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Las Águilas make their tournament debut Wednesday against Real Salt Lake at America First Field.

América comes into the match with one win and two draws in the Apertura 2025Last year, they were eliminated in the Leagues Cup quarterfinalsJavairo Dilrosun was not registeredGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

América begin their 2025 Leagues Cup journey on Wednesday at America First Field against Real Salt Lake. André Jardine’s side returns to the international stage, still seeking a breakthrough under the Brazilian coach. Despite dominating Liga MX in recent years – eaching four straight finals and winning three consecutive titles prior to their finals loss to Toluca – the club has struggled outside domestic competition.

Last year, despite being heavy favorites, América suffered a painful exit in the quarterfinals, falling to Colorado in a penalty shootout. Jardine acknowledged that disappointment still lingers, but said his team arrives hungry for redemption.

"I really like the Leagues Cup" said Jardine in a press conference. "I feel it’s a competition with a lot of potential. We want to break barriers. We already won the Campeones Cup, which is an important title, but we want more, and América will fight for the title. Once again, we come in excited and willing to give everything."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The team finds itself in its worst stretch in years, having missed out on every major trophy it has contested in 2025 so far. Still, Jardine urged patience. Fans are beginning to demand results – something that has always been part of Club América’s DNA. After years of glory and getting used to winning every tournament, supporters now expect the team to climb back to the top.

"Maybe we’re going through a rebuilding phase, like I’ve said before, but with the confidence and certainty that we’ll once again be a strong, solid team capable of reaching the decisive stages and fighting for titles," he explained. "The group is focused and committed to working hard every day to achieve that. Sometimes you just have to get through rough patches like this one."

Getty Images SportWHAT JOSÉ ZÚÑIGA SAID

New América striker Jose Zuniga, who has already scored his first goal in Liga MX with the club, stressed the importance of a good start.
"It’s very important to start with three points. This is a tournament that gives us opportunities. We’re going to play a great match and come out victorious."

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR CLUB AMÉRICA?

América’s Leagues Cup group is far from easy. After facing Pablo Mastroeni’s Real Salt Lake tonight, will take on Minnesota United and the Portland Timbers in their remaining group matches.

Milos Kerkez is edging toward a move from Bournemouth to Liverpool, with sporting director Richard Hughes discussing the final details with his successor in the Cherries transfer seat.

This in itself is a fantastic deal for Anfield, whose veteran left-back Andy Robertson is an “absolute legend” but one “hanging on in every game” for Arne Slot’s side this season, says pundit Jamie Carragher.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold signing for Real Madrid at the end of his Liverpool contract, it was also important for FSG to welcome a successor, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong has been picked as the man for the job, signed for £29.5m.

Further change is afoot higher up the field, but Liverpool have already shown a willingness to secure a new centre-back this summer, pushing to sign Dean Huijsen before he rejected a wealth of Premier League interest for Real Madrid.

Why Liverpool need a defender

Virgil van Dijk is now a two-time Premier League winner, dominant and immense as the captain guided his team through the campaign with elite consistency.

It’s brilliant that Van Dijk signed a new deal on Merseyside, extending his stay for two more years, but he turns 34 next month and Liverpool need to find a long-term heir.

That could have been Huijsen, who was hailed as “the perfect left centre-back” by analyst Ben Mattinson after his campaign on the south coast. Complete in an age-belying fashion, the Spain international, only 20, would have secured Liverpool’s backline for years to come, had he joined.

And though FSG are big on acting upon unique market opportunities, they must surely recognise the need for a fallback. Ibrahima Konate arrived in 2021, and no first-team centre-back has since followed him.

Konate, moreover, is being courted by Los Blancos, who want to snap him up as a free agent next summer. Liverpool are currently locked in talks over a new deal with their French defender.

Given Jarell Quansah’s future is also uncertain, a Huijsen alternative to ease the burden on Van Dijk and co would be great, and the Premier League champions have identified the man for the job.

Liverpool begin move for new CB

As per Caught Offside, Liverpool have entered the race for Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae, with sources close to the South Korean claiming he will be allowed to leave the Allianz Arena this summer.

With the various parties all seeking a swift resolution, Bayern have reduced their asking price from €50m (£44m) to about €35m (£30m), which would work well for the Reds given their need for reinforcements across a myriad of positions.

With Chelsea and Newcastle United also exploring a move, Liverpool would be wise to take their interest up a notch, ready to pounce.

What Kim Min-Jae would bring to Liverpool

Kim has struggled to truly hit his stride for Bayern, but certainly showcased his quality as an elite-level central defender when in the Serie A with Napoli, heralded as an “iron barrel” of a player by his former teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

According to Luciano Spalletti, former Napoli boss, Kim has the minerals to become “the best centre-back in the world”, keeping 14 clean sheets from 35 matches as the Blues won the Scudetto in 2022/23, a colossus in protecting his side’s goal.

A player capable of getting stuck in and performing with a more elegant touch, Kim’s is the prototypical modern profile, his strength suggesting he would thrive in the rigorous Premier League.

Bayern signed the 28-year-old from Napoli in July 2023 after meeting his £43m release clause, and though he’s since recovered the Bundesliga from Leverkusen after missing out in his debut term, it hasn’t been the smoothest sailing for the left-sided defender, who made four direct errors leading to a goal this term, as per Sofascore.

Still, such lapses haven’t prevented the £194k-per-week titan from producing otherwise impressive performances, completing 93% of his passes, averaging 5.7 ball recoveries per game and winning 65% of his aerial battles.

His aerial dominance, crisp and progressive passing and left-sided berth suggest Kim could be the perfect foil for Van Dijk, especially when data-led site FBref suggest the two players bear a tactical likeness.

Goals

0.09

0.08

Assists

0.02

0.00

Touches

87.13

103.14

Pass completion

91.7%

92.9%

Progressive passes

5.05

6.45

Shot-creating actions

1.19

1.02

Progressive carries

0.50

0.62

Ball recoveries

3.11

5.51

Tackles + interceptions

2.31

3.06

Clearances

4.55

3.60

Aerials won

2.85

3.06

Securing a new centre-half who can ease Van Dijk’s defensive burden wouldn’t be a bad thing, especially with Liverpool determined to go one better than this term and compete for silverware across four different major fronts.

There’s clearly a likeness to the players, who both employ confident passing games but maintain creative flair too. Moreover, they are persistent commanders of aerial traffic, directing whipped-in danger away from the box.

If Liverpool wish to maximise the time they have left with their legendary skipper, overloading him with minutes might not actually be the best track to take. Instead, Van Dijk could thrive in an environment that allows him to step away from the action without sending Slot’s system into a spin.

Kim’s similarities to the Dutchman would allow him to do exactly that, regarded in the past as ‘the South Korean Van Dijk.’

Given Quansah was used so sparingly this season, and indeed Konate’s future is uncertain (as is his fitness, routinely missing chunks of the campaign), this would be the perfect, affordable deal for an experienced and dynamic defender who could fill in for the captain or play alongside him.

He'd be incredible with Wirtz: £80m star dreaming of signing for Liverpool

Liverpool are making some serious moves in the transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 6, 2025

The focus, invariably, will be as much on the captains – Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur – as it will be on the youngsters and international stars

ESPNcricinfo staff11-May-2019First, the cricket
Velocity are led by Mithali Raj, arguably India’s best ever cricketer and captain of the ODI side; Supernovas are led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the most exciting batsman of her generation, Raj’s deputy in the ODI side and captain of the T20 team.These sides met here, at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium, two days ago. In that match, Raj’s Velocity lost pace, intent and eventually the match. But they still qualified for the final by pipping Trailblazers, whom they’d already beaten, on NRR.

Match info

Start time: 1930 IST
Venue: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.

What’s the feud?

The long-suspected acrimony between the two players became public during the World T20 in the West Indies in November. Raj was dropped for the semi-final, which India lost, and after the match Harmanpreet said she had wanted to retain a winning side from the previous match. Raj’s manager, however, then launched an unprecedented Twitter attack on Harmanpreet’s captaincy. She called Harmanpreet a “manipulative, lying, immature, undeserving captain” and also said the women’s team believed in “politics not sport”.What was the fallout?
The first casualty was the interim head coach Ramesh Powar – his contract expired days after that semi-final defeat and was not extended. Powar, who received the backing of Harmanpreet and her T20 deputy Smriti Mandhana, was critical of Raj in his report on India’s performance at the World T20. He said she had threatened to pull out of the tournament if not allowed to open the batting.Annesha Ghosh/ESPNcricinfoDid it end there?

There were a lot of emails sent by Raj and Harmanpreet to the Committee of Administrators, all leaked to the media. Raj said the episode had left her, “for the first time in a 20-year long career… deflated, depressed and let down. I am forced to think if my services to my country are of any value to a few people in power who are out to destroy me and break my confidence.” She did not directly blame Harmanpreet, saying “I am of the opinion that Harman and I are senior players and our issues, if any, should be sorted out by the two of us by sitting across the table.”What happened next?

Well, they sat down across the table – along with senior BCCI officials – within a week of Raj’s email. Raj is understood to have told Harmanpreet that Annisha Gupta, whose tweets had set off the storm, was not her manager. On her part, Harmanpreet told Raj that the decision to exclude her from the World T20 semis was not a personal choice but a collective call.About a month later, on the eve of the team’s tour of New Zealand, both Raj and Harmanpreet claimed to have “moved on” from the acrimony that, by Raj’s admission, did “hamper” the profile of the Indian women’s team.BCCISo that was that?
Or so we thought. Earlier this week, though, Raj told , “I do keep to myself [in the dressing room] and people can’t judge me for that right now…I believe what has happened has definitely made me more wiser to people around me in the dressing room… I wouldn’t say I felt lonely but I definitely feel that I was betrayed.”So has Raj settled in the side?
Since the start of the 2017 World Cup, Raj, now 36, has been largely inconsistent on whether she herself envisions herself playing the 2020 T20 World Cup or the 2021 ODI World Cup. While still a formidable force in the 50-over format, on the subject of whether retirement from the shortest format figures in her plans, Raj’s go-to refrain when fielding questions at press conferences of late has been, “You’ll see when that happens.”In March, WV Raman, the new coach of the women’s side, in a post-match review alongside stand-in captain Mandhana and Raj said that “we [him, Raj and Mandhana, the stand-in captain for the series against England women] had a chat about what she [Raj] is comfortable doing and what suits the side as well.”With that, a semblance of clarity around her batting slot in the middle order, and not as an opener, appeared to have been offered. That topic had become a full-blown controversy after India’s 2018 World T20 exit.Yet in that same interview, when asked whether the new team management had informed her of her role in the team, Raj’s answer was succinct: “Honestly, not yet.”Back to Jaipur
What Raman, Mandhana and the management make of the denial may not be brought up for discussion until the national camp in Bengaluru gets underway next month. For now, the focus remains on the action in Jaipur and the battle for supremacy between Raman-Harmanpreet’s Supernovas and Raj’s Velocity.Can 15-year-old uncapped Indian batsman Shafali Verma get Velocity off to a brisk start, like she did in her first game of the tournament? Or will Supernovas batsman Jemimah Rodrigues trump Shafali in the battle of the teenagers? Also, the in-form Danielle Wyatt could alone demolish the Supernovas attack, unless the Yadavs – Radha and Poonam – orchestrate yet another middle-overs choke with their spin.With less than ten months out from the T20 World Cup in Australia, uncapped Indians would do well to treat the Women’s T20 Challenge final as an audition for a likely call-up, and for internationals on the fringe, such as Veda Krishnamurthy and Sushma Verma, a chance for a recall into the national side.

Despite boasting five current England internationals, Southern Vipers were skittled for 98

ECB Reporters Network16-Jun-2024Central Sparks defeated Southern Vipers by five wickets in the duel of already-qualified teams in the Charlotte Edwards Cup at New Road, Worcester.With both sides already assured a place in Finals Day at Derby on June 22, Sparks showed their bowling strength in depth as they rested Hannah Baker and Emily Arlott but still bowled the visitors out for just 98 in 17.5 overs.Grace Potts, Katie George, Bethan Ellis and Ria Fackrell took two wickets apiece as no Vipers batter reached 20, Rhianna Southby top-scoring with 19 from number eight.Sparks then eased to 99 for 5 with 31 balls to spare as Davina Perrin launched their reply with an assertive 26 from 17 balls and Amy Jones saw them to the threshold of victory 26 from 29.Put in, Vipers started positively as Maia Bouchier pulled Potts for six as the openers added 19 from 16 balls but from the moment that Danni Wyatt skied a drive at Potts the innings lurched downward.Bouchier’s blow proved the only six of the innings and only six fours were added to it as Sparks’ accurate and disciplined attack struck regularly. Charli Knott charged and missed at George and Bouchier chipped a return catch to Charis Pavely before Georgia Adams fell in slapstick fashion when Freya Kemp embarked on a leg-bye that didn’t exist and both batters ended up at the same end.Kemp soon joined her captain in the pavilion when she lifted Ellis to long off. Nicely flighted deliveries from Fackrell then teased Charlie Dean and Georgia Elwiss into sending up catches.Southby lashed a couple of leg-side fours but when she sought another but instead lifted George to deep square leg, the innings was over at fewer than 100.Ami Campbell launched the Sparks reply with three fours in the first ten balls and though she then lifted Freya Davies to mid off, the opener’s small but feisty contribution had made inroads into the small target.Abi Freeborn was run out, going for a second, by Lauren Bell’s throw but Perrin quickly made further inroads. She stuck three fours and lifted Dean over long off for six but went back to the next ball which struck off stumpGeorge fell lbw, slog-sweeping at Linsey Smith and Smith bowled skilfully to conceded just 13 runs from her four overs, but Vipers’ faltering batters had given their bowlers too much to do. Jones struck Adams gloriously into the Basil D’Oliveira Stand and though the England batter then holed out to long on, Courtney Webb (saw her side comfortably over the line.

Barring injury, Australia’s bowling attack and wicketkeeper are nailed on for the first Test against India but the same can’t be said about the top order

Alex Malcolm21-Nov-2018

The incumbents

Aaron FinchAt the end of the Test series in the UAE Finch appeared a lock for the first Test against India but he has hit a significant form slump in ODIs and T20s since. Scores of 1, 0, 3, 1, 5, 41, 11, and 7 have caused alarm and he has spoken of the challenges the change in formats have posed to his technique. He only has three T20s and one Shield match to find some touch. Further complicating matters, his record opening the batting in first-class cricket in Australia is poor. He was well suited to opening on the low slow surfaces in the UAE but Australian conditions are a different beast and very few makeshift openers have succeeded in Australia in Test match cricket. Most of his success in first-class cricket for Victoria has come batting at No.5. He looks certain to play. Where he bats is still to be finalised. Victoria coach Andrew McDonald told radio on Wednesday that he was planning to bat Finch in the middle order against Queesland and had not received any instructions from the selectors over where to bat him.Usman KhawajaFitness is the only question mark for Australia’s best batsman. He had surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his knee on October 23. He is back running and replicated some running between the wickets over the weekend. He was set to face bowlers for the first time this week. The last Shield round before the Test starts on November 27 and he expects to be fit for that. If all goes to plan he will play in Adelaide. He should bat at No.3 but there may be some consideration given to him opening in light of his excellent record at the top of the order.Shaun MarshAny doubts about his Test place have been erased. His form since returning home has been sublime. He made 80 and 98 in Shield match against Tasmania at the WACA where the bowlers dominated. He followed that with a supreme 106 against a high-quality South Africa ODI attack in Hobart. Eight days later Marsh peeled off 163 not out to help Western Australia chase down 313 against South Australia at Adelaide Oval, the venue of the opening Test against India and the scene of a century against England last year. The four failures in the UAE are a world away. Despite his success at No.5 in last summer’s Ashes, on current form he is the best equipped to bat in the pivotal spot while Steven Smith is absent.Travis HeadLike Finch, Head showed promise in the UAE and appeared almost certain to retain his place in Adelaide. But like Finch, his form since has given the selectors pause. He was strategically left out of Australia’s T20 assignments. He missed out in his only Shield innings before a nightmare one-day series against South Africa put his Test place under pressure. That may have eased somewhat with a good Shield performance in Adelaide against WA where made a fluent 87 in the first innings and was unfortunate to be lbw. He was equally unlucky to be strangled down the leg side in the second innings for 0. The lack of runs from the other contenders has helped his cause but conversely the ability of South Africa’s paceman to expose him technically, albeit in short-form cricket, has meant a home Test in Adelaide is not absolutely guaranteed.

The bolters

Glenn Maxwell has gone from a contender post the UAE series to a genuine outsider to be picked for Adelaide. The schedule of T20s, ODIs and T20s have done him no favours. But his inability to make some sound situational decisions at the crease saw him slide further down the order in the ODIs and as a result he has slid right out of Test calculations for the time being.
Marcus Stoinis started the season superbly in both 50-over and Shield cricket and his stocks continued to rise during the ODI series against South Africa. But his overall body of work doesn’t stack up against some of the other options with just four first-class hundreds to his name and none in the last two Shield seasons.
Alex Doolan has been a forgotten man. He played four Tests in 2014 and scored 89 on debut at Centurion against an attack of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander but was dumped on the tour of the UAE and never considered again. He is the stand out batsman this season with scores of 115, 10, 76, 6, 53, 90, 0 and 94 putting him in contention.
Tom Cooper would be a surprise selection but he has scored back-to-back Shield centuries this season, including 178, against Queensland. Langer asked for hundreds and Cooper has provided them.

Mitchell MarshAustralia’s new vice-captain remains a divisive figure. After the failures in the UAE the 27-year-old was left out of Australia’s matches against South Africa and the T20 series against India to get valuable time in Shield cricket. It was the clearest indication that he is still a mainstay in Australia’s Test team. He made a statement scoring 151 batting at No.4 against Queensland and he also bowled 30 overs in the match claiming the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne. He followed that a second innings 44 against South Australia which was vital in the context of the game but Daniel Worrall did breach his defence in the same manner Mohammad Abbas had in the UAE. He looks likely to play given the Australian attack will need extra bowling support but unlikely to bat higher than No.6.Marnus LabuschagneDespite some promising performances in the two Tests in the UAE having been picked seemingly on potential, he appears likely to miss out on Adelaide. Like Matt Renshaw, his Shield form has not helped his cause with scores of 3, 28, 10, 11, 52 and 4 perhaps forcing the selectors hands despite the half-century coming against Australia’s Test attack. Given what he showed in the UAE with bat, ball and in the field, a case could be made to stick with him long-term. But Australia’s dire results of recent time may not allow for such long-term thinking.

The contenders

Matt RenshawAfter his omission in the UAE he appeared almost certain to open the batting in Adelaide but his form has not made his selection a certainty. He made an unbeaten 145 on immediate return from the UAE for his premier cricket team Toombul in Brisbane and made another on November 10 but his Shield form has been far less productive. He was dismissed for 3 and 0 against South Australia in Adelaide by both an inswinger and outswinger from Joe Mennie. He made 89 and 21 against WA on an Allan Border Field surface where two players made scores of 150 plus and six others made half-centuries. He followed that with 21 and 6 against the Test attack, nicking Nathan Lyon in the first innings and being adjudged caught behind attempting to cut Josh Hazlewood in the second.Marcus HarrisThe left-hander has put himself firmly in the mix for Adelaide through not only a great start to the domestic season but solid performances over the previous two years. No man has scored more runs or centuries in Shield cricket since the start of the 2016-17 season than Harris. He announced himself with 250 not out against New South Wales and has backed that up with scores of 65 and 67 in the next two games. He stands up under pressure, with two of his nine first-class hundreds coming in Sheffield Shield finals. The 26-year-old has matured into a very dependable opener for Victoria, and any queries over his ability to bat time and make sound decisions consistently have been quashed this season.Peter HandscombHe remains in the frame after he was omitted from the UAE squad on form. His JLT Cup run was excellent and he produced an impressive Shield century against South Australia at the MCG. But he has left a few starts on the table with scores of just 27, 48 and 23 in conditions where team-mates have made significant scores. The selectors will have taken particular note of his move up to No.3 for Victoria. It has been a wise move to put his technique under pressure against the quicks up front, which has been the question mark against him. Whether he’s done enough for a recall remains to be seen.Joe BurnsAfter mysteriously dropping off the radar for the UAE series he has re-emerged as a contender for Adelaide. In a team crying out for experience, his three Test hundreds opening the batting in Australia and New Zealand certainly count in his favour. He also debuted against India last time they toured, making twin half-centuries in Sydney, and his excellent Shield season last summer should stand for something. His Shield form this season won’t count against him but he hasn’t smashed down the door. He made 64 against South Australia but was one of Lloyd Pope’s seven victims, then made 49 and 80 not out in Brisbane against WA albeit on a road. He copped a poor decision in the first innings against NSW but then did all the hard work on the third evening against Hazlewood, Starc, Cummins and Lyon only to edge a ball first up on the fourth morning to be out for 38.Matthew WadeHe has become a legitimate contender to play in Adelaide as a specialist batsman. England have proven two wicketkeepers can play together in a successful side. He made three centuries last Shield season, the equal most of any player, and has started this summer with four consecutive Shield half-centuries and 137 against the best Shield attack in the country, Victoria. He has two Test hundreds and one came batting at No.6. Tasmania captain George Bailey believes he should be considered given how well he is batting at the moment, particularly his ability to bat with the tail and shift up and down the gears depending on the match situation.

David Lloyd anchors run-chase after top-order implosion from visitors

ECB Reporters Network07-Jul-2024Derbyshire 131 for 3 (Lloyd 50) beat Yorkshire 130 for 9 (Ferreira 44, Thomson 3-26) by seven wicketsAlex Thomson took three wickets in an over to put Derbyshire Falcons on course for a crushing seven-wicket Vitality Blast victory over Yorkshire Vikings in front of a 5,200 sell-out crowd at Chesterfield.Vikings collapsed to 21 for 5 on a ground where they have now lost their last seven T20 games and although Donovan Ferreira made 44 off 32 balls, they could only manage 130 for nine.On a two-paced pitch, Thomson’s off-spin claimed 3 for 26 and Pakistan pace ace Mohammad Amir took 2 for 23 while skipper Samit Patel conceded only 15 from his four overs.Falcons made short work of chasing down the target with skipper David Lloyd scoring 50 off 32 balls and Wayne Madsen a composed unbeaten 30 to take the home side to 131 for 3 in 15 overs.After heavy rain in the morning delayed the start by 30 minutes, Vikings started disastrously losing three wickets to Thomson in the second over.Dawid Malan sliced the first ball he faced to gully, Adam Lyth drove straight to cover and Shan Masood was stumped after he came down the pitch to play through the offside.It got even worse for Yorkshire in the next over when Amir pinned James Wharton in front with a yorker to reduce the visitors to 10 for 4Vikings hopes of setting any sort of competitive score rested with Ferreira who survived a difficult swirling catch to Lloyd running back from short third man off Zak Chappell when he was on four.Chappell took a stunning catch in the next over when he plucked the ball one-handed at point to remove George Hill which left the Vikings in danger of falling short of their lowest T20 total of 68 made on the same ground last year.Ferreira drove and pulled Pat Brown for two fours to take the visitors to 52 for 5 after 10 overs and put a dent in Thomson’s figures by pulling him for the first six of the innings.That drop was starting to look costly when he mistimed a cut at Luis Reece low to point and although Matt Revis and Jordan Thompson both cleared the ropes in a Madsen over that cost 14, Revis pulled Amir to deep square leg and Dom Bess skied Chappell to mid-wicket.Thompson pulled Amir for six but Brown conceded only three from the final over to leave Falcons chasing a modest target.Vikings needed early wickets to have any chance but Masood dropped Aneurin Donald at mid off in the first over from Bess.Donald put a dent in the target before he drove Revis to mid on and Reece struck two sixes to take Falcons to 50 in the fourth over.Reece miscued a drive off Ben Cliff to long on but at the end of the powerplay, Falcons were 68 for 2 and well on their way.Lloyd was intent on finishing it quickly, hitting five fours and a six from the first 13 balls he faced as he cruised to 50 from only 31 deliveries.Thompson yorked him in the 14th over but by then it was too late and Falcons wrapped up victory with five overs to spare to boost their hopes of making the quarter-finals.

da bet7k： The striker situation at Arsenal has been a nightmare for boss Mikel Arteta for many months now, unable to rely upon his two senior options for the majority of the campaign.

da pinup bet： Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have missed a combined 28 Premier League games between them, with the pair currently sidelined with hamstring and knee issues respectively.

Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard are just two of the players who have been tasked with filling the void at the top end of the pitch, with the latter scoring three goals in his last two outings.

As a result, it’s a surprise to no one to see the hierarchy already targeting attacking reinforcements to help Arteta in his quest to win the title in 2025/26.

Numerous players have already been hugely touted with a switch to the Emirates during the upcoming window, certainly improving the options available at the manager’s disposal.

The latest on Arsenal’s pursuit for a new striker this summer

Ever since the appointment of sporting director Andrea Berta, it’s been clear to everyone who Arsenal’s number one target is to become their new talisman this summer.

The former Atlético Madrid man has already held talks with the representatives of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres over a switch to join the Gunners in the coming months.

The Swedish international could be available for a fee in the region of £60m this window, a potential bargain given his record of 48 goals and 11 assists in his 47 outings this season to date.

However, another name has emerged on their shortlist in the form of Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, potentially making a shock move across the capital to join Arteta’s side.

According to French outlet RMC Sport, the Gunners have made an enquiry over a potential move for the former £52m signing, who could leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

Why Nkunku could become Arteta’s next Havertz

As previously mentioned, Arsenal forward Havertz is currently on the sidelines through injury, with Arteta missing one of his key talismen within the final third.

The German joined the club in a £65m deal from Chelsea back in the summer of 2023, with supporters unsure of where his best position would be at the Emirates.

However, his record of 29 goals in all competitions during his two years in North London is evidence that he’s more than capable of featuring as the club’s central striker.

His absence has been felt throughout the last few months, with the likes of Merino featuring in an unnatural position to make up the numbers whilst he continues his recovery.

Arteta could land another version of the German international this summer should they complete a deal for Nkunku, with the Frenchman following in a similar vein in joining from Chelsea.

He’s also come into question about which position suits his playstyle the best, but has still managed to outperform Havertz in numerous key areas in the Premier League throughout 2024/25.

The former RB Leipzig star, who’s been labelled a “monster” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has notched a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – showcasing his clinical nature in the final third.

How Nkunku compares to Havertz in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Nkunku

Havertz

Games played

27

21

Goals scored

3

9

Shot-on-target accuracy

44%

40%

Pass accuracy

90%

78%

Shot-creating actions

3.3

2

Take-on success

37%

23%

Carries into final third

1.6

1.1

Stats via FBref

He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted, whilst completing more take-ons and achieving a higher tally of carries with the ball into the final third – highlighting the danger he poses with the ball at his feet.

It’s unclear how much their London rivals would demand for his services, but it could be a risk worth taking with the positives massively outweighing the negatives with the Frenchman.

He’s fallen massively out of favour in West London throughout this season, with Arteta having the opportunity to sign another one of the Blues’ stars and transforming them into a key player for their title charge next campaign.

Related He'd make Rice unstoppable: Arsenal preparing bid for "world-class" star

Arsenal could be about to make a move for one player who would play a huge role under Mikel Arteta.

Posts 1 ByEthan Lamb Apr 26, 2025

The U.S. are avoiding and tuning out criticism aimed at them and Pulisic ahead of the Gold Cup

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Adams says U.S. tuning out criticism from anyone
• Donovan, Dempsey have piled on Pulisic in recent days
• Midfielder suffered "turf toe" injury vs. Turkey, hopeful for quick recovery

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  U.S. men’s national team captain Tyler Adams says the squad is ignoring outside criticism, including recent pointed comments from Landon Donovan, after Christian Pulisic opted out of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

  "We don't talk about that internally as a group," Adams told the Associated Press. "The noise on the outside is the noise on the outside. I think we need to focus on what we need to do as a group and continue to build."

  Donovan, while serving as an analyst for FOX’s coverage of the EURO Nations League, took a thinly veiled shot at Pulisic without naming him directly. While praising Cristiano Ronaldo’s commitment to Portugal at age 40, Donovan expressed frustration with unnamed USMNT players who declined to join the squad this summer.

  “This is what it means to represent your country,” Donovan said. “And if you don’t want to take this, as a professional soccer player and someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey and take it seriously and responsibly, then don’t come in… I can’t help but think about some of our guys on vacation right now not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It’s p*ssing me off.”

  Pulisic’s father later responded on social media, telling Donovan to “look in the mirror.” Clint Dempsey also weighed in on his podcast, saying, “I always wanted to play in those games.”

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The U.S., which has lost four straight games for the first time since 2011, fell to Switzerland 4-0 Tuesday evening in their final tune-up match ahead of this summer's Gold Cup.

  "This is part of the process," Adams said. "You're going to win games. You're going to lose games. It's about continuing to build that. I think we're on the right path. We have to continue to build and try the things that we've been training. It'll take a little bit of time, but it will come together."

  Adams, who didn't dress for the affair due to a minor injury, is hoping to be ready for their opening game of the competition against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.

  "A little turf toe-type injury. More of an overuse thing probably than anything — overload. It was something that I picked up when I came into camp," Adams said. "Progressing well right now, but just trying to be smart and manage it."

• ADAMS REFLECTS ON INJURY RECOVERY

  This past campaign, Adams appeared in 28 Premier League matches for Bournemouth – a career-high for the after he missed a large chunk of the 2023-24 season due to injury, where he was limited to just three showings.

  "It's definitely enjoyable when you're healthy," he said. "The 16 to 18 months that it was just on and off inconsistency is something I never had in my career and never had to battle. And then when it hits you and you go through that, you just learn different ways to navigate things, enjoy life, just not take things for granted, all the little things."

  The U.S., who played their 10th game under manager Mauricio Pochettino on Tuesday, are trying to play more freely on the pitch, breaking away from the previously confined structure that was deployed under former manager Gregg Berhalter.

  "From a positional standpoint, obviously we had probably a little bit of a different structure under Gregg," Adams said. "Mauricio gives the players freedom to find spots they're comfortable in and see how they can affect the game in different ways. I think our attacking players definitely have freedom to try and find the ball and create things in the right areas of the field. So, yeah, I think he gives everyone freedom, but there's still structure to the way that we want to play."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ADAMS?

  The U.S. play Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday in their opening Group Stage match of the Gold Cup.

The agents of a “sensational” Arsenal player have now jetted out to hold a meeting over a potential move away from the Emirates Stadium, according to a report.

Andrea Berta planning summer midfield rebuild

Andrea Berta is poised to become the Gunners’ new sporting director, and while fans may be crying out for the Italian to sign a new striker as the first port of call, there have been suggestions he is also keen on overhauling the midfield.

Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi remains Berta’s top target in midfield, although it is not yet a done deal, with the Spaniard potentially in line to take Thomas Partey’s spot in the starting XI, as the Ghanaian is out of contract at the end of the season.

Mikel Arteta is also believed to be a big fan of a different La Liga midfielder, however, with a report revealing the north Londoners are now very keen on signing Barcelona’s Marc Casado, although the Spaniard is protected by a huge £83m release clause.

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There may be a need to bring in more than one new central midfielder this summer, given that there is also major doubt over Jorginho’s future, and reports from Brazil have revealed the Italian’s agents have now jetted out to discuss a move to Flamengo (via Sport Witness).

There is reportedly already a verbal agreement in place for the midfielder to join the Brazilian club on a three-year deal, and his reps have now held a meeting with Flamengo sporting director Jose Boto.

The 33-year-old’s contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign, meaning he will be able to join Flamengo on a free transfer.

"Sensational" Jorginho playing sporadic role this season

The central midfielder has been impressive for the Gunners in the past, being lauded as “sensational” by BBC journalist Dan George, but he has started to play a lesser role in Arteta’s side this season, although he has played his part from the sidelines.

The Brazil-born midfielder has featured 12 times in the Premier League, with many of those appearances coming from the bench, and at 33-years-old he is arguably in the twilight years of his career, so it is probably wise to sanction his departure.

A return to the country of his birth could be a fitting end to Jorginho’s career, and Arsenal are now tasked with bringing in a suitable replacement for the £110k-per-week maestro, having identified a number of potential targets.

This summer is a huge opportunity for Ruben Amorim to make the changes he wants to his Manchester United first-team squad, allowing for the best possible chance of success in his first full year at the helm.

During the January transfer window, the 40-year-old only had a couple of weeks to make changes to the side, allowing numerous players to depart the North West on loan.

Marcus Rashford, Tyrell Malacia and Anthony all departed the club for various temporary stints away, with it unknown whether any of the trio have a future at Old Trafford.

Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven were the first additions of the Amorim era, with the pair both already excelling in the first-team, showing signs of being worth their respective transfer fees.

Hopefully he can continue his excellent early start in the transfer market this summer, potentially returning for a deal to land a player who he’s previously managed.

Man Utd’s potential move to land Viktor Gyokeres this summer

The 2024/25 Premier League season is yet to reach its conclusion, but the transfer rumours are already starting to gather momentum ahead of the summer.

United have already been touted as a possible destination for striker Viktor Gyokeres, who previously featured under Amorim during his time as Sporting CP manager.

The Swedish international has been in phenomenal goalscoring form over the last couple of months, notching a total of 40 goals in 41 outings across all competitions this campaign.

Gyokeres has registered a total of 83 goals in 91 appearances for the Portuguese outfit and is rumoured to be available for around the £60m mark this summer.

However, the club may have made a mistake in allowing one player to depart the club, possessing similar characteristics to the former Coventry City ace – highlighting the wrong call in allowing him to depart.

The former United ace who’s been like Gyokeres in 2024/25

Former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær is responsible for numerous impressive pieces of business which has seen the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo move to the club.

The Norwegian led the club to a second-placed finish in 2020/21, coming within touching distance of claiming the first league title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure – offering stability which has often been lacking in Manchester.

However, the 52-year-old also made the call to part ways with Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku in the summer of 2019, ending his two-year stint in the North West.

The Red Devils forked out a staggering £75m for his signature in the summer of 2017, looking to transform the club’s front line and edge them closer to a top-flight triumph.

He managed to find the net 27 times in his first year, before scoring 15 in the following year, leaving in a £73m deal to join Inter Milan and ending his short stint in Manchester.

However, the “unplayable” talisman, as dubbed by pundit Alan Shearer, has consistently scored goals everywhere he’s been since his departure six years ago, notching double figures in every single season.

He’s now plying his trade for Napoli in Serie A, with FBref ranking him as a similar player to Gyokeres based off their respective numbers from the current season – with the comparison understandable when delving into their figures.

Games played

27

25

Goals & assists

18

33

Shot-on-target accuracy

47%

45%

Times dispossessed

1.6

2.5

Aerials won

1.2

0.6

Aerial success rate

44%

31%

Take-on success

27%

27%

Lukaku may have registered fewer goals to date, but he’s managed to achieve a higher shot on target accuracy rate – showcasing that he’s been unlucky not to have more goals than he currently does.

He’s also won more aerials per 90, whilst losing possession fewer times per game, offering that all-round focal point which the side have been desperately missing.

There’s no denying that Gyokeres would be a phenomenal addition to the side, certainly handing them the goalscoring threat they’ve been after in recent years.

However, this whole scouting mission could’ve been saved had Solskjaer not parted ways with the Belgian six years ago, with his presence potentially helping the club fight at the top end once again.

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