Aston Villa are now set to make a move for a £17m defender, Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri has revealed.

Collymore left fuming by PSR issues at Villa

Villa are one of many Premier League clubs that have found it hard to abide by PSR rules, and former player Stan Collymore was left dissatisfied by the decision to sell the women’s team in a bid to balance the books.

“I’m disappointed that Aston Villa sold their women’s team to themselves, but from a business perspective, I understand it.

“We want strict rules that say clubs can spend a certain amount, this is the reason why they can spend that much, and everybody knows where they stand. And it would just avoid a ridiculous situation whereby teams are having to sell their women’s teams or sell their best young prospects to each other to balance the PSR books.

“So, something needs to happen because the current PSR rules are simply not fit for purpose.”

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Of course, another way of raising funds is through player sales, and Ollie Watkins continues to be linked with a move elsewhere, with Ruben Amorim keen to take the England international to Manchester United.

However, Enzo Barrenechea appears to be closer to the exit door, with widespread reports suggesting the Argentinian is now set to seal a £13m move to Benfica.

Although not a massive sale, Barrenechea’s departure could raise money for Villa’s own transfer business, and Tavolieri has now revealed they are “set” to make a move for Toulouse defender Jaydee Canvot.

The Sky Sports reporter makes it clear the Villans want to finalise a deal as quickly as possible, as they are “convinced by his potential”, and personal terms are not expected to be an issue, with Canvot keen on a move to Villa Park.

Canvot showing promising signs at Toulouse

A deal for the 18-year-old will not break the bank, as Toulouse are set to hold out for a fee of around £17m, and there are plenty of signs that he would be a solid long-term addition to Unai Emery’s squad.

Most notably, the teenager has already established himself as a first-team regular for Toulouse, making 18 appearances in Ligue 1 last season, which indicates he may not be too far off being able to push for a starting spot at Villa.

During that time, the starlet has also showcased his versatility, having featured at both centre-back and defensive midfield, with the threat he poses going forward illustrated by the fact he ranks in the 94th percentile for successful take-ons per 90 over the past year.

Canvot is unlikely to be a regular starter at Villa from the off, given his lack of experience, but there are plenty of indications he could be a solid addition to Emery’s squad.

Newcastle United are believed to be “planning a new offer” that could be as much as £40m to sign an “incredible” player in the summer transfer window.

More attacking targets at Newcastle after Elanga

The Magpies have lost Callum Wilson, following the veteran striker’s decision to leave the club, which has heightened the need for attacking reinforcements at St James’ Park this summer, despite the addition of new winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest.

The winger has cost PIF up to £55m and Newcastle certainly appear to be targeting more players in attacking areas, with Borussia Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi the latest star to be linked with a move ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Magpies are also said to have entered the race to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, with the Englishman’s future at the club up in the air currently. He could be an ideal upgrade on Wilson, providing strong competition for Alexander Isak, assuming he stays put.

Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is another exciting target for Newcastle, with the 28-year-old potentially keen on testing himself at a bigger club at this point in his career, especially if fellow attacking ace Bryan Mbeumo also leaves the Bees in the coming weeks. Now, a key update has dropped regarding a PIF target at the other end of the pitch.

Newcastle ready new offer for "incredible" star

According to Football Insider‘s Pete O’Rourke, Newcastle are now “planning a new offer” for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, with the Englishman one of their most prominent transfer targets in recent months.

Several bids from the Magpies have already been rejected, with an “upfront offer of £22m with add-ons taking it close to £40m” now being prepared in this latest update.

Trafford continues to stand out as the perfect choice for Newcastle between the sticks, with the 22-year-old having so much long-term potential, being hailed by Burnley manager Scott Parker for his “world-class” ability.

“I was quoted in saying that he’s a world-class keeper, which he is and there is no doubt that I see him as a future England keeper. He’s been incredible.”

The 22-year-old Trafford was a star performer for Burnley throughout a triumphant Championship campaign that saw them return to the Premier League, with the Clarets remarkably conceding just 16 goals in their 46 league matches.

While he is clearly still a very young goalkeeper, he already possesses an aura and maturity to his game that suggests there is no reason why he couldn’t oust Nick Pope straight away at Newcastle, even though the current Magpies man remains a good option.

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Trafford is a genuine contender to be England’s next No.1 after Jordan Pickford, assuming he continues on his current trajectory, and while a total of £40m is a lot to pay for a player, it could prove to be a bargain over time. Hopefully, he is desperate to join, putting further pressure on Burnley to accept the offer.

Regis Le Bris certainly loves raiding his native homeland of France for some gems to add to his ever-expanding Sunderland camp.

Indeed, Lorient-born ace Enzo Le Fee was the first major statement purchase on Le Bris’ end when calling back to his birthplace.

It’s safe to say the midfielder made an instant impact on Wearside, registering an amazing assist against Middlesbrough and then scoring against Luton within his first few months at the club.

Now, Le Bris seems intent on exploring the French market once again.

Sunderland eyeing £14m star after Diarra

Habib Diarra will be the next to join in a similar vein, having been a top performer in Ligue 1 for some time now, which was the Black Cats’ manager’s old stomping ground before the Stadium of Light came calling.

Diarra will allegedly cost a club record £30m to obtain but that won’t stop Sunderland in their tracks when it comes to adding even more diamonds who have recently called the French top division home.

As per a report from Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport, which has been relayed by, Roker Report, Sunderland are keen on adding AFC Bournemouth outcast Hamed Traore to their growing ranks this summer.

It’s stated that Fiorentina, Parma, Sassuolo, and Marseille are all interested in snapping up the £14m-rated attacker alongside Le Bris’ men, with this frenzied interest coming about off the back of Traore setting Ligue 1 alight last season out on loan at Auxerre.

Still, despite coming into his own in France, The Cherries are adamant they want to get rid, with it being stated that the South Coast outfit are undergoing a squad refresh.

Subsequently, Sunderland could be about to pick up another gem who was a standout performer in Ligue 1 last season, with Traore and Diarra as a duo giving the Black Cats lots of quality ahead of their voyage up a division.

Why Traore would be great alongside Diarra

Traore had shown in flashes for Bournemouth that he can also handle the tricky terrain of the Premier League, before tumbling down the pecking order, with a single goal coming his way from 13 Cherries appearances.

He will hope he can kick on and add even more goals to his slim top-flight collection if Sunderland do come calling, with the Ivorian showing off his obvious class in Ligue 1 last season for Auxerre, bouncing back having initially struggled on the south coast.

In total, Traore fired home a mightily impressive ten goals and picked up two assists across 26 Auxerre appearances, with his ability to play all across the forward positions as a left or right winger, alongside being capable as a number 10, making him an even better pick-up for Le Bris.

Diarra can offer the same eye for a goal and assist that Traore possesses, but from a more central place on the pitch, whether that be as a number 10 or as a more defensive anchor, with the pair together perhaps forming a healthy working relationship in both making the jump to move to Wearside shortly.

Games played

26

30

Goals scored

10

4

Assists

2

5

Touches*

42.2

43.5

Shots*

2.6

0.9

Accurate passes*

17.4 (78%)

26.3 (87%)

Key passes*

1.1

0.9

Big chances missed

5

2

Big chances created

4

9

Total duels won*

4.9

3.3

The similarities don’t just end at their comparable levels of electric output, however, with Diarra and Traore both willing to battle for their team’s cause too, notably winning a high number of duels.

This would make them very valuable members of Le Bris’ relegation-threatened squad, with the “magnificent” attacker – as he’s been glowingly labelled by scout Jacek Kulig – ready for a chance to prove himself in the Premier League again, after exploding into life on French soil.

With Diarra also being hailed as a “complete midfielder” by analyst Ben Mattinson, these are two buys that could well see Sunderland stay afloat next season, with more signings past these two surely expected as the Black Cats continue to conduct their business at a blistering pace.

​​​​​​​

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عاد مانشستر يونايتد للنتائج المخيبة للآمال بعد تعرضه لخسارة قوية ضد مانشستر سيتي بثلاثية نظيفة، على ملعب الاتحاد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

لا يعتقد بيتر شمايكل أسطورة مانشستر يونايتد أن روبن أموريم قام بتحسين أداء الفريق، ويرى أنه بحاجة لتغيير أسلوبه لتحقيق النتائج المرجوة.

وكان فيل فودين لاعب مانشستر سيتي قد افتتح التسجيل في الشوط الأول، قبل أن يحرز إيرلينج هالاند هدفين في الشوط الثاني.

وخلق مانشستر يونايتد بعض الفرص لكنه كان أقل بكثير من منافسه مانشستر سيتي، على الرغم من نشاط النادي في سوق الانتقالات وتعزيز صفوفه بأكثر من لاعب.

اقرأ أيضاً.. روي كين يهاجم مانشستر يونايتد بعد ثلاثية السيتي: فريق عادي.. ونستمر في اختلاق الأعذار

وقال شمايكل في تصريحات نقلتها “مترو” البريطانية: “بالنظر لفريق مانشستر يونايتد، أشعر أنه لم يتطور، الأمر نفسه، لم يكن مانشستر سيتي بحاجة لأداء استثنائي”.

وأضاف: “أعتقد أنه بحاجة للتفكير في تغيير بعض الأمور، تغيير أسلوب اللعب بحيث يلعب اللاعبون بما يجيدونه وبما نشأوا عليه، الاعتماد على أربعة لاعبين في الخلف”.

وكان مانشستر يونايتد قد جمع أربع نقاط فقط خلال 4 مباريات، حيث خسر ضد آرسنال ومانشستر سيتي وحقق الفوز ضد بيرنلي بصعوبة وتعادل مع فولهام بهدف لمثله.

بينما غادر مانشستر يونايتد منافسات كأس الرابطة المحترفين الإنجليزية بعد الخسارة ضد جريمسبي تاون بركلات الجزاء الترجيحية.

Defeat deals heavy blow to Sunrisers’ hopes of reaching semi-finals

ECB Reporters Network04-Sep-2024

Chloe Skelton’s five-wicket haul propelled Western Storm to victory at Radlett and dealt a severe blow to Sunrisers’ hopes of reaching the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy semi-finals.Off-spinner Skelton finished with 5 for 29 as the home side were rolled over for 150, having earlier played a valuable role with the bat in support of Amanda-Jade Wellington’s counter-attacking 45 not out that lifted Storm to a competitive total of 180.Sunrisers looked on course to chase that down through Cordelia Griffith (39) and Alice Macleod, with a season’s best of 48, only for Skelton to turn the contest back in the visitors’ favour.Storm’s success was only their fourth of this year’s competition and left Sunrisers needing to win their final fixture away to Southern Vipers to maintain their chances of advancing to the knockout stage.Having won the toss, Sunrisers inserted the visitors and immediately seized control of the game, although it took them until the ninth over to make inroads when Kate Coppack took a tumbling return catch off Sophia Smale’s leading edge.Emma Corney and skipper Sophie Luff made steady progress, guiding their side to 61 for 1 before the introduction of Sophie Munro, who yorked Corney for 29 in her first over and finished with 3 for 42, triggered a clatter of wickets.Luff was bowled leaving a slower delivery from Eva Gray that seamed back to hit her off stump and a miserly second spell from leg-spinner Jodi Grewcock yielded two wickets as Storm slumped to 115 for 8.However, their prospects were salvaged by the tail, with Skelton and then Ellie Anderson providing staunch support for Wellington’s spirited counter-attack to extend the innings by a valuable 65 runs.The Australian steered Munro to the point boundary to bring up Storm’s 150 and drilled her next ball over the top for six as she and Anderson frustrated the home side in a partnership of 41, the highest of the innings.Abtaha Maqsood eventually finished off proceedings in the 47th over, bowling Anderson with a flighted delivery to leave Wellington five short of her half-century – but having done enough to lift Storm morale.That received another boost at the start of Sunrisers’ reply when Anderson dismissed both openers cheaply, with Jo Gardner picking out the midwicket fielder before Grace Scrivens played around one and was bowled.When Skelton had Grewcock caught behind off her fourth delivery, the home side were wobbling at 44 for 3, but Griffith adopted a pugnacious approach, pummelling Anderson for successive off-side boundaries.In tandem with MacLeod, Griffith got Sunrisers back on track with a partnership of 46 from 58 balls and looked comfortably set on 39 when she swung Skelton into the hands of deep midwicket.But MacLeod took up the baton, hitting confidently over the infield and took the total past 100 by dispatching Wellington to the rope as well as taking successive leg-side boundaries off Smale.A half-century seemed to be MacLeod’s for the taking until she was thwarted by a stunning one-handed catch from Alex Griffiths at short cover – and that proved to be a turning point.Storm’s spinners pressed home their advantage, with Skelton capturing three of the last four wickets to complete the win with 10.3 overs to spare.

Sri Lanka captain also credits spinners and interim coach Jayasuriya for their first ODI series win against India in 27 years

Andrew Fidel Fernando07-Aug-2024Sri Lanka’s top-order batters were good, and their spinners were even better. This was captain Charith Asalanka’s take on what had enabled his team to overcome India, a side which they had lost to 16 times since 2015, but beaten only on three occasions in ODIs.In this series, played on raging turners, Sri Lanka tied the first match, won the second game comfortably, and then trounced India in the third match by 110 runs.Three times they bowled out their opposition, and spinners took 27 of the 30 India wickets on offer. The three top wicket-takers in the series were all Sri Lanka spinners – Jeffrey Vandersay taking eight despite playing only two of the games, Dunith Wellalage claiming seven, and Asalanka himself taking six.Sri Lanka did not have their premier spinner Wanindu Hasaranga in games two and three either, after he was ruled out with a leg injury.”The biggest positive was winning a series against India after 27 years,” Asalanka said. “The other big positive were the spinners. We had relied on Wanindu Hasaranga, but we’ve had Vandersay and Dunith playing well here too.”Related

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But while on such helpful tracks, the spinners were perhaps expected to thrive, Sri Lanka’s top order also provided the kinds of platforms they have frequently failed to provide, especially against India.The highest score of the series was Avishka Fernando’s 96 in the third match. But fellow opener Pathum Nissanka hit 101 runs in a low-scoring series, and Kusal Mendis also contributed 103, thanks largely to his 59 in Wednesday’s match.”On these pitches, until the ball gets a little older, it’s easier to bat, and it takes less spin,” Asalanka said. “What we planned was for someone in the top order to get a big score, and for others around him to play around him and get to a good score. Today that was really successful, as Avishka got to 96, which isn’t easy on a pitch like this.”But the coaching staff and me as the captain gave that challenge to the batsmen playing up the order, including me. If you look through the series the middle order was a little hit and miss, but the top order was successful, so we were able to get to those targets.”The top order gave great starts and that’s the biggest change I see in this team. If you look at our one-day cricket two or three years ago we weren’t getting good starts. As the No. 5 batter, I was coming in at the 10 over mark quite frequently. But now there’s a foundation, and that’s a sign of us maturing.”For turning things around after their 3-0 thrashing in the T20Is, Asalanka credited a team environment that prioritised freedom, for which he said interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya was also responsible.”As a team we tried to create a good environment, after talking to the coach,” Asalanka said. “We tried to give a lot of freedom to our players and to show their talent. We don’t put much pressure on them. We identify what the positives and negatives are and we back their strength. If they fail it’s not a problem. If you have that backing you can play against a good team like this. In the T20s though we lost there were positives in our top order. I knew as a captain that when we play to our potential, we can compete against the best.”

Perhaps being dropped from England’s ODI squad was the wake-up call that Liam Livingstone needed. After flattering to deceive while battling a series of niggling injuries over the last three years, Livingstone marked his 50th T20I cap by clubbing 87 off 47 to square the series in Cardiff, having earlier helped to drag Australia back with 2 for 16 in his three overs.Chasing 194 to set up a decider in Manchester on Sunday, England slipped to 79 for 3 in the ninth over when Phil Salt miscued Matthew Short to long-on. But Livingstone combined with the precocious allrounder Jacob Bethell to add 90 in just 47 balls, and despite a major wobble against Short’s offbreaks, England got home with an over to spare.Related

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Bethell was handed his first England cap by Livingstone on Wednesday, having been mentored by him at Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred. They fed off one another: as Livingstone laid into Australia’s under-strength seam attack, Bethell took down their spinners – including four consecutive boundaries off Adam Zampa, which broke the back of the chase.Bethell fell with 25 still needed, losing his off stump while reverse-sweeping, but Livingstone took England home. Given the responsibility of batting at No. 4 in a young side, Livingstone was playing for his England future this week but has delivered, twice top-scoring and taking five wickets in six overs.It meant Livingstone addressed a long-standing charge against him: that he has often shown glimpses of his talent in international cricket, but has rarely won England a game. While he could not quite deliver the decisive blow – he was bowled trying to hit Short for six with scores tied – this was still a match-winning innings, featuring five sixes.He sent a raucous, sold-out Cardiff crowd home happy. “I’ve struck the ball better, but in terms of situations, scenarios, I don’t really care about scoring runs in loses,” Livingstone said. “It’s all about winning games: I want to win games for England and today I feel like I’ve done that.”Australia’s total of 193 owed much to Jake Fraser-McGurk’s maiden international half-century, with Josh Inglis adding 42. They were pegged back after another fast start, but looked short on bowling quality with Xavier Bartlett missing due to a side strain and Josh Hazlewood rested – and so it proved.Liam Livingstone raced to a half-century in his 50th T20I•Getty Images

The Rooster crows

Fraser-McGurk missed out on selection at the Utilita Bowl after scoring 0, 16 and 0 in his first three T20I innings in Scotland last week, with Short preferred at the top of the order. But Mitchell Marsh’s illness – which saw Travis Head captain Australia for the first time in any format – gave Fraser-McGurk an opportunity at No. 3.He came in after another fast start by Australia’s new opening pair: Short crunched Reece Topley for a six and two fours in the first over before Head raced to 31 off 13 balls, including two towering straight sixes. Brydon Carse’s extra pace made the difference: Head slapped his second ball, clocked at 91.3mph, straight to short cover.Fraser-McGurk made a flying start of his own, hitting three consecutive boundaries off Sam Curran as Australia reached 67 for 1 off the Powerplay. After initially struggling to pick Adil Rashid, he then lofted a floaty legbreak back down the ground for a straight six – though Rashid then cleaned Short up for 28 with a trademark googly.Livingstone kept things tight through the middle and had both Fraser-McGurk and Marcus Stoinis caught at wide long-on by Jamie Overton – though not before Fraser-McGurk had audaciously launched the profligate Topley over deep point for six.Carse was hit for consecutive fours by Inglis – who made 42 – but had Tim David caught behind with his last ball. He finished with 2 for 26 in his first international match since serving a ban for breaching anti-gambling regulations, having replaced the rested Jofra Archer. But Overton shelled Cameron Green at deep midwicket, and Aaron Hardie punished Curran in the final over to lift Australia to 193.Jake Fraser-McGurk launches down the ground•PA Photos/Getty Images

England’s late wobble

After Salt crunched Hardie for three consecutive sixes to get England moving, Will Jacks fell cheaply in the chase, picking out long leg for the second game in a row to extend an underwhelming start to his T20I career. Sean Abbott was the bowler, and had two in his first three balls when Jordan Cox lost his leg stump to a nip-backer.Salt and Livingstone ticked over but Zampa briefly put the brakes on, and Head was rewarded for a bowling change which defied convention: using Short’s offspin against two right-handers. But Livingstone and Bethell combined to stunning effect, starting steadily before shifting gears to take Stoinis and Zampa down respectively.England did their best to mess things up, with Short taking his first five-for of a 233-match professional career: Bethell was bowled reversing, Curran picked out extra cover, Livingstone ran past a straight one and Carse picked out mid-on. With Short on a hat-trick, Rashid steered the winning single away through point.

Easwaran made a back-to-the-wall ton to reduce India B’s deficit

Shashank Kishore20-Sep-2024Like he did in the previous match, Abhimanyu Easwaran waged a lone battle for India B as they stare at a substantial first-innings deficit in the final round of the 2024-25 Duleep Trophy in Anantapur.Easwaran backed his unbeaten 157 in the previous game with a second-straight century, a 170-ball 116, before being adjudged caught behind. Easwaran, who went for a hook shot, seemed to suggest the ball had deflected off his arm guard.He couldn’t contest the decision because the BCCI has enabled DRS only for the other fixture, between India A and India C, which is being broadcast.The runs couldn’t have come at a better time, given India will be looking to possibly narrow down on a reserve openers’ slot while looking ahead to the India A tour to Australia, followed by the five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy, also in Australia.Related

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Prior to Easwaran’s typically gritty knock, it was Sanju Samson who brought the thrill, racing to what was only his 11th first-class century, in 105 innings, at better than a run-a-ball. Samson hit 12 fours and three sixes in his 101-ball 106 that formed the bedrock of India D’s 349.Navdeep Saini had a second impressive outing, picking up 5 for 74, to go with his five wickets and a half-century in the opening round of matches.Already out of the reckoning for a trophy having lost both their games so far, India D hit back with the ball courtesy Arshdeep Singh and Aditya Thakare. Arshdeep, who is looking to build his way up the red-ball charts after becoming a white-ball regular for India, picked up 3 for 30 across 12 overs.This included the big wickets of Suryakumar Yadav (5) and the in-form Musheer Khan (5). Nitish Kumar Reddy, among the BCCI’s target pool of players, bagged a third single-digit score in the tournament, two of them ducks, when he was nicked off by Arshdeep.Washington Sundar batted with composure to remain unbeaten on 39 at stumps. He’ll have to do a bulk of the scoring on Saturday if India D are to minimise what could be a massive first-innings deficit.

Newcastle United have bid farewell to striker Callum Wilson, who departs the Magpies after five years on Tyneside.

The centre-forward struggled with injury throughout his spell with the club, scoring 49 goals across 130 appearances.

However, with a Carabao Cup winner’s medal around his neck, he will leave Tyneside with fond memories of the club.

The positive news concerning his departure means that it does leave room for Eddie Howe to bring in another striker this summer, especially with European football on the horizon.

James Trafford and Anthony Elanga look set to move to St James’ Park in the coming days. Will another new attacker follow after them?

Newcastle in advanced talks for English striker

Howe was keen on bringing Joao Pedro to Newcastle, but Chelsea’s offer of £60m was beyond what the Magpies were willing to spend.

Despite Champions League football to look forward to next term, Howe is going to have to be diligent in the transfer market and hunt for alternatives.

Well, according to reports, the Toon are now currently in advanced talks to sign former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin following his departure from the Toffees.

The Englishman has been admired for a while now by Howe, but he will have to fend off interest from Manchester United to secure his man.

Transfer Focus

Even though he has scored only 11 goals since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, could he return to form at Newcastle, however?

Especially with someone like Elanga creating plenty of chances for him.

Why Calvert-Lewin could be a good signing for Newcastle

Last season, Elanga notched up 12 assists for Nottingham Forest in all competitions. Furthermore, he created nine big chances and averaged 1.3 key passes per game in the top flight.

If that wasn’t enough, the Swede ranked in the top 6% for assists and in the top 3% for crosses when compared to his positional peers in the Premier League.

Thus, should Calvert-Lewin make the move to Newcastle, he would surely shine alongside a player like Elanga.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2024/25

26

3

2

2023/24

38

8

3

2022/23

18

2

1

2021/22

18

5

2

2020/21

39

21

5

2019/20

41

15

1

2018/19

38

8

3

2017/18

44

8

5

2016/17

20

5

2

While the previous few years have been tough, the 28-year-old did score 13 league goals in 2019/20 and 16 the season after, proving that when he is fit, the striker is among one of the best in the country.

It was around this time that the player received plenty of praise from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who said:

“Calvert-Lewin, I really expected him to make big steps in the next few years and he did. He has everything you need in a top striker: size, mobility, speed, desire, technically really, really good, in the air, finishing with his head, both feet.”

Signing the former Sheffield United starlet on a free transfer could turn into a shrewd piece of business for Howe. But only if he remains fit and healthy.

Adding both Elanga and Calvert-Lewin will certainly give Newcastle more depth in their attacking department and it could well be that the Forest winger is the chance generation machine that the latter needs to revive his career.

Still only 28, the former Everton striker could shine in the northeast.

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After months of speculation, Manchester United finally secured the signature of Bryan Mbeumo earlier this week, with the Cameroonian international penning a five-year contract.

The hierarchy forked out a whopping £71m for the 25-year-old’s signature, becoming Ruben Amorim’s second signing of the summer after Matheus Cunha joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, whilst it may be a hefty sum, it could prove to be a worthwhile investment should he replicate his form in the Premier League during the 2024/25 campaign.

He registered 20 league goals last time around, with only talents such as Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland finding the net more in the same period.

Despite the big-money addition of Mbeumo, the hierarchy are still working tirelessly to improve the current squad to try and be successful in the 2025/26 season.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

Ollie Watkins is a player who’s been constantly linked with United over the last couple of weeks, leading to strong interest from Amorim’s side this summer.

The England international could be available for a fee in the region of £60m this summer, a figure that could be slightly inflated given he’s 29 and coming into the back end of his professional career.

However, another name has been thrown into the mix over recent days, with PSG striker Randal Kolo-Muani also in their sights, according to one Spanish outlet.

They claim that the Red Devils are preparing an opening offer for the Frenchman after scoring 10 goals in his 22 appearances on loan at Italian side Juventus.

It also states that Newcastle United are in the hunt for the 26-year-old, with Luis Enrique’s side currently demanding a fee in the region of £39m for his signature this summer.

Why United’s £39m target would be a better signing than Mbeumo

There’s no doubt that signing a player after scoring 20 league goals in England’s top flight is excellent business for a club who were lingering in the bottom half all campaign.

However, there may be some concerns around his impact next season, potentially having to operate in an unnatural role at the club given Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.

The Cameroonian operated in a right-wing position during his time at Brentford, but could be forced to play in a central attacking midfield role during his time at Old Trafford.

It could prove to be a huge investment on a player who’s not featuring in a familiar position, potentially failing to replicate his excellent form from 2024/25 as a result.

As a result, Kolo Muani could be a better option this summer, handing the manager the centre-forward he’s craved since taking the reins back in November last year.

When comparing the Frenchman’s stats to those of Mbeumo from the most recent season, he’s managed to better him in numerous key areas, highlighting the threat he carries in attacking areas.

Kolo Muani, who’s been labelled a “superstar” by former Ballon d’Or winner Lothar Matthäus, may have been outscored, but he posted the same goal per shot on target rate, showcasing the clinical edge he possesses in front of goal.

Games played

26

38

Goals & assists

12

27

Shot on target accuracy

48%

43%

Goal per shot on target

0.4

0.4

Pass accuracy

71%

66%

Take-ons completed

1.5

1.3

Aerials won

1.2

0.9

Aerial success rate

39%

31%

He also managed to register a higher shot on target accuracy rate, whilst winning more aerial battles – handing Amorim the all-round talent he desires at the top end of the pitch.

Such dominance is further reflected in his tally of take-ons completed and a higher pass completion rate highlights he can also provide for others along with finishing off attacks himself.

£39m could prove to be an excellent fee for the 26-year-old striker, who will be entering the prime years of his career should he complete a move to Old Trafford.

If he can solve the issue the Red Devils currently have within the final third, he would be worth every penny, filling the void at the top end of the pitch, subsequently making him a better signing than Mbeumo.

He'll love playing with Mbeumo: £70m CF now keen on signing for Man Utd

Manchester United have set their sights on a new centre-forward this summer.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 22, 2025