Harshal Patel was unavailable for this match because of an illness
ESPNcricinfo staff06-Apr-20253:30
Do Head and Abhishek need to temper their approach?
Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill chose to bowl on a black-soil surface in Hyderabad. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins said that they were happy to bat first and that they will not veer away from their aggressive approach with the bat, despite having suffered three losses in a row.Harshal Patel was unavailable for this match because of an illness, according to Cummins. In his absence, SRH handed left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat his first match of the season.GT also made one change, giving offspin-bowling allrounder Washington Sundar a franchise debut. They shored up their spin attack at the expense of left-arm seam-bowling allrounder Arshad Khan. Rashid Khan, who will be facing his former franchise SRH for the first time in Hyderabad, and R Sai Kishore will lead their spin attack.Gujarat Titans XI: 1 Shubman Gill (capt), 2 B Sai Sudharsan, 3 Jos Buttler (wk), 4 Rahul Tewatia, 5 M Shahrukh Khan, 6 Rashid Khan, 7 Washington Sundar, 8 R Sai Kishore, 9 Mohammed Siraj, 10 Prasidh Krishna, 11 Ishant Sharma Impact subs: Sherfane Rutherford, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Arshad KhanSunrisers Hyderabad XI: 1 Travis Head, 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Ishan Kishan, 4 Nitish Kumar Reddy, 5 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6 Aniket Verma, 7 Kamindu Mendis, 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Zeeshan Ansari, 10 Jaydev Unadkat, 11 Mohammed Shami Impact subs: Abhinav Manohar, Sachin Baby, Simarjeet Singh, Rahul Chahar, Wiaan Mulder
أعلن تشابي ألونسو، مدرب نادي ريال مدريد، عن قائمة الفريق لمواجهة نظيره يوفنتوس والتي سوف تلعب مساء اليوم الأربعاء، ضمن بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ويشهد ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مواجهة مرتقبة بين ريال مدريد ويوفنتوس في دوري أبطال أوروبا، لحساب الجولة الثالثة من مرحلة الدوري، حيث يسعى الملكي لتحقيق الانتصار.
ويعتبر ريال مدريد أجهز من يوفنتوس الذي يعيش موسم سيئ على كافة المستويات، بينما يتصدر الميرنجي ترتيب الدوري الإسباني وحقق انتصارين متتاليين في مرحلة الدوري بدوري الأبطال.
وشهدت قائمة ريال مدريد وجود كيليان مبابي على رأس الفريق الذي سوف يخوض مباراة الليلة، إلى جانب فينيسيوس جونيور.
وعاد فيرلاند ميندي لأول مرة للتواجد في قائمة ريال مدريد، بعد أشهر عديدة من الغياب والاستبعاد من الفريق الملكي بسبب الإصابة.
وعلى الجانب الآخر يغيب دافيد ألابا عن لقاء اليوم بسبب إصابته ضد خيتافي في الدوري الإسباني يوم السبت الماضي، بينما يستمر غياب ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد، ودين هويسن، وداني كارفاخال، وأنطونيو روديجير، للإصابة. قائمة ريال مدريد لمباراة يوفنتوس في دوري أبطال أوروبا
It’s not really been the summer West Ham United fans would’ve been hoping for at the end of last season.
The club have made a few good additions to the squad, including Mads Hermansen, Kyle Walker-Peters, and El Hadji Malick Diouf, but it doesn’t feel like it.
Moreover, they’ve missed out on several targets over the last couple of months, such as Jacob Ramsey, which is always going to make morale worse.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom, as if reports are to be believed, the Irons could be closing in on someone who’d be their own version of the former Aston Villa star.
West Ham close in on their own Ramsey
Talk of West Ham being seriously interested in Ramsey started to pop up around the start of the month; some reports even went as far as claiming that the Englishman was the Hammers’ top target.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Unfortunately, Newcastle United stole a march on the East Londoners and secured the services of the talented midfielder for around £40m late last week.
However, things could be about to get a lot better for the Irons’ faithful, as it now looks like the club are closing in on another exciting talent who has been compared to the new Toon star.
At least that is according to a recent report from Jacob Steinberg, who has claimed that West Ham are still very interested in Mateus Fernandes.
In fact, he goes further than that, revealing that the club have now made an “improved offer” for the Southampton star.
It’s unclear how much the bid was, but according to stories from earlier this window, around £50m should be enough to get the deal done, which might be fair value for a player of his quality, especially as he’s been compared to Ramsey.
How Fernandes compares to Ramsey
In this instance, the comparison stems primarily from FBref, which looked at players in similar positions in the Premier League last season before concluding that Ramsey was the ninth most similar attacking midfielder or winger to Fernandes.
The best way to gain a better understanding of how such a conclusion was reached is by taking a look under the hood, at the underlying numbers in which the pair ranked closest.
In this case, these include metrics such as expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, live passes, shot-creating actions, blocks, carries and more, all per 90.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.22
0.22
Non-Penalty G+As
0.19
0.22
Expected Assists
0.11
0.12
Goals per Shot
0.05
0.05
Live Passes
36.7
32.3
Shot-Creating Actions
2.41
2.83
Blocks
1.33
1.28
Carries
27.8
27.6
Successful Take-Ons
1.52
1.39
In other words, like the Englishman, the Portuguese maestro is an all-action midfielder who can impact the game in an attacking sense, while also being happy to chip in with some of the defensive work here and there.
Another trait the “outstanding” 21-year-old, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, shares with the former Villa ace is his versatility.
While he’s primarily a central midfielder, he can still play in several other positions, which in turn would give Potter far more tactical flexibility before and during matches.
Ultimately, it won’t be a cheap or easy transfer to get over the line, but Fernandes looks to be a special player, and therefore, West Ham should do what they can to bring him to the London Stadium.
Sheringham 2.0: West Ham in race to sign Premier League "proven goalscorer"
The vastly experienced goalscorer could be a brilliant signing for West Ham and Graham Potter.
Sam Kerr returned with a bang for Chelsea as the Australia international made her long-awaited comeback from a serious injury. After spending 20 months stuck on the sidelines, with it proving difficult to overcome an ACL setback, the Blues superstar was back among the goals when finding the target late on in a WSL clash with Aston Villa in the West Midlands.
What happened to Kerr? When injury was sustained
It was revealed in January 2024 that Kerr had picked up an injury that would keep her out of action for a considerable period of time. Few could have predicted at that stage that she would miss so much action for club and country.
AdvertisementWatch Kerr score first goal after 20 months outLong wait finally over for Australian superstar
A long road to recovery has been taken in, with Kerr working her way through the most gruelling of rehabilitation programmes. She had been hoping to grace the field again before the 2024-25 campaign came to a close, but said season proved to be a complete write off.
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GettyWho did Kerr return against? Emotional comeback
Chelsea confirmed that Kerr was training with their first team in August, which hinted at an imminent return to competitive action being made. Said appearance finally arrived, 634 days after her last, when paying a visit to Villa Park.
أعلن الكرواتي كرونسلاف يورتشيتش المدير الفني لفريق بيراميدز قائمة اللاعبين المختارين، لمواجهة طلائع الجيش، ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.
ويلتقي بيراميدز مع طلائع الجيش، في الجولة التاسعة من الدوري المصري الممتاز، على ملعب الدفاع الجوي في تمام الثامنة مساءً.
طالع.. موعد وحكم مباراة بيراميدز والجيش الرواندي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
ويدخل بيراميدز اللقاء بمعنويات مرتفعة بعد الفوز على الأهلي السعودي، ضمن منافسات كأس القارات “إنتركونتيننتال”.
ويفتقد بيراميدز 5 لاعبين أمام طلائع الجيش حيث يغيب أحمد سامي للإيقاف وأسامة جلال بسبب الإصابة ورمضان صبحي ووليد الكرتي ومحمود مرعي لاستمرار التأهيل. قائمة بيراميدز لمباراة طلائع الجيش
حراسة المرمى: أحمد الشناوي – محمود جاد – شريف إكرامي.
خط الدفاع: علي جبر – كريم حافظ – محمد الشيبي – محمد حمدي – طارق علاء – عبد الرحمن جودة.
خط الوسط: أحمد توفيق – محمود دونجا – مهند لاشين – عبد الرحمن مجدي – أحمد عاطف قطة – مصطفى زيكو – إيفرتون داسيلفا – محمد رضا بوبو – محمود زلاكة – بلاتي توريه – مصطفى فتحي.
خط الهجوم: دودو الجباس – يوسف أوباما – فيستون ماييلي – مروان حمدي.
Liam Dawson returned 50 wickets in a Vitality County Championship season for the first time after scoring an eighth fifty of the season as Hampshire closed in on victory over Worcestershire.Spinning all-rounder Dawson reached a half-century of scalps by adding Kashif Ali and Adam Hose to his tally – in doing so beating the 49 wickets he claimed last season – with no spinner in the country taking more this year.Along with his bowling exploits, no one has passed 50 more times than Dawson in Division One in 2024, as he moved to 907 runs with a 51 which set Worcestershire 394 runs to win.The visitors ended the day five wickets down, still 277 runs short of victory – but with Jake Libby still undefeated on 55.Both sides are now only playing for positions after Hampshire’s improbable title challenge ended with Surrey’s victory over Durham, and Worcestershire’s survival already secured.Having elected against enforcing the follow-on the previous evening, Hampshire’s second innings was ramshackle and lacking in fluency, but still ended up at in the vicinity of the destination they would have aimed.The inability to score runs quickly was largely due to Joe Leach’s expertise with a nipping ball, taking three for 17, with six pressure-building maidens, across his first two spells.The 33-year-old is retiring after next week’s fixture against Lancashire, but proved he was still as skilful as ever to pick up Hampshire’s top three – although none of the wickets were classic dismissals.Toby Albert fell in the second over of the morning when he was strangled down leg and was caught behind, Fletcha Middleton lasted a further four overs before he was caught and bowled while playing across one, and first innings double centurion Nick Gubbins was caught at slip after the ball had looped off the wicketkeeper’s glove.Ben Brown quickly followed when Amar Virdi straightened one to pin him, but James Vince was keeping the scoreboard progressing with an often sketchy, sometimes glorious 44.Vince dragged Virdi onto his own stumps while sweeping but after lunch Tom Prest and Dawson returned with a lucidly attacking game plan to whip up a 72-run partnership at a whisker under a run-a-ball.Dawson followed his first innings century and five-wicket haul with a 63-ball fifty but fell soon after when Logan van Beek destroyed his stumps.Things turned frenetic again as James Fuller swished behind, Prest was leg before when stuck on the crease to Virdi, Kyle Abbott was bowled on the swing and Felix Organ was run out after a strike confusion with Mo Abbas – which prevented Virdi from a second career 10-wicket haul.With an imposing, but not impossible target, Gareth Roderick failed to show the resolve of the first innings by getting bowled by Abbott in the sixth over.Kashif Ali played for turn that didn’t come from Dawson to fall lbw in the 14th over before two fine slip catches from Vince accounted for Rob Jones and Adam Hose – the latter was Dawson’s 50th wicket of the season.Jake Libby had staunchly battled to 49, but when initially trying to reach the milestone, he ran out his partner Brett D’Oliveira, before eventually getting to a 47th first-class fifty with a less risky ambled single off 106 balls.Libby remained unbeaten at close, with Ethan Brookes hanging on alongside him.
Glasgow Rangers’ transfer model over the years has been remarkably inconsistent, with players arriving from various leagues and countries to different degrees of success.
One area tends to stand out, however, and that is south of the border. Since the Light Blues secured promotion in 2016, very few players have arrived from England and shone.
Of course, there have been a few exceptions, such as Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey and Connor Goldson, but the overwhelming majority failed to shine.
Joey Barton, Jordan Rossiter and Matt Crooks arrived in the summer of 2016, but they all struggled in Glasgow. As did Graham Dorrans and Declan John, who signed the following season.
Elsewhere, Ben Davies, Tom Lawrence and George Edmundson failed to transition well from English football, never quite living up to expectations north of the border.
While there have been a few successes, Martin must tread carefully in English waters, especially if he wishes to sign players who will improve the squad.
Emmanuel Fernandez has been signed from Peterborough, but first impressions suggest he could turn out to be like Bassey rather than another Davies.
One of the worst signings made by Rangers in recent years is Kieran Dowell. The midfielder was brought to Glasgow by Michael Beale in the summer of 2023, but he turned out to be a waste of a wage.
Kieran Dowell's dismal Rangers record
On the surface, securing Dowell’s signature on a free transfer appeared to be a decent bit of business for the club.
The midfielder made his breakthrough with Everton, playing twice in the Premier League during the 2015/16 season.
Kieran Dowell for Rangers.
Loan spells with Nottingham Forest, Derby, Wigan and Sheffield United saw him prove his worth in the second tier and he eventually made the move to Norwich City in 2020.
He made 75 appearances for the Canaries between 2020 and 2023, which included 19 games in the top flight, before swapping East Anglia for Glasgow.
The attacking midfielder won the U20 World Cup with England in 2017, before making 16 appearances for the U21s, but a senior cap never came.
Kieran Dowell’s Premiership stats for Rangers
Metric
2023/24
2024/25
Goals
2
0
Assists
2
0
Big chances created
1
3
Touches per game
33.8
16.6
Key passes per game
0.7
0.7
Via Sofascore
A move to Rangers was the chance for Dowell to reinvent himself, but he didn’t get the chance. Indeed, the 27-year-old played just 16 times for the club during the 2023/24 campaign.
The first half of 2024/25 saw Dowell feature 17 times for the Ibrox side, yet only three of those came in the starting XI, and he was loaned to Birmingham City for the second half of the season.
Across his 12 Premiership matches last term, he created just three big chances, while winning less than 50% of his total duels per game and averaging 16.6 touches per match.
Dowell spent the second half of last season out on loan at Birmingham City, helping them return to the Championship.
With Martin needing to move players on this summer, the former Everton starlet must surely be offloaded in order to raise funds and free up the wage bill.
In the future, the Gers must be wary of the English market, but it looks as though they have been linked with another midfielder from down south recently…
Rangers eyeing up move for former West Brom midfielder
Both Joe Rothwell and Fernandez have secured moves to Rangers over the previous few days, as Martin seeks to bolster his first-team squad.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
He won’t be finished there, however, especially with major surgery required this summer.
Luton Town’s Norwegian midfielder Thelo Aasgaard is reportedly in talks with a move to Ibrox according to the Scotsman, while Nasser Djiga of Wolves is also another transfer target.
Luton Town's Thelo Aasgaard in action against Sunderland.
A new name has appeared, according to Sports Boom, with former West Bromwich Albion midfielder John Swift reportedly being eyed for a move north of the border in the coming weeks.
The Englishman – who is also attracting interest from a raft of EFL clubs – is out of contract and wouldn’t cost the club a penny should he move to Glasgow.
Given the fact Martin has already signed Rothwell, plus is looking to bring Aasgaard to Scotland, a swoop for Swift certainly appears unnecessary.
Indeed, he could turn out to be another Dowell-like signing. A player who fails to truly showcase his true class if he made the move to Rangers.
Why Rangers should avoid a move for John Swift
Swift did impress significantly at Reading, having made the move from Chelsea in 2016. Across 202 games for the club, he scored 34 goals and grabbed 37 assists in all competitions.
His form saw Leeds prepare a bid for the midfielder in 2019 and journalist Billy Meyers even said that Swift is the “perfect type of player that Bielsa should be targeting” upon the link. Former Baggies boss Tony Mowbray has also hailed him as an “amazing footballer” at his best.
While his numbers in the second tier have been decent – 15 goal contributions in 2022/23 and ten during 2023/24 – the midfielder is now 30 and isn’t exactly at his peak.
Last season, he only managed three goals and one assist for the Baggies in 36 league matches. Furthermore, he only created one big chance last term for the club, while averaging just 0.3 dribbles and one key pass per game in the second tier.
He even ranked in the lowest 30% for progressive carries (1.55) and successful take-ons (0.62) per 90 when compared to his positional peers in the Championship last term.
Additionally, Swift also ranked in the lowest 23% for assists (0.05) and in the lowest 8% for touches in the attacking penalty area (1.6) per 90 for West Brom.
Considering he spent the campaign playing as an attacking midfielder, these figures are worrying, to say the least. As such, avoiding a move for Swift, despite the fact he is available for free, is perhaps the best course of action.
Martin will be able to use that sort of wage on a player or two who are not only younger, but who could potentially make the Gers a profit in the years to come.
Swift could turn into Dowell 2.0, that’s for sure.
Perfect for Rothwell: Rangers in advanced talks to sign £3m "machine"
Following Joe Rothwell’s arrival at Rangers, could the Glasgow giants sign another midfielder, labelled a “machine” by a former Scotland star?
The decision not to sign Jadon Sancho on a permanent deal evoked memories of the Chelsea of old. A ruthlessness that famously saw Carlo Ancelotti given the sack after missing out on the Premier League title in his second season – just a year on from guiding the club to the double
In the case of Sancho, the Englishman had notably scored a stunner in last month’s Conference League final, albeit while ending 2024/25 with just three goals and five assists to his name in the league. Good, but not good enough.
That has been a commendable motto for the Blues over their glorious last 20 years or so, having repeatedly hired and fired, all while increasing the competition in their playing ranks with successive statement signings.
Take Nicolas Jackson, for instance, the Senegalese striker hardly disgracing himself – suspensions aside – with 24 league goals across his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge, albeit with just ten of those coming last term. Again, good, but not quite good enough.
£30m man Liam Delap looks to have swiftly usurped the former Villarreal man in the pecking order, all while being acutely aware that failure to perform himself could see yet another fresh face acquired – a certain Hugo Ekitike springs to mind.
Nicolas Jackson
As the old adage goes, pressure makes diamonds, with Enzo Maresca and co no doubt hoping that more exciting additions can thrive in this pressurised environment in west London…
Latest on Chelsea's search for new forwards
Sancho is gone, but in his place, young Jamie Gittens could be set to arrive, with Chelsea still working to bring the 20-year-old back to England from Borussia Dortmund, amid his prior stint in Manchester City’s youth ranks.
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittensin action with Lille's Bafode Diakite
Despite reports that Gittens has agreed a seven-year contract with the Blues, there appears to still be club-to-club negotiations taking place regarding his reported £55m price tag.
With that deal yet to get the green light, it is still worth the west Londoners seeking alternatives, with TEAMtalk reporting that they are among the clubs to have made an enquiry over Lyon starlet, Malick Fofana.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
That contact has come amid the Ligue 1 side’s recent relegation – something they are set to appeal – with clubs lining up to potentially pounce on their ongoing financial woes and apparent need to sell.
As per the report, the likes of Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have also made their move for the 20-year-old, with those suitors hoping to strike a deal for less than the Belgian’s previous £42m price tag.
Why Fofana could be Chelsea's next Eden Hazard
The signing of an exciting, young Belgian talent from Ligue 1 – ring any bells?
Of course, Chelsea famously won the race for a 21-year-old Eden Hazard back in the summer of 2012, with the then-Champions League holders plucking the winger from Lille for a reported fee of £32m.
198 goals and assists would follow in a Chelsea shirt for the now-retired wizard, although that doesn’t quite tell the full story. This was a player, at his pomp, who was a match for any opposition or opponent.
A man who could win a game on his own – take his solo stunner against Arsenal in 2017, for example – Hazard at his best was simply a sight to behold, jinking his way past defenders with consummate ease. It’s no wonder he was hailed the “best player in the Premier League” at one stage by pundit, Paul Merson.
Young Fofana has a way go to hit the levels of his sparkling compatriot, although the comparisons are – unsurprisingly – already being made, with GOAL noting that he has been described as ‘Eden Hazard-like’ by those in his homeland.
As per The Athletic’s Alex Barker, what particularly sets the 20-year-old apart, in a similar mould to Hazard, is his dribbling prowess, having been noted as “one of the best” in Ligue 1 in that regard.
Indeed, he notably ranks in the top 3% among his peers in France’s top-flight for progressive carries made per 90, as per FBref, while also ranking in the top 2% in that same metric among attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues.
Jamie Gittens – Borussia Dortmund
8
4
12
Kenan Yildiz – Juventus
7
5
12
Eliesse Ben Seghir – Monaco
6
3
9
Malick Fofana – Lyon
5
4
9
Antonio Nusa – RB Leipzig
3
4
7
Jean-Matteo Bahoya – Frankfurt
2
3
5
Jesus Rodriguez – Real Betis
2
1
3
Mamadou Diakhon – Stade Reims
2
1
3
Yan Diomande – Leganes
2
1
3
Bazoumana Toure – Hoffenheim
0
3
3
For context, Hazard ranked in the top 1% of Premier League wingers in that regard during his final season in English football (2018/19), having simply been a master ball-carrier for the Blues.
Like the 126-cap Red Devils star too, Fofana also boasts an end product to match that devastating flair, having ended 2024/25 with 11 goals and six assists to his name in all competitions, included six goals in just ten Europa League outings.
Lyon's Malick Fofana
Described as a “starboy” by writer Zach Lowy, the Lyon gem looks destined to reach the top over the coming years, with Chelsea able to offer him the chance to follow in Hazard’s footsteps at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca's next Cole Palmer: Chelsea enter race to sign £50m PL "machine"
The incredible talent could be a star for Chelsea.
Arsenal finished second in the Premier League for the third season running, but you’d be blind not to see the progress that Mikel Arteta has driven across the years of his tenure.
Injuries, contentious officiating and plain bad luck all played their part in the Gunners’ setbacks in front of goal this term, but there’s also been a yawning hole at the front of the ship which has impeded Arteta’s pursuit of silverware.
To be sure, Arsenal will be frustrated with having failed to secure a new number nine across the past several transfer windows, but there’s so much to like about this team, balanced, dynamic and youthful.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetalooks dejected after the match
However, to emerge from the looming market without a brand-new centre-forward would be a travesty. Luckily, Arteta, Andrea Berta and co are on the case.
Why Arsenal need a striker
The fact Mikel Merino has been forced into 12 matches as a makeshift striker this season emphasises the injury crisis and need for more firepower at the Emirates Stadium.
Saying that, the fact Merino scored six goals and laid on three assists across those fixtures underscores his quality and Arteta’s tactical expertise.
Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have missed much of 2025 with respective injuries, and Arsenal are ready to sign a new marksman.
Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres is one of the principal targets, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealing two months ago that the Gunners have been developing strong interest in the Sweden international. Sporting director Berta, in particular, is felt to be championing the potential addition.
However, Arteta feels Arsenal’s future is best served in a different direction. Indeed, there’s another name on the list. You know who it is.
Arsenal reach agreement for new ST
As per Arsenal sources, an agreement on personal terms has been reached for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, with Arsenal no doubt buoyed by the revelation that exorbitant claims of a £93m price tag are wide of the mark.
Talks are also ongoing between Arsenal and the Bundesliga club, who want a swift resolution after giving Sesko a gentleman’s agreement he could leave in a year when the Premier League outfit came knocking last summer.
With a €80m (£67m) release clause in his contract, as per Sky Germany, Arsenal will need to wrap this one up swiftly, especially with rivals Chelsea and Liverpool both registering their interest too.
What Benjamin Sesko would bring to Arsenal
Arsenal have been searching for a prolific goalscorer for several years now. You’d have to date back to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to find the last time a Gunner surpassed 20 goals in a single Premier League season.
Arsenal – Premier League Top Scorers by Season
Season
Player
Goals
24/25
Kai Havertz
9
23/24
Bukayo Saka
16
22/23
Martin Odegaard
15
21/22
Bukayo Saka
11
20/21
Alexandre Lacazette
13
19/20
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
22
Stats via Transfermarkt
Aubameyang might not be too fondly remembered in north London after joining Barcelona on a free transfer in February 2022, having been stripped of his captaincy due to a disciplinary issue, but who could argue against the Gabon forward’s prowess?
He scored 92 goals and provided 21 assists across just 163 appearances for Arsenal, worth the club-record £60m outlay that was paid to Borussia Dortmund for his four years of service.
To have such a prolific star back in the mix would be a brilliant move for the development of Arteta’s project, and Sesko might just be the man for the job.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates
While Sesko, 22, has yet to reach his peak, the signs of greatness are there. This season alone for Leipzig, he has scored 21 goals and added six assists from 45 appearances, 40 starts.
There’s a reason the 6 foot 5 striker has been dubbed “the next Erling Haaland” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, with his rangy profile, sinewy strength and electric pace all combining to make him the prototypical modern striker for a top outfit worth their salt.
Benjamin Sesko – Senior Career Goals so Far
Club
Season
Apps
Goals
RB Leipzig
24/25
45
21
RB Leipzig
23/24
42
18
RB Salzburg
22/23
41
18
RB Salzburg
20/21
37
11
RB Salzburg
20/21
1
0
FC Liefering
20/21
29
21
FC Liefering
19/20
15
1
Data via Transfermarkt
He’s raw, full potential as yet untapped, and thus there would be an element of risk in Arsenal sealing a deal. However, Sesko is one of the most exciting young forwards on the map, hailed as a ball-striking “monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson.
But the potential is indeed staggering, and there’s every chance he could become the club’s best striker since the days of Aubameyang, who was one of the most prolific players in Europe during his finest days in an Arsenal shirt.
Perhaps he could even eclipse the former talisman. The Slovenia international has missed 18 big chances across his two campaigns in the German top flight, but he’s also put away 27 goals, as per Sofascore.
Moreover, this term he has averaged 4.1 successful duels per game, indicating an energy and combativeness that will serve him well in the harsh environs of the Premier League.
That and his brutish power. Frankly, the ingredients are all there for a superstar, and if Sesko is already serving prolifically in the Bundesliga, backed up by impressive underlying data, there’s every reason for Arsenal fans to start getting optimistic about a deal being completed.
With the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka all serving chances for him on a silver platter, this might be a move that is lauded across years to come, should Arteta get his man and provide his side with their finest centre-forward since Aubameyang.
Better than Sane: Arsenal in talks to sign £50m star alongside Sesko
Arsenal could be about to make multiple key signings within the attacking department ahead of 2025/26.
Leeds United are already preparing for life back in the top-flight and are said to be making inroads in their pursuit of a prolific striker, according to reports.
Leeds ready to take on the Premier League after dramatic title win
Despite some nervy moments along the way, Leeds are once again a Premier League club from next season and optimism is high in Yorkshire over how they may fare against the elite, especially after their last-gasp win to seal the title at Plymouth on Saturday.
Undoubtedly, savvy additions will need to be made to ensure the Whites don’t end up in a relegation scrap, but the size of the club coupled with a talented existing core could be the ideal recipe for success at Elland Road.
Stepping up their ambition, Leeds are interested in a move for Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison. However, Everton,Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fluminense, Al Hilal and Al Shabab are also interested in the Brazil international.
Adhering to PSR regulations will become part and parcel of most clubs’ summer thinking, which may mean Leeds need to prioritise which positions are in urgent need of surgery.
On that front, Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen could replace Illan Meslier between the sticks, while Wolverhampton Wanderers stopper Sam Johnstone may also add some Premier League experience if he were to join the ranks.
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Nevertheless, there are plenty of reasons to be excited as the Whites have another crack at the big time, even if the gap between Premier League and the rest of the football ladder is growing exponentially. Despite this, Leeds have now put themselves in contention to sign one of England’s leading marksmen in years gone by, per recent developments.
Leeds United make advances to sign Jamie Vardy
According to TEAMtalk, Leeds are pursuing a deal for Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy, who is set to become a free agent once his contract at the King Power Stadium expires.
Known as one of the Premier League’s greatest modern-day heroes, the 38-year-old has scored 243 career goals for club and country and still believes he has something to offer in the top-flight, proving that with another strike against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
Jamie Vardy’s 2024/25 campaign – all competitions
Appearances
34
Goals
9
Assists
3
The outlet state that Vardy’s potential destination is ‘more advanced than people may think’ and that Leeds are in the market for several options to strengthen their forward line. Burnley are also in pursuit of the former Three Lions international. Patrick Bamford could make way regardless in the coming window after emerging as a target for Wrexham.
Labelled “top-class” by Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former Halifax man has still shown signs that he is a potent force in the Premier League, registering 24 shots on target this term.
Longevity probably isn’t what you’re going to get from Vardy at this stage, though his vast experience and know-how in front of goal makes him a compelling option for Farke as the Whites aim to build the foundations for a solid season.