يستعد الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، لخوض مواجهة مهمة أمام نظيره ديكاداها الصومالي، اليوم السبت، ضمن منافسات ذهاب دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.
ومن المقرر أن تقام مباراة الزمالك وديكيداها على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، وسط حضور جماهيري متوقع لمساندة الفارس الأبيض في بداية مشواره الإفريقي هذا الموسم.
ويدخل الزمالك المباراة تحت قيادة مدربه البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا الذي يسعى إلى استعادة نغمة الانتصارات بعد سلسلة من النتائج المتذبذبة في الدوري المصري الممتاز، كان آخرها التعادل أمام غزل المحلة بنتيجة 1-1 في الجولة العاشرة من المسابقة المحلية.
ويأمل فيريرا في تحقيق انطلاقة قوية في البطولة القارية واستعادة الثقة داخل صفوف الفريق، خصوصًا بعد غياب عدد من اللاعبين الأساسيين عن اللقاء لأسباب مختلفة، ما يفرض على الجهاز الفني إيجاد حلول تكتيكية بديلة.
طالع أيضًا.. خاص | سبب استبعاد عبد الله السعيد وبنتايج من قائمة الزمالك لمباراة ديكاداها
ويحمل الزمالك في تاريخه لقبين في بطولة الكونفدرالية الإفريقية، حيث تُوج بالبطولة لأول مرة عام 2019، قبل أن يعيد اللقب إلى خزائنه مجددًا عام 2023، مما يمنحه دفعة معنوية كبيرة في سعيه للمنافسة على اللقب الثالث.
وتنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة السابعة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية على أرضية استاد القاهرة الدولي، في أجواء حماسية منتظرة من جماهير القلعة البيضاء. القناة الناقلة لمباراة الزمالك وديكاداها اليوم في الكونفدرالية
من المقرر أن تُذاع مباراة الزمالك وديكيداها بشكل حصري عبر شاشة قناة “on sport 1”.
ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث ونتائج مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــا
He says he has been able to execute shots he didn’t think he had thanks to the team’s backing
Shashank Kishore09-Apr-20251:30
Bangar: ‘JItesh has shown great improvement from previous years’
Jitesh Sharma credits his T20 resurgence to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mentor Dinesh Karthik, who believes the wicketkeeper-batter can evolve into a true “360-degree” player.”It’s been a great journey till now because in the off-season, I really worked hard with him [Karthik],” Jitesh said ahead of RCB’s IPL 2025 game at home against Delhi Capitals (DC). “I think whichever shot which I am playing right now is the replica of what he used to play. He is trying to create a new player in me, because he believes that I can play 360 degrees. I am really enjoying myself in this new role.”Among the things Jitesh has been most excited about was being able to execute shots he didn’t think he had. And this, he said, had only been possible because of the team’s backing. On Monday, he hit a high-value unbeaten 19-ball 40 to kick RCB’s innings into top gear in the death overs against Mumbai Indians (MI). It made a massive difference to the end result, with RCB winning by 12 runs.Related
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“While I am playing those shots, I am very happy [with the execution] because I have never tried those shots,” he said “And I am going to execute thanks to all the backing they give me. It’s been a wonderful journey which I am still excited about.”The off-season Jitesh referred to were the two high-performance camps Karthik and RCB’s coaching staff, led by Andy Flower, conducted for their Indian players in January and February. Among the things Jitesh worked on was his tough game, an added dimension to what is typically a robust power game.”My confidence doesn’t rely on the score. It always depends on my process and how I train in my practice,” he said. “Because if I have confidence in the end result, then the variables can go up and down. So I mostly keep my confidence high in the practice only.”Jitesh’s run of form with RCB has been a shot in the arm for his young career. Last season, Jitesh scored just 187 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 131. The lacklustre season also set his India aspirations back a fair bit.”I think last year’s performance was my mental thing,” he said about his slump. “I was not mentally in the game at that moment. I was thinking about future things. But right now, when I met Dinesh , he told me that it’s a human error. It’s not rocket science. It does happen to everyone so it’s fine.Jitesh Sharma has been executing shots he didn’t think he had•BCCI”When he saw my batting, the way I bat, how I try to dominate, how I look to take the game forward… I am someone who always looks for the win. I don’t have the craze to take out runs. I have the craze to win matches. He saw and found out there are some shots that are still lacking, and we’ve started working on that. We are still in the process.”Jitesh has been a massive point of difference as a finisher for RCB, lending muscle to their lower-middle order. Jitesh is among seven batters – colleagues Rajat Patidar and Tim David are also in the list – to average over 40 while striking at more than 150 this season. Asked about this surge, Jitesh underlined how all of it was down to a process they had worked on behind the scenes.”I think we are playing very smart cricket,” he said. “It’s not like we are just going and bashing every bowler [recklessly]. We know everyone’s strengths in the batting line-up and the team management has given a proper role. Like Jitesh Sharma will go after certain bowlers, Phil Salt will go after some. That’s the kind of strategy we have. So we are going very smartly. We are not trying to dominate blindly.”
It is fair to say that the mood among the Glasgow Rangers fanbase is less than optimistic after the opening few weeks of the 2025/26 campaign under Russell Martin.
Two draws in two Scottish Premiership matches, a 2-1 defeat to Viktoria Plzen away from home, two goals conceded at home to Alloa, and, most recently, a 3-1 drubbing against Club Brugge at Ibrox.
There are, quite simply, a lot of reasons not to be positive for the future under Martin at Rangers, although it is still very early days and there is plenty of time left for this season to still be a success.
The summer transfer window is still open for business, for example, and that provides the Light Blues with an opportunity to dip into the market to improve their squad in the next couple of weeks.
One player that the Gers should be looking to upgrade on in that time is Brazilian centre-forward Danilo, despite his goal in the 3-1 loss to Club Brugge on Tuesday night.
Rangers may need a reliable number nine if they want to win trophies and enjoy a successful season this term, and the former Feyenoord man has yet to prove that he can be that player.
Why Rangers need to replace Danilo
Danilo’s goal from close range against Club Brugge helped to mask what was a largely unimpressive performance from the 26-year-old attacker aside from that.
The former Ajax man only won one duel and completed seven passes in 61 minutes on the pitch as the main number nine for Rangers, per Sofascore, which shows that he was not offering enough of a presence up front to hold onto the ball or bring his teammates into the game.
Danilo has produced one goal and one assist in six appearances in all competitions so far this term, per Sofascore, which shows that he has not been consistently delivering in front of goal to make up for the deficiencies in his all-round game.
The Brazilian forward has also only scored nine goals in 35 appearances in the Scottish Premiership for the Light Blues since his move from Feyenoord in the summer of 2023.
Type of injury
Broken cheekbone
Knee injury
Knee injury
Date of injury
September 2023
December 2023
September 2024
Return date
October 2023
May 2024
November 2024
Days out
43
171
65
Matches missed
9
32
12
As you can see in the table above, his availability has been severely restricted by injury issues throughout his time at Ibrox, missing 53 games in his first two seasons at the club.
Therefore, the Light Blues could do with bringing in a striker who is more likely to be reliable, from a fitness and quality perspective, than Danilo has been in the past two years or so.
Supporters should be pleased to read that the Gers are now interested in a striker who could come in as an upgrade on the number 99, who Kris Boyd stated is not “working” for Martin.
Rangers in the race to sign LaLiga forward
According to El Chiringuito TV, Glasgow Rangers are one of a number of teams in the race to sign Villarreal centre-forward Karl Etta Eyong before the end of the summer transfer window.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The report claims that the LaLiga outfit have already turned down an offer from Swansea to take the 21-year-old striker on a season-long loan.
It adds that Leeds United, Rangers, and Levante are also interested in signing the Cameroonian marksman to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.
The Villarreal youngster is valued at around £4m by Transfermarkt, but it is unclear as to how much the Spanish side would demand to sell him to Rangers this summer.
Why Rangers should push to sign Etta Eyong
The Light Blues should be pushing to win the race to land an Ibrox deal for Etta Eyong this summer, whether that is on loan or on a permanent deal, because he could be a big upgrade on Danilo.
His durability plays a huge role in that assessment because the young forward has not had any notable injuries in his senior career, per Transfermarkt, and may be more reliable for the Gers from an availability perspective.
The 21-year-old starlet’s performances on the pitch for Villarreal’s B team and first-team in the past 12 months or so also suggest that he could be an upgrade on Danilo because of the quality that he can offer in front of goal.
Etta Eyong has scored two goals in five matches in LaLiga for Villarreal and found the back of the net against Premier League opposition in Arsenal and Leeds in pre-season, per Sofascore, after earning the senior call-up because of his outstanding form for the B team.
Appearances
30
Goals
18
Conversion rate
25%
Minutes per goal
140
Penalties scored
5/5
Assists
3
Duels won per game
7.7
As you can see in the table above, the £4m-rated centre-forward was a prolific scorer in the third tier of Spanish football last season, with 21 goal contributions in 30 games, which earned him a place in the senior set-up.
A return of two goals in five games in LaLiga since his call-up to the first-team also shows that he is not out of place in one of Europe’s major leagues, which is why he could be an excellent signing for Rangers in the Premiership.
Etta Eyong, who has been described as a “powerful” striker by analyst Kai Watson, carries more of a physical presence than Danilo, having won 7.7 duels per game for Villarreal’s B team last term.
This suggests that he can put himself about to cause problems for opposition defenders in physical battles, which is something that Rangers are not getting from the Brazilian at the moment.
Diomande clone: Rangers racing to sign £3m star in late Ibrox move
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ByDan Emery Aug 18, 2025
Therefore, Etta Eyong could come in as a big upgrade on Danilo because of his durability, his goalscoring prowess, and his physical profile in the number nine position, which is why signing him could be a shrewd move by the club.
يستعد فريق ليفربول، بقيادة المدرب آرني سلوت، لخوض عدة مباريات في مختلف المسابقات خلال شهر أكتوبر المرتقب من عام 2025، حيث يسعى النادي إلى تحقيق نتائج إيجابية.
ويتصدر ليفربول جدول الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز برصيد 15 نقطة، بعدما فاز في 5 مباريات وخسر في واحدة، في حين تأهل إلى دور الـ16 من كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية، كاراباو.
اقرأ أيضًا.. ديلي ميل: وسط حالة قلق.. سلوت ينتظر شيئًا ما من محمد صلاح قبل كأس أمم إفريقيا
كما بدأ ليفربول مشواره في مرحلة الدوري من دوري أبطال أوروبا، موسم 2025/26، بفوز صعب على أتلتيكو مدريد بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدفين على ملعب “الأنفيلد”. مواعيد مباريات ليفربول في شهر أكتوبر 2025
تشيلسي وليفربول، الجولة السابعة من الدوري الإنجليزي، يوم السبت 4 أكتوبر 2025، 7:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية.
ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد، الجولة الثامنة من الدوري الإنجليزي، يوم الأحد 19 أكتوبر 2025، 6:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية.
آينتراخت وليفربول، الجولة الثالثة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، يوم الأربعاء 22 أكتوبر 2025، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية.
برينتفورد وليفربول، الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الإنجليزي، يوم السبت 25 أكتوبر 2025، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية.
ليفربول وكريستال بالاس، دور الـ16 من كأس كاراباو، يوم الأربعاء 29 أكتوبر 2025، 10:45 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية.
Steven Smith has said Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne “hated” him opening the batting in the Test team, and believes it was a key driver behind his return to No. 4, but has insisted he did not request the move and would have continued to open if asked to.Australia’s chair selectors George Bailey confirmed last week that Smith would not be opening against India saying Smith “had expressed a desire to move back down from that opening position” and that captain Pat Cummins and Andrew McDonald had made the decision.McDonald stated on ABC Radio at the weekend that he and Cummins were the key decision-makers in the move, playing down Smith’s influence.Related
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Smith wanted it on the record that he had not explicitly requested to move back to No. 4 but had rather been asked by McDonald what his preferred batting spot was. He also added that Khawaja and Labuschagne had both expressed their discontent at him opening.”I got asked where I’d prefer to bat, and I said four. I didn’t ask [to move] though,” Smith said. “I also said I’m happy batting wherever. I’m not really too fussed. I got asked where my preference would be, and I said four. I saw a few things last week saying that I’ve requested to bat at four. That wasn’t the case. I said I’m happy to bat wherever you’d like me to bat but, yeah, four would be my ideal position.”Asked what had changed since earlier this year, he said: “Obviously there’s a spot there now with Greeny [Cameron Green] out. And I think just conversations we had after New Zealand with particularly Marnus and Uzzie, they hated me up top, to be honest. They wanted me behind them.”They just like the…they call it security behind them, in a way. They were pretty strong on me not batting there. So that was a big part of it. And then obviously, I’ve got a decent record at four.”It was good fun having a crack at something new, batting up top. I still feel like I could do a job there for sure. It was a pretty small sample size. But I’ve done pretty well at four for a number of years now. I feel like it’s probably where I can have my best input for this team at the moment.”Smith was set to move regardless of Green’s injury as the conversations had taken place prior to the limited-overs tour of England.He was asked whether he felt like he could have continued in the role longer term given his average of 28.50 in the four Tests in the job was not that bad as no opener averaged more than 32 across those four Tests.In his own style: Steven Smith leaves the ball alone•Getty Images
“Honestly, I’m not that fussed,” Smith said. “I said it when I took that job, I’m not really fussed where I bat. The conversations I had with the other guys, they didn’t like it at all. They wanted some security, I suppose, behind them, where I’ve done really well for a number of years, and I can understand that as well. So it is what it is and I’m not going to be opening this summer. That’s it.”Smith made 3 off 29 balls for New South Wales against Victoria in his first red-ball innings since the New Zealand Test series in March and his first Sheffield Shield match since 2021.On a day when 15 wickets fell at the MCG in difficult batting conditions, Smith was upbeat about the innings despite being caught down the leg side off Fergus O’Neill.”I actually felt pretty good out there, to be honest, for the three that I scored strangely enough,” Smith said. “I felt like I was moving well. I was leaving well, and got a little bit unlucky with the one that sort of took off a little bit down the leg side. And that can happen. But I actually felt like I was getting in nice positions. My bat path was good and felt pretty good. So happy with that.”Meanwhile, Smith has been impressed with his limited time watching 19-year-old Sam Konstas who was lbw after 10 balls on the second day at the MCG”He got a bit unlucky there I reckon,” Smith said. “It looked like it might have been just darting down leg a little bit. I haven’t seen a lot of him. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of him out here in the middle for sure. But from what I have seen in the nets, he’s got a lot of time.Steven Smith threw in Nic Maddinson’s name as a potential opening option•Getty Images
“He’s very organised. He plays fast bowling and spin well from what I’ve seen in the brief couple of times I’ve seen him bat, it’s looked really good. He’s a bright prospect. We’ve got to remember he’s only 19 as well so you he’s got plenty of time. But what I’ve seen so far, it looks promising”He’s got all the makings to definitely be a really good Test player. That’s for sure. Whether it’s now or in the future, time will tell.”Smith also threw Nic Maddinson’s name in the mix as a possible candidate to open the batting for Australia against India given he is a similar type of player to David Warner.”There’s a few really good candidates, guys that have, done really well the last few years,” Smith said. “[Cameron] Bancroft and the usual suspects that have been talked about. Maddo I think is also another really good candidate. He’s had a good couple of years. If you’re looking for someone similar to a Davey replacement, he gets after the ball and can score really quickly.”So he’s someone who probably hasn’t been spoken about a great deal from all you guys in the last little bit, but I think he’s someone that could definitely play test cricket and have a similar impact to what Davey sort of had at the top, the way he plays. So plenty of options. We’ll wait and see.”
Afghanistan completed their most high-profile bilateral series win and their first against a team ranked in the ICC’s top five with a 177-run victory over South Africa in Sharjah. After dominating South Africa with the ball two days ago, Afghanistan repeated the dose with the bat on Friday and posted their tenth total of 300 or more to ask South Africa to complete their sixth-highest successful chase. A collapse of 10 for 61 meant South Africa did not even get close and recorded their fifth-biggest defeat by runs. Afghanistan lead the series 2-0 with one match remaining.Birthday-boy Rashid Khan turned 26 and took his fifth career five-for to top off a day of excellence for Afghanistan in all departments. Their celebrations began with Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s seventh ODI century, followed by Rahmat Shah’s 29th ODI half-century and then Azmatullah Omarzai’s fastest fifty in the format. Omarzai reached his half-century off 32 balls, ended unbeaten on 86 off 50 balls and led Afghanistan’s charge of 93 runs in the last ten overs to post a challenging total. While Rashid headlined their bowling, he shared his success with left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote, who finished with a career-best 4 for 26.Afghanistan asserted themselves from the get-go when they chose to bat which left South Africa to field in the worst of the heat. Officially the temperature was 38 degrees Celsius but the real-feel was in the late 40s and they did not have any real menace. Gurbaz and Riaz Hassan put on 88 for the first wicket before Gurbaz and Shah shared a 101-run second-wicket stand which formed the spine of the Afghan innings.South Africa’s spinners, Bjorn Fortuin and Aiden Markram were the most effective in keeping Afghanistan quiet and conceded 59 runs in 14 overs between them, but debutant legspinner Nqaba Peter was expensive and Nandre Burger also conceded 68 runs. Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the seamers, particularly at the end of the innings but South Africa lacked wicket-taking ability, which allowed Afghanistan to get away from them with their fourth and fifth wicket stands of 55 off 40 balls and 40 off 23, respectively.Gurbaz got things underway with the first boundary: a massive six over long-off, off an Ngidi length ball. He followed it up with a cover drive for four, and then two pull shots off Burger short balls to race to go from 4 off the first 15 balls he faced to a run-a-ball 24.Fortuin was brought on in the powerplay and kept his end quiet but Burger’s insistence on using the short ball did not serve South Africa well early on. His first spell of five overs cost 32 runs. He was replaced by Peter, whose first over was tight. He gave away a boundary in each of his next two before Markam took over. Markram got the first wicket when he beat Hassan’s inside-edge and hit him on the pad above the knee roll.Rashid Khan appeals for a wicket•Afghanistan Cricket Board
Gurbaz quietened down for a couple of overs but when Wiaan Mulder was brought on in the 21st over, he could not resist a charge down. He hit Mulder over long-on for his second six. What followed was an electric display of shots from both Gurbaz and Rahmat in a stand that seemed to drain South Africa. Rahmat reverse paddled Markam to third and flicked Mulder fine for four, Gurbaz lofted Peter over mid-off, mid-wicket and swept Fortuin to deep backward square to edge towards 90.Then, the nerves kicked in. He spent 18 deliveries in the 90s and seven of those on 99, including a maiden over from Fortuin, as he inched towards his milestone. He got there when he swept Markram behind square leg and his response was as emotive as they come. Gurbaz dropped his bat and then himself to his knees in sajdah, and then composed himself to create a heart-shape with his hands and blow a kiss to the changeroom and a spirited Sharjah crowd. However, in the next over, he swung at a Burger ball, missed and was bowled to end an exceptional knock. This is also the third successive year in which Gurbaz has scored two hundreds. With this knock, Gurbaz has most ODI hundreds for Afghanistan, surpassing Mohammad Shahzad (6).Afghanistan’s 200 was up after 36 overs, and they would have been eyeing a total in excess of 300. Peter made it difficult for them before the last ten overs and picked up his first ODI wicket when he dragged his length back as Rahmat advanced on him, and had Rahmat stumped on 50.Omarzai’s intent in the final period was clear when he hit Mulder over long-off for six two balls into the last 10. He sent Peter in the same area twice, and then hit him over mid-wicket for his fourth six and the shot that brought up his half-century, off 32 balls. Mohammad Nabi was little more than a spectator in the 55-run stand with Omarzai but when he tried to smash an Ngidi slower ball, he skied to Bavuma to depart for 13.That brought Rashid to the crease and he was in immediate trouble, albeit not caused by the bowlers. He hit Ngidi to sweeper cover and ran two but pulled up at the end of the second run with what looked like a hamstring concern. He received treatment on the field, skied the next ball he faced, which Peter couldn’t get to, and then held his hamstring again. Rashid stayed with Omarzai as he took Afghanistan over 300, and any problems he had with his fitness did not show in the field.South Africa’s chase got underway steadily with returning captain Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi’s opening stand of 73 in 14 overs. But Bavuma’s dismissal and then Rashid’s introduction into the attack sparked an almighty collapse. Bavuma top-edged a pull off an Omarzai short ball and the high catch was well judged by Mohammed Nabi. Bavuma departed before he even had a chance to face Rashid, who was given the ball in the 18th over and caused problems with his first ball which teased Reeza Hendricks’ outside edge. Four balls later, de Zorzi tried to drive Rashid through the covers but edged to Ikram Alikhil.Stunned by spin, South Africa went into their shell and scored only 11 runs in the next four overs as pressure built. When left-arm spinner Kharote was brought on in the 23rd over, Hendricks looked particularly out-of-sorts when he stayed back in his crease to play for turn and was bowled. In the next over, Tristan Stubbs was given out on review when he gloved a sweep off Rashid to Nabi at leg slip. Two balls later, Kyle Verreynne failed to pick the wrong ‘un and was out lbw and Markram was left with the lower-order. Mulder was Rashid’s fourth victim, beaten as he stayed back, and Fortuin was bowled by his counterpart Kharote off one that stayed low. At 112 for 7, there was no way back for South Africa.Rashid’s fifth came when he bowled Markram with a googly. Kharote took wickets either side of that to leave South Africa floored. They lost all ten wickets in the space of 20.3 overs.
Just as you thought Arsenal’s start to the summer was quiet, they have roared into life over the last fortnight to welcome in a batch of new acquisitions.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has signed from Chelsea (yes, another one), Christian Norgaard has arrived from Brentford and the headline addition so far has been £55m Martin Zubimendi.
The trio have already got to work during the club’s warm weather training camp in La Manga and it’s not long now until the Gunners head to Asia, more specifically Singapore, for their pre-season tour on July 19th.
Before then, Mikel Arteta will hope for more new faces. Here’s the latest on that.
Arsenal's summer transfer window: the latest
This could be a busy old week for Andrea Berta and Co as he aims to bring in a few more fresh signings before that trip to Singapore.
The first is set to be Noni Madueke. Whether you like it or not, the Chelsea winger is due to be announced as an Arsenal player this week after undergoing a medical this weekend.
According to Henry Winter, he looks set be followed through the door by Valencia centre-half Cristhian Mosquera. A deal had gone quiet over recent weeks, but the journalist shared that things should be wrapped up soon.
And then there’s the centre-forward, the elusive striker. Will Viktor Gyokeres finally head to the Gunners?
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Well, things are becoming rather toxic between him and Sporting at the moment. The Swede has regularly told his club that he will never play for them again and has made it clear he won’t attend pre-season training.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas, has since hit back at the striker, saying: “If they [Arsenal] don’t want to pay Viktor’s fair market value, we’re very comfortable with that for the next three years. This strategy is also making it more complicated for the player to leave. Nobody is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are. We’re calm. Everything will be resolved with the market closing, a hefty fine and an apology to the group.”
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokereskisses the trophy as he celebrate after winning the Taca de Portugal
Sky Sports reports that the Portuguese giants are looking for around £69m, add-ons included. Despite the war of words here, the former Coventry star is still confident of getting his move, so much so that he expects to be in London this week.
That’s according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who said: “Gyokeres considers his Sporting career over, having agreed personal terms with Arsenal. Sources have also told me that he hopes to be in England early next week to complete his move.”
The impact Viktor Gyokeres could have at Arsenal
In recent years, it’s safe to say that Arsenal haven’t exactly got their squad building 100% nailed on.
They’ve signed good players, of course, but since Arteta became Arsenal boss, he has only signed six attackers; Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Willian and Marquinhos.
It’s hardly an illustrious list of names and therefore, the signing of Gyokeres could transform this Arsenal side.
Let’s cast our minds back two years a moment. In the same week of the 2023 summer window, Declan Rice was putting pen to paper on a club-record £105m move at the Emirates Stadium and Gyokeres was completing his switch from Coventry to Sporting.
Since then, the duo have become two of the best players on the continent. Rice has totally transformed this Arsenal team and it was his performances that propelled them towards the Champions League semi-finals.
No one will forget that night in north London when Arsenal hit three past Real Madrid. Rice was the hero, scoring two stunning free-kicks. It felt like his transfer fee had been paid back in one night, if it hadn’t already.
Rice went on to dazzle in the Bernabeu too, with Rio Ferdinand noting that the England international “stood up against the holders of this trophy” and “ran the show in both games”. The former defender exclaimed that the midfielder has now “put himself in another bracket.”
Well, if Rice was one piece of the puzzle that was missing, then Gyokeres could be the final piece that completes the jigsaw. He could be the Rice-like signing that catapults this Arsenal team to greater things, and by greater things, we mean finally winning a trophy.
Arteta may have the FA Cup to show for his efforts, but the Premier League and Champions League continue to elude him.
Rice has now taken Arsenal close but Gyokeres could help across the finish line. Why? Well, he’s one of, if not the best centre-forwards in Europe right now.
Gyokeres through the years
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2020/21
34
5
1
2021/22
47
18
5
2022/23
50
22
12
2023/24
50
43
15
2024/25
52
54
13
Stats via Transfermarkt.
Forget Alexander Isak, forget Erling Haaland, what the Swedish powerhouse has done over the last two years is nothing short of remarkable.
In 2023/24, the striker bagged 43 goals in 50 outings and went even better throughout the latest campaign, netting a stunning haul of 54 goals in 52 appearances.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that that tally is pretty damn good, and considering how Arsenal struggled in offensive areas of the pitch last season, he could be game-changing.
Arteta’s side didn’t lack creativity. No player registered more expected assists per 90 minutes in the Premier League than Bukayo Saka in 2024/25. As a club, they had the sixth-highest number of shots in the division and produced the fifth-most key passes.
However, despite that, they found it difficult to put the ball in the net. For the first time since 1923/24, the Gunners failed to find a player who scored double figures in the league.
As a result, signing a man who has scored 97 goals at club level over the last two campaigns ought to fix the problem.
Gyokeres might not be a club-record move like Rice was but his impact on the field of play is likely to be just as significant. Dare we smell another Arsenal title charge? Time will tell.
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Liverpool are firing on all cylinders in the transfer market this summer, but as is becoming frustratingly habitual, Real Madrid’s encroaching shadow has loomed above Anfield.
It didn’t come as much of a surprise when Trent Alexander-Arnold announced he would leave at the end of his contract and join Los Blancos.
And neither did it shock the Premier League when Spain international Dean Huijsen opted to reject the crowd of interest in England last month, instead moving to the Santiago Bernabeu when Florentino Perez activated his £50m release clause at Bournemouth.
Liverpool had a vested interest in Huijsen, whose breakout year has been a special thing. The archetypal modern defender, Huijsen, who is two-footed, would have been the perfect long-term heir for captain Virgil van Dijk, who turns 34 next month.
As it is, Liverpool will need to turn their attention elsewhere, not least because Real Madrid are now sniffing around for Ibrahima Konate.
The latest on Ibrahima Konate's Liverpool future
Arne Slot has created a hothouse for sustained success at Liverpool, but if Konate is tempted by the pull of Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid, it might be that he’s played his last in a Liverpool shirt.
Indeed, the French defender is entering the final year of his contract, and while he’s one of the best centre-backs in England, FSG might need to cash in if he attempts to run his contract down, with Madrid looking to snap him up on a Bosman in 12 months.
Konate, 26, has come off the back of his best campaign in a Liverpool shirt, winning the Premier League and starting 30 times, notably completing 90% of his passes and winning 66% of his duels, as per Sofascore.
Liverpool's IbrahimaKonatecelebrates after winning the Premier League
Some at Liverpool maintain it would be a good idea to sell the hulking star this summer, with a figure of around €60m (£51m) settled as a fair price.
If this is the case, Liverpool will need to find an alternative to Huijsen and bring him over to Slot’s brood.
Liverpool chasing new centre-back
As per Reds insider DaveOCKOP, Liverpool are interested in signing Marc Guehi this summer, with the Crystal Palace defender’s homegrown status appealing given Jarell Quansah may leave the club for Bayer Leverkusen.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehireacts after the match
Guehi, who is wanted by a host of teams including Arsenal, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, the latter of whom saw a £70m offer rejected in February.
With one year left on his deal, it feels like Eagles owner Steve Parish’s resolve will waver at some stage this summer, and a pathway will be cleared for a club such as Liverpool to swoop.
What Marc Guehi would bring to Liverpool
Guehi has been an instrumental part of Crystal Palace’s progress in recent years, reaching his crescendo in May as he helped Oliver Glasner’s side defeat Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Joining Selhurst Park from Chelsea in a £18m package back in 2021, Guehi has only gone from strength to strength, playing 155 matches across all competitions and bringing major silverware to the south Londoners for the first time in their history.
Also proven on the international stage, the 24-year-old was even regarded by one content creator last year to be “England’s best centre-back”, indeed having been one of the better performers under Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024.
Liverpool would only improve with such a refined and established Premier League defender in their mix. His combative and composed defensive qualities have been elevated by an ever-improving passing game that would allow him to potentially even outgrow Konate.
Rarely hit with injuries, Guehi is sturdier on the fitness front than his Les Bleus counterpart, and, moreover, has a more dangerous attacking element to his skill set that would help Liverpool find firmer footing in regard to their set-piece efficiency.
When looking at how the defenders ranked up in the Premier League last season, you begin to see why Slot is so keen on bringing Guehi over to Merseyside, with his rounded performances bespeaking a level which will only shoot upwards playing in a team competing at the forefront of domestic and European football.
Matches (starts)
34 (34)
31 (30)
Goals
3
1
Assists
2
2
Touches*
64.9
71.6
Pass completion
84%
90%
Key passes*
0.5
0.3
Dribbles*
0.4
0.1
Ball recoveries*
4.3
3.2
Tackles + interceptions*
2.6
1.8
Clearances*
4.6
4.0
Duels won*
4.9 (59%)
4.4 (66%)
There’s a reason why so many top English outfits want to bring Guehi into their mix, and if Liverpool to find themselves cashing in on Konate this summer, the Palace man could prove to not only be a fitting replacement but actually an upgrade, making the necessary tweaks to his skill set that playing at Liverpool would hand to him.
Described as “one of those versatile CBs who can play both sides equally as comfortably” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the Englishman could even succeed Van Dijk later down the line, playing on that left-hand side in a role that was envisaged just a few months ago for Huijsen.
His ball-carrying and -playing skills proved he would has the capacity to become one of the best, that and his dynamism.
Ultimately, Liverpool know that losing Konate will prove a big blow: he’s settled into the Anfield side as one of the most impressive and rounded centre-halves out there. He works so well as Van Dijk’s foil.
But Guehi has his best years ahead of him and could absorb the fruits of Liverpool’s skipper’s final labours over the next two years, before taking the prize as Liverpool’s star man in the rearguard in just a few years.
Could Konate achieve that too? Of course. However, Guehi’s incremental growth suggests he might just take the cake.
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While this season might have felt like one big disappointment for Arsenal fans, their team is still brilliant.
In spite of injuries, suspensions and a lack of cutting edge at points, Mikel Arteta’s side still managed to finish second in the Premier League and make it to the semi-finals of the Champions League and League Cup.
However, that lack of cutting-edge options up top and out wide was likely what ultimately prevented the North Londoners from getting over the line in any of their competitions this season and also explains the abundance of links to superstar attackers that have started popping up in recent weeks.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetalooks dejected after the match
One of the links in question is particularly interesting, as it concerns an incredibly exciting English talent who has won comparisons to someone else touted for a move to the club: Rodrygo.
Arsenal's winger search
Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other wide talents linked with Arsenal in recent weeks, like the aforementioned Rodryo and Kaoru Mitoma.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The latter is reportedly available for around £80m, and while that is a lot of money, he might be worth it, as not only did he score 11 goals and provide four assists in 41 games this season, but he’s also Premier League-proven.
Yet, the Real Madrid star would undoubtedly be the more exhilarating addition to the team, as on top of producing a better tally of 14 goals and ten assists in 51 games this season, he’s simply the bigger name and would be joining the club from arguably the biggest team in the world.
However, at a reported £85m, not to mention the interest from other parties and the chance he might not even want to leave Los Blancos with Xabi Alonso at the helm, Artete a Co may have to look elsewhere, at a player who’s won comparisons to the Brazilian, such as Jamie Gittens.
Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several sides interested in the Borussia Dortmund star, but they are in a race against time if they are serious about signing him.
This is because the report has revealed that Premier League rivals Chelsea have already submitted a £55m offer for the young Englishman and are already in talks over a potential deal.
It’s unclear whether that fee will be enough, but if it’s close, then the Gunners should be doing all they can to get ahead of the Blues, as the 20-year-old’s ability and potential are undeniable, and the comparisons to Rodrygo a big bonus.
How Gittens compares to Rodrygo
Before getting into some of the other reasons why Arsenal should be signing Gittens this summer, it’s important to examine this comparison to Rodygo and where it has come from.
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittensin action with Lille's Bafode Diakite
In this instance, it stems from FBref, which looks at players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, before creating a list of the ten most comparable players.
By doing this, it has been concluded that the Real Madrid star is the fifth most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Dortmund ace across the last 365 days.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.31
0.32
Non-Penalty G+As
0.56
0.51
Shots
2.64
2.52
Passes into the Penalty Area
1.22
1.21
Goal-Creating Actions
0.51
0.42
Successful Take-Ons %
45.0%
44.1%
Ball Recoveries
3.20
3.32
Aerial Duels Won
0.25
0.33
The best way to see how this is worked out is by taking a look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including but not limited to expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, shots, goal-creating actions, passes into the penalty area, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.
However, this flattering and encouraging comparison to one of Europe’s most exciting wingers isn’t the only reason the Gunners should be after the 20-year-old.
Another is that, despite still being so young, the dynamic outlet, whom Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley dubbed “England’s best LW,” managed to score 12 goals and provide five assists in 48 appearances, totalling 2790 minutes this season.
That comes out to an impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.82 games, or mre crucially, every 164.11 minutes of action.
Finally, per FBref, the Reading-born gem sits in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons per 90, at 3.57, which is just the sort of aggressively direct winger the Gunners could use to help them terrify teams next year.
Ultimately, while it might be hard to get ahead of Chelsea, Arsenal have to try, as Gittens looks destined to reach the very top of the game, at least based on the calibre of player he’s currently being compared to.
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Leeds United are set for a massive summer in the transfer market as they aim to make themselves a competitive outfit in the Premier League ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Daniel Farke led the side to the Championship title this campaign after achieving a staggering total of 100 points, ending their two-year stint in England’s second division.
However, the real test starts now for the German, looking to avoid relegation from the top flight, something which he’s been unable to do with his previous attempts with Norwich City.
If he is to achieve such a feat, the board will need to back him heavily this summer, with a £100m spending spree mooted around Yorkshire over the last couple of days.
With the transfer window rapidly approaching, the board have already made plans for potential additions, with one name already emerging as a key target for the summer.
The latest on Leeds’ pursuit of James McAtee
In recent days, Manchester City star James McAtee has remerged on Leeds’ shortlist after previously being a target on loan ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The 22-year-old has impressed within Pep Guardiola’s squad this campaign, registering seven goals in his 27 appearances throughout the current campaign.
Manchester City'sJamesMcAteecelebrates after the match
With his deal set to expire in 2026, the Whites have been touted as a potential destination for the youngster, but could face competition from the likes of Nottingham Forest and Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
A report from the Yorkshire Evening Post claims that Farke’s side have made an enquiry to sign the youngster this summer, but any deal would set the hierarchy back around £25m.
However, despite the links to the English star, the club already have a talent whose worth more than McAtee – showcasing the impressive recruitment conducted by the club in recent years.
The Leeds star who’s now worth more than McAtee
Over the last couple of seasons, Leeds have recruited well in the market, undoubtedly playing a massive role in their success they’ve endured this campaign.
Ethan Ampadu joined for just £7m from Chelsea back in the summer of 2023, now looking to be a bargain given his success in the side – registering 86 appearances in his two years at the club.
The Welsh international has even taken the captain’s armband during Farke’s reign, highlighting the impressive development he’s made at Elland Road since his switch.
He’s not the only person to exceed expectations, with winger Wilfried Gnonto thriving in Yorkshire over the last couple of years after his £3.8m transfer from FC Zurich in the summer of 2022.
The Italian has since made huge strides in the professional game, registering over 100 appearances for the club – producing numerous moments of magic in such a time period.
He’s managed to find the net on 22 occasions, including one of the goals against Plymouth Argyle on the final day – securing the club the Championship title as a result.
Such performances have seen him linked with huge moves away from the club in recent years, with Everton just one of the sides interested in his signature as of late.
Wilfried Gnonto’s stats for Leeds United in the Championship (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
43
Goals & assists
15
Pass accuracy
82%
Successful dribbles
1.7
Touches in opposition box
5.5
Chances created
1.8
Shots taken
3.2
Stats via FotMob
Interest isn’t the only thing that has occurred as a result of his displays, with his market value taking a sharp upturn – now with millions more than the fee they paid for his signature.
Gnonto, who’s been labelled “monster” by one analyst, is now valued at £19.5m by FootballTransfers, an increase of over 410% since he moved to Yorkshire.
Such a value is higher than that of McAtee, who’s valued at just £15m – further highlighting the impressive work done behind the scenes over the last few seasons.
A deal for McAtee is certainly one that would bolster the attacking department at Elland Road, that’s if his goal tally from 2024/25 is anything to go by.
However, a repeat of a deal for Gnonto showcases that bargains are still there to be had in the current climate, with any subsequent deal banking the club a hefty profit in the years ahead.
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