Manchester United’s ability to clinch the signatures of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo has massively improved the options at Ruben Amorim’s disposal ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

After taking the reins back in November, the Red Devils only managed to score 32 times in their 27 Premier League outings, highlighting the need for new additions within attacking areas.

The new attacking duo managed to score 35 top-flight goals combined last season, with such records leading to the pair’s big-money additions to Old Trafford.

Both deals set them back a combined £133.5m, including add-ons, which will undoubtedly place pressure on the pair to hit the ground running in their debut years in the North West.

However, if they are to succeed in their new colours, the hierarchy will have to make further additions to help provide the duo with the chances to find the back of the net.

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Buy Premium Now Expand Collapse The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

The midfield department has been subject to interest as of late, with numerous big-money options being considered by the recruitment team over recent days.

Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba are the two players who have been largely linked with a move to join United, but either would cost a pretty penny – given their £100m valuations.

However, another name has been thrown into the mix over recent days, with Barcelona star Fermin Lopez another option for the hierarchy, according to one Spanish outlet.

They claim the Red Devils have already made a €80m (£69m) offer to the LaLiga giants over a move for the 22-year-old, who made 46 appearances across all competitions last season.

Transfer Focus

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

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It also states that he has been impressed by the ambition of the club, potentially wanting a move to join Amorim’s side, given his lack of reassurance over a regular role under Hansi Flick in Spain.

Why United’s £69m target would be perfect for Mbeumo & Cunha

Bruno Fernandes has for so often been the main creative presence in the United side, as seen by his tally of 19 assists across all competitions in 2024/25 – the highest of any member of the first-team squad.

However, the deals for Cunha and Mbeumo would likely force the Portuguese international to drop into a deeper role and occupy one of the two central midfield positions.

Given the unfamiliar role he will have to operate, it’s key that the board provide the captain with a top-level player alongside him to help take the creative pressure off his shoulders.

Whilst Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro all remain at the club, further depth is being targeted, which could allow a move for Lopez before the September 1st transfer deadline.

The Spaniard may be a young talent, but he’s already racked up 88 senior appearances for Barcelona in the last two years – helping the club win Spain’s top-flight last campaign.

He registered nine assists across all competitions, with such figures aiding Cunha and Mbeumo, but his underlying stats further showcase the creativity he possesses.

Lopez, who’s been dubbed “incredible” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, completed 5.7 progressive passes per 90, 4.7 of which were into the final third, handing the new additions the chance to thrive within attacking areas in their first season at the club.

Fermín López’s stats for Barcelona in LaLiga (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

28

Goals & assists

11

Pass accuracy

82%

Progressive passes

5.7

Passes into final third

4.7

Shots taken

3.1

Take-ons completed

1.8

Tackles won

1.4

Key passes made

2.1

Recoveries made

4.7

Stats via FBref

Further talent on the ball is reflected in his tally of 2.1 key passes made per 90, subsequently able to consistently get the ball into dangerous areas for the aforementioned duo.

However, as previously mentioned, he will need to be capable without the ball to offer that deep-lying presence, but it shouldn’t be an issue if he can replicate his figures of winning 1.4 tackles per 90 and 4.7 recoveries per 90 from last season.

Whilst £69m would be another huge sign of ambition from the hierarchy, it would be a deal that could prove to be worthwhile if the youngster can continue on his current trajectory.

If he can provide Cunha and Mbeumo with the ammunition in front of goal and regain possession for the side in the middle of the park, there’s no reason as to why he can’t become a fan-favourite in the club’s hunt for success in the near future.

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Related He's more important than Baleba: £43m star now keen to join Man Utd

Manchester United could be about to make a key move in their quest for success this season.

Posts 1 ByEthan Lamb Aug 13, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Neste domingo, o Palmeiras venceu o Goiás por 5 a 0 com direito à quebra de jejum de gols de Dudu, que finalmente balançou a rede em 2023. O feito foi celebrado por todos os jogadores e pela comissão técnica que, em nome de Abel Ferreira, teve uma participação no fim dessa zica. Isso porque, em outra ocasião, possivelmente o camisa 7 seria substituído em um processo de controle de desgaste, que agora pode ser um problema.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasDudu quebra jejum pelo Palmeiras em 2023 e fala em gol ‘choradinho’ contra o GoiásPalmeiras07/05/2023PalmeirasDudu desencanta, Palmeiras goleia o Goiás fora de casa e assume a vice-liderança do BrasileirãoPalmeiras07/05/2023PalmeirasCom a janela fechada, Palmeiras deve ter ‘reforço’ do sub-20 para substituir MuriloPalmeiras07/05/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Em entrevista coletiva após a partida em Goiânia, Abel falou da “sorte” por ter mantido o atacante em campo até o apito final. Segundo o técnico, ele sabia do desejo de seu jogador e optou pela manutenção em campo. No entanto, atentou para as consequências disso daqui para frente.

– Hoje deu sorte que eu não o tirei, porque ele joga numa posição que eu chamo de acelerador de jogo. Hoje acabei por deixá-lo até o fim, porque sabia que ele queria muito fazer esse gol, mas depois isso vai ter consequências à frente. Isso é com todos, nós temos pouco tempo para recuperar e quando eu tiro os aceleradores de jogo, é pensar um pouquinho à frente. Eu sei que às vezes eles ficam chateados, porque todos querem jogar até o fim, vocês viram o Menino “agora que o jogo está bom, vai me tirar?”.

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De acordo com Abel Ferreira, esse pensamento à frente faz parte das funções do treinador, mas não deixou de comemorar o presente pelo feito de Dudu. Ainda em cima do gol, o técnico português fez questão de destacar a comemoração do grupo pela bola na rede.

– A função do treinador é ver à frente, é ver o que o torcedor não vê, é ver o que os jogadores não veem, é ver o que a diretoria não vê, por isso somos treinadores. Eu particularmente hoje deixei ele e o Artur ficarem até o fim para ver se essa zica saía. Felizmente deu certo para ele para nós. Gostei, mais do que o gol, da forma com que nós festejamos o gol.

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+ Dudu quebra jejum pelo Palmeiras em 2023 e fala em gol ‘choradinho’ contra o Goiás

Além do que aconteceu em campo, Abel Ferreira explicou todo o processo que possibilitou esse gol de Dudu. Segundo Abel, o camisa 7 tem pedido para ficar mais tempo no treino para aperfeiçoar finalizações. Por fim, o treinador descreveu a dinâmica do ataque do Verdão.

– Nós temos uma dinâmica diferente na direita e na esquerda. Na esquerda temos um estrutura mais fixa e na direita uma estrutura mais móvel. Dudu não está sempre por fora nem sempre para dentro. O Piquerez está por fora ou está por dentro, quando o Dudu está por fora, o Piquerez está por dentro. O Dudu, além de de ser um finalizador, é um assistente, tem muita assistência, não é um finalizador nato. É um jogador que em uma temporada normal tem que fazer dez a 15 gols, um jogador do nível dele tem que fazer, ele sabe, ele se cobra, ele pede para ficar mais para aprimorar o gesto técnico – disse Abel antes de completar:

+ ATUAÇÕES: Piquerez participa de três gols, e Dudu espanta seca em goleada

– Não é por falta de ocasiões que ele tem tido, é pelo futebol, que a zica às vezes não sai, eu não acho, é tudo no tempo de Deus. Eu estou aqui para ajudar os jogadores, a minha missão é essa, é ajudar, é corrigir, é educar, se for preciso, para quando chegar dentro de campo façam o máximo esforço a serviço do Palmeiras – finalizou Abel.

O Palmeiras agora é o vice-líder do Brasileirão com dez pontos em quatro rodadas. O próximo compromisso do time no campeonato é nesta quarta-feira, às 21h30, no Allianz Parque, quando recebe o Grêmio, pela quinta rodada da competição.

Tudo sobre

Abel FerreiraPalmeiras

There’s much fanfare around Liverpool’s pursuit of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, and rightly so.

Hugo Ekitike has left Eintracht Frankfurt and signed for the Premier League champions in a deal worth an initial £69m, but the hungry Reds want more, want to consolidate their imperious position at the summit of the mountain.

Isak, 25, has informed Newcastle that he wishes to pursue a move to Anfield, and with sales of stars like Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott, it might just be possible.

However, it’s not just the frontline that Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are hoping to improve before the window slams shut.

Liverpool's summer transfer plans

Away from the front of the ship, Liverpool also plan to add some depth at the back, with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi having emerged as the top target over the past several weeks.

Transfer Focus

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

However, Tottenham Hotspur are also eager to make their own bid, and so the Anfield side appear to have lined up a potential alternative who has taken his first strides onto the senior stage.

Indeed, as per Corriere dello Sport – via Sport Witness – Liverpool have initiated contact with Serie A club Parma as they look to swipe their rising defensive star Giovanni Leoni.

Leoni, 18, exuded confidence and quality across his breakout campaign in Italy, and Inter Milan are also looking to sign him this summer.

Previous reports have suggested Leoni would be available for a fee of around €40m (£34m).

Why Liverpool want Giovanni Leoni

Liverpool made an attempt to sign Bournemouth’s Dean Hujsen in May, seeking to activate the young Spaniard’s £50m release clause.

He signed instead for Real Madrid, but Liverpool’s intent was clear.

Leoni fits a similar profile, and in this way, he could turn out to be an even more exciting talent than Guehi, who, aged 25, is one of the Premier League’s standout performers.

Though Liverpool wouldn’t be signing the same level of ability in the 6 foot 4 Leoni, he has the chance to leap ahead of the Palace captain, having been hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig as “one of the most complete teenage centre-backs in Europe.”

That roundedness is better highlighted through data-led platform FBref, who ranked Leoni among the top 17% of centre-backs across Europe last season for goals scored, the top 38% for successful take-ons and the top 17% for passes blocked per 90, highlighting that blooming technical variation.

Guehi is, of course, riding the crest of a wave as one of Europe’s most talented defenders, but Leoni would be cheaper and could be shaped by Slot’s coaching expertise over the next several years, absorbing the fruits of Virgil van Dijk and Konate’s labours (should the latter stay put).

As you can see, Guehi far outstrips his younger positional peer, but there’s a lot to like from the Italian, who has established himself as a crisp passer and a defender who is strong in the duel.

Also, Leoni made just one error across the campaign, which bespeaks his composure and coolness under pressure. A calm head is something that has proved a staple of Guehi’s skill set over the past few years.

Leoni is a work in progress, but Slot is a master at bringing up-and-coming prospects to the fore. Given the cheap price tag and the existing completeness about Leoni, he might just come to prove the bigger talent in the long run.

Isak's new Gordon: Liverpool lining up "explosive" £51m Diaz replacement

Liverpool are still ready to be active in the summer transfer market.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 25, 2025

Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique has undergone surgery after a bicycle crash, leaving him a major doubt for their Champions League opener.

• Enrique suffered broken collarbone in cycling accident
• Faces race against time for Champions League opener
• Rafel Pol steps in to lead PSG training

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to , the PSG coach has undergone successful surgery after suffering a broken collarbone in a cycling accident. The 55-year-old Spaniard, who guided the Parisians to their first-ever Champions League crown as part of a 2024-25 treble, crashed during a bike ride in Spain and was taken to hospital. The Ligue 1 giants confirmed the news and offered full support to their manager, but his recovery timeline remains uncertain. He is now considered a serious doubt for PSG’s Ligue 1 clash with Lens on Sunday and their Champions League opener against Atalanta on September 17.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The setback arrives at a critical moment for PSG, who are under pressure to build on last season’s historic treble. Les Parisiens have won all three matches in Ligue 1 this season and are preparing for the Champions League to get underway, but the absence of their coach on the touchline could still prove disruptive. Assistant coach Rafel Pol has already stepped in to lead training and will front the press conference ahead of the Lens clash.

• TELL ME MORE…

  The Asturian coach is widely regarded as one of Europe’s elite tacticians, having previously managed Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Since joining PSG in 2023, he has reshaped the squad and delivered unprecedented success with a Ligue 1 title, domestic cup victories, and their long-awaited Champions League triumph in 2025.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Enrique’s recovery will continue in Spain, with PSG monitoring his progress closely. While there is no official return date, the club are preparing for several games under interim leadership if necessary. Pol will remain in charge until the coach is declared fit to return, with Enrique’s presence for the Atalanta clash still highly doubtful.

Fulham are now “working on” a deal to sign a “special” forward, having already struck an agreement on personal terms, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

Khan tipped to sell amid quiet transfer window

The Cottagers have been extremely quiet in the summer transfer window, with back-up goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte the only addition they have made up to this point, and journalist Sebastien Vidal believes owner Shahid Khan may now want to sell up.

Not only have the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Joao Palhinha been sold, but the west Londoners could also be in line to lose their star striker this summer, with Serie A side Atalanta now confident they will be able to get a deal for Rodrigo Muniz over the line.

As such, there is not much to shout about for Fulham fans at the moment, but it has now been revealed they are stepping up a pursuit of a new forward, who could be in line to join in a club-record deal…

According to an update from Romano on X, the Cottagers are now “working on” a deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Kevin, with an agreement being struck on personal terms, although they are yet to agree a fee with the Ukrainian club.

Fulham now open talks to sign "outstanding" £20m forward with 123 PL goals

The Cottagers are in negotiations over a deal for an attacker.

1 ByDominic Lund Aug 6, 2025

Shakhtar are insisting on €50m (£43m) for the Brazilian, which means Marco Silva’s side may need to shell out a club-record fee to get a deal over the line, with Emile Smith-Rowe currently their record signing at £27m.

Talks are set to continue in the next few days, with Fulham clearly keen to get a deal done, although negotiations could continue into next week.

"Special" Kevin could be exciting signing for Fulham

With Willian and Reiss Nelson exiting Craven Cottage this summer, Silva could do with bringing in a new winger, and the Shakhtar star could be an exciting addition to the squad.

The 22-year-old has been a reliable source of goals ever since arriving at Shakhtar, finding the back of the net 16 times in 55 outings, while also providing ten assists.

Shakhtar boss Arda Turan has been left impressed by his forward’s performances too, saying: “Kevin is a special player for our attacking decisions. I love him like a brother, not just as a football player.”

Should Muniz depart, Fulham will also need to bring in an out-and-out centre-forward, but Kevin’s displays for Shakhtar indicate he could be capable of replicating his compatriot’s attacking output.

حذر خورخي فالدانو، أسطورة نادي ريال مدريد، المدرب تشابي ألونسو عقب خسارة الفريق الملكي يوم السبت الماضي أمام أتلتيكو مدريد في ديربي العامة الإسبانية.

أتلتيكو مدريد حقق مفاجأة كبيرة وتمكن من اكتساح نظيره ريال مدريد بخمسة أهداف مقابل هدفين يوم السبت الماضي، وذلك في قمة منافسات الجولة السابعة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى.

وتعتبر هذه هي الهزيمة الأولى التي يتعرض لها ريال مدريد خلال هذا الموسم، حيث تراجع الميرنجي إلى المركز الثاني في ترتيب الدوري الإسباني بفارق نقطة عن برشلونة.

وتصدر برشلونة ترتيب الدوري الإسباني، بعدما فاز على ريال سوسيداد بهدفين مقابل هدف واحد على ملعب مونتوجويك.

اقرأ أيضًا .. باردجي بعد تخطي ريال سوسيداد: متحمسون لما هو قادم.. ودرو: لم أصدق مشاركتي أساسيًا

ويرى فالدانو في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “ماركا”، أن الخسارة أمام أتلتيكو مدريد ناقوس خطر لريال مدريد، مضيفًا في الوقت ذاته أن هناك بوادر تحسن على مستوى الميرنجي هذا الموسم مع ألونسو.

وقال فالدانو: “في ديربي مدريد الليلة الماضية، عاد ذلك الوحش إلى الحياة وأتلتيكو مدريد كان رائعًأ، لعنة الخسارة من برشلونة بفارق أربع أهداف حصلت من جديد يوم السبت”.

وأضاف فالدانو في حديثه: “صحيح أنها عملية مستمرة وأن المدرب الجديد تشابي ألونسو قد وصل، إنه يعمل بشكل جيد وبدا أن هناك بوادر تحسن، لكن الضربة التي تلقاها من أتلتيكو مدريد تجبرنا على مراجعة المشروع، هي ناقوس خطر حقًا”.

وأوضح: “انتهى الأمر بأتلتيكو مدريد بالسيطرة على ريال مدريد بطريقة لم نشهدها منذ فترة طويلة”.

وأردف: “لم يلعب ريال مدريد بنفس قوة أتلتيكو مدريد. في الدقائق الأولى لعب ريال مدريد بلا إيقاع يذكر ولعب أتلتيكو في المساحات المفتوحة بشراسة كبيرة”.

وتابع: ”فاز أتلتيكو بالمباراة بوضوح من الضغط الذي مارسه على ريال مدريد، كل تمريرة عرضية كانت مشكلة حقيقية لريال مدريد”.

واختتم فالدانو: “ومع ذلك، فإن لمسة واحدة رائعة وبدقة وسرعة هائلتين بين جولر ومبابي جعلتنا نعود في النتيجة، ثم تقدم ريال مدريد بهجمة رائعة من فينيسيوس وهذا ما جعلني أشعر في الشوط الثاني أنه إذا تمكن ريال مدريد من اللعب بشكل أفضل، فسيتمكن من الفوز بالمباراة”.

New Zealand were 112 for 1 in 21 overs when rain arrived

Madushka Balasuriya19-Nov-2024No Result Persistent rain in Pallekele meant the final ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand was washed out, with Sri Lanka, who had won the first two games, taking the series 2-0. This is Sri Lanka’s fifth ODI series win this year.It was an anti-climactic end to a game that had begun with much promise, courtesy a fresh pitch that was expected to suit the batters as opposed to the more sluggish surfaces served up in the first two games.New Zealand, having won the toss, decided to take first lease of it and proceeded to get off to their best start of the series. The first ten overs saw them ticking along at a touch under six an over, despite not taking many risks. That was primarily down to the fact that nearly 40% of those runs had come off the wayward Dilshan Madushanka, whose two overs went for 23 runs.Related

Whisper it, but Sri Lanka may be turning a corner in ODIs

That was the last of Madushanka with the ball, but some sloppy efforts in the outfield meant it was a day to forget for the left-arm seamer who had just 12 months prior been one of the most sought-after seamers in world cricket following a stellar World Cup in India. That, though, seemed to be a lifetime ago as he struggled to maintain consistent lines and lengths. The first five boundaries of the New Zealand innings came of his bowling.At the other end though, Sri Lanka kept things relatively tight – first through seamer Mohamed Shiraz and then their bevy of spinners. The solitary wicket of the innings had in fact come courtesy Shiraz, playing just his second ODI and his first of the series, though it had also owed much to skipper Charith Asalanka who leapt high to his left at mid-off to hold on to a mistimed drive from Tim Robinson. Shiraz’s five overs went for 23 runs as both Robinson and Will Young were troubled by his late swing – 20 dot balls out of 30 legal deliveries spoke of his control.New Zealand, though, managed a scoring rate nearing six even after the powerplay, comfortably knocking the ball around despite Sri Lanka cutting off the boundary opportunities. Young and Henry Nicholls were largely untroubled, with the pair unbeaten on 56 and 46 respectively, and their partnership at a threatening 88 off 106, before rain brought play to a permanent end after just 21 overs.The abandonment of the game is a missed opportunity for both sides as they sought to test their bench strength. For the visitors, there was a debut for seamer Zakary Foulkes, who had impressed in the T20I leg, while fellow seamer Adam Milne also got his first game on the tour. They had come in for Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy.Sri Lanka, meanwhile, made no less than five changes, with Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage and Asitha Fernando all making way. In came batters Nishan Madushka and Nuwanidu Fernando, seamers Madushanka and Shiraz, while there was also a debut for seam-bowling allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe – he bowled just two overs and gave away 14 runs.

After being handed the encouragement they so desperately craved to pursue Alexander Isak, Liverpool could now reportedly see their big-money raid funded by one player’s departure – and it’s not Luis Diaz.

Alexander Isak asks to leave Newcastle

The line all summer long has been that if Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes believe there is a chance, they will go for Isak. In recent months, however, it looked as though that chance would not arrive. The Reds instead welcomed Hugo Ekitike, stealing Newcastle’s top target in the process, and had seemingly solved their striker problem.

Since the Frenchman’s arrival though, there’s been an almighty twist. In a matter of days, Isak’s thigh injury quickly transformed into a desire to leave Newcastle this summer as the real reason why he didn’t join the Magpies on their Asia tour became clear. Now, the ball is in Liverpool’s court as they look to fund another big-money move and take their spending beyond the £300m-mark this summer.

There will be question marks over how Liverpool would play both Ekitike and Isak, but those are questions that Arne Slot would rather see answered in reality rather than in mere fantasy teams.

On paper, Florian Wirtz, Isak, Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong represent Liverpool’s greatest-ever transfer window. On the pitch, meanwhile, it could yet take the Reds to a second-consecutive Premier League title.

AI names and ranks the formations Liverpool can play with Ekitike and Isak

Slot could have an unbelievable side at his disposal next season…

ByTom Cunningham Jul 24, 2025

There’s still a long way to go before Isak is a Liverpool player, however. Before then, those at Anfield must work their magic in the transfer window and fund what would be the deal of the summer.

Saudi giants now discussing Nunez move

One way they could fund their move is by selling a player who’s looked likely to depart all summer long. According to transfer reporter Ben Jacobs, Al Hilal are now holding internal talks about signing Darwin Nunez at the request of manager Simone Inzaghi. The struggling forward is likely to cost the Saudi side more €70m (£61m) after Liverpool turned down such a fee to sell Nunez back in January.

As reported by The Athletic, the Isak package could cost as much as £250m with agent fees and other add-ons, which should make the sale of Nunez a top priority for Liverpool.

The forward endured greater struggles than ever at Anfield last season and now finds himself even further down the pecking order after Ekitike’s arrival. As such, it goes without saying that if Liverpool sign Isak, it would be the nail in the coffin for Nunez’s time in Merseyside.

Indian allrounders Krunal Pandya and Nitish Rana were sought after by RCB and RR

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Nov-20242:04

Moody: Curran poses a left-hand conundrum with bat for CSK

Bhuvneshwar Kumar emerged as the most expensive player sold in the early bidding on day two of the IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) buying him for INR 10.75 crore (US$ 1.28 million approx.).Fast bowlers were in high demand with Deepak Chahar going to Mumbai Indians (MI) for INR 9.25 crore ($1.10 million approx.), Akash Deep to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for INR 8 crore ($0.95 million approx.), Mukesh Kumar to Delhi Capitals (DC) for INR 8 crore ($0.95 million approx.), pace-bowling allrounder Marco Jansen to Punjab Kings (PBKS) for INR 7 crore ($0.83 million approx.), and Tushar Deshpande to Rajasthan Royals (RR) for INR 6.50 crore ($0.77 million approx.).RCB and RR also went up against each other for Indian spin allrounders, with RCB snapping up Krunal Pandya for INR 5.75 crore ($0.68 million approx.)and RR getting Nitish Rana for INR 4.20 crore ($0.50 million approx.).Related

The surprises: No takers for Warner, Thakur

Suryavanshi becomes youngest IPL player at 13

Who is Priyansh Arya, PBKS' new big buy?

A large number of players were unsold in the early bidding, including established IPL names like Shardul Thakur, Kane Williamson and Ajinkya Rahane. There were no takers for Prithvi Shaw either, despite his base price being only INR 75 lakh. On day one, David Warner and Jonny Bairstow were among the high-profile players to go unsold.Records were broken on day one of the IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah, when PBKS first bought Shreyas Iyer for INR 26.75 crore and then LSG bought Rishabh Pant for INR 27 crore, making them the most expensive players in the history of the league.

Marcus Harris helped lead a Victorian revival against Queensland as day two of the pink ball Sheffield Shield clash concluded with the match in the balance.A lower order fightback had earlier given Queensland a 111-run first innings lead. Test hopeful Harris and stylish young gun Campbell Kellaway erased the deficit under lights at the Gabba in an unbroken 122-run opening stand.Related

• Swepson takes four as pink ball holds sway at the Gabba

• All-round Webster shines, Patterson falls for 99

• Bancroft emerges from lengthy slump as Western Australia take charge

Queensland resumed at a precarious 94 for 5 as wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson and Angus Lovell built an 84-run sixth wicket stand.Peirson, so often a man for a crisis, received support from paceman Jack Wildermuth.It was an aggressive 57 off 70 balls by fast bowler Xavier Bartlett, batting at No. 9, that enabled the hosts to post 297 and take a sizeable first innings lead.Bartlett played several agricultural heaves and an assortment of classic cricket strokes to showcase the hard work he has put into his batting of late.Victoria pace bowler Xavier Crone returned his best figures in first class cricket.The failure of Australia’s top order in the thrashing by India in the first Test in Perth has provided an opportunity for batters in the domestic scene to bash down the door and convince selectors they deserve an opportunity.Harris, who missed out in the first innings, had made 469 runs for Victoria and Australia A this summer at an average of 46.9 leading into his second innings knock.A hefty score is what the 32-year-old needs to add to his 14 Tests. He will be aiming for a hundred when play resumes on Tuesday.