Tag Futebol

It is practically indisputable that Arsenal are in the market for a new striker this summer, and Mikel Arteta’s side have now been handed the chance to get one over on arch rivals Tottenham by signing a key target of Thomas Frank’s side.

Arsenal make contact to sign trophy-laden £400k-per-week ex-Man City star

He’d be quite the addition to Arteta’s dressing room.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 17, 2025

New sporting director Andrea Berta is currently busy attempting to negotiate agreeable terms on a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, but find themselves some way off the Bundesliga side’s asking price of around £68-85 million, according to Sky Germany’s (Florian Plettenberg).

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Arsenal negotiations for Sesko have been ongoing since late May, but if a deal cannot be struck for the Slovenia international, Berta does have other reported striker targets on his shortlist.

Arsenal have also worked on a deal for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, who is currently keen on a move to north London and open to joining other high-profile Premier League suitors like Man United.

“Viktor Gyökeres prefers a move to the Premier League, and would welcome an Arsenal bid,” reported Ben Jacobs on X recently.

“Arsenal still deciding between Benjamin Sesko and Gyökeres. Andrea Berta simultaneously advancing both deals. Gyökeres would be open to Manchester United. There has been no formal rejection, but a deal to date has also never been at an advanced stage, despite suggestions.

“United have not made any formal approach to Sporting. Swedish striker one of several striker options discussed. Gyökeres believes he’ll still be allowed to leave Sporting for €70m. Arsenal have always been one to watch, but it will depend on Berta now because he is also in ongoing talks for Sesko at the same time, with a bid for one of the two targets expected soon.”

Either centre-forward would be an upgrade on Arteta’s current options. Sesko is fresh off a career-best Bundesliga campaign at Leipzig, while Gyokeres has just guided Sporting to their first domestic double in 20 years after scoring 54 goals in all competitions.

However, Arsenal now also have a new left-field option.

Arsenal offered Dynamo Kyiv striker Vladyslav Vanat

According to website Just Arsenal, Dynamo Kyiv striker Vladyslav Vanat has been put forward to Arteta’s side.

Vanat scored 21 goals in all competitions last season, helping Kyiv to lift the Ukranian Premier League title whilst ending the season unbeaten. He also finished 2024/2025 as the division’s top scorer with 17, and this has attracted some attention from England.

It is now believed that Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Vanat, who has a reported £17 million release clause in his contract. Arteta doesn’t view the 23-year-old’s signing as an urgent need right now, but is fully aware of Vanat’s quality, so it’s apparently a situation they could revisit later in the window.

However, if they do decide they want him, Arsenal will need to be wary of rival interest. Manchester United, Leeds United, Everton, and Tottenham are all keen on Vanat, with the latter even viewing him as a “priority signing” for new manager Frank.

Thomas Frank has a massive job on his hands at Tottenham Hotspur for the 25/26 campaign.

On top of having to navigate the Champions League, the Danish coach will be expected to lead the team to a far better finish in the Premier League, as well as making a proper dent in the domestic cup competitions.

To ensure the former Brentford boss has the best chance of making his first season at the club a successful one, Daniel Levy and Co need to do everything they can to bring in the right players this summer.

One of the names that has been in the news a lot lately is Antoine Semenyo, although, based on recent reports, Spurs could go after someone who’d be an even better signing.

Spurs moving after Premier League star

Semenyo has seemingly caught the attention of several Premier League sides this summer, from Manchester United to Arsenal, but the links to Spurs in recent weeks appear to be some of the strongest.

Transfer Focus

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

It’s not hard to understand why so many teams would be interested in the Bournemouth star, as he’s proven himself in the league and managed to rack up a pretty impressive haul of 20 goal involvements in 42 appearances this season.

Yet, with reports suggesting he would cost the North Londoners upwards of £70m, the club has also been looking for other exciting options, such as players like Eberechi Eze.

At least that’s according to a recent report from journalist Sebastien Vidal, who has claimed that Spurs are “plotting a move for” the Crystal Palace star.

Vidal mentions that Semenyo and Bryan Mbeumo are also on the North Londoners’ shortlist, as Frank is “pushing for a top winger this summer.”

While a price isn’t mentioned in the story, it has been widely reported this year that the Englishman has a release clause worth around £68m in his contract with the Eagles.

It wouldn’t be a cheap transfer, but given Eze’s experience and ability, he’d be a better signing than Semenyo.

Why Eze would be a better signing than Semenyo

So then, the first reason, and it’s a big one, why Eze would be a better signing than Semenyo is down to his raw output.

For example, the Cherries star’s 20 goal involvements came in 42 appearances, totalling 3562 minutes, which means that he was able to maintain an average of a goal involvement every 2.1 games, or every 178.1 minutes.

In contrast, the Eagles “magician,” as dubbed by pundit Micah Richards, scored his 14 goals and provided his 11 assists in 43 appearances, totalling just 3303 minutes, which comes out to a far more impressive average of a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes.

Moreover, the Englishman has proven that he can cope in the most intense and pressurised moments, as he scored in the semi-final FA Cup against Aston Villa and then scored the winning goal against Manchester City in the final.

On top of that, while the 26-year-old primarily played in attacking midfield this season, he’s more than capable of playing out wide as well, which somewhat helps to minimise Semenmyo’s advantage in being able to play on both sides of the pitch.

Finally, comparing the pairs’ underlying numbers only further helps to highlight how much more impactful the former QPR star could be in North London.

While there are some metrics in which he comes out second best, there are far more in which the England international is clearly superior, including things like key passes, successful take-ons and shot-creating actions, which paints the picture of an all-action attack-focused player who’s just as capable starting attacks as he is finishing them.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.53

0.44

Non-Penalty G+As

0.68

0.46

Progressive Passes

3.37

3.06

Progressive Carries

2.40

3.93

Shots

3.25

3.49

Goals per Shot

0.12

0.09

Shots on Target

0.92

1.11

Goals per Shot on Target

0.41

0.27

Passing Accuracy

74.2%

73.4%

Key Passes

2.01

1.29

Passes into the Final Third

1.70

1.38

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.35

1.26

Shot-Creating Actions

4.69

3.71

Goal-Creating Actions

0.35

0.37

Successful Take-Ons

2.33

1.94

Ball Recoveries

5.07

4.44

Carries

29.2

27.5

Ultimately, while Semenyo would be a good signing for Spurs, Eze would undoubtedly be an even better one, and for potentially £2m less, one that feels like a total no-brainer.

Their own Gyokeres: Spurs showing big interest in signing "incredible" CF

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to make a move for a player who’s starring at the Club World Cup.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 23, 2025

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will have a host of difficult decisions to make when it comes to the playing squad during the summer transfer window, which opened for business on Sunday.

As well as deciding on players to join the club this summer, with Kieran Tierney already one star who is set to join at the start of next month, the Hoops boss will also have to sanction exits from Parkhead.

It has been reported that winger Luis Palma is working with his agents to seal a permanent or loan exit from Glasgow this summer, after Olympiacos did not take up their option to sign him permanently.

The Honduras international spent the second half of this season on loan with the Greek giants, and is now set to look elsewhere to find a home for the 2025/26 campaign and beyond.

Palma has had his moments in a Celtic shirt, with ten goals and ten assists in 48 matches, but the Hoops are now looking to part ways with him this summer.

One player who has already been ruthlessly ditched by the Scottish Premiership giants this summer, though, is experienced goalkeeper Scott Bain.

How Celtic have reshuffled their goalkeeper ranks

With Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo the clear first and second-choice options for Rodgers between the sticks, Bain was set to be the third choice once again heading into next season.

The Scottish shot-stopper did not play a single minute across any competition for the club this season, and only played three times in all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign.

At the end of last month, the club confirmed that the 33-year-old had left the club, despite having a year left on his contract, as they mutually agreed to part ways.

It has since been confirmed that Bain has agreed a one-year contract to join newly-promoted Falkirk in the Premiership, which could give him a better chance of playing regular football next season.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph reported last month that Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan has agreed to join the club on a free transfer to replace Bain as the third-choice at Parkhead.

Appearances

15

Saves

33

Successful run-outs

20

Penalties saved

1/1

Duel success rate

100%

Clean sheets

2

As you can see in the table above, Doohan played 15 times in the Premiership this season and could be a decent enough option to call upon if Schmeichel and Sinisalo are both unavailable and the third-choice is needed.

The goalkeeping department is not the only area of the squad that should be addressed, though, as Rodgers should also ruthlessly axe Auston Trusty, after just one year in Glasgow, if there is enough interest in him from elsewhere.

Why Celtic should move on from Auston Trusty

At the end of the 2023/24 campaign, Liam Scales was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year for his performances in the left-sided centre-back position for the Hoops in the Premiership.

Despite the Ireland international’s form, and Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh, and Maik Nawrocki being in the squad, Rodgers opted to further bolster his options at the back by signing Trusty.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Celtic reportedly splashed out a fee of £6m to sign the USA international from English Championship side Sheffield United, which shows that they were willing to commit a significant portion of their budget to bring him to Parkhead.

Looking back, it was a slightly strange decision to spend so much money on another option in the left-sided centre-back position when Scales, who is only 26, played in 34 of the club’s 38 Premiership matches last season on his way to being in the Team of the Year.

This did not suggest that there was an imminent need for £6m to be splashed on a new centre-back unless they were a clear and significant upgrade on Scales.

Unfortunately, though, Trusty’s performances in his debut season in Scottish football were not of a high enough standard to prove that he is a better option, and the Irish central defender ended the campaign as the first-choice next to Carter-Vickers once again.

At the start of the year, Rodgers said that Trusty had to do better against Dundee and claimed that he contributed to the team being “a bit soft”, as he was beaten too easily in the air in the clip above to make it 3-3.

Appearances

26

22

Clean sheets

14

10

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.9

2.3

Dribbled past per game

0.2x

0.5x

Error led to shot

1

4

Error led to goal

0

1

Duel success rate

72%

64%

As you can see in the table above, the American flop made far too many errors at the back in the Premiership, making four more errors leading to shots or goals in four fewer appearances than Scales.

The Ireland international was also stronger in his duels and did not allow opposition forwards to get the better of him in dribble attempts, which suggests that he was more reliable for Rodgers.

That could be why Scales ended the season as the first-choice left-sided centre-back, including starting the SFA Cup final, and that is why it has been a dismal first year in Glasgow for the £6m signing.

Nawrocki also caught the eye in his three rare Premiership outings, winning 65% of his duels and being dribbled past just once, as he did not make a single error that led to a shot or goal.

Rodgers must ruthlessly axe Celtic star who was meant to be his own Rodri

Celtic must move on from this star who was compared to Rodri before joining the club.

ByDan Emery Jun 3, 2025

Therefore, Rodgers should instantly and ruthlessly part ways with Trusty after just one year in Glasgow because Scales and Nawrocki appear to be more reliable and quality options ahead of him, which is why Celtic should attempt to recoup as much of the £6m they spent on him as possible this summer.

Liverpool’s need for a striker this summer is there for all to see, with the Reds already plotting moves in such a department ahead of the summer transfer window.

Arne Slot’s side may have claimed the Premier League title in 2024/25, but improvements are still there to be made, especially if players were to depart Anfield during the off-season.

Current centre-forward options Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota have both been linked with moves away from Merseyside this summer, with the manager needing to invest money in upgrades on the pair.

It’s unclear how much the hierarchy would demand to part ways with the current talismen, but given their combined tally of just 11 league goals, it’s unlikely they would stand in their way should an acceptable offer be presented.

Should such an event occur, it’s down to the staff behind the scenes to identify potential options for Slot, with numerous players already on their radar ahead of the window.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new attackers this summer

Countless players have been linked with a switch to Liverpool ahead of 2025/26, despite the window not yet being open – highlighting how much of an exciting proposition they really are.

The likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitiké are the main three who have been mentioned, but no progress has yet been made on any potential deals.

However, the same can’t be said for another target in the form of Julian Alvarez, that’s if the recent news broken by Argentine journalist Mathias Palacios is to be believed.

He claims that the Reds are keen on a move for the Atlético Madrid talisman in the coming months, with face-to-face meetings for his signature set to commence next week.

Palacios also confirms that Bayern Munich and Arsenal are interested in signing the former Manchester City talent, who’s registered a staggering 35 combined goals and assists in his 53 outings in 2024/25.

Unfortunately, it may take a considerable amount to prise him away from the Spanish capital with CIES Football Observatory suggesting the Argentine is worth £105m.

Why Liverpool’s latest target could be Salah 2.0

Mohamed Salah has been an unbelievable servant to Liverpool Football Club over the last eight years, even extending his stint on Merseyside to a decade after his latest contract extension.

The Egyptian has registered 244 goals and 113 assists in his 400 appearances at Anfield, a staggering record for a player who’s certainly cemented himself in club history.

He’s claimed three Golden Boot awards in the Premier League, and is set to add a fourth to his list after notching an incredible 28 goals in his 37 outings this season.

His £34m move from Roma back in the summer of 2017 will forever be remembered, certainly going down as a bargain and arguably one of their best ever transfers.

However, the board have the opportunity to replicate such a deal in the coming months with Alvarez, potentially following in his footsteps on Merseyside.

The pair both have a similar pattern in their careers, both featuring for other sides in England’s top flight before leaving to go elsewhere in Europe to further their respective profiles.

Salah, who failed to cut it at Chelsea, made a name for himself in Italy before joining the Reds, similarly to how Alvarez has developed after swapping Manchester City for Atlético Madrid.

The pair are now elite attacking talents, with the Argentinian forward having a season to remember, producing countless stats that would bolster Slot’s attack.

Alvarez, who’s been labelled “sensational” by Terry Flewers, has registered 1.4 shots on target per 90, along with a minute per goal ratio of 142 minutes in LaLiga – highlighting his clinical edge in the final third.

Games played

36

Goals & assists

20

Minutes per goal

142

Shots on target

1.4

Dribbles completed

57%

Chances created

1.5

Touches in opposition box

4.5

However, he has also been able to create opportunities for his teammates, completing 57% of the dribbles he’s attempted and creating 1.5 chances per 90 – subsequently able to aid Salah in boosting his own numbers on Merseyside.

Should the former City talent get anywhere near close to the levels produced by the Egyptian over the years, it would be a phenomenal piece of business, adding a new dimension to Slot’s attack.

The prospect of the pair featuring together within the front line is certainly a scary one, with such a partnership strengthening their chances of retaining their crown in 2025/26.

Slot's next Mac Allister: Liverpool pursuing move for "ridiculous" £60m ace

Liverpool may land their next version of Alexis Mac Allister during the summer window.

ByEthan Lamb May 22, 2025

Leeds United are reportedly weighing up a move for a “sensational” England international this summer as they gear up for a return to the Premier League, according to a new report.

Leeds planning for Premier League after smashing Stoke

Thanks to a crucial Good Friday victory over Oxford United and a complete demolition job of Stoke City, Leeds United are now within touching distance of promotion. With top-flight football now looking extremely likely, speculation is already mounting over summer reinforcements, as manager Daniel Farke looks to strengthen his squad to ensure survival next season.

Several names have already been linked with a potential move to Elland Road, including Norwich City goalkeeper Angus Gunn, Sporting CP and Japan midfielder Hidemasa Morita, and West Ham United’s Tomas Souček.

According to Claret and Hugh, Farke is an admirer of the Czech Republic international and has identified him as a potential addition to his Premier League plans.

“Leeds are planning for next season — Daniel Farke has already started preparations for the summer window. He likes Souček, but there’s already a Premier League offer in for him,” the publication reports, citing an insider.

The same source also claims that Leeds have an interest in Irish striker Evan Ferguson, who is currently on loan at West Ham from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Lilywhites considering swoop for Johnstone

Another name reportedly on Leeds United’s radar is Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. The 32-year-old, who has earned four caps for England, joined Wolves last summer in a deal worth around £10 million.

However, his opportunities have been limited – he’s made just seven Premier League appearances, with his last outing coming back in October. Since then, manager Vítor Pereira has preferred Dan Bentley and José Sá in goal.

According to journalist Alan Nixon, Leeds are now showing strong interest in Johnstone and are considering a summer move as they seek a replacement for Illan Meslier, who is expected to depart after recently losing his place in Daniel Farke’s starting XI.

Nixon reports that Wolves would only sanction Johnstone’s departure if they receive an offer matching the £10 million they paid Crystal Palace for him just eight months ago.

Sam Johnstone Premier League Stats 2024/25

Games

7

Clean Sheets

0

Goals Conceded

17

Penalties Saved

0/2

Pass Accuracy

62.7%

Johnstone has previously earned praise from former England international and pundit Gary Lineker for his outstanding reflexes. While playing for West Bromwich Albion, Johnstone pulled off a stunning last-minute save to deny Harry Maguire a potential winner in a match against boyhood club Manchester United – securing a vital point for the Baggies.

All the key numbers as Afghanistan seal their first ODI series win against a top-five ranked nation

Sampath Bandarupalli21-Sep-2024Afghanistan beat South Africa by 177 runs in the second ODI in Sharjah on Friday to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead. Rahmanullah Gurbaz set up the win with a fine century that helped take Afghanistan to 311, before birthday boy Rashid Khan took a five-wicket haul as the visitors folded for 134. Here are all the key stats from the game:1 – This victory against South Africa marked the first bilateral ODI series win for Afghanistan against a team ranked among the top five in the ICC rankings. South Africa are currently ranked third in men’s ODIs.Afghanistan won 13 bilateral ODI series previously, of which five came against Zimbabwe, four against Ireland, two against Scotland and one each against Bangladesh and Netherlands.Related

• Shot at history kept Rashid Khan on field despite hamstring issue

• Afghanistan ease to victory after South Africa fold for 106

• Stats – A new low for South Africa, and Farooqi gets to 100

• South Africa will continue to play Afghanistan in bilaterals, CSA confirms

• Rashid's birthday five-for, Gurbaz's ton give Afghanistan series win

177 – Margin of Afghanistan’s win is their biggest in terms of runs in men’s ODIs. Their previous biggest was by 154 runs against Zimbabwe in 2018, also in Sharjah.9 – Afghanistan are now the ninth team to secure a bilateral men’s ODI series win against South Africa. Zimbabwe and Ireland are the only teams without an ODI series win against South Africa among the Full Members.1 – The first instance of South Africa getting all out under 150 in successive men’s ODIs. They were bowled out for 106 in the first ODI and could only make 134 on Friday.9 – Wickets lost by South Africa to Afghanistan spinners on Friday, the joint-most they lost to spin in a men’s ODI. The Indian spinners also shared nine wickets against South Africa in 1999 in Nairobi.Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored his seventh ODI century•Afghanistan Cricket Board1 – Rashid became the first player to bag a five-wicket haul in ODIs on birthday. Two players had a four-wicket haul on their birthdays in ODIs previously – Vernon Philander against Ireland in 2007 on his 22nd birthday and Stuart Broad against Australia in 2010 on his 24th birthday.5 – Five wicket hauls for Rashid in ODIs. Only three spin bowlers have bagged more five-fors in men’s ODIs than him – Muthiah Muralidaran (10), Shahid Afridi (nine) and Saqlain Mushtaq (six).172 – Azmatullah Omarzai’s strike rate during his unbeaten 50-ball 86. It is the highest in an ODI innings for Afghanistan, for a minimum of 50 balls faced, and also the highest by any batter against South Africa.7 – ODI centuries by Gurbaz. Two batters have scored more hundreds before turning 23 in men’s ODIs – eight each for Sachin Tendulkar and Quinton de Kock, while Virat Kohli also had seven.1 – Gurbaz now has the most hundreds for Afghanistan in ODIs, surpassing Mohammad Shahzad’s tally of six. Gurbaz has eight centuries across formats in international cricket, the most for Afghanistan, going ahead of Shahzad’s seven.42 – Innings Gurbaz took for his seven hundreds in ODIs. Only three batters needed fewer innings to score their seventh century in men’s ODIs – Babar Azam (33), Imam-ul-Haq (36) and Hashim Amla (41). Zaheer Abbas also got to his seventh ODI ton in 42 innings.

It is popular these days to either bowl at him wide outside off or take pace off – or both – as he struggles to keep up with shortest format

Shiva Jayaraman07-Sep-2022Very few who have followed Rishabh Pant’s career over the past few years would doubt his promise as a T20 batter. Experts marvel at his ability to hit even good balls for boundaries, and longingly wonder at the potential damage he could cause to the opposition he comes good.Fans gush over the bizarre shots he plays so often: the falling-over ramps and pulls, the one-handed hoicks over cover, and the one-legged lap against Obed McCoy recently against West Indies, among others. All these shots scream T20 cricket.And yet after a promising start to his T20 career, Pant has somehow failed to live up to expectations. Since September 2019, he has averaged a fraction over 29, and has struck at 127.39 in 78 T20 innings. In T20Is, his average drops to 24.48, while his strike rate too is no better.Related

• India need a left-hand batter in the playing XI, says Tendulkar

• Eliminated India and Afghanistan forced to turn attention towards T20 World Cup

• Shastri: 'Mohammed Shami sitting at home and cooling his heels baffles me'

• What Dinesh Karthik's successful return means for Rishabh Pant

• How bowlers have used the wide line to keep Rishabh Pant quiet

Pant’s T20 strike rate ranks 19th-lowest among those who have faced at least 1000 balls. There are 90 batters who have struck faster than Pant during this period.In the same period, among those who have played at least 50 T20 innings, there are 42 batters who average at least 30 while striking at 130 or better. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, who are on the fringes of India’s T20 side, are among those; Dinesh Karthik, whom Pant replaced in the last two matches in the Asia Cup, averages 28.80 and strikes at 141.7.If there have been flashes of brilliance from Pant, they have been few and far between in recent years. Since September 2019, just 20 of Pant’s 78 innings have come at a strike rate of 150-plus. But 15 of those have been of under 20 balls. In each of these innings, Pant has come in to bat at No. 5 or earlier.Not surprisingly, Pant has just one Player-of-the-Match award from the 85 T20s he has played in the last three years. Only two other players have won as many – or no – awards having played more matches than Pant – Tim Seifert and Imad Wasim, who both have won one Player-of-the-Match award each from 90 and 101 matches, respectively.It is not as if Pant has managed to improve his scoring rates whenever he has settled in. He has played 35 innings of 20 or more balls, and only five of those have come at a strike rate of 150-plus. That is just 14.3% of those 35 innings. In T20s since September 2019, 118 batters have played 20 or more innings of 20-plus balls; just five of them have had a lower percentage of innings at a 150-plus strike rate.ESPNcricinfo LtdVirat Kohli and Kane Williamson, who are perceived to be slower are better at their starts, with corresponding percentage figures at 18.4% and 18.5%, respectively. In fact, Pant’s strike rate in the 35 innings in which he has played 20 or more balls in just 123.50, the fourth-lowest among those 118 batters.For all his outrageous ramps against the likes of James Anderson, and across-the-line swipes against Nathan Lyon, Pant has scored a significant share of his Test runs through

Mountains of first-class runs and not a chance, then asked to play against the moving ball in England

Osman Samiuddin14-Aug-2020Wait 10 years, 259 days. Play 12,742 balls of first-class cricket. Average 56 in that time. All for this punchline: in the time it took you to read those sentences but not fully digest those numbers, it’s already over. Four balls, one contact between bat and ball, zero runs. Life is cruel and still it has nothing on the cruelty of batting. Who better to know this than Fawad Alam?For it to be on referral too, because there’s nothing quite like the DRS to prolong and accentuate the torture of batting. What else but something as unforgiving as batting could, after all, accommodate a state in between life and death? Exhale out relief on being given not out. Inhale in nerves upon referral. No chance to exhale. It’s over. He wasn’t even there long enough for Sky Sports to do the inevitable Third Man ostensibly on his stance but really as an excuse to watch some classic Shivnarine Chanderpaul footage.That stance itself feels like a cruel twist now. If you put it against the stance from his earliest days, it could be two different batsmen. He used to have a little shuffle across but remained more or less side on before, still unexplained, the guard became this open invitation for a brawl. Even then it was fine hidden away in deepest, darkest domestic cricket, sighted occasionally on Quaid-e-Azam trophy streams. Now it’s out there for eternity and no matter what runs he scores in the second innings, or however many more Test innings he plays, it consigns him forever to pop up in a listicle on weird stances (we’ll do one most probably).ALSO READ: Asad Shafiq and Fawad Alam: A tale of intertwined destiniesThat will accompany the other listicles he’s destined to appear in, on long-suffering domestic toilers (done that already) or on records pages for the longest gaps between appearances (ditto). A career of 17 years and counting, reduced to three lists. And the memes won’t stop for a while yet. Cruel doesn’t begin to describe it.He was on a hiding to nothing coming in at the fall of Asad Shafiq’s wicket and in contributing zero to a partnership of three with Babar Azam. The latter is a generational talent, the former the guy who really could’ve been, both of whom the manner in which they score compensates to some degree for the number of runs they score. Pure, pristine techniques, every shot a picture. And here is Alam. The minute he arrived, cricket orthodoxy blew up: how can he play at this level with a stance like that? The minute he left, it continued blowing up: see, he can’t play at this level taking guard like that.Fawad Alam was out lbw on review•Visionhaus/Getty ImagesAll those years, his best years, that he couldn’t get in because there was nowhere to get in to with Pakistan’s middle order. Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Shafiq had the absolute run of those surfaces in the UAE. All those years of bounty, eventually the return of Tests to Pakistan and he gets a call-up in England.And after his captain chooses to bat first, the weather conspires against that decision. This Test has been preceded by days of unbearable heat and unflinching sunshine only to welcome Alam back with muggy, overcast skies, heavier with the threat of rain than actual rain. A day on which 126 for 5 is about par for most sides, let alone Pakistan, and every run seems to have been edged to third man. Against an English attack currently so deep they’re literally drawing straws to see who sits out a Test. No Jofra today, no matter, here’s a leftie who looks seven but swings it mean like the expression on his face when he runs in.Sam Curran might’ve actually been relief but Alam started against Stuart Broad whose stock ball these days is simply the one that gets the left-hander – any left-hander – out. There’s cockfights in this world that are not as cruel as this.

After missing 88(!) Test matches, Fawad Alam is a part of Pakistan's Test XI again

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 13, 2020

Three balls from Broad, the best result of which for Alam is a toss-up between all three: the nervy jab at the first, the leave-alone of the second, or being beaten square by the third. Alam’s fourth ball is from Chris Woakes who, for this fleeting moment in our existence post Old Trafford, is the best allrounder in England and given that the actual best allrounder in England is the best allrounder in the world, means he’s not to be trifled with.It’s the last ball Alam plays and even physics is not his friend. It’s slanting across him as it lands, and even though it straightens marginally to beat his inside edge, it’s close to being umpire’s call on where it pitched and close to being umpire’s call on where it hit the stumps. Nearly 11 years and undone not just by a computer but by millimetres.As parting insult, as he’s struck, he looks like a combination of a batsman winded by a hit on the box and bowled by a grubber. A bad day to be Fawad Alam, a great day to be a meme.

كشف عصام الطالبي، نائب رئيس نادي اتحاد طنجة والمتحدث الرسمي، عن موقف الفريق من إمكانية عودة عبد الحميد معالي بعد فسخ عقده رسميًا مع نادي الزمالك خلال الأيام الماضية.

وأنذر معالي الزمالك قبل أسابيع بفسخ العقد من طرف واحد، ولكن المهلة انتهت وبالتالي أقدم على فسخ العقد ليصبح اللاعب حرًا.

اقرأ أيضًا.. خاص | موقف أحمد حمدي من الاستمرار مع الزمالك.. وخطة بيضاء

وقال الطالبي في تصريحاته لـ بطولات: “هو ابن الدار ولا يحتاج إلى دعوة للعودة بعد فسخ عقده مع الزمالك”، مؤكدًا ترحيب النادي الكامل بعودة اللاعب إلى صفوف الفريق.

وتابع: “نرحب بعودة عبد الحميد معالي إلى صفوف اتحاد طنجة مرة أخرى، لم نبدأ الحديث معه بشأن ذلك ولكن سيحدث في الساعات القادمة”.

وأضاف الطالبي: “شكوانا ضد الزمالك لا تزال مستمرة، فهم لم يردوا على اتصالاتنا، وبالتالي، نريد حقوقنا المالية في الصفقة بعيدًا عن فسخ تعاقد اللاعب لأنه شيء لا يخصنا”.

وكان معالي قد انضم إلى الزمالك في الصيف الماضي من اتحاد طنجة ولكن النادي لم يدفع الأقساط المتفق عليها إلى الفريق المغربي، مما دفعه لتقديم شكوى للحصول على حقوقه المالية.

The 2025/26 campaign has brought a whole host of problems onto Arne Slot’s doorstep, with his title-winning Liverpool side knocked so far out of kilter it is difficult to see how they will be realigned before the end of the season.

The tenth-place champions would be in deep bother were they to limp to the finish line, trailing the Champions League pack, trailing the pay packet that comes with Europe’s elite competition.

Liverpool spent a lot of money this summer, a record-breaking amount. It would be fair to say that Richard Hughes’ signings haven’t all worked out, and the onus is now on finding form and sustaining it, mounting a fightback after months of distress.

However, the recent Mohamed Salah conundrum has cast Liverpool’s season into new territory, and it needs sorting out quickly.

The latest on Salah's situation at Liverpool

Slot was coy when discussing Salah’s explosive outburst at Elland Road, incensed after being kept on the bench for three successive fixtures.

All of a Liverpool persuasion hope for an agreeable resolution, but the truth is that the 33-year-old may be headed for the exit, with multiple pointers suggesting he will not return after jetting off to the African Cup of Nations with Egypt.

Liverpool need a replacement, and they may have found one in a star bearing a likeness to Luis Diaz, who was sold to Bayern Munich in August.

According to Fabrizio Romano, speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Liverpool are in talks to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, whose future has been a hot topic this year.

Semenyo’s £65m release clause becomes active in January, and with Salah ostensibly inching toward a bitter exit at the end of his glittering Merseyside career, FSG are primed to make the payment and restore Liverpool’s frontline.

Why Liverpool want to sign Semenyo

Semenyo, 25, was hailed as “the best winger in the country” by pundit Chris Waddle in November, having enjoyed a blistering start to the campaign with Bournemouth. On the opener, he netted twice at Anfield.

Now he has six goals and three assists to his name in the Premier League this term, and that’s without having notched a direct involvement across the past two months. This could be perceived as a negative thing, but Andoni Iraola’s side have been in a rut for a little while, and Semenyo continues to stand out as a shining light.

The Ghanaian’s physicality and directness could even see him emerge as Liverpool’s new version of Diaz, even if he’s welcomed to – in theory – replace Salah.

Diaz and Semenyo share in their athleticism an economy of strength and motion. The two players are versatile and confident across the frontline. They are both fleet-footed and as electric as they come, but they are also intelligent and calculated, reserving their energy for opportune moments.

Premier League – Antoine Semenyo vs Luis Diaz
Stats (per 90)	Semenyo (25/26)	Diaz (24/25)
Goals scored	0.43	0.49
Assists	0.21	0.19
Shots taken	2.29	2.66
Shot-creating actions	3.43	4.39
Touches (att pen)	4.43	6.27
Pass completion (%)	71.3	84.2
Progressive passes	3.65	4.13
Progressive carries	3.65	4.05
Successful take-ons	1.64	1.99
Ball recoveries	5.00	3.94
Tackles + interceptions	2.00	1.73
Data via FBref

Semenyo’s pace and ability to take on and beat defenders set him apart from Liverpool’s current crop. Cody Gakpo is too one-note; Salah is getting old, and he lacks his one-time speed and physical attributes.

Liverpool need more variation. They have been ‘found out’ this season, with the same players weaving the same patterns and struggling to get the same results as last year. Semenyo would change that, adding not one attacking dimension but two or three.

Four matches have come and gone since Liverpool last tasted defeat. The midweek win over Inter Milan at the San Siro was impressive, for sure, but Premier League draws against Sunderland and Leeds United shine a light on the many dents in the metalwork.

FSG, Slot, Hughes, Michael Edwards. Nobody could have foreseen such a staggering slide, but the slump has to be arrested and kept locked up.

It’s all well and good making Liverpool more compact, harder to beat, but if the restoration process is to launch the Reds back into the ascendancy, they need an elite forward as Semenyo added to the mix. The decision against directly replacing Diaz has had far-reaching ramifications. It’s time to sort it out.

Sell him before Gakpo & Konate: Slot must bin Liverpool's "Origi regen"

A number of Liverpool stars face uncertain futures on Merseyside following a dismal start to the season.

By
Angus Sinclair

4 days ago