Aston Villa are now exploring a move for an “extraordinary” goalkeeper as a replacement for Emiliano Martinez, with Unai Emery considered an admirer.
Villa looking to sign Martinez replacement
Martinez is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world, winning the Yashin Trophy in 2023 and 2024, so it is no surprise that Emery has chosen to reintroduce the 33-year-old to the starting XI, despite him pushing for a move to Manchester United during the summer.
The Argentinian was keen to complete a move to Old Trafford on deadline day, but Man United ultimately ended up signing Senne Lammens, who kept a clean sheet on his debut against Sunderland.
However, having pushed for a move in the summer, the controversial goalkeeper’s future remains in doubt, with it recently being revealed that he has lost faith in Emery, amid the slow start to the season.
According to a report from Spain, Aston Villa have now set their sights on a new goalkeeper, with Martinez’s future in doubt, having identified Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin as a target, and there are signs that a deal could be possible.
Lunin has made it clear he wants to leave the La Liga side, having been left frustrated with his role as a back-up to Thibaut Courtois, given that, at 26-years-old, he needs to be playing regular first-team football.
It is suggested that Madrid could hold out for around €30m (£26m) for the Ukrainian, making him a relatively affordable option for Villa, with it previously being revealed that Emery is personally keen on signing him.
"Extraordinary" Lunin could be fantastic Martinez replacement
Although the Madrid shot-stopper has fallen behind Courtois in the pecking order, he has previously proven himself at the highest level, making 12 Champions League appearances, including eight en-route to the Spanish side’s 2023-24 triumph.
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Courtesy of his performances that season, the former Zorya Luhansk man also received very high praise from CBS Sports’ Nico Cantor.
Whenever called upon over the past year, the Ukraine international has been solid, recording a clean sheet percentage of 42.9%, which places him in the 97th percentile, when compared to other goalkeepers.
Given his age, however, Lunin needs to be a first-choice goalkeeper, so a move to Villa Park would make perfect sense, and Aston Villa should no doubt make an approach if Martinez makes it clear he still wants to leave.
There is now a “real prospect” of Liverpool completing the signing of an “extraordinary” France international as they seek to break out of their recent rut.
Van Dijk's leadership breaks Liverpool slump
The Premier League champions are back in action away to Brentford on Saturday evening, looking to build on Wednesday’s 5-1 win away to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk revealed after the win in Germany that he held a meeting with just the players at the start of the week, following a dreadful run of form.
“On Monday everyone was sad because we lost to Man United at home,” said Van Dijk. “It was tough under the circumstances so on Monday we came together but it wasn’t a crisis meeting. Nobody wants to lose four games in a row but it was the situation we faced.
“Obviously we also had a proper debrief with the manager but we also had a separate one as players. I wanted to say some things. It’s not something I do after every game. After my meeting everyone was happy!”
Away from Liverpool’s on-pitch duties, an exciting new transfer rumour has emerged, with FSG seemingly planning to spend their way out of their recent run.
Liverpool in race to sign Champions League winner
Speaking to TEAMtalk, journalist Dean Jones claimed that Liverpool have a “real” chance of signing Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, but face competition for his signature.
Camavinga has a €1bn release clause in his Real Madrid contract, but stands out as a wonderful option for Liverpool, should he and Xabi Alonso fail to fully click at Madrid, resulting in Los Blancos cashing in for a more reasonable figure.
The 22-year-old Frenchman has won two Champions League crowns in his career, as well as a couple of La Liga titles, while Carlo Ancelotti has called him an “extraordinary” player, which is high praise from a legendary manager.
Liverpool have signed a Salah-type player who's got the "pace of Torres"
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Camavinga would bring class, elegance and substance to Liverpool’s midfield, not to mention being able to shine at left-back, and given his age, he could mature into a genuinely world-class midfield at Anfield. Arne Slot does have great depth there, but if the chance arises to sign him, it would be foolish to say no.
Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White has hailed Ruben Amorim for masterminding an "incredible" Manchester United resurgence ahead of a crucial Premier League showdown at City Ground. At the end of September, United were being written off as a sinking ship. A humiliating 3-1 loss to Brentford left Amorim’s side stranded in 14th place and seemingly spiralling toward another season of disappointment. But after a sensational October, the narrative has flipped on its head.
AFPAmorim’s stunning turnaround
Amorim’s United have roared back to life after putting in a series of performances that have propelled them to sixth in the Premier League standings. They started October with a gritty 2-0 win over high-flying Sunderland. Many feared that the two-week international break would dent their momentum, but the Red Devils shocked their critics after churning out a historic 2-1 victory at Anfield to end a nine-year jinx. The squad started to believe, and then riding on the bright form, they dispatched Brighton 4-2 in a pulsating encounter at Old Trafford on Saturday. Suddenly, the Red Devils are back in the European mix and are just six points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
AdvertisementAFPGibbs-White wary of United threat
Gibbs-White has admitted he is an admirer of Amorim’s transformation job. Speaking to , the Forest playmaker was full of praise for how United have rediscovered their identity.
"It’s been incredible to see, obviously they’ve been going through a tough time in the past couple of years," he said. "But they’ve stuck with the gaffer [Amorim] and the past four or five games, you’re really starting to see how Man United should be playing, that grit and that determination to want to play for the badge. I feel like it’s been incredible to see, it’s something I feel like the league has missed."
However, while Gibbs-White respects United’s resurgence, he has warned that Forest must not get drawn into the hype.
"All we can do is focus on ourselves, we can’t focus on how Man United are doing and how their performances are because if we do that, we’re just almost bowing down to them," he added. "We’ve got to focus on what we want to do and how we can win the game. I feel like this week we’ve already started to implement some ideas, and obviously we’ve still got a few more days until the game, so I’m sure the gaffer [Sean Dyche] will have more ideas of how we can beat them."
Amorim's tactical evolution at Man Utd
A major reason for United’s revival lies in Amorim’s subtle but significant tactical tweaks. Early-season criticism was fierce, with fans tearing into his rigid 3-4-3 formation, accusing him of being too stubborn and naive in the Premier League. But instead of abandoning his philosophy, Amorim refined it. Without the ball, United now defend in a compact 5-4-1 shape, with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro forming a disciplined midfield block. They get additional help from Luke Shaw, who has been instructed to step into midfield when out of possession, creating an extra body in the press. The changes have made United harder to break down, and the results are there for everyone to see.
Club legend Rio Ferdinand, who lifted 14 trophies in his 12 glittering years at Old Trafford, is among those who has been pleased with the recent changes. On he hailed the manager's flexibility to tweak his ideas to suit the players.
"I admire it to a certain extent. But like I said, I think he was playing Russian Roulette with his job. I don't think he's changed drastically; he's just tweaked," he said. "That's what a lot of fans were asking for. Just tweak what you've got. Maybe don't be so much on the front foot, maybe be a bit more conservative at times when we haven't got the ball. You can't press, press, press for 90 minutes, unless you're an absolute beast of a team. PSG do it. This manager couldn't do that with this squad."
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GettyA fourth victory on the trot at Forest?
While United climb the table with renewed purpose, Forest find themselves in dire straits. Ange Postecoglou has been shown the door after a disastrous spell, and Sean Dyche’s first Premier League game in charge ended in a sobering 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, leaving Forest 18th with just one win from nine matches. A rejuvenated United side, brimming with confidence, might be licking their lips at the opportunity to register a fourth straight Premier League victory. This would mark United’s best run since February 2024 and indicate a genuine transformation from an early-season disarray to a top-four contender. However, Gibbs-White will be out to try and spoil the party.
Fakhar Zaman’s 60 and Salman Mirza’s four-wicket haul set up the win for Lahore Qalandars in the rain-interrupted game
Andrew Fidel Fernando19-May-2025Fakhar Zaman’s 60 off 36 set up the game for Lahore Qalandars, before Salman Mirza’s 4 for 31 sealed a rain-reduced 13-over PSL 2025 game in Rawalpindi on Sunday night. Peshawar Zalmi were guilty of overall sloppiness. They dropped at least four catches – including two off Fakhar – and their chase never left the ground, even if some late hitting narrowed the margin.The loss knocked Zalmi out of the competition, as they finished fifth on the table. For Qalandars, the win confirmed their place in the Eliminator, to be played on Thursday.Fakhar rocks the powerplayFakhar brought his most fearless self to the powerplay. His first six came off a bad short ball which he pulled for six. But the second big hit, one ball later, was imperious. He ran at Luke Wood and thumped him high over the long-on boundary.He would hit only one more six in his innings, but struck five fours, punishing errors in line in particular. By the end of the powerplay, he was 45 off 21 balls. Qalandars had sped to 80 for 1.Qalandar’s top order pitches inIt wasn’t all about Fakhar, though. In the first four overs, Mohammad Naeem was, in fact, the primary blaster, hitting three fours and a six in his ten-ball 22. Later, Kusal Perera contributed 17 off eight balls, before Asif Ali smashed 18 off six (the first two deliveries he faced sailed over the boundary).Vitally, all of those supporting batters continued to take risks and push the run rate, despite Fakhar’s success at the other end.Mirza’s powerplay strikes swing itAlthough Zalmi always needed to go at almost 11.5 runs an over, there was an outside chance they could have made a strong charge, given the batting-friendly surface and the damp outfield. Mirza effectively killed the chase in his first two overs.His first wicket was down to a little good fortune, Saim Ayub treading on his stumps trying to play a back-foot shot. But in his next over, Mirza bowled Mohammad Haris and Max Bryant off successive deliveries. The ball to Bryant was especially impressive, he curved it away from the batter from over the wicket, then jagged it back into his stumps.Mirza would also dismiss Ahmed Daniyal in his last over.
A dedicated fund and robust high-performance programme will be set up to help Afghan women cricketers
ESPNcricinfo staff13-Apr-20252:03
Mel Jones: This group of Afghanistan women are trying to rebuild their lives
The ICC has said it will form a “dedicated task force” to support Afghanistan women cricketers who have been displaced by the Taliban regime ruling the country.The initiative, which is in partnership with the BCCI, ECB and CA, will include “a dedicated fund to provide direct monetary assistance, ensuring these cricketers have the resources they need to continue pursuing the game they love,” the ICC said in a statement on Sunday. “This will be complemented by a robust high-performance programme offering advanced coaching, world-class facilities, and tailored mentorship to help them reach their full potential.”Related
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'A real beacon of hope' – CA sees Afghanistan women's match as first step
Jay Shah, the ICC chairman, said: “At the International Cricket Council, we are deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring every cricketer has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their circumstances. In collaboration with our valued partners, we are proud to launch this task force and support fund, complemented by a comprehensive high-performance programme, to ensure displaced Afghan women cricketers can continue their journey in the sport. This initiative reflects our steadfast dedication to cricket’s global growth and its power to inspire unity, resilience, and hope.”Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, women have been forced to adhere to an increasingly restrictive range of laws barring them from most areas of public life, including sports. Shortly before that, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) had agreed to contract 25 women players, most of whom now live in exile in Australia.The exiled Afghanistan women’s team played their first game in Melbourne earlier this year•AFP/Getty Images
In July last year, former members of the Afghanistan women’s national team, no longer recognised as such by the country’s Taliban rulers, wrote to the ICC asking to be recognised as a refugee team. In January this year, an Afghanistan women’s XI played a T20 game against a Cricket Without Borders team in Melbourne.”I am delighted the ICC will provide strong support for Afghanistan women’s players including those now resident in Australia,” CA chief executive Todd Greenberg said. “We hope this will help enable the Afghanistan women to achieve their goal of improving their cricket and playing at the highest possible level.”We remain extremely grateful to all those in the Australian Cricket who have played a role in the resettlement of the Afghanistan women in Australia and in providing playing opportunities.”Richard Gould, the ECB chief executive, said: “We have been vocal in recent times around the need for meaningful funding to support female players from Afghanistan so that they can thrive despite not being able to play at home.”Having previously contributed a significant sum to the Global Refugee Cricket Fund, we are encouraged that this positive step from the ICC will go even further. We want the Afghanistan women’s team to continue being a beacon of hope for all women and girls.”While there has been pressure on the ICC to act against Afghanistan from the governments of some Full Member countries, it has not taken any action against the men’s team. In March, Human Rights Watch, which describes itself as an independent, international, non-governmental organisation, called on the ICC to suspend Afghanistan’s membership and ban the Taliban-run nation from competing in international cricket. The request came via an email addressed to Shah, dated February 3 and made public on March 7.
Arsenal’s summer transfer window once again blended big-money investment with their long-standing faith in youth.
After finishing second in the Premier League last season, and reaching the Champions League semi-finals, the club doubled down on its squad rebuild.
Major arrivals included Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Nørgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Departures such as Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Reiss Nelson cleared space in the squad, while Arsenal also leaned heavily on their Hale End academy graduates.
Ethan Nwaneri, now 18, continues to develop after becoming the Premier League’s youngest-ever debutant in 2022.
Myles Lewis-Skelly enjoyed a breakout season, and Max Dowman, still only 15, made his senior bow against Leeds.
That commitment to the academy has become a central pillar of Arsenal’s squad-building philosophy under Mikel Arteta.
Yet while several young prospects have been integrated, others have slipped away.
The balance between spending heavily and nurturing talent is once again at the heart of Arsenal’s defensive planning.
Who is Piero Hincapié, and Why Did Arsenal Sign Him?
When Arsenal announced the arrival of Piero Hincapié from Bayer Leverkusen on loan with a £45m option to buy, it was framed as a major upgrade on the left side of their defence.
At 23, the Ecuadorian international already brings European pedigree, with 32 Bundesliga appearances last season, contributing two goals and two assists.
Piero Hincapie in action for Bayer Leverkusen
Hincapié has been on Arsenal’s radar for years, valued for his ability to operate at both left centre-back and left-back.
With Gabriel undergoing hamstring surgery at the end of last season and Riccardo Calafiori struggling with fitness, versatility is essential.
Sporting Director Andrea Berta emphasised Hincapié’s tactical flexibility, and Arteta believes he is not simply cover but a genuine competitor for a starting role. His statistical profile backs up the excitement.
Matches Played
32
Progressive Carries
52
Progressive Passes
152
Tackles
52
Blocks
40
Aerials Won
65
Compared to positional peers, Hincapié ranked in the 96th percentile for progressive carries (1.69 per 90), underlining his comfort driving forward with the ball.
He also sat in the 86th percentile for progressive passes (4.94 per 90) and an eye-catching 94th percentile for key passes (0.54 per 90) – numbers that show how he can help Arsenal’s build-up from deep.
Defensively, he impressed in the 89th percentile for tackles won (1.29 per 90) and the 86th percentile for passes blocked (0.72 per 90).
This blend of defensive solidity and forward-thinking distribution makes him a natural fit for Arteta’s system, where centre-backs are expected to initiate attacks as much as they are to shut them down.
His arrival represents a continuation of Arsenal’s recent strategy: recruit players with multi-positional value while retaining the ability to progress possession.
Ayden Heaven could have been Hincapie 2.0
As Arsenal commit to potentially spending £45m next summer to make Hincapié’s move permanent, questions linger over whether they let a homegrown option slip through their fingers.
Ayden Heaven, once considered one of the Hale End academy’s brightest defensive prospects, departed for Manchester United in February for a fee of just £1m.
Ayden Heaven for Arsenal.
His departure came after limited opportunities at the Emirates despite being highly rated within the club. Analyst Ben Mattinson once described Heaven as “highly unique,” and he has quickly shown why.
Drafted into United’s first-team picture earlier than expected after Lisandro Martínez’s season-ending injury, the 18-year-old has already made eight appearances for the Red Devils.
He has looked composed in possession, comfortable carrying the ball out from defence, and tactically assured despite his age.
United moved quickly to secure him on a long-term deal running until 2029, amid reported interest from Barcelona, Frankfurt and Marseille.
Heaven’s profile, a left-footed defender who is confident on the ball, is precisely the type of player Arsenal are now looking to integrate through Hincapié.
The irony is hard to miss.
Where Hincapié ranks among Europe’s best for progressive actions, Heaven has showcased similar traits in his early United outings.
His poise on the ball and ability to step into midfield mirrors the qualities Arteta demands from his defenders.
For a club that has prided itself on giving opportunities to youth, losing Heaven for such a modest fee may come to be seen as a misstep.
The comparison is not to suggest Hincapié is the wrong signing – his experience and proven metrics make him a high-level addition.
But for a side that has successfully nurtured Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly, the case of Heaven highlights the fine margins of squad planning.
Arsenal could soon pay £45m for a defender to fill the very role that a Hale End graduate, now at a Premier League rival, may have slotted into seamlessly.
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Kohli set up India for a semi-final spot and all but crossed out Pakistan from the 2025 Champions Trophy
Alagappan Muthu23-Feb-2025
Virat Kohli brings up his 51st ODI century•Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
In the biggest match of the year, with his mortality showing more than it ever did before, Virat Kohli proved he’s still got it, that maybe, just maybe, the little he’s lost isn’t going to define him. He ticked off 14,000 runs in ODI cricket, brought up his 51st ODI century, set up India for a semi-final spot, and all but crossed out Pakistan from Champions Trophy 2025. The holders and hosts need other results to go their way to stay alive in the tournament now.India went into the game as favourites. They were worthy of that seeding, limiting Pakistan to 241 with Hardik Pandya putting in the kind of performance that should make him illegal. An allrounder capable of dismissing the opposition’s best batter and then coming back to take down their top-scorer isn’t just a name on the sheet. He is the secret sauce.Related
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'Happy with the template' – Kohli and the comfort of the chase
And Kuldeep Yadav was the spice. His left-arm wristspin is so rare and he made it rarer by finding a way to be quick through the air without compromising on turn or accuracy. So that means unless batters pick him out of the hand, they are always going to be guessing. Three Pakistan batters guessed wrong. All three were end-overs wickets. Pakistan were setting up to explode at the death. Kuldeep just wouldn’t let them. The injury hasn’t affected his menace.Pakistan were able to produce moments. Shaheen Shah Afridi sending down a 143kph inswinging yorker to shatter Rohit Sharma’s stumps. Abrar Ahmed conjuring a carrom ball from hell to get rid of a rampaging Shubman Gill. But when it came to capitalising on them, they just couldn’t. The result: a world champion side that was renowned for pulling games out of the fire now seems to do the first part right – they definitely got into trouble in Dubai – but the other part, the important part, is going so very wrong. Pakistan were 151 for 2 in the 34th over before they were bowled out for 241 with the most inexperienced member of the India side dictating terms, Harshit Rana and his slower balls were just impossible to hit.A game in an ICC event and a rivalry with history bursting out of every pore eventually became so one-sided that its last few moments were dominated by an individual pursuit. Axar Patel turned down an easy two so Kohli could get to his hundred. The crowd in Dubai loved that. There were 12 runs to get for India’s victory and 12 runs to get for their hero’s century and they chanted his name over and over. Pakistan were nowhere to be found. Ever since a collapse of 3 for 11 in 19 balls, this game turned pear-shaped for them.1:10
Manjrekar: Hardik always delivers on the big stage
Mohammad Rizwan had banked on the innings going so differently. He came in at 47 for 2 and hit his first ball for four and then decided run-scoring was not for him. He was 24 off 50. He barely hit the ball in anger. He point blank refused to. At the other end, Saud Shakeel was at least making an effort to turn the good balls he was facing into singles. When he got to fifty, he had weathered only 29 dot balls. At the same time, Rizwan at the other end, had racked up 40. India did well by denying him spin to start his innings. But still, this was a better pitch than the opening game in Dubai a few days ago. It wasn’t flat, but it had a little more pace in it, and it got better under lights. Rizwan, though, batted like it was cursed. He was worried bad things would happen if he tried to hit the ball hard.And it kinda did. Rizwan fell trying to hit Axar out of the ground and his wicket triggered a collapse. Shakeel fell in the next over and Tayyab Tahir followed soon after. India, having spent 320 deliveries across two matches searching for a wicket in the middle overs, had found three in the space of four. Pakistan were 165 for 5. Soon they would be 200 for 7, having to negotiate the last 7.1 overs of the innings with their tail exposed.India’s discipline never let Pakistan off the hook and leading the way was Hardik, banging the ball just short of a length on a pitch that was offering a bit of grip and some tennis-ball bounce. He took out Babar Azam at a time when India’s lead fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, was off the field with a shin problem, and he did Shakeel for lack of pace just after the left-hand batter had smacked him for four. He always knew what to do to exploit the conditions and make the batter’s life miserable. On the back of his work, Kuldeep and Rana bowled 6.4 death overs for 28 runs and picked up four wickets.1:54
Urooj: Pakistan have let themselves down again
Gill was the star of India’s chase early on, a conscious effort to keep his front foot from moving too far forward and across leaving him excellently placed to take advantage of Afridi and his full-length deliveries when there was no swing on offer. When he rammed the fast bowler down the ground and then one-upped it by coming down the track and lifting the ball into the sightscreen, it looked like it was going to be his day. Abrar intervened with a ball that drifted in, tempting Gill to close the face of his bat, and turned away to rattle middle and off stump. Gill was stunned.Kohli, too, offered a shrug of his shoulders. He looked vulnerable against Abrar too and was almost bowled playing back to him. But against the quicks, he was vintage. He went past 14,000 runs with a crisp cover drive off Haris Rauf. All of Pakistan’s best bowlers offer pace on the ball. And that is Kohli’s happy place. A batter of his quality needs to be made uncomfortable at the crease when he is new. He had been dismissed five times in his last six ODIs by legspin. Pakistan had one of those and they felt they couldn’t go to him.2:07
Manjrekar: Shreyas now looks comfortable against the short ball
Shreyas Iyer helped himself to a half-century. A little change in his technique where he holds his bat higher and waves it as the bowler approaches, creating momentum into his shots, is helping him deal with an earlier weakness against the short ball. He clubbed Rauf for four in front of square to prove it. But there was no taking the spotlight from his senior partner.Kohli was setting the tempo. Pakistan had allowed him to do so. Though he only hit three of his first 62 balls to the boundary, he already had fifty runs to his name. He knows how to score quickly without looking for big shots. The ball wasn’t stopping on the surface as much under lights. Things were working in his favour again. He almost knew he was going to get a hundred. He demanded an explanation when Axar turned down a second run off a wide in the 42nd over when it was clear to everybody else that all he was doing was make sure Kohli had the best chance to get to three figures with time running out. When he did, off the last ball of the match, Kohli looked to the dressing room and literally said, “I told you. Relax.” That was how easy this was. That was how inevitable he was.
How well prepared are West Ham United for the new Premier League season?
Well, Graham Potter will certainly take encouragement from his team’s performances during the Premier League Summer Series, beating both Everton and Bournemouth, their only defeat coming in the first game of their US tour against Manchester United.
The Hammers’ homecoming is on Saturday, welcoming LOSC Lille to the London Stadium, before the serious business begins at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland a week later.
However, supporters are certainly concerned about the make-up of this squad, given that Mohammed Kudus has been sold to fierce rivals Tottenham, with the arrivals of Callum Wilson, Kyle Walker-Peters and El Hadji Malick Diouf doing little to lift the mood.
Newcastle United'sCallumWilsonsalutes their fans after the match
Well, could that be about to change, as the Irons target a move to sign a “phenomenal” striker who has been compared to Erling Braut Håland?
West Ham's never-ending search for a striker
With Michail Antonio having been released, West Ham require a new starting centre-forward this season, even after the arrival of Wilson, who surely cannot be banked upon to remain fit, having seen just 458 minutes of action last season, scoring one goal.
Well, fair to say, they don’t have a great track record when it comes to signing strikers for big money, as the table below documents.
Evan Ferguson
2025
Loan
8
Zero
Niclas Füllkrug
2024
£27m
20
3
Danny Ings
2023
£15m
69
5
Gianluca Scamacca
2022
£30.5m
27
8
Sébastien Haller
2019
£45m
54
14
Albian Ajeti
2019
£8m
12
Zero
Javier Hernández
2018
£16m
63
17
Jordan Hugill
2018
£10m
3
Zero
Lucas Pérez
2018
£4m
19
6
Diafra Sakho
2016
£10m
71
24
Emmanuel Emenike
2016
Loan
16
2
As the table outlines, since Antonio’s arrival in 2015, no West Ham striker has scored more than 25 goals for the club, with a vast amount of money wasted on players who produced very little.
Michail Antonio.
As they seek to change that, reports in Spain claim that West Ham are interested in signing Atlético Madrid striker Alexander Sørloth, with Brentford also mentioned as potential suitors.
They add that los Colchoneros would be open to offers for the Norwegian centre-forward, as they pursue Roma’s Artem Dovbyk, and that Sørloth could be available for as little as €25m (around £22m).
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
So, could the 29-year-old soon swap the Spanish capital for East London?
How Alexander Sørloth would improve West Ham
Fair to say, Sørloth has had a strange career, only really becoming a regular goalscorer very recently, with sporadic scoring sprees in there too, as noted below.
2013/14
Rosenborg
7
1
2014/15
Bodø/Glimt
29
14
2015/16
Groningen
15
2
2016/17
Groningen
30
4
2017/18
Midtjylland
26
15
2017/18*
Crystal Palace
4
Zero
2018/19
Crystal Palace
16
1
2018/19*
Gent
22
5
2019/20
Trabzonspor
49
33
2020/21
RB Leipzig
37
6
2021/22
Real Sociedad
44
8
2022/23
Real Sociedad
46
16
2023/24
Villarreal
41
26
2024/25
Atlético Madrid
53
24
*moved in January
As the table outlines, Sørloth changes clubs very regularly, often enduring long periods without scoring very many goals, including making little impact during his time at Crystal Palace.
Up until recently, his career highlight came in the 2019/20 season, firing Trabzonspor to second in the Turkish Süper Lig and glory in the Türkiye Kupası, on target during the final victory over Alanyaspor at the Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadı, one of his 33 goals that season.
Sørloth has then found his feet again in Spain, scoring 26 goals for Villarreal, earning a £28m move to Atlético Madrid last summer, for whom he netted 24 times, on target every 78 minutes in La Liga.
Alexander Sørloth
Atlético Madrid
20
1.15
Patrik Schick
Bayer Leverkusen
21
1.12
Ousmane Dembélé
Paris Saint-Germain
21
1.09
Harry Kane
Bayern Munich
26
0.98
Kylian Mbappé
Real Madrid
31
0.96
Mika Biereth
Monaco
13
0.95
Mateo Retegui
Atalanta
25
0.94
Robert Lewandowski
Barcelona
27
0.91
Ayoze Pérez
Villarreal
19
0.87
Oihan Sancet
Athletic Club
15
0.83
Manager Diego Simeone described Sørloth’s form as “phenomenal”, while Domagoj Kostanjšak of Total Football Analysis notes that he ‘thrives on physical duels’, making him a classic target man centre-forward.
Meantime, Juan Fernández Valencia of Breaking the Lines agrees, praising his ‘exceptional ability to win aerial duels’, suggesting there were fears when he arrived at Atleti that he was simply a one-season wonder, but he very much alleviated those concerns in a Rojiblancos shirt.
Should Sørloth return to the Premier League, one player he’ll know very well is Håland, given that the duo have started all four of Norway’s World Cup qualifiers in 2025 up front together, firing their country to four wins out of four.
Manchester City's ErlingHaalandduring the warm up before the match
Håland has found the net during all four of these victories, with Sørloth netting in each of the first three, including a famous 3-0 demolition of Italy, their main rivals for top spot in Group I, in Oslo back in June.
As noted by Stuart James of The Athletic, national team manager Ståle Solbakken faces a real challenge getting both centre-forwards in the same line-up, given their physical and stylistic similarities; both are tall and physically imposing, but have excellent movement and thrive when able to burst in-behind.
That likeness has also been picked up on by FBref, who note that Håland is one of the most statistically similar strikers to Sørloth among those in their position across Europe’s top five leagues.
Interestingly, the Atleti star ranks in the top 1% for non-penalty goals per 90, thus actually placing him ahead of the prolific Manchester City talisman, who ranks in the top 6% in that regard.
Sørloth certainly would not face a similar issue should he move to West Ham, as he would instantaneously become the main man through the middle of the attack, so could the Norwegian be the player to break the Hammers’ striker curse?
Potter's new Bowen: West Ham battling PL rivals for "explosive" £30m talent
West Ham could be getting their hands on a future superstar.
David Moyes didn’t return to Everton to make up the numbers.
With the club in need of smart squad-building, his second spell promises a more ambitious approach. That outlook has already shaped Everton’s summer.
The permanent signings of Carlos Alcaraz from Flamengo and Thierno Barry from Villarreal, along with Adam Aznou from Bayern Munich, suggest a clear shift towards technical, mobile players who can play through pressure.
But Moyes still wants one more key addition – a player with the composure to dictate rhythm in attack, and the tactical awareness to protect the defence.
Someone who can carry the creative burden left behind by the likes of Abdoulaye Doucouré, who departed the club alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ashley Young this summer.
That figure could soon arrive. And while he’s not yet an established name in Italy, he’s no stranger to the Premier League.
Everton's priority midfield target emerges
According to GIVEMESPORT, Douglas Luiz, who once thrived at Aston Villa, is firmly on Everton’s radar as Juventus prepare for a late-window departure.
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The Old Lady, for their part, are holding out for a £39m fee but are open to loan arrangements if no permanent buyers emerge before deadline day.
Everton are monitoring developments closely and the club is prepared to move in the final weeks of the window – particularly if Luiz remains on the market – having already made a loan enquiry.
Douglas Luiz at the Club World Cup with Juventus.
A deal would likely be structured around an initial loan with an option to buy, given the financial limits imposed by Everton’s ongoing compliance with FFP regulations.
Such interest has been corroborated by Fabrizio Romano, who stated that three Premier League clubs are in direct contact with Luiz’s camp – Everton and Nottingham Forest among them.
Luiz’s time in Italy has been underwhelming.
Since making a £42m move from Aston Villa, he has struggled to impose himself under either Thiago Motta or Igor Tudor, making just six starts in Serie A last season and featuring for only 45 minutes at the Club World Cup.
Juventus'DouglasLuizin action with PSV Eindhoven's Joey Veerman
Still, his technical quality remains undisputed – It’s no surprise that Luiz continues to attract admirers. In 2024, ESPN Brazil’s Leonardo Bertozzi described him as world-class.
“On the national team level, he will be one of the leading names for the 2026 World Cup.”
For Everton, the prospect of acquiring Luiz on loan, with a view to a permanent move, would represent an astute piece of business.
He wants to return to England, and Goodison Park could give him the platform to rediscover his best form.
Why Luiz could be Moyes' new Arteta
If Everton do get their man, comparisons to a certain former blue won’t be far behind. In his pomp under Moyes, Mikel Arteta was the heartbeat of Everton’s midfield.
A graceful and intelligent operator, he could switch tempo, pick out a pass, and arrive late in the box to score.
His 2006/07 campaign, marked by nine goals and nine assists in 35 games, remains a benchmark for midfielders in blue. Douglas Luiz offers similar potential.
Despite limited minutes, according to data from FBref, Luiz ranked fifth last season in the Juventus squad for both passing accuracy (89.5%) and successful dribbles (72.2%), while also contributing three big chances created and a solid 0.69 key passes per game.
Those numbers, while not elite, reflect a player capable of impacting games even when on the fringes.
Like Arteta, he came through under Guardiola’s influence, albeit at Manchester City rather than Barcelona, and shares a similar mix of technique and tactical intelligence.
During his peak at Aston Villa, Luiz was an all-action midfielder.
He pressed high, recycled possession with ease, and regularly contributed in the final third, with nine goals and five assists in the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Statistically, Luiz offers a slightly different skillset to Arteta, with a greater emphasis on carrying and dribbling through midfield rather than serving purely as a distributor.
But his ability to dictate games from deep, maintain high pass accuracy, and play through pressure makes him an ideal fit for Moyes’ system.
He may not tackle with the frequency of Idrissa Gueye, but his intelligent positioning and ability to escape tight spaces provide a more rounded midfield profile.
Perhaps more importantly, Luiz is a player with something to prove. At 27, he’s entering his prime years and eager to re-establish himself as a key figure for Brazil ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Everton, with a stable role and clearly defined structure under Moyes, could provide the perfect stage.
Douglas Luiz in action for Juventus.
While the financials may be tight – Luiz still has four years left on a contract worth over £150k per week – a well-structured loan move could make the deal viable.
Juventus want to offload him, Luiz wants to play, and Everton need a man in midfield.
Back in 2005, Moyes signed a young Spanish midfielder who would go on to define his Everton side for the next five years. In 2025, history may be about to repeat itself.
He's better than Fofana: Everton make contact for £51m "offensive menace"
Everton are pushing to sign a new right-sided forward this summer.
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.
Luis Diaz
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.
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo in action with Bayer Leverkusen'sJeremieFrimpongand Bayer Leverkusen's Exequiel Palacios
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.