Category Uncategorized

Aston Villa have now joined the race to sign an “agile” Emiliano Martinez replacement, who has been in impressive form so far this season.

Villa eyeing new goalkeeper amid Martinez uncertainty

Martinez is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but he has looked shaky at times this season, off the back of major interest from Manchester United during the summer transfer window, before they ultimately decided to bring in Senne Lammens.

The Argentinian was criticised for not doing more to prevent Lukas Nmecha’s goal in the 2-1 victory against Leeds United, although the performances against AFC Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers were much more encouraging.

That said, with the shot-stopper now 33-years-old, and Villa willing to accept January bids, potential replacements are now being identified, including Manchester City’s James Trafford and Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin.

According to a report from Sky Sports, a Bundesliga star is also of interest to Unai Emery’s side, namely Borussia Monchengladbach’s Moritz Nicolas, who wants to move to a top club next summer, given his ambitions to play in Europe.

A number of clubs are in the race for Nicolas, who stands at 6’3, including Villa, who view the colossus as a successor to Martinez, although the Argentina international remains under contract until the summer of 2029.

Aston Villa plotting £18m bid for "tremendous" defender, Martinez is a big fan

The Villans are planning a move for a new centre-back, who is also being targeted by Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

ByDominic Lund Nov 27, 2025 "Agile" Nicolas in top form in the Bundesliga

The 28-year-old was nominated for Borussia Monchengladbach’s Player of the Season award last season, as a result of being the second-best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga in terms of xG prevented, conceding just 25 from an xG of 33.5.

After the nomination, the Monchengladbach star received plaudits from board member Roland Virkus, who said: “Mo is very agile for his height and is also really good with his feet.”

Having averaged a save percentage of 74.8% per 90 over the past year, the German places in the 81st percentile, when compared to other goalkeepers, which suggests he could be a solid replacement for Martinez, with the Villa goalkeeper averaging 71.1%.

Not only that, but the former Roda JC man has already amassed five Bundesliga clean sheets this season, including three in his last four matches, most recently making four saves to keep RB Leipzig at bay in a 0-0 draw.

Nicolas clearly has the quality to be Martinez’s successor, but Aston Villa should look to keep hold of their goalkeeper if possible, given that he is already proven in the Premier League, showcasing his quality by making three saves from inside the box against Wolves last time out.

Manchester United have an exciting production line of stars for the future, and now appear to be interested in adding to that by capturing a gem that shone at the Under-17 World Cup.

The Red Devils will have enjoyed taking some time over the international break to digest what has been a credible start to the Premier League campaign, even if Ruben Amorim came under pressure during the early stages at Old Trafford.

Sitting tenth with a game in hand, Manchester United could move as high as fourth position with three points against Everton on Monday night, albeit they could be without Matheus Cunha due to a surprise injury concern.

Ben Jacobs confirmed on X that the Brazilian had suffered a head knock during training, forcing him to miss Altrincham’s Christmas light switch-on as a result, sparking attention on social media.

Nevertheless, the nature of his injury looks only to be minor, so there may still be a chance that he features against the Toffees if deemed fit to do so by the Red Devils’ medical staff.

As ever, Manchester United will hope to avoid a mounting list of absentees over the festive period. However, that is bound to affect everyone, especially with a heavy fixture schedule.

The January window could prove pivotal at Old Trafford, and the Red Devils are now favourites to sign Ajax prodigy Jorthy Mokio ​​​​​​amid concerns over Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo.

Now, they also have eyes on a gem who performed at his best during the Under-17 World Cup, which has garnered attention from clubs around Europe.

Man Utd make approach to sign Mohamed Zongo

According to Africa Foot, Manchester United have made an approach to sign Tenakourou Academy star Mohamed Zongo, who they are now keen to hold discussions over signing on a permanent basis.

At only 15 years of age, the Burkina Faso youth international shone at the Under-17 World Cup with two goals and three assists to his name, leading to him being dubbed a “revelation” in some quarters.

Earning man of the match awards several times during the competition, his highlight came in a 1-0 victory over Germany where he was the only scorer in a famous victory for his country.

An attacking midfielder by trade and capable of featuring across the forward areas, Zongo is also on the radar of Manchester City, Villarreal and Anderlecht, illustrating how high his ceiling could potentially be with the correct development path.

Ultimately, he still has a tonne of growth left before coming into contention at first-team level overseas. However, Manchester United may be the best environment to earn his stripes.

Mainoo 2.0: Man Utd can axe Ugarte for one of England's "best young players"

Meg Lanning hits another half-century but home side stumble short of the line

ECB Media09-Aug-2025Manchester Originals held their nerve to claim a nail-biting two-run victory over Oval Invincibles in a dramatic clash at the Kia Oval, leaving Invincibles still searching for their first win of their 2025 campaign in the Hundred women’s competition.After being sent in to bat, Originals captain Beth Mooney showed her class, anchoring the innings with 70 off 45 balls. She combined early with Kathryn Bryce, before the latter was bowled by South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp, who impressed with figures of 2 for 22.Amelia Kerr added 15 before falling to a stunning diving catch from the returning Tash Farrant, off the bowling of Phoebe Franklin (1 for 17). Despite losing wickets in the latter stages, Mooney’s efforts saw the Originals post a competitive 139 for 6.In response, Invincibles came out firing, racing to 42 without loss in the powerplay. Skipper Lauren Winfield-Hill contributed 33 off 25, while Australian great Meg Lanning held strong in the chase with a well-paced 56 off 42 balls.The match swung late when Sophie Ecclestone dismissed Alice Capsey for 17. With 26 needed off the final 12 balls, pressure mounted. A crucial moment came when Fi Morris spilled a catch on the boundary – only for Lanning to fall shortly after, caught by Alice Monaghan with five balls to go and 13 still needed.Paige Scholfield briefly reignited hopes with a boundary and single, but with four required off the final delivery, Kapp was unable to find the rope leaving Originals to take the win.Mooney, the Meerkat Match Hero, said: “You can’t really get too high or too low in this format. It can change pretty quickly. But I was really pleased that [Kathryn] Bryce came out and hit the ball like she did. She’s an excellent player and can match it with the best in the world – so to see a take on Kapp like that was awesome.”I thought they bowled well up front; the ball was doing enough to make you second-guess yourself, but when I’m at my best, I’m not really thinking about it and hopefully can hit some out of the middle, and there are a few more in me for the rest of the tournament.”

When Manchester City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma, most of the reaction focused on his ability, or lack thereof, with the ball at his feet, in sharp contrast to the man he was replacing, Ederson. But nearly three months into his spell with City, the Italian is struggling with a different challenge: the Premier League’s attitude to pushing in the box.

City’s defeat at Newcastle on Saturday showed Donnarumma at his best and his worst. He won an intriguing battle with Magpies' striker Nick Woltemade, becoming the first goalkeeper in the league to make a save from the towering German, who had scored with all six of his previous shots on target. 

Donnarumma made three big saves to keep a hugely entertaining first half goalless, and had Phil Foden and Erling Haaland taken their chances down the other end, the Italian would likely have had his praises sung. But goalkeepers are inevitably judged on their mistakes, and Donnarumma was caught out for the crucial moment when Newcastle won a second-half corner.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Aerial bombardment

  Donnarumma would have conceded an ‘Olimpico’ straight from the dead ball had it not been for Josko Gvardiol heading the curling delivery from Sandro Tonali away. The goalkeeper lay on the floor for a couple of seconds, but when he rose he was unable to deal with more aerial bombardment as Bruno Guimaraes’ header hit the bar and Harvey Barnes bundled in the rebound.

  Donnarumma was furious with the contact he had received from Barnes at the corner, although it was hardly a wrestling move and no different to the treatment Premier League goalkeepers regularly receive. His angry protest to referee Sam Barrott saw Donnarumma earn his third yellow card in nine Premier League games, leaving him two more bookings from a suspension. 

  Donnarumma had a reputation for ill-discipline before arriving in England, being shown 29 yellow cards and two reds for club and country between his debut for AC Milan in 2017 and joining City in 2025. And if he keeps up his current rate of bookings, he will earn a ban every 15 matches.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Needs to learn

  Donnarumma was not the only City representative to lose his rag at St James’ Park. Pep Guardiola ranted at Barrott and – bizarrely – a cameraman, while Ruben Dias said the Premier League needed clearer rules. 

  "Where's the sense in their player pushing our 'keeper out of the goal? What are we allowing and for how long?" asked the defender. "In the second goal, Gigi is being pushed outside his area and there is no consequence."  

  Guardiola was more realistic, saying, "He believes when he goes there and touches the ball, he wasn’t stable. What can I say? Gigio will learn."

  Donnarumma will have to, because the Premier League is not going to change its ways to suit one unhappy newcomer. Physical contact is one of the English top-flight’s hallmarks, and Donnarumma is not the first player to be left surprised by it.

• AFP
  

  'War in the six-yard box'

  Manchester United’s new goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, said of the Premier League last month: "I've never seen players get away with the things they do to the goalkeeper. Sometimes it turns into a war inside the six-yard box. They grab you and hold you back and do everything, and usually the referees allow play to continue. This is the nature of the Premier League, and you have to adapt to it and train for it, but it's a bad thing for any goalkeeper."

  Ruben Amorim was also taken aback by the importance of set pieces in England compared to Portugal. "It’s the one thing I feel here is completely different than when you play abroad, the contact with the defenders, especially the goalkeepers," the United manager said.

  Donnarumma must adapt to the ways of the Premier League, which is becoming even more determined by set pieces and long balls this season. If he does not, then Guardiola should consider bringing James Trafford back into the fold as he has spent his whole career facing the physical challenges when dealing with crosses which Donnarumma is only just needing to get to grips with.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Card marked

  Saturday was the second time in a month that Donnarumma had been caught out at a corner, only to blame the referee rather than taking responsibility himself. He was incensed when Bournemouth scored following a corner as Donnarumma felt had had his arm held by David Brooks while waiting for the cross to come in. 

  It did not impede his ability to reach the ball but he still bungled the punch, leading to Tyler Adams pouncing on the rebound. Donnarumma shouted at referee Anthony Taylor after the goal was given and then again at half-time, but there was little sympathy overall for the Italian given his poor-quality punch. 

  That play likely alerted Newcastle when they did their opposition analysis to Donnarumma's weakness in dealing with crosses on top of his head, and more clubs are likely to take note. 

  Donnarumma's role and reaction to Barnes’ winner, meanwhile, overshadowed another questionable moment from the goalkeeper, as he nearly conceded a goal in the first minute after ill-advisedly playing a short pass to Foden on the edge of his area, leading to Joelinton mugging the England midfielder and Barnes firing straight at goal. 

Sunderland are believed to have contacted Real Madrid over the potential signing of one Spanish ace, as they look to seal an audacious piece of business.

It has been a dream start to life back in the Premier League for the Black Cats, with Regis Le Bris defying all expectations and silencing those who predicted them to be relegated straight back to the Championship this season.

New signings have excelled for Sunderland, helping them sit fourth in the table, but Le Bris will know that his side cannot afford to rest on their laurels, potentially even eyeing further new additions in the January transfer window.

They have been linked with plenty of players of late, with Barcelona star Fermin Lopez emerging as a stunning option, in a possible transfer record move to the Stadium of Light. Talks are believed to have opened regarding a mammoth £70m transfer.

It looks as though Lopez isn’t the only big-name target for Sunderland in La Liga, however, with another hugely gifted Spanish player now being mentioned as a target, too.

Sunderland make contact over Gonzalo Garcia signing

According to a report from Spain, Sunderland are in the mix to sign Gonzalo Garcia from Madrid, having made contact with the Spanish giants over a move to the Stadium of Light.

Fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa and Wolves are also mentioned in the update, with all three clubs willing to offer £17.6m for his services.

The fact that Garcia is a rumoured target for Sunderland sums up the incredible strides they have made under Le Bris, with the idea of signing a Real Madrid player unthinkable in the past.

The Black Cats are a genuinely enticing project currently, though, and the 21-year-old may well love the idea of a move there, having only managed one league start this season.

Garcia has scored five goals for Madrid, though, which is no mean feat in a team littered with world-class players, and scout Jacek Kulig has called him “incredible” in the recent past.

He has also represented Spain across three age groups, including the Under-21s, so there is so much for Sunderland to admire about him, not least the fact that most of his career is still ahead of him.

Move over Xhaka: Sunderland "diamond" is Regis Le Bris' future captain

Regis Le Bris has a future Sunderland captain on his hands in this battling star.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 17, 2025

Garcia’s versatility could also appeal to Le Bris, with the Spaniard a centre forward by trade, but also capable of excelling on either the left or right flank.

Talks open: Sunderland willing to make record £70m offer for Barcelona star

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!