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India have been here before. It hasn’t happened all that often in the recent past, but they’ve been 1-0 down in a home Test series. It happened against Australia in 2017, and then against England in 2021 and 2024. All three times, they came back to win the series.Both those series, however, were four Tests long. India’s current generation have never really been in the situation they are in now against New Zealand: 1-0 down at home, with only two Tests to go.It puts them under immense pressure. Beating India in India remains the toughest challenge in Test cricket today, but away teams over the last two years have been winning Tests here more frequently than they used to. It’s a sign, perhaps, of one era transitioning into another, a reminder of the cricketing mortality of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.This doesn’t change the fact, however, that India remain overwhelming favourites when the second Test begins on Thursday. New Zealand won in Bengaluru, yes, but they won via the perfect storm brewed up by the weather and a deceptive pitch that led India to make what turned out to be the wrong toss and selection calls for those conditions. New Zealand were themselves poised to make the same toss call had Tom Latham called correctly.It isn’t often that a visiting side shows up for a Test match in India and finds conditions that suit them more than the home side. Before Bengaluru 2024, it had perhaps happened twice in this century: Nagpur 2004 and Ahmedabad 2008.Related

• New Zealand hope turning Pune pitch will play into their hands

• Gautam Gambhir backs KL Rahul, but will he play in Pune?

• Mitchell: 'We can't change the wicket, but we'll find a way to adapt'

• Sarfaraz Khan inverts the 'V' in his search for victory

Pune will not be like Bengaluru. India have made every effort possible to restore to this series the one major ingredient it had lacked up to this point: home advantage. The specifics of how the Pune pitch will behave will only become clear when the match begins, but the broad outline is likely to be a lot less help for New Zealand’s quicks, and a lot more room for India to maximise the superior skill and control of their spin attack. It won’t guarantee the result they want, not against this superb New Zealand side, but whether they win, lose or draw, India will journey to their fate on something like their own terms.2:03

Could India go all out with four spinners in Pune?

Form guide

India LWWWW (last five Tests, most recent first)
New Zealand WLLLL

In the spotlight – Shubman Gill and Glenn Phillips

Shubman Gill has found a new level as a Test batter since his move to No. 3 last year, averaging 43.23 across 11 matches and scoring three hundreds. He got through a regular workload in the nets in the lead-up to the second Test, suggesting he will return to India’s line-up after missing the Bengaluru Test with a stiff neck. With Gill back at No. 3, India’s batting order will wear a far more settled look, with the names below his back in their natural habitats.Since his return to New Zealand’s Test side in December 2023, Glenn Phillips has taken 23 wickets in nine Tests at an average of 26.47. Of all spinners with at least 15 wickets in this time, only Keshav Maharaj, Nathan Lyon and India’s big three have better averages. It’s quite a record for an offspinner who was until recently considered a part-timer. Phillips bowled 15 second-innings overs in Bengaluru and picked up the wicket of Virat Kohli. He may have to get through a bigger workload on a more helpful pitch in Pune, even if New Zealand bolster their spin attack, and could have quite an influence on the game if he can chip in with a big wicket or two. His ability to score quickly down the order could be handy too, handier still if it’s a low-scoring Test.1:08

Manjrekar: Rank turner will be an acid test for New Zealand

Team news – Sarfaraz vs Rahul, Southee vs O’Rourke?

India have two major decisions to make with regards to their XI. With Gill set to return, they will have to leave out either KL Rahul, who has fairly good returns across a small sample size – a century and two fifties in six Tests – since his middle-order move late last year, and Sarfaraz Khan, who scored a rollicking second-innings hundred in Bengaluru. There’s also the question of the second seamer: should Akash Deep, who has looked like a natural in Indian conditions in his brief Test career so far, come in for Mohammed Siraj, whose 13 home Tests have brought him just the 19 wickets at 36.15? A dry pitch is expected to provide ample assistance to the spinners, so India will most likely stick to playing three of them. They have no major reason yet to look beyond the trio of Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav, even if Washington Sundar and Axar Patel make compelling cases as allrounders.India: 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 Rohit Sharma (capt), 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 KL Rahul/Sarfaraz Khan, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed Siraj/Akash Deep.Despite being 1-0 up, New Zealand may have the more difficult selection to make than India, because it may involve a change in the make-up of their Bengaluru attack. Conditions in Pune are set to be far less conducive to swing and seam bowling, which means New Zealand may have to think of leaving out one of their three quicks – potentially Tim Southee, their ex-captain, or Will O’Rourke, who took seven wickets in Bengaluru – and bring in an extra spinner. This could either be the left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner or the legspinner Ish Sodhi, who has come into the squad with Michael Bracewell released on paternity leave.New Zealand 1 Tom Latham (capt), 2 Devon Conway, 3 Will Young, 4 Rachin Ravindra, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Glenn Phillips, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee/Will O’Rourke, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Ajaz Patel.

Pitch and conditions

After losing in entirely un-Indian conditions at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, India have gone to great lengths to prepare a track that theoretically minimises the damage New Zealand’s quicks can cause. A slow, low turner is in the offing, and spinners can expect increasing help as the Test match progresses with sunny weather expected on all five days in Pune.Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli share a light chat•AFP/Getty Images

Stats and trivia

• After losing just two home Tests in the ten years from 2013 to 2022, India have lost three in the next two years.
• KL Rahul is 19 runs away from the 3000 mark in Test cricket. Of all batters to have scored at least 3000 runs since his debut, only Mominul Haque and Kraigg Brathwaite have lower averages than Rahul’s current figure of 33.87.
• Before 2023, Matt Henry had 53 wickets in 17 Tests at an average of 40.24. Since the start of 2023, he has transformed his Test career, taking 50 wickets in just nine Tests at 21.26.

Quotes

“No, we are not even thinking of giving anyone game time. All we are concentrating on are these two Test matches [against New Zealand]. And these two Test matches are very, very important to us. As important as any other Test match, be it in India or in Australia.”
“It’s important that we take the focus, the confidence from that [Bengaluru] game, and bring it into this game, but realise that we both start on zero, both teams start on zero tomorrow.”

تأهل 16 ناديًا، بشكل رسمي دور المجموعات في دوري أبطال إفريقيا لموسم 2025-2026، بعد نهاية مباريات دور الـ 32 من البطولة القارية.

وواصل النادي الأهلي هيمنته القارية بعدما حسم تأهله بسهولة إلى دور المجموعات، عقب فوزه على إيجل نوار البوروندي بنتيجة هدفين دون رد في مجموع مباراتي الذهاب والإياب، ليواصل بطل إفريقيا مشواره نحو اللقب القاري الجديد.

وفي المقابل، تأهل الهلال السوداني بعد تفوقه على البوليس الكيني بنتيجة أربعة أهداف مقابل هدف في مجموع اللقاءين، حيث فاز ذهابًا بهدف دون رد، وإيابًا بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف.

وشهدت التصفيات مفاجأة مدوية بعدما نجح فريق سانت إيلوي لوبوبو من الكونغو الديمقراطية في التأهل لأول مرة في تاريخه إلى دور المجموعات، بعد إقصائه فريق أورلاندو بايرتس الجنوب إفريقي بركلات الترجيح بنتيجة 5-4، عقب التعادل في مجموع المباراتين بثلاثة أهداف لكل فريق.

وحسم فريق بيراميدز تأهله إلي دور المجموعات، بعد الفوز على التأمين الإثيوبي، بنتيجة 3-1 في مجموع مباراتي الذهاب والإياب.

ومن المقرر أن تُجرى قرعة دور المجموعات يوم الإثنين 3 نوفمبر 2025 في مدينة جوهانسبرج بجنوب إفريقيا.

طالع أيضًا | شوبير يكشف عن رد “كاف” المتوقع على شكوى الأهلي ضد حكم مباراة إيجل نوار الفرق المتأهلة إلى مجموعات دوري أبطال إفريقيا

1. الأهلي المصري.

2. الهلال السوداني

3. سانت إيلوي لوبوبو من الكونغو الديمقراطية

4. يانج أفريكانز من تنزانيا

5. ريفرز يونايتد من نيجيريا

6. بترو أتلتيكو من أنجولا

7. شبيبة القبائل من الجزائر

8. الجيش الملكي من المغرب

9. سيمبا من تنزانيا

10. صن داونز من جنوب إفريقيا

11. الترجي من تونس

12. باور ديناموز من زامبيا

13. الملعب المالي

14. مولودية الجزائر

15. بيراميدز.

16. نهضة بركان المغربي. تصنيف أندية المجموعات في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

التصنيف الأول: الأهلي، صنداونز الجنوب إفريقي، الترجي التونسي، نهضة بركان المغربي.

التصنيف الثاني: بيراميدز، الهلال السوداني، يانج أفريكانز التنزاني، سيمبا التنزاني.

التصنيف الثالث: الجيش الملكي المغربي، مولودية الجزائر، ريفرز يونايتد النيجيري، بترو أتلتيكو الأنجولي.

التصنيف الرابع: الملعب المالي، سانت إيلوا لوبوبو الكونغولي، باور ديناموز الزامبي، شبيبة القبائل الجزائري.

Everything you need to know about the upcoming Newcastle kit, including leaks, where to buy and more.

Third Kit

Third

• Features the return of the shielded crest in its classic placement.
• Tasteful green detailing on the collar and sleeve cuffs adds subtle contrast.
• Includes faint pinstripes for a clean, retro-inspired look.

From

£85

Buy Now!

Since 2023, Adidas has been the brand behind the black-and-white stripes of the Toon Army, taking the baton from Castore after striking a lucrative deal.

It wasn't too long ago that Puma had their name stitched into the North East side's kits either. Now back in partnership with Newcastle, Adidas will be banking on fresh designs flying off the shelves—something that would not only excite fans but also fatten Newcastle's coffers and give their transfer kitty a nice little bump, after a £40 million ($50 million) per year deal for five years was announced in September 2023.

Shop Newcastle kits at adidasBuy now

Adidas previously designed Newcastle’s shirts for 15 years between 1995 and 2010, with the likes of David Ginola, Alan Shearer and Faustino Asprilla featuring in them.

Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about the new Newcastle United kits, including where to buy, prices, leaks, rumours and more.

READ MORE

• All the outstanding 2025-26 football kits
• Newcastle United 2024-25 home, away, third & goalkeeper kits

• Newcastle United, Adidas
  

  Newcastle 2025-26 home kit, release date & price

  Shop Newcastle kits at adidasBuy now

  Adidas have given Newcastle United’s iconic black and white stripes a fresh twist for the 2025-26 home kit, adding a serrated edge that forms a distinctive Shepherd's Check pattern. It’s a bold move that injects energy into the shirt without losing sight of the club’s rich identity.

  A subtle splash of light blue trims the collar and runs down the side seams, a classy nod to vintage Newcastle kits from both the Adidas and Puma days.

  The look is tied together with classic black shorts and socks, both featuring Adidas' trademark three-stripes, along with a clean white "NUFC" sign-off. There’s also a full-colour club crest and a "Howay the Lads" tag inside the collar, giving the kit a proper Geordie stamp.

  Fans can grab the new home strip in authentic short-sleeve, replica short-sleeve, or long-sleeve versions — officially launched on Thursday, 29 May 2025. Prices start at £85 ($115). Clean, modern, and unmistakably Newcastle.

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• NUFC
  

  Newcastle 2025-26 away kit, release date & price

  Shop Newcastle kits at adidasBuy now

  According to Newcastle World, it looks like the Magpies are once again going green for their change strip—something fans have come to expect, even if it strays from the club's traditional colour identity. Since the PIF takeover, Newcastle have switched between green and white for their alternate kits, and after last season's retro white throwback, it’s green’s time to shine again.

  This year's away shirt is a full-on Saudi green design, decked out with crisp white club crests and sponsor logos. Subtle, darker green horizontal stripes stretch across the shirt, adding a bit of depth, while clean white detailing on the collar and flanks rounds off the look. Think of it as a colour-flipped version of last year's kit—same spirit, new twist.

• NUFC, Adidas
  

  Newcastle 2025-26 third kit, release date & price

  Shop Newcastle kits at adidasBuy now

  The 2025-26 Newcastle United third kit is out — and it's got instant classic written all over it.

  Adidas have once again dipped into the archives for inspiration, reimagining the beloved 1997-98 design for a fresh era. And somehow, against all fashion odds, they've made navy, green, and orange work in glorious harmony. It nods to nostalgia, but steers clear of feeling outdated.

  Remember that off-centre stripe from the '98 edition that looked like it was knocked together in Microsoft Paint? That's gone. In its place is a sleeker, more balanced design that still pays tribute to the original’s soul without clinging to its quirks.

  The shielded crest returns, sitting neatly where it should, while the detailing on the cuffs and collar bring a tasteful pop of green, subtle but effective. Add in the faint pinstripes and that unapologetically bold orange Trefoil logo with the iconic Adidas three stripes, and you’ve got a shirt that oozes modern retro.

  Retailing at £120 ($165), the kit officially drops on 1st July and will be available at Newcastle United stores, select adidas outlets, and online via both club and adidas websites. Expect its first on-pitch outing against Celtic on 19th July in what will be the inaugural adidas Trophy — a fitting debut for a jersey that already feels like a collector’s item.

• NUFC, Adidas
  

  Newcastle 2025-26 goalkeeper kit release date & price

  Shop Newcastle kits at adidasBuy now

  Newcastle United's 2025-26 goalkeeper lineup gets a vibrant makeover, as Adidas rolls out a bold new look tailored for the modern-day shot-stopper. The Men's Blue Goalkeeper Shirt is crafted for flexibility and command, featuring a short-sleeve cut and a stretch-fit design that allows total freedom between the posts.

  The ribbed collar and fluid pattern pay tribute to the booming presence of keepers directing their backline.

  Meanwhile, the third goalkeeper shirt is sure to turn heads with its striking pink base, accented by black logos, stripes, and collar. Subtle tonal vertical lines run down the front for a stylish touch that doesn’t scream, but certainly speaks.

  What truly sets it apart is the inclusion of the iconic Adidas Trefoil logo, a vintage flourish that also appears on the Magpies’ third outfield kit, blending tradition with trend in perfect harmony.

Four out of the first seven women’s games have been abandoned without a ball being bowled

ESPNcricinfo staff and ECB Reporters Network05-Aug-2023Rain wiped out both women’s fixtures in the Hundred on Saturday without a ball being bowled, meaning four of the first seven women’s games have been abandoned.Manchester Originals and London Spirit, who suffered washouts against Welsh Fire and Oval Invincibles, respectively, in their opening fixtures, were unable to get on the field at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday morning, with the game called off shortly after midday.Birmingham Phoenix and Trent Rockets both lost their opening games – against Northern Superchargers and Southern Brave respectively – and their fixture at Edgbaston was called off shortly before 4.30pm on Saturday, after heavy rain in Birmingham.”If we would have played two games and won one and lost one, we would be in the competition and at least we would have played,” Stephen Parry, Originals’ head coach, said. “The good news is that we’ve got two points – and that’s the best start the Originals have ever had.”It isn’t the way we wanted to get the points but I’m really looking forward to seeing the girls go out there and show their skills, because they’ve been absolutely fantastic.”Parry said that Originals’ preparation has been affected throughout the build-up to the Hundred: “We had a training session at Ramsbottom and that was rain-affected; the rain has been with us for two weeks. But the attitude and energy of the girls has been second to none and I’m really pleased how they’ve gone about their business.”Emma Whiteman, London Spirit’s team manager, said: “We just want to play and it’s hugely disappointing that this has happened again.”We’ve always said we need to adapt to whatever conditions are presented, whether that is the opposition or the good old British weather, so we’re training now and hopefully we’ll get going together on Tuesday.”The weather also accounted for both of the scheduled fixtures in the men’s 50-over domestic competition on Saturday. Middlesex versus Surrey was washed out at Radlett, while Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire took a point each from their fixture at Trent Bridge.

Here is the ball-by-ball account, and the pictures, of all ten wickets

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Dec-20214:11

Daniel Vettori: ‘Rare’ Ajaz Patel 10-wicket haul is greatest individual feat in NZ Test cricket

Wicket No. 1: Shubman Gill c Ross Taylor b Ajaz Patel 44•BCCI27.3 to Shubman Gill, he’s caught at slip. One ball after a let-off, Gill goes. Ajaz gets a nice loop going on this one too, Gill tries to push-drive from the crease, gets an edge that settles into Ross Taylor’s extremely safe hands at slip. Important breakthrough for New Zealand with India having looked so comfortable. 80/1Wicket No. 2: Cheteshwar Pujara b Ajaz Patel 0•Associated Press29.2 to Cheteshwar Pujara, he’s got him bowled! One ball after a missed stumping he got Gill. One ball after a failed lbw review, he gets Pujara – who has to go for a duck. Pujara coming down the track – he’s rarely ever even beaten coming down the track to a spinner – but this one is flighted perfectly and dips below his bat, spins viciously away from leg stump to knock back off-stump. Pujara has a slightly stunned look as he walks off. 80/2Wicket No. 3: Virat Kohli lbw b Ajaz Patel 0•BCCI29.6 to Virat Kohli, massive appeal for lbw given and Kohli reviews. What an over this is turning out to be for Ajaz. What a spell. This is really close on whether he’s inside edged it or not. The ball is fitting perfectly between bat and pad as he’s on the front foot to defend. One half of the ball is near the inside edge, the other on the pad. And there’s a spike, but is it due to ball hitting bat first or only with ball hitting pad? There doesn’t seem to be conclusive evidence of bat first, though the seam does wobble a bit when it passes the bat. Third umpire says no conclusive evidence of bat first. Ball tracking has it hitting the stumps flush. And that means Kohli has to go for a duck on his return. He has a word with the umpire for a moment before walking off. This match has turned, and how. 80/3Wicket No. 4: Shreyas Iyer c Tom Blundell b Ajaz Patel 18•Associated Press47.4 to Shreyas Iyer, Ajaz provides NZ with another breakthrough. Full, slides in from left-arm around, as opposed to turning away. Ajaz finds some extra bounce to boot. Iyer has an uncertain prod at it, searching for turn, and ends up inside-edging it onto his thigh pad. The ball lobs up to Blundell who collects it cleanly, having fluffed a stumping earlier in the day 160/4Wicket No. 5 Wriddhiman Saha lbw b Ajaz Patel 27•Associated Press71.4 to Wriddhiman Saha, Ajaz has five. Strikes in the first over of the day. This was plumb enough that Saha opts not to review after a brief discussion with Agarwal. This one went with the arm, Saha misread the length and was moving back to cut, it skids on from a length on off and hits him on the knee roll. Replay show that was umpire’s call on impact but was hitting the stumps 224/5Wicket No. 6: R Ashwin b Ajaz Patel 0•Associated Press71.5 to R Ashwin, what a beauty. That is a peach to get first up and nothing much Ashwin can do about it. Ajaz turning things around for New Zealand within an over, once again. Perfectly geometric arc to the ball, Ashwin is a tall man, stretches forward to defend but the loop is perfect so he cant quite get to the pitch, it lands in front, spins just enough to beat bat, but not too much, so it shaves off-stump. Ashwin didn’t realise he was bowled, it was that fine a margin for the spin. Ajaz got it inch-perfect. Ashwin was actually making the signal to review because he thought he’d been given caught behind. 224/6Wicket No. 7: Mayank Agarwal c Tom Blundell b Ajaz Patel 150•BCCI99.5 to Mayank Agarwal, he’s got him. Ajaz on track for the magic ten. Crucial, crucial strike and a great ball to get it. A bit of a misjudgement in length perhaps from Agarwal after exemplary concentration throughout. Ajaz gets this to dip and drift again like he has all through, Agarwal goes on the back foot, but the grip and turn mean his hands follow the ball a bit, just enough to snaffle a thin edge that is well caught by the keeper standing up. The end of a fantastic knock. 291/7Wicket No. 8: Axar Patel lbw b Ajaz Patel 52•BCCI107.5 to Axar Patel, pads up to one outside off, turning in. Ajaz appeals. No shot offered so he can be given lbw. They take the review. He stretched his front leg out a fair way so that has to turn a bit to threaten the stumps. And it is! three reds on the review. Turning enough to take out off stump full. Stunning review from Ajaz, and he has eight now. He can smell that ten-for, as can everyone else. End of an important innings by Axar. 316/8Wicket No. 9: Jayant Yadav c Rachin Ravindra b Ajaz Patel 12•BCCI109.2 to Jayant Yadav, he’s holed out to long-off and Ajaz has nine! We are one step away from history. Jayant looking for quick runs, dances down the track, gets to the pitch too and was hitting with the turn. Right idea perhaps, but wrong execution. Can’t time it well and the ball goes flat. There’s a fielder right there and he gobbles it up. 321/9Wicket No. 10: Mohammed Siraj c Rachin Ravindra b Ajaz Patel 4•BCCI109.5 to Mohammed Siraj, history! Ajaz becomes the third bowler in Test cricket to take all ten. Ajaz Patel has joined Jim Laker and Anil Kumble. Stunning, stunning feat and even the Indian dressing room is applauding. Ajaz roars out and pumps his fist. A Mumbai-born boy, coming to Wankhede and making history. What a moment. This was tossed up on the stumps and Siraj slogged across the line, got a steepling top edge as he sliced it. Hearts in mouths moment as the ball swirls high, but mid-on calmly takes it. Rachin Ravindra the man. The duo that had denied India victory in Kanpur combines for another historic moment. 325/10

After announcing the arrival of Jamie Gittens, Chelsea now reportedly want to hijack Newcastle United’s chase to sign a Serie A defender who’s worth over £50m.

Gittens realises Premier League "dream"

As ever, Chelsea haven’t been afraid to spend big in the summer transfer window. This time around, they’ve splashed out over £60m to sign Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion, £35m to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town and, most recently, £52m to welcome Gittens from Borussia Dortmund. But even then, the Blues are unlikely to be done there.

After putting pen to paper to confirm his big-money move, the winger told Chelsea’s official website: “I did watch Chelsea when I was younger. Not in the stadium but on the TV at home in Reading, during the time of the Eden Hazard era.

“Eden was the clear player for me at that time. I liked Willian as well, another attacker. He had that little shimmy he did, I liked that.

“It’s my dream to play in the Premier League. Obviously, watching it from Germany, it’s a really intense league. Every week is a battle, and I feel like I can enter that battle strongly. I’m excited to join this team that have a winning mentality – that’s the main thing.

More exciting than Estevao: Chelsea chase one of "England's biggest jewels"

Chelsea could be looking to make a move for one of England’s finest talents

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 5, 2025

“I just want to keep improving, especially as a footballer and a human being. I want to be more consistent and keep learning. It’s a great feeling to join Chelsea, such a big club. I can’t wait to learn from everyone in the team and to push myself to the max here. It’s amazing.”

With Pedro, Delap and now Gittens at their disposal going forward, those in West London have seemingly turned their attention towards handing their backline a similar boost in the form of a Serie A star.

Chelsea eyeing Giorgio Scalvini hijack

According to Caught Offside, Chelsea now want to hijack Newcastle’s move to sign Giorgio Scalvini from Atalanta and face competition from Manchester United to do so. The Magpies have set their sights on the defender, but now face competition from two rivals.

Like Gittens, however, the deal won’t come cheap for Chelsea with the Serie A club reportedly demanding as much as €60m (£52m) to sell their central defender this summer.

It’s clear to see why Chelsea are interested in Scalvini even as he returns from an ACL injury, and it’s not just because of his defensive talents. As analyst Ben Mattinson highlighted last year, the Atalanta man has the “front-footed aggressive style” to push into midfield if needed in the type of versatility that no side would turn down.

Whilst he may need time to get back to his best after a long-term injury, Scalvini remains one to watch this summer.

Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has offered his verdict on striker Alexander Isak as the Newcastle star pushes for a move to Liverpool.

Isak pushing to leave Newcastle for LiverpoolSweden boss has spoken at length with strikerUrges fans to be careful as situation is "complex"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Isak wants to leave Newcastle before the close of the summer transfer window and secure a move to Liverpool. The Reds have already seen an initial offer for the striker rejected, while the Sweden international is refusing to play for the club in a bid to try and force a move to Anfield.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Newcastle want to bring in a replacement before sanctioning an exit for Isak and have been linked with Brentford's Yoane Wissa and Paris Saint-Germain star Goncalo Ramos. Isak has faced heavy criticism for his behaviour towards Newcastle and desire to move on, but Tomasson has praised the striker's professionalism and said fans must be careful as the full facts are not yet known.

WHAT TOMASSON SAID

He told fotbollskanalen: "First of all: 'Alex' is an extremely professional player. A fantastic character and personality. I have talked a lot with "Alex" during this period. Situations like this are quite complex. These are extremely complex environments that the players operate in. I'm sure it will work out in the end, but you have to know the whole picture before you draw conclusions. That's always a good tip.

"I don't think we know it (the whole picture). I don't know the whole picture either. It's quite normal because there's a lot of politics in a football club. But one thing is for sure: "Alex" is a great guy and very professional. We should all be very careful about drawing conclusions because we don't know the bigger picture."

TELL ME MORE…

Tomasson also spoke about Isak's chances of playing Wotld Cup qualifiers for the national team in September after missing the start of the domestic season. He added: "There is time. He is a professional and I know he has trained. Of course he has not trained with a team and has not played matches. Let's wait and see. We will have a good talk, Alex and I, and hopefully he will be back in team training soon. Of course we have thought about it. I want to have my best players available and he is a fantastic player. But I can't see into the future. It's impossible."

It is no secret that Arsenal are actively in the market for a new attacking player or two for Mikel Arteta this summer, with the Gunners now urged to make a move for one highly-rated forward who’s reportedly on Andrea Berta’s list.

Arsenal targeting new winger with "numerous talks" held

Bukayo Saka’s lengthy injury absence midway through 2024/2025, combined with uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of Leandro Trossard, has seemingly pushed Arsenal into considering the signing of a winger.

Arsenal talks could advance in "next few days" as Berta eyes £59m signing

The Gunners have been in contact this week.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 5, 2025

The Belgian is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract in north London, and there are even some suggestions that Arsenal would also entertain suitable bids for Gabriel Martinelli, who is valued at around £50 million, so Arteta’s wide options could look slightly different by the time we reach 2025/2026.

In terms of potential incomings, talks have been held over a deal for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who is considered the “dream signing” by Arsenal in that position, but negotiations are proving complicated due to wage demands (Florian Plettenberg).

That being said, Rodrygo is by no means their only option, with Berta holding “numerous talks” over many targets, including Atalanta star Ademola Lookman.

The Nigerian is reportedly valued at around £42 million, which could prove to be a bargain considering his exploits in Serie A over the last two seasons.

Lookman’s devastating performance in the 2024 Europa League final ended Bayer Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten run, and he’s fresh off scoring 20 goals in all competitions for Atalanta over the season just gone.

Multiple reports have claimed that Arsenal have held talks over a move for Lookman, with club legend Ian Wright now urging Berta to seal a deal.

Ian Wright urges Arsenal to sign Ademola Lookman after alleged talks

Speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast this week, the N5 icon expressed his admiration for Lookman’s journey to the top, branding him a “top” player.

Wright also urged Arsenal to sign Lookman before the start of next season, explaining exactly why he believes the African would do an excellent job under Arteta.

“I’m going to go with Ademola Lookman winning the African Player of the Year in respects of that man’s journey,” said Wright.

“I remember him from Charlton, it didn’t work out, £10 million to Everton, then moving all over the place, the journey from loan to this, then I think that’s one of the most devastating performances I’ve seen in any final with that hat-trick he scored.

“I hope we can buy him, Arsenal. I would love someone like him to come back to the Premier League and say, ‘listen, I have unfinished business here, so I am going to help Arsenal win the league’.

“But I just admire his journey, and now he’s recognised rightly as a top player, unbelievable.”

Arsenal finished second in the Premier League for the third successive season in 2024/25, and Mikel Arteta knows that he needs to bag himself a new striker to defeat the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City to next year’s title.

Well, with a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko in the works, it seems like the Londoners are finally sorting out that issue, but attacking quality needs to be brought in across other areas too.

Out on the left, Gabriel Martinelli’s future is uncertain, and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams has been picked as a leading candidate to strength the Gunners’ attacking flank.

However, the Spain star isn’t the only one on the radar, especially after just 11 goals and seven assists from 45 matches in all competitions.

Arsenal, alongside their pursuit of the aforementioned Sesko, might be better off looking at a different La Liga sensation…

Arsenal line up Williams alternative

According to GIVEMESPORT, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo would be willing to sign for Arsenal this summer, but only if his £250k-per-week salary demands are met.

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In fact, sporting director Andrea Berta is personally driving the deal forward, having engaged in official talks with Los Blancos and the player’s representatives last week.

Chelsea have also expressed an interest, and it’s felt Florentino Perez would be open to selling for something in the range of £85m.

However, a resolution won’t be reached until Xabi Alonso has taken the time to decide if he considers the Brazil forward as untouchable or not, so don’t hold onto your breath with this one.

What Rodrygo would bring to Arsenal

Rodrygo has been at Real Madrid since his 18th birthday, when he left Santos and his Brazilian homeland in search of footballing riches in the Spanish capital.

The 24-year-old has since scored 68 goals and supplied 50 assists across 267 appearances for Real, notably winning two Champions League trophies and establishing himself as one of the game’s foremost forwards.

If Arsenal find themselves in the right position for it, they must move this dynamic attacker in lieu of Williams.

Hailed as a “world-class superstar” by his Real teammate Luka Modric, Rodrygo must be desperate to step away from the shadow of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe and begin to forge a new future for himself in the Premier League, where he could light up English football on the left flank.

Though he rarely features off the left, Rodrygo believes it is his best position, and when assessing his data from last term, it’s clear to see why.

Right winger

29

7

4

Left winger

12

6

6

Centre-forward

8

–

–

Bukayo Saka has Arsenal’s right wing on lock, so it makes perfect sense to sign Rodrygo and give him the keys to the position he so desperately wants to nail down. Should Arteta make it happen, we could see some of the “terrifyingly good” finishing the Brazilian is capable of, as has been said by journalist Sam Tighe.

Such potency could see Rodrygo prove an even better fit than Williams, bringing many of the Spaniard’s electric qualities to the table but providing a sharper goalscoring sense too.

As per FBref, Rodrygo ranked among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for pass completion and the top 14% for progressive carries per 90.

Such technical and athletic qualities have actually seen Williams drawn against him as one of his most statistically similar players, so it’s clear he would be a stylistic fit for the Gunners.

Given the need to add goals to Arsenal’s game, Arteta and Berta might be better off forging ahead with a deal for Rodrygo, who only missed one big chance in La Liga last term, scoring six goals.

A new challenge would serve him well, and he’d prove to be a superior choice to Williams while bringing a similar profile. Let’s get it done.

Their own Wirtz: Arsenal make contact to sign £70m "machine"

Arsenal could land their answer to Florian Wirtz with a statement signing this summer

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 7, 2025

يرى النجم السابق لنادي مانشستر يونايتد، روبي سافاج، أن أحد لاعبي فريق برشلونة أفضل من محمد صلاح، جناح ليفربول، ولكنه فضّل المصري على كيليان مبابي.

ويعاني محمد صلاح من تراجع في مستواه مؤخرًا رفقة ليفربول، حيث لم يسجل إلا هدفين في الموسم الحالي من الدوري الإنجليزي، بعد مرور 7 جولات، أحدهما من ضربة جزاء.

بينما قدم محمد صلاح أداءً مذهلًا الموسم الماضي وقاد ليفربول نحو تحقيق لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، 2024/25، واحتل المركز الرابع في جائزة الكرة الذهبية للعام الحالي.

اقرأ أيضًا | بين محمد صلاح وهالاند.. “بي بي سي” تتكهن بهداف الدوري الإنجليزي 2025/26

وظهر روبي سافاج في مقطع فيديو عبر حساب صحيفة “ديلي ميل” الإنجليزية، عبر تطبيق تيك توك، حيث سُئل عن الأفضل بين لاعبين محددين.

وطُلب من روبي سافاج الاختيار بين لامين يامال لاعب برشلونة وجود بيلينجهام لاعب ريال مدريد، حيث فضّل الأول، بينما اختار محمد صلاح على كيليان مبابي، نجم ريال مدريد.

واختار هاري كين نجم بايرن ميونخ على إيرلينج هالاند لاعب مانشستر سيتي، وفضّل عثمان ديمبلي لاعب باريس سان جيرمان على فينيسيوس جونيور لاعب ريال مدريد.

وعندما طُلب منه الاختيار بين لامين يامال ومحمد صلاح، اختار لاعب برشلونة، بينما فضّل هاري كين على عثمان ديمبلي.

وفي النهاية، وقع اختيار روبي سافاج على لامين يامال باعتباره الأفضل مقارنة بـ هاري كين.

@dailymailsport KNOCKOUT with Robbie Savage, Ballon d’Or winners edition 🤔👀 #yamal #haaland #dembele #football #ballondor ♬ original sound – Daily Mail Sport