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The GT top three again did the bulk of the scoring, scoring 183 runs among them

Sidharth Monga21-Apr-20251:53

Finch: Gill always looks in total control

Despite losing the last time they batted first, Gujarat Titans (GT) stuck with their tried and tested method of starting calmly, assessing the conditions and minimising risk. The result this time was a total of 198 for 3 on a tricky surface, a total they defended with ease against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to consolidate their lead at the top of the table.Led by Shubman Gill’s 90 off 55, the GT top three again did the bulk of the scoring, scoring 183 runs among them, after the second-slowest powerplay of this IPL for a side not losing a wicket. On a pitch that had just enough to discourage fluent stroke-play, Gill and B Sai Sudharsan relied on rotation of strike and the occasional onslaught. They added 114 for the first wicket before Jos Buttler provided the finishing touches with 41 off 23.There were still doubts if GT had left a few runs out in the middle, but their relentless bowling extracted enough from the pitch to vindicate the batting approach and set up a big win by 39 runs.Assessing the pitchIn their young existence, GT have always played like peak Chennai Super Kings (CSK), trusting their batters to make decisions in the middle and investing in bowlers who reduce the need to take high risks when they are batting. They are the second-slowest team in the powerplay this IPL, but also the quickest overall. Part of it is their top order taking its time and then cashing in later. On the night, it meant no boundary in the first 11 balls, only one aerial shot in the powerplay and just 45 runs when the field was up.Gill, Sai Sudharsan take turns at attackingHe didn’t do much when the field was up, but once he felt he was in, Gill took on the deep fielders immediately after the powerplay. He started with 6 off 11, then used the pace of Harshit Rana to reach 22 off 19 before hitting Moeen Ali for six, four and four in consecutive balls. Again, though, he chose a touch of caution when facing Sunil Narine.1:43

Finch: Venkatesh Iyer’s lack of intent was mesmerising

Sai Sudharsan took the load off him by attacking fellow Tamil Nadu player Varun Chakravarthy and then Harshit, who was getting purchase from the pitch with his offcutters. He even outpaced Gill to the fifty: in 33 balls to Gill’s 34. The orange cap followed soon after.Buttler, Gill carry on hittingSai Sudharsan’s wicket to Andre Russell’s extra bounce would have given KKR hope, but Buttler crushed their joy by hitting three consecutive fours in the same over. Gill now took on the responsibility of attacking the two main spinners, taking 12 and 11 in the 16th and 17th overs. It was a big win for GT that the spinners bowled 11 overs for no wicket and 96 runs without frenetic cricket.Gill missed out on the century as he hit a full toss straight to deep midwicket, but Buttler and Shahrukh Khan made it 85 off the last eight overs.KKR batting continues to misfireKKR rang in the changes in this match hoping for better returns, but they also went in confident chasing anything under 210. This is where the GT way comes in. They might sometimes fall ten or so short of a perfect chase, but they hardly ever were 50 short because they went too hard. Lucknow Super Giants might have put in a perfect chase last game, KKR were far from perfect.Mohammed Siraj started with an unplayable ball to get Rahmanullah Gurbaz: an outswinger that pitched and nipped in to give him no chance. Ajinkya Rahane was the only KKR batter who looked fluent, but Narine and Venkatesh Iyer got stuck at the other end. Narine still managed 17 off 13, but Venkatesh’s 14 off 19 left them needing nothing short of a Russell special.Rahane scored a fifty off 36 balls but a clever Washington Sundar wide ball had him stumped immediately after. Russell started with a four and a six off Washington, but canny spin bowling from Sai Kishore tied him down before Rashid Khan capped off his return to good results with the wicket of Russell. The ask was already in the realms of the impossible by then.Towards the end, Prasidh Krishna extended his lead at the top of the purple cap charts with figures of 4-0-25-2 taking him to 16 wickets.

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Manchester United are now in a strong position to win the race for a “fantastic” Carlos Baleba alternative, despite rival interest from Juventus.

Man Utd eyeing Baleba alternatives after halting pursuit

It was always going to be difficult for Man United to lure Baleba to Old Trafford this summer, given that Brighton & Hove Albion were set to hold out for £115m, and Ruben Amorim’s side are now believed to have pulled the plug on the deal.

As a result, the Red Devils have been forced to move on to different targets in central midfield, and a number of exciting options have made their way onto the shortlist.

Player

Current club

Potential cost

Mateus Fernandes

Southampton

£30m+

Adam Wharton

Crystal Palace

£100m

Fermin Lopez

Barcelona

£69m

Morten Hjulmand

Sporting CP

£68m

Amorim knows Morten Hjulmand well, with the United boss working with the midfielder during his time at Sporting, but given the £68m release clause in his contract, a deal could be on the expensive side.

However, according to a report from Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), Man United should be in a strong position to win the race for Hjulmand, despite rival interest from Juventus, as they are less likely to be put off by the huge asking price.

The Italian club, on the other hand, had been hoping to sign the maestro for less than half of Sporting’s asking price, and consider the Portuguese club’s current valuation to be way too high.

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As such, the Red Devils are better-placed to sign the 26-year-old this summer, and the next few days are said to be crucial, with Juventus standing no chance of winning the race if Amorim’s side decide to launch a formal move.

"Fantastic" Hjulmand impressing for club and country

The Danish midfielder has certainly impressed at international level in recent times, with compatriot Andreas Christensen saying: “Morten has become extremely important to the team. For us in defense, he always offers a passing option and provides a lot of tranquility. He is a fantastic player.”

Christensen is right to point out that passing is one of the central midfielder’s key strengths, as his ability in possession of the ball has regularly been on display for Sporting over the course of the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Passes attempted

63.65 (89th percentile)

Pass completion %

90.2% (97th percentile)

Progressive passes

6.75 (85th percentile)

That said, there are some doubts over whether the Sporting star is a like-for-like alternative to Baleba, given that the Brighton midfielder is arguably more solid defensively, having averaged more tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90 over the past year.

Not only that, but Man United should also be wary of Hjulmand’s huge asking price, as £68m would be a huge sum to pay for a player who is yet to prove himself in one of Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues.

Nottingham Forest are planning to bring in more fresh faces at the City Ground and could now be at an advantage in their pursuit of a renowned midfielder with Premier League experience.

Nottingham Forest look to press ahead after Dan Ndoye capture

Last week, Nottingham Forest’s capture of Dan Ndoye became the latest part of an excellent few days for the club after Morgan Gibbs-White’s contract renewal, signalling Evangelos Marinakis’ ambition to push the East Midlands club in the right direction.

Speaking on the Shut Up and Show More Football podcast, BBC Nottingham’s Colin Fray believes Ndoye will bring ‘bags of pace’ to the Tricky Trees after Anthony Elanga’s departure.

He stated: “I think this was their big target in terms of replacing Elanga. When he left, there really is no substitution for pace, especially when he’s got end product with it, but Dan Ndoye has bags and bags of pace as well so it does seem to be a direct replacement.

“(I’m) excited to see him, a big signing for Forest and one they were desperate to get over the line, and I don’t think it will be the last, I think they’ll be busy between now and the end of the transfer window.”

With Nuno Espirito Santo set to remain busy, contact has been made by Nottingham Forest to sign Douglas Luiz from Juventus. Labelled “underrated” by Paul Merson during his stint with Aston Villa, the Brazil international is aiming to put a frustrating year at the Old Lady behind him by seeking a swift exit.

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Inter Milan star Mehdi Taremi could also move to the City Ground as irons in the fire continue to burn, and there could now be a definitive sign of who their next arrival could be over the next few weeks.

Douglas Luiz expected to complete Nottingham Forest move

According to reports in Italy via Sport Witness, there is an ‘expectation’ Juventus midfielder Luiz will sign for Nottingham Forest despite a difference in the formula both clubs want to initiate to seal a deal.

Personal terms have already been agreed on a five-year contract worth £2.18 million a year, though the Turin outfit want an obligation for the Tricky Trees to buy the Brazilian for £34.8 million, while Forest are set on a loan deal with a purchase option.

Douglas Luiz’s Premier League record
Appearances	175
Goals	20
Assists	18

Still, Nottingham Forest want to pay just over £26 million in the event of a permanent transfer for the man in question, signifying that there is a gap in valuation that needs to be resolved. Luiz currently earns around £139,000 per week at Juventus.

Reports state there is an ‘expectation’ the proposed deal will eventually go through due to Juventus needing funds to bankroll their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand.

Complications are still at play and work is to be done before everything is tied up. Now, it remains to be seen if Nottingham Forest can come to a club-to-club agreement on a purchase fee.

Borussia Dortmund’s new away kit has sparked outrage among supporters, who branded it the "cruelest jersey in the Bundesliga" during the 2-0 win over Heidenheim. Fans held banners and chanted against the gray-and-neon design, forcing BVB bosses Carsten Cramer and Sebastian Kehl to publicly respond and promise the club will "address" concerns over tradition and identity.

Fan fury erupts over Dortmund’s new away kit

Dortmund’s controversial away jersey made its debut in Saturday’s 2-0 win against Heidenheim, but instead of excitement, it drew heavy backlash from the club’s passionate supporters. Large banners in the away end slammed the design as “the cruelest jersey in the league", while chants of “We want black and yellow jerseys” rang out before kick-off. The shirt, which replaces Die Borussen's iconic yellow-and-black colors with a light gray base, neon trim, and a bold red Vodafone sponsor logo, has been roundly criticised online since its unveiling. Supporters feel it betrays the club’s traditions and identity, with forums and social media dominated by calls for a return to the classic look.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWhat Cramer and Kehl said after Heidenheim

BVB managing director Cramer admitted responsibility for the backlash, telling reporters: "The criticism has been received, and we are addressing it. The responsibility lies with me. We won't always be able to please everyone when selecting jerseys." 

Sporting director Kehl also struck a measured tone, acknowledging differing opinions but reminding fans of the positive outcome: "I think we have different opinions about jerseys every year. It will never be the case that a Borussia Dortmund jersey meets with 100 percent approval. Fundamentally, we know which colors represent our city and our club, and that this is reflected in the design of almost all jerseys." 

He added: "However, there are also people who want something younger, something fresh, something creative. The new jersey brought BVB three points in Heidenheim. A successful jersey, I'd say. Everything else is a discussion that we as a club consider normal."

Why Dortmund’s kit row goes beyond fashion

The controversy cuts deeper than simple aesthetics – for many Dortmund fans, black and yellow are symbols of the city, the club’s history, and its culture. Straying too far from that has been perceived as a lack of respect for tradition, especially by the “active” supporter groups that play a key role in shaping the atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park.

This episode also highlights the growing tension between commercial pressures, sponsors and modern design demands and fan culture, something Dortmund has always prided itself on respecting. By choosing such a radical departure, BVB risked alienating the very supporters who give the club its unique identity.

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Getty ImagesWhat’s next for Dortmund after the kit storm

Despite the controversy, Die Schwarzgelben will now turn their focus back to the pitch as they begin their Champions League campaign with a tough test against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. Following that clash, they return to Bundesliga action against Wolfsburg at the weekend.

Leeds United have less than two weeks to prepare for their opening game of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign against Everton at Elland Road.

It will be the club’s first top-flight match in more than two years, since their 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in West Yorkshire under the management of Sam Allardyce at the end of the 2022/23 season.

Daniel Farke will now be hoping to be more Marcelo Bielsa than Sam Allardyce or Javi Gracia, as the German head coach attempts to guide the team to safety.

The Whites boss will want more options to pick from at the top end of the pitch, though, as Lukas Nmecha is currently the only attacking player who has been added to the squad during the summer transfer window.

As you can see in the quotes above, Farke has made it clear that the club need to bring in more attackers, including a replacement for Manor Solomon.

The Championship champions should also be on the lookout for a marquee number nine addition, as it remains to be seen whether or not Joel Piroe has what it takes to make the step up.

Leeds have doubts over Joel Piroe's Premier League ability

Back in May, Football Insider reported that Leeds would not build their Premier League attack around the Dutchman, because they have doubts over his suitability for the top-flight.

The outlet stated that the Whites were not planning for the former Swansea marksman to be their first-choice number nine for the 2025/26 campaign, because of their doubts.

This may seem like an odd stance for the club to take after Piroe won the Golden Boot with 19 goals in the Championship for Leeds last season, but it is one that makes sense.

The Whites won the league with 100 points and were utterly dominant in the second tier, which meant that they were able to carry a striker like Piroe, who does not offer much to the team from a physical perspective.

In the Premier League, however, his lack of mobility and strength could cause problems as a starting number nine, as Leeds will be fighting against relegation rather than dominating matches.

Duels won

2.24

Bottom 3%

Duel success rate

26.9%

Bottom 10.6%

Aerial duels won

0.9

Bottom 12.9%

Aerial duel success rate

21.4%

Bottom 17.6%

Fouls committed

0.7

Bottom 7.1%

Fouls won

0.44

Bottom 9.4%

As you can see in the table above, Piroe was far too weak in duels with opposition players and ranked incredibly lowly among his positional peers in a host of physical metrics.

Leeds pushing to sign Serie A striker

Piroe’s lack of physicality, in terms of both speed and strength, may be why the Championship champions are reportedly eyeing up a new centre-forward.

Transfer Focus

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

According to journalist Sebastien Vidal, Leeds United are “pushing” to complete a deal to sign Montenegro international Nikola Krstovic from Italian side Lecce.

The reporter claims that the 25-year-old marksman has been given the “green light” to pursue a move away from the Serie A outfit this summer, which has opened the door to a potential transfer to Elland Road.

Vidal adds that the former Red Star Belgrade marksman is “high” on Farke’s wishlist of attacking reinforcements, with the club now pushing to get a deal done for the striker.

Earlier this summer, it was reported that Lecce value the centre-forward at a fee of around £26m, although it remains to be seen how much Leeds are willing to pay for his services.

Why Leeds should sign Nikola Krstovic

The Whites should sign the Serie A number nine because he would come in as a big upgrade on Joel Piroe for Farke ahead of the Premier League curtain-raiser against Everton.

Unlike the current Leeds forward, Krstovic has already proven his quality in one of Europe’s major leagues with his performances for Lecce over the past two seasons, proving that he can score goals at an impressive rate.

The £26m-rated striker scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 37 appearances in the Serie A during the 2024/25 campaign, which is a very respectable return for a player in a team that battled relegation, and successfully, it is worth noting.

Krstovic’s contributions at the top end of the pitch helped Lecce to finish 17th in the division, three points above the bottom three, which shows that he can step up and deliver crucial goals to help a team in a relegation battle.

Along with his potential to be an excellent goalscorer for Leeds, having scored 21 goals in the last two seasons, the Serie A star would also come in as a big upgrade on Piroe from a physical perspective.

Duels won

5.31

Top 38%

Duel success rate

40.6%

Bottom 46%

Aerial duels won

2.76

Top 29%

Aerial duel success rate

41.4%

Top 50%

Fouls committed

1.67

Top 39%

Fouls won

1.61

Top 33%

As you can see in the table above, the Lecce centre-forward ranked above average in most of the physical metrics that Piroe ranked among the worst in the Championship for.

Krstovic, who was hailed as “integral” by former boss Roberto D’Aversa, is a strong number nine who can hold his own in duels, on and off the ball, to provide his team with a strong outlet up front.

This means that he would be far more useful to Farke as a starter in the Premier League, as Leeds are likely to be battling the drop and will need a striker who can provide relief by winning fouls and duels, which is not Piroe’s strong suit.

Therefore, Krstovic could be an ideal signing for the Whites to come in as a proven goalscorer and physical presence in the number ninerole ahead of Piroe.

The new Rutter: Leeds submit bid to sign "fascinating" £22.5m star

Leeds United have reportedly submitted a bid to sign a star who could be their new Georginio Rutter.

ByDan Emery Aug 4, 2025

يستضيف فريق ليفربول خصمه إيفرتون، ظهر السبت، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2025/26، في لمباراة جديدة لكتيبة آرني سلوت.

ويستضيف ملعب “الأنفيلد” مباراة ديربي ميرسيسايد بين فريقي ليفربول وإيفرتون، في الجولة الخامسة من الدوري الإنجليزي.

طالع | تشكيل ليفربول أمام إيفرتون في الدوري الإنجليزي .. موقف محمد صلاح

ويحتل ليفربول صدارة الدوري الإنجليزي في الوقت الحالي برصيد 12 نقطة، بينما يمتلك إيفرتون 7 نقاط في المركز السادس في جدول البطولة.

ويسعى النجم المصري محمد صلاح إلى التسجيل في مباراة اليوم من أجل تسجيل إنجازين رائعين (لمطالعة التفاصيل كاملة من هنا). تشكيل ليفربول المتوقع أمام إيفرتون في الدوري الإنجليزي

حراسة المرمى: أليسون بيكر.

خط الدفاع: جيريمي فريمبونج، إبراهيما كوناتي، فيرجيل فان دايك، آندي روبرتسون.

خط الوسط: جرافنبيرخ، ماك أليستر.

خط الوسط الهجومي: محمد صلاح، فلوريان فيرتز، كودي جاكبو.

خط الهجوم: هوجو إيكتيكي. 

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا.

Arsenal and sporting director Andrea Berta have been working to back Mikel Arteta behind-the-scenes, with the north Londoners intent on strengthening their squad ahead of a vital Premier League campaign.

Benjamin Sesko has now made "unusual" demand in Arsenal transfer talks

The Slovenia international wants something out of the ordinary.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 20, 2025

Berta has many plates spinning as he looks to secure the best possible deals for his new club.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

The Italian is still simultaneously working on deals for both RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, as has been the case for weeks (BBC), with Arsenal’s final striker decision shaping up to be one of the most intriguing stories of this transfer window.

“Arsenal still deciding between Benjamin Sesko and Gyökeres,” said reliable transfer journalist Ben Jacobs, via X, recently.

“Andrea Berta simultaneously advancing both deals. Gyökeres would be open to Manchester United. There has been no formal rejection, but a deal to date has also never been at an advanced stage, despite suggestions.

“United have not made any formal approach to Sporting. Swedish striker one of several striker options discussed for #MUFC. Gyökeres believes he’ll still be allowed to leave Sporting for €70m. Arsenal have always been one to watch, but it will depend on Berta now because he is also in ongoing talks for Sesko at the same time.”

The Gyokeres situation in particular is getting pretty toxic to say the least.

Sporting president Frederico Varandas publicly denied claims that the 27-year-old would be allowed to leave for £60 million, even if Gyokeres remains privately convinced that’ll happen, with the club chief also stating that he won’t be blackmailed by the striker or his agent.

“I want to make one thing clear: Sporting has common sense and keeps its word,” said Varandas.

“Gyokeres scored 63 goals and 10 assists. Fantastic performance. Certainly one of the best players to have ever stepped onto Portuguese turf. And Sporting will not demand the clause.

“Now blackmail and insults, Sporting will not accept. One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept 60 million plus 10 [£60m].”

Viktor Gyokeres "dreams" of joining Arsenal

As tensions surrounding Gyokeres’ future reach boiling point, Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport has at least moved to provide some good news for Arsenal.

Serie A heavyweights Juventus have been expressing an interest in the Sweden international recently, but the Old Lady have been told something crystal clear – Gyokeres “dreams” of a move to Arsenal, and they’re his top priority.

While Corriere reiterates that the north Londoners have seen a low-ball offer rejected already, the newspaper has provided clarity on Gyokeres’ current price tag, with Sporting demanding close to around £70 million to agree a deal.

Juve were actually willing to surpass Arsenal’s opening offer, but after receiving Gyokeres’ “refusal”, they’re now moving on to other targets like free agent Jonathan David.

Berta knows the price at which Sporting will begin to loosen their hold on the star striker, with the 53-year-old now set to carry on pondering his imperative decision before advancing further in talks – Sesko or Gyokeres.

“I know Gyokeres very well personally, I was a bit of a mentor for him when he played for Brommapojkarna,” former Arsenal midfielder Anders Limpar told FotbollDirekt.

“He’s a fantastically hardworking forward who scores a lot of goals. If we at Arsenal [were to] buy Gyokeres, then he will definitely call me. But then to see Gyokeres at Arsenal, that would be crazy.

“His work rate, he runs like a madman. When it doesn’t work out for Viktor, he works his way into the game with uncomfortable runs.”

While it failed to culminate in any silverware, this season wasn’t all doom and gloom for Arsenal.

For example, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly broke into the first team, with the latter establishing himself as a regular starter and now a full-fledged England star.

Moreover, despite missing almost four months of action, Bukayo Saka once again proved he’s a world-class attacker by racking up a haul of 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 games.

Appearances (Starts)

37 (30)

Minutes

2619′

Goals

12

Assists

14

Goal Involvements per Match

0.70

Minutes per Goal Involvement

100.73′

Yet, it’s impossible to overlook that, in the end, a lack of invention in the final third prevented the team from winning anything, so it’s a good thing that reports have now linked Arsenal to someone compared to Saka and Rodrygo.

Arsenal transfer news

With Arsenal creating just the seventh-highest expected goals figure in the Premier League this season, per FBref, it’s easy to understand why there has been such an emphasis on the club signing players capable of both scoring and creating more goals in recent weeks.

Transfer Focus

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

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has been one name linked with the club, as has Aston Villa and England star Morgan Rogers, although a player touted more heavily for a move to the Emirates than both this summer has been Rodrygo.

The Real Madrid star scored 14 goals and provided ten assists in 51 games for Los Blancos this term.

However, with a price tag of at least £84m and murmurs that he does not want to leave the Spanish capital, the North Londoners may be forced to sign another attacking talent from the Santiago Bernabéu, a talent who’s won comparisons to the Brazilian.

According to a recent report from Spain, Arteta has asked Arsenal to inquire about Brahim Diaz, who he believes could thrive at the Emirates.

Moreover, the story has revealed that the North Londoners are now willing to make an offer of €50m for the Moroccan international, about £42m, despite Xabi Alonso wanting to keep him in Spain.

It might not be a straightforward transfer to get over the line, but Diaz is undeniably talented, and as he’s already won comparisons to Saka and Rodrygo, he could be just what Arsenal need.

How Diaz compares to Saka & Rodrygo

Now, there are a number of reasons why Arsenal should be looking to sign Diaz this summer, but before getting to them, it’s important to address these comparisons to Saka and Rodrygo and where they come from, for that matter.

Well, in both cases, the comparisons stem from FBref, which looked at players in similar positions in the Champions League this season and then created a list of the ten most comparable players for each.

In this instance, it concluded that the Brazilian international was the fifth most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Morccan star, while the Englishman came in as the seventh most similar.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.48

0.48

Goals per Shot

0.20

0.20

Passing Accuracy

84.8%

85.1%

Live Passes

45.7

44.3

Tackles Won

1.11

1.13

Successful Take-On %

56.5%

58.1%

Carries

42.0

41.3

The best way to see how these conclusions were reached is by looking at the underlying numbers in which the players ranked closely, which, for the case of his Real Madrid teammate, included things like non-penalty expected goals plus assists, goals per shot, passing accuracy, carries, tackles won and more, all per 90.

For the Gunners’ own number seven, the metrics that overlapped with the former Manchester City gem included things like shots on target, goal-creating actions, key passes, passes into the penalty area, non-penalty expected goals and more, also per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.28

0.34

Shots on Target

1.31

1.42

Key Passes

1.11

1.19

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.30

1.19

Goal-Creating Actions

0.80

0.83

Miscontrols

2.04

2.02

Usually, being so statistically similar to two of the most exciting wingers in the modern game would be reason enough to sign someone, but away from these comparisons, there are other reasons the North Londoners should be looking to recruit the Málaga-born maestro this summer, such as his versatility.

For example, while the 25-year-old does tend to play out on the right at the moment, his most played position across his entire career is attacking midfield, but even then, he’s also capable of playing off the left and has spent time as a second striker and up top to boot.

Moreover, while he has mainly been kept to substitute appearances in Spain, he’s got the ability to do something seriously special, with former professional turned pundit Owen Hargreaves describing a goal he scored in the Champions League last season as “Messi-esque.”

However, Hargreaves doesn’t limit the comparison to strictly that goal, pointing out that it’s his “low centre of gravity” and “way he can dribble”, which also makes the 5 foot 7 magician similar to the Argentine legend.

Ultimately, Arsenal need to add more quality to their attacking and midfield options this summer, and while he might not be the biggest of names, Diaz is undeniably talented and could add that extra spark the team need.

Dream Gyokeres alternative: £40m striker now wants to sign for Arsenal

The free-scoring forward could be the missing piece for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 16, 2025

With Everton now mathematically safe from relegation under David Moyes, you would be forgiven from a Toffees perspective to start peaking at the upcoming transfer window, away from merely focusing on May’s upcoming Premier League action.

A new era at Bramley Moore to come could see the Merseysiders enter into a promising, fresh period, with some deadwood allowed to leave in the form of Michael Keane and other out-of-contract personnel, away from just adding in new signings.

One target reportedly on Everton’s agenda was former striker hero Richarlison, but the dramatic move has now been rubbished by the Scotsman in the Goodison Park dugout.

Still, if rumours are to be believed elsewhere that Beto could be on the move, a switch for the Brazilian might well come back up down the line.

Everton's reported interest in Richarlison

Whilst Moyes was dismissive of the potential of a reunion deal, he was still complimentary of the “really good” attacker, meaning the door hasn’t been fully shut.

The South American menace would fire home an impressive 53 strikes for the Toffees from 152 total appearances, before his career fell to the wayside somewhat when moving onto Tottenham Hotspur.

Therefore, with Everton perhaps waving goodbye to striker stalwart Dominic Calvert-Lewin too, a move to bring back such a former potent ace isn’t the wildest suggestion.

But, the Richarlison that terrorised defences at Anfield once upon a time isn’t quite where the Brazilian is right now, with Everton undoubtedly winning when it comes to the £60m deal to offload the 28-year-old, considering he has just a paltry 20 goals for Spurs from 80 often injury-plagued contests.

Consequently – according to Football Transfers – the Spurs number nine’s value now sits at a far lower £22.5m. Amazingly, one top performer back at Goodison Park is now worth more than Richarlison’s updated price-tag, proving his initial £20m valuation to be worthwhile.

The "magic" Everton star now worth more than Richarlison

Everton don’t quite have a red-hot centre-forward like Richarlison currently at their disposal who is hogging the limelight, with the Toffees two top scorers in league action this season that of Iliman N’Diaye and Beto, with the pair on seven and eight goals respectively.

Dwight McNeil does follow just behind on four strikes to play his part, but the ex-Burnley winger’s continued excellence on Merseyside for many a season now has seen his transfer value sensationally soar above Richarlison’s.

After all, the previous weekend in the Premier League saw McNeil return back to the Everton starting XI with a bang, with this sumptuous long-range effort helping his side clinch a 2-2 draw versus Ipswich Town.

But, what usually gets the Everton masses out of their seats is the “magic” – as he was once lauded by football journalist Joe Thomas – forward’s ability to set up a teammate with a golden opportunity, seen in his seven league assists this campaign so far which bumps up his assist count overall to a sizeable 17 from just over a century of appearances.

Matches played

101

Goals scored

15

Assists

17

Value when joining

£20m

Value now

£22.8m

Price increase

£2.8m

He has been held back this season by injury problems, but that hasn’t stopped his price tag from soaring up to £22.8m regardless, representing a £2.8m increase from when he first entered the building back in 2022.

Whilst McNeil is more of a winger option than his South American counterpart, he could be a better attacking option for the Toffees right now than Richarlison, considering the Spurs flop has just four goals in league action this season, like McNeil, despite being a primary centre-forward.

Moreover, any move for their former number seven would feel redundant if Beto does stay put, with the Portuguese attacker on eight for the campaign himself.

McNeil will just hope next season can be an injury-free one on his end away from any new faces entering, meaning he could become an even more influential figure for the Toffees in their brand new stadium.

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