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There has been a real focus from Leeds United to strengthen in attack this summer. The Whites have signed three new forwards, with Noah Okafor the only one they paid for, joining from Milan for £18m. Lukas Nmecha was one of the free signings, and he scored on his debut against Everton from the spot.

The other centre-forward who didn’t cost a penny was Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The England international switched to Elland Road after his Everton contract expired. However, his debut for the club, a Carabao Cup tie defeat away to Sheffield Wednesday, saw him miss a couple of chances and a penalty in the shootout.

Daniel Farke seems to think there is still work to be done in attack, with Leeds looking at signing another forward.

Leeds' new attacking targets

Even though they scored more goals than any side in the Championship last season, the Whites have still focused on bolstering their attack.

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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One name who has cropped up recently is Nottingham Forest winger Jota Silva, with the forward emerging as a target for Leeds.

However, it seems that they could jump ahead of Premier League rivals in the race for another striker. According to a report from TEAMtalk, Farke’s side have ‘swooped in’ to sign Christantus Uche from Spanish side Getafe.

He looked destined to join Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer, but an issue agreeing on personal terms has opened the door for Leeds to hijack the move.

West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, as well as Serie A giants Milan, have also shown interest in the £17.5m-rated star, but Leeds are now ‘pushing hard’ to get a deal done.

Why Uche would be a good signing

With Leeds looking to add further depth to their attack, it is no surprise that they have rejoined the race to sign Uche.

The Nigeria international has a unique profile, standing at 6 foot 3, and can play as a striker and a number 10.

Described as a “defender’s nightmare” by football scout Antonio Mango, the 22-year-old certainly showed his threat in the final third last season. In 33 games for Getafe, he bagged four goals and assisted a further six. Not mindblowing numbers by any stretch of the imagination but he caught the eye.

The 2025/26 campaign has begun superbly for Uche. Getafe’s number 10 is already on the board this term and grabbed an assist, with both contributions coming in their season opener against Celta Vigo. The La Liga side won 2-0, with Uche playing a key role in both goals.

The same cannot be said for Calvert-Lewin, who struggled on his debut for the Whites.

His final season as an Everton player saw the 28-year-old find the back of the net just three times in 26 appearances.

Unfortunately, that tough form continued in his first game as a Leeds player. Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Lee Sobot gave him a 5/10 post-match rating and described his night as a “debut to forget”, with WhoScored explaining his missed chances had an expected goals tally of 2.14 xG.

It is easy to see how Uche could be an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin already in Farke’s squad. He has been quick out of the blocks this season, whereas the new Leeds star struggled on debut. On top of that, Getafe’s number 10 outscored him last term.

The stats from the 2024/25 season back up the sentiment. For example, the Nigerian star averaged 0.36 goals and assists and 2.82 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes. In comparison, Leeds’ new number nine averaged 0.22 goals and assists and 1.46 shot-creating actions each game.

Uche & Calvert-Lewin 24/25 key stats

Stat (per 90)

Uche

Calvert-Lewin

Goals and assists

0.36

0.22

Goals per shot on target

0.29

0.16

Key passes

1.05

0.39

Shot-creating actions

2.82

1.46

Ball recoveries

3.99

1.96

Stats from FBref

With his effectiveness in front of goal, the unique profile and the versatility that he offers, it is easy to see how Uche would be an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin.

Ultimately, Leeds need goals to stay in the Premier League, and will be relying on both to find the back of the net often.

Hijacking this deal for the cheap price of £17.5m would surely be a smart move for the Yorkshire side as they look to beat the drop this season.

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Posts ByDan Emery Aug 26, 2025

He hasn’t played ODIs since the 2023 ODI World Cup but hopes to make a return for Pakistan next month

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jan-2025

Fakhar Zaman has not played for Pakistan since the 2024 T20 World Cup•ICC/Getty Images

Fakhar Zaman is “100% certain” he will play for Pakistan again and is gearing up for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19 and will be hosted in Pakistan and Dubai.”A 100%, I will play for Pakistan (again),” Fakhar, 34, told the . “Actually, many people do not know about that, but after the T20 World Cup I got sick and because of the medical condition I was not fit, so I was not a part of the team.”But now I [have] recovered 100%, and you will see me in the next white-ball series which Pakistan play.”Related

Saim Ayub to travel to London for ankle fracture treatment

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PCB issues Fakhar Zaman show-cause notice after post in support of Babar Azam

Fakhar, once an integral part of the Pakistan white-ball setup, has not played international cricket since the 2024 T20 World Cup last June in the USA and West Indies, where Pakistan were eliminated in the group stage. He last played an ODI in the 2023 ODI World Cup but is hopeful of returning for the Champions Trophy at home.Incidentally, it was in the 2017 Champions Trophy that Fakhar shot to prominence with a title-winning 114 against India in the final at The Oval in London. “My plan has been around the Champions Trophy,” he said. “I did not play in the Australia tour or in the South Africa tour, so my whole plan was just to play in the Champions Trophy, to make myself available and to be fully fit for the tournament.”That was in the back of my mind, and I am thankful, and I am lucky to be fit right now. I started from the Champions Trophy 2017 and that went really well for me and now I am very excited for the next edition also. I talked to the selectors, the head coach, and everyone wanted me to play in the Champions Trophy.”Fakhar Zaman is currently in the UAE for his maiden ILT20 stint•Associated Press

Fakhar had high praise for 22-year-old opener Saim Ayub, who has become a regular across formats for Pakistan. Ayub has had a sensational start to his ODI career, with three centuries and a fifty in nine innings, which includes hundreds in Australia and South Africa. However, an ankle fracture sustained during the first morning of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town has put his Champions Trophy campaign in jeopardy.”I hope and I believe that he will recover quickly, and I was thinking yesterday to call Saim just to talk to him about this injury,” Fakhar said. “Believe me, he is such a great player that if he continues to play for the next four to five years, he will be at the top and he will be amongst the top three players in the world.”While Fakhar wants to open the batting for Pakistan, he may not find a slot there, with Ayub, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan already at the top of the order.”In Pakistan, we have three of the best players in the world in Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub, so sometimes I feel lucky to be in the team even if I am not able to make my place in the team as an opener,” Fakhar said. “If the team has faith in me and they want me to bat at number four or five, that totally makes sense, because for me the team is always first and I play wherever the team wants me to play, but I always prefer to open.”Fakhar is currently gearing up for his maiden ILT20 stint where he will feature for the 2023 runners-up Desert Vipers. “There are many Pakistani players who have played for the Desert Vipers including Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Azam Khan and Mohammad Amir and they talk really highly about this team, the environment, the management, the way they play the cricket and the way their mindset is,” Fakhar said. “So when I got the offer, without any discussion with anyone, I said ‘yes, I would love to play for this team.'”The ILT20 begins on January 11, with the Dubai Capitals taking on MI Emirates in Dubai.

Birmingham City and minority owner Tom Brady want to seal a double deal for two players from the same cub, and they have had an offer accepted for one.

Brady wants Birmingham to keep spending to compete with Wrexham

The Blues are preparing for their immediate return to the Championship after a record-breaking League One title-winning campaign.

So far this summer, Brady, Tom Wagner and co have made 10 new signings, splashing the cash on striker Kyogo Furuhashi from Rennes.

Kyogo Furuhashi

Rennes

£10m

Alfons Sampsted

FC Twente

£1.7m

Taylor Gardner-Hickman

Bristol City

£1.5m

Bright Osayi-Samuel

Fenerbahce

Free

Kanya Fujimoto

Gil Vicente

Free

Demarai Gray

Al-Ettifaq

Free

Phil Neumann

Hanover 96

Free

Tommy Doyle

Wolves

Loan

Eiran Cashin

Brighton

Loan

James Beadle

Brighton

Loan

Brady doesn’t want to stop there, though, and in recent comments relayed by PA, said Birmingham have to keep spending to complete with the likes of Wrexham and Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Now, an update has emerged on two targets who those at St Andrew’s and Chris Davies will already know well.

Birmingham want double deal for Rangers duo

According to GiveMeSport, Birmingham City are interested in bringing Rangers duo Ben Davies and Kieran Dowell back to the Midlands before the September 1 deadline.

Davies, on £27,000-a-week, played 44 times for the Blues last season on loan from Ibrox but hasn’t featured under Russell Martin so far due to an injury.

Meanwhile, attacking midfielder Dowell, who picks up £16,000-a-week, contributed to 10 goals in 23 Birmingham appearances last season and has played some part in Rangers’ pre-season.

Both players are out of contract at Ibrox in 12 months time, and according to Football Insider, Birmingham are in advanced talks over a £750,000 transfer for Davies.

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FI add that a ‘deal is expected to be finalised when Davies has recovered from a minor injury’, so Davies and Birmingham could be delighted if they managed to bring Dowell back down south as well.

GMS say that ‘Rangers are holding out for fees for a couple of players who may or may not form part of Martin’s plans’, so Birmingham and Brady may need to get the chequebook out for Dowell as well.

حدد وليد صلاح الدين، مدير الكرة بالأهلي، موعد التفاوض مع ثنائي الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالقلعة الحمراء، من أجل تجديد عقديهما في الفترة المقبلة.

ويبحث الأهلي عن الحفاظ على القوام الأساسي وتجديد عقد لاعبيه الذين اقتربت عقودهم من الانتهاء، من أجل الاستمرار مع الفريق.

طالع| هاني رمزي: الأهلي خسر هذا المدرب.. ويهاجم اللاعبين “بلا دم ولا روح”

ويستعد النادي الأهلي، لمواجهة سيراميكا كليوباترا، مساء اليوم الجمعة، في إطار الجولة السابعة من عمر منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وعلم بطولات أن وليد صلاح الدين، مدير الكرة بالأهلي، قرر التفاوض مع أليو ديانج وأحمد نبيل كوكا، لتجديد عقود الثنائي عقب مباراة كهرباء الإسماعيلية.

ومن المقرر أن يلعب الأهلي أمام كهرباء الإسماعيلية في الخامس من شهر أكتوبر المقبل في الدوري المصري، وبعدها يحصل اللاعبون على راحة من أجل التوقف الدولي.

Leeds United were given a very timely reminder of how easy it can be to get recruitment wrong at Premier League level when they sanctioned a loan exit for Max Wober this month.

The central defender has been sent out on loan to Werder Bremen for next season, having been deemed not to be good enough to play a key role for Daniel Farke next term.

Wober was initially signed by Victor Orta for £11m from Salzburg in January 2023 whilst Leeds were in the Premier League, but he was unable to prevent the team from being relegated.

The Whites have already added Lukas Nmecha, Sebastiaan Bornauw, and Jaka Bijol to the squad that is hoping to avoid the drop next term, but there is still plenty more work to be done before the window slams shut.

Here’s what Leeds United’s dream squad could look like if everything goes according to plan this summer.

The goalkeepers A new number one

Leeds know that they need to recruit a new first-choice goalkeeper to line up between the sticks for them next season, because Illan Meslier is not going to cut it.

The French goalkeeper made three errors that directly led to goals and conceded 2.73 more goals than expected, based on the xG against him, in the Championship last term.

This does not suggest that Meslier is likely to be good enough to make the step up to the top tier again, which is why Leeds should cash in on him amid interest from Fenerbahce.

Leeds have reportedly made contact over a deal to sign goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who has a £19m release clause, from Torino this month, and he would arrive as the new number one in an ideal world.

Appearances

39

37

Save percentage

71%

76%

Penalties committed

1/4

4/7

Goals prevented

-2.73

+10.56

Pass accuracy in own half

93%

93%

Error led to goal

3

1

As you can see in the table above, the Serbia international could come in as a gigantic upgrade on Meslier, as both a reliable goalkeeper who does not make many errors, and as a shot-stopper.

Full list of goalkeepers: Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Karl Darlow, Alex Cairns

The defence A whole new left side for Leeds

The last six teams that have been promoted from the Premier League have been relegated at the first attempt, which suggests that it is likely that the Whites will have a busy defence next season as they bid to avoid joining that statistic.

Leeds did only concede 30 goals in 46 matches in the Championship, despite Meslier’s dire form, which may be why Jayden Bogle could stay as the first-choice right-back, and Sam Byram has penned a new deal to provide depth at right-back and left-back when needed.

Farke has already bolstered his ranks at centre-back, though, with the arrivals of Jaka Bijol from Udinese for £15m and Sebastiaan Bornauw from Wolfsburg for around £5m. They will now look to compete with Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk for the two starting roles at the heart of the defence.

It is on the left side of the defence where it will be all change for Leeds, though, as they do not have any senior left-backs in the building following Junior Firpo’s exit.

Gabriel Gudmundsson has joined for a reported fee of £10m to replace Firpo, but the Whites have also been touted with interest in Slavia Prague’s £22m-rated Malick Diouf.

The Senegal international, who is only 20, could be a back-up to Gudmundsson initially, with the potential to explode as an exciting left-back option in the future, after he scored seven goals in 27 league games in Czechia last season.

Full list of centre-backs: Joe Rodon, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk

Full list of right-backs: Jayden Bogle, Sam Byram

Full list of left-backs: Gabriel Gudmundsson, Malick Diouf

The midfielders Farke reunites with former star

The midfield section of the squad is split into two profiles, with one group of midfielders to play in the double pivot of the 4-2-3-1 formation, and the other group as options for the number ten position.

In the first section, Farke currently has Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu, and Ilia Gruev to pick from, but they are reportedly looking to add to their options in that area of the pitch.

They are said to be interested in Hoffenheim giant Anton Stach, who is valued at £17m, after he started 29 matches in the Bundesliga for his club last season.

Possible signing Anton Stach

6 ft 4

Ilia Gruev

6 ft 1

Ethan Ampadu

6 ft

Ao Tanaka

5 ft 11

Brenden Aaronson

5 ft 10

As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old German titan would bring some much-needed height and physicality to Farke’s options in the middle of the park.

In the number ten role, Leeds have been linked with an interest in Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia, who is valued at £20m, as a player who has worked with the manager before.

The Argentina international produced 24 goals and 41 assists in 121 appearances for the boss at Norwich, which suggests that he may offer more to Leeds at the top end of the pitch than Brenden Aaronson, who only managed nine goals and two assists in 46 league games last season.

Full list of central midfielders: Anton Stach, Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka, Ilia Gruev

Full list of attacking midfielders: Emiliano Buendia, Brenden Aaronson

The forwards Surprise move for huge Premier League flop

Lukas Nmecha, as a back-up striker, is the only attacking signing that Leeds have made to bolster Farke’s options at the top end of the pitch, but they are expected to be active in the forward areas.

They may already be content with what they have on the right flank, though, as Dan James has put pen to paper on a new contract at Elland Road, and they have Wilfried Gnonto in reserve, whilst Buendia is also capable of playing on the right flank.

There does look set to be a change through the middle for the Championship champions, though, as they are in the market to sign another striker on top of Nmecha.

Leeds are reportedly keen on a deal to bring Nikola Krstovic, who is valued at £21m, to Elland Road from Italian side Lecce, and he may be the best available option for the club to pursue.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

16 (20/21 Premier League)

Nikola Krstovic

11 (24/25 Serie A)

Rodrigo Muniz

9 (23/24 Premier League)

Evan Ferguson

6 (23/24 Premier League)

Josh Sargent

5 (20/21 Bundesliga)

As you can see in the table above, Krstovic has the most recent history of hitting double figures for goals among the club’s top centre-forward targets, as Calvert-Lewin’s best season came five years ago.

The Montenegro international has proven that he can score goals in a major European league and could come in to start in the number nine position, leaving Joel Piroe and Nmecha behind him as depth options for Farke, which could also see Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford seek game time elsewhere.

For the left flank, talks to bring Manor Solomon back on a permanent basis from Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly stalled, which means that they may have to explore other options.

As an alternative to the Israel international, Leeds should make a surprise move for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Fabio Silva, who was linked with a move to Yorkshire back in June.

Silva was a huge flop in the Premier League with Wolves, scoring four goals in 62 games after a £35.6m move from Porto, but his form on loan in LaLiga with Las Palmas last season suggests that he has developed since then.

The Portugal international, who was once described as a “generational” talent by scout Jacek Kulig, delivered ten goals and three assists in La Liga, playing off the left and through the middle as a versatile forward, which suggests that he could be a solid addition on the flank for Leeds at a reported fee of £21m.

That would leave Largie Ramazani, who managed six goals and two assists in seven league starts last term, as the back-up option on the left wing next season, and possibly force Jack Harrison out of the squad.

Full list of right wingers: Dan James, Wilfried Gnonto

Full list of centre-forwards: Nikola Krstovic, Joel Piroe, Lukas Nmecha

Full list of left wingers: Fabio Silva, Largie Ramazani

It finally happened: After weeks of waiting, Arsenal announced their first signing of the summer transfer window.

Granted, it might not be the most exciting deal of all time, but acquiring a player of Kepa Arrizabalaga’s quality for just £5m is astute business and helps address the issue of a backup goalkeeper.

However, while the likes of Eberchi Eze and Rodrygo are also being touted for moves to the club, so too is another Chelsea player, Noni Madueke.

Fortunately, another Premier League winger has now been linked with Arsenal, a player who’d be a way better signing than the Blues star.

Arsenal target Madueke upgrade

It’s become something of a running joke that a transfer window is not fully complete until Arsenal sign a Chelsea player, and with Madueke now being linked with the North Londoners, there is a chance they could sign two.

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 reports from as recently as yesterday, the Gunners might have already submitted an offer to the English international.

It’s not entirely clear how much he’d cost Mikel Arteta’s side, but based on stories from late last month, the fee could be around the £50m mark.

While he might be talented, it’s hard to imagine fans being particularly on board with signing another of the Blues’ seemingly unwanted attacking players, so it’s good news that they’ve now been linked with another winger target: Anthony Elanga.

At least that’s according to a recent report from TBR Football, which claims that the Gunners are one of several sides interested in the Nottingham Forest star.

Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Newcastle United are all keen on the dynamic wideman, with the Toon already making an offer.

On top of having to contend with the fierce competition, the North Londoners will also have to stump up a fee of around £60m to get their man.

It won’t be an easy transfer to get over the line, but Elanga has shown he could be a valuable addition to a team like Arsenal, and a far better signing than Madueke at that.

How Elanga compares to Madueke

So, if it comes down to signing one winger or the other, why would Arsenal be better off going for Elanga over Madueke?

Well, aside from the fact that a new left-winger feels like a more pressing need following the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri last season, the Nottingham Forest star is simply the more dangerous attacker.

For example, in 43 appearances for the Tricky Trees last season, the Hyllie-born phenom racked up a tally of six goals and 12 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal or assist every 2.38 games.

In contrast, despite playing for a team that finished higher up the Premier League table, the Barnet-born wideman has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 44 appearances, three of which have come at the Club World Cup, which works out to an average of a goal or assist every 2.58 games.

Moreover, the one-sided nature of the comparison only extends when we take a look under the hood, at their respective underlying numbers from last season.

Non-Penalty G+As

0.61

0.44

Progressive Passes

2.27

3.05

Progressive Carries

3.67

6.81

Key Passes

1.80

1.42

Passes into the Final Third

1.15

0.71

Shot-Creating Actions

3.67

3.50

Goal-Creating Actions

0.65

0.35

For example, the former Manchester United gem comes out on top in most relevant metrics, including some truly key ones, such as non-penalty goals plus assists, key passes and shot and goal-creating actions per 90.

Finally, on top of having the output and statistics fall in his favour, the Swedish international has one more advantage over the Chelsea ace: his blistering pace.

Now, the Englishman is no slouch, but the Forest star is unusually quick, so much so that he dubbed himself “one of the fastest players in the league.”

That might sound a little arrogant, but it’s true, as his speed of 36.91km/h against Tottenham Hotspur in April 2024 was the fourth-fastest sprint in Premier League history.

Ultimately, Elanga is clearly the superior player to Madueke, and if Arsenal are going to be signing a new winger from the Premier League, they’d be far better off going for him over the Blues ace.

A better signing than Sesko: Arsenal exploring move to sign £70m "machine"

Arsenal are looking to strengthen their attack this summer and could spend more than £70m on doing so.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 2, 2025

Over the years gone by, the Manchester United faithful have been blessed with countless attacking talents who have led them to numerous triumphs domestically and continentally.

Cristiano Ronaldo, George Best and Wayne Rooney are just three players from separate times who have starred at Old Trafford – with the latter remaining their record scorer to this day.

However, current boss Ruben Amorim unfortunately doesn’t have the same luxury, with main striker Rasmus Hojlund’s drought of 21 games without a goal earlier this season showcasing the problems they’ve faced.

The Dane has struggled to provide value for money after costing £72m back in the summer of 2023, with a move away from the club potentially on the cards before the end of the transfer window.

Any funds generated from such a move could allow the manager to land a new talisman who could offer the huge presence needed in their hopes of a revival in 2025/26.

The latest on United’s hunt for a new talisman

With Matheus Cunha already arriving, but likely to operate in a number 10 role, Amorim will want the hierarchy to hand him added funds to make the big-money addition he craves at the top end.

Viktor Gyokeres has been one of the main targets in recent months, but a deal for the Swede appears to be dead in the water after it was confirmed he’s only interested in a move to Arsenal.

Such a turn of events over the last few days has seen a new name enter the mix, with Victor Osimhen the latest striker in their sights, according to one GOAL journalist.

He claims that the Red Devils have already made contact with the Nigerian’s representatives after he scored 37 times in 41 appearances on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli this season.

Transfer Focus

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

Furlan also states that they face competition from PSG, Chelsea and Arsenal for his signature, after he rejected a big-money move to Saudi Arabia earlier this summer.

Why Osimhen would be a better signing than Ekitike for United

In their hunt for a new striker, United have stumbled across Eintracht Frankfurt talisman Hugo Ekitiké in an attempt to improve the options at Amorim’s disposal.

The Frenchman has starred in the Bundesliga throughout 2024/25, registering 23 combined goals and assists in his 33 league outings – but he could cost a pretty penny this summer.

He’s also on the radar of fellow Premier League sides Arsenal and Chelsea, but any interested party will have to fork out a fee in the region of £84m to land the talisman.

There’s no denying he’s a quality player, as seen by his impressive tally this campaign, but such a fee may prove to be too expensive – especially when considering the other options on the table.

Osimhen would certainly be a better signing, with the stats from their respective campaigns highlighting why the hierarchy should pursue a move for the Nigerian’s signature this summer.

The Napoli ace, who’s been labelled “the best striker on the market” by Statman Dave, has massively outscored Ekitike, whilst also posting a higher goal per shot on target rate – showcasing his clinical edge in the final third.

He’s also managed to win more aerials than the Frankfurt star, handing Amorim the focal point he needs in the attacking areas, subsequently offering a different dimension to the Red Devils’ attack.

Games played

30

33

Goals & assists

31

23

Goals per shot on target

0.4

0.3

Shot-on-target accuracy

52%

38%

Aerials won

4.6

1.8

Aerial success rate

64%

45%

Take-on success

60%

44%

Whilst he’s likely to command a higher pay packet to prise him to the North West, it’s a price worth paying given the difference between the quality of the two options.

If the club are to have any chance of returning to their former glory in the near future, top-level talents are required, with Osimhen just the man to do that given his record within the final third in recent seasons.

Huge Hojlund upgrade: Wilcox opens talks to sign "new Mbappe" for Man Utd

Ruben Amorim wants to sign a new centre-forward this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 15, 2025

Leeds United have now made an approach to sign a “fantastic” Premier League defender, who is set to be available on a free transfer, according to reliable reporter Ben Jacobs.

Leeds eyeing Premier League players after promotion

It was a thrilling end to the 2024-25 campaign for Leeds, securing the Championship title with 100 points, but they are now faced with the even more difficult task of remaining in the Premier League, so it could be wise to bring in new signings who are proven in the top flight.

Micah Richards has suggested Manchester City’s James McAtee could be a fantastic signing for the Whites in the attacking midfield area, while there has also been talk of a double swoop for Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson.

Having played a role in transforming the Magpies from a relegation-threatened side into Champions League contenders and EFL Cup winners, the Newcastle duo could be exciting signings for Daniel Farke’s side, who also have their sights on another proven Premier League player.

Related Big Piroe upgrade: Leeds leading the race to sign "outstanding" PL star

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According to Jacobs, in an interview with GiveMeSport, Leeds are interested in signing a West Ham United defender this summer, saying an approach has been made. “Vladimir Coufal may be a market opportunity as well. I’m told that Leeds and Everton are the two clubs that have enquired for him. So, there is substance to both of those links for sure and like I said a moment ago, I’m fully expecting Leeds to explore the goalkeeper market.”

The Hammers have confirmed that Coufal is set to leave the club upon the expiration of his contract this summer, which means the Championship title-winners will have the opportunity to snap him up on a free transfer.

"Fantastic" Coufal is proven in the Premier League

Once lauded as “fantastic” by former teammate Ben Johnson, the Czech defender has a plethora of experience in the Premier League, having made 146 appearances in the competition during his time at the London Stadium.

The 32-year-old has played more of a sporadic role this season, often being utilised as a substitute, but he has put in some impressive performances in the past, picking up seven assists in 36 league outings last term.

There may be concerns about the defender’s age, however, and some members of the media have suggested the full-back is now past his best, which is underlined by the fact West Ham are willing to let him leave for free.

That said, Leeds will require players with Premier League experience if they are to avoid an instant return to the Championship, and Coufal has that in droves, so a move would make perfect sense.

Liverpool have perhaps rested on their laurels in recent transfer windows, with Federico Chiesa the only first-team signing made since Jurgen Klopp completed a much-needed midfield rebuild with the signing of Ryan Gravenberch in August 2023.

That’s going to change this summer. Arne Slot has surpassed expectations and then some in guiding Liverpool toward the Premier League.

Sure, sure, the Reds haven’t won it yet, but they need just one point from five matches to seal the highest place on the podium. It would take the most remarkable of slip-ups to fall now.

The fact that Slot has engineered the triumph without putting his own stamp on the Anfield side bears testament to his elite-level tactical quality. To be sure, title rivals have faltered this year, but Liverpool have still been brilliant in their consistency, their balance.

Now, it’s time to add some quality, and with Darwin Nunez set to leave, a new striker is needed. Alexander Isak is the dream.

Why Liverpool want Alexander Isak

Short answer? Isak is absolutely brilliant, one of the most dangerous attacking players in the world.

Analysis of the longer form identifies a wealth of varied properties that make the Sweden international a matchless number nine across Europe right now.

Erling Haaland has goalscoring inevitability, Kylian Mbappe the pace and movement, Harry Kane the leadership and passing game, but there’s a case to be made that the Magpies talisman offers the most dynamic and balanced approach of the lot, when considering every facet of the centre-forward game.

As per FBref, the 25-year-old ranks among the top 7% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 15% for assists, the top 14% for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90.

Isak’s completeness sets him apart from other strikers, those performing at the top of their game, but his deadly goalscoring ability is, of course, the essence of why FSG would love nothing more than to add him to Slot’s squad.

With 25 goals and six assists across 38 matches in all competitions this season, Isak is clearly one of the best. Liverpool would only improve with the rangy forward in their mix.

Whether Newcastle stay firm on their £150m (or even higher) valuation will determine whether FSG green-light a summer move. But his output bespeaks his quality. Few players are capable of matching such a haul.

Mohamed Salah would be one who surpasses Isak’s numbers, but there’s an ageing former Redman who’s also treading above Isak’s numerical level.

Who that is may come as a surprise.

The former Liverpool star outperforming Isak

He might be getting on a bit, but Xherdan Shaqiri still has that special something that makes him such a menace in and around the final third.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

The 33-year-old hasn’t been on Liverpool’s books for a minute, leaving to sign for French Ligue 1 outfit Lyon in a £9.5m deal back in 2021, having fallen down Klopp’s pecking order due to the quality of Liverpool’s other forwards and Shaqiri’s unfortunate injury struggles.

Diminutive in stature, Shaqiri was small but mighty in Liverpool colours, and though he’s since hopped over the pond and played with Chicago Fire in the MLS, he’s returned to Europe, signed for Basel, back on Swiss territory.

20/21

22 (7)

1

4

19/20

11 (2)

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0

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30 (15)

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That first season on Merseyside bred the richest success for Shaqiri on an individual level, instrumental in winning the Champions League as he placed two assists during that match against Barcelona.

He’s proven himself among his generation’s most technically gifted playmakers, now targeting a storybook ending as he drives Basel toward the Swiss top-flight title.

He’s thriving. Shaqiri – who Klopp dubbed a “very special player” – has scored 16 goals and supplied 18 further assists for Bebbi this season, having only featured in 32 matches across all competitions.

This high-stretching haul of 34 goal involvements is above even that of Isak, who is, of course, playing at a higher level. Still, it highlights Shaqiri’s quality, having won the Champions League with Bayern Munich before Liverpool, becoming a talisman at Stoke City, thrived with Inter Milan, earned praise for his overhead-kick-scoring Reds debut by Klopp.

He boasts the kind of profile that could be perfect for Isak, should the latter man make the move and join Slot’s project this summer. As per Sofascore, Shaqiri has only missed two big chances in the league this year, scoring 14 times. He’s also created a whopping 24 big chances, averaging 3.5 key passes per game.

You could argue that Dominik Szoboszlai could take a leaf from his book, for the Hungarian midfielder needs to up his game in front of goal to truly maximise his talent, especially when a positional peer such as Shaqiri is capable of matching Isak’s attacking numbers.

Though Shaqiri’s best days are behind him, it’s heartwarming to see him enjoying such prolific success back in his homeland as he approaches the twilight of an illustrious career.

The very fact that he’s outperforming Isak, who has been described as “the best striker in the Premier League” this season by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher, issues a nice reminder that he’s one of the most underrated stars of Liverpool’s journey over the past decade.

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Most of the players in Pakistan’s Test squad have not played first-class cricket since February

Danyal Rasool10-Oct-2025Pakistan host South Africa for a two-Test series starting on Sunday, marking the beginning of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle for both sides. It is a battle between opposites, with the winners of the previous cycle playing the team that finished last. For Pakistan, it is also their first Test series since January, something their red-ball captain Shan Masood termed unacceptable at the time while hoping his side would find a way to play more matches.More notably, though, Pakistan struggled to get their first-class tournament, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, up and running in time to give their Test players match practice ahead of this series. Only one round of that competition was possible, from October 6 to 9. Even those games were severely curtailed by unseasonal rain in much of the country, and with most of the Test squad already in a training camp by then, only two were able to participate.ESPNcricinfo takes a look at the amount of red-ball cricket the players in Pakistan’s Test squad have played since their last Test.Related

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Shan Masood – 4 games
The Pakistan Test captain’s red-ball participation is one of the brighter sparks in the void. He played two President’s Trophy matches in Karachi in February, shortly after the conclusion of the series against West Indies. He also played two matches for Leicestershire in the County Championship in September, scoring 90 and 111.Abdullah Shafique – 7 games
Abdullah Shafique has played the joint-highest number of first-class games among the players in the squad, though most of them were in February. His only red-ball game since was a County Championship match for Yorkshire with a batting-friendly Kookaburra ball in June, where he scored 5 in his only innings.Babar Azam – 0 games
Despite losing his spot in the T20I squad, Pakistan’s premier batter has been unable to fill his time with any first-class cricket. Pakistan’s most recent Test in January was the last time he played a red-ball match.Imam-ul-Haq – 3 games
Imam-ul-Haq has been on fire for Yorkshire in List A cricket recently, but he has played precious little first-class cricket as he works his way back into Pakistan’s Test squad. He played two President’s Trophy matches in February and March, and one game for Yorkshire in the Championship in July, where he made 19 in his only innings.Mohammad Rizwan scored a hundred in the QEA Trophy in the first week of October•ICC/Getty ImagesMohammad Rizwan – 1 game
Another player who fell out of Pakistan’s T20I squad, Mohammad Rizwan comes into the series against South Africa with extremely limited red-ball match practice. His only game since the West Indies series was earlier this week in the rain-affected round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, where he scored an unbeaten 123 in a drawn game.Rohail Nazir – 3 games
Pakistan’s back-up wicketkeeper is a case study for how difficult it has been to play first-class cricket in this long gap between Tests. Despite not being part of any international team, his only red-ball matches were in the President’s Trophy in February, where he scored two hundreds in three games to burnish his credentials.Saud Shakeel – 1 game
Saud Shakeel, the Pakistan batter perhaps more suited to this format than any other, has played a solitary first-class game in this period. It came in March in the President’s Trophy, where he scored 2 and 45 for State Bank of Pakistan.Salman Agha – 1 game
With his increased profile within the national set-up, Pakistan’s T20I captain has been busy. Perhaps unsurprisingly, that added responsibility has come at the expense of first-class opportunities. His only red-ball game in the last nine months was for Lahore Whites in the first round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy last week, where he scored 47 runs and took one tail-end wicket.Asif Afridi – 3 games
The 38-year-old left-arm spinner’s inclusion in the side gives away the kind of pitches Pakistan will hope to prepare against South Africa. He has never played international cricket and his most recent first-class cricket was also in February, where he took 5 wickets at 31.80 in three games.Kamran Ghulam – 0 games
Kamran Ghulam, who scored a hundred on Test debut against England this time last year, has played no first-class cricket between January and now.Sajid Khan – 2 games
It is a series where Pakistan’s fate depends almost entirely on Sajid Khan and his left-arm compatriot Noman Ali. Despite being one of Pakistan’s MVPs, Sajid has played little red-ball cricket recently. His last two first-class games, too, were in February and he took ten wickets in those President’s Trophy fixtures.Noman Ali and Sajid Khan have also not played any red-ball cricket since February•Getty ImagesNoman Ali – 3 games
The other half of that duo, Noman, is a similar tale. He hasn’t played first-class cricket since February, when he appeared in three matches. If Noman, 38, is to light up Pakistan’s Test arena at home once more, he will have to do so on the back of fairly degraded muscle memory.Abrar Ahmed – 0 games
The fourth spinner in the Test squad is now Pakistan’s premier white-ball option. But Abrar Ahmed has not played first-class cricket since January, despite being viewed as Pakistan’s first-choice Test spinner before the heel-turn that led to the spinning tracks produced, which shot Sajid and Noman back to prominence.Hasan Ali – 0 games
Hasan Ali has had several injuries and gradually nursed his way back to health. He last played first-class cricket in 2024.Khurram Shahzad – 7 games
Arguably Pakistan’s most successful exponent of the red-ball in this barren nine-month period. Despite Pakistan’s clear preference for spinners at home, Khurram Shahzad threw himself into first-class cricket immediately following the West Indies series, playing four games in February. After that, he played another three games for Worcestershire. His performance in the County Championship was adversely impacted to an extent by the use of the Kookaburra ball, which is more conducive to batting and less to the kind of swing he likes to deploy. Even so, he took 6 for 42 in his first innings against Warwickshire.Shaheen Shah Afridi – 0 games
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s waning interest in Test cricket is no secret by now. As his performances in white-ball cricket show signs of resurgence, there is little indication of what that means for his red-ball career. He has not played a first-class match since Pakistan opted to go spin-heavy, his last Test coming in October 2024.