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Everton are now going to step up their efforts to complete the signing of a “magnificent” attacking player this summer, according to a fresh transfer report.

Everton suffer Dibling transfer blow

Late last week, the Blues saw a £27m bid for Southampton teenager Tyler Dibling rejected, having been linked with him during the summer transfer window.

Everton clearly see the 19-year-old attacking midfielder as an exciting long-term option, with the Englishman catching the eye for Saints in the Premier League last season, despite their eventual relegation to the Championship. He scored twice in the league and generally looked like a class act who was playing with a maturity beyond his years.

It remains to be seen if the Blues will table an improved offer for Dibling in the coming days, but it would be a surprise if he didn’t leave Southampton before the window closes on September 1st, considering he is too good to be playing in the Championship.

Everton will know that alternative options are needed for the Saints ace, though, should they miss out on him, with Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo one right-sided player who has been mentioned as an option for David Moyes. Now, another winger has been touted as a target.

Everton step up efforts to sign "magnificent" ace"

According to Football Insider, Everton will now push to sign Lyon star Malick Fofana this summer, seeing him as an alternative option to Dibling.

While a move to a Champions League team is the 20-year-old’s preference, with Liverpool linked with a move, their focus on signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United means that the Blues “could seek to use that to their advantage” and snap him up instead.

Fofana is a player who has been backed to join Everton earlier in the summer, and it is easy to see him being a fantastic signing, having been described as “magnificent” by scout Jacek Kulig.

Fofana can flourish on both wings, immediately giving Moyes extra attacking depth in key areas, and his end product is far superior to Dibling, averaging 0.47 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes, almost five times more than the Saints gem’s rate of 0.10.

At 20 years of age, the Belgian is still raw, but six goals in the Europa League last season shows what he is capable of. He could prove to be a cheaper option than Dibling because he isn’t a young English player, but one who has just as much potential moving forward.

If you are planning to visit the GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, we've got you covered!

GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, located in the city of Kansas, is one of the 12 venues selected to host matches during the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. With 48 nations competing in a month-long tournament, it will be the biggest World Cup in the history of the sport. For FIFA branding purposes, the venue will be referred to as Kansas City Stadium during the tournament.

GEHA Field will host six matches at next year’s showpiece event, including both group-stage games and knockout-round clashes. While it may not be widely known for hosting soccer, the stadium did stage a group match during the 2024 Copa America between the USA and Uruguay.

Currently home to the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL, GEHA Field is also celebrated as one of the loudest stadiums in the league.

The 2026 tournament marks a new chapter in the stadium’s rich legacy, with fans from around the world expected to flock to Kansas City to cheer on their favorite teams.

Whether you're a devoted soccer fan or someone simply looking to explore the stadium while in town, this guide is for you. GOAL brings you all the details you need for a smooth and memorable experience at the stadium.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium overview

  Capacity	76,416
  Year opened	1972
  Tenant(s)	Kansas City Chiefs (NFL)
  Address	1 Arrowhead Dr, Kansas City, MO 64129, USA

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  History of GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium

  Since its opening in 1972, the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL have been the flagship and sole tenants of the stadium. With a capacity of over 70,000, GEHA Field is widely celebrated for its electric atmosphere during NFL games, often making things difficult for visiting teams.

  Between 2013 and 2014, GEHA Field broke the Guinness World Record for the loudest stadium in the world, twice. The stadium first hit 137.5 decibels, then surpassed its own mark with an incredible 142.2 decibels.

  Beyond major sporting events, GEHA Field has also hosted some of the world’s biggest artists. Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, and more have taken the stage at this iconic venue.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Which teams play at Geha Field at Arrowhead Stadium

  Since it's innaugration in 1972, the stadium has served as home ground for NFL side Kansas City Chiefs

  Team	League
  Kansas City Chiefs	NFL

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  How to get to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium

  How to get to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium by public transport 

  GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is accessible by public transport via both buses and light rail. However, it’s recommended to use RideKC buses, as routes 28, 29, and 47 all stop near the stadium, roughly a 10-minute walk away. The nearest light rail station is about a 25-minute walk from the stadium, making it a less practical option, especially on event days.

  How to get to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium by car 

  GEHA Field is located within the Truman Sports Complex and is easily accessible by car via both I-70 and I-435. If you're on I-435, take Exit 63C. If you're on I-70, use Exits 9 or 7B, all of these routes will lead you directly to the stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur could hijack Newcastle United’s move for a “sensational” midfielder, as they are now keen on securing his signature, according to a report.

Spurs looking to bolster midfield options

One of the most talked-about summer transfer sagas up to this point has been Tottenham’s controversial pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White, with Nottingham Forest left unhappy by the approach, given that rival clubs shouldn’t have been aware of the £60m release clause.

However, Fabrizio Romano has revealed Spurs are hopeful of being able to get the deal over the line, with the transfer expert saying: “Now, Tottenham remain confident about their chances of signing the player. But, obviously, now this is a legal topic. They need to have discussions directly with Nottingham Forest to find the solution.

“Of course, it changes the timing of the deal. Tottenham’s perfect plan was probably to sign Kudus and Gibbs-White in 24 or 48 hours. It is now going to take a bit longer, but they remain intent on signing the player. That is still their plan.”

Tottenham "seriously" keen on signing "unstoppable" £50m Simons alternative

Spurs are looking to sign an attacking midfielder this summer.

1 ByDominic Lund Jul 21, 2025

Gibbs-White has been earmarked as a major target in the attacking midfield area, but the Lilywhites are also keen to strengthen in a deeper midfield role, with Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha and Juventus’ Douglas Luiz among the potential targets.

In a recent report from The Boot Room, it has also been revealed that Tottenham are keen on signing Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, who could be set to leave the La Liga club this summer, given that regular game time may not be on offer next season.

Thomas Frank is said to be a fan of Gallagher, suggesting the manager could green-light a move, with Spurs looking to bring in a new number 6 this summer, but there could be competition for his signature.

Newcastle are currently leading the race for the midfielder, with Eddie Howe also believed to be a big fan, but the north Londoners’ interest suggests they may look to hijack their Premier League rivals.

"Sensational" Gallagher could be solid signing for Spurs

The former Chelsea man has already proven himself in the Premier League, being lauded for his “sensational” attitude by reporter John Cross during his time with the Blues, where his attacking talents were regularly on display.

The £50m-rated maestro amassed five goals and seven assists in the Premier League during the 2023-24 campaign, and he has since gone on to impress Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone from a defensive point of view.

Simeone said: “It’s never easy for players coming from England to adapt to the Spanish championship, to the language … He has competed very well in different places and in positions where he doesn’t feel more comfortable.

“He will evolve, he has room for growth. He is very intense in offensive and defensive play, he brings a lot to us.”

As such, Gallagher could be a solid signing for Tottenham, but given that he is “very happy” at Atletico, it could be difficult to get a deal done.

يستعد الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، لمواجهة هامة في مشواره ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز أمام الجونة.

ويلتقي الزمالك، مع الجونة يوم الثلاثاء 23 سبتمبر الجاري، على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثامنة من مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويفقتد الأبيض، خدمات لاعبه البرازيلي خوان ألفينا بيزيرا، بداعي الإيقاف بعد حصوله على البطاقة الصفراء في مواجهة الإسماعيلي الماضية.

وكان فرسان ميت عقبة، حققوا الفوز على الإسماعيلي بهدفين مقابل لا شيء الجولة الماضية، ليتصدروا ترتيب الدوري برصيد 16 نقطة. حلول فيريرا لتعويض غياب ألفينا

يدرس البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا، المدير الفني للزمالك، حلوله من أجل تعويض غياب ألفينا عن مواجهة الجونة، حيث يبحث عن الفوز للحفاظ على الصدارة.

أول الحلول أمام فيريرا، الدفع بالمغربي الشاب عبد الحميد معالي في مركز الجناح الأيمن مع إعادة شيكو بانزا إلى الجناح الأيسر للزمالك.

وكان بانزا، قد غاب عن مباراتي المصري والإسماعيلي بناءً على قرار المدرب البلجيكي بعد تأخر عودة اللاعب إلى القاهرة عن موعده كإجراء تأديبي.

طالع.. خاص | مادورا البرتغالي يتقدم بشكوى لـ فيفا ضد الزمالك بسبب شيكو بانزا

الحل الثاني حال إعادة شيكو بانزا، هو الدفع بناصر ماهر في مركز الجناح الأيمن والذي سبق وأن دفع به خلال المباريات الأولى من الدوري المصري وتعويضه لـ أحمد حمدي أو محمد شحاتة حال عودته في خط الوسط.

الحل الثالث هو الدفع بالثنائي آدم كايد وبانزا في الجناحين، وقد يكون الأنجولي في اليمين وأن يستمر الفلسطيني الدولي في مركز الجناح الأيسر أو التبديل بينهما.

وعلى الرغم من أن آدم كايد يلعب في خط الوسط إلا أن فيريرا أشركه في أكثر من مباراة في مركز الجناح، وهو ما قد يجعله خيارًا لحل غياب الجناح البرازيلي.

Thomas Frank will face a huge task during his first season as Tottenham Hotspur manager, after his appointment from Brentford a couple of weeks ago.

The Dane has taken the reins from Ange Postecoglou, with the hierarchy wanting the side to reach the next step during his tenure in charge in North London.

After the Europa League triumph last season, the Lilywhites will enter the Champions League, a situation that presents Frank with his first challenge as the club’s boss.

He will need to strike a balance between Europe and the Premier League, needing to rise up the table throughout 2025/26 whilst being competitive in the biggest club competition on the continent.

If the new boss is to be a success, he will need Daniel Levy to back him in the transfer market and hand him the funds to strengthen in key areas and strike a balance with his players.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new signings this summer

The attacking department in North London has been Spurs’ main focus over the last couple of weeks, with numerous names on their radar ahead of a potential transfer.

The likes of Arnaud Kalimuendo and Harvey Elliott have both been firmly on the radar of the Lilywhites, but as of yet no deals have been completed for the aforementioned duo.

Whilst talks have been held for the pair, work has also been done elsewhere, with a move for Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman on the cards during the off-season.

The latest report from TBR Football claims that Frank’s side have been in contact with his representatives over a move to North London, with Arsenal also interested in his signature.

They also claim that he could be available for a fee in the region of £43m this summer after registering 20 goals and six assists for the Serie A outfit last campaign.

Why Spurs’ £43m target would be a better signing than Kudus & Eze

Alongside the previous targets mentioned, Eberechi Eze and Mohammed Kudus have both been frequently mentioned as potential additions from fellow Premier League sides Crystal Palace and West Ham United.

The Englishman has starred for Palace throughout 2024/25, registering eight goals and eight assists in the league, even netting the winner in the Eagles’ unlikely FA Cup triumph.

Such form has also led to keen interest from fellow North London outfit Arsenal, with competition appearing to be fierce for his signature throughout the off-season.

As for Kudus, he currently has a £85m release clause in his contract, with a deal for his signature likely to cost around £60m, potentially negotiating a deal with the Hammers after their original contact.

Both players would be excellent options for the Lilywhites in their quest for success, but may prove to be too expensive, especially considering the inflated fees given their English top-flight status.

Lookman could prove to be a much cheaper alternative, but also a better option within the final third, outperforming the Premier League duo in multiple key areas.

The Nigerian, who’s been labelled “world-class” by the BBC’s John Bennett, has registered more goals and assists throughout 2024/25, along with a higher shot on target accuracy rate – demonstrating his threat within the final third.

Games played

31

34

32

Goals & assists

20

16

8

Shot on target accuracy

40%

27%

28%

Progressive carries

5.7

2.4

3.4

Key passes made

2.4

2.1

1.1

Carries into final third

2.8

1.6

2.1

Carries into opposition box

3.2

0.7

1.4

Aerials won

57%

15%

21%

He’s also registered more key passes per 90, along with more carries into the opposition box, showcasing his direct nature, which has allowed him to be a constant threat to countless backlines.

Lookman’s all-round dominance is further highlighted in his tally of aerials won and crosses completed, having the talent in numerous key areas to make him a versatile option in Frank’s system.

It’s unclear which of the three players the club will pursue this window, but it’s evident that Lookman would be the best option for the Lilywhites during the current window.

All three would massively improve the options at the Dane’s disposal, but the Nigerian has the added quality that could take the side up a notch throughout 2025/26.

More exciting than Semenyo: Spurs in talks to sign "generational" £85m star

The brilliant attacker could be just what Spurs need.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 1, 2025

Arsenal’s biggest strength this season, and arguably last season as well, was their defence.

Mikel Arteta’s side may have scored 17 goals fewer than Liverpool in the Premier League, but then, even though they finished ten points off top spot, they managed to concede seven goals fewer than the Reds.

While this genuinely impressive solidity is partly thanks to the entire team, it wouldn’t be inaccurate to describe William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes as the chief architects of the Gunners’ almost impenetrable backline.

So, fans should be delighted about recent reports linking the club with an international defender compared to both of them.

Arsenal searching for another defender

Before getting to the star in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other defensive titans linked with Arsenal in recent weeks and months, such as Jorrel Hato and Marc Guehi.

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 seems to be on the radar for a lot of big teams this summer, at a price of around £42m, and it’s not hard to see why, as at just 19 years old, he’s already established himself as a crucial member of Ajax’s defensive setup.

Likewise, Guehi is just as, if not more important, for Crystal Palace, making 44 appearances across all competitions and winning the FA Cup with them this season, which makes his supposed £50m valuation seem more than reasonable.

However, while both of these players are brilliantly talented, another defender who could be an even more exciting acquisition has now entered the frame: Ousmane Diomande.

According to a recent report from Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, as relayed by Caught Offside, Arsenal are now in the race for the Sporting CP star.

Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that London rivals Chelsea are also keen to bring the Ivorian to the Premier League this summer.

While the report makes no mention of how much the centre-back might cost, reports from last month reaffirm claims that he has a €80m release clause in his current deal, which amounts to about £68m.

It would, therefore, be a costly and likely complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Diomande’s ability and the comparisons to Saliba and Gabriel, it’s one Arsenal should fight for.

How Diomande compares to Saliba and Gabriel

So then, given just how sensationally well Arsenal’s defensive duo have played in recent campaigns, it is undoubtedly a bold claim to suggest that Diomande is not just similar to one of them but both.

However, that is just the claim respected analyst Ben Mattinson made when he described the Ivorian international as “a hybrid between Gabriel and Saliba” just last season.

Now, when it comes to his similarity to the former, you can look at things from the fact that the Brazilian is just an inch taller at 6 foot 3 to their goalscoring ability, with the Sporting star finding the back of the net twice in 32 league games to the Gunners’ titan getting one more in 28 games.

How about the Frenchman, then?

Well, interestingly, the most convincing argument for how similar the Abidjan-born star is to the former Saint-Etienne ace comes from FBref, which compared players in similar positions in the Champions League this season.

It then created a list of the ten most comparable players for everyone who participated in the competition and concluded that the Bondy-born titan was the number one most similar centre-back to the Sporting ace.

The best way to understand how this conclusion was reached is by examining some of the underlying numbers in which the pair ranked closely, such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists, progressive carries, passing accuracy, expected assists, live passes, interceptions and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.01

0.03

Progressive Carries

0.36

0.36

Passing Accuracy

93.2%

92.2%

Expected Assists

0.01

0.01

Live Passes

58.8

56.5

Interceptions

0.96

0.91

Finally, while Saliba is now three years older, he was also being spoken about as one of the most exciting emerging defensive talents at 21, so there will be some shared experiences between him and the Sporting gem should he move to the Emirates this summer.

Ultimately, it’s a lot of money, but with how highly rated he is and the fact he’s been compared to two of their very best players, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Diomande this summer.

He's a dream for Rice: Arsenal are about to submit bid for £84m "magician"

The outrageously talented international would be game-changing for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 12, 2025

Manchester United are in desperate need of added reinforcements in attacking areas this summer to give themselves the best possible chance of returning to the heights they’ve previously achieved.

The Red Devils still occupy a place in the bottom half of the Premier League with just a couple of games remaining, highlighting how disappointing they’ve been throughout 2024/25.

Ruben Amorim has brought the feel-good factor back to Old Trafford, but their tally of just 42 goals in 35 matches showcases how disappointing they’ve been in the forward areas.

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have been the two senior options at his disposal, but have only registered seven combined league goals and contributing to their lack of form in the final third.

As a result, it will be no surprise to see the club delve into the market to try and improve the situation, with work already being done behind the scenes ahead of the summer.

The latest on United’s hunt for new forwards this summer

Countless names have already been thrown into the mix for the striker position over the last few weeks, with Viktor Gyokeres, Liam Delap and Hugo Ekitiké all being mentioned with a switch to join United.

Delap, in particular, was seen as their number one option ahead of the window, with his £30m relegation release clause potentially seen as somewhat of a bargain.

However, Wolves star Matheus Cunha appears to be the most likely forward to make the move to Old Trafford this summer, that’s if Fabrizio Romano’s latest update is to be believed.

He stated that the Red Devils are leading the race for the 25-year-old’s signature this summer, with talks already at an advanced stage – as personal terms should now be a formality.

The reliable journalist also claimed that the hierarchy have no issues with paying his £62.5m release clause, with a move edging closer to completion.

Why United’s target would be amazing alongside Osimhen

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has been another name widely linked with a switch to join United in the summer, handing Amorim the ammunition he needs.

The 26-year-old is currently spending the year on loan at Galatasaray from Italian side Napoli, enjoying an excellent spell in front of goal – netting 33 goals in 37 games.

Such a record would be hugely welcomed by the Red Devils manager if he completed the move, forming a superb partnership with Cunha in the final third.

The Brazilian would be signed to operate in a number 10 position behind the striker, with his stats from 2024/25 certainly aiding Osimhen’s quest for goals in the Premier League.

He’s managed to register 2.0 chances created per 90, along with 2.15 successful dribbles per 90, evidently aiming to get the ball forward at any given opportunity – subsequently aiding Osimhen in the process.

The Brazilian’s figures within attacking areas are simply remarkable, with his skillset handing himself and the Nigerian the best chance to help United’s frontline.

Cunha, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by journalist Eduardo Hagn, has registered 3.6 shots per 90 – also having the tools to find the back of the net given his tally of 15 Premier League goals to date.

He has also won 6.4 duels per 90 this campaign, making 4.6 recoveries per 90 – fitting perfectly into Amorim’s system at Old Trafford by working tirelessly in and out of possession.

It would be a huge investment to bring the pair to the Theatre of Dreams this summer, but their talents are there for all to see based on the figures they’ve produced in recent months.

Matheu Cunha’s stats for Wolves in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

31

Goals & assists

21

Shots taken

3.67

Pass accuracy

79.3%

Duels won

6.4

Recoveries made

4.6

Chances created

2.0

Successful dribbles

2.15

Stats via FotMob

If they could land both players, it would create a deadly partnership at Old Trafford, with the aforementioned duo having the chance to make themselves heroes as they aim to play a key role in their revival.

Related He'd be unplayable with Amad: Man Utd make £42m talisman their top target

Manchester United have wasted no time in targeting reinforcements for Ruben Amorim’s side.

Posts ByEthan Lamb May 10, 2025

Arsenal’s season now rests on 90 minutes in Paris next week.

Mikel Arteta’s side have failed to win the Premier League for a third campaign on the bounce, but as things stand, they still have a genuine chance of overturning Paris Saint-Germain’s one-nil lead at the Parc des Princes and making it to their first Champions League final in 19 years.

However, to do that, they’ll have to play substantially better than they did on Tuesday night, and more specifically, club captain Martin Odegaard will have to step up in a big way following his dismal showing at home.

Appearances

40

Minutes

3072′

Goals

5

Assists

10

Goal Involvements per Match

0.37

Minutes per Goal Involvement

204.8′

With just 15 goal improvements in 40 appearances, the Norwegian international has been a massive disappointment this season, so it’s excellent news that recent reports have linked the club with a striker who should be able to revive his fortunes next year.

Arsenal's striker search

Ask any Arsenal fan what they desperately need in the summer, and we’d hazard a guess that almost all of them will say a striker. After all, despite being just one place ahead of them in the Premier League, Liverpool have scored 17 more goals this season.

Transfer Focus

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

Fortunately, the board clearly agrees with this sentiment, as there have been a whole host of centre-forwards touted for moves to the Emirates in recent weeks, one of the more recent being Jonathan David.

Thanks to his contract expiring at the end of next month, the Canadian international will be available for nothing in the summer, and as he’s already scored 25 goals and provided 11 assists in 46 games this year, he’d undoubtedly be an incredible addition to Arteta’s squad.

A little closer to home, the Gunners have once again been linked with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins in recent weeks.

The Englishman was the subject of a failed £45m bid from the North Londoners in the winter window, and while it’s unclear just how much he’d cost in the summer, it’s clear that with 29 goal involvements in 50 games this season, he’d be a brilliant signing.

However, to really propel the club to the title next year and get the likes of Odegaard firing again, Arteta and Co need to sign a goalscoring machine, which is where Viktor Gyokeres comes in.

According to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, as relayed by GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal remain incredibly keen on bringing the Swedish international to N5 this summer.

A potential price tag is not mentioned in the story, but other reports from this week claim that the striker could be available for up to £70m.

It’s certainly a lot to spend on one player, but given his immense ability and the effect he could have on the likes of Odegaard, it’s a transfer worth doing for Arsenal.

How Gyokeres would revive Odegaard

While there might be several small reasons here and there why Gyokeres would be able to get more out of Odegaard, like his application in training sessions and his attitude during games, his raw output is what matters more than anything.

After all, it doesn’t matter how hard he works if he can’t finish the chances the Norwegian creates for him.

Fortunately, when it comes to being a pure out-and-out goalscorer, it’s hard to think of anyone better than the former Coventry City star in Europe at the moment.

Appearances

48

Minutes

3858′

Goals

52

Assists

12

Goal Involvements per Match

1.33

Minutes per Goal Involvement

60.28′

For example, in 48 appearances for Sporting CP, totalling 3858 minutes, the 6 foot 2 “powerhouse,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, has scored a simply staggering 52 goals and provided 12 assists for good measure.

In other words, the 26-capped monster is currently averaging 1.33 goal involvements every game, or one every 60.28 minutes, which is undoubtedly a world-class rate of return.

Just imagine a striker as unrelentingly efficient as that in front of the Gunners’ captain – he’d almost instantly see his assist tally skyrocket.

Moreover, if opposition defenders had to spend more time worrying about the North Londoners’ new monstrous forward as well as Bukayo Saka off the right, there would be more room for the former Real Madrid prospect to operate in, and as a result, his own goal tally would likely increase as well.

Ultimately, while it’s a lot of money, Arsenal should be doing all they can to bring Gyokeres to the Emirates this summer, as not only could he fire them to the title next year, but he could be just the man to get Odegaard back to his mercurial best as well.

He's becoming their new Ozil: Arteta must axe "frustrating" Arsenal ace

The impressive Arsenal star has fallen off a cliff this season.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes May 1, 2025

The tournament, earlier known as the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, will be played in the T20 format

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Oct-2025

Pakistan and Oman will kick off the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) Rising Stars T20 tournament in Doha, Qatar, on November 14, with the showpiece India vs Pakistan match slotted for November 16. On Friday, the organisers announced the two groups: Group A has Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka, while Group B has India, Oman, Pakistan and UAE.The tournament, earlier known as the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, will be played in the T20 format and pit the ‘A’ teams of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The three Associate teams, Hong Kong, Oman and UAE, will field their main teams. Two games will be played each day from November 14 to November 19, before the semi-finals are played on November 21 and the final on November 23.This will be the first cricketing exchange between the men’s teams of India and Pakistan since the senior Asia Cup in September, though the senior women’s teams faced off at the ODI World Cup earlier this month.ACC Rising Stars tournament schedule

Nov 14 – Oman vs Pak; Ind vs UAE
Nov 15 – Ban vs HK; Afg vs SL
Nov 16 – Oman vs UAE; Ind vs Pak
Nov 17 – HK vs SL; Afg vs Ban
Nov 18 – Pak vs UAE; Ind vs Oman
Nov 19 – Afg vs HK; Ban vs SL
Nov 21 – Semi-finals: A1 vs B2; B1 vs A2
Nov 23 – Final

When the men played the Asia Cup, there were no handshakes or any other form of greetings between the players of the two countries, and it ended with India, the tournament champions, leaving Dubai without the trophy. It emerged that they had decided not to receive the trophy from the ACC chief, Mohsin Naqvi, who is also a parliamentarian in Pakistan and the chairman of the PCB. An ACC official removed the trophy from the dais after a long delay once it became clear that the victors would not be coming up to collect it.The Emerging Teams tournament began in 2013 and has had six editions so far, having started as an Under-23s tournament before being switched to a competition featuring ‘A’ teams. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have won it twice each, while India and Afghanistan have won it once apiece – Afghanistan won the last edition, in 2024 in Oman, beating Sri Lanka in the final by seven wickets.

Jacob Bethell declared himself ready to take a potential Ashes opportunity after experiencing the "addictive feeling” of scoring his first professional hundred in England’s record 342-run thrashing of South Africa.Bethell, who turns 22 next month, became England’s second-youngest centurion in men’s ODIs in Southampton on Sunday and has already played four Tests, scoring three half-centuries. Barring injury or a late change of heart, Bethell will head to Australia in November as England’s spare batter but hopes he can push his case for selection through his white-ball performances.His performances at No. 3 in his maiden Test series in New Zealand put serious pressure on Ollie Pope’s position ahead of the English summer, but he was unavailable to play Zimbabwe while at the IPL and Pope secured his spot with 171. However, Pope faded badly to finish with 304 runs at 34 against India, and could yet find his position under major pressure.”It’s obviously nearing,” Bethell said. “I’m hoping to be in the squad and if I’m in the squad, it’s only one thing that has to happen – in terms of an injury or something like that – and I’m in, and I’ve got to be ready to perform. I don’t know if these runs mean anything [towards selection] but I don’t think they can hurt. If the opportunity arises, I’ll hopefully be there to take it."Bethell was promoted from No. 6 to No. 4 at Lord’s on Thursday to take down South Africa’s spinners, scoring 58 off 40 balls, and was retained in the same role in Southampton. He made 110 off 82, dominating the scoring in a 182-run third-wicket partnership with Joe Root, and roared in celebration when reaching three figures with a cover drive off Nandre Burger.Bethell drives through the covers en route to his century•PA Photos/Getty Images

“It was pretty special,” Bethell said. “Just goosebumps, to be honest. As soon as I laced it in the gap – it couldn’t have hit more the middle of my bat – and it just raced to the boundary. I didn’t really know what I did. It was a bit of a blur to be honest, but it was a great feeling… It was unbelievable. It feels like an addictive feeling, so hopefully there’s a few more of them to come."He does not anticipate a permanent move to No. 4, the position normally filled by captain Harry Brook. “I like coming in and facing spin to start. I feel like if I can get going, especially with the one [extra] fielder up, there’s always a gap to hit… I don’t think Brooky will be stepping down from No. 4 anytime soon, so I’ll just be looking to do that whenever the opportunity arises.”Bethell’s father Graham used to play club cricket at Sheffield Collegiate with Root’s dad Matt, and the pair have twice celebrated hundreds with one another this summer. “I was batting with him when he got his hundred at The Oval in the Thorpey Test match, and it was pretty special to be batting with him again when I got my first one,” Bethell said.Root, who went onto score 100 himself in England’s total of 414 for 5, described Bethell as "wise beyond his years”. He said: “He’s very clear on how he wants to play his cricket… I’ve known him for a long time – since he was eight years old – so for him to play an innings like that and get us in that position at the halfway stage was fantastic.”Related

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Bethell admitted before the start of play on Sunday morning that he “probably should have played more" domestic cricket around England’s Test series against India, but said that he had rediscovered his rhythm when he felt something "click" during an innings for Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred last month.”I didn’t feel like I was hitting the ball badly at all, just the performances didn’t show, which sometimes happens in white-ball cricket,” he explained. “It is pretty tough to be consistent and score fast at the same time. It is nice that I managed to put performances together – and also a match-winning performance in this situation.”It’s just rhythm, I guess. You can watch as much cricket as you want and do stuff like that, but it is different when you’re out in the middle and I think it just took me a couple of games to get that back… I felt something click and from that point, I felt like I’d been playing nicely, but hadn’t quite got the results. Today and the other day, it was definitely nice to be back in the runs.”Bethell will deputise for Brook during England’s T20I series in Ireland later this month, and said he feels ready to become their youngest-ever captain. “A lot of players in that team captain themselves, almost,” he said. “It’s just about a bit of man management and marshalling the troops for a couple of days up in Ireland, which should be great fun.”