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A “superstar” striker, who’s reportedly held talks with Arsenal, has now announced that he’s set to leave his club this summer in an emotional statement.

Andrea Berta set for competitive Arsenal summer transfer window

While the Gunners’ move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi appears done and dusted, with the Spain international looking set to become Andrea Berta’s first major signing as sporting director (Fabrizio Romano), Arsenal face stiff competition to sign other players at the top of their transfer wishlist.

Arsenal hold initial talks over signing £202k-a-week Real Madrid star

The Gunners have reached out and made contact.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 14, 2025

Arsenal were believed to be lead contenders to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, but a plethora of Wednesday evening reports from credible media sources now indicate that Real Madrid are set to pip all Premier League clubs to his signature.

The 20-year-old decided to give priority to Bernabeu switch, with Real moving in and agreeing a deal with Bournemouth to pay his £50 million release clause. Huijsen’s representatives are now in the Spanish capital negotiating with Los Blancos over the defender’s contract, and Xabi Alonso’s side are thought to be on the verge of sealing a full agreement.

This dramatic late swoop from Real, which eventually doomed Arsenal’s chances of signing Huijsen, emphasises why there is a need for Arsenal to show no hesitation in the market and, ideally, strike deals for their most desired targets as soon as possible.

Arsenal are prioritising the signing of a striker, and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres appears to be a serious target for Berta. However, with Enzo Maresca also on the hunt for a prolific marksman, there are reported fears within Arsenal that Chelsea could hijack their deal for Gyokeres.

Jonathan David announces Lille exit after rumoured Arsenal talks

Another centre-forward who is likely to be courted by a host of top sides, and one who will definitely leave his club, is Lille star Jonathan David.

The “superstar” Canada international has been free-scoring in Ligue 1 since joining them from Gent in a £23 million deal five years ago, bagging 25 strikes in 48 appearances this season, adding to his all-time Lille total of 109.

However, his contract is set to expire this summer, and David’s representatives have reportedly held talks with Arsenal, among other clubs.

The 25-year-old is set to be one of the most coveted free agents of 2025, with David now confirming that he’s set to leave Lille in a statement this week.

“I wanted to tell you myself that after so many years at the club, it’s time to say goodbye,” said the striker on social media, as translated by LW.

“I’ve had five wonderful seasons here. I know that it hasn’t always been easy but I hope that with my goals and celebrations, that I’ve managed to bring you some joy. Notably the Ligue 1 title and the Trophee des Champions and I think that with these two trophies together, we have brought a lot of pleasure and joy.

“I would like to thank all of my teammates, all the coaches, staff, technical and medical teams, the managers and everyone that I have met over the months at the club. Thank you very much for everything you have brought me over these years, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

With David readily available, this could be a very intriguing opportunity for Arsenal, but they’ll have to move in quickly. Even though he can join on a Bosman, journalist Sacha Tavolieri recently claimed the overall cost of a deal could still reach £28 million due to his yearly salary, additional commission fees and signing bonus.

After a week of anxious waiting, today is the day Arsenal could book themselves a place in the Champions League final for only the second time in the club’s history.

However, Mikel Arteta’s men will need to put in the best performance of the season and make amends for their incredibly underwhelming display in the first leg.

In particular, club captain Martin Odegaard will have to show the fans just why he was handed the armband in 2022, as to describe his personal campaign this year as disappointing would be quite an understatement.

The Norwegian has looked like a different, far less effective player for much of it, and there is a chance the club are already looking at their options, with recent reports linking them to a Premier League star who’d be a massive but costly upgrade.

Arsenal transfer news

Given Odegaard’s lacklustre form this year, it’s hardly surprising that, in recent weeks, Arsenal have been linked to a plethora of midfield talents, such as Brahim Diaz and Desire Doue.

Transfer Focus

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

The former is reportedly available for around £51m and has enjoyed a decent enough campaign with Real Madrid, racking up a haul of six goals and seven assists in just 2058 minutes of first-team action.

On the other hand, Doue could cost as much as £86m, but with a staggering tally of 13 goals and 12 assists in 49 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain this season, it would be hard to say he wouldn’t be worth it.

However, given the Gunners’ desperation to win the Premier League next season, they may want someone who already knows the league, which is where Morgan Rogers comes into play.

According to a recent report from Football Transfers, Arsenal are ‘firmly in the race’ to secure the Aston Villa star’s signature in the summer, with Sporting Director Andrea Berta said to be ‘a huge admirer.’

However, the report also claims that Manchester United and Chelsea are interested in the Englishman, while another story from March valued him at a whopping £100m.

It would be an incredibly complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Rogers’ immense ability and potential, it is one well worth fighting for, especially as he’d be a massive Odegaard upgrade.

How Rogers compares to Odegaard

The first thing to say is that while Unai Emery has been playing Rogers on the wing at points this season, his most played and undoubtedly preferred position this season has been attacking midfield.

Therefore, were he to join Arsenal for the fees being banded around, then he’d most certainly do so with the intention of starting every game, in turn putting him up against Odegaard – but who comes out on top?

Well, when it comes down to their raw output this season, it’s Villa’s “machine,” as dubbed by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, who comes out on top and quite comfortably at that.

Appearances

51

41

Minutes

4233′

3162′

Goals

14

5

Assists

13

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.52

0.39

Minutes per Goal Involvement

156.77′

197.62′

For example, in 51 appearances, totalling 4233 minutes, he’s scored 14 goals and provided 13 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.88 games, or every 156.77 minutes.

In contrast, the Gunners’ captain has scored five goals and provided 11 assists in 41 appearances, totalling 3162 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.56 games, or every 197.62 minutes.

On top of that, the former Manchester City prospect comes out far better when we take a look at some of the other important attacking metrics, such as conversion rate, chances created, and take-ons completed.

Finally, while this isn’t massively important today, the Halesowen-born maestro is four years younger than the former Real Madrid wonderkid, so if Arteta were to bring him in, he might not need to worry about replacing him for the best part of a decade, which could allow the club to focus on other areas of need.

Ultimately, while Odegaard is a talented footballer, Rogers appears to be far superior in most ways, and if Arsenal can sign him this summer, they should do all they can to do it.

Drop him: Arteta must axe £50m Arsenal "warrior" who's as bad as Odegaard

Martin Odegaard isn’t the only underperformer in Arsenal colours.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 7, 2025

Allrounder is carving his own niche away from attention that comes with Ashes-winning father

Valkerie Baynes26-Mar-2025Archie Vaughan is enjoying the freedom to be his “own man” at Somerset.Vaughan, who turned 19 in December, produced a match-winning performance against Surrey last year in just his second first-class game.Though he doesn’t consider that to be the moment that established him as a player in his own right, independent of his famous father, Michael, he does see an upside to carving out the beginnings of a promising career in a place where his surname carries less weight of expectation.”It’s something that I’ve probably not really thought about before,” Vaughan tells ESPNcricinfo during Somerset’s pre-season media day. “Coming to Somerset where my dad’s not known, I think that’s really helped me just be my own man.”It’s nice obviously putting in a performance like that in a big game, but I think Somerset’s a club where everyone’s treated the same, so it doesn’t matter if you’ve played 200 games or you’ve played four.”We’ve got great friendships and it’s not really about proving yourself. Everyone knows the pressures of cricket and, when you go into the changeroom, it’s trying to be as inclusive and welcoming as possible. That’s what we do.”Vaughan’s connection with Somerset came about, not from any desire to put distance between himself and his father’s Yorkshire roots, but through attending Millfield School, near Glastonbury. From there, he entered the Somerset Academy system and worked his way up.”Before then I wasn’t involved in any major county, it was just Cheshire,” he said. “If I was to stay at home and progress, it probably would’ve gone down the Lancashire route, which is obviously not where my dad went.”It’s definitely not been a conscious thought, but I think I’ve probably recognised some benefits, just him not knowing anyone, I think that’s helped just me get on with my own game.”Vaughan captained England Under-19 in South Africa this winter•Gallo Images/Getty ImagesHe made his Championship debut against Durham last August, having signed his first professional contract in May and already played for Somerset in the One-Day Cup. He ended up playing four first-class matches and seven List A games, averaging 33.71 with the bat in the Championship and taking 15 wickets at 20.13.But it was his 11 wickets against Surrey that drew the most attention. Partnering left-arm spinner Jack Leach to keep Somerset’s title hopes alive, the duo took 20 wickets between them for the match, Vaughan ending with 6 for 102 and 5 for 38 after scoring a first-innings 44 in his primary role as a top-order batter.The England Under-19 captaincy followed at the start of this year in South Africa, where England lost a 50-over series 2-1 before winning the two-match four-day series 1-0.But he remains humble and eager to learn.”I’m very proud of what I’ve done, but trying to manage my expectations for the start of the season to try and get in the team for starters,” Vaughan says. “Then if I do get in the team, trying to stay in and just put performances in to win games of cricket.Related

Will Smeed fighting on all fronts for Somerset after red-ball reversal

Jack Leach, England's unlikely Asia enforcer, comes to the fore once more

Leach comes back stronger for England after feeling the love

Archie Vaughan, son of former captain Michael, set to lead England Under-19s

Vaughan six-for as England U19s complete 10-wicket thrashing

“It’s easy to put pressure on myself after having a few good games, but I’m still 19, I’m still young, so trying to manage my expectations is probably going to be the challenge and realising I’m not going to bowl that well every game or even bat – I batted a few nice innings.”So it’s just going to be a challenge, but trying to get in the first team for the first game of the season will be my first goal.”Vaughan only started bowling off-spin during lockdown, in 2020, so Leach is a key source of knowledge that he is keen to keep drawing on.Leach, who took two wickets in three balls to seal victory in the Surrey match, understandably has fond memories of that game too.”It was really special,” Leach recalls. “That game will always live with me and just that last moment, to take that last wicket and then the boys and Archie all running towards me, and to win it right at the end like that, there’s no real better feeling in cricket.”What he did and the temperament he showed as a young player, and someone who was renowned as a batter and then bowled some off-spin, he has shown that he’s much more than that.”His temperament on those wickets, to not put too much pressure on himself, but deliver, was awesome and made my job a lot easier as well. I really enjoyed that partnership.”Vaughan has made an impression in white-ball cricket too•Getty ImagesIt may not be until later in the season that they combine again with the ball. Shoaib Bashir – another mentor for Vaughan – has gone to Glamorgan on loan to increase his opportunities given that Leach remains Somerset’s No.1 spinner, if not England’s, at the moment.And while Vaughan is happy in his batting with just over a week until the start of the Championship season, he says “a few teething problems” in his bowling indicate more volume might be required.But that doesn’t deter him from wanting to do it all. Quite the opposite.”When it comes to training, I do definitely treat myself as an allrounder,” Vaughan says. “I spend probably the same amount on both in terms of skillset. At the minute I think I’m probably a slightly better batter than a bowler but I think that’s just due to my inexperience with the ball.”In terms of length of time, I’m a few years back on my bowling than I am on my batting, so again, it’s managing my expectations. I had a good game here. It’s about realising that it’s not going to be like that every game, it’s not going to come out as I want every game.”Chatting to Leechy and Bash, having these people at the club, it’s definitely a great asset to my bowling.”England Lions host India A in two four-day matches this summer, which could prove another step in Vaughan’s development, although he’s not looking that far ahead.”My main aims and goals are definitely the start of the season here, getting in the team, putting in performances, and if I do well and that comes along then great, but definitely no thoughts, trying to just keep focus here.”

On Tuesday, in a match India had to win, he seemingly batted without any burden of pressure to script a fairly comprehensive win

Deivarayan Muthu09-Aug-20231:53

‘When on song, Suryakumar Yadav a nightmare for bowlers’ – Wasim Jaffer

Suryakumar Yadav cycled through two shots when he faced Akeal Hosein in the second over of India’s chase on Tuesday. He had originally got down low to sweep Hosein, but the left-arm fingerspinner spotted it, shortened his length and hid it wide of off stump. Despite one knee on the floor, Suryakumar manufactured enough strength from his upper body to scythe the ball flat and hard over point.It was a portent for the carnage that was to follow.Suryakumar went on to smash 83 off 44 balls on a slow, two-paced Providence pitch that was designed to negate most batters. But Suryakumar is not most batters. West Indies’ bowling wasn’t particularly bad, and the pitch kept getting slower, but he made the attack look pedestrian, and made Providence look like Wankhede.Related

Suryakumar and Tilak do the chase in a canter to keep the series alive for India

After Suryakumar had manufactured a boundary on the off side from him, Hosein adjusted his line and attacked the stumps. But Suryakumar was ready with the flat sweep, and picked him away – both in front of and behind square. Just like that, Suryakumar broke Hosein’s rhythm.He then went about dismantling the best-laid plans of the seamers too. Obed McCoy had drawn a mis-hit from Yashasvi Jaiswal when he banged the ball into the pitch, but when he tried to dig one into the pitch against Suryakumar, the batter swivelled back, held his shape for long enough, and hooked the ball over midwicket for four. This forced McCoy to dart an on-pace full one on the stumps, which was launched over his head for six.But the most extraordinary shot came off Romario Shepherd in the tenth over of the innings. When Shepherd floated a slower offcutter wide of off, Suryakumar walked across off and played a half-scoop and half-sweep to hit the ball over short fine-leg, despite falling on the floor in the process. shot brought back memories of Rohan Kanhai for Ian Bishop, who was on commentary at the time. Suryakumar’s ball-striking in front of square – and gum-chewing swagger – was more Viv Richards than Kanhai, though.After India kept the series alive with their first win in the T20I series, Suryakumar refused to pinpoint the aspect of the game that pleased him more, and simply put down his 360-degree range to practice.”I think it was really important to be myself when I went into bat in the powerplay,” he said after collecting the Player-of-the-Match award. “That’s what the team and the team management demanded from me – to bat as much as possible. I’m very happy with the way things went. I’ve practiced these strokes a lot when I used to practice back home. I’ve loved doing that, and I just stick to my game and just express myself whenever I get an opportunity.”ESPNcricinfo LtdWith Tilak Varma being a stable presence at the other end, Suryakumar continued to do his thing in an 87-run third-wicket partnership off 50 balls. He eventually holed out in the 13th over, but Tilak ushered India home in their chase of 160 with an unbeaten 49 off 37 balls. Suryakumar, who has also worked closely with Tilak at Mumbai Indians in the IPL, was enthused about Tilak’s knock.”I think we’ve batted together for a long time now,” Suryakumar said. “We both understand how we bat together. It was his day to bat with maturity, and the way he batted gave me a lot of confidence. I told him straightaway, ‘Just because you’re batting, it’s giving me an opportunity to express myself’. So it was a great innings from him at the other end, and a great learning as well.”Having lost back-to-back T20Is, and with the series on the line, Suryakumar conceded that India did feel some pressure in the lead-up to the third game. Perhaps, there was some pressure on him too, considering he wasn’t particularly fluent on sluggish pitches away from home in IPL 2023, and on similar tracks during the ODI leg of the West Indies tour.”It [the pressure] was running in the back of the mind – it’s human tendency – but at the same time, we spoke [about it] in the team meeting yesterday,” Suryakumar said. “Our captain said it was really important for someone to put their hand up and show some character, and it was the perfect game.”But Suryakumar batted without that burden of pressure on Tuesday. He batted as if the world was at his feet.

We look at the reasons behind the selections of Kishan, Chahar, Ashwin, Axar, Varun and Shami

Saurabh Somani09-Sep-20218:24

Chopra: Chahal’s exclusion is shocking

The following nine names were certainties in India’s T20 World Cup squad: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The other six – or nine, counting the reserves – in the final squad had to beat stiff competition, understandably. The pitches in UAE are expected to have a fair bit of wear and tear, so the quality of spin bowling, as well as batting against spin, were deemed crucial. That probably played a part in the selection of Ishan Kishan, Rahul Chahar, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy and Mohammed Shami.R Ashwin
India have played 63 T20Is since Ashwin last appeared in white-ball cricket at the international level – he played in a T20I against West Indies in July 2017 – but he has been a force in the IPL. With Washington Sundar injured, Ashwin was the foremost offspin option available. Ashwin is a fantastic bowler in powerplays – since IPL 2020, no spinner has taken more wickets than Ashwin’s seven in the powerplay in the competition, and he’s done that while conceding runs at 7.34. He’s been a particular threat against left-hand batters, bowling 70 balls to them in the powerplay since IPL 2020 and conceding runs at just 6.77 against them while averaging 26.33. Finding the right match-ups is key to winning T20 games, and India may decide to play Ashwin against teams with multiple left-handers in the top order.Ashwin’s inclusion means India have five spinners and just three frontline seamers in their squad. Chetan Sharma, the chairman of selectors, explained that was because the pitches were expected to heavily favour spinners. “If the wickets are such that you can only play two fast men, there is no point then to bench (the extra fast bowlers),” he said. “Instead you have utility players who will come in handy at some point in the match and that is why you have spinners and allrounders.”Related

• Shardul Thakur replaces Axar Patel in India's T20 World Cup squad

• India's T20 World Cup squad: R Ashwin picked, MS Dhoni named mentor

• Varun's checklist: IPL playoffs, T20 World Cup

• Men's T20WC: India vs Pakistan on October 24

Ishan Kishan
Kishan became a contender after an impressive international debut against England earlier in the year, in which he smashed a 32-ball 56, and has been picked as a sixth batter ahead of other contenders such as Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer [in the reserves] and Sanju Samson because of his versatility. “Kishan can bat as an opener as well as he can fit into the middle order anytime,” Sharma pointed out, while mentioning that Iyer missing the first half of IPL 2021 with injury counted against him.Another thing that went in Kishan’s favour is that he is a left-hander – only the second, along with Pant, among the batters – which means he matches up well against legspinners and left-arm spinners. In picking Kishan, India have got a back-up keeper, a back-up opener, someone who can rotate well against spin in the middle overs (IPL middle-overs strike rate against spinners: 124.45) and can blast off at the death (IPL death overs strike rate against pace: 213.15).Rahul Chahar has impressed with his recent performances•Ishara S.Kodikara/AFP/Getty ImagesRahul Chahar
In terms of numbers, there’s little to separate Chahar from Yuzvendra Chahal, the other leggie who would have been in contention. They are neck-and-neck for wickets, averages and economy rates in the middle overs since IPL 2020. Where Chahal lost out is possibly his recent form: since the start of 2020, he’s played 13 games and taken 11 wickets at 41.36 and an economy rate of 8.92. Chahar has played just four T20Is in that time, but his average (18.33) and economy (7.33) have been markedly better. Sharma pointed to the greater rip and speed Chahar imparts on the ball as reasons for his inclusion. “You want a spinner who can deliver with more speed,” Sharma said. “Recently we have seen Rahul Chahar bowling with speed. The selectors’ view was we need a spinner who can find the grip off the surface on the wickets and deliver with slightly more speed, and while we had a lot of discussion on Chahal, we eventually went with Rahul Chahar.”Axar Patel
While he’s a natural back-up for Ravindra Jadeja, Patel is not just there as cover for one player. His all-round skills and bowling nous mean he can fit a variety of roles. His overall economy rate since IPL 2020 has been 6.55, with only two spinners going better than him, Rashid Khan and Washington, and Patel’s wicket-taking ability has been much better than Washington’s, with 15 wickets at 29.26. Left-arm spinners are traditionally more vulnerable to left-hand batters, but Patel’s economy against them is 6.83, far superior to any other left-arm spinner since IPL 2020. His batting is also potent. He’s hit at a strike rate of 190.47 from Nos. 8 to 11 since IPL 2020, clear of the other lower-order candidates India had to choose from.Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy could be an X-factor•Sri Lanka CricketVarun Chakravarthy
Varun’s variations and unorthodox grips and releases set him apart from the other spinners in the pack. With India picking Chahar as the legspinner, two left-arm spinners and Ashwin, he could be the X-factor. Varun has made himself a contender through the IPL, in which he is among the top five wicket-taking spinners since 2020 in the powerplay as well as the middle overs. He can bowl to right or left-hand batters comfortably and maintains a good economy rate too. Most of the sides in India’s group don’t have too many batters in the IPL, so they would not have had a chance to work out Varun. As Sharma put it, “The world doesn’t know what Varun Chakravarthy is. If we ourselves cannot understand (how to read him) what will the batsman know?”Mohammed Shami
Shami fits the bill as a back-up pacer to either Bumrah or Bhuvneshwar because, like both of them, he can bowl in the powerplay as well as at the death. Bowling at the death is probably what gave him an edge over Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur [both in the reserves], who have had greater success up top. Shami has got 14 death-over wickets since IPL 2020, which is the same as Deepak Chahar, Thakur and Mohammed Siraj combined. He can move the ball both ways, as he’s shown ample times in the past, and as a bonus, he has the undefinable ability to be unplayable regardless of format when he gets into his rhythm.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Vasco tem sido salvo por um herói improvável nos dois últimos jogos. Trata-se de Lucas Piton. O lateral-esquerdo marcou os gols para evitar as derrotas para o Água Santa e para o Nova Iguaçu.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol NacionalConsórcio Maracanã critica comportamento do Vasco: ‘Vitimização’Futebol Nacional14/03/2024Fora de CampoNova Iguaçu x Vasco: Eric Faria rebate argumento de torcedores sobre o MaracanãFora de Campo14/03/2024VascoClayton exalta o tamanho da torcida do Vasco: “Um dos maiores desafios da minha carreira”Vasco14/03/2024

➡️ Tudo sobre o Gigante agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Vasco

No entanto, Piton rejeita este rótulo de herói e prefere atribuir os resultados ao conjunto do Vasco. Foi neste sentido que o lateral-esquerdo falou após o empate com o Nova Iguaçu.

No próximo jogo a gente vai buscar a classificação para a final. Não me vejo herói porque é o time todo. Nosso time trabalha para vencer todos os jogos

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pontou Lucas Piton

Lucas Piton não é um jogador alto, já que só tem 1,75cm. Só que o adversário não conta com que o jogador cruz-maltino vá aparecer como elemento surpresa dentro da zaga. Os dois últimos gols do lateral-esquedo foram marcados de cabeça.

continua após a publicidade

As grandes atuações de Piton com a camisa do Vasco geram até mesmo brincadeiras nas redes sociais. Os vascaínos costumam dizer que o lateral-esquerdo “não cruza, faz amor”.

Em termos numéricos, além de ser o vice-artilheiro do Vasco, Lucas Piton é o lateral-esquerdo da Série A com mais gols em 2024.

🗒️ VEJA MAIS NÚMEROS DE LUCAS PITON EM 2024:
⚔️ 11 jogos
⚽ 3 gols (2 de cabeça)
🅰️ 1 assistência
✅ 35% de acerto no cruzamento
🔑 22 passes decisivos
💨 19 dribles certos

continua após a publicidade

O Vasco volta a entrar em campo neste domingo (17). O Cruz-Maltino faz o segundo jogo da semifinal do Campeonato Carioca e precisa vencer o Nova Iguaçu para avançar à final. A bola rola às 16h, no Maracanã.

Tudo sobre

Lucas PitonVasco

Tourists take honours on first innings but Bethell fails to press Test case

AAP30-Nov-2025

Jacob Bethell missed a chance to push for a spot in England’s top order, after failing to make an impression for the tourists in their win over a Prime Minister’s XI.With England’s Test players sitting out the match, Bethell had loomed as the most interesting prospect in what was effectively a Lions side on Sunday.But he was caught behind for 16 pushing at a ball outside off stump from South Australian quick Campbell Thompson, as the only tourist who batted not to pass 50.It came as England lost just two wickets as they chased down the hosts’ 308 for 8 declared in Canberra, shaking hands at 309 for 2 and claiming a first-innings victory.Openers Tom Haines and Emelio Gay both hit half-centuries against the pink ball, as did No. 4 James Rew and No. 5 Asa Tribe.The one concern for the tourists was a hamstring injury for Gay, who was forced to retire hurt in the first session on Sunday.Bethell, meanwhile, had arrived in Australia battling with Ollie Pope for a spot in England’s Test team.Pope was the preferred option and was close to England’s best batter in Perth, while Bethell has made scores of 3, 77 and 40 for the Lions in the past fortnight.The left-hander is still likely next in line if a tourist goes down, but a sizeable score in Canberra could have put pressure on if England’s batting fails again in the second Test at the Gabba.The Prime Minister’s XI used eight bowlers on Sunday with even Sam Konstas sending down one over, with Charlie Anderson taking 1-51 and Thompson 1-46.

Sunderland returned to Premier League action after the international break with a whimper, instead of a bang.

Indeed, Regis Le Bris’ men lost 1-0 away at Fulham, which doesn’t seem like the demoralising result on first glance. But, on another day, Marco Silva’s hosts could have run away with the clash as resounding winners, having notched up a colossal 23 shots, to the Black Cats’ meagre five.

Le Bris will hope his side can return to winning ways in the top-flight when AFC Bournemouth come to Wearside next, before December kicks into gear, which sees huge contests such as the Tyne-Wear Derby arrive on the jam-packed calendar.

Before you know it, the January transfer window will also reopen to give Sunderland an apt opportunity to improve their ranks, ahead of a tough second part of the season, with some high-profile names already being linked to the Stadium of Light.

Transfer latest at Sunderland

Sunderland were very busy in the summer before jumping up to the big time in the Premier League, with a whopping £162m forked out on the likes of Granit Xhaka and Robin Roefs.

Therefore, it isn’t the wildest shout to suggest they could break the bank again if a tempting move comes their way in January, with recent reports from Spain suggesting that the Black Cats could boost their forward line with the acquisition of Real Madrid hotshot Gonzalo Garcia.

The biggest rumour of them all comes in the form of Matteo Guendouzi, the former Arsenal midfielder who worked under Le Bris at Lorient.

Keith Downie reported last week that the Mackems boss has not ruled out a move for the Frenchman as they potentially go about bringing another former ex-Gunner to the Stadium of Light.

He isn’t the only Lazio midfielder catching the eye, with concrete rumours emerging involving the Premier League newcomers being in the hunt for Lazio outcast Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

As per reports from Italy, Sunderland are named as one suitor taking a look at the ex-Sheffield Wednesday midfielder this January, with the centre of the park a clear priority position to improve.

Sunderland will hope, even if a move for Guendouzi isn’t forthcoming, that they can still clinch a deal for Dele-Bashiru to leave Serie A behind, as Le Bris potentially works his magic on another diamond in the rough, much like he did with Wilson Isidor.

How Dele-Bashiru can be Le Bris' next Isidor

Isidor hasn’t had the smoothest career up to this point, even if he is now four Premier League goals down in Sunderland red and white.

Unfortunately, the 25-year-old attacker has had to bounce back from a lot of adversity already, so early into his playing days, with the Rennes-born striker never going on to score a senior goal for AS Monaco, before many loan moves to the likes of Lokomotiv Moscow came to fruition.

Thankfully, the nomadic marksman has now found a home that suits him in Wearside, after such a well-travelled career, with Dele-Bashiru’s career path looking very similar.

Like Isidor, the “special” midfielder as he’s been labelled in Nigeria, is well-travelled, having already played in countries such as Turkey and Italy, after failing to make the grade at Manchester City at youth level.

Much like Isidor, though, he has shone in the EFL previously – which is where the 6-foot-1 striker bagged 13 goals to seal Sunderland’s promotion out of the Championship – with seven goal contributions coming his way on the books of the Owls in League One, as a rising youngster in South Yorkshire.

The nine-time Nigeria international has also shone in spurts for Lazio, even if only four appearances have come his way this season, with five goals and three assists from 33 appearances perhaps standing him in good stead to acclimatise to the Premier League effortlessly, as Isidor has managed.

Away from possessing a similar eye for a goal and assist like his Rennes-born counterpart, Dele-Bashiru would also be a useful buy when you consider his versatility across his up-and-down career to date, with his Lazio teammate in Boulaye Dia even hailing him as a talent who “can do everything”, whether that be from a central role, down the flanks, or even as an unorthodox defender.

CM

99

14 + 9

AM

41

7 + 6

RW

7

1 + 0

LW

7

2 + 1

RM

2

0

DM

2

0

RB

2

0

Valued at around the £4.7m mark, which is the amount he officially joined Lazio for, this is a deal that would be really worth exploring, with Dele-Bashiru lining up across seven different positions during his bumpy career to date.

Isidor only cost around the £5m price range, as well, and in January, another Isidor-style deal could soon be wrapped up.

Sunderland chief in contact with 14-cap midfielder who Cesc Fabregas "loves"

The Black Cats could land another transfer coup in 2026.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 21, 2025

Leeds United fans must now be growing impatient with Daniel Farke at the helm, as another disastrous away performance was put in against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Heading into this huge tie towards the lower reaches of the Premier League, Forest had managed to collect just one home victory all season long.

Thankfully for Sean Dyche’s men, Leeds felt in a charitable mood defensively as another horror show performance on the road saw the Whites crash to a 3-1 loss, which now leaves the away side just one point above the dreaded bottom three spaces.

While the Tricky Trees have shot up to nine points after the win, and have some much-needed hope now that they can get out of their relegation mire, Leeds seem to be getting sucked more and more into a dog-fight as the season progresses, with several Whites first-teamers letting their under-fire manager down in the dreadful defeat.

Leeds' biggest underperformers against Forest

Minus Lukas Nmecha, who hammered home Leeds’ opening strike of the day before the wheels fell off, not many Leeds shirts can come away from that 3-1 loss with their heads held high.

In particular, the Leeds midfield ranks badly let the German down, as Sean Longstaff looked nowhere near his assured best when squandering possession 13 times.

Moreover, Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu also looked a shadow of his Championship best up against Dyche’s rejuvenated hosts, with the Whites captain failing to provide the away side’s defence with a stern cover, when winning just four of his nine duel attempts.

He was also at fault when Morgan Gibbs-White headed home the game-clinching second goal for the Tricky Trees, as the Welshman – alongside an equally ropey Jaka Bijol – left the England international in acres of room to become Forest’s hero on the day.

Farke will know he needs to make some alterations for Leeds’ next Premier League clash against Aston Villa in a bid to save his job.

Farke must now ditch Leeds' new Meslier-like figure

A certain Illan Meslier is now nowhere to be seen in the Leeds starting lineups, despite once being a regular week in, week out, stretching all the way back to the glory days of Marcelo Bielsa.

He was a consistent starter last season up to a point, too, before far too many error-prone moments started seeping into his game, leaving Farke with no choice but to bring in reserve stopper Karl Darlow to see out the rest of Leeds’ promotion bid.

Former Arsenal winger Perry Groves would put it down to a “lack of concentration” on the ex-Lorient goalkeeper’s end when consistently making errors, which made Leeds move for a new number one stopper in Lucas Perri in the summer.

The Frenchman hasn’t always been dismissed as an accident waiting to happen in between the sticks, though, with 21 clean sheets tallied up last season when at the peak of his powers.

Another scapegoat in the shape of Brenden Aaronson could well be becoming a new Meslier-type figure in the here and now for Leeds.

An unbelievable performance against West Ham United, which saw him bag Leeds’ opener, was then followed up by two forgettable showings against Brighton and Hove Albion and Forest to start November off on a damp note and push him back into the spotlight as an inconsistent individual who lets his side down too often, just like Meslier.

Minutes played

90

74

Goals scored

0

0

Assists

0

1

Touches

41

38

Accurate passes

24/26 (92%)

14/15 (93%)

Shots

0

2

Successful dribbles

0/2

1/7

Possession lost

11x

10x

Ball recoveries

1

10

Total duels won

3/10

8/16

Across Leeds’ last two pitiful defeats on the road, Aaronson has only managed to muster up one successful dribble from nine attempts, which is a far cry from him completing all 100% of his dribbles against West Ham as a reliable livewire.

On top of that, while the American found himself in the thick of the action all night long against Nuno Espirito Santo’s men, he could only amass a lacklustre 38 touches of the ball versus Forest, with the aforementioned Perri even managing more in between the sticks at 44.

These constant hot and cold performances could kill Farke in the long run as he searches for consistent form from all his players to save his skin, with Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth handing Aaronson a 4/10 post-match rating even after he had a minimal part to play in Nmecha’s early strike.

Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto are available in reserve down the right flank if Farke wants to ditch the attacking midfielder who has been so staunchly loyal to.

BBC commentator drops immediate verdict on Farke amid Leeds sack rumours

Leeds have lost four of their last five Premier League games.

ByJames O'Reilly Nov 9, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Com a Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior servindo de ‘esquenta’ para os Campeonatos Estaduais, o Lance! preparou para você um guia completo por região. No Nordeste alguns torneios já estão em ação, como o Potiguar, o Paraibano e o Pernambucano.

continua após a publicidade

Os mais tradicionais como o Mineiro, Paulista, Carioca e Gaúcho vão começar neste final de semana. Veja, a seguir, um mapa, por região, com os canais que vão levar a emoção do seu time do coração até você. Confira:

REGIÃO SUDESTE

No Campeonato Paulista deste ano, cinco emissoras detém o direito de transmissões, sendo elas: TV Record (TV aberta), TNT (TV fechada), HBO Max (Streaming), Cazé TV (Streaming) e o Paulistão Play (Pay-Per-View). Na Rede Record, serão exibidos dois jogos por semana. Um às 21h35 das quartas-feiras e aos domingos na faixa das 18h. Em contrapartida, a TNT Sports tem direito a 28 partidas do Paulistão, sendo exclusivas 13 delas. Para isso, a marca esportiva da Warner, Discovery, vai utilizar o canal fechado da TNT e o streaming da HBO Max. O canal de YouTube, Cazé TV, vai transmitir 16 confrontos da competição, sendo dividido em um jogo por rodada da fase de grupos, um de quartas de finais, um pela semifinal e os dois jogos da decisão.

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No Campeonato Carioca, cinco emissoras terão os direitos de transmissão da competição, são elas: TV Band (TV aberta) SBT, Band Sports (TV fechada), Canal GOAT (Streaming) e Cazé TV (streaming). SporTV e Premiere, junto com a Cazé TV, canal de YouTube, exibirão apenas os jogos do Vasco (Em acordo anunciado nesta segunda-feira (15), o SBT irá transmitir na TV aberta os jogos do Cruzmaltino) como mandante, como feito no ano passado. Já os outros canais irão mostrar todas as partidas da competição.

Pelo Campeonato Mineiro, a TV Globo tem todas as transmissões por exclusividade. Além dela, o SporTV (TV fechada), o Premiere (Pay-Per-View) e o GE (Streaming) vão mostrar todas as partidas do torneio.

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REGIÃO SUL

O Campeonato Gaúcho, assim como o Mineiro, o Grupo Globo terá exclusividade. A RBS, afiliada da TV aberta, vai ser a responsável pela transmissão dos jogos. O SporTV (TV fechada), o Premiere (Pay-Per-View) e o GE (Streaming), vão passar, em seus respectivos canais, toda a competição.

Já pelo Campeonato Paranaense a TV aberta está de volta às transmissões neste ano, já que, em 2023, ficou restrita ao streaming. A TV Paraná Turismo vai transmitir a competição pela TV Aberta e o NSports vai mostrar todo o torneio pelo Youtube e, a partir desta temporada, também na TV fechada.

E por fim, no Campeonato Catarinense, a filiada da Rede Globo, NSC TV, vai transmitir a competição com exclusividade na TV aberta. Além dela, A MB TV vai mostrar o torneio pelo seu canal do YouTube.

REGIÃO NORDESTE

Pelo Campeonato Baiano deste ano terá transmissão exclusiva da TVE Bahia, junto com os seus perfis do Facebook e do Streaming YouTube.

No Campeonato Sergipano vai ser transmitido pela TV Atalaia, juntamente com a TV Record e o Grupo Itnet.

Pelo Campeonato Piauiense, a transmissão é toda exclusiva da TV Cidade Verde.

Já o Campeonato Pernambucano será dividido em três grupos de transmissão, eles são: a TV Globo (TV Aberta), o Canal GOAT (Streaming) e a TV FPF (Streaming).

O Campeonato Potiguar terá transmissões da TV Band RN e também no YouTube da Federação do Rio Grande do Norte.

E, por fim, o Campeonato Cearense será transmitido pela TV Verdes Mares, afiliada da TV Globo na rede aberta, pelo Canal Goat no Streaming, pelo GE também na plataforma Streaming e pelo YouTube da FCF.

REGIÃO CENTRO-OESTE

Pelo Campeonato Goiano, a TV Brasil Central (TBC) e o canal do YouTube da FGF terão os direitos exclusivos de transmissão.

Já no Campeonato Mato-Grossense a TV Centro América é a responsável por transmitir a competição na TV aberta para todo o estado.

Alguns jogos do Campeonato Brasiliense serão transmitidos pela FFDF TV. O restante da competição, na questão de transmissão, depende dos clubes fecharem contratos com empresas de mídia ou transmitirem seus jogos por conta própria.

REGIÃO NORTE

Apenas o Campeonato Paraense na região norte divulgou que será transmitido ao vivo e com imagens. A competição vai ser exibida na Cultura Rede de Comunicação.

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Campeonatos Estaduais