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This is the summer of the striker, with Premier League champions Liverpool just one of many elite clubs who are prioritising the purchase of a new number nine.

Indeed, Arsenal’s lengthy wait for a centre-forward looks set to come to an end with the addition of Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, while Manchester United have also earmarked the likes of Ollie Watkins amid their own search for an upgrade.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have already brought in Club World Cup hero Joao Pedro to ‘replace’ their prior summer signing, Liam Delap, while at Tottenham Hotspur, a reunion could be on the cards for Thomas Frank and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.

The merry-go-round of transfer deals has been particularly enthralling this summer, with that none more true than with the Reds’ interest in both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.

With Darwin Nunez looking all but certain to depart – while Luis Diaz remains a target for Bayern Munich – a new attacking figurehead is surely needed at Anfield, with Arne Slot and co identifying Ekitike as the alternative to their dream target, Isak.

A bid for the Frenchman appears to be in the works, although the Merseysiders might also have their eye on an even more exciting deal…

Liverpool's ongoing transfer search

As was evident last term, Slot’s side more than got by without an orthodox marksman leading the line, with Diaz netting 17 times in all competitions, while Cody Gakpo chipped in with 18 goals of his own.

With 34-goal superstar Mohamed Salah still the main man on the right flank, a more fluid approach to the forward line has thus far worked a treat in the Slot regime, with Liverpool’s club-record pursuit of Nunez having unfortunately backfired.

That plan could continue with the signing of Real Madrid star, Rodrygo, with the Brazilian – who can operate all across the front line – having been earmarked as a marquee summer target for those at Anfield.

Transfer Focus

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

As per reports in Spain, the Reds are actually leading the race for the 24-year-old’s signature, with the versatile winger already believed to have given his endorsement to the move.

While both Bayern and Chelsea are also said to be in the frame, it is Liverpool who are at the front of the queue right now, with negotiations ‘already underway’ and ‘steady progress’ having been made.

Said to be valued at €100m £85m), the former Santos starlet has reportedly been told he can leave the Bernabeu this summer. Madrid’s ‘trash’ could then prove to be Liverpool’s treasure.

Why Rodrygo would be a better deal than Ekitike

As already stated, Liverpool appear to be in need of a new number nine, with that man Nunez ending 2024/25 with just seven goals to his name in all competitions – three fewer than Man United struggler, Rasmus Hojlund.

Ekitike, following his 22-goal season in Germany, would undoubtedly fit the bill, with TNT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves even going as far as to suggest that he is the “perfect centre-forward”.

That said, that campaign represents the major standout of his career to date, having actually only scored 44 goals in total at senior level from 136 games – excluding his time in Stade Reims’ B team.

Rodrygo, by contrast, is only a year older than the Frenchman, but has already racked up far more experience at the top level, scoring 68 times in 270 games at Madrid, alongside providing a further 51 assists.

That has come despite the Brazil international typically lining up in a right-wing berth, despite looking better suited either on the opposite side, or as a centre-forward. Indeed, former boss Carlo Ancelotti previously suggested that he saw him “more as a centre forward than a wide man.”

Non-penalty goals

0.48

0.35

Assists

0.29

0.22

Shot-creating actions

3.50

4.56

Pass completion

75.3%

85.7%

Progressive passes

1.95

4.69

Progressive carries

3.04

5.07

Successful take-ons

1.90

2.15

Progressive passes received

7.53

11.33

Touches in opposition box

6.73

5.84

While Ekitike struggled to make his mark at an elite outfit like Paris Saint-Germain, where he scored just four goals in 33 games, Rodrygo has more than impressed even amid the intense competition for places in the Spanish capital.

On the Champions League stage, in particular, he has already scored 25 times from just 65 appearances, with his finishing levels having been described as “terrifyingly good” by journalist Sam Tighe in the past.

For comparison, Ekitike has only made four appearances in Europe’s premier competition, while failing to score.

Ekitike, it must be said, is a real talent, but it would surely represent an even bigger coup to land Rodrygo, particularly for what could prove to be a ‘modest’ £85m fee.

If Isak is no longer in the equation, perhaps there is a world in which both men end up in Slot’s side, ahead of next season?

He's better than Ekitike: Liverpool chasing "monster" £60m Isak alternative

Liverpool are looking to sign a new number nine in the summer transfer window.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 15, 2025

England hit back with ball after morning collapse before bad light brings another early finish

Valkerie Baynes07-Sep-2024Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis rebuilt Sri Lanka on a see-sawing second day that closed early due to bad light yet again, but this time the tourists could claim the better of the contest.After their bowlers had staged a remarkable turnaround to bundle England out for 325 from their overnight 221 for 3, Sri Lanka slumped to 93 for 5 before Dhananjaya and Kamindu staged an unbroken stand worth 118 for the sixth wicket to close the deficit.There was still plenty of work to be done when the players left the field at 5.36pm with the prospect of returning equally as dim as the overhead conditions at The Oval, and stumps were indeed called half an hour later without any further play.Dhananjaya returned from tea on 16 but by the close he had passed Kamindu to be 64 not out. That was after being dropped on 23 by debutant Josh Hull, who let a straightforward catch off the bowling of Shoaib Bashir slip through his hands and into his chest at mid-on.Hull’s desire to disappear was as palpable as his relief upon claiming his maiden Test wicket, the dangerous-looking Pathum Nissanka for a quick-fire 64 via Chris Woakes’ catch at cover.That was part of England’s dismantling of their opponents’ good work during an eventful afternoon session in which Olly Stone snared two wickets and Woakes chimed in with one after Nissanka’s errant call and Stone’s direct hit from short cover had run out Dimuth Karunaratne.In bizarre scenes, Woakes was forced to send down four offspin deliveries when the umpires ruled the light to be too poor for the seamers midway through his fourth over.As the skies brightened in the very next over and Gus Atkinson was allowed to bowl off his full run, so too Woakes returned to his stock in trade, and in his sixth over he had Kusal Mendis taken by Harry Brook at second slip.Stone struck with his fourth delivery, Angelo Mathews caught by Ollie Pope at gully, and after Hull had removed Nissanka, Stone pinned Dinesh Chandimal lbw to leave Sri Lanka in deep trouble.Josh Hull made Pathum Nissanka his first Test wicket•Richard Heathcote/Getty ImagesKamindu brought up Sri Lanka’s 100 with the first of three gorgeous drives in one Stone over and by tea he was unbeaten on 34.Due to bad light, England had to bowl spin for the duration of the evening session, 17 overs in which Dhananjaya and Kamindu added 69 runs.Earlier, Sri Lanka’s bowlers responded to fast-bowling coach Aaqib Javed’s call at stumps on the first evening to “rest and come up with something better than this”.England were fallible in a collapse of 6 for 35 in 56 balls, with poor shot-selection and too often falling into the traps Sri Lanka’s bowlers set for them, but it was an undeniably improved performance from the visitors as their bowlers employed greater patience and probing lines while making the ball swing.Pope pushed his dazzling first-day score of 103 not out to 154 but apart from him and Ben Duckett, no England batter reached 20.Brook looked streaky when he resumed on 8, particularly against anything wide of off stump, and he had added just four more runs before skying Milan Rathnayake to deep point, where Asitha Fernando had eons to wait underneath it before inexplicably putting it down.So annoyed was Brook by Sri Lanka’s nagging fifth- and sixth-stump line that at one point he took up his stance a foot outside off stump and gesticulated with outstretched arms that seemed to question their tactic. The answer came soon enough when his frustration appeared to boil over into a slash at Rathnayake’s outswinger and Kamindu made no mistake with the sharpest of catches diving to his right at short cover.Related

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Harry Brook approach in spotlight after Sri Lanka hit back

De Silva: First-innings runs are what's crucial to victory

More bad-light farce at The Oval as Woakes is forced to bowl spin mid-over

Vishwa Fernando entered the attack after about an hour and had Pope given out lbw on 139, roaring “ah yes!” in celebration. Pope reviewed, somewhat speculatively, and managed to overturn his dismissal when the ball was shown to have pitched so narrowly outside leg stump Pope probably couldn’t believe it himself.With all the luck heading his way, Pope got an inside edge onto the penultimate ball of the over and it was Vishwa who could scarcely comprehend when the ball missed the top of leg stump by a whisker and raced to the boundary.Vishwa had genuine cause to celebrate a short time later though, his first wicket of the match finally coming in the form of Jamie Smith’s flick straight to midwicket.Captain Dhananjaya brought himself on and removed Woakes and Atkinson cheaply with his offspin and while Pope had brought up his 150 in just 151 balls, it was Vishwa who ended his wonderful knock with a short ball hooked to deep square leg.Pope’s dismissal brought Hull to the crease but his stay was short-lived after Asitha had him caught at square leg for just 2 and Bashir was the last man out, spooning Rathnayake to mid-off for 1.

Their series win against NZ allows Sri Lanka to ponder the prospect of a WTC final berth next year

Madushka Balasuriya29-Sep-2024Sri Lanka’s dominant series win against New Zealand has been one to savour not just for the way they won the second Test but also because it allows, even fleetingly, for them to ponder the prospect of a World Test Championship [WTC] final berth next year.As things stand Sri Lanka are placed third behind Australia and India on the WTC points table, but only 6.94 percentage points behind second-placed Australia, with a home tour against them to come in this cycle.Captain Dhananjaya de Silva, who has navigated Sri Lanka to their best year in Tests since 2006, is not getting too far ahead of himself. Before that Australia series, the next port of call for the Test side will be in South Africa in November-December.Related

Jayasuriya takes charge: 'It's about confidence and trust, and a little bit of luck'

Stats – Kamindu's dream start in Test cricket puts him alongside Bradman

Kamindu adds another banger to his growing list of hits

'I didn't feel he was on debut' – Jayasuriya lauds Peiris for 'showing Test potential'

Peiris, Jayasuriya crush New Zealand to hand Sri Lanka series sweep

“We’re only looking at it from one match to another,” Dhananjaya said when asked about his side’s WTC final prospects. “If you look too far ahead you can miss out on what’s immediately important.”It’s what I always tell the young players as well, if you do what’s required from one match to another, then what needs to happen in the points table will take care of itself.”Among those young players is Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya’s junior back in their school days at Richmond College who has fast become an integral part of the Test side.

“The decision was taken at the right time because we all know that in Galle batting in the last hour is quite difficult. And I think it’s because of that decision that we were able to bowl them out the following morning.”Kamindu Mendis on de Silva declaring when he was 182 not out

But despite that years-old connection, there was no room for sentiment when Dhananjaya called for a first-innings declaration with Kamindu 18 short of a maiden double century. Asked if he had been tempted to continue through till Kamindu reached the milestone, de Silva explained that it was not a decision he would take if it meant impacting the team negatively.”More than Kamindu’s double hundred, I wanted Kusal Mendis to get a hundred because he hadn’t scored one in quite some time,” he said. “But once we got to that point in the match, I think that was the best decision to take.”Kamindu, who sat beside his captain at the post-match press briefing, was quick to back up his skipper when questioned on the same.”We had put a big total on the board, even at lunch I had 136. So the plan even then was to score a little bit more and then put them into bat,” Kamindu said. “I think the decision was taken at the right time because we all know that in Galle batting in the last hour is quite difficult. And I think it’s because of that decision that we were able to bowl them out the following morning.”Nishan Peiris finished with nine wickets in his debut Test•APWith two wickets picked up in the dying minutes of day two, Sri Lanka rolled New Zealand over for 88 on the third morning to all but guarantee the win. A bulk of the damage in the game was done by another youngster, Nishan Peiris.The 27-year-old offspinner who was making his debut ended up with nine wickets in a stellar first Test outing, and Dhananjaya revealed it was his particular skillset that bolstered the team following a hard-fought first Test.”Nishan had bowled really well in domestic cricket for quite some time, and what I had stressed on was to bring in a bowler that could keep the economy rate low, especially on a turning track,” Dhananjaya said. “That’s how you put pressure on the opposition, with Prabath [Jayasuriya] at the other end. And I think he did his job excellently in this game.”With six Test wins this year, Sri Lanka have moved up to fifth in the Test rankings. For Dhananjaya, this has been reward for the work the side has put in, and the bench strength they’ve developed.”I have been part of the side for six years and we’ve always wanted to come up in rankings but we tried and failed,” he said. “We just couldn’t get the right team makeup, but we have got it right now. And now we also have combinations that can work on any surface, both at home and overseas.”

The start of Celtic’s competitive season is right around the corner.

A week on Sunday, the Hoops begin their Scottish Premiership title defence when they welcome St Mirren to Parkhead.

After that, they’ll travel to Pittodrie for a Scottish Cup Final rematch against Aberdeen, while there’s plenty more for supporters to get excited about throughout August, with an Old Firm derby at Ibrox and a Champions League play-off tie to come later in the month.

Thus, with the new season rapidly approaching, Brendan Rodgers is doubly eager to get his new recruits over the line.

Celtic's search for a new centre-forward

Ever since Kyōgo Furuhashi was sold to Stade Rennais for a reported fee of £10m in January, the Hoops have been in the market for a new striker.

Following last mid-week’s pre-season friendly victory over Stade Rennais, Rodgers stated that he wants “to add to our front line” having “lost a lot of goals” in recent months, given that Nicolas Kühn has also departed for Como for around £16.5m.

In terms of pure centre-forwards, Shin Yamada has arrived from Kawasaki Frontale for around £1.5m, so will challenge Adam Idah for the starting number nine spot, but Rodgers will still want more.

Mathias Kvistgaarden appeared to be their top target since January, but he has instead decided to join Norwich City from Brøndby for a reported fee of £6.9m, leaving the Scottish champions searching for an alternative.

Transfer Focus

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

Well, Rodgers does have previous when it comes to unearthing unknown strikers as Celtic manager, namely signing Moussa Dembélé nine years ago, so could he be about to do something similar?

Could Celtic sign a highly-rated young striker?

As Celtic scour far and wide for a new striker, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman claims they should go all in and sign Richard Kone from Wycombe Wanderers.

He believes, should he make the move to Glasgow, Kone “would thrive massively at that level” adding, given that Celtic “dominate games and create chances”, he would score plenty of goals.

Back in January, Luton Town had a £6m bid rejected by the Chairboys for Kone, according to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, likely to cost even more than that now.

To support this, a week ago, it was documented that Celtic have an interest in Kone, with the young marksman believed to be worth around £7m.

Speaking on CBS’ Morning Footy, Wycombe legend Adebayo Akinfenwa noted that “if Hollywood was going to have a script for a story, this would be it”, given that Kone arrived in England to represent Côte d’Ivoire at the Homeless World Cup in 2019.

He then represented Athletic Newham in the Essex Senior League, England’s ninth tier, for five years, before being scouted and signed by Wycombe in January 2024, following an extended trial.

Well, what a find this has proved to be, with the 22-year-old scoring 25 goals in 73 appearances for the Buckinghamshire-based EFL League One outfit, named both the division’s Player and Young Player of the Season, having netted 18 times in the league.

Let’s assess his statistics from League One last year to underline why he scooped up both accolades.

Goals

18

3rd

Shots

100

5th

Shots on target

40

5th

Shots per 90

3.28

3rd

Successful dribbles

44

16th

Big chances missed

16

6th

As the table notes, only two players, Charlie Kelman and Jay Stansfield, both of whom were playing for clubs who got promoted, scored more goals than Kone, while he ranked highly for every attacking metric included.

His performances certainly impressed writer Kai Watson, who labelled him a “mentality monster”, adding that “aggression, positioning and work rate” are amongst his strengths.

So why could he be a repeat of Dembélé’s arrival from 2016?

Well, before joining Celtic, the Frenchman had made just 64 senior appearances for Fulham, the vast majority of which had come at Championship level, so few could’ve forecast that he burst onto the scene as he did, scoring 32 goals during his first season at Celtic, five of which came in the Champions League.

Thus, there is certainly precedent for a young, inexperienced striker joining Celtic from the EFL and exploding into a top-class centre-forward.

If you’re not yet convinced by the déjà vu, listen to this; Kone’s non-league Athletic Newham are based on Atlético Madrid, they wear the same kit and their badge is nigh on identical, and with whom did Dembélé win La Liga? You guessed it!

Celtic now submit £1.5m bid to sign 17 G/A forward, they've had a response

The Hoops have made a formal approach for an attacker, who was regularly among the goals in the 2024-25 campaign.

ByDominic Lund Jul 23, 2025

Captain vows to stick by defeated batting core for next month’s New Zealand tour, including out-of-sorts Ollie Pope

Matt Roller26-Oct-2024England are unlikely to change their batting line-up ahead of their tour to New Zealand next month despite two heavy defeats to Pakistan. They were bowled out for 112 in Rawalpindi on Saturday, but their captain Ben Stokes insisted: “There’s no doubt in my mind that we have got the best top six batsmen in England.”After they racked up 823 for 7 in the first Test in Multan, England scored only 814 runs for the loss of 40 wickets – 39 of them to spin – across the second and third Tests. Ollie Pope had a particularly poor series at No. 3, making 55 runs at 11, while Stokes himself managed 53 in four and Zak Crawley was out four times in a row to Noman Ali’s left-arm spin.England initially planned to announce their squad for their three-match series in New Zealand immediately after the third Test in Rawalpindi, but have opted to let the dust settle and will wait until early next week to do so. But Stokes and Brendon McCullum suggested firmly that there are unlikely to be major changes to their batting line-up.”They’re the best players in England,” Stokes told Sky Sports. “We play all around the world and going to New Zealand in a couple of weeks’ time is going to be completely different [to Pakistan]. But there’s no doubt in my mind, no doubt in Brendon’s mind, that we have got the best top-six players in England.”You can’t shut the door on everything, because then you’re just being very single-minded towards what you want to do. But going back to the point before, there’s no doubt in my mind that we have got the best top-six batsmen in England. Sometimes guys will reap the rewards of performing well out in the middle, and unfortunately, some other guys will miss out.”McCullum gave a clear indication that Pope will be retained at No. 3 despite his lean run. “It is not an easy place to bat at No. 3,” he told the BBC. “I know Popey will be disappointed with the volume of runs he got in this series, but I expect him to bounce back strongly in New Zealand and we will make sure he’s got the required support around him to do so.”Obviously, Popey’s had a bit of a tough tour in terms of his output of runs… [but] we know that when Popey gets in, he makes big scores – and makes defining scores as well…We’ve got a pretty good idea of what the make-up of the squad will be for New Zealand, with the conditions that we’ll be confronted with.”Pope made three single-figure scores – including a duck – in five innings•Getty ImagesEngland will make a forced change at No. 7, with Jamie Smith set to miss at least one Test and increasingly unlikely to be part of the tour at all due to paternity leave, with his partner expecting their first child in mid-December. McCullum has previously indicated that Jordan Cox, the Essex keeper-batter, will deputise for Smith and take the gloves.Stokes also conceded that England’s fingerspinners had been outbowled by Pakistan’s on favourable surfaces, yet claimed they had still done “a fantastic job”. Across the second and third Tests, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali took 39 wickets between them at a combined average of 17.38, while Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach managed 17 wickets at 35.47.”The difference between [the teams in] these two games was the understanding of how to bowl in these conditions the Pakistan spinners showed, but that’s not taking anything away from how our spinners have played in this series,” Stokes said. “I think they’ve done a fantastic job to take the wickets that they’ve done.”Shoaib in particular, I said to him the other day, ‘You are getting to learn on the job here. You’re getting to learn about yourself as a bowler through the Test match. You’re being able to work out how to bowl in different conditions at different phases of the game, and how exciting, how good is that?’ He’s absolutely loved it.”Stokes himself returned from a torn hamstring in the second Test and did not bowl a ball in the third, but insisted he is fully fit. “I worked very, very hard to get back in for that second Test,” he said. “I just didn’t feel like my bowling was going to be anywhere near as threatening as the [other] options we had… in terms of my fitness with me not bowling, that’s got nothing to do with it.”England’s first of three Tests in New Zealand starts on November 27 in Christchurch, with the squad arriving in time to play a warm-up match in Queenstown on November 23-24. Their white-ball squads leave the UK on Monday ahead of three ODIs and five T20Is against West Indies.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot insisted that the Reds will not hesitate to strike with further additions in the summer transfer market.

Never in the Anfield side’s history has there been such a cascade of first-team signings across a single summer window, but then Liverpool won the Premier League last season and have the financial means to package Slot’s squad with exciting additions.

The thought of Mohamed Salah combining with the likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, previously two of the German Bundesliga’s brightest talents, over the next few years is quite a thing.

And more may yet be added to the ranks.

However, Luis Diaz has been sold to Bayern Munich for a £65.5m fee, and that’s a departure which will be felt on Merseyside next season.

Liverpool's decision to sell Luis Diaz

Liverpool sold Diaz, 28, due to the fact he had entered the penultimate year of his contract and wanted to leave, earning a comparatively meagre amount compared to many of Liverpool’s best-paid stars.

Bayern presented the Reds with a pretty few pennies, and his sale felt like a no-brainer, although it has now left the Anfield side lacking the versatile forward’s electric-paced energy.

Following the announcement of Diaz’s sale, Salah said this: “Your energy, drive, and passion on the pitch have left a mark that won’t be forgotten.”

And he only improved over the past year, shifting from Jurgen Klopp’s gegenpress to the more methodical ‘Slotball’.

Matches (starts)

37 (32)

36 (28)

Goals

8

13

Assists

5

5

Shots (on target)*

2.5 (0.9)

2.0 (0.8)

Big chances missed

13

11

Pass completion

85%

86%

Big chances created

5

8

Key passes*

1.8

1.6

Dribbles*

1.8

1.5

Ball recoveries*

3.4

2.9

Tackles + interceptions*

1.0

1.3

Duels won*

4.6

3.8

Diaz’s sale does, of course, hand Cody Gakpo something of a window to grasp over the coming weeks and months, for he is – as things stand – Liverpool’s leading left-sided forward.

But the Colombian, now part of the Die Roten squad, played a fair share of football as a makeshift number nine, and when Liverpool replace him, they might have their sights set at a central player.

Liverpool target wants to join them

As per The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Liverpool have seen an opening offer for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak knocked back. It fell into the ballpark of British-record territory, in excess of £120m.

Transfer reporter Ben Jacobs has corroborated the report, revealing that the 25-year-old is “pushing to join” Slot’s side. The Magpies, it’s important to stress, are adamant they will only cash in should they find a suitable replacement.

Careful planning and handling of finances have allowed Liverpool to shift into this enviable position, and Isak really would be the icing on the cake this summer.

What Liverpool would get with Alexander Isak

Isak has been with Newcastle for three years now, having joined them from Real Sociedad for £63m in 2022. Pundit Ally McCoist hailed him as “the best all-round centre-forward” in the Premier League for his efforts across the 2024/25 season, and it’s hardly an outrageous take.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland may be a more clinical ball-striking machine, but Isak’s rounded style, merging strength with style, suggests he could slot right into the way of things at Anfield.

It’s the kind of offensive game that would play right into Salah’s strengths, prominently, but also Gakpo’s too. Liverpool’s Netherlands ace scored 18 goals and provided seven assists last season, instrumental in winning the Premier League.

He’s not averse to creating and drawing defenders away, of course, and so in this way, Liverpool could find a new high-class partnership developing between Isak and Gakpo, with the Newcastle number nine so elegant and suitable for the prolific wide forward’s skill set.

Matches (starts)

30 (27)

34 (34)

Goals

21

23

Assists

2

6

Touches*

26.8

33.3

Shots (on target)*

2.4 (1.4)

2.9 (1.4)

Big chances missed

21

18

Pass completion

80%

77%

Big chances created

5

11

Key passes*

0.9

1.2

Dribbles*

1.4

1.2

Ball recoveries*

1.3

1.6

Tackles + interceptions*

0.4

0.5

Duels (won)*

2.4

2.8

The £120k-per-week Isak has a lot in his locker, but he has almost simplified his game at Newcastle, relinquishing some of the more athletic and mobile elements to refine his world-class shooting. It worked to an emphatic effect, for Newcastle restored their place in the Champions League and won the Carabao Cup (against Liverpool in the final) besides.

He was only outscored by Salah, but his roundedness suggests that he could be an exciting dance partner for Gakpo, whose responsibilities may well increase with Diaz now gone.

Gakpo isn’t a one-trick pony by any stretch, but he does put an emphasis on his goalscoring, cutting inside and clinically striking on goal.

Since Isak created 11 big chances in the top flight last season, it seems like he would be a tailor-made addition to combine with Gakpo, who ranked among the top 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League last year for non-penalty goals (0.47) per 90, as per FBref.

The Dutchman was praised by pundit Peter Crouch for having “gone up a level” since Slot replaced Klopp in the dugout, and you can only imagine the kind of heights that the 25-year-old could reach alongside a cultured and confident superstar such as Isak, who has been described by teammate Nick Pope as being “like a wizard” for the playmaking side to his arsenal.

Once again, Liverpool know that their hopes of signing Isak hinge on Newcastle’s ability to find a replacement. They want RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, but he’s also being pursued by Manchester United, who are readying a formal bid.

However, the Magpies will be cautious about keeping Isak on the books after his desperate efforts to force a move to Liverpool, and this is – without a doubt – one to keep a close eye on.

Bigger mistake than Diaz: Liverpool ready to sell Slot's "monster" for £47m

Liverpool sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, and now face the exit of another star player.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 31, 2025

Lothar Matthaus says Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade's underwhelming Germany performances are a result of their recent Premier League transfers.

Germany suffered shocking 2-0 defeat to SlovakiaWirtz and Woltemade received criticismMatthaus defends the duo after transfer upheavalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Germany’s World Cup qualifying campaign kicked off with a disastrous display as Julian Nagelsmann's side couldn't handle a tactically sound Slovakian side, going down 2-0 last week. The disappointing performance drew significant backlash from fans and pundits alike, with many pointing fingers at individual players. The team did not inspire confidence in their fans at the start of the next game against Northern Ireland as they were booed off by fans at half-time as the teams went in level at 1-1.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

While Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann's tactical changes were in for scrutiny, players like Wirtz were singled out for costly individual errors, though the new Liverpool signing scored a crucial free-kick goal and extended Germany's lead against Northern Ireland, making amends for his previous performance. Woltemade, who recently joined Newcastle, was similarly targeted for not meeting the high expectations. Matthaus, though, has defended the two as he believes their new transfer moves may have had a role in their performances.

WHAT MATTHAUS SAID

In his column for Sky Sport, Germany legend Matthaus stepped in to defend the young players from the harsh criticism, saying: "It's a given in football that whistles sometimes target individual players. There's practically only top or bottom. But I'll defend Nick Woltemade and Florian Wirtz . The turmoil and the adjustment to a new environment, these things are affecting the players' minds. They still need time to adjust to the new situation. Wirtz wasn't present at all in the first half, but he scored the free kick to make it 3-1 in world-class fashion."

Matthaus further added: "The German team has quality when all its players show what they're capable of. It starts at the back and ends at the front. Antonio Rudiger wasted a ball before the corner that led to the 1-1 draw. That's not something you do as a defender. Experienced players have to find other solutions."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR GERMANY?

The German national team have been able to let off some steam with their 3-1 win against Northern Ireland but the campaign still has a long way to go. For now, they are three points behind leaders Slovakia.

As Alexander Isak edges closer to the exit door, Newcastle United are beginning to map out life without their talismanic striker.

The Swede’s choice to skip Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Southeast Asia and instead train at former club Real Sociedad has only heightened speculation about his future.

While Liverpool lodged a bid to secure his signature, the Magpies are already working on contingency plans. In Benjamin Šeško, Newcastle believe they have identified an heir to Isak’s throne.

A towering presence at 1.94m, the 22-year-old is equally capable of leading the line with intelligence and intensity.

Despite the club’s willingness to meet RB Leipzig’s valuation, the Slovenian appears to prefer a move to Manchester United – even in the absence of European football.

This has left the door open for alternatives.

One name is emerging as a serious contender – a raw but high-ceilinged talent who combines power, pace and composure in front of goal.

Newcastle looking at Europe's next powerhouse forward

According to TEAMTalk, Newcastle and Aston Villa are among five Premier League clubs interested in Porto striker Samu Aghehowa.

The 21-year-old Spanish-Nigerian powerhouse has taken Europe by storm since joining Porto from Atlético Madrid for around £15m last summer.

Aghehowa has scored 27 goals in 45 games, including six in the Europa League and two against Manchester United, evidence of his ability to shine on the biggest stage.

As per the report, sources close to the player suggest he is keen on a move to the Premier League, drawn by its competitiveness and global appeal. However, Porto’s valuation, a steep £70 million, partly due to Atlético Madrid’s 50% sell-on clause, may complicate matters.

Nevertheless, it’s believed a lower fee could be negotiated, with £50m-£60m having been suggested.

Why Samu Aghehowa Might Be the Next Šeško — Or Better

Standing at 1.93m, Aghehowa fits the same physical profile as Šeško. Indeed, analyst Ben Mattinson described Omorodion as an “absolute powerhouse”, while also noting that he is the “real deal”.

Crucially, he’s already proven capable of shouldering a club’s attacking burden, an attractive quality for both Newcastle and Villa, especially with the latter facing uncertainty over Ollie Watkins’ future.

Should Newcastle miss out on Šeško, Aghehowa represents a similarly ambitious gamble, albeit one with a potentially higher ceiling.

In truth, comparisons between the pair are as inevitable as both are towering, physically dominant forwards.

What’s more, both are under the age of 23 and represent the archetype of the modern target man: capable of bullying defenders whilst also possessing the technique to play in dynamic, high-tempo systems.

According to data from FBref, his non-penalty expected goals (npxG) stood at 8.4, with 11 goals scored in open play, and he averaged 2.5 shots per 90 minutes. But as promising as those numbers are, Aghehowa’s hold up well in comparison.

In the Liga Portugal, the Porto man scored 19 league goals and added three assists. Across all competitions, he notched 27.

The same data shows he ranks in the 75th percentile for non-penalty xG per 90 (0.43) and the 86th percentile for total shots per 90 (3.10).

In terms of pass completion, he’s even more efficient than Šeško, ranking in the 96th percentile (77.8%), demonstrating his ability to play quick link-up football.

Additionally, the former Atleti starlet is an active presence in the box.

He ranks in the 86th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area (5.45), and, surprisingly for a striker, in the 73rd percentile for interceptions – testament to his defensive work rate.

Šeško, for all his finishing prowess, has a more passive off-ball profile. With Isak increasingly detached, training independently at Real Sociedad and unlikely to return without resolution, Newcastle’s hierarchy must make a call.

Wait for a Šeško U-turn, or invest in the next rising star before the market catches up?

Aghehowa might not be a household name yet, but neither was Haaland before his Salzburg breakout, nor Šeško before Leipzig.

The traits are all there: size, speed, hunger, and a fearless eye for goal. In the end, signing him wouldn’t just be a response to Isak’s departure, it could be a defining statement of ambition for the years ahead.

Gordon's new Isak: Newcastle leading the race for £50m Sesko alternative

Newcastle are faced with the unenviable position of finding an Isak replacement this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 1, 2025

He was suspended on Tuesday for assaulting a Bangladesh cricketer and taking more leaves than mentioned in his contract

Mohammad Isam17-Oct-2024Two days after suspending Chandika Hathurusinghe, the BCB has terminated him as Bangladesh’s head coach. The sacking came on the grounds of misconduct and breach of employment terms.BCB president Faruque Ahmed said on Tuesday that Hathurusinghe assaulted a Bangladesh cricketer and took more leaves than mentioned in his contract. The board had served him a show-cause notice, seeking an explanation on the two counts of misconduct. Hathurusinghe responded on the following day, which prompted an emergency board meeting to review the situation on Thursday.”After considering all factors, the board deemed Hathurusinghe’s explanation unsatisfactory and unacceptable and found his action consistent with misconduct and dereliction of duty,” a BCB release said. “His termination comes into immediate effect.”This ends Hathurusinghe’s second stint as Bangladesh coach, even though his contract was till January 2023. This stint included the milestone Test series win in Pakistan recently. However, the two World Cup campaigns, the ODI one in 2023 and the T20 one in 2024 were underwhelming.Phil Simmons has already been appointed the next head coach till the Champions Trophy in February 2025.

Arsenal and Tottenham are both monitoring highly-rated Swindon Town goalkeeper Anton Robinson, a 6ft 5in shot-stopper born in 2008. The teenager, already making waves in England’s lower leagues, has attracted interest from the north London giants, who are preparing to battle for his signature as he emerges as one of the brightest young talents in the country.

Arsenal & Spurs monitoring  goalkeeper Anton RobinsonRobinson, 6ft 5in, already made EFL Trophy bench appearanceThe teenager seen as rare talent with potential to reach elite levelFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Robinson, who only turned 16 this year, has impressed scouts with his commanding presence and maturity. He recently featured on the bench for Swindon's senior team in an EFL Trophy clash, underlining his rapid progression. Both Spurs and Arsenal are keeping close tabs on his development as per TeamTalk.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Born in 2008, Robinson already measures a towering 6ft 5in and has been praised for his command of the penalty area. His early exposure to first-team football has only strengthened his reputation. Scouts believe he could develop into one of the most promising goalkeepers of his generation.

DID YOU KNOW?

Obviously, at the moment, both North London sides have a lot of quality in the goalkeeping department. Arsenal currently have David Raya as their main goalkeeper with Kepa Arrizabalaga as backup. As for Tottenham, they boast a strong starter in Guglielmo Vicario, and have Antonin Kinsky as his deputy. 

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ROBINSON?

Swindon will likely face pressure to keep hold of their prized prospect as Arsenal and Spurs weigh up moves. A decision may hinge on Robinson’s pathway to regular first-team minutes. For now, both clubs will continue tracking his progress closely.