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

Nagraj Gollapudi02-Aug-2024

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.

As far as wins go, it couldn’t have got more dominant than this. Bangladesh’s attempt to inflict scoreboard pressure fell flat, with Renuka Singh and Radha Yadav picking up six wickets between them to ensure India had a small target to chase. Their in-form openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma then got the job done themselves, with nine overs to spare. On Sunday, India will have a chance to clinch an incredible eighth Women’s Asia Cup crown (across white-ball formats), when they meet the winner of Sri Lanka vs Pakistan which will be played at the same venue later today.Related

• Sri Lanka face unfamiliarity of fan support while getting familiar with wins

• Bangladesh need more exposure to compete against top-tier teams

Renuka stings Bangladesh in powerplay

Renuka’s form had been on a decline leading into the Women’s Asia Cup. She was left out for two of the three T20Is against South Africa after an unremarkable 4-0-42-0 in her only outing in that series. Her early reputation as a powerplay swing queen was seemingly fading, especially on flat decks.With young Arundhati Reddy challenging for her spot – it’s likely India will most often accommodate only one other seamer alongside Pooja Vastrakar in their first XI – Renuka needed a big tournament here. On Friday, she delivered. Renuka’s powerplay salvo left Bangladesh with no answers, her three wickets in three overs upsetting Bangladesh’s plans of going on an all-out attack.

Dilara Akter muscled Renuka for a six off the third ball, but holed out to deep square off the fourth. Ishma Tanjim bailed out of a slog to get a leading edge to Tanuja Kanwar at short third, and Murshida Khatun mistimed a heave to midwicket two balls after being reprieved by Deepti Sharma at slip.Bangladesh had been reduced to 21 for 3 inside five overs.

Nigar resists, Radha thrives

From overs six to nine, Bangladesh managed a solitary boundary, hit by Nigar Sultana, and played out 19 dots. They were looking for the release they simply didn’t get because India’s bowlers kept coming at them.Introduced in the 10th over, Radha struck off her very first delivery when Rumana Ahmed, Bangladesh’s second-most experienced batter, was put out of her misery when she played all around a straight ball to be bowled.Rumana Ahmed was castled by Radha Yadav for 1 off 11•Getty Images

Still, Bangladesh tried to keep attacking. Rabeya Khan’s attempt to flat-bat Pooja Vastrakar led to a miscue that was brilliantly taken by Shafali Verma at mid-on in the 11th over.This forced Nigar to shelve any plans of a counter-attack, the focus quickly shifting to survival mode against the supremely-skilled trio of Deepti, Tanuja Kanwar and Radha Yadav – each very different from the other. Deepti kept them quiet with flight, Kanwar got the ball to drift and turn, while Radha troubled them with deliveries that didn’t turn.It was only in the 14th over, when Nigar was joined by Shorna Akter that they managed some kind of a move on – overs 17 to 19 brought 27. Then Radha produced a double-wicket maiden in the 20th, in which she had Nigar and Nahida Akter to finish with 3 for 14.

The Mandhana-Shafali party

India could’ve experimented if they liked. They could’ve seen what Uma Chetry, who replaced D Hemalatha at No. 3, brings to the table. They could’ve given Deepti some batting time. Or maybe even a hit-out to Jemimah Rodrigues. But they stuck to their tried, tested and in-form opening combination, who promptly delivered the knockout blow on Bangladesh.Mandhana challenged herself to take fielders on and cleared them at will, Shafali swept seamer Marufa Akter off her lengths in front of square, and the boundaries flowed. Mandhana treated the small crowd to her trademark drives, while Shafali shovelled and flat-batted the bowlers.

Bangladesh missed two chances on the field. First a run out in the fifth when Mandhana was ambling down, with Nahida firing a wayward throw with no one backing up at the bowler’s end. In the ninth, Nahida grassed a sitter at long-off to reprieve Shafali. And between those two, there was also a Mandhana reprieve off a no-ball.Mandhana continued on her joyride, hitting three back-to-back fours to get to a half-century and also seal a victory that was never in doubt from as early as the powerplay in Bangladesh’s innings.

Southampton have “agreed a fee” with a club over the sale of an “incredible” Saints player, according to a fresh claim from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Will Still outlines plans as Southampton manager

Will Still has begun life as Southampton’s new manager, with the Englishman looking to back up his reputation as an exciting young coach with a big future in the game.

The 32-year-old has already spoken well since taking charge at St Mary’s Stadium, outlining what he wants to see from his team in a tactical sense.

“I don’t like to sit in and wait and be passive in what we do. I’d like our teams to dominate, to go and press, to be as aggressive as we can be. I don’t do that just for the fact of running and to say, oh, we’re going to be really aggressive. We want to be high up the pitch and in the opposition’s third as much as possible.

“It’s been entertaining. I want the players to enjoy it. I want the fans, obviously, to get on board and support it. But it’s (about) creating that environment where we’re here to win and we want to win a lot. We want to win consistently.”

The pressure will be on Still to guide Southampton straight back into the Premier League from the Championship, and he will know that new signings are vital. There are also players who will leave after Saints’ relegation, however, and a key update has emerged regarding one such figure.

"Incredible" Southampton attacker set to leave

Writing on X, Romano reported that Southampton have “agreed a fee” with Trabzonspor over the £6.8m sale of striker Paul Onuachu from St Mary’s.

Seeing Onuachu depart is a shame, given his popularity among Southampton supporters, with his giant stature and unique style making him something of a cult hero.

The Nigerian is a good footballer in his own right, however, scoring four Premier League goals last season and being lauded by Ivan Juric: “He’s an incredible guy, always training hard. He has some good things and some bad things he can do better, but he’s one of those guys that is always working hard.”

The fact that Onuachu only has one year remaining on his current Southampton deal means that selling him now is the sensible decision, though, allowing the club to receive a healthy amount of money that can be used on new signings this summer.

Southampton and Still want to sign new £4m+ forward with 11 goals in 24/25

The Saints are looking for a swift return to the Premier League.

BySean Markus Clifford May 30, 2025

A new striker will be needed in his place, though, and Still has to nail his replacement, in order to give his side the best possible chance of a quickfire return to the top flight.

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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Posts ByRoss Kilvington Nov 29, 2024

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.

Chelsea have just landed a seismic financial windfall after reaching the Club World Cup final, but the expectation remains that they’ll still need to sell a host of players.

Enzo Maresca’s side knocked Thiago Silva’s Fluminense out in the semi-finals on Tuesday evening, courtesy of a stunning brace from new signing Joao Pedro, who put on a sublime display in their 2-0 victory against his former side.

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Posts 2 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 9, 2025

The win means that Chelsea are guaranteed to bank around £80 million from participating in the tournament, regardless of their next result, having reached the final with five wins from their total of six games played so far.

If Chelsea go on to win the whole thing, BlueCo will get a further £7.5 million – taking their total potential earnings closer to the £90 million mark.

“I am happy for the club,” said Maresca on Chelsea’s CWC prize money.

“But I don’t care, because when I prepare a game, I don’t prepare the game thinking if we win, we have more money. Because it is something for the club, it is not for us, unfortunately. We already have a clear idea about what we need to improve for next season. And hopefully we can have it.”

While Maresca pays no attention to matters like this off the field, it could still prove crucial to Chelsea’s balance sheet.

Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season

Average match rating

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

The club were recently slapped with a UEFA fine for breaking FFP rules, and their estimated £140 million expenditure over the summer transfer window so far means that player sales are an absolute necessity, even if their CWC earnings could provide more breathing room.

Lesley Ugochukwu, João Félix, Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, David Datro Fofana, Armando Broja, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke and Djordje Petrovic are all tipped to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with uncertainty also surrounding Nicolas Jackson after Chelsea’s signings of Pedro and Liam Delap.

There is also the matter of £195,000-per-week forward Christopher Nkunku, who isn’t a key starter for Maresca, and he’s attracting notable interest from abroad.

Christopher Nkunku keen to make Germany return and leave Chelsea

According to talkSPORT, Nkunku is keen on a return to Germany with Bayern Munich, who were heavily linked in the January transfer window, and Chelsea are waiting for the Bundesliga champions to make a formal approach.

They won’t have to wait at all for an approach from Saudi Arabia, though, as it is believed that Al-Qadsiah have already made an enquiry to the Frenchman’s representatives.

Nkunku is understood to prefer remaining in Europe, so Bayern appear to be the lead contenders as things stand, but it is suggested that Chelsea could demand around £60 million as they actively seek to sell the 27-year-old.

The squad player is currently one of their highest-earners, so getting him off the books for a reasonable fee could be one of Chelsea’s most imperative exit deals of the summer.

Aussie duo Ashleigh Gardner and Alana King spun Trent Rockets to a much-needed 31-run win over London Spirit at Trent Bridge.Gardner and King combined for six wickets as a star-studded Spirit line-up never threatened to chase down 158 for 5.Young gun Grace Scrivens struck 55 from 43 balls for the hosts, although she had to walk off the field in the second innings when she was struck in the face attempting a catch.It meant Rockets ended a three-game losing streak and was made all the more impressive as Nat Sciver-Brunt, the women’s competition’s leading run-scorer, had a comparatively quiet match with 21 from 12 balls.Former England Under-19s skipper Scrivens played arguably her best innings of The Hundred sharing a 74-run opening stand with Bryony Smith that set the tone for a performance that will have caught the attention of the other teams.Scrivens hit nine boundaries and her opening stand with Smith, who crashed 34 from 22 balls, was only ended in misfortunate when Charlie Dean got a finger on the ball before it crashed into the stumps with Smith unable to recover her ground after backing up.India star Deepti Sharma claimed the big wickets of Sciver-Brunt and Gardner, but Heather Graham’s unbeaten 22 from 12 balls ensured a fast finish.Spirit’s chase was immediately undermined when Gardner removed Georgia Redmayne and Cordelia Griffith from successive balls before King had former Australia captain Meg Lanning caught by Kirstie Gordon at mid-on.Gardner trapped Dani Gibson lbw and when England and Spirit skipper Heather Knight’s sweep at King landed in the hands of Smith, after hitting 29 from 20, the game was up.Gardner and King both finished with identical figures of 3 for 23 from 20 balls as Spirit closed on 127 for 7.Meerkat match Hero, Gardner, said: “It was huge (win for us). It was probably the first game we put all three facets of the game together. The openers did a fantastic job giving us the start that they did, that was the best we’ve been with the ball and we were pretty clean in the field. It was a pretty perfect performance.”

“When you have a mega auction you are bound to have a reset. But you try and maintain as much of the core as possible,” Sanjiv Goenka says

Sreshth Shah28-Aug-2024

Sanjiv Goenka, the Lucknow Super Giants owner, did not give much away about his team’s retention plans and captain KL Rahul’s future with the franchise, but admitted that the upcoming mega auction will mean the team “resets” in some aspects ahead of IPL 2025.Speaking to the media in Kolkata alongside newly unveiled mentor Zaheer Khan, Goenka said LSG’s retention decisions will not be made with a short-term view.”All decisions are medium-term and need to be thought of carefully,” he said. “When you have a mega auction you are bound to have a reset. But you try and maintain as much of the core as possible. The coach Justin Langer continues, [support staff] Lance Klusener and Jonty Rhodes will also be there. So it is a question of improving and going further from where you are now.”Rahul, the LSG captain since the team’s first IPL in 2022, was in Kolkata this week and met Goenka. Goenka did not get into the details of their conversation, but called Rahul “family”.”I have been meeting KL on and off regularly over the last three years,” Goenka said. “Frankly I am surprised this meeting is getting a lot of attention [in the media]. He is integral [to LSG]. He has been here since the inception. For me personally and for [my son] Shashwat [Goenka, who is also involved in running LSG], he is like family.”After two playoff appearances in IPL 2022 and 2023, LSG missed the playoffs for the first time in the 2024 season, finishing seventh on the table because of a poor net run rate. It was the first time the franchise did not have the services of mentor Gautam Gambhir, who had moved to Kolkata Knight Riders. In the coming season, Goenka believes Zaheer’s presence “will do wonders” for the team.”Beginning of a new relationship. Zaheer has impressed me as a player, coach and strategist,” Goenka said. “His hunger for success is something that attracted me to bring him into the LSG franchise.Zaheer Khan was formally named Lucknow Super Giants’ mentor on Wednesday•Sreshth Shah/ESPNcricinfo

“A couple of weeks ago, I realised he wasn’t with any cricket franchise. I called him up. We spoke. He agreed. And he’s here. It’s as short and as quick as it gets. We are very excited to have him on board.”Zaheer, who had been associated with Mumbai Indians from 2018 to 2022 as director of cricket and head of global development, said he will serve in a similar role at LSG. He said he was particularly impressed with the “building blocks” put together by a “young franchise in only three years”, and felt that he shared the owners’ vision.”Yes it happened exactly in the same words how Mr Goenka explained. We got on a call and realised we have a similar stance on many topics about cricket,” Zaheer said. “We discussed the direction, the culture, the brand the team wants to play. The building blocks are already in place. It’s a relatively young franchise but it doesn’t seem like that. Reaching playoffs in this fiercely competitive league isn’t easy and [seeing their progress] gives me confidence.””It is a team game, so I will be serving the team in every capacity possible, and yes, it includes bowling. If I am there in the set-up, does the team need another bowling coach?” he said with a smile. “When you see LSG, their journey is only three years but they are as comparable to the teams who have played the IPL for 17-18 years. The building blocks are in place and we need to take them forward. Decision-making will be something we’ll work on, since it is something that can differentiate teams.”As it stands, LSG’s roster includes Rahul, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Quinton de Kock, Naveen-ul-Haq and Devdutt Padikkal, among others. The teams are expected to know the IPL’s retention rules in early September, after which they will decide on whom to retain, possibly with a late-November deadline, before the mega auction leading into IPL 2025.

The tourists will face the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra using the pink ball as preparation for the floodlit Test

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Aug-2024India will have a two-day pink-ball warm-up match ahead of the day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide when they face the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra.The floodlit fixture will take place on November 30 and December 1 at Manuka Oval in the gap between the first and second Tests.In the last two seasons the Prime Minister’s XI fixture has a four-day contest featuring West Indies in 2022 (which was also a day-night game) and Pakistan in 2023, having traditionally been a limited-overs match, but the India game has been trimmed to just two days.Related

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Australia A vs India A to provide lead-in to Border-Gavaskar Test series

On their previous tour of Australia in 2020-21, India lost the day-night Test in Adelaide by eight wickets when they were bundled out for their lowest Test score of 36 in the second innings but famously came back to win the series 2-1 with an historic display in Brisbane.On that occasion Adelaide was the opening Test of a four-match series – which was completed despite the challenges of Covid-19 border closures – whereas this time the series will begin in Perth and includes five Tests.Overall India have played just four day-night Tests, with their most recent in 2022 against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, while Australia have featured in 12 (all at home) with last season’s eight-run loss to West Indies in Brisbane their first defeat against the pink ball.In recent seasons the Prime Minister’s XI has been a strong side which has effectively been an Australia A team. Matt Renshaw has had a particularly profitable time in the last two fixtures with scores of 81, 101 not and 136 not out against West Indies and Pakistan.However, last season’s pitch at Manuka Oval came in for criticism from Pakistan when it was very slow and low and did not provide ideal preparation for the Test in Perth although poor weather had made life difficult for the groundstaff. The final day of the game was abandoned after an overnight storm and ripped off the covers.India have an intra-squad warm-up at the WACA from November 15-18 ahead of the first Test on November 22. They will arrive in Australia on the back of a three-match home Test series against New Zealand.An India A squad will tour Australia from late October and play two four-day matches in Mackay and Melbourne.

أشاد أوريلين تشواميني، نجم نادي ريال مدريد، بمدرب الفريق كارلو أنشيلوتي، منسبًا الفضل للأخير كأحد الأسباب الرئيسية في مستواه الحالي مع الملكي.

تشواميني انضم إلى صفوف ريال مدريد في عصر أنشيلوتي، وذلك خلال صيف عام 2022 قادمًا من موناكو مقابل حوالي 80 مليون يورو.

وعانى تشواميني بعض الشيء في بداية مسيرته مع ريال مدريد، قبل أن تتغير الأمور مع الدولي الفرنسي منذ بداية العام الحالي ويتألق بصورة كبيرة مع الميرنجي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تشواميني: طريقة ألونسو تناسبني.. وأجيد التمرير بفضل ثنائي ريال مدريد

وعلى الرغم من رحيل أنشيلوتي عن ريال مدريد إلا أن تشواميني في مقابلة مع صحيفة “ماركا” لم ينس المدرب الإيطالي، وقال عنه: “أعتقد أن الأمور سارت بشكل أفضل بكثير بالنسبة لي منذ بداية عام ٢٠٢٥، وكنت أشعر بالارتياح بالفعل تحت قيادة كارلو أنشيلوتي”.

كما أثنى تشواميني وبشدة على مدرب ريال مدريد الحالي، تشابي ألونسو، حيث اختتم: “سعيد مع تشابي ألونسو، الأمور تسير على ما يرام، لديه أفكار جديدة لي وللفريق”.

ويعتبر تشواميني بين أهم اللاعبين في تشكيل ريال مدريد في الوقت الحالي، وسبق وأن أكد ألونسو على أهمية ابن الـ25 عامًا في أكثر من مناسبة.

Liverpool are preparing to defend their Premier League title, and while Arne Slot will be emboldened by the ambitious signings made thus far, their divisional rivals are growing in strength, packaging their teams with fresh parts.

But the Merseysiders set the standard with the £100m signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, a deal which may yet rise to £116m with add-ons.

It’s a fool’s game to name a prediction for the Premier League Player of the Year before the campaign’s even kicked off (but here we go anyway), and Wirtz hasn’t even played competitively in the English game yet, but he’s got to be among the frontrunners, and rightly so.

The attacking midfielder’s peerless creativity established him as a superstar in Germany, and he will hold the key to unlocking defences and charging Slot’s goalscoring endeavours.

In many respects, football is secondary at Anfield after the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, yet before too long, Richard Hughes’ focus will turn back to the transfer market with the 2025/26 campaign only weeks away – and Darwin Nunez expected to leave Liverpool for a new chapter.

The latest on Liverpool's striker search

The Athletic have confirmed that Liverpool are prioritising the acquisition of a new central striker as we head into the next phase of the summer transfer window.

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak remains the dreamy top target, but signing him will be no easy feat, rated at £200m by his employers, who have no wish to sell.

However, the Magpies are looking to close a deal for Hugo Ekitike, another high on Liverpool’s list, which could spark a series of variables that might just play to Anfield’s favour. However, this is conjectural right now.

In any case, Liverpool need to replace Nunez, who only scored seven times last term and is heading toward the exit, something both parties are open to. Even with an elite playmaker in Wirtz joining the club, it’s felt the 25-year-old has had ample chances to prove himself.

With Napoli and Al Hilal both keen on the Uruguayan, the former already coming close but to be thwarted by financial differences, it’s only a matter of time before a move progresses for Nunez.

And when that happens, FSG are primed to sign a new out-and-out frontman.

Liverpool make contact for new striker

According to Liverpool reporter Matt Thielen, Liverpool have been in contact with Samu Aghehowa’s agents as they search for a new striker this summer.

The Reds aren’t the only ones scanning the market for a new striker to have centred on Aghehowa, however, with Aston Villa and Newcastle United both having shown an interest in recent weeks.

The 21-year-old could also prove to be cost-efficient. While he has an £82.5m release clause in his contract, Samu could be sold for considerably less at £63m.

Why Liverpool want Samu Aghehowa

In 2024, Aghehowa looked set for a transfer from Atletico Madrid to Chelsea, before the move collapsed and Porto swooped in.

The Blues’ frustrations proved to be the Portuguese outfit’s gain, for they have enjoyed the prolific qualities of a thriving young striker who has been hailed for his “elite potential” by analyst Ben Mattinson after scoring 27 goals and adding three assists across 45 matches in all competitions last term, notably dispatching a cool brace against Manchester United in the Europa League.

The Spanish striker has proved himself to be a deadly marksman, but he’s also a crisp and progressive distributor, ranked among the top 4% of strikers across divisions similar to the Liga Portugal last year for pass completion and the top 6% for through balls per 90, as per FBref.

In this regard, Slot could sign a new centre-forward with the goalscoring instinct and indeed technical awareness to operate within the ranged tactical parameters the Dutch coach likes to enforce.

Transfer Focus

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

And it’s a tactical quirk which could find an ideal partner in Wirtz, whose ball-playing qualities and silky movement would allow the striker to find space with consistency and strike on goal. Or, conversely, ‘Samu’ could use his capacity to drop deep and play surgical balls into the box to keep defenders guessing, letting his 22-year-old teammate sidle into space.

Hailed as a “monster in the making” with a “complete profile” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Aghehowa has the potential to throw down with the finest number nines that the game has to offer, but he’s not there yet.

However, his still-in-development skill set could actually be the perfect thing for Wirtz, with the two attacking players combining and growing in accordance with their partnership, learning all about the idiosyncrasies of each other’s games.

Matches (starts)

30 (23)

Goals

19

Assists

3

Shots (on target)*

2.7 (1.1)

Big chances missed

18

Pass completion

79%

Big chances created

5

Key passes*

0.6

Dribbles*

0.4

Duels won*

3.3

Looking at his clinical edge and ability to maximise a goalscoring opportunity (only hitting the target at an average of 1.1 times per league match last season) the Spanish forward could be elevated to the next level by Wirtz.

The German, after all, has been described as a “genius” of a creator by former Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, with his flowing river of chances sure to raise the 6 foot 4 powerhouse’s output.

Given that, were Aghehowa to sign, this could be Liverpool’s definitive offensive duo for an age, it makes sense that Hughes would have a vested interest.

Newcastle appear to be closing in on a deal for Ekitike, and the line over on Tyneside is Isak’s staying put; the 25-year-old will work in tandem with his younger French teammate.

Liverpool will, of course, remain attentive to Isak’s situation. Still, FSG’s ambitions only run so far, and it seems unlikely that a figure in the ballpark of £200m would be green-lit after such steep expenditure already.

With this Porto phenom going from strength to strength, Slot and co could forget about all that and focus on a man who looks perfect for this high-flying project.

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ByAngus Sinclair Jul 15, 2025