainly pushing the side in the right direction throughout the upcoming campaign as a result.

Better deal than Mbeumo: Man Utd preparing bid for "superstar" £39m CF

Manchester United appear to be making another huge move within the transfer market.

1

By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 22, 2025

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.

Manchester United played out a 2-2 draw with Everton in Atlanta, Georgia, at the weekend, as Ruben Amorim’s side won the Premier League Summer Series over in the United States.

Football is encapsulated by peaks and troughs, and so too was this closing pre-season fixture over the pond defined by some good and some bad for the Red Devils, who are desperate to find themselves once again after finishing 15th in last season’s Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

Change was always going to be necessary, and INEOS have indeed acted with intent to reshape the frontline, signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from divisional rivals.

However, more is still needed. United require another central midfielder, and remain interested in replacing Andre Onana between the sticks.

But there’s no question that the most pressing, and most prominent, concern remains finding a new out-and-out central striker.

Man Utd's attacking transfer plans

Rasmus Hojlund, 22, has been vocal in his desire to stay at Manchester United next season and fight for his place at number nine, but the rumour mill suggests technical director Jason Wilcox has transfer-listed him for £30m.

The Danish striker flattered to deceive last season. Sure, he was let down by a dearth of creativity behind him, but lacked control and confidence, and scored only four times across 32 appearances in the Premier League.

And Amorim is focused on signing an upgrade, and the chosen target is RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who has emerged at the centre of the transfer tussle also involving Newcastle United.

The Magpies made a £70m bid on Saturday, which was rejected. Man United haven’t, although INEOS know they can sign the Slovenian without having to sell first (whereas Newcastle must first cash in the Alexander Isak cheque).

But could the Old Trafford side yet have an even bigger deal in the pipeline?

Man Utd lining up British-record bid

According to Spanish sources, Manchester United are ready to shatter the transfer market by launching a bid for Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

The 24-year-old is one of the best players in the world, and no mistake. However, he has been the subject of persistent transfer speculation concerning the Saudi Pro League in recent years, owing largely to a new Los Blancos contract that remains unpenned.

Man United want to take advantage and remind the world that they are a superpower. A package worth €200m (£174m) is being put together, and that would make the Brazilian the most expensive player in British football history.

Why Man Utd want Vinicius Jr.

Vinicius Jr, 25, is one of football’s true superstars, having joined Real Madrid from Flamengo for a £39m fee as a teenager in 2018.

Madrid president Florentino Perez said: “He’s a player who is already considered one of the great hopes of Brazilian and world football.”

Though Sesko is a centre-forward, and Vinicius Jr is more of goalscoring winger, this would be an opportunity too good to pass up, and there’s no question that the South American is the target INEOS must prioritise.

Indeed, it’s not like he doesn’t have the skills to serve as a goalscoring sensation at the club. As per FBref, the Real gem ranked among the top 10% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for goals scored, the top 13% for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for progressive carries and the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90.

Perhaps he’s coming off the back of a campaign that left something to be desired, but the man still notched 22 goals and 19 assists across all competitions. In fact, he’s now surpassed 35 goal involvements for four seasons in succession.

Sesko, conversely, has yet to prove he has what it takes to take a seat at the elite table, having scored 13 goals from 33 Bundesliga fixtures in 2024/25.

The potential is there, and, of course, Sesko may well shape into one of the finest goalscorers in the business if he signs for Man United this summer, but in Vinicius Jr, Amorim would land a tailor-made figurehead with an absurd amount of technical quality. He’s the real deal.

Of course, the Brazil international is typically found coming off the left flank, and that’s an area that Cunha will be expected to play in, but the Madrid man’s compatriot started up front for Amorim’s team against Everton the other day, and Vinicius Jr, too, could be interchangeable positionally.

Left winger

284

86

73

Centre-forward

60

29

15

Right winger

14

3

2

Attacking midfield

2

1

0

If the talk of his shooting ability wasn’t enough, the 25-year-old also averaged two key passes per game in La Liga last season, as per Sofascore, also averaging 2.7 dribbles and a whopping 5.8 duels per match. Earning £349k per week, you’d expect him to bring such a degree of completeness to the table.

Further, he’s one of the most recognisable faces currently competing in the Champions League, scoring in the 2018 final against Liverpool and the 2023 final versus Borussia Dortmund, triumphant on both occasions.

That’s the kind of pedigree Man United need if they are to restore themselves, rekindle that fire that once burned so bright at the height of the global game.

Described as a “legend in the making” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Vinicius Jr has already left an indelible mark at Real Madrid, and could take his development to the next level by becoming a talisman at Old Trafford.

Sure, Sesko is a talented young striker with plenty of power and much determination besides, but we’re talking about a star on a different scale here, and if there truly is a chance to bring Vini over to the Premier League, the Red Devils must pounce as they march back to the top of the European scene.

Amorim's very own Ibrahimovic: Man Utd to make bid for "phenomenal" talent

Manchester United are making moves for a player who could replicate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

3 ByEthan Lamb Aug 4, 2025

Brendon McCullum, England’s coach, said that Ben Stokes is “hurting” after struggling to make an impact in their 2-1 series defeat in Pakistan, but has backed his “tough bugger” captain to return to his best in New Zealand next month.Stokes returned from two months on the sidelines with a torn hamstring ahead of England’s second Test in Multan last week but failed to contribute as Pakistan staged their comeback. He apologised to his players for losing his temper following a string of fielding lapses in the second Test, bowled 10 wicketless overs in the series, and made 53 runs in four innings, with two slapstick dismissals.After England’s nine-wicket defeat in Rawalpindi, Stokes said that the last three weeks had “felt like a very long tour” due to his intense rehabilitation, which McCullum suggested had inhibited his performance both as a batter and as a captain.Related

• 'No excuses' says McCullum as England succumb to Pakistan's spin cycle

• Captain Stokes loses his sheen as Rawalpindi return ends in flat defeat

• Stokes bullish after defeat: 'We've got the best top six in England'

“That injury was quite a significant injury,” McCullum said. “He had to work incredibly hard to get back. As the driven athlete he is, he’s all in when he does something. He had to put in a lot of graft there, and subconsciously, it can… not cloud things, but maybe you’re not quite as screwed down as you can be in terms of decision-making.”That’s natural, as long as you learn from that and make sure next time you’re presented with that situation you’re able to block out the noise and stay crystal clear in the moment. He’s disappointed, but he’s our skipper and we know he’s a tough bugger. He’ll make sure he’ll come back and it’s our job to make sure we wrap our arms around him and help him along the way.”The series defeat was only England’s second since Stokes took over from Joe Root as captain two-and-a-half years ago, but both have come in the subcontinent this year. The first, a 4-1 loss in India, prompted McCullum to call for “refinement” ahead of England’s home summer, but this time there is only a short turnaround before their three-match series in New Zealand.Ben Stokes could not exert his usual influence, despite winning the toss in Rawalpindi•Getty Images

McCullum said it would be his own responsibility to ensure that England’s management are consistent in their messaging. “We all know how competitive and driven the skipper is,” he said. “He’ll be hurting right now, with how the series has unfolded. It’s my job to make sure I’m there to support him, and make sure we still remain on-task with what we are trying to do as a collective, and our messaging to the group about how we want to keep playing cricket moving forward.”Sometimes as leaders, if you do suffer a little bit of disappointment yourself, it can be very easy to allow that to permeate through in your messaging to the group. But since Stokesy came on board as captain, he’s been very clear and precise about how he wants his team to play.”What’s really important is to never flinch with that and stay true to it, even if you’re struggling yourself. You’ve still got to keep using the same messaging. He’ll be better for the run, no doubt: a couple of weeks off, freshen up and back to conditions which are a bit more similar to back in England. It’s another opportunity for us.”England have lost six of their eight Tests in Asia this year, and are not due to return to the subcontinent until a two-match series in Bangladesh in February 2027. McCullum said the team would look back with “disappointment” and this tour and that their method in spin-friendly conditions needed to be “a little bit better” than it has been”If we’re being honest with ourselves, we’ve had opportunities to put up a better record than that, so it’s disappointing,” McCullum said. “You don’t get too many opportunities to nail down big series in the subcontinent. We’ve had those chances, and we weren’t quite good enough.”I know we don’t come back to the subcontinent for a couple of years, but there’s still times even in other countries when we’re presented with spinning wickets, and we’ve got to make sure our approach is a little bit more screwed down, a little bit better than it is. That will be some of the conversations we have.”It’s a matter of trying to get that environment to a place where it’s confident, it’s clear and the messaging is very simple. With failure, sometimes it brings about a little bit of deeper thought and that’s something we’ll have to do over the next little while.”We’ve also got a very quick turnaround for the New Zealand series, but we have to make sure we’ve learned some lessons from this and be better when we get the chance. That’s the nice thing: we do get an opportunity, and it would be nice to bounce back in New Zealand.”

شهدت مباراة ريال مدريد وأتلتيكو مدريد، لقطة مثيرة للجدل من لاعب ريال مدريد، الذي شارك بديلاً في المباراة على ملعب واندا ميتروبوليتانو في الدوري الإسباني.

وكان أتلتيكو مدريد قد سحق ريال مدريد بخمسة أهداف لهدفين، خلال اللقاء الذي جمع بين الفريقين ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة من الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.

وتجمد رصيد ريال مدريد عند النقطة 18 في المركز الأول، وارتفع رصيد أتلتيكو مدريد للنقطة 12 في المركز الرابع.

اقرأ أيضاً.. “أرشيفو فار” تفجر مفاجأة عن هدف جوليان ألفاريز أمام ريال مدريد

ونشرت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية أن الأرجنتيني فرانكو ماستانتونو نجم ريال مدريد، قد أخرج إحباطه من نتيجة المباراة بعد أن سدد كرة على جماهير أتلتيكو مدريد.

وقام فرانكو ماستانتونو نجم ريال مدريد بإثارة غضب جماهير ولاعبي أتلتيكو مدريد الذين ذهبوا لتوبيخ اللاعب الأرجنتيني على تصرفه.

وقد حضر لاعبو ريال مدريد أيضاً مما تسبب في شجار بسيط، وانتهى الأمر بعد أن قام جونزالو مهاجم الفريق الضيف بسحب الأرجنتيني بعيداً عن موقع الحادث وقد حصل بعد ذلك على بطاقة صفراء.

Manchester United are assessing a move for an “outrageous” Benjamin Sesko alternative, with his club now open to a sale this summer, according to a report.

Man Utd's Sesko pursuit takes new twist

Sesko has emerged as one of Man United’s major targets at centre-forward and are in a fierce battle with Premier League rivals Newcastle United for his signature.

The Red Devils have reportedly made an offer of their own for Sesko, but if he decides to move to St. James’ Park, Ruben Amorim and co would be forced to move on to alternative targets, and another centre-forward has now entered the frame as a potential option.

That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which states Man United are now assessing a move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Goncalo Ramos, with the French club open to a sale this summer, but there could be fierce competition for his signature.

Within the Premier League, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Liverpool are named as potential suitors, while Serie A sides Napoli and Juventus have also added Ramos to their shortlist, but a deal may prove to be on the expensive side.

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PSG are looking to recoup as much of the €65m (£56m) fee they shelled out as possible, despite the former Benfica man struggling to establish himself as a regular starter since arriving at the Parc des Princes, given the depth Luis Enrique has in attack.

"Outrageous" Ramos could be solid alternative to Sesko

Even though the 24-year-old often found game time hard to come by last season, he remained a regular source of goals and assists for PSG in all competitions, amassing a total of 25 attacking contributions.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Ligue 1

22

10

3

French Cup

6

5

2

Champions League

12

3

1

Club World Cup

5

1

0

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has also praised the Portugal international for his performances at international level in the past.

There may be some concerns over the fact Ramos is yet to solidify his place as a regular starter for PSG, but at 24-years-old, the centre-forward still has plenty of time to develop his game, and he could be a solid alternative to Sesko.