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Wolverhampton Wanderers are on a four-match winning run in the Premier League, and they will hope to continue this when they face Manchester United this afternoon.

The Old Gold defeated the Old Trafford side 2-0 at the end of December to maintain their perfect start under Vitor Pereira, and hopes will be high that they can complete the double over the Red Devils.

Man United were taken to extra time by Lyon in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday evening and there will be a few tired legs among the squad.

This could give Wolves the advantage, while Pereira may make a few changes of his own ahead of the clash.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde played against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, but it remains to be seen whether he will return to the starting XI after suffering a minor injury.

Why Pereira must axe Bellegarde for Man Utd trip

Bellegarde played 42 minutes last week against Spurs before being subbed off due to injury.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

While on the field, the attacking midfielder completed just six passes, failed with his only dribble attempt, lost possession six times and was dribbled past once.

He has been a solid signing for the Old Gold, that much is certain. Given the nature of the game, however, plus the fact that Matheus Cunha is ready to make his first start following his four-match suspension, it makes sense to bring the Brazilian back into the starting XI.

This would see Bellegarde drop to the bench. That is if he is fit enough to make the matchday squad in the first place.

How Pereira can replace Bellegarde vs Man Utd

Cunha has a decent record against Man United since joining Wolves, scoring once and grabbing two assists across four games.

His goal came in the famous 2-0 win last December, and it proved that Cunha was capable of scoring in the biggest games.

Metric

2023/24

2024/25

Goals

12

14

Assists

7

4

Key passes per game

0.9

1.7

Big chances created

7

12

Successful dribbles per game

2

1.9

The £90k-per-week forward has been in sublime form for Wolves this season. A total of 16 goals and four assists have been registered by the former Atletico Madrid star, and he has arguably single-handedly kept the club floating above the relegation zone.

When compared to his positional peers in the top flight, Cunha ranks in the top 3% for non-penalty goals (0.58) per 90, while also ranking in the top 17% for successful take-ons (2.16) per 90 for the Old Gold this term.

Hailed as “unbelievable” by current teammate Mario Lemina earlier this season, Cunha might well be heading into his final few weeks as a Wolves player.

Cunha has sparked plenty of controversy in recent weeks, notably when hitting out at Wolves’ fans on social media who have criticised his attitude and commitment to the club.

Should a big offer arrive in the summer, it is likely he will be sold, giving Pereira plenty of cash to spend. The club might not have a player of his quality for quite some time, and he could shine against the Red Devils this afternoon.

Pereira's "sensational" Wolves star is now slowly becoming the new O’Hara

Wolves “sensational” star in danger of becoming new Jamie O’Hara

ByConnor Holden Apr 18, 2025

Newcastle United have now joined the race to sign a “future Ballon D’or winner”, who has 18 assists to his name already this season, but there could be fierce competition for his signature, according to a report.

Newcastle keen to strengthen in attack

A new striker may be required at St. James’ Park this summer, should Alexander Isak make it clear he wants to leave, with recent reports suggesting the forward wants to sign for Arsenal.

Fiorentina’s Moise Kean and Lille’s Jonathan David are among the targets at centre-forward, but in truth Newcastle will be hoping a new top striker is not required, given that it would be very difficult to replace Isak.

That said, Eddie Howe may feel some more options are required in wide areas, with the Magpies recently joining the race for Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, although the winger will not come cheap, as the Saints are set to demand as much as £100m.

Newcastle now eyeing £25m Leeds target who Howe called "magnificent"

The Magpies are in the race for a Premier League player, who is set to leave his club in the summer.

ByDominic Lund Apr 1, 2025

Contact has also been made over a deal for AFC Bournemouth winger Dango Outattara, with a number of options from within the Premier League being considered.

However, there are also some targets from further afield, with a report from The Boot Room revealing Newcastle are now interested in signing Lyon winger Rayan Cherki, who is set to be available for a bargain fee this summer.

Lyon are set to sanction Cherki’s departure for less than £25m, and there is no shortage of interest in his signature, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Aston Villa also keen.

The 21-year-old is viewed as one of the most talented youngsters in Europe, and his performances this season mean he could be in line for a big move to the Premier League this summer.

Cherki wowing for Lyon this season

The Frenchman has been in simply incredible form for Lyon this term, collecting eight goals and 18 assists in all competitions, having shown serious signs of development.

Given his ability to set up his teammates, the starlet ranks in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers for assists per 90 over the past year, while also placing very highly on some other key metrics.

Statistic

Average per 90

Assists

0.68 (99th percentile)

Shot-creating actions

7.26 (99th percentile)

Progressive passes

9.75 (99th percentile)

Successful take-ons

3.17 (96th percentile)

Such is the Lyon star’s ability, The Athletic’s Alex Barker has made the bold claim he could win the Ballon D’or at some point in the future.

If Cherki is able to replicate his current numbers in the Premier League, Barker’s bold prediction is not completely out of the question, so it is very exciting news that Newcastle are in the race for his signature.

The first team to opt to bat in WPL 2024, Giants put on an exhilarating display having previously struggled for runs in the season

Ashish Pant07-Mar-20243:06

Takeaways: Mooney and Wolvaardt drive Giants’ first win of the season

“We are going a bit rogue. We are trying to be nice and brave, nice and positive, do something a little bit different and see if we can shake things up.”At the toss of the 13th game of WPL 2024, Gujarat Giants captain Beth Mooney did what no captain has done this season. She chose to bat, and asked her team to be brave and positive and see if they could shake things up.Easier said than done, especially when the Giants were the only team without points after four defeats. So, Mooney decided to walk the talk along with Laura Wolvaardt, their giant opening stand setting the stage for a 19-run win against Royal Challengers Bangalore.While Mooney’s decision to bat might have been a surprise, it wasn’t entirely a left-field choice. In the first 11 games in Bengaluru, there was assistance for the fast bowlers early on. And with dew making run-scoring earlier in the second half of the game, bowling first was a no-brainer. Delhi proved to be different. On Monday, the Delhi Capitals had smashed 192 for 4 after getting sent into bat by Mumbai Indians, who fell short in the chase.Related

• What to expect from the Delhi games in the WPL

• WPL trends – Unsettled Giants, low-scoring totals, spin-friendly pitches, and more

• Giants seal first win after Mooney-Wolvaardt opening act

Mooney and Wolvaardt had an example to follow but they had to beat their powerplay demons first. Coming into this game, the Giants had made 43 for 3, 29 for 1, 41 for 1, and 41 for 3 in the first six overs this season. Their highest opening stand in the WPL was 41 and they were the only team without a century stand in the tournament. For the next 13 overs, Mooney and Wolvaardt set that record straight.Wolvaardt set the pace. When in full flow, there are few better timers of the cricket ball than the South African batter. She had a look of steely determination from the get-go as she pushed Sophie Devine through backward point for a couple of runs. Then came a whip between mid-on and midwicket that sped across the turf followed by a clip to the fine leg fence. Wolvaardt was in the zone.At the other end, Mooney, whose four innings in the tournament had yielded just 60 runs, began with a crisp cover-drive off Renuka Singh. When these two teams had met earlier in Bengaluru, Renuka had taken 2 for 14. In Delhi, she had already conceded 12 in her first. With the seamers going for plenty, Smriti Mandhana turned to spin in the third over, but the openers were in no mood to stop. By the time the first six overs were done, Giants had raced to 59 for 0 – their highest powerplay score of the season and second-highest ever in the WPL.The leather hunt continued for RCB even after the powerplay ended. Georgia Wareham was creamed through covers by Wolvaardt, Mooney smashed Ekta Bisht for back-to-back fours, Asha Sobhana was taken for 11 in her opening over, while Wolvaardt crunched Ellyse Perry for three successive fours and raced to her fifty off 32 balls. Giants raieed their hundred in 9.3 overs, and Mooney brought up her half-century off 32 balls as well.Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney put on their highest opening stand in Delhi•BCCIThere were two stand-out features in the Mooney-Wolvaardt partnership: how they worked the left-right combination to their advantage – RCB bowled 11 wides during their stand – and how they relied on timing rather than power and played risk-free cricket. The duo hit 21 fours and no sixes while scoring 140 in 13 overs for the first wicket. It was a tactic, Wolvaardt said, she had planned going into the game.”The outfield was really quick and obviously having the one short side, I just tried to place it, hit gaps. I knew that if I timed it well it would hopefully go into the boundary,” she said. “I didn’t want to get too ahead of myself and get sucked into the short side of it too early.”By the time Wolvaardt was run out for a 45-ball 76, she and Mooney had already crafted the second-highest partnership in the WPL. While Giants did lose a bit of steam in the end, Mooney finished unbeaten on 85 off 51 balls, taking her team to the highest total of the tournament so far – 199 for 5. It was a monumental achievement for a side that had failed to pass 150 even once.”I am just happy to contribute,” Mooney said after the game. “I have obviously been pretty disappointed with my output so far with the bat. It’s been a tough tournament for Gujarat. My job as a leader is to try and lead from the front and contribute as much as possible.”She’s one of the nicest people on the planet. She is really easy to talk to,” Mooney said of Wolvaardt. “I have always been a big fan of how she goes about her cricket from afar obviously. I haven’t played a lot of cricket with her before. Hopefully, I have helped her as much she has helped me, but I thought she was outstanding tonight and certainly set the tone for us.”Mooney and Wolvaardt’s positive approach rubbed off on the other Giants players as well. They looked more switched on than they did in the Bengaluru leg. Giants still have a long way to go, and they will hope their win against RCB is the first step of a late comeback in the WPL.

“There is a bit of sentiment, definitely, but once the game starts you don’t really think about that stuff”

Andrew McGlashan28-Feb-2022Usman Khawaja is aware of the significance of his return to Pakistan as part of the first Australia Test team to visit the country in 24 years, but won’t be treating the opening contest in Rawalpindi, close to where he was born in Islamabad, as any different to the multitude of other matches he has played.Khawaja last visited the country with his family in 2010 and after a sliding doors moment during the recent Ashes, he returns as one of Australia’s incumbent openers, so could walk out on the opening morning of the game on Friday.Related

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'I feel incredibly safe,' Cummins says

Had it not been for Travis Head’s positive Covid-19 result before the Sydney Test in January, Khawaja may well have been carrying the drinks at the start of the series. Instead he scored twin centuries at the SCG which left him undroppable, so the selectors shifted him to open alongside David Warner at the expense of Marcus Harris.He spoke with great eloquence on Monday, Australia’s first full day in the country, and answered a couple of questions in Urdu during a 30-minute press conference that almost became a life story. But, as he said, once the game starts and there’s a bowler running in nothing else matters.”Any game is just a game of cricket,” he said. “I’ve played it for such a long time now, been out of the team, now back in the team, [so] every game for me for Australia is just a bonus. I’m not out here to prove anything…got lot a lot of things in my life which are great that aren’t cricket related so for me it’s not the be-all and end-all. Just love playing cricket, love being competitive.”The fact I’m playing in Pakistan is special, don’t me wrong, it’s very special, something I’ve always want to do. I grew up down the road. There is a bit of sentiment, definitely, but once the game starts you don’t really think about that stuff. More worried about the ball coming down and everything else going on.”Khawaja’s mother and father are unable to travel from Australia for the series and the strict security around the team means he won’t be able to meet the many family and friends he has in the country. He expects a warm response from the crowds – although knows they’ll want Australia to lose – and is grateful how the stars have aligned for his chance at this experience.”I’m sure I’ll look back on it and think that was pretty cool, the first tour of Pakistan after so many years, being born in Pakistan,” he said. “As fate would have it everything has worked out beautifully – touchwood, I don’t hurt myself before the Test match – so things have worked out really well, but it’s hard to become too reminiscent at the time because you’ve still got to play a game of cricket.”Usman Khawaja scored his first Test ton in Asia against Pakistan, in 2018•Getty ImagesAlthough it is a considerable time since Australia have played in Asia (they haven’t toured overseas for a Test series anywhere since 2019), Khawaja produced one of his finest Test performances when these sides met in the UAE in 2018. It was part of an upturn in Khawaja’s record on the subcontinent – which also included ODI success in India – after a difficult start where he did not pass 26 in his first nine Test innings in Asia.”I took the onus on myself that I wasn’t going to listen to anyone else about how I need to bat on the subcontinent,” he said. “I tried that, failed. So I made sure I did learn from it. It wasn’t just a one-off in Dubai, have done it time and time again for different teams. It was a lot of work that went into it. If I didn’t have those experiences I probably wouldn’t be able to develop my game. In Sri Lanka and Bangladesh I probably didn’t understand what I need to do in those conditions.”In terms of preparing for the opening Test, Australia’s lead-in is short even by the standards of modern touring and the impacts of the pandemic. They will have their first training session on Tuesday, just three days before the series begins, although they did tailor their practice in Melbourne to subcontinent conditions with spin nets and a focus on reverse swing.”We’ve been on a lot of subcontinent tours where we’ve had two weeks preparation and still not done great, so maybe this is the way to go,” Khawaja said. “We’ll just have to wait and see. There’s only so much you can train before a Test anyway, so I’m actually quite looking forward to a short build-up this time and seeing how it goes. Could be a blessing in disguise, who knows, or it might not.”

The New York Mets on Wednesday continued to upgrade their bullpen, as the club acquired submarine-throwing reliever Tyler Rogers from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for outfield prospect Drew Gilbert, pitching prospect Blade Tidwell and reliever José Butto, according to multiple reports.

Fans immediately took to X to react to what they perceived as quite the prospect haul for the acquisition of a 34-year-old pending free agent relief pitcher, albeit one sporting a sparkling 1.80 ERA this season.

And it wasn't just fans.

Mets play-by-play announcer Gary Cohen reacted live to the hefty trade haul during the SNY broadcast of the club's game against the San Diego Padres.

"So we're getting reports on the return that the Mets are sending the Giants for Tyler Rogers," Cohen said. "And it seems like a hefty package for a rental reliever… Rogers will help, but that's a lot to give up."

Rogers, 34, uses a quirky delivery and one of the game's best sinkers to induce weak contact and a bevy of balls in the dirt by opposing hitters. He ranks in the 100th percentile in opponent barrel rate, the 94th percentile in hard-hit rate and the 99th percentile in walk rate. He also ranks third among all relievers with a 64.4 percent groundball rate.

In other words, Rogers is a strike-thrower, incredibly hard to square up and when hitters make contact, they rarely do damage with his offerings. And he's remarkably effective. Since 2021, Rogers's 2.74 ERA ranks eighth among all relievers.

He'll undoubtedly help provide reinforcements for a Mets bullpen that has been taxed with a heavy innings load at times this season.

Whether or not Rogers, who could very well pitch a half-season in New York and then leave via free agency this winter, is worth the haul the Mets coughed up remains to be seen.

But it's clear that the Mets, in a tight race with the Philadelphia Phillies for the National League East crown, are being aggressive.

Richarlison took his tally for the season to seven goals in all competitions, per Sofascore, as Tottenham Hotspur beat Brentford 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Brazil international converted from close range after Xavi Simons, who scored the second goal in the match, put it on a plate for the striker with a ball across the box.

Despite a return of six goals and two assists in nine starts in the Premier League for Richarlison, though, the Lilywhites are reportedly looking to add a new striker to their squad in the January transfer window.

Spurs have been linked with an interest in former Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who worked with Thomas Frank at the Gtech, but he is not the only attacker on their radar.

Spurs have strong interest in Spanish striker

The Europa League champions are also looking at a possible move for a number nine who could arrive in North London as the manager’s next version of Toney.

Transfer Focus

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

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham Hotspur have a strong interest in signing Porto centre-forward Samu Aghehowa to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.

The report claims that the Spain international has a release clause in the region of £70m – a fee that would eclipse Spurs’ club-record fee – and that has attracted interest from Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United.

Tottenham are said to have done a lot of background work on the striker, whom they hugely admire, and they would like to snap him up to lead their line.

However, the outlet adds that Porto are set to block a January move for Samu, who is not pushing to leave, which could mean that the Lilywhites have to wait until the summer to do a deal.

Why Spurs should wait to sign Samu Aghehowa

Instead of panicking and signing an alternative centre-forward option in the January transfer window, Spurs should wait until the summer to pursue a deal for the Spanish attacker, because he could be a brilliant addition to the squad as Frank’s new Toney.

The England international, per Transfermarkt, scored 72 goals in 141 matches for Brentford in all competitions for the Danish head coach, whilst acting as the focal point for the team with his physical presence.

Toney won 3.2 or more aerial duels per game, per Sofascore, across all three of his seasons in the Premier League with the Bees, never winning lower than 46% of his aerial contests.

Samu, 6 foot 4, has won 59% of his aerial duels in Liga Portugal and 56% of them in the Europa League this season, after winning 51% in the Portuguese top-flight last term, per Sofascore, which shows that he can offer a similar focal point to Toney in the number nine role.

As you can see in the table above, though, the Spanish number nine is a terrific goalscorer to go along with his physical attributes, having scored 25 league goals since the start of last season.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed him as a “clinical” player during the 2024/25 campaign, and that still rings true with his return of six goals from 5.63 xG in the league this term.

Samu, who was described as a “freak of nature” by one analyst on X, has the physical and technical attributes to be Frank’s new Toney, as they are both prolific strikers who can also duel with opposition defenders and provide a focal point for their side.

On top of his similarities to Toney and his impressive record for Porto, the Spain international is also 21 and has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve further, which means that he would be a signing to make an immediate impact, but with scope for it to be a long-term move as well.

Fewer touches than Vicario & 88% duels lost: Spurs flop must now be dropped

One Tottenham Hotspur player may need to be dropped despite yesterday’s win over Brentford.

By
Ethan Lamb

Dec 7, 2025

Therefore, Samu is a player who is worth waiting for. That is why Spurs should stick with Richarlison, who has a decent goal return this season, until next summer before making a move for the Porto marksman, unless a January deal does become viable in the next seven weeks or so.

Newcastle United have been a nightmarishly difficult team to predict this season.

One week they might look like one of the best teams in the country, and then the next they’ll struggle to win a match they’re favourites for.

Fortunately, Eddie Howe’s side showed the positive side of themselves on Saturday afternoon, demolishing Everton 4-1 away from home.

There were sensational performances across the board for Newcastle, particularly from Malick Thaw and another starter who is starting to prove he is one of the best in the Premier League in his position.

Newcastle's best performers against Everton

While it is hard to single out players following their performance on Saturday night, there are a few who stood out just that little bit more, like Lewis Miley.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The academy graduate made just his fifth start of the season against the Toffees, and even though he’s still just 19 years old, he looked like a seasoned veteran.

Practically everything he tried came off, and on top of providing an assist, he scored his first goal of the season just 25 minutes into the match.

Speaking of goalscorers, summer signing Nick Woltemade was back in amongst it.

He got the Magpies’ third on the night with an audacious chip from close range and then could have had another were it not for a good save from Jordan Pickford in the second 45.

However, when it comes to the man of the match, it’s hard to look past Thiaw.

The German defender was monstrous at the back and more than made his mark going forward as well, scoring in the first minute to get things underway, and then grabbing a second in the second half.

Unsurprisingly, the five-capped international left quite the impression on the watching press, with Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder awarding him a 10/10 match rating at full-time, writing that he ‘Rose like Shearer twice.’

Yet, there was another starter who put in a performance that, like Thiaw, shows he should be considered among the best in his position in the Premier League.

Not just Thiaw: Newcastle star has become one of the league's best

On top of those already mentioned, the Newcastle starter who deserves immense credit for his performance against Everton and has to be considered among the best in the league is Lewis Hall.

The former Chelsea gem was incredible on Saturday night and practically flawless in every aspect of the game, be that attacking or defending.

For example, it was his cross in the 56th minute that led to Thiaw’s second strike, and he certainly wasn’t to blame for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s consolation goal.

The Chronicle’s Ryder was just as impressed with the full-back, writing that he ‘oozed class down the left’ and awarded him a 9/10 match rating at full-time.

While that might sound a little hyperbolic, it certainly isn’t, and the 21-year-old’s statistics prove as much.

In his 89 minutes of action, he produced an expected assists figure of 0.49, won 100% of his tackles, blocked one shot, recovered the ball twice, created two big chances, completed 50 passes, took 87 touches, completed three dribbles, and took one shot.

It was the sort of performance that lends real credence to talent scout Jacek Kulig’s claim that the Englishman is “one of the best left-backs in the Premier League.”

However, while the wider league might only be waking up to that fact now, the Toon faithful have known this to be the case for some time.

After all, the team haven’t lost a game in which he has started this season, and it could be argued that he’s not even back to his very best yet after suffering from a hamstring injury earlier in the campaign.

Ultimately, he is still young, but there is no denying that Hall is an extraordinarily talented footballer, and so long as he keeps performing as he did on Saturday, it’ll become increasingly difficult to deny that he is one of the best full-backs in the Premier League.

“Special" Newcastle signing is now becoming the biggest disaster since Wood

Newcastle may have got this one wrong in the summer transfer market.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 29, 2025

The Chicago Cubs parted ways with Cody Bellinger in the offseason, trading him to the New York Yankees in exchange for right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet.

Ahead of Opening Day, that trade suddenly looks a lot worse for Chicago after the team announced that it had designated Poteet for assignment, leaving him off the 26-man roster to start the campaign.

Of course, part of the reason the Bellinger deal was made was to get his $26 million salary off the books, though the Cubs did also send New York $5 million in the trade. Still, to move on from Poteet before the team played a single game in the '25 season is less than ideal.

Poteet, 30, has only three MLB seasons under his belt. He spent 2024 with the Yankees, where he made four starts and five total appearances. The righty recorded a 2.22 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 24 1/3 innings. This spring for the Cubs, he struggled in his lone appearance on the mound, surrendering four runs, five hits and three walks across 3 1/3 innings.

More young seamers join county cricket’s transfer merry-go-round

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Aug-2025 • Updated on 12-Aug-2025

Mitchell Killeen, the Durham allrounder, has agreed to join Essex on a two-year deal from the end of the current season.Killeen made his Durham debut in a One-Day Cup match in 2022 and has made nine List A and three first-class appearances – which included taking 5 for 36 on his County Championship debut earlier this year. He has also featured for England Under-19s and the Professional County Club XI.The 20-year-old, son of former Durham seamer, now England bowling consultant, Neil Killeen, was Durham’s 2nd XI player of the season in 2024, scoring more than 400 runs to go with 18 wickets.”I am really excited to be joining Essex for the 2026 season,” Mitchell Killeen said. “Essex have an excellent squad of cricketers and have obviously enjoyed some great success in recent years. Once Chris Silverwood got in touch, I knew that I wanted to be involved with what he is trying to build at Chelmsford.”I feel my cricket is developing and I will be doing my best to push hard for regular first team cricket. I know a few of the younger players from my time with England Under-19s and I can’t wait to meet the rest of the squad ahead of next season.”Killeen’s signing follows that of Zaman Akhter from Gloucestershire as Essex look to reshape their attack for next season.Kasey Aldridge is joining Durham•Getty Images

Durham have offset Killeen’s departure with the signings of Kasey Aldridge and Archie Bailey, from Somerset and Gloucestershire respectively.Aldridge, 24, is a tall fast bowler who played for England at the Under-19 World Cup in early 2020 and has also represented England Lions. He went on loan to Durham for eight matches in the Blast this year, taking his first T20 five-for against Nottinghamshire, and has taken 12 wickets in five County Championship appearances for Somerset this summer.”We’re delighted that Kasey has chosen to join Durham, and we have been able to secure the signing of a highly talented bowling allround,” Marcus North, the club’s director of cricket, said. “At only 24, Kasey has already established great foundations in all formats of his game, and we look forward to nurturing this very exciting talent in his next stage of his career at Durham.”Somerset confirmed Aldridge’s impending departure earlier this month, with Ben Green and Josh Davey also set to leave the club. “All three players were offered contract extensions,” Andy Hurry, their director of cricket said. “However, they have taken the decision to seek enhanced playing opportunities elsewhere and we must respect that decision.”Bailey, meanwhile, is a 20-year-old seamer who has come through Gloucestershire’s pathway. Like Aldridge, he has signed a three-year deal, and will join Durham on loan for the remainder of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. “While it’s never easy to say goodbye, I’m excited about what lies ahead and will always look back on my time at Gloucestershire with pride and gratitude,” Bailey said.

Tottenham Hotspur have now entered talks to sign an “elite” new striker, with sporting director Fabio Paratici a big fan, it has been revealed.

Spurs looking to sign new striker amid Tel and Solanke concerns

Dominic Solanke has struggled on the injury front ever since his arrival at N17, with the striker suffering knee, thigh and ankle issues during the 2024-25 campaign, and he has been unable to put the problems behind him at the beginning of this season.

Solanke is set to be out of action for a prolonged period, with it emerging that Thomas Frank may not be particularly fond of the English striker, who was Ange Postecoglou’s first-choice option at centre-forward last season.

With the 28-year-old on the treatment table, Mathys Tel has led the line for Frank’s side in recent weeks, but Jamie O’Hara has not been impressed, and the former midfielder singled the Frenchman out for criticism after the 2-1 loss against Aston Villa.

As such, Tottenham are now ramping up their pursuit of a new striker, according to a report from Caught Offside, which states they have now opened talks over a deal for FC Porto star Samu Omorodion.

Paratici is a big fan of Omorodion’s versatility, and Spurs have held discussions over the possibility of an initial short-term deal with an option to buy, but the Portuguese club’s huge asking price has proven to be a major issue.

Indeed, the Liga Portugal side are set to hold out for a huge fee for the 21-year-old, with it being revealed they are unwilling to let him leave for below the €100m (£87m) release clause in the youngster’s contract.

Related Tottenham join hectic race to sign £75k-p/w star who Redknapp called "tremendous"

The Lilywhites could beat Chelsea to the deal…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Oct 26, 2025 "Elite" Omorodion could take Tottenham's attack to next level

Scout Ben Mattinson has made it clear he believes the Porto striker is able to play at a much higher level, having already established himself as a Liga Portugal star.

The three-time Spain international has made a flying start to the campaign, scoring eight goals in ten matches in all competitions, off the back of scoring 19 league goals, in what was a very impressive 2024-25 campaign.

With Tel struggling, and Richarlison finding the back of the net 23 times in 103 games for Tottenham, it would make sense for Frank’s side to bring in a new striker, and Omorodion has proven he could be a fantastic option.