Chelsea are pushing ahead with talks to sign highly-rated defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax, with their summer of spending set to continue.
Chelsea accelerating Hato dealKeen to strengthen defence Good relationship with AjaxFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea have already splashed the cash on Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap this summer, but now their attention has turned to strengthening Enzo Maresca's defence. The Blues have opened talks with Ajax over a move for Hato, one of the brightest defensive talents in Europe.
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The Premier League side's excellent relationship with the Dutch giants is said to be key to the deal, with a number of clubs interested in the 19-year-old. Hato is also reportedly keen on a move to Stamford Bridge, with personal terms not expected to be a problem.
WHAT HATO'S AGENT SAID
Hato's agent has also seemingly confirmed Chelsea's interest, ramping up speculation that he could join the club. Speaking to Telegraaf, he said: "Yes, it’s true Chelsea have contacted Ajax. The only thing I can say is that Jorrel is now in talks with Chelsea."
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Liverpool are also interested in the Dutchman, but have fallen way behind in the race to sign his signature, with Chelsea set to act quickly to get a deal over the line.
Manchester United’s search for a new No.9 reportedly led to them exploring a Danny Welbeck homecoming transfer for the second year in a row.
Red Devils wanted more firepower
Allowed several attackers to leave
No deal for ex-academy graduate
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Red Devils spent much of the summer window pursuing attacking additions. They were able to acquire the creative qualities of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo relatively quickly, but found it trickier to land somebody capable of leading the line.
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Various options were considered. Liam Delap was an early target, but his previous ties to Manchester City made a deal unlikely and the England U21 international ended up at Chelsea. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa was considered, along with Hugo Ekitike – who made his way to Liverpool after being heavily linked with Newcastle.
DID YOU KNOW?
United ended up splashing out £74 million ($99m) on Benjamin Sesko, as the 22-year-old was lured away from RB Leipzig. The Red Devils were, however, in the market for a secondary striker at that stage.
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claims that “United explored conditions for bringing Danny Welbeck back”. The Old Trafford academy graduate was wanted by Erik ten Hag in 2024, as he would provide vital Premier League experience and goal threat in the Red Devils’ ranks.
Ruben Amorim was also keen on the ex-England international, with a contract through to 2027 discussed internally. It is, however, claimed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe opposed the offer of a two-year deal for a forward that will turn 35 in November.
Após os registros de Orejuela e Liziero, que retornaram de empréstimo para esta temporada, os primeiros reforços do São Paulo começaram a ser registrados noBoletim Informativo Diário (BID). O goleiro Rafael, o atacante Pedrinho e o meiaWellington Rato estão regularizados e já podem estrear.
Além disso, as renovações de Gabriel Neves e Rafinha também foram registradas. Agora, Marcos Paulo, Alan Franco eMéndez – os outros três reforços anunciados até o momento – aguardam suas inscrições.
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A tendência é que todos os atletas estejam registrados no BID até sexta-feira (13), assim, podem atuar pelo São Paulo na estreia no Campeonato Paulista contra o Ituano, em partida que acontece neste domingo (15).
Como os três últimos citados vieram de equipes estrangeiras, a questão burocrática torna o processo mais demorado. Entretanto, todos foram apresentados no CT da Barra Funda nos últimos dias e estão participando normalmente da pré-temporada tricolor.
Wellington Rato e Rafael foram contratados em definitivo. Os dois têm vínculo até dezembro de 2025. Pedrinho, por sua vez, chega como um empréstimo, até o final deste ano.
كشف اللاعب الجنوب إفريقي بيرسي تاو، جناح الأهلي السابق عن ناديه الجديد الذي انتقل إليه في صفقة انتقال حر بعدما انتهى عقد مع قطر القطري.
وأعلن تاو عن انتقاله إلى نادي نام دينه في الدوري الفيتنامي، ولم ينشر النادي الفيتنامي أي تفاصيل عن مدة العقد وقيمته المالية لكن بعض الصحف من جنوب إفريقيا نشرت تقارير أفادت بأن مدة عقد تاو موسم واحد مع خيار التجديد لمدة موسم آخر.
وارتبط اسم بيرسي تاو، في وقت سابق بالانتقال إلى نادي الزمالك خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الحالية على مدار الآونة الأخيرة، لكن مسؤولي النادي الأبيض نفوا تلك الأنباء.
ويُعد تاو من أكثر المواهب المميزة في قارة إفريقيا وقضى مسيرة مميزة مع الأهلي، حيث حصد دوري أبطال إفريقيا والدوري المصري أكثر من مرة، قبل أن ينضم في يناير الماضي إلى نادي قطر القطري.
وكتب تاو، عبر حسابه الرسمي على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “إكس” بعد انتقاله إلى نادي نام دين: “أهلا جرين ستيل دام دينه موطني الجديد، مستعد لتجربة تحديات جديدة”.
Xin chào Thép Xanh Nam Định – ngôi nhà mới của tôi. Sẵn sàng chinh phục những thử thách mới 🏆 pic.twitter.com/n9AumyGZXC — Percy Muzi Tau (@percymuzitau22) August 16, 2025
The pitch deteriorated a bit faster than expected, the England captain said
S Sudarshanan16-Dec-2023England captain Heather Knight called the conditions for the one-off women’s Test against India “extreme” and said she “would be surprised” if they get those in the T20 World Cup 2024 in Bangladesh and the ODI World Cup 2025 in India.”These conditions were really extreme; we have never seen that sort of spin before, that sort of dryness in the pitch,” Knight said after England’s record 347-run loss at the DY Patil Stadium. “In the main formats we play – T20 and 50 overs – we are not going to get as much [turn] as that.”Previously our issues against spin have been more [around] the ball not spinning. You’d look at the wickets Ash Gardner took in the Ashes, there weren’t many that spun. My dismissal that spun but a lot was outside edge and balls that didn’t spin.Related
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“These conditions were extreme, and I’d be surprised if we face those again unless we play another Test in India in the near future, which I am not sure is in the plan. We want to get better in conditions we might face in Bangladesh. Spin does dominate in the women’s game, and if we can improve that it will give us a big advantage.”Opting to bat first, India posted 428 – they were 410 for 7 on day one scoring at more than four an over – with four batters scoring half-centuries. But when England batted in the afternoon, they lost 7 for 28 with offspinner Deepti Sharma picking up 5 for 7 in just 5.3 overs. England were bowled out for 136 and 131.”[The pitch] probably deteriorated a bit faster than we expected,” she said. “[It was] reasonably good in the first innings to bat on. The spin was quite extreme. We bowled pretty well on the first day with two wickets. A few nicks that did not carry, that can be soul-destroying for some of those fast bowlers when your best ball doesn’t carry to slips.”We identified that the wobble ball was really effective and tried to get as much out of that as we can. It seamed a little bit more because the pitch deteriorated and when it spins it does seam a little bit as well.”Deepti picked up nine wickets in the match – her four-for following her five-wicket haul in the first innings – to go with her half-century. On the contrary, England’s prime spinner Sophie Ecclestone had an off game and picked up only five wickets across the innings.England were bowled out for 136 and 131 in their two innings•BCCIKnight said that the rough patch outside the right-handers’ off made it a tad easier for offspinners – England’s Charlie Dean picked up four wickets in the second innings – which was not the case for left-arm spinners to right-handers. India’s Rajeshwari Gayakwad also returned only two wickets and bowled just 11.3 overs in the match.”The way Deepti bowled, she was very threatening,” she said. “The offspinners for both teams felt more threatening because there was a lot more deterioration of the pitch. The left-armers to right handers had to bowl more in the less trafficked areas, so it was harder to get sharp spin. She bowled well and a very attacking line and made it very attacking line and made it tricky for us.”Sophie is coming back from a surgery and the expectation on her is so high. She is so brilliant, she is the best spinner in the world. The expectation from our side and also from herself – she puts a lot of expectation on herself – which is why she is so good. It was hard for her.”When she was bowling to the right-handers, she was bowling on the best part of the pitch that hasn’t had a lot of traffic on. The threat was more to the left-arm spinners to the left-handers, which she bowled very well to.”Happy with how the T20 side is shaping, says KnightEngland had won the T20I series 2-1 before a two-day turnaround for the Test match. They won the first and second matches before being undone by spin in the final T20I. Knight said the exposure young batters in the side got would keep them in good stead ahead of the T20 World Cup next year in Bangladesh.”The T20 World Cup in Bangladesh is the big focus for us,” she said. “The way we played the first two T20Is, the first in particular, was brilliant for us. The T20 side is coming together for us very well. The last T20I we exposed some young players to those conditions, having won the series and with the Test match coming up.”For the younger players to play in these conditions, but also being in India, it is a different place to tour. You have more time in hotels. The humidity [can get to you]. It’s a good place to learn. T20 World Cup in Bangladesh is the next time we get a chance to play in these conditions.”
Amelia Kerr scored 88 for New Zealand but a middle-order collapse meant they could post only a par total
Hemant Brar28-Sep-2023Laura Wolvaardt’s unbeaten 124 helped South Africa chase down New Zealand’s 253 with seven wickets and 28 balls to spare in the second ODI in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday. The win gave the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series, and took them to a sole second position on the Women’s Championship table with 14 points from eight games.After Wolvaardt won the toss and put New Zealand in, Amelia Kerr led the way, scoring 88 off 110 balls. Alongside Suzie Bates, she added 49 in a first-wicket stand in which Bates’ contribution was 14. Masabata Klaas provided the breakthrough by castling Bates, and then removed New Zealand captain Sophie Devine in her next over, also bowled. In all, there were seven bowled dismissals, the joint second-most in an ODI innings. In fact, all ten New Zealand wickets fell without any assistance from a fielder – two batters were lbw and one was caught-and-bowled.Amelia found support from Maddy Green, who struck 43 off 50 balls, and the pair added 92 in 82 balls for the third wicket. Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba removed Green in the 31st over, triggering a collapse that had New Zealand slip from 158 for 2 to 199 for 8. However, Hannah Rowe and Lea Tahuhu added 54 in 49 balls for the ninth wicket to lift the side to 253.Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits started the chase in briskly, adding 29 in 5.2 overs before Lea Tahuhu had Brits caught-and-bowled to become the first New Zealand bowler to pick up 100 ODI wickets.Lara Goodall fell cheaply, leaving South Africa 43 for 2. From there on, Wolvaardt and Sune Luus steered the chase with their 98-run stand. Wolvaardt reached her fifty off 58 balls; Luus followed her soon after, in 53 balls.Tahuhu returned to break the stand but there was no relief for New Zealand. Even when it looked like Devine had Wolvaardt caught in the covers for 79, it turned out to be a no-ball. The South Africa captain made full use of the reprieve and brought up her fourth ODI hundred, and first in a chase, off 117 balls. She now has the most ODI hundreds for South Africa, going past Lizelle Lee’s tally of three.From the other end, Marizanne Kapp scored an unbeaten 45 off 49 balls as the pair added 116 off 117 in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand to take South Africa across the line.After the game, Wolvaardt called her knock “probably the favourite of my four hundreds just because it was in a chase”.
Bournemouth's transfer activity appears to have paved the way for Liverpool to sign highly-rated left-back Milos Kerkez.
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Bournemouth deal points to Kerkez sale
Replacement arrives in £15m transfer
Liverpool on course to land Hungarian star
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Bournemouth have announced the signing of French left-back Adrien Truffert. The 23-year-old joins from Rennes, where he had been captain since January, on a long-term contract to 2030. The package, including add-ons, is reported to be worth just under £15 million ($20m) and therefore not a minor expense.
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Everything points to Kerkez being allowed to leave now that a replacement has been signed. The Hungary international has been on Liverpool's radar for months and has reported that a package worth £40-45m ($54-61m) is "at an advanced stage". There are still things to resolve as talks between the clubs continue, but it is possible that an agreement is reached by the end of the week that makes him Liverpool's third major signing of of the summer after bringing in Jeremie Frimpong and hammering out a deal for Florian Wirtz.
DID YOU KNOW?
With Kerkez set to arrive at Anfield, there is uncertainty about Andrew Robertson's Liverpool future beyond this summer. The 31-year-old has gone past his peak and is no longer one of the world's best full-backs, leading to suggestions that he could even be let go sooner rather than later. Atletico Madrid are seeemingly keen, although it has been reported that they ideally want Liverpool to release him on a free transfer.
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WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
Although Bournemouth's capture of Truffert suggests it should be a formality, Liverpool still need to finalise the outstanding minor details to complete the Kerkez deal. But it could then quickly follow Wirtz's arrival, with the record-breaking German set for a medical this week.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is reportedly 'dreaming' of a move to Manchester United after rejecting a move to Al-Hilal.
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Osimhen snubs Al-Hilal move
Faces uncertain Napoli future
'Dreaming' of Man Utd switch
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Gazzetta dello Sport, via Sport Witness, claim the Nigerian international is 'dreaming' of an Old Trafford switch, with United 'studying a strategy' to land him later this summer. Napoli CEO Aurelio de Laurentiis is said to want suitors to pay Osimhen's €75 million (£63.5m) release clause, with the Red Devils reportedly considering including forward Joshua Zirkee in a possible move.
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United's biggest transfer priority ahead of next season is to, arguably, sign a clinical striker. Ruben Amorim's team were so short on goals in 2024/25 in attack, and if Osimhen did join, that would be a real statement of intent. The report adds that Napoli and United are on 'good relations' following the Scott McTominay deal and that could facilitate an Osimhen transfer.
DID YOU KNOW?
Osimhen, who rejected a move to Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal, has enjoyed another prolific season in front of goal, with the 26-year-old scoring 37 goals in 41 games while on loan at Galatasaray.
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WHAT NEXT?
Osimhen, who is still the subject of interest from Al-Hilal and has also been linked with Juventus, Arsenal, and Chelsea, is once again set to be the subject of much transfer interest in the coming weeks and months. But whether he does leave Napoli remains to be seen.
Manchester City are preparing to sell a player Pep Guardiola recently hailed as “important” this summer, with talks over a move to Atletico Madrid already underway, according to a new report.
Manchester City drop points again against Brighton
Manchester City are struggling again, with Guardiola’s men now having won just two of their last six games in the Premier League.
Their most recent setback came at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend, with the two sides playing out a 2-2 draw at The Etihad.
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The slip up means City, who are fifth, now just nine games left to try and qualify for next season’s Champions League. Miss out, and it will mark the first time the Sky Blues haven’t qualified for European football’s elite competition for the first time since the 2009/10 season.
“Nine games, nine finals. It looks like it [will go down to the last day],” Guardiola said after his side’s draw with Brighton. “Nine games still until the end of the season. We have tough games.”
Manchester City manager PepGuardiola
Guardiola also expressed his sympathies for a number of his players who were not involved in the game.
“All the managers around the world, they make the decision,” he explained. “They select the XI it’s because they believe it’s going to win the game. I never found a manager, never ever, that selects 11 players and thinks they are going to lose.”
“Next game we will see who will play, the way we are going to play and with who we are going to play. I feel so sorry for all the players that don’t play. What can I say?”
Man City preparing to sell Kovacic
One player who wasn’t involved against Brighton was midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
The Croatian has often been used as a stand-in for the injured Rodri this term, with Guardiola recently hailing his role in the squad as “important,” but has been dropped to the bench in recent weeks, with January signing Nico González taking his place.
According to TEAMtalk, Man City have now cleared the way for Kovacic to leave the club at the end of the season, with talks about a return to Spain already underway.
The publication reports that the former Real Madrid man has been attracting interest from Atletico Madrid, with the club having already established contact with the player and initiated preliminary discussions with City through indirect channels.
Mateo Kovacic Premier League Stats 2024/25
Games
24
Starts
19
Goals
4
Assists
1
Chances Created
26
Pass Accuracy
93.1%
Stats via FotMob. (Correct as of 17/3/25)
The report states that City are open to selling Kovacic, who turns 31 in May, and would be willing to accept a fee of around €30 million (£25.2 million) for his services.
Atletico, meanwhile, are likely to have to part ways with some players of their own to facilitate Kovacic’s arrival in the summer.
The decision to get rid of Gary O’Neil from the Wolverhampton Wanderers hot seat continues to look like the correct decision, even if the Old Gold are still staring over their shoulder anxiously at the relegation places in the Premier League.
Under the former choppy managerial regime, Wolves were leaking goals for fun and losing clashes left, right and centre, with O’Neil tallying up a worrying 11 league defeats this season before his expected dismissal.
Now, under the more polished reign of Vitor Pereira, Wolves are two points clear of the bottom three, with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa sticking out as a key result near the foot of the division.
Pereira will hope he can one day be remembered in a similar vein to Nuno Espirito Santo, with the Portuguese manager hailed as a modern-day great at Molineux, before then embarking on a new adventure elsewhere at Nottingham Forest.
Nuno's standout Wolves stars
Glancing at the stars Nuno had at his disposal in the West Midlands makes for some enjoyable reading, with the likes of Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota starring in attack under the now Forest boss’ methods, alongside the popular 51-year-old also possessing midfield superstars such as Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho.
Former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves.
Neves was undoubtedly one of the finest stars to ever don an Old Gold jersey under the Portuguese coach, with Neves going on to amass a weighty 253 appearances for the club as 30 goals and 13 assists came his way.
Delving deeper, the likes of Jota also really came into their own in the English game at Wolves before becoming a success at Anfield, with all 44 of his strikes at Molineux coming under the much-celebrated boss.
Where Are They Now
But, for all the many hits, there were a couple of notable misses, with this attacker – who joined during the same transfer window as Jimenez – going down as a complete disaster.
The Wolves flop now outperforming Larsen and Ait-Nouri
Before we look at how this flop has turned around their playing days after a bruising experience at Molineux, some scars have to be reopened.
Patrick Cutrone would join the Wolves ranks for a bumper £16m in the summer of 2019, with the club’s impressive track record in unearthing top-quality gems from abroad no doubt making the Old Gold faithful believe that this would be another successful and exciting buy.
Unfortunately, sweet strikes such as this one from the Italian versus West Ham United wouldn’t be regular, with only three goals and four assists coming the ex-AC Milan attacker’s way from 28 largely forgettable appearances.
In the end – after multiple loan stints away from the club saw him move out to Spain among other new locations – Cutrone would up and leave permanently for hometown side Como in 2022, bringing his cursed stay in England to a thankful halt.
Former Wolves striker Patrick Cutrone.
The one-time senior Italy international would open up about his headspace during his dismal time with the Old Gold shortly after returning to his native country, stating that he felt “alone” throughout his bumpy stay.
The 6 foot attacker being back in familiar surroundings would soon see the Old Gold dud get back to the goalscoring best that resulted in Wolves once forking out £16m, with Cutrone’s encouraging output this campaign in Serie A actually bettering both Jorgen Larsen and Rayan Ait-Nouri’s own numbers back in Pereira’s camp.
Top five G/A Wolves players in the PL – 24/25
Player
Games played
Goals scored
Assists
1. Matheus Cunha
24
12
4
2. Jorgen Strand Larsen
23
7
2
3. Rayan Ait Nouri
24
3
5
4. Goncalo Guedes
22
2
4
5. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
23
2
3
Stats by Sofascore
Cutrone would slot straight into second place in the table above if he was still at Wolves, with the Como-born attacker picking up six goals and four assists this season in league action.
As a result, he betters Larsen by one goal contribution and his left-back teammate by two, as Cutrone attempts to just shrug off his poor spell in England with more and more standout showings in Italy.
Wolves must regret losing loan "maestro" who's worth 202% more than Munetsi