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Watson says the 19-year old’s adaptability to different conditions and India’s plans would be a “good test of his evolution”

Andrew McGlashan02-Jan-20252:11

Clarke: ‘Freakish’ debut for Konstas

Sam Konstas’ mentor Shane Watson has admitted the 19-year-old’s audacious start to Test cricket took even him by surprise, both in terms of the strokeplay and the way he carried himself in the field and with the crowd.Konstas scored 60 off 65 balls on the opening morning at the MCG, regularly scooping Jasprit Bumrah, and had a run-in with Virat Kohli who was fined for a shoulder barge. Later in the game he embraced the crowd when fielding on the boundary and was a vocal presence under the helmet, clearly getting under the skin of Yashasvi Jaiswal during the second innings.”I understood what his game plan was, what plan A was anyway,” Watson said as part of the ICC Champions Trophy tour at the SCG. “So when plan B sort of kicked in quite quickly, within a couple of overs, that was a little surprising. But the one thing that we’ve always talked about is trusting his gut.”Related

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While Watson was aware of the range of strokes Konstas had in his locker, even if showing them so early in Test was unexpected, he admitted the character shown in the field was not something he had seen before.”My experience of dealing and working with Sam has been a very quiet, reserved personality,” he said. “[He’s] a very deep thinker and certainly not an extrovert. But obviously what we saw in the Test match is that he absolutely is a showman. And he certainly rose to the occasion, as in he wasn’t overawed.”I know through my experience of debuting…you just put a lot of pressure on yourself because it’s your dream to be able to represent your country, wear the baggy green. But for Sam, it’s superhuman in a way that he sort of just didn’t have any of that at all. You can see it wasn’t put on. That’s just obviously who he is. And again, I hadn’t seen that side of him. It just shows that he’s built for this stage where most people it takes a bit of time to warm up to sort of get into that. Whereas Sam, he obviously just thrives on that.”Konstas has continued to enjoy the trappings of being a Test cricketer since arriving with the squad in Sydney, having photographs with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancée Jodie Haydon during the annual New Year’s Day gathering at Kirribilli House. He also spent time chatting with Kohli, who his brothers took the opportunity to get a photograph with.Albanese joked about his role in Konstas’ rapid rise to the Test side after the century he scored against the Indians in Canberra. “Of course, he got his break in the Prime Minister’s XI [game],” Albanese said. “I’m claiming some of the credit, which is about my only contribution to national cricket.”Shane Watson on Konstas: ‘He’s certainly got all the gears and all the skills to be able to make adjustments’•Getty ImagesOn Friday, Konstas will become the youngest Australia men’s player to feature in a Test at his home ground of the SCG followed by the prospect of two Tests in vastly different conditions in Sri Lanka. India had already adjusted their tactics by the second innings in Melbourne where Konstas was kept quiet before being bowled by an inducker from Bumrah.”Look it’s going to be a different challenge for him now,” Watson said. “Because he’s shown what his plan B is. And we already saw in that second innings the field positions certainly changed. It’s going to be a good test of his evolution. To be able to continue to work through how he can take the game on against the best bowlers in the world. But he’s certainly got all the gears and all the skills to be able to make those adjustments quickly.”He is technically very correct and waits for loose balls. But he’s also got the other gears to be able to hit the ball down the ground. But when they do have third man fine and fine leg fine, the ramp shot is probably out. But you know what? I thought the ramp shot wasn’t going to come out in the first couple of overs, and it did. Sam will just trust what he feels and go with it. And that’s something very special that he taps into.”Australia captain Pat Cummins said there had been no instructions given to Konstas about how to go about his innings and believed he would be able to adjust to different scenarios.”Think he showed how adaptable he can be,” Cummins said. “That takes a lot of skill first of all, but we always encourage our players just to read the moment, play it how they see fit. For Sam he sensed the moment was to attack and put pressure back on the bowlers and he did that, it might be different this week; it might be ‘I’m going to play a slow game and kind of score runs that way’. Our message is always just to back yourself, have really clear plans and back your decision making.”

قاد محمد صلاح منتخب مصر للتأهل إلى نهائيات كأس العالم 2026، بعد أن سجل هدفين خلال الفوز ضد منتخب جيبوتي، بثلاثية نظيفة.

وكانت المباراة بين مصر وجيبوتي، قد أجريت على ملعب استاد محمد الزاولي، في المغرب، ضمن منافسات الجولة التاسعة من تصفيات إفريقيا.

وكان منتخب مصر قد ارتفع رصيده بعد الفوز في مباراة اليوم إلى النقطة 23، ووصل الفراعنة إلى الفوز السابع إلى جانب تعادلين ولم يهزم المنتخب في أي مباراة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ترتيب هدافي تصفيات إفريقيا المؤهلة لكأس العالم بعد ثنائية محمد صلاح أمام جيبوتي

ونشر محمد صلاح عبر منصة “إكس” صورة له بجانب زملائه في منتخب مصر، تشير إلى الفرحة والاحتفال بصعود المنتخب لنهائيات كأس العالم 2026.

ووضع نجم ليفربول محمد صلاح تعبير “قلب” على صورته مع زملائه في منتخب مصر، عقب تأهله لمونديال كندا والمكسيك والولايات المتحدة.

❤️ pic.twitter.com/N7j6AUbUh3 — Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) October 8, 2025

وخاض محمد صلاح مع منتخب مصر 106 مباريات وسجل 62 هدفًا وصنع 34، أي حقق 96 مساهمة، ويعد أكثر من ساهم مع المنتخب المصري وثاني أكثر من سجل أيضًا.

Rohit Sharma will not be available to lead India in first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which starts on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. ESPNcricinfo has learned that Rohit, who stayed back home for the birth of his second child, will join the India squad ahead of the second Test, which is a day-night match starting on December 6 in Adelaide.While Rohit had communicated to the BCCI and national selectors in advance that he could miss the Perth Test, he had kept open the option of last-minute travel based on when the child was born. Rohit and his wife Ritika welcomed their second child on Friday, a week ahead of the first Test, prompting the possibility of his travelling to Perth. However, he told the BCCI he will be available to play the two-day, pink-ball warm-up game against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI from November 30 before the day-night Test in Adelaide.Related

• Rohit to join India squad in Australia on November 24

• India's likely XI: Rahul set to open, Padikkal No. 3, and Jurel in the middle order

• Can Jaiswal counter fire with fire in Australia?

• Injured Gill to miss first Test in Perth with fractured thumb

• Boost for India as KL Rahul returns to bat in Sunday training

Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead India in Perth in Rohit’s absence. Bumrah has led India in one Test previously, the fifth Test of their two-part 2021-22 tour of England at Edgbaston, when Rohit had tested positive for Covid-19.India are now set to begin the Test series without two members of their first-choice top three, with No. 3 Shubman Gill also set to miss the Perth Test with a fractured thumb. KL Rahul and the uncapped Abhimanyu Easwaran were the two main candidates to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in Rohit’s absence, but there is now a chance that both will feature in the XI.Rahul had briefly come under an injury cloud himself, having gone off the field after taking a blow to the elbow while batting against Prasidh Krishna during the first day of the Indians’ intra-squad practice match at the WACA. Those fears were assuaged on Sunday morning, though, when Rahul returned to the crease and batted for about an hour.Apart from Abhimanyu and Rahul, India will have another top-order candidate in Devdutt Padikkal, who was part of India A’s shadow tour of Australia and has stayed back with the Test squad. Padikkal has played one Test for India, against England in Dharamsala earlier this year.With four days remaining for the first Test, the Indian think tank led by head coach Gautam Gambhir has been challenged on several fronts. This is India’s first overseas Test series under Gambhir and his coaching staff comprising Morne Morkel, Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, and it follows an unprecedented 3-0 defeat to New Zealand, India’s first ever whitewash in a home series of three or more Tests.In the absence of Rohit and Gill, India may look to add to their batting depth by playing one of their two seam-bowling allrounders at No. 8. Both Nitish Kumar Reddy, a batting allrounder from Andhra, and Harshit Rana, a hit-the-deck bowling allrounder for Delhi, are yet to make their Test debuts.After training at the WACA over this week, India will shift to the Optus Stadium from Tuesday.

Turning their attention towards a future star, West Ham United are now reportedly racing Manchester United to sign an 18-year-old forward this summer.

West Ham launch Callum Wilson offer

Whether it’s young talent like Daniel Cummings or those more experienced, the Hammers are seemingly looking to reinforce their frontline this summer. The latest target would certainly be an ideal addition too. According to recent reports, West Ham have submitted an opening offer to Callum Wilson, who is currently a free agent after leaving Newcastle United.

Whether the experienced forward accepts the offer, which includes a minimal salary with a goal and appearance bonus, remains the big question. Wilson reportedly rejected a similar offer from Newcastle, so it does seem unlikely that he would change his demands for West Ham this summer.

Of course, the free agent market is one that West Ham have already dipped into this summer to welcome Kyle Walker-Peters. The right-back recently arrived to become their third signing following Cummings and El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The former Southampton man instantly expressed his delight after putting pen to paper, saying: “I’m really excited. It feels like it has been a long-time coming – I’ve been linked with a move to the Club in the past – and I’m just happy to be here now.

“I spoke to Graham Potter and he was a big, big part of me making the decision. I’ve always liked his style as a coach, and I think it will suit me well. He spoke about the family feel at the Club, and that’s what I’m all about. I’d like to think I’m going to be a good fit for West Ham United.

Now, however, it seems as though those at the London Stadium are ready to spend again in pursuit of adding another attacking addition to Graham Potter’s side.

West Ham racing to sign Idrissa Gueye

According to L’Equipe, West Ham are now racing to sign Idrissa Gueye ahead of Manchester United this summer. Not to be confused with his Everton namesake, the 18-year-old striker is attracting plenty of attention, with a battle forming between West Ham, Man United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Italian side Parma for his signature.

It won’t come cheap, however. Ligue 1 side Metz reportedly value their young striker at as much as €20m (£17m) ahead of their return to France’s top flight and it remains to be seen whether West Ham and others will be willing to match that price.

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Mentioned in an “exciting crop of talent” at Senegal by analyst Ben Mattinson, Gueye is unlikely to make an instant impact given his tender age, but he is one for the future.

Having shown glimpses of his quality at Metz last season – scoring five Ligue 2 goals – the teenager could now be on his way to the Premier League.

Inglis and Stoinis stepped away against the unusual deliveries and they were declared ‘dead balls’

Andrew McGlashan05-Sep-2024Towards the end of the opening T20I between Australia and Scotland in Edinburgh, talk switched from Travis Head’s pyrotechnics to the ‘long ball’ tactics of left-arm spinner Mark Watt and the grey areas of the Law that his innovation approach challenges.The ball after having Mitchell Marsh taken on the rope, Watt delivered one of his 25-yard deliveries to Josh Inglis who made the very late decision to step away with it taking the leg bail. The umpire called ‘dead ball’, although he did appear to speak to Inglis. It happened again a short while later when Marcus Stoinis stepped away having started to face up, although on this occasion the ball missed the stumps.”It’s just trying to rush [the batters],” Watt has previously explained. “By the time I’ve let it go, the batsman looks up and the ball’s halfway down the wicket.”The wording of the relevant Law, 20.4.2.5, showed the umpire had made the correct call. “Either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball when…the striker is not ready for the delivery of the ball and, if the ball is delivered, makes no attempt to play it. Provided the umpire is satisfied that the striker had adequate reason for not being ready, the ball shall not count as one of the over.”However, the “adequate reason” for the batter to pull away is left for the umpire’s discretion and Watt clearly felt Inglis had been ready to face. Freeze frames of the moment Watt started his run up did appear to suggest that Inglis was still looking down when tapping his bat, although he was looking towards the bowler before the ball was delivered.On commentary, the former Scotland captain Preston Mommsen suggested Inglis had been fortunate. “The unexpected nature of the delivery coming from 23, 24 yards. He’s a very lucky man to still be there,” he said.There wouldn’t have been an impact on the result, but it’s not the first time the debate has been sparked as to whether Watt was denied a wicket. The same situation occurred in the T20 World Cup earlier this year when Oman batter Khalid Kail was ‘bowled’ after stepping away and umpire Chris Brown called dead ball. On that occasion Watt and captain Richie Berrington spoke to the umpire but on Wednesday, apart from a few gesticulations the game went on, although there were boos from the crowd after the second dead-ball call.During the World Cup example, Tom Moody, who was commentating for the game, believed Kail was ready and ball shouldn’t have been dead. “The batter’s looking up. He’s ready. To me, that is a legitimate ball,” Moody had said. “The ball is live. As soon as the batter has placed his bat down and faces up, looks up to the bowler, he’s ready to go.”Australia were on alert for the tactic when they faced Scotland in the T20 World Cup in St Lucia, where Inglis was a member of the squad and Stoinis was in the XI.

Hosts finish day three 207 ahead, after Joshua Da Silva’s 82* gave visitors a 41-run first-innings lead

Valkerie Baynes20-Jul-2024Half-centuries to three of their top five allowed England to wrest back control of the second Test after West Indies’ spirited lower-order resistance had given the tourists a narrow first-innings lead on an enthralling third day at Trent Bridge.Twin fifties from Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope – the biggest contributors in England’s first innings – steadied the hosts after the loss of Zak Crawley just ten balls into their second innings, a 119-run partnership for the second wicket overhauling West Indies’ 41-run lead and pulling them 86 ahead.Then fifty to Harry Brook during another century stand for England – worth 108 so far with Joe Root – left West Indies frustrated. At stumps on day three, Brook was unbeaten on 71 and Root was 37 not out.Crawley, dismissed for a duck in the first innings, managed 3 in the second before his freak run-out at the non-striker’s end. Duckett drove heartily back towards the bowler Jayden Seales, who thrust out a hand on his follow through and the ball deflected off his fingers as Crawley was backing up, his bat still in the air when the stumps were broken.Duckett raised his second fifty of the match in 55 balls with a trio of sweeps off consecutive deliveries in front of square off Kevin Sinclair, top-edged through fine leg and then behind square to add to his quick-fire 71 in the first innings.Ben Duckett hit his second fifty of the match•Getty ImagesThe day’s overcast conditions grew heavier at tea with a very light rain shower sweeping through around the scheduled resumption. Pope, England’s top-scorer in the first innings with 121, brought up his fifty soon after the interval with a single off Alzarri Joseph, but immediately after the misshapen ball was replaced, the same bowler lured Pope into a drive, the outside edge sailing to Sinclair at gully.Alzarri Joseph then pinned Duckett lbw with a toe-crusher of an inswinging yorker, the batter failing to overturn a straightforward dismissal on DRS, and England went from 127 for 1 to 140 for 3.Brook and Root steadied things again, though. Brook was hit in the midriff by one that nipped back from Alzarri Joseph, but pulled the next for four through midwicket to move within one boundary of his half-century; and he got there punching the first ball of Alzarri Joseph’s next over to the boundary through wide long-off.Brook raised the century partnership with back-to-back fours through the cordon off Seales, who was clearly fuming at the end of the over. When Brook and Root strode off the field after the next over, they had every reason to look pleased.Earlier, Joshua Da Silva’s resolute half-century, and Shamar Joseph’s big-hitting cameo from No. 11 took West Indies into the lead. Da Silva remained unbeaten on 82, having added fifty runs to his overnight score, when Shamar Joseph fell on the final ball of an extended first session for 33 off 27 balls, the pair putting on 71 runs off 78 for the tenth wicket.Joshua Da Silva and Shamar Joseph added 71 off 78 balls for the tenth wicket•AFP/Getty ImagesChris Woakes found plenty of swing to lead the bowling for England with three wickets for the day, including two in as many balls, to finish with 4 for 84.West Indies would have been thrilled with an improved batting performance, led by a century for Kavem Hodge, and Alick Athanaze’s 82 on the second day, which gave them some hope of levelling the series after an innings defeat at Lord’s. But after further encouragement with Crawley’s dismissal, they may be disappointed with their failure to capitalise.England bowled just one over with the second new ball on Friday evening, but under far cloudier skies, it took just 15 deliveries on Saturday morning for Woakes to break through, Jason Holder prodding at one outside off stump and getting caught behind. Sinclair survived a run-out chance when Pope’s shy at the stumps from short cover went wide, but he was gone soon after, thanks to Brook’s lightning reflexes at gully, off Gus Atkinson.Alzarri Joseph was put down by Ben Stokes, running in from cover, on 7, off the bowling of Atkinson, but Woakes claimed two wickets in as many balls when he had Alzarri Joseph chasing a wide one outside off stump and feathering behind to Jamie Smith, and then bowled Seales for a first-ball duck.Joshua Da Silva smashed Joe Root for 4, 4, 4, 6 in one over•PA Images via Getty ImagesShamar Joseph survived the hat-trick ball to support Da Silva, who had taken it slowly through the first 90 minutes of the day but brought up his fifty in emphatic style, using Mark Wood’s pace to guide the ball over the fence at deep extra cover.Da Silva took another six off Wood over deep third to move West Indies past the 400-mark, then Shamar Joseph drew his side level with England’s first-innings 416 by thrashing Atkinson for six in front of square. He sent broken roof tiles raining on to spectators sitting in the stands below at backward square leg next, and threaded four through fine leg to take 16 off the over.Da Silva amassed 18 runs off one Joe Root over with three consecutive fours followed by a heave over long-on for six, his third maximum of the innings.Wood, who had left the field late on day two suffering cramp after a lightning fast four-over spell in the morning followed by ten more overs of hard, fast graft, snared the wicket that had eluded him when Shamar Joseph sent a leading edge high to mid-on, Atkinson snaffling the catch.

Liverpool have lost their underdog moniker under the management of Arne Slot, who is a Premier League-winning manager in his maiden campaign.

That’s for the best. Anfield, after all, plays host to one of the best and most fearsome outfits in world football, and the powers that be will no doubt be aware Arsenal and Manchester City are ready to make sweeping changes over the summer.

It’s the full-backs, however, who have been the first port of call. Jeremie Frimpong is on the verge of completing his transfer as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement, while plans have been drawn to secure a long-term star at left-back.

In something of an open secret, FSG are looking to close talks with Bournemouth for their rising talent Milos Kerkez, who is desperate to make the move to Merseyside.

Liverpool advancing in talks for Milos Kerkez

Andy Robertson became a two-time Premier League winner this year, starting 28 matches with one to spare. However, the 31-year-old is on the decline and bringing Kerkez in as his heir is a brilliant move.

Not least because the two can work together next season, the younger man absorbing the teachings of one of the modern game’s finest full-backs.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Kerkez, 21, is closing on his dream move to Merseyside, with personal terms all wrapped up and now advancing discussions with the Cherries, who have previously listed the Hungarian at £45m.

Hailed a “revelation at Bournemouth” by pundit Jamie Carragher, Kerkez is the perfect wide defender for Slot’s side, with a balanced approach, energy and tenacity, athleticism and initiative.

Kerkez would add a dimension for sure, but that’s not Liverpool done and dusted in the rearguard. Indeed, FSG may yet green-light another move for a central defender to complete a title-winning defence.

Liverpool line up new centre-back

Liverpool missed out on Dean Huijsen, the Bournemouth centre-back moving to Real Madrid despite the vested interests of the Premier League’s biggest hitters.

Huijsen isn’t the only talented defender on the market, though, with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi also on the Reds’ radar.

According to GIVEMESPORT’s Dean Jones, Liverpool continue to circle for the Three Lions star, though they are joined by a host of further clubs: Chelsea, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Juventus.

Currently, Guehi is understood to have a market value of £50m, but after Oliver Glasner orchestrated an incredible FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, the Eagles may well look for something steeper, a fresh update that will no doubt have Liverpool and the rest chewing over.

That said, the 24-year-old is about to enter the final year of his deal, so this might be one that carries into the thick of the summer market.

What Marc Guehi would offer Liverpool

Crystal Palace signed Guehi from Chelsea for £18m in 2021, and now he is immortal.

Across 155 appearances, he’s scored eight goals and risen in reputation and actual ability to become one of England’s finest. Now, his triumph in the FA Cup has solidified his greatness in south London.

This might make it more difficult to pull him away from Glasner’s clutches, for Palace will compete in the Europa League next year, but the savvy Steve Parish runs the risk of losing his prized asset on a free if bids are turned away over the coming months.

Regarding Liverpool, Slot and co may want to exhaust every reasonable option to bring him to the club. The two-footed centre-half really could be the perfect signing alongside Kerkez, especially since he bears a likeness to Huijsen.

As you can see, both players have dynamic qualities on the ball and are strong and sure in their defensive work.

But why are we discussing Real Madrid-bound Huijsen? Well, given the similarities and, dare we say, superiorities across certain areas in Guehi’s favour, it’s hard to imagine he’d be anything other than a bona fide success alongside Kerkez in the years to come.

After all, we’re talking about “one of the most impressive defensive lines in Europe,” something echoed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, whose expansive style of football under the wing of Andoni Iraola could see Kerkez dovetail right into the Liverpool scene.

Guehi, who has had a taste for success with Palace this year, is a defender catered toward the highest station. His ability to pick out promising attacks with regularity is something Huijsen has built into his efforts this year, and is something that Kerkez has indeed used to charge his exploits.

Over the past year, Guehi has established himself as a starting fixture for England, but the signs of brilliance have been there for far longer.

His former teammate at youth level for England, Josef Bursik, once remarked that the “tank” of a defender is fantastic to play with as it’s “like having a brick wall in front of you.”

With a silky ability to play out from the back, ranking among the top 9% of Premier League centre-backs this year for through balls and the top 18% for shot-creating actions per 90 (as per FBref), Guehi could thread neat balls out wide, into space, into Kerkez’s path.

It’s quite the exciting combination, one Liverpool fans may begin to salivate over given Kerkez looks pretty nailed-on to sign for Liverpool in the coming weeks.

More importantly, it’s all evidence that Liverpool, Premier League champions, aren’t resting on their laurels, and are acting like the goliath institution that they are.

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By
Matt Dawson

May 18, 2025

In what would be a statement of intent, Newcastle United have now reportedly made contact to sign a teenage sensation ahead of interest from European giants Real Madrid this summer.

Newcastle could deal Real Madrid another blow

As the summer transfer window approaches, the Magpies have already reportedly commenced their spending by securing the arrival of Antonio Cordero from Malaga. The young winger reportedly had interest from both Real Madrid and Barcelona, but has chosen Newcastle ahead of the Spanish giants.

Cordero may just be the start for those at St James’ Park this summer too, with Eddie Howe potentially backed in the transfer market for the first time in over a year as Newcastle break free from their PSR constraints.

With that in mind, the rumours have already been coming thick and fast surrounding just who could arrive in the coming months. The most prominent targets have so far arguably been both Liam Delap and Jonathan David, whilst names such as James McAtee have begun to steal headlines as of late.

All three of those names would undoubtedly add something to Howe’s side, but whether that results in a trio of arrivals for the Magpies remains to be seen. Of course, something which would change the landscape of Newcastle’s summer is if Alexander Isak decided to depart for a club-record fee.

PIF join tug-of-war to sign "special" midfielder who thrashed Newcastle 4-0

He’s a wanted man…

By
Tom Cunningham

May 1, 2025

Instantly, PIF’s spending power would become clear in the face of Isak’s departure. Ultimately, however, it’s a situation that all involved at the club would rather avoid before setting their sights on targets of their own.

Newcastle make contact to sign Kofane

According to reports relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle have now made contact to sign Christian Kofane from Albacete this summer and are looking to beat Real Madrid to a second La Liga 2 striker in a matter of months. It’s not just the Magpies and Madrid who have registered their interest though, with ‘half of Europe’ reportedly plotting to sign the 18-year-old sensation.

That interest should come as no surprise, either. Like Cordero, Kofane has thrived in Spain’s second division – scoring six goals and creating one other in 15 La Liga 2 appearances so far this season.

With a reported release clause worth just €5m (£4m) too, Newcastle could land a bargain deal for a young player on the rise and one that RD Scouting described as a player with an “interesting” profile.

While the mood around Arsenal’s domestic campaign has turned from disappointment to apathy, it shouldn’t be forgotten just how stop-start this season has been for the North Londoners.

For example, on top of losing their captain for a couple of months and their only two centre-forwards, the Gunners had to make do without their best player for almost four months.

Expecting Mikel Arteta’s squad to be at their best without Bukayo Saka would be like asking Liverpool to be at their best without Mohammed Salah or Manchester City to do the same without Erling Haaland.

In fact, it wouldn’t be hyperbole to place the Englishman among the very best wingers in the world now, so fans should be excited about recent reports linking the club with another international wideman who’s won comparisons not just with Saka but also fellow wonderkid Lamine Yamal.

Arsenal transfer news

Before we get to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other star wingers linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, such as Nico Williams.

Transfer Focus

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

The Spaniard’s representatives have supposedly already held talks with Andrea Berta and, with a release clause worth around £52m, this feels like a move that could happen, and as he’s amassed an impressive tally of 17 goal involvements in 41 games this term, perhaps one that should.

An even more expensive winger touted for a move to the Emirates earlier this month was Rafael Leo, who looks like he may finally leave AC Milan at the end of the season.

However, while the Portuguese superstar has racked up a brilliant tally of 22 goal involvements in 44 games this season, he could cost up to £86m, which might make a move for him prohibitively expensive, which may not be the case for Kingsley Coman.

Yes, according to a recent report from Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal have maintained their interest in the French winger.

Plettenberg has revealed that the Gunners are “in ongoing communication” with the player’s management and that it now looks all but certain that he’ll be leaving Bayern Munich in the summer.

However, Saudi Arabia “is a very appealing option” for the former Paris Saint Germain ace, and according to reports from last week, he could cost up to £39m, which may be seen as a steep amount considering his game time this season.

With that said, Coman is an undeniably talented player and one who has won comparisons to both Saka and Yamal, so should this transfer happen, he’d undoubtedly improve the quality of Arsenal’s squad.

How Coman compares to Saka & Yamal

So, before getting into some of the other benefits of signing Coman this summer, it’s worth first examining these comparisons to Saka and Yamal and where they come from.

Well, in this instance, they stem from FBref, which looks at players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one and, in this instance, has concluded that the Englishman is the seventh most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Frenchman and the Spaniard is the ninth.

The best way to see where this comparison has come from is to look at the underlying metrics in which the trio rank closely, including, but not limited to, non-penalty expected goals, shots on target, goals per shot on target, tackles won, expected assists and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.32

0.29

0.29

Shots on Target

1.29

1.19

1.16

Goals per Shot on Target

0.27

0.28

0.20

Expected Assists

0.34

0.39

0.34

Tackles Won

0.85

0.86

0.89

Moreover, like the two Barcelona and Arsenal stars, the Bayern ace also broke onto the scene when incredibly young, making his competitive debut for Paris Saint-Germain at just 16 years old before winning titles in Italy with Juventus and Germany with FC Hollywood.

It’s this experience, which is almost an expectation, to win which could be incredibly beneficial to have in Arteta’s squad from next season, as for all the talent currently there, none are proven winners in the same way as the “world-class” Frenchman, as dubbed by former manager Julian Nagelsmann, is.

Ultimately, while he might not be a guaranteed starter like Saka is, Coman would undoubtedly bring an immense level of experience and quality to Arsenal’s squad were he to join this summer, and therefore, he’s someone Arteta and Co should be looking to bring in.

Arsenal very keen on signing £39m striker who could be better than Osimhen

The Gunners could now be willing to submit a big offer for a “fantastic” forward.

ByDominic Lund Apr 14, 2025

Injuries have severely depleted New Zealand in the first Test against West Indies in Christchurch, with their bowling spearhead Matt Henry and seam-bowling allrounder Nathan Smith joining wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell on the sidelines.Blundell, who suffered a hamstring injury while batting on the opening day in Christchurch, has been ruled out of the second Test, which will begin at the Basin Reserve, his domestic home ground, on December 10. Smith was not available to bowl or field on day four because of a side complaint while Henry left the field after the 35th over and didn’t bowl or field in the final session on day four. He subsequently headed to the hospital next door for scans on his calf. He bowled 11 overs on Friday for the wicket of Roston Chase.In the absence of both Smith and Henry, New Zealand turned to the part-time fingerspin of Michael Bracewell and Rachin Ravindra. They were already without one of their middle-order mainstays, Daryl Mitchell, who couldn’t recover in time from a groin injury for the Test-series opener against West Indies. New Zealand bowling coach Jacob Oram said that they are awaiting the scan results of Henry and Smith.”They’ve had scans and it’s really disappointing for them,” Oram said. “I feel for them and I have a lot of empathy for them. We’re basically waiting for the report to come back to decide what we’re going to be doing not only this Test match but the series going forward. So it’s a wait and see and you always have your fingers crossed but with just one day left and a quick turnaround, we’ll wait and see.”Matt Henry and Nathan Smith’s injuries reduced New Zealand’s attack to two frontline seamers•ICC via Getty Images

Wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay is in line for a Test debut in the second game against West Indies. Hay, 25, has played 19 white-ball internationals for New Zealand so far, but is uncapped in Test cricket. He has a strong record in first-class cricket, with 1888 runs in 47 innings at an average of 49.68.Hay is currently in action for Canterbury against Central Districts in the third round of the Plunket Shield. He will turn out for Canterbury during the first two days of this round in Napier before linking up with the New Zealand side in Wellington, in the lead-up to the second Test against West Indies.In his second T20I against Sri Lanka last November, Hay effected six dismissals in Dambulla, a New Zealand record. Hay also has some exposure outside of New Zealand, having been on A tours to Bangladesh and South Africa, and to India to train at the Chennai Super Kings Academy.Rookie Jesse Frew, who had turned out for New Zealand XI against the West Indians in a tour game in Lincoln, last week, will slot in as Hay’s replacement for Canterbury during the third and fourth days of the Plunket Shield in the ongoing round.In the injury absence of Blundell, Tom Latham juggled captaincy with keeping across both innings at Hagley Oval. He took four catches in West Indies’ first innings, helping New Zealand claim a 64-run first-innings lead. Latham then stretched New Zealand’s lead, scoring 145 off 250 balls for his first Test hundred in three years. Along the way, he also became the fifth New Zealand player to reach 6000 Test runs.”[The body is] not too bad,” Latham told the host broadcaster after stumps on day three. “I’ll try to get the recovery but a really good day and pleased to be in the position we are.”I guess that [Smith’s injury] is another thing but that hampers the decision [declaration] but it was nice to see a little bit of spin out there when we were batting and that’s an encouraging sign. We’ll chip in when a man goes down and the guys are looking to put a big shift in.”New Zealand eventually declared on 466 for 8 on the fourth day, setting West Indies an improbable target of 531. West Indies, led by an unbeaten 116 from Shai Hope, finished day four on 212 for 4.Allrounder Glenn Phillips, meanwhile, could be in contention for the second Test in Wellington, having proven his match fitness in the first two rounds of the Plunket Shield. Phillips joined New Zealand’s side in Christchurch and pitched in as a substitute fielder after his team was weakened by injuries.