Alexander Isak has been ruled out of Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia as the Swedish striker continues to generate transfer talk.
| Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 |
AC Milan have confirmed interest in Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund after he was dropped by manager Ruben Amorim for Sunday's clash with Arsenal.
Milan confirm interest in HojlundStriker dropped for Arsenal clashCould now be heading back to ItalyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Hojlund appears to be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford after the Red Devils splashed out to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. Amorim then dropped Hojlund for his team's Premier League opener against Arsenal, suggesting he will have to move if he wants regular minutes in the 2025-26 season.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Serie A giants AC Milan have been linked with a move for Hojlund, with the striker's father reportedly claiming his son is now open to a move to San Siro. Hojlund shone previously in Serie A with Atalanta, and Milan sporting director Igli Tare has admitted the Rossoneri are keen on the Denmark international.
WHAT AC MILAN SAID
Tare told Mediaset: "Højlund is a good option for us. We are thinking about him, but in the transfer market, you never know what could happen."
TELL ME MORE…
Amorim also spoke about Hojlund after Sunday's defeat at Arsenal. He told reporters: "He is our player — we have to make choices. We have players that have to stay helping the team from the outside. He has to fight for his place. We will see what's going to happen. Rasmus has the same characteristics as Sesko, so sometimes we need to choose."
A look at what each team needs to do – and need other teams to do – to make the cut
S Rajesh20-Mar-2022England’s nervy one-wicket win against New Zealand means they stay in contention for the semi-finals of Women’s World Cup 2022, while New Zealand are almost out of it. With just nine more games to go in the group stage, only Australia have sealed their semi-final slot, while the rest are still involved in a tense struggle. Here is a look at what each team needs to do – and need other teams to do – to make the cut.
New Zealand have lost three matches by extremely close margins: one wicket (against England), two wickets (South Africa) and three runs (West Indies). These three defeats mean the home team is on the brink of elimination. If England win their last two games – against the relatively weaker Bangladesh and Pakistan – then at least three teams will have more than six points, which is the maximum New Zealand can reach.They would then have to hope that West Indies lose their last two matches – against Pakistan and South Africa – and stay on six with a poorer net run rate, and India lose their last two games too – against Bangladesh and South Africa – and stay on four points, as their NRR is currently much better than New Zealand’s. (Even if New Zealand score 300 in their last game and win by 200 runs, their NRR will still only improve to 0.427, which is lower than India’s current rate of 0.456.) In that case New Zealand could qualify as the fourth team, but at the moment they are clutching at straws.
England had a disastrous start to the tournament, but with two games to go, they have an excellent chance of making the semi-finals. They have a couple of advantages going into the last week of the group stage: their two remaining opponents are the weaker teams, and their NRR is a relatively healthy 0.327 (which can increase further with convincing wins).England have managed to stay in contention despite a disastrous start•Getty ImagesIf they finish on eight points, they should be in a good position in an NRR battle. (India are currently marginally ahead on 0.456, but one of their remaining games is against South Africa, who haven’t lost a match yet.)For England to lose out even after winning their last two games, West Indies will have to win their last two matches and go up to ten points, and South Africa will have to beat Australia so that they move beyond eight as well. If India win their last two and stay above England on NRR, then England will be eliminated. They will be hoping that the weather stays clear in Christchurch and Wellington, allowing them the opportunity to look for four points and improve their NRR.However, if they lose either of those matches (or if one is rained out), then they could struggle.
India are in a similar position as England in terms of points and run rate, but the one major difference is that one of their remaining games is against South Africa. India’s best chance will be if they win their last two, and either South Africa or West Indies don’t progress beyond eight points. That can happen if West Indies lose at least one of their two remaining matches, or if South Africa lose all three. Then, both India and England will qualify with eight points (if England win their last two as well), while West Indies/South Africa will be eliminated because of poorer NRRs.India have a healthy net run rate, thanks to their big win against West Indies•AFP via Getty ImagesConversely, if West Indies win their last two, and if South Africa beat Australia, then three teams will finish on more than eight points. Then, even with wins in their two remaining games, India will be battling for the fourth spot with England (if they finish on eight as well).
Despite winning all four matches so far, South Africa still have some work to do to confirm a place in the semi-finals. That can happen if they win one more game and lift their points tally to ten.However, their three remaining games are all tough ones. If they lose all three then they could well be eliminated, as West Indies could finish on ten points, and England and India could get eight with better net run rates.West Indies will qualify if they win their two remaining matches•ICC via Getty
West Indies are currently third on the points table, but their NRR of -0.930 is the worst among all teams in contention for the semi-finals. They will qualify if they win their two remaining matches, but if they lose one – and if England beat Pakistan and Bangladesh – then West Indies will have to hope that India lose at least one of their two remaining games and finish on no more than six points. Then West Indies will qualify, along with Australia, South Africa and England.
Bangladesh can theoretically get to eight points, but their remaining matches are against some of the toughest teams in this competition.
Pakistan too can qualify theoretically but having lost 18 successive matches in the 50-over World Cup, their immediate aim would be to stop it from extending to 21 by the end of this tournament.
Ireland also play three ODIs and three T20Is during their full tour of Zimbabwe starting on February 6
ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jan-2025
Sean Williams has recovered from his back trouble and will play against Ireland•Zimbabwe Cricket
Zimbabwe have picked two uncapped players – legspinner Vincent Masekesa and top-order batter Nicholas Welch – in their squad for the one-off Test against Ireland starting on February 6 in Bulawayo.Masekesa, 27, has played 15 first-class matches and taken 49 wickets, while Welch, nearly 27, has played 26 first-class games and scored 1216 runs at an average of 31.Dion Myers and Tadiwanashe Marumani were left out of the Test squad that lost the home series 1-0 to Afghanistan in the first week of January.Allrounder Sikandar Raza was also not selected because he is playing for Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, which ends on February 9. “He had already committed to franchise cricket before the [Ireland] tour schedule was confirmed,” Zimbabwe Cricket said in a release. Raza will return to captain Zimbabwe’s T20I squad for their three matches against Ireland.Sean Williams was passed fit after struggling with a back injury during the Tests against Afghanistan.Zimbabwe made two changes to their ODI squad, replacing Myers and Joylord Gumbie with Wessly Madhevere and Nyasha Mayavo. Myers, however, kept his place in the T20I squad while Faraz Akram and Takudzwanashe Kaitano missed out on selection.Ireland’s tour of Zimbabwe begins with the one-off Test in Bulawayo followed by the white-ball leg in Harare: three ODIs on February 14, 16 and 18 and three T20Is on February 22, 23 and 25.Zimbabwe Test squad vs IrelandCraig Ervine (capt), Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Ben Curran, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Vincent Masekesa, Nyasha Mayavo, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams.Zimbabwe ODI squad vs IrelandCraig Ervine (capt), Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Nyasha Mayavo, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.Zimbabwe T20I squad vs IrelandSikandar Raza (capt), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Johnathan Campbell, Trevor Gwandu, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Nyasha Mayavo, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri.
Everton are now keen on signing a “quality” World Cup winner on a free transfer, according to a recent Toffees transfer report.
Jarrad Branthwaite signs new Everton contract
This week, Everton announced that defender Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a new long-term contract, which runs until the summer of 2030. The 23-year-old has been with the Toffees since 2020, when he joined the club from Carlisle United.
Calvert-Lewin upgrade: Everton advancing in talks to sign £34m striker
Everton are edging closer to signing a La Liga forward
ByRoss Kilvington Jul 1, 2025
After spells on loan at Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven, Branthwaite has now turned into one of Everton’s key defenders, and that has led to speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United most recently. However, Everton have acted quickly to secure his future, and Branthwaite is “over the moon” at extending his stay with the Premier League side.
Branthwaite told the club’s official website: “I’m over the moon. It’s been something we’ve been talking about since the end of the season, and to get it signed now is something I’m really excited about.
“The trust the club’s put in me and how many games I’ve played over the past two seasons has made it quite an easy decision for me to stay and to keep progressing as a player.
“I know the Club. I feel loved by the players – we’ve got a good group here – and the fans. Over the past few years, I’ve seen the impact the fans have on us as a team and how much it means to them. And, obviously, with the new stadium we’ve got here, the new ownership and the new manager, it’s an exciting project, and it’s something I want to be part of.
“Moving to the new stadium together and having that first game at home is something we’re all looking forward to. We want to go again and push for a good season.”
Everton keen to sign World Cup winner on free transfer
Now that Branthwaite’s future has been resolved, the Toffees are turning their attention to who could be playing alongside him. According to The Daily Mail, relayed by Liverpool World, Everton are interested in signing left-back Nicolas Tagliafico on a free transfer.
The Argentine international, who won the World Cup in 2022, left French side Lyon at the start of this month when his contract expired. Given his situation, David Moyes is interested in adding him to his squad, as he would provide competition for Vitaliy Mykolenko, who is Everton’s only recognised left-back.
Tagliafico, who has been dubbed “quality” in the past, has never played in the Premier League before but has enormous European experience after playing for Lyon and Ajax in most recent seasons.
Apps
102
Goals
9
Assists
10
The report does claim that West Ham and Sevilla are also interested in signing the left-back, but the Toffees may have an edge in this race, as Tagliafico does have the same agency as current Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, which means there is a previous relationship between the agency and the club.
da mrbet： Amid rumours that they’ve already had to reject a bid worth £45m to sell Anthony Elanga, Nottingham Forest have now reportedly opened talks to sign a possible replacement.
Nottingham Forest reject Newcastle's Elanga bid
da apostaganha： After securing a shock place in the Europa Conference League in an excellent season last time out, Nottingham Forest are in no position to sell key players. But that hasn’t stopped certain clubs from testing the waters. Among them, Newcastle United reportedly formalised their interest in Elanga with an offer worth £45m earlier this week, only to see that bid rejected by those at the City Ground.
There’s still plenty of time remaining in the summer transfer window, however, and Forest will be well aware that Newcastle could yet come calling a second time.
If that does happen, then preparing for Elanga’s exit in a worst-case scenario would not be a bad idea for all involved at the City Ground. Already, on that front, Forest have attempted and failed to sign Timothy Weah from Juventus and have also been linked with versatile AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah.
Whether either of those options possess the quality to replace Elanga is the big question. One man who is unlikely to face problems in that regard is Igor Jesus. The Botafogo forward is reportedly on his way to the Midlands alongside teammate Jair Cunha following their Club World Cup campaign.
The former has already stolen plenty of headlines with his winning goal against Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain and is seemingly about to take the Premier League by storm.
Nottingham Forest open talks to sign "elite" new star after Weah rejection
They’ve instantly turned towards another option.
ByTom Cunningham Jun 27, 2025
Jesus and Cuiabano may not be the only Club World Cup stars to arrive, either, amid reports that Forest have opened talks to sign another attacking target.
Nottingham Forest open talks to sign Pepe
According to ESPN Brazil, Nottingham Forest have now opened talks to sign Pepe from FC Porto, who are demanding over €15m (£12m) to sell their 28-year-old winger this summer.
An experienced winger who scored at the Club World Cup for Porto in a 4-4 draw against Al-Ahly this summer, Pepe would offer Forest instant depth and may even be asked to replace Elanga if the Swede joins Newcastle.
League stats 24/25 (via FBref)
Pepe
Elanga
Minutes
1,991
2,501
Goals
3
6
Assists
2
11
Key Passes
31
50
The pressure would instantly be on Pepe if he did step in for Elanga and although his experience could prove to be invaluable, questions will be asked about his ability to match the 22-year-old’s output.
As a versatile backup who can play all across the frontline, however, the Porto man represents an ideal choice as Forest step into European football. At just over £12m too, it’s not a deal that Evangelos Marinakis will need to splash out on for Nuno Espirito Santo in the coming months.
أعلن الاتحاد الأفريقي لكرة القدم منذ قليل، عن قائمة المرشحين للفوز بجائزة أفضل لاعب في إفريقيا، والتي يتم منحها عن عام 2025 الحالي، حيث يتواجد عشرة لاعبين مرشحين للحصول عليها.
وكان الحاصل على جائزة أفضل لاعب في إفريقيا العام الماضي هو أديمولا لوكمان، نجم نادي أتالانتا، لكنه غاب عن قائمة المرشحين خلال هذا العام.
وجاء على رأس قائمة المرشحين للحصول على جائزة أفضل لاعب في إفريقيا نجم نادي ليفربول ومنتخب مصر، محمد صلاح، والذي قدم موسمًا رائعًا مع الريدز.
وقاد محمد صلاح ليفربول إلى الفوز بلقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز الموسم الماضي للمرة الـ20 في تاريخه، وحصل على جائزة هداف البطولة أيضًا.
اقرأ أيضًا.. قائمة المرشحين لجائزة أفضل لاعب داخل إفريقيا 2025.. نجم الأهلي ورباعي بيراميدز
كما حجز فيستون مايلي، نجم بيراميدز، موقعه ضمن المرشحين لأفضل لاعب في إفريقيا، بعدما قاد فريقه للفوز بدوري أبطال إفريقيا، للمرة الأولى في تاريخ النادي السماوي.
واستبعد بشكل مفاجئ عمر مرموش، نجم مانشستر سيتي من قائمة المرشحين، بالرغم من المستوى الرائع الذي قدمه خلال الموسم الماضي مع أينتراخت فرانكفورت، ثم مانشستر سيتي.
وتواجد أشرف حكيمي مدافع باريس سان جيرمان، ضمن قائمة المرشحين، بعد مستواه الاستثنائي مع النادي الفرنسي خلال الموسم الماضي وتحقيقه لثلاثية تاريخية مع نادي العاصمة الفرنسية والتتويج بدوري أبطال أوروبا. المرشحين لجائزة أفضل لاعب في إفريقيا 2025
محمد صلاح – ليفربول (مصر).
فرانك أنجيسا – نابولي (الكاميرون).
فيستون ماييلي – بيراميدز (الكونغو الديموقراطية).
أشرف حكيمي – باريس سان جيرمان (المغرب).
دينيس بوانجا – لوس أنجلوس (الجابون).
سيرهو جيراسي – بوروسيا دورتموند (غينيا).
ندياي – إيفرتون ( السنغال).
باب ماتار سار – توتنهام هوتسبير (السنغال).
فيكتور أوسيمين – جالطة سراي (نيجيريا).
أسامة المليوي – نهضة بركان (المغرب).
The 18-year-old South Korea international has agreed to a new deal and a short-term loan to Europe
Phair signs new Angel City deal through 2028Subsequently loaned to Djurgårdens IFTeenager is regular South Korea internationalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Angel City Football Club and 18-year-old forward Casey Phair agreed to a new three-year contract through 2028, locking the South Korea international into a deal to be a key member of the club's future.
As a part of her development, Phair is being loaned out to Djurgårdens IF in Sweden for six months until December 2025.
"Casey is a special young talent, with an exciting future ahead and we are very happy to extend her contract until 2028,” said ACFC Sporting Director Mark Parsons. “Casey has grown a lot this season and we now feel it is the perfect time to go and get important game minutes on loan to further develop as a professional. We look forward to having Casey return for the start of next season and having her back in our environment for many years to come."
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Phair, who joined Angel City in January 2024, has accumulated 109 minutes in six appearances for the club across all competitions. On April 18, she became the youngest player in ACFC history to make her NWSL regular season debut at 17 and 10 months.
Internationally, Phair, in 2023, became the youngest player to make a World Cup debut. She is also the first Korean-American player to be called up to the senior South Korea women's national team.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 14 appearances for the South Korea national team, Phair has scored four goals.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR PHAIR?
Djurgårdens IF return to play for Matchday 13 of the Damallsvenskan on Aug. 10 when they take on BK Hacken in the Swedish top flight.
AC Milan are not rushing the Dusan Vlahovic operation, well aware that Juventus are more desperate to offload the Serbian than they are to sign him.
Milan keep Juve waitingVlahovic could reunite with AllegriWages remain a point of contentionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Milan are eager to sign a striker this summer, and all signs point towards Vlahovic being the chosen one to reinforce head coach Massimiliano Allegri's attack. While negotiations have come to a standstill, media in Italy are suggesting that the two Serie A giants could find middle ground using a swap deal.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
claims Milan could offer centre-back Malick Thiaw to Juventus in exchange for Vlahovic, as a swap deal could help bring down the financial costs of the transfer. In the event of Daniele Rugani's departure, the Old Lady would be looking in the market for defensive reinforcements. However, getting Thiaw and offloading Vlahovic would be a win-win situation for both clubs.
Juve have reportedly denied the striker's request to terminate his contract — which ends next year — and have set an asking price of €25 million (£22m/$29m), a far cry from the €40m they initially demanded. However, Milan are not willing to pay that much.
DID YOU KNOW?
Another stumbling block in Milan's pursuit of Vlahovic has been the exorbitant wages the player wants. At Juve, he is currently earning €12m (£10m/$14m) after tax deductions. The Rossoneri, meanwhile, are willing to go only halfway, offering a proposal of €6m per year plus bonuses. They want to avoid creating tensions in the dressing room where Rafael Leao is the current highest-earning player in the squad with annual wages of €7m. Allegri is keen to reunite with the former Fiorentina forward, and the player himself finds the move attractive. However, Vlahovic's unwillingness to take a pay cut could further complicate an already delicate situation.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR AC MILAN?
Well aware that nothing is set in stone with regards to the Vlahovic deal, Milan are keenly looking at alternatives in the market. Per Fabrizio Romano, they have entered talks with Monaco to sign Swiss international Breel Embolo, who would cost just €15m (£13m/$18m) and would not be a burden on the wage bill. They are also monitoring the Premier League, with reports suggesting that Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson and Crystal Palace's Jean-Phillippe Mateta have found themselves on Milan's radar. A move for Bayer Leverkusen talisman Victor Boniface could materialise, too.
da blaze casino： Wolverhampton Wanderers managed to enjoy a comfortable end to the campaign and have now made an approach to bring a talented youngster to Molineux this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Wolves transfer rumours with Cunha set to join Man Utd
da brwin： The Old Gold spent a portion of the campaign flirting with relegation from the Premier League. However, Vitor Pereira made sure that no such thoughts managed to enter their psyche in the West Midlands and secured safety with plenty of time to spare.
Thanking supporters for their crucial role in backing the team, the Portuguese boss has promised to add to his Wolves squad this summer to ensure a repeat scenario doesn’t unfold next term.
He stated: “Our supporters, they are fantastic. I’m very proud of them, very proud of my team, proud of our work, proud of our club, all the staff, all the efforts that everybody did to finish the league in the situation that we know we can build on in the future.”
Matheus Cunha may be on his way to Manchester United, though Pereira has already profiled Leicester City midfielder Bilal El Khannouss as an ideal Wolves replacement for the Brazil international.
A bid of around £22 million should be enough to entice him away from the King Power Stadium, and he is far from the only star lined up at Molineux now the window is around the corner.
Offer made: Wolves submit bid for £42m star who "never puts a foot wrong"
The Old Gold have now made a move for a defender.
ByDominic Lund May 29, 2025
Lazio defender Mario Gila could also pitch up at Wolves if they can see off competition from Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion for his signature.
Plenty of movement is underway as the Old Gold build for next season, and they have now reportedly made an approach for a highly-rated talent.
Romano: Wolves make approach for Liverpool's Kieran Morrison
Taking to social media platform X, renowned transfer specialist Romano has reported that Wolves have made an approach for “highly rated” Liverpool winger Kieran Morrison.
Said to be on their shortlist, there is also competition from around Europe for his signature as the summer window kicks off in earnest.
Capable of operating out wide or in a central role, the Northern Ireland Under-19 international has registered five goals and six assists in 27 appearances for Liverpool’s youth development squad this season.
It feels unlikely that Morrison would immediately become a first-team figure at Molineux, though his versatility and scope to develop would be an attracting commodity looking towards the future.
Under contract at Anfield until 2027, it remains to be seen what type of fee he could command if he were to leave the Merseyside giants. However, it may be worth noting that a sale would likely count as pure profit for Liverpool, indicating that a move could go through before the PSR deadline.