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“That is why I had tears in my eyes; without my father, I would be nothing. He has never left my side”

Shashank Kishore and Afzal Jiwani23-Jun-2022Behind the warm smile, the runs and the , there is a deeply emotional side to Sarfaraz Khan. It comes up almost always when he talks about his cricket. No conversation ever passes without the mention of his . On Thursday, after scoring his fourth hundred of the season, and eighth overall in first-class cricket, Sarfaraz was a man in demand.Sunil Joshi, the national selector, caught up and had a lengthy conversation with the Mumbai batter. Then, it was Harvinder Singh’s turn. A few minutes later, as he jogged up the stairs towards the dressing room for a team meeting, he promised to return shortly to chat with journalists waiting besides the boundary.Related

Sarfaraz Khan only behind Don Bradman in highest first-class average

Dubey and Shubham give MP solid start after Sarfaraz racks up another ton

Run-hungry Sarfaraz continues to hammer down selection door

Sarfaraz was chirpy, candid, and spontaneous, just like his batting. Over the past three weeks, no two interactions with him have felt alike. It can with so many cricketers of the current generation, because they’re always focused on the ‘process’ and not the ‘results.’ Sarfaraz is driven by results. Driven by the desire to score big runs, every time he goes out to bat. This perhaps explains why six of his eight hundreds are all 150-plus scores.One moment, Sarfaraz had everyone in splits with his jokes and how a “yes, I’ll hang in, you bat your way” from Tushar Deshpande can only mean a wild slog off the next ball. Next, he was teary eyed and ever-so-grateful to his , for his sacrifices in making Sarfaraz and Musheer Khan, his younger brother who is also part of the Mumbai squad, cricketers of some standing.Musheer, incidentally, is yet to make his first-class debut, but recently led Mumbai to the final of the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy, a tournament where he made 670 runs and took 32 wickets to be named Player of the Tournament.Sarfaraz’s tears stemmed from a sense of gratitude and respect towards his .”You all know the roller-coaster ride I’ve had, if not for my father, I wouldn’t have been here,” he said, wiping tears off his face. “When we had nothing, I used to travel with my father in trains. When I started playing cricket, I dreamt of scoring a century for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. That was fulfilled.”Then I had another dream of scoring a hundred in a Ranji final when my team needed it the most. That is why I got emotional after my century and had tears in my eyes, because my father has worked very hard. All the credit for my success goes to him. Without him, I would be nothing. He has never left my side.”Many times, I feel bad thinking about him, because he has always stood by me. He is very happy. In life, some dreams get fulfilled even if it takes time, but I’m happy I have my dad who has bailed me out of tough situations.”The century, Sarfaraz said, was dedicated to late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. As he got to the landmark, Sarfaraz slapped his thigh, pointed his index right finger to the sky – Moosewala’s signature move – and then belted out a roar towards his applauding teammates.”I have a mindset that to score a century, I need to play at least 200 balls. I can’t have that mindset that this can be achieved hitting consecutive sixes. I can score big only after playing many balls. I tried to play three-four overs from each bowler. Once I start getting used to the pitch and know their plans, I know the runs will flow because I have all the shots.”Sarfaraz hoped Mumbai would display “tremendous discipline” on Friday, the third day of the final, if they are to restrict Madhya Pradesh, who went to stumps comfortably placed at 123 for 1 in response to Mumbai’s 374.”This match is not over yet, there’s a long way to go,” he said. “I’ll be jumping the gun if I say anything right now. I’m confident we can take the lead, but even if we don’t, MP will be batting last in the fourth innings, and it won’t be easy for them.”After two successive seasons of 900-plus runs, Sarfaraz is now firmly on the radar of the national selectors. However, he is focused firmly on the present. “As far as Team India’s selection is concerned, I’m working hard. My focus is to only score runs. Every person has dreams. It will happen if it is written in my destiny.”

Cristiano Ronaldo says “I won’t play” if it means guaranteeing Portugal a win, with the all-time great claiming to have had “50,000 bad games”.

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• Iconic forward still going strong at 40
• Has reached 218 caps for his country
• Chasing down Nations League glory

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  At 40 years of age, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo continues to put himself in contention for selection by club and country. Goals have continued to flow for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, with the plan being to reach 1,000 in total before any thought is given to hanging up record-setting boots.

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• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Questions have been asked of whether he should still be a regular starter for Portugal, despite having 218 caps to his name, but Roberto Martinez continues to lean heavily on the vast experience of a man that has seen and achieved it all.

• WHAT CRISTIANO RONALDO SAID

  Ronaldo will give his all whenever called upon, but insists he would happily stand aside if it meant that Portugal would fare better as a collective. He has said: “If I don't score and someone else scores, it's all the same to me. If Portugal has to win and I don't play, I'll sign my name right now, tell the coach and I won't play. I'll defend these colours until the death.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Ronaldo is aware that fluctuations in form will always lead to dissenting voices, with more of those emerging on the back of a 1-0 UEFA Nations League defeat to Denmark. He has said ahead of the second leg in that quarter-final contest: “We can't always play well, things don't work out sometimes. I've played 50 thousand bad games, and so have my team-mates. All of that is part of it, the past is the past, it's about uniting the troops and being positive.”

Arsenal made sure their draw with Fulham on Sunday afternoon was not the start of a poor run with a comfortable win over AS Monaco in the Champions League last night.

Mikel Arteta’s side weren’t at their very best, but a clinical showing from Bukayo Saka and some professional performances from much of the team saw them pick up all three points and all but guarantee their progress to the next round.

However, while most of the Gunners’ team could pat themselves on the back for a job well done, a few flattered to deceive.

In fact, one of the players was so poor and has been for some time now that he could be turning into another Mesut Ozil-esque situation for the manager.

Mesut Ozil's Arsenal career

When it comes to memorable Arsenal transfers over the years, there are few, if any, that top Ozil’s move to the Emirates on deadline day 2013.

The German international joined the club from Spanish giants Real Madrid for a club record £42.4m and immediately hit the ground running, providing an assist for Olivier Giroud in his first game away to Sunderland.

Over the next few seasons, the “fantastic” sensation, as dubbed by Ian Wright, proved to be worth every penny as he wowed fans and rivals alike with his mercurial ability to find practically anyone anywhere on the pitch with a single sublime pass.

The former Schalke gem racked up a brilliant tally of 44 goals and 75 assists in 254 appearances for the club and played a significant role in three of the four FA Cup triumphs while he was in North London, but things did not end well.

After he signed a mammoth £350k-per-week contract in early 2018, his performances began to drop, and by the time Arteta was appointed manager in December 2019, it was clear that his lack of intensity and effort off the ball meant he had no future in N5.

However, due to his rapid decline and lofty wages, it was a nightmare to move him on, and the club eventually had to cancel his contract entirely so that he could move to Turkish giants Fenerbahçe.

In all, while Ozil was an arguably world-class talent for much of his Arsenal career, his form fell off a cliff in the later years, and he became an incredibly expensive burden, which could be happening to a player in the squad today.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Expand Collapse The Arsenal player who could be Arteta's new Ozil

So, to get straight to the point, the player in question is the incredibly gifted Gabriel Jesus, and there are two key reasons why.

The first is that, like Ozil, the former Manchester City star hit the ground running following his £45m transfer in the 22/23 season, racking up an impressive tally of five goals and providing five assists in 16 league games prior to the World Cup break, equating to an average of a goal involvement every 1.6 games.

However, the Brazilian international suffered a severe knee injury in Qatar and had to undergo surgery, which kept him out of action until mid-March, after which he looked notably less nimble and generally less of a threat.

Last season wasn’t dreadful for the Sao Paulo-born forward, but eight goals and eight assists in 36 appearances was not enough to stop Kai Havertz from taking his place as the team’s starting number nine, and based on his performances this season, it doesn’t look like he’s ever going to get it back.

In 19 appearances, the “frustrating” striker, as dubbed by Micah Richards, has scored one goal and provided two assists.

Jesus’ Arsenal career

Season

22/23

23/24

24/25

Appearances

33

36

19

Minutes

2347′

1910′

684′

Goals

11

8

1

Assists

7

8

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.54

0.44

0.15

Minutes per Goal Involvement

130.38′

119.37′

228′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, last night perfectly encapsulates why he’s becoming an issue for the manager.

While he provided the assist for Saka’s opener, the 27-year-old was also incredibly wasteful in front of goal, missing two big chances and taking just 23 touches, which more than justified the 5/10 match rating he received from journalist Kaya Kaynak.

So, like the German superstar, Jesus has gone from an essential member of the first team to someone unable to meaningfully contribute at all, and on top of that, he also costs the club a fortune, thanks to the enormous £265k-per-week contract he agreed to in 2022.

Lastly, it also seems like it will be a serious challenge to move the former City ace on in 2025, as his wages, injury history, and dreadful form do not make him a desirable proposition to the sort of clubs he’d be happy to join.

Ultimately, Jesus is an undeniably talented footballer, but like Ozil before him, he’s hit the end of the road at Arsenal, and at this point, it looks like the best option for all parties would be to move him on – if that is even possible.

Related 40% duels won: Arteta must drop Arsenal star after "horror" 5/10 display

The talented attacker has been poor for Arsenal in recent weeks.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 12, 2024

It would be fair to say that Arsenal’s campaign has not exactly gone to plan so far this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side were hoping that this would finally be the year they lifted the Premier League title after coming so close in the two prior, but after a particularly rough month of results, they now find themselves down in fourth and nine points off leaders Liverpool.

Unsurprisingly, such a poor run of form has seen attention shift to what the club could do in the transfer market to either get this season back on track or ensure the next one doesn’t come with the same pitfalls.

Arsenal’s recent PL results
Opposition	Result
Chelsea	1-1 (D)
Newcastle (A)	1-0 (L)
Liverpool (H)	2-2 (D)
Bournemouth (A)	2-0 (L)
Southampton (H)	3-1 (W)

One of the most prominent names touted for a move to the Emirates in the last week or so has been Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi, but recent reports have now linked a potential alternative with a move to the club, a central midfielder who’s been in such good form that he’s currently outscoring Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several teams interested in Ajax star Kenneth Taylor, and have already sent scouts to watch him play.

Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that fellow Premier League sides Newcastle United and Aston Villa and Italian giants Napoli have all been keeping tabs on the Dutch midfielder.

While this level of interest is far from ideal, the good news is that an offer of around €35m, which is about £29m, should be enough to tempt the Amsterdam outfit into selling, per the report.

It would still represent a significant investment from Arsenal, but given Taylor’s sensational form this season, it is one worth making, especially as he could prove an ideal alternative to Zubimendi.

How Taylor compares to Zubimendi

Now, while Taylor can play in a few positions and has here and there throughout his career, he is primarily a central midfielder, while Zubimendi has shown he’s capable of playing in both central and defensive midfield roles for club and country.

So, while this does suggest that there is a world in which they could play together at Arsenal, that seems incredibly unlikely given the players already at Arteta’s disposal, such as Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and possibly Thomas Partey and Jorginho, should they remain at the club beyond the summer.

Therefore, it will likely be one or the other between the two midfield targets, so how do they stack up against one another?

Well, the first thing to look at is their raw output, and in this metric, it’s not even close, as the Ajax “revelation”, as dubbed by former Ajax manager Aad de Mos, comes out way ahead with six goals and four assists to his name in 21 games, which is significantly more impressive than the Sociedad ace’s tally of one goal and two assists in 16 games, and means he’s even outscored Saka this year.

What’s going on under the hood, though? Which midfielder comes out on top when we compare their underlying numbers?

Well, it depends on the metrics you are looking at, as somewhat unsurprisingly, the Spaniard comes out ahead in most defensive metrics, such as ball recoveries, tackles, clearances and interceptions per 90.

However, in practically every other metric, such as expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, key passes, passes into the final third and penalty area, shot and goal-creating actions all per 90, it’s the Ajax star who comes out comfortably on top.

Taylor vs Zubimendi
Statistics per 90	Taylor	Zubimendi
Non-Penalty Expected G+As	0.44	0.14
Actual Non-Penalty Expected G+As	0.60	0.16
Progressive Carries	2.99	1.76
Progressive Passes	5.97	7.28
Progressive Passes Received	6.87	1.84
Passing Accuracy	81.6%	86.2%
Key Passes	1.79	0.72
Passes into the Penalty Area	2.24	0.72
Shot-Creating Actions	3.72	2.00
Goal-Creating Actions	0.74	0.24
Tackles	2.09	2.56
Interceptions	0.60	1.12
Clearances	0.75	2.24
Errors Leading to a Shot	0.00	0.08
Ball Recoveries	3.43	4.16
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

Ultimately, it comes down to whether Arteta wants another more defensive midfielder in his squad or one who’s more likely to make something happen, and based on Arsenal’s slightly lacklustre attack this season, it certainly feels like Taylor would be the smarter signing in 2025.

Arsenal must rue selling £34m star who now ranks alongside Palmer & Salah

The incredible talent would have helped Arsenal so much this season.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 15, 2024

Having lost Michael Olise to Bayern Munich in the summer, Crystal Palace have now reportedly joined the race to seal a repeat of what proved to be one of their best signings from Reading.

Crystal Palace transfer news

The Eagles could certainly do with reinforcements after enduring such a disastrous start to the campaign. Victory over Tottenham Hotspur – their first of the season – before a point against Wolverhampton Wanderers at least took Oliver Glasner’s side within a point of Premier League safety, but the pressure is still certainly on ahead of squaring off against an impressive Aston Villa side in their first game back from the international break.

What certainly didn’t help in the summer was the departure of Olise. Bayern Munich swooped and lured Palace’s star man away from Selhurst Park – a star man that they arguably failed to replace with suitable options.

Whether that changes in the January transfer window remains to be seen, but the Eagles look set to at least go back down the same route that saw them land such a talented player in the first place.

Related Crystal Palace ready move to sign new 6ft 2 ace after 18 months of scouting

The Eagles have kept their eye on this player for a while.

Posts 1 ByBrett Worthington Nov 20, 2024

According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Crystal Palace are now battling a number of Champions League sides to sign Andre Garcia from Reading in what would almost be a repeat of their deal to sign Olise from the Royals back in 2021.

With Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur standing alongside the likes of Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen in a hectic race, however, Palace may need to act quickly if they are to sneak in and sign the 16-year-old left-back.

Of course, convincing Garcia to turn down such interest will be a difficult selling point, but what Palace may be able to offer over their Premier League and European rivals is a quicker route into their first team.

"Incredible" Garcia could follow Olise path

Palace aren’t afraid to dip into the Football League for reinforcements. After all, Eberechi Eze arrived from Queens Park Rangers, Adam Wharton joined from Blackburn Rovers and Olise, of course, from Reading – just to name a few who have enjoyed great success at Selhurst Park. Now, they could turn to League One and a star in the making in Garcia.

Just 16 years old, the left-back is already making significant strides in senior football, starting six of Reading’s 11 League One games so far this season and earning the praise of club legend Mick Gooding, who told BBC Radio Berkshire via The Boot Room: “To be 16 and playing the way he is playing is incredible.

“What a future he has got, and it’s in his hands if he listens and works hard. He has got pace, great feet. You can see he is really enjoying what he is doing, not fazed by it.

“He has got an incredible future, should he decide that it is what he wants to do. [Garcia must] work hard, stay humble and do the right things. He can go wherever he wants.”

Earlier this year, Nike and Fanatics caused quite a storm in Major League Baseball when they unveiled a series of new uniforms for the league’s 30 teams. The “Vapor Premier” uniforms, which were designed by Nike and manufactured by Fanatics, were developed by scanning the bodies of more than 300 MLB players, and were supposed to be the “most advanced” in the sport’s history.

The results, however, were met with widespread criticism. Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward told The Athletic they looked “like a replica,” while Philadelphia Phillies infielder Trea Turner told the Associated Press that “everyone hates them”.

The MLB’s Player’s Union also claimed concerns they made about the uniforms during the six-year design and manufacturing process were ignored, including worries about the pants being transparent.

As a result, in September, it was announced by the MLB, which made over $11 billion in revenue in 2023, that the uniforms were being scrapped and being replaced with their predecessors.

Leeds announce partnership with Fanatics

The saga involving MLB, Nike, and Fanatics appears not to have phased Leeds United. On Tuesday, the Championship club announced a new retail partnership with Fanatics, which the club said will “enhance the retail experience for Leeds fans both in the city and across the world”.

The partnership, which begins next season, will see Fanatics become the exclusive operator of Leeds United’s online store, as well as all official retail locations based across the city, including the store at Elland Road.

Fanatics will also “have the rights to manufacture a wide variety of fanwear and accessories” for the club, though the exact scope of that license is currently unclear.

“This partnership will offer our fans a number of benefits, including better access to a wider range of products, enhanced online and in-person retail facilities and new, exciting Leeds products available for fans,” said Morrie Eisenberg, Chief Operating Officer at Leeds.

Stephen Dowling, International President at Fanatics, said: “Leeds United are an iconic football club, known worldwide, with a rich history of success and a passionate fanbase. We will work tirelessly to ensure that Leeds United fans are given the highest standard of service, the best products and the widest choice, whatever they buy and wherever they are.”

About Fanatics

Fanatics, Inc. is a global digital sports platform that consists of several businesses, including licensed sports merchandise, collectibles, sports betting and gaming. The company was founded by Michael Rubin in 2011.

Rubin, 52, is the owner of NBA team Philadelphia 76ers. He started his career as a teenager when, using money from his bar mitzvah, he opened a ski shop in Pennsylvania. That was followed by the launch of his own athletic equipment brand, KPR sports, before, in 1998, he founded e-commerce company, GSI Commerce, which he later sold to eBay for $2.4 billion.

Today, Rubin is estimated to be worth $10.6 billion, making him among the 250 richest people on earth.

سقط منتخب الإمارات في الخسارة أمام نظيره إيران في اللقاء الذي أقيم بينهما اليوم الخميس، ضمن التصفيات الآسيوية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026 بثنائية مقابل لاشيء.

واستضاف منتخب إيران نظيره الإمارات ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة من التصفيات المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم على ملعب أزادي.

وتوقف اللقاء في الشوط الأول بسبب عطل في الأنوار الخاصة بالملعب قبل أن يعود الفريقان إلى استئناف المباراة وأضيف الوقت البدل الضائع.

طالع.. اليابان أول المتأهلين إلى كأس العالم 2026 بثنائية أمام البحرين (فيديو)

وسجل سرداد آزمون هدف إيران الأول في الدقيقة السابعة والعشرين من الوقت بدل الضائع من الشوط الأول، بينما جاء الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 70 من عمر اللقاء عن طريق محمد محبي.

ورفع منتخب إيران رصيده إلى 19 نقطة في المركز الأول من المجموعة بينما تجمد رصيد الإمارات عند 10 نقاط في المركز الثالث.

الجدير بالذكر، أن منافسات الدور الثالث من تصفيات قارة آسيا تقام بمشاركة 18 فريقًا، تم تقسيمهم إلى ثلاث مجموعات، بواقع 6 فرق في كل مجموعة.

ويتأهل صاحبا الصدارة والوصافة من كل مجموعة إلى نهائيات كأس العالم مباشرة، فيما يصعد أصحاب المركزين الثالث والرابع للمرحلة الرابعة من المنافسات.

ويتم تقسيم الفرق المتأهلة للمرحلة الرابعة إلى مجموعتين، يصعد منهما المتصدر فقط إلى مونديال 2026، فيما تقام مباراة أخيرة بين وصيف مجموعتي الدور الرابع، يتأهل الفائز منها إلى الملحق العالمي، ليكتمل نصاب قارة آسيا في المونديال. هدف إيران الأول أمام الإمارات

المنتخب الإيراني يفتتح التسجيل أمام نظيره الإماراتي! ⚽️#تصفيات_كأس_العالم_2026 #رمضان_مع_beIN pic.twitter.com/DsxyNmpOz8

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 20, 2025

هدف إيران الثاني أمام الإمارات

هدف|
تقدم إيران 2-0 على الإمارات عن طريق محمد محبي في الدقيقة 70#تصفيات_مونديال2026#قنوات_الكاس | #منصة_شوف pic.twitter.com/ZQ9GVCXRDB — قنوات الكاس (@AlkassTVSports) March 20, 2025

 

PNG were skittled out for 97 chasing 181 as Bangladesh got a big NRR boost

Mohammad Isam21-Oct-20214:23

Nafees: Bangladesh’s most convincing win of the group

Bangladesh couldn’t have asked for a bigger margin of victory on a day when the net run rate equation was the main focus. They beat Papua New Guinea by 84 runs, which gave them an NRR of 1.733, making the Oman-Scotland contest that follows a knockout battle.PNG slipped to 29 for 7, briefly threatening Netherlands’ 39 all out as the lowest total in T20 World Cup history. Kiplin Doriga enforced their recovery with an unbeaten 46, as PNG were bowled out for 97 in the final over.Bangladesh’s big score was set up by Mahmudullah’s 28-ball 50, and big-hitting from Shakib Al Hasan who made 46 and Mohammad Saifuddin who hammered a six-ball 19 not out.Shakib bosses with the bat
Bangladesh’s need for a good powerplay was finally fulfilled, thanks to big hits from Shakib and Liton Das. They reached 45 for 1 after six overs, their first 40-plus score at that point in eight matches. Liton hit a 23-ball 29, but Shakib continued to run hard, converting several ones into twos. He struck three sixes in his 46 off 37 balls, the last of which was a one-handed straight hit off Assad Vala.But as he flagged in the Muscat heat, Shakib’s innings was cut short by a brilliant Charles Amini catch, who timed his big dive to perfection at long-on. Ahead of the game, Amini said that he was looking forward to meeting Shakib, and this catch must be a great ice-breaker.Mahmudullah tees off
Mahmudullah took off from where Shakib left off, starting with a hammer down long-on for his first six. He struck Chad Soper for two sixes through midwicket, but also managed to get fours with deft touches through point and third-man. His most delightful shot of this innings was a sweep from outside off stump against the left-arm quick Kabua Morea. It threaded between the square-leg and short fine-leg perfectly. Mahmudullah got out after reaching his 50 off 27 balls, although he didn’t look too pleased to be given out off Ravu’s high full-toss in the 18th over. His acceleration meant that Bangladesh were well set for a big total.Shakib Al Hasan hit 46 before getting 4 for 9 with the ball•ICC via Getty

Mohammad Naim followed it up with his brilliant leap to his right at the long-on boundary, as Amini fell for 1 to Shakib. Simon Atai fell in the same over, caught at point by Mahedi Hasan, before Shakib had Bau caught at long-on, by Naim.Hiri Hiri, playing his first game in the tournament, struck the first boundary of the innings in the tenth over, but he top-edged one to the wicketkeeper to give Shakib his fourth wicket. PNG were 29 for 7 in the 11th over, well and truly out of the contest.Doriga saves PNG’s blushes
Coming into bat in the 10th over, Doriga came in when PNG were 24 for 6. He added 25 runs with Soper for the eighth wicket, and another 26 with Morea for the ninth wicket.He struck two fours and as many sixes in his 34-ball innings, scoring more than the top seven batters made together. He must have wanted to reach his fifty, but last-man Ravu, with whom he added 43 runs, fell to Taskin.

Arsenal have added a new transfer target to their January shortlist, and his club are anticipating a potential £42 million bid for his services.

Edu's rumoured plans for Arsenal in 2025

Sporting director Edu Gaspar and the recruitment team are making plans ahead of the January window, not to mention next summer, with reports suggesting that they’re after a new striker among other positions.

£63m forward's agents visit the Emirates to hold talks with Arsenal chiefs

The Gunners have made him a promise behind-the-scenes.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 10, 2024

As widely reported, Arsenal failed with an offer for RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko in the summer, but it is believed that the Gunners could go back in for him next year in their search for a new number nine.

Mikel Arteta and co kept faith with Kai Havertz after the 21-year-old rejected a move to the Emirates Stadium, though Sesko’s representatives have held talks with Arsenal officials in recent months ahead of a possible transfer to north London next year.

Bournemouth (away)

October 19

Liverpool (home)

October 27

Newcastle United (away)

November 2

Chelsea (away)

November 10

Nottingham Forest (home)

November 23

The Slovenia international isn’t their only striker target, according to reports, and well-connected former chief scout Mick Brown has heard that they will bring in a centre-forward as early as January if the right opportunity presents itself.

“You have to credit Mikel Arteta because he’s brought this out of him,” said Brown to Football Insider.

“I’ve heard, though, that if there was the right option out there, Arsenal still want to buy somebody in that position. The problem is there’s not a long list of players who are good enough to play that role and are also available to come to the Premier League. Arsenal won’t want to waste any money they have on a player they don’t need.

“They’ll be prudent, but I know they’ll be looking for areas they can improve, and I think that will be one even with Havertz playing as well as he has been.”

Arsenal are also interested in Como starlet Nico Paz as a transfer option in the middle of the park, while Martin Odegaard’s recent ankle ligament injury has perhaps showcased they need an alternative playmaker.

Odegaard is expected to remain out for the best part of four weeks, and while there is hope that the Norwegian could be back for Liverpool, they also won’t rush him back and would prefer he is 100 per cent firing.

Arsenal add Samuele Ricci to January shortlist

According to CaughtOffside, Torino playmaker Samuele Ricci is catching their eye with his performances in Serie A.

The 23-year-old has started seven Italian top-flight matches so far this term, and Ricci’s outings lately have impressed Luciano Spalletti enough to earn him a place in Italy’s national team set-up lately.

Arsenal have added Ricci to their January transfer list as a result, with Torino anticipating a £42 million bid for his services as Man City also register an interest in him. The Gunners’ Premier League title rivals are eyeing up possible stand-ins for Rodri, with the Spain star out until the end of 2024/2025.

However, Torino will be disappointed in both Arsenal and City’s valuation of the player. Indeed, the pair value Ricci at just £25 million as things stand.

Liverpool and Arne Slot are keeping tabs on a new defender ahead of a potential summer move, it has been revealed, with the Reds’ backline in need of reinforcements.

Liverpool's defensive concerns

Though they have conceded just two goals in five games so far this season, there are longer-term concerns over the Liverpool defence. Of the Premier League winning back four, all of Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold remain, but the Scot and Van Dijk are now over 30 years old (33 in Van Dijk’s case) and there are concerns over Alexander-Arnold’s future amid interest from Real Madrid and an unclear contract stance.

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A centre-back is on their shopping list as they look to rejuvenate their backline, but there are also concerns at left-back. Kostas Tsimikas has been a valuable understudy but is unlikely to be able to take the first-choice mantle from Robertson, meaning that a new left-back may be required.

With that in mind, the Reds are keeping tabs on one Premier League star, and will have a chance to see him up close and personal this weekend.

Liverpool join queue for Premier League defender

That comes as Liverpool have been named as one of the sides keeping a close eye on Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, who can also play higher up in midfield or as a wing-back. The defender has also been on the radar of Manchester United in recent months, but is just 12 months into his £30,000 a week “long term” contract at the Vitality Stadium, and is unlikely to be available on the cheap.

That has not stopped interest from mounting though, and Liverpool are the latest side reportedly keeping tabs on the Hungarian international, who shares a dressing room with Dominik Szoboszlai on international duty.

As per TEAMtalk, the Reds are “continuing to watch” the young defender as they plan for a future beyond their current options, and that his name “continues to come up again and again” in scouting reports compiled at Anfield.

Milos Kerkez vs Andy Robertson 23/24 Premier League

Milos Kerkez

Andy Robertson

Appearances

28

23

Goals and assists

1

5

Shot creating actions per 90

1.46

5.16

Tackle % won

71.4%

60.5%

Fouls committed per 90

1.14

0.48

It is added that given his age and relative experience, the defender is “a prime candidate”, but that they will have to fight off several other clubs around Europe to secure him. Manchester United are named as the most obvious of those, and it is claimed that it would have set any interested party back “over £40 million” to secure his signature over the most recent transfer window, a fee which is unlikely to drop as he continues to impress in the Premier League.

Former teammate Mat Ryan revealed what Bournemouth should expect from their new defender when he made the move, hailing his “unique skill set” and backing him for success in the Premier League.

“He is aggressive, powerful and has so many qualities. A unique skill set. Bournemouth is going to get stronger because of him. Milos still has a great career ahead of him.”

Now, it appears that the Hungarian is living up to that prediction, and could be set to provoke a scrap for his signature next summer, one which Liverpool will be hoping to win.