أفادت تقارير إعلامية إسبانية أن مانشستر سيتي كان مهتمًا بضم أحد أحدث الأسماء الواعدة الصاعدة للفريق الأول في برشلونة، الصيف الماضي.

ويواصل مسؤولو مانشستر سيتي تخطيطهم ووضع استراتيجية طويلة المدى لضم المواهب الواعدة، بعد أن تعاقد في الأشهر الأخيرة مع لاعبين من إسبانيا والبرتغال وأمريكا الجنوبية.

وأدى هذا النهج لدخول مانشستر سيتي في صراعات مع أكبر الأندية الأوروبية مثل ريال مدريد وبايرن ميونخ وبرشلونة، باهتمامهم بضم لاعبين قادرين على التطور في السنوات القادمة.

ووفقًا لصحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية، فإن مانشستر سيتي قد بذل مجهودات ملموسة للتعاقد مع درو فرنانديز موهبة برشلونة الصيف الماضي.

اقرأ أيضاً.. أول تعليق من فليك على أنباء رحيله عن برشلونة نهاية الموسم الحالي

وكان درو فرنانديز صاحب الـ17 عامًا قد تم تصعيده للفريق الأول في برشلونة هذا الموسم، ولكنه يمتلك بند فسخ معقول في عقده مع الفريق ولكن لم يتم تحديد الأرقام بعد.

وتلقى وكيل أعمال درو، عروضًا مغرية للغاية الصيف الماضي، وجاء عرض مانشستر سيتي لضم اللاعب بشكل أفضل بكثير من عقده الحالي مع برشلونة.

وقد دفع اهتمام مانشستر سيتي، برشلونة، لتصعيد اللاعب للفريق الأول، حيث حافظوا على التزامهم تجاه نجم منتخب إسبانيا تحت 18 عاماً وهناك رغبة في منحه عقدًا أفضل في العام المقبل، ومن المتوقع أن يسرع البرسا في مفاوضات تجديد عقد درو قبل الموعد المحدد لتجنب أي ثغرات تتعلق ببند فسخ العقد.

All Major League Baseball teams are in action on Tuesday, making for a high volume day. 

The game that has my attention is the AL Central battle between the Royals and Guardians with Kansas City sending out potential American League Cy Young contender Seth Lugo in hopes of closing the gap in the division. 

Keep reading for more on that game as well as the 14 other games on the Major League Baseball slate! 

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Rays vs. Marlins Prediction and Pick

Pick: Marlins (+100)

Jesus Luzardo continues to thrive for the Marlins despite the team failing to compete this season. He draws a favorable matchup against the Rays, who are bottom 10 in the big leagues in terms of OPS against lefty pitchers. 

With a low total of 7.5, I’m inclined to take the home underdog. 

Dodgers vs. Pirates Prediction and Pick

Pick: Dodgers (-185)

Pirates rookie starter Jared Jones is trending in the wrong way, seeing his velocity and strikeout numbers dwindle as the season goes on. After posting an ERA of 2.86 in April, that number jumped to 3.99 in May. 

He now faces a Dodgers team that is second i OPS on the year and is tied for fifth in runs scored. The team simply has a ceiling that the Pirates lack, and the Dodgers will have its best pitcher in Tyler Glasnow (3.04 ERA) on the mound. 

I’ll grab Los Angeles at a reasonable price.

Royals vs. Guardians Prediction and Pick

Pick: Royals (+105)

Two of the most impressive teams in the big leagues this season meet in Cleveland, and I’m going to take the underdog Royals, who have one of the best pitchers in the sport on the mound. 

Seth Lugo has thrived in Kansas City this season, posting a 1.72 ERA with excellent command (sub-six percent) and allowing a ton of soft contact (38%). The Guardians are an elite hitting team, but the Royals out-pace the AL Central leaders, ranking eighth in OPS against while Cleveland is 11th. 

There’s not much separation between the two teams so I’ll take the underdogs. 

Brewers vs. Phillies Prediction and Pick

Pick: Phillies (-170)

I don’t trust Brewers starter Colin Rea, who has some ghastly underlying metrics, including an xERA that is a 5.48, far higher than his actual ERA of 3.77. 

A lot of his looming regression is due to the fact that Rea has a strikeout rate of just 16% this season, so balls are being put in play, making it more likely that a hit is generated. 

Against a Phillies team that is top five in OPS, I’ll trust the team to generate enough contact to plate enough runs and win at home. 

Mets vs. Nationals Prediction and Pick

Pick: Mets (-115)

David Peterson made his first start of the season last week against the Dodgers, so there’s not much of a sample size to go off of, but I like him in this matchup for him against the Nationals, who are 27th in OPS against left handed pitching. 

I’ll buy low on Peterson with a limited sample and for him to win in a coin flip matchup against the Nats. 

Twins vs. Yankees Prediction and Pick

Pick: Yankees (-185)

Luis Gil is the AL Rookie of the Year favorite, and pitching like a Cy Young for that matter. 

Gil is striking out 31% of batters, in the 92nd percentile per MLBStatcast, and has a 1.99 ERA. Batters haven’t been able to catch up to the rookie just yet, and he is backed by arguably the best lineup in baseball with the scorching Aaron Judge in the middle of the lineup. 

The former AL MVP is hitting .391 with 14 home runs and 27 RBI’s in the last 25 games for the Bronx Bombers. 

Orioles vs. Jays Prediction and Pick

Pick: Orioles (-170)

Baltimore is a worthwhile bet as road favorites with AL Cy Young favorite Corbin Burnes toeing the rubber. 

The former Brewers ace is on a roll in his first season with the Orioles, pitching to a 2.35 ERA through 12 starts in which the O’s are 8-4 in those starts. 

Toronto is simply ill equipped to keep up with innings eater Bowden Francis on the mound and an offense that is 25th in OPS over the last week. 

Braves vs. Red Sox Prediction and Pick

Pick: Braves (-170)

Max Fried has found his form, fresh off a May in which he had a 2.04 ERA across 35.1 innings pitched, tossing seven or more innings in four of five starts. 

He draws a limited Red Sox lineup that will be at a disadvantage on the mound as well. While Kutter Crawford has been solid this season, he is due for a drop-off as he has an ERA of 3.29 and an xERA of 3.71. 

I’ll trust the more reliable product to get it done in Fried and the Braves. 

Tigers vs. Rangers Prediction and Pick

Pick: Rangers (+100) 

Dane Dunning has some whacky numbers, including a career worst walk rate of 11% due to his increased focus on striking batters out (career high 27%), but the TIgers won’t challenge him with the team’s lack of discipline at the dish. 

Detroit is bottom 10 in walks drawn this season and 23rd in on-base percentage, so I believe Dunning’s ability to generate swings and misses, he is in the 88th percentile in whiff percentage, will be able to be the difference in this one. 

White Sox vs. Cubs Prediction and Pick

Pick: White Sox (+240)

The White Sox can’t hit lefties well at all, this is the worst hitting team in the big leagues against southpaws, but I can’t back the Cubs at this big of a number, even with NL Rookie of the Year favorite Shota Imanaga on the mound. 

I can’t trust Chicago with the team hitting this poor of late. Over the last 15 days, the Cubs are hitting only .217 as a unit and have dropped nine of 12 games in that stretch. 

The Cubs lineup doesn’t justify this price tag. 

Cardinals vs. Astros Prediction and Pick

Pick: Astros (-150)

Can Houston turn a corner? The team is still seven games under .500, but is hoping it can find its form in June, and the same can be said for its rookie right hander Spencer Arrighetti, who has a 5.98 ERA through nine starts. 

However, the rookie has an xERA of 4.29, indicating that some better results should be coming for him. Further, the Cardinals walk at about a league average rate, which can be impactful for Arrighetti, who has an 11% walk rate. 

Reds vs. Rockies Prediction and Pick

Pick: Rockies (+115)

The Reds can’t hit lefty pitching, full stop. The team is 23rd in batting average against southpaws, which negates some of its edge in a hitter friendly Coors Field against the Rockies. 

Padres vs. Angels Prediction and Pick

Pick: Padres (-115)

I’ll bet on Adam Mazur of the Padres in his big league debut on Tuesday against the sliding Angels, who have dropped four straight. 

While San Diego struggles to hit lefty pitching, 25th in OPS, that is priced in and I’ll play on the upside of Mazur, who has limited his walks to about 4% in Triple-A this season. 

Giants vs. Diamondbacks Prediction and Pick

Pick: Diamondbacks (-120)

In a battle of left handed pitchers, I’ll side with the Diamondbacks at home, who are far better at the plate against southpaws. 

Arizona is the fourth best hitting team against lefties while the Giants check in 11th. 

Both teams are bottom five in bullpen ERA so this game can be full of twists and turns, but I’ll trust Arizona at home at a small price. 

Mariners vs. Athletics Prediction and Pick

Pick: Athletics (+135)

Rookie Mitch Spence has done a little bit of everything for the A’s pitching staff this season, starting in three of 14 appearances on the year, but he has been promising nonetheless. 

Spence has posted a 3.52 ERA and should have even better results in the future with a 3.17 xERA with a great ability to limit hard contact, ranking in the 64th percentile in hard-hit percentage, per MLBStatcast. 

I’ll take a flier on the Athletics to knock off the Mariners. 

Wolves have endured a bruising start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

Six matches in, they sit bottom of the table after losing five and drawing once, that solitary point coming in heartbreaking fashion against Spurs when Joao Palhinha struck a 94th-minute equaliser.

A goal difference of -9 reflects the struggles Vítor Periera’s side have faced both in attack and defence.

The Carabao Cup has offered a rare glimmer of light, with Wolves progressing past Everton to set up a fourth-round clash against Chelsea.

But in the league, their attack remains toothless: their expected goals tally ranks fifth-worst in the division, better only than Newcastle, West Ham, Aston Villa, and Burnley.

Lowest Expected Goals (xG) – 2025/26
Burnley	4.5
Aston Villa	5.0
West Ham	5.0
Newcastle United	5.2
Wolves	5.6
Source: Fotmob

Wolves must find a spark quickly, and they are already feeling the absence of their departed talisman, Matheus Cunha.

Cunha’s £62.5m exit was compounded by the sale of Rayan Aït-Nouri to Manchester City for £31m.

Though Wolves managed to retain Jørgen Strand Larsen – who contributed 22% of their goals last season and has since committed his future until 2030 despite heavy interest from Newcastle – Pereira’s squad is still adjusting.

Several arrivals, including Tolu Arokodare, Ladislav Krejci, and John Arias, add depth, but none will be expected to bear the same creative burden that Cunha once carried.

That responsibility may fall on the shoulders of a new arrival.

The loss of Cunha – the man who made it all tick

Cunha was central to Wolves’ survival push last season.

Arriving from Atlético Madrid in 2023, he went on to score 31 goals in 76 appearances across all competitions.

His 2023/24 league campaign was particularly vital: 15 goals and six assists in 33 appearances ensured Wolves had a fighting chance after a bleak first half of the season.

The Brazilian forward was not just about end product; his underlying numbers highlight how complete his game had become.

He averaged 0.48 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes, ranking him among the very best attacking midfielders in Europe, and his 3.87 shots per 90 placed him in the 99th percentile.

That volume alone kept defenders occupied, but Cunha also created for others, producing 4.68 shot-creating actions and 5.30 progressive passes per 90.

He combined that with 2.05 successful take-ons per game, showing he could beat a man as well as pick a pass.

For a side that already struggles to generate quality chances, losing his mix of direct shooting threat, creativity, and dribbling power is a hammer blow.

Wolves have not only lost their goalscorer but also the man who made their attack tick.

His sometimes volatile personality – including controversial outbursts on social media directed at fans – was tolerated precisely because of the quality he brought on the pitch.

Wolves' perfect Cunha replacement

Into that void steps Fer Lopez.

Signed from Celta Vigo in the summer for £19m, the 21-year-old Spaniard is being backed to take on the creative mantle.

Still developing, Lopez has already shown at youth level why he is regarded so highly, earning his Spain U21 debut in September.

Wolves see him as a player who, like Cunha once did, can gradually grow into a leader in the final third.

Lopez’s statistical profile underlines his potential. In La Liga last season, he averaged 2.68 shots per 90, enough to place him in the 77th percentile for his position throughout Europe’s top five leagues.

More importantly for Wolves, he created 4.19 shot-creating actions per 90, showing he can be a reliable source of chances for teammates.

His passing metrics are particularly impressive: a completion rate of 83.4% puts him in the 94th percentile, while his 6.52 progressive passes per 90 are elite, ranking in the 93rd percentile.

Add to that 2.33 successful take-ons per 90, and you have a “tremendous ball-carrier” – in the words of one analyst – who is capable of driving through lines and committing defenders.

Fer Lopez – 2024/25
Matches Played	17
Goals	2
Shot-Creating Actions	30
Progressive Carries	27
Progressive Passes	43
Source: FBref

Those metrics echo some of Cunha’s strengths.

Where Cunha was known for his shooting volume and chance creation, Lopez’s passing reliability and ability to progress play stand out.

His 6.52 progressive passes per 90, ranking in the 93rd percentile, indicate a willingness to move the ball quickly through midfield into dangerous zones – something Wolves badly need as their chance creation dries up.

Importantly, Lopez offers versatility. He can operate as an advanced midfielder, threading passes into the front line or drop slightly deeper to dictate play in possession.

His intelligence in tight spaces could become crucial against compact defensive blocks, a recurring obstacle for Wolves last season.

The task of replacing a proven Premier League attacker like Cunha is daunting, especially for a 21-year-old still adapting to English football.

If Wolves are to climb away from the relegation zone, giving Lopez responsibility sooner rather than later may be their best route forward.

With Strand Larsen carrying the goalscoring burden and Lopez supplying the creative spark, Wolves might yet find a way to recalibrate their faltering attack.

Liam Rosenior has publicly apologised for his comments on Lyon winger Malick Fofana's injury after initially defending Ismael Doukoure following his red card in Strasbourg’s defeat to Lyon. The Strasbourg coach admitted he “reacted in the heat of the moment” after reviewing footage of the heavy tackle that left Fofana stretchered off with a serious ankle injury that could rule him out for months.

Rosenior admits mistake over Doukoure red card

Strasbourg head coach Rosenior has issued an apology after retracting his earlier criticism of referee Eric Wattellier’s decision to send off Doukoure during the 2-1 defeat to Lyon on Sunday. The defender was dismissed in the 67th minute for a late and dangerous challenge on Lyon winger Fofana, who was forced off on a stretcher with a serious ankle injury.

Rosenior had initially protested the decision, suggesting that the red card was excessive and that Wattellier had “judged based on the injury, not the play.” The incident, which occurred just moments after Strasbourg had fought to regain control of the match, ultimately shifted momentum as Afonso Moreira struck late to secure victory for Lyon at the Groupama Stadium.

After reviewing the footage post-match, Rosenior reversed his stance. “We all make mistakes,” he admitted at his Tuesday press conference. “I reacted in the heat of the moment. I was wrong about the red card. I apologise. I hope Malick Fofana recovers quickly.”

AdvertisementGetty ImagesStrasbourg boss slammed referee before Fofana ruled out for months

Rosenior’s initial anger was rooted in the belief that Doukoure’s dismissal was influenced more by the aftermath than the action itself. Speaking immediately after the match, the English coach had said, “There were two fairly clear decisions that put us in a difficult situation. I don’t think there was a red card. For me, it was an unlucky play. I don’t want to see injured players on the pitch, but the referee judged based on the injury, not the play. It wasn’t a dangerous tackle.”

The aftermath of the incident brought grim news for Lyon as Fofana, one of the side’s brightest attacking talents, has been ruled out for at least three months after scans revealed a serious right ankle sprain. Further tests have indicated additional ligament damage that could require surgery, according to reports.

The 20-year-old Belgian, who has two goals and one assist this season, has been one of Paulo Fonseca’s key players. His absence comes at a difficult time for Lyon, who are already missing Ghanaian winger Ernest Nuamah until 2026 following an ACL injury.

Costly dismissal and Strasbourg’s setback

Doukoure’s sending off proved crucial in the match’s outcome, as the defender had earlier scored an own goal that brought Lyon level after Joaquin Panichelli’s opener for Strasbourg. Reduced to 10 men, Rosenior’s side conceded a stoppage-time goal to lose 2-1, a result that extended their winless run to three matches across all competitions.

The red card not only cost Strasbourg crucial points but also exposed their vulnerability when forced to defend deep. “It was a harsh moment for the team,” Rosenior said. “We played well, but when you’re down to 10 men, it’s always difficult.” Strasbourg dropped from third to seventh in the Ligue 1 standings as a result, though their solid home record offers hope of a quick response.

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AFPWhat next for Strasbourg and Lyon?

Strasbourg return to action on Wednesday with a crucial home fixture against struggling Auxerre. The Alsace side will look to bounce back at the Stade de la Meinau, where they have won 10 of their last 15 top-flight games. Rosenior’s men remain seventh in Ligue 1 with 16 points from nine matches, three more points than they had at the same stage last season.

Auxerre, meanwhile, visit on the back of four consecutive winless games and sit in the relegation zone with just seven points. For Lyon, the focus will shift to their midweek clash against Paris FC as they cope with the loss of Fofana. Paulo Fonseca’s men are expected to reshuffle their attack, likely to share responsibilities on the flanks in the coming weeks.

With Rosenior’s apology drawing a line under the controversy, attention now turns back to the pitch, where both clubs face defining fixtures amid mounting injury and form challenges.

Tottenham Hotspur face Doncaster Rovers in the third round of the Carabao Cup tonight, looking to extend their excellent start to life under new boss Thomas Frank.

The Lilywhites have only tasted defeat once in their first six competitive outings across all competitions, with this evening’s clash against the League One side their first in the League Cup for 2025/26.

Such a game will no doubt allow the Dane to rotate his first team squad and hand valuable minutes to players who have struggled to nail down a regular starting role.

It’s crucial that the manager finds the balance between youngsters and senior first-team options, with Grant McCann’s side already dumping out Championship opposition in Middlesbrough earlier this tournament.

Frank may have to make some bold changes to his side, potentially dropping one player who’s already been in tremendous form during the early stages of the campaign.

Why Richarlison should be dropped against Doncaster

Usual number nine Dominic Solanke has been out injured for the opening stages of the season, resulting in Richarlison being given the nod to lead the line by the new manager.

The Brazilian has failed to impress over recent seasons, but Frank’s arrival has given him a new lease of life, already finding the back of the net on three occasions.

He netted twice on the opening day of the season against Burnley, with the latter of his two strikes being named as the club’s Goal of the Month for August.

The 28-year-old also found the back of the net in Saturday’s clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, getting the ball rolling after being 2-0 down within the first half an hour.

The former Everton star has featured for 348 league minutes of the league season, potentially being in need of desperate rest to avoid picking up another injury.

It may appear a controversial decision given his recent form in North London, but he may need to be benched to allow one player to make a rare start for the Lilywhites.

The Spurs player who should make his first start tonight

During the off-season, Spurs made numerous impressive additions that have already strengthened the options at Frank’s disposal for his first year at the helm.

Mohammed Kudus was the most expensive one of the summer additions, costing £55m from local rivals West Ham United – already making an immediate impact in North London.

The Ghanaian has already registered four assists for the club, subsequently becoming the first player since James Maddison to register two assists on his debut for the club.

Players such as Xavi Simons and Joao Palhinha have also arrived during the off-season, subsequently cementing their place as regular starters in the first team squad.

However, the same can’t be said about Mathys Tel, after the French striker joined on a permanent basis from Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window.

Such a move generated huge excitement within the fanbase, but he’s yet to make a huge impact under Frank in the first month of his spell in the Premier League.

Games played

24

Minutes played

1321

Goals scored

3

Assists

1

Yellow cards

3

Red cards

0

Average rating

6.75

The 20-year-old has only made a single appearance in the league, only featuring for a total of 98 minutes in England’s top-flight in the 2025/26 campaign to date.

Such a lack of action could be a surprise given his impressive tally of three goals in his 20 appearances for the Lilywhites last season, with tonight the perfect opportunity to hand the Frenchman a rare start.

Tel, who’s been labelled “incredible” by one analyst, has still managed to impress despite his limited action, registering an 81% pass accuracy rate and a 50% dribble success rate.

He’s also won 5.5 duels per 90, whilst winning 1.8 fouls per 90, offering a constant threat to the opposition backline – something which Frank will want to utilise against the League One outfit.

Given his exclusion from the Champions League squad for the 2025/26 campaign, the Carabao Cup could be an excellent chance for Tel to gain valuable first-team minutes.

It’s also a chance for Richarlison to get a needed rest after his number of minutes early on this campaign, potentially giving the Frenchman a chance to stake his claim for a starting role.

The best since Kane: Spurs talent could steal the #10 shirt from Maddison

Tottenham Hotspur may already have a star who could be Thomas Frank’s new number ten.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 23, 2025

Aston Villa have now opened talks with the agents of a goalkeeper, who’s in red-hot form, amid doubts surrounding Emiliano Martinez’s future.

Martinez's Villa future up in the air after failed Man Utd move

Martinez was widely expected to leave Villa in the summer, with it being revealed that he wanted to join Manchester United, but the Argentina international ultimately ended up staying put, and has since been reintroduced to the squad.

Indeed, the 33-year-old, who is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, has started the last four Premier League matches, during which time the Villans are undefeated, having won their last four games on the spin in all competitions.

However, the goalkeeper’s future remains up in the air, with Ruben Amorim personally requesting that Man United sign him in the January transfer window, which means Unai Emery may be tasked with bringing in a replacement.

According to a report from WinWin (via Sports View), Aston Villa have now made their first approach to sign a new goalkeeper, having opened talks with the agents of AS Monaco goalkeeper Yanis Benchaouch-Marty.

Villa are making contingency plans, in case Martinez departs next summer, and Benchaouch-Marty has caught their eye, having recently impressed for national side Morocco, guiding them to the semi-finals of the Under-20 World Cup following a fantastic display against South Korea.

Emery’s side are expected to make moves to sign the 19-year-old once the tournament ends, with Morocco U20s set to take on France U20s in the semi-final this evening.

Aston Villa set to make January approach for £52m Champions League "monster"

Villa are expected to make a move for a “freak athlete”.

ByDominic Lund Oct 14, 2025 Benchaouch-Marty could be long-term Martinez heir

The AS Monaco youngster has certainly put himself in the shop window with some of his performances at the U20 World Cup, perhaps most notably putting in a fantastic display in Morocco’s statement 2-1 victory against Brazil.

The Moroccan came very close to keeping a clean sheet, with Brazil scoring a 92nd-minute penalty, which ultimately ended up being nothing more than a consolation, but he still achieved a 8.6 SofaScore match rating, the highest of any player on the pitch.

Statistic

Number completed

Saves from inside the box

4

High claims

1

Long balls (accurate)

12 (7)

Accurate passes

32/37 (86%)

The teenager is showing signs he could be a long-term heir for Martinez, but the young goalkeeper is clearly still in the infancy of his career, given that he is still yet to make a senior appearance for AS Monaco.

As such, Emery will be hoping his current first-choice goalkeeper sticks round a little while longer, potentially as a mentor for Benchaouch-Marty, and Villa are currently under no pressure to cash-in, with Martinez under contract until the summer of 2029.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made his feelings clear behind-the-scenes about the potential departure of a big-name player in January.

Arsenal make key decisions on player futures amid Premier League title race

The Gunners are moving to lock down squad members who they view as pivotal for the long-term.

Sporting director Andrea Berta, in a major boost for the Premier League title chasers, convinced star defender William Saliba to commit his long-term future to the club, with the Frenchman signing a new deal until 2030.

The move reflects Saliba’s importance to Arsenal as a cornerstone of their defence for years to come, rewarding his consistent performances and growth, whilst also thwarting Real Madrid’s interest in the 24-year-old as Xabi Alonso’s side are forced to look elsewhere.

In addition to Saliba, goalkeeper David Raya has also agreed to improved terms, reinforcing Arsenal’s commitment to keeping a strong and reliable last line of defence.

Raya’s improved terms with no actual extension, while not announced by the club, highlights Arteta’s desire to reward his players for their excellent form, with the Spaniard proving invaluable between Arsenal’s sticks after back-to-back Golden Glove awards.

The former Brentford shot-stopper has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world since joining the North Londoners, and it is vital he maintains this level if Arsenal are to win their first Premier League title in over 20 years.

Rank

Player

Age

Club

Nation

1

Gianluigi Donnarumma

26

Man City

Italy

2

Alisson

33

Liverpool

Brazil

3

David Raya

30

Arsenal

Spain

4

Jan Oblak

32

Atletico Madrid

Slovenia

5

Diogo Costa

25

FC Porto

Portugal

Beyond those deals, Arsenal are currently engaged in ongoing talks with several other vital squad members.

Bukayo Saka remains a high priority, as the club looks to secure the long-term future of their talismanic winger who has become central to their attacking threat.

Similarly, discussions are underway with defensive stalwart Jurrien Timber, who has impressed with his versatility, defensive solidity and consistency since recovering from his debut season ACL injury.

Midfield maestros Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice have also held talks with Berta over new deals, with Arsenal eager to keep both big names at the heart of their team.

However, the long-term future of £265,000-per-week striker Gabriel Jesus remains far more uncertain.

Arsenal tell Gabriel Jesus he could leave with Mikel Arteta feelings clear

The Brazil international suffered an ACL rupture just as he was enjoying a real purple patch of form midway through 2024/2025, but with his own terms expiring in under two years, Arsenal have told Jesus his January exit is a real possibility.

The former Man City star, once back to full fitness, will have to contend with the likes of Kai Havertz and summer signing Viktor Gyokeres for a place in Arteta’s starting eleven.

Jesus can play on the wing, but Arsenal are also looking pretty strong out wide, so doubts surround whether he really has a place in the team anymore.

The ex-Palmeiras sensation has bagged 26 goals and 20 assists in just under a century of appearances for Arsenal and showcased his worth to Arteta on more than one occasion, but he was never the reliable scorer that they craved up top.

Despite being called a “frightening” player by those who’ve trained alongside him, like Jack Grealish, the writing appears on the wall for Jesus.

As interested sides stand up and take note of his availability, it is believed that his preference is to remain in Europe despite reports linking the forward with a return to Brazil.

Tottenham Hotspur have long held a reputation for being a Premier League club that gets the maximum out of the up-and-coming talents at their disposal.

Indeed, Gareth Bale was transformed into a Real Madrid superstar thanks to the magic of the North Londoners, with the likes of Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, and Wilson Odobert all keen to follow in the Welshman’s footsteps in Thomas Frank’s first team picture right now, with the trio in question all 20 years of age and younger.

They have all been afforded for luxury of trying to win first team minutes while Luka Vuskovic attempts to make a name for himself out on loan with Hamburg, with the promising Croat another that could soon bear fruit off the impressive Spurs’ production line.

Why Luka Vuskovic is rated so highly

It’s been a long time in the making for Vuskovic to be the Premier League side’s property, having originally agreed a £12m deal with Hajduk Split for the teenage sensation back in 2023, with the defender then staying put in his native country to develop.

His ex-employers even loaned him out to Belgium for a season-long stint at Westerlo, but despite scoring seven times and picking up three assists on the books of the Pro League side, and already being capped by the senior Croatia national team, Frank and Co opted to send Vuskovic on another European adventure with the Bundesliga outfit this summer.

The Dane will be watching on from the Spurs’ dug-out, very pleased with Vuskovic’s start to life in the Bundesliga, with the Split-born teenager already the recipient of the league’s Rookie of the Month accolade for his assured showings across September.

His league numbers make for some wild reading, with the determined 18-year-old winning a crazy nine duels per Bundesliga game so far this season, having won a whopping 18 aerial duels against Union Berlin at the end of last month.

To apply context to just how remarkable that statistic is, no player has won more aerial duels in a single Bundesliga game across the last ten seasons. Furthermore, he is the first player to win 18 aerial duels in a single match in Europe’s big five leagues over the last five seasons.

It now appears that analyst Ben Mattinson wasn’t being that over-the-top when he claimed Vuskovic was a “freak talent” with a “high ceiling”, with his parent club already looking forward to bedding him into the first team picture when the time is right.

However, despite the brand-new Hamburg number 44 becoming the flavour of the month suddenly, other youngsters back at Spurs are equally as promising as Vuskovic.

Spurs gem is rivalling Vuskovic as their top youngster

While Vuskovic has had to wait for his moment in the senior spotlight, other youngsters of a similar ilk to the raw Croat have been bumped up to the Spurs’ senior fold without much hesitation in recent years.

Last season, in particular, saw Ange Postecoglou use the Europa League as a stage for some of Spurs’ homegrown prodigies to impress, with Dane Scarlett even scoring against Elfsborg in the European competition, despite only being 20.

That same match, Mikey Moore would got in on the goalscoring act, with this first-ever senior goal for the Lilywhites a long time in the making, despite the London-born starlet only being 17 at the time.

Amazingly, long before Vuskovic’s name would start to be uttered, Moore was scoring goals by the bucket load for the Spurs’ U18s, with 19 goals and 13 assists in total in the youth picture, seeing scout Jacek Kulig hail him as “one of the most talented players of his generation in Europe.”

Moore’s career numbers

Stat

Moore

Games played

45

Senior appearances

20

Youth appearances

25

Goals scored

22

Assists

18

Sourced by Transfermarkt

A further 20 appearances in the Spurs’ first team fold have come the forward’s way which has resulted in a further two assists being collected. It really is unsurprising that analyst Ben Mattinson claimed he has “superstar potential.”

Still, much like Vuksovic’s fate, Moore was sent out on loan to Rangers this summer, with the new number 47 at Ibrox failing to settle amidst turbulent times at the Glasgow-based club.

Yet, he does at least have one assist next to his name to hang onto from ten appearances, and with a hat-trick just picked up for the England U19s, he will hopefully be able to kick on and get back to his best in the Russell-Martin-less reality awaiting him.

Therefore, while the former Split youngster is certainly raising eyebrows, Moore has shown with that hat-trick that he still has lots about him, too, with the 18-year-old no doubt still prepared to go to the very top, whether that’s with Vuskovic next to him or not in a future Spurs’ starting XI.

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Posts 2 ByAngus Sinclair Oct 12, 2025

Lionel Messi this week signed a three-year extension to stay with Inter Miami through 2028, and the Argentine says a major factor was the lifestyle in Florida. In addition to his family enjoying living in Miami, Messi told NBC Nightly News that he evaluated his mental and physical health and ultimately, the decision to remain in MLS was "easy."

• 'I'm happy living in Miami'

  "Honestly, I felt really good during the year," Messi told NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas. "I'm happy living in Miami, as is my family, and honestly, the decision was easy."

  News of a potential extension broke in April, then stalled over the past few months. The team announced the three-year extension on Thursday. Messi said during international duty with Argentina that he was unsure if he would play in the 2026 World Cup.

  "Day by day, I try to feel good and, above all, be honest with myself. When I feel good, I enjoy it. But when I don’t, honestly, I don’t enjoy it – and if that’s the case, I’d rather not be there. So we’ll see," he said at the time. "I haven’t made a decision yet about the World Cup. Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then have preseason, and in six months, I’ll see how I feel. Hopefully, I can finish this MLS season strong, have a good preseason in 2026, and then make a decision.”

  Messi told NBC that he evaluated both his health and options, and decided to extend with the MLS side.

  “I've always said that I’ll base my decision on how I feel day to day and how I feel physically and mentally to continue playing and to continue being part of this club," he said. 

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• Getty Images
  

  Messi's impact on MLS

  Since Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami’s value has more than doubled to roughly $1.2 billion, according to Sportico and Forbes. The impact has been felt across every metric: MLS attendance hit 11.2 million in 2025 – its second-highest total – with teams averaging 14,000 more fans when Messi and Miami visited, a 63-percent jump over their standard home crowds.

  The club’s Instagram following exploded from 1 million to 17.9 million, trailing only the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers among U.S. teams across sports. And Messi’s jersey has been No. 1 in MLS sales for three straight seasons, setting records across North American sports, and remains Adidas’s top-selling shirt worldwide.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Dominant individual play

  Messi has scored 50 goals in 53 league games, adding 35 assists in that span. He was the 2024 MLS MVP and is the frontrunner to become the first player in league history to win the award in back-to-back seasons.

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• Playoffs ahead

  Inter Miami kick off their first round series against Nashville Friday in Game 1 of a best-of-three format. NBC will air the full interview with Messi on Monday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

تحدث عادل عبد الرحمن، نجم الأهلي ومنتخب مصر السابق، عن مواجهة الأحمر أمام المصري البورسعيدي في الدوري والمقرر إقامتها مساء اليوم الأحد.

وقال عبد الرحمن عبر راديو “ميجا إف إم”: “أتمنى أن يقدم المصري البورسعيدي مباراة قوية أمام الأهلي الذي يعاني من ثغرات واضحة في خط الدفاع مؤخرًا”.

طالع.. توروب: تحدثت مع الخطيب في “ماضينا المشترك”.. ومدير الأهلي عرفني أكثر من نفسي

وأضاف: “الأهلي لن يتأثر بغياب محمد علي بن رمضان، وأعتقد أن تريزيجيه سيعوض غيابه بشكل طبيعي”.

وواصل: “محمد مجدي أفشة يشعر بالإهمال والتهميش، وهو سبب تراجع مستواه مع الأهلي، هو لاعب كبير وقادر على استعادة مستواه المعهود كما اعتدنا عليه، فهو يصنع الفارق في المباريات الكبرى”.

واستطرد: “مدرب الأهلي الجديد يحتاج إلى الوقت حيث أن بصماته لم تظهر حتى الآن وجاء في توقيت صعب، لكنه سيعمل على تطوير الأداء الفردي للاعبين ويجب على الجمهور الصبر”.

وأتم: “توروب يتمير بالانضباط التكتيكي عن ريبيرو، ويجيد قراءة المباريات بشكل أفضل والتغييرت مؤشر رائع”.