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Tottenham Hotspur are making surprising strides in the transfer market this month in a bid to improve Thomas Frank’s squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The Lilywhites officially completed the signing of Ghana international Mohammed Kudus from Premier League and London rivals West Ham United on Thursday night.

Kudus will be hoping to improve on his haul of five goals and three assists in 32 appearances in the top-flight for the Hammers last season, as he aims to provide a threat at the top end of the pitch for Frank.

The 24-year-old star could be joined by another attacking midfielder before long. Morgan Gibbs-White is expected to complete a move to Spurs, despite Nottingham Forest’s attempts to challenge the legality of their approach.

Whilst Spurs will be looking at players who can step in to immediately improve the team, Daniel Levy could also pursue players with a view to them being future replacements, as well as providing depth in the short-term.

Signing a player to replace Cristian Romero, for example, could be a shrewd move by the Europa League winners, given the speculation over his future and his availability record.

Why Spurs need a replacement for Cristian Romero

In terms of his future at Spurs, Fabrizio Romano claims that it has all gone quiet between Atletico Madrid and the club over a potential deal for the Argentina international.

The Italian reporter adds that the central defender is now expected to remain at Tottenham beyond the end of the summer transfer window, in what appears to be a boost for Frank.

However, the 27-year-old star’s contract at the club is due to expire in the summer of 2027 and it remains to be seen where his long-term future will be, which is why sourcing a longer-term replacement for him would make a lot of sense.

Even if Romero, as reported by Romano, remains at Spurs this summer, signing a player who can step in to replace him in the starting XI when needed would be incredibly useful for Frank.

Cristian Romero’s availability record at Spurs

Season

Games missed through injury

Games missed through suspension

Total games missed

24/25

27

0

27

23/24

3

3

6

22/23

9

1

10

21/22

28

2

30

Stats via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, the World Cup winner has not been a reliable option for Tottenham in his four seasons at the club, missing 73 matches through either suspension or injury since the start of the 2021/22 campaign.

These statistics suggest that Spurs are in need of another high-quality centre-back option to play when Romero, who scored one goal in 18 Premier League games last season, is unavailable.

This may be why Tottenham are now being linked with an interest in a new central defensive option to come in and add to their options in that area of the pitch.

Spurs eyeing move for Premier League defender

According to The Boy Hotspur, Spurs are interested in a swoop to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi to come in and compete for a spot in the team.

The report claims that the club have made ‘fresh contact’ with the England international’s camp to discuss a potential transfer to North London this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

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It states that the Eagles are prepared to negotiate a fee within the region of £39m for their captain because his current contract at Selhurst Park is set to expire at the end of next season, which means that they would risk losing him for nothing next year if they do not cash in on him before the end of this window.

The outlet adds that Chelsea, Arsenal, and Bournemouth are also keeping tabs on his situation, but the Gunners are not able to offer him enough guarantees of regular football because they already have William Saliba and Gabriel.

It is now down to Spurs to strike an agreement with Palace to bring the English titan to the club this summer, because he could be a dream replacement for Romero.

Why Guehi would be a dream Romero replacement

Guehi would be a dream signing for Tottenham to come in as a centre-back who can replace Romero when he is unavailable next season, whilst also having the potential to be a long-term replacement if the Argentine ace moves on in the future.

At the age of 24, he is still a young defender and could be a star at the back for Spurs for many years to come, which is one of the reasons why he would be a brilliant signing.

Another reason why Guehi would be a fantastic addition for the club is that he has a great fitness record. Since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, the English gem has only missed 13 games through injury, compared to Romero’s 67 matches missed through injury since that season.

This suggests that the Palace star, who was dubbed a “monster” by reporter Bobby Manzi, is more likely to be available week-in-week-out to start at the heart of the defence for Spurs in the Premier League, making him a very reliable option to have.

24/25 Premier League

Marc Guehi

Cristian Romero

Appearances

34

18

Goals

3

1

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.6

3.1

Blocks per game

0.2

0.1

Clearances per game

4.6

2.9

Ground duel success rate

64%

61%

Aerial duel success rate

54%

61%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Guehi and Romero produced similar statistics in a host of defensive metrics in the Premier League last season, which suggests that there may not be a big difference in quality between them.

This is yet another reason why the England international would be a dream signing to step in for the Argentine star next season, and potentially as his long-term replacement as a regular starter.

Guehi, who was described as the “ultimate” centre-back by Jamie Redknapp last season, appears to make a lot of sense for Spurs as a signing to make an immediate impact, as well as being a signing for the future, which is why the club should push to get a deal over the line.

Related Perfect with Gibbs-White: Spurs to make £60m bid for "phenomenal" talent

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be prepared to splash the cash under Thomas Frank this summer.

Posts 1 ByEthan Lamb Jul 12, 2025

Says vice-captaincy “not a massive role”, though contrast with Pope seems instructive

Vithushan Ehantharajah02-Sep-2024

Harry Brook has made one fifty in the Sri Lanka series•Getty Images

Diminishing Test returns after being promoted to a leadership role is not just an Ollie Pope problem.Since assuming the vice-captaincy for the Sri Lanka series, Harry Brook has not been his usual, ruthless self. Starts have been given away throughout and an average of 39.50 from four innings is comfortably his lowest of any series in which he has played more than one match.The struggle is relative, of course. Pope would swap his 7.50 average in a heartbeat, or barter one of his deputy’s three thirty-odd scores that followed an accomplished 56 in the first innings at Manchester. And it is fair to say they are dealing with their new roles very differently.Fresh from victory at Lord’s that gives England an insurmountable 2-0 lead ahead of the third and final Test on Friday, Pope spoke of needing to “block out the criticism”. Balancing captaincy and batting remains a challenge, if only for one more game. The subsequent judgements on his personality, particularly set against the inspirational figure of regular men’s Test captain Ben Stokes, will take longer to dispel.Related

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Brook, on the other hand, seems as he always does. In good touch even without a score of note, and typically unflustered. “It’s not a massive role really, is it?” he said of vice-captaincy.”I haven’t had to do much, to be honest. I think Popey has done an amazing job. I’ve tried to give him a few ideas here and there; he’s taken some and he’s shrugged some off so it’s been good so far.”As for the runs, he is not worried: “[It’s] frustrating to get starts obviously, but I feel like I’m batting really well. And hopefully it’s just a matter of time when a big one comes.”The contrast in dispositions is stark. Irrespective of this secondment as captain, Pope’s England career has been one of spikes even during a consistent run at No. 3 under Stokes. Brook, on the other hand, has churned consistently. Even a 14-innings wait for his fifth Test century – which came against West Indies earlier this summer – featured match-winning half-centuries in last summer’s third and fifth Ashes Tests.It is worth going back to the summer of 2022 for a moment. Upon Stokes’ appointment, Pope picked up and phone and asked for the No. 3 spot. Stokes respected the proactiveness and that Pope was willing to bite the bullet at first-drop. With the top six locked in, Brook carried drinks until he got one innings in the seventh and final Test of that season, against South Africa, after Jonny Bairstow broke his leg.Having been dropped on the 2021-22 Ashes tour, Pope regards that call to Stokes as a sliding doors moment in his career. But it also had a knock-on effect for Brook. Had he featured earlier that summer, there is every chance he would have been the man named as Stokes’ official vice-captain in May of last year, not Pope.Brook has taken a relaxed approach as Ollie Pope’s vice-captain•Getty Images

Pope’s credentials at the time were aligned with his standing in the team; comfortable in a new batting spot, popular in the dressing room through familiarity having debuted in 2018, and, at 25, the ideal age to act as a conduit between the older team-mates and newer players coming through. Had Brook (25 now) picked up more than the six caps at the time of that vice-captaincy selection, he might have been the one leading against Sri Lanka.Nevertheless, captaincy has been a feature of Brook’s 2024 after taking the reins at Northern Superchargers in the men’s Hundred. “It was different, but it was good fun,” he said of the experience, which included working with new head coach Andrew Flintoff.Superchargers narrowly missed out on making the top-three spot on Net Run Rate, losing just two matches. Brook, absent from the first defeat to Trent Rockets as it coincided with the end of the West Indies Test series, impressed tactically, with a matter-of-fact demeanour that allowed him to stay level in a volatile format. He was also Superchargers’ second-highest runscorer with 163.”Obviously I’ve played with Stokesy quite a bit now and watching the way he goes about it I’d be lying if I said I didn’t take a few learnings from him,” Brook said of his captaincy inspiration. With Jos Buttler suffering a setback in his injury recovery for the white ball fixtures against Australia, Brook may get his chance to apply those learnings on the international stage.Asked if he was keen to captain more, Brook responded with a diplomatic “we’ll see”. But it is clear leadership is on the horizon. In a Test squad that currently features seven players aged between 23 and 27, along with a 19 (Josh Hull) and 20-year-old (Shoaib Bashir), Brook is a vital part of the nucleus of England’s present and future.It remains Stokes’ show, of course, reinforced by the allrounder’s presence on the balconies at Emirates Old Trafford and Lord’s. He will be just as visible at the Kia Oval as the hosts chase a first flawless Test summer in 20 years.Should that be achieved, it will be a shared feather in the caps of Stokes and Pope. The lack of resistance from West Indies and Sri Lanka will make it hard conclude England are a force to be reckoned with as they taper towards the 2025-26 Ashes.But the main takeaway already is a clearer idea of England’s next Test captain. And it is Pope’s vice rather than Stokes’.

Both teams endured collapses but Stallions’ 8 for 26 was too big a slump in the end

Danyal Rasool15-Sep-2024

Zahid Mahmood’s 5 for 18 led to Stallions’ rout•PCB

Zahid Mahmood’s five-for led Markhors to a crushing 126-run win over Stallions. Chasing 232 – the lowest target of the tournament by some distance – Stallions collapsed from the relative security to 79 for 2, losing their remaining eight wickets for 26. Iftikhar Ahmed and Salman Agha’s middle order half-centuries got Markhors past the 200-mark in the first innings, with a clinical bowling performance preserving their perfect record.The tournament looked set to get its first chasing winners when Shan Masood and Babar Azam were coasting through the opening powerplay. Babar dismantled Shahnawaz Dahani with five boundaries in his only over to underscore Stallions’ dominance at that stage, bringing up the team fifty inside nine overs. But when Masood tried to cut away a Naseem Shah delivery that kept a shade low and ended up dragging it into his stumps, the game swiftly turned.A charged Naseem gave his Test captain a send-off that Masood did not appreciate, but the momentum had swung on a dime. Tayyab Tahir and Babar fell either side of the 15th over, and suddenly the spin of Mahmood and Salman began to stifle the Stallions’ gallop. Captain Mohammad Haris was dispatched shortly after, and Stallions were in a free fall. The last eight wickets fell in just 53 balls, as what looked like a straightforward chase an hour earlier turned into a comprehensive defeat.With every side batting first winning so far, it was little surprise Markhors’ captain Mohammad Rizwan opted to bat first at the toss. But Markhors were beset by regular early wickets as Jahandad Khan, who took 4 for 49, removed Fakhar Zaman for 20. Rizwan got a start but never really got going, and Markhors were teetering at 38 for 3 before three successive half-century partnerships got Markhors out of that tight spot. However, the blistering finish that has characterised first innings across this competition would never materialise as Mehran Mumtaz and Jahandad ran through the lower-middle order, with the last five wickets falling for just 10 runs.Markhors did look short at the time, but their bowlers would ensure they didn’t have much to worry about.

كشف جيانلويجي دوناروما، حارس مرمى مانشستر سيتي، عن اللاعب الذي رحب به فور انتقاله إلى صفوف النادي الإنجليزي خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي الأخير.

ونجح نادي مانشستر سيتي في التعاقد مع دوناروما، خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي العام الحالي، قادمًا من صفوف باريس سان جيرمان مقابل 35 مليون يورو.

وقدم دوناروما أوراق اعتماده بشكل رسمي مع مانشستر سيتي وساعد فريقه على الفوز بديربي مانشستر سيتي على الغريم التقليدي مانشستر يونايتد، يوم الأحد الماضي، بثلاثية نظيفة، في الدوري الإنجلييزي الممتاز.

طالع .. جوارديولا: مانشستر سيتي ليس مرشحًا للفوز بدوري أبطال أوروبا.. وأتعلم من كونتي

وأشار دوناروما خلال المؤتمر الصحفي الذي يسبق لقاء مانشستر سيتي ونابولي في دوري أبطال أوروبا يوم غدًا الخميس، إلى أن إيرلينج هالاند وقف بجانبه كثيرًا منذ توقيعه مع السيتيزن.

وقال دوناروما عن هالاند: “إلى جانب كونه لاعبًا رائعًا وأحد أفضل لاعبي العالم إن لم يكن الأفضل على الإطلاق، فهو شخص رائع أيضًا، وهذا ما يجعل هالاند أفضل بطريقة ما، تربطني به علاقة رائعة ولقد رحب بي فور انضمامي إلى مانشستر سيتي”.

وأضاف دوناروما في حديثه عن هالاند: “أشعر وكأنني في مانشستر سيتي منذ سنوات عديدة، بالطريقة التي رحبوا بي بها جميعًا لذا أنا فخور جدًا بذلك، يجب أن يكون سلوك الفريق وموقفه كعائلة واحدة، وعندما يصد زميل كرة هدف يجب أن نحتفل جميعًا كما لو كان هدفًا سجله الفريق”.

وأوضح: “لذا هذا مهم جدًا بالنسبة لي، يجب أن نكون متحدين في الملعب وخارجه، لقد كان أمرًا رائعًا والنتيجة ضد مانشستر يونايتد رفعتنا إلى أعلى المستويات”.

وعن نابولي أردف دوناروما: “أحد أخطر لاعبي نابولي هما سكوت ماكتوميناي وراسموس هويلوند، خطيران للغاية، وهويلوند قدم أداءً رائعًا في مباراته الأولى مع نابولي”.

وتابع: “يدافع نابولي بشكل ممتاز لذا ستكون مباراة صعبة للغاية وعلينا أن نكون حذرين طوال الوقت، لدى ماكتوميناي وهويلوند قوة بدنية وسرعة بديهة وهذا ما سأقوله أيضًا في غرفة الملابس”.

واستكمل: “لكنني متأكد من أن مدربنا سيخبرنا بهذه الأمور عند تحضيرنا للمباراة، أنا سعيد جدًا باللعب ضد نابولي وإنها مباراة أولى مثيرة ورائعة”.

وعن اللعب بقدميه قال دوناروما: “أسعى دائمًا للتطور، أنا الآن مع بيب جوارديولا وهو من أفضل المدربين في مثل هذه المواقف، لذا يمكنه مساعدتي كثيرًا بالتأكيد، يمكننا القيام بالكثير معًا وأنا متأكد من أننا سنحقق نجاحًا باهرًا”.

وأضاف: “من البديهي أن عليك أن تستشعر الخطر، عندما تكون في لحظة حرجة عليك أن تكون قادرًا على قراءة مواقف ولحظات معينة في المباراة، هناك لحظات يمكنك فيها اللعب وفرض اللعب، ولحظات يكون من الأفضل فيها التسديد الطويل وتجنب المواقف الخطرة”.

واختتم: “لذا عليك أن تكون جيدًا في قراءة الموقف، وعندما تستطيع اللعب العب بقدمك، وعندما لا تستطيع لا تفعل”.

Celtic have made a habit out of buying and developing and selling on young talent over the years, as they have made millions in profit through player trading.

The likes of Matt O’Riley, Odsonne Edouard, Moussa Dembele, and Virgil van Dijk, among many others, have come and gone thanks to the club’s excellent recruitment work.

Whilst they have had success in plucking players out of top European countries, like van Dijk from the Netherlands or Dembele and O’Riley from England, they have also had success in snapping up talent from more obscure leagues.

For example, Celtic signed Kristoffer Ajer as a 17-year-old for £650k from Norwegian side Start, before they went on to sell him to Brentford for a reported fee of £13.5m.

The Hoops plucked the teenage talent up and sent him out on loan, to Kilmarnock, before integrating him into the first-team to develop into a £13.5m player, and they could repeat a similar trick with their interest in a midfielder this summer.

Celtic enquire about deal for Serbian midfielder

According to Cukaricki sporting director Vladimir Matijašević, Celtic have made contact over a potential deal to sign central midfielder Andrej Bacanin before the end of the summer transfer window.

Transfer Focus

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

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Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “There’s significant interest in our young players, and right now the spotlight is on Andrej Bačanin’s transfer. His performances last season for both our team and the Serbian national side at youth level have drawn attention from numerous clubs.

“We’ve had enquiries from Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers, and clubs like Ajax and Udinese are also interested, among others. It’s possible more options will emerge, but I expect the transfer to be completed within the next ten days.”

This shows that the Hoops are interested in the 18-year-old talent, who could arrive at Parkhead to follow a similar path to success in Scotland as Ajer.

Why Celtic should sign Andrej Bacanin

The Scottish Premiership giants should push to win the race for the teenage starlet’s signature this summer because he could be a future star for the club.

At the age of 18, Bacanin should not be expected to arrive as an immediate first-team star, as he only just made his breakthrough at senior level in Serbia in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign.

Instead, the Serbia U19 international could follow Ajer’s path by joining another Premiership team, or a club in another country, on loan to continue his development, before making the step to Brendan Rodgers’ team further down the line.

Although he may not be ready to make an instant impact in Glasgow for Celtic, his performances in the Serbian Superliga show that he does have potential.

24/25 Superliga

Andrej Bacanin

Appearances

17

Starts

10

Goals

1

Assists

2

Tackles per 90

2.3

Interceptions per 90

1.8

Error led to goal

0

Penalties committed

0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Bacanin offered a screening presence in front of the back four when he played, averaging 4.1 tackles and interceptions per 90 in the division.

Meanwhile, no central midfielder for Celtic managed more than 2.0 tackles and interceptions per game, which suggests that the Serbian youngster could offer a defensive midfield option that Rodgers does not currently have.

As was the case with Ajer, though, Bacanin will need to be playing games week-in-week-out to hone his skills and develop as a player, which is why bringing the young whiz in before sending him out on loan could be a shrewd move.

The Hoops could snap him up this summer, to ensure that their rivals do not steal a march of them, before sending him away to develop and improve, with the hope that he will come back a better player who is ready to make his mark on Parkhead in the 2026/27 campaign.

Related He'll send Idah to the bench: Celtic lining up swoop for £7m "goal machine"

Celtic are eyeing up a deal for a striker who would send Adam Idah to the bench.

Posts ByDan Emery Jul 18, 2025

Serbian Football Scout, who is a professional scout for MLS side Colorado Rapids, previously dubbed Bacanin a “true midfield controller”, and he could control games for Celtic in the future, if they get this deal done.

Offspinner says series award should have been shared after duo turn team’s fortunes around

Danyal Rasool26-Oct-2024

Noman Ali and Sajid Khan pose with the match ball after the third Test•Getty Images

Two weeks before they played each other in the Australian Open final in 2017, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were ailing, injured athletes who were perhaps fading into the twilight. When, against the odds, they wound up facing each other in the final, the victorious Federer famously said, “Tennis is a cruel sport, there are no draws, but if there was going to be one I would have been very happy to accept one tonight and share it with Rafa.”Sajid Khan and Noman Ali had similarly faded from view until a fortnight ago, having played no first-class cricket, and with no realistic ambitions of an imminent return to the Pakistan side. So when they did, and ended up sharing 39 of England’s 40 wickets to fall over the past two Tests, Sajid, awarded the Player of the Series trophy, expressed much the same sentiment.” is one of the most experienced players on the Pakistan domestic circuit,” Sajid said at the presentation. “We should be sharing these Player of the Series awards. He’s a great spinner who has mentored and helped me as well, and so every bit as much credit goes to him.”Related

India and England cannot sweep themselves out of trouble in Tests

'We had a clear plan' – Azhar Mahmood puts his spin on Multan pitch

Pakistan turn it around to clinch series 2-1 after Sajid, Noman special

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Sajid Khan claims Urdu misdirection aided his batting exploits

This will be a series to forget for England, but in Pakistan, it is this duo it will be remembered for. That they would run through England’s batters appears inevitable in hindsight; but when England rocked along to 211 for 2 in the first innings in Multan – on a pitch Sajid said offered something “even if the spinner did nothing” – it was Sajid and Noman’s reputations on the line.And though Sajid insists the match situation didn’t worry him, the weight of expectation on him was a different matter. “There wasn’t so much pressure [of the series] but [there was] some pressure of the comeback. The captain, the vice captain, the whole team was gelling well together. We play domestic cricket together, on these kinds of wickets, so there wasn’t that much pressure.”The 38-year old Noman has the experience to know not to take any opportunity for granted. “I feel it’s been a while since we’ve performed well in Pakistan,” he said, sat alongside Sajid at the post-series press conference. “We’re grateful we had the conditions for the opportunity to win the series this way. The way we came back is especially pleasing, and we hope we get similar conditions in future and we’ll pose difficulties for other teams.”But Noman also recognised the extent to which Pakistan got away with one here. The plan to pivot sharply to spin was, much like the surfaces they decided to use, half-baked. Their first-choice spinner Abrar Ahmed was out of the series, and the three spinners Pakistan called upon hadn’t played any first-class cricket since January. If England were to be beaten, it would happen through Sajid and Noman’s muscle memory and experience.If Pakistan are to employ this strategy in the future – the prospect of which Noman was unsurprisingly supportive – he believed they needed to do it properly. “I think if you want to prepare spinners, you need to play more red-ball cricket,” he said. “You get all kinds of conditions in first-class cricket with new and old ball. When you do that, it gives you a lot of experience.”

يستضيف فريق مانشستر سيتي، عصر السبت، خصمه بيرنلي وذلك في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لكرة القدم، موسم 2025/26.

تأتي تلك المباراة في خضم لقاءات الجولة السادسة من الدوري الإنجليزي لذلك الموسم، على ملعب “الاتحاد”.

ويمتلك مانشستر سيتي 7 نقاط في المركز التاسع في جدول الدوري الإنجليزي، بينما يحتل بيرنلي المركز السادس عشر برصيد 4 نقاط.

ويسعى مانشستر سيتي إلى تحقيق الانتصار على بيرنلي في مباراتهما المرتقبة اليوم من أجل تعويض ما حدث في صدام آرسنال، الجولة الماضية، عندما تعادل السكاي بلو في الوقت القاتل.

ولن يشارك النجم المصري عمر مرموش في مباراة اليوم حيث لا يزال يعاني من الإصابة التي تعرض لها في الركبة خلال مباراة منتخبي مصر وبوركينا فاسو، في وقت سابق من شهر سبتمبر الجاري. تشكيل مانشستر سيتي المتوقع أمام بيرنلي في الدوري الإنجليزي

حراسة المرمى: جيانلويجي دوناروما.

خط الدفاع: ريكو لويس، روبن دياز، جفارديول، نيكو أوريلي.

خط الوسط: رودري، برناردو سيلفا.

خط الوسط الهجومي: تيجاني ريندرز، فيل فودين، جيريمي دوكو.

خط الهجوم: إيرلينج هالاند.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

Manchester United’s pursuit of Benjamin Sesko this summer feels as though it’s been dragging out for months, with an end to the saga currently not in sight for the Red Devils.

Ruben Amorim’s side have struggled to win the race for the RB Leipzig striker’s signature, also facing competition from fellow Premier League side Newcastle United.

Rumours have been circulating that current centre forward Rasmus Hojlund could potentially be included in any move to bring the cost of the transfer down this summer.

However, with the September 1st transfer deadline rapidly approaching, the hierarchy will need to act quickly if they are to secure the Slovenian’s signature ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

There’s no denying that the 22-year-old will remain as their number one target between now and the end of the window, but other targets are being considered as a result of the saga.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

As previously mentioned, Newcastle are also considering a move for Sesko, even taking the next step in their pursuit of the forward after submitting their second offer in recent days.

However, David Ornstein confirmed this afternoon that the Red Devils have made their own offer for the 22-year-old, totalling £74m including add-ons – leaving the player to decide which move he prefers this summer.

Despite the update on a move for Sesko, bids are also being prepared for other options, with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma a player in their sights, according to Stretty News.

They claim that the Red Devils and Jason Wilcox are preparing a €30m (£26m) bid for the 26-year-old, who currently has one year left on his contract with the Ligue 1 giants.

It also states that the Italian international could be keen on a move to England this summer, after his current employers landed Lucas Chevalier to be their new number one this summer.

Why United’s £26m target would be a better signing than Sesko

There’s no doubt that, after scoring just 44 league goals in their 38 outings last season, United desperately need a new striker if they are to rise up the table throughout 2025/26.

The additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have already added needed quality into the final third, but further moves by Wilcox and co are needed if the club are to endure any success during Amorim’s reign.

Sesko, who scored 21 times last season, would undoubtedly offer an upgrade to the boss, but with the Magpies’ advances, it could make a deal somewhat trickier, even though they have made their own offer in recent hours.

Cheaper alternatives have already appeared on their radar, with Ollie Watkins and Nicolas Jackson two Premier League-proven options they could turn to as a result.

Both could easily fill the needed void at the top end of the pitch, with any money saved potentially playing a huge part in their move to land goalkeeper Donnarumma.

A shot-stopper has also been desperately needed, with current number one Andre Onana out injured, but also dropping multiple clangers during his spell in the side last season. Indeed, he made five errors leading to a goal in the Premier League and Europa League combined.

The Cameroonian cost the side in numerous key moments, including the Bilbao final, where he was unable to keep the ball out from Brennan Johnson’s close-range effort.

Donnarumma, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by former ‘keeper Diego Lopez, has showcased his talents in recent times, registering 2.2 saves per 90 last season, helping the French side win the Champions League.

He also ranked in the top 15% of all ‘keepers in Europe for goals conceded per 90, handing United that needed quality they’ve been lacking between the sticks in recent months.

Gianluigi Donnarumma’s stats in Ligue 1 (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

24

Goals against per 90

1.08

Saves made

2.2

Save percentage

70%

Pass accuracy

86%

Defensive actions outside the box

0.9

% of passes launched

13%

Errors leading to goals

0

Stats via FotMob

The major key to any move for the former AC Milan star is his lack of errors, not making a single mistake that led to a goal, which would see him massively provide an upgrade on Onana.

£26m for a player of his calibre in today’s market would be phenomenal business, handing Amorim a superb option to bolster his chances of success at Old Trafford.

There’s no doubt that Sesko would provide an excellent option in attacking areas, but there are cheaper options available this summer that could offer just as big of an impact, which could also free up funds to pursue a move for Donnarumma.

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Posts 3 ByEthan Lamb Aug 4, 2025

West Ham United supporters are demanding that their team be busy in this transfer window.

So far, the Irons’ biggest move in the market is selling Mohammed Kudus to bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur for a reported fee of £55m which, fair to say, has not gone down well!

The arrival of full-backs El Hadji Malick Diouf and Kyle Walker-Peters have done little to quell the anger in East London, with Graham Potter in desperate need of reinforcements, but are the Hammers set to make a new signing, reminiscent of Jarrod Bowen’s arrival five years ago?

West Ham's search for a new goalkeeper

There are plenty of areas of the West Ham squad that could do with improving this summer, one of which is certainly goalkeeper, as outlined by the table below.

West Ham’s goalkeepers 2024/25 Premier League statistics

Statistics

Alphonse Areola

PL rank

Łukasz Fabiański

PL rank

Minutes

2,260

18th

1,160

22nd

Saves

77

15th

50

21st

Save %

64.3%

20th

74.6%

2nd

Goals conceded per 90

1.63

6th

1.63

7th

Clean sheet %

20%

13th

15.4%

17th

Post shot xG – goals conceded

-2.6

36th

+1.6

12th

% of crosses prevented

3.8%

21st

4.5%

18th

Punches

10

17th

9

19th

High claims

15

19th

9

24th

Average SofaScore rating

6.87

34th

7.08

18th

Statistics courtesy of FBref.com and SofaScore

As the table shows, neither the form of Alphonse Areola nor Łukasz Fabiański was particularly impressive last season, both ranking generally pretty lowly for the vast majority of metrics.

Despite actually seeing fewer minutes, the Polish international’s numbers were more impressive, but the 40-year-old has been released this summer, leaving the French World Cup winner as the current number one. He started Saturday’s Premier League Summer Series clash with Manchester United, but the Irons are seemingly targeting an upgrade.

That’s because, as noted by Will Unwin of the Guardian, the Hammers are targeting a move to sign Sheffield United goalkeeper Michael Cooper.

West Ham had previously been ‘interested’ in signing Mads Hermansen from Leicester City, but have now turned their attention to Cooper, who Alan Nixon and Henry Tomlinson of the Sun claim is valued at around £15m by the Blades.

Transfer Focus

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

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So, could he soon swap South Yorkshire for East London?

How Michael Cooper would improve West Ham

After beginning his senior career at Plymouth Argyle, making 161 appearances for the Pilgrims, Cooper joined Sheffield United for a reported fee of £4m just last summer and certainly impressed at Bramall Lane.

After his debut, Cooper featured in 46 of Sheffield United’s 47 EFL Championship fixtures, including the gut-wrenching play-off final defeat to Sunderland at Wembley, with Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout heralding his “incredible” form in the past.

Meantime, Nancy Frostick of the Athletic labels him a ‘strong all-rounder’ who is ‘capable of game-changing saves’ as well as boasting ‘effective distribution’, forecasting that he is ‘destined for great things’.

His statistics in the Championship certainly support these assertions.

Michael Cooper EFL Championship statistics 2024/25

Statistics

Cooper

Championship rank

Saves

109

8th

Save %

79.6%

2nd

Clean sheets

21

2nd

Clean sheet %

48.8%

3rd

Post-shot xG – goals conceded

+6.5

5th

% of crosses prevented

9.6%

1st

High claims

54

1st

Average SofaScore rating

7.19

4th

Statistics courtesy of FBref.com and SofaScore

As the table outlines, Cooper ranks highly for all goalkeeping metrics included, most notably shot-stopping and high claims, statistics that weren’t particularly impressive when it came to West Ham’s current goalkeeper Areola.

He would not be the first player West Ham have signed from the EFL in recent times, as documented below.

West Ham signings from EFL clubs (2017-present)

Players

Year joined

Fee

West Ham appearances

Crysencio Summerville

2024

£25m

22

James Ward-Prowse

2023

£30m

67

Maxwel Cornet

2022

£17.5m

37

Saïd Benrahma

2020

£26m

155

Jarrod Bowen

2020

£22m

238

Jordan Hugill

2018

£10m

3

Marko Arnautović

2017

£20m

65

Robert Snodgrass

2017

£10m

86

All information courtesy of Transfermarkt

Fair to say, West Ham have spent plenty of money signing EFL stars in recent years, a few of which have been massive flops; looking at you, Maxwel Cornet and Jordan Hugill!

Unquestionably, however, the best signing of them all is the £22m spent to bring in Jarrod Bowen from Hull City in January 2020.

Now the club captain, Bowen has scored 74 goals in 238 appearances for the Irons, most memorably bagging the winner in the Europa Conference League Final against Fiorentina in Prague, securing the club’s first major silverware since winning the FA Cup in 1980.

Speaking to Goal, Michail Antonio jokingly stated that Bowen “needs to leave”, given that he is just 12 goals behind Antonio’s all-time Premier League goals record for the club of 68, a record he’s expecting will be broken this season.

So, while Cooper will have to go a long way to have the impact in East London that Bowen has had, the goalkeeper certainly has the potential to be another transformational signing, especially when considering the Hammers’ ongoing issues in that position.

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Posts ByRoss Kilvington Jul 28, 2025

“It wasn’t what I signed up for,” he says, “but this is one of those situations in which you just need to go with the flow”

Danyal Rasool24-Oct-2024

Jason Gillespie’s scope as head coach has reduced in a short span•Associated Press

Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has admitted to “frustrations from time to time” over the reduced scope of his job, emphasising the need for clear communication. Gillespie, who, alongside captain Shan Masood, was recently removed from the selection panel, said his current role “wasn’t what he signed up for”, but one he was happy to adapt to.”I think there’s always frustrations from time to time,” Gillespie said, in an interview with . “For me, when I came on board with Pakistan cricket, I was told there was a long-term plan, and we need to make sure our communication’s spot on. I made that a real focus and so you can get frustrated if those things aren’t done how you would like.”It wasn’t what I signed up for, I’ll be completely honest. But this is one of those situations in which you just need to go with the flow. As I said, I’m in a different environment and things are done differently. One can agree or disagree with how things are done, but ultimately I’m here to help the Pakistan team do well, help the players get better, improve. So I’ve put all my focus and energy into that.”Related

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Gillespie had long-term ambitions when he took the role earlier this year. In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, he had cautioned against the dangers of “people on one-or two-year contracts” prioritising self-preservation over long-term development. “If everyone has that approach,” he said at the time, “nothing long-term gets done.”The last fortnight has seen those fears play out with near-forensic accuracy. After a chastening innings defeat in the first Test against England, Pakistan announced a new selection panel that took the number of selectors involved with the side since 2021 past two dozen. Gillespie and Masood were not consulted over the squad for the second Test or the kind of pitch Pakistan prepared; they were formally taken off all selection duties, with Gillespie admitting his role was that of a “match-day strategist”.”A lot’s changed. Since I’ve been involved, we’re already on our third selection panel. These are the things you just got to take it all in your stride and understand that we’re in a different environment and go with the flow. I ask a lot of questions and ask for clarity, which as head coach I’m well within my rights to ask.Masood and Gillespie were not consulted over the squad for the second Test•Associated Press

“But I want to make it really clear that everyone in Pakistan wants what’s best and there’s a lot of very passionate people here. That’s driving me to continue to help the players, and it’s been a great experience so far working with them. I really excited about what the future holds and as a coach.”Gillespie also acknowledged there was a learning curve to his own experiences, and felt it was only natural it would take time for him to settle at the PCB.”Lots of things change in Pakistan at the drop of a hat. You just sort of take that in your stride and understand that this is the environment you’re in. I’ve got to always remember that I’m a foreigner in Pakistan and I’ve got to respect that and that things are probably done differently to what I’m used to or what I expect in the environment I’ve come from in Australia. So not saying one way is the right way or the wrong way or whatever, it’s just different and you just have to adjust and adapt.”Gillespie’s relationship with the players, though, has never really been in question. He praised captain Masood as “the epitome of calm”, and said he viewed taking care of the players as his primary role. It is a note he has struck through his brief tenure, and one he asked former Pakistan players to help him with.”I’m very protective of players and very protective of staff I work with and just want to make sure that the environment that we’re trying to create is a safe space for everyone and if that gets eroded then that can lead to a bit of frustration.”A lot of former players have their own space on social media, YouTube, whatever, and they’re paid to have an opinion. One thing that I have noticed here is that the players notice everything and if they get some positive feedback from former players they idolised as kids, that goes a long way when they get some positive reinforcement. But it can have the opposite effect, too if there’s a lot of criticism of by those former players.”Pakistan are currently in the midst of their busiest Test season this century. The ongoing Test is the fifth of the season, with four more to follow after this. Former captain Babar Azam’s involvement – or lack thereof – remains a point of contention, and though Gillespie pointed out he had no say in whether he would return, he threw his weight behind what he called “one of the best players in the world”.”What I will say is that Babar is a fine player. He’s had a bit of a lean patch, but I don’t think there’s many great players around that have never had a lean patch. I’m very confident Babar will be back scoring a lot of runs for Pakistan in all formats. He’s just too good a player, works really hard at his game, is very precise with his preparation. I fully expect him to have a huge role going forward in the next little while for Pakistan.”