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The transfer window has seen plenty of comings and goings across the English top-flight, but which new arrival will have the biggest impact?

The countdown to the new Premier League season continues as clubs up and down the top-flight put the finishing touches to their squads and tactical plans before the opening round of games this coming weekend.

That means its predictions season, and here at GOAL we're no different. Our writers have been giving their takes on all the biggest issues, from the the likely Golden Boot winners and surprise packages to the biggest disappointments and those managers who will be hoping to avoid 'winning' the sack race.

It's been a monster transfer window heading into the new campaign, and we've taken a look at the potential best signings of the summer, and which players will prove to be the best value for money over the next nine months:

Manchester City FC'Cherki can fill City's KDB void'

Mark Doyle: Florian Wirtz is likely to be the most popular pick here – and that's wholly understandable. Liverpool may have paid a colossal amount of cash for the German’s services, but the kid is absolute quality, and he should run amok in the Reds' star-studded forward line. However, if we're talking about the best value-for-money signing, Rayan Cherki should prove an absolute steal for Manchester City. The 21-year-old France international is an outstanding young talent, more than capable of filling the creative void left in Pep Guardiola's team by Kevin De Bruyne. City have done so, so well to pick him up for just £34m.

AdvertisementGetty Images'Wirtz one of the world's best'

Tom Maston: After the summer signings of 2024 largely failed to deliver, Premier League clubs haven't held back this time around, with a number of clubs having spent like never before on some of the game's most exciting and talented individuals. I like the look of West Ham's new left-back, El Hadji Malick Diouf, as a potential sleeper hit, while both Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres could be game-changers for Arsenal. But it's hard to look past Florian Wirtz being the most impactful new arrival into the league. The Germany international is one of the best players in world football, full stop; him scheming behind Liverpool's new-look forward line promises to make the Reds even more of a handful to defend against than they were last term.

Getty'Gyokeres will take Arsenal up a notch'

Amee Ruszkai: There is understandably some scepticism about Viktor Gyokeres' 39 goals in the Portuguese top-flight last season and just how transferrable that will be to the Premier League, especially given how some other strikers making that same move have fared recently. But he's not new to England and the general nuances of the domestic game, having impressed plenty at Coventry City, and his prolific Champions League campaign also shows he hasn't just been an average striker thriving in a weaker league. I see Gyokeres excelling in north London and taking Arsenal's ability to challenge for the title up a notch.

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Getty Images'Mbeumo's profile has been lacking'

Stephen Darwin: Whisper it, but Manchester United might finally be starting to get their act together, or at least they are in the transfer market. After years of signings that have failed miserably, the additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are a significant step in the right direction. Both are proven in the Premier League and in the Cameroon international, United now have a player who is able to combine power, finesse and an ability to finish chances that's been sorely lacking at Old Trafford. 

Lauren James has been ruled out by Chelsea after picking up an injury during England's victorious run to Euro 2025 glory.

James dealt Chelsea blowInjured at Euro 2025Set for absenceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Blues have issued a statement that will disappoint fans who had hoped to see James following her heroics for the Lionesses this summer. The west London club have not put a timescale on her return, but only confirmed that the injury was suffered while on international duty. 

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James was taken off at half-time during the Euro semi-final clash with Italy after suffering an ankle injury. And while she recovered enough to start the final against Spain, she was hauled off five minutes before half-time, replaced by Chloe Kelly, whose decisive penalty shootout goal retained the crown for Sarina Wiegman's side. 

WHAT CHELSEA SAID

A club statement said: "Chelsea can confirm Lauren James sustained an injury while on international duty with England at Euro 2025 and will be sidelined for a period of time. The Blues forward helped the Lionesses win the tournament – starting four matches, including the final against Spain, and scoring twice – but sustained an injury en route to England being crowned European champions. James is now back with Chelsea and will undergo a period of rehabilitation with the club."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR JAMES?

James can bask in the glory of the Euro 2025 victory, while her teammates begin task of defending their Women's Super League crown, again. The Blues are on a remarkable run of five WSL title wins and begin the defence of their crown against Manchester City on September 5. 

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has heaped praised on Carlos Baleba and revealed the midfield star will not be leaving the south coast club this summer.

Brighton boss gives Baleba updateCameroon star tracked by Man UtdHurzeler says midfielder is staying putFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Brighton boss Hurzeler has moved to end talk surrounding United's interest in defensive midfielder Baleba. United had made contact with the Seagulls earlier this summer but the move was knocked back and now Hurzeler has confirmed the Cameroon star will stay.

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Brighton have been busy in the transfer market as they look to improve on their eighth-place finish under Hurzeler last season. The Seagulls have signed six players, including defenders Maxim de Cuyper from Club Brugge for £17.5 million ($24m), Olivier Boscagli from PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer and Diego Coppola from Hellas Verona. On any further summer signings, Hurzeler said: "Sometimes it's not so clever to share the feelings you have with the public, but overall I'm very happy with the squad."

WHAT HURZELER SAID

On Baleba, Hurzeler said: "If there is a number more than 100 per cent, I would say more than 100, so fantastically confident."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR BALEBA?

With his future at Brighton confirmed, Baleba can focus on nailing down a place for Cameroon ahead of next year's World Cup. The Indomitable Lions are reasonably well placed to qualify as they sit second the CAF Group D but need to top the group to guarantee themselves a place in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Arne Slot provided updates on Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate after he substituted the Liverpool duo late in the Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday. Dominik Szoboszlai's world-class free-kick in the 83rd minute gave Liverpool a 1-0 win to maintain their 100% start to the season.

Slot provides update on Wirtz and KonateLiverpool duo substituted late in Arsenal clashReds beat Arsenal 1-0 on SundayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Konate was forced off the pitch in the 79th minute of the match as Joe Gomez replaced the Frenchman in Liverpool's central defence. Konate felt discomfort and was also attended by the club's director of medicine Jonathan Power, shortly after leaving the pitch. Wirtz, on the other hand, was replaced by Wataru Endo just a minute before the regulation time ended. 

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Concerns were raised about the condition of the two Reds stars, but Slot later provided a positive update on the players' condition. In a closely fought encounter at Anfield, Szoboszlai's late goal from a thunderous free-kick sealed an important win for the champions. 

WHAT SLOT SAID

Speaking on Wirtz's substitution, the Dutchman said: "I don’t think he knew he could have cramp in so many different places, that’s what happened. Welcome to the Premier League, welcome to playing against this intensity."

Slot then provided an update on Konate, adding: "He thinks it’s cramp, and I have no reason to doubt him. Although sometimes players talk about cramp and then we have a scan and it’s more than that. Jeremie Frimpong was not too happy, like some pundits and journalists, when I took him out against Bournemouth, because he thought he only had cramp or felt [his hamstring] a bit. He’s already out for two or three weeks now, so let’s wait and see."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Liverpool will hope to have both Wirtz and Konate back fully fit when they take on Burnley in their next Premier League game after the international break on September 14.

Newcastle have agreed a deal with Stuttgart for striker Nick Woltemade, meaning Alexander Isak's desired move to Liverpool could soon accelerate.

Newcastle agree club-record dealWoltemade heading to St James' ParkIsak to Liverpool edges closerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Newcastle are poised to complete a club-record £74 million ($100m) deal for Stuttgart striker Woltemade, which could pave the way for Isak to complete his contentious and protracted move to Premier League champions Liverpool. The deal is advancing and the player has already said goodbye to his team-mates, according to Florian Plettenberg.

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Woltemade bagged 17 goals in all competitions last season, including a vital strike in the DFB-Pokal final. He finished tenth in the league goal table with 12 efforts and will leave the club after just one season following his move from Werder Bremen. With Newcastle making such a large investment, it now seems inevitable Isak's move to Liverpool will gain pace following a stand-off which has seen the Sweden international refuse to play for the Magpies.

DID YOU KNOW?

Stuttgart have been battling all summer to keep Woltemade and previously rejected three bids for their star striker. However, Newcastle's offer of £74m plus and £5m in add-ons has convinced them to change their minds.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ISAK?

Newcastle signing Woltemade may well bring to an end the high profile 'will he, won't he' saga of the summer. Accusations of 'broken promises' and firm rebuttals have been played out in public with boss Eddie Howe attempting to smooth over relations with Isak in case he stayed. But an Anfield switch now looks imminent.

From healing wounds within the Australian dressing room to setting and pushing towards long-term goals, the new head coach will have plenty on his plate

Daniel Brettig03-May-20180:46

Langer: Ball-tampering mistakes can be forgiven

CultureOne of Justin Langer’s oft-quoted phrases is “culture is behaviour”, a saying he has personally followed with monastic thoroughness since his earliest days as a fiercely aspirational young batsman. Lacking some of the more outsize batting talents of his contemporaries, Langer worked assiduously at mental and technical improvement, becoming the hardest man to dismiss in domestic cricket while slipping in and out of the national team. When he finally gained a more permanent berth as Matthew Hayden’s opening partner at the conclusion of the 2001 Ashes, Langer unleashed a more shot-laden and aggressive streak. By his career he set an example he has been able to draw upon as a coach. Earnest discipline combined with uncompromising cricket: that will be the culture Langer seeks to impart.What Langer said”I think one of the things that’s really important is we keep looking to earn respect. To me respect is worth more than all the gold in the world. To earn respect on and off the cricket field. Another really important foundation over the last six years in WA cricket is we look to encourage great cricketers and great people. It’s not just about how we play our cricket, it’s also about being good citizens and good Australians. The Australian cricket team, the public will be disappointed if we don’t play hard competitive cricket. That said, we can also modify our behaviours. Over that time, I was lucky to play with great competitors. We talk about Allan Border, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Steve Waugh. They played hard but they were also outstanding people. We modify our behaviour a bit so that it’s not angry or not over-aggressive but we’re still aggressive in the mindset that we play with the bat and the ball.”

“I love the way [David Warner] plays his cricket. Has he got areas to get better at? Yep. Has Steve Smith? Yep. Has Cameron Bancroft? Yep. Every single person in Australian cricket? Yep. If we can keep mentoring and helping them and they want to get better and meet the standards of the Australian cricket team of course they will be welcomed back.”Justin Langer

Track recordLanger was implored to return to the Australian set-up during the 2009 Ashes by then coach Tim Nielsen and captain Ricky Ponting. He would stay on until late 2012, whereupon he accepted the commission to coach a dysfunctional WA. The signal moment arrived a few games into that first season, a tale Adam Voges has recounted. Realising the team had celebrated a win a little too raucously with another match soon to follow, Langer pounced the next morning. “We thought all we were doing was grabbing our bags at the oval on the way to the airport, but it turned very quickly into ‘Get your running shoes on, get your shorts on, and start running’.” From that day forward the WA/Perth Scorchers alliance has become one of the most admired (or envied) in Australian cricket, winning trophies while shaping players.What Langer said”Hopefully the last six years in WA cricket has been a dress rehearsal. When I went into the job back then we were spending more time on the front pages than the back pages. We went about setting some really strong values, some really simple rules. One of the things about leadership it can be quite lonely. You have to be on it every single day. if someone does something well you say well done, that’s how we do it around here. If they don’t, no, no, no, that’s not how we do it. How people view us, that’s none of our business. We know in this world everyone has got an opinion and they’re able to voice their opinion. If we go about our behaviours on and off the field really well those outcomes will look after themselves.”SledgingOn his Test debut in Adelaide in 1993, Langer was targeted by a fearsome West Indian side that, after he was hit on the back of the helmet by an Ian Bishop bouncer, questioned his courage and ability. From that tough school Langer emerged as an advocate for Steve Waugh’s “mental disintegration”, and does not resile from the fact he believes Australian teams should be able to compete with noun, verb and adjective as much as bat and ball. But he is also aware that times have changed and so too do teams – his WA side has been tough in approach but nowhere near as vocally hostile as Australia. A balance will need to be struck.What Langer said”October 3 every year I’ll read the same headline. I’ve laughed about this the last 25 years. Every team that comes over, how are you going to combat the Australian sledging. They go ‘we’re not going to be scared of the Australian sledging’, it’s going to be great headlines. I’ve probably seen two incidents in my whole career where it got really personal and it crossed the line. There was one with Glenn McGrath and [Ramnaresh] Sarwan in the West indies, that was a very sensitive time for Pigeon. It probably crossed the line and there were consequences for that. I saw it one other time, we’ve always played hard. Some of the best banter is among each other to get the opposition thinking about other things. Mental toughness is about being 100% focused on the next ball. If you’re worrying about what you just said to me there’s a distraction. We all know what the acceptable behaviours are. There’s a difference between the competitiveness and aggression and we have to be careful with that.”Spirit of cricketDuring a Test in Sri Lanka in 2004, Langer was caught on camera tipping off a bail at the batsman’s end as he crossed the pitch between overs, leading his captain Ricky Ponting to appeal to the umpires for hit-wicket. While many observers questioned the incident and its implications, Langer always maintained it was accidental and was cleared of wrongdoing by the match referee. By common Australian custom, Langer always awaited the umpire’s decision, famously being reprieved from a caught-behind verdict by the umpire Peter Parker – who had mistakenly given Langer out in the first innings – during the epic fourth-innings Hobart chase of 1999. Those close to Langer have often talked about his tendency to see things in terms of absolutes, right and wrong.What Langer said”Culturally and historically, we look back at the old Anzac spirit we were renowned [for], we were great fighters, we looked after each other, we looked after our mates. Adam Gilchrist, elite sportsman, walked when he got out. I never walked. I loved batting so much I didn’t want to get out. That’s one of the great things about being Australian, we are fighters. Ultimately everyone knows what right and wrong is. We get taught that since when you’re a little kid from your parents, through school. If our players literally stick to that, right or wrong, they’ll be okay.”Getty ImagesSecond chancesLanger found himself on the outside of the Australian team on plenty of occasions, going on almost as many tours as a reserve batsman as he would later do as a member of the first XI. To that end he needed continual improvement to keep himself in contention. In terms of discipline, Langer has dealt firmly with numerous members of the WA squad at times, but kept an emphasis on learning from mistakes. More pragmatic as a coach than he has at times appeared, Langer is likely to be open to the returns of the “Newlands Three” given that Australia’s vaunted bowling attack will be blunted without adequate runs to defend.What Langer said”We’ll learn from what’s happened. Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith, literally besides Mike Hussey, love the game more than anyone I know. They are cricket tragics, and they’re great kids. That’s why it was such a surprise they made the mistake they did. Davey Warner is the same. He’s a really good young bloke, he made a mistake. I love the way he plays his cricket. Has he got areas to get better at? Yep. Has Steve Smith? Yep. Has Cameron Bancroft? Yep. Every single person in Australian cricket? Yep. If we can keep mentoring and helping them and they want to get better and meet the standards of the Australian cricket team of course they will be welcomed back.”The dressing roomWith WA, Langer’s prime achievement was to forge a singular identity regardless of whether it was the Warriors or the Scorchers. This closeness and sense of shared purpose was something he took from his years in a dominant Australian dressing room, an experience he has often spoken about at a level of hyperbole that can make those who see the team as a representative side somewhat uncomfortable. Nevertheless, Langer will be quick to try to stamp out the divisions that emerged in the aftermath of Cape Town, between bowlers and batsmen, and Warner and the rest. He can also be expected to place a high premium on keeping things in-house, following the “praise in public, criticise in private” attitude that characterised much of Steve Waugh’s Australian captaincy.What Langer said”Elite mateship within the Australian cricket team’s going to be a key value. We’ll have to work on that. If you have that camaraderie, it’s the glue that keeps everything together, particularly when you’re under pressure. I would say, without being in it, that camaraderie wasn’t as tight as it needed to be because we were under pressure. I like us all to be tight, not just the players, the support staff, Cricket Australia. It’s like the great paradox for me, it was so competitive getting into the team, but when you walk through the doors with the baggy green it was like a brotherhood, it was like a nightclub, it was awesome, you’d walk in and they are like my brothers – Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath – they are literally like my brothers. That’s what we have to keep promoting in the Australian cricket team.”GoalsGiven how badly the team fell apart at the back end of the South African tour, Langer’s first and most urgent task will be to build a competitive side with restricted batting resources. Beyond the forthcoming Australian summer, the prizes are rich – the 2019 World Cup and Ashes double – but befitting his connection to Waugh, Langer’s eyes are on India, which has once again become a frontier for Australian overseas success.What Langer said”If I fast forward it, the Indian tour against India, the Test tour in three or four years time, to me that’s the ultimate. We will judge ourselves as a great cricket team if we beat India in India. I look back on my career, the Mt Everest moment was 2004 when we finally beat India in India. We’ve got to get better at playing away, we’ve got to get better at playing overseas.”

Former NZ allrounder Corey Anderson and England international Liam Plunkett picked up by San Francisco Unicorns

Peter Della Penna20-Mar-2023A former India Under-19 World Cup champion from 2012 went first overall in the 2023 Major League Cricket domestic player draft held at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on Sunday night, but not the one some people might have expected.Harmeet Singh, the 30-year-old left-arm spinning allrounder formerly of Rajasthan Royals who last played first-class cricket in India for Tripura in 2020 but has since migrated to the USA, was the first overall selection by Seattle Orcas. Harmeet has made a name for himself on the cricket scene in the city after captaining Seattle Thunderbolts to the Minor League Cricket T20 championship last August.Harmeet was one of six players taken in the first round, all priced in a fixed $75,000 draft slot for the round. He was followed by a team-mate of his on the Thunderbolts, former South Africa Under-19 wicketkeeper Andries Gous taken by Washington (D.C.) Freedom.Related

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Former USA captain Steven Taylor went third overall to Mumbai Indians New York. It was a sign of things to come as MI New York wound up taking six USA national squad players, far and away the most of any franchise. J Arunkumar, who served as USA men’s head coach from April 2020 until December 2022, now serves as an assistant coach for Mumbai Indians and had been on hand in Houston throughout the week leading up to the draft to continue scouting local talent.Former New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson, who married an American and migrated to her home state of Texas in 2020, was taken fourth overall by San Francisco Unicorns. Los Angeles Knight Riders took USA fast bowling superstar Ali Khan with the fifth overall pick in the first round, maintaining continuity with a player who has been a squad member with Kolkata Knight Riders, Trinbago Knight Riders and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Rusty Theron, who previously represented South Africa prior to moving to the USA whom he subsequently debuted for in 2019, went with the final pick in the first round to Team Texas, the franchise affiliated with Chennai Super Kings.Unmukt Chand, who gained fame in India for captaining India to the 2012 Under-19 World Cup, was LA Knight Riders’ second pick in a round valued at $65,000. In the third round ($50,000), Knight Riders also snapped up USA wicketkeeper Jaskaran Malhotra, who became the fourth player to hit six sixes in an international match in 2021 in an ODI against Papua New Guinea, as well as former Canada captain Nitish Kumar in round four ($40,000).One of the other most notable headline names in the league joined Anderson at the Unicorns in round two. Liam Plunkett, whose final match for England was the 2019 World Cup Final at Lord’s where he took three wickets in the epic super over win over New Zealand, was the ninth overall selection. After wrapping up his English domestic career with Welsh Fire in The Hundred competition in 2021, Plunkett moved to suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his American wife’s hometown.Unmukt Chand was LA Knight Riders’ second pick•Unmukt Chand/TwitterA significant presence of former Pakistan players now residing around the USA were taken in the draft. Hammad Azam was the first of six ex-senior Pakistan internationals now in the USA who were drafted, taken by MI New York. He was followed one pick later in the second round by Mukhtar Ahmed to Washington Freedom. Ehsan Adil joined Hammad at MI New York in round four while round five ($35,000) saw Saad Ali go to the Freedom and Sami Aslam taken by Team Texas. Nauman Anwar was the last one to go in round six ($25,000) to Seattle Orcas. Aside from those six, three other players with first-class cricket experience in Pakistan were also drafted: Shayan Jahangir to MI New York and Saif Badar to LA Knight Riders in round seven ($15,000) and Zia Shahzad to Team Texas in round eight ($10,000).Eleven other current or recent USA national team squad members were chosen, including a trio in round four – Nosthush Kenjige (MI New York), Saurabh Netravalkar (Freedom) and Cameron Gannon (Seattle Orcas) – as well as current USA men’s captain Monank Patel (MI New York) and his vice-captain Aaron Jones (Seattle Orcas) in round five.But perhaps the biggest winner of the night was 20-year-old left-arm spinning allrounder Ali Sheikh, who went to LA Knight Riders in round six. The former USA Under-19 squad member has yet to make his senior team debut, despite being in the T20I squad for USA’s 1-1 T20I series draw against Ireland in December 2021.Liam Plunkett, who last played for England during the 2019 World Cup final, was signed by Unicorns in round two of the Draft•Getty ImagesBut Sheikh saw his stock rise dramatically during a T20 Quadrangular series staged by MLC last week in Houston played among the pool of draft prospects in which he claimed two Player-of-the-Match awards for a pair of phenomenal death displays on both sides of the ball. On the first occasion, he took three wickets in the 20th over before top-scoring with 49 two days later, which included two fours and two sixes in the 20th over.Among other players who were picked having previously played senior international cricket for Test nations were the Sri Lankan pair of Shehan Jaysuriya (R2, Seattle Orcas) and Angelo Perera (R8, Seattle Orcas) as well as former South Africa spinner Dane Piedt (R6, Freedom).Seattle Orcas – Harmeet Singh, Shehan Jayasuriya, Shubham Ranjane, Cameron Gannon, Aaron Jones, Nauman Anwar, Phani Simhadri, Angelo Perera, Matthew Tromp (U23).Washington (D.C.) Freedom – Andries Gous, Mukhtar Ahmed, Obus Pienaar, Saurabh Netravalkar, Saad Ali, Dane Piedt, Sujith Gowda, Justin Dill, Akhilesh Bodugum (U23).MI New York – Steven Taylor, Hammad Azam, Ehsan Adil, Nosthush Kenjige, Monank Patel, Sarbjeet Ladda, Shayan Jahangir, Kyle Phillip, Saideep Ganesh (U23).SF Unicorns – Corey Anderson, Liam Plunkett, Tajinder Singh, Chaitanya Bishnoi, Carmi Le Roux, Brody Couch, David White, Smit Patel, Sanjay Krishnamurthi (U23).LA Knight Riders – Ali Khan, Unmukt Chand, Jaskaran Malhotra, Nitish Kumar, Corne Dry, Ali Sheikh (U23), Saif Badar, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Bhaskar Yadram (U23)Team Texas – Rusty Theron, Calvin Savage, Lahiru Milantha, Milind Kumar, Sami Aslam, Cameron Stevenson, Cody Chetty, Zia Shahzad, Sai Mukkamalla (U23)

Fenerbahce are stepping up negotiations to sign Rasmus Hojlund on loan from Manchester United, according to a new report.

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Jose Mourinho's side want striker on loanHas endured difficult season at Old TraffordNegotiations set to begin in ManchesterFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per Fotomac, Fenerbahce are set to step up their pursuit of Hojlund as they aim to bring the Denmark international in on loan this summer. The Turkish club are acutely aware of the need to sign a new striker this summer, with Edin Dzeko's contract expiring and both Cenk Tosun and Youssef En-Nesyri available for transfer.

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According to the report, Fener sporting director Mario Branco is poised to travel to England to begin negotiations with United over a move for the 22-year-old. The club hope to sign the Denmark international on loan with an option to buy but it is unclear if United will countenance that prospect.

DID YOU KNOW?

Hojlund has scored four Premier League goals this season in 31 games and has been at the centre of some intense criticism; United legend Roy Keane recently claimed the club do not have a striker in a pointed dig at the forward.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

United face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on Wednesday evening. Then, one can imagine that negotiations will get underway for a multitude of summer deals.

Josh Hazlewood has risen to No. 2, while Kuldeep Yadav has achieved a career-best 16th place

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Mar-2024India offspinner R Ashwin has become the No. 1 ranked bowler in men’s Tests for the sixth time, following his nine-wicket haul in the fifth Test against England in Dharamsala. Australian quick Josh Hazlewood has achieved his career-best ranking – No. 2, level with Jasprit Bumrah – after taking six wickets in the Christchurch Test win against New Zealand.India’s left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav has risen 15 places to a career-best 16th after taking seven wickets in the Dharamsala Test.In the men’s rankings for Test batters, India captain Rohit Sharma has moved up five places to sixth, Yashasvi Jaiswal has risen two spots to eighth, while Shubman Gill is at a career-best No. 20. After playing nine Tests, Jaiswal has an aggregate of 740 rating points; only two batters have earned more, according to the ICC – Australians Don Bradman (752) and Mike Hussey (741).Ireland’s Harry Tector has risen to fourth place in the men’s ODI batting rankings after scoring 141 runs in two matches against Afghanistan in Sharjah. Pakistan’s Babar Azam still leads the charts with Gill and Virat Kohli at Nos. 2 and 3, and Rohit at No. 5.Kane Williamson, Joe Root and Babar form the top three in the men’s Test batting rankings, while Suryakumar Yadav, Phil Salt and Mohammad Rizwan lead the T20I charts.Keshav Maharaj, Hazlewood and Adam Zampa are the top ranked bowlers in men’s ODIs, while Adil Rashid, Wanindu Hasaranga and Akeal Hosein are Nos. 1, 2, and 3 in T20 internationals. Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Nabi and Shakib Al Hasan are the top ranked allrounders in men’s Tests, ODIs and T20 internationals respectively.India are the No. 1 team across formats, while Australia and England are No. 2 and 3 in Tests; Australia and South Africa are No. 2 and 3 in ODIs; and England and Australia are in second and third place in T20 internationals.

Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has been released by Swiss side FC Zurich after just eight games following criticism from his bosses.

Mendy released by Swiss sideLeaves after just eight gamesCriticised by club figureheadsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 31-year-old joined Zurich in February on a deal until the summer of 2026 but he has been let go a year early. According to Mundo Deportivo, the club were angry over Mendy's off-field antics, particularly when he allegedly partied just hours after a 4-0 loss to rivals Basel in April.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT ZURICH AND THEIR MANAGER SAID

A club statement reads: "FC Zurich announces that the contract with French defender Benjamin Mendy has been terminated by mutual consent. He is leaving the city club with immediate effect. FCZ wishes Benjamin Mendy all the best for his private and sporting future."

Following the Basel loss, manager Ricardo Moniz said: "Mendy didn't perform as expected of a player of his calibre. His physical condition isn't up to what we expect from a player in this league. After a 4–0 defeat, you can't afford to do that to the supporters."

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Mendy has been trying to rebuild his career after initially being suspended by City in August 2021, where he was later charged with rape and sexual assault. He was cleared of seven counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, and one count of sexual assault by July 2023, and last November he won a tribunal against City over unpaid wages. Since signing for Lorient in 2023, however, he has played just 23 times, and this is another bad episode in his career.

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AFPWHAT NEXT?

Left-back Mendy, who has been capped 10 times for France, is once again looking for a new club. Whether the former Monaco and Marseille man finds one before the new season starts remains to be seen.