Already closing in on Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United are now reportedly very keen to sign an upgrade on Casemiro in the form of a £35m midfield star this summer.

Man Utd submit fresh Mbeumo bid

It hasn’t been the easiest deal to negotiate and the winger is yet to sign on the dotted line, but Manchester United’s latest bid to sign Mbeumo could yet prove to be successful at long last. The Red Devils have reportedly offered Brentford over £60m to sign their talented star who looks destined to become the second summer arrival at Old Trafford sooner rather than later.

Mbeumo’s arrival would take United’s spending to over £160m for the summer despite missing out on European football and often watching on as INEOS implemented several money-saving plans.

Success on the pitch has been given the priority no matter what, however, and the pressure will now be on Ruben Amorim to get the best out of his side next season.

What’s more, it seems unlikely at this stage that it will just be Cunha and Mbeumo who arrive. The likes of Emiliano Martinez have threatened to steal the headlines in recent weeks as Aston Villa attempt to comply with PSR rules, as has Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.

Their own Osimhen: Man Utd start talks to sign one of Europe's "best STs"

Manchester United appear to be making strides in a deal to land a new striker for Ruben Amorim.

1

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 25, 2025

Both arrivals would again offer Amorim much-needed upgrades on Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund, who has been linked with a move to Inter Milan in recent weeks.

Before Martinez and Ekitike enter Old Trafford, though, United may turn their focus towards a talented defensive midfielder worth just £34m this summer.

Man Utd very keen to sign Jashari

According to HLN, as relayed by Get Belgian & Dutch Football News, Manchester United are now very keen to sign Ardon Jashari from Club Brugge and, unlike others, are not put off by his €40m (£34m) price tag.

The Red Devils would be signing a player who was just voted the best player in Belgium – winning the Player of the Season award in the Belgium Pro League – and one who would be an instant upgrade on the ageing Casemiro.

Dubbed “impressive” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Jashari certainly isn’t short on suitors this summer but it’s a race that Manchester United could have the financial power to win once again.

If the 22-year-old was the follow Cunha and Mbeumo through the Old Trafford doors then Amorim would instantly have three very impressive signings to work with this summer.

Sri Lanka captain and debutant revive team from early collapse, but England unbeaten at close

Andrew Miller21-Aug-2024

Dhananjaya de Silva is congratulated by Milan Rathnayake after reaching his half-century•Getty Images

England 22 for 0 (Duckett 13*, Lawrence 9*) trail Sri Lanka 236 (de Silva 74, Rathnayake 72, Woakes 3-32) by 214 runsDhananjaya de Silva justified his own decision to bat first with a gutsy 74 from 84 balls, while Milan Rathnayake followed his captain’s lead with a startlingly composed knock of 72 from 135 balls, the highest by a debutant at No.9 in Test history. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, however, even those exceptional efforts couldn’t quite atone for a dreadful top-order collapse that had handed England control of the first Test by stumps on day one at Emirates Old Trafford.By the time Vishwa Fernando was last man out, run out for 13 from 61 balls in an innings that echoed his famous tail-end defiance in partnership with Kusal Perera at Durban in 2019, Sri Lanka had been bowled out for 236 in gloomy half-light that had caused England to rely exclusively on spin bowling for the final hour of their bowling stint – an early challenge for Ollie Pope’s tactical acumen on his first day as Ben Stokes’ captaincy stand-in.And, even though that total was seemingly below-par on a hard and dry surface that Pope anticipated would stay true for the first half of the match at least, it was riches compared to what had been anticipated after the first half-hour of the contest. At that point, Sri Lanka’s innings had been in tatters at 6 for 3 after seven overs, with all three wickets falling in the space of ten deliveries to Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes.Related

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Jayasuriya: 'Karunaratne is a strong-minded player. He can do something major on this tour'

The first blow was landed by Atkinson, who had limited Dimuth Karunaratne to a solitary scoring stroke in his first 17 deliveries, only for the batter to fluff his first shot in anger, a swish across the line to a well-directed lifter. Four balls later, Nishan Madushka’s early discipline also deserted him as Woakes served up a juicy outswinger that he could only scuff straight to Joe Root at first slip, who clung on in the heel of his palms.And with the final ball of the same over, Woakes had his second courtesy of a ghastly misjudgement from Angelo Mathews. The hero of the 2014 series win was gone for a five-ball duck, burning a review in the process as he offered no stroke to an inducker that was shown to be hitting the top of middle.Kusal and Chandimal showed some gumption in a limited counterattack, with the first five boundaries of the innings all coming in the space of 12 balls, four of them to Kusal off Matthew Potts, whose wide angle into the stumps offered the chance to free the hands through the off-side, and who would finish as the attack’s weakest link with 48 runs from his nine overs.But, after limping to drinks on 37 for 3, there was another challenge waiting for the second hour. Wood tore into his opening spell with typical gusto, and struck with his seventh ball – a gruesomely quick lifter to Kusal that crashed into his left thumb and looped to Harry Brook at second slip. Much like the snorter that broke Kevin Sinclair’s wrist in the West Indies series, Kusal left the crease wringing his hand, and looking in urgent need of an ice-pack at the very least.Out came de Silva to shore up the listing innings, but with lunch approaching, his measured stand of 32 in seven overs with Chandimal was undone in cruel and unusual fashion. Shoaib Bashir entered the attack for an exploratory pre-lunch spell, and struck in his second over with an unplayable daisycutter, reminiscent of Nasser Hussain’s viral moment against Carl Hooper in Trinidad in 1998. Though Chandimal gambled on the review, hoping against hope that he’d been struck outside the line, Bashir’s sheepish appeal and celebration could have told him everything he needed to know.That would, however, be the nadir of Sri Lanka’s innings. De Silva himself grew into his role either side of the lunch break, farming the strike well in between a diet of eight well-struck boundaries, each of them showcasing his sharp footwork and delicate balance, not to mention his pre-toss faith in the surface’s true nature.Though there would be some more guileless dismissals to come – with both Kamindu Mendis and Prabath Jayasuriya snicking off with uncertain footwork after Woakes and Atkinson had varied their lines and lengths – Rathnayake would not prove quite so gullible in his shot selection.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Despite channelling a bashful schoolboy while being presented with his Test cap by Kumar Sangakkara before the start of play, Sri Lanka’s debutant was more than man enough to withstand England’s eager attempts to dislodge him. His first role was to act as de Silva’s doughty sidekick, which he did to superb effect, picking off the first of his four fours in an eighth-wicket stand of 63.And then, when disaster had seemingly struck just before tea, with de Silva fencing a Bashir offbreak to Lawrence at leg slip to leave his team on 176 for 8, Rathnayake took up the cudgels for his team with impressive results. Despite boasting a previous best of 59 in 52 previous first-class innings, he picked the perfect moments to cut loose, first with a lusty swing over long-on to reach his half-century, and then a sweet drill over long-off to move along to a new career-high.England did at one stage attempt to bring Wood back into the attack to break up his burgeoning 50-run stand with Vishwa, but with his jumper halfway over his shoulders, the umpires stepped in to insist that the light was too poor for the pace bowlers. And though it took a while, Bashir eventually did the needful, tempting Rathnayake into one lofted launch too many, as Woakes back-pedalled at mid-off to end his fun.With half-an-hour to the close, Sri Lanka also turned instantly to slow bowling as the reply got underway, with two spinners sharing the new ball in a men’s Test in England for only the second time since 1970. With Lawrence opening the batting in place of Zak Crawley, he and Ben Duckett showed the probable riches still on offer in the surface, in clattering along to 22 for 0 in four overs.Prior to the start of play, both sides lined up on the outfield for a tribute to the late Graham Thorpe, who died on August 4, aged 55. England will be wearing black armbands throughout the match in memory of an England great who averaged 44.66 in a 100-Test career, and went on to play a key role as a batting mentor to many of the current team, including Pope, Root and Stokes.

كشفت تقارير صحفية عن موقف نادي مانشستر يونايتد الإنجليزي من إقالة المدير الفني روبن أموريم، في ظل نتائج الفريق السلبية وخاصة بعد هزيمة الديربي أمام مانشستر سيتي.

وحل مانشستر يونايتد ضيفًا على مانشستر سيتي في ملعب “الاتحاد” أمس الأحد ضمن مباريات الجولة الرابعة للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتلقى مانشستر يونايتد بقيادة مدربه أموريم، هزيمة من مانشستر سيتي بثلاثة أهداف دون مقابل، سجلها فيل فودين، وإيرلينج هالاند (هدفين).

مانشستر يونايتد سجل أسوأ بداية له في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز منذ موسم 1992-1993، بالحصول على أربع نقاط فقط من مبارياته الأربع الأولى، ويحتل المركز الرابع عشر.

اقرأ أيضًا | جوارديولا بعد الثلاثية أمام مانشستر يونايتد: هل تعلمون لماذا أنا مدرب جيد؟

كما خرج مانشستر يونايتد من كأس كاراباو، بعد خسارته بركلات الترجيح أمام جريمسبي تاون من دوري الدرجة الثانية.

وبحسب ما ذكرت صحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية، لا يزال أموريم يحظى بدعم إدارة مانشستر يونايتد، ويرون أنه قادر على تغيير مسار الفريق.

ويوضح التقرير أنه لا يوجد خطط في الوقت الحالي لإقالة أموريم من منصبه، وترى إدارة مانشستر يونايتد أن هناك تقدم على الرغم من النتائج السلبية.

من جانبه صرح أموريم بعد الخسارة أمام مانشستر سيتي: “لن أغير فلسفتي، إذا أرادوا (مسؤولو يونايتد) تغييرها، فعليهم تغيير المدرب”.

England opener says crowd “saw quite a good day’s cricket” after early close greeted by boos

Valkerie Baynes06-Sep-2024As the booing sounded from a good-sized Oval crowd who felt they were being robbed when the umpires ushered players from the field for a second and final time on a weather-blighted day, Ben Duckett, for one, didn’t see the need to argue.He was already out, having scored a rapid-fire 86 in conditions that should have suited Sri Lanka after they had won the toss, his innings having laid the foundation for England’s impressive 221 for 3 from just 44.1 overs possible on the opening day of the third and final Test. Given the scoreline – and storyline – with Ollie Pope making a defiant run-a-ball 103 not out, Duckett felt spectators had got their money’s worth.”I think they saw quite a good day’s cricket in the short amount of time there was,” Duckett reflected at the end of a day which had included an earlier stoppage for bad light, which lasted nearly three hours through the middle of the day, and the another just before 6pm that sparked the angry reaction in the stands and ultimately led to stumps being called half an hour later.”That’s living in England and playing cricket in England, they’re the conditions. It’s very easy to sit there as a supporter and want to see more cricket but if it does get really dark and more dangerous, we’re the ones out there playing. I did make a joke saying if they wanted to bowl double spinners before lunch they could do. They weren’t conditions for that. Both sides did it at Old Trafford, went double spin, but when the lights were on and the ball was nipping around a bit, the umpires were taking us off and we’re going to have to go with their rules.”Related

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The earlier interruption seemed particularly contentious with conditions not appearing vastly different to those that greeted an on-time start. It did become darker and the faintest mist gave way to a light rain shower while the players were off for the first time but in an afternoon session that ran from 3.10pm to 5.10pm the light was as good as it had been all day. As the gloom threatened to return, it signalled the beginning of the end.Duckett said the batters weren’t consulted ahead of either stoppage, with the umpires directing the players from the field, and while he gave no indication that he wanted to go off for the first – on the contrary he highlighted having to “start again” afterwards – he was resigned to having to abide by their decision.”I’m sure if it was that same Aussie attack last summer, bowling in those conditions, you’d probably want get off the field,” Duckett added. “It does have a big impact when those lights are on and they’re fully on and the ball starts swinging and nipping around a bit more. To be honest, it’s got nothing to do us. You don’t really get the option any more. If the umpires take you off you’ve got to go with their decision.”Sri Lanka had opted for a pace-heavy attack, dropping spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, and clearly missed a trick by failing to take early wickets under overcast skies and following heavy rain through the early hours of the morning.Aaqib Javed, Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling coach, put that down to his charges becoming carried away by the promise of the conditions and failing to execute as a result.”What we did wrong is we didn’t get the good areas because there was a lot going on in the mind, ‘oh this is the best day of swing bowling,’ and that chance of taking wickets and sometimes trying to calm them down, excitement levels, it’s sometimes too much,” he said. “So far I think we’ve been doing really good with the new ball, the bowlers, but today I would say they got carried away with the expectations. When you have high expectations, then you go down very quickly because there are bowlers looking at each other, [saying] ‘oh my God, that was the best opportunity, missed it!'”A little bit of disappointment but there’s still a lot in this game so we have to show our character tomorrow morning, the bowlers will rest and come up with something better than this. We got it wrong in the morning with excitement, overexcitement, I would say.”Lahiru Kumara conceded 81 runs in 12.1 overs for his two wickets, while Asitha Fernando went wicketless for 58 runs from 14 and Vishwa Fernando ended the day with 0 for 29 from seven. Milan Rathnayake was the other wicket-taker with 1 for 34.

If there is one area of the squad Arsenal need to reinforce this summer, it’s the attack.

Despite finishing as runners-up in the Premier League for the third campaign on the bounce last season, Mikel Arteta’s side produced the best defence for the second successive year.

So, while the additions of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga are great, the Gunners really need to add more goals to the squad.

Fortunately, that seems to be the board’s intention, as reports now link the club to an exciting centre-forward who would be a dream teammate for fellow transfer target Eberechi Eze, and no, it’s not Viktor Gyokeres.

Arsenal target Eze's dream centre-forward

While Arsenal have been linked with a considerable number of talented internationals this summer, one of the most prominent has been Eze.

Transfer Focus

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

In fact, if reports are to be believed, the Gunners have advanced from being interested in the Crystal Palace star to making an offer worth around £45m for him.

With an abundance of experience playing in the Premier League, the former QPR star will surely be a hit at the Emirates, especially as the club is still in the market for someone who’d be his perfect striker.

At least that’s according to a recent report from Germany, which claims that Arsenal are still very much interested in RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko.

In fact, the report has revealed that the Gunners are still in talks with the Bundesliga side over their tremendously exciting poacher, although it does concede that he’s no longer their number one target.

If the North Londoners are intent on signing the Slovenian international, it’ll cost them a pretty penny, with the story revealing that Leipzig want at least €80, which is about £69m.

However, given his ability, potential and attributes, he may just prove worth it, especially as he could be Eze’s dream striker.

Why Sesko would be perfect for Eze

As you’d expect with most strikers, one of the first positives to Sesko is his output, as while he’s not on a par with the absurd numbers Gyokeres is capable of producing, he’s still an effective attacker.

For example, in 45 appearances for Leipzig last season, totalling just 3258 minutes, the 22-year-old “monster,” as dubbed by journalist Eduardo Hagn, was able to score 21 goals and provide six assists.

In other words, the former RB Salzburg gem averaged a goal involvement every 1.66 games, or every 120.66 minutes.

Appearances

45

Minutes

3258′

Goals

21

Assists

6

Goal Involvements per Match

0.60

Minutes per Goal Involvement

120.66′

Moreover, you have to take into account the competitions in which forwards play in, as, according to Opta, the Bundesliga is the fourth-best league in the world, while the Portuguese league comes in as the eighth best – behind the Championship and Belgian Pro League.

The second reason the Palace star would love playing alongside Sesko is that he looks ready to develop into a truly complete striker.

For example, he’s 6 foot 5, can hit speeds of 35.69 km/h and is incredibly effective with the ball at his feet. being great with the ball at his feet.

Don’t just take our word for it though, as FBref ranked him in the top 8% of forwards in the Bundesliga for percentage of successful take-ons and the top 11% for outright successful take-ons last season, all per 90.

Furthermore, by looking at his heat map from this season, we can also see how comfortable he is playing deeper or in the penalty area, suggesting he’d be able to help in build up as well as finish chances.

Ultimately, while he might cost a king’s ransom, Sesko looks like he could be something seriously special, and therefore, Arsenal should be doing what they can to sign him, especially as Eze would love him.

Saka's dream CAM: Arsenal submit bid for £45m superstar & it's not Madueke

The experienced international could be a game-changer for Arsenal and Bukayo Saka.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 10, 2025

Celtic’s hectic pre-season schedule continues.

First, Brendan Rodgers’ side enjoyed victories over both Queen’s Park and Cork City, with Johnny Kenny the only scorer at Lesser Hampden, before young defender Colby Donovan was the late match-winner at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday.

After that, the Hoops travelled to Portugal, defeated 3-2 by Estrela da Amadora in Seixal, just outside Lisbon, on Saturday; Reo Hatate and Adam Idah the goalscorers.

So, before facing Portuguese champions Sporting CP at Estádio Algarve on Wednesday, could the Celts add another Portuguese player to their squad?

Celtic's latest transfer target

Somewhat surprisingly, just three Portuguese players have ever played for Celtic and, as the table below notes, two are in the current squad.

Celtic Portuguese players

Players

Club arrived from

Celtic career

Celtic appearances

Jorge Cadete

Sporting CP

1996-97

49

Jota

Benfica

2021-23 & 25-present

99

Paulo Bernardo

Benfica

2023-present

77

Information courtesy of Transfermarkt

Jorge Cadete made an enormous impact at Celtic in the late-90s, scoring 38 goals in 49 appearances for the club, before being sold to Celta de Vigo.

Meantime, Jota and Paulo Bernardo remain key figures in the current Celtic side, even if the former is sidelined long-term due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, so could another Portuguese youngster be about to arrive?

Well, according to a report by Portuguese newspaper Record, Celtic are ‘fighting’ to sign Flávio Nazinho this summer, with Roma and Real Sociedad amongst those also interested.

Nazinho is a 21-year-old left-back who began his senior career at Sporting CP, his debut coming against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League in November 2021.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

However, after only accumulating 11 appearances for the Green and Whites, totalling 383 minutes, he joined Cercle Brugge, initially on loan, before the deal was made permanent for €1m (£860k) last summer.

Well, since then, according to Football Transfers, his value has increased exponentially, now worth around £3.2m, so could he join yet another side whose home kit prominently features green?

Why Flávio Nazinho would be a success at Celtic

The young defender’s career has really taken off since moving to Cercle Brugge, making 62 appearances for the Green and Blacks, a key figure as they qualified for a UEFA group stage for the very first time.

One content creator labelled him a “very exciting” full-back who is “quick” and “doesn’t shy away from a tackle”.

Meantime, Ross Pilcher of the Daily Record believes he would be the perfect deputy to Kieran Tierney at left-back, given the returning hero’s injury record, with Rodgers searching for a reliable back-up, following Greg Taylor’s move to PAOK.

Could Nazinho be just that? Well, let’s assess his statistics in last season’s Jupiler Pro League to find out.

Flávio Nazinho’s Jupiler Pro League statistics 2024/25

Statistics

Nazinho

Belgian league rank

Minutes

1,172

185th

Progressive passes

25

37th

Shot-creating actions

53

66th

Goal-creating actions

7

34th

Tackles

36

87th

% of dribblers tackled

68.8%

17th

Take-on success %

57.7%

29th

All statistics courtesy of FBref.com

The table outlines that Nazinho is a well-rounded player, ranking generally highly in terms of passing, chances created, tackling and take-ons.

This is despite his limited minutes due to a hamstring injury, as well as the fact that he was playing for the team that ultimately finished third-bottom, only retaining their top-flight status by beating Patro Eisden Maasmechelen in a play-off; Nazhino scoring during the second leg at Jan Breydelstadion.

​​​​​​

When Jota arrived at Celtic, he had failed to make the breakthrough at Benfica and then endured a miserable loan spell at Real Valladolid, before only flourishing once he was signed by Ange Postecoglou.

Well, Nazinho has a lot more senior experience right now than Jota did when he first joined four years ago, suggesting the full-back could be the next young player to burst onto the scene in Glasgow’s East End.

Related Celtic could land better winger than Balikwisha in "electric" £3.5m star

Celtic could land an even better signing than Michel-Ange Balikwisha by swooping for this star.

Posts 1 ByDan Emery Jul 11, 2025

Manchester City are now in advanced talks to sign an “unbelievable” star, and they are looking to get a deal wrapped up before the end of July.

Ederson's Man City future up in the air

In recent days, there have been conflicting reports surrounding Ederson’s future at the Etihad Stadium, with Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg initially suggesting the Brazilian was closing in on a move to Turkish champions Galatasaray.

Since then, however, widespread reports have suggested City are keen to keep hold of their goalkeeper for the final year of his contract, which means it may not be necessary to bring in a replacement in the near future.

Having been number one throughout his time at the Etihad, Ederson is unlikely to want to play second fiddle, but there has now been a suggestion that Pep Guardiola’s side are making progress in their pursuit of a new goalkeeper.

Give Me Sport writer Sam C, has now taken to X to reveal that Man City are in “advanced talks” over a move for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.

The deal is by no means sealed at this point, but there is a willingness to try and get it over the line before the end of July, although it is unclear whether the Blues will need to fork out the full £40m buy-back clause included in their former player’s contract.

Trafford could be "unbelievable" Ederson heir

Minority Burnley owner JJ Watt was left very impressed after the shot-stopper made two penalty saves in one game during the Clarets’ 0-0 draw against Sunderland last season, lauding the 22-year-old as “unbelievable”.

The Englishman’s penalty-saving ability is one of his key strengths, ranking in the top 1% for spot-kicks prevented per 90 over the past year, while also placing in the top 1% for his save percentage and goals against over the same time period.

Man City seriously keen on signing Barcelona star, now preparing £69m offer

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ByDominic Lund Jul 24, 2025

As such, the Burnley star could be the ideal heir to Ederson, particulrly considering City expert Steven McInerney believes the goalkeeper is also impressive in possession of the ball, saying: “Trafford is very good, remarkably good with the ball at his feet,

“Maybe not quite Ederson, but if Ederson’s a 10 out of 10, James is at least a nine. Ederson is a freakish one-of-one that way, but I don’t think you have to be the very best in the world at passing to be successful in a passing side.”

It remains to be seen whether City sanction Ederson’s departure this summer, but if they do, there may be no better replacement than Trafford.

Promising fast bowler handed first senior call-up after slew of fast-bowling injuries

Andrew McGlashan16-Sep-2024

Mahli Beardman was a star of Australia’s Under-19 World Cup victory in February•Gallo Images

Australia have responded to their mounting fast-bowling injury list by adding Mahli Beardman, the 19-year-old Western Australia seamer, to their ODI squad for the five-match series against England, which gets underway at Trent Bridge on Thursday.Beardman, 19 years old and 6ft 2in, was a standout performer in the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, in particular with his Player-of-the-Match winning figures of 3 for 15 in Australia’s victory over India in the final in Benoni.Though he has played just one List A match in his career to date, he was picked up in August by Perth Scorchers for this year’s Big Bash League, and is one of a crop of young fast bowlers in Australia’s set-up whom the selectors have been monitoring closely, alongside Callum Vidler, Charlie Anderson and Tom Straker.His call-up comes amid a slew of injuries among Australia’s fast bowlers. Xavier Bartlett sustained a side strain during the first T20I against England, while Nathan Ellis was pulled from the Scotland leg of the tour after aggravating an injury sustained in the Hundred.Spencer Johnson was ruled out before the tour began, while Riley Meredith did not play after first T20I in Scotland, with both men sustaining side issues.Related

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Josh Hazlewood had been a doubt for the T20I series after a late arrival in the UK following a minor calf strain, but played a major part in Australia’s victory in Southampton before being rested for the second match in Cardiff.Speaking to SEN last week, Andrew McDonald, Australia’s head coach, said that his team would be closely monitoring the fitness of his “big three” bowlers – Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, ahead of a five-Test home series against India later this year.”A lot of our priorities will be geared around that,” Andrew McDonald, Australia’s coach, told SEN last week. “You’ll see that unfold with the management of our players. We’ll be very pointed around who does what in terms of [Sheffield] Shield cricket coming into the summer to make sure that they are ready for that first Test match.”Beardman and Cooper Connolly, who had been a part of the T20I squad, have been on the Australian bench in Perth in the past two summers as part of Cricket Australia’s Under-19 induction program.Connolly will remain in the UK with the ODI squad, as will Ben Dwarshuis who has been added as cover for the remainder of the tour.Australia’s squad for the ODIs will also be boosted by the arrival of Starc, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell.Australia ODI squad vs EnglandMitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis (wk), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa | Traveling reserve: Mahli Beardman

Chelsea have already seemingly struck gold when it comes to some of their early summer additions to Stamford Bridge.

Indeed, Joao Pedro couldn’t have wished for a better introduction to life in Chelsea blue after leaving Brighton and Hove Albion out at the Club World Cup, powering home a clinical three strikes from three games, with fellow new attacking recruit Liam Delap also chipping in with a promising assist.

Enzo Maresca will be delighted with how quickly his fresh recruits have got up to speed with the pace of their new side, with more signings now surely in the pipeline.

Chelsea eyeing cut-price deal for new defender

Chelsea have a reputation for a reason when it comes to splashing the big bucks, with £90m already denting the bank account off the back of Delap and Pedro entering the building in quick succession.

An even steeper £78m expense might soon be signed off on, too, with Morgan Rogers deemed a top priority move by the powers that be at West London, on top of other exciting playmakers appearing on their shopping list in the form of Dutch superstar Xavi Simons.

However, not every summer pick-up Chelsea go after has to be the flashiest or the most daring capture, with Footbal.London now reporting that a cut-price deal for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato could be on the table.

Football.London speculates that the Blues are considering a move for the young Dutchman and will try to snap up the services of the 19-year-old gem for a cut-price £40m – even as his Eredivisie employers state they want £60m to part ways.

Chelsea are particularly keen on the defender owing to Renato Veiga potentially heading out the door.

How Hato could be a Palmer repeat at Chelsea

Coincidentally, Cole Palmer cost around the same £40m region when he left Manchester City behind as a wide-eyed youngster attempting to make a name for himself.

It’s fair to say he’s certainly done that – as his glorious solo effort helped his side lift the Club World Cup. They may not be positionally similar but Hato could potentially go on to be Chelsea’s next Palmer; another emerging talent that explodes into life at Stamford Bridge.

Before exploring Hato’s rise in Amsterdam, it’s only right to further analyse how much of a wild ascent Palmer has been on since ditching the Etihad for pastures new in West London.

On the senior books of the Citizens, Palmer only mustered up a meagre eight goal contributions from 41 appearances, making Chelsea’s splurge of £40m on the 23-year-old attacker two years ago look like a rash shot in the dark.

Now, however, he has a mammoth 43 goals and 29 assists next to his name from 97 Chelsea appearances and counting, resulting in his transfer value sitting at a pretty £104m, according to Transfermarkt.

Hato will be dreaming of being the next star to undergo this sharp trajectory; therefore, with the 19-year-old already making significant waves back in his native Netherlands to suggest he has an extremely bright future in the game.

Hato’s league numbers for Ajax by season

Stat (* = per game)

22/23

23/24

24/25

Games played

11

33

31

Goals scored

0

1

2

Assists

0

2

6

Touches*

57.4

94.8

67.2

Accurate passes*

42.6 (91%)

72.8 (93%)

45.2 (90%)

Total duels won*

3.1

5.5

4.1

Clean sheets

1

5

11

Stats by Sofascore

If anything, Hato is actually ahead of Palmer’s development now, when the 23-year-old was still situated at City, with three standout seasons already under his belt in the Dutch top-flight.

In a similar manner to Palmer then, the teenage sensation will hope he can arrive in West London and instantly battle it out for starting spot in Maresca’s main side, with the “immense” talent – as he’s been heralded by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – a capable performer both in the heart of defence or as a left-back option.

Further lauded as being “very mature” by ex-Ajax teammate Jordan Henderson, don’t be surprised if Hato becomes a key first-teamer from the get-go if he does spread his wings to England, as another Palmer-like steal excites spectators at Stamford Bridge.

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Everton manager David Moyes finally completed a deal to bring Thierno Barry to the club from Villarreal.

A fee of £27m was spent to sign the Frenchman, but given his eye for goal in La Liga last term, it could turn into a bargain.

Next up for Moyes is adding another midfielder or two to his squad in the coming weeks. John McGinn has been heavily linked with a move to Merseyside.

He isn’t the only midfield option that Everton have been linked with, however, as Moyes also has his eyes on two former Premier League stars.

Everton’s search for a midfielder

According to Paul Joyce of The Times, Everton are showing interest in bringing Douglas Luiz back to England this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

He has been discussed internally at Everton, alongside McGinn, while Moyes could be set to target an ambitious move for Joao Palhinha – with the Portuguese also named as one of those under consideration.

The Bayern Munich midfielder hasn’t settled in Bavaria, which could open the door for Moyes to make a swoop this summer.

This experience abroad will have enhanced Palhinha’s skills, no doubt about that. The question is, could he be a better signing than McGinn for the Toffees?

Why Everton must sign Joao Palhinha

McGinn would be a fine signing, for that there is no doubt. Across 203 Premier League appearances, the Scot has scored 17 goals and grabbed 25 assists for Villa.

He will turn 31 in October, however, and while McGinn certainly has a few years left at the very top of the game, Moyes would be best to make a move for Palhinha, who offers more from a defensive point of view.

The Toffees conceded 53 goals last season across 42 matches. Not the worst return, but there is room for improvement.

When compared to his positional peers during his final Premier League campaign for Fulham in 2023/24, Palhinha ranked in the top 1% for tackles (5.07) per 90, while also ranking in the top 8% for interceptions (1.53) and in the top 10% for blocks (1.9) that season.

He may have only started six Bundesliga games for Bayern last term, but the Portuguese midfielder still won 58% of his total duels contested, while losing possession just 3.4 times per match.

Accurate passes

33.2

Tackles

4.6

Interceptions

1.4

Total duels won

7.6

Possession lost

9.1

Balls recovered

5.9

Hailed by journalist Dom Smith as “world-class” in November 2023, it was always going to be difficult for Fulham to keep one of their star men.

After just a single season in Germany, it appears as though Palhinha could be available this summer.

McGinn would offer plenty in the final third, but with Barry arriving, plus at least another couple more attacking players, Moyes must add some solidity to the midfield, especially after losing Abdoulaye Doucoure.

As such, signing a player such as Palhinha could turn into a stroke of genius by the manager given his previous success in the English top flight.

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Much will depend on the fee, but if it is within the club’s price range, Palhinha could be a fantastic signing, turning out to be even better than McGinn.

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