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India enforced the follow-on after Rana’s eight-wicket haul gave them a first-innings lead of 337

Srinidhi Ramanujam30-Jun-2024

Sune Luus celebrates her maiden Test century with Laura Wolvaardt•BCCI

For the second consecutive day, South Africa’s batters showed great grit to stay in the game after being put on the back foot by the India bowlers in the one-off women’s Test in Chennai. If Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp fought hard on the second day after India declared at 603 for 6, Luus was at it again on Sunday, in the company of Laura Wolvaardt this time, which helped South Africa cut down the deficit to 105 runs after they were bowled out for 266 in the first innings.At stumps on the third day, South Africa were 232 for 2 in their second innings, with Luus scoring her first Test hundred and Wolvaardt remaining unbeaten on 93. South Africa will hope for more of the same on the fourth and final day to push the game to a draw.Related

'Strong in attack and strong in defence' – Determined Sune Luus stonewalls India

The obstinate ways of Kapp against spin

It was an eventful opening session for India on a hazy morning where Sneh Rana’s sensational bowling on a pitch offering more turn fetched her five wickets – to go with three from Saturday – to give her figures of 8 for 77. South Africa lost six wickets for 30 runs after starting the day on 236 for 4.Rana got the first breakthrough in her third over, the fifth of the day, when she dismissed a well-set Kapp for 74 with an almost unplayable delivery. Kapp was done in by the extra bounce as the ball, after pitching on off and middle, popped up to beat her outside edge and take the top of off stump. This triggered a collapse as three balls later, Rana removed Sinalo Jafta, who inside-edged one to Shubha Satheesh at short leg.Three overs later, Deepti Sharma picked up her second wicket. This time the ball stayed low when debutant Annerie Dercksen missed with her prod and was hit on her back pad. South Africa took the review but it was in vain. In the following over, Rana took her sixth when Nadine de Klerk perished whipping towards square leg where Rajeshwari Gayakwad dived in front to complete the catch. No. 7 and No. 8 came soon after as Rana finished off the innings.Rana became only the second Indian woman to pick up eight wickets in an innings in Test cricket after Neetu David, now India’s chair of selectors, who took 8 for 53 in a two-run loss against England in Jamshedpur in 1995.Sneh Rana finished with a career-best 8 for 77 in the first innings•BCCI

India enforced the follow-on with South Africa 337 runs behind. They then lost Anneke Bosch early to low bounce when she was trapped in front by Deepti in the first over. But Wolvaardt nailed her cover drives and looked assured in her approach.At lunch, South Africa were 29 for 1. India struggled from that point, going wicketless for close to 66 overs across the second and third sessions.In this period, Luus and Wolvaardt shared a mammoth 190-run partnership for the second wicket to provide South Africa hope of a draw. It was South Africa’s highest partnership for any wicket in women’s Tests.South Africa came out in the afternoon session determined to play the long game and they succeeded, scoring 95 runs in 34 overs to take tea at 124 for 1. Luus, who made 65 off 164 balls in the first innings, carried forward that form and temperament, moving to 64 off 121 balls at the end of the second session.Having been trapped lbw to one that kept low from Rana in the first innings, Wolvaardt used the depth of the crease more in the second dig. She pulled short deliveries through square leg and drove the fuller ones to long-on.Deepti Sharma dropped Marizanne Kapp off her own bowling in the last over of the day•BCCI

India toiled hard to break the stand with Harmanpreet Kaur trying as many as seven bowlers, including herself. But they weren’t disciplined with their lengths and speeds. Perhaps not being used to such a long time in the middle affected them. Deepti also dropped two catches – Kapp benefitting both times – in the last two overs of the day. The first was at slip off a Rana delivery that Kapp edged, and the second was a straightforward return catch.Wolvaardt and Luus, though, reaped the rewards of patience on a pitch that got slower after the first session.Consuming more than 200 balls meant Luus and Wolvaardt also had gotten used to the low bounce, with only the odd delivery popping up in the last two sessions of the day. Luus spent 234 minutes at the crease, hitting 18 fours. When she reached her half-century, Luus brought out the rocking-baby-cradle celebration, a gesture for the team’s strength and conditioning coach Zane Webster, who is an expectant father. She scored her maiden century in the final session, and became only the second South African to score a hundred in India in women’s Tests.The huge stand was finally broken by Harmanpreet when she cleaned up Luus in the 74th over. The low bounce came to her aid as Luus went back to pull but missed.With Kapp at the other end, Wolvaardt marched on to finish unbeaten. That has raised hopes of a South African lead on the last day, a scenario that looked near-impossible at the start of Sunday.For India, Jemimah Rodrigues was off the field for a majority of the last two sessions because of cramps.

Crystal Palace have now submitted a formal bid for a forward, who is also being targeted by two Champions League clubs, according to a report.

Crystal Palace step up Diomande pursuit amid Guehi uncertainty

Marc Guehi is looking increasingly likely to be leaving Palace this summer, with Fabrizio Romano revealing the centre-back could now be on his way to Merseyside.

The transfer expert said: “For Marc Guehi the conversations continue, and this week there will be more, so get ready for more contacts between Liverpool, the camp of the player and Crystal Palace.”

Consequently, Oliver Glasner will need to bring in a replacement for his captain, and Ousmande Diomande has been identified as a major target, with the Eagles thought to be on the verge of sealing a £47m deal for the Sporting CP star.

Related Crystal Palace now line up £27m swoop for "terrific" defender and "monster"

The Eagles are looking at making a double signing, having scouted two players at the U21 European Championships.

Posts ByDominic Lund Jul 2, 2025

The south Londoners are believed to have had a bid accepted for Diomande, and he could be a real coup for the FA Cup winners, given that the likes of Newcastle United and Real Madrid have also been named as potential suitors.

However, the centre-back is not the only highly sought-after player that Crystal Palace have made an offer for, with a report from Italy (via Sport Witness) revealing they have now submitted a formal bid for Bologna winger Dan Ndoye.

Two Champions League clubs are also in the running for Ndoye, namely Borussia Dortmund and Napoli, with the latter making an offer of their own, which was deemed not high enough by Bologna.

However, the Italian champions remain interested, having recently made contact with the winger’s agent, which could pose a real problem for the Eagles, as he would rather sign for Napoli than make the move to Selhurst Park.

"Complete" Ndoye could be fantastic signing for Crystal Palace

The £17k-a-week Bologna star’s agent, Lodovico Spinosi, certainly has no doubts about his client’s ability, saying last year: “He is a complete player who, if he manages to be more decisive up front, will be at a top-tier club.”

Since then, the Switzerland international has really managed to kick on, enjoying the best season of his career in 2024-25, picking up eight goals and four assists in the Serie A, while playing a role in Bologna’s Italian Cup triumph.

The 24-year-old scored the only goal of the game to secure a shock victory for his side against AC Milan, and he has also proven himself at international level in the past, scoring against Germany at Euro 2024.

With Eberechi Eze’s future in doubt, amid interest from Arsenal, Crystal Palace may need to sign a new winger this summer, and Ndoye, who is capable of playing on both sides, could be a fantastic addition to Glasner’s squad.

Du Plooy makes fifty against former team before Roland-Jones unbeaten stand

ECB Reporters Network23-Jun-2024

Ryan Higgins whips one to the leg side•Getty Images

Middlesex 342 for 7 (Higgins 107, du Plooy 57, Roland-Jones 51*) vs DerbyshireRyan Higgins again proved the saviour of Middlesex as the hosts fought back from early trouble to post 342 for 7 against visitors Derbyshire on day one at Lord’s.The Zimbabwean-born all-rounder battled to a fourth century of the season from 152 balls, reaching his ton in the grand manner with a six into the Mound Stand as the hosts recovered from 189 for 6.Higgins and Seaxes skipper Toby Roland-Jones, whose 51 not out was his first championship half-century for 21 months, rewrote the record books with their unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 112 eclipsing that of 95 by Wilf Slack and Colin Metson set at the County Ground Derby in 1981.The late plunder was harsh on a Derbyshire attack who were excellent for much of the day, spinner Alex Thomson the pick of the bunch with 2 for 43.Middlesex’s decision to bat first on winning the toss was greeted by applause from the home faithful accustomed to seeing them insert opponents this season Ironically, it soon became clear their decision had been made on the sportiest wicket seen at Lord’s this campaign.Zak Chappell struck in the first over having Sam Robson taken at backward point, the former England opener back in the hutch without a run on the board. It set the tone for a fascinating morning’s cricket where Derbyshire’s bowlers extracted plenty of life and bounce from a green-tinged surface.Both Mark Stoneman and Max Holden had uncomfortable moments, the former nicking one from Chappell just short of slip, while the latter slashed another swinging ball from the probing Sam Connors wide of the close-catching cordon.The hosts appeared to have survived the worst when Stoneman flicked at a delivery wide down the leg-side from Anuj Dal, wicketkeeper Brooke Guest flying to his right to catch.New batter Leus du Plooy, playing against his former county, and Thomson began a gripping duel in the run-up to lunch, the batter looking fidgety and trying to give the bowler the charge, the spinner countering, mixing some tempting tossed up deliveries with others fired in short to stop his former teammate in his tracks.Holden was becalmed either side of lunch as the ball began to swing under increasing cloud cover and his patience ran out as he slashed a wide one to Aneurin Donald at slip.Again, Du Plooy and Higgins weathered a storm, the former unfurling some glorious extra-cover drives and playing a delicious late cut through third in advancing to his half-century.Thomson though proved his nemesis, when Du Plooy got too far away from one that bounced and gave Guest another catch to end a stand of 63.He’d also account for Nathan Fernandes before tea, a ball too close to cut, flying to Wayne Madsen at slip and when Jack Davies edged through to Guest five balls after the interval, Middlesex were 189 for 6.An unusually subdued Higgins, who’d been given a life on 33 when Donald grassed a chance at slip from a reverse sweep off Thomson, found sufficient rhythm to move through to 50 with five fours. Luke Hollman kept him company for a while before edging one from Daryn Pavillon to the diving Madsen at slip.With that, Higgins began to chance his arm and ride his luck, twice edging through the gap in the slip cordon to the fence at third, and with Toby Roland-Jones reviving memories of bygone days bat in hand with a couple of dreamy cover-drives the pair rattled up a 50-partnership in good time.The skipper broke his bat digging out a Connors Yorker and the change proved fruitful as he sent the next delivery over the short boundary into the Mound Stand. He later repeated the feat to raise the second batting bonus point and to compound Derbyshire’s growing frustration Higgins was reprieved a second time on 88 when a chance above head high at second slip fell to earth, Pavillon the unlucky bowler.He made the most of the let-off to reach his hundred in the death throes of the day, Roland-Jones’ landmark following shortly afterwards.

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.

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.

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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.

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?

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Newcastle might need to replace Gordon if he joins Liverpool

Posts 1 ByJoe Nuttall Jun 18, 2025

Arsenal have suddenly sprung to life in the last few days.

For much of the last few weeks, fans were beginning to worry that Mikel Arteta’s side were being left behind by their Premier League rivals like Liverpool and Manchester City, who have been incredibly busy in the transfer window thus far.

However, seemingly out of nowhere, the North Londoners appear to have wrapped up deals for Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga, and now it looks like they are making progress on a deal to sign Christian Mosquera.

On top of that, the Gunners are now being linked with Crystal Palace’s incredible Eberechi Eze, although there is another international touted for a move to the Emirates this summer, someone who’d be a better signing than the Englishman.

Arsenal target international talent

Considering Arsenal scored 17 goals fewer than eventual Premier League champions Liverpool this season, it’s no surprise that most of their rumoured targets this summer are attacking players, with a real focus on left-wingers, such as Nico Williams and Eze.

Transfer Focus

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

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The former looked like he could be the answer to the Gunners’ problems in that area of the pitch, but as things stand today, he looks more likely to move to Barcelona than England.

Eze, on the other hand, does feel like a realistic target, as he’s proven himself in the Premier League for years now and has a release clause worth around £68m in his contract, which would make signing him relatively straightforward.

Yet, if Arteta and Co really want to take the team to the next level this summer and bring in someone who’d represent a real signal of intent, they might be better off signing Rodrygo.

The good news is that they might have the same idea, as, according to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal have maintained their intense interest in the Real Madrid superstar.

In fact, the report goes a step further, claiming that the Gunners are now preparing to make an offer of around €80m for the Brazilian international, which translates to around £68m.

Interestingly, the club want to stagger the payments into three installments, with the first being around €50m and the next two being €15m each, which is something they might not be able to do with the Palace star due to his release clause.

It would still be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Rodrygo’s ability, experience and stature in the game, it’s one Arsenal should be fighting for, especially as he’d be a better signing than Eze.

Why Rodrygo would be a better signing than Eze

Okay, the first thing to say is that both players are incredibly talented footballers and would, therefore, make excellent additions to Arsenal’s squad.

After all, their raw output from this season isn’t all that far apart, as the Palace star scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists in 43 games, totalling 3303 minutes, while the Real monster produced the same goal involvements in 3448 minutes across 53 games.

However, the first real argument for the latter being the superior player emerges when we take a look under the hood and compare their underlying numbers.

Rodrygo vs Eze

Statistics

Rodrygo

Eze

Non-Penalty G+As

0.51

0.52

Progressive Passes

5.05

3.37

Progressive Passes Received

11.8

5.31

Progressive Carries

5.28

2.40

Shots

2.52

3.48

Goals per Shot

0.11

0.07

Shots on Target

0.93

0.94

Goals Per Shot on Target

0.30

0.26

Expected Assists

0.20

0.16

Key Passes

2.29

2.01

Passes into the Final Third

3.08

1.70

Shot-Creating Actions

4.95

4.69

Goal-Creating Actions

0.42

0.35

Tackles Won

0.65

0.76

Blocks

0.84

0.94

Interceptions

0.51

0.38

Clearances

0.42

0.35

Carries into the Final Third

4.07

1.67

Carries into the Penalty Area

2.34

0.76

Aerial Duels Won

0.33

0.24

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

For example, even though the former QPR star comes out on top in some metrics, like shots and shots on target per 90, he does far worse in the vast majority of relevant statistics.

In fact, not only does the former Santos gem do better in most attacking areas, like progressive and key passes, but also in some of the defensive metrics as well, like interceptions and clearances, highlighting his willingness to do the dirty work and help out his team.

Finally, in addition to being vastly superior in a statistical sense, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, is two years younger and has significantly more experience at the highest level.

For example, he has won two Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, and a host of other trophies, so he knows exactly what it takes to play at the very top of the game, which is something the Eagles ace just doesn’t have in his locker.

​​​​

Ultimately, both players would be excellent signings for Arsenal, but due to his incredible experience, age and superior statistics, Arsenal should be looking to sign Rodrygo over Eze this summer.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 27, 2025

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.

“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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Posts ByDominic Lund Jun 11, 2025

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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Posts ByBen Goodwin Jun 4, 2025

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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He’s a rising 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.

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.

Manchester United have now submitted an offer to sign a £150,000-a-week Premier League player alongside their widely reported deal for Matheus Cunha, according to a recent report.

Man Utd closing in on Matheus Cunha signing

The Premier League season is not yet over, and the transfer window has yet to open, but already the Red Devils are closing in on their first signing of the summer. Given how the season has gone for United, it is no surprise to see that they are already working on plans for the summer, and the hope is that winning the Europa League, which will grant them entry into the Champions League, can help them secure some of the best players across Europe.

Wolves’ Matheus Cunha emerged as a target for United a few weeks ago, and the fact that he has a £62.5 million release clause means a deal is straightforward to complete. It was reported last week that United were in advanced talks to sign Cunha after it emerged that Arsenal hadn’t given up on signing the Brazilian.

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Man Utd are now close to announcing their first signing of the summer transfer window.

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It now looks as though the Red Devils have all but won the race for Cunha, as according to Fabrizio Romano, United are close to signing Cunha after the Brazilian agreed personal terms, with just the small details left to finalise.

Man Utd submit offer to sign Emi Martinez

INEOS are seemingly not messing around and have already made an offer for another Premier League player. According to Argentine TV channel DSports, relayed by TEAMtalk, Man United have submitted an offer to Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, as he looks set to leave Villa Park – the Argentina shot-stopper was emotional waving to the Villa crowd after their final home game on Friday evening.

The 32-year-old is under contract until 2029, but this report states that he has an offer from United to leave the Midlands and move to Manchester. It doesn’t state how much the offer is and whether it’s a contract offer or a bid to his club, but either way United have made contact.

However, United are not the only team to make an move for Martinez, as Spanish giants Barcelona have also made an offer, as well as there being interest from the Saudi Pro League. It is reported, though, that Martinez wants to continue playing in the Champions League, which at the minute puts United at a disadvantage unless they win the Europa League on Wednesday night.

Emi Martinez’s Premier League stats

Apps

195

Goals conceded

241

Clean sheets

62

Martinez, who is on a weekly wage of £150,000 at Villa Park, has played 36 of Villa’s 37 Premier League games this season, keeping eight clean sheets. His potential arrival at Old Trafford would see him replace Andre Onana, who has struggled for form this season and, like Martinez, has also been linked with a move away.