Still searching for attacking additions ahead of 2025, Newcastle United are now reportedly closing in on an agreement with one winger who wants to complete a move to St James’ Park.

Newcastle transfer news

It’s been a difficult season for Eddie Howe’s side so far. Whilst they’ve shown glimpses of their quality against Liverpool and, most recently, against Brentford in the Carabao Cup, they’ve also suffered one too many slips to convince the rest of the Premier League that they’ll be competing for a place in the top six come the end of the campaign.

That could yet change if they welcome some much-needed reinforcements in the January transfer window, however, with links to the likes of Antoine Semenyo suggesting that the Magpies are keen to sharpen their attacking options.

The Bournemouth winger has impressed at times this season and could yet earn a move away from the Cherries as early as next month as a result. He’s not the only option that those in Tyneside have reportedly set their sights on though.

According to Dutch outlet Voetbal Krant, as relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle are now closing in on an agreement with Johan Bakayoko after positive talks between themselves and his representatives took place. The Belgian is reportedly keen to complete the move in what should make any remaining details regarding personal terms that much easier.

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Newcastle advanced to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup with a deserved victory over Brentford.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 19, 2024

What looks set to be far less simple, however, is negotiating with PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch club look set to remain firm on their €50m (£41m) price tag ahead of 2025, which could leave Newcastle with no choice but to wait until the summer to strike a deal once they’ve raised funds through potential sales of their own.

A player on the rise, Newcastle should push on and secure Bakayoko’s signature before other European giants swoop and complete a frustrating hijack.

"Exciting" Bakayoko could be shrewd signing

As Almiron heads for a likely exit next year, signing an upgrade on the right-winger should be near the top of Newcastle’s wishlist. And Bakayoko would be exactly that. Still just 21 years old, the Belgian has followed up last season’s stunning 14 goals and 14 assists with a further nine goal involvements before we’ve reached the halfway mark of the current campaign.

It’s a rise that Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig was full of praise for last season, describing Bakayoko as an “exciting” right-winger alongside former Newcastle man Yankuba Minteh back in June.

If Newcastle are to sign a long-term option who’d be an instant upgrade on Almiron, then Bakayoko is the player that could go all out for either as soon as January or when the summer transfer window arrives.

After London rivals Crystal Palace brought them back down to earth to inflict the second defeat in three games for new manager Graham Potter, West Ham United have reportedly turned their attention towards handing him his first signing.

West Ham transfer news

On paper, West Ham looked like a side ready to step things up in a new era in the summer. They enjoyed a fairly successful transfer window, welcoming impressive coups such as Jean-Clair Todibo and Niclas Fullkrug whilst appointing Julen Lopetegui as David Moyes’ replacement. But that’s where things went wrong.

West Ham readying offer to 169-goal striker after Graham Potter request

The Hammers boss is scouring for a new number nine.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 17, 2025

From the off, the Spaniard never quite seemed like the right appointment, and as disappointing results began to arrive, it even started to look like a move full of unambition from those at the London Stadium. So in truth, his dismissal always seemed inevitable, with the responsibility now sent the way of Potter to turn things around.

Doing that is easier said than done, and there’s no doubt that the Hammers should once again return to the transfer market and hand their new manager some reinforcements of his own, which could include an England international.

According to TalkSport, West Ham are now lining up a move to sign Angel Gomes in what could quickly be among the bargains of the summer if the Hammers swoop in to secure his signature as a free agent at the end of the season ahead of a number of interested parties in England.

The Lille star has some unfinished business in the Premier League after leaving Manchester United and discovering his best form in France. Now, he could get the chance to come back and haunt his former club.

"Impressive" Gomes has earned Premier League return

After returning to the radar of many English clubs courtesy of a shock call-up to the England squad last year, Gomes has now done more than enough to deserve a shot at Premier League redemption – and West Ham could be an ideal destination. Next to the more physical Tomas Soucek, Gomes’ technical prowess could thrive at the London Stadium.

Dubbed “impressive” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the midfielder is still just 24 years old and on the verge of the peak of his powers, making this summer’s bargain opportunity one that West Ham simply cannot miss out on.

When the summer arrives and Potter truly gets the chance to mark his own stamp on the current West Ham side, he should turn towards the former Manchester United man as one of his first signings.

يخوض فريق برشلونة، بقيادة المدرب هانز فليك، مباراة ودية ظهر يوم الأحد، في إطار الاستعدادات للموسم الجديد المرتقب، 2025/26، الذي سينطلق بشكل رسمي في شهر أغسطس المقبل.

ويلتقي برشلونة الإسباني مع نظيره فيسيل كوبي الياباني على ملعب “كوبه المنزلي”، في أول الاختبارات الودية لكتيبة هانز فليك هذا الصيف.

طالع | تشكيل برشلونة أمام فيسيل كوبي وديًا.. ظهور صفقة جديدة

ولم يخض برشلونة أي مباراة ودية حتى الآن، حيث سيبدأ الجولة الآسيوية بمباراة اليوم، قبل لقائي سول ودايجو.

وشهدت قائمة برشلونة المستدعاة لخوض تلك الجولة الودية تواجد الثنائي الجديد ماركوس راشفورد وخوان جارسيا، إلى جانب الوافد الشاب روني باردجي.

في حين تم استبعاد الحارس مارك أندريه تير شتيجن الذي سيخضع لعملية جراحية في الظهر، وكذلك أرويول روميو وسط تكهنات مستمرة حول مستقبله.

كما استبعد هانز فليك اللاعب باو فيكتور، الذي رحل عن برشلونة بشكل رسمي أمس الأول لينضم إلى سبورتينج براجا. تشكيل برشلونة المتوقع أمام فيسيل كوبي اليوم

حراسة المرمى: خوان جارسيا.

خط الدفاع: جول كوندي، رونالد أراوخو، كوبارسي، بالدي.

خط الوسط: فرينكي دي يونج، بيدري.

خط الوسط الهجومي: لامين يامال، داني أولمو، رافينها.

خط الهجوم: روبرت ليفاندوفسكي.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

Big hitters and yorker specialists lead the pack in our look at high-impact players over the history of the World T20

Deivarayan Muthu23-Feb-2016Lasith Malinga

(38 wickets, SR 16.2, Econ 7.43)
Malinga may be a little past it by now, but his arrow-straight fast yorkers have been a defining feature of the five World T20s to date. To those he added a slower bouncer and a slow, dipping full toss in 2009. Malinga is the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, with 38 wickets in 31 matches. One over from the 2012 tournament, when he ripped out three top-order England wickets in four balls summed up his influence.Umar Gul

(35 wickets, SR 14.1, Econ 7.30)

Much like Malinga, Gul can bowl toe-crushers and swing the old ball. In the 2009 semi-final, where he was only brought on at the death, Gul nailed six yorkers in the 17th over of the chase. The highlight performance came against New Zealand when he claimed scarcely believable figures of 3-0-6-5. He took 13 wickets in seven matches in that tournament, the same as he had done in the inaugural World T20.Shahid Afridi

(456 runs, SR 149.50; 35 wickets, SR 20.40, Econ 6.62)
Pakistan’s title-winning 2009 campaign began with them imploding against England, which meant they had to beat Netherlands by at least 25 runs to make the Super Eights. They finished covered in glory, when Afridi aced the chase of 139 in the final with a controlled 54 not out off 40 balls, instead of the more familiar madcap blitz. In the semi-final, he cracked the first legit ball he faced over mid-on, on his way to a quick fifty, before bowling Herschelle Gibbs and AB de Villiers. No one equals Afridi for all-round impact in the tournament – he is the only player to have scored more than 400 runs and picked up more than 20 wickets.Chris Gayle

(807 runs, SR 141.82)

How could we leave out the #Worldboss? Gayle got the tournament underway in 2007, smashing 117 off 57 balls, the first ever T20I century. He produced a similarly violent display in the next tournament, where his 88 off 50 against Australia included six massive sixes, one of them into a school next door, and one onto the stadium roof. Gayle then shelved his slap-happy disposition to helm a sinking ship against Sri Lanka in the semi-final, becoming the first batsman to carry his bat in a T20 international. He now needs only one maximum to tick off another first: 50 sixes in World T20s.Kevin Pietersen

(580 runs, SR 148.33)
Five years before talk of “New England” took hold, Pietersen led the charge as his team veered from safety first to attack first, in the 2010 World T20. The reward was England’s first major limited-overs title. Pietersen’s flamingo flick off Dale Steyn during his 33-ball 53 was one of the abiding images of the successful campaign. He holds the highest strike rate among batsmen to have made more than 500 runs in the tournament.

Transfer deadline day in the Championship didn’t disappoint as various different clubs up and down the second tier managed to secure some dramatic last-gasp deals.

Sunderland would have been the talk of the town in the division if they had managed to clinch this unbelievable switch at the death, with Brighton and Hove Albion ace Simon Adingra linked with a shock move to Wearside, only for the Black Cats to tie up the expected loan capture of Jayden Danns instead.

If the 11th hour move had taken place, it would have likely seen Sunderland youngster Tommy Watson relocate to the Seagulls as part of the exchange deal, with the Black Cats possessing yet another top young talent on their hands.

Watson's failed move to Brighton

Indeed, in a window that must have seen Regis Le Bris fear for the long-term futures of the likes of Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, Watson could well have ended up being the notable casualty.

Brighton would have been purchasing Watson for his raw potential rather than what he has shown for Sunderland in the men’s team over a long stretch of time, however, with the 18-year-old only gaining his first significant senior opportunities this campaign.

One of those rare shots in the first team this season did see the promising teen fire home two blistering strikes versus Stoke City to gift his boyhood club a 2-0 win, with another ten chances in Le Bris’ main team coming his way away from this standout showing against the Potters.

It will be intriguing to see if Watson does end up winning himself a statement Premier League switch down the line, as the Black Cats already begin to ponder whether another attacking starlet could be the club’s next exciting youngster in the same mould as the much-talked-about 18-year-old.

Sunderland's next Watson

The next gem off the fruitful Black Cats production line could well end up being Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi who already has Premier League admirers of his own.

Amazingly, it has already been speculated that Liverpool have had a peek at the Belgian off the back of his explosive goalscoring form in the youth ranks.

This season alone, playing for both the U18s and U21s, Sunderland’s “super talent” – as he has been lauded by U23 football talent scout Antonio Mango – boasts an exceptional record of nine strikes from ten contests, leading to Arne Slot’s table-topping Reds remarkably beginning to take note of his potency in front of goal.

The similarities don’t end there between Watson and his 18-year-old counterpart, however, with Ogunsuyi also capable of playing down the left wing if needed, where Watson has shone in flashes in the main fold at the Stadium of Light.

Player

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

Ogunsuyi

44

18

2

Watson

68

30

18

Sourced by Transfermarkt

But, based on the table above, the Liverpool-linked centre-forward will have to remain patient regarding any forthcoming first-team opportunities, with Watson up to 68 appearances himself in and around the youth pitches at Sunderland before being given his first proper big break this season.

Ogusuyi would no doubt relish the opportunity of some minutes in the senior fold, with Black Cats star Wilson Isidor acting as a phenomenal mentor for the 18-year-old to bounce off of, but zero Championship chances – minus the odd bench appearance here and there – have been handed to him at this moment in time.

There is no rush, but if Le Bris can get the very best out of the Belgian down the line, he could well end up being a mega-money sale for the Black Cats to boast about.

Forget Le Fee: £3m Sunderland talent could be their next big-money star

Sunderland and Middlesbrough played out a Championship classic on Monday night.

ByKelan Sarson Feb 4, 2025

Celtic are ready to make a move for an “exciting” forward in what remains of this transfer window as they prepare to sell Kyogo Furuhashi, according to a new report.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops secured their place in the knockout phase of the Champions League on Wednesday night for the first time since 2013, after beating Young Boys 1-0 at Parkhead. Celtic can now look forward to an exciting two-legged game against a top European side in February, as well as continuing their pursuit of another Scottish Premiership title.

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The Celtic midfielder caught the eye with a terrific performance for the Hoops.

1 ByDan Emery Jan 23, 2025

Despite the fact they are in the next round of the Champions League and sit pretty at the top of the table, Celtic look set to lose one of their key players, Kyogo Furuhashi. French side Rennes are closing in on the Japan international’s signature, with it reportedly being a deal worth £10 million. The 30-year-old has been a key player for the Hoops, and captain Callum McGregor was hopeful the club can keep hold of him.

McGregor said: “I understand there is a lot of speculation. But he’s a Celtic player at the minute, and obviously we want to keep him for as long as we can.

“He’s a top player. Again, you see his quality tonight, his movement, and the way he sets the tone for the team. All our good players, we want to keep them for as long as we can. Generally, when there’s speculation, then people have done well.

“We want that as well. It gets people talking about Celtic and the players that we’ve got. I’m sure the club will do everything they can to keep him because he’s a top player and a top person as well.”

Celtic to make a move for £8m forward as Kyogo replacement

Despite reports of Jota coming the other way from Rennes, according to The Scottish Sun, Celtic are ready to rekindle their interest in Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden as they search for a replacement for Kyogo.

Brendan Rodgers was keen on signing Kvistgaarden during the last January transfer window as well as during the summer, but a deal never materialised. This report states that interest hasn’t disappeared, and Celtic are ready to make a new offer to Brondby for the striker, who is valued at £8 million.

Kvistgaarden, who has been dubbed “exciting” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, has told Brondby that he plans to leave the club either in this transfer window or the summer and is keen on a move to Scotland, meaning the Danish side may be forced to sell if they receive a suitable offer.

Apps

110

Goals

38

Assists

17

This is good news for the Hoops, as Kyogo’s potential departure would see them heavily depend on Adam Idah as their senior centre-forward. With Champions League knockout football on the way, Rodgers will be keen to add more firepower to his side, and given Kvistgaarden has scored 10 goals in 15 league games this season, he could be the perfect new arrival. The 22-year-old, who has 17 Denmark under-21 caps to his name, can also play on either side of the centre-forward, meaning he provides more options for Rodgers in attack.

da stake casino： Wolverhampton Wanderers are making a deadline day move to sign an “infectious” player, as they continue their busy end to the transfer window, according to a reliable reporter.

Wolves transfer news

da bet sport： The Old Gold are working on several deals as the deadline approaches, as Vitor Pereira tries to make sure his squad is fitted with enough quality to beat relegation to the Championship.

Related Wolves make deadline day bid to sign new international player for Pereira

Wolves could be in for a busy end to the January transfer window.

Posts ByBrett Worthington Feb 3, 2025

It was reported before deadline day by Fabrizio Romano that Wolves are chasing a deal to sign Dynamo Kyiv ace Volodymyr Brazkho. The Premier League side have made an offer for the player worth £16.7 million, and Brazkho is keen on moving to England and the Premier League. However, there have been no developments on that potential deal, with Wolves concentrating on other signings.

It was reported earlier on Monday morning that Wolves had made a “crazy offer” to sign Marshall Munetsi from Stade de Reims. Now, in a further update from Sky Sports, the Premier League side have agreed a deal in principle to sign Munetsi, with his medical now set to take place in the afternoon. But they have not just agreed a deal to sign Munetsi; the Midlands side have also agreed a deal to sign Nasser Djiga from Red Star Belgrade. The defender is now going to meet Wolves officials in France and undergo a medical before a deal is completed, meaning Wolves sign both a defender and a midfielder as they wanted to do.

Wolves now in deadline day talks to sign "infectious" player

However, Dija is not the only defender who could arrive at Molineux today, as according to reliable reporter John Percy of The Telegraph, Wolves and Leicester City are in talks over a surprise swap deal involving Conor Coady and Craig Dawson.

Percy goes on to add that a deal isn’t agreed between the two clubs yet, as discussions are at an early stage, but if it goes through, it would be a straight swap deal, Coady moving back to Molineux and Dawson going to the King Power Stadium.

Coady, who has been labelled “infectious” by Gareth Southgate in the past, joined the Foxes in August 2023 after their relegation to the Championship. The centre-back played just 12 games as Leicester won the Championship title to secure promotion. This season has been more effective for Coady, as he’s played 10 games in the Premier League, eight of which have come as starts, and they have all come in the last 12 games.

Conor Coady’s 24/25 Premier League stats compared to Craig Dawson

Coady

Dawson

Apps

10

15

Starts

8

10

Passes attempted

437

559

Passes completed

391

484

Tackles (Won)

7 (4)

15 (3)

Interceptions

7

9

Blocks

15

16

Clearances

31

52

Errors

1

1

However, the 31-year-old has been on the bench in three of the last four games under Ruud van Nistelrooy, as he’s preferred Wout Faes and Jannick Vestergaard. Therefore, a move this month makes sense, and returning to Wolves seems ideal for the player, as he had some excellent seasons with the Midlands side.

Coady could join Toti, Emmanuel Agbadou, Santiago Bueno, Yerson Mosquera, and Bastien Meupiyou as Wolves’ centre-back options should he sign for Wolves, and given his experience and leadership qualities, he may well be a main starter in Pereira’s side.

Ipswich Town are now among the main clubs fighting to sign a “special” £10m striker this January, according to a report.

Ipswich battling to avoid the drop

Few would have predicted Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League last season, coming straight up to the top flight after spending just one year in the Championship, so they were always expected to struggle this campaign. As we approach the half-way stage of the season, however, the Tractor Boys are still battling hard, picking up a couple of impressive victories against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur.

That said, it is going to be extremely difficult to avoid relegation back to the second tier, meaning Kieran McKenna may have to strengthen his squad in the upcoming January transfer window. McKenna is looking at players in a number of different positions, with Rennes midfielder Glen Kamara becoming the latest target, although they are set to face competition from fellow relegation-threatened side Southampton.

A new right-back could also be on his way to Portman Road, with a report revealing that Ipswich have made an offer to sign RB Salzburg’s Amar Dedic this winter. Striker has not been a problem position for the Tractor Boys this season, with Delap looking extremely impressive in front of goal in his debut season with the club.

However, there are now indications that McKenna could enter the market for a new forward in the January transfer window, with reports from Spain detailing that West Bromwich Albion’s Josh Maja is now of interest.

Several Premier League clubs are fighting for Maja’s signature this winter, with Ipswich said to be among the main suitors, so there is set to be stiff competition for his signature. Given the number of clubs vying for the forward, the Baggies may be in a position to demand a fee of around €12m (£10m) for his services, which would represent a fairly large outlay for the Tractor Boys.

However, bringing in new players may be a needs must if McKenna’s side are to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Ipswich Town want to sign new £29k-p/w ace ahead of Southampton in January

He would bring plenty of experience to Portman Road in their bid for survival.

2

By
Ben Browning

Dec 29, 2024

Maja impressing for the Baggies

The signing of Sammie Szmodics is evidence that bringing in the Championship’s top players can be a reliable transfer strategy for the Premier League’s lower clubs, given how impressive the 29-year-old has been since arriving from Blackburn Rovers.

Maja has also put in some top performances this season, scoring 10 goals in 24 Championship outings for West Brom, and he was equally clinical in front of goal in Ligue 2 in the 2022-23 campaign, netting 16 times in 38 games for Bordeaux.

Former West Brom boss Carlos Corberan lauded the 26-year-old as “special” during his time at the Hawthorns, and his performances this season indicate he is ready to make the step-up to the Premier League.

However, given that Ipswich already have a top striker at their disposal, they should look to strengthen in other areas first this winter, unless Delap leaves the club.

Marcus Rashford's agent was spotted in the directors' box at Etihad Stadium during Aston Villa's late defeat to Manchester City.

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Rashford's agent spotted in City's directors' boxCould snub Villa permanent transferMan Utd loanee yet to decide on futureFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Rashford regained his long-lost form after he made a loan switch from Manchester United to Aston Villa in the January transfer window. Now that the 2024-25 campaign has reached its business end, there has been speculation over the English forward's long-term future. While the Villans have a £40m ($49.5m/€48.8m) buy option in the loan deal, reports have emerged that the 27-year-old is likely to snub Unai Emery's side for a permanent move as he wants to play in the Champions League.

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Amid rumours over his next destination, Rashford's brother and agent, Dwaine Maynard, was spotted in the directors' box at Etihad Stadium during Villa's Premier League clash against Manchester City last week, according to the . Maynard sat near City's current director of football, Txiki Begiristain and his replacement, Hugo Viana.

DID YOU KNOW?

It now remains to be seen if Rashford, who has spent all his working life on the books at United and is a boyhood fan of the Red Devils, would consider joining their rivals in the summer or even if City hold any formal interest in making that happen.

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?

Unai Emery's side, who are pushing for a Champions League slot, will be next seen in action on Saturday as they take on Fulham in a crucial Premier League clash at home. Rashford could miss the rest of the season through injury.

Take your pick from some memorable individual and team performances in their 16-year Test history

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Mar-2017