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One of the areas Manchester United have struggled for depth this season has been at centre-forward. After loaning out Marcus Rashford, Ruben Amorim has been limited to three real options up front.

One of those, Joshua Zirkzee, has recently excelled as a number 10. The Dutchman has showcased elite technical skills, and his performances in that deeper role could make Amorim reluctant to start him up top.

That leaves Danish duo Rasmus Hojlund and 17-year-old Chido Obi as the two players tasked with leading the line. Hojlund’s run of goalscoring form was lean, but he now has two goals in three games for club and country. Obi is an exciting talent but still inexperienced.

Thus, it might not be a surprise that United are targeting a new striker ahead of the summer window.

Man United's hopes of signing a new striker

One of the strikers who many clubs across Europe seems to want this summer is FC Porto star Samu Aghehowa.

The Spaniard has made a big impression this term in Portugal and is now a target for some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

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Indeed, according to a report from Caught Offside, one of those sides is the 13-time Premier League champions. The report suggests that Amorim ‘is a big fan’ of the centre-forward and is thought to be ‘driving the Red Devils’ interest’ in Aghehowa.

However, they will not be alone in their pursuit of the Spanish striker this summer. La Liga giants FC Barcelona are strongly interested, and Lamine Yamal is ‘understood to be personally pushing’ for the club to sign his Spain teammate.

German giants Bayern Munich and United’s Premier League rivals West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are also believed to be interested in a deal. As for a fee, Aghehowa reportedly has a £84m release clause in his contract.

Why Aghehowa would be a good signing

What a fantastic debut season it has been for Aghehowa as a Dragoes player. The 20-year-old has been on fire, scoring 21 goals across all competitions, as well as chipping in with three assists in that time.

United know all too well how dangerous the 2024 Olympic gold medalist can be in front of goal. Two of his six Europa League strikes this term came against the Red Devils, back in October in a game that ended 3-3 thanks to a last-gasp equaliser from Harry Maguire.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig described Aghehowa as a “monster in the making”, for the early impression he has made in his career. He possesses all sorts of important traits one would want from a top striker: quick, physical and intelligent in front of goal, just as he displayed against United.

The young attacker is capable of scoring all kinds of goals, the hallmark of all good strikers. Take this strike against AS Roma, also in the Europa League. His control in the box to bring the ball down and then the composure to execute the overhead kick is second to none.

Samu could be the dream alternative for Viktor Gyokeres this season. Although it seemed like Ruben Amorim might try to bring the Swede with him to Old Trafford from Sporting, The Athletic recently reported that Arsenal are strongly interested in the former Coventry City star.

Gyokeres has been even more prolific than the Porto star this season in Portugal, scoring 42 times in 42 games for the Lisbon club, grabbing 11 assists, too. That includes 30 goals in 26 games in the top flight in Portugal.

Despite the difference in goal numbers, the pair are still comparable via FBref, and the similarities are there to see.

For example, Aghehowa averages 0.54 goals per shot on target and 0.12 goal-creating actions each game this term, compared to 0.35 goals per shot on target and 0.15 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes. That said, the former is a far greater threat in the air.

Goals

0.72

1.22

Goals per shot on target

0.54

0.35

Shot-creating actions

2.36

2.85

Goal-creating actions

0.12

0.15

Aerial duels won

2.24

0.59

The deal to sign Aghehowa would be an expensive one for the Red Devils, just shy of £100m. However, that might be the investment they need to make in order to supplement the goals of Hojlund, ZIrkzee and Obi.

If they miss out on Gyokeres this summer, perhaps Aghehowa is the perfect alternative to help take Amorim’s side to the next level.

De Gea 2.0: Man Utd already let an "underrated" Onana upgrade leave for £0

Man Utd could be set for a summer of change in the goalkeeping ranks

ByRobbie Walls Mar 31, 2025

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher hinted that he could exit Anfield in the summer as the Reds prepare to welcome Giorgi Mamardashvili.

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• Kelleher ready to become No.1

• Mamardashvili set to sign for Liverpool in the summer

• Irish goalkeeper appeared in 20 matches in the 2024-25 season

• AFP
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former Liverpool youth player Kelleher, who signed his first professional contract with the club in 2018, is all set to exit Anfield this summer as the Reds will welcome Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia. Kelleher, who has been a deputy to Alisson since the start of his career, appeared in 20 matches across all competitions in the 2024-25 campaign due to the Brazilian's injury.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After getting regular game time under Arne Slot, the Irish custodian has now claimed that he is ready to become No.1 and play regularly elsewhere. The goalkeeper was an unused substitute in Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Sunday in their final Premier League game of the season.

• WHAT CAOIMHIN KELLEHER SAID

  Speaking to during the club's title celebrations, Kelleher said: "I feel like I'm a number one and good enough to play week-in, week-out. And that's what I'm looking to do. This season I was lucky enough to play a lot of games but yeah, definitely something I am looking at."

  The goalkeeper also spoke about the Anfield fans' passion and the team's trophy parade as he added: "It's obviously very special. As you probably know from being in the stadium how special the fans are. It's special memories for us all, and yeah, we just soak up the atmosphere now and enjoy today. I think it's going to be crazy. I remember the last one, when we won the Champions League, was crazy. But I think maybe it's the first time the Premier League with the fans. I think it could be mental."

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  The Merseyside club are expected to have a busy transfer window as Arne Slot plans to make major additions to his squad. They are already in advanced talks to sign Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.

Real Madrid's Rodrygo is considering leaving Los Blancos this summer and the Brazilian reportedly already has 'one foot out' of the Spanish giants.

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• Rodrygo unhappy with the Los Blancos
• Already has 'one foot out of Real Madrid'
• Wants to talk with Xabi Alonso before deciding

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rodrygo has been a vital part of Real Madrid's successes in recent moments, as the Brazilian has been an underrated part of Los Blancos as they have won two Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles over the last half a decade. However, the 24-year-old has been losing importance at Santiago Bernabeu with the transfer of Kylian Mbappe and the rise of Jude Bellingham.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Over the last few months, reports have suggested that Rodrygo may not be happy at Real Madrid and will be considering leaving Los Blancos this summer. As per Spanish publication AS, the Brazilian is in a 'complicated moment' and already 'has one foot out of Real Madrid'.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  As per the report, Rodrygo wants to wait for Xabi Alonso to officially join Real Madrid's team dynamics before he decides what to do with his future. It is understood that Los Blancos may play with two forwards next season, with Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe. The 24-year-old winger would prefer to talk with Alonso before he makes his final decision.

• WHAT NEXT FOR RODRYGO?

  The former Santos forward has been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, with giants Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United said to be keenly looking at the situation of the forward. Rodrygo, however, is said to be 'keeping the door open' to stay at Real Madrid.

Zaka Ashraf’s tenure as the head of the PCB is set to continue for three months, as confirmed by a government notification on Saturday evening. The notification was confirmation given by the patron of the board and current interim prime minister of Pakistan Anwar ul Haq Kakar in a TV interview on Friday. Kakar had, however, indicated an extension till the end of the ongoing World Cup.The notification, issued by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), said it had “approved extension of three months in tenure period of present Management Committee w.e.f 5th November, 2023.” As has been the mandate all along, the IPC said the committee should perform the primary task of finalising the Board of Governors (BoG) and conduction the chairman elections at the earliest. It also said the committee would not be granted another extension beyond February 2024, which is around the time Pakistan will hold general elections. The committee has also been prohibited from making policy decisions or any high-level appointments.The current interim management committee running the board was due to end on November 5. The future of the administration had been under intense scrutiny and the subject of considerable speculation in recent days after a series of high-profile missteps, including a press release which appeared to shift the blame on captain Babar Azam and selector Inzamam-ul-Haq (who has since resigned) and a controversy around a leaked Whatsapp conversation between Babar and a senior PCB official.Ashraf’s leadership has been criticised by members of the management committee including Zulfiqar Malik and Mustafa Ramday for its decision-making and lack of movement over conducting board elections, which was the mandate it came in with in July. Malik sent an email to Ashraf, other members of the committee as well as the prime minister in October, laying out his criticism of PCB operations. In a separate communication, Ramday has also outlined his concerns with the way the board has been run.Related

• Inzamam steps down as Pakistan chief selector amid conflict of interest allegations

• Ashraf accused of 'flagrant misdoings and unconstitutional decisions'

The options for the patron coming into this weekend were to either appoint a new committee or give an extension to the existing one over the weekend and the latter option has been chosen.”At this time, you know there is a tournament going on,” Kakar told Dawn News TV in an interview. “We’ll look after this tournament what needs doing, what doesn’t need doing. At this moment, I don’t think we are going to make a big decision. The reason for that is that at times you have to work according to the doctrine of necessity. Once we are past the World Cup, then we’ll see.”As prime minister, albeit interim, Kakar is also a patron of the PCB and in charge of the appointment of the board head. The doctrine of necessity that Kakar cited is remembered in Pakistan, infamously, as a judgment in 1954 by the Supreme Court chief justice that validated the use of extra-constitutional emergency powers, as well as a 1977 decision that validated a military coup.Kakar’s comments came a day before Pakistan’s crucial World Cup game against New Zealand in Bengaluru where a win meant they remained in the tournament until the last round of games.They came after a meeting between the prime minister and Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan captain and allrounder, who had publicly criticised Ashraf on a TV show earlier in the week. That meeting then led to one on Friday between Afridi and Ashraf at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The PCB released a statement after that meeting saying that Afridi had expressed an interest in working with younger cricketers.”Shahid Afridi expressed his interest in grooming young cricketers into future stars and positively shaping them into well-rounded representatives of Pakistan cricket,” the statement said. “He also admired and appreciated Mr Zaka Ashraf’s efforts and contributions for Pakistan cricket.”

The final schedule, where six teams will play a total of 34 games, is expected soon

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Aug-2023The second edition of the ILT20 is set to run in the window between January 19 and February 18 next year. The six teams – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, MI Emirates, Sharjah Warriors, Desert Vipers and defending champions Gulf Giants – will play a total of 34 games across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah within that 30-day period.Recently, the likes of David Warner, Mark Wood, Shadab Khan and Ambati Rayudu signed up for the second season. Warner and Wood, rivals at the Ashes recently, will play at Capitals, while Shadab joins Pakistan team-mates Shaheen Shah Afridi and Azam Khan at Vipers. Rayudu, who retired from all Indian cricket after IPL 2023 and is currently playing in the CPL, has been signed up by MI Emirates, while Martin Guptill and Maheesh Theekshana will play for Warriors alongside Lewis Gregory.The schedule will clash with the five-match India vs England Test series that begins on January 25 in Hyderabad; Wood and Joe Root, who are both part of the ILT20, are expected to be part of the England squad there. Warner, meanwhile, is expected to fulfil his BBL commitments with Sydney Thunder – the tournament will end on January 24 – before hopping across to the UAE to be part of the ILT20. He will require a No-Objection Certificate from Cricket Australia to play in the league.The second season of the ILT20 will also run more or less concurrently with the second season of the SA20 league in South Africa, which is expected to be played from January 10 to February 10. This was the case last year too. And while the dates for the PSL and the BPL haven’t been announced yet, there could be some overlap there too.The last stage of the squad-building process will involve selecting the UAE players, details of which will be “announced shortly” according to an official release.In February this year, less than a week after Gulf Giants were named inaugural champions at the first edition of the ILT20, it was announced that ILT20 2024 would kick off on January 13 2024. That has now changed. The ILT20 was one of two new men’s franchise leagues added to the calendar last year, along with the SA20, with a crossover of team owners in both leagues and the IPL.

غادر لوكا مودريتش لاعب خط وسط ريال مدريد السابق صفوف الفريق، ومع ذلك، أشارت تقارير صحفية إلى أن رحلته لم تنته بعد مع الملكي.

وبحسب “ديفنسا سنترال” الإسبانية فإن فلورنتينو بيريز رئيس ريال مدريد يرحب بحفاوة بعودة لاعب خط الوسط الأسطوري لمنصب إداري في المستقبل.

اقرأ أيضاً.. فالفيردي عن “قيادة” ريال مدريد في الموسم الجديد: حلم كل طفل

وأعرب مودريتش عن رغبته لبيريز بأن يصبح مدربًا في المستقبل، ورد رئيس ريال مدريد أنه في حال قرر الكرواتي ذلك سيتشرف به النادي وببداية مسيرته التدريبية في أكاديمية الشباب.

ويعد هذا المسار هو نفسه الذي سلكه العديد من أساطير النادي مثل راؤول جونزاليس وجوتي وزين الدين زيدان وألفارو أريبلوا ومدرب ريال مدريد الحالي تشابي ألونسو.

وكان لوكا مودريتش قد اختتم مسيرته مع ريال مدريد هذا الصيف، حيث انضم لصفوف ميلان في صفقة انتقال حر.

ورحل مودريتش عن ريال مدريد بعد أن أصبح اللاعب الأكثر تتويجاً بالألقاب في تاريخ النادي، حيث حقق 28 لقبًا وأصبح كذلك اللاعب المحبوب لدى الجماهير.

وترك لوكا مودريتش رسالة للجماهير بأسلوبه الهادئ والمتواضع المعهود والتي لخصت مسيرته ببراعة: “لا تبكوا لأن الأمر انتهى، ابتسموا لأنه حدث”.

Vote for your memorable moments from England’s past tours of the Caribbean

Andrew Miller and Srinath Sripath23-Jan-2019

Philippe joins Patterson in reaching three figures before bowlers dismantle Lions’ first innings

ECB Reporters Network31-Jan-2025

Australia A assumed control of the first-class match against England Lions with the tourists asked to follow-on in Sydney.Josh Philippe joined Kurtis Patterson in reaching a century as Australia A declared at 373 for 9 before the Lions were bundled out for 116. Allrounder Will Sutherland claimed 3 for 7 while Brendan Doggett took 3 for 17.Durham opener Ben McKinney reached the close unbeaten 67 as the Lions made a better fist of it second time around to be 116 for 2.Phillipe powered his way to an unbeaten 120 from 121 balls after Sam Cook (3 for 58) trapped Patterson leg before for 137. Sonny Baker returned 3 for 60 as the Lions made light work of the Australian lower order to force their declaration.The Lions were immediately in trouble with the bat, falling to 30 for 3 thanks to two early strikes from Xavier Bartlett, and never recovered with Lancashire duo Matt Hurst (34) and Rocky Flintoff (29) the top-scorers.McKinney and skipper Alex Davies began the repair job with a 106-run first-wicket partnership, but Jordan Buckingham claimed two late wickets to reinforce the home advantage.

Kicking on with their summer business, West Bromwich Albion have now reportedly reached an agreement to sign an attacking reinforcement worth around £5m.

Since appointing Ryan Mason and signing Nat Phillips from Liverpool, West Brom’s summer business has slowed down somewhat. And with just one month until the Championship gets back underway, the Baggies must rediscover their momentum to welcome some key additions for their new manager.

That’s not to say the rumours haven’t been coming thick and fast, though. Whilst West Brom haven’t acted since signing Phillips, there are still several names on their reported radar.

Among them includes the experienced Barry Bannan. The veteran midfielder is currently at Sheffield Wednesday, who remain in a precarious spot financially and struggling to pay staff on time. Failure to solve that problem will likely to result in an exodus of players, allowing West Brom to take full advantage.

Any signing would be following Phillips through the door, who expressed his delight after putting pen to paper at The Hawthorns last month, saying: “A big factor was that this is obviously a big club with high aspirations – and I’d say those aspirations align with mine. I think everyone at the club and involved would like to see it competing for promotion and pushing for Premier League football – and that’s the same as me.

“I’m really looking forward to it and as soon as I found out about the interest I just wanted to get here and get going. Throughout my career I’ve always wanted to develop a rhythm and continue to play week in, week out. I feel like I did that in the second half of last season, and I want to continue that rhythm and try to take that into the season coming up.

West Brom can forget Brooks by signing "fearless" star who's "like Neymar"

West Bromwich Albion could now sign this fearless attacker after failing to land David Brooks.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 4, 2025

“I’ve had a number of loans over the past few years and it’ll be really nice for me and my family to go somewhere and know we’re staying there to develop a relationship with the club and the fans.”

As impressive as the defender is, the Baggies require more reinforcements and have now reportedly turned towards a fresh name in pursuit of exactly that.

West Brom agree deal to sign Heggebo

According to Fabrizio Romano, West Brom have now reached an agreement to sign Aune Heggebo from Norwegian side Brann. In a deal worth around €5.5m (£5m), the 23-year-old striker will hand Mason an instant attacking boost to kickstart the Baggies’ summer business.

The young forward will be a new name to most, but those in Norway will know him as the player who scored seven goals in just 13 league appearances last season and eight goals in all competitions.

Whether those numbers translate to the Championship will be the big question next season, especially as Heggebo enters the peak of his powers in the coming years.

With Nicolas Kuhn already on his way to Como, Celtic are reportedly set to announce the departure of another player in a double departure for Brendan Rodgers.

Como reach agreement to sign Kuhn

After less than two years at the club, Kuhn is reportedly set to swap Celtic for the chance to play for Cesc Fabregas’ rising Como side in Serie A. The Bhoys will receive around £16.5m for the winger’s signature, making an instant profit of £13.5m from their initial deal, but now face the hefty task of finding a replacement for their star man.

Kuhn’s departure should fund some hefty incomings of their own, but replacing him will be an incredibly tough task. Just last season, the German enjoyed his best campaign yet with as many as 21 goals to his name in all competitions to go alongside his 15 assists. Just how Celtic replace 36 goal involvements is the big question.

It’s the type of problem they faced last summer when tasked with replacing Matt O’Riley and that’s when Kuhn stepped up. This time around, however, the Bhoys may need to turn towards the transfer market to solve their problems.

The next Engels: Celtic plot record-breaking move for "complete midfielder"

As Brendan Rodgers seeks to bolster his midfield options, the Hoops have reportedly entered the race to sign another Arne Engels for Celtic.

ByBen Gray Jul 4, 2025

On that front, Rodgers has already welcomed the talented Benjamin Nygren as well as the likes of Kieran Tierney, who has returned from Arsenal, Ross Doohan and Callum Osmand.

Incomings should take centre stage in the coming weeks, but another exit looks set to be on the cards before Celtic get the chance to welcome further fresh faces of their own.

Hannover 96 set to sign Nawrocki

As reported by Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, Hannover 96 have reached an agreement to sign Maik Nawrocki in a loan deal with an option to buy from Celtic. Reportedly a “done deal”, the Bhoys are set to announce the defender’s departure.

Whilst Nawrocki has often struggled for game time in Scotland in the last two years, that hasn’t stopped Rodgers from handing his centre-back some words of encouragement.

The Celtic boss told reporters when asked about Nawrocki and Auston Trusty after his side thrashed Aberdeen 5-1 back in May: “It was awkward for Auston in the first half, because he was blinded a wee bit with the sun on that side. But I thought those two were strong. Defended well, goalkeeper was assured, two full-backs, excellent. It was very pleasing.”

A player who never showed his true potential at Celtic Park, Nawrocki now has the chance to take the 2. Bundesliga by storm.