Perfect for Wissa: Nottingham Forest ready offer for "special" £25m talent

Nottingham Forest are ready to take their transfer business to the next level this summer.

Nuno Espirito Santo will lead the club into European competition for the first time this century. As such, players who can star in this environment must be signed.

The City Ground side have earmarked Brentford forward Yoane Wissa as someone who could add plenty to the team next term. Santo saw a bid rejected in January, but it looks as though he is ready to renew that pursuit, despite rival interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

With Morgan Gibbs-White seemingly closing in on his own move to Spurs – albeit with there having been a significant bump in the road on that deal – Santo will need to sign a replacement.

Nottingham Forest transfer news

With another attacking midfielder now required due to Gibbs-White’s potential departure, it appears as though Santo is targeting a Manchester City starlet.

According to the Telegraph, Forest are ready to make a formal offer for James McAtee, having established contact with the club.

This bid is reportedly going to be around £25m, although that falls short of the £42.5m that Pep Guardiola seemingly values his player.

McAtee is a wanted man. West Ham United are also keen, while several Bundesliga outfits are also looking to sign him.

Manchester City's James McAtee.

He would be an excellent signing for Forest, especially if they can also land Wissa this summer.

Why Nottingham Forest should sign James McAtee

Last season, Wissa scored an impressive tally of 20 goals for the Bees in all competitions, while registering five assists in the process.

Able to play off either flank or as a centre-forward, the 28-year-old would give Santo plenty of options next season.

If he had a player like McAtee operating behind him in an attacking midfield role, Wissa would surely thrive at Forest, with the England U21 star a real creative spark when at his best.

Indeed, in City’s youth ranks, the left-footer registered 19 assists in 52 games for the U23s. On the international scene, meanwhile, McAtee was also a central figure as the Young Lions romped to European Championship glory this summer, having registered two assists and averaged 1.7 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.

Goals

3

Assists

0

Key passes per game

0.2

Big chances created

2

Successful dribbles per game

0.1

Shots per game

0.8

The 22-year-old only played 27 times for City throughout 2024/25, scoring seven goals. Despite his lack of consistent gametime, the youngster did show flashes of his class.

He scored a hat-trick against Salford in the FA Cup, while also finding the net in the Champions League.

Is it time for a fresh start, however? Guardiola did label the Englishman as a “special player” after his three-goal performance against Salford, but the time is right to spread his wings.

During his loan spell with Sheffield United in the 2023/24 campaign, McAtee ranked in the top 10% for successful take-ons (1.63) per 90 in the top flight, along with ranking in the top 11% for carries into the penalty area per 90 (0.89) when compared to his peers.

These statistics prove just how effective he can be, especially by taking on his opposite man and bringing the ball into the box.

Wissa would thrive on those chances created by McAtee, without a shadow of a doubt. If he were able to score another 19 Premier League goals next season, this time for Forest, Santo would be a happy man.

Everything may rest on whether the club can seal the signature of McAtee.

Nottingham Forest make bid to sign 28 y/o who Spurs want with Gibbs-White

The update comes from the reliable David Ornstein.

ByHenry Jackson Jul 11, 2025

West Brom racing Middlesbrough to sign "incredible" 39-cap international

West Bromwich Albion are now in a transfer race with Middlesbrough to sign an experienced defender on a free transfer, according to a recent report.

West Brom chasing multiple transfer targets

It’s been a steady start to the transfer window for the Baggies and new manager Ryan Mason, as they have brought in three new players so far. Defenders George Campbell and Nat Phillips have arrived from Montreal and Liverpool respectively, as well as Aune Heggebo to reinforce the front line.

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The Championship side are looking to remain active however, and have their eye on adding more attacking talent. It was reported earlier this month that West Brom are among the teams interested in signing Mikey Moore on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. The youngster featured for the Premier League side last season but could be set for a spell away given the change in the dugout.

And Moore is not the only attacker Mason has his eye on, as the Express & Star recently revealed that Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is also wanted by West Brom and could be available for around £10 million, as he looks set for a move away from Crystal Palace. However, the Baggies face a tough battle, as rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers are also keen on the exciting winger.

West Brom in race with Middlesbrough to sign Jamal Lewis

Despite already adding defensive reinforcements this summer, Mason appears keen for more options at the back. According to The Belfast Telegraph, West Brom are interested in signing Jamal Lewis on a free transfer.

Jamal Lewis

The left-back was released by Newcastle United in the summer after a tough spell at St James’ Park, where he made just 31 Premier League appearances in three seasons. His availability on a free transfer has now alerted the Baggies but also Middlesbrough and Norwich City, who are keen on the defender.

The 27-year-old, who has earned 39 caps for Northern Ireland, spent the first half of last season on loan at Brazilian side São Paulo, but it was an experience that didn’t go to plan, as he appeared just six times. Lewis returned to Newcastle and didn’t feature in a single game for the remainder of the season.

Apps

100

Minutes played

8289

Goals

0

Assists

6

Despite his struggles at Newcastle since Eddie Howe arrived, the Englishman has been full of praise for Lewis, dubbing him an “incredible athlete” in the past. Howe said: “Jamal, we hope, can stay fit and show us what he’s capable of.

“I believe in him as a player, but he’s just had really bad luck. He’s got a lot to offer physically; we’ve certainly seen that in pre-season – an incredible athlete. He needs consistency of training at the moment – and hopefully he can get that.”

Interestingly, the Baggies have already dealt with his agency, PLG, this summer, as the group also represent Phillips, as well as current star Jayson Molumby, perhaps smoothing negotiations considering Lewis is a free agent.

Berta set to launch mega-money bid to sign Arsenal's best LW since Sanchez

While the elusive centre forward is yet to arrive, there is no doubt that this has been a great summer for Arsenal in the transfer market.

There’s no Edu-like hesitancy from the recruitment team as Andrea Berta is here and he’s making a stamp on the Gunners.

With a move for Viktor Gyokeres continuing to rumble on in the background, Mikel Arteta’s side have added Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke to their ranks.

Yet, they aren’t done there. It feels like a matter of time before Gyokeres becomes an Arsenal player and a new centre-back in the shape of Cristhian Mosquera has already completed his media duties ahead of being announced.

But, another winger could also arrive before transfer deadline day.

Arsenal looking to further bolster their forward line

Two of the biggest rumours this summer have concerned Eberechi Eze and Rodrygo.

Eze, who was once in the Arsenal academy, has reportedly already agreed personal terms with the Gunners but club-to-club talks are yet to open between the north Londoners and Crystal Palace.

If the attacker does make the move to the Emirates Stadium, then it’s likely his £68m release clause will have been activated.

But, how about Rodrygo? Well, this saga is one that looks as though it could continue until the latter stages of the window.

Transfer Focus

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

The Brazilian played just 92 minutes at this summer’s Club World Cup and as a result, Xabi Alonso could well be looking to move him on from Real Madrid.

Arsenal have been at the table for a while now, but they are joined by Liverpool in the race. However, according to reports in Spain, the Gunners are now looking to steal a march on the Reds.

Real Madrid's Rodrygo

Those reports suggest that Arteta views Rodrygo as ‘the ideal player to strengthen the left flank’ and as a consequence, they are preparing an €80m (£70m) bid to bring him to London. It’s unlikely that will be accepted as Madrid have set their asking price at €100m (£87m).

Why Rodrygo could be Arsenal's best left winger since Alexis

While the centre forward position at Arsenal has been a problem for two years now, arguably so has the wide left position in Arteta’s side.

Gabriel Martinelli scored as many as 15 Premier League goals in 2022/23 but since then, he’s not scored more than eight in a single league campaign. As for Leandro Trossard, he did find the net on 17 occasions in 2023/24, but as far as league goals are concerned, it was an inconsistent term in 2024/25 for the Belgian too.

Arsenal's GabrielMartinellicelebrates scoring their second goal

Indeed, the former Brighton winger scored just eight in the top-flight, leading to concerns about the overall makeup of Arsenal’s attack.

It feels like a long time ago now that the Gunners had Alexis Sanchez dominating the left flank. Like Trossard, he also featured as the main centre-forward, but his quality far surpassed both him and Martinelli.

Cast your minds back to 2016/17 and you will recall just how magical the Chilean was, scoring as many as 24 Premier League goals. In all competitions, he found the net 30 times and supplied 18 assists too.

It’s numbers we’ve not seen from a forward player at Arsenal since Sanchez. Not even Bukayo Saka has enjoyed a season as good as that.

Alexis Sanchez

Well, Rodrygo could well be the type of winger who can emulate Alexis in north London. Like the Chile international, he’d arrive at the Emirates having played second fiddle to some major names in Spanish football.

Sanchez moved to Arsenal in the shadow of Lionel Messi and Co while Rodrygo is firmly behind the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vini Jr.

Rodrygo's Real Madrid career (timeless)

Yet, his quality is clear for all to see. In 2022/23, he scored 19 goals in all competitions and possesses a dazzling dribbling ability akin to the club’s former number 17.

Alexis (16/17) vs Rodrygo (22/23)

Stat (* = per game)

Alexis

Rodrygo

Goals *

0.6

0.3

Assists *

0.3

0.2

Key passes *

2.2

1.4

Big chances created

10

10

Crosses *

0.4

0.2

Successful dribbles *

2.8

2.4

Times fouled *

1.8

1.4

Stats via Sofascore.

Taking a fraction of the data from the best individual seasons of both players’ careers, there are obvious differences, notably in terms of output.

That said, they created an identical number of big chances and their dribbling is very much on par, with Rodrygo only 0.4 down when it comes to their success rates.

To rubberstamp that ability, the Madrid star ranked among the top 20% of positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues last year for take-ons and the best 14% for progressive carries.

On that evidence, the Brazil international is a captivating star and even though he’s not too consistent with regards to goals and assists yet, he is still only 24. Alexis, in contrast, was 27 during that 2016/17 campaign. There is plenty of time left for him to develop yet.

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Match likely to be abandoned after fourth day also washed out

There was a lot of overnight rain and some morning drizzle before play was called off

Ekanth12-Sep-2024

More rain washed out the fourth day’s play early•AFP/Getty Images

Unrelenting rain has had the final say in Greater Noida yet again as play was called off before the scheduled start time for the second consecutive day. It leaves the first ever Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand on the brink of a washout, without a single ball bowled.”There has been more than 1200 mm of rain over seven days,” the broadcaster said as the fourth day’s play was abandoned. “The scale of rainfall has made it absolutely impossible for cricket today. We are going to come back on day five just in case, but the reality is there will be absolutely no prospect of play. We can’t envisage anything else but an abandonment very early tomorrow morning.”There were covers laid out over the majority of the ground and they were drenched from overnight rain. Some of the water poured over into the outfield forming a few puddles. Players from both teams remained in their hotels, which like the grim visuals, was a feature on Wednesday too. As was play being called off at 9.15am with the toss yet to take place.There have been three previous instances of play being abandoned for four days (not the first four days) in the past decade: India vs South Africa in Bengaluru in 2015, Bangladesh vs South Africa in Dhaka in 2015 and West Indies vs India in Port of Spain in 2016.Seven Tests have been abandoned, without a ball being bowled, in the history of men’s cricket, the last of which was in 1998, in Dunedin, between India and New Zealand.This is Afghanistan’s 10th Test match since they were given Full Member status in 2017. For New Zealand, the one-off Test marks the start of their subcontinent expedition which includes two Tests in Sri Lanka followed by three in India. Unlike those five fixtures, this one is not part of the World Test Championship.

Arsenal pushing to sign £68m "magician", "agreement in principle" reached

Arsenal have now made progress in their pursuit of a “magician”, having reached an agreement in principle with his club, according to reporter Sebastien Vidal.

Gunners set sights on new forward after Gyokeres

The Gunners finally got a deal for Viktor Gyokeres over the line on Sunday, and Mikel Arteta is clearly delighted with the signing, saying: “Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels.

“He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat.”

It will be a real relief to have signed a striker, but Andrea Berta and co have no plans to stop there, given that Arteta was left a little short on options out wide at times last season too, and they are currently working to get another forward through the door.

Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze is among the main targets, with reliable reporter Ben Jacobs revealing the England international is “keen” on a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer, and initial talks have now been held with the Eagles.

There has now been a further development in Arsenal’s pursuit of Eze, with journalist Sebastien Vidal revealing they are now “pushing” to get a deal over the line, having reached an agreement in principle with Palace.

The Gunners plan to pay £30m for the £27-year-old up front, and they are currently negotiating the time scale of when they will pay the rest of the installments, with the Eagles keen to receive full payment within two years.

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ByEmilio Galantini Jul 26, 2025 "Magician" Eze could be yet another fantastic signing

A deal for the Palace star is unlikely to be cheap, with the attacker’s current employers keen to receive £68m, but there are plenty of signs he could be yet another fantastic signing, in what has been an exciting window for the north Londoners.

Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards has lauded the Englishman as a “magician” in the past, and he was regularly among the goals for Palace last season, providing 25 attacking contributions across all competitions.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Premier League

34

8

8

FA Cup

5

4

1

EFL Cup

4

2

2

By far the Greenwich-born forward’s most important goal came in the FA Cup final, scoring the winner against Manchester City, which meant Crystal Palace lifted major silverware for the first time in their history.

As such, Eze is clearly a big-game player, and it is exciting news that Arsenal are now making progress towards sealing a deal.

October 4 at T20 World Cup: SA face WI in potential quarter-final; dew to play big role in India vs NZ

South Africa vs West Indies

Dubai, 2pm local timeSouth Africa squad: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe TryonWest Indies squad: Hayley Matthews (capt), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle (vice-capt, wk), Ashmini Munisar, Afy Fletcher, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa CraftonRelated

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Tournament form guide: South Africa and West Indies lost both their warm-up games in the lead-up to the tournament, although South Africa’s losses were more surprising. They were bowled out for 92 against New Zealand to lose by eight wickets and then couldn’t get close to their target of 145 against India. West Indies’ losses came against teams ranked much higher than them. They first lost to India by 20 runs and then to Australia by 35 runs, on both occasions struggling to chase down totals in the 140s.News brief: South Africa finished as the runners-up in the 2023 T20 World Cup and will be looking to carry their form into this tournament after a 2-1 away series win against Pakistan. Despite a poor 7-14 win-loss record against West Indies, South Africa have won three of their last four T20Is against them. West Indies, too, come on the back of a 2-1 series win in Sri Lanka, although that was back in June. South Africa could go spin heavy by picking 18-year-old legspinner Seshnie Naidu along with allrounders Chloe Tryon and Sune Luus. It’s expected to be a hot afternoon in Dubai, with the temperature around 37°C at the time of the toss. It won’t be much cooler even when the game ends.Player to watch: She last played a T20I in August 2022. Since then, she has played franchise cricket around the world, retired from international cricket, and returned. Deandra Dottin is a powerhouse of a figure, not just a batter. Her presence in the West Indies line-up will be a massive boost who need to start on a winning note if they are to make the semi-finals.0:57

Shafali Verma: Dubai is so hot that we couldn’t even breathe during first practice

India vs New Zealand

Dubai, 6pm local timeIndia squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, D Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajeevan SajanaNew Zealand squad: Sophie Devine (capt), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Isabella Gaze (wk), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea TahuhuTournament form guide: India won their two warm-up games with fairly convincing margins, by 20 runs against West Indies and 28 runs against South Africa. New Zealand, meanwhile, had a 50% success in the warm-ups. They beat South Africa by eight wickets and went down to England by five wickets.News brief: Two players were named in the India squad subject to fitness: allrounder Shreyanka Patil and wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia. Both played both warm-ups, which bodes well for India. Head coach Amol Muzumdar confirmed on match eve that captain Harmanpreet Kaur would bat at No. 3, as was the case in the two warm-ups. She has batted there only five times since the start of 2019. The last time was against Ireland in the 2023 T20 World Cup when India’s opening stand lasted 9.3 overs. New Zealand come into the tournament after a streak of ten straight losses in T20Is, most recently being blanked 3-0 by Australia, against whom they play their second game. Therefore, they would be desperate for a win on Friday to push for a semi-final spot. If India have made a late call about their No. 3, New Zealand have decided to move their power-hitting captain Sophie Devine to the middle order recently, with Georgia Plimmer and Suzie Bates to open. Both teams are expecting plenty of dew in this evening game, so toss could play a massive role.Player to watch: Shafali Verma has worked on her mental game, she has worked on her consistency, and she is trying to mature into a more complete batter. If she can strike a balance between her early ball-bashing mentality with consistent performances from the first game itself, she could play a vital role in giving India a start similar to her nickname in the dressing room for her batting style: (dashing).

Rashford alternative: Aston Villa looking to sign "dynamic" 20-goal winger

After making their Marcus Rashford decision, Aston Villa have reportedly joined the race to sign an impressive winger who had 15 goals to his name last season.

Aston Villa make Marcus Rashford decision

With the PSR deadline passed, sales made and UEFA’s decision to hand them a £9.5m fine confirmed, Aston Villa should finally know where they stand this summer. Whether that’s in good standing or a position of panic is the big question. So far, Unai Emery has avoided the sale of top stars after Villa sold Philippe Coutinho and their women’s team but as interest arrives in key man Ollie Watkins, that could yet change.

Meanwhile, when it comes to incomings of their own, those at Villa Park have also reached a decision regarding Rashford. The Manchester United man has been stripped of his number at Old Trafford and has now asked to leave the club, but it doesn’t look as though his next destination will be the Midlands.

Despite enjoying a fairly successful loan spell at the club last season, Aston Villa have decided against securing a permanent deal to sign Rashford, which would cost around £40m.

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Opening the door to alternative targets, it will now be interesting to see which direction Aston Villa head towards. Emery could certainly do with at least one attacking reinforcement after loan deals expired for both Rashford and Marco Asensio. Just who arrives as a result remains to be seen, however.

Names such as Semih Kilicsoy have already threatened to steal the headlines, but another name has now reportedly entered Villa’s radar in what would be a big-money deal.

Aston Villa battling to sign £50m+ Lookman

According to reports in Spain, Aston Villa are now battling to sign Ademola Lookman alongside Atletico Madrid and Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest. The talented winger would cost any NSWE as much as €60m (£52m) this summer, but it could be a price well worth paying if last season’s numbers are anything to go by.

Minutes

2,247

1,422

Goals

15

6

Assists

5

3

Expected Goals

10.3

4.8

With 15 of his 20 goals coming in Serie A last season, Lookman was the star of the show at Atalanta and would be an instant upgrade on Rashford. What’s most impressive about those numbers is how the Nigerian outperformed his XG by almost five goals, highlighting just how clinical he can be in front of goal.

Described as “dymamic” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Aston Villa should go all out to sign Lookman, who could finally become the Premier League star that many believed he was destined to be during spells at Fulham, Everton and Leicester City.

At 27 years old, the winger is at the peak of his powers and ready to return to England with a bang.

More prolific than Wissa & Sesko: Newcastle plot move to sign £40m "menace"

It’s been a testing summer window for Newcastle United.

Despite their return to the Champions League and a squad brimming with youthful potential, key attacking targets continue to slip through their fingers.

Bryan Mbeumo, João Pedro and Hugo Ekitike have all eluded the Magpies, while names like Benjamin Šeško remain out of reach for now.

Attention recently turned to Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, who left the Bees’ pre-season camp amid mounting speculation about his future and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Capable of playing across the front line and known for his pressing and intelligent movement, Wissa fits the profile of a player who could offer cover and competition for Alexander Isak, who remains a concern for Eddie Howe in terms of durability.

But Newcastle may have their sights set on a less polished alternative: a young forward who outscored Wissa and Sesko last season and could offer the clinical edge that’s been missing at key moments.

Newcastle looking at £40m striker

At 22, Mika Biereth might not be a household name in the Premier League just yet, but his numbers over the past 12 months have turned heads across Europe.

Transfer Focus

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

Well, after that stunning form, Newcastle, Wolves, Aston Villa and Everton have all been quoted as having an interest, according to Caught Offside, as they plot their respective moves.

After spending the first half of the 2023/24 season at SK Sturm Graz, the former Arsenal academy product made a €13m move to Monaco in January but according to the report, he could go for £40m now.

Across both stints, the forward proved himself to be a “menace” in the words of The Athletic’s Alex Barker, racking up 27 goals in all competitions, including 24 in domestic leagues alone. That’s more than Wissa (20) and Sesko (21) managed during the same campaign.

What makes this even more striking is his underlying data: those 24 goals came from an expected goals tally of just 11.3.

That’s a dramatic overperformance, one reminiscent of Darwin Núñez’s final season at Benfica, and while such numbers often regress over time, they still signal elite-level finishing instincts.

How Wissa compares to Biereth

According to data from FBref, Biereth registered 1.66 shots on target per 90 minutes last season, with 60.5% of his total efforts hitting the target. By comparison, Wissa, a proven Premier League operator, managed 1.27 shots on target per 90, with an accuracy of just 45.6%.

Yoane Wissa celebrates for Brentford.

Biereth’s sharpness in front of goal would complement Newcastle’s creative wingers, particularly Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga, who regularly generate chances with their direct running and early deliveries into the box.

However, Biereth is not yet the finished article. His contribution to build-up play is minimal compared to Wissa’s. He averaged just 10.9 passes per 90 and registered fewer progressive carries (1.02) and progressive passes (1.75) than Wissa (1.85 and 2.07, respectively).

He also ranks poorly in aerial duels, winning just 33.3% of his battles despite standing 6 foot 2 – a surprising stat when compared to Wissa’s 45.5% success rate, which places the Brentford man in the 64th percentile despite his smaller frame.

This same data from FBref shows that Wissa’s pressing numbers are also superior. He makes more tackles per 90 (0.68 vs 0.36), including more in the final third (0.25 vs 0.15), and he completes take-ons at a far higher rate (30.6% vs just 9.1%). These metrics suggest Wissa is far more integrated into all phases of play, from defensive pressing to link-up.

Still, that may be exactly why Biereth would offer something different. Newcastle already have a multi-functional No.9 in Isak, and what they lack is a game-changing finisher who can be introduced in moments of chaos.

Alexander Isak

For £40m, Monaco may be willing to sell, especially after signing Ansu Fati and with other forwards like Breel Embolo and Folarin Balogun on their books.

Newcastle would be gambling on potential, but it’s the kind of gamble that could prove inspired, particularly in scenarios against deep blocks where space is at a premium.

If Newcastle want a ready-made Premier League performer, Wissa ticks every box. He presses, combines well, and contributes defensively. But if they’re looking for a match-winner, someone who can convert at a rate few strikers in Europe can match, Biereth deserves serious consideration.

His raw data suggests an elite finisher in the making, and with the right service and role, he could offer Newcastle something they haven’t had in years: a true penalty-box predator with the confidence and tools to decide games on his own.

Better fit than Ekitike: Newcastle lead race to sign £44m Wissa alternative

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لابورتا عن إصابة لامين يامال مع إسبانيا: فليك محق

كشفا خوان لابورتا رئيس نادي برشلونة ونائبه، آرائهما فيما قاله الألماني هانز فليك، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم، عن إصابة لامين يامال بسبب الإجهاد الذي تعرض له مع منتخب إسبانيا.

لامين تعرض للإصابة مع منتخب إسبانيا خلال فترة التوقف الدولي الأخير، حيث أصيب خلال لقاء لاروخا مع تركيا ضمن تصفيات قارة أوروبا المؤهلة لبطولة كأس العالم 2026 المقبل.

وتسببت إصابة يامال في غياب اللاعب البالغ من العمر 18 عامًا عن مواجهة نادي برشلونة أمام نظيره فالنسيا ببطولة الدوري الإٍسباني للدرجة الأولى، والتي انتهت بفوز البارسا بستة أهداف دون رد.

اقرأ أيضًا | موندو: باريس سان جيرمان يضغط لخطف اسم بارز من برشلونة

وقال لابورتا في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” بشأن تصريحات فليك بأن لويس دي لافوينتي مدرب منتخب إسبانيا أهمل في التعامل مع إصابة لامين: “لديه كل الحق تمامًا”.

ولم يرغب نائب رئيس النادي في الدخول في جدل مع الاتحاد الإسباني بشأن لامين: “هذه مسألة يتعامل معها ديكو بشكل مباشر، وليس لدي ما أقوله، أتمنى لـ لامين الشفاء العاجل”.

وفيما يتعلق بتعطش كريستنسن لدوري أبطال أوروبا الذي كشف عنه عشية المباراة، قال يوستي نائب برشلونة: “يجب أن يتحول هذا التعطش إلى حماس، جميع المشجعين واللاعبين أيضًا، يدركون أن دوري أبطال أوروبا هو أهم لقب نتنافس عليه هذا الموسم ولكن علينا أن نحول هذا التعطش إلى حماس، لا لضغط”.

ومن المقرر أن يواجه الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة نظيره نيوكاسل مساء اليوم، الخميس، ضمن منافسات مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً، على ملعب “جيمس بارك”.

Brook, Livingstone, seamers square series in style with 186-run rout

Australia’s bowlers were carted all over Lord’s, before England’s dominated under the floodlights

Andrew McGlashan27-Sep-2024England produced an electric all-round display to set up a series decider at Bristol on Sunday, as they thrashed Australia by 186 runs at Lord’s. Harry Brook’s sublime 87 formed the backbone of the innings which was capped off by the thunderous hitting of Liam Livingstone in a ground-record 25-ball half-century. Jofra Archer then briefly rekindled memories of 2019 with the best spell of his latest comeback, while Matthew Potts bagged a career-best 4 for 38 in an overwhelming performance.Harking back to last year’s dramatic Ashes Test, there was also, briefly, a moment with an Australian wicketkeeper in the spotlight. On 17, Brook glanced Mitchell Starc down the leg side and was given out but queried whether the catch had carried to Josh Inglis, who had been recalled to the side after injury. The replays showed the ball pitching just before his gloves. The crowd booed as the pictures came on the big screen, accompanied by a few chants of ‘same old Aussies, always cheating’, but it was a tame interlude compared to 2023.Following his maiden ODI hundred in Durham, Brook cruised to a 37-ball fifty, adding 79 in 53 balls for the third wicket with Ben Duckett and 75 in 47 with Jamie Smith for the fourth, as England went through the gears in a game cut to 39 overs by heavy morning rain. Livingstone produced a grandstand finish to the innings with a mighty display of striking, including four sixes off the last over bowled by Starc, whose 28 runs conceded amounted to the most expensive over by an Australian bowler in men’s ODIs. England amassed 156 off their last 15 overs.Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh gave the daunting chase a promising start – Head launching a gigantic pull out of the ground over the Tavern Stand – and after the eight-over powerplay Australia were 66 without loss compared to England’s 34 without loss. Overall, the 16 sixes hit in the match was a record for a Lord’s ODI. However, sustaining the tempo was a tall order. Head swung across the line at Brydon Carse and Steven Smith edged an ugly charge at Potts.Then Archer produced something special. An off-cutter at 88.2mph initially shaped in at Marsh before straightening to beat the edge and clatter off stump. It was a gem of a delivery to give Archer his first Lord’s wicket since 2019 and he rightly wheeled away in celebration. When his next ball clattered into the forearm of Marnus Labuschagne, the 2019 flashbacks were in full flow, albeit in coloured clothes, and Archer also added Glenn Maxwell during Australia’s collapseBefore long, however, his ball to Marsh had a contender for delivery of the game (or series) when Carse found an unplayable offering to flatten Labuschagne’s off stump. It was a collective effort from England’s quicks who shared nine wickets – Potts taking three wickets in four balls to rush through the lower order – before Adil Rashid finished things off.Matthew Potts starred with four wickets•Getty ImagesUnder heavy cloud, the ball nipped around early after England had been put into bat. Phil Salt fell shortly after the powerplay, skewing the excellent Josh Hazlewood to backward point, and Will Jacks picked out the same fielder to give Marsh a wicket in his second over – the first he had bowled since April 3. On a day when Cameron Green was revealed to have a back injury, it was not insignificant that Marsh was back with the ball.Brook initially appeared to be playing a different game to the other batters, as he skipped out of the blocks with three leg-side boundaries prior to his near-dismissal, and England’s momentum built around him. Sean Abbott’s expensive series continued – by the end of the innings his combined figures for three outings were 19.4-0-165-0 – while both Brook and Duckett took on Adam Zampa as well as the other overs of spin from Maxwell and Labuschagne.Duckett, who had offered a tough return catch to Starc before scoring, sent Zampa over long-on for six before moving to a hard-working 51-ball half-century one ball later, before top-edging the legspinner to deep backward square. Smith continued the aggressive approach against Zampa, sending him over wide long-on, and Brook added a second six in the same over to deep midwicket. The 12 overs of spin went for 106.A moment of absent-mindedness nearly did for Smith when he only just avoided being run out when he didn’t run his bat in at the non-striker’s end, although the ball ended up costing Australia six runs as the deflection went to the rope. By then, Brook was challenging for England’s fastest ODI hundred at Lord’s – 61 balls by Jos Buttler – but picked out long-on as Zampa ended his stay from his 58th.Smith fell in the next over, slicing Maxwell to short third, but any concerns the innings may limp to a finish vanished as Livingstone provided stunning late power. A huge blow over midwicket off Hazlewood was followed by the dismantling of Starc’s figures, including two sixes into the pavilion, to the increasingly joyous roars of a large crowd. Unlike last summer, an England-Australia series goes to the final game 2-2, although the weather in Bristol may yet have the final say.

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