The new Diaz: Liverpool preparing club-record bid for "magical" Salah heir

There comes a time when a club must face the thought of one of their superstars leaving. Not in hostile, bitter circumstances, but because age has caught up with them, and it is the right time to close the door on their glittering stay.

Steven Gerrard’s departure from Liverpool a decade ago was very much representative of this, but now, the Anfield side are beginning to understand that Mohamed Salah is likely into his final stretch at the club, having signed a new £400k-per-week contract in April that will take him to the end of next season.

Last year was Salah’s. The Egyptian forward decided one Premier League trophy wasn’t enough and embarked on a record-breaking journey toward his second title with Liverpool, scoring 29 goals and supplying 18 assists across the top-flight term.

The decline since the summer has been steep, and though there are a number of circumstances likely impacting his performance, Salah is 33 years old and claims that he is suffering the inevitability of a late-career wind down are justified.

Liverpool need a new right winger by the end of 2026/27, but they also need more energy and athleticism, with Salah not the only player culpable of lacking those elements this season.

Liverpool ready to search for Salah successor

There’s been a statistic floating about regarding Liverpool’s running metrics, and it’s concerning, to say the least. Only once across Liverpool’s past seven Premier League matches have they outrun their opponent.

Salah has been at the epicentre of this struggle. The veteran winger’s defensive work rate has decreased over the past several years, but his insane levels of prolificness have eased any frustration over this foible.

But now that his sharpened edge has been dulled, it’s becoming clear that Salah is a weak link, ranking among the bottom 4% of Premier League positional peers this season for tackles won and the bottom 15% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.

The sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich hasn’t helped things, with the Colombian among the most electric and tenacious forwards out there. Liverpool did not directly replace Diaz, who chalked up 25 goal contributions in all competitions for Arne Slot last year.

But Liverpool could find their new version of the 28-year-old in his Bayern teammate Michael Olise. According to Spanish sources, the France international is in Richard Hughes’ sights as Liverpool plan for the future, and the Reds are even believed to be preparing a British-record package worth €200m (about £177m).

Olise, 23, has been a revelation in Germany since joining from Crystal Palace over a year ago, and FSG know they need to replace Salah with an elite winger when the time does come.

What Olise would offer Liverpool

Since signing for Bayern in a £50m deal, Olise has scored 27 goals and supplied 30 assists across 72 matches. Widely regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in England, called a “magical footballer” by content creator HLTCO, he has established himself as a superstar.

Bayern Munich's Michael Olise celebrates.

An elegant and intelligent wide forward, Olise is not a clinical goalscorer, but he boasts so many athletic and technical qualities that could see him thrive as Salah’s successor, especially as he wouldn’t be trying to mimic the club legend’s playing style, rather, bring his own flavour.

In the Bundesliga this season, for example, the Les Bleus talent has averaged 1.9 key passes, 1.7 successful dribbles and 4.2 duels per match, as per Sofascore, with seven goal involvements from just eight starts.

Looking at the potential addition through a wider lens, we can see that Olise is actually outstripping Salah over many important metrics across the past year, and with Liverpool’s talisman seemingly declining in front of goal, that gulf will only stretch over the next 18 months.

Mohamed Salah vs Michael Olise (past 12 months)

Stats (per 90)

Salah

Olise

Goals scored

0.62

0.38

Assists

0.33

0.50

Shots taken

3.08

3.55

Shot-creating actions

3.96

6.60

Touches (att pen)

8.64

6.48

Pass completion (%)

70.1

80.7

Progressive passes

3.78

7.15

Progressive carries

4.13

4.90

Successful take-ons

1.28

2.53

Ball recoveries

2.77

3.95

Data via FBref

Olise is not so much of an out-and-out goalscorer as Salah, but in this, Liverpool could strike the jackpot.

With Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike both signed this summer, Liverpool have revamped their central attacking options. Olise would be the perfect add-on, bringing Diaz-esque dribbling and peerless playmaking back to the Premier League, helping Slot’s side’s overall fluency.

Though the Reds ostensibly have the parts to fashion stunning attacking play and sustain it, there’s no question that something is missing. When Salah leaves, that will only become clearer, with the struggles for form up top now that he is not on his A-game already being felt. For so long, Liverpool have been reliant on the iconic winger’s brilliance, and now they need new solutions.

It was a mistake on FSG and Slot’s part not to have added a direct Diaz replacement to their ranks this season, and the ramifications are certainly being felt, stretched and accentuated by Salah’s own woes on the right.

Were a younger iteration of Salah in this struggling Liverpool side, the sale of Diaz would not be so keenly felt. Now, it’s vital that Liverpool and Hughes get it right in sourcing a replacement.

You won’t find many better than Olise, and he has the perfect style of play to stand in the space that Salah will eventually vacate, not an imitation but his own, world-class player.

Not Wirtz: Slot's own Firmino proved he can end Gakpo's Liverpool stay

One of Liverpool’s star men proved he has what it takes to play in a number of positions under Slot’s wing.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 14, 2025

Unadkat leads the line for Sussex on 14-wicket day at Hove

Milnes leads Yorkshire fightback after being bowled out for 194 in rain-delayed start to contest

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay16-Sep-2025

Jaydev Unadkat celebrates one of his three wickets•Getty Images

Sussex 84 for 4 (Milnes 2-35) trail Yorkshire 194 (Lyth 47, Hudson-Prentice 3-33, Unadkat 3-36) by 110 runsFourteen wickets fell at Hove as two sides needing a victory that would make sure of their first division status produced a compelling day.Sussex were in the ascendancy when they bowled Yorkshire out for 194 after tea but the visitors fought back, reducing the hosts 84 for four when bad light ended with 13 overs not bowled.A draw would probably suit both teams in their battle to avoid an immediate return to the second division but despite no play on the first day there is now every chance of a positive result. A pitch that had been under cover for the best part of 48 hours offered help to the seamers throughout but there was also some flawed shot selection from both teams.It looked a good toss to win when Yorkshire reached 100 for two. But Indian left-armer Jaydev Unadkat and Fynn Hudson-Prentice, who took three wickets apiece, and the excellent Ollie Robinson fought back to take six wickets between lunch and tea before off-spinner Jack Carson finished the innings off.With the floodlights on, Yorkshire hit back with the new ball. Jack White had Dan Hughes smartly taken low at third slip and Tom Haines was lbw to Matt Milnes working to leg. Milnes struck again in his sixth over thanks to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow’s alertness. Hill shelled a catch at slip, but the ball landed on Bairstow’s right boot and he scooped it into his gloves as it bounced up. James Coles (29) shaped up well until he found mid-wicket trying to work Jordan Thompson through square.The subsequent clatter of wickets had seemed unlikely for much of the morning session as Fin Bean and Adam Lyth accumulated patiently before Bean (27) was caught behind trying to cut Hudson-Prentice’s medium pace and in the last over before lunch left-armer Sean Hunt found Lyth’s inside edge after he’d made 47 and looked to have done the hard work.Yorkshire then lost five for 15 in 7.2 overs with James Wharton taken low down at slip by Carson to give Robinson a belated reward. Bairstow was bowled through the gate by Unadkat in the next over and he struck again when Matthew Revis played at a delivery he could comfortably have ignored well outside off stump.Hill drove loosely and was caught at slip and Dom Bess fell to a leg-side strangle. Jordan Thompson glided the hat-trick ball from Hudson-Prentice effortlessly to the cover rope and Sussex would have been in an even stronger position had Coles held a waist-high chance at second slip before Thompson added to his boundary.Instead, Thompson and Indian Mayank Agarwal put conditions into perspective by adding 52 for the eighth wicket with few alarms.Agarwal, who made a golden duck on his debut at Taunton last week, had been in since the fall of the first wicket and although he struggled with his timing during nearly two and a half hours he did a solid job while wickets tumbled at the other end until following one from Unadkat which had shaped away.After tea Carson pinned Thompson (38) with a ball which straightened just enough and the innings ended when White was caught at slip driving loosely at Carson.

Palmeiras encerra preparação para pegar o Santos com dúvida no ataque

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras finalizou na manhã deste sábado (27), a preparação para o seu primeiro clássico do ano, quando recebe o Santos no Allianz Parque, pela terceira rodada do Paulistão.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras defende tabu de sete anos diante do Santos no Allianz ParquePalmeiras27/01/2024DicasPalmeiras x Santos: estatísticas e informações para apostar no jogo da 3ª rodada do PaulistaDicas28/01/2024PalmeirasAtacante do Palmeiras lesiona o joelho e pode ficar afastado por cinco mesesPalmeiras26/01/2024

➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

Abel Ferreira contou com quase todo elenco, menos com Bruno Rodrigues, que sofreu uma lesão no joelho e deve parar por mais de quatro meses. Após ser preservado contra a Inter de Limeira, Mayke treinou normalmente e deve retornar ao time titular alviverde.

Sem o camisa 11, Breno Lopes pode ganhar uma vaga no ataque e Abel Ferreira terá que decidir entre Rony e Flaco para comandar o ataque. Caso queira não jogar com três atacantes, Luan ou Marcos Rocha podem ganhar mais uma chance e o Verdão voltar a atuar com três zagueiros.

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O provável Palmeiras para encarar o Santos é: Weverton, Mayke, Murilo, Gómez e Piquerez; Aníbal Moreno, Zé Rafael e Raphael Veiga; Luís Guilherme, Breno Lopes e Rony (Flaco López).

O Palmeiras não perde para o Santos no Allianz Parque desde 2017 e até a manhã deste sábado, um pouco mais de 17 mil ingressos já tinham sido vendidos pro jogo.

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A bola rola para Palmeiras x Santos neste domingo (28), a partir das 18h, no Allianz Parque e o jogo terá transmissão da Rede Record.

Vasco pode ter quatro novidades para enfrentar o Criciúma pelo Brasileirão

MatériaMais Notícias

O Vasco enfrenta o Criciúma em São Januário, às 16h (Brasília), em São Januário, pela quarta rodada do Brasileirão. A semana de descanso para o time fez Ramón Díaz pensar em como escalar o Cruz-Maltino para o confronto contra o Tigre depois de duas rodadas sem pontuar.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Gigante agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Vasco

É o Pirata do Vascão! Aposte R$100 no Lance! Betting e ganhe R$203 com gol de Vegetti sobre o Criciúma

A volta para casa é um fator para ser levado em consideração. Foi no Caldeirão que o clube carioca conseguiu sua primeira vitória do campeonato nacional. Além disso, desfalques de peso impactaram o rendimento da equipe nos dois jogos seguintes, contra o Bragantino e contra o Fluminense.

Agora, os vascaínos finalmente podem ter boas notícias. O zagueiro Gary Medel está de volta ao Rio após visitar sua mãe, que estava passando por problemas de saúde, no Chile. O jogador retornou na última quarta-feira e já participou dos treinos com a equipe. O defensor deve ser titular fazendo a dupla com Léo.

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A segunda novidade é a titularidade de Hugo Moura. O volante foi o único reforço da janela de transferência doméstica e já estreou com a camisa do Gigante no confronto contra o Fluminense. O jogador entrou bem na partida, no lugar de Matheus Carvalho, logo no início do segundo tempo, e deu uma assistência para o gol de Vegetti.

Após o clássico, Ramón Díaz elogiou a atuação do meio-campista:

– Me surpreendeu. Estava muito bem. Jogador que estávamos pedindo e necessitando. Agressivo, com boa qualidade com a bola nos pés, bola parada. Vai nos ajudar muito. – avaliou o técnico argentino.

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Outra novidade é que Rayan deve iniciar a partida entre os principais. O Cria da Colina treinou como titular durante a semana e deve entrar na vaga de Rossi, que não tem feito boas atuações. Em coletiva de imprensa, Ramón Díaz revelou que Josh Wander, dono da 777 Partners, pediu para que o treinador utilizasse mais a base.

– Quando nos reunimos com o presidente da 777, quando estivemos todos juntos conversando, me pediram para que eu coloque os jovens para jogar. Estou preparando eles para que eles possam render, na condição que estão, e estão melhorando.

O principal reforço para a partida é a provável volta de Dimitri Payet. O francês ainda não jogou pelo Brasileirão nesta temporada por conta de uma lesão no joelho direito. O camisa 10 tem se recuperado bem e treinou com a equipe titular durante a semana, segundo o ge. Com isso, o meio-campo deve ser formado por Sforza, Hugo Moura e Payet.

Tudo sobre

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هاني أبو ريدة يدعم منتخب مصر الثاني قبل كأس العرب

حرص المهندس هاني أبوريدة، رئيس الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، على حضور مران منتخب مصر المشارك في بطولة كأس العرب بالدوحة.

وتنطلق منافسات بطولة كأس العرب يوم 1 ديسمبر، حيث يسعى منتخب مصر لتحقيق انطلاقة مثالية تحت قيادة المدير الفني حلمي طولان.

وعقد أبو ريدة اجتماعًا مع الجهاز الفني واللاعبين لرفع معنوياتهم قبل انطلاق منافسات البطولة.

وأبدى أبو ريدة ثقته الكاملة في المدير الفني وجهازه المعاون وجميع اللاعبين المختارين لتمثيل المنتخب، مؤكدًا أن الاتحاد يقف خلف الفريق بكل قوة ويدعم مسيرته في المنافسات العربية.

طالع | مواعيد مباريات منتخب مصر في كأس العرب 2025

وطالب رئيس الاتحاد اللاعبين ببذل أقصى جهد داخل الملعب، وتقديم أداء يليق باسم وتاريخ الكرة المصرية، والوصول إلى أبعد نقطة في البطولة لإسعاد الشعب المصري.

وحضر المران كل من وليد درويش ومحمد أبو حسين، عضوي مجلس إدارة الاتحاد، إلى جانب الدكتور مصطفى عزام، المدير التنفيذي للاتحاد.

Same agent as Stones: Man City ready to snap up £80m Champions League "superstar"

Manchester City are now ready to snap up a “superstar” Champions League player, with the same agent as two members of Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Man City looking to strengthen after Bayer Leverkusen setback

After putting together a solid run to re-establish themselves as Premier League title contenders, Man City have endured a dip in form over the past week, losing 2-1 at Newcastle United on Saturday, before succumbing to a 2-0 home defeat against Bayer Leverkusen.

It was a new-look defence for City, with Guardiola making wholesale changes to his starting XI, bringing in Abdukodir Khusanov to replace Matheus Nunes at right-back, despite the 27-year-old impressing in that area this season.

However, given that both Khusanov and Nunes aren’t natural full-backs, the Blues remain keen on bringing in another option, and there has now been a new update on their pursuit of Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento.

Transfer insider Dean Jones has now told TEAMtalk that Man City will be ready to sign Livramento if the opportunity presents itself, saying: “He’s happy at Newcastle, he is in a good position, he wants to push the limits of a new contract. But equally he knows he could secure a big transfer if he really wanted it.

“City have respect for his situation and have had to wait for him to decide what he does next. If he looks to leave, they are right there and will snap him up.”

"Superstar" Livramento could be perfect for Pep

Of course, any player in a Guardiola system must be comfortable in possession of the ball, and the Newcastle defender, who has the same agent as Stones and Nathan Ake, has averaged an 85.4% pass completion rate per 90 over the past year, placing him in the 87th percentile compared to other full-backs.

Once referred to as a “superstar” by Newcastle content creator Kendall Rowan, the three-time England international is also proven in the Premier League, having reached the 100-game mark in his side’s 2-1 win against City, during which the full-back made three clearances, two interceptions and two tackles.

Having been ranked as one of the best right-backs in the world, ahead of the likes of Nunes and Khusanov, Livramento could be a real upgrade for Pep at right-back, but a deal could be on the expensive side…

Man City preparing £158m+ bid for star who wants to work under Guardiola

The Citizens are keen to make new signings and could now look to acquire one of Europe’s most prominent attackers.

BySean Markus Clifford Nov 24, 2025

Newcastle value Livramento at the £80m mark, which would make him one of the most expensive signings in Man City history, and given that Nunes has been impressing this season, it is questionable whether they should spend that much on another right-back.

Chapman stars as New Zealand survive West Indies scare to level series

New Zealand recorded their first T20I victory of the home season

Tristan Lavalette06-Nov-2025

Mark Chapman unleashed a flurry of sixes in his 28-ball knock•AFP/Getty Images

Mark Chapman bludgeoned 78 off 28 balls before New Zealand survived a late onslaught to record their first T20I victory of the home season in a bounce back against West Indies at Eden Park.West Indies were down and out in the 208-run chase at 93 for 6 in the 13th over. They needed 18 an over from there but the required rate suddenly nosedived as Rovman Powell launched stunning hitting at the death.Needing 16 runs off the final over, West Indies were suddenly in the box seat after a couple of Matthew Forde boundaries meant they required eight off four balls.Related

'Boult-ish' Foulkes is adding breadth to New Zealand's pace depth

But Powell holed out to quick Kyle Jamieson on the fourth ball in a game-changer before Forde could only score a single off the final delivery as West Indies fell three runs short.Jamieson held his nerve with a superb slower ball in a major relief for New Zealand, who were under pressure after a seven-run defeat in the series-opener at the same ground just 24 hours earlier.After New Zealand were sent in to bat, Chapman ignited his side in favourable batting conditions and completely dominated the middle-latter overs with a slew of belligerent blows.While chasing, West Indies succumbed to spinners Ish Sodhi, the only change from either team from game one, and Mitchell Santner combining for six wickets.There was a late twist but the result snapped the West Indies’ five-game T20I winning streak.DRS was used in this match after technical issues meant the technology could not be in place for the opener.Chapman ignites New ZealandThere was pressure on New Zealand’s batting order after a meek effort in the series-opener, where only incredible late hitting from Santner got them close.Devon Conway struggled to get going but did help lay a platform with a 55-run opening partnership with Tim Robinson, whose premeditated ramps knocked the seamers off their lengths.But New Zealand were only modestly placed at 59 for 2 in the ninth over after Robinson’s dismissal. Chapman had a sighter before launching in the 13rd over, whacking Romario Shepherd for a trio of sixes.He was on a roll, finding gaps with a mixture of timing and power to record a 19-a ball half-century – the fastest in his T20I career. It was a welcome return to form for Chapman, who had only made 39 runs from four previous T20I innings during this home season.Chapman finally miscued straight in the air in the 17th over before Santner again showed off his big-hitting at the death as he finished off the innings in style with a six.Forde backs up, Hosein held backThere was intrigue over how Forde would pull up from game one having made a successful comeback from a shoulder injury.He once again performed exceptionally well with the new ball to prove he’s well and truly fit and firing having not played competitive cricket before this tour since July.Ish Sodhi, who replaced Jimmy Neesham, picked up three wickets•AFP/Getty Images

Forde bowled three overs on the trot in the first game before being hammered in his final over by Santner at the death. Captain Shai Hope decided to bowl Forde out and the gamble worked when he once again knocked over Conway with an almost identical delivery from the first game that seamed in wickedly.Forde finished with 1 for 17 from four overs, but West Indies’ attack struggled mightily after that. On a ground with small dimensions, Hope didn’t seem to trust left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein who bowled just one over in the first T20I.He came on in the 16th over – the latest he had ever bowled in the format. Hosein was on a hiding to nothing and greeted with a six by Daryl Mitchell before Chapman whacked consecutive blows into the crowd in an over that ultimately cost 23 runs.Other than Forde, every other bowler’s economy was over eight runs an over.Sodhi stars in returnNew Zealand was expected to stick with their line-up from the opener, but allrounder Jimmy Neesham was a late scratch after he was hit on the shoulder while batting in the warm-up.Sodhi took Neesham’s place and grabbed his opportunity having not been part of the England series. He came on in the eighth over with West Indies needing a move on after a sedate start.Alick Athanaze had him in his sights but made a hash of a reverse sweep to gift Sodhi a second-ball wicket. His tail was up with Sodhi on the next delivery unsuccessfully reviewing a caught behind shout against Ackeem Auguste.Romario Shepherd and Rovman Powell’s impressive partnership went in vain•AFP/Getty Images

But he soon dismissed Auguste, largely thanks to a terrific catch from a diving Chapman in the outfield. Sodhi then deceived Jason Holder with a googly to rattle the stumps although his figures took a little of a beating in his final couple of overs.Shepherd, Powell and Forde’s late hitting in vainWest Indies looked dead and buried at 93 for 6 in the 13th over. But they can never be totally written off due to their muscular batting through the order. Shepherd and Powell gave them hope after they smashed five sixes in a six-ball whirlwind.Shepherd fell for 34 off 16 balls, but Powell remained undaunted and received support from Forde as the ball kept flying into the terraces. They whittled it down to 16 in the final over but ultimately fell short.In the end the task proved too great and the West Indies will rue such a slow start. But they will know that no chase is out of reach and the late fireworks will spook New Zealand, who will need to reassess their plans in the death overs.

أحمد الشناوي: الفوز على باور ديناموز يقربنا من التأهل.. ونركز على صدارة الدوري المصري

أكد أحمد الشناوي حارس مرمى نادي بيراميدز، أن هدف الفريق في مواجهة باور ديناموز الزامبي، هو الفوز من أجل الاقتراب من التأهل إلى الدور المقبل في بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويحل بيراميدز ضيفًا على باور ديناموز، في السادسة من مساء غد السبت باستاد ليفي موانواسا بمدينة ندولا في زامبيا، في ثاني مواجهات دور المجموعات من بطول دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

طالع | يورتشيتش: بيراميدز بطل أبطال القارة.. وهدفنا الفوز على باور ديناموز وصدارة المجموعة

وقال الشناوي خلال المؤتمر الصحفي: “مباراة الفريق أمام باور ديناموز الزامبي لن تكون سهلة على الإطلاق على الرغم من خسارة الفريق لمباراته الأولى في دور المجموعات بثلاثية أمام نهضة بركان، مشددا على أن الفريق سيظهر بالطبع قوة في ملعبه ووسط جماهيره وتعويض الخسارة”.

وأضاف: “الفريق الزامبي قوي ويمتلك عناصر مميزة في بعض الخطوط وظهر ذلك واضحا في مواجهة بركان رغم الخسارة، ولكن بيراميدز يلعب بشخصية بطل إفريقيا وحامل اللقب، ولا بديل عن الفوز باللقاء حتى وإن كان خارج ملعبه”.

وأكمل: “بيراميدز بدأ دور المجموعات بشكل مثالي وحقق الفوز بثلاثية أمام ريفرز النيجيري ويبحث عن فوز ثاني في زامبيا لتأمين الصدارة بست نقاط والاقتراب خطوة أكبر من التأهل للمرحلة المقبلة، قبل العودة مجددا والتركيز في مشوار الدوري بحثا عن التواجد في صدارة البطولة المحلية”.

وكان بيراميدز فاز في لقاء الجولة الأولي على ريفزر النيجيري، بثلاثة أهداف دون رد، ليتصدر ترتيب مجموعته في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

Better than Anderson: Man Utd move 'close' to signing big-money midfielder

Despite the £200m spending spree in the summer transfer window, Manchester United have failed to address the need for a new central midfielder in Ruben Amorim’s side.

His 3-4-2-1 system requires two dominant ball-playing options, with Bruno Fernandes currently occupying one of the two positions at the heart of the side.

The Portuguese international is primarily a number ten, but the arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have seen him drop into a slightly deeper number eight role.

Casemiro has often been the man to partner him in the middle of the park, but with his contract expiring at the end of 2025/26, it’s evident that a long-term solution is needed.

As a result, the Red Devils have since been drawing up a shortlist of potential options, with the January transfer window now rapidly appearing on the horizon.

Man Utd’s hunt for a new central midfielder in January

In an attempt to improve the options in the midfield department, the United board have identified Stuttgart star Angelo Stiller as a potential addition this January.

The German has developed into one of Europe’s leading performers, but he could be available for a fee in the region of £53m – a potential bargain given his recent rise in the Bundesliga.

However, he’s also seemingly on the radar of European giants Bayern Munich, which could lead to a huge battle for the 24-year-old’s signature in the months ahead.

He’s not alone in being a potential target for Amorim’s men, with Joao Gomes another talent that’s currently being considered for the central midfield role.

According to one Brazilian outlet, the Red Devils are advancing in talks for the 24-year-old, with a £44m transfer fee being mooted for his services this winter.

The report notes that a deal is ‘widely expected’ to be completed and that the player is ‘close’ to transfer clubs over the winter.

It also states that the Wolves star would be open to a switch to Old Trafford, but it remains to be seen if his current employers would sanction a move during the mid-point of the campaign.

Why United’s latest target would be a better signing than Anderson

Over the last couple of weeks, Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson has been another player who has been on their radar to bolster the central midfield department.

The Englishman has been one of the star men in the Premier League this campaign, leading to a first string of international appearances under Thomas Tuchel.

He’s featured in every single minute of the Reds’ league campaign to date, even playing a key role in the recent 3-0 triumph over Liverpool at Anfield this weekend.

His form has led to huge rumours over a potential switch to Old Trafford, but his current side are demanding a fee in the region of £100m to part ways with him in the near future.

Such a deal would be a club record, breaking the £89m fee paid for Paul Pogba way back in the summer of 2016 – potentially making a transfer somewhat unlikely this winter.

As a result, cheaper alternatives will likely have to be considered by Amorim and the board, which could result in a transfer for Gomes in the coming months.

When comparing the Brazilian’s stats to those of Anderson from the opening months of the season, the Wolves star has managed to outperform him in numerous areas – that’s despite his side sitting rock bottom.

Gomes, who’s been described as “one of the best pressers in the league” by one analyst, has completed more of his attempted passes and notched more passes into the opposition box per 90 this season.

Such numbers in possession showcase that the Brazilian thrives at finding a teammate, which could benefit some of the £200m additions within the final third at Old Trafford.

How Gomes & Anderson compare in the PL (2025/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Gomes

Anderson

Games played

12

12

Goals & assists

0

2

Pass accuracy

85%

83%

Passes into opposition box

1.3

1.2

Clearances made

2.1

1.1

Interceptions made

1.2

1.1

Tackles made

1.8

1.5

Take-on success

50%

46%

Stats via FBref

He’s also won more tackles per 90 whilst making more clearances and interceptions per 90 – numbers which make him the perfect ball-winning option for the Red Devils.

Gomes’ all-round dominance is further reflected in his higher take-on success and aerial duels won per 90, which could make him an absolute steal at his current asking price.

£44m in the current climate would be an excellent piece of business, with the midfielder having the opportunity to improve further in the years ahead given he’s just 24.

There’s little denying that Anderson would be the dream addition for many fans, but it’s evident that Gomes would be a cost-effective addition for the short term.

However, that shouldn’t discredit the Wolves star’s talents, with his numbers this season certainly going under the radar, which could make him a stellar addition for Amorim.

He's "much better" than Sesko: Man Utd pursuing "one of the best CFs in PL"

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ByEthan Lamb Nov 21, 2025

Mlaba, Brits, Luus seal comfortable win for South Africa

South Africa got onto the points table while New Zealand slumped to their second straight loss in Indore

Shashank Kishore06-Oct-2025

Tazmin Brits walked back to a rousing ovation in Indore•ICC/Getty Images

Tazmin Brits is having a year like no other. Her fifth hundred in 2025 – the most-ever by a woman in a calendar year – studded South Africa’s dominance as they got onto the points table with a crushing six-wicket win over New Zealand, who slumped to their second straight loss in Indore.Four nights after being bundled out for the second-lowest score in World Cups, South Africa showed authority and intent in chasing down 232 in 40.5 overs. This somewhat helped cover up for a massive net run rate dent from their embarrassing loss to England in Guwahati.That South Africa had only these many to chase was largely thanks to left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba, whose 4 for 40 triggered an alarming slide after Sophie Devine and Brook Halliday threatened a jailbreak. After the pair had added a quickfire 86 for the fourth-wicket, New Zealand were coasting at 187 for 3 in 38 overs when Mlaba made big dents.Related

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Halliday contributed 45 off 37 in a terrific exhibition of sweeps and reverse-sweeps, before falling to one hit too many when she top-edged a slog-sweep off Mlaba at the start of the 39th. During her stay, she briefly gave South Africa the shivers, like she had in last year’s T20 World Cup final in Dubai.South Africa hit back quickly after Halliday’s dismissal, with Mlaba next sending back Maddy Green to an ill-advised reverse sweep as she picked out backward point. Amid the collapse, Devine held out hope for New Zealand, like she’d done in hitting a valiant 112 against Australia in their opener.Nonkululeko Mlaba opened the floodgates with Brooke Halliday’s wicket•Getty Images

Devine helped shift gears after Georgia Plimmer struggled to hit the ball off the square in a painstaking 31 off 68 balls. Devine was largely measured, taking 66 deliveries to bring up a half-century, her 17th in ODIs, before shifting gears, as she fed off Halliday’s form and enterprise.Halliday and Devine raised their half-century stand off just 41 deliveries, and New Zealand looked set for a lift-off. But Devine’s dismissal for 85, attempting to work a full delivery into the leg side, had a deflating effect. Ayabonga Khaka then cleaned up the lower order, as New Zealand lost 7 for 44 to be bowled out for 231, leaving 13 deliveries unused.All told, it was an innings of contrasting fortunes. New Zealand played themselves into a hole, consuming as many as 72 dots in the first 15 overs to leave the middle order with too much to do, after Suzie Bates fell for a second straight duck off the first ball of the match and Melie Kerr for 22. Then Devine and Halliday bailed them out, but in having a terrible back 10, New Zealand undid all the good work through the middle overs.To make a fist of the target, New Zealand needed early wickets, and they had one when Laura Wolvaardt, who plucked a stunner to end New Zealand’s innings, was out lbw playing around her front pad to Jess Kerr. But that was as much joy as they were to derive over the next two hours as Brits put on an exhibition, with Sune Luus for company.Tazmin Brits and Sune Luus left New Zealand without hope in the chase•Getty Images

Brits’ was a high-tempo innings full of stunning shots, and it included a thrilling takedown of Melie Kerr early in the innings to offset any threat South Africa had. Having begun the innings steadily, Brits went into overdrive after the 10-over mark, at one point hitting five boundaries in nine deliveries, en route to a 44-ball half-century, her fastest in ODIs.Brits equally punished Eden Carson, the offspinner, muscling a six to bring up the 100 partnership off 111 deliveries. Brits’ use of her feet to negate any turn and bludgeon spinners repeatedly down the ground made for thrilling viewing. And while she was flying, Luus was fighting for survival.Unlike Brits, Luus struggled for timing, but the reward for all that tenacity for a fight was a half-century that she raised off 76 balls. Brits’ counter-attack gave her the rare luxury of finding her feet as the ball spun and jumped, merely underlining how ridiculously easy Brits had made batting look.Brits fell soon after getting to her century, bowled attempting to pull a skiddy length ball off Lea Tahuhu to leave South Africa briefly wobbly, as they lost two more wickets in an attempt to raze down the runs. But even through that, the result was a foregone conclusion.Luus raised the winning runs with a lofted hit over extra cover, finishing unbeaten on 81 to ensure South Africa ride a wave of confidence when they meet hosts and table-toppers India come Thursday in Vizag. New Zealand will hope for a change of luck when they travel to Guwahati to play Bangladesh the following day.

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