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Mauricio Pochettino told the BBC that he “misses” the Premier League and says he's open "one day to come back" to club football. The Argentine is preparing to guide the USMNT in the 2026 World Cup in the U.S, Canada and Mexico, adding that he's "so happy in America." But he also said that the intensity and competition of England’s top flight remain unmatched.

USMNT boss on the Premier League

Pochettino has admitted that he is “missing” the Premier League and is already thinking about returning to English football in the future. The former Tottenham and Chelsea boss, now in charge of the United States men’s national team, said he remains happy in his current role but cannot deny that the Premier League’s energy and competitiveness continue to draw him back.

Having enjoyed nearly a decade in the competition across three Premier League clubs, Pochettino reflected on his enduring connection to England’s top division and his ambition to one day complete the unfinished business he left behind.

The Argentine coach has been in charge of the USMNT since September 2024, guiding the team through a challenging rebuild ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the country will co-host with Canada and Mexico. While his record stands at 11 wins from 20 matches, criticism has emerged following defeats to Mexico, Panama, and South Korea.

Through his work with the national team at next year's home World Cup, Pochettino is tasked with helping drive the growth of the sport in the U.S., telling BBC Sport, "The motivation is massive. Sometimes you feel that people don't understand too much.

"You find some coaches that say, 'Oh you know, you need to know the culture of the American player.' I say 'No, I know the most important thing is the culture of football and soccer. We need to translate the culture of football to the American player.' I think after one year we are making great progress. We are building with people that the language of football is only one, and it doesn't care if you are American, Brazilian or English. Our football is to compete in the way that you need to compete, if you want to win."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportPochettino 'misses' the Premier League

Regarding club football, Pochettino acknowledged that “the Premier League is the best league in the world. Of course I am missing it. I am so happy in America but also thinking one day to come back to the Premier League. It’s the most competitive league.”

The 53-year-old also reflected on his time in England, particularly with Tottenham, where he came closest to winning major silverware: "I think we were so close in Tottenham, we nearly touched it – winning the Champions League and Premier League. That is a thing that I would want to achieve,” he said, before admitting that his unfinished business in English football still drives him.

Pochettino also opened up about the differences between club and international management, conceding that the long gaps between games have taken some getting used to.

"The intensity is completely different because you need to arrive for a few days to prepare the game and play, prepare another game, play, and go back," Pochettino said. "After November, we are going to have three months until March to prepare another game. In a national team you are desperate to coach the players. You feel empty because after the second game you cannot have communication and you cannot keep working on improving things."

Getty Images SportPochettino's Premier League legacy

Pochettino’s journey through the Premier League has been one of both admiration and frustration. He made his English football debut in 2013 with Southampton, where he implemented a pressing, attack-minded system that quickly earned plaudits. His single full season saw the Saints finish eighth – their best top-flight finish in over a decade – and paved the way for his move to Tottenham the following year.

It was at Spurs where Pochettino cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s elite coaches. Between 2014 and 2019, he transformed the club into title challengers and Champions League finalists, developing a young and dynamic squad featuring Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min, and Dele Alli.

Despite narrowly missing out on both the Premier League and European crowns, his achievements at Tottenham remain a high point in the club’s modern history, and his departure in 2019 was widely viewed as premature.

After a brief stint in France with Paris Saint-Germain, where he won Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, Pochettino returned to England in 2023 to manage Chelsea. His time at Stamford Bridge lasted just one season, marked by inconsistency but also a late surge that secured European football for the Blues. He left by mutual consent in May 2024, a decision that soon led to his appointment as USMNT head coach four months later.

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Focus on the World Cup

Pochettino’s immediate task is to prepare the United States for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament that will define his future prospects. While progress has been evident, pressure is mounting for Pochettino to deliver tangible success on home soil, with tall expectations as the tournament approaches.

His reputation in England remains strong, particularly at Tottenham, where fans still view him fondly despite his five-year absence. Several top-flight clubs are expected to monitor his availability post-World Cup, especially those seeking a manager capable of combining long-term player development with attacking football.

Baseball’s greatest rivalry is renewed on Friday night, as the New York Yankees host the Boston Red Sox as they look to snap their three-game losing streak.

New York (54-35) has dropped to the No. 2 spot in the AL East, and it’s in danger of dropping further if it keeps playing this poorly. The Yankees are just 17th in OPS and 19th in team ERA over the last 19 days, a major step back from where they were earlier in the season.

Boston, on the other hand, is just 5.5 games behind New York, and it comes into this game as one of the best away teams in the league (27-16). 

Can Boston get off to a strong start in this road series? 

Let’s dive into the odds, probable pitchers and my best bet for this rivalry matchup. 

Red Sox vs. Yankees Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line

Red Sox +1.5 (-175)Yankees -1.5 (+145)

Moneyline

Red Sox: +120Yankees: -142

Total

8.5 (Over -105/Under -115)

Red Sox vs. Yankees Probable PitchersBoston: Tanner Houck (7-6, 2.67 ERA)New York: Nestor Cortes (4-7, 3.51 ERA)Red Sox vs. Yankees How to WatchDate: Friday, July 5Time: 7:05 p.m. ESTVenue: Yankee StadiumHow to watch (TV): NESN, YES NetworkRed Sox record: 47-39Yankees record: 54-35Red Sox vs. Yankees Key Players to WatchBoston Red Sox

Jarren Duran: Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran is having a great season, putting together a .283/.345/.486 slash line with 10 homers, 40 runs batted in and 21 stolen bases. He also leads the AL in triples. A speed demon, Duran had five hits in 12 at-bats in the first series of the season against the Yanks. 

New York Yankees

Aaron Judge: Aaron Judge has been the best hitter in baseball for two months, posting a .314/.433/.702 slash line with an AL-leading 32 home runs. Judge had three hits, a double, a home run and two runs batted in the last time these teams faced off (three-game series). 

Red Sox vs. Yankees Prediction and Pick

I can't back the Yankees right now, who have dropped eight of their last 10 games and three in a row against the Cincinnati Reds heading into Friday's matchup with Boston.

Boston won two of the three meetings between these teams earlier this season, and it has Tanner Houck (7-6, 2.67 ERA) on the mound in this game. Even though Houck was lit up for nine hits and eight runs in his last outing, it’s an anomaly when you look at his full body of work.

Houck has a 2.56 Fielding Independent Pitching, allowing more than three earned runs in just two of 18 outings in 2024. 

New York has been a mess as of late, and it’s only 7-11 in Nestor Cortes’ starts – even though he’s pitched well with a 3.51 ERA. 

Until we see the Yankees turn things around, they’re a must fade as a favorite on Friday. 

Charlie Allison, a 20-year old with a previous first-class best of just 28, hit a memorable maiden hundred to stun champions Surrey at the Kia Oval.Allison’s brilliant 140, in his sixth first-class match, helped Essex rack up a second innings 479 and leave Surrey with an unlikely victory target of 418. By stumps, in eight overs’ batting, they reached 32 without loss.Surrey’s six-pronged pace attack was neutered on an easing pitch, leaving Rory Burns’s side facing a stiff final-day battle for a draw to maintain their unbeaten start to the Rothesay County Championship season.Towards the end of the innings of his young life, Colchester-born Allison even hit a weary Daniel Worrall for two sixes over long on and there were also 19 fours in a 235-ball epic spanning just over five hours.Allison, remarkably, had come in on a pair after being caught behind off New Zealand Test all-rounder Nathan Smith from his fifth ball in Essex’s first innings of 217. In nine previous first-class innings, since making his debut last month, he had made only 154 runs at an average of 17.11.But when he tucked his 185th ball to deep mid-on and sauntered for a single, Allison was coolness personified as he initially hardly reacted to his achievement until removing his helmet and raising both arms in the air to acknowledge generous applause from a sizeable third-day crowd.Noah Thain, his contemporary from Essex age groups and recent England U19 teams, gave Allison a bear hug and the pair then continued an impressive seventh wicket stand that eventually raised 116 and, in effect, batted Surrey all but out of the match.Thain made 50 before holing out to long off and, earlier, Allison had helped Tom Westley – who fought hard for his own 50 – to blunt a Surrey attack already up against it after Paul Walter’s superlative 118 on day two and his magnificent opening stand of 188 with Dean Elgar.Essex had resumed 133 ahead on 195 for two, and Elgar could not believe it when, having added just four runs to his gritty overnight 60 not out, he attempted to square drive a full ball angled across him by Worrall and succeeded only in slicing it all the way to third man where Smith took the catch running to his left.If that was a bonus for Surrey, as Worrall began the day with a testing spell of 7-5-5-1, then they were soon being frustrated as Westley and Allison added 80 for the fourth wicket.Allison was fortunate to get off the mark with an inside-edged four, the ball narrowly missing off stump as he tried to square cut a delivery from Worrall that was too close to him for the stroke.But the youngster settled his nerves by soon hitting Smith beautifully to the cover boundary, his second scoring shot, and then taking further fours off his pads against Jamie Overton and through extra cover off Tom Lawes.Overton even touched 88mph in a pacy spell in which he was always in the mid-80s, but Westley was equal to the challenge with fours through extra cover and tucked neatly off his pads. The Essex captain then clipped Lawes wide of mid on for another boundary.On 35, Westley survived a difficult low chance to Sam Curran, diving to his right, as he clipped Lawes off his legs but the Essex total had moved on to 266 for three by the time Surrey took the second new ball 20 minutes before lunch.Jordan Clark, nursing a sore toe, was brought on for his first bowl of the day immediately after lunch and, with his 10th ball, he had Westley athletically caught by Kurtis Patterson – diving to his right – at point. He had faced 114 balls, hitting seven fours.Worrall then pinned Matt Critchley leg-before for four, nine runs later, and at 294 for five it seemed as if Surrey were back in the game with almost five sessions remaining.Michael Pepper, however, hung around to make 18 in a 49-run stand with Allison, until Curran – finally thrown the ball for the 50th over of the day – struck with his seventh delivery to have Pepper caught behind.But Allison and Thain, the two 20-year-olds, capped a brilliant day for Essex by staying together for almost two hours after Pepper’s dismissal 45 minutes before tea. There were some fine shots, too, from both of them – though perhaps none better than the lofted straight drive by Allison off Lawes that took him to 117.Allison finally miscued a swipe at Clark, giving a simple return catch as the last few Essex wickets fell in a flurry of slogs, but whatever he goes on to achieve in his cricket career he will never forget this day.

Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal are moving up the Orange Cap ladder quickly, getting to three and four respectively after Saturday’s games

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Apr-20251:30

Rayudu: Prasidh a great prospect for India going forward

Purple Cap leaderboardAfter being No. 1 from the second day of the tournament, Noor Ahmad has finally been toppled. That mantle is now with Prasidh Krishna, the GT fast bowler, whose 4 for 41 in the win over DC has put him two wickets clear at the top of the pile. Noor is in second place, and Josh Hazlewood, who was No. 2 on Friday night with the same number of wickets – 12 – is in fourth place, with DC’s Kuldeep Yadav in third, his 1 for 30 taking him to 12 wickets as well.The positions on the table have to do with the other numbers: ESPNcricinfo distinguishes based on bowling average, while IPL ranks bowlers based on economy rate, which has Kuldeep at No. 2, followed by Noor and Hazlewood.There’s no question about Prasidh being No. 1, though. After a wicketless outing in his season-opener, against Punjab Kings (PBKS), where he went for 41 runs, he has picked up at least a wicket in each game, and has one three-for and now a four-for.Shardul Thakur of LSG took 1 for 34 last night, and that has put him on 12 wickets as well, and a spot at No. 5 on the table.Below the top five, on 11 wickets, are R Sai Kishore and Mohammed Siraj of GT, Hardik Pandya, the MI captain, Noor’s team-mate Khaleel Ahmed, and.That table is becoming fun.10:24

Boucher: Buttler’s takedown of Starc sealed it for GT

Orange Cap leaderboardAs is the other table. After days of Nicholas Pooran-B Sai Sudharsan-Mitchell Marsh at the top, we finally have change: Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal are making waves.The top two are where they were. It’s still LSG’s Pooran, despite another failure, followed by Sai Sudharsan, who scored a 21-ball 36 in GT’s win, but Marsh is now down to fifth. Buttler, courtesy his 97 not out off 54 balls against DC, and Jaiswal, who scored 74 in 52 balls against LSG – his third consecutive half-century – are at three and four.Those four are also the only ones to cross the 300-run mark in the IPL at this stage. Marsh is just one run away, though, with 299 against his name.Aiden Markram has now slotted in at No. 5, a few big hits behind Marsh, after his 66 against RR, with KL Rahul (DC), Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians – MI) and Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) the others to have crossed 250.Highest batting strike ratesBest bowling economy ratesMost sixesBest bowling figures in a match

Considering their disastrous campaign last season, it would be fair to say that it’s been a pretty good summer of business for Manchester United and for director of football, Jason Wilcox.

They’ve dramatically improved Ruben Amorim’s frontline with the additions of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko, and overseen a few much-needed departures.

For example, while they’ve been unable to sell Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford is out of the squad, Rasmus Hojlund is close to joining Napoli, and, arguably most importantly, the disruptive Alejandro Garnacho joined Chelsea for a fairly sizable £40m plus a 10% sell-on clause.

And now, in even more good news, the Red Devils are being linked with a deadline-day move for someone who could be the perfect upgrade.

Manchester United eye deadline-day move for Garnacho upgrade

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Manchester United are one of several top-flight teams interested in Fermin Lopez.

Transfer Focus

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

Alongside the Red Devils, the report claims Chelsea, Newcastle United, Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur are all keen on the Spanish gem.

In addition to facing considerable competition, United will have to pay a substantial amount to secure their target, with Barcelona reportedly seeking offers of up to €90m, equivalent to approximately £78m.

With that said, Lopez would likely be worth the effort to sign, as not only is he an extraordinary talent in his own right, but a significant upgrade on Garnacho as well.

How Lopez compares to Garnacho

So, comparing Lopez to Garnacho to determine who is the bigger talent is actually relatively straightforward, as, like the Argentine, the Spaniard is a versatile attacker who primarily plays in attacking midfield and off the left wing.

In other words, we can take a look at their output and underlying numbers from last season and directly compare them to one another, and when it comes to the former, the Barça gem comes out on top.

In 46 appearances, totalling just 2039 minutes, the “creative” star, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored eight goals and provided ten assists.

That means he managed to average a goal involvement every 2.55 games, or every 113.27 minutes, which is undeniably impressive for someone his age.

In contrast, the Red Devils’ former troublemaker scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 58 appearances last season, totalling 3568 minutes, which comes out to a less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.76 games, or 169.90 minutes.

Unfortunately for the Madrid-born ace, the comparison is just as one-sided when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.

For example, the “spectacular” Spaniard, as dubbed by former manager Xavi, comes out ahead in most relevant metrics such as expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes, key passes, passes into the penalty area, shot and goal-creating actions, and more, all per 90.

These numbers help to show that the El Campillo-born dynamo is a far more dangerous goalscorer, a considerably more accomplished creator, and an attacker who is also a more effective dribbler.

In other words, Lopez is simply a far better player than Garnacho and would therefore be a significant upgrade for United.

Therefore, Wilcox and the Red Devils should be doing all they can to sign him before the window slams shut at 7pm.

West Ham in shock talks for "one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's history"

Potter is in a desperate situation.

By
Callum Kemp

Aug 27, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Apesar de estabelecer metas financeiras e esportivas modestas para 2023, o Corinthians caminha para falhar na maioria dos objetivos estabelecidos para a temporada. Com a eliminação precoce no Paulistão e na Libertadores, o clube ficou para trás em dois dos quatro objetivos traçados.

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+ Lance! estreia nova marca e se reposiciona no mercado de mídia esportivas

Mesmo assim, a diretoria não considera o ano como um fracasso e aposta na Copa do Brasil para salvar o caixa e a seca de títulos do clube. O mata-mata nacional é a competição na qual o Alvinegro já cumpriu a meta traçada no orçamento – chegar às oitavas de final.

+ Todos os jogos doBrasileirãovocê encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

– A nossa meta da Copa do Brasil já foi até superada e através dela podemos superar todas as outras. É uma questão de valores. Além do planejamento orçamentário tem o de desempenho, de conquistas, que é o mais importante. A manutenção do clube na Copa do Brasil vai equacionar. Inclusive, passando essa difícil fase que teremos, as saídas das outras. Uma coisa é a parte econômica, outra é a performance – disse Alessandro Nunes, gerente de futebol corintiano, após o empate com o Cuiabá na Neo Química Arena.

continua após a publicidade

Caso o Corinthians repita a campanha da temporada passada na Copa do Brasil, onde ficou com o vice-campeonato, o clube ainda embolsaria mais R$ 39 milhões, totalizando R$48,7 milhões em premiação apenas na Copa do Brasil. O orçamento de 2023, aprovada pelo Conselho Deliberativo, previa cerca de R$ 60 milhões somando a premiação de todas as competições.

+ Timão se afasta do Z4? Veja tabela e os próximos jogos do Brasileirão

METAS FINANCEIRAS CORINTHIANS 2023

Paulistão – Semifinal (R$ 850 mil) – Eliminado nas quartas de final

Libertadores – Oitavas de final (R$ 22,2 milhões) – Eliminado na fase de grupos

Brasileirão – Sétimo lugar (R$ 31,5 milhões) – Em andamento

Copa do Brasil – Oitavas de final (R$ 5,4 milhões)- Superado

Na temporada passada, o Timão traçou as mesmas metas e cumpriu todas, indo além na Libertadores, Copa do Brasil e Brasileirão.

+ Clique aqui e saiba como apostar com segurança

Vaishnavi Sharma’s 5 for 5, including a hat-trick, against Malaysia was the standout performance of the day

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jan-2025India and Sri Lanka achieved their second wins in Group A of the Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup with easy victories over Malaysia and West Indies, respectively, in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.While Sri Lanka’s win was an all-round show in the first game, India’s left-arm spin duo of Vaishnavi Sharma and Aayushi Shukla set up the victory for India with big hauls, Vaishnavi starring with a hat-trick to complete a five-for.India chose to field in the second game of the day, as they had in their first game against West Indies, and it took them just 14.3 overs to dismiss the hosts Malaysia for 31. India conceded 11 extras and no Malaysia batter made more than 5.For India, VJ Joshitha started things off with a wicket in the second over, and Nur Aliya was run out in Joshitha’s next over. Shukla and Vaishnavi got going after that, with Vaishnavi taking 5 for 5 from her four overs, and Shukla 3 for 8 from 3.3 overs.That target was never going to pose a problem for India, and they got home in just 2.5 overs without losing a wicket, Gongadi Trisha hitting 27 in 12 balls and her opening partner Kamalini G scoring 4 off 5.India will finish the group stage with a game against Sri Lanka on Thursday, a fixture that will determine the Group A toppers. It’s also a game that will pit an outstanding bowling side – India, who have shot out their opponents for 44 and 31 in their two games – and a high-scoring batting side – Sri Lanka, who have so far hit 162 for 6 and 166 for 5, the top two scores in the tournament so far.Chamodi Praboda made big inroads in the powerplay•ICC/Getty ImagesIn the first game of the day, it was a slightly improved performance from West Indies after they were beaten by nine wickets by India in their opener, but it was not enough to challenge Sri Lanka, who ran away 81-run victors.Batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka rode on contributions from opener Sanjana Kavindi (39 off 36 balls), captain and No. 3 batter Manudi Nanayakkara (41 off 31) and middle-order bat Dahami Sanethma (31 not out off 25), as well as 36 extras to put up a huge total.The target of 167 might have been too much for West Indies to get to anyway, and left-arm spinner Chamodi Praboda’s spell in the powerplay, where she accounted for Asabi Callender, Naijanni Cumberbatch and Jahzara Claxton, put the result beyond doubt.There were pockets of resistance after the initial setbacks, especially from captain Samara Ramnath, who scored a 23-ball 24 opening the innings, but there wasn’t much of note from the other batters – Claxton, Amrita Ramtahal and Kenika Casaar were the only others to just about make it into double digits.Aseni Thalagune took 2 for 16 to complement Praboda’s 3 for 16, and West Indies, always well behind the asking rate, only got as far as 90.

With just two weeks remaining until the transfer window slams shut, Newcastle United have reportedly turned their focus towards a Champions League winner to replace Alexander Isak.

Latest on the Alexander Isak saga

It wasn’t so long ago that Isak was the talk of the toon for all good reasons. The Swede was wheeling away in celebration, ironically pointing back at the Liverpool backline after he sent Newcastle on their way to victory in the Carabao Cup final. Now, a great striker has gone on strike and been at the heart of the saga of the summer.

With the Premier League campaign now underway and Isak nowhere to be seen in the Newcastle squad, just where this saga goes next is difficult to say. Whilst he is doing everything to leave the Magpies – even going as far as moving out of his house in Tyneside – Newcastle won’t budge until their £150m price tag is matched, and they have a replacement.

Having his say on the matter in the build-up to the Aston Villa game, manager Eddie Howe told reporters: “We do [have to forget about Isak] – he’s not here with us.

“We have to focus on who is here and get the best out of them. The players are aware he’s not here, the focus will be on each player playing to the best of their ability. I want him to play. I want him to train. I’ve had those conversations [with Isak] but the details of those will remain private.”

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Meanwhile, the search for a replacement goes on. After missing out on Benjamin Sesko to Manchester United, Newcastle have reportedly looked at the likes of Samu Aghehowa and are closing in on a deal to sign Yoane Wissa, but one more name is also threatening to steal the headlines.

Newcastle "interested" in Gonçalo Ramos

As reported by Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, Newcastle are now “interested” in signing Goncalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, in what would be a “big transfer”, although the deal will not be an easy one to pull off.

The Portuguese forward did himself no harm in the shop window earlier this week when he emerged from the bench to equalise late on for PSG against Tottenham Hotspur in the Super Cup final.

The Champions League winner may not be first choice at PSG, but he would be the star man at St James’ Park. After scoring 19 goals in all competitions last season in a squad role, Ramos is more than capable of becoming the main man elsewhere.

Even in a bit-part role too, Luis Enrique was full of praise for his forward last season. The PSG boss told reporters in May: “He’s a wonderful player, capable of very high performances.

“If he plays a minute, he plays it very well. If he’s not on the pitch, he still helps the team. And today, he came into the starting eleven and scored three goals. So he’s a player who always performs at his best, and I would call him a guarantee.”

Celtic are looking to bring some attacking reinforcements into the building, and a fresh update on their hunt for a centre-forward has entered the public domain, courtesy of journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Celtic's state of play in their pursuit of a striker

The Bhoys find themselves in the hunt for another striker after losing Kyogo Furuhashi’s services in January, which led to Daizen Maeda taking on a prominent role through the middle alongside Adam Idah.

Johnny Kenny is another offensive option, and Brendan Rodgers has confirmed he wants the Irishman to sign a new contract at Parkhead before determining whether he will go out on loan or be part of the first-team picture this term.

He explained after his side defeated Cork City last week: “We would like to sign him to a new deal. And then we will see what path it takes, whether he stays or whether he needs to go and get games.”

Callum Osmand arrived for nominal compensation from Fulham earlier in the window. Nevertheless, Celtic have Napoli’s Giuseppe Ambrosino on their radar to fill the void following his encouraging displays at the Under-21 European Championships.

Furthermore, Shin Yamada is expected to join the Bhoys from Kawasaki Frontale after both clubs agreed on a transfer fee of £1.5 million for the Japan international.

The next Jota: Celtic are now attempting to sign "very exciting" £3.2m star

As Celtic continue their busy summer transfer window activity, could the Hoops win the race to sign a “very exciting” £3.2m-rated Portugues youngster?

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Ben Gray

Jul 13, 2025

With plenty of potential options to choose from, you do wonder whether Celtic’s wish for quantity is a systematic ploy from Rodgers to ensure he has variety in the final third, which lacked towards the end of last term due to a shortage of recognised strikers. Either way, they could now be set to step up their hunt for a new centre-forward with the competitive campaign now only weeks away.

Celtic set to escalate hunt for a new striker

According to Football Insider’s O’Rourke, Celtic could look to sign two strikers this summer to complement Rodgers’ attack amid their potential loan pursuit of Italy Under-21 international Ambrosino.

He stated: “It would be a gamble, bringing such a young player to a new league if Celtic were to pursue his signature. Ambrosino is a young player, who’s obviously got big potential as well.

“He’s a player that Celtic could develop and give minutes to, but I think Brendan Rodgers will also be looking to bring in a big-name striker signing as well. I fully expect, from what my sources are telling me for Celtic to sign two strikers, a big name and a younger one they can develop.”

Whether Yamada and Ambrosino is the plan remains to be seen amid a groundswell of names being linked to the club over the past few weeks.

Given the Bhoys are edging closer to the start of the league campaign, supporters may not have to wait too long to find out who could be competing for a place in their starting XI.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is personally leading the charge to sign a “powerful” player, with an offer now ready to be submitted, according to a report.

Berta taking hands-on role at the Emirates

Having laid the foundations, the Arsenal hierarchy believes now is the time for the team to start winning silverware, and Berta has a big role to play, with the Italian regarded as a master negotiator, capable of being involved in multiple deals at once.

The 53-year-old is taking a hands-on role at the Emirates Stadium, attending training sessions and press conferences, while also putting in work behind-the-scenes to secure agreements for the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi.

There have been some disagreements with Mikel Arteta, however, especially when it comes to which striker they should bring in, with Berta keen to sign Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, while the manager would prefer to sign RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Berta is simultaneously working on moves for both strikers, indicating a decision is yet to be made as to which striker is the preferred option, and the north Londoners are also keen to strengthen at the opposite end of the pitch.

That is according to a report from Super Deporte (via Sport Witness), which states Berta is now leading the charge for Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, who has recently been identified as a key target by Arteta.

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Matt Dawson

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Such is Arsenal’s level of interest, they are now ready to submit an offer in the region of €20m – €25m (£17m – £21m) for Mosquera, with around €3m – €5m (£2.6m – £4.3m) of the higher amount based on bonuses relating to performance.

Berta is said to be key to the deal, with the sporting director retaining a long-term interest in the 21-year-old, having also targeted him during his time with Atlético Madrid.

"Powerful" Mosquera could be ideal centre-back signing

With any new centre-back signing unlikely to immediately take Gabriel or William Saliba’s spot in the starting XI, it would make sense to bring in a younger centre-back, capable of replacing one of the first-choice options on a long-term basis.

The Valencia star is showing very promising signs in La Liga, having now established himself as a key player, missing just one La Liga game last season, while the defender has also received high praise from former youth coach Miguel-Ángel Angulo.

Angulo said: “He’s characterised by a physical condition and good technical qualities, powerful in the air, and mature for his age.”

Having also received plaudits from Statman Dave, Mosquera is clearly an exciting young player, who could provide Arsenal with the depth to compete on all fronts next season, before going on to stake a claim for a regular starting spot.