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Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele has picked up another injury and was forced off early in Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. The French winger, who was crowned the best male player in the world only weeks ago, lasted barely 25 minutes before limping off in visible distress, just moments after seeing what he thought was an equaliser ruled out by VAR.

The goal that wasn’t

In the 23rd minute, Dembele thought he had given PSG hope. A lofted cross from Achraf Hakimi was met by the 28-year-old’s chest before he poked it into the Bayern net. But celebrations turned to disappointment within seconds as VAR intervened. After a lengthy review, the replays showed Dembele had strayed fractionally offside in the build-up. The goal was chalked off, and Bayern’s lead, earned earlier through Luis Díaz’s tidy finish, remained intact, as the mood inside the stadium turned sour. Only two minutes later, the situation worsened as Demele, grimacing and clutching his thigh, signalled to the bench. Luis Enrique immediately called for a substitution, replacing him with Bradley Barcola. He strode straight down the tunnel, visibly frustrated, as the Parc des Princes fell into a stunned silence.

AdvertisementAFPA familiar and frightening sight

For PSG fans, this was a painful case of deja vu as just days earlier, Dembele had sparked injury fears during PSG’s 1-0 league win over OGC Nice. Having come off the bench in that game, cameras caught the winger in conversation with Achraf Hakimi during stoppage time, clearly distressed. "It hurts, it hurts so bad," he was caught saying as he pointed to his right hamstring. "I'm hurting in my hamstring…I’m hurting too much." The comments immediately set alarm bells ringing in Paris. Dembele has battled hamstring problems throughout his career, right from his Barcelona days, and it appeared another setback was looming just as he was rediscovering top form.

Luis Enrique’s reassurance proves hollow

PSG manager Luis Enrique had tried to ease fears before the Bayern clash, insisting that his star man was "fully fit". 

He said: “There’s no risk, he’s fully fit. He’s completed all training sessions over the last two weeks and played the last two matches. His physical condition is improving.”

But within half an hour, that optimism crumbled. Dembele's sprint down the tunnel told its story of frustration and a player who knows his body all too well. It was his fourth appearance since recovering from the hamstring injury suffered while on international duty with France in September, but now there’s genuine concern that the Ballon d’Or winner faces yet another long spell on the sidelines. 

Speaking to Canal+ after the match, Luis Enrique said: "I don't know. I think it has nothing to do with the previous injury. It's something new. We need to be very careful, we're looking to improve the players' condition."

With Dembele gone, PSG’s attacking spark dimmed. Bayern, ruthless as ever, wasted little time pressing their advantage. Diaz doubled his tally seven minutes later, punishing a disjointed PSG backline with a thunderous strike. However, just before half-time, Diaz launched into a reckless tackle on Hakimi, catching the Moroccan full-back’s ankle with a high, late challenge from behind. Hakimi screamed in agony, rolling on the turf as medics rushed in. Referee Maurizio Mariani initially showed a yellow card but was summoned to the monitor. After reviewing the tackle, the official had no choice but to brandish a straight red. He was carried off, tears streaming down his face, as team-mates gathered around him. The timing could not be worse with Hakimi expected to captain Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations next month on home soil. Now, it remains to be seen if the injury rules him out of the tournament, which will be a devastating blow for the country.

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AFPPSG left counting the cost

With Hakimi injured, Dembele out, and tempers fraying, Paris looked like a team unravelling. By full-time, PSG’s night had gone from frustrating to disastrous. Joao Neves managed to pull one back in the 74th minute, but Bayern held firm to seal a 2-1 victory. For Luis Enrique, the defeat is about more than lost points, as it’s about mounting injuries that plague the reigning champions. Vincent Kompany’s side now sit firmly at the summit of the Champions League group stage table with 12 points from four matches. They must already have their eyes on the next challenge, which is a heavyweight clash against Arsenal at the Emirates on November 26. It will be a titanic clash with the top two going at each other for top spot.

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Os franceses pagarão 5 milhões de euros (R$ 27 milhões, na cotação atual) por 50% dos direitos econômicos do atleta, que tem 70% do ‘passe’ pertencentes ao clube do Parque São Jorge.

+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

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NÚMEROS PELO CORINTHIANS

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Being the massive club they are, Arsenal have had some genuine world-class stars play for them over the years.

Most fans will go straight to the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pirès, but there is another who perhaps deserves more respect: Cesc Fàbregas.

The Spaniard certainly tarnished his reputation in the way he left and then joined Chelsea, but during his time in North London, he was utterly incredible, racking up a tally of 57 goals and 95 assists in 303 appearances.

Arsenal have had their fair share of unreal midfielders since, but there is one player in Mikel Arteta’s current squad who could be on his way to emulating Fabregas at his very best this season.

Ranking Arsenal's best midfielders since Fabregas

A name that springs to mind when thinking about some of the best offensive midfielders Arsenal have had since Fabregas left is Aaron Ramsey.

The Welsh international was never on the same level as the Spaniard, but there were points in his tenure at the club when he was near enough unplayable.

For example, in the 13/14 season, the Cardiff-born monster scored 16 goals and provided nine assists in 34 appearances, and while he left for free in 2019, he did so with three FA Cups to his name, and as something of an Emiratés icon.

Another icon of the Emirartes era and one who arguably was as talented as the Como manager, but supremely unlucky with injuries, was Santi Cazorla.

The 40-year-old magician joined the club for under £15m in the summer of 2012 and went on to score 29 goals and provide 44 assists in 180 games before leaving in 2018.

However, the numbers alone don’t do the Lugo de Llanera-born star justice, as, at his best, watching him play football was breathtaking. He could use both feet with ease, could spot a pass way before anyone else and had sensational close control.

The firm fan favourite is perhaps one of the best examples of a ‘what if’ player, as at his best, he could do whatever he wanted.

Finally, when it comes to superstar midfielders in the years after Fabregas, you cannot ignore Mesut Ozil.

Yes, his last couple of years at the club were nothing short of a disaster, but for a significant period of his time in North London, he had a fair chance of being the best ten in the Premier League.

Appearances

254

Starts

237

Minutes

20816′

Goals

44

Assists

77

Goal Involvements per Match

0.47

Minutes per Goal Involvement

172.03′

Points per Game

1.89

By the time he left the club, the former Real Madrid star had made 254 appearances, in which he scored 44 goals, provided 77 assists and won four FA Cups.

And now, it looks like one of Arteta’s signings could reach the levels Fabregas did this season.

The Arsenal star who could reach Fabregas levels

There is plenty of excitement around the potential of Ethan Nwaneri, and the arrival of Eberechi Eze has bolstered Arteta’s midfield options.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, in this instance, the player who could potentially reach the level of a prime Fabregas this season is Martin Odegaard.

Now, it’s undoubtedly true that last season was the Norwegian’s worst in an Arsenal shirt, and led many to consider whether he was good enough to lead the club.

However, it’s essential to remember that he suffered an ankle injury early on, and in the two previous campaigns, the “world-class” talent, as dubbed by ex-Arsenal star Paul Merson, was named the club’s Player of the Year.

Moreover, based on his performance in the last two games, he looks to be getting back to his very best, if not surpassing it.

For example, once he came off the bench against Newcastle United, his passing was perfect, and he got the ball to Declan Rice for him to cross to Mikel Merino for the equaliser.

Then, on Wednesday night, he started against Olympiacos and delivered what might be his most impressive performance in years, living up to the billing that he is “more complete than Bergkamp and Ozil” in the words of fellow Norwegian John Arne Riise.

The manager seemed to give him more license to roam, and so, instead of sticking to the right-hand side, he was popping up here, there and everywhere, and it was difficult to keep track of every brilliant pass through the Greek side’s backline he played.

While he did finally get his assist courtesy of a Bukayo Saka finish towards the end, on another night, he could have ended up with two or three.

Now, when you combine this renewed “sensational” passing ability, as one content creator put it, with the fact he’s being allowed to play more of a central midfield role and roam, it doesn’t feel absurd to suggest he could start putting in the sort of performances Fabregas once did at his prime.

Ultimately, there is still so much of the season to go, so if this is just the start of a fully fit Odegaard, then Arteta and Arsenal could have an incredible campaign with him pulling the strings in the middle of the park.

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And that was all she wrote. Another transfer window done and dusted, and despite some late-stage drama, Liverpool must be rather pleased with their market activity over the past couple of months.

With the clock winding down on deadline day, Liverpool felt they were honing in on a statement signing for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, but Oliver Glasner had other ideas, refusing to subscribe to the sale of his star defender without an adequate replacement welcomed to Selhurst Park.

Guehi, 25, had completed his medical in FSG’s London complex, and the submission of a dealsheet was all that stood in the way of his move to Merseyside.

It’s a blow, for Guehi is one of the finest centre-halves in the Premier League, but Arne Slot still has top-class options in the position, with sporting director Richard Hughes having warded off interest in Joe Gomez and signed Giovanni Leoni, 18, from Parma for £30m.

And though Liverpool missed out with that one, their lob certainly didn’t fall wide of the mark in regard to Alexander Isak, who is very much a member of the Premier League pace-setters.

Why Liverpool signed Alexander Isak

Liverpool did it. After receiving the fondest of farewells at St. James’ Park, Liverpool welcomed Isak from Newcastle United for a British record £125m fee.

It’s certainly been one of the most unsavoury transfer sagas in recent memory, but Liverpool and FSG and the supporters won’t care a jot, not now that they have welcomed a player who pundit Jamie Carragher hailed as “the best striker in the Premier League” last season.

The 25-year-old scored 27 goals across all competitions and landed the winning strike as Newcastle beat Liverpool to lift the Carabao Cup in March, instrumental in guiding Eddie Howe’s side back into the Champions League.

Liverpool might have already signed Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a £79m deal this summer, but Isak gives Slot the complete set in the final third, a clinical striker and skilled in linking up with his teammates.

Exciting times ahead for the Anfield side, not least because Isak will find an almighty bunch of players to combine with, the likes of Mohamed Salah and co.

And, of course, German playmaker Florian Wirtz, whose record-breaking £116m transfer fee lasted all of two months.

Liverpool have hit the jackpot on Florian Wirtz

In May, transfer rumours concerning Wirtz began to intensify. Manchester City and Bayern Munich joined Liverpool in a race for the 22-year-old, and it was Slot’s side who secured the prized signature, underscoring a shift in the European power rankings.

Wirtz hasn’t had the most electrifying start to life in England, playing a neat assist for Ekitike in the Community Shield but yet to register a goal contribution across three Premier League fixtures. Still, his world-class potential is undeniable, hailed by sports media professional Cristian Nyari as a “truly generational talent”.

Former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes has even called him “the best midfielder in the world” for his efforts in his homeland, winning the 2023/24 Bundesliga Player of the Season after playing a talismanic part in winning the top flight undefeated in Xabi Alonso’s system.

Wirtz has much still to give, but there’s little question that he has what it takes to become the defining player of the era ahead at Liverpool, perhaps even more so than a superstar striker such as Isak.

FBref’s data delineates Wirtz’s wide range of quality, as he ranks among the top 9% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and progressive passes, the top 4% for through ball and successful take-ons, and the top 11% for assists per 90.

Slot has proven himself over the past 12 months at Liverpool to be one of the most tactically astute coaches in the business, and there’s every faith that he will fashion Wirtz into one of the biggest hitters the Reds have seen.

His market value certainly attests to that.

Wirtz was Liverpool’s record signing until Isak came along, but CIES Football Observatory values actually demonstrate that the German is regarded as having a higher ceiling, boasting a market figure of as high as £152m.

Isak, while still regarded as one of the most lucrative players in the game, amid his £125m move, comes in at a peak value of £100m. Given that the Sweden forward has already enjoyed three years on Premier League pitches, scoring at a clinical rate throughout, it wouldn’t be unfair to suggest that Wirtz might prove to be the cream of the crop after settling into life in a new sphere.

Even without lighting up the Premier League over these first few weeks, Wirtz has showcased an underlying tenacity and robustness, with Sofascore recording that he has won 55% of his ground duels and averaged 1.7 tackles per game.

The goals will come, and the assists too. Of course, when working behind a focal outlet such as Isak, there’s sure to be plenty of optimism around Wirtz’s capacity to dazzle, his creative skill feeding through to the world-class goalscorer.

Market Movers

In any case, what really matters is Liverpool have landed two of the finest footballers in the game, and Slot now has all that he needs to make it a season for the ages on Merseyside.

Now worth more than Isak: Liverpool wanted to sign "one of the best in the world"

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Ben Gray

Sep 2, 2025

Chelsea have done some fantastic business in the transfer window this summer.

The likes of Jorrel Hato, Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap all look like they could be future superstars under Enzo Maresca.

However, the Conference League champions’ best signing so far has been Joao Pedro, who looked spectacular in pre-season and was outstanding against West Ham United last week.

The Brazilian forward looks ready to explode at Chelsea this season, and in even more good news, the club are now close to signing another star who will be unreal alongside him.

Chelsea agree deal to sign brilliant teammate for Pedro

Even though the transfer window is set to close on Monday evening, Chelsea appear intent on making a few more signings.

Transfer Focus

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

For example, despite supposedly holding talks with Tottenham Hotspur, the Blues continue to be linked with Xavi Simons.

Meanwhile, while Aston Villa are reluctant to sell, Morgan Rogers has once again been linked with the West Londoners.

Yet, there is another Premier League star who has been touted for a move to Stamford Bridge perhaps more than any other in recent weeks – a player who now looks set to finally make the move and will be unreal alongside Pedro.

At least that is according to a recent report from The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who has delivered a massive update on the club’s pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho.

The respected journalist has revealed that Chelsea and Manchester United have agreed to a deal worth a fixed £40m plus a 10% sell-on fee.

The young Argentine is scheduled to undergo his medical in London later today, and should that go well, will put pen to paper on a contract until 2032.

It is undoubtedly a significant amount of money to spend on someone so young, but Garnacho is undeniably talented and could be exceptional in this Chelsea side, especially alongside Pedro.

Why Garnacho would be unreal with Pedro

One of the primary reasons Garnacho could be so effective alongside Pedro this season is due to their respective output.

For example, the “superstar” in the making, as dubbed by journalist Liam Canning, scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 58 appearances last season, totalling 3568 minutes.

That means he maintained an average of a goal involvement every 2.76 games, or 169.90 minutes, which is really quite impressive considering he was playing in a historically terrible United side and is still just 21.

For his efforts, when you include his performances at the Club World Cup, the former Brighton & Hove Albion star scored 13 goals and provided seven assists in 33 appearances, totalling 2299 minutes, last season.

That comes out to a sensational average of a goal involvement every 1.65 games, or every 114.95 minutes.

Appearances

58

33

Minutes

3568′

2299′

Goals

11

13

Assists

10

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.36

0.60

Minutes per Goal Involvements

169.90′

114.95′

When we examine these numbers, it’s clear that, in addition to being effective in front of goal, both players are more than adept at creating chances for their teammates.

In other words, they could form a devastating and unpredictable partnership in which opposition sides will never be too sure who’s going to play provider or finisher at any given moment.

Moreover, with both players being more than comfortable in a few different positions, they’d almost certainly have more opportunities to play together, gain a better understanding of one another’s game, and interchange more effectively over time.

Finally, as both players are still in their early 20s, they will be able to grow and develop together, which should only strengthen their partnership over the coming seasons.

Ultimately, Garnacho is an exciting signing in his own right, but his potential at Chelsea is even higher with Pedro in the team.

Enzo Maresca calling £60m star with Chelsea ready to triple his salary

The Blues boss is personally contacting him.

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After suffering a 3-1 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Club Brugge, Rangers have reportedly been handed further concern in the form of an opening bid for one of Russell Martin’s star men.

Martin "proud" despite Club Brugge defeat

There’s no denying that it’s been a disastrous start for Martin at Rangers. The former Southampton boss is yet to win in the Scottish Premiership and even watched on as his side made hard work of defeating Scottish League One side Alloa Athletic in the cup last weekend. So the arrival of Club Brugge couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Unlike Rangers as of late, the Belgian side were in a ruthless mood and raced into a shock 3-0 lead within the space of 20 disastrous first-half minutes. Ibrox began to empty and the thought of qualifying for this season’s Champions League proper became a mere fantasy for the Gers, who only managed to gain one goal back courtesy of Danilo.

Despite yet another evening to forget, however, Martin was “proud” of his side for how they responded to Club Brugge’s 20-minute thrashing. He told reporters: “That’s as hard as it will ever be for the players on the pitch. I’m proud of how they responded.

“We concede a crazy goal and don’t respond anywhere near well enough. Then we concede out of anxiety and make decisions based on desperation. The game plan went out the window. When you’re 2-0 down after seven minutes, tactics don’t come into it. It’s not about style of play it’s about the reaction and we didn’t react well.”

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Meanwhile, with one leg out of the Champions League, the Gers could reportedly be in for an almighty blow on the transfer front to only add to their recent woes.

Lille submit fresh Igamane offer

According to Rangers Review, LOSC Lille have now submitted a fresh loan offer to sign Hamza Igamane, only for that to be laughed off by the 49ers who have set their price-tag at a hefty £15m to sell the forward. Whether the French side now opt to get anywhere near that valuation before the end of the month remains to be seen.

The 49ers’ stance will come as a major relief to Martin, who simply cannot afford to lose a player of Igamane’s quality at this stage of the transfer window. The talented forward is yet to start a game under the new manager as he works his way back to full fitness after a disrupted pre-season, but Rangers will be hoping to see their star man become a much-needed difference-maker sooner rather than later.

A player who was described as “superb” by scout Jacek Kulig last season, Igamane has all the tools to become the most important player of Martin’s tenure and Rangers simply must avoid his departure at all costs this summer.

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in MLS, including Freese's goalkeeping heroics for NYCFC

To say the march to the MLS playoffs is heating up is a understatement. With just under a month of the regular season remaining, there are eight clubs with a realistic chance of claiming the Supporters' Shield. And there have already been seven teams eliminated from the playoffs – five from the Eastern Conference.

The USMNT national pool has several players who are becoming significant factors. Matt Freese helped NYCFC ice their trip to the postseason (see what we did there) with a win over the previously surging Charlotte FC. Orlando City SC's Duncan McGuire has spent the majority of his season on the mend, but got his shooting boots back for an important three points.

And Jack McGlynn continues to have a largely under-the-radar dominant season for the Houston Dynamo – despite the club's current struggles. 

GOAL looks at the major takeaways from USMNT players in MLS.

ImagnFreese-ing out Charlotte's attack

Has any USMNT star had their stock rise as much as Freese in 2025?

The NYCFC goalkeeper was an afterthought in the U.S.'s January camp, failing to get minutes behind the Columbus Crew's Patrick Schulte and the Colorado Rapids' Zack Steffen. Since then, it appears as if everything is going right for the former Harvard standout.

At the Gold Cup, he overtook longtime starter Matt Turner for the No. 1 spot and had several memorable performances. He resumed as the USMNT's starter for the September friendlies and could hold that role for the upcoming October matches. Last week, he landed a new contract with NYCFC, with the 27-year-old ensuring his future at the club for the next five years. Barring the unforeseen, he will be there for the opening of Etihad Park. 

Freese brought all of that momentum to a critical match against Charlotte FC Saturday. The Crown came into the match having tied the MLS record for consecutive wins, having won nine straight. Led by an in-form Idan Toklomati and Wilfried Zaha, the team was punishing MLS defenses. But not against NYCFC and their star goalkeeper. 

Freese led a stout defense that only allowed just six shots at Yankee Stadium – and the goalkeeper delivered two key saves for the home side. With the upset, NYCFC booked their trip to the postseason.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMcGlynn comes through, again

Where would the Houston Dynamo be without McGlynn?

Despite issues on both sides of the pitch, the Orange Crush remain in the thick of the playoff hunt, and that's largely due to their American talisman. McGlynn delivered once again for Ben Olsen's side, launching a pinpoint corner to the leaping head of Ezequiel Ponce to score the game's only goal against Portland, the No. 7 team in the Western Conference.

To be fair, McGlynn likely deserved more. He was impressive, delivering key passes, hitting three shots on target, and connecting on 87.5 percent of his passes. His assist brings his season tally to 14 goal contributions, with eight assists and six goals. To put that into perspective, Houston has 40 goals scored this season, meaning that McGlynn has directly contributed to 35 percent. No, it's not Messi, but its still very impressive. 

Following the win, the Dynamo are just one point back from Texas rival FC Dallas for the final Western Conference spot, though Dallas have a game in hand. Houston are also just three back from the Colorado Rapids, and both teams have three games left in the season. 

ImagnTime to worry in Commerce City?

The Rapids have a U.S. international at goalkeeper in Steffen, two U.S. internationals in their backline in Sammy Vines and Reggie Cannon, a local homegrown star in Cole Bassett, a blockbuster signing in rising U.S. midfielder Paxten Aaronson, and arguably a top-five striker in Rafa Navarro.

Yet, this team hasn't worked effectively as a sum of its talented parts. 

Colorado aren't expected to be on the same level as bigger spenders such as Inter Miami, LAFC, or Charlotte, but this team shouldn't be worrying about securing a trip to the postseason with just three matches left. This is the second-straight campaign in which Chris Armas' side is waning as opposed to storming at the end.

Against a FC Dallas team who were below the Rapids in the standings, the Burgundy Boys capitulated after equalizing in the 21st minute off a goal from Calvin Harris, losing 3-1 at Toyota Stadium. While Colorado remain two points ahead of Dallas in eighth, the Texas team has a game in hand and Houston are lurking. 

After generating a lot of buzz for the signing of Aaronson, it appears as if Armas hasn't yet found an effective fit for his No. 10, as the former Frankfurt man struggled to have much of a playmaking impact Saturday. Since Aaronson joined the Rapids, outside of the win against Houston, the team has lost to three teams below them in the standings – the LA Galaxy, Sporting KC and FC Dallas.

Time is running out for Colorado to lock in a playoff spot. They face an uphill battle with Minnesota, Real Salt Lake, and LAFC in their final three matches. Despite the positive vibes Armas has brought, questions will be asked if his team fails to reach the postseason. 

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McGuire is back

It's been a rough road for Duncan McGuire since his failed move to Blackburn almost two years ago. While he signed a new contract with the club following the botched transfer, he's been in and out of the lineup for Oscar Pareja since. The striker was expected to get more playing time this season following some outbound transfers, but he had a left shoulder injury that sidelined him for almost four months. 

After returning and working his way back into more minutes, McGuirre sent a timely reminder of his talent in a much-needed moment for his club. With Orlando trading blows with Nashville SC, the forward scored an impressive tap-in in front of the goal, courtesy of a well-made assist from Tyrese Spicer, to secure three points for the home side.

Sure, Spicer did the heavy lifting on the play, but McGuirre – working off months of rust – could have fluffed his lines. But he didn't, and Orlando are one step closer to sealing their fifth consecutive trip to the postseason as a result. 

Another USMNT player, Alex Freeman, also featured 90 minutes in the win, connecting on one cross. 

In quite the twist, Newcastle United are now reportedly the frontrunners to land one of their top targets who has given PIF the green light to move forward with the deal.

Howe: "Complex" Isak situation "far from ideal"

Whilst Newcastle continue to chase transfers of their own, the saga of the summer has been threatening to unfold between Alexander Isak and those at St James’ Park. After deciding to train away from the club and at former side Real Sociedad, it looked as though the Swede had done enough to open the door to his exit as Liverpool came calling with an opening offer.

Ultimately, however, the Reds didn’t do enough and have since had the door slammed in their face by Newcastle, who are demanding as much as £150m to sell their star man. Liverpool’s offer worth £110m was, therefore, always likely to be turned down.

Whilst some around St James’ Park may celebrate Liverpool’s latest stance, it’s Eddie Howe who has been left to pick up the pieces of the Isak saga.

He told reporters when asked about the situation: “I think from my situation, I am very much removed from everything that is happening back home. I was made aware there was a bid yesterday. That bid was turned down before I heard about it.

The Newcastle boss then went on to say when asked if he knows where Isak is: “I know where he is through the media, so I think from that perspective it’s difficult for me to go into any detail. The situation is far from ideal. It is quite complex. I think that is all I have got to say.”

Meanwhile, as that situation continues to unravel, another key factor in any potential deal has reportedly progressed in Newcastle’s favour.

Sesko chooses Newcastle

Delo, the number one newspaper in Slovenia, has revealed Benjamin Sesko ‘has made a decision’ and ‘will continue his career with Newcastle United’, while also confirming the rival interest from Manchester United.

And according to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, Newcastle have now matched Sesko’s price-tag with a blockbuster “formal bid” worth as much as £70m. Jumping ahead of Manchester United in unexpected fashion, the Magpies could now solve their striker problem with what would become their biggest ever signing.

After a summer of rejections, the news that they are now leading the race to finally sign the striker that they’ve been craving will be music to the ears of all those in Tyneside.

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There’s still a way to go, of course, but there’s no doubt that Sesko would be an excellent addition. Described as “special” by former Leipzig technical director Christopher Vivell, the towering forward looks destined for the Premier League.

يخوض نادي بيراميدز مباراته المقبلة في الجولة الثامنة من عمر بطولة الدوري المصري أمام مع طلائع الجيش، على استاد الدفاع الجوي. 

وتأكد غياب مدافع الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي بيراميدز، عن مواجهة طلائع الجيش، التي ستجمع بينهما ببطولة الدوري بسبب الإيقاف.

وتحصل أحمد سامي على بطاقة صفراء ثالثة في مواجهة زد الجارية بينهما حالياً بالجولة السابعة من بطولة الدوري الممتاز.

طالع أيضاً.. الأهلي في مهمة صعبة أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا بـ الدوري لتصحيح المسار والعودة للانتصارات

وتُشير نتيجة اللقاء إلى تقدم بيراميدز بهدف دون رد سجله مصطفى زيكو بعد عرضية من الشيبي قابلها مصطفى زيكو برأسية سكنت الشباك.

ودخل بيراميدز اللقاء محتلاً المركز التاسع في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري برصيد 8 نقاط من فوزين وتعادلين وخسارة واحدة.

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on their second signing of the summer after their permanent deal for Mathys Tel, and the fee Spurs are about to pay for their newest arrival has set a record.

Tottenham preparing bid for £30m colossus wanted by Napoli, Milan and Inter

Spurs could scupper Antonio Conte in the race for his signature.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 21, 2025

Spurs missed out on FC Copenhagen starlet Roony Bardghji earlier this week, with Barcelona ultimately winning the race for his signature, but Thomas Frank is still expected to be backed with more forward additions.

One of their key aims before deadline day on September 1 is signing another proven winger, and one who could replace Son Heung-min if he does in fact leave the club for Saudi Arabia after 10 years.

“Son will get a big-money contract if he moves to Saudi Arabia,” said ex-Lilywhites scout Bryan King to Tottenham News recently.

“Everyone else who has gone there has received a big-money offer, so why would a player of Son’s stature not receive that same kind of offer.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Tottenham receive a similar fee for Son as they did for Harry Kane. Son has been at Tottenham for 10 years, and he’s been a marvellous servant to the club. He has one year left on his contract, and Tottenham could cash in, as could the player.”

West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, Man City outcast Jack Grealish, Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo have all been linked recently, as has Lazio’s Gustan Isaksen, with Frank reportedly very keen to sign the Dane (Lalaziosiamonoi.it).

However, they could also bolster their ranks with fresh young defensive talent, and that is expected to be the case with Kawasaki Frontale gem Kota Takai.

The 20-year-old, standing at a towering 6 foot 4, is apparently on the verge of joining Spurs from the J-League.

Tottenham agree £5 million fee to sign Kota Takai

Tottenham will pay around £5 million to sign Takai, according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, and this is apparently a J-League “record” for a Japanese player from that division.

Sharing further background on their surprise move for the talent, which practically came out of nowhere, reliable journalist Alasdair Gold has claimed that Takai was personally identified by technical director Johan Lange as a promising young player for the first-team, and one who could make a similar impact to the likes of Lucas Bergvall and Pape Sarr after a brief settling in period.

Takai has already won four senior caps for Japan at international level, and captained Kawasaki against Yokohoma F. Marinos back in April – a game where he also got on the scoresheet in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

He also played a key role at the back for Kawasaki in their run to the Asian Champions League final, beating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the semi-finals before they eventually lost out to Al-Hilal.