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Leeds United’s Championship hoodoo is finally over.

After slipping up in the second-tier playoff final to Southampton at the close of the 2023/24 season, the Whites had to dust themselves down and go again, and they did just that, with 100 points successfully accumulated last campaign as the Championship title came to Elland Road.

The best possible start to life back in the big time has also just greeted Daniel Farke’s men, with new recruit Lukas Nmecha the difference maker from the penalty spot to hand Leeds a narrow 1-0 win over Everton.

There will be no resting on their laurels, however, as the Premier League newcomers look to add even more exciting signings while the busy transfer window remains open.

Leeds lead race for £43m sensation

After all, the dust has barely settled on that Monday night success, and yet Leeds are very near to completing signing number nine of a full-on summer.

As reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, via X, Leeds are set to announce the signing of AC Milan winger Noah Okafor for a fee around the £18m ballpark.

This capture really should boost a Leeds attack that did manage to register 21 shots on goal against the Toffees, only to be thankfully bailed out by Nmecha’s calm approach from the penalty spot.

A new striker addition could also be on the cards in the form of FC Nantes ace Matthis Albine, with Caught Offside revealing that Leeds are among the frontrunners for the Frenchman’s services, having already held talks with the 22-year-old, who is also keen on moving to West Yorkshire.

Despite stealing a vast majority of headlines after the Everton game, Nmecha could well find he’s been upgraded on if the €50m (£43m) striker does seal a switch to England shortly, on top of Joel Piroe also feeling less secure about his first-team minutes moving forward.

How Abline compares to Piroe & Nmecha

It might well feel cut-throat to insinuate that Piroe and Nmecha will fade into the background if Abline were to arrive at Elland Road imminently.

Indeed, the German has just got Leeds up and running in the unforgiving terrain of the Premier League, while his Dutch counterpart collected the Championship golden boot accolade last campaign when firing home a clinical 19 strikes.

However, both do display some worrying deficiencies in their attacking games that could hold them back from being the lethal heroes Leeds need to help survival be reached, compared to their new French target, who scored stunning strikes like this last season in Ligue 1 with ease.

Despite powering home those 19 strikes, Piroe would still manage to squander 13 big chances in the Championship – as per Sofascore – which could prove to be costly in a fight against the drop. He’s already shown signs of rust at the intimidating level, too, with an unmemorable 27 touches of the ball registered against Everton, before being taken off by Farke.

Moreover, Nmecha is just fresh off a season that was riddled with injuries at Wolfsburg, culminating in just three efforts being powered home when he was fit enough to line up for 19 Bundesliga clashes.

Away from Piroe and Nmecha displaying many downsides, however, Abline will be raring for the challenge of the Premier League if a pricey move gets off the ground before September’s deadline, having fired home a career-best total across the 2024/25 campaign for Nantes.

Games

34

Goals

9

Big chances missed

6

Assists

2

Big chances created

6

Key passes*

0.8

Last campaign saw Abline fire home a large chunk of his overall 16 goals for Nantes, with 11 strikes tallied up as Luis Castro’s men survived comfortably in the French top-flight in 13th spot.

The “unstoppable” forward – as he has been hailed by journalist Andres Onrubia Ramos – could well grow into even more of a lethal attacker performing for the relegation-threatened Whites, therefore, knowing now what it takes to be a dependable hero in a battle against relegation.

Throwing Abline into the mix would give Farke plenty of options in attack, with the “instinctive” finisher – as he has also been lauded by analyst Ben Mattinson – no doubt craving the tag of being Leeds’ main man week in week out, at the expense of both Piroe and Nmecha.

Based on all the evidence noted, he will certainly have a persuasive case on his side to be the Whites’ starter up top.

"Deal to be finalised soon" – £17m league winner has decided to join Leeds

The Whites are set to sign a “magnificent” player.

1 ByDominic Lund Aug 19, 2025

Since taking the job over five years ago, Mikel Arteta has got plenty of things right at Arsenal.

He’s turned a club that was spiralling down the Premier League table into perennial challengers, and while he hasn’t quite got the team over the final hurdle yet, there is every chance he does this season.

Alongside the change in tactics and philosophy, something else he has generally got right is transfers, with the likes of David Raya, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Magalhães and Jurrien Timber all key members of the first team.

However, when it comes to the very best addition made under Arteta’s stewardship, it’s hard to look past Declan Rice, who has been a midfield monster from his very first game.

So, fans should be very excited about reports linking Arsenal to a player who could just be the club’s best signing since Rice.

Arsenal target best signing since Rice

In all, it’s been a good summer for Arsenal so far this year, as they won three of their five pre-season games and have already made six additions to the first team squad.

Transfer Focus

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

The two stand-outs are undoubtedly Viktor Gyokeres, who could finally be the striker the fanbase has been crying out for, and Martin Zubimendi, who has looked sublime at the base of midfield so far.

Yet, instead of resting on their laurels, the club appear keen to complete at least one more addition to the team before the window slams shut next month.

At least that is according to a recent report from David Ornstein, who on the latest episode of the Sports Agents confirmed that Arsenal are still interested in Eberechi Eze.

The respected journalist revealed that while signing the Englishman has become less of a pressing concern following Ethan Nwaneri’s new deal, the Gunners are still in the conversation for the Palace ace, and that he himself is “in favour” of a move to the Emirates.

It remains to be seen how much the 27-year-old will ultimately cost as his release clause of £68m is reportedly set to expire tomorrow.

It could therefore be a costly and complicated deal to get over the line, but given Eze’s immense ability and experience, he’d be worth it and quite possibly Arsenal’s best signing since Rice.

Why Eze would be Arsenal's best signing since Rice

Since completing his £105m move to Arsenal in the summer of 2023, Rice has been almost faultless in red and white.

He was sensational in both the six and eight roles in his first season, and then took another step forward, primarily in the left eight last year.

He made 52 appearances across all competitions, in which he racked up a brilliant haul of nine goals and ten assists, and seemed to play a part in everything that well – like those free-kicks against Real Madrid.

So, while the likes of Kai Havertz, Raya and Timber have all been important players since joining the club, it would be hard to claim any have been as transformational as the former West Ham United captain.

Likewise, while the club have made some positive additions this summer, we think Eze would be the best since his compatriot, and the reason why is a simple one: he is Premier League-proven and makes things happen.

For example, in his 43 appearances for the Eagles last season, totalling just 3303 minutes, the 27-year-old “superstar,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists.

In other words, the Greenwich-born dynamo managed to maintain an average of a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes, for a team that finished in mid-table.

Appearances

43

Minutes

3303′

Goals

14

Assists

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

132.12′

On top of that, the former QPR gem scored in the quarter-final, semi-final and final of the FA Cup, showing that he has what it takes to step up in the biggest and most pressurised moments.

Finally, while some might make the argument that Gyokeres will be the best signing since the former Irons ace, as he scored far more than the Palace star did, it’s important to remember that he did so in a league ranked as only the eighth toughest in the world, behind the Championship and Belgian top-flight.

Ultimately, while Arsenal have made plenty of good signings over the last few years, they could make their best since Rice if they can get their hands on Eze.

Arsenal can forget Eze by signing "one of the best LW's in Europe" for £87m

Arsenal would be wise to move on from Eze and sign this Champions League winner instead…

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 14, 2025

Arsenal are now making progress in their pursuit of a £68m “monster”, with talks currently ongoing, journalist Pete O’Rourke has revealed.

Gunners set to splash the cash this summer

Having delivered record earnings in the 2023-24 campaign, before going on to reach the semi-final of the Champions League last season, the Gunners can afford to spend big this summer, and multiple deals are now edging closer to completion.

For quite some time, there has been huge demand to bring in an out-and-out centre-forward, and it looks like Mikel Arteta is about to finally get his man, after Arsenal made a breakthrough in the pursuit of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

Not only that, but the north Londoners are also set to bolster their options in defence, having reached an agreement for Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, who will provide cover for William Saliba and Gabriel.

Having been left short on wide options due to Bukayo Saka’s lengthy spell on the sidelines last term, Arteta has also made it clear he wants to bring in a new winger, and a deal for Chelsea’s Noni Madueke is expected to be finalised soon.

However, there is also a desire to strengthen on the opposite flank, and O’Rourke has now told Football Insider that Arsenal have made progress in their pursuit of Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze.

Talks are currently “ongoing”, with the Gunners unable to pay the £68m release clause up front, which means they may need to structure the deal by paying a large fee up front and the rest in installments.

Should Palace be willing to agree to a deal of that nature, the north Londoners are prepared to trigger Eze’s release clause, although the Eagles are reluctant to let their star player leave.

£27m Arsenal ace agrees terms to leave with Gunners now ready to take loss

One of Mikel Arteta’s key players, who featured in every Premier League game last season, could now be on the verge of leaving.

ByDominic Lund Jul 14, 2025 "Monster" Eze has earned big move

It is clear to see why Palace are hesitant to sell the 27-year-old, fresh off the back of scoring the winning goal in the 2025 FA Cup final, as he has performed remarkably well over the past three seasons.

Season

PL appearances

Goals

Assists

2022-23

38

10

4

2023-24

27

11

4

2024-25

34

8

8

However, having given Palace the most memorable day in their history, the England international has now earned the chance to prove himself at the highest level.

With Leandro Trossard’s future in major doubt, Arteta is in need of a versatile forward, and the Palace star ticks that box, given his ability to play on the left and through the middle, while he has also been dubbed a “duel monster” by reporter Simon Collings.

As such, it is exciting news that progress has been made in the pursuit of Eze, with the forward keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.

Looking to follow up the arrival of Dan Ndoye in style, Evangelos Marinakis has now reportedly initiated contact to sign a midfield star for Nottingham Forest this summer.

Ndoye "really happy" to join "ambitious" Forest

Becoming their third signing of the summer following the arrival of Botafogo duo Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus, Ndoye enters Nottingham Forest hoping to make an instant impact. The winger, who scored nine goals and created another six in all competitions at Bologna last season, should prove to be worth every penny of his £34m transfer fee.

After putting pen to paper, the 24-year-old told the club’s official website: “I am really happy to have signed for the Club. It is a really exciting time at Forest and I knew straight away that I wanted to be a part of the project. It’s a really ambitious team with a fantastic history and I can’t wait to get started.”

Adding to that, Chief Football Officer, Ross Wilson spoke highly of the new arrival, saying: “Dan is an exciting new addition to our squad and a player we have tracked extensively over a long period of time. We are delighted that he joins Nottingham Forest and continues his own ambitious journey here with us.”

Arriving to replace Anthony Elanga, who joined Newcastle United earlier this summer, Ndoye’s numbers suggest that he’s capable of doing exactly that under Nuno Espirito Santo.

Minutes

2,143

2,501

Goals

8

6

Assists

4

11

Successful Take-ons

37

25

Whilst the Swiss star was unable to replicate Elanga’s output entirely last season, the signs were certainly promising, with his take-on success particularly worth highlighting.

Marinakis isn’t done there, however. Reports are now suggesting that Forest have taken a key step in their move to sign a South American midfielder this summer.

Marinakis initiates contact to sign Douglas Luiz

According to Fabrizio Romano, Marinakis has now initiated contact to sign Douglas Luiz for Nottingham Forest. The Juventus midfielder is reportedly “keen” on a return to the Premier League after a nightmare year in Italy, with both Everton and those at the City Ground in direct talks with his camp in an attempt to get a summer switch over the line.

As much as things didn’t work out at Juventus, Premier League clubs will be well aware that Luiz is still a talented player. After all, it wasn’t so long ago that the £160,000-a-week Brazilian was one of Unai Emery’s most important stars in Aston Villa’s Champions League qualification.

Their next Wood: Nottingham Forest now in the race to sign “ridiculous” CF

Nottingham Forest are still in the race to sign this potent attacker.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 1, 2025

Described as “strong” by Villa’s sporting director, Monchi, even as his nightmare progressed in Italy last season, Luiz could now go on to hand Espirito Santo the same boost that he often gave Emery if Forest secure his signature.

Somerset lose last five wickets for 12 runs to conceded dominant position on day one

ECB Reporters Network09-Sep-2024Tom Banton hit his third first-class century as Somerset posted 317 all out on the opening day of the Vitality County Championship Division One match with leaders Surrey at Taunton.The battle of the top two in the table began with the home side winning the toss and electing to bat first on a pitch expected to offer increasing turn as the match progresses. Banton hit a brilliant 132, one short of his career-best, with 16 fours and a six, while Tom Abell contributed 49 and James Rew 38.But Surrey launched a determined fightback with the second new ball to limit the damage from 305 for 5 at one stage. Bangladesh left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, signed solely for this game, claimed 4 for 97 and Dan Worrall 3 for 41.Needing to close a 24-point gap on their opponents at the start of play, Somerset made a poor start when Lewis Goldsworthy was bowled by the second ball of the match, a Kemar Roach inswinger that clipped off stump.Archie Vaughan was promoted to form a new opening partnership and the 18-year-old son of England Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan looked more than up to the task as his side set about recovering from the early shock.He and Tom Lammonby took the score to 33 before Lammonby, on 21, fell to Jordan Clark’s first delivery of the game, a ball that bounced more than he expected and forced an edge to Dom Sibley at second slip.Vaughan, who had taken 18 balls to get off the mark, appeared commendably unperturbed in batting through the morning session to be unbeaten on 44 from 105 deliveries at lunch. He was given a life on 41 when Sibley failed to hold a sharp slip chance, diving to his right, off Tom Curran, making his first Championship appearance for nearly two years.Abell, seeking to build on hundreds in the previous two Championship home games, again played with confidence and was 27 not out at the interval, with Somerset having recovered to 93 for 2. But hopes that the third-wicket partnership would flourish in the afternoon session were soon dashed as Worrall had Vaughan caught behind off the second ball, edging a defensive push.Heavily depleted by international call-ups, Surrey were relying heavily on the experienced Shakib. Emerging from a watchful start, Banton reverse swept him from two boundaries in an over.Abell became Shakib’s first victim when he played back to a delivery that skidded through and bowled him one short of a half-century. Banton went to fifty off 90 balls, with six fours, and found a reliable partner in Rew as the pair blossomed in the afternoon sunshine.By tea, they had taken the total to 197 for 4, with Banton 65 not out, having survived a difficult chance to slip on 59. Rew was unbeaten on 16 and the final session saw both players prosper.Banton reverse swept Cameron Steel for four and pulled his next ball for six to move into the nineties. He earned Somerset’s first batting point with a two off Curran and the following over from Clark saw him edge a single, raising both arms as he ran to celebrate a 132-ball century.Content to play a supporting role, Rew brought up the hundred partnership off 137 balls in moving to 35 with a single off Curran and at 255 for 4 Somerset were building a position of strength. With seven added, Rew played forward defensively to Curran and edged through to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.It was 264 for 5 when the second new ball was taken at the earliest opportunity. Worrall struck a key blow when Banton launched a big hit at a slower ball and was bowled, having faced 172 balls. The following over from Shakib saw Kasey Aldridge fall in similar fashion and Craig Overton stumped, to strangely attacking shots in the circumstances.When Lewis Gregory was bowled by Worrall for a duck, Somerset had lost four wickets in the space of 14 balls. Kiwi seamer Brett Randell was last man out on debut for 3, Shakib and Surrey ending the day on a high.

يلتقي المنتخب الأرجنتيني مع الإكوادور في مباراة بالتصفيات المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026 والذي تستضيفه الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وكندا والمكسيك.

وتأتي مباراة الأرجنتين والإكوادور في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثامنة عشر لتصفيات أمريكا الجنوبية المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.

وضمن منتخب الأرجنتين تأهله بالفعل لكأس العالم 2026، حيث يتصدر مجموعته برصيد 38 نقطة، ومنتخب الإكوادور يحتل المركز الرابع برصيد 26 نقطة، وتضمن أول 6 فرق في الترتيب التأهل للمونديال.

وكان المنتخب الأرجنتيني حقق فوزًا في الجولة الماضية على فنزويلا بثلاثية نظيفة في المباراة الأخيرة للنجم ليونيل ميسي على أرض بلاده. موعد مباراة الأرجنتين والإكوادور 

تقام المباراة فجر يوم الأربعاء في تمام الساعة الثانية صباحًا بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة الأرجنتين والإكوادور

تذاع المباراة عبر القناة الرياضية السعودية، SSC HD1.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا. 

An “unbelievable” Premier League star is now emerging as a key summer target for David Moyes and Everton, according to a report.

Moyes eyeing major summer rebuild

Much to the fans’ dismay, the Toffees have regularly been drawn into relegation battles over the past few years, narrowly avoiding the drop under the helm of Frank Lampard, before being led to safety by Sean Dyche the following season.

Dyche was ultimately dimissed earlier in the current campaign, with Moyes being brought in to steady the ship ahead of the move to Bramley-Moore Dock this summer, which marks the start of an exciting new era for the Blues.

The hope will be the move to the new stadium will give Moyes a platform to turn the Merseyside club back into European contenders, but for that to transpire, the manager may need to reshape his squad in the summer window.

Everton set to cut ties with "outstanding" 93 career-goal ace in summer exit

He’s been a valiant servant at Goodison Park…

BySean Markus Clifford May 12, 2025

With Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye and Orel Mangala currently set to depart, new options may be needed in central midfield, with Angel Gomes and Sean Longstaff of interest, while Tim Kleindienst could replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin at striker.

According to a report from GiveMeSport, Moyes is also looking to upgrade his defensive options this summer, with Manchester City centre-back John Stones now emerging as one of Everton’s key targets.

Stones, who left the Toffees to join Man City for £47.5m in 2016, was initially brought to Goodison Park by Moyes as a youngster, and the manager is now eyeing a summer reunion, with just 12 points remaining on the defender’s current deal.

Injuries have been a real problem for the former Barnsley man, and a move back to Merseyside could be an attractive proposition, should the Blues be willing to offer him the security of a long-term deal.

"Unbelievable" Stones could be marquee signing

There will be some justified concerns about the 30-year-old’s injury record, having been limited to just 11 appearances in the Premier League this season, but should he manage to stay fit, the City defender could be a marquee signing for Everton.

While game time has been limited, the Englishman has managed to impress when given the opportunity over the past year, particularly impressing in an attacking sense, ranking in the top 1% for goals and assists per 90, when compared to other centre-backs.

Statistic

Average per 90

Non penalty-goals

0.30 (99th percentile)

Assists

0.20 (99th percentile)

Progressive carries

2.07 (99th percentile)

Pass completion %

93.9% (98th percentile)

Not only that, but the ex-Everton man received very high praise from teammate Manuel Akanji after a top performance in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, with the Swiss defender lauding him as “unbelievable”.

The report makes it clear that Moyes is looking to build a squad capable of competing in the upper echelons of the table next season, and given his top-level experience, Stones could be an ideal addition.

For the fifth time in the men’s T20 World Cup, a match ended in a tie

Sampath Bandarupalli06-Jun-20242:08

Rapid Fire Review: Where does this rank among the greatest upsets?

5 Number of matches to have ended in a tie at the men’s T20 World Cup, including Thursday’s game between USA and Pakistan in Dallas. The game between Namibia and Oman in Bridgetown earlier this week was the previous tied match.2 Number of teams to have bagged wins in their first two matches at the men’s T20 World Cup, before the USA. South Africa won their first four matches, while Sri Lanka also won their first two. (Considering the results – win or loss – to have come after the tie-breaker – a bowl out or a Super Over)3 Instances of Pakistan losing to an Associate nation in a men’s International, including the defeat against the USA in the Super Over. Pakistan’s two previous defeats came at the ODI World Cup – against Bangladesh in 1999 and Ireland in 2007. Pakistan also played out a tied ODI against Ireland in 2013.3 Pakistan became the third Full Member to be defeated by the USA in men’s Internationals. USA won a T20I against Ireland in 2021 and beat Bangladesh 2-1 in a three-match T20I series last month.499 Difference in the T20I caps of playing XIs of Pakistan (706) and USA (207) on Thursday. Only one team has overcome a higher difference in experience to win a men’s T20I – 555 caps by India in successive matches against Ireland in August 2023.
It is also the highest difference any team overcame to win a men’s T20 World Cup game, bettering the 314 by Sri Lanka (347) when they defeated Ireland (661) in the 2022 edition.