After a couple of exciting wins by the Padres and Mets on Tuesday, there’s been some major upheaval in the World Series odds.
The Padres, now up 2-1 in their best-of-five NLDS series against the Dodgers, are the new betting favorites to win the World Series with +270 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. They opened the season at +1800 and were +500 after tying the series 1-1 on Sunday.
The Mets, who took a 2-1 series lead over the Phillies in the NLDS yesterday, also shot up the World Series odds list and now stand at +550. They were +1000 on Monday and opened the season at +2500.
The Yankees, who were the betting favorites heading into the Division Series at +280, are now second with +320 odds. They’re tied 1-1 with the Royals in the ALDS.
The Dodgers have seen their odds fall the farthest, moving from +310 heading into the division series to +900 currently. They’re behind the Phillies (+750). They face a must-win game against the Padres tonight.
Despite taking home-field advantage from the Yankees, the Royals have the lowest odds at +1100. Game 3 of that series is tonight.
The Guardians (+950) and Tigers (+1000) round out the odds. They’re tied 1-1 in their series.
The Padres and Mets can eliminate the Dodgers and Phillies, respectively, today at home. The Padres are -146 on the moneyline at FanDuel to beat the Dodgers. The Mets and Phillies are a pick ‘em, with both teams holding -108 odds.
The Yankees are a slight favorite to win Game 3, with -116 odds versus -102 for the Royals. The Guardians and Tigers are a virtual pick ‘em, with -110 and -106 odds to win Game 3, respectively.
Here are the complete World Series odds heading into today’s slate.
MLB World Series Odds
San Diego Padres +270 New York Yankees +320 New York Mets +550 Philadelphia Phillies +750 Los Angeles Dodgers +900 Cleveland Guardians +950 Detroit Tigers +1000 Kansas City Royals +1100
Tottenham Hotspur supporters have been blessed to be able to watch some terrific midfield talents play for the club over the years, from Luka Modric, to Gareth Bale, to Rafa van der Vaart, to Moussa Dembele.
Modric, now 40, is still playing and shining for AC Milan in the Serie A, whilst the other three have since hung up their boots and moved on from football.
In the present day, Joao Palhinha has scored three goals in 11 matches in all competitions to start his career with the club on loan from Bayern Munich, but he is not a creative talent like Modric, van der Vaart, or Bale were.
Ranking Tottenham's best modern-day creators
The 2018 Ballon d’OR winner has to be up there as one of the best creators in Tottenham’s modern history. He laid on 24 assists in 160 matches for the club in all competitions before his move to Real Madrid, per Transfermarkt.
Christian Eriksen, however, has a strong claim to be above Modric in the ranking because he created 88 goals in 305 appearances for Spurs during his time in North London.
Dele Alli may rank between the two with his return of 59 assists in 269 matches for the club in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, which would place Modric third, Dele second, and Eriksen first.
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However, there is a new player at Spurs who may top all three of them and has the potential to be the Premier League’s new Dennis Bergkamp for Thomas Frank.
Tottenham may have unearthed their new Dennis Bergkamp
As much as Tottenham fans may not want to admit it, Bergkamp is a Premier League legend who used to light up English pitches with his creativity and invention for Arsenal.
The Dutch playmaker assisted 116 goals in 422 games for the Gunners, one every 3.63 matches on average, per Transfermarkt, which illustrates the creative ability that he brought to North London.
Xavi Simons may be the next version of Bergkamp in the Premier League after his move to Spurs from RB Leipzig during the summer transfer window.
The Netherlands international may only have one assist to his name for Tottenham to date, but his form in Germany and some of the promising signs that he has shown in the Premier League so far suggest that there is far more to come from him.
Simons created 21 goals in two seasons with Leipzig in all competitions after his move from PSV in the summer of 2023, which shows that he can provide assists on a regular basis.
Appearances
43
33
Big chances created
19
18
Games per big chance created
2.26
1.83
Key passes
67
102
Assists
8
13
As you can see in the table above, the Dutchman’s games per ‘big chance’ created rate was particularly impressive in both of those seasons in Germany, which suggests that he creates ‘big chances’ more frequently than Bergkamp registered assists for Arsenal.
His performance against Leeds United last weekend was a great example of inventiveness and creativity. On several occasions, Simons produced a moment of magic to open up the opposition’s defence when it looked secure, lifting the ball over defenders or playing through balls through the eye of a needle.
The assists will come for Simons, his history with Leipzig suggests as much. It just seems like a matter of time if he keeps doing what he was doing against Leeds; providing creativity, creating chances for teammates, being the spark in midfield.
His central midfield berth against the newly-promoted side could help him to be the creative hub of the team moving forward, and the Premier League’s next Bergkamp.
Like his compatriot, Simons is an incredibly creative and inventive player who can make things out of nothing, but it is now down to him to add the goals and assists to his game to match for the Arsenal man’s legacy and go down as one of Tottenham’s most creative players in their history.
The Oakland Athletics played what will likely be their next to last game at the Oakland Coliseum on Wednesday night. While the visiting Texas Rangers won the game, 5-1, fans were more there to say goodbye. The results haven't mattered in a while. After Thursday's game there will be no more games to produce results.
This final homestand is Oakland's last chance to see their team in person. It's also their last chance to say goodbye. Most importantly, a last chance to chant "sell the team," a sentiment that will certainly follow the team to Sacramento.
Some fans came looking for souvenirs. At least one rusted set of seats was torn up to be taken home by a fan. Who knows what else was forcibly removed by sad and angry fans.
A more wholesome moment was shown on the broadcast as someone from the grounds crew poured dirt from the field into fans' water bottles, cups and bags.
The entire scene was some weird amalgam of humor and sadness. No matter how mad fans have been, they want something to hold onto. Sometimes that means destruction of property, sometimes it's just a little pile of dirt to spread in the backyard so you know a piece of the team remains no matter where they play ball.
Former Manchester United attacker Mason Greenwood still believes that he can play for the England national team, even though he has been blacklisted by the FA and head coach Thomas Tuchel from selection. Greenwood's last – and only – appearance for the Three Lions came in 2020 in a Nations League clash against Iceland. After that, he was charged with serious criminal allegations, which marked the end of his journey with Three Lions.
Forward's revival in France with OM
After being banished from the United squad in 2023, despite criminal allegations against him being dropped, Greenwood briefly played in Spain for Getafe on loan before securing a permanent transfer to Marseille in 2024. It was in France that the winger finally got a chance to revive his professional career.
Greenwood enjoyed a fine debut campaign in Ligue 1 as he scored 21 league goals in 34 matches as Marseille finished second behind European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
This season, he has picked up where he left off, as the 24-year-old has already scored eight Ligue 1 goals in 11 appearances and provided three assists.
AdvertisementGettyGreenwood still dreams of playing for England again
According to the , after reviving his form in France, Greenwood now dreams of making a comeback for the Three Lions someday. This, even though he has been blacklisted by the FA and Tuchel. With only months left before the 2026 World Cup, Greenwood's comeback into the national team is even more improbable. Yet, the ex-United youth player 'believes he can play for England again'.
Greenwood has secured Jamaica's citizenship through his lineage and was eligible to represent their national team. He was even called up by the Jamaica boss and former England manager Steve McClaren in September for their World Cup qualifiers but he could not reach out to the Marseille star.
Will Greenwood play for Jamaica?
Despite Greenwood's Jamaica and McClaren remains hopeful that he would agree to make his debut for the nation soon. Explaining his absence from the squad in September, the head coach had said: "We acquired a passport and we expected him to be coming to this camp but on a conversation with his family, he's not going to commit at this time to anybody. So he's taking his time over that. It's a little bit disappointing, we probably have to be more patient. We will keep the contact. We will keep pursuing him because I know from my conversations with Mason that he loves Jamaica, he respects Jamaica. He wants to concentrate on club football and not commit to an international team at the moment. We have to respect that, however much we've worked to get him here for these camps. So, who knows in the future?"
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AFPCould Greenwood return to the Premier League?
Greenwood has not just been blacklisted from the national team but it is also extremely unlikely that he could return to the Premier League any time soon due to the extreme public scrutiny an English top-flight club would face.
According to , Tottenham and West Ham have shown interest in signing Greenwood in 2026, exploring a possible return to the Premier League for the one-cap England international. While Spurs seek a dynamic, energetic player, West Ham see him as a potential game-changer and are desperate for new additions while languishing in the relegation places after a shocking start to the season, which has seen them change managers.
The report, though, further claimed that Atletico Madrid were impressed with Greenwood during the loan spell at Getafe and are keen to bring him back to La Liga. Meanwhile, Saudi Pro League clubs like Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr are said to be preparing lucrative offers, though Greenwood's current preference is to stay in Europe and compete in the Champions League.
Arsenal secured a seventh consecutive victory and extended their lead at the top of the Premier League this weekend, but not everyone was happy with what they saw at the Emirates.
The Gunners appear in unstoppable form and they capitalised on a weekend where Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all lost by securing a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace to cement their status as the current favourites to win the title.
Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice were sensational in the win, as was Jurrien Timber, who is fast becoming the standout right-back in world football.
The Netherlands international however called for calm ahead of Wednesday’s EFL Cup clash against Brighton: “It is good to stay neutral, and not to get too high.
“Obviously, we’ve been doing well, but it’s still early in the season, and we just have to keep getting better game by game.
“The next game is already in three days, which is a (Carabao) Cup match (against Brighton), and the next Premier League game (against Burnley) is going to be tough as well.
“So, let’s keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard, and then from there, we’ll see what happens.”
Stelling reveals he turned TV off during Arsenal win over Palace
Arsenal’s bid to land their first league title in 22 years has been built on a remarkable defence which has shipped just three goals, and only one from open play, in their 13 fixtures across all competitions.
They have of course dominated in the opposition box as well, scoring just five of their 16 league goals from open play, and former Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling was disgusted by the lack of expansive football during the win over Palace.
“They can’t keep relying on set plays, they just can’t,” he said on talkSPORT on Monday morning.
He continued: “I love some of the Arsenal players, I love Saka, I love Odegaard, I love Eze. But please, please be just a bit more expansive. I mean watching Arsenal against Palace, was watching paint dry. It was purgatory. I started watching that match, and I had enough of it before they had a shot. I’d turned over by then, to watch Villa versus City, which was a much better game.”
Arsenal’s clean sheet against Palace was their fifth in succession, And Timber is proud of their tough to play against style: “Everyone plays a part in it, but it’s a good thing and a good foundation to build on.
“From that standard, you just have to keep getting better and be consistent in what we do, and then throughout the whole season, hopefully we’ll turn it into something beautiful.
“It gives you confidence and it shows that we’re doing really well, and also, if it’s for multiple games in a row, it says something about consistency.
“We just have to keep improving, and look at what we can do better, but also take that feeling with you, that confidence and go into the next game with the same mindset.”
Mikel Arteta awaits news on injuries sustained to William Saliba, Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori, which is perhaps the only damp spot on an otherwise flawless October for the Gunners.
Zinedine Zidane has sparked renewed excitement about his managerial comeback after stating that his return will happen “very soon.” The former Real Madrid coach has been out since 2021, but with Didier Deschamps set to leave the France job after the 2026 World Cup, speculation has intensified. Zidane’s comments at recent events suggest the wait may finally be nearing its end.
Zidane’s hint fuels coaching comeback talk
The French legend has reignited the conversation surrounding his next managerial role after confirming that his return to the dugout is close. Speaking at a charity event in Toulon, the 1998 World Cup winner was asked once again about his intentions. His response was short but powerful: “It will happen soon. Very soon.”
Zidane has not coached since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in 2021, and his time away has only intensified curiosity, especially given how many major clubs have changed managers over the past three years. Despite numerous reported offers, Zidane has remained patient, deliberate and selective. His silence in recent years led some to wonder if he might be stepping away permanently. However, his latest statement suggests that moment is finally arriving.
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Zidane speaks at Toulon event and Trento festival
Zidane’s remarks came during a charity gala where he was unable to play due to a minor thigh injury. “We get older and, unfortunately, we get injured from time to time. Now I’m going to coach for a while,” Zidane joked, hinting again at his return to the sidelines.
This was not the first time in recent weeks that Zidane addressed the situation around his future. Speaking previously at the Trento Sports Festival last month, he acknowledged his desire to manage the French national team one day. “I’d like to be the head coach of the France team one day,” he said. “I will surely return to coaching.”
His statements appear consistent with long-standing reports that Zidane has been waiting specifically for the France job to open. Deschamps, who has been in charge since 2014, remains committed until after the 2026 World Cup, but has already confirmed his exit at that point. That timeline aligns perfectly with Zidane’s patient approach.
Zidane also addressed past speculation about Juventus, saying: “Me at Juventus? I don't know why it didn't happen. I always keep that team in my heart because it gave me a lot.”
The long wait for Zidane's return
Zidane occupies a rare place in football, a legend as both a player and a manager. Across his two spells in charge of Real Madrid, he won three Champions League titles in a row, a feat unmatched in the modern era, along with two La Liga crowns. Zidane first stepped into the Bernabeu hot seat in 2016, having previously been in charge of the club's Castilla team. After two years at the helm, and just days after winning the Champions League, he abruptly stepped away but returned less than a year later as the capital club struggled under Julen Lopetegui and then Santiago Solari.
He departed in May 2021 and has since avoided all offers to make his return, with the national team seemingly being the natural next step for him.
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AFP
Real Madrid off the table, France looks most likely
Although Zidane remains adored at Real Madrid, the club are in no position to make a change right now. Xabi Alonso, fresh from success at Bayer Leverkusen, has Los Blancos in strong form and looks set for a long-term project.
Paris Saint-Germain is also an improbable destination due to Zidane’s history with Marseille. Meanwhile, Juve are rebuilding but are far from the heights Zidane once knew and have recently hired Luciano Spalletti. That leaves the French national team, a job of cultural importance, emotional weight and long-term legacy.
Zidane has unfinished business with Les Bleus. His career for France ended in controversy after the 2006 World Cup final red card, leading France to a major title as manager would provide a narrative arc that is symbolic and redemptive. For now, Zidane has not signed anything, but his message is clear that the comeback is close. All eyes now turn to the timeline around the France bench. While, Deschamps will lead Les Bleus through the 2026 World Cup and then step aside.
اعترف لوكاس باكيتا لاعب خط الوسط البرازيلي الدولي بأنه عانى من ضغوط نفسية بعد فشل صفقة انضمامه إلى مانشستر سيتي.
وكان مانشستر سيتي قد ضغط بقوة في عام 2023 للتعاقد مع لوكاس باكيتا، حيث كان بيب جوارديولا مدرب الفريق يرى أن اللاعب الخيار الأمثل في صفوف الفريق بعد فوز السيتيزن بالثلاثية.
وعلى الرغم من قرب إتمام الصفقة، إلا أن المحادثات قد انهارت بعد أن فتح الاتحاد الإنجليزي لكرة القدم تحقيقاً في مزاعم انتهاكات متعلقة بالمراهنات لدى باكيتا في مباريات متعددة بالدوري الانجليزي.
أقرأ أيضاً.. ريندرز عن قرار جوارديولا بجلوسه بديلاً أمام ليفربول: كنت مدللاً
وقال باكيتا في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية: “يعلم الجميع أنني كنت على وشك الانتقال لمانشستر سيتي، كنت سأوقع في الأسبوع الذي تلقيت فيه الرسالة من الاتحاد الإنجليزي”.
وأضاف :”مهنياً، خسرت هذه الفرصة، فرصة الانتقال التي كانت ستشكل قفزة نوعية في مسيرتي”.
وواصل :”من الناحية النفسية، أعتقد أن هذا هو أكثر ما أثر بي، الخوف من هذا التردد وعدم اليقين بشأن مستقبلي، رغم معرفتي بهويتي وما أفعله وما فعلته، ولكن نظراً لظروف التحقيقات وطريقة تعامل الاتحاد مع كل شئ، فقد تولد الخوف في نفوسنا”.
He is understood to have hurt his hand during a first-division club game in Chennai last Sunday
Deivarayan Muthu15-Aug-2025
R Sai Kishore hopes to be back in time for the start of the Duleep Trophy•PTI
Tamil Nadu captain R Sai Kishore will miss the pre-season Buchi Babu tournament with injury but is hopeful of recovering in time for the Duleep Trophy, which is set to begin in Bengaluru on August 28.It’s understood that Sai Kishore had hurt his hand while intercepting a drive from M Shahrukh Khan in his follow-through during a first-division club game at the Guru Nanak college ground in Chennai last Sunday.Related
Prithvi Shaw set for Maharashtra debut in Buchi Babu Tournament
Tilak Varma to lead South Zone in Duleep Trophy
Sai Kishore, 28, is part of the South Zone squad that will start its campaign on September 4 at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.In the absence of Sai Kishore, Pradosh Ranjan Paul will take over as captain of the TNCA President’s XI in the Buchi Babu tournament, with C Andre Siddarth as his deputy. Paul had initially been named captain of the TNCA XI, but Shahrukh will now take charge of that side after the reshuffle.Sai Kishore’s injury has depleted Tamil Nadu’s spin stocks in the build-up to their domestic season. Fellow left-arm spinner S Ajith Ram, who was the third-highest wicket-taker in the 2023-24 Ranji season, is also injured while M Siddarth has been moved from the TNCA President’s XI to the TNCA XI due to personal commitments.Sai Kishore had tuned up for the red-ball domestic season by playing county cricket for Surrey and one match for his club team upon returning to Chennai. Last month, he took 11 wickets across two matches for Surrey, including a five-wicket haul against Durham, which helped his side take a key step towards their retention of the Rothesay County Championship.Seam-bowling allrounder RS Ambrish and fast bowler D Deepesh, who had played for India Under-19s in England, have also been named in the two Tamil Nadu Buchi Babu squads.The TNCA XI will face a Mumbai side featuring Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan and his brother Musheer from August 18 at the Gojan ground in the outskirts of Chennai.SquadsTNCA President’s XI: Pradosh Ranjan Paul (capt), C Andre Siddarth (vice-capt), B Indrajith, Vijay Shankar, R Vimal Khumar, S Radhakrishnan, S Lokeshwar, G Ajitesh, J Hemchudeshan, RS Ambrish, CV Achyuth, H Trilok Nag, P Saravana Kumar, P Vidyuth and K Abhinav.TNCA XI: M Shahrukh Khan (capt), Boopathi Vaishna Kumar (vice-capt), B Sachin, M Siddharth, Tushar Raheja, Kiran Karthikeyan, S Mohamed Ali, S Rithik Easwaran, SR Athish, S Lakshay Jain, DT Chandrasekar, P Vignesh, R Sonu Yadav, D Deepesh, J Prem Kumar, A Esakkimuthu and TD Lokesh Raj
Are Manchester City starting to build some serious momentum?
On Wednesday night, the Sky Blues demolished Borussia Dortmund 4-1 in the Champions League, with Phil Foden bagging a brace, Erling Braut Håland scoring his customary goals and then Rayan Cherki getting in on the act late on.
Back in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s team have won five of their last seven, including four in a row at the Etihad, rediscovering their best form ahead of Liverpool’s trip to the Etihad on Sunday.
If the serial champions are going to defeat the reigning champions in this weekend’s headliner, which “exceptional” star should Guardiola start in his forward line alongside Foden?
Is Phil Foden getting back to his best?
On Friday morning, Thomas Tuchel’s England squad was announced for next week’s World Cup qualifiers against Serbia at Wembley and Albania in Tirana, with Phil Foden one of the noteworthy names included.
The 25-year-old has not featured in any of England’s last six matches, seeing just 179 minutes of international action, out of a possible 1,260, that is only 14%, since the Three Lions’ defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
His return to the England squad is an indicator of Foden’s return to form at club level, with his double against Dortmund taking his tally to four goals for the season, having bagged only ten throughout the entirety of the previous campaign, not including the Club World Cup.
Following Wednesday night’s Champions League victory, Guardiola asserted that Foden is back, labelling him a “special player”, while Barney Ronay of the Guardian noted that he was the ‘best player on the pitch’, adding that he was ‘perky and precise all night’.
Thus, Foden’s recent performances mean he is a guaranteed starter against Liverpool, but who should come into the team alongside him, thereby forming part of the Citizens’ attacking quartet in support of Håland?
The exceptional star Pep Guardiola must start against Liverpool
In mid-week, it was Tijjani Reijnders, Savinho and Jérémy Doku who all started alongside Foden, but Guardiola surely must tinker with his lineup this weekend.
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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
That’s because, having recovered from a thigh injury, Rayan Cherki is starting to show glimpses of what he is capable of.
The Frenchman came off the bench to score his fourth goal for the Citizens on Wednesday, having previously netted against Al Ain, Wolves and Swansea.
When he arrived from Olympique Lyonnais for £34m in June, big things were expected of the 22-year-old, with Guardiola describing him as “exceptional”, and his statistics in Ligue 1 last season underlining why.
Cherki Ligue 1 stats 2024/25
Stats
Cherki
Ligue 1 rank
Goals
8
25th
Assists
11
1st
Goals – xG
+3
7th
Key passes
75
2nd
Big chances created
22
1st
Passes into area
77
1st
Shot-creating actions
146
1st
Goal-creating actions
24
2nd
Progressive carries
106
10th
Carries into area
91
2nd
Successful dribbles
48
13
Touches in attacking 3rd
826
3rd
Average rating
7.6
2nd*
*minimum 25 appearances.
Stats via FBref & SofaScore
As the table documents, Cherki was one of the outstanding players in France’s top-flight last season, leading Ligue 1 for assists as well as a whole host of other creative metrics, behind only Désiré Doué in terms of goal-creating actions.
This season, despite sitting out eight matches due to injury, Cherki has already started to produce in a Man City shirt, registering three goals and three assists as well as creating four big chances in the Premier League; only seven players have more across the entire division, despite the fact he’s featured in only 163 of a possible 900 minutes to date.
Two of his three assists came against Bournemouth last Sunday, both times setting Håland free to burst in behind to slot the ball beyond Đorđe Petrović.
Thus, this forthcoming Sunday, a similar game plan is surely required.
During their sequence of six defeats from seven games, Liverpool were very susceptible to players running in behind, with Virgil van Dijk not at his dominant best and Ibrahima Konaté largely looking all at sea throughout the entire campaign.
With that in mind, Guardiola will want to pick a team that can exploit this weakness, featuring Håland running in behind and Doku giving right-back Conor Bradley nightmares with his dribbling, pace and trickery.
In order to best supply these other attackers, he must find room for Cherki, who demonstrated against Bournemouth last weekend that he possesses the right skillset to unlock Man City’s other attackers.
In the possible absence of Rodri, Reijnders will be in the team to offer support to Nico González while, as already documented, Foden’s flurry of goals makes him undroppable.
This leaves Savinho, who is still yet to score in the Premier League or Champions League this season, meaning the Brazilian is the most likely candidate to make way for Cherki, who simply has to be included in the starting lineup if Man City are going to become the latest team to defeat Arne Slot’s Reds this season?
Man City "monster" is closest thing Pep's had to Messi & it's not Cherki
Pep Guardiola has found his new Lionel Messi at Manchester City in pure “monster” and it is not Rayan Cherki.
With Mohamed Salah on course to leave the club in 2027, Liverpool are reportedly preparing a big-money offer to sign an impressive winger who’s an even better dribbler than Lamine Yamal.
Players who could replace Salah at Liverpool
Replacing Salah is an impossible task at Anfield, but Liverpool will have no choice but to get as close as they can to doing exactly that when 2027 arrives and the Egyptian’s contract comes to an end.
He will go down as one of their greatest players of all time, sitting alongside Sir Kenny Dalglish, alongside Steven Gerrard and others. That’s the level that the Reds will have to replace.
Appearances
411
Goals
248
Assists
116
Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are always up for a transfer challenge, however, and have already reportedly set their sights on Michael Olise to replace one of the best Premier League wingers of all time.
The Bayern Munich star wouldn’t be a bad option in the slightest. He has reached a new level on the big stage and could be destined to return to English football with a bang.
Although a different type of player to goalscorer Salah, Liverpool could look towards a creative type rather than a player of the Egyptian’s ilk now that they’ve got an out-and-out No.9 in Alexander Isak.
Rather than replacing Salah’s goals with one player, it seems as though those at Anfield have commenced their plan to duplicate their star man in the aggregate.
Liverpool now racing PSG to sign "excellent" £80m star likened to Desire Doue
He’d be an excellent addition.
ByTom Cunningham Oct 16, 2025
That means that Olise isn’t the only one in Liverpool’s sights. Instead of signing the Frenchman, reports are now suggesting that the Reds are ready to make an offer for an impressive La Liga star.
Liverpool readying Williams offer
According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are now readying a €75m (£65m) offer to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Club. The Spain international has found himself on their radar even after signing a new contract instead of joining Barcelona in the summer.
Whilst that £65m fee may seem like a hefty price, it is still below Williams’ reported €90m (£78m) release clause. If Liverpool are serious about securing his signature, then they may have no choice but to spend big once again rather than eyeing a cut-price deal.
Minutes
291
303
Goals
1
1
Assists
1
3
Take-on success
48.5%
47.7%
Beating defenders at a better rate than Yamal, one of the world’s best wingers, Williams is not someone to be overlooked. Having been praised as “electric” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the 23-year-old is a star in waiting and needs that big move to arrive.
He stayed loyal to Athletic Club in the summer, but Liverpool must test that loyalty when 2026 arrives and Salah enters the final year of his current contract at Anfield.