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The PCB’s stance remains unchanged, stating there is “no chance” of a hybrid model for the tournament

Osman Samiuddin12-Nov-2024

The PCB has written to the ICC and asked them to provide a written confirmation from the BCCI that they are unable to play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, as well as giving a reason for it.The PCB was told last Friday by the ICC that the BCCI has not been given permission by the Indian government for the Indian team to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, scheduled to be played across three venues in Pakistan from February 9. But the PCB wants it in writing from the BCCI that they are unable to attend, as well as the justification for it.That ICC communication came three days before what would’ve been the official launch event for the tournament in Lahore, starting a 100-day countdown. Instead, the event has been postponed, with uncertainty now swirling around the eight-team tournament.Related

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Hybrid model for Champions Trophy? ICC likely to take call on November 26

BCCI objects to PCB's Champions Trophy tour to Muzaffarabad

PCB 'not prepared to accept' hybrid model for Champions Trophy

Akram urges India to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025

The PCB’s stance at the moment remains unchanged: the entire tournament will be played in Pakistan with a senior PCB official reiterating to ESPNcricinfo there is “no chance” of a hybrid model being considered. Such a model, used once for the Asia Cup in 2023, would allow India to play their games outside of Pakistan. There has been speculation about the UAE being used as a second venue in this instance but the PCB has unequivocally ruled that out. The tournament is scheduled to be played in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi between February 19 and March 9.As well as that stance, there is also a growing realisation that with the Pakistan government now involved, any decisions on hosting and hybrid models may not be driven by the PCB but will be firmly in the government’s hands.One of the reasons the PCB is standing firm at the moment is because they feel aggrieved by events last year. After they were forced to use a hybrid model in hosting the Asia Cup, Pakistan agreed to travel to India for the World Cup. That decision was taken after consultation with the government and permission was ultimately granted – despite considerable opposition – on the hope that it would lead to India reciprocating by visiting for the Champions Trophy.The same government remains in place in Pakistan and Mohsin Naqvi, a senior figure within it as the country’s interior minister, is now the PCB chairman.The PCB has also pointed out that the tournament was awarded to Pakistan three years ago and no objection was raised at the time, or has been raised since. The PCB is believed to have provided a progress report at the ICC’s board meetings in October including the intention to go ahead with the 100-day launch event on November 11, with no concerns raised.The ICC has been approached for comment.

The closest Tottenham Hotspur have come to winning the Premier League in generations was under Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine’s best team may have ended up being less successful than Ange Postecoglou’s current side – trophy-wise, anyway – but it was stacked with some outrageously talented players.

The likes of Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and a young Son Heung-min will always get the plaudits from those outside of the fanbase, and understandably so, but the Lilywhites faithful know full well that Mousa Dembélé was just as important to that side.

The Belgian was an utterly superb central midfielder, so supporters should be excited about recent reports linking the team to a youngster who has shades of the retired monster about him.

Spurs midfield targets

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other central midfielders who have been touted for moves to Spurs in recent weeks, like Quinten Timber and Angel Gomes.

Transfer Focus

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

The former is the brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber, the captain of Feyenoord, reportedly worth £25m and could be an ideal addition to the squad, as he’s capable of playing in attacking, central and defensive midfield.

Likewise, Gomes could be a sensational signing as, thanks to his contract with LOSC Lille expiring this month, he’ll be available for nothing, and at just 24 years old, he already has experience of national team football, the Champions League and top-flight football in both Portugal, France and England.

Yet, neither one of these internationals could really be described as having shades of Dembélé to them, unlike Adam Wharton.

Yes, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, the Crystal Palace star is now a serious target for the North Londoners.

The report has revealed that the club are ‘prioritizing a central midfield’ signing this season, and the young Englishman ‘figures highly on their shortlist.’

However, it won’t be an easy deal to get done, as the Eagles are after upwards of £60m for the midfield maestro, but even then, with his ability and potential, that may be a fee worth paying for Spurs, especially as he could emulate parts of Dembélé’s game.

How Wharton compares to Dembélé

So, before the pitchforks and torches come out, it’s important to state that we are not saying that Wharton is currently as good a player as Dembélé was during his pomp at Spurs, as that would just be silly.

However, given the fact that he’s still just 21 years old and will be until midway through next season, it’s not that out there to suggest he could reach that level in time, especially as there are some similarities between the pair.

The first, and perhaps most significant, is the fact that the Palace gem very rarely loses the ball.

In fact, according to FBref, the “generational” talent, as dubbed by members of the media, sits in the bottom 40% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for the frequency he is dispossessed, coming in at just 0.89 times per 90, or, in other words, less than once a game.

A great example of this was in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, as, on top of winning duels, making tackles and playing a number of excellent passes, he was also able to hold onto the ball brilliantly despite the immense amount of pressure Pep Guardiola’s side tried to exert on him.

This ability to keep the ball was one of the Belgian’s most impressive, and it seems like the young Englishman has it in spades.

Then there are the more surface-level comparisons, such as both players coming from a London club – Fulham in Dembélé’s case – and the fact that they could and can play in either central or defensive midfield.

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Ultimately, while it’s a lot of money, Spurs should do what they can to sign Wharton this summer, as he looks like he has the raw abilities and ceiling to become the club’s next Dembélé.

Eriksen 2.0: Spurs looking to sign "extraordinary" £25m Sarr upgrade

The young leader could be just what Spurs are after.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 4, 2025

The move comes amid Henry Martín’s injury concerns and pressure from fans to bring in top talent.

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• Zúñiga scored 12 goals last season
• América paid $3 million for 100 percent of his rights
• He will sign a two-year deal with an option to extend

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  With the new Liga MX season getting underway this weekend, Club América are closing in on a major attacking reinforcement. Multiple sources have confirmed the club has reached a deal to sign José Raúl “La Pantera” Zúñiga from Xolos de Tijuana.

  The 30-year-old Colombian striker, who tied for the Clausura 2025 golden boot with 12 goals, is said to be joining América on a permanent deal worth $3 million. He’ll reportedly sign a two-year contract with an option to extend, and his salary will be higher than what he earned at Tijuana.

  ESPN was the first to report America signing Zúñiga.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  So far, América’s summer window has been relatively quiet, with only Alexis Gutiérrez and Isaías Violante arriving. After losing the Clausura 2025 final to Toluca, fans have been vocal in demanding higher-caliber signings – especially with injuries continuing to sideline star striker Henry Martín.

  With other rumored targets like Diber Cambindo (Necaxa) and Denis Bouanga (LAFC) out of reach, the front office turned its focus to Zúñiga, whose physical presence, pace, and reliable finishing made him a standout last season. He shared the top scorer honor with Uroš Đurđević of Atlas and Paulinho Dias of Toluca.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  América initially tried to secure Zúñiga on loan, but Tijuana rejected the proposal. That pushed the board to act fast and trigger a full transfer – despite some hesitation about signing a player already in his 30s.

  Zúñiga is expected in Mexico City soon to undergo medical tests. If all goes well, he’ll be officially unveiled as América’s newest forward – just in time for the start of the new campaign.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR CLUB AMÉRICA?

  André Jardine’s América will kick off their Apertura 2025 campaign this Friday with a Matchday 1 clash against FC Juárez.

A hard taskmaster at times, an astute judge of the game, and someone not shy of voicing an opinion are the key traits of the new coach

Shashank Kishore21-Dec-2018Few men in India have covered the entire gamut of the coaching spectrum like WV Raman. He has coached Tamil Nadu and Bengal, been part of Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders and briefly even held the India A job in 2008, but the biggest validation of his coaching credentials may have come only recently, having played a key role in charting the revival of the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.Once touted by a now-retired domestic cricketer as a ‘paradise for good food and great weather in the summer’, the NCA was in an abyss until 2015. Physios, coaches and trainers didn’t know what they should do. There was a chairperson, but his duties were unclear. Also, there seemed to be little in sync between the NCA and the selectors.When he took over as batting coach in 2015, Raman, the former India opener, along with Narendra Hirwani, the bowling coach, demarcated responsibilities to methodically groom the next set of age-group talent, apart from working with senior players who have used the facility to regain match fitness.Outside of the NCA, Raman has been on a number of tours with India Under-19 teams, and has set up a new pathway for cricketers, many of whom have been fast-tracked for a higher honours. Raman has been pivotal towards the building of this assembly line, acting as a feeder for Rahul Dravid while he has been away on overseas tours as head coach of India A. Raman’s experience of being a well-travelled domestic cricket commentator too has come in handy.Handling young groups apart, Raman has a demonstrated history of dispute resolution. In his stint with Bengal in 2011-12, there were public differences between senior cricketers Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Manoj Tiwary. The fight for captaincy in the aftermath of Sourav Ganguly’s retirement from all forms of cricket threatened to derail the side. But he managed to tide over the crisis, with Bengal winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the domestic 50-over competition in 2012, by beating Mumbai in the final.Raman took over the Tamil Nadu job for the second time in the aftermath of personal issues between two senior players. To his credit, he managed to pull the side through the muddle and they reached the Ranji Trophy final in his second season, in 2014-15.Now with the women’s team, one of his first tasks will be to defuse a clash of personalities. While Mithali Raj may say publicly that “I have no problems with Harmanpreet Kaur”, there is enough evidence of a possible rift. Raman will only know too well a senior player feuding over batting positions can’t be the best way to begin an overseas assignment. They go to New Zealand in January while there’s only 15 months left for the next Women’s World T20 in Australia.As a coach, there has also been talk of Raman being a hard task-master and a disciplinarian prone to flashes of short temper. Former players he had coached termed him aloof when he first joined a team but that perception has also thawed.Abhinav Mukund, the Tamil Nadu captain until last season, said of Raman in an interview with ESPNcricinfo: “I have always felt he used to take a lot of pressure from external sources and protect the younger players from it. He would never give me any sort of bullshit, which is something I always appreciate. We had a lot of arguments about my technique. I could tell him that I wasn’t comfortable with it.”Even as captain, we used to have arguments about a certain player, but at the end of the day he would give me the player I wanted. A lot of people think he is extremely short tempered, but I genuinely feel he’s a reasonable man.”When it comes to the technicalities and an eye for talent, there are few that can match Raman. In 2008, he was convinced of Manish Pandey’s future as a batting star, even before the player had made his Ranji Trophy debut. A decade on, Pandey is on the fringes of India’s limited-overs teams but the impact he’s had for Karnataka, various India A sides and KKR are undeniable.As a coach, Raman is instinct-driven. Numbers and analytics only complement his style, and aren’t the sole criteria for his functioning. In 2013, soon after he was dropped from the Test side, Gautam Gambhir turned to Raman for one-on-one sessions. It was there that Raman suggested Gambhir bat with a slightly-open stance, a method that would define his batting for a better part of his next six years as a first-class cricketer.The jury may be out on whether the change brought Gambhir the kind of prolific returns he managed in the first half of his career. But that Raman wasn’t afraid to suggest something radical to an experienced cricketer – a two-time World Cup winner – indicated his strong personality and the respect he commands as an astute reader of the game.The women’s team is in need of someone who can take charge with a vision for the greater good. Raman has the credentials, and his test will be in how he manages to tide over the current clash between his ODI captain and the T20I captain. This conflict-resolution could define his legacy, which could yet mark the start of a defining period in Indian women’s cricket.

Newcastle United have now joined the race to sign a “very quick” defender who’s among the “world’s best”, according to a report.

Newcastle's summer transfer plans taking shape

Should Newcastle manage to secure Champions League qualification by finishing in the Premier League’s top five, the 2024-25 campaign is likely to go down as a resounding success, having also ended their 70-year trophy drought by lifting the EFL Cup.

However, the PIF have grand plans for the Magpies, and having enjoyed their first taste of success, they are likely to be even more inspired to compete for more major honours, which means some new additions to the squad could be required this summer.

Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo could be a key target in attack, with the right-winger recently being identified as the ideal option to bolster Eddie Howe’s frontline, while the PIF are now racing to sign Girona’s Yangel Herrera to reinforce the midfield.

In-demand player would rather join Newcastle despite offer from Barcelona

The Magpies could land his signature…

1 BySean Markus Clifford May 4, 2025

A new centre-back has also been of interest for quite some time, with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi a long-standing target, and there has now been a new update on the Tynesiders’ pursuit of a defender.

According to a report from The Sun, Newcastle have now joined the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah, who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer, having announced his intention to leave the German club when his contract expires.

Guehi remains the Magpies’ top target, with the Palace captain set to leave Selhurst Park this summer, but Tah has now been identified as an alternative option, with Howe desperate to bring in a new defender this summer.

There could be stiff competition for the 29-year-old’s signature, however, with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich also keen, in light of his impressive performances for Bayer Leverkusen…

"Very quick" Tah among "world's best" defenders

Leverkusen were unable to retain the Bundesliga title this season, but they did an incredible job to pip Bayern to top spot in the 2023-24 campaign, going the entire season undefeated, and it would be fair to say the German defender impressed Xabi Alonso.

Alonso said: “Jonha is performing at the highest level and I am really happy for him because he deserves all the praise and all the good moments he’s living – that he keeps playing for us and happily for the national team as well. I think he is one of the world’s best defenders.”

Former Germany boss Joachim Low once described the 29-year-old as “very quick”, while he is also very impressive in possession of the ball.

Tah’s availability on a free transfer makes signing him an even more attractive proposition for potential suitors this summer, and it is promising news that Newcastle have now joined the race.

Cameron Bancroft was sent to hospital after a cycling accident left him concussed and ended his Sheffield Shield title dreams, with Western Australia captain Sam Whiteman expressing relief that his opening partner avoided further injuries.Bancroft, a keen cyclist, fell off his bike and landed on his head on Sunday. He was riding by himself when the incident took place and he’s since been ruled out of the final against Tasmania starting on Thursday at the WACA.”[I’m] pretty gutted, but nice to hear he’s okay and out of hospital,” Whiteman told reporters on Wednesday. “I think it’s pretty lucky that it wasn’t much worse. He’s got plenty of scratches. Hopefully we’ll see him around the WACA this week, and I know that he’s gutted to miss it, but he’ll get around the team.”He’s done a lot of heavy lifting this year to get us into the final.”Related

• WA chase historic hat-trick while Tasmania look to break 11-year drought

• 'It's a difficult job' – Gannon prepares for Shield final after a career on the fringe

• Beau Webster, Tasmania's talisman: 'I'm absolutely ready for the next level'

• Wade to retire from first-class cricket after Sheffield Shield final

• Bancroft out of Sheffield Shield final due to concussion after bike accident

Bancroft’s loss is a huge blow for WA’s bid for a hat-trick of Shield titles after another impressive season where he is the second-highest run-scorer with 778 at 48.62.WA’s batting order is built around the reliable opening partnership of Bancroft and Whiteman, who this season became the state’s most prolific first-wicket pair. But Bancroft’s absence means WA will need to rejig their opening combination with D’Arcy Short and Teague Wyllie in contention to come into the XI, while No.3 Jayden Goodwin could be promoted.The experienced Short has only played one Shield match this season although he did make a gritty 49 batting at No.5 against Queensland on a tough WACA surface earlier this month.Goodwin, the son of former Zimbabwe Test batter Murray Goodwin, has enjoyed a breakout season and stamped himself as WA’s No.3 with a maiden first-class century against Queensland. He also scored 85 in difficult batting conditions at Bellerive Oval against Tasmania last month.WA’s hierarchy may be reluctant to move Goodwin, 22, from the No.3 position with Wyllie firming as the likeliest candidate to replace Bancroft at the top of the order.Teague Wyllie is in-line to replace Cameron Bancroft•Getty Images

But Wyllie, 19, has not played in the Shield since early February after struggling this season with an average of 17.80 from six matches. He started the season with a gutsy 94 off 251 deliveries at No.3 against a full-strength Victorian attack but fell away and was unsuccessfully moved down the order.Wyllie, who played in WA’s two previous title-winning teams, particularly struggled against the seaming ball and was often stuck on the crease. But he’s found form in WA premier cricket with two centuries in his last three innings for Rockingham-Mandurah.Wyllie opens at club level but has never performed the role in first-class cricket. “He’s been an opener his whole career. It’s where he feels most comfortable,” Whiteman said. “He hasn’t had the best season but I love the way he’s been constantly trying to improve himself.”We’ve seen some big innings from him over the last few years. So if he gets his opportunity, I’m sure he can step up.”Tasmania captain Jordan Silk said his team would not underestimate Bancroft’s replacement.”I’m sure whoever they bring in… they’ve got Shield hundreds and I think [WA] will be confident they can replace him,” Silk said. “[Bancroft’s] obviously one of the batters you talk at length about in team meetings, because he’s such a prolific run scorer and he’s hard to remove.”You want the best players playing on this stage, so my thoughts go out to him.”

The solution to finding form as a Manchester United player? On current evidence, it would seem that sealing a move away is the perfect answer.

Having stepped out of the intense spotlight at Old Trafford, a number of individuals have rediscovered their groove elsewhere, with Marcus Rashford notably reaching double figures for goals and assists in just 17 games on loan at Aston Villa.

Even the much-maligned Antony – a player who arguably ranks among the worst signings in Premier League history, considering the limp return on his £86m investment – has dazzled for Real Betis in recent months, with five goals and four assists in 18 games out in Spain.

Perhaps the biggest success story, however, lies with Scott McTominay, with the towering midfielder spearheading Napoli’s Scudetto charge, having scored 11 Serie A goals in 2024/24 – including five in his last three league outings.

Were United and INEOS right to let him go?

Why Man Utd sold Scott McTominay

A miserable 2023/24 campaign under Erik ten Hag was one of few bright spots – excluding the FA Cup final triumph to round things off – although the displays of McTominay were one element to shout about, with the Scotland star scoring ten goals in all competitions.

That stellar impact included memorable efforts like his stoppage-time brace against Brentford to seal a 2-1 win at Old Trafford, as well as his opener in the 4-3 thriller with Liverpool, having become a figure whom the Dutchman could rely upon.

Having had just a year left on his deal heading into last summer, however – and with United feeling the need to comply with PSR regulations – the new INEOS regime took the decision to cash in on the 28-year-old, raking in £25m of ‘pure profit’.

That sale – which allowed the Red Devils to subsequently sign fellow midfielder, Manuel Ugarte – was one that Ten Hag certainly didn’t agree with, having later admitted that he “didn’t want” to sell a player who he labelled as having “Manchester United in his veins”.

Not only were there financial benefits to that decision to sell, but the problem for McTominay was the lack of an obvious starting berth in the side, having actually only started 27 games in that final campaign at the club.

The 6 foot 4 ace – as his goal return showcased – was not defensive-minded enough to operate as a deep-lying midfielder, while it was also unlikely for him to be able to dislodge captain Bruno Fernandes in a number ten berth.

In the end, McTominay was parachuted in as something of a makeshift striker or false nine in the final weeks of the season, albeit with that hardly representing a long-term solution.

As it is, despite being a reliable presence loved by his manager and a player who had starred last term, a permanent place in the side looked unlikely moving forward. Could the same now be set to occur with one of his former colleagues?

The Man Utd star facing McTominay repeat

As alluded to, McTominay lacked that real quality in a defensive sense to thrive at the base of the midfield, having ranked in the bottom 31% of midfielders in the Premier League for interceptions made per 90 in 2023/24, as well as in just the top 35% for tackles made per 90, as per FBref.

Equally, his ability on the ball, particularly creatively, could also be brought into question, as he ranked in just the bottom 8% for shot-creating actions, the bottom 8% for passes attempted and the bottom 17% for progressive passes.

In essence, despite his role as a box-crashing game-changer, McTominay couldn’t truly settle on a regular position under Ten Hag, with that a fate that could befall Noussair Mazraoui heading into next season.

First and foremost, the £12.9m arrival from Bayern Munich has proven to be an “outrageous bargain” amid a promising debut season in Manchester, in the words of journalist Liam Canning, having become the club’s ‘Mr Consistent’ due to his impressive availability and reliability.

Indeed, the Moroccan star has played 51 games in all competitions, with 34 of those coming under Ruben Amorim’s watch – the joint-most of any player since the Portuguese coach took charge.

Like McTominay was under Ten Hag, Mazraoui is a player beloved by his manager, with Amorim describing the 27-year-old as the “future of our team” back in December, while also later lauding the defender’s “amazing” work ethic.

Like McTominay too, however, there could be a case that in the new manager’s 3-4-3 set-up, the versatile asset is potentially too much of a jack of all trades, having floated between right wing-back, left wing-back or one of the centre-back berths.

With Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt and Ayden Heaven all in contention to feature at centre-back when fit – as well as the stricken Lisandro Martinez – there are more suitable long-term options than Mazraoui in those roles.

Equally, at wing-back, the former Ajax man’s lack of genuine attacking threat could also be his undoing in the long term, considering he has only registered three assists while failing to score this season.

Idrissa Gueye

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There’s no denying that Mazraoui – like McTominay before him – has been something of an unsung hero this term, not least considering he ranks third in the division for tackles made, but there does need to be questions asked over what his role will be on a permanent basis moving forward.

At present, the £135k-per-week star is proving invaluable due to his ability to cover up the club’s lingering injury woes with his positional flexibility, although once Amorim has been handed a summer to spend and settle on a side, will Mazraoui feature quite so prominently?

Again, in a similar mould to McTominay, such a valued squad member might not be afforded the starring role that his quality deserves.

Better than Osimhen: Man Utd close to agreement for "hottest CF in Europe"

Man Utd are ramping up their search for a new centre-forward this summer

ByRobbie Walls Apr 29, 2025

كشف مصدر بـ النادي الأهلي، عن أول قرار تجاه اللاعبين بعد التعادل خلال مباراة اليوم أمام إنبي، ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.

وتعادل الأهلي مع إنبي، إيجابيا بهدف لمثله، في إطار مباريات الجولة السادسة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري.

طالع | أحمد حسن: الأهلي يفتقد الروح والشراسة.. وهناك شيء غير مفهوم!

ويحتل الأهلي المركز الخامس عشر في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 6 نقاط جمعها من الفوز بمواجهة وحيدة وهزيمة أمام بيراميدز والتعادل في 3 لقاءات.

وقال المصدر في تصريحات خاصة لـ بطولات: “العقوبات مستمرة على اللاعبين بعد التعادل مع إنبي بسبب سوء الأداء الفني”.

وأتم: “سيتم توقيع العقوبة من وليد صلاح الدين مدير الكرة على لاعبي الأهلي بخصم من راتبهم الشهري بسبب سوء الأداء”.

ومن المقرر أن يواصل الأهلي مبارياته في الدوري المصري بخوض لقاء قوي أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا، في إطار مواجهات الجولة السابعة من المسابقة المحلية. 

Mason Greenwood has generated plenty of transfer talk, but a "look forward to more" message has hinted at the Marseille forward staying put.

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Enjoyed impressive debut campaign in FranceAttracted interest from teams across EuropeLigue 1 giants have no intention of sellingFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 23-year-old forward enjoyed the most productive campaign of his career to date in 2024-25. On the back of moving to France from Premier League giants Manchester United, Greenwood registered 22 goals and six assists through 36 appearances in all competitions.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

His 21 efforts in Ligue 1 were enough to earn a share of Golden Boot honours alongside Champions League winner and Ballon d’Or favourite Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain. He also rewrote the history books at Stade Velodrome.

DID YOU KNOW?

Greenwood’s debut season with Marseille saw him better some club legends, including ex-Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. A collection of match-altering performances helped to deliver Champions League qualification.

TELL ME MORE

Interest is said to have been attracted from across Europe, with La Liga heavyweights Barcelona and Atletico Madrid reportedly keen on the former Getafe loanee, but Marseille have no intention of parting with a player that they have tied to a contract through to 2029.

West Ham United have made an offer to sign a new forward for manager Graham Potter, according to the player’s agent.

West Ham eye new striker with permanent Ferguson deal unlikely

The Hammers brought in Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion back in January, however, the Republic of Ireland international is yet to score his first goal for the Irons.

The 20-year-old has only made five appearances and played just over 90 minutes for the Irons, and there have been reports that West Ham are unlikely to make Ferguson’s loan move permanent this summer.

As a result, the search for another new striker ahead of Potter’s first full season in charge at the London Stadium appears to be underway, and there has been a plethora of forwards linked with moves to West Ham.

97th percentile for xG: West Ham receive boost in pursuit of £21m striker

The Hammers have set their sights on a “magnificent” forward.

ByDominic Lund Mar 18, 2025

AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham, currently on loan at AC Milan, has been explored by the Hammers, whereas Potter is keen on Lille striker Jonathan David, who is on course to become a free agent in the summer.

Meanwhile, an approach has been made for Fiorentina’s Moise Kean, formerly of Everton, but one name who will be familiar to Irons supporters and West Ham transfer chiefs is Yuri Alberto.

The Corinthians striker has long been linked with the Hammers and reports last month said that talks were open ahead of a potential move this summer. Alberto has an £83m release clause in his contract, but it has been claimed that he could be sold for an initial £21m over the coming months, which is a £62m mark down.

West Ham make offer to sign 104-goal Alberto, says agent

Now, a fresh update has been shared on West Ham and Alberto by his agent, Andre Cury. As relayed by Sport Witness, Cury said that West Ham have made an offer for Alberto, alongside Wolves and Real Betis.

“Our job is to take the proposal to the club. We have already had offers from Wolverhampton, West Ham, from Betis, from Spain, from Italy.

“But the player is young, every player who is in South America thinks of playing in Europe and with Yuri is no different. If there is a good opportunity that is good for him and for the club, we will talk.”

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1

Zenit St. Petersburg

15

6

4

Brazil

1

0

0

Alberto is under contract with Corinthians until 2027, but by the looks of things, he could be on the move in 2025. This year could finally be the time West Ham get their 104-career goal attacking target, making this one to watch.