Duleep Trophy first round: illness rules Siraj and Malik out; Jadeja withdrawn

Saini replaces Siraj in India B while Gaurav Yadav comes in for Malik in India C

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Aug-2024

Mohammed Siraj has been withdrawn because of an illness•BCCI

Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik have been ruled out of the first round of the Duleep Trophy because of illness. Navdeep Saini has replaced Siraj in the India B squad, while Gaurav Yadav has come in for Malik in the India C squad.Ravindra Jadeja, meanwhile, has also been released from the India B squad, though no reason has been provided for the update. No replacement has been named for him either.Gaurav, a 32-year-old fast bowler originally from Madhya Pradesh, switched to Puducherry before the last domestic season. He made headlines when he picked up 41 wickets in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy, second on the overall list, in just 11 bowling innings at an average of 14.58, with five five-wicket hauls and a ten-wicket match haul to stun Delhi in the opening round.Before that, too, he was a consistent wicket-taker with the red ball, with a tally of 24 in 2022-23, 23 in 2021-22, and 23 in 2019-20. Overall, he has played 37 first-class matches for 141 wickets since making his debut in the format in November 2012.Related

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Pant to make red-ball comeback with Duleep Trophy; Shami not picked

The injury-prone Saini, who played two Tests on India’s tour of Australia in 2020-21, has been given a chance to come back on the selectors’ radar ahead of the Test season. He was part of two India A four-day games last season – one against England Lions at home and one in South Africa in December – but he failed to pick up more than one wicket in any of the four innings he bowled in.Nitish Kumar Reddy’s participation will continue to be subject to fitness, a BCCI statement said, as he continues to recover after a sports hernia surgery.The first round of the Duleep Trophy will be played simultaneously in Anantapur and Bengaluru from September 5.Originally a zonal competition featuring teams from five (and later six) zones, the format of the Duleep Trophy has changed often in the past few seasons, and will be a four-team contest this time. Since the second round will clash with the home Test series against Bangladesh starting September 19, the players who are picked for the Tests will be replaced.Revised squads for Duleep Trophy first roundIndia A: Shubman Gill (capt), Mayank Agarwal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel (wk), KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Tanush Kotian, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Vidwath Kaverappa, Kumar Kushagra, Shaswat Rawat.India B: Abhimanyu Easwaran (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Musheer Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy (subject to fitness), Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini, Yash Dayal, Mukesh Kumar, Rahul Chahar, R Sai Kishore, Mohit Awasthi, N Jagadeesan (wk)India C: Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Abishek Porel (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, B Indrajith, Hrithik Shokeen, Manav Suthar, Gaurav Yadav, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Anshul Khamboj, Himanshu Chauhan, Mayank Markande, Aryan Juyal (wk), Sandeep WarrierIndia D: Shreyas Iyer (capt), Atharva Taide, Yash Dubey, Devdutt Padikkal, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ricky Bhui, Saransh Jain, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Aditya Thakare, Harshit Rana, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Sengupta, KS Bharat (wk), Saurabh Kumar

Jos Buttler ruled out of the Hundred with calf injury

England white-ball captain says he is “working hard to be 100% fit”

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Aug-2024

Jos Buttler with Manchester Originals coach Simon Katich•Harry Trump/Getty Images

Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the Hundred with a calf injury, after missing Manchester Originals’ first three matches.Buttler, who has been backed to continue as England’s white-ball captain by managing director Rob Key, took a short break from the game after the T20 World Cup and is understood to have sustained the injury while preparing for the Hundred. An initial scan was inconclusive, raising hopes he would be available towards the end of the competition, but his withdrawal was confirmed on Saturday.Key confirmed earlier this week that Buttler would continue as captain after Matthew Mott lost his job as England’s white-ball coach, with Marcus Trescothick due to fill that role on an interim basis during September’s series against Australia. At this stage, he appears likely to be fit in time for the first T20I on September 11.Related

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“Gutted to be missing the Hundred this year,” Buttler wrote on his Instagram story. “Best of luck to the Manchester Originals for the rest of the campaign. Working hard to be 100% fit asap [as soon as possible].”Buttler has suffered several calf injuries in recent years, including a strain two years ago which ruled him out of England’s seven T20Is in Pakistan and briefly threatened his participation in the T20 World Cup 2022.The Originals were losing finalists in the last two editions of the men’s Hundred but are winless this year in Buttler’s absence. Phil Salt, his opening partner, has deputised as captain but has managed only 23 runs in three innings, and their batting line-up has looked noticeably short at the start of the season.Simon Katich, the Originals’ coach, had initially lined up Keaton Jennings, Lancashire’s club captain, as a replacement but the move stalled amid confusion over Buttler’s status, and Jennings has since signed for London Spirit. The Originals are yet to confirm a new replacement ahead of Sunday’s match against Northern Superchargers.

Derby boss John Eustace wants to reunite with "real leader" at Pride Park

Derby County are on the lookout for additions after escaping relegation last term and John Eustace could now be set to swoop for a star he has previously worked with, according to a recent report.

Derby County make strong start to the summer window

There is plenty of excitement at Pride Park ahead of the new season, and a common theme has emerged within the Rams’ summer recruitment that may paint an intriguing picture.

Andreas Weimann and Danny Batth have both arrived from Blackburn. Richard O’Donnell, alongside Carlton Morris, come in from Blackpool and Luton Town, respectively.

John Eustace took over at Derby from Rovers in a surprise turn of events earlier this year, and new signing Batth has pointed out why the Rams boss is the man he wanted to work for, above all.

He explained: “We have got a good relationship. We speak about football and get on well generally. I like the way the manager works with his team and obviously I know what I am getting into coming here.

“I am sure he will be really pushing forward with the team this season, and to be a part of that is a great privilege.”

Offer submitted: Derby make £5m+ bid to sign "great" new player for Eustace

He wants to join the Rams.

2 ByBrett Worthington Jul 2, 2025

Determined to keep building on what has been an encouraging start to the window, Derby are in talks to sign free agent midfielder John Swift and he has already met Eustace amid rumours that he could be set for Pride Park.

Three other clubs in the EFL will provide competition for his signature, but there can be no doubt that the Rams are on the right track when profiling where to add fresh blood. Now, Eustace could be set to repeat his trick of raiding Blackburn for new additions by reuniting with a star he rates highly from his time in Lancashire.

Derby plotting move for Callum Brittain

According to Football Insider, Derby are plotting a move for Blackburn full-back Callum Brittain amid an impasse in talks over a new deal for the 27-year-old at Ewood Park.

Eustace is said to be a huge fan of the defender and previously labelled him “one of the best full-backs in the league” alongside talking up his qualities as a ‘real leader’ on and off the pitch.

Callum Brittain in 2024/25 – EFL Championship (Fotmob)

Successful dribbles

32

Touches in opposition box

51

Tackles won

34

Recoveries

110

Aerial duels won

40

Enjoying a productive time of things last term, Brittain registered two goals and five assists in 35 appearances across all competitions, predominantly featuring on the right-hand side of their backline.

However, he is also capable of featuring further up the flank when needed. He may be set for a new challenge under a familiar face if reports are to materialise into something more concrete.

Derby avoided relegation by a solitary point in 2024/25 and seem determined to avoid a similar fate this time around. Their pursuit of Brittain could be a statement of intent on that front.

مبابي يحاول إفساد خطة ليفربول للتعاقد مع بديل محمد صلاح

يسعى نجم فريق ريال مدريد، كيليان مبابي، لإفساد صفقة ثمينة بالنسبة لنادي ليفربول، والتي ارتبط بطل الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز بامكانية إبرامها في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي المقبل.

وكان ليفربول نشطًا بقوة في نافذة انتقالات صيف 2025، حيث تعاقد مع 9 لاعبين جدد، على رأسهم ألكسندر إيزاك، هوجو إيكتيكي، فلوريان فيرتز، ميلوس كيركز وجيريمي فريمبونج.

وذكرت تقارير صحفية منذ عدة أيام أن نادي ليفربول يتطلع إلى الحصول على خدمات نجم بايرن ميونخ، مايكل أوليس، حيث ترى الإدارة كونه خليفة المصري محمد صلاح.

ومن المقرر أن ينتهي العقد الحالي للنجم المصري صاحب الـ33 عامًا مع ليفربول في يونيو 2027، أي نهاية الموسم المقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا.. لاعب ليفربول: مبابي يتصل بي كل ساعتين للانضمام إلى ريال مدريد

ويرى مسؤولو ليفربول أن مايكل أوليس هو البديل المناسب لـ محمد صلاح، على المدى البعيد، حيث تخطط الإدارة بنظرة مستقبلية خاصة أن المصري لن يظل في “الأنفيلد” إلى الأبد.

ولكن يبدو أن خطط ليفربول ستواجه مطبًا حيث ذكرت شبكة “teamtalk” الإنجليزية، نقلًا عن “ديفينسا سنترال” الإسبانية، أن كيليان مبابي يحث مواطنه مايكل أوليس على الانتقال إلى ريال مدريد.

وأوضحت أن مبابي طرح اسم مايكل أوليز على كبير كشافي ريال مدريد، جوني كالافالات، لبحث إمكانية انتقال صاحب الـ23 عامًا إلى “سانتياجو برنابيو” في وقت لاحق لدعم الفريق.

وأفادت أن الأمر لم يقتصر على هذا، حيث طلب مبابي من أوليس، خلال معسكر منتخب فرنسا الحالي في فترة التوقف الدولي، القدوم إلى ريال مدريد.

وأشارت إلى أن مايكل أوليس لا يُعد ضمن أولويات ريال مدريد في الوقت الحالي، ولكن الأمور قد تتغير في المستقبل.

وانضم مايكل أوليس إلى بايرن ميونخ قادمًا من كريستال بالاس في صيف 2024، مقابل 60 مليون يورو، وسجل 20 هدفًا وصنع 23 في 55 مباراة بقميص البافاري في الموسم الماضي، ولعب دورًا في قيادته نحو لقب الدوري الألماني.

Last chance for Kohli to find runs before India's Super Eight campaign

The weather in Lauderhill could severely impact the contest between Canada and India

Ashish Pant14-Jun-20241:40

Should India give Kuldeep Yadav a game?

Match detailsCanada vs India
June 15, Lauderhill, Florida, 10.30am local timeBig picture: Rain threat in FloridaCanada are facing their toughest test of the T20 World Cup as India aim to go into the Super 8 stage with a clean sheet, but the fixture is at the mercy of the weather in Florida. Friday’s game between USA and Ireland was washed out at the venue, and there’s an 85% chance of rain on Saturday.If the game does go ahead, India could test out their bench strength. They have played the same XI in their first three group games, but with qualification secure and no points advantage carried forward to the Super Eight, they could give the likes of Kuldeep Yadav or Sanju Samson some game time.Related

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India’s final group game is also Virat Kohli’s last chance to find form before the more competitive Super Eight stage. Of all the batters itching to get out of New York, he is right up there. His move to the top of the order has yielded scores of 4, 1 and 0, and Kohli is not even among the top 150 run-scorers of the tournament. He does not have exceptional numbers in Florida, though: 63 runs in three innings at an average of 21.00.Virat Kohli has not yet fired as an opener in the T20 World Cup•Associated Press

With USA confirming their Super Eight berth from Group A along with India, Canada have been knocked out, having earned only two points from their first three games. They have been competitive at their first T20 World Cup though, having scored 194 in their opening game against USA and then securing a comfortable win against Ireland. They even gave Pakistan a scare, and will hope to sign off at their best against their most high-profile opponents.Form guide: India on a rollIndia WWWWW
Canada LWLLLIn the spotlight: Aaron Johnson and Hardik PandyaDespite making his T20I debut only in November 2022, Aaron Johnson is already Canada’s second highest run-scorer. He had a tremendous start to his international career, scoring four fifties and one century in his first seven T20I innings, and has sustained his form. No other Canada batter has more runs than Johnson’s 400 in 12 innings since the start of 2023. He is coming into this game on the back of a confident 52 against Pakistan.Hardik Pandya has seven wickets in three games at the T20 World Cup•Associated Press

Hardik Pandya has not had much to do with the bat, but has been an asset with the ball. He is India’s joint highest wicket-taker so far in the competition, with seven wickets in three games, and has stifled batters in the middle overs. Hardik has hit those hard lengths and finished the New York leg with an economy of 5.41.Team news: Will India give Kuldeep a go?Canada’s move to bring in Ravinderpal Singh for Dilpreet Bajwa did not work, with Ravinderpal out for a second-ball duck. They might go back to Bajwa against India.Canada (probable XI): 1 Aaron Johnson, 2 Navneet Dhaliwal, 3 Pargat Singh, 4 Nicholas Kirton, 5 Shreyas Movva (wk), 6 Ravinderpal Singh/Dilpreet Bajwa, 7 Dilon Heyliger, 8 Saad Bin Zafar (capt), 9 Kaleem Sana, 10 Junaid Siddiqui, 11 Jeremy GordonIndia could rest one of their fast bowlers and bring in Kuldeep, whose wristspin might be required in the Super Eight stage in the West Indies.India (probable XI): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Virat Kohli, 3 Rishabh Pant (wk), 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Shivam Dube, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Axar Patel, 9, 10, 11 Jasprit Bumrah/Mohammed Siraj/Kuldeep Yadav/Arshdeep SinghFriday morning was extremely wet at the venue•ICC/Getty Images

Pitch and conditions: Rain alertThursday was dry but Friday was a washout in Lauderhill. The forecast for Saturday morning is not promising, with scattered thunderstorms predicted throughout the day.Stats and triviaApart from West Indies, who play some international matches here, India have played the most T20Is (eight) in Lauderhill: five wins, two defeats and one washout.Rohit Sharma is the top-scorer in T20Is at this venue: 196 runs, with two half-centuries in in five innings.Arshdeep Singh has the second most T20I wickets in Lauderhill: seven in four innings, with an economy of 7.88.Arshdeep has bowled six overs in the powerplay at this T20 World Cup and conceded just one boundary.Out of the 56 overs India have bowled in the tournament, only nine have been delivered by spinnersCanada have never faced India in a T20I.Quotes”I saw them last month in April. Those guys were working really hard. I am happy for them. It is a motivation for us, going into the next tournament that USA have down, so can we. In that way, we can look at it.”
“Regarding this stadium, we played earlier so we are slightly aware of the conditions, what we get. Yes, the weather is challenging here, you don’t know about when the rain comes and all, but we have been prepared for all these things. So, we are focusing on what we can control and at this point of the time, we can’t control the weather conditions. So, we are trying to prepare ourselves in the best possible way but we want a game to happen.”
India fielding coach T Dilip isn’t bothered about the conditions

Major club ready to sell decorated star amid West Ham race for Kudus replacement

West Ham United could sell Mohammed Kudus this summer and are already making strides in the hunt for his replacement.

West Ham and Mohammed Kudus could go their seperate ways

The Hammers expect plenty of movement in both directions over the next few months and could be set to part ways with one of their best players if reports are to be believed.

Recently, Chelsea have made contact over a potential move for Kudus, and he is also said to be on the radar of Premier League rivals Manchester United and Newcastle United.

Mohammed Kudus for West Ham against Nottingham Forest.

Intriguingly, the Ghana international has a release clause of £85 million that is open to top-flight clubs in England across the first ten days of July. However, it remains to be seen whether a saga involving the former Ajax man will develop at the London Stadium.

In the case of Newcastle, former scout Mick Brown believes they would try and land Kudus at a fee below his exit clause due to the premium involved in a prospective transfer.

“At £85million or whatever his release clause is, there’s no way Newcastle would do that deal. They’ll consider it if they can cut down that price tag, but they’re not sure about him. They’ve got other targets as well, so I think they’re more likely to go for them before Kudus.”

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The Hammers are now in a straight shoot-out with a rival Premier League club for the signature of a goal-scoring midfielder.

ByDominic Lund Jun 3, 2025

If Kudus were to depart, the Hammers would need to act decisively on the market to secure an appropriate replacement, and they could well now be closing in on a smart acquisition if that turn of events were to occur.

West Ham 'well positioned' to sign Nicolas Gonzalez

According to journalist Sebastien Vidal, West Ham are ‘well positioned’ to sign Juventus winger Nicolas Gonzalez and the Argentina international is likely to be on the move for £22 million this summer.

Seen as an ideal replacement for Kudus, the 23-year-old registered five goals and four assists in 36 appearances across all competitions last season. While he was not part of his country’s World Cup winning squad he is highly decorated at international level, winning two Copa Americas.

Capable of playing on either flank, as an attacking midfielder or through the middle, he is a versatile presence that could help to allieviate the burden on the likes of Jarrod Bowen when it comes to chance creation.

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether Kudus will need to leave first in order for a move to go through or if the finance would be available already in terms of being able to meet both his transfer fee and wages.

Either way, West Ham appear to be stepping up their hunt for attacking reinforcements and there will be plenty of excitement in East London if this one materialises.

Man Utd set to prioritise deal for £65m star if Tottenham sign Mbeumo

Amid concerns that Tottenham Hotspur, led by Thomas Frank, could hijack their move to sign Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United are reportedly prioritising a deal to sign a £65m alternative if they miss out on their top target.

Tottenham meet Mbeumo asking price

Tottenham’s appointment of Frank has truly thrown a spanner in the works for Manchester United. It looked as though the Red Devils were alone in the race to sign Mbeumo with Newcastle United conceding defeat. Frank’s North London arrival has seemingly changed things, however. The former Brentford boss reportedly wants an instant reunion with his star man and the Lilywhites have already matched his hefty £70m price tag.

The ball could be left in Mbeumo’s court to decide, but Man United must first match Spurs’ reported offer for the impressive forward. It would undoubtedly be a major blow if they lost out on the Brentford star at this stage and it would be adding salt to their wounds if he chose the side that defeated United in the Europa League final not so long ago.

Mbeumo isn’t the only name on United’s radar, however. Ruben Amorim will be desperate to revamp a blunt frontline and a move for Viktor Gyokeres could be more realistic than ever now that he’s publically fallen out with Sporting Club.

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Whether he, like Mbeumo could do, decides to reject a move to Old Trafford is the big question, however. Without European football to offer, United may need to accept the prospect of missing out on their top targets and instead focus on alternatives.

Man Utd will turn to Antoine Semenyo

According to GiveMeSport, Manchester United will now prioritise a move to sign Antoine Semenyo if Tottenham successfully hijack their deal to sign Mbeumo this summer. The Bournemouth forward won’t come much cheaper, however, with the Cherries set to demand as much as £65m to sell their star man. Whether it’s Mbeumo or Semenyo in the coming months, INEOS must be prepared to spend big.

Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref)

Semenyo

Mbeumo

Minutes

3,203

3,414

Goals

11

20

Assists

5

7

Expected Goals

10

12.3

Whilst the numbers suggest that Semenyo would be a downgrade on Mbeumo, the Bournemouth forward would still be an improvement on Amorim’s current options at Old Trafford.

Having scored 11 Premier League goals, Semenyo earned plenty of praise from those at Bournemouth throughout the last campaign, including from teammate Lewis Cook.

Antoine Semenyo in Premier League action for Bournemouth.

The midfielder told reporters: “As a team, we knew the quality he has and we saw that last year. He’s got to just keep working hard – being aggressive and being clinical. He’s got a lot better at running back and helping out the team too. He’s a powerful lad and has all the ability in the world. Hopefully he can continue to show that.”

£20m Arteta signing who's now worth £60m must not play for Arsenal again

There has been a lot to be negative about for Arsenal fans this season.

From their never-ending slew of injuries to bizarre suspensions and the fact that they once again failed to win a trophy.

However, while we certainly wouldn’t disagree that this year has been a disappointment for Mikel Arteta’s side, there have also been a few genuine positives.

For example, a number of players have stepped up throughout the year and improved their standing in the team, including one who’s looked at entirely differently by the fans but shouldn’t be at the club at the start of next season.

The Arsenal stars who stepped up

So, before we get to the player in question, it’s worth going over a few of the other stars who did themselves proud in an otherwise underwhelming season, such as Bukayo Saka.

Yes, the Hale Ender was out of action for just over three months with a hamstring injury, but when he was on the pitch, he’s only further proven to people that he is well and truly world-class.

For example, in 37 appearances, totalling 2619 minutes, the 23-year-old scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists, which comes out to an unreal average of a goal involvement every 1.42 games or every 100.73 minutes.

Saka’s 24/25

Appearances

37

Minutes

2619

Goals

12

Assists

14

Goal Involvements per Match

0.70

Minutes per Goal Involvement

100.73′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

The Englishman also stepped up against Real Madrid, just like another of the team’s leaders from this season, Declan Rice.

The former West Ham United captain started the season somewhat slowly, but after Christmas, he looked back to his very best, and if he wasn’t breaking up opposition attacks in the middle of the park, he was starting them himself.

Moreover, the fact that he scored not one but two utterly superb free-kicks against Real in the Champions League cannot be overlooked – not that it is, mind.

Someone who doesn’t receive quite as much attention but should is Jurrien Timber, who, off the back of his ACL injury in the 23/24 season, managed to cover for the injured Ben White brilliantly this season, making 48 appearances across all competitions, 42 of which were starts.

Arsenal's JurrienTimbercelebrates after the match

Interestingly, the former Ajax star wasn’t the only defender to seriously improve his standing in the team this season.

The Arsenal star who should never play for the team again

So, it’s probably not too difficult to work out that the defender we are talking about is, of course, Jakub Kiwior.

The Polish international, who joined the club for £20m in January 2023, played something of a bit part for most of the campaign, right up until Gabriel Magalhaes saw his campaign end with a hamstring injury against Fulham on April 1st.

Following on from that game, the former Spezia star started every Premier League and Champions League game, including both legs against Real, in which, aside from a small mistake in the first leg, he was near enough perfect.

It was a totally unexpected run of genuinely impressive form from the 25-year-old, who only in December was branded as “shocking,” as having “no outstanding physical qualities”, and simply not “good enough” by Arsenal podcaster Phil Costa.

So, you may be asking yourself, why are we saying the “exceptional” international, as dubbed by Arteta, should never play for the club again?

Well, simply put, now is the best time to sell him and earn a tidy profit, with reports from last week claiming that he now has a price tag of £60m on his head, which works out to a 200% increase on the fee paid by the Gunners.

Moreover, it would also be in his own best interest, as when Gabriel is back, his game time will dramatically decrease and then decrease some more if Riccardo Calafiori can sort out his fitness over the summer.

Ultimately, Arsenal should say their thanks to Kiwior and move him on this summer, while his valuation is justifiably high as it is.

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The international star would be a great addition to Arsenal’s squad this summer.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 29, 2025

Emery's new Duran: Aston Villa lead chase for "frightening" £40m sensation

Aston Villa are still looking to fill the void left by Jhon Duran as the summer transfer window enters its embryonic stage.

The Colombian was sold for £71m in January after scoring 12 goals for the club during the first half of the season.

While Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford contributed well between January and May, scoring 12 goals between them, both have since returned to their parent clubs.

This means Unai Emery enters the market looking for a forward who can make a difference. Might he turn to Ligue 1 again?

Aston Villa lead the race for Belgian sensation

It appears as though Rashford won’t return to Villa next season. The club have shown interest in Tyler Dibling and Jadon Sancho in a bid to improve their wide options next season.

Transfer Focus

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

Rather than focus on Premier League talent, the manager also has eyes on the continent. According to TEAMtalk, Villa are among the clubs leading the race for talented Lyon winger Malick Fofana.

Liverpool and Arsenal are also in contention for the player and the report states that Lyon’s financial troubles could see Fofana available for just £40m this summer.

Lyon's Malick Fofana

A young, left-footed talent ready to make his mark in the Premier League. Can Emery sign his new Duran in a move for Fofana?

Why Villa must sign Malick Fofana

Duran certainly had the potential to become Emery’s main attacking option, but the offer from the Middle East was too good to turn down.

The youngster dazzled with his displays off the bench for the Midlands side, eventually scoring 20 goals in 78 appearances, yet only 17 of those were starts.

Malick Fofana’s stats for Lyon (2024/25)

Metric

Ligue 1

Europa League

Goals

5

6

Assists

4

1

Big chances created

6

1

Key passes per game

0.9

1

Successful dribbles per game

0.8

0.9

Via Sofascore

Emery has been craving a talent like Duran ever since he departed, and in Fofana, the Belgian starlet could become his next exciting young forward. Indeed, journalist Antonio Mango has lauded him for his “frightening speed” and “game-changing potential” – remind you of anyone?

The 20-year-old made his debut for Gent during the 2022/23 campaign, impressing sufficiently to secure a move to Lyon in January 2024.

His spell with the French giants has been a major success. Across 62 games, the youngster has registered 22 goal contributions – 15 goals and seven assists – particularly impressing last term.

Indeed, in April, talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed the winger for “showing flashes of his enormous potential” and he was especially dangerous in the Europa League.

When compared to his positional peers in the competition, Fofana ranked in the top 1% for non-penalty goals (1.05), progressive carries (7.88) and touches in the attacking penalty area (8.23) per 90 in the Europa League.

His explosiveness and desire to make things happen in the final third make him an excellent prospect, and he could continue his development under Emery at Villa.

Lyon's Malick Fofana against AC Milan.

Like his fellow left-footer, Duran, he would be an exciting young signing with potential, and there is no doubt Fofana could have a similar sort of impact as the Colombian forward.

With Villa playing in the Europa League – a competition Fofana excelled in – then bringing the Belgian sensation to the Midlands this summer could turn out to be one shrewd move by the manager.

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Birmingham could sign their next Redmond with move for "outstanding" star

Birmingham City won’t be entering into the Championship happy to just make up the numbers as Chris Davies’ men move back up to the tricky division with a new lease of life.

Last time the Blues were in the second tier, they depressingly sunk down to League One as years of mistreatment off the pitch and dire results on it culminated in the St. Andrew’s giants finally falling off the cliff.

Now, they’re back and better than ever after a monumental 111-point haul saw them coast to the title, with plenty of new signings rumoured to be entering through the door to help them acclimatise back to the EFL’s top league.

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It’s not the most bizarre claim to suggest that Tom Wagner and Co could even go back in for former star Nathan Redmond, considering the 31-year-old has just been released by Burnley and was a breathtaking watch donning a Birmingham strip during the fledgling stages of his career.

Redmond's standout spell at Birmingham

Before the likes of Jude Bellingham put Birmingham on the footballing map as a sensational St. Andrew’s prodigy, Redmond was the original golden child developed by the West Midlands side.

The Birmingham-born ace would excite and enthral his loyal set of supporters in equal measure throughout his stint at the club, leading to Norwich City picking up the pacey winger for around the £3.2m mark in 2013.

Therefore, the temptation to bring him back for nothing must be palpable, with Redmond triumphantly rejoining to add to his sizeable tally of nine goals and 11 assists.

But, Birmingham could also set their sights elsewhere in attempting to land a gung-ho right winger in the same vein as Redmond, with one target constantly linked with a switch to the Blues causing havoc in League One, much like the 31-year-old was once capable of.

Birmingham could now sign their next Redmond

After all, it would be a major risk on Davies and Co’s end to expect their former homegrown product to be as electric as he once was on his return, considering the one-time England international’s last two seasons have been horribly plagued by injury.

Therefore, Birmingham should go all full steam ahead to try and snap up the services of Peterborough United ace and reported target Kwame Poku, with the entertaining Ghanaian perhaps the second coming of Redmond.

Whilst Redmond has only been fit enough to feature 18 times for the Clarets across those two last campaigns, Poku – on the other hand – has been ripping League One to shreds as a captivating attacker down the right flank, much like the injury-prone veteran in his prime.

Last season, Poku would tally up a hefty 23 goal contributions from just 31 games, adding to his equally impressive 20 goal contributions the campaign prior.

Poku’s numbers for Peterborough by position

Position played

Games

Goals

Assists

RW

100

25

19

AM

50

4

8

RM

19

3

5

LW

14

2

3

CF

3

0

0

LM

2

1

0

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Moreover, the 5 foot 10 forward is also capable of playing down the left wing and through the middle as a number ten like his soon-to-be free agent counterpart.

Therefore, Birmingham coming out on top to snap up the “outstanding” star – as he has been lauded by football journalist Lukman Evergreen – would be a real signing of intent, with the 23-year-old superstar also potentially linking up with the likes of Jay Stansfield and Alfie May to devastating effect.

Of course, there will be a lot of sentimentality on the end of Blues supporters regarding that possible reunion with Redmond.

But, with all of his injury issues taken into account, alongside Poku now excelling in what Redmond used to do so well, this might well be a necessary signing for Davies’ men to make in the here and now to unsettle the Championship.

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