Haseeb century drives Nottinghamshire reply at Trent Bridge

Abbas, Pennington claim three wickets each as Somerset are bowled out for 438

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay30-Jul-2025

Haseeb Hameed raises his bat on reaching a hundred•Getty Images

Nottinghamshire 189 for 2 trail Somerset 438 (Rew 166, Abell 156, Abbas 3-60) by 249 runs Captain Haseeb Hameed’s third century of the season helped title-chasing Nottinghamshire build a solid foundation in reply to Somerset’s 438 on day two of their Rothesay County Championship clash at Trent Bridge.Hameed, who struck 15 fours and two sixes, also passed 1,000 first-class runs for the season with the same shot that completed his hundred. He had earlier shared a stand of 101 for the second wicket with Freddie McCann (48).At 189 for two, though, Nottinghamshire, who began this round one point behind Division One leaders and defending champions Surrey, still have much work to do, trailing by 249 runs even after third-placed Somerset lost their last seven wickets for 100, Mohammad Abbas (three for 60) and Dillon Pennington (three for 71) sharing the bowling honours for the home side.Somerset’s 438 all out – while a total not to be sniffed at after being asked to bat first – perversely still felt like fewer than Somerset probably should have accumulated on a pitch with little in it for the bowling side, given that they had been 338 for three before Tom Abell’s demise shortly before Tuesday’s close,Abbas excepted, Nottinghamshire had not been at their best with the ball on the opening day. They looked better for a night’s reflection, yet most of the damage suffered by Somerset was to some degree self-inflicted.Of the four wickets to fall in adding 58 before lunch, nightwatchman Jack Leach cut the first ball of the day straight to backward point, after which James Rew fell into a trap set on the leg side as his impressive 166 ended with him athletically caught behind pulling.Tom Banton, chasing a wide one, and Archie Vaughan, nibbling outside off stump, gave Joe Clarke two much easier catches in his latest tour of duty keeping wicket, this time because Kyle Verreynne is back home in South Africa for an awards ceremony. Migael Pretorius popped back a tame return catch for Calvin Harrison soon after lunch.Craig Overton’s 31 not out was the third highest score in an innings dominated by Rew’s 313-run fourth-wicket stand with Abell (156). Jake Ball, the former Nottinghamshire quick, made 24 against his old mates before chipping back a catch to Liam Patterson-White after 41 were added for the last wicketOpening a Nottinghamshire innings for the 100th time together – matching the feats of Chris Broad and Tim Robinson, and Darren Bicknell and Jason Gallian as the only opening pairs to reach that milestone for the county since 1960 – Haseeb and Ben Slater were quickly parted, Slater falling to the eighth ball of the innings, shouldering arms to a ball from Craig Overton that clipped his off stump.Yet it took another 28 overs for the Somerset attack to make a second incision. McCann was looking to match Hameed, who had just completed an 87-ball half-century, when Ball offered him a delivery wide of off stump. It was a boundary for the taking to the short side of the square but he flashed at the ball and it took the edge, Rew having no problem taking the catch.If this represented a potential opening for Somerset, though, it was not one that offered any more than a glimpse of light, as Hameed and Clarke negotiated a safe passage through the 25 overs that remained.Hameed survived a chance on 91, albeit a difficult one, when he drove a ball back hard at Pretorius, who instinctively flung out a hand but could only prevent runs. The Nottinghamshire skipper celebrated his reprieve by lofting Vaughan’s off spin down the ground, not cleanly but with enough power to beat the fielder and the boundary for his second six, then patiently waiting on 99 to drive the same bowler to the long-on boundary for his 15th four and his 18th first-class century.

John Sterling Ripped Yankees' Baserunning After Jose Trevino's Mistake vs. Guardians

The New York Yankees have not run the bases well during the 2024 postseason. During Game 2 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, both Anthony Rizzo and Jazz Chisholm had lapses on the base path that resulted in outs.

In Thursday's Game 3, it was Jose Trevino who made a baserunning mistake.

After Trevino opened the scoring with an RBI single, he found himself taking a lead off first base. Guardians starter Matthew Boyd caught him frozen in his tracks with a pickoff move that immediately sent Trevino back to the dugout after a brief rundown between first and second.

After the catcher gave Cleveland a free out, Yankees radio announcer John Sterling couldn't hide his disdain.

"How do you like that? … And where was Trevino going? I said they had to play a clean game, already it's dirty," said Sterling. "That's awful. And also, because Trevino's really slow, where is he running to?"

In a postseason series, teams can't afford to give away free outs. The Yankees have done just that three times in the last two games, prompting Sterling's frustrated call. A chance to string a big inning together was swiftly taken away by Trevino's costly baserunning mistake, and Cleveland took a 2–1 lead shortly thereafter.

All Premier League managers' salaries ranked

For all the superstars playing in the Premier League, often the most crucial member of the team is the manager. No wonder, then, that some of them are paid the big bucks. Of course, some bosses earn more than others, but what do managers’ pay packets look like?

Based on the latest reports, here are the details of how much the current top-flight managers earn. As you might expect, there are some eye-watering sums here, so brace yourselves.

Rank

Manager

Club

Wage per year

Pep Guardiola

Man City

£20m

Mikel Arteta

Arsenal

£10m

Unai Emery

Aston Villa

£8m

Thomas Frank

Tottenham

£8m

Arne Slot

Liverpool

£6.6m

Ruben Amorim

Man Utd

£6.5m

Eddie Howe

Newcastle

£6m

David Moyes

Everton

£5m

Nuno Santo

West Ham

£4.5m

Enzo Maresca

Chelsea

£4.2m

Oliver Glasner

Crystal Palace

£4m

Marco Silva

Fulham

£4m

Sean Dyche

Nottingham Forest

£3.9m

Daniel Farke

Leeds

£2m

Regis Le Bris

Sunderland

£2m

Scott Parker

Burnley

£1.6m

Rob Edwards

Wolves

£1.5m

Andoni Iraola

Bournemouth

£1.5m

Fabian Hurzeler

Brighton

£1.5m

Keith Andrews

Brentford

£1.3m

20 Keith Andrews (Brentford) Annual wage: £1.3m per year

Beginning the countdown is Keith Andrews, who took up his first senior managerial role with Brentford ahead of the 2025/26 season and is on £1.3m per year as Bees boss.

Previously a set-piece coach under Thomas Frank, Andrews made the step up to manager after Frank left for Spurs and signed a three-year deal.

19 Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton) Annual wage: £1.5m per year

Fabian Hurzeler became the youngest permanent head coach in Premier League history in 2024 when he took over at Brighton from German side St Pauli in 2024.

Aged just 31 at the time, Hurzeler has impressed on the south coast and picks up a salary of £1.5m per season. His current deal runs until 2027.

18 Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth) Annual wage: £1.5m per year

Andoni Iraola has been doing a brilliant job at Bournemouth since joining from Rayo Vallecano, however, he is thought to be one of the lowest paid managers in the division.

Iraola had been making £1m per season under his initial two-year deal with the Cherries and is now thought to be on £1.5m per year.

17 Rob Edwards (Wolves) Annual wage: £1.5m per year

Wolves had to pay Middlesbrough around £3m in compensation to appoint Rob Edwards in November, with the Old Gold handing their former defender a deal until 2029 at Molineux.

Edwards’ previous Premier League experience as a manager came with Luton Town, and he’s the final boss thought to be on £1.5m per season.

16 Scott Parker (Burnley) Annual wage: £1.6m per year

After winning promotion with Burnley in 2025, Scott Parker picks up a reported £1.6m per season at Turf Moor.

The Clarets had an unbelievable defensive record in 2024/25 under the former Tottenham and West Ham midfielder, who is under contract with Burnley until 2027.

15 Regis Le Bris (Sunderland) Annual wage: £2m per year

Regis Le Bris guided Sunderland back to the Premier League in his first season at the Stadium of Light, and his Black Cats deal is worth £2m per season.

Sunderland splashed the cash in the transfer market on new signings ahead of their top flight return, and Le Bris’ salary also increased after their playoff victory at Wembley.

14 Daniel Farke (Leeds) Annual wage: £2m per year

Daniel Farke won his third Championship title in 2025, this time with Leeds United. The Whites picked up 100 points in the second tier, with Farke also previosuly guiding the club to Wembley in 2024.

The German is under contract at Elland Road until 2027.

13 Sean Dyche (Nottingham Forest) Annual wage: £3.9m per year

After a turbulent start to the 2025/26 season, Sean Dyche was appointed as manager of a club where he spent some of his academy days. Both Nuno Santo and Ange Postecoglou lost their jobs, leading to the former Everton boss being handed the reins and being given a lovely £3.9m a year salary in the process.

Expect more defensive football than the heavy-metal mess supporters got under Postecoglou.

12 Marco Silva (Fulham) Annual wage: £4m per year

Marco Silva

Marco Silva has helped establish Fulham as a stable Premier League outfit since securing the Championship title and achieving promotion, further solidifying his position in the eyes of owner Shahid Khan.

Since taking charge at Craven Cottage in 2021, the former Everton boss has worked wonders, earning a substantial £4m salary along with an annual bonus of £500,000.

11 Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace) Annual wage: £4m per year

Oliver Glasner was appointed as Crystal Palace boss on a deal until 2026 and has been earning a salary totalling around £4m a year.

The 2022 Europa League winner has had a promising start to his career at Selhurst Park, with the Eagles steering well clear of relegation bother in his first half-season before famously lifting the FA Cup in 2025.

The way Glasner’s going, this is just the beginning for him in south London.

Ex-Derby star tells Eustace to go and get PL gem who'd offer something "different"

Looking ahead to the January transfer window, Derby County and John Eustace have now been told to go and sign a Premier League gem who was previously a playoff hero.

Eustace bemoans "poor" Derby attack

Whilst they did manage to keep up their current run of just one defeat in their last six Championship games, Eustace was left frustrated at Derby’s decision-making going forward in a 1-1 draw with Charlton on Tuesday night. After James Bree’s opening strike, the Rams left it until the 79th-minute to find an equaliser through Matt Clarke and are now one point above the dropzone.

Having his say on the draw, Eustace told reporters: “I thought it was a difficult first half, though we did get into some really good areas, especially early on.

“In the final third again, decision-making was poor tonight, so it’s something that we’ve got to keep improving on. We got in some good areas, and then we were disappointing in the manner we conceded.

“When you go a goal down, especially at home, there’s always a lot of pressure on you and quite rightly so. We weren’t happy coming in at half-time and the fans weren’t happy. I thought the lads showed great character after half-time to change our style and play a lot more football throughout the second half.”

Results could see the Rams drop into the relegation zone in the coming weeks and that will be the greatest concern at Pride Park after avoiding the drop by just one point last season.

Alas, there is still time for things to change and the January transfer window could play a big part in that, especially if the Rams follow the advice of one of their former players.

Lee Hendrie tells Derby to go and get Watson

Speaking to Football League World, former Derby star Lee Hendrie told Eustace to go and get Tommy Watson in January.

After scoring the winner in the play-off final to send Sunderland up last season, the young winger completed a move to Brighton & Hove Albion, but has struggled for game time ever since. Now, Hendrie believes that Derby should hand Watson a January loan move.

A loan move back to the Championship would certainly make sense for the 19-year-old and as Derby set sights on survival, they should listen to Hendrie’s request.

William Saliba explains decision to sign new Arsenal contract and snub Real Madrid despite 'lacking trophies' with the Gunners

William Saliba explained his decision to sign a new Arsenal contract and snub Real Madrid despite "lacking trophies" with the Gunners. The French defender could have chased the bright lights of Madrid. He could have swapped north London for the glamour of the Santiago Bernabeu. But when Los Blancos came knocking, Arsenal’s defensive powerhouse slammed the door shut; and he has no regrets.

  • Saliba: The French rock who turned down Real’s call

    In a world where loyalty is rare, Saliba’s decision sent a clear message: his heart belongs to Arsenal. Before penning his new deal, the 24-year-old defender had just 18 months left on his contract, and Los Blancos were circling like hawks. However, Arsenal’s hierarchy moved fast. Sporting director Andrea Berta, who also played a key role in tying down Gabriel Magalhaes and young gems like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, treated this renewal like a mission of national importance. The result? A massive win for the Gunners. The CIES Football Observatory now lists Saliba as Arsenal’s most valuable asset, worth between €89m and €103m (£77m/$103m–£89m/$119m). A staggering figure for a player for whom Arsenal spent just £27m ($36m) in 2019. 

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    ‘i feel at home here’ – Saliba’s heartfelt confession

    For Saliba, the decision wasn’t about money or fame. It was about belonging.

    "I wanted to continue at Arsenal because I feel at home there […] I wanted to settle there in the long term," he told reporters.

    Despite Arsenal’s resurgence under Arteta, major silverware has eluded them since the 2020 FA Cup triumph. For Saliba, that drought burns deep. 

    “I’m lacking trophies but they will come quickly because we have a good manager and a good squad,” he insisted. 

    However, his determination is fuelled by unfinished business. While players like Trent Alexander-Arnold have traded the Premier League for Madrid after lifting multiple trophies, the Arsenal defender says he can’t leave empty-handed. 

    "He won some titles with Liverpool," he said. "Me, I didn't win anything here except… only the Community Shield, so yeah. I've done nothing for this club to think about leaving. I want to stay here and win a lot of trophies. I love this club. I cannot leave this club without giving them something back. I‘ve won nothing. So, yeah, my first choice was to stay here and win everything first."

    It’s a statement that will delight Arsenal fans and underline the culture Arteta has built: one of hunger, loyalty, and accountability.

  • Saliba's new deal promises a massive wage hike

    Saliba’s consistency over the past two seasons has made him untouchable in Arteta’s system. The manager's trust in him is total, and so is the club’s investment. The Frenchman’s new deal reportedly earns him £250,000 a week, making him the third-highest-paid player at the Emirates, behind Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz. Arsenal’s wage bill has climbed to £328m ($438m) per year, with seven stars now earning £200k or more weekly, including summer signing Viktor Gyokeres. But the board see it as money well spent, a statement of intent from a club ready to challenge for everything.

    However, Saliba's journey hasn’t been a fairy tale. When Arteta took over in December 2019, the young centre-back was cast aside, loaned out three times to Saint-Etienne, Nice, and Marseille. But instead of sulking, he fought.

    "Arteta was straight to me," he said. "The first week he told me that for him I was not ready to play. He told me this. I was training and I was playing with the Under 21s. At the end of December, he told me that it was better for me to go on loan rather than stay here and not play. I was angry because I needed to play.

    "He sent me on loan and I was in touch with (then sporting director) Edu when he was here. He was talking with my agent. After the first loan, he said we needed one more loan. I didn't give up and now I'm here in front of you playing for Arsenal. I didn't give up and now I'm here in front of you playing for Arsenal."

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    Saliba chasing glory, but only in north London

    As he prepares for France’s World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland, Saliba knows his heart beats red and white. He isn’t chasing glory abroad; he’s building it in London. In an era of short-term loyalty and quick exits, Saliba’s commitment is refreshing. And if his words are anything to go by, he won’t stop until that heartbeat echoes under the confetti of a Premier League or Champions League title.

Tottenham offered £43m Savinho alternative after his 20-goal season

Tottenham are in the market for three new signings before the imminent transfer deadline on September 1, with Thomas Frank eyeing a new centre-back, winger, and, perhaps most importantly, a new number 10.

Spurs were a thorn in Man City’s side last weekend as the Lilywhites once again established themselves as Pep Guardiola’s bogey team, coming away from Eastlands with an impressive 2-0 win.

However, off the field, City are reluctant to sell Savinho – a player who Frank personally wants – to the north Londoners and are making it very difficult.

Tottenham opened negotiations for Savinho over a fortnight ago, and since then, chairman Daniel Levy has reportedly seen a £42 million offer rejected whilst City take a public stance that he’s not for sale.

That being said, Levy is apparently refusing to give up on signing the 21-year-old, and Spurs are ready to bid over £60 million to tempt the Sky Blues into selling in the next few days.

Unfortunately for Frank, as it is this late in the window, a deal for Savinho is also dependent on Guardiola bringing in an elite replacement – so Levy is counting on a dramatic last-gasp transfer domino to land the Brazilian.

Alternatively, Spurs do have other options to bolster their wide area, and one of them is wantaway Atalanta star Ademola Lookman.

The Nigerian, who won last 2024’s African Player of the Year award, scored a stunning hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in last year’s Europa League final to end their unprecedented 23/24 unbeaten run.

Lookman also bagged a brilliant 20 goals in all competitions last season, but he’s publicly admitted to lodging a transfer request as the versatile attacker looks to seal a move elsewhere.

Tottenham offered Ademola Lookman as Savinho alternative

According to reliable football.london correspondent Alasdair Gold, Tottenham are among the sides who’ve been offered Lookman, and he could be a great alternative to Savinho.

Atalanta's Ademola Lookman in action with AC Milan'sEmersonRoyal

As well as being able to play in the latter’s position out wide, the 27-year-old can operate as a second striker, centre-forward and even as a playmaker when required – so this could be attractive to Frank.

His proven goal return and £43 million valuation are obvious temptations too, and Fabrizio Romano has claimed that a move to the Premier League is a real possibility for the player.

فيديو | اليابان تقلب الطاولة وتفوز على البرازيل بثلاثية وديًا

قلب منتخب اليابان، الطاولة على نظيره البرازيل، ليفوز عليه بثلاثية مقابل هدفين، في المباراة الودية التي جمعتهما اليوم، السبت.

كان منتخب السيلساو قد حقق فوزًا كبيرًا على حساب كوريا الجنوبية بخماسية نظيفة، في إطار استعدادات السامبا لنهائيات كأس العالم 2026.

بينما استطاع المنتخب الياباني، قلب الطاولة على نظيره البرازيلي واستطاع أن يحقق فوزًا بثلاثية، بعدما كان متأخرًا في النتيجة بثنائية، لينتهي اللقاء بنتيجة 3/2 لصالح اليابان.

وجاء أول أهداف المباراة عن طريق باولو هنريكي في الدقيقة 26 ثم أضاف نجم آرسنال، جابرييل مارتينيللي، الهدف الثاني للبرازيل، في الدقيقة 32.

اقرأ أيضًا | الاتحاد البرازيلي يعرض على أنشيلوتي تمديد عقده.. والمدرب يرد

وبدأ المنتخب الياباني الشوط الثاني مختلفًا تمامًا، إذ استطاع أن يسجل 3 أهداف، جاء أولها عن طريق تاكومي مينامينو في الدقيقة 52.

ثم أحرز كايتو ناكامورا هدف التعادل في الدقيقة 62، ثم سجل أياسي أويدا الهدف الثالث والأخير في اللقاء بالدقيقة 71.

ورغم أن منتخب البرازيل استحوذ على الكرة في أغلب فترات المباراة، إلا أن منتخب اليابان سدد 15 مرة على المرمى، فيما سدد رجال أنشيلوتي 7 تسديدات.

وجاءت نسبة استحواذ منتخب البرازيل 63% بعدما مرر الكرة 726 مرة بدقة وصلت إلى 90%، فيما جاءت نسبة استحواذ اليابان 33% بعدما مرر الكرة 349 مرة بدقة وصلت إلى 84%. أهداف مباراة البرازيل واليابان وديًا

Better than Dibling: Everton lining up swoop for "sensational" £30m PL star

Everton are reportedly pursuing a deal to sign Southampton forward Tyler Dibling to bolster David Moyes’ squad before the end of the summer transfer window.

The Toffees have already had one offer, worth £27m, turned down for the English youngster, but Fabrizio Romano claimed that the club are going to go back in with a second bid.

Dibling scored two goals and provided zero assists in 33 appearances in the Premier League for Southampton in the 2024/25 campaign, as they were relegated to the Championship.

Everton would be signing him for his potential, at the age of 19, rather than to make an immediate impact in the final third, given his lack of goal involvements last term.

Meanwhile, the Toffees are reportedly interested in signing another attacking midfielder from a Premier League team who could be a big upgrade on Dibling in the short term.

Everton eyeing up move for Chelsea midfielder

According to The Times, Everton are showing an interest in Chelsea’s central midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, as they look to add more quality to the squad.

Transfer Focus

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

The report claims that the club are confident that they can add quality for Moyes, who wants more additions before the Premier League season gets underway, and the Blues midfield talent has emerged as one of their targets they are lining up a swoop for.

It was recently claimed by The Athletic that Chelsea would be willing to entertain offers of around £30m for the former Leicester City star this summer, although it remains to be seen whether or not Everton are prepared to pay that price.

If the Toffees do decide to act upon their interest in Dewsbury-Hall to bring him to Merseyside this summer, he could come in as an even better option than Dibling.

Why Everton should sign Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Unlike the Southampton youngster, who has two goals and zero assists at league level in his senior career, the Chelsea outcast is a midfielder who could arrive to make an instant impact for Moyes.

Dewsbury-Hall only started two games in the Premier League for the Blues last season, but did produce four goals and two assists in 11 starts in the Conference League.

Prior to his move to Chelsea last summer, the 26-year-old talent put in sensational performances in the middle of the park for Leicester in their Championship title-winning season in the 2023/24 campaign.

Appearances

44

xG

10.18

Goals

12

Big chances created

20

Key passes per game

2.5

xA

12.60

Assists

14

As you can see in the table above, the English midfielder delivered a staggering return of 26 goals and assists in 44 appearances in the second tier, which shows that he has the potential to provide quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

That was further evidenced by his aforementioned output as a regular starter in the Conference League for Chelsea last term, which suggests that Everton could sign a player with the ability to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch.

Dewsbury-Hall, who was hailed as “sensational” by former boss Brendan Rodgers, would be a big upgrade on Dibling in the short-term, therefore, as the Saints teenager has yet to prove that he can deliver quality performances on a regular basis.

The left-footed star is Premier League, Championship, and Conference League proven and can step straight in to add goals and assists to Moyes’ side, whereas Dibling would be more of a signing with the future in mind.

Everton are now "ready" to table £38m offer for "complete" overseas star

He could have a big future in the game.

ByHenry Jackson Aug 2, 2025

Overall, both players have their merits and both could be good additions to the team, but Dewsbury-Hall would be a much better signing with the 2025/26 campaign in mind, based on their performances to date.

Mohammad Nazir, former Pakistan offspinner and umpire, dies

Mohammad Nazir, the former Pakistan offspinner and umpire, has died. Nazir jr, as he was also known, died in Lahore after a protracted illness. He was 78.He played 14 Tests and four ODIs for Pakistan. Although the Tests were spread across 14 years, he was best remembered for the impact in his very first Test, against New Zealand in October 1969.Playing in Karachi on a pitch which took spin from the start, Nazir picked up 7 for 99 in his very first innings. In addition, he scored a handy, unbeaten 29 with the bat, and was not out on 17 in the second innings as well. The Test was drawn, but proved to be a significant one, in that it was the great Hanif Mohammad’s last Test, and his younger brother Sadiq’s first.

“On behalf of the PCB, I express my condolences and grief over the demise of our former Test cricketer Mohammad Nazir,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said. “We extend our deepest sympathies, and share the grief of his friends and family. His contributions for Pakistan cricket will always be remembered.”Despite being a consistent performer at domestic level, Nazir played only one more Test after his debut series until November 1980, when he was picked to play in a home series against West Indies. That was another high point; he dismissed Viv Richards three times in the series, including bowled twice. However, in the second Test, in Faisalabad, Nazir was hit for three successive sixes in an over by Sylvester Clarke. The 22 he conceded in that over was a Test record at the time.Despite taking 16 wickets in the four Tests against West Indies, Nazir was dropped again and didn’t return until nearly three years later, in a series in India. In between, he kept taking wickets in domestic cricket: 86 in 1981-82, and 70 the year after that.Nazir took the last of his three Test five-fors in Nagpur, but only played three Tests after that – all in Australia. He wasn’t on the winning side in a single one of his 14 Tests.Nazir continued on the domestic circuit thereafter as he had always been before: a prolific wicket-taker. Unusually, he was a one-team man, playing for Pakistan Railways all the way through. He also looked pretty fit, taking 85 wickets in the 1985-86 season when he was on the cusp of turning 40. Nazir ended with 829 first-class wickets, at an enviable average of 19.26.He became an international and a domestic umpire soon after he retired, standing in five Tests and 15 ODIs.

Bad news for Martinelli: Arsenal "preparing" £52m bid to sign "magician"

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

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

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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ByAngus Sinclair Aug 2, 2025

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