“I know most of his tricks so for sure I’ll be hunting him, first ball,” Taylor says of taking on his friend Akeal Hosein

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jun-2024USA opener Steven Taylor will be singing David Rudder’s when he lines up against the team he grew up supporting in Barbados on Friday night in the T20 World Cup 2024. Taylor, born in Florida to Jamaican parents, has also laid down a marker for his friend Akeal Hosein, whom he said he would be “hunting, first ball” at Kensington Oval.Taylor was brought up on America’s south-east coast but was a West Indies fan on account of his family heritage. He said it will be “a wonderful feeling” to play against West Indies on Friday: “I’m representing my parents, my Jamaican heritage,” he said. “At the end of the day, I might be born American, but I speak more Jamaican than I speak American sometimes.”While defeat will not mathematically eliminate USA, they realistically need to win both remaining games to qualify for the semi-finals.Related

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“[I remember] growing up, watching [Brian] Lara, Chris Gayle,” Taylor said. “To have the chance of playing against [West Indies] now and on a World Cup stage, on the highest stage of life… I might beat them. It might be a great feeling.Taylor was part of the USA side which lost by 39 runs to West Indies in the 50-over World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe last year, and said the margin of defeat showed they were capable of beating the opposition. “We gave them a fight at the end of the day and we know that we have a chance of beating them once we play good cricket on the day.”Speaking about playing West Indies, he said, “I used to sing the song ‘rally’ growing up as a kid, but at the end of the day, I’m representing my real country, where I was born and grown, and I just hope that we can come over the line against West Indies.” Asked if he would be singing the anthem on Friday, he said with a grin, “I did last time, but in my head.”Taylor has been on the books of three different CPL franchises and has also played regional cricket for Jamaica, and is relishing the chance to take on some familiar faces – and Hosein, his former Barbados Tridents team-mate, in particular. “He’s a good friend of mine,” Taylor said. “I know most of his tricks so for sure I’ll be hunting him, first ball.”

“We know that we’re going to be the underdogs for all teams that we play against in the Super Eights. So, we’re just here to play good cricket and if we go in, we win; if we lose, we lose”Steven Taylor

He is also looking forward to coming up against Andre Russell, another former team-mate: “I played with him most days,” Taylor said. “I wouldn’t say I look up to him, but he’s more of a big brother to me as well.”USA fell to an 18-run defeat in their opening Super Eight fixture against South Africa in Antigua, but took confidence from Andries Gous’ innings of 80 not out and a good comeback with the ball after an expensive start.”I would say we’re playing good cricket and the team is gelling well together,” Taylor said. “At the end of the day, we know that we’re going to be the underdogs for all teams that we play against in the Super Eights. So, we’re just here to play good cricket and if we go in, we win; if we lose, we lose.”

Glasgow Rangers manager Russell Martin gets to have a first look at his players in the flesh this week as some of his stars have returned for pre-season testing.

The new boss will also have the opportunity to speak with some members of the Ibrox squad in person, whilst the summer transfer window is in full swing.

In fact, journalist Scott Burns claims that the Rangers head coach is due to hold talks with central defender Robin Propper over his future at Ibrox beyond this summer.

FC Twente are eyeing up a move to bring him back to the Netherlands ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, but he has returned to pre-season testing with the Gers for now.

Martin must, now, tell the Dutch defender that he is not a part of his plans for the upcoming season, because the Light Blues should be looking to part ways with him in the coming weeks.

Why Rangers must sell Robin Propper

The Gers manager should move on from the 31-year-old flop this summer after he endured a difficult first season in Scottish football after his move from FC Twente last year.

In December, the central defender was hauled off at half-time against St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership and was heavily criticised by pundit Derek Ferguson.

The former Gers man said: “Propper is struggling. He’s been pretty vocal over the last couple of weeks that he’s finding it tough in our league. He’s been asked the question early on. It’s quite worrying when you see him struggling as bad as that. Look at the body language – he’s looking for a way out already.”

Propper, who was dribbled past 11 times in 22 Premiership starts, failed to deal with the physicality of the league during his debut season, which led to him being a bit-part player by the end of the campaign.

Fenerbahce

Unused substitute

Celtic

34 mins

Dundee

Unused substitute

Hibernian

Unused substitute

Athletic Club

13 mins

Aberdeen

90 mins

St Mirren

90 mins

Aberdeen

Unused substitute

Dundee United

Unused substitute

Hibernian

80 mins

As you can see in the table above, the experienced defender was far from a regular fixture in the starting XI for the Scottish giants, as he was an unused substitute in four of his last ten outings in the matchday squad.

Given that he is unlikely to have much room left for development at the age of 31, Rangers should move on from him this summer, amid interest from Twente, and their reported pursuit of an English star could send Propper packing.

Rangers in talks to sign English star

According to the Daily Record, Rangers are in ‘advanced talks’ with Leicester City to strike a deal for former England international Conor Coady this summer.

The report claims that the Light Blues have ‘ramped’ up their efforts to bring the central defender, who previously starred for Wolverhampton Wanderers, up to Scotland for the 2025/26 season.

Transfer Focus

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

It states that the Gers are ‘pushing’ to get a deal done quickly for the experienced defender, now that the club are starting to ramp up their pre-season preparations ahead of their Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos next month.

The Daily Record adds that Coady, who has one year left on his contract at the King Power, is open to a move to Ibrox this summer to secure his long-term future.

However, the report does not reveal how much money it will take to agree a deal with Leicester, or if they would be willing to waive a fee for the 32-year-old in order to shave his wages off.

Why Rangers should sign Conor Coady

Rangers should sign Coady from the Championship side, who were relegated from the Premier League this season, because he could send Propper packing this summer.

A deal to sign the former England international in the coming days or weeks would provide Martin with a vastly-experienced right-sided centre-back, which would negate any need to keep hold of Propper, who currently fills that role in the squad.

Coady, who played 22 times in the Premier League this season for the Foxes, would arrive at Ibrox as a hugely experienced player at the very top level, with 198 Premier League appearances and ten caps for England under his belt.

He is, therefore, used to the physicality of British football and can deal with the brute strength and dynamism of attackers in Scotland next season, whereas, Propper had never played domestic football outside of the Netherlands and looked ill-prepared for the task at hand.

Appearances

24

12

22

Pass accuracy

85%

93%

91%

Dribbled past per game

0.3x

0.1x

0.1x

Duel success rate

54%

64%

45%

Error led to goal

1

0

1

As you can see in the table above, Coady has largely been reliable as a physical presence in England in recent seasons, particularly when it came to stopping attackers from dribbling past him.

As aforementioned, one of Propper’s biggest problems in the Premiership was that strikers found it too easy to get the better of him, as he was dribbled past 11 times in 22 starts. That would not be a problem for the English titan, who has been dribbled past three times in his last 34 league outings.

The Leicester ace also showcased his quality in possession in the Championship in the 2023/24 season, ranking in the top 1% of his positional peers for progressive passes per 90 (7.20). This suggests that he would also add value in possession as part of a team that dominates the ball and looks to play forward.

Coady, who was described as an “infectious” character by Gareth Southgate, may be approaching the latter stages of his career, at the age of 32, but he appears to have the requisite qualities to take Propper’s place and send him packing back to FC Twente.

A Colak repeat: Club now pushing to sign Rangers star in the next 48 hours

Rangers could repeat their Antonio Colak masterstroke by selling this star this summer.

ByDan Emery Jun 23, 2025

Leeds United appear to be falling away in the race to sign Senegal international Habib Diarra from Strasbourg during the summer transfer window.

Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that a move to Elland Road for the central midfielder is “unlikely” because of issues in negotiations over personal terms with the player.

Jacobs, as seen in the post above, adds that the Championship champions did put a bid in for him last week, which shows that the Whites are in the market to sign a new central midfielder for Daniel Farke this summer.

However, that new midfield signing does not look set to be Diarra, given this latest update. That means that Leeds will have to look elsewhere in that position, and that is exactly what they are doing.

Leeds eyeing move for Diarra alternative

With a move for the Strasbourg midfielder on the rocks, the 49ers are now targeting an alternative option to bolster the team in that area of the pitch.

Transfer Focus

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

According to Leeds United News, the Whites have looked at a potential deal to sign Raphael Onyedika from Belgian side Club Brugge this summer.

Reporter Graeme Bailey told Leeds United News: “I’ve been told one name who West Ham like is Onyedika at Club Brugge. Leeds have looked at him as well. They want that type of player, that physicality.

“He’s a very good player and it wouldn’t surprise me either. He’s a threat, West Ham are looking at him as a replacement for Soucek. But he’s one player Leeds are looking at, and Leeds have got loads of options.”

The outlet quotes a price tag of around £26m, £25.6m to be precise, for the 24-year-old talent, but it remains to be seen whether West Ham or Leeds would be willing to pay that much for him.

Why Leeds should sign Raphael Onyedika

The Whites should push to beat the Hammers to his signature before the end of the summer transfer window because he would be an even better signing than Diarra.

Leeds will be battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League next season, given that the last six teams to come up from the Championship have come straight back down, and this means that they should be targeting players who can win duels and compete defensively in tight games.

This is why Onyedika would be a better signing in midfield for what the Whites need in the middle of the park, because he is a combative midfielder who can make tackles and win duels regularly.

Tackles won

26

13

Duels won

120

99

Duel success rate

49%

48%

Interceptions

22

13

Ball recoveries

153

90

Blocks

10

7

Aerial duel success rate

53%

43%

As you can see in the table above, the Nigeria international significantly outperformed Diarra at league level during the 2024/25 campaign when it came to their respective work out of possession.

These statistics suggest that Onyedika is far more effective defensively than the Strasbourg star, as he makes tackles, blocks, recoveries, and interceptions far more frequently than the Senegalese ace does.

This is why the 24-year-old star, who played 51 times in all competitions for Club Brugge this season, would be far more suited to playing in a team that is set to battle against the drop next term.

Therefore, Leeds should push ahead with a deal to sign Onyedika after their move for Diarra stalled, as he could be even better than the Ligue 1 gem due to his excellent defensive attributes.

Big Aaronson upgrade: Leeds close to agreeing deal for £30m "magician"

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1 ByDan Emery Jun 17, 2025

Ottneil Baartman (Texas Super Kings) and Lungi Ngidi (Seattle Orcas) will also be joining the MLC roster midway through the season

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Jul-2024

Pat Cummins signed a four-year deal with San Francisco Unicorns•ICC/Getty Images

Pat Cummins is due in the USA. The Australia fast bowler, last seen in action during the T20 World Cup that took place in America and West Indies, will begin his stint with the San Francisco Unicorns midway through the season at the Major League Cricket tournament.Cummins signed a four-year deal with the franchise. The 31-year-old has previously played in only one overseas T20 league, the IPL, and has not featured in Australia’s Big Bash League since the 2018-19 season due to his international commitments.The Unicorns have won only one of their three games so far this year and will enjoy the boost that Cummins will provide. He made history, picking up back-to-back hat-tricks at the T20 World Cup and, prior to that, led Sunrisers Hyderabad to the final in the IPL. He has played 151 T20s overall, picking up 172 wickets at an average of 26.66 and an economy rate of 8.11.Related

Visa issues stop Baartman joining Hampshire for Blast

Pat Cummins signs four-year deal with MLC's San Francisco Unicorns

Cummins’ arrival coincides with Sherfane Rutherford’s departure. The hard-hitting West Indies allrounder has not played any of the Unicorns’ matches so far and will miss the rest of the MLC due to a bereavement in the family.There were changes among the other teams as well with Ottneil Baartman replacing Gerald Coetzee (injury) at Texas Super Kings and Lungi Ngidi taking over from Wayne Parnell (player withdrawal) at Seattle Orcas.Baartman, the South Africa fast bowler, was ruled out of the T20 Blast currently taking place in England due to delays in getting his visa which left his schedule open. He has 107 wickets from 76 T20s and is known for his variations and death-bowling ability.Ngidi suffered a back injury during the SA20 at the start of the year and missed the IPL that followed but has since recovered and was part of South Africa’s squad at the T20 World Cup, along with Baartman.

كشف الإعلامي أحمد شوبير عن آخر مستجدات أزمة الزمالك المتعلقة بعدم دفع مستحقات اللاعب خوان ألفينا بيزيرا لناديه السابق أوليكساندريا الأوكراني.

وقال شوبير في تصريحات عبر برنامجه الإذاعي: “أُثيرت بالأمس قضية تتعلق بالالتزامات المالية لنادي الزمالك، خاصة فيما يتعلق بالفلوس والارتباطات، طبعًا نحن على علم بمشكلة الأرض، ونتمنى أن يتم حلها قريبًا لصالح النادي”.

طالع أيضًا | شوبير عن موقف الزمالك القانوني من أرض أكتوبر: الموضوع أصبح “سيادي”

وأضاف: “بالطبع أثرت هذه الأمور على التدفقات المالية، لكنه موضوع مرتبط بنادي أوليكساندريا الأوكراني، أول معلومة، أن النادي الأوكراني طالب بالقسط الأول، وهذا صحيح، لكن هل تقدم بشكوى؟ لا”.

وتابع شوبير: “ثاني معلومة، أن الصفقة مقسمة على ستة أقساط، وأول قسط قيمته ليست كبيرة، ثالث معلومة، أن نادي الزمالك طلب من النادي الأوكراني مهلة لدفع القسط الأول، وسيتم الاتفاق على موعد للسداد خلال الأيام القليلة المقبلة”.

وشدد: “بحسب مصادر داخل الزمالك، الأمور ستصل إلى حل ولن تصل أبدًا إلى شكوى لدى الفيفا أو أزمة قيد، كما قال البعض”.

واختتم: “النادي ينتظر في أقرب وقت توفر السيولة اللازمة للوفاء بالتزاماته، الجماهير في الزمالك بانتظار حل أزمة أرض أكتوبر بفارغ الصبر، لأن التدفقات المالية كلها تأتي من هذا المشروع الكبير، الذي يضع النادي آمالًا كبيرة جدًا فيه، وينتظر الجميع معرفة كيف ستسير الأمور”.

South Africa allrounder Chloe Tryon and Australia allrounder Erin Burns have joined Guyana Amazon Warriors ahead of the 2024 Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).Stafanie Taylor, who captained the Amazon Warriors to the final of the tournament last season, has been retained alongside Shabnim Ismail, Karishma Ramharack, Shemaine Campbelle, Natasha McClean and Shakera Selman.They need seven more players to complete their 15-member squad. Six of them will be picked from the WCPL draft which is due to be held in July and one other – the last remaining overseas pick – will be confirmed before the start of the new season.Tryon has represented South Africa in 98 T20Is, making 1136 runs and taking 35 wickets. She is currently with the national team on tour in India. Burns brings the experience of playing 162 T20s – 117 of which were at home at the Women’s Big Bash League, where she’s represented Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes. She has scored 2429 runs and picked up 80 wickets and was part of the Barbados Royals side that became champions last year.This year’s WCPL will be held in Trinidad from August 21 to 29, with all seven matches played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The tournament is in its third season and will be contested by Trinbago Knight Riders, Amazon Warriors and Royals.

Guyana Amazon Warriors squad so far

Stafanie Taylor, Shabnim Ismail, Karishma Ramharack, Shemaine Campbelle, Natasha McClean, Shakera Selman, Chloe Tryon and Erin Burns

Chelsea have now submitted a £50m proposal for a “generational” forward, who could be in line to join along with Joao Pedro, according to reporter Simon Phillips.

Pedro set for medical ahead of Stamford Bridge move

The Blues have certainly been busy in the opening stages of the summer transfer window, with a deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens believed to be edging closer to completion, and the Englishman is not the only forward in line to move to Stamford Bridge.

Indeed, Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro is edging closer to a move to west London, with a deal worth over £50m being agreed on Sunday evening.

Phillips has since taken to X to praise BlueCo for the way in which they have gone about business this summer, saying: “I applaud Chelsea for the speed of the Joao Pedro deal, no messing about there. Also, this is the club backing Enzo Maresca by the way.

“He put new attackers as the priority, and the club are getting players to match his footballing vision. More will follow, far from done here.”

With bringing in new attackers of key importance to Maresca, Chelsea have now made an approach for another forward, having submitted a £50m verbal proposal over a deal for West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus, Phillips has revealed (via The Chelsea Chronicle).

The proposal, which is not classed as an official offer, was knocked back by West Ham, however, with the Blues’ London rivals seemingly holding out for a higher fee, having previously valued the forward at £85m.

Despite the rejection, the Blues remain interested in signing Kudus alongside Pedro and Gittens, indicating they could return to the negotiating table with an official offer.

"Generational" Kudus could flourish at Chelsea

The Ghanaian struggled to stand out in a poor West Ham side last season, but he has proven himself in the Premier League in the past, picking up eight goals and nine assists in 33 matches during the 2023-24 campaign.

Not only that, but the 24-year-old is regarded as a “generational” talent by journalist Gary Al-Smith, indicating he could be capable of kicking on at a top club, should the Hammers be willing to sanction a departure this summer.

Related Fabrizio Romano: Star now set to sign new deal instead of joining Chelsea

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There may be some concerns the winger is not a necessary signing, given that fellow winger Gittens is already set to move to Stamford Bridge, but the Blues are in a healthy PSR situation, having effectively sold their women’s team to themselves.

As such, if Chelsea have cash to splash this summer, it could be worth bringing in Kudus, although the proposed £85m price tag is way too high, given that he is yet to prove himself at the very highest level.

He came into the role amid the Covid-19 pandemic having worked on the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup

Andrew McGlashan06-Aug-2024Nick Hockley has announced he will step down as Cricket Australia chief executive in March 2025 after five years in the job.Hockley, who has worked in the Australian game in various positions for 13 years, initially came into the role in an interim capacity early in the Covid-19 pandemic after Kevin Roberts resigned following unrest at CA’s initial handling of crisis which included a mass stand down of staff.He was appointed full time in May 2021 having helped the game navigate the 2020-21 season amid border closures which included successfully hosting the Test series against India that ensured the game was able to survive financially.”This was a difficult decision, however following what promises to be a blockbuster summer and with our five-year strategic plan well progressed, this is the right time to pursue another challenge, while giving the Board plenty of time to find its next CEO to build on the strong foundations now in place,” Hockley said.”This is not the time for goodbyes, as I remain completely focussed on the season ahead and supporting the Board on succession and a smooth transition.”Hockley’s final season in charge of CA will again see India visit, this time for a five-Test series, as well as the hosting of the Women’s Ashes in January.Alongside the pandemic, the major challenges on Hockley’s watch included an associated stand-off with broadcaster Channel Seven who pushed for a discount. Relationships were later repaired to an extent that Seven has remained a long-term broadcast partner, although the new seven-year deal signed with them and Foxtel in 2023 did not produce a significant uplift in value.However, he was able to oversee a much smoother MoU agreement compared to 2017 which included large pay increases in the women’s game.Hockley had to contend with the controversial departure of Tim Paine as Test captain on the eve of the 2021-22 Ashes, although the transition to Pat Cummins eventually proved smooth and successful, and an ugly split with head coach Justin Langer.Hockley also attempted to have David Warner’s lifetime leadership ban overturned although that fell apart in late 2022 when Warner angrily withdrew his case amid pressure from an independent panel to relive what happened at Newlands in 2018.He has been in charge during a period of significant on-field success which has included the men’s and women’s teams winning T20 and ODI World Cups plus the men claiming last year’s World Test Championship and the women gold in the Commonwealth Games. Significantly, in 2022 the men’s team also toured Pakistan for the first time since 1998.One of the major projects he has led in recent years has been the implementation of CA’s Multicultural Action Plan which aims to improve participation and attendance among the South Asian communities.”As CEO, Nick navigated the sport through a period of unprecedented challenge during the pandemic and has delivered significant growth and stability,” CA chair Mike Baird said. “Under Nick’s leadership, several major deals are now in place – many for the next seven years – and the game is set up for continued success.”As Nick says, his full focus is on delivering another successful summer for our fans, players, broadcasters, partners and the whole of Australian Cricket and there will be time to celebrate his legacy and achievements when he steps down from the role next year.”Prior to his hasty elevation into the top CA role, Hockley had been chief executive of the 2020 T20 Women’s World Cup committee that had staged the record-breaking tournament in Australia. Before that, he had worked on the 2015 Men’s World Cup, having also previously been involved in the London Olympics.CA will search globally for Hockley’s successor although Todd Greenberg, the current CEO of the Australia Cricketers’ Association, will likely be a frontrunner if he is interested in the job.

Sunderland are the early big spenders out of all the newly promoted teams heading up to the Premier League.

Leeds have secured three new buys in the form of Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol, and Sebastiaan Bornauw, but the Whites’ promising business has been blown out of the water by the Black Cats’ lavish approach, as seen in Sunderland forking out a combined £50m to land both Enzo Le Fee and Habib Diarra.

Plenty more luxurious buys could soon be on the menu away from this club-record £30m deal, as Regis Le Bris eyes up Ligue 1 and beyond to improve his budding squad.

More transfers expected at Sunderland

Le Bris must know the French top division inside and out, having previously been at the helm of ex-employers Lorient in the division.

Transfer Focus

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

He’s certainly clued up on those who he thinks could take the Premier League by storm, with Sunderland reportedly interested in the likes of Lyon’s electric attacker Georges Mikautadze and standout Toulouse centre-back Charlie Cresswell to immediately improve their first-team options, while they are also allegedly keeping close tabs on 20-year-old starlet Arthur Evom Ebong.

Yet, his next buy could see him venture out to Serie A to try and link up with Matteo Guendouzi.

Indeed, reports from Italy suggest that Lazio are scared about the prospect of keeping their star Frenchman around this summer, with Aston Villa, neighbours Newcastle United and Sunderland named as interested parties.

19/20

34

0

3

18/19

48

1

2

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Although it is reported that Sunderland may have to splash out a club-record £43m to land Guendouzi, it could be a worthwhile splurge to make, even as the Black Cats edge closer to adding Noah Sadiki to their plentiful midfield options.

His wealth of Premier League experience could potentially be invaluable to the Wearside underdogs as they climb back up to the top-flight, alongside the fact that the 26-year-old has turned into an even more formidable central midfield option in Italy.

Why Guendouzi would be a better signing than Sadiki

Of course, Sadiki could go on to be another youngster that Sunderland manage to get the very best out of, with the Congo international no doubt joining the Stadium of Light ranks dreaming of becoming the Black Cats’ next Jobe Bellingham-style project.

Last season, the 20-year-old undoubtedly impressed those out in Belgium, with the versatile Saint-Union Gilloise number 27 helping himself to two goals for his Europa League-competing outfit across the 2024/25 campaign, leading to Sunderland making their £17.75m move.

Yet, if it’s immediate success Sunderland are after – instead of waiting around for a youngster to learn the Premier League ropes – Guendouzi is their next best possible buy.

The 6-foot-1 battler is very much well-versed in what it takes to be a competent performer in some top leagues, having now made a mammoth 151 appearances in both Ligue 1 and Serie A, away from just his 57 top-flight outings in North London.

He will no doubt be chomping at the bit to return to England, too, considering he wasn’t always the star of the show at the Gunners. Still, even from just 23 Premier League starts during his final Arsenal season, he still showed off his presence as a “monster” – as he’s been glowing labelled by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – winning 4.8 duels per game.

Games played

37

Goals scored

1

Assists

3

Touches*

68.3

Accurate passes*

52.1 (91%)

Ball recoveries*

4.7

The 26-year-old has since refined other aspects of his varied game at the Stadio Olimpico, with the table above showing off his well-rounded characteristics as a far more confident and assured performer when averaging a mightily impressive 91% pass accuracy last season in the hustle and bustle of Serie A.

If there’s any manager that could get even more of Guendouzi, too, it’s Le Bris, with the popular Wearside boss once coaching the Frenchman during the early stages of his football education at Lorient.

Also hailed as possessing “something special” by journalist Aaron West in the past, it does feel as if the time is right for the ex-Gunners midfielder to return to England and be a star, whilst Sadiki waits for his moment in the spotlight down the line.

Shades of Cresswell: Sunderland now in advanced talks to sign £4m star

Sunderland will be looking to the future if they successfully snap up this £4m gem.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 3, 2025

Manchester United failed to impress last season, and won’t play any football overseas next season. Ruben Amorim’s side finished 15th in the Premier League and lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.

And yet…

And yet Man United have moved with vicious intent in the summer transfer window, winning the race for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha before setting their sights on Brentford talisman Bryan Mbeumo.

Mbeumo, 25, scored 20 league goals last year as he underscored his credentials as one of English football’s finest goalscorers. Many teams have registered their interest, but the Cameroonian has reportedly informed the Bees that if he is to leave the Gtech this summer, Old Trafford is the sole destination he has in mind.

With Arsenal, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur among the curious parties, it’s a fine representation of the Theatre’s unbreakable pull.

However, will that influence be enough to convince Viktor Gyokeres?

The latest on Viktor Gyokeres to Man Utd

As soon as Amorim was confirmed last autumn, rumours surfaced pertaining to Gyokeres’ eventual transfer to Manchester.

Those rumours persist still, but the forward’s hesitance to commit to the move, with Arsenal also chasing his signature, comes as a by-product of last season’s struggles.

Having played under Amorim’s wing at Sporting, Gyokeres’ skill set has been infused with a natural grasp of the way United are now trying to play. He’d be perfect, no doubt.

However, the Sweden striker is 27, and thus it’s understandable that he’d want to make the most of his prime years by playing at the highest level.

Still, United aren’t out of the equation, with Caught Offside revealing it is a matter of time until Gyokeres completes his big move – and the Red Devils very much remain in the race.

1.

Viktor Gyokeres

33

39

2.

Kylian Mbappe

34

31

3.

Mohamed Salah

38

29

4.

Robert Lewandowski

34

27

5.

Harry Kane

31

26

With Arsenal believed to be favourites, though, it would be remiss of INEOS not to identify an alternative, and talks have indeed commenced for the transfer of a former Premier League sensation.

Man Utd enter race for Gyokeres alternative

According to reports in Spain, Man United have entered the race for Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney, who left Brentford to join the Saudi Pro League in a £40m deal last summer.

In fact, the English outfit have already placed a proposal on the table worth €35m (£30m), which could lead to Amorim securing a bargain for a Premier League-proven frontman.

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Discussions between United and the 29-year-old’s entourage are also underway, and the feeling at Old Trafford is that a shrewd signing can be completed in the coming weeks.

What Ivan Toney would bring to Man Utd

With Rasmus Hojlund set to leave Manchester after a pretty abject year, United desperately need to sign a centre-forward who will provide and sustain a strong, prolific presence.

Former Brentford superstar Toney would certainly arrive with the reputation of carrying such qualities, with his strength and potency exactly what Amorim is looking for.

Toney’s 2023/24 campaign was marred by a lengthy suspension, but he still chipped in with four goals and two assists in the Premier League, having returned in January.

And the term before, the Three Lions star, of course, illustrated his ability to throw down with the finest strikers the Premier League had to offer; namely, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane at Tottenham.

Erling Haaland

35

36

Harry Kane

38

30

Ivan Toney

33

20

Mohamed Salah

38

19

Callum Wilson

31

18

In fact, Toney’s physicality and completeness even led Arsenal’s Declan Rice to declare he’s “like Harry Kane”, with some elements of his game like that of a throwback striker, albeit one who has an eye for playmaking and sharp link-up play.

When plying his trade for Brentford in 2022/23, Toney scored 20 goals in the league but also created 12 big chances for his teammates, as per Sofascore, also averaging a rather remarkable 6.7 duels per game.

We all know Kane’s qualities as a creator, influencing matches in a multiplicity of ways, far removed from the bulk of strikers competing across the globe.

As per FBref, the Bayern Munich star ranked among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe last season for progressive passes and the top 12% for shot-creating actions per 90.

Toney, moreover, isn’t really a striker who relies heavily on his pace, and so while he stares at the arrival of his 30th birthday, there’s every sense he could emulate his countryman Kane in producing elite-level performances across the coming years.

There’s also the matter of his tried-and-tested success in the Premier League, something Gyokeres has not yet fulfilled (in fact, the Sporting star has yet to even compete in one of Europe’s top five leagues, and he’s only two years older than Toney).

Toney has, of course, stepped away from European football and into the Gulf region, taking a lucrative payday at the expense, ostensibly, of playing at the highest level.

However, he’s kept himself sharp, all right, scoring 30 times across 44 matches for Al Ahli. Furthermore, Thomas Tuchel was not dissuaded from calling the £411k-per-week striker up for England duty last month, making an interesting comment on the view he is still regarded in.

All told, here we have a proven, powerful and prolific forward who has earned praise in the past for his “world-class” skills by manager Thomas Frank.

United could do a lot worse, and if Gyokeres does prove to linger out of reach, Toney might be the perfect alternative. In fact, this Kane-esque star may be the better pick altogether.

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