Newcastle United have now joined several top clubs in the race to sign a teenage star who’s the same “talent level” as Erling Haaland, according to reports.

Alan Shearer praises "excellent" Guimaraes despite Tottenham draw

Although Newcastle have the chance to redeem themselves against Burnley this weekend, they’ll look back on their 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur as a chance wasted. The Magpies largely dominated, but came unstuck by a shock Cristian Romero brace which included a late overhead kick.

Eddie Howe still has plenty of reason to be optimistic, though, and one of those reasons is the performance of Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian emerged from the bench before finding the back of the net and receiving high praise from Tyneside legend Alan Shearer.

It was a standout display from a Newcastle fan favourite, but that may not stop the Magpies from welcoming another midfield addition in the January transfer window.

£65m Newcastle duo should be fuming with Howe's team selection vs Spurs

Two Newcastle players, in particular, are unlikely to be too happy right now.

By
Matt Dawson

Dec 3, 2025

Those at St James’ Park have already been linked with the likes of Scott McTominay on that front and could welcome the Scotland international, before turning their focus towards the in-demand Yan Diomande.

Newcastle join Yan Diomande race

Newcastle have now joined the race to sign Diomande, according to TeamTalk, and are among the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool all competing to land the winger’s signature.

One RB Leipzig source even went as far as to tell TeamTalk that the winger is the same “talent level” as Manchester City star Haaland, who also came through the Red Bull ranks at Salzburg a number of years ago.

Newcastle have reportedly sent their scouts to watch the 19-year-old in action, but it remains to be seen whether they’ll be able to position themselves to secure his arrival.

What’s more, Leipzig themselves are not ready to let their young star leave and his reported €100m (£87m) release clause should help fend off at least some of the interest.

Given how Anthony Elanga has struggled this season, Diomande is someone that the Magpies should be all in on if they want to complete their frontline alongside record signing Nick Woltemade.

Shades of Woltemade: Newcastle holding internal talks to sign £21m "magician"

Based on the way he’s performed over the past six months, Kobbie Mainoo has the potential to be a future legend for Manchester United.

The 19-year-old’s quality and class continue to impress week in and week out, and he looks set to become a crucial player for England during the knockout stages of Euro 2024.

Mainoo’s performances and three goals over his 24 Premier League starts last campaign earned him a spot on the plane, and he’s certainly not letting the opportunity pass him by.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will look to build around the fantastic teenager next season, and he could start with a move for a fantastic talent who’d make the number 37 world-class.

Man Utd want to sign a defensive midfielder

As per a report from Sky Sports, via Dharmesh Sheth, Man United are weighing up a move for Manuel Ugarte.

The Red Devils have made an ‘initial approach’ to Paris Saint-Germain regarding the Uruguayan midfielder.

Despite there being no bid just yet, it’s said that ‘discussions continuing internally over next step.’

Luckily for United, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has announced that the French club are willing to sell the 23-year-old this summer.

Why Ugarte could be perfect for Mainoo

This time 12 months ago, Ugarte was regarded as one of the most highly rated young midfielders in Europe, hence why PSG splashed around £50m on him last summer.

The defensive midfielder started the campaign in the Ligue 1 side's best lineup, but as the season progressed, his involvement decreased.

This meant that across the entire league campaign, Ugarte made just 21 starts in 25 appearances, often operating as a lone defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3.

However, his performance levels were extremely impressive, and given the statistics he produced, he’d be an absolutely perfect fit alongside Mainoo.

Passes completed

48.5

31.1

46.5

Pass accuracy

91%

87%

83%

Tackles

3.9

2

3.3

Interceptions

1.6

0.9

0.7

Balls recovered

7.2

4

5.3

Duels won

6.4

5

5.8

Last season, it was mainly Casemiro who partnered the English midfielder, and the Brazilian was tasked with providing the majority of the defensive support.

However, as you can see from the table, Ugarte is just on another level entirely, particularly defensively and from an athletic standpoint.

The Uruguayan plays with intensity, tenacity, and aggression, which often makes him horrible to play against, and his tackles alone prove how effective he truly is, and it is why he's been called a "machine" by football scout Jacek Kulig.

On top of that, he can read the game brilliantly and mop up loose balls continuously, which would make United much more secure on the counterattack.

This means that Mainoo could be handed the license to impact the game more frequently in the final third, as he has that defensive foundation behind him.

As you can see from the clip below, this is arguably where Mainoo is at his best, due to his technical class, creativity, and ability to pitch in with goals.

On the other hand, Ugarte is also extremely composed on the ball himself, and he retains it brilliantly, which would enable the academy graduate to get on the ball much more frequently.

Another aspect that would make Ugarte an incredible signing is his reliability and availability, which would enable him to strike a telepathic relationship with Mainoo, as he’s only missed five matches in his entire career.

Overall, Ugarte ticks every single box that Man Utd so desperately need, and if he can even make Mainoo better, Ratcliffe must surely look to secure his signature.

What Man Utd's dream XI could look like after £230m spending spree

Marcus Rashford doesn’t make the best eleven.

1 ByTom Lever Jun 7, 2024

The upcoming tour of West Indies, which starts a new WTC cycle, could prove a line in the sand

Andrew McGlashan14-Jun-20252:00

Hayden: ‘Defensive Cummins missed a trick’

As a rule, Australia don’t lose ICC finals. Only once in ten deciders since 1996, when Sri Lanka famously overcame them in another seismic result, had they fallen short – the 2010 T20 World Cup against England in Barbados. Therefore, the defeat in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s is significant and likely to lead to the first stages of regenerating the side for the next cycle when the squad reaches the West Indies.Australia were favourites coming into the final against South Africa – although not perhaps by as big a margin as some perceptions – and also lost from a position of strength: 102 runs ahead on the second day with ten wickets in hand, before losing 7 for 45 as they were unable to navigate the South Africa quicks as the clouds came over. Australia didn’t earn the right to have more batting under sunshine on Friday, the third day of the Test. That had followed being 67 for 4 in the first innings, which ended with a collapse of 5 for 20.Australia played some excellent cricket to reach the WTC final, prevailing in numerous tight situations along the way over the two years, and they do not suddenly need a complete rebuild. It does not need a national enquiry, but it does warrant some introspection.Related

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Smith avoids surgery, faces race to be fit for West Indies Tests

The biggest questions heading into the game were around the top three. Though the selectors were clear on the fact that this was being treated as a one-off occasion, and that decisions made here did not have to link to what’s to come, Australia leave Lord’s arguably less clear of a path forward than before.”We always knew this was going to be a one-off – it’s pretty specific conditions over here,” captain Pat Cummins said after the defeat. “Losing the toss on day one and being sent into bat is never going to be easy for the top three. I think there are probably quite a few people in the line-up that kind of wish they could have done a little bit more. The top three was an obvious one in this game.”It’s not to say that had Australia managed to defend 282, the key issues wouldn’t have been addressed, but there is often a reluctance to change a winning team. Although there remains uncertainty over the strength of the bowling attack which England will be able to bring to Australia later in the year, coach Andrew McDonald has already acknowledged that the hosts will need a settled opening pair by then. Now the tour of the West Indies, which begins on June 25, could prove a line in the sand.”I don’t particularly know why, but it does feel like a little bit of a fresh start,” Cummins said, “Fast forward a couple of years, you start maybe thinking about who’s going to win. Hopefully we make the final, who’s going to win that, and maybe do we want to get some games into them?2:11

Should Khawaja’s pattern of dismissals worry Australia?

“Do we feel like now’s the right time to change, or do you hold with the team that got us to the final? We’ve got a couple of weeks before the first Test of the West Indies, so we’ll sit down and have a bit of a think after we digest this game. For me, I think a new WTC cycle in some ways does feel like a bit of a reset.”The clearest option with a view to the next generation is Sam Konstas, who hasn’t featured since his first two Tests against India. It’s hypothetical to ponder how he would have fared at Lord’s – and there’s no guarantee he’ll be the immediate answer after just 17 first-class matches – but even before Steven Smith’s nastily dislocated finger, it was difficult to see how he wouldn’t get an opportunity in Barbados. Josh Inglis is another who will to be given serious consideration.The immediate change is unlikely to be dramatic, or, beyond Konstas, especially youthful. Inglis, should he get a chance, is 30; the reserve quicks are 36-year-old Scott Boland and 31-year-old Brendan Doggett, although they will be key if the selectors decide the time is right for more rotation of the big three quicks to keep them fresh. However, the overall next WTC cycle could see a more significant remaking of the team.”In white-ball series, a lot of the time you build on four-year cycles around World Cups for ODIs,” Cummins said. “I think maybe it’s an opportunity in a Test match to do something similar. Everyone gets thrown back into the conversation, and it’s a little bit of a reset for that first half.”The biggest questions heading into the WTC final were around Australia’s top three•PA Photos/Getty ImagesQuestions may also be asked of Australia’s build-up where they opted for centre-wicket and nets. It’s worth noting they did the same in 2023, when they beat India in the final. South Africa hoped to have four days of cricket against Zimbabweans, but rain reduced that to one.There was no clear pattern to draw between how players prepared and their output at Lord’s: Usman Khawaja hadn’t played since March and struggled, Cameron Green churned out runs for Gloucestershire and failed twice, and Smith had three months without batting and made 66 in tricky conditions in the first innings.”I thought we got it spot on,” Cummins said. “I think the weather helped us out as well in that lead-in. I thought the fast bowlers, particularly, from the medical staff as well – they did fantastically well to make sure everyone was firing all cylinders from basically ball one.”It remains a fantastic bowling attack, but this time that wasn’t enough. They were excellent on the fourth morning, but when South Africa began the final day requiring another 69 runs to win, it would have needed something extraordinary for Cummins to continue his winning run in ICC finals.Now it all starts again, and events over the last four days at Lord’s have meant it will be an intriguing time for Australia’s Test team.

Kagiso Rabada’s 17 runs off the final over dragged his side to 165

Firdose Moonda19-Jul-2021

Tabraiz Shamsi bagged four wickets in a T20I for the second time this year•Sportsfile via Getty Images

South Africa dominated Ireland in the first T20I meeting between the two teams despite a performance that would need some polishing with both bat and ball.Their top scorer Aiden Markram made 39 and there were two partnerships in the 30s, but they were reduced to 115 for 5 at one stage and appeared in danger of missing out on a score around 160. Offspinner Simi Singh and left-armer Josh Little were particularly successful in keeping South Africa relatively quiet, but the rest of the attack conceded at least nine runs an over each. However, a strong finish by South Africa’s lower order took them to a competitive total. And even if the visitors were not entirely happy with their score, they had reason to be because Ireland did not look like an outfit that could come close in the chase, despite South Africa’s inability to eventually bowl them out.The hosts were 38 for 4 after the powerplay, before Tabraiz Shamsi, the top-ranked bowler in the format, had even been introduced. Shamsi took four wickets for the second time in his career – also the second time in 2021 – to become the year’s leading wicket-taker in the format so far. He tossed the ball up to bowl Singh, broke through Shane Getkate’s defences with a wrong ‘un, had Mark Adair caught on the long-off boundary and had Harry Tector stumped, as he came down the track to a googly.George Linde provided good support at the start and in the middle of the innings, but South Africa drifted towards the end with Ireland’s last pair putting on 44, their highest of the innings.Openers out? No problem, we have some more
Ireland would have been relieved to see the back of Quinton de Kock after he had faced only nine balls. He did some damage when he hit Barry McCarthy over long-on for the first six of the South African innings and Mark Adair for back-to-back boundaries, before mistiming a drive to mid-off to depart in the third over. But South Africa had another opener in reserve. de Kock’s ODI partner Janneman Malan was in at No.3 and did not get going at all before he hit Adair to Singh at mid-on.Enter a fourth opening batter in Markram, who outlasted Temba Bavuma after the captain under-edged a reverse-sweep, and also starred in the two highest partnerships of the innings. Markam and Rassie van der Dussen put on 35 for the fourth wicket before Markram and David Miller shared 36 for the fifth, and South Africa had a solid foundation to build on. They seem to have identified Markram as someone who can move around the order, and though it leaves no room for Kyle Verreynne or Heinrich Klaasen, it allows them to play all their openers in the same XI.Kagiso Rabada hit 17 off the final over, including four boundaries•Sportsfile via Getty Images

Rabada, the batter
South Africa’s coach Mark Boucher has repeatedly said he believes Kagiso Rabada is selling himself short when it comes to his batting, and Rabada seems to have taken the thought seriously. He showed his potential and his finishing skills by giving South Africa the most profitable over of the innings, which also happened to be the last one. Rabada had faced just three balls and scored two singles before Adair delivered the final six balls, but had seen enough to know what he needed to do.He dispatched a low full-toss through the covers for four, then cleared the front leg to send a full ball through midwicket, after which he drove Adair down the ground and finally pulled a slow ball to deep square leg for a quartet of fours. Doubtless Rabada had a full house of boundaries on his mind, but he was beaten by lack of pace as he tried to heave the fifth one away and finished with a single. He scored 17 off the last over, and was unbeaten on 19 off nine balls to stake a claim for a spot higher in the order.No score for O’Brien
Things are not getting any easier for Ireland’s headline batter. Kevin O’Brien has played six international matches this year and has managed just 27 runs, and followed up his no score against Netherlands last month – in what turned out to be his final ODI – with a duck again today. He was rooted to the crease when he chipped the first legal delivery he faced back to Rabada for a simple catch. O’Brien’s dismissal was South Africa’s second wicket in seven balls after Paul Stirling was bowled by Linde the ball after hitting the first delivery of the innings for six. At that stage, Ireland were 7 for 2 with both openers gone.Drop, drop, catch
South Africa’s fielding standards have not been at their highest on this trip. They dropped four catches in the second ODI to lose to Ireland for the first time, and two again in the powerplay today, though they were of little consequence. First de Kock made significant ground to try and pouch the top edge off Tector’s attempted scoop off the penultimate ball of Lizaad Williams’ first over, but the chance popped out of his hands as his elbows hit the floor.The batters had crossed and Williams had a chance to dismiss Andy Balbirnie with his next ball when the Irish captain smacked the ball to Malan at backward point. Malan dived full stretch to his right but could not hold on. Balbirnie didn’t last much longer, though. After Lungi Ngidi removed George Dockrell with the first ball of his first over, he had Balbirnie caught behind with the first ball of his second. Thus, Williams was the only bowler to go wicketless.

His execution of wide yorkers after coming in as Impact Player denied Gujarat Titans

Shashank Kishore31-Mar-2025Vijaykumar Vyshak didn’t know until 13 overs into the Gujarat Titans (GT) chase in Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) IPL 2025 opener that he would be summoned as an Impact Player. But when Arshdeep Singh suggested they bring in Vyshak, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer did what was needed.With 75 runs needed from 36 balls, Vyshak, having reviewed his plans with the support staff, tried to bowl wide yorkers to Jos Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford, whose strike rates against those deliveries were “low”.”I didn’t know if I was going to be there,” Vyshak told ESPNcricinfo. “They [Iyer & Co] were also thinking of a spinner. And then I got to know I’ll be on for the 14th over. All along, I had been going through my plans – so when the opportunity came, I was ready to go.”Related

• Vyshak 'changes the game' on a night Siraj makes the wrong decisions

• Reverse swing for Arshdeep or drier ball for Chahal – Punjab Kings have to decide

• Gill lauds Impact Player Vyshak for stifling GT's chase

As Vyshak came on, Arshdeep told him to “err on the wider side”. It was a change from their original plan of trying to mix his variations, including bowling a knuckleball that he is known to deliver effectively.”Initially, Plan A was to bowl slow bouncers,” Vyshak said. “But the wicket wasn’t two-paced. The ball wasn’t holding up. There was a lot of dew. Considering all that, the coaches said, ‘Let’s stick to the wide yorker’. It was a case of them planning and me executing.”Vyshak gave away just ten runs in his first two overs. By his third, after Buttler’s dismissal, GT needed 45 more from 12 deliveries. Despite Marco Jansen conceding 20 runs in two overs from the other end, Vyshak’s first two overs had already put GT on the back foot. So much so that even 18 runs from his third over – the 19th of the chase – left GT with an improbable 27 runs to get in the final over. PBKS eventually won by 11 runs, and it was a strong comeback for Vyshak, who had recovered from a quadricep injury that kept him out of the second half of the Ranji Trophy during the domestic season.The injury struck just as Vyshak, on the BCCI’s list of targeted fast bowlers, had broken into India’s T20I squad for the South Africa series in November.Vijaykumar Vyshak: “Until I’m satisfied, I’m not going out of the nets”•Punjab Kings”I always say this to myself that whatever I can do in my control, I will do that,” he said. “If you have to give your 100%, I’ll give my 110%. But injuries are not in your hands. I am someone who is really willing to give myself that extra push.”I don’t mind pushing extra yards in the practice session until I get what I’m doing, whether it is yorkers, whether it is length balls or slower ones. If I want to do something, I am just going to do it. And then, until I’m satisfied, I’m not going out of the nets. That is something that has helped me grow.”And then, for this sport, especially when you’re playing T20s, you’ve got to be mentally strong because some days you don’t nail your yorkers. But you’ve got to be mentally strong, and you’ve got to accept the fact that this is not happening. You’ve got to change; you’ve got to go to your Plan Bs. So that is something that I’ve been working on.”Vyshak is a strong advocate for “positive vibes” and “routines” to the extent that if he feels he did something different at training or during his pre-match routine that worked well, it’s likely he would have noted it down somewhere to be able to go back to later.”If the previous day – like match minus one, or minus two – if I did something that worked for me, I just want to write it down and then just go back to that and then do the same things again and again. So that has been helping me. So, hopefully, I can continue this and go on to achieve a lot more.””People used to tell me that I was a little healthy. I was like, ‘But I’m still bowling fast and batting, [so] how does it matter?'”•PTI Vyshak’s cricket perspective comes from a desire to make up for lost time. In 2017-18, weighing 110kg, he admitted feeling lost, and often faced criticism for his weight.”People used to tell me that I was a little healthy [heavy]. I was like, ‘but I’m still bowling fast and batting, [so] how does it matter’. It’s a funny story about how I really decided to transform. There’s this tradition of giving birthday bumps, and because I was too heavy, my friends just dropped me once. The next morning, I woke up thinking, ‘why am I like this? What am I doing?’ That is when I started my journey.”The fitness impetus was around the time Vyshak switched to fast bowling in his Under-19 days. Earlier, he was a top-order batter and captained Karnataka’s Under-16 team. He’s grateful for the guidance from former Karnataka batter Sudhindra Shinde and former India seamer Abhimanyu Mithun.”He [Shinde] has seen me as a young kid – as a fat kid,” Vyshak said. “He has really been supportive about my bowling, my mental strength, and my batting. So, if I’m feeling low, if I’m feeling anything, no matter what, I make sure that I talk to him because that is my comfort. We have a rapport that I can’t express in words. But every time I’m low, I call him, and by the end of the call, he will make sure I’m in a happy space.”During my Under-19s, he suggested to me to go to Bharat Arun sir. So when I was probably 20-21, my action was all over [the place]. He [Shinde] also helped me financially. He took care of my sessions in Chennai, [and] my stay – he helped me massively. In the last couple of years, I have worked with Mithun. He has helped me a lot with my run-up and my variations.”

“You have to make sure you come back strong and then you’ve got to be mentally strong. That is where the mental aspect has helped me a lot”

Does Vyshak feel different today than when he started in the IPL two years ago with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)?”When I started off, I didn’t know what this platform was,” he said. “My emotions were so high. When I did well, I used to feel so good, and when I didn’t, I used to like just dip down.”And then, last couple of years, with [Mohammed] Siraj being there, I think he emphasised on being neutral. Whatever happens – whether you’re playing or not playing, winning or not winning – you have to be constant. That’s the biggest lesson for me. Matches come thick and fast – if you keep brooding over what has gone wrong, you’ll keep sinking further.”You have to make sure you come back strong and then you’ve got to be mentally strong. That is where the mental aspect has helped me a lot. I can pretty much say I am a better bowler compared to what I was when I played the first game for RCB.”

Ballon d'Or winner Rodri told Lamine Yamal that he will win the individual accolade in the future after the Barcelona star won the Kopa Trophy.

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Rodri picks out Yamal in winner's speechYamal wins Best Young Player of the Year awardPair won Euro 2024 together with SpainFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

City star Rodri won the historic Ballon d'Or prize on Monday evening, officially being voted as the best player in world football, beating out Real Madrid trio Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal and runner-up Vinicius Junior. Yamal, by comparison, won the Kopa Trophy at the ceremony, as the 17-year-old wonderkid was voted the best young player on the planet.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

During Rodri's victory speech, the Spaniard called attention to Yamal, and addressed him directly, telling him that he will eventually win the Ballon d'Or if he keeps improving. The teenager has been in unbelievable form for Barca this season, scoring six goals and laying on seven assists in 14 games, including a strike in the weekend's 4-0 thumping of Real Madrid in El Clasico.

WHAT RODRI SAID

Rodri said: "Lamine Yamal will win the Ballon d'Or very soon. I'm convinced of it. Keep it up, keep working hard, you'll get there."

(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Rodri is currently sidelined for the remainder of the season with an ACL injury. Yamal will next be in action when Barcelona play Espanyol on Sunday in La Liga.

BJ Watling has announced he will retire from all cricket at the end of New Zealand’s upcoming Test tour of England. This will mean that form and fitness permitting, he will end his career with two Tests against England at Lord’s (June 2-6) and Edgbaston (June 10-14), followed by the World Test Championship final against India, which is scheduled to be played from June 18 to 22 in Southampton.”It’s the right time,” an NZC release quoted Watling as saying. “It’s been a huge honour to represent New Zealand and in particular wear the Test baggy. Test cricket really is the pinnacle of the game and I’ve loved every minute of being out there in the whites with the boys.”Sitting in the changing rooms having a beer with the team after five days’ toil is what I’ll miss the most. I’ve played with some great players and made many good mates. I’ve also had plenty of help along the way for which I’ll always be grateful.”Related

• 'I'm definitely ready for the challenge' – BJ Watling appointed Wellington Firebirds' white-ball coach

• Kane Williamson excited for England Tests, WTC final after 'whirlwind' IPL departure

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• Majority of New Zealand Test contingent arrives in UK

• Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell offered their first New Zealand central contracts

The 35-year-old Watling will end his career as arguably New Zealand’s greatest-ever wicketkeeper-batsman in Test cricket. He has scored more runs (3381) than any other wicketkeeper from his country, and at a better average (39.77) than any New Zealander to have kept wicket in at least ten Test matches. He also has more dismissals (257) than any other New Zealand keeper, apart from ten catches as an outfielder.”My wife Jess has been a constant source of stability and support and I’m certainly looking forward to being able to spend more time with her and the kids,” Watling added. “I also owe a big thanks to my mum for steering me in the right direction early on and always being there for me.”Although I’ve had to make this announcement ahead of the tour to England, my focus is very much on the three Tests ahead and preparing to perform in them. This tour will be a challenge on a few levels and we know as a team we will need to be at the very top of our game if we want to succeed.”Overall, including his eight Tests as a specialist batsman, Watling has played 73 Tests and scored 3773 runs at an average of 38.11, with eight hundreds, including a highest score of 205 against England at Mount Maunganui in November 2019.BJ Watling has 257 dismissals behind the stumps in Tests, a New Zealand record•Getty Images

Known for his nuggety, hard-to-dislodge style with the bat, Watling was involved in two of Test cricket’s three highest partnerships for the sixth wicket, both coming at the Basin Reserve in Wellington: 352 alongside Brendon McCullum against India in January 2014 and an unbroken 365 with Kane Williamson against Sri Lanka a year later. Both stands turned their respective Test matches around, earning New Zealand a series-clinching draw and a win, respectively.”BJ turned games around,” NZC chief executive David White said. “I can’t think of another player who reacted so positively, and who was successful in the face of adversity. His ability to wring every possible run out of the tail was unmatched; his work behind the stumps tireless and efficient. He has a quiet, unassuming and undemonstrative manner that belies the huge appetite he has for the contest and the challenge.”BJ’s been a huge part of the success of the current Black Caps team and on behalf of NZC, I want to wish him well for the upcoming Tests in England and life after cricket.”New Zealand coach Gary Stead was effusive in his praise for Watling too.”BJ is a wonderful player and a great bloke,” Stead said. “He works really hard on his game to get improvements and always puts the team first. You just have to look at the respect he’s held in by his teammates and the opposition to appreciate his standing in the game.”The records speak for themselves and he’s been such a crucial cog in the Test team’s rise over the past decade. That double hundred he scored at the Mount in 2019 was one of the best innings I’ve ever seen and epitomised BJ Watling as a player, really.”The attitude and fight he brings to every day and every session of a Test is what has made him such a valued member of the Black Caps. He is without a doubt one of our best ever wicketkeeper batsmen.”

Despite initial reports suggesting that they were frontrunners to secure his signature, Liverpool have now called off a move to sign one of Arne Slot's transfer targets this summer.

Liverpool transfer news

Ultimately, it is Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes who will have the biggest say in the route that Liverpool go down when it comes to incomings and outgoings this summer. The returning Liverpool chief played a large part in building the club's most successful side in the Premier League era and arguably one of the best teams in the Reds' illustrious history. Now, he has been tasked with finishing Liverpool 2.0 to start the Slot era with a bang.

Reports suggest that it could be a busy summer for the Reds too, with links to the likes of Johan Bakayoko and even Real Madrid's Rodrygo emerging to steal the headlines. One name they will not be signing, however, is Crysencio Summerville. Initial reports claimed that Liverpool were the early frontrunners to secure the Leeds United star's signature and that Slot personally wanted to sign the Dutchman, but there's since been a twist.

According to Leeds Live, Liverpool have now ended their interest in Summerville in a move that may leave Slot frustrated given claims over his desire to sign the winger this summer. Nonetheless, Edwards looks set to avoid Summerville's reported price tag of up to £40m and look elsewhere for options, perhaps allowing Chelsea to make their move for the winger in the coming months.

Liverpool could sign a potential £100m + star who's like Saliba

He is wanted by many clubs this summer

By
Joe Nuttall

Jun 6, 2024

Edwards has earned enough trust at Anfield over the years to make such a decision, but that doesn't mean Liverpool don't need an attacking boost in the summer window, given the struggles of Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez at the end of Jurgen Klopp's tenure.

Liverpool may regret Summerville decision

On paper, signing a Championship star, before watching him thrive at Anfield, would have been a classic Edwards move. Yet, it is seemingly one he has not gone for and now he must hope that his decision doesn't come back to haunt him, especially if Liverpool's attack starts slowly under Slot next season.

League stats 23/24 (via FBref)	Crysencio Summerville	Luis Diaz	Darwin Nunez
Goals	19	8	11
Assists	9	5	8
Expected Goals	16.4	11.9	16.3
Ball recoveries	147	127	56

What is an immediate concern for Liverpool when looking at the numbers is just how much more clinical Summerville is compared to both Luis Diaz and Nunez. Relying on the latter duo rather than welcoming the ruthless Dutchman could be a decision that the Reds regret come next season, albeit Summerville's numbers were in a lower division.

One man who could be pleased by Liverpool's decision, however, is Leeds boss Daniel Farke, who was full of praise for Summerville last season, saying: “So if he delivers like this with two goals, I think overall he's on a really good path, also during this season in terms of goals and assists. But, it's a long season, he has to keep going, but he's definitely on a good path and yeah, today he deserves all the praise because he was outstanding.”

Big hundred puts Derbyshire on the back foot in week before Test selection

Alan Gardner14-May-2021 Derbyshire 35 for 3 (Harmer 2-12) trail Essex 412 for 3 dec (Lawrence 152*, Westley 106, Browne 59, Cook 58) by 377 runsA day of sepulchral gloom in Chelmsford, pierced throughout by the ECG floodlights, was lit up by a blazing innings from Dan Lawrence, as Essex attempted to make up for lost time in their match against Derbyshire … and pretty much succeeded. Lawrence’s unbeaten 152 from 133 balls was the batting equivalent of a souped-up Vauxhall Nova revving its way up the main drag, and leaving tyre-marks over a series of beleaguered Derbyshire bowlers.It was bad light that came to the rescue for the visitors, at the end of an over from legspinner Matt Critchley in which Lawrence slammed the first three balls for six and ended up lying on his front after an unsuccessful attempt to club a fourth down the ground. The ball still went for four and Lawrence acknowledged the applause from his team-mates for reaching 150 from his position in the dirt, even if six sixes was now out of the question. “I thought it was on,” Lawrence said with a grin afterwards.Derbyshire’s respite was brief, however, as an Essex declaration followed by an improvement in the light allowed the home side to press their advantage – even while restricted to bowling spin from both ends. Simon Harmer removed Luis Reece lbw, not offering a shot, in his fourth over and Lawrence then bagged himself a wicket, too, as Billy Godleman turned the ball to short leg. Derbyshire’s captain briefly stood his ground, which was about as much resistance as his team put up all day.Essex claimed a third before the close, Harmer having Leus de Plooy taken by Lawrence at gully, as the defending champions began to circle their prey. The threat of more bad weather, following a first-day washout, may still encourage Derbyshire hopes of an escape; those of a more darkly comic persuasion warned that it could all be done and dusted on Saturday.That Essex were in such a commanding position come the close was largely down to a freewheeling third-wicket partnership of 221 in 36.4 overs between Lawrence and his captain, Tom Westley. Essex have not hit their straps yet in this campaign, as Westley acknowledged, but they have given themselves a chance of dodging the elements to record what would be only a second win in six games.”It was disappointing not being able to get out there yesterday in a bit of a must-win game for us,” Lawrence said. “So it was very good from our openers to put me and Tommy in a situation to go and express ourselves. We knew we had to get ahead of the game as quickly as possible.”Having scored three fifties in the opening five rounds of the Championship, with a high score of 90 on a deathly flat surface at Worcester, Lawrence had hinted at good form without making the sort of imposing scores that would guarantee his involvement in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand (selection is due to be announced next week). This was a bristling reminder of his kaleidoscopic talents – albeit against a Derbyshire attack featuring three players making their first appearances of the season – as Lawrence raced to his fastest first-class hundred before coming off in sight of a career best.”It was quite a big thing for me to get to that landmark, because I’ve scored a few runs already without getting hundreds,” he said. “I’ve scored a few fifties – so it was nice to get there and then just play with some freedom. Every batter would know it’s the best feeling in the world batting after a hundred so it was brilliant to have licence.”The first of Lawrence’s 16 fours was driven with a high front elbow through mid-off and he was soon signalling his intent to crack on, windmilling a cut against Fynn Hudson-Prentice over cover point and then taking the same bowler for three boundaries in five balls a few overs later. His half-century came from 66 balls, and he immediately went up a gear, nonchalantly mowing Dustin Melton over midwicket for his first six.Billy Stanlake, who made an eventful Derbyshire debut, was casually flipped into the seats in front of the makeshift press box at deep backward square leg to take Lawrence into the 90s, and he brought up three figures for the first time this summer via a nudge off Critchley, the landmark acknowledged with a curled fist pump before turning to take the applause from his team-mates. Critchley was dealt with more severely as Essex rattled on towards five batting points, one slog-sweep over midwicket reminiscent of Lawrence’s hold-the-pose six on Test debut in Galle earlier this year.Westley also scored a bristling hundred, his third of the season – in reaching three figures from 109 balls, he did so three deliveries quicker than Lawrence – as the pair built on a century opening stand during the morning session. Derbyshire hit back after lunch through Stanlake, playing his first first-class match since the 2019-20 Sheffield Shield season, but were largely left to wonder at the wisdom of their decision to bowl first, taken 24 hours earlier.Lawrence and Tom Westley both made hundreds in a run-laden day•Getty ImagesEssex had reached 132 for 0 at lunch, going at more than four runs an over despite a green tinge to the surface and a damp air to proceedings after persistent rain ruined any chance of play on Thursday. The scoring rate was aided by Stanlake’s trouble with front-foot no-balls during his opening spell, as Alastair Cook and Nick Browne took advantage of some insipid bowling to set a belligerent tempo in Essex’s attempts to overcome not only an opponent low on confidence but a poor forecast for the weekend.The sight of Stanlake taking the new ball promised intrigue. The 6ft 7in Australian, capped in both limited-overs formats, had only played eight first-class fixtures across five years but came to Derbyshire professing an eagerness to work on his red-ball game. An initial four overs brought six no-balls and almost as many aborted attempts at running in, prompting the fear that Stanlake’s enthusiasm might be short-lived.However, he discovered a much better rhythm from the River End when returning shortly before lunch, beating Cook with successive deliveries – one of which was too hot for Harvey Hosein to hold on to behind the stumps. He was rewarded for his perseverance after the interval, when Browne drove footlessly to be caught at slip (thus reducing his first-class average against Derbyshire to a mere 213.25). Cook then spooned a drive into the covers: Big Billy had landed Essex’s big fish, but there was the small matter of Lawrence and Westley to come.

Another Leeds United player is looking for a permanent new home away from Elland Road, with technical director Gretar Steinsson ready to take an £18 million loss on his sale.

Leeds pressured into summer sales

The most painful summer exit of this window, and by Leeds' own admission, was that of local sensation Archie Gray – who completed a £40 million move to Tottenham with Joe Rodon heading the other way for £10 million (Fabrizio Romano).

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The 18-year-old won over Whites supporters with a flurry of accomplished displays over 52 appearances in all competitions last season, with Leeds releasing a heartbroken statement after Gray's departure.

"Understanding the attraction of Premier League and European football, the club, with a heavy heart, agreed the transfer, but the move has strengthened the board’s resolve to ultimately return Leeds to a position where it can meet the footballing ambitions of even its brightest stars," wrote the club in a statement (via Ben Jacobs).

"Whilst we understand that supporters will be hugely disappointed to lose such a home-grown talent, and a family name so synonymous with Leeds United, the move improves the club’s chance to compete for automatic promotion next season by increasing our ability to build a competitive squad within the league’s financial control regulations.

Appearances

52

Goals

0

Assists

2

Yellow cards

2

Red cards

0

Minutes played

4,273

"Everyone at Leeds United is heartbroken to see one of our own depart and would like to thank Archie for all his efforts and professionalism."

Alongside the highly-rated teenager, both Luis Sinisterra and Marc Roca have sealed permanent moves away from Yorkshire. The three major exits have helped raise £59 million in total for Daniel Farke's side, and these funds will work wonders to balance the books after Leeds narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League.

More look certain to follow the trio, with Crysencio Summerville attracting interest from elite English sides, as expected, following his 21-goal haul in all competitions for Leeds last season.

Meanwhile, USA international Brenden Aaronson, who completed a £28 million move to Leeds in 2022, could be on the move as well.

Aaronson wants to quit Leeds

The 23-year-old made 30 Bundesliga appearances on loan at Union Berlin last season, but the Germans cannot afford a permanent deal for him as things stand.

Leeds, led by technical director Steinsson, value the player at around £10 million, so they're ready to take an £18m loss off his sale this summer. Aaronson is ready to quit Leeds and find a permanent new home, but despite the £10m price tag, Union will still struggle to match it.

That is according to regional source Berliner Kurier, via Sport Witness, and it will be interesting to see if any club are willing to pay the asking price for Aaronson.

“He gets better every day,” said former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch during his tenure (via GOAL). “He's like a weed. You almost see him grow before your eyes. It's really amazing. He's a special young man.

"It's so much just about his ability to make final plays and slow himself down a little bit in the last third. He has more quality than people think. He's a good finisher, he's really clever with how to put passes together in tight spaces.”