The India and KKR allrounder will play in the One-Day Cup and two rounds of the county championship
ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jul-2024
Venkatesh Iyer is set for his maiden county stint•AFP/Getty Images
India allrounder Venkatesh Iyer has joined Lancashire for the ongoing One-Day Cup and two rounds of the County Championship. He is expected to make his debut against Kent on July 28.Iyer was recommended to the club by Phil Salt, his Kolkata Knight Riders’ teammate during their victorious IPL campaign this year, where he made half-centuries against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 and the final. Iyer’s stint will be for five weeks as he is set to return ahead of India’s domestic season opener, the Duleep Trophy, that kicks off on September 5.”This is a deal we have worked hard to complete,” Lancashire’s Director of Cricket Mark Chilton said. “Venkatesh will add experience to a young side during the One-Day Cup, whilst providing an explosive batting option in the middle-order and another seam bowler that we can turn to with the ball.”He will also be available for our County Championship matches against Surrey and Hampshire towards the end of August and gives us another high-quality overseas option to select from.”Iyer made his name as a top-order batter during IPL 2021, when KKR made a stirring run to the final. Iyer, who debuted in the second half of that tournament after the pandemic break, also went on to earn his India cap across both white-ball formats in the months that followed.In addition to being an attacking batter, Iyer offers a handy seam-up option, having fully recovered from a series of injuries that had limited his participation only as a batter until mid-last year.”I am incredibly excited to head over to England and to have the opportunity to play county cricket for the first time in my career,” Iyer said in a statement. “Lancashire is a very historic county with a long history of welcoming Indian players to their Club”To test my skills in both one-day and first-class cricket in English conditions is going to really benefit my game. I hope that I can entertain the fans and help my Lancashire team-mates to achieve their targets in both formats this summer.”Iyer, a left-hand batter, has 1132 runs from 32 first-class innings, averaging 37.73 with one century. He has also taken 15 wickets with his right-arm medium pace.In List A cricket, Iyer has scored 1458 runs in 40 innings at a strike rate 101.95. He has four centuries and five fifties in the 50-over format. He also played two ODIs for India in January 2022.
Everton are now believed to have made an approach to complete the signing of a “world class” player who knows the Premier League well but has fallen out of favour at his current club.
A host of players continue to be mentioned as options for the Blues in the summer transfer window, including Sheffield United goalkeeper Michael Cooper. The 25-year-old Englishman started all 46 of the Blades’ Championship matches last season, helping them reach the playoff final, but defeat to Sunderland at Wembley ruined their chances of promotion, and he may like the idea of heading to the top flight.
Michael Cooper in action for Sheffield United.
Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is another player who could want to remain in the Premier League, following his side’s relegation to the second tier, and Everton have been backed to snap him up, amid their search for more quality in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Millwall forward Mihailo Ivanovic is another reported target for the Merseysiders, with the Serb potentially seen as a strong replacement for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Just 20 years of age, he scored an impressive 12 goals in 23 Championship starts last term and could serve as the old fashioned number nine alongside the more elusive Thierno Barry.
Everton make approach for "world class" midfielder
According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport [via Goodison News], Everton have made an approach for Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, seeing him as an excellent choice to bring in this summer. The Blues are said to have asked for information regarding the 27-year-old, but it is added that no offer has been tabled for him yet.
He joined Juventus for around £42m last summer but was once worth a much higher figure, with Neil Moxley even claiming “somebody’s just having a bit of a laugh” when he was quoted at £60m while thriving at Aston Villa, pointing to Declan Rice’s £105m move to Arsenal as a benchmark.
Douglas Luiz in action for Juventus.
Indeed, albeit out of form and out of favour in Turin last season, Luiz is a player who has proven his worth at the highest level for many years now, having been such an influential performer for Villa, so he could be a brilliant signing for Everton.
The Brazilian has 175 appearances to his name in the Premier League, as well as 20 goals and 18 assists, with John McGinn heaping praise on his ability, describing him as “world class”, and Jermaine Pennant calling him better than Rice in the past.
“Any team would dream to have Rice, but there are better sixes in the Premier League at the moment. I would say Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa, I think he can do everything that Rice can do and better. I think he assists more, he chips in with goals more than Rice. Creativity-wise he’s better, flair is better, he can put in a tackle just like Rice, break up play just like Rice. So I think if someone said to me you can have Douglas Luiz for £60m or Declan Rice for £100m, easy every day of the week, Douglas Luiz.”
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Luiz is still in his prime, so this wouldn’t be a case of Everton splashing out on a player who has peaked, and his box-to-box style could be a great asset for David Moyes.
أعلن حسام حسن المدير الفني لـ منتخب مصر، التشكيل الأساسي للفراعنة في مباراته أمام بوركينا فاسو، بالمواجهة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن التصفيات المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026.
وتقام المباراة بين مصر وبوركينا فاسو على أرضية استاد 4 أغسطس، في إطار لقاءات الجولة الثامنة من تصفيات كأس العالم.
ويتواجد منتخب مصر في المجموعة الأولى من تصفيات كأس العالم، رفقة بوركينا فاسو وإثيوبيا وجيبوتي وسيراليون وغينيا بيساو.
ويخوض منتخب مصر اللقاء متصدراً ترتيب المجموعة الأولى من تصفيات كأس العالم، برصيد 19 نقطة، بعد خوض 7 مواجهات، فاز في 6 وتعادل في لقاء.
بدلاء منتخب مصر أمام بوركينا فاسو في تصفيات كأس العالم
وكان منتخب مصر قد فاز في مباراته الماضية على إثيوبيا بهدفين دون رد، في اللقاء الذي أقيم بينهما على أرضية استاد القاهرة الدولي. تشكيل منتخب مصر اليوم أمام بوركينا فاسو
حراسة المرمى: محمد الشناوي.
خط الدفاع: محمد هاني- رامي ربيعة- خالد صبحي- محمد حمدي-أحمد عيد.
خط الوسط: مروان عطية- أحمد نبيل كوكا- محمود تريزيجيه.
Sunderland are back in the Premier League and have now engaged in talks over a signing that would send out a signal of intent to their competitors, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Sunderland find out the latest in pursuit of Clement Bischoff
In the modern day, club chiefs speaking out on the availability of a player or their current situation isn’t an uncommon practice at this time of year.
Subsequently, it will come as no surprise to hear that Brondby sporting director Benjamin Schmedes has addressed rumours surrounding Sunderland target Clement Bischoff amid links between both parties.
He stated: “Clement has one year left on his contract, and that puts us in a situation where we’ve had strong discussions for a long time. But nothing is official yet, so there’s no agreement.
“We’re in dialogue, and we’ll see where it ends. Noah has two years left, so it’s a different case.”
Making strides ahead of their official Premier League return, Clermont Foot midfielder Habib Kieta is also on Sunderland’s radar and QPR, Stoke City and Crystal Palace are also believed to be in the running for his signature.
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Inevitably, beating the drop will be the immediate priority for Sunderland in 2025/26. While Jobe Bellingham’s sale will enable money to be spent, they will need to invest wisely to compete with other financially secure competitors in the grand scheme of things.
Nevertheless, Sunderland hold a pull that is rare for a promoted side due to their rich history in the English top-flight, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see someone like Jordan Henderson return to the North East if a deal were right for all parties.
Letting their presence be known to others, the Black Cats are now reportedly plotting a swoop for an international goalkeeper that would make headlines.
Romano: Sunderland in active talks to sign Marcin Bulka
Taking to social media platform X, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Sunderland are in ‘active talks’ to sign OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka as part of their ambitious project to stay in the Premier League.
Despite being ‘approached’ by several other clubs, the Black Cats are the only side mentioned in the conversation and it remains to be seen whether further developments will occur down the line.
Labelled “superb” by PSG boss Luis Enrique, the Poland international kept eight clean sheets in 40 appearances last term and recorded a save percentage rate of 75.8% in Ligue 1.
Admittedly, Sunderland will need to rely on their goalkeeper next campaign to have a realistic chance of staying in the top-flight, so bringing someone of Bulka’s calibre in would certainly help, even if that puts Anthony Patterson’s future as number one in doubt.
Sussex outgunned and replaced at the top of table after 54-run loss at Hove
ECB Reporters Network15-Jun-2024
Jamie Smith top-scored for Surrey to take them top of the table•Getty Images
Surrey 184 for 8 (Smith 45, Evans 41, Lamb 3-36) beat Sussex 130 (Curran 3-39) by 54 runsRuthless Surrey replaced Sussex Sharks at the top of the Vitality Blast South Group after an impressive 54 runs win at Hove.Sussex came into the contest on the back of a four-match winning streak including a 36-run victory at the Kia Oval last week.But they never recovered after losing three wickets in the first four overs and were bowled out for 130 in 18.1 overs chasing 185 by a highly effective Surrey attack.Australian Spencer Johnson removed Harrison Ward and James Coles in the opening over of a quality new-ball spell and when Sean Abbott accounted for Daniel Hughes, who came into the contest with 224 runs in his previous five Blast games, Sussex were 24 for 3 and up against it.John Simpson made 25, Jack Carson 24 and Fynn Hudson-Prentice 23 but this was a reality check for Sussex against a Surrey team who have four wins and a tie from their first six matches.In front of a 4,800 full house Surrey had been put in and their 184 for 8 was dominated by Laurie Evans’ 41 and Jamie Smith’s 45. It always looked a competitive score on a pitch at the 1st Central County Ground which offered movement for the seamers throughout.Evans took charge against his old county after Ollie Robinson had Dan Lawrence caught at short third off the fourth ball of the innings, sharing 67 in 37 balls alongside Dom Sibley with 19 runs coming off successive overs by Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Nathan McAndrew in a power play that yielded 66.Both fell in successive overs with Evans held at deep backward-square in Sussex skipper Tymal Mills’ first over as three wickets fell in nine balls in the middle of the innings.Only 22 runs were scored between the eighth and 11th overs but Smith picked up the tempo again after Ollie Pope, who made an unbeaten 99 in a losing cause when the teams met last Friday, was caught behind for a duck attempting to ramp Robinson.Smith and Rory Burns, deputising for Jason Roy who had a calf injury, put on 69 off 37 balls for the fifth wicket with Smith muscling the ball over the rope four times in his 45 from 28 deliveries before he was caught trying to clear long on. Danny Lamb, who mixed up his pace and lengths effectively, finished with 3 for 36.Ward had made 68 on Friday in Sussex’ win over Essex but here he spliced a pull off the second ball of the match before Johnson bowled Coles through the gate with a nip-backer. When Hughes got a thin edge to Abbott’s lifter Surrey’s celebrations reflected the importance of his wicket.Simpson and Tom Alsop put on 32 but Gus Atkinson picked up Simpson with his second ball and Lawrence removed Alsop with his first. When Tom Curran struck off successive deliveries in his second over Sussex’s race was run, although Robinson and Jack Carson at least added 34 for the ninth wicket to restrict the damage to their net run rate.
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.
Newcastle United have been a revelation in the 2024/25 campaign. Eddie Howe’s men won their first trophies in decades, lifting the Carabao Cup by beating Liverpool in the final, and achieved their goal of reaching the Champions League once again.
A key part of that was Sandro Tonali. The Italian midfielder was pivotal in the heart of the midfield for the Magpies, showing exactly why they invested £55m into his signing almost two years ago. He played 36 Premier League games overall, chipping in with six goals and assists from the base of midfield.
Sandro Tonali celebrates for Newcastle
It was a genius singing from Italian giants AC Milan, so much so that the North Eastern side might be looking to repeat the feat this summer.
Newcastle's next potential signing from Milan
It was a poor season for Milan in 2024/25, but they have some excellent players. Their squad has been pulled apart already this summer, with the likes of Tijani Reijnders and Mike Maignan seemingly on the move to the Premier League, heading to Manchester City and possibly also Chelsea, respectively.
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Well, Newcastle could get in on the act by bringing French full-back Theo Hernandez to St James’ Park this summer.
Calcio Mercato reported that initial ‘surveys’ have been conducted by the Magpies, suggesting they have made first contacts regarding a deal for Hernandez.
The Premier League outfit will not be the only side trying to sign the Frenchman this summer.
Having already said no to Saudi side Al Hilal, Atletico Madrid, and other unnamed sides from England and Spain, are trying to pounce to sign the defender. As for a fee, it could mirror the £29.4m Al Hilal had agreed for Hernandez before that deal collapsed.
Why Hernandez would be a good signing
The 2024/25 campaign was nothing short of a terrible one for Milan. The Italian giants came eighth in the league, which Dougie Critchley said was “their lowest finish since 2014/15, with their fewest points since 2015/16”, a truly disappointing season.
AC Milan'sTheoHernandezcelebrates
Yet, 27-year-old left-back Hernandez still put in some strong performances despite the struggles the Rossoneri experienced. He played 49 games across the campaign, scoring five times and grabbing six assists in the process.
Not only will Hernandez bring attacking output and a real engine on the left-hand side for the Magpies, but he is also a leader. Last season, he captained Milan 13 times, so adding that kind of attribute to a dressing room already filled with leaders can only benefit the North East outfit.
When looking at some of Hernandez’s underlying numbers, courtesy of Sofascore, from the 2024/25 campaign, it is easy to see what he can bring to the Newcastle side. Described as a “beast” by football scout Antonio Mango, he has some standout stats.
For example, across all competitions last season, the Frenchman, who was born in Marseille, played 71 key passes and won 55 aerial duels. Per 90 minutes, that leaves him with an average of 1.6 key passes and 1.2 aerial duels won.
Hernandez key stats in 2024/25 season
Stat (all comps)
Total
Per 90
Key passes
71
1.6
Big chances created
12
0.3
Dribbles completed
34
0.7
Tackles and interceptions
80
1.7
Aerial duels won
55
1.2
Expected goal involvements
8.58xGI
0.19xGI
Stats from Sofascore
There is not really a need to worry about adaptability from Serie A to the Premier League, either. Tonali is the living proof that, if you are athletic enough, your game can translate over to the English top flight easily. As the stats suggest, Hernandez certainly has those physical attributes.
In fact, Tonali was so good last season that he made Jamie Carragher’s Premier League team of the year. The former defender-turned-pundit said the former Milan star has “made a huge difference” at the base of midfield for Howe.
There is certainly evidence to suggest that Hernandez will be able to adapt to the Premier League with ease.
Not only does he have stats which show how well he has played this season, to support that argument, but his former Milan teammate Tonali has transitioned seamlessly.
If he can become anywhere near as good as Tonali has been in that famous Black and White striped shirt, then he will be a success at St James’ Park. Perhaps, he can be the second coming of his ex-teammate in the Serie A.
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Winger Manor Solomon is a player who has captured the hearts of the Leeds United fanbase, impressing during his loan stint at the club during the title-winning campaign.
The Israeli international joined the Whites on a season-long loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur, looking to get his career back on track and fire Daniel Farke’s side back to the Premier League.
It’s safe to say that the 25-year-old has done exactly that, registering 10 goals and 13 assists across all competitions, leading to calls for him to be signed on a permanent basis.
With the transfer window now open once again, the club have the opportunity to complete such a deal, but up to now, there has been no progress, with it remaining unclear whether he will return to Yorkshire.
As a result, other forwards have since emerged on their radar as the German looks to build a side capable of surviving the drop come the end of May 2026.
The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new attackers this summer
In recent days, striker Davie Selke has emerged as a potential option for Leeds this summer, with a report claiming that they’ve already held talks with his representatives over a move to Yorkshire.
The 30-year-old has been in splendid form throughout 2024/25, scoring 22 times in his 31 appearances – the most in the Bundesliga 2 and helping Hamburg secure a return to the top-flight.
Hamburger SV's DavieSelkescores their third goal
However, another name has entered the mix in recent days, with Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao a summer target, that’s according to Dutch outlet FR12.
The report claims that the Whites have made an enquiry to sign the 24-year-old star, who’s registered 32 combined goals and assists across all competitions this campaign.
It also states that Marseille and Brighton and Hove Albion have made moves for the Brazilian, who could be available for a fee in the region of £34m this summer.
Why Leeds’ £34m target could be Farke’s own Sinisterra
Colombian winger Luis Sinisterra was seen as a huge addition back in the summer of 2022, joining Leeds in a £21.4m deal – looking to add key depth to their frontline.
The 25-year-old only made 19 appearances during his first season at Elland Road, but managed to find the net on five occasions, with injuries plaguing his progress after his big-money move.
After the side suffered relegation back to the Championship, he would leave to join Bournemouth on loan, before making his move permanent last summer in a £20m deal.
It was a partially successful deal, which only saw them lose £1.4m on their investment, in a move that was ultimately cut short due to the club’s slide down the football pyramid.
However, they could repeat such a deal this summer with Paixao, potentially joining Farke’s side from Dutch outfit Feyenoord – just as Sinisterra did three years ago.
When delving into the Brazilian’s underlying stats from 2024/25, he’s managed to outperform Solomon in numerous key areas, allowing the manager to forget about a dream reunion this summer.
Paixao, who’s been labelled “exquisite” by talent scout Antionio Mango, has registered more goals and assists, whilst posting a higher shot on target rate – subsequently showcasing his clinical edge in attacking areas.
How Paixao compares to Solomon in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)
Paixao
Solomon
Games played
34
39
Goals & assists
26
22
Shot-on-target accuracy
45%
40%
Shots on target per game
1.4
0.8
Carries into final third
2.4
2.3
Passes into final third
1.8
1.4
Aerials won
41%
0%
Stats via FBref
He’s also completed more carries into the final third and made more passes into the opposition area, having the tools to aid the likes of Piroe in being a success in England’s top flight.
The 24-year-old has also won more aerial duels, offering Farke a top-level all-round option in attacking areas – something which will be vital if they are to secure survival.
£34m may seem a huge fee for a player who’s unproven in the Premier League, but his talent is there for all to see, undoubtedly providing a better option than Solomon next season.
A move for Paixao is certainly a risk worth taking this summer, but the hierarchy will have to work quickly to avoid missing out on his signature, given the interest from elsewhere.
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Manchester United supporters are wise enough not to get too carried away by any new signing, not least after over a decade of pain with regard to recruitment, with high-profile deals having repeatedly gone south in recent times.
That said, even after a season that saw the Red Devils finish trophyless amid their worst-ever Premier League campaign, the club’s pulling power remains, with Wolverhampton Wanderers star, Matheus Cunha on his way to Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha
Plucking a player from Molineux may not appear too much of an achievement, although this is a man who just ended the season with 15 Premier League goals, having notably courted interest from Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in January.
After frequently looking abroad for new additions – particularly during the Erik ten Hag tenure – it is promising that the INEOS regime are now targeting players within the top-flight, with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap also under consideration.
As Ruben Amorim has hinted, however, there is certainly no blank cheque this summer, with such deals likely needing to be funded by departures. Alejandro Garnacho, according to the latest reports, looks set to be one of them, although is that the right call?
Why Man Utd must keep Alejandro Garnacho
Not for the first time in his United career, Garnacho has publicly voiced his frustration regarding his situation at the club, having memorably liked a tweet criticising Ten Hag’s handling of him in the past, before more recently hitting out at his lack of game time during the Europa League final defeat last week.
Seemingly not helped by those around him – with his brother also foolishly calling out Amorim for throwing the Argentina international “under the bus” – the 20-year-old is doing himself no favours. The manager’s decision to send him on his way this summer thus appears no surprise.
That said, there has been enough evidence to suggest that this is a player whom the former Sporting CP boss should be looking to encourage, rather than exile, with Garnacho having fought his way back after being left out of the December Manchester Derby.
A run of 18 starts in a row heading into the Bilbao showpiece illustrated that growing faith, with Garnacho arguably making a bigger impact in the final than the man who had replaced him, Mason Mount, after swiftly drawing a save from Guglielmo Vicario after entering the fray.
With his 21 goals and assists in all competitions placing him ahead of Amad Diallo in that regard, it remains a head-scratching decision to force the former Atletico Madrid ace toward the exit door, even if the need to meet PSR regulations remains.
If a suitable, eye-catching offer does arrive, perhaps United and INEOS would be correct to contemplate a sale. No player in the current squad appears to be untouchable, following such a disastrous season.
Even so, there should surely be other marketable assets to prioritise with regard to outgoings, with Rasmus Hojlund among them.
The latest on Rasmus Hojlund's future
Last week’s loss to Tottenham Hotspur saw United toil amid what was a particularly limp attacking performance, with Hojlund coming closest to getting on the scoresheet, only to see his goalbound header cleared off the line by Micky van de Ven.
The luckless striker then fired a blank against Aston Villa on the Premier League’s final day, rounding off a season that has ended with just ten goals to his name in all competitions, including just four in the top-flight.
For United’s leading number nine, such a return simply isn’t up to scratch, with reports having unsurprisingly suggested that a move to Serie A could be on the cards for the ex-Atalanta starlet.
Rasmus Hojlund
That may be an admission of defeat for the £64m man, although interested clubs may be keen to take a chance on a player who has shown glimpses in a United shirt, not least with his five goals in last season’s Champions League group stage run.
There is a view that these past two years have merely been a bump in the road. Talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed him as a “monster in the making” back in 2023, with reports in Italy outlining that Inter have made him their ‘dream’ target.
‘Big Six’ – No.9 stats in 24/25 (all comps)
Club – Player
Games
Goals
Assists
Arsenal – Gabriel Jesus
27
7
2
Chelsea – Nicolas Jackson*
34
13
5
Liverpool – Darwin Nunez
47
7
7
Manchester City – Erling Haaland
44
31
4
Manchester United – Rasmus Hojlund
52
10
4
Spurs – Richarlison
24
5
2
*there is no No.9 at Chelsea
Stats via Transfermarkt
Indeed, there is said to be ‘total agreement’ at San Siro regarding a move for the Dane, with his time at Old Trafford said to be seen as ‘just an accident along the way’ to him eventually shining. That faith has been represented in a four-year contract offer from the Champions League finalists.
While no fee has been mooted for Hojlund, whom the Serie A side could look to initially sign on loan, CIES Football Observatory deem him to potentially be worth as much as €93m (£78m) – thus placing him ahead of the £62.5m Cunha.
That may seem ludicrous considering his United woes, although it’s worth remembering that this is a player whom Paris Saint-Germain were desperate to sign in 2023, after scoring ten goals in Italy.
He hasn’t become a poor centre-forward overnight, yet he simply doesn’t appear the right fit for the Red Devils. A sale for a sizeable fee would be best for all parties this summer – particularly if it could help to keep Garnacho on board instead.
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Aston Villa could well be hitting their stride in the Premier League at the best possible time, with both Chelsea and Nottingham Forest showing recent weaknesses in their game.
Unai Emery’s men are now only outside the lucrative five Champions League spots in the division on goal difference as Enzo Maresca’s Blues nervously try to hold onto that final position, with a mightily impressive five wins from Villa’s last six Premier League games keeping their European dreams alive.
The added quality to the squad in the form of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford in January has certainly boosted their chances of clinching Champions League football again.
This summer’s transfer window will further allow the West Midlands giants opportunities to bring in even more depth, with one rumoured face on the Villa Park shopping list perhaps going down as their next Jhon Duran if he joins.
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The breathless Colombian would only go on to feature for the Villans 78 times, but he is still remembered in a fond light to this day for how impactful he could be off the bench when his team needed a moment of magic.
Indeed, before an insane £71m move to Al Nassr came to be in January, the sensational South American would fire home a sizeable 12 goals during the first part of 2024/25.
On the surface, this is already an imposing goal total worthy of praise, but staggeringly seven of those strikes would come about in Premier League action despite Duran only making four starts overall.
Since heading to the Middle East, the forward has been on fire, scoring 11 goals in 16 games for his new employers who sit third in the Saudi Pro League.
In truth, losing the young forward hasn’t hit Villa that hard, but NSWE definitely wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to win themselves a new version of the relentless 21-year-old this summer.
Aston Villa could sign their new Duran
Emery will likely be keen to utilise all of his talented squad again next campaign, particularly if Champions League football returns to Villa Park and congests the fixture list.
Therefore, adding in a new winger in Malick Fofana as a further option in attack could be an inspired pick-up, with Caught Offside recently revealing that the Premier League titans could sign the promising 20-year-old from Olympique Lyonnais for around the £42m mark.
Just taking in a few clips of Fofana’s excellence for Lyon this season displays how he’s on the same wavelength as the now departed Duran, with both attackers in question boundless in their drive and energy when galloping forward, before being equally unafraid to unleash a vicious shot at an opposition goalkeeper.
It’s resulted in Fofana – who is also on the radar of Liverpool and Arsenal – picking up a substantial 11 goals and five assists from 40 appearances down the Lyon left flank across 2024/25, despite also being resigned to a regular spot on Paulo Fonseca’s bench much like the 22-year-old striker had to put up with under Emery.
Fofana at Lyon vs Duran at Villa in 2024/25
Stat
Fofana
Duran
Games played
40
29
Games started
22
7
Minutes played
2199
1043
Goals scored
11
12
Assists
5
0
Stats by Sofascore
Looking at the numbers, whilst Fofana does have the advantage of starting 15 more games this season than Duran managed at Villa, the former has still been used rather sparingly in the French top division, with the Belgian only averaging 54 minutes of action per Ligue 1 clash.
But, the “magnificent” left-footed menace – as he has been labelled by talent scout Jacek Kulig – has still left his mark on a considerable number of contests all the same, seen in that growing total of 11 goals and five assists across a wide range of contests for Lyon.
With a potential hole in the squad also needing to be filled down the left if Rashford departs, adding in Fofana does feel like a logical signing to soon make on Villa’s end, with the one-time senior Belgium international also capable of being the club’s next super sub.
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