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Silly season is here, and it looks set to be a busy one for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta and new Sporting Director Andrea Berta will be looking for the right attacking players who could help them finally get over the line in the Premier League next season.

One of the most interesting links in recent weeks has been to Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo, who has been a key component of a team who have won it all in recent years – even if 24/25 was a bit of a disappointment.

There is no doubt that the Brazilian is just the sort of signing that would get fans on their fee, but if recent reports are to be believed, the club may be closing in on another signing, someone who’d be even more exciting than the winger.

Arsenal lodge new striker bid

Before we get to the star in question, it’s worth going over some of the other incredibly exciting players who have been touted for moves to Arsenal in recent weeks and months, such as Rayan Cherki and Benjamin Sesko.

Transfer Focus

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

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The former could be available for around £30m in the coming weeks, and that might end up being one of the bargains of the window, as in just 44 appearances for Lyon this season, the young Frenchman has scored 12 goals and provided 20 assists.

Sesko, on the other hand, might cost as much as £75m, but as he’s still just 21 years old and managed to rack up a tally of 21 goals and six assists in 45 games for RB Leipzig this season, he may well be an investment worth making.

Yet, if Arteta and Co really want to get the fans excited ahead of next season, they need to sign someone who can come in ready to score bags and bags of goals, someone like Viktor Gyokeres.

So, supporters should be delighted that, according to a recent report from Italy, Arsenal are in active talks with the Swede’s representatives, and they have already offered him a contract until 2030.

Furthermore, the report has claimed that Sporting CP is asking for a fee of around €65m, which is about £54m, to give the “green light to the sale” and allow the Gunners to complete a signing that would be even more exciting than the potential signing of Rodrygo.

Why Gyokeres would be a more exciting signing than Rodrygo

So, the first thing to say is that both players would be simply brilliant additions to this Arsenal squad, but there is one fundamental reason from which all others stem as to why Gyokeres would be more exciting than Rodrygo: his output.

Even with everything that went wrong this season, the Gunners were still able to produce the best defence in the Premier League, so to bridge the gap and overtake Liverpool, they need someone who can come right into the first team and start scoring goals for fun, which is just what the Swedish “powerhouse,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, could do.

For example, since he joined Sporting CP ahead of last season, the former Coventry City star has scored a simply astounding 97 goals and provided 28 assists in just 102 appearances, totalling 8417 minutes.

That means the goalscoring “monster,” as dubbed by Mattinson, has averaged 1.22 goal involvements per game, or one every 67.33 minutes for two seasons now.

In contrast, the Real star has scored 31 goals and provided 19 assists in 102 appearances, totalling 7067 minutes, since the start of last season.

Gyokeres vs Rodrygo

23/24

Gyokeres

Rodrygo

Appearances

50

52

Minutes

4169′

3777′

Goals

43

18

Assists

15

9

Goal Involvements per Match

1.16

0.51

Minutes per Goal Involvement

71.87′

143.04′

24/25

Gyokeres

Rodrygo

Appearances

52

50

Minutes

4248′

3290′

Goals

54

13

Assists

13

10

Goal Involvements per Match

1.28

0.46

Minutes per Goal Involvement

63.40′

143.04′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.04 games, or every 141.34 minutes, which is still impressive but nowhere near as good as the Stockholm-born marksman.

Ultimately, in an ideal world, Arsenal should sign both players, but as an out-and-out goalscorer is what they need more than anything else at the moment, it has to be said that Gyokeres would be just about the most exciting addition Berta and Co could make to the team this summer.

Related He's a lot like Isak: Arsenal make contact to sign £42m Havertz upgrade

The incredible goalscorer would be great for Arsenal.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes May 27, 2025

Despite already confirming Matheus Cunha’s arrival and seemingly submitting an opening bid to sign Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United are now interested in signing a third Premier League forward this summer.

Man Utd submit first Mbeumo bid

With captain Bruno Fernandes set to stay put amid interest from Saudi Arabia and Cunha sealed and signed, Manchester United have enjoyed the perfect start to their summer. But they’re not done there. The Red Devils will be well aware that they still have plenty of work to do and have already turned their focus towards welcoming Mbeumo.

As David Ornstein reported and Fabrizio Romano relayed, however, signing Mbeumo will be easier said than done in the coming months. Brentford, after watching on as Manchester United splashed out on Cunha, are reportedly keen to receive a similar fee for a player who outperformed the Brazilian talisman in the 2024/25 campaign.

The big question is whether Manchester United can afford to splash out another £60m+ without completing a significant sale first. As much of a relief it has been to see Fernandes stay put, those at Old Trafford could now find themselves limited without his big-money sale.

The midfield star confirmed the news that Al-Hilal were, indeed, in pursuit of his signature but he declined a move to Saudi Arabia in pursuit of keeping his place among the very best, telling reporters: “I want to play at the highest possible level.

“I want to play major competitions. I know I still can and I want to be happy doing the thing I love the most. For better or worse, this is how I see football and I’m passionate about football and this is the decision I’ve made.”

It’s also worth noting that the Red Devils already have potential alternatives to Mbeumo in their sights should they be priced out of a move for the Brentford star this summer.

Man Utd interested in Calvert-Lewin

According to The Boot Room, Manchester United are now interested in a move to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin this summer. The forward is on course to become a free agent at the end of his current Everton contract this month and, therefore, represents a bargain option for those at Old Trafford.

Whilst Calvert-Lewin has endured his fair share of injury problems and disappointing form in recent years, his Premier League experience is undeniable and it’s the type of experience that both Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund lack.

Related Their own Wirtz: The "best finisher in the world" now wants to join Man Utd

Manchester United could be about to land their marquee signing just a week into the transfer window.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Jun 6, 2025

The 28-year-old has earned plenty of praise during his time in Merseyside, including from former manager Sean Dyche, who told reporters following an impressive victory against rivals Liverpool in the 2023/24 campaign: “I thought he was excellent.

“He’s had a bit of illness. We’re hopeful that has passed, he had it before the game, so I must commend him on that. His physical performance was outstanding, He’s not quite over it but we hope it settles down a bit.”

It’s been a very busy summer so far from Birmingham City’s perspective as they aim to take the Championship by storm.

Every passing day seems to throw up a new, tantalising transfer rumour for the Blues masses to feast on, with the likes of Kwame Poku, Demarai Gray, and many others potentially tipped to make the move to St. Andrew’s a constant topic of conversation.

Of course, whoever does enter the building this hectic summer will have to complement what Chris Davies already has at his disposal, with the title-winning boss no doubt confident that a large portion of his troops can take to their new division swimmingly.

In particular, Jay Stansfield will be raring to go after promotion, with the 22-year-old sharpshooter already proving himself to be a reliable finisher in the Championship previously, away from just causing plenty of havoc in League One.

Stansfield's importance next season

After all, the ex-Fulham marksman didn’t just fluke his bumper 19-goal haul in league action last season.

Rather, the explosive 22-year-old routinely found himself in the right place at the right time to power home an opportunity, with only a mere 29 touches averaged per league clash, despite ending his successful campaign with his goal tally deep into the double digits.

The Blues hotshot is unlikely to be a one-season wonder, too, with Stansfield actually bagging 12 strikes the campaign prior for Birmingham when he was just a wide-eyed loanee, even as his team succumbed to relegation in the unforgiving Championship.

Now, with his team’s collective confidence at sky-high, Stansfield will pray he can show off this same goalscoring prowess towards the top-end of the division.

He could be boosted in the goalscoring department by this brand-new acquisition entering the assured ranks, with the new striker target in question potentially the second coming of the Blues number 28 if all goes to plan.

Birmingham eyeing deal for their next Stansfield

Even when plying their trade in League One momentarily, Birmingham still managed to pull off some statement deals, as seen in Stansfield leaving Craven Cottage behind for a permanent third-tier stay.

In the here and now, another statement deal similar to this capture could soon be on the cards, with Graeme Bailey exclusively revealing that Birmingham have an interest in signing Leeds United gem Joe Gelhardt, off the back of the Whites wanting to get rid after sealing promotion themselves up to the Premier League.

Wrexham is also noted as a fellow Championship club keen on Gelhardt – away from unnamed interest also being speculated from other second-tier outfits – with a loan deal the likely move on the table to satisfy all parties, considering he still has two years left on his Elland Road deal.

Despite experiencing a topsy-turvy few years on the books of the West Yorkshire outfit, Gelhardt would link up with Davies and Co with the same glowing reputation Stansfield possessed, having once been viewed as the next best thing coming out of Elland Road when they were regularly competing in the big time.

Indeed, the now 23-year-old centre-forward would collect an impressive two strikes and six assists for the Whites in the Premier League, with Jamie Carragher even once labelling the Liverpool-born ace as “special” off the back of his raw ability.

Gelhardt’s G/A record by club

Club played for

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

Leeds

57

3

7

Leeds U21s

31

20

6

Wigan Athletic

21

1

0

Sunderland

20

3

3

Hull City

20

5

0

Wigan U21s

5

5

0

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Stansfield was equally highly thought of when impressing in youth circles at Fulham – as seen in his blistering 38 strikes at youth level – but, much like Gelhardt will now be faced with, he had to spread his wings away from his boyhood side eventually, resulting in him now becoming Birmingham’s main man up top.

Based on the current Leeds man’s promising Championship numbers above with Hull City, he could soon be held in the same glowing light as Stansfield at St. Andrew’s, with his then Tigers boss Ruben Selles even heralding him as “exceptional” after helping his loan employers beat the drop.

With both Stansfield and Gelhardt at his disposal, Davies will be delighted with the options he could soon possess in attack, with the attacking duo perhaps what Birmingham need to push on even more after obliterating their League One competition with ease.

Related Birmingham can land bigger signing than Gray with "future superstar"

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Posts ByDan Emery Jun 14, 2025

Only one wicket falls all day as Somerset toil in vain at Trent Bridge

ECB Reporters Network26-Jun-2024

Ben Slater pulls the ball away•Getty Images

Nottinghamshire 360 and 425 for 2 (Slater 168*, Hameed 91, Young 68*, Stone 63) drew with Somerset 470 (Abell 111, Pretorius 95*, Pennington 5-96) Nottinghamshire opener Ben Slater turned the 13th hundred of his career into an unbeaten 168 but a lifeless final-day pitch had consigned this Vitality County Championship match to a draw long before that conclusion was reached with an exchange of handshakes at ten minutes to five as the home side declared on 425 for two.Only one wicket fell in 72 overs on the day, Slater finishing on a score he has bettered only twice in his career, with overseas batter Will Young making 68 not out after Olly Stone had been out for 63 nine overs after lunch, the England fast bowler again showing off his batting skills with a half-century in each innings for the first time in his career.There was too little in the pitch to encourage much interest for the bowlers, however, and it was hardly surprising that Nottinghamshire showed no interest in setting Somerset a target, given that their prospects of taking 10 wickets were almost non-existent.The 13 points they take ensure they remain at a comfortable distance from the relegation places in the Division One table; Somerset’s 15 keep them third.After sharing an opening partnership of 172 with Haseeb Hameed that was broken shortly before Tuesday’s close, Slater found two more long-term companions in Stone and Young.Stone ostensibly joined him as nightwatchman with Hameed’s demise but is making a strong case to be recognised as a genuine all-rounder.The 30-year-old England fast bowler had made only one half-century in 47 first-class matches before surprising onlookers with a very good 90 against Lancashire on this ground in May but now has three in his last five innings.This time he chipped in with 63 to go with his first-innings 83 batting at nine. Not all of his nine boundaries came off the middle of the bat, yet his defence was solid and he had helped Slater add another 136 before Jake Ball, using a belatedly taken second new ball, thudded one into his front pad as he played across the line.Slater, meanwhile, whose stand with Hameed had been the highest for Nottinghamshire’s first wicket since two shared an unbroken 236 against Worcestershire in 2021, was by then into three figures for the first time this season, reaching the century mark with a six and 12 fours, a good proportion of which clunked into the advertising boards on the short Bridgford Road side as the left-hander cut and pulled to profitable effect.When Stone departed, Nottinghamshire’s lead was 198 and, with little in the pitch to excite bowlers of any variety, Somerset could only hope a declaration might keep them in the game.Yet the docile surface meant that realistically there could be only one winner in such a scenario and there was nothing in the way Slater and Young went about their business to suggest that such a course of action was even being considered.Meanwhile Slater – dropped on 21 – pushed on past 150 for the third time in his career, having ticked off that milestone from 317 balls with 19 fours to go with the one six. By tea, at 396 for two, the lead was 286 with 37 overs remaining.New Zealand Test opener Young, whose only noteworthy score in a disappointing season so far was his unbeaten 174 in the drawn match between these sides at Taunton, almost missed out on a half-century, dropped at short midwicket by James Rew, who had handed the wicketkeeper’s gloves to Tom Kohler-Cadmore and later became the ninth Somerset player to have a bowl.

Arsenal are now expected to submit a bid for a Real Madrid target, with Mikel Arteta personally keen on securing his signature, according to a report.

Gunners in transfer tussle with Real Madrid

While they ultimately came up short against Paris Saint-Germain, the Gunners proved themselves to be a force to be reckoned with by dispatching of Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the Champions League quarter-final last season.

As such, the Emirates Stadium should be an attractive destination for some top players this summer, with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi thought to have chosen a move to north London ahead of remaining in Spain and signing for Xabi Alonso’s side.

Arteta is seemingly very keen to strengthen his midfield this summer, with Thomas Partey heading for the exit door, having also set his sights on Brentford’s Christian Norgaard, who has agreed to make the move across the capital.

However, Arsenal are also battling Madrid for the signature of a centre-back, namely Valencia’s Cristhian Mosquera, with a report from The Guardian revealing Arteta’s side are now hopeful of getting a deal over the line.

The Gunners boss has identified Mosquera as his main target as back-up for Gabriel and William Saliba, and the north Londoners are expected to make an improved offer for his services, having already seen a £16m bid knocked back by the Spanish side.

Related Zubimendi 2.0: Arsenal ready to offer £35m for "barbaric" talent

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Posts ByBen Gray Jun 28, 2025

Personal terms aren’t expected to be an issue, so a deal could be relatively straightforward if the Premier League side are willing to increase their bid slightly, with it previously being revealed that Valencia are looking to receive a fee of just £21m.

"Dominant" Mosquera impressing in La Liga

Football scout Ben Mattinson has been left very impressed by the 21-year-old’s performances for Valencia, having praised the youngster for his ability in duels and possession of the ball.

Despite still being in the early stages of his career, the Spaniard has already cemented himself as a key player for Valencia, making 37 appearances in La Liga last season, which indicates the centre-back could make an instant impact at Arsenal.

That said, it will be very difficult to dislodge Gabriel or Saliba in the starting XI, while Jakub Kiwior also impressed in the second half of the 2024-25 campaign, playing “exceptionally well” against Real Madrid, according to Martin Keown.

As such, bringing in a new centre-back shouldn’t be a priority for Arsenal, but signing Mosquera would provide them with greater strength in depth, in order to compete on all fronts next season.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is a man on a mission this summer. While the Blues have reached the knockout stages of the Club World Cup, thoughts are still on improving the team ahead of next season.

Maresca has already signed Liam Delap and Mamadou Sarr this summer, but they won’t be the only arrivals at Stamford Bridge. That much is certain.

With the club set to compete in the Champions League for the first time since the 2022/23 season, the former Leicester manager will be aiming to have a squad strong enough to mount a potential challenge.

As such, he is keeping an eye on developments regarding a few players. Lyon youngster Malick Fofana has been earmarked as a target. As to Xavi Simons, who is ready to make the step up from RB Leipzig this summer.

Signing some of the best young talents on the continent appears to be the philosophy that Maresca is going for, although he will need some experience mixed in along with the youngsters.

One player whom Maresca is desperate to land is Borussia Dortmund talent Jamie Gittens, having tracked him for the previous few months.

Chelsea’s interest in Jamie Gittens

Despite having a wealth of options in the final third, Maresca is looking to make some big changes this summer.

Christopher Nkunku looks destined to leave the Blues after just two seasons, while Nicolas Jackson has attracted attention from elsewhere, notably Arsenal.

If both of these players depart, then the club will be keen on adding replacements to their squad.

Bolstering his wide options is another priority for Maresca, especially considering Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk is set to face a lengthy doping ban, meaning he won’t be able to play for the club.

As such, targeting a move for another winger or two is in the club’s best interests, hence the approach for Gittens.

The Blues had a bid of £42m rejected by Dortmund at the start of June for the Englishman, as they value him at around €65m (£55.5m), which Chelsea have yet to meet.

Positive talks have been held between player and club, but until that asking price is met in the coming weeks, Gittens won’t be making the move to England.

Last season, he registered 17 goal involvements – 12 goals and five assists – across 42 games for the German side, despite falling out of favour slightly during the second half of the season under new coach Niko Kovač.

Indeed, the youngster doesn’t quite fit into the Croatian’s style of football, hence why it looks as though they are willing to let him leave this summer. Of course, this depends on whether Chelsea can meet the asking price.

Still aged only 20, Gittens has plenty of room to develop and challenging for trophies while competing in the Champions League next season will certainly aid him.

Should the Blues secure a deal for the player, he could work wonders alongside another potential signing…

Chelsea discussing move for Premier League forward

Delap won’t be the only forward to make the move to Chelsea this summer. Hugo Ekitiké has been one of the club’s main transfer targets to add depth to this position, while West Ham United player Mohammed Kudus has also been linked with a move.

Transfer Focus

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

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Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are discussing a potential swoop for Brighton and Hove Albion star Joao Pedro.

“Let’s not forget the interest from Chelsea in Joao Pedro,” said Romano when talking on his official YouTube channel.

“He remains a player of interest, and they are having conversations because they like him and are following closely.”

Brighton are looking for a fee of around £60m in order to sanction the sale of the Brazilian.

Gittens remains a priority, but if Maresca is able to sign both the Englishman and Pedro this summer, they could make for a fantastic duo next season.

Why Joao Pedro would be unplayable with Jamie Gittens

When he is compared to his fellow peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the previous 365 days, Gittens has shone in several metrics.

His penchant for beating his marker is evidenced by the fact that he ranks in the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90 (3.57), while the winger also ranks in the top 9% for progressive carries (5.53) and in the top 7% for carries into the penalty area (3.06).

Not only does this show he is a handful for defenders, but it allows him space to get into the best positions in the final third.

As such, he would be excellent at providing Pedro with chances aplenty in the Premier League and Champions League next term, no doubt about that.

The Brazilian netted ten goals in the top flight last term, grabbing six assists in the process.

Joao Pedro – Career Stats by Position

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Centre-forward

119

34

18

Left winger

40

14

0

Attacking midfield

27

11

1

Right winger

5

0

0

Data via Transfermarkt

What was most impressive is that the 23-year-old scored once every 195 minutes for Brighton while finishing the season with a goal conversion percentage of 21%.

He only missed seven big chances, too, suggesting the Brighton star is extremely clinical in the penalty area.

Combining this with Gittens’ desire to get the ball into the box as often as possible, means the pair could shine together next season.

Once hailed as “magical” by commentator Kevin Hatchard for his ability on the ball, Pedro could be the ideal replacement for the likes of Nkunku and Joao Felix, who are both expected to leave.

His Premier League experience means the striker should be ready to slot into the starting XI without the need to settle in.

A fee of £60m sounds extravagant on the surface, but with the club needing players of Pedro’s quality for their Champions League campaign, that is the price Maresca must be willing to pay.

For now, the focus is on going as far as possible in the Club World Cup, especially with $125m on offer for the winner.

The Italian is still looking to bolster his team, though, and he could make a bold statement by capturing Pedro and Gittens.

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Posts 2 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 28, 2025

Mitch Marsh expects atmosphere in Barbados to be reminiscent of Ashes fever last summer

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jun-2024

Jonny Bairstow walks off after being given out in controversial circumstances at Lord’s•AFP/Getty Images

Jonny Bairstow says he has no desire to revisit the controversial events of last summer’s Lord’s Test, as England and Australia prepare to do battle once more in the biggest contest to date of the T20 World Cup.Bairstow’s stumping at the hands of Alex Carey, on the final day of last summer’s second Test, is a central topic of the latest series of Australia’s fly-on-the-wall documentary “The Test”, which was released on Amazon Prime last month.The moment, which occurred during England’s final-day run-chase as Bairstow wandered out of his crease after ducking a bouncer from Cameron Green, sparked fury in the Lord’s pavilion, with some MCC members accosting the Australia players on their way up to the dressing-room as the teams left the field for lunch.The repercussions continued throughout a thrilling Ashes series, with England recovering from a 2-0 deficit after the Lord’s Test to square the series 2-2 thanks to nailbiting victories at Headingley and The Oval. And speaking on the eve of a crucial Group B clash in Barbados, Bairstow insisted that the incident had galvanised England into an on-field response.”I’ve not seen any of it to be quite honest with you,” he said, when asked if he’d been streaming any episodes of the documentary. “I’ve got other things that I watch on TV, I don’t need to sit and watch that in my hotel room.”You see enough cricket when you’re involved in it day to day and playing it. But I think that post that event, the way in which we as a side reacted to that was a real positive.”You look at the results after that thing that happened at Lord’s and I actually think that we finished that series a lot stronger than Australia did.Related

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“Look, I think the impact it had on us as a side, the Test side, was actually a very positive effect and you can make your own assumptions as to what effect it had on Australia and their individuals.”Mitchell Marsh, Australia’s T20 captain, was also involved in the latter stages of the Ashes, including a brilliant counterattacking hundred in the subsequent Test in Leeds. And as he recalled the febrile atmosphere at England’s grounds that summer, Marsh acknowledged that Australia’s reception in Barbados on Saturday might not be dissimilar.”I dare say this will be full and it’ll be mostly English fans, so it’ll be like playing at Headingley all over, or anywhere in England where you get sprayed,” he said.”But just the atmosphere, the vibe of the game, there’s always a lot riding on it. As a team we always want to challenge ourselves against the best. England have been exceptional in this format for a long period of time now, so there’s certainly going to be a lot on the game and we’re pumped.”The stakes for England in particular have been ramped up this week, following their washout against Scotland, which could leave their Super 8 qualification in jeopardy if Australia get the better of them on Saturday. Bairstow, however, wasn’t letting the permutations in Group B get the better of him.”It doesn’t derail us either way. We know we’ve got to win more games than we lose in tournament cricket,” he said. “A win puts you in a position in the group which is obviously more favourable but the other two games after this are must-win games anyway. But it would be good for momentum and confidence.”England versus Australia is always a great occasion. Two very good teams going toe-to-toe. It’s going to be an exciting spectacle. Hopefully it will be a fantastic atmosphere like it always is in Barbados and the best side will come out on top.”

يستعد جاريث بيل، النجم الويلزي السابق، للعودة إلى ملاعب كرة القدم من جديد بعد عامين من اعتزاله اللعبة، حسبما ذكرت تقارير صحفية مختلفة يوم الثلاثاء.

كان جاريث بيل، صاحب الـ36 عامًا من عمره، قد أعلن اعتزاله لعبة كرة القدم في يناير 2023، حيث استمتع بعد ذلك بحياة تقاعدية وفرصة لتطوير مهارته في رياضة الجولف.

كما أن جاريث بيل يعمل كمحلل رياضي منتظم لقناة “Tnt Sports”، بعد أن حل محل ريو فرديناند الذي رحل عن تلك الشبكة مؤخرًا.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مدرب ويلز يعلق على اعتزال جاريث بيل.. ويصرح: يستحق تمثالًا

وذكرت صحيفة “ذا صن” الإنجليزية أن جاريث بيل يستعد لعودة مثيرة إلى ملاعب كرة القدم مطلع الأسبوع المقبل، بعد أكثر من عامين على قرار اعتزاله اللعبة.

وأوضحت أن نجم ريال مدريد السابق يستعد لخوض مباراة ودية يوم السبت المقبل، حيث سيلعب مع فريق إف سي سبير ضد شيلد يونايتد في سيول، بكوريا الجنوبية.

وأشارت إلى أن جاريث بيل ليس النجم الوحيد الذي سيشارك في تلك المباراة، حيث سيضم فريق إف سي سبير العديد من الأساطير الأخرى مثل تييري هنري، كاكا، رونالدينيو وواين روني، وسيكون آرسين فينجر مسوؤلًا عن قيادتهم.

في حين أن شيلد يونايتد سيضم وجوهًا بارزة مثل ريو فرديناند، أليساندرز نيستا، كارلوس بويول ونيمانيا فيديتش، على أن يتولى تدريبهم في هذه المباراة مدرب ليفربول السابق رافا بينيتيز.

Most franchises agree that retired India players should be allowed to lower their base price

Nagraj Gollapudi02-Aug-2024

MS Dhoni has not played international cricket since the 2019 ODI World Cup•PTI

Should a cricketer who is retired for five years be considered at par with an uncapped player at IPL auctions? The question came up during a meeting between the IPL and owners of the ten franchises on Wednesday, which was convened to discuss retention rules ahead of the 2025 auction.The question was brought up by the IPL while discussing the broader point related to uncapped players. As such, a rule that allowed exactly that – for players who had retired from international cricket for at least five years to be considered uncapped – was in place from 2008, the first season of the IPL. But it had never been put to use, and was scrapped in 2021. ESPNcricinfo has learned that when the suggestion was made on Wednesday, more than one franchise objected.Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) owner Kavya Maran is understood to have said that allowing a retired player to be retained as an uncapped player would be “disrespecting” the individual as well as their value, which could be much more at an auction. She said it would set a “wrong precedent” if an uncapped player were to be paid more than the former international (retained as an uncapped player). She suggested that the player in question be part of the auction, where the market would determine the price.Related

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At least one other franchise rep also expressed their reservations, regardless of the number of years the player had been out of international cricket.On Thursday, ESPNcricinfo had erroneously reported that the suggestion had come not from the IPL but from CSK, who could then use the rule to retain MS Dhoni, who retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020. Ahead of the following mega auction, before IPL 2022, Dhoni was the second player after Ravindra Jadeja on CSK’s list of retentions, at the cost of INR 12 crore. An uncapped player retained that year cost the concerned team INR 4 crore.The question of whether Dhoni, 43, will continue to play IPL cricket – the only tournament he plays – or not has been doing the rounds the last few seasons. After undergoing knee surgery in 2023, he handed over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the 2024 season and played a limited role with the bat, coming in late in the innings as a boundary-hitter. More recently, at an event, Dhoni said he and CSK would wait for the player retention rules to be finalised before taking a decision on his future as a player.Retired India players might be able to lower base priceThe franchises were, however, unanimous in agreeing that Indian players who had not played international cricket for five years should be allowed to lower their base prices at the auction. Currently, INR 50 lakh is the lowest base price set by the IPL for capped India players.The suggestion is understood to have come from the IPL chief operating officer Hemang Amin, whose view was that a lower base price would give such players a greater chance of getting bought at the auction.A franchise head said that capped Indians who had not played internationals for several years were being forced to enter the auction at higher base prices and were therefore often going unsold despite going under the hammer more than once.

Paul Gascoigne is one of the geatest players in Glasgow Rangers history and undoubtedbly one of the most entertaining footballers of all time.

‘Gazza’ joined the Gers from Lazio in 1995 and won the lot in his debut campaign at Ibrox, lifting the Premiership title and the Scottish Cup while being crowned the SFWA Player of the Year and PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

Perhaps his finest moment in a Blue shirt came against Aberdeen in that 1995-96 campaign, as a hat-trick at Ibrox which included a stunning solo goal sealed the league title.

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The following year is remembered for Gascoigne’s masterclass in the Scottish League Cup final against Hearts, as he scored twice in a 4-3 victory, and Ally McCoist recalls an argument with the match-winner that day: “The half-time whistle goes and we’re up the tunnel and we’re still at it the two of us, we’re in the dressing room and we’re still at it, so Walter Smith comes in and says: ‘Right, everybody shut up and calm down’.

“But Gascoigne is still raging and I can see Walter getting angrier and angrier. I’ve known Walter long enough by this point to just keep my mouth shut, but Gascoigne keeps going.

“Eventually Walter picks him up by the scruff of the neck and hangs him up on the peg where you put your coats and he says: ‘Paul, I will not tell you again to shut up!’”

He continued: “Eventually when it calmed down Gazza got up, went out of the dressing room and straight into the director’s room – in his gear by the way! – and had a whiskey.

“He threw it down his neck, came back into the dressing room, sat down, Walter did his team talk, he walked out for the second half and he scored two goals. He was unbelievable.”

McCoist and Gascoigne played with some incredible names during that era – perhaps no surprise given they won nine straight league titles – from Richard Gough to Brian Laudrup, and Gazza has revealed it was the Dane who blew teammates away in training.

Gascoigne: Laudrup was 'one of the best players in the world'

Speaking about his greatest teammates, Gascoigne named EURO 1992 winner Laudrup as a ‘match-winner’ who was ‘virtually untouchable’ both in games and on the training ground.

Laudrup won three titles in four seasons at Glasgow, while both he and his brother are widely regarded as two of Denmark’s greatest ever players.

Laudrup at Rangers

Games

Goals

1994/95

49

16

1995/96

40

10

1996/97

48

23

1997/98

42

7

Even in a team stacked full of big names, his elegance, quick feet and creativity stood out like a sore thumb.