The 16 teams with ODI status include five Associate members: Thailand, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland and UAE
ESPNcricinfo staff03-May-2025UAE have replaced USA in the list of 16 women’s teams with ICC ODI status for the 2025-29 cycle, which will come into effect on May 12. The 16 teams include five Associate members: Thailand, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and Scotland, who have all retained their status, apart from UAE.Thailand and Scotland made sure of their ODI status after getting to the women’s ODI World Cup qualifier, held recently, while PNG and Netherlands retained their status based on their T20I rankings. PNG are at 13th and Netherlands 15th on the T20I rankings. Thailand and Scotland are at 11th and 12th place on the same rankings respectively.At the World Cup qualifiers held in Pakistan earlier this month, Scotland beat West Indies and Thailand to finish fourth out of six teams, with Thailand placed bottom after losing all their five games. Pakistan and Bangladesh made the cut for the World Cup, to be hosted later this year by India, from the tournament, though Pakistan are expected to not travel to India and will play their matches elsewhere.UAE confirmed their ODI status as the next-highest-ranked Associate team – at No. 16 on the T20I table – at the time of the annual rankings update. Teams with ODI status are required to play at least eight ODIs over a three-to-four-year period to achieve or maintain a ranking.Australia maintained their stronghold on the No.1 ranking with 299 rating points and even extended their lead over second-placed England (279) from 18 points to 20 after the update.USA are currently playing a bilateral series against Zimbabwe, where they lost the T20I series 2-1 and won the first ODI by seven wickets on Thursday. The second and final ODI will be played on Saturday. UAE, meanwhile, are currently in Bangkok, taking part in a quadrangular T20I series also involving hosts Thailand, Hong Kong and Kuwait.
Leeds United have always gained great pride from allowing their homegrown starlets eventual minutes in the first team.
Kalvin Phillips would become a household name in the Premier League after making his Elland Road breakthrough, with Archie Gray also going on to be a £30m purchase by Tottenham Hotspur after he exploded into life in the senior picture at the Whites.
With Daniel Farke also recently stating that the development of youth is one of the “cornerstones” of the club’s ongoing philosophy, it wouldn’t be a great shock to see a new Phillips or Gray emerge in the very near future.
Amazingly, another member of the Gray family in Harry Gray, is already making considerable strides to break into the men’s set-up.
Harry Gray's rise at Leeds
With the young pair also having Leeds royalty deeply ingrained into their family tree in the form of great uncle Eddie Gray, it appears as if Elland Road is just woven into their DNA.
Before anyone gets too carried away, the 16-year-old striker has only made one fleeting cameo in Farke’s first-team to date, but his future does look very rosy in West Yorkshire, with his early goalscoring form in the Premier League 2 this season only adding to his immense hype.
From just four games this campaign in all competitions, Gray has helped himself to a blistering four strikes, with his weighty goal tally for both the U18s and U21s now standing at a very impressive 15 goals from 22 outings.
Branded the “real deal” by analyst Ben Mattinson, it does only feel like a matter of time now before the teenage sensation is leading the line for Farke’s men, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin potentially pushed all the way for a starting spot very soon by the England U17 international.
However, he isn’t the only hotly-tipped youngster at this moment in time in the U21 picture.
Leeds could even be brewing their next Phillips when looking at this very promising midfield talent who just signed his first-ever professional contract at his boyhood employers.
Leeds' next Phillips
While his career path has hit many a bump since exiting Leeds in 2022, with just 31 Manchester City appearances coming his way in three years, it goes without saying that he is the standard that many of the new rising crop at Thorp Arch still try to hit.
Indeed, under Marcelo Bielsa’s transformative guidance, Phillips would turn into an extremely hot midfield commodity, with a senior Three Lions call-up even falling into the 29-year-old’s lap, before moving on to the Etihad for a substantial £40m.
While Ollie Pickles is way off hitting those heights at the moment, he will hope – sometime down the line – that he can experience these same amazing highs, having just penned his first-ever professional contract at Elland Road that runs until 2028.
The 17-year-old hotshot warranted that deal coming into play, too, with Pickles even donning the captain’s armband for the U21s last time out to show off similar leadership skills to those of Phillips in the main team.
Pickles – Leeds youth stats
Position
Games
Goals + Assists
DM
22
2 + 1
CM
10
3 + 2
AM
5
1 + 0
RW
1
0
LW
1
0
Sourced by Transfermarkt
The similarities don’t just end there, however, with Pickles also showing off a similar eye for a goal and an assist to that of the former Bielsa favourite, with a standout five-goal contributions tallied up from the central midfield position from just ten outings.
Arguably, his added adaptability to slot into a right-wing or left-wing spot if needed also stands him in good stead to replicate Gray’s sharp rise, with the Spurs number 14’s malleable nature turning him into a constant regular under Farke.
Still, with previous interest in his services coming from the likes of Gray’s new employers, it could be that Pickles goes on to be another major sale for Leeds in the midfield department, like Phillips.
Before anything more concrete pops up over Pickles leaving, however, the teenager will have to prove himself in the senior side, with chances potentially handed to him in the near future.
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The talkSPORT pundit has revealed why he thinks the Whites will go down, despite the victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
An “unbelievable” manager has now emerged as Manchester United’s top target to replace Ruben Amorim, who has made a poor start to the new campaign.
Doubts over Amorim's Man Utd future after slow start
With Man United winning their final game before the international break, defeating Burnley 3-2 at Old Trafford, Amorim appears to be safe in the short-term, but there are doubts about how long the 40-year-old will be able to last in the job.
Former Arsenal defender William Gallas has even suggested the Portuguese coach could be gone by the end of the year, saying: “He looks lost. I don’t think his body language and emotional response are giving a good impression to his players or the Manchester United fans,
“Looking at him, I’m not sure he’ll make it to Christmas, to be honest, because it feels like United are one poor performance or defeat away from a crisis.”
The former Sporting CP boss has struggled ever since his arrival at Old Trafford, with his points per match ratio particularly concerning, and the shock defeat at the hands of Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup certainly won’t have done the manager any favours.
Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd record
Games
46
Wins
17
Draws
12
Losses
17
Points per match
1.37
Consequently, according to a report from Football Insider, Man United have now started to identify potential replacements for Amorim, and they have selected Aston Villa manager Unai Emery as their top target.
INEOS are not actively looking to bring in a replacement for their manager straight away, but they have now started to assess the market, and Emery has emerged as an appealing option, given the job he has done at Villa.
The 53-year-old replaced Steven Gerrard at Villa Park in November 2022, taking over when the Villans were just above the relegation zone, and he has since led them to the Champions League and Europa League in back-to-back seasons.
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The Red Devils “have been looking at” an England player, who has impressed during the current international break.
ByDominic Lund Sep 9, 2025 Emery could be "unbelievable" Amorim replacement
While the Spaniard has undoubtedly done a fantastic job at Aston Villa, there are doubts over how much further he can take them, given his current employers’ PSR issues, which limited their spending in the summer transfer window.
As such, a move to Old Trafford could potentially appeal to the Villa boss, who has enjoyed an incredibly successful career up to this point, winning 11 trophies across spells with Sevilla, Villarreal and Paris Saint-Germain.
Villa striker Louie Barry, who is currently on loan at Sheffield United, has also praised the former PSG manager’s training sessions, saying: “Unai Emery is an unbelievable coach for improving players. It was crazy to me how similar the training was to my time in Barcelona.”
Should they sack Amorim, Man United could do with bringing in a proven Premier League manager, who has a history of winning trophies, and Emery ticks both boxes.
After Wolverhampton Wanderers rejected their opening bid to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen, Newcastle United have now reportedly been offered the chance to sign a different Scandinavian star.
Newcastle's striker search rumbles on as Larsen move stalls
From the very start of the transfer window, Newcastle have been on the hunt for a striker. It’s a search that started with Joao Pedro and Bryan Mbeumo, who both chose Chelsea and Manchester United instead. The Magpies then turned to Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sekso, who rejected them in favour of Liverpool and Old Trafford once again.
Eddie Howe found Newcastle's new Isak vs Liverpool and it's not Osula
Newcastle lost to Liverpool, yet put in an incredible performance at St. James’ Park.
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Meanwhile, Yoane Wissa is now back in training with Brentford in another blow for the Magpies. The 29-year-old has done everything to force a move out of the West London club, but has not seen an offer arrive that matches his valuation in return. Now, it looks as though those at St James’ Park are turning their focus towards an alternative in Strand Larsen.
On that front, however, it’s so far been a familiar story for Newcastle amid reports that Wolves have rejected their opening offer worth £50m. And whilst they’re expected to submit an improved offer, there’s no denying that time is running out to satisfy Wolves’ demands.
As an alternative to Wissa, Strand Larsen would certainly make sense. The powerful striker enjoyed an excellent debut campaign in the Premier League last time out – scoring 14 goals – and is still a player full of potential.
Once again, however, there remain question marks over Newcastle’s willingness to match the price tag that has been set and there are still other options that they could turn to this week.
Newcastle offered chance to sign Harder
According to The Boot Room’s Graeme Bailey, Newcastle have now been offered the chance to sign Conrad Harder from Sporting CP this month.
The forward has been the subject of interest from AC Milan, who are reportedly working on a deal to secure his signature following the collapse of Victor Boniface’s move. But the door is still seemingly ajar for Newcastle to swoop in after receiving contact from intermediaries about a potential deal.
Conrad Harder for Sporting Club.
Bailey told TBR: “Intermediaries have made contact with Newcastle to inform them of the availability of Harder. We understand that Harder is a player that Newcastle have previously scouted. Newcastle are in the market for two new strikers before the window closes.”
Minutes
1,368
2,587
Goals
7
14
Assists
8
4
Expected Goals
10.3
3
Dubbed a “complete” forward by scout Jacek Kulig, Harder is full of potential at just 20 years old and coming off the back of a promising season at Sporting. With a deal seemingly there to be done for around £20m and not his £69m release clause too, Newcastle could land an absolute bargain.
Leeds United are back in the big time, with the Elland Road side reclaiming their rightful place among England’s elite at the second attempt.
It was hard graft reaching the Premier League for Daniel Farke’s men, although it will be even tougher staying there. Are they ready for it?
While tweaks and additions have been made in key departments, namely the signing of Lucas Perri to replace Illan Meslier between the sticks, the top end of the pitch still appears in need of reinforcement.
Indeed, Joel Piroe is yet to be tested in England’s top tier. Daniel James has recorded just 12 goals and 12 assists in 106 Premier League appearances. Brenden Aaronson’s solitary campaign at that level yielded just one goal and three assists in the ill-fated 2022/23 season.
With last term’s loan hero Manor Solomon yet to make his return to Yorkshire, despite interest in a reunion, it is evident that attacking additions are needed.
Latest on Leeds' search for a forward
On the striker front, it appears that an experienced acquisition could be on the cards, with recent reports suggesting that the Whites are keen on Inter Milan veteran Mehdi Taremi, with former Fulham talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic also being touted as a wildcard option.
As for the flanks, Farke and co do appear to be intent on bringing Solomon back into the fold on a permanent deal, with journalist Graeme Bailey having revealed earlier this month that Tottenham Hotspur could demand a fee of around £20m for the Israeli international.
A more recent report from MOT Leeds News has outlined another name that is under consideration, with the club having sent scouts to watch Andreas Schjelderup in action for Benfica against Nice, during their Champions League qualification clash.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
As per the piece, the 21-year-old is on Leeds’ list of targets and is considered to be ‘high up on that list’, albeit with it yet to be seen whether that interest will translate into a formal approach.
The Norwegian winger has endured a mixed stint in Lisbon, although everything points to him being a perfect alternative to that man Solomon…
How Schjelderup compares to Solomon
If Leeds are plotting to bring Solomon back to Elland Road, it would be of little surprise. Having endured a slow start to life in Yorkshire, following his loan switch from Spurs, the 5 foot 7 sensation proved to be a central figure in the club’s promotion push.
Despite having waited until late November to get off the mark, amid his brace away at Swansea City, the wideman went on to score ten times, alongside providing a further 12 assists in the Championship.
Schjelderup may not have been quite so impactful at Benfica, although he did register five goals and eight assists in all competitions, with talent scout Jacek Kulig lauding him as “such an amazing prospect”.
AndreasSchjelderup
Having initially signed for the Portuguese side in the summer of 2023, the youngster returned to Nordsjælland on loan for the following campaign, before eventually departing the Norwegian side with a record of 43 goals and assists in 97 games in all competitions.
That record alone is more than enough reason for optimism, as too is the fact that Solomon ranks among the most statistically similar players to him, among those in their position in across the best leagues outside Europe’s top five, as per FBref.
Non-penalty goals
0.17
0.35
Assists
0.52
0.42
Shot-creating actions
5.67
5.11
Pass completion
81.9%
80.6%
Progressive passes
4.29
3.86
Progressive carries
4.29
5.01
Successful take-ons
1.55
2.43
Progressive passes received
11.85
11.12
Touches in opposition box
5.67
4.94
As indicated in the table above, while Schjelderup’s minutes have been limited across the last year or so, he ranks highly across a string of attacking metrics, notably mirroring Solomon with regard to his pass completion rate and progressive carries record.
In essence, the Benfica starlet is rarely wasteful on the ball, even when trying to make things happen for his side, while he is also adept at dragging his team up the pitch with a fruitful carry.
As evidenced above, Schjelderup is lethal when cutting in on to his favoured right foot, with much of his best work – like Solomon – coming off the left flank, while he also boasts a knack for the spectacular when providing that finishing touch.
While it may be the Spurs-owned winger whom Farke and Leeds will have their heart set on, turning to a player like Schjelderup would represent a more than worthy alternative.
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A Leeds target who could be Daniel Farke’s new Emi Buendia is very keen on a move to Elland Road.
Heat couldn’t lift their net run-rate enough to take top spot which means they will stage the Challenger final
AAP24-Nov-2024
Jess Jonassen starred with bat and ball•Getty Images
Brisbane Heat downed Sydney Sixers by five wickets but failed to steal WBBL final hosting rights from Melbourne Renegades.Heat, chasing the Sixers’ 140 all out, reached their target from 17 overs for victory at Allan Border Field. But they to chase down their target in 13.3 overs to eclipse Renegades on net run rate and secure hosting rights for the final.Renegades will host the WBBL decider at the MCG next Sunday night after topping the table from the second-placed Heat.Related
Matthews and Molineux star to send Renegades top
Kathryn Bryce carries Hurricanes to brink of finals, ends Scorchers' season
Heat will host the Challenger on Friday night at Allan Border Field against the winner of Wednesday night’s Knockout final between the third-placed Sydney Thunder and fourth-placed Hobart Hurricanes at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney.Heat on Sunday night made a dash for top spot in the last game of the tournament’s regular season. Jemimah Rodrigues smacked five fours and a six in making 39 from 22 balls but her rapid-fire knock ended when caught from Amelia Kerr’s bowling and Sixers spinner bowled Charli Knott next ball.The quick wickets left the Heat 58 for 3 after seven overs and, met with some miserly Sixers bowling, they changed tack to focus winning the game, rather than chasing the net run rate target.Georgia Redmayne made 25 from 29 balls and the outcome remained tight when Heat required 46 runs from the last 42 balls.Captain Jess Jonassen then called the power surge and capitalised on the field restrictions by cracking three fours and a six as Caoimhe Bray conceded 20 runs from her over. The burst from Jonassen and a late flurry from Laura Harris sealed victory.Earlier, Sixers couldn’t cash in on a bright start from their opening batters Kerr and Ellyse Perry. The pair put on 63 runs before Perry was dismissed in the 10th over.Ash Gardner became Lucy Hamilton’s first victim some two overs later and when Kerr’s 37 ball innings ended in the 14th over, Sixers had slipped from 63 for 0 to 90 for 3.From then, only Sarah Bryce, who smashed a six and four fours in making 28 from 19 balls, reached double figures.Heat’s emerging 18-year-old star Hamilton was again superb – she now has taken 10 wickets in her past three games – while skipper Jonassen claimed 3 for 26.
Everton are starting to make progress on transfers this summer and find themselves ready to put together a package for a solid performer who is now on their radar, according to reports.
Everton close to making first summer signing
Abdoulaye Doucoure, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ashley Young were among high-profile departures at Everton this summer, but they are now close to making their first capture of the window.
Reports suggest Villarreal striker Thierno Barry is on his way to the Toffees for a fee in the region of £30 million, while Millwall forward Mihailo Ivanovic is another potential recruit if they can come to an agreement on a deal to sign the Serbia international.
Nicolas Tagliafico for Lyon against Man Utd's Diogo Dalot.
Defensively, free agent Nicolas Tagliafico is in advanced talks to join Everton after leaving financially unstable former club Lyon at the end of last campaign, providing competition for Vitaly Mykolenko without David Moyes having to take a significant chunk out his budget.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has also claimed that Ipswich Town midfielder Omari Hutchinson could be interested in joining the Toffees after suffering relegation at Portman Road.
He stated: “Privately, the player would love the chance to return to the Premier League. Ipswich, on the other hand, will be hoping to keep hold of him because he’d be a key man for them next season, as they try and win promotion back to the Premier League.”
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Later, he added: “There will be Premier League clubs sitting up and taking notice of him, and we know that Everton are in the market for wingers.”
While it remains to be seen if Everton could sign Hutchinson, they are in the market for a goalkeeper from the EFL that could be on the move this summer.
Everton look to sign Sheffield United stopper Michael Cooper
According to reliable reporter Alan Nixon on Patreon, Everton are keen on Sheffield United goalkeeper Michael Cooper following his excellent displays for the Blades last term.
Michael Cooper in action for Sheffield United.
The Toffees are ready to pay £5 million plus add-ons to bring the 25-year-old to Merseyside. However, Ruben Selles wants a higher amount and the Exeter-born man is in no hurry to leave unless he has guarantees of first-team football elsewhere.
Michael Cooper’s excellent campaign for Sheffield United – all competitions
Appearances
46
Goals conceded
35
Clean sheets
23
Everton may gain an advantage given he has the same agent as Dwight McNeil and Jake O’Brien, who are also clients of Unique Sports Group alongside Cooper.
Jordan Pickford is the only senior goalkeeper on the books at Finch Farm amid Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia’s departures. Should they act to bring in a supplementary figure to the England international, someone with a 79.6% save percentage in England’s second-tier would be the profile you would want to acquire.
Moyes is beginning to make tracks as his side undergo a rebuild, and Cooper could fit the bill as a progressive signing under the guise of the Friedkin Group.
أعلن الإسباني روبرتو مارتينيز، المدير الفني لمنتخب البرتغال الأول لكرة القدم تشكيل لاعبيه لمواجهة أرمينيا، في إطار منافسات تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.
ويستهل منتخب البرتغال مشواره في تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لـ كأس العالم 2026 والتي ستقام بالولايات المتحدة الأمريكية والمكسيك وكندا، بمواجهة أرمينيا خارج ملعبه.
ويقع منتخب البرتغال في المجموعة السادسة في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026 إلى جانب منتخبات المجر وأرمينيا وأيرلندا.
وكان المنتخب البرتغالي قد توج ببطولة دوري الأمم الأوروبية للمرة الثانية في تاريخه بعد الفوز على نظيره الإسباني بركلات الترجيح. تشكيل البرتغال اليوم أمام أرمينيا في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026
في حراسة المرمى: ديوجو كوستا.
في خط الدفاع: جواو كانسيلو – جونزالو إيناسيو – روبن دياز – نونو مينديز.
في خط الوسط: جواو نيفيز – برونو فرنانديز – فيتينيا.
في خط الهجوم: جواو فيليكس – بيدرو نيتو – كريستيانو رونالدو.
O 𝗫𝗜 𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 para o jogo frente à Arménia 🦾#FazHistória | #ARMPOR #WCQ pic.twitter.com/U19m6EX78b — Portugal (@selecaoportugal) September 6, 2025
Manchester United have a reported interest in Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, who worked with Ruben Amorim in Portugal, but they look unlikely to win the race for his signature.
A recent report claimed that the Sweden international has decided that he would rather sign for the club’s Premier League rivals Arsenal instead of making a move to Old Trafford to reunite with his former boss.
The former Coventry star, who scored a staggering 52 goals in all competitions for Sporting in the 2024/25 season, is available for a fee of just over £61m, but it is the Gunners who seem to be in pole position to bring him over to England.
His incredible goal return in Portugal suggests that this news is a blow for Amorim and for Manchester United. However, the club are reportedly eyeing up a star who could be the manager’s next version of Gyokeres.
Man Utd battling to sign Spanish striker
The Premier League giants appear to be in the process of identifying alternative options in the number nine position, as the Swedish star looks to be headed elsewhere.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to CaughtOffside, Manchester United are one of a number of teams eyeing up a move to sign FC Porto’s Spanish striker Samu Aghehowa in the summer transfer window.
The report claims that Aston Villa, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all also keen on doing a deal for the former Atletico Madrid centre-forward in the coming weeks.
FC Porto's SamuOmorodioncelebrates scoring their first goal
It states that the Portuguese giants are looking for a fee of up to £63m for the 21-year-old marksman, with United and their Premier League rivals now set to battle it out for his signature.
Whilst they appear to be on the back foot with Gyokeres, the Red Devils should push to win this race to unearth Amorim’s next version of the Sporting superstar.
Why Samu could be Gyokeres 2.0 for Amorim
The Porto marksman is similar to the Swedish ace from a physical perspective, as he stands at 6 foot 4 and has the physicality to occupy and cause problems for defenders.
FC Porto's SamuOmorodioncelebrates scoring their first goal
In fact, talent scout Jacek Kulig once described him as a “monster” in the making due to his physicality and speed, which suggests that the forward could offer similar attributes to Gyokeres.
The Spain international’s performances in the Portuguese top-flight also suggest that he has the potential to be a prolific striker for United, albeit not as prolific as Gyokeres could be in the short-term.
Starts
23
31
xG
14.07
30.95
Goals
19
39
xG differential
+4.93
+8.05
Minutes per goal
119
72
Conversion rate
23%
28%
As you can see in the table above, Samu enjoyed a brilliant season with Porto, scoring 19 goals in 23 starts and outperforming his xG, yet still ended with 20 fewer goals than the Sporting number nine.
It is worth remembering, though, that the Spanish marksman is six years younger than Gyokeres and has plenty of time left ahead of him to hone his skills and improve his output as a scorer.
Samu, dubbed “outstanding” by journalist Josh Bunting, did also score six goals in nine matches in the Europa League, which shows that he can perform on the European stage.
Whilst he may not be the final, polished, product in comparison to the seasoned Gyokeres, the Porto star appears to have the physical and finishing attributes to develop into Amorim’s next version of the Swedish marksman, which is why he could be a shrewd signing for the club.
Twist: "Extraordinary" £60m+ star now plans to snub Man Utd to join Arsenal
The Gunners have received a boost in their pursuit of a forward, who Andrea Berta has already held talks to sign.
The transfer window is just around the corner, and as Mikel Arteta told the press just last month, it’s set to be a massive one for Arsenal.
The Gunners failed to get over the line in any competition this year, and while injuries have played their part, one of the team’s most significant problems, which most agree on, is their lack of a truly clinical striker.
So, it’s not been surprising then, that in recent weeks, the North Londoners have been heavily linked with several top-class number nines, perhaps none more than Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, who could be available for around £70m.
However, the club seem intent on revolutionising the entire attacking unit, and reports have now touted another superstar for a move to the Emirates, a star who’d be a dream teammate for the Swede.
Arsenal's attacking transfer targets
Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other attacking talents who’ve been linked with Arsenal in recent weeks, such as Daizen Maeda and Jamie Gittens.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former has been enjoying a simply spectacular campaign north of the border with Celtic, in which he’s scored 33 goals and provided 12 assists in 48 games and best of all, he could be available for just £25m.
Gittens, on the other hand, could cost up to £51m, but as he’s still just 20 years old and has managed to rack up a stellar haul of 12 goals and five assists in 46 games for Borussia Dortmund this season, he looks like he’d be worth it.
However, to really get the most out of Gyokeres and take the club’s whole attack to another level, the Gunners will need to sign a true superstar, someone like Rodrygo.
Yes, according to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal are one of a few Premier League sides keen on the Real Madrid star.
Alongside the North Londoners, the report has revealed that Liverpool and Manchester City have contacted the player’s representatives and remain in contact today.
In terms of how much the winger might cost Arsenal, a report from earlier this week claimed that he could be available for around €100m, which is about £85m.
Real Madrid'sRodrygolooks on
It would be an incredibly costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Rodrygo’s immense ability, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he’d be ideal for Gyokeres.
Why Rodrygo would be a dream for Gyokeres
So, to keep things simple, there is one primary reason why Rodrygo would be a dream teammate for Gyokeres, which all others stem from his output.
For the Swedish goal machine to make the most of his incredible finishing ability, he’s going to want to have someone as effective as Saka to the left of him, and that could be the Brazilian.
For example, in 50 appearances this term, the “world-class” attacker, as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has scored 13 goals and provided ten assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.17 games.
Rodrygo vs Martinelli vs Trossard
Players
Rodrygo
Martinelli
Trossard
Appearances
50
48
53
Minutes
3290′
3313′
3262′
Goals
13
9
10
Assists
10
6
8
Goal Involvements per Match
0.46
0.31
0.33
Minutes per Goal Involvement
143.04′
220.86′
181.22′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In comparison, Leandro Trossard has produced 18 goal involvements in 53 appearances, and Gabriel Martinelli has produced 15 in 48, which comes out to an average of one every 2.94 and 3.2 games, respectively.
Moreover, besides having far better raw output than the North Londoners’ current left-wing options, the 24-year-old has some seriously impressive underlying numbers to his name.
According to FBref, he sits in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for carries into the final third, the top 2% for pass completion and passes blocked, the top 4% for progressive carrying distance, the top 9% for shot-creating actions from take-ons and more, all per 90.
Finally, despite his age, the Osasco-born dynamo has seen it all and won it all at club level, with two Champions League titles, three La Liga titles and a handful of other cups to his name, so while some of Arteta’s other options might struggle to step up on the biggest stages, it’ll just be another game to the Real star.
Ultimately, thanks to his brilliant output, impressive underlying numbers and the immense amount of experience he has at his age, Rodrygo would be a dream teammate for Gyokeres and Arsenal should do what they can to sign him.
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