The decision not to sign Jadon Sancho on a permanent deal evoked memories of the Chelsea of old. A ruthlessness that famously saw Carlo Ancelotti given the sack after missing out on the Premier League title in his second season – just a year on from guiding the club to the double

In the case of Sancho, the Englishman had notably scored a stunner in last month’s Conference League final, albeit while ending 2024/25 with just three goals and five assists to his name in the league. Good, but not good enough.

That has been a commendable motto for the Blues over their glorious last 20 years or so, having repeatedly hired and fired, all while increasing the competition in their playing ranks with successive statement signings.

Take Nicolas Jackson, for instance, the Senegalese striker hardly disgracing himself – suspensions aside – with 24 league goals across his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge, albeit with just ten of those coming last term. Again, good, but not quite good enough.

£30m man Liam Delap looks to have swiftly usurped the former Villarreal man in the pecking order, all while being acutely aware that failure to perform himself could see yet another fresh face acquired – a certain Hugo Ekitike springs to mind.

As the old adage goes, pressure makes diamonds, with Enzo Maresca and co no doubt hoping that more exciting additions can thrive in this pressurised environment in west London…

Latest on Chelsea's search for new forwards

Sancho is gone, but in his place, young Jamie Gittens could be set to arrive, with Chelsea still working to bring the 20-year-old back to England from Borussia Dortmund, amid his prior stint in Manchester City’s youth ranks.

Despite reports that Gittens has agreed a seven-year contract with the Blues, there appears to still be club-to-club negotiations taking place regarding his reported £55m price tag.

With that deal yet to get the green light, it is still worth the west Londoners seeking alternatives, with TEAMtalk reporting that they are among the clubs to have made an enquiry over Lyon starlet, Malick Fofana.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

That contact has come amid the Ligue 1 side’s recent relegation – something they are set to appeal – with clubs lining up to potentially pounce on their ongoing financial woes and apparent need to sell.

As per the report, the likes of Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have also made their move for the 20-year-old, with those suitors hoping to strike a deal for less than the Belgian’s previous £42m price tag.

Why Fofana could be Chelsea's next Eden Hazard

The signing of an exciting, young Belgian talent from Ligue 1 – ring any bells?

Of course, Chelsea famously won the race for a 21-year-old Eden Hazard back in the summer of 2012, with the then-Champions League holders plucking the winger from Lille for a reported fee of £32m.

198 goals and assists would follow in a Chelsea shirt for the now-retired wizard, although that doesn’t quite tell the full story. This was a player, at his pomp, who was a match for any opposition or opponent.

A man who could win a game on his own – take his solo stunner against Arsenal in 2017, for example – Hazard at his best was simply a sight to behold, jinking his way past defenders with consummate ease. It’s no wonder he was hailed the “best player in the Premier League” at one stage by pundit, Paul Merson.

Young Fofana has a way go to hit the levels of his sparkling compatriot, although the comparisons are – unsurprisingly – already being made, with GOAL noting that he has been described as ‘Eden Hazard-like’ by those in his homeland.

As per The Athletic’s Alex Barker, what particularly sets the 20-year-old apart, in a similar mould to Hazard, is his dribbling prowess, having been noted as “one of the best” in Ligue 1 in that regard.

Indeed, he notably ranks in the top 3% among his peers in France’s top-flight for progressive carries made per 90, as per FBref, while also ranking in the top 2% in that same metric among attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues.

Most Goals & Assists by LW’s under 20 (Europe’s Top 5 Leagues)*
Player	Goals	Assists	Total
Jamie Gittens – Borussia Dortmund	8	4	12
Kenan Yildiz – Juventus	7	5	12
Eliesse Ben Seghir – Monaco	6	3	9
Malick Fofana – Lyon	5	4	9
Antonio Nusa – RB Leipzig	3	4	7
Jean-Matteo Bahoya – Frankfurt	2	3	5
Jesus Rodriguez – Real Betis	2	1	3
Mamadou Diakhon – Stade Reims	2	1	3
Yan Diomande – Leganes	2	1	3
Bazoumana Toure – Hoffenheim	0	3	3
*League stats from 2024/25 – via Transfermarkt

For context, Hazard ranked in the top 1% of Premier League wingers in that regard during his final season in English football (2018/19), having simply been a master ball-carrier for the Blues.

Like the 126-cap Red Devils star too, Fofana also boasts an end product to match that devastating flair, having ended 2024/25 with 11 goals and six assists to his name in all competitions, included six goals in just ten Europa League outings.

Described as a “starboy” by writer Zach Lowy, the Lyon gem looks destined to reach the top over the coming years, with Chelsea able to offer him the chance to follow in Hazard’s footsteps at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca's next Cole Palmer: Chelsea enter race to sign £50m PL "machine"

The incredible talent could be a star for Chelsea.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 28, 2025

In what would be their signing of the summer so far, Everton have reportedly launched an opening offer to welcome a midfield star ahead of Premier League rivals.

Latest on Everton's potential incomings

After already signing Thierno Barry and Mark Travers whilst also welcoming Carlos Alcaraz on a permanent deal following a successful loan spell, Everton have now reportedly turned towards fresh targets. The Friedkin Group, clearly out to make a statement in their first summer at the helm, have also reportedly set their sights on the likes of Samuel Lino from Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey.

Ramsey would particularly be one to watch if he arrived at The Hill Dickinson Stadium ahead of next season, but it remains to be seen whether Everton can win the race for his signature. Despite his clear talent, the midfielder is likely to be an affordable option amid Aston Villa’s PSR problems – allowing the Toffees to come swooping in.

Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref)

Jacob Ramsey

James Garner

Minutes

1,623

1,594

Goals

1

0

Key Passes

21

13

Ball Recoveries

83

73

Going forward, Ramsey would be a particular upgrade on James Garner in the middle of David Moyes’ side. At just 24 years old too, the Aston Villa man is about to enter his prime years, making now the best time to move in for his signature.

That said, it’s not just Ramsey that the Toffees have set their sights on. Midfield seems to be the area of focus currently and names such as Tomas Soucek has also been mentioned as a result.

Related Everton leading race to sign "interesting" Atletico star who's now free to leave

He’s on the move this summer.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Jul 17, 2025

Reports have even gone as far as to suggest that Everton are set to submit an imminent £12m bid to sign the West Ham United star and hand Moyes a reunion with the midfielder.

The same, meanwhile, can be said about another transfer target, with Everton now reportedly launching their opening offer for his signature.

Everton launch first Douglas Luiz offer

According to TeamTalk, Everton have launched an opening offer to sign Douglas Luiz from Juventus in a loan-to-buy deal. The Brazilian is reportedly open to a return to the Premier League just one year on from his decision to swap Aston Villa for Turin. And as Juventus look to show him the door, it’s the Toffees who are primed to take full advantage.

The midfielder would be an impressive coup, given his Premier League experience and reports that former club Aston Villa are interested in a swift reunion this summer.

Juventus are reportedly hoping for a package worth €35m (£30m) for Luiz this summer, but it remains to be seen whether Everton’s opening offer has reached that price.

Even after struggling in Serie A though, there’s no doubt that the Brazilian would be worth splashing out on. Aston Villa sporting director, Monchi, has been one of many to share praise for Luiz in recent years – telling reporters last season: “He’s playing less than we all expected, but we’re talking about a strong player.”

Sri Lanka haven’t beaten England in a Test since 2014 but hope to exploit hosts’ disruption

Alan Gardner20-Aug-20241:28

Miller expects ‘prototype Stokes approach’ from Pope captaincy

Big picture: Can Sri Lanka test injury-hit England?And now we return to our regular programming… After three weeks of bright lights, big city action in the Hundred, England’s men resume Test commitments with a three-match series against Sri Lanka. Which is the bigger deal is arguable, of course. Test cricket might still be the main economic driver in this part of the world but the ECB’s hopes for a significant injection of cash through its marque white-ball competition, and a low-profile summer for the longest format, mean the runes are harder to read than usual.Can Sri Lanka, whose last Test engagement outside the subcontinent came almost 18 months ago, provide more of a contest than West Indies, who were soundly beaten 3-0 inside just ten days of cricket last month? Should their ability to compete – or otherwise – be taken as a marker for the health of Test cricket as a whole? Could the absence of Ben Stokes, who suffered a torn hamstring during his first stint playing in the Hundred since 2021, leave England’s rejigged Test team more vulnerable than they might otherwise have been?Certainly, the evidence for Sri Lanka springing a surprise is thin on the ground. Although they have a 100% win record in Test matches this year (and currently sit above England on the World Test Championship table), the last of their three fixtures was in Bangladesh in March. Their only tour match in the build-up to Old Trafford saw them defeated by an inexperienced England Lions side, having been bundled out for 139 in the first innings. And while a rare chance to play in England in late summer offers the enticing prospect of warmer weather and worn surfaces for their spinners to exploit, the forecast for the first Test in Manchester is as grim as anything faced on previous trips to chilly northern outposts in May.Related

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Sri Lanka dig deep through de Silva, Rathnayake after top-order collapse hands England control

Add to that a record that has seen Sri Lanka lose seven of their last eight Tests against England, with more than ten years elapsing since their last win – albeit a famous performance in which three members of the current squad participated – and you might be left fearing the worst.Key to their chances of competing, most likely, will be the ability of the batters to put runs on the board. Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka’s interim head coach and a Bazballer before the term was invented, enjoyed plenty of success in England and can call on the expertise of Ian Bell, the former England batter brought in as batting coach. Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal will bring the experience of tours in 2014 and 2016, while Dhanajaya de Silva has a solid Test pedigree that has only been enhanced since taking on the captaincy earlier this year (average: 56.20).The squad is well stocked with seam options, with Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando both possessing county experience, while only two spinners – Nathan Lyon and R Ashwin – have taken more wickets than slow left-armer Prabath Jayasuriya since his debut in 2022. The fact that Jayasuriya has taken 63 at 24.28 at home, compared to eight at 57.25 away, gives a sense of the challenge to adapt that the tourists will nevertheless face.Matthew Potts chats to Ben Stokes ahead of his Test recall at Old Trafford•Getty ImagesIn their favour is the fact that, all of a sudden, they are set to take on an England team that looks strikingly different. The loss of Zak Crawley to a fractured finger suffered during the third West Indies Test three weeks ago was then compounded by Stokes’ injury, meaning that England’s XI at Old Trafford will feature both a first-time Test opener, in Dan Lawrence, and an untried captain, with Ollie Pope’s previous experience limited to a handful of England warm-ups and games for Surrey.Stokes will still be around the changing room to provide leadership but the absence of the architect of Bazball on the field is bound to have an effect – and not just in shortening the batting order. With Matthew Potts named as Stokes’ replacement ahead of Jordan Cox, bringing the Durham seamer only his second cap since the summer of 2022, it means a shuffle up the order for each of Jamie Smith – who impressed so much batting at No. 7 in his debut series against West Indies – Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson.The unexpected disruption, with England having also called up Olly Stone after Dillon Pennington picked up an injury in the Hundred, adds to the sense that this might not be such a straightforward assignment – particularly if Sri Lanka, who are unbeaten in six London Tests going back to 1998, can emerge from this week unscathed. For some, the fact they have the opportunity to perform in a three-Test series in England at the height of summer for the first time is something in itself to be savoured. Just don’t say that the future of the format depends on the result.Form guideEngland WWWLL (last five Tests, most recent first)
Sri Lanka WWWLLIn the spotlight:
Dan Lawrence has a more exotic range of shots than most and played his best Test innings, an effervescent 91 in Barbados, two games before losing his place at the start of the Stokes-McCullum era in 2022. Since then he has had to bide his time for a taste of Bazball, featuring as the spare batter pretty much throughout – and it has taken an injury to an opener for him to finally get back in the side. Lawrence has opened just seven times in 203 first-class innings but, as he put it, would have “snapped their hand off” for any opportunity. Now he just has to take it.During a lengthy career across all formats, Angelo Mathews has been there, done that and got the t-shirt. Now 37, and unlikely to play much of a part of Sri Lanka’s limited-overs sides, he shapes as the rock of the Test middle order and a key man to their hopes of putting England under pressure this time around. It was Mathews’ majestic second-innings 160 that helped turn the 2014 Headingley Test and bring Sri Lanka their most-recent victory over England; he averages 47.88 in the country, having also got himself on the Lord’s honours board on that tour.Team news: Lawrence, Potts back; Rathnayake to debut
England named their team two days out from the start, confirming that Potts would come in for Stokes as part of a rebalanced XI. The loss of their captain and star allrounder means Smith moving into the top six and Woakes at No. 7, with Potts joining a four-man seam attack supplemented by Shoaib Bashir’s offspin. Lawrence, whose promotion to opener was inked in a few weeks ago, could also be called on to bowl.England: 1 Dan Lawrence, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope (capt), 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Jamie Smith (wk), 7 Chris Woakes, 8 Gus Atkinson, 9 Matthew Potts, 10 Mark Wood, 11 Shoaib BashirSanath Jayasuriya finds a reason to smile during Sri Lanka’s training session•Getty ImagesSri Lanka largely have a settled top six, and given Kamindu Mendis’ start in Tests (he has passed fifty in four of his five innings so far, with two hundreds), he takes the No. 7 spot. Vishwa and Asitha have been their most reliable long-form quicks recently, while left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya will play against an England XI made up of 10 right-handers. The biggest surprise, however, is the inclusion of Milan Rathnayake, who has been picked for a debut ahead of Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara, both of whom were good against Bangladesh earlier in the year, though they played only one Test apiece.Sri Lanka: 1 Dimuth Karunaratne, 2 Nishan Madushka, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Angelo Mathews, 5 Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 6 Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), 7 Kamindu Mendis, 8 Prabath Jayasuriya, 9 Asitha Fernando, 10 Vishwa Fernando, 11 Milan RathnayakePitch and conditions: Weather watch in storeHard and bouncy with the expectation that it will assist spin as the game goes on. That is the usual fare at Old Trafford, where few captains ever consider sticking the opposition in (see trivia below). But an extremely dodgy forecast, with a strong possibility of rain on all five days, may mean Pope and de Silva need to get creative in pursuit of a positive result. In addition to the weather, an extra layer of grass persuaded Sri Lanka to pick three quicks.Stats and trivia This will be the first time Sri Lanka have played a Test in England during the second half of the summer since 1998, when they took advantage of dry conditions at The Oval in late August to secure their first win in the country. No team has ever been victorious at Old Trafford after winning the toss and choosing to bowl – although England were denied a chance of breaking that record by the weather during last year’s Ashes Test. The 11 occasions on which it has been attempted have led to eight draws and three defeats. Sri Lanka have played one Test in Manchester previously, losing by 10 wickets in 2002. Joe Root starts the series 446 runs from passing Alastair Cook as England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer. He needs 374 to pass Kumar Sangakkara in sixth on the overall list. Dimuth Karunaratne is 101 runs from becoming only the fourth Sri Lankan to reach 7000 in Tests. Sri Lanka allrounder Kamindu is not only an ambidextrous bowler, he currently has a higher batting average than Bradman: 107.00, albeit from just five Test innings.Quotes”It’s still Stokesy’s team. I think everyone’s pretty clear how they want to go about this week and this series in general. Having Stokesy in the changing room is great … If I want to lean on him, I can lean on him and I think he’s going to let me do my own thing for the course of this test series as well.”
Ollie Pope won’t be changing too much as captain“It could be overcast conditions for a few days, so it might help the seamers, and we have one world-class spinner with us. If he comes into the game in the second innings, we have a good chance to win.”
Dhananjaya de Silva sets out his team’s plan to take 20 wickets

سجل الفلسطيني عدي الدباغ، لاعب نادي الزمالك، هدف الفريق الأول أمام المصري، في المباراة التي تقام بين الفريقين حاليًا ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويلعب الزمالك ضد المصري، في إطار الجولة السادسة من عمر مواجهات بطولة الدوري المصري، على ملعب استاد الجيش ببرج العرب.

وأحرز عدي الدباغ هدف الزمالك الأول، في الدقيقة 30 من عمر الشوط الأول للمباراة، بعد متابعة لعرضية زميله ناصر ماهر واصطدمت بدفاعات النادي المصري لتأتي في القائم وترتد إلي الدباغ ويضعها بسهولة في الشباك، ليعلن تقدم الفارس الأبيض. هدف الزمالك الأول أمام المصري.. عدي الدباغ

طالع | تشكيل المصري أمام الزمالك في الدوري.. صلاح محسن يقود الهجوم

ويعد هدف الدباغ هو الأول له مع فريق الزمالك، منذ انضمامه إلى صفوف القلعة البييضاء في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الماضية.

ويخوض الزمالك المباراة وعينه على استعادة صدارة ترتيب جدول الدوري المصري الممتاز من منافسه المصري.

ويحتل الزمالك المركز الثاني برصيد 10 نقاط، بينما المصري يتواجد في الصدارة برصيد 11 نقطة.

The left-arm quick picked up a side strain playing in the Hundred so will miss the chance to add to his T20I caps

Andrew McGlashan15-Aug-20242:32

Bailey impressed with Connolly’s ‘versatility’

Left-arm quick Spencer Johnson has been ruled out of the T20I series against Scotland and England next month after picking up a side strain in the Hundred with Oval Invincibles.He will be replaced by New South Wales allrounder Sean Abbott who had initially only been due to be part of the ODI squad for the five matches against England.Related

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Connolly earns Australia call-up; Fraser-McGurk included for Scotland, England tour

It had been a lean Hundred campaign for Johnson who claimed just two wickets in six matches although he did produce an impressive display against Northern Superchargers with 1 for 10 from his 20 deliveries.Johnson, who emerged quickly through the BBL with Brisbane Heat, has played five T20Is and one ODI since making his debut against South Africa last year. He is viewed as a likely replacement for Mitchell Starc in the T20 side when that opening becomes permanently available.Starc has been rested from the T20Is against Scotland and England but will feature in the ODIs. Pat Cummins will miss the entire tour but Josh Hazlewood is part of both squads.Spencer Johnson has so far had a handful of opportunities with Australia•Getty Images

Abbott, who has appeared in 15 T20Is, has been unfortunate not to play more for Australia. He is the leading wicket-taker in BBL history with 165. Abbott has also featured in the Hundred where he has taken nine wickets in seven matches for Birmingham Phoenix.Xavier Bartlett, who burst into international cricket last season, and Nathan Ellis are the other frontline seamers in the T20I squad alongside allrounders Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie and Marcus Stoinis.Australia’s selectors have one eye on the next T20 World Cup in 18 months’ time although have not drawn a line through either Starc or Cummins in the format.Johnson’s aim will now be to recover in time for the start of the Australia domestic season where he plays for South Australia. After the UK tour, Australia’s next T20Is are a three-match series against Pakistan in mid-November which could be another opportunity for Johnson as the Test quicks won’t feature due to the proximity of the first Test in Perth.After the Pakistan series, Australia are not scheduled to play T20Is until next July in West Indies.Australia T20I squad vs Scotland and EnglandMitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Aston Villa could make a move for a “superstar” striker to replace Ollie Watkins this summer, amid doubts over the England international’s future at Villa Park, Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri has revealed.

Watkins' Villa future up in the air

It is well-known that Watkins has been a long-term target for Arsenal, but the Gunners are not the only Premier League club that admire the striker, with Liverpool and Manchester United recently expressing an interest.

However, with Mikel Arteta closing in on Viktor Gyokeres, and the Reds looking to sign Hugo Ekitike, a move to Old Trafford may be the more likely outcome, and there is a feeling the 29-year-old would be keen on signing for the Red Devils.

The Villa star leaving would, of course, be a blow for Unai Emery, given that he has been a regular source of goals and assists ever since his arrival in the top flight, picking up 16 goals and eight assists in the Premier League last season.

However, it is important that Emery has a replacement lined up just in case, and Tavolieri has now revealed that a Paris Saint-Germain forward has entered the frame as a potential option.

Taking to X, the Sky Sports reporter revealed Aston Villa could make a move for Randal Kolo Muani if Watkins is sold, having recently held talks about selling the Englishman to Man United.

Amid links to Newcastle United back in June, it was revealed that PSG could look to hold out for a fee of £50m, meaning the Villans will need to spend big if they are to get a deal over the line.

Related Emery clear he'd sign £100m player for Aston Villa after contact by agents

He’s apparently got a lofty price tag.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Jul 19, 2025 "Superstar" Kolo Muani could be solid Watkins replacement

While the 26-year-old found it difficult to cement his place in a star-studded PSG side, he impressed on loan at Juventus after joining the Italian club in the January transfer window, netting eight goals in 16 Serie A appearances.

The former Juventus loanee also caught the eye at the Club World Cup, collecting three goal contributions in as many games, and he has received high praise from German legend Lothar Matthäus in the past, who dubbed the Frenchman a “superstar”.

That said, while Kolo-Muani clearly has the talent to be a success at Villa Park, Emery’s number one priority should be to keep hold of Watkins, given that the centre-forward’s influence cannot be understated.

The former Brentford man has scored a minimum of 10 Premier League goals per season ever since arriving at Villa Park, and he featured in every single league game last season.

Season

PL appearances

Goals

Assists

2020-21

37

14

5

2021-22

35

11

2

2022-23

37

15

6

2023-24

37

19

15

2024-25

38

16

8

Tasmania and Australia A batter will be available to play all formats

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Sep-2024Derbyshire have signed opening batter Caleb Jewell as one of their overseas players for the 2025 season. Jewell, 27, has represented Australia A and is expected the play all formats for Derbyshire.A left-hand batter, Jewell averages 31.47 in first-class cricket. He was part of the Tasmania side that reached the final of the 2023-24 Sheffield Shield, making a career-best 227 against Western Australia earlier in the season. He also plays for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash.”Caleb is a player I’ve had my eye on for some time, and everyone I have spoken to about him has said just what a good player he is,” Derbyshire’s head of cricket, Mickey Arthur, said. “Chief Selector for Cricket Australia, George Bailey, and Ian Bell, in particular, spoke very highly of his ability.”We have recognised that our batting line-up needed reinforcement, across all formats, and having Caleb here for the full season will allow us to build that consistency we need. He will bring real grit to the top of the order.”Although he has yet to win a senior cap for Australia, Jewell entered the debate around who could succeed David Warner and Usman Khawaja at the top of the order in Tests after making scores of 66, 78 and 131 for the A team in 2023.”I’m looking forward to getting my first taste of county cricket with Derbyshire, to show what I can do in all formats and help the club win matches,” Jewell said. “There are plenty of Australian players who have made their mark in England, and I want to be next. I’m excited to work with the coaching setup at Derbyshire, to take my game to the next level, and play alongside the quality group of players at the club.”The current season has been a difficult one for Derbyshire in the County Championship, with the club set to finish bottom of Division Two – although they came close to reaching the knockouts in both white-ball competitions.Jewell is Derbyshire’s second signing ahead of the 2025 summer, with Middlesex allrounder Martin Andersson agreeing a two-year contract.

Half-centuries from captain Grace Scrivens, Cordelia Griffith and Jodi Grewcock steered Sunrisers to a maiden Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final appearance as they chased 233 to beat 2022 champions Northern Diamonds by seven wickets in a one-sided semi-final at Headingley.Sunrisers will meet South East Stars in next Saturday’s final at Leicester.Sunrisers held firm in a contest which swung back and forth, with opener Scrivens posting 56 off 73 balls, Griffith 68 off 89 off and Grewcock 63 not out off 68. The latter two posted season’s-best scores as victory was sealed in the 44th over.Diamonds, aiming for a fourth 50-over final in the five-year regional era, posted 232 for 8 thanks to opener Emma Marlow’s measured 63 added to 49 from Sterre Kalis and a late 32 not out from 15 balls for Phoebe Turner.Six of the seven bowlers employed by Scrivens, including herself, struck before she confidently laid the platform for a chase all but finished off by a 134-partnership for the third wicket between Griffith and Grewcock. It was their region’s highest of the season.Having elected to bat, the Diamonds innings was built around a solid start and a blistering end.Marlow shared in two early partnerships of substance – 48 for the first wicket with Lauren Winfield-Hill and 42 for the third with Kalis, who was run out at the end of the penultimate over.When Marlow fell, caught and bowled by new ball seamer Kate Coppack as the score fell to 119 for 3 after 29 overs, Sunrisers put the squeeze on impressively.Coppack was excellent in conceding only 29 runs from her 10 overs, while leg-spinner Grewcock also struck once and was nearly as miserly as she conceded 26 in eight overs.Coppack’s new-ball partner Eva Gray struck twice with her lively seamers, getting Erin Burns caught at mid-off and Abi Glen caught at short third as the score fell to 185 for 7 in the 47th over.Led by Phoebe Turner, Diamonds then counter-attacked as she crashed five boundaries in her cameo, including four of them off Gray as the 49th over cost 20.Key seamer Sophie Munro only bowling two early overs, including the wicket of Rebecca Duckworth caught behind, before leaving the field injured hurt Sunrisers on a sunny Headingley day. But they cruised with the bat.Sunrisers have now won eight RHF Trophy matches this season. In the first four seasons of regional cricket, which started in 2020, they only won six combined.Scrivens shared an opening partnership of 70 in 14 overs with Jo Gardner, which included the former hoisting the off-spin of Australian all-rounder Burns for six over wide long-on.After Gardner had been trapped lbw by Beth Langston for 19, Scrivens reached her fifty off 66 balls – her fourth added to a century in this campaign.Her haul of 514 runs is the second best in the competition.However, the left-hander was trapped lbw by Katie Levick’s leg-spin not long afterwards, leaving Sunrisers 91 for two in the 19th over.From there, Griffith took on the senior role to steer the chase, with one late cut for four off Levick particularly memorable. She also clubbed a Rachel Slater full toss over square-leg for six.By the time she reached her fifty off 64 balls, Sunrisers were all but over the winning line at 181 for two in the 36th over.Grewcock rubber-stamped things with a 54-ball fifty, effectively ending the Diamonds existence given their players will now head to pastures new following the domestic restructure ahead of 2025.Levick trapped Griffith lbw, but it was nothing more than consolatory as Sunrisers get one last dance.

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.

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.”

Gueye upgrade: Everton now preparing bid to sign £75k-p/w "monster"

Everton are interested in signing a Premier League mainstay in a bargain deal this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 5, 2025

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.

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.

Whilst their striker search develops following news that Alexander Isak wants to leave, Newcastle United and PIF have reportedly been offered the chance to sign a Premier League rival instead of Benjamin Sesko.

Newcastle "working" on Sesko deal

The Magpies have sprung into action following Isak’s bombshell and have instantly turned their focus towards Sesko. The RB Leipzig ace has attracted the interest of Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool this summer, but now Newcastle have emerged in search of a blockbuster move of their own.

According to transfer reporter Ben Jacobs, those at St James’ Park are now “working” on personal terms with the talented striker and are set to submit an opening bid to Leipzig, who are open to a summer sale.

Although reports have suggested that Leipzig will demand as much as £67m to sell the 22-year-old ahead of next season, money will be no issue for Newcastle if Isak departs for a deal which could be a staggering worth £150m.

It certainly makes sense that Newcastle have turned straight towards Sesko too. The Serbian has been on the rise for a couple of seasons now and once again showed plenty of his potential in the Bundesliga last time out.

Minutes

2,380

2,756

Goals

13

23

Assists

5

6

Expected Goals

10

20.3

There will be concerns that Sesko managed just 13 Bundesliga goals last time out, but it’s key to point out that both he and Isak outperformed their expected total by three goals. Based on that figure, the Serbian certainly has the potential to improve his numbers if chance creation around him is improved.

PIF set sights on signing 13-goal star for Newcastle after Isak bombshell

The Magpies have instantly turned towards potential replacements.

ByTom Cunningham Jul 25, 2025

Alas, with how this summer has gone for the Magpies, having alternative options lined up certainly wouldn’t be a bad idea and one Premier League rival may find himself on that shortlist.

PIF offered chance to sign Jackson

According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, PIF have now been offered the chance to sign Nicolas Jackson for Newcastle this summer. The forward’s agent has offered his signature around the Premier League to the likes of Manchester United, Aston Villa and now Newcastle as he looks to ensure that his client receives his desired game time.

After Chelsea signed both Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, that game time is unlikely to arrive at Stamford Bridge – allowing Newcastle to come swooping in should they please this summer.

Dubbed “fantastic” by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, Newcastle’s backline paid witness to Jackson’s ability first-hand last season when he scored in a 2-1 victory over the Magpies.

It goes without saying that Jackson must work on his consistency after scoring 13 goals in all competitions last season, but he could yet find that by swapping Chelsea for Newcastle this summer.