Tag Futebol

Wolves have been offered the chance to sign a “fantastic” defender during the summer transfer window, according to a fresh claim from journalist Tom Collomosse.

Wolves pushing for Premier League defender and winger

The start of the 2025/26 Premier League season is now only a week away, with Vitor Pereira’s side opening their account at home to title challengers Manchester City on August 16th.

Some are tipping Wolves to be among the relegation candidates this season, and having lost star player Matheus Cunha to Manchester United earlier in the summer, it is vital that more new faces arrive before the transfer window closes on September 1st.

One report has claimed that Wolves are pushing hard to complete the signing of Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi, pipping Newcastle United to his signature in the process. An ACL injury picked up by Levi Colwill could now change the situation, however, should the Blues feel there is more of a need to keep hold of the Frenchman.

Meanwhile, added quality is required in wide attacking areas, and Liverpool youngster Ben Doak has been linked with a move to Wolves. The Reds value him at around £20m, with a host of clubs keen on him.

Wolves offered chance to sign £15m defender

According to a new update from The Daily Mail‘s Collomosse, Coventry City have offered £15m-rated defender Milan van Ewijk to Wolves this summer.

That said, a move to Molineux doesn’t appear to be likely as things stand, with the Premier League side having “other players above him in the list” of potential summer signings.

If the situation changes and Wolves suddenly see Van Ewijk as a leading contender this summer, he could be an excellent addition for Pereira.

The Dutchman has arguably been among the leading right-backs in the Championship for a number of years now, making 47 league appearances for Coventry last season, eventually losing to Sunderland in the playoffs.

Van Ewijk can provide quality at both ends of the pitch, registering nine league assists over the past two seasons and averaging 2.6 clearances per game in 2024/25, while fan and pundit Chris Deez has spoken positively about him.

“He’s a fantastic player and by and large, his time with us has been largely positive. He had a great first season, before a difficult start to the second season under Mark Robins, but then picked up towards the end. He obviously made that mistake which pretty much cost us the play-offs, but I don’t think anybody really holds that against him because he has been a great player for us.”

With Nelson Semedo departing Wolves at the end of last season, the need for a new right-back is clear for Wolves, and Van Ewijk’s experience of English football makes him an astute option. That said, it looks as though they will look elsewhere to strengthen in that area of the pitch.

There’s no denying that the 2024/25 campaign was one to forget for Manchester United, needing to erase such a year from their memory if they’re to be a success next season.

The Red Devils only registered a measly 15th-placed Premier League finish, whilst also being on the losing end in the Europa League final against fellow English side Tottenham Hotspur.

Ruben Amorim was ultimately unable to have the desired impact after taking the reins halfway through the campaign, undoubtedly hoping to make amends in 2025/26.

The 40-year-old has finally had the pre-season he desired to get his feet under the table and make the changes he needs to allow his players to operate in his 3-4-2-1 system.

Despite already splashing over £130m on new additions this summer, the hierarchy look set to back the manager once again in his quest for success in England’s top-flight.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

Benjamin Sesko has undoubtedly been the biggest star linked in recent weeks, with the Red Devils battling Newcastle United for the RB Leipzig striker’s signature this window.

The Slovenian has already been subject to an offer from the Magpies, with United needing to act quickly if they are to secure a deal for the 22-year-old before the September 1st deadline.

However, despite the interest in the forward, other options are also being considered across the pitch, with Barcelona star Fermin Lopez the latest on their radar, according to Spanish outlet Sport.

They claim that Amorim’s side are preparing a €70m (£60m) offer for the 22-year-old central midfielder, after he made 46 appearances across all competitions last season.

The report also states that the LaLiga outfit would be open to allowing him to depart before the end of the window, if an offer in that region is submitted in the coming weeks.

Why United’s latest target could spell bad news for Bruno

Bruno Fernandes has been a player constantly providing the goods for United in recent years, scoring 98 times and notching 83 assists in his 290 appearances for the Red Devils.

Such numbers have saved the side in key moments, especially last season, with his tally of 37 goal contributions undoubtedly preventing the side from a relegation battle in the Premier League.

However, despite his contributions, he could find himself dropping down the pecking order in 2025/26, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha already being signed to operate in the number ten role.

Bruno has regularly operated in such a position over recent times, potentially having to drop into a deeper role as a result of the pair’s big-money arrivals at Old Trafford.

The likes of Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte all currently occupy such roles, with the potential arrival of Lopez adding further depth to the midfield department.

There’s no doubt that if the Spaniard moved to the Theatre of Dreams it would put Fernandes’ spot in the side at risk, especially when considering the phenomenal numbers the Barça star produced in 2024/25.

Lopez, who’s been labelled “incredible” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, registered 11 combined goals and assists, highlighting the attacking threat he possesses from his deep-lying role.

Games played

28

Goals & assists

11

Pass accuracy

82%

Progressive passes

5.7

Passes into final third

4.7

Shots taken

3.1

Take-ons completed

1.8

Tackles won

1.4

Key passes made

2.1

Recoveries made

4.7

He also completed 5.7 progressive passes per 90, 4.7 of which were into the final third, handing the new additions the chance to thrive within attacking areas in their first season at the club.

The youngster’s talents are further reflected out of possession, winning 1.4 tackles per 90 and 4.7 recoveries per 90, offering Amorim the defensive presence he may need in the middle of the park.

£60m could be an expensive addition, but given Lopez’s all-round talents, he could prove to be an exceptional addition for United in their attempts to rise up the table.

At just 22, he has plenty of time to build on his early success in his career, potentially putting Bruno’s long-standing presence within the side at huge risk.

Most important deal since Bruno: Man Utd make enquiry for "world-class" gem

Manchester United are set to make another key move within this summer’s transfer window.

1 ByEthan Lamb Aug 2, 2025

Keep up to date with all the movements around the counties ahead of the 2025 season

ESPNcricinfo staffUpdated on 21-Feb-2025

Tom Latham will spend a full season with Warwickshire•Getty Images

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

Jasprit Bumrah, the Player of the Series in the T20 World Cup, rose 12 places to No. 12 among bowlers

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Jul-2024Hardik Pandya has become the first Indian to occupy the No. 1 spot for T20I allrounders, as per the latest ICC rankings. He climbed two spots to join Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga at the top following his all-round contributions in India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign, where they went unbeaten to lift the trophy.Pandya smashed 144 runs at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 151, while also bagging 11 wickets at 17.36 in the West Indies and USA. That included a match-winning haul of 3 for 20 in the final against South Africa, which India won by seven runs to lift the trophy. Pandya’s best performance with the bat in the World Cup came against Bangladesh, as he hit 50* off 27 balls.Full rankings tables

Click here for the full team rankings

Click here for the full player rankings

His team-mate Jasprit Bumrah, the Player of the Series in the T20 World Cup, meanwhile made big gains in the bowlers’ rankings. Bumrah rose 12 places to No. 12 after claiming 15 wickets at an average of 8.26, and an economy of just 4.17. With South Africa requiring only another 30 runs from the last five overs in the final, it was Bumrah’s spell towards the end which helped turn the game around for India.ESPNcricinfo LtdAmong other India players to make gains on the table were left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav, who got ten wickets at 13.90 in the World Cup, as he moved up three positions to be joint-eighth among the bowlers. Seamer Arshdeep Singh, the joint-highest wicket-taker in the competition with 17 wickets, gained four places to be ranked a career-best No. 13.Meanwhile, South Africa quick Anrich Nortje climbed seven places to a career-high No. 2 among the bowlers after being their highest wicket-taker in the World Cup. His 15 wickets came at an average of 13.40, and an economy of 5.74.Also, the quartet of Marcus Stoinis, Sikandar Raza, Shakib Al Hasan and Liam Livingstone rose one spot each to be ranked No. 3, 4, 5 and 8, respectively, among the allrounders.

The drop-in pitches at the venue haven’t produced ideal T20 cricket, and the relentless schedule of eight matches in ten days isn’t helping

Nagraj Gollapudi08-Jun-2024 • Updated on 17-Feb-20254:23

Rohit: Even the curator is confused how the pitch will behave

First, what is a drop-in pitch?A drop-in pitch is the same as a normal 22-yard cricket strip, but is prepared and kept encased in a steel tray and not developed at the ground, as is traditional. It is prepared in favourable conditions – it can be outside the ground or at a turf farm – and comprises layers of soil, clay and grass that are bedded in together for a period of time. Once it is “dropped in” on the main square, the pitch gets the same care as a traditional pitch. This includes rolling, watering, and cutting the grass before match days.Related

Two great cricket rivalries have fizzled out at the T20 World Cup, but there's still one to watch

The curious case of Pakistan's World Cup 15

Pakistan's predicament adds spice to India match-up in New York

New York's beautiful monster

Undercooked pitch could undermine India-Pakistan spectacle

Why were drop-in pitches chosen for New York?While the ICC had cast the net wide to identify the right big venue for the World Cup in 2021, it was only in September 2023 that the Nassau County venue, located in Eisenhower Park in Long Island, was finalised. Mindful of the tight timeline, the ICC decided on drop-in pitches as a turnkey solution. Accordingly, ten drop-in pitches – four for the main ground and six for the practice facility in Cantiague Park, a few miles from the main venue – were used.The original trays were prepared in Adelaide by Adelaide Turf International, which also oversees the preparation of the drop-in pitches at Adelaide Oval. The trays were shipped in December 2023 to Florida because it is sunnier and warmer there compared to New York, which has freezing temperatures from December to March. The pitches were then moved to New York at the end of April before being fixed in the main square and practice venue in early May.Is it usual for international cricket to be played on a drop-in pitch before any trial games?Usually, a fresh, relaid pitch at a stadium’s main square will be tested with several practice matches and even domestic games before international cricket is played on it.In the case of the New York project, the organisers had to raise the entire venue from scratch in just 106 days between January and May before South Africa played Sri Lanka on June 3. Two days prior to that, Bangladesh and India played a warm-up match at the venue – it was the first proper match there.Eight of the 16 matches in the USA leg were allotted to the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York•ICC via Getty Images

What is the nature of the drop-in pitches at Eisenhower Park?Damian Hough, the head curator at Adelaide Oval, who made the drop-in pitches for the New York project, explained that strips usually need high clay content to facilitate good pace and bounce. In this case, for the soil, Hough used the local American variety of soil called BlackStick, which has a clay content of over 60% [considered high], similar to the Adelaide Oval. Bermuda grass has been used both for the pitch and the outfield, which is commonly used for cricket grounds.Was there an ICC inspection before the venue got the go-ahead?As part of its protocol, the ICC sends an expert team to carry out due diligence at all their venues – including the ground itself, the pitches and practice facilities – before granting them international status. While there was no formal announcement of the New York venue getting international status, on May 15, the ICC launched the stadium for the World Cup.Is the scheduling an issue?Yes. Eight of the 16 World Cup matches of the USA leg of the T20 World Cup were allotted to New York, and these have been scheduled across ten days between June 3 and 12, with the last six matches – including the marquee game between India and Pakistan on June 9 – on consecutive days. Such a schedule is unprecedented at an ICC event. This has been the biggest challenge for Hough and his team, because it is not just one pitch, but the entire square comprising all four strips that need attention at all times.India will play Pakistan in New York on June 9•ICC/Getty Images

How many pitches have been used so far?Three*. Pitch No. 4 has been used for three matches so far: Bangladesh vs India warm-up (June 1), India vs Ireland (June 5) and Canada vs Ireland (June 7). Pitch No. 1 was used for the South Africa vs Sri Lanka game on June 3. Pitch No. 2 was used for the Netherlands vs South Africa game on June 8. Pitch No. 2 was a more true pitch than the others, but fast bowlers still had a bigger say.Has the ICC identified any factor(s) contributing to the variable bounce?ESPNcricinfo has learned that Hough had spotted lines of grass sprouting in the cracks in some spots on the pitch, which he suspected could have contributed to the uneven bounce that frequently caused distress to batters in the South Africa vs Sri Lanka and India vs Ireland matches. Another contributing factor was the overcast conditions – the moisture played a role in the exaggerated sideways movement, and the swing the fast men generated.Was any remedial work carried out?It is understood that ahead of the Canada vs Ireland match on Friday, Hough covered the areas where grass shoots were growing under the cracks with topsoil and rolled it to make the surface much flatter.Did it make a difference?On Friday, while the odd ball did keep low, the surface was much truer, albeit a bit sluggish as a consequence of overnight rain. Ireland captain Paul Stirling pointed out that the pitch looked totally different to the one used for the India match, with much of the greenish tinge wiped away.

The window might not be officially open yet, but silly season is already in full swing, and it looks set to be a busy one for Arsenal.

The Gunners didn’t make sufficient additions to the first team last year, and it came back to bite them in a big way, with injuries and a lack of cutting-edge subjecting them to a fifth trophyless season and yet another second-place finish in the Premier League.

One of the few positives to come from the campaign was Bukayo Saka’s continually impressive development, as even though he missed almost four months of action, the Englishman managed to rack up a brilliant haul of 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 appearances.

So, fans should be excited about recent reports linking the club to another Premier League-proven winger who has not only won comparisons to the Hale Ender but also has something distinctly Thierry Henry-esque in his game.

Arsenal's winger search

Before we get to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other wingers who have been touted for moves to Arsenal in recent weeks, such as Bryan Mbeumo and Jamie Gittens.

Transfer Focus

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

The former could be available for up to £51m in the coming weeks, and, in all honesty, that’s probably a more than fair price, as in just 42 appearances for Brentford this season, the Cameroonian dynamo scored 20 goals and provided nine assists.

On the other hand, Gittens looks likely to cost somewhere in the region of £46m this summer, which, again, doesn’t seem unreasonable for a 20-year-old talent who scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 48 games this season.

However, neither of these players have been compared to both Saka and Henry, unlike Kaoru Mitoma.

Yes, according to a recent report from Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal are now interested in the Brighton & Hove Albion star.

Plettenberg revealed that the club have added the Japanese international, who is also of interest to Bayern Munich, “to their list for the summer.”

However, the most significant obstacle to this transfer could be the price, with reports from last month claiming that the Seagulls want up to £80m for their star winger.

It looks like this will be a costly and complicated transfer to get done this summer, but given Mitoma’s ability and the comparisons to Saka, it might be one worth fighting for.

How Mitoma compares to Saka

So, before we get to some of the other reasons why Arsenal might want to sign Mitoma this summer, it’s worth examining this comparison to Saka and where it comes from.

In this instance, it stems from FBref, which looked at players in similar positions in the Premier League this season and concluded that the Arsenal star ranked at the very top.

The best way to understand how this conclusion was reached is by looking at some of the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, such as non-penalty expected goals, progressive carries, passing accuracy, live passes, tackles and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.32

0.31

Progressive Carries

5.05

5.00

Passing Accuracy

75.8%

75.5%

Live Passes

33.4

33.5

Tackles

1.56

1.51

Ball Recoveries

3.43

3.65

On top of his similarities to the Gunners’ mercurial number seven, there are some other reasons why Arteta and Co should be signing the Seagulls’ incredibly entertaining left-winger, like his output.

For example, in the Premier League alone, the “insane” talent, as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, managed to score ten goals and provided four assists in 36 appearances, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.57 games.

Moreover, while the Kawasaki-born maestro has proven himself able to produce a number of finishes, perhaps his most effective sees him peeling off from the left and placing the ball in the far corner, leading to former teammate Christian Burgess claiming he “finishes like Thierry Henry.”

Ultimately, while it would require a substantial financial effort, Mitoma could be just what Arsenal need next season, and therefore, the club should do what they can to sign him this summer.

Odegaard will love him: Berta in talks to sign £75m "monster" for Arsenal

Martin Odegaard would be a fan of this £75m transfer for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 26, 2025

It was another semi-final defeat on Wednesday night for Arsenal and, as a result, another season that’ll end trophyless.

It was always going to be a tough challenge for Mikel Arteta’s side to overturn their first-leg defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain, but to lose 2-1 on the night just makes it all the more painful.

Moreover, while the visitors started the first half pretty well, they soon faded, and while they played with some real heart, a number of players just didn’t perform well enough.

One of those was Thomas Partey, who picked up a 3/10 match rating from Alex Turk of the Express, and while there was talk of a contract renewal, there have also been links to a certain international who could join this summer and send him packing.

Arsenal transfer news

Before getting to the player in question, it is worth taking a look at some of the other midfield stars Arsenal have been linked with in recent weeks, like Hugo Larsson and Eduardo Camavinga.

Transfer Focus

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

The former is still only 20 years old but has already become an established starter at Eintracht Frankfurt and could reportedly cost up to £51m, while the latter was sent off against the Gunners in the first leg of Real Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final with the club, but with a release clause of £1bn, who knows how much he’d cost.

Fortunately, another international midfielder heavily linked with the North Londoners has a far more reasonable release clause and could be the ideal Partey replacement: Martin Zubimendi.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal are still incredibly keen on signing the Real Sociedad star this summer, with Arteta making him a ‘top reinforcement priority.’

While interest from Real is far from ideal, reports from elsewhere claiming the Spaniard has a release clause worth £51m could and should make signing him far more straightforward for the North Londoners.

It might still be a lot of money, but Zubimendi has proven his ability over several years now, and as he could be the perfect Partey replacement, Arsenal should do all they can to bring him to N5.

How Zubimendi compares to Partey

So then, if Arsenal are able to sign Zubimendi this summer, there is no doubt he’d come in and play the position Partey has this season, but how does he stack up to the veteran?

Is he good enough to send him packing in the summer without a new contract?

Well, given their position on the pitch and what their primary roles are, their raw output is not all that important.

Instead, the best way to better understand how they truly stack up against one another is to look under the hood at their relevant underlying numbers.

When doing this, it’s evident that while the former Atlético Madrid star does have the advantage in some areas, the bread and butter of a number six, the defensive work, is done far better by the San Sebastian-born star.

Progressive Carries

1.14

1.14

Progressive Passes

5.92

6.09

Passing Accuracy

83.2%

87.3%

Completed Long Passes

3.55

3.02

Blocked Shots

0.54

0.25

Blocked Passes

0.77

0.64

Interceptions

1.20

1.14

Clearances

2.47

1.64

Errors Leading to a Shot

0.10

0.14

Fouls

1.40

1.43

Ball Recoveries

4.38

4.38

Aerial Duels Won

1.67

0.93

Aerial Duel Win %

61.7%

54.2%

For example, the “world-class” defensive midfielder, as dubbed by former teammate Kieran Tierney, comes out on top in essential metrics like blocked shots and passes, interceptions, aerial duels won, clearances made, and he even makes fewer mistakes that lead to a shot, all per 90.

On top of this statistical advantage, the “elite” international, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, is also five and a half years the Ghanaian’s junior and has a far healthier injury record.

For example, across his entire career, the Basque star has missed just ten games for club and country, whereas the Gunners’ number five has missed a staggering 88, so no matter how available he’s been this year, you can never truly rely on him in the long run.

Ultimately, from his defensive output to his availability and age, it’s clear that Zubimendi would be the perfect player to come in and replace Partey this summer, in turn making a new contract for the 31-year-old redundant.

Arsenal line up move for PSG star who'd be a big upgrade on Martinelli

The incredibly entertaining international is just what Arsenal need this summer.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 8, 2025

Liverpool are interested in completing the signing of a “really fantastic” Premier League midfielder this summer, according a new transfer report.

Liverpool's midfield in need of defensive nous

Arne Slot’s side may have stumbled of late, including losing 3-2 away to Fulham on Sunday afternoon, but they are still in a wonderful position to win their second Premier League title.

Liverpool have excelled in midfield throughout the season, with Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai making up Slot’s go-to trio in the middle of the park. Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott have also been good options, but there is still a feeling that one more signing is needed there this summer.

Atalanta ace Ederson has been linked with a move to Anfield in the summer transfer window, with the Brazilian potentially exactly what the Reds need. His tenacity in front of the midfield could add more balance to the team, as well as allowing more rotation and increasing the competition for minutes.

VfB Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller has been mentioned as an option for Liverpool in recent months, too, with the 24-year-old registering five assists in the Bundesliga so far this season, also winning three Man of the Match awards from WhoScored.

Liverpool eyeing move for Premier League midfielder

According to a new report from Caught Offside, Aston Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara is a target for Liverpool this summer, with Chelsea and Arsenal in the race to snap him up, too.

In fact, the Reds are “actively monitoring” the 25-year-old, with Inter Milan another team who are mentioned as potential suitors. As much as £51m could be required to prise him away from Villa Park.

Kamara could be absolutely ideal for Liverpool this summer, adding the defensive quality and energy that Slot wants alongside the guile of the likes of Mac Allister and Gravenberch in the middle of the park.

Appearances

19

31

Starts

14

31

Minutes played

1200

2658

Goals

0

0

Assists

0

3

Tackles per game

2.3

1.8

Clearances per game

2.1

1.6

Pass completion rate

89.1%

89.4%

The Frenchman has averaged 2.3 tackles per game in the Premier League this season, which is superior to Gravenberch’s tally of 1.8, and Villa manager Unai Emery is a big admirer.

“He has talent, but he works and he helps the other players on the field, he provides the cover and he has such versatility. He has played as a centre-back, a midfielder, a right-back, and he is always ready to do it, always focused on his new task. He is really fantastic and I appreciate this versatility a lot, and how he is showing us that his mind is open to everything we are trying to do.”

Not just Robertson: FSG must now sell "world-class" Liverpool star

Liverpool’s 26-game unbeaten run in the Premier League was ended on an error-strewn afternoon at Craven Cottage.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 7, 2025

Kamara isn’t out of contract at Villa until 2027, so Liverpool may not find it easy to sign him, but the five-cap France international stands out as a great option, especially as he has already proven himself in England, making 63 appearances in the Premier League.

Our crew takes a deep dive into the situation of India’s current crop of fast bowlers, the behind-the-scenes set-up to look after them, and how to create new fast bowlers

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Aug-2025As the fans continue to wallow in the warm memories of the fiery Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, India’s fast bowlers, such as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and others, get some well-deserved rest this month. Which of them plays the Asia Cup next month and which one doesn’t is a question for later. For now, the trio of Sidharth Monga, Karthik Krishnaswamy and Dustin Silgardo get together to discuss the workload management of India’s fast bowling contingent: what’s the best way to manage Bumrah; is there a fitness issue with Akash Deep; how should the BCCI – the selectors, the NCA and the coaches – prepare a bench strength for the quicks? Listen to the latest episode of here: