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Manchester City could now sign a £100m attacker in a swap deal, with Matheus Nunes potentially set to be sent in the opposite direction, according to a report.

City eyeing new attackers amid Grealish uncertainty

It was another season to forget for Jack Grealish on a personal level, with the winger picking up just two goal contributions across the entire Premier League season, before being left out of the squad for the trip to Craven Cottage on the final day.

There have been widespread suggestions that Grealish could move on this summer, with Manchester United even emerging as shock contenders for the Englishman, but Pep Guardiola has made it clear the decision not to select him against Fulham wasn’t personal.

That said, having fallen short of expectations last season, Guardiola is planning to rebuild his squad this summer, and City have been linked with moves for a range of different attackers, whose arrivals could spell the end for Grealish.

There has now been a new update on Man City’s pursuit of Gibbs-White, with a report from The Sun revealing they could sign the attacking midfielder in a stunning swap deal, with Nunes potentially heading in the opposite direction to bring down the £100m price tag.

Forest boss Nuno is a big fan of the Portuguese midfielder, with the Blues now prepared to sell the 26-year-old for £35m, should he not be used as a bargaining chip in a deal for the Forest midfielder.

Guardiola admires "exceptional" Gibbs-White

It is no surprise that City are now interested in signing the England international, given that he has received high praise from Guardiola this season, with the 54-year-old describing the Forest star as an “exceptional” player.

Although Forest were ultimately pipped to the Champions League spots, they can still be proud of qualifying for the Europa Conference League, and the 25-year-old was one of the players integral to their success, picking up seven goals and ten assists.

Romano: Man City now prioritising summer move to sign "excellent" defender

He would be an instant upgrade.

By
Tom Cunningham

May 24, 2025

The idea of getting Nunes off the books may also appeal to Guardiola, considering the City boss has been critical of the Portugal international at times as of late, saying: “He can become a good right-back for the physicality. I think he’s not a player to play in the middle because he’s not clever enough, in composure.”

Having secured Champions League football, a move to Man City is likely to be of great appeal to Gibbs-White this summer, and using Nunes as part of a swap deal could work for all parties.

Manchester City are now the clear frontrunners in the race for an “incredible” £100m star, who could be brought in as an alternative to Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz this summer, according to a report.

Man City back out of Wirtz race

BBC Sport reporter Sami Mokbel has now confirmed that Man City have pulled out of the race for Wirtz, given that the total cost to bring the German to the Etihad Stadium would be way too expensive.

As such, the path could now be clear for either Liverpool or Bayern Munich to sign the 22-year-old, and City have moved on to alternative targets, with a fresh report revealing they are well-positioned to win the race for a Premier League star.

Man City now ready to submit formal £29m proposal to sign "pacy" defender

He’s a rising star.

By
Tom Cunningham

May 16, 2025

According to GiveMeSport, Man City are now the clear frontrunners in the race for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White, but much like the deal for Wirtz, it will be expensive to bring the attacking midfielder to the Etihad Stadium, given a reported asking price of £100m.

The Englishman is being eyed as a replacement for the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne, who has recently hinted that he could remain in the Premier League beyond the end of the campaign, with the Belgian seemingly open to the idea of signing for another English club.

Gibbs-White is now the top target to replace De Bruyne, but it remains to be seen whether Pep Guardiola’s side are willing to shell out the huge asking price.

Gibbs-White could be "incredible" De Bruyne heir

Replacing De Bruyne will be a daunting task for whichever attacking midfielder City choose to sign this summer, but there are plenty of signs that Wirtz could’ve been a suitable option, given the level of his performances for Leverkusen in the 2024-25 campaign.

That’s not to say the Forest midfielder isn’t a solid alternative option, however, having already proven himself in the Premier League, picking up seven goals and ten assists for the Tricky Trees during their push for the Champions League this season.

Not only are the England international’s attacking numbers impressive, but he has also received high praise for his work-rate from ESPN pundit Janusz Michallik.

As such, there are signs Gibbs-White could be a fantastic heir to De Bruyne, despite arguably not being as flashy a signing as Wirtz, and Man City should look to wrap up a deal before interest in the 25-year-old increases.

Brendan Rodgers has enjoyed another successful season in charge of Celtic, and it could get even better if his side wins the SFA Cup final later this month.

The Hoops travel to Hampden Park to take on Aberdeen at the national stadium with the chance to secure a domestic treble, having already won the Scottish Premiership and the League Cup.

Rodgers led the team to the SFA Cup trophy and the Premiership title in his first season back at Parkhead in the 2023/24 campaign, as he came in to replace Ange Postecoglou in the summer of 2023.

It has been an incredibly successful return to the club for the Northern Irish head coach, whose team won the title with a 5-0 win over Dundee United at the end of last month, and he has had to make some ruthless decisions along the way.

Rodgers is not afraid to make bold or unpopular decisions if he thinks it is the best for the team, and one example of that has been his use of central defender Maik Nawrocki this season.

Why Maik Nawrocki has not been playing for Celtic

The Polish centre-back did not make a single appearance in the Champions League campaign and has only played two matches in the Premiership to date.

He was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with Rangers at Ibrox last time out, which is the 28th time that has happened to the defender in the current term. This shows that he has rarely been used by Rodgers despite being available for the entire season.

Nawrocki could not do much more to earn more minutes in the first-team, though, because he took his chances when they came his way against Rangers and Hearts last month.

Due to injuries to Liam Scales, Dane Murray, and Auston Trusty, the former Legia Warsaw star was named in the starting XI for the first time in the campaign against the Gers, and did enough to keep his place against Hearts in the following Premiership match.

As you can see in the table above, Nawrocki put in two outstanding performances at centre-back, as he was incredibly reliable on the ball and dominant defensively, with plenty of defensive actions and impressive duel success rates.

However, the 24-year-old colossus has not played a minute of football in any competition since the full-time whilst went in the 3-0 win over Hearts, and Rodgers has explained why that has been the case.

The Celtic boss explained: “I do always prefer where I can a left-footed centre-half on that side, in all honesty because that allows you to get through the pitch quicker and have more speed playing forward.”

Nawrocki is, of course, right-footed and this has led to Scales and Trusty starting every game since that win over Hearts, as one or both of them have been fit and available since then.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

It now remains to be seen what will happen to the Polish defender in the upcoming summer transfer window, because it seems unlikely that he will be happy with just two league appearances all season.

Whilst Nawrocki is one player who could push to move on from Parkhead of his own volition, there is a player who has played even fewer minutes than the defender who should be moved on by the club – Scott Bain.

Why Celtic should move on from Scott Bain

The 33-year-old goalkeeper has been on the bench in recent weeks, with Viljami Sinisalo deputising for Kasper Schmeichel, but has not played a single minute in any competition this season.

Bain reportedly earns £7.6k-per-week at Parkhead, which is more than Hyun-jun Yang (£6k), Liam Scales (£5k), and Sinisalo (£2.5k), yet has played fewer minutes than Nawrocki in all competitions, as he has not played any at all, domestically or in Europe.

Herald Scotland recently reported that Aberdeen shot-stopper Ross Doohan, who is out of contract this summer, is being considered as a target for the Hoops, as Bain is entering the final 12 months of his deal and could look to move elsewhere.

The 27-year-old ace is reportedly on a weekly wage of £2.7k, which is less than the current Celtic third-choice currently earns, and that means that this switch in goalkeepers could save the Hoops thousands per week, potentially freeing up wages to be used in other areas of the squad.

Doohan could arrive as a cheaper third-choice option for the Scottish giants than Bain, who is earning more than several first-team stars who play regulars, as aforementioned, whilst he has not made an appearance for the club since last season.

The 33-year-old flop played three times in the 2023/24 campaign and pundit Frank McAvennie criticised the goalkeeper, telling Football Insider that having him as an option is “not good enough” for the Hoops.

As you can see in the table above, Bain has only played five league games since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, conceding seven goals in those five matches, and has not played at all this term.

This does not suggest that he has done enough for the club to justify keeping him at Parkhead on more wages than the likes of Yang, Sinisalo, and Scales, who contribute to the team on the pitch, which is why they should ruthlessly ditch him from the squad this summer.

Selling Bain, if there is enough interest in his services from elsewhere, and replacing him with Doohan, who has played 15 league games this season and earns less money per week, could be a shrewd move by the club.

It is now down to Rodgers to be ruthless once again by brutally ditching the veteran goalkeeper from the squad in the upcoming summer transfer window, whilst landing the Aberdeen stopper on a free transfer.

Celtic could sign their next McGregor in shock move for £14m Scotland star

Celtic have been tipped as a possible option for this £13.6m-rated star in the future.

By
Dan Emery

May 8, 2025

Liverpool’s incredible season under Arne Slot is nearly at an end, with the Dutchman making the impossible task of taking the baton from Jurgen Klopp look easy.

Having lost just twice in the Premier League all season, Liverpool have won the title at a canter, moving 15 points ahead of Arsenal after thrashing Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday to seal the deal.

Slot is a tactical genius, an expert in eking every last ounce of quality out of his players. Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones are among the standouts in this regard.

However, he’s also found a way to take Mohamed Salah to the next level. The Egyptian forward is a shoo-in for the clean sweep of individual honours in English football after his extraordinary, talismanic campaign – and it’s not even his last on Merseyside, having penned a two-year extension last month.

Two more years of Mohamed Salah

Amid all the happy furore on the red half of Merseyside in recent days, Salah took some time to issue a statement on his social media platforms.

Chiefly commenting on Liverpool’s triumph, it’s curious that Salah should end his message by saying that his side’s efforts and ultimate success “applies to next season as well.”

He’s a natural-born winner, always talented and hungry but chiselled into world-class shape at Anfield, indeed the architect of Slot’s triumph, having posted 33 goals and 23 assists across all competitions this season.

He might be a matter of months away from his 33rd birthday, but Salah is very up at the head of football’s elite table, ranking among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goal contributions per 90 (1.21), as per FBref.

It’s remarkable that Liverpool were able to conquer the biggest prize without having invested, true, but also with the uncertainty around their superstars’ contracts.

Salah, like Virgil van Dijk, will be sticking around for a few more years, hungering toward more silverware and more individual accolades, both of which will surely come in one form or another.

However, he’s not going to stay forever, and while fans have earned a wonderful reprieve from the eventual ending, FSG are bound to be hard at work as they identify a fitting successor, nice and prudent.

Well, news from elsewhere may be music to the ears of Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards, with one of the best forwards out there potentially set to leave his club.

It would be quite something if the Reds struck true with this one.

Liverpool could sign their best forward since Salah

With Federico Chiesa flattering to deceive across his debut campaign in Liverpool, there’s a good chance he will be sold or loaned out this summer, with AC Milan interested in bringing Salah’s understudy back to his homeland.

Liverpool need to sign someone who could not only jockey with Salah but succeed him in the coming years. If FSG wish to aim for the stars, they may fancy an opportunistic bid for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo – a player who FSG have expressed considerable interest in over the past few months – who has been frustrated by his role in the Los Blancos attacking hierarchy, competing alongside Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.

That’s according to Spanish outlet Marca, who state that the 24-year-old will have no shortage of top European and Saudi-based suitors, with further Spanish sources claiming it would take a fee of €100m (about £87m) to convince Real to part ways.

Described as a “superstar” by his esteemed compatriot Neymar Jr., Rodrygo might be somewhat out of sorts but he’s still one of the best players in the world, ranking among the top 2% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, as well as the top 14% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

The Brazil star’s Champions League pedigree and influential performances in seasons gone by highlight his quality and indeed the reasoning behind launching a marquee move for the player.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has even gone as far as to pronounce Rodrygo as being among “the best players in the world.”

While he’s only scored six times in La Liga this season, Rodrygo has missed just one big chance, as per Sofascore, averaging 1.6 key passes per game and winning 56% of his total duels.

Such roundedness bespeaks his level, but the ball-striking cleanness is what differentiates him. It’s no fluke, either, proven after a decent individual campaign in the Champions League that led to five goals before being knocked out by Arsenal, missing just two big chances.

Whether Slot would opt to unleash the right-footed Rodrygo on the right flank, as he has been forced to do with regularity over the past few years to accommodate Mbappe and Vinicius, or instead use him in a more natural berth is open to question, but you get the sense an unfettered role as Liverpool’s linchpin in the coming years could see Rodrygo finally maximise his potential.

After all, half of his goals this season have come from the left flank, despite only playing 12 of his 50 matches in the position.

Though Liverpool would have to break the bank to get this one done, with Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Chiesa’s futures all uncertain, this might be one to keep a loose eye on, especially if his situation at the Santiago Bernabeu fails to improve.

The new Gravenberch: Liverpool ready bid for "one of the best in the world"

Liverpool are set to make a bid for a talent who could be Arne Slot’s next Ryan Gravenberch.

By
Ethan Lamb

May 1, 2025

Manchester United were less than seven minutes away from disaster. Seven minutes away from essentially the end to the campaign. Then Old Trafford worked its magic…

The euphoria of Thursday’s gripping 5-4 win over Lyon has still not dissipated, with the debate raging over just where that special night ranks among the litany of magic moments in United’s European history.

Yes, it may not have been a titanic Champions League tussle with a Barcelona or a Real Madrid, yet for those chaotic, final exchanges, it certainly felt like it. Even at their lowest ebb, this United side can still conjure up memories to last a lifetime.

What this result must represent, however, is the start of something, a turning point in the Ruben Amorim regime – for the Red Devils not to go on to lift the Europa League trophy now would be a real tragedy.

Not only would success in the competition mark a fitting way to plaster over the cracks of a dismal domestic season, but it would also bring with it the potential riches that the Champions League can offer.

The difference between securing qualification or not could play a crucial role in the club’s summer transfer business…

Latest on Man Utd's transfer search

Regardless of how this season finishes up for United, the Old Trafford hierarchy are likely to already be plotting just how they can improve the squad next season, with recent reports outlining their apparent interest in Bournemouth star, Antoine Semenyo.

Indeed, Sky Sports have revealed that United are deemed to be leading the race for the 25-year-old’s signature, albeit with there set to be intense competition from almost every top-six Premier League club – excluding Arsenal.

The former Bristol City man – who is said to be valued at around £70m by the Cherries – isn’t the only talent within the top-flight that Amorim is believed to be chasing, with ESPN’s Mark Ogden reporting that the Red Devils are keen on Southampton starlet, Tyler Dibling.

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 Ogden, INEOS will step up their interest in the 19-year-old sensation this summer, provided that Amorim’s men are successful in their pursuit of Europa League glory.

As per the piece, the England youth international has reportedly been valued at around £100m by the Saints in an attempt to ward off interest, albeit with that said to be an ‘unlikely valuation’ considering their relegated status.

Turning to a player who has been part of a grim campaign at St Mary’s may appear a bizarre move, although all the signs point to Dibling proving a real superstar in the years to come.

Why Man Utd could be targeting their own Cole Palmer

It was recently revealed by United youth coach Colin Little – speaking to The Athletic – that the Red Devils had actually come close to sign boyhood fan, Cole Palmer, as a 16-year-old, albeit with the young playmaker ultimately staying put at rivals Manchester City, prior to his £40m switch to Chelsea in 2023.

Arguably the “best player in the Premier League”, prior to his recent wobble in 2025 – in the words of pundit Jamie Carragher – United will be kicking themselves at having missed the boat on such a talismanic talent.

While Dibling is far from the levels of a player who boasts 63 goals and assists in just 83 games at Stamford Bridge, he has actually been described as “like Cole Palmer” by one-time United man, Dion Dublin, due to the way he plays “free and easy”.

Like his fellow left-footer, the Southampton sensation has that almost kid-in-a-playground quality to him, with such natural brilliance having seen former boss Russell Martin describe the teenager as “the most talented player I’ve ever seen”.

Capable of playing off the right flank, in an attacking midfield role or even as a number eight – much in a similar mould to Palmer – the silky talent memorably dazzled on his first Premier League start against United back in September, having earned a penalty for his side after being hauled down by a desperate Diogo Dalot.

Such a performance – which also saw Dibling sting the palms of Andre Onana with a fierce effort in the first-half – may well have made the Manchester side sit up and take notice, albeit with technical director Jason Wilcox seemingly fully aware of his talents, having handed the youngster his first professional contract during his previous role at Southampton.

With four goals and three assists to his name in all competitions this season, Dibling hasn’t exactly set the world alight, albeit while no doubt hampered by the fact that he is part of currently the joint-worst Premier League team ever.

Semenyo, meanwhile, has 16 goal involvements in 2024/25 thus far, albeit with the Palmer-like quality of his fellow forward ensuring it is Dibling who could represent the bigger talent.

If United are planning to build for the future under Amorim, making the 19-year-old the centrepiece of that project could certainly be an exciting move.

The perfect Rashford replacement: Man Utd in talks over deal for £50m star

Manchester United could forget about Marcus Rashford with a move for one player on the cards this summer.

1

By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 19, 2025

Arsenal have a huge summer ahead of them if they are to finally make the step-up and end their generational wait for a Premier League title triumph.

Mikel Arteta has led the Gunners to a second-placed finish in each of the last two seasons, looking increasingly likely to finish in the same position once again this time around.

Additions are needed in the summer if they are to push for a title battle, with squad depth needed in key areas of the pitch to prevent a repeat of the situation that has occurred this campaign.

Injuries have plagued the squad, leading to various players having to operate in unfamiliar roles, restricting the progress the Gunners have made under the Spaniard’s guidance.

However, with the summer rapidly approaching, new sporting director Andrea Berta has wasted no time in identifying targets to improve the squad and help mount their title ambitions.

The latest on Arsenal’s pursuit of new attackers this summer

In recent days, Arsenal have taken the lead in the race for Athletic Club’s Spanish forward Nico Williams, with Barcelona pulling out of the running to land the 22-year-old.

The youngster has been on the club’s radar over the last couple of years, but it appears Berta looks set to reignite interest in his signature over the coming months.

A previous report has claimed that the Gunners are willing to trigger his £50m release clause within his current contract in an attempt to bolster Arteta’s forward line ahead of 2025/26.

However, other names have already been thrown into the mix, with Real Betis winger Jesus Rodriguez the latest name touted with a summer deal to the Emirates.

According to a report from CaughtOffside, Arteta’s men are leading the race for the 19-year-old’s signature but also face stiff competition from Liverpool and Chelsea for the star, who has a £42m release clause.

Why Rodriguez would be better than Williams for Arsenal

Williams will undoubtedly be top of many fans shopping list ahead of the summer transfer window, with his figures at the top level of LaLiga nothing short of sensational.

He would undoubtedly provide the options which the manager has been hunting for in recent months, offering a solution to their ongoing injury issues.

However, the same could be said for fellow target Rodriguez, with the compatriot potentially a better and cheaper alternative than the Athletic Club sensation.

It’s been the 19-year-old’s breakthrough year as a professional, playing a key role in the club’s hunt to claim Europa Conference League glory come the end of the season.

When comparing their respective stats from the current season, Rodriguez has managed to outperform fellow target Williams in numerous key areas – highlighting how much of an impressive addition he would be in North London.

The winger, who’s been labelled “outstanding” by analyst Ben Mattinson, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has managed to notch a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – showcasing his clinical nature in attacking areas.

He’s also managed to complete more take-ons this season, whilst also registering more carries into the final third per 90, highlighting the threat he carries with the ball at his feet.

Rodriguez is a threat at both ends of the pitch, winning more tackles per 90, having the defensive quality and work ethic to regain possession should the Gunners find themselves under the cosh.

Either winger would massively bolster the attacking department in North London, certainly providing the reinforcements Arteta has craved over the last couple of months.

But given the age difference and contrast in quality, the hierarchy must certainly push for Rodriguez’s signature, desperately needing to pursue a move to avoid missing out on him to an English rival.

Imagine him & Gyokeres: Arsenal leading the race to sign £50m sensation

Arsenal could be about to massively improve their forward line ahead of 2025/26.

By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 17, 2025

An “unbelievable” manager with a release clause of £5m is now Southampton’s first-choice target to replace Ivan Juric, according to reports.

Saints' new manager search underway after Juric departure

It was always going to be a difficult task for Juric to keep Southampton in the Premier League, given the very poor start Russell Martin made to the campaign, but things couldn’t have gone much worse for the Croatian coach.

The 49-year-old oversaw just one win in the Premier League during his time with the Saints, a 2-1 victory against fellow strugglers Ipswich Town in February, and his dismissal was confirmed following the 3-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.

With relegation to the Championship also confirmed, the board’s most pertinent task will be to bring in a new manager capable of winning promotion back to the top flight next season, and a number of targets have already been identified.

"One of the best coaches ever" front-runner to replace Juric at Southampton

The Saints could appoint an impressive young manager as a replacement for Ivan Juric.

By
Dominic Lund

Apr 8, 2025

The likes of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Liam Rosenior and Danny Rohl are all under consideration, with the latter two managers the front-runners for the role. Rohl is eager to leave Sheffield Wednesday, and he could have the opportunity to do so if Southampton are willing to pay the £5m release clause in his contract.

According to a report from GiveMeSport, the Wednesday boss is the Saints’ number one choice to replace Juric, with chiefs starting the new manager search weeks ago.

Rohl has impressed at Championship level with Sheffield Wednesday, and sporting director Johannes Spors is believed to be a big fan, potentially making it more likely the Saints will pursue a move.

"Unbelievable" Rohl could be excellent appointment

The 35-year-old is clearly held in high regard at Sheffield Wednesday, with Josh Windass describing his manager as “unbelievable”, while also claiming he is the “best head coach” he’s played under.

It would be fair to say the German has done a stellar job with the Owls, securing Championship survival on the final day of the 2024-25 campaign, despite his side’s second-tier status looking perilous when he first took over.

Since then, the Zwickau-born manager has stabilised Wednesday in the Championship, with his side currently sitting in 13th place, indicating that he could now be ready to manage a side with aspirations of gaining promotion to the Premier League.

Rosenior is another intriguing option for the Saints, given that his Strasbourg side are on course to qualify for the Champions League this season, but Rohl could be a more attainable option, given the £5m release clause, and there are plenty of indications he could be a success at St. Mary’s.

A “lethal” £77m striker has now said yes to joining Arsenal in the summer, with new sporting director Andrea Berta playing a key role in convincing him about the move, according to a report.

Gunners stepping up striker pursuit after Berta appointment

One of Berta’s main tasks in the upcoming window will be to sign a top striker, with the Gunners currently severely lacking options in that area of the pitch, and a number of Europe’s most well-known forwards have been linked with moves to the Emirates Stadium.

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak is believed to be Mikel Arteta’s dream signing, and there have been suggestions the Swedish striker would be keen on a move to north London this summer, although it could be very difficult to prise him away from the Magpies.

As such, Arteta may be forced to move on to other targets, and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is another name on the shortlist, with the Slovenia international also interested in making a move to the Emirates Stadium.

£60m speedster "keen" to join Arsenal with groundwork laid for Berta deal

He’s got one eye on a move to the Emirates.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 5, 2025

However, according to a report from Portugal (via Sport Witness), a move for a different striker is now looking increasingly likely, with Berta playing a key role in convincing Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres to move to Arsenal this summer.

Gyokeres is the preferred option at striker, and Berta has chosen to pursue a deal for the Sweden international instead of Sesko and Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha.

With the 26-year-old giving the move the green light, the Gunners must now negotiate an agreement with Sporting, and the Portuguese club could look to hold out for a fee of around €80m – €90m (£68m – £77m).

FootballTransfers have also dropped an update on developments, stating the forward’s agents will be in attendance for the Champions League clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday night, with a move seemingly becoming increasingly likely.

"Lethal" Gyokeres could be final piece of Arsenal jigsaw

After yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Everton, the Premier League title race is almost certainly over, and one thing that has been missing all season is a reliable goalscorer, with the Gunners’ top scorer, Kai Havertz, netting just nine league goals.

If Gyokeres’ performances in Portugal are anything to go by, he could be the final piece of the jigsaw for Arteta, having amassed 43 goals and 11 assists in 43 outings in all competitions, which is a phenomenal record by any measure.

The former Coventry City man has been lauded as “lethal” by some members of the media in the past, and his goalscoring record indicates he could make an instant impact for Arsenal in the Premier League.

Isak may be Arteta’s dream target, but a deal for Gyokeres seems like more of a realistic possibility, and he has proven he could be a fantastic alternative option.

Salary pots increased significantly across men’s and women’s competitions in wake of equity sale

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Oct-2025The Hundred will switch from a draft system to a player auction for the 2026 season, imitating the long-standing method for squad-building in the IPL, while the overall salary pot for the men’s and women’s competitions will be significantly hiked, by 45% and 100% respectively, according to changes agreed in the wake of this year’s equity sale, which raised more than £550 million for the ECB.The maiden auction is set to take place in March 2026, and is one of several significant changes that were ratified by the Hundred’s Board on Thursday, as part of the ‘reset’ process to launch the first season in which the eight teams will be either co- or fully owned by private investors.In a bid to attract the best available players for the tournament, the total amount that men’s teams can spend per season will rise from the present level of £1.2 million to £2.05 million, while the women’s figure will rise to £880,000 per team. The base salaries for the lowest-paid women’s players will increase by 50%, from £10,000 to £15,000.According to the ECB, there will be salary caps in place, but also salary collars – a minimum spend per team per season – and the option of multi-year contracts will also be introduced. As flagged by ESPNcricinfo last year, the number of overseas players per squad is set to rise, from three to four – subject to Home Office clearance – with a total of 16-18 players permitted per squad.There will be no right to match, but direct signings will be permitted: up to two overseas players and two centrally-contracted England players. The window for such signings will extend from mid-November to mid-January, while the Hundred Board has also approved the retention of the wildcard system which will allow two players per franchise to be selected from the T20 Blast, via a player draft in June 2026.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

As a consequence, a cumulative pre-auction deduction will be factored in for each franchise, which will reduce the spend permitted at the auction depending on the number of players picked up beforehand.For the men’s competition, this will equate to: £350k (1 signing), £650k (2 players), £850k (3 players), £950k (4 players). For the women’s competition, the figures are: £130k (1 signing), £240k (2 players), £310k (3 players), £360k (4 players).Vikram Banerjee, the Managing Director of the Hundred, said: “This is a hugely exciting time for the Hundred. These changes will help us make the competition even better, ensuring we get the best players in the world and improving the standard of cricket and level of entertainment further again.Related

• Brook set for £470,000 Hundred pay-day as franchises lock in retentions

• Birmingham Phoenix appoint Shane Bond as men's head coach

• End of the beginning as change looms for the Hundred

• Yorkshire to start clearing debts of £25 million as Hundred money lands

• Hundred sale process encounters delay over future TV rights

“Working alongside our new partners we’ve been exploring how we can take The Hundred forward and we’ve decided that moving to an auction will allow us to improve the competition. For a competition that has always been proud to innovate, we’re delighted to be holding the first auction in major UK sport.”In making this decision, we have stuck to three key principles: i) ensuring The Hundred attracts the best players in the world, ii) maintaining a competitive balance between the squads, iii) guaranteeing whatever changes we make work across the men’s and women’s games. “The decision to increase the men’s salary pot by 45% has been taken because market forces in the men’s game necessitate a more significant uplift to ensure we’re able to attract the best players in the world.”The salary pot for the women’s competition in the first year of The Hundred was £120,000, with the top-earning players earning £15,000 – the pot has risen for the third year in a row. With the pot now £880,000, top-earning players are set to earn in the region of £130,000, as well as a significant increase in salaries for those at base price.”Salaries in The Hundred women’s competition are very competitive, and they compare favourably with other franchise cricket competitions and across the landscape of women’s sport.”It’s been fantastic to work alongside our new partners, they’re already bringing energy and expertise and I know that together we can make The Hundred even better, for fans and players alike.”

AC Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot reflected on his incredible relationship – both on and off the pitch – with head coach Massimiliano Allegri. The French midfielder reunited with the coach at Milan in the summer after being sold by Marseille for engaging in a fight with his then-teammate Jonathan Rowe, but he revealed that he was contacted by other clubs in the Serie A.

• Rabiot joins Milan after row with Rowe at Marseille

  Marseille’s season began in turmoil, with off-field chaos quickly eclipsing their opening Ligue 1 defeat to Rennes. The match itself faded into the background after a violent altercation erupted between Rabiot and his ex-teammate Rowe, forcing security to step in as tensions boiled over. The incident took a disturbing turn when 17-year-old Darryl Bakola, caught in the fray, was knocked unconscious.

  In the aftermath, head coach Roberto De Zerbi announced that both Rabiot and Rowe had been suspended and placed on the transfer list as part of the club’s disciplinary response. Club president Pablo Longoria condemned the episode, calling it “completely unheard of in the world of football.” Yet, in an unexpected development, De Zerbi later suggested that Rabiot could still have a future at the club.

  However, Rabiot's fate had been decided the moment he got involved in a pretty intense fight with Rowe. Marseille sold him to AC Milan for peanuts, and things have been looking positive for both Les Phoceens and the France international since their parting. 

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  Rabiot reflects on his relationship with Allegri

  Rabiot's move to Milan made a lot of sense from many angles. First of all, he was returning to the Serie A, a league where he spent five years from 2019 to 2024 before switching to Stade Velodrome. Secondly, he shares an incredible personal and professional relationship with head coach Allegri, whom he was coached by in Turin. 

  "He's a winner, and I like his personality, his coaching style, his passion for football, and his ambition," Rabiot told while speaking of the Italian manager "He always gives his all, and I see myself in his way of thinking. Off the pitch, he's always very positive, he cracks jokes, and he keeps us calm."

  The 30-year-old also revealed that he chose to join Juventus in 2019 because Allegri was the head coach at the time, before being replaced by Maurizio Sarri the same summer. "I met him months before the end of the season and immediately liked him," he said. "When I arrived in Turin, however, he was no longer there. When he returned in 2021, we created a great relationship. On and off the pitch."

  He also shared that the Milan expressed interest in signing him as a free agent in 2024. "Milan had also approached me last year, when I was a free agent, and we talked," added Rabiot. "Would the team have finished higher than eighth with me? I don't know, but given what we're doing now, I'd say I arrived at Milanello at the right time. 

  "The Rossoneri club also wanted me in July, when I was at Marseille, but it was difficult for me to leave. After that [dressing room fight] happened, other Italian clubs contacted me, but I knew what I wanted. Allegri told me: 'Let's see what happens…' and something really happened. I don't know how he does it, but he also foresees… the future (laughs)."

• Rabiot isn't entertaining early Scudetto talks

  Milan are in a great position after 12 rounds of the Serie A and have emerged as one of the early contenders to challenge Napoli's throne for the Scudetto. However, Rabiot doesn't want to get too carried away despite the Rossoneri's purple patch, which includes the recent derby win over Inter.

  "Yes," the Frenchman responded when asked if it was too early to talk about the league title. "There's no point in thinking about the Scudetto: we're trying to win every game and achieve the goals we've set ourselves. The more the weeks go by, the more we see that the group has the right quality and mentality. Without injuries, we hope to be in a position to give it our chance in February-March."

  He also conceded that the next eight months will be extremely for him. "I have an important year ahead of me, where I can win with both Milan and France. I hope to do that and play all the way to the World Cup final."

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  Milan await Lazio challenge

  Allegri's troops have been unbeaten in the Italian top-flight since their opening day 2-1 defeat to Cremonese. Since then, they have won seven games and drawn four. With 25 points, they sit in second position on the Serie A table. They will welcome Lazio at the San Siro on Saturday.