Manchester United are now racing Barcelona for the signature of a “wonderful” rising star, who’s keen on a move to the Premier League.
Man Utd set sights on another young defender
It has been a subpar start to the season for Man United, with being knocked out of the EFL Cup by Grimsby Town a low point, but young defender Leny Yoro has managed to catch the eye, having been singled out for praise by Rio Ferdinand.
Ferdinand said: “Leny Yoro’s got pace, going to get more time. Yeah, I love him. I think his ceiling, I don’t know where his ceiling, how high, [it] could be anything. He just needs the pieces around him as well to help him as a young kid, but I think he has the nucleus of all the right traits to be a top centre-half and he will be because he wants to be.”
Yoro has started all three Premier League games up to this point, forming a partnership with Matthijs De Ligt and Harry Maguire, who is now arguably in the latter stages of his career at 32.
As such, it now appears as though United are looking to bring in a long-term replacement for Maguire, having joined the race for a rising star.
That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Man United are battling the likes of Barcelona, Liverpool and Chelsea for the signature of Ajax defender Aaron Bouwman, having consistently scouted the 18-year-old.
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Bouwman, who idolises Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, is said to have world-class potential, which explains the interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, and the teenager has previously made it clear he would be keen on a move to England.
The Ajax defender said: “The top four of the Premier League is my ultimate dream, although playing at the top in Spain or another major footballing country would also be amazing.”
"Wonderful" Bouwman is one for the future
Despite his age, the youngster has already managed to force his way into the Ajax team, helping his side keep a clean sheet against Telstar back in August, having previously impressed scout Antonio Mango at youth level.
In the 2-0 victory over Telstar, the young centre-back made 10 defensive actions, the joint-highest number of any player on the pitch, while also winning three duels.
Statistic
Number completed
Clearances
3
Blocked shots
3
Interceptions
1
Tackles
3
That said, Bouwman has still only made one senior appearance for Ajax, so it is perhaps too early to judge whether he would be a suitable signing for Man United, despite showing the hallmarks of a future star.
كشف الإعلامي إسلام الشاطر، نجم النادي الأهلي السابق، عن رأيه في الجدل الدائر حول اهتمام القلعة الحمراء بالتعاقد مع لاعبي الزمالك، مؤكدًا أن ما يُقال في هذا الشأن غير دقيق، وأن الأحمر لديه من الإمكانيات ما يجعله قادرًا على ضم أي لاعب يراه مناسبًا.
وقال إسلام الشاطر في تصريحات عبر برنامج “اللعيب” على قناة MBC مصر: “لماذا الأهلي دائمًا يضع عينه على لاعبي الزمالك؟ لا، هذا غير حقيقي”.
وتابع: “كل اللاعبين الذين يضمهم النادي الأهلي يكون في حاجة إليهم، والله العظيم أنا لا أتحدث بكلام عابر، وأنا على الهواء الآن، عندما تتحدث على الهواء يجب دائمًا أن تضع الله أمامك”.
وأضاف: “لأنني الآن، بصفتي منتمي للنادي الأهلي، أمتلك الإمكانيات التي تجعلني قادرًا على شراء اللاعبين، وليس ذنبي أن الأندية المحيطة بي لا تملك الإمكانيات نفسها، هذه مسألة لا علاقة لي بها، وسأتحدث عنها لاحقًا، لكنني أؤكد أن لدي الإمكانيات”.
طالع أيضًا | أحمد سليمان عن مفاوضات الأهلي مع بنتايج: “مفيش حاجة بتشغلكم غير لاعبي الزمالك؟”
وأوضح: “إذا أعجبني لاعب مثل أسامة حسني، فسأتعاقد معه طالما أريده، أنا نادٍ قوي، أنا نادٍ كبير، نادٍ يملك لجنة فنية تعرف كيف تختار اللاعبين، سواء من الزمالك أو من الاتحاد أو حتى ريال مدريد، فما شأني أنا بالزمالك؟”.
وعند سؤاله: الأهلي بهذا المنطق يأخذ اللاعبين الجاهزين؟ أجاب الشاطر: “نعم، آخد اللاعب الجاهز، فما المشكلة؟ أليست معي الأموال التي أستطيع دفعها؟ ثم إن الأمر لا يتعلق بمجرد الرغبة في لاعب بعينه، بل بحاجتي الفنية له”.
وأردف: “لا يوجد شيء اسمه (لا). هناك شيء اسمه: ما الذي يحتاجه النادي الأهلي؟ وسأضمه، ولو اللاعب في الزمالك أو حتى في ريال مدريد وأستطيع التعاقد معه، فسأفعل ذلك”.
واختتم قائلًا: “وإذا كان نادي الزمالك يمتلك القدرة على ضم لاعب من الأهلي، فليُرِنا ذلك، أهلاً وسهلاً. لا أحد سيرفض، ولا أحد سيمنع ذلك، لأننا الآن في عصر الاحتراف”.
O zagueiro Gil se manifestou pela primeira vez após ser alvo de cobranças e xingamentos de torcedores durante a concentração do Corinthians no hotel em Belo Horizonte, antes da vitória sobre o Atlético-MG, pela 14ª rodada do Brasileirão.
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Através de suas redes sociais, o veterano de 36 anos disse que em breve as pessoas irão “ver quão eu sou”.
– Estou trabalhando duro e melhorando para que no devido tempo as pessoas possam ver o quão bom eu sou – postou Gil, em inglês, na legenda de sua foto mais recente.
Gil virou alvo da torcida após falhar no gol que deu a vitória ao América-MG, na partida de ida das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. Após retornar dos treinos na Toca da Raposa, o zagueiro foi chamado de ”ex-jogador” por um torcedor no saguão do hotel. O torcedor ainda disse que o defensor esta “roubando o Corinthians”.
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Vanderlei Luxemburgo optou por mudar o esquema para três zagueiros diante do Galo, mas manteve Gil entre os titulares. Após a partida, Luxa criticou os protestos e ondas de violência no futebol brasileiro, e disse que se sentiu em uma prisão domiciliar durante a semana em Belo Horizonte. O meia Renato Augusto dedicou a vitória ao zagueiro.
Luxa deve preservar os titulares para o duelo desta terça-feira (11), contra o Universitario, e a tendência é que Gil seja poupado na estreia do Timão na Sul-Americana.
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Com 33 jogos e mais de 3 mil minutos em campo na temporada, Gil foi titular com Fernando Lázaro, Cuca e Luxemburgo, chegando aos 400 jogos pelo clube. O defensor possui vínculo com o Alvinegro até o final do ano e conversas por uma renovação não foram iniciadas.
A departamento de futebol detectou uma carência no setor e busca um zagueiro destro para o restante da temporada. A diretoria tentou Lucas Verrísimo e Marlon, mas ambos negócios não evoluíram.
Leeds United will only have Premier League matches to worry about for the rest of 2025 after they were knocked out of the League Cup on Tuesday night.
The Whites, amazingly, lost 3-0 on penalties to Sheffield Wednesday after missing their first three spot kicks, and will have to wait for the FA Cup in January to start their next ‘road to Wembley’.
Whilst supporters are still well within their rights to be frustrated with the manner of the performance and the overall result, it does now mean that they will not have any distractions from their attempts to rack up points in the Premier League.
Although you could argue that it does mean there are fewer opportunities for the fringe players in the squad to gain minutes and press their case to come into the league XI.
For example, the clash with Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night presented Daniel Farke with an opportunity to hand full debuts to Jaka Bijol, Noah Okafor, and Sean Longstaff.
Okafor arrived from AC Milan on a permanent deal earlier this month and the Whites will be hoping that he can add some attacking flair to the squad this season.
What Noah Okafor could bring to Leeds this season
The Switzerland international is a versatile attacker who could be deployed on the left flank as a winger or through the middle as a centre-forward option for Leeds, which provides Farke with flexibility in the way that he can select his teams.
It was on the wing where he made his full debut in the League Cup, though, and the pacey attacker showed glimpses of what he may be able to bring to the team this season.
Minutes
85
Key passes
2
Big chances created
1
Assists
0
Shots on target
2
Goals
0
Dribbles completed
4/8
Duels won
9/17
As you can see in the table above, Okafor was direct, completing four dribbles, and tried to make things happen at the top end of the pitch with two key passes and two shots on target.
Unfortunately, he was unable to register a goal or an assist to change the direction of the match, but there were plenty of positive signs to be encouraged by.
However, it is also worth taking into consideration that Okafor only produced one goal and two assists in 21 games for Milan and Napoli in all competitions last season, per Sofascore, and six goals and three assists in 36 outings in the 2023/24 campaign for the Italian giants.
This does not suggest that he is likely to hit the ground running as a forward who can deliver goals and assists on a regular basis for Leeds, purely based on his lack of consistency in the final third with Milan.
Okafor’s inconsistency in recent seasons and his lack of experience in English football may be why the West Yorkshire outfit are now reportedly looking at another addition out wide.
Leeds remain interested in Premier League forward
According to Football Insider, the 49ers are still eyeing a last-minute move for Tottenham Hotspur winger Manor Solomon before Monday’s transfer deadline.
The report claims that Farke wants to add multiple new attackers to his squad before the summer transfer window slams shut, including another winger on top of the addition of Okafor from Milan.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It states that they remain long-term admirers of Solomon heading into the final days of the transfer window, suggesting that a last-gasp deal could still be on the cards.
Football Insider adds that the Israel international, who spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Elland Road, is ‘certain’ to move on from Spurs before the end of the window.
It is now up to Leeds to make an offer for the winger in the coming days in an attempt to bring him back to West Yorkshire, whether that is on loan or on a permanent basis, as he could be an even better option than Okafor.
Why Leeds should sign Manor Solomon
The Whites should look to bring the Israel international back to Elland Road because he has the potential to be an even better option than the former Milan man on the left flank, for a number of reasons.
Leeds United'sManorSolomoncelebrates scoring their first goal
Firstly, Solomon may be more reliable when it comes to staying fit. He only missed four games through injury last season, per Transfermarkt, whilst Okafor was absent for 13 matches for Milan and Napoli combined.
This means that he may be more likely to be available week-in-week-out for Farke in a gruelling Premier League campaign that may test the fitness levels of the players as they fight relegation.
Of course, Solomon’s quality on the pitch is another reason why he could offer more than Okafor on the left wing this season, given what he displayed in the Championship in the 2024/25 campaign.
xG
8.14
Top 8%
Goals
10
Top 6%
Shots on target
25
Top 12%
xA
10.30
Top 1%
Chances created
67
Top 5%
Assists
12
Top 3%
As you can see in the table above, the Spurs loanee was one of the best wingers in the division at scoring and creating goals, with 22 goals and assists combined in total.
Meanwhile, Okafor has not registered more than 20 goal contributions in a single season, per Sofascore, and has not produced more than nine since the 2022/23 campaign with RB Salzburg, who were a dominant force in Austrian football at the time.
This suggests that Solomon, who was described as “unplayable” by ex-Leeds boss Neil Redfearn last term, has the potential to provide a greater threat at the top end of the pitch from a left wing position, because of both his quality as a scorer and a creator of goals.
Finally, the Tottenham forward is also experienced in England and has played in the Premier League with Fulham and Spurs, as well as in the Championship with Leeds, which means that he could hit the ground running in the top-flight.
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Therefore, Solomon may be an even better option than Okafor, who has no prior experience in England, a patchy fitness record, and a lack of consistency in the final third in recent years, which is why the club should be pushing to sign him.
Tottenham Hotspur’s hunt for a new attacking midfielder has been unsuccessful to date, with Thomas Frank unable to land any of his transfer targets in such a position.
The need for a new attacking option in the role was evident before the Dane’s arrival, but after injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, such a need has grown tenfold.
Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze have been the new manager’s main targets throughout this summer, but the former agreed a new deal at Nottingham Forest, whilst the latter joined North London rivals, Arsenal.
Nottingham Forest's MorganGibbs-Whitereacts
With less than a week remaining in the transfer window, owner Daniel Levy desperately needs to hand the manager the tools and money he needs to land the player he desires.
As a result of missing out on the aforementioned duo, the boss has turned his attention to various other targets, but the Lilywhites face a race against time to complete a deal for their signatures.
Spurs’ hunt for a new attacking midfielder this summer
Over recent days, Spurs have made their move to land Como star Nico Paz, stumping up a £61m offer to land the Argentine before the September 1st transfer deadline.
However, the offer was swiftly rejected by the Serie A outfit, with the player now expected to remain with his current employers for at least the 2025/26 campaign.
The youngster isn’t the only player currently in their sights, with West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta another target they’re eyeing, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The journalist confirmed that the Lilywhites have reached out to the Hammers to discuss a possible transfer, with talks seemingly heading in the right direction for the 27-year-old.
It has previously been reported that the Brazilian could be available for as little as £40m before the transfer deadline, potentially seeing Frank’s side land themselves a bargain transfer.
Why Spurs’ latest target would be perfect for Kudus
Despite failing to land a new attacking midfielder in recent weeks, Spurs have already conducted shrewd business in the transfer market to date – completing a deal for Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United.
The hierarchy forked out £55m for the Ghanaian’s signature earlier this window, with such a figure seeming to be a bargain given his early-season form in North London.
He’s yet to find the back of the net for the Lilywhites, but has already racked up two assists in his first two league outings – with both coming in the 3-0 triumph over Burnley on the opening day.
However, he could also be aided in his attempts at the club if the hierarchy back manager Frank in the market, potentially landing a number ten who could provide Kudus with needed opportunities in front of goal.
A deal for Paqueta could see a reunion between the pair, after they operated together in the Hammers first team for two years – before Kudus joined Spurs this summer.
Any move could hand the new addition the platform for added success in North London, with the Brazilian’s figures from the 2024/25 season showcasing the creative threat he possesses.
Paqueta, who’s been labelled “one of the best 10s in the world” by one data analyst, ranked in the 94th percentile for through balls completed per 90 (0.7), whilst also ranking in the 81st percentile for passes into the final third (5.1).
Lucas Paqueta’s stats for West Ham in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
33
Goals & assists
4
Pass accuracy
78%
Progressive passes
5.9
Passes into final third
5.1
Key passes made
1.4
Through balls completed
0.7
Take-on success
45%
Goals per shot on target
0.7
Stats via FBref
Both tallies highlight his desire to break the lines and thread balls into dangerous areas, which could massively aid Kudus in trying to build on his impressive start to life under Frank.
He also achieved a pass accuracy rate of 78%, with 5.8 of his passes per 90 being described as progressive – further showcasing his ability to cause the opposition havoc at any given opportunity.
Paqueta has shown evidence that he’s capable of finding the back of the net himself, posting a goal-per-shot-on-target rate of 0.7 – which saw him rank in the top 6% of all players in England’s top-flight last season.
Kudus’ assist tally already this campaign could allow the big-money addition to return the favour to his former teammate in forward areas, should the Lilywhites hierarchy land the Brazilian.
The prospect of the pair linking up once again is certainly something for the Spurs fans to get excited about, with their partnership potentially playing a huge role in their potential success in 2025/26.
£40m would be a bargain transfer fee for Paqueta, subsequently landing a player with top-flight experience which could prove vital in any chances of Premier League title glory in the years ahead.
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Tottenham Hotspur have made their move to land a top-level European talent in recent days.
Those of a Celtic persuasion are in mutinous mood right now, and rightly so, having been forced to witness a calamitous summer of transfer activity.
An unbeaten start to the new domestic season has also been overshadowed by last month’s grim Champions League exit, with the failure to properly enhance Brendan Rodgers’ ranks leading up to that tie having undoubtedly backfired.
In the Premiership, away from the chaos, things appear to have gone a little bit stale, with the current crop producing displays that are a far cry from the scintillating style of the glorious Ange Postecoglou era.
The recent drab Glasgow derby was an obvious case in point, with that 0-0 stalemate at odds with Postecoglou’s outfit at their pomp. Just look back to such performances as the 3-0 win over the Ibrox side in February 2022.
Parkhead was at its buoyant best that night, and the football was simply stunning, with the men in green and white almost playing a different game to their beleaguered opponents.
That magic, that ferocious approach, has since been lost.
From plucking bargains from afar under the Aussie, the Hoops have resorted to paying over the odds during the Rodgers regime, with far too many transfer dealings having gone south of late.
Celtic's recruitment record post-Ange
As noted by former Celtic skipper Scott Brown, the club’s recruitment record under Postecoglou was simply “fantastic”, with the experienced coach simply a master at acquiring a hidden gem on the cheap.
Take Matt O’Riley, a player signed for just £1.5m from EFL side MK Dons back in January 2022, before ultimately being sold to Brighton and Hove Albion on a £25m deal in the summer of 2024 – marking a sensational profit.
Such success stories have been few and far between since then, however, with the 2023 summer window proving particularly disastrous. Indeed, of those signed amid Rodgers’ return, only Paulo Bernardo and Hyun-jun Yang are still at the club – albeit with even the Korean having come close to departing for Birmingham City before the recent deadline.
The likes of Gustav Lagerbielke, Maik Nawrocki, Luis Palma and Marco Tilio have all come and gone without so much as leaving a trace, having looked destined to fail from the off amid their limited roles under Rodgers.
While it is too early to judge this summer’s transfer dealings, the recruitment of 12 months ago is also worthy of scrutiny. Adam Idah, for instance, has already been shipped off to Swansea City, while Arne Engels – signed for £11m – has yet to truly establish himself as a regular starter in Glasgow.
Described as “nowhere near the finished article” by his manager, the young Belgian appears to be burdened by such a lofty price tag, with that expensive outlay a constant source of debate among supporters and pundits alike.
The 22-year-old may well still come good, although the race is on to live up to the weight of his transfer fee.
Market Movers
Would the Hoops not have been better off seeking out a bargain instead, in the mould of say Reo Hatate?
How Hatate's value compares to Arne Engels
Reflecting back on that night in the winter of 2022, the rout of Rangers proved a breakout moment for that man Hatate, with the Japanese genius netting two stunning efforts to properly announce himself to the Parkhead faithful.
As per reporter Michael Bridges, Hatate and his compatriots simply “ripped the league to shreds” following their arrival.
Having been signed from Kawasaki Frontale just a few weeks prior, the all-action midfielder quickly made a mockery of his meagre £1.1m price tag, having been a mainstay under both Postecoglou and Rodgers since then.
After chalking up 13 goals and 14 assists in 66 games under the new Nottingham Forest boss, as per Transfermarkt, Hatate has enjoyed a rather similar record under his successor, with 15 goals and 14 assists under his belt from 81 outings.
While Rodgers did hint at the 27-year-old’s “inconsistency” during their first year working together, he did go on to flourish last term, having also got off the mark in 2025/26 with an outrageous effort away at Aberdeen.
That thumping strike emphasises just why the diminutive playmaker is such a “big talent” – in the words of Rodgers – with his overall record of 56 goal involvements in 147 games in all competitions ensuring he has more than made his mark in Glasgow.
Games
37
Goals
10
Assists
4
Big chances created
14
Key passes*
1.2
Pass accuracy*
82%
Tackles*
0.9
Interceptions*
0.2
Total duels won*
44%
Such a stellar impact can also be felt when considering his soaring market value, with Hatate deemed to be worth as much as €13m (£11m), according to Transfermarkt. For comparison, Engels’ value is now said to be around €12m (£10m).
The subject of interest from Serie A side Udinese back in May, before ultimately staying put at Celtic, the 11-cap international looks like a player who will soon rake in a sizeable profit for the club, should he move on in the near future.
In the meantime, however, the hope will be that Hatate can play a central role in trying to revive this limp season for Rodgers and co, with the Hoops in very real danger of merely letting things drift.
Celtic may have their biggest talent since Doak in "lightning" 19-year-old
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After being assigned the finisher’s role in his first five seasons, Riyan Parag enjoyed a breakthrough tournament in IPL 2024, batting at No. 4 and topping the run chart for Rajasthan Royals (RR) during their run to the playoffs.This year, Parag has earned another promotion, up to No. 3, as RR look to maximise the ability of someone that head coach Rahul Dravid has called “one of our best batters”. Parag has scores of 4 and 25 in RR’s first two games of IPL 2025. On Sunday, against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he’ll have one last opportunity to get a big score on his home ground – it’s Guwahati’s final match of the season.”That’s the right word to use, that he’s promoted,” Dravid said. “Look, Riyan is one of our best batters, let’s be honest. And we want to give him as many balls as we possibly can. Twenty overs is a very short time and the more balls Riyan Parag bats for us, the better it is for us as a team.”Related
RR seek first win in Guwahati's last game against struggling CSK
Dravid, however, didn’t rule out the prospect of RR being flexible if they need to be. “But of course, these things we’ll keep looking at, we’ll keep assessing, we’ll keep seeing how it goes. And yeah, we know that Riyan has done really well at No. 4, so it gives us an option.”But honestly, the move to No. 3 was a positive move to try and give him more time to bat. And we know how destructive a player he is and if he gets more time, then he can score more runs and that can benefit the team. So that was the thinking, but we can always assess that, and we can always see how it’s going. And I think he’s quite comfortable, he’s more than capable of batting at any position.”Apart from being a key batter, Parag is also standing in for regular captain Sanju Samson, who is yet to fully recover from a finger injury. That has meant Samson’s participation has been limited to batting as an impact sub, with Parag taking over the captaincy. The start has been challenging, with RR losing their first two games, but Dravid only has words of encouragement for 23-year-old Parag, whom he had coached at the India Under-19s when Parag was just 16, in 2017.”I think he’s adapted really well,” Dravid said. “It’s not easy to captain when the team [Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)] is scoring 280 runs on a flat wicket. The first game is probably a tough game to be a captain. But I think the calmness that he showed and the fact that it didn’t seem like our team was panicking was really good.”Even in the game against KKR [Kolkata Knight Riders], his brave decision to bring himself on [with the ball], realising that the wicket was turning, with two left-handers batting, to bowl the fifth over in the powerplay, was a brave decision and a correct decision. So I think he’s been very impressive. As a captain, it’s nice for him to get this opportunity till Sanju is able to field again. And he’s sharing his thoughts and his ideas. Very clear. He’s very solid in that sense.”So, yeah, very impressive early days. And it’s very nice for us as, again, a team that’s looking to develop people and players. Of course, it’s unfortunate that Sanju was not able to captain and play for us. But I think in a way it’s nice that we were able to give Riyan, our vice-captain, a chance to captain in a few games and give him that exposure and experience as well.”Rahul Dravid isn’t worried about RR’s batting depth, with Jofra Archer batting at No. 9•BCCI
RR have looked slightly undercooked with the bat so far. They have adopted the unique approach – which brought them moderate success last year too – of picking only six genuine batters even while batting first, unlike most teams who tend to play an extra batter. One of the reasons for this could be that RR don’t have an out-and-out frontline allrounder. But Dravid doesn’t believe that is a concern.”A lot of it in these situations now, with the Impact Player, you actually do get your bowling and batting options with the 12 players,” he said. “To be honest, if you look at our last game, we were able to play seven bowling options. We actually had seven bowling options in the playing XI, so we covered in that department.”With the batting as well, I think we were able to extend our batting using [Wanindu] Hasaranga right up to No. 8, Shimron [Hetmyer] came at eight and then we had Jofra [Archer] bat at No. 9. So, I think there’s enough depth. The role with the Impact Players, I think the role of the allrounder now is really diminished.”Of course, if you have one, it’s great, but I don’t think it’s as much a necessity as it probably used to be in the past. And that is reflected in the way a lot of teams set up their combinations as well.”
There was one significant change after Saturday’s double-header even though the leaders remain the same
ESPNcricinfo staff06-Apr-20252:35
Bishop explains what makes Noor special
Purple Cap leaderboardNoor Ahmad, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) left-arm wristspinner, continues to head the Purple Cap table, adding the wicket of Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Axar Patel to his tally to become the first bowler to get to the ten-wicket mark this season. The 4 for 18 in CSK’s first game, against Mumbai Indians (MI), remains his best so far.Mitchell Starc struck early, in the third over, in DC’s game against CSK, and that wicket has put him back at No. 2 with nine wickets from just three games. The big performance was the 5 for 35 against SRH, his career-best T20 returns.Dropping to third place is MI captain Hardik Pandya, who picked up the second five-for of the season – Starc’s was the first – against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Friday.2:26
Cricinformed: What has made Pooran such a T20 force since 2024?
Orange Cap leaderboardHe scored just 12 against MI, but it was enough for LSG’s Nicholas Pooran to stay on top of the run-scorers’ table, with 201 runs from four innings. The good work was done in the first three games – 75 from 30 balls against Delhi Capitals (DC), 70 from 26 against SRH, and 44 from 30 against Punjab Kings (PBKS).Gujarat Titans (GT) opener Sai Sudharsan is in second position after his 49 off 36 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In the earlier two games, Sudharsan had scores of 74 and 63.Mitchell Marsh got back to No. 3 after dropping off for a bit, his 60 from 31 balls against MI a top effort that played a big part in scripting LSG’s win. He now has 184 runs from four innings. There was a duck against PBKS, but Marsh scored a half-century every other time he walked out.
Leeds United have had some incredibly gifted attacking players grace the turf at Elland Road in recent seasons to help them to succeed on the pitch.
Go back to Pablo Hernandez and Raphinha under Marcelo Bielsa, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter under Daniel Farke. There have been some remarkable talents at the club.
Unfortunately, the Whites wer unable to add more attacking quality to their current squad of players for the Premier League season when they tried to dip into the market on deadline day.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider: “There will be a hint of frustration for Daniel Farke – they missed out on some targets.
“They are still lacking a bit up front, Leeds and he fears for them on that front – not getting the deal done for Manor Solomon will be a blow to Farke and the Leeds fans, because he had such a great impact there on loan last season.”
The Whites will have to hope that other players are now able to step up and show that they can be the club’s next number ten in the making, to truly take over from the likes of Summerville and Raphinha.
Why Leeds needs to find their next Summerville or Raphinha
You only have to look at what happened to Leeds in the Premier League with and without Raphinha to realise how important it is to have a pure game-changer in the squad. Someone who can create something out of nothing to win a game for the team.
Former Leeds forward Raphinha.
The Brazil international helped the Whites to avoid relegation in both of his seasons in the Premier League at Elland Road, and they were relegated the season he left for Barcelona in 2022.
Raphinha scored 17 goals and created 22 ‘big chances’ in two Premier League seasons with Leeds, per Sofascore, which shows that he made a big impact at the top end of the pitch.
Raphinha (Premier League)
20/21
21/22
Appearances
30
35
Goals
6
11
Big chances missed
4
6
Big chances created
12
10
Key passes per game
2.1
1.9
Assists
9
3
Dribbles completed per game
1.9
1.8
Stats via Sofascore
Summerville picked up the club’s number ten shirt after Raphinha’s move to Barcelona and went on to become a hugely important player for Daniel Farke in the 2023/24 Championship season.
The Dutch wizard racked up 19 goals and nine assists in 41 starts in the regular season of the second tier, before adding another goal to his tally during the play-offs against Norwich City, per Sofascore.
These statistics show that Summerville and Raphinha were mercurial wingers who could impact games with goals and assists on a regular basis to win vital points for the team during their time at Leeds.
The club’s current holder of the number ten shirt, Joel Piroe, is not that kind of player. He is a goal poacher, and a good one at Championship level, who scored 19 goals in the second tier last term.
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His lack of physicality, having won 27% of his duels in the Championship last season and 9% of his duels in the Premier League so far, may prevent him from making much of an impact in the top-flight, as opposition defenders find it too easy to get the better of him in physical battles.
Leeds, though, may have a natural successor to the number ten shirt in waiting in the form of summer signing Noah Okafor, who could be the new Raphinha for the club at Premier League level.
Why Noah Okafor may be the new Raphinha for Leeds
The Switzerland international arrived from AC Milan in a £17m deal last month and ended the window as the only winger signed by the club all summer.
Leeds have gambled on the 25-year-old attacker after he endured a dismal 2024/25 campaign. The speedster only scored one goal in 21 matches for Napoli and Milan in all competitions, per Sofascore, and missed 13 games through injury, per Transfermarkt.
Okafor’s worrying injury record and his disappointing goal return last season may not fill many supporters with much hope for the kind of impact he can have on the pitch in the Premier League this season.
However, the Swiss left winger’s form in previous seasons suggests that there is the potential for him to emerge as a Raphinha-esque star who is worthy of wearing the number ten shirt at Elland Road.
Okafor produced six goals in 881 minutes in the Serie A in the 2023/24 campaign, a goal every 147 minutes on average, for Milan, which shows what he can do when fit.
The Leeds winger shone in Austria for RB Salzburg prior to his move to Milan in 2023, having racked up 34 goals and 23 assists in 110 appearances, per Transfermarkt.
Noah Okafor’s best season for RB Salzburg
21/22 Bundesliga
Noah Okafor
Appearances
21
Goals
9
Conversion rate
24%
Minutes per goal
105
Big chances created
7
Key passes per game
1.2
Assists
8
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Okafor’s best season in Austria shows that he does have the potential to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis when he is at his best.
The Switzerland international was described as an “electric” and “dangerous” player by analyst Ben Mattinson, which are adjectives that could also be used to describe both Summerville and Raphinha during their time at Elland Road.
Okafor has not had much luck with injuries in recent seasons, which has affected his development, but his form for Milan in his first season in Italy and his performances for Salzburg show that he does have the quality to make a big impact in the final third.
It is now down to Farke to get the best out of the left-sided attacker because he could be the Raphinha to his Bielsa at Premier League level, by scoring and assisting goals to win vital points for the team.
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Given Piroe’s dismal start to the Premier League season, losing 91% of his duels and being left as an unused substitute against Newcastle last time out, Okafor may have a real chance to grab the number ten shirt next season if the Dutchman moves on and he produes quality displays out wide this term.
Bayern Munich are nearing a contract extension with Dayot Upamecano, but a dispute over the signing bonus has put talks on hold. The French defender reportedly wants a bonus similar to the package Alphonso Davies received when he last extended his deal, while Bayern hesitate due to recent big-money renewals. Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Manchester United are monitoring developments closely.
According to , Bayern's efforts to renew Upamecano’s contract beyond 2026 have hit a snag, despite both sides agreeing on most terms. Negotiations are said to be “nearly complete” but remain blocked by one crucial issue, the signing bonus. Upamecano, who joined Bayern from RB Leipzig in 2021, is seeking parity with teammate Davies, who received around €17 million (£14m/$19m) for signing his latest extension earlier this year.
The Bavarian giants, however, are reluctant to match that figure, as with expensive renewals already handed to Davies, Joshua Kimmich, and Jamal Musiala, sporting director Max Eberl is under pressure to control wage spending. Club president Herbert Hainer confirmed at Oktoberfest: "The talks are ongoing, Max Eberl and Christoph Freund are handling them. And of course, I hope that Dayot will stay with us for a long time."
AdvertisementBayern balance & Upamecano's value
Upamecano’s strong performances under boss Vincent Kompany have solidified his place in Bayern’s defence. The 26-year-old has started eight of 10 competitive matches this season, showing the composure and athleticism that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after defenders.
Bayern view him as an integral part of their long-term project, but the financial side remains delicate. According to report, the base salary agreement is in place, but Bayern are unwilling to cross the threshold on bonuses that could set an expensive precedent for future negotiations. “We’re trying to continue convincing him of the Bayern project,” said Eberl last week.
Real Madrid, Liverpool & PSG alerted
While Bayern remain confident, the delay has caught the attention of Europe’s elite. Real Madrid, PSG, and Liverpool are among the clubs monitoring Upamecano’s situation, sensing a potential opportunity if talks stall. With his contract set to expire in 2026, the French defender could be available on a cut-price deal in January, or even walk for free next summer.
Upamecano’s camp is reported to be aware of this leverage, but the player feels “completely at home” in Munich, suggesting that an agreement is still likely if Bayern make a reasonable compromise.
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AFPKompany factor – a new era of defensive trust
Kompany has revitalised Upamecano’s confidence after a mixed campaign last season. The Belgian coach’s emphasis on proactive defending and quick transitions suits the Frenchman’s natural strengths.
Negotiations are expected to continue over the coming weeks as Bayern seek to finalise the renewal before the end of the calendar year. A compromise on the signing bonus could unlock the deal, though Bayern are unlikely to match Davies’ amount outright. For now, Upamecano remains focused on the pitch, with Bayern targeting another domestic surge under Kompany and key Champions League fixtures looming. But unless both sides find common ground soon, Europe’s biggest clubs could make the next move in what’s becoming a tense transfer poker game in Munich.