Standout attacker ‘will soon sign’ for Arsenal with talks in ‘full swing’

Arsenal are now expected to sign one club’s highly-rated standout attacker, with talks believed to have been held ahead of January.

Arsenal look to bounce back against Club Brugge

Arsenal arrive in Belgium tonight determined to maintain their flawless Champions League record while rebounding from Saturday’s agonising 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa.

The loss ended their previous 18-match unbeaten streak, but Mikel Arteta’s side have every reason to be very confident heading into their clash with Club Brugge.

Arsenal remain the only team with a 100 per cent record from five matches in the Champions League, sitting atop the 36-team standings following impressive victories over Bayern Munich, Atlético Madrid, Slavia Prague, Olympiacos and Athletic Club.

So, victory at the Jan Breydel Stadium would virtually guarantee automatic qualification to the knockout stages.

However, Arsenal’s defensive crisis has deepened significantly ahead of the 20:00 kick-off.

Gabriel Magalhaes (thigh) and Cristhian Mosquera (ankle) remain sidelined for several weeks, whilst William Saliba continues recovering from a knock.

"I'd be really worried" – Carragher says Arsenal now have a "huge problem"

The Sky pundit has shared a fresh concern for Mikel Arteta.

ByEmilio Galantini 3 days ago

Riccardo Calafiori’s fitness also remains uncertain after he was spotted limping off at Villa Park, though his Premier League suspension doesn’t apply in European competition.

Fresh concerns have emerged with Declan Rice missing the trip through illness and Leandro Trossard aggravating his calf problem. Gabriel Jesus provides welcome news, though, having returned to the Champions League squad after exceeding recovery expectations from his lengthy injury absence.

Arteta is expected to rotate heavily, with Myles Lewis-Skelly, Christian Norgaard, Ethan Nwaneri and Viktor Gyokeres all pushing for starts. Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze could be rested ahead of demanding domestic fixtures.

Club Brugge, meawhile, are an opposition in disarray.

Nicky Hayen was sacked following two victories from seven matches, with Ivan Leko appointed as his successor ahead of a baptism of fire.

The Belgian side have collected just one point from their last four Champions League fixtures and currently sit 26th in the league phase. Their defensive vulnerabilities prove very alarming, having conceded 24 goals across 11 Champions League matches in 2025 — only Barcelona have shipped more.

Both first-choice goalkeepers, Simon Mignolet and Nordin Jackers, are also fitness doubts, though the former has returned to training.

Arsenal boast impressive Belgian form, winning three of their last four visits. Brugge’s solitary victory against English opposition this century came against Aston Villa thirteen months ago, offering little encouragement ahead of facing Europe’s most dominant team this season.

All signs point towards a straightforward victory for Arsenal this evening, but off the field, sporting director Andrea Berta is making plans to strengthen the squad.

Toni Fruk 'expected' to join Arsenal soon after talks

According to Sport Klub, the Italian has set his sights on HNK Rijeka star Toni Fruk.

The attacking midfielder, who SK believe is the Croatian National League’s ‘best’ footballer and ‘most valuable’ player, is said to be attracting serious interest from N5.

Arsenal have held talks over a deal for Fruk, and the outlet reports that there is an expectation he will ‘soon sign’ for Arteta with the Gunners in pole position ahead of other sides.

Negotiations are apparently in ‘full swing’, but the financial details of this potential deal are still unclear.

The 24-year-old, who’s won five caps for the Croatia national team, has played as a both a number 10 and as a centre-forward this season — bagging 10 goals in all competitions already.

Fruk, who was once on the books at Fiorentina before returning to his homeland with Rijeka in 2023, could also be a very astute signing when considering his deal currently expires in 2027.

The highly-rated forward has also impressed scouts from both Liverpool and AC Milan this season, so he could be a real one to watch.

What Mookie Betts Told Himself Before Starting World Series-Winning Double Play

Mookie Betts captured his fourth World Series ring on Saturday night thanks to him leading a double play in the 11th inning to have the Dodgers beat the Blue Jays 5-4.

The six-time Gold Glove award winner put his skills to the test in the last few innings of Game 7 on Saturday. Betts admitted he was “nervous” the last few innings, especially knowing how much weight he had on his shoulders to produce a major play. And, the shortstop succeeded by getting an out at second from a ground ball, and then throwing the ball to Freddie Freeman at first to get the second out to win the title.

Betts described the “positive reinforcements” he gave himself during this crucial play.

“That ninth inning, that was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been on a baseball field. Man, I’ve never done it. I never did it in Game 7 of the World Series,” Betts told the MLB Network crew after the game. “I mean, literally, I was talking to myself that whole—as Yoshi [Yoshinobu Yamamoto] was throwing the ball, I was literally talking to myself like ‘Be nasty, Mook. Be nasty right now.’”

Here’s a full video of the Dodgers’ final play to seal the victory.

Betts scored one of the runs on Saturday night in the sixth inning after he was walked. Over the course of Los Angeles’s postseason this year, Betts averaged .229/.333/.314, while producing 16 hits, four runs and eight RBIs.

Astros Sign Former All-Star Relief Pitcher Craig Kimbrel

Longtime relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel is signing with the Astros, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on Thursday. He will be signed to their major league team.

Kimbrel started off the 2025 season on the Braves' minor league teams of the Double-A Columbus Clingstones and the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. He was called up to the majors for one game in June and appeared in one inning before being designated for assignment.

Shortly after in June, he signed a minor league contract with the Rangers. He played for the Triple-A Round Rock and was released on Thursday. He posted a 3.86 ERA in 28 innings there.

Kimbrel is a nine-time All-Star reliever, with his most recent nod coming in 2023 with the Phillies. The Astros will mark the ninth MLB team Kimbrel's played for in his 16-year career.

Kimbrel struggled last season with the Orioles, posting a 5.33 ERA across 57 game appearances. He threw 73 strikeouts across 52.1 innings pitched.

Frank's next Toney: Paratici leading Spurs move for "one of the best STs"

Tottenham Hotspur supporters have often been blessed with the likes of Harry Kane providing the goods within the final third – but the current first-team are massively lacking such a presence.

Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani have shared the responsibility at the top end of the pitch in recent weeks, but neither have scored since the middle of September.

Their joint top scorer in the Premier League this season is centre-back Micky van de Ven, which further highlights the lack of quality currently available to Thomas Frank at present.

However, with the January transfer window rapidly approaching, the Dane has the opportunity to land a new talisman to help him in his quest for success in North London.

Numerous players have emerged on their shortlist over the last couple of weeks, with returning Sporting Director Fabio Paratici likely to play a key role in any potential pursuits.

Spurs’ move for a new talisman in January

Over the last couple of days, Spurs have been strongly linked with a move to land Porto star Samu Aghehowa this winter, but such a deal would be a huge investment.

After scoring 11 times in his first 14 outings of 2025/26, it’s safe to say the Spaniard is a man in demand – but any transfer would cost a pretty penny given his current £87m release clause.

However, he’s not alone on their shortlist at present, with Paratici making the most of his Juventus links to try and strike a deal for the signature of Dušan Vlahović.

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta, the Lilywhites are firmly in the race to land a cut-price deal for the Serbian, with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2026.

It also confirms that Bayern Munich are in the race for the 25-year-old’s signature, but Frank’s men could hold the edge given Paratici’s links to the Old Lady.

Such a move would finally hand the Dane the talisman he’s craved, which could allow the frontman to be his next version of a player who thrived under his guidance at Brentford.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be Frank’s next Toney

During Frank’s seven years at the helm with Brentford, he was able to rely on striker Ivan Toney for a four-year period, with the striker constantly producing the goods in front of goal.

The Englishman registered 72 goals in his 141 appearances for the Bees, the most of any player during the Dane’s reign across the capital – often being the player to pop up in key moments.

50% of his efforts for Brentford came in England’s top-flight, a tally that was the most in the Bees’ history, but Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo have since surpassed such a figure.

Given the lack of options currently at Frank’s disposal in North London, there’s no denying he wishes he could rely on a player of the 29-year-old’s quality.

Such a move could have come to fruition back in the summer of 2024, but the Lilywhites opted for a move for Dominic Solanke, as the former Bees star completed his own move to Saudi Arabia.

A deal for Toney’s signature may prove unlikely, but Frank could land his next version of the Englishman in the coming months, should Paratici complete a deal for Vlahovic.

Both have demonstrated unbelievable goalscoring records over recent seasons, with the Juve star finding the net 62 times in his 152 appearances for the Italian giants.

The 25-year-old’s goalscoring record is one thing, but his current contract issue in Turin could provide the Lilywhites board with a bargain option to solve their centre-forward woes.

His underlying figures from the current campaign also showcase the all-round quality he would add to the side, finally handing the manager the needed presence he’s craved since taking the reins.

Vlahovic, who’s been labelled “one of the best strikers” by Luca Toni, has only started three Serie A games in 2025/26, but it hasn’t stopped him from finding the back of the net on two occasions.

Dušan Vlahović – Juventus stats (25/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

14

Goals scored

6

Shots on target

1.1

Shot on target accuracy

38%

Aerials won

2.5

Goals scored per 90

0.65

Touches in opposition box

6.7

Fouls won

1.4

Stats via FotMob

His tally of 1.1 shots on target per 90 also highlight his accuracy in attacking areas, with his total of 2.5 aerials won per 90 handing Frank the focal point he’s searching for.

The Serbian currently ranks in the 88th percentile of all players in Italy for goals scored per 90, potentially making him the missing piece in the Dane’s Lilywhites attacking puzzle.

It’s currently unclear how much a deal for Vlahovic would cost this summer, but it’s evident that he would be a perfect addition to the club’s impressive frontline.

Should he match the levels produced by Toney under the Dane’s guidance at Brentford, it would be a stellar move and offer the chance for the club to reach new heights in the near future.

Spurs may have Simons upgrade in the "most underrated talent" in England

Tottenham Hotspur have an exciting academy player who could be an upgrade on Xavi Simons.

ByDan Emery Oct 28, 2025

Stats: India's biggest win in Australia, Australia's first Optus defeat

It was a miserable Test for Australia’s top order, meanwhile, and a glorious one for Jasprit Bumrah

Sampath Bandarupalli25-Nov-20244-1 Australia suffered defeat for the first time in Test matches at the Perth Stadium, having won the previous four. The team batting first has won all five Tests at the venue.150 India’s first-innings total in Perth. Only twice have India won Test matches with lower first-innings totals – 104 all out against Australia in the 2004 Wankhede Test, and 145 against England in the 2021 Ahmedabad Test.

295 India’s win margin in Perth is the second-biggest by runs in Tests for any team to have been bowled out for 150 or less in their first innings. The biggest such win was by 343 runs for West Indies, who defeated Australia in the 1991 Bridgetown Test despite a first-innings total of 149 all out.2 The 295-run defeat in Perth is Australia’s second-biggest in terms of runs at home in the last 40 years. Their biggest defeat in this period was by 309 runs against South Africa at the WACA in 2012.It is also their second-biggest defeat by runs against India in Tests, behind the 320-run loss in the 2008 Mohali Test.ESPNcricinfo Ltd2 Bigger Test wins away from home for India than their 295-run win in Perth. India won by 318 runs against West Indies in Antigua in 2019 and by 304 runs against Sri Lanka in the 2017 Galle Test.342 Runs aggregated by Australia in the Perth Test, their second-fewest in a home Test since 2000 when they have been bowled out twice. Their lowest was 246 runs against South Africa in the 2016 Hobart Test.Australia’s 342-run aggregate was also their fourth-lowest in a Test match against India and their lowest against them at home.Australia’s top five aggregated just 57 runs across their two innings in Perth•Getty Images9.00 Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling average in the Perth Test, where he finished with match figures of 8 for 72. Only two India bowlers have recorded a better bowling average in an away Test while taking eight or more wickets.It was the fifth instance of Bumrah taking eight or more wickets in a Test match while conceding less than 100 runs. Only R Ashwin (7) has done it more often than Bumrah among India bowlers.57 Runs aggregated by Australia’s top five in Perth, the third lowest for them in a men’s Test and their lowest since 1888.2.32 The ratio between the Test caps of Australia and India’s playing XIs coming into Perth, the fourth-highest ratio between the Test caps of the opposition and India’s playing XI when they have won.

Their highest ratio was 2.83 when they defeated Australia in the 2001 Chennai Test and 2.51 when they beat England earlier this year in Vishakhapatnam. The ratio between Test caps of Australia and India in the famous 2021 Brisbane Test win was 2.35.0 Test series won by Australia at home since 1970 after losing the series opener. They have lost the first Test of a home series nine times since 1970, and have gone on to lose the series eight times.

Harmanpreet: India hoping to 'pass that benchmark' in time for ODI World Cup

“Whenever we needed a breakthrough, she was there for the team,” Harmanpreet Kaur says of Kranti Goud, whose six-wicket haul helped India defend 318 in the deciding ODI against England

Valkerie Baynes23-Jul-2025Ten balls had gone – and Harmanpreet Kaur was counting – before she scored her first run, the first of 102 that would set the platform for India’s series-clinching victory against England and lay down a marker ahead of the home ODI World Cup.On the 11th ball she faced at Chester-le-Street in the third and final ODI, Harmanpreet found the boundary with a gorgeous cover drive off left-arm spinner Linsey Smith and, while it was slow-going at first, she was on her way.Harmanpreet’s century was her seventh in ODIs but her first score above 50 in the format in 13 innings. Since scoring 54 in the 50-over warm-up match against an ECB Development XI at the start of the tour, her best score in either of the white-ball series against England had been 26 in the fourth T20I.Related

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“In all the matches I wanted to give my best in batting but today’s game was very important to us,” she said. “The plan was to spend some time on the wicket and then see how things go. That really worked for me.”The first [ten] balls, I didn’t get any runs but then I was just talking to myself: ‘I’m not going to lose myself, just be there, be there for the team’.”By reaching a hundred in 82 deliveries, Harmanpreet surpassed her 87-ball effort against South Africa last year as the second-fastest for her country in women’s ODIs after Smriti Mandhana’s century off 70 balls against Ireland earlier this year. She also became the third India player to pass 4000 runs in women’s ODIs in the process.Also satisfying for India was their all-round batting performance, which also included 50 for Jemimah Rodrigues, who put on 110 runs for the fourth wicket with Harmanpreet, 45 each for Mandhana and Harleen Deol, and an 18-ball 38 from Richa Ghosh.Kranti Goud struck twice in the first powerplay on her way to a six-wicket haul•PA Photos/Getty Images

Then Kranti Goud, the 21-year-old seamer playing her fifth match for India, took 6 for 52 as England were bowled out for 305 with one ball remaining, 13 runs shy of achieving a world-record run-chase. Goud became the second-youngest India player behind Deepti Sharma to take a five-wicket haul in women’s ODIs.”She’s been really impressing whenever she was on the field and bowling for the team,” Harmanpreet said of Goud. “I’m really happy the kind of bowling she did today and whenever we needed a breakthrough, she was there for the team.”India’s 318 for 5 was the second-highest ODI score by a visiting team in England after their 333 for 5 in Canterbury in 2022. It was also the fifth time India had scored 300 or more in ODIs this year.Tuesday’s narrow winning margin belied India’s dominance in the match, although allowing England to go from 8 for 2 to 170 for 2 as Nat Sciver-Brunt and Emma Lamb added 162 runs together will act as a reminder that the World Cup hosts cannot give any ground to their opponents.India can expect a sterner test from reigning champions Australia, whom they will play in a three-match ODI series immediately before the World Cup. But Harmanpreet said her team would take confidence from their tour of England, which also included a 3-2 victory in the T20I series.There will be sterner tests ahead, but India can celebrate the double in England for the moment•Getty Images

“Today was a totally different situation and different pitch, different atmosphere, in home conditions it will be different,” she said. “But whenever you win, that can always give you a positive mindset and keep you in a good place.”This series definitely will give us a lot of confidence but, again, when we go back, we have to start again from ball one.”She was also pleased that her team were hitting good form at the right time.”Our team has been really working hard for so many years and this is the time where we are getting that [reward],” she said. “We only talk about playing good cricket and we know the kind of talent we have in our side. It’s only about using the right talent at right time and getting the best out of them.”I’m really happy. All the girls, they’re coming up with a positive mindset and working really hard on their fitness. We have understood a lot of things in the past few years and right now we’re just trying to pass that benchmark and set ourselves into that position where people can talk about women’s cricket. People can take a women’s cricket really seriously back home because we all know how much people love cricket back home, and they also want us to do well.”

Aroldis Chapman Rips Yankees, Says He’d Rather Retire Than Play for Them

Aroldis Chapman has seen both sides of the Yankee-Red Sox rivalry, having pitched for New York for seven seasons and now Boston this past season. And, as Chapman made crystal clear during a recent appearance on the podcast, he doesn't intend on ever going back to the other side of the rivalry.

"No way, not even dead," Chapman said in Spanish in response to being asked if he'd ever play for the Yankees again. "If I were told that I was being traded to New York, I'd pack my things and go home. I'll retire right on the spot if that happens. I'm not crazy. Never again."

Why does Chapman feel so adamantly about never playing for the Yankees again?

"I dealt with a lot of disrespect [with the Yankees]," Chapman said. "I put up with a lot of things. I knew that they just wanted to find a way to get rid of me, but they didn't know how. And I just dealt with it quietly, kept playing, and doing what I always do."

Chapman was dealt to the Yankees in December of 2015 in exchange for four minor league players amidst allegations into a domestic violence incident allegedly involving the talented relief pitcher. Citing conflicting accounts and insufficient evidence, prosecutors declined to convict Chapman, though he received a 30-game suspension from MLB.

Chapman, after recording a 2.01 ERA and 20 saves in his first 31 games with the Yankees, was dealt to the Chicago Cubs at the 2016 trade deadline, then later reunited with the Yankees on a five-year deal that ensuing winter.

Chapman, a hard-throwing lefthander who routinely hits triple digits with his fastball, was largely effective during his tenure with the Yankees. From 2017 to 2022, he recorded the fifth-most saves in MLB, a 3.05 ERA and posted a 37 percent strikeout rate.

Unfortunately, for Chapman, his Yankee tenure was remembered more for two key home runs he allowed in the postseason, a 2019 American League Championship Series-winning dinger served up to Astros star Jose Altuve and a ninth-inning go-ahead blast to then-Rays infielder Mike Brousseau in the 2020 American League Division Series.

Chapman and ths Yankees also didn't seem to end their relationship on the best of terms.

Chapman's disappointing end to Yankees' tenure

In August of 2022, his last season in the Bronx, Chapman was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a "pretty bad infection" arising from a new tattoo he had recently got at the time. While the Yankees publicly showed no signs of frustration with the flamethrowing closer amid the unfortunate situation, that would soon change later that year.

Days before the Yankees were set to take on the Guardians in the ALDS, Chapman, after disappointing for much of the season, skipped a mandatory team workout and was then fined and subsequently left off the ALDS roster. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was openly critical of Chapman, calling his absence "disappointing" and questioning whether the eight-time All-Star was "all in."

Judging by Chapman's words, it seems pretty clear who he directs his ire towards with the Yankees.

"I got along well with all the players," Chapman said. "Never had a problem with anybody, even the manager. We're friends and we talk and everything. The bosses are the ones who make those decisions."

Chapman bounced from the Royals to the Rangers—with whom he won his second World Series title—and the Pirates before signing with Boston last winter. He pitched to a 1.17 ERA with 32 saves for the Red Sox in '25.

موعد والقناة الناقلة لمباراة ليفربول وإنتر ميلان اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا.. والمعلق

يخوض فريق ليفربول الإنجليزي مباراة في دوري أبطال أوروبا 2025-2026، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء حيث يواجه نظيره إنتر ميلان الإيطالي.

ويستقبل إنتر ميلان خصمه ليفربول على ملعب “جوزيبي مياتزا” ضمن مباريات الجولة السادسة لمرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويعاني ليفربول بشكل واضح هذا الموسم تحت قيادة مديره الفني آرني سلوت، وفشل في الحفاظ على تقدمه أمام ليدز يونايتد في الجولة الماضية بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وحسمت المباراة بالتعادل الإيجابي 3-3.

وزادت الأمور توترًا بعد التصريحات التي أدلى بها نجم الفريق محمد صلاح، والتي أبدى من خلالها اعتراضه على وضعه الحالي في ليفربول، لجلوسه بديلاً في ثلاث مباريات متتالية بالبريميرليج، واتهم النادي بالتخلي عنه، كما أشار لانقطاع علاقته بالمدرب آرني سلوت.

وقام سلوت باستبعاد محمد صلاح من قائمة ليفربول للمباراة أمام إنتر ميلان، بحسب ما أعلن النادي مساء الإثنين.

ويحتل ليفربول المركز 13 في دوري أبطال أوروبا برصيد 9 نقاط، وقد تعرض للهزيمة في مباراتين بمرحلة الدوري، ويأتي إنتر ميلان في المركز الرابع بجدول الترتيب بـ 12 نقطة. موعد مباراة ليفربول وإنتر ميلان اليوم

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت مصر، الحادية عشر مساءً بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة ليفربول وإنتر ميلان اليوم

تذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN sports HD 1. معلق مباراة ليفربول وإنتر ميلان اليوم

يعلق على المباراة، عصام الشوالي.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

سيميوني بعد هزيمة أتلتيكو مدريد: لا أعرف كيف لم يفز لاعب برشلونة بالكرة الذهبية

تحدث دييجو سيميوني مدرب أتلتيكو مدريد في أعقاب هزيمة فريقه أمام برشلونة، مساء الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني لموسم 2025-2026.

وحل أتلتيكو مدريد ضيفًا على برشلونة بملعب “سبوتيفاي كامب نو” وتعرض للهزيمة بثلاثية لهدف، ليتجمد رصيده عند 31 نقطة بالمركز الرابع، ويتصدر البلوجرانا بـ 37 نقطة.

وقال سيميوني في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية: “أنا سعيد جدًا بأداء الفريق، بدأنا المباراة بشكل جيد، ثم نجحوا في إلحاق الضرر بنا من وسط الملعب، في الشوط الثاني، بدأوا المباراة بشكل أفضل، وسيطرنا على مجريات اللعب منذ الدقيقة العشرين، وسنحت لنا ثلاث فرص تهديفية مهمة لم نستغلها، لكنني سعيد”.

وأضاف: “نعلم أن لديهم مهارات قدم ممتازة، يلعبون مع العديد من اللاعبين في الوسط، يُبدعون في ذلك، اليوم، سارت الأمور على ما يُرام معهم في تلك المواقف خلال الهدفين الأول والثاني”.

وأردف: “في الشوط الأول، قلنا إننا لا نستطيع السماح لهم باللعب من وسط الملعب، وقد تحسن أداؤنا في هذا الجانب، أعجبتني الروح القتالية التي أظهرها الفريق في نهاية المباراة، صحيح أننا لم نفز، لكن أداء الفريق كان رائعًا، يتعين عليك الركض كثيرًا ومن الصعب انتزاع الكرة منهم”.

وأشاد سيميوني بالبرازيلي رافينها لاعب برشلونة قائلاً: رافينها يلعب كل مباراة، يسجل أهدافًا، ويضغط… لا أعرف كيف لم يفز بالكرة الذهبية”.

اقرأ أيضًا | رافينها: فوزنا على أتلتيكو مدريد قد يحسم لقب الليجا.. وطالبت باستبدالي أنا وبيدري لهذا السبب

وعن لاعبه باينا، علّق: “باينا لاعبٌ قادرٌ على تغيير مجرى اللعب، إنه يتطور بشكلٍ هائل، لديه الشجاعة الكافية للعب أينما تُطلب منه، يعرف كيف يلعب كرة القدم في أي مكانٍ على الملعب يحتاجه”.

وأستطرد: “إصابة كاردوسو تُجبرنا على تعديل تبديلاتنا قليلاً، كانت لدينا توقعات عالية لجوني، لكنه عانى من تلك الإصابة التي أبعدته عن المباراة”.

وواصل: “نتوقع دائمًا المزيد من جوليان ألفاريز، إنه لاعبٌ يُغير مجرى المباراة وهو أهم لاعب في الفريق، سيظهر بالتأكيد في المباراة القادمة أو التي تليها”.

وأشار: “كانت المباراة جيدة بشكل عام كفريق، أشعر بالهدوء والسعادة مع الفريق، خسرنا أمام خصمٍ قوي، هذا يُساعدنا على التحسن؛ هذا النوع من الأمور يُحسّن أداؤنا، الآن لدينا مباراة صعبة أخرى في بلباو”.

وأتم: “باريوس لاعبٌ من نوعٍ مختلف، شاب، نشيط، يتمتع بمهارةٍ رائعة، وساقين جيدتين، واستعادة للكرة، وقدرةٍ على تحريكها، علينا أن نعتني به جيدًا، إنه بلا شك أحد أهم لاعبي خط الوسط لدينا”.

Longstaff 2.0: Leeds plot January move to re-sign “exquisite” £60k-p/w star

While Sunderland stole many of the plaudits in the summer for their outrageous transfer activity, with £100m+ splashed out on new recruits, Leeds United were arguably a tad more methodical in their approach when winning themselves some gems from all around Europe.

Daniel Farke and Co. are already thanking their lucky stars that they gambled on acquiring both Anton Stach and Noah Okafor from Hoffenheim and AC Milan, respectively, with a combined four goal contributions already picked up by the promising midfield duo in Premier League action.

In defence, Gabriel Gudmundsson also already looks like a steal in the left-back spot, having only cost £10m to snap up from Lille, while Lucas Perri was agonisingly close to his first clean sheet in his new location up against West Ham United last time out.

But, away from all these names mentioned, Sean Longstaff rightly sticks out as the best bit of business Leeds signed off on over a bumper summer, with the Premier League-experienced 27-year-old very much allowing the Whites to tick so far this season from the middle of the park.

Why Longstaff is one of Leeds' best signings

Already, the £12m summer purchase feels as if he has been in and around Elland Road for some time.

Longstaff has played a part in all nine of Leeds’ league matches so far this season on their return to the daunting top-flight, and while there have been some nerves on display as they navigate the choppy waters of the top division, the Newcastle-born midfielder has cut a cool and composed figure throughout.

Having seen his career at his boyhood Magpies fizzle out, Longstaff clearly knew – from the get-go at his new employers – that he needed to prove himself, and he has certainly done that when looking at the table above.

Already, the brand-new number eight has chipped in with one goal and two assists from a central position on the pitch, but he has offered up far more than just a goal threat, with an average of five duels won per contest enabling Farke’s men to see out some tight contests.

Accumulating five big chances being created, too, has even led to some bold shouts that Longstaff is Leeds’ second coming of Pablo Hernandez, as Farke now potentially attempts to recreate the magic of this shrewd deal in January by landing another classy top-flight veteran when the transfer window swings back open.

Leeds considering another Longstaff-style signing

It has been some turnaround for Longstaff since ditching the home comforts of Tyneside, with zero goals or assists falling into his lap during his final campaign at Eddie Howe’s Toon.

Ross Barkley will hope he can similarly breathe life back into his waning playing days at Elland Road if rumours are to be believed, with a report from The Leeds Press revealing that the West Yorkshire outfit is considering a move for the reserve Aston Villa presence, who even once had a short-term loan stint at Leeds way back in 2013.

Now, he could be returning, again on loan, but this time as a far more experienced option, as Leeds reportedly weigh up a move for an attacking midfielder in the window, and while he has struggled to break into Emery’s first team picture as of late, he is certainly a classy operator on his day.

Indeed, this fiercely struck effort against Leicester City earlier in the year is just one of seven goals Barkley has put away for the Villans, meaning he definitely has a similar eye for a goal to that of Longstaff.

Games played

287

Goals scored

37

Assists

34

More importantly, too, the 31-year-old has also shone before in a team that is attempting to beat the drop in Luton Town – as seen in his weighty five goals and seven assists for the then troubled Hatters – and became a beloved fan favourite, subsequently, with one of his teammates in Andros Townsend at Kenilworth Road even hailing him as “unbelievable” to play alongside.

It could well be, much like Longstaff, that Barkley comes back into his own in West Yorkshire, with the well-travelled attacking midfielder also being dubbed as “exquisite” by his former Everton manager in Roberto Martinez, for his skilful approach on the pitch.

The £60k-per-week star is somewhat fading away at Villa Park, though, with just 30 minutes of action handed to him this season.

Yet, if he relocates to Leeds this coming January, he could end up rebuilding his career before it’s too late, just as Longstaff has already done this season.

Forget Longstaff: £10m star is now Leeds' best signing since Bielsa left

This Leeds United star could now be considered the best signing the Whites have made since Marcelo Bielsa left.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 28, 2025

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