كشفت تقارير صحفية عن تطورات مستقبل محمد صلاح، جناح فريق ليفربول الإنجليزي، بعد التصريحات التي أدلى بها حول وضعه في النادي، وموقف أندية الدوري السعودي من التعاقد معه بانتقالات يناير.
وتواجد محمد صلاح بديلاً في مباراة ليفربول وليدز أمس السبت، وهي المرة الثالثة على التوالي التي يجلس على مقاعد البدلاء في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وعقب المباراة، أدلى محمد صلاح بتصريحات أعرب خلالها عن عدم رضاه بوضعه في ليفربول، وألمح لإمكانية الرحيل في انتقالات يناير، متحدثًا عن توتر علاقته بالمدرب آرني سلوت (طالع تصريحاته من هنا).
وبحسب ما ذكرت شبكة “Give me sport” الإنجليزية، الهلال السعودي هو الآن النادي الأوفر حظًا للتحرك، للتعاقد مع محمد صلاح، مع احتمالية ضمه في انتقالات يناير بعد تصريحاته النارية.
ويشير التقرير إلى أن ليفربول يبدو مرتاح للوضع، بينما تؤكد مصادر في الهلال استعدادهم للصبر، لمحاولة ضم صلاح ما لم تُتح فرصة في سوق الانتقالات المقبل.
ويرتبط محمد صلاح بعقد مع ليفربول، وقعه في الموسم الماضي، ويستمر لمدة عامين، وكان ذلك بعد الجدل الدائر حول مستقبله مع اهتمام سعودي أيضًا بضمه.
اقرأ أيضًا | سبورت عن تصريحات محمد صلاح: فقد أعصابه ولا يفهم دوره الجديد
ويوضح التقرير أن علاقة ليفربول والهلال ممتازة، وظهر ذلك في صفقة انتقال داروين نونيز للفريق السعودي بالصيف الماضي.
وبالنظر إلى قيمة محمد صلاح، من المتوقع أن يكون من اللاعبين الأعلى أجرًا في الدوري السعودي حال انضمامه، وقد يصل راتبه إلى حوالي 200 مليون يورو سنويًا.
يؤكد التقرير أن الدوري السعودي ليس الوجهة الوحيدة التي تنتظر محمد صلاح، وستكون العديد من الأندية الأوروبية على دراية بوضعه، على الرغم من أن الكثير منها لا يستطيع ضمه سوى على سبيل الإعارة وهو ما سيعارضه ليفربول.
كما ناقش نادي سان دييجو الأمريكي، إمكانية التعاقد مع محمد صلاح، لكنه لم يقدم عرضًا جادًا بعد.
Ian Wright and Roy Keane have shared a light-hearted joke at Laura Woods’ expense after learning that their fellow presenter is “fine” following her on-air collapse during ITV’s coverage of England’s friendly date with Ghana. Woods fell ill when looking ahead of the Lionesses’ clash at St Mary’s, with Arsenal legend Wright on hand to prevent her from tumbling to the ground.
Woods collapsed during coverage of England vs Ghana
Viewers were quick to air their concern and pass on well wishes after seeing Woods faint while chatting with Wright and Anita Asante as England prepared to face African opposition in Southampton. She was caught while falling forwards, with ITV cutting to an advertising break.
Wright, who could be heard comforting Woods before the live coverage cut to commercials, admits that he was “worried” at the time. A positive update on Woods’ condition has since been delivered, allowing for some playful banter to take place.
Advertisement
Getty Images Sport
Wright and Keane react to seeing colleague fall ill
Ex-England striker Wright discussed the incident for the first time when joining former Manchester United stars Keane and Gary Neville on podcast, along with Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher and Lionesses legend Jill Scott.
Wright said of Woods: “She’s fine. I got a message from her this morning. It was worrying at the time but she’s fine. People have been really nice about it. I’m glad she’s okay.” Scott added: “She said that she thinks she’s got a virus but it must have been horrible for that to happen, on live TV as well.”
The panel said that Woods “would want” them to make light of the incident. Keane, who is also a regular on ITV Sport, did just that when saying to Wright: “I’m guessing she’s not the first woman to fall into your arms Ian. That’s just your knack. She’s okay and that’s all that matters, that’s the most important thing, obviously. You’ll get a knighthood or an award for that, Wrighty.”
What 'embarrassed' Woods said about incident
Woods’ fiance, former Love Island contestant Adam Collard, posted on social media shortly after seeing his partner collapse, assuring viewers that she was “ok” and “with the right people” as she started her recovery.
Woods went on to tell her followers on Instagram, with Wright, Asante and her colleagues at ITV being thanked for looking after her: “Gosh that was a bit weird. Sorry to worry everyone, I’m ok, the wonderful paramedics at Saints have said it's probably a virus, just need a bit of rest and hydration.
“I’m really embarrassed that happened on TV, but a big thank you to my colleagues at ITV who have really looked after me tonight. And to Wrighty and Neets for catching me and sorry again.”
Katie Shanahan stepped in to replace Woods and told viewers: “As you have probably noticed we don’t have the wonderful Laura Woods because she’s just been taken ill but she’s in very good hands so I’m stepping in at late notice. She’s in really good hands and we’re wishing her a speedy recovery. We want to reassure you she is doing okay. We all send her our love.”
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty
Woods engaged to ex-Love Island star & mother to son Leo
Woods is a regular on ITV when it comes to coverage of England’s Women’s team, having fronted their run to the 2023 World Cup final and triumphant Euro 2025 campaign. She also presents Champions League action on TNT Sports and has previously hosted a radio show on talkSPORT.
She got engaged to fitness coach Collard in 2024, after he proposed on a beach in Cornwall, with their first child – a boy named Leo Ernie – being welcomed into the world in January. Woods returned to work in April but will now be taking in another short break as she prioritises her personal health.
England emerged victorious in their clash with Ghana, as goals from Lucia Kendall and Alessia Russo saw them to a 2-0 win. Sarina Wiegman’s side will not be in action again until March, when they face Ukraine and Iceland in their opening games of 2027 World Cup qualification.
Liverpool are now reportedly rivalling Newcastle United in the race to sign a young midfield star who’s been compared to Dominik Szoboszlai.
Slot: Liverpool don't have "Jacob Murphy profile" to unlock Isak
It’s been a tumultuous time for Liverpool and record signing Alexander Isak. The Reds are yet to unlock the Swede’s best form, despite splashing out £125m to break a British record and welcome their next star man from Newcastle in the summer.
Arne Slot, however, is remaining patient and recently pinpointed exactly why Isak is yet to replicate his Newcastle form at Anfield. The Dutchman told reporters: “With Jeremie Frimpong being injured and Conor Bradley being out it is not like we have so many options on the right-hand side, and it is a bit similar on the left.
UCL club now ready to launch offer to sign £21m-a-year Liverpool star
The Reds could lose one of their star men.
By
Tom Cunningham
7 days ago
“Alex could benefit maybe from a Conor or a Jeremie type of player who goes outside, instead of both wingers we have who come inside and full-backs who can come in with crosses.
“But the main difference for him is that we are facing a low block many times. It is not that it never happened at Newcastle but not as much, I think. This season the league has changed, we see so many more low blocks than last season.
“But I see this not only against us, I see this in many games. It makes it harder for him compared to his time at Newcastle but I think it is also him adjusting to his teammates and his teammates adjusting to him. But it is obvious and clear that we have not the profile of [Newcastle’s] Jacob Murphy, for example, available at this moment at this time.”
Whether Liverpool find their own version of Murphy in the January transfer window is now the big question. They’ve already been linked with Antoine Semenyo, who’d certainly offer the same quality, but he may not be the only one on his way.
Liverpool join race to sign Alex Toth
As reported by Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Liverpool have now joined the race to sign Alex Toth from Ferencvaros in 2026. The 20-year-old midfielder has been watched closely by scouts across the Premier League, including both those at Anfield and at St James’ Park and now seems destined for a big move.
Dubbed an “aggressive presser” by Hungarian journalist Bence Bocsak, it’s clear to see where the Szoboszlai comparisons have come from.
Liverpool’s press is certainly something that needs addressing in midfield too, which makes Toth a viable option when 2026 arrives. The Reds have got one over on Newcastle before and could yet do so yet again next year.
Not Isak: £45m star is now Liverpool's most frustrating player since Nunez
Moghees Ahmed had his registrations as an agent suspended by the ECB in March
ESPNcricinfo staff25-Nov-2025An appeal by a prominent player agent against his five-year ban from cricket-related activity has been dismissed by an independent arbitrator, which upheld the original finding by the Cricket Regulator in March, that he had made a corrupt approach to the head coach of an English county.Moghees Ahmed, who fronts the International Cricketers Association and represents a number of prominent Pakistan players, was found to have proposed an arrangement whereby a coach would receive a share of his commission in exchange for selecting certain players he represents in franchise leagues.The coach reported the approach later that day, and after a tribunal had been satisfied that the case met the necessary criteria, he was found guilty of four charges of breaching the ECB’s anti-corruption code and had his registration to act as an agent suspended in August.He was “declared ineligible” for five years from March 26, 2025, with the first 30 months served in full and the remaining 30 suspended on condition of no further offences and the completion of an anti-corruption education programme.Ahmed told ESPNcricinfo at the time that he categorically denied all allegations made against him and rejected the decisions of the ECB tribunal. His appeal was lodged on the grounds that the Cricket Discipline Commission had reached a decision on the evidence that no reasonable tribunal could have made and had misdirected itself as a matter of law as to the interpretation of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.However, an independent arbitrator, Raj Parker, dismissed the grounds of the appeal, stating that the tribunal’s verdict had been reached “after careful examination of the evidence and an assessment of the credibility of the complainant and Mr Ahmed”.Chris Haward, the managing director of the Cricket Regulator, said: “We welcome the decision of the Sole Arbitrator dismissing the appeal and upholding the decision of the CDC.”The decision of the Arbitrator reinforces the position that the actions of Mr Ahmed can correctly be described as corrupt conduct. The Cricket Regulator will ensure that where there is corrupt conduct suspected it will be investigated and those responsible held to account.”
The fast bowling duo were in the nets in Sydney on Tuesday as focus turns to the second Ashes Test
Andrew McGlashan25-Nov-2025
Josh Hazlewood trains with New South Wales as he recovers from injury•Getty Images
In an encouraging sign for Australia, Josh Hazlewood returned to the nets on Tuesday as he recovers from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the opening Ashes Test in Perth.Pat Cummins, meanwhile, was pictured bowling with a pink ball as he continues his push to return for the day-night Test at the Gabba following his back injury.The pair trained at Cricket Central in Sydney while New South Wales were playing their Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania.Related
Hazlewood suffers Achilles soreness during hamstring rehab
Hazlewood set to miss Brisbane, Cummins pushes for return
The world where Lyon doesn't play at the Gabba
Bartlett, Sandhu dismantle Victoria under Gabba lights
In what looked like clear evidence of immediate priorities, Hazlewood was bowling with a red ball. He is not expected to be available for the Gabba Test, so his comeback target will be Adelaide, which has reverted to a day Test this year.Speaking on Monday, Australia coach Andrew McDonald was confident that Hazlewood would be available later in the Ashes.”I know that he’ll be available at some point during the series,” he said. “We’ve got a little bit of that early rehab to go through to formulate where he may plug into the series, but we expect him to take some part in the series.”Cummins has been making good progress in ramping up his bowling in recent weeks and looked impressive in the nets in Perth ahead of the opening Test. The selectors will need to be fully confident that he can get through the workloads required for a Test, even if the early indications are that matches in this series may not go the distance.”It looked like a player that was nearing the completion of his rehabilitation,” McDonald said. “The intensity was there, the ball speed was there. There’s a lot of positives, but now it’s just really building that resilience within the soft tissue and making sure that we’re not putting him in harm’s way in terms of accelerating it too much.”The first three Tests of the series are well spaced out – the gap between the first and second now 11 days after the two-day finish in Perth – but the schedule does become more condensed from Adelaide onwards: there is a four-day gap to the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the same to Sydney if those matches reach the fifth day.Pat Cummins has a go with the pink ball•Getty Images
With the day-night pink-ball element thrown into the mix for Brisbane, there is a good chance that it could be another short, sharp Test. In the current round of Sheffield Shield matches, ten wickets fell in the night session of the third day between Queensland and Victoria to hasten the contest to a result, although wickets hadn’t fallen at the same rate on the first two days.In that match, Xavier Bartlett put in an eye-catching performance with 4 for 35 in the second innings alongside a career-best 72 with the bat. Australia may not need further pace reinforcement during the Ashes, especially if Cummins and Hazlewood are available, but Bartlett, who has impressed in ODIs and T20Is, may have moved himself up the queue.Michael Neser was the spare pace bowler in Perth and the Gabba is his home ground. His two previous Tests have been with the pink ball in Adelaide: against England in 2021-22 and West Indies in 2022-23.In the build-up to the Ashes, the selectors also spoke of their hope that Jhye Richardson may become an option later in the series as he returns from the shoulder surgery he had earlier this year.He trained with the Test squad in Perth and then bowled 20 wicketless overs for the Cricket Australia XI against England Lions at Lilac Hill. He is expected to feature for Australia A against the Lions in Brisbane next week.”This game was a lot about physical preparation for me and making sure that we can get through,” Richardson told reporters after the CA XI outing. “I’m sure there would have been a few people seeing a bit of ice on it after the bowling but that’s basically just maintenance. The shoulder’s feeling really good and it’s feeling better and better each bowl.”It’s a decent hit out, the most overs I’ve bowled in a while and it’s all part of the process to building up to be ready for four and five-day cricket.”
If you’re an Arsenal fan right now then it must feel as though the world is ending. The Gunners had enjoyed an 18-game unbeaten run but it’s now over, swept clean by Aston Villa and Unai Emery no less.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been the best side in the country this season. They’ve been one of the best teams in the whole of Europe. However, whatever you have to say about their impressive squad depth, they look tired and leggy.
Their performance at Villa Park was not one that we’ve become accustomed to. Yes, they were missing the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, but the defence looked a mess, a shell of what we’ve come to expect from this outfit.
In attack, they also struggled and the fact Arteta made two substitutions at half-time spoke volumes about the display his team were showing.
Arsenal's biggest underperformers against Aston Villa
Let’s get one thing out in the open first. Villa Park is not an easy ground to go to. It’s a bit like St James’ Park. The supporters raise their voice even louder when the big boys come to town.
While Arsenal had their fair share of the ball, when Matty Cash slammed home the opener at the back post, it was always going to be an uphill battle.
Leandro Trossard came to the rescue once again, scoring a vital equaliser but Arteta’s defence crumbled in the dying embers. Emilino Buendia – once linked with Arsenal – slammed home a last-gasp winning goal.
That chaotic moment came from their inability to clear the ball. Piero Hincapie – Gabriel’s stand-in – claimed the ball inside the penalty area and, instead of clearing it upfield, ran possession out of play.
The resulting phase of play ended up in a goal for the Villans. A game of pinball played out inside the area and with several Arsenal players scrambling to get their bodies in the way, Buendia came up with a moment of composure and quality.
Truth be told, this was Arsenal’s worst defensive display of the season. While Jurrien Timber filled in well at centre-half against Brentford in the week, he and Hincapie were terrorised by the runs of Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers throughout.
At left-back, Riccardo Calafiori struggled too and in midfield, Martin Zubimendi looked dead on his feet. Any chance of a Christian Norgaard cameo? That signing looks all the more puzzling as the days go by.
For once, Mikel Merino as a striker didn’t work. The Spaniard managed just 17 touches and didn’t have a single shot before he was dragged off for Viktor Gyokeres at the break.
The Swede didn’t cover himself in much glory either. He made just four passes and didn’t have a shot during his 45 minutes on the field. Arsenal needed an elite centre-forward in the summer and if we’re being brutally honest, it doesn’t look like they’ve signed one.
So, changes must be made. Arteta needs to find a solution. Here’s one of them.
Arsenal duo must not start together again
While something of a makeshift defence was put together by the manager on Saturday lunchtime, the midfield and forward line looked fluid.
It’s always exciting when two silky playmakers in the form of Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze are named on the same teamsheet but it’s safe to say it did not work against Villa.
Eze had just been named Arsenal’s Player of the Month for November over the weekend. He had found his groove last month, scoring that hat-trick against Spurs and linking superbly well with Merino in the final third.
He did so having played as the number 10, just behind the striker. This time, he was forced out onto the left to accommodate Odegaard and it’s a decision Arteta must regret.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Eze perhaps endured his worst performance for the club yet. It was his lack of awareness, switching off at the back post, that led to Cash’s goal and even if the summer signing did have a goal disallowed for offside, he failed to offer much in the final third.
That said, can you really blame him? The former Crystal Palace man likes to affect the game from central areas but was pinned out on the left and told to stay there.
Odegaard, on the other hand, did not possess the same pizzazz as Eze has offered from central areas. The Norwegian did manage three key passes, but from three efforts at goal, only amassed an xG of 0.14.
Odegaard & Eze vs Villa
Stat
Odegaard
Eze
Mins played
90
45
Touches
80
13
Key passes
3
0
Shots
3
0
Successful dribbles
1/4
1/1
Duels won
3/10
2/5
Possession lost
15x
3x
Stats via Sofascore.
Odegaard was keen to get on the ball but unlike Eze, whose movement and decision-making are quick, he took far too many touches. He slowed the play down, allowed Villa to regroup and reorganise. When Arsenal go forward, it needs to be quick but the club captain was not alert enough.
While there is an argument to suggest that Bukayo Saka looked more threatening with Odegaard back in the team, some of Arsenal’s finest attacking displays of 2025 have come with Eze playing behind Merino. If the £65m addition is going to play then it cannot be out on the left.
As a result, it doesn’t look as though a combination of Eze and Odegaard will ever work. It’s an experiment that Arteta must quickly forget about unless he can get the former to impact things from the middle.
4/10 star had his worst game in an Arsenal shirt vs Aston Villa
Arsenal suffered their second defeat of the season against Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Unseasonal weather in Western Australia, and a relatively new venue, means surface characteristics are unknown
Tristan Lavalette19-Nov-2025Given the hyperbole, with unseasonal weather adding another layer of drama, there is much intrigue over an expected fast and bouncy Perth Stadium surface ahead of the first Test.However, Australia quick Mitchell Starc remains pessimistic of a pitch which the local tabloid newspaper, in its latest effort to needle England ahead of the series has dubbed a ‘Green Monster’.The teams in recent days have been preparing in the nets behind the massive ground, with the practice sessions notable for sharp and rapid bounce. Whether conditions can be replicated on a drop-in surface that was put in just four weeks ago remains unknown, although the groundstaff do remain hopeful.”The wickets out the back have had a bit of sideways, and up and down,” Starc told reporters. “I’m not going to pretend I know how to read wickets until they’re played on.”A fair bit has been made about the colour of it and that it’s going to be a green mamba. I think it’s probably ready to go now, so I don’t expect to see it do as much as you all anticipate it to do.”Having opened in 2018, and missing two international cricket seasons due to Covid, Perth Stadium is still a relatively new Test venue with no consistent trend established yet.In last year’s India Test, similarly played in late November, both first innings were over within four sessions before the pitch then flattened on days two and three, before unevenness started to come through via large cracks. The year before, against Pakistan, batting was treacherous in the fourth innings thanks to those same cracks, although that Test was played in the oppressive conditions of mid-December.While the WACA’s lore has been rekindled at times, Perth Stadium has been the best batting surface in Australia across the last four years since the new Kookaburra and greener surfaces have made conditions much more difficult on the east coast. Only five overseas batters have scored centuries in Australia in that time and three of them have come in Perth”We’ve had five different wickets in the sense,” Starc said of surfaces at Perth Stadium over the years. “We got a pretty slow, flat wicket against the West Indies [in 2022 which went deep into day five].”The first Test here [in 2018] was one where it cracked up and played a bit like the WACA used to. Last year saw all those wickets on the first day and then it got pretty flat.”You can look at trends and you can look at what’s happened. In the end you got to play what’s in front of you.”Related
Will this Ashes be the making of Bazball 2.0?
Australia expects as Golden boy Green aims for Ashes peak
Bazball has made England believers, whether Australia buy into it or not
Switch Hit: Time to Urn
Ashes FAQ: Do England really have a chance?
Adding to the intrigue, there has been some stormy weather in the metropolitan area in recent days, while rain is forecast this weekend on the back of a wetter winter and spring in Perth.Wet weather in Perth this deep into spring is unusual, with the famously sun-drenched Western Australia capital usually almost totally dry from November through to April.But WA Cricket head curator Isaac McDonald does not believe the elements will change the expected characteristics of the surface.”You look historically at every Test through both venues here in the west, pace and bounce is a mainstay, and that’s not going to change any time soon,” said McDonald, whose on-field press engagement was pushed back due to lightning strikes close to the ground.”This forecast has been hit and miss. The temperatures have been varying by a few degrees here and there every day. Taking lessons learned from last year, we started prep a day earlier…..really trusting to get our moisture and firmness right.”McDonald said 9mm of grass is currently left on the drop-in pitch, a similar amount to recent Tests at the ground. “The cracks will be present later in the game. What I’ve really knuckled down this preparation is ensuring the pace and bounce is spot on for day one, to ensure an even battle,” he said.”Previous years, I think we’ve been on the flatter side. But last year, being the exception, we were probably a day early in preparation.”So we tried to tackle that with giving ourselves an extra day in preparation to try and even out that balance.”
Scotland discovered their World Cup 2026 group opposition after the draw took place in Washington DC, but only after an infernally long pre-draw build-up that left many of those watching fuming. One of those frustrated by the long videos, interviews with stars, including US President Donald Trump, was Scotland star John McGinn, who summed-up everyone's frustrations in one simple, but hilarious image.
Draw eventually made ahead of World Cup
The waiting is finally over, but it came only after Rio Ferdinand, Heidi Klum, Shaquille O’Neal and a host of other presenters took what felt like several lifetimes to complete the draw for next year’s tournament in America, Canada and Mexico. Steve Clarke’s side has been drawn in a very tricky group where they will face South American giants Brazil, 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, and Haiti.
Qualification for the World Cup marks the Tartan Army's first appearance at the tournament since 1998, a campaign where they also faced Brazil and Morocco in the group stage. The draw presents a challenging but exciting prospect after they topped their qualifying group ahead of Denmark following that thrilling 4-2 win at Hampden Park. Scotland can progress past the group stage for the first time in their history.
But in the couple of hours it took for the draw to start, McGinn posted an image which described how the vast majority of the viewing public felt.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportMcGinn sums up mood in one image
The image earned McGinn lots of replies, many agreeing with him that the draw was dragging on wary too, long. One of his followers said: "Rumour has it. The second half of the draw is on display at Villa Park at half time tomorrow." Another added: "This makes the 27 years without qualifying feel short."
Christie: 'You can't ask for more exciting games'
Following the draw, Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie told the BBC: "It's exciting. A tough group but one we're looking forward to. We have to go over there wanting to try and prove a point. We're not just there to make up the numbers. We're wanting to go and compete and get through the group phase. Two out of the three games are going to be massively tough and even Haiti, nobody gets to a World Cup without being a decent team. (They are) teams we're not used to playing. You can't ask for more exciting games."
He added: "I'm sure me and the rest of the boys are buzzing for it. Everybody's been asking me who I've wanted, I've been saying Brazil the whole week and then they came out and I thought, maybe I shouldn't be saying that. Brazil was one of my favourite international teams growing up. Hopefully, we'll get the chance, myself, to play them next summer."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images SportWait to discover kick-off time
This edition of the World Cup will feature a new, expanded format with 48 teams and nations have been divided into 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to a new Round of 32 knockout stage. This increases the total matches from 64 to a whopping 104, and the champions this time round will play eight matches instead of seven. The draw is now complete, but the specific match dates, venues, and kick-off times are being announced by FIFA in a special program tomorrow. The opening match will be on June 11th in Mexico City, and the final will be on July 19th in New Jersey.
Stats highlights from the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa in Rawalpindi
Shubh Agarwal23-Oct-20253 – Number of Test wins for South Africa in Pakistan. Their previous two wins came in Faisalabad in 1997 and in Karachi in 2007. Since then, South Africa had lost three Tests in Pakistan.1 – Instance of two South Africa spinners taking five-wicket hauls in the same Test. Keshav Maharaj dismantled Pakistan in the first innings with 7 for 102. Simon Harmer then took 6 for 50 in the second innings, his best figures in Test cricket.7 for 102 – Maharaj’s first-innings figures are the best by a South Africa bowler in Pakistan. Left-arm wristspinner Paul Adams had the record with 7 for 128 in the Lahore Test in 2003. It is also the second-best figures by a South African spinner in Asia. Maharaj also holds the top spot with his 9 for 129 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2018.Related
Mahmood bemoans another Pakistan collapse: 'This is not acceptable'
South Africa prove they can win with spin on the subcontinent
Deja Vu for Masood as SA's tail wags and Pakistan's plans unravel
Stats – First-class Harmer enters elite wicket-takers' club
Harmer's six-for helps South Africa ease to series-levelling win
4 – Number of South African bowlers to complete 1000 wickets in first-class cricket. Harmer reached the milestone in the second innings in Rawalpindi when he dismissed Noman Ali. Only Mike Procter (1417), Allan Donald (1216) and Charlie Llewellyn (1003) have more first-class wickets among South African bowlers.38 years and 299 days – Asif Afridi’s age at the start of the second Test, making him the oldest debutant to take a five-wicket haul. England’s Charles Marriott was 37 years and 332 days old when he picked up 5 for 37 on debut against West Indies in 1933.3 – Maharaj, Asif and Harmer picked up five-wicket hauls in Rawalpindi; it was the first time that three bowlers over the age of 35 took five-wicket hauls in a Test.35 – Number of wickets picked up by South Africa’s spinners in the two Tests, the most in a series for them in the 21st century. South Africa’s spinners took 17 wickets in Rawalpindi, the second most for them in a Test.ESPNcricinfo Ltd71 – Kagiso Rabada’s score is the highest by a South African No. 11. It was also his maiden first-class fifty.15.2 – The difference in batting average for Pakistan between their first and second innings in Test cricket since 2023. They average 34.49 in the first innings and only 19.29 in the second. The difference is the highest among all Test nations in this period.786 – Number of days without an international hundred for Babar Azam. His last century came against Nepal in the 2023 Asia Cup.Babar has now gone 75 innings without an international ton. Among Pakistan batters to bat in top four, only Kamran Akmal (76 innings) and Mohammad Rizwan (82) have had a longer streak without a hundred in international cricket.
Manchester City are now reportedly one of the two most interested clubs in signing a key defensive reinforcement for Pep Guardiola worth over £40m.
Man City interested in key defensive addition
This time last year, Man City were gearing up for a frantic January transfer window. The Citizens were struggling more than ever before under Guardiola, who was on the worst run of his career himself.
One year later, things are little less concerning. The serial winners still have problems to address, but they still very much find themselves in a Premier League title race.
Man City make approach for 'frustrated' Arsenal star as three more clubs line up
The Gunners have responded.
ByEmilio Galantini 7 days ago
Before they can even think about leapfrogging Arsenal, however, Man City must improve defensively. Close collapses against Leeds United and Fulham were worrying warning signs and the January transfer window represents the chance for Guardiola to add key reinforcements.
He told reporters when asked about his side’s defensive frailties as of late: “I don’t like to concede six goals in two games, but we have to build from that. We have to fix these kind of things. I believe we can do better. We create chances and score goals because we have built a team for that, but we have to be more solid.”
So, who could Man City sign in 2026? As things stand, the biggest names on their radar seem to be Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown.
Guehi would be a particularly impressive signing, given how Liverpool remain so closely linked with his signature. If he’s available as a free agent next summer, City should jump at the chance to welcome the England international.
Meanwhile, Brown would also be an impressive addition. The left-back reportedly has plenty of fans at the Etihad and has emerged as an early target to help Guardiola solve his current defensive leak.
Man City battling Arsenal to sign Brown
According to Caught Offside, Man City are now the most interested club to sign Brown alongside title rivals Arsenal. The two Premier League sides are seemingly leading the chasing pack to sign the impressive Frankfurt man, who is set to cost around €50m (£44m) when 2026 arrives.
It’s easy to see why Man City are one of the top contenders to sign Brown next year, especially as Guardiola transitions back towards flying full-backs.
The German was described as exactly that by Ben Mattinson last season, with the Como scout also calling the Frankfurt man “pacy”.
Man City rarely miss out in the transfer market and even as Arsenal rise to the top of the Premier League, they should feel confident that they can lure Brown to Manchester in 2026.
Man City now expected to sign "unbelievable" PL star who nearly joined Liverpool