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Robinson in the wickets as Sussex seal home quarter-final for Sussex

ECB Reporters Network19-Jul-2024

Daniel Hughes, seen in action for NSW, was in rampant form for Sussex•Getty Images

Sussex Sharks secured a home quarter-final in the Vitality Blast after thrashing Middlesex by nine wickets in front of a sell-out crowd at Hove.They leapfrogged Somerset, who lost heavily to Glamorgan in Cardiff, and back into second place after securing a ninth win in the South Group and will host the team who finish third in the North in the last eight when the competition resumes in September.The pitch at the 1st Central County Ground was being used for the third time but Middlesex’s 159 for 9 never looked like being enough and conditions were put into perspective by Sussex openers Harrison Ward and the Australian left-hander Daniel Hughes, who put on 141 in 15.1 overs, Sussex’s fourth highest stand for any wicket in T20.Hughes is now the top scorer in what is his debut season in the Blast after taking his aggregate to 560 runs with an unbeaten 96 while Ward, who had been drafted into the Hundred for the first time with Oval Invincibles earlier in the day, celebrated by easing to his third half-century in this season’s competition.Apart from a mix-up which nearly ended in Hughes being run out, the Sussex pair did much as they pleased until Ward was caught at deep mid-wicket for 56 (42 balls, 5 fours, 1 six).Hughes faced just 54 balls, hitting 12 fours and three sixes – the third to win the game with 22 deliveries to spare as he equalled his T20 career-best with his fourth fifty.Some disciplined bowling had set Sussex up. They had reduced Middlesex to 22 for 3 by the third over with Ollie Robinson picking up a wicket with the first ball of his first two overs. The dangerous Leus du Plooy was superbly caught at short-cover by Daniel Hughes and Danny Lamb produced an even better effort to remove Max Holden, flinging himself to his left to hang on to a full-blooded slash at backward point.Later in the same over Lamb put down a much more straightforward chance to reprieve Jack Davies on nought and had to go off with an injury to his right shoulder. It left Sussex a bowler light but slow left-armer James Coles (2 for 28) and off-spinner Jack Carson (2 for 23) strangled Middlesex’s attempts to accelerate, although Davies celebrated his reprieve by making 52.Davies hit four boundaries in an over off Scott Currie and also swiped three sixes but Carson got him in the 14th over courtesy of one of three catches on the mid-wicket boundary by Tom Clark.Luke Hollman made 28 at the end but Hughes and Ward soon had Sussex’s chase under control as Middlesex finished another disappointing campaign second from bottom after winning just three games.

وصل منتخب مصر الأول إلى بوركينا فاسو، استعدادًا للمباراة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.

وتقام مباراة مصر ضد بوركينا فاسو، يوم 9 سبتمبر الجاري، في إطار لقاءات الجولة الثامنة من التصفيات المؤهلة إلى مونديال 2026، على أرضية استاد 4 أغسطس.

ونشرت الصفحة الرسمية لـ منتخب مصر على “فيس بوك”، فيديو وصور من وصول بعثة المنتخب المصري إلي مدينة واجادوجو في بوركينا فاسو.

ومن المقرر أن يخوض منتخب مصر تدريبه الرئيسي غدا الاثنين في السابعة مساءً بتوقيت مصر- الرابعة بتوقيت بوركينا فاسو.

طالع | محمد الغزاوي: تذاكر مباراة مصر وبوركينا فاسو نفذت.. وطلبنا حراسة خاصة لـ محمد صلاح

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

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

وكان منتخب مصر، حقق الفوز على إثيوبيا، في لقاء الجولة السابعة التي أقيمت على ملعب استاد القاهرة مساء الجمعة الماضي، بهدفين دون رد.

If there is one thing Arsenal need to add to their squad ahead of next season, it’s goals.

Despite coming second in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta’s side scored 17 goals fewer than champions Liverpool and three fewer than third-placed Manchester City.

Fortunately, the club appear keen to address the problem this summer, as over the last few weeks, and particularly the last seven days, the Gunners have been linked with a host of incredible attacking talents.

One of those who has been heavily touted for a move to the Emirates for some time now is Benjamin Sesko, and while he would be a great addition to the team, another, potentially better signing has now been linked with the North Londoners.

Arsenal target attacking superstar

With the Gunners clearly lacking something in attacking areas compared to their competitors, it’s not been much of a surprise to see the club being linked with several brilliant goalscoring players in recent weeks, like Eberechi Eze and the aforementioned Sesko.

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The former has a release clause worth around £68m in his current deal, and while that’s no small fee, it feels about right for a 27-year-old Premier League-proven England international, who scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists in 43 games this season.

The latter could end up costing the North Londoners around £70m this summer, and like the Crystal Palace star, he enjoyed a strong campaign this season, scoring 21 goals and providing six assists in 45 appearances for RB Leipzig.

However, while the Slovenian international would be a good signing for Arteta and Co, another, even more exciting player has now been linked with the club: Morgan Rogers.

Yes, according to a recent report from The Athletic, Arsenal remain interested in the Aston Villa star and are currently ‘exploring’ a deal for him.

A potential price for the England international is not mentioned in the story, but according to stories from late last week, he could be available for around £70m this summer.

It might be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line for Arsenal, but Rogers has shown he’d be worth the effort, and we even think he’d be a more exciting signing than Sesko.

Why Rogers would be a better signing than Sesko

The first reason why Rogers could end up being a better signing for Arsenal than Sesko is that, although he’s also just 22 years old, he has already proven himself in the Premier League.

If the Gunners were fighting for a top-four finish, or even heading into their first title race, then perhaps signing a young and relatively unproven striker wouldn’t be such a concern.

However, that’s not the situation they find themselves in; instead, they need someone who can help them win something as soon as possible, which might not be possible if the Leipzig star needs half a year to settle in.

Moreover, while the Slovenian poacher could help solve Arteta’s centre-forward problem, that’s all he could help with.

In contrast, the “superb” Villa star, as dubbed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, is more than comfortable playing off either wing and in attacking midfield, which could provide the manager with so many tactical options.

Finally, when we take a look under the hood at the pair’s underlying numbers from this past season, it becomes even clearer that the former Manchester City youth product is the far more complete player.

For example, the 22-year-old “machine,” as dubbed by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, comes out on top in purely offensive metrics, such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists and key passes, as well as some defensive ones, including tackles won and blocks, all per 90.

Rogers vs Sesko

Statistics

Rogers

Sesko

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.42

0.40

Progressive Passes

3.55

1.74

Progressive Passes Received

5.43

5.34

Progressive Carries

3.29

1.78

Expected Assists

0.15

0.06

Key Passes

1.47

0.72

Passes into the Final Third

2.11

0.95

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.62

0.34

Shot-Creating Actions

3.04

1.93

Goal-Creating Actions

0.46

0.34

Tackles Won

0.64

0.11

Blocks

0.75

0.57

Interceptions

0.17

0.19

Carries into the Final Third

1.97

1.10

Carries into the Penalty Area

0.95

0.53

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

This demonstrates that, across the board, the Englishman could and almost certainly would contribute far more to the Gunners next season.

Therefore, while Arsenal should be looking to sign both Rogers and Sesko this summer, the former would undoubtedly be the better buy.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 1, 2025

USA allrounder calls for better facilities if the team is to improve on Super Eight achievements

Sidharth Monga23-Jun-20242:35

Knight: USA will be proud, but they need more help

The euphoria of beating Pakistan and qualifying for the Super Eight of T20 World Cup 2024 is now over. USA’s World Cup has ended with two resounding defeats on a slow surface in Barbados. While teams are naturally better prepared to face USA now, there is also an element of batters used to training indoors not adjusting quickly to a slower pitch. In both these matches, they made a decent start in the powerplay before falling apart in the middle overs.And according to Harmeet Singh, the USA allrounder, if the team is to improve between now and the next T20 World Cup in India in 2026, for which they have automatically qualified, they will need to improve their outdoors infrastructure.”For the whole group, we just need infrastructure to practise better, to train better,” Harmeet said. “We need the whole system in place. Trainers need to be able to work with us all year even if remotely. If you see England, Australia, all the destinations, they have incredible infrastructure in every state. Being indoors doesn’t help. We need a lot more outdoor set-ups, need good training facilities.Related

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“Stadiums are coming up, but the short-term goal should be building a lot of infrastructure for guys to be able to train so that the whole grassroot [cricketers get to train better] and our bench strength also builds with that. Playing franchise cricket will help, but it will help four, five, six guys who might play, but to build a cricket-playing nation, we need a lot more infrastructure.”The nature of the sport is that associate teams don’t get to play the amount of cricket that is required to get better. It can become a vicious cycle that ends up in underwhelming performances if you play straight in tournaments, which in turn leads to calls for World Cups to become smaller. To be able to play regularly against bigger opponents, you have to be a big commercial draw, which USA currently aren’t.Harmeet Singh wants an improvement in US facilities•Getty Images

However, Harmeet believes that the last month or so has helped cricket reach beyond the Asian diaspora, which is why it is all the more important for USA to capitalise on the current mood with the right infrastructure.”The cricketing community is large, especially in Texas where I come from, or New Jersey as well,” Harmeet said. “Seattle has a big cricket community. The West Coast, the overall California area, everywhere, there is a lot of cricket going on. It’s just that we don’t have enough turf practice facilities everywhere. We just have kids practising in indoors.”Let’s say being a professional cricketer [before moving to the US], I can manage going from indoors to outdoors. I know the differences. Kids when they practise indoors, they go outdoors straight away on turf pitches, and there’s no feet, nothing. So all that needs to change and hopefully, in the near future, we have a lot more practice facilities than just building grounds. Go to India or anywhere in a Test-playing nation, we have so many grounds to practise. All the academies are outdoor academies and then you go indoors [only] when it’s raining.”I know parents who spend a lot of money on their kids to train, but then the problem lies is when you are just doing indoors, the growth is standard, it’s not a lot of growth. And then when they go outdoors, the kids feel the heat. ‘Oh it’s hot.’ It’s supposed to be hot.”But it’s not just at the grassroots level, but at the top too, that USA need to catch this wave of momentum. “There’s a lot to learn and everybody has come a long way from where we started,” Harmeet said. “And then there’s a lot of confidence also in the team that we’ve battled against the best. And when we were at our best, we did push them to the line. So I think there’s so much to learn.”The work starts now,” he added. “Not tomorrow, the work starts now in our heads. We need to think how we are going to be at the 2026 World Cup. And then from now to then, the journey needs to be from us personally putting in the work and then USA Cricket also providing us lots and lots of games and training opportunities. And then franchise cricket [for those who can]. And then putting that preparation into the 2026 World Cup and get the best result.”

Leeds United have held talks to sign a £5m Premier League defender who shares the same representation as current goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

Meslier’s Leeds future up in the air after promotion

The Whites enjoyed a brilliant Championship campaign in 2024/25, winning the title in stoppage time on the final day at Plymouth Argyle.

Daniel Farke’s side reached 100 points from their 46 games, but that tally could have been so much more without errors from Meslier. His injury-time blunder away at Sunderland, shaky display against Hull City and mistakes against Swansea City cost Leeds six points.

Farke dropped the Frenchman for the final seven games, with Karl Darlow coming in as Leeds won six of their last seven, keeping five clean sheets in the process.

Meslier’s future at Elland Road is thought to be in doubt, with Leeds on the search for a new first-choice keeper and will offer the Frenchman to other clubs during the summer transfer window.

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Posts 1 ByDan Emery Jun 18, 2025

The likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone have been linked with moves to Leeds to replace Meslier, but by the looks of things, Leeds are talking to the goalkeeper’s Gol International agency about another client – Alex Moreno.

Leeds open talks for Aston Villa’s Alex Moreno

According to Football Insider, Leeds have opened preliminary talks to sign Aston Villa left-back Moreno this summer.

The Whites have made contact over a transfer, with Villa ready to move the 32-year-old on following his loan spell at Nottingham Forest in 24/25.

The Spaniard made 19 appearances for Forest last season, and a new left-back is among the top priorities at Elland Road with Junior Firpo on course to re-join Real Betis following the expiration of his Leeds contract.

Moreno has been valued at £5m by Villa, and clubs in Spain are also working to land the left-back ahead of Leeds.

He actually made his Villa debut under Unai Emery against Leeds back in 2023, and the Villa manager has described the full-back’s speed as his best attribute.

Regular game time at left-back appears to be on the cards at Leeds with Firpo on course to leave, so that could be something that appeals to Moreno.

Manchester United are in the market for talent with the hunger to improve their squad and could look to an England Under-21 international amid his reported affordability this summer.

Manchester United hard at work on summer signings

With Matheus Cunha already through the door at Old Trafford, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo could be next on the list for the Red Devils as Ruben Amorim looks to sharpen his blunt attack ahead of the new campaign.

However, there could also be movement down the other end of the pitch, with former scout Mick Brown hinting that Manchester United will step up their transfer pursuit of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on the assumption that they are able to sell Andre Onana.

He stated: “Man United have made it clear they would like to sign Martinez. They’ll take whatever they can get for Onana, and then they’ll make contact with Aston Villa and see if they can get a deal over the line.

“He’s seen as a huge upgrade on Onana so they’re prepared to take a hit to get things moving. If Man United could swap Onana for Martinez tomorrow, they’d jump at it. Martinez is in his 30s now, but he’s a very capable goalkeeper and they’re not concerned about that.“

Atalanta’s Marco Carnasecchi is also in the frame to replace Onana, with the Red Devils prepared to submit a £43 million bid to land the Italy Under-21 international.

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Despite their poor Premier League position last term, Manchester United have certain pulling power that is hard to ignore for prospective recruits, as witnessed with the likes of Cunha and potentially, Mbeumo.

Now, Amorim will hope to put that to good use amid recent reports associating the Red Devils with a move for a talented English midfielder.

Manchester United discover Hayden Hackney price-tag

According to EFL Analysis, in a conversation with journalist Graeme Bailey, Manchester United have watched Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney Hackney alongside almost every other club in the English top-flight due to his standout displays at the Riverside Stadium.

Providing further insight, Bailey has claimed that the England Under-21 international could be available for as little as £20 million this summer, though there is potential for £25 million being needed before the prospect of a switch could be seriously considered.

“Hayden Hackney obviously does have a lot of interest from some teams in Europe and in England there are a host of clubs who have watched him; there isn’t a single Premier League club who hasn’t watched Hackney,” said Bailey.

“He’s doing well and Middlesbrough will have a price on him. If someone comes in with £20-25m it’ll be very hard for Middlesbrough to turn that down. It’s pure profit. There is an awful lot of interest in him. Obviously he is at the U21 Euros with England now and doing well there. Do I expect Hackney to still be at Boro come September? I’d be surprised at this point if he was still there.

“So yes, I do expect Hackney will go. The likes of Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, Man United, and West Ham have watched him.”

Hayden Hackney’s key statistics in 2024/25 – EFL Championship (Fotmob)

Chances created

66

Successful dribbles

39

Touches in opposition penalty area

73

Tackles won

56

Recoveries

281

Hackney – called “exciting” and “one of the finest midfielders outside the Premier League” by pundit Carlton Palmer – registered five goals and three assists in 44 appearances across all competitions last campaign, though was powerless to stop Middlesbrough being unable to make the playoff berths.

Nevertheless, his displays haven’t gone unnoticed, and Manchester United may feel they can bring some youthful exuberance to an ageing engine room should they secure his signature.

Fending off competition from other clubs is always a tough task. However, Amorim’s men have proven they can do that already in the window, so it wouldn’t be a major shock if they were to repeat the trick with Hackney.

Surrey loanee the spark with the ball as Gloucestershire ship 13 wickets in the day

ECB Reporters Network25-Jun-2024

On-loan Conor McKerr took five wickets in the day as Yorkshire wrapped up a first win of 2024•Getty Images for Surrey CCC

Yorkshire 456 (Bean 164, Lyth 129, Singh Dale 3-70) beat Gloucestershire 197 (Revis 3-30, Thompson 3-37) and 237 (Akhter 70, Hill 3-43, McKerr 3-48) by an innings and 22 runsYorkshire claimed 13 wickets in the day to wrap up a three-day innings-and-22-run victory over Gloucestershire at Scarborough – their first of this season’s Vitality County Championship.At the eighth attempt, Yorkshire recorded a 22-point haul to breathe life into a promotion push which has struggled to get out of the blocks since being labelled as Division Two title favourites before a ball was bowled in April.This performance, with bat and ball, was one which indicated such a pedigree.Gloucestershire, replying to a first-innings 456, started day three on 168 for 7 in their first innings and were made to follow-on 259 runs in arrears having been bowled out for 197. Seam bowling allrounders Jordan Thompson and Matthew Revis finished with three wickets apiece.The visitors, who suffered their second defeat in eight, started their second innings at midday and were bowled out for 237 after tea. Seamer Zaman Akhter hit a consolatory career best 70.On-loan Surrey fast bowler Conor McKerr, making his Championship debut for Yorkshire, impressed by taking five wickets in the day – two at the end of the first innings and three more in the second. He was on a hat-trick twice and claimed the winning wicket.Despite losing Ben Charlesworth, bowled by Vishwa Fernando in the second over, Gloucestershire made an encouraging start to their second innings.They reached 55 for 1 thanks to Cameron Bancroft and Ollie Price, who were in determined mood. But, just as they did on day two in striking five times late in the day, Yorkshire remained patient and took their chance when it arrived.Price, Bancroft and James Bracey all fell in the space of five afternoon overs, leaving the score at 73 for 4 in the 28th over.Price edged Revis to fourth slip to fall for 27 before Bancroft, on 26, was trapped lbw by a big in-swinger from George Hill. And then came a catch which will be a strong contender for the best of the summer anywhere on the county circuit as Adam Lyth helped Sri Lankan overseas Fernando oust Bracey.Gloucestershire’s wicketkeeper-batter aimed a pull at the left-arm quick but could only cue-end it to Lyth’s left at second slip. Diving full-length to his left, Lyth held a one-handed stunner to continue a memorable game for the veteran on his home ground having scored 129 in the first innings amidst an opening partnership of 307 with Fin Bean, who made 164.When captain Graeme van Buuren edged a drive behind at Thompson – 82 for 5 in the 33rd over – the writing was on the wall for Gloucestershire.So it proved. McKerr struck twice in two balls late in the afternoon to get Miles Hammond caught at leg-slip off a gloved pull and Ed Middleton caught at second slip.Earlier in the day, Surrey’s McKerr helped polish off Gloucestershire’s tail in the first innings, finishing with figures of 2 for 28 from 17.3 overs. In the second innings, he returned 3 for 48 from 11.4 overs.Hill claimed the seventh wicket of the afternoon in its closing stages, Beau Webster caught behind for 30 to leave Gloucestershire 158 for 8.Akhter gave the visitors some cheer with three sixes off Dom Bess’s offspin. One, reverse-swept over cover, was fabulous and he reached his fifty off 54 balls in the early evening. He shared 58 for the ninth wicket with Dom Goodman to hold things up before being bowled by Hill.McKerr then had Ajeet Singh Dale caught behind down leg to seal victory. Goodman finished with a career best unbeaten 38.Yorkshire wrapped up Gloucestershire’s first innings, which resumed on 168 for 7, inside the opening 50 minutes of the play. Thompson added his third wicket of the innings – Akhter caught at first slip – before McKerr wrapped things up.McKerr has been with the county for the last few weeks, playing four times in the Vitality Blast. A peripheral figure at the Kia Oval, he trapped Goodman lbw and had Singh Dale caught at mid-on next ball.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin on course to depart as a free agent, Everton are now reportedly keeping a close eye on an impressive striker who Erling Haaland believes is “incredibly talented”.

Calvert-Lewin set to leave Everton

After nine years at the club, Calvert-Lewin remains on course to leave at the end of his current contract this month. Everton confirmed that they are still in talks with his representatives, but a resolution at this stage does not seem likely. The Toffees, instead, must turn their focus towards replacing their forward or perhaps even finding the perfect upgrade.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Everton record (via Transfermarkt)

Appearances

273

Goals

71

Assists

22

The 28-year-old’s best work undoubtedly came under Carlo Ancelotti, as is the case for most players, but he hasn’t been able to reach the same quality ever since. Without the Italian, the forward’s Everton career can be summed up by looking at a frustrating injury history which often stood in the way of a talented forward ever truly reaching his potential.

In need of a replacement, the Toffees have already been linked with moves for the likes of Hamza Igamane from Rangers and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Evan Ferguson. The latter would be a like-for-like replacement for Calvert-Lewin given his stature and ability to use that stature to his advantage whilst possessing an impressive technical ability.

In many ways, Ferguson would be a throwback to the player that Calvert-Lewin once was – a young, tall forward full of potential. The Irishman will be desperate to head down a more successful path, however, and getting his career back on track by joining David Moyes in Merseyside may be the perfect first step.

Alternatively, Everton could also turn their attention towards a Bundesliga talent who has already earned high praise from the likes of Haaland and would replace Calvert-Lewin’s goalscoring prowess from the wing.

Everton keeping close eye on Nusa

As reported by Caught Offside, Everton are now keeping a close eye on Antonio Nusa. The RB Leipzig winger has shown glimpses of his talent since swapping Club Brugge for the German side and is now reportedly valued as high as €45m (£38m).

Whether Everton are in a position to pay that price is the big question. At 20 years old, there’s no doubt that Nusa has the potential to turn that price tag into a bargain deal in years to come.

The Leipzig star stole the headlines whilst on international duty with Norway recently when he scored a sensational goal against Italy and it’s not the first time that he’s impressed for his country.

Just last year, Nusa earned impressive praise from Haaland. The Norway forward and Manchester City star told reporters: “He’s exceptional. We need to be careful not to put too much pressure on him, even though he’s incredibly talented. His continued development is what matters most.”

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The praise in Norway doesn’t get much higher than that. Simply put, Nusa is not someone that Everton should want to miss out on this summer.

Arsenal are now keen on signing a Premier League striker who has a £70m asking price, with his club now willing to sanction a departure this summer, according to a report.

Gunners' striker pursuit rumbles on

There have been persistent calls for Mikel Arteta to sign a striker for quite some time now, although Ian Wright has stressed the importance of signing the right player, rather than rushing into any decision.

The Gunners legend said: “I think that the worry [for Arsenal] more than anything is that you can go out there and pay 60, 70, 80 for a striker and it doesn’t work. I don’t think Arsenal can afford to get that striker that doesn’t hit the ground running for them.

“They have to get the one that they want, and maybe that is what Mikel is doing, and in the meantime, he’s trying to get by and again we’ve fallen short of it.”

With the summer transfer window now rapidly approaching, there is certainly no shortage of options on the shortlist, with recruitment chiefs searching far and wide for a new forward, who could be the final piece of the jigsaw for Arteta’s side.

Target

Current club

Potential cost

Benjamin Sesko

RB Leipzig

£70m

Viktor Gyokeres

Sporting CP

£67m

Hugo Ekitike

Eintracht Frankfurt

£84m

Julian Alvarez

Atletico Madrid

£126m

There are also options from within the Premier League, however, and a report from The Sun has revealed Arsenal are now keen on signing Brighton & Hove Albion striker Joao Pedro, with the Seagulls willing to cash-in for £70m this summer.

Newcastle United and Aston Villa are also credited with an interest in Pedro, while Chelsea are known to have made a £51m bid for the forward recently, with the Blues still looking to sign a striker despite advancing towards a deal for Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.

"Special" Pedro enjoyed impressive 24/25 campaign

It could make sense for Arsenal to bring in a striker who is already proven in the Premier League, and the Brighton star fits the bill in that regard, having picked up ten goals and six assists in 27 matches during the 2024-25 campaign.

Presenter Sam Ucko has also been left impressed by the Brazilian in the past, describing him as a “special player”, who will “go to the very top”.

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That said, there are doubts over whether the 23-year-old would be capable of taking Arsenal’s attack to the next level, given that he is not an out-and-out striker, ranking in just the 19th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year.

Instead, it may be suitable to bring in a striker who is clinical in front of goal, and the Gunners have now agreed personal terms with Gyokeres, who scored 39 goals in 33 games for Liga Portugal title-winners Sporting CP.

On a day of goodbyes for Manchester United, there was a small insight into what will hopefully be a brighter future under Ruben Amorim, following a deserved 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday evening.

Free from the shackles of expectation, the Red Devils were in positive mood right from the off despite the backdrop of their midweek disappointment, with Mason Mount twice going close in the opening exchanges.

The hope of signing off this wretched Premier League campaign with a win was then bolstered even further following Emi Martinez’s dismissal on the stroke of half-time, with the Argentine foolishly barging into the onrushing Rasmus Hojlund on what could be his final outing for the Midlands side.

After enduring a shaky moment of their own at that same end after the break, involving a controversial call on Altay Bayindir, the wasteful hosts eventually made the breakthrough at Old Trafford following a fine header from Amad Diallo at the backpost. The provider? Well, Bruno Fernandes, of course.

A subsequent foul on Amad then allowed Christian Eriksen the chance to end his United career with a goal from the penalty spot, with the veteran Dane set to depart at the expiry of his contract, alongside Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans.

That experienced trio could be among the first departures of what is expected to be a hectic summer in Manchester. Could the aforementioned Hojlund also be on his way?

Rasmus Hojlund's game in numbers vs Villa

If ever there was a game to epitomise Hojlund’s campaign, it was this one, with the 22-year-old showcasing real endeavour and the odd flash of quality, albeit while still lacking that vital end product.

The Denmark international did play his part in Martinez’s red card, although it remains to be seen whether he would have scored had the Villa ‘keeper not intervened, with United’s number nine taking a particularly wayward touch regardless.

As for the second half, the former Atalanta man – who did tee up Mount’s header early on – failed to capitalise on a Kobbie Mainoo pullback as his poor touch wasted a gilt-edged chance, with it having looked at that stage that the home side would again fire a blank in front of goal.

That luckless outing from United’s number nine also saw a well-taken header ruled out for offside, with Hojlund left looking to the heavens as he remained on just four league goals for the season and only ten in total.

As already stated, there were signs of life up against the Champions League hopefuls, although with reports suggesting that a return to Serie A could be on the cards, time may be up for United’s £64m signing.

Rasmus Hojlund’s key stats vs Aston Villa

Stat

Record

Minutes played

81

Touches

19

Shots

1

Goals

0

Big chances missed

1

Big chances created

1

Key passes

2

Pass accuracy

60%

Successful dribbles

0

Total duels won

4/9

Stats via Sofascore

The same, it must be said, should also be true of his floundering teammate, Bayindir.

Why Altay Bayindir needs to be sold

The ruthless nature of the Red Devils’ upcoming window has been epitomised by reports that Alejandro Garnacho will be up for sale, with the 20-year-old winger having been left out of Sunday’s win – as was Andre Onana.

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With uncertainty also surrounding the future of the Cameroonian, this was an opportunity for his understudy to stake his claim. Once again, the Turkish star failed to do so in almost comical fashion.

It was only last month that the former Fenerbahce man was thrown into the mix at St James’ Park, with Onana having been left out of proceedings, only to ultimately ship four himself, while gifting the ball to the home side for the game’s final goal.

Having since also shipped six goals against Brentford and West Ham United combined, the 27-year-old was surprisingly given what should well be a final chance on Sunday, despite journalist Samuel Luckhurst previously suggesting that he should actually be behind Tom Heaton in the goalkeeping pecking order.

That viewpoint was corroborated further by Bayindir’s display against the Villans, with the “lucky” stopper – as described by Luckhurst – failing to grab hold of the ball following Harry Maguire’s backwards header, with Morgan Rogers then pouncing to score.

Controversially – and fortunately for Bayindir – the whistle had blown for a foul before Rogers’ effort had hit the back of the net, with Villa denied what would have been a vital goal against the run of play.

It would have summed up United’s season for a promising performance to be undone by a goalkeeping gaffe, although the officials had something else in mind, sparing Bayindir’s blushes in the process.

The £4.3m addition did go on to make a handful of pivotal saves late on, although his nervousness was illustrated with a dismal parry into the air following Youri Tielemans’ strike, having again provided no assurity for the defenders ahead of him.

With United on the hunt for a new goalkeeper and Bayindir tipped for an exit, this most recent display – which earned him a 5/10 rating from Luckhurst – should well be the final outing of his forgettable Old Trafford adventure.

Of course, there will always be that night at the Emirates, and the Turk’s penalty saving heroics, although it is hard not to look past the litany of mistakes he has made both before and since – not least conceding directly from a Heung-min Son corner in the Carabao Cup defeat to Spurs.

In truth, this is a squad that is in dire need of upgrading. The best place to start would be at either end of the pitch…

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Posts ByRobbie Walls May 25, 2025