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Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani, meanwhile, feels they are in the contest, despite the hosts leading by 112 with six wickets remaining

Mohammad Isam22-Apr-2025The truncated third day’s play has set the Sylhet Test up between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe nicely. Only 44 overs were possible due to rain and bad light, but the hosts, who had started the day 25 runs behind the visitors, are 112 runs ahead by the end. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (60) and the in-form Jaker Ali (21) are unbeaten, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz to come in next.Thus, senior batter Mominul Haque, who followed up his first-innings half-century with 47 in the second, believes that Bangladesh are still capable of stretching the lead to 300, even as Zimbabwe quick Blessing Muzarabani feels the visitors are still very much in the contest.”We will be happy with a 300-run lead; if not, [then] 270 or 280,” Mominul said. “We will be in a better position if we can give them a 300-plus target. We have some capable tailenders like Hasan Mahmud and Taijul Islam, apart from the proper batters Shanto and Jaker Ali. We also have Miraz. They will have to bat calculatedly. We have to take control of the crunch moments tomorrow. That’s what is giving me confidence [of getting a big lead].”Related

Shanto's unbeaten half-century stretches Bangladesh's lead on rain-hit day

Muzarabani, who has taken three out of the four wickets to fall so far in Bangladesh’s second innings, is hoping to restrict Bangladesh’s lead on the fourth day.”Ideally, [we want to keep the lead] under 200 runs,” he said. “We shouldn’t, however, think about the runs. We should think about taking wickets. It won’t be easy getting those Bangladesh wickets. We have to show more discipline. We are definitely in the game. Test cricket is all about day after day. There’s more time left in the game. We have the belief that we are ahead. It was a tough day for us today. Bangladesh fought really hard. We will take it, though.”Muzarabani removed Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul with deliveries lifting from a good length. He has used the shorter length very well in the Test, getting rid of Shanto and Mehidy with that in the first innings. “That’s my strength – to bowl the hard length on the body,” he said. “I don’t think Bangladesh struggled against the short ball – [just that] it is my No. 1 skill.”Mominul, however, felt that neither him nor Mahmudul fell to “short balls”, but rather to “extra bounce”. He also said they should have been more responsible after getting set at the crease, as Mahmudul was dismissed for 33.”Neither Joy nor I got out to short balls. There’s a difference between extra bounce and the short ball,” Mominul said. “Joy got out to a ball that jumped from four or five meters. Muzarabani is 6″8′, so he gets extra bounce, which makes it difficult for the batter. We have to manage his bounce – that’s our responsibility.”Joy and I got out after getting set. I think those who get out after getting set are more culpable than someone who gets out below ten runs. They don’t have much to do. As a senior batter, it is not acceptable [for me personally] to bat a total of one session in a Test match. I think if I could bat two more sessions, the team would have been in a better place.”

Arsenal managed to offload out-of-favour midfielder Fabio Vieira by the skin of their teeth at the end of the summer transfer window.

The Portuguese was once tipped for a big future by manager Mikel Arteta, after former sporting director Edu orchestrated a £34 million deal to sign Vieira from FC Porto in 2022.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

£5m

Martin Zubimendi

£60m

Christian Norgaard

£15m

Noni Madueke

£52m

Cristhian Mosquera

£13m

Viktor Gyokeres

£55m

Eberechi Eze

£67.5m

Piero Hincapie

Loan

However, while the 25-year-old came to north London with plenty of promise, things didn’t quite go to plan.

Vieira failed to play his way into Arteta’s plans, making 19 of his 22 Premier League appearances off the bench during his debut campaign, even if he did impress at times with a goal and two assists in eight Europa League starts that year.

His game time was even more limited in 2023/2024, thanks partly to groin surgery. Vieira started just two top flight matches all season, and it soon became apparent that the playmaker wasn’t at Arsenal’s required level for their quest to become English champions.

Vieira was sent back on loan to Porto in 2024/2025, where he managed to impress in parts with eight goal contributions in 26 league appearances.

However, it was nowhere near the kind of form which originally prompted Arsenal to splash the cash on him, with the player’s best season to date still that exceptional 21/22 season in the Primeira Liga.

Vieira racked up six goals and 14 assists in the top flight alone that year, and he’s now been given another chance to rediscover that level of quality on another loan spell at newly-promoted Hamburg in the Bundesliga.

In a last-minute summer deal, Arsenal managed to agree a loan exit with Hamburg for Vieira, and the versatile creative ace once very similar to club captain Martin Odegaard is now in danger of becoming a real waste of club funds.

Vieira’s Arsenal contract expires in 2027, but luckily for the Gunners, sporting director Andrea Berta made sure there was a way to make some money back off him in 2026.

Arsenal could be set for record-breaking Fabio Vieira windfall after news

According to German news outlet BILD, Hamburg’s deal for Vieira includes an option to buy worth £17 million, and if activated, it would break a record.

Indeed, Vieira could become Hamburg’s most expensive signing in history, but the caveat is that Merlin Polzin’s side might not have to pay their £346,000 loan fee if he becomes a regular starter for them.

In any case, Arsenal could still recuperate half of the transfer fee they paid for Vieira, but it depends on Hamburg making a big decision. The deadline for Polzin and co to take up his £17 million buy option is the middle of May in 2026, right after the end of the Bundesliga season, and Arsenal will be hoping he can impress in the meantime.

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O Palmeiras segue vencendo no profissional e na base. Neste domingo (18), o Verdão bateu o Athletico-PR, por 4 a 1, na final da Copa do Brasil sub-17 e se sagrou campeão do torneio do qual já defendia o título conquistado em 2022. Com gols de Luighi, Estevão, Érick Belé e um contra, o Alviverde somou mais uma conquista para a galeria dos Crias da Academia.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol NacionalCom gol ‘ao apagar das luzes’, São Paulo e Palmeiras empatam no primeiro jogo das quartas de final do Brasileirão FemininoFutebol Nacional18/06/2023PalmeirasGabriel Menino valoriza período de treinos no Palmeiras durante a Data Fifa: ‘Bom para encaixar nossos ataques’Palmeiras18/06/2023PalmeirasMurilo treina sem restrições e se aproxima de retorno, mas Palmeiras ganha desfalque no meio-campoPalmeiras18/06/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Ainda no primeiro tempo, Luighi arriscou um chute de longe, que não parecia muito perigoso, mas o goleiro Maksym acabou aceitando no cantinho e o Palmeiras abriu o placar. Dali em diante, o Verdão dominou ainda mais a partida, mas apesar do volume de chances criadas, elas não foram convertidas em mais gols, indo para o intervalo com apenas 1 a 0.

Na volta dos vestiários, o Athletico-PR parecia mais ligado e disposto a empatar logo o duelo. E foi exatamente o que aconteceu. Sorriso foi lançado no ataque e se aproveitou de uma saída ruim do goleiro César para tocar para o gol. 1 a 1 no placar, mas o Furacão não insistiu para virar e permitiu o retorno do Alviverde ao jogo.

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Pouco tempo depois, Luighi tentou um novo chute para o gol, que acabou desviando em dois jogadores do Athletico-PR, que protagonizaram um gol contra para colocar 2 a 1 no placar, que fazia justiça ao melhor desempenho em campo. Não demorou muito e o grande personagem da partida, o jovem Estevão, recebeu na entrada da área e bateu firme, sem chances para o goleiro do Furacão. Por fim, já nos acréscimos, Érick Belé aproveitou cruzamento da direita e completou a goleada por 4 a 1.

+ Gabriel Menino valoriza treinos durante a Data Fifa: ‘Bom para encaixar o ataque’

A partir dali, o Palmeiras administrou o resultado na Arena Barueri para garantir o seu quarto título na Copa do Brasil sub-17 (2017, 2019, 2022 e 2023), o segundo seguido, uma vez que em 2022 o Verdão foi o campeão batendo o Vasco na final. Vale lembrar que em 2023 a base do Alviverde já havia conquistado a Copinha. Em 2022, as Crias da Academia conquistaram quase tudo o que foi disputado, perdendo apenas o Paulistão sub-20.

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Essa campanha vitoriosa neste ano foi invicta. A equipe comandada por Rafael Paiva disputou oito partidas pelo torneio, com sete vitórias e um empate, somando 44 gols marcados e apenas três sofridos. O artilheiro do time palestrino foi Luighi, com nove tentos. O atleta, inclusive, tornou-se o jogador a balançar mais vezes as redes em uma edição da Copa do Brasil sub-17 pelo Palmeiras, deixando os atacantes João Pedro (2019) e Endrick (2022) para trás.

Juventus fought back with two stoppage-time goals to draw 4-4 with Borussia Dortmund in Tuesday's Champions League thriller, but coach Igor Tudor was furious after the game. The Croatian blasted referee Francois Letexier and VAR for missing a first-half handball that he felt should have given his side a penalty that would have changed the course of the game.

Vlahovic and Kelly’s stoppage-time heroics rescue Juventus

After a cagey first-half, the game exploded in the second. Dortmund netted through Karim Adeyemi, Yan Couto and Ramy Bensebaini’s penalty, while Kenan Yildiz and Dusan Vlahovic kept Juve alive. Trailing 4-2 deep in stoppage time, Vlahovic struck in the 94th minute and set up Lloyd Kelly’s dramatic equaliser two minutes later.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTudor slams referee and VAR over missed handball decision

Speaking after the game, Tudor slammed the officiating, saying his side should have been awarded a spot kick in the first half. However, after an intense derby win against Inter at the weekend, his players were struggling by the end of the first 45 minutes.

"Clearly, it's a positive thing. If this match had been played on Saturday, a week after Inter, it wouldn't have ended like this," he said in a press conference. "At half-time, I saw the players' faces were white, they were dead. The goals we conceded are the result of fatigue. Bremer is playing after a long injury, [Andrea] Cambiaso had been out for a while, and Yildiz was so tired he should have been taken off at half-time. They lack freshness, the energy to get there first."

He added: "This referee damaged us; there was a penalty for us in the first half. This has to be said, because with the penalty for us and without the one for them, it could have ended 4-2. He wasn't having a great night."

Defense remains a major issue despite Juventus fightback

Juventus showed plenty of fight, but their defensive problems were clear once again. Tudor admitted they conceded "two or three easy goals that could have been avoided," blaming both fatigue and lapses in concentration. 

"We also missed [Francisco] Conceicao due to our style of play, Cambiaso played his first game in 15-20 days, Bremer is coming off a long layoff: all these issues matter, but I have a great squad and we accept this point. It was the best we could do," he added.

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Getty ImagesJuventus turn focus to Verona trip after Champions League thriller

After a thrilling home draw in the Champions League, the Old Lady will now prepare for a Serie A trip to Verona on Saturday. Tudor’s side has made a strong start to the season, winning their first three games and sitting second behind Napoli on goal difference.

Liverpool were at the foot of an unscalable mountain when Jurgen Klopp up and left at the end of the 2023/24 season, but Arne Slot has since proved himself a more than worthy successor.

He won the Premier League in his first term at the helm, after all. And the Dutchman did it, having been rewarded with minimal spending in the transfer market, Federico Chiesa the only first-team addition, and starting just once in the top flight all year.

Now, though, Liverpool have built themselves up and are financially able to spend freely this summer, with the evidence lying with the acquisitions of recent months, including the British-record £116m signing of Florian Wirtz.

A move for Alexander Isak remains on the cards.

However, with Luis Diaz on the verge of finalising his move to Bayern Munich, a new left winger may be needed too.

Why Liverpool are selling Luis Diaz

Diaz has been one of the Premier League’s standout wingers over the past few years. His return of 25 goal contributions last year was a haul bettered only by that man, Mohamed Salah, as Liverpool steamrolled their way to the league title.

But the 28-year-old has also entered the penultimate year of his contract, and the relevant parties have been unable to find common ground when discussing the possibility of an extension.

The Colombian had also made it clear to the powers that be that he wanted to leave this summer. Such demands undoubtedly centred around financial desires, and justified ones at that, but the fact remains that Slot would not want an unhappy leading squad member to remain in the ranks.

Diaz is on the cusp of his big move, and though the thought of Real Madrid’s Rodrygo is exciting, the Brazilian having been routinely linked with the Reds of late, the finances involved would be too much, especially with a deal for Isak in the works.

Instead, FSG might be convinced to head down a shrewder track.

Liverpool enter race for Rodrygo alternative

As per Spanish reports, Liverpool have entered the race for RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa, though the report claims that Rodrygo very much remains on FSG’s shortlist.

Nusa, 20, is early into his professional career but has earned acclaim for his performances, with previous reports this summer detailing Newcastle United’s interest, claiming he would be available for a €45m (£38m) fee.

Given how much cheaper this would be than signing Rodrygo, who is believed to have been priced at an initial £78m by Los Blancos, this might be a rumour FSG want to chase.

Why Liverpool should sign Antonio Nusa

Cody Gakpo will reprise his role as Liverpool’s chief left-sided forward next year, having matched Diaz’s 25 goal involvements last year. Pundit Peter Crouch remarked that he’d “gone up a level” since Slot arrived.

The Netherlands international’s abiding place in Slot’s plans means that Nusa will be able to jump right into the thick of things without being overburdened by responsibility.

Last season, Nusa scored five goals and provided seven assists across 36 matches for Leipzig, only starting 23 of those fixtures across all competitions.

The Norway international joined Leipzig from Club Brugge in Belgium after previously holding talks with both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, with Nusa’s 23/24 campaign underscoring his potential as a “future icon”, as he was described by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Left winger

53

9

9

Right winger

23

1

2

Centre-forward

7

0

0

Attacking midfield

6

1

1

Though his fleet athleticism lends itself to success across a range of positions, it’s clear through the data so far that Nusa’s most productive role comes off the left flank.

Nusa isn’t just a balanced striker in the final third, but an athletic phenomenon with a vicious blend of speed and balance when dribbling. In this way, he has the blueprint to make Liverpool forget all about Rodrygo, with Slot instead fashioning a new elite winger.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has even waxed lyrical about his compatriot’s qualities, saying this: “He’s exceptional. We need to be careful not to put too much pressure on him, even though he’s incredibly talented. His continued development is what matters most.”

Moreover, he’s a hard-working defensive player, giving back to his manager’s faith by fighting for success across the different phases of play. In the Bundesliga last year, Nusa averaged 1.2 tackles and won 4.1 duels per game, as per Sofascore.

FBref underline these points. The data-driven site have revealed he ranked among the top 14% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe last season for successful take-ons and the top 19% for tackles per 90.

After becoming the second-youngest goalscorer in Champions League history two years ago, you might even say he has the potential to emulate someone like Rodrygo and become a superstar on Europe’s elite stage. He’s a ‘future icon’, is he not?

Sure, Rodrygo hit 14 goals and 11 assists across all competitions last year, highlighting the fact that Nusa is not at his level yet. But the Norwegian remains a special talent with the ingredients for something spectacular.

Rodrygo is one of the world’s standout wide forwards, of that there is no doubt. But he left plenty to be desired last season, only scoring six league goals.

He’s an immense figure on the major stage, and playing at Liverpool would give him a new lease of life.

But for double the price that Nusa would cost? It doesn’t make sense, for the 20-year-old is destined for the top.

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Delhi Capitals co-owner says former England batter was “common link” with Rod Bransgrove

Matt Roller30-Sep-2024

Kevin Pietersen played for Hampshire and for GMR’s Delhi Daredevils•Philip Brown/Getty Images

Kevin Pietersen helped to broker the landmark deal between the co-owners of Delhi Capitals and Hampshire, ESPNcricinfo can reveal. After lengthy talks, Hampshire announced a new “strategic partnership” with the GMR Group on Monday, which Pietersen hailed as a “historic day in English cricket”.Pietersen, who played for Hampshire from 2005-10, spent three years under contract with the Delhi franchise in the IPL, then called the Daredevils, and captained them in 2014. He has since maintained a personal relationship with Kiran Kumar Grandhi, GMR’s chairman, and the pair attended England’s T20I against Australia at the Utilita Bowl together earlier this month.While Pietersen does not have any active business interest in GMR or Hampshire, he is understood to have introduced the two parties to one another in an informal role. “HISTORIC DAY in English Cricket! Congrats to everyone on this journey,” he wrote on X, in response to the deal’s formal announcement. “It’s only the start…. LFG! [Let’s f***ing go].”Pietersen (left) and Grandhi (right) in conversation at IPL 2014•BCCI

Rod Bransgrove, who chairs Hampshire’s parent company, said that he had spent 18 months speaking to potential investors from “all over the world” and that “four or five” parties had placed formal bids. Bransgrove said that GMR were ultimately chosen because of their “ethos”, “family orientation” and commitment to “social responsibility.”Bransgrove confirmed that Pietersen played a part in the deal: “Kevin takes an ambassadorial role for GMR and we’ve certainly spoken to him once or twice. He’s been very interested in the potential for this because, obviously, he knows the GMR culture, he knows our culture, and he knows that they’re very well suited to each other. In that respect, yes, he has been involved.”Grandhi, whose son Ruchir is also involved at Delhi, told ESPNcricinfo that Pietersen was “the common link” between him and Bransgrove. “He is a good friend,” Grandhi said. “He knows Rod. He knows me. He is the common link: he is a mutual friend.”Will GMR buy Southern Brave?GMR are front-runners to buy a 49% stake in Southern Brave as part of the ECB’s privatisation of the Hundred and have expressed their interest to Raine, the US investment bank who are running the sales process. Bransgrove said the agreement pre-dated any speculation about changes to the Hundred’s ownership model and should not be seen as a back-door attempt to invest in a franchise.Related

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“When we struck this deal with GMR, we said that a part of our asset base is a one-nineteenth interest in the financial benefit of the Hundred competition, less a 10% consideration which goes to the grassroots game,” Bransgrove said. “They made a valuation of that in terms of calculating the overall value of the package.”Subsequent to that, there’s been all sorts of talk about providing 51% ownership to host venues and then selling the other 49% and ‘will this prejudice that?’ and all those kind of things. What we’ve inserted is that there will be an uplift in the value that’s been ascribed… in the event that we are awarded a franchise – which, of course, we’ve only been awarded in principle so far.”This is still under debate because it is contingent on us finding a market value based bidder for the other 49%. The deal is not contingent on getting a Hundred franchise… it’s something we’ve agreed between us and there will be a further-stage payment in the event that a Hundred franchise is allocated to the Utilita Bowl or Hampshire Cricket during the period before final closing.”If the franchise stays with Hampshire as anticipated, it could either be run entirely by GMR or as a joint venture with another business. “I’ve spoken to at least two other potential interest parties,” Bransgrove said. “That’s out of my gift, what happens to the 49%, but it can only sell to a related party if it’s at a true market value – which I’m certain that Raine will be monitoring.”Southern Brave play their home games at Hampshire’s Utilita Bowl•Harry Trump/Getty Images

Bransgrove: I want Hampshire at ‘top table’The Utilita Bowl will host its first men’s Ashes Test in 2027 and Bransgrove said that the deal was informed by his desire to retain the “leadership position” at English cricket’s “top table” assumed by the award of that fixture.”It’s going to be business as usual for Hampshire, except with the confidence of having GMR behind this,” Bransgrove said. “What will change over a period of time is that we will start to benefit from the proliferation of cricket around the globe in the franchise format: although I can’t disclose where, it’s likely that we will participate in an overseas franchise competition in November.”It is just a great opportunity all round. There’s no doubt in my mind that this country in particular is quite resistant to change. It’s quite a traditional country; in fact, worse than that, we resent change. And some people will tend to blame the Hundred for every single thing that goes wrong in their lives.”Clever businesses recognise the trends and position themselves to be able to exploit the trends to the benefit of their business, and that’s what I’m seeking to do here. I don’t think I’ll be the last person to do it, and I think it’s going to be very good for Hampshire cricket ultimately, as private ownership has been to the game at large.”

كشف وليد خليل، رئيس إدارة شركة الكرة بنادي غزل المحلة، عن موقفهم من رحيل أي لاعب خلال الفترة المقبلة، إلى الأهلي والزمالك.

وقال وليد خليل، عبر قناة “صدى البلد”: “لا نمانع رحيل أي لاعب من غزل المحلة بشرط، وجود البديل المناسب وتحقيق الاستفادة المادية”.

طالع..أحمد زاهر: لم أستطع تطبيق النظام في الزمالك.. والأمر مختلف مع بيراميدز

وواصل: “الأهلي طلب في وقت سابق ضم يحيى زكريا، لكننا رفضنا لأنه لم يكن لدينا بديل له، أما الآن، فكل لاعب في الفريق لديه بديل أو اثنين”.

وأتم: “أما الزمالك، فلم يطلب ضمه بشكل رسمي، وكل ما يُقال مجرد أحاديث من الوكلاء”.

وكان يحيى زكريا، قد انضم إلى منتخب مصر الثاني تحت قيادة حلمي طولان استعدادًا للمشاركة في كأس العرب.

Leeds United are ready to splash the cash this summer as they prepare for life in the Premier League and could now exceed other suitors in the hunt for a talented striker, according to a report.

Leeds United miss out on Habib Diarra

Transfer stories are never as cut and dry as they seem in media reports, but Sunderland will be the ones to pick up Strasbourg’s Habib Diarra after agreeing a package worth £30 million plus add-ons to sign the Senegal international.

Intriguingly, Leeds United had held interest in Diarra previously before confirmation of his move to the North East. Nevertheless, the Elland Road faithful will take comfort from the fact that Jaka Bijol can operate in a deep-lying midfield role if needed.

Moving on, Leeds could look to add Dominic Calvert-Lewin to their forward line, and supporters will be keeping an eagle eye on his next move after the England international confirmed that he would be leaving the Merseyside club under freedom of contract.

Posting on social media, the Whites’ target confirmed he is now seeking a new opportunity to shine, as he stated: “This choice to move on was not simply about me-it was a decision my family and I spent a long time considering together.

“We believe it’s the right moment to seek a new challenge and continue growing, but that doesn’t lessen the bond I’ll always have with Everton.”

Leeds United’s first five Premier League fixtures

Everton (H)

Elland Road

Arsenal (A)

Emirates Stadium

Newcastle (H)

Elland Road

Fulham (A)

Craven Cottage

Wolverhampton Wanderers (A)

Molineux

Fundamentally, bringing in some level of proven pedigree will be the difference between Leeds staying up or being relegated back to the second-tier at the first attempt, and they may be well on their way to that if reports are to be believed.

Leeds United ready to make Gonzalo Garcia proposal

According to reports in Spain, Leeds are willing to make a £17 million offer for Real Madrid hotshot Gonzalo Garcia following his breakout at the Club World Cup in the United States.

Sunderland are also willing to offer the former Spain Under-19 international a route to the Premier League. However, the Whites are willing to put up a significantly higher amount of money upfront, while AS Roma and Real Oviedo are also attentive to his situation.

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Labelled a “classic number nine” by Xabi Alonso, Garcia registered 28 goals and six assists in 46 appearances across all competitions last season, combining his exploits at first-team level and with the Los Blancos’ second string.

Despite the Whites being keen to secure his signature, Real Madrid are set to insert a buyback clause worth £25.6 million in order to have some form of say in his future.

Garcia is rising star and could be a unique market opportunity for someone to take up. Now, Leeds need to convince him that Elland Road is best for his development.

Ipswich Town are now in talks to sign a “fantastic” midfielder who manager Kieran McKenna is a big admirer of, chairman Mark Ashton has revealed.

Ipswich preparing for life in the Championship

It was always going to be a tall order for Ipswich to avoid relegation from the Premier League, but much like when Burnley went down under Sean Dyche the first time around, Ipswich seemingly think they can come straight back up if they stick by their manager.

However, there are now some doubts surrounding McKenna’s future at Portman Road, with widespread reports suggesting the 39-year-old could be Brentford’s first-choice target to replace Thomas Frank, should the Danish manager complete a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Having led the Tractor Boys to back-to-back promotions, it will be a difficult task to find an heir to the Englishman, while signing a replacement for Liam Delap could also be tricky, given the 22-year-old managed to score an impressive 12 goals in his debut Premier League campaign.

Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Latte Lath is one of the targets to replace Delap at striker, but Ashton has revealed that Ipswich are also looking to reinforce their midfield this summer.

The chairman has now confirmed that talks have been held over a deal for former loanee Jens Cajuste, saying: “Jens is a loan player who I think has done really well for us.

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“He’s had some challenges with injury this season, which have been well documented.

“Our conversations with Jens are ongoing. A deal for Jens to be here for the long term, it would need to be something that’s right for us, him and his club – and that dialogue continues.”

Mckenna has also admitted he’s a big fan of the midfielder, adding: “We’ve loved having Jens here, but there’s probably a lot to do for that to happen. We’ll see what the next few weeks brings.”

"Fantastic" Cajuste could be real coup for Ipswich

The Ipswich boss was clearly impressed by the Swedish midfielder’s performances last season, praising him for showing “fantastic character” against Nottingham Forest in April, and given that the manager knows the 25-year-old very well, he could be an ideal signing.

Not only does the £35k-a-week maestro have Premier League experience, but he has previously featured regularly for Napoli in Serie A and Reims in Ligue 1, so the Tractor Boys securing a permanent deal could be a real statement of intent.

McKenna certainly knows what it takes to win promotion, and the signing of Cajuste could fuel his side’s Championship title bid next season, although Luton Town suffering back-to-back relegations to League 1 should serve as a warning to not get carried away.

Arsenal have entered “pole position” to sign a “sensational” Premier League player for Mikel Arteta, according to a very reliable media source, with Andrea Berta remaining hard at work after sealing an agreement with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.

Arsenal transfer plans following Martin Zubimendi deal

The renowned Fabrizio Romano has already given his famous ‘here we go’ to Zubimendi’s north London move, so barring a last-minute disaster, it appears the Spain international is set to become Berta’s first major signing as Arsenal sporting director.

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The Italian has influenced their decision to reignite interest.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini May 13, 2025

Arsenal were in negotiations over Zubimendi’s capture for months, but with the 26-year-old now poised to make the Premier League his new home, attention is now turning to who will follow him to N5.

Race for Champions League qualification with 2 games remaining

Points

2. Arsenal

68

3. Newcastle United

66

4. Man City

65

5. Chelsea

63

6. Aston Villa

63

7. Nottingham Forest

62

As per a report from GiveMeSport in the aftermath of Berta’s arrival, Arsenal want to back Arteta with the signings of a second-choice keeper, defender, left-winger, right-winger and striker before summer deadline day on September 1.

That same outlet claimed at the time that £300 million could be spent in a serious show of ambition from the Gunners’ side, but this will likely be dependent on player sales and trimming the wage bill to make room in Arteta’s squad.

Zubimendi will cost around £51 million, the value of his release clause, plus additional costs like agent fees, commission structures and wages.

A significant outlay of Arsenal’s budget will be utilised on Zubimendi’s signing, but Berta is already moving on to other targets. Another key potential signing they’re looking at, Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, is set to cost a similar amount.

The “sensational” 20-year-old has made a name for himself as one of Spain’s most exciting defensive prospects after an excellent debut campaign in the Premier League under Andoni Iraola, and his £50 million release clause is likely to be triggered by an illustrious suitor.

The competition for Huijsen’s signature will be fierce, though, with Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Real Madrid all reportedly contenders.

Arsenal in "pole position" to sign Dean Huijsen

However, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, who shared a promising update on the saga, Arsenal are one of the main contenders to sign Huijsen and sit in “pole position” with Liverpool.

This follows from Romano’s update that Huijsen’s Premier League suitors wish to strike a deal for the ex-Juventus starlet by the end of this month, so things could change very quickly in this rapidly-evolving saga.

“The idea of the three main Premier League clubs involved in this story, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, is to do the deal now as soon as possible,” said Romano on his YouTube channel.

“Now it means by the end of May, so to close the deal this month.”