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Arsenal’s performance against Liverpool was a strange one.

As Arne Slot mused at full time, if you played the same match another ten times, eight results would see a draw, the Reds would win once and the Gunners would win the other.

It was a tight game. Arguably neither side really deserved to take all three points home.

Yet, in title races, you need moments of magic. Dominik Szoboszlai was the man who provided it for Slot and Co in the Premier League on Sunday, striking home a sweet free kick.

Arsenal were craving a moment of similar spice but despite spending nearly £300m, they lacked that moment. It’s safe to say it’ll take time for everything to come together with so many new faces vying for a place in the team.

So, fresh off that 1-0 defeat at Anfield, is there anything for Arsenal to wrap up on deadline day?

Arsenal's transfer deadline day plans

As far as incomings are concerned, it’s unlikely Arsenal will be too busy during Monday’s deadline day.

That said, we are still awaiting official communication that Piero Hincapie will sign from Bayer Leverkusen.

The Gunners have been in talks to sign the defender over the last few week and it was widely reported that he was undergoing a medical on Sunday.

That move will pave the way for Jakub Kiwior to depart the Emirates Stadium and he could be followed out the door by Oleksandr Zinchenko – linked with Marseille – and Reiss Nelson who, is wanted by Fulham.

Transfer Focus

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

Eberechi Eze may well have signed but there is still a craving for a left winger and that was rubber-stamped on Sunday.

Gabriel Martinelli began the game on the left flank but was hauled off on the 70th-minute mark having had one of his poorest games for the club.

The Brazilian was dominated by makeshift right back Szoboszlai, notably failing to register a shot, a key pass or complete a dribble.

So, how can Arsenal solve that issue?

How Arsenal can solve their Martinelli problem

Cast your minds back to the 2022/23 campaign. The Gunners are at their free-flowing best. Grant Xhaka is patrolling things from the middle of the park, Gabriel Jesus is dazzling up top and Oleksandr Zinchenko is inverting from left-back.

Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Martinelli were also combining to create one of the best attacks in the division. All three of them scored 15 goals throughout the campaign.

Since then, it’s been a tale of woe for him with the Gunners. He’s really struggled to replicate that form and the start to 2025/26 has been no better.

FFC handed the Brazilian a 3/10 rating for his efforts in Merseyside and it was justified for a complete lack of involvement. The forward is full of energy and pace but lacks end product, largely due to his indecisiveness when he gets the ball in and around the penalty area.

Minutes played

70

Touches

15

Accurate passes

6/7 (86%)

Key passes

0

Shots

0

Dribble attempts

0

Crosses

0

Duels won

2

What Arsenal need is something different on that side of the pitch. Eze came on for the last 20 minutes and immediately looked a better asset, very nearly scoring.

But, if Arteta wanted to axe Martinelli for good, then signing a new winger would certainly go down a treat on deadline day.

Much of the summer’s chatter has been about Real Madrid’s Rodrygo but another player who could be on the market late on is Rafael Leao, valued at £86m.

Reports on Sunday suggested that Tottenham Hotspur were actually looking at doing a deal for the Portuguese, albeit it would be a very challenging deal to do this late in the window. Arsenal have previously been linked but it’s not known whether they still retain an interest.

So, why would he be a good signing? Well, the 26-year-old has notably been described as “one of the best left wingers in the world” by analyst Ben Mattinson.

The Milan winger has cultivated a reputation as one of the most exciting forwards in the game, scoring 12 times and also providing 13 assists in all competitions throughout last season. One year prior, the electric speedster scored 15 and managed 14 assists, showcasing why he’s so highly rated.

His style of play would also captivate the masses at the Emirates. Back in 2022, Milan coach Stefano Pioli said that “Leao reminds me a lot of the early Thierry Henry.”

Like the Arsenal legend, Leao boasts a quick and long stride pattern. He favours the left channel and he’s a monster if you allow him to cut inside.

Over the last year, the Milan attacker ranks among the best 4% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons, via FBref. To put that into context, Martinelli ranks among the best 25%, lagging behind Leao by some distance.

To put it simply, the Portugal international is better than Martinelli.

He has a level of incisiveness, a level of directness that simply isn’t there with the Brazilian. Signing him late in the window, particularly if they beat Spurs to his signature, would be one quick way to move on from their troubled number 11.

Shades of Xhaka: Big-money target to sign for Arsenal in the next 24 hours

Arsenal could conclude their summer business with the signing of a player who’s like Granit Xhaka.

ByMatt Dawson Aug 31, 2025

Newcastle United’s search for a striker has dominated the final weeks of the transfer window, as Eddie Howe looks to reshape his attack following a turbulent summer.

At the heart of the saga is Alexander Isak, who has made clear he has no intention of playing for the club again.

The Swede has not trained with the squad, did not feature in Newcastle’s opening Premier League fixture away at Aston Villa, and issued a statement on Instagram this week citing a belief that change was in everyone’s best interests.

Eddie Howe admitted in a press conference that he had been aware of Isak’s desire to leave since the end of last season, and while Liverpool remains the forward’s preferred destination, the deal will not happen until Newcastle have found a replacement.

That need has grown increasingly pressing.

Over the course of the summer, Newcastle have already missed out on a succession of striker targets. Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro and Benjamin Sesko all moved elsewhere, leaving the Magpies short of options.

The club have also registered interest in Wolves’ Jørgen Strand Larsen, though any move there would prove expensive.

While Howe has strengthened in other areas – signing Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa, Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, and Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton – the striker issue continues to define Newcastle’s summer.

Newcastle hold talks over Chelsea forward

According to Fabrizio Romano, in the “last 48 hours”, Newcastle have opened conversations regarding a move for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.

However, the reporter claims that both Bayern Munich and Aston Villa are also in the mix, which means that there is plenty of competition to sign the Senegal international.

Villa are pushing hard for Jackson’s signature, with Unai Emery keen to reunite with the striker he coached during their time together at Villarreal.

The news of Jackson’s exit comes after falling down the pecking order at Chelsea, with new arrivals Joao Pedro and Liam Delap deemed more credible options by manager Enzo Marseca.

Chelsea have placed a price tag of £80m on the 24-year-old, but any potential suitor will hope that figure comes closer to £70m as the window draws to a close.

Why Newcastle should sign Nicolas Jackson

Jackson has enjoyed strong levels of returns since his arrival from Villarreal, scoring 24 goals and providing 10 assists in 65 Premier League appearances, per Transfermarkt. He also netted in the Conference League final against Real Betis in May, but discipline has occasionally been an issue.

The Blues forward was sent off against Newcastle in a 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park last season and again at the Club World Cup against Flamengo.

At 1.87m tall and just 24 years of age, Jackson fits the recruitment model Newcastle have tried to maintain under Howe, targeting young players with room to develop into long-term assets.

Yoane Wissa of Brentford is another forward who has been the subject of interest from Newcastle this summer. The Congolese striker has just enjoyed the most productive season of his career, scoring 19 goals and supplying five assists in 35 appearances.

Only Mohamed Salah scored more non-penalty goals in the Premier League last term, underlining Wissa’s consistency in front of goal.

Since joining Brentford, he has registered 45 goals in 137 league appearances overall and has openly expressed a desire to join Newcastle in order to play Champions League football. The Bees, however, have rejected Newcastle’s bids, including an offer worth £40m, and are said to value Wissa closer to £60m.

The forward, who turns 29 in September, is older than the preferred age profile for recruits at St James’ Park, which is said to focus on players aged 24 and under.

He may also be absent in early 2026 due to AFCON commitments. With Brentford enduring a difficult summer that has already seen the departures of manager Thomas Frank, goalkeeper Mark Flekken, captain Christian Norgaard, and winger Bryan Mbeumo, they are reluctant to sanction another key exit.

The debate for Newcastle is whether to prioritise an immediate end product or invest in potential. Wissa’s case is built on proven returns.

Seasonal Returns – Yoane Wissa

2024/25 – Premier League

19 goals, 5 assists

2023/24 – Premier League

12 goals, 4 assists

2022/23 – Premier League

7 goals, 3 assists

2021/22 – Premier League

7 goals, 1 assist

2020/21 – Ligue 1

10 goals, 5 assists

Source: Transfermarkt

According to FBref, his 19 goals last season came with impressive underlying numbers: 2.77 shots per 90 minutes, 1.27 of those on target, and a progressive passing distance of 49.9 metres per 90, reflecting his ability to create and stretch play.

At 28, he is entering the peak years of his career and would represent a striker capable of delivering right away.

Jackson, by contrast, offers a younger, more malleable profile.

His 3.08 shots per 90 minutes, with 1.38 on target, show a player more inclined to get into scoring positions, even if his shot-on-target percentage of 44.7 is fractionally below Wissa’s 45.6.

Where Jackson stands out is in creative involvement: he averages 2.80 shot-creating actions per 90, compared to Wissa’s 2.13.

Though he lags behind Wissa in progressive passing numbers, Jackson’s ability to carry the ball – 1.90 progressive carries per 90 compared to Wissa’s 1.85 – highlights a player able to move defences through dribbling rather than distribution.

Market value also plays a role. Wissa is currently valued at £27m, while Jackson sits at £43m, but Chelsea’s asking price is substantially higher than that.

Brentford’s hardline stance means Wissa could cost close to £60m despite being older and closer to the end of his peak.

Jackson, at 24, is four years younger and represents the sort of asset Newcastle can build around and potentially resell at value in the future.

Wissa, while immediately reliable, may represent a shorter-term option with less scope for growth. For Howe, the decision will hinge on balancing short-term needs with long-term strategy.

Isak’s refusal to return has left Newcastle desperately short, and with Champions League football on the horizon, the temptation to secure an experienced, proven finisher like Wissa is clear.

Yet the club’s transfer policy under its current ownership has been consistent in pursuing players who can grow with the project. In that regard, Jackson offers a player who, if developed properly, could become a central figure for Newcastle for years to come.

Related Better than Wissa & Strand Larsen: Newcastle "really like" £60m striker

Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing a star who could be even better than Wissa and Strand Larsen.

Posts 1 ByWill Miller Aug 22, 2025

The urgency of the situation means Newcastle may have little time to deliberate. Every week without a replacement is a week where Howe is forced to field a side without a natural striker.

Wissa has shown he can deliver goals immediately, but Jackson represents the future. For a club determined to compete not only this season but in the seasons ahead, that future may prove more valuable than the present.

Michail Antonio will go down as one of West Ham United’s modern-day greats.

Earlier this week, the club confirmed that the Jamaican international had left the club following the expiration of his contact.

Thus, in need of a new striker, has Graham Potter identified his top target?

West Ham's search for a new striker

Antonio joined the Hammers from Nottingham Forest a decade ago for a reported fee of £7m, initially signed as a right-back, but ultimately transformed into their best centre-forward of the 21st century, scoring 83 goals in claret and blue, making him the club’s record scorer of all-time in the Premier League.

His final appearance for West Ham came in December, suffering a life-threatening car crash soon after, stating himself “I was close to dying”, before returning to competitive football earlier this summer, featuring in all three of Jamaica’s matches at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June.

Even at 35, Antonio will take some replacing, but have the Irons identified their man?

Transfer Focus

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

Well, according to French outlet wiw Sports, West Ham have reached an agreement in principle on personal terms to sign Idrissa Gueye from Metz, adding that negotiations have reached the final stages.

Elsewhere, a report by Foot Mercato claims that the deal will cost €15m (around £13m), adding that both Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund had previously been interested in the youngster.

Well, if his West Ham career turns out to be even half as successful as the aforementioned Antonio, that’ll prove to be a bargain.

What Idrissa Gueye will bring to West Ham

Given that he is just 18 years old, not a lot is widely known about Gueye, so what do we know?

Well, he came through the famous Génération Foot academy in Senegal, before following the familiar pathway from there to Metz, a path trodden by Sadio Mané, Papiss Cissé, Ismaïla Sarr, Pape Matar Sarr and former hammer Diafra Sakho, as well as many others, in recent years.

What makes Gueye interesting is that he only made this jump in January, scoring five goals in 17 regular-season Ligue 2 games, thereby averaging a goal every 222 minutes.

This saw les Grenats finish third, subsequently beating both Dunkerque and then Stade Reims in the play-offs as they won promotion back to Ligue 1.

Speaking to French outlet Lesoleil, Metz sporting director Frédéric Arpinon stated that Gueye “reminds me a little” of Olivier Giroud, adding “I hope for him that he will have the same trajectory”.

Elsewhere, Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider labels him ‘one of the hottest properties’ in European football, while Sébastien Denis of Foot Mercato asserts that he is a “diamond” of a striker.

Gueye won Metz’s player of the month, as well as Ligue 2 young player of the month during an eye-catching February, so let’s assess his statistics.

Goals

0.41

14th

Shots

2.53

18th

Goals-per-shot on target

0.45

18th

Big chances missed

0.4

54th

Average Sofa Score rating

6.97

20th*

*amongst strikers only.

As the table emphasises, Gueye is a player of enormous talent, but one who is still very raw, which shouldn’t be too surprising considering, as recently as January, he was plying his trade in the Senegalese Premier League which, according to the CAF association rankings, is the 17th strongest league in Africa.

So why will he be the ideal Antonio replacement?

Well, West Ham already boast Niclas Füllkrug and have also signed Callum Wilson on a free transfer, both of whom are vastly experienced, allowing Gueye to learn from them, and not demanding that he is a starter from day one.

According to Global Football Rankings, Ligue 2 is the 30th strongest league in the world, making it the fifth best second-tier on the planet, behind the EFL Championship (11th), the Zweite Bundesliga (17th), Serie B (19th) and the Segunda División (24th).

Thus, Gueye has already proven he can score goals at a relatively high level, Ligue 2 is one place above the Saudi Pro League interestingly, and he appears to have all the attributes to thrive in the Premier League.

Dream Ramsey alternative: West Ham plot late move for £50m "massive talent"

As West Ham search for a new midfielder, could they shelve their interest in Jacob Ramsey and move for a “massive talent” valued at £50m by his club?

ByBen Gray Aug 8, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois o triunfo do Botafogo sobre o São Paulo por 2 a 1, neste sábado, no Nilton Santos, John Textor falou na entrevista coletiva e explicou o momento da equipe comandada por Luís Castro. Com isso, o empresário assumiu a responsabilidade pelo fraco desempenho do time no início do ano, que resultou na eliminação no Campeonato Carioca.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasBotafogoEduardo critica árbitro em vitória do Botafogo e fala sobre fase goleadora na temporada: ‘Quero só ajudar’Botafogo15/04/2023BotafogoATUAÇÕES: Tiquinho, Eduardo e Lucas Perri são destaques em vitória do BotafogoBotafogo15/04/2023BrasileirãoEm noite de Eduardo, Botafogo vence o São Paulo na primeira rodada do BrasileiroBrasileirão15/04/2023

Vale lembrar que a equipe não avançou às semifinais do Estadual e teve que disputar a Taça Rio para conseguir uma vaga na próxima edição da Copa do Brasil. Por outro lado, Textor ressaltou que a ideia era fazer um planejamento fora do país, o que não aconteceu, e que a temporada começou neste sábado para o Alvinegro.

– Obrigado por todos estarem aqui, hoje é o início da temporada real, com o Campeonato Brasileiro. O ponto-chave é que hoje é o início da temporada. Quando eu vim para o Brasil, vi muitas coisas sobre o Campeonato Carioca, federação e fãs levam muito a sério. Vim para o Brasil com mentalidade mais europeia, da duração da temporada, do que seria bom para os jogadores. São mais ou menos 16 jogos em uma pré-temporada, não é o adequado e ideal para os jogadores. Em outros países há uma pré-temporada de forma real, em que você consegue avaliar o elenco e entender as necessidades – disse, antes de completar:

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Para os nossos fãs que ficaram chateados com nossa performance no Carioca, a falha se inicia comigo. O plano não era esse, era fazer pré-temporada nos Estados Unidos, enfrentar times da MLS, mas não houve possibilidade de escalar o time B no Carioca. As regras mudaram, quase uma limitação de usar o time B, o Carioca se tornou mais relevante pela vaga na Copa do Brasil e não houve consenso entre os clubes – frisou:

– A responsabilidade é minha. Já tínhamos planos, estavam todos cientes, foi algo que teve que ser ajustado em curto espaço de tempo, foi difícil administrar, entender as forças e fraquezas, o Carioca foi a pré-temporada, sujeita aos resultados. A ideia é lógico desenvolver junto à Federação, aproximar, entender, discutir, de que forma o Carioca pode ajudar os times. Mas a mensagem desta noite é que a temporada iniciou hoje, com uma boa vitória sobre uma equipe muito importante. Temos esse início com equipe capaz de disputar bem a competição – concluiu.

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O Botafogo volta a campo na próxima quinta-feira para medir forças com o Universidad César Vallejo, do Peru, às 21h (de Brasília), também no Nilton Santos, pela Copa Sul-Americana. No Brasileirão, os comandados de Luís Castro entrarão em campo na segunda-feira, dia 24, às 21h, para encarar o Bahia, na Arena Fonte Nova, pela 2ª rodada.

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

• Matthew Short makes his case to be Warner's successor

• Liam Livingstone embraces veteran status and targets ODI comeback

• Does England-Australia allrounder-fest point way to T20's future?

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.

Paul Gascoigne is one of the geatest players in Glasgow Rangers history and undoubtedbly one of the most entertaining footballers of all time.

‘Gazza’ joined the Gers from Lazio in 1995 and won the lot in his debut campaign at Ibrox, lifting the Premiership title and the Scottish Cup while being crowned the SFWA Player of the Year and PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

Perhaps his finest moment in a Blue shirt came against Aberdeen in that 1995-96 campaign, as a hat-trick at Ibrox which included a stunning solo goal sealed the league title.

The 10 greatest Rangers players of all time – ranked

Rangers have had plenty of legendary players turn out for them over the years.

ByRoss Kilvington Nov 29, 2024

The following year is remembered for Gascoigne’s masterclass in the Scottish League Cup final against Hearts, as he scored twice in a 4-3 victory, and Ally McCoist recalls an argument with the match-winner that day: “The half-time whistle goes and we’re up the tunnel and we’re still at it the two of us, we’re in the dressing room and we’re still at it, so Walter Smith comes in and says: ‘Right, everybody shut up and calm down’.

“But Gascoigne is still raging and I can see Walter getting angrier and angrier. I’ve known Walter long enough by this point to just keep my mouth shut, but Gascoigne keeps going.

“Eventually Walter picks him up by the scruff of the neck and hangs him up on the peg where you put your coats and he says: ‘Paul, I will not tell you again to shut up!’”

He continued: “Eventually when it calmed down Gazza got up, went out of the dressing room and straight into the director’s room – in his gear by the way! – and had a whiskey.

“He threw it down his neck, came back into the dressing room, sat down, Walter did his team talk, he walked out for the second half and he scored two goals. He was unbelievable.”

McCoist and Gascoigne played with some incredible names during that era – perhaps no surprise given they won nine straight league titles – from Richard Gough to Brian Laudrup, and Gazza has revealed it was the Dane who blew teammates away in training.

Gascoigne: Laudrup was 'one of the best players in the world'

Speaking about his greatest teammates, Gascoigne named EURO 1992 winner Laudrup as a ‘match-winner’ who was ‘virtually untouchable’ both in games and on the training ground.

Laudrup won three titles in four seasons at Glasgow, while both he and his brother are widely regarded as two of Denmark’s greatest ever players.

1994/95

49

16

1995/96

40

10

1996/97

48

23

1997/98

42

7

Even in a team stacked full of big names, his elegance, quick feet and creativity stood out like a sore thumb.

South Africa bring in uncapped Migael Pretorius in his place for the two-Test series

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jul-2024Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of South Africa’s upcoming Test series against West Indies because of a side strain, which he picked up during the USA’s T20 franchise league, Major League Cricket (MLC). Migael Pretorius, uncapped at Test level but with the experience of 64 first-class games to his credit, comes in as Coetzee’s replacement.Coetzee, playing for Texas Super Kings, returned home to undergo assessments on his injured left side by South Africa’s medical team. Cricket South Africa confirmed on Thursday that he was not passed fit to play the Test series, which begins on August 7.Pretorius was last named in a South Africa squad in March 2021, for a T20I series against Pakistan, but he didn’t get a cap. He also got a national call-up in December 2020 for a Test series in Sri Lanka, but then injured his shoulder and could not debut.In 64 first-class games, Pretorius, 29, has 188 wickets at 27.50. He is currently the leading wicket-taker for Somerset in this season’s English County Championship, with 23 wickets, albeit at an average of 39.43.South Africa kick off the Test series in Port-of-Spain, before moving to Providence for the second Test. Three T20Is follow, from August 24 to 28.Updated South Africa Test squadTemba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne, Migael Pretorius.

West Ham United need a big summer window to rectify the misgivings of the 2024/25 campaign. It has been a tough season for the Hammers, who are likely safe from relegation but sit in 17th in the Premier League, 15 points clear of Ipswich Town.

However, the Tractor Boys host Graham Potter’s side on the final day of the season, so a huge swing of momentum in the final throes of the campaign could add more significance to the game for the East Londoners.

Potter will need to be backed this summer, to shape the squad his way and improve the Hammers fortunes in 2024/25. Already, they have been linked with someone who could add quality to their side.

West Ham want to sign Chelsea outcast

The Hammers have made some big signings over the past couple of transfer windows, chiefly spending a lot on the likes of Max Kilman and Mohammed Kudus.

However, with the threat that Kudus heads to Chelsea, as per reports, they could actually look at bringing in someone from Stamford Bridge as a replacement.

Transfer Focus

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

According to a report from TBR Football, the Hammers are ‘interested in a deal’ to bring Joao Felix to the club next summer, after Chelsea ‘made it clear to the Portugal international that he is not of the club’s long-term plans’ beyond this season.

He is currently contracted to Chelsea, and on loan at Italian giants AC Milan, but the Blues seemingly have not been impressed by his displays in Italy.

Unsurprisingly, the East Londoners will not be the only side considering a move for the £45m playmaker. Fellow Premier League strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers are also interested, with both clubs plotting a move. Both teams are thought to be ‘willing to consider loan moves’ for the Portugal star next season.

Why Felix would be a good signing

It has not been an easy season for Felix in the 2024/25 campaign, since his summer move back to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid. He struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge and departed on loan to Milan in January.

Overall this season, he has played 34 times for both Chelsea and Milan, scoring eight goals and grabbing three assists. However, just one of those goals has come in a top-flight, for Chelsea against Wolves in their 6-2 win on the opening day of the season.

Yet, despite the tough campaign so far, Felix’s stocks have previously been incredibly high. As a youngster for Benfica, he managed 20 goals and 11 assists in 43 games, and for Atleti, he had over 50 goal contributions.

Benfica

43

20

11

Atleti

131

34

18

Chelsea

40

11

2

Barcelona

44

10

6

Milan

14

1

1

One thing he would bring to the London Stadium is experience. Despite being just 25 years of age, and having not been in the best form, he has played for some of Europe’s biggest clubs. He was also on loan at Barcelona last season, and managed ten goals and six assists in 44 games.

Should Felix make the move to the London Stadium over the summer, Hammers fans would surely hope he can replicate the impact of another magical playmaker, Dimitri Payet. Jamie Carragher once described him as “sensational” and said it was a “joy to watch” him play. How right he was.

The Frenchman was exceptional for the Hammers, despite his short time at the club. In just 60 appearances, he scored 15 goals and grabbed 22 assists, leaving him with an impressive goal involvement ratio of 0.61.

He was a wizard with the ball at his feet, running rings around opponents with ease, week in, week out. Just look at this goal against Middlesbrough, a prime example of how dangerous Payet can be with the ball at his feet.

Although Felix has struggled for form, he possesses the same ability to create something out of nothing. The flair is there for the 25-year-old, too, with talent scout Jacek Kulig once describing him as a “nightmare for defenders”.

It would be a statement signing from West Ham, with the impact Felix could have if he finds his best form astronomical.

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This has been a fantastic season for Liverpool and Arne Slot, now inches away from a Premier League title which may be delivered to Anfield’s doorstep as early as this weekend.

While this is unlikely (Liverpool would need to beat Leicester City away and hope that imperilled Ipswich Town earn three points at home against Arsenal), it’s a certainty at this stage that Liverpool will be the word etched into the trophy before the summer.

Sporting director Richard Hughes will no doubt have spent many months adding sheaf upon sheaf to his transfer plans, tasked with stocking Slot’s squad with new parts ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Now that Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah’s contracts have been taken care of, rumours around who will replace the outgoing Darwin Nunez at number nine have been ramping up, but Liverpool need to strengthen across the park.

Bringing a new central defender carries every bit as much weight as signing a new striker.

Liverpool's pursuit of a centre-back

Liverpool are looking to strengthen across a range of positions this summer, and despite Van Dijk’s much-anticipated renewal, central defence is set to be chief among the list of priorities.

It seems Liverpool have already identified their favourite target, with recent reports claiming Liverpool are leading the tight-packed race to sign Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, who is enjoying an exemplary breakout year in the Premier League.

Huijsen might be young and largely untested at the highest level, but his specific skill set bespeaks a future role at the very forefront of the European game.

It’s no coincidence that so many of the continent’s top outfits are lining up to make their move.

Real Madrid have registered their interest but Huijsen is expected to snub the La Liga superstars in favour of staying in the Premier League, report Spanish sources.

This is quite the novelty. But it reinforces Liverpool’s position in the driving seat as Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes confer ahead of the transfer window.

Huijsen is a terrific talent with a big future ahead of him, but he would be joining a vastly talented Liverpool backline and there are no assurances that he’d fit right into the starting fold from the get-go.

Not with Slot’s current options so talented, so proven in this title-winning team. Liverpool need more, but they’ve already hit the jackpot on a star worth even more than the Premier League’s most exciting young centre-half.

Liverpool have hit gold on Klopp signing

Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah was fast-tracked to first-team significance last season after Joel Matip suffered a career-ending knee injury in December 2023.

He’s since become a mainstay in the wider squad, and though Slot hasn’t used the 22-year-old all that frequently this term, he’s still played his part and has attracted interest from Newcastle United, who would be willing to do business for a £30m figure – which is lower than Liverpool’s valuation.

Huijsen, with a £50m release clause, is worth more. However, Ibrahima Konate’s value is higher than it’s ever been following his part in Liverpool’s soon-to-be triumph.

Konate has been with Liverpool for four seasons now, joining from RB Leipzig after his £36m release clause was activated. Long regarded for his sinewy physique, formidable defending and sharp technical skills, injuries have always been the France international’s sticking point.

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22 (17)

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11 (11)

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He’s suffered from a bit of fitness bother this term, but Konate has never played more in the Premier League, hailed by analyst Josh Williams as a “monster at covering ground and dealing with one vs one situations.”

This is clear when peering at the data. As per Sofascore, Konate has won 65% of his duels in the top flight this year, keeping ten clean sheets and completing 90% of his passes.

Huijsen is a great talent, but he’s not yet on the towering 25-year-old’s level. The Spain international, for example, has only won 56% of his Premier League duels, also completing 84% of his passes.

Heading toward his first league title, Konate has been a bona fide success on Merseyside, with Liverpool hitting the jackpot on the talented defender. However, given that he’s about to enter the final year of his contract, FSG will surely be concerned they may lose another member of their backline on a free, with Trent Alexander-Arnold set to join Real Madrid this summer.

Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are both known admirers of the French defender, but Liverpool won’t be letting him leave on the cheap this year, with Spanish sources claiming the Reds would refuse discussions if their €60m (£51m) price tag was not matched.

Given Konate’s just one year away from his deal expiring, this goes to show that Liverpool have got quite the defender in their mix.

There’s no question that Liverpool will hope to retain their monstrous defensive star’s services, especially now that Van Dijk’s future has been sorted and Konate’s fears allayed in that regard.

For now, we wait and see, but whichever way the pendulum swings this summer, Liverpool have hit the jackpot on Konate and will likely do the same on Huijsen, who could join Konate on Merseyside or even take his place in the coming months.

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South Africa, meanwhile, have now lost five successive ODIs

Deep Gadhia10-Feb-2025150 Matthew Breetzke’s score against New Zealand in Lahore is the highest by a batter on ODI debut, breaking Desmond Haynes’ 47-year-old record of 148 against Australia in 1978.Breetzke is only the fourth South Africa batter after Colin Ingram, Temba Bavuma and Reeza Hendricks to score a century on ODI debut.ESPNcricinfo Ltd7000 – Kane Williamson became the second-fastest batter to complete 7000 ODI runs, getting there in 159 innings. Only Hashim Amla has got there quicker than Williamson, in 150 innings.305 – New Zealand’s target of 305 was the second biggest they had chased down away from home. Their chase of 307 against Scotland in Edinburgh in 2022 remains their highest successful chase away from home.This is also their highest successful chase in multi-team tournaments, with the previous best being the chase of 298 against the same opponents in a memorable World Cup semi-final in 2015.5 – Losses on the trot for South Africa in ODIs, after their 3-0 loss to Pakistan at home and defeat in the last ODI against Ireland in Abu Dhabi. This is their third-biggest losing streak in the format. They have lost ten consecutive matches twice – in 1994 and 2004.187 – Partnership between Devon Conway and Kane Williamson for the second wicket, New Zealand’s highest for any wicket against South Africa, as well as in Pakistan.It is also the third-highest second-wicket partnership for New Zealand in ODIs, bettered only by Conway and Rachin Ravindra’s mammoth 273-run stand in the 2023 World Cup opener against England, and Martin Guptill and Will Young’s 203 against Netherlands in 2022.133* – Williamson’s unbeaten knock of 133 was the second-highest individual score for New Zealand in a successful 300-plus chase. Ross Taylors 181* against England in a chase of 336 in 2018 remains at the top of the pile.Williamson needed 72 balls to get to his century, his second fastest by balls faced in ODIs, bettered only by his 69-ball ton against Zimbabwe in 2011.ESPNcricinfo Ltd5 – Tom Latham became only the fifth New Zealand batter to have three consecutive ducks to his name in ODI cricket. He is also the first New Zealand batter to bag a duck in three consecutive ODI innings while batting in the top seven.Latham’s 13 ducks as a wicketkeeper are now the second-most for New Zealand going past Brendon McCullum’s 12. Adam Parore is the only New Zealand keeper ahead of Latham now, with 16 ODI ducks.