She said there were lessons to pick up from Wolvaardt not getting enough strike in the final stages of the second ODI

Srinidhi Ramanujam20-Jun-2024To get close to chasing India’s 325 and fall short just by four runs is a massive confidence booster for South Africa, according to Marizanne Kapp, one of the four centurions in the second ODI in Bengaluru. She said this was the brand of cricket they wanted to play, looking ahead to next year’s 50-over World Cup in India.This was after South Africa were reduced to 67 for 3 inside 15 overs on Wednesday. Even the series opener saw them having a collapse upfront, where from 33 for 3, they were eventually bowled out for 122. But unlike Sunday, South Africa fought back hard in the second game but Pooja Vastrakar denied Laura Wolvaardt – who top-scored for the visitors with 134 not out – and South Africa a series-levelling win with a sensational final over.”There were a lot of positives today,” Kapp said after the game. “To get that close is obviously a massive confidence booster especially moving forward, we know we can reach that total. But in saying that, probably after that first four in the last over, it was our game to lose. It’s definitely something we would speak about, but in the future, if we could have maybe tried to get Wolfie [Wolvaardt] on strike a bit more, then maybe… there are a lot of things we could have done differently. But again, to come that close, after starting a little bit slower today, we have a lot of positives to take forward, given that we have a World Cup next year.Related

'The older I get, I'm getting better' – Kapp glad she was talked out of retiring

Mandhana and Harmanpreet top Wolvaardt and Kapp in landmark 646-run contest

Stats – Mandhana, Harmanpreet, Wolvaardt, Kapp combine to break ODI records

Wolvaardt, Vastrakar and a six-ball emotional rollercoaster like no other

“It’s [the intent] something we’ve been speaking about. We had a meeting with the batting coach after our first ODI. He said that if we had scored 100 in 20 overs in that ODI, he would have been happy even if we got bowled out. But to score 122 off the 37 overs, it’s not the brand of cricket we want to play. Definitely happy with the way we scored today and got close to the target.”During the chase, Wolvaardt crossed 4000 ODI runs and became the highest run-getter for South Africa in 50-over cricket. Kapp also touched the 3000 mark to be fourth on the list. Kapp, who played as a specialist batter in these two matches because of workload management, has visibly upped her batting in the last 12 months. Since 2023, she has smashed two centuries and four half-centuries in 15 innings to average 68.20 in this format.Coming in at 67 for 3 when the team needed a big partnership, she thrived under pressure and shared 184 runs off 170 balls with Wolvaardt to take South Africa closer to the huge target.”If you look at myself and Wolfie, it’s been a few times now that we have been out in the middle,” Kapp said. “The way my batting has gone in the last couple of years, I have been striking at close to 100, so it’s just a little bit more natural for me. I have found that If I am being positive, I usually score runs more often than not. Whereas she likes to take her time, set herself on and then go after the bowlers. We don’t even have to speak about it. It naturally worked out that way that I am going to be the aggressor, and she takes her time.”At the end of the day, this is why I play cricket for,” Kapp spoke of playing under pressure. “I believe usually in those situations, I perform, and I pride myself in that. Wolfie and I, we enjoy that. Sometimes, you get a bit annoyed or upset if you are tired, but look, no. It’s a team sport, and the two of us enjoy batting together. I feel like games like this, situations like this probably bring out the best in myself and Wolfie.”

Even at their lowest ebb, Manchester United can still pull a rabbit out of the hat on the transfer front, with the INEOS regime overseeing a hectic start to the summer window following what was a desperately disappointing season.

While we may not be talking about Lamine Yamal or Desire Doue coming to Old Trafford, for once the Red Devils appear to be making astute moves in the market, having lasered in on two Premier League-proven talents, in the form of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

The deal for the former has already been confirmed, after United agreed to trigger the Brazilian’s £62.5m release clause, while the club are also preparing a second bid for Mbeumo, having seen a total offer of around £55m rejected by Brentford.

Should that deal for the Cameroon international get over the line as expected, Ruben Amorim will have been handed two players who contributed 35 league goals in total last term – just nine fewer than what the Old Trafford side recorded collectively in the top-flight.

Such enhanced firepower is then desperately needed in Manchester, hence why those deals could well be followed by the pursuit of a new centre-forward, with Amorim seemingly dreaming of a reunion with Sporting CP talisman, Viktor Gyokeres.

The rekindling of that partnership might be the primary focus at present, although United may also have the opportunity to pounce on another exciting opening.

Latest on Man Utd's striker search

Much to the surprise of many, both Cunha and Mbeumo have settled on the Theatre of Dreams as their preferred destination, even with Amorim’s side having failed to secure European qualification.

Cunha’s career record vs the ‘Big Six’ – all comps
Club	Games	Goals	Assists
Arsenal	3	1	0
Chelsea	5	4	1
Liverpool	8	1	0
Man City	7	0	1
Man Utd	5	1	2
Spurs	4	1	1
Total	32	8	5
Mbeumo’s career record vs the ‘Big Six’ – all comps
Club	Games	Goals	Assists
Arsenal	8	1	0
Chelsea	8	3	3
Liverpool	7	1	0
Man City	5	0	1
Man Utd	8	1	1
Spurs	8	4	1
Total	44	10	6
Stats via Transfermarkt

As noted by journalist Ben Jacobs earlier this week, the same appears to be true of Gyokeres, with the prolific Swede open to the move having remained in contact with his former boss.

Reportedly available for ‘just’ €70m (£59m), the 27-year-old’s signing wouldn’t break the bank, although with United looking likely to fork out around £120m plus on Cunha and Mbeumo, it remains to be seen what they will have left to work with in the budget.

Transfer Focus

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

With that in mind, it could be worth changing tact by securing a significant bargain with the capture of Jonathan David, with Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport – via Sport Witness – outlining that the Canadian is prioritising a move to Manchester.

Indeed, United are named alongside Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona as his preferred picks, albeit with United seemingly at an advantage as the 25-year-old – who is set to leave Lille on a free transfer this summer – particularly keen on a Premier League switch.

While the report does suggest that INEOS haven’t made a move as yet, prior speculation did claim that the Red Devils had him on their striker shortlist.

Why Jonathan David would be a better deal than Gyokeres

First and foremost, it would be a truly remarkable coup to be able to land a player of David’s quality on a free, with podcaster Tony Marinaro hailing him as a “phenom” and “one of the best strikers in the world”, amid his standout form in France.

That bargain deal would ensure that United then have funds left to play with to strengthen other areas of the pitch, with The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell noting that Amorim is keen on acquiring an ‘athletic No.8’, while a new wing-back could also be ‘on the agenda’.

With the future of Andre Onana also uncertain in the sticks – having notably made five errors leading to a goal in the top-flight and in Europe last season – there does remain other priority positions, hence why a move for David over Gyokeres would appeal.

Of course, Gyokeres is Amorim’s man having netted 66 times in just 68 games under the Portuguese in Lisbon, with his total tally standing at 97 goals in 102 games for the Primeira Liga side to date.

That said, it was only two years ago that the 6 foot 2 marksman was operating in the Championship, having previously been allowed to leave Brighton and Hove Albion for just £1m, during Dan Ashworth’s stint at the helm.

How Arsenal's striker targets compare in 2024/25.

To his credit, Gyokeres has recovered to emerge as the “hottest striker in Europe” since then, as per ESPN’s Mark Ogden, although in the case of David, the Brooklyn-born sensation has quietly been delivering the goods over a more extended period at the top level.

Indeed, the in-demand forward has scored 13 goals or more in all five of his seasons in Ligue 1, since arriving from Gent in 2020, while previously netting 18 league goals in his final campaign in Belgium. It’s for no reason that Canadian pundit Iain Hume has described him as a “world-class player”.

Such remarkable consistency is certainly to be admired, with the 61-cap international also thriving in this season’s Champions League, after scoring seven times in ten outings. Gyokeres, for comparison, scored just six times in eight games for Sporting.

In Europe’s top tier competition, as per FBref, David notably ranked in the top 20% of strikers for non-penalty goals per 90, while also ranking in the top 5% for pass completion. Gyokeres, meanwhile, ranked in just the top 24% and the top 18% for those same two metrics, respectively.

A real menace from open play and evidently adept at holding up the ball, the Lille talisman has been a real unsung performer in recent years, with now perhaps the time for his big chance to finally come at an elite club.

Yes, Gyokeres may be the man Amorim wants, although to be able to sign a player like David on the cheap would surely be the better deal.

Amorim’s next Bruno: Man Utd to make approach for “world-class” talent

Manchester United could be about to land a star who could follow in Bruno Fernandes’ footsteps.

2

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 7, 2025

Summer has officially begun with a mini-transfer window open until June 10, allowing Tottenham Hotspur to go and strike early recruitment deals ahead of the 2025/2026 season.

Tottenham make transfer plans amid Ange Postecoglou uncertainty

Lilywhites boss Ange Postecoglou is apparently set to learn his fate as Spurs boss this week (ESPN), with supporters still anxiously waiting for chairman Daniel Levy’s decision after an incredibly mixed campaign.

Once-£137m forward wants to join Tottenham after Europa League win

They’re seen as favourites.

10 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 4, 2025

Postecoglou ended the club’s long 17-year wait for a piece of major silverware by guiding them to victory in the Europa League final, at Man United’s expense, but the Australian also led them to a record-breaking 22 Premier League defeats in a single season.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Before Spurs can make real headway on their summer recruitment drive, Postecoglou’s future must be resolved, and reliable club insider Paul O’Keefe recently shared that Levy has in fact made a call on when to do next – without formally communicating it just yet.

With Levy set to communicate his decision sooner rather than later, Spurs can then start getting to work on their transfer plans, if their potential search for a new manager doesn’t take centre stage for too long.

News emerged on Tuesday that Son Heung-min could leave Tottenham this summer after 10 years at the club (The Telegraph), despite Tottenham triggering a one-year extension clause in his contract.

If the South Korean star does leave, Spurs will acquire a fee for his faithful service, but they’d also need a replacement for him. In light of this news, it is no coincidence that Bayern Munich star Leroy Sane is being repeatedly linked with a move to north London.

Dejan Kulusevski is also out with a long-term injury and could take some time to get fully match fit again, so the need for a new winger is pretty prevalent.

Sergio Reguilon is confirmed to be leaving Tottenham as well, with Destiny Udogie now their only senior natural left-back.

Tottenham hold talks over signing New England left-back Peyton Miller

According to New England Revolution journalist Seth Macomber, who covers them for The Blazing Musket, MLS sensation Peyton Miller is now attracting serious interest from the Lilywhites.

As per Macomber, Tottenham have held talks with New England about signing Miller, with Levy and co displaying a real interest in signing the teenager.

The versatile full-back, who can play nearly anywhere on the left-flank, has been called the ‘real deal’ by American critics and is now a regular for New England after becoming the second-youngest player to both appear and start in an MLS match for them.

He could be an adept back-up option to Udogie, and his meteoric rise in the last two seasons looks to have really impressed Tottenham scouts.

An “outstanding” Liverpool player is now reportedly on the verge of leaving the club this summer, with the Reds reaching an agreement with a new club and a medical set to take place next week.

Players who could leave Liverpool this summer

While much focus is on the shiny new signings arriving at Anfield, with Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz already brought in and Milos Kerkez on the way, there are a host of Reds players who are expected to depart ahead of next season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has already moved on to Real Madrid and his great friend and fellow full-back Andy Robertson has been strongly linked with a summer switch to Atletico Madrid, potentially bringing an end to eight legendary years at the club in the process.

Jarell Quansah has also been backed to seal a summer exit, having struggled to kick on during the 2024/25 season, and the same applies to Harvey Elliott, who has hinted at leaving the club he grew up supporting in recent weeks and has been linked with a move to Brighton.

In attack, Mohamed Salah genuinely feels like the only player whose future isn’t up in the air, with Federico Chiesa and Darwin Nunez feeling particularly likely to wave goodbye to the Premier League champions.

Indeed, a busy summer is on the horizon at Liverpool as Arne Slot looks to build a squad capable of dominance across multiple competitions.

"Outstanding" player on the verge of Liverpool exit

According to the reliable Paul Gorst of the Liverpool Echo on X, Liverpool have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen over the signing of Quansah in a £35m deal.

Quansah is currently away with England Under-21s at the European Championships, and started their 3-1 quarter final win over Spain on Saturday. He will undergo a medical when the tournament finishes, which is next Saturday, so it could be into next week before this deal is fully ratified.

Opinion may be split over Liverpool selling Quansah, with some feeling that he has the potential to grow into an elite-level centre-back as the years pass.

On the flip side, though, the England international didn’t kick on as much as many hoped last season, and there is an argument to say that the Reds will never be able to sell him for more than £35m in his career.

It is a risk by Liverpool, not least because Virgil van Dijk is a big admirer of the defender, calling him “outstanding” and saying the “sky is the limit for him”, but the likes of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes need to be trusted.

The Reds must be ruthless after their title win, which includes dispatching of players not deemed good enough to take the team forward, and the brutal reality may be that Slot doesn’t quite feel Quansah is at the level required.

Liverpool "issue" resolved as medical booked for next signing on 5-year deal

This is great news for the Reds.

1 ByHenry Jackson Jun 22, 2025

If Liverpool were able to sign Marc Guehi as his replacement this summer, as Gorst hints at in his update, it could immediately strengthen Slot’s squad, increasing their chances of defending their title next term.

The left-arm spinner’s second ODI five-for bowled New Zealand out for another low score before the England opener scored her maiden international ton

Valkerie Baynes30-Jun-2024

Sophie Ecclestone leads the team out after her second ODI five-wicket haul•Getty Images

England sealed their domination of New Zealand via Maia Bouchier’s maiden international century and Sophie Ecclestone’s five-wicket haul to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three match ODI series.Ecclestone’s 5 for 25 from nine overs was instrumental in bowling New Zealand out for a sub-par total for the second game in a row – this time they were bundled out for 141 in 41.5 overs – and Bouchier saw England home with 25.3 overs to spare.Only four New Zealand batters, led by Amelia Kerr’s 43, reached double figures, but, as in the opening match of the series in Durham when they were all out for 156, it didn’t look like nearly enough. England’s bowlers kept New Zealand hemmed in, sending down 10 maidens between them, and Amelia faced 10 deliveries in seven overs for her last three runs.Early incisions by Kate Cross and Lauren Filer had New Zealand floundering at 10 for 2 in the sixth over.Ecclestone was introduced to the attack in the 12th over but it wasn’t until the 18th that she broke a sedate partnership of 46 in 72 balls between Sophie Devine and Amelia, her beautifully flighted delivery luring Devine well down the pitch, then dipping and turning to beat the bat as Amy Jones whipped off the bails.Maddy Green had faced 28 balls for her four runs before doubling her score by lofting the penultimate ball of Cross’ allocation to long-on. Green had reached 30 off 48 when Charlie Dean pinned her on the pad with one that turned sharply from outside off stump to end a 58-run stand with Kerr.Her dismissal brought Brooke Halliday to the crease, the standout performer with her half-century in an otherwise poor display by New Zealand’s batters in their nine-wicket defeat last Wednesday. But Halliday couldn’t repeat her innings after she was undone on 6 attempting to sweep an Ecclestone delivery, which clattered into off stump.Ecclestone made it two wickets in four balls and three for the match when, next over, she bowled Lauren Down for a duck with an excellent ball that turned past the bat and crashed into the top of middle stump. That ended Down’s first international appearance since giving birth to daughter Ruby in January before it had begun.Amelia faced 86 balls for her score, passing 2000 career ODI runs in the process, but her innings was otherwise uneventful, her dismissal via a return catch to Dean coming amid a collapse of seven wickets for 27 runs in 10.4 overs. During that time, Ecclestone also removed Izzy Gaze and Molly Penfold.It was Alice Capsey who took the last wicket when she had Jess Kerr caught slog-sweeping to deep midwicket by Nat Sciver-Brunt for 14 with only her fifth delivery of the day.Maia Bouchier celebrates after reaching her maiden international hundred•Getty Images

Tammy Beaumont survived New Zealand’s review when she was adjudged not out lbw on the first ball of the run-chase, Jess striking the pad with one that moved in but was shown to be tracking down the leg side.As in Durham, Beaumont and Bouchier broke the back of the target, this time via a 73-run partnership in 80 balls. Bouchier took charge here, even more so once Beaumont was run-out by the finest of margins for 28. Bouchier struck Amelia to cover, where Suzie Bates gathered and threw the ball back to the bowler to catch Beaumont short despite the dive.Bouchier was on 42 at the time but unfurled five boundaries in eight balls in the aftermath of Beaumont’s dismissal, four of them off one Devine over. She smashed another off Amelia through the leg side moments before Heather Knight despatched Halliday for the only six of the match, over deep square leg. Knight perished on 9, spooning Halliday straight to Amelia at midwicket.Bouchier was on 92 when she was given not out attempting to pull a Jess delivery, which rapped the back pad low down and New Zealand’s review was turned down on umpire’s call, keeping the century on the table.Bouchier skied the next ball and it dropped short of long-off as she and Sciver-Brunt scampered two and two singles took her past her previous best, 95, scored in the third ODI against Sri Lanka last September.With four more runs needed to win, Sciver-Brunt blocked the remaining four balls of Penfold’s over – one of them a full toss – to give Bouchier the strike. Bouchier tucked Jess’ first delivery to backward square leg and ran two more. Then, after a dot ball prodded towards point, Bouchier struck the next into the space through midwicket and took off for the two runs she needed to reach her ton and complete England’s victory.

خرج أوريلين تشواميني، نجم نادي ريال مدريد، عن صمته وتحدث عن الأزمة التي حدثت بين منتخب فرنسا وباريس سان جيرمان، بسبب إصابة الثنائي عثمان ديمبلي وديزيريه دوي، خلال فترة التوقف الدولي الحالي.

وأصيب كل من ديمبلي ودوي خلال مواجهة منتخب فرنسا يوم الجمعة الماضي، وذلك لحساب منافسات تصفيات قارة أوروبا المؤهلة لمنافسات كأس العالم العام المقبل في كندا والولايات المتحدة الأمريكية والمكسيك.

وأثارت إصابة ديمبلي ودوي غضب باريس سان جيرمان، والذي أصدر بيانًا رسميًا يطالب فيه بالتنسيق بين المنتخبات والأندية حول حالة اللاعبين البدنية.

باريس سان جيرمان سوف يفتقد ديمبيلي لحوالي ستة أسابيع، في حين يغيب دوي بحسب التقارير لأربعة أسابيع.

طالع .. مفاجأة .. ألونسو منع انتقال موهوب ريال مدريد إلى الدوري الإيطالي

وخلال مؤتمر صحفي عقد اليوم الإثنين، والذي نقلته ”Rmc sport” دافع تشواميني عن الاتحاد الفرنسي والمدرب ديدييه ديشامب، موضحًا أن الأخير لا يضع ضغطًا على اللاعبين بإشراكهم في المباريات في حال لم يكونوا جاهزين للعب.

وقال تشواميني: “الكل يدافع عن مصالحه، لكن في نهاية المطاف اللاعب هو من يعطي انطباعاته، إذا شعر بصعوبة اللعب بسبب المخاطرة العالية، فإن المدرب يكون متساهلًا حقًا، إنه ليس غبيًا”.

وأضاف تشواميني في حديثه: ”في هذه الحالة، عليك أن تقدم على ذلك، قد تظهر أحيانًا مشاكل صحية أثناء اللعب مع المنتخب الوطني وهذا جزء من اللعبة، لكنني أعتقد أن هناك تواصلًا جيدًا بين الطرفين في مدريد”.

وعن إصابة ديمبلي ودوي أتم تشواميني: “لم نتحدث عن تلك الإصابات، نشعر جميعًا بخيبة أمل لإصابة عثمان، وكذلك دوي، نأمل أن يعودا في أقرب وقت ممكن”.

Bangladesh ended their ten-match losing streak in T20Is and collected their first points in Women’s Asia Cup 2024. They bounced back from the opening game defeat to Sri Lanka with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Thailand in Dambulla to keep their hopes for a semi-final spot alive.Legspinner Rabeya Khan’s four-wicket haul and seam-bowling allrounder Ritu Moni’s two scalps helped Bangladesh restrict Thailand to a below-par 96 for 9 on a spin-friendly surface. Nattaya Boochatham top-scored for Thailand with a 41-ball 40. In reply, Murshida Khatun, after missing the previous game, scored 50 off 55 balls to take Bangladesh home in 17.3 overs.

Suwanchonrathi, from No. 11 to opener

Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, who had batted at No. 11 in her last two innings, was promoted to open with Boochatham. But the move backfired as Suwanchonrathi struggled to get going. She took 12 deliveries to get off the mark and eventually fell for a 20-ball 6 in the seventh over. Thailand could only post 25 for 0 in the powerplay.

Rabeya, Moni strangle Thailand

Rabeya struck twice in her first over, the seventh of the innings, to remove Suwanchonrathi and Nannapat Koncharoenkai. Koncharoenkai, who had top-scored with 40 in the last match, fell for a duck this time. Bangladesh understood early in the game that Thailand found it difficult to score against full balls. Their spinners deceived the Malaysia batters with drift, turn and bounce.At the halfway stage, Nigar Sultana threw the ball to Moni, and she struck immediately. She hit the hard length and got the ball to swing in to remove Phannita Maya to leave Thailand 38 for 3. In her next over, Moni bowled Chanida Sutthiruang with a slower ball, for a ten-ball 8.Rabeya returned in the 14th over and castled Suwanan Khiaoto with a wrong’un. She did not let Boochatham take off either and cleaned her up in the 17th over.Debutant left-arm spinner Sabikun Nahar Jesmin, after conceding 23 in her first three overs, scalped two off two deliveries in her final over to sink Thailand further.Murshida Khatun anchored Bangladesh’s chase with 50 off 55 balls•ACC

Murshida among the runs

Bangladesh’s last T20I win before Monday came against South Africa in December 2023 when Murshida top-scored with an unbeaten 62. But in the next seven months, the team struggled with the bat, often collapsing around Sultana. In the last three series before this tournament, they used seven players in the top three, trying to find the winning combination.Even on Monday, Bangladesh made three changes to their XI. One of them was Murshida and she made it count. She took ten deliveries to get off the mark but after that, she kept the scoreboard ticking. There was a mix-up between her and Dilara Akter in the fifth over, which resulted in the latter being run out. But Murshida kept Bangladesh on the right track. She hit eight fours in her innings and brought up her fourth T20I half-century. Along with Ishma Tanjim, she added 60 off 58 balls for the second wicket.Bangladesh lost two wickets late in the game but, for a change, they didn’t need Sultana to rescue them.

Manchester United are now showing serious interest in signing an £85 million midfielder from a Club World Cup side, according to a recent report.

Man Utd chasing multiple strikers amid search for new front three

The current focus at Old Trafford remains on completing the signing of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, but once that deal is done, United will switch their attentions to completing the rest of their new-look front three with a new number nine.

A better move than Ekitike: Man Utd preparing bid for "top-class" £44m ST

Manchester United appear top be making more moves for a striker ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

1

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 23, 2025

Rasmus Hojlund looks as though he could be moved on by the Red Devils this summer to make way for a new striker. Indeed, reports have already emerged that Hojlund has given the go ahead to join Inter Milan.

Meanwhile, United are assessing their options for who could replace the Dane. Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres looked to be one of their preferred targets, given his connection with Ruben Amorim, but they have now moved onto other targets.

Hugo Ekitike is a player who has emerged as a strong candidate to become United’s new number nine in recent weeks. The Premier League side have held talks with his representatives over a move to Old Trafford, although it’s claimed that Eintracht Frankfurt would want around £85 million.

But there are also two new names in the frame, as reports over the weekend revealed United are interested in signing Moise Kean from Fiorentina, after he scored 19 goals in Serie A last season, and United are seriously considering a move to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa.

Man Utd showing serious interest in Richard Rios

As well as signing a new centre-forward, it’s been well publicised that Amorim wants a new midfielder, and they may now have found their ideal target. According to reports relayed by The Express, Man United are interested in signing Richard Rios from Palmeiras.

Rios is now a concrete target for the Red Devils, as they are seriously interested in a transfer, but a move will have to wait until after Palmeiras’ Club World Cup campaign has come to an end.

The report states that United are likely to prioritise signing a defensive midfielder this summer, as captain Bruno Fernandes is set for a deeper role next season, given the arrival of Matheus Cunha and the potential arrival of Mbeumo.

Rios, who has been described as a “ball-carrying machine” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, has been at Palmeiras since March 2023. The 25-year-old has become a key performer for the Brazilian side, as shown in the Club World Cup, where he’s played and started both games so far, drawing with Porto and beating Ahly SC.

Richard Rios’ Club World Cup stats
Apps	2
Starts	2
Minutes per game	89
Total shots	1.5
Touches	43.0
Key passes	1.0
Passing accuracy per game	18.5 (77%)
Interceptions per game	3.0
Tackles per game	2.0
Balls recovered per game	5.5
Total duels won	7.0 (54%)

It is reported that Rios has a staggering £85 million release clause in his contract, which could be considered a lot for the Red Devils. Either way, signing Rios may have to be put on hold until they balance the books and move a few of the unwanted players on first. Rios’ potential arrival at Old Trafford would see him join Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Toby Collyer as the defensive-minded midfielders in the squad.

Manchester United hit their lowest ebb last season, but there’s every chance that Ruben Amorim will piece together something more promising for the upcoming campaign.

INEOS, at least, are aware that things are rather dire at Old Trafford, and thus have signed Matheus Cunha for £62.5m, now pushing to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo before perhaps turning their attention to central midfield.

But wait, the frontline’s surely not done? Indeed, Rasmus Hojlund is expected to depart the Premier League this summer after a crushing campaign; Inter Milan are interested in bringing the former Atalanta man back to Italy.

The Red Devils will need to sign not just a replacement but a significant upgrade, and while they missed out on Liam Delap after the Ipswich Town man signed for Chelsea in a £30m deal, the Theatre of Dreams may yet roar on a high-level marksman in just a few months.

Man Utd hold talks for coveted striker

We all know that Amorim wants Viktor Gyokeres to front his Man United project. The Sweden striker scored 66 goals across 68 matches for the Portuguese tactician at Sporting Lisbon, supplying 23 assists too.

However, Arsenal have the lead in the race, and United may need to find themselves a different number nine.

Well, there might be just the player itching to make their move to the Premier League this summer, and who the Manchester side might have a free shot at as their rivals target other stars.

According to ESPN, Man United have held ‘exploratory talks’ to sign Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, who has emerged as one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe.

This should come as little surprise to the Red Devils faithful, for the French forward, 23, has been on INEOS’ radar for a while, with Fabrizio Romano himself confirming in June that the club have called Frankfurt to learn of the precise conditions, albeit with Chelsea and Liverpool having opened contacts too.

Those conditions, it must be said, are concerning. Die Adler are not pressed to sell and have set a €100m (£85m) price tag on their talisman. Will any of the clubs pay up? Or will, indeed, his asking price be slashed?

Why Man Utd must sign Hugo Ekitike

Ekitike has only just turned 23, but already he’s rebounded from a frustrating spell at Paris Saint-Germain during his maiden years as a professional, scoring only four times across 33 appearances, to become a star at Frankfurt.

His 22-goal haul across 2024/25 could see him thrive in the Premier League, providing Amorim with a steady goalscoring presence from number nine, but it’s his underlying qualities that make Ekitike such a sought-after star.

Indeed, his movement and tactical dynamism might even see him become the club’s best signing since Bruno Fernandes. Admittedly, there have been more rocks than diamonds over the past years, with failed moves for the fellow strikers in the form of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

Comparatively, the Portuguese playmaker stands proud as a “genius”, as has been said by pundit Dion Dublin and there haven’t been many standout moves since he headed to Old Trafford.

Even though Man United have struggled so greatly across the past year, the 30-year-old scored 19 goals and provided 19 assists across all competitions, with his artful passing and tenacious desire to win the ball and make things happen, something that could fuse wonderfully with Ekitike’s style.

For it is Fernandes whose qualities will get Ekitike up and running in the Premier League, but then it’s the striker himself who might just bloom into the club’s next superstar, emulating Fernandes, although hopefully doing so in balmier conditions.

1.

Bruno Fernandes

36

91

2.

Mohamed Salah

38

88

3.

Cole Palmer

37

86

4.

Enzo Fernandez

36

75

5.

Bryan Mbeumo

38

70

As per FBref, Ekitike ranked among the top 16% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last season for goal contributions, the top 6% for shot-creating actions, and the top 4% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90.

Such complete performances have led the data-driven site to draw Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak as one of his most comparable players, though it’s his countryman, Kylian Mbappe, who has been singled out as a player of striking likeness.

Indeed, journalist Graeme Bailey once hailed the striker as “the next Mbappe”, with his prodigious start to life as a professional and protean attacking style perhaps setting him up to be such a superstar.

If he can pass the Premier League test and spearhead a Man United resurgence, surely he would become a sensation every bit as momentous as when the Devils welcomed Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon for an initial £47m fee in January 2020.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig has already claimed that Ekitike “could reach world-class levels” in the future, but given the current praise and indeed performances that he has plied in the Bundesliga and Europa League, might he not be reaching that point already?

If Ekitike truly is the next Mbappe, INEOS may well be about to oversee United’s finest signing since the club’s Portuguese Magnifico walked through the gates.

Mbeumo will love him: Man Utd make approach to sign £85m "monster"

Man United are looking to sign a striker in the transfer market this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 30, 2025

He played four Tests between 1964 and 1967 and was the first Pakistan batter to score a century on Test debut

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jul-2024Former Pakistan allrounder Billy Ibadulla died on Friday at the age of 88. He had a short, but notable international career, playing only four Tests for Pakistan between 1964 and 1967, but became the first from his country to score a hundred on Test debut.Ibadulla made his Test debut against Australia in Karachi in 1964, one of six Test debutants in that game as Pakistan regenerated after their early years of success. Ibadulla had been drafted into the side at the insistence of the captain Hanif Mohammad and he immediately repaid that faith, with 166 in the first innings.He was part of a 249-run opening partnership with fellow debutant, and wicketkeeper, Abdul Kadir. It remains the highest partnership between two debutants for any wicket in Test cricket, and was a national record for the first wicket until Aamer Sohail and Ijaz Ahmed broke it in 1997.He would only go on to play three more Tests though, instead building a fine career with Warwickshire. He was one of the first Pakistanis to play county cricket (AH Kardar had played for Warwickshire for three seasons when Pakistan were not a full member and Khan Mohammad played one game for Somerset), after being overlooked for Pakistan selection for the 1954 tour to England. Unhappy, he came to England to forge a career as a professional cricketer and did so successfully, playing for nearly 18 seasons.That included key roles in two limited-overs cup titles in three years; he took 3-25 and scored 28 in Warwickshire’s four-wicket win in the 1968 final.After he finished at the county, he became a coach at a school in the UK, a sign of things to come. Soon after he moved to New Zealand to play for Otago (and some games for Tasmania in Australia) as well as do some coaching, He played a key role in the early development of Glenn Turner, one of New Zealand’s greatest batters.He ended with a prolific first-class career, scoring 17,078 runs at 27.28 and picking up 462 wickets at 30.96. Of his 417 first-class outings, 377 were for Warwickshire, for whom he played for more than a decade.”He was a special cricketer, one of the greatest, and we had lots of fun times together,” Warwickshire president Dennis Amiss, who played alongside Ibadulla at the club, wrote in a tribute to his former team-mate. “He could be really naughty at times, lots of mickey taking and he gave as good as he got. We loved him at Warwickshire.”In 64 List A matches, Ibadulla scored 829 runs and took 84 wickets. He also stood as an umpire in 20 first-class matches and 12 List A games. He also ran a private coaching clinic in New Zealand.His son, Kassem Ibadulla, also played 31 first-class games and 19 List A games for Gloucestershire and Otago.