A “special” Liverpool player has now been linked with a shock move to a Premier League rival this summer, following an on-air claim by Sky Sports News.
Liverpool set to sell first-team stars this summer
So much focus is on the players the Reds could sign before next season, from Florian Wirtz to Milos Kerkez, but there are also a host of players who could leave Anfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has already departed for Real Madrid, while on the opposite flank, Kostas Tsimikas could be the man to make way at left-back, assuming Kerkez arrives from Bournemouth. Caoimhin Kelleher is also reportedly closing in on a move to Brentford, as he searches to be a No.1.
Liverpool's CaoimhinKelleher
Further up the pitch, Harvey Elliott has been linked with a move away, even potentially being part of a swap deal involving Bayer Leverkusen superstar Wirtz. The 22-year-old Liverpool attacker has struggled for playing time this season and may feel a new challenge is best for his development.
While Mohamed Salah has committed his future to the Reds, all of Arne Slot’s other attackers – Federico Chiesa, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez – have all seen their futures thrown into doubt to differing extents, ahead of potential big changes to the squad. Now, another exit update has dropped regarding another player.
Everton want Liverpool winger Ben Doak
According to some “breaking” news on Sky Sports on Monday morning, Everton are interested in signing Liverpool winger Ben Doak in the summer transfer window, in a move that would cause some shock waves across Merseyside.
Seeing a player move from Liverpool to Everton, or the opposite for that matter, is so rare, which is why this Doak update comes as a surprise. The Scotland winger spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Middlesbrough, in order to aid his development, and he bagged 10 goal contributions (three goals and seven assists) in the Championship. He is a huge young talent, being hailed by Jurgen Klopp during their brief time together.
For that reason, Liverpool selling the £30m-rated Doak, especially to their local rivals, would have to be considered a risk, given how high his ceiling could be.
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That said, if Slot and Richard Hughes don’t feel he has it in him to make the grade at Anfield, they need to be trusted, even though it would be preferable to sell him to someone else other than Everton.
After winning the Premier League title in the 2024/25 campaign, Liverpool have demonstrated no signs of slowing down their ambitions of being a powerhouse once again next season.
The Reds claimed the title by 10 points, losing just four games out of their 38, with two of which coming after they had already secured top spot in Arne Slot’s first season.
It was a year to remember for the club, reaching the next level under the Dutchman, subsequently doing so with only one senior addition during last summer’s window.
Liverpool manager ArneSlotcelebrates after winning the Premier League
However, this time around, it appears the board have massively backed the manager with funds in his quest to retain the title during the 2025/26 campaign.
Jeremie Frimpong has already been announced as a Reds player, with Milos Kerkez appearing next on their list, but their business doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.
The latest on Liverpool’s for new additions this summer
Over recent weeks, a striker has emerged as a key target for Slot, as he looks to land a new talisman to hand him that added clinical edge within the front three at Anfield.
The likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitiké and Viktor Gyokeres have all been mentioned as potential targets, but up until now, none of which appear to be edging closer to a move to Merseyside.
Ekitike and Isak
However, other areas of the pitch are in need of investment, with midfielder Adam Wharton emerging on their radar in recent days, according to journalist Francois Plateau.
He claims that the Reds have made contact with the representatives of the Crystal Palace star, and are set to explore a deal for the 21-year-old.
Plateau also confirmed that Slot’s men aren’t prepared to meet the current £60m price tag on his shoulders, which could lead to negotiations over a move for the England international.
Why Wharton would be a better signing than Wirtz for Liverpool
Liverpool fans have been handed another reason to be excited in recent days, after the club agreed a staggering £116.5m deal with Bayer Leverkusen for attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.
The 22-year-old registered 22 combined goals and assists in the Bundesliga this campaign, with Slot’s side appearing to win the race for his signature after rejecting Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
Whilst such a deal looks set to cost the board a pretty penny, it’s one that would add a different dimension to the squad and has the potential to set them up for success in the immediate and long-term.
His record throughout 2024/25 would hand other attackers to bolster their own tallies, making the Reds an even bigger force to be reckoned with during Slot’s second campaign at the helm.
However, Wharton could prove to be a better signing than the German. While Wirtz will have to rival Mo Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai for a place in the side, the Reds have long missed a holding midfield player, notably trying to sign the likes of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia since Fabinho’s departure.
At long, long last, Wharton could be the man to transform the Liverpool XI even more than Wirtz could. Indeed, when comparing his stats to those of current midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, he’s managed to outperform them in key areas, further showcasing why he’d be a massive addition for the club.
The 21-year-old, who’s been labelled “world-class” by journalist Luke Weaser-Seychell, has managed to complete more progressive passes per 90, along with more key passes – having the ability in possession to aid the attackers ahead of him.
Games played
20
37
35
Goals & assists
2
4
10
Progressive passes
7.3
5.1
6.1
Key passes
1.8
0.7
1.5
Passes into final third
5.3
4.3
4.2
Interceptions made
1.7
1.4
0.7
Clearances made
1.9
1.6
1
Recoveries made
7
5.5
5.1
Wharton has also managed to thrive defensively, making more interceptions than the aforementioned duo, whilst making more recoveries – subsequently offering Slot an added presence at both ends of the pitch.
At just 21, to be outperforming the likes of Mac Allister and Gravenberch is no mean feat, highlighting how impressive he’s been in England’s top flight and having the time to improve further given his tender age.
Should he continue on his current trajectory, he has the potential to be one of the best deep-lying options in world football, with his rumoured price tag at present still an excellent price.
No doubt all the focus and hype is on Wirtz given his English record transfer, but Slot could trump such a move by plotting a move for Wharton – allowing the pair to lead the club to many titles in the years ahead.
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Liverpool are acting like a team whose wish is not just to defend their Premier League crown next season, but to compete for and clinch silverware in the Champions League and the domestic tournamental trophies.
Standing on the precipice of devolution last summer (or so it seemed), Liverpool held their tongue amid the transfer din and let their rivals dart this way and that as they pieced together teams capable of competing for the biggest prizes.
With Jurgen Klopp leaving after coming a day late and a dollar short in the 2023/24 title race, the Reds were largely forgotten, condemned by public opinion to a season of scrambling to retain their recovered seat back among Europe’s elite.
But Klopp made sure Anfield knew the name Arne Slot before he left, and the Dutch coach returned the call 11 months on, having tied red ribbons onto the league trophy.
Liverpool might not have made much noise in last year’s transfer market, and indeed weren’t considered a threat for the top spot by many, but things have changed and now the Merseysiders are looking to consolidate their position at the summit, with so many waiting for them to fall.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
There’s a lot going on, but FSG have yet to move for a new striker, and they need to do exactly that.
Liverpool need a new striker
With Darwin Nunez expected to leave this summer, Liverpool have been expected for several months to sign a new number nine.
Sadly, that won’t be Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak. The Athletic’s David Ornstein has claimed there’s “no chance” he leaves St. James’ Park after clinching Champions League football, with PIF sure to demand north of £150m for their star man.
Liverpool'sDarwinNunezreacts
With Isak looking like a no-go, Liverpool have instead shifted their attention over to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike in recent weeks, but the French forward, 22, currently looks to be leaning toward a move to Chelsea.
Ekitike is dynamic and layered in his approach, though perhaps not far enough into his development to justify the £84m payment Frankfurt want.
Ekitike’s good and all, but would Liverpool be getting bang for their buck? It’s uncertain. However, there’s a far greater chance a deal for one of Europe’s established powerhouses would provide Slot with the goals he craves.
Liverpool open talks for new striker
They say money talks, but the riches of Saudi Arabia appear to have fallen on deaf ears in Victor Osimhen’s case. The Napoli forward has rejected a staggering £25m-per-year salary to move to Al-Hilal, instead choosing to remain in Europe.
With a €75m (£63m) release clause in his contract, transfer insider Graeme Bailey believes conversations with Liverpool officials last month might have played a part in the Nigerian striker’s decision, with a move to the Premier League his preference.
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhencelebrates scoring a goal that was later disallowed
Previous reports claim Osimhen, 26, has been on Liverpool’s radar for a while, and given that other options appear financially unviable, Liverpool may want to launch their move in the coming weeks.
Why Liverpool want Victor Osimhen
It’s been a long time since Liverpool had a consistent and reliable focal frontman, one who could rival any across the game.
Bobby Firmino was indisputably world-class, but not really a goalscorer in the strictest sense; Daniel Sturridge on his day could throw down with the best of them, but getting him into the ring and out of the infirmary proved a different battle altogether.
What Liverpool need is their new version of Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan legend turning the Premier League into his playground during his time on Merseyside. Steven Gerrard actually called the “world-class talent” the best that he had played with.
And in Osimhen, Slot could unearth exactly that guy. The deadly Napoli striker was out on loan with Galatasaray last season, winning trophies and scoring goals (37, in fact, across just 41 fixtures). For context, Isak scored 27 times in all competitions in 2024/25, while Ekitike netted 22 times for Frankfurt.
Napoli star Victor Osimhen
Osimhen might have endured a bitter divorce with his Naples parent club, but that only increases the chances of Liverpool enjoying a smooth negotiation process to bring him over to Anfield.
Once described as a “monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Osimhen was the cream of Napoli’s incredible Scudetto-winning 2022/23 campaign, defenders powerless to stop his powerful movements and thunderous striking.
Regarded by one talent scout to have some of the best pressing in the business, the £83k-per-week goalscorer wouldn’t just stand isolated as a target man under Slot’s wing.
Indeed, as per FBref, he ranked among the top 4% of strikers across applicable leagues last season for shot-creating actions, the top 18% for progressive carries, and the top 16% for ball recoveries per 90, emphasising his energy and tenacity in winning back possession and then making things happen.
This was exactly the same with the veteran Suarez, whose unrelenting hunger for the ball built an invariably prolific career, deadly for so many clubs across Europe during his heyday.
Luis Suarez – Career Stats by Club (Europe)
Club
Apps
Goals
Assists
Barcelona
283
195
113
Ajax
159
111
68
Liverpool
133
82
31
Atletico Madrid
83
34
6
Groningen
37
15
10
Data via Transfermarkt
Barcelona actually wanted to replace Suarez with Osimhen back in 2019, but were tilting into financial ruin and ultimately opted against the move, instead signing Antoine Griezmann for £107m – a deal which worked out just great for La Blaugrana.
At his core, Osimhen is a deadly goalscorer, but he’s also so much more. Skilful, smooth and intelligent, he could certainly prove to be a striker as complete as Suarez was during his Anfield days.
Would there be an element of risk with signing a striker seemingly tagged with contention? Maybe, but then Suarez had a fiery streak too, and he did just fine on English shores.
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One of Newcastle United’s primary targets ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window seems to be Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo. According to recent reports, the Magpies are ‘firmly in the race’ to sign the Cameroon international, who seems set to leave West London in the coming weeks.
More recently, The Telegraph confirmed that the North East giants are ‘ready to swoop’ for the attacker in the coming weeks. Mbeumo is also a target for Manchester United, as per talkSPORT, so to beat the Red Devils to his signature, they must make a move for him quickly.
Having Champions League football, which the Old Trafford side can’t offer, will surely help their cause.
Brentford's BryanMbeumocelebrates after the match
If they do lose out to United in the race for Mbeumo, however, then Newcastle seem to have an alternative option lined up – one which would represent an even bigger coup.
Newcastle’s search for a winger
The race for Mbeumo is certainly an interesting one, and whilst the Magpies are undoubtedly one of the sides pushing to sign him this summer, it is by no means a guarantee that they manage to do so.
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Equally, he is not the only target, it would seem, with one Spanish news outlet suggesting that Newcastle could make a move for Real Madrid star Rodrygo. This would be a hugely ambitious move, but he is described as ‘one of the main targets’ at St James’ Park this summer, suggesting they think it is something they can pull off.
One of the most interesting parts about this deal is the fee. Rodrygo has a release clause in his current deal, worth around £1b.
Real Madrid'sRodrygolooks on
However, Los Blancos are thought to be willing to negotiate the astronomical fee. Instead, the Magpies might only have to pay £67m if they want to sign the winger this summer.
Why Rodrygo would be a good signing
There is no doubt about just how good Rodrygo is. The Brazilian is “terrifyingly good”, according to freelance football journalist Sam Tighe, and he has certainly showcased that this term at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It has been a disappointing season overall for the Spanish giants, but Rodrygo’s numbers are more than respectable. He has played 50 games in that famous White shirt this term, scoring 13 goals and assisting another ten.
One of the crucial things about the Brazilian is his pedigree in the Champions League. His record in Europe’s premium club competition is exceptional, with 25 goals and 14 assists in 64 games. He is a specialist in the knockout rounds, with 12 goals and assists in the latter stages.
In fact, that is surely one of the things that sets him apart from Mbeumo. The 2025/26 campaign will be huge for Newcastle, as they look to defend their Carabao Cup crown and, of course, return to the Champions League.
Well, with Rodrygo’s record in the competition and the fact that Mbeumo has never made an appearance, perhaps that edges him out as the better signing for the Magpies to make this summer.
Brentford's BryanMbeumocelebrates scoring their first goal
With that being said, it is not like the Brentford man is not up to the level. Quite the opposite, in fact. He had a stellar campaign for the Bees, scoring 20 goals and grabbing eight assists in 38 Premier League games.
However, there are underlying stats on FBref which also suggest Rodrygo could be a better addition than the Cameroon international. For example, he averages 2.29 key passes and 5.28 progressive carries per 90 minutes compared to Mbeumo’s 1.85 key passes and 3.43 progressive carries each game.
Key passes
2.29
1.85
Progressive passes
5.05
3.72
Shot-creating actions
4.95
3.8
Progressive carries
5.38
3.43
Successful take-ons
2.29
1.37
There is certainly strong evidence that suggests Rodrygo is the guy the North East outfit should turn to if they are looking for a new winger this season. He is an electric dribbler, a creative outlet – as those key stats outline – and has bags of Champions League experience.
Of course, £67m is a lot of money, but he is a worthy investment, and perhaps will prove to be a better addition than Mbeumo.
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Good news, Arsenal fans, the season is finally over.
The last nine months have been particularly draining for the North Londoners, as, for the third year running, Mikel Arteta’s side have had to settle for second place in the Premier League, only this time to Liverpool.
However, with the transfer window about to open, fans can forget all about that and start dreaming about the stars who could soon be making their way to the red side of North London.
With that said, the Merseysiders also seem determined to strengthen their already imposing squad in the coming weeks and months, with Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz seemingly close to joining them.
The German would be an incredible signing for the Reds, but interestingly, one of Arteta’s signings is worth millions more than him.
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Why Wirtz will be a serious problem for Arsenal
Arsenal’s one advantage over Liverpool this season has been their defence, as across the 38 games, they conceded just 34 goals to the Reds’ 41.
However, the champions’ attacking advantage was even greater, with a sensational 86 goals scored to the Gunners’ 69, and with Wirtz in the side, that difference could grow even greater.
For example, even though he’s only just turned 22, the German monster was able to score 16 goals and provide 15 assists in 45 games for Leverkusen this season, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.45 games.
In contrast, Martin Odegaard, the North Londoner’s chief creator, scored six goals and provided 12 assists in 45 games, which comes out to a far less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.5 games.
Unfortunately for the Premier League runners-up, this comparison remains in the future Liverpool star’s favour even when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.
Odegaard vs Wirtz
Statistic
Odegaard
Wirtz
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.37
0.52
Non-Penalty G+As
0.40
0.78
Progressive Passes
9.11
6.62
Progressive Carries
3.54
4.60
Shots
1.88
2.85
Shots on Target
0.53
1.30
Passing Accuracy
82.8%
79.9%
Key Passes
2.36
2.37
Shot-Creating Actions
4.73
5.53
Goal-Creating Actions
0.69
0.87
Successful Take-Ons
0.95
2.89
Carries into the Penalty Area
1.15
1.97
Ball Recoveries
3.66
4.19
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 Season
For example, while the Norwegian does come out ahead in some metrics, the Bundesliga winner comes out on top in more, such as expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, key passes, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.
In short, Wirtz looks like he could become one of the very best creators in the league next season and, therefore, is likely going to be well worth the reported €100m – £84m – Liverpool has already offered for him.
Yet, there is already an Arteta signing in the Arsenal squad that is worth more than that.
The Arsenal star worth millions more than Wirtz
So, while there are a few genuine superstars in this Arsenal squad, like Williams Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, the player we are talking about is a fellow graduate from Bayer Leverkusen’s academy: Kai Havertz.
Yes, before he moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2020, the Aachen-born star was the talk of German football, and for good reason.
In his final season with Leverkusen, he managed to rack up an incredible haul of 18 goals and nine assists in 45 appearances, which came out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.66 games – not much worse than Wirtz’s average of one every 1.45 games this term.
Havertz vs Wirtz (Final Bayer Season)
Player
Havertz
Wirtz
Appearances
45
45
Goals
18
16
Assists
9
15
Goal Involvements per Match
0.6
0.68
All Stats via Transfermarkt
While we know things did not work out for him following his £71m move to West London, things have dramatically improved for the German since his £65m move to the Emirates in 2023.
While he struggled in his initial midfield role and hasn’t really looked comfortable there since, he has turned into a more than useful striker for the club.
For example, in just 47 appearances up top, the “sensational” 25-year-old, as dubbed by Arteta, has scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.46 games.
This impact, combined with his age, profile and contract situation, saw the CIES Football Observatory value the number 29 at a staggering €130m earlier this year, which comes out to about £109m, or £25m more than Wirtz could cost Liverpool.
Ultimately, while some may disagree with such a valuation, Havertz has been an incredibly useful player for Arsenal over the years, and just like the soon-to-be Red star, he also enjoyed a brilliant start to his career at Leverkusen.
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Leeds United have now made an initial approach to sign a £17m midfielder, with talks over personal terms currently ongoing, according to Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri.
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It is clear that Leeds want to bring in at least one new central midfielder this summer, having now made offers for both Strasbourg’s Habib Diarra and Besiktas’ Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and the 49ers were willing to bet heavily on the former, submitting a £22m bid.
The eagerness to strengthen in the engine room comes amid Paul Robinson’s suggestion that one of Daniel Farke’s midfielders may not be good enough to make the step-up to the top flight: “Leeds are going to have to replace players.
“They came out of the Premier League with a similar squad, and players in that squad weren’t good enough. To mention two: Brenden Aaronson and Junior Firpo weren’t good enough for the Premier League.”
Aaronson regularly featured in an attacking midfield role last season, but it now appears as though the Whites are keen to bring in another number 10, who could be capable of pushing for the American’s starting spot.
According to Tavolieri (via Sport Witness), Leeds have now made an initial approach to sign RSC Anderlecht’s Mario Stroeykens, who could be available for around €20m (£17m) this summer, as per reports from elsewhere.
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Farke’s side are yet to make an offer for Stroeykens, but talks over personal terms are currently ongoing, so there is serious interest on their behalf, although there may be competition from soon-to-be Premier League rivals West Ham United.
With the attacking midfielder’s contract set to expire in 2026, the Belgian side may be forced to cash-in this summer, as they will be eager to avoid losing him on a free transfer, potentially opening the door for a move to Elland Road.
"Absolute hero" Stroeykens impressing in Belgium
The Anderlecht youngster is still only 20-years-old, but he has been impressing in the Jupiler Pro League for quite some time, with scout Jacek Kulig singling the starlet out for praise after scoring two goals as a substitute.
Since then, the Belgian has managed to kick on, collecting five goals and seven assists for Anderlecht in all competitions last season, featuring regularly as his side went on to finish in fourth place.
Stroeykens is yet to prove himself in a major European league, which may be a cause for some concern, but he is still very young, and the maestro’s performances in Belgium suggest he could soon be capable of pushing for Aaronson’s starting spot.
“At the IPL, no one really complained about 270 plays 270. Now the bowlers are getting conditions a little bit more in their favour”
Firdose Moonda06-Jun-20242:03
Flower on New York pitch – ‘Bordering on dangerous’
Batters will have to learn to “suck it up,” and accept the difficulties of run-scoring at Nassau County, according to one of T20s most prolific run-scorers: Heinrich Klaasen. The South African middle-order batter, who is reputed for his six-hitting ability, put aside his personal preferences and stuck to the team line that they “don’t mind,” having a little spice in the surface for bowlers, especially their seamers.After South Africa bowled Sri Lanka out of for their lowest T20I total – 77 – at the first T20 World Cup match played in New York, and took 16.2 overs to chase the score, Anrich Nortje said he didn’t “think there’s anything wrong with the wickets,” and that they are just “different,” to the kinds of surfaces players have become used to in the recent past, especially at the last IPL. Klaasen agrees.”At the IPL, no one really complained about 270 plays 270. Now the bowlers are getting conditions a little bit more in their favour, so I think it’s just getting the balance right,” Klaasen said from New York, where South Africa will play three of their four group matches. “The batters need to suck it up as well. It’s not always going to be a 200 wicket, and you have to play a little bit smarter cricket to get over the line. We don’t mind if the bowlers got something in it; that makes some good entertaining cricket and you have to use your cricket brain a little bit. It’s just getting the balance right, too flat and too bowler-friendly. That’s obviously why the groundsman gets paid the big bucks.”But at this early stage of the T20 World Cup 2024, with two matches played in Nassau County and six to come, the curator has got more criticism than anything else for a surface with inconsistent bounce that Andy Flower told ESPNcricnfo’s Timeout is “bordering on dangerous.”The pitches at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York have been the subject of debate•ICC via Getty ImagesFlower, the former Zimbabwe captain and former England coach, was speaking in between innings as India dismissed Ireland for 96 and two of their batters, Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant, were hit by Irish quick Josh Little in response. “You saw the ball bouncing from a length, both ways, so skidding low occasionally but in the main bouncing unusually high and striking people on the thumb, the gloves and the helmet and making life very, very difficult for any batter,” Flower said.Klaasen conceded that the strip South Africa played Sri Lanka on was “a little bit too much on the bowler’s side,” but regards it “part of the game,” which players have to adapt to. “Sometimes you get the wickets too flat, and now it’s just as bad and you need to suck it up a little bit. Hopefully we get a better wicket in the next game.” The other concern is the outfield. It is heavy and sandy, which meant even balls that were timed well didn’t always travel very far.Related
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There are four drop-in pitches at the ground and it is still unclear whether moving will produce a more even contest. While Klaasen said the pitch used for the India-Bangladesh warm-up match last week facilitated a “decent” score in the first innings (182), it didn’t when India met Ireland on it on Wednesday. Whichever surface they get, Klaasen is convinced South Africa can fare better because they have some idea of what to expect. “We’ve got experience playing in these types of conditions now, so we just need to go back into the memory bank and take some responsibility that it might not be a wicket that we can just tee off and hit boundaries,” he said. “We need to play some clever cricket and need to make peace with that.”All that said, Klaasen still thinks it’s possible to clear the ropes. “You can still hit boundaries. If you play on one side of the field it’s not that big and so you can still hit boundaries.”But not, perhaps, boundaries the size of what the South Africans saw on an excursion to Yankee Stadium. “That’s quite a big hit. We worked it out and it’s 120 metres. It’s a long hit, but we as batters had a nice chat and we reckon we can give it a go. We will find a batting cage somewhere and try to see what we can do.”The upshot from their visit was Klaasen’s conclusion that baseball batters are doing something “completely different to what we do,” and that he thinks “cricket is more entertaining than baseball,” even though those who enjoy higher totals may disagree.South Africa’s next match is against Netherlands – who have beaten them in their previous two World Cup meetings – on Saturday in New York.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has a few intriguing players on his extensive shortlist of targets for the north Londoners, and one of them is now believed to be a marquee Premier League star.
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Bukayo Saka’s three-month lay-off midway through 2024/2025, combined with Leandro Trossard’s contract expiring in 2026, has reportedly prompted Berta to enter the market for a quality new wide player.
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New names are being linked regularly, with £86 million Juventus star Kenan Yildiz among the wingers attracting interest from Arsenal, according to reports in Turkey.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
While there’s no outright plan to sell Gabriel Martinelli, a recent piece from The Athletic suggested that Berta and Mikel Arteta would entertain substantial offers, with the Brazilian valued at around £50 million.
Given Arsenal already have an abundance of proven wide-players, including the emergence of highly-rated starlet Ethan Nwaneri, ex-Gunners defender Mikael Silvestre is convinced the club’s interest in signing another winger could indicate a dressing room shake-up.
“I’d be wary of bringing in too many wingers like Nico Williams through the door,” Silvestre told Esports Insider.
“You need to give Ethan Nwaneri some game time; they have Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli already.
“I don’t see why they’d want to bring another winger unless one of those players wants to leave or if the club are planning to break the bank on a world-class wide player. It would surprise me if the club spent heavily on a striker and a winger in the same window.”
Given the high-profile names eyed by Berta, it is very reasonable to assume that Arsenal could indeed splash the cash on a world-class winger.
Andrea Berta identifies Morgan Rogers as a top Arsenal target
Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, writing in a piece for the broadcast giant, claims Aston Villa sensation Morgan Rogers is on the club’s agenda – alongside the heavily-linked Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich) and Athletic Bilbao’s Williams.
England'sEberechiEzecelebrates scoring their third goal with England's Morgan Rogers
The Englishman is fresh off the back of an excellent campaign under Unai Emery, racking up 14 goals and 15 assists in all competitions after becoming a very important player for Villa.
Rogers finished 2024/2025 as Villa’s second-best performer in the Premier League by average match rating per 90, according to WhoScored, all while completing more successful take-ons than all of his teammates.
His rise to the top has even prompted NSWE to slap a £100 million valuation on the 22-year-old’s head to deter suitors, but according to Sky’s Thomas, Berta has identified Rogers as one of his top Arsenal targets for the wide area regardless.
Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers
There is little denying that, if Arsenal were to formalise their interest in Rogers, they’d be looking to bring down his mammoth reported price tag. However, the former Middlesbrough man could certainly be worth that effort.
“I think he’s going to be a player,” said pundit Tony Cascarino.
“He really looks, there’s something about, he reminds me a little bit of Jamal Musiala. He’s that guy that picks up the ball, and he’ll just make runs, and he’ll create problems for others. He’s got a lot about him.”
Uganda beat PNG for their first World Cup win but the co-hosts will present them with a much stiffer challenge at the Providence
Srinidhi Ramanujam08-Jun-20241:56
Badree: Shamar and McCoy can rattle Uganda
Match detailsWest Indies vs Uganda June 8, Providence, 7.30pm localBig picture: Uganda’s players take on their heroesIt’s strange and beautiful that Uganda’s third T20I against a Full-Member nation – they first beat Zimbabwe in Africa Qualifiers to reach the T20 World Cup and then lost to Afghanistan on their World Cup debut – is against West Indies. Irrespective of the result, Saturday will be celebrated and cherished not just in the Ugandan dressing room in Providence but also back home. Some Ugandan players’ role models are West Indians. In batter Simon Ssesazi’s words, some of them “only support West Indies in any format of the game” and it’s a “blessing” to play against them. There is so much love and admiration for the co-hosts of this World Cup – Frank Nsubuga, 43, had named his son Pollard after a certain West Indian legend.West Indies are coming into this game on the back of five successive wins and will be keen to extend that streak. Though they were given a scare by Papua New Guinea (PNG) in their opening match, West Indies eventually got home thanks to Roston Chase’s cameo in the chase.As for Uganda, they are history-makers. They are fighters. Back home, they don’t even have a floodlit facility for practice and so they are not used to playing under lights. Treading in this uncharted territory in their first World Cup appearance, where all of their four Group C matches are played under lights, they suffered a heavy defeat to Afghanistan in their opener. However, Uganda were quick to adjust to the conditions as they overcame PNG in a low-scoring thriller in their next game to secure their first victory in the World Cup.Related
Nsubuga's bowling, not his age, takes him into the record books
Uganda's bowlers. Riazat seal their first win in T20 World Cup history
For them, facing co-hosts West Indies will be a much stiffer challenge. If Uganda have played a total of 93 T20Is so far, Nicholas Pooran alone has featured in 89 T20Is. The biggest concern for Uganda going into Saturday’s game will be their batting after they had been bowled out for 58 against Afghanistan and lost seven wickets in a chase of 78 against PNG. Can they challenge the power-packed West Indies at the Providence?Form guideWest Indies WWWW Uganda WLWLWMeet 43-year-old Frank Nsubuga, the oldest player in the 2024 T20 World Cup•ICC via Getty Images
In the spotlight – Roston Chase and Riazat Ali Shah Andre Russell isn’t the only West Indian allrounder Uganda should be wary of. Roston Chase 2.0, has been in exceptional form since being recalled to the T20I side this year. In 2024, he has bowled full quota of four overs in three of the four T20Is, picking up four wickets and conceding less than six runs an over. With the bat, he has scored 37, 32*, 67*, 42* – at a strike rate of 154.78.Riazat Ali Shah, one of Uganda’s most promising talents, made a cautious 33 off 56 to steer a tricky chase after an early collapse against PNG. He has a strike rate of 122.7 in 59 T20Is and will look to find a higher tempo against West Indies.Team newsWest Indies couldn’t accommodate fast bowler Shamar Joseph and batter Shimron Hetmyer in the XI against PNG. Instead, they continued to back Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford. They might stick with the same XI against Uganda.West Indies (probable XI): 1 Johnson Charles, 2 Brandon King, 3 Nicholas Pooran (wk), 4 Roston Chase, 5 Rovman Powell (capt), 6 Sherfane Rutherford, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Romario Shepherd, 9 Akeal Hosein, 10 Alzarri Joseph, 11 Gudakesh MotieUganda made three changes for the second game from the XI that played the opener with Ronak Patel (opener), Henry Ssenyondo (left-arm spinner), and Bilal Hassan (medium pacer) sitting out. They brought in two pace options in Juma Miyagi and Kenneth Waiswa and a spin allrounder in Nsubuga. Both Miyagi and Nsubuga played key roles in Uganda’s win against PNG and are likely to retain their spots.Uganda (probable XI): 1 Roger Mukasa, 2 Simon Ssesazi (wk), 3 Robinson Obuya, 4 Riazat Ali Shah, 5 Dinesh Nakrani, 6 Alpesh Ramjani, 7 Juma Miyagi, 8 Brian Masaba (capt), 9 Kenneth Waiswa, 10 Cosmas Kyewuta, 11 Frank NsubugaRovman Powell’s West Indies will look to click into top gear against Uganda•Getty Images
Stats that matter: Pooran hot on Gayle’s heels Nicholas Pooran needs 25 runs to surpass Chris Gayle’s tally of 1899 and become West Indies’ highest run-getter in men’s T20Is.Pooran and Russell have hit 786 sixes between them in T20s since 2019.Uganda’s Alpesh Ramjani has 13 wickets in in six T20Is this year at an economy rate of 4.3.Pitch and conditions: Another sluggish surface on the cardsThe surface in Providence is expected to be slow, so scoring might not be easy once again. Saturday might be cloudy with temperatures hovering around 23 degrees in the evening but there is no threat of rain or thunderstorms.Quotes”My game was always one [where] I could always rotate the strike and turn over the strike in the middle overs. But my game has evolved where I have learned and I’ve been practising to finish the game in the back end in terms of the power-hitting and getting stronger and stuff. So, I think that’s what really helped my game to evolve. So that’s made me a better player, yes.” “Getting our first win against PNG is a dream come true. We never thought we’d win any game and everyone was like, ‘I think they’re just going to play and just come back and sit’. But putting in that good effort against PNG on the big stage, it has been mind-blowing. Kampala is just booming since the day we won, everyone is just calling us legends. I don’t know if we’re legends but yeah, it’s exciting.”
Arsenal have just as many outgoings to sort out as new signings potentially coming through the door, with Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta revamping almost the entire squad ahead of a crucial 2025/2026 campaign.
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The biggest name who appears poised to leave N5 very soon is star midfielder Thomas Partey.
The Ghanaian re-established himself as a firm favourite under Arteta last season, putting his previous injury woes behind him and making over 50 appearances in all competitions.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)
Money on new signings
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
Partey starred in both midfield and as an emergency right-back, which proved pivotal for the Gunners as they reached the Champions League semi-finals, despite coping with the various absences of key players due to fitness issues.
His renewed form even prompted the club to open talks over an extension for the £200,000-per-week star, but according to recent reports, negotiations have hit a standstill, and it is growing increasingly likely that Partey could leave when his contract expires at the end of this month (The Athletic).
While Arsenal assess alternatives to Partey, with Sevilla’s midfield sensation Lucien Agoume repeatedly linked in the last week, the 32-year-old isn’t Arteta’s only potential next departure – following the confirmed exits of Kieran Tierney, Jorginho, Raheem Sterling and Neto.
Left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has seemingly been deemed surplus to requirements by Arsenal’s manager after his limited appearances last season, and AC Milan are showing a very keen interest in the Ukraine international.
Oleksandr Zinchenko keen on joining AC Milan after talks
Zinchenko has reportedly held “positive” talks over a move to Atletico Madrid, but Milan are also believed to be firm contenders for the £150,000-per-week ace.
As per Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Milan’s sporting director, Igli Tare, recently held talks with Zinchenko’s representatives, and the 28-year-old is becoming increasingly open to a San Siro move.
This comes as Milan look to sign an heir for Theo Hernandez, who could soon be joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, with Zinchenko seen as an immediate potential replacement for the Frenchman.
His high wages are the main obstacle standing between Zinchenko and a potential move to Milan, but Arsenal are apparently ready to sell the player for around £17 million, which is feasible for the Rossoneri.
Despite falling down Arteta’s pecking order in the last 12 months, Zinchenko has been a wonderful servant to Arsenal overall, and the ex-Man City defender could still have plenty to offer abroad.
“He moves out of his position and gets into little pockets to try and make things happen and this is quite incredible. You can tell that he’s played under Pep Guardiola because he plays in a similar way,” said former Arsenal defender Armand Traore to talkSPORT in 2023.
“For Arsenal, he’s been great. The second choice left-back is Kieran Tierney [and] he’s a great left-back, but at the moment he can’t get much of a game because of how great Zinchenko has been.
“He’s also great for the mentality of the whole squad because he’s won titles. I think he’s come in and been absolutely fantastic. I’m really impressed with him. He’s almost like the cherry on top [of the cake].”