Newcastle United frustratingly drew blanks across the entire 90 minutes away at Aston Villa on the Premier League’s opening day.

The obvious question on everyone’s minds post-match was whether the Magpies would have been so wasteful if Alexander Isak were leading the line, but the superstar Swede was notably absent, as he remains insistent on a summer switch away from St James’ Park.

With the ex-Real Sociedad striker seemingly set on leaving, Eddie Howe and Co. will be desperate to land a striker in a similar vein to their potent number 14 before the transfer window slams shut, with plenty of targets popping on the Toon shortlist.

Newcastle given encouragement over striker deal

It’s not exactly been a closely guarded secret this summer that the Magpies are in the market for an explosive, new centre-forward.

They could finally be about to land long-term target Yoane Wissa, with the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope recently revealing that a deal could be wrapped up by next week for the 28-year-old to leave Brentford behind for pastures new on Tyneside.

While his 19 goals last season would make him a suitable Isak replacement, he isn’t the only clinical attacker on Newcastle’s shopping list.

Indeed, Hope has also revealed that the Isak-less Toon have been handed some “encouragement” over securing the services of Paris St. Germain hotshot Goncalo Ramos, who has also been reportedly looked at by the likes of Liverpool and Aston Villa this window.

Transfer Focus

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

Hope said: “Goncalo Ramos, the PSG striker, is back on the agenda. He was and then he wasn’t, I was told last week that it’s not happening. Then I was told yesterday [Friday] that actually there’s a chance it might, Newcastle have been given some encouragement there.

“But again, I think that would be a really hard one to do. I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one for want of a better phrase. But they are looking, he is an option absolutely. I’ve had that confirmed, that’s why I put the story out there last night.”

How Ramos possesses shades of Ekitike

It’s still some way off from being near completion, but landing the Portuguese attacker could see the Magpies win a striker who possesses shades of Hugo Ekitike’s clinical game.

Amazingly, Ekitike was yet another striker Howe and Co. missed out on this summer, as Arne Slot’s Reds ultimately won his signature over picking up Ramos.

The Magpies must be forlorn that the former Eintracht Frankfurt striker decided to uproot to Anfield over St James’ Park, considering he already has two goals next to his name for the reigning top-flight champions, which included a fierce strike getting Liverpool up and running on the entertaining opening night of the campaign.

Any lingering disappointment surrounding the Frenchman choosing the luxuries of Liverpool over Newcastle would soon be forgotten about, however, if Ramos were to make the switch to Howe’s men, with the 24-year-old a recognised goalscoring menace in Europe, much like Ekitike was before Merseyside came calling.

Already, Tottenham Hotspur are aware of his red-hot instincts in front of goal, with Ramos only needing 14 minutes of action against Thomas Frank’s Spurs in the Super Cup final before delivering this sucker punch of a header to level proceedings at 2-2.

This has been a tale of his entire stay in Paris to date, with only 28 Ligue 1 starts coming his way across his last two seasons in the French capital.

However, that hasn’t stopped him from going on to bag a mightily impressive 21 league goals across those limited opportunities.

Coincidentally, Ekitike also struggled for gametime during his own up-and-down stay at the Parc Des Princes, but slipped up in the goalscoring department with only four strikes registered.

Games played

248

153

Goals scored

102

52

Assists

29

26

Trophies

10

3

Top goalscorer accolades

3

0

The brand new £79m Reds signing, of course, fought back from this underwhelming stint in Paris, with a promising return of 26 goals from 64 games for Frankfurt winning him the lavish move.

However, when assessing the table above, the “outrageous” 24-year-old – as he’s been lauded previously by scout Jacek Kulig for his unerring accuracy in front of goal – has actually had a far more glittering career path than his Anfield counterpart, with 50 more career strikes next to his name.

Therefore, the former Benfica marksman will be loving the prospect of having his own moment in the Premier League spotlight with Newcastle, as he potentially goes head-to-head with Ekitike in the demanding division.

Once hailed by Bruno Fernandes as having “all the qualities to play in the Premier League”, the proof will soon be in the pudding if Ramos does make the move, as Newcastle’s hunt for a fresh striker looks to go the distance.

Better than Ramos: Newcastle set to see bid accepted for "outstanding" CF

Newcastle United are closing in on a deal to sign a Premier League forward to bolster their squad.

1 ByWill Miller Aug 17, 2025

With Alexander Isak’s future still unresolved, Newcastle United are preparing for life without their Swedish talisman.

The drawn-out saga has left Eddie Howe’s side in urgent need of a solution, and Isak has made it clear he has no intention of reintegrating with the squad if a move fails to materialise before the transfer window closes.

That leaves Newcastle facing a race against time, especially with their opening Premier League fixture against Aston Villa fast approaching and a Champions League campaign on the horizon.

Their summer business so far has bolstered other areas – Anthony Elanga has arrived from Nottingham Forest, Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, and Aaron Ramsdale from Southampton on loan – while a £40m deal for Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey is close.

Yet Howe has admitted concern over numbers in midfield after Sean Longstaff’s sale to Leeds United and Joe Willock’s pre-season injury, and the need for a commanding presence up front is now just as pressing.

Boom Boom Shake the Room: Newcastle identify new leading target

Alternative options such as Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Porto’s Samu Aghehowa have been discussed, but Newcastle appear to have settled on one standout name.

A forward whose profile draws inevitable comparisons to one of the club’s most popular modern strikers.

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 reports on the continent, Newcastle have identified Jean-Philippe Mateta as their top target should Isak depart.

Owing to this interest and Mateta’s rising stock, Palace have set an asking price of around £40m to let the “goal-scoring machine” go.

Standing at 1.92m, the 28-year-old France international offers a physical profile ideally suited to the Premier League.

He arrives in the box with purpose, relishes aerial duels, and can occupy defenders in a way that opens space for those around him.

His record last season – 14 goals and two assists in 37 Premier League appearances – reflects his consistency across the campaign, with sharp finishing complemented by link-up play.

For Newcastle, his combination of goals, presence, and experience at the top level makes him the kind of striker who can instantly adapt – crucial for a side that cannot afford a bedding-in period so close to the start of the season.

Shades of Salomón Rondón

It’s impossible to discuss Mateta’s potential arrival without drawing parallels to Salomón Rondón, who arrived at St James’ Park on loan from West Brom in 2018 at the same age and in similar circumstances.

Like Mateta, Rondón was a big, strong centre-forward who led the line with a mixture of power, tenacity, and underrated technical ability.

Mateta vs Rondon in the Premier League

Stat

Mateta

Rondon

Appearances

130

167

Goals

38

36

Assists

9

15

Source: FBref

Rondón’s lone season under Rafa Benítez remains one of the most fondly remembered campaigns by Newcastle fans in recent years.

He scored 11 goals in 32 league appearances, won 146 of his 380 aerial duels, and made himself a constant outlet for long balls and crosses.

His hold-up play brought others into the game, and his partnership with Ayoze Pérez was a driving force behind Newcastle’s survival.

A threat from set pieces and a defensive presence when called upon, making 38 clearances from such situations.

His creative contribution was notable too, registering six assists and often providing the final ball after holding off multiple defenders.

That all-round impact saw him named Newcastle’s Player of the Year in 2019, the first forward to win the award since Alan Shearer in 2003.

Mateta offers a similar skill set.

According to FBref, he ranks in the 72nd percentile for progressive carries per 90 (1.53), 77th percentile for non-penalty expected goals per shot (0.18), and 68th percentile for passes into the final third (1.16).

Perhaps most impressively, he sits in the 94th percentile for successful take-ons that lead directly to a goal (0.10 per 90), showing that for all his physical strength, he also has the technical skill to beat his man and create decisive moments.

While Rondón thrived on Benítez’s structured approach, Mateta could benefit from Howe’s quicker, more transition-heavy style.

Using his frame to win duels high up the pitch and his mobility to get on the end of cutbacks from the likes of Gordon and Elanga.

The timing is another echo of 2018. Back then, Newcastle needed a ready-made forward to slot in and deliver instantly.

Now, with Isak seemingly determined to dig his heels in and the season about to begin, the requirement is just as urgent.

Mateta’s experience in the Premier League means he could hit the ground running, avoiding the adaptation period often needed for strikers arriving from abroad.

At £40m, he would be a significant investment, but one that could pay immediate dividends in goals and physical presence.

For a club aiming to compete on multiple fronts, having a striker who can shoulder the attacking burden could make all the difference.

If Howe does get his man, Newcastle supporters might once again find themselves cheering for a number nine whose blend of goals and graft embodies the club’s fighting spirit.

Related Their new Gordon: Big-money star "wants to join" Newcastle before Saturday

Newcastle United push ahead with £40m transfer that could weaken direct rivals.

Posts ByWill Miller Aug 13, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo está confirmado para a partida contra o Racing, pela terceira rodada da Copa Libertadores. O técnico Jorge Sampaoli implementou nesta quinta-feira (4) mudanças em relação à equipe que perdeu para o Botafogo por 3 a 2, pelo Brasileirão.

RelacionadasLibertadoresRacing tem missão para jogo contra o Flamengo; entendaLibertadores04/05/2023FlamengoFlamengo busca revanche e quebra de escrita contra o RacingFlamengo04/05/2023

De volta gramados depois de se recuperar de uma fratura no quinto metatarso, Erick Pulgar foi confirmado como titular ao lado de Thiago Maia e Vidal. O meio é completado por Everton Ribeiro, que foi lançado no decorrer da partida com os alvinegros.

Com a ausência de David Luiz, Sampaoli optou por escalar o Rubro-Negro com uma formação no 4-4-2.

A equipe está escalada com: Santos; Wesley, Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira e Ayrton Lucas; Erick Pulgar, Thiago Maia, Vidal e Everton Ribeiro; Gabigol e Pedro. O LANCE! transmite o confronto em tempo real.

Voll continued her stunning rise in the international arena while Perry produced a vintage knock

Tristan Lavalette07-Dec-2024Georgia Voll smashed a maiden century to continue her stunning rise in the international arena, while Ellyse Perry produced a vintage knock, as Australia clinched the ODI series after a crushing 122-run victory over India at the Allan Border Field.Australia posted 371 for 8, their third-highest total in ODIs, and it proved more than enough despite some belated fight from India on a benign surface in searing heat.India’s batting order equipped themselves much better than in game one when they were rolled for 100 with Richa Ghosh’s move to the top of the order paying off with an attractive half-century.But India never came close to pulling off a monumental chase and lost wickets regularly to be dismissed for 249 in the 45th over with opener Priya Punia unable to bat after suffering a niggle in the field. Their slim hopes effectively ended when captain Harmanpreet Kaur fell to quick Megan Schutt for 38 off 42 balls in the 28th over.India fined for slow over rate

India were fined 10% of their match fee for maintaining a slow over rate in Brisbane. Match Referee David Gilbert imposed the sanction after India were found two overs short when time allowances were taken into consideration. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur pleaded guilty and accepted the penalty, so there was no formal hearing.

India will rue a ragged performance with the ball and in the field as their dreams of a first series victory over Australia in Australia in ODIs ended in familiar disappointment.With the home team having comfortably won the series opener by five wickets at the same venue, Australia’s top order decimated India’s flagging attack after electing to bat. Voll, who has replaced injured captain Alyssa Healy for the series, ignited Australia and backed up her unbeaten 46 on debut by blasting 101 off 87 balls to underline her rich form after an eye-catching WBBL.Her belligerent hitting was on full display, clubbing 12 fours in total, and she combined in a 130-run opening partnership with fellow 21-year-old Phoebe Litchfield, who scored 60 off 63 balls. While Australia’s young stars provided another glimpse of the future, Perry wound back the clock with stunning power-hitting as she became the fourth women’s player from her country to pass 4000 ODI runs.Perry put the finishing touches with 105 off 75 balls, marked by an Australian record of six sixes, while Beth Mooney scored 56 of 44.In oppressive Brisbane heat reaching 35 degrees celsius, India were helpless although debutant offspinner Minnu Mani had an encouraging all-round performance with two wickets and an unbeaten 46 from 45 balls.Australia captain Tahlia McGrath resisted the temptation to bowl first and their batters had to front up in potentially tricky early conditions with the match starting at 9.45am local time.India’s new-ball bowlers Renuka Singh, who hustled Australia in game one with three wickets, and Saima Thakor hoped to conjure swing and make early breakthroughs before the peak heat of the day. But they bowled too full and runs flowed when Litchfield smashed a four on the second delivery before Voll took over with four fours in six balls to get Australia off to a flier.Litchfield did have a slice of luck on 5 after mis-hitting Thakor to mid-on only for Punia to spill a chance diving forward. It proved costly as Harmanpreet turned to the spin of Deepti Sharma and Priya Mishra within the powerplay but to no avail.Voll’s maturity continued to impress as she used her feet superbly against the spinners but made sure she didn’t overhit. Her driving was also a feature as she reached her half-century in 43 balls.Litchfield had been largely overshadowed before igniting her innings with well-executed reverse sweeps to roll to a 58-ball 50. They were totally untroubled until Voll was deceived on 64 by a superb googly from Mishra, who impressed late in game one, and given out lbw before successfully reviewing with ball-tracking suggesting it would miss leg stump.India were finally rewarded in the next over when Litchfield hit Thakor straight to cover, but the respite was fleeting with Perry in an aggressive mood as she unfurled her trademark lofted drive to devastating effect. Voll cruised towards a century with her only scare being on 86 when she was almost run out by a direct hit from Mani after attempting a quick single, but grounded her bat in the nick of time.It wasn’t long before Voll flicked Mani to the leg side to bring up her century as she calmly raised her bat and helmet with her proud mother beaming amid the applause in the terraces. Voll could not power on after she edged behind a wide delivery from Thakur, but Perry took over with a flawless century off 72 balls having earlier notched 7000 runs across formats in international cricket.Perry was eventually bowled by Deepti and her wicket triggered a late collapse, but Australia still easily surpassed the previous ground record of 325 for a women’s ODI.With Punia unable to bat, India rejigged their batting order and Ghosh, who batted at No. 6 in the first ODI, made a bright start by whacking Schutt to the boundary on the third delivery. But India’s hopes quickly crashed when opener Smriti Mandhana was bowled off the inside edge from quick Kim Garth and Australia’s disciplined attack kept the run rate under control despite the efforts of Ghosh.Legspinner Alana King ended Ghosh’s 72-ball 54 by bowling her around the legs as the pressure fell on Harmanpreet, who had started with a first ball boundary and she also clubbed a short ball from McGrath over the ropes. But Harmanpreet fell in the 28th over and the result was a formality despite late fight from Jemimah Rodrigues, who smacked 43 off 39 balls, and Mani.Annabel Sutherland claimed the spoils with 4 for 38 as Australia continued a satisfying return to the field following their T20 World Cup disappointment.

كشف إينياكي بينيا، حارس مرمى نادي إلتشي، عن أسباب رحيله عن صفوف نادي برشلونة، موضحًا أنه كان بحاجة إلى حافز جديد في مسيرته الكروية.

بينيا رحل عن صفوف نادي برشلونة خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي الأخير، وذلك من أجل التوقيع مع إلتشي على سبيل الإعارة حتى نهاية الموسم.

كما جدد برشلونة عقد بينيا إلى نهاية موسم 2029 المقبل، تحسبًا لاستمرار حارس المرمى على المدى الطويل مع البلوجرانا.

أقرأ أيضًا .. ضربة قوية.. تقارير تكشف مدة غياب أليسون بيكر عن ليفربول

وقال بينيا في مقابلة مع صحيفة “آس”: “لعبت 25 أو 26 مباراة مع برشلونة الموسم الماضي، لكن الشعور بالمرارة يلازمني بعد غيابي عن اللعب في الأشهر القليلة الماضية”.

وعن قرار رحيله إلى إلتشي أضاف بينيا في حديثه: “أدركت أنني سأعود إلى دياري، أنا من أليكانتي وأهل بيتي من هنا وزوجتي من هنا، ثم هناك فلسفة المدرب، لقد عملت معه وأفضل الظروف متاحة لتقديم أفضل ما لدي أو لأكون قريبًا من أفضل أداء لي”.

وعن رحيله عن برشلونة واصل: “كان بإمكاني خوض بضع مباريات أخرى، لكنني كنت قد قررت بالفعل الرحيل”.

واستكمل: “طلب مني برشلونة الانتظار حتى يتم تسجيل حراس المرمى، ومن الواضح أنني كنت سأسهل الأمر، لأن لدي عقدًا”.

وأتم بينيا: “كنت بحاجة إلى تغيير وحافز جديد، كنت بحاجة إلى خوض أكبر عدد ممكن من المباريات والحفاظ على مستوى ثابت وهو ما كنت أفتقر إليه في السنوات القليلة الماضية لتحقيق هذه القفزة النوعية”.

Maddinson, Zampa, Abbott all out of NSW side while Whiteman returns to captain WA with Turner and Hardie injured and Richardson rested

Alex Malcolm05-Dec-2024

Nic Maddinson has undergone surgery on an injured finger and looks in doubt for the BBL while Adam Zampa has not been named in New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield squad to face Western Australia at the SCG following the controversy around his selection for the previous match.Meanwhile, Matt Short is unavailable for Victoria’s clash against Queensland at the MCG due to a family wedding, but Jake Fraser-McGurk is in line for a recall to South Australia’s Shield side after being named in the XII to face Tasmania in Hobart, having not been selected this season despite being available for three of the previous five games. But Spencer Johnson has been ruled out of playing back-to-back Shield games after suffering toe soreness having bowled 45 overs in the day-night game against WA last week, the most he has ever bowled in his professional career.Maddinson, Zampa and Sean Abbott, who is with Australia’s Test squad, will all miss the Blues’ final Shield game before the BBL break with Blake Nikitaras, Tanveer Sangha and Lachlan Shaw all named in the 12 that will be captained by Jack Edwards as Moises Henriques continues to rest before the BBL.Maddinson underwent surgery on Thursday and New South Wales released a statement saying his “return to play timeline will be assessed in due course”. He had signed with Sydney Thunder in the off-season but looks in doubt to play much of a part in the upcoming BBL which starts on December 15.Zampa was not named following the controversy surrounding his selection for the Blues’ previous Shield match against Tasmania. It is understood Zampa was only ever set to play one red-ball game before the BBL in a bid to build his case for the Sri Lanka Test tour.Western Australia welcome back skipper Sam Whiteman from a side strain that has kept him out of the last three Shield matches. Stand-in skipper Ashton Turner has been ruled out with a side strain of his own which could affect his start to the BBL season as Perth Scorchers captain. Aaron Hardie remains unavailable due to a quad issue that he has carried since Australia’s limited overs UK tour in September and is also pushing to be fit for the start of the BBL. Those two concerns for Perth Scorchers come on top of the injuries to Ashton Agar (shoulder) and Cooper Connolly (finger) who are also fighting to be fit for the start of the BBL.Lance Morris has been named for his second straight Shield game but Jhye Richardson has been rested after playing WA’s last match in Adelaide. Brody Couch returns after missing the game against South Australia having taken 13 wickets at 29 in the first four matches of the season, including a hat-trick.Left-arm wristspinner Hamish McKenzie has been added to WA’s 13-man squad and could play alongside Corey Rocchiccioli if WA opt for two spinners at the SCG.Matt Short will miss Victoria’s next match due to a wedding•Getty Images

Short’s absence is a curious one as professional cricketers rarely miss games to attend a wedding. It is a blow for Victoria after he made half-centuries in both innings of their win at the Gabba last week. With Peter Siddle is also unavailable, Victoria recalled Jono Merlo and Mitch Perry in their place. Skipper Will Sutherland remains unavailable as he continues to recover from a significant side strain.Queensland have included Gurinder Sandhu and Tom Straker in their 12-man squad. Sandhu is returning from a calf injury having not played at all this season until Wednesday’s One-Day Cup win over Tasmania in Hobart. Straker had been rested from last week’s loss to Victoria while Michael Neser remains on the sidelines due to his hamstring injury.Elsewhere, South Australia are poised to bring in Fraser-McGurk for his first Shield game of the summer against Tasmania in Hobart. Fraser-McGurk was not selected previously despite being available and instead played second-XI cricket for South Australia before his limited-overs duty with Australia. Jason Sangha is also in the mix to play his first Shield game for his new state since moving from NSW. Nathan McAndrew has also been named after missing the last clash with WA through injury and will replace Johnson. SA are currently investigating the extent of the issue with his toe.Tasmania have recalled Lawrence Neil-Smith for the clash in place of Beau Webster who has been called up to Australia’s Test squad.New South Wales squad: Jackson Bird, Ollie Davies, Jack Edwards (capt), Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Sam Konstas, Blake Nikitaras, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha, Lachlan ShawWestern Australia squad: Sam Whiteman (capt), Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Brody Couch, Keaton Critchell, Joel Curtis, Sam Fanning, Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin, Hamish McKenzie, Lance Morris, Joel Paris, Corey RocchiccioliVictoria squad: Peter Handscomb (capt), Ash Chandrasinghe, Xavier Crone, Sam Elliott, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Campbell Kellaway, Jon Merlo, Cam McClure, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Mitch Perry, Tom RogersQueensland squad: Mitchell Swepson (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Jack Clayton, Lachlan Hearne, Angus Lovell, Ben McDermott, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Gurinder Sandhu, Mark Steketee, Tom Straker, Bryce Street, Jack WildermuthTasmania squad: Gabe Bell, Jake Doran, Kieran Elliott, Brad Hope, Matt Kuhnemann, Riley Meredith, Lawrence Neil-Smith, Mitch Owen, Nivethan Radhakrishnan, Jordan Silk (capt), Tim Ward, Jake WeatheraldSouth Australia squad: Ben Manenti (capt), Wes Agar, Harry Conway, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Henry Hunt, Jake Lehmann, Nathan McAndrew, Conor McInerney, Harry Nielsen, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton

Aymeric Laporte sealed an emotional return to Athletic Club after FIFA overturned Al-Nassr’s deadline day mix-up to approve his La Liga registration.

• FIFA reversed transfer delay after Al-Nassr error
• Defender signed three-year deal until 2028
• Former Man City star rejoins childhood club

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Spanish international has officially sealed his return to Athletic Club after FIFA approved the paperwork for his transfer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. The move, initially cancelled on deadline day due to the Saudi side submitting the paperwork late, was revived after the Athletic and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) appealed. FIFA has now given the green light, allowing the defender to be registered in La Liga.

  The 31-year-old has signed a three-year contract and will wear the number 14 shirt. It marks a homecoming for Laporte, who came through Athletic’s youth system at Lezama and made 222 appearances during his first spell before joining Manchester City in 2018 for €65 million (£56m/$76m). After five trophy-laden years in England, he left for Al Nassr in 2023.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  For Laporte, the move is a personal and emotional full circle. He returns as a vastly experienced defender with Premier League and Champions League titles to his name. His comeback adds pedigree and stability to an Athletic side currently thriving under Ernesto Valverde, with the Basques sitting near the top of La Liga.

  For Athletic, the deal is symbolic as well as strategic as Laporte’s return strengthens their defensive core at a crucial moment while underlining the club’s tradition of repatriating Basque players who made their names abroad. It also reflects the increasing tension between European football’s administrative systems and the Saudi Pro League’s growing transfer market, with FIFA’s intervention here offering a precedent for future disputes.

• WHAT LAPORTE SAID

  The defender emphasised both his personal joy and his motivation to contribute immediately to Athletic’s campaign, saying: "I'm very happy because this is everything I wanted. Thank you very much for the support. I'm very happy to be here. It's a very exciting season ahead with many matches ahead. I'm really looking forward to helping the team, stepping foot in San Mames, and hoping everything goes well."

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• Getty/GOAL
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Athletic and Valverde need Laporte now more than ever after they found out this week that defender Yeray Alvarez has been suspended for 10 months after it was found he had used a banned substance, resulting in him failing a doping test in May. The Basque outfit face Deportivo Alaves on Saturday.

Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s Test captain, has recovered from his elbow injury in time to be available for their two-Test series at home against Sri Lanka. Bavuma will lead a 14-man side which also features Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee, who both made their international returns from a conditioning break in the recent T20I series against India and have not played Tests since last summer.Bavuma will bolster an inexperienced batting line-up, who had three maiden centurions in Bangladesh last month, and a team who are chasing a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.South Africa need to win all four Tests at home – two against Sri Lanka and two against Pakistan – to guarantee their place at Lord’s next year. They could also make it with three wins out of four, based on results elsewhere. Either way, the importance of the next four Tests is clear and having their regular captain back was top of mind for Test coach Shukri Conrad who called his side “still Temba’s team” where Bavuma was unable to play.Related

• Sri Lanka's batting vs South Africa's bowling in the race to WTC final

• Bavuma battles 'mental demons' as he returns from lengthy injury layoff

• Groin injury rules Ngidi out of action till January

• Embuldeniya and Oshada Fernando return for Sri Lanka's Tests in South Africa

He travelled with the side but was battling the after-effects of the injury, which was sustained during an ODI against Ireland on October 4. Bavuma has not played any competitive cricket since then. He has also not played any red-ball cricket since Tests against West Indies in August, but Conrad is confident Bavuma will be ready for the upcoming challenges.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“He’s probably going in cold in the back of not having played any matches but we’re certainly going to be simulating match situations during our short camp we’re going to have in Pretoria,” Conrad said. “His fitness test was always going to be yesterday (Monday, November 18) and then it would just be too close to a four-day match and too close to the Test match (for him to play a game). If we had asked him to or forced him to play last week, I think it could have been detrimental. And I don’t think there was anything to gain from that.”Instead, Bavuma underwent an extensive assessment which included batting for 90 minutes on Monday to determine whether his left elbow had sufficiently recovered from an awkward land when completing a run against Ireland. It is the same elbow that Bavuma injured in 2022.”The concern was the impact on striking the ball and if there was any pain associated with that. That was still the case when we were in Bangladesh, which then ruled him out of the second Test there. So, it included a battery of tests,” Conrad said. “There was the fitness side of things, the aerobic stuff with the running and doing all of that. We had our high-performance lead, Tumi Masekela, there. And then, also, he had an hour-and-a-half of batting with quick bowlers. He had a throw-down net with (fielding coach) Kruger van Wyk and a couple of throwers there as well. He got through that really well; unscathed and there was absolutely no pain. We felt that on the back of that, he could be cleared to play.Equally, Conrad said Bavuma is looking forward to leading a side he has only captained five times out of 10 possible opportunities since being named Test captain in March 2023. “He’s excited,” Conrad said. “He’s like a little kid in a toy shop at the moment because he hasn’t played Test cricket in a while.”The sense of expectation is high given the opportunity of making the WTC final. South Africa have loaded up with as many available fast bowlers possible with Kagiso Rabada to lead the attack, the experienced Dane Paterson included and the recall of Jansen and Coetzee. Lungi Ngidi is unavailable (groin injury) until January and Anrich Nortje has opted out of Tests for the time being having come back from lower-back stress fractures.There was some concern around Coetzee, who left the field during the fourth T20I against India, with what looked like a hamstring concern but returned to bowl later in the game. He has cleared the scans.South Africa have included two spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy, but have no space for US-based offspinner Dane Piedt, who has been part of the last three Test squads. The batting line-up will include Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi at the top, Tristan Stubbs at No. 3 and allrounder Wiaan Mulder in the lower middle order. Ryan Rickelton will likely make way for Bavuma in what Conrad called “almost like a knockout quarter-final with us and Sri Lanka.”Sri Lanka are third on the WTC points table, 1.39 percentage points above South Africa, and also in with a chance of making the final. “That table is going to be quite a topsy-turvy one over the next couple of months,” Conrad said. “We all understand the magnitude of it. We also understand that we’ve got to play really good cricket in order for us to achieve the goal. I think we’re going to run into a very confident Sri Lanka side.”But we certainly know that if we play anything close to our ability, that we’ll be right there when it matters. It’s an exciting time for the Test side.”The two-Test series begins in Durban on November 27 before the teams move to Gqeberha for the second Test starting December 5.

South Africa squad for Test series against Sri Lanka

Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne

Chelsea are now in negotiations to sign a “beautiful footballer”, and they have discussed the possibility of sending Christopher Nkunku in the opposite direction, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

Blues looking to offload Jackson and Nkunku

Once again, it has been a summer of heavy spending for the Blues, which means Enzo Maresca has been left with a somewhat bloated squad, and the manager may need to get two of his current forwards off the books.

Nicolas Jackson and Nkunku have been the subjects of widespread interest this summer, with the former now keen on joining Premier League rivals Newcastle United, while Bayern Munich have been named as potential suitors for the French striker.

Of course, Nkunku flourished during his previous stint in the Bundesliga, which led to his move to Stamford Bridge, with the former RB Leipzig man amassing a remarkable 35 goal contributions in 34 league outings during the 2021-22 campaign.

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As such, a move back to Germany could appeal to the forward, and a return could now be on the cards, according to Fabrizio Romano, who recently took to X to reveal that Chelsea have discussed swapping Nkunku for RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons.

The same applies to Tyrique George, with the Blues looking to orchestrate a swap deal for the RB Leipzig star, having perhaps been unwilling to match the German club’s reported £67m asking price outright.

In order to make room for the attacking midfielder and Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, the west Londoners are trying to get Jackson and Nkunku off the books, but negotiations over a deal for Simons remain ongoing in the meantime.

Simons keen on move to Stamford Bridge

Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed the RB Leipzig attacker is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, and there are plenty of indications that he would be an excellent addition to Maresca’s squad.

Josh Bunting was left very impressed with the maestro’s performance in his side’s 4-2 victory over Werder Bremen back in January, singling him out for high praise on X.

The 22-year-old chipped in with ten goals and seven assists in 25 Bundesliga outings last season, which is a solid return, with the Dutchman also catching the eye against Spain at international level.

There should be some caution about the potential signing of Simons, given that Nkunku also flourished in the Bundesliga, before failing to kick on in the Premier League, but the Netherlands international clearly has the ability to succeed at Stamford Bridge.

Benfica presidential candidate Cristovao Carvalho has made a bold claim as he vows to replace Bruno Lage with Jurgen Klopp should he be elected.

Benfica in middle of a hotly contested presidential electionCandidate Carvalho promises to replace Bruno LageCarvalho's preferred choice is Jurgen KloppFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 2025 Benfica presidential election is heating up, with candidates making ambitious and often sensational promises to win over the club's supporters. The race has already seen candidates like Joao Noronha Lopes make big promises of bringing Bernardo Silva back from Manchester City. Now, another candidate, Carvalho, has made the most significant pledge yet, promising to dismiss current coach Bruno Lage at the end of the season and replace him with ex-Liverpool manager Klopp, a coach he believes can lead Benfica to a Champions League title.

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Candidates are not just vying for power but are presenting radically different visions for the club's strategic direction. While some candidates like Noronha Lopes focus on player recruitment, and Joao Diogo Manteigas on club values and governance, Carvalho has gone for a big-name managerial appointment. The move is a direct challenge to the current administration and a clear statement of Carvalho's intent to bring Benfica back to the elite level of European football.

WHAT CARVALHO SAID

Speaking with , Carvalho laid out his plan for the club's managerial future, insisting that a Champions League-winning coach is essential to his project.

He said: "With me, Bruno Lage won't stay beyond his contract [which ends at the end of the season]. I need a coach of the highest level, who has already won the Champions League and who wants to win a Champions League with Benfica. There's only one name that comes to mind: Jurgen Klopp. He even said that Benfica is a great club that he would like to coach one day. Someone who says this has something more than others to be at the club."

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BENFICA?

Klopp joined RB Leipzig this January and is currently serving as the Head of Global Soccer and has a contract with the club that runs until 2029. The Benfica presidential election on October 25 is a battle for the club's future and Benfica supporter's will hope for the best man to win. However, it will be difficult to bring Klopp, who has already stated that he might never return to football management.