Tag Futebol

There is just over a month to go until the transfer window slams shut, and so far, Arsenal fans have had a lot to shout about.

Mikel Arteta and Co have been quick to announce the signings of Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

They aren’t finished there, though, as Spanish defender Cristhian Mosquera has already been pictured in the club’s training kit, and talks for Viktor Gyokeres appear to be in the final stages.

Moreover, the Premier League runners-up have also been linked with Eberechi Eze, although, based on reports, they may now be after another international who would be an even better signing.

Arsenal target Eze upgrade

This summer hasn’t been the first time Arsenal have been linked with Eze, as you only have to look back to last summer to see stories touting the Crystal Palace star for a move back to the club that released him as a child.

Transfer Focus

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

However, it would be fair to say that the stories this year have felt more concrete, with some claiming that talks had been held with the player’s camp and personal terms had been agreed upon.

However, as things stand, the links appear to have quieted down somewhat, and as far as we can tell, no agreement was reached with the South Londoners, who still want the Englishman’s full £68m release clause to sell him.

Yet, fans shouldn’t worry about missing out on a talented midfielder, as it now looks like they could turn their attention to another, someone who’d be a better signing than Eze.

At least that is according to Arsenal insider Hand of Arsenal, who revealed that the club had been in contact with Xavi Simons’ agent, Ali Barat, who has offered them the chance to sign the Dutch talent.

This news aligns with reports from earlier this month, which claimed that the Gunners are interested in the RB Leipzig star, who could be available for around £52m.

While it could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, it’s one Arsenal should pursue, as Simons is already a brilliant player who could further improve, and someone who’d be a better acquisition than Eze.

Why Simons would be a better signing than Eze

So, the first reason Arsenal would be wise to sign Simons over Eze this summer is that, when we take a look under the hood, at their underlying numbers, the Leipzig ace comes out on top.

It’s not even a close comparison, as in practically every relevant metric, the former Paris Saint-Germain gem comes out on top, demonstrating exactly why some in the game think he’s “one of the best 10s in the world”.

These numbers show that not only is the Dutchman a more creative force for his team, but also someone capable of contributing more when it comes to the less glamorous defensive side of things, which we know is a trait loved by Arteta.

Non-Penalty G+As

0.67

0.52

Progressive Passes

5.86

3.37

Progressive Carries

3.56

2.40

Shots

2.09

3.48

Shots on Target

0.96

0.94

Passing Accuracy

78.6%

74.2%

Key Passes

2.13

2.01

Passes into the Penalty Area

2.51

1.35

Passes into the Final Third

3.31

1.70

Tackles Won

0.88

0.76

Shot-Creating Actions

4.52

4.69

Goal-Creating Actions

0.50

0.35

Successful Take-Ons

1.38

2.33

The second reason the Premier League runners-up should sign the Amsterdam-born ace is that he’s even more positionally versatile than the Eagles star, being capable of playing across the entire frontline as well as in the ten.

Finally, “superstar”, as he has been described by analyst Ben Mattinson, is also five years the Englishman’s junior, which means he has far more upside and, according to research carried out by The Athletic, could get far better as he likely won’t reach the peak of his powers until he’s 26 years old.

Ultimately, Eze and Simons are both extraordinary players and would be unreal signings for Arsenal.

However, due to his versatility, superb underlying numbers, and age, Arteta and Co. should opt for the latter if they can only get one.

He's a dream for Xavi Simons: Arsenal expect to sign £55m star "soon"

Arsenal could seal a dream partnership by signing Xavi Simons and this centre-forward.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 21, 2025

Manchester United’s work within the transfer window has left a lot to be desired over recent years, with huge money spent on players not up to the level of the Premier League.

Former Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag spent upwards of £600m during his time in charge of the club, but his additions clearly haven’t worked given the club’s 15th place league standing last season.

Ruben Amorim has had to work with such signings, only having the January window to make the additions he desires to help transform the current situation at Old Trafford.

He’s already added Matheus Cunha to his ranks, splashing £62.5m on the Brazilian’s signature, but further talents are expected to arrive at the club in the coming weeks.

Numerous areas of the pitch are set to be improved for their quest in the 2025/26 campaign, with multiple names mentioned over transfers to the Theatre of Dreams.

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

Striker Viktor Gyokeres has been a player firmly on the club’s radar and understandably so given his stint under Amorim during their time together in Portugal at Sporting CP.

The Swede scored 54 times in his 52 appearances, making him one of the most in-demand players this window, but it appears as though he’s set for a move to join rivals Arsenal.

However, another player has emerged on their radar in recent days, with Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor now a key target, according to GOAL Brazil.

Their report claims that Victor already has an offer on the table from the Red Devils, who are prepared to trigger the 29-year-old’s release clause this summer, which currently stands at just $8m (£5.8m).

It also states that the player himself would be keen on a move to Old Trafford this window, with the hierarchy seeing the shot-stopper as a possible number one ahead of 2025/26.

Why United’s latest target would be a better signing than Gyokeres

Given Gyokeres’ goalscoring record for the Portuguese outfit, there’s no denying that the Swede would be an excellent option in the final third for Amorim’s side.

However, given the £70m price tag that has been mooted, along with his lack of experience in England’s top-flight, it could prove to be a huge risk for the club in 2025/26.

Other current options in the Premier League appear to be available this summer, with work already being done to land the signature of Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins during the off-season.

There’s no denying that a new talisman is needed during this window, but Gyokeres shouldn’t be the one they turn to, allowing another side to take the chance with a move for his services.

The same can’t be said for potential addition Victor, with his buy-out clause potentially being a bargain for the club if they can complete a deal for his signature.

The Brazilian could prove to be a bargain, filling the void that’s been vacated by current number one Andre Onana after he suffered a hamstring injury that could rule him out of the start of the new campaign.

However, even upon the Cameroonian’s return to first-team action, he may struggle to regain his place in the side should Victor make the move to the Theatre of Dreams.

The Botafogo star, who’s been labelled “incredible” by one analyst, massively outperformed Onana last campaign, highlighting the talent he possesses in between the sticks.

He’s conceded fewer goals per 90, whilst claiming more crosses, offering a needed presence and a player who can command his 18-yard box, which could bolster the defensive unit.

How Victor & Onana compared throughout 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)	Victor	Onana
Games played	11	34
Clean sheet percentage	55%	26%
Save percentage	81%	68%
Goals conceded	0.6	1.3
Pass accuracy	81%	72%
Crosses claimed	0.8	0.6
Saves made	2.7	2.5
Stats via FBref

Onana has been prone to mistakes during his time at the club, something which the potential new addition could prevent, as he made more saves during his spell in Serie A last campaign.

Amorim will desperately want a new striker to lead his attacking department into 2025/26, but ultimately it may have to wait given the recent news around the goalkeeping department.

Such an area is arguably one of the most important on the pitch, with the club simply not being able to enter the new season without adequate options at the manager’s disposal – subsequently making Victor a crucial addition during the off-season.

Biggest deal since Ronaldo: Wilcox plotting Man Utd move for £70m striker

Manchester United could be about to make a huge move in the transfer market this week.

1

By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 13, 2025

It was just over two years ago that Liverpool ended their pursuit of a certain Jude Bellingham, with reports at the time indicating that the potential cost of signing the Englishman – set to be over £100m – had proven too much of an obstacle to any deal.

Perhaps there was more to the story there, however, as mere months later, the Reds launched a mammoth £111m bid for the signing of Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, albeit with the Ecuadorian ultimately opting to join rivals Chelsea instead.

Despite Jurgen Klopp’s prior claims that he had no interest in making such costly moves – something he later rowed back on – that pursuit of Caicedo indicated that, for the right player, the Anfield hierarchy are willing to splash the cash.

Indeed, the recent £116m signing of Florian Wirtz is the perfect case in point, with a quiet two years on the transfer front having come to an end in statement fashion.

If prior high profile deals are anything to go by – namely the £75m capture of Virgil van Dijk and the £67m move for Alisson – the Reds rarely get it wrong when they do spend big, with it set to be a worrying prospect for the rest of the division if Wirtz does swiftly sparkle on Merseyside.

With the German genius likely to be the centre-piece of a new era at Anfield, now is the time for Richard Hughes and co to build the perfect attack around him.

Latest on Liverpool's search for a striker

Darwin Nunez looks destined for Napoli. Last season’s false nine, Luiz Diaz, is the subject of intense interest from Bayern Munich. If those exits are green-lit, the Premier League champions will surely need to dip into the market once again.

Of course, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak appears to be the dream target, yet with that deal out of the equation, Arne Slot may well have to settle for the next best thing. Perhaps even the next Isak, if you will.

Well, recent reports from Spain would suggest that Liverpool and Hughes are doing just that, with the claim made that the Reds are accelerating a move for Eintracht Frankfurt star, Hugo Ekitike.

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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The suggestion is that the Merseysiders are ‘willing to enter the bidding’ for the 23-year-old, albeit with Chelsea and Manchester United also showing a ‘strong interest’ in the in-demand Frenchman.

Valued at €100m (£85m), the former Paris Saint-Germain man certainly wouldn’t come cheap, although while the race is said to be ‘wide open’, it is claimed that Liverpool are ready to make the ‘first move’.

Forking out for a fee close to the prior club-record addition – including add-ons – of Nunez may have a few supporters fearing the worst, although all the signs point to Ekitike proving a real hit, not least alongside Wirtz.

Why Ekitike would be the dream striker for Wirtz

While Wirtz enjoyed another stellar individual campaign last time out, having chalked up 31 goals and assists in all competitions, it was the year prior where Bayer Leverkusen had truly enjoyed the fruits of his labour.

The German outfit memorably enjoyed an unbeaten domestic season, alongside reaching the Europa League final, with the 22-year-old registering 38 goal involvements from just 49 appearances.

The figurehead of Xabi Alonso’s devastating attack, Wirtz was no doubt aided by the array of talent around him, namely Nigerian striker Victor Boniface. The 24-year-old scored 21 times in 2023/24, 14 of which came in just 23 Bundesliga games.

Florian Wirtz – Top teammates

Player

Games together

Joint-goal participation

Patrick Schick

120

20

Amine Adli

101

11

Moussa Diaby

94

10

Alejandro Grimaldo

91

10

Victor Boniface

51

9

Jeremie Frimpong

150

8

Robert Andrich

120

7

Jonas Hoffman

53

5

Exequiel Palacios

109

4

Stats via Transfermarkt

In all, in just 51 games together, Wirtz and Boniface have combined for nine goals, with the former having only achieved more joint goal contributions with four other players, albeit from almost double the number of games.

As noted by the official Bundesliga website during that double-winning campaign, Boniface’s arrival had ‘arguably unlocked the full potential of the Germany international’s offensive ability’, with the pair ‘forming a special chemistry in the final third’.

Such a combination could well be replicated if young Ekitike is brought into the fold at Liverpool, with the former France U21 international noted as a statistically similar player to Boniface, among those in their position in the Bundesliga, as per FBref.

That likeness is particularly seen in the threat they pose in the final third, with Ekitike ranking in the top 5% for shots per 90, as well as in the top 6% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90. Boniface, meanwhile, ranks in the top 3% and the top 8% for those same two metrics, respectively.

Such a single-minded streak doesn’t necessarily mean a selfish streak, however, with the Frankfurt man notably creating 12 ‘big chances’ in the German top-flight last term, as per Sofascore. His Leverkusen counterpart, meanwhile, registered eight ‘big chances’ during that stunning 2023/24 season.

Both towering focal points when leading the line, Ekitike can replicate Boniface’s impact as the man for Wirtz to work around, with the one-time Reims starlet able to combine beautifully with the German amid his talent in possession, having ranked in the top 8% in the Bundesliga for pass completion.

Hailed as the “perfect centre-forward” by TNT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves, the £85m marksman could also prove to be the ‘perfect’ striker for Wirtz at Liverpool…

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Jul 12, 2025

Glasgow Rangers could need to sign a new centre-forward to bolster their squad before the summer transfer window slams shut at the start of September.

Russell Martin currently has Danilo, Hamza Igamane, and Cyriel Dessers at his disposal at Ibrox, but it remains to be seen if all three of them will still be at the club when the window closes.

After the 2-2 draw at Ibrox on Sunday, the Rangers head coach officially confirmed that the club have rejected an offer that was way below their valuation for Dessers, which shows that there is concrete interest in the attacker.

Meanwhile, Lille have reportedly been in talks over a potential deal to bring Igamane, who scored 16 goals last season, to Ligue 1 this summer.

This means that Rangers may lose two of their three centre-forward options during the window, which may be why they have been linked with an interest in veteran forward Jamie Vardy.

Why a move for Jamie Vardy could make sense

It was recently reported that the Scottish giants are the ‘frontrunners’ to secure a deal for the free agent number nine after Genoa dropped out of the race for his signature.

Vardy ended his long-term association with Leicester City this year after a return of 200 goals in 500 matches for the Foxes, helping them to win a Premier League title and an FA Cup.

He turned 38 in January, which means that the forward is in the latter stages of his career, but the former England international still has the capability to make a big impact in front of goal at the top level.

Vardy ended the 2024/25 campaign with nine goals in 35 Premier League starts for Leicester, despite their relegation from the division, which came after the attacker had managed 20 goals in 37 games in all competitions when they were in the Championship in the 2023/24 campaign.

Mo Salah

29

33

Chris Wood

20

33

Raul Jimenez

12

34

Danny Welbeck

10

34

Jamie Vardy

9

38

Tomas Soucek

9

30

Bruno Fernandes

9

30

Jacob Murphy

8

30

Leandro Trossard

8

30

Heung-min Son

7

33

As you can see in the table above, the English dynamo’s nine-goal haul in the Premier League last season was particularly impressive, when you see that he was the only player aged above 34 within the top ten scorers over the age of 30 in the division.

This shows that he is still at a very high level in front of goal, despite his age, which is why Vardy could make a lot of sense as a short-term addition for Rangers.

Striker considering move to Rangers this summer

However, the Scottish giants appear to have an opportunity to sign another experienced free agent centre-forward who could be an even better signing than the former Leicester man.

Transfer Focus

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

According to journalist Sebastien Vidal, veteran Dutch striker Luuk De Jong is “considering” a potential transfer to Rangers after his exit from PSV.

The 34-year-old attacker became a free agent at the start of the month and is currently weighing up his options, with a switch to Scotland seemingly a realistic option for him.

Meanwhile, PSV boss Peter Bosz, when asked about interest from Rangers in the striker, revealed that he has spoken to De Jong about the possibility of him signing for Martin’s team.

It now remains to be seen whether or not the Light Blues can tempt him enough to make the move to Ibrox, as he is still ‘considering’ his options at this moment in time.

Why Rangers should sign De Jong over Vardy

If presented with the choice, Rangers should decide to sign De Jong instead of Vardy because he could be an even better signing for the Scottish side this summer.

The former Netherlands international is four years younger than the ex-Leicester marksman, which means that he may have a few more years of service to offer on the pitch for the Gers, making him a potentially better medium-term addition to the side.

His goalscoring record in the past two seasons for PSV also suggests that the Dutch dynamo has the potential to deliver more than Vardy in front of goal for Rangers, if he can adapt to Scottish football and hit the ground running at Ibrox.

In the 2024/25 campaign, the 34-year-old striker plundered 18 goals and 12 assists in 47 matches in all competitions. That came after the veteran attacker produced a staggering haul of 38 goals and 18 assists in 48 appearances in the 2023/24 season for PSV.

This means that De Jong has scored 56 goals and assisted 30 for the Dutch giants in the past two seasons, whilst Vardy managed 30 goals and six assists in that time for Leicester.

These statistics suggest that the former Barcelona ace could offer way more to Rangers as both a scorer and a creator of goals than the Englishman, whilst also being four years younger, because, quite simply, he has scored and assisted significantly more goals.

Appearances

34

31

Goals

29

14

Minutes per goal

96

175

Big chances created

18

16

Key passes per game

2.0

1.8

Assists

15

8

As you can see in the table above, De Jong has consistently provided goals and assists over the past two years at league level, and has even been unfortunate not to have more assists to his name.

He is an experienced and lethal marksman who can find the back of the net on a regular basis whilst also creating high-quality chances for his teammates week-in-week-out, which could make him a fantastic all-round centre-forward option for Martin.

More exciting than Aasgaard: Rangers chasing deal to sign £10m star

Rangers are interested in a deal for a Premier League forward who would be more exciting than Thelo Aasgaard.

ByDan Emery Jul 7, 2025

Whilst, at 34, De Jong may not represent the future for the Ibrox giants, the Dutch striker could make a big short-term impact as the Gers look to wrestle back control of the Scottish Premiership next season.

It may be odd to argue, amid what was a wretched campaign for Manchester United as a whole, although 2024/25 was in many ways a season of redemption in some quarters, with Harry Maguire re-establishing himself as a central figure under the new Ruben Amorim regime.

Thrust into an unorthodox number nine berth during United’s Europa League run, in particular, the England international delivered arguably the greatest Old Trafford moment in recent years, following his last-gasp winner against Lyon.

Once written off under Erik ten Hag, having been stripped of the captaincy amid talk over a move to West Ham United, the 32-year-old, to his credit, fought his way back from the brink, having notably been hailed as “perfect” for the 3-4-3 system by Amorim.

Fittingly too, that heroic winner against the Ligue 1 side had been supplied by another man on a mission, in the form of Casemiro, with the Brazilian having also delivered the assist for Kobbie Mainoo just minutes earlier – alongside winning the prior spot-kick.

Central to that comeback, the 33-year-old is in many ways the comeback kid, having shaken off the disappointment of being left out of the starting lineup for last season’s FA Cup final, to then edging out Manuel Ugarte to get the nod for the Europa League showpiece 12 months later.

That resurgence has been a joy to behold, although the fact remains that his £70m addition was perhaps a costly, long-term mistake. Could something similar soon be repeated?

Latest on Man Utd's transfer search

Speaking of fixing prior mistakes, the Red Devils appear to be searching for a suitable successor to Andre Onana between the sticks, with the 29-year-old facing an uncertain future at the club after just two years in Manchester.

Linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, the £47.2m signing made a catalogue of errors again in 2024/25 – including three leading to a goal in the Premier League – with it no surprise that Amorim is reportedly seeking a replacement.

As noted by journalist Rudy Galetti, United are said to have “renewed interest” in Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with the club holding “internal talks” over whether to make a move for the German.

Transfer Focus

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

Writing in his attached piece for TEAMtalk, Galetti notes that the 33-year-old has emerged as a ‘leading target’ for the Red Devils, amid their search to replace Onana this summer.

The veteran goalkeeper – who is said to have also been considered by Chelsea – is facing his own uncertainty back in Catalonia, amid the potential arrival of Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.

Why Ter Stegen could be another Casemiro for Man Utd

It is heartwarming that a man who won the lot at Real Madrid – namely five Champions Leagues – appears to simply love life at Manchester United, with Casemiro memorably collapsing to the floor in delight following the wild celebrations after Maguire’s Lyon winner.

The one-time Porto man has looked back to his first season best in recent months, having notably described 2022/23 as the “best” individual campaign of his career, with Erik ten Hag having hailed him as the “cement” in the side at the time.

Frustratingly, however, such performances were not maintained in the following year, with Casemiro described as looking like he’s playing “in Soccer Aid” by pundit Jamie Redknapp, having failed to justify his reported £350k-per-week salary.

Games (starts)

28 (24)

25 (24)

24 (18)

Goals

4

1

1

Assists

3

2

0

Big chances created

7

2

3

Key passes*

1.0

0.6

0.9

Pass accuracy*

79%

83%

80%

Tackles & interceptions*

4.4

4.0

4.1

Balls recovered*

N/A

5.3

4.3

Dribbled past*

1.6

2.2

1.2

Total duels won*

55%

52%

64%

Despite his recent renaissance, the decision to plump for the ageing talent remains a costly one then, with the same potentially set to occur with regard to Ter Stegen – a player who takes home £102k-per-week in Barcelona.

Like his former Madrid rival, the 44-cap Germany international could bring a wealth of experience to United, undoubtedly, having racked up 422 appearances for the club to date, while winning a plethora of major honours.

Much like Casemiro too, Ter Stegen has repeatedly delivered the goods at the elite level over a consistent period, having previously been described as “extraordinary” and “among the three best keepers in the world” by former boss Xavi. Former Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak also stated that it is “is crazy the way he can make some saves”.

The problem is, however, that at 33, the former Borussia Mönchengladbach man would hardly be a long-term solution, not least considering his unfortunate injury woes of late.

Indeed, last season, the long-serving Barca star made just nine appearances in all competitions, having only recently made his return from a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to a tendon issue.

That spell out of action – which saw Ter Stegen miss 51 games for club and country – follows a previous period of absence in 2023/24, in which he missed a further 19 games with a back injury.

For a club like United who have endured frequent injury setbacks in recent times, that must surely have alarm bells ringing, with Amorim unable to afford further disruption in such a key position.

Yes, like Casemiro, the 6 foot 2 ace – who ranked in the top 7% in LaLiga in 2023/24 for save percentage – can be a quality asset on his day, but those days may prove to be few and far between as his career reaches its climax.

As United found with Casemiro – and Raphael Varane before him – Spain’s elite clubs are rather canny at affloading ageing stars at the right time. United simply can’t prove another victim of that this summer.

Their best CF since Ronaldo: Man Utd eager to sign "fearless" £44m striker

Manchester United are eyeing up a move for a striker who would be their best forward since Cristiano Ronaldo.

ByDan Emery Jun 8, 2025

After defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League last week, it’s safe to say Arsenal have demonstrated they are capable of battling with Europe’s elite.

Mikel Arteta has transformed the side after taking the reins in December 2020, overseeing a transition that has taken them back to Premier League title challengers in recent seasons.

However, the Spaniard is yet to complete the job of winning the title, desperately needing to push for such an achievement in 2025/26 to cement his legacy at the Emirates.

If the 43-year-old is to go one better and end their two-decade wait for a title triumph, he will need the hierarchy to support him in the transfer market to allow him to have the best chance of success.

With the summer rapidly approaching, rumours have already been swirling over potential targets, with most of the links being in the same area of the pitch.

An update on Arsenal’s pursuit of new forwards

Over the last couple of days, Arsenal have received a huge boost in their pursuit of landing a new striker, with an update provided on the future of Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres.

New sporting director Andrea Berta has wasted no time in making the Swede his number one target after previously holding talks with his representatives over a move to North London.

However, the latest update has confirmed that he’s not interested in a move to fellow English side Chelsea, potentially putting the Gunners in pole position for his signature in the coming months.

He’s not the only attacker touted with a move, with the likes of Kingsley Coman and Nico Williams also hugely admired ahead of the summer window.

According to one Spanish outlet, the Gunners are already in advanced talks to land the Athletic Club star and are more than willing to trigger his £50m release clause in the coming months.

Why the £50m star could be Arteta’s very own Vini Jr

Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has been one of Europe’s most deadly forwards in recent years, notching a tally of 45 goals across his last two seasons under Carlo Ancelotti.

Many thought he would win the Ballon d’Or for 2024, but was pipped to the post by Manchester City’s Rodri, with his standing in such an award highlighting how threatening he has been in Madrid.

However, in the recent Champions League clashes with the LaLiga giants, Arsenal managed to silence the Brazilian for large spells, only managing to get on the scoresheet after a mistake within the backline.

There’s no denying he is a hugely talented player, with Arteta able to land his version of the superstar this summer should they complete a deal for Williams.

The Spaniard has been labelled as a similar player to Vini Jr by FBref based upon their respective figures from 2024/25, showcasing how impressive the transfer target has been.

When delving into the stats, the 22-year-old has managed to match or better the Madrid star in numerous key areas, with any move undoubtedly improving the forward line in North London.

Williams, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by Eduardo Hagn, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has notched a higher shot-on target accuracy rate – highlighting his clinical nature in the final third.

Games played

27

25

Goals & assists

10

16

Shot-on-target accuracy

37%

30%

Shot-creating actions

5.2

5.2

Tackles won

0.8

0.2

Take-ons attempted

8.2

7.5

Aerials won

40%

12%

He’s also managed to win more of the aerial duels he’s entered, whilst also attempting more take-ons per 90, offering Arteta a real all-round threat within the final third should he join the club.

If the Gunners are to finally end their drought without a league title, it’s pivotal that the hierarchy back the manager with the right additions to help him in his quest.

The Athletic Club star ticks all the boxes with his pace, constant attacking threat, and his end product, with the £50m fee touted a potential bargain should he get anywhere near the levels produced by Vini Jr in recent years.

Their own Yamal: Arsenal hold talks for £25m "future Ballon D'or winner"

The simply sensational talent could be a game-changer for Arsenal.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 19, 2025

If the visitors need any advice about local conditions they can turn to Daniel Vettori but success on this tour shouldn’t be taken for granted

Alex Malcolm28-Feb-20241:33

Cummins: ‘Shifted a few of our plans’ after Wagner’s retirement

The Australians know more about the conditions at Wellington’s two most famous golf courses, Royal Wellington and Paraparaumu Beach, than they do about the city’s famous Test ground, having played both more recently than they have a Test match at the Basin Reserve.Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have been Test cricketers for more than 12 years and neither have played a Test match in New Zealand, let alone Wellington.But they do have a pretty knowledgeable resource to use into ahead of their first Test in Wellington in eight years, with former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori working as Australia’s assistant coach.Related

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• Wellington rain leaves New Zealand waiting to decide on fourth bowler

• New Zealand hunt rare Australia success to maintain World Test Championship lead

Vettori played 21 Tests here for New Zealand and captained six of them during his 17-year Test career. It wasn’t surprising to see Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald tapping into that knowledge during a lengthy discussion in the middle on Tuesday.”We haven’t seen Dan this tour, he’s been hanging out with the Black Caps,” Cummins joked on Wednesday. “No, he’s got good insights. He’s played a lot here. Again, nothing groundbreaking about this venue, but it’s always good to hear the insights. He’s played a lot here, windy days, not windy days, different wickets.”I think that wind factor, can be real here and just some of the ideas on how to get through that.”Vettori has also clearly warned the Australian captain against making rash judgements on the Basin pitch based solely on how it looks. Neither team were able to sneak a peak at the strip on Wednesday as it remained under covers due to persistent rain. However, on Tuesday it was verdant and scarcely distinguishable from the rest of the lush green square and outfield until the groundsman painted the crease lines.But armed with Vettori’s knowledge, Australia know not to be fooled. In the last three Tests played at the ground the team winning the toss has sent the opposition in on similar-looking pitches and conceded first innings scores of 580 for 4, 435 for 8 and 460. The team that has lost the toss and been sent in has won two of those games with England losing the third by one run after asking New Zealand to follow-on.Daniel Vettori chats with Australia head coach Andrew McDonald•Getty ImagesUnlike the green pitches in Australia during the summer where bowling first was a preferred choice, here it is not as clear cut.”It’s a live option,” Cummins said. “I think coming from Australia, it’s rare to turn on the TV and see a green wicket that looks like the turf here. But over here it’s pretty normal. But I don’t think it’s as scary as perhaps what it looks. It seems like there’s been plenty of first innings scores that have been big. I think the range of first innings scores goes from 120 to 580 or something like that. So we’ll have a look tomorrow and make up our mind then.”The pitch and the conditions are just about the only debatable issues for Australia on this tour. There are no injury issues to speak of and no selection debates to be had.The sight of Australia’s selector on duty Tony Dodemaide pulling his golf clubs off the luggage carousel in Wellington airport was indicative of how settled they are. They are set to play with the same XI for the third straight Test and have only made one change in the previous five, with David Warner retiring and Cameron Green replacing him in a reshuffled batting order.Australia are so confident in their group that they have only brought three reserves with them to New Zealand in Matt Renshaw, Michael Neser and Scott Boland.”We feel in a really good position,” Cummins said. “The last couple of years have obviously been quite successful with these guys and also the other guys that are traveling with us, Neser, Scotty, Renners have all had a bit of exposure as well so we feel like even if anything happened we’re pretty well placed to bring one of those guys in. There’s real calmness around the group. Everyone’s played Test cricket. So it doesn’t feel like we ever need to reinvent the wheel.”And yet, Australia lost their last Test match to the West Indies at their once mighty fortress the Gabba.That they haven’t overacted to that off-colour performance speaks volumes about the environment Cummins and McDonald have cultivated in recent times. It is an environment that New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon revealed he greatly admired and copied within his National Party during last year’s election campaign.But while Australia are having a lovely time in New Zealand, enjoying the hospitality and the world-class golf courses on their way to a 3-0 T20I series sweep, the Test side needs to be paying attention.Will O’Rourke could be a threat to Australia•Getty ImagesWest Indies, and particularly Shamar Joseph, merely prised open some widening cracks that had been developing in Australia’s batting line-up for a while.There was some surprise within Australia’s camp that Neil Wagner was not selected for this series, but it is with good reason. Will O’Rourke’s emergence has been impressive. Australia should be wary. They also have plenty of intel. O’Rourke played twice against Australia A in first-class matches in Lincoln and Mackay last year and impressed the Australia A set-up on both occasions with his pace and bounce, which included Australia assistant coach Andre Borovec, Dodemaide and chair of selectors George Bailey.With their recent experience against Joseph and Pakistan’s Aamer Jamal, Australia’s batting has some scouting to do.”I had a little bit of a look,” Cummins said. “I think the batters will get together at some stage today, I’m guessing. Everyone does their own planning. Even a couple of the opposition batters we haven’t played a lot against and some of them are just starting out their Test careers. It’s always a sense of trying to get your head around a little bit of what they do. And then obviously, once you’re out there trying to adapt on the fly.”The golf clubs have been put away. Another challenge with a fair few unknowns awaits for Australia and they will not want to slip up again.

Within the space of three games, the Australia quick has become an irreplaceable piece in the RCB jigsaw

Nagraj Gollapudi20-Apr-20224:16

Cutting: Hazlewood exhibited his bowling range in T20s

Josh Hazlewood earns his livelihood in Test cricket by banging the red ball on hard lengths. His basic plan is to pitch the ball short of a length, ideally on the seam, with the aim to hit the top of the stumps. Batters find Hazlewood damn irritating – not only does he consistently hit the same spot, but he also consistently hits the top of the bat. And he does that tirelessly across long spells. Ask any top Test batter and he will count Hazlewood among the toughest fast bowlers to face.In the longer format Hazlewood has the time to plan his kill by steadily inching closer to the exact length that would defeat the batter. In T20 cricket he just has 24 deliveries, which are usually broken across two spells of two overs each. The first one is in the powerplay and the second comes at death. And as anyone who understands T20 cricket will tell, those are the two segments where matches turn significantly. These are also the phases where the majority of the batters play aggressively.Despite all that, in every match he has played this season, Hazlewood has dominated the batters in those two phases. On Tuesday again he took charge immediately. His job against Lucknow Super Giants – as for all the other fast bowlers – was relatively easier as they had found an ally in a bouncy DY Patil stadium pitch where the ball was flying off length. When that happens even the best batters are anxious.Like Quinton de Kock, one of the best players against fast bowling, was surprised when he got hit on the left hand after Mohammed Siraj got the ball to kick off the length in the first over of Super Giants’ innings. Hazlewood would deliver the third and fifth overs during the powerplay. The nature of the pitch along with the formidable target raised by Royal Challengers Bangalore allowed him to place aggressive fields including a slip.And it was there that an alert Glenn Maxwell pouched a brilliant catch after de Kock nicked a delivery from Hazlewood which was banged on length, rose sharply and quick to take the outside edge. To understand the smartness of Hazlewood’s plan, you would need to know that the previous delivery he had bowled to de Kock, the second of the over, he had pitched short of length and angled it away which the batter had pushed for a single. In a matter of two balls, Hazlewood had caught de Kock in his trap by adjusting his length wilfully by a matter of inches.By the time he started the fifth over, the Lucknow batters were under pressure as only 24 runs had come in the first four. KL Rahul would rap Hazlewood for spraying a short delivery down the leg side which he duly pulled for an easy six. But Hazlewood was not bothered. He tested Manish Pandey’s patience by bowling two deliveries on the fifth while continuing to stick to the hard length. Off the final delivery, Pandey would move back into the crease in his trigger movement attempting to take on the bounce, but the result was a weak push towards into the hands of short midwicket as the ball hit the shoulder of the bat.Hazlewood would then return to easily negate young Indian uncapped batter Ayush Badon’s plan to hit over the leg side, which he attempted by moving extravagantly outside off stump. Hazlewood followed Badoni and flummoxed him by running his fingers on the side of the ball to slacken the pace of the delivery which resulted in a leading edge being caught easily.He might be playing his first season for Royal Challengers, but Hazlewood had already become an asset for the franchise. In Harshal Patel and Mohammed Siraj, Royal Challengers already had two bowlers for the death overs. But Hazlewood’s experience and the accuracy have helped him maintain a calm mind and execute the plans well so far in those pressure overs.With 34 needed from 12 deliveries and the fearsome Marcus Stoinis standing deep in the crease, Faf du Plessis asked Hazlewood to bowl the penultimate over even though he had the option of Harshal, a proven death-overs specialist. First ball, Hazlewood got way with what should have been called a wide by Chirs Gaffaney. Stoinis couldn’t believe it was not called wide and got distracted talking with the umpire who felt the batter had moved towards the off stump. Next delivery Hazlewood followed Stoinis – who had shuffled outside off stump wanting to ramp it – but was instead played-on a fuller delivery.Speaking to the host broadcaster after the match Hazlewood said he was enjoying bowling at the venues this IPL and in particular DY Patil due to the bounce. “I am really enjoying in particular at the start (powerplay) and probably in particular this ground,” he said. “Wankhede has some bounce but here at DY it is unreal with the new ball. You can obviously go for runs if you get it wrong, but if you get it right you can create wicket opportunities in the first few overs and get the other team on the backfoot.”Hazlewood had done a similar job at defending champions Chennai Super Kings during IPL 2021, bowling the difficult overs first, and eventually becoming the go-to bowler. The big strength Hazlewood possesses is his ability to control the lengths, which Royal Challengers team director Mike Hesson said is valuable on pitches with springing bounce like DY.And that control is courtesy his conditioning in Tests. Fast bowlers have dictated play for most parts so far this IPL. Unassuming and simple he might be, but Hazlewood stands out among this select group of matchwinners.

The Red Sox bolstered their starting pitching rotation on Thursday, having agreed to acquire right-handed starting pitcher Johan Oviedo in a trade with the Pirates.

The deal reportedly includes five players in total, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The highlight of the package Boston is sending to Pittsburgh is the Red Sox’s No. 3 prospect and top outfield prospect, Jhostynxon Garcia.

Oviedo, 27, made nine starts for the Pirates in 2025. He registered an ERA of 3.57 and had 42 strikeouts across 40 1/3 innings. Oviedo missed the entire ‘24 campaign and part of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. His last full season of work came in 2023, when he made 32 starts and had a 4.31 ERA.

In addition to Oviedo, the Red Sox will also receive left-handed pitcher Tyler Samaniego and catching prospect, 2025 fifth-round pick Adonys Guzman. The Pirates will also acquire another player alongside Garcia.

Garcia, 22, saw his first taste of MLB action in 2025, when he appeared in five games for the Red Sox. He struck out five times in a total of seven at-bats. Across 114 games in the minor leagues last season, he had a .810 OPS with 21 home runs and 75 RBIs.

Oviedo is now the second starting pitcher the Red Sox acquired this offseason. The team traded for Sonny Gray in late November, and now will add Oviedo to the mix, too.

Jack Leiter took a no-hitter into the 7th inning on Sunday against the Houston Astros. There was even a graphic attached to the scorebug pointing out that he had not given up a hit through 6 2/3 innings, which is exactly when he gave up a home run to Yainer Diaz.

The graphic was quickly removed after the ball landed on the wrong side of the wall.

The game was actually kind of a pitchers' duel, as neither Leiter nor Houston's Framber Valdez gave up a hit through three innings. While Valdez gave up three runs and four hits in the 4th, he came back out and had two more 1-2-3 innings in the 5th and 6th.

Leiter came so close to escaping the 7th without allowing a hit, but Diaz homered on a 3-2 pitch with two outs. Leiter then struck out Zach Dezeno to end the inning and still had a 3-1 lead heading to the 8th. And that's where things fell apart for Texas. Leiter gave up back-to-back singles to start the inning and was charged when both crossed the plate after his exit.

The Rangers eventually lost 4-3.

It's a shame we didn't get to see how far Leiter could have gone. He left after 89 pitches and has never thrown more than 92 in a game. His father, Al, only needed 102 pitches when he no-hit the Colorado Rockies 19 years ago.

It just wasn't meant to be.