Liverpool defied expectations when winning the Premier League last season, but now that they have been crowned champions and are strengthening in the summer transfer market, the wider lens on Arne Slot’s project will be heightened.

To put it another way, Liverpool have returned to the top of English football but must now prove they can defend their title while challenging for the bigger prizes across other fronts.

Mohamed Salah will no doubt have his eyes on the Champions League, while defeat to Newcastle United in March’s Carabao Cup final will fuel the desire to conquer one of England’s domestic tournaments, for sure.

With Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz already bagged and more yet to come, there are so many reasons to be excited for Liverpool fans right now, even if a number of first-teamers potentially face exits before the 2025/26 season arrives.

Most notably, Ibrahima Konate has rejected Liverpool’s latest contract offer, while Luis Diaz, 28, continues to be at the centre of exit rumours. If the Colombian winger is sold, sporting director Richard Hughes has worked with Slot to determine that Anthony Gordon is the perfect replacement.

Why Liverpool could sign Anthony Gordon

It almost feels like Gordon is fated to play in a Liverpool shirt at some stage of his career. Last summer, the Reds were interested in completing a deal, but for Newcastle’s success in avoiding financial breaches through less damaging means.

Liverpool are well stocked on the left flank, but if Diaz is sold – Bayern Munich are the latest club to express an interest in the 28-year-old – a move could be revisited for the man who left the Anfield academy when he was just 11 years old.

Recent reports suggest Liverpool would need to cough up around £75m for the Three Lions star, but, aged 24, this could be a worthwhile investment for a tenacious and electric forward.

Such a move, as stated, hinges on Diaz leaving, and the same could be said at number nine, for Darwin Nunez has failed to bring it together under Slot’s wing and is heading for the door.

Alas, Nunez is set to leave. Napoli are set for crunch talks with Liverpool over the Uruguayan striker, paving the way for a superstar to head down the opposite direction.

Liverpool launch bid for striker

According to French journalist Sebastien Vidal, Liverpool have launched an official bid Napoli’s way for Victor Osimhen, who is back from a season-long loan with Galatasaray and expected to leave the club this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

Despite Osimhen being one of the best strikers in the world, he fell out with the Serie A side, and there is no route back. The Italian champions, despite their stance, are unwilling to budge on their £64m valuation.

Well, in that case, Liverpool have offered Nunez and Federico Chiesa, both of whom are coveted by the Neapolitans, as makeweights, additionally putting £17m into the package.

Manchester United, Gala and Saudi Arabian clubs also linger in the race.

Why Liverpool should sign Victor Osimhen

We all know that FSG’s dream target is Alexander Isak, who was actually declared “the best striker in the world” last season by analyst Raj Chohan, but the Sweden star is understood to have been valued at £200m, an extortionate fee.

Osimhen, 26, would be a fantastic alternative, having proven himself across a number of years as being one of the most prolific marksmen on the continent and a trophy winner besides.

For sure, he probably didn’t envisage a season in the Turkish Super Lig this time 12 months ago, but the Nigeria international made the most of his season, scoring 37 goals across 41 outings, winning the league title and maintaining comparative prolificness across the span of his career.

Praised for his “world-class” finishing ability by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, Osimhen would certainly prove an upgrade on Nunez, and indeed could be the perfect Isak alternative, for he is athletic and mobile too.

Of course, Osimhen no doubt misses that almost telepathic connection with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at Napoli, the Georgian winger leaving Italy to sign for Paris Saint-Germain for £59m in January, but he could find a dance partner of a similar style in Gordon.

The pacy winger called himself a “nightmare for anyone” he comes up against last summer on England duty, having also averaged 1.1 dribbles and 4.4 successful duels per Premier League match last term, as per Sofascore.

With six goals and five assists to his name across the recent league term, there’s no question Gordon regressed after his incredible 2023/24 campaign, notching 26 top-flight goal contributions and earning Newcastle’s Player of the Year award.

One year ago, Dieter Hamann even went as far as to claim that Gordon would be the better pick for the Reds than Kvaratskhelia, directing praise toward the Englishman’s tried-and-tested record in England’s top flight; many talented players have struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of the British game before.

He said, “It’s very hard to pick between Gordon and Kvaratskhelia. I don’t think there’s an awful lot between the players.”

Osimhen built quite the reputation with the silky winger, and we might be having a different conversation had Liverpool furthered their interest in the Georgian back in January, before he moved to Paris.

Alas, that door has closed. But no matter. If a dynamic and powerful centre-forward in Osimhen can be paired with a rising star in Gordon, Slot may well have the dream strikeforce to lead Liverpool to glory for many years to come.

Slot's answer to Mane: Liverpool chasing "monster" £70m Premier League star

Liverpool have set their sights on another attacking star this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 24, 2025

Newcastle United have been put through the wringer this summer, having missed out on key attacking targets in Liam Delap, Bryan Mbeumo, Joao Pedro and now Hugo Ekitike.

However, context is important, and in the latter’s case, Liverpool have moved ahead with a bumper deal after Eddie Howe and co stood firm on their stance that Alexander Isak is not for sale.

Ekitike, valued at €100m (£85m), has handed in a transfer request at Eintracht Frankfurt as he edges closer to Anfield. Thus, Newcastle have turned their attention to Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.

However, the Magpies may be foiled once again with that one.

Newcastle lining up Ekitike alternatives

On Friday afternoon, Manchester United finally achieved a breakthrough in their long pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo, with a £71m fee agreed between the Premier League clubs.

This transfer may run counter to Newcastle’s ambitions regarding Wissa, for the Bees have already lost Thomas Frank and their captain Christian Norgaard, and thus will be loath to part with their central striker too.

Thus, Newcastle need – once again – an alternative.

Well, according to Sport BILD, Howe has lined up Napoli’s Victor Osimhen as an ambitious alternative, with the free-scoring marksman said to be one of the players who is on the Magpies’ ‘radar’.

While the £64m-rated Osimhen is the centre of talks between Napoli and Galatasaray, with whom he spent the 2024/25 season on loan, the allure of the Premier League could work in the Toon’s favour.

Why Newcastle want Victor Osimhen

Osimhen is one of the most feared and famous centre-forwards currently competing in Europe. The end of an unhappy marriage with Napoli led to his loan move to Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig, but who can say he hasn’t made good use of the cards dealt?

The prolific star’s meaty haul does suggest that he’s got every bit the clinical nature of Isak, with Statman Dave even commenting that he’s “the best striker on the market” right now.

With Isak’s long-term future a debatable thing, there’s a chance that Osimhen could prove to be not just a fitting replacement but an incredible upgrade. Indeed, his goalscoring consistency can be viewed across a number of years and a number of countries.

Victor Osimhen – Past Five Seasons (all comps)

Season

Apps

Goals

Assists

24/25 – Galatasaray

41

37

8

23/24 – Napoli

32

17

4

22/23 – Napoli

39

31

5

21/22 – Napoli

32

18

6

20/21 – Napoli

30

10

3

Stats via Transfermarkt

A title winner who is more than just a goalscoring focal point, Osimhen could be the perfect man to add another layer to this incredible Newcastle side.

Isak, a world-class striker, scored 27 goals across 42 matches last season. Osimhen, meanwhile, bagged 37 times over 41 games. Though the Nigerian competed in a division of inferior quality to the Premier League, he scored six goals across seven matches in the Europa League, including a brace in a 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Moreover, Isak’s six Champions League outings in 2023/24 yielded just the one goal, and no assists either. Conversely, Osimhen’s prolificness in the European theatre is underscored further by his record of nine goals and an assist across 17 Champions League fixtures.

And Osimhen could even emulate his positional peer in regard to movement and intelligence. As per FBref, he ranked among the top 4% of strikers across Europe last season for shot-creating actions and the top 18% for progressive carries per 90.

Ultimately, Newcastle have scored a winner by keeping hold of Isak, and in Osimhen, they could land a new number nine to challenge him for that first-choice spot, certainly proving an upgrade on the young Ekitike.

Related He’s Lewis Miley 2.0: Newcastle agree terms to sign "exciting" sensation

Newcastle are looking to strengthen for the present and the future

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Jul 17, 2025

Newcastle United are beginning to motor this summer and could now be in the running to sign one of Europe’s most prolific marksmen, according to a report.

Newcastle United look to follow up Anthony Elanga's arrival

Eddie Howe has taken a measured approach this window and had to bide his time in the hunt for a big-money signing to follow Antonio Cordero’s arrival in the North East.

However, Anthony Elanga is now officially a Newcastle player after joining on a long-term deal from Nottingham Forest in a transfer said to be worth around £55 million.

Signalling his intention to hit the ground running at St James’ Park, he stated: “I’m ready to put on this black and white top to really fight for this team and give everything for the passionate fanbase that lives and breathes football.

“I had an amazing two years at Nottingham Forest, they really helped me to become the player I am today, but I’m really happy to be here now. The club won a trophy last season and are building something unique, something special that I really want to be part of.”

Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike is also on Newcastle’s radar and could represent a statement piece of business at the club. Meanwhile, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins could be a left-field solution to strengthen their forward line.

A new Tonali: Newcastle likely to see £34m bid accepted for "monster" CM

Newcastle have been offered the chance to sign a former Premier League star this summer

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 13, 2025

Missing out on Joao Pedro to Chelsea will have come as a body blow in the North East. However, with Champions League football on the table, there is far more in the way of optimism than pessimism on Tyneside.

Now, Newcastle are said to have been contacted over the availability of another exciting marksman who could answer the call to fill one of their striking berths.

Newcastle contacted by Benjamin Sesko's agent

According to TBR, Newcastle have been contacted over RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko’s availability by his agent, and Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United are also being kept in the loop regarding his future.

Arsenal had been heavily linked with a swoop for the Slovenia international earlier this summer, but it looks as if Viktor Gyokeres will move to the Emirates Stadium instead, and there are indications from Sesko’s camp of a willingness to move to England.

Hugo Ekitike in senior football

Benjamin Sesko in senior football

Appearances – 150

Appearances – 251

Goals – 50

Goals – 106

Sesko, who has an asking price of £78m, could now be eager to try his hand at the English top-flight and is on the market after missing out on a move to the Gunners, but the scenario of him staying in Germany for another season hasn’t been discounted.

Should Newcastle accelerate their hunt for a new striker, being able to bring in someone who has claimed a wealth of senior experience despite only being 22 years of age would be a statement of intent ahead of their return to the Champions League.

Bangladesh survived 12 overs before stumps but will have to return to face a relatively new ball on Friday

Karthik Krishnaswamy22-Aug-2024

A 240-run fifth-wicket stand between Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan formed the centerpiece of a dominant second day for Pakistan as they declared at 448 for 6, leaving Bangladesh to see off a tricky hour or so before stumps. Bangladesh did so, with openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan surviving 12 overs, but they will have to come back and face Pakistan’s four-pronged seam attack on day three with a ball that is still relatively new.Pakistan looked to up their scoring rate when they resumed after tea, with Rizwan announcing their intent by stepping out and clouting Shoriful Islam for a big six over long-on. The shot triggered a bout of cramps, and Rizwan continued to hobble as he collected 37 off 42 balls after tea to finish unbeaten on 171 when Pakistan declared.Pakistan’s aggressive intent after tea cost them one wicket, when Shakib Al Hasan’s guile undid Agha Salman’s attempt to hit him against the turn, bringing about a sliced catch at backward point. But it also brought quick runs, as Shaheen Shah Afridi slogged two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 29 off 24.Rizwan came out and kept wickets when Bangladesh’s innings began, but cramps forced him to leave the field after 7.3 overs, with Sarfaraz Ahmed taking over behind the stumps. In all, Rizwan was on the field for all but 4.3 overs of the day’s play.Having added 44 on day one, Shakeel and Rizwan batted on for the best part of two sessions before Bangladesh finally broke their stand, with just over 15 minutes to go for tea.The visitors’ long-awaited moment of inspiration came from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who dangled up a teasing offbreak that dragged Shakeel onto the front foot to defend, then dipped and turned sharply past his outside edge, leaving him reaching for the ball and dragging his back foot out of the crease. Litton Das completed the dismissal with lightning glovework after collecting the ball somewhere around the seventh-stump line.This was a dismissal with a margin of millimeters; the tip of Shakeel’s toe was on the crease when the bails began to flash.There had been only millimeters in it an over earlier, too, when Shakeel – who had routinely left his crease against the fast bowlers to negotiate movement – shouldered arms to Hasan Mahmud and Litton, alert to the possibility, threw down the stumps. Then, Shakeel had plonked his bat into the crease and landed a fraction of a second – a fraction too small for the frame rate of the TV cameras to capture definite proof – before the bails lit up.Litton had been involved in most of the small sprinkling of nervous moments that Shakeel and Rizwan endured during their 63.5 overs together. He had moved alertly to his left to create a diving opportunity when Rizwan lobbed up a bat-pad half-chance off Mehidy, but hadn’t been able to finish the job. He had missed an even tougher chance, down the leg side, off Rizwan’s glove when he had tried to sweep Shakib.That these moments were so infrequent, and so far from being genuine chances, reflected how well Shakeel and Rizwan batted as they brought up their respective third Test hundreds. It also reflected how much the conditions had eased up since the start of the Test match, when Bangladesh had made full use of the new ball and early moisture to reduce Pakistan to 16 for 3.Proof of the transformed conditions – though the tiredness in the Bangladesh seamers’ limbs also contributed, no doubt – came when Bangladesh took the second new ball, ten overs after lunch. Both batters had brought up their centuries by then – Rizwan going from 91 to 97 by stepping out and launching Shakib for a big six over wide long-on, then whipping him over midwicket for four to reach three figures – and they greeted the return of the fast bowlers with a series of gorgeous strokes.Rizwan eased Hasan Mahmud through cover point in the 82nd over, and in the next over Shakeel stood tall to drive Shoriful on the up through cover.The batters embraced when Shakeel played that shot, perhaps recognising the fact that it was his first boundary of the day, and his unhurried, unbothered manner while going through 123 balls without one.Shakeel made up for that in the overs that followed, pulling Shoriful and Nahid Rana disdainfully when they tried to bounce him, and whipping Rana off his hips when he veered too straight.Rana had tried the short-ball ploy in the first session too, and occasionally made both batters look awkward. But it came at a cost: his five overs in the morning went for 32 runs.Rizwan scored most of those runs, including back-to-back falling ramps over the slips off bouncers angling into his body to go from 46 to 54. In Rana’s next over, he showed more of his range against the short ball, hooking him for a six over backward square leg.Rizwan was by far the quicker scorer of the fifth-wicket pair during the first session, adding 65 off 100 balls. Shakeel had less of the strike, and made quieter use of it, scoring 32 off 77 without adding to his five boundaries from day one. By lunch, Rizwan had overtaken Shakeel having started the day 33 runs behind.Their methods may have been different, but their effect on Bangladesh was similarly dispiriting. Shakeel’s defence, in particular, looked unbreachable at times; he was beautifully balanced at all times, and invariably met the ball right under his eyes with the bat’s full face.As the day went on, Bangladesh’s spinners began to take on a greater share of the workload, and both Shakib and Mehidy put a difficult first day – they had gone for a combined 36 from their six overs – behind them and performed an admirable holding job. Much of their day-one despair had been related to Pakistan’s clinical use of the sweep. They responded by attacking the stumps far more, and bowling a touch quicker than they had earlier, with protection in the deep square on the leg side. Both used drift cleverly, and Mehidy on occasion extracted sharp turn too.

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

Enzo Maresca is prioritising one key area.

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.

Hampshire 424 for 8 dec (Prest 156, Albert 124, Brown 54, Critchley 5-96) drew with Essex 438 for 8 dec (Cox 141, Elgar 136, Westley 64) Centuries from Toby Albert and Tom Prest gave a glimpse of Hampshire’s batting future as their Vitality County Championship clash with Essex petered into a draw.Both homegrown batters in their early 20s, they each scored exceptional hundreds filling in – with Albert playing in place of the injured Ali Orr, and Prest elevated up the order with James Vince unable to bat in his usual position.The duo made sure Essex’s low chances of forcing 19 wickets needed for victory became non-existent, with career-best scores of 124 and 156 respectively. Matt Critchley claimed a late 5 for 96 as both teams took away 14 points – a haul that is unlikely to worry table-toppers Surrey in the fight for the title.Hampshire began the day on 40 for 1, and 398 runs in arrears, with the initial plan to avoid the follow-on, and then hunt for batting bonus points. It turned out the quest was a simple one.Albert, with Fletcha Middleton and Nick Gubbins, dead batted a way through the new ball the previous evening, on a pitch which offered zero help for the bowlers.The morning saw 106 runs for only the loss of Gubbins, for 30, after he tamely diverted to a catching midwicket following a 61-run stand with Albert.Albert, 21, has largely made the most of his chances at the top of the batting order, having replaced Orr – the former Sussex batter suffering a back injury and then a broken arm to curtail his season.He began with a maiden Championship century against Surrey in May, before impressing in the Vitality Blast – his batting styles vastly different between the formats.Albert, the son of two Olympic equestrians, reached his century in 199 balls, having cranked through the gears as the day progressed. He found a like-minded partner in Prest – who was initially due to bat at No. 7 before Vince suffered a niggle in the field, and due to his time off the pitch, wasn’t allowed to bat any higher.If Hampshire wanted a Vince doppelganger, they got it – both very watchable batters, who pace their innings seemingly for the enjoyment of the crowd.Prest had fully announced himself, after a couple of promising T20 campaigns, with a century against Essex at the Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford towards the end of last season. The 21-year-old missed the previous three Championship fixtures with a shoulder injury, but reached his third career ton in 141 deliveries – although only after he was dropped on 92 by Simon Harmer.Albert fell when reverse sweeping Critchley to deep point, which ended a 177-run partnership. But Ben Brown and Prest passed the follow-on target just before tea, before Prest began to eye up 450 – and full batting bonus points.At one point he had taken 52 runs, with Brown, in four overs – in which time he had hit Harmer for 14 and 19 in an over, brought up the century stand and reached a maiden 150.Prest fell for 156 when he advanced and holed out to long-off and Brown was bowled by Shane Snater for a 59-ball 54. Critchley then picked up Liam Dawson, Kyle Abbott and Vince in the space of four balls to claim a five-wicket haul.On his departure, Vince decided to declare the innings, reckoning 450 runs was now above them, while preventing Essex gaining from maximum bowling points.

يواجه الجهاز الفني لـ منتخب مصر مواليد 2005، بقيادة أسامة نبيه، مرحلة حاسمة ستحدد مستقبله مع الفريق خلال الفترة المقبلة، وذلك وفقًا لما ستسفر عنه مشاركة الفراعنة الصغار في بطولة كأس العالم.

ويشارك منتخب مصر للشباب في البطولة التي تستضيفها تشيلي خلال الفترة من 27 سبتمبر وحتى 19 أكتوبر، حيث أوقعته القرعة في المجموعة الأولى بجوار منتخبات تشيلي ونيوزيلندا واليابان.

وعلم بطولات، أن استمرار الجهاز الفني من عدمه سيكون مرهونًا بالمستوى الفني والنتائج التي سيحققها المنتخب في البطولة العالمية.

طالع | مواعيد مباريات منتخب مصر للشباب في بطولة كأس العالم تحت 20 عامًا

وفي حال نجح منتخب مصر في تقديم أداء مقنع ونتائج إيجابية، سيمنح الجهاز الفني بقيادة أسامة نبيه فرصة الاستمرار للإعداد لأولمبياد 2028.

أما في حالة الإخفاق وعدم تحقيق الطموحات، سيكون الاتجاه الأقرب هو تعيين جهاز فني جديد لقيادة المنتخب في المرحلة المقبلة. قائمة منتخب مصر للشباب استعدادًا لـ كأس العالم تحت 20 سنة

حراسة المرمي: عبد المنعم تامر وأحمد وهب وأحمد منشاوي ومحمد ريشه.

خط الدفاع: محمد إبراهيم ومحمد عوض وأحمد عابدين وعبد الله بوستنجي ومعتز محمد ومعاذ عطية وعبد الحميد أحمد ومحمود لبيب ومؤمن شريف ومهاب سامي.

خط الوسط: أحمد كاباكا ومحمد السيد وأحمد وحيد وسيف سفاجا ورضوان حمزاوي وعلى ايهاب وكريم احمد وحامد عبد الله وأحمد شرف ومحمود صلاح وياسين عاطف وأحمد ناجي ويوسف صابر وأدهم كريم ومحمد هيثم وحسن صابر وأيمن أمير.

خط الهجوم: محمد عبد الله وعمر معوض.

Prasidh continues to recover from a quadriceps injury

Shashank Kishore04-Sep-2024Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the first round of Duleep Trophy with a groin injury. Sanju Samson has been named as his replacement in the India D squad.Kishan had sustained the injury during the Buchi Babu Tournament earlier this month in Tamil Nadu where he played two games for Jharkhand, his first set of multi-day games in over a year. India D will open their campaign against the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India C, on September 5, in Anantapur.Allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, meanwhile, has been cleared to play and is available for selection for India B. Reddy, who had a sports hernia surgery in June after being withdrawn from India’s T20I squad to Zimbabwe, was initially included subject to fitness.Related

Duleep Trophy first round: illness rules Siraj and Malik out; Jadeja withdrawn

Suryakumar out of first round of Duleep Trophy with injury

Meanwhile, India A will be without fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who continues to recover from a quadriceps injury. Prasidh has begun bowling at full tilt following a four-month rehab, but the National Cricket Academy trainers want to tread cautiously, given he has now been hampered with injury concerns for the better part of two seasons.Prasidh last played for India on the tour of South Africa in December-January, and he is believed to be nearing full match fitness. It’s likely he could yet play a part during the later rounds of the Duleep Trophy in the lead-up to the Ranji Trophy.Kishan and Prasidh’s absence adds to a growing list of top India players who have been ruled out of the tournament for different reasons. Earlier this week, Suryakumar Yadav’s comeback to first-class cricket had to be put on hold after he bruised his hand, also during the Buchi Babu tournament, playing for Mumbai in Coimbatore. A BCCI release said that the medical team is continuing to assess his injury, and that a further evaluation next week will determine his availability for the second round.Prior to that, the fast-bowling pair of Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik had been pulled out because of dengue fever, while Ravindra Jadeja was withdrawn from the India B squad. Navdeep Saini was named Siraj’s replacement in India B, and Gourav Yadav, the Puducherry fast bowler, was called in to replace Umran for India C.The first round of the Duleep Trophy will be played in Anantapur and Bengaluru from September 5. It’s the only round where some of the top India Test players – including Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav – will feature before they disperse to get ready for India’s Test season that begins against Bangladesh in Chennai from September 19.The Indian team is likely to assemble in Chennai on September 12 for a short preparatory camp in the lead-up to the series.

Newcastle United are in the market for a proven centre-forward after a frustrating start to the summer window so far.

With Alexander Isak’s future uncertain and targets like Bryan Mbeumo, Hugo Ekitike, and João Pedro choosing other clubs, Newcastle are in urgent need of clarity in the final third.

The Swedish striker’s omission from the club’s pre-season tour of Southeast Asia, coupled with Liverpool’s interest, rumoured to involve a nine-figure sum, has added urgency to the club’s recruitment strategy.

Benjamin Šeško remains high on the shortlist, and there is still hope a deal can be agreed with RB Leipzig.

The 21-year-old Slovenian scored 21 goals in all competitions last season, but while his ceiling is high, he remains a player of potential rather than pedigree.

Likewise, Brentford’s Yoane Wissa has impressed but with Brentford holding out for more than Newcastle are prepared to pay, Newcastle must consider other options.

In their search for the consistency and output expected of a Champions League striker, the Magpies are now eyeing a familiar face with unfinished business at St James’ Park.

Newcastle eyeing up stunning reunion

Aleksandar Mitrovic may have swapped Fulham and the Premier League for Al-Hilal and the Saudi Pro League, but the goals have continued to flow.

The 30-year-old Serbian striker has been nothing short of devastating since his move to the Middle East, scoring 47 goals and registering eight assists in just 51 appearances across all competitions.

His form has been so dominant that Arab News writer Matt Monaghan described him as “the signing of the season,” a major compliment in a league now filled with global superstars. “He has just been an absolute monster up front,” Monaghan added.

Well, according to CaughtOffside, Premier League clubs, including the Toon, have taken note of his resurgence and are looking at potentially bringing him back to English shores.

Manchester United are actively monitoring the situation amid concerns about the productivity of Rasmus Højlund and new signing Joshua Zirkzee.

Why Mitrovic makes financial sense for Newcastle

Mitrovic has built a lethal partnership with Malcolm in Riyadh, with the pair combining for one of the most productive duos in the region.

His blend of brute strength, aerial dominance and underrated technical quality has continued to torment defences, even if many are quick to discredit his numbers due to the league he plays in.

But the stats are hard to ignore.

In the 2024/25 season, Mitrovic has averaged 0.89 goals per 90 minutes, significantly higher than Šeško (0.49) and Wissa (0.59).

Goals Involvements (2024/25)

Player

Goal tally

Aleksandar Mitrović (Al-Hilal)

21 (19 goals, 2 assists)

Benjamin Šeško

18 (13 goals, 5 assists)

Yoane Wissa

23 (19 goals, 4 assists)

Source: FBref

He’s also averaging 4.44 shots per 90, with 48.4% of those on target. These are elite-level numbers, even when adjusted for context.

To put that in further perspective, Šeško averaged just 2.50 shots per 90 with a shots-on-target percentage of 43.9%, while Wissa took 2.78 shots per 90 at a 45.6% accuracy rate.

When it comes to shot-creating actions, Mitrovic again leads the pack with 4.44 per 90, compared to 2.50 for Šeško and 2.78 for Wissa.

The contrast speaks to a player still in his prime and ready to return to the Premier League with a point to prove.

And for Newcastle, who are in desperate need of consistent output up front, the Serbian’s profile offers immediate impact.

There’s also an emotional side to the story. Mitrovic spent three years at Newcastle between 2015 and 2018, scoring 17 times in 72 appearances.

Though his spell wasn’t always smooth, he retains a fondness for the club and has spoken warmly about the city and supporters since leaving.

That familiarity could ease his transition, especially for a team looking for leadership and firepower in equal measure.

Financially, a return could make a lot of sense too. Al-Hilal are expected to ask for a fee of around €30m (£26m) – less than what Newcastle would need to spend on either Šeško or Wissa.

And with both Newcastle and Al-Hilal under the umbrella of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), there is confidence that a deal could be fast-tracked if the green light is given.

Spurs and Man United may well be at the table but Newcastle have an edge. The emotional pull of a return, coupled with the shared ownership structure and the opportunity to lead the line in a high-profile project, may prove decisive in any transfer tug-of-war.

For a team stuck between investing in future potential or banking on proven output, Aleksandar Mitrović represents a compelling middle ground.

He’s more prolific than Šeško, more clinical than Wissa, and more attainable than many of his top-level peers.

With Isak unsettled and Champions League ambitions on the line, Newcastle might find that sometimes the best move is the one you’ve made before – just this time, with a striker ready to finish the job he once started.

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Posts ByBen Gray Jul 28, 2025

After finishing the 2024/25 campaign on a high, Newcastle United approached the summer transfer window with excitement. But as is becoming habitual on Tyneside, there have been challenges and setbacks.

However, one of Eddie Howe’s superpowers is his ability to weather adversity and rally his club, and so in spite of missing out on Bryan Mbeumo and Joao Pedro and Mohammed Kudus and maybe Matheus Cunha too, the Magpies are beginning to take shape.

A deal with Nottingham Forest has been agreed for Anthony Elanga, worth £52m. A bid for Burnley shot-stopper James Trafford is also ongoing, and that one looks like it will end positively.

Alexander Isak, moreover, is set to remain at St. James’ Park. Even so, Howe wants a new centre-forward, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike confirmed to be on the radar.

However, it’s going to be a difficult deal to pull off, and an alternative option has been earmarked.

Newcastle chasing a new striker

Any interest in a centre-forward on Tyneside is laced with a measure of trepidation. Newcastle fans would love to see a new number nine welcomed to the fold, but not at the expense of Isak’s place in the team.

Luckily, PIF have no plans to sell their £200m-valued talisman. With Callum Wilson having departed St. James’ Park at the end of his contract, securing a new nine is a necessity, not a luxury.

Ekitike might be at the top of the shopping list right now, but he’s simply too expensive at £85m, a valuation Eintracht Frankfurt aren’t willing to budge on.

That’s why Newcastle are setting their sights on Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. According to Caught Offside, the Magpies have joined the growing list of clubs – also containing Arsenal and Manchester United – who are interested in the England star.

Naturally, Villa don’t want to sell, but they have priced the 29-year-old at £50m, and if Newcastle were to table such an offer, they might just find themselves in an interesting position.

Why Newcastle want Ollie Watkins

Consistently one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards over the past few years, Watkins would bring experience and dynamism to a Newcastle side in need of just his profile.

Principally a central striker, Watkins’ high-energy running and ability to play through the lines have seen him deployed on the left flank in Unai Emery’s Villan system. This is perfect for Howe, who likes to shuffle his offensive pack.

The 22-year-old Ekitike scored 22 goals and assisted 12 more across all competitions last season, but he’s still an uncut gem, only really having displayed the full extent of his quality across one campaign at the highest level.

Watkins, conversely, is proven across five years in ostensibly the toughest league in the world.

24/25

38 (31)

16

8

23/24

37 (37)

19

13

22/23

37 (36)

15

6

21/22

35 (33)

11

2

20/21

37 (37)

14

5

The Three Lions star has even been described by podcaster Rohan Jivan as “one of the best centre-forwards in Europe”, with his completeness and experience at the highest level exactly what Newcastle need to one-up their previous campaign.

It’s not going to be easy, for sure, but the Toon are now shaping into one of the recognised big hitters in the Premier League, fixed at the top end of the table.

Ekitike is undoubtedly one of the biggest talents in the business, but given his extortionate pricing and indeed the chances that he might not immediately acclimatise to the English game, bagging Watkins to provide instantaneous results might be the best course of action for Howe’s ambitious plans.

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