يرى بول باركر، نجم مانشستر يونايتد السابق، أن المصري محمد صلاح قد يستفاد من كسل أحد لاعبي الشياطين الحمر خلال مباراة ليفربول المرتقبة، الأسبوع المقبل، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
ويستضيف ملعب “الأنفيلد” مباراة فريقي ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد، يوم الأحد القادم، في قمة منافسات الجولة الثامنة من الدوري الإنجليزي، موسم 2025/26.
ويعاني ليفربول من سوء النتائج مؤخرًا حيث خسر في 3 مباريات متتالية في مختلف المسابقات، حيث خسر أمام كريستال بالاس وجالطة سراي وتشيلسي.
اقرأ أيضًا.. فيديو | روبي سافاج: لاعب برشلونة أفضل من محمد صلاح
بينما يتعرض محمد صلاح للكثير من الانتقادات طوال الفترة الأخيرة بسبب تراجع مستواه، ولكنه يمتلك تاريخًا مميزًا ضد مانشستر يونايتد حيث سجل 6 وصنع مثلهم في 17 مباراة ضدهم.
من جهة أخرى، يرى بول باركر أن كسل لاعب مانشستر يونايتد لوك شاو سيمنح ميزة لصالح ليفربول وخاصة محمد صلاح.
وقال باركر، في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ميرور” الإنجليزية: “انظر إلى الفرق التي لعب مانشستر يونايتد ضدها، ستجد أنهم لا يحسنون التعامل مع السرعة والطاقة”.
وأضاف: “إذا لعب ليفربول أمامهم، فسيكون ذلك رائعًا لهم، أعتقد أنهم سيحاولون قلب موازينهم، خاصةً على الجانب الأيسر مع لوك شاو”.
وواصل: “سيسعى محمد صلاح للركض خلفهم بالكرة وبدونها، وهو يعلم كسل لوك شاو، الذي سيجذب قميصه طوال الوقت، وما إلى ذلك”.
Lamine Yamal’s father has branded Ousmane Dembele’s Ballon d’Or win the “greatest moral harm” in football, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward walking away with a prestigious Golden Ball in 2025. Barcelona wonderkid Yamal had to settle for a runner-up finish despite those in Catalunya being of the opinion that the 18-year-old is undoubtedly “the best player in the world”.
Top awards handed out at ceremony in Paris
The global elite descended on Theatre du Chatelet in Paris for a glitzy ceremony that honoured the great and good of the men’s and women’s game – with top teams, coaches, goalkeepers and young players landing major prizes.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALYamal won Kopa Trophy for a second time
Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for a second successive year, with the teen sensation continuing to enjoy a meteoric rise, but PSG forward Dembele walked away with the ultimate prize and etched his name into the history books.
Future Ballon d'Or winner: Time on Yamal's side
Time is still very much on Yamal’s side when it comes to collecting a Ballon d’Or of his own, with some having already tipped him to better Lionel Messi’s record-shattering haul of eight Golden Balls.
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GOALYamal's father reacts to Dembele's Ballon d'Or win
Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, told of his son being overlooked on this occasion: “I think this is the greatest harm, I wouldn't say theft, but moral harm caused to a human being, because I believe that Lamine Yamal is by far the best player in the world, and by far the one who makes a lot of difference. Not because he's my son, but because he's the best player in the world. I think there is no rival, Lamine Yamal is Lamine Yamal. It must be said that something very strange has happened here. Greetings to all of Spain, and next year it will be a Spanish ball.”
Manchester United’s midfield remains a point of tension, even after a summer of heavy investment.
The club has already spent over £200m bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, yet the same concerns linger at the base of midfield.
Manuel Ugarte, signed for £50m from Paris Saint-Germain last year and once viewed as a long-term solution, has drawn consistent criticism from supporters.
His performance in the opening-day defeat to Arsenal was another example: combative, yes, but lacking composure.
Rúben Amorim, who knows Ugarte from their days together at Sporting Lisbon, has yet to coax the same dominant form out of him at Old Trafford.
Manchester United's ManuelUgartein action with Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi
United fans argue that while Ugarte was brought in to shield the defence and free up the attack, the side requires a more athletic and intelligent option.
Particularly with Casemiro’s contract expiring next summer and Bruno Fernandes’ future subject to constant speculation from Saudi Arabia.
Man Utd enquire to sign Premier League star
After last season’s misery – a 15th-place league finish compounded by a Europa League final defeat to Spurs – Amorim is under pressure to get this rebuild right.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
United’s absence from European competition this season gives them a unique chance to reset, but only if the midfield is corrected.
That is why the club has now begun exploring not just a move for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba but also another of the Premier League’s most highly rated young players.
Brighton & Hove Albion's CarlosBaleba
According to United in Focus, Manchester United have enquired about Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
Journalist Graeme Bailey told the publication: “We can confirm United have made enquiries this week and are contemplating whether to make a move. Wharton is a player United have a long-term interest in, and like with Baleba, they feel he would offer them something different.”
This alternative pursuit follows the collapse of their interest in Baleba, whose valuation was deemed too high.
Wharton, however, will hardly be cheap. Palace are expected to demand in excess of £100m, particularly with Tottenham closing in on Eberechi Eze – a deal that would strengthen Palace’s hand in resisting further departures.
An upgrade on Ugarte
Wharton has quickly built a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most complete young midfielders.
Henry Winter hailed him as a “pressing machine” after Palace’s FA Cup semi-final win over Aston Villa last season, and his ability to blend relentless energy with intelligence on the ball has attracted suitors across Europe.
Real Madrid are among the clubs who continue to monitor him closely which marks a remarkable rise. Still only 21, Wharton was signed by Palace from Blackburn for just £18m in January 2024.
He made 27 appearances across all competitions last season, registering two league assists, though his progress was interrupted by a groin injury that kept him out for 17 matches. He was also part of England’s Euro 2024 squad, even if he didn’t make an appearance at the tournament.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner regards him as indispensable, particularly as the club plays in the Conference League this season.
Wharton himself has already shown he can rise to the occasion, standing out against Liverpool in the Community Shield when he set up Palace’s equaliser.
His blend of maturity, physicality, and incisive passing explains why United believe he could be the answer to their midfield conundrum.
The numbers tell their own story. Ugarte may have been named in the Copa América Team of the Tournament with Uruguay last summer, but his United form has yet to convince.
Too often he offers industry without incision – a contrast sharply illustrated when compared with Wharton’s output.
According to FBref, Wharton ranks in the 91st percentile for both key passes (1.78 per 90) and progressive passes (7.31 per 90), as well as the 93rd percentile for shot-creating actions (4.03 per 90).
He also completes 6.97 ball recoveries per 90 (96th percentile), underlining his ability to both win possession and instantly turn defence into attack.
Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta, Adam Wharton, EberechiEzeand Marc Guehi
Add in his 93rd-percentile rate for successful challenges against dribblers (3.00 per 90), and you have a midfielder capable of shielding the defence while also driving his team forward.
Ugarte, by contrast, has struggled with these progressive metrics.
Ugarte – Stats 2024/25 (All comps)
Matches
29
Starts
22
Progressive Carries
16
Progressive Passes
61
Pass Completion Rate
87.9%
Tackles
77
Blocks
33
Source: FBref
Though combative and reliable in duels, his passing range is limited, and his decision-making under pressure remains a weakness in United’s build-up play.
Amorim’s system – one that requires midfielders to knit transitions at pace and resist the press – exposes those flaws.
It is precisely why Wharton feels like such a natural fit.
The financial aspect complicates things, however. Spending £100m on Wharton would represent another statement of intent from the INEOS ownership.
But with the club not in any form of European competition this season, United must tread carefully financially to avoid any PSR breach.
INEOS' Sir Jim Ratcliffe
They also must demonstrate to the fans that there is a pathway back to the top.
Signing one of England’s brightest midfielders – a player already drawing comparisons with the league’s most effective ball-progressors – would go a long way to proving that point.
Beyond numbers, Wharton offers something less tangible but equally vital: composure. Wharton has shown an ability to dictate tempo and control rhythm.
That balance between intensity and calm is something United have lacked since Michael Carrick’s days, and it’s no surprise Amorim views him as the kind of profile capable of transforming the side.
The move will be difficult. But if United truly want to replace Ugarte with a midfielder who can elevate both their defensive stability and attacking fluency, Wharton looks the obvious candidate.
For a fanbase desperate to see progress after a decade of malaise, he represents not just an upgrade, but a potential cornerstone for the club’s future.
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.
Pakistan only have an outside chance of making the semis
Ekanth13-Oct-2024New Zealand vs PakistanDubai, 6pm local timeNew Zealand squad: Sophie Devine (capt), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Isabella Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.Pakistan squad: Fatima Sana (capt), Muneeba Ali (wk), Aliya Riaz, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Najiha Alvi.Tournament form guide: New Zealand recovered from a heavy defeat against Australia and registered an important eight-wicket win against Sri Lanka to remain strong contenders for the semi-final. As for Pakistan, they started their campaign with a win against Sri Lanka but slumped to defeats against India and then Australia.News brief: Thanks to Australia’s win over India, all New Zealand need to do is beat Pakistan to qualify for the semis. Their confidence will be boosted by Georgia Plimmer finding form as well as Amelia Kerr being among the runs and wickets. While the target of 116 they chased down against Sri Lanka was a modest one, it was a case of the batters bouncing back after being bundled out for 88 against Australia. They have resources to go in with six bowling options whether they persist with Fran Jonas or bring back Jess Kerr.Fatima Sana (in front) should return to the Pakistan XI•ICC/Getty ImagesPakistan will be buoyed by the return of their regular captain Fatima Sana, who returned to the UAE after going home upon her father passing away. However, Diana Baig, one of their strike bowlers, has been ruled out with a calf injury and Najiha Alvi, her replacement, could be in with a chance to play.Player to watch: Rosemary Mair, with six wickets in three games, is the second-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand going into the game. She went wicketless against Sri Lanka but bowled 14 dots and conceded at only 4.25 an over. She has dismissed key batters like Alyssa Healy, Harmanpreet Kaur and has been used both as a new-ball bowler and a first-change bowler. Sana was dearly missed in Pakistan’s game against Australia and is key for their prospects although they only have an outside chance of qualifying for the semis. Sana has scored at a strike rate of 153 and has taken four wickets with the ball, apart from leading the team competently.
Nottingham Forest now want to sign a “great” £8.5 million ace as a possible replacement for Anthony Elanga, according to a new report.
Newcastle still chasing Elanga 12 months on
During the 2024/25 season, Forest had many players step up and perform at a very high level on a consistent basis, with one of those players doing just that being Elanga. The Sweden international bagged five goals and registered nine assists in 36 Premier League games in his debut campaign with the club, but he found a new level last season, scoring six goals to go with 11 assists.
He was a big contributor to Forest reaching the Europa Conference League, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed, as teams from around the Premier League begin to circle – it was revealed last week that Newcastle United had made contact with the Reds over a possible deal for Elanga.
The Magpies were interested in a deal last summer, and now Eddie Howe has returned in the hope of getting his man this time around. Howe is said to be a big admirer of the winger and has made him his number one target this summer.
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However, they are not alone in their pursuit, as Arsenal have now joined the race to sign Elanga. Journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed the Gunners are one of several sides interested in the Forest attacker ahead of the transfer window reopening next week.
The report adds that teams such as Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all been watching the Swedish international ‘closely’. Forest are determined to keep hold of Elanga, but have reportedly placed a £60 million price tag on his head.
Forest want to sign £8.5m Moro as possible Elanga replacement
The mounting interest in Elanga will have the board worried, and according to Spanish outlets, relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest are interested in signing winger Raúl Moro from Real Valladolid.
Raul Moro
The Spanish side suffered relegation from La Liga last season, but despite his team’s struggles, Moro had a breakout season, netting four times in 33 La Liga games. The report states his ‘impeccable’ form hasn’t gone unnoticed, as Forest as well as AFC Bournemouth keep a close eye on his situation.
The report states that no offers have arrived for the 22-year-old as of yet, and despite Valladolid suffering relegation, they have placed a €10 million asking price on the winger, which is roughly £8.5 million.
Raul Moro’s 24/25 La Liga stats
Apps
33
Starts
26
Goals
4
Shots per game
1.4
Assists
5
Touches
34.7
Big chances created
8
Key passes
1.3
Succ dribbles
1.7 (45%)
Ground duels won
2.9 (48%)
This isn’t the first time Moro, who has been dubbed “great” by scout Jacek Kulig, has been linked with a move to England. Back in December it was revealed that both Liverpool and Manchester City were interested in signing the former Spain under-21 international, but it remains unclear if they are both keeping an eye on his situation.
Sunderland might be without Jobe Bellingham for their nerve-wracking Premier League adventure, but at least Regis Le Bris still has Chris Rigg to call upon for now.
Amazingly, Rigg is only 18 years of age, despite featuring a colossal 47 times last season for Le Bris’ promotion-winners.
The teenage sensation has rightly garnered lots of attention from higher up suitors; therefore, with Manchester United once reportedly keen on adding the breakout Black Cats star to their star-studded camp.
Sunderland'sChrisRiggin action with Middlesbrough's Aidan Morris
However, with Bellingham gone, Sunderland must do everything in their power now to keep Rigg at the Stadium of Light for the foreseeable future.
Sunderland interested in move for Rigg 2.0
Le Bris could well land his next iteration of Rigg this summer with a new target – one who’s three years older than Rigg – now on the radar.
Indeed, as per a new report from SportsBoom, Sunderland has made some initial enquiries about landing emerging West Bromwich Albion midfielder Isaac Price.
Burnley and Portsmouth are also named as being in the conversation about snapping up the young Northern Irishman, but Sunderland’s glittering track record with up-and-coming talents might well sway Price’s decision-making to swap the West Midlands for Wearside.
Whilst Price has shown flashes of his excellence from his short stay at the Hawthorns to date, he could really find that his game is elevated by moving to the Stadium of Light.
How Price could be Le Bris' next Rigg
Whilst Rigg had been in and around the senior mix for some time before Le Bris’ arrival, he hadn’t yet captivated the Sunderland masses regularly until the ex-Lorient boss stormed through the door. It’s fair to say he now certainly has.
Rigg’s numbers for Sunderland (senior/youth) by season
Season
Games
Goals scored
Assists
24/25
47
4
1
23/24
30
4
0
22/23
17
0
2
21/22
9
2
2
Sourced by Transfermarkt
The teenager had excited fans at the Stadium of Light with his promising displays in youth circles for some time now but his first real breakout season in the senior side came just this campaign.
Amazingly, that would coincide with promotion being reached, with Rigg now desperate to prove himself in the Premier League, alongside his new potential teammate in Price who will be equally eager to cut his teeth at an elite level.
Much like the 18-year-old starlet, Price has been thrust into the spotlight from a very early age, with his debut for the Northern Ireland senior team coming when he was just 19 years of age.
This has proven to be a wise call ever since, considering the promising Baggies number 21 is up to six strikes already for his national side, despite only receiving 16 caps.
He has also shown why West Brom splashed out a rumoured £2.5m to win his services just this January, with Price managing to pick up one goal and one assist for his new employers from 15 appearances, even as their promotion hopes started to crumble.
Price’s career numbers by position
Position played in
Games
Goals
Assists
CM
60
2
2
DM
24
2
3
AM
20
0
2
RM
20
0
0
RW
2
0
0
LM
2
0
0
CF
1
0
0
RB
1
1
0
CB
1
0
0
Sourced by Transfermarkt
He could kick on even more with Le Bris by his side, therefore, having seen what the ex-Lorient boss has managed with Rigg, with Price’s flexibility to play in a whole host of positions also drawing similarities to the Red Devils-linked youngster. Last season, the 18-year-old wildly lined up as a centre-forward on five occasions.
Dubbed as “outstanding” by former teammate Asmir Begovic when Price was a wide-eyed teen himself at Everton, this could be finally the time the Pontefract-born ace proves himself in the Premier League.
Everton midfielder Isaac Price.
Sunderland’s approach of gifting up-and-coming youngsters plenty of minutes has worked wonders in the past, with that perhaps continuing if Price joins Le Bris’ growing camp very shortly.
Sunderland now looking to re-sign "unbelievable" Bellingham replacement
Sunderland could well look to fill the void left behind by Jobe Bellingham by snapping up this unbelievable EFL ace.
Manchester United have made some key moves in the transfer market over the last couple of weeks, with Matheus Cunha completing his move to Old Trafford ahead of 2025/26.
The Brazilian could be joined at the club by striker Viktor Gyokeres, who could be reunited with boss Ruben Amorim after previously featuring under him at Sporting CP.
He’s registered 54 goals in his 52 appearances throughout 2024/25, leading to keen interest in his services over the last couple of months, with the Red Devils just one side interested in his signature.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokerescelebrates scoring their third goal to complete his hat-trick
It was reported this week that he would be open to a switch to Old Trafford, with Arsenal another side in the race to land the 27-year-old during the off-season.
However, the club should look past a move for Gyokeres, prioritising a move for another talisman instead, helping the club reach the next level in the near future.
The latest on United’s hunt for a new striker this summer
Despite the window only opening on Sunday, United have wasted no time in pursuing options to help Amorim’s squad within the final third of the pitch at Old Trafford.
Antoine Semenyo, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Liam Delap have all been on their radar over recent weeks, but have missed out on the latter after he agreed a £30m deal with Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Ipswich Town'sLiamDelapreacts
However, they could make a move to land Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who spent the current season on loan at Turkish side Galatasaray, scoring 37 times in 41 appearances across all competitions.
A report from Corriere del Mezzogiorno via Sport Witness confirmed that the Red Devils have been in contact with the Serie A outfit over a deal for the Nigerian, who has a €75m (£67m) release clause in his current deal.
Amorim’s side may have received a boost in their pursuit of the 26-year-old, after he rejected a proposal from Saudi side Al Hilal, with the race for his signature wide open this summer.
Why United’s £67m target could be a great signing for Amorim
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been a player who has set the Premier League alight over the last couple of seasons, often being a nuisance to countless backlines.
Manchester City's ErlingHaalandduring the warm up before the match
The Norwegian has scored a staggering 121 times in his 142 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, with six of his efforts coming in eight games against United.
Such a talent doesn’t come around very often, with the Red Devils previously passing up an opportunity to land the talisman under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
Multiple years on, Haaland is now undoubtedly one of the most dangerous strikers in Europe, highlighting the mistake United’s hierarchy made in not pursuing a move for the 24-year-old.
However, this summer, that could all change with United’s latest target Osimhen, being dubbed “even better than Haaland” by agent Andrea D’Amico in recent months.
When delving into their respective stats this season, the Nigerian has managed to better him in numerous key areas, backing up the statement which may have seemed far-fetched.
Osimhen has scored more goals than Haaland throughout 2024/25, whilst also posting a higher shot on target rate – showcasing the clinical edge he possesses over the Norwegian in front of goal.
How Osimhen compares to Haaland in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)
Osimhen
Haaland
Games played
30
31
Goals & assists
31
25
Shot-on-target rate
52%
51%
Shots taken
7.3
3.4
Aerial won
4.3
1.8
Aerial success rate
63%
53%
Take-ons completed
60%
36%
Stats via FBref
He’s also won nearly three times more aerial battles and posting a higher success rate in such a department – handing Amorim the focal point he’s lacked since taking the reins.
The loaner’s dominance hasn’t stopped there, completing nearly two times more take-ons in 2024/25, and having the all-round skillset that would bolster the attacking department at Old Trafford.
After splashing £62.5m on Cunha already this summer, a £67m transfer for Osimhen may seem steep, but it’s one that would transform the side based off his figures from this season.
Should he make the move and get anywhere near close to the levels produced by Haaland in England’s top-flight, it would be an absolute bargain – pushing the club closer towards their former glory.
Amorim's next Amad: Man Utd closing in on agreement to sign £70m "monster"
Manchester United could be set to land their next summer addition in the next few days.
Newcastle United find themselves well in the hunt for a strong finish to the Premier League season and could look to pounce for a high-profile star on the market, according to a report.
Newcastle United's pursuit of summer signings
The Magpies have Champions League football firmly in their sights under Eddie Howe and will look to finalise their place in next year’s league phase before turning their attention to the summer transfer window.
Turning the spotlight on one of their direct competitors, Newcastle hope to sign James McAtee from Manchester City in the next few months and will take encouragement from the fact he has one year left on his deal at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City'sJamesMcAteecelebrates after the match
Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are also in the hunt for his signature, which may pose a challenge in convincing the England Under-21 international that Tyneside is the place to be ahead of next season.
On the same token, talks have taken place over Newcastle making a move for Douglas Luiz with Juventus sporting director Cristian Giuntoli. The possibility of a swap deal involving Sandro Tonali has also been discussed.
Looking to the future, Heart of Midlothian forward James Wilson is a Magpies target, even if he would likely be viewed as one for the future by chiefs at St James’ Park.
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They’ve wanted him for ages.
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PSR regulations will need to be met by Newcastle alongside every one of their direct rivals in the Premier League. In turn, that may lead to certain positions being prioritised for strengthening, while others could be left on the backburner.
Regardless, plenty of movement is underway in the North East and recent developments suggest that a marquee arrival could be set for a move to Tyneside.
Newcastle United ready to strike for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo
According to The Telegraph, Newcastle United are plotting a move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, who has wowed the Magpies’ recruitment team during extensive scouting missions over the last few years.
Howe would jump at the chance to bring in the Cameroon international if his current employers were willing to sell, though the Bees’ demand of over £60 million may provide food for thought once the summer window opens.
Bryan Mbeumo vs Anthony Gordon – Premier League attacking output in 2024/25
Bryan Mbeumo
Goals
18
Assists
6
Chances created
65
Shots on target
36
Completed dribbles
44
Anthony Gordon
Goals
6
Assists
5
Chances created
50
Shots on target
19
Completed dribbles
35
Labelled “fantastic” by Thomas Frank, Mbeumo has enjoyed a fantastic campaign in front of goal, registering 18 goals and seven assists in 38 appearances across all competitions.
His versatility is said to be a major reason behind Howe’s desire to land the winger. However, Newcastle are likely to wait and see what continental competition they end up in before stepping up their interest.
Attacking reinforcements appear to be on the agenda at St James’ Park and Mbeumo would be the ideal candidate to ensure the Magpies build from a position of strength.
Celtic could now make a move and sign an “excellent” 19-year-old, who is taller than every Hoops player, according to a new report.
Celtic begin preparations for the summer
The Hoops will be slowly turning their attentions to the summer, as they plan a recruitment drive that can not only help them stay top of the Scottish Premiership but can also help them when it comes to competing in the Champions League.
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It’s been reported that Celtic remain interested in signing Million Manhoef from Championship side Stoke City, despite the fact that he is valued at £10 million. The Hoops are also in the race to sign striker Moussa Soumano from AC Ajaccio, but they face stiff competition as Premier League-bound Leeds United are also keen on the player.
Signing a striker seems a priority for Brendan Rodgers this summer, as West Ham’s Danny Ings has also been mentioned as someone the Scottish champions could look to sign at the end of the campaign.
But as well as looking at proven players, Celtic are also in the market for young, exciting talents, and according to TBR Football, the Hoops have spoken to the representatives of Jesse Derry, who currently plays for Premier League side Crystal Palace. There are several teams from Britain and abroad who are chasing the signature of Derry.
Celtic could sign 19 y/o gem who is taller than every Hoops player
Derry is not the only young star the Hoops are chasing ahead of the summer, as according to George Shields, manager of Tayport, Celtic could be interested in signing goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu.
Nwosu is currently playing for Tayport, who are a team in the sixth tier of Scottish football, and the shot-stopper claimed his fourth clean sheet in a row on Wednesday evening. Shields has revealed that the Hoops could be about to make a move for his goalkeeper.
“He’s six foot eight, and I can see him getting a contract someplace, especially in Scotland,” he told The Herald.
“I don’t think he’ll have a problem getting a contract up here if I’m being honest. He’s only 19 years old, so he has plenty of growing to do. Maybe not physically, but he can clearly play at a good level. There is some word that Celtic might want a look at him, as well but we’ve not had confirmation of that yet.
“He has done really well playing for me at Tayport up to now, and we’ve put him in the shop window for these clubs. There’s no question that he has all the attributes to play at a high level.”
Nathaniel Nwosu
1.93m
Adam Idah
1.90m
Auston Trusty
1.90m
Viljami Sinisalo
1.90m
Nwosu, who has been dubbed “excellent” by Sheilds for his distribution, could join Kasper Schmeichel, Viljami Sinisalo and Scott Bain at Parkhead.
Hosts left the door ajar handing everything that could go wrong free rein in Multan
Danyal Rasool10-Oct-2024Ollie Pope stood on the balcony, looking fresh and ready. He should have been, after all; he’d spent all but eight balls of the past 150 overs in the air-conditioned comfort of the dressing room. Chris Woakes had just taken a couple that took Saim Ayub past 100 conceded runs. He was the sixth bowler this innings to get there, a feat that has just one precedent in Test history. England had racked up 823-7; at this point, there was more interest in the post-match pitch report than the match report.Pope signalled them in, and ten minutes later, Abdullah Shafique came out to face the first ball. He was coming off a first innings hundred, and England had demonstrated there was little to fear from the surface as the Test dragged on. There is, in truth, little to fear from Chris Woakes away from home at this stage of his career, or from the first delivery he sent down. A polite enquiry of a half-volley, just asking the new ball if it would take early swing. As it headed straight down the line it was released, the answer was definitive: it would not.No matter, though, Shafique would play down the wrong line, anyway. The ball whispered through the unlocked gate, uprooting the off stump. After three-and-a-half days of the surface looking like it was offering nothing, England were repeatedly breaking in. It may look like a magic trick, but even the most impenetrable safe can be broken into if the door’s been left ajar.Related
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And Pakistan have left that door ajar up front a fair bit. Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique’s opening stands read like a phone number: 0, 0, 5, 3, 7, 0, 8 and 0, at a combined average of 2.87. No specialist batting pairing has ever managed to go as many innings without cracking into double figures, and if two innings on this surface don’t break that streak, you wonder what will.It says something about a year that saw Pakistan lose a home Test series to Bangladesh 2-0 that this day in Multan might be the nadir. The jarring contrast between the feast of wicket-taking in the second half of the day and the famine that preceded it, the broken spirits of Pakistan as they wilted in the heat, and the sheer inevitability of the disintegration with the bat. How often do you get 823 for 7 and 82 for 6 on the same day, and how do you justify it? It took England 73 balls to take Pakistan’s first four wickets; Pakistan had earlier needed 817 to get there.In that ignominious second half of the day, Pakistan’s fragility, both mental and tactical, was left as nakedly exposed as the pitch prepared in Multan. Shan Masood lasted all of 22 balls in a galling struggle of an innings, and was fortunate to survive that long, reprieved twice when Woakes and Atkinson each put him down. Babar Azam’s nick through to the keeper was reminiscent of the way he kept getting dismissed in Australia, except this was Multan rather than Perth and Atkinson, for all his promise, isn’t exactly Josh Hazlewood or Pat Cummins.Babar Azam’s woes continued in Multan•Associated PressBut with confidence approaching subterranean levels, there isn’t a situation pressing enough to drag him out of the rut he seems irrevocably trapped in, or a pitch flat enough to prevent Pakistan’s now customary third-innings collapse. It is how they’ve lost every other Test match this year, a streak that will be extended when England wrap up the formalities on the final day tomorrow.”Everyone’s a bit disappointed,” Pakistan high-performance coach Tim Nielsen said after the day. “If the players learning anything, it’s that Test cricket is hard. And that’s not a bad lesson to learn because it doesn’t get easier. They need to be resilient and strong and tough.”It hadn’t seemed quite so hard when England, batted, though. In 49 overs, England amassed 331 runs, Pakistan setting the tone when Babar generously put Joe Root down at midwicket off the luckless Naseem Shah. More spilled chances would follow, more boundaries would accumulate, and more records would tumble. The highest away partnership in Test cricket, the highest total Pakistan have ever conceded, the highest individual score against Pakistan? You got them all, and then some.ESPNcricinfo LtdBut little of this is new, and even less is surprising. The only evidence we have of Masood and Abdullah’s return to form is day one of a surface England did on, while the jury on the Saim Ayub experiment remains out. Babar’s now approaching the longest run without a half-century by any specialist Pakistan batter in history. The whack-a-mole Pakistan play with injuries shows no signs of abating, with the struggling Abrar Ahmed the latest fitness doubt.Pakistan’s options to replace him are underwhelming, exacerbated by no obvious replacements from the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. You know why? Because three Tests into the biggest red-ball summer in a generation, this year’s edition is yet to begin. September saw them play the Champions One-Day Cup instead, and while its merits or otherwise remain disputed, white-ball spinners are of little use to Pakistan without any evidence their skills are transferrable to this format against a batting line-up of England’s class.But while it’s hard to blame individuals for a broken structure, losing six wickets in a session on this deck lies at the feet of the individuals in this side. Aamer Jamal and Salman Ali Agha – two of Pakistan’s brighter spots over the last year – demonstrated exactly that in an unbeaten 70-run partnership that closed out the day. Pakistan may have dragged out the inevitable overnight in Multan, but the agony is merely being prolonged. And as far as many in this particular Test side are concerned, it’s perhaps an appropriate metaphor.