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West Ham have emerged as favourites to sign a highly-rated striker in January as manager Nuno Espírito Santo scours the market for more firepower.

West Ham begin striker search ahead of January

The east Londoners, according to widespread reports, are intensifying their search for attacking reinforcements ahead of the winter transfer window, with Niclas Fullkrug’s impending departure forcing Nuno to prioritize forward additions during the crucial mid-season period.

The German international has made his intentions clear, informing the club he wishes to leave when the window reopens in a bid to revive his career, not to mention boost his chances of making Germany’s 2026 World Cup squad.

Fullkrug’s disastrous spell at the London Stadium has yielded zero goals this season across seven appearances, with persistent injury problems severely limiting his availability ever since his £27 million move from Borussia Dortmund last year.

In terms of the 32-year-old’s possible replacements, a few intriguing targets have been mooted already.

AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez has emerged as a reported target for West Ham, with Nuno learning the Mexican international would cost approximately £30 million.

Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee represents another option being explored by the Hammers. The Dutchman has reportedly grown frustrated with his limited playing time under Ruben Amorim, and is seeking regular minutes to maintain his own international prospects ahead of the World Cup.

West Ham 'sound out' £30m striker with Fullkrug 'determined' to leave in January

The Irons are making plans to replace him.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 6, 2025

Real Madrid youngster Endrick has also been mentioned as a possible loan target, but the Brazilian now looks set to join Lyon instead.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

West Ham 3-1 Newcastle

West Ham 3-2 Burnley

Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham

Meanwhile, former Brentford striker Ivan Toney could be tempted to return to England from Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli on a temporary basis, with West Ham said to be in the mix for his signature.

They’ve also been linked with Juventus’ Jonathan David, FC Midtjylland forward Franculino Dju and even former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott recently, as chairman David Sullivan casts his net far and wide in pursuit of solutions.

West Ham now in pole position to sign Promise David

Now, as per TEAMtalk, West Ham are emerging in pole position to sign Union Saint-Gilloise forward Promise David after already making contact.

USG are apparently ready to entertain offers of around £17.5 million for the Canadian international, and West Ham are fully aware of this.

The towering 24-year-old has captured attention following his impressive performances in Belgium, where he netted 24 goals in his debut campaign last season to help USG end a remarkable 90-year wait for a Jupiler Pro League title.

Standing at 6 ft 4, David offers the physical presence and aerial threat that West Ham desperately require up front, with Nuno potentially targeting his own version of Chris Wood in east London.

Nuno helped to transform the colossal Wood into a clinical marksman at Nottingham Forest, and while that is an obvious comparison to make with David, there are gaping similarities.

However, West Ham face competition from fellow relegation battlers Leeds and Wolves, who both recognize David’s potential value as well.

The striker’s Champions League experience adds further appeal, having recently scored a winner against Galatasaray to announce himself on Europe’s biggest stage — ending the Turkish champions’ 33-game unbeaten run in the process.

For just under £18m, he could be a fine candidate to strengthen West Ham’s forward line, especially considering how teammates have described him as “the monster”.

A new Southampton manager update has been shared from St Mary’s regarding a full-time move for interim boss Tonda Eckert.

Eckert responds to permanent Southampton job rumours

The Saints made the perfect start to life without Will Still in the week, defeating Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Loftus Road.

Eckert was the man in charge of Southampton following Still’s exit, with second half goals from Jay Robinson and Leo Scienza lifting them above rivals Portsmouth.

The 3-4-2-1 caretaker is once again set to be on the touchline this weekend prior to the international break as St Mary’s play host to bottom side Sheffield Wednesday. Talking ahead of the game, Eckert was asked if he fancied the Southampton job on a permanent basis, to which he said:

“Look, the answer is very easy on this one. My job is to prepare the game today in the best way possible. My job is to prepare the game on Saturday (8th November) in the best way possible. That’s what all my focus is on. It’s going to be three very important days until Saturday. Then we can all take a breath.

“I think the only thing I can do is give energy and give a structure, and prepare them in the best way possible. We’re going to do the same thing for Saturday and hopefully confirm [the improvement] and then we’ll go into a break and go again.”

Now, a new update has emerged regarding Southampton’s position over Eckert.

How Southampton feel about full-time Tonda Eckert move

According to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, Southampton now “consider Eckert a potential candidate for the full-time job” following his winning start in temporary charge.

The 32-year-old’s coaching career has mainly been as an assistant, helping some iconic names such as Patrick Vieira at Genoa and Miroslav Klose at Bayern Munich’s U17 side.

His experience in England came during 18 months as an assistant at Barnsley, with Eckert taking charge of Southampton’s U21s in the summer.

1.FC Koln U17

Assistant manager

2013-2016

RB Salzburg YL

Assistant manager

2016-2017

RB Leipzig YL

Assistant manager

2017-2019

FC Bayern U17

Assistant manager

2019-2020

Barnsley

Assistant manager

2020-2022

Genoa

Assistant manager

2022-2025

Saints gem Moses Sesay has been impressed under Eckert, saying he is an “experienced” coach who “demands a lot” in training and is “big on detail”.

“I’ve enjoyed working with him. I took some time to get a good connection with him, because he was new, but I really like him. He’s a good coach. He’s very experienced. He demands a lot from us in training, but I like that as a player. He knows what he wants, which is good.

“Comparing Calum McFarlane (former under-21s boss) with Tonda, I think Cal was maybe a little bit more technical, but there hasn’t been much of a difference.

“Tonda is big on detail. He’s a very good coach. We’ve had good results since he came in and went a few games unbeaten. It’s been good under him.”

Positive words indeed, and if Eckert makes it two from two on Saturday, his stock could continue to rise.

Their own Lampard: "Very intelligent" coach now wants the Southampton job

As Liverpool prepare to square off against Eintracht Frankfurt in hope of getting back to winning ways for the first time in four games, a medical expert has provided an injury update on Ryan Gravenberch.

Carragher makes fresh Man City comparison amid Liverpool form

Liverpool were dominant last season as they shocked the rest of the Premier League by stealing the crown in their first year under new manager Arne Slot. Any concerns that they would drop off entirely without Jurgen Klopp were put to bed in emphatic fashion and those at Anfield quickly rewarded Slot for such an impressive debut campaign.

In an unprecedented summer for the Reds, they spent around £400m, broke their transfer record twice, and welcomed the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike. On the transfer front, Liverpool couldn’t ask for much more.

Yet, just a few months later, Slot has been left scratching his head wondering just how his super-team have just lost their fourth straight game, against Manchester United at Anfield of all teams. It is the toughest period of the Dutchman’s reign so far and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has delivered his verdict.

Liverpool must hope to bounce back like Man City did in the second-half of last season, but will have to wait for one player to return from injury before they are back to full strength and can begin their return to form.

Injury expert delivers Gravenberch verdict

When it rains it pours for Liverpool. The Reds watched on as Ryan Gravenberch was forced off with injury to compile their misery in a fourth straight defeat in all competitions last weekend.

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The Dutchman, alongside Virgil van Dijk, is arguably the most irreplaceable player in Slot’s squad, but those at Anfield must now figure out how to do exactly that.

Injury expert Physio Scout delivered insight on Gravenberch’s twisted ankle this week, claiming that the midfielder is likely to miss up to two weeks of action in the likeliest scenario, albeit there is another much worse possibility.

“Lateral ankle sprains often look worse than they are if swelling and instability are minimal,” they said. “A Grade 1 sprain and a quick return are most likely… However, any ligament damage confirmed on imaging could see him sidelined for several weeks.”

Ryan Gravenberch

Injury timeline

Grade 1 twisted ankle

Less than 2 weeks (most likely)

Grade 2 twisted ankle

3-4 weeks

Grade 3 / ligament damage

4-6+ weeks

Assuming a Grade 1, this could see the midfielder make a return to action against Real Madrid on November 4 or in the absolute best-case scenario, as soon as Brentford this weekend.

Already ruled out for the Frankfurt game after being omitted from Liverpool’s travelling squad, it’s imperative that Liverpool get Gravenberch back into their side as soon as possible.

Scott Carson has officially retired from professional football, ending a remarkable 22-year journey that saw him lift two Champions League titles, win four England caps, and become a beloved figure in the Manchester City dressing room. The veteran goalkeeper, 40, departs the game as one of English football’s most respected professionals and a cult hero among City fans.

• Carson pulls curtain down

  Manchester City goalkeeper Carson has announced his retirement, bringing down the curtain on a playing career that began back in 2003. The 40-year-old joined Pep Guardiola’s side from West Brom in 2019, initially on loan before completing a permanent move two years later. Despite making just two appearances for City, one in the Premier League and another in the Champions League, his presence was considered invaluable within the squad.

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• AFP
  

  Carson's emotional retirement post

   “After an incredible journey between the posts, it’s time to hang up the gloves,” Carson wrote in his farewell post on Instagram. “Football has given me everything — memories, friendships, and moments I’ll never forget. Thank you to every teammate, coach, fan, and club that’s been part of the ride. It’s been an honour.”

  Speaking to Manchester City club media, Carson also added: “The reaction from the fans towards me was always positive. I felt a great connection from the minute I signed. I had a wonderful time here and I’ll be forever grateful for my time here.”

• Carson's storied career

  Carson's two-decade career included spells across England and Europe. Starting at Leeds United, he joined Liverpool in 2005, winning a Champions League medal as an unused substitute in the dramatic Istanbul final. To gain experience, he was loaned to Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic (where he was named Player of the Year), and Aston Villa.

  Carson was later a first-choice keeper for West Bromwich Albion, Turkey's Bursaspor, Wigan Athletic, and Derby County, making over 170 appearances for the latter. In 2019, he joined Manchester City, primarily as a veteran third-choice. Despite minimal playing time, his leadership was highly valued, contributing to a period of immense success. At City, he won four Premier League titles, two League Cups, and the 2023 Champions League Treble. He also earned four caps for England and was part of the 2006 World Cup squad.

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• AFP
  

  What comes next?

   Carson’s future remains open, but many in football expect the veteran shot-stopper to transition into coaching given his wealth of experience. Manchester City are reportedly keen to retain him in some capacity, recognising his leadership qualities and popularity within the camp. With a career spanning more than 20 years, his understanding of the game and professionalism would make him an ideal mentor for younger goalkeepers.

Chelsea are one of the world’s most active clubs in the transfer market, and they could now be set to beat Liverpool and PSG to the signing of a proven Premier League star.

Chelsea left with problems to juggle amid hectic fixture schedule

Winning the Club World Cup was a momentous moment in recent Chelsea history, and particularly for the club’s finances.

BlueCo took home over £80 million worth of prize money after reigning victorious in the States, and this helped them end last summer’s window as one of England’s biggest spenders.

However, if recent developments are anything to go by, the physical output expended by players over what was a very long 2024/2025 season, with the CWC to blame for this, may have created some frustrating consequences for Enzo Maresca.

Cole Palmer is out for six weeks due to a groin problem, meaning the England international now joins Benoit Badiashile, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Levi Colwill as long-term absentees from the line-up.

Offering his honest opinion, former Blues star Pat Nevin believes Chelsea’s pre-season has something to do with the recent absences they are experiencing.

Either way, there will be opportunities for other Chelsea players to stake their claim in light of Palmer’s absence, including Blues loanee Facundo Buonanotte.

Nevertheless, January will be very important, given it offers a chance for Chelsea to strengthen their lighter areas by recruiting top talent.

Chelsea now frontrunners to sign Morgan Rogers

According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea are now the frontrunners to sign Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, and could beat rivals Liverpool to capture the England international.

Starting off this term with two assists in his opening ten appearances across all competitions, the 23-year-old is valued at around £80 million, and he is also being closely tracked by Paris Saint-Germain.

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Amid a return of 30 goal contributions in 2024/25, Chelsea have identified Rogers as a “key target” moving forward, and they believe internally that he is ‘well-suited to both the intensity of the Premier League and the competitive demands of European football’ present at Stamford Bridge.

Fotmob shows that the Halesowen-born playmaker, previously labelled “excellent” by Thomas Tuchel, has created seven chances and completed seven dribbles in the Premier League this campaign. He is beginning to motor after a slow start to life following a difficult summer where speculation over his future was rife.

Looking to steal a march on their rivals, Chelsea could now be set to tap into his long-term potential by offering a package that reflects his scope to develop into a world-class star.

أوضح لاعب مانشستر يونايتد السابق روي كين، محلل قنوات “سكاي سبورتس”، المشكلة الرئيسية التي يعاني منها ليفربول هذا الموسم.

وواجه ليفربول نظيره فرانكفورت الألماني مساء أمس، الأربعاء، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وحقق ليفربول فوزًا مهمًا على نظيره الألماني بخماسية مقابل هدف جعلته يستعيد ثقته مرة أخرى بعد عدم الفوز في 4 مباريات متتالية.

وكان آرني سلوت قد اتخذ قرارًا بجلوس محمد صلاح على دكة البدلاء أمام آينتراخت فرانكفورت للمباراة الثانية على التوالي بدوري أبطال أوروبا، بعد جلوسه أمام جالطة سراي في المباراة السابقة.

مكث الريدز 4 مباريات متتالية في جميع المسابقات لا يعرف طعم الفوز وخسرها جميعًا، أمام كريستال بالاس وتشيلسي ومانشستر يونايتد وجالطة سراي.

اقرأ أيضًا | بعد تألقه أمام فرانكفورت.. هل أصبح محمد صلاح مُهددًا بسبب فيرتز؟

وقال روي كين، في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “ليفربول إيكو”: “أعتقد أن أكبر مشكلة يواجهها ليفربول هي طريقة دفاعه، في الهجوم لا يزال هناك تهديد على المرمى، فهم يمتلكون الجودة لكن دفاعيًا يعانون كثيرًا”.

وأكمل: “لقد قلنا في بداية الموسم بالعودة إلى مباراة الدرع الخيرية، أنهم كانوا يستقبلون العديد من الفرص ولكنهم كانوا لا يزالون يسجلون”.

وأتم”الآن ما زالوا يستقبلون الكثير من الفرص والكثير من الأهداف، هذه هي المشكلة الأكبر، على سبيل المثال آرسنال يهاجم ويدافع كفريق واحد لكن ليفربول غير مترابط أبدًا”.

In a fresh battle between Premier League clubs, Arsenal have now reportedly intensified their interest in signing a teenage sensation ahead of the likes of Liverpool.

Arteta: Arsenal need to "respect" Saka's recovery

Arsenal couldn’t have entered the international break in more frustrating fashion, but they’ve come out the other side in fine fettle. Having suffered late defeat at Anfield and lost both Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to injury, the Gunners bounced back after the break with a convincing and near flawless win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Losing Saka was a particular blow however, and one that the Gunners will still need to deal with moving forwards, relying on the likes of Noni Madueke to continue to shine. Mikel Arteta provided an update on the fitness of his star man before Forest, stating that Arsenal must “respect” the recovery process and not rush Saka back before he is ready.

The Spaniard also provided an update on Kai Havertz, who suffered an injury blow in the early stages of the season: “He’s looking really good, he’s walking freely.

“He’s starting to load the knee and to do some bits. As I said before, I think we’re taking it from weeks to months. But knowing Kai, I cannot give you any time scale because I know what he’s going to try to do, same with Gabi Jesus. So I think he’s in a good moment.”

It’s these types of injury concerns that Arsenal have been building for, however, and the transfer market remains the key to a lot of their success. Get things right in that department and they may yet end their wait for another league title.

To that end, those in North London are already thinking about the future. According to reports, they’ve even gone as far as intensifying their interest in signing a teenage sensation.

Arsenal intensify interest in Mokio

As reported by TeamTalk, Arsenal have now intensified their interest in signing Jorthy Mokio from Ajax. The Gunners are joined in the race to sign the 17-year-old talent by Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, but will be looking to deal their rivals a transfer blow by securing his signature at the first opportunity.

The third-youngest goalscorer in Ajax history, there’s no denying that Mokio is one to watch. The teenage midfielder, who can also play centre-back, was dubbed “special” by scout Jacek Kulig in February and it’s hard to argue with that statement.

Not Gyokeres: £60m Arsenal man could be a better signing than Wirtz & Isak

After Liverpool spent big on Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, an “Intelligent” Arsenal signing could prove to be the Premier League’s best recruit.

ByBen Gray Sep 12, 2025

It would be a major coup if Arsenal managed to lure the Belgian to The Emirates in the near future.

KKR’s new captain also says his deputy Venkatesh Iyer “deserves” his hefty auction price tag, as the franchise gears up to defend their title

Sreshth Shah13-Mar-20255:11

Chopra: Rahane could face ‘captain-batter conflict’

It was only three months ago that Chandrakant Pandit and Venkatesh Iyer were sitting in the Madhya Pradesh camp plotting against Ajinkya Rahane and his Mumbai team before the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final. Now, as IPL 2025 approaches, the three are on the same side with a common goal: crafting a winning formula for defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).With six key players retained and several familiar faces re-signed at the auction, KKR have kept the core of their title-winning squad, ready to take on the new season. The only major missing piece? Former mentor Gautam Gambhir and his coaching staff, who are now with the India national team. But in Dwayne Bravo, KKR have likely found a champion – pun intended – replacement.That said, with Bravo’s vibrant persona in stark contrast to Gambhir’s reserved intensity, might we see a change in KKR’s approach in the coming season? “I think it’s going to be disrespectful of me not to try and find out some of the good things he [Gambhir] did last season,” Bravo told the media in Kolkata on Thursday. “But also the core of the team is here, and that was the duty of the coach and myself to go back into the auction and try our best to get back as much as the same squad of players from the championship-winning team, and we were able to get that.Related

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“But I think GG [Gambhir] has his style and I have my style, and we both have been successful in our own ways. I definitely messaged him a few times and stuff, so yeah… But again, I will be leaning a lot on the guys here because they had a successful formula, and it’s to follow that.”One thing that was made clear in Thursday’s chat was KKR’s desire to not allow Gambhir’s absence to become a central theme of their new season. When Venkatesh was asked about his opinion on the change in mentors, Pandit interjected: “Excuse me guys, please. You know the current scenario. Let us not go back. He [Bravo] has already answered on that, so, please.”In Bravo, they have a mentor whose T20 credentials are nearly unmatched. His 17 titles in T20 competitions are the most for any player. His five titles as captain – all in the Caribbean Premier League – are behind only MS Dhoni (9) and Rohit Sharma (8), and equal with Shoaib Malik.Rahane, who returns to the KKR camp after a forgettable 2021 season with the franchise, acknowledged Bravo’s value. “It is really exciting to work with him,” Rahane, KKR’s new captain, said. “Obviously, he’s been the [second] most capped T20 player in history, so he brings a lot of experience to the table. He’s a hard-working tactician of what I’ve heard of him. I’ve always seen him go around the boundary line, and [he] keeps talking to the bowlers. So I’m really excited to play under him.Venkatesh Iyer, Chandrakant Pandit, Dwayne Bravo and Ajinkya Rahane address the media•Kolkata Knight Riders

“And see, nothing can beat experience. He’s played so many games, [and] he’s won so many games for West Indies and the franchises that he’s played for. So, obviously, for us, working with him, I expect that I’ll get to learn a lot with him both individually as well as in a team.”Rahane himself comes into IPL 2025 with a lot of eyes on him. When the auction took place, in November 2024, Mumbai and Rahane had played only one Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match in the season. While Mumbai were one of the tournament favourites, very few would have imagined him going on to finish as the highest run-scorer. Bought for INR 1.5 crore (USD 180,000 approx.) – after initially being ignored by all teams and later picked by KKR at his base price in the accelerated round – KKR’s Rahane deal looks like a masterstroke in hindsight. But where he bats for KKR remains to be seen, Rahane said. Separately, he backed Venkatesh to come good on his INR 23.75 crore (USD 2.83 million approx.) price tag.”I have always played wherever the team wanted me to play throughout my career, and that’s been my thinking,” Rahane said. “Always team comes first. Still, for the first game, we have eight days to go, and we need to have more conversations with the coach and mentor. But whatever the team wants, I will always give my best on that particular number.””At the same time, I do want to tell you all that Venkatesh deserves that price. People are talking about all these things, but he has done well for this franchise on number of occasions. So I think he has deserved that price.”The reality is that pre-season questions around a price tag as hefty as Venkatesh’s are hard to avoid. Venkatesh has become familiar with this line of questioning over the last three months, and he said there will be pressure; but come the IPL, pressure is something every player experiences in some form.”Wherever I go, I get asked this question, so it [pressure] exists, right?” Venkatesh said. “You can’t ignore it altogether, but when the IPL starts, it really doesn’t matter. Pressure is always there irrespective. If not the price tag, it’ll be something else. Selection, performing at your batting position, playing at multiple positions, bowling, fielding – there’s pressure in everything for everyone. So the pressure will still be there. It’s just up to me now on how I absorb the pressure. I can’t ignore it altogether, so I’ll be looking to absorb it instead while fulfilling my responsibilities.”Bravo finished the chat by explaining how, having worked with Shah Rukh Khan at Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL over the past decade, he is keen to give back to the man who invested in franchise cricket in his home island, Trinidad and Tobago.”In the CPL, I started off with the Trinbago Night Riders when SRK bought the team, and I was one of the happiest persons on the planet to know that someone like him showed an interest to buy a team – not only in the Caribbean, but my hometown,” Bravo said. “I was able to help build the Trinbago Knight Riders into the most successful franchise in CPL history.”That energy and that vibe I’m going to try to bring that here as well. It’s already a successful team, you know – behind Mumbai and CSK [both sides that Bravo has previously represented], we have the third-most trophies in the cabinet. We are looking to build on that, and I think with a squad like this, we have every opportunity to do so.”As for the toughest question of the evening: “Is Bravo releasing a new song to seal his KKR association?” Bravo replied, wearing a smile, that the Caribbean version of would have to wait.

Sri Lanka began with a huge win against Malaysia before India brushed West Indies aside in the evening game

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jan-2025

Left-arm spinner Parunika Sisodia finished with 3 for 7•ICC/Getty Images

Defending champions India started their Under-19 Women’s World Cup campaign with a bang, routing West Indies for just 44 before scripting a nine-wicket win. This came just hours after Sri Lanka had skittled Malaysia for 23 earlier on Sunday.In the second game of the day, India’s bowlers cashed in on their decision to bowl first by troubling West Indies with swing and spin. Fast bowler VJ Joshitha handed them a double-blow when she trapped Samara Ramnath in front and on the next ball had Naijanni Cumberbatch caught at slip to a superb diving catch from Sanika Chalke.When left-arm spinners Aayushi Shukla and Parunika Sisodia struck in consecutive overs to remove Jahzara Claxton and Brianna Harricharan respectively for ducks, West Indies were 17 for 4 after 5.1 overs. Three run outs in as many overs added to their woes, and 39 for 7 soon became 44 all out as Shukla and Sisodia wrapped things up. Sisodia finished with 3 for 7 while Joshitha and Shukla picked up two each.India lost only Gongadi Trisha, for 4, in the modest chase as G Kamalini and Chalke finished things off in 4.2 overs.Dahami Sanethma top scored for Sri Lanka with 55•ICC via Getty Images

Hosts Malaysia were shot out for just 23 in their maiden Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup appearance by Sri Lanka, who completed a 139-run win in the first of the two games on Sunday, in Kuala Lumpur.Put in to bat, Sri Lanka rode on quick knocks from opener Sanjana Kavindi (30 off 13) and No. 3 Dahami Sanethma (55 off 52) to score 52 in the powerplay before Sanethma led the innings even as wickets fell at the other end, including two in the 17th over. Cameos from Hiruni Hansika (28 off 21) and Shashini Gimhani (13 off 7) powered them to 162.In reply, Malaysia lasted 14.1 overs as left-arm spinner Chamodi Praboda struck twice in the second over to reduce the hosts to 2 for 3. Manudi Nanayakkara and Limansa Thilakarathna took two wickets each as no Malaysia batter reached double-figures and six were dismissed for ducks. Praboda finished with figures of 4-2-5-3.

Manchester United supporters would’ve been hoping for a reunion between Ruben Amorim and Viktor Gyokeres this summer after the pair’s successful spell together at Sporting CP.

The Swede was the 40-year-old’s main talisman in their Liga Portugal triumph back in the 2023/24 campaign, scoring 43 times in his 50 appearances across all competitions.

He unsurprisingly won the division’s Golden Boot award, carrying on his tremendous goalscoring form even after the boss left the club to take the reins at Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old ended the most recent campaign with 54 goals, bettering his tally from the previous season, subsequently making him one of Europe’s most sought-after talents, with the Red Devils previously in the race.

However, after the striker completed a move to join Premier League rivals Arsenal in recent weeks, attention has subsequently turned to other talents to provide the goods in the final third.

Man Utd's hunt for a new striker this summer

Ollie Watkins has been a name constantly on United’s radar over the last couple of weeks, as Amorim desperately looks to land a new striker for his 3-4-2-1 system.

The Aston Villa forward could be available for a fee in the region of £60m this summer, leading to talks being held between the Red Devils and his agent over a potential switch to Old Trafford this window.

However, another name has been thrown into the mix in recent days, with Al Hilal talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic a player the hierarchy are monitoring, according to one Spanish outlet.

They state that Amorim’s side are preparing a potential move for the Serbian international after he posted a tally of 28 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions last season.

It also states that he could be available for as little as £26m this summer, but the Red Devils face the possibility of a battle for his signature between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Why United’s £26m target would be Amorim’s next Gyokeres

Gyokeres’ rise to stardom injects hope and faith into all strikers that one day they can flourish and reach the top-level of the game further down the line in their career.

Before his move to Portugal, the Swedish international was plying his trade for Coventry City in the Championship, finding a settled home after multiple failed loan spells.

He only moved to Sporting in a £20m transfer back in the summer of 2023, before his goalscoring spree catapulted him to being one of Europe’s deadliest strikers.

The 27-year-old operated in England’s second tier during the same year as Mitrovic, as the former Fulham man netted a staggering 43 league goals – subsequently breaking the division’s record for the most goals scored by a player in a single season.

After leaving Fulham two years ago, he’s had to move abroad to further his career and build on the success he achieved during his spell in the Championship.

He’s followed a similar trajectory to Gyokeres, now deserving of a move back to England to demonstrate he’s capable of being the leading forward for one of the biggest teams in the league.

When comparing his stats to those of Gyokeres from last season, Mitrovic managed to outperform him in numerous areas, showcasing he has the tools to thrive under Amorim, just as the Swede did.

How Mitrovic & Gyokeres compare throughout 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)	Mitrovic	Gyokeres
Games played	23	33
Goals & assists	21	46
Shot on target accuracy	52%	50%
Pass accuracy	75%	73%
Duels won	51%	50%
Aerials won	2.7	1.6
Aerial success rate	56%	50%
Non-penalty xG	0.8	0.6
Stats via FotMob

The Serbian, who’s been labelled a “monster” by Statman Dave, registered a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate whilst achieving a better non-penalty xG, subsequently being capable of creating better goalscoring opportunities in the final third.

He also completed more of the passes he attempted, whilst posting a better aerial success rate, a component of his game that would be crucial given United’s lack of focal points.

Whilst a move back to the Premier League would be a huge jump compared to the players he’s coming up against at present, a deal for Mitrovic would make perfect sense this window.

He would provide the boss with an immediate fix to his issues in the final third, whilst also being a bargain at £26m – having all the tools to emulate the success the new Arsenal forward endured under his guidance.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 30, 2025