Better than Garnacho: Chelsea set to launch £45m bid for "world-class" star

da imperador bet: There is never a moment to catch your breath with Chelsea.

da bet nacional: One second, the Blues are lifting the Conference League trophy, and the next, they’re making it to the next round of the Club World Cup.

It’s not just on the pitch where the West Londoners seem to work at breakneck speed either, as it’s been a busy summer of transfer business so far, with the likes of Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr already through the door, and links to Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho refusing to go away.

Garnacho

Fortunately, there are other reports suggesting the club are preparing an offer for someone who’d be a far better signing than the Argentine.

Chelsea moving to sign Garnacho upgrade

The first murmurings of a potential transfer to Chelsea for Garnacho appeared just ahead of the winter transfer window this season, but as we know today, those links never amounted to much more than rumour.

Transfer Focus

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

Things are a little different this summer, though, as with it now known that the young winger has been told to leave United, the links to Chelsea in recent days feel like they carry a little more weight, especially as some have claimed that contact has been made.

However, it would be fair to say that this is not a move that many supporters want to see happen.

So, fans should be particularly excited about the intensifying links to a far better alternative: Jamie Gittens.

Yes, according to a recent report from talkSPORT, Chelsea have maintained their intense interest in the Borussia Dortmund star this summer, despite seeing a number of offers for him already rejected.

In further good news, the story claims that the West Londoners are in advanced talks and are now preparing a third bid for the player worth around £45m and hope it will be enough to convince the German side to sell.

It’s a lot of money to spend on a youngster, but Gittens looks like he could be something special, and he’d undoubtedly be a better signing than Garnacho.

Why Gittens would be a far better signing than Garnacho

There are a few key reasons why Gittens would be a far better signing for Chelsea to make than Garnacho this summer, and the first stems from their respective output this season.

Gittens vs Garnacho

Players

Gittens

Garnacho

Appearances

49

58

Minutes

2803′

3568′

Goals

12

11

Assists

5

10

Goal Involvements per Match

0.34

0.36

Minutes per Goal Involvements

164.88

169.90′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For his efforts, the United ace was able to score 11 goals and provide ten assists in 58 appearances, totalling 3568, which comes out to a reasonable enough average of a goal involvement every 2.76 games, or every 169.90 minutes.

However, the Dortmund star has a better minutes-to-goal involvement ratio of 164.88, as in his 49 games for the German giants this year, totalling 2803 minutes, he scored 12 goals and provided five assists.

The second reason for signing the Englishman over the Madrid-born star is the fact that his slight advantage regarding their respective output becomes far more significant when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.

While the eight-capped Argentine does do better in a few areas, like progressive passes and carries, he is massively outperformed by the former Manchester City prospect in so many other, arguably more important metrics.

Gittens vs Garnacho

Statistics

Gittens

Garnacho

Non-Penalty G+As

0.56

0.33

Progressive Passes

2.13

2.22

Shots

2.58

3.61

Goals per Shot

0.16

0.06

Shots on Target

1.06

1.22

Goals Per Shot on Target

0.39

0.16

Expected Assists

0.20

0.12

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.20

1.05

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.27

0.17

Shot-Creating Actions

3.57

3.63

Goal-Creating Actions

0.45

0.37

Tackles

1.44

1.05

Tackles Won

0.79

0.65

Blocks

0.89

0.77

Interceptions

0.48

0.45

Clearances

0.38

0.37

Successful Take-Ons

3.57

1.31

Carries into the Final Third

2.96

2.93

Carries into the Penalty Area

3.06

3.04

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

For example, not only does the Reading-born gem score more goals from his shots, but he also creates more opportunities by completing more passes and crosses into the penalty area or being the far more accomplished dribbler.

Moreover, he is an incredibly hard worker, as evidenced by the fact he makes more tackles, blocks, interceptions and clearances than his potential competitor per 90.

Jamie Gittens

Ultimately, while Garnacho is a talented player, he’s simply not as good as Gittens, with the latter outperforming him when it comes to raw output and everything that goes on under the hood as well, which is why Chelsea should be doing all they can to sign the Dortmund star this summer.

He'd be a dream for Ekitike: Chelsea move close to signing £55m star

The tremendously exciting attacker could become a superstar at Chelsea.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 24, 2025

The Hundred offers something for bowlers and will keep captains alert

An early analysis of how the playing conditions of the new tournament could evolve

Sidharth Monga22-Jul-20211:58

Explainer: How to read the Hundred scorecard

Not sure if that was the intention, but the Hundred’s new playing conditions have a utility beyond the laughs. With the exception of a two-run penalty for a no-ball – which has been a feature of English domestic cricket – they are almost all geared to help the bowlers, the marginalised of the two participants in games of cricket. They will also make the fielding captain’s role more instrumental.The advantage is admittedly not massive, and the batters will eventually catch up as they keep getting stronger and better, but anything is welcome in a format that keeps shrinking further and further for a bowler.Shorter Powerplay
This should offset the no-ball penalty. Fifty-three no-balls were bowled in 60 matches in last year’s IPL. So let’s assume there is one no-ball bowled every match. Adding that extra run is not that big a punishment, but a shorter Powerplay is a huge incentive. The Powerplay in the Hundred is only 25% of the innings as against 30% in old-school T20 cricket. That’s one over fewer in a normal T20.Tens = good for captains and bowlers
Imagine MS Dhoni being allowed to bowl Deepak Chahar’s quota out in the Powerplay (no disrespect to Chahar’s emergence as a decent death bowler too). Or if for a certain match, Rohit Sharma could keep all of Jasprit Bumrah’s deliveries for the death. They could if they were captaining in the Hundred.The scope this gives bowlers and captains is immense. Imagine Dhoni walks in, and you have the option of bowling 10% of the innings from Sunil Narine without a break then and there. Dhoni strikes at slightly over 50 against Narine. And you don’t get away by playing a dot at the fifth ball; you are on strike for the start of the next five. The bowler, on the other hand, doesn’t have to nominate a “ten” at the start. So if a match-up gets away from him on the fifth ball, he can stop at five.Analysis will come in as the database continues to build, but it breaks the templates that T20 cricket has fallen into and that can’t be bad.

Shorter “overs”
Fives, as the umpire calls in the Hundred. Batters say they try to hit the first ball of a new over big to put the bowler under the pressure, but you also hear so often how a bowler has failed to get out of an over. The longer an over is, the more a batter gets a chance to line the bowler up. Perhaps in Test cricket you want it to be longer to set a batter up, but mostly in T20s, you are trying to get out of it without significant damage. The fewer the balls to constitute a mandatory set, the easier for a defensive bowler to get out of it without late damage.Of course batters will adjust and start treating the fifth ball as they do the sixth in other T20s, but it will take some time. Can’t be a bad thing.Last ball of the penultimate over is not a free hit
A team is seven or eight down. A tailender is batting with a specialist batter. Seven balls to go, the tailender on strike, and you often hear commentators say this is basically a free hit. If you connect, great; if you don’t, at least the specialist batter is on strike for the last over.Not in the Hundred. The end changes only every two sets of fives. So at the end of the 19th five, the tailender will have to actually take a single to turn the strike over. Or keep facing.Related

Indians at the Hundred: Jemimah Rodrigues sparkles, slow start for Shafali Verma

'We're used to being in our comfort zones, this is the complete opposite' – Kapp on opening night nerves

Dane van Niekerk proves Invincible as the Hundred is launched with a thriller

The shirts fit for Hundred pioneers as opening night provides the fireworks

New batter always on strike
Oh, so what if they sky one up and cross? Nope. Unlike in all other cricket, if a batter is out caught, it doesn’t matter if the batters in the middle crossed over. The new batter will be on strike. It might not sound as much to you, but ask a bowler who has forced or coaxed a batter to hit to his deep fielder but doesn’t get the luxury of bowling a new batter next ball because they crossed while the ball was in the air.One dampener
For wides, the umpires have been instructed to “apply a very strict and consistent interpretation of this Law”. The umpires hopefully will continue to use their discretion to allow wide yorkers, especially to batters who move around in the crease. Also it does defeat the purpose a little bit: the more the number of wides, the longer the match goes on.

'Let's go one better than 2015' – Elliott

Elation and disappointment: the reactions to New Zealand’s 18-run win over India in the World Cup semi-final at Old Trafford

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jul-2019.

It was a second straight World Cup semi-final exit for India, who had topped the league stage.

India were reduced to 24 for 4 in chase of 240, but Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni put up a fight in a thrilling finish.

Max Eberl's time is almost up! Ex-Bayern Munich star claims sporting director's exit already decided and reveals who will succeed him at Bundesliga champions

Mario Basler claims Max Eberl is on his way out at Bayern Munich, with Markus Krosche lined up to replace him as sporting director.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Eberl under pressure at Bayern over failed transfers
  • Basler claims Krosche has already agreed to join
  • Die Roten's transfer strategy called “chaotic”
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Eberl’s position as sporting director at Bayern is reportedly on thin ice, following underwhelming transfer results. Former Bayern player Basler claimed on his podcast that Eintracht Frankfurt’s Krosche is almost certain to replace him.

  • Advertisement

  • Getty Images Sport

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The Barvarians' transfer policy has been under scrutiny, especially after multiple high-profile rejections this summer. While they did land Michael Olise, many targets slipped through, frustrating fans and insiders alike. Krosche, in contrast, has built Frankfurt into a competitive force, with a Europa League title, DFB-Pokal final appearance and a third-place league finish to his name.

  • WHAT BASLER SAID

    Basler has stirred speculation over Eberl’s future, claiming Bayern already have a successor lined up: “I've heard from various circles that they're almost certain to have reached some sort of agreement with Markus Krosche for the new season. I just wanted to put that out there, very slowly and discreetly.”

    He also criticised Bayern’s recent efforts in the transfer market saying: “The transfer policy at FC Bayern is, of course, a bit chaotic. They want players, but then they don't get them, so they prefer to go somewhere else, and so on. Internationally, things haven't really worked out either. They're not particularly satisfied.”

    He didn’t place all the blame on Eberl, though pointing to earlier decisions made under Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic: “It all started with Kahn and Salihamidzic. It started a bit there, with big salaries being paid and long contracts being signed.”

  • Getty Images Sport

    WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN?

    With growing internal and external pressure, Bayern may officially part ways with Eberl in the coming months. If Basler's sources are right, Krosche could step in before long. All eyes will be on Bayern’s next moves in the transfer market and whether the club finally regain control of their sporting vision.

Their best signing since Rice: Arsenal racing to land £63m "powerhouse"

Even though this season has been a painfully disappointing one for Arsenal, there have been at least a few positives to come from it.

One of them has been the continued development of Declan Rice, who now looks entirely at home in his left-eight role and is arguably one of the club’s most important players.

For example, even though the team have not been as free-flowing as they were last year, the Englishman has still been able to rack up a seriously impressive haul of eight goals and ten assists in 50 games, was immense in both legs against Real Madrid and has a genuine shout for being the best signing of the Mikel Arteta era.

However, if recent reports are to be believed, he may soon have some more competition for that title, as the club could soon, at the very least, make their best signing since the former West Ham United captain.

Arsenal transfer news

In the last few weeks, Arsenal have been linked to several top-quality players who could become their best signings since Rice, such as Rafael Leao and Benjamin Sesko.

Transfer Focus

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

The former is reportedly available for around £85m, which would instantly make him one of the Gunners’ most expensive acquisitions ever, but as he’s racked up 12 goals and 13 assists in 48 games this season, he’d likely be worth it.

On the other hand, Sesko would cost a little less, at around £67m, but again, that’s more than a fair price tag, as in just 44 games for RB Leipzig, he’s scored 21 goals and provided six assists.

RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates

Yet, to really have a chance of being the club’s best signing since Rice, the prospective player needs to be truly remarkable, game-breaking even, which is where Viktor Gyokeres comes in.

According to a recent report from respected journalist David Ornstein, Arsenal have maintained their strong interest in the Sporting CP star.

Ornstein further explains that the Swedish international is someone that new Sporting Director Andrea Berta “really likes,” but that the club may need to speed up their pursuit of him in light of interest from other teams like Manchester United.

A potential price tag is not mentioned in the report, but stories from earlier this week revealed that the Gunners have already submitted an offer in the region of £63m, which could be seen as too low for a player with a £85m release clause.

Sporting Club's Francisco Trinaco and Viktor Gyokeres.

It could be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but with how well he’s played over the last couple of years, one more than worth fighting for.

Why Gyokeres would be Arsenal's best signing since Rice

There are likely a number of reasons why Gyokeres could end up being Arsenal’s best signing since Rice, from the boost he’d provide the team to how the commercial revenue of signing a sought-after-striker at the peak of his powers.

However, every positive about signing the Swedish international stems from one thing: his output.

Yes, it might be rather simplistic, but ultimately, what the Gunners need more than anything else this summer is someone who can put the ball in the back of the net on a consistent basis, and if the last two seasons are anything to go by, that’s something the Sporting star can do with his eyes closed.

Sporting CP's ViktorGyokeres

For example, in 50 appearances last season, the 26-year-old “powerhouse,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored a staggering 43 goals and provided 15 assists, which came out to an average of 1.16 goal involvements every game.

Then, instead of plateauing, he’s got even better this season and currently has a tally of 52 goals and 13 assists in 50 appearances, which comes out to a frankly absurd average of 1.3 goal involvements per game. It’s safe to say he’s a true “monster” in the worlds of journalist Alex Turk

Appearances

50

50

Minutes

4169′

4038′

Goals

43

52

Assists

15

13

Goal Involvements per Match

1.16

1.3

Minutes per Goal Involvement

71.87

62.12;

Finally, on top of doing the business at club level, the Stockholm goal machine has also been a tour de force for the national side, racking up a haul of 15 goals and six assists in just 26 appearances, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.23 games.

Ultimately, to become Arsenal’s best signing since Rice, a player has to come in and utterly transform the side while pushing them closer to glory, and if Gyokeres can replicate even 50% of his Sporting output in North London, then he’ll do just that.

He's a dream for Saka: Arsenal doing lots of work to sign £67m "monster"

The sensational striker would be a game-changer for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 13, 2025

Jordan, Rashid and Buttler lead England's charge into the semis

Jordan became the first England player to take a men’s T20I hat-trick, as USA slipped from 115 for 5 to 115 all out

Vithushan Ehantharajah23-Jun-20241:17

What makes Adil Rashid so hard to get away at his best?

England have booked their place in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024 with a commanding 10-wicket win over USA in their final Super Eight match. Using just 9.4 overs to chase down 116, thanks to Jos Buttler’s 83 not out from 38 deliveries, the defending champions have boosted their net run rate (NRR) to 1.992 for good measure.Such a dominant win was set-up by Chris Jordan, who became the first England player to take a men’s T20I hat-trick. Jordan, brought back into the XI for Mark Wood, took four wickets from his final five deliveries – joining Ireland’s Curtis Campher as the only other bowler to achieve that feat at a T20 World Cup – as the USA collapsed from 115 for 5 to 115 all out.The co-hosts had started well enough in Bridgetown, reaching 48 for 2 in their first six overs. But Adil Rashid continued a stellar campaign with a miserly 2 for 13 from his four overs. Aaron Jones, one of the USA’s stronger players of spin, and top-scorer Nitish Kumar were bowled by Rashid, who equalled Stuart Broad’s tally of 30 dismissals in T20 World Cups. Both Rashid and Livingstone ensured only 25 runs were scored in the six overs after the powerplay.The target of 116 needed to be chased down in 18.4 overs to ensure England’s NRR would go ahead of South Africa’s and ensure they had a firm grasp on second-place in the group. Buttler, however, was aiming higher.After a quiet start, Buttler raced to 44 from 26 deliveries at the end of the powerplay – in which England scored 60 – which included cracking a solar panel with the first of two consecutive sixes off Saurabh Netravalkar.

He saved his most brutal assault for Harmeet Singh’s second over – the ninth – getting the strike for the second ball and striking five sixes. The first took him to his first half-century of the tournament, from 32 deliveries. An over later, Buttler’s late cut took England over the line with 62 balls to spare.It means England will finish top of the group if West Indies beat South Africa in Group 2’s final fixture by a margin fewer than 52 runs. A South Africa win, taking them to six points, will see England finish second.Jordan gets his momentChris Jordan did not expect to be at this World Cup. A back injury to Jamie Overton handed him what is probably one last shot on the biggest stage. Today in Barbados, he seized it with both hands with that hat-trick and overall figures of 4 for 10 that took him to 105 T20I wickets.The crescendo of the hat-trick was dripping with emotion. Jordan is not exactly the biggest celebrator, but who could begrudge him this moment? The Bajan-born cricketer grew up watching plenty of cricket at the Kensington Oval before making the move to the UK on a scholarship to Dulwich College. The locals in the stadium cheered him as one of their own.Chris Jordan is welcomed back into the dressing room after his four-wicket 19th over•ICC/Getty Images

Jordan was actually at home in Barbados when he heard of his call-up to the provisional squad at the end of April. Later that day, he was training in the nets with Jofra Archer, who initially put the session live on Instagram before taking it down.Having started in the XI for the washout against Scotland and loss to Australia – both in Bridgetown – Jordan returned for the final Group B match against Namibia before sitting back on the bench for the start of the Super Eights.Even after this display, he may find himself sidelined once more if Buttler opts for Mark Wood’s extra pace, depending on England’s opponents and semi-final venue. Either way, Jordan’s place in history has been secured.Rashid’s wrong ‘un so rightLike Lionel Messi shifting onto his left foot and Steph Curry pulling up from long range, everyone knows Adil Rashid has a googly. The problem with all three is doing something about it.Aaron Jones and Nitish Kumar were both felled by the legspinner’s delivery that goes the other way. The former tried to combat it with his trusty slog sweep. The latter opted to blaze up and over extra cover. Both had their stumps rearranged.

That’s now five of Rashid’s nine wickets that have come from googlies at this World Cup. Their menace is disguised by full lengths and outside-off-stump lines, similar to where he looks to land his leggies.Rashid has been England’s standout white-ball bowler for some time, and, aged 36, has been at his best throughout this tournament despite coming into the summer with little competitive cricket.Here in Bridgetown, he was unplayable, with just 10 runs conceded from his four boundary-less overs. It was hard not to feel sorry for USA’s batting line-up as he tied them in knots. If it’s any comfort, more seasoned batters, with plenty more exposure to Rashid, have been made to look just as clueless.Underwhelming Corey AndersonA lot was expected from Corey Anderson. Having made his debut for the USA in April, the former New Zealand international was meant to bring nous and X-factor to the team after 93 caps and three World Cups as a Blackcap. Things have not panned out as such.It is as much a credit to the rest of the squad that their highest-profile cricketer coming into this tournament has been a footnote on a valiant campaign.Anderson was averaging 13 coming into this final fixture. With six overs to go, he looked relatively set on 24, especially after breaking a boundary-less run of 34 deliveries in the previous by heaving Liam Livingstone for six over gully with a reverse-sweep. Now was his time to show why he was once one of the most sort-after allrounders on the circuit.While there was a hurry-up, it came at the end other end as Harmeet Singh struck 21 in a 27-run stand between them, with a couple of fours and a six of his own.Corey Anderson could not find his rhythm on the day•Getty Images

Singh would fall at the end of the 18th over, leaving Anderson on strike for the penultimate over. Jordan bowled a full toss, and Anderson swung for the hills. Alas, he could only find Harry Brook, who did not have to move an inch from his position a good 10 yards in front of the sponge at long-on.Off he walked for 29, his highest score of the competition, taking his overall tally to 66 from 72 deliveries. A tournament to remember for the USA is perhaps one to forget for Anderson.Buttler peaking at the right time for England?It has been an odd tournament for the England captain. Barring one or two tactical errors – the costliest being his gut decision to bowl Will Jacks in the second over against Australia – his captaincy has been sound. Behind the stumps, he has been immaculate. In front of them, however, he hadn’t quite launched.A 28-ball 42 in the defeat to Australia and 24 off eight deliveries in the shellacking of Oman was tempered by a duck against Namibia. Across the first Super Eight matches against West Indies and South Africa, he managed just 42 from as many balls.1:18

Buttler’s innings will give England faith in this team combination – Dasgupta

As such, you could attribute this unbeaten 83 – Buttler’s second-highest score in T20 World Cups – to a release of frustration. That’s certainly how it seemed by the end, even if Buttler attributed the boundary bloodlust as merely the pursuit of a surer path to the knockout stages. His takedown of Harmeet Singh saw him become the second player in a T20I World Cup to strike five sixes in an over after Yuvraj Singh lit up the Durban skies against Stuart Broad in 2007.Having started the month in a foul mood, fed up of addressing the 50-over shambles in India last winter, Buttler looks far more at ease. And why not – after a few bumps, this title defence remains on track.

Talking points – How KKR fell apart in the chase

Mumbai Indians kept bowling short and often varied the pace to strangle Kolkata Knight Riders’ chase

Dustin Silgardo06-May-2018How did KKR’s chase fall apart?
After 12 overs, they were going at 9.25 runs an over and needed 8.87 an over to win. With eight wickets in hand, that should have been straightforward. But after losing Robin Uthappa, KKR scored 33 from the next 33 balls and left too much to do in the last two overs. A lot of that was down to intelligent bowling from Mumbai Indians. Hardik Pandya mixed short balls with slower ones and wide yorkers while legspinner Mayank Markande gave the batsmen no room. Mitchell McClenaghan and Jasprit Bumrah also bowled short balls to make life difficult for KKR. But from KKR’s point of view, there are a couple of worrying trends emerging.ESPNcricinfo LtdFirst is Nitish Rana’s habit of slowing down as his innings progresses. He strikes at 142.68 in the first 10 balls of his innings, but that drops to 112 from balls 11-20 and 127.59 from balls 21-30. On Sunday, Rana raced to 22 off 11 balls, but then didn’t hit a boundary for the rest of his 27-ball innings. In his last 16 balls, he faced seven dots, and his strike rate by the end was only 114.81.Second: Andre Russell has been dominant in the death while batting first, but he has not yet fired in a chase. He has been striking at 130.67 in chases, compared to 246.67 in the first innings. In the death overs of chases, his strike rate drops to 78.50. Once Rana was out, Dinesh Karthik looked to rotate the strike and stay till the end while Russell went for the big shots, but he did not find his timing against the slower balls from the seamers and Markande’s legspin. Russell managed only nine off 10 balls before holing out. He has only batted in four chases, so KKR will hope he can buck the trend.ESPNcricinfo LtdShort stuff works for Mumbai
If you were listening to the radio commentary of the first few overs of KKR’s chase, without context, you would be forgiven for assuming this was a Test match at the WACA in the 1990s rather than a T20 game at the Wankhede. Bumrah, McClenaghan and Hardik Pandya hit the deck and targeted the batsmen’s body. The ploy got Chris Lynn to top edge a pull to short fine leg.As the innings progressed, Mumbai’s seamers kept bowling short of a length, often taking the pace off as they dragged the ball in to the pitch. Of the 84 balls they bowled, 69% were short or short of a length. They conceded at 7.75 an over off that length and took three wickets with it. If you take Ben Cutting, whose short balls Uthappa put away, out of the equation, the other three seamers went at just seven an over off short balls.ESPNcricinfo LtdWhy didn’t Mumbai send in Cutting?
The sight of Ben Cutting padded up, helmet on, awaiting his turn in the dug out is becoming an emblem of Mumbai Indians’ problems this season. They have all these dangerous weapons, but can’t seem to find the right moment to use them. Against KKR, Cutting had been ready since Krunal Pandya walked in to bat. But by the time Krunal was dismissed, it was clear Sunil Narine would bowl two of the last four overs. While Cutting strikes at 172.5 against pace, he manages just 118.33 against spin in T20s. And he would be facing one of the best T20 spinners, so Mumbai sent in JP Duminy instead.Why Narine was held for the death?
For the first time this IPL, Sunil Narine was given two overs at the death. KKR have had their problems in that period – coming in to this game, they were the third most expensive team in the last five overs.They also had a debutant fast bowler, Prasidh Krishna, and there was always the chance he would have to be protected from the slog overs. KKR captain Dinesh Karthik knew he could have two overs from Mitchell Johnson at the death, but he did not want to bowl Andre Russell then, because he has gone at 12.50 an over in that period. KKR have been getting one over from Piyush Chawla in the death, but against Mumbai there was the chance he would bowl to Krunal, who smashes legspinners at a strike rate of 200-plus. So, if Karthik wanted to give Krishna not more than one in the death, he had to get two from Narine, who ended up conceding 20 and taking a wicket in the last five.Narine also dismissed Rohit Sharma in his first over to the batsman. Narine had dismissed Rohit six times in 15 innings before this match, so that was clearly a match-up KKR wanted. Had Rohit survived the 12th over, Karthik may have given Narine another over at him, which would have meant changing his death-over plans.

Arsenal ready transfer 'proposal' for Viktor Gyokeres amid ‘blackmail’ claims with Gunners prepared to rival Man Utd & Juventus for prolific Sporting striker

Arsenal are reportedly readying a transfer "proposal" for Viktor Gyokeres amid the "blackmail" saga that has broken out at Sporting.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Swedish forward pushing for summer move
  • Wants to leave for less than release clause
  • North London giants exploring their options
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Sweden international striker Gyokeres has made it clear he wants to take on a new challenge this summer after two prolific years in Portugal. He is said to have gone on strike in an effort to force through a move elsewhere.

  • Advertisement

  • Getty Images

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    A stunning situation in Lisbon, which has "shaken up the market", has seen Manchester United and Juventus heavily linked with Gyokeres in their respective bids to add a proven No.9 to their ranks.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    reports Arsenal are also prepared to put an offer on the table, with Gyokeres' agent said to already be in London. The Gunners have been monitoring RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko, with the 22-year-old Slovenian considered to be their top target.

  • AFP

    TELL ME MORE

    They could, however, take advantage of the unrest at Sporting by granting Gyokeres his transfer wish. He is said to have been left furious by a refusal to honour a gentleman’s agreement that would have allowed him to leave for considerably less than his €100 million (£85m/$115m) release clause.

مياتوفيتش محذرًا فينيسيوس: إذا لم تلعب جيدًا مع ألونسو فلن تكون أساسيًا

حذر بيدجا مياتوفيتش، لاعب نادي ريال مدريد السابق، فينيسيوس جونيور وذلك بعدما جلس الأخير على مقاعد البدلاء خلال مواجهة الفريق الملكي يوم أمس الثلاثاء أمام أوليمبيك مارسيليا بدوري أبطال أوروبا.

ولم يدفع مدرب ريال مدريد، تشابي ألونسو، بفينيسيوس بشكل أساسي أمام مارسيليا، ضمن دور المجموعات أو مرحلة الدوري من دوري الأبطال على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو.

وفضل ألونسو التعويل على رودريجو جوس بشكل أساسي كجناح أيسر، حيث فاز ريال مدريد 2-1 في نهاية المطاف.

ونزل فينيسيوس في شوط اللقاء الثاني بدلًا من رودريجو وساهم في حصول ريال مدريد على ركلة جزاء سجل منها كيليان مبابي هدف الفوز للميرنجي.

اقرأ أيضًا .. فالفيردي: تلقينا ضربة موجعة أمام مارسيليا.. ونريد تسهيل الأمور على مبابي

ويعتقد مياتوفيتش في تصريحات إلى ”El Larguero”، أن فينيسيوس إذا لم يلعب بشكل جيد، فسوف يكون بديلًا مع ألونسو وهي فلسفة الأخير مع ريال مدريد.

وقال مياتوفيتش عن فينيسيوس: “أعرف فلسفة تشابي ألونسو ومنهجيته وهذا لا يفاجئني، لن يجد تشابي أي مشكلة في إراحة أي لاعب”.

وأضاف مياتوفيتش في حديثه: “يريد تشابي الحفاظ على حيوية جميع اللاعبين مع منحهم دقائق لعب كافية في كل مباراة تقريبًا، سواء في الدوري الإسباني أو دوري أبطال أوروبا”.

واختتم المهاجم السابق: “إذا لم تتدرب جيدًا دون حماس، لأنك لست لاعبًا أساسيًا فمن الواضح أنك لن تلعب مع ألونسو، لا داعي للقلق كثيرًا والأمر يعتمد على فينيسيوس. إذا بذل جهدًا أكبر سيلعب، وإذا لم يفعل سيلعب لاعب آخر”.

Fabrizio Romano: Berta will make "important" Arsenal proposal for £125m star

Arsenal, led by new sporting director Andrea Berta, are set to move for an “underrated” marquee player this summer, according to reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Andrea Berta's rumoured transfer plans for Arsenal

Berta signed as Arsenal’s director three weeks ago, and since the Italian’s appointment to replace Edu Gaspar, Mikel Arteta’s side have been tipped for an exciting summer transfer window.

Arsenal hold early talks to sign £50m striker likened to Neymar and Mbappe

He’s compared to two of world football’s most iconic superstars of recent years.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 28, 2025

Berta could apparently have a £300 million transfer warchest to spend on up to seven new signings at the Emirates Stadium, according to GiveMeSport, with Arsenal potentially planning to bring in a new backup ‘keeper, a full-back, two central midfielders, a left-winger, an alternative to Bukayo Saka and a striker.

Fulham (home)

April 1st

Everton (away)

April 5th

Brentford (home)

April 12th

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

April 26th

A fresh centre-forward will be particularly crucial, as Arsenal have long yearned for a prolific vocal point up front as the last missing piece of Arteta’s jigsaw. Long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus, who could even be out until 2026, and Kai Havertz have also further highlighted the need for a number nine.

According to some media sources, Berta is even gaining a head start on the summer window, with Arsenal opening preliminary talks over Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitiké, but the Frenchman isn’t their only attacking target.

Arteta’s “dream” striker target, as per various reports, is Newcastle United star Alexander Isak.

The Swede has been in sensational form under Eddie Howe yet again this season with 23 goals from 33 appearances in all competitions, but Newcastle are not planning to let him go easily despite the rumoured interest from elite sides.

Newcastle United's AlexanderIsak

£125 million is actually one of the cheaper figures to have been mooted by some sections of the press, but even that would require Arsenal to smash their transfer record.

Arsenal will make "important proposal" to sign Alexander Isak

As per Romano, his marquee valuation hasn’t deterred Berta.

Indeed, the respected reporter claims that Arsenal will make an “important proposal” to sign Isak this summer, with Romano sharing an update on his situation for GiveMeSport’s Market Madness podcast.

“We have to see what happens when Arsenal and Liverpool, because I expect these two clubs to arrive with important proposals in the summer,” Romano said.

“And at that stage, we have to see what the player decides to do and also what kind of conversation he will have with Newcastle. But on club side, they keep saying that they will try till the end to extend this contract, to keep the player and to make the face of their project also for the future. So I think it’s going to be a big fight in the summer for this fantastic striker.”

Both Isak and Anthony Gordon have been labelled the Premier League’s “most exciting” and perhaps “most underrated” forward duo by ex-Nigeria international Sunday Oliseh, but it is clear that Arsenal are fully aware of the former’s star quality after repeated links.

The 25-year-old is set to be one of the biggest stories of this summer transfer window, and there is no doubt he’d be a truly transformative signing for Arteta’s side.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus