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Leeds United have made a couple of much-needed signings in midfield this summer. After their incredible 100-point campaign in the 2024/25 Championship season, the Whites have made two new additions in the middle of the park to replace Josuha Guilavogui and Joe Rothwell, who have now left.

The first midfielder Leeds signed this summer was Newcastle United academy graduate Sean Longstaff. He joined for a reported fee of £12m from the Magpies. Daniel Farke’s side also signed German midfielder Anton Stach from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. He cost a reported £17.4m up front, with further add-ons.

However, the Yorkshire outfit are not seemingly done there when it comes to signing new midfielders this summer. They have recently been linked with a further man in the middle of the park.

Leeds’ next midfield target

So, there is a clear transfer policy at Elland Road this season, for the midfield to be strengthened ahead of a huge season back in the Premier League. With Longstaff and Stach through the door, it seems Leeds have identified their next target.

Transfer Focus

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

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According to a recent report from journalist Gianluigi Longari, Leeds are one of the sides who ‘have come forward’ about signing Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis. The Portuguese midfielder is a player who his club ‘might consider the departure of’ in the coming weeks.

However, this is not going to be an easy deal to do. Benfica have also ‘had inquiries from Serie A clubs in the past’, and recently other Premier League sides have shown interest. Fellow newly-promoted side Burnley are one side in the race, as are Everton.

It was reported last May that the Toffees made a bid of around £26m for Luis, so perhaps he would cost Leeds a similar fee.

Why Luis would be a good signing for Leeds

The 25-year-old defensive midfielder played an important role in the Benfica side last season. He’s become an established player for his boyhood club in the last few seasons, after having a couple of loan spells, including one for Ligue 1 side AS Monaco.

Last term, he made 45 appearances in all competitions, slotting in at the base of their midfield. In 26 appearances in the Portuguese top flight, he played 90 minutes in 15 of those games, helping to steer his side to a third-place finish.

The former Portugal under-21 international, who is yet to make a senior appearance for his country, was described as an “exceptional talent” by former boss Rui Vitoria.

As well as his strong defensive contributions, he also chipped in with two goals and one assist.

Luis is certainly consistent as a defensive midfielder. It could be argued that the 25-year-old has shades of former Leeds hero Kalvin Phillips. Although his career has taken a downward trajectory since departing Elland Road, his impact at his boyhood club was superb.

In 234 games for the Whites, the England international became a pivotal figure at the base of their midfield, scoring 14 goals and assisting 13, too. He was once described as ‘the best English midfielder there is by far’ by Gary Neville.

The statistics between Phillips’ debut campaign in the Premier League back in 2020/21, and Luis from Benfica’s most recent season, further reinforce the fact he is so similar to Leeds’ homegrown hero.

When looking at the numbers on FBref, the Benfica star averages 6.12 tackles and interceptions and 5.8 progressive passes per 90 minutes. In comparison, Leeds’ former midfielder averaged 4.41 tackles and interceptions and 5.07 progressive passes each game.

Luis and Phillips key stats compared

Stat (per 90)

Luis (2024/25)

Phillips (2020/21)

Progressive passes

5.8

5.07

Blocks

1.51

1.81

Tackles and interceptions

6.12

4.41

Aerial duels won

1.23

1.11

Ball recoveries

5.66

7.93

Stats from FBref

Not only will Luis bring quality out of possession, but his progressive nature will aid Leeds in build-up, too. There are certainly aspects of his game that are similar to Phillips’, especially his defensive work.

For a fee of around £26m, this could be a fantastic deal for Leeds to further enhance the quality in midfield.

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Posts ByDan Emery Jul 30, 2025

Newcastle United have made a habit of spotting Premier League talent before it reaches its full peak, and they may be about to do it again.

Two years ago, they moved decisively for a 21-year-old winger who, while already a Premier League regular, had yet to hit his top level.

His arrival was met with scepticism, but now he is one of their most valuable assets and an England international.

That player was Anthony Gordon, signed from Everton for around £45m in January 2023.

The deal was framed as an investment in a player whose best football was ahead of him.

Newcastle’s patience has been rewarded.

Gordon’s pace, directness, and work rate have been crucial in Eddie Howe’s high-tempo system, and his trajectory has vindicated the club’s willingness to back promise over proven elite output.

Fast-forward to this summer, and the club appear poised to repeat the formula.

Another move is in the works for another young, attack-minded Premier League player. One who has endured an injury-disrupted couple of years but retains a reputation as a difference-maker when fit.

Newcastle set to sign a new midfield spark

According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle are set to complete the signing of Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey, with a full agreement for around £40m close.

Transfer Focus

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

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Toon reporter Craig Hope revealed on Wednesday morning that Ramsey “wants to join” and there is confidence he will be a Newcastle player “before the weekend”.

The 24-year-old, described by journalist Charles Watts as “special,” looks set to bolster a midfield currently light on numbers.

Howe admitted to the Evening Chronicle that he was concerned about the depth in midfield after Sean Longstaff’s sale to Leeds United and Joe Willock’s injury in pre-season against the K-League XI.

“We want six – and now we are down to four,” he said.

The lack of cover has been so noticeable that Harrison Ashby, traditionally a right-back, was deployed in midfield during the Sela Cup match against Atlético Madrid.

Ramsey would offer a blend of forward thrust, ball-carrying, and defensive industry, making him a natural fit for Howe’s style.

The timing is intriguing too. Newcastle’s opening fixture of the new season is away at Villa Park, the ground where they suffered a bruising 4-1 defeat last season.

Shades of Gordon in the numbers

Injuries have undoubtedly slowed Ramsey’s progress.

He missed 36 games during the 2023/24 season through various setbacks, followed by ten more in 2024/25.

Still, when available, he has shown he can influence matches at the highest level.

His Premier League debut came as a 19-year-old in September 2020 in a 3-0 win over Fulham, and he netted his first league goal just over a year later against Arsenal.

The parallels between Gordon’s rise at Newcastle and Ramsey’s potential are clear, particularly when looking at each player’s best season at their respective clubs – Gordon’s 2023/24 at Newcastle and Ramsey’s 2022/23 at Villa.

According to FBref, Gordon leads in some attacking metrics, reflecting his role as a wide forward: he averaged 4.30 progressive carries per 90 compared to Ramsey’s 3.12, and produced 4.45 shot-creating actions per 90 to Ramsey’s 2.76.

His touches in the attacking third were also higher (22.8 per 90 to Ramsey’s 14.4), underlining his advanced positioning.

Yet Ramsey edges Gordon in other areas. He attempts slightly more progressive passes (3.35 to Gordon’s 3.15) and has a higher pass completion rate (81.9% to Gordon’s 76.1%).

His defensive contributions are also more prominent – 2.35 tackles and 1.64 blocks per 90, compared to Gordon’s 1.71 tackles and 0.84 blocks.

These figures point to a player who can both break up play and transition his team into attack efficiently.

There’s also the market reality. Gordon’s current value sits at £56m via Transfermarkt after his growth under Howe; Ramsey’s is £28m

Should Ramsey adapt quickly, Newcastle could again find themselves with a player whose price doubles within a couple of seasons.

Gordon himself has spoken recently about feeling “refreshed” and having “got [his] appetite back for football” – words that could just as easily be Ramsey’s in a year’s time if things go to plan.

Gordon thrived when placed into a high-intensity, attacking side with clear tactical demands. Ramsey could benefit from the same clarity after two injury-hit campaigns in the Midlands.

The first test of Ramsey’s potential impact could come almost immediately.

Facing his former club on the opening weekend, in front of a raucous Villa Park crowd, would be a trial by fire, but also an opportunity to show exactly why Newcastle have spent big to secure his signature.

Much like Gordon before him, Ramsey arrives with a mixture of promise and unanswered questions.

Can he stay fit? Can he adapt to a slightly different role? And can he take the leap from a talented Premier League player to one capable of shaping Newcastle’s biggest matches?

If history is any guide, Howe and Newcastle’s recruitment team will back themselves to get it right.

Related Shades of Ben Arfa: Newcastle to accelerate interest in £30m "genius"

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Posts ByBen Gray Aug 12, 2025

Head’s innings of 140 was scored at a strike-rate of 99.29 and flattened India by the time they came out to bat in the final session

Deivarayan Muthu07-Dec-2024

Getty Images

A whirlwind century from hometown hero Travis Head blew India’s attack away and thrilled the Adelaide crowd on day two of the pink-ball Test. Head’s 140 off 141 balls swelled Australia’s first-innings lead to 157, leaving India facing a challenging final two hours under the floodlights. The visitors fell further behind when they lost half their side during that period when the pink ball was at its most potent. At stumps, India were 128 for 5, still 29 runs behind.Head had walked out to generous applause from his home crowd and into a bit of trouble in the middle after Jasprit Bumrah had taken out both Nathan McSweeney and Steven Smith in a space of 13 balls. While McSweeney nicked a Bumrah special behind to Rishabh Pant, after managing to add just one to his overnight tally of 38, Steven Smith was caught down the leg side for 2.After the floodlights had blacked out twice on the opening day, Australia’s batting threatened to black out on the second afternoon. Head, however, had other ideas and torched the innings with his no-holds-barred approach. He played and missed four of his first nine balls, but that certainly didn’t stop him from playing his shots. He stayed true to his method of staying leg-side of the ball and cracking it away into the shorter pockets of the ground square on the off side.He also cleared the longer straight boundary when he crashed R Ashwin over mid-off and then over his head for sixes, including a 110-metre monster hit over the sightscreen.Head scored his first fifty off 63 balls and took only 48 more balls to convert it into a hundred. He celebrated the landmark by rocking his bat like a baby in tribute to his family’s new arrival, with his wife and newborn among a 51,642-strong home crowd. A hug from fellow South Australian Alex Carey was also part of the revelry.Indian fans would be sick of the sight of Head by now. Since 2023, he has hit 1052 runs in 19 innings against India across formats at an average of 61.9 with three centuries, including tons in the previous cycle of the WTC final and 2023 ODI World Cup final.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Head had set to work on Saturday by adding 65 with Marnus Labuschagne and then 74 with Carey. Labuschagne’s innings was as fluent as Head’s but it was one that he needed to work his way back into form after having managed just 123 runs in his last ten Test innings, of which 90 came in one knock against New Zealand, before the Adelaide Test. Having been afforded some fairly comfortable leaves on the first evening, India’s seamers made Labuschagne play a lot more on the second afternoon. Whenever they erred too straight or into his pads, Labuschagne picked them away with compact drives and flicks.Labuschagne got to his fifty off 114 balls and celebrated it by taking the erratic Harshit Rana for three fours in four balls. After having late-cut the taller, quicker Rana with ease, Labuschagne was caught at gully when he tried a similar shot off the shorter, slower pace of Nitish Kumar Reddy.Head was more brutal on Rana, hitting him for 41 off 29 balls. It didn’t really matter what came down at Head. Short. Full. On the stumps. Outside off stump. Everything was dispatched.Mohammed Siraj, though, gave India some control and backed Bumrah up. He picked up his first wicket in the game when he extracted extra bounce and coaxed an outside edge from Carey.R Ashwin’s only wicket was Mitchell Marsh but that was down to some good fortune. After shaping to defend a non-turning offbreak from Ashwin, Marsh walked off even before umpire Richard Illingworth raised his finger and didn’t even contemplate a review. There was nothing on Snicko, with replays also indicating that the ball had missed the outside edge.Head attacked the second new ball as well, whipping Bumrah for a brace of fours. He then picked Siraj up for an imperious six over square leg in the next over, but Siraj struck back the next ball to york Head. Siraj released his pent-up emotions and gave Head a send-off that didn’t go too well with him or his beloved Adelaide crowd.The boos rang out but Siraj proceeded to dismiss Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland soon after tea to wrap up Australia for 337. Bumrah, who had gone down with some discomfort, which prompted medical attention, four balls into his spell with the second new ball, recovered to knock Cummins over.Related

Siraj vs Head: The send-off that turned Adelaide Oval into the Colosseum

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As it happened – Cummins bags five to make it 1-1

Cummins then took centerstage with the ball and cramped KL Rahul with a lifter for 7 off 10 balls. Just before stumps, he hit the top of Rohit Sharma’s off stump with an absolute peach.Rohit had a shaky stay, having been struck on the helmet by his first ball from Starc. He was then bowled next ball, but a no-ball reprieved him. Cummins did Rohit in just before the close of play, with no error in the placing of his heel.It was Boland who had prised out Virat Kohli by pushing a length ball on a fourth-stump line and drawing an outside edge from him. Boland had earlier struck with his first ball to dislodge Yashasvi Jaiswal for 24 off 31 balls. He has seamlessly slotted into the bowling attack and could pose an interesting selection question for the Brisbane Test though Josh Hazlewood is hopeful of returning to action for that fixture.Starc not striking with the pink new ball in his first spell might be an aberration, but he came back with the older one to storm through the defences of Gill with a hooping inswinger that also seamed in late.Pant, however, continued to do Pant things. Despite the rush of wickets, he charged out of the crease and manufactured swinging room to smash his first ball over mid-off for four. He then unfurled the reverse pull and the falling scoop to counter Australia’s quicks briefly. He remained unbeaten on 28 off 25 balls.India will need more of this from Pant – and more support from Reddy – if they are to somehow pull off another heist in Australia.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos volta a atuar pela Copa Sul-Americana nesta terça-feira (2). O adversário da vez é o Newell’s Old Boys, líder do Grupo E. Para conseguir os pontos e tomar a primeira posição da chave, o Peixe terá que driblar a ausência de Soteldo, camisa 10 e um dos principais destaques do Alvinegro Praiano.

+Guia Santos: veja a análise dos adversários, onde assistir e tudo sobre o Peixe na Sul-Americana

Sem poder contar com o venezuelano por conta de uma lesão muscular moderada na posterior da coxa esquerda, Daniel Ruiz é o favorito para assumir o espaço.

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+Joia de 15 anos estreia pelo Barcelona: lembre 28 jogadores que começaram cedo no profissional

Pelo Brasileirão, o colombiano ficou com a responsabilidade de substituir Soteldo, pois o jogador não pôde atuar na 2ª rodada por conta de uma suspensão.

Na briga pela vaga, Ângelo também visa espaço, mas Odair Hellmann deve ir com Daniel Ruiz para manter formação tática semelhante com a dos últimos jogos. Correndo por fora, Lucas Braga está disponível para ser utilizado pelo treinador Odair Hellmann. Todavia, por retornar agora de lesão, o ponta deve começar no banco.

Com base nessas informações, Odair Hellmann deve armar o Santos da seguinte forma: João Paulo; Nathan (Inocêncio), Messias, Bauermann e Lucas Pires; Rodrigo Fernández, Dodi e Lucas Lima; Daniel Ruiz (Ângelo), Mendoza e Marcos Leonardo.

تحدث مدرب كيرات الماتي، رافائيل أورازباختين، عن مواجهة فريقه أمام ريال مدريد يوم غدًا الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

كيرات يستضيف ريال مدريد يوم غدًا الثلاثاء في كازاخستان، وذلك لحساب الجولة الثانية من مرحلة الدوري في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويسعى كيرات إلى خلق المفاجأة والفوز على ريال مدريد، واستغلال خسارة الميرنجي الأخيرة أمام أتلتيكو مدريد بخمسة أهداف مقابل هدفين في الدوري الإسباني يوم السبت الماضي.

اقرأ أيضًا .. فالدانو يحذر ألونسو: خماسية أتلتيكو ناقوس خطر.. وهناك بوادر تحسن

وقال أورازباختين خلال المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص باللقاء والذي نقله موقع ”tribuna”: “إنها مباراة تاريخية ومصدر فخر لنا، أن يلعب ناد مثل ريال مدريد هنا، عندما رأينا ريال مدريد في القرعة كان الأمر ممتعًا للغاية، نحن متحمسون للغاية وسعداء بالمشاركة في حدث كهذا”.

وأضاف عن مدرب ريال مدريد، تشابي ألونسو: “حاولت تطبيق بعض أفكاره، إنه مدرب يعجبني وعصري للغاية، ريال مدريد سيخرجون أكثر حماسًا وسيلعبون بقوة أمامنا بعد الخسارة في الديربي وهناك بعض الحيل الصغيرة التي سنحاول استخدامها”.

وأوضح: “لم نشاهد جميع مباريات ريال مدريد لكننا درسنا آخر خمس مباريات، بما في ذلك مباراة باريس سان جيرمان في كأس العالم للأندية، الهزائم واردة وهذه هي كرة القدم، نعلم جميعًا أن ريال مدريد فريق مستقر للغاية لذلك لا نولي أهمية كبيرة لمباراتهم ضد أتلتيكو، لقد غيروا تشكيلتهم الأساسية ولا أعرف إن كان ذلك قد أثر على النتيجة، من الصعب جدًا الحكم على أداء الفريق ونركز على تحليل المباريات التي فازوا بها”.

وأردف: ”ريال مدريد لا يعاني من نقاط ضعف كثيرة، من خلال تحليل مبارياتهم اكتشفنا بعض التفاصيل الصغيرة، وهي موجودة في جميع الفرق، لا أستطيع الكشف عنها، إنه سر وسترون بعضًا من حيلنا الصغيرة خلال المباراة”.

واختتم: ”ريال مدريد فريق يسيطر على الكرة بشكل ممتاز ولديهم نجوم مثل مبابي وفينيسيوس وماستانتونو، لم يطبق تشابي جميع أفكاره بعد، التغييرات واضحة لكنه يحتاج إلى مزيد من الوقت، لدينا أيضًا أفكار حول أسلوب لعبهم وسنحاول الاستفادة منها”.

 

MatériaMais Notícias

Após a vitória sobre o Atlético-MG, que garantiu a classificação do Corinthians às quartas de final da Copa do Brasil, na última quarta-feira (31), o elenco da equipe alvinegra deve ser preservada no compromisso deste sábado (3), contra o América-MG, em Belo Horizonte, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. 

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Os titulares contra o Galo fizeram o segundo dia consecutivo de atividades regenerativas antes da viagem da delegação corintiana até a capital mineira. Assim, jogadores como Murillo, Matheus Bidu, Fausto Vera, Maycon, Renato Augusto, entre outros podem ser preservados do encontro diante do Coelho. 

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Suspenso pelo terceiro cartão amarelo recebido no triunfo corintiano diante do Fluminense, no último fim de semana, o zagueiro Gil nem viajou para Minas Gerais. Caetano deve ser titular da posição ao lado de Bruno Méndez. 

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Diferentemente do que fez contra o Atlético-MG, o técnico Vanderlei Luxemburgo não deve escalar a sua equipe com três defensores, mas com uma linha de quatro, com dois laterais. Assim, o garoto Renato, de 19 anos, terá a sua primeira experiência entre os relacionados. Ele atua pela equipe sub-20 do Corinthians.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe os jogos do Timão

O volante Cantillo, que deve ser negociado na janela de transferências que vai abrir nas próximas semanas, treinou parcialmente com o elenco corintiano, mas ainda é baixa pois se recupera de um desconforto muscular em uma das coxas. Além dele, Paulinho também está fora da partida, pois ainda avalia uma entorse no joelho esquerdo sofrido no empate sem gols contra o Argentinos Juniors, em Buenos Aires, há duas semanas. 

continua após a publicidade

Assim, a provável escalação inicial do Corinthians contra o América-MG é: Cássio; Fagner, Bruno Méndez, Caetano e Fábio Santos; Roni, Giuliano, Matheus Araújo; Adson, Yuri Alberto (Felipe Augusto) e Wesley (Róger Guedes). 

+ Veja horários e todos os confrontos das próximas rodadas do Brasileirão

Confira abaixo a lista de relacionados para a partida: 

Goleiros: Carlos Miguel, Cássio e Matheus Donelli
Laterais: Fábio Santos, Fagner, Matheus Bidu e Rafael Ramos
Zagueiros: Bruno Méndez, Caetano, Murillo e Renato
Meio-campistas: Fausto Vera, Giuliano, Matheus Araújo, Maycon, Renato Augusto, Ruan Oliveira e Roni
Atacantes: Adson, Chrystian Barletta, Felipe Augusto, Pedro, Róger Guedes, Romero, Wesley e Yuri Alberto

Graham Potter already has his work cut out to get a disgruntled West Ham United fanbase back on his side.

Two games down in the brand new Premier League season, and the Hammers find themselves in a miserable rock bottom position, having just shipped five goals to Potter’s ex-employers Chelsea in a humiliating 5-1 home defeat.

With just five wins from 21 games in charge now, the worry will be that the 50-year-old boss is already under significant pressure to turn matters around, or face the earliest boot of the season.

He will surely hope that more transfers in through the door can give him the best possible chance at hanging onto his job post, as the premature relegation candidates continue to be linked with a whole host of exciting names.

West Ham lodge £17.5m bid for new midfielder

The dark clouds hanging over proceedings at the London Stadium could be lifted by a positive incoming or two.

The basement side isare tipped to be in the race to land Raheem Sterling as he navigates a Chelsea exit this summer, while they are also deep in the battle to snap up promising AS Monaco midfielder Soungoutou Magassa, having even submitted a bid for his services.

Another bid has also been lodged by the Hammers to snap up Torino’s midfield ace Ivan Ilic, with Hammers News revealing that the same £17.5m package that was put forward for Magassa – before Nottingham Forest raced ahead of Potter and Co. for the 21-year-old – has now been placed on the table for the Serbian.

The report does state there is no concrete update on whether Ilic would welcome a move to East London, but he is seen as an alternative to the in-demand Magassa.

The 24-year-old might actually be deemed as the better option to pursue, with Potter perhaps winning another Tomas Soucek-style figure by landing the impressive Serbia international.

How Ilic can become Potter's new Soucek

Soucek might well have been subject to interest from the likes of Everton and Leeds United earlier in the transfer window, but it looks as if the towering midfield presence will remain at West Ham, even as they likely prepare for a tough battle against the drop.

Coming in at 247 games now for the Hammers, it would have been a real shame if the long-standing servant decided he had enough this summer, with a stunning 41 goals and 13 assists also on his side, away from completing his usual forceful midfield duties.

Losing such a much-loved body would have been disastrous, therefore, but Potter will feel more at ease with his midfield options – away from relying on Soucek – if he can snap up Ilic just in time before September’s cut-off, with his well-rounded game drawing some similarities to the Czech icon.

Indeed, from 68 games for current employers Torino, Ilic has displayed a similar strength to Soucek in chipping with goals and assists, with seven strikes and six assists tallied up from those clashes.

Ilic in Serie A vs Soucek in PL

Stat

Ilic

Soucek

Games played

136

196

Games started

106

181

Goals scored

9

36

Assists

10

9

Sourced by Transfermarkt

His former Slavia Prague counterpart does have the boost of scoring 27 more career strikes for West Ham, compared to Ilic’s lesser nine goals in the Serie A, but the correlations between the two don’t end here.

When the 24-year-old was at the peak of his powers in the Italian top-flight, he would forcefully win duels for fun, as seen in his average of 4.6 won per Serie A clash during the 2021/22 campaign for Hellas Verona.

Soucek won five per game last season during 30 Premier League contests, with the duo together perhaps giving the Hammers some well-needed grit centrally to toughen up after a disastrous run of defeats, on top of also being able to offer the likes of Niclas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen further up the pitch a helping hand.

After all, football analyst Ben Mattinson has previously heralded Ilic as a “complete” midfielder, while also further waxing lyrical about how “underrated” of a presence he is, strutting his stuff in Serie A.

Soucek has also been showered with the same level of praise, having been once lauded as having “absolutely everything” you need in a midfielder by ex-Irons player David Connolly back in 2021.

Potter will hope he has uncovered this next Soucek by Ilic entering through the door, with the Serbian also being another feel-good presence to steer the club away from relegation doom.

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Posts ByTom Cunningham Aug 23, 2025

أصدر نادي ريال مدريد بيانًا رسميًا منذ لحظات، والذي يتحدث عن الإصابة التي تعرض لها دين هويسن خلال الساعات الأخيرة، أثناء تواجده مع منتخب إسبانيا خلال فترة التوقف الدولي الجاري.

هويسن غادر معسكر منتخب إسبانيا صباح اليوم الأربعاء، وذلك عقب الإصابة التي تعرض لها والتي ورد أنها إصابة عضلية نتيجة إجهاد، بالتالي لن يلعب المدافع الشاب مع لاروخا أمام جورجيا وبلغاريا في تصفيات قارة أوروبا المؤهلة لبطولة كأس العالم العام المقبل في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وكندا والمكسيك.

ويعتبر هويسن حجر أساس في تشكيلة نادي ريال مدريد، ويعول عليه المدرب تشابي ألونسو بشكل دائم، وكذلك الأمر بالنسبة للاعب الشاب مع منتخب إسبانيا.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مدة غياب هويسن المتوقعة عن ريال مدريد.. وموقفه من الكلاسيكو

وقال ريال مدريد في البيان: ”بعد الفحوصات التي أجريت اليوم للاعبنا دين هويسن، والتي خضع لها من قبل الخدمات الطبية لريال مدريد، تم تشخيص إصابته في عضلة النعل”.

ولم يكشف ريال مدريد عن مدة غياب هويسن عن الملاعب، لكن الموثوقة آرانشا رودريجيز أفادت أن ابن الـ20 عامًا سوف يغيب عن الملاعب لمدة 15 يومًا.

وفي سياق متصل أفاد الصحفي الإسباني، سيرجيو كيرانتي، أن مدة غياب هويسن قد تصل إلى 12 يومًا فقط، مما يعني أنه سوف يكون جاهزًا لمواجهة ريال مدريد وبرشلونة في كلاسيكو الليجا المرتقب، ويوم 26 أكتوبر المقبل على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”.

Australia’s stand-in captain previously had surgery on the same elbow in 2019

Andrew McGlashan21-Jan-20250:46

Smith: Missing the 10k-run mark ‘hurt a little bit’

Steven Smith was fearful he had done significant damage to his elbow when he felt pain throwing in the BBL last week in what would been a major jolt to Australia’s plans in Sri Lanka.But after advice from a specialist Smith was cleared to join the training camp in Dubai where he arrived on Tuesday and is planning on resuming batting in the next couple of days. He is Australia’s captain for the two Tests in Galle with Pat Cummins on paternity leave.Related

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Smith’s scare came to the same elbow he had ligament surgery on in 2019 – which required lengthy rehab – and it was memories of that which were at the forefront of his mind at the SCG last Friday.Outlining how the problem occurred, Smith explained he had taken a catch off David Warner, flicked it back inside the rope and was then throwing the ball in when he felt the pain.”Straight away I thought ‘oh jeez, that hurt’,” Smith said. “That was a similar sort of feeling to when I ruptured my ligament back in 2019, so I was a little bit worried for a little bit. But scans showed fortunately my ligament is still intact, the one that I got repaired. I’ve got a little bit of muscle damage, and it’s a small millimetre of the ligament on the bone that’s doing something.Smith added he believes the issue may have stemmed from a blow he took on the shoulder from Jhye Richardson earlier in the BBL which left a significant bruise on his right shoulder and led to him adjusting his throwing technique to compensate.Steven Smith will lead Australia in Sri Lanka•Getty Images

While he has been cleared of major problems with the elbow, Smith may be limited in how much he can throw in the field although as he will largely be a close catcher in a series where spin is expected to dominate that shouldn’t be a huge issue.”In terms of batting I’m pretty comfortable I’ll be able to get into it and play with some tape on it,” he said.Smith will start the Sri Lanka series on 9999 Test runs having twice been dismissed within touching distance of the 10,000 landmark during the final Test against India at the SCG.The full Australia squad, minus injured left-arm spinnerMatt Kuhnemann, is now in Dubai with Beau Webster and Mitchell Starc having arrived yesterday alongside Smith. They are preparing at the ICC Academy on bespoke pitches to replicate conditions they expect to face in Sri Lanka.”I was watching a bit there and there was a lot of variation in the spin and some bounce as well,” Smith said. “That’s the reason we are here in Dubai, we are able to do what we want to do with these wickets, try and help guys develop game plans when it does get extreme. Guys are going to learn over this week and hold us in good stead for the tour.”An update on Kuhnemann’s availability is expected in the next couple of days after he underwent surgery on a compound fracture-dislocation in his right thumb suffered in the BBL last week.

Sunderland are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017 and have been splashing the cash under owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.

The Black Cats have Regis Le Bris to thank for taking them out of the Championship and back into the top flight, with their transfer record being broken on numerous occasions in 2025 as a result.

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But who tops the charts as Sunderland’s most expensive addition of all time?

Sunderland’s most expensive signings of all time

Rank

Player

Fee

Signed from

Year

1

Habib Diarra

£27m

Strasbourg

2025

2

Simon Adingra

£21m

Brighton

2025

3

Enzo Le Fee

£19.3m

AS Roma

2025

4

Chemsdine Talbi

£18m

Club Brugge

2025

5

Brian Brobbey

£17.3m

Ajax

2025

6

Noah Sadiki

£15m

Royale Union Saint-Gilloise

2025

7

Didier Ndong

£13.6m

Lorient

2016

=8

Granit Xhaka

£13m

Bayer Leverkusen

2025

=8

Asamoah Gyan

£13m

Rennes

2010

10

Steven Fletcher

£12m

Wolves

2012

11

Omar Alderete

£10.4m

Getafe

2025

=12

Jack Rodwell

£10m

Man City

2014

=12

Darren Bent

£10m

Tottenham

2009

14

Nordi Mukiele

£9.5m

PSG

2025

=15

Wahbi Khazri

£9m

Bordeaux

2016

=15

Craig Gordon

£9m

Hearts

2007

=15

Ricardo Alvarez

£9m

Inter Milan

2015

=15

Robin Roefs

£9m

NEC Nijmegen

2025

=15

Jozy Altidore

£9m

AZ Alkmaar

2013

20

Jeremain Lens

£8m

Dynamo Kiev

2015

Detailed look at Sunderland’s 10 most expensive signings… 10 Steven Fletcher £12m from Wolves

Experienced striker Steven Fletcher arrived at Sunderland in 2012 after taking his first steps in English football with Burnley and Wolves.

The Scottish forward was 25 at the time of his move and would go on to spend four years at the Stadium of Light. His final months on the books with the Black Cats saw him on loan at French side Marseille.

9 Asamoah Gyan £13m from Rennes

After starring for Ghana at the 2010 World Cup, Sunderland made Asamoah Gyan their record signing on deadline day ahead of the 2010/11 season.

The Black Cats signed Gyan to replace Kenwyne Jones, and he would go on to score 11 goals in 37 appearances, leaving a year later.

8 Granit Xhaka £13m from Bayer Leverkusen

Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka returned to England with a move to Sunderland in 2025 from Bayer Leverkusen.

The Switzerland international helped Leverkusen win the Bundesliga in 2024 and cost the Black Cats an initial £13m which could rise with add-ons.

7 Didier Ndong £13.6m from Lorient

Sunderland’s record signing for nearly nine years was midfielder Didier Ndong, who cost the Black Cats just under £14m in August 2016.

The Gabon international struggled in England and was a part of the Sunderland side that were relegated in 2017, and he would then join Watford on loan in January 2018 as the Black Cats suffered back-to-back relegations.

Ndong was under contract until 2021 but his deal was terminated in 2018 after he failed to return to the club.

6 Noah Sadiki £15m from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise

One of a number of big-money signings in 2025 was midfielder Noah Sadiki, who cost £15m from Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

Sadiki was also wanted by fellow promoted side Leeds United but opted to choose Sunderland instead.

5 Brian Brobbey £17.3m from Ajax

Sunderland’s 2025 spending spree continued right up until the final hours, with Brian Brobbey arriving from Ajax.

The Black Cats acted quickly after Chelsea recalled Marc Guiu and spent more than £17m on the Dutch attacker.

4 Chemsdine Talbi £18m from Club Brugge

Promising winger Chemsdine Talbi also arrived at the Stadium of Light following Sunderland’s Premier League return.

The Moroccan international impressed for Club Brugge and signed a five-year deal.

3 Enzo Le Fee £19.3m from AS Roma

After helping Sunderland win promotion to the Premier League, Enzo Le Fee’s move to the Stadium of Light became permanent.

The obligation to buy the attacking midfielder from Roma set the Black Cats back just under £20m, with Le Fee signing a four-year deal.

2 Simon Adingra £21m from Brighton

After shining for Brighton & Hove Albion since 2023, winger Simon Adingra was yet another player who Sunderland splashed the cash on after returning to the top flight.

An Ivory Coast international, Adingra signed a five-year contract and there are also potential add-ons to increase an initial £21m fee.

1 Habib Diarra £27m from Strasbourg

Standing at the top of the charts as Sunderland’s record signing is central midfielder Habib Diarra.

The Senegal international captained at starred for Ligue 1 side Strasbourg at the age of 21, which resulted in the Black Cats pipping Leeds to a huge £27m transfer.