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The pace bowler continued his remarkable Test career with a hat-trick but when his next appearance will be remains unclear

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff15-Jul-2025Scott Boland could lay claim to being Australia’s unluckiest ever cricketer, after adding a Test hat-trick to a magical late-career surge since his famous 2021 Boxing Day debut.Statistically the best Test bowler in more than 100 years, Boland became just the 10th Australian man to take a hat-trick on Monday in Jamaica.His haul came on a record-breaking day for the tourists, who bowled West Indies out for just 27 to wrap up a 176-run win and 3-0 sweep of the Frank Worrell Trophy.Related

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Starc six-for, Boland hat-trick consign West Indies to 27 all-out and 0-3 defeat

Stats – WI post second-lowest Test total; Starc takes five in 15 balls

Starc 'uncomfortable' with the attention, but will 'cherish' his special week

Mitchell Starc was the chief destroyer with 6 for 9 up front, but Boland again vindicated the selectors’ call to go with four quicks and leave out a fit Nathan Lyon for the first time in 12 years.Boland later joked about who might get the match ball. “There was talk of cutting it in half,” he told reporters. “100 Tests and 400 wickets. He can have it.”Boland’s inclusion also allowed him to join Glenn McGrath as the only paceman to play for Australia after his 36th birthday in the last 60 years.In Australia’s 39 Tests since his 2021 debut, Boland has played just 14 of them for a hat-trick, 6 for 7 on debut in 2021 and 10-wicket match haul in Sydney last summer. All of it prompting Starc to label the seamer one of the unluckiest men to ever wear the Baggy Green”He would have played so many more Test matches in another team,” Starc said. “But every time he comes in he is on the money, like we saw this week. He is never far from the perfect length.”He is preparing all the time to play, and this week he got his opportunity and showed what a wonderful Test bowler he is.”When Boland’s next Test will come remains unclear. Selectors have repeatedly shown that Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins maintain top billing in Australia’s squad, with Boland only picked ahead of any of them once.The final three Tests of this summer’s Ashes will be played over a 23-day window, potentially opening door for Boland to come in if one of the big three are rested.Otherwise he could be forced to wait again, despite having the sixth-best bowling average in Test history (minimum 50 wickets) with 16.53, and the best of any bowler in the past 100 years.Boland has been close to hat-tricks before, but nailed his execution in Kingston when he took the top of Jomel Warrican’s off stump.Peter Siddle was the last Australian to do it in Tests and quickly sent Boland a message. “Welcome to the club.”He had previously discarded Justin Greaves and Shamar Joseph, edging the former off before having Joseph trapped lbw on review.”Today was three classic Scotty Boland wickets,” Cummins said. “Three right at the stumps or not far away. Really happy for him. He has spent a lot of time running the drinks in the past year or two when the other guys are fit, but he is always quality when he comes in.”

Manchester United are in a perilous position with Ruben Amorim in charge, and it is no surprise that they are considering alternative bosses at Old Trafford.

Manchester United's potential alternatives to Ruben Amorim

Inconsistent results have led the Red Devils to a lowly plight in the bottom half of the Premier League, and club chiefs are now casting an eye to alternatives should Amorim be relieved of his duties.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been earmarked by Manchester United, and Steve Parish is doing all he can to see the German coach remain in the capital.

Nevertheless, Paul Merson believes the Red Devils should go in a different direction, claiming the 51-year-old’s preferred formation wouldn’t align with the squad available at Old Trafford.

He stated via The Express: “Let’s say Ruben Amorim was manager at Palace now, he’d have half a chance of being a success. Palace have the players to play three at the back. They have the attributes in their squad to play in that system. For me, that’s why I’d be concerned about Glasner going to Man United.

“He’s a three-at-the-back man, and it is being proven that it is a system that just doesn’t fit the players at Man United. Glasner is not a good fit for Man United. Of course, I’m sure he’d be adaptable, and he’s proven with how he handles the players, but the system he uses is just all wrong for United. Amorim can tell you that.”

Michael Carrick has been mentioned in media circles, albeit he is probably one for the future, though one of his compatriots is now believed to be firmly in the running should Amorim be discarded over the coming weeks.

Gareth Southgate makes two demands to Man Utd

According to The Sun, former England manager Gareth Southgate has asked Manchester United for two key demands as he becomes a potential candidate to succeed Amorim.

First off, the 55-year-old, who was hailed for his underappreciated “ruthless” streak by John Stones, has made it clear he wants time to piece together a long-term roadmap to success, something he believes could take four years to master before the Red Devils are Champions League regulars once again.

Amorim forced into Man Utd changes v Sunderland as Wilcox and Berrada feelings shared

Amorim could make some big changes.

By
Callum Kemp

Oct 3, 2025

Reticent to commit before his guarantees are fulfilled, he also wants INEOS to back him through all phases of his plan without fail, creating a sense of unity among all parties as Manchester United look to establish themselves among the elite once again.

The ex-Three Lions coach hasn’t managed at club level since his spell at Middlesbrough between 2006 and 2009. However, his time in charge of England was largely successful, reaching back-to-back European Championship finals and finishing fourth in the World Cup in 2018.

Given his ability to build sides capable of deep runs involving some of the world’s best talent, he may be the ideal man to get more out of Manchester United’s faltering players.

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O Palmeiras venceu o Vasco por 1 a 0, neste domingo (27), no Allianz Parque, mas um dos assuntos do dia foi uma possível proposta do Al-Ittihad-SAU por Gustavo Gómez. No entanto, mesmo com a negativa da presidente Leila Pereira sobre vender o zagueiro nesta janela, a notícia foi repercutida na coletiva de Abel Ferreira, que admitiu a oferta gigantesca financeiramente, mas aproveitou para rasgar elogios ao seu jogador.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasVÍDEO: Assista aos melhores momentos da vitória do Palmeiras sobre o Vasco no BrasileirãoPalmeiras27/08/2023PalmeirasATUAÇÕES: Em noite apática do Palmeiras, Raphael Veiga tira ‘coelho da cartola’ para dar vitória contra o VascoPalmeiras27/08/2023PalmeirasAbel Ferreira fala em entrevista coletiva, após vitória do Palmeiras no BrasileirãoPalmeiras27/08/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

No papo com os jornalistas após o jogo, o técnico do Verdão comentou os valores “absurdos” da proposta que seu capitão teria recebido do mercado saudita. No entanto, fez questão de destacar o comportamento dele após essa montanha de dinheiro.

+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!

– Como digo aquilo que penso, são números absurdos para o jogador e para o clube. mas temos uma líder que toma decisões. O que posso dizer do Gómez, é que nunca tive um profissional como ele, de caráter como ele. Fico feliz que o resto do grupo reconheça essa liderança. Se fosse outro jogador, teria outro comportamento.

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– Minha admiração já era grande por ele, quando eu cheguei ele já era capitão. Posso dizer aos nosso torcedores, que escolheram o melhor capitão que poderiam ter. Tenho uma admiração muito profunda por ele, que jogou hoje como se fosse a primeira vez. É um exemplo pra mim, para os mais jovens e para os outros colegas – completou.

+ ATUAÇÕES: Em noite apática do Palmeiras, Raphael Veiga tira ‘coelho da cartola’ para dar vitória contra o Vasco

Abel ainda falou do quanto Gustavo Gómez trabalha diariamente e chegou a compará-lo com Cristiano Ronaldo pelas renúncias que faz para estar sempre em alto nível.

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– Se um dia quiser ver o que é trabalhar a sério, eu nunca vi como nada parecido na minha carreira de treinador, nem de jogador. Não digo que os outros não façam, mas o que ele renuncia, eu nunca vi na minha vida. Não conheço o Cristiano Ronaldo, mas conheço o Gómez e sei o que ele faz. Merece todo esse dinheiro, porque é fora de série – concluiu o treinador.

Opener’s stand of 143 with Toby Albert gave visitors a shot at their 377 target before bad light intervened

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay14-Apr-2025 Hampshire 219 (Prest 44, Gubbins 43, Worrall 3-37) and 300 for 5 (Gubbins 117, Albert 78*, Clark 2-39) drew with Surrey 253 (Sibley 100*, Wheal 4-65) and 342 for 9 dec (Sibley 105, Smith 84, Pope 65) Nick Gubbins and Toby Albert were Hampshire’s heroes as they denied Surrey’s last day attempt to force a first victory of the new Rothesay County Championship season at the Kia Oval.Gubbins scored a five-hour 117 and Albert an equally defiant 78 not out as Hampshire, starting the day on 35 for 3 in their second innings in pursuit of a 377-run win target, finished on 300 for 5.Bad light actually had the final say, forcing the players from the field for what turned out to be the loss of four overs, when 10 overs were left and Hampshire were still 78 short of what would have been a remarkable triumph against the 2022, 2023 and 2024 champions.With just six overs left when the players returned, Jordan Clark sent down two balls – one of which was hit for a single by Albert – and then the players shook hands on the draw.In truth, however, and despite Tom Prest being unbeaten on 32 alongside Albert, it had seemed increasingly unlikely that Hampshire could have scored the remaining runs anyway against a testing Surrey seam attack in gloomy conditions and with the floodlights on.In 22.2 overs with the second new ball, Surrey had restricted Hampshire to 80 runs for the loss of Gubbins and run-scoring was difficult against a high-class pace quartet in which Matt Fisher and Clark were especially impressive.Earlier, it took Surrey almost an hour and a half to claim their only wicket of the morning session, Fletcha Middleton pinned leg-before by Matt Fisher after advancing steadily from his overnight 11 to 42.Middleton’s fourth wicket stand with Gubbins had been worth 74 and provided Hampshire with much-needed stability following the chaotic slide to 30 for 3 in the murk of the third evening, when Kemar Roach had removed opener Mark Stoneman and both nightwatchers, Brad Wheal and Sonny Baker, had fallen to Jordan Clark.Better was to come for Hampshire, with Albert – who had laboured through 27 balls for just one run before lunch, and was caught off a Roach no ball 17 deliveries in – joining Gubbins in a partnership that eventually realised 143 in 52 overs and which grew in authority during an afternoon session in which Surrey went wicketless.From 121 for 4 at lunch the fifth wicket pair combined watchfulness with sensible accumulation and the odd flash of aggression, such as when Gubbins went to 83 with a superb square cut four off Fisher and Albert reached 44 by reverse-sweeping Dan Lawrence’s off spin to the ropes.By tea Gubbins, three short of his hundred, and Albert, who had gone to his half-century from 111 balls, looked in total control as Hampshire contemplated the final session of the game at 216 for four, but with the second new ball due in two overs’ time.This was duly taken by Clark and Dan Worrall, although by then Gubbins had reached his 20th first-class century from 215 balls in what was a chanceless, superlative performance after coming in on a Clark hat-trick.Only 27 runs came from the first nine overs with the second new ball, with Clark particulary miserly, and then Fisher replacing Worrall at the Vauxhall End brought an almost immediate reward.Looking to whip a ball from around the wicket that appeared to keep a little lower than expected, Gubbins was trapped lbw after facing 247 balls and hitting 12 fours, perhaps the best of them a magnificent on drive off Worrall that took him to 114.

Real Oviedo captain Santi Cazorla has been forced to defend his reputation following the sacking of coach Veljko Paunovic. Amid social media accusations, the ex-Arsenal star strongly denies any involvement in the decision, revealing the squad was shocked by the news as the club struggles at the bottom of La Liga and turns to a controversial replacement.

Cazorla denies involvement in Paunovic sacking

The former Arsenal star responded to accusations on social media by defending his professional integrity, stating he could not allow his reputation to be damaged by such claims. Cazorla revealed the news of Paunovic's dismissal came as a complete shock to the squad, who only found out just before a training session on Thursday.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhat Cazorla said about the dismissal and his reputation

The 40-year-old midfielder was quick to defend his character and highlight his long, unblemished career record. 

"I've been a professional for 22 years, and you can ask all the presidents, sporting directors, and coaches I've worked with. I've never had anything to do with a club's decisions to let go of a coach," Cazorla insisted at a press conference. "I can't allow my image to be tarnished, because I've always tried to contribute in every way." 

He also expressed his gratitude to the departing manager, adding: "I'd like to thank Paunovic for his work, with whom I have a great relationship and was able to speak with him yesterday personally. I want to thank him and his coaching staff for everything we've achieved; they've become part of this club's history forever."

Oviedo's poor start and controversial Carrion return

The decision to dismiss Paunovic follows a difficult start to the La Liga season, which sees Real Oviedo sitting 17th in the table, level on six points with the relegation places after just two wins and six losses from their opening eight games. The club moved to reappoint Luis Carrion, a move that has been met with a mixed reception from the fanbase. Cazorla addressed the potential for division and issued a stark warning to the supporters. "There are two options: Kill each other or die together. I'm clear about that, and nothing is above Real Oviedo," he said.

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Getty Images SportWhat next for Real Oviedo?

Under the returning management of Luis Carrion, Real Oviedo's immediate task is to prepare for a challenging home fixture against Espanyol on Friday evening. Their opponents currently sit ninth in La Liga on 12 points, making the match at the Carlos Tartiere a significant test for a struggling Oviedo side desperate to pull away from the relegation zone and find stability after a turbulent week.

Ruben Amorim has been warned that he faces the threat of being replaced by a Manchester United legend at Old Trafford, with a "Frankenstein team" being assembled. The Red Devils have continued to spend big in the transfer market, but are being told that "none of it fits together" as they continue to struggle for consistency. If positivity remains elusive, then a change in the dugout could be made.

Amorim refusing to change tactical system

Amorim has refused to tinker with his tactical beliefs since inheriting managerial reins in Manchester. He arrived in English football having enjoyed considerable success in his native Portugal with Sporting. The 40-year-old remains convinced that his 3-4-3 system will deliver results with United. That is despite finishing 15th in the Premier League last season and suffering defeat in the Europa League final.

The Red Devils have already crashed out of the Carabao Cup this season, at the hands of League Two side Grimsby, and picked up two wins through five top-flight fixtures. Questions continue to be asked of Amorim, but he is said to boast the full support of his board for now. That situation could shift, with it already being suggested that a familiar face – such as Michael Carrick or his fellow former United midfielder Darren Fletcher – could be asked to steady the ship as Amorim is shown to the door.

AdvertisementGettyCarrick or Fletcher: Man Utd legends back at Old Trafford?

Pat Nevin, who played top-flight football in England for Chelsea and Everton, has told of potential movement in the dugout at Old Trafford: "Short term, I wouldn't be surprised at [Carrick or Fletcher to replace Amorim] at all. That would be absolutely fine. And they might do well. They offered the caretaker role to Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] first didn’t they. It takes the pressure off, you can have a good look around. And if he does well, we just keep him. That's fine.

"You'll get a bit of pressure in the press saying, ‘They don't know what to do, they haven't got a clue, they can't get the right man, all that sort of stuff’. 've been there before. I just blanked it. I don't care. I've got a guy doing a good job here and I wouldn't look for the other manager. And I'll say to them ‘If you keep on doing well, you can get a job’. I'm not hiding anything from anyone here. I'm looking at every possible option. But what you have to do is give it a number of months in that situation. If it does happen and things go badly for him then you have to have a direction. You have to have a two, three, four, five year plan.

"Maybe that's been United's problem. They’ve tried, they've had plans. They've had two, three, four, five year plans that have all lasted a year. And that's not good. Because the next person comes in and they change it, the next one changes it. That's the only reason why they're standing by Amorim just now. It's because they know they didn't spend time with the other ones, so we now end up with a Frankenstein team. All bought by different managers. None of it really fits together. And then you find out they got rid of some people they shouldn’t have gotten rid of like [Scott] McTominay."

Have Man Utd turned a corner after Chelsea win?

United did pick up three points in their last fixture, as they battled to a 2-1 win over Chelsea in a game that saw both sides reduced to 10 men. Nevin is not convinced that result will prove to be a turning point for the Red Devils.

The ex-Scotland international added: "Man United fought, chased, battled, they made enough good use of the extra man to go ahead. But after that Chelsea were there for the taking and it kind of fell away. The belief evaporated a wee bit. And then when they went down to 10 men, that was it. It was ‘hold what we've got’. And I actually thought after that, it was quite a dull game. It wasn't a great game. After that, you have an expectation that goes to 10 v 10. The conditions are wild. It's out there. It's up to Chelsea to go and attack. And Man Utd have got some uncertainty about them. But it kind of fizzled.

"Then there was a big five or 10 minute period at the end which had the goal. But in short, have Chelsea suddenly become very, very special after that game? No, no. We're still waiting to see if they have any chance of challenging. And Manchester United, have they suddenly turned the corner because they beat a 10 man Chelsea? No. Not the case either. I was walking back afterwards in the rain and I was listening to all the Man United fans and they don't think that either. They're not stupid. The biggest phrase that was used around me – and I thought it was very good – was ‘We needed that and we got a bit lucky because of the sending off’. I think that's where most people are and I actually think the manager thinks that too."

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GettyMan Utd fixtures: Next up for the Red Devils

United will be back in action on Saturday when taking in a trip to Brentford. Brazilian midfielder Casemiro will be banned for that fixture, having been sent off against Chelsea, with Amorim being forced to shuffle his pack again as a result.

خاض فريق ريال مدريد، بقيادة المدرب تشابي ألونسو، مباراته في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم مساء السبت وذلك ضد خصمه فياريال.

واستضاف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مباراة ريال مدريد وفياريال، في الجولة الثامنة من الدوري الإسباني موسم 2025/26، حيث حقق الملكي فوزًا بثلاثة أهداف لهدف. أهداف مباراة ريال مدريد وفياريال في الدوري الإسباني

وسنحت فرصة هدف لصالح ريال مدريد في الدقيقة السادسة، بعد تمريرة من كيليان مبابي حيث وصلت الكرة إلى أردا جولر، الذي سددها من على حدود منطقة الجزاء، ولكنها مرت أعلى العارضة.

وتصدى حارس فياريال لفرصة هدف من ريال مدريد بعد تسديدة من كيليان مبابي من داخل منطقة الجزاء، في الدقيقة 20 من عمر الشوط نفسه.

وفي الدقيقة 22، مرر فينيسيوس جونيور كرة عرضية، حيث وصلت إلى تشواميني الذي سددها برأسه من داخل المنطقة، ولكنها مرت بجوار القائم.

وتكرر الأمر في الدقيقة التالية، 23، بعدما سدد فرانكو ماستانتونو كرة من داخل المنطقة، ولكن الدفاع شتت، قبل أن يسدد الأرجنتيني كرة أخرى في الدقيقة 24 ولكن الحارس تصدى لها.

وتحصل تشواميني على بطاقة صفراء في الدقيقة 33 من عمر الشوط الأول، لارتكابه خطأ ضد أحد لاعبي فياريال.

وكاد فياريال أن يتقدم بهدف بعدما انطلق اللاعب أولواسيي تجاه مرمى ريال مدريد، في انفراد في الدقيقة 41، ولكن تيبو كورتوا تصدى ببراعة وحافظ على نظافة شباكه.

وسنحت فرصة لـ ريال مدريد من أجل التقدم قبل نهاية الشوط الأول بعد تسديدة من ماستانتونو مرت بجوار القائم، وبعد ذلك تحصل على بطاقة صفراء لارتكابه خطأ.

ونجح ريال مدريد في تسجيل هدف أول أمام خصمه فياريال، في الدقيقة 47، والذي جاء عن طريق النجم فينيسيوس جونيور، بعد تمريرة من الفرنسي كيليان مبابي، حيث وصلت الكرة إلى البرازيلي الذي سددها من الناحية اليمنى داخل منطقة الجزاء، وهزت الشباك.

⚽️ فينيسيوس جونيور يفتتح التسجيل لريال مدريد #الدوري_الإسباني#LaLiga pic.twitter.com/E4C2OOk1my — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) October 4, 2025

وضغط فياريال بقوة في الدقائق التالية من أجل إدراك التعادل، حيث أهدر الضيوف أكثر من فرصة.

وتحصل ريال مدريد على ضربة جزاء في الدقيقة 69 نتيجة سقوط فينيسيوس جونيور، ونفذها الأخير بنجاح، ليحولها إلى هدف ثاني له ولكتيبة تشابي ألونسو.

وتمكن فياريال من تقليص الفارق بعدما سجل جيورجيس ميكاوتادزي هدفًا في الدقيقة 73، واضطر الفريق نفسه إلى استكمال اللقاء بـ10 لاعبين فقط بعدما تحصل سانتياجو مورينيو في الدقيقة 77 على بطاقة صفراء ثانية بسبب تدخله على فينيسيوس، ومن ثم طُرد.

💛⚽️ فياريال يقلّص الفارق ويعود لأجواء اللقاء 🔥#الدوري_الإسباني#LaLiga pic.twitter.com/wzYpCpCUMJ — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) October 4, 2025

وتمكن ريال مدريد من تسجيل الهدف الثالث في شباك فياريال، في الدقيقة 81 من عمر المباراة، حيث جاء عن طريق النجم كيليان مبابي، بعد تمريرة من إبراهيم دياز، ووصلت الكرة إلى الفرنسي الذي سددها في الشباك من لمسة واحدة.

⚽️🔥 مبابي يمنح ريال مدريد الهدف الثالث #الدوري_الإسباني#LaLiga pic.twitter.com/U45GAaZS4X — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) October 4, 2025

وشعر مبابي بشد عضلي بعد تسجيله الهدف، واضطر إلى مغادرة الملعب حيث دفع المدرب تشابي ألونسو بزميله رودريجو في الدقيقة 84.

بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد ريال مدريد إلى 21 نقطة في المركز الأول بشكل مؤقت لحين خوض برشلونة مباراته في الجولة نفسها ضد إشبيلية، في حين تجمد رصيد فياريال عند 16 نقطة في المركز الثالث.

Sri Lanka have named a largely unchanged 16-man T20I squad to travel to New Zealand later this month. Only Dunith Wellalage misses out from the squad that faced the same opposition at home last month. The team is expected to leave for New Zealand on December 20.While no reason has been cited for Wellalage’s omission, it is likely that his spin-bowling attributes would have been less useful in New Zealand’s more seam-friendly conditions. Wellalage is currently taking part in the Lanka T10 tournament for Jaffna Titans.Apart from Wellalage, Sri Lanka’s team – led by Charith Asalanka – has a familiar feel. Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis and Asalanka comprise the primary batting options, while Chamindu Wickramasinghe is in line to play a more prominent role than on recent tours as the sole seam-bowling allrounder.

NZ vs SL, T20I series

Dec 28 – 1st T20I in Mount Maunganui
Dec 30 – 2nd T20I in Mount Maunganui
Jan 2 – 3rd T20I in Nelson

Notably, Bhanuka Rajapaksa retained his position in the squad despite middling performances in the recent Abu Dhabi T10, as well in Sri Lanka’s last series against New Zealand. While another curious retention is Dinesh Chandimal, who, despite being named in recent squads, last played a T20I in February 2022.Wickramasinghe will supplement a varied seam attack consisting of Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando and Binura Fernando. Spinners Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay round out the squad.The first two T20Is will take place in Mount Maunganui on December 28 and 30, before the action moves to Nelson for the final match on January 2.

Sri Lanka squad for T20I series in New Zealand

Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando

A “quality” Liverpool player is now reportedly in talks with another club about a move there this summer, with the situation said to be “gaining momentum” currently.

The latest on Isak to Liverpool

The Reds’ pursuit of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is the big talking point at the moment, as the Premier League champions look to get an incredible piece of transfer business over the line.

Liverpool have already seen a first bid of £110m rejected by the Magpies, and while a second offer is yet to be tabled, it may well happen once Newcastle have signed a replacement.

RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko appears to be their priority target to lead the line instead of Isak, but the Slovenian now has to choose between them and Manchester United.

From a Liverpool perspective, they will clearly hope that Sesko opts to move to St James’ Park, in terms of aiding their efforts to bring in the Swede this summer. If that does happen, it will help pave the way for other Reds attackers to move on before the new season gets underway, and a key update has emerged regarding one such player.

Liverpool star in talks over Saudi Pro League move

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri on X, Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is in talks with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal about a summer move, with an Andfield exit “gaining momentum”.

Assuming the Reds do end up signing Isak, or an alternative for that matter, this summer feels like the right time for Nunez to leave, even though Jurgen Klopp spoke positively about him in the past.

“He loves to play for this team together with these boys and has quality coming out of his ears, to be honest. Is he at his absolute peak in general? Not now for us. But can he develop? Yes. Is he a threat all the time? Yes.”

The £140,000-a-week Nunez is a popular figure among the fans, due to his character and work ethic, but the brutal reality is that his finishing is still erratic after three years at Liverpool, as is his all-round game.

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For that reason, a move to Al-Hilal would be ideal for the Reds, allowing them to cash in on the 26-year-old and hopefully sign a huge upgrade in Isak.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca isn’t entirely satisfied with his squad just yet, despite having sealed deals for Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro for around £140 million already, with the tactician looking to strengthen one key area.

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The west Londoners have parted company.

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UEFA are watching the west Londoners like a hawk right now, amid an agreement that Chelsea need to sell players and end the summer window with a positive balance sheet (Kaveh Solhekol).

The governing body fined Chelsea nearly £27 million last week for breaching FFP rules, and this could rise to north of £50 million if they fail to comply again over the next four years (BBC).

Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season

Average match rating

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

BlueCo will therefore need to be very careful when it comes to green-lighting more signings before deadline day on September 1, but they have made some headway with regard to player sales.

Chelsea sold Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys and Marcus Bettinelli for a total fee of around £19 million, with Noni Madueke also about to join Arsenal in a £50 million deal and Djordje Petrovic on his way to Bournemouth for £25 million (Fabrizio Romano).

These departures, all in all, will accumulate £94 million, including their already-confirmed sales – and that’s not even counting Mathis Amougou’s permanent switch to Strasbourg.

Chelsea are also in the Club World Cup final, which has banked them £80 million worth of prize money.

It seems that Chelsea are actually doing a solid job when it comes to balancing their books, so we cannot rule out the possibility of further incomings just yet, and there are a host of other players who seem likely to be sold in the coming weeks – including Lesley Ugochukwu, João Félix, Renato Veiga, Christopher Nkunku, David Datro Fofana, Armando Broja, Axel Disasi, Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka.

Chelsea not out of Mike Maignan race with AC Milan star keen to join

If Chelsea can make room on their balance sheet, it is believed that AC Milan number one Mike Maignan is still firmly on their radar, coming after negotiations over a move for the Frenchman broke down earlier in the window.

That is according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who told TBR Football that Chelsea could still sign Maignan this summer, and the 29-year-old remains keen on a switch to Stamford Bridge with Maresca wanting a new number one.

“Max Allegri has talked about Mike Maignan staying on as captain, but that has little impact on the situation as he’s yet to sign a new contract yet, meaning he has one year left on his current deal. Chelsea are keeping close tabs on the Maignan situation,” said Bailey.

“We understand that he would like to go to Chelsea. Robert Sanchez was told earlier in the summer that he can go and they offered him to West Ham as part of the Mohammed Kudus deal.

“Enzo Maresca has made it very clear that he wants a new number one. He doesn’t like any of the current options. So yeah, we haven’t heard the end of Mike Maignan to Chelsea this summer, that’s for sure.”

Maignan has been described an “elite” goalkeeper, and it’s hard to argue with that verdict. If Chelsea wish to become genuine title contenders, they need a reliable ever-present between the sticks, and Maignan could be that man.

Given his contractual situation, Milan also won’t be able to demand too high a fee for his services – giving Chelsea a golden opportunity to add both pedigree and experience to Maresca’s backline.