Tag Futebol

Glasgow Rangers are back in action in the Scottish Premiership at Ibrox on Saturday after the end of the international break, but it remains to be seen who will be in the dugout.

The Light Blues parted ways with their last head coach after their last league match before the break, and Rangers have yet to agree a deal with a replacement.

As shown in the graphic above, the Gers endured a dismal start to the 2025/26 campaign, winning just five of their 17 matches, and they have to find a manager who can turn their fortunes around.

Rangers have held talks with English tactician

Steven Gerrard has withdrawn from contention to be the next Gers manager, after talks with the club, which means that they now have to look elsewhere for a Russell Martin replacement.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

According to TEAMtalk, Rangers have held talks with former Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick as part of their process to find their next boss.

The English tactician, who left Boro at the end of last season, has had discussions with the Ibrox giants over a potential move to Scotland, and would not cost a penny in compensation.

TEAMtalk adds, though, that Danny Rohl, Kieran McKenna, and Rafael Wicky are also contenders for the role, as the Light Blues look for an alternative to Gerrard.

Why Rangers should appoint Michael Carrick

Carrick would be an intriguing option for the Scottish giants to go for because he has the potential to get Ibrox rocking again with his style of play and history in the game.

Rangers supporters could get behind the English tactician because he had an illustrious playing career, unlike Martin, winning five Premier League titles with Manchester United, making 464 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

This means that he can bring a winning mentality to the club even if his coaching career has not started in a similar vein, as he impressed with Middlesbrough on a “limited budget”, as Mark Schwarzer put it.

League finish

8th

10th

xPTS (Expected league finish)

73 (5th)

71 (6th)

xG

69.5

67.4

xGA

55.0

56.4

xGD

+14.5

+11.3

As you can see in the table above, the results that Carrick’s team picked up did not quite get the rewards that his coaching deserved, which suggests that he did not have the quality of player that he needed to achieve real success down south.

If Rangers are happy with their recruitment work in the summer, the Light Blues may feel that they have the players to make the most of the former Manchester United star’s impressive and attack-minded coaching.

Carrick, who was hailed as an “insanely talented coach” by former Boro player Lukas Engel, has also shown that he can develop and get the best out of young players, like Morgan Rogers.

The England international explains in the clip above that the head coach helped him to take the next step in his development as a young player.

Rogers was valued at £1.5m by Transfermarkt at the time of his move to Boro from Manchester City. At the time of writing (14/10/2025), the 23-year-old star is valued at a whopping £48m by Transfermarkt.

This shows that Carrick can help to develop big-money talent, which aligns with the club’s strategy to bring in and improve young players, which is why another reason why he could be a fantastic appointment.

Overall, the 44-year-old head coach could get Ibrox rocking because his success and reputation in the game would command respect, and he is a manager who has shown that he can coach attacking football at Middlesbrough on a ‘limited budget’.

Tottenham now in contact to sign "complete" fast winger ahead of Rangers

He would be one for the future for Spurs.

ByHenry Jackson Oct 12, 2025

It will now be interesting to see if the Light Blues decide to seriously pursue an agreement with Carrick or if they go elsewhere, with Rohl, McKenna, or Wicky.

خسر منتخب الإمارات تحت 17 عامًا أمام نظيره كرواتيا في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية لدور المجموعات في بطولة كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا، التي تُقام حاليًا في الدوحة.

وجاءت المباراة التي انطلقت في الساعة الخامسة وربع مساء بتوقيت القاهرة، صعبة على المنتخب الإماراتي، حيث انتهى الشوط الأول بتقدم كرواتيا بهدفين، أحرزهما تينز كوزانوفيتش في الدقيقة 30 وجابريال سافيتش في الدقيقة 36، قبل أن يختتم رادوس الثلاثية في الدقيقة 89 من المباراة.

طالع.. ترتيب مجموعة تونس في كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا بعد الخسارة أمام الأرجنتين

بهذه النتيجة، تصدر منتخب كرواتيا ترتيب المجموعة الثالثة برصيد 4 نقاط، فيما توقف رصيد منتخب الإمارات عند نقطة واحدة محتلاً المركز الأخير.

وتقع الإمارات في المجموعة الثالثة إلى جانب منتخبات كرواتيا والسنغال وكوستاريكا، في البطولة التي تُقام خلال الفترة من 3 إلى 28 نوفمبر الجاري في قطر. ترتيب مجموعة الإمارات في كأس العالم للناشئين

1 – كرواتيا 4 نقاط

2 – السنغال نقطة

3 – كوستاريكا نقطة

4 – الإمارات نقطة

Liverpool centre-forward Hugo Ekitike stole the headlines for the right and the wrong reasons in the club’s 2-1 win over Southampton in the League Cup on Tuesday night.

The France U21 international came off the bench to grab the winning goal against the Championship outfit, slotting into the back of the an empty net from Federico Chiesa’s ball across the box.

Unfortunately, the former Eintracht Frankfurt striker turned a joyous moment into a sour one, taking his shirt off to celebrate and earning himself a second yellow card in the process.

Ekitike will now be unavailable for Arne Slot when the Premier League champions travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Dutch head coach, as evidenced by his comments in the clip above, was less than pleased with his striker’s decision to take his shirt off after the goal.

Parking the silly red card to the side for a moment, Ekitike’s goal off the bench was reminiscent of former Reds forward Daniel Sturridge, who was an excellent super sub for the club.

Liverpool's best goalscoring substitutes of all time

The Reds have had some terrific goalscoring substitutes over the years, whether that has been a key player coming off the bench to make an impact on the rare occasion that they did not start, or a designated impact player who consistently contributed in cameos.

Sturridge played both of those roles at different times in his Liverpool career. He started off as a key player in the Brendan Rodgers era, forming a lethal front three with Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling, but was more of an impact substitute in the Jurgen Klopp era.

Thanks to his cameos off the bench, largely under Klopp, the former England international currently ranks fourth in the all-time rankings for goals off the bench as a Liverpool player.

David Fairclough

18

Roberto Firmino

16

Mohamed Salah

14

Daniel Sturridge

13

Ryan Babel

12

Divock Origi

12

Diogo Jota

9

Steven Gerrard

8

Darwin Nunez

8

Djibril Cisse

7

As you can see in the table above, Sturridge only sits behind three players in the all-time rankings, two of them being Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, who were always key players but made their way up the list through longevity.

David Fairclough, who left the club in 1983 and may not be too familiar to many supporters in the current day, leads the list with a staggering 18 goals off the bench.

Sturridge was mainly a substitute during his time under Klopp in the Premier League, but was still able to contribute by playing his role well off the bench, making an impact on a regular basis as a substitute.

Whilst it was Ekitike who came off the bench in Sturridge fashion to score the winner against Southampton, it was one of the players who started the game who could be Slot’s own version of the English striker.

Chalkboard

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

Federico Chiesa has not had too many opportunities to shine as a starter for the Reds since his move to the club from Juventus last year, but he caught the eye with an impressive showing against Southampton on Tuesday night.

Why Federico Chiesa can be Liverpool's next Daniel Sturridge

The Italy international started on the right flank for Liverpool and played a crucial role in the win for the home side, assisting Alexander Isak and Ekitike’s goals.

As shown in the clip above, Chiesa did brilliantly to read and intercept Alex McCarthy’s sloppy pass out from the back to get there before Josh Quarshie to tee Isak up for a simple finish.

The Italian forward later made a fantastic darting run in behind the Saints defence before unselfishly laying the ball off to Ekitike to score the winner by tapping the ball into an empty net.

Minutes

90

Pass accuracy

81%

Key passes

4

Big chances created

4

Assists

2

Dribbles completed

2/4

Duels won

5/8

Chiesa created a stunning four ‘big chances’ in the 90 minutes, per Sofascore, which is more ‘big chances’ than any Liverpool player has created in five Premier League matches so far this season.

The right-sided attacker is unlikely to take a starting spot off superstar Mohamed Salah, but the quality he has displayed when called upon suggests that Slot should utilise his talent off the bench more often.

Chiesa, as shown in the clip above, made a big impact off the bench in the Premier League earlier this season with a crucial goal against Bournemouth, putting his side 3-2 up in the match in the 88th minute.

The 27-year-old attacker only played six times in the top-flight last term, starting one game, but his form in limited minutes suggests that he deserves more opportunities to shine off the bench and become the new Sturridge as an impact substitute for Liverpool.

As writer Bence Boscak stated, Chiesa is “making an impact every time” he plays for the Reds with his quality off the bench or as a starter when selected. His return of seven goals and assists combined in 603 minutes for the club proves that.

The Italy international was unfortunate that one of his big moments off the bench meant very little in the end after he came off the bench to score in the League Cup final last season, only for it to end with a 2-1 win for Newcastle United.

Saved by Ekitike: Slot must drop 5/10 Liverpool star who lost the ball 15x

Liverpool left it late once again as they beat Southampton to advance to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 24, 2025

The former Fiorentina star has shown that he can make a big impact when called upon, which is why Slot must continue to provide him with opportunities to shine in a Liverpool shirt, which will put him on course to become the new Sturridge at Anfield.

Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee could be on the move this January, with Serie A side Como reportedly exploring a deal for the Dutchman. Manager Cesc Fabregas’ ambitious project is said to view Zirkzee as an ideal attacking addition, and United are open to either a loan or permanent transfer midway through the current Premier League season.

Zirkzee without minutes at Man Utd under Amorim

Zirkzee has found playing time hard to come by under Ruben Amorim, featuring only as a substitute in all four of his appearances this season. Despite joining United for £36.5 million just 14 months ago, the Dutch striker has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford. Report suggest United would now consider offers in January, including a loan deal or outright sale.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportComo show interest in January Zirkzee move

Cesc Fabregas’ Como have been credited with interest as per The Sun, as the Italian club aim to strengthen their frontline and push toward the top half of Serie A. Juventus, who tracked Zirkzee last summer, are also monitoring developments. Fabregas reportedly views the 24-year-old as the perfect profile for his dynamic, possession-based setup.

Zirkzee has struggled to shine at Man Utd

The Netherlands international arrived from Bologna after firing them into the Champions League with 11 goals but has yet to make a lasting impact in England. Zirkzee has scored only seven times across 53 appearances for United, raising questions about his fit in Amorim’s system. With United’s attack underperforming, offloading the forward could also help fund reinforcements.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPZirkzee under contract at Old Trafford until 2029

Zirkzee remains under contract with Manchester United until 2029, giving the Red Devils leverage in any negotiations. Discussions over his future are expected to take place after the international break. If no breakthrough in game time arrives, a January return to Serie A with Como could suit all parties involved.

Smriti Mandhana had a poor WPL 2025, both as captain of a team that didn’t make the knockouts and as a batter with mediocre returns. WPL winners in 2024, RCB finished second-last this time, just above UP Warriorz, and that too on net run-rate.Mandhana’s demeanour at her final press conference of this season after an 11-run win against against Mumbai Indians, however, gave us a wise and pragmatic captain who had ended on a high, and not a sullen leader after a disappointing season. She became slightly philosophical, too, almost summoning the cricketing gods as she rued her team’s failure to clinched some of the crucial moments.”Yeah, we were just having a joke post the match that we started the season on a high, ended it on a high and midway we just lost somewhere,” Mandhana said after the game on Tuesday. “Pretty much that sums up our season. But yeah, having lost a lot of players from last season post the auction, definitely we had our thinking shoes on in between the auction and the season. But the way we started, I really thought that we are in it.”Related

• Mandhana, Wareham, Rana breach Brabourne fortress to deny MI top spot

The defending champions started with two wins before stuttering to five straight losses that cost them a knockout spot.Injuries to Asha Sobhana, Shreyanka Patil and Sophie Molineux, and Sophie Devine opting for a break didn’t help, and the big setback was that RCB didn’t win even one out of their four home games, in stark contrast to 2024 when they won three out of five in Bengaluru.What hurt them further was that at home, where local fans again filled the stands, RCB lost two matches by agonisingly close margins: by four wickets with one ball to spare to MI and then the Super Over loss to Warriorz.”I think in Bangalore, a lot of things didn’t go our way,” Mandhana said. “But I am really proud of the way the team showed the character. Losing a lot of close matches is not easy on a team and I think we lost first two to three matches, which were pretty close. But everyone was really positive, which is something I am really pleased [about] as a captain. You win or lose. Sometimes in franchise cricket, these things go your way, and you win it. But when it doesn’t go your way, and the team sticks together, that is a team for me.”5:25

Mel Jones: ‘Phenomenal’ Perry played a different sort of innings

What also didn’t work for RCB at home was the toss. Teams opted to chase as the league moved from Vadodara to Bengaluru to Lucknow to finally Mumbai, and with the lack of dew and big totals in the first innings, chasing teams won most matches.RCB, in their home leg, lost all four tosses and were inserted by oppositions. At their home stretch also came Mandhana’s own lean patch, which meant the team largely relied on No. 3 Ellyse Perry for the bulk of the runs. But their totals were never enough.Perry’s prolific run placed her second among the run-scorers this season and on top in the WPL overall.”Sometimes, there’s something called cricketing god, which I believe a lot in,” Mandhana said. “You do a lot of things right and in the last two or three overs, things don’t go your way. We won [the title] last year by winning those moments. And this year, in the first two matches in Bangalore, we couldn’t make those moments ours, which is, I feel, a turning point for us, especially the first two matches.”Looking back, I wouldn’t want to throw anyone under the bus saying that would have changed it. We all, together as a team, could have contributed a lot more. Me as a batter in the mid phase, I was not able to score a lot of runs.”I think especially the Bangalore leg, losing the toss, not many teams could actually put up more than 160, but we could do that only because the way she [Perry] batted out there. Just really good to have her around the team, around all the Indians as well, because [there’s] a lot to take from her, lot to learn from her. And I am sure a lot of people in the team watch her and try and take a lot of things from her. And I hope that it only goes well for Indian cricket because people like that make you work really hard.”Richa Ghosh struck at 175.57 in WPL 2025•BCCI

The other positive for RCB was the big hitting of Richa Ghosh, whose strike rate of 175.57 was the best in the team (minimum 30 balls faced). She smashed 13 sixes and 25 fours on her way to 230 runs off 131 balls. She ended the RCB campaign also in style, particularly when going after Shabnim Ismail. Ghosh scooped and reverse scooped Ismail and reverse swept Hayley Matthews for boundaries on her way to 36 off 22 on Tuesday.”She is just amazing to watch,” Mandhana said of Ghosh. “I have seen her grow throughout the last three seasons of WPL and with the Indian team. The way she can change the game single-handedly is a sight to watch. When she is out there, the other dugout can’t sit peacefully, and no equation is less or more for her.”I mean, for us to chase 223-odd runs [against Warriorz] and just losing by ten runs and the way she batted… For batters like us, we see the smaller side [of the boundary], but for batters like Richa, they just see the ball and hit with their power.”The variety of shots is something she has really worked on. People always just relate Richa with a lot of power, but the cuts, the reverse sweeps today, which she switch hit. A lot of things have gone in, a lot of work, and her work ethics have been really good for the past year. [I am] really happy for her, and I hope she keeps going because [Ghosh] batting like that is amazing signs for Indian cricket.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Para quem buscou tentar buscar “passar pano” para a atuação do Palmeiras diante do Santos, no último sábado, basta acompanhar as entrevistas de Luan e João Martins após a partida. Ambos foram bastante incisivos ao analisarem o desempenho do Verdão no empate em 0 a 0, na Vila Belmiro. O resultado não somente exemplificou o que foi o desempenho palmeirense, mas também permite com que os rivais se aproximem na classificação do Brasileirão. Esses últimos tropeços devem fazer falta lá na frente.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasGómez passa por avaliação no hospital, mas retorna para São Paulo com o PalmeirasPalmeiras21/05/2023BrasileirãoVÍDEO: Assista aos melhores lances do empate em 0 a 0 de Santos e Palmeiras pelo BrasileirãoBrasileirão21/05/2023PalmeirasJoão Martins evita colocar atuação ruim do Palmeiras na conta do cansaço: ‘Não conseguimos nos adaptar ao contexto do jogo’Palmeiras21/05/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Tanto o zagueiro quanto o auxiliar de Abel Ferreira descartaram colocar a culpa do mau desempenho na conta de outros fatores que não fossem o próprio jogo. Luan não escondeu que não gostou do que o time fez. Ele bateu na tecla da lentidão nas saídas de bola e na falta de inspiração no ataque. Já João, que criticou o campo, descartou a questão do cansaço e falou abertamente da falta de capacidade da equipe em se adaptar ao que a partida pedia. Para ele, os jogadores não conseguiram perceber que não era ocasião para propor ou impor um padrão de jogo.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

O excesso de jogadas individuais e a insistência em carregar a bola foram fatores que também se juntaram a esses citados pelos personagens palmeirenses. Assim como o dia ruim de Dudu, que até tentou mais do que os outros, mas errou muito, ou como Raphael Veiga, que praticamente desapareceu no duelo e fez uma de suas piores atuações em muitos meses. Não é exagero dizer também que o Santos teve uma “pegada” maior. Quando um jogador do Palmeiras pegava na bola, pelo menos três santistas já estavam no lance para tentar recuperar a posse.

continua após a publicidade

A verdade é que os times poderiam jogar 500 minutos, que a bola não balançaria a rede, tamanha a falta de inspiração de ambos. Mas o resultado não era ruim para o Santos, foi ruim apenas para o Verdão, que briga pela liderança do Brasileirão. Seu adversário direto neste momento, o Botafogo, venceu o clássico contra o Fluminense e subiu para 18 pontos. Com a vitória, o Alviverde chegaria a 17, um a menos, porém ficaria próximo do líder. Com o empate, acabou ficando com apenas 15 pontos, três atrás do Fogão.

Não precisamos ir muito longe para buscar uma atuação ruim do Alviverde. No rodada anterior do campeonato, diante do Bragantino, o desempenho também foi ruim. Naquele dia, porém, o time de Abel Ferreira conseguiu abrir o placar com muito custo. O problema é que alguns minutos depois sofreu o empate e acabou saindo de campo com apenas um ponto no Allianz Parque. Ou melhor, com menos dois pontos.

continua após a publicidade

+ Luan analisa erros do Palmeiras no clássico e lamenta atuação ruim: ‘Queríamos os três pontos’

Aquele já era um jogo em que provavelmente a comissão técnica irá lamentar ter deixado de levar mais dois pontos. Em casa, em um gramado bom, diante da torcida, logo após uma grande atuação contra o Grêmio… Ou seja, vários elementos a favor de uma vitória. Sem contar os outros resultados da rodada, como a derrota do Botafogo, que permitiria ao Palmeiras alcançar a liderança do Brasileirão pela primeira vez em 2023.

Com isso, era importante que o jogo contra o Santos pudesse funcionar como uma forma de “recuperar” os pontos perdidos em casa. Isso, claro, sem menosprezar o adversário gigante em um clássico estadual. No entanto, diante do retrospecto recente com oito vitórias seguidas e longa invencibilidade, o natural seria pensar em um triunfo do Palmeiras, que obviamente é um time bastante superior neste momento.

+ João Martins evita colocar atuação ruim do Palmeiras na conta do cansaço: ‘Não conseguimos nos adaptar ao contexto do jogo’

A vitória não veio, como já dito acima, mas mais do que se preocupar com o distanciamento do Botafogo, o Palmeiras agora se preocupa com a chegada de rivais que virão forte para a disputa do título. Caso do Atlético-MG, que agora está a apenas dois pontos do Verdão (vantagem já foi de seis) e será o adversário da próxima rodada do Brasileirão. Ou podemos também citar o Flamengo, que pode atingir 12 pontos neste domingo e ficar a apenas três do Alviverde. Se não fossem esses tropeços, a situação poderia (e deveria) estar confortável, mas agora já é tarde e os resultados deixaram essa “tropa de choque” chegar para a briga. Time que briga por título não pode perder ponto “bobo” pelo caminho.

Peirson made 82 and Steketee added 48 not out after Bartlett took 5 for 32 as Victoria crumbled with the bat

AAP07-Dec-2024

Jimmy Peirson made a brilliant 82•Getty Images

Jimmy Peirson has batted Queensland towards hope of their first Sheffield Shield victory of the summer against Victoria, after a helter-skelter day two at the MCG.On a day where 15 wickets fell in the first two sessions, Queensland went to stumps at 195 for 8 in their second innings and leading by 244.Peirson was out pulling for 82 just before the close, but not before combining for a crucial 119-run eighth-wicket partnership with Mark Steketee, who made 48 not out.The two-and-a-half-hour vigil between the pair was at complete odds with the rest of the day, and left the low-scoring match hanging slightly in Queensland’s favour ahead of Sunday’s play.After Victoria began on Saturday at 43 for 2, they lost Peter Handscomb in the first over when he edged Xavier Bartlett to Matt Renshaw at second slip.That set the tone for the next four hours of play, as Bartlett finished with 5 for 32 and rain hovered around the MCG for part of the morning.Only Marcus Harris (42), Handscomb (24) and Tom Rogers (11) reached double figures for Victoria as they were all out for 123 to concede a 49-run first-innings deficit.The chaos then continued into Queensland’s second innings. In-form Fergus O’Neill took two wickets in his first over to remove Bryce Street and Angus Lovell, while having another lbw shout turned down.Renshaw looked in imperious form for Queensland, driving in the air and punching the ball off his pads. But he too fell inside the first 10 overs, caught down legside off O’Neill as Queensland’s batting began to falter.Jonathan Merlo also claimed a brilliant one-handed diving catch at point to remove Ben McDermott, as one of three quick wickets for quick Sam Elliott.Queensland then found themselves 67 for 7 just before tea, and a drought-breaking first win of the season against ladder-leaders Victoria was looking shaky.Enter Peirson.He and Steketee became the only batter to look comfortable all day, with the wicketkeeper-batter driving the Victoria quicks when they erred too full. Peirson also cut and pulled well as the innings went on, and hit spinner Todd Murphy for two boundaries through the covers in one over.Steketee also did some damage, hitting four boundaries in his knock and sending Murphy deep over the long-on boundary.And while Peirson was set up by late by Mitch Perry and caught in a stacked legside field, he and Steketee had given Queensland the slight advantage.

Manchester United are in a race with Liverpool to sign an “outstanding” £30 million midfielder, according to a new report.

Man Utd make contact for Martinez as INEOS ramp up summer plans

As the transfer window hits the midway point of July, the Red Devils will be disappointed that they have just got one senior signing through the door. The next arrival at Old Trafford appears likely to be Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, despite the fact that the Premier League giants are struggling to agree a fee with the London side.

Man Utd now in formal talks with Aston Villa to sign "world-class" £40m ace

Man Utd have finally begun official talks.

ByBrett Worthington Jul 16, 2025

After that, United are still in the market to strengthen their midfield and forward line, and despite Andre Onana still being at the club, they could now be targeting a new goalkeeper. That is because, according to journalist Gaston Edul, United are in talks with Aston Villa over signing Emiliano Martinez.

The Red Devils are said to have advanced their interest in the Argentina goalkeeper but have yet to make a formal offer, with the Villans looking to get around £40 million for their shot-stopper, while United are hoping they can agree a deal in the region of £33 million.

Interest in Martinez comes as questions about the form and fitness of Onana have come into focus. The Cameroon international had a very turbulent 2024/25, and he could be missing at the start of the 2025/26 season after picking up a hamstring injury.

Man Utd join race for Wolves star Andre

As the Red Devils begin talks to sign Martinez, according to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, relayed by TEAMtalk, Man United have registered their interest in signing Andre from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The report states that as well as United, arch-rivals Liverpool are also interested in signing the Brazilian and, like United, have approached Wolves to make their interest known. It goes on to add that even though Wolves only signed Andre last summer, they would be willing to sell should they receive a fee of £30 million.

The 24-year-old, who has been dubbed “outstanding” by former Wolves player Andy Thompson, joined the Midlands side for a fee of £21 million last summer, meaning the Premier League side would be making a small return should he leave for £30 million in this transfer window.

Apps

33

Starts

31

Passing accuracy per game

37.7 (93%)

Touches

52.2

Big chances created

1

Key passes per game

0.5

Interceptions per game

1.1

Tackles per game

2.8

Clearances per game

0.9

Andre, who has been capped 12 times by Brazil, played 33 times for Wolves in the Premier League last season, 31 of which he started. The midfielder operated at the base of Wolves’ midfield, and his potential arrival at Old Trafford would likely see him replace Casemiro, who looks set to stay at United but may not feature regularly.

Andre is under contract until 2029, so Wolves are under no pressure to sell the midfielder, which makes the reported asking price somewhat of a question mark.

Without a doubt, Liverpool have enjoyed an incredible summer transfer window, with FSG spending like never before to establish Arne Slot’s dynasty.

The Dutch coach replaced Jurgen Klopp and won the Premier League last season, and he did so having welcomed only Federico Chiesa to Anfield for a £12.5m fee. Well, Chiesa only started one league game all season and is expected to depart in the coming weeks.

However, the Italian’s not the only one facing the exit doors this summer.

Liverpool's transfer plans

As Liverpool kicked off their pre-season tour with a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan, they could not call upon Luis Diaz or Darwin Nunez, with the respective forwards set to be sold.

While Liverpool have already spent £79m on forward Hugo Ekitike this summer (breaking the British transfer record to reel Florian Wirtz over too), there’s more to come.

We all know that Alexander Isak is on Liverpool’s radar, having informed Newcastle United of his desire to explore a transfer to Anfield. He did not travel with the Toon for their pre-season tour.

However, talkSPORT have now revealed that Liverpool have ‘signalled their willingness’ to pay for the Sweden international, who has rejected the Magpies’ proposals of a new contract. That comes amid rival interest from Al Hilal, albeit with Saudi Arabian officials believing that he ‘wants to join Liverpool’.

If Liverpool want Isak, they will likely have to break the British record once again, forking out some £130m.

Why Liverpool still want Alexander Isak

This would be a truly remarkable transfer. And it’s beginning to look more and more probable.

Isak, 25, joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad for £63m in 2022, and he’s now renowned as one of the deadliest goalscorers in the world, hailed by Sweden coach Jon Dahl Tomasson for being “the most complete striker” in the Premier League.

While Liverpool’s acquisition of Ekitike might make it feel like this signing would be redundant, this isn’t the case. The respective forwards are both technically sound, but bring different things to the table and could actually become an unstoppable partnership.

Ekitike, 23, is principally a central striker but is known for his pace and power, capable across a range of positional roles. As per FBref, he ranked among the top 10% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues last year for assists, the top 6% for shot-creating actions, and the top 4% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90.

Utilising these attributes, Ekitike could bring out the best in Isak, allowing him to focus more on his incredible goalscoring. There’s no question that the United man surpasses his prospective teammate in ball-striking.

Alexander Isak’s Record at Newcastle (all comps)

Season

Apps (starts)

Goals

Assists

24/25

42 (41)

27

6

23/24

40 (36)

25

2

22/23

27 (18)

10

3

Data via Transfermarkt

The £120k-per-week Sweden native, moreover, has the wealth of Premier League experience, which could prove vital for Ekitike’s development.

With both players in Slot’s system, the coach can manage workloads and utilise the respective strengths of both to the greater effect of his ambitious Liverpool team. The sum is greater than the individual parts, after all.

Given that both strikers are so dynamic, there’s no reason why they couldn’t cohabit at the front of the ship for Liverpool, especially if Nunez is sold in the coming weeks.

Related Bigger loss than Diaz or Nunez: Barcelona charge into race for £70k-p/w Liverpool star

The Reds could lose a key man.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Jul 26, 2025

Manchester City are preparing for another tilt at the Premier League title and could now be set to fight some of Europe’s heavyweights to sign a premium talent, according to a report.

In surprise fashion, the Blues suffered an early exit from the Club World Cup after a 4-3 defeat to Al Hilal in the last 16 and all focus at the Etihad Stadium will now revolve around potential incomings and outgoings.

Addressing what squad changes could occur in the aftermath of the tournament, Daily Mail’s correspondent Jack Gaughan believes up to eight players could leave Manchester City to make way for reinforcements under Pep Guardiola.

He stated: “I think there could be as many as eight going if you include Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips.

“They’ve got to get rid of four foreign players because of the homegrown problems they’ve got in the Champions League. If they don’t, Guardiola is going to have to leave people out of the squad and he doesn’t like doing that.”

Of course, a large part of why there are plenty who are now at risk of leaving the club is due to their spate of arrivals between January and the summer, but who else could join Manchester City if all goes to plan?

Related Pep's fed up: Man City boss requests signing of £65m star to replace Ederson

Pep Guardiola wants to sign an “incredible” goalkeeper to replace Ederson this summer.

Posts ByDominic Lund Jul 3, 2025

Amid doubts over Ederson’s future, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is wanted by Guardiola in what would be a landmark change of the guard between the sticks.

However, it appears that Manchester City aren’t just looking to strengthen for the immediate term and a young midfielder has now crept onto their radar after some impressive recent displays.

Manchester City keen to sign AZ Alkmaar star Kees Smit

According to Manchester City News, Manchester City are one of many clubs keen on AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit after his breakthrough campaign that has led to the Netherlands Under-19 international claiming the UEFA Under-19 European Championship player of the tournament.

Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United provide domestic competition for his signature, while Real Madrid, Ajax, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Marseille are keeping close tabs on the continent.

Kees Smit in the Eredivisie – 2024/25 (Fotmob)

Chances created

23

Successful dribbles

10

Touches in opposition box

40

Duels won

53

Recoveries

59

Journalist Graeme Bailey added some context to the situation, stating: “Kees Smit is a player, a real player I am being told and Manchester City know all about him. Will he leave this summer? That is the question but I think there is a real chance and City do like him – one to keep an eye on.”

Last campaign, Smit registered an impressive tally of ten goals and seven assists in 43 matches across all competitions, combining his exploits with Alkmaar’s senior side and second string.

While still in the infancy of his career, the Heiloo-born man is a talent on an upward trajectory and Manchester City will hope to convince him that the Etihad is the best place to continue his development.