Daniel Farke is battling to keep his job at Leeds United and a fresh update has now dropped regarding his future at Elland Road.

The Whites now sit 18th in the Premier League table, having lost five of their last six games in the competition, heaping the pressure on Farke with Leeds already linked with new managers such as Brendan Rodgers.

Former scout Mick Brown recently told Football Insider that 49ers Enterprises were even looking to make a change during the summer.

He wants to join: Leeds choose number one manager candidate as Farke nears sack

The Whites have a Premier League-experienced boss ready to come in at the expense of Farke.

BySean Markus Clifford Nov 24, 2025

Opinion is split amongst Leeds fans about Farke’s future and what the next steps should be, with Adam Pope providing insight on the situation this week.

Pope makes new claim about Farke succession plan

Speaking on the Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast [via MOT Leeds News], Pope shared an update on Farke’s position at Leeds. While the BBC journalist stated the 49ers do not currently have someone “waiting in the wings”, he was then asked if they have someone they’re “looking at”, providing an intriguing response.

This now feels like a critical period for Farke, with Leeds’ results simply not good enough after some better ones earlier in the season, leading to them sliding into the relegation zone.

The German will know that improvements have to happen or 49ers will have to make a big decision, but unfortunately for him, next up is a trip to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon, which is nearly as tough as it gets.

He's a lot like Bielsa: Leeds could sack Farke for "special" 4-2-3-1 manager

Leeds United could finally dismiss Daniel Farke and replace him with their next Marcelo Bielsa.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 24, 2025

An ugly scoreline at the Etihad would crank up the pressure to new heights, and it would be a surprise if the Whites weren’t eyeing up potential replacements for Farke, with Rodgers perhaps the most likely given his status as a free agent with top flight experience.

He wants to join: Leeds choose number one manager candidate as Farke nears sack

da doce： Tottenham have expressed a real interest in signing one star from Barcelona ahead of 2026, according to a new report.

Spurs shortlist attacking targets with big-names on the radar

da cassino： Spurs are preparing significant investment in attackers for January and beyond, with media sources indicating a new forward or two will definitely arrive at the club next year.

Indeed, Thomas Frank’s side have identified multiple targets as they attempt to revive their campaign.

Tottenham have significant funds available for the right acquisition, with the club willing to test the waters for elite talent. The recruitment team, led by co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange, are expected to prioritise signing a wide forward rather than a central striker, though no final decision has been confirmed as they approach the January window.

Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo remains the primary target, with the Lilywhites now intensifying their interest ahead of January.

The Ghana international has seriously impressed this season with his blistering pace and proficiency, which will definitely appeal to Frank as he seeks to add more creative spark.

Semenyo’s new deal also includes a tempting £65 million release clause which will be active early next month, but this has piqued rumoured interest from the likes of Liverpool and Man City as well.

Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye has emerged as another concrete target, viewed alongside Semenyo as possessing the energy and attacking versatility suited to elevating Tottenham’s forward line.

However, sources indicate Ndiaye is considered more likely as a summer acquisition rather than a January signing.

More ambitious names include Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa.

Related Tottenham tipped to strike Grealish-like deal for player who'd 'jump' at chance to join

Spurs could get him on loan in January.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini 7 days ago

Tottenham are believed to be exploring a potential January deal for Rodrygo, who himself would consider a move to north London as he instructs his representatives to find him a new club.

Aghehowa, who’s been in monstrous form since joining Porto from Atlético Madrid in 2024, also has huge admirers at Spurs, amid reports that they’re also prepared to make a winter move for the Spaniard.

Paratici and Lange appear to be drawing up a shortlist of credible attacking targets as the Lewis family look to kickstart a new era post-Daniel Levy, with Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford now also on their radar.

Tottenham 'determined' to sign Barcelona star Marcus Rashford

Rashford finds himself at a career crossroads following his impressive revival at the Camp Nou, with Tottenham now emerging as serious contenders to lure the forward back to the Premier League.

Despite his outstanding form in Spain, Barcelona remain indecisive about the £30 million purchase option in his loan deal from Man United, creating uncertainty that several English clubs are eager to exploit.

His Barça renaissance has persuaded the Calatans’ hierarchy to at least contemplate activating the permanent deal clause, but their precarious financial situation complicates matters.

While the £30 million fee appears affordable on paper, Rashford’s long-term future hangs in the balance, and Spurs could offer him a route to London.

That is according to Spanish media sources, who report that Tottenham have identified Rashford as the ‘ideal’ profile to rejuvenate their attack.

Spanish newspaper AS, as referenced, claim that Spurs are ‘determined’ to sign the 27-year-old and ready to offer him an ‘immediate leading role’ in the team — though any transfer would have to wait until the summer considering he’s still on loan in La Liga.

Rashford’s wages, reported to be around £325,000-per-week, present a pretty major roadblock for Frank’s side, but his proven Premier League experience and versatility would undoubtedly improve the team.

The United academy graduate, during spells of superstardom at Old Trafford, earmarked himself as an England regular before falling out of favour and impressing on loan at Aston Villa last season.

Evin Lewis makes 65 in 143-run opening stand after controversial Danushka Gunathilaka dismissal turns tide

Danyal Rasool10-Mar-2021A brilliant century from Shai Hope – his tenth in ODI cricket – led West Indies to a crushing eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first ODI in Antigua.Set 233 to win, West Indies knocked off the runs with three overs to spare, with the sort of ruthless efficiency it is generally so difficult to execute against Sri Lanka, particularly on slower tracks that might have something in them for spinners.A 143-run opening stand between Hope and Evin Lewis, who scored an uncharacteristic, yet impressive, 90-ball 65, effectively froze Sri Lanka out of the game before their spin bowlers had a chance to get stuck into it. A clinical unbeaten 37 from Darren Bravo guaranteed Dimuth Karunaratne’s men would not be permitted a sniff after that stand was broken, the total Sri Lanka had put up after winning the toss shown to be well below par.While Sri Lanka’s innings had also begun with a glistening century partnership, West Indies had the advantage of knowing exactly what was required, and were laser-focused on achieving it with the minimum fuss possible. There was limited running between the wickets early on but Hope and Lewis continued to find a boundary an over or so, both particularly severe on any line they could work through the covers. They brought up fifty inside nine overs, with Sri Lanka introducing spin right after, but at that point, the openers began to milk the singles, the left-right combination never quite letting the Sri Lankans settle into a rhythm.Perhaps it was the pitch – which offered limited purchase for the slower bowlers – or maybe Sri Lanka had an off day, but rarely have that side’s spinners looked as toothless as they did today. There was an inevitability to the hundred partnership, and the ease with which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, and how West Indies shrugged off the wicket of Lewis, will have surprised even the most partisan West Indies supporters. There was even time for a bit of flair as Hope stormed to 99 with a six over long-on, before a glorious drive brought up three figures.If anything, it was the pace of Dushmantha Chameera that appeared to trouble West Indies most, and the fast bowler, who has often been troubled by back injuries, was responsible for both wickets that fell. Lewis was undone by a perfect yorker that he failed to get his bat down for, before a peach of a slower delivery whooshed past Hope’s bat and clattered into his off stump just after he had brought up a hundred. They were just consolation strikes for today, but if Chameera can remain injury free, his importance to his side, both for this series and in the long term, could be exciting.In the morning, Sri Lanka played out a topsy-turvy innings that began with a sparkling 105-run opening partnership, but West Indies continued to strike throughout the 50 overs to repeatedly peg the visitors back, bowling them out for 232 inside 49 overs.Half-centuries from Danushka Gunathilaka and Karunaratne at close to a run-a-ball saw Sri Lanka bring up the three-figure mark inside 19 overs, before a spate of wickets through the middle order saw much of that hard work undone. It included a deeply controversial incident where Gunathilaka was given out for allegedly obstructing the field after West Indian captain Kieron Pollard appealed, and the couple of run-outs that followed put West Indies on top.There was plenty to like about the Sri Lankan innings once they won the toss and batted first, but the only thing likely to be remarked upon at any length is the moment of Gunathilaka’s dismissal that changed the tide of the game.Pollard, who was hugely influential through the innings, had just dismissed Karunaratne with his second ball, before he served Gunathilaka a short delivery in his next over. Pathum Nissanka, on debut, set off for a single his partner wasn’t remotely interested in, and Pollard, sensing a run-out opportunity, raced to get hold of the ball, nestled beside Gunathilaka’s feet.As the batsman took a backward step to ensure he remained inside his crease, he trod on the ball, knocking it back, leading to Pollard’s furious appeal. It appeared there was no way replays could establish Gunathilaka had deliberately foiled a run-out attempt, but TV umpire Nigel Guguid took little time reaching that conclusion, ending a delightfully fluent innings.The game took on a tetchiness and Pollard threatened to Mankad the non-striker, Nissanka, who was in the action once more with a risky second run putting paid to another of his partners, Angelo Mathews, as Pollard flicked off the bails. Nissanka’s miserable, brief stay at the crease would end an over later, when he was run out as Sri Lanka attempted another needlessly chancy single.Amidst the drama, it might be easy to forget the awareness and quality Pollard and Jason Mohammed bowled with to trouble Sri Lanka. They took the pace off on a somewhat slow pitch to stymie Sri Lanka’s fluency, with the visitors guilty of occasional impatience that brought the end of Kamindu Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga. Ashen Bandara, on ODI debut, showed great maturity, regularly rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries – uncommon though they were – to steer Sri Lanka past 200 and bring up his half-century.It need not have been as laboured as that by the way Gunathilaka and Karunaratne went about things. After a staid first six overs, the two began to speed through the gears, hitting six boundaries in nine balls off Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph to make up for lost time. Gunathilaka, in particular, took on the role of aggressor, refusing to let Romario Shephard settle and manipulating the field expertly as dot deliveries became increasingly scarce.It might not have mattered given the way Hope and West Indies batted, but considering how sharply Sri Lanka’s fortunes slumped from the moment of Gunathilaka’s dismissal, it is that moment, rather than Hope’s brilliance, this game is likeliest to be remembered for.

Manchester United have now reportedly launched a stunning £100m+ offer to sign an England superstar who has already earned the praise of David Beckham.

Man Utd targeting England superstar

INEOS are looking to make a statement in 2026, having already showcased their spending power by revitalising Man United’s frontline last season. Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha all arrived in an attempt to transform Ruben Amorim’s side.

Now, the focus is turning towards the manager’s midfield. With Casemiro edging past the peak of his powers, Manuel Ugarte struggling in possession and Kobbie Mainoo frozen out by Amorim, Man United have already reportedly drawn up a shortlist of options.

So far, two of the biggest names on that shortlist in the Premier League are Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson. Two of United’s biggest targets, both have enjoyed excellent campaigns so far.

There’s plenty of competition for the two England stars, however, and Champions League qualification is likely to be the key to unlocking any potential move for Man United.

The same can be said for another England star. If it’s not Wharton or Anderson, then it could be Jude Bellingham. Sensational reports are now claiming that Man United have made their first move to sign the Real Madrid superstar ahead of 2026.

A new Amad: Man Utd could sign "one of the best LWs in Europe" in swap deal

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ByKelan Sarson 4 days ago

Bellingham is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in world football and would instantly become the best signing that INEOS have made.

Man Utd launch £100m+ Bellingham offer

According to reports in Spain, Man United have now launched an offer to sign Bellingham worth as much as €150m (£131m) in what would break their transfer record. Alas, Real Madrid reportedly believe that the Englishman is worth more than that and have turned the Red Devils down.

Whether INEOS return with a second offer remains to be seen. It would simply be a sensational move for a player who’s already got the approval of Beckham.

Praise does not get much better than that from a Man United point of view, but the idea of watching Bellingham follow in Beckham’s footsteps at Old Trafford very much remains a dream for the time being.

He's "like Reijnders": Old Trafford chiefs pushing Man Utd to sign "elite" star

India struck a familiar, unavoidable chaos fueled by jangling nerves to lose from a winning position

Shashank Kishore14-Oct-20244:18

Takeaways: Australia block out the noise, India’s fielding in focus again

Long before the pall of gloom set in, it felt like a dream you hoped would last longer. The fans – nearly 15,000 of them in Sharjah – came rushing in through the turnstiles as the sun went down, boisterous and full of joy, chanting, singing, waving and doing just about anything to get the attention of Jemi, Harry or Smriti.The days of packing a stand with school kids handed out free sandwiches, it seemed, were long gone. With all that indifference and systemic apathy (only somewhat) behind us, it felt like the start of a new era. All it needed now was that fuel to propel the rocket into orbit.India needed that push to go from being contenders to champions. And for that, they needed to play like one, against the real ones, who know how to close out games from impossible situations, even if their captain happens to be hobbling on crutches and moonwalkers. India couldn’t have asked for a more grander stage.Related

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The noise, buzz, colour, madness – it was mayhem, but it was glorious. Never before had security guards used to seeing four administrators and five ground staff guffaw over endless cups of Irani chai been put to this kind of last-minute riff-raff, where every pre-match drill, including elaborate security mechanisms, needed rehearsing.This was India vs Australia, billed as the match of the tournament, not without reason. The grandness of it all deserved a thriller. And we got one. Inevitably though, it felt like the rockstars who everyone was here to watch, were leaving their performance midway. Unless Pakistan play the match of their lives on Monday night.Australia clinically disarranged India’s jigsaw, leaving them with several questions and fewer answers, a heartbroken captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, who looked spent, physically and emotionally, gasping for breath in unforgiving October humidity.For all the dropped catches and missed run-out chance and the chaos surrounding Asha Sobhana’s one-leg hobble just prior to the start, which no one seemed to think was serious enough initially, India had Australia on the ropes, like they’ve had them on a few occasions. Think back to last year’s T20 World Cup semi-final in Cape Town or more recently last December’s T20I series in Navi Mumbai.Despite India’s top-order wobble, with Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues all gone, Australia briefly wobbled. Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma – a contrasting pair – brought India within 53 runs of victory. With two set batters at the crease and 30 balls to play and with six wickets in hand, this was India’s chance to nail it. But they struck a familiar, unavoidable chaos – the story of their evening – fueled by jangling nerves.In the space of four balls, they lost two wickets. Deepti holed out to the 59-metre pocket at deep midwicket, and Richa Ghosh, their biggest six-hitter who has seemingly been batting a position lower than ideal, run out stealing a non-existent single to cover. All that might and muscle that had gone into preparation reduced to zilch thanks to a split-second’s indecision. Halfway through the run, Richa was hoping against hope Phoebe Litchfield would miss. She hit bull’s eye to send the hugely partisan Indian crowd into a state of shock.Phoebe Litchfield’s direct hit ran Richa Ghosh out•ICC/Getty ImagesAs the LED bails lit up, Renuka Singh’s jaws dropped, hands on head. Shreyanka Patil was in disbelief, glaring at the replays on the giant screen, Mandhana was staring aimlessly into the distance and Rodrigues glum. The shock told you a story. The unraveling was rather swift, but not too unfamiliar. Especially in crunch moments.You only have to go back to Cape Town last year, or maybe the Commonwealth Games. India have lost from winning junctures. The deep wounds of the past even had them engage a sports psychologist for moments like these. And when it didn’t come off, the sense of shock was palpable.All said, this was peak Australia, doing Australia things. A team that knows how to conjure magic when pushed to a corner. Like Megan Schutt bowling a 17th over that went for just one run with India needing 41 off 24. Or Litchfield hitting a crucial last-ball six in her cameo 15. Or Annabel Sutherland killing the game by picking up two wickets off her first three balls in the final over.All of which is incredible, but perhaps not more than Australia completing their spectacular defence without needing to bowl Ellyse Perry or Grace Harris, even Tahlia McGrath. Or having to play without their chirpy, intimidating captain and gun opener Healy, who knows what it is to deflate India in a world final with 86,000 people watching live. It was simply a testimony of Australia’s depth and resolve.The end was so utterly predictable that fans who couldn’t wait to get in made a quick beeline for the exit, long before the final ball was bowled. From Mexican waves and wild cheering to every Bollywood chartbuster until half an hour earlier, there was momentary silence that reflected the glum in India’s change rooms.Monday may or may not throw up surprises. But long after the dust settles, India must do some soul-searching. With a 50-over World Cup to look forward to within a year, India need to “learn from the disappointment and experience” – head coach Amol Muzumdar’s assessment – to go from being contenders to becoming champions.

Head coach keeping open mind on selection changes: ‘If people are getting runs, I’ll be taking notice’

George Dobell12-Jun-2021

Chris Silverwood has admitted England were “obviously not good enough” as they stumbled to the brink of defeat in the LV=Insurance Test series against New Zealand.On a blameless batting track, England were 122 for 9 at stumps on day three of the Test. That gave them a lead of just 37 runs with one wicket in hand. New Zealand, who have not won a Test series in England since 1999, therefore look certain to inflict upon England their first home Test series defeat since 2014.It left Silverwood, the England head coach, acknowledging the batters would be “disappointed” in the performance and that his side would “need to improve” if they were to challenge the top sides in world cricket.”It’s obviously not good enough,” Silverwood said. “We need to improve, there’s no doubt about that. There are things to work on without a shadow of a doubt. No-one is going to hide from that or deny it.”I’m not going to lie: I thought it was a great opportunity for some of the younger lads to come in and stamp their mark on the game. I’m sure one or two will be disappointed they haven’t been able to do that.”When do we stop talking and start delivering? I think we need to start seeing starts turned into big scores now. That’s one thing we’re looking for: people pushing on and being greedy when they get in.”Related

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Silverwood did ask for perspective, though. He pointed out that this England line-up was missing Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler from its first choice top seven and that, in their absence, the batting line-up was one of the youngest in the side’s history.”Let’s have a little bit of perspective,” he said. “We have got a very young batting line-up with limited experience. Joe Root is the one guy you would say has a heap of experience in that top seven.”Getting the experience of Buttler and Stokes back will help the young players, as well. We’ve seen in the past that, if you put the inexperienced players in between the experienced ones, it helps them learn. That’s what I’m hoping will happen in the India series.”We need to get that batting line-up more solid and start playing the game plan we’re aiming for. That’s big first-innings runs, big partnerships and big individual scores.”He dismissed the suggestion that the furore over historic social media posts had in any way distracted his players and expressed a hope they could learn from the skill and commitment of the New Zealand side.”I don’t think it has [been a disruption],” he said. “We’ve tried very hard to make sure that the noise on the outside has been quietened down to try and concentrate on cricket. Obviously, it’s not easy, but that’s what we’ve had to try and do because we had a Test match to try and compete in.”There were plenty of lessons out there to learn from. It’s a case of watching and learning what we can from how the New Zealand players go about their business, the methods they use and the way they apply themselves.”He conceded, however, that he would be keeping an open mind towards changes in selection, with Dawid Malan one name tipped for a recall.”I’ll be keeping my mind wide open, that is for definite,” Silverwood said. “So, if people are getting runs, I’ll be taking notice.”

كشفت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية، عن تفاصيل تقرير حكم مباراة ريال مدريد وأوساسونا بمنافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

والتقى ريال مدريد وأوساسونا ضمن مباريات الجولة الرابعة والعشرين للدوري الإسباني “الليجا” مساء السبت.

وشهدت المبارة طرد جود بيلينجهام لاعب وسط ريال مدريد في الدقيقة 39 من عمر المباراة.

وبحسب ما ذكرت “ماركا” الإسبانية، كتب الحكم في تقريره أن بيلينجهام قال له “تبًا لك”.

اقرأ أيضًا | بسبب اللوائح.. عقوبة قاسية تنتظر بيلينجهام بعد طرده أمام أوساسونا

كما لم يذكر الحكم في تقريره هتافات جماهير إسبانيول المسيئة لثنائي ريال مدريد، فينيسيوس جونيور وراؤول أسينسيو.

ووفقًا لـ “ماركا”، هتفت جماهير أوساسونا ضد فينيسيوس وأسينسيو قائلين: “الموت لفينيسيوس، الموت لأسينسيو”.

من جانبه أكد بيلينجهام خلال تصريحاته أنه لم يقل للحكم “تبًا لك”، ولكن قال كلمة “اللعنة” ولم يوجه الحديث لحكم المباراة.

Middlesbrough’s search for their new manager looks set to be over, with a significant update emerging regarding the club’s process to replace Rob Edwards.

The exit of Edwards to Wolves has hurt Boro at a key point in the season where they are sitting second in the Championship table and pushing for promotion. He sent a message to the supporters upon leaving for Molineux, wishing the club well.

“This has been one of the toughest decisions of my career. In truth, I wouldn’t have considered leaving Middlesbrough for any other club. Wolves is a special club for me. It’s where I grew as both a player and a coach, it’s still where my family calls home. It has always been my dream to come back and these opportunities do not come around too often.

“Middlesbrough is an incredible club, with a fantastic owner, staff and passionate supporters. I want to thank everyone at the club for the opportunity to lead this squad, it is a great group of players that I genuinely hope and believe will deliver success this season. I could not be prouder of the environment we built together and how it all gelled together so quickly – the players, the staff, and the fans, who drive it all. I sincerely wish everyone at Middlesbrough all the very best for the rest of the season and beyond. Rob.”

It’s now a case of Boro nailing Edwards’ successor at the Riverside Stadium, and it looks as though their new boss may have been found, following a big new claim.

Middlesbrough reach verbal agreement with Kim Hellberg

According to Fotboll Skanalen, Middlesbrough have now reached a verbal agreement with Kim Hellberg over a move to the club, seeing him as the right man to come in for Edwards.

Boro look set to swoop in from under the noses of Championship rivals Swansea City, with the club having a meeting with Hellberg’s representatives in London.

Hellberg may be something of an unknown to some Boro supporters, considering he is only 37 and hasn’t managed in Europe’s top leagues yet, but he looks like an exciting young choice.

IFK Varnamo sporting director Enes Ahmetovic, who worked with the Swede in the past, has said of him: “An incredibly skilled football coach. He spends a huge amount of time on every detail. I’m completely convinced that Hellberg will coach much bigger clubs than IFK Varnamo.”

"Impressive" manager now interested in taking Middlesbrough job after talks

Would he be the right man to replace Rob Edwards?

By
Henry Jackson

Nov 16, 2025

The 4-2-3-1-playing Hellberg is something of a gamble, at a time when promotion has to be the aim for Boro, but assuming he is the choice to come in, it will be fascinating to see how he fares.

How Middlesbrough feel about Raphael Wicky as Swiss manager holds Riverside talks

It is very much a summer of change at Liverpool Football Club in 2024. Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Anfield sent shockwaves through Liverpool and the rest of the footballing world, and his replacement, Feyenoord manager Arne Slot, has a big job on his hands to continue the legendary German manager’s legacy.

His side will be playing Champions League football next term, following the Reds’ qualification into Europe’s biggest club competition once again. The six-time winners spent a season in the Europa League but did not make it past the quarter-final, following an elimination by eventual winners Atalanta. However, they will take their place amongst Europe’s elite again next time around.

The summer transfer window of 2024 will be a vital few months for Slot and his staff, as well as those higher up at Anfield. It is imperative they get their signings right, as they aim to beat their third-place Premier League finish last season. They have already been linked with the likes of Mohammed Kudus to strengthen their side, according to Football Transfers.

In fact, the Reds have been linked with one player who will be at Euro 2024, to help Slot and his side achieve their goals next season.

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ByAngus Sinclair May 19, 2024 Liverpool looking to sign new defender

The player in question here is Sporting CP and Portugal international centre-back Goncalo Inacio.

Liverpool are looking to strengthen next season at centre-back, following the departure of Joel Matip after his contract expired, and Incacio could offer the perfect replacement for the experienced Cameroonian.

According to a report on X from reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have “been monitoring” 22-year-old Inacio ahead of this summer’s blockbuster transfer window. However, they are joined in the hunt for the defender's signature by arch-rivals Manchester United, who are also showing keen interest in the defender.

However, it currently remains to be seen if the Red Devils will make a move, with Romano reporting that they are “discussing internally” the number of centre-backs they will sign this summer.

With both North West clubs chasing the 22-year-old this summer, it seems likely he will be on the move. Indeed, if Liverpool want to bring Inacio to Anfield, they will have to activate his £51m release clause. That would make him the second most expensive centre-back in the club’s history, behind only star man at the back Virgil van Dijk, who cost Liverpool £75m from Southampton.

Why Inacio would be a good signing

The young centre-back was a part of the Sporting side who won the league under Ruben Amorim last season. He proved to be a key player for Leões, playing 32 top-flight games as well as making nine appearances in the Europa League, where he managed to score three goals.

If there is one thing that can be said about Inacio, it is that he is a wonderful progressive player. Football analyst Ben Mattinson referenced this over on X, describing the Portugal international as “exceptional on the ball”.

This is also something that is reflected in his Fbref stats. He averages 8.56 progressive passes per 90 minutes, and 9.36 passes into the final third per 90 minutes. Both of these figures place him in the top 1% of centre-backs across Europe. The 78.40 passes completed on average per game also places him in the top 1%.

Inacio is also a superb ball carrier. He averages 68.97 carries per 90 minutes, which places him among the best 1%, with his 1.27 progressive carries per 90 minutes ranking him in the top 8%. This impressive carrying ability shows his confidence on the ball.

Progressive passes

8.56

Final third passes

9.36

Passes completed

78.40

Carries

68.97

Progressive carries

1.27

The "insane" Inacio – as scout Antonio Mango described him – is a player who could pair up well with Liverpool’s talismanic centre-back Van Dijk. The experienced Dutchman has not had a consistent defensive partner of late, but the Reds' target could solve that problem. Not only would it work given Inacio is a left-footed defender to compliment the right-footed Van Dijk, but their strengths pair well to help mask the other players' weaker areas.

Whilst still not bad, the Anfield hero's progressive carrying skills are not as good as Inacio’s, as shown by Fbref. The Liverpool captain averages just 0.85 progressive carries per 90, which ranks him in the top 30%.

However, Van Dijk is wonderful in the air, an area where Inacio struggles. The Netherlands star averages an impressive four aerial duels won per 90, with an 81.7% success rate, which places him in the top 3% and 1% of centre-backs. In comparison, Inacio averages 1.81 aerial duels won per 90, with just a 52.6% success rate. That places him in the 29th and 18th percentile respectively.

Based on the stats, this certainly seems like a well-balanced defensive pair. Inacio is just 22 years old so could be at the heart of the Liverpool defence for many years to come. Despite being 32 years of age, Van Dijk is showing no signs of slowing down, and could well be playing for the next four or five years to come. Should they sign the Sporting sensation then Liverpool could be bringing in a player for the present and future, who can get the best out of Van Dijk.

Liverpool can sign £85m Inacio alternative who Carra dubbed a "superstar"

Anfield would secure one of Europe’s highest-quality young players by getting this one done.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 5, 2024

Legspinner goes from bowling to Joe Root in nets, to being signed by Yorkshire and a first England call-up

Matt Roller28-Oct-2024Jafer Chohan flew to the Caribbean on Monday as England’s latest wildcard selection in their white-ball squads. A young legspinner with only 23 professional appearances, Chohan did not have a professional contract two years ago but has thrived under the guidance of Adil Rashid and his brother Amar, and has now been fast-tracked into the national set-up.He could easily have been lost to the game altogether: Chohan spent his teenage years in the Middlesex system but was let go at 17 and had fallen out of love with cricket. He started his first summer at Loughborough University playing for the third XI, but was making his debut for Yorkshire in a televised T20 Blast game barely a year later.There are a few different strands to unpick in the story of Chohan’s rise but the central thread is the impact of the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA), a scheme launched in late 2021 to stop talented young players dropping out of the English professional game.Chohan was playing National Counties cricket for Berkshire in 2022 – where he encountered Shoaib Bashir – when he was recommended to SACA’s founder Tom Brown. He quickly became part of the set-up, playing some of their first-ever fixtures against county second XIs and impressing county scouts at an open trial at the Adil Rashid Cricket Centre in Bradford.Related

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He had also played club cricket against the son of Darren Gough, then Yorkshire’s managing director, while their bowling coach Kabir Ali was heavily involved at SACA. By that stage, Chohan had broken into the UCCE set-up at Loughborough and in late 2022, an opportunity arose to bowl to England’s batters in the nets ahead of their Test tour to Pakistan.”I bowled to Rooty for a quite a while at one of the sessions, and at the end of that he was like, ‘Do you play for a team?'” Chohan told ESPNcricinfo. “I said no – and at this moment, I’m just like, ‘Oh my God, Joe Root is speaking to me. This is the coolest thing ever.’ Then he was like, ‘Okay, leave me your number somewhere and I’ll get in contact with Yorkshire.'”By January 2023, he had signed a professional contract and with Rashid injured at the IPL, he became Yorkshire’s main spinner for the Blast. He has continued to work closely with the Rashids – both Adil and Amar – since: “They’ve done so much for me. They’re like having two big brothers. They’ve properly looked after me.”After a quiet first Blast season, Chohan took 17 wickets in 10 games this year including a five-for on his 22nd birthday, defying medical advice to play through the pain of a broken thumb. That injury caused him to miss the rest of the season – including ruling him out of contention for a replacement deal in the Hundred – but at the start of October, England called.Chohan took 17 wickets in this year’s Vitality Blast•Getty Images”I woke up and saw that I had a missed call,” Chohan recalled. “Then I got a call again, and as soon as I heard, ‘It’s Luke Wright, you’ve been selected to go to the West Indies,’ I ran into the office. I was in my boxers still. My dad’s just started this Zoom meeting – I’m just freaking out a bit over the phone, not saying anything – and then he figured out what was happening.”Rashid had hinted to Chohan that he was on England’s radar. “A couple of weeks before, he said, ‘Just don’t be surprised if you get called up to that squad’… even last year, during the Hundred, we went out for dinner and he said, ‘There’s a chance in 12-18 months that you could get a call-up.’ Rash has always told me that, but I’ve never actually believed him.”Chohan describes himself as a “good blend” between the traditional legspinner and the modern version. “I have that longer run-up, which was inspired by Shahid Afridi when I was young. I’ve always bowled a little bit quicker than most spinners, but I’m not as quick and flat as a Rashid Khan… watching Rash bowl has definitely made me want to still be able to have that traditional legspin side, where I can bowl it slower.”And he believes that his inexperience could play to his advantage. “I think the West Indian players will be like, ‘Who is this guy?’ And there won’t be a huge amount of footage of me. I’ve got to make the most of that opportunity where I’m a bit more unknown… You don’t know how many chances you’re going to get to put an England shirt on, so it would be a really special feeling if I can get a game.”Chohan may find it tough to break into the side on this tour: England have no shortage of spin options, with Rehan Ahmed, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Dan Mousley and Will Jacks joining Rashid. If a debut does come, it is more likely to be in the five-match T20I series than in the ODIs, given he is yet to play a List A game.But regardless, his status as the first SACA graduate named in an England squad marks a landmark moment. “SACA helped me a hell of a lot,” he said. “I felt like my game was in a pretty good place, but there’s no real way in, once I got out of the system. It was really tough to think, ‘OK, I want to become a pro cricketer, how can I actually do it?’ And SACA provided that opportunity for me.”