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Noor Ahmad took 4 for 31 for CSK, who slowed KKR down in the four overs after the powerplay

ESPNcricinfo staff07-May-2025Noor Ahmad took four wickets on a sharply turning surface as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) kept Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to 179 for 6 in Eden Gardens’ last league match of IPL 2025. On one of the most spin-friendly surfaces of the tournament – there were 20 not-in-control shots against spin during KKR’s innings, the joint second-most of any innings this season – CSK’s three spinners took a combined 5 for 84 in 11 overs.Given the conditions, and given the fact that they have Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy and Moeen Ali in their attack, KKR may well have been the happier side going into the innings break.Choosing to bat first, KKR probably knew they had to make the most of the powerplay, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz set the tone before becoming the first batter dismissed for 11 off nine balls. He hit a four and a six, swung hard and missed on numerous occasions, and then chipped one straight to midwicket.Narine and Ajinkya Rahane continued in that spirit, and took KKR to 67 for 1 at the six-over mark, hitting eight fours and two sixes between them during the powerplay. Neither looked in full control – Rahane survived a chance when a diving Matheesha Pathirana put him down at long leg – but both went hard at the bowling in this period. Narine, coming into this game having scored 118 runs off 48 balls against R Ashwin while only being dismissed once, took 14 off the offspinner in the fifth over.With the fields spread, Ashwin’s next over, the seventh, only went for two. With the ball often turning square, KKR didn’t hit a single boundary in the first four overs after the powerplay, and lost two wickets. Both fell in Noor’s first over, with Narine stumped after the ball slipped between his legs, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi feathering one behind.Rahane and Manish Pandey, who came in for the injured Venkatesh Iyer, then put on 32 off 28 balls, before Andre Russell arrived to give KKR the late push they desired. His 21-ball 38 was the driving force behind KKR scoring 70 off their last six overs, even though Pathirana closed out the innings with a 20th over full of singles.

Arsenal have now reached an agreement for a “creative” player to leave the Emirates on deadline day in what has been described as an “unbelievable deal”.

Carragher and Keane blast Arsenal after Liverpool defeat

The Gunners fell to a 1-0 Premier League defeat against Liverpool prior to the international break, with Mikel Arteta’s side struggling to create from open play at Anfield, despute the introcuduction of new signing Eberechi Eze in the second half.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s late free-kick was the difference between the two sides, and after the game, Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane weren’t impressed with what they saw from Arsenal in the final third.

Carragher said: “You bring [Martin] Zubimendi in, Eze’s come in. It’s only three games but the two away games that we’ve seen Arsenal this season, nothing has changed. Heavily reliant on set-pieces, don’t create anything in open play and are the best team in Europe for me defensively.”

Keane was also critical, saying: “I think when they’ve got the defensive record that they have and they’re great at set-pieces, we’ve got to give Arsenal credit for that. If you’re just dependent on that all the time, and you come to Liverpool away.

“It’s hard to score at Liverpool. Do something a little bit different. Rice taking corners, they’re taking ages. You’re looking at Arsenal, do something off the cuff. Do something quickly. There was rushing towards the end when they were chasing a goal. Going forward they’re a bit robotic. You have to find something else.”

Arsenal outgoings	To	Fee
Kieran Tierney	Celtic	Free
Jorginho	Flamengo	Free
Nuno Tavares	Lazio	Undisclosed
Marquinhos	Cruzerio	Undisclosed
Takehiro Tomiyasu	N/A	Released
Karl Hein	Werder Bremen	Loan
Ismeal Kabia	Shrewsbury Town	Loan

Now, Arsenal are set to let go an attacker who has previously come in for praise from Arteta.

Arsenal reach deadline day agreement for Fabio Vieira exit

As per Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal have reached an agreement for Fabio Vieira to join Hamburger SV before the deadline.

The 25-year-old will join on a loan with an option to buy for more than €20m, following Albert Sambi Lokonga to the German side, with Plettenberg describing it as “an unbelievable deal” for Hamburger.

Vieira, who cost Arsenal around £34m in 2022, has made 49 appearances for the Gunners, scoring three times and providing 10 assists. He was hailed by Arteta following an FA Cup victory at Oxford United in 2025 after providing two assists.

“He has the quality. He is a really creative player and has the capacity to decide games in the final third. The moment we got him into the right spaces he made the difference.”

Now, though, Vieira’s future lies in Germany, potentially for the long run if he impresses in 2025/26.

Jamie Carragher immediately expressed his concerns over Arne Slot's tactics after Liverpool had won their opening game of the new season against Bournemouth. So he was never going to hold back after watching the disturbingly ragged Reds slump to a second consecutive defeat in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Galatasaray.

"I don't feel like I'm watching a top team," Carragher told after watching his former side lost 1-0 at RAMS Park. "Liverpool are not playing football at the moment, they are playing basketball. It's just end-to-end, and I don't think top teams play like that.

"I expressed that to the manager early on. He's obviously a fantastic manager but while Liverpool were a top team last season, they were also a workman-like team, and they've sprinkled a bit of stardust on it, in terms of the transfers they have brought in.

"But they haven't gained anything going forward, and they've lost a lot defensively. So, I think for the manager now, last season was such a smooth ride for him, that he's now got to really earn his money. He did last season, by winning the Premier League, which was unbelievable.

"But there are few problems he has got to fix, and it will be really interesting to see how he goes about it, because he's spent a lot of money on certain players. But, right now, the balance of the team is not right."

So, what exactly are the problems facing Slot as he looks to avoid losing three games on the spin for the first time since arriving at Anfield in the summer of 2024? And can they all be resolved ahead of Saturday's suddenly daunting trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea? Below, GOAL takes an in-depth look at Liverpool, who are top of the Premier League and yet looking increasingly disjointed the longer this season goes on…

• AFP
  

  Floundering Florian Wirtz

  Liverpool spent more than £400m on new signings during the summer but, for one reason or another, Hugo Ekitike is the only one to have made an instant impact on the first team.

  Given the money spent on Florian Wirtz and the fact that he's yet to contribute a single goal or assist, the German's starting spot has come under the most scrutiny so far and Carragher even went so far as to argue that the £100m man should be benched this weekend.

  "He's just not at the races at all," the former defender said on . "He's a young boy, coming to a new league, and has plenty of time to go as a Liverpool player.

  "But, right now, I think he needs to come out of the team, Liverpool go back to what they were last season, and then go from there and try to build some confidence and some defensive stability because, right now, it looks like a mess."

  Some of the criticism being levelled at Wirtz has been over the top. Indeed, it's worth noting that the only Premier League player to have created as many chances in all competitions this season (21) is Jack Grealish, who is being lauded right now for his return to form at Everton.

  However, there is no denying that Wirtz has struggled with the intensity of English football – Slot has admitted as much himself – and looks like a pale imitation of the thrilling attacking talent that illuminated Bundesliga and Champions League games for Bayer Leverkusen.

  Even Carragher has acknowledged that Wirtz cannot be held solely accountable for Liverpool's defensive frailties this term, though, and the fact that the hugely influential Alexis Mac Allister has been in and out of the starting line-up because of his fitness problems hasn't aided the 22-year-old's integration at all.

  Nonetheless, Slot has a big call to make on Saturday because playing a proper No.10 like Wirtz instead of a more industrious attacking midfielder like Dominik Szoboszlai has undeniably affected Liverpool's general solidity due to the issues elsewhere. 

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• AFP
  

  Cody Gakpo's dramatic dip in form

  Slot put Wirtz on the left-hand side of his attack for last weekend's loss at Crystal Palace in what was an ill-advised attempt to shoehorn the Germany international into this starting line-up. However, it was also reflective of Cody Gakpo's very sudden struggles.

  After looking perfectly placed in pre-season to fill the void left by Luis Diaz on Liverpool's left wing, Gakpo hit the ground running, with the Dutchman directly involved in three goals in his first two Premier League games of the current campaign. Unfortunately, he's looked painfully predictable since then, with full-backs very much wise to the fact that all Gakpo wants to do is cut inside onto his favoured right foot to get a shot away.

  As a result, his demotion to the bench for the game at Selhurst Park came as no surprise and he didn't exactly make a compelling case for a Premier League recall with his performance in Istanbul. Indeed, there's every chance that Slot would have started Ekitike on the left-hand side at Stamford Bridge to accommodate Alexander Isak through the middle.

  However, with the in-form Frenchman (the one bright spark up front against Gala) expected to miss the trip to west London through injury, Gakpo will likely get another opportunity to prove his worth, as it's hard to see Rio Ngumoha starting against the club he left in such acrimonious circumstances – even if the 17-year-old appears utterly impervious to pressure.

  The bottom line is that Slot could really do with Gakpo vindicating Liverpool's decision to sell Diaz to Bayern Munich.

• AFP
  

  Alexander Isak's injury and involvement issues

  Ekitike's probable unavailability for a second consecutive Premier League outing is hardly ideal from a striking perspective either.

  Of course, unlike his "stupid" suspension for the game at Palace, Ekitike's absence against Chelsea is not his fault, with the former Eintracht Frankfurt forward having been forced off with a muscular problem at RAMS Park. The net result, though, is that Slot doesn't really have any other option than to start Isak at Stamford Bridge, even though he's still nowhere near fully match fit.

  The Swede's summer strike may have belatedly forced Newcastle to sell him to Liverpool but his total lack of a pre-season has been there for all to see in his first five outings for his new club. Isak has just one goal to his name – against Championship side Southampton in the Carabao Cup – and has yet to complete 90 minutes once. It's unlikely, then, that he'll last the entire game at the Bridge.

  However, what's imperative is that Liverpool get Isak into the game more while he's on the field. There was still half an hour to play when he came on against Galatasaray but even though Wirtz gave him a sight of goal with a lovely ball over the top just minutes after Isak's introduction, he would only touch the ball four times in total.

  Interestingly, that disturbing lack of involvement might well convince Slot to stick with Wirtz in the No.10 role, as the 22-year-old linked very well with Isak during their time on the field together in the 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid.

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  Alexis Mac Allister's still playing catch-up

  There have been understandable calls for Liverpool to go back to basics against Chelsea and restore the midfield three that played such a pivotal role in last season's title triumph. However, while Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai are fully fit right now, Alexis Mac Allister is still not right physically.

  It wasn't meant to be like this, of course. As Slot has stated, Liverpool brought a premature end to Mac Allister's 2024-25 campaign "to have him ready for the first day of pre-season".

  However, the Argentine's nagging muscular problem took longer than expected to heal. "As a result of that," Slot explained last week, "he walks behind the music, as we say in Holland, while you say, he's playing catch-up".

  Based on what we've seen so far from Mac Allister, that's still very much the case. He may have started all five of Liverpool's Premier League games to date, but he's not lasted more than 65 minutes since missing the 3-2 win at Newcastle in August and he was way off the pace after coming on for the final half hour in midweek.

  The Reds clearly need Mac Allister at Chelsea. One could easily argue he was their most reliable performer over the previous two seasons and there's a very real possibility that we won't see the best of the new Liverpool until we see the return of the old Mac Allister.

  So, Slot needs to decide if starting the World Cup winner in west London in his current condition is a risk worth taking, especially as the much-maligned Curtis Jones was one of the few players to perform at an acceptable level against Gala…

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick spoke about the praise Pedri received from former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, who revealed that the 22-year-old is his "new favourite footballer". Since Flick took charge of Barca, Pedri has shrugged off his fitness issues and was one of the best midfielders in the world last season, a trend that has carried over into the current season.

Pedri continues midfield dominance

Ahead of the 2023-24 season, there were concerns over Pedri's battle with frequent injuries that threatened to hinder his seemingly unlimited potential. However, Flick's arrival in the summer of 2024 revived Pedri. The Spaniard was perhaps the best midfielder in La Liga last season and was often hailed by fans as among the world's best. In fact, Pedri even got Ballon d'Or shouts due to his authoritarian displays and consistency in midfield. He has continued doing what he does best in the current season, earning high praise from former midfielder Scholes. The legendary player took to social media to call Pedri his "new favourite footballer" following his dominant performance in the 2-1 win over Newcastle in the Champions League at St. James' Park last week.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportFlick says 'Pedri's at an incredible level'

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Flick said: "When you're an attacking player, you're more in the spotlight. What Scholes says means a lot; he was a great midfielder. Pedri is at an incredible level, as is Frenkie [de Jong]. I'm very happy with what I see in training, the quality with which we train… the mood is fantastic. You can see that. This mood helps us keep going."

Pedri and De Jong untouchable in midfield

Ever since De Jong returned to full fitness midway in the 2024-25 season, he has been undroppable, forming an incredible midfield partnership with Pedri. The duo maintain possession at will and are immaculate at ball circulation and progression. Such has been their reliability that the likes of Gavi, Marc Casado and Dani Olmo found regular minutes hard to come by.

"I've never had that feeling that people hate him… I'm not on social media," Flick explained. "All the fans see how important he is. It's fantastic to have him on our team. What I see is that he enjoys it. He enjoys training. He helps us and has great quality. He's very important. I talk to him a lot, I want to know things about him and what he thinks. It's incredible."

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Getty ImagesRest for Pedri and De Jong in Barca's next game?

Barcelona will face Real Oviedo in their next game, which will be played on Thursday. Given the fixture congestion, Flick would have loved to rotate his side against a newly-promoted team. But Gavi has been sidelined for the next four to five months, while Marc Bernal will also not be forced into the starting lineup after he spent the entirety of the 2024-25 out injured.

GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad, including Weah in Le Classique after historic UCL goal

It was an largely an ugly opening week of the Champions League for members of the U.S. men's national team. 

Johnny Cardoso was ruled of Atletico Madrid's opener with an injury, and then PSV – with U.S. internationals Ricardo Pepi and Sergino Dest – were stunned by Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Overall, none of the nine USMNT players in Champions League recorded a win. 

The lone bright spot came from Tim Weah, who scored a well-taken goal against Real Madrid in a 2-1 loss for Marseille. It was an important moment for the 25-year-old, who had failed to impress in his opening four matches with L'OM. It also made Weah the first American player to score at the Bernabeu.

And the timing is also ideal. For fans of the Southern France club, there is no bigger match than , a decades-long feud with the capital club, Paris Saint-Germain. There were positive signs for Marseille against Madrid as they prepare for PSG.

But that's not the only big contest for Americans abroad this weekend. After a limited appearance against Bologna, Christian Pulisic will be look to get back to full action when AC Milan travel to Udinese. Yunus Musah made his first start for Atalanta in a one-sided loss to PSG. Is it more of the same for a midfielder who struggled with previously?

And on Sunday, Gio Reyna and Borussia Monchengladbach will take on Malik Tillman and Bayer Leverkusen in a showdown of two USMNT midfielders heading in opposite directions.

GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad this weekend.

AFPWeah gaining form at right time

In the opening four games of Marseille's season, Weah couldn't find a fit in Roberto De Zerbi's starting XI. Shuttled between left wing, left, and right wing-back, the American struggled for consistency and was largely ineffective – outside of his involvement in L'OM's rout of Paris FC. Then came the night in Spain's capital at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Real Madrid might have won the game, but Weah was arguably the Man of the Match as his deft finish gave the Ligue 1 club a surprising 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute. The former Juventus winger stressed how important the moment was for him. 

"It’s a pleasure. It’s a dream come true. As a kid, you dream of moments like that," he said. "There’s no better club to do it with, and I’m so happy to be at Marseille, and I’m so happy to give the fans something to cheer about." 

Weah has a chance to continue those positive vibes back at the Stade Vélodrome when OM host Paris Saint-Germain Sunday. If the oddsmakers are to be believed, the home side have no shot. Marseille haven't beaten PSG in Ligue 1 since 2020 and haven't gotten a result against the team since 2021 – a 0-0 draw.

Still, with PSG dealing with several key injuries, including to Joao Neves, Ousmane Dembele, and Desire Doue, there's a chance De Zerbi's side could make some noise. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportA star at Milan?

Rafael Leao and Pulisic are largely seen as AC Milan's dynamic duo, as the club's success has come when they're at their best. have tried to boost their attacking ranks to mixed results, with hot-and-cold Mexico international Santi Gimenez  the latest example.

Yet, Max Allegri's side might have finally found a solution in the recent arrival of Christopher Nkunku. Much was expected from the France international when he joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023, but an injury in his first preseason stalled his momentum. By the time he came back, Cole Palmer was thriving in Nkunku's preferred No. 10 role.

Having joined Milan on the transfer deadline, Nkunku looks to regain form in a World Cup year. And he showed some glimpses in his debut against Bologna last weekend. But how does it all fit together?

Leao is out with an injury, while neither Nkunku nor Pulisic started in Milan's win against Bologna. Allegri continues to tinker with formations since his return to Milan, going back and forth between a 3-5-2 and a 3-4-2-1 last weekend. Both formations offer opportunities to build possession through central play, but rely on wingbacks, not necessarily wingers, to provide width.

That might play to Nkunku's strengths as a No. 10, but not necessarily Pulisic's or Leao's as they both prefer to play out wide. Against Udinese on Saturday, it will be interesting to see if Allegri starts Nkunku and Pulisic together, and what formation he ends up using.

There's plenty at stake, too, as Udinese and Milan sit fourth and fifth in the Serie A table, respectively.

AFPMusah needs to make an impression

Musah got his first start for Atalanta, but it wasn't under the best of circumstances, as the club traveled to PSG and lost 4-0 loss. The American, like many of his teammates, struggled mightily against the European Champions and was pulled after 74 minutes. 

While it's too soon to make a hasty assessment of Musah's fit with , the reality is that the clock's ticking for the 22-year-old. Managers aren't typically patient with new signings, especially Champions League clubs. Musah has a limited window in which he can make an impression and carve out a role.

There was a reason why Atalanta's manager Ivan Juric was so invested in bringing him in. Considering Musah's deal is a loan with a buy option attached, the midfielder will need to show why sooner rather than later. 

The good news is that Torino should be easier to navigate than PSG. Torino are 10th in the Serie A table, while Atalanta are seventh. And Musah has some history against the other team in Turin. Early last season, Musah came on as a late substitute for Milan at San Siro against and dropped an extra time dime to Noah Okafor to steal a 2-2 draw.

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Getty Images SportTitle clash already for PSV?

isn't the only big rivalry match this weekend. , the derby between PSV and Ajax, also takes place on Sunday. And this is a huge tie for both clubs. PSV are the defending champions and have won the past two league titles under the leadership of former USMNT star Earnie Stewart, the club's sporting director.

Ajax have been the standard bearer of the Netherlands for decades. Follow the Dutch national team and odds are you're probably watching several Ajax alums on the pitch at the same time. And two years without a title for Ajax is a long time. It might be early in the season, but this match could very well set the tone for either club's season. 

Which brings us back to PSV. They're just three points off the summit in the Dutch top flight, and they are tied for the most goals scored at 17 – and that's largely without their star striker in Pepi, who has just worked his way back into the starting XI after an injury.

But this team has shown some fragility over the past few weeks. They lost to Telstar (who?) and got a huge wakeup call against Union SG in Europe this week. Defense, where USMNT star Dest plays, appears to be a problem for manager Peter Bosz. They've shipped eight goals in five games, which is middle of the table in the Dutch League.

Ajax, by comparison, have allowed just four in that same span. Considering there are only two Champions League spots in the Eredivisie, and Feyenoord is also in the mix for the title, PSV can't afford a second-straight setback.

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.

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.

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.

Related 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.

Posts 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.

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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Gill's spin evolution makes the Wankhede fun again

“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.

Manchester United have already completed one of the signings of the summer transfer window to date, with Matheus Cunha joining in a £62.5m deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Brazilian was a man in extreme demand, beating the likes of Nottingham Forest and Arsenal to his signature despite the lack of European football next campaign.

He will certainly hand boss Ruben Amorim a new dimension within the final third, subsequently being able to operate in either a centre-forward role or as a number 10.

Cunha thrived at Molineux this season, scoring 15 goals and registering six assists, a tally that would’ve seen him end the year with the most Premier League contributions in the Red Devils squad.

However, despite the big-money addition, more activity is expected in the coming months, with countless top-level talents still on the hierarchy’s radar.

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

Victor Osimhen has been a player who has been firmly on United’s radar over the last couple of windows, with this summer no different, but a deal appears unlikely this window given his hefty wage demands.

Christopher Nkunku is another player who has been of keen interest over the last few weeks, as the Red Devils have made contact with his representatives over a move to Old Trafford.

However, another name has emerged as a key target, with Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres once again being mentioned with a switch, according to The Mirror.

They claim Amorim’s side are in pole position to land the Swede, after a change of heart which has seen him be open to a move after previously turning down the Red Devils’ interest.

The report also states that he’s desperate for a move after scoring 54 goals in just 52 outings this campaign, leading to a £68m price tag being mooted for his signature.

Why Gyokeres would be a bigger talent than Mbeumo & Cunha for United

As previously mentioned, Cunha has become United’s first big-money addition of the window, but Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo appears to be the next to join the club after the progress made this week.

The Red Devils submitted a bid in the region of £60m for the 25-year-old forward, with the two sides appearing to be edging closer to agreeing on a fee.

A deal should be a formality when the fee is agreed, with the Cameroonian already agreeing personal terms over a £250k-per-week deal at the Theatre of Dreams.

Such a deal would be another excellent one for the club, adding another 20 league goals to Cunha’s tally of 15, with the pair only scoring nine fewer than the whole side managed throughout 2024/25.

However, a deal for Gyokeres would see Amorim’s side land an even bigger talent, considering the Swede’s sensational goal return in the top-flight of Portuguese football.

He’s outscored the pair alone, whilst also massively outperforming the aforementioned duo when delving into his underlying stats from the recent campaign.

Gyokeres, who’s been labelled a “monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has achieved a better shot-on-target accuracy rate, demonstrating the clinical nature he possesses.

Games played

33

38

33

Goals scored

39

20

15

Shot on target accuracy

52%

43%

40%

Progressive carries

4.3

3.4

3.8

Key passes

2

1.8

1.9

Take-on success

48%

46%

44%

Carries into opposition box

3.1

1.9

2.8

Aerials won

51%

31%

31%

He’s also registered more progressive carries and more carries into the opposition box, showcasing the threat he carries when having the ball at his feet.

The Swede has further demonstrated his impressive all-round ability, completing more key passes per 90, and having the tools to provide others with opportunities in the final third.

It would be another huge addition from the hierarchy this summer, but it shows they mean business in taking the club back to their former glory in the near future.

The prospect of Cunha, Mbeumo and Gyokeres linking up together is one the fanbase should be extremely excited by, handing Amorim the added attacking threat he’s craved since taking the reins.

He's better than Gyokeres: Wilcox plots Man Utd move for £150m talisman

Manchester United have joined a long list of suitors in the race to sign a new striker.

1 ByEthan Lamb Jun 27, 2025

Rangers are believed to be interested in completing the signing of a “very interesting” attacking player in the summer transfer window.

Martin desperate to keep key players

Russell Martin is looking to nail his summer transfer business at Ibrox, having been confirmed as the Gers’ new manager last week, following a lengthy search for the right choice.

The Englishman will no doubt be eyeing new signings, but for now, he is equally focused on retaining the services of key current players.

“We have to try and keep our best players. I think we’re all really aligned with that. So unless things come in that really help the club to build and move forward, I don’t think it’s a necessity to do that [sell] at all. That’s my understanding of it. And we’ve all been really clear on it. So we’ll just have to wait and see. But I’m looking forward to working with those guys. There are a few positions where we’ll need to strengthen fairly quickly and fairly early on.”

In terms of players who have been mentioned as potential signings, Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes could be Martin’s first addition as Rangers manager, having worked with him at St Mary’s already, but it appears first up on the agenda is a new number nine.

Rangers want to sign "very interesting" attacker

According to a new report from 24 Sata, Rangers are interested in signing Westerlo forward Matija Frigan this summer, as Martin looks to bolster his attacking options. The 22-year-old is seen as an exciting option for the Scottish Premiership giants, with his performances for his current club being noticed on the “big stage” by clubs around Europe.

Frigan could be a great young signing for Rangers, having been described as a “very interesting” attacking player by scout Jacek Kulig in the past.

The Croatian has outlined his goalscoring prowess throughout his career, not least when he netted 15 times in just 32 appearances for HNK Rijeka, and he has made a total of 25 appearances across various youth levels for his country.

The new Lundstram: Martin wants to make £18m star his first Rangers signing

As Russell Martin starts his overhaul of Rangers’ squad, could he sign a “class” midfielder in a deal reminiscent of John Lundstram’s move to Ibrox?

Jun 8, 2025

At 22, Frigan’s best years are still likely to be ahead of him, too, so Rangers would be acquiring the services of a player who could be a star at Ibrox for a long time to come.

Croatia Under-21s

15

2

Croatia Under-19s

8

4

Croatia Under-18s

2

3

His tally of 13 goals for Westerlo in the Jupiler Pro League in 2024/25 was superior to any Rangers player in the Scottish Premiership, further suggesting he could be an upgrade on the current options.

Arsenal have now been contacted by the entourage of a Manchester United star, ahead of a potential summer move, according to a report.

Gunners stepping up winger pursuit

With Mikel Arteta’s side poised to finish second for the third year on the bounce, the board are set to spend big in the upcoming window, and The Mirror’s John Cross has revealed there are two key areas in which the manager is looking to strengthen.

Bukayo Saka’s lengthy spell on the sidelines this season underlined his importance to the Gunners, but there may be some concerns about Gabriel Martinelli’s attacking output, with the Brazilian hardly setting the world alight in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old picked up just eight goals and four assists in the 2024-25 campaign, and the north Londoners could now be presented with the opportunity to raid one of their Premier League rivals for a potential replacement.

Indeed, according to a report from The Boot Room, the agents of Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho have now been in contact over a potential move to the Emirates Stadium this summer, with the left-winger set to be sold.

Garnacho is frustrated about not being included in the starting XI for the Europa League final, and having accepted he needs to leave Old Trafford this summer, the Argentine is keen on a switch to Atletico Madrid, while Napoli are also in the picture.

It remains to be seen whether the 20-year-old is tempted by a move to Arsenal, but any deal is expected to amount to around £51m.

£359k-per-week striker would join Arsenal "immediately", Berta wants him

He’s apparently very keen.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 24, 2025

"Generational" Garnacho needs summer move

Much like a whole host of other top players, the Argentina international’s career has stalled at Old Trafford, picking up just six goals and two assists in the Premier League this season, but there are plenty of signs the youngster could be a success elsewhere.

Lauded as “generational” by Statman Dave, the starlet holds the record for most goal involvements by a teenager in United’s history, while he has also received praise for his ability to create chances.

That said, Arsenal have identified a number of other winger targets, and it would be a risk to take a punt on Garnacho, rather than a player who is more proven at the top level.

Player	Current club	Potential cost
Rafael Leao	AC Milan	£145m
Nico Williams	Athletic Club	£49m
Ademola Lookman	Atalanta	£55m
Rodrygo	Real Madrid	£85m