Ahead of Monday’s deadline, Aston Villa have now reportedly set their sights on a late move to sign a defensive reinforcement who even towers above midfield enforcer Amadou Onana.

Emery admits Aston Villa still have "work to do"

The latest team to be left frustrated by PSR rules, Aston Villa have endured a tough summer and have struggled to get out the blocks in the Premier League as a result. Having so far welcomed just Evann Guessand, Yasin Ozcan and Marco Bizot, to say that it’s been an underwhelming transfer window would be an understatement.

Unai Emery is well aware that there’s still work to be done, however – telling reporters last weekend: “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.

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“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.

“We are working and we have some solutions to try to fix it. But we have to be alert, keep going and the players we have now is enough to compete but thinking all season, thinking hopefully we will face more than 50 matches, we will have to get balanced players in the squad and add more players to it.”

On that front, the Villans have been linked with moves for the likes of Christopher Nkunku and Adrien Rabiot, but could instead turn their focus towards welcoming a towering central defender before the deadline.

Aston Villa targeting late Kristensen move

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Aston Villa are now eyeing a late move to sign Thomas Kristensen from Udinese. Even taller than Onana at a staggering 6’5, Kristensen would offer Emery quite the threat from set pieces whilst also handing the Spaniard the defensive cover that he’s been searching for this summer.

Minutes

1,754

1,120

Tackles Won

21

6

Ball Recoveries

63

38

Successful Aerial Duels

61

27

Compared to Tyrone Mings last season, it’s clear that Kristensen would be an instant upgrade for those at Villa Park. The 23-year-old naturally impressed in the air, but also proved that he’s capable elsewhere after winning 21 tackles.

Described as a “superb” defender by scout Jacek Kulig back in February, Kristensen still has levels to reach at a relatively young age and Emery could help pave the way towards reaching that potential.

That said, if those in the Midlands want to secure his signature, then they will have to turn their interest into a concrete move fairly quickly with the deadline approaching.

The Villans have until midnight on Tuesday to turn what has been a difficult transfer window into one good enough to help Emery secure European football once again.

يستعد منتخب إنجلترا، بقيادة المدرب توماس توخيل، لخوض مباراته في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026 مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، وذلك ضد نظيره منتخب لاتفيا.

ويستضيف ملعب “داوغافا” مباراة منتخبي إنجلترا ولاتفيا، في خضم تصفيات قارة أوروبا المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم الصيف المقبل.

ويمتلك منتخب إنجلترا 15 نقطة حيث يحتل حاليًا صدارة المجموعة الحادية عشر، بينما تمتلك لاتفيا 5 نقاط في المركز الرابع في المجموعة نفسها.

وسبق أن تواجه المنتخبان في خضم التصفيات نفسها حيث فازت إنجلترا بثلاثة أهداف دون رد، وذلك في شهر مارس الماضي. موعد مباراة إنجلترا ولاتفيا اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة 9:45 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة إنجلترا ولاتفيا اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

تُذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN SPORTS 4. معلق مباراة إنجلترا ولاتفيا اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

سيعلق جواد بده على أحداث مباراة الليلة.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــا

Nathan Smith came in for Henry, the highest wicket-taker in the tournament so far

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Mar-20251:27

Southee: Henry not playing the final a ‘massive loss’ for New Zealand

Matt Henry was ruled out of the Champions Trophy final against India because of the shoulder injury he picked up in the semi-final, against South Africa, on March 5 in Lahore. Nathan Smith was brought in as Henry’s replacement in the New Zealand XI.Doubts about Henry’s availability for the final emerged on Friday when Gary Stead, the New Zealand coach, said, “We’ve had some scans and stuff done on him, and we’re going to give him every chance to be playing in this match. [But it’s] still a little bit unknown at this stage.”Henry bowled and fielded in the New Zealand training sessions on match eve, raising his team’s hopes. But, on the morning on the match, when Henry was out on the ground with the rest of the team, he turned his arm over just a few times, grimacing each time, and walked out.Related

New ball or old, Henry will make things happen

Henry, the highest wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy leading up to the final with ten strikes, had hurt his shoulder while taking the catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen. He left the field but returned to bowl two overs late in the match. He was also seen diving in the field after he came back.Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand captain, had been optimistic about Henry’s availability soon after the match against South Africa, and Stead had also sounded a positive note, saying, “I guess the positive thing from our perspective is he got back out there to bowl.”Henry had been crucial to New Zealand’s run to the final. In the only match they lost in the first round, against India – also their opponents in the final – Henry returned a five-for. That match was also played in Dubai, like the final.New Zealand opted to field allrounder Smith in Henry’s place even though they had the option of a fast bowler in Jacob Duffy. Smith played one game in the Champions Trophy, the tournament opener in Karachi against Pakistan, where he didn’t get a chance to bat and picked up one wicket in two overs with the ball as New Zealand won by 60 runs.

Big picture: Pakistan vs New Zealand (again)

We live in a time when the ODI is starved for attention, with the older sibling commanding instant respect for its age and wisdom and the younger one bawling at full lung capacity if you dare to look away while it cartwheels around the room. For all that, the middle child never fails to remind us how captivating it can be whenever a global tournament comes along. The last two ODI World Cups produced so many classics between them, and so many passages of play that showcased the variety of skills that this format can both compress and give breathing room to.Given how little we’ve seen of it over the last year-and-a-half or thereabouts, then, our appetite for the ODI should be at its peak, even if the Champions Trophy remains an awkward fit in the calendar and the interests of the ICC’s member boards. So much has happened since Sarfaraz Ahmed lifted this trophy eight years ago, enough for everyone to forget that it even exists, but here we are now, and here it is once again.We have Pakistan, the defending champions and (co-ish) hosts, to start us off, and they’ll face familiar foes in the tournament-opener. No visiting team has played more ODIs in this country than New Zealand’s 11 since the start of 2019, and they begin this Champions Trophy a mere five days after beating Pakistan in the final of an ODI tri-series. Karachi hosted that match, and will host this one too.Related

• Rizwan says Rauf is 'fully fit' for Champions Trophy opener

It says something about the two teams that New Zealand and Pakistan finished fourth and fifth – just inside and just outside the knockouts spots – on the league tables of both the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, and that Pakistan won the head-to-head meetings both times. It speaks of two teams with potentially title-winning strengths as well as title-squandering flaws, and this, perhaps, makes it the ideal contest to kick things off.

Form guide

Pakistan LWLWW (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
New Zealand WWWLW

In the spotlight

He’s gone 21 innings without an ODI hundred, and while this wouldn’t be abnormal for most batters, Babar Azam isn’t most batters. That sequence only includes two single-digit scores, so it isn’t as if he’s been struggling, but few things will bring as much joy to Pakistan at the start of a global event on home soil as a big score from their until-recently-irreproachable run machine. He’s batting at the top of the order now rather than No. 3, so a score of significance will also ease any doubts Pakistan may have about the structure of their line-up.Rachin Ravindra was struck by the ball on his forehead during the tri-series•AFP/Getty Images

In the recently concluded tri-series, New Zealand’s spinners finished with a combined economy rate of 4.41, which was remarkable considering their Pakistan and South Africa counterparts went at 5.67 and 5.94 respectively. It speaks to the quality of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell, who picked up five wickets apiece during the tri-series at near-identical averages and economy rates. They form as enviable a spin combination as any in this tournament: a left-arm fingerspinner and an offspinner, both extremely handy with the bat.

Team news: Rauf boost for Pakistan

Haris Rauf played no part in the recent ODI tri-series after going off the field with a side strain during the opening game against New Zealand. He has been bowling in the nets in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy, though, and Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan was confident he would be fit to start the tournament-opener. This should leave Pakistan able to pick a full-strength XI.Pakistan (possible): 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Babar Azam, 3 Saud Shakeel, 4 Mohammad Rizwan (capt & wk), 5 Salman Agha, 6 Tayyab Tahir, 7 Khushdil Shah, 8 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Abrar Ahmed.New Zealand go into the Champions Trophy with two of their original fast-bowling selections – Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears – out of the tournament. There’s also doubt over whether Rachin Ravindra – who hasn’t played a game since being struck on the head by the ball while fielding during the first match of the tri-series – will be fit to start, but the opener has been batting during training sessions in the lead-up to this tournament. New Zealand will take a call on him after their training session on Tuesday, with Will Young likely to open alongside Devon Conway should they decide not to risk Ravindra. Ferguson’s replacement Kyle Jamieson will not arrive in Karachi in time to be available for the first game.New Zealand: 1 Rachin Ravindra/Will Young, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Matt Henry, 10 Jacob Duffy, 11 Will O’Rourke.

Pitch and conditions

Karachi hosted the last two matches of the recent tri-series, and they ended up as extremely dissimilar contests. On February 12, South Africa posted 352, the highest-ever total achieved at the venue, but that record only lasted a few hours as Pakistan hunted it down with an over to spare. Two days later, Will O’Rourke bagged four wickets and the unhittable Santner took 2 for 20 in his ten overs as Pakistan, electing to bat first in the final, were bundled out for 242, a total that New Zealand chased down with five wickets and 28 balls to spare.What sort of surface will the National Stadium serve up on Wednesday, then? Recent history suggests this is a testing venue for fast bowlers in ODIs, as their combined average of 33.67 and economy rate of 6.02 over this decade would attest. Where Lahore has tended to be just as harsh to spinners, however, Karachi has given them a modicum of respite; while their wickets have come at 45.50, they have only gone at 5.11 per over.Going by recent trends, pitches in global tournaments have tended to be good batting surfaces with something for bowlers to work with: the last three ICC ODI events – the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2019 and 2023 World Cups – finished with overall run rates of 5.54, 5.59 and 5.82 respectively.Wednesday is expected to be a warm day in Karachi with a high of 29 degrees Celsius, and little to no chance of rain.

Stats and trivia

• New Zealand (2000) and Pakistan (2017) both beat India in the final when they won their respective Champions Trophy titles.
• These two teams have met three times in the Champions Trophy, in 2000, 2006 and 2009, with New Zealand winning all three times.
• New Zealand have faced Pakistan 11 times in ODIs since the start of 2023, and the results have been neck-and-neck. While New Zealand have won five and lost six, they’ve won three of the last four meetings.
• Of the 47 New Zealand batters to score 1000 ODI runs, Daryl Mitchell has the best average (50.42). His strike rate of 97.89 is also hugely impressive, since all five batters above him on that list average below 30.
• Of the bowlers from the eight teams in this tournament, Shaheen Shah Afridi (21 at 22.04) is the highest wicket-taker in ODIs since the end of the 2023 World Cup.
• Babar, Fakhar Zaman and Faheem Ashraf are the only members of Pakistan’s squad who were also part of their victorious 2017 campaign.

Quotes

“We’re all equal whether someone’s a platinum or an emerging player. The senior players have a bit more pressure on them, and we expect ourselves to perform on the biggest occasions, and this is as big as it gets.”
“Anytime you’ve been in conditions you’re been coming up against is an advantage. We’re lucky we’ve been over here for a couple of weeks and played in Pakistan quite a bit over the last three years”

Rashid Khan and Nicholas Pooran set to move teams to align with other global franchise ties

Matt Roller19-Feb-2025

Rashid Khan is set to extend his ties with Reliance’s global franchise network•Arjun Singh/Sportzpics/SA20

The Hundred’s incoming investors are already wielding their influence on the tournament, with several teams using a revamped recruitment system to sign players who represent their new partners’ other overseas franchises.The new ‘direct signing’ model allows each team to sign two players – one men’s, one women’s – among their retentions before next month’s draft. New joint-venture agreements are still being thrashed out but ESPNcricinfo has learned that several teams are already leaning on their partners’ global networks to recruit talent for the Hundred’s ‘transitional’ 2025 season.Rashid Khan has agreed a deal with double-defending champions Oval Invincibles, having played for their new co-owners Reliance’s teams in the ILT20, SA20 and MLC. Manchester Originals have been discussing a short-term deal for Nicholas Pooran, who plays for their new joint-venture partners RPSG Group’s IPL franchise, Lucknow Super Giants.Southern Brave, where the GMR Group are taking over, are working on a deal to bring in Faf du Plessis, who they signed in November for the IPL franchise they co-own, Delhi Capitals. Elsewhere, Welsh Fire are in talks with Steven Smith – who plays for new partners Washington Freedom in MLC – and hope to finalise his signing before Sunday’s deadline.Steven Smith is in talks with Welsh Fire•Major League Cricket

Rashid and Pooran’s deals are particularly notable because they played for other Hundred teams last year: Trent Rockets and Northern Superchargers respectively. Rashid was the first pick at the Hundred’s inaugural draft back in 2019 and has been retained ever since, but is instead moving to The Oval.”The point of the direct signings was to attract high-end, better-quality overseas stars and I can only see it as a positive,” Daryl Mitchell, the chief executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) told ESPNcricinfo. “There will be regulations in place, but there are always going to be relationships in cricket – long-standing ones in some cases.”Mitchell said it was “par for the course” for players to extend their links with global franchises, though he encouraged the ECB to pay close attention. “The way that players move has been going on in cricket for a long time. There are always relationships that are already established between directors of cricket, list managers or coaches with certain agents and certain players.”Related

Hundred squads face 2026 'reset' in bid for competitive balance

Jason Roy handed Hundred lifeline with Southern Brave

Lancashire: Originals not a consolation prize for LSG owners

MCC 'leaning towards' egg-and-bacon kit for London Spirit

Gould: Hundred IPL links won't affect Pakistan player involvement

The ECB has raised top men’s salaries from £125,000 to £200,000 for 2025 to ensure that the Hundred can compete with MLC and the CPL (which overlaps) for talent. The PCA criticised incremental increases to lower salary as showing a “lack of respect” for domestic players in December and are pushing for further increases when new owners are fully ensconced in 2026.The moves represent the latest step in a gradual shift towards a global contracting network in the T20 franchise world, though others will play against teams affiliated to their own IPL franchise. Trent Boult, who has played for several Reliance teams, has signed for Birmingham Phoenix, while David Miller, Pooran’s LSG team-mate, is set to join Northern Superchargers.The same dynamic is not yet affecting English players, who cannot move directly from one team to another without relying on the uncertainty of the draft. But the ECB have previously told prospective investors that they may be able to lock in England players on multi-year contracts in future years, meaning some could move teams based on their associations with IPL franchises.Players have represented franchises across multiple leagues ever since Kolkata Knight Riders made the unprecedented move to buy the Trinidad and Tobago CPL team a decade ago. But the trend has accelerated in recent years, especially after the 2023 launches of both the ILT20 and SA20, where IPL owners are heavily represented.”If you take a very long-term worldview, maybe, at some point, it wouldn’t be crazy to see some kind of roll-up of these teams and a combination of these tournaments,” James Sheridan, who chairs Manchester Originals, said last week. “That would need tectonic plates to shift quite a lot. But it wouldn’t surprise me if, in 10 years’ time, we are looking at something like that.”Sheridan suggested that the Originals, the Super Giants and Lancashire will create “joint development activities” in the years to come, but cautioned: “Contracting isn’t as straightforward as people might think in franchise cricket. You’ve got auctions, you’ve got drafts… But there is an obvious opportunity for collaboration.”Insiders believe that the Hundred teams whose new owners do not have links to other franchises overseas will face challenges when recruiting in future as a result. This applies particularly to Rockets – who have signed Marcus Stoinis after losing Rashid – and Phoenix, with the pull of Lord’s playing in London Spirit’s favour under their new Silicon Valley co-owners.The Hundred’s eight franchises are valued at nearly £1 billion between them•Getty Images for ECB

Kane Williamson was announced as the Spirit’s new men’s captain this week, and his deal also covers a stint with Middlesex, who are MCC’s tenants at Lord’s. Some host counties are keen for closer alignment in personnel with their Hundred teams, both in domestic and overseas players, which Mitchell believes has already started to happen.”The reality is that over the last four or five years, there are probably elements of county players aligning with Hundred teams,” Mitchell said. Is that likely to continue? I’d have thought so. The host counties are potentially going to be in control of the budgets of both the county and the Hundred teams as well.”Mitchell said the PCA’s priority is to ensure that players retain confidence that Hundred squads will be picked on merit. “Over the next 12-18 months, it’s about making sure there are guard-rails in place to make sure players are picked on performance and that everyone’s got a fair shot of getting an opportunity.”The ECB will retain overall control of the Hundred but is forming a new committee with representation from each franchise, which will discuss issues like recruitment. There is a growing expectation that the draft could be tweaked or revamped after this season, with an open-market system and an auction both raised as potential alternatives.The influence of new owners in recruitment has largely been confirmed to the men’s Hundred so far, with the women’s franchise circuit still in a nascent phase. Amelia Kerr (Manchester Originals) and Laura Wolvaardt (Southern Brave) were both confirmed as direct signings last month, with the Originals also retaining Beth Mooney.

Tottenham’s 2025 summer transfer window will live in the memory of supporters as their most entertaining in a long while. It was a noteworthy blend of decisive additions and notable setbacks. Their biggest success was hijacking Chelsea’s deal for Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig for around £52 million.

His arrival adds much-needed creativity and flair to the midfield and forward lines, especially taking into account James Maddison’s ACL injury, Dejan Kulusevski remaining out with a knee problem and Son Heung-min’s exit to the MLS.

Tottenham’s summer signings

Price tag

Mohammed Kudus

£55 million

Kota Takai

£5 million

Mathys Tel

£30 million

Joao Palhinha

Loan

Kevin Danso

£21 million

Xavi Simons

£52 million

Randal Kolo Muani

Loan

Despite advanced interest in Morgan Gibbs-White, Spurs were unable to complete a deal after Forest blocked it in very unceremonious fashion, leaving the club without a top target in that role for weeks. Another blow came when Eberechi Eze, who was initially close to joining Spurs, made a dramatic switch to Arsenal late in the window — pulling a major U-turn and leaving Tottenham reeling.

Enquires for £100 million Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers followed, but to no avail (Fabrizio Romano).

However, their capture of Simons negated their previous transfer humiliations, coming as an almighty boost for Thomas Frank ahead of his first ever campaign managing a big six Premier League side.

The pressure on Frank to succeed is nothing like he has ever faced at Brentford, and it was crucial that Daniel Levy, CEO Vinai Vinkatesham, technical director Johan Lange and unofficial advisor Fabio Paratici backed him in the market.

Whilst not a perfect window, with Spurs failing to address their shortage at centre-back as well as not signing a proven left-winger, like they wanted to do (Sky Sports), the Lilywhites still reacted to Dominic Solanke’s potentially serious fresh injury by bringing in Randal Kolo Muani on loan from PSG in a deadline day deal.

It wasn’t your typical Spurs deal for a highly-rated player, either, with Alasdair Gold explaining that their straight loan with no buy option is quite out of the ordinary for Levy.

Yves Bissouma is still widely expected to leave even after the deadline, as the transfer windows in Turkey and Saudi Arabia remain open, with Tottenham believed to have held talks over a potential long-term replacement for him in August.

Tottenham held talks over signing Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace

According to The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton attracted serious interest from N17 at one point.

As per their information, Tottenham and Palace held discussions about Wharton during the two clubs’ lengthy summer dialogue — where they also spoke about Manor Solomon joining Oliver Glasner’s side on loan and, of course, Eze.

In the final weeks of the window, Spurs and Man United apparently asked about the “generational” 21-year-old’s situation, but neither Palace nor the player were interested in entertaining the move.

While the Eagles know that a big move for him in the future is very much possible, it wasn’t a topic for this summer, and even when a transfer becomes more likely, Steve Parish still values the England international at £100 million.

Levy would have to smash Tottenham’s transfer record for a deal to happen as things stand, but Wharton will be hoping to put his recent injury problems behind him by justifying that price tag and battling his way into Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad for 2026.

Fair to say, this transfer window has not gone to plan for Newcastle United.

The Magpies have seen countless targets opt to join Premier League rivals; Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Liam Delap, João Pedro, James Trafford and now Benjamin Šeško, to name but a few.

Winger Anthony Elanga and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale have both arrived, but Eddie Howe will surely be desperate to add more reinforcements this month, so could a new striker be on his way to Tyneside?

Newcastle's ongoing striker search

It’s the transfer saga of the summer, so what is the latest on Alexander Isak?

Transfer Focus

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

Well, the Swede did not feature at all for Newcastle United during pre-season, currently training away from the rest of the first-team squad.

Meantime, over the weekend, Luke Edwards of the Telegraph reported that the club have informed Isak that ‘he is not for sale this summer and will not be allowed’ to leave; it remains to be seen how this will play out.

Nevertheless, the Magpies do remain active in the transfer market, searching for a new possible replacement, hence why Craig Hope of the Daily Mail is reporting that they have made an ‘informal enquiry’ about Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, adding that he is valued at £80m by the Portuguese giants.

It’s previously been documented that Aghehowa is Newcastle’s top striker target, following Šeško’s move to Manchester United, so could the Spaniard soon swap Northern Portugal for England’s North East?

Why Samu Aghehowa would be a success at Newcastle

Since joining Porto from Atlético Madrid for a reported fee of £12.7m last summer, having not played a single game for Atleti, Aghehowa has become one of the most highly-rated centre-forwards in European football.

During his debut campaign with the Dragões, he scored 27 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions, including netting six times in just nine Europa League outings, most notably bagging a brace during a thrilling 3-3 draw with Manchester United at Estádio do Dragão last October.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout was certainly impressed, labelling the Spanish international the “complete” striker and a “monster”, praising his “pace, physicality, aerial ability and shot power”.

Tall, quick and imposing, there really is a lot to like about the Porto forward, so, let’s assess how Aghehowa of the present day compares to Isak just prior to his move to Tyneside.

Appearances

45

41

Minutes

3,400

2,761

Goals

27

10

Assists

3

3

All statistics below are on a per-90 basis:

Shots

2.85

2.99

Shots on target %

41.9%

48.4%

Goals – xG

+6.6

-4.2

Shot-creating actions

1.9

2.72

Goal-creating actions

0.3

0.14

Big chances missed

0.69

0.49

Big chances created

0.19

0.25

% of touches in opposition box

20%

18%

As the table outlines, when comparing the Spaniard’s first season at Porto to Isak’s final campaign at Real Sociedad, they’re remarkably very similar.

The hulking attacker did score six Europa League goals to the Swede’s three, on target a whopping 17 times more across all competitions, albeit at a slightly lower level; Global Football Rankings believe the Primeira Liga to be the seventh strongest in the world, four places below La Liga.

The most interesting of Aghehowa’s numbers is the fact he massively overperformed his expected goals, while Isak underperformed his during the 2021/22 campaign in San Sebastián, suggesting the Spaniard could be an even more clinical finisher.

Nevertheless, the data reaffirms their stylistic similarities, most notably the fact that the duo took a nigh-on identical proportion of their touches in the opposition’s penalty area.

Thus, all available evidence suggests that, should he choose to move to Newcastle, Aghehowa could replicate Isak’s impact at St James’ Park for sure.

Better than Wissa: Newcastle lead race to sign "extraordinary" £65m striker

As Newcastle search for a new striker, following Benjamin Šeško’s move to Manchester United, could they land an “extraordinary” PL star worth £65m?

1 Aug 10, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians vem lidando com cobranças judiciais de ex-jogadores e convivendo com a ameaça do transfer ban na janela de transferências. Neste momento, o Timão está impedido de registrar atletas pelo não pagamento das intermediações ao empresário Eduardo Bou Daye nas contratações de Mauro Boselli e Bruno Méndez.

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+ IMPERDÍVEL! Transmissão ao vivo dos jogos do Timão na Liberta por apenas R$1,00!

Sob o discurso de quitar as dívidas e equilibrar as finanças do clube, o presidente Duílio Monteiro Alves revelou que desde o início de seu mandato, em janeiro de 2021, a diretoria já pagou mais de R$ 250 milhões entre processos judiciais e casos na Fifa.

+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

– Muito se falou de transfer ban, que o Corinthians não pagou as contas. O Corinthians pagou mais de 250 milhões de contas na minha gestão, entre processos e Fifa. Esse dinheiro tem que ser pago, assim como muitos acordos feitos no passado e que se não forem cumpridos causam prejuízos maiores ao clube. Não quero que o próximo presidente passe por isso – disse o mandatário corintiano ao programa Os Donos da Bola, da Bandeirantes.

continua após a publicidade

Apesar da situação financeira adversa, Duílio traçou meta ousada e planeja fechar 2023 com arrecadamento recorde, na casa de R$1 bilhão. Em 2022, o Corinthians alcançou seu maior faturamento da história, com R$ 770 milhões. Tais números foram impulsionados pelo retorno da bilheteria na Arena pós-pandemia e a performance esportiva, principalmente na Copa do Brasil, onde o clube foi finalista.

+ Veja grupo do Timão e a situação dos brasileiros na Libertadores

– Quando entrei, o Corinthians faturava 430 milhões por ano, aproximadamente. No meu segundo ano de mandato, dobramos esse valor, fechamos 2022 com 776 milhões com arrecadação, próximo ao Flamengo. Esse ano trabalhamos para chegar à marca de 1 bilhão – projetou Duílio.

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Manchester City are looking to cement themselves as the team to beat in the Premier League and they could go some way to doing that if they are able to tempt their latest transfer target to the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City react to Champions League league phase draw

In an eventful week, the Champions League league phase draw is now complete and Manchester City now know who they will face for a place in the knockout rounds of the competition.

From the eight sides they will take on, ties against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli are the standouts, though the Citizens have landed a favourable run off games on paper and will feel confident they can progress.

Man City’s Champions League opponents

Real Madrid (A)

Borussia Dortmund (H)

Bayer Leverkusen (H)

Villarreal (A)

Napoli (H)

Bodo/Glimt (A)

Galatasaray (H)

AS Monaco (A)

Fixture dates TBC

Speaking after the draw, Pep Guardiola expressed his delight at being able to welcome former Manchester City heroes Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane back to the Etihad Stadium.

He stated: “I’m really pleased he (Kevin De Bruyne) will come back here and of course, we have to beat the teams Napoli and Galatasaray (with Leroy Sane), nice to welcome him back. I’m sure the people will give a great welcome to them, they deserve it.”

Nevertheless, attention turns to their clash against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend alongside transfer activity, and the Citizens are plotting move to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid.

Admittedly, that may come down the line in January, though it shows that Guardiola’s ambition is through the roof as his side look to get back to dominating English football. Fermin Lopez could also move to the Etihad from Barcelona, and they are lining up another significant play for one of the world’s finest stars amid growing uncertainty over his future at a global superpower.

Man City lining up record Vinicius Junior bid

According to reports in Spain, Manchester City are lining up a £130 million bid to sign Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, given he has two years on his contract left in the Spanish capital.

The Brazil international is at loggerheads with Los Blancos over an extension and Guardiola is ready to swoop in, given his pace and ability to burn past defenders in one-on-one situations.

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Similar to their pursuit of Alexander-Arnold, the Citizens may wait until 2026 to move for the winger, who has been nominated for the 2025 Balon D’Or and has previously been labelled “quality” by scout Jacek Kulig.

Starting the campaign with a bang, Vinicius registered a goal and an assist in Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Real Oviedo last weekend, but his situation is growing slightly more uncertain as the weeks go by.

Manchester City are no stranger to a statement signing, and manging to push a deal over the line for someone of such a high pedigree would be guaranteed to make global headlines.

By the time the fourth goal hit the back of the net, the crowd in Queens was euphoric. Many had been there to see Lionel Messi, admittedly. Fans got a look at Messi at his magical best – and they got a look at just how dangerous Inter Miami can be – as the Argentine star scored a brace and his club sealed a 4-0 win over New York City FC on Wednesday.

Led by the two Messi goals, to go with an additional assist, the scoreline suggested Inter Miami dominated NYCFC at Citi Field. In truth, it was closer than that for much of the match. Miami seized the lead in the first half on a goal from Baltasar Rodriguez and, from there, both teams had chances. Miami, though, was the team that made the most of them. More specifically, it was Messi who did just that.

After teeing up Rodriguez with a through-ball on that opener, Messi scored Miami's second in the 74th minute, chipping the ball over goalkeeper Matt Freese to kickstart a goal barrage. Luis Suarez added a third goal from the penalty spot nine minutes after, before Messi put an exclamation point on it all with an 86th-minute solo finish to turn a close game into a blowout.

For those who follow MLS, this was one of those nights where Miami showed what they could be. Dominant in the attack and led by Messi's magic, there's no team in this league that can go blow-for-blow or goal-for-goal with this team.

Can they create more of them going forward? With just five games left in the regular season, will hope so. Suarez is back from suspension, and Messi is seemingly keeping his MVP push going with another dominant performance. With those two leading the charge, Miami showed that, even against a very good NYCFC team, they can still reach a different level on their night.

GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from City Field

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  Goalkeeper & Defense

  Oscar Ustari (6/10):

  Did make one good save but otherwise wasn't challenged too much.

  Jordi Alba (6/10):

  Got into some dangerous positions but, more often than not, was just a step too slow to really make the most of it. Credit for creating danger, though.

  Noah Allen (7/10):

  Generally steady, particularly on the ball, where he was something of a metronome. Did had one nervy moment, though.

  Maxi Falcon (6/10):

  Safe to say he was noticeable. Had a few chaotic defensive sequences, but was never punished for them. He did, ultimately, settle into the game.

  Ian Fray (7/10):

  Very solid on that right-hand side. Won his duels and drew a whole bunch of fouls.

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  Midfield

  Sergio Busquets (9/10):

  Got the hockey assist on the opening goal but, let's be honest, that was more Messi than anything. His assist on the second was fantastic, though, as he played Messi through perfectly. Really marshalled the midfield well, too, even in moments where NYCFC's pace threatened him.

  Rodrigo De Paul (7/10):

  A typical performance as the Argentine popped up just about everywhere. Drew the penalty late to help put the game to bed.

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  Attack

  Baltasar Rodriguez (7/10):

  Well-taken goal from the winger, who really handled the pressure well with two defenders on his back. Tracked back well, too, in the moments where Miami lost the ball.

  Matteo Silvetti (6/10):

  Pretty quiet, in general, amassing just 21 touches during his run.

  Lionel Messi (9/10):

  What didn't he do? From the picture-perfect assist to the even better goals, the Argentine ran the show, dominating from whistle to whistle in every way an attacker can.

  Luis Suarez (7/10):

  Had a few good sequences before being rewarded with the chance to take the late penalty in his first match back after a three-game MLS suspension. Buried it as he usually does to put the game out of reach.

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  Subs & Manager

  Tadeo Allende (6/10):

  Never really had to do much as Inter Miami ran away with the game.

  Yannick Bright (7/10):

  Moved the ball well when he did get on it in midfield.

  Marcelo Weigandt (7/10):

  Provided the assist on the last goal but, realistically, that was Messi's solo brilliance

  Tomas Aviles (N/A):

  A late sub to make sure nothing weird happened.

  Javier Mascherano (8/10):

  When you win 4-0, you leave with a smile on your face. Got the lineup and the subs right, paving the way for the big win.