Former Newcastle United and Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has signed with the Arabian Falcons, a third-tier side from the United Arab Emirates, as a free-agent. The former England international had been without a club since July after Buenley allowed his contract to run out at the end of their Championship campaign. This will be Shelvey's tenth senior club.
New Zealand have been the best team on view, but Pakistan come into the final on a high after a massive batting performance against South Africa
Danyal Rasool13-Feb-2025Big picture – Pakistan vs New Zealand is the ideal final match-upIt’s rare for a tournament final to be a dry run, but that’s almost what this Pakistan vs New Zealand game will be. There’s a trophy on the line in Karachi, five days before another Pakistan vs New Zealand game in Karachi – that is the big one, the opening game of the Champions Trophy. In that sense, when this tri-series was planned, this was the final that would have made the most sense, if you’d asked anyone bar, perhaps, South Africa.New Zealand have comfortably been the team of the tournament so far, but Pakistan arguably come in on a bigger high, riding a wave after coming back from the dead to steal the second place on the table after an epic ODI chase against South Africa. The execution of the win was more satisfying than the fact that it happened. Two men in Pakistan’s middle order stringing together Pakistan’s third-highest ODI partnership – Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha put on a whopping 260 for the fourth wicket, masterfully pacing a chase while seemingly not playing a single shot in anger. Most notably, it will allay fears of an over-dependence on Fakhar Zaman up top if the middle order can find a way to stand up for itself more regularly, balancing Pakistan’s batting line-up ahead of the Champions Trophy.Related
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But Pakistan’s death bowling remains a cause for concern. They conceded 98 in the final six overs against New Zealand, and 87 in the final seven on Wednesday against South Africa. On both occasions, one man in a purple patch took the attack to them – the fast bowlers in particular. It was Glenn Phillips one day, Heinrich Klaasen the next. It keeps New Zealand in the game till late, knowing they can catch up against a bowling line up that has revealed it it vulnerable.New Zealand have just about played two perfect games, with control the key feature of their performances. There is a calm this side exudes when it appears a passage of play is going against them. They didn’t panic when they weren’t quite at the run rate they wanted to be against Pakistan until deep in the innings, keeping their ammunition dry until the opportunity to use it presented itself. When Matthew Breetzke took them on at the death, they retained their composure, aware the target was still below par, and then made short work of it with a near faultless chase.Most notably, New Zealand have shown how to use spin as a leash for the opposition on these surfaces, and possess more experienced, more varied and, frankly, superior slower bowlers. Mitchell Santner has been in the middle of special run the last few months, and stifled Pakistan alongside Michael Bracewell, Phillips and Rachin Ravindra last week. They bowled 26 of the 47.5 overs through that innings, and while Pakistan’s spinners bowled a similar amount, they weren’t nearly as effective.It is a game with silverware up for grabs, and the group-stage rubber between the two next week inflates its importance rather than diminishing it.Form guidePakistan WLWWW
New Zealand WWLWWKane Williamson’s form is a warning sign for Pakistan, as well every side he comes up against in the next few days•Associated PressIn the spotlight: Fakhar Zaman and Kane WilliamsonFakhar Zaman’s fireworks at the start have been integral to Pakistan’s hopes. When Zaman fell for a 69-ball 84 against New Zealand, Pakistan’s chase fell apart in Lahore, and his 28-ball 41 saw Pakistan fly to 91 in the first ten overs – their third fastest ten-over score in ODI history – against South Africa. It has gone some way towards replacing the hole left at the top by Saim Ayub’s injury, and given impetus to a side whose middle order doesn’t quite have the explosiveness to make up for any dawdling up top. On flat wickets where big totals will have to be put up and chased down, and with Fakhar key to Pakistan’s success in international tournament knockout games, his performance and the game’s outcome may well be very closely aligned.Kane Williamson followed up a half-century against Pakistan with an unbeaten hundred to vanquish South Africa. New Zealand haven’t played too many ODIs since the 2023 World Cup, but he appears to have picked up where he left off, on surfaces that are perfectly suited to his immense ability. He showed in the first game he could grind it out on a “tackier wicket”, as he put it, while picking the pace up on the flatter surface against South Africa. His legendary unflappability has handled far bigger occasions, with his current form not just a warning sign for Pakistan, but every side he comes up against in the next few days.Team news: Rachin Ravindra won’t be rushed backWith Haris Rauf unavailable, Pakistan are unlikely to tinker with the side that got them to the final barring injuries.Pakistan (likely): 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Babar Azam, 3 Saud Shakeel, 4 Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), 5 Salman Agha, 6 Tayyab Tahir, 7 Khushdil Shah, 8 Shaheen Afridi, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Mohammad Hasnain, 11 Abrar Ahmed*New Zealand coach Gary Stead said that Rachin Ravindra had experienced headaches after the blow to his head in the tri-series opening and though that has subsided, they don’t intend to rush him back into action, especially with his replacement Devon Conway filling in with aplomb. Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, who had sustained a hamstring injury in the ILT20, has resumed training and is building up his intensity, with Stead saying that the team management will “look to have him playing in one of the next two games.”New Zealand (probable): 1 Devon Conway, 2 Will Young, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham/Mark Chapman, 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Ben Sears/Lockie Ferguson, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Will O’RourkeThe Pakistan middle order came good on Wednesday, and will hope to cash in on the flat Karachi surface•PCBPitch and conditionsKarachi proved just as flat as Lahore on Wednesday, and the outfield was lightning quick, playing its part in the highest-scoring ODI in the previous game. It will be a warm, sunny day, with temperatures hitting up to 30 degrees.Stats and trivia Fakhar has scored 57, 114, 91, 55* and 0 in the five semi-final/final games he has played in white-ball international cricket. The first three went towards wins. Pakistan lost the other two. Williamson became the fifth New Zealand batter to reach 7000 ODI runs on Monday, and is on the cusp of more run-scoring history: he is 148 away from becoming the first New Zealander to 19,000 international runs. New Zealand have been in 12 finals of multi-team white-ball tournaments since 2000. Of these, they have won four and lost eight. What’s worrying is that the last of those wins came way back in 2005.
Of all the teams in this Champions Trophy, New Zealand have had the toughest travel schedule. They began their tournament in Karachi, went to Rawalpindi next, arrived in Dubai to play India in their final group game, played a semi-final in Lahore, and have now traveled back to Dubai for the final.There have been plenty of suggestions through this tournament that India’s playing all their matches in the same city, at the same venue, amounts to a competitive advantage. New Zealand coach Gary Stead would not be drawn on that, stating that those decisions were “out of [their] hands”.But he did speak about the demands their hectic travel schedule put on his players. None of New Zealand’s games, additionally, were washed out.Related
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“There’s no doubt that coming here after Lahore – we had a full day of travel yesterday – takes it out of you a little bit,” Stead said. His team chose not to train on Friday, two days out from the final, using that day to recuperate as well.”But we’ve got a couple of days now, a little bit of recovery and a little bit of planning and training towards the game. But I guess we’re deep into the tournament now and sometimes it’s not always a lot of training that you need. It’s just getting your body and your mind right to compete in the final. That will be our key focus over the next two days.”On India playing their whole tournament in Dubai, Stead had this to say:”They’re not decisions that come across my desk anyway. For us, it’s something that we can’t control, so it’s really just getting on with it. Yes, India have played their four matches here. We’re lucky enough to have had one here against them. It was a good match, without us quite putting our best foot forward as well. Wherever you play, you just have to go up and be able to be better than them on the day, and that’s our focus.”New Zealand now also have to adjust from having played their semi-final at the highest-scoring venue in the tournament, to a Dubai surface that has tended to take substantial spin, and where par scores have generally been the lowest in the competition. In their group match against India, made 249 for 9, before New Zealand were bowled out for 205.”I think that’s just about adapting and working out on your feet what you think that par score is for the day,” Stead said. “I think the danger is you come from scoring 360-odd in a game and you think you’ll do that again immediately and you go a little bit [too] hard. So, for us, it’s just working out what is the right tactics on the day, who we are faced up against as well, and then adapting to that.”It’s also about communication between the batsmen in the middle, and making sure they’re having good communications around who is the right player to take risks against and what that might look like.”
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O Botafogo teve cinco nomes na seleção da 10ª rodada do Brasileirão. O time de Luís Castro é o líder da competição com 24 pontos e venceu o Fortaleza, na noite de sábado (10), por 2 a 0 no Nilton Santos.
A votação foi feita nas redes sociais pelo perfil oficial do Brasileirão. A escalação foi decidida pelos torcedores. Os jogadores alvinegros escolhidos foram: Adryelson, Hugo, Marlon Freitas, Eduardo e Tiquinho Soares.
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Você votou, ela chegou! Se liga na #SeleçãoDoTorcedorBR23 da décima rodada do #NossoMelhor! ???? pic.twitter.com/lZ6tvQ1H6y
— Brasileirão Assaí (@Brasileirao) June 12, 2023
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CONFIRA A ESCALAÇÃO COMPLETA
Matheus Cunha (Flamengo); Wesley (Flamengo), Adryelson (Botafogo), Fabricio Bruno (Flamengo) e Hugo (Botafogo); Marlon Freitas (Botafogo), Gerson (Flamengo) e Eduardo (Botafogo); Everton Cebolinha (Flamengo), Bruno Rodrigues (Cruzeiro) e Tiquinho Soares (Botafogo) – Técnico: Jorge Sampaoli (Flamengo).
The summer transfer window has been dominated by Newcastle United’s pursuit of a new number nine.
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The Magpies began the season without a recognised centre-forward, and while their performance away at Aston Villa showed flashes of quality, the lack of a natural striker proved costly in front of goal.
At the heart of the situation is Alexander Isak.
The Swedish international has made it clear that he has no intention of reintegrating with Eddie Howe’s squad. Despite being under contract, Isak is not training with the first-team and reiterated in a social media post that broken promises had left both sides with no option but to seek change.
His stance has left Newcastle in a difficult position: they will not sanction his dream move to Liverpool until a replacement has been secured.
That urgency is compounded by the fact that several of their targets have already slipped away.
Benjamin Šeško joined Manchester United, while Wolves are refusing to entertain offers for Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson remains a name of interest, but Aston Villa and Bayern Munich are also interested, further complicating matters.
Newcastle’s recruitment team has been forced to weigh their options carefully.
With four competitions to compete in this season, they cannot afford to gamble on an unproven forward.
Instead, they are searching for a player who can score consistently at Premier League level and immediately shoulder the pressure of leading the line.
England international emerges on Newcastle's radar
According to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, Newcastle “really like” Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
The England international has established himself as one of the division’s most reliable strikers, scoring 16 times in 38 appearances in the Premier League last season.
Villa manager Unai Emery is desperate to keep hold of his talisman, placing a £60m valuation on the 29-year-old, but Newcastle see him as an ideal solution to their striker dilemma.
Watkins is not the only forward on their radar.
Brentford’s Yoane Wissa has pushed for a move, even going as far as to remove references to the Bees from his social media accounts before reluctantly returning to training.
The Congolese forward is fresh off the best season of his career, scoring 19 goals in 35 appearances.
However, Brentford’s asking price of £60m, coupled with the fact that Wissa will turn 29 in September and could miss a portion of the 2026 season due to AFCON, makes him a less attractive prospect for Newcastle.
Strand Larsen, meanwhile, also carries a similar price tag.
Wolves value him at around £60m, which reflects both his strong debut campaign of 14 Premier League goals and his importance following the departure of Matheus Cunha to Manchester United.
But with Wolves unwilling to sell, Newcastle may be forced to move on quickly rather than get caught in another prolonged negotiation.
When set against these options, Watkins’ appeal becomes clear.
He is also homegrown, experienced at international level, and has a track record of maintaining fitness and availability – a crucial factor given how many fixtures Newcastle may play this season.
Why Newcastle should sign Ollie Watkins
The numbers help illustrate why Newcastle rate Watkins so highly compared to Wissa and Strand Larsen.
Each enjoyed a strong 2024/25 campaign, but Watkins edges the contest in the areas that matter most to Eddie Howe’s side.
Premier League 2024/25
Ollie Watkins
Yoane Wissa
Jorgen Strand Larsen
Goals
16
19
14
Assists
8
4
4
Shots
82
90
54
Pass Completion Rate
72.4%
76.5%
64.6%
Shot Creating Actions
53
69
42
Source: FBref
According to FBref, Watkins registered 24 goal involvements across 38 appearances – a marginal advantage over Wissa (23 in 35) but a clear lead over Strand Larsen (18 in 35). This demonstrates his ability to finish chances, something Newcastle lacked in their draw at Villa Park.
Looking deeper, Watkins’ game reflects a balance of off-the-ball movement and link-up play.
His progressive carries per 90 (1.90) are just ahead of Wissa (1.85) and far superior to Strand Larsen (0.59), underlining his ability to drive the ball forward and stretch defences.
While he lags behind Wissa in progressive passing distance (33.7 per 90 compared to 49.9), he makes up for it with a more well-rounded contribution in and around the penalty area.
The statistics also highlight Watkins’ reliability in front of goal.
His shot-on-target percentage (43.9%) is competitive with Wissa (45.6%) and Strand Larsen (61.1%), but what stands out is his volume: Watkins averaged 1.25 shots on target per 90, ahead of Larsen’s 1.15.
Given Newcastle’s need for a striker who will consistently test goalkeepers, Watkins’ steady output is a strong selling point.
There are other factors working in his favour.
Unlike Wissa, Watkins does not face the prospect of missing time due to AFCON commitments, and unlike Strand Larsen, he does not represent a gamble on a player with just one season in English football.
Instead, he offers Newcastle a forward who has proven he can sustain a high level of performance in one of the league’s most tactically demanding systems under Emery.
Of course, Watkins is not flawless.
His take-on success rate (24.4%) lags behind both Wissa (30.6%) and Strand Larsen (40.0%), suggesting he is less effective when asked to beat defenders one-on-one.
But Newcastle’s system under Howe rarely relies on individual dribbling in advanced positions. Instead, it values runs in behind, pressing from the front, and efficient finishing – all of which Watkins excels at.
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Ultimately, the comparison makes the logic behind Newcastle’s interest clear. At £60m, he is an expensive option, yet for a club determined to make a home for themselves in Europe, it may prove the most reliable investment.
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Os maus resultados recentes são os motivos do fantasma da demissão rondar Luxa no Corinthians. Ainda assim, mesmo se a situação ficar insustentável e o treinador for dispensado nos próximos dias, o trabalho dele não será considerado em vão. A diretoria do clube alvinegro vê a aposta em alguns garotos como algo muito importante feito pelo técnico.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoGil é cobrado por torcedores do Corinthians em hotel, e Fagner precisa intervir; protesto divide opiniõesFora de Campo06/07/2023CorinthiansEsposa de Maycon alega salários atrasados no Corinthians; Lance! mostra cenárioCorinthians06/07/2023Atlético MineiroContra o Corinthians, Atlético-MG busca primeira vitória tendo Hulk como desfalqueAtlético Mineiro06/07/2023
Há quem acredite que nenhum outro técnico conseguisse trabalhar tão bem a entrada de revelações como Luxemburgo. O principal exemplo foi a entrada do volante Gabriel Moscardo. Com dificuldades em firmar um atleta na posição, o comandante corintiano ficou encantado com o que viu do camisa 44 nos treinos antes do jogo contra o Liverpool, do Uruguai, pela Libertadores, e também nos minutos em que colocou o atleta em campo pela competição continental. Isso foi o suficiente para credenciá-lo como titular nos jogos seguintes, já com o time principal – entre eles em um confronto de quarta de final da Copa do Brasil, contra o América-MG.
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Outra herança do treinador no Timão é o meia Ruan Oliveira, que era descartado e também se tornou titular nas mãos do ‘pofexô’. Após três anos sem jogar por conta de três cirurgias no joelho, o jogador foi decisivo em partidas em que nem imaginava entrar, com o contrato faltando 15 dias para o encerramento, ganhou uma sobrevida no clube até o fim do ano e deve ser adquirido de forma definitiva, graças a Vanderlei.
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Outros nomes como o zagueiro Murillo e os atacantes Biro e Wesley ganharam muito mais espaços com o técnico corintiano e, no entendimento da direção, tiveram uma evolução que não seria tão grande se continuassem no ritmo que estavam. De atletas de composição de elenco, eles passaram a ser peças importantes para o grupo.
Esse trabalho com os atletas mais jovens, no entanto, não será o suficiente para evitar uma possível demissão de Luxa no Corinthians em caso de novos placares negativos, principalmente nos próximos dois compromissos, contra o Atlético-MG, pelo Brasileirão, e América-MG, pela Copa do Brasil.
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Nem mesmo amostras de evolução do time em campo serão capazes de manter o técnico no Timão. A um ponto da zona do rebaixamento, existe internamente um temor muito grande da equipe entrar no Z4, algo que só não aconteceu em três das últimas quatro rodadas por conta de derrotas de outros times.
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Esse medo está ligado ao momento de intensa pressão vivido pelo clube, com protestos nas arquibancadas e até mesmo episódios com violência, como a recepção do ônibus que levava o elenco corintiano a Santos, há três semanas, e a agressão contra o jogador Luan em um motel, em São Paulo, na última terça-feira (4). O pensamento é que, em meio a esses episódios, se o time entrar no pelotão dos quatro piores será muito difícil de tirar. Essa ideia também é influenciada pela temporada de 2007, quando a equipe foi rebaixada à segunda divisão.
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O prazo limite para Luxemburgo alcançar resultados e evitar a demissão no Corinthians é o dia 15 de julho, quando o Timão enfrentará o América-MG, pelo jogo de volta das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. A competição é vista de suma importância pela direção corintiana por dois motivos: é considerada a grande chance de conquistar um título neste ano e também é capaz de recuperar a projeção financeira do clube na temporada, já que as metas no Paulistão (chegar à semifinal) e na Libertadores (alcançar às oitavas de final) não foram atingidas. No torneio nacional, no entanto, o clube alvinegro já superou a expectativa, que era ir até as oitavas de final. E, caso avance à semi, conseguirá repor financeiramente o desfalque com as campanhas frustradas nas competições estadual e continental.
No entanto, existe a chance de Vanderlei nem chegar ao jogo contra o Coelho, em São Paulo, já que a possibilidade de desligamento em caso de derrota para o Galo neste fim de semana é considerada real, principalmente se o time entrar na zona do rebaixamento. Um revés para a equipe atleticana fora de casa é considerado dentro do normal para a diretoria corintiana, mas o histórico de derrotas pode influenciar – são nove em 17 jogos, com um aproveitamento de 31,3%. E, nesse caso, até mesmo uma atuação considerada boa pode não ser o suficiente para sustentar o emprego de Luxemburgo, diferentemente do que aconteceu contra o América-MG, nesta quarta-feira (5), quando o Timão perdeu jogando bem e isso manteve o profissional no cargo.
Alejandro Grimaldo has admitted he could have joined either Real Madrid or Barcelona in the summer transfer window, only for both moves to fall through. The Bayer Leverkusen star revealed that Los Blancos opted for Alvaro Carreras instead, while discussions with the Catalan giants and Atletico Madrid also failed to materialise.
Over recent years, Tottenham Hotspur have been lucky enough to have multiple top-level strikers on their books, subsequently giving the fanbase numerous incredible memories.
Harry Kane undoubtedly tops that list, scoring 280 times for the Lilywhites – cementing himself as the highest goalscorer in their history, taking the record off the late Jimmy Greaves.
However, other players haven’t been as impressive, with Roberto Soldado struggling to produce the goods during his own stint in the first team in North London.
The Spaniard joined the club back in the summer of 2013, costing a whopping £26m – a figure that was a club record during those years under Daniel Levy.
However, he only scored 16 times in his 76 appearances for the club, leaving two years later for a measly £10m and losing £16m on their previous investment.
This summer, current boss Thomas Frank has made a move to land his own centre-forward, but the player will undoubtedly be hoping to have a similar impact to the former rather than the latter.
What Spurs can expect from Kolo Muani
In a summer transfer window littered with multiple £50m+ additions, Spurs also made various loan deals to help make an immediate improvement to the current squad.
Joao Palhinha was added to the midfield department earlier in the transfer window, joining on a season-long loan with an option to buy from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
However, on deadline day, Frank’s side also clinched the signing of PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani on loan – despite huge rumours linking him with a return to Juventus.
The 26-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at the Serie A outfit, netting 10 goals in just 22 appearances – subsequently getting his career back on track.
He joined PSG in a £76m deal back in 2023, but only scored 11 times in two seasons, before falling down the pecking order – leading to his temporary spells away from the Ligue 1 outfit.
However, he’s showcased in his recent spell in Italy that he’s capable of thriving with regular minutes, registering 70 goals in the professional game over the last five years.
The former Spurs player who’s outscored Kolo Muani
As previously mentioned, the centre-forward position has been a troubled one for Spurs since Kane departed in 2023, with record-signing Dominic Solanke struggling with his fitness since his own move in 2024.
The Lilywhites forked out £65m for his signature, but he’s only managed 16 goals for the club to date – with injuries halting his progress in North London.
The Englishman has been restricted to just 31 minutes of Premier League action so far in 2025/26, opening the door for Kolo Muani to stake his claim for a regular starting role.
However, former strikers at Spurs have also struggled to match the expectations put upon them, given the stature of the club – none more so than Vincent Janssen.
He joined the club in a £18.6m deal from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2016, with such a move generating excitement after the Dutchman ended the previous year as the Eredivisie’s top scorer.
During his first campaign in England, the striker only managed to net six goals – only two of which were in the Premier League – ultimately struggling to match the expectations he arrived with.
Janssen would subsequently be sent out on loan to Turkish side Fenerbahce, a move that would spell the end of his stint with the Lilywhites – only making three appearances upon his return to the club.
Transfer Fee
£18.6m
Wages
£2.75m
Total
£21.3m
Appearances
42
Cost per appearance
£507k
Goals
6
Cost per goal
£3.5m
Assists
4
Cost per assist
£5.3m
Goal involvements
10
Cost per goal involvement
£2.1m
Such failures in England led to former striker Gary Lineker dubbing the Dutchman as “ a poor man’s Roberto Soldado” – a damning statement given the Spaniard’s own failures in North London.
However, in recent years, the 31-year-old has recaptured his best form away from England – now plying his trade for Belgian side Royal Antwerp, helping his current employers qualify for the Champions League.
He registered 13 goals across all competitions in 2024/25, subsequently outscoring new addition Kolo Muani (12) – highlighting his impressive form after his failed stint in the Premier League.
There’s no denying that the hierarchy made the right call in allowing Janssen to depart the club, with his transfer certainly one to forget given his lack of tangible impact.
However, Kolo Muani will be hoping to not emulate his disappointing spell in North London, undoubtedly wanting to hit the ground running in the clash against West Ham United on Saturday night.
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Aston Villa are fighting to secure more arrivals after a disappointing start to the campaign and have now made a proposal to sign a renowned star, according to a report.
Truthfully, there wasn’t much to write home about from a positive perspective as the Villans slumped to a 1-0 defeat away to Brentford last weekend, which has left them with a point from their first two Premier League encounters.
Unai Emery has been frustrated in his quest to add quality reinforcements in the West Midlands this summer and made it clear that his side need to improve several aspects of their game after a hapless afternoon in West London.
He told BBC Sport: “We reacted well to going behind, we created chances but didn’t score. There are some things tactically we need to improve. In the first half and second half we had chances to score. We had corners and we had a lot of crosses. Yes, it was a clear mistake (that saw Villa go behind). We are not like we want. Today we are very disappointed with the result.”
Nevertheless, there is no time for Aston Villa to dwell and recruiting quality reinforcements will be the priority before the deadline next Monday.
Reacting with urgency, Emery has initiated contact with Chelsea over a move for Christopher Nkunku, who could potentially offer a valuable alternative through the middle to Ollie Watkins as their attacking frailties continue to show on the pitch.
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Nicolas Jackson and Geny Catamo are also on Aston Villa’s radar in the final stages of the market, though it may well be midfield where NSWE look to add a statement reinforcement ahead of the deadline.
According to L’Equipe, Aston Villa have made an approach for Marseille midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who may be on the market after one campaign at the Stade Velodrome due to a well-publicised bust-up with teammate Jonathan Rowe.
Galatasaray, West Ham United, Inter Milan and other clubs from Italy are keen on the World Cup finalist. However, their sporting director Medhi Benatia has no more relations with Rabiot and his mother amid recent events under Roberto De Zerbi’s watch.
Previously impressing at the Ligue 1 giants, the 30-year-old has registered ten goals and six assists in 32 appearances across all competitions, though it remains to be seen whether he will be available at a suitable price.
With the end of the window in sight, Aston Villa are targeting a statement finish and Rabiot would certainly fit the bill as someone who could move the needle in the West Midlands.
An Arsenal target now has his heart set on joining Manchester United, due to his deep respect for former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the club’s traditions.
Man Utd's standards have slipped since Ferguson's retirement
Man United are well-known for their rich history and traditions, which included wearing suits when arriving ahead of matches, but Wayne Rooney has revealed that standards started to slip after Ferguson’s retirement back in 2013.
Rooney said: “I remember we went to the League Cup final and players were wearing the suits with big, bright yellow trainers and stuff like that.
“I remember we went to the League Cup final and players were wearing the suits with big, bright yellow trainers and stuff like that. I went to Mourinho and said, ‘Listen, I’ve spoken to the players and you need to have a word here and to keep the standards. We can’t have that going to Wembley into a cup final.’
“He’s like, ‘Yeah, yeah, I’ll speak to them’. And then as we came down to leave, I’ve seen Jose there and he’s got a zip-up top with no tie on. I was thinking, “What’s the point?”
With Rooney going on to reveal that players are allowed to wear whatever they want nowadays, one of United’s traditions has arguably been eroded, but that hasn’t stopped an up-and-coming star setting his sights on a move to Old Trafford.
According to a report from Caught Offside, Arsenal target Kirill Glebov, who currently plays for CSKA Moscow, has his heart set on joining Man Utd and dreams of a transfer, citing the Old Trafford atmosphere, the club’s traditions, and his deep respect for Ferguson as the key reasons.
Glebov is currently valued at just €1.5m (£1.3m), but the winger’s price tag could rise considerably if he continues his current form, having started the season very well, which has attracted the attention of the likes of Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Brighton.
Glebov could be future star for Man Utd
At this stage, United don’t appear to have a great deal of interest in the Russian, but there are indications he has plenty of potential, having made a flying start to the 2025-26 campaign for CSKA Moscow.
The 19-year-old already has four goals and two assists to his name in all competitions, which recently earned the teenager a first call-up to the Russian national side, making his debut in the 0-0 draw against Jordan last week.
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That said, Glebov is still at a very early stage of his career, and having strengthened their attack considerably in the summer, signing Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, Man United should now focus on bringing in a new central midfielder instead.
There is certainly no shortage of options on the shortlist, with Al Hilal’s Ruben Neves, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson all believed to be of interest.