كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية حقيقة نية نجم فريق إنتر ميامي، ليونيل ميسي، الانخراط في سباق انتخابات رئاسة نادي برشلونة الإسباني، التي ستقام العام المقبل.
ومن المقرر أن تنطلق انتخابات المنافسة على مقعد رئيس نادي برشلونة في الربيع المقبل.
وظهرت تقارير صحفية اليوم، من أمريكا، تفيد أن ليونيل ميسي ينوي المشاركة في انتخابات برشلونة بطريقة ما، عن طريق دعم أقوى المرشحين المحتملين لمنافسة خوان لابورتا على ذلك المقعد (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).
ولكن صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية ذكرت أن الأمر ليس كذلك، حيث تحدثت قائلة: “بدأ المرشحون لرئاسة برشلونة في اتخاذ خطواتهم، حتى خوان لابورتا نفسه يتخذ قراراته بناءً على الانتخابات المقبلة، التي لا يزال موعدها مجهولاً، كما أن جميع المرشحين، بلا استثناء، بمن فيهم لابورتا، يتمنون الحصول على دعم ميسي”.
وأضافت: “بفضل المودة الكبرى التي يحظى بها من جانب جماهير برشلونة، والبصمة التي لا تمحى التي تركها والنجاحات التي حققها، وقيادته فريقًا كان محل حسد أوروبا بأكملها لعقد من الزمان، وسمح للنادي بجني أموال طائلة، سواء من خلال الجوائز أو البطولات أو حقوق الصور، لقد أوصل ميسي النادي إلى مكانة لم يسبق لها مثيل، وليس من قبيل الصدفة أن يختاره مشجعو برشلونة كأكثر لاعب محبوب في تاريخهم”.
وواصلت: “لهذه الأسباب جميعها، يُعد الحصول على دعم ميسي أحد الأسلحة التي سيسعى جميع المرشحين إلى الفوز بها في سباق الرئاسة، بمن فيهم الرئيس الحالي نفسه، الذي يسعى للبقاء في منصبه، الجميع يتمنى الأمر ذاته، فيلاجوانا، فونت، سيريا، كامبروبي وحتى لابورتا نفسه”.
وأكدت: “الأمر مختلف تمامًا حيث لن يبحث ميسي بنشاط عن مرشح، لقد جدد عقده مؤخرًا مع إنتر ميامي لثلاثة مواسم ويريد اللعب في الدوري الأمريكي حتى نهاية مسيرته، ويشعر بالقوة البدنية الكافية لمواصلة النضال، وعائلته سعيدة في ميامي، صحيح أنه يتابع ما يحدث في برشلونة، لكن حياته في فلوريدا في الوقت الحالي”.
وأفادت: “لذلك احتمال بحثه عن مرشح من أجل دعمه هو صفر، لا يمكن تخيل أن يتصل ميسي بأحد لهذا الغرض، الأمر مختلف تمامًا إذا تمكن أحدهم من التواصل معه وشرح مشروعه وإقناعه في النهاية”.
واختتمت: “مع ذلك لم يبدأ المرشحون العمل في هذا السيناريو بعد حيث أن السباق الانتخابي لا يزال في مراحله الأولى، وميسي لم يخط خطوة واحدة، ولن يطرق الباب”.
Warwickshire fall short in fourth innings as visitors wrap up three-day success
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay18-May-2025
James Fuller bagged a five-for to help seal victory•PA Photos/Getty Images
Hampshire hit back from last week’s thrashing by Nottinghamshire in emphatic style with an 89-run Rothesay County Championship win over Warwickshire inside three days at Edgbaston.Set a target of 310, Warwickshire were all out for 220, unpicked by seamers James Fuller and Kyle Abbott. Alex Davies, with 66 from 106 balls, and Ethan Bamber (43) offered some resistance but the rest were blown away by a Hampshire side resurgent after their surrender at Trent Bridge.Hampshire’s second innings had closed in the morning on 203. Beau Webster took 4 for 57 and Bamber 4 for 60 but the match was decided by the visitors outbowling their hosts on a pitch which offered encouragement to seamers throughout.After Hampshire resumed on 159 for 6, already 275 ahead, Bamber quickly struck twice when Brad Wheal edged to second slip and Fuller’s middle-stump was sent flying by an inside-edged slog. Abbott pulled Bamber for six in a handy run-a-ball stand of 32 with Toby Albert before Webster had Albert and John Turner caught behind in three balls.A target of 310 offered an intriguing last chapter to an engrossing match and Warwickshire’s chase began spectacularly. They were 10 for 2 after three overs after Abbott hit Rob Yates’ off stump, Davies struck his first two balls for four and Tom Latham edged Abbott to wicketkeeper Ben Brown.Unfazed by the rocky start, Davies and Sam Hain added 68 in 24 overs. Hain looked in excellent form on his way to 30 but his season’s story so far of getting in then getting out continued when he offered no shot to an Abbott in-ducker and was lbw.Davies reached a 66-ball half-century but was among the casualties as Fuller unleashed a ferocious spell from the Pavilion End, ripping out 3 for 3 in 12 balls. Webster and Davies were trapped in front by balls that kept low, either side of Ed Barnard tickling an outswinger to the keeper.At 126 for 6, Warwickshire needed something special from their lower order on a pitch which had yielded just one half-century in each innings. It was understandably beyond them. Zen Malik hoisted Turner to fine leg. Bamber and Che Simmons fought hard to add 43 in 17 overs before Fuller returned to complete his five-for by removing both. Bamber edged behind, Simmons lofted to long leg and when Turner flattened Olly Hannon-Dalby’s off-stump, Hampshire’s reassertion of their qualities was complete.
O Palmeiras vive um momento crucial na temporada. Com a classificação encaminhada para a semifinal da Libertadores e na vice-liderança do Campeonato Brasileiro, um fator que tem sido decisivo para o Verdão é a consistência defensiva. Sem sofrer gols há cinco partidas, o Alviverde pode alcançar sua maior sequência de jogos com a “baliza a zero” na Era Abel Ferreira nesta quarta-feira (30).
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+ Veja tabela da Libertadores-2023 clicando aqui
Em busca do tetracampeonato da Libertadores, o Alviverde enfrenta o Deportivo Pereira-COL nesta quarta, às 21h30, no Allianz Parque, pelo jogo de volta das quartas de final da competição continental. Caso saia de campo sem ser vazado, o Palmeiras chegará a seis jogos consecutivos sem sofrer gols, o que nunca aconteceu desde que Abel passou a comandar o Verdão, em novembro de 2020.
+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!
No comando do treinador português, o maior número de partidas seguidas que o Palmeiras não sofreu gols é o atual: cinco. Essa marca foi atingida em outras duas oportunidades pela equipe alviverde. Em 2021, entre 14 e 31 de julho, na sequência de jogos contra Universidad Católica-CHI, Atlético-GO, Universidad Católica, Fluminense e São Paulo. No ano passado, o Verdão saiu de campo sem ser vazado contra Inter de Limeira, Athletico-PR, Guarani, São Paulo e Santos, respectivamente.
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Até o momento, são cinco duelos sem sofrer gols, sendo quatro vitórias e um empate: Palmeiras 0 x 0 Atlético-MG, Palmeiras 1 x 0 Cruzeiro, Cuiabá 0 x 2 Palmeiras, Deportivo Pereira 0 x 4 Palmeiras e Palmeiras 1 x 0 Vasco. Portanto, caso termine os 90 minutos com a “baliza a zero”, o Verdão alcançará a marca defensiva inédita de seis partidas consecutivas sem ser vazado no comando de Abel Ferreira.
O treinador, inclusive, na entrevista coletiva após a vitória contra o Vasco, reconheceu o bom momento defensivo de sua equipe, mas deixou claro que é preciso mais atenção nos lances de chutes de fora da área. Ainda, Abel valorizou a capacidade técnica de seus defensores, afirmando que “as tarefas estão muito bem definidas”.
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– Em termos defensivos as tarefas são muito simples de os jogadores entenderem, gols como esse que estava impedido foi o sétimo ou oitavo neste ano, gols fora da área que a bola sobrou, não foi o primeiro. Felizmente, porque a sorte existe, estava impedido, porque seria ainda mais difícil, tivemos apenas um treino para preparar esse jogo. Mas defensivamente é sempre muito bom, é o quinto jogo sem sofrer gols, nos dá mais confiança, nos deixa mais próximo de ganhar, é sempre bom – disse Abel Ferreira.
– As tarefas estão muito bem definidas defensivamente, depois é a capacidade técnica que eles têm. Tem a técnica defensiva, não é apenas a técnica ofensiva. Cada um ganhar o seu duelo com o seu adversário. Esses números são esclarecedores, estamos num bom momento no aspecto defensivo, queremos continuar e é para isso que trabalhamos, para melhorar nossos processos.
+ Sem Dudu, Palmeiras de Abel Ferreira tem queda considerável no aproveitamento
Com a goleada por 4 a 0 no confronto de ida, na Colômbia, o Alviverde pode perder por até três gols de diferença. Qualquer empate também garante o Palmeiras na semifinal da Libertadores. No Brasileirão, o Verdão é o atual vice-líder com 40 pontos, 11 a menos que o líder Botafogo.
* JALILE ELIAS colaborou sob a supervisão de Alexandre Guariglia
لا يتوقف لامين يامال، نجم فريق برشلونة، عن إثارة أجواء ما قبل الكلاسيكو، بعدما لجأ إلى حسابه الشخصي بموقع “إنستجرام” من أجل استفزاز ريال مدريد بطريقة ما، قبل مباراتهما مساء الأحد.
ويستضيف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مباراة فريقي ريال مدريد وبرشلونة، في الجولة العاشرة من الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2025/26.
وأثار لامين يامال الجدل بطريقة واسعة، قبل يومين، بعدما أدلى بتصريحات هجومية ضد ريال مدريد، حيث قال عنهم: “يسرقون ويشتكون”.
ولم يكتفِ لامين يامال بذلك، بل نشر عبر حسابه الشخصي بموقع “إنستجرام” مقطع فيديو، عبر خاصة ستوري، جاء به: “اللاعب الذي جاء الحي لا ينافس على الشهرة، بل ينافس من أجل المستقبل، لا يلعب من أجل الأضواء، بل يلعب ليتجنب النظر إلى الوراء”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. ماركا: لامين يامال يثير القلق في برشلونة
وأضاف: “الضغط الحقيقي ليس في الملعب، بل في عيون أولئك الذين لم يتوقفوا عن الإيمان، وعندما يسجل، لا يحتفل لنفسه، بل لأن هذا الهدف يمكن أن يغيره ويغير عائلته وحيه”.
وتضمن مقطع الفيديو صورًا من مغامرات طفولته في حي روكافوندا، وأصدقائه، وزملائه، وعائلته، وهدفه في البرنابيو في الدوري الإسباني الموسم الماضي، واختتمه قائلًا: “تركت خوفي في حديقة ماتارو منذ زمن طويل”.
⏳ El vídeo que ha subido Lamine Yamal en su Instagram a horas de El Clásico pic.twitter.com/V8ZUU1F0WM — Mundo Deportivo (@mundodeportivo) October 25, 2025
كما نشر لامين يامال منشورًا ثانيًا، عبر “إنستجرام”، عبارة عن صورة احتفاله بهدفه في سانتياجو برنابيو الموسم الماضي، حيث تعرض حينئذ لصيحات استهجان من جانب جماهير ريال مدريد، وهو يشير إلى رقم قميصه ثم يدير ظهره، وذلك خلال فوز برشلونة برباعية نظيفة.
😁 Seguido de esta foto ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/jMCPsQ2ZwT — Mundo Deportivo (@mundodeportivo) October 25, 2025
Nessa sexta-feira (28), o Palmeiras teve mais um frustração no mercado da bola. Pela terceira vez o clube viu sua proposta por Aníbal Moreno, volante do Racing-ARG, ser recusada pelos argentinos. Assim, diminuem as chances de Abel Ferreira ter um reforço para as oitavas de final da Libertadores. No entanto, caso aconteça alguma reviravolta neste sábado (29), ainda será possível inscrever o jogador na competição continental.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasSaiba quanto a atual patrocinadora do Palmeiras investiu no clube desde o início da parceriaPalmeiras29/07/2023PalmeirasDe olho no futuro, Palmeiras contrata jovem que pode ter multa de mais R$ 500 milhõesPalmeiras28/07/2023PalmeirasRacing-ARG recusa oferta por Aníbal Moreno, e Palmeiras fica mais longe de se reforçar para a LibertadoresPalmeiras28/07/2023
+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
Segundo Anderson Barros declarou ao GE, o Alviverde foi “ao limite” para tentar contratar o meio-campista argentino. A pedida final do Racing foi de 10 milhões de dólares (R$ 47,3 milhões), valor que se mostrou irredutível e o diretor de futebol palmeirense não conseguia chegar. Lembrando que a proposta anterior havia sido de 7,5 milhões de dólares (R$ 35,4 milhões).
+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!
Como se trata do alvo principal e aquele que o Verdão tentou a última cartada no prazo limite, dificilmente o clube buscará outro jogador neste momento. Aníbal Moreno era o nome “ideal”, aprovado pelos departamentos envolvidos e havia mostrado enorme vontade de vestir a camisa alviverde. Dessa forma, é muito improvável que um reforço chegue para as oitavas de final da Libertadores.
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No entanto, há ainda um recurso possível caso o Palmeiras consiga uma reviravolta neste sábado (29), ou até mesmo encontre outra oportunidade de mercado. Segundo a Conmebol, é preciso entregar a lista de 50 nomes dos inscritos 72 horas antes do início da fase (1º de agosto, terça-feira), ou seja, neste sábado (29). São permitidas até cinco substituições na lista inicial entregue para a fase de grupos.
+ Racing-ARG recusa oferta por Aníbal Moreno, e Palmeiras fica mais longe de se reforçar para a Libertadores
Para que o nome do jogador pudesse ser inscrito, ele precisaria ter aparecido no BID da CBF até sexta-feira (28), algo que não aconteceu. Mesmo assim, ainda seria possível um atalho. Caso a negociação esteja encaminhada, o Verdão pode pedir à entidade uma inscrição provisória contanto que se apresente os documentos da regularização até segunda-feira (31).
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A chance de isso acontecer é muito pequena, mas é importante destacar que ainda é possível uma inscrição. Caso a presença de um hipotético reforço na Libertadores seja mesmo descartada, o novo prazo para contratar seria quarta-feira (2), quando se encerra a janela de transferências para clubes brasileiros. Dessa forma, o jogador poderia ser inscrito nas quartas de final da competição, mas o Palmeiras tem a missão de eliminar o Atlético-MG para que isso aconteça.
Newcastle United have yet to show their hand in the summer transfer market, though Eddie Howe and his transfer coterie are hard at work as they look to strengthen the first-team squad.
Heading back into the Champions League, the 2024/25 Carabao Cup champions are looking for new forwards.
João Pedro is the focus of expected talks with Brighton & Hove Albion, but Chelsea have also reportedly opened communications with a view toward signing the Brazilian forward.
Brighton striker Joao Pedro
Newcastle chasing new forward
It’s not just focal frontmen on the Tynesiders’ agenda. Howe needs more wingers to strengthen his side, and he is currently mulling over a move for one of the Premier League’s most prominent figures.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to Caught Offside, Newcastle are monitoring Jack Grealish’s situation at Manchester City as he prepares to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.
A host of further clubs – like Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Serie A champions Napoli – are all keen, with Everton also interested in pursuing a loan move.
Given Pep Guardiola has issued confirmation of the Three Lions star’s looming exit, Newcastle may well find a smoother path toward agreeing on a financially acceptable deal, one that might set them back around £40m if prior reports are to be believed.
Why Newcastle should sign Grealish
When Manchester City signed Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021, they broke the British transfer record, landing the England international for a fixed £100m fee.
Not quite defined by his prolific output, Grealish’s grasp of the game’s technicalities, his faculty for tricks and flicks and a “little touch of magic”, as has been noted by journalist Henry Winter, set him apart from most other attacking midfielders, bringing something every bit as important as a rifle-crack shooting ability.
But something’s gone awry under Pep Guardiola’s leadership. Now, the 29-year-old is not so much a magician as a machine, limited to a mechanical, structured role that promotes possession play but has clipped the wings of a high-flying player.
Across 157 performances for Man City, Grealish has scored 17 goals and supplied 23 assists. Of course, he’s also won the treble (in perhaps his finest year at City), and many more titles besides.
Howe could bring him back to the fore. In fact, if the Newcastle boss can unlock the door which has barred Grealish’s better football, he might even find a new star man in attacking midfield, better even than Anthony Gordon.
Gordon is an electric and dynamic winger whose performances on Tyneside have been instrumental to the side’s success of recent years, but Grealish at his finest is a cut above.
The City star has a natural bent for the artful side of the game, and it grew his reputation to a record-breaking level at Aston Villa, earning him that mammoth move to Manchester.
Prem Comparison – Jack Grealish vs Anthony Gordon
Match Stats (* = per game)
Grealish 20/21
Gordon 23/24
Matches (starts)
26 (24)
35 (34)
Goals
6
11
Assists
10
10
Shots (on target)*
1.9 (0.7)
2.3 (0.9)
Big chances missed
4
9
Pass completion
83%
82%
Big chances created
14
16
Key passes*
3.2
1.6
Dribbles*
2.5
1.5
Tackles + interceptions*
1.7
1.8
Total duels (won)*
8.9 (61%)
5.3 (49%)
Stats via Sofascore
Here we have Grealish’s Premier League data from his final season in a Villan shirt matched against Gordon’s from 2023/24, his first full term as a Magpie, when he was awarded the club’s Player of the Season.
Bringing power, energy and enthusiasm, Gordon was a “nightmare for anyone” he came up against, something he claimed himself while at EURO 2024.
That’s all well and good, but given that Grealish is the “closest thing to Paul Gascoigne” in the eyes of talkSPORT’s Troy Deeney, Howe might just find he could add a new attacking star who’s more nightmarish yet.
Grealish’s desire to win duels, outfox opponents and create for his teammates is exactly the kind of skill set Newcastle need, especially since their Merseyside-born winger has just come off a less-than-perfect year at St. James’ Park, posting six goals and six assists apiece in the Premier League.
Still, though rumours of Gordon’s summer sale float about, there’s no reason why these two mavericks can’t play in conjunction at Newcastle next season.
Manchester City's JackGrealishbefore the match
PIF’s current target earns a pretty penny, taking home £300k per week, and thus would need to reduce his earnings if he wants to find his finest football once again, but if he demonstrates the willingness to do so, who better than Howe to bring him back to his zenith as United look to build on their recent success?
Dream Gordon replacement: Newcastle eye up move for £40m "big-game player"
Newcastle might need to replace Gordon if he joins Liverpool
Opener slams 66 off 32 and then picks up 2 for 25 to put home side top of North Group
ECB Reporters Network07-Jun-2024
Luke Wells and Keaton Jennings put on a 80-run stand•MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Lancashire 176 for 8 (Wells 66, Hasan 3-47) beat Birmingham Bears 168 for 6 (Hain 59, Wells 2-25) by eight runsEarly pacesetters Lancashire Lightning beat Birmingham Bears at fortress Emirates Old Trafford to stay top of the embryonic Vitality Blast North Group table, with Luke Wells to the fore.Lightning just defended a 177 target to win by eight runs, sealing their third victory in four games as Wells opened with a career best-equalling 66 off 32 balls, then returned 2 for 25 with his legspinners and added two catches.Bears missed the chance to leapfrog their hosts to the group’s summit, losing for the first time in three matches as they replied to 176 for 8 with 168 for 6 despite Sam Hain’s 59 off 44.Lancashire are now unbeaten in 23 group fixtures at Emirates Old Trafford since the end of summer 2020, excluding matches where not a ball was bowled. Surrey did, however, win here in last summer’s quarter-final.Wells clattered five early sixes before bowling Chris Benjamin to put the skids under Birmingham at 56 for 3 in the seventh over of their chase.The tall left-hander, playing his 48th T20 match, lit up the first half of Lancashire’s innings with his flurry of sixes, including three successively over midwicket off Pakistan pacer Hassan Ali at the start of fourth over, which went for 27.That gave Lightning, invited to bat on a used pitch, valuable momentum at 47 for 1 having only taken eight runs from the first two overs.Wells only scored one off his first six balls yet reached his fifty off 22, taking Lancashire to 73 for 1 after six.He dominated an 80-run stand inside six overs with captain Keaton Jennings from 18 for 1 in the third over. But Bears fought back superbly with four wickets for 30, starting with Jennings stumped off a leg-side wide from left-arm wristspinner Jake Lintott.As spin put the squeeze on, Lintott also had Wells stumped by captain Alex Davies to finish with 2 for 29, while Danny Briggs got Tom Bruce and a brilliant George Garton throw running in from deep midwicket ran out Matty Hurst – Lancashire 128 for 5 in the 14th.Hasan returned to get three wickets in the final over – Steven Croft, Chris Green and Luke Wood caught in the deep – as the hosts lost momentum.But their score was still very competitive courtesy of Wells’ early fireworks, which felt like the exception rather than the norm on this sluggish surface.Lightning quicks Mitchell Stanley and Luke Wood removed openers Davies and Rob Yates caught at third and deep square-leg respectively in the space of three balls to leave Bears 23 for 2 in the third over. Benjamin was then bowled trying to slog sweep Wells, and Bears were struggling.They reached 76 for 3 after 10 overs, needing 101 more. England fringe quick Saqib Mahmood, playing his first T20 match in just over a year following injury, then had Dan Mousley caught at long-leg by action-man Wells – 76 for 4 in the 11th.Bears then hit back, as they had done with the ball. Hain and Jacob Bethell shared 62 inside seven overs, the latter contributing 33 before falling caught behind off Wells.At 138 for 5 in the 17th, Bears needed 39. But Hain, with a season’s best score in all formats to his name, then drilled Wood to Wells at mid-off – 147 for 6 with 11 balls left. That proved decisive, leaving Mahmood defending 24 off the last.
Manchester United now want to “advance” a move for a £85m striker, who’s a “mix” between Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, according to reporter Ben Jacobs.
Man Utd's striker pursuit heating up
Signing a new striker is on the agenda of a number of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, and Man United are no exception, but they will have to be willing to spend big to lure one of Europe’s top centre-forwards to Old Trafford this summer.
Target
League goals in 24/25
Asking price
Viktor Gyokeres
39
£68m
Victor Osimhen
26
£50m+
Moise Kean
19
£44m
Jonathan David
16
£0
The pursuit of a new striker comes amid widespread criticism of United’s current first-choice option, Rasmus Hojlund, with the Stretford Paddock’s Adam McKola singling the Dane and Andre Onana out for criticism during the 2-2 draw away at Lyon in April.
With Inter Milan now making progress in their pursuit of Hojlund, there may be funds to bring in a top-level replacement, and a “new name” has now emerged as a potential target, Jacobs has revealed to The United Stand, via GiveMeSport.
The reporter said: “They’re running data on some other names as well, including Hugo Ekitike, which is a new name that I can bring to the mix too.
“Liverpool are very interested, Chelsea have held some talks as well, but nothing’s going to happen in the next days with Hugo Ekitike either and Frankfurt want €100million, so he’s actually more expensive than Viktor Gyokeres.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
“So right now, I’m told, if Manchester United can do Gyokeres, they would like to advance on it, but it will all depend on the overall cost and other suitors, and that’s why some of these other names are also concurrently being discussed.”
Free-scoring Ekitike likened to Neymar and Mbappe
Ekitike failed to make the same impact at the Parc des Princes as his former teammates, but having kicked on since leaving Paris Saint-Germain, he has been compared to Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
Wesley Sneijder said: “I think he’s a mix between Neymar and [Kylian] Mbappé. I sincerely think so. He has the grace of Neymar, but also the movements of Mbappé.
“To suddenly accelerate, that’s something that Mbappé also has. And he’s only 22 years old. There’s really a lot of potential in this boy.”
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The high praise from Sneijder came during a fantastic 2024-25 campaign for the French forward, during which he amassed 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 matches in all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt, putting himself in the shop window for a summer move.
That said, while the Frankfurt star certainly caught the eye last season, a fee of €100m (£85m) is a tad high off the back of one prolific season, so the likes of David, Gyokeres and Osimhen could be preferable options.
Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has now dropped a hugely promising Sunderland transfer update, following the permanent signing of Enzo Le Fee.
Le Fee joins Black Cats in permanent deal
It has been a positive start to the Black Cats’ summer, as they immediately plan for life back in the Premier League after their memorable promotion from the Championship last month. Sunderland have made a big statement by signing Le Fee on a permanent basis, following his loan spell at the Stadium of Light in 2024/25, snapping him up for a club-record fee of around £20m.
The Frenchman played his part in Regis Le Bris’ side’s promotion, registering three assists in 14 Championship starts, and he has spoken of his happiness at extending his stay on Wearside.
Sunderland could surpass Le Fee signing in summer spree
Writing on X on Thursday, Downie claimed that Sunderland could again break their transfer record this summer, overtaking the amount paid for Le Fee as they splash out on as many as five new arrivals.
This will be music to the ears of Black Cats fans, with the club showing real signs of ambition before the 2025/26 season gets underway.
In the past two years, all three promoted Championship sides have gone straight back down from the Premier League, so Le Bris’ job is to put a stop to that, aided by signing some top-quality players.
Sunderland’s 10 most expensive signings
Signed from
Cost
1. Enzo Le Fee
Roma
£20m
2. Didier Ndong
Lorient
£16.9m
3. Asamoah Gyan
Rennes
£13.5m
4. Steven Fletcher
Wolves
£12.8m
5. Adam Johnson
Man City
£10.7m
6. Jack Rodwell
Man City
£10.5m
7. Darren Bent
Tottenham
£9.9m
8. Wahbi Khazri
Bordeaux
£9.9m
9. Jeremain Lens
Dynamo Kyiv
£9.6m
10. Tore Andre Flo
Rangers
£9.3m
If Sunderland are able to break their transfer record twice in the same summer, it could only bode well in that respect, and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has further hinted at a busy summer taking place.
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Sunderland also must try and convince Jobe Bellingham to stay put, making it the perfect summer, but that may be wishful thinking at this point, with a move to Borussia Dortmund seemingly on the cards.
Manchester City are now the clear frontrunners in the race for an “incredible” £100m star, who could be brought in as an alternative to Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz this summer, according to a report.
Man City back out of Wirtz race
BBC Sport reporter Sami Mokbel has now confirmed that Man City have pulled out of the race for Wirtz, given that the total cost to bring the German to the Etihad Stadium would be way too expensive.
As such, the path could now be clear for either Liverpool or Bayern Munich to sign the 22-year-old, and City have moved on to alternative targets, with a fresh report revealing they are well-positioned to win the race for a Premier League star.
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According to GiveMeSport, Man City are now the clear frontrunners in the race for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White, but much like the deal for Wirtz, it will be expensive to bring the attacking midfielder to the Etihad Stadium, given a reported asking price of £100m.
The Englishman is being eyed as a replacement for the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne, who has recently hinted that he could remain in the Premier League beyond the end of the campaign, with the Belgian seemingly open to the idea of signing for another English club.
Gibbs-White is now the top target to replace De Bruyne, but it remains to be seen whether Pep Guardiola’s side are willing to shell out the huge asking price.
Gibbs-White could be "incredible" De Bruyne heir
Replacing De Bruyne will be a daunting task for whichever attacking midfielder City choose to sign this summer, but there are plenty of signs that Wirtz could’ve been a suitable option, given the level of his performances for Leverkusen in the 2024-25 campaign.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Bundesliga
31
10
13
Champions League
9
6
1
DFB-Pokal
4
0
1
That’s not to say the Forest midfielder isn’t a solid alternative option, however, having already proven himself in the Premier League, picking up seven goals and ten assists for the Tricky Trees during their push for the Champions League this season.
Morgan Gibbs-White for Nottingham Forest.
Not only are the England international’s attacking numbers impressive, but he has also received high praise for his work-rate from ESPN pundit Janusz Michallik.
As such, there are signs Gibbs-White could be a fantastic heir to De Bruyne, despite arguably not being as flashy a signing as Wirtz, and Man City should look to wrap up a deal before interest in the 25-year-old increases.