Tottenham are back in the market for a new number 10 once again, after they were beaten to the punch by Arsenal for Eberechi Eze, and it is a saga that Daniel Levy will want to forget very quickly.
After nearly a fortnight of back and forth between Crystal Palace and Spurs, the Lilywhites reached a verbal club-to-club agreement for Eze earlier this week, after also agreeing personal terms with the 27-year-old himself.
However, despite Levy’s deal being on the verge of completion at one stage, Kai Havertz’s injury prompted Tottenham’s north London rivals to swoop in and hijack their advanced move for Eze.
The England international ultimately chose to join Arsenal instead, with an agreement to sign for the Gunners now sealed and all hope of Tottenham signing him lost.
Given Mikel Arteta’s side managed to strike a deal in the space of one day, it isn’t a good look for Tottenham, who must get over their second public humiliation of the window after also missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White.
This summer’s pool of star playmakers who can genuinely make a difference is starting to run low, but Frank’s glaring need for a creative force remains after losing James Maddison to an ACL rupture – which is expected to keep him out for the majority of 2025/2026.
Spurs were once planning to head into the season with both Gibbs-White and Maddison, but ended up with neither. They also can’t turn towards Eze as a proven alternative to the pair either, so the situation has now reached emergency level crisis mode.
In terms of who they could still bring in before the looming transfer deadline, Southampton’s Tyler Dibling and Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott remain rumoured options, at least for now.
Another player they’re now considering is Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss.
Totenham make approach to hijack Crystal Palace deal for El Khannouss
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Tottenham have inquired about El Khannouss’ situation after losing the race for Eze, and they could exact revenge on Palace in the process by hijacking the Eagles’ transfer.
Leicester City's BilalElKhannouss
Palace are apparently close to agreeing a £32m deal for the Morocco international (Sky Sports), after his £22.5m relegation clause expired recently, but the deal is still not completely done.
The 21-year-old averaged more key passes per 90 in the top flight than any other Foxes player last term, before they were relegated, and he’s even drawn comparisons to Man City sensation Rayan Cherki.
Wicketkeeper Joel Curtis struck a maiden first-class hundred but Western Australia didn’t have enough to defend
AAP18-Nov-2024
Marcus Harris’ half-century helped guide Victoria to victory•Getty Images
Victoria 373 (Rogers 76, Crone 62, Handscomb 56) and 122 for 2 (Harris 56*, Handscomb 56*) beat Western Australia 167 (Murphy 4-37) and 325 (Curtis 119*, Cartwright 78, Elliott 4-47)Victoria raced to a crushing eight-wicket Sheffield Shield win despite a rare hat-trick to Western Australia spinner Corey Rocchiccioli.With the hosts chasing 120 for victory on the final day at Junction Oval, Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb went on the attack in an unbroken 103-run third-wicket stand after an early scare.Related
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Curtis digs in for WA but Victoria well-placed for victory
Rocchiccioli bowled Ashley Chandrasinghe and Campbell Kellaway with his first two deliveries to have the hosts 19 for 2. Two days earlier he had Peter Siddle caught by Cameron Bancroft with the last ball of the first innings.Rocchiccioli’s feat was reminiscent of one by former West Indies pace bowler Courtney Walsh against Australia at the Gabba in 1988 when he took the last wicket to fall in the first innings and then snared two with his opening deliveries in the second. It was also WA’s second hat-trick in two rounds following Brody Couch’s against Tasmania having never had one in Shield cricket before.The door was ajar for an unlikely Western Australia win after Rocchiccioli’s heroics but Handscomb was having none of that. The skipper negotiated the hat-trick delivery and went on the attack. Harris was a willing accomplice and made sure there was no miracle win for the three-time reigning Shield champions.Joel Curtis brought up a maiden first-class century•Getty Images
WA were dismissed before lunch for 325. The key wicket was tailender Brody Couch who had stayed with centurion Joel Curtis for 36 overs in a stoic 103-ball innings.Curtis remained unbeaten on a brilliant and defiant 119 to add to the list of wicketkeepers in fine fettle with the bat in Australian domestic cricket.Spinner and last man in Ashton Agar epitomised the fight in the visitors when he came out to bat with an AC joint injury to his left shoulder. Agar, who had his arm in a sling the day before, could hardly hold the bat with his bottom hand and didn’t trouble the scorers but his team-first attitude was there for all to see.Allrounder Sam Elliott took four wickets in another impressive display. It was the bowlers who set the win up for Victoria with paceman Fergus O’Neill taking six for the match and spinner Todd Murphy chiming in with four first-innings wickets to help dismiss Western Australia for 167.
Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Arsenal and sporting director Andrea Berta’s transfer plans, after manager Mikel Arteta was handed the major boost of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres’ imminent arrival.
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Gyokeres, according to The Independent, will fly out to Singapore for his medical as he looks to play some part in their pre-season tour of Asia, with Arsenal finally reaching a full breakthrough to sign the 27-year-old earlier this week.
Arsenal estimated transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)
Money on new signings
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
25/26 – summer
£140m
Gyokeres is poised to join Arsenal in a deal worth £64 million, including add-ons, with a full verbal agreement now struck between all parties as Arteta prepares to welcome the prolific number nine to his squad.
Given Arsenal’s struggles to break teams down last season, Gyokeres has the potential to be a title-winning signing, and people who’ve worked with the Sweden international simply cannot find enough superlatives to describe him.
“He really was incredible,” said Adi Viveash, who coached and mentored Gyokeres at Coventry City, to Sky Sports.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokerescelebrates scoring their third goal to complete his hat-trick
“His power, taking the ball and running with it, bursting through gaps, linking the play, being very good in both boxes set-piece-wise – which wasn’t a strength of his, but he became certainly very good at defensive set-pieces with me through front post defending.”
“If you give Vik half a pitch in behind with a high line and you get the line wrong, you’re never going to catch him. He’s going to keep making the run in behind so you’re wearing down opposition.”
After Gyokeres, who’ll also be joined by defender Cristhian Mosquera in Singapore, the plan for Arsenal is to prioritise a central attacking midfielder (Ben Jacobs).
Arsenal are seriously interested in Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, as they have been for weeks, but more and more noise is surrounding an alternative to the England international in RB Leipzig sensation Xavi Simons.
Arsenal contact Xavi Simons camp amid Barcelona meeting
According to Romano, Arsenal are guaranteed to have made contact with Simons’ camp, with Chelsea also seriously contending for the 22-year-old’s signature as they plan transfer talks with Leipzig this week.
La Liga champions Barcelona, led by their sporting director Deco, also held a meeting with the Netherlands forward’s representatives recently, but a move to the Camp Nou is seen as unlikely for this window and more one for the future.
Right now, it appears Chelsea are the current favourites for Simons. However, Arsenal remain “attentive” to his situation and a north London switch hasn’t been entirely ruled out yet, meaning he’s still one to watch.
Leipzig only signed the player from PSG permanently in January for an initial £43 million, with Simons now preparing to leave the Bundesliga side after spending some significant time there on loan previously.
Called a “difference maker” by ex-Leipzig boss Marco Rose, Simons has racked up an impressive tally of 21 goals and 23 assists during his time in Germany, but the Premier League could now beckon for him.
Interestingly, journalist Buchi Laba is convinced that Simons would be a “better” Arsenal signing than Eze.
Babar Azam top-scored with 76 to help Stallions thump Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lions by 133 runs in the second match of the Champions Cup in Faisalabad. Half-centuries from four batters, including Tayyab Tahir, captain Mohammad Haris and Hussain Talat, helped Stallions amass 336 for 5 in their 50 overs.It was a team effort with the ball, too, with all six Stallions bowlers among the wickets. Haris Rauf picked up three wickets before Mohammad Ali’s 2 for 18 set the tone up top for a dominant Stallions performance as Lions failed to get stuck into the chase. Imam-ul-Haq offered the only real resistance, and though his 78 was the highest score of the match, none of his team-mates managed even 30.Stallions got off to a slow but steady start after their captain Haris elected to bat. Shan Masood and Babar struck up a 39-run partnership to pick up the pace before left-arm wristspinner Faisal Akram cleaned up Masood. Babar, who trudged through the first half of his innings, soon found his rhythm, guiding his side through the middle overs alongside Tahir, whose breezy 74 came off just 72 balls. It set the stage for blistering cameos from Haris and Talat towards the end, with 118 runs coming off the final ten overs.Ali, who had an inconsistent Test series against Bangladesh, struck in the first over of the chase to remove wicketkeeper-batter Sajjad Ali. He followed it up by getting rid of Abdullah Shafique in the fifth over. Lions kept losing wickets at regular intervals but Imam fought a lone hand. The asking rate, though, was always rising, and the game was over as a contest by the time Jahandad Khan trapped him in front.Shaheen, who had an indifferent day with the ball, managed a late flurry with the bat to get his side over 200 before Rauf returned to dismiss him and Sirajuddin, rubber-stamping a routine victory.
While it failed to culminate in any silverware, this season wasn’t all doom and gloom for Arsenal.
For example, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly broke into the first team, with the latter establishing himself as a regular starter and now a full-fledged England star.
Moreover, despite missing almost four months of action, Bukayo Saka once again proved he’s a world-class attacker by racking up a haul of 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 games.
Appearances (Starts)
37 (30)
Minutes
2619′
Goals
12
Assists
14
Goal Involvements per Match
0.70
Minutes per Goal Involvement
100.73′
Yet, it’s impossible to overlook that, in the end, a lack of invention in the final third prevented the team from winning anything, so it’s a good thing that reports have now linked Arsenal to someone compared to Saka and Rodrygo.
Arsenal transfer news
With Arsenal creating just the seventh-highest expected goals figure in the Premier League this season, per FBref, it’s easy to understand why there has been such an emphasis on the club signing players capable of both scoring and creating more goals in recent weeks.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has been one name linked with the club, as has Aston Villa and England star Morgan Rogers, although a player touted more heavily for a move to the Emirates than both this summer has been Rodrygo.
The Real Madrid star scored 14 goals and provided ten assists in 51 games for Los Blancos this term.
However, with a price tag of at least £84m and murmurs that he does not want to leave the Spanish capital, the North Londoners may be forced to sign another attacking talent from the Santiago Bernabéu, a talent who’s won comparisons to the Brazilian.
According to a recent report from Spain, Arteta has asked Arsenal to inquire about Brahim Diaz, who he believes could thrive at the Emirates.
Moreover, the story has revealed that the North Londoners are now willing to make an offer of €50m for the Moroccan international, about £42m, despite Xabi Alonso wanting to keep him in Spain.
It might not be a straightforward transfer to get over the line, but Diaz is undeniably talented, and as he’s already won comparisons to Saka and Rodrygo, he could be just what Arsenal need.
How Diaz compares to Saka & Rodrygo
Now, there are a number of reasons why Arsenal should be looking to sign Diaz this summer, but before getting to them, it’s important to address these comparisons to Saka and Rodrygo and where they come from, for that matter.
Well, in both cases, the comparisons stem from FBref, which looked at players in similar positions in the Champions League this season and then created a list of the ten most comparable players for each.
In this instance, it concluded that the Brazilian international was the fifth most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Morccan star, while the Englishman came in as the seventh most similar.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.48
0.48
Goals per Shot
0.20
0.20
Passing Accuracy
84.8%
85.1%
Live Passes
45.7
44.3
Tackles Won
1.11
1.13
Successful Take-On %
56.5%
58.1%
Carries
42.0
41.3
The best way to see how these conclusions were reached is by looking at the underlying numbers in which the players ranked closely, which, for the case of his Real Madrid teammate, included things like non-penalty expected goals plus assists, goals per shot, passing accuracy, carries, tackles won and more, all per 90.
For the Gunners’ own number seven, the metrics that overlapped with the former Manchester City gem included things like shots on target, goal-creating actions, key passes, passes into the penalty area, non-penalty expected goals and more, also per 90.
Non-Penalty Expected Goals
0.28
0.34
Shots on Target
1.31
1.42
Key Passes
1.11
1.19
Passes into the Penalty Area
1.30
1.19
Goal-Creating Actions
0.80
0.83
Miscontrols
2.04
2.02
Usually, being so statistically similar to two of the most exciting wingers in the modern game would be reason enough to sign someone, but away from these comparisons, there are other reasons the North Londoners should be looking to recruit the Málaga-born maestro this summer, such as his versatility.
For example, while the 25-year-old does tend to play out on the right at the moment, his most played position across his entire career is attacking midfield, but even then, he’s also capable of playing off the left and has spent time as a second striker and up top to boot.
Moreover, while he has mainly been kept to substitute appearances in Spain, he’s got the ability to do something seriously special, with former professional turned pundit Owen Hargreaves describing a goal he scored in the Champions League last season as “Messi-esque.”
However, Hargreaves doesn’t limit the comparison to strictly that goal, pointing out that it’s his “low centre of gravity” and“way he can dribble”, which also makes the 5 foot 7 magician similar to the Argentine legend.
Real Madrid'sBrahimDiaz, Raul Asencio and Rodrygo celebrate their second goal
Ultimately, Arsenal need to add more quality to their attacking and midfield options this summer, and while he might not be the biggest of names, Diaz is undeniably talented and could add that extra spark the team need.
Dream Gyokeres alternative: £40m striker now wants to sign for Arsenal
The free-scoring forward could be the missing piece for Arsenal.
South Africa captain says ahead of Chennai Test that coming cold into long-format international games is a huge challenge for the players
Sruthi Ravindranath27-Jun-2024
Laura Wolvaardt points out that batting in red-ball cricket is a whole different ball game•Getty Images
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt says playing Tests is a “challenge” given her team does not get to play domestic red-ball cricket. They should be given the chance to play more multi-day games or “just leave” the format alone, she said, given how tough it is to adapt to.”It’s obviously a challenge for most of us having any sort of preparation in the format,” Wolvaardt said on the eve of South Africa’s Test against India in Chennai. “Just coming straight into an international multi-day game is difficult. For example, balls that I’ve been cover-driving my whole life, I now need to leave, which is difficult for me because it just happens on instinct and I have to fight the way that I’ve been batting for my entire career.”I think either we need to play a lot more Test cricket and incorporate it into our domestic practice and training, or we must just leave it because playing one in three years is very hard to adapt to. But I’m on the side to have more of it.”Related
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Wolvaardt hopes conversations are happening within the Cricket South Africa board to get women to play more red-ball cricket. South Africa women currently play the CSA Women’s Provincial 50-over tournament and T20s as part of their domestic season.”I haven’t been part of any such conversations, but I’m hoping that it is a conversation higher up,” she said. “If we want to give ourselves the best chance to win these games internationally, we have to do some sort of preparation at a domestic level. Just coming straight into an international Test match is tough with no red-ball experience in the squad.”South Africa will be playing three Tests this year; they have three in a year after a long time – they last did so in 1972. They played a Test in February in Australia, after a gap of nearly two years, now they have India, and they will be playing a multi-format series against England at home that includes a one-off Test in Bloemfontein in December. That will also be their first Test at home since 2002 when they played India in Paarl.”I think getting opportunity to play more Test cricket is awesome and something that a lot of our girls are really looking forward to is playing more Tests. Obviously having three scheduled in a calendar year is pretty cool and something that I’ve wanted to see for a long time. I personally really enjoy the format and would love to see more of it. I think this Test will be a huge challenge for us. And hopefully we’re able to adapt to the conditions.”Wolvaardt also acknowledged the challenge of batting on a spin-friendly Chepauk pitch, conditions South Africa are not too familiar with.”Batting-wise it is going to be a big challenge for our group,” she said. “I think obviously it’s very different to conditions that we’ve been used to and exposed to at home, but thankfully we do have a few talented spinners within our squad as well. I think players like Nonkululeko Mlaba would sort of be licking her lips. Hopefully they’re able to put on a good show and be consistent and tight with their areas.”
Chelsea look certain to enjoy a busy summer transfer window, especially if Enzo Maresca can guide them to the Champions League next season.
While the squad is filled with quality in several areas, a lack of depth, plus a shortage of a truly world-class centre-forward has impacted the Blues at times this term.
The Stamford Bridge side have scored 63 times in the Premier League this term, a tally bettered by the likes of Brentford (ninth) and equalled by Tottenham Hotspur (17th) throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
Chelsea manager EnzoMarescacelebrates after the match
As such, adding goals to his side will be Maresca’s main priority once the summer transfer window opens in just a couple of weeks.
Chelsea have been linked with their fair share of targets, no doubt about that, but how much will the manager be willing to spend to bolster his first-team squad?
Chelsea’s search for a new striker
One name that is on the list is Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap. Following his club’s relegation from the top flight back into the Championship, his release clause drops down to £30m, which makes him an attractive prospect.
Newcastle United and Manchester United are also keen, but is the talented Englishman a player who could spearhead a potential title challenge? That much remains to be seen.
Another target, and one with a higher ceiling than Delap, is Benjamin Sesko. Chelsea have been routinely linked with a move for the RB Leipzig frontman following his exploits on the continent.
Sesko
Elsewhere, Victor Osimhen remains a target, although he could be an expensive signing should he make the move to London in the summer.
Finally, Alexander Isak is a player who has also been mentioned with regard to a move to the capital. The Newcastle striker is arguably one of the finest players in the top flight, and signing him would signal a major statement of intent.
Isak is approaching the peak years of his career. But if the Blues wish to sign a striker who is just like the Swede, but a few years younger, then they could turn to the Bundesliga.
Chelsea eyeing move for Bundesliga striker
It appears as though Maresca will stop at nothing in order to bring in someone who has a track record for scoring goals.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to French news outlet RMC Sport, it is claimed that several clubs have made contact with Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike with regard to a potential move.
Chelsea are certainly in the hunt, although they face some stiff competition from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool ahead of the transfer window.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
Due to his strong performances that have led Frankfurt to third place in the Bundesliga, thus securing Champions League qualification, Ekitike is now valued at €100m (£85m), which represents a massive change of fortunes from just 18 months ago.
Back then, he was struggling to make inroads at PSG. Now he is one of the most desirable forwards in Europe.
He has proven his worth in a top-five league. Would a move to Chelsea help him continue his development?
Why Chelsea must sign Hugo Ekitike this summer
Nicolas Jackson has endured a campaign to forget, scoring just 12 goals all season. Marc Guiu is the only other senior centre-forward in the first-team squad and while he netted six goals and showed a lot of promise prior to injury, he isn’t at the level to lead the club’s attack consistently.
Making a move for Ekitike, therefore, is of the utmost importance to Maresca over the next few weeks, that’s for sure.
Analyst Ben Mattinson delivered some high praise on the Frenchman in March this year, saying: “A move in the summer seems inevitable and rightly so, Ekitiké is one of the best strikers out there ready to explode.”
You might say he has already exploded. Throughout the 2024/25 season, Ekitike has scored 22 goals and registered 12 assists in all competitions for Frankfurt.
He ranked sixth in the top flight for goals and assists (23) for the club, while also ranking third for shots per game (3.5) and fifth for big chances missed (16). This last stat is something that will get better with age, as his abilities in the penalty area should improve over the coming years.
Given how well he has performed in the Bundesliga, especially compared to players such as Harry Kane, Ekitike is finally looking like he will fulfil his potential.
The sky is certainly the limit. If he made the move to London, Ekitike could become Maresca’s own version of Isak, especially considering the pair of strikers share similar sorts of qualities.
Why Ekitike could be a younger version of Alexander Isak
According to WhoScored, both Isak and Ekitike like to dribble, while they can count key passes and dribbling as their main strengths. As per FBref, the Newcastle centre-forward is the fifth-most comparable player to the French sensation, across Europe’s top five leagues.
The pair have also registered similar statistics across a range of attacking metrics domestically this season, including goals and assists (23 vs 29), shots on target per 90 (1.55 vs 1.32), shot-creating actions per 90 (3.55 vs 3.07), touches in the opposition penalty area (196 vs 186) and successful take-ons (52 vs 42) for their respective teams.
Comparing Isak and Ekitike domestically this season
Metric
Isak
Ekitike
Goals
23
15
Assists
6
8
Shots per game
2.9
3.5
Big chances missed
18
16
Goal conversion percentage
24%
13%
Key passes per game
1.6
1.3
Stats via Sofascore
It is evident that the two are extremely similar not only in their playing style but also in their attacking output in 2024/25.
Like Isak, the Frankfurt striker has an insatiable eye for scoring at every possible opportunity. That’s not to say he is selfish, however, as the youngster can also create opportunities for his teammates with ease, evidenced by his 12 assists across the whole season.
Hugo Ekitike for Frankfurt.
He might cost the club around £85m, but as someone who has the potential to get better and better as time goes on, it may turn out to be a wise investment.
Of course, securing a place in the Champions League is imperative. If so, one of the continent’s most in-demand strikers could be on their way to London.
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Celtic have an exciting end to the season on the horizon and are reported to have made contact in their pursuit of a prodigious gem who could be available this summer.
Brendan Rodgers looks to further cement his Celtic legacy
Brendan Rodgers has taken Celtic up a notch this campaign and could end the season with a domestic clean sweep should circumstances align over the next few weeks.
The Bhoys face St Johnstone at Hampden this weekend in the Scottish Cup semi-final. They also have the opportunity to win the Scottish Premiership title away to Dundee United next Saturday.
Daizen Maeda
With that said, plenty of anticipation surrounding potential additions at Parkhead is beginning to circulate. Unlike previous years, Champions League league phase football isn’t guaranteed, which has placed an extra emphasis on getting recruitment right ahead of the final qualifying round.
Per reports, Celtic are keen on bringing in Stoke City winger Million Manhoef. However, his £10 million price tag may complicate proceedings amid further interest in his services from Sheffield United, Burnley, Club Brugge and Genk.
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On the more experienced end of the scale, Danny Ings is another potential Hoops target that may be available under freedom of contract once his deal at West Ham United expires.
Recently, Celtic have earned a reputation for being able to splash cash on premium assets; nevertheless, there is always room for a bargain in a transfer environment that can often throw up value for money despite changing perceptions of the market.
Speaking of which, the Bhoys have now made contact over a summer target who is also attracting interest from the footballing elite.
Celtic make contact over deal for Crystal Palace star Jesse Derry
According to TBR, Celtic have been ‘in touch’ with Crystal Palace star Jesse Derry’s representatives over cutting a deal to take him to Parkhead, joining a lengthy list of suitors including some of Europe’s biggest names.
Manchester City and Aston Villa have discussed signing the England youth international. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt, PSG, Porto, AS Monaco, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Rangers have also made their voices heard.
Jesse Derry’s key statistics in 2024/25 – all competitions
Appearances
20
Goals
9
Assists
2
Celtic had been first linked with Derry in the last few days, and it is becoming clear that he doesn’t see his future at Crystal Palace after refusing to sign a professional contract at the Premier League outfit.
Capable of playing anywhere across the front three, the 17-year-old will be available for minimal compensation, which is a tactic both sides of the Glasgow divide have used on several occasions over the years to secure talent from the English top-flight.
Although the Bhoys will likely need to put forward a convincing offer for Derry to consider abandoning a rich pool of options, you get the impression there would be first-team opportunities for the youngster in due time.
Arsenal apparently stand a chance of signing a marquee attacking star wanted by Champions League rivals Real Madrid, with one reporter urging people not to rule Mikel Arteta’s side out in the race for his signature.
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Real visit the Emirates Stadium tonight for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, which could make or break Arsenal’s season with nothing left to play for in the Premier League.
Brentford (home)
April 12th
Ipswich Town (away)
April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)
April 23rd
Bournemouth (home)
May 3rd
Liverpool (away)
May 11th
Los Blancos are undoubtedly Arsenal’s toughest possible test in the competition, and if they can somehow get past Carlo Ancelotti’s side, they’d surely be considered among the major favourites to win it.
While Arteta prepares his side for a vital game in north London, new sporting director Andrea Berta is working to ensure they won’t be so reliant on a good run in Europe next season.
Berta has a new attacker on his list of transfer priorities at Arsenal, with Bayer Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz apparently emerging as a target.
Arsenal could sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen
The Germany international is currently enjoying yet another sensational campaign in the Bundesliga after helping Xabi Alonso’s side make history with an unprecedented title triumph over Bayern Munich last season.
Wirtz has racked up 15 goals and 13 assists in all competitions throughout 2024/2025, leading to interest from some of Europe’s biggest sides, but Sky Germany have reported that he won’t be leaving Leverkusen for less than £112 million.
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, in a piece for The Boot Room, Arsenal are contenders to sign Wirtz, despite serious competition from the likes of Real, Bayern Munich and Man City.
“A lot of people ask about Wirtz and why it seems it is only Bayern Munich and Man City that are pushing hard to sign him.
“It is true they are at the front of the queue, if he decides to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer and that ‘if’ remains the key – as we have reported in the last few weeks, we don’t know what he is thinking – does he sign a new deal and stay for another 12-months, or leave?
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz
“Bayern have had a wonderful 2025 when it comes to their playing staff – their chiefs Max Eberl and Christoph Freund have managed to seal new deals for Alphonso Davies, Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala, when at the turn of the year – the future of all three looked in some doubt.
“They are working hard on this summer’s potential arrivals and the player at he top of their list is Wirtz – he is widely regarded as the best player for his age in Europe, he really is up there with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Pedri, Gavi etc when it comes to talent.
“Man City love him, as we know, and they are doing everything they can to persuade.
“And whilst Bayern and City have done the most work to this point, I am told not to totally discount others, especially in just making an offer – if you are Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or even Real Madrid – who all like him – why wouldn’t you at least have the conversation?”
India broke their own record to put up the fastest 100 in men’s Test cricket in Kanpur against Bangladesh
Sampath Bandarupalli30-Sep-20241 – India’s hundred came in just 10.1 overs, making it the fastest team hundred in men’s Tests (where data is available).India broke their own record by 2.1 overs – they had taken only 12.2 overs against West Indies in last year’s Port of Spain Test.24.2 Overs needed for India to reach the 200-run mark. It is the fastest-recorded team 200 in men’s Tests, bettering Australia’s record, who got there in 28.1 overs in their second-innings against Pakistan in 2017 in Sydney.India also broke the record for fastest team 150 and 250. The previous fastest team 150 was also by India off 21.1 overs against West Indies in 2023, while the previous quickest 250 came in 34 overs by England in their 2nd innings vs Pakistan in 2022 in Rawalpindi.3.0 – Overs that India needed to get to fifty. It is also the fastest recorded team fifty in men’s Tests, bettering England’s record – 4.2 overs against West Indies in Nottingham and in Birmingham earlier this year.0 – Instances of India completing their fifty inside the first 20 balls of the innings in men’s internationals (all formats) before Monday. Their previous fastest fifty was in 3.4 overs, also against Bangladesh, in last year’s Asian Games (T20I).ESPNcricinfo Ltd8.22 India’s run rate during their 285 for 9 in Kanpur is the highest in men’s Test innings (minimum 200 balls). The previous highest was 7.36 by England against Pakistan when they made 264 for seven in 35.5 overs in the 2022 Rawalpindi Test.No team had a run rate of eight in a Test innings where they scored 100-plus runs, before India on Monday.14.34 – The scoring rate during the 55-run opening partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma, which came in only 23 balls.It is the fastest fifty partnership in men’s Tests in terms of run rate (where data is available – complete FOW data is available only since 1998).The previous highest run rate for a partnership of 50-plus runs was 11.86 by Ben Duckett and Ben Stokes, who added 87 off 44 balls against West Indies in Birmingham, earlier this year.5 Number of Indian batters to have scored 20-plus runs while striking at 100 and more in the first-innings in Kanpur, the joint-most in a men’s Test innings. England also had five batters scoring 20-plus runs at a strike rate of 100 and more in their first innings against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2022.96 – Sixes hit by India batters across the eight Test matches they have played in 2024. These are the most sixes hit by a team in a calendar year in Test cricket, bettering England’s tally of 89 in 2022.Rohit Sharma came out all guns blazing•BCCI4 – Recorded instances of a player hitting the first two balls they faced in a Test innings for sixes, including Rohit off Khaled Ahmed in Kanpur.Foffie Williams against Jim Laker in the 1948 Barbados Test was the first.Two other India batters have also done it – Sachin Tendulkar off Nathan Lyon in the 2013 Chepauk Test and Umesh Yadav off George Linde in the 2019 Ranchi Test.4.5 Overs in which Hasan Mahmud conceded 50 runs in India’s first innings. Only two bowlers had conceded 50 runs in fewer overs in a men’s Test innings since 2002 – 4.2 by Graeme Cremer against South Africa in 2005 and 4.4 by Murali Kartik against Australia in 2004.34.4 Overs batted by India before declaring, the fifth shortest declared first-innings in men’s Tests. The total of 285 for nine is also the lowest-ever declaration total for India in the first innings.