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The PCB’s hybrid model solution to the Asia Cup will see four out of 13 matches being played in Pakistan with the rest – including the final – to be played at a neutral venue, which could be the UAE. Najam Sethi, the board head, told BBC’s podcast that he was still hopeful of the tournament being played in Pakistan, despite two Asian Cricket Council (ACC) members raising objections to a hybrid solution and the more intractable problem of India not being given permission to travel to Pakistan.He also added that if the hybrid model worked during the Asia Cup, it could pave the way for it to be used in the one-day World Cup, to be held later this year in India. Given the fraught and tense relations between India and Pakistan, Sethi said there is a “distinct possibility” that the Pakistan government doesn’t allow Pakistan to travel to India.Sethi held a meeting with ACC officials in Dubai on Tuesday to try and find a solution to the issues, and he believes the PCB has “bent over backwards” to accommodate the various concerns. “The proposal that I submitted three days ago takes care of all this,” he said. “We play four matches in Pakistan, the teams come straight here and then everybody moves to the neutral venue wherever that may be. We play the rest of games there. I made the concession that in the event we get to the final we play the final in a neutral venue, whether against India or anyone else. We’ve bent over backwards to solve all these issues.”Keeping four matches in Pakistan, ESPNcricinfo understands, is to ensure the PCB’s long-term strategy of high-profile international cricket and the hosting of tournaments in Pakistan continues uninterrupted.”My mandate given to me by the government and by the media and by the people of Pakistan is that this has to be an honourable and reciprocal arrangement,” Sethi said. “We are happy to play in the Asia Cup but it can’t be that India refuses to come to Pakistan and then doesn’t allow us to even host few of our matches at a neutral venue. Don’t forget immediately after the Asia Cup, we have the World Cup coming and it’s going to be in India and it’s an ICC event. What happens if India doesn’t come to Pakistan or India torpedoes my hybrid model? I don’t think my government will allow me to go to India to play the World Cup.”The idea of this hybrid solution, and the possibility of the neutral leg being played in the UAE has not gone down well with the boards of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. They have raised logistic and operational objections as well as the heat in the UAE at that time of the year. Sethi insisted that as the host country, it was up to the PCB to decide where the neutral venue should be.”I am quite surprised that this idea is being floated unofficially by Sri Lanka and by Bangladesh,” he said. “In the last ACC meeting, which was about a month ago, we all agreed that it was imperative that Pakistan play the Asia Cup and without Pakistan there will be no Asia Cup. Nearly 80% of the revenues of the Asia Cup are from India-Pakistan matches of which, the way the schedule is structured, we play at least two of those and possibly three if we are both in final. The only objection Bangladesh made was that it’s going to be too hot in September in the UAE and that would be a problem. Then the other issue was logistics. The proposal that I submitted takes care of all logistic problems.”The PCB has also been keen to point out that both the 2018 and 2022 editions of the Asia Cup were played in the UAE in September.According to Sethi, time is running out to make a decision. The board, he said, required three months to prepare. “We need to reserve venues in the UAE or Sri Lanka or wherever we decide. Time has already run out, the ACC has to make a decision. We have made our position clear. I had a meeting with a high level ACC interlocutor two days ago in Dubai. He liked it, he said it is eminently workable. He said he would go back to [BCCI secretary and ACC president] Jay Shah and talk to him.”We need to resolve the first issue [of accepting the hybrid solution] and then we can sit across a table and decide where to play. We will be reasonable. The interolocuter said I have briefed Jay Shah about our meeting, he’s okay with it. He now wants to check with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. So let’s see where this goes.”As has been the case throughout the protracted negotiations of where this tournament ends up, Sethi raised the spectre of the consequences in case the worst happens with the Asia Cup. “There is a very distinct possibility [of Pakistan not playing in the World Cup] if we do not come to any solutions right now. I raised this issue in the ACC meeting we had in Bahrain and I invited the ICC chairman [Greg Barclay] to come and sit with us and hear what we are talking about.”The idea being that if the hybrid model works here, then we could well make it work in the World Cup. Meaning the Pakistan matches could be held in Bangladesh or the UAE, one hop away and we can sort it out and all other games in India. Why can’t India come to Pakistan and play? If India comes to Pakistan and plays, then we can go there and play and this matter will be resolved.”

Despite already reaching a verbal agreement to sign Botafogo trio Igor Jesus, Cuiabano and Jair Cunha, Nottingham Forest have reportedly made an approach to sign another Brazilian ace.

Nottingham Forest set to sign Botafogo trio

Evangelos Marinakis has wasted no time before turning towards the South American market yet again at the City Ground. The Greek owner has had previous success when welcoming the likes of Murillo and may have completed another act of genius by reaching an agreement to sign the aforementioned Botafogo trio.

Jesus particularly stands out among the three. The impressive striker could quickly become the air to Chris Wood’s striker throne at the City Ground, having scored eight goals in Brazil throughout the 2024/25 campaign after netting 25 in all competitions in the season prior at both Botafogo and at Shabab Al-Ahli Club.

Meanwhile, if Nottingham Forest fans needed any further introduction to Jesus and Cunha, then one glimpse at the Club World Cup should have given them exactly that. Both players scored in Botafogo’s 2-1 win against Seattle Sounders, whilst Cuiabano also featured from the bench.

All signs point towards excellent business by Nottingham Forest, but the Tricky Trees are not done there. With European football to look forward to next season, those at the City Ground are in their strongest position for a long time to attract some top talents.

It’s not something that Marinakis is keen to waste, either. With three Brazilian talents already on the way, Forest have also been linked with moves for the likes of Yoanne Wissa. The Brentford forward was the subject of interest from the City Ground in January and now that interest has reportedly been reignited.

Meanwhile, Forest aren’t done in South America either amid reports that they’ve made an approach to sign a fourth Brazilian talent this summer.

Nottingham Forest make Romulo Cardoso approach

According to GE Globo, as relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest have now made an approach to sign Romulo Cardoso from Goztepe this summer. The impressive forward is still just 23 years old and would be arriving off the back of an excellent campaign which saw him score 17 goals and create another 13 in Turkey.

That said, Forest aren’t alone in the race to sign the forward. Joining them, RB Leipzig and Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers are also reportedly interested in signing Romulo this summer. The Bundesliga club will become a particular threat if they are forced to replace Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko in the coming months.

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Brett Worthington

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Whether Forest’s growing Brazilian contingent helps to convince the clinical goalscorer will be interesting to see too. The City Ground is quickly becoming the place to be for South American stars on the rise and Romulo could become the latest to make his way to the Midlands.

With contact already made and a number of clubs chasing his signature, Romulo has arguably the biggest decision of his career to make so far this summer.

Adelaide Strikers put a severe dent in the WBBL finals hopes of the Perth Scorchers with a 30-run victory as Megan Schutt put on a masterclass.Strikers posted 169 for 6, with Laura Wolvaardt, Smriti Mandhana, and Katie Mack the chief contributors at Karen Rolton Oval. Scorchers slumped to 17 for 4 as Schutt ran through the top order, leaving their finals chances hanging precariously.With two games left, Scorchers remain in fifth spot with eight points and they trail fourth-placed Hobart Hurricanes by a sizeable run rate difference.Strikers, champions of the past two tournaments, climbed from bottom of the ladder to seventh – they have six points but just one match remaining.Strikers were sent into bat openers Mandhana and Mack made an instant impact, taking 40 from the initial four overs. They reached 81 in the 10th over when Mandhana was caught at mid-off from the bowling of Sophie Devine, ending a knock featuring five fours and a six.Just eight balls later, Mack advanced down the pitch but was beaten by a perfectly flighted delivery from legspinner Alana King and was stumped.Wolvaardt soon took centre stage with her rapid-fire innings featuring three fours and three sixes – two from consecutive balls from Chloe Ainsworth.The South African was caught on the cover boundary with three balls remaining and King finished with another stumping on the last ball, giving her figures of 3 for 29.Scorchers’ run chase began terribly with Maddy Darke bowled by Schutt second ball. And in the third over, Schutt struck with consecutive deliveries, dismissing Dayalan Hemalatha and bowling Amy Edgar for a golden duck with a top-shelf inswinger, to boast figures of 3 for 6.Schutt was denied a hat-trick by Scorchers stalwart Beth Mooney, who fell in the next over for 6 as the Scorchers crashed to 17 for 4 from 3.3 overs. Skipper Devine and new signing Brooke Halliday rallied but the task was beyond them.

da bwin： Chelsea transfer chiefs appear set to be thwarted by European champions PSG in their pursuit of a top target, with Enzo Maresca dealt his first summer blow as he looks to reshape the squad in his image.

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da casino： Despite possessing a squad rich with youthful quality, their 3-1 Club World Cup defeat to Brazilian side Flamengo indicates there is still plenty of work to be done on the squad, with Maresca also looking to transform Chelsea into genuine title challengers.

The Italian, speaking in a press conference after Chelsea’s damaging loss – which now makes their next game against ES Tunis an absolute must-win – admitted that he’s currently experimenting with his system and tactics in preparation for 2025/2026.

Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season

Average match rating

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

“Unfortunately, we conceded two goals in a very short period, a very short moment — and then the red card,” Maresca said.

“Then it’s very complicated to come back into the game. We tried, but congratulations to them. I think we tried to do something different during the game, also for next season, but congratulations to them. Now we have one more game, and we are going to try to win the next one.”

Off the field, one of many items on Chelsea’s to-do list when it comes to summer recruitment is the addition of a new central defender – which has long been rumoured as a priority.

Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana face uncertain futures, according to some reports, with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande among the names on Chelsea’s centre-back shortlist this summer.

However, Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi won’t be moving to west London.

Chelsea target Illia Zabarnyi agrees to join PSG

Zabarnyi was called the Premier League’s most “underrated” defender recently by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, and Chelsea recently knocked on the Ukraine international’s door in their pursuit of another option for the heart of Maresca’s defence.

“He is probably the most underrated player,” said Redknapp.

“I also spoke with Ukrainian legend Andriy Shevchenko, and he mentioned that Illia has everything it takes to reach the next level. Everyone is talking about Dean Huijsen. Yes, he is a fantastic young player, but Zabarnyi plays very aggressively in defense as well. I was genuinely impressed by him. He shows remarkable calmness on the pitch.”

Bournemouth are demanding around £51 million to let the 22-year-old leave, but according to journalist Graeme Bailey, Zabarnyi has agreed terms to join PSG despite Chelsea’s attempts to sign him.

“He really is only focused on PSG,” Bailey told TBR Football.

“I am told that he has agreed personal terms in principle, but there is still some way to go in terms between Bournemouth and PSG. Bournemouth are not too happy with how this is going, but they know the player wants the move and has made that clear.

“When a team like PSG comes calling, even when there is no release clause – it is tough. I can confirm even in the last few weeks since it emerged about PSG, that Chelsea and Newcastle again asked the question, but were also told that he only wants PSG.”

The South Africa batter on taking mental-health breaks, data-driven analysis, his attachment to Multan Sultans, and more

Danyal Rasool14-Mar-2023December is perhaps the busiest time of year for an international cricketer, the festive season throwing up fixtures around the world in all formats and numerous franchise leagues, but that month in 2022, David Miller was nowhere to be found on a cricket field. On Christmas Eve, he posted a picture of himself unwinding at a nature reserve in his native South Africa, while the South African side was gearing up for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, and the Big Bash League, where he once played for the Hobart Hurricanes, was picking up steam.Since South Africa’s elimination from the T20 World Cup in November, Miller had largely kept himself away from cricket, aside from an 11-day stint at the T10 League in Abu Dhabi. Despite being one of the most in-demand players on the T20 circuit, Miller has developed and nurtured interests outside the game, fishing and photography among the more prominent ones. The break he took at the backend of last year, spending time with family and friends was much-needed, because the months that would follow were to be among the busiest in his career.He had been named captain of the Paarl Royals in the inaugural season of the SA20, and was to link up with the Multan Sultans in the PSL just days later; there were just five days between the SA20 semi-finals in Johannesburg and his first game in Multan at the PSL. Having only ever played three PSL games before – for Peshawar Zalmi in a truncated season in 2021 – he was given a baptism of fire, thrust in chasing 10 runs an over at the death against a Lahore Qalandars bowling attack that included Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan. It posed different challenges to the SA20, particularly in a league where he had almost no experience.Related

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But Miller has worked out ways to cope with the schedule, and the varying demands each tournament poses. “I think it’s all mental,” Miller tells ESPNcricinfo. “It’s about being prepared for what’s coming ahead. I knew I was coming to the PSL after the SA20. I knew mentally I was going there all along, and you mentally prepare yourself with that journey for the next couple of months. I took December off with family and friends, took a really nice break and felt I was refreshed for the next six months. It can be challenging going from one place to another, but as long as you’re mentally prepared beforehand, it makes it a lot easier to perform for those competitions.”There’s a lot of cricket nowadays, internationally and leagues. Your schedule can get quite busy. I just listen to my own body, especially at this time of my career. I don’t want to play so much cricket I’m feeling mentally fatigued. It’s just about listening to your body and knowing when you need a break. And just to be honest about that. There’s a lot of money involved in cricket nowadays. So it’s important to make mature decisions about whether you really need a break or if you can keep going.”We’re at by the swimming pool at the luxury Pearl Continental Hotel in Lahore on a pleasant early March afternoon. As a heavily guarded, fortified compound, it’s the venue of choice for all PSL teams, as well as any visiting sides since international cricket trickled back to Pakistan in 2015. In some ways, he could be anywhere – India, South Africa, Bangladesh – as the T20 franchise circuit blends into a blur of airports, hotels, glitzy opening ceremonies, boundaries and wickets. In an earlier interview with ESPNcricinfo, his international team-mate Rilee Rossouw said it was like being a “T20 gun for hire”.Miller acknowledges that characterisation, but still calls himself a “team player”. “The way leagues are going now, lots of teams are buying other teams around the world,” he points out. “So you do feel attached to certain teams. I’ve always had a mindset of playing to the best of my ability whoever I play for. I’m a team player and I do quickly get attached to a team. I enjoy all the teams that I play for, and it’s just about contributing for that team at that moment.”

“I’m not a massive one on analysis. I definitely will sit down and kind of go through a certain bowler if he’s got a different action or a different craft with the spin”

Even so, Miller knew there were certain ways the PSL stood out, and he wanted to challenge himself. His previous stint at the PSL comprised just three games in a Covid-hit season with Zalmi, though the signs had been encouraging, and he had scored 116 runs at 140. Days before we speak, he’d clobbered a 25-ball 52 against Islamabad United, setting up a big win over the two-time champions.”My experience in Pakistan is the wickets are actually pretty good. I think maybe the bounce might be a bit different to other countries, where it’s a little bit lower. It’s not that steep sharp bounce. If you can get used to the bounce, you can hit through the line and make sure your body position’s a bit lower. That’s one of the key areas.”I’d watched bits and pieces of the PSL over the years and what I’ve taken from that is the bowling is really good. Pakistan always produce really good fast bowlers. They’ve also got world-class spinners. An overseas player coming in as a batter, it’s a good competition to be a part of. It challenges you in many different ways. That definitely makes the PSL a stand out for me with the kind of death bowling that they’ve got and the pace they’ve got as a nation. It definitely does challenge you and I’m really enjoying the fact that I can be in that position to challenge my skill.”” I enjoy all the teams that I play for, and it’s just about contributing for that team at that moment”•AFP/Getty ImagesMiller’s come into the PSL at a time when one battle of ideas has already been won and lost, and he now plays for a side that was at the forefront of winning it. In the early years of the tournament, Islamabad United were among the pioneers for an analytics-heavy, data-driven approach to squad recruitment and in-match decision-making, prioritising batting fluidity and ideological flexibility to optimise match-ups between certain batters and bowlers.It appeared to bear results, with United winning two of the first three years; they remain the only multi-trophy side in the league. The Sultans, who came into existence in 2018, picked up the analytics baton, and have made the final each of the last two years, winning the title in 2021. By now, nearly all teams use that sort of forensic date for decision-making, even Lahore Qalandars, who in the early years would have been top of the table in their opposition to favouring information over feel and instinct. However, they were bottom of the actual table each of the first four years, so a change was inevitable. They are now the defending champions.Many players, however, are famously lukewarm about the role of data in their individual decision-making, and Miller is no different. “I’ve been playing around the world for some time, he says after a long pause. “You kind of understand what different players can do on the field. I’m not a massive one on analysis. I definitely will sit down and kind of go through a certain bowler if he’s got a different action or a different craft with the spin. It takes some time to look through that, but generally I feel most bowlers are the same in terms of their action and the height the ball comes from. Unless it’s something drastically different, in which case I’ll take some time to analyse. I think it is important just to know what you’re up against in a game.”Captaincy’s a bit different. For me to know exactly what the opposition have I’ll do a lot more analysis in that sense, as there’s a bit more responsibility on decision-making. If something goes really badly for the bowler, that’s where I step in and give them different options as I know where their strengths and weaknesses are as a captain.”Multan are now in the playoffs for the fourth straight season, as are his old side Zalmi. Miller won’t be part of the final charge, leaving to link up with South Africa’s ODI squad for a series against the West Indies. Ask him which of the two PSL sides he’s enjoyed his experience with more, and that answer comes back fairly quickly. “Multan Sultans.”He does get attached to teams fairly quickly, after all.

Compared to their nearest competitors, this has been a quiet transfer window so far over at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal.

Did you expect anything less? While Manchester City have spent a shedload on Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders, Manchester United have added Matheus Cunha to their ranks.

Over in Merseyside, Premier League winners Liverpool have already confirmed the arrival of Jeremie Frimpong to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold. Florian Wirtz is also set to arrive from Bayer Leverkusen in a British transfer record £116m fee too.

So, Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta better whack out the cheque book soon with plenty of new recruits needed, particularly in attack.

The latest on Arsenal's transfer plans this summer

Two of the biggest priorities at the Emirates are bolstering the wide positions and signing a brand new centre forward.

Out wide, we’ve seen notable links to the likes of Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.

As for the striker position, it’s all about Benjamin Sesko. Arsenal reportedly opened talks regarding a deal for the Slovenian a few weeks ago. Now, according to German reporter Florian Plettenburg, there is a ‘positive’ feeling around the deal, but no agreement is in place yet over a deal that could reach £68m to £85m.

If a deal cannot be done for the RB Leipzig star, then it’s likely Arsenal will aim to conclude a deal for Sporting superstar Viktor Gyokeres.

The Gunners were interested in the Swede’s services last summer and that interest has remained over the last year. What’s the latest on this one? Well, amid interest from Premier League rivals, Manchester United, it appears as though Gyokeres would prefer the Gunners.

Transfer Focus

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

That’s according to Saturday’s edition of Portuguese newspaper, Record. They suggest that north London and Arsenal is now a ‘dream’ destination for the 27-year-old attacker.

As a result, Record reveals that Man United are ‘no longer an option’ for the Sweden international. That’s despite the fact the Red Devils are now coached by Gyokeres’ previous manager at Sporting, Ruben Amorim.

According to previous reports, Arsenal have already lodged an offer worth £55m, of which £10m are bonuses.

What Viktor Gyokeres could bring to Arsenal

The great debate of the 2025 summer transfer window for Arsenal fans is whether Sesko or Gyokeres would be the better signing.

Well, as far as the raw numbers dictate, it would be the latter. There are few better finishers in the game right now than the Sporting sensation with the Swede scoring a ridiculous haul of 54 goals in 52 games throughout all competitions in 2024/25.

In the league alone, Gyokeres trumped Sesko considerably with the former now being described as “the best striker in Europe” by the Athletic, while former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot even posed the question: “Is he the best striker in the world right now?”

That question is a tricky one considering the level the big Swede has been playing at, but regardless of that, he’d surely be a sensational signing for Arteta’s attack.

They need goals and in the form of the Sporting star, they would find more of them. But, what qualities could be bring just outside of the goals?

Well, there are echoes of a certain Alexis Sanchez here. While the Chilean was certainly better on technique alone and he boasted better close control with the ball, they do have similar builds and running styles.

Indeed, one of the most notable traits Gyokeres can bring to the game is his bulldog-like style. His slightly stockier frame means he is a “human battering ram” in the words of the Athletic’s Mark Carey.

Outlining what makes him so difficult to deal with, Peter Kisfaludy, who was academy director at Gyokeres’s former Swedish club Brommapojkarna, once said: “He is a box player but he can also drive forward with the ball because he is fast and strong.”

What Arsenal have arguably lacked since the days of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sanchez up front is pace. Gyokeres would bring that, but like Alexis, he’d also bring the physicality to stand up to the test of rugged Premier League defences.

The Chile superstar has a similar bulldog-like approach, described by FourFourTwo as someone who “plays like he hates losing”, hassling defenders and never giving them a moment’s peace.

Ultimately diminutive in size, Sanchez has a compact build like the Swede and his muscular frame, particularly in the upper half of his body, meaning he could drive forward and burst past defenders with the same sort of power we see from Gyokeres.

There are obvious differences, we cannot deny that, but by luring the Sweden international away from Lisbon, Arsenal may finally find a ruthless centre forward with the same level of efficiency, one who’s capable of replicating the South American’s incredible impact at Arsenal.

Can you just imagine Alexis in this current Arteta side? We can only dream.

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The outrageously talented international would be game-changing for Arsenal.

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Sunderland supporters will be trying to hold back their excitement ahead of the new Premier League season finally kicking off.

There’s no guarantee in place that signings galore will improve your chances of staying afloat in the tricky division, with Ipswich Town picking up 14 total purchases last season and still managing to fall through the relegation trapdoor.

But, the star-studded quality of signing Sunderland is managing to attract makes being giddy quite hard to contain, with the standout £20m purchase of Enzo Le Fee getting the ball rolling this summer, whilst a £30m deal for Habib Diarra to join from Strasbourg edges ever nearer to completion.

Reinildo is also set to join the Stadium of Light ranks after allowing his Atletico Madrid contract to expire, with plenty more notable names being tipped to call Wearside their fresh home shortly.

Transfer latest at Sunderland

Most Sunderland supporters would have been initially apprehensive about all the business being conducted in this hectic transfer window, considering the window opened with both Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson deserting the Stadium of Light.

Now, however, the mood has flipped, with the likes of Georgian superstar Georges Mikautadze being tipped to join Le Bris’ enthused ranks alongside those already named, on top of an alleged £17m bid being lodged by the Black Cats to snap up Nantes attacker Matthis Abline.

The most intriguing purchase of them all could soon come in the form of Almeria goal-machine Luis Suarez moving to England, with reports from Spain now suggesting that Sunderland have enquired about landing the explosive attacker.

Such a deal would result in the Black Cats having to fork out £21m, with the La Liga 2 side upping their transfer valuation off the back of Suarez’s impressive 2024/25 offering.

It could even be argued that snapping up the clinical Colombian would see the newly promoted side land an even bigger talent than Diarra, despite the Senegal international costing Sunderland a club-record £30m to snap up.

Why Suarez could be a bigger talent than Diarra

After all, whilst Diarra was able to boast four goals and five assists from the midfield areas last season for Liam Rosenior’s men, Suarez’s numbers up top for Almeria in another demanding European setting are an even more majestic sight to take in.

Transfer Focus

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

Indeed, the “crazy” South American – as he was once labelled by talent scout Jacek Kulig – would take La Liga 2 by storm with his devastating goalscoring prowess.

That was seen in him collecting 27 of his bumper 31 strikes in the second division, away from also netting four of those efforts in the challenging Copa Del Rey when facing off against opponents from La Liga.

Games played

41

Goals scored

27

Scoring frequency

135 mins

Assists

8

Big chances missed

27

Staggeringly, Suarez would also chip in with eight assists across his 41 La Liga 2 outings, which is three more assists than Diarra managed in the heart of Strasbourg’s midfield, with the hope that the dangerous Almeria marksman can offer up similarly deadly displays when leaping up to the Premier League.

He could instantly displace Wilson Isidor on his arrival, therefore, considering the Frenchman blew hot and cold last campaign with just 13 Championship goals next to his name, away from Suarez wreaking havoc in the Spanish second division.

On the contrary, it doesn’t feel as set in stone that Diarra would instantly dive into Le Bris’ XI – irrespective of his lofty price tag – with Dan Neil already at the Frenchman’s disposal centrally who collected five goal contributions himself last season in league action, alongside Le Bris also possessing the star-quality of Le Fee who could kick on even more up a division.

Whilst Diarra will no doubt go on to be a success story under the ex-Lorient manager’s wing if Le Fee’s trajectory is anything to go off of, it does appear as if Suarez could really burst into life even more as a terrifying goalscorer on Wearside, with his blistering introduction into the English game perhaps helping the Black Cats to maintain their fraught Premier League status.

Better signing than Diarra: Sunderland now targeting "fantastic" £18m star

Sunderland’s rapid summer business is showing no signs of slowing down as a new target now appears on their shopping list.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 1, 2025