Tag Futebol

Gujarat Titans (GT) opener Sai Sudharsan, the current Orange Cap holder, played a crucial role in his team making it to the IPL 2025 playoffs, but believes he has “a lot of things to improve” in his T20 game. Sai Sudharsan has already made his white-ball debuts for India and has also been picked for the upcoming five-Test series in England starting next month, but wants to improve on a few more things before he plays T20s again.”I mean, playing for the country is obviously a dream for everybody, so I would love to do that,” he said when asked about his chances for the T20 World Cup next year after GT crashed out of the IPL in the Eliminator. “But I’m not thinking on those lines because if you see about the season, I have a lot of things to improve as a T20 batter. There are so many facets of the game, or so many sectors, I should improve when I play T20 again. So I’m focusing more on that. Of course, when I get an opportunity, I will give my best for the country.”It’s good to see that I had a good season or I was consistent enough for my team, but I think when the job is not finished, you don’t get the ultimate satisfaction when you get back home. So, definitely, there’s a lot of disappointment in the [team] environment because of the way we played the first 12 or 13 games, which was fantastic to see as a group or as a team from outside. Even when in hindsight you look at a season like this, I think our team was so good they did a lot of jobs really well. So finishing a tournament like this, definitely it doesn’t give that complete satisfaction. But, yeah, appreciating the performances and of course learning from it is the is the thing forward.”Related

• The 'void' that saw GT's season of promise disintegrate

• MI eliminate GT to set up Qualifier 2 with PBKS

• Stats – MI's record total and Rohit's day of milestones

• 'Today was that day for me' – Rohit and MI ride their luck to Qualifier 2

Sai Sudharsan top-scored for GT against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Friday night, with a stroke-filled 80 off 49 balls that kept the stiff chase of 229 in the balance till he was around. But after he was bowled by Richard Gleeson in the 16th over, the equation reading 59 from 26 after the dismissal, GT fell away.GT captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan did a lot of the heavy lifting among the GT batters this season, scoring 912 runs as an opening pair, the third-highest tally in an IPL season. But the responsibility fell on Sai Sudharsan’s shoulders early in the chase against MI as Gill fell for 1 in the opening over, and there was no Jos Buttler, the team’s third-highest scorer, to follow as he had left for national duties. Kusal Mendis replaced Buttler in the XI but he was hit wicket for 20.B Sai Sudharsan crossed 700 runs in IPL 2025•Getty Images

“Yes, definitely a batter like Shubi when he gets out, it creates a little difficulty in the environment and of course in the game of play,” Sai Sudharsan said. “So, again, I was aware of it and it was clear that we know how Kusal can play. We’ve seen him play quite a lot of times in the nets, so I was confident enough that we could get those runs, of course. And I was believing in myself, I was even telling Kusal that we can definitely do it if we have a good play. And likewise, we had a fantastic powerplay. I think we believe more on ourselves and took the game forward and the game was on course for a long period of time.”Sai Sudharsan and Mendis powered GT to 66 for 1 in the powerplay, and even after Mendis fell three balls after the field spread out, Washington Sundar and Sai Sudharsan kept the pressure on MI with a partnership of 84 off just 44 balls that took GT to 100 in the tenth over. There was, however, a brief stoppage of play when Suryakumar Yadav got some treatment after the 13th over and the partnership was broken four balls later.Did that stoppage break a team’s momentum?”I mean, it can. It can definitely make a difference, but I feel we were aware of it,” Sai Sudharsan said. “That was a good thing about me and Washy, we had a conversation about it and we were together. We were not waiting for the game to start. We were just looking at what all things we have to see. I think it was 12th or 13th over. So we were aware of it because we’ve seen certain occurrences before, so we were having that conversation and thinking about what we have to do rather than, you know, losing that momentum there.”B Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar added 84 off just 44 balls•BCCI

One of the things that cost GT some extra runs was their sloppy fielding as they put down three catches, including two off Rohit Sharma in the powerplay, and the MI opener went on to score 81 off 50. Sai Sudharsan said “it could have cost a bit” because the ball was still swinging in the powerplay and it would not have been easy for a new batter coming in.Sai Sudharsan’s next assignment is the India A tour of England, which started on the same day as the Eliminator with the first four-day game in Canterbury. It remains to be seen if both Sai Sudharsan and Gill make it in time for the second fixture starting on June 6 in Northampton, but GT’s early elimination from the playoffs does give the duo extra time to fly out and get some red-ball game time.Sai Sudharsan has also played county cricket for Surrey, which was a “great experience” for him.”I think I played seven [county] games so it gave me a great experience, to be honest,” he said. “It improved my batting multiple-folds in terms of technique and in terms of basics. It told me basics are the most important thing in batting. So it should help me and I’ll focus more on what I learnt and I’ll try and be aware and create those awarenesses before going into the series.”

Ethan Nwaneri produced a scintillating performance to help England Under-21s secure an impressive 4-0 victory over Moldova in a European Championship qualifier. The Arsenal attacking midfielder recorded two assists on the night, including setting up a stunning effort from Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens, as the Three Lions maintained their perfect record in qualifying after two matches.

• Nwaneri sets up Gittens' stunning first-half strike

  Operating with plenty of freedom as a number 10, Nwaneri played a crucial role as England broke the deadlock after 28 minutes. The 18-year-old attracted two Moldova players as he made a brilliant run before offloading the ball to Gittens, who cut inside and found the bottom corner with a fantastic strike. It was Gittens’ first U21s goal since scoring in his side’s 7-0 thrashing of Luxembourg back in March 2024.

Advertisement

• Arsenal youngster plays key role in England's next two goals

  And Nwaneri picked up where he left off after the half-time interval, playing a delightful pass through to Manchester City striker Divin Mubama who doubled England’s lead after 68 minutes. Nwaneri was involved yet again moments later as another clever through ball found Fulham midfielder Josh King, who was brought down inside the area for a penalty. Mubama was given the responsibility for the spot-kick and he coolly slotted the ball home to make it 3-0 to the visitors, who then added a fourth late on through City defender Rico Lewis.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Victory over Moldova sees England maintain perfect record

  The victory over Moldova ensured England kept up their perfect record in qualification for the European Championship, having beaten Kazakhstan U21s 2-0 in their opening fixture in September. Lee Carsley’s side briefly topped Group D following the win over Moldova but the 2-2 draw between the Republic of Ireland and Slovakia saw both sides move above them. They have played one game more than England, however.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Nwaneri hoping England form leads to more Arsenal minutes

  Nwaneri will be hoping his fine form during the international break will help him secure more first-team minutes at Arsenal. The youngster has found opportunities hard to come by in 2025-26, having been an unused substitute in five of Arsenal’s 10 fixtures in all competitions this season. However, with Martin Odegaard having sustained a knee injury in the Gunners’ 2-0 Premier League victory over West Ham before the international break, manager Mikel Arteta will be considering who is best placed to replace his captain when his side return to action against Fulham on Saturday, 18 October. And Nwaneri has done his chances no harm after starring in a midfield role in England U21s’ win over Moldova, with many believing he is better when deployed in the middle of the park rather than out wide.

MatériaMais Notícias

Agora cotado para a Seleção Brasileira, Dorival Júnior ousou. Resolveu mandar a campo uma escalação considerada titular. E cumpriu com maestria o objetivo de praticamente encaminhar a classificação do São Paulo para a próxima fase da Copa Sul-Americana, após conseguir fácil goleada por 5 a 0 sobre o Tolima, na noite desta quinta-feira (8), no Morumbi.

O resultado deixa o Tricolor com 13 pontos, na liderança absoluta do grupo D. O Tigre, segundo colocado, tem 10. Ambas as equipes se enfrentam no Morumbi na última rodada da fase de classificação, no final do mês. E os brasileiros podem até mesmo perder por uma diferença muito grande de gols que mesmo assim sairão classificados direto ao mata-mata, sem passar pela repescagem com um adversário vindo da Copa Libertadores.

RelacionadasSão Paulo‘Sem imaginar que faria tantos gols’, Galoppo diz que São Paulo precisa ‘estar junto pelo mesmo objetivo’São Paulo08/06/2023São Paulo‘Com a condição que está, não tem jogadores inegociáveis no São Paulo’, sacramenta dirigenteSão Paulo08/06/2023São PauloLiberado no BID, Pato pode ser relacionado para reestreia no São Paulo em clássico contra o PalmeirasSão Paulo07/06/2023

Durante muito pouco tempo a partida deixou a impressão de que seria difícil ao São Paulo. Quer dizer, somente nos minutos iniciais, quando o adversário abusou da violência para tentar intimidar os mandantes e ganhar algum espaço em campo.

Mas a tática colombiana naufragou cedo. Logo o Tricolor encaixou o seu jogo diante da brutal diferença técnica, empilhou três gols ainda no primeiro tempo e selou a vitória. Na etapa final, bastou administrar as coisas, principalmente o desgaste físico, e comemorar a volta das vitórias à equipe, que vinha de duas derrotas seguidas.

VIOLÊNCIA COLOMBIANA TENTA INTIMIDAR TRICOLOR

O Tolima jogava sua sobrevivência no Morumbi e por isso encarou o duelo como uma guerra. Por 20 minutos abusou das jogadas físicas de corpo a corpo a faltas pesadas para tentar intimidar o São Paulo. Inicialmente, a tática até deu certo resultado, visto que a articulação tricolor não se encontrou e meio à forte marcação. Mas aí foi hora do jogo inverter. E o São Paulo apostou em suas qualidades individuais como forma de impor sua qualidade. O caminho foi aberto. Aos 23′, Beraldo arrancou de trás e fez belo passe enfiado para Luciano, que driblou a marcação, ficou livre, mas bateu mal de bico, para fora.

COMEÇA O SHOW NO MORUMBI

Era só um aquecimento para o massacre que se desenhava. Quatro minutos depois, em troca rápida de passes pelo meio, Luciano recuperou a pelota, arrancou em velocidade e tocou na medida para Calleri que, dentro da área, bateu colocado de curva para abrir o placar no Morumbi.

Nada é tão ruim que não pudesse piorar para o Tolima, que teve Riascos expulso pelo segundo amarelo aos 29′. E perdeu de vez a força para tentar algo. Restava se defender. Mas nem isso era possível. Aos 34′, quase que como um replay do primeiro gol, Luciano apareceu livre na área em jogada trabalhada desde o meio-campo e, após corta-luz de Calleri limpar a marcação, bateu de chapa e anotou o segundo do Tricolor no dia.

Sem tempo até para o adversário respirar, o São Paulo precisou de mais dois minutos apenas para ampliar a vantagem. Gabriel Neves passou pra Luciano na lateral da área, ele procurou Calleri, mas o argentino fez outro corta-luz e a bola ficou para Caio, que dominou e chutou para fazer o terceiro do dia.

+ Confira os jogos e classificação resultados da Sul-Americana-23 na tabela do LANCE!

O QUE É ISSO, COMPANHEIRO?

O Tricolor voltou do intervalo com três alterações. Era um recado claro: o jogo estava definido e o objetivo era administrar o ritmo e o desgaste físico. Mesmo assim, diante de um adversário inepto, as chances de gols apareceram com facilidade. Aos 4′, o lance mais pitoresco da partida. Luan acionou Luciano nas costas da zaga, o atacante correu livre de marcação, invadiu a área e rolou limpo para Michel Araujo, sozinho, errar a passada e, com o gol livre, mandar por cima e perder gol feito.

MASSACRE EM TRÊS CORES

Em ritmo de jogo-treino, o São Paulo praticamente selou as coisas no Morumbi com imensa facilidade. Aos 15′, em cruzamento, Arboleda cabeceou, o goleiro deu o rebote e a sobra ficou com Miche Araujo, que rolou para Caio, da entrada da área, bater no ângulo e fazer o quarto tento são-paulino. Achou pouco? Pois bem, cabia mais. E assim foi aos 31′, quando Juan ganhou da marcação na velocidade pelo lado esquerdo, invadiu a área e tocou para trás encontrado David, livre, que bateu e selou o massacre.

PRÓXIMOS JOGOS

São Paulo e Tolima voltam a campo pela Copa Sul-Americana somente no próximo dia 27, às 21h30 (de Brasília) quando acontece a última rodada da fase de grupos da competição. O Tricolor recebe o Tigre, no Morumbi, em disputa direta pela vaga. Os colombianos cumprem tabela contra o Puerto Cabello. O time brasileiro volta a campo às 16h (de Brasília) de domingo (11), novamente diante de sua torcida, para o clássico ante o Palmeiras, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.

FICHA TÉCNICA
SÃO PAULO-BRA 5 x 0 TOLIMA-COL
COPA SUL-AMERICANA – FASE DE GRUPOS – QUINTA RODADA

Data e horário: 8/6/2023 (quinta-feira), às 21h30 (de Brasília)
Local: Estádio do Morumbi, em São Paulo (SP)
Árbitro: Leodan Gonzalez (Uruguai)
Auxiliares: Richard Trinidad e Pablo Llarena (ambos do Uruguai)
VAR: Antonio Garcia (Uruguai)
Público e renda: 44.102 presentes/R$ 2.201.501,00

Cartões amarelos: Rafinha, David, Nestor e Gabriel Neves (São Paulo); Riascos, Mera, Ríos, Lucumí e Cuenú (Tolima)
Cartões vermelhos: Riascos aos 29min do 1ºT (Tolima)

GOLS
Calleri aos 27min do 1ºT (1-0), Luciano aos 34min do 1ºT (2-0), Caio aos 37min do 1ºT (3-0) e aos 15min do 2ºT (4-0) e David aos 32min do 2ºT (5-0)

SÃO PAULO
Rafael; Rafinha (Nathan, intervalo), Arboleda, Beraldo e Caio; Pablo Maia (Luan, intervalo), Gabriel Neves e Michel Araujo (Nestor, 20/2); Luciano (Marcos Paulo, 20/2), Juan e Calleri (David, intervalo)
Técnico: Dorival Júnior

TOLIMA
Neto Volpi; Leider Riascos, Juan Arboleda, José Cuenú e Junior Hernández (Boné, 17/2); Juan David Ríos, Juan Pablo Nieto (Trujillo, 17/2), Estefano Arango (Shean Barbosa, 10/2) e Yeison Guzmán (Juan Mera, 31/1); Jeison Lucumí e Diego Herazo (Brayan Gil, 10/2)
Técnico: Juan Cruz Real

Aaron Finch believes Australia should drop Marnus Labuschagne for the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s in June with his lean run having extended too far to be accommodated.Australia face some tough selection calls for the final following the recent successful debuts of Sam Konstas, Beau Webster and Josh Inglis which has led to a battle for batting spots.Related

• Green hopeful of Shield return and county cricket ahead of WTC final

• Australia emerge from Test season with flying colours and new options

• Australia face Labuschagne call amid batting squeeze

Travis Head, who opened in Sri Lanka, said he expected Konstas to regain his position at the top of the order against South Africa while Cameron Green is in the frame to play as a specialist batter as he recovers from the back surgery that ruled him out of this season.It leaves Labuschagne, who has one century in his last 51 Test innings and an average of 31.54 since the start of the 2023, under significant pressure for his spot for the first time since establishing himself in 2019.”I’ve gone with Cameron Green or Josh Inglis. They’re at No. 3,” Finch said on ESPN’s when the panel was asked to pick their XIs for the WTC final.”And the reason is, I just think that [Labuschagne’s form] is such a concern because it’s been over four series. If it’s over two or three, I think that you can say, you know what, he’s just around the corner. But the fact that it’s been four, to me, that’s a really alarming sign.Marnus Labuschagne is the Australia batter under scrutiny•Getty Images

“Josh Inglis, I think to get him into the side, he will get that opportunity. Or if Cameron Green is healthy, he just provides so much extra to that bowling line-up as well as with the batting. He’s got the ability to bat anywhere in the order.”However, Michael Clarke and Callum Ferguson retained Labuschagne in their sides for the decider although Clarke said it could be make or break.”I hope they pick him for the Test Championship [final],” Clarke said. “It’s completely different conditions against a different team. He’s played a lot of county cricket. He knows English conditions as well as anyone.”Remember, he bats in the hardest place as well. I think No. 3 is the hardest place to bat in Test cricket. You’re right, the numbers don’t tell a lie. He’s out of form. He’s due.”And to me, I reckon the Test Championship…could be his last opportunity. Going to West Indies, I would like to think that’s an opportunity to give a young player a go if Marnus makes no runs in this Test Championship. If he does, then no doubt he holds his spot because he’s been a wonderful player.”Ferguson, meanwhile, would include both Labuschagne and Green with the latter batting at No. 6 and backing for frontline bowlers.”I’m backing the four bowlers in to get the job done in a one-off hit out in a Test match,” he said. “We didn’t use Mitch Marsh a lot over the last few years. He’s been in that No. 6 position. So we’ve played effectively without that stone cold all-rounder in that position, bowling 10 overs a day. So that’s how I see it.”Stand-in captain Steven Smith backed Labuschagne to emerge for his slump, seeing similarities in how he was low on runs before making four centuries in his last five matches.”Marn’s similar to me, in a way,” Smith said. “I’ve said this a lot of times about myself, there’s a difference between being out of form and out of runs.”I don’t think he’s out of form, personally. I’ve watched him train, I’ve watched him play and a lot of the things that he’s done so well are there. He knows he’d love to score more runs, we’d love him to score more runs, but in my opinion, it’s just around the corner.”

Saim Ayub still “at least four weeks” away from being fully fit

Danyal Rasool31-Jan-2025Fakhar Zaman has been named in Pakistan’s squad for the Champions Trophy, marking his return after he fell out with the PCB over a social media post in October 2024. In a squad that PCB called “horses for courses”, Faheem Ashraf, who last played international cricket in 2023, has also been called up. Khushdil Shah and Saud Shakeel are also included. The same squad will also play the ODI tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand in the build-up to the Champions Trophy.The squad confirms what was widely feared within Pakistan: Saim Ayub remains unavailable because of the ankle fracture he sustained during the Cape Town Test. At the time, it was announced he would be out for six weeks, but it was believed his chances of recovering in time for the Champions Trophy were exceptionally slim. Earlier today, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed Ayub’s return remained “at least four weeks” away.Abdullah Shafique’s loss of form has cost him a place in the squad. In the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa, which Pakistan won 3-0, he became the first player to be dismissed for a duck in every match of a series. It means Pakistan will go in with a completely different opening pairing, with Fakhar likely to pair up with either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, with the PCB citing Babar’s success opening in Test cricket as a potential factor to consider.ESPNcricinfo Ltd”Fakhar’s opening partner could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, depending on various factors such as conditions, opposition and match strategy,” a statement from Asad Shafiq, a member of the selection panel, said. “Both players are highly capable at the top of the order, with Babar being particularly seasoned in the role, regularly opening in T20Is and also excelling in the Cape Town Test by scoring two half-centuries in Saim Ayub’s absence.”The squad also retains its pace-heavy element that saw Pakistan win three successive away ODI series towards the end of last year. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain are all part of the final 15, with only one specialist spinner in Abrar Ahmed. Neither Sufiyan Muqeem, who took four wickets on debut in the only ODI he played, nor Shadab Khan, who captained his side to Champions Cup glory in September, have made the final cut.Related

Pakistan boosted by Rizwan's form but bowling remains a concern

Taskin, Tamim headline ESPNcricinfo's BPL 2024-25 team of the tournament

Context is king as Pakistan and New Zealand open pre-Champions Trophy tri-series

Saim Ayub to travel to London for ankle fracture treatment

No captains event or photoshoot before Champions Trophy

“One of the standout qualities of this side is its flexibility – an essential trait in today’s modern-day cricket,” Asad Shafiq, a member of the selection panel. “We are confident that this squad strikes the right balance between youth and experience, and has all bases covered. Each player has been chosen with a clear role in mind, ensuring the captain has versatile options at his disposal.”Irfan Khan, who was eyed by the selection committee as a key component of Pakistan’s middle order and feted for his fielding, also drops out. Faheem’s return comes off the back of limited ODI cricket, having had an indifferent Champions Cup in September. Strong showings with the bat in the President Cup in October, however, seem to have played a part in earning him what appeared an unlikely recall.Pakistan’s first game at the Champions Trophy comes against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, following which they go to Dubai to play against India. They play their final group game against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), Khushdil Shah, Salman Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah

There were some tension that boiled over during the fourth innings between Cartwright and Tasmania opener Jake Weatherald

Tristan Lavalette23-Oct-2024By the time Hilton Cartwright fronted the media post match, he looked understandably exhausted after a whirlwind few days capped by guiding Western Australia to victory over Tasmania in a tempestuous Sheffield Shield clash.Cartwright had expected to get through the match with his wife Tameka only 37 weeks pregnant. But just as he arrived at the WACA ground before day two, Tameka called him and said she would need to be induced due to complications.They worked out a plan and agreed that she would be induced at around 3.30pm, so that Cartwright could dash from the ground at the tea break. He gave the heads up to WA coach Adam Voges, who was “extremely supportive”.Related

Cartwright makes baby dash after Bancroft's lean start continues

Bancroft fails again but Western Australia survive scare to take victory

'A right-handed version of Warner': Josh Inglis launched into opening debate

“I was going to be leaving at tea, regardless of whether I was in, out or we were still bowling,” Cartwright told reporters after the match.As it turned out, No. 3 Cartwright was at the crease and in sublime touch having helped lift WA out of trouble in their first innings before retiring on 52 not out at tea.”My mind was probably a bit elsewhere,” he said. “The only thing I was really thinking about was getting through to tea to give myself an opportunity and the team an opportunity for me to bat later, or for someone to bat later after me.”After Tameka gave birth to their second child early on Tuesday, Cartwright managed just one hour of sleep before fronting up for day three of the match. He was able to resume his innings at the fall of a wicket after Tasmania had agreed as per the rules.Cartwright gave the thumbs up to Tasmania skipper Jordan Silk on his way to the crease, but was understandably scratchy and managed only a further 13 runs before holing out.Having mostly survived the day through adrenaline and caffeine, Cartwright finally crashed later at the hospital and had some desperately needed sleep.There appeared to be some tense scenes between Hilton Cartwright and Tasmania•Getty ImagesWith a little bit more energy, Cartwright played a starring role on the final day and scored a vital 39 not out from 50 balls to combine with Josh Inglis as WA overcame a top-order collapse to run down the 83-run target with six wickets in hand.But tensions boiled over on-field with Cartwright and Tasmania opener Jake Weatherald engaged in a war of words. They had a long exchange while shaking hands just after the match.”It was just clearing some air that I think might have got a bit misjudged while we were out there and we were able to clear what happened over the last couple of days,” Cartwright said.Tasmania quick Kieran Elliott said “that’s the game, we made our call”.”Without being entirely across what was discussed, if he was out, great result for us. He is obviously a class player,” he said. “For him to come back and get a few more away before we eventually got him in that first innings was important for them.”WA skipper Sam Whiteman believed the laws over retiring batters should be re-evaluated.”It’s a pretty unique situation and I think probably the laws of the game need to change a little bit to take the decision off the captains,” he said.”That will be discussed in the post-match, but at the end of the day the right decision was made and credit to Tassie for letting Hilts come back out and bat. That’s the right decision for the game of cricket.”

Manchester United have now swooped in and made a move to sign a “relentless” £25 million star to replace Casemiro, according to a recent report.

Alejandro Garnacho turns down Al-Nassr move

Not only are the Red Devils looking to bring in new players for Ruben Amorim this summer, but they are also looking to offload several first-team players they believe are not good enough and don’t fit into the plans of the United boss.

Better than Kudus: Man Utd confident they will sign "unplayable" £60m+ star

Manchester United believe that they will sign this Premier League star who is even better than Mohammed Kudus.

1

By
Dan Emery

Jul 12, 2025

Alejandro Garnacho is one player that the Red Devils want to see leave this summer, and the Argentine has been offered the chance to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr. However, according to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Garnacho has turned down the move to Al-Nassr, as he wants to remain in Europe. The Saudi side held initial discussions with the attacker, as they look to be title contenders in their own league this season.

As well as looking to move Garnacho on, United are also looking to sell Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, and Tyrell Malacia and are said to be open to offers for Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana. While Garnacho turns down a possible transfer, it looks as though Sancho could be one step closer to leaving Old Trafford.

That is because, according to a recent report from Italy, United have accepted a £20m+ bid from Juventus for Sancho. Furthermore, the England international has accepted a contract offer from the Italian side which is worth more than £5 million a season.

Man Utd swoop in to sign "relentless" £25m+ star to replace Casemiro

Allowing players such as Garnacho and Sancho to leave means the Red Devils can enter the transfer market to strengthen their side in key positions, and they appear keen on signing a new midfielder. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, relayed by The People’s Person, Man United have made an approach to sign Richard Rios from Palmeiras.

The report states that AS Roma are very keen on signing the young midfielder and have reportedly held talks with Palmeiras and have made an offer worth €25 million, but the Brazilian side will not sell the player for anything less than €30 million, which is roughly £25 million. Their pursuit has now been affected, as United are said to have “swooped in on the player in the last few hours” with an approach of their own.

Those at Old Trafford see Rios as a potential long-term replacement for Casemiro, who is unlikely to play such a key role in Amorim’s team in the 2025/26 campaign after some ‘incosistent performances’. The Brazilian was a key performer in United’s run to the Europa League final, but he isn’t getting any younger, and Amorim is ready to find a younger replacement.

Richard Rios’ 2024 league stats compared to Casemiro 2024/25
	Rios	Casemiro
Apps	24	24
Starts	20	18
Goals	3	1
Assists	4	0
Progressive carries	27	4
Progressive passes	103	84
Progressive runs	51	28
Passes completed	701	780
Passes attempted	857	990
Tackles (won)	65 (36)	83 (50)

Rios, who has been dubbed “relentless” for his work rate, joined Palmeries in 2023 and has made over 130 appearances for the club. The midfielder was part of the Palmeries side that participated in the Club World Cup this summer, playing in all five games, as they were knocked out by Chelsea in the quarter-finals.

أكد بول بوسا المدير الفني لنادي أوكلاند سيتي النيوزيلندي، على علمه بمدى قوة بيراميدز قبل المباراة المرتقبة بينهما، والتي تجمعهما ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال.

ويستضيف بيراميدز بطل قارة إفريقيا، نظيره أوكلاند سيتي بطل أوقيانوسيا في التاسعة مساء غدًا الأحد باستاد الدفاع الجوي، في إطار الدور الأول من بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال.

وقال بوسا في تصريحات خلال المؤتمر الصحفي اليوم: “أنا أعلم جيدًا مدى صعوبة المواجهة التي تجمعنا بنادي بيراميدز في كأس إنتركونتيننتال خاصة كونه بطل قارة أفريقيا وأحد أهم أنديتها حاليًا، وبعد متابعة عن قرب، أعلم جيدًا مدى الجودة التي يتمتع بها الفريق والإمكانيات الكبيرة في صفوفه وبالتالي المهمة ستكون غاية في الصعوبة أمامه”.

وأوضح: “تابعت الفترة الأخيرة فريق بيراميدز سواء معسكر الإعداد القوي أو اللقاءات الأخيرة في الدوري المصري، وأعلم عنه كل شيء، هو فريق يحاول فرض نفسه في الملعب من خلال الاستحواذ الكامل على الكرة”.

طالع | قائد أوكلاند سيتي: استنفدنا من تجربة الأهلي وقادرون على تحقيق المفاجأة أمام بيراميدز

وواصل: “كون اللقاء يقام في مصر، فأنا أعلم أن بيراميدز سيلعب على السيطرة وفرض أسلوبه، وعلينا الاعتماد على الدفاع القوي في مواجهته، من أجل الخروج بنتيجة جيدة تؤهل فريقي إلى الدور الثاني”.

وزاد: “فريقي يمتلك خبرة كبيرة في مشاركات عديدة بكأس العالم للأندية والبطولات الكبرى وسيحاول الاستفادة من تلك الخبرات رغم قوة المنافس الممثل لقارة أفريقيا، القوية والأكثر خبرة في مثل هذه المباريات”.

وأتم: “أوكلاند سيتي يستعد جيدًا لتلك المواجهة الصعبة من خلال معسكر لعدة أيام في أبوظبي، وأكثر ما يقلقني هو الإرهاق خاصة وأن بيراميدز يلعب على أرضه في حين استغرق أوكلاند قرابة 17 ساعة في رحلة طيران من أجل الوصول للإمارات ومنها إلى القاهرة”.

Turning their attention towards a third addition after Lukas Nmecha and Jaka Bijol, there have now been claims that Leeds United have a “verbal agreement” in place to sign a £20m+ star.

Jaka Bijol: Leeds move "biggest of my career"

It’s been a busy summer at Elland Road thus far. To kick things off, the Yorkshire club welcomed Nmecha in a bargain deal at the end of his Wolfsburg contract and have since spent big for the first time to sign Bijol from Udinese. The defender was officially unveiled as a Leeds player earlier this week and instantly stated that it is the biggest move of his career.

The defender told the club website: “This is a big day for me, for my family and I’m happy to be here. Maybe the biggest one of my career so far, but I’m ready for it.

Related Best signing since Raphinha: Leeds close to landing "exceptional" £21m star

Leeds United are closing in on a deal for a star who would be their best signing since Raphinha.

Posts 1 ByDan Emery Jun 23, 2025

“I work for it and that’s why I’m here, because it’s a big challenge for everyone. It’s a big challenge for me, for the club, and we’re getting ready for it together. I think the club and myself are ready for the Premier League.

“I can promise that I will give everything, that I will give everything in every training as well to be ready for the first game of the season and then just go from there.”

At £15m, the deal hasn’t come cheap, but it was one that the 49ers were clearly keen to get done ahead of Leeds’ return to the Premier League in the coming months.

Serie A seems to be where it’s at for the American owners too, amid claims that they’ve returned to Italy’s top flight to strike another agreement.

Leeds have "agreement" to sign £20m Krstovic

According to reports relayed by MOT Leeds, Leeds have now got an “agreement in principle” to sign Nikola Krstovic from Serie A side Lecce this summer. In a deal reportedly worth around £20m, the forward could arrive to boost the Whites’ attacking options alongside Nmecha in the coming months.

While a “verbal agreement” is reportedly in place, however, the player himself is reportedly yet to reach a decision regarding an exit away from Lecce this summer, and that decision will ultimately be final.

All involved at Leeds should, of course, be keen to receive the green light from the talented 25-year-old after he scored 12 goals in all competitions for Lecce last summer. If there were any doubts over his ability to perform at the top level then his Serie A record should have helped put those doubts to rest.

After spending big on Bijol, signing Krstovic for an equally impressive fee would send a statement of intent from the 49ers, who will be desperate to help push Leeds away from the dropzone next season.

Leeds United are going to be busy in the summer transfer window on their way to, hopefully, building a squad that can avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Whites have already been linked with plenty of players to potentially arrive at Elland Road in the coming months, as Daniel Farke looks to improve his team.

Feyenoord forward Igor Paixao, Tottenham Hotspur central midfielder Yves Bissouma, and Brighton & Hove Albion centre-forward Evan Ferguson are just a few of the stars who have been linked with the club.

The West Yorkshire outfit are also reportedly eyeing a loan deal to sign Emiliano Buendia from Aston Villa, which would see him reunite with Farke, whom he thrived under at Norwich City.

Whilst there could be some high-profile, exciting, additions to the squad, there are also players in the current squad who are proof that players can turn their careers around.

For example, Leeds hit the jackpot when they decided to swoop for central defender Joe Rodon in the summer of 2023, despite his failure to make the grade at Tottenham Hotspur.

Why Leeds have hit the jackpot with Joe Rodon

The Whites initially signed the Wales international on loan from Spurs for the 2023/24 campaign, after he made just 24 appearances in all competitions in four years with the Premier League side.

Rodon went on to play 43 of the club’s 46 regular season matches and all three of their play-off games that term, forming partnerships with both Pascal Struijk and Ethan Ampadu.

His form at the heart of the defence for the West Yorkshire outfit that season convinced the club to splash a reported fee of £10m out to sign him on a permanent basis from Spurs in the summer of 2024.

They were willing to take a gamble on a player who had not played much football after a difficult spell with Tottenham, and it is one that has paid off for the Whites.

24/25 Championship

Joe Rodon

Appearances

46

Starts

46

Pass accuracy

92%

Clean sheets

25

Dribbled past per game

0.1x

Ground duel success rate

68%

Aerial duel success rate

60%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Rodon was incredibly important to Farke in the 2024/25 campaign, as he started every single league game in the Championship – the only player in the squad to do so.

The highlights in the post above from his performance against Oxford United in April showcase the kind of quality that he provided in and out of possession for the Whites.

Leeds hit the jackpot because they unearthed a centre-back with the defensive strength to keep out opposition attacks, whilst also having the ability on the ball to start attacks, and they could repeat the masterclass they played with Rodon by signing another former Spurs defender.

Leeds eyeing deal for Championship star

According to GIVEMESPORT, Leeds United are one of the teams eyeing up a potential move to sign Millwall star Japhet Tanganga in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Whites, Burnley and Sunderland are all plotting swoops to sign the English central defender ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, as they look to bolster their defensive options following promotion to the Premier League.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

This means that there could be plenty of competition for his services this summer, with a number of teams keen on snapping him up from the Lions, and that suggests that Leeds will have to move quickly if they want to bring him to Elland Road in the coming weeks.

GIVEMESPORT adds that he has a release clause in his Millwall contract that would allow all three of the interested teams to sign him for just under £2m, in what could be a bargain deal.

The report also claims that Leeds have been keeping tabs on Tanganga for a long time and that they view him as a player who could bolster their efforts to avoid relegation from the Premier League next season.

It is now down to the club to beat Sunderland and Burnley in the race for his signature this summer because he could be a Rodon repeat for the Whites.

Why Tanganga could be a Rodon repeat for Leeds

Like Rodon, the former England U21 international played for Spurs in the past but failed to make the grade as a regular starter for the Premier League outfit, playing 50 times in all competitions across four years in the first-team.

Tanganga joined Millwall on loan for the 2023/24 season before joining the club on a free transfer in the summer of 2024, and he has been a terrific performer in the Championship for the Lions.

The 26-year-old titan was provided with an opportunity to revive his career in the second tier with Millwall, as Rodon was with Leeds, and he has taken it with both hands with his displays in the last 18 months or so.

Pundit Carlton Palmer claimed that the defender is “capable of playing in the Premier League” because of his “tremendous recovery pace” and that he “is a cut above” the Championship, which is reflected in the statistics below.

Japhet Tanganga (Championship)

23/24

24/25

Appearances

18

40

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.6

2.3

Clearances per game

3.3

5.4

Ground duel success rate

53%

61%

Aerial duel success rate

55%

63%

Dribbled past per game

0.2

0.3x

Clean sheets

5

14

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Tanganga is strong in duels with opposition attackers and rarely gets dribbled past, which speaks to his ‘tremendous recovery pace’.

This suggests that, as Palmer claimed, he has the physical attributes to be a success in the Premier League for Leeds if they decide to snap him up for a bargain fee of less than £2m this summer.

Related Leeds could land best signing since Raphinha in £35m Premier League star

Leeds United could land their best and biggest signing since Raphinha by bringing this star to Elland Road.

Posts ByDan Emery Jun 4, 2025

Tanganga may not have made the grade at Spurs, just like Rodon, but that does not mean that he is not a quality operator, as shown by his form for Millwall, and that is why the Whites could repeat their Rodon blinder by signing the English star this summer.