A luta pela afirmação move Fabiano em sua ascensão no Botafogo. Camisa 7 da equipe sub-17 alvinegra, ele viveu um momento inédito na goleada por 5 a 1 da equipe sobre a Portuguesa, em jogo realizado na Rua Bariri, no domingo (10), pela Taça Guanabara da categoria.
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O jovem arriscou do meio de campo, encobriu o goleiro e viu sua finalização parar no fundo da rede. O jovem detalhou como conseguiu marcar com tamanha precisão.
– Eu gosto de arriscar de fora da área, já tinha visto durante o jogo que o goleiro estava ficando adiantando. Quando tive a oportunidade peguei bem na bola e o gol saiu! Nunca tinha feito um gol de tão longe – afirmou.
Fabiano tem contrato com o Botafogo até o final de 2025.
Northamptonshire 327 for 6 (Zaib 141*, Sales 81, Charlesworth 2 for 41) vs GloucestershireSaif Zaib hit a superbly paced unbeaten 141, his highest first-class score and third century of the season, as Northamptonshire staged a sterling fightback on day one of this Rothesay County Championship match against Gloucestershire at Wantage Road.Zaib combined with James Sales who made 81 in a fifth-wicket stand worth 148 in 44.2 overs after Northamptonshire’s top order slumped to 57 for four before lunch.Gloucestershire’s teenage quick Archie Bailey, 19, bowled with express pace and accounted for two of the first four wickets to fall on his return to the town of his birth.But with little pace or bounce in the wicket to assist a thoroughly disciplined Gloucestershire bowling attack, Sales and Zaib were content to absorb the pressure before pressing the accelerator. Sales played the dominant partner at first before Zaib took over, marching to his ton from 147 balls and going past his previous best of 135 against Sussex in 2021.Amidst an admirably persistent Gloucestershire bowling performance, both Bailey, playing only his third first-class game, and Ben Charlesworth picked up two wickets apiece with Northamptonshire finishing the day handily placed on 327 for 6.Northamptonshire refreshed their batting line-up after last week’s heavy defeat to Glamorgan, bringing in Gus Miller for his first game this season and rewarding promising teenager Aadi Sharma with his senior debut.It was a familiar start though when Tom Price struck in the fifth over, trapping Ricardo Vasconelos lbw. Miller and Luke Procter looked to build a partnership amidst a miserly opening bowling partnership between Price and Matt Taylor before both fell within 10 balls.First Miller chased a wide one from Bailey and edged to second slip. The in-form Procter (20) looked in good touch again, but when Bailey came round the wicket and swung one back in, the Northamptonshire captain was trapped lbw as he moved across his stumps.Sales started to steady the ship, steering one down to third to bring up Northamptonshire’s 50 in the 23rd over, while Sharma, who looked unfazed by the occasion, cut Charlesworth firmly for four. The debutant failed to capitalise on the bowler’s next delivery, a loose short ball, and pulled it straight to square leg.Zaib was fortunate to survive a run out appeal early in his innings on 19. Graeme van Buuren threw down the stumps at the non-strikers’ end with a direct hit, but Zaib was adjudged not out, although his bat appeared short of his crease.Sales and Zaib duly brought up their 50 partnership off 122 balls before Sales went on the offensive. By contrast the next 50 runs came in quick time off just 62 deliveries in the afternoon sunshine.Sales punched Zaman Akhter off the backfoot square for four and reached 50 when he glided Ollie Price down to third. He tucked into the off-spinner’s next over too, helping himself to three further boundaries, smashing Price over mid-on and forcing him out of the attack.Zaib upped the tempo before tea too, hitting Bailey straight down the ground and sweeping van Buuren to the ropes to bring up his half-century off 101 balls, Northamptonshire going into the tea break on 184 for 4.It was van Buuren who finally broke the partnership soon after the resumption when Ollie Price took a sharp tumbling catch at short midwicket as Sales played an attempted pull.But Zaib carried on unabated, taking three boundaries off Bailey, driving and pulling to good effect, although he rode his luck against van Buuren when an edge flew just wide of slip.George Bartlett, moved down the order for this game, fell cheaply when he edged behind to a Charlesworth delivery which was too close to cut.Zaib though continued at pace to bring up his century. By comparison, his first 50 had come off 101 balls, his second off just 46. He treated the crowd to an array of shots all around the ground throughout the evening session.Lewis McManus (33 not out) provided excellent support, driving Taylor for four to take Northamptonshire past 300 and a second batting bonus point.
An additional T20I has been added to Bangladesh’s tour of UAE, making it a three-match series. The third T20I will be played on May 21 in Sharjah, also the venue for the first two games.ESPNcricinfo has learned that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had been the one to request for the extra match and the Emirates Cricket Board agreed to it. Bangladesh are, however, still unsure about their next assignment – a T20I tour of Pakistan. This prompted the BCB to keep their team in the UAE, so they could fly to Pakistan directly if that tour goes ahead as scheduled.Bangladesh beat UAE in the first game of the series on Saturday. They had planned this series to be a precursor to their five-match T20I series against Pakistan, which was initially scheduled to start on May 25. But due to the India-Pakistan tensions, the PSL had to be suspended temporarily, which meant the Bangladesh tour also became uncertain.Related
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Bangladesh are all systems go against UAE
Once a ceasefire was announced, a new date for the PSL final was fixed – May 25 – which meant that the Bangladesh tour had to be pushed back. According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board sent the BCB a new draft schedule, which had the first T20I on May 27 and the last one on June 5.The BCB got a directive from the Bangladesh government that the Pakistan tour can go ahead, but the board is now seeking the players’ opinions on the matter. The plan was for the final decision to be made by May 20.
Brendan Doggett finished with the best figures in a final but Queensland have a shot at an astonishing turnaround
Andrew McGlashan28-Mar-2025
Jack Wildermuth roars on bringing up his century•Getty Images
The Sheffield Shield final could be set for a grandstand finish after centuries from Jack Clayton and Jack Wildermuth gave Queensland hope of producing a record-breaking turnaround after South Australia had appeared on the brink of the title with Brendan Doggett claiming the best ever figures in a decider.When Michael Neser fell to the last ball before lunch on the third day, Queensland led by just 45 with four wickets in hand. But Clayton, who ran himself out first ball on the opening day, and Wildermuth added 103 for the seventh wicket then Wildermuth found support from Mark Steketee in a further 112-run stand for the eighth leaving South Australia needing what would be a record chase in a final of 270.Related
Sangha and Carey tons hand South Australia first Shield title in 29 years
Doggett's six trumps Vidler's four on dramatic opening day to Shield final
Lehmann century puts SA in charge but Labuchagne keeps Queensland alive
If Queensland are able to secure a remarkable victory having been dismantled for 95 in their first innings, they will have overturned a record final deficit in doing so with the previous being the 104 Victoria trailed by against New South Wales in 1990-91.South Australia will, though, take solace from the fact batting has become easier and, with Nathan McAndrew claiming the final wicket five minutes before stumps, they can start their chase afresh on Saturday morning although reverse swing could become a factor on an abrasive surface.Clayton’s century, the fifth of his first-class career, came with a push into the off side from his 247th delivery in what had been a superbly composed display after his first innings aberration.Jack Clayton made a superb century•Getty Images
He was lbw to Ben Manenti without adding to his total, at which point Queensland were still a precarious 148 ahead. But Wildermuth, who survived some close lbw shouts, continued to defy the home side to bring up his second century in consecutive matches, this one off a brisk 118 balls despite being kept quiet in the 90s, having also scored one against South Australia in the last round where his innings helped Queensland squeeze into the final.Wildermuth’s hundred, reached with a firm clip through midwicket off Liam Scott, was met with a more outgoing celebration than Clayton as he let out a roar of delight. He fell late in the day when McAndrew dug deep, finding some late movement to beat the inside edge with relief as much as joy the emotion for the home side.South Australia’s quicks visibly tired during the day. As the eighth-wicket stand extended, their shoulders started to slump for the first time in the game. Offspinner Manenti bowled just 15 of the 136 in the second innings, while captain Nathan McSweeney did not try any part-time options in an attempt to break the concentration of the Queensland batters but Doggett, with match figures of 11 for 140, and McAndrew were herculean in their efforts as they shared eight wickets.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Queensland had resumed with a lead of just one run and the game appeared to be slipping away when Doggett struck twice with a brace of lbws to remove Ben McDermott and Jimmy Peirson to complete a 10-wicket match haul.Targeting full and straight with a hint of late reverse swing, Doggett trapped both batters on the crease with deliveries that tailed in to continue his outstanding performance. He went on to become just the second bowler to claim 11 wickets in a Shield final after Tasmania’s Shane Jurgenson 2001-02.Clayton, who gave a very tough chance to Manenti at slip on 43, and Neser responded in a largely defensive mode, adding 29 in 21 overs as they nursed Queensland towards the second new ball while only edging the lead upwards. Then, having done the hard work to reach that moment, Neser edged a big drive against McAndrew against what became the final ball of the morning session.Clayton had only added 25 during the first session but he rarely appeared flustered and his off-side play stood out although he did have a nervous moment when he top-edged a Doggett short ball towards fine leg. At numerous times during the day, South Australia’s quicks went to a short-ball plan on an increasingly docile surface but, largely, the batters had time to adjust.Brendan Doggett continued his outstanding match•Getty Images
It was Wildermuth who signaled a change of tempo as he scored briskly from early in his innings. In a two-over period either side of afternoon drinks he took four boundaries in seven balls off McAndrew and Scott then reached his fifty from just 49 deliveries.When Clayton departed, getting a tap on the shoulder from Alex Carey in acknowledgment of his efforts, Wildermuth needed further support to give Queensland’s bowlers more to work with. Steketee did an ideal job and was also able to keep the scoreboard ticking against an increasingly weary attack.Steketee brought up just the fourth half-century of his 94-match first-class career, but his second of this season, when he took Jordan Buckingham for his seventh boundary followed by a two from his 101st delivery. He fell to a well-judged parried boundary catch at long leg by McAndrew who palmed the ball up as he went over the rope then gathered it back inside the playing area. It gave Doggett his 11th wicket; whether it becomes one of the great title-winning performances is yet to be determined.
It is fair to say that it has been an exciting summer for Sunderland since they beat Sheffield United at Wembley to earn promotion to the Premier League.
The Black Cats have not messed about in the summer transfer window, as they have splashed the cash to improve the options at Regis Le Bris’ disposal.
Possibly the most notable addition of the window so far has been the signing of experienced midfielder Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of £13m.
The Switzerland international has played over 200 games in the Premier League, over 100 matches in the Bundesliga, and over 30 times in the Champions League, per Transfermarkt, and the Black Cats are now on the verge of landing a similarly high-profile signing.
Sunderland set to sign Paris Saint-Germain defender
According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Sunderland have reached an agreement to bring Paris Saint-Germain defender Nordi Mukiele to the Stadium of Light.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The journalist claims that the 27-year-old is now closing in on a move to Wearside with ‘immediate effect’, and notes that he could be reunited with Xhaka after playing alongside him last season.
Fabrizio Romano adds that Mukiele has already said ‘yes’ to a move to Sunderland, which suggests that there may not be many problems with personal terms.
Nordi Mukiele in action.
If the Black Cats can get this deal over the line in the coming hours, the club could have an exciting repeat of their Xhaka masterclass on their hands.
Why Mukiele is a Xhaka repeat for Sunderland
The new Sunderland captain arrived to much fanfare as a vastly experienced and well-known name in European football, particularly in England, and Mukiele would be a similar signing.
Although he does not have the same reputation in England, the France international is a well-known name to anyone who has kept up with European football in the past five years or so, as he has starred for RB Leipzig, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayer Leverkusen.
Nordi Mukiele’s club career
Competition
Appearances
Goals + assists
Bundesliga
115
19
Ligue 1
85
4
Champions League
35
5
Ligue 2
34
4
Europa League
7
0
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, Mukiele has plenty of experience at the top level, with 200 appearances in two of the top five leagues in Europe in his career to date.
Sky Sports contributor Dougie Critchley describes the versatile star, who can play at right-back or centre-back, as a “dominant” defender and a “Champions League level player”, like Xhaka.
Bayern Munich'sAlphonsoDaviesin action with Bayer Leverkusen's Nordi Mukiele
These comments and his statistics throughout his career show that Sunderland are on the verge of signing a vastly experienced player who has proven himself on some of the biggest stages in Europe, as was the case when they signed Xhaka from Leverkusen.
Mukiele played 15 times in the Bundesliga for Leverkusen in the 2024/25 campaign and showcased his dominant defensive work by winning 67% of his ground duels and making 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game, as per Sofascore.
This suggests that he will be an aggressive, strong, and experienced option for Le Bris to call upon at right-back or centre-back in the Premier League, given his performances in the German top-flight last term.
His experience at the top level and recent displays in the Bundesliga suggest that he will not be phased by what the Premier League will throw at him week-in-week-out, in the same way that the incredibly experienced Xhaka will be a dependable figure in midfield.
Sunderland could land their own Wirtz with move for "electric" £26m star
Regis Le Bris could soon be handed his very own Florian Wirtz at Sunderland.
By
Kelan Sarson
Aug 13, 2025
Therefore, this could be another exciting and impressive piece of recruitment work done by the Black Cats in their attempt to build a team that will not look out of their depth in the top-flight.
Will Nottingham Forest continue to be busy in the transfer market, ahead of their Premier League opener against Brentford on Sunday?
So far, the Garibaldi Reds have signed goalkeeper Angus Gunn, Brazilian duo Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha, both from Botafogo, and, most recently and most excitingly, winger Dan Ndoye from Bologna, costing a reported fee of £34m.
Having finished seventh last season, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side are preparing for a European campaign, the first time Forest have competed on the continent in 30 years, meaning squad depth will be key, so are they set to bolster their midfield options further?
Despite making four new additions, the best piece of business Nottingham Forest have done this summer, without question, is keeping hold of Morgan Gibbs-White.
The 25 year old appeared destined to depart when Tottenham triggered his £60m release clause, but Spurs were ultimately left ‘stunned’ when the midfielder signed a new three-year contract instead, news that came completely out of the blue.
Nottingham Forest's MorganGibbs-Whitereacts after the match
This is a serious statement of intent from Forest, able to keep hold of their best player, so will they now bolster their midfield options to help get the best out of Gibbs-White?
Well, amid talk that they are on the verge of signing James McAtee from Manchester City, another top midfielder could be on their way to Nottingham.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Nottingham Forest are ‘plotting’ a move to sign Yunus Musah from AC Milan, adding that they’re ‘considering making a bid’ for the United States international, valued at around £22m.
The Rossoneri have reappointed Massimiliano Allegri as head coach this summer, following a catastrophic campaign that saw them finish eighth in Serie A, failing to qualify for any European competition.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
During Il Diavolo’s pre-season tour of Asia last month, newly-hired sporting director Igli Tare stated that “I consider Musah an excellent player, but we are looking for profiles with characteristics that fit the [Allegri] project”, which very much sounds like they’re open to a sale.
So, could the 22-year-old soon swap San Siro for the City Ground?
What Nottingham Forest fans should expect from Yunus Musah
Born in New York City, Musah’s family moved to London when he was just nine years old, subsequently spending seven years in Arsenal’s Hale End academy, before moving to Valencia at the age of 16.
After starting out in los Murciélagos’ B team, he made his senior debut a year after arriving, accumulating 108 appearances for los Che.
His performances caught AC Milan’s attention, joining the Italian giants for a reported fee of £17m two summers ago, featuring 80 times across two seasons for the Rossoneri, albeit he only started 19 Serie A matches last time round.
Musah has also won 47 caps for the United States, although his importance has diminished since the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino last year, with Taylor Rockwell of Total Soccer Show noting that he needs to be starting games regularly at club level as a central midfielder if he harbours realistic hopes of being an important figure at the World Cup.
Well, still only 22 years old, Musah certainly could do so at a high level, with Greg O’Keeffe of the Athletic labelling him an “exciting midfield talent”.
Robbie Dunne of Opta’s the Analyst agrees, asserting that he is ‘immensely talented’ and capable of carrying out any instructions, given that he is able to ‘cover lots of ground quickly’, hence why coaches often shunt him out-wide, even though he is best utilised centrally, with ball-carrying his ‘greatest strength’.
YunusMusahof the U.S. in action with England's Jude Bellingham
Meantime, Mario Husillos Jr. of Total Football Analysis notes that his ‘influence can be seen all across the pitch when deployed in a central role, thereby given license to ‘get close to the defenders to help in the buildup’.
This certainly sounds as though Musah would be the hard-working, hard-running type of defensive midfielder who would be able to get the best out of Gibbs-White, so let’s compare their respective statistics last season.
Appearances
38
40
Minutes
3,142
2,237
Goals
7
Zero
Assists
10
3
All statistics below are on a per-90 basis:
Shots
1.6
1
Chances created
1.6
1.4
Big chances created
0.32
0.17
Shot-creating actions
3.69
2.50
Goal-creating actions
0.61
0.18
Pass completion %
81%
89%
Tackles
1.4
1.6
Ball recoveries
4.1
3.5
Touches
55.5
53.9
The table first and foremost emphasises Musah’s lack of importance at AC Milan, given that he actually made two more appearances than Gibbs-White across all competitions last season, but accumulated almost 1000 fewer minutes.
On top of this, the table outlines why the duo could form an excellent partnership in midfield.
AC Milan'sYunusMusahin action with Girona's Donny van de Beek
The England international is the creator in chief, hence why his numbers when it comes to goals, assists, shots and chances created are all exponentially higher.
The American, on the other hand, is more secure in possession, completing a higher percentage of his passes, while posting better defensive numbers, most notably in terms of tackles.
At the base of Nottingham Forest’s midfield, there is a spot up for grabs alongside Elliot Anderson, so Musah could be the man for that position, allowing Gibbs-White, deployed as a number ten, to flourish for Nuno’s team.
Nottingham Forest in talks to sign "outstanding" ace; same agent as Awoniyi
This could be a great signing for Nuno Espirito Santo.
Liverpool came into their pre-season clash with Milan full of optimism.
They’ve arguably had the best transfer window of any team this summer, namely signing Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
Jeremy Frimpong and Arne Slot
Arne Slot’s team looks set to pack a firmer punch even than they did during their Premier League-winning campaign and things could get even better.
Indeed, the Reds are favourites to land Alexander Isak after the Swede made the hierarchy at Newcastle know that he’d like to explore an exit this summer.
That positivity, however, was not enough to carry them to a win over Milan who defeated Slot’s side 4-2.
Work to do then, largely at the back where options look sparse centrally for Liverpool. Still, they seem intent to taking steps to add more to the forward line.
Who could replace Nunez and Diaz at Liverpool
Any moves Liverpool complete between now and the end of the summer are likely to depend on what happens to Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz.
It’s largely been expected that the former takes his leave but where he ends up feels a little uncertain right now. As for Diaz, his future will be in Munich with Bayern having agreed to sign the Colombian winger for a fee of around £65m.
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz
Should Nunez leave alongside Diaz, then the Reds could turn their attention to a record-breaking bid for Isak.
Yet, with Ekitike already through the door, signing an out-and-out replacement for Diaz would make a great deal more sense.
That’s where Liverpool’s wide options come into the equation. Another Toon star in the form of Anthony Gordon has been linked but that feels unlikely.
What’s more likely is concluding a deal for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo. That’s according to reports in Spain.
Reports a few weeks ago noted that Liverpool had begun talks to sign the Brazilian and now they are said to be leading the race to sign him.
Rodrygo stats
It’s alleged that Arsenal are now out of the race for the Madrid star, making the Reds firm favourites. That being said, they will have to sell in order to find a move for a player being valued at around £87m.
That’s certainly a lot of money, but for a player compared to Wirtz, it’s easy to see why they’ve cast their eyes in the direction of the 24-year-old.
How Rodrygo compares to Florian Wirtz
Described as the “best midfielder in the world” by former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes, it was some coup to get Wirtz to Anfield this summer.
Many think the classic number 10 has died out but in Wirtz, you sense Liverpool have signed the heir to Kevin De Bruyne’s throne.
He’s a creative machine, having assisted 15 goals last season, but he’s also more than competent in front of goal, netting 16 times in all competitions.
Not just capable of playing through the middle, Wirtz has also found a home in wide areas, just like Rodrygo.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo
The Brazilian isn’t much of a number 10, however, like Wirtz, he’s played as a false 9 and out wide. His statistical data is also very similar.
Indeed, according to FBref, the German is the seventh-most similar attacking midfielder and winger to Rodrygo in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year. Here’s why.
Rodrygo vs Wirtz in 2024/25 (league only)
Stat (per 90 mins)
Rodrygo
Wirtz
Goals
0.28
0.38
Assists
0.23
0.46
Shots
2.52
2.84
Pass success %
85.9%
78.3%
Shot-creating actions
4.95
5.66
Key passes
2.29
2.18
Progressive passes
5.05
6.74
Successful take-ons
2.29
3.14
Progressive carries
5.28
5.02
Progressive passes received
11.8
11.8
Stats via FBRef.
While Wirtz’s output is supremely better – Rodrygo scored 14 and assisted 11 in all completions – their data was comparable in other areas.
Looking at the numbers, it was actually the Real winger who bettered Wirtz for key passes per 90 minutes, although only marginally.
In the dribbling department, their ability to manipulate the ball in tight areas and advance beyond the defence is uncanny.
They’re dazzling with possession at their feet, something that’s backed up by the fact that they both average over five progressive carries per 90.
Teammates clearly recognise that too, as they receive an identical number of progressive passes, underlining their ability to be given the ball between the lines where they can impact proceedings in the final third.
While Rodrygo did go 17 games without a goal at one stage in 2024/25, his ability is obvious and if you’re a player earning comparisons to Wirtz, it’s clear you’re a very talented footballer. After all, he is a “world-class superstar” in the words of Luka Modric.
For Liverpool, this would be a great move if Diaz departs.
New Fabinho: Liverpool prepare bid for "one of the best DMs on the planet"
Liverpool are looking at signing a new defensive midfielder this summer.
Manchester City have now made contact over the signing of an £87m “superstar”, as manager Pep Guardiola is obsessed with him, according to a report.
Man City eyeing new forward amid Grealish uncertainty
Jack Grealish played a major role in Man City’s famous 2022-23 treble-winning campaign, but it would be fair to say the winger has otherwise failed to justify his astronomical price tag, and he is now set to exit the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Former scout Mick Brown believes it is a near-certainty the Englishman will leave City, saying: “I know he’s going to move from Man City, there’s no question about that, so the opportunity is there.”
Brown names Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur as potential suitors for Grealish, while there have also been widespread links to Everton over the past few days, so there is certainly no shortage of interest from rival Premier League clubs.
Man City eye half-price £40m swoop to sign "incredible" star who Pep loves
He’d be an ideal alternative to Morgan Gibbs-White…
ByTom Cunningham Jul 27, 2025
As a result, despite already signing Rayan Cherki this summer, Guardiola may want to bring in another new forward this summer, and an approach has now been made over a La Liga star.
That is according to a report from Spain (via TEAMtalk), which states Man City have made contact over a deal for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, who has become Guardiola’s ‘big obsession’ to bolster his frontline.
City may have to break the bank to get a deal over the line, however, with Madrid set to hold out for a fee of £87m, amid rival interest from the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
Should the Blues be able to sign the Brazilian, they would be ‘fulfilling’ Guardiola’s dream, but formal negotiations are yet to get underway.
"Superstar" Rodrygo could be huge upgrade on Grealish
Grealish has remained a fan favourite, despite flattering to deceive over the past few seasons, and the love is very much reciprocated, with the 29-year-old praising the City faithful at an Oasis concert in Heaton Park.
However, after scoring just one Premier League goal last season, it is clearly best for all parties if the winger is moved on, and there are plenty of signs that Rodrygo could be an exciting replacement.
Luka Modric has dubbed his former teammate a “world-class superstar”, and he remained a consistent source of goals and assists for Real Madrid across all competitions in the 2024-25 campaign.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
La Liga
30
6
6
Champions League
12
5
2
Copa del Rey
5
0
2
Supercopa
2
2
0
It will be a shame to see Grealish leave City, given his connection with the club, but Rodrygo is much younger than the winger at 24-years-old, and he could be the perfect long-term replacement.
Manchester United are interested in signing an “outstanding” attacker in a surprise move, and he wants a £100,000-a-week contract to move to Old Trafford.
Man Utd still hopeful over Mbeumo signing
The signing of Matheus Cunha felt like a significant piece of business by the Red Devils, showing that they still have plenty of pulling power, despite failing to qualify for Europe last season.
Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo has stood out as United’s primary transfer target since the arrival of Cunha from Wolves, but Tottenham are thought to be providing stiff competition for his signature, having appointed Thomas Frank as their new manager.
Some reports have said that the Red Devils are closing in on the signing of the Cameroonian, who was one of the Premier League’s best attacking players last season, scoring 20 goals in the competition and starting all 38 of Brentford’s matches.
Mbeumo would surely be a perfect option on the right-hand side of United’s attack, with Ruben Amorim admitting he wants a signing in that position, despite the emergence of Amad Diallo: “I think Amad in that position (right wing-back) he could be an option but in this moment with the type of players we have we need a left footer on that position in front. I try to reinforce the team with the idea and try to use the characteristics of the players.”
Free agent wants £100,000-a-week to join Man Utd after talks
Now, according to a fresh claim from Caught Offside, Manchester United are “considering” completing the surprise signing of Dominic Calvert-Lewin ahead of the new Premier League season after recently holding talks with the free agent.
The England international is available after leaving Everton earlier this summer, and it is believed that he is looking to earn £100,000-a-week at his next club, coming in at over £5m per year, which the report says could be too much for the Red Devils.
In truth, there are both positives and negatives to United signing Calvert-Lewin, with the free element of the signing jumping out as a good thing, not to mention the fact that Sean Dyche lauded him during their time together at Everton.
“I thought he was excellent. He’s had a bit of illness. We’re hopeful that has passed, he had it before the game, so I must commend him on that. His physical performance was outstanding, He’s not quite over it but we hope it settles down a bit.”
On the flip side, though, Calvert-Lewin has suffered badly with injury problems down the years, not starting over 30 Premier League games in a season since the 2020/21 campaign, so there would be a big risk element in bringing him in.
At 28, the striker, who scored at Old Trafford in 2021, is also no longer a young player who could develop or overcome fitness issues, so United should arguably be looking elsewhere for someone to lead the line.
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If Amorim brought in Calvert-Lewin as a squad option, as well as a superior signing to play most weeks, it could be sensible business, but it may be a non-starter due to his wage demands.
After seeing their team fall short of the Championship playoff picture last season, West Bromwich Albion fans will be desperate for new manager Ryan Mason to be a success from the Hawthorns dugout.
It’s a very risky appointment, considering the 33-year-old has little to no experience as a manager outside of the comforts of Tottenham Hotspur. Still, it’s a bold and adventurous appointment that might well pay off, especially if promotion is reached.
Tottenham Hotspur assistant coachRyanMasonduring training
He will surely want plenty of new signings to join him at the Baggies to try and put the West Midlands club back on the map, with a potent EFL goal-machine now reportedly on his shopping list.
West Brom ready to move for EFL ace
As per journalist Darren Witcoop via his X account, West Brom are among several clubs pursuing the services of Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Kelman this summer transfer window.
It’s even stated that the Baggies are ready to make a move for the recent winner of the League One Golden Boot, with his transfer valuation coming in at around the £850k mark, as per Football Transfers.
Witcoop hasn’t named the other clubs allegedly chasing after the former Leyton Orient loanee, so it will be interesting to see if West Brom do go on to land their desired target, with Sheffield United once looking at Kelman, according to other reports.
Ruben Selles’ Blades will no doubt be in the promotion race alongside Mason’s men, with a hope that West Brom come out on top to secure a deadly marksman for their new manager, winning him his own Josh Maja-style figure in the process.
How Kelman could be Mason's own Maja
Much like the lethal Nigerian, Kelman hasn’t had everything his way across his varied career to date, away from his goalscoring heroics last season for the O’s.
Indeed, before his majestic 27-goal heroics during the 2024/25 campaign, the 23-year-old unfortunately blew hot and cold for many of his other loan sides, with a paltry five strikes coming his way on the books of both Gillingham and Wigan Athletic, prior to everything clicking at Orient.
Maja endured similar barren patches of form himself before finding a location that suited him well at the Hawthorns, with the injury-prone 26-year-old only finding the back of the net a matter of five times as well when lining up for both Stoke City and Fulham.
Now, however, the on-fire duo will have discarded any bad memories they have with those past clubs, knowing they have found their goalscoring mojo as strikers now that very rarely need a second invitation to hammer a glorious effort home.
Kelman’s league numbers vs Maja (24/25)
Stat (* =per game)
Kelman
Maja
Games played
46
26
Goals scored
21
12
Scoring frequency
162 mins
173 mins
Assists
5
2
Touches*
22.0
27.7
Accurate passes*
6.9 (67%)
13.5 (76%)
Shots*
2.4
1.8
Big chances missed
20
10
Stats by Sofascore
It’s clear when studying the table above that both centre-forwards in question are more content with peppering opposition ‘keepers with regular shots rather than getting involved with play outside of their fox-in-the-box approach, with Kelman only averaging a mere 6.9 accurate passes per League One clash last season, alongside Maja only making 13.5 of his own.
Therefore, Kelman could be well suited to the way West Brom feed their potent strikers, with assist king Tom Fellows perhaps tallying up even more than the 14 assists he managed all across the 2024/25 campaign if the 23-year-old were to don Baggies blue and white shortly.
He was even hailed as an “intelligent” forward player by journalist Josh Bunting last season, with Kelman just praying now that he can show off his goalscoring prowess up a division in the EFL.
He has never actually scored at the intimidating level, but West Brom took a gamble on Maja coming good with only three second-tier strikes next to his name on his arrival, meaning Kelman might just explode into life too as Mason’s very own version of the clinical 26-year-old.
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