Arsenal are believed to be targeting a Liverpool forward who’d cost “big-money”, as Mikel Arteta’s side cast their eyes towards Anfield in search of potential reinforcements.

Arsenal pay price for not signing striker in January as Havertz out for season

The Gunners ended January with no new attacking signings, which could prove costly given the serious shortages in their final third right now.

Arsenal expect to seal second summer deal for £21m player after Zubimendi

The Gunners are feeling very positive about their transfer plans after a lacklustre January.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Feb 11, 2025

Gabriel Jesus will miss the remainder of 2024/2025 after rupturing his ACL in the FA Cup against Man United, while Bukayo Saka is fighting to get back on the pitch for next month with fellow winger Gabriel Martinelli in a similar situation to the latter.

To add insult to injury, news emerged this week that Kai Havertz, who is Arteta’s only real striker option right now, had suffered a worrying injury scare on the club’s warm-weather training camp trip to Dubai. It has now been confirmed by David Ornstein as a torn hamstring and the Germany star will miss the rest of this season.

Leicester City (away)

February 15th

West Ham (home)

February 22nd

Nottingham Forest (away)

February 26th

Man United (away)

March 9th

Chelsea (home)

March 16th

This is a very major concern for Arteta, as Arsenal get plunged into an injury crisis amid their attempts to catch Liverpool in the title race. The north Londoners are now up against it, as they wrestle to turn the tide back and clinch their first Premier League crown in 21 years.

If they fall short in the race again this year, interim sporting director Jason Ayto must ensure that Arteta has the best squad possible to mount a more successful challenge for 2025/2026.

Arsenal now targeting Liverpool forward Diogo Jota

According to well-connected former English top flight scout Mick Brown, who still has contacts within the beautiful game, £140,000-per-week Liverpool forward Diogo Jota is now a player of interest to the club.

Speaking to Football Insider, Brown says that Jota is on Arsenal’s transfer shortlist heading into the summer, and the Portugal international could “guarantee” Arteta’s side goals – even if he’d cost big-money.

“Jota is one of the names on Arsenal’s list,” he told Football Insider. “He’s got a very impressive goalscoring record at Liverpool, and he does play as a sort of hybrid forward for them, he’s not an out-and-out striker.

“Arsenal want somebody who can play on the wing as well as through the middle, and he fits that mould. But he still scores goals and he’s very effective. He would give Mikel Arteta’s side something they haven’t got at the moment.

“A player who is going to guarantee them goals and a threat in behind, but is also capable of getting the ball into feet and linking up with his teammates. His injury record is a bit of a concern, but I don’t think that will put them off.

“So I think he is one they’ll be targeting in the summer. Then, it will depend on whether Liverpool want to sell to a rival and what type of fee they’re looking for. It could end up being a big-money move if they’re going to let him leave.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Se por um lado o Libertad focava unicamente na vitória por conta do revés de 2 a 1 sofrido na Arena, na partida de ida das oitavas de final da Libertadores, por outro o Athletico-PR estava mais tranquilo devido a vantagem construída. Porém, os paraguaios estavam disposto a mostrar sua força no Defensores Del Chaco, na noite desta terça-feira. Ainda na etapa inicial, o atacante Roque Santa Cruz, marcando um golaço, abriu a contagem para os donos da casa, porém, já na etapa complementar, Rômulo tratou de igualar a contagem fechando a conta em 1 a 1, com a vaga garantida para o Furacão.

>>>Torcedores sonham com Neymar em clubes brasileiros; veja montagens

RelacionadasFora de CampoRizek detona atuação do Atlético-MG na Libertadores: ‘Futebol nota quatro’Fora de Campo05/07/2022Futebol LatinoNacional-URU volta a vencer Unión Santa Fe e avança às quartas de final da Sul-AmericanaFutebol Latino05/07/2022Atlético MineiroHulk marca de pênalti, Atlético-MG bate o Emelec e avança para as quartas de final da LibertadoresAtlético Mineiro05/07/2022

INÍCIO MOVIMENTADO

Fazendo valer o fator casa, o Libertad não esperou muito tempo para surpreender o Athletico. Logo nos primeiros movimentos, após boa tabela, Caballero arriscou um chute que obrigou o goleiro Bento a mostrar serviço. Entretanto, o time brasileiro não deixou barato e devolveu com Vitor Roque, mas a finalização acabou parando em Martín Silva.

LIBERTAD ABRE O PLACAR

Mesmo com um início mais movimentando, o panorama do jogo permaneceu igual até meados dos 30 minutos. Com o famoso lá e cá, os dois times apostando na força ofensiva para encontrar o gol, porém acabavam esbarrando no nervosismo em alguns lances.

Até que na reta final, já nos acréscimos, aos 48 minutos, o experiente Roque Santa Cruz, conseguindo driblar Nico Hernández e Pedro Henrique, finalizou cruzado sem chances para o arqueiro do Furacão. Placar aberto no Defensores.

PARAGUAIOS TENTAM AMPLIAR

Apesar dos dois treinadores optarem por mudanças em seus respectivos times, foi o Libertad quem retornou melhor para a etapa final. Até meados dos 15 minutos, criou duas boas chances com Melgarejo e Mendieta, porém ambas sem sucesso.

Percebendo o rival melhor em campo, Felipão voltou a recuar para seus suplentes colocando desta vez Vitor Bueno, Khellven, Rômulo e Marcelo Cirino, visando reforçar seu ataque. Já por parte de Daniel Garnero, as alterações foram de olho no meio-campo como as entradas de Bareiro e Campuzano.

FURACÃO ENCONTRA GOL NO FIM E AVANÇA

Com o tempo passando, a tensão foi tomando conta do confronto. Até que aos 44 minutos, depois de uma cobrança de falta de Khellven, Rômulo tentou na primeira, que parou na defesa de Martin, porém pegou o rebote e mandou para o fundo das redes para igualar tudo.

Nos acréscimos, o time brasileiro tentou se segurar como pode. Entretanto, com os mandantes sem poder de reação, apenas administrou o resultado muito comemorado ao apito final do árbitro.

FICHA TÉCNICA
LIBERTAD 1×1 ATHLETICO-PR

Data e horário: 05/07/2022 – 21h30 (de Brasília)
Local: Estádio Defensores del Chaco, em Assunção (PAR)
Árbitro:Andrés Cunha (URU)
Assistentes:Richard Trinidad (URU) e Andrés Nievas (URU)
VAR:Carlos Orbe (EQU)

Gols: Roque Santa Cruz, 48’/1ºT (1-0); Rômulo, 44’/2ºT (1-1)

Cartões amarelos: Abner Vinícius, 41’/1ºT; Vitor Roque, 17’/2ºT; Pedro Henrique, 28’/2ºT;Iván Piris, 36’/2ºT; Barboza, 43’/2ºT;Matheus Fernandes, 50’/2ºT

Cartões vermelhos: –
​
LIBERTAD:Martín Silva; Iván Piris, Diego Viera, Barboza e Samudio; Marcelo Díaz (Campuzano, aos 32’/2ºT), Caballero, Diego Gómez (Mendieta,no intervalo) e Merlini (Bareiro, aos 32’/2ºT); Melgarejo e Roque Santa Cruz (Óscar Cardozo, 41’/2ºT). (Técnico: Daniel Garnero)

ATHLETICO-PR:Bento, Orejuela, Pedro Henrique, Nicolás Hernández e Abner Vinícius; Erick, Hugo Moura (Matheus Fernandes, no intervalo) e Terans; Canobbio (Marcelo Cirino, aos 30’/2ºT), Vitor Roque (Rômulo, aos 30’/2ºT) e Cuello. (Técnico: Luis Felipe Scolari)

Tottenham Hotspur are going through a significant period of change.

Last summer, Harry Kane finally left the club, and Ange Postecoglou came in to try to get the team back to playing an exciting attacking brand of football.

On top of that, the board have shifted focus towards building a young, hungry and up-and-coming squad that can grow and develop into something special alongside the Australian.

The likes of Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray are perfect examples of this, but the North Londoners have a youngster of their own who could be their answer to Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, a youngster who’s outscoring James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

Tottenham's exciting youngsters

So, when it comes to the first team, there are two youngsters who stand out: Gray and Bergvall.

The former joined the club from Leeds United for around £30m in the summer, and while he’s primarily a midfielder, he has done exceptionally well covering at centre-back and full-back.

In fact, the young Englishman has been so impressive across the campaign that it’s very easy to forget that he is still just 18, and while it was a bold prediction at the time, Ben Mattinson’s claim that he’s a “future £100m cm” is looking more and more realistic with every passing game.

Likewise, while it took Bergvall some time to settle into the swing of things, he’s started to look more and more at home in the midfield of a Premier League side in the last couple of months.

For example, FBref has placed him in the top 3% of midfielders in the league for carrying distance, the top 4% for long pass completion, switches and goal-creating actions from shots, the top 5% for shots blocked, the top 8% for interceptions, the top 9% for overall passes completed and more, all per 90.

Carrying Distance

271.60

Top 3%

Long Pass Completion

80%

Top 4%

Switches

0.75

Top 4%

Goal-Creating Actions via Shots

0.11

Top 4%

Shots Blocked

0.75

Top 5%

Interceptions

1.71

Top 8%

Overall Passes Completed

52.68

Top 9%

Tackles + Interceptions

4.91

Top 9%

In short, despite only turning 19 earlier this month, the Swedish phenom is already one of the most complete midfielders in the league, and in the years to come, he’ll undoubtedly start getting the credit for that.

However, it gets even better for the Lilywhites, as they have an incredibly exciting youngster in the academy who could be their answer to Arsenal’s Nwaneri.

Spurs' answer to Nwaneri

So, with the player in question being an exciting prospect coming out of Hotspur Way, there will no doubt be plenty of you who are thinking of Mikey Moore, and while he’s an exceptional gem in his own right, that is not the case.

Instead, we are talking about the sensationally gifted Luca Williams-Barnett, who, similar to how Nwaneri has taken the game by storm on the red side of North London, looks like he could do the same for the white side in the coming years.

That might sound like hyperbole considering he’s yet to play a minute of first-team football and is still just 16, but akin to the Gunners’ young superstar, he’s been utterly sublime for the youth teams and, as respected analyst Ben Mattinson has described as someone “to keep an eye on”.

For example, in just 22 appearances for the U18s, totalling 1707 minutes, the unreal prospect, whom academy expert and pundit John Wenham dubbed a “cheat code,” has scored 17 goals and provided nine assists.

That means he is currently averaging 1.18 goal involvements every game, or one every 65.65 minutes, and you don’t need us to tell you that is exceptional.

Appearances

22

23

Minutes

1707′

1857′

Goals

17

15

Assists

9

5

Goal Involvements per Match

1.18

0.86

Minutes per Goal Involvement

65.65′

92.85′

In contrast, the Gunners’ teenage sensation scored 15 goals and provided five assists in 23 appearances for their U18, totalling 1857 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.15 games, or every 92.85 minutes.

On top of bettering his future rival, the Lilywhite’s gem is also outscoring some of his senior teammates, as he’s found the back of the net 15 times in 15 games this season.

In contrast, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min are all on ten goals, for example, and even Dominic Solanke, who has scored 11 goals this year, is behind the youngster in that respect.

Ultimately, Arsenal’s Nwaneri might be the new, exciting academy product on the scene this season, but in Williams-Barnett, Spurs could have their own generational talent on the way.

Sold for £7m, now worth 193% more: Spurs must rue selling exciting striker

The incredible goalscorer would’ve got game time for Spurs this season.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 28, 2025

Manchester United are in new hands at management and ownership level, and there is an expectation that their playing squad will change drastically during the summer months.

Manchester United's finances lead to ruthless Ratcliffe action

Fulham travel to face Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup this Sunday at Old Trafford, offering Ruben Amorim the chance to take his side a step closer to silverware within his debut campaign in charge of the Premier League giants.

Financially, the Red Devils recorded a 12% loss in revenue in the last financial quarter. The club made an ‘operating profit’ of £3.1 million overall, but securing qualification for the Champions League or Europa League via their involvement in England’s oldest domestic trophy or the Europa League has to be the main focus following a disastrous campaign in the top-flight.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire said: “A good season in the Champions League can be worth far in excess of £100m. By the time you combine gate receipts, sponsor bonuses and the prize money available, the numbers involved are eye-watering. Europa League should be the focus. Winning that competition will give them far more flexibility in 2025-26.”

At risk of opening up an economic sinkhole otherwise, Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made ruthless decisions to stabilise the club despite the divisive public uproar they have created. Cutting back on basic amenities and sweeping redundancies have enraged sections of the wider fanbase.

Manchester United’s highest weekly wage earners

Casemiro

£350,000

Bruno Fernandes

£300,000

Marcus Rashford (on loan at Aston Villa)

£300,000

Mason Mount

£250,000

Antony (on loan at Real Betis)

£250,000

Matthijs De Ligt

£195,000

Expectedly, transfer funds were limited during the January transfer window, and the likelihood of a full-on rebuild this summer may need to be put on ice until the Red Devils’ fate is sealed.

Nevertheless, Manchester United are reportedly interested in Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia in light of Andre Onana’s recent erratic form. Between the sticks is an area many feel competition is needed in. That said, could Amorim look closer to home in his quest for another stopper?

Manchester United ready to swoop for James Trafford

According to CaughtOffside, Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford is emerging as one of Manchester United’s top targets due to ongoing speculation that Onana and Altay Bayindir could be out of the building this summer.

The pursuit of a new man between the sticks is a ‘growing priority’ for the Red Devils, and they could gain an advantage over Newcastle United’s interest in the Carlisle-born man due to the fact they are willing to offer a five-year contract to secure his services.

Related Man Utd may regret selling £25m flop who's now outscoring Garnacho & Amad

Man Utd may wish they still had this player’s goals

Posts 1 ByJoe Nuttall Feb 28, 2025

Trafford could cost £30 million to prize away from Burnley in the event of any switch following a fine season at Turf Moor that has saw the ex England Under-21 international register 22 clean sheets in 34 league appearances.

Possessing the same agent as Kobbie Mainoo, the 22-year-old has made an average of two saves per match this season, stopping 88% of the efforts he has faced in total, being labelled as “perfect” in his scarcely believable recent run of clean sheets.

With potential to grow into a long-term asset at Old Trafford, United may be the ideal environment for Trafford to continue his rapid ascent that has led to calls into the Three Lions senior fold.

Players in the United squad are unhappy after being afforded just two tickets each for their family and friends for the European final against Spurs.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Ratcliffe continuing cost-cutting measures
• Decision has gone down poorly with squad
• Ruben Amorim paying for staff to attend

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ratcliffe has continued his cost-cutting measures at United by limiting the amount of tickets each player is allowed for next week's final Europa League final against Tottenham, leaving a number of Red Devils stars unimpressed by the decision. According to the Daily Mail, there will be just two tickets available per squad member, news which comes shortly after it was revealed manager Ruben Amorim will pay out of his own pocket for 30 of United's staff to attend the game with their families.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  It was hoped Ratcliffe's investment in United last year would usher in a period of greater stability after decades of mismanagement from the Glazers. However, the INEOS chief's penny-pinching has drawn criticism from fans while on-field results have been poor aside from the run to the Europa League final.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  United and Spurs have been given 15,000 tickets each for the showpiece at San Mames next week, though it is believed travelling Tottenham supporters will outnumber their Red Devils counterparts in Bilbao.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  While all eyes at United are on next week's final, Amorim's side first have to face Champions League-chasing Chelsea on Friday night. Victory at Stamford Bridge would see them move up to 13th in the Premier League.

Ricky Ponting has urged David Warner to think carefully about whether he should bring an end to his Test career but team-mate Nathan Lyon believes that all of Australia should be backing him.Warner was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Kagiso Rabada on the opening day at the Gabba when he fended a hostile short delivery to short leg where Khaya Zondo took a magnificent one-handed catch above his head.Related

• Warner on leadership ban saga: 'From the CA point of view, I didn't really have any support'

• Head 78* as Australia edge ahead on 15-wicket opening day

• Smith: Warner's lifetime ban from leadership 'fundamentally wrong'

• Good on David Warner for telling Cricket Australia where to get off

• 'He's eager to continue' – no hint from Warner on impending Test retirement, says McDonald

It was just the second first-ball dismissal of Warner’s Test career – which will reach the 100-mark next week in Melbourne – and added to a lean two years where he is now averaging 27.00 without a century.Australia’s next two tours are to India and England were he has underwhelming records with averages of 24.25 and 26.04 respectively, and Ponting, who himself decided to call time on his Test career amid waning powers in a series against South Africa in 2012, said that Warner deserved the chance to end on his terms rather than be dropped. The final Test of this series is on his home ground at the SCG.”I think what he should be doing is being as realistic and looking to the future as he can,” Ponting said on . “Like I said before, he deserves the chance to finish the way he wants to finish. I would hate to see him get to an Indian tour or at the start of the Ashes tour and then get the tap on the shoulder. That would be a disappointing way for his career to end…it might be after the Sydney Test. Let’s wait and see. Also, I hope that he gets some runs between now and then.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

In the West Indies series, Warner made three starts in four innings without being able to convert while the Adelaide Test was dominated by the fallout to him angrily withdrawing his bid to have his lifetime leadership ban overturned.”We all know the X-Factor of cricketer that David Warner is and the type of batter he is,” Lyon said. “He’s got 100% support of the changing room and [that] should be the whole Australian public, to be honest with you. Yes, he got a good steep bouncer today but that was a hell of a catch to hang onto. I’m expecting David to come out and do amazing things.”Ahead of the series against South Africa, head coach Andrew McDonald said that Warner remained in the team’s plan for India and added that he had not given any indication of considering an end to his career.”He’s eager to continue on at this stage,” McDonald said. “He has not hinted [at] anything else,” McDonald said. “His appetite for the work – in and around training – is still there. He’s busy at the crease, and you’ve seen signs that he is going well. He’s just found different ways to get out, and sometimes that can happen.”For South Africa’s part, Warner’s dismissal was the ideal start for them after being bundled out for 152 and they rode the wave to reduce Australia to 27 for 3 but could not sustain the pressure until a couple of late wickets, including Steven Smith, provided a much-needed lift.”When we got bowled out for 150-odd, as much as you want to try and get the energy up it can be quite difficult,” Kyle Verreynne said. “So to get the wicket the first ball of the innings, and when it’s a big player like David Warner, that just lifts everyone up and for the next 10 overs, we carried that energy and adrenalin from that ball. Unfortunately, we fell away a bit but it was definitely a massive moment.”

Shaun Marsh’s 82 in vain as Renegades get knocked out; Heat to face Sydney Sixers for a place in the final

Tristan Lavalette29-Jan-2023Usman Khawaja signed off from the BBL in style as Brisbane Heat knocked out Melbourne Renegades after a seven-wicket victory at Marvel Stadium.Chasing 163 under the roof, Khawaja notched 59 off 47 balls in his second straight half-century in the finals series before Matt Renshaw calmly guided Heat to victory with seven balls to spare.Renegades’ attack failed to penetrate in their finals match since winning the title four years ago as their season ended at the hands of a ruthless Khawaja and Renshaw.A new-look Heat will face Sydney Sixers at the SCG on Thursday with a grand final spot against Perth Scorchers up for grabs.Heat will be without Khawaja, Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne who depart for Australia’s upcoming tour to India.Khawaja, Renshaw finish BBL stints in styleAfter an unspectacular return to the BBL, Khawaja came to life with a brilliant 94 in Heat’s Eliminator victory over Sydney Thunder.He continued his strong bounce back with two boundaries in the opening over off Tom Rogers and collected five overall in his first 14 deliveries faced.His belligerence rubbed off on struggling opener Josh Brown, who emerged from a rut with a slew of sixes as the pair briskly notched a half-century partnership.Brown fell to David Moody after but Khawaja remained unruffled and then hit a six off spinner Corey Rocchiccioli to reach his half-century in spectacular fashion.But he holed out in the 16th over with Heat 41 runs short of victory and the demons of their recent horror collapse against Hobart Hurricanes still fresh.An aggressive Renshaw, however, showed no signs of nerves as he hit 27 off 13 balls to blast Heat into ‘The Challenger’ against Sixers.Shorthanded Renegades fail to probeWithout spearhead Kane Richardson, who missed due to family reasons, a shorthanded Renegades attack lacked penetration but hung in on a two-paced surface to drag out the match.After being smashed early, Renegades bowled accurately in the middle overs as Heat’s required run rate slowly increased.The match turned in the 16th over during the power surge when Rogers claimed the key wickets of Khawaja and Labuschagne.But they couldn’t halt the rampaging Renshaw as Renegades’ rebound of a season – after three straight last-placed finishes – came to an end.Bartlett steps upHeat suffered a blow with legspinner Mitchell Swepson being unavailable due to him preparing for Australia’s tour of India.After a slow start to the season, Swepson had become a key part of Heat’s attack with his ability to bowl accurately in the middle overs alongside fellow spinner Matthew Kuhnemann.Heat replaced him with seamer Xavier Bartlett, who got the nod over veteran Mark Steketee. The 24-year-old Bartlett had only taken one wicket in three previous BBL matches this season, but justified his selection with inspired bowling.He shared the new ball and removed out-of-form Martin Guptill before outfoxing Sam Harper, who ramped straight to fine leg.Bartlett capped a stellar performance with a clever slower delivery to dismiss dangerous Matt Critchley.A lot has been expected from highly-rated Bartlett, who hasn’t quite delivered until impressively producing in this high-stakes contest.He was well supported by fellow quicks Michael Neser and Spencer Johnson, who continued his breakout season with accurate fast bowling.Shaun Marsh relishes the big stage of finalsShaun Marsh’s never-ending injury woes have continued this season, where he played just five regular season matches.But even in the twilight of his career, Marsh proved there is no substitute for experience to dominate Renegades’ see-saw of an innings.He made an ominous start with a boundary on the first ball of the innings before being bogged down.Marsh decided to make his move against Johnson in the fourth over with consecutive boundaries before being dropped on 14 by James Bazley at short fine leg.It was a costly miss for Heat as Marsh cashed in with a targeted assault on Kuhnemann as he smashed two sixes in the sixth over.He wound back the clock with gorgeous drives to power Renegades’ innings after top-order batters Guptill, Harper and Aaron Finch failing to make significant impacts.Marsh, who turns 40 in July, ran out of puff towards the backend but proved he still has something left in the tank to finish on an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls.It was his fifth half-century in eight finals matches, but ultimately not enough.

There’s just something about Darwin Nunez.

How can a player toil through so many minutes of the campaign, yet harness his chaotic powers when Liverpool need him most?

The £85m club-record striker’s struggles were forgotten in an instant when he expertly collected Alisson’s powerful goal kick, held off Marquinhos and found Harvey Elliott with a weighted ball into the box. Cue the pandemonium in Paris.

However, the fact remains: Nunez has drifted through three seasons at Anfield, never really producing the sustained clinical results to match the lofty tag and provide Liverpool with the elite-level centre-forward they require, fighting for the most major of honours.

Darwin Nunez's season in numbers

Nunez has divided opinion right through his Liverpool career, but as a 25-year-old striker into his third season at Anfield, he hasn’t been good enough.

His struggles have been emphasised by Arne Slot’s reluctance to hand him starting roles in the Premier League, and it feels like we could be heading toward a bittersweet conclusion, with the Reds on track for silverware this term but Nunez, perhaps, preparing for a premature exit, having failed to reach his potential.

Multiple sources – including Fabrizio Romano – made claims in January that Nunez was on the brink of moving to the Saudi Pro League for a large figure, but FSG blocked his sale given Slot’s title-chasing squad would be sold short at the 2024/25 campaign’s midpoint.

Apps (starts)

29 (19)

36 (22)

22 (7)

Goals

9

11

4

Assists

3

8

2

Touches per game

23.8

23.3

14.7

Shots per game

2.9

3.0

1.2

Big chances missed

20

27

4

Key passes per game

1.0

0.9

0.3

Dribbles per game

0.6 (49%)

0.4 (43%)

0.4 (40%)

Duels won per game

2.8 (38%)

2.4 (38%)

2.4 (38%)

But when seeing his struggles in front of goal over three campaigns, Liverpool cannot afford to risk their attacking potency any longer. Mohamed Salah cannot be crushed with an absurd weight of responsibility as he approaches his mid-thirties.

So then, it looks like sporting director Richard Hughes is ready to sign an exciting upgrade.

Liverpool ready to sign Nunez upgrade

As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have made their move to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, opening talks to sign the player who is keen on leaving the German side this summer.

Sesko, 21, has emerged as one of the most coveted strikers in Europe and is believed to have a release clause worth €70m (roughly £58m).

Leipzig are sixth in the Bundesliga and failure to return to Europe’s elite club competition will only raise the chances of his departure.

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The report notes that Liverpool have made enquiries in recent weeks, but they currently trail Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea in the race. Newcastle and Aston Villa also hold a vested interest in the fearsome striker.

How Benjamin Sesko compares to Darwin Nunez

Liverpool fans have felt a frisson of excitement in recent weeks, watching reports emerge concerning interest in Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak.

The Magpies are set to demand in excess of £150m, so maybe hang on to your horses with that one.

Instead, Liverpool could get their mitts on one of the most exciting young goalscorers in the business, Sesko having been described as “the new Erling Haaland” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

At 6 foot 5, Sesko is a rangy and physical presence in the final third, but he’s also slender, agile and pacy, ranking among the top 15% of centre-forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons completed (1.17) per 90, as per FBref.

He joined Leipzig ahead of the 2023/24 season and has showcased exciting goalscoring qualities that have translated from the domestic scene onto the Champions League stage, which bodes well for his potential future on Merseyside.

Bundesliga

54 (39)

24

6

Champions League

16 (10)

6

0

DFB-Pokal

5 (4)

5

1

DFL-Supercup

1 (0)

0

0

For a 21-year-old forward, it’s quite the resume having only just hatched from the early phase of his career. This time two years ago, Sesko was a teenager plying his trade for RB Salzburg in Austria.

Having scored 24 times in the Bundesliga so far, Sesko has actually only missed 16 big chances, as per Sofascore. This is a remarkable rate of success for one so young.

From this, we can extrapolate the figures and suggest Sesko will be a prolific force to be reckoned with under Slot’s wing at Liverpool, especially when contrasting his clinical edge with Nunez.

Looking back at the breakdown of Nunez’s Premier League metrics over the past three years, we can see the Uruguayan has converted 24 chances in the division, missing a further 51, equating to a success rate of just 32%.

Conversely, Sesko’s big-chance conversion rate stands at 60% across his two campaigns in Germany, which is almost double his counterpart’s accuracy. He’s four years Nunez’s junior, remember, still building foundational blocks to his game.

Liverpool wouldn’t be losing Nunez’s finer traits either – not when Sesko is showing signs of emulating that side of the number nine game.

Scout Antonio Mango has described the Slovakia international as a “menace” in attacking areas, with his blend of strength, athleticism and awareness surely setting him up to dovetail into a dynamic and devastating Redmen outfit. He will feed off the energy and creativity of his potential teammates.

While it’s worth remembering Nunez was a free-scoring sensation at Benfica, scoring 34 goals from 41 appearances across the 2021/22 season, before Liverpool snapped him up, Sesko is already showing signs of an unwavering clinical nature.

If a superstar like Isak proves out of FSG’s financial reach, Liverpool won’t get much better than this up-and-coming star.

He left in 2013: Liverpool flop sold for £15m is now outscoring Nunez

He was one of the worst signings in Liverpool’s modern history.

ByAngus Sinclair Mar 4, 2025

تلقى فريق العين الإماراتي هزيمة ثقيلة أمام يوفنتوس الإيطالي، بخماسية نظيفة في اللقاء الذي جمع الفريقين مساء الخميس، ضمن منافسات الجولة الافتتاحية من دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025.

وأُقيمت المباراة على ملعب “أودي فيلد” في العاصمة الأمريكية واشنطن، وشهدت تفوقًا واضحًا للفريق الإيطالي منذ الدقائق الأولى.

وافتتح يوفنتوس التسجيل مبكرًا في الدقيقة 11 عن طريق المهاجم الفرنسي راندال كولو مواني، الذي ارتقى لعرضية متقنة من الجهة اليمنى، وسددها برأسه داخل شباك العين.

وفي الدقيقة 21، عزز البرتغالي فرانشيسكو كونسيساو تقدم فريقه بهدف ثانٍ، بعد تسديدة قوية من داخل منطقة الجزاء استقرت في الشباك.

طالع.. فيديو | بين قدمي رامي ربيعة.. كونسيساو يسجل هدف يوفنتوس الخامس أمام العين

وجاء الهدف الثالث لليوفي عبر الشاب التركي كينان يلدز، الذي راوغ أحد مدافعي العين ببراعة قبل أن يطلق تسديدة صاروخية من خارج المنطقة في الدقيقة 31، سكنت الزاوية اليمنى لمرمى الحارس باتريسيو.

وقبل نهاية الشوط الأول، أحرز كولو مواني الهدف الرابع في الدقيقة الرابعة من الوقت بدل الضائع، بعد انطلاقة سريعة وانفراد بالحارس، أنهاها بتسديدة ناجحة داخل الشباك.

وفي الدقيقة 58، اختتم كونسيساو مهرجان الأهداف بتسجيل الهدف الخامس، بعد مجهود فردي مميز من الجهة اليمنى، حيث راوغ الدفاع وسدد الكرة بين قدمي المدافع المصري رامي ربيعة لتستقر في الشباك، مؤكدًا تفوق فريقه الكامل في اللقاء. موعد مباراة العين ومانشستر سيتي القادمة

خلال اللقاء المقبل يلتقي العين، في مواجهة من العيار الثقيل، مع مانشستر سيتي، في الجولة الثانية من بطولة كأس العالم للأندية.

وينطلق لقاء العين ومانشستر سيتي، يوم الإثنين 23 يونيو الجاري، في تمام الساعة الرابعة صباحًا بتوقيت السعودية ومصر والخامسة صباحًا بتوقيت الإمارات.

Every time Everton scrambled away from the most damning of danger, it felt like little more than a stay of execution over these past few years. Relegation, some have felt, was an inexorable certainty, a matter of time, not one of possibility.

But the trammels of Farhad Moshiri’s ownership, the weight of Sean Dyche’s outmoded football, have been taken away from a proud club that is now taking sure-footed steps toward a new beginning.

David Moyes returned after so many years away and has since led Everton away from the Premier League danger zone, unbeaten in six having won four.

Remarkably, a previously dusty frontline has been revived. It felt like wholesale changes were needed for such a thing, but Moyes has unlocked long-dormant confidence and breathed fresh life into Goodison Park in its swansong.

It’s been a while since the Toffees have felt such excitement, with Richarlison’s sale, while financially beneficial, taking a chunk from the Blue Merseysiders firepower.

Why Everton have missed Richarlison

After a promising breakout campaign with Watford, Brazilian prospect Richarlison signed for Everton in a deal worth £40m in July 2018, where he would remain for four campaigns.

Richarlison’s stock has never been as high as when he plied his trade at Goodison Park, described as being “among the best forwards” by former boss Carlo Ancelotti.

His thorny and robust presence at Everton eventually led Tottenham Hotspur to fork out £60m for the international, who left Everton having scored 53 goals and added 13 assists across 152 fixtures.

24/25

Tottenham

9 (2)

2

1

23/24

Tottenham

28 (18)

11

4

22/23

Tottenham

27 (12)

1

4

21/22

Everton

30 (28)

10

5

20/21

Everton

34 (33)

7

3

19/20

Everton

36 (36)

13

3

18/19

Everton

35 (32)

13

1

17/18

Watford

38 (32)

5

4

His time at Tottenham has been a largely unsuccessful stint, lashed by a series of injury setbacks and limited to a bit-part role under Ange Postecoglou, albeit improving after a woeful first season that saw him score only against Liverpool in a defeat at Anfield.

Everton have longed for a forward of his calibre over these past few years. Well, now they’ve got one.

Moyes has found Everton's next Richarlison

Iliman Ndiaye is probably Everton’s flashiest and most exciting forward, and indeed, the left winger has been a revelation at the club this season, but the man in question here is none other than Beto.

The Guinea Bissau international looked destined for an ultimate departure with the brand of a flop after failing to kick on under Dyche, who signed the striker from Italian club Udinese for a £30m fee in August 2023, 13 months after Richarlison left for the capital.

Last season was one of frustration for Beto, scoring only three goals across 30 Premier League games, starting nine. However, the 27-year-old is a man reborn in Moyes’ system, with the Scottish tactician instantly seeing the potential of this powerful number nine, coaxing him into the limelight.

Now, he’s flying, with five goals in his past four top-flight fixtures. Not just a strong focal point, Beto has been praised by reporter Sam Tighe in the past for his uncanny ability to “spook defenders” and he’s now merged that with ball-striking confidence on Merseyside.

His muscular presence and pacy movements do the trick. Beto actually ranks among the top 4% of Premier League forwards this season for goals scored and the top 9% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref. This combination is perhaps why the 6 foot 4 star is “thriving” under new management, as says The Athletic’s Paddy Boyland.

He’s also the first Everton player since Richarlison to score in four successive league games, who achieved the feat in March 2021.

Richarlison’s big-game energy has been reborn through Beto’s upswing in form. Moreover, there are statistical similarities between the players, with Richarlison ranking among the top 17% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries made per 90.

Everton are new and improved, but there’s a pleasing bit of circularity about Beto emerging with similar striking success to Richarlison. Things, truly, are looking up.

He hated Dyche: Everton struck gold selling Toffees flop for 370% profit

Everton aren’t renowned for being the best when it comes to buying & selling, but they struck gold making 370% profit on a player struggling in Saudi

Feb 25, 2025