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“We are getting used to home conditions… even though they are home conditions, we don’t have much experience here,” says Harmanpreet of playing at Chepauk

Sruthi Ravindranath27-Jun-2024

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur believes playing in Chennai is a “great opportunity” for the side to get used to the conditions, given it could be one of the venues for the Women’s ODI World Cup next year.India’s women’s team last played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk in a Quadrangular series in 2007. They last played a women’s Test here in 1976, and the ground hasn’t hosted any women’s T20Is yet. Since the end of 2022, all women’s internationals in India have either been in Navi Mumbai or Mumbai, till the ODI-leg of the South Africa series was hosted in Bengaluru last week. Following the one-off Test against South Africa starting on Friday in Chennai, India will also be playing three T20Is against them at the same venue.”As a team, it’s a great opportunity for us,” Harmanpreet said on the eve of the Test. “We are getting used to home conditions… even though they are home conditions, we don’t have much experience here. But I think this series will definitely give us a lot of confidence to see how the wicket is going to behave and what combinations we can look for [for the World Cup]. Before the World Cup, with [about] one year left, I think as a team we are taking this opportunity with both hands whenever we are playing home series. It’s a great opportunity to see how the wickets are and how we can improve our skills.”Related

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Muzumdar: 'Not a bad idea to have Test Championships for women'

This will be India’s third Test in seven months. They played back-to-back Tests against England and Australia in December 2023, posting massive wins in both matches. Harmanpreet says playing those two matches has helped the side get rid of “overthinking” while playing in a format.Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur take part in close-catching drills•PTI

“In the long format you have to be there [in the middle] for four days. But if you think like that as a player you can overthink. The last time [we played a Test] we only thought about winning the sessions and that really helped us. This time also we will focus on each session. The best thing about Test cricket is you have time to come back. If you lose one session, you always have time to [make up for] things.”That’s the key point which our support staff told us: ‘just focus on each and every session and if you can [break it] down to two to two-and-a-half hours, think about how you’re going to perform as a player’. I think that really helps, [rather] than thinking that it’s a 100 overs [roughly per day] game which makes you overthink. Those little points really helped us win the last two Tests and we just want to continue [to apply] those.”India will be relying on head coach Amol Muzumdar’s red-ball experience heading into the Test, Harmanpreet said. Muzumdar, who played 171 first-class matches in a 20-year-long career, has also played two red-ball matches at Chepauk.”I didn’t have much experience in Test cricket when I got to captain those two Tests,” Harmanpreet said. “Amol sir help me. He has played lot of Test [red-ball] cricket and he has a lot of experience. With his experience, he has helped me with things like how to take decisions on the field. I do have a bit of an idea now.”We don’t have much idea about how Chennai wicket is going to play. We have only seen when the men were playing but women’s cricket is totally different… the pace, the way we bowl and bat, I think we’ll know that only once we take the field tomorrow, see how the pitch behaves and take decisions. The experienced support staff are definitely going to help us.”

Derby County face Blackburn Rovers in the race to sign a versatile midfielder with the same agent as Craig Forsyth, according to a new report.

Forsyth signs new Derby contract as Eustace targets attackers

Earlier this week, Derby announced that experienced defender Forsyth has signed a new two-year contract to remain with the Rams. The left-back’s contract was set to expire at the end of this month, but John Eustace, who was a teammate of Forsyth’s during his playing career, has decided to keep the 36-year-old at the club until 2027.

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Forsyth played 39 times for the Rams in the Championship last season, as they avoided relegation to League One. In those appearances, the defender managed to score an impressive three goals and grab four assists. This latest contract will see Forsyth extend his football career to 20 years, and this contract will also see Derby support him in getting his coaching qualifications.

As Eustace decides to keep valuable experience in his defence, in a fan forum held at Pride Park, the Derby boss has revealed that signing new attackers is a priority for the club this summer, given their lack of goals last season.

Eustace said, via BBC Sport: “I’d love to play a back four, some exciting attacking wingers and two good strikers.”

This comes as the Rams have agreed a deal with Luton Town to sign striker Carlton Morris, who is set to undergo his medical once he returns from holiday.

Derby face Blackburn in race to sign Russell

The arrivals at Pride Park don’t look to be stopping there, as according to Football League World, Derby are keen on signing midfielder Jon Russell from League One side Barnsley.

It isn’t just the Rams looking at the 24-year-old however; Blackburn Rovers, Oxford United and Stoke City are also keeping an eye on the player’s situation ahead of a potential move.

Russell, who is a former Chelsea academy graduate, has been with the Tykes since January 2023, when he joined from Huddersfield Town.

The Jamaica international has been a key contributor for Barnsley in his two full seasons at the club – he played 31 times during the 2023/24 League One season, as Barnsley reached the play-offs. He then bettered that last term, as he played 40 times in the league, scoring an impressive 11 goals, as well as grabbing two assists.

Jon Russell’s 24/25 League One stats

Apps

40

Starts

34

Goals

11

Chance conversion

19%

Assists

2

Touches per game

38.9

Key passes per game

0.8

Big chances created

4

Duels per game (won)

4.0 (50%)

This report doesn’t claim how much the League One side would want for Russell, but given his contract expires next summer, Barnsley may have to consider cashing in on the midfielder now, before he leaves for nothing.

In further good news for Derby, they may hold an advantage in this race, as Russell, who can play in a defensive role as well as an advanced role in midfield, has the same representatives, Two Touch Agency, as Derby defender Forsyth, who they have of course recently concluded positive talks with.

With no chance of dew, their spinners and their swing bowlers can really shine

Sidharth Monga19-Jun-20241:55

Flower: Afghanistan’s openers should attack India

The punchline when day-night cricket first started was “big boys play in the night”. Nearly five decades later, at a T20 World Cup, the big boys from India are playing all their games in the morning. Afghanistan come into this crucial Super Eight match having played all their four league matches in the night. That, though, is not a disadvantage. In fact, their coach Jonathan Trott said they prefer playing in the morning. They quite fancy themselves as the big boys.”I think day games actually suit us better,” Trott said. “So, quite excited to play India in a day game. Obviously, they’re a very, very good side in the day. Obviously one of the favourites and with being favourites obviously it has added pressure for India, and hopefully we can come in obviously perceived as underdogs but in my mind very much not underdogs and fully prepared and ready for the battle that confronts us tomorrow, which I’m very excited about.”Part of the reason Afghanistan fancy themselves during the day is their bowling attack. Their spinners are world-class, and in Fazalhaq Farooqi, they have a swing bowler in the mould of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. These are exactly the kind of bowlers that can do without any threat of dew.Related

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“I think when you’ve got the spinners with the experience of T20 cricket, like we have, I think you would obviously say that’s one of our strengths, but yet one of our seamers is a leading wicket-taker in the tournament,” Trott said. “We’ve seen, certainly over the last couple of years, a more rounded side with regards to the ball and on conditions. So, if it swings and seams, we can take wickets; if it spins, hopefully, we can take wickets as well.”However, Trott did say the spinners can’t relax just because there won’t be dew. “If it’s going to spin, it’ll probably help us,” Trott said. “If it doesn’t spin, we’ve got to bowl well as spinners. Spinners can’t just rely on spin to be able to take wickets and pressure. So that goes for both sides, I’m sure. And India have got some good spinners themselves. So, it’s going to be a good contest.”Afghanistan might be surprise entrants into the Super Eight, having come through ahead of New Zealand, but they command respect from their opponents. “If you just look at their squad,” India’s coach Rahul Dravid said, “they might not have a lot of international experience as in the other formats of the game, but a lot of their players do play in a lot of T20 leagues, more than in fact some of our players do. They are sort of well-travelled cricketers, especially in the T20 circuit, T20 league, a lot of them. They are very prominent members of their IPL teams, other teams as well. So, certainly in this format they are not a team to be taken lightly. They are deservedly in the Super Eight, and we will not treat them any differently than any other team that we expect to play in the Super Eight.”

Wrexham will no doubt be a busy club this summer as they attempt to tweak their personnel to fit into their fresh Championship surroundings.

The Red Dragons finally got the ball running with their first pick-up recently, with second-tier goal machine Ryan Hardie leaving Plymouth Argyle behind for a new adventure in Wales.

The now former Pilgrims number nine has an impressive 22 Championship strikes next to his name from 77 appearances at the level, with a hefty ten of those coming just last campaign, even as Argyle heartbreakingly slipped down to League One.

He will get more chances to strut his stuff in the EFL’s elite league with Phil Parkinson’s men, however, with this already bumper goal tally hopefully rising even more at the Racehorse Ground.

Hardie's reputation as a goal machine

The lethal Scotsman ended up being one of the very few select players to come out of Plymouth’s relegation season with their heads still held high.

Even if his individual season didn’t turn out to be that memorable, he still will have departed Home Park this summer as a modern icon of the club.

In total, Hardie bagged a colossal 74 goals from 248 appearances in Devon, with Wrexham excited to see what heights the 28-year-old can soar to as one of their main marksmen after promotion.

After all, with Paul Mullin rumoured to be off, the Red Dragons needed to bolster up top. But, the attacking signings might not be done just yet, as another statement deal involving a Championship regular could be in the offing to help Hardie become even more potent.

The "vital" star who could make Hardie even better

Whilst Hardie’s goal tally last season was seriously impressive, he might well have been hampered by the situation he found himself in at the foot of the second tier.

Wrexham will be aiming not to get sucked into any similar battles against the drop, and with potential signings such as Barry Bannan entering the door, no such dog-fights should be on the agenda.

On the contrary, Bannan’s potential arrival on the scene could have Wrexham dreaming of back-to-back promotions, with a report from football journalist Alan Nixon earlier this month talking up the prospect of the skilful 35-year-old midfielder swapping Hillsborough for pastures new in North Wales.

Of course, the Owls wouldn’t just let their long-standing servant leave so easily, but the Red Dragons have already poached one Championship superstar in Hardie, with Bannan perhaps the next to link up with Parkinson’s men to enhance the ex-Plymouth striker’s output.

Bannan’s career numbers in the Championship vs Hardie’s

Stat

Bannan

Hardie

Games played

374

77

Goals scored

18

22

Assists

51

7

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Evidently a legend of the EFL now, even as he reaches the twilight years of his career, Hardie’s fellow compatriot continues to deliver the goods in terms of goals and assists in the taxing division, as seen in nine of his 69 overall goal contributions in the Championship coming in 2024/25 for Danny Rohl’s men.

Creating eight big chances along the way too, Bannan would be desperate to slot straight into his new Wrexham side and be as classy, with Hardie equally champing at the bit to line up alongside such illustrious company to try up his second-tier goal haul.

There has been talk to suggest that the much-loved figure at Hillsborough could opt to sign a new Owls deal before the month is out, with former Wednesday boss Darren Moore once labelling the diminutive ace as “vital” to the team’s cause.

But, if the clock continues to tick away and a deal isn’t struck, Wrexham will feel quietly confident that they could win his services for zilch, with Hardie potentially going on to be an even more effective goal machine partnered next to Bannan.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Jun 15, 2025

Nottingham Forest’s plans for the transfer window suffered a dent after Nuno Espírito Santo’s side lost out in the race for Champions League qualification, instead settling for Conference League place, but Evangelos Marinakis and co appear determined to bolster the squad.

Nottingham Forest's transfer plans after Champions League blow

While missing out on a place in world football’s most prestigious competition, not to mention a spot in the Europa League, came as a sour end to an otherwise overachieving campaign at Forest, this year’s Premier League underdogs are still preparing for a European adventure next season.

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Posts ByDominic Lund May 28, 2025

According to an in-depth analysis of the club’s transfer plans by Telegraph reporter John Percy, Forest are targeting at least five new signings this summer as they seek to build off what was a very promising 2024/2025 overall.

Marinakis and co are extremely eager to back Nuno in the market, with the Telegraph reporting they’ll aim to recruit players who are valued around the £20-30 million mark.

Nottingham Forest’s rumoured transfer targets this summer

Target

Current club

Position

Taty Castellanos

Lazio

Striker

Jarell Quansah

Liverpool

Centre-back

Martin Baturina

Dinamo Zagreb

Attacking midfield

Adrien Truffert

Rennes

Left-back

James McAtee

Man City

Attacking midfield

While Forest are not under any pressure to sell players to appease PSR, with their balance sheet described as being in a “healthy state” (John Percy), star midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White could still be sold amid links to Man City.

Gibbs-White’s sale could fetch at least £70 million for Forest, which would go a long way to improving Nuno’s first-team in other areas, and the manager has already confirmed that City Ground officials will be working to recruit fresh blood ahead of next term.

“People in the club are dealing with next season, not us as coaching staff,” said Nuno when asked about Forest’s plans for the summer.

“This moment requires everything that you have for the responsibilities ahead of us. The recruitment staff and scouting team will be working on that and there will be the right moment to speak and sit down.”

Defensively, Forest are keen to bring in a left-back to assist this season’s breakout star Neco Williams (The Telegraph), and the addition of another centre-back cannot be ruled out either.

Nottingham Forest make offer for Botafogo defender Jair

According to South American news outlet GE Globo and their reporter Jessica Maldonado, Botafago defender Jair Cunha is attracting serious interest from Forest.

Nuno’s side have already submitted a proposal for their striker, Igor Jesus, and they’re now pursuing his central defensive teammate.

The outlet reports that Nottingham Forest have made an offer to sign Jair, and while they cannot disclose the amount, it comes in at above £11.5 million – which is the amount Botafogo paid Santos to sign the 20-year-old back in February.

As the Brazilian club reportedly evaluate this bid, it is worth noting that Jair has drawn comparisons to Liverpool legend Virgil van Dijk, and he’s described by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig as a “complete, dominant, and elegant central defender”.

He’s also able to play as both a right and left centre-back as part of a four-man defensive line, with Jair towering over most of his teammates at 6 foot 3.

The Brazilian is highly-rated and could come as an excellent back-up option behind the likes of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic.

It appears as though Steven Gerrard is in the running to be the next manager of Glasgow Rangers.

His previous spell between 2018 and 2021 saw the Ibrox side win their first Premiership title since 2011 before he left for Aston Villa.

He was savvy in the transfer market, bringing in a mix of young players with plenty of potential and experienced professionals who were ready to make an immediate impact.

One of his most underrated signings was Jermain Defoe, who enjoyed a productive Indian summer to his career in Glasgow.

Jermain Defoe’s Rangers statistics

The Englishman arrived at Rangers in January 2018 on an 18-month loan deal, scoring on his debut against Kilmarnock.

He ended up with eight goals during his first six months, before netting 17 across 32 games the following season. In January 2020, he signed a pre-contract agreement to join the club permanently and went on to play a bit-part role in the 2020/21 title-winning campaign.

Jermain Defoe’s 2019/20 stats for Rangers (league only)

Games

20

Goals

13

Goals per game

0.7

Scoring frequency (minutes)

77

Minutes per game

50 minutes

Via Sofascore

Defoe scored only five times all season, but he won his first-ever domestic title in the process. He left Ibrox less than six months later, but the veteran striker was great to have around the training ground, offering advice and encouragement to the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe.

While the transfer strategy has changed over the years, if Gerrard is appointed as manager, could he make a similar sort of signing in Jamie Vardy this summer?

An English centre-forward with a host of experience in the Premier League, looking for one final crack at the big time. It makes sense when you think about it…

Why Rangers should sign Jamie Vardy

Ally McCoist has stated his desire to see Vardy in a Rangers’ shirt next season, and given the fact he is soon to be a free agent, a prospective move could be closer than many think.

Vardy will leave Leicester City this summer after 13 years, making his 500th appearance for the club last week while netting his 200th goal for the Foxes.

It has been a remarkable career in the Premier League for the Englishman and he was even named as a “living legend” by manager Ruud van Nistelrooy recently.

He might be 38, but a season or two in Scotland could still see him finding the back of the net on a regular basis, especially if used as an impact sub.

The striker – who has ten goals to his name this term, including nine in the league – has managed to create six big chances in the top flight, having a goal conversion percentage of 16% and averaging 1.7 shots per game.

Not excellent statistics by any stretch of the imagination, but for Rangers, he could certainly replicate the feats of Defoe should the Ibrox side come calling this summer.

It may go against the club’s ethos of prioritising younger talents, but Vardy would offer something different in the final third.

That something might just make all the difference towards the end of the season. That’s for sure.

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Posts ByTom Cunningham May 23, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur could sign a big-name Premier League star if they manage to win the Europa League, according to reports, with a lot already on the line as Spurs aim to make history by lifting their first major trophy in 17 years.

Tottenham face Bodo/Glimt in crunch Europa League semi-final

Norwegian minnows and this year’s unlikely Europa semi-finalists, Bodo/Glimt, stand between Ange Postecoglou and Spurs’ first European final since 2019.

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However, they would be foolish to take them lightly, considering Bodo/Glimt are in this position for a reason, not to mention fresh off knocking Serie A giants Lazio out in the quarter-finals.

Tottenham’s final Premier League fixtures

Date

West Ham (away)

May 3rd

Crystal Palace (home)

May 10th

Aston Villa (away)

May 18th

Brighton (home)

May 25th

On paper, the north Londoners blow them away in terms of quality, but crazier upsets have occurred in Europe. Postecoglou will be fully aware that his side have a tough task on their hands, with the Australian praising Bodo/Glimt heading into their two-legged tie.

“Yeah, they have been pretty consistent the last few years, obviously the same manager and core group of players, but definitely a distinct style of football that they have stuck to, and they’ve had success with,” said Postecoglou about Bodo/Glimt.

“They’ve been pretty consistent in the Norwegian league but also in Europe and every game they’ve played, irrespective of the opposition, they’ve played some really good quality opposition in Europe and always been really competitive. I think that is very borne from the fact they are very stable, have a clear understanding of how they play their football. It will be a good challenge for us.”

Tottenham are in dire need of a successful European campaign after their dire 2024/2025 domestically, having lost an unacceptable 19 Premier League games, with real uncertainty surrounding Postecoglou’s long-term future as a result.

Postecoglou could even leave Spurs regardless of their success in the Europa League (The Telegraph), but even if the former Celtic boss is destined to leave N17, winning the competition could significantly boost their hopes of attracting key transfer targets in the summer.

Victory in the Europa League would mean qualification for next season’s Champions League, with £300,000-per-week Man United outcast and current Aston Villa star Marcus Rashford on Spurs’ shortlist.

Tottenham could sign Marcus Rashford if they win the Europa League

Tottenham are believed to be in the race to sign Rashford this summer, once his Villa loan expires, and the England forward appears to have many options after an impressive temporary stint in the Midlands.

As per Football Insider and journalist Pete O’Rourke, the Lilywhites are outside contenders for the 27-year-old as things stand, and Tottenham only stand a chance of signing Rashford if they win the Europa League.

This comes as a pretty intriguing update, and one which adds yet more weight to their semi-final tie. Rashford would be a great addition for Postecoglou or any prospective new manager, but there will be some negotiating to do around his mammoth salary.

Tottenham’s current highest earner, Son Heung-min, is only on around £190,000-per-week by comparison, and it is highly unlikely chairman Daniel Levy would be willing to cripple the club’s wage bill to sign Rashford.

Manchester United are now showing the “greatest interest” in signing a “true football artist”, but they will have to fork out his €45m (£38m) release clause to secure his signature, according to a journalist.

Man Utd set to bolster attacking options

Much of the goalscoring burden has fallen on Bruno Fernandes this season, while the Portugal international also leads the way for Man United on the assist charts, with Amad the only other forward to regularly chip in with attacking contributions.

As such, it is little wonder that Ruben Amorim wants to bolster his attacking options this summer, and a new striker is of particular interest, with progress now being made in the pursuit of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, having reached an agreement on personal terms.

Not only is Amorim keen on a new striker, but a new playmaker could also be brought in to ease the burden on Fernandes, and the Red Devils have reportedly submitted a monster £115.7m bid for RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons.

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Simons has caught the eye with his impressive performances in the Bundesliga, picking up nine goals and five assists this season, but there have also been suggestions that United could take a chance on more of an unknown quantity.

In a recent update on X, journalist Cesar Luis Merlo has now revealed Man United are showing the “greatest interest” in signing River Plate attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono, with a view to getting a deal done this summer.

Amorim’s side are “constantly following” Mastantuono, having already watched him in action, but they know the only way to prise him away from River Plate will be to stump up the €45m (£38m) release clause included in his contract.

"True football artist" Mastantuono likened to Palmer

The River Plate youngster is only 17, but he already has a great deal of first-team experience, making 54 appearances for the Argentine side, during which time he has picked up six goals and five assists.

In light of his attacking capabilities, the Argentine has even been likened to Chelsea star Cole Palmer by scout Ben Mattinson.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has also clearly been impressed by the starlet, describing him as a “true football artist” and “one of the most enjoyable youngsters to watch in world football” back in November.

It would, of course, be a risk to shell out £38m on Mastantuono, given that he is unproven outside Argentina, but there are clear signs he could adapt to life in the Premier League and make a name for himself at Manchester United.

Arsenal are now believed to be among the frontrunners for the signing of a new forward target after missing out on Bayern Munich star Leroy Sané, who is committing his future to the Bundesliga side with a new contract.

Leroy Sané on verge of Bayern Munich stay after talks with Arsenal

Earlier this week, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg shared news of fresh Arsenal talks with Sane over a potential move to the Emirates Stadium, but the former Man City star appears more likely to snub Mikel Arteta.

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Posts ByEmilio Galantini Apr 12, 2025

The 29-year-old, who’s impressed with a string of standout performances for Bayern in recent weeks, was due to leave on a Bosman deal past June 30th. However, he is now edging towards signing fresh terms at the Allianz Arena.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

April 23rd

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

Plettenberg reports that Bayern have made an official new contract offer to Sane, with all parties now working to reach an agreement over an extension, which spells bad news for Arsenal’s attempts to bring in a new right-winger this summer.

The journalist also states that Sane is about to extend his Bayern contract in a separate message, so it’s more likely than not Arsenal are about to miss out on a free deal for the Germany international star.

Interestingly, the Sky reporter has now claimed that the Gunners are eyeing an alternative in wantaway Bayern teammate Kingsley Coman.

Arsenal now "most concrete" option for Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman

According to Plettenberg, Arsenal is now the “most concrete” landing spot for Coman, who has told Bayern chiefs that he’d like to leave this summer.

However, it won’t be a free run for Arteta’s side either, with Tottenham also eyeing a move for the Frenchman and Saudi planning transfer talks.

“Kingsley Coman has already internally expressed his desire to leave this summer, as revealed,” wrote Plettenberg on X.

“Saudi clubs are now taking the matter seriously and are planning a visit to Munich for talks with Bayern. In England, Arsenal are currently the most concrete option – especially since Leroy Sané is about to extend his contract with Bayern. Spurs would like to sign Coman but are currently in a waiting position due to his high salary.”

While the 28-year-old earns a reported £284,000 per week in Germany, which would make him one of Arsenal’s highest-paid players, Coman’s price tag stands at up to £39 million – making him an obtainable option in terms of club-to-club negotiations.

The former PSG and Juventus winger has racked up nearly 140 goals and assists combined over almost 330 appearances since joining Bayern, all whilst showcasing real ability on the highest stage.

“He was at PSG as an eight-year-old boy,” said pundit Rio Ferdinand.

“With the money that came in with the Qataris, he was one of the players who were offloaded, and he’s come back and done this. His trophy haul since leaving – it shouldn’t be allowed. It’s unbelievable. The kid knows how to win.”

One major drawback which Arsenal need to be aware of is Coman’s injury history, with Arteta keen to avoid being left so short of wide options akin to this season.

Manchester City are now considering a move for a “sensational” £50m midfielder to replace Kevin De Bruyne this summer, according to a report from David Ornstein for The Athletic.

Pep pays tribute to De Bruyne

De Bruyne has played a pivotal role in Man City’s success during the Pep Guardiola era, and the manager has paid tribute to the Belgian for his contributions, saying: “We’ve always had a special relationship. Kevin is a special person and player.”

The attacking midfielder is the last player remaining from the squad Guardiola inherited in 2015-16, but the Spaniard will now have to bring in a replacement this summer, with the 33-year-old set to leave upon the expiration of his contract.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz has regularly been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium, and there has now been a positive update on City’s pursuit of the German, with it being revealed they are now leading the race for his signature.

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Posts ByDominic Lund Apr 8, 2025

Bringing in a young attacking midfielder from the Bundesliga has shades of the Sky Blues’ original move for De Bruyne, who arrived from Wolfsburg, but they could also choose to bring in an established Premier League player.

That is according to a report from The Athletic, with Ornstein stating Man City are now considering a move for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White as a replacement for De Bruyne.

A number of targets are being considered, including Wirtz, with a move unlikely to be made until Hugo Viana is fully underway as director of football, although City could also select Phil Foden as a direct successor to the Belgium international.

Should Gibbs-White be chosen, however, there is a feeling the Nottingham Forest star could command a fee of around £50m.

"Sensational" Gibbs-White enjoying impressive campaign

The attacking midfielder made an instant impact for Forest in the Premier League, amassing five goals and eight assists in his debut campaign with the Tricky Trees, but the current campaign is on course to be his best to date.

With seven games left to play, the Englishman has 14 goal contributions to his name, playing an integral role for Nuno’s side, who are still on course to unexpectedly qualify for the Champions League.

Lauded as “sensational” by members of the media, there are clear signs Gibbs-White could now be entering his prime, although there are doubts over whether he would be a suitable replacement for De Bruyne, given that he remains unproven at the very highest level.

Wirtz, on the other hand, experienced winning the Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen last season, while he has also impressed in the Champions League this term, with six goals and one assist to his name in nine matches.