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The Bangladesh captain isn’t keen on making personnel changes though. He just wants mindset changes

Mohammad Isam25-Feb-2025

Najmul Hossain Shanto’s Bangladesh suffered yet another ICC event setback•AFP/Getty Images

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has said that the same group of players should be given more opportunities to be “responsible for the team’s performance” in future ICC tournaments. The comment comes after Bangladesh’s early exit from the Champions Trophy following which their senior players have come under fire.Shanto started the post-match press conference on Monday by saying that they need to make “changes”. “I have said it a lot of times in the past, but we [have] made the same mistakes over and over again,” he said. “We have to focus on how we want to improve our batting. I hope after this tournament, we will make some changes as a batting unit, which will bring improvement in our batting.”That had everyone on alert. Bangladesh have been crying out for a fresh approach in ODIs so there was some hope that the captain himself was about to address the issue. However, Shanto later clarified that he meant the changes should be within the mindset of the existing batting group, and not changes in personnel.”We have to be more responsible for the team when we go out to bat. We cannot keep chopping and changing [personnel]. We have to keep giving our existing resources more opportunities. I think we are taking it lightly. We have to be more responsible.”Related

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Ravindra and Bracewell win the middle overs to knock out Bangladesh

Shanto also threw his weight behind Mushfiqur Rahim, who has been struggling for runs. The former Bangladesh captain has managed just one fifty in ODIs since the end of the 2023 World Cup and averages a tick over 31. He was dismissed for a first-ball duck against India before falling to a rash shot against New Zealand for 2.There were thoughts that Mushfiqur could be replaced by the incoming Mahmudullah, who missed Bangladesh’s first game of the Champions Trophy due to an injury, with Jaker Ali taking the gloves. However, instead of swapping the two veterans, Bangladesh dropped Soumya Sarkar from the top of the order with Shanto going one slot up. “There’s no auto-choice in this team,” Shanto said. “Soumya bats in the top order, Riyad [Mahmudullah] bhai plays in the lower-middle order. Keeping Soumya would have forced us to make a lot of changes in the line-up. We needed Riyad bhai given how he batted in the last four or five innings.”I wasn’t worried about Mushfiq [Mushfiqur] last five innings. His wicketkeeping was very important. We have seen his contribution to the team over the years. He didn’t score runs in the last two or three matches but I am sure he can come back in the next game.”Mushfiqur Rahim has managed just one half-century in his last nine ODIs•ICC via Getty Images

Bangladesh’s biggest issue on Monday was handing four wickets to offspinner Michael Bracewell as they lost their way in the middle overs. Their approach of playing very defensively, coming under pressure and trying to hit their way out looked questionable as they accumulated about 30 overs worth of dot balls. Shanto admitted that Bangladesh, who finished on 236 for 9, were well short of a par score.”It was a good wicket, worth at least 280 to 300 runs. I think (Bracewell) bowled well but we fell to some soft dismissals,” he said. “We made the mistakes with the bat. We could have batted better against him on this wicket. There was some poor shot selection. We could have planned better, which wouldn’t have given him so many wickets. He bowled well but we made some poor executions.”We have room for improvement. We don’t score 300-plus totals regularly. The number of dot balls was mainly because we lost wickets in a cluster in the middle overs. Maybe, if we had two big partnerships, we wouldn’t have suffered so much today. We have to build the habit of scoring 300 runs regularly. For that, we need better practice wickets.”Bangladesh’s sub-par batting in both the group-stage matches against India and New Zealand again brings into question whether they are prepared for ICC tournaments. Shanto said that they have to find a way to show improvement at the highest level, rather than just waiting for a team performance, once in a while.”We only win at home. We don’t win regularly in overseas conditions. We have to find out how we can do well in ICC tournaments,” Shanto said. “We need a collective improvement. There are days when the top order is doing well, another day only the middle order is doing well. There are days when we field well. It is a haphazard situation. I think only a collective performance can help us do well against big teams in these tournaments.Shanto stood by his pre-tournament declaration that Bangladesh were targeting to win the Champions Trophy. He said that the team had the same desire but their collective efforts didn’t match the dream. “I think the whole team dreamt of winning the Champions Trophy. If we don’t dream big, how can we play?” he questioned. “We are here to win, not just to compete. We didn’t get the desired result. We can’t just be dreaming of a big result, we have to play accordingly too. Our focus is on the next match now.”

A new era awaits Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this forthcoming Premier League campaign.

Thankfully, despite season after season of relegation panic, their swansong offering at Goodison Park wasn’t drenched in the worry of Championship football potentially coming to the Toffees’ new state-of-the-art home, as Everton finished in a comfortable 13th final spot under David Moyes.

Now, it’s up to the Scotsman to deliver more success to the blue half of Merseyside, with more signings presumably in the works to ensure they improve on their 13th position this time around.

Everton in talks to sign £300k p/w ace

Everton have been busy in the transfer department so far this summer.

Indeed, the Toffees have managed to welcome in five new faces ahead of their upcoming adventure into fresh surroundings, with both Thierno Barry and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sticking out as notable purchases up top and through the middle.

While Dewsbury-Hall offers plenty of Premier League experience, the top-flight side might well venture down the more untested route when recruiting other midfield assets, with Sunderland’s 18-year-old gem Chris Rigg reportedly on their shopping list.

However, much in the same ilk as the former Chelsea man, Everton could also offer an escape route to another outcast struggling towards the top end of the Premier League, as talks continue to occur between the Toffees and Manchester City reserve star Jack Grealish.

Transfer Focus

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

Journalist Dominic King has taken to X to suggest that Grealish would be receptive to the idea of moving to Moyes’ outfit, with talks also ramping up – as per football journalist Mike Joyce writing for the Times – as Everton attempt to bring the £300k-per-week midfielder in on loan, despite those wild wage costs.

Further reports from one Toffees insider note that Grealish is “in agreement” to join Everton on loan.

How Grealish is shades of Barkley

The Birmingham-born 29-year-old won’t be viewed as a complete lost cause, with the idea of Grealish getting back to his prior best enabling Everton to win a temporary star who possesses shades of Ross Barkley’s game when he was at his peak at his boyhood club.

Before finding out the hard way how unforgiving football can be – with a limp 12 goals and 11 assists coming his way for Chelsea from a century of appearances – Barkley was a rip-roaring success story at his boyhood employers with runaway efforts like this one against Newcastle United.

In total, the 33-time England international would power home a respectable 27 efforts from 179 Toffees outings, on top of also picking up 25 assists, leading to one of his former Everton bosses in Roberto Martinez, heralding his overall ability as “incredible.”

Grealish would be showered with the same adoration when he was still pulling on Villa claret and blue, as seen in Brendan Rodgers branding him as “marvellous” to watch when situated in the Leicester City dug-out.

All this lavish praise was warranted, too, as the ex-Villans captain bettered Barkley’s Everton tally by amassing a bumper tally of 32 goals and 43 assists in the West Midlands, leading to the Citizens splashing out an excessive £100m on the attacking menace’s services.

Grealish’s numbers at City by season
Season	Games	Goals	Assists
24/25	31	3	4
23/24	33	3	3
22/23	50	5	11
21/22	39	6	4
Sourced by Transfermarkt

Unfortunately for Grealish, this dive into the unknown at the Etihad backfired, leaving the 29-year-old now in a position where he needs to breathe life back into his faltering playing days, off the back of a 2024/25 campaign where a middle-of-the-road seven-goal contributions were averaged.

Often chucked out to the left wing under Guardiola, it could well be a masterstroke to come by Moyes if he places Grealish back into his preferred number ten spot, with that freedom perhaps reawakening his Villa best, gifting the much-loved Toffees boss his new Barkley in the process.

After all, Barkley managed to recover his career from the brink when he joined Luton Town in 2023.

The same could soon happen for Grealish, therefore, who was once even labelled as a “magician” when strutting his stuff for his hometown side by ex-Premier League regular Ashley Cole.

It will be up to Moyes and Co. to get this magic back out of him after an underwhelming stint in Manchester, with a version of Grealish back at his very best, an unbelievable weapon to possess.

Just imagine him & Ndiaye: Everton aiming to sign PL star alongside Dibling

As Everton chase Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, David Moyes also wants the Toffees to sign a “magic” Premier League winner who was once worth £100m.

By
Ben Gray

Aug 10, 2025

Chelsea have now reached a verbal agreement for one of their next potential signings of the window, but must wait for Christopher Nkunku to leave before finalising the deal.

The west Londoners are not exactly strapped for cash, and estimate that Chelsea are currently enjoying a profit margin of around £108 million when it comes to their balance sheet.

Enzo Maresca’s side have brought in around £388 million through player sales (£220m), Club World Cup prize money (£87.5m) and qualifying for the Champions League combined (£80m), with around £280 million spent on summer transfers.

This puts them in superb stead when it comes to the Premier League’s PSR laws, but they remain forced to sell players due to their pact with UEFA.

Chelsea reached an agreement with UEFA last month after breaking their separate FFP rules, and, as part of their settlement, it was agreed that BlueCo must produce a positive transfer balance by September – or risk not being able to register new players for their European A-list squad.

Essentially, Maresca’s squad must be balanced out financially with outgoings to make up for their plethora of incomings.

Chelsea are currently in talks to sign Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons, according to widespread reports, so they must make headway when it comes to selling more undesired players pretty soon.

Chelsea completed exit deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Mathis Amougou, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Armando Broja and Lesley Ugochukwu earlier in the window, but more are certain to follow.

Maresca confirmed that Nicolas Jackson isn’t part of the squad for their opening Premier League game against Crystal Palace, stating the Senegalese will be allowed to leave Cobham, while Bayern Munich are currently in talks to sign Nkunku, who’s keen to join them.

The Frenchman bagged 15 goals in all competitions last season, finishing 2024/2025 as one of their top scorers, but he struggled to earn a consistent starting place under Maresca despite some impressive showings.

Nkunku displayed flashes of his quality at the CWC too, though his future appears far away from west London, especially since his exit could “unlock” a long-awaited deal for Simons.

Chelsea reach verbal agreement to sign RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons

That is according to journalist Rudy Galetti, who wrote on X this week that Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sign the Dutchman.

However, they’re currently waiting for Nkunku to leave before formalising the deal – making his exit imperative.

The 22-year-old playmaker bagged 11 goals and eight assists in all competitions across 24/25, prompting Leipzig to reward Simons with a £192,000-per-week contract – making him the highest-paid player in their history.

The former PSG ace only made his move there a permanent one in January, but if he has his way, Simons could soon become one of the Premier League’s newest stars.

India A’s game will feature a strong Australia A attack at the MCG this week in the second four-day game

Andrew McGlashan05-Nov-20245:43

Rohit: Not going to look beyond the Australia series

The final auditions for the vacant batting spot in Australia’s Test side will again dominate the discussion in the second four-day A-team encounter at the MCG, but quick bowler Scott Boland is eyeing the opportunity to keep the pressure on India Test squad member KL Rahul after he flew in early to feature for India A.Rahul, who played the first Test against New Zealand before being left out when Shubman Gill was fit, and reserve wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel left India ahead of the rest of the Test group in order to feature against Australia A to get some match practice.Related

Rahul, Jurel to leave early for Australia and play second A game

Rohit: 'More comfortable' with match simulation than practice match

Rahul, who averages just 20.77 in Australia from five Tests despite a century at the SCG in 2015, could come into contention for the first Test in Perth if Rohit Sharma misses the game for personal reasons and Boland sees an opportunity to leave a mark.”I was lucky to bowl to him in a Test over in India a couple of years ago but it’ll be nice to play against him in our backyard,” he said. “He’s a world-class player but someone I think we can get on top of pretty early and hopefully stay on top of him for the majority of the summer.”Like a number of Australian players, Boland noted India’s 3-0 loss against New Zealand but cautioned how much to read into it. The visiting quicks did the damage in the first Test before the spinners took over in Pune and Mumbai to secure a famous whitewash.”There’s so much more bounce here, more seam,” Boland said. “The way they’ll structure their team will be completely different to what you see over in India.”The majority of India’s Test squad won’t have a full game in Australia before the first Test after the scheduled intra-squad game with India A was turned into match simulation with a view it giving more flexibility to the preparation.Scott Boland will come up against India A this week•Associated Press

“I think sometimes when you play that practice match, we’re travelling with a squad of 19 players and it was only three days that were allotted to us,” Rohit said. “And I don’t know how much workload we can get done in those three days in terms of getting everyone prepared.”So we, as a management as well, we feel that rather than having that, the match simulation where the batters can spend more time in the middle, batting in the middle, and then the bowlers as well can bowl a lot of balls, so that is something that, we as a team feel more comfortable doing rather than playing a practice game because game time is not a problem. All of us have been playing a lot of cricket. So it’s just about spending time in the middle.”Boland is expected to be the reserve quick in the Test squad and is being primed to feature at some point with a belief that the big three getting through the entire home summer last season was an “outlier” and reinforcements will likely be needed.Boland averages 12.21 in Tests at home and has previously admitted he expected to get an opportunity last season only be denied by the durability of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, aided by none of the matches going five days.He has been working his way back from injury early this season after a county deal with Durham was aborted due to a heel problem and he got through 28 overs in the Sheffield Shield against New South Wales last month. Boland said he was under a “little bit of restriction” in terms of his overs in that fixture but didn’t expect to be held back for Australia A.”It felt like a long six months between games,” he said. “Remember being out on the ground in the Shield game and was just really happy to be back playing cricket. Haven’t had too many breaks for injury throughout my career so was different going through all the rehab.”Luckily [we’ve] got really good physios and support staff at Cricket Victoria. So lucky I could lean on them, because few times I was like, ‘[are] any of these things getting better? But it’s all come good now and feeling really good.”

With Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez already potentially heading for the exit door, Liverpool now reportedly face the threat of losing another one of their key men to Barcelona.

Bayern make fresh move to sign Diaz

As Liverpool look to make their biggest statement yet by signing want-away Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, they could show the door to Diaz along the way. The Colombian has been linked with a move away from Anfield all summer long and it’s Bayern Munich who have been battling for his signature.

As ever, though, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are proving to be tough negotiators. The Bundesliga giants have consistently been told that Diaz is not for sale, but the chance for Liverpool to sign Isak may have left the door ajar for the two clubs to finally reach an agreement.

In the latest update, Sky Sports are reporting that Bayern have now re-opened talks to sign the 28-year-old winger for the first time since seeing their £58.5m offer rejected earlier this summer.

Those at Anfield are now reportedly braced for an improved offer, but it remains to be seen whether that will satisfy Edwards and Hughes’ demands to sell Diaz.

Meanwhile, Nunez could also be heading for the exit door amid reports that Al-Hilal are now holding internal discussions about securing his signature in a deal worth over £60m.

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Liverpool are still ready to be active in the summer transfer market.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 25, 2025

If the arrival of Hugo Ekitike has pushed the former Benfica man down the pecking order, then the arrival of Isak would make him surplus to requirements entirely in Merseyside and that is likely to result in a departure.

Liverpool shouldn’t be overly concerned about losing either of their attacking stars, however, given the strength in depth in that department. Instead, their concern should be focused on elsewhere in their squad.

Barcelona enter race to sign Konate

According to reports in Spain, Barcelona have now entered the race to sign Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool alongside La Liga rivals Real Madrid. The French defender is currently on course to leave as a free agent this time next year and could yet follow in the footsteps of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Anfield chiefs, meanwhile, will be desperate to avoid the same fate and have already reportedly tabled a fresh contract offer to their important defender.

Unlike Diaz and Nunez, Konate is not a player who can easily be replaced. The towering central defender is at the peak of his powers at 26 years old and should be seen as the eventual Van Dijk replacement in the leadership role within Arne Slot’s backline. But that won’t be possible unless he signs a new deal.

Games

14

Wins

9

Draws

2

Losses

3

Goals Conceded

19

What stands out the most when Liverpool were without their £70,000-a-week defender last season is the fact they conceded around 1.4 goals a game compared to their record of 1.2 when he is next to Van Dijk in their backline.

Simply put, replacing Konate at this stage of his career with someone who could instantly perform to similar levels would hand Liverpool their toughest task this summer.

West Ham United are on the hunt for arrivals and now find themselves in pole position to sign a talented midfielder from the continent, according to a report.

West Ham look for improvement ahead of next season

There are a lot of mitigating factors behind the Hammers’ poor campaign last time out, and James Ward-Prowse believes West Ham need to reflect ahead of the new season to ensure there is no repeat scenario next time out.

He stated: “We know it’s not been anywhere near the level that we know we can produce. In the years gone by, the club’s been used to European triumphs and the campaigns they’ve had.

“So for us not to be able to do that or deliver that again is disappointing. I’m sure we’ll have a period of reflection over the summer to look at what we can improve for next season.”

Inevitably, signings will be necessary for Graham Potter and company to navigate another full-on Premier League campaign, so who have the Hammers got their eye on with the window now well underway?

AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah is said to be a West Ham target despite interest from Serie A champions Napoli amid reports that they have cooled their admiration for the United States international.

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Kudus seems set to leave West Ham United this summer.

ByJoe Nuttall Jun 25, 2025

Plenty of work is there to be done as the Irons’ hierarchy look to bring the good times back to the London Stadium. However, rebuilds require patience, so it remains to be seen how Potter opts to reshape his side.

Stepping into the market, West Ham are now reportedly in pole position to sign a powerful midfielder who is attracting plenty of interest from elsewhere.

Tavolieri: West Ham in pole position to sign Raphael Onyedika

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, West Ham are in pole position to sign Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika despite rival interest from Everton in the Nigeria international.

The Jupiler Pro League outfit want around £25.5 million before agreeing to any sale, and it is said that the Hammers have the most concrete attachment to the 24-year-old at this point.

Operating as a protector of the back four, Onyedika registered two goals and two assists in 52 appearances across all competitions last term, and he also won no fewer than 120 duels on league duty.

Freshening up the engine room will be a key priority for Potter this summer and the man in question certainly fits the bill as someone who could help to elevate the Hammers should they manage to push a deal over the line.

Chelsea’s activity within the transfer market has been there for all to see over the last couple of seasons, spending over £1.3b since the takeover in May 2022.

The Blues have wasted no time in already bolstering Enzo Maresca’s side this summer, landing Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr to provide depth in key areas of the pitch.

After securing Champions League football and winning the Conference League, the club are heading in the right direction, needing to build on the impressive work conducted in 2024/25.

If they want to go to the latter stages and Europe and mount a serious push for the Premier League, quality and depth are desperately needed, as seen by the business already conducted in recent weeks.

However, such moves don’t appear to be slowing down, with the manager and board already working hard to land more additions when the window reopens on the 16th of June.

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

Jamie Gittens has been the name on the lips of all Chelsea fans over the last couple of weeks, with the Blues having two separate bids rejected for the Borussia Dortmund star.

Maresca desperately wanted to sign the 20-year-old winger ahead of the Club World Cup, but no doubt will return after the competition to secure a deal for the Englishman.

However, he could be joined at Stamford Bridge by Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, after the England player emerged on their shortlist, according to Football Insider.

They claim that the Blues have been monitoring a deal for the 25-year-old in recent weeks, with Nuno Espírito Santo’s side demanding a fee in the region of £100m for his signature.

It also states that he wants to play Champions League football next season, something he could do in West London after Maresca’s side beat the Reds 1-0 at the City Ground on the final day.

Why Gibbs-White could be Maresca’s own Wirtz

Over recent weeks, Florian Wirtz has been a name almost every English football fan has become familiar with after Liverpool’s attempts to sign the Bayer Leverkusen star.

The German attacking midfielder has caught the eye in recent times, registering 30 combined goals and assists across all competitions, making him one of the hottest prospects in European football.

It’s been reported that he’s agreed a €150m (£127m) deal with Arne Slot’s side to move to Anfield this summer, massively increasing their chances of retaining their Premier League title.

However, Maresca could land his own version of the superstar this window by pursuing a move to sign Gibbs-White, with the Forest sensation having the tools to thrive at the Bridge.

When comparing his stats with those of the German international this season, he’s managed to outperform in numerous key areas – showcasing how much of an impressive addition he would be for the Blues.

Gibbs-White, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one journalist, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has managed to register more goals per shot on target – showcasing his excellent ability in front of goal.

He’s also managed to match him for passes completed, with the Forest star registering more passes into the final third per 90, handing the attackers ahead of him the chance to thrive in the final third.

How Gibbs-White compares to Wirtz in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)	Gibbs-White	Wirtz
Games played	34	31
Goals & assists	15	22
Goals per shot on target	0.4	0.2
Pass accuracy	78%	78%
Passes into final third	4.1	3.6
Aerials won	42%	20%
Tackles won	1.4	1.2
Key passes made	2.6	2.1
Stats via FBref

The Englishman’s talents don’t stop there, winning more aerials and more tackles, handing Maresca another excellent option without possession in West London.

While £100m may appear a ludicrous figure for the 25-year-old, he has the talents to take his game to the next level, especially if he’s operating around elite-level stars.

Given how he’s managed to outperform Wirtz in some key areas, it would be a superb signing and one that could catapult the club into a Premier League title battle in 2025/26.

A bigger talent than Gittens: Chelsea still looking at "special" £50m star

Chelsea are looking for new attackers this summer

By
Joe Nuttall

Jun 11, 2025

Sheffield Wednesday are looking to build the foundations for another tilt at the Championship playoffs next term, though they may now face a fight with Blackburn Rovers to sign a reported target.

Sheffield Wednesday remain in a state of limbo with Danny Rohl

Usually, stability at a football club starts from the manager and filters down to his players, but the future of Danny Rohl at Hillsborough appears anything but certain at this point.

With the 36-year-old’s work in South Yorkshire not going unnoticed, interest is starting to mount in his services as clubs around Europe enter a period of change in the off-season.

If he were to leave South Yorkshire, where could the Sheffield Wednesday boss end up? Glasgow could be a potential destination after Rangers identified Rohl as a prospective permanent successor to Philippe Clement.

Fulham are another side intrigued by his managerial style, though ties haven’t been formally severed, which has led to a state of limbo involving all parties.

Regardless, Sheffield Wednesday need to start building for the new season. Some clarity over the direction of their squad has been found in Thursday’s retained list amid a lack of communication on matters at managerial level.

Sheffield Wednesday ready to make five new signings including Leeds 17 y/o

The Owls could welcome as many as five future stars.

ByTom Cunningham Apr 15, 2025

Barry Bannan, Akin Famewo and Callum Paterson are in talks to stay, while Anthony Musaba, Michael Smith and Josh Windass have been tied to new deals following the club’s decision to trigger their options. Stuart Armstrong, Mallik Wilks and Marvin Johnson are among notable departures, paving the way for eventual reinforcements to take their place.

Undoubtedly, a feeling of anxiety exists over Rohl’s future, but forward planning is underway regarding their pursuit of a highly-rated defensive target.

Sheffield Wednesday make enquiry to sign Aston Villa youngster Rowe

According to Football Insider, Sheffield Wednesday are pursuing Aston Villa youngster Triston Rowe on a loan basis amid competition from Blackburn Rovers for his signature and have made a move by launching an initial enquiry.

The Villans have seen enough in the England Under-19 international’s development to decide on farming him out to the EFL Championship for further experience after his role in their Under-18 side’s treble victory.

Triston Rowe in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

35

Goals

1

Assists

1

Primarily a right-back, Rowe can also deputise in central defence or further up the flank if needed and was previously called up to Aston Villa’s matchday squad in their 2-1 EFL Cup victory over Wycombe Wanderers last year.

Nevertheless, he isn’t yet viewed as a viable competitor to Matty Cash, so a loan move would allow him to continue developing without the spotlight of being thrust into a high-stakes top-flight environment.

Former Scotland international Liam Palmer isn’t getting any younger, which may have prompted Sheffield Wednesday to assess their own pecking order on the right-hand side of defence.

Now, their challenge will be to convince the youngster that Hillsborough is the correct environment to thrive while growing into the senior game next campaign.

While there is certainly more than one issue at Manchester United, much of the current problems can be centred around the long-standing woes of one key position – centre-forward.

Since arriving from Atalanta on a £64m deal back in 2023, Rasmus Hojlund has just scored 24 goals in 88 games in all competitions. Another Serie A import, Joshua Zirkzee, scored just seven times during his injury-curtailed debut campaign in Manchester.

Prior to Hojlund’s arrival, Erik ten Hag had been forced to rely on an injury-prone Anthony Martial for much of 2022/23, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s hasty exit, a fact that led to the shock, short-term signing of two-goal loanee, Wout Weghorst.

The January addition of the Dutchman marked the lowest ebb in United’s search for a stop-gap, short-term striker – following the days of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Odion Ighalo – while the desire for more long-term acquisitions, like Hojlund and Zirkzee, has also backfired.

Season

Player

Goals

2024/25*

Bruno Fernandes

8

2023/24

Bruno Fernandes & Rasmus Hojlund

10

2022/23

Marcus Rashford

17

2021/22

Cristiano Ronaldo

18

2020/21

Bruno Fernandes

18

2019/20

Marcus Rashford & Anthony Martial

17

2018/19

Paul Pogba

13

2017/18

Romelu Lukaku

16

2016/17

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

17

2015/16

Anthony Martial

11

2014/15

Wayne Rooney

12

2013/14

Wayne Rooney

17

2012/13

Robin van Persie

26

That latter pursuit has sparked speculation surrounding the capture of Ipswich Town’s 22-year-old talisman, Liam Delap, although Ruben Amorim’s side need a proven, ready-made goal machine to arrive through the door this summer.

The latest on Man Utd's striker search

Alongside the desire to bring in a new number ten, in the form of Matheus Cunha, the latest reports indicate that the Red Devils are also ramping up their pursuit of Delap, with the Englishman available for £30m this summer, amid Ipswich’s imminent return to the Championship.

The former Manchester City academy graduate has enjoyed a fine season regardless of the club’s collective woes, after scoring 12 Premier League goals, although such a move would still represent a risk, considering he scored just eight times for Hull City in the Championship last term.

With that in mind, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is among those seemingly under consideration as a potential upgrade, while The Mirror have only recently reported that Amorim and co are keen on a deal for Napoli’s Victor Osmihen.

Transfer Focus

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

According to the report, the Old Trafford outfit are ‘pushing’ to strike a ‘cut-price’ deal for the Nigerian sensation, with Amorim said to have made the on-loan Galatasaray man his ‘top striker target’.

The belief is that United are keen to strike a bargain £40m deal with the Serie A side, capitalising on the fact that the 26-year-old is set to enter the final year of his current contract back in Naples.

Amorim is said to ‘favour’ a move for Osimhen, ahead of Delap, and it’s easy to see why…

Why Osimhen could be the best signing since Bruno Fernandes

It has been made clear that INEOS are keen on pursuing a youth-centric approach to transfer dealings, a fact showcased with the recent signings of Patrick Dorgu (20) and Ayden Heaven (18), during the January transfer window.

That desire to plan for the future is all well and good, but United are crying out for figures who can instantly hit the ground running in Manchester. No longer can Amorim and co afford to play the waiting game.

Going down the route of signing the likes of Hojlund simply hasn’t worked, with the Old Trafford hierarchy needing to snap up players entering their peak years – much like with the capture of Bruno Fernandes in January 2020.

From his Man of the Match performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers on debut, the Portuguese playmaker has looked every bit a Manchester United player. Fast forward just over five years, and the now-30-year-old boasts 96 goals and 85 games in all competitions for the club.

It could be argued that bringing in Osimhen would represent a signing of similar ilk, with the former Lille man having ripped it up wherever he has been, as evidenced by his career tally of 144 goals in 258 club games.

Previously the driving force behind Napoli’s Scudetto success in 2022/23 – in which he scored 26 league goals – the towering striker is currently thriving out in Turkey, having only recently powered to 30 goals for the season across all fronts.

Lauded as the “best striker on the market” by Statman Dave, Osimhen looks like a centre-forward at the peak of his powers – much like Fernandes represented in his final full season at Sporting CP.

Games (starts)

24 (22)

33 (33)

Goals

21

20

Goal frequency

89mins

147mins

Big chances missed

21

7

Big chances created

10

9

Assists

4

13

Key passes*

1.1

3.2

Pass accuracy*

67%

75%

Successful dribbles*

0.6

0.9

Possession lost*

7.7

22.8

While yet to sample Premier League action, Osimhen has proven himself in France, Belgium, Italy and now Turkey, with it unlikely that he’ll find the jump too great a challenge next term.

In the case of Hojlund, United can hardly be too surprised by his current woes, considering he scored just ten goals for Atalanta prior to moving to Manchester. The promising Dane is a player of potential, but in Osimhen, Amorim could find the real deal.

Indeed, with club legend Gary Neville stating that Fernandes is the only signing of the last decade who has “done more than I thought he would”, perhaps the Napoli outcast could be the best addition since the Portugal star’s arrival.

New Cantona & Berbatov: Man Utd on the verge of signing £90k-p/w "maverick"

Man Utd appear to be closing in on what could prove to be a real marquee move

ByRobbie Walls Apr 22, 2025

He was disappointed to miss out on a maiden first-class double ton but pushed towards his India A dream

Ashish Pant13-Sep-2025Yash Rathod paused for a moment right after facing his first ball on the second morning of the Duleep Trophy final. He had just been beaten by Gurjapneet Singh. Stepping away, Rathod nodded his head furiously, talking to himself, trying to calm his nerves. After a disappointing semi-final against West Zone, where he managed just 2, Rathod was determined to make amends.Two hundred and eighty five balls later, as he walked back for 194, he had done his bit in helping Central Zone close in on their first Duleep Trophy win in 11 years.It wasn’t easy initially. Central Zone were 93 for 3 in the 34th over when Rathod walked out. A first-innings lead was just 56 away, but Gurjapneet was in the middle of a searing spell. He had just flattened Shubham Sharma’s middle stump, had Danish Malewar nick to slip, and was extracting plenty of movement in overcast conditions.Rathod started tentatively, particularly against Gurjapneet, who bowled 16 straight dot balls at him. He was beaten a few times and had an early escape when he edged the quick to second slip, with the ball falling just short. Then, twice he flashed outside off against fast bowler MD Nidheesh and was lucky to get thick edges past the gully fielder. The fluency, which had fetched Rathod 960 runs in the last Ranji Trophy season, was missing.Related

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• Yash Rathod's 194 gives Central Zone a firm hold

“Initially, I think I was over-trying,” Rathod told ESPNcricinfo. “When I went to bat, the situation was tricky, but the plan was to react to the ball. Gurjapneet was also hitting the right areas quite consistently. The ball was swinging and seaming off the wicket as well.”Once I got past that phase, and the spinners came on to bowl, I thought I will capitalise. I tried to dominate them before lunch, but no matter what I tried – stepping out, sweeping, or playing off the backfoot – I wasn’t connecting [with] the ball consistently. It just wasn’t clicking.”Lunch came at the right time for Rathod. At the break, as he gathered himself, focus shifting over to playing instinctively, and once back, everything fell in place. Rathod clipped Gurjapneet for four through midwicket to raise his half-century off 84 balls. Soon after, he waltzed down the track to left-arm spinner Ankit Sharma, driving him past mid-on and then through covers.A key feature of Rathod’s innings was his backfoot play. He would often go deep into his crease off Ankit, nudging him fine past slip and would pull anything that was marginally short of a length. It took Rathod just 132 balls to reach his seventh first-class century, getting there by tapping Ankit to point off the backfoot, ending the second day unbeaten on 137.

My immediate goal is to prepare myself for the Irani Trophy. If I perform there, I will get closer to my India A dream. Yes, I want to play for India, but to reach there, India A is my first stepYash Rathod

Rathod was more proactive on the third morning. He clipped Gurjapneet through midwicket in the first over and reached his 150 with a push to mid-on. He rushed through the 180s with two fours but was cleaned up by Gurjapneet shortly after lunch, falling six short of a maiden first-class double-century. He was visibly dejected as he trudged off slowly, constantly looking at the replays of his dismissal on the big screen at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.”It was very disappointing,” Rathod said on missing out on a double ton. “I have been trying to get a double-century for a while. Last year, I scored five centuries, but being a No. 5 batter, it becomes tough to score a 200 as you end your innings mostly with tailenders.”Today, I had a chance to score a double ton on such a big stage. So yes, it was quite disappointing to not score those six runs but again, very grateful for 194. Maybe there is something better lined up for me, maybe I can score a double-century in the Irani Trophy.”Rajat Patidar and Yash Rathod added 167 for the fourth wicket•PTI A highlight of Rathod’s 194 was his calmness. Once settled, at no stage did he look hurried. He was involved in two big stands – 167 for the fourth wicket with Rajat Patidar and 176 for the sixth wicket with Saransh Jain – and ensured he didn’t try to match his partner’s pace.”It doesn’t matter how the batter at the opposite end is playing. Everyone has a pattern,” Rathod said. “I can’t play like Rajat bhai. His intent is different. My game plan is very different. I love playing risk-free cricket.”Five-day cricket is a long game. I know my patterns, I know my strengths where I can perform well. I like to take the game forward calmly, take control of the situation and stay clear with my plans and what I need to do.”Rathod has had a stellar start to his first-class career, with 15 scores of fifty-plus in just 35 innings, and was a key factor behind Vidarbha’s winning 2024-25 Ranji season. His next goal is to play all three formats but he is not looking too far ahead.”I have the belief it [playing all three formats] will happen,” Rathod said. “I also obviously want to play IPL, but my immediate goal is to prepare myself for Irani Trophy as that is also a big stage. If I perform there, I will get closer to my India A dream. Yes, I want to play for India, but to reach there, India A is my first step.”At 25, Rathod has already been part of a Ranji Trophy-winning team and is now close to being part of a Duleep Trophy-winning side. While things have happened quickly in the last year, Rathod is taking them in calmly, at a specific pace, much like his batting.