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Manor Solomon was an integral part of Leeds United’s unbelievable promotion heroics last season in the Championship.

By the close of the season, the tricky 26-year-old winger would be held in very high esteem by Whites supporters everywhere, with a blistering ten goals and 12 assists tallied up by the number 14 across 39 league games helping to clinch the title for Daniel Farke’s champions.

Unfortunately, Solomon is yet to return to Elland Road after the loan move expired, as the promotion hero attempts to settle back into Premier League life at Tottenham Hotspur under new boss Thomas Frank.

That isn’t to say Leeds haven’t tried to land an explosive winger in the same vein as the skilful Spurs attacker, as another target down the flanks now appears on Farke’s shopping list this summer.

Leeds keeping tabs on £4m star

There are still a couple of weeks before the transfer window slams shut, meaning not all hope will be completely extinguished just yet regarding Solomon triumphantly moving back to West Yorkshire for good.

However, a summer move for Igor Paixao is certainly dead in the water, as the former Feyenoord man opted to join Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille right at the start of the month, despite Leeds’ insistent advances.

The Brazilian would have cost the Whites a significant £30m to land, with a far cheaper target now reportedly in their sights to boost their options on the left wing.

As per Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web, Farke and Co. are keeping tabs on Fiorentina attacker Riccardo Sottil as an alternative name to add strength down the left channel, but will face competition from Italian outfits Torino and Sassuolo for his signature.

Only valued at around the £4m mark, according to Football Transfers, this could well be a golden, cost-effective move to make on Leeds’ end, especially if Farke can rework his Solomon magic on Sottil.

Why Sottil can become Farke's next Solomon

After all, the reserve Spurs attacker was in dire need of his spirits being lifted when he arrived in West Yorkshire last summer.

Solomon was just fresh off a campaign that was derailed by serious injury, but the former Fulham forward had shown off enough flashes of quality at Spurs – with two assists from six clashes in North London – to be considered a worthwhile risk to go after.

Leeds will deem a move for the £4m-rated Italian to also be a gamble worth exploring, even as he potentially enters into the English game off a similarly disruptive loan stint at AC Milan, which saw Sottil offer up zero goals or assists from eight appearances at the San Siro.

Still, the Turin-born attacker has shown off his class before for Fiorentina, which is what Leeds will be hanging onto, knowing that Solomon came good under Farke’s tutelage down Sottil’s exact same left flank.

24/25

25

5

4

23/24

35

5

5

22/23

26

1

2

21/22

29

4

2

19/20

23

0

1

Sottil’s electric start to the 2024/25 season is what must have caught the Rossoneri’s eye, as the 26-year-old powered home five goals and four assists from just 25 appearances in Florence. In total, away from that standout campaign, Sottil also stands on a hefty 15 goals and 15 assists playing for his boyhood club.

If the former 12-time Italy U21 international can just brush his bruising experience in Milan to one side, he could be transformed into Leeds’ second coming of Solomon, with Sottil also a capable performer down the right channel, on top of further bolstering Farke’s depleted number ten ranks if needed.

It will just require some patience at Elland Road as Sottil gets up to speed with what is expected of him.

But, that patience could be justly rewarded by the Fiorentina number seven playing an eventual important role in Leeds beating the drop, having been dubbed a future talent with “room to grow” by ex-Serie A great Zlatan Ibrahimovic last season.

Leeds can seal stunning Solomon repeat by signing £30m Premier League star

Leeds United could look to replicate the success of their Manor Solomon deal by signing this attacking star.

1 ByKelan Sarson May 6, 2025

Tottenham are “now” actively looking at signing an intriguing alternative to West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus, with talks for the Hammers star far from straightforward.

£60m Tottenham man now up for sale, champions preparing bid, Saudi in contact

Spurs are actively looking for buyers.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 5, 2025

Earlier this week, multiple reports began emerging that Spurs had entered talks for Kudus, with chairman Daniel Levy even reaching out to his east London counterpart, David Sullivan, for discussions over the 24-year-old (GiveMeSport).

These talks have been backed up by trusted transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano as well, who reported that a “positive” approach was made as negotiations get underway between all parties involved on the player and club side.

A very reliable Lilywhites source, insider Paul O’Keefe, even states that Tottenham have already seen an initial £50 million offer rejected for Kudus – which happened midway through June.

West Ham will reportedly sell for around £60 million (The Guardian), and if Spurs manage to get anywhere in pursuit of the former Ajax star, it would be the first transfer between both clubs since Scott Parker’s switch to north London in 2011.

With just under two months to go before the end of the summer window, Levy and co will not want to haggle for too long, with journalist Pete O’Rourke sharing news on a potentially viable alternative.

Tottenham actively looking at signing OGC Nice forward Evann Guessand

Speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke claims that man is OGC Nice forward Evann Guessand, who’s fresh off the back of a 13-goal season in all competitions.

Tottenham have been tentatively linked with a move for Guessand this window, but O’Rourke tells Football Insider that Thomas Frank’s side are actively pursuing the versatile Ivory Coast international – who predominantly featured on the right-hand side in Kudus’ position last term.

As well as on both flanks, the 24-year-old can operate as a second striker and even as a centre-forward when required. Tottenham would also need a maximum of just £25 million to strike a deal for Guessand, making this an attractive option for Levy, and O’Rourke says he’d be the ideal signing for Frank’s system as well.

“A lot of Premier League clubs are looking at Guessand,” said O’Rourke.

“He had a very good season for Nice last season, he got 12 goals and seven assists in 33 Ligue 1 games, so he has a good record. He’s got the physical profile that you think would be a success in English football, and can play anywhere across the front line as well.

“There’s been interest from Brighton, West Ham, Wolves and now Tottenham also have an active interest in Guessand.

“Nice are bracing themselves for interest in this upcoming transfer window. For Tottenham, he would be a good signing, he would fit into how Thomas Frank plays.

“The way Guessand can play anywhere across the front line would make him a valuable addition. Nice will be hoping they can keep hold of him after qualifying for the Champions League themselves.

“They’re looking for a big fee, around £20-25million for a player who still has three years left on his contract.

“It’s not an easy deal to do, but it’s no surprise that a lot of Premier League clubs are looking at him.”

Arsenal are welcoming a host of major signings to N5 this summer, as Mikel Arteta bids to finally transform the club into Premier League title winners once again – 21 years after they were last champions of England.

Chelsea hold talks with £100k-per-week England star this week

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ByEmilio Galantini Jul 17, 2025

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard were the first to be confirmed as Andrea Berta’s debut deals since he replaced Edu as sporting director, with the trio swiftly followed by winger Noni Madueke and defender Cristhian Mosquera.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£140m

Arsenal and Chelsea shook hands on a £52 million deal to make Madueke the club’s seventh arrival from Stamford Bridge in just six years, as their good relationship off the field continues.

Madueke put pen to paper on a five-year Arsenal contract earlier this week, with Mosquera also joining Arteta’s side for an initial £13 million, which could rise to £17 million with add-ons.

Given Arsenal have also reached an agreement for Viktor Gyokeres, who could even have his medical in the next few days, and are actively pursuing Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze (Ben Jacobs), Berta will surely need to balance the squad by letting more players leave soon.

Madueke is able to play on both the left-hand side and on the right as an alternative to Bukayo Saka, casting doubts on the futures of both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli amid their interest in Eze as well.

It is possible either one of Trossard or Martinelli could leave Arsenal before deadline day, but there are names who are completely out of the first-team picture and surely destined to quit the Emirates soon.

Karl Hein approves Sevilla proposal with Arsenal exit talks planned

One of them is Estonia captain Karl Hein, who spent last season playing regularly for Real Valladolid in La Liga.

While Hein was powerless to stop them from being relegated to the Spanish Segunda División at the foot of the table, his performances have seemingly done enough to attract interest from Sevilla.

Reports earlier this week claimed the 23-year-old was ready to accept Sevilla’s advances, and Arsenal could even terminate Hein’s contract to facilitate his move.

Now, CaughtOffside report that Hein has approved a potential exit to Sevilla, having been impressed with their offer of consistent game time, and talks are planned for the “coming days” over what could be a loan.

The goalkeeper has just one year left on his contract extension which he signed last year, and to date, Hein’s made just one senior appearance for the Gunners – starting between the sticks in a 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton three years ago.

Celtic look set to lose one of their top talents within the next week or so as Nicolas Kuhn is closing in on a permanent exit from the Scottish Premiership champions.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claims that the club have agreed a fee of around £16.5m with Italian side Como for the left-footed sensation.

The journalist adds that the former RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich youth prospect has already agreed to sign a long-term contract with the Serie A outfit this summer.

Kuhn has reportedly turned down a potential return to Leipzig, who were interested in signing him, and has a medical scheduled with Como for next week, which suggests that an official confirmation is not imminently expected.

It does appear, though, that it is only a matter of time before Celtic confirm that the German winger will not be playing for the club next season, which will come as a blow to Brendan Rodgers.

Why selling Nicolas Kuhn is a blow for Celtic

Whilst the Hoops are set to rake in a significant sum of money for the 25-year-old talent, it is always a blow when a high-quality player moves on, and that is what he is.

The 2024/25 campaign was his first full season in Glasgow, having joined from Rapid Vienna in the January transfer window last year, and he really hit his stride on the right flank.

Kuhn ended the season with a return of 21 goals and 15 assists in 51 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants, which shows that he provided quality in the final third on a regular basis for Rodgers.

The left-footed magician’s form in the Premiership, as Celtic won the league title, was particularly impressive, as the forward showcased his ability to both score and create goals.

24/25 Premiership

Nicolas Kuhn per 90

Percentile rank vs wingers

xG

0.46

Top 10%

Goals

0.62

Top 8%

Shots on target

1.30

Top 14%

xA

0.34

Top 10%

Assists

0.43

Top 10%

Chances created

2.49

Top 12%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, Kuhn ranked very highly among his positional peers in a host of key attacking metrics, which shows that he scored and created goals at an exceptional rate.

These statistics illustrate why it will be a big blow for Rodgers when this sale goes through, because he is losing a player who has proven that he can make a huge impact at the top end of the pitch for Celtic.

The Hoops have, of course, already signed Benjamin Nygren on a permanent deal to bolster their options on the flanks, but he does not have the creative quality to fully replace what Kuhn offered.

In the 2024/25 campaign, the Sweden international only managed a return of two assists in 30 Superliga appearances, to go with his impressive haul of 15 goals.

Therefore, Celtic may need to dip into the market to sign another wide option who can provide creativity as well as a goal threat, now that Kuhn appears to be on his way out of the club.

Earlier this summer, it was reported that the Scottish giants are interested in Stoke City forward Million Manhoef, who is valued at £10m by the Championship side, and they should now reignite that interest.

Why Celtic should sign Million Manhoef

The Premiership champions could brilliantly replace Kuhn ahead of the 2025/26 campaign by pushing ahead with a swoop for the Netherlands U21 international, as he would arrive with a similar profile.

Like the German star, the Stoke attacker is a diminutive left-footed right winger who has the quality to both score and create goals in equal measure, as evidenced by his form for the English side last season.

He has not delivered the kind of numbers that Kuhn managed for Celtic yet, as he has not had the chance to play in a team that is as dominant domestically as the Hoops are, which means that there would be a degree of risk.

However, Rodgers can afford to take more of a risk with a player like Manhoef because the club have already brought in Nygren to potentially play on the right wing and, as aforementioned, his haul of 15 goals last season suggests that he could be a good option.

The Stoke star ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of five goals and five assists in 28 Championship starts, but it is his underlying numbers behind those headline statistics that are even more promising for Celtic.

24/25 Championship

Million Manhoef

Percentile rank vs wingers

xG

7.74

Top 9%

Goals

5

Top 21%

Shots on target

26

Top 9%

xA

4.83

Top 14%

Chances created

52

Top 9%

Assists

5

Top 20%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, Manhoef excelled at getting into goalscoring positions and at creating chances for his teammates, ranking highly among his positional peers, but was not clinical enough with his finishing.

Pundit David Prutton claimed it would be a “tremendous” move for Manhoef to sign for Celtic, and these statistics suggest that the potential is there for it to be a tremendous move for all parties.

The Dutch wizard, who only recorded five assists from 12 ‘big chances’ created in the Championship, could thrive in a team that dominates games week-in-week-out, as Celtic do.

He has been playing for a midtable team, in Stoke, who do not challenge at the top end of the division in the second tier in England, which suggests that he has not had the opportunity to play in a side that is consistently on the front foot.

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Therefore, Celtic could brilliantly replace Kuhn by gambling on a swoop for Manhoef, who appears to have the potential to explode as a scorer and a creator of goals in a better team than the one he is currently playing in.

A list of scarcely-believable innings feat. Viv Richards, Saeed Anwar, Sachin Tendulkar, and more

Sreshth Shah08-Nov-2023Viv Richards – 189* off 170 balls, vs England 1984
Still the record-holder for the highest percentage of runs by a single batter in a completed ODI innings, Richards walked in at 11 for 2 and West Indies were soon 166 for 9. But he added 106 runs with the No. 11 Michael Holding, and in doing so, finished with 189 to his name, then the individual record in ODIs. The other ten batters contributed only 73.Related

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Kapil Dev – 175* off 138 balls, vs Zimbabwe 1983
In March 1983, Dev had shown signs of his brilliance with a 38-ball 82 against West Indies in their backyard, but it was this particular innings that entered cricketing lore. Story goes that Dev was in the shower to prep for his middle-order batting role when India slipped to 6 for 3. Soon after, they were 9 for 4, and Dev’s shower had to be cut short as he was in next. Soon enough, India were 17 for 5, 78 for 7 and 140 for 8. But Dev motored along, getting to his fifty in 70-odd balls (nobody knows the exact count), then smacked his next fifty in about 30 balls, and ransacked 75 runs from his last 37 or 38 balls. It was the first ODI hundred by an Indian, the highest ODI individual score at the time and a total outlier in terms of domination, as he finished with a strike-rate of almost 127.Saeed Anwar – 194 off 146 balls, vs India 1997Fondly remembered by Pakistan fans for his hat-trick of sixes off Anil Kumble in the innings, opener Anwar smacked the then-highest individual ODI score as Pakistan pumped 327 in Chennai during the Independence Cup. With a crowd cheering India on, and no other Pakistan batter crossing 39, Anwar made full use of the rules that allowed a runner, to display “controlled aggression” by thumping 22 fours and five sixes. He was well on his way to becoming the first man to score an ODI double-century, but top-edged a sweep in the 47th over.Martin Guptill – 237* off 163 balls, vs West Indies 2015
Marlon Samuels offered Guptill a life in the first over, and he never looked back, smashing the (still) highest ODI score at a men’s World Cup in a quarter-final match in front of a home crowd. Guptill was in such sublime form that the other New Zealand batters simply handed the strike to him and let him to do his thing. Together, the other batters hit 146 runs in all, while Guptill plundered 162 runs only in fours and sixes. The second-highest score of the innings was Kane Williamson’s 42.Rohit Sharma’s 264 remains the highest ever ODI score•BCCIRohit Sharma – 264 off 173 balls, vs Sri Lanka 2014
The pitch was flat and Sri Lanka looked like a flat outfit too. But a score as high as 264 has happened only once in nearly 4700 games of ODI cricket. In as a replacement in the XI for a rested Shikhar Dhawan, and fresh from a shoulder and finger injury, the first over Rohit faced was a maiden. In fact, he scored only four in his first 18 balls. But then he got to 50 off 72, 100 off 100, 150 off 125, 200 off 151 and 250 off 166 balls. It was a performance that confirmed Rohit would bat nowhere else but as an opener and India finished on a mighty 404.Fakhar Zaman – 193 off 155 balls, vs South Africa 2021
No Pakistan batter apart from Fakhar crossed 31, leaving the opener to do the bulk of the lifting in the team’s pursuit of 342. With regular wickets tumbling, Pakistan were left stranded at 120 for 5, but Fakhar smashed 18 fours and 10 sixes in his 155-ball stay to keep Pakistan single-handedly in the game. By the time the final over came along, Fakhar needed 30 to get in six balls for a remarkable victory, but was run-out on 193. Nonetheless, it remains the highest score in unsuccessful ODI chases and won ESPNcricinfo’s award for the best ODI batting innings of 2021.Sachin Tendulkar – 175 off 141 balls, vs Australia 2009
India’s start wasn’t ideal with three of the top four failing to impress. But with 351 the target, there was no space for a slowdown and so Tendulkar attacked. He pulled Shane Watson for six and hammered Nathan Hauritz for big shots down the ground, and along with MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina, guided India well in the chase. Tendulkar reached his 45th ODI ton in 81 balls, got a life on 135, and soon reached his 150 in 122 deliveries. But when only 19 runs were needed in three overs, Tendulkar tried to scoop debutant Clint McKay over fine leg, and that undid him. He fell for 175, the chase spiraled out of control, and a great Tendulkar innings was on the losing side.Sanath Jayasuriya – 189 off 161 balls, vs India 2000
A bullying like no other, Jayasuriya pummeled India’s morale in such a vicious manner at the 2000 Coca-Cola Champions Trophy final that at the time, it helped Sri Lanka seal the biggest win in ODI history. On a surface where nobody else looked settled (14 of the other 17 batters made single digits, and only three crossed ten), Jayasuriya mauled the India bowlers, especially Venkatesh Prasad, to finish on an imposing 189. His century came in only 118 balls but his acceleration thereafter was spectacular, pumping a further 89 in 43. For him, too, a double-century was on the cards but he was stumped in the 49th over. India were so tormented that they swiftly folded for 54.Marcus Stoinis nearly pulled off a miracle against New Zealand in 2017•Getty ImagesMarcus Stoinis – 146* off 117 balls, vs New Zealand 2017
A serious contender for the greatest ODI innings to come in a defeat, the audacity of this Stoinis innings was that he dared to dream. Playing only his second ODI, Stoinis walked in with little hope of victory. Australia were reeling at 54 for 5, soon to be 67 for 6, and chasing 287. However, Stoinis took charge, and muscled the second-highest ODI score from No. 6 or below. When the ninth wicket fell, Australia needed a further 60, and Stoinis very nearly got there in Josh Hazlewood’s company, where the No. 11 contributed zero in their 54-run stand. But with Australia needing five to win, Hazlewood was run out by Williamson at short mid-on and Stoinis lay on his haunches after failing to pull off an incredible heist.Thisara Perera – 140 off 74 balls, vs New Zealand 2019
The target was 320 and Danushka Gunathilaka had given Sri Lanka a stunning start with a half-century. But then came a collapse and Perera walked in at 121 for 5. Soon, it was 128 for 7 and Sri Lanka were staring at defeat. But Perera raced past his previous best of 80, reached his century in 57 balls, and looked set to do the impossible with a breathless hour of hitting that dragged Sri Lanka to needing only 50 in six overs. Four sixes (out of 13) at the death off Tim Southee made the equation almost a run-a-ball, but when Perera tried to do it once again off Matt Henry, he holed out and the last-gasp effort was 21 runs short.