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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been “alerted” that one club may be open to holding transfer talks over their £60 million striker in January, and they could even allow him to leave on a temporary deal in the winter.

Arsenal draw transfer shortlist as Mikel Arteta targets new striker

The Gunners have been repeatedly linked with a new marksman for a couple of seasons now, with the prospect of a prolific number nine arriving at N5 becoming a reoccurring theme.

£239k-per-week forward holds new deal talks as Arsenal look at signing him

The Gunners are reliable contenders to sign him next year.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 3, 2024

Former sporting director Edu Gaspar attempted to bring in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko over the summer window, following the 21-year-old’s impressive haul of 18 goals in all competitions last season, but he snubbed Arsenal’s advances in favour of remaining in Germany.

Arsenal could go back in for Sesko next year, if they think the Slovenia international will be available for transfer this time (Ben Jacobs), but he isn’t the only striker on Arteta’s radar heading into 2025.

Newcastle United star Alexander Isak could be subject to an £80 million bid from Arsenal (CaughtOffside), while it is believed that the north Londoners hold an interest in Sporting Lisbon sensation Viktor Gyokeres as well.

Former Premier League chief scout Mick Brown, who remains well-connected within the game, recently told Football Insider that Arsenal are closely monitoring Gyokeres ahead of a potential move – even if he has doubts over whether he’d cut it for a truly elite side.

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“He’s a player I like from what I’ve seen of him, and I know some of the top clubs have been interested,” said Brown.

“Arsenal are one club who’ve been closely watching him in Portugal, and Chelsea too, but there are lots of clubs interested if he becomes available.

“But I don’t think any clubs would be willing to spend upwards of around £80million on him. It’s a big commitment to a player who, as good as he has been, is playing in a weaker league than the Premier League.

“Even during his time at Coventry, he was a very very good Championship player, but not one you’d say would be a game-changer for a real top side.”

Arteta "alerted" that Brighton could let Arsenal sign Evan Ferguson in January

According to GiveMeSport, another opportunity to shore up their forward options comes in the form of Brighton starlet Evan Ferguson.

Indeed, it is believed Arteta has been “alerted” that Brighton could be open to negotiating a Ferguson loan to Arsenal in January, with the Republic of Ireland international falling behind Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro in Fabian Hurzeler’s pecking order.

However, the 20-year-old, who commands a £60 million price tag, isn’t somebody who interests the Gunners – with Arteta unlikely to pursue a temporary deal for Ferguson despite being informed that it is an option.

Interestingly, this could disappoint club legend Ian Wright, who heaped praise on the player when Arsenal were linked with him last year.

“When you look at him, the way he plays, his appreciation for the game, his movement and finishing both feet, good in the air and good pace,” said Wright on Premier League productions in 2023.

“He has all the attributes at 18. Very mature in the way he plays. All he has to do is keep doing what he is doing and they are going to start talking about him in million terms because that striker is not allowed. “

With Messi again rested due to load management, Tadeo Allende stepped up big to help lead Miami to a narrow victory

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Inter Miami defeat Cavalier SC 2-0Messi rested due to load management return to Miami for leg 2 of series next weekFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE

Inter Miami defeated Jamaican Premier League side Cavalier SC 2-0 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Thursday night, without Lionel Messi. The Argentine superstar missed the match – again – due to load management, but the took game one in their two-legged affair in unconvincing fashion.

The two sides went into the halftime break at a stalemate, but that's not to say there weren't chances. Midway through the first half, Cavalier hit the post via a deflected shot, and during first half-stoppage time they even found the back of the net – only for VAR, after a lengthy review, to take it away due to a very close offsides call in the buildup.

Minutes into the second half, Miami were dealt their first blow after defender Maxi Falcon was removed with a lower leg injury. In the 61st minute, the were given life with their first real attempt of the match.

Winger Tadeo Allende opened the scoring after a chaotic sequence in the box – two initial attempts were cleared off the line before he could slot home. Then, with eight minutes to spare in regulation, they doubled their lead through Luis Suarez, who capitalized off a defensive error to go up 2-0.

The two teams will return to the pitch next Thursday for leg 2 in Kingston, Jamaica at the National Stadium. The winner of the contest will advance to the quarterfinals.

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Coming into the match, Cavalier had never won a CONCACAF Champions Cup match, and had never scored a goal in the competition.

Getty Images SportTHE MVP

Tadeo Allende: The Miami attacker scored for the third-straight game across all competitions, bagging their opening goal. It wasn't pretty by any means, but he was in the right place at the right time and was able to slot home in low-driven fashion to give Miami the advantage heading into the second leg in Jamaica.

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Javier Mascherano: The Inter Miami manager was out-coached by his opposition, and had no answer for the counter-attack. Without Messi, there was a lack of structure in their attack, and their midfield struggled to retain possession while progressing into the final-third, rather than retreating with the ball into their own half.

A win is a win, but this was not a good tactical showing from Miami in front of their home fans.

On a Karachi pitch that is showing signs of deterioration, Australia have amassed 505 for 8

Tristan Lavalette13-Mar-2022Captain Pat Cummins resisted declaring late on day two of the second Test with Australia preferring grinding a weary Pakistan into the ground, as they passed 500 in their first innings on a Karachi pitch showing signs of deterioration.Australia reached the close in a commanding position at 505 for 8 with Mitchell Starc 28 not out and Cummins yet to score. Starc and Alex Carey batted almost through the entire final session in an attempt to break the back of Pakistan, who have spent two whole days in the field but in-form openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq were surely relieved not to have faced a tricky period before stumps.Cummins is set to face scrutiny for not sending Pakistan in late on the day although Australia gave a clear indication they want to bat just once in this pivotal match in a belief the pitch will deteriorate further. Australia batted their highest number of overs in an innings in Asia since 1956, but inconsistent bounce and sharp turn was evident later in the day.Carey fell for 93 just before stumps and agonisingly short of his maiden century after batting fluently to energise an otherwise dull final session, where everyone was seemingly waiting for Australia’s declaration but it never came.Australia’s indefatigable innings was dominated by Usman Khawaja’s brilliant 160 off 369 balls as he fell just short of his highest Test score of 174 against New Zealand at the Gabba in 2015. His 11th Test century – and first in the country of his birth – was marked by unwavering concentration, but he could only score 33 runs off 103 balls on day two underlining the changing nature of the pitch.Khawaja’s innings ended midway through the second session when he was bowled by a cracker of a delivery from offspinner Sajid Khan, who produced drift and sharp turn to hit the top of off stump.After a memorable first innings in the city his family hails from, the 35-year-old departed to a standing ovation from a boisterous crowd having become the first Australian Test centurion in Pakistan since Mark Waugh’s 117 in Peshawar in 1998.Alex Carey fell seven short of a maiden Test century•AFP/Getty ImagesEyebrows were raised after tea as Carey and Starc resisted the temptation of throwing the bat to ensure the match went through the motions. That’s been a familiar sensation during this historic series.Australia just kept batting as Carey, who had been somewhat under pressure due to patchy glove work and batting, effectively reverse-swept his way to his second Test half-century of his career.An increasingly confident Carey powered to his highest score in what should be a tonic ahead of an important stint behind the stumps. While he capitalised on Australia’s strong platform, middle-order batters Travis Head and Cameron Green missed out after being dismissed during a lively second session where the match appeared to be moving only for that to prove fool’s gold after a laborious final session.Pakistan toiled amid oppressive conditions in their Karachi fortress. They did attempt a fightback in the second session with spinners Sajid and Nauman Ali conjuring sharp turn on a pitch showing the first signs of encouragement for bowlers seven days into the series, the first between the teams in Pakistan since 1998.Sajid bounced back with variations in pace and flight after notably struggling on day one where he pursued a defensive line of bowling before and after tea. The 28-year-old did a lot of heavy lifting and finished with 2 for 151 from 54 overs.Shaheen Shah Afridi couldn’t rouse the same energy he memorably produced during the tame draw in Rawalpindi apart from a lethal spell of reverse swing in the second session that was repeatedly thwarted by Khawaja’s stout bat.Pakistan’s flagging bowlers were understandably weary by the time they took the third new ball, which only made scoring easier for Carey and Starc who finally started upping the ante.In what felt like an eternity ago, Australia resumed day two at 251 for 3 and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon stole the show in the first hour with a breezy 38 to frustrate Pakistan’s bowlers hoping for early inroads. But he fell short of a maiden Test half-century after being comprehensively bowled by Faheem Ashraf in Pakistan’s only success in the morning session.Lyon’s unexpected cameo provided a rare source of entertainment in another hard grind of a day during this slow-moving series.

It’s the big one. Well, the latest big one. Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield in the Premier League with sights set on strengthening Arne Slot’s pursuit of the title.

It’s quite early to be considering title aspirations with any sincerity, but Liverpool have established a stunning eight-point lead at the top-flight’s summit and thus must entertain the notion of lifting that elusive trophy.

Of course, were Pep Guardiola to mastermind an upset on Merseyside, the narrative should shift in an instant, but the Reds will be convinced in their cause and confident in their ability to sink the usually indomitable holders deeper into the mire.

City have fallen by the wayside in recent weeks, losing five matches in a row across all competitions before curbing that miserable run with a draw against Feyenoord in the Champions League this week. Albeit, they held a three-goal advantage with 26 minutes left to play. But details, details.

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But they are still the greatest team of their generation. Guardiola is viewed by some as the greatest football coach of all time. Subjective, of course, but there’s a case to be made.

Liverpool will be ready to obliterate their arch-rivals of modern years, opening up a chasmic 11-point gap between the champions and the challengers, with the latter very much on top. There are, frustratingly, some injuries that the Anfield side will need to overcome.

Liverpool team news

Ibrahima Konate was clattered to the ground by Real Madrid’s Endrick on Wednesday evening and will now be sidelined for up to five weeks. It’s a cruel, cruel blow, with the centre-half one of Liverpool’s best players this season.

The situation is exacerbated by Conor Bradley’s hamstring injury, also suffered in the dying embers against Los Blancos. The Northern Irish right-back absolutely shackled Mbappe but is expected to miss a key chunk of the campaign, though less than Konate, as he recuperates.

Diogo Jota is approaching a comeback after a layoff, but Federico Chiesa, signed in the summer for a sharp £12.5m fee, is not ready for action.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was an unused substitute against Carlo Ancelotti’s side and Slot has confirmed that he is fit to start against Man City. He could be the difference-maker.

Why Slot must unleash Trent Alexander-Arnold

Alexander-Arnold is becoming something of a notorious name on Merseyside this season, with the homegrown superstar playing out the final year of his contract.

Aged 26, Alexander-Arnold is entering his prime and is one of the best full-backs in the world, boasting a riot of ball-playing specialities that have arrested Real Madrid’s interest.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has revealed that Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes is trying to renew Trent’s £180k-per-week contract but has yet to find a breakthrough, with no clear picture of the outcome.

Of course, Anfield will want to keep a hold of this one, but there’s no inkling as to whether they will be successful. Even so, he will continue to provide his awe-inspiring quality for the remainder of the current campaign, with Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher saying: “It’s like having Kevin De Bruyne playing at right-back.”

As per FBref, the Three Lions gem ranks among the top 9% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 2% for shot-creating actions, the top 3% for passes attempted and the top 1% for progressive passes per 90.

And therein lies Guardiola’s problem.

Alexander-Arnold is different to Bradley, doesn’t carry the same bouncing athleticism. However, his defence-splitting passing is a thing to behold, and he could utilise this to take advantage of a shaky Citizen defence that is perhaps a bit lost at the moment.

Missing Rodri in the middle of the park, sure, but City are also facing adversity of a different nature to anything encountered across the past eight years. Shoddy in defence, the imperious team have made six errors across all competitions this year, which is already above last term’s tally of five errors made.

Liverpool’s opponents have some structural issues and Slot must ensure that his squad take full advantage, producing the kind of slick and stylish football that could negate City’s suffocating approach.

Liverpool have morphed into an outfit with greater composure and more patient build-up play than the days of Klopp, but this is not to say that they cannot be incisive when it matters. Slot will expect City to hold plenty of the ball, but Alexander-Arnold’s ability to change the direction and flow of a match in a flash could prove to be Guardiola’s undoing.

There’s also the matter of the 26-year-old’s improved defensive performances. Long ridiculed for purportedly bad defending, Trent has won 55% of his contested ground duels across 11 Premier League fixtures this season while averaging 2.8 tackles per game, ranking him among the top nine defenders in the division for that metric despite missing last weekend’s victory over Southampton.

Hailed for his “world-class” ability by pundit and Manchester United legend Gary Neville, Alexander-Arnold could be the key to unlocking City’s beleaguered defence. Losing Bradley is a blow, for sure, but Slot’s system will only return to a higher power with this one back in the mix.

Whether Liverpool manage to defeat the Premier League’s best team remains to be seen, but if they do, that gulf might start to look a tad unreachable for Pep’s men.

Huge Robertson upgrade: Liverpool pushing to sign “unique” £40m star

Liverpool could look to replace Andy Robertson within Slot’s system.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 29, 2024

Manchester United’s transfer business has left a lot to be desired in recent years, especially during the tenure of Erik ten Hag, who tried to return to the glory days back at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman spent over £600m on new additions during his time in charge but failed to recruit the talent that was able to help his quest of taking the Red Devils back to the top of the Premier League.

In his final season at the helm, the 54-year-old won the FA Cup but was unable to secure a top-four finish in the league, ending 2023/24 in eighth place.

He lost his job just a handful of matches into the current campaign, with his new additions unable to have the desired effect – ultimately costing him his job.

There are various options to choose from, but countless of his additions have bled the club dry, looking nowhere near value for money given their excessive transfer fees.

Ten Hag’s worst signings as Man United manager

Winger Antony followed boss Ten Hag from Ajax during the summer of 2022, costing a mammoth £86m – the second-highest transfer fee the club have paid for a player after Paul Pogba.

Undoubtedly, high expectations were placed on the 24-year-old’s shoulders after his move, but he’s since only scored 12 times in his 89 appearances – an average of one goal every seven matches.

His antics and showboating haven’t gone down well with the United faithful, often seeing him come under fire, restricting him to only three league appearances this season to date.

Casemiro was another expensive addition, costing £70m from Real Madrid during the same transfer window, looking to add quality to the midfield department, but the move hasn’t gone as either party would’ve expected.

He may have made over 100 appearances for the Red Devils, but having often been at fault for goals by making individual errors, he appears to be coming towards the back end of his career at the age of 32. no sell-on fee expected from their big-money investment is expected.

He’s not the only midfielder to fail to make the grade in the North West, with new boss Ruben Amorim needing to part ways with one of Ten Hag’s additions in January.

The Man Utd player who Amorim needs to sell in January

Denmark international Christian Eriksen joined on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, after leaving Brentford at the end of the previous season – looking to provide experience at the heart of the United side.

The former Tottenham star is now 32, and like Casemiro, coming to the back end of his days at the top level, leaving new boss Amorim to make a call on his future in Manchester.

He’s only made one appearance since the 39-year-old’s appointment, coming during his first outing at Ipswich Town, failing to appear in another game since – dropping rapidly down the pecking order.

Former Sporting Director John Murtough dubbed the Dane as “one of the best” upon his transfer, heaping high expectations after his transfer to Old Trafford.

He may have made 86 appearances since then, but with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign, Amorim may look to offload the experienced talent before his deal runs out.

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His £150k-per-week wages have failed to be reflected by his importance since the appointment of the new boss, desperately struggling to make an impact on the first team.

The upcoming window may represent the last opportunity to recoup any form of transfer fee, whilst also fitting in with the current cost-cutting operation in place at Manchester.

He’s been a solid squad member, but if the club are to improve and reach the next level, Amorim will need to be brutal with his decision-making of the current crop of players.

Eriksen is one that could be sacrificed, potentially allowing for needed improvement across the board, and giving the new boss the best possible chance of being a success during his tenure in Manchester.

Man Utd gem who left for £0 is now outperforming Garnacho & Foden in the PL

The former Manchester United ace has outperformed Alejandro Garnacho after leaving.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 11, 2024

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler bemoaned Manchester City's "very cheap" goals and felt his side should have left the Etihad with a "winner".

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Man City draw 2-2 with BrightonHurzeler bemoans "cheap" goalsFelt they could have won the gameFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Brighton conceded an 11th-minute penalty when Adam Webster fouled Omar Marmoush in the box and then Georginio Rutter lost the ball in his final third and the Egyptian rifled home six minutes before the break. The Seagulls came back to draw 2-2, had 15 shots to City's 11 and had the better of the chances overall, leaving Hurzeler with the feeling they should have claimed all three points.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT HURZELER SAID

He told : "We gave away goals in a very cheap way and we have to improve. The fact that we came back twice and we had big opportunities to go for the win is a very positive one. We showed our identity and that's how we want to play. Overall, I am happy with the performance, but not happy with the result. It is very obvious for me and clear that we should leave this pitch as a winner. Sometimes in football it's like this. We have to analyse this game and then we should be disappointed about the draw. We should stay grounded, humble and keep pushing each other. This club always works hard. We have a situation with the run after the Forest game. It is because we're doing the basics right. We have to keep doing it for the rest of the season."

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Brighton remain seventh in the Premier League and are in with a real shout of Champions League football next season. They are seven unbeaten in the division and showed they will be right up there at the end of the campaign.

(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

After the international break, Hurzeler's Brighton are in FA Cup quarter-final action at home to Nottingham Forest on March 29.

Injury-hit hosts building healthy lead over Durham at Hove, thanks to India batter

ECB Reporters Network29-Apr-2022Cheteshwar Pujara scored his third century in as many matches to give Sussex control on the second day of their LV= County Championship match against Durham at Hove.It’s been a difficult start to the season for Sussex, whose already inexperienced side has been further weakened by injury and illness – two of their opening three matches ended in defeat by ten wickets and an innings. But Pujara, who missed his new club’s opening fixture of the season at home to Nottinghamshire, scored a sublime hundred on his delayed Hove debut and the whole ground rose to applaud him.He was 128 not out, scored off 198 balls with 16 fours, when bad light brought play to an end with 13 overs still remaining. But by then Sussex were 362 for 5, and leading by 139 runs.”Puj was an absolute joy to watch today, both from the balcony and when you’re batting with him,” Tom Haines, Sussex’s captain, said. “His stats speak for themselves, with over 50 first-class hundreds. He’s an unbelievable player and a great guy to have in the dressing room.”He’s so keen to speak to everyone. He’s the easiest guy to talk to: there’s no ego. He’s in the nets all the time. he’s the ultimate batting professional and a joy to have around. It’s been a good cricket wicket. Our focus now is to get as big a lead as possible.”It felt distinctly chilly under the sullen clouds but Pujara shone more brightly than the floodlights as Sussex enjoyed their second good day against Durham. Pujara had already scored an unbeaten 201 against Derbyshire and 109 against Worcestershire but this was his best innings for the county as he dominated a partnership of 143 with Tom Clark – the pair had put on 121 against Worcestershire. Clark was out immediately after reaching his half-century, brilliantly caught by the diving Matthew Potts ad deep backward square-leg.Related

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Sussex seamers and Tom Haines dominate Durham despite Liam Trevaskis rearguard

Sussex had started the second day on 82 for 1, still 141 in arrears. Durham were handicapped from the start by the absence of their leading fast bowler, Chris Rushworth, who failed overnight concussion protocols and was replaced in the side by Oliver Gibson. On a flat pitch Rushworth was badly missed, though Ben Raine bowled impressively.Sussex lost their first wicket of the day on 95, when Ali Orr was lbw to Potts. Nightwatchman Mason Crane – on a month’s loan from Hampshire but born in nearby Shoreham-by-Sea – did his job by surviving for 60 deliveries before he was bowled by a fine ball from Matt Salisbury.That made it 108 for 3, with the match very much in the balance. But that brought Pujara to the crease. He was well supported, in the first instance, by Tom Alsop, another import from Hampshire. Alsop, given the pivotal No. 3 spot, had made a disappointing start to his Sussex career but here he played very soundly for a 129-ball 66 before he was lbw to Liam Trevaskis, a marginal decision with the ball looking a little high.Alsop and Pujara had added 99 for the fourth wicket, but it was when Pujara was joined by Clark that the Indian Test batsman’s innings really took off. Durham took the new ball just before tea but in the few overs before that Pujara attacked the Durham spinners with relish, pulling with immense power and striking five fours in two overs.

Dane Vilas butchers Yorkshire’s bowlers for his 82

Paul Edwards13-May-2022
Optimism is not a notable Lancastrian trait. For one or two regulars in the pavilion at Emirates Old Trafford life is akin to having a Smiths CD on permanent repeat. Nevertheless, there was a moment at lunchtime on this second day of the Roses match when even the most curmudgeonly Red Rose supporter’s cup brimmed with strange joy.In between its many advertisements, Headingley’s scoreboard showed a score of 412 for 3; Keaton Jennings was unbeaten on 202 and had already become only the fourth Lancashire cricketer to make a double century in a Championship match at Leeds; Dane Vilas had butchered Yorkshire’s bowlers for most of the preceding session and was 80 not out. Those inclined to combine Lancashire’s score with their previous innings at Leeds last summer would have been presented with a total of 823 for 5. Neither life nor Roses matches were meant to be like this.We wondered if any other records were in danger. Fortunately, Lancashire’s number crunchers had foreseen this possibility and had been hard at work through the owl-haunted hours of darkness. As at Canterbury a few weeks ago, the bourgeois villas of Bury fairly thrummed with activity as computers from the era of punched cards spat out statistical gems. It was like local election night all over again.Unlike the game at Kent, though, the jewels hewn from the rock were put to good use. A few minutes after lunch, Jennings reached 207 and became his county’s highest scorer in a Championship match against Yorkshire; when he got to 226 Graham Lloyd’s record in a non-Championship first-class match against ‘that bunch from over t’way’ was also gone, as well as Jennings’ previous career-best, 221, which was also made against Yorkshire when he was at Durham.Related

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Tom Abell century tightens Somerset's stranglehold

The records kept coming and it was probably useful at such moments to recall Steve Patterson’s point on Thursday evening that if his bowlers had been better supported in the field, Lancashire would have been 22 for 4 halfway through the first session of the game. That would have denied Dane Vilas’s cricketers their meal ticket to the conspicuous consumption we watched on Friday morning.As it was, though, Yorkshire continued to spill chances and Lancashire’s top order continued to fill their boots, slippers and bed-socks. Vilas hit Haris Rauf for three fours in an over and then hooked him out of the ground and in the general direction of Meanwood. Having relieved the ECB of roughly £90 for one cricket ball, Lancashire’s skipper set about damaging its replacement. He drove Dom Bess for a six and a four before thin-edging a cut to Harry Duke, who dropped the chance. Jennings had been more restrained; he added just 52 runs in the morning session but had also offered a chance when Harry Brook got a hand to a slash through gully in the fifth over of the morning. That was the toughest of the six chances Patterson’s fielders dropped in four sessions but it took their total for the season to nearly 30.Just before two o’clock a wicket fell and a festival of irony began at the Kirkstall Lane End. If Vilas’s front leg was a shade outside off stump when he missed a sweep against Bess, nobody gave a thrice-used tea-bag. The joy of Yorkshire supporters mingled with their astonishment. It was like a hot night in Guisborough’s Parisian quarter.Eight overs later Jennings was on 238 and just 14 short of Darren Lehman’s individual record in all Roses cricket when he was summoned for a single by Phil Salt, the striker. He answered the call but was sent back when Jordan Thompson’s sharp stop made a run impossible. He never had a hope of regaining his ground and had to be satisfied with the marvellous reaction of the Kirkstall Lane End crowd, most of whom stood and applauded him home. That’s how you play this game.Yorkshire took four more wickets and they may have brought a little consolation to those same supporters. In the context of the match, though, they fell while Lancashire were tying ribbons and bows around a massive 566 for 9 declared, their highest score in Roses cricket. Bess picked up his second and third wickets; Tom Loten enjoyed his maiden successes in first-class cricket but his day was not yet over. Nightwatchman duties awaited him.When Lancashire’s ninth wicket fell, Vilas declared and the crowd settled down for the battles some of them had been keen to witness for five sessions. But James Anderson’s eight overs this evening were unremarkable things and they cost him an unusually expensive 27 runs. He bowled four from The Howard Stand End – close, E M Forster, but no cigar – and four more from the Kirkstall Lane End one suspects he favours. But his only particular achievement was to crack George Hill on the helmet, thus delaying the close for ten minutes while the sconed cricketer was asked what his name was.But Lancashire did manage two breakthroughs in the 22 overs that ended the day and they have put the visitors in a position of absolute dominance. With the sixth delivery of his first over Tom Bailey brought the ball so far back off the seam that Adam Lyth’s decision to play no shot looked vaguely unhinged. Then five overs before the close Dawid Malan clipped George Balderson a little wide of Matt Parkinson’s right at midwicket, only to see the fielder complete a two-handed diving catch. This was more than a gleeful footnote to Lancashire’s daylong feast. Parkinson had already fielded well in the innings and if he continues to improve this department of his game, England will have one less reason not to pick him. Not that they should need any at all.

Endrick is reportedly set to stay at Real Madrid but team-mate Arda Guler 'no longer trusts' manager Carlo Ancelotti and is considering his future.

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Endrick & Guler struggling for minutesFormer enjoying his Real Madrid spell Latter considering his Los Blancos futureFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to Sport, ex-Fenerbahce starlet Guler no longer trusts Ancelotti and is considering going out on loan next season. Conversely, Endrick is not thinking about leaving Los Blancos, is 'happy' with his situation, and appreciates the chance to train with some world-class players.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The report adds that Inter Milan have enquired about Guler and while it would not be their first choice to lose the Turkish international, they are not ruling out the possibility of selling him and inserting a buy-back clause into a deal. While both youngsters are finding game time hard to come by, it seems one is prepared to wait for his chance and the other is growing increasingly tired of that pursuit.

DID YOU KNOW?

Endrick, 18, has played 28 times for Madrid since moving from Palmeiras last summer, scoring six goals along the way. But just four of those have been starts and the picture has not been so different for Guler – who joined the Spanish giants in July 2023. The 20-year-old has been in the starting XI on 15 occasions in his 43 appearances for Los Blancos, where he has 14 goal contributions.

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Both Endrick and Guler will hope to feature for Madrid following the international break at home to Leganes in La Liga on March 29.

A large section of the Arsenal boardroom are championing a marquee forward as the leading candidate to bolster Mikel Arteta’s striking options, with there being acknowledgment inside N5 that the Gunners require a prolific new number nine soon.

Arsenal draw up striker shortlist as Ayto and Garlick consider options

Following Edu’s resignation as sporting director last month, Jason Ayto has stepped into the Brazilian’s shoes and taken up the role on an interim basis, and he’ll be assisted in his transfer planning by managing director Richard Garlick.

Arsenal "impressed" by prolific striker who Arteta could get for just £25m

He’s scored 16 goals in all competitions already this season.

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Ayto could become Arsenal’s sporting director on a full-time basis, and is seen as a solid candidate for the role given just how closely he worked with Edu. However, until the club chief is appointed permanently or the Gunners land on another outside replacement for Edu, work on recruitment will carry on as normal.

One of the key tasks that Ayto and Garlick have been given is the potential acquisition of a world-class new striker, and one who could guarantee Arteta 20 or more goals per season.

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Arsenal attempted a proposal to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in the summer after his impressive 2023/2024 campaign, but the Slovenia starlet decided to snub their advances and sign a new contract to remain in the Bundesliga.

The 21-year-old has a gentlemen’s agreement that he can leave Leipzig next year or in 2026, according to Fabrizio Romano, and reports suggest that Arsenal are still keeping tabs on Sesko ahead of a potential move.

The ex-RB Salzburg gem isn’t their only striker target, though, with Ayto and Garlick’s shortlist reportedly including the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Dusan Vlahovic, Manfred Ugalde and Joao Pedro – who’ve all been linked fairly recently.

Another player who remains on Arsenal’s radar, as per various reports in the last few months, is Newcastle United star Alexander Isak.

The Sweden international is a proven Premier League centre-forward, bagging 25 goals in all competitions last season, and he’s currently in the middle of a contractual stand-off at St. James’ Park.

This has put a host of elite clubs on red alert over Isak, who could command a price tag of around £150 million, and Arsenal are said to be firmly in the race for his services.

"Many" Arsenal board members push Isak as top striker target

Some media sources believe that Arsenal are ready to test the water with a 2025 bid for Isak, and The Daily Mail (via GMS) now report that he’s seen as a very popular potential signing within the club.

Indeed, it is believed that “many” Arsenal board members are championing Isak as a priority target to give Arteta more firepower – and there is an acceptance that they will need to bring in a fresh goal-getter to ease reliance on Kai Havertz.

Gabriel Jesus scored a stunning hat-trick to book Arsenal’s place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals earlier this week, helping Arteta’s side to edge past Crystal Palace in the quarters with a 3-2 win, but the Brazilian’s tally is still just four in all competitions this season.

By contrast, Isak has double that figure with an extra four assists to boot. That being said, there have been other suggestions that Arsenal might have to break their transfer record for Isak, so he won’t be an easy capture by any means.