تنبأ جيمي كاراجر مدافع وقائد ليفربول السابق باسم الفائز بجائزة الكرة الذهبية، بشكل يحبط النجم المصري محمد صلاح والذي يعد أحد أبرز المرشحين للفوز بجائزة أفضل لاعب في العالم.
ورشح كاراجر مدافع ليفربول السابق، عثمان ديمبلي نجم باريس سان جيرمان الفرنسي ومنتخب فرنسا للفوز بالجائزة، على الرغم من الموسم القياسي الذي حققه صلاح العام الماضي وتحقيقه لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز في أول موسم للمدرب آرني سلوت.
ويتألق ليفربول في دوري أبطال أوروبا، وقد كان محمد صلاح مرشحاً بقوة للفوز بالجائزة بعد بدايته المذهلة في الموسم الماضي، حيث أنهى الموسم بـ 34 هدفا وصنع 23 تمريرة حاسمة في 52 مباراة، ومن المقرر الإعلان عن الفائز بالكرة الذهبية يوم الاثنين.
وقال كاراجر في تصريحات نقلتها شبكة “ليفربول إيكو” البريطانية: “أعتقد بالنسبة لي أن أفضل ستة لاعبين في العالم هم عثمان ديمبلي وأشرف حكيمي ومبابي ورافينيا ومحمد صلاح ولامين يامال”.
أقرأ أيضاً.. محمد صلاح يستهدف رقمين رائعين في مباراة ليفربول وإيفرتون
وأضاف :”أعتقد أنني تابعتهم في معظم مباريات الموسم الماضي، ربما في دوري أبطال أوروبا وأيضاً لأدائهم مع أنديتهم”.
وختم عن توقعه للفائز بجائزة الكرة الذهبية: “أعتقد أن ديمبلي سيكون المرشح الأبرز، خاصة بعد الموسم المميز الذي قدمه باريس سان جيرمان لكن جميع هؤلاء اللاعبين لديهم فرصة جيدة للفوز بالكرة الذهبية”.
وحول رأيه في تباطؤ ليفربول لتجديد عقود صلاح وفان دايك، ذكر كاراجر: “فيرجيل فان دايك خرج من هذا الوضع الصعب هذا الموسم كقائد للنادي وهو يحظى بتقدير كبير مني، في أسلوبه، في التصرف، في أدائه في الملعب وفي طريقة قيادته للفريق، أود على الأرجح أن أشيد بفان دايك بدلاً من الحديث عن أرنولد وصلاح”.
وأتم عن صلاح: “صلاح رجل دولة حقيقي، طريقة تعامله مع الأمر رائعة، لقد طرحت عليه أسئلة ولم يغب، إنه هنا للفوز بالدوري ويبذل قصارى جهده من أجل ليفربول وأتمنى له كل التوفيق”.
Their knocks helped Markhors pile up 284 before Agha and Imran picked three-fors to bowl out Dolphins for 192
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Sep-2024
Kamran Ghulam followed up his 115 last week with another century•Getty Images
Kamran Ghulam’s second century in three outings, backed by three wicket-hauls from Mohammad Imran and Salman Agha handed Markhors their third consecutive win, as they beat Dolphins in Faisalabad. The win helped them consolidate their lead at the top of the points table.It was an all-round show from Markhors with Ghulam making 113 off just 110 balls, which included a 122-run third wicket stand with Mohammad Rizwan. That helped Markhors pile up 284 for 9 in their 50 overs. In reply, Dolphins lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 192 with Markhors winning by 92 runs.After Dolphins decided to field, Mir Hamza removed Markhors openers Bismillah Khan and Mohammad Faizan inside five overs. But Ghulam, fresh off a 115 against Panthers last week, continued his good form. He stabilized the innings with Rizwan, who also scored a half-century.Faheem Ashraf picked four wickets for Dolphins but Markhors managed to put up a big score on the board.Dolphins never really got going in the chase. Opener Mohammad Hurraira fell for a 12-ball duck while Muhammad Akhlaq was dismissed by Naseem Shah. Captain Saud Shakeel tried to hold his end up with 41, but got little support from the others.Asif Ali hit a quick 43-ball 50, but the Dolphins batters failed to stitch a solid partnership. Eventually, they were bowled out in 43.5 overs. Markhors employed six bowlers, and each one of them managed to pick at least a wicket.This was Dolphins’ second defeat of the tournament and they are now the only side to not register a single point on the table.
Newcastle United are now believed to have made contact over the signing of an “efficient” attacking player, according to a fresh transfer rumour.
Newcastle continue to eye attacking signings
Eddie Howe knows the importance of adding attacking firepower to his squad this summer after a move for winger Anthony Elanga, regardless of whether star striker Alexander Isak stays put at the club or not.
One rumoured option for Newcastle is Nice attacker Evann Guessand, with club scouts reportedly sent to watch him in action during the past year or so. He is capable of shining in both a central and wide attacking role, which could appeal.
Nice's Evann Guessand.
Meanwhile, the Magpies are said to be preparing to make a move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, which would be a major statement of intent. The former Manchester City star would surely only arrive if Isak leaves, though, with Howe likely to find it hard to fit both players into the same team on a regular basis.
Newcastle’s interest in Brentford ace Yoane Wissa is also reportedly strong, with one update even claiming that they have agreed personal terms with him over a switch to St James’ Park.
Newcastle make contact over signing Spurs target Guessand
Now, according to a new report from Africa Foot [via Sport Witness], Newcastle have made contact with Guessand over a summer move to the club.
They haven’t yet opened formal talks with the 24-year-old’s representatives over a transfer, but it looks as though the wheels are in motion. The next few days are said to be key, though, with Tottenham and Villarreal also in the race, however, Spurs’ talks are slowing down which could allow the Magpies to swoop in.
Evann Guessand in action for Nice in Ligue 1.
Guessand is a player with so much to offer, so it is no surprise to see Newcastle targeting him, with his versatility in attack an immediate bonus.
The 10-cap Ivory Coast international has 21 goals in 109 appearances for Nice, which is a solid return, but he could be an even more potent player alongside superior players at St James’, having been described as both “electric” and “efficient” by journalist Antonio Mango.
Guessand could come in as ideal cover for Isak, who Newcastle simply must keep hold of, not necessarily always starting matches but proving to be an excellent squad option.
The Magpies are competing in four different competitions in 2025/26, following their return to the Champions League, so added depth is vital, and the Nice attacker has the potential to grow into a brilliant player for Howe.
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The fact that he can shine on either flank makes him a great option to have, at a time when a new right-sided signing is vitally important for Newcastle.
India are already aware they are in for a fight with New Zealand 143 ahead in difficult batting conditions in Mumbai
Alagappan Muthu02-Nov-20245:05
Gill rates Mumbai innings as ‘one of my better knocks in Tests’
A see-sawing Test match in difficult batting conditions in Mumbai is approaching a thrilling end. New Zealand have a lead of 143, which is already approaching the highest successful total chased down at the Wankhede Stadium. India have one more wicket to take and they are already conscious of getting it as quickly as possible because they realise they are in for a fight.”Any run saved in this innings is going to be much more when we chase it down,” R Ashwin told the host broadcaster on Saturday. “It’s not going to be easy. We’ll have to bat really well to get this score.”Ajaz Patel, who picked up a five-for to go with his 10-for in 2021, is still out there batting and he knows that whatever he can scrounge up with the No. 11 Will O’Rourke could be telling on a pitch that has produced 16 single-digit scores and encourages hope that one wicket could bring a whole bunch.Related
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“It’s really important, every run out there counts and I guess I’m still at the crease now so my job is to try and put 10, 15, 20 whatever I can on the board because I know that getting those 10, 15, 20 could be hard work at the back end of that other innings.”Ajaz also pointed out another trend that’s been seen over the course of this Test match. “I think if we have seen the pattern in terms of the wicket, I guess, over the last couple of days, in the morning it probably doesn’t do as much as the afternoon.”There were three wickets in the first session of day one, and 11 thereafter. Similarly, there was one wicket in the morning on day two and 14 thereafter.Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant put up a solid stand for India•AFP/Getty Images
“Whether that’s due to the rolling or whether that’s due to the heat and the wicket drying up throughout the day, I’m unsure,” Ajaz said. “So it’ll be interesting to see how that wicket plays tomorrow morning, whether it kind of reacts the same way or whether it’s a little bit different. So yeah it’s certainly I guess in the morning if it’s not doing as much, trying to bat as long as possible so that we can wait for it to dry out and start turning again.”Whatever target that is put in front of them, India are backing themselves to get it.”I mean it’s all about one good partnership,” Shubman Gill, who top-scored for them in the first innings with 90 off 146, said. “When you are chasing the total which is around 150-160, if you have one good partnership of 70-80 runs, the match is done and dusted. So that’s what the conversation will be among the batters, to have one good partnership.”And then when you know, even for the fielding team, once there is a 70-80 run partnership, even when we saw today, then when you are chasing 150, the body language of the opposition also drops.”Sunday dawns with one team pushing for a historic whitewash and the other desperate to re-establish their winning ways.
تفاعلت جماهير كرة القدم مع فوز النجم الفرنسي عثمان ديمبلي بجائزة أفضل لاعب في العالم لعام 2025، المُقدمة من جانب مجلة “فرانس فوتبول” الشهيرة، مساء يوم الإثنين.
واستضاف مسرح “دو شاتليه” في باريس مراسم حفل مجلة “فرانس فوتبول” الشهيرة لتوزيع جوائز الأفضل في العالم لعام 2025، وعلى رأسها الكرة الذهبية.
اقرأ أيضًا.. ردود أفعال جماهير ليفربول على مركز محمد صلاح في الكرة الذهبية 2025: عار مطلق وأمر إجرامي
وحصل عثمان ديمبلي، لاعب فريق باريس سان جيرمان، على جائزة الكرة الذهبية لأفضل لاعب في العالم لعام 2025، في حين اكتفى محمد صلاح بالمركز الرابع (لمطالعة التفاصيل كاملة من هنا).
وتفاعل مشجعو كرة القدم، عبر موقع إكس، مع إعلان فوز عثمان ديمبلي بتلك الجائزة لأول مرة في مسيرته، على النحو التالي:
“بشكل صادق، كان من المفترض أن يكون محمد صلاح هو الفائز، ديمبيلي كان رائعًا، لكنه كان جزءًا من فريق رائع، مينديز، حكيمي، دوناروما وفيتينها كانوا بنفس القدر من الأهمية لنجاحهم، بينما كان صلاح أكثر أهمية لـ ليفربول، وكان سيفوز لو كانت الجائزة معتمدة على الأداء الفردي لا على الألقاب”.
Should’ve been Salah honestly. Dembele was great but part of a great team. Mendes, Hakimi, Donnarrumma, Vitinha just as important to their success
Salah was more vital for Liverpool & would have won if the award was based on individual performance & not trophies — FC CONCEPTS (@EAFCconcepts) September 22, 2025
“سرقة!”.
Robberryyyyy!!!! — RoBLack (@roblack66) September 22, 2025
“لقد سرقوه”، واضعًا صورة لـ محمد صلاح.
They robbed him 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/EUTQUf23vx — Rizy (@Rizy_LFC) September 22, 2025
“يا لها من مزحة من الجائزة”، واضعًا صورة توضح أرقام محمد صلاح الفريدة في الموسم الماضي، حيث تفوق على الجميع.
What a joke of an award!! pic.twitter.com/LUaMmd6mnR — Tolu (@thisistolu) September 22, 2025
“لأنه لا يحمل جنسية فرنسية أو إسبانية أو أوروبية!”، قاصدًا محمد صلاح.
Because he does not hold French, Spanish, or any European nationality 😂 pic.twitter.com/8yWeqhN6UI — KingR (@IR88K) September 22, 2025
“فائزي هو (محمد صلاح)، تبًا لجائزتكم”.
My winner
Fk ur stpid award show man!!! pic.twitter.com/Yt3D2SdlIE — Elvis⁶𓅓 (@mafia3O) September 22, 2025
“كيف لـ فيتينها أن يتواجد في مركز أعلى من محمد صلاح ورافينها؟!”.
How did Vitinha finish above Salah and Raphina?? — Stacka (@LFC_Stacka) September 22, 2025
“اشرحوا لي كيف يتفوق لامين يامال على فيتينها وصلاح؟ صلاح؟ كيف؟ ماذا لعب الموسم الماضي؟!”.
Explain to me how lamine yamal is above vitinha and Salah? Salah????? How????? What did he play last season?!!!! — Tåmmy (@kurothedeity) September 22, 2025
“يامال يتفوق على صلاح ومبابي، هذا أمر إجرامي، محمد صلاح يلعب في الدوري الإنجليزي ودوري أبطال أوروبا للتذكرة، أمر مضحك للغاية!”.
Yamal ahead of Salah and Mbappe is absolutely criminal. Salah playing in the Prem and CL remember. Absolute joke. — Ry the monkey hanger 🇬🇧✝️🏴 (@rythered1988) September 22, 2025
It’s already been a very busy transfer window at Arsenal.
So far, the Gunners have brought in six new recruits, signing Viktor Gyökeres, Martín Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Nørgaard, and Kepa Arrizabalaga for around £187m.
According to Sam Dean of The Telegraph, this is the first time since transfer windows were introduced that the Gunners have signed six players before their first pre-season fixture, last making six or more signings in July all the way back in 1997.
However, as Mikel Arteta targets the Premier League title, they are not done yet, so could the most exciting addition be yet to arrive, a move that would be bad news for one of the club’s longest-serving players?
Arsenal need to add creativity
Following victories over AC Milan and Newcastle in Singapore, Arsenal’s Asia tour ended on a sour note.
On Thursday, the Gunners were beaten 1-0 by North London rivals Tottenham at the brand-new Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.
The only goal of the evening came on the cusp of half-time; David Raya played a hospital pass to Myles Lewis-Skelly, who had his pocket picked by Pape Matar Sarr, who then lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper from inside the centre circle.
However, it was at the other end where supporters’ concerns lay, creating just one big chance, while only one of 16 shots found the target, according to SofaScore, with the Gunners unable to break down a low block in the second half, reverting to the familiar horse shoe of doom, passing from side-to-side without any penetration.
Thus, as they seek to address this lack of creativity, journalist Sébastien Vidal reported that Arsenal are “preparing to submit” a £52m bid to Crystal Palace in an attempt to sign Eberechi Eze, who he claims is “keen” to join this summer.
Transfer Focus
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Elsewhere, Dom Smith of the Evening Standard documents that Eze’s £68m release clause actually expires on 15 August, just ahead of Palace’s Premier League opener, but they still intend to make an offer irrespective of this deadline.
So, could the 27-year-old be the fabled final piece in the jigsaw, as Gooners everywhere dream of a first Premier League title since 2004?
Where Eberechi Eze would fit in at Arsenal
It is not entirely clear where Eze would fit into Arteta’s team, but this is exactly why he would be such an exciting addition, given the need for something a bit different.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
Zubimendi’s arrival suggests that Declan Rice will be deployed as the left eight, given license to get forward alongside Martin Ødegaard, while Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz are also options for that left-sided midfield role.
So, could the 27-year-old become the starter wide on the left-wing, given that many Gunners fans believe a Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli upgrade is required?
As noted by Simon Collings of the Evening Standard, very few members of the Arsenal squad produce a better ‘work ethic’ than Martinelli, praising his ‘brilliant defensive work’, but there has been a clear decline in the Brazilian’s attacking output, as the table below documents.
Gabriel Martinelli season-by-season statistics
Statistics
2022/23
2023/24
2024/25
Appearances
46
44
51
Minutes
3,440
2,640
3,564
Goals
15
8
10
Assists
7
5
6
Shots
55
39
40
Shooting accuracy %
58.18%
56.41%
62.5%
Big chances missed
6
5
8
Chances created
58
44
38
Big chances created
11
7
7
Take-on Success %
52.94%
39.6%
35.48%
% of touches in the box
15%
15%
18%
Average Sofascore Rating
7.17
7.11
6.96
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, Squawka and SofaScore
As the table notes, when comparing the last three seasons, the vast majority of Martinelli’s attacking statistics peaked during Arsenal’s first title challenge in 2022/23, and have subsequently plateaued, namely goals, assists, shots, chances created, and dribbling.
So, would the English “magician,” as dubbed by pundit Micah Richards, represent a major upgrade?
Well, ahead of their clash at Selhurst in November, Fulham manager Marco Silva labelled Eze a “top player”, adding “I really enjoy watching him play”.
Meantime, Daryl Gouilard of Total Football Analysis is impressed by his ‘technical ability’, thriving as a ‘primary playmaker’ who tends to drift towards the left, while Sam Tabuteau of Breaking the Lines notes that he is capable of producing ‘match-winning moments’.
So, let’s compare Eze to Martinelli.
Gabriel Martinelli vs Eberechi Eze 2024/25 PL comparison
Statistics
Martinelli
Eze
Appearances
33
34
Minutes
2,299
2,603
Goals
8
8
Assists
4
8
Shots
40
61
Chances created
38
57
Big chances created
7
11
Big chances missed
8
8
Take-on success %
34%
52%
Touches per 90
42.4
54.9
Average SofaScore rating
6.96
7.28
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, SofaScore and Squawka
As the table documents, Eze’s attacking statistics were universally more impressive than those of Martinelli in the Premier League last season, registering more assists, creating more chances, and completing a higher percentage of his take-ons.
Thus, it is undeniable that the England international would be an amazing signing for Arsenal, and they might just need him if they’re going to overtake big-spending reigning champions Liverpool, and it would be bad news for Martinelli.
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Hopes final phase of career can be “most rewarding” as he prepares for long-awaited comeback
Cameron Ponsonby08-Nov-2024
Jos Buttler poses for the cameras ahead of his England comeback•Getty Images
Jos Buttler is back where it all went bad. Barbados, June 8, exactly five months ago.On a “gut call”, Buttler chucked the ball to Will Jacks to bowl the second over of England’s World Cup match against Australia. With a gale blowing to the short leg-side boundary, Travis Head and David Warner took Jacks apart with glee. Twenty-two runs came off the over. Australia won by 36.It was the second of two tactical decisions that threatened to be what Buttler’s time as captain would be remembered for, rather than the 2022 T20 World Cup success. The first was England’s decision to field in 38C heat in Mumbai against South Africa, where the Proteas racked up 399 as Buttler’s men melted.Related
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“It was probably hotter than we gave it credit for,” then head coach Matthew Mott said at the time. And fair play to the sun, by the way, what a player he is.Back in Barbados, Buttler admitted he feared getting the chop after England’s consecutive World Cup failures. “I thought it was a possibility, absolutely,” he said. “At that point in time after the T20 World Cup, I’m sure Rob Key did a real in-depth look at everything to do with the white-ball set-up.”I had some good conversations with Keysy and I said I didn’t want to be doing it because I’m the only person to do it, I want to be doing it because I’m the right person to do it. He believed I could lead the team forward and captain into the future and take the team into a good place.”Buttler is an excellent cricketer, but a terrible poker player. Blessed and cursed with a face that betrays his every emotion, for much of the previous year captaincy appeared to be weighing heavily on him – to the point that new head coach Brendon McCullum at his unveiling jokingly described Buttler as seeming “miserable”.Players are obliged to say they want to play and captain every game they can for their country, but Buttler’s calf injury, a recurring issue that ended up keeping him out of action for four months, allowed him the time to consider whether that was actually true for himself.”All sorts of things run through your mind,” he said of time spent considering his future. “I think you try and work through everything.”[Captaincy] is something I’ve really enjoyed the honour of doing and something I believe I can do well. When you really come down to it and think about the decision you’re going to make, it actually becomes very clear that now you’re determined to do it and keep going.”The addition of McCullum as head coach – he will add the white-ball job to his Test portfolio from January – has provided Buttler with a fresh lease of life. When the Kiwi’s name was first mentioned, Buttler thought the appointment would be “impossible”, but with calendar easing in 2025, McCullum felt he was able to juggle both commitments.The pair have been friends for a long time, with McCullum hoping to lean into that relationship to get the best out of Buttler. McCullum’s own experiences as white-ball captain of New Zealand in the latter stages of his career have been a source of inspiration for Buttler.”I had some chats with Baz about how this stage of your career can actually be the most rewarding,” Buttler said. “He spoke about his own experiences as captain in the last few years of when he was playing, it’s not about you at all, it’s about creating that environment and letting people flourish and how seeing them go to the top of the mountain was some of the happiest times of his career as a player. And that’s exactly what I want to get out of them.”With a renewed commitment to the England set-up, Buttler says he wants to play “as much as he can” over the coming years and “help develop the next era of white-ball cricket”.”You get a nice perspective of, when cricket’s taken away from you, how great it is, how important it is and how much you enjoy it. It’s all the little things that you sometimes take for granted that you really miss the most, like being around the changing room, pulling the shirt on. When you start to think about it, it gives you a lot of hunger and motivation to get back, put the work in and get playing again.”Buttler’s new lease of life begins at the same scene where it looked like it might have ended – albeit England weren’t actually dethroned until the semi-final with India in Guyana. Tasked with leading a fresh-faced group against West Indies’ T20 all-stars, Buttler will do so from mid-off as he drop wicketkeeping for this series to experiment with where he is most happy captaining.Winning will help, but regardless of the result, Buttler is a new man with a renewed sense of purpose.”When you get an injury like that it makes you realise how desperately you want to get back, and the stuff that you really enjoy doing, so that’s the mindset of however long I’ve got back,” he said.”I think throughout the three ODIs [against West Indies], Jacob Bethell scoring his maiden fifty, Dan Mousley [also] in the last game, you see those guys getting that opportunity and grabbing it which is incredibly exciting. And whatever that means in terms of squads, that’s exciting for English cricket.”
فقد فريق نادي الزمالك، نقطتين ثمينتن، بتعادله إيجابيًا 1-1 أمام الجونة، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما، اليوم الثلاثاء، في منافسات الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وتواجه الزمالك مع الجونة، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثامنة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري، ذلك على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.
طالع.. فيديو | دونجا يغادر مباراة الزمالك والجونة مصابًا
وسجل هدف الزمالك الأول، اللاعب الفلسطيني عدي الدباغ في الدقيقة 27 من عمر الشوط الأول للمباراة، بعد متابعة لكرة مرسلة عرضية إلى داحل منطقة الجزاء.
وتعادل فريق الجونة أمام الزمالك، في الوقت القاتل من المباراة، وتحديدًا عند الدقيقة 86، بواسطة لاعبه محمد عماد بتسديدة قوية من على حدود منطقة الجزاء بعد هجمة منظمة. أهداف مباراة الزمالك والجونة اليوم في الدوري المصري
وبتلك النتيجة، يظل نادي الزمالك متصدرًا لجدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 17 نقطة، لكن بالتأكيد التعادل سيكون له أثر سلبي قبل لقاء القمة أمام الأهلي، يوم الإثنين المقبل 29 سبتمبر.
وعلى الجانب الآخر، فريق الجونة، بهذا التعادل، يتواجد في المركز الرابع عشر، من جدول ترتيب الدوري، برصيد 8 نقاط. ملخص مباراة الزمالك والجونة 1/1
Leeds United could be in the market for further reinforcements in the attacking areas of the pitch before the summer transfer window officially slams shut.
Lukas Nmecha, who signed on a free transfer from Wolfsburg, is the only attacker to have joined the squad so far, and the Whites are set to miss out on a deal for Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao.
Their pursuit of the Brazilian dynamo suggests that they are in the market to sign a new left winger, after Manor Solomon returned to Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last season.
The Whites are also looking for a new centre-forward to lead their line in the Premier League, as Football Insider reported earlier this summer that the club have doubts over Joel Piroe’s ability to make the step up.
Joel Piroe
Earlier this month, it was reported that Leeds are looking to cash in on wantaway forward Mateo Joseph in order to fund a new bid to sign Fulham centre-forward Rodrigo Muniz.
What Rodrigo Muniz could bring to Leeds
The Brazilian striker could bring a proven presence at the top end of the pitch in the Premier League, as he has been there and done it in the division with Fulham.
Muniz has showcased his ability to find the back of the net efficiently in the league in the last two seasons, outperforming his xG in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns for the Cottagers.
Rodrigo Muniz (Premier League)
23/24
24/25
Appearances
26
31
Starts
18
8
xG
8.72
5.81
Goals
9
8
Minutes per goal
179
121
Big chances created
2
1
Assists
1
1
Duel success rate
39%
52%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the striker has not yet hit double figures for goals in a Premier League season, but he has rarely been a starter for his side.
The 24-year-old star would not need any time to adapt to the league or the country, as he is a proven quantity, and that could appeal to Leeds in their search for a new number nine.
However, Muniz has never scored more than nine goals in a single league season in his career, and there may be doubts over his ability to deliver consistently over the course of an entire campaign.
That may be why the Championship champions are now reportedly looking at an alternative centre-forward option, who could be even better than the Fulham marksman if they can get a deal over the line.
Leeds eyeing move for Serie A forward
According to RomaPress, Leeds United are one of a number of teams interested in a deal to sign Roma number nine Artem Dovbyk this summer.
The report claims that the Whites and fellow Premier League side West Ham United are both lining up moves to sign the Ukraine international to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.
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It adds that Roma are looking for a fee within the region of £30m in order to part ways with the left-footed centre-forward, although it remains to be seen whether or not Leeds are prepared to spend that much on him.
RomaPress also note that fellow Italian outlet Leggo have reported that Turkish giants Besiktas have made contact with Roma to discuss a potential deal for Dovbyk.
AS Roma's ArtemDovbyklooks dejected after Lazio's Alessio Romagnoli scores their first goal
It is now down to the 49ers and Daniel Farke to push to beat the likes of Besiktas and West Ham to his signature this summer, because he would be an even better signing than Muniz.
Why Leeds should sign Artem Dovbyk
The 28-year-old attacker is a striker who has the potential to deliver goals at an impressive rate in the Premier League, as a star who has proven his quality in multiple top European leagues.
Dovbyk, who was described as “dominant” in the air by analyst Ben Mattinson, has impressed in both LaLiga and the Serie A since he moved away from Ukraine in the summer of 2023, after scoring 38 goals in 47 games in his last two seasons in the Premier Liga.
The £30m-rated star has hit double figures for goals five times at league level throughout his career, including in each of the last four seasons, whilst Muniz is yet to do it once.
Dovbyk has also scored 24 goals in a league season twice in his career, once in Ukraine and once in Spain, which suggests that he has the potential to be an incredibly prolific figure in front of goal for Leeds if he can adapt to English football.
Artem Dovbyk
23/24 LaLiga (Girona)
24/25 Serie A (Roma)
Appearances
36
32
Starts
32
27
xG
24.29
12.25
Goals
24
12
Minutes per goal
109
203
Big chances created
10
5
Assists
8
2
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Ukraine international has scored 36 goals in Europe’s top five leagues in the last two seasons, whilst Muniz scored 17 goals for Fulham in the Premier League in that time.
Muniz also managed just three ‘big chances’ created and two assists in the league in that time, which suggests that Dovbyk is also more likely to provide a big threat as a creator, based on his 15 ‘big chances’ created in the last two campaigns.
These statistics suggest that the Roma star has the potential to offer far more to the team than the Fulham centre-forward, as he has delivered more as both a scorer and a creator of goals in the last couple of years.
It would be a bit more of a gamble for Leeds to take, as he has yet to prove himself in the Premier League, but they can be assured by the fact that he has scored goals at an impressive rate in the Spanish and Italian top-flights already.
49ers lining up Leeds swoop for £17m star who's as exciting as Paixao
Leeds United are eyeing up a £17m-rated winger who could be just as exciting as Igor Paixao.
ByDan Emery Jul 30, 2025
Therefore, if it gets to a point where the club have to decide between pursuing Muniz or Dovbyk, they should look to swoop for the Ukraine international to lead the line for Farke next season.
Arsenal have splashed the cash this summer in a bid to win their first Premier League title in over 20 years, and Mikel Arteta may not even be done there.
While a move for Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze grows more and more unlikely by the day, amid stiff competition from Tottenham, who are now in talks for the England international, Andrea Berta could still go after a left-winger.
This would be dependent on one of Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli leaving in the next two weeks, or perhaps both, but Arteta has already confirmed that Arsenal are still looking at opportunities after signing Kepa, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres.
“Let’s see,” Arteta said when asked about Arsenal’s transfer plans for the rest of the window.
“Let’s see what happens, in terms of where the squad is in the next few weeks.
“But, we are actively looking at options. As well, there are a few players, maybe, that they have to leave as well. So, we will be open to see what happens.”
It’s important to note that a move for Eze still hasn’t been entirely ruled out by credible media sources, but Tottenham appear to be taking pole position for him right now amid their glaring need for a playmaker to replace the injured James Maddison.
Arsenal’s hesitation is a result of their already-stocked central attacking midfield (talkSPORT), with club captain Martin Odegaard set for another key role going forward and Ethan Nwaneri tipped for more minutes after committing his future to the Emirates Stadium.
In truth, Arteta is very well reinforced in midfield, having also welcomed the arrivals of Zubimendi and Norgaard to replace Jorginho and Thomas Partey – who both left N5 after their contracts expired.
Norgaard in particular already boasts considerable Premier League experience from his time at Brentford, where he captained the Bees and stood out as perhaps one of their more underappreciated key players.
Mikkel Damsgaard says Arsenal have made a "surprising" signing in Norgaard
His former teammate at the Gtech Community Stadium, Mikkel Damsgaard, is convinced that Norgaard will be a quality signing for Arteta – albeit a “surprising” one.
Speaking to Danish news outlet Tipsbladet, via Sport Witness, Damsgaard says his fellow Dane is a hard-working player and backs him to succeed in north London.
Interestingly, former Tottenham director Frank Arnesen echoes this sentiment – calling Norgaard the “whole package”.
The 31-year-old signed a two-year contract with Arsenal, who spent an initial £10 million, plus £5m in add-ons, to secure his signature.