Western Storm skittled for 99 thanks to Australian allrounder’s four-for

ECB Reporters Network07-Jun-2024Australian allrounder Heather Graham took 4 for 10 on her debut for The Blaze as the East Midlands side continued to sweep aside all-comers in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, beating Western Storm by seven wickets at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester.Graham, who has replaced South Africa’s Nadine de Klerk in the Blaze line-up with the latter on international duty, led an impressive bowling display from the home side, backed up by offspinner Lucy Higham (2 for 18) and left-arm strike bowler Grace Ballinger (1 for 17) as Storm were dismissed for 99, England skipper Heather Knight top-scoring with 20 on her first appearance in this season’s competition.The Blaze knocked off their 100-run target with 35 balls to spare thanks in the main to Scottish internationals Kathryn Bryce and sister Sarah, with Graham capping her afternoon by hitting the winning boundary.Led by Kirstie Gordon, The Blaze, whose only defeat in last season’s competition was against Southern Vipers in the final, now have six wins from six in the expanded 2024 edition and top the points table ahead of South East Stars, keeping them firmly on track for a return to finals day at Derby on 22 June.Storm skipper Sophie Luff opted to bat first on winning the toss but lost two wickets for 29 in the powerplay overs. Ballinger knocked out Nat Wraith’s off stump in a wicket-maiden before Graham, capped four times by her country in T20 internationals, struck with the third ball of her Blaze debut as Fran Wilson fell victim to an excellent stumping.Knight made a positive start and hit back-to-back boundaries off Gordon’s left-arm spin but the Blaze skipper’s retort was to bowl her with a superb delivery that straightened off the pitch. Legspinner Josie Groves had Amanda-Jade Wellington leg before stepping across the stumps and Storm were 58 for 4 after 10 overs.Higham bowled Alex Griffiths and had Luff caught at mid-off in the space of two tight overs, Issy Wong was run out at the bowler’s end after being sent back by Sophia Smale, Graham returning to take three wickets in the space of six deliveries as Smale was stumped off a wide, Chloe Skelton holed out to long-on and Ellie Anderson yorked, the last two coming off consecutive balls.Wong removed England’s Tammy Beaumont with the last ball of the opening over of the home side’s chase and The Blaze were 13 for 2 after 13 balls when Teresa Graves slapped Anderson straight to backward point but Storm could make no further inroads until Lauren Filer bowled Kathryn Bryce to end a third-wicket stand of 67 in the 12th over.By then, the result was not in doubt, Graham lofting a straight drive over the head of legspinner Wellington to finish the job off the first ball of the 15th over.

Derby County are preparing for another tilt at life in the second-tier following their miraculous escape from relegation under John Eustace and could now make a bold statement on the market, according to a report.

Derby look to avoid repeat scenario of close shave with relegation

Avoiding the drop is never an easy feat to achieve when the chips are down. Still, John Eustace will rightfully be heralded as a miracle worker at Pride Park following his side’s turnaround.

Speaking to Football League World, pundit Don Goodman believes Derby can avoid being drawn into a relegation battle next term now that the foundations are in place to help the Rams thrive.

He explained: “I look at the 14 games John Eustace took charge of at the end of last season – six wins and three draws, and that’s despite losing the first three games he took charge of.

“If he accrued that points total over the course of last season that would be 69 points, which would’ve actually been enough for a play-off spot for Derby, remarkably.

“He’s outstanding at organising teams and making them hard to play against and hard to beat, so those are ingredients that will see Derby County not be in a relegation battle.”

Derby County make out-of-window move for "athletic" player in free transfer

John Eustace could be set to link up with a former player at Pride Park.

BySean Markus Clifford Mar 7, 2025

Inevitably, Derby will need to pull up some trees on the market to put themselves in a position of relative comfort.

Defensive duo Danny Batth and Dion Sanderson have been linked with moves to Pride Park, but there will be more in the pipeline as Eustace exhausts all avenues to put his mission into place.

Now, the Rams could turn to his former club in an attempt to pull of a statement deal that would definitely enhance their survival prospects, per recent developments.

Derby plotting move for Blackburn Rovers captain Lewis Travis

According to EFL Analysis, Derby are in the mix to sign Blackburn Rovers captain Lewis Travis and Eustace is said to be a big fan of his exploits after working with the 27-year-old at Ewood Park.

Predominantly a defensive midfielder, reports claim it would cost £2 million to prize him away from Lancashire. Meanwhile, Wrexham are also keen to lure him to North Wales.

Lewis Travis in all competitions – 2024/25

Appearances

39

Goals

2

Assists

1

Labelled “fantastic” by David Lowe, Travis is out of contract next summer which may increase pressure on Blackburn to sell their captain this window before his value begins to dwindle on the market.

Intriguingly, he has previously spoken out about his ‘close’ relationship with Eustace, something that may be used as an emotional string to pull on in the event of any negotiations.

Nevertheless, Derby aren’t messing about in their bid to add quality reinforcements and there is no doubt their engine room would drastically improve were Travis to land at Pride Park this summer.

Liverpool’s expeditious start to the summer transfer window has seen the double signing of Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz wrapped up before the end of June, and Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is set to follow.

And there’s more yet to come. With a deal agreed for the transfer of Jarell Quansah to the BayArena, Liverpool have upped their interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who is entering the final year of his contract.

Of course, the Reds still need a striker too.

Liverpool chasing Premier League star

Darwin Nunez’s proposed transfer to Serie A champions Napoli could see efforts on that front doubled over the coming weeks.

Saying that, though, Liverpool love a market opportunity, and are monitoring a right-sided Premier League forward as Federico Chiesa expects to leave Anfield as well this summer.

As per French reporter Sébastien Vidal, in a bid to possibly replace Chiesa, Liverpool are interested in signing Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, though they face stiff competition from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

The Cherries have valued the Ghanaian at £70m, a figure none of his suitors are willing to meet, but if that figure can be whittled down, Mohamed Salah would have the perfect understudy to cover him on the right.

This isn’t a priority for Liverpool, but the versatile Semenyo has the perfect profile for Slot’s system and could become the latest jackpot signing from the south coast.

Why Liverpool want Antoine Semenyo

Liverpool have raided a rising Premier League winger from the south coast before. Indeed, Sadio Mane is one of the club’s most iconic modern players, starring under Jurgen Klopp’s wing for many years after joining from Southampton for £35m in 2016.

Semenyo carries certain similarities to the prolific Senegalese, who was a deadly goalscorer but also a fierce advocate of his manager’s vision, working like a machine, covering numerous positions. Klopp once called Mane a “complete” and “world-class” player, and who would argue against him?

Hailed as a “workhorse” and a “duel monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Semenyo has been instrumental for Andoni Iraola’s system at the Vitality Stadium, scoring 13 goals and assisting seven more across all competitions last season.

Mane, let’s not forget, wrapped up his Saints career with 15 goals and seven assists across 43 matches in 2015/16, so, like Semenyo, he wasn’t the finished product and needed that move to a club on a higher rung of the ladder.

Antoine Semenyo – Bournemouth Stats by Position

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Right winger

46

13

3

Left winger

29

7

5

Centre-forward

6

1

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

As per FBref, the versatile forward also ranked among the top 20% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the English top flight last season for successful take-ons and the top 5% for shots taken per 90, underlining his prowess as a pressure-applying force in front of goal but also a player who can drive play into the danger area himself.

All told, Semenyo is a talented and proven Premier League star who would not only cover Salah but also use his dynamism to cover on the left flank too.

To reach Mane’s level would be difficult indeed, but he’s certainly underrated, and a move to Merseyside could help put his name on the map.

Related The next Torres: Liverpool preparing huge bid to sign "frightening" striker

Liverpool aren’t messing around in the transfer market this summer.

Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Jun 23, 2025

The storm that has clouded Newcastle United’s early summer transfer window is perhaps showing signs of abating, even if Eddie Howe’s outfit have seen bids rejected for three top targets.

That’s according to the Times, whose revelation that offers for Anthony Elanga, Joao Pedro and James Trafford were rebuffed will no doubt have been met by a chorus of frustration over on Tyneside.

At the very least, United are showing ambitious intent, and though slapping a £200m price tag on Alexander Isak to ward off interest from Liverpool might have proved a double-edged sword, for clubs will hardball the Toon in their own dealings henceforth, there’s no doubt breakthroughs will be achieved in the coming months.

However, it might be wise for Howe and co to pin some alternative names to the board. Indeed, in Pedro’s case, an exciting backup has been found, and he might even prove the better pick.

Newcastle open talks for elite forward

As per GIVEMESPORT, Newcastle have opened talks with Xavi Simons’ representatives as they look to welcome some attacking additions this summer.

Expected to depart RB Leipzig after they failed to qualify for Europe, the 22-year-old playmaker has a £60m price tag and has expressed a desire to move to the Premier League.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all had discussions with the player’s camp too, so this one’s wide open at the present stage.

Why Newcastle want Xavi Simons

While dynamic, Simons isn’t as out-and-out an attacker as Pedro; instead, the Dutchman merges the creative with the incisive to an emphatic effect.

He’s the real deal, all right, and given the finances involved, would perhaps go on to prove an even better signing than Pedro, if push comes to shove.

Such masterful versatility is hardly something Howe’s going to say no to, and Simons would add a new creative dimension to a side which finished the 2024/25 Premier League season ranked sixth in the division for big chances created (112) after finishing joint-second with Manchester City (97) the term before.

It’s clear Howe needs such a virtuoso to take that next great step, and given that Simons finished the campaign ranked among the top 12% of attacking midfielders and wingers for passes attempted, the top 14% for progressive passes, the top 18% for shot-creating actions and the top 7% for ball recoveries, as per FBref, he clearly knows his stuff.

Athletic and driven, Simons would add a wealth of quality to the Magpies fold, with his haul of ten goals and seven assists across just 25 Bundesliga matches further highlighting his clinical nature.

Left winger

41

10

11

Right winger

17

5

5

Attacking midfield

17

6

7

Centre-forward

1

–

–

Moreover, he missed just two big chances and averaged two key passes and 5.4 successful duels per game. Though Pedro would be a brilliant attacking addition, Simons might just have that little bit more, with his versatility both through positional and prolific value likely to add so much to the United project.

Pedro, sure, is a steady supplier of goal contributions, posting 30 goals and ten assists across 70 matches, but he’s not quite so refined, indeed operating in a more advanced berth that you’d have to think will be occupied by Isak.

Howe makes sure his players know their duties and toe the line, but Simons’ expansiveness is part of what makes him special, a “superstar”, as has even been remarked by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Newcastle need to beat off Premier League opposition to secure this man’s signature, prioritising a deal over the likes of Pedro.

Better than Elanga: Newcastle open talks to sign £43m "game-changer"

Newcastle are beginning to ramp up the gas in the summer transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 26, 2025

As Manchester United aim to clear some deadwood out of Ruben Amorim’s squad, Inter could reportedly provide a helping hand after submitting an enquiry to sign two Old Trafford attackers.

Man Utd exit door set to swing open

Whilst much of the focus so far this summer has been on the incomings that the Red Devils have made or could go on to make, there’s no denying that they’ve got plenty of work to do on the exit front. Before pre-season gets underway, there are several stars who should be shown the door if INEOS are to make room for the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Emiliano Martinez.

Among those is, of course, Rasmus Hojlund. The young forward struggled yet again last season – scoring just four Premier League goals – and is likely to leave Manchester United this summer as a result even if he does want to fight for his place.

It’s a return to Italian football which looks the most likely escape route for Hojlund in the coming months. Reports have already linked the forward to Serie A champions Napoli in a move that saw Scott McTominay rise to unexpected stardom, whilst previous headlines suggested that Inter are closing in on his signature.

His departure would certainly suit all parties. For Manchester United, although they wouldn’t be making back their stunning £72m fee that they initially paid out, they would be clearing an unwanted player from their wage bill. For Hojlund, meanwhile, it would be a much-needed fresh start.

Inter could yet do more than one deal with the Red Devils, however, amid rumours that they’re also interested in another unwanted star this summer.

Inter submit Rashford enquiry

According to Manchester Evening News, Inter have now submitted an enquiry to sign Marcus Rashford on loan. Like Hojlund, the England international is likely to leave the Red Devils this summer following a mid-season fall-out with Ruben Amorim and subsequent loan spell to Aston Villa.

Better signing than Ekitike: Man Utd submit bid for "world-class" £60m star

Manchester United could finally get their man after making a huge bid in recent days.

5

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 21, 2025

It was at Aston Villa that Rashford began to rediscover his best form, though, and even earned the praise of manager Unai Emery. The Spaniard told reporters following Rashford’s impressive display against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League: “He is feeling better and he played a fantastic match. We are very happy. If he is happy, we are happy.”

Marcus Rashford 2024/25	Aston Villa stats (via Transfermarkt)
Appearances	17
Goals	4
Assists	6

Whether Aston Villa, themselves, come back in for Rashford is another question that will be asked as the summer goes on. He certainly enjoyed success under Emery, but as their PSR issues continue, they simply may not be able to afford his £14m-a-year salary.

That could leave just Inter to swoop in and land a potential loan deal to welcome another Premier League player to the Serie A this summer.

For the second consecutive day, South Africa’s batters showed great grit to stay in the game after being put on the back foot by the India bowlers in the one-off women’s Test in Chennai. If Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp fought hard on the second day after India declared at 603 for 6, Luus was at it again on Sunday, in the company of Laura Wolvaardt this time, which helped South Africa cut down the deficit to 105 runs after they were bowled out for 266 in the first innings.At stumps on the third day, South Africa were 232 for 2 in their second innings, with Luus scoring her first Test hundred and Wolvaardt remaining unbeaten on 93. South Africa will hope for more of the same on the fourth and final day to push the game to a draw.Related

• 'Strong in attack and strong in defence' – Determined Sune Luus stonewalls India

• The obstinate ways of Kapp against spin

It was an eventful opening session for India on a hazy morning where Sneh Rana’s sensational bowling on a pitch offering more turn fetched her five wickets – to go with three from Saturday – to give her figures of 8 for 77. South Africa lost six wickets for 30 runs after starting the day on 236 for 4.Rana got the first breakthrough in her third over, the fifth of the day, when she dismissed a well-set Kapp for 74 with an almost unplayable delivery. Kapp was done in by the extra bounce as the ball, after pitching on off and middle, popped up to beat her outside edge and take the top of off stump. This triggered a collapse as three balls later, Rana removed Sinalo Jafta, who inside-edged one to Shubha Satheesh at short leg.Three overs later, Deepti Sharma picked up her second wicket. This time the ball stayed low when debutant Annerie Dercksen missed with her prod and was hit on her back pad. South Africa took the review but it was in vain. In the following over, Rana took her sixth when Nadine de Klerk perished whipping towards square leg where Rajeshwari Gayakwad dived in front to complete the catch. No. 7 and No. 8 came soon after as Rana finished off the innings.Rana became only the second Indian woman to pick up eight wickets in an innings in Test cricket after Neetu David, now India’s chair of selectors, who took 8 for 53 in a two-run loss against England in Jamshedpur in 1995.Sneh Rana finished with a career-best 8 for 77 in the first innings•BCCI

India enforced the follow-on with South Africa 337 runs behind. They then lost Anneke Bosch early to low bounce when she was trapped in front by Deepti in the first over. But Wolvaardt nailed her cover drives and looked assured in her approach.At lunch, South Africa were 29 for 1. India struggled from that point, going wicketless for close to 66 overs across the second and third sessions.In this period, Luus and Wolvaardt shared a mammoth 190-run partnership for the second wicket to provide South Africa hope of a draw. It was South Africa’s highest partnership for any wicket in women’s Tests.South Africa came out in the afternoon session determined to play the long game and they succeeded, scoring 95 runs in 34 overs to take tea at 124 for 1. Luus, who made 65 off 164 balls in the first innings, carried forward that form and temperament, moving to 64 off 121 balls at the end of the second session.Having been trapped lbw to one that kept low from Rana in the first innings, Wolvaardt used the depth of the crease more in the second dig. She pulled short deliveries through square leg and drove the fuller ones to long-on.Deepti Sharma dropped Marizanne Kapp off her own bowling in the last over of the day•BCCI

India toiled hard to break the stand with Harmanpreet Kaur trying as many as seven bowlers, including herself. But they weren’t disciplined with their lengths and speeds. Perhaps not being used to such a long time in the middle affected them. Deepti also dropped two catches – Kapp benefitting both times – in the last two overs of the day. The first was at slip off a Rana delivery that Kapp edged, and the second was a straightforward return catch.Wolvaardt and Luus, though, reaped the rewards of patience on a pitch that got slower after the first session.Consuming more than 200 balls meant Luus and Wolvaardt also had gotten used to the low bounce, with only the odd delivery popping up in the last two sessions of the day. Luus spent 234 minutes at the crease, hitting 18 fours. When she reached her half-century, Luus brought out the rocking-baby-cradle celebration, a gesture for the team’s strength and conditioning coach Zane Webster, who is an expectant father. She scored her maiden century in the final session, and became only the second South African to score a hundred in India in women’s Tests.The huge stand was finally broken by Harmanpreet when she cleaned up Luus in the 74th over. The low bounce came to her aid as Luus went back to pull but missed.With Kapp at the other end, Wolvaardt marched on to finish unbeaten. That has raised hopes of a South African lead on the last day, a scenario that looked near-impossible at the start of Sunday.For India, Jemimah Rodrigues was off the field for a majority of the last two sessions because of cramps.

From crossing the divide between both Manchester United and Manchester City and starring at Juventus to featuring for Argentina, it’s fair to say that Carlos Tevez’s career isn’t short on moments to remember, or teammates for that matter.

The iconic forward shared a dressing room with some of the best players in football history, but the two that instantly stand out are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Whilst Tevez did become an Olympic Gold Medalist with Lionel Messi for Argentina in 2004, it was with Ronaldo at club level that he enjoyed the most success.

During the two seasons they played together at Old Trafford from 2007 to 2009, the attacking duo won the Premier League twice, the Club World Cup, the League Cup and the Champions League. To say their partnership was a success would be an incredible understatement.

Their best season together came in the 2007/08 campaign as they combined to score a total of 45 Premier League goals and help Manchester United on their way to another title-winning season.

Appearances

34

34

Goals

14

31

Assists

6

6

Of course, it wasn’t long after that when Tevez committed the ultimate sin of swapping Old Trafford for the chance to join arch-rivals Manchester City, whilst Ronaldo also left for Real Madrid at the same time.

The impact Tevez often made when partnering Messi for Argentina and Ronaldo at Manchester United is undeniable and the forward has been full of praise for both over the years, previously telling reporters: “Cristiano had to work and prepare himself to be the best, while for Leo it comes naturally.

Sir Alex Ferguson named Arsenal star as "perfect" for Man Utd and tried to sign him

The Red Devils and the Gunners have had a fierce Premier League rivalry.

ByCharlie Smith May 22, 2025

“Those are the greatest differences that I see between the two best players on the planet. Messi plays another sport. For him to score three goals [in any given game] is normal.”

As much as Messi and Ronaldo steal the headlines, however, when asked to pick his best ever teammate, Tevez chose to name an England and United legend instead of the men who dominated the Ballon d’Or podium for over a decade.

Carlos Tevez: Rooney was my best ever teammate

Snubbing both Messi and Ronaldo, Tevez revealed that Wayne Rooney was his best ever teammate during an interview relayed by GiveMeSport.

The impact that the England legend made as part of a deadly front three with Ronaldo and Tevez is clearly something that the latter has not forgotten and will not do so anytime soon.

Whilst some are quick to undervalue Rooney’s influence, Tevez went as far as putting the former United forward above two of football’s greatest-ever players when discussing his best teammates.

Rocky Flintoff unbeaten on 82 at close as Sri Lanka face daunting first-innings deficit

ECB Reporters Network17-Jul-2024England U19 401 for 5 (Shaikh 107, Denly 91, Flintoff 82*, Fonseka 76) lead Sri Lanka U19 153 (Weerasinghe 77, Sharma 5-44) by 248 runsHamza Shaikh played a true captain’s innings to put England firmly in control at the end of day two in the second Youth Men’s Test against Sri Lanka at Cheltenham.Displaying an admirable work ethic, sound temperament and no little skill, the Warwickshire batsman fashioned a high-class innings of 107 from 210 balls and shared in a transformative partnership of 121 with Rocky Flintoff for the fifth wicket as England reached the close on 401 for 5, a handsome first-innings lead of 248.Flintoff also impressed, raising a measured 82 not out from 148 deliveries with 8 fours and 2 sixes, while Jaydn Denly posted 91 and Keshana Fonseka 76 as England fought hard to assume pre-eminence at the College Ground. Sri Lanka’s bowlers worked tirelessly throughout to build pressure on a true pitch, but it is the home side who will be in a position to dictate terms when they resume their first innings on day three with five wickets still standing.With two days still to play, England have an opportunity to further extend their advantage and still allow themselves plenty of time to bowl Sri Lanka out and win the match and, with it, the series.Resuming on 73 for 1, England’s initial goal was to overhaul Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 153 with plenty of wickets in hand. This they achieved, thanks in large part to Denly, the Kent left-hander dominating a substantial second-wicket partnership of 85 in 24.5 overs with Fonseka.How Sri Lanka must have rued passing up a wonderful opportunity to dismiss the opener before he had added to his overnight tally, Tisara Ekanayake fumbling a straightforward chance at mid-on off the bowling of Vihas Thewmika in the second over of the day. That near miss appeared to adversely affect Denly, who faced 21 balls without scoring.He was soon into his stride and made the tourists pay for their profligacy, hoisting the aggrieved Thewmika over mid-wicket for six as the second wicket pair raised a 50 partnership in 99 balls. When skipper Dinura Kalupahana again struggled to hit his line and length, Sri Lanka deployed spin at both ends in their quest to engineer a breakthrough.It arrived with the Young Lions still 14 runs in arrears, Denly pinned lbw on the front foot by leg spinner Praveen Maneesha and dismissed just nine runs shy of three figures. Spanning 120 balls and adorned by 15 fours and a six, his progressive knock afforded the innings solid foundations.Shaikh then joined forces with Fonseka in a steadfast alliance of 64 that served to propel England into credit. A bundle of hyperactive energy, Fonseka raised an assured 50 from 85 deliveries and had a hundred firmly in his sights when he inexplicably pulled Kalupahana to mid-wicket and departed shortly after lunch. He had faced 119 balls, accrued 12 fours and a six and provided crucial top-order cohesion.A period of stalemate now ensued as both sides wrestled for control, spinners Maneesha and Thewmika probing for flaws in technique, while Shaikh and new batsman Noah Thain set their stall out to bat long and build a commanding lead. Thain blinked first, driving at Thewmika and holing out to Manuja Chanthuka running back from mid-on.A picture of concentration, Shaikh grafted his way to a patient 50 from 120 balls, raising that landmark with his sixth four, swept behind square off Maneesha. Demonstrating an acute understanding of what was required of him, Flintoff played conservatively, offering staunch support to his captain after Sri Lanka had taken the new ball and ushering England to 303 for 4 and a lead of 150 at tea.Flintoff showed glimpses of his outrageous talent in the final session, the 16-year-old producing some glorious off drives and pull shots to go to an authoritative half century from 114 balls, with 6 fours. Playing within himself, Shaikh nevertheless appeared pleasing on the eye as he attained three figures from 203 deliveries, going to his hundred in the grand manner by lifting Chanthuka’s slow left arm high over long-on for six before raising his bat to acknowledge the warm ovation delivered by an appreciative Festival audience.He was out soon afterwards, skying a catch to mid-off off the bowling of Chanthuka, who finished the day with 2 for 59 from 29 overs.

Birmingham City are in the market to bolster their squad in the summer transfer window after they secured an immediate return to the Championship.

Chris Davies’ team racked up 111 points in League One in the 2024/25 campaign, winning the title, and they are now preparing for a season in the second tier.

One player the Blues have been linked with an interest in is Al-Ettifaq winger Demarai Gray, who left the club back in 2016, but he may not be a realistic option for them this summer.

Why Birmingham may not sign Demarai Gray

In a recent report for EFL Analysis, journalist Graeme Bailey explained that the forward is available for a fee of around £6m, but that his wage packet may block a move back to St. Andrew’s.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The reporter said: “His price has come down, but his wages are massive. We’re talking around £200k per week. It’s staggering. So, I don’t know whether he’d be willing to come back to the Championship. Obviously, we know Birmingham are not going to be paying him even a quarter of that.”

This suggests that Birmingham, whose top earner is reportedly Christoph Klarer on £22k-per-week, would not be able to fit him into their wage structure, which is why they may not sign him in the coming weeks.

The Blues should look elsewhere in the market to bolster their options out wide, and they have been linked with an interest in signing Tottenham Hotspur winger Mikey Moore on loan.

Why Birmingham should sign Mikey Moore this summer

Birmingham should swoop to sign the England youth international because he would be an even bigger signing than Gray, due to his potential to explode in the Championship.

Moore, who James Maddison described as “fearless”, has shown plenty of promising signs since he broke into the first-team at Spurs this season, providing one assist in three starts in the Premier League and impressing in the Europa League.

Appearances

5

Starts

3

xG

0.68

Goals

1

Big chances created

1

Assists

1

Pass accuracy

83%

As you can see in the table above, the 17-year-old talent caught the eye with one goal and one assist in three starts in the Europa League for Spurs, as they went on to win the competition.

Moore, who was described as a “future superstar” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has burst into the first-team after impressing at youth level with a return of 19 goals and 13 assists in 24 matches for their U18s.

The teenage sensation provided goals and assists on a regular basis for Tottenham’s academy and has started to show signs of replicating that in their first-team, albeit he has not quite hit the same level yet.

Gray, meanwhile, did not provide a single goal or assist in 24 appearances in the Pro League for Al-Ettifaq in the 2024/25 campaign, which shows that he would be returning to Birmingham off the back of a poor season.

This means that Moore is a more attractive option for the Blues because they would be signing a highly exciting player who is on the up and showing plenty of promise, rather than a 28-year-old winger, in Gray, who is on the decline and coming off a disappointing year.

Birmingham can land the next Auston Trusty by signing "astounding" £6m star

Birmingham City might be about to secure their next Auston Trusty if this deal were to get over the line.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 12, 2025

Therefore, the Spurs youngster would be a bigger signing for Birmingham because they could have a “future superstar” on their hands, rather than a player whose best days look to be behind him.

This summer is shaping up to be a truly seismic one for Arsenal.

The pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side to finally get over the line in the Premier League next season will be immense, but it looks like the board are doing their bit to back them in the market.

Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi are now officially through the door, while Andrea Berta and Co appear to be in talks with England internationals Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.

That’s not all, though, as reports suggest the club is making rapid progress to sign an international game-changer who could help make Madueke entirely unplayable.

Arsenal target free-scoring game-changer

Arsenal ended last season’s Premier League campaign with 17 fewer goals to their name than champions Liverpool, so bringing in a new striker this summer was always going to be a priority.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Over the last few weeks, the club have been linked with a plethora of talented number nines, such as Ollie Watkins and Benjamin Sesko.

For some time, it looked like the latter was going to be the one to make the move to North London, but that changed late last week as it became evident that RB Leipzig were asking for too much money.

Interestingly, instead of caving to their demands, Berta and Co quickly pivoted to another target, someone who could help make Madueke unplayable: Viktor Gyokeres.

At least that is according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has revealed that Arsenal are in constant talks with Sporting CP, and that the Swede himself is pushing for the move, asking his camp for updates “every hour.”

Moreover, the Italian journalist has reaffirmed reports that personal terms have been agreed, while a recent report from GIVEMESPORT has claimed that the Gunners are set to agree a deal in excess of £65m for the goalscorer.

It is undoubtedly a lot of money to spend on one player, but over the last two years, Gyokeres has shown he could be a difference-maker for a top side, and he’d help make Madueke unplayable as well.

Why Gyokeres would make Madueke unplayable

It might sound simplistic, but one of the reasons Gyokeres would be such a good teammate for Madueke is the fact that he’s a striker who spends as much time as possible in and around the penalty area.

This is important because the Chelsea ace’s biggest strength, at least at the moment, is his ball-carrying and ability to get the ball into dangerous areas.

Therefore, he needs his striker to constantly be in goal-scoring areas, rather than dropping back into midfield or out wide, as Kai Havertz does.

However, it should come as no surprise that the most significant reason the Swede could help Madueke reach another level entirely is his raw output.

For example, in 52 appearances last season, totalling 4248 minutes, the free-scoring “powerhouse,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, put the ball in the back of the net on 54 occasions and provided 13 assists for good measure.

In other words, the former Coventry City star averaged 1.28 goal involvements every game, or one every 63.40 minutes.

Just think about how many goals and assists the Blues ace would rack up playing next to a striker capable of such world-class output.

Moreover, the Englishman already showed last year that, in relatively restricted minutes, he could be a useful outlet out wide.

In the 2449 minutes of action he played prior to the World Cup, the former PSV Eindhoven ace scored 11 goals and provided five assists.

Appearances

41

Minutes

2449′

Goals

11

Assists

5

Goal Involvements per Match

0.39

Minutes per Goal Involvements

153.06′

That means he averaged a goal involvement every 153.06 minutes despite not having a prolific number nine to play alongside.

Ultimately, Madueke looks like he’d be a valuable addition to Arsenal’s squad this summer, but by adding Gyokeres as well, Arteta could help take the Englishman to another level entirely.

Arsenal set to bid for £52m winger with "full agreement" on personal terms

The Gunners are set to make an offer for a forward, who has a reached a full agreement over a move to north London.

ByDominic Lund Jul 7, 2025