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Nottinghamshire captain wary of looking too far ahead as they aim to depose three-time defending champions Surrey

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay23-Sep-2025

The stage is set for one of the most memorable ends to a Rothesay County Championship season with the battle for the Division One title and relegation places still very much alive heading into the final round this week.Nottinghamshire put themselves in pole position to win their first title in 15 years after snatching a 20-run win over three-time reigning champions Surrey last week. It was a contest to highlight the very best of the Rothesay County Championship and leaves Notts needing a maximum of 10 points to be crowned champions when they host Warwickshire at Trent Bridge starting Wednesday.With excitement building in the east Midlands after their success at the Kia Oval, Notts captain Haseeb Hameed has warned they will still need to produce “four more days of quality cricket”.Related

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“We have to go into the game with that mindset and focus because Warwickshire are a really good team,” Hameed told ecb.co.uk. “I think you can see that across the whole County Championship this season – anyone can beat anyone. It has been a really tight and tough year and that’s probably why it’s so close at the bottom as well.”There are no easy wins in this division and we go into the final round knowing we have to play four more days of quality cricket.”Surrey have been the county to catch for the past four seasons as they have set the bar high for the chasing pack. They will draw on that culture of success as they look to become the first county, since the great Surrey side of the 1950s, to win four titles in a row when they travel to Hampshire.Rory Burns’ team know that anything other than a win will probably not be enough while Hampshire, who could welcome back talisman Liam Dawson from England duty, have plenty to play for themselves as one of five counties that head into the final round looking to avoid relegation.The south-coast club are just two points above Durham, who sit inside the relegation zone on 140 points, but the northern-most county do have their fate in their own hands as make the journey down the A1 to a Yorkshire team who need 10 points to be assured of staying up.Sussex and Essex both have 150 points and know avoiding defeat in their final-round matches against already-relegated Worcestershire and third-placed Somerset respectively would be enough to retain their place in the top tier.It sets the scene for an intriguing final round at both ends of the table and Hameed admits he’d have it no other way.”At the start of the season the goal of every team would be to put themselves in the position we’re in heading into the final round,” he said. “It’s a great position to be in, but there’s work still to be done and that’s the focus. There is going to be a bit of noise around and there will be some excitement I’m sure across the four days with everything that is going on at the top of the bottom of the division.”We just have to be ready to go on Wednesday morning and focus on doing what we’ve done in the 13 matches so far.”Hameed is not letting himself think about becoming a title-winning captain, after reviving his career since moving to Notts from Lancashire ahead of the 2020 season. The 28-year-old, who has 10 Test caps, scored 1235 runs when he helped Notts win promotion from Division Two in 2022 and could surpass that mark this week as this season’s second-leading runscorer.”I just want to lead from the front and do my job. I’ve been here five or six years now and it feels like home and I’ve enjoyed my cricket,” said Hameed, who also highlighted the influence of his opening partner Ben Slater, who could pass 1000 runs for the season this week.”It’s been great establishing an opening partnership with Slats. He’s had a great season and has loads of experience which is so important. But I come back to it – the whole team knows we have to focus on our job because Warwickshire are a quality team. I’d love to see a good crowd at Trent Bridge and hopefully we can make it a week to remember.”In Division Two, Leicestershire will head into the final round knowing the title – and a return to Division One for the first time in 22 years – is already assured. The Foxes’ star allrounder Rehan Ahmed, who has struck five Championship centuries in a breakout summer with the bat, was not born when they were last in the top-flight.Leicestershire make the short trip to Northamptonshire to round out their season while Glamorgan, who under head coach Richard Dawson have secured their place in Division One for the first time since 2004, will host Lancashire at Sophia Gardens.Kent welcome Derbyshire to the Spitfire Ground in Canterbury while Middlesex host Gloucestershire at Lord’s.

Bayern Munich are now in contact with the representatives of a Manchester United star, who has been told to leave the club by Old Trafford legend Paul Scholes.

Man Utd targeting midfield addition in 2026

The January transfer window is now less than a month away and Man United could once again be active on the hunt for reinforcements. In the summer, it was their frontline that took the focus as they welcomed Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha. Now, however, INEOS are looking to add to Ruben Amorim’s midfield.

It’s not a major surprise that the Red Devils are after a midfielder. Casemiro is an ageing option, Manuel Ugarte has proved to be an unreliable option and Mason Mount’s injury history speaks for itself. As such, a move for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton would make perfect sense.

According to The Mirror, the England international sits at the very top of United’s wishlist even though he wants the guarantee of Champions League football next season.

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For those at Old Trafford, it could be a case of one in one out if they sign Wharton but allow Kobbie Mainoo to leave in 2026. The Carrington graduate has been left aside by Amorim this season, despite the fact that the manager blocked his attempts to leave in the summer and told him to fight for his place.

The midfielder could now follow the path of Scott McTominay and others by thriving away from Old Trafford, especially if it is Bayern Munich who secure his signature.

Bayern Munich make contact with Mainoo

According to TeamTalk, Bayern Munich have now made contact with Mainoo over a 2026 move away from Man United. The German giants have joined the likes of Napoli in the race to sign the 20-year-old, who is increasingly desperate to leave his boyhood club when the chance arrives.

Mainoo isn’t the only one frustrated by his current situation, either. Man United legend took the Instagram after the midfielder was an unused substitute against West Ham United to say: “Bulls**t. The kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can’t control a game of football. Hate seeing home grown players leave but it’s probably best for him now. Enough is enough.”

At his best, meanwhile, the academy graduate has earned high praise from teammate Bruno Fernandes, who described him as “great” after he first burst onto the scene while journalist Alex Turk has even described him as a “future £100m+ footballer.”

Praise from his captain isn’t enough for Amorim, however, who has not given Mainoo a fair chance since blocking his late loan move away from the club in the summer.

He's "like Reijnders": Old Trafford chiefs pushing Man Utd to sign "elite" star

Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly considering launching a 2026 bid to sign an impressive defender who just scored a Premier League brace.

Carragher name-drops Marco Silva as pressure grows on Frank

Thomas Frank should be pleased that his side showed some resilience to complete their comeback against Newcastle United late on in midweek, but it was ultimately another attacking performance to forget. The Lilywhites found themselves relying on Cristian Romero brace to salvage a point as their frontline once again struggled to create.

The pressure is certainly growing on Frank, who is quickly losing the backing of supporters thanks to his pragmatic style. It remains to be seen whether ENIC pull the plug so early into the manager’s tenure, but that didn’t stop Jamie Carragher from suggesting a manager that he’s always seen heading to Spurs.

The Sky Sports pundit and Liverpool legend said: “I actually think he was the one manager Everton should have stuck with. I’ve always seen Silva at Tottenham, I’m not saying Tottenham as in change Thomas Frank put Marco Silva in.

“The point I’m trying to make is not quite go from Fulham to like you know a Liverpool or Manchester City you think going to sort of compete for the league but sort of that sort of level just belong with it trying to get you know Champions League maybe, you know Aston Villa, that type of team that would almost be the next step for him in the Premier League.”

Of course, if Spurs are to make a decison then it should come before the January transfer window, when they could look to sign a defensive addition.

Tottenham eyeing Van Hecke bid

According to TeamTalk, Tottenham are now eyeing a bid to sign Jan Paul Van Hecke in 2026 following the defender’s impressive start to the campaign for Brighton. Like Romero in midweek, Van Hecke netted an unlikely brace for the Seagulls, highlighting his surprising goalscoring threat in a dramatic 4-3 defeat against Aston Villa.

That said, Van Hecke’s set-piece threat is unlikely to be the main reason for Tottenham’s interest. Instead, their focus will be on his defensive prowess – especially as Frank continues to experiment with an occasional back three.

In Romero, Micky van de Ven and Van Hecke, the Lilywhites would suddenly have a solid trio to choose from in a back three. That, in itself, would go a long way towards turning things around for Frank.

Brighton rarely make things easy for buying clubs, however, and the praise of manager Fabian Hurzeler suggests that the Seagulls will be keen to keep hold of their man.

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Emilio Galantini

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The young manager told reporters last season: “I think it’s very important that we recognise he’s a very young player. He’s 23 and he plays an unbelievable season. He shows great character. I like his character because he’s very straight. He says his opinion, he always has good intentions.”

Tottenham in 'very advanced' talks with £88m Semenyo alternative over Spurs move

Rasmus Hojlund formed part of a bizarre celebration after teeing up Napoli team-mate David Neres for a crucial goal that settled a top-of-the-table Serie A clash with Roma. The Manchester United outcast, who has rediscovered his smile since returning to Italy in the summer of 2025, played a leading role in the effort which settled a keenly-fought contest at Stadio Olimpico.

• Man Utd struggles: Hojlund happy again in Italy

  Denmark international Hojlund previously enjoyed a productive spell in Italian football with Atalanta. It was his performances there which convinced Premier League giants United to part with a £72 million ($95m) transfer fee in the summer of 2023.

  The 22-year-old frontman endured a tough time at Old Trafford, registering 26 goals through 95 appearances, and was allowed to link up with Napoli ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. He has found the target for them on four occasions across 12 outings.

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• Watch Hojlund take part in bizarre 'bird' celebration

• In a flap: How Hojlund and Neres downed Roma

  Hojlund did not hit the net on his latest appearance, but still managed to make a decisive contribution. That is because it was his quick counter-attack that allowed Neres to settle a tight encounter with Roma.

  Hojlund was picked out by Neres as they raced out of their own half. The burly Danish striker carried the ball down the right flank, before rolling a pass inside. Neres took over from there, pulling clear of the Roma defence before stroking a composed finish into the bottom corner.

  After initially sharing a warm embrace by the corner flag, Hojlund and Neres then proceeded to deliver a strange ‘bird’ celebration that saw them flap their arms like wings. Hojlund looked a little sheepish at first, but performed the routine with a smile on his face.

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  Napoli fixtures: Next up for Hojlund and Co

  He will be hoping to deliver more moments of match-altering brilliance over the coming weeks and months. Ex-Napoli star Antonio Careca has told of the Hojlund’s contribution so far: “He’s just arrived, so you have to be patient. I don’t know him personally, but you can see he wants to give his all. Maybe too much: he doesn’t always manage to express himself.

  “He has a good left foot, but both in the league and the Champions League, I’ve seen him struggle a bit. He struggled to stop the ball, and he showed a nervousness that’s normal for his age. He has a lot of quality, but we just have to wait a bit longer.”

  Defending Serie A champions Napoli, who have pulled level with AC Milan on 28 points at the top of the table, will be back in action on Wednesday when facing Cagliari in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia, before then playing host to Juventus on Sunday.

Pakistan had gone to great lengths to take pace and seam movement out of the picture but Seales still found a way

Danyal Rasool17-Jan-2025Jayden Seales knew the deck, quite literally, was stacked against him. Pakistan had spent the last few days working on that deck to make it so, erecting a protective greenhouse and attempting to warm up the Multan surface in frigid conditions using wedding-style heaters. The idea was to dry the pitch out and help the spinners get turn early on. With the 23-year-old the only opposition fast bowler, it would have felt, to him, as if the whole move was simply Operation Stop Jayden Seales.Well, it failed. There’s only so much that can be done when the temperature drops into single digits, and fog encircled the stadium, forcing the game to start four hours late. Seales knew his window to strike was narrow, and he had little time to waste.”We saw from the training sessions that the ball did a little bit when it was new,” he told a press conference after the end of day’s play. “For me, I needed to try and get the best out of the new ball and put the ball in the right areas. And with the cooler conditions this afternoon, it did a bit and it worked out for us.”Related

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Seales had more of an active role in making sure it worked out than he takes credit for. With spin operating right from the outset at the other end, he landed the ball on hard lengths, his height and pace making sure to extract enough bounce. But it was also his guile with the wrists that guaranteed seam movement, particularly in the dismissals of Kamran Ghulam and Babar Azam.Having already dispatched the debutant Mohammad Hurraira, he was shaping it away from Ghulam when he was driven through the off side for four, and when the next one landed around a similar line, Ghulam felt secure enough to shoulder arms. But this one seamed back in and smashed into Ghulam’s thigh, with HawkEye confirming it would have clipped the bails.”I just wanted to build pressure,” he said. “As a fast bowler in Asian countries, you tend to want to make a big impact and you want to do well for the team. Spin obviously dominates in these conditions. So as a fast bowler, I always wanted to get a wicket or be in the game and it so happened that I got the wickets for the team today.”But the dismissal to remove Babar required a delivery to match the quality of the batter, and Seales rose to the challenge. Babar came into this innings, with three successive Test half-centuries amid murmurs he may be returning to form. But before his spell ended, Seales ensured he bowled the delivery to give Pakistan one more bloody punch and leave them staggering.

“As a fast bowler, I always wanted to get a wicket or be in the game and it so happened that I got the wickets for the team today.”Seales after the opening day

He landed it on a length as Babar prepared to get in line and defend. Ball-tracking showed the trajectory was sending it right to the middle of his bat, but he got it to land perfectly on the seam to nip away ever so slightly, and take the outside edge.”I figured that he was watching my hand a bit, so I just tried to deceive him and it so happened that paid off. I think as a bowling unit, we did really well and we’ve just got to back it up again tomorrow. I think going forward in the game the spinners will come into the game a lot more. It may reverse-swing at some point, but I still think that the spinners may dominate in this game moving forward.”But Seales has happy memories against Pakistan, and having long odds against him doesn’t faze him much. It was against this opposition four years ago as a teenager playing his third Test that he secured his breakout performance in Jamaica, taking eight wickets before holding his nerve in a thrilling tenth-wicket stand to secure his side a one-wicket win. He was named the Player of the Match.While he knows his tactics may need to change here, his mentality evidently has not. “I don’t really think of it as pressure or anything like that [being the sole seamer]. For me as a player, [it’s] coming into the game a lot more and lifting my hand up for the team and just trying to do our job every time I’m called upon.”In international cricket, you expect the players to be good and you have to back yourself and match up with players skill for skill and who is the better man on the day will win. And it so happened that today I was the man for the team.”Seales may undersell himself, but, more importantly for West Indies, he finds a way to over-deliver. And in conditions tailor-made to shut him out, few could argue he has not done exactly that.

The Boston Red Sox have been without star third baseman Alex Bregman for over a month, as the 31-year-old has been sidelined with a right quad strain since late May.

Bregman took to social media Wednesday and dropped a major hint about his potential return from the IL, suggesting it won't be long before he's back in Boston with the team. On Instagram, Bregman shared a video of himself hitting a home run at Fenway Park. He used an emoji that says "SOON" underneath an arrow as the caption for the post.

While Bregman didn't get into any specifics about his impending return, Red Sox manager Alex Cora acknowledged that there's "a really good chance" the veteran infielder returns prior to the All-Star break, via Ian Browne of MLB.com.

Boston's last series before the midseason break is set to begin Thursday—a four-game series against the rival Tampa Bay Rays at home. It seems likely Bregman will be back in the lineup at some point during that series.

Prior to sustaining the injury, Bregman had been off to a roaring start to his career with the Red Sox. In his first 51 games for the organization, he slashed .299/.385/.553 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs.

It feels like things are going from bad to worse for West Ham United this season.

For example, Nuno Espírito Santo appears unable to buy a win in the Premier League, and now there is talk of Lucas Paqueta leaving.

Losing the Brazilian in the winter window would be terrible for morale, even if he’s not exactly been lighting it up over the last year or so.

However, if he is to leave, there might be an internal solution Nuno can turn to.

Paqueta's record with and without David Moyes

Now, there is no denying the fact that Paqueta is an extraordinarily talented footballer who, on his day, can almost singlehandedly win games.

However, what is equally true is that over the last year or so, he’s not been anywhere near his best.

In fact, from looking at the statistics, it would be fair to say he’s not looked anywhere near his mercurial best since David Moyes left the club.

The Scotsman signed the 28-year-old from Lyon in the summer of 2022.

In that first season under the Scotsman, Paqueta was able to rack up a brilliant tally of 12 goal involvements in 41 games, and even provided the assist for Jarrod Bowen’s Conference League-winning goal.

The following year saw the dynamic game-changer reach his zenith in Calret and Blue, producing 15 goal involvements in just 43 appearances.

However, that summer saw Moyes depart the London Stadium, and since then, the output from his record signing at the club has not been good enough.

Paqueta’s West Ham Career

Season

Games

G+As

25/26

10

3

24/25

36

5

23/24

43

15

22/23

41

12

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, across 36 appearances in 24/25, the Paquetá-born ace produced just five goal involvements, and so far this season, he’s produced just three in ten appearances.

In short, Paqueta has been nowhere near as effective since Moyes left the club, so there is certainly an argument to be made that selling him might not be a total disaster, especially when there is a youngster in the squad who might be a perfect replacement.

Nuno's internal Paqueta replacement

Now, there is certainly an argument to be made that the best way to replace Paqueta, should he leave, is by signing someone.

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While that might end up being what West Ham does, there is another option: to start giving Luis Guilherme more minutes in the ten position.

Yes, the young Brazilian might be seen as more of a winger, and a raw one at that, but he’s no stranger to playing as an attacking midfielder, and is looked at as one of the more exciting youngsters in the league at the moment.

For example, respected analyst Ben Mattinson has described the teenager as a prospect who “still has the world at his feet” and a player who has “similarities to Kudus” in his style of play, specifically the positive ones.

According to Mattinson, the dynamic Brazilian is “a complete profile” blessed with “electric pace” and an “explosive first step” which enables him to “beat a player in a split second.”

He’s not just someone who relies on his physical traits, though, as the former Palmeiras gem has “a killer final ball” and “an awareness of space which helps him to break down teams by identifying and exploiting space in defences.”

It’s not just Mattinson who has high hopes, though.

For example, U23 scout Antonio Mango has stated that starting him in attacking midfield would “suit his profile brilliantly” and that he “just needs confidence and consistent game-time” to show the Irons faithful how good he could be.

Ultimately, Guilherme is still developing and will take some time to reach his peak, but if Paqueta is to leave this season, then the young Brazilian could be the perfect in-house replacement.

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Ben Stokes, Will Jacks show application in 96-run stand but crushing defeat was in the post

Tristan Lavalette07-Dec-2025

Michael Neser walks off with the ball raised•Getty Images

England batted against type and belatedly produced a rearguard, but it was in vain as seamer Michael Neser justified his contentious selection with a five-wicket haul to lead Australia to a crushing second Test victory.Just six days in, Australia have a stranglehold of an Ashes series that is quickly becoming decidedly one-sided. But they were made to work on day four with England skipper Ben Stokes and Will Jacks stonewalling for almost half a day in a 96-run seventh-wicket partnership lasting almost 37 overs.But Neser, surprisingly selected ahead of offspinner Nathan Lyon, dismissed both batters as England quickly fell away much like they have done numerous times in this series. Neser was sensational on the back of a deadly spell with the pink ball under lights on day three.Related

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He was aided by outstanding fielding, a notable contrast between the teams after England dropped five catches in Australia’s first innings.Skipper Steven Smith snatched a stunning one-hander low to his left to end Jacks’ 92-ball grind, while wicketkeeper Alex Carey completed a stellar effort with the gloves by holding on to a nick up at the stumps to dismiss Stokes.Any hope of a miracle ended with the sight of a forlorn Stokes trudging off the Gabba having given his all with 50 off 152 balls.Needing just 65 runs for victory, Travis Head came out blazing as Australia raced to 33 for 0 after five overs but dinner was still taken despite fears of stormy weather closing in on the Brisbane area.Head could not carry over the momentum on resumption, chopping on to Gus Atkinson who also nicked off Marnus Labuschagne. There were unexpected late fireworks when Smith and Jofra Archer had a war of words.But Smith, fittingly, came out on top with a hooked six off a 150 kph Archer bumper before sealing the victory in style with a huge blow over deep square off Atkinson. Smith finished 23 not out off just nine balls to ensure England left the field in need of plenty of soul searching ahead of the third Test in Adelaide.England will rue several passages of brainless play earlier in the match as their hopes of regaining the Ashes appear shot. Had they batted with the application and grit that Stokes and Jacks exhibited earlier than the match might have taken a different course.But Australia thoroughly deserved their victory after such an even team performance. They outclassed and outsmarted England in another impressive effort without quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.Jofra Archer and Steven Smith exchanged words•PA Photos/Getty Images

Smith continues to provide an excellent stand-in for Cummins as Australia’s mastery and experience of day-night cricket overwhelmed a ragged England.The main question at the start of the day was how long would play last with the result basically a formality. England resumed their second innings in dire trouble at 134 for 6 and still 43 runs from making Australia bat again. With the knives out, a beleaguered England’s only hope seemingly rested on Stokes replicating his Headingley-esque heroics.Going against type, a backs-to-the-wall approach was needed. Unlike a slew of his team-mates, Stokes had been very watchful late on day three to survive Australia’s onslaught and finish unbeaten on 4 from 24 balls. Under the baking sun, Stokes encountered far easier conditions with minimal swing on offer in a sedate start to the day’s play.He crawled to 12 off 50 balls before cracking a superb cover drive off Brendan Doggett in the highlight of a dour 28-run opening hour. There wasn’t much out of the ordinary apart from when Stokes backed away anticipating a bouncer and proceeded to forehand smash the ball, forcing Doggett to do his own fielding to the boundary at long-off.Australia’s quicks bowled excellently without reward and they tried different tactics in search of a breakthrough. In what had seemed unlikely at the start of the day, England hauled in the deficit prompting a standing ovation from the Barmy Army.The 50-run partnership between Stokes and Jacks was brought up a run later to a ripple of mostly ironic cheers from the terraces. They scored at 2.45 – the slowest scoring rate of the 164 partnerships of 50-plus in the Bazball era.Stokes had a nervous moment just before the elongated tea break when a short delivery from Scott Boland hit the shoulder of his bat and flew over a leaping Cameron Green in the gully.With a wicket proving elusive for the quicks, Smith might have wished he could throw the ball to Lyon but, instead, he gave Head’s part-time spin a go. Labuschagne also unfurled his seam bowling in the last over before tea as Stokes and Jacks defied the odds in the first wicketless session of the series.It was much the same early in the second session with Stokes digging in while Jacks, playing just his third Test, looked composed and balanced at the crease. Jacks brought up his first boundary of the day when he clipped beautifully through midwicket as he passed his previous Test high score of 31.Smith had started to look frustrated in the field, but his mood brightened considerably when he took it upon himself to produce a moment of magic to end Jacks’ resistance.Stokes had barely acknowledged his hard-fought half-century, knowing there was so much work still to do. But he soon walked off disappointed after falling to Neser, throwing his head back in agony with the bitter realisation that the match was effectively over.England lost their last 4 for 17 in their latest collapse as Neser claimed his first five-wicket innings haul of his brief Test career when he dismissed Brydon Carse.Smith equalled Rahul Dravid to sit second all-time in outfield catches and he celebrated with gusto knowing Australia were on the brink of another big win over their hapless opponent.

Newcastle United will be hoping for a smoother January transfer window than the one they experienced in the summer. Eddie Howe’s side were embroiled in several sagas, including Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool, which was the talk of the entire transfer window.

They did make some pretty big signings, too. Malick Thiaw joined the club from AC Milan and has gone on to become a key player for Howe’s side.

They also managed to replace Isak with Nick Woltemade, who has impressed in the four months he has been at St. James’ Park, following his club-record £69m switch.

It seems as though the Magpies are lining up some more moves with the next window around the corner.

Newcastle’s latest transfer target

The Magpies are already linked with a couple of midfield targets. Former academy star Elliot Anderson is one man on their shopping list, as is ex-Manchester United and Napoli man Scott McTominay.

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

However, according to a recent report from The Athletic, there is another midfielder on their list of targets.

That man is Stuttgart star Bilal El Khannouss, and the report explains he is a player whom the higher-ups at St. James’ Park have already held ‘internal conversations’ about in recent weeks.

This would not necessarily be an easy deal for the North Eastern giants to complete.

The Moroccan star only joined the Bundesliga side on loan this summer from Leicester City. However, he has a buy option in the deal, which may add complications.

As for a price, El Khannouss’ buy clause is worth £21m, so the Magpies may well have to pay a similar fee.

Why El Khannouss would be a good signing

Adding a player with the attacking quality of El Khannouss to their squad would certainly enhance the final third quality that Howe has at his disposal.

As football scout Antonio Mango said, the 21-year-old is a “magician” on the ball.

Indeed, he has shone for German outfit Stuttgart this season. In just 16 appearances across all competitions for the club, he’s managed to score five times and assist four, operating as a number ten.

In the top flight of Germany, the attacker has five goals and assists in ten games.

Let’s not forget that the former Leicester star shone for the Foxes in the Premier League last season. In a tough campaign for the club in which they got relegated, he grabbed five top-flight goal involvements, including this sublime strike against Tottenham Hotspur.

The attacking midfielder’s stats from the Bundesliga season so far show the sort of quality he can add to Newcastle’s attack.

For example, he’s averaging 6.52 progressive passes and 2.81 key passes per 90 minutes, which both rank him in the top 5% of attackers.

Key passes

2.81

95th

Passes into final third

4.5

95th

Passes into penalty box

1.8

85th

Progressive passes

6.52

95th

Shot-creating actions

4.5

85th

This signing certainly has shades of the addition of Woltemade this summer.

As El Khannouss is doing now, the German striker shone in what proved to be his solitary season at Stuttgart and impressed with 18 goals and three assists in just 36 appearances for the Bundesliga side.

Since moving to the North East of England, Woltemade has continued that good form.

He already has seven goals to his name in that famous Black and White shirt, with his most recent effort being this exquisite chip against Everton last weekend.

It is easy to see how the potential move for El Khannouss has shades of the Woltemade deal. It seems like the Moroccan star will also spend just one season at the club, and Newcastle could well be his destination.

That is certainly one parallel, but the form which both players have, or did, showcase in the Bundesliga is another interesting dynamic.

Newcastle bought Woltemade based on his sensational 2024/25 campaign, and it feels as though that was some of the logic behind signing the Morocco international too.

If they do only have to pay £21m, that is an extraordinarily cheap fee for a player who could instantly improve their attacking quality.

Outscoring Woltemade: Newcastle preparing move for one of the PL's best strikers

He’s been in excellent form.

ByTom Cunningham Dec 3, 2025

Boland removed Konstas for a duck after Victoria posted 240 on a difficult batting pitch where Handscomb and Perry had stood tall

Alex Malcolm15-Oct-2025

Sam Konstas’ hopes of playing in the first Ashes Test are fading fast after he fell for a duck to Scott Boland at the Junction Oval on a day when Sean Abbott became the first player to be subbed out of a Sheffield Shield game through injury under Cricket Australia’s new trial rule.Konstas’ tough start to the Shield season continued as he was trapped lbw for a fourth-ball duck by Boland in the first over of New South Wales’ reply after Victoria had been bowled out for 240 on a very seam-friendly surface.Related

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Konstas left the first three length balls wide of off stump but then missed a full, straight delivery that would have crashed into middle and leg. It was the fifth time that Boland has dismissed Konstas in Shield cricket and the third time in the last three innings he has faced him.”It’s amazing just watching Scotty doing his thing and just going about his process each time he bowls, he’s better and better and better,” Victoria batter Peter Handscomb said after play. “He just peaks nicely come summer time for the Australian summer. So I’ve got no doubt in my mind that if selected [for the Ashes] which hopefully he is, he’ll do a great job.”It leaves Konstas with scores of 4, 14 and 0 to start the Shield season, although he has batted on some very difficult surfaces, and he has potentially three innings remaining before the Test squad his named.Victoria’s top three had also crumbled in the morning while NSW’s did likewise in the final hour on a day when 13 wickets fell overall for just 279. The home side’s new ball pairing of Boland and Fergus O’Neill relished the friendly conditions in the evening sunlight, just as NSW’s seamers had earlier in the day.Following Boland’s breakthrough, O’Neill had Kurtis Patterson caught behind for 5. Blake Nikitaras fought his way to 20 before O’Neill breached his defence from around the wicket to disturb his off stump. Matthew Gilkes and nightwatcher Ryan Hadley fought hard to get to stumps at 39 for 3 without further loss.Earlier, Handscomb continued his sparkling form making a superb 85 while Mitchell Perry made his fifth first-class half-century to rescue Victoria from a perilous position while Liam Hatcher taking his first five-wicket haul in Shield cricket.Handscomb and Perry came together at 66 for 5 after Abbott and Jack Edwards torn through the top-order following NSW’s decision to bowl on a lively Junction Oval pitch that was firm underneath with a thick coverage of green grass.Peter Handscomb continued his excellent form•Getty Images

Handscomb looked a class above, navigating some hostile bowling from Abbott and Hatcher in particular. He had some luck, playing and missing several times, while a gloved ball cleared the keeper and two other top edges yielded boundaries.But his calmness shone as he sat deep in the crease and used the pace with some deft cut shots and controlled drives down the ground. Perry also batted impressively having been elevated above skipper Will Sutherland to No. 7. He played some outstanding drives through the off side to several over-pitched deliveries.Both played the ball much later than others in Victoria’s top order. Campbell Kellaway dragged on for 3 trying to drive a full ball wide of off stump. Another Test aspirant Marcus Harris also fell playing an expansive cover drive, edging Edwards behind. In between those dismissals, Abbott nicked off Harry Dixon with a beauty that nipped across the left-hander from back of a length.Victoria were 13 for 3 and then 38 for 4 when Edwards scratched the outside edge of Ollie Peake with another delivery that angled across the 19-year-old left-hander. Sam Harper was Hatcher’s first victim, edging a good length delivery to gully for a brisk 20 that included four boundaries.Handscomb and Perry then combined for a 130-run stand which was a complete outlier among the flurry of wickets that fell at either end of the day. Nathan Lyon bowled 13 overs but did not get any purchase on a surface where the seamers dominated.Abbott’s injury changed the course of Victoria’s innings. With the first ball of the 43rd over, Abbott’s ninth, Handscomb struck a firm drive back at him and the ball split the webbing between the second and third fingers on his right hand. Abbott walked straight off for treatment and never returned.Shortly after it was announced that he had been subbed out of the game under CA’s new injury replacement rule given he could not bowl again due to the injury. Charlie Stobo replaced him and bowled his first over of the match straight after the tea break. He struck in his third, luring Handscomb to drive a delivery that shaped away late with Edwards pouching the catch at a floating slip.Hatcher then cleaned up the tail with pace. Edwards took another sharp chance at first slip to remove Perry after dropping a tough one-hander moments before.Todd Murphy provided some excellent late hitting against a barrage of short balls. He clubbed 31 off 25 deliveries, including five boundaries before holing out to cover to end the innings.