Tag Futebol

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has been dealt an injury blow as news emerges about one of his key players.

Unai Emery sparks mini Aston Villa revival after disastrous start to 25/26

Villa have started to show signs of life after a rocky start to the new Premier League season, sparking a mini-revival that has renewed some hope among fans.

The Villans really struggled early on, especially going forward, and it took them five league matches to even score their first league goal of the campaign.

Aston Villa 0-0 Newcastle

Brentford 1-0 Aston Villa

Aston Villa 0-3 Crystal Palace

Everton 0-0 Aston Villa

Sunderland 1-1 Aston Villa

Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham

Aston Villa 2-1 Burnley

A huge sigh of relief swept through the away end at Sunderland when Matty Cash’s long-range drive ended Villa’s unbelievable goal drought, and they were unfortunate not to come away from the North East with their first three points of 2025/2026.

Once languishing near the bottom of the table, Villa have gone on a resurgence since Cash’s strike — winning their last four matches in all competitions — including back-to-back Europa League wins and two consecutive league victories.

NSWE struggled to build upon last season in the transfer window, with failure to qualify for the Champions League at the end of 24/25 certainly coming back to haunt them in this regard.

PSR has undoubtedly held Emery’s side back from fully investing in the squad, with Villa only able to spend around £26.5 million in total last summer as they agreed last-gasp loan deals for Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho in an effort to bolster the team.

Taking this into account, Villa’s renewed form under Emery could be seen as even more impressive as some of their rivals enjoyed mammoth spending sprees.

Emery has also had to cope without some key men through injury, especially Belgium international Youri Tielemans.

The former Leicester City star was a mainstay under Emery last term, registering 15 goal contributions in 53 total appearances, but he’s been forced to sit out of Villa’s excellent recent run with a calf problem.

Tielemans has watched on from the sidelines ever since their 1-1 draw at Sunderland, and according to reports from Belgium, the 28-year-old will now be out for a much while longer.

Unai Emery dealt Aston Villa injury blow as news emerges on Youri Tielemans

Het Nieuwsblad and La Dernière Heure, via Sport Witness, both state that Tielemans is now expected to be absent for longer than expected.

The £150,000-per-week playmaker could even miss Belgium’s November World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan, meaning Tielemans could also be unavailable for all of Villa’s next games after this October break.

The games Youri Tielemans is now expected to miss for Aston Villa

Emery’s side take on Tottenham, Go Ahead Eagles, Man City, Liverpool, Maccabi Tel Aviv and high-flying Bournemouth before the next round of internationals in November, with Tielemans now poised to potentially miss all of these crucial matches against top opposition.

The 28-year-old’s setback is undoubtedly a blow for Emery.

As a key influence, Tielemans brings creativity, control and experience to the heart of the team’s midfield. His ability to dictate tempo, link defense to attack and contribute with crucial goals and assists makes him central to the way Villa operate.

Even if Emery has coped fine without Tielemans in Villa’s last few games, with his last appearance coming in their 0-0 draw at Everton, he’ll be sorely missed when Villa face off against Spurs, City and Premier League champions Liverpool.

Newcastle United and Eddie Howe have inched closer to a successful Carabao Cup title defence, beating Bradford City in the third round and then drawing Tottenham Hotspur.

There’s a tough test, but Newcastle have a fine recent record against the Lilywhites, and the fluency of Howe’s side is building by the day.

It’s quite understandable in hindsight that the sale of Alexander Isak would disrupt the harmony and snap of United’s frontline, with goals scored in only two of their five Premier League games so far.

Isak left for Liverpool on deadline day, and Newcastle banked a record-breaking £125m fee. They lost one of the world’s finest strikers, who scored 27 times in black and white last season and who bagged against Arne Slot’s Reds at Wembley.

Newcastle did replace the Sweden striker with Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade, but William Osula is also staking his claim for a big role this term.

William Osula's early-season form

Howe issued rotation as the top-flight and European action took a breath. Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and brace-scoring Joelinton all featured, but so too did the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley get some more minutes under their belt.

However, Osula might feel he was the biggest winner, scoring twice against the high-flying League One side to take his haul to three goals this season, also scoring in that frantic game against Liverpool in August.

Having signed from Sheffield United for £15m last summer, Osula scarcely played across his debut campaign at St. James’ Park, scoring once in the league.

But he’s making headway now.

Osula got himself on the scoresheet before 20 minutes had been played, and then again in the closing stages, sealing his side’s 4-1 victory.

He might have had a hat-trick save for some poor finishing after neat work from Gordon, but, as Howe noted during his post-match press conference, the Danish forward offered more than just goals, holding up well and linking up with his teammates. He looked dangerous and dynamic when playing down the wing.

“He’s done his chances no harm,” Howe said, discussing the potential of the 22-year-old starting in the Premier League once again.

However, Newcastle turned down a £30m approach from Eintracht Frankfurt for the fringe forward this summer, and Howe may come to regret rejecting such a hefty sum, especially when the Magpies have an academy talent who might be even better than his peer.

Newcastle have a bigger talent than Osula

The word on the street is that Newcastle still expect to sell Osula, perhaps next summer. There’s a player in there, but Osula is very much unrefined, and after what Howe described as a “turbulent” summer for the number nine, he finds himself third-fiddle on Tyneside.

Wissa is currently sidelined with a knee injury and has yet to make his debut after joining from Brentford, but Woltemade has shown plenty of promise after completing a club-record £69m move from Stuttgart, scoring on his debut and showcasing his talent thereafter.

Osula has been left somewhat in the lurch, even after scoring against Liverpool.

And with an up-and-coming talent like Sean Neave knocking on his door, Osula may well find himself completing that transfer away next summer.

A natural-born finisher, Neave, 18, has been riding the crest of a wave in Newcastle’s academy. He has always been a reliable goalscorer, but the youth’s ability to carry his form up the levels with relative ease suggests he may soon be knocking on Howe’s door. In fact, he might already be.

Six games into the season for Newcastle’s development side, Neave has scored three goals and provided one assist. No longer playing for the U18s, he is a regular starter in the Premier League 2, despite having reached adulthood only at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Newcastle U18

37

21 (7)

Newcastle U21

15

7 (3)

Newcastle YL

6

1 (1)

Newcastle

–

–

Neave is a “good finisher”, all right, as has been said by Newcastle blogger TomTalksToon, and he already stands at 6 foot 1. A gangly frame that does not inhibit his pace and athleticism, the teenager is akin to Isak, but let’s just wait and see if he can match the former Toon man’s almighty scoring record in the English top flight.

Perhaps Neave was somewhat frustrated to have been left out of the matchday squad against Bradford. However, his professional debut is sure to be right around the corner, with his electric pace and threat in the final third sure-fire ingredients for success in the Premier League.

Osula is more refined physically, but Neave is on a programme that is giving rise to his strength and athletic focus on the field. It’s only a matter of time.

And when that time comes, might Howe and co not regret cashing in on Osula when they had the chance? If Neave continues his meteoric rise with such speed, he may well overtake his goalscoring rival, which would do United’s chances of shipping him out for a big fee no favours.

Newcastle’s 4.6 xG (expected goals) total in the Premier League this season puts them 16th. Not great, but neither is it an accurate representation of the talent and the creativity coursing through Howe’s team.

Instead, Newcastle will continue to go from strength to strength, and Wissa and Woltemade will too.

It’s difficult to see how Osula surpasses either, so unpolished is the Denmark U21 international. And when considering Neave is waiting in the wings and bound to make his senior debut sooner rather than later, Howe may come to wish he had taken the £30m and ran.

Howe could unleash Newcastle's own Yamal in 18-year-old "elite talent"

Newcastle’s academy setting has changed for the better in recent years.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 24, 2025

With the deadline approaching, Aston Villa have reportedly set their sights on a shock late hijack to sign a player who is already in the final stages of a move to Manchester United.

Latest on Aston Villa targets

It’s been a difficult summer for Aston Villa. Not only have they been limited by PSR issues, but they’ve also missed out on targets when they have attempted to welcome incomings – the latest of which being George Mikautadze. Reports emerged that Villa had agreed personal terms with the Lyon forward, before Villarreal swooped in to agree a late deal.

The fact that Unai Emery revealed that he wants two players in every position indicates that Villa could work on further deals before the end of the window, but it remains to be seen just who arrives.

The Spaniard told reporters: “The club are working hard to get our structure as strong as possible with the players in the squad, trying to get two players for each position. There is still work to do, maybe even some players leaving more and we will have to sign and complete the squad with some players.

“The first reason now why we are missing something other in our structure and in our squad with our players because some players left one week or two weeks ago when we were expecting to a deal before.”

Since those words, rumours have suggested that former loanee Marco Asensio could be on his way back to the club, whilst a shock hijack on Manchester United could also take place.

Aston Villa eyeing late Lammens hijack

As reported by The Daily Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Aston Villa are now eyeing a last-ditch move to sign Senne Lammens ahead of Manchester United. Earlier reports from Sacha Tavolieri revealed that the Royal Antwerp goalkeeper is closing in on a move to Old Trafford and the transfer is in the “final stages”. The door, however, is still ajar for Villa to swoop in.

It would be an almighty blow for the Red Devils, but an excellent hijack by Aston Villa. The talented shot-stopper would instantly become the long-term successor to Emiliano Martinez, whose future is far from guaranteed in the Midlands these days.

After Asensio: Aston Villa agree personal terms to sign "electric" forward

The Villans mean business…

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 29, 2025

Given how advanced United’s deal reportedly is, though, Villa chiefs will need to act fast if they do want to pull of a sensational hijack. As the deadline approaches, the goalkeeper continues to be one to watch.

The home side were promisingly placed after lunch but lost their way before two Mendis’ staged a recovery

Tristan Lavalette06-Feb-2025Australia’s trio of specialist bowlers toiled manfully during a see-saw day one against a fighting Sri Lanka on a dry Galle surface that did not live up to the hype, but occasionally spun sharply and is expected to deteriorate significantly.By the end of 90 overs, the second Test was intriguingly poised after several shifts of momentum. Sri Lanka’s top-order built a strong platform to reach 93 for 1 before they lost 4 for 34 in a horror period after lunch. But Kusal Mendis and Ramesh Mendis combined for a seventh-wicket partnership of 65 to lift Sri Lanka to what might just be a competitive first innings total.Related

Cooper Connolly exceeds high expectations in rapid rise to Test cricket

Sri Lanka's 'strength is spin', but it's a game Australia can play too

Karunaratne: 'Series win in SA 2019 one of the most favourite chapters of my career'

Kusal and Dinesh Chandimal made well-compiled half-centuries as Sri Lanka batted through the day’s play to reach stumps at 229 for 9.After Sri Lanka suffered their worst defeat in Test cricket on a slow surface, there had been much speculation that this new surface would produce significant bite and turn. There was sharp turn at times, especially in the second session, but it was the consistency and variations of Australia’s bowlers that led to several cheap dismissals.Offspinner Nathan Lyon was outstanding in his spell after lunch, mixing up his speeds and lengths to bamboozle Sri Lanka as he moved to 549 Test wickets. Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc continued to add to his formidable record in Sri Lanka, conjuring reverse swing during a sensational spell late in the second session before striking twice with the second new ball.Australia were effectively playing with just three specialist bowlers, with Lyon and left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann providing the heavy lifting as they bowled 30 overs each.Stand-in captain Steven Smith worked his resources to good effect with Travis Head bowling eight overs and proving that he might just have a golden arm after taking the wicket of Kamindu Mendis.Nathan Lyon produced a superb spell after lunch•Getty ImagesAllrounder Beau Webster bowled three overs of seam having not been required to bowl in the first Test, while left-arm spinning allrounder Cooper Connolly also bowled three overs on his debut after replacing offspinner Todd Murphy in Australia’s only change.Sri Lanka made three changes with Pathum Nissanka replacing Oshada Fernando at the top of the order, while offspinnser Ramesh Mendis and quick Lahiru Kumara were included at the expense of Jeffrey Vandersay and Asitha Fernando.After receiving a long guard of honour on his way to the crease, including from the Australians, retiring Dimuth Karunaratne was tasked with trying to help restore Sri Lanka’s battered confidence in his 100th and last Test match. He also had to confront tormentor Starc having fallen to him nine times previously, including in the first innings of the series-opener. But having overcome a groin injury to take his place, Nissanka mostly faced Starc and had mixed results against speeds touching 145kph.Fresh from his nine-wicket haul in his Test return, Kuhnemann was also handed the new ball and had a loud shout for lbw on Nissanka turned down with the decision upheld on umpire’s call after Australia reviewed.Steven Smith catches record•ESPNcricinfo LtdSri Lanka’s openers steadily built despite some nervous moments as Smith reverted to Lyon in the eighth over. Aiming at the footworks from Starc, Lyon produced significant turn and bounce on his second delivery that flew down the legside for four byes.But Lyon wasn’t made to wait long for a wicket after hitting the top of leg stump when Nissanka moved too far across his stumps looking to paddle sweep. Australia were buoyed, but inroads proved difficult against the type of disciplined batting from Sri Lanka that was lacking in the first Test.Connolly was brought in just before lunch having never taken a wicket from the 96 balls he had bowled in his four previous first-class matches. Connolly did develop a knack of taking key wickets in the recent BBL season, but he could not strike as Sri Lanka made it to lunch well placed.Chandimal resumed after the interval with a boundary off Lyon before the game turned on its head.Lyon varied his speeds and slid a faster delivery from around the wicket past Karunaratne’s defence to rattle the stumps. He was in lovely rhythm and went about working over Angelo Mathews knowing he had his number after dismissing him twice in the first Test.Mitchell Starc inroads with the second new ball•Getty ImagesMathews crawled to 1 off 25 before succumbing to a slower, wider Lyon delivery and feathering an edge into the gloves of Alex Carey, who has performed well behind the stumps in this series.Lyon seemingly had his 550th wicket when Kamindu was adjudged caught behind on 3 only for the decision to be successfully reviewed with no nick detected. Kamindu could not capitalise and fell relatively tamely to Head’s handy offspin after a thick edge off an attempted cut shot flew to Smith at slip.Head unfurled his now customary celebration, suggesting that his spinning fingers are on fire, as Kamindu’s struggles continued after entering the series with an average over 70.Deploying Head was another move from Smith that worked a treat and his gut instincts were again rewarded when he threw the ball to Starc, who dismissed de Silva for a golden duck after he steered a wide delivery straight to gully.Chandimal’s defiant knock ended on 74 after he was deceived in the air by Kuhnemann and lost his footing before being stumped by sharp glove work from Carey.Australia eyed running through Sri Lanka’s lower-order just like in the first Test, but Kusal provided a counterattack after a collision with Kuhnemann at the non-striker’s left him momentarily shaken.He slog swept to good effect on consecutive deliveries, with the latter sailing over the rope. Kusal received good support from namesake Ramesh, who has been in solid batting form in first-class cricket.They rotated the strike well and picked off the occasional boundary to frustrate a flagging Australia attack. Ramesh has a first-class average of almost 40, with a high score of 300 not out, but his Test mark sits at a disappointing 18 with no half-centuries from 22 previous innings.He played doggedly, striding forward repeatedly to present a firm defence. Australia needed a spark and Starc delivered after taking the second new ball, dismissing Ramesh and Prabath Jayasuriya with consecutive deliveries as Smith claimed his 197th catch to move past Ricky Ponting’s record for Australia.

Newcastle United have held talks with a “great” player’s agent ahead of a potential move this summer, according to a fresh transfer claim.

Howe feeling positive amid Isak saga

The Magpies made a respectable start to their Premier League season, drawing 0-0 away to Aston Villa on Saturday, in a result that Eddie Howe would surely have taken before the game. The Newcastle manager has now spoken positively about the feel within the group, even though the Alexander Isak situation is still far from sorted.

“We had to change the narrative around us really because everything was negative and sometimes that can consume you. We’ve consistently had players here that have fought really hard for the club in difficult circumstances before and we’ve always come through as a better team for it. This is a unique situation and a difficult situation for the players to handle but today I think they were brilliant in their response.”

For Newcastle, it’s now a case of enjoying a strong end to the summer transfer window, looking to not only keep hold of Isak, but also signing further players after the weekend addition of Jacob Ramsey from Villa, with the likes of Yoana Wissa and Nicolas Jackson potential options.

Newcastle hold talks with Italian star's agent

In a new development, Newcastle are said to have made contact with Davide Frattesi’s agent over a move to St James’ Park this summer. It is going to be “very difficult” to get a deal over the line, with Inter Milan wanting to keep hold of an important midfielder.

This comes after a weekend claim that the Magpies had seen a bid for the 25-year-old rejected, when in fact, this new update suggests an offer is yet to be made.

Frattesi joining Newcastle does admittedly feel unlikely at this point, but if the situation does change, he could be a fantastic addition, helping boost Howe’s squad depth ahead of his side’s return to the Champions League.

The Italy international has been an impressive performer for Inter, winning one Serie A title and helping them reach last season’s Champions League final, while the legendary Roberto Baggio has praised him in the past.

“I didn’t follow much on the transfer market, but two moves stuck in my mind. The first is Tonali ‘s move to Newcastle, which I didn’t expect. Milan lose a lot without him. The other is Frattesi’s move to Inter, because he’s a player I like and follow. This is a great coup.”

More exciting than Wissa & Ramos: Newcastle ready huge bid to sign PL star

Newcastle could sign a more exciting player than Wissa and Ramos in the final weeks of the window.

1 ByMatt Dawson Aug 18, 2025

If Newcastle can sign Frattesi, keep Isak and also bring in another striker to make up for the loss of Callum Wilson, a disappointing summer would suddenly feel very productive.

Spencer Johnson is building some good memories of the SCG. For his second consecutive outing there he walked away as player of the match as a career-best 5 for 26 sealed the T20I series against Pakistan.They were the best figures by an Australia men’s quick in T20Is, moving above James Faulkner’s 5 for 27 also against Pakistan in Mohali in 2016, and it follows his title-winning performance in last season’s BBL final against Sydney Sixers where he claimed 4 for 26. Throw in 3 for 28 also against Sixers in early 2023, and he has 12 wickets at 6.66 in T20s at the ground.Related

• Maxwell sets up Australia win in seven-over thrash

• Johnson five-for headlines nervy win as Australia take series

“That doesn’t really make any sense to be honest,” Johnson said of his figures on Saturday evening. “It’s nice to be back at the SCG. My last time here was the Big Bash final and the conditions were in the bowler’s favour.”Much like that BBL game, where he was struck for three boundaries off his four balls before turning things around, it wasn’t an ideal start in front of a crowd of 31,563 as his first ball went for five wides down the leg side and his third was taken first slip.But Johnson had confidence in himself, and in his second over removed Sahibzada Farhan. Then when he returned in the 10th over he put himself on a hat-trick with the wickets of Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha before making the decisive blow by removing Usman Khan for 52 when he was threatening to turn the game back Pakistan’s way.”I’ve played enough T20 cricket to know game to game you can have good games and bad games,” Johnson said. “A lot of time it’s through no fault of your own. You can mis-execute. But I knew tonight I had three overs to bounce back. I felt like the first over in that Big Bash final was a bit under pressure, and I was thinking back to that game and that I still had three overs to contribute to the team.”Johnson is among a group of Australian quick bowlers who fight for their opportunities in white-ball cricket when the big three of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are absent as they are for this series. With that trio having spoken of Test cricket being a priority, there could be a chance of some renewal in Australia’s first-choice T20 attack ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup following their Super Eight exit at this year’s tournament although Johnson is not expecting rapid change.”I know the big three will be here for a long time,” Johnson said. “They’re not going anywhere, they are only getting better. To be able to chop in and be part of the squad a lot more will only help me there. They are unbelievably durable and have done it for so long. They are definitely the benchmark.”Johnson, who missed the UK white-ball tour in September with a side strain, admitted that backing up game after game remained the challenge for him. He is expected to play the final T20I in Hobart on Monday which would make it four games in a row having also featured in the deciding ODI in Perth and has his sights set on a Sheffield Shield outing for South Australia before the BBL with Brisbane Heat.”The durability question mark is there for me, and, hopefully, the more I play the more durable I get.” he said. “I feel like the body’s getting there. It’s taken its time.”

Change has very much been afoot for Liverpool this summer, and Arne Slot’s managerial capacity will be put to a new kind of test as he prepares to defend the Premier League title he claimed in his first term at the helm.

Jurgen Klopp parted ways with Liverpool in 2024, and many expected his predecessor to fail in his place. When FSG’s new era failed to bring in significant transfer investment with the 2024/25 campaign kicking off, such concerns were magnified.

This hinges on Newcastle United’s ability to sign a replacement. The Magpies are fighting to sign RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, but they are fighting against Manchester United, who are pushing to win the race and concurrently strike a blow to Liverpool’s plans.

However, for all the Florian Wirtz’s and Hugo Ekitike’s and maybe Isak’s too, Slot also has command of one of European football’s most exciting up-and-comers.

And Rio Ngumoha is showcasing his potential to become a mainstay in the years to come.

Rio Ngumoha's potential at Liverpool

Ngumoha turned 16 one month ago, and already he’s establishing himself as an important part of Liverpool’s pre-season plans, starring against Preston North End before claiming an assist against AC Milan and scoring against Yokohama FM in Japan.

The silky winger’s performance against Milan, Serie A giants, was particularly striking: as per Sofascore, he complemented his assist with two key passes, three successful dribbles and four won duels.

But perhaps he truly came into his own against Yokohama, making mazy runs the (admittedly inferior) opponents knew not how to handle.

While Luis Diaz’s £65.5m sale to Bayern Munich has polarised the fanbase, there’s little question that Ngumoha has the potential to become a star every bit as bright down the line.

After the event, The Athletic’s James Pearce, who was in attendance, said, “This kid is a joy to watch.”

Liverpool discuss move for Diaz heir

Plenty of rumours have floated about in recent weeks, with speculation rife over Diaz’s future and who could be welcomed to the fold in his place.

But Fabrizio Romano has shed some concrete information on the matter, revealing to GIVEMESPORT that Lyon’s Malick Fofana has been discussed internally, although a bid or indeed talks have not yet started.

Everton have submitted a bid and are hopeful that they will add the 20-year-old Fofana to their ranks, but he is holding out for a club boasting Champions League football. A club like Liverpool.

Furthermore, Newcastle have registered their own interest this summer, with reports claiming it would take a £43m fee for Lyon to part with their prospect.

Why Liverpool want Malick Fofana

Fofana is only young, but he’s already demonstrated his quality. After the 2024/25 campaign, talent scout Jacek Kulig remarked that he’s “still a bit inconsistent, but already showing flashes of his enormous potential.”

And it’s that enormous potential which has charmed the Liverpool data analysts, for Fofana has caused quite the stir across his season-and-a-half with Lyon, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists across 64 matches.

Fofana would be a work in progress, for sure, but you can see why Liverpool fancy him as the successor to Diaz’s place in Slot’s squad. He’s got a goalscoring focus to his game, and he’s versatile too.

Malick Fofana vs Luis Diaz (past 365 days)

Stats (per 90)

Fofana

Diaz

Goals scored

0.47

0.48

Assists

0.21

0.15

Shots taken

1.84

2.52

Shot-creating actions

3.38

4.34

Goal-creating actions

0.60

0.53

Touches (att pen)

6.08

6.18

Pass completion

77.1%

83.5%

Progressive passes

2.44

3.95

Progressive carries

6.72

3.98

Successful take-ons

1.41

2.17

Tackles + interceptions

1.84

1.69

Data via FBref

However, with Cody Gakpo already on the left flank and with Ekitike’s high-speed running and controlled dribbling sure to be utilised on the left at times if Liverpool sign Isak, should they really be investing in such a player as Fofana when Ngumoha is pushing to make waves on the senior stage?

The English talent may only be young, but he’s got the makings of something special, so powerful and balanced on the ball, carrying the seeds of prolific potential.

Of course, neither player will provide the solution to the loss of Diaz’s experience, but might Fofana end up inhibiting Ngumoha’s development, just when he’s getting ready to take the next step?

Praised for his “electric” style by content creator Dev Bajwa, Fofana could prove a jackpot signing for the Reds, to be sure, with similarities to Diaz’s athletic approach to the game.

And, of course, there’s no reason why Ngumoha won’t have the chance to showcase his quality at some stage next season, even if Fofana were added to the fold, although such an addition would be an obvious obstacle to first-team opportunities.

And it’s clear, too, that the Belgium international has the potential to become something special in the Premier League, and it’s clear that Diaz does need replacing.

This is a nuanced issue, and one that sporting director Richard Hughes will have given a lot of heed to.

Liverpool have emerged as the leading club in England since Slot arrived at Anfield, so those of a Liverpool persuasion should have no problem entrusting their faith in the powers that be, whose judgment and shrewd planning have set the club up for another sustained period of success.

Related The new Salah: Liverpool agree personal terms to sign "world-class" star

Liverpool are preparing to sign a new forward as Luis Diaz leaves for Bayern Munich.

Posts 2 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 30, 2025

His extended tenure is likely to be beyond the end of the current World Test Championship cycle

Andrew Fidel Fernando29-Sep-2024

Sanath Jayasuriya was ready to give some throwdowns•AFP/Getty Images

Sanath Jayasuriya’s contract as men’s head coach is likely to be extended for a year, following his success with the Sri Lanka team over the past few months. The team has beaten India in an ODI series, won a Test at The Oval, and another in Galle against New Zealand since he took over as interim coach in early July.Sri Lanka Cricket had advertised the permanent head coach position following Chris Silverwood’s exit in late June. But with at least two of Sri Lanka’s three sides showing signs of improvement under Jayasuriya, SLC has initiated the process to bring Jayasuriya in on a longer term.”We are in the final stages of negotiating the contract with him,” board CEO Ashley de Silva told ESPNcricinfo. “Probably in the next two or three days you will get to hear more.”Related

Jayasuriya appointed Sri Lanka's interim head coach

Oval 1998 or Oval 2024? Jayasuriya chooses between two great Test wins

Jayasuriya had originally been appointed cricket consultant for one year in December last year, a role that would have mostly had him working with the High Performance Centre. But he traveled with the team to this year’s T20 World Cup, and subsequently took the head coach role.Under him, there have also been a T20I series loss against India, plus two Test defeats in England. But the successes have outweighed these. Sri Lanka are now in the hunt for a World Test Championship final place, and Jayasuriya’s next contract will take the team past the end of the ongoing cycle.Feedback from players has also been positive, with Angelo Mathews – the most experienced player in the Test side – having described Jayasuriya taking over the team as a “turning point”.”Sanath Jayasuriya was superb as cricket director and now as coach,” he said. “He communicates well and has given us a lot of freedom. We are all working towards one goal, and now everyone is on the same page. He’s also done a superb job grooming the players. He has been amazing. I wish him all the very best.”Jayasuriya had previously been chief selector in two different stints in the last decade, but these had largely been defined by modest performances from the men’s team. There has been more stability during his ongoing assignment, however.

ينتظر عشاق الكرة المصرية مباراة منتخب مصر القادمة أمام منافسه بوركينا فاسو، والتي تجمع بينهما ضمن لقاءات تصفيات إفريقيا المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026.

وتقام مباراة مصر ضد بوركينا فاسو، في إطار لقاءات الجولة الثامنة من التصفيات المؤهلة إلى مونديال 2026، على أرضية استاد 4 أغسطس.

ويخوض منتخب مصر اللقاء تحت قيادة المدير الفني حسام حسن، الذي يأمل في قيادة الفريق للفوز ومواصلة تصدر جدول ترتيب المجموعة، وحسم بطاقة التأهل إلى كأس العالم.

طالع.. إصابة لاعب منتخب مصر وغيابه عن مواجهة بوركينا فاسو

وتضم المجموعة الأولى كلًا من مصر، بوركينا فاسو، سيراليون، جيبوتي، إثيوبيا وغينيا بيساو، ويأمل الفراعنة في تعزيز صدارتهم والتأهل رسميًا إلى نهائيات كأس العالم.

ويتصدر منتخب مصر ترتيب المجموعة الأولى برصيد 19 نقطة من 7 مباريات، متفوقًا على بوركينا فاسو صاحب المركز الثاني بـ14 نقطة.

ويدرك الجهاز الفني لـ منتخب مصر أهمية اللقاء، حيث يتم حسم التأهل إلى كأس العالم مباشرة، حال الفوز وحصد النقاط الثلاثة. موعد مباراة مصر وبوركينا فاسو في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

وتنطلق المواجهة بين مصر وبوركينا فاسو، يوم 9 سبتمبر الجاري، في تمام الساعة السابعة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة مصر وبوركينا فاسو في تصفيات كأس العالم 2025

ومن المقرر أن تذاع مباراة مصر وإثيوبيا عبر قناة “أون سبورت 1″، وقناة SSC 1 HD وقناة MBC MASR 2.

Arsenal are now showing interest in signing a £100m+ forward, having scouted him extensively in recent months, according to a report.

Gunners eyeing new wingers in summer transfer window

Gabriel Martinelli has received criticism in recent times, with Jamie Carragher suggesting the Brazilian was one of the reasons the Gunners were unable to compete for the Premier League title.

However, the 23-year-old put in some improved performances towards the end of the campaign, with Gary Neville lauding his second-half display against Liverpool as “excellent”, and the left-winger appears to have caught the eye of one of Europe’s top clubs.

Indeed, there are now doubts over Martinelli’s future at the Emirates Stadium, with Barcelona believed to be interested in securing his signature, should the La Liga champions be unable to wrap up a deal for Liverpool star Luis Diaz.

Arsenal now keen on signing £70m PL striker who received offer from Chelsea

The Gunners could make a move for a Premier League forward, who has already been the subject of a bid from Chelsea.

ByDominic Lund Jun 2, 2025

The interest does not appear to be advanced as things stand, but should the Brazil international move on this summer, Mikel Arteta will need to bring in a replacement, and the manager could have a top-level option in mind.

That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which states Arsenal are now closely monitoring Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola, having scouted him extensively in recent months.

The champions of Europe have little interest in sanctioning a departure, however, which means it could be tricky to facilitate a deal, and Barcola is believed to be valued very highly, with the French club of the view he is worth around €100m -€120m (£84m – £101m).

Tottenham Hotspur are also in the race for the PSG star, but the Ligue 1 club are currently trying to tie him down to a new contract, which would ward off the interest from elsewhere.

Barcola needs starting role away from PSG

PSG secured their first Champions League in remarkable fashion against Inter Milan, thrashing the Italian giants 5-0 in Munich, and the French forward was lively after coming off the bench, albeit missing two big chances.

The PSG squad is stacked with talent, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ultimately getting the nod over the 22-year-old, but scout Jacek Kulig is a big fan, describing him as “one of Ligue 1’s absolute stars and one of the most exciting talents in Europe”.

That description is justified by the France international’s performance across a number of important attacking metrics over the past year, particularly impressing with his knack for picking up assists.

Statistic

Average per 90

Non-penalty goals

0.47 (89th percentile)

Assists

0.39 (92nd percentile)

Progressive carries

5.45 (91st percentile)

Touches (Att pen)

8.95 (99th percentile)

As such, Barcola could be a fantastic replacement for Martinelli, should Barcelona press ahead with a move for the Arsenal winger, but it could be very difficult to get a deal done, given PSG’s eagerness to extend his contract at the Parc des Princes.