Aston Villa are now seriously considering a January move for an “incredible” striker, who has been in fantastic form this season.

Villa looking to sign new striker this winter

It is becoming increasingly clear that Villa want to bring in a new centre-forward in the upcoming transfer window, having identified a number of targets over the past week or so, namely Brentford’s Igor Thiago, Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee and Bologna’s Santiago Castro.

Target	League goals in 2025-26
Igor Thiago	11
Joshua Zirkzee	1
Santiago Castro	4

On the face of it, pursuing a move for Thiago would appear to make the most sense, given that the Brazilian has emerged as one of the best strikers in the Premier League this season, with only Manchester City star Erling Haaland scoring more goals.

However, Aston Villa have now joined the race for another striker who has been prolific in front of goal so far this season, according to a report from Spain, which states they are seriously considering a January move for Strasbourg star Joaquin Panichelli.

Unai Emery’s side are said to be closely monitoring the striker, and hold a genuine interest, off the back of Panichelli impressing in the first half of the Ligue 1 season, with Chelsea and West Ham United also joining the race for his signature.

With the Argentinian’s contract not due to expire until 2027, the French club should be in a strong negotiating position, which complicates a deal, and finalising a move in the January transfer window could be difficult.

Panichelli has made "incredible" start in Ligue 1

Given that Ollie Watkins has just three Premier League goals to his name this season, Emery could do with bringing in a more prolific striker next month, and the Cordoba-born marksman has regularly been amongst the goals for Strasbourg, scoring ten times in all competitions.

Scout Jacek Kulig has also praised the former CD Mirandes man for the start he’s made to life at the Ligue 1 side, having only arrived at Strasbourg from the Spanish side in the summer.

The one-time Argentina international is the second-highest scorer in Ligue 1, behind only Mason Greenwood, and at 23-years-old, he is at the right age to be a long-term replacement for Watkins.

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That said, with Panichelli tied down to a long-term contract and yet to prove himself in one of Europe’s top leagues over a sustained time period, it may be worth Villa continuing to monitor him, ahead of potentially launching a move next summer.

Richarlison took his tally for the season to seven goals in all competitions, per Sofascore, as Tottenham Hotspur beat Brentford 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Brazil international converted from close range after Xavi Simons, who scored the second goal in the match, put it on a plate for the striker with a ball across the box.

Despite a return of six goals and two assists in nine starts in the Premier League for Richarlison, though, the Lilywhites are reportedly looking to add a new striker to their squad in the January transfer window.

Spurs have been linked with an interest in former Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who worked with Thomas Frank at the Gtech, but he is not the only attacker on their radar.

Spurs have strong interest in Spanish striker

The Europa League champions are also looking at a possible move for a number nine who could arrive in North London as the manager’s next version of Toney.

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 TEAMtalk, Tottenham Hotspur have a strong interest in signing Porto centre-forward Samu Aghehowa to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.

The report claims that the Spain international has a release clause in the region of £70m – a fee that would eclipse Spurs’ club-record fee – and that has attracted interest from Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United.

Tottenham are said to have done a lot of background work on the striker, whom they hugely admire, and they would like to snap him up to lead their line.

However, the outlet adds that Porto are set to block a January move for Samu, who is not pushing to leave, which could mean that the Lilywhites have to wait until the summer to do a deal.

Why Spurs should wait to sign Samu Aghehowa

Instead of panicking and signing an alternative centre-forward option in the January transfer window, Spurs should wait until the summer to pursue a deal for the Spanish attacker, because he could be a brilliant addition to the squad as Frank’s new Toney.

The England international, per Transfermarkt, scored 72 goals in 141 matches for Brentford in all competitions for the Danish head coach, whilst acting as the focal point for the team with his physical presence.

Toney won 3.2 or more aerial duels per game, per Sofascore, across all three of his seasons in the Premier League with the Bees, never winning lower than 46% of his aerial contests.

Samu, 6 foot 4, has won 59% of his aerial duels in Liga Portugal and 56% of them in the Europa League this season, after winning 51% in the Portuguese top-flight last term, per Sofascore, which shows that he can offer a similar focal point to Toney in the number nine role.

Appearances

30

11

xG

14.07

5.63

Goals

19

6

Minutes per goal

119

117

Assists

3

1

Aerial duel success rate

51%

59%

As you can see in the table above, though, the Spanish number nine is a terrific goalscorer to go along with his physical attributes, having scored 25 league goals since the start of last season.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed him as a “clinical” player during the 2024/25 campaign, and that still rings true with his return of six goals from 5.63 xG in the league this term.

Samu, who was described as a “freak of nature” by one analyst on X, has the physical and technical attributes to be Frank’s new Toney, as they are both prolific strikers who can also duel with opposition defenders and provide a focal point for their side.

On top of his similarities to Toney and his impressive record for Porto, the Spain international is also 21 and has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve further, which means that he would be a signing to make an immediate impact, but with scope for it to be a long-term move as well.

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Therefore, Samu is a player who is worth waiting for. That is why Spurs should stick with Richarlison, who has a decent goal return this season, until next summer before making a move for the Porto marksman, unless a January deal does become viable in the next seven weeks or so.

CA’s medical staff will look into Khawaja’s back spasm and the coach says the batting order will be discussed leading into the Brisbane Test after Head’s heroics

Alex Malcolm24-Nov-2025Australia coach Andrew McDonald has said there will be further investigation into Usman Khawaja’s back issue in the lead-up to the Brisbane Test and admitted the selectors have “a lot to consider” around the batting order after Travis Head’s match-winning performance as a stand-in opener.Australia’s players and staff flew to their home cities on Sunday after the first Ashes Test finished inside two days in Perth.Khawaja’s back spasms have become a major talking point, with the 38-year-old unable to open in both innings and only able to bat once in the game. He also dropped a catch at slip before leaving the field in England’s second innings.Related

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McDonald confirmed that the medical staff would look into the injury further as Khawaja has never suffered a back spasm of that nature in his lengthy career.”There was discussions around further investigation to whether it was more serious than what we sort of first anticipated,” McDonald said on Monday. “So we’ll work through that. We’ll get a squad together. We’ll step through everything that we normally step through.”We get to camp in six days’ time. It’s a long way out, a lot of information to gather between now and then, and hopefully Usman is fit and available for selection.”I think anytime you spasm, it’s a result of something going on in your back. So I think that further investigation is just due diligence around that. You spasm for a reason. He hasn’t had it before, so that’s what will probably entail a bit more further investigation.”My gut feel is that it should be okay, but as I said, we’ll wait for that information to present.”McDonald dismissed Khawaja’s age as a reason for the back issue flaring up. Khawaja did play 18 holes of golf on each of three days leading into the Test match (54 holes in total), something he had done previously leading into a Test without issue. But McDonald, like CA chief executive Todd Greenberg, reiterated that it had never caused a problem before.”These things can happen,” McDonald said. “And I don’t think you can join the dots to something around his age. I think it’s just one of those things that’s happened.”Travis Head smashed his way to an extraordinary 69-ball century•Getty ImagesMcDonald was asked whether Head’s extraordinary performance in the second innings, where he made 123 off 83 balls to win the Test match, would cause a rethink about a permanent change at the top of the order.”We’ve got a lot to consider,” McDonald said. “Batting orders are always debated heavily over a period of time. Middle order players haven’t been sort of the ones that have been the popular ones to open the batting. So we’ll discuss and work through what it looks like.”I think it gave us a little bit of a lens potentially to the future in terms of adjusting batting orders in second innings, which is something that we have discussed. To be able to put different people in different positions with the scenario that was presented. So this one happened probably through a bit more chance and obviously the unfortunate injury to Usman. But I think it really probably opens up that discussion more than, more than anything else for us.”Australia’s selectors do not have a history of making a change off a sample size of one innings. Steven Smith made 91 not out in an unsuccessful fourth innings chase in his fourth innings as an opener but the experiment was shelved after he averaged 28 across eight Test innings in the role.The impact Head had on the pink-ball Test in Adelaide last year, where he made a match-winning century at No. 5 in Australia’s first innings having been shielded from batting in a difficult period under lights on the first night, will also be a key factor in any decision to move him permanently to the top for Brisbane. Head had looked reasonably good in the first innings in Perth when he entered in the 16th over before shovelling a pull shot to mid-on.The potential to be flexible with Head looks more appealing to the coach.”We’ve sort of hypothesized around a middle order player going up to the top order if the second innings happened to flatten out,” McDonald said. “In particular, if we needed quick runs, and the wicket was going to deteriorate. So in our strategy and our planning, we have tabled that from time to time.”We’ve had a conversation around Travis opening the batting for a long period of time, and Trav’s has been on the record this week and previously around that also. I suppose, now that it’s out there, yeah, happy to talk about it. Will we do it? If it presents at the right time, potentially.”

ساهم ريان شرقي صانع ألعاب مانشستر سيتي في فوز فريقه على سندرلاند بثلاثية نظيفة على ملعب الاتحاد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وارتفع رصيد مانشستر سيتي للنقطة 31 في المركز الثاني، خلف صاحب المركز الأول آرسنال بـ33 نقطة.

اقرأ أيضاً.. رجل مباراة مانشستر سيتي وسندرلاند في الدوري الإنجليزي

وقال شرقي في تصريحات نشرتها “سيتي إكسترا” عن تمريرة الرابونا الحاسمة لـ فودين: “سمعت رد فعل الجماهير، إنها فقط من أجل الجماهير لأنني أريد إسعاد الآخرين”.

وأضاف :”أريد أن ألعب مع فيل فودين وعمر مرموش وإيرلينج هالاند، اللعب بحرية؟ هذه هي موهبتي، أريد بذل قصارى جهدي كلما امتلكت الكرة، اليوم كان الأمر جيداً لأن التمريرة كانت جيدة لفودين”.

The Blue Jays’ deep pitching staff looks to have grown even deeper.

Toronto is signing pitcher Cody Ponce away from the KBO League's Hanwha Eagles for $30 million over three years, according to a Tuesday afternoon report from Jeff Passan of ESPN. Ponce, 31, has not pitched in Major League Baseball since 2021 but is coming off a dominant season in South Korea.

For the Eagles, Ponce won 17 of 18 decisions with a 1.89 ERA and 252 strikeouts in 180 2/3 innings. He was named the KBO League's MVP and won the Choi Dong-won Award, the South Korean equivalent of the Cy Young.

The Brewers originally drafted Ponce in the second round out of Cal Poly Pomona in 2015, and traded him to the Pirates for pitcher Jordan Lyles in 2019. Ponce pitched parts of two seasons for Pittsburgh before moving overseas, spending three years in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. He joined Hanwha in advance of the 2025 season.

The Blue Jays formally signed pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year contract Tuesday as they seek to follow their pennant with a World Series title.

Shohei Ohtani this, Shohei Ohtani that. The Dodgers’ two-way superstar is rightfully getting all the praise for the myriad ways Los Angeles can use him in Saturday’s winner-take-all Game 7 for the World Series title. But, with the season on the line for both sides, the Blue Jays can break out all the stops, too.

Toronto’s rookie righthander Trey Yesavage has been one of baseball’s best stories this year. He started Games 1 and 5 of the World Series, highlighted by his 12-strikeout performance in the latter where he threw seven innings of one-run ball to help the Jays to a win, taking a 3-2 lead in the series.

It all comes down to Saturday, though. Max Scherzer will toe the rubber for Toronto against Ohtani for L.A. in a matchup every baseball fan is eager to see. If Toronto wants to go to their rookie star on short rest, he’d certainly be open to it.

“I’m not sure, I haven’t heard anything from the people that make that decision,” Yesavage said Friday night when asked about his availability for Game 7 via CityNews’ Lindsay Dunn. “But I’ll be ready if my name’s called.”

If called upon, he’d be pitching on three days rest after throwing 104 pitches Wednesday. But, this is Game 7 of the World Series, and Yesavage wants to do what it takes to help his team earn the franchise’s first title since 1993.

Sunderland are now keen on a January move for an “unreal” defender and could make a £12m approach for his services.

Black Cats looking to strengthen this winter

The Black Cats have fared very well upon their return to the Premier League, currently sitting just three points off the Champions League places, and 10 clear of the bottom three, but they are not out of the woods just yet.

With only 15 games played, Regis Le Bris will be well-aware there is still a long way to go, and some January additions could strengthen his side’s chances of preserving their Premier League status, or perhaps even making a surprise push for Europe.

Although the Mackems have had some tough matches in recent weeks, taking on Arsenal in November, before facing reigning champions Liverpool and title contenders Manchester City, they have looked a little more shaky defensively.

Nine of the 17 goals Sunderland have conceded in the Premier League this season have come in the last five matches, most recently suffering a 3-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium, and they are now keen on signing a new centre-back.

That is according to a report from Calciomercato (via Sport Witness), which states the Black Cats are still interested in signing Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi, after submitting a €28m (£24m) bid for his services during the summer.

Having maintained their interest, the 2024-25 Championship play-off final winners could make an approach at half the price during the upcoming transfer window, with a €14m (£12m) bid on the cards.

Lucumi is out of contract with the Italian club in 2027, and with Bologna struggling to tie him down to a new deal, the defender’s future is up in the air heading into the January transfer window.

"Unreal" Lucumi could be bargain signing at £12m

It would be a steal if Sunderland were able to sign the centre-back at the heavily discounted rate of just £12m, given just how impressive he has been in Italy, being lauded as “unreal” by journalist Ethan Todd courtesy of his performances across the three previous campaigns.

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Not only has the 27-year-old put in some solid performances in the Serie A, but he has also established himself at international level, picking up 34 caps for Colombia, most recently helping his side pick up a clean sheet in a 3-0 win against Australia.

The Bologna star is comfortable with the ball, while he is also strong at winning back possession, as showcased by his performance across some key statistics over the past year, when compared to other centre-backs.

Statistic

Average per 90 (past year)

Progressive carries

1.03 (81st percentile)

Successful take-ons

0.37 (85th percentile)

Passes attempted

67.14 (79th percentile)

Tackles

1.94 (83rd percentile)

Sunderland are already in a strong position to avoid the drop, but they would be boosting their survival chances even further if they were able to sign Lucumi next month.

Football is a fickle game, with October’s Premier League Manager of the Month, Ruben Amorim, now again facing scrutiny regarding his position at Manchester United.

Three draws, one defeat and a solitary win from the last five league outings has sparked concern that this United side is drifting back into old habits, fresh from a worst-ever Premier League campaign last time out.

Boos rang out at the full-time whistle following the 1-1 draw with relegation strugglers West Ham United in midweek, just ten days on from another abject Old Trafford display up against ten-man Everton.

A creditable comeback win against Crystal Palace may have been sandwiched in between those two frustrating results, although even at Selhurst Park, the performance was drab and dour, with club legend Roy Keane noting that the displays have been “desperate” across the last three or four games.

Still in the mix for European contention in eighth, it isn’t time to panic just yet – but could more drop points against bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday change the situation?

Why Ruben Amorim's future at Man Utd remains uncertain

Even amid the depths of the defeat to Grimsby Town, INEOS have appeared to back their man to the hilt, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe even suggesting earlier this season that Amorim would be given three years to make his mark in Manchester.

There has been gradual improvement this year – while the lack of attacking quality and depth must also be factored in to any criticism – although the Portuguese’s stubborn 3-4-2-1 system continues to grate on supporters.

Unwilling to take the handbrake off, even at home to both Everton and West Ham, the 40-year-old notably made four defensive-minded changes last time out, overlooking the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Shea Lacey on the home bench.

The treatment of Mainoo, in particular, has riled up the United faithful no end, a fact only enhanced by Amorim choosing to laugh off suggestions that the Englishman could have been an attacking change against the Hammers.

Yet to start a single league game in 2025/26, the 20-year-old is believed to be itching for a loan move in January, with his standing under the new boss having perhaps been evident right from the off, as Amorim selected Casemiro and Christian Eriksen ahead of him on that November night at Portman Road.

Quite what INEOS make of the handling of Mainoo remains to be seen, although there are whispers that the United hierarchy are plotting potential replacements, with reports this week indicating that the club are monitoring Palace boss, Oliver Glasner.

Also being eyed as a possible successor to under-fire title winner, Arne Slot at Liverpool, Glasner is a man in demand. Could the “incredible” coach – as hailed by Pep Guardiola – be the man to get United back on track, while reviving Mainoo in the process?

Why Glasner's appointment could be perfect for Mainoo

It would be somewhat ironic if United were to turn to one of the few managers Amorim has actually bettered this season, although the caveat to that result was the Eagles’ Conference League involvement just days earlier, having visibly tired as the game progressed.

Initially indeed, there looked like being only one winner in south London, with Jean-Philippe Mateta squandering a handful of chances, while Eddie Nketiah saw his one-on-one attempt denied by Luke Shaw.

Adam Wharton, too, could only fire his effort straight into the gloves of Senne Lammens, with the promising Englishman having run the show in that opening 45, amid suggestions that Casemiro looked “haunted” up against the elegant left-footer.

Minutes

78

Touches

48

Pass accuracy

79%

Key passes

1

Big chances created

0

Total shots

1

Total duels won

5/7

Balls recovered

7

Tackles

3/3

Wharton ranks highly among the biggest success stories of Glasner’s fruitful, FA Cup-winning tenure to date, having arrived as a player of potential from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024, prior to now solidifying himself as a £100m-rated asset and a leading target for those at United.

While a reunion might be in order if Glasner does take charge at Old Trafford, perhaps a cheaper outcome might be for the German to work his magic on United’s own England sensation, Mainoo, with the Red Devils still waiting to see their academy graduate thrive in that Wharton role in a midfield pairing.

In the case of both Three Lions starlets, when looking at their respective 2024/25 Premier League seasons, the statistics don’t jump off the page, with neither man an elite ball winner, nor necessarily a goal or assist machine.

What they are both adept at is providing that forward-thinking approach in midfield, albeit in slightly different ways.

Indeed, Wharton ranked in the top 7% of midfielders last term for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref, while Mainoo ranked in the top 16% for successful take-ons per 90.

Wharton looks to thread the pass, while Mainoo has the magic to drive himself up the pitch. Either way, both are “generational” rising stars – as Mainoo has been lauded by Rasmus Hojlund – who should be the centre of the Premier League and England across the next decade.

And so, having helped his own midfield sensation blossom at Selhurst Park, could Glasner repeat the trick again at Old Trafford?

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Manchester United have now moved into pole position in the race for a “sensational” star, and a £30m offer is being prepared.

Ruben Amorim identifies top midfield target

It is becoming increasingly clear that Man United will look to sign a new midfielder in 2026, and Ruben Amorim has now identified Elliot Anderson as his top target, although a deal could be on the expensive side, with a £100m fee being touted.

However, the Red Devils may be forced to move on to alternative, potentially more affordable options, with it recently emerging that the Etihad Stadium is Anderson’s preferred destination.

It would be disappointing to miss out on the Nottingham Forest star, who is now an established England international, having picked up six caps since the start of September.

The 23-year-old is not the only English midfielder of interest to Man United though, according to a report from Spain, which states they are now leading the race for Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, who has fallen down the pecking order at the Spanish club.

Several Premier League clubs have emerged as potential suitors for Gallagher, but United are the frontrunners, and a £30m opening bid is in the works, with the La Liga side willing to sanction a departure for a fee in that ballpark.

With the Englishman not receiving much game time under Diego Simeone, a January move could make sense for all parties, with Man United certainly in need of additional reinforcements in midfield…

"Sensational" Gallagher could be solid addition for Man Utd

Despite not being the flashiest of signings, the former Crystal Palace man could be a solid addition for the Red Devils, who need to sign at least one new midfielder, amid the uncertainty surrounding Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo’s future.

It has now been revealed that United could be willing to let Mainoo leave this winter, should they manage to find a replacement, while Casemiro’s future is under review, with the Brazilian’s contract due to expire in the summer.

As such, two new midfielders may be required, and Gallagher could be a good squad player, having been lauded as “sensational” by journalist John Cross.

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The 25-year-old is very experienced in the Premier League, making 136 appearances in the competition, while he has also tested himself in the Champions League, netting one goal in five appearances this term.

£30m feels like a reasonable fee to pay for the 22-time England international, so it makes sense for Man United to pursue a January move, although Anderson should remain their top target.

Aston Villa are now circling to sign an “unbelievable” Premier League striker in the January transfer window, with his club open to a sale.

Villa "want to sign a new striker" next month

Ex-scout Mick Brown has made it clear his former club are looking to bolster their options at centre-forward this winter, saying: “Aston Villa want to sign a new striker in January,”

“Emery wants somebody to challenge Watkins and score regular goals, because they’ve lacked that so far this season, and they want to do it when the window opens.

“The problem is, there aren’t many strikers available, and the ones that are cost big money.”

While there may not be a plethora of options available, some exciting targets have been identified, with it being revealed Igor Thiago is highly likely to leave Brentford in January, amid interest from Unai Emery.

Bologna star Santiago Castro is another striker of interest to the Villans, with the Argentinian striker outscoring Ollie Watkins this season, although a deal could be on the expensive side at around £44m.

A slightly cheaper centre-forward has also emerged as a target, according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Aston Villa are now circling to sign Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee next month, following a new update on the Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford.

Although Ruben Amorim wants to keep hold of Zirkzee, in light of his versatility, Man United are now open to sanctioning a departure, and Villa’s Premier League rivals could look to hold out for a fee of around £35m.

A whole host of clubs are in the race for the Netherlands international, however, with the likes of Sunderland, Brighton, Everton, West Ham United, Inter Milan and Juventus also being named as potential suitors.

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The 24-year-old hasn’t had the easiest of rides at Old Trafford, failing to make it off the bench in seven Premier League matches this season, but he has impressed at times, with Sky Sports analyst Statman Dave hailing his mentality earlier this year.

The former Bologna man also returned to form in front of goal at the end of November, scoring the equalising goal to start Man United’s comeback in their 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace.

That said, Villa should have major reservations about signing Zirkzee, considering his very poor record in front of goal, netting just eight times in 58 outings for Man United, while also receiving heavy criticism from content creator Alex Turk this season.