In a deal that would see the 49ers hand Daniel Farke a solution to his attacking problems, Leeds United are now reportedly closing in on an experienced striker.

Farke still keen to add attacking additions

After his admission that Leeds’ frontline is not quite ready for the Premier League, those at Elland Road have turned towards the transfer market once again for Farke this summer. The Whites have already welcomed six fresh faces, but have now set their sights on some attacking reinforcements to match the likes of Jaka Bijol, who have already boosted their backline.

With one month to go until the transfer window slams shut, just who arrives to take Farke’s attack to Premier League level is the big question. Names such as Rodrigo Muniz and Beto were among the headlines earlier in the window, but it now seems as though Leeds will be forced to look elsewhere.

To that end, Liverpool’s Ben Doak has reportedly emerged as an option. The 19-year-old winger enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Middlesbrough last season and is now free to leave Anfield for around £20m this month.

What’s more, names such as Jonathan Rowe have also been mentioned – a name that Leeds fans will be familiar with thanks to his time at Norwich City.

The England U21 international has reportedly been identified as a key target by those in Yorkshire, as they weight up whether to match his £17m price-tag. Alas, before either of those young stars arrive, Leeds’ focus looks to have turned towards a veteran striker who has scored over 200 career goals.

Leeds closing in on Taremi

According to Corriere dello Sport, as relayed by TeamTalk, Leeds are now closing in on signing Mehdi Taremi from Inter Milan after fending off competition from West Ham United and Nottingham Forest to take pole position for his signature.

Given that Farke wants Premier League-level quality, Leeds’ pursuit of Taremi should come as no surprise. The 33-year-old has scored over 200 career goals and featured for the likes of Porto and, most recently, Inter Milan.

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With three goals and nine assists to his name in all competitions last season too, it’s clear that Taremi can still make an impact at the top level – even if that comes as a creator more than a goalscorer these days.

Even in more of a squad role at Inter last season, Taremi still earned impressive praise from the legendary Clarence Seedorf, who said after the forward helped his side defeat Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final: “He was attacking, defending, and he even won one against Lamine Yamal. He really made a difference. Mehdi has been underrated here [at Inter] all year.”

Crystal Palace always have a keen eye on young talent and could be set to raid a Premier League rival to bring in an exciting gem for a minimal fee, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Crystal Palace continue to field Eberechi Eze interest

There is no secret about the fact that the Eagles have in-demand players on their books and speculation continues to mount surrounding the jewel in their crown this summer.

Arsenal are long-term admirers of Eberechi Eze and want to bring him to North London. In exchange, there may be potential for Crystal Palace to land defender Jakub Kiwior as a makeweight to shore up their defence.

Despite his goals, assists and flair making the England international the star of the show, he isn’t the only star that could leave Oliver Glasner searching for reinforcements, as speculation over Marc Guehi’s future is intensifying by the day.

Champions Liverpool are working to secure Guehi’s signature and the fact he has one year left on his contract in South London has posed a question to Steve Parish and company over whether to sell the Three Lions’ man while he retains value, something he admits will be hard to turn down if their valuation is met.

He stated: “We will just have to see what happens. It needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind. It is a really tough one. We will do everything we can in the next few weeks to give ourselves the best chance. I am aware we are in four competitions this season. But the money we have is not infinite.”

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While that storm continues to brew, in the meantime, Crystal Palace want to close in on a talented young midfielder who is also attracting interest from elsewhere.

Crystal Palace make contact to sign Arsenal's Dan Casey

According to Romano on X, Crystal Palace and Norwich City have made contact to try and sign out-of-contract Arsenal midfielder Dan Casey, who could move for a compensation package before the end of the window.

The youngster has a new deal on the table at the Emirates Stadium after a return of 20 goals at Under-18 level last term. Nevertheless, he is yet to sign, signalling he could up sticks for a minimal fee if the correct opportunity presents itself.

Labelled “really reliable” by Adam Birchall, the attacking midfielder can play in a variety of different positions, including centre-forward, on either flank or even as a deep-lying six when needed.

Crystal Palace have done some wonderful work over the years in nurturing young talent and the 17-year-old could well be the next in line to join their conveyor belt of exciting stars.

Last year, Arsenal finished second in the Premier League for the third successive season, but who can deny that Mikel Arteta’s burgeoning side have gotten better and better since the start of his reign?

Injuries ruined what could have been the year for the Gunners, but Arteta and new Emirates technical director Andrea Berta have come together and devised a summer plan, which is angled toward trophy-winning success in 2025/26.

A host of signings have been welcomed to north London over the past two months, but it’s the latest which is the most exciting, the most emphatic.

Maybe, having signed Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal have what they need to crown the Arteta era.

Why Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal have needed a reliable frontman for some time, one who will provide a confident stream of goals across the campaign.

And in Gyokeres, they have their man. Having bagged 97 goals and 28 assists besides over just two years with Sporting Lisbon, it’s inconceivable that the 27-year-old won’t bring a degree of prolificness beyond that of the Gunners’ current crop.

Despite interest from elsewhere – namely from Manchester United – Arsenal have agreed a deal worth £64m for the Swede, who will finalise his big-money move this weekend.

Many supporters, no doubt, would have liked to have signed Alexander Isak from Newcastle United. The Sweden striker, Gyokeres’ countryman, has informed his club that he wishes to explore a move away, with Liverpool leading the race for his signature.

Arsenal might not sign Isak, but they have one of the game’s most clinical strikers all the same. And anyway, with Bukayo Saka fully fit and raring to take the division by storm next year, the soon-to-be No. 14 is in safe hands.

In fact, it is Saka who stands above these other players. Arsenal have hit the jackpot on their homegrown hero, who is undoubtedly the cream of the crop.

The Arsenal star worth more than Isak & Gyokeres

Saka, 23, is one of the Premier League’s leading players. Pundit Karen Carney has said that “it’s scary how good he will be in three or four years”, and she’s right.

He’s the real deal, all right, and he’s already proven himself to be a game-changing player of the highest standard. After breaking out of the famed Hale End academy, he has made 263 senior appearances for Arsenal, scoring 70 goals and providing 71 assists.

You felt this throughout the 2024/25 campaign, with Saka sidelined for a significant stretch after Christmas that ultimately proved detrimental in the quest for silverware.

Bukayo Saka – Premier League Career by Season
Position	Apps	Goals	Assists
24/25	25	6	11
23/24	35	16	12
22/23	38	14	12
21/22	38	11	7
20/21	32	5	4
19/20	26	1	5
18/19	1	0	0
Stats via Transfermarkt

But he is, of course, fit again, and will play an instrumental role for club and country next season, challenging for the biggest prizes in red before donning that white shirt and fighting for gold over the pond with Thomas Tuchel’s England.

There’s indeed a case to be made that he is one of the most valuable players in the game, worldwide. This is actually backed up by the numbers, with one site penning him down above two aforementioned names.

Well, according to the renowned research centre CIES Football Observatory, the £98m-rated Saka is valued higher than both Isak and Gyokeres.

Newcastle’s centre-forward is only marginally behind the Three Lions sensation at £97m, while Gyokeres falls some way below at £68m, and this is reflected in the sealed deal for the number nine in north London.

Isak, of course, has a price tag of £130m as Newcastle prepare for his potential, but Saka, too, would demand an astronomical amount if any suitors approached Arsenal.

It bears testament to Saka’s inborn ability, his work-rate and indeed Arteta’s shrewd coaching that he has reached this level. He has many levels yet to go, but at this stage already, he is undoubtedly “world-class”, as has been said by pundit Rio Ferdinand.

Arsenal might have a prolific marksman in Gyokeres, and Isak may have been labelled “the best striker in the Premier League” last season by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher, but Saka is something special, something different.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

As long as he remains the nucleus of this thrilling Gunners project, glory days will surely rain down on the Emirates Stadium once again.

Bigger talent than Simons: Arsenal lining up "world-class" £87m talent

Arsenal are hoping to follow the signing of Viktor Gyokeres with more attacking quality.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 25, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Grêmio abriu o placar da partida contra o Cuiabá, neste domingo, pela terceira rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, logo aos nove do primeiro tempo. No entanto, 20 minutos depois de Vina marcar de cabeça para a equipe visitante, Marllon empatou em rebote de cobrança de falta e enfureceu torcedores do Tricolor na web, que pediram o retorno do goleiro Adriel aos titulares.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoWeb critica atuação da árbitra Edina Alves no clássico entre Flamengo e BotafogoFora de Campo30/04/2023CorinthiansCorinthians precisa apelar à Conmebol para ter Danilo na Libertadores; Lázaro é opção em caso de negativaCorinthians30/04/2023Humor EsportivoZoações com o Flamengo bombam na web após derrota para o Botafogo; veja os memesHumor Esportivo30/04/2023

+Zoações com o Flamengo bombam na web após derrota para o Botafogo; veja os memes

O goleiro vive imbróglio com o time gaúcho desde que o técnico Renato Portaluppi externou a insatisfação com algumas atitudes do jogador, que foi retirado da equipe antes do jogo contra o Cruzeiro por desrespeitar normas internas. Adriel voltou a ficar no banco contra o ABC, pela Copa do Brasil, mas foi vaiado pela torcida e deu um soco na porta do vestiário em sinal de insatisfação.

+Ronald, do Grêmio, admite ‘sonho realizado’ com convocação para Mundial Sub-20 na Argentina

Contra o Cuiabá, o escolhido como titular para a meta tricolor foi Gabriel Grando. Adriel voltou a ficar fora da relação, e Felipe Scheibig ficou como opção no banco de reservas. O Imortal venceu a partida por 2 a 1.

continua após a publicidade

+Próximos jogos do Grêmio: veja calendário, datas, horários e onde assistir às partidas

Confira as principais reações de alguns torcedores na web:

Adriel faz falta, mais muita falta. Pena que q fez merda.

— Alexandre Machado (@alexandre162011) April 30, 2023

Volta Adriel

— Raul Ribeiro 🇪🇪 (@ri_be_iro_) April 30, 2023

vamos fingir que o rolê do adriel nunca aconteceu, ele volta a jogar e a gente finge que nem lembra

— CAROL 🇪🇪🌟 (@carolinedietze_) April 30, 2023

Adriel, nunca vou te perdoar por deixar o Grando de titular

— ✨ (@thaainasantoss) April 30, 2023

que saudades do adriel

— enzo (@enzoogfbpa) April 30, 2023

GOLEIRO RUIM, O JOGO TAVA BOM, CONTROLADO, MAS DAÍ VEM ESSE RUIM ENTREGAR O EMPATE

— allan¹⁹⁰³ com saudade do geromel (@allanzws) April 30, 2023

Defesa do Grêmio tenebrosa.

Grando, DB e Bruno Alves.

É de chorar.

— Fabiano Hardt (@FabianoHardt) April 30, 2023

saudades quando tínhamos goleiro, só foi o merda do adriel sair que levamos gol todo jogo

— Lingardinho🇪🇪 (@Papu_Gomes) April 30, 2023

Chelsea have been charged with 74 alleged breaches of FA regulations dating back to Roman Abramovich’s ownership, raising questions about what punishment the club could face. However, despite the severity of the charges, reports suggest the Blues are bracing for a financial sanction rather than a sporting one, with an outcome likely to mirror their £8m fine from UEFA.

• Chelsea charged with 74 FA rule breaches dating back to 2009
• Club expects financial penalty, not points deduction or transfer ban
• Punishment likely similar to UEFA’s £8m fine issued in 2023

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Football Association confirmed this week that Chelsea had been charged with dozens of rule breaches relating to agents, intermediaries and third-party investment in players. The conduct in question ranges from 2009 to 2022, previous owner during Abramovich’s tenure. Chelsea stated that the breaches were “self-reported” during the due diligence process of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s takeover.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Despite the scale of the charges, Chelsea are reportedly expecting only a financial penalty. According to The Telegraph’s Matt Law, the west London side are not anticipating any sporting sanctions, such as a points deductions or a transfer ban. The expectation is that the punishment will be similar to the £8 million fine handed down by UEFA in 2023.

• TELL ME MORE…

  The charges cover a long period of time and primarily relate to payments made to agents and intermediaries. FA rules prohibit third-party ownership of players, which was a particular focus of the investigation. By self-reporting, Chelsea hoped to mitigate the punishment and demonstrate transparency under their current ownership, which may have worked in their favour.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  The West London side will now work with the FA as the disciplinary process unfolds. While the club may escape sporting sanctions, the case serves as another reminder of the turbulent legacy left by the Abramovich era. The Boehly-Clearlake consortium will be keen to resolve the matter swiftly and focus on stabilising the club both on and off the pitch.

“I think that with the pink ball, it’s better to bowl back of length. Because pitching it up, there’s not a lot of swing”

Alagappan Muthu01-Dec-2024

Siraj with the pink ball•AFP via Getty Images

Mohammed Siraj, who endured a difficult home season, where he only played four of their five Tests for a total of six wickets, is in Australia after a little bit of an epiphany.”I could feel that I wasn’t enjoying my bowling,” he said at the end of the tour game against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra on Sunday. “As a person I am someone who gets a different feeling when I’m enjoying my bowling, even if I’m not getting wickets. And now when I wasn’t getting wickets, I went a bit deep into why I wasn’t getting them. In India you know that spinners bowl most of the overs, so there it’s a little tough to get wickets in [the] five-six overs [you get as a fast bowler]. So I just became a bit upset about why I wasn’t getting wickets. But now I am having a lot of fun.”Even though its only been one match in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Siraj is already closing in on his wickets tally over the last three months, having picked up five in Perth. He checked in with former India bowling coach Bharat Arun to help find his centre.Related

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“I spoke with Bharat Arun sir, that this is what’s happening with me,” Siraj said. “Because he has known me for a while and he has seen my bowling from long time back. So he just told me to enjoy and not run after wickets. Just enjoy and you’ll get wickets. And before travelling, I met [fielding coach] Dilip sir in Hyderabad and we practiced together as well. So it felt good and now I’m enjoying.”Morne [Morkel, India’s current bowling coach] keeps telling me that ‘you are a warrior’. ‘You’ll get us wickets, but you just keep enjoying your bowling’.”Siraj looked in good rhythm in the practice game against the Prime Minister’s XI. It was his first game with the pink ball. Enabled by a rain break in between, he got through a seven-over first spell where he picked up the first wicket to fall. He finished with figures of 7-1-18-1, though he was certain he had Jack Clayton caught behind down the leg side, indulging in a celebrappeal but the deflection was off the thigh pad. He was happy to get time with the pink ball.”This [pink] ball has a synthetic feeling,” Siraj said. “This is different to the red ball we play with. There can be a bit of confusion due to the ball, but it’s just one match so we just have to focus on that and practice for it and we’ll improve day-by-day. The seam is very hard. It’s bright, and quite big. The more you practice with it, the better you get.Mohammed Siraj with the pink ball•AFP via Getty Images

“I think that with the pink ball, it’s better to bowl back of length. Because pitching it up, there’s not a lot of swing, so the more you hit the deck and get it to seam, it will be better for us.”I have heard that the ball swings a lot under the lights but I haven’t yet bowled with it under lights. So when we go to Adelaide and practice, we will try that. And the more practice we get, we’ll know more about what we have to do.”Jasprit Bumrah took the honours in Perth but Siraj and Harshit Rana, who took four wickets in six balls at the Manuka Oval bowling short-pitched deliveries, helped keep the pressure up from the other end and they will be looking to do that again in Adelaide with the series resuming next Friday with a day-night Test.”I always keep talking to Jassi [Bumrah],” Siraj said. “Even before the first match, I spoke with him about what I was going through. And he just told me one thing – don’t run after wickets, just keep bowling consistently in one area and enjoy your bowling. If you still don’t get wickets, then you come ask me. So I enjoyed my bowling and I got wickets as well.”Australia is a place where a fast bowler enjoys because you get pace and bounce. As a fast bowler, you get everything you want. So you get a different kind of confidence to come and enjoy your bowling here.”

Alexander Isak’s arrival at Liverpool will allow some goal-scoring responsibility to be shifted away from Mohamed Salah, but the Egyptian superstar has been told that the addition of another forward “won’t improve” his numbers. Salah has been a revelation for the Reds, but they have now splashed out £125 million ($170m) on adding Swedish striker Isak to their ranks.

Salah's record: Total number of Liverpool goals

Salah has registered 247 goals for Liverpool through 406 appearances, becoming a club legend at Anfield in the process. He has committed to a new contract that is set to keep him on Merseyside until 2027.

AdvertisementGettyIsak the most expensive signing in British football

Isak has now linked up with the reigning Premier League champions, becoming the most expensive player in British football history, and should help to make Liverpool an even more formidable proposition in the final third of the field.

Isak's impact? What ex-Reds star thinks

Quizzed on whether Isak’s presence could impact Salah’s output, former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “Salah found it hard to score from open play in the second half of last season. Once you get past 30, and I think he’s 33 now, there aren’t an awful lot of players scoring on a consistent basis in the Premier League. You’ve got [Robert] Lewandowski who does it, you’ve got [Harry] Kane; in the Premier League, you don’t.

“Salah was a freak of nature, very rarely injured, the numbers he got. But I think everything will deteriorate at some stage, and I think we saw it at times last season. Again this year he hasn’t found it easier scoring goals, creating or getting chances. The dynamic has changed as well because in the past Salah was the guy they looked for. Now it might be [Florian] Wirtz, even though he’s had a very disappointing start to his Liverpool career, and now with Isak coming in, obviously there are two ways of seeing it.

“You can say there’s another guy taking attention and maybe taking balls away from Salah. On the other hand, you can say maybe it gives him a bit more space because they have to look after two or three top players. My gut feeling is that the arrival of Isak won’t improve Salah’s numbers.”

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Getty ImagesWill Wirtz come good for Liverpool?

Having hinted at Wirtz’s slow start to life in England, Hamann went on to say of his fellow German – who moved to Anfield in a £116m ($158m) transfer of his own – and what a successful debut campaign with Liverpool will look like: “Well, if they win the league and he contributes, I’d say he’s done his job. He’s a young player, but age doesn’t really come into it because he cost a lot of money.

“I wouldn’t like to quote you a number. But obviously it’s got to start at some stage, because he’s had a disappointing start to his career. It’s a different game, it’s more physical, it’s quicker, and free kicks aren’t given as easily as in Germany. This is something he has to learn.

“When you come to England, you have to mature quickly, because if he has another two or three disappointing performances, I don’t think [Arne] Slot will worry about it, but there might be a time where he says, ‘Maybe it’s better I leave him out for half an hour or 60 minutes’. And if the team does well, then you might have a problem. Then again, they’ve got so many games there’ll be time for everybody. But you want him to come good sooner rather than later.

“I’m not a big fan of assists because if you pass the ball three yards and somebody knocks it in the top corner from 40 yards, you get an assist for it, so I’m not a big assists man. I know how good he is and I’ve told everybody how good he is. I hope he does come good sooner rather than later. In all competitions, I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t get into double figures for goals.”

Chelsea are set for a very busy final month of the transfer window, as BlueCo set their sights on both strengthening the squad and shipping off a plethora of unwanted players.

Chelsea to bid for £192k-a-week star who Bayern have phoned "several" times

BlueCo remain busy in the market.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 29, 2025

While the Blues are in no danger financially, having made millions through player sales, Champions League qualification and winning the Club World Cup in recent months, there is a looming threat from UEFA.

Chelsea have effectively been ordered to balance out their squad through departures, or risk not being able to register new signings for the Champions League next season (Kaveh Solhekol), coming after they were fined for breaching FFP rules.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

João Félix comes as the latest in a long line of Chelsea casualties after he agreed an initial £26 million move to Al-Nassr, with the Portugal international officially joining Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Djordje Petrovic and Mathis Amougou out of the door.

Felix could soon be followed by many more, with Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga, Tosin Adarabioyo, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Carney Chukwuemeka, Lesley Ugochukwu, Armando Broja, Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Alfie Gilchrist and Nicolas Jackson all tipped to potentially leave Chelsea as well.

However, one exit reportedly advancing is that of Raheem Sterling and his potential switch to west London rivals Fulham.

The 30-year-old spent 2024/2025 on loan at Arsenal after being frozen out by Enzo Maresca last summer, and according to a new report by TEAMtalk this afternoon, talks over a transfer to Fulham are seriously progressing.

Raheem Sterling close to agreeing Fulham move as Chelsea eye Alejandro Garnacho

As per the news outlet, Sterling is close to agreeing personal terms with Fulham as talks advance, and Chelsea are keen to get the England international’s sky-high £325,000-per-week wages off their books.

Maresca’s side are even prepared to shake hands on an outright sale worth £20 million – a price which Fulham see as a bargain – with Chelsea poised to take a £30m loss on the £50m they paid Man City for Sterling over three years ago.

What’s more, despite Chelsea’s advanced talks for RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons, the club are planning to replace Sterling with Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho – following previous reports that they could also bid for the Red Devils ace amid their shortage of left-wingers.

The Argentine, called “unplayable” at times by new Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, would be an instant upgrade on Sterling, and it appears that Chelsea are maintaining their pursuit of Garnacho after considering a deal for him in January.

While it’s not quite panic stations just yet, it would be fair to say that the shine has been taken off of Arsenal’s pre-season preparations over the last week or so.

It started with an underwhelming defeat to Tottenham Hotspur out in Hong Kong, and then the mood around the club got even worse following the 3-2 loss at home to Villarreal on Wednesday.

It wasn’t just the losses that shook confidence in some supporters, but also the nature of them, the lack of genuine cutting-edge, and specifically, Viktor Gyokeres’ ineffectiveness in the latter match.

However, the good news is that, based on reports, it looks like Arsenal are targeting someone who’d be able to get the Swede firing in no time at all.

Arsenal target perfect teammate for Gyokeres

While the last two games have certainly dented the excitement that some fans were feeling ahead of the new Premier League season, it should be said that this summer has still been a largely positive one, especially when it comes to transfers.

Transfer Focus

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

For example, in addition to Gyokeres, Andrea Berta and his team have made five first-team additions to Mikel Arteta’s squad, with the likes of Noni Madueke and Christian Norgaard looking like excellent depth options and Martin Zubimendi the perfect long-term six.

Yet, things could still get better as the club are still looking to bring in at least one more player, someone who could help the former Sporting CP star explode next season.

At least that’s according to a recent report from Sebastian Vidal, who has reaffirmed that Arsenal are very interested in signing Eberechi Eze this summer.

The journalist has revealed that even though talks have somewhat stalled, the Englishman remains a key target and that a player sale may make it easier to secure his services.

It’ll likely be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but Eze has more than proven his ability and would be more than worth the effort it takes to get him, especially as he could get Gyokeres firing right away.

Why Eze would get Gyokeres firing

Okay, so while there is every chance that things will naturally improve the more games he plays in the team, it was obvious that the biggest problem for Gyokeres against Villarreal was the lack of opportunities being created for him.

Unlike Kai Havertz, who likes to drop back into midfield whenever he can, the Swedish superstar is very much your archetypal centre-forward, someone who spends most of his time in and around the penalty area, and rarely takes his shots from outside the area.

In this case, it’s clear that Arsenal need someone who can get the ball to him with relative ease, either through brilliant ball-carrying or passing, and fortunately, it looks like Eze would be excellent at the former.

For example, FBref ranked him in the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League last season for successful take-ons per 90.

In other words, the Palace “magician,” as dubbed by Micah Richards, is elite at getting past opposition defenders and driving into dangerous areas before firing off a shot or laying the ball off for a teammate.

Another reason to believe the £100k-per-week gem could be the one to help the former Sporting star explode next season is the output he managed in a mid-table side last season.

In 43 appearances, totalling just 3303 minutes, the 27-year-old game-changer managed to find the back of the net 14 times and provide 11 assists for good measure.

Appearances

36

43

Minutes

2285′

3303′

Goals

11

14

Assists

6

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.47

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

134.41′

132.12′

That means he maintained an average of a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes, which is the sort of output that could seriously boost Gyokeres’ own goal and assist tally.

Ultimately, Arsenal need to add another attacking dimension to the team before the end of the summer, and not only would Eze do that, but he’d also get the most out of Gyokeres.

A dream for Saka: Arsenal plot move to sign "world-class" £43m sensation

The incredible attacker would help Arsenal and the Englishman reach another level.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 6, 2025

Afternoon and evening sessions belonged to Sri Lanka with their top four producing best collective effort

Andrew Fidel Fernando06-Dec-2024Kyle Verreynne’s manic sprint to a third Test century lit up the second morning and sent South Africa speeding to a total of 358. But the afternoon and evening sessions belonged to Sri Lanka. Their top four produced their best collective effort in the series so far, with Pathum Nissanka hitting 89 off 157 balls, forging a 109-run second wicket stand with Dinesh Chandimal.With Angelo Mathews not out on 40 at stumps, and Kamindu Mendis unbeaten on 30, Sri Lanka have seven wickets in hand, and are well-placed to take a lead in the first innings. They have for the first time in the series, put serious pressure on a South Africa attack that seemed short of options on a flattening Gqeberha deck.Kagiso Rabada was the most menacing of their bowlers, conceding only 40 and taking the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne for the third time in the series, in his 15 overs. He’d also had Nissanka dropped by David Bedingham at second slip, on 22. Sri Lanka negotiated Marco Jansen with much more confidence than they had in the first Test, in which he’d claimed 11 wickets. By stumps, Jansen had given away 75 off his 18 overs, and was the only frontline bowler without a wicket.Though there were occasional plays and misses against Rabada in particular, Nissanka was largely watchful, scoring only eight runs off his first 50 deliveries. He eventually began to attack the shorter deliveries, and it was the pull shot that he favoured through the remainder of the innings, taking to Jansen’s shorter balls in particular. Most of his run-scoring came square of the wicket, and he raised his batting tempo in Chandimal’s company, settling into accumulation mode against the spin of Keshav Maharaj in particular.That he got out to Maharaj, whom he had early clubbed for six over deep midwicket, will particularly rankle, especially as he was nearing a century. He merely ran at the bowler, attempted a cross-batted shot to a ball that was full, and essentially yorked himself, the ball going on to clatter into leg stump.Pathum Nissanka brought up his ninth 50+ score in Tests•AFP/Getty ImagesStill, the stand between him and Chandimal had provided Sri Lanka a platform. Chandimal was looser with his strokeplay than either opener had been, and collected edged fours behind the wicket early on. He nevertheless stuck at it alongside Nissanka, until a tentative prod against Dane Paterson ended with him being snaffled behind the stumps.Mathews was also somewhat tetchy at the beginning of his innings, but found some boundaries down the ground, and settled into a rhythm later. Kamindu Mendis appeared assured from the outset. The two put on 43 runs together before stumps.The morning, however, had been reigned by Verreynne. Having lost Keshav Maharaj without South Africa adding to their overnight score, Verreynne put on 66 with Rabada, as Sri Lanka turned almost solely to bouncers and short deliveries to blast the final two wickets out. Verreynne crashed three boundaries between deep backward square leg and deep midwicket in one Asitha Fernando over to really get his engine roaring, before venturing even bigger hits when Rabada was bowled by Asitha, and he was left with the No. 11 for company.With 19 runs still to get for his hundred, Verreynne yanked the throttle with even more intensity, first smashing Prabath Jayasuriya over cow corner for six, before mowing Asitha into the banks to get within one strike of a 100. He reached triple figures with another mighty pull in that same over, sending the ball sailing over fine leg’s head.The milestone sparked wild celebrations, a bow from Verreynne to the dressing room, and a bear-hug from Paterson. Verreynne himself likely did not anticipate that a century would be on the cards when the morning’s play began, but finished unbeaten on 105 off 133 balls, having reaped 58 off 50 balls on day two.Lahiru Kumara claimed the last South Africa wicket, and ended with 4 for 79. Asitha and Vishwa Fernando shared five wickets between them.