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Embora Dorival Júnior tenha desconversado sobre um possível interesse do São Paulo em Erick, um dos destaques do Ceará, conforme o Lance! apurou, o treinador teria indicado o nome do atleta, como uma opção para uma posição carente no clube. No caso, um atacante de velocidade e versátil.

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Revelado pelo Náutico, o jogador de 25 anos teve passagem pelo futebol português antes de chegar ao clube alvinegro, com o qual possui contrato até o final do ano. Devido à curta duração do contrato, o São Paulo acredita que possa chegar a um acordo vantajoso para a liberação antecipada do jogador.

Além disso, é importante ressaltar que o treinador e o ponta tiveram uma breve passagem juntos pela equipe nordestina.

ATUAÇÕES: Gabriel Neves vai do inferno ao céu e Luciano comanda virada do São Paulo contra o Athletico-PR

Para os tricolores apaixonados: produtos a partir de R$39,90 na FutFanatics!

Dorival Júnior assumiu o comando do Ceará no final de março de 2022, sendo oficialmente anunciado no dia 28 daquele mês. Após 73 dias à frente da equipe, ele deixou o cargo em junho, acumulando um total de onze vitórias, quatro empates e três derrotas durante o período.

Durante o período em que Dorival Júnior esteve no comando, Erick teve uma das sequências mais consistentes. Sob a orientação de Dorival, Erick disputou 15 jogos, conquistando dez vitórias, dois empates e três derrotas, marcando dois gols e fornecendo duas assistências. Vale ressaltar que Erick teve uma sequência de três vitórias consecutivas, uma das maiores da temporada.

+ Clique aqui e veja como apostar no Brasileirão

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

+ Confira os jogos e classificação resultados do Brasileirão-23 na tabela do LANCE!

De fato, Erick enfrentou uma lesão complicada no segundo semestre, ocorrida durante uma partida contra o Internacional em julho, o que exigiu um procedimento cirúrgico. É verdade que no primeiro semestre ele teve uma boa regularidade, muito disso devido à sua atuação ao lado de Dorival Júnior. Após a saída de Dorival, Erick disputou 19 jogos até o final da temporada, incluindo o período em que estava lesionado. Isso significa que ele teve mais consistência durante os 73 dias em que Dorival esteve no comando do time do que no restante da temporada após sua saída.

Erick despertou o interesse do São Paulo nos últimos dias, principalmente devido ao pedido de Dorival Júnior por conta do trabalho com o ponta no último ano. No entanto, Erick é um dos principais destaques do Ceará atualmente. Na presente temporada, ele participou de 32 partidas, anotando 12 gols e fornecendo dez assistências, vivenciando um de seus melhores momentos na carreira.

O Ceará teria apresentado uma proposta de renovação de contrato a Erick. Segundo informações apuradas pela reportagem doLance!, membros do clube nordestino revelaram que, considerando que o atual vínculo do jogador expira no final do ano, uma nova oferta foi feita, oferecendo uma valorização salarial e um contrato mais longo. No entanto, até o momento, nenhuma decisão foi tomada. Conforme divulgado pelo Lance! em 21 de junho, Erick chama a atenção por sua versatilidade, sendo frequente vê-lo atuando pelo lado direito no clube cearense.

Devido às suas características, Erick seria uma ótima opção para reforçar o ataque do São Paulo, especialmente considerando a ausência de um atacante de velocidade. No início do ano, o clube contratou Pedrinho para desempenhar essa função, mas seu contrato foi rescindido devido a acusações de ameaça e violência doméstica feitas por sua namorada.

Manchester United’s rebuild under Ruben Amorim has been nothing short of turbulent.

A disastrous 2024/25 campaign saw the club slump to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League and lose the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

The result was their worst league showing in decades and left them without any European football this season, stripping away both revenue and prestige.

In response, the Old Trafford hierarchy have moved aggressively in the transfer market this summer.

More than £200 million has already been spent to bring in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, signings that point to a focus on youthful energy and attacking firepower.

Yet even with those additions, one glaring issue remains: the defence.

Man United step up chase for Premier League captain

United’s backline was repeatedly exposed last term, and now the club are looking to secure the services of another commanding centre-half.

One who not only mirrors Harry Maguire in style and presence but could also represent the long-term successor.

Liverpool and Tottenham are also in the mix, but United appear particularly determined. Indeed, according to the Daily Mail, the man in question is Brentford’s Nathan Collins, with the Red Devils targeting a ‘shock’ swoop.

Tipped by journalist Mario Marra as “one of the best defenders in the Premier League,” the 24-year-old has grown rapidly into one of the most reliable centre-backs in English football.

Brentford, however, are deeply reluctant to sell.

Collins only joined the club in 2023 for a record £23m from Wolves and has since been elevated to captaincy, succeeding Christian Nørgaard.

His leadership qualities have been highlighted by new Bees boss Keith Andrews, who labelled him a “natural leader” and central to the side’s identity.

Transfer Focus

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

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Standing at 1.93m, Collins is both a physical presence and a composed figure in possession – traits that have made him a target for the Premier League’s elite.

The Republic of Ireland international, who already has 30 senior caps and two international goals to his name, featured in Brentford’s opening day 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

With his contract running until 2029, the west London club have no financial pressure to cash in, particularly after sanctioning Bryan Mbeumo’s £71m move to Manchester United earlier this window.

Collins and Maguire: parallels and comparisons

The comparisons with Harry Maguire are inevitable.

When United signed Maguire from Leicester in 2019 for £80m, he was widely regarded as one of the finest defenders in England, having starred for England at the 2018 World Cup.

His aerial strength and ability to step out with the ball drew widespread acclaim.

Collins now carries a similar profile at a younger age.

Both are physically imposing defenders, capable of dealing with long balls into the box, and comfortable leading from the back.

Importantly, both have also attracted interest from rival Premier League clubs at a relatively early stage in their careers, underlining their perceived value at the highest level.

Statistically, Collins has begun to surpass Maguire’s output.

Last season, the Brentford defender played 38 league games, contributing two goals and five assists, a notable tally for a centre-half.

His defensive metrics stand out: he ranks in the 97th percentile for blocks per 90 (1.97), the 79th percentile for clearances per 90 (5.90), and the 85th percentile for aerials won per 90 (3.03).

These numbers highlight both his defensive instinct and his reliability when Brentford are under pressure.

By comparison, Maguire, now 32, remains a steady figure but no longer operates at the same statistical level.

Last season he played 27 league matches and his influence has diminished. A look at their direct numbers paints the picture clearly:

Premier League Stats – 2024/25

Metric

Maguire

Collins

Tackles per 90

1.54

1.05

Tackles in the defensive third per 90

1.18

0.61

Percentage of dribblers tackled

73.9%

61.1%

Blocks per 90

2.03

0.77

Touches in defensive third per 90

33.6

33.4

Source: FBref

The data illustrates that while Maguire still excels in certain defensive actions, particularly when stepping up to tackle dribblers, Collins provides a superior shield in terms of blocking shots and disrupting attacking moves.

His knack for timely interventions reflects why so many top clubs have circled.

It’s also worth considering the trajectory. Maguire’s market value, once as high as that £80m price tag, has now fallen to just £11m, via Transfermarkt.

Collins, at 24 and with a long-term contract, represents the kind of profile United increasingly covet: players yet to hit their prime, with potential resale value.

The symbolism of this chase should not be underestimated. Manchester United were once defined by their defensive stalwarts – from Nemanja Vidić and Rio Ferdinand to Steve Bruce and Jaap Stam.

Collins may not yet be at that level, but the attributes he has displayed at Brentford and for Ireland suggest he has the potential to grow into such a role.

For Brentford, keeping hold of him is about more than just finances; it is about identity and ambition.

For United, though, the question is whether they are willing to test that resolve – and potentially break the bank again – to secure the man who could be Maguire’s successor.

Related His best display for Man Utd: £60m star is as undroppable as Mbeumo & Cunha

Manchester United suffered defeat in their first game of the new season.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 17, 2025

Winless in their opening three games, Borussia Monchengladbach fired manager Gerardo Seoane, the club announced Monday. The squad, which features two USMNT players – Gio Reyna and Joe Scally – is reportedly interested in another American, Pellegrino Matarazzo, as the replacement. Matarazzo was Hoffenheim's manager until the start of the 2024-25 season.

Matarazzo reportedly linked

Matarazzo has been reported to be linked with the club, according to Tom Bogert and Kicker. Bogert reported that the 47-year-old has been considering his future and has been patiently waiting for his next opportunity.

He has a 57-47-71 record as manager overall, leading both Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, and was linked with the U.S. national team job before Mauricio Pochettino's hiring last year.

READ MORE:

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhat his hiring could mean

Scally has been a fixture at the club since his arrival in 2021, making 123 league appearances and being one of the Bundesliga's top right backs. Reyna made his debut for Gladbach on Sunday, showing glimpses of quality despite the team's 4-0 defeat. 

If Matarazzo is selected as new manager, he could lean into two players who have starred for the USMNT over the years. 

GettyGladbach's struggles this season

Gladbach have just one point this season and have struggled on both sides of the pitch. They have yet to score a goal this campaign and have conceded five, tied for third-most allowed this season. 

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Looking ahead

Things don't get any easier for Gladbach when it comes to upcoming opponents. They face U.S. international Malik Tillman and Leverkusen on Sept. 21 and take on Frankfurt the following week 

Ricky Ponting has been appointed head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS) from IPL 2025, a little over two months after he and Delhi Capitals parted ways ending his seven-year tenure at the franchise.ESPNcricinfo has learned that Ponting has signed a four-year contract with Kings, a franchise with multiple owners. Ponting, it is understood, will take the final call on the rest of the coaching staff. There is no clarity yet on who remains on the books from the coaching unit from last year: Trevor Bayliss (head coach), Sanjay Bangar (head of cricket development), Charl Langeveldt (fast-bowling coach), Sunil Joshi (spin-bowling coach).”I am grateful to Punjab Kings for presenting me with the opportunity to be the new head coach,” Ponting said. “I am excited to take up the new challenge. I had great conversations with the owners and the management about the way forward and was truly elated to see the alignment of our visions for the team. We all want to repay the fans who have stayed with the franchise over the years and we promise that they will see a much different Punjab Kings going forward.”Ponting will be the third head coach in four seasons at Kings, who finished ninth in the 2024 season. They have not qualified for the IPL playoffs since 2014, when they finished runners-up. Ponting’s first challenge would be shortlisting players who could be potentially retained for the next season even as the franchises wait for the IPL to finalise the retention rules.Related

• Punjab Kings part ways with Bayliss and Bangar

• Ricky Ponting on his Punjab Kings role: 'We are not going to sit back and just accept mediocrity'

• Ricky Ponting and Delhi Capitals part ways

• Shikhar Dhawan retires from international and domestic cricket

• Dravid unveiled as Rajasthan Royals head coach

Harshal Patel, who won the purple cap for the second time in IPL 2024, along with the uncapped Indian pair of Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma were among the key performers for Kings last season. Kings also have India left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, legspinner Rahul Chahar in their squad along with a healthy bunch of overseas players, including the England trio of Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow and South Africa quick Kagiso Rabada.With Shikhar Dhawan retiring recently, Kings will also be keen to identify a new captain.Ponting has been part of the IPL set-up since the inaugural season in 2008, first as a player at Kolkata Knight Riders followed by Mumbai Indians where he stepped down as captain midway through the 2013 season, paving way for Rohit Sharma to take over. Mumbai won the title the same year, with Ponting continuing in an advisory role in 2014 and then serving as head coach for two seasons in 2015 and 2016.In 2018, Ponting took charge as head coach of Capitals who made the playoffs for three successive seasons between 2019 and 2021, during which period they qualified for the first IPL final in 2020. After ending his association with Capitals in July, Ponting was head coach during Washington Freedom’s title-winning campaign in the 2024 season of Major League Cricket (MLC).

After welcoming a wrath of new signings to Anfield already, Liverpool are not showing any signs of slowing down in the transfer market.

If you thought the arrival of Florian Wirtz for a Premier League record fee of £116m was a big splash, then think again. The Reds could be set to break the British record again before transfer deadline day.

With Darwin Nunez reportedly on his way out of Merseyside, Liverpool’s desire to sign a new striker has been no secret.

Their admiration for a certain Alexander Isak is no secret either, and that move looks as though it’s now gathering momentum.

The latest on Alexander Isak to Liverpool

What a move this would be, and despite the obstacles surrounding a deal, it does look more likely than it ever has done now.

Indeed, on Tuesday afternoon, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that Liverpool have made an approach to sign Isak from Newcastle.

Transfer Focus

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

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A formal offer has yet been made and the Toon’s stance remains that they do not want to sell him this summer. Alas, the Reds have signalled their intention to do a deal at £120m.

While the fee certainly complicates things, so does Hugo Ekitike. Newcastle submitted their first bid for the Eintracht Frankfurt attacker on Monday and the word on the street is that he wasn’t going to be an Isak replacement, but someone capable of playing alongside the Swede.

The trouble is, Liverpool are also interested in Ekitike and, according to Fabrizio Romano, Arne Slot’s men will likely look towards signing the Frenchman if they cannot get their hands on Isak.

Liverpool pursuing Isak alternative

With that situation a rather sticky one as far as Liverpool are concerned, perhaps they will look elsewhere in the Premier League.

Reports from French outlet Foot Mercato reported at the start of the week that Liverpool reps have flown to Paris to speak with the agents of Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

While the likes of Isak and Ekitike will cost a shedload, any deal for Mateta is likely to be considerably cheaper, with the report stating that he could be sold for something between £43m-£52m if he leaves Selhurst Park this summer.

So, if all else fails, he’d be a great signing right? Well, he certainly stacks up well to Mr Isak.

How Mateta compares to Alexander Isak

Of course, Isak is the dream signing this summer, the Toon’s main man always has been. You don’t score 23 Premier League goals in a single season without catching the eye of other clubs.

Yet, we must not turn our noses up at Mateta either. In the words of the Sportsman he is a “goal-scoring machine” and as Reds writer Ben Bocsak notes, he is one of the “best finishers in the Premier League.”

Indeed, during the 2024/25 campaign, only Isak (25%) and Bryan Mbeumo (24.3%), registered a better season in terms of goal conversions than Mateta’s 23.3%. Mo Salah, for context, delivered a goal conversion rate of 23%. The Eagles centre-forward is already in the conversation of being among the division’s elite attackers.

He ended that term with 14 league goals in 37 outings and has been one of the top-flight’s leading figures in the last two seasons, notably bagging 16 in 35 during 2023/24.

The French sensation is not just a goalscorer either. Like Isak, he’s a proven bagsman in England’s top-flight, but like Isak, he’s also capable of the extraordinary, something we saw when Mateta travelled to the Emirates Stadium and scored an audacious lob against Arsenal.

Isak might be more of a direct runner but they’re both powerful and some statistical similarities can be drawn upon.

Assessing the data, via FBRef, it becomes clear where the key similarities and differences lie.

Mateta vs Isak in 2024/25 PL

Stat (per 90 mins)

Mateta

Isak

Shots

2.31

3.10

Shots on target

0.99

1.34

Shot on target %

42.6%

43.2%

Shot distance

15.6 yards

14.5 yards

Key passes

0.99

1.34

Passes into final 3rd

1.16

1.14

Touches

25

33

Successful take on %

43.5%

46.2%

There are obvious differences in the way they beat a player. Isak is more fleet-footed, possessing that dangerous burst of pace to get beyond the defensive line. Mateta, on the other hand, is more likely to outmuscle a centre-back and hold the ball up.

He’s like an “old-fashioned” striker as Thierry Henry once said. Yet, they are actually involved in the play at a similar rate.

They touch the ball a similar number of times per 90 minutes, register a similar number of shots on target and shoot from a similar distance, just beyond the penalty spot. On that evidence, they’re not just out-and-out poachers; they offer goals from distance too.

Isak would be an unbelievable signing for the Reds but in Mateta they could sign a Premier League-proven forward with a similar conversion rate for a fraction of the price. Just imagine what he could do in a team where more chances are created. This move feels like a no-brainer if Ekitike and Newcastle’s number 9 are off the table.

Related Better than Wirtz: Liverpool preparing £113m bid to sign superstar winger

Liverpool could sign another marquee player this summer.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Jul 15, 2025

India will host the next edition of the Men’s Asia Cup cricket tournament in the T20 format in 2025 as a precursor to the T20 World Cup scheduled in the country in 2026, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) stated in its Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI).Since 2016, when the tournament was first played as a T20 event, the Asia Cup has been used as a dress rehearsal for the global event and played in the format in which the World Cup will be held.The 2023 edition, hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), was held in a ‘Hybrid Model’ as India refused to travel to the neighbouring country and played their matches in Sri Lanka.The 2027 Asia Cup will be held in the ODI format in Bangladesh as the 50-over World Cup is scheduled in South Africa in the same year.The T20 Asia Cup in India and the 50-over continental event in Bangladesh in 2027 will comprise 13 games each as there are 26 matches allocated in the said period.”‘Men’s Asia Cup Tournament’ means the biennial senior men’s cricket tournament organised and administered by the ACC involving designated Members, and shall include participation by the teams from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and one Non Test playing Member of ACC selected through qualifying events,” the ACC stated in its IEOI statement.India are the defending Asia Cup champions, and have won three of the last four editions of the tournament. They beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the final of last year’s 50-overs edition in Colombo.

Thomas Frank’s arrival at Tottenham Hotspur, and how the tactician will perform in his first big job, is set to be one of the most intriguing Premier League stories of next season.

Frank holds Tottenham talks over signing £300k-p/w ace who's open to joining

The Spurs boss has been discussing him with Lilywhites hierarchy.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 18, 2025

There are many other riveting storylines on the horizon: Man City’s rebuild, Newcastle’s Champions League campaign, how Nottingham Forest will kick on from being last year’s surprise package, the newly-promoted three and Villa’s mission to remain among England’s elite to name a few of them.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

However, Frank’s debut campaign in the Spurs dugout stands out among the most enthralling narratives to keep an eye on next term, with the 51-year-old having big shoes to fill after Ange Postecoglou ended their 17-year wait for a major trophy.

It will also be the Dane’s first-ever campaign as a Champions League coach, and there is much more expectation on Frank’s shoulders than there ever was at Brentford.

The pressure which comes with managing a big six club is far more intense, so it is vital that chairman Daniel Levy backs Frank in the transfer market this summer, as Postecoglou’s immediate heir looks to get off to the best possible start.

Even though the ex-Bees boss will need time to build, there will be far less margin for error in north London than at the Gtech Community Stadium with far more eyes on Frank, especially after their historic Europa League triumph in Bilbao.

He is also faced with the possibility of losing some key players in the coming months.

Son Heung-min could well leave Tottenham this summer after 10 faithful years, as the Saudi Pro League look to add yet another big name to their financially-backed division of clubs.

Cashing in on the South Korean could be very tempting for Levy. The 32-year-old is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract and not exactly getting any younger, with there also being an argument that Son’s best years are behind him.

Cristian Romero U-turning over Tottenham exit after Frank arrival

Another star player who’s been heavily linked with an exit is star £165,000-per-week defender Cristian Romero.

The Argentine World Cup winner played a key role for Spurs on their run to Europa League glory, captaining them in each tie from the quarter-finals onwards. Romero didn’t feature much in the Premier League, mainly due to injuries and Postecoglou resting him for their European campaign, but the centre-back is undoubtedly a pivotal player for them.

Micky van de Ven called his central defensive partner a “world-class” asset for the club, but reports from Europe and beyond in the last few months have claimed that Romero wants to leave Tottenham for Atlético Madrid.

Diego Simeone even confirmed Atletico’s interest in Romero, but according to a fresh update from TYC Sports, the tactician may have to wait a little longer to secure the 27-year-old’s signature.

Indeed, it is now believed that Romero could decide to stay at Tottenham for one more season, with Frank’s arrival cited as a key reason behind this potential decision, alongside their place in the Champions League next term.

This would come as a major boost for Frank, who’ll be very keen to keep hold of his best players, and Spurs’ youthful, inexperienced squad overall could seriously benefit from a leader like Romero in the dressing room.

That being said, if Atletico come calling with an offer too good to resist, it may well get Levy thinking, given Romero is out of contract in 2027.

Rangers are reportedly in pole position to hire an “outstanding” manager as their next boss this summer, according to an interesting update on the situation.

Rangers continue search for next manager

The Gers drew 1-1 at home to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday afternoon in the final Old Firm derby of the season, as the 2024/25 season draws towards its conclusion. Rangers are continuing their search for a permanent new manager, with Barry Ferguson seemingly unlikely to be given the job after his current stint in an interim role, with various names mentioned as possible options to come in this summer.

Marco Rose has been one of the names mentioned in recent weeks, having most recently managed RB Leipzig earlier in the season, also winning two Austrian Bundesliga titles during his time in charge of RB Salzburg.

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard has continued to be talked about as a front-runner to return to Ibrox ahead of next season, having guided them to league title glory back in 2020/21. The Liverpool legend could potentially jump at the chance to have a second spell as manager, as the Gers look to narrow the current gap in quality between themselves and Celtic.

Dream XI Gerrard could build at Rangers: Tavernier stays & £12m star signs

Here is our dream Rangers lineup should Steven Gerrard return as manager this summer, featuring captain James Tavernier and some new signings.

By
Ben Gray

Apr 30, 2025

Rangers favourites to win Rose race

According to a new claim from Football Insider‘s Pete O’Rourke, 49ers Enterprises’ “links” with Red Bull means Rangers are the favourites to hire Rose as their new manager despite interest from elsewhere. The report adds that it puts them “above other clubs in the race to secure his services” in the coming weeks and months, with the appointment described as a “real possibility”.

There is certainly plenty to like about Rose, in terms of Rangers picking him as their No.1 option to come in, not least his aforementioned two title wins with Salzburg. The German, who likes to adopt a 4-4-2 formation, has succeeded at the highest level, including managing one of Europe’s biggest clubs in Dortmund 46 times, and former Germany international Marco Reus has lauded him in the past.

“We have had a very open, good and close relationship built on trust right from the start. Marco Rose has done an outstanding job so far, and he will continue to do so in the future.”

The Red Bull connection can only be a good thing for Rangers, if it helps entice Rose to Ibrox, and it’s now a case of them deciding if he is a better option than Gerrard.

Marco Rose’s key managerial stats	Matches	Points per game
RB Leipzig	124	1.85
Borussia Dortmund	46	1.85
Borussa Monchengladbach	88	1.61
RB Salzburg	114	2.35

Opinion among Gers supporters will likely be split in that respect, but Rose’s record speaks for itself, and he could prove to be an inspired appointment.

Liverpool are revelling in their Premier League triumph at the moment, but those behind the scenes have no doubt commenced preparations for next season’s title defence.

Frankly, the Anfield side won the title at a canter this term, going 26 matches undefeated before losing to Fulham at Craven Cottage last month with all said and done.

To be sure, Arsenal and Manchester City will be back, stronger and hungrier than ever after respective disappointments in the top flight this season.

But they are bound to reinforce their ranks and Liverpool must do the same. While the mere thought of Alexander Isak continues to tantalise fans, craving a new number nine, FSG appear to be focusing on the rear end of the pitch at the moment, with Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen right at the top of the summer shopping list.

The latest on Dean Huijsen to Liverpool

Bournemouth’s rising star is perhaps the most touted potential target of the summer, and we’re not even there yet. Data analyst Ben Mattinson has remarked that he’s “the most in-demand centre-back in the world,” after all.

The 20-year-old arrived at the Vitality Stadium on a £15m deal last summer after Juventus decided they were better off cashing in on the young prospect, who featured on loan for AS Roma last season.

As per Sofascore, he’s started 23 Premier League matches this season and has kept seven clean sheets, averaging six clearances per game and winning 61% of his aerial battles.

How foolish the Old Lady must feel, especially given rumours surfaced in March that Real Madrid have made him one of their priorities. Such claims mentioned that Juventus regretted their decision.

Liverpool are also keen, with Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg even revealing last week that FSG have presented an offer to the Spain international.

With an attractive £50m release clause, Arsenal and Chelsea are also working overtime to secure his services, as per Fabrizio Romano, with the race very much open at this stage.

For such a young player with relatively minimal experience at the highest level, this is quite the glowing endorsement of Huijsen’s potential.

He might be the talk of the town, but Liverpool actually boast an up-and-comer with the same stock as Huijsen, and that’s despite a frustrating campaign in which he hasn’t earned the playing time he would have hoped for.

Liverpool have hit the jackpot with £4m signing

He might be a wholly different type of player, but Harvey Elliott is at the same career stage as Huijsen and will no doubt feel aggrieved that he hasn’t been given the chance to showcase his skills in a similar fashion.

Of course, Bournemouth are at a different level to Liverpool, and there’s little question that Elliott would feature front and centre for Andoni Iraola’s team, having been praised as a “special” player by journalist Bence Bocsak.

He hasn’t seen all that much action this year, true, but Elliott has still popped up with some big moments, notching six goal involvements across all competitions. Liverpool might have crashed out of the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain, but the England U21 international scored the winning goal in the first leg, defying the odds after the Reds spent 90 minutes under the cosh.

He might not have featured with the regularity he desires this term, but Elliott has still demonstrated his elite-class qualities as an up-and-coming attacking midfielder, ranking among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, assists placed and shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref, also ranking highly for progressive passes and carries.

The young playmaker was admirable, taking a strong stance regarding his future in January, rejecting any notion of a departure and claiming: “Liverpool is my club, Liverpool is my team.”

Having joined the club as a 16-year-old after leaving Fulham’s academy, signing for a tribunal fee of £4m, he’s already played a shedload of football under Jurgen Klopp but is now struggling for minutes in Slot’s system.

That’s all well and good, but he’s a gifted young footballer with suitors beginning to get a sense that Liverpool might be keen on selling.

According to Football Insider, there are a number of Premier League clubs lining up to make their move this summer, with Newcastle United thought to be at the forefront.

Elliott, who, like Huijsen, is valued at £50m, might come to jump at the chance of playing at St. James’ Park, having failed to start just one of Liverpool’s Premier League fixtures this season.

24/25

14 (0)

0

1

23/24

34 (11)

3

6

22/23

32 (18)

1

2

21/22

6 (4)

0

0

20/21*

0 (0)

0

0

19/20

2 (0)

0

0

It would be great to see the 21-year-old’s services retained for several years yet to come (or more). Elliott is already showing elite-level signs, and Slot could turn him into a world-beater with the right series of tweaks.

However, things will need to change for that to happen. In any case, the £50m-rated talent has already made 143 appearances and played his part across a trophy-laden spell in the club’s modern history.

Given that he signed for a tribunal fee of just £4m, there’s no way to look it other than through the lens of Liverpool hitting the jackpot with his signing.

Isak 2.0: Liverpool line up move for Nunez upgrade who's the "next Mbappe"

Liverpool may have to cede early defeat in their bid to sign Newcastle’s star striker.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Apr 29, 2025

Carey-Starc stand undoes some of damage after South Africa find a way back into see-sawing Test

Andrew McGlashan12-Jun-20252:11

Should Khawaja’s pattern of dismissals worry Australia?

Former Australia quick Damien Fleming, commentating for radio at Lord’s, perhaps put it best: “Things aren’t making sense.”His comment came during the final session on the second day of the WTC final at Lord’s, as Australia collapsed to 73 for 7, with much of the damage done by the perceived weaker links of South Africa’s attack – Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder.There was almost too much to pick through in one go. Only a couple of hours before being cleaned up by Ngidi, Pat Cummins had been walking off, ball in hand, saluting a six-wicket haul and his 300th in Tests.Related

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“Am I too optimistic?” Dale Steyn tweeted with a picture of the Newlands scoreboard from when Australia were bowled out for 47 in 2011, South Africa overturning a deficit of 188 to win by eight wickets.It wasn’t quite that dramatic, but as Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster and latterly Cummins departed in the space of 42 balls, the game was being upended. In the nick of time, Alex Carey, with help from Mitchell Starc, provided some substance, and given the nature of the game may well have given Australia enough to defend.”The mood in the changing room was pretty positive towards the end there,” Cummins said. “It was a great partnership. With each run it was almost like a run chase. You’re like, that’s good, four runs, getting pretty loud claps, especially from Marnus. He’s always pretty noisy. A pretty good way to end the day.”Low-scoring Tests are absorbing – and the numbers have shown how the game has changed in the World Test Championship era – but it shouldn’t completely absolve the batters. Data gathered by the broadcaster showed the pitch itself was not doing anything especially untoward compared to historical numbers, even if the batters may want to suggest otherwise.1:53

‘Once the ball gets older, Cummins puts his hand up’

For all of Australia’s success in recent years, they still have a good collapse in them. The series against India last year began with one in Perth, earlier in 2024 they had lost 8 for 94 as Shamar Joseph inspired West Indies to victory at the Gabba, and that same summer they lost 6 for 68 against Pakistan at the MCG, although they were able to win that game (in no small part due to Cummins).At Lord’s, both teams have batted as though short on preparation, which is exactly what they are. South Africa tried to have a practice game, only for weather to allow just one day of play against Zimbabwe, while Australia opted purely for centre-wicket training and nets. But whereas the inexperience of South Africa’s line-up was widely acknowledged, Australia were viewed as having more pedigree; experience was one of the deciding factors in Labuschagne being retained ahead of Sam Konstas. How much has Konstas benefited by playing this game?The Australia top order occupied much of the scrutiny heading into this Test. In six innings between them, Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green have made 49 runs.

“I thought he looked sharp both innings. [There was] some really good bowling. He batted some tough overs. Think he looked busy and looked like he had a really good plan”Pat Cummins on Marnus Labuschagne

Khawaja is becoming a concern against quality pace. It’s not just a Jasprit Bumrah problem. At Lord’s, he twice edged Kagiso Rabada from around the wicket to the slips. The 232 he made in Galle shouldn’t be wiped from the memory, but it perhaps didn’t answer too many questions about the twilight of his career.A lean return to Test cricket for Green does not need to change the belief he is part of Australia’s long-term batting future, but runs for Gloucestershire in Division Two of the County Championship can only count for so much when preparing to face Rabada – and there’s no need to talk about the other South Africa quicks, because Green didn’t get a chance to take them on. In the first innings, he edged his third ball against Rabada, and today it was his second, pressing forward with hard hands on both occasions.Then there’s Labuschagne, who benefited from the stance of offering one game too many rather than too few. Scores of 17 and 22 are about as middling as they come. The 120 balls he used up across the game won’t silence debates about his batting tempo. In both innings, he has looked settled enough until nicking behind against Marco Jansen from around the wicket. He may well find that come Barbados in a couple of weeks, the selectors’ goodwill has run its course.2:38

Cummins: Reaching 300 wickets a sign of durability and resilience

“I thought he looked sharp both innings,” Cummins said. “[There was] some really good bowling. He batted some tough overs. Think he looked busy and looked like he had a really good plan. No doubt he would have liked to go on, but he got himself in, faced quite a few balls, and looked in command of his skills out there.”This time, Smith couldn’t resurrect the innings, shuffling across and being trapped lbw to give Ngidi as important a first wicket of the match as there could be. Head was cleaned up by Mulder and Webster was lbw in very similar manner to which he could have been out in the first innings had South Africa reviewed.Given what Cummins had done earlier in the day, and his ability to seize moments with the bat when most needed, it felt like the type of situation where he could produce a game-changing cameo. He was keen to play his shots as he cleared the off side against Ngidi but, in his own words, “missed a half-volley on leg stump”.As he walked off the field again, Australia’s were just 147 runs ahead and anything was possible. At that point, Cummins said he would have been happy with a lead around 200. By the close Australia were sitting a little more comfortably but may still need their captain to come to the fore once more if they are to retain the mace.