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Are Celtic set to make more signings soon?

So far, the Hoops have unveiled six new recruits, the most exciting of which is the returning hero Kieran Tierney, while Benjamin Nygren, Callum Osmund, Ross Doohan and Japanese duo Hayato Inamura and Shin Yamada have also arrived.

Nevertheless, speaking ahead of Thursday night’s pre-season friendly against Ajax in Como, manager Brendan Rodgers stated that he requires new players “for the present”, adding that “I want players in tomorrow, but I understand the market”, so could he be set to finally secure the signature of his number one target?

Celtic's search for attacking reinforcements

Following last mid-week’s friendly victory over Sporting CP in the Algarve, Rodgers said that he wants “to add [more] to our front line” because “we’ve lost a lot of goals”, following the departures of both Kyōgo Furuhashi and, more recently, Nicolas Kühn this year.

The table below underlines this point.

Daizen Maeda

43

Yes

Kyōgo Furuhashi

31

No

Adam Idah

29

Yes

Nicolas Kühn

24

No

Matt O’Riley

19

No

Reo Hatate

14

Yes

Callum McGregor

12

Yes

Arne Engels

10

Yes

Luis Palma

10

No

As the table outlines, three of Celtic’s top five scorers from the last two seasons have departed, very thankful that Daizen Maeda is still at the club, following his 33-goal haul last season, picking up pretty much every individual accolade going.

So now, could the Bhoys secure the signing of a long-term target reminiscent of the Japanese forward?

Well, according to a report by The Daily Record, Celtic are set to step up their interest in Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha.

Fair to say, this has entered into saga territory, with the Hoops having been chasing the Belgian for weeks now, if not months, and Antwerp manager Stef Wils admitting publicly that Celtic’s offers so far ‘have been below’ his club’s valuation.

Transfer Focus

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

Just last week, speaking on Off The Underside, Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports stated that Balikwisha “would like to join Celtic”, with the winger valued at around £5m, despite being in the final year of his contract.

So, could this storyline finally be coming to an end, with Balikwisha ending up at Parkhead?

How Michel-Ange Balikwisha would improve Celtic

One of the reasons Celtic appear hesitant to sign Balikwisha is his injury record, missing significant periods of time in recent seasons due to a thigh issue.

​​​​​​​

Nevertheless, his talent is clear for all to see, with analyst Will Glavin describing him as a “direct wide threat” who is “creative​​​​​​​” and “technically sharp”, concluding that he would represent a “potential bargain”, given his contractual situation, and the fact Antwerp may be under pressure to sell, having failed to qualify for European competition.

Meantime, Ben Mattinson describes him as “two-footed” and “capable of beating a defender” both inside and out, which makes him so “unpredictable”.

So, let’s analyse how his statistics compare to those of Maeda.

Appearances

141

158

Minutes

10,089

11,213

Goals

29

62

Assists

17

28

Shots per 90

1.47

1.97

Shots on target %

42%

44.7%

Goals – xG

+3.9

+0.1

Big chances missed

16

60

Take-on success %

39%

37.8%

As the table outlines, Balikwisha and Maeda are stylistically very similar players, with both men comfortable operating off the left flank, or in a centre-forward berth.

The Japanese international does boast the better end product, scoring more goals, providing more assists and mustering more shots, but their similarities are most obvious when it comes to dribbling, the Belgian having the slight edge in that regard.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout supports this by praising the Antwerp attacker’s “pace and dribbling” ability.

Meantime, Balikwisha is the more clinical finisher, hence why his goals – xG figure is better, while missing exponentially fewer Opta-defined big chances during the timeframe analysed.

Blair Meikle of the Herald documents how Maeda was Celtic’s most influential player last season, constantly delivering in big moments, but he cannot shoulder the attacking burden by himself, so Balikwisha would surely be an excellent addition, with a huge, season-defining Champions League play-off tie now less than four weeks away.

Better than Balikwisha: Celtic pursuing deal for "underrated" £5m star

Celtic could have identified a perfect alternative to Michel Ange Balikwisha…

ByRobbie Walls Jul 23, 2025

Millwall are building for another tilt at the EFL Championship and could look to sanction a permanent deal for another talented operator in the engine room, according to reports.

Millwall set to sign Massimo Luongo imminently

Alex Neil has begun work on shaping his squad for the new campaign and successfully delivered the arrivals of Zak Sturge, Josh Coburn, and Max Crocombe, with plenty more new faces set to join up at The Den before the window closes.

Coming as a two-pronged update, Millwall are set to announce both Massimo Luongo and Fulham goalkeeper Steven Benda imminently, with the latter arriving on a loan deal from their London rivals.

On the other hand, Luongo is an experienced campaigner who spent the last two years at Ipswich Town before leaving Portman Road on a free transfer.

Former Queens Park Rangers defender Morgan Fox was on Millwall’s radar and is now a free agent, though it remains to be seen whether Neil will decide to add another left-sider after Sturge completed a move from Chelsea.

Whatever happens, Don Goodman is adamant that the Lions must retain Japhet Tanganga and Mihailo Ivanovic if they genuinely intend to earn promotion this season.

Millwall’s opening five Championship fixtures

Norwich City (A)

Carrow Road

Middlesbrough (H)

The Den

Sheffield United (A)

Bramall Lane

Wrexham (H)

The Den

Charlton Athletic (A)

The Valley

When pressed on the subject, he stated: “That would be an emphatic yes. Ivanovic and Tanganga, you could make a case to say they’re the two best players at Millwall. If they want to kick-on, and the signs are that they do, with the signings they’re making, the appointment of Neil, then keeping your best players is of paramount importance.”

Excitingly, Millwall appear to share a level of ambition that could see them enter the promotion picture if their latest reported target were to sign on the dotted line.

Millwall eyeing permanent deal to sign Tottenham Hotspur youngster Alfie Devine

According to Dan Marsh on X, Millwall are set to target a permanent deal for Tottenham Hotspur youngster Alfie Devine once Luongo completes his move to South London.

He stated: “Exclusive: Massimo Luongo is undergoing a medical ahead of joining Millwall. 32 y/o midfielder has been on trial + former Ipswich man now set to sign permanently. Lions also interested in a perm deal for Tottenham midfielder Alfie Devine”

Millwall make first move to sign "fantastic" 20 y/o on a free transfer

Millwall could land a bargain in the transfer market.

BySean Markus Clifford Apr 11, 2025

Labelled as someone who “applies himself brilliantly” by former Plymouth Argyle boss Ian Foster, Devine shone out on loan at KVC Westerlo last term, registering six goals and an assist in 32 appearances across all competitions.

With the Warrington-born man set to struggle for regular minutes at Spurs, being able to remain in London while thriving at The Den may be an ideal scenario for all parties.

The 20-year-old is highly-rated among his peers and a switch to Millwall could see the youngster tread a similar path to Tanganga, who is now courting interest from several Premier League clubs.

Miles Hammond, James Bracey score fifties before late scare as result puts Middlesex promotion hopes in peril

ECB Reporters Network12-Sep-2024Tom Price and Zafar Gohar held their nerve to steer Gloucestershire to a tense victory at Lord’s and deal Middlesex’s Vitality County Championship promotion hopes a severe blow.The visitors appeared to be cruising to their target of 234 after Miles Hammond and James Bracey both struck half-centuries in a fourth-wicket partnership of 113.But a three-wicket burst for off-spinner Joshua De Caires in the space of nine deliveries hauled Middlesex back into contention before the seventh-wicket pair steered Gloucestershire over the line with an unbroken stand of 54.It was Gloucestershire’s second successive red-ball win at Lord’s, lifting them to fifth place in Division Two, while the home side drop to third and trail Yorkshire, in the second promotion spot, by 15 points.Middlesex applied pressure during the early stages as Toby Roland-Jones opened up with a maiden and Ryan Higgins struck with his fourth delivery, searing back down the slope to trap Ben Charlesworth in front for a duck.Opening partner Cameron Bancroft soon followed suit, lbw to a ball that Higgins moved the other way, but Hammond started to score freely against the change bowlers, pulling Tom Helm over the short boundary for six.The left-hander added a valuable 41 in tandem with Ollie Price before Helm made the breakthrough, having the latter caught low at first slip to bring Bracey to the middle on a pair.Bracey banished that prospect by carving Henry Brookes for successive off-side boundaries and added two more off Helm’s next over as Gloucestershire started to settle down again, going to lunch at 101 for 3.There was a scare for Bracey soon after the interval, when he slashed outside off stump at Helm and the ball flew fast and high to Robson at slip but, despite getting both hands to it, the fielder was unable to cling on.It was Hammond who won the race to 50 with his partner, reaching the landmark from 100 balls by drilling Higgins to the cover fence and Bracey was not far behind, using up 20 fewer deliveries in posting his half-century.Having swept Luke Hollman for successive fours to raise the century partnership, Hammond (78) looked on course for a ton of his own until he attempted a repeat of the stroke to De Caires and skied to mid-on.With Graeme van Buuren given out caught behind two balls later and Bracey sweeping into the hands of deep midwicket for 56, Gloucestershire suddenly found themselves six down and under renewed pressure.De Caires (3 for 45) continued to test the batters with flight and turn, but Price eased the tension by on-driving Roland-Jones to the boundary to take Gloucestershire beyond 200 and he and Zafar advanced steadily towards the finish line.Zafar, who had top-scored with 86 in the first innings, applied the finishing touch as he struck a De Caires full toss to the fence to finish unbeaten on 19, with Price alongside him on 34.

Leeds United have less than two weeks to prepare for their opening game of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign against Everton at Elland Road.

It will be the club’s first top-flight match in more than two years, since their 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in West Yorkshire under the management of Sam Allardyce at the end of the 2022/23 season.

Daniel Farke will now be hoping to be more Marcelo Bielsa than Sam Allardyce or Javi Gracia, as the German head coach attempts to guide the team to safety.

The Whites boss will want more options to pick from at the top end of the pitch, though, as Lukas Nmecha is currently the only attacking player who has been added to the squad during the summer transfer window.

As you can see in the quotes above, Farke has made it clear that the club need to bring in more attackers, including a replacement for Manor Solomon.

The Championship champions should also be on the lookout for a marquee number nine addition, as it remains to be seen whether or not Joel Piroe has what it takes to make the step up.

Leeds have doubts over Joel Piroe's Premier League ability

Back in May, Football Insider reported that Leeds would not build their Premier League attack around the Dutchman, because they have doubts over his suitability for the top-flight.

The outlet stated that the Whites were not planning for the former Swansea marksman to be their first-choice number nine for the 2025/26 campaign, because of their doubts.

This may seem like an odd stance for the club to take after Piroe won the Golden Boot with 19 goals in the Championship for Leeds last season, but it is one that makes sense.

The Whites won the league with 100 points and were utterly dominant in the second tier, which meant that they were able to carry a striker like Piroe, who does not offer much to the team from a physical perspective.

In the Premier League, however, his lack of mobility and strength could cause problems as a starting number nine, as Leeds will be fighting against relegation rather than dominating matches.

Duels won

2.24

Bottom 3%

Duel success rate

26.9%

Bottom 10.6%

Aerial duels won

0.9

Bottom 12.9%

Aerial duel success rate

21.4%

Bottom 17.6%

Fouls committed

0.7

Bottom 7.1%

Fouls won

0.44

Bottom 9.4%

As you can see in the table above, Piroe was far too weak in duels with opposition players and ranked incredibly lowly among his positional peers in a host of physical metrics.

Leeds pushing to sign Serie A striker

Piroe’s lack of physicality, in terms of both speed and strength, may be why the Championship champions are reportedly eyeing up a new centre-forward.

Transfer Focus

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

According to journalist Sebastien Vidal, Leeds United are “pushing” to complete a deal to sign Montenegro international Nikola Krstovic from Italian side Lecce.

The reporter claims that the 25-year-old marksman has been given the “green light” to pursue a move away from the Serie A outfit this summer, which has opened the door to a potential transfer to Elland Road.

Vidal adds that the former Red Star Belgrade marksman is “high” on Farke’s wishlist of attacking reinforcements, with the club now pushing to get a deal done for the striker.

Earlier this summer, it was reported that Lecce value the centre-forward at a fee of around £26m, although it remains to be seen how much Leeds are willing to pay for his services.

Why Leeds should sign Nikola Krstovic

The Whites should sign the Serie A number nine because he would come in as a big upgrade on Joel Piroe for Farke ahead of the Premier League curtain-raiser against Everton.

Unlike the current Leeds forward, Krstovic has already proven his quality in one of Europe’s major leagues with his performances for Lecce over the past two seasons, proving that he can score goals at an impressive rate.

The £26m-rated striker scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 37 appearances in the Serie A during the 2024/25 campaign, which is a very respectable return for a player in a team that battled relegation, and successfully, it is worth noting.

Krstovic’s contributions at the top end of the pitch helped Lecce to finish 17th in the division, three points above the bottom three, which shows that he can step up and deliver crucial goals to help a team in a relegation battle.

Along with his potential to be an excellent goalscorer for Leeds, having scored 21 goals in the last two seasons, the Serie A star would also come in as a big upgrade on Piroe from a physical perspective.

Duels won

5.31

Top 38%

Duel success rate

40.6%

Bottom 46%

Aerial duels won

2.76

Top 29%

Aerial duel success rate

41.4%

Top 50%

Fouls committed

1.67

Top 39%

Fouls won

1.61

Top 33%

As you can see in the table above, the Lecce centre-forward ranked above average in most of the physical metrics that Piroe ranked among the worst in the Championship for.

Krstovic, who was hailed as “integral” by former boss Roberto D’Aversa, is a strong number nine who can hold his own in duels, on and off the ball, to provide his team with a strong outlet up front.

This means that he would be far more useful to Farke as a starter in the Premier League, as Leeds are likely to be battling the drop and will need a striker who can provide relief by winning fouls and duels, which is not Piroe’s strong suit.

Therefore, Krstovic could be an ideal signing for the Whites to come in as a proven goalscorer and physical presence in the number ninerole ahead of Piroe.

The new Rutter: Leeds submit bid to sign "fascinating" £22.5m star

Leeds United have reportedly submitted a bid to sign a star who could be their new Georginio Rutter.

ByDan Emery Aug 4, 2025

Andre Onana's nightmare career at Manchester United appears to be over, with the goalkeeper having reportedly agreed to join Trabzonspor on loan.

Onana agrees to Trabzonspor loanPuts end to United horror spellGoalkeeper will also almost double his wagesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Onana has agreed to move to the Turkish Super Lig with Trabzonspor in a deal which could see the goalkeeper almost double his wages. reports that the Turkish club will cover Onana's entire salary and give the goalkeeper the chance to earn a series of bonuses. These bonuses could see the goalkeeper earn nearly twice as much as he was on at Old Trafford. The deal does not include a fee or an option for Trabzonspor to buy.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The loan will give Onana a chance to rebuild his career away from the spotlight at United, where he has endured a torrid time between the sticks. The Cameroon international joined the Red Devils from Inter Milan in 2023 for £48 million ($62m), with many expecting him to nail down the starting spot for many years. However, a series of calamitous errors led him to be dropped from the side and cast out of Ruben Amorim's plans. With no sides interested in making a permanent move for the shot-stopper, he has had to settle for a loan move. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Onana closes this chapter on his United career in humiliating circumstances. The goalkeeper was at fault for both goals in the Red Devils' embarrassing Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town. The Mariners also scored 12 of the 13 penalties they took past Onana in their eventual shootout victory.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

Amorim has a new number one to replace Onana and fellow error-prone goalkeeper Altay Bayindir in Senne Lammens. The 23-year-old Belgian joined the club for £18m (€21m/$24.5m) from Royal Antwerp on deadline day, but given the club's track record of recruiting goalkeepers, fans remain unconvinced.

Bangladesh’s captain has also conceded that his own lack of runs is contributing to the top-order collapses

Mohammad Isam31-Oct-2024Unless Bangladesh start to put together top-order partnerships, they will continue to suffer like they did in Chattogram against South Africa, according to captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. The home side sunk to an innings-and-273-run defeat, bowled out twice in a total of 89 overs. Bangladesh’s match aggregate of 302 runs is the lowest by any team at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, reputed to be the best batting pitch in the country.It played true to that reputation when South Africa posted 575 for 6 over the first two days, before Bangladesh imploded with the bat. They lost 14 wickets on the third day, ending the match bowled out for 159 and then 143 following on. Mominul Haque, who made 82 in the first innings, was out twice in one session.Related

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Shanto wants to step down as Bangladesh captain after SA Tests

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Spinners, Rabada's complete performances hand South Africa their biggest innings win

South Africa wrapped up a 2-0 series win, having won the first Test in Dhaka by seven wickets. Bangladesh had struggled there too, bowled out for 106 on day one.”We have been batting like this for a long time,” Shanto said. “If you don’t get top-order partnerships, the rest of the batters will find it difficult in red-ball cricket. I don’t know how our top-order batters prepare or think, but if it goes on like this, this will be the result. This was a good wicket. Even in Mirpur, the type of wicket it was, we shouldn’t have got out so quickly. Overall, we didn’t bat well in these two Tests.”While there have been individual efforts in recent Tests such as Mominul’s 82 out of Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 159, or even his century in Kanpur, these have tended not to come with sufficient top-order support. The lower order, instead, has been the source of resolute partnerships such as the 138-run seventh-wicket stand between Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Jaker Ali in the second innings in Dhaka or the 103-run ninth-wicket stand between Mominul and Taijul Islam after Bangladesh slipped to 48 for 8 in Chattogram. There was also the famous recovery from 26 for 6, courtesy Litton Das and Mehidy, that enabled Bangladesh to win the second Test in Rawalpindi two months ago, but Shanto felt these lower-order stands were only papering over the top-order cracks.”We are making runs individually,” he said. “Mominul made a century, but we couldn’t support him in Kanpur. Shadman [Islam] made 90-odd [in the first Test in Pakistan] but there was no support [from the top-order batters] at the other end. The top order can only help the team with big partnerships. We talk about winning after being 26 for 6 in Pakistan but our top order didn’t bat well. Top-order runs will ensure consistent performance from the team.”‘The worst thing is, I am getting out between 20 and 40. It is not good for the team’•Getty ImagesShanto conceded that his own lack of runs was also contributing to the top order’s collapses. He made 9 and 36 in Chattogram, as Kagiso Rabada first dismissed him with a brilliant delivery in the first innings, before he inside-edged one to Tony de Zorzi at leg slip off the left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy. Shanto has scored just a single fifty in his last 17 Test innings, 15 of which have come his appointment as full-time all-format captain in February.”I have an important role as a top-order batter. I am supposed to score runs,” Shanto said. “It is not happening, and the worst thing is, I am getting out between 20 and 40. It is not good for the team. I have to concentrate more in my batting.”Shanto however said that he continues to enjoy the Bangladesh captaincy and that it hasn’t affected his batting, although he has informed BCB president Faruque Ahmed that he doesn’t want to continue as captain. “After I speak to the president, either of us can give a clear message,” he said. “I have always said that I enjoy captaincy on the field. I never felt that I am the captain when I am batting. I didn’t think I have to do all of it on my own. I am only focused on the ball.”Shanto suggested that the team tends to suffer whenever there are distractions around it such as the discussions around his captaincy. There have been regular off-field issues since the Pakistan tour. Less than a week before this Test series against South Africa, the BCB sacked head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, while Shakib Al Hasan couldn’t fulfill his wish of playing a farewell Test in Dhaka after the government told him it couldn’t guarantee his safety due to the protests around the Shere Bangla National Stadium.”[Distractions] might have contributed, but it doesn’t mean we will play this poorly,” Shanto said. “Bowled out for 100 or 150 runs. Players have to adjust with these things, even though it is difficult. Still, it shouldn’t be this bad. We have to improve our skills and change our thinking. We have to find out specifically exactly what is happening.”

On the dawn of their first Premier League game of the season, Newcastle United are now reportedly “planning” a breakthrough to sign the attacking reinforcement that they’ve been craving.

Howe provides fresh Isak update

Whilst Newcastle’s fortunes are beginning to turn around following the arrival of Malick Thiaw and agreement to sign Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa, the Alexander Isak saga continues to cast a concerning cloud over their summer business. As things stand, he remains a Newcastle player, but whether the Swede features for the Magpies again is another question entirely.

Eddie Howe confirmed the news that the forward won’t be playing a part in Newcastle’s opening game against Aston Villa this weekend, telling reporters: “We do [have to forget about Isak] – he’s not here with us.

“We have to focus on who is here and get the best out of them. The players are aware he’s not here, the focus will be on each player playing to the best of their ability. I want him to play. I want him to train. I’ve had those conversations [with Isak] but the details of those will remain private.

He's like Isak & Wood: Newcastle have explored move to sign £65m PL striker

Newcastle United turn to Scandinavian striker amid Alexander Isak saga fallout

1 ByWill Miller Aug 15, 2025

“There is no change to the situation. All my focus has been on the training, Aston Villa and the transfer front in terms of getting players in – that is all-consuming for me. Alex’s situation has been unchanged for a while and that will continue to be the case.”

It’s a saga which could yet feature several more twists and turns this month, but Newcastle’s biggest focus should remain set on finding an attacking reinforcement with or without Isak.

Newcastle now "planning" Wissa breakthrough

According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle are now “planning” a breakthrough to sign Yoane Wissa this month following Brentford’s deal to welcome his replacement, Dango Ouattara. The Magpies should now have a clear run towards the forward, who – like Isak – is not even with his squad ahead of this weekend’s Premier League opener.

With just a couple of weeks remaining until the transfer window slams shut, PIF will be keen to get their priority deal done at long last and welcome Wissa into the Newcastle side.

In Isak’s absence, the forward will instantly have an important role to play. Having been described as an “amazing” player by new Brentford boss Keith Andrews off the back of a 19-goal campaign last time out, however, Wissa is capable of stepping up at St James’ Park.

From a summer of rejection, Newcastle look destined to welcome Ramsey and now Wissa to join Thiaw in a late, much-needed haul.

Erling Haaland has reportedly become an “obsession” for Joan Laporta, with Barcelona’s president confident that the Norwegian striker can be prised away from Manchester City. The Blaugrana will find themselves in the market for a new No.9 during the summer of 2026 as prolific Polish frontman Roberto Lewandowski is seeing his contract run down towards free agency.

Replacement for Lewandowski being sought

Veteran striker Lewandowski is now 37 years of age and is not expected to be offered an extension despite netting 42 goals for La Liga title winners Barca last season. A new option to lead the line is set to be sought.

AdvertisementGettyWorld Cup winner being considered in Catalunya

It has been claimed that Atletico Madrid’s World Cup-winning Argentina international Julian Alvarez is under consideration in Catalunya. It is, however, Haaland that remains the dream addition for ambitious Laporta.

Haaland at Barca: Confidence deal could happen

reports that Haaland has been Laporta’s “obsession since he became president”. They go on to claim that there is confidence behind the scenes that Haaland will “end up at Barca”.

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GettyHaaland contract: Terms of stunning Man City deal

City superstar Haaland is tied to a contract in England through to 2034 and is reported to be earning £400,000-a-week. When said deal was signed, release clauses that existed in his previous terms at the Etihad Stadium were removed.

Both sides unchanged after England’s emphatic eight-wicket win in opening Test at Christchurch

Andrew Miller05-Dec-20242:14

Why is Brydon Carse like Paul Mescal in Gladiator 2?

Big picture: The Basin revisitedTwenty-one months later, there’s still so much to unpack from that last extraordinary contest between New Zealand and England at Wellington. A packed crowd at the Basin Reserve had been invited in for free to witness one of the most extraordinary finishes in Test history – one that left even the vanquished James Anderson smiling at the absurdity of it all, after he gloved another bumper from the indefatigable Neil Wagner to traipse off to a defeat by the barest of all margins.It was the best of Bazball, but arguably the worst of Bazball too… utter commitment on the one hand to the cause of entertaining, engaging Test cricket, but – after enforcing a needless follow-on that loosened their grip on the game – the first example, too, of Brendon McCullum’s charges going “too far” in their exploration of the limits of attacking cricket. “We look at the bigger picture of what everyone’s enjoyed and seen here today,” Ben Stokes said after that loss. “It’s probably bigger than the disappointment at the moment.”Do they dare feel quite so flippant about Test setbacks anymore? That loss was followed soon afterwards by two further defeats from winning positions in the 2023 Ashes, and until their victory in last week’s first Test at Christchurch, England had won seven, lost seven in 14 previous matches in 2024. Seeing as Stokes had launched that match with another apology to his team for losing his cool during their 2-1 series loss in Pakistan, it’s clear that something has hardened in the interim. Now, he’s reserving his rattiness for the ICC’s over-rate adjudicators, which probably won’t get him very far on the WTC front, but it might just be a more galvanising outlet for his frustrations.And yet, what might have been had New Zealand held their chances in Christchurch? An extraordinary eight drops in England’s first innings mean the teams are probably all-square in the generosity stakes now – and given that five of those came off the bat of the “jammy” Harry Brook, it’s little wonder the rest of that match was one-way traffic.Brook’s 171 was a formidable knock in spite of the let-offs – and it hoisted his record in New Zealand to precisely 500 runs at 100.00. Now, however, he’s back at the scene of, quite possibly, his most domineering knock of all. His first-innings 186 back in 2023 began, much like last week’s effort, with England on the ropes, at 21 for 3 after Matt Henry and Tim Southee ripped out the top-order in the space of 40 balls. But for the rest of a truncated opening day, it was one-way traffic. Had the weather not lopped off 25 of the day’s overs while he was sitting pretty on 184, Brook would surely have surged past his double-century there and then, and – who knows – maybe that Multan triple-century wouldn’t have been his first either.New Zealand bounced back then, as they can now – and Kane Williamson’s ominous form on his return from a groin strain was hugely encouraging in that regard. But their flaws at Christchurch extended beyond their fielding lapses. Despite Devon Conway’s important contributions to that epic series win in India, he is averaging 21.10 across the past 12 months, while Tom Blundell’s form is of even greater concern. He’s managed one fifty in 25 innings since that epic Wellington win, when his vital 90 was instrumental in turning the tide.And then there’s the question of Tim Southee, into the final approach of his magnificent Test career, but so visibly the weak link in Christchurch as Brook and Ben Duckett took turns to take him down. Nevertheless, he still had his moments, particularly in that window of opportunity, early in England’s first innings, when the clouds had rolled over and the ball was talking loudly. England’s flaws against the moving ball, be it spin in Asia or seam and swing elsewhere, have not been adequately disproved in their uneven displays this year. If there’s a way back into the series for New Zealand, it’s surely to be found on a good length, and nipping back through the gate.Harry Brook gives the thumbs-up on his return to the Basin Reserve•Getty ImagesForm guideNew Zealand LWWWL
England WLLWLIn the spotlight – Brydon Carse and Will O’RourkeBrydon Carse’s ten-wicket haul at Christchurch confirmed what we had already gleaned from his formidable displays in Pakistan: England have found themselves a real contender here. His pace and aggression was once again unstinting, while his accuracy was barely less of a factor in his penetrative displays across both innings. His match haul of 10 for 106 emulated that of Ryan Sidebottom at Hamilton in 2008, the last England seamer to claim ten wickets in an overseas Test, and caps a remarkable resurgence following the betting ban in the summer that prevented his debut from occurring any sooner. His three-month sidelining may have been a blessing in disguise, given that he’s hit these winter tours with a freshness that Gus Atkinson is arguably lacking after his summer’s exertions, but the challenge of backing up last week’s efforts will be a significant one all the same.With a little more luck on his side, Will O’Rourke might have delivered figures to rival those of Carse. He’s not quite as tall as the much-missed Kyle Jamieson, currently sidelined for a year with another stress fracture, but he used his 6ft4 frame to wonderful effect at Christchurch, generating speeds in excess of 145kph to hassle England’s batters to a far greater extent than his match haul of 2 for 165 would suggest. Three of those eight first-innings catches went down off his bowling, and even with 104 to defend second-time around, he struck with his first ball to dislodge a rampant Ben Duckett, then came within a whisker of delivering Joe Root’s first Test pair. No-one was ever entirely comfortable with his sharp pace and bounce, even when the runs were pouring in the victory charge. A blank slate and a fair wind at Wellington is the least he deserves.Team news: Both sides unchangedNew Zealand have a few worries, and not simply their catching. A stronger all-round batting contribution, bolstered by big scores from Conway and/or Blundell wouldn’t go a miss, nor would Southee getting fully into his groove. Nevertheless, the hosts have opted for an unchanged side for this second Test, in keeping with captain Tom Latham’s assessment post-defeat in Christchurch that no major overhaul of their approach was required.New Zealand: 1 Tom Latham (capt), 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Rachin Ravindra, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Glenn Phillips, 8 Nathan Smith, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Will O’RourkeOllie Robinson (the Durham version) has arrived in New Zealand as a wicketkeeping replacement for Jordan Cox, but it looks like it will have been a futile search for a valid passport. England named an unchanged XI two days out from the toss, with Ollie Pope having proved more than adequate behind the stumps – just as he did in similarly emergency circumstances against Pakistan in 2022. Factor in his vital 77 from No.6, and Jacob Bethell’s precocious debut at No.3, and England seem to found a handy balance in adversity. England have opted against rotating their seamers, while Stokes is expected to be fit to bowl after sustaining a mid-over back niggle in New Zealand’s second innings.England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ollie Pope (wk), 7 Ben Stokes (capt), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Gus Atkinson, 10 Brydon Carse, 11 Shoaib BashirPitch and conditions: Another run-fest in store?England may be forewarned after the placid conditions they faced on day one in Christchurch, having won the toss and bowled on an apparent greentop. This Wellington deck “is green, but I’m not sure if it’s as green as what last week was,” said Chris Woakes, two days out from the Test. With a brown tinge in places, it looks set to dry out further and is likely to prove full of runs, if the events of England’s last visit to Wellington are any guide. Speaking on match eve, Latham didn’t expect the pitch to turn, based on first-class games played this year.Stats and trivia New Zealand have won 23 and lost 21 of their previous 68 Tests at the Basin Reserve, with 24 draws. Six of those wins, however, have come in their last eight Tests at the venue since 2017, with one draw against Sri Lanka in 2018, and a loss in their most recent outing against Australia in February. Tim Southee, who has a maximum of two Tests left in his career, needs five more sixes to reach 100 in Tests, having struck two in defeat in Christchurch. Southee also needs 13 wickets to reach 400 in Tests, although that is as many as he has claimed in nine Tests this year. The Test will feature four of the top-five batters in the ICC’s rankings, with Joe Root and Harry Brook occupying positions 1 and 2, with Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell at 3 and 5.Quotes”Looking at the surface here, looking at the games that have been played here this year, we saw last year that the wicket took a little bit of spin which surprised us a little bit. Going by the games here, the Wellington first-class games, I think the balance that we’ve gone in with is the right balance for this wicket. We obviously have some spin options in that top seven anyway. We think it’s the right fit and the guys are looking forward to the challenge.”
“”I don’t regret doing it. It ended up being a good game and we were only ever one run away from winning. It would be nice to be in that situation this time, and scratching my head wondering whether we enforce the follow on or not.”

Tottenham were dealt a hammer blow on Wednesday evening, after Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze pulled a seismic Spurs transfer U-turn.

Eze was all set to join Thomas Frank, agreeing personal terms, and Tottenham also struck a deal in principle with Palace.

It seemed a matter of when, not if, Eze would become Spurs’ third major signing of the window after Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, but alas, Arsenal swooped in dramatically to break Daniel Levy’s heart.

After midweek talks, Arsenal immediately signed a replacement for the injured Kai Havertz by hijacking Tottenham’s once-imminent deal for the England international, with Frank and Levy now forced to re-enter the market for a new playmaker once again.

This isn’t the first transfer humiliation Spurs have suffered this window, either, with Morgan Gibbs-White’s move to N17 also falling through earlier this summer after Nottingham Forest blocked the deal, threatened legal action and convinced the 25-year-old to pen a new deal.

It is getting slightly embarrassing from Levy’s perspective, and Tottenham need to react strongly amid Frank’s glaring need for a new number 10 and a stand-in for James Maddison, who’ll miss most of 2025/2026 after rupturing his ACL.

A host of attacking midfielders are being linked with moves to north London in the aftermath of their Eze loss, including the likes of Como starlet Nico Paz, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling.

It is worth noting that Tottenham are believed to be very interested in Liverpool sensation Harvey Elliott, so a potential move could still be on the cards after Eze chose Arsenal ahead of Spurs, but RB Leipzig are reportedly preparing a bid, so Levy will have to act quickly.

Tottenham ready £69m offer for Savinho with London talks ongoing

Some better news for the Lilywhites comes from Globo Esporte and journalist Cahê Mota.

According to their information, in response to losing Eze, Tottenham intend to seriously push for Man City winger Savinho, and are vowing to “spare no effort” behind-the-scenes.

They could go all the way to deadline day if necessary, and despite City’s resistance so far, Tottenham are believed to be readying a £69 million bid for Savinho to test their resolve.

The 21-year-old’s representatives are also in London right now, attempting to mediate negotiations between the Sky Blues and Spurs, with Savinho keen on a move down south for more game time ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Savinho can actually play in the number 10 role, as he did on two occasions for Pep Guardiola last season. He ended 24/25 with 13 assists in all competitions, with Guardiola praising his work rate and “incredible” attacking ability.

The Brazil international was also a key member of Michel’s Girona side that surprised everyone by challenging for a La Liga title in 2023/2024.