Leeds United have now officially confirmed Anton Stach’s arrival on the scene, with £17.4m forked out on the midfield talent.

Stach joining from Hoffenheim very much continues the trend of the Whites diving into the Bundesliga for summer buys, with Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen a reported target from Daniel Farke’s homeland too.

The newly promoted side has been looking closer to home when attempting to enhance their attacking personnel, however, with Fulham attacker Rodrigo Muniz’s signature still being pursued.

However, he isn’t the only striker catching the Whites’ eye.

Leeds make surprise approach for striker

One of the hurdles continuing to trip Leeds up in their advances for Muniz will surely be his extortionate £50m price tag.

This is a risky amount of money to splurge, considering this signing whirring into motion would then make Muniz Leeds’ most expensive purchase in history, eclipsing Georginio Rutter’s £35.5m valuation.

He does have a healthy 17 Premier League strikes next to his name for the Cottagers, but a far cheaper move might soon be on the cards for the Whites to land a more potent finisher.

Indeed, reports from Italy indicate that Leeds have made an approach to sign wantaway Inter Milan Mehdi Taremi over a surprise move this summer, with the move surely costing the Premier League newcomers less than Muniz’s speculated £50m, owing to the Iranian striker being 33 years of age.

Taremi’s veteran status shouldn’t put Leeds off making the move a reality, though, with the former FC Porto man a feared goal machine when performing at the top of his game, which could make him an even better signing than Muniz entering the ranks.

How Taremi could be a better signing than Muniz

Muniz does have the slight edge of possessing Premier League experience on his side, but his overall numbers across his entire career are blown out of the water by Taremi’s usual Midas touch in front of goal.

The Fulham number nine is only able to boast an unconvincing 40 goals across his career to date – with a large chunk of those coming at Craven Cottage – meaning he could well find the pressures of being Leeds’ leading man during a relegation fight to be too much.

On the contrary, the well-travelled Taremi would likely thrive with the same burden above his head, with Premier League outfit Chelsea already well aware of the magic the 33-year-old can produce when he fired home this acrobatic effort against them in the Champions League.

Wherever he’s been – minus an up-and-down spell in Serie A with Inter – the 6-foot-2 menace has largely been an overwhelming success.

Indeed, he boasts a “ridiculous” goal record, across his extensive playing days in the words of Rio Ferdinand.

Games played

445

Goals scored

202

Assists

101

Top goalscorer

5x

Player of the Year

2x

Indeed, the Iranian regular has a colossal haul of 202 goals and 101 assists from 445 career outings, with a bumper 95 of those strikes coming in Portugal when he led the line for Porto with some confidence.

He has experienced a bump in the road at Inter, but he hasn’t fallen off the wagon completely, with three goals and nine assists coming his way at the San Siro.

Muniz does have age on his side, too, with the potential for the Brazilian to grow into a more threatening, sharp-shooting presence under Farke’s wing.

But, if the Whites are hesitant to shell out that £50m, Taremi is surely their next best bet, as West Yorkshire is then exposed to the 33-year-old’s lethal nature.

Better signing than Stach: Leeds contenders to sign "remarkable" £17m star

Leeds United are in contention to land a star who would be an even better addition than Anton Stach.

ByDan Emery Jul 23, 2025

Saim Ayub still “at least four weeks” away from being fully fit

Danyal Rasool31-Jan-2025

Fakhar Zaman hasn’t played ODIs since the 2023 ODI World Cup•AFP via Getty Images

Fakhar Zaman has been named in Pakistan’s squad for the Champions Trophy, marking his return after he fell out with the PCB over a social media post in October 2024. In a squad that PCB called “horses for courses”, Faheem Ashraf, who last played international cricket in 2023, has also been called up. Khushdil Shah and Saud Shakeel are also included. The same squad will also play the ODI tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand in the build-up to the Champions Trophy.The squad confirms what was widely feared within Pakistan: Saim Ayub remains unavailable because of the ankle fracture he sustained during the Cape Town Test. At the time, it was announced he would be out for six weeks, but it was believed his chances of recovering in time for the Champions Trophy were exceptionally slim. Earlier today, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed Ayub’s return remained “at least four weeks” away.Abdullah Shafique’s loss of form has cost him a place in the squad. In the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa, which Pakistan won 3-0, he became the first player to be dismissed for a duck in every match of a series. It means Pakistan will go in with a completely different opening pairing, with Fakhar likely to pair up with either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, with the PCB citing Babar’s success opening in Test cricket as a potential factor to consider.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“Fakhar’s opening partner could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, depending on various factors such as conditions, opposition and match strategy,” a statement from Asad Shafiq, a member of the selection panel, said. “Both players are highly capable at the top of the order, with Babar being particularly seasoned in the role, regularly opening in T20Is and also excelling in the Cape Town Test by scoring two half-centuries in Saim Ayub’s absence.”The squad also retains its pace-heavy element that saw Pakistan win three successive away ODI series towards the end of last year. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain are all part of the final 15, with only one specialist spinner in Abrar Ahmed. Neither Sufiyan Muqeem, who took four wickets on debut in the only ODI he played, nor Shadab Khan, who captained his side to Champions Cup glory in September, have made the final cut.Related

Pakistan boosted by Rizwan's form but bowling remains a concern

Taskin, Tamim headline ESPNcricinfo's BPL 2024-25 team of the tournament

Context is king as Pakistan and New Zealand open pre-Champions Trophy tri-series

Saim Ayub to travel to London for ankle fracture treatment

No captains event or photoshoot before Champions Trophy

“One of the standout qualities of this side is its flexibility – an essential trait in today’s modern-day cricket,” Asad Shafiq, a member of the selection panel. “We are confident that this squad strikes the right balance between youth and experience, and has all bases covered. Each player has been chosen with a clear role in mind, ensuring the captain has versatile options at his disposal.”Irfan Khan, who was eyed by the selection committee as a key component of Pakistan’s middle order and feted for his fielding, also drops out. Faheem’s return comes off the back of limited ODI cricket, having had an indifferent Champions Cup in September. Strong showings with the bat in the President Cup in October, however, seem to have played a part in earning him what appeared an unlikely recall.Pakistan’s first game at the Champions Trophy comes against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, following which they go to Dubai to play against India. They play their final group game against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), Khushdil Shah, Salman Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah

MatériaMais Notícias

Na tarde deste domingo, o Grêmio recebeu o Fortaleza na Arena e novamente decepcionou o seu torcedor ao empatar em 0 a 0.  O time de Renato Gaúcho até buscou mais o gol na etapa inicial, porém, não conseguiu obter o êxito nas finalizações. 

RelacionadasBotafogoCom novidades, Botafogo está confirmado para a partida contra o Goiás; veja a escalação para o confronto pelo Brasileirão!Botafogo14/05/2023BrasileirãoGrêmio e Fortaleza ficam no empate em duelo na Arena pelo BrasileiroBrasileirão14/05/2023BrasileirãoSantos segura a pressão do Vasco e vence fora de casa pelo BrasileirãoBrasileirão14/05/2023

Na etapa final, o Fortaleza deu mais trabalho e aproveitou a fase negativa do Tricolor para criar boas oportunidades. No fim, o empate sem gols frustrou o torcedor e elenco gremista, que sonhava em dar mais uma resposta após a goleada sofrida contra o Palmeiras. 

Desde a vitória contra o Cuiabá, o Tricolor disputou mais três confrontos: empatou duas vezes e perdeu uma. 

Com seis rodadas disputadas, o Tricolor se encontra na 11ª colocação, com apenas oito pontos conquistados. 

Glasgow Rangers have made a big decision regarding the future of manager Russell Martin, following an uninspiring start to his time at Ibrox.

Martin already under huge pressure at Rangers

The Englishman arrived as the Gers’ new boss in the summer, but he has struggled badly so far, drawing his opening two Scottish Premiership matches.

Things got even worse for Martin earlier this week, however, with Rangers’ 3-1 defeat at home to Club Brugge leaving them on the cusp of Champions League elimination. Speaking after the game, the 39-year-old tried to be positive.

“I understand the intensity and emotion here but it can’t change the way we work and become a weight around the players necks. There has been fragility in this club for a long, long time. The club has bounced around different plans and its been hinged on emotions. Now we have owners that understand where the club has been, where’s it at, and where’s it going.

“I came to this club knowing it wasn’t going to be easy or a quick fix. I hope we’ll be judged in May and by then we’ll be in a really good place and winning stuff.”There are loads for us to be excited about moving forward. We have to go next week and really attack it.”

Despite Martin doing his best to quieten the dissenting voices, there are some Rangers fans who already want him sacked, and there has now been an update on his future.

No "knee jerk" reactions in Rangers boardroom

Speaking to Football Insider, journalist Pete O’Rourke claimed that Martin’s job as Rangers manager is safe for now, but improvements are clearly needed.

“There’s always pressure when you’re at a huge club like Rangers. Pressure will only continue to build, especially if they have more performances like against Club Brugge in that opening 20 minutes. It was really embarrassing from a Rangers perspective that game.

“It’s been a difficult start to his tenure at Ibrox for Russell Martin. They’ve dropped points in the league. They’re already four points behind Celtic. And if they were to crash out of the Champions League before the league stage as well, that’d be a huge blow to the club’s ambitions and also to the club’s finances as well.

“So look, the pressure is on Russell Martin to deliver. From what I’m told there won’t be any knee-jerk reactions from the Rangers board just yet. They’ve obviously got faith in Russell Martin, I don’t think there’s a massive pressure from the board.”

In fairness to Martin, this is probably the best decision for now, considering how little time he has been in charge, as he looks to adjust to his new surroundings and get his tactical demands across to his squad.

That said, drastic improvements are needed very quickly, or he will find himself out of the job, starting with Sunday’s trip to St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.

Rangers can forget Vardy by signing £7m CF who was the "best" in the SPFL

As Rangers search for a new centre-forward, Russell Martin could forget all about Jamie Vardy by signing the “best striker in the league” worth £6.8m.

ByBen Gray Aug 22, 2025

More dropped points there for Rangers would feel disastrous, considering they are already four points adrift of Celtic, with their rivals likely to be seven clear by the time Sunday’s game kicks off, assuming they win at home to Livingston on Saturday.

Newcastle United supporters are waiting to see who could replace Alexander Isak at St James’ Park. Still, Eddie Howe is also interested in filling the void left by Callum Wilson’s departure and may now be making progress on that front.

Newcastle United consult several striking options amid Isak uncertainty

Alexander Isak continues to push for a move to Liverpool, leaving Howe searching for a replacement figure to replicate his excellent goalscoring exploits should the Sweden international depart the North East this summer.

Joining the striker merry-go-round, Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson is wanted by Newcastle after news that the Magpies have missed out on RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko to Manchester United despite their best efforts.

His peculiar red card offence at St James’ Park would signal a suspension period upon joining. Still, AC Milan could offer the Senegal international another high-profile alternative destination to Stamford Bridge.

Per David Ornstein, the Magpies could move for Porto’s Samu Aghehowa and he is high up on the list of potential candidates to take on their striking vacancy.

Brentford’s Yoann Wissa is another prolific forward being targeted by Newcastle, and reports suggest £35 million could be enough to seal a deal, albeit the Bees may opt to play hardball before offloading their star man to a Premier League rival.

Surprisingly, the DR Congo international could be paired with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who may be less at the forefront in the West Midlands following Evann Guessand’s transfer to Unai Emery’s men.

Newcastle open talks to sign "fantastic" midfielder who's keen on SJP move

Eddie Howe has already approved…

3

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 7, 2025

There are plenty of spinning plates in the window and stories constantly breaking as the days draw closer to the end of market activity, offering encouragement to the Magpies that plenty of time is still there to recruit key targets.

While Isak’s future is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, Howe may be about to take a step closer in the hunt for a Wilson replacement.

Newcastle eyeing surprise move for Michail Antonio

According to Dave OCKOP, Newcastle are plotting a move to sign striker Michail Antonio after he left West Ham United upon the expiration of his contract, making it a one-in-one-out on the free agent transfers.

The Jamaica international was involved in a car crash late last year and has since fully recovered from the incident. However, the Hammers weren’t able to tie him down despite the offer of a new deal at the London Stadium, creating a scenario where he could head to the North East.

Labelled “brilliant” by Jake Humphrey, Antonio registered 83 goals and 42 assists in 323 appearances for West Ham across all competitions, with 68 of his strikes coming in the Premier League.

Now set for a new challenge, the 35-year-old could be a financially advantageous short-term option to bolster Newcastle’s forward line, though it may be counterproductive to bring in someone at the twilight stage of their career at the expense of William Osula.

قبل أيام قليلة من ظهوره الأول في ملعب التتش، تتوالى الشهادات في حق الدنماركي ياس سوروب، المدير الفني الجديد للنادي الأهلي، الذي يستعد لبدء مغامرته الأولى في الكرة المصرية وسط ترقب جماهيري كبير.

ويعد سوروب من الأسماء التي تركت بصمة واضحة في أوروبا، ليس فقط بالنتائج، ولكن بأسلوبه الإنساني والإداري الذي أكسبه احترام اللاعبين والإداريين على حد سواء.

المدير الرياضي السابق لنادي جينت البلجيكي، بيتر فيربيكي، والذي عمل مع ياس سوروب في الفترة التي قاد فيها الفريق، تحدث في تصريحات خاصة لـ بطولات عن المدرب الجديد للأهلي، كاشفًا عن ملامح شخصيته عن قرب.

اقرأ أيضًا | عبد المنصف: الزمالك رفض منحة الأهلي.. وهذا سبب غياب ممدوح عباس

قال فيربيكي: “ياس يتمتع بالكثير من الصفات الرائعة، فهو رجل بأخلاق عالية في التعامل، يعرف كيف يتواصل مع الجميع بطريقة راقية تجعلك تحترمه منذ اللحظة الأولى”.

وأضاف: “هو مدرب بارع يعرف كيفية إدارة اللاعبين من خلال شخصيته القوية، ويملك قدرة كبيرة على تحفيزهم بطريقة ذكية ومتزنة دون الحاجة إلى الصدام أو الانفعال”.

وتابع: “ودود ولطيف في التعامل مع الجميع، سواء مع الصحفيين أو الجهاز المعاون أو الإداريين، لكنه في الوقت ذاته صارم وواضح حين يتعلق الأمر باتخاذ القرارات داخل الفريق”.

ووقع سوروب على عقود قيادته للنادي الأهلي لمدة عامين ونصف، ليقود الفريق بعد عماد النحاس الذي نجح في مهمته المؤقتة وإعادته إلى المنافسة على لقب الدوري المصري.

They gave the hosts a 93-run first-innings lead, which Pakistan grew to 202 courtesy Shan Masood’s fifty

Danyal Rasool18-Jan-2025Noman Ali and Sajid Khan put on a spin-bowling masterclass on a surface they found to their tastes, taking nine of the ten wickets to skittle West Indies out for 137 in less than a session. Either side of that, Pakistan fared better with the bat, putting up 230 in the first innings despite a collapse after Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan’s 141-run stand was broken.But they pulled away from the visitors in the final session with a commanding second-innings show with the bat. That was spearheaded by their captain Shan Masood, whose half-century drove Pakistan’s lead to 202 with seven wickets still in hand. The dominant story of a day when 19 wickets fell, though, came in the middle session, where West Indies had little answer to Noman and Sajid, who bowled all but 14 deliveries of their innings.Sajid started the dismantling in just his second over when he dismissed Mikyle Louis and Keacy Carty off successive balls, even as Carty fell thanks to a superb slip catch from Mohammad Hurraira. By the end of his third over, Sajid had four wickets as West Indies floundered, unable to either defend or attack against an unerringly accurate spin duo.Noman joined the fun, getting drift and turn to clip the edge of Justin Greaves’ off stump. It was the first of five wickets for the left-armer, who was beginning to get huge rip off the barely formed footmarks.As the innings proceeded, West Indies began to adopt a more bellicose outlook, trying to swindle some runs along the way. But there was limited success as multiple batters dragged it on to their stumps, before the final two partnerships flourished. Gudakesh Motie and Jomel Warrican began to play belligerent shots, with Warrican utilising the back of the bat while playing the reverse sweeps a handful of times.Shan Masood was adept against spin bowling•AFP/Getty ImagesFrom 66 for 8 at one stage, West Indies added 71 for the last two wickets. After Motie and Warrican had a partnership of 25, it was only during the last-wicket stand between Warrican and Jayden Seales when West Indies dominated the spinners. Both batters connected cleanly as they hit the spinners over cow corner for multiple sixes.That forced Pakistan into bringing on Abrar Ahmed for the first time. Eventually, Abrar did end the partnership, but only after the pair had plundered 46 runs off 21 balls. Seales failed to pick up a googly and miscued it straight up, as Rizwan took the catch and ended the punchy counterattack.If West Indies thought that their collapse against spin meant they too would be among the wickets in the final session, Masood and Hurraira soon disabused them off that notion. Seales, whose pace and seam movement had made him the surprise pick of the bowlers on the first day, reprised his potent threat but without the wickets that would reflect this in the scorecard.Masood, meanwhile, was proactive in his use of the feet, and adept against spin bowling, eager to attack and expand the lead even further before the day was done. Some untidiness crept into the bowling; there were 12 byes as the spin became as tricky to handle for the bowlers as it was for the batters. But Warrican was dangerous with the one that carried on with the arm, and got both his wickets that way – Hurraira at first, before Babar Azam played for the spin and found himself rapped in front of middle.West Indies were unfortunate not to snare Kamran Ghulam too when a miscued sweep struck him on the arm as he got down low. The umpire raised the finger, although HawkEye, incongruously, projected the ball to be rising well above the stumps.Jomel Warrican took three wickets in the first innings, before hitting 31* with the bat•PCBAs if to compensate, West Indies were gifted the wicket of Masood. He called for a run and didn’t quite realise that Ghulam was well down the pitch in response, and found himself stranded in the middle of the pitch. Thus, Masood was left with little chance of getting to the non-striker’s end, before Warrican whipped the bails off.Earlier, during the morning session, West Indies took four wickets for 13 runs to trigger a Pakistan collapse. That started by breaking the stand between Shakeel and Rizwan, leaving West Indies two wickets away from wrapping the hosts up. Shakeel and Rizwan had begun with the same authority with which they had ended the first day. But once Kevin Sinclair snared Shakeel 16 short of what would have been his fifth Test hundred, Pakistan’s resistance melted away.Only a punchy rearguard partnership between Sajid and Khurram Shahzad prevented West Indies from running through the innings even sooner, but Pakistan were still bowled out for 230 on the stroke of lunch.West Indies had begun the day by sticking to disciplined and tight lines, at one point conceding six runs in seven overs as Seales and Warrican locked in. But neither batter offered up chances during this time, and when Pakistan negotiated the first hour without loss, West Indies were in danger of being shut out of the game.Saud Shakeel fell 16 short of what would have been his fifth Test hundred•AFP/Getty ImagesBut the first ball after drinks brought joy for West Indies. Sinclair lured Shakeel forward before getting the ball to grip, and then taking his edge. As if it had been forgotten, the pitch suddenly began to remind everyone how hostile it could be to batters against quality spin, as the ball hissed and spat off the surface.Salman Ali Agha was deceived in the flight from Warrican to drag on before Pakistan imploded. A bizarre mix-up between Rizwan and Noman saw the former turn his back on Noman to leave him unsuccessfully scrambling to return to the non-striker’s end. But an attempted reverse sweep off the next delivery ended Rizwan’s own innings, as a sharp review from West Indies finished Rizwan’s innings on 71.It was only an entertaining stand from Sajid and Shahzad that saw a few more runs flow for Pakistan, before the innings petered out. Sajid launched Sinclair over cow corner for six amid a little flurry as Pakistan added 25 quickfire runs. But Warrican returned to fold the innings, making short work of both, as West Indies took the last six wickets for 43 runs in a session of two halves. It was a harbinger for the rest of the day, when the wicket-taking continued unabated.

South Africa marked their qualification for the WTC final in style, romping to a ten-wicket win over Pakistan. It is their seventh successive Test win, and came after two and a half days of toil with the ball before they finally prised Pakistan out for 478 in the third innings. A valiant century from Pakistan captain Shan Masood and numerous other contributions forced South Africa to bat again as the visitors overcame the second-highest first-innings deficit in Test history. However, the target – 58 – was little more than a formality, and South Africa took 7.1 overs to knock it off.But Pakistan made them wait for the win. When South Africa enforced the follow-on leading by 421 on Sunday afternoon, they did not anticipate having to bowl another 122.1 overs. Masood, unbeaten overnight on 102, carried on and tried to rebuild after a mammoth 205-run opening stand with Babar Azam. South Africa were frustrated for large parts of the day, most notably during an 88-run stand between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha in the afternoon. But Keshav Maharaj, who had been denied for most of the day, found the breakthrough, and regular wickets after that ensured a finish was on in the late-evening sunshine.Related

• Pakistan need to know what they want from Test cricket

• Youthful Maphaka finds – and gives – joy on challenging debut

Earlier in the day, Marco Jansen got nightwatcher Khurram Shahzad out early on before Rabada cleaned up Kamran Ghulam. Maharaj more or less bowled through the entire session, interrupted only when he switched ends at one point. His variations in pace and flight, as well as a ball that continued to turn, posed the most significant threat to the batters, but the wickets came to pace.Shahzad had done his job and never quite looked equipped to carry on too long. When a length ball from Jansen grew too big on him, he chipped it straight to Maharaj at point. Ghulam never quite appeared to settle, keeping the slip cordon interested throughout his innings. He should have been on his way without scoring when, in the same over as Shahzad fell, he slashed at a wide one but it burst through David Bedingham’s hands at first slip.Kyle Verreynne celebrates the key wicket of Mohammad Rizwan•AFP/Getty Images

That wicket was always coming though. Rabada’s increasing frustration at his wicketlessness and general indiscipline – he bowled another four no-balls this morning – was mounting. Just after overstepping, he found a beauty that nipped back off the seam into Ghulam, pegging back his middle stump. It was an excellent way to bring up his 50th Test wicket at Newlands, with the roar that followed it making clear how much it meant to him.Saud Shakeel and Masood continued to make South Africa work for each scalp, and yet South Africa could have had one more before lunch. Kwena Maphaka squared Shakeel up with a lovely delivery that straightened as it hit the pad, only for South Africa to opt against a review. As Shakeel received extensive treatment for the blow, Hawk-Eye showed it was hitting leg stump.Masood’s vigil at the crease ended in somewhat contentious circumstances. Maphaka got one to shape away off the seam that kept low before cannoning into the batter’s front pad. Umpire Nitin Menon felt it was missing off stump, but when South Africa reviewed, Hawk-Eye showed it hitting. It prompted a furious response from Masood, whose protests continued all the way along his slow walk off the crease and into the dressing room.It capped a bright first hour post lunch for South Africa. Shakeel had been dispensed with shortly after play resumed in much the same way he fell in the first innings: nicking off into the slips while drove at Rabada. With Masood departing, there was a danger Pakistan might crumple in a heap, as they have tended to recently.David Bedingham made short work of South Africa’s victory target•AFP/Getty Images

But Agha and Rizwan rebuilt once more. They wore off the sheen of the second new ball and kept the strike turning over. There were just three fours in the first 55 runs of the partnership as Pakistan looked to milk the tiring bowlers, but when Mulder erred, Agha was quick to put him away for two fours in three balls.The two carried on as Pakistan wiped out the deficit, but soon Rizwan chipped Maharaj to short cover, precisely where Bavuma had placed a fielder for the shot, and South African nerves began to loosen once again.Agha, having been reprieved by DRS, fell quickly after – two runs shy of his half-century – when a Maharaj delivery ripped and bounced, drawing a sharp catch for Aiden Markram in the slips. Mir Hamza came out and had a bit of fun, including a heave back over the bowler’s head for the only six of the innings. But it wasn’t built to last. Aamer Jamal reverse-swept Maharaj to slip before Rabada wrapped the innings up, and Bedingham and Markram sprinted off the field.Six years ago, at this very ground, Pakistan’s third innings ended on the third evening, with South Africa needing 41 to wrap the series up. Stumps were called, with the game concluding on the fourth morning.This time around, the South Africa openers did not let the match go into the next day. Bedingham provided a shot in the arm with an eye-catching little knock – an unbeaten 47 off 30 – that ensured it took South Africa just 43 balls to seal a win that, despite a very long wait in the field, was ultimately routine.

Whilst Nottingham Forest have secured a number of targets as of late, Rico Lewis is currently unlikely to join their list of incomings and that has forced the Tricky Trees to turn to an alternative option.

Nottingham Forest set to miss out on Lewis

After welcoming James McAtee from Manchester City, those at the City Ground were seemingly hoping to welcome a second Citizen in Lewis, only for the defender to decide to stay put at his boyhood club. Now, with the versatile defender reportedly closing in on a new deal at the Manchester club, Forest have been forced to end their pursuit and turn their focus towards other options.

What’s more, when asked about his future following last weekend’s 4-0 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening day, Lewis told reporters: “For me, I’ve never ever seen myself leaving. I’ve always wanted to play for City. It’s my dream. When I’m playing with the kind of players that I’m playing with, it brings out the best of me. So I’m so happy.

“Everyone wants that assurance and security, but at the end of day it’s on me. It’s on me to perform. Last season I played more than the season before. So it’s always the same goal – to become an established player.”

Related Nottingham Forest join Dortmund in race to sign "fantastic" Chelsea talent

Chelsea have already rejected Dortmund’s offer…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Aug 20, 2025

It’s a rare day when Evangelos Marinakis doesn’t get what he wants, but this time he’s been forced to look elsewhere for a defensive addition. As such, reports are already emerging that the Greek owner has shifted his focus towards a La Liga right-back.

Nottingham Forest in advanced talks to sign Carmona

As reported by ABC Sevilla and relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest are now in advanced talks to sign Jose Angel Carmona from Sevilla this month. The Midlands club have reportedly tabled an opening offer worth €10m (£9m) and expect to reach an agreement with the right-back as soon as possible.

Pivoting away from Lewis and towards the Spaniard in rapid fashion, the fact that Marinakis has worked with Sevilla sporting director Antonio Cordon in the past may have helped advance the deal for those at the City Ground.

League stats 24/25

Carmona

Lewis

Minutes

2,942

1,893

Assists

0

2

Tackles Won Per 90

1.80

0.90

Ball Recoveries Per 90

5.02

4.52

When compared last season, Carmona is the clear standout. His ball recovery numbers were particularly impressive in the previous campaign and that’s the type of energy that could see the 23-year-old push Ola Aina all the way for a starting place at Forest.

Praised as “exciting” by U23 scout Antonio Mango in 2022, Carmona has now added experience to the talent that he already had in abundance. Now, he could be about to take the Premier League by storm as the perfect alternative to Lewis for Nuno Espirito Santo.

Chelsea transfer chiefs could actually be in the market for another striker after sealing a £35 million deal for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato earlier this week, despite already bringing in Liam Delap and Joao Pedro this window.

Upgrade your next EPL matchday at Seat Unique

Secure your matchday experience with Seat Unique.

Buy Premium Now

Hato has put pen to paper on a seven-year contract after completing a medical on Friday, with the Dutchman set to provide cover for Marc Cucurella at left-back whilst also potentially reinforcing Enzo Maresca’s central defensive options from time to time.

The 19-year-old arrives at Stamford Bridge after making over 110 senior appearances for Ajax, despite his young age, which includes experience in European competitions as well.

Whilst Hato began his career predominantly at centre-half, Chelsea agree with former Ajax manager, Francesco Farioli, that his future is in the full-back area.

“Jorrel started as a central defender, but under our guidance he became a full-back at national team level,” said Farioli, via Ben Jacobs on X.

“This kind of transformation stems from a detailed analysis of his technical and physical attributes. “Hato has excellent technical skills, he’s physically strong and fast, and he’s good in one-on-one situations. While he may not have a natural defensive instinct as a centre-back, his experience in that role gave him good game-reading abilities.

“Ajax still viewed him as a central defender, but I believe that at the very highest levels, like the Premier League, a player who stands at 1.81m will struggle to play centrally, especially in physically demanding duels.

“In my opinion, his future lies more as a left-back, a position that requires both attacking and defensive qualities and fits better with his characteristics.”

Chelsea’s immediate next transfer plans will most likely revolve around their attack.

RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons remains in talks to join Chelsea, with the Netherlands international opting out of training on Friday and removing Leipzig from his Instagram bio as he pushes for a Stamford Bridge move (Fabrizio Romano).

Chelsea are also expected to bid for Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho in what would be a separate deal to Simons, with Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha remaining on BlueCo’s radar too.

Chelsea looking to strike "early" cut-price deal for Emmanuel Emegha

Reports suggest that Chelsea could still sign another striker if Nicolas Jackson leaves, and Emegha is chief among their targets after an excellent season in Ligue 1.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

The 22-year-old was clocked as the fastest player in France’s top flight last season with Chelsea looking to strike an “early deal” for Emegha, anticipating that his price tag could soar to £44 million-plus in the next few years if they don’t act now.

That is according to Telegraph journalist Matt Law, who told the London is Blue podcast this week that Chelsea aim to sign the Dutchman for a cheaper fee this

window.

“I was told by someone who works around the Strasbourg end of things, that they believe that one day this guy could be a €50m-plus striker,” said Law.

“I think maybe they’re looking to do an early deal for him, to get him into a Chelsea player, is looking at that fair market value.

“Because if you do it now, you can probably do it around, I’m guessing here. I don’t know that this is a figure, but say €25m (£22m). If you do it another year down the line, you might be looking at a fair market value of around €40m (£35m).”

Emegha bagged 14 Ligue 1 goals last term, alongside being Ligue 1’s most explosive player, but it is unclear what Chelsea’s plans will be for him, or whether he’d be thrust straight into Maresca’s first team.