New Liverpool signing Alexander Isak’s Anfield wage has already been shared as he jets off on international duty before his debut for the Reds.
Liverpool agree £130m deal to sign Alexander Isak
FSG have splashed the cash in the summer of 2025, breaking the club transfer record on two occasions. The first saw Florian Wirtz arrive from Bayer Leverkusen for a whopping £116m, but that has now been topped by a deal for Isak.
Alexander Isak
Newcastle United
£130m
Florian Wirtz
Bayer Leverkusen
£116m
Hugo Ekitike
Eintracht Frankfurt
£69m
Milos Kerkez
AFC Bournemouth
£40m
Jeremie Frimpong
Bayer Leverkusen
£29.5m
Giovanni Leoni
Parma
£26m
Armin Pecsi
Puskas Akademia
£1.5m
Freddie Woodman
Preston North End
Free
Will Wright
Salford City
£200k
In what has been the transfer saga of the summer, Isak, who has been on strike at Newcastle, will return to Anfield after his matches with Sweden in a deal worth a British record £130m.
The striker has signed a six-year deal on Merseyside until 2031, looking to fire Arne Slot’s side to constant glory.
Isak’s Liverpool salary has already been revealed
According to reports in August relayed by Give Me Sport, Isak’s Anfield salary has already been set in stone for some time. Picking up £120,000-a-week during his time at St James’ Park, the marquee signing, as to be expected, is on course for a bumper pay rise.
It is believed that Isak will collect £250,000-a-week with the Reds, taking his annual salary to £13m-a-year. Therefore, over his six-year contract, Isak is on course to earn a whopping £78m.
That will see him become Liverpool’s third-highest earner behind Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, with the Reds legends both penning extensions in 2025. Salah’s recent deal sees him collect £400,000-a-week, whereas star centre-back and club captain Van Dijk picks up £350,000-a-week.
Mohamed Salah
£400,000-a-week
Virgil van Dijk
£350,000-a-week
Alexander Isak
£250,000-a-week
Hugo Ekitike
£200,000-a-week
Florian Wirtz
£195,000-a-week
In terms of Isak’s Premier League striker rivals, he will collect more than Arsenal signing Viktor Gyokeres, on £200,000-a-week, but nowhere near as much as Erling Haaland, who is on £525,000-a-week with Manchester City.
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Liverpool will be hoping Isak can continue his free-scoring form in the Premier League at Anfield and end up proving to show everyone why they have spent a record sum on his services.
O técnico Vanderlei Luxemburgo e o atacante Róger Guedes pediram desculpas pelo gesto de Ryan Gustavo, garoto que tirou e mostrou a camisa para a torcida do Universitario após marcar o segundo gol e garantir a classificação do Timão às oitavas de final da Sul-Americana.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansApós classificação, Luxemburgo diz que Corinthians está dando atenção à Sul-AmericanaCorinthians19/07/2023CorinthiansVeja quanto o Corinthians faturou com a classificação às oitavas de final da Sul-AmericanaCorinthians19/07/2023CorinthiansATUAÇÕES: Biro comete pênalti infantil, mas Corinthians conta com Maycon para avançar na Sul-AmericanaCorinthians18/07/2023
+ Cantillo na lista! Confira 30 jogadores que ainda não fizeram sete jogos no Brasileirão e podem trocar de clube
O ato de Ryan gerou uma confusão generalizada no Estadio Monumental, que resultou em polícia dentro do gramado e cinco expulsos. O Cria do Terrão marcou seu primeiro gol no time profissional corintiano.
– Quero fazer um pedido de desculpas, meu atleta é jovenzinho, tem só 20 anos, é a primeira vez que vem numa viagem internacional, fez um gol importante e transcendeu o futebol. Quero pedir desculpa à torcida, ao treinador adversário e aos jogadores. Não era nossa intenção, tenho muito carinho e respeito à gente daqui, vim muitas vezes. Quero pedir desculpas por esse momento que transcendeu o futebol, foi um gesto de um garoto que nunca tinha saído do país – iniciou Luxemburgo em sua entrevista coletiva.
continua após a publicidade
Róger Guedes seguiu a mesma linha de Luxemburgo e disse que Ryan, por ser jovem e ter marcado seu primeiro gol, se excedeu na comemoração.
– Pedi desculpas pra eles, pois o nosso jogador (Ryan) acabou errando, mas é jovem, foi o primeiro gol dele, então acho que se empolgou um pouco na comemoração. Sabemos que estamos errados nessa atitude, pedimos sempre paz nos estádios, então acho que foi um erro da nossa parte e pedi desculpa por isso – disse Róger Guedes na saída de campo.
+ Veja tabela com os confrontos das oitavas de final da Copa Sul-Americana
O Corinthians irá enfrentar o Newell’s Old Boys, da Argentina, nas oitavas de final da Sul-Americana. Os jogos irão ocorrer nas semanas dos dias 2 e 9 de agosto. Para o primeiro duelo, na Neo Química Arena, Luxemburgo não poderá contar com Ryan Gustavo e Matheus Araújo, pois ambos foram expulsos contra o Universitario.
With just days before the new Premier League season kicks off, Newcastle United are accelerating plans to fill the most glaring hole in their squad.
Eddie Howe’s side, back in the Champions League for another campaign, are looking beyond their ongoing pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey to secure an experienced forward capable of leading the line from day one.
The urgency stems from a turbulent summer in attack.
Alexander Isak has made it clear he has no plans to reintegrate into the squad if he is not sold before the transfer window closes, while Callum Wilson has joined West Ham on a free transfer.
The result is a glaring lack of senior strikers ahead of a season-opener away to Aston Villa – a venue where Newcastle suffered a humbling 4-1 defeat last term.
Newcastle's latest transfer plans
Talks over Ramsey, valued at around £40m, reportedly continue in the background.
Whilst he would be a welcome addition, what Howe needs now is a proven scorer, one who can deliver in the Premier League and thrive in European competition.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
An agreement for Ramsey is edging closer, with a deal potentially wrapped up by the end of the week. However, another move could be completed for a new centre-forward soon, too.
The striker in question is Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.
According to reports from Africafoot, the Congolese forward is ready for a new challenge after the best season of his career, and he is set to choose Newcastle over Nottingham Forest and Saudi Pro League side Neom SC, with an agreement potentially set to be struck by the end of the week.
Personal terms are not thought to be an issue, with a transfer fee in the region of £30 million under discussion.
For Howe, Wissa’s appeal is obvious. In 2024/25, he scored 19 goals and provided five assists in 35 Premier League appearances – only Mohamed Salah scored more non-penalty goals.
His availability was another asset, missing just six games with an ankle injury, while racking up 3,072 league minutes.
The chemistry he forged with Bryan Mbeumo at Brentford – described by Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam as “absolutely sensational” – was built on movement, quick exchanges, and intelligent positioning.
Mbeumo and Wissa
It’s the sort of link-up play Newcastle will hope he can recreate with Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes, giving the Magpies multiple angles of attack in their 4-3-3 setup.
Why Wissa Is a bigger priority than Jacob Ramsey
It is not just the raw numbers that make Wissa attractive – his all-round game is a blend of efficiency and involvement.
According to FBref, last season he recorded a 76.5% pass completion rate (better than both Erling Haaland and Isak), more shot-creating actions per 90 than Dominic Solanke, and more touches per 90 (34.1) than Liam Delap or João Pedro.
He also carries the ball further in progressive distance than Delap or Solanke, making him as effective in build-up phases as he is in the penalty area.
Ramsey is a player Newcastle have admired for some time, and there is a case to be made for adding his energy and line-breaking ability to the midfield.
But the numbers tell their own story. In 136 Premier League appearances, the 24-year-old has scored just 14 goals, with only 1 goal and 5 assists last season.
Those are useful contributions, but they don’t solve Newcastle’s most pressing problem.
Without a striker, Howe’s team lacks a focal point to turn possession into goals.
Wissa provides exactly that, while also offering tactical flexibility to operate centrally or drift wide, enabling rotations with wingers and creating overloads in wide areas.
His progressive carrying distance and high touch count mean he can drop deep to link play, a valuable trait when facing compact defences in Europe or the Premier League.
Reliability in front of goal is another decisive factor. Wissa’s knack for finding space inside the box, combined with his ability to finish with either foot, makes him a constant threat.
Isak vs Wissa 2024-25 stats (timeless)
His presence would immediately restore balance to Newcastle’s attack, freeing players like Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali to focus on creating rather than compensating for a missing striker.
Admittedly, Wissa is older than Newcastle’s preferred 24-and-under recruitment model, turning 29 in September, and he is likely to miss time during the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations.
But those drawbacks are outweighed by the need for an immediate, proven solution in a Champions League season.
Spending £30m on a forward who can start and deliver now is more justifiable than committing a similar outlay on a midfielder whose position is already somewhat covered by the aforementioned Guimarães, Tonali.
In short, Ramsey would enhance Newcastle’s options – Wissa could define their season.
He's the next Rondon: Newcastle make £40m "machine" their new no.1 target
Newcastle United eye £40m striker in Bid to replace Alexander Isak.
سلطت إحدى وسائل الإعلام السويدية الضوء على ترشيح السويدي هنريك ريدستروم مدرب نادي مالمو، لتدريب النادي الأهلي خلفاً للمدرب السابق خوسيه ريبيرو.
ونشرت صحيفة “DAGENSKALMAR” السويدية، أنه بعد فوزه ببطولة السويد مرتين ولقب الكأس مع نادي مالمو، فقد اضطر ريدستروم لمغادرة النادي بعد نتائجه المتواضعة في عام 2025.
ويحتل نادي مالمو السويدي حالياً المركز الخامس في الدوري السويدي بفارق 18 نقطة عن متصدر الدوري ميالبي، وتحيط التكهنات منذ رحيل ريدستروم حول المهمة القادمة له ويرتبط أيضاً بالعودة لتدريب ألكمار الهولندي.
وكتبت أيضاً أنه نقلاً عن وسائل إعلام مصرية فإن ريدستروم سيكون المدرب الجديد للنادي الأهلي أحد أكبر وأنجح الأندية الإفريقية على مر العصور.
وأشارت إلى أن الأهلي قد استغنى مؤخراً عن مدربه السابق خوسيه ريبيرو بعد نتائج ضعيفة ويبحث عن مدرب جديد، ويتعامل هنريك ريدستروم مع التقارير الأولية بهدوء لكنه لم ينفي ذلك.
أقرأ أيضاً.. تشكيل الأهلي المتوقع أمام كهرباء الإسماعيلية في الدوري.. الشحات أساسيًا
وعلق ريدستروم على أخبار ارتباطه بتدريب الأهلي، في تصريحات نشرتها الصحيفة نفسها: “إنه نادي ضخم لذا من المحتمل وجود العديد من الأسماء المطروحة، لا أستطيع قول المزيد”.
وسئل ريدستروم عن مهمته القادمة بعد فترة قصيرة من العمل مع نادي مالمو وإذا كانت السويد أو التدريب في الخارج أكثر جاذبية: “القرارات مبنية على العواطف حيث تخشى مجالس الإدارة من الاندفاع، من المهم احترام الجماهير ولكن يجب ألا تخشى الأندية أبداً أن تحاول إرضاء نزوات الجماهير بقراراتها”.
وواصل :”مع ذلك أنا سعيد وفخور جداً بوقتي مع نادي مالمو، فزت بذهبيتين في الدوري السويدي الممتاز ووصلت لنهائيين في الكأس وحققت فوزا واحدا وفزت بمباراتين في الدوري الأوروبي، وكانت ثنائية العام الماضي هي الأولى لنادي مالمو منذ 38 عاماً”.
وتابع ريدستروم: “فيما يتعلق بالخطوة التالية لن أقول أبداً، فأنا أعشق الدوري السويدي الممتاز لكن الآن وبعد فوزي بكل شيء في الدوري السويدي الممتاز كلاعب ومدرب، قد تكون الدول والدوريات الأخرى هي عامل الجذب الأول والأهم”.
وختم عن إمكانية عودته لتدريب فريقه السابق ألكمار: “آمل أن أتمكن يوماً ما من المساهمة بشكل أو بآخر في تطوير كرة القدم في المنطقة”.
Manchester United are now willing to make a £22m offer for a “pure joy to watch”, who has just rejected a contract offer from his current club, according to a report.
Man Utd's summer rebuild underway
Man United were always going to have to overhaul their squad considerably after finishing 15th in the Premier League last season, and they have already brought two exciting forwards through the door, in the form of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
However, Ruben Amorim is also tasked with getting players who no longer wish to be at the club off the books, and Marcus Rashford recently became the first of the so-called ‘bomb squad’ to complete a move to a new club.
Rashford has agreed to move to Barcelona on a season-long loan, after a difficult 2024-25 campaign, but the forward refused to criticise his former club when asked why they have struggled in recent years.
The England international also claims that United are in a “period of change”, which remains the case this summer, with Amorim looking to strengthen his squad in several key areas and bring in players capable of playing in his three-at-the-back system.
It was recently revealed that Valencia’s Javi Guerra is now emerging as a major target in central midfield, having struck an agreement on personal terms, and there has now been a new update on the Red Devils’ pursuit of the Spaniard.
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According to a report from Marca (via Sport Witness), Man United are now willing to make a €25m (£22m) offer for Guerra, with work currently going on behind the scenes to get a deal over the line.
Valencia's Hugo Duro celebrates withJaviGuerraafter scoring their first goal
Valencia are keen to keep hold of the central midfielder, having offered him a new contract, but the 22-year-old was unhappy with the terms and has decided to reject it, in what will come as welcome news to United.
"Joy to watch" Guerra could be exciting signing for Man Utd
In light of his passing ability, the maestro has been lauded as a “pure joy to watch” by scout/writer Jacek Kulig, while ESPN scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen has also given an overview of his key strengths.
Karlsen said: “What will appeal to Premier League scouts is his combination of physical robustness and tactical awareness. At 6-foot-2, Guerra has the build and ability to cover ground to add a new dimension to the Manchester United midfield.”
With Casemiro ageing and Mason Mount yet to make a real impact at Old Trafford, given injury issues, it would make sense for Man United to bring in a new midfielder this summer, and Guerra could be an exciting signing, especially at just £22m.
TKR captain embraces the fickle nature of T20 cricket and says he isn’t too perturbed by their up-and-down season
Deivarayan Muthu27-Sep-20241:58
Pollard: Champion Bravo has given cricket his all
Trinbago Knight Riders, the perennial pre-tournament favourites in CPL, have had an up-and-down season so far, but considering the number of challenges they’ve had to deal with, including injuries to Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, their captain Kieron Pollard isn’t too perturbed.While Bravo has called time on his playing career after a groin injury cut short his CPL 2024 stint, Narine is working his way back from a quad strain. As for Russell, who was nursing a hamstring injury at the start of the tournament, his workload is being managed. To add to their troubles, USA fast bowler Ali Khan had been sidelined from the entire CPL 2024 with injury.”From a performance perspective, we’ve played eight games – won five and lost three. We’ll take that,” Pollard said before TKR’s final home game of the season, against Barbados Royals. “The first step in any tournament is to qualify. If we were in fifth or sixth place, it would be a different conversation. So, you expect this to happen. This is T20 cricket but given all the obstacles that have transpired throughout the season, we will take where we are [fourth place] at this particular time.Related
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“We still have an opportunity to finish in the top two. We still have to play good cricket and we still have to play consistent cricket but this happens. The tournament has got a bit harder, despite having names on paper, all teams are stronger and they are playing very, very good cricket. Tactically, they are up there in terms of how cricket should be played, which is a good sign for us in the Caribbean.”Having had the services of Bravo, Narine, Russell, Pollard and Nicholas Pooran over the years, TKR put together what was arguably the most star-studded T20 line-up. In CPL 2024, they have unearthed some new T20 talents, including 21-year-old Shaqkere Parris and 27-year-old Keacy Carty, who has already represented West Indies in both ODI and Test cricket.Shaqkere Parris hit six sixes during his maiden CPL fifty•CPL T20 via Getty Images
Just six T20s old and an emerging player in the CPL, Parris has also attracted attention outside of the Caribbean. While speaking on his Youtube channel recently, R Ashwin said Parris has Pollard’s “touch” after he had cracked 57 off 33 balls against St Lucia Kings in Gros Islet. Then, in Port-of-Spain, he launched Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Gudakesh Motie for a 124-metre six. While Pollard was also pleased with Parris’ progress, he added that the youngsters in the region need to develop their game even further.”It augurs well. You talk about his scores in Barbados but he also played here in Trinidad as well for Victoria in the concluded local season as well,” Pollard said of Parris. “Again, it’s something as a team we had looked at in terms of scouting and he coming onto the scene and get an opportunity – play five games – and having a conversation about just not playing because you have to play but giving us an opportunity to select him as a normal player when that time comes is what exactly he’s done as an individual. So kudos must go to him as well, taking up the mantle to show that this is what he’s made of.”But if I can say this we would have loved to have some local guys – local from Trinidad as well – in the squad from a performance perspective. And that’s how we look at it. Not just because you’re from Trinidad, we’re going to select you, we look at performances as well. So that means our own players need to have a look at themselves and persons above as well to develop what is needed going forward.”This Under-23 is made for local guys to get the opportunity to fly the flag. For Parris and Nathan Edward, they’ve shown us what they can do and hopefully in the future we can have more of those talents coming through because we need the next batches of the Dwayne Bravos, the Sunil Narines and Kieron Pollards, Lendl Simmons and [Denesh] Ramdins from Trinidad as well. So, a lot of work to be done on that.”
Glasgow Rangers have less than two weeks to prepare for their first competitive match of the 2025/26 season.
Russell Martin’s side fought back to draw 2-2 against Club Brugge last week, with the second-half performance more in line with what the manager wants to see from his squad this term.
The clash against Panathinaikos will be a much tougher affair, however, but the former Southampton boss has wasted no time in signing the players that will fit his tactical system.
Indeed, Max Aarons, Joe Rothwell, Thelo Aasgaard, Emmanuel Fernandez and Nasser Djiga have all made the move to Ibrox in recent weeks.
It is a solid start, but there are still other areas which require improvement. Martin has been linked with making a move for Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Carl Rushworth recently in a bid to challenge Jack Butland between the sticks.
Russell Martin watches on whilst in charge of Southampton.
Martin also appears keen to bring in a couple of wingers to the squad during the transfer window. At the time of writing, only Ross McCausland, Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo are available to the manager on either flank.
As such, several names have been linked with a move. Djeidi Gassama looks close to sealing a switch to the Light Blues, but just what can he offer the club?
Rangers closing in on signing Djeidi Gassama
Adding two or three high-quality wingers this summer could make all the difference for Rangers throughout the season.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
If you take away the 18 goals and nine assists notched up by Vaclav Cerny, the remaining widemen in the squad registered just nine goal contributions between them.
Another campaign without greater contributions from the wingers will see the Gers finish second behind Celtic once again.
Metric
Cerny
McCausland
Matondo
Goals
12
0
2
Assists
4
1
2
Key passes per game
2.5
0.6
0.8
Successful dribbles per game
1.4
0.8
1.3
Big chances created
6
0
2
Shots per game
2.9
1.2
1.7
As such, a move for Gassama sounds promising indeed, especially judging by his performances for Sheffield Wednesday.
The left-winger came through the PSG youth system, before making the move to Belgium in 2022. A year later, the Owls came calling and the 21-year-old has scored 12 goals and grabbed four assists across 84 matches for the club.
Djeidi Gassama
Amid the links to the exciting youngster, content creator and scout, Kai Watson, profiled Gassama, saying:
“He’s capable of producing moments of brilliance although hasn’t quite hit a consistency level with his end product yet. He loves carrying the ball, running at defenders and has great close control in tight areas.
“Sheffield Wednesday fans have suggested that he’s unstoppable on his day but can be frustrating at times.”
Depending on the fee, this move could either turn out to be a masterstroke, or it will end in disappointment.
Given the need for wingers to arrive and settle straight into the first-team squad, if Gassama does wrap up a move soon, he will need to lay down a marker swiftly.
He isn’t the only winger being linked with a move to Ibrox, as Martin has clearly targeted several in the hopes of signing two or more this summer.
Latest on Rangers' search for a winger
As well as Gassama, the Light Blues have been touted as making moves for David Brooks, Thierno Ballo and even Josh Windass in recent weeks.
It is clear the Ibrox side aren’t going to be able to sign every winger they are linked with. That’s for sure.
According to Sky Sports reporter Sahil Jaidka, the Light Blues are seemingly “weighing up” a move for Hull City star Abu Kamara in the coming days.
Kamara has been with the Tigers since last summer, but it looks as though he wants out of the club. They are suffering financial issues, which could open the door for Martin to perhaps seal him for a knockdown price.
Abu Kamara in action for Hull City.
He has plenty of experience down south. The question is, would he be a better signing than Gassama for the manager?
Why Rangers must sign Abu Kamara
Throughout his embryonic career thus far, Kamara has already racked up 95 senior appearances for Hull, Portsmouth and Norwich, scoring 16 goals and grabbing 15 assists for these clubs.
He shone for Portsmouth during the 2023/24 campaign, recording 18 goal involvements in League One as the club secured a place back in the second tier.
Kamara returned to the Championship last season and performed fairly well for Hull, chipping in with eight goal contributions.
The 21-year-old also managed to create seven big chances for the Tigers in the Championship, while also grabbing three assists and finishing the season with a 14% goal conversion percentage.
In comparison, Gassama could only create three big chances, recorded a single assist and finished the campaign with a 10% goal conversion percentage.
Furthermore, Kamara also delivered more crosses into the attacking penalty area last season compared to Gassama (55 vs 44), while he also registered more goals and assists per game (0.32 vs 0.24) than the Sheffield Wednesday starlet.
These statistics show that there is not much between the pair of wingers. Ideally, Martin would look to sign both in the coming weeks, really giving his Rangers squad a boost heading into the Champions League qualifiers.
The £5k-per-week winger has been lauded for his ability in the past, with former teammate Conor Shaughnessy lavishing the most praise on his talents, describing him as a “dangerous” talent on the right wing.
Kamara has the potential to truly shine in Scotland should he secure a move to Ibrox this summer. The chance to challenge for trophies and play European football should be enough of an enticement for the youngster.
If so, Martin would be bolstering his options on the right flank. That much is certain.
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Manchester United have spent big on strikers over the years, as the club looks to bolster their ranks and consolidate their place as England’s most successful club.
However, their investment over recent seasons has massively hindered their progress in the Premier League, leading to their bottom-half finish in 2024/25.
Rasmus Hojlund has been the Red Devils’ main talisman since Ruben Amorim’s appointment, but he’s massively struggled to provide the goods – netting just four league goals throughout this season.
Rasmus Hojlund
As a result, he’s been touted with a move to join Inter Milan this summer, less than two years after his £72m switch from Atalanta, ultimately failing to live up to expectations as seen by his measly goal tally.
With the summer window reopening later this week, it presents the manager with the perfect opportunity to strengthen his squad and help them mount a charge up the table next campaign.
United’s hunt for new attackers this summer
Given the lack of goals scored by Hojlund throughout 2024/25, it’s no surprise to see the hierarchy targeting added reinforcements in the final third this summer.
The likes of Benjamin Sesko, Gonçalo Ramos and Liam Delap have all been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer, but no deals have been completed – with the latter rejecting Amorim’s side in favour of a move to Chelsea.
However, progress has been made on a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer, with United taking a huge step towards winning the race for his signature this summer, according to one Spanish outlet.
They claim that Jason Wilcox and Co are preparing an offer for the Swedish international, after Arsenal entered the race for the 27-year-old, who’s scored 54 times this season.
It also states that the Portuguese outfit are demanding a fee in the region of €80m (£67m) to part ways with their star man, but doesn’t say how much they’re set to offer for his services.
Why Gyokeres could be United’s answer to Haaland
Erling Haaland is a talisman who has taken the Premier League by storm in recent seasons, helping rivals Manchester City claim the treble back in the 2022/23 season.
Erling Haaland in action for Manchester City
The Norwegian forward has just completed his third year in the North West, scoring a total of 85 goals in his 97 league appearances – finishing as the Golden Boot winner in two of the last three campaigns.
Such form in England has made him one of, if not, the most deadly attacking options in Europe, with every side wishing they could rely upon a finisher as lethal as the 24-year-old.
However, the situation could’ve been completely different, with the Red Devils hierarchy rejecting an opportunity to sign the star during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure at the helm.
Gyokeres’ goalscoring record has undoubtedly caught the eye, but his underlying stats are just as impressive, outperforming Haaland in numerous key areas – becoming United’s own version of the Norwegian should he move to Old Trafford.
The Swede, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one analyst, may have outscored Haaland, but he’s also registered a higher shot-on-target rate – demonstrating his accuracy within attacking areas.
He’s also managed to complete more of the take-ons that he’s attempted, whilst registering more carries into the final third, having the ability to create changes for himself rather than relying on his teammates.
Games played
33
31
Goals & assists
46
25
Shot on target accuracy
53%
52%
Shots on target per 90
2.2
1.8
Take-on success
46%
38%
Carries into final third
1.3
0.4
Aerials won
54%
53%
Gyokeres’ dominance doesn’t end there, winning more of the aerials he’s entered, subsequently handing Amorim the focal point he’s lacked since taking the reins back in November.
Whilst £67m may seem like a hefty fee for a player who’s never played in the Premier League before, it’s a risk worth taking given his recent goalscoring exploits.
Should he get close to the levels produced by the City star over recent years, it would be one hell of an addition, proving to be a bargain despite the huge fee they would have to fork out for his signature.
Amorim's own Carrick: Wilcox preparing Man Utd move for £20m "monster"
Manchester United appear to be making a move for a player who could emulate Michael Carrick’s achievements.
His temperament is his greatest gift, and both Sam Konstas and his friends expect him to profit from it if he makes his Test debut come Boxing Day
Alex Malcolm23-Dec-2024Sam Konstas stood in front of a huge media throng on the outfield at the MCG on Monday and looked not a day older than the 19 years and 82 days that he is.It was his third visit to the MCG this summer, having been there for a Sheffield Shield game in late October, and an Australia A game in early November.There was arguably more media peppering him with questions on Monday than patrons in the crowd for those two MCG first-class games combined.Related
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If he were to make his Test debut on Boxing Day against India, he would become the fourth-youngest Australian to do so behind Ian Craig, current captain Pat Cummins, and Tom Garrett.And he would do so in front of 90,000 or more fans.You could have heard a pin drop in the MCC Members’ when he faced his first ball from Scott Boland in the Shield game back in October. On Boxing Day, if the crowd is anything like that India-Pakistan 2022 T20 World Cup game at the MCG, the first ball he could face from Jasprit Bumrah might sound like a sonic boom.”I think it’s just another day for me,” Konstas said while acknowledging his debut is yet to be confirmed. “Obviously, it’s a bit more special. Got my parents coming. Pretty simple, just back myself and see-ball-hit-ball really.”That clarity of mind is part of the reason he stands on the precipice of debuting for Australia at such a young age. The naivety and brashness of youth are seen as a strength, not a weakness.”The way he approaches the game, it does not bother him who he’s coming up against,” New South Wales and Australia team-mate Sean Abbott said of Konstas. “He’s pretty unfazed. And I’d imagine, should he get the opportunity, it’d be pretty similar. From what I’ve seen so far, I’d probably say it’s his most admirable attribute.”Sam Konstas is the third-youngest player in Sheffield Shield history to score twin hundreds in a match•AFPPart of it also comes from his relationship with former Australia allrounder Shane Watson. Konstas counts Watson as an idol and a mentor. The entire Watson family is set to fly down to Melbourne should he make his debut.Konstas is a disciple of Watson’s mental skills teachings. The former Australia allrounder has written a book called and has turned it into an online course to help young cricketers hone their mental skills. It is the story of his own mental journey from being paralysed by an intense focus on results during his Test career to discovering and implementing a simple process-driven mindset in his successful late-career renaissance in T20 franchise cricket. He has worked with New South Wales as a mental skills consultant, having already been a mentor to Konstas since he was 16.In that sense, Konstas might be the best mentally prepared 19-year-old to have ever been thrust into such a scenario given what he understands.Konstas was asked if he had been studying videos of Bumrah in preparation for a possible face-off. “Nah, not really,” he said. “I’ve watched him quite a bit, but [I am] just trying to be in the moment. Hopefully, I get the opportunity on Boxing Day.”How he got here is even more remarkable. As late as October 7, barely anyone in Australian cricket had given a thought to Konstas playing Test cricket this summer. By October 11, after becoming the third-youngest player in Sheffield Shield history to score twin hundreds in a match, he was being compared to Ricky Ponting and there were demands for him to be picked immediately.
“The way he approaches the game, it does not bother him who he’s coming up against. He’s pretty unfazed”Sean Abbott on Sam Konstas
Nine days later he was at the MCG under the microscope. Not one, but two Australian selectors – coach Andrew McDonald and Tony Dodemaide – watched him face Boland and Victoria at the MCG after chairman of selectors George Bailey had been in Sydney for his twin centuries.He made 2 and 43, sawn off by a dubious lbw in the first innings and undone by some immaturity in the second. There were glimpses that he was a player for the future, but it looked like he wasn’t quite ready for the here and now.Scores of 0 and 16 against India A in Mackay served to further consolidate that view. On his return to the MCG on November 7, he did not open the batting in the second A game, a further sign he was not likely to be chosen for the first Test. But his second innings of 73 not out batting at No. 4 showed a different set of gears. He struck seven fours and a six and played some outrageous shots in a tricky, pressurized chase.Nathan McSweeney’s temperament, his consistency of method, and his early-season form saw him get the Test nod over Konstas. But ironically the consistency of method across a brutal series so far has now gone against McSweeney and for Konstas.McSweeney’s struggles have been clear. He is 4 for 15 from 66 balls against Bumrah in the series. He is not alone there, with Usman Khawaja (4 for 17 in 71 balls), Marnus Labuschange (2 for 6 in 72 balls), and Steven Smith (3 for 20 in 54 balls) also having problems against Bumrah.But McSweeney is 57 off 146 against the rest of India’s attack, striking at just 39.04. It is the lowest strike rate of all of Australia’s top nine against Indian bowlers not named Bumrah. McSweeney has paid a price for being too similar to Khawaja and Labuschagne in method, and they have survived because they are doing more damage at the other end.Sam Konstas scored 107 off 97 balls against the Indians late last month•AFP/Getty ImagesKonstas over the last month has proved he can be the “different look” that Bailey and the selectors want to throw at India. His 107 off 97 in Canberra against all of India’s bowlers bar Bumrah backed up his last innings in the A series. He added 88 off 146 against a good Western Australia attack that featured Australia ODI quick Lance Morris and A spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, with his first 55 coming off just 64 deliveries. He then smashed a 20-ball half-century on debut for Sydney Thunder in the BBL, albeit against an Adelaide Strikers attack that McSweeney himself made 78 not out off 49 on Sunday night.It is understood a decision had been made to add Konstas regardless of the BBL scores, as they are no indicator of anything in relation to facing Bumrah on Boxing Day.There’s no guarantee Konstas will play either, as a decision is still to be made. But even at his first Australia training session on Monday, he looked completely unfazed. He kept his net session short, not trying to impress or over-exert facing deliveries that he didn’t need to face. It was eye-opening compared to the hour-plus nets that Khawaja, Smith and Labuschagne had. He was one of the few Australian players to help his team-mates out by flinging balls to Labuschagne before leaving the optional net early, joking with a couple of team-mates on the way out with the air of a 30-year-old veteran.He was asked about being compared to his mentor Watson on social media. “I don’t look through too much on social media, but I’ll take it as a compliment,” Konstas said. “I like to take the game on and put pressure on the bowlers. I think he’s [Watson] a legend of the game, and hopefully I can do that this week if I debut.”
Kohli, du Plessis, Maxwell and Siraj were all near perfect but the rest of the team let them down
Shashank Kishore22-May-20233:02
‘Virat, Faf, Maxwell, full stop’ – Deep Dasgupta on RCB’s problem this IPL
Where they finished
Position on table: Sixth with 14 points, slipping below Rajasthan Royals Wins: Seven Losses: SevenA misfiring middle order and lack of bowling support for Mohammed Siraj meant Royal Challengers Bangalore missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. They won more away (four games) than at home, where they conceded 200-plus thrice. Two of those came in losses – to Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings – where they let it slip after being in control. That proved to be the difference.
The Good – KGF
Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli finished No. 1 and No. 2 on the run charts for them. Du Plessis was supreme in the powerplay, while Kohli brought out shades of his 2016 vintage – when he made a record 973 runs – in the second half of the season and finished it with back-to-back centuries. Glenn Maxwell played a typically robust game; sometimes he was the momentum injector, and on other occasions, he sustained the top-order tempo. In all, the trio contributed 70.70% of the runs RCB scored this season.Dinesh Karthik had a season to forget•BCCI
The Bad – Non-existent middle order
It was a merry-go-round in Rajat Patidar’s absence. Anuj Rawat, Shahbaz Ahmed, Suyash Prabhudessai, Mahipal Lomror, and later, Kedar Jadhav were all tried. Rawat finally found his form towards the back end, by which time it was too late. Dinesh Karthik had a season to forget.It wasn’t just the misfiring batting that cost them. Barring Siraj, whose ten wickets in the powerplay were the joint second-most in the league, none of the bowlers posed consistent threat. There was only sporadic brilliance, like Wayne Parnell’s 3 for 10 in a game where RCB beat Royals by a massive margin to elevate their net run rate.Harshal Patel’s diminishing returns – he conceded runs at 11.50 an over in the death – left RCB skating on thin ice in terms of their bowling resources, especially with Josh Hazlewood and Wanindu Hasaranga down with injuries and form issues. Injuries to Reece Topley and David Willey also didn’t help.
Poll
Top Performer – Faf du Plessis
He was a standout performer for RCB all through, even eliciting talk of a potential South Africa comeback in this year’s 50-over World Cup in India. Du Plessis’ powerplay strike rate of 168.54 was the second best among batters who faced a minimum of 100 balls this season. Seven hundred and thirty runs in 14 innings with eight half-centuries told you how he married consistency with fierce ball striking.
The Highlights
The 939 runs Kohli and du Plessis scored together as openers are the joint most by a pair in an IPL, equalling Kohli’s 939 runs with AB de Villiers in 2016.
Kohli’s back-to-back tons helped him surpass Chris Gayle’s record (six) for most IPL centuries. Kohli’s eight T20 hundreds are the joint-third-most in the format.* Gayle has 22, Babar Azam has nine, while Aaron Finch, David Warner and Michael Klinger have eight each too.