Manchester United have now made contact with an “incredible” top flight forward over a possible transfer this month, according to a new report.

Man Utd transfer news

The Red Devils are back in action on Thursday as they welcome Southampton to Old Trafford in a game that Ruben Amorim believes will “teach him more” about his team than the two previous games against Liverpool and Arsenal. Amorim said ahead of the game against the Saints: “I think this next game will teach me more from my players than the last two. I’m really focused to see what kind of game we are going to play tomorrow.

“So I will learn more tomorrow. Like I said, [it’s] because there is no expectation in the last two games. No-one believed that we could do a great performance or [be] winning a game. But now they are expecting us to win and to play well, so I will learn more in this game.”

Ahead of this game, speculation has continued to mount about which players United may look to sign this month. It emerged on Wednesday that the Red Devils are monitoring Stefanos Tzimas of FC Nurnberg after learning he is open to a move to the Premier League. United are among a host of Premier League teams, which include Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham, who are all interested in signing the striker.

Man Utd now monitoring record-breaking striker prospect who will cost £25m

United have their eye on a player who would improve Ruben Amorim’s attacking options.

1 ByBrett Worthington Jan 15, 2025

The forward is expected to be made available for a transfer in the summer, but the German side will want £25 million once they make his loan from PAOK permanent. Unfortunately for United, they are already on the back foot, as Liverpool have already made an approach over signing Tzimas.

Man Utd make enquiry to sign "incredible" £60m star this month

There is still a high possibility that Marcus Rashford leaves Old Trafford this month, and if he does, United could have his replacement already lined up, as RMC Sport reports that United have made an enquiry over signing Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.

United are not the only team to make an enquiry for the player, as Arsenal and Tottenham have also made the same moves. The report states that all three teams could go and make an offer for Mbeumo before the transfer window closes this month.

Mbeumo, who has been described as “incredible” by Thomas Frank, has become one of the most exciting forwards in the Premier League. The Cameroon international has scored 31 goals in the last three Premier League seasons, 13 of which have come in this campaign after 21 games. The 25-year-old is under contract at Brentford until the summer of 2026, with them having the option to extend that by another 12 months, and it’s been reported that the Bees could want as much as £60 million for his services.

Apps

119

Goals

35

Assists

24

However, United may face a difficult challenge getting Mbeumo out of Brentford, as Frank stated there is “no chance” after being asked about the chances of selling the forward this month: “No! It’s very easy to answer… no chance.”

The lovable Italian coach is overseeing another remarkable turnaround at Stadio Olimpico, against all the odds

Despite Roma's remarkable run of form, Claudio Ranieri is not having any second thoughts over his decision to step down as coach at the end of the season and move into a directorial position at the club he first represented as a player more than 50 years ago.

He's even playing a key part in the search for his successor and, after the Giallorossi had recorded a seventh successive Serie A victory on Saturday by winning 1-0 at Lecce, Ranieri was asked on he was looking for a similar kind of coach to himself.

Without missing a beat, the Roman replied: "Another Ranieri does not exist!" He was joking, of course, but it's impossible to dispute the veracity of the statement.

Ranieri is unique, a universally beloved figure in football responsible for the kind of miracles that more feted tacticians such as Pep Guardiola have never even come close to pulling off.

He insists there is no secret formula to his success. "Nobody has a magic wand," Ranieri says. And yet, at 73 years of age, he is writing what could be the perfect closing chapter to a true footballing fairy tale…

'I have decided to leave now'

The story was, of course, meant to end in Sardinia last summer – and in pleasingly circular circumstances.

Some 33 years after incredibly saving Cagliari from relegation to Serie B, he repeated the feat with a 2-0 win at Sassuolo on May 19. What had made the escape all the greater was the fact that Ranieri had offered to resign in February 2024, with the Islanders 19th in the Serie A standings after 14 losses in 24 games.

Cagliari's players, though, convinced him to continue, so unwavering was their belief in their veteran boss, and when the full-time whistle blew at the Mapei Stadium, an overwhelmed Ranieri burst into tears.

He still had a year left on his contract with the Rossoblu but it felt, looked and sounded as if the man who had led Leicester City to the most astounding league triumph in the history of football had nothing left to give to a game that has been blessed by his presence.

"I have decided to leave now and it is the right thing to do," Ranieri said in a video posted by Cagliari. "I do it reluctantly because it was a hard and painful decision, but I think it is right."

Ranieri's retirement didn't last long, though.

AdvertisementGetty Images'Roma seem to have a cold soul'

Just four games into the 2024-25 season, Roma sacked club legend Daniele De Rossi, who had done a fantastic job restoring order at the Stadio Olimpico following Jose Mourinho's tumultuous tenure.

It was a dreadful decision by the club's owners, The Friedkin Group, but then the Americans made an even worse one, by appointing Ivan Juric as De Rossi's successor. The Croatian lasted fewer than two months at the helm, fired after four defeats in five league games.

The retired Ranieri was publicly critical of the way in which his hometown club was being run. "Roma seem to have a cold soul without personality," he told .

"I didn’t understand what they did with De Rossi. When you confirm him with a three-year contract, you tell the world you are building a new team. At that point, you must give time to the coach, you can’t sack him after four rounds.

"Roma lack a leading figure. You can't blame the Friedkins because they've invested a lot of money, but they are proving that money is not everything.

"They lack a reference point inside the club."

'Roma is my life'

Perhaps Ranieri's lament struck a chord with the Friedkins, because when they got rid of Juric just a few weeks later, they asked the Premier League winner if he would be willing to return to Roma.

Ranieri had already rejected offers from several other clubs to resume his coaching career or accept advisory roles – including one from former club Chelsea – but he felt he could not say no to the team he had supported since he was a boy.

"Roma is my life," he explained in an interview with the. "And now that I have more experience, I'm vaccinated against every situation! But it's also the realisation of a childhood dream, for somebody who used to stand on the Curva Sud."

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Getty Images Sport'Roma went from The Special One to The Normal One'

Of course, they say you should never go back in football and Roma were in a far worse state than Ranieri had found them at the start of his two previous tenures.

The Giallorossi were 12th in the Serie A table with just 13 points from their first 12 games, making it the club's worst start to a season since 1979, and ultras were in open revolt against the owners.

Ranieri's impact was not exactly instantaneous, at least not in terms of results, with Roma losing three of his first four games in charge. However, his positive outlook made for a stark contrast to all of the negativity surrounding the club.

As Ranieri's agent Pietro Chiodi pointed out in the , in less than a year, Roma had gone from "'The Special One' to 'The Normal One'", meaning the focus shifted from blaming others for defeats to concentrating solely on what they could improve to start winning more games.

"The commitment was there," he told after the 2-0 loss at Como on December 15. "We gave our all but it wasn't enough. "There was some uncertainty [in our game] but we have to go forward with the desire to take Roma higher and higher up the table."

And, in fairness to Ranieri's players, that's exactly what they've done.

India’s ten-wicket win in the first ODI against England took them past Pakistan

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jul-20224:32

Is Jasprit Bumrah the best all-format bowler in the world?

India’s first 10-wicket win against England in men’s ODIs has taken them to third place in the ICC rankings, ahead of Pakistan.With 108 rating points, India need to win or draw the three-ODI series against England to stay ahead of Pakistan, who have 106. New Zealand lead the ODI rankings with 127 points, while England are second with 122.Pakistan had pushed India down to fourth place last month by beating West Indies 3-0 at home. However, their stay at No. 3 was short lived after India routed England for 110 in the first ODI, after which Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan sealed the win with their fourth century partnership in six ODIs at The Oval.ESPNcricinfo LtdWith two ODIs left in the series, and three more in the West Indies later this month, India have an opportunity to extend their lead over Pakistan in the rankings and close-in on England. However, India could drop below Pakistan and down to fourth if they lose the final two matches of the series against England.As India look to claim the series at Lord’s on Thursday, questions marks loom over Virat Kohli’s fitness. He had missed the series opener due to a groin strain that he sustained during the third T20I in Nottingham last Sunday.”I don’t know the status of his injury because I did not play the last game [3rd T20I],” Jasprit Bumrah said after the first ODI. “Hopefully, he recovers, but I really don’t know the status of his injury.”The groin strain is the latest setback for Kohli on a difficult tour of England. He scored 11 and 20 in the Edgbaston Test that India lost to draw the series 2-2, and then was dismissed for 1 and 11 in the second and third T20 internationals.Kohli has already been rested from the ODI series in the Caribbean from July 22, along with four other senior players Rohit, Rishabh Pant, Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. It remains to be seen whether Kohli will play the five-match T20I series in the West Indies that begins on July 29. The squad for that series is due to be selected in the coming days.

West Ham United are now closely following a £46m-rated forward, who will be available in the January transfer window, according to a report.

West Ham need a striker

West Ham have struggled to recruit a top striker over the years, often falling back on the ever-reliable Michail Antonio after deals failed to work out, despite their signings having impressive track records. Sébastian Haller’s move to the London Stadium didn’t go as planned, despite proving himself with Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, while Niclas Füllkrug has become the latest striker who has failed to hit the ground running.

The German has just one Premier League goal to his name this season, and he was benched for the recent 5-0 defeat against Liverpool, alongside Danny Ings, who has also never been prolific in a West Ham shirt. As Antonio is expected to be out for the foreseeable future after his involvement in a car crash, Julen Lopetegui is a little light on dependable attacking options, so it is clear to see why he is considering new options in the January transfer window.

Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Latte Lath has become the latest striker to be linked with a move to the London Stadium, with agent talks taking place, and the Hammers have their eye on another striker too. According to a report from Caught Offside, the Irons are closely following Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani, who is set to be made available on loan in the January transfer window.

Negotiations over the Frenchman’s departure are set to take place in the coming days, with a number of Premier League clubs being named as potential suitors. PSG are currently seeking a loan deal, but should they sanction Kolo Muani’s permanent departure, they would be looking to receive a fee of €55m (£46m).

Newspaper suggests West Ham have "bid for" £50 million attacker

Julen Lopetegui personally wants him.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 28, 2024

Kolo Muani struggling for game time at PSG

It is clear to see the 26-year-old is in need of a fresh start, given that he has fallen down the pecking order considerably at the Parc des Princes, mainly being limited to appearances from the bench so far this season.

However, the PSG man is still relatively young, and German legend Lothar Matthaus believes he has lofty potential, saying: “He has remarkable technical ability, he’s ice-cold in front of goal and he really throws himself into challenges. The most impressive thing is that he’s performing in every game. I can’t remember a match where he’s played badly. That’s the mark of a future superstar.”

Kolo Muani has proven he has a keen eye for goal in the past, picking up a remarkable 15 goals and 14 assists in 32 appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2022-23 Bundesliga season.

As such, the France international could be a solid addition for West Ham this winter, particularly if he is available on loan, but it may be difficult to win the race for his signature, given that a number of top clubs are also in the mix.

MatériaMais Notícias

Passado um dia após as declarações bombásticas de Jorge Jesus, tais palavras em entrevista concedida ao blog do jornalista Renato Maurício Prado, no “UOL”, seguem repercutindo em Portugal. Nesta sexta, o jornal português “A Bola” ironizou a “cavada” de JJ no Flamengo com uma charge. Veja abaixo:

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– Jesus manifestou o desejo de voltar ao Flamengo, que contratou recentemente Paulo Sousa. E disse que pode esperar até dia 20. Depois de mestre da tática, agora é o mestre da ética – brincou a publicação, ilustrando uma conversa numa barbearia.

Após a demissão de Renato Gaúcho, no fim do ano passado, o Flamengo foi à Europa, representado por Marcos Braz e Bruno Spindel, em busca de um novo treinador. A dupla conversou com alguns nomes e fechou com Paulo Sousa, que comandava a Polônia. Especulou-se que os dirigentes teriam também negociado com Jorge Jesus, o que foi negado por ele, que chegou a dar um prazo para o clube acertar o seu retorno (20 de maio, como citado na tirinha).

> Veja a tabela do Brasileirão

– Quero voltar, sim. Mas não depende só de mim. Posso esperar até pelo menos o dia 20. Depois disso, tenho que decidir minha vida. Esse time ainda mexe comigo. Me incomoda vê-lo em dificuldades. Tenho certeza de que se eu tivesse continuado teríamos conseguido uma longa hegemonia por aqui. Estávamos bem à frente dos demais – disse Jesus.

أعلن الاتحاد المصري لكرة السلة، برئاسة عمرو مصيلحي، الاستعانة بطاقم تحكيم أجنبي لإدارة مباراتي نصف نهائي ونهائي كأس مصر لكرة السلة رجال، في خطوة تهدف لضمان أعلى معايير العدالة التحكيمية، بالتنسيق مع لجنة الحكام الرئيسية تحت إشراف العميد أحمد الشرقاوي، والكابتن هشام الحريري المشرف العام على اللجنة.

ويخوض الزمالك مواجهة قوية أمام الاتحاد السكندري، مساء الثلاثاء المقبل، في تمام التاسعة مساءً على صالة الشباب والرياضة بمدينة السادس من أكتوبر، ضمن نصف نهائي البطولة.

طالع أيضًا | خاص | الزمالك يواصل التدعيمات القوية.. صفقة مونتنيجرية قبل مواجهة الأهلي في السوبر الإفريقي لكرة اليد طاقم تحكيم مباراتي الزمالك والاتحاد في نصف نهائي كأس مصر لكرة السلة

ويتكوّن طاقم التحكيم الأجنبي من الإسباني أنطونيو كوندي، والكرواتي مارتين فوليتش، والليتواني أمبر ماسيوليس، وقد تم ترشيحهم من قبل الاتحاد الدولي لكرة السلة “فيبا”.

ومن المقرر وصولهم إلى القاهرة يوم الإثنين 5 مايو، استعدادًا لإدارة المواجهة المرتقبة بين الزمالك والاتحاد، وكذلك المباراة النهائية.

وفي نصف النهائي الآخر، يلتقي الأهلي مع سبورتنج في السادسة والنصف مساء اليوم ذاته، بنفس الصالة، في مواجهة لا تقل إثارة.

ومن المنتظر أن تُقام المباراة النهائية لكأس مصر لكرة السلة يوم الخميس 8 مايو في تمام التاسعة مساءً، تسبقها مباراة تحديد المركزين الثالث والرابع عند الساعة السادسة والنصف.

The ICC has banned Bangladesh fast bowler Shohidul Islam for 10 months for failing a dope test in March. Shohidul, who admitted to breaching Article 2.1 of the ICC Anti-Doping Code and accepted the suspension, will be available from March 28 next year, after his sentence was backdated to May 28, the date of his acceptance of the voluntary provisional suspension.According to the ICC media release, Shohidul had provided a urine sample in an out-of-competition testing programme in Dhaka on March 4. The sample contained Clomifene, which according to the governing body is a specified substance under WADA’s prohibited list and is prohibited both in-competition and out-of-competition.ESPNcricinfo has learned that the prohibited substance was found in a medicine that Shohidul had taken, prescribed by his own doctor, earlier this year.In making the decision, the ICC accepted that Shohidul had “demonstrated no significant fault or negligence, having inadvertently ingested the prohibited substance which was contained in a medicine he had been legitimately prescribed for therapeutic reasons.”The ICC added that Shohidul was able to satisfy that he had “no intention to enhance his sporting performance by using prohibited substances. However, Shohidul accepted that he had failed to satisfy the high levels of personal responsibility incumbent upon him as an international cricketer subject to anti-doping rules.”Shohidul, who made his only T20I appearance against Pakistan last year in Dhaka, has been part of several Bangladesh squads over the last 18 months. He has taken 93 wickets and scored one century from 35 first-class matches, apart from his 69 wickets from 46 T20s. Earlier this year, he was hailed after bowling Comilla Victorians to their third BPL title. Shohidul is considered one of the bright fast-bowling prospects in Bangladesh.

Patrice Evra has shared a photo on Instagram of him meeting up with Thierry Henry, Park Ji-sung and Son Hueng-min.

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Evra meets with former and current playersShares photo of 'positive vibes only' meetingMan Utd take on Man City on Sunday Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The entertaining, former Manchester United full-back played alongside Park at Old Trafford and the pair have a well-documented friendship dating back to when they both joined the club. Park and Son are South Korea's most famous players and played together four times for the national team when the former was late in his career and Son was breaking through. Similarly, Henry and Evra know each other through international football having shared the pitch together with France on 27 occasions. Evra described the meetup of four footballing greats as: "Positive vibes only".

AdvertisementGetty Images EntertainmentTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Evra is never one to stay out of the headlines for too long. Last month, he claimed that FIFA 'gave the World Cup to Lionel Messi' as well as being announced as a contestant on the reality TV show 'Inside'. This follows a busy 2024, in which he was sentenced to prison for family abandonment and said "I enjoyed myself in prison" in a bizarre social media post.

DID YOU KNOW?

Evra made 278 appearances in the Premier League for Manchester United, scoring seven goals and assisting 22. He played alongside Park on 133 occasions for the Red Devils as success in multiple competitions ensured their names were woven into the history of the club.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

Evra and Park's former side Manchester United have a tricky fixture at home to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon as they look to get the double over their bitter rivals. The club sit in 13th in the Premier League and will be determined to put together a run of positive results to end the season.

Well, where did that come from?

Looking set to maintain their rampant momentum in the bid to secure an unlikely Premier League title, high-flying Chelsea slipped up in dramatic circumstances at home to Fulham on Thursday afternoon, with the visitors ultimately running out shock 2-1 winners on Boxing Day.

Another routine victory against a side who hadn’t won at Stamford Bridge since 1979 looked to be on the cards as Cole Palmer waltzed his way through for the opener, with a deserved second later chalked off as Levi Colwill was correctly ruled offside.

That reprieve seemingly helped spark the Cottagers into life in the closing stages as supersub Harry Wilson nodded home on the 82nd-minute mark, before some slack Chelsea defending allowed Rodrigo Muniz to convert at the death to seal all three points for Marco Silva’s men.

That last-gasp collapse will no doubt sting for Blues boss Enzo Maresca, with the Italian coach left to reflect on some notable mixed performances from the home side.

Chelsea's best & worst performers vs Fulham

We’ll come on to the negatives shortly, but in a positive sense, there’s only one place to start – Palmer.

Chelsea’s Mr Reliable chalked up his 12th league goal of the season in some style to help kickstart proceedings at the Bridge, the England international slotting home in his trademark, composed fashion after a delightful jinking run.

That solo goal ensures the 22-year-old now boasts a ridiculous tally of 37 goals and 21 assists in just 65 games for the west London side, with Manchester City’s decision to let him go looking ever more head-scratching with each passing game.

On the flip side, Palmer was not exactly helped by the rest of his attacking colleagues, with Jadon Sancho failing to provide a single key pass, as per Sofascore, while Pedro Neto was also culpable at both ends of the pitch, as his ‘end product was somewhat disappointing’, in the words of Express journalist Joe Krishnan.

Defensively, the Portuguese speedster was also found wanting for Fulham’s opener, with the former Wolves man far too easily brushed aside by the advancing Alex Iwobi, while rather embarrassingly continuing to roll around clutching his face as the attack developed.

90 minutes

40 touches

85% pass accuracy

1 key pass

1/3 crosses

1/2 long balls

1/2 dribbles

5/10 ground duels won

9x possession lost

3x dribbled past

There may supporters quite why the winger wasn’t withdrawn amid the wealth of Maresca’s options, with the same perhaps also true of his right-sided teammate, Malo Gusto.

Malo Gusto's display vs Fulham

It must be said that Gusto wasn’t the only member of the backline to have underwhelmed on Thursday afternoon, although the Frenchman will have to shoulder a large part of the blame for his role in Muniz’s winner.

The former Lyon defender failed to track his man as Fulham countered in stoppage time, showing a limited desire to try and get back into position as the opposition queued up to convert at the back post.

Not only was the 21-year-old culpable in that moment, but he also struggled, on the whole, up against the lively Antonee Robinson, having been dribbled past one occasion whilst also losing the ball 11 times.

There was little joy in an attacking sense either as Gusto failed to complete a single cross and successfully completed just one of his four long ball attempts, with only one key pass created too from his 78 touches.

Amid those woes, it does beg the question of quite why Maresca – who only used one substitute in total – did not replace the right-back in the second half, particularly with promising youngster Josh Achaempong among those waiting in the wings.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

That was certainly the verdict of journalist Tom Overend who suggested that Gusto “needed to go”, with the aforementioned Krishnan awarding him a measly 4/10 match rating.

Maresca’s decision not to utilise his bench is a perplexing one considering the frantic nature of the festive schedule, with Chelsea left to rue a result that hands even further control to league leaders Liverpool in the title race.

Chelsea prepared to offer cash and Mudryk for £262,000-per-week forward

The Ukraine international has been provisionally suspended from football after testing positive for meldonium.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 26, 2024

Arsenal have now reportedly held talks to sign a new defender next summer as they look to rejig their defence under Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal's defence set for change

The Gunners continue to look to upgrade in defence as they look for a first Premier League title under Mikel Arteta. Injuries to Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu have seen Arsenal struggle at right-back so far this season, with Thomas Partey being asked to fill in there at times alongside Jurrien Timber.

At centre-back, there remains concern over Jakub Kiwior, with the Polish defender having been strongly linked with a return to Serie A several times since his arrival at the club just two years ago.

Arsenal could offer Kiwior in swap deal for £17 million Saka replacement

It could be an ideal exchange.

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 28, 2024

The Gunners are also yet to find adequate cover for William Saliba, whose injury derailed their title charge two seasons ago, while there is set to be significant change at left-back too.

The arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City ousted Kieran Tierney, before the Ukrainian himself was sidelined by the arrivals of first Timber and then Riccardo Calafiori, both of whom can play across the backline.

Now, it has emerged that Kieran Tierney looks set to leave the club on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season and has been linked with a return to Celtic. Zinchenko could also follow him out of the door with the left-back having started just two Premier League games this season.

As a result, the Gunners could be on the hunt for a new left-back and may have found a low-cost option to bolster their ranks.

Arsenal open talks over free left-back signing

That comes according to CaughtOffside, who report that Arsenal have held talks with Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell over a potential move across London to the Emirates Stadium.

The left-back, who content creator and Palace fan HLTCO dubbed “magnificent”, is hot property this season after a strong start to the season at Selhurst Park, having been an ever-present in Oliver Glasner’s side.

Tyrick Mitchell in 24/25
Appearances	23
Goals	0
Assists	3
Yellow Cards	2

Though there is some confusion over his contract status, it is reported by both Transfermarkt and Capology that he is in the final six months of his current £40,000-a-week deal with the Eagles, which means that he could be free to leave for nothing in six months’ time.

He can enter into talks with interested parties around Europe from January 1st, though Premier League clubs cannot formally approach him until the end of the season.

Despite this, it is claimed that the Englishman is “attracting the attention of Europe’s leading clubs” including the Gunners, Tottenham and Barcelona. For their part, Arsenal “have held talks with him” over a potential move to north London, as they look to find a more defensively sound fullback for Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners already have both Calafiori and Timber as options at left-back, but with both proving versatile they could add another fullback and still have enough game time to keep all three happy. A low-cost opportunity, a move for the vastly experienced Mitchell could prove too good to turn down for the north London side.