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Paris Saint-Germain have been handed a major double boost ahead of their Champions League showdown against Bayer Leverkusen, with Ousmane Dembele and captain Marquinhos back in the squad after injury layoffs. The French champions travel to Germany with renewed confidence, although Luis Enrique will still be without midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves.

Dembele and Marquinhos back for Champions League fixture

PSG confirmed that Dembele and Marquinhos have both recovered from injury and will travel with the squad to face Leverkusen in the Champions League. Dembele has been out for more than six weeks with a severe hamstring injury he sustained on international duty with France in early September. Marquinhos, meanwhile, has not played since the Classique against Marseille on September 22 due to a thigh issue.

Dembele’s comeback comes at a pivotal moment. Before his injury, the Ballon d’Or winner was in outstanding form, scoring twice and assisting once in PSG’s 6-3 win over Toulouse on August 30. He has yet to feature in this season’s Champions League campaign, making his return particularly significant as PSG aim to make it three wins from three in the group stage.

Marquinhos’ return is equally important for stability in defence. However, head coach Luis Enrique will still be without key midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves, both of whom remain unavailable for the trip to Germany.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhy Dembele’s return changes everything for PSG

Les Parisiens have coped well domestically without their No. 10 but lacked his creativity and unpredictability in recent matches. The 28-year-old Ballon d'Or winner trains normally again and is expected to feature, though the club have stressed they will not “take any risks” with his recovery.

During his absence, PSG’s attack struggled for fluidity in certain matches. His return gives Enrique another dimension, pace on the flank, ability to beat defenders, and decisive contributions in the final third. During his rehabilitation, the Frenchman underwent treatment at a specialist clinic in Doha. Dembele then gradually returned to training last week. 

Marquinhos followed a separate recovery plan after suffering his thigh issue, with PSG choosing not to rush him to avoid a relapse. His return adds stability to a defence that has conceded goals in recent matches. The Brazilian restores leadership at the back, but it remains unclear whether either player will start or be eased in from the bench. PSG medical staff are taking a cautious approach due to the demanding fixtures ahead.

A Ballon d'Or winner back to inspire PSG

Dembele returns to action as the newly crowned Ballon d’Or winner, a landmark that adds even greater excitement to his comeback. PSG shared footage of him training normally at Camp des Loges, sparking hope among supporters that he will feature, even if only for limited minutes, against Leverkusen. Even during his absence, Dembele’s influence lingered. PSG have stayed competitive in Ligue 1 but missed his creativity and ability to open tight defences.

The club have repeatedly stressed that no risks will be taken with either Dembele or Marquinhos. Their long-term availability is considered more important than immediate impact. Still, their presence on the bench alone is a mental lift for both teammates and fans, especially ahead of a crunch match away from home in Europe. 

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AFPWhat comes next for Luis Enrique and PSG?

PSG enter one of the most demanding phases of their season, facing key fixtures domestically and in Europe. After Leverkusen, they return to Ligue 1 action against Brest and Lorient. With the team still managing injuries, Enrique will be tasked with rotating wisely while maintaining balance and intensity.

The timing of both players' return gives PSG a stronger foundation to build from. Their presence reduces pressure on younger players and stabilises the team both tactically and emotionally. 

For Dembele, this marks the beginning of a new chapter as a Ballon d’Or winner, now expected not only to entertain but to deliver consistently on the biggest stage. For Marquinhos, it is about restoring defensive leadership. For PSG, it’s about momentum, survival through injury setbacks, and pushing forward in the Champions League.

A 53-run ninth-wicket stand has effectively created a single-innings shootout with the WACA pitch starting to flatten out

Tristan Lavalette16-Mar-2025

Cooper Connolly top scored with 56•Getty Images

After a hectic period abroad, allrounder Cooper Connolly marked his return to the WACA with a half-century under pressure in the high stakes Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Victoria.Connolly threatened to turn the game on its head before Victoria regrouped and dismissed WA for 186 in their first innings. Openers Campbell Kellaway and Marcus Harris blunted WA’s attack in the last hour as Victoria built a 43-run lead by stumps on day two.The match has been a see-saw throughout with both teams firmly in the race to play South Australia in the final starting on March 26. They are fighting for the outright victory needed to overtake Queensland and New South Wales, who are both in trouble in their respective matches.Connolly rescued WA’s first innings from ruins at 111 for 8 with a top score of 56 off 104 balls on a green surface that has heavily favoured the bowlers although the pitch did seem to flatten out towards the backend of the day.He had a tough time in foreign conditions during his Test debut in Sri Lanka and at the Champions Trophy, but continued to build an impressive record at Shield level with his fourth half-century from his first six innings.While Connolly played somewhat within himself given the circumstances and conditions, he showcased his class with eight fours and a six.The rest of the WA batters combined for just ten boundaries across 78.2 overs as they got strangled by a disciplined Victoria pace attack with captain Will Sutherland, Peter Siddle and David Moody nagging away and producing sharp seam movement.WA had earlier resumed at 10 for 1 having lost captain Sam Whiteman just before stumps on day one. After starring with a five-wicket haul, nightwatchman Corey Rocchiccioli hoped to be a nuisance for Victoria and he looked untroubled until he was caught behind down the legside for 16, off Sutherland – in a similar dismissal to Whiteman.It brought out Jayden Goodwin, who was perhaps fortunate to hold his spot in the team ahead of Sam Fanning having only passed 10 once in his last five Shield innings. Goodwin hadn’t yet scored when he had a nervous moment after a loud shout by Sutherland for a catch at short leg.But he survived and had some respite from offspinner Todd Murphy, who came into the attack in the ninth over but struggled to find his lengths. He bowled too short and did not produce the same type of threat as counterpart Rocchicccioli, who is taller and able to produce more bounce.Opener Cameron Bancroft hoped to stonewall like he did in the last match against NSW with a vital 86 off 277 balls in WA’s second innings. But Siddle was rewarded for his accuracy when he had Bancroft edging to second slip for 14 as WA slumped to 35 for 3.Hilton Cartwright came to the crease in fine form having made a first-class career high of 171 not out against NSW, continuing a stellar season where he is currently the Shield’s leading run-scorer.Cartwright’s confidence was evident when he skipped down the wicket at Murphy and he stroked a lovely cover drive to make a mockery of the conditions. But he was unable to refocus after lunch and tamely nicked off a back of a length delivery from Sutherland to trigger a collapse of 5 for 35.Siddle and Sutherland bowled superbly in tandem with their lengths perfectly suited to this tricky surface.The normally flamboyant Connolly started cautiously before opening his account on his ninth delivery when he cracked a boundary through point, a rare loose ball from Sutherland who had only leaked nine runs off 11.5 overs up to that point.Former WA quick Moody complemented Sutherland and Siddle well in his Victoria debut and first Shield match in two years. Proving a worthy replacement for spearhead Scott Boland, who did not make the trip to Perth due to knee soreness, Moody enjoyed a surface that had more pace than the previous day’s play as he unleashed off his very long run-up.Victoria looked set for a handy first-innings lead before being left frustrated by a 53-run ninth-wicket partnership between Connolly and Cameron Gannon, who is a more than capable lower-order batter.Connolly did not have many opportunities to counterattack, but he kept the runs ticking against Murphy and hit the only six of the innings by hooking Moody into the ground’s construction site. He received healthy applause after reaching his half-century off 97 balls and eyed an unexpected lead for WA.However, Connolly was left disappointed after he was adjudged caught behind off Siddle in a decision that he clearly disagreed with. The evergreen Siddle finished with superb figures of 3 for 10 off 13.2 overs as he did his part in keeping Victoria’s title hopes alive.

After India’s unbeaten run through the Champions Trophy, several of their star performers have moved up the ICC’s ODI rankings. They make up four of the top-eight batters in the world with Shubman Gill still at No. 1. Rohit Sharma, Player of the Final for his match-winning 76, has moved up two places to No. 3, and Virat Kohli, with 218 runs in the tournament, is at No. 5. Shreyas Iyer has retained his No. 8 spot.The side’s third Champions Trophy title was set up by their spinners and two of them have made it to the top ten on the bowlers’ rankings. Kuldeep Yadav, who began his spell in the final with a wicket, is up at third place, and in tenth is Ravindra Jadeja, who had a miserly economy rate of 4.35 in the tournament.

Full rankings tables

• Click here for the full team rankings

• Click here for the full player rankings

India’s next ODI assignment is away in Bangladesh in August, followed by ODIs in Australia in October-November. South Africa and New Zealand then tour India over December and January, and one question has been whether Rohit and Kohli continue playing the format with the 2027 ODI World Cup still quite far away.Ricky Ponting, though, believes Rohit certainly has some unfinished business in the ODI game. “I think probably the fact that they lost the last one [2023 World Cup in India] and he was captain, that might be the thing that’s playing on the back of his mind,” Ponting told . “Just have one more crack at trying to win the T20 World Cup, the Champions Trophy, and the ODI World Cup. I mean when you see him play like he played in the Champions Trophy final, you wouldn’t say that his time is up just yet.”

Santner, Bracewell, Ravindra zoom up

New Zealand’s players made significant gains as well after their team’s run to the final of the Champions Trophy. Captain Mitchell Santner is ranked second on the ODI bowlers’ list, moving up six places on the back of several eye-catching performances. Santner finished with nine wickets in the tournament with an economy rate of 4.80.Santner is also fourth on the ODI allrounders’ rankings with Michael Bracewell, who made a fifty in the final and was New Zealand’s second-highest wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy, in seventh place.The other standout New Zealand player, Rachin Ravindra, who was the highest-scorer of the competition, jumped 14 places to 14th on the ODI batters’ rankings and eight places up to eighth in the allrounders rankings.

Everton boss David Moyes believes it is important to strengthen the squad with further signings before the market slams shut. Those at Elland Road on Monday evening would attest to that.

You can hardly draw conclusions after one match, especially when that match is the season’s curtain-raiser, but Everton clearly need a right-back and more depth in midfield and up front too.

Moyes wants his side to make real headway in the Premier League this season, competing for a first top-half finish since in 2020 under Carlo Ancelotti.

But more signings are needed, and there’s one rising talent in particular who is viewed as a dream signing for the Merseysiders.

Everton planning statement signing

Jack Harrison was pitted against Everton on Monday, having spent the past two years on loan at Goodison Park. Everton were probably right to have fed him into the streaming exodus before the summer, but have yet to sign a direct replacement on the right flank.

Jack Grealish certainly adds some magic to Moyes’ midfield, but the fleet-footed Three Lion is at his best when playing centrally or leaning to the left.

With this in mind, Everton are looking to sign Tyler Dibling from Southampton, having already seen a series of attempts to sign the dynamic attacking midfielder rebuffed this summer.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Friedkin Group “remain in negotiations” with Saints for the 19-year-old, who might also be creeping up Tottenham Hotspur’s shortlist after the Lilywhites fumbled their bid for Arsenal-bound Eberechi Eze.

The main sticking point pertains to the differences in valuation: Everton have already seen a £40m offer including add-ons, knocked back.

Why Everton should sign Tyler Dibling

Dibling is a terrific young player, even remarked to be a “world-class talent” by Southampton’s academy manager, Andy Goldie.

He performed admirably in an abject Southampton team last year, notching seven goal contributions across the campaign.

He might be a ‘world-class’ talent, but Dibling has a long way to go before he can stand proud as one of the dominant wingers on Premier League soil. Under Grealish’s wing at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, he might just realise his lofty ambitions.

Former Premier League star Stuart Pearce remarked last year that Dibling could be the next version of the England international, similarly silky on the ball and powerful and agile when he gets going.

Dibling – Stats by Position (24/25)

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Right winger

13

1

0

Attacking midfield

7

1

2

Centre-forward

5

2

1

Right wing-back

1

0

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

And where better to nurture his natural abilities than at Everton alongside the 29-year-old? Grealish, after all, ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe over the past 365 days for pass completion, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 1% for progressive carries and the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90, data provided by FBref.

He might have fallen by the wayside on an individual level across his final two years with Manchester City, but Grealish remains one of the most dangerous ball carriers in the business, and Dibling could feed on that if he moves to Everton before the end of the month.

Everton need a right-sided forward, and Dibling could be the perfect man to complete Moyes’ frontline and develop alongside a player like Grealish into the superstar he has been billed as.

Related Moyes' own Lukaku: Everton still chasing move for £51m "game changer"

Everton are still in the market for new players this summer

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Aug 21, 2025

Opener hits 94 from 90 balls after tourists skittle Prime Minister’s XI for 136

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Nov-2024

Zak Crawley made 94 from 90 balls•Getty Images

Zak Crawley hit 94 and Brydon Carse took four wickets as England stretched their legs on the first day of action on their tour of New Zealand.After opting to bowl, England dismissed the Prime Minister’s XI shortly after lunch, with Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson and Carse sharing the wickets. They then raced into the lead, Crawley providing the impetus in an innings that featured 14 fours and two sixes.Ben Stokes, England’s Test captain, sat out day one of the two-day game, with Ollie Pope leading the side in his absence.The youthful PM XI, which featured five players aged 23 or under, were soon in trouble against England’s new-ball pair of Woakes and Atkinson, who took two apiece up front to leave the hosts 20 for 4.Snehith Reddy, the 17-year-old New Zealand U19 allrounder, hit 60 from No. 6 but Carse – one of five bowlers used, alongside Matt Potts and Shoaib Bashir – helped England chip out the rest of the order.Crawley launched the reply in typically aggressive fashion, putting on 90 in 15.1 overs alongside Ollie Pope (42) for the second wicket and 50 in seven overs with Joe Root for the third. But Harry Brook and Chris Woakes were the only other batters to reach 20 as the innings ended in a clatter of wickets.England are expected to give most of their 16-man squad game time in the match, which is their only warm-up fixture before the first Test in Christchurch, starting on Thursday.

Amelia Kerr has made an immediate impact at Sydney Sixers, combining with Ellyse Perry for the match-winning WBBL partnership against Melbourne Stars.The star New Zealand allrounder was player of the match in her Sixers debut on Friday at Junction Oval as they beat the home side by six runs under the DLS method.Related

• Perry continues fine form as Sixers edge out Hurricanes

• King, Ainsworth combine in Scorchers' thrilling win; Knight-Bates pair maintain Thunder's strong start

Sixers’ chase started badly, when Kim Garth’s first delivery had Sarah Bryce caught by Meg Lanning at first slip in the second over for 1.That brought Kerr to the crease in her first game since tearing her right quad in the October 24 one-dayer against India. Kerr made 46 not out from 41 balls, including five fours, and Perry’s unbeaten 48 from 44 deliveries featured six boundaries as they took the game away from Stars.She also took two wickets, including Stars top-scorer Annabel Sutherland.There were concerns that Kerr, the player of the tournament in the T20 World Cup, might be sidelined for much of the WBBL. But she has recovered from her injury ahead of time. Kerr has signed with the Sixers for three seasons after five WBBL campaigns at the Brisbane Heat.Perry won the toss and Stars made a bright start, before she removed Ines McKeon in the fourth over. Stars stuttered from 32 for 1 to 50 for 3, before Sutherland gave some substance with her 42 from 36 balls, with two fours and two sixes.Kerr dismissed Sutherland in the final over and also claimed the wicket of Tess Flintoff two balls later to finish with 2 for 36 from four overs.English star Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the Sixers attack, claiming 3 for 19 from four overs.The result means the two Melbourne teams both carry losses into their Saturday derby at Junction Oval, while Sydney improve to a 3-2 record.

تحدث آرني سلوت مدرب ليفربول قبل انطلاق مباراة ديربي الميرسيساي ضد إيفرتون على ملعب أنفيلد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويدخل سلوت لقاء اليوم بتشكيل مكون من: أليسون بيكر، برادلي، فان دايك، إبراهيما كوناتي، ميلوس كيركيز، سوبوسلاي، جرافينبرخ، ماك أليستر، محمد صلاح، إيكتيكي، كودي جاكبو.

وقال سلوت في تصريحات نشرتها “بي بي سي” البريطانية: “مع كل ما نملكه من إمكانيات علينا أن ندرك أن لحظة واحدة تغير مجرى المباراة”.

وأضاف مدرب ليفربول :”إيفرتون يقاتل من أجل تلك اللحظة، إنهم مباشرون للغاية لذا إذا لم يركض أحدنا للخلف أو لم يكن مستعداً للصراع، فهم سريعون جداً أمام مرمانا”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. تشكيل ليفربول أمام إيفرتون في الدوري الإنجليزي .. موقف محمد صلاح

وواصل: “ربما يغيروا أسلوبهم اليوم لكن عادة ما كانوا يعتمدون على إدخال الكرة لمنطقة الجزاء في رميات التماس الطويلة وكل ركلة حرة الموسم الماضي، يدخلونها باستمرار إلى منطقة ال18 ياردة”.

وأتم سلوت في رسالته للاعبي ليفربول: “هذا هو أهم شئ علينا فعله اليوم، أن نكون مستعدين لدخولهم لمنطقة الجزاء، مستعدون للفوز، نعم، لا يهمني متى نسجل طالما نسجل”.

وحول قرار جلوس إيزاك على دكة البدلاء قال: “عادة عندما لا يلعب لاعب، لا أعتقد أن أي لاعب يقول حسناً أفهم قرارك، حسناً ربما يفهمونه لكنهم ربما اتخذوا قرار مختلف، لن أتفاجأ إذا سألته اليوم سيقول إن عدم مشاركته أساسياً هو الخيار الأفضل لكن الأمر يتعلق بلياقة المباريات بالطبع، كان من الجيد رؤيته يلعب لمدة ساعة في منتصف الأسبوع ودعونا نرى كم دقيقة يمكنه أن يلعب اليوم”.

وعن وجود فيرتز على مقاعد البدلاء: “أفكر بنفس طريقة قراري في إجلاس ماك أليستر على مقاعد البدلاء ضد أتلتيكو، كما قلت، ثلاث مباريات في سبعة أيام وليس ثمانية أيام، الأحد والأربعاء والسبت، هذه واحدة من أكثر المباريات التي يتعين علينا خوضها بشكل حماسي “.

وحول سوبوسلاي أكمل سلوت: “اليوم أعتقد أن سوبوسلاي الذي لعب هاتين المباراتين ضد بيرنلي واتلتيكو أيضاً أكثر اعتياداً على حماس الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز أكثر من فيرتز القادم من ألمانيا، الأمر يتعلق بعدد المباريات في وقت محدود، فيرتز سيشارك ولكن ليس من البداية”.

وختم عن التشكيل: “كنا بحاجة للاعبين جاهزين لهذه المباراة يتمتعون بلياقة بدنية كافية لمواجهة شدة المباراة منذ البداية، هذا ما حاولنا القيام به في كل تشكيل لعبنا به ضد بيرنلي وأتلتيكو، لنكون مستعدين لهذه المباراة”.

 

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that the club will bring in another central defender before the transfer window slams shut at the start of September.

The Hoops swooped to sign Hayato Inamura on a permanent deal earlier this month, but the Japanese defender is one for the future and another option in that area of the pitch is expected.

Rodgers already has Auston Trusty, Liam Scales, Dane Murray, Stephen Welsh, and Cameron Carter-Vickers in the centre-back positions, on top of the signing of Inamura, and they are looking for another.

CelticWay have reported that the club are weighing up a possible move to sign Dutch central defender Justin De Haas from Famalicão to add to their ranks.

The 25-year-old, left-footed, titan is valued at £3m by the Portuguese outfit, and could come in to compete for a place at the heart of the Hoops defence.

The role that Justin De Haas could play for Celtic

The potential signing of the Famalicão titan is an interesting one for the Scottish giants, because it would leave Rodgers with three left-footed centre-back options, in him, Scales, and Trusty.

Last season, the manager said that he prefers to play centre-backs on the side of their stronger foot because it “allows you to get through the pitch quicker and have more speed playing forward”, which suggests that De Haas will be competing with Trusty and Scales.

Based on their respective performances at league level in the 2024/25 campaign, De Haas’ biggest hurdle to making the starting XI could be the Ireland international.

Trusty joined from Sheffield United last summer and endured a difficult campaign in Scotland, as he ended the season as a back-up option behind Scales, and the Dutch star could come in as an upgrade on him.

Appearances

29

22

26

Goals

2

1

2

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.0

2.3

1.9

Dribbled past per game

0.3x

0.5x

0.2x

Clearances per game

5.4

4.0

4.8

Error led to shot

0

4

1

Error led to goal

1

1

0

Penalties committed

0

0

1

As you can see in the table above, De Haas could even offer more to the team than Scales, with more defensive actions and fewer errors leading to shots, goals, or penalties overall.

This suggests that he could be a starting-calibre left-sided centre-back option for Celtic if he can translate his form over to the Scottish Premiership, but there is also the possibility that he is a second-choice to Scales, with Trusty demoted to a reserve.

Overall, given he will need to adapt to the league, De Haas could be a back-up centre-back at first, which is why their pursuit of a new winger is an even more exciting prospect.

Celtic in talks to sign new winger

According to the Daily Record, Celtic want to spend the money they are set to rake in from Como for Nicolas Kuhn to sign two new wingers this summer.

The German forward is set to sign for the Italian side for a reported fee of £16.5m, which will provide the Hoops with funds to dip into the market themselves.

Transfer Focus

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

This latest report from the Daily Record states that the Scottish Premiership champions are locked in talks with Royal Antwerp over a deal for Belgian winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha.

The outlet states that Royal Antwerp value the forward at a fee of around £5m, but they may lower it in order to push a transfer through in the coming weeks.

It adds that the 24-year-old attacker, who predominantly plays on the left flank, is keen on a switch to Parkhead this summer, which suggests that personal terms would not be too much of a problem if a fee can be agreed.

Why Balikwisha would be an exciting signing

Balikwisha would be an even more exciting signing than De Haas for Celtic this summer because he could slot straight into the starting XI from the first match.

Jota is set to miss the first half of the season with a knee injury, having suffered an ACL blow last term, and that has left a vacant spot on the left wing ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Until a new senior centre-forward is in the building, Daizen Maeda could continue where he left off as the starting number nine, which means that he would not be the starter on the left flank. Therefore, Balikwisha could have a free run at the left wing position to be a starter in the Premiership.

This means that, unlike De Haas, Celtic supporters could expect to see the Belgian wizard in the starting line-up when the Hoops host St Mirren at Parkhead on the opening day in August.

As well as being a potential frontline starter, which the Dutch defender may not initially be, Balikwisha could also be a more exciting signing because he is an attacking player who has the potential to deliver goals and assists.

Starts

27

12

xG

6.46

2.65

Goals

7

4

Big chances created

6

7

Key passes per game

1.5

1.6

Assists

5

3

As you can see in the table above, Balikwisha has produced 11 goals and 13 ‘big chances’ created in his last 39 starts in the Belgian top-flight for Royal Antwerp.

The 24-year-old star was described as a “creative” talent by analyst Will Glavin, which is backed up by his return of seven ‘big chances’ created in 12 starts in the Pro League last season.

Balikwisha is a winger who has shown that he has the ability to deliver goals and assists at a fairly impressive rate in Belgium, which suggests that he could thrive in a dominant Celtic team that wins week-in-week-out.

The £5m-rated star could get supporters off their feet with his quality in the final third, as the anticipation could build whenever he picks the ball up in space out on the left flank.

Celtic can sign a better ST than Kvistgaarden in "complete" £6.8m star

Celtic could forget all about Mathias Kvistgaarden by signing this striker this summer.

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Therefore, the Royal Antwerp wing wizard could be an even more exciting signing than De Haas due to his potential to be an immediate starter, as well as him being an attack-minded player, rather than a centre-back.

Don’t worry, Arsenal fans; there is just one more game left of this dreadful season.

Mikel Arteta’s side are set to end yet another campaign without a trophy to their name, although it would be fair to say that injuries have been their biggest problem this time.

However, in more positive news, it does now look like new Sporting Director Andrea Berta and the rest of the board are intent on going big in the transfer market this summer.

One of the names most heavily linked with the Gunners over the last week or so has been Rodrygo, and while he would be a sensational acquisition, he’d have to hit the ground running to see his valuation even match one of his potential new teammates.

Why Arsenal want to sign Rodrygo

While the murmurings of Arsenal’s interest in Rodrygo stretch back to last week, the reports have become more concrete and exciting in the last few days, with some even claiming that the club are now leading the race for his signature.

Moreover, while there have been some discrepancies in reports over how much he might cost the Gunners, the figure most often reported is a cool £85m.

Now, while that is an awful lot of money to spend on one player, it’s not hard to see why Arteta and Co want the Brazilian international, as not only can he play across the frontline, but he’s also a reliable source of goals and assists.

For example, since the start of last season, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has scored 31 goals and provided 19 assists in 102 appearances, totalling 7,067 minutes.

In other words, the Osasco-born dynamo has maintained a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 2.04 games, or every 141.34 minutes across two years of football.

Appearances

52

50

Minutes

3777′

3290′

Goals

18

13

Assists

9

10

Goal Involvements per Match

0.51

0.46

Minutes per Goal Involvement

139.88′

143.04′

With that said, even if he were to join Arsenal for the fee being reported, one of his new teammates would still be worth millions more than him.

The Arsenal star worth millions more than Rodrygo

While Arsenal do have a number of very talented attackers in their squad, there aren’t many who could accurately be described as ‘more valuable’ than Rodrygo, apart from one: Bukayo Saka.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

Yes, the star in question is, of course, the Gunners’ talismanic number seven, who, according to the CIES Football Observatory, is currently worth up to €121m, which is about £101m, or a whopping £16m more than the Real Madrid man could cost the club.

Now, that is undoubtedly an eye-watering amount of money, but based on the Englishman’s incredible performances and importance for the North Londoners, it doesn’t feel inaccurate.

For example, even though he missed almost four months of football through a hamstring injury this season, the 23-year-old “legend in the making,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists in 36 appearances, totalling 2592 minutes.

That means the “world-class” Hale Ender, as dubbed by Rio Ferdinand, is currently averaging a goal involvement every 1.38 games or every 99.69 minutes, which is frankly incredible.

With that said, how does he stack up against his potential new teammate when we take a look at their underlying numbers?

Well, somewhat surprisingly, while the Brazilian does well in some metrics, such as progressive passes and carries and successful take-ons per 90, it’s the Emirates’ favourite son who comes out comfortably on top.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.70

0.32

Non-Penalty G+As

0.79

0.51

Progressive Passes

3.54

5.05

Progressive Passes Received

13.1

11.8

Progressive Carries

4.97

5.28

Shots

3.39

2.52

Shots on Target

1.16

0.93

Passing Accuracy

75.5%

85.9%

Key Passes

2.96

2.29

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.90

1.21

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.63

0.09

Shot-Creating Actions

5.93

4.95

Goal-Creating Actions

1.22

0.42

Successful Take-Ons

2.12

2.29

For example, he does better in almost every single relevant metric, including, but limited to, expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, passing accuracy, shot and goal-creating actions, shots and shots on target, key passes, passes into the penalty area, and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, Arsenal should do all they can to sign Rodrygo this summer, but in Saka, they already have a winger who sits among the very best in the world and has a valuation to match.

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Manchester United are now set to hold transfer talks with a “world-class” attacker who has also been contacted by Barcelona, according to a new report.

Man Utd stepping up transfer plans as Amorim eyes attacking additions

Given how the season has gone for the Red Devils, it is no surprise to see that the club’s hierarchy have started to put plans in place for the summer transfer window, as Ruben Amorim will be keen on bringing in his own type of players.

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Attacking additions are high on the agenda for Amorim, as the lack of goals have been a real killer for United throughout the whole of this campaign. It appears as though Matheus Cunha could be United’s first signing of the summer, as it’s been claimed that a deal is close to being completed, with United offering Cunha a five-year contract ahead of triggering his £62.5 million release clause.

As well as looking at signing Cunha, it’s been reported that the Red Devils have also made contact with Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The forward is considered a top target for United, and it could cost them as much as £40 million to get a deal over the line for the Frenchman.

Man Utd set to hold talks to sign Ademola Lookman

The list of attacking options doesn’t stop there for the Premier League giants, as according to Caught Offside, Man United are now planning to hold talks with Ademola Lookman over a deal to bring him to Old Trafford.

The report states that United are among the teams from the Premier League who are looking to sign Lookman this summer, as he is expected to leave Atalanta. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United are also looking to hold talks over a potential move back to England and the Premier League.

However, it is not just English teams chasing the former Everton man, as Barcelona have already contacted the player’s agent over a possible move to Spain, but their ongoing financial issues mean it could be difficult for them to complete a deal.

Juventus have also expressed interest in Lookman, who is in the 99th percentile for goals this season when compared with his positional peers in the ‘big five’ leagues, but the asking price of €60–65 million, which is roughly £50-55 million, is said to be too much for the Serie A side.

Statistic

Percentile

Non-penalty goals

99th

Shots total

95th

Non-penalty xG + AG

96th

Shot-creating actions

93th

The 27-year-old, who has been dubbed “world-class” by the BBC’s John Bennett, has scored 13 goals and recorded five assists in 28 Serie A games this season.

The Nigeria international has also netted five goals in seven Champions League games, continuing his fine form for Atalanta since joining the club back in August 2022. Lookman is under contract until 2027, but given previous comments from the Atalanta boss, his time with the Italian club appears to be coming to an end, and a move back to England could be on the cards.