Will Sutherland, the Australia allrounder, has agreed to join Yorkshire as one of their overseas players for the Vitality Blast. The 25-year-old will also be available for two rounds of the County Championship in June/July.Anthony McGrath, Yorkshire’s new head coach, had previously tried to bring in Sutherland when in charge at Essex, only for a back stress fracture to rule him out of a stint at Chelmsford during 2023. Sutherland signed to play for Somerset last season but was forced to withdraw with another back injury.Sutherland, who has been capped twice in ODIs, will join up with Yorkshire in May for the start of the Blast and play the entire group stage, as well as being involved for Championship fixtures against Nottinghamshire and Essex.Related

• Will O'Rourke to join Yorkshire for T20 Blast

• Will shows the way: All-round Sutherland keeps Renegades alive

• Edwards, Sutherland, Hardie in Australia A squad for Sydney four-dayer against England Lions

• Blair Tickner rejoins Derbyshire for 2025 season

• Hasan Ali agrees Warwickshire return for 2025

“Yorkshire are a Club with big ambitions, and I want to do all I can to contribute to a successful year,” Sutherland said. “I know how hard the guys will have worked to get promoted last season and I’m looking forward to putting in the hard yards with the team.”I’ve worked closely with Mags [McGrath] and Mick [Lewis, Yorkshire bowling coach] previously over in Australia so the opportunity to join them both again was one I couldn’t turn down.”Headingley and its atmosphere is famous in Australia, and I can’t wait to experience a Roses game. I know it’s the first fixture so many look out for, and I was no different.”Captain of Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash, Sutherland has taken 36 wickets in 63 appearances with an economy of 8.80. He strikes at 134.32 with the bat, and made his highest T20 score earlier this month – 70 off 45 balls – to help his side beat Perth Scorchers.McGrath said: “Will is someone I have admired for a long time and feel he can add something extra to our bowling attack for that middle period of the season as well as offering us an added dimension with the bat.”I know the Australian selectors think highly of him, and they know a thing or two about allrounders, so I am confident Will can hit the ground running and deliver for us in both red and white ball games.”Gavin Hamilton, Yorkshire’s general manager of cricket, added: “Will is an immense talent. His record is impressive, and I’m delighted that we have got his signing over the line.”Having discussed this opportunity with Will over recent weeks, it quickly became clear that he was aligned to our philosophy for the year ahead and his ambitions matched ours. We look forward to welcoming Will to Yorkshire.”

Heung-min Son’s decade at Tottenham Hotspur will be coming to an end in the coming days, after he confirmed he will be departing the club this summer.

The South Korean international has registered a staggering 454 appearances for the club, scoring on 173 occasions, after joining from Bayer Leverkusen back in 2015.

However, ultimately, the time has come for a new challenge for the 33-year-old, looking set to move to the MLS and link up with former teammate Hugo Lloris at LAFC.

It appears to be the perfect time to leave the Lilywhites for the forward, departing after helping the side end their 17-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League at the end of May.

There’s no denying that the winger will go down as one of the best players to ever wear the shirt, but his pending departure now leaves Thomas Frank with a huge task to replace him before the end of the window.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Attackers have been the priority for Frank already this summer, as seen by Spurs’ move to sign Mohammed Kudus in a £55m deal from West Ham United.

However, other options are still being considered, with Arnaud Kalimuendo and Matias Soule also being considered before the September 1st transfer deadline.

The pair are just one of multiple options currently in their sights, with Real Madrid star Rodrygo another player they’ve considered, according to AS via Sport Witness.

Their report claims that the Lilywhites have already made contact with the Spanish giants over a move for the Brazilian, who’s been allowed to depart the club this summer.

It also states that it would take a pretty penny to agree a move for the 24-year-old, with Xabi Alonso’s side currently wanting a fee of over £80m to part ways with the attacker this window.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be the dream Son replacement

Replacing a player of Son’s quality will be extremely difficult for Spurs this summer, with the board needing to back Frank to land a suitable replacement.

The 33-year-old has undoubtedly made himself a fan favourite during his decade in North London, producing countless moments of magic during his spell at the club.

From his superb solo effort against Burnley to his outrageous long-range strike against Arsenal in 2020/21, he’s managed to get the supporters off their seats on a consistent basis.

However, there’s no denying that age has taken its toll in recent months, scoring just seven league goals, which has led to his pending departure from the club this window.

Whilst losing him this summer will be a big loss, a move for Rodrygo would massively soften the blow, with the Brazilian able to fill the void left by the South Korean international.

When delving into his stats last season, he showcased he is capable of thriving at the top level, which could see him be the perfect addition for the Lilywhites this summer.

Rodrygo, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, managed to register 24 combined goals or assists across all competitions last season – a tally higher than that of Son from 2024/25.

Games played

30

Goals & assists

11

Pass accuracy

91%

Progressive passes

5.1

Progressive carries

5.3

Successful take-ons

2.3

Shot on target accuracy

50%

Key passes made

1.6

He also managed to register 5.1 progressive passes and 5.3 progressive carries per 90, having the tools to constantly get the ball into forward areas and hand the side an added threat in the final third.

The Brazilian’s excellence within attacking areas is further highlighted by his tally of 2.3 successful take-ons per 90, with such numbers showcasing his ability to glide past the opposition – something which Son has demonstrated many times in North London.

Although Rodrygo would be an expensive signing this summer, it would be a deal that would allow Frank to fill the void vacated by the South Korean for many years to come.

It would be a phenomenal addition, especially considering his performance level at the pinnacle of European football, something which will be vital if the club are to be successful in the near future.

A bigger coup than Palhinha: Spurs make contact for "incredible" £50m star

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be making a move for another new signing after progress was made on a deal for João Palhinha.

1 ByEthan Lamb Aug 3, 2025

Chelsea are now in negotiations to sign a “beautiful footballer”, and they have discussed the possibility of sending Christopher Nkunku in the opposite direction, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

Blues looking to offload Jackson and Nkunku

Once again, it has been a summer of heavy spending for the Blues, which means Enzo Maresca has been left with a somewhat bloated squad, and the manager may need to get two of his current forwards off the books.

Nicolas Jackson and Nkunku have been the subjects of widespread interest this summer, with the former now keen on joining Premier League rivals Newcastle United, while Bayern Munich have been named as potential suitors for the French striker.

Of course, Nkunku flourished during his previous stint in the Bundesliga, which led to his move to Stamford Bridge, with the former RB Leipzig man amassing a remarkable 35 goal contributions in 34 league outings during the 2021-22 campaign.

Same agent as Caicedo: Chelsea now eyeing "warrior" who's better than Araujo

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is set to miss a significant portion of the upcoming season.

By
Ben Goodwin

Aug 11, 2025

As such, a move back to Germany could appeal to the forward, and a return could now be on the cards, according to Fabrizio Romano, who recently took to X to reveal that Chelsea have discussed swapping Nkunku for RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons.

The same applies to Tyrique George, with the Blues looking to orchestrate a swap deal for the RB Leipzig star, having perhaps been unwilling to match the German club’s reported £67m asking price outright.

In order to make room for the attacking midfielder and Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, the west Londoners are trying to get Jackson and Nkunku off the books, but negotiations over a deal for Simons remain ongoing in the meantime.

Simons keen on move to Stamford Bridge

Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed the RB Leipzig attacker is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, and there are plenty of indications that he would be an excellent addition to Maresca’s squad.

Josh Bunting was left very impressed with the maestro’s performance in his side’s 4-2 victory over Werder Bremen back in January, singling him out for high praise on X.

The 22-year-old chipped in with ten goals and seven assists in 25 Bundesliga outings last season, which is a solid return, with the Dutchman also catching the eye against Spain at international level.

There should be some caution about the potential signing of Simons, given that Nkunku also flourished in the Bundesliga, before failing to kick on in the Premier League, but the Netherlands international clearly has the ability to succeed at Stamford Bridge.

Head coach says outdoors lifestyle down under is key factor in producing natural athletes

Andrew Miller24-Jan-2025Jon Lewis, England Women’s head coach, has issued a robust defence of his team’s fitness levels, after they slumped to their fifth consecutive defeat of a troubled Ashes tour, but believes that cultural issues may be at the heart of Australia’s perceived edge in athleticism.Despite their best performance of the tour, England’s rain-affected loss in a closely fought second T20I in Canberra continued Australia’s dominance of a series in which they have now claimed the Ashes for a sixth consecutive series dating back to 2015. And with just two matches to come, including the one-off Test at the MCG next week, the prospect of a whitewash is looming large over the squad.The tour has also been overshadowed by an off-field row involving Alex Hartley, the BBC commentator, who claimed she had been refused a TV interview with Sophie Ecclestone after the first T20I, ostensibly due to her suggestion, in the wake of their T20 World Cup exit in October, that certain individuals were “letting the team down when it comes to fitness”.Though Lewis said he disapproved of Ecclestone’s reasons for turning the interview down, and that he would have encouraged her to do it had he known about the incident at the time, he was adamant that the squad could not realistically be expected to work harder on their fitness levels than they already do.”You guys need to come watch them. I promise you. I cannot defend them more around how hard they work on their physicality,” he said. “They are incredibly dedicated to what they do. I’ve never seen a cricket team work like this cricket team, and I’ve worked in professional cricket for 31 years.”Instead, he suggested the outdoors lifestyle in Australia was more conducive to producing natural athletes, and cited a recent trip to Bondi Beach in Sydney as an example.”On Sunday morning, pretty much every Australian in the eastern suburbs was in the water,” he said. “There’s about a million kids down there, and they were doing Surf Lifesaving, or playing touch rugby.”For me, that’s a cultural difference. I definitely think Australia have an advantage in terms of athleticism, and also our talent pool at the moment is small, so it’s important for us to grow the game.”However, Lewis also insisted that the gulf between the two teams was not as wide as the current 10-0 scoreline suggested, and that Australia’s seizure of key moments in each of the five matches to date had been the difference between the teams.Related

White-WAshes demands inquest as England are exposed

Heather Knight has point to prove as Women's Ashes reaches grandest stage

Healy declares herself fit but not locked in, Dunkley to play but Cross unavailable

Harris sets sights on embarrasing England with 16-0 Ashes

Alex Hartley: Sophie Ecclestone 'refused TV interview' after Ashes loss

“The space on the tour we didn’t get right was around the first two games,” he said. “Australia are a really strong team, obviously on their own patch. We knew that when we got on the plane. But in every game, there’s been moments where we feel that we’ve been in the game and had a good opportunity to try and push home a strong advantage. And we haven’t quite got those moments in the game right, and the opposition have.”Whilst it is 10-0, and whilst the margins of victory in the game have been at times large, I think the difference is isn’t as big as the margin suggests in terms of results, in terms of the performance.”The ECB are due to conduct a full review of the series at its conclusion, in which the roles of both Lewis and captain Heather Knight are sure to come under scrutiny. Despite a fighting innings of 43 not out from 19 balls in Canberra, Knight has now overseen five failed Ashes captains since taking over as captain in 2016, and at the age of 34, Lewis was unable to give her his unequivocal backing.”Like any selection, we make those decisions after the tour,” he said. “We will spend some time reflecting and make some rational decisions, and think about what the right thing is for the team further down the road. I don’t think now is the right time to consider that, to be honest,”We’ve got a game to play tomorrow, Heather’s in charge, and we’ve got Test match next week, which we need to get our heads round. And then after the tour, we’ll sit down, we’ll think about what the what the right thing is for team, and how we know we move forward, like we would do with every other selection.”On his own future, Lewis – who has been in the position since 2022 – was more forthright. “I’m really comfortable with the job that I’m doing,” he said. “I’ll continue to work to develop this cricket team as best as I can until someone tells me that it’s not the right time for you to do this anymore. I’m really excited about what the future holds for this team, and I feel like I’m the right person to coach it.”In the meantime, England have pride to salvage across their final two fixtures, starting with the third T20I in Adelaide on Saturday. Australia’s Grace Harris has already declared that her side will be gunning for a 16-0 points whitewash, adding that the aim was to “embarrass” their opponents. Lewis, however, argued that she had delivered his motivational speech for him.”I think Grace probably did my job for me,” Lewis said. “I’ll give her a pat on the back when I see her. The players are really aware that they need to win some cricket matches. They’re working incredibly hard to do that.”

Captain Mitchell Santner is pleased with the depth in the squad for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE

Andrew Fidel Fernando12-Jan-2025

Spin twins: Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips provide New Zealand with plenty of options•Getty Images

Between Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears, and Will O’ Rourke, New Zealand’s mens’s side have their high-pace, high-bounce options covered. These are the kinds of bowlers that tend to find ways to trouble batters on any surface you roll out for them.But what if, in Pakistan and Dubai, through the course of the Champions Trophy, it is spin that makes the difference? We’ve seen how tournaments in Asia tend to play out. Through the course of a packed schedule, the squares wear substantially, and by the end you’re playing on tired decks, the average scores nosediving by the business end.New Zealand will play in Karachi in the tournament opener, have a game in Rawalpindi, and their final group match in Dubai. They’ve got to be ready for whatever comes, though they will also have the additional preparation of a short-and-sharp tri-series in Pakistan in the lead-up to the big event. So, they’ve packed their squad with players who offer serious versatility.The three main spin options in the side are captain Mitchell Santner, who has developed into an excellent bowler over the past decade, plus Michael Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips. There is also Rachin Ravindra, who bowled almost 66 overs through the course of the 2023 World Cup, in India. The headline news is that all four of these players can bat (with Ravindra and Phillips, that is very much their foremost skill). In fact, if the pitch shows signs of taking turn, they could all play in the same XI.”If there is a little bit of turn, we can have Bracewell bat at No. 7, and I can go at No. 8,” Santner said. “We have options, which is great for our squad. We’ve got raw pace, we’ve got the spin, and the allrounders as well.”Related

CT 2025: Fit-again Sears, O'Rourke in NZ squad

Champions Trophy 2025: Dubai to host all India matches, including the knockouts if India qualify

Although all four are fingerspinners (Ish Sodhi has not been picked), there are two left-armers and two offbreak bowlers. New Zealand fielded all four in the third ODI against Sri Lanka, on Saturday. Though they were beaten by 140 runs in that match, thanks largely to the top order having crashed to 21 for 5, their spinners had been excellent. Sri Lanka had been 155 for 1 after the 27th over, before New Zealand’s spinners imposed themselves on the match, and prompted something of a middle-overs collapse from Sri Lanka.Santner took two wickets through this period and Bracewell had also struck. Phillips had snuck in three cheap overs, conceding just 12 in this three overs. Santner compared his two offspin options.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“They’re both very good offspinners in their own right. They’re both different, I think. On a wicket like that, Bracewell can get a bit more bounce – a little more over the top. Even the three overs that GP bowled were good for us, and Glenn has worked a lot on his bowling, as we’ve seen, in the longer format.”New Zealand’s general strategy for global tournaments has been to stack their side with players who are capable of making vital contributions at some point through the course of the campaign, and they appear to be following this template again. All four of these spin bowlers are outstanding fielders – Phillips worthy of being recognised as one of the best in the world at the moment.There is also the sense that by packing their XI with all-round talents, they have players to call on, whatever the match situation they are posed with. Two finals appearances and a semi-final berth in the last three ODI World Cups suggest that versatility has worked for them.”We like to stick to the same team once we’ve picked it, but that’s conditions-dependent,” Santner said. “Karachi could play a lot different to Rawalpindi, which could play different to Dubai. With the short nature of the tournament, if you’re happy with your XI, you want them to perform for all three games. But we’re open to changes.”

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been named the 2025 Yashin Trophy award winner after helping Paris Saint-Germain to a quadruple, including the Champions League. The Italian has since joined Manchester City after being frozen out of the squad by Luis Enrique. Donnarumma dethroned Emiliano Martinez as the best men's goalkeeper in the world, with the Argentine goalkeeper having won the last two editions.

• Donnarumma wins the Yashin trophy

  Donnarumma has already won the Yashin Trophy once before in the 2021 season after his heroics at the European Championship to help Italy win the tournament. The 26-year-old goalkeeper was present at the tournament and has matched Martinez as the only one to lift the trophy twice.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Donnarumma and PSG won the quadruple

  Donnarumma kept in goal for PSG in 43 games and kept a total of 17 clean sheets. Les Parisiens won the Ligue 1, the Champions League, the Trophee des Champions and the Coupe de France, while making it to the final of the 2025 Club World Cup.

• 2025 Yashin Trophy: Full rankings

  Position	Name
  1	Gianluigi Donnarumma
  2	Alisson Becker
  3	Yann Sommer
  4	Thibaut Courtois
  5	Yassine Bounou
  6	David Raya
  7	Jan Oblak
  8	Emiliano Martinez
  9	Lucas Chevalier
  10	Matz Sels

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Donnarumma to be celebrated against Burnley at Etihad

  Donnarumma has since moved to Manchester City and kept in all three of their games so far, conceding just twice. He had a spectacular showing against Arsenal on Saturday as the CItizens were held to a 1-1 draw. The italian will now be able to show off his Yashin Trophy at the Etihad when Manchester City take on Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.

New Napoli signing Sam Beukema heaped praise on team-mate Kevin De Bruyne as the defender claimed that he was left "surprised" by the Manchester City legend's humility. De Bruyne, who left City after 10 years this summer to join Napoli on a free transfer, has made a bright start to his life in Italy as he has already scored two goals in five appearances for his club, across all competitions.

Beukema surprised by De Bruyne's humility

Like De Bruyne, Beukema switched to Napoli during the summer transfer window from Bologna on a five-year deal. The Dutch centre-back is loving his life in Naples and has already made some close friends in Belgian duo Romelu Lukaku and De Bruyne. The 26-year-old spoke highly of the two senior players' character, while claiming he was surprised by their "humility".  

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport"They surprised me a bit"

In an interview with , Beukema said: "They are two high-level players. They surprised me a bit, because they are very humble. We have joked many times together, and they’ve helped me settle into the group. Lukaku has been here for one year already. I’m so happy to be here with them and face them in training sessions. I can’t wait to continue with them." 

De Bruyne backed to guide Napoli to back-to-back Serie A titles

Former Italy international Paolo Di Canio has backed De Bruyne and Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund to shine for Napoli and help Antonio Conte's side win their second consecutive Serie A title in the 2025-26 campaign. Di Canio also praised the club for their impressive transfer activities during the summer.    

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images Busy schedule awaits Conte's side

Conte's side are currently in action against AC Milan in the Serie A. They will next host Sporting CP in a Champions League clash on Wednesday, before taking on Genoa in the Serie A again on October 5.   

Just when Russell Martin thought things could not get any worse for him as Rangers manager, well….

On Wednesday night, the Gers were demolished 6-0 by Club Brugge at Jan Breydelstadion, all the goals coming in the first 50 minutes, before the Belgian side showed mercy.

Having also been humbled 3-1 at home, this 9-1 annihilation is the first time the Gers have conceded nine or more in a two-legged European tie since a 12-4 aggregate defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt all the way back in May 1960.

So, the Light Blues will now take their place in the Europa League, but will Martin still be in charge by the time they play their matchday one fixture in late-September?

Wednesday was only his tenth match in charge, but he’s yet to collect three points in the Premiership, drawing all three league games 1-1 to date, ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm derby against Celtic at Ibrox.

Thus, Martin will be desperate to improve his squad ahead of Monday’s deadline, so could Rangers be about to bolster their midfield options?

Rangers' midfield conundrum

Ahead of the mid-week battering in Brugge, Martin’s midfield selection was the headline team news.

He elected to start three new signings, namely Joe Rothwell, Thelo Aasgaard and Lyall Cameron, thereby leaving last season’s player of the year Nicolas Raskin and his usual partner Mohamed Diomandé on the bench.

Both were introduced at half time, suggesting Martin recognised the error of his ways, but it would’ve been unthinkable last season that neither would be starting a do-or-die European tie, so is finding a third member of a midfield trio, one that gets the best out of them, a key item on their transfer window agenda?

Well, according to a report by Markaj News, Rangers are “monitoring” Real Valladolid midfielder Selim Amallah.

They add that the Moroccan international will almost certainly be on the move before the transfer window closes, following Blanquivioletas’ relegation from La Liga last season, with Ligue 1 outfit Angers also “very interested”.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

Football Transfers estimate that the 28-year-old is worth €1.2m (around £1m), so could he soon swap Estadio José Zorrilla for Ibrox?

What Selim Amallah would bring to Rangers

Amallah began his career in Belgium, the country of his birth, bouncing around a few smaller clubs before being picked up by Standard Liège in 2019, making 97 appearances for les Rouches, one of which came against Rangers in the Europa League in 2020, a game made famous by Kemar Roofe’s astonishing goal from inside his own half.

Since 2023, Amallah has called Spain home, joining Valladolid, spending the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Valencia after Blanquivioletas were relegated to the Segunda División, before returning to Valladolid again last season, although they were relegated once again.

Despite the fact his team won only four games all season, the Moroccan international largely impressed, with writer Kai Watson labelling him “versatile”, adding that he has been primarily “used in a deeper role” since moving to Spain, but possesses “flair and arrogance”, while also being technically strong and a “good ball carrier”.

So, let’s assess his statistics in La Liga last season.

Amallah – La Liga 2024/25

Stat

Amallah

Valladolid rank

Minutes

1,376

14th

Goals

3

3rd

Shots

21

5th

Key passes

13

6th

Progressive passes

57

6th

Shot-creating actions

32

6th

Tackles

30

8th

Blocks

24

6th

Interceptions

14

9th

Ball recoveries

73

6th

Average SofaScore rating

6.77

5th

via FBref.com & Sofascore

As the table outlines, despite limited minutes due to injury, Amallah ranked generally pretty high for a wide variety of metrics at Valladolid last season.

He was a creative force, ranked in the top six for assists, key passes and progressive passes, while also doing the same when it came to out of possession defensive metrics too, namely blocks and ball recoveries.

All of this underlines why Amallah would surely complement Raskin well.

The Belgian is often asked to do everything in Rangers’ feeble midfield, required to both win the ball back and then create a moment of magic at the other end of the park.

So, having someone else who can do both would alleviate much of the responsibility that has been foisted upon Raskin’s shoulders, thereby helping to get the best out of Rangers’ best midfielder.

Thus, seemingly available at the cut-price, this is a deal the Light Blues should endeavour to get done because, well, he can’t be any worse than Rothwell can he?

Related Fernandez upgrade: Rangers preparing offer to sign "outstanding" £12m star

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly preparing to make an offer to sign an upgrade on Emmanuel Fernandez.

Posts ByDan Emery Aug 27, 2025

In Alexander Isak’s ongoing absence from Newcastle United’s matchday squads, Anthony Gordon was tasked with leading the line for the Magpies in their Premier League opener against Aston Villa.

Manager Eddie Howe was certainly complimentary of the England international, and said he “looked very good as a centre forward” at Villa Park.

Gordon, who got 90 minutes under his belt against the Villans, managed two shots on target and completed 23 sprints, as per Sofascore. He showed great threat at running in behind and managed to get Ezri Konsa sent off when he was bearing down on goal.

Yet, as threatening as the forward looked as a striker on Sunday, it’s not his natural position. Newcastle have been linked with some true centre-forwards.

Newcastle’s latest striker target

The hunt goes on for the Magpies, as they search for a new striker to strengthen up front this summer. As has been reported this week, Goncalo Ramos is reportedly open to a move to the North East from PSG, but it remains to be seen if that deal will materialise.

Transfer Focus

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

Another alternative option could come from within the Premier League, according to TEAMTalk. Newcastle are said to be ‘exploring a move’ to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers and Norway international striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.

However, this deal will not be easy at all, with Wolves ‘thin on attacking depth’ after sales and injuries have already affected them.

Even so, ‘the door isn’t entirely shut’ for Howe’s side to sign Strand Larsen, and if the Old Gold find a replacement, a £30m deal could be on the cards this summer.

Why Strand Larsen would be a good signing

After initially moving on loan to Molineux last season from Celta Vigo, it was an impressive debut season in the West Midlands for Strand Larsen. He became a key source of goals in a Wolves team that had previously only had Matheus Cunha to inspire them in front of goal.

Last season, the 25-year-old managed to find the back of the net 14 times in 35 Premier League appearances. Some of the underlying numbers show just how well he played, averaging 0.5 goals and 1.2 shots on target per 90 minutes.

Goals

0.5

14

Shots on target

1.2

34

Key passes

0.7

21

Expected goal involvements

0.39xGI

11.32xGI

Aerial duels won

2.3

67

Described as a “target man” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the former Celta Vigo star has shown a great instinct in front of goal for the Old Gold.

This goal against Manchester City last season sums that up, with excellent movement in the penalty box to get on the end of an early cross.

The Magpies are looking for a long-term replacement for Isak, and Gordon would love to find someone with whom he can have an equally deadly partnership. As per Transfermarkt, the pair have combined for ten goals, more than any other player in Gordon’s career.

Indeed, the 2024/25 campaign was not the best of Gordon’s career, after struggling for form at the start of the season.

He scored nine goals and assisted seven in 42 games. Yet, crosses like this to Isak make him such a dangerous prospect for opponents.

It is easy to imagine a cross like that going onto Strand Larsen’s head, instead. The Norwegian star stands at six feet four inches tall, so if he gets service like that, there is every chance he can capitalise.

There are numbers to suggest Gordon excels at deliveries into the box, like the one above. Last season, he averaged 0.63 crosses into the penalty area and 2.03 passes into the penalty area per 90 minutes. That placed him in the top 7% and 15% of Premier League attackers.

Gordon and Isak had a sensational partnership at St James’ Park, but with the Swede seemingly set to leave the club – or remain in exile – it could be time for a new duo to form. Strand Larsen, with his aerial dominance and penalty box instinct, could be that striker.

For just £30m, Newcastle may have found the dream Isak replacement and someone Gordon can excel with.

More potential than Wissa & Ramos: Newcastle lead race to sign £60m striker

Newcastle still need to sign two strikers before the end of the summer transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 19, 2025

No result – Harshitha Samarawickrama scored an unbeaten 66 and appeared to steady Sri Lanka’s effort in Napier before incessant rain forced a washout in the first ODI after 36.4 overs of action with the visitors at 147 for 5.Asked to bat by Suzie Bates, Sri Lanka slid from 70 for 1 to 94 for 4, but the game had nearly evened up courtesy Samarawickrama’s second fifty-plus score in ODIs. The rain, though, meant no further play, and after a three-hour break, the umpires called off the contest.Chamari Athapaththu was the first batter dismissed, for a 21-ball 9, with seamer Bree Illing striking with the new ball. Samarawickrama and Vishmi Gunaratne, the other opener, then added 45 for the second wicket.Jess Kerr ended the stand when Gunaratne edged one behind to Polly Inglis in the 19th over, following which No. 4 Kavisha Dilhari and No. 5 Manudi Nanayakkara fell to Bates and Illing respectively.A promising partnership of 44 for the fifth wicket ended when Eden Carson ran Nilakshika Silva out for 17. Samarawickrama, with her seven fours, held one end up amid the dismissals and reached her fifty in 83 balls. She had wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani (2*) for company when rain arrived.The teams now move to Nelson for the next two games in the series.