تحدث ييس توروب، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، عن المواجهة المرتقبة أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا في بطولة كأس السوبر المصري، والمقرر إقامتها غدًا الخميس في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة.
وقال ييس توروب في تصريحاته خلال المؤتمر الصحفي: “هذه هي المرة الأولى لي في المشاركة ببطولة كأس السوبر، لقد حضرت عدة معسكرات من قبل في الإمارات، وأتمنى أن تكون هذه البطولة هي الأولى لي مع الأهلي، لم آتِ لأتحدث عن المباريات السابقة، وقد قلت بعد المباراة الماضية إنني أتعلم دائمًا من مباراة لأخرى، وأنا حريص على تطوير الأداء، ودائمًا أتطلع إلى الخطوة المقبلة، وأضع نصب عيني الوصول إلى النهائي”.
وتابع: “إمام عاشور ومحمد شريف يتدربان بشكل جيد من أجل العودة، ولديهما رغبة كبيرة في المشاركة بالمباريات، شاركا في مران الأمس وسيشاركان اليوم أيضًا، وسننظر إلى أدائهما، ونحن ننتظرهما”.
طالع أيضًا | والد أشرف داري يوضح لـ “بطولات” موقفه من الرحيل عن الأهلي
وأضاف: “متشوق جدًا لمشاهدة الجماهير في الملعب، وأتمنى أن يشجعوا اللاعبين بكل حرارة من أجل تحقيق الانتصار، لقد شاهدت الجماهير في مباريات سابقة، لكن بالتأكيد أتطلع لمشاهدتهم هنا في الإمارات”.
وواصل: “الهجوم يُحقق لي الفوز في المباريات، لكن الدفاع الجيد هو الذي يُحقق الألقاب، أنا دائمًا أعمل على التنظيم الدفاعي والتماسك بين الخطوط، فكلما حافظنا على شباكنا نظيفة، زادت فرصنا في الفوز، نعمل بالطبع على الجانب الهجومي، لكن الجانب الدفاعي بالنسبة لي في غاية الأهمية ونركز عليه كثيرًا”.
واختتم: “في المباراة الماضية، صنعنا 21 محاولة على المرمى مقابل محاولة واحدة فقط لفريق المصري، هذا المثال يوضح كيف نعمل على الجانبين الدفاعي والهجومي، صحيح أننا افتقدنا تسجيل الأهداف، لكننا نعمل على حل هذه المشكلة، وهذا يؤكد أننا نركز على تطوير الأداء في كلا الجانبين”.
It was San Francisco Unicorns’ fourth win in four games, and Texas Super Kings’ first defeat in MLC 2025
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jun-2025
Finn Allen and Matthew Short gave Unicorns 83 runs in the powerplay•Sportzpics for MLC
Faf du Plessis slammed a 51-ball 100, but he had to do it alone, pretty much, for Texas Super Kings. That was the difference between Super Kings and San Francisco Unicorns on the day, since Unicorns had two men doing it, doing it at well over a-run-a-ball, and doing it for long enough. The quick half-centuries Matthew Short and Finn Allen hit were not only enough to take Unicorns over the line in a chase of 199, but get there with 23 balls in hand. The win kept them at the top of the MLC 2025 table with four wins in four, with Super Kings one spot below after their first loss.Super Kings were asked to bat, and du Plessis had two big partnerships for the first two wickets, but he had to contribute exactly 100 runs to those, which added up to 166. In the first stand, of 97, Devon Conway was unusually slow, scoring 23 in 23. In the second, worth 69, Saiteja Mukkamalla did better than Conway had, contributing 38 to du Plessis’ 30, though they went at roughly the same strike rate.To make matters worse for Super Kings, Mukkamalla, du Plessis and Marcus Stoinis fell in an eight-ball spell to Xavier Bartlett and Haris Rauf, and that derailed them at a point when they looked good to top 200.Faf du Plessis did most of the scoring for Texas Super Kings while he was around•Sportzpics for MLC
Du Plessis, though, was supreme in getting his first fifty-plus score since April 29, when he hit 62 in 45 balls for Delhi Capitals against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025. There were six fours and seven sixes in his innings as he scored at a strike rate of exactly 200 before being dismissed.But even if Super Kings had crossed 200, it’s unlikely Allen and Short would have cared.Allen barely got any of the strike in the first three overs as Short sped off the blocks, getting to 33 in 16 balls even as Allen was 1 off 2. After that, though, it was a different story. Over four, five and six went for 10, 23 and 15, and Unicorns were 83 for no loss after the powerplay and Allen was 34 off 16 to Short’s 46 off 21.The runs kept coming, and the half-centuries too, as the two took the total to 117 before being separated when Short holed out off Daryl Mitchell for a 29-ball 61. Allen was on 52 at that point in the ninth over, and batted on to score 78 in 35. When he was dismissed, by the impressive Adam Milne, Unicorns were just 30 runs away with 7.4 overs to go. Jake Fraser-McGurk took care of most of those with a 25-ball 37.
انتقد حلمي طولان المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر المشارك في كأس العرب، تضارب مواعيد معسكر إعداده قبل المشاركة في البطولة الدولية مع مباريات الدوري المصري.
وتلعب بطولة كأس العرب في الفترة من 1 حتى 18 ديسمبر المقبل، ويقع منتخب مصر في المجموعة الثالثة، التي تضم كلاً من، الأردن والإمارات والفائز من (الكويت ضد موريتانيا).
وقال حلمي طولان في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة ام بي سي مصر: “الأزمة تتصعب أكثر، وواضح جدًا إن في عدم احترام وعدم اهتمام من رابطة الأندية بمنتخب مصر المشارك في كأس العرب، المفروض يتم مراعاة هذا المنتخب لأنه يمثل مصر، والدوريات في العالم كلها بتتعمل لخدمة المنتخبات، فالأولوية لازم تكون لهم”.
وأكمل: “لا يجوز لعب بطولة كأس العرب يوم 2 ديسمبر والرابطة محددة مباريات للأهلي والزمالك يوم 25 و26 نوفمبر، وأنا أرسلت برنامج المنتخب وتمت الموافقة عليه من الرابطة، ثم تراجعوا عن كلامهم”.
خاص | منتخب مصر الثاني يخوض وديتين قويتين قبل كأس العرب
وأوضح: “أنا لست صغيرًا لا من الناحية الفنية ولا من حيث العمر، وإذا لم يُنفذ ما تم الاتفاق عليه فسأنسحب، لأنني لا أقبل الإهانة من أي جهة، كنت متفائلًا بالعمل مع هذه المجموعة، لكنني لم أذهب لأتعرض للإهانة”.
وأتم: “منتخب مصر يواجه أزمة كبيرة في ملاعب التدريب، فالملاعب الفرعية في استاد القاهرة مؤجرة لرجال أعمال يملكون أندية في الدوري، وعندما أذهب للتدريب يُطلب مني دفع مقابل مالي، رغم أننا نمثل مصر في البطولة”.
O Palmeiras encara o Deportivo Pereira nesta quarta-feira (23), na Colômbia, em jogo válido pela ida das quartas de finais da Libertadores 2023.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasNotíciasComo foram os últimos jogos do Palmeiras na Libertadores?Notícias22/08/2023PalmeirasCinco pontos de atenção que o Palmeiras precisa ter com o Deportivo Pereira na LibertadoresPalmeiras22/08/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras goleia o Atlético de Madrid em torneio sub-17 no México, e goleiro comemora: ‘Impusemos nosso jogo’Palmeiras21/08/2023
+ Veja tabela e classificação da Libertadores-2023 clicando aqui
Grande surpresa entre os oito melhores do continente em 2023, o time de Pereira tem um elenco modesto e que vale muito menos do que muitos clubes que disputaram a atual edição da competição continental.
+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!
Segundo o site ‘Transfermarket’, o elenco do Deportivo Pereira somado hoje está avaliado em 12,95 milhões de euros, cerca de quase 70 milhões de reais na cotação atual.
continua após a publicidade
Já o do Palmeiras, um dos mais valiosos do Brasil e da América Latina, vale um pouco mais de 12 vezes o valor da modesta equipe colombiana.
O time de Abel Ferreira está avaliado em 162,8 milhões de euros, o que daria cerca de 875 milhões de reais na cotação atual.
+ Cinco pontos de atenção que o Palmeiras precisa ter com o Deportivo Pereira na Libertadores
Somente em termos de comparação, Endrick, o jogador mais caro do atual elenco do Verdão, vale duas vezes mais do que todo o elenco do Deportivo Pereira.
Apesar da grande diferença de jogadores e de estrutura, o Verdão precisa de muita concentração para não ser surpreendido pelo time do técnico Alejandro Restrepo.
continua após a publicidade
No início desta temporada, o Palmeiras sofreu uma lição importante que pode ser muito bem comparada com o duelo desta quarta-feira pela Libertadores.
+ 24 anos depois, Palmeiras encara um colombiano em mata-mata de Libertadores
Na final do Paulsitão 2023, o Palmeiras encarou o modesto Água Santa, e com uma folha salarial 22 vezes maior do que o time de Diadema, acabou sendo derrotado por 2 a 1 no primeiro jogo da decisão. Por competência do alviverde imponente, a segunda decisão foi uma goleada por 4 a 0 e o Verdão ficou com o bicampeonato Estadual.
Deportivo Pereira e Palmeiras se enfrentam nesta quarta-feira (23), a partir das 21h30 (horário de Brasília), e o jogo terá transmissão da Rede Globo e dos Canais ESPN.
Ben Charlesworth sparks Kent collapse but hosts need steady hand to reach target of 162
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay19-May-2025
Cameron Green’s fifty saw his side over the line•Jacob Hurry
Cameron Green held his nerve to steer Gloucestershire to a hard-earned three-wicket victory over Kent on the final day of a thrilling Rothesay County Championship Division Two match at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.Set a modest 162 to win in a minimum 57 overs, the home side made heavy weather of the chase as they were reduced to 57 for 4 and 138 for 7, Nathan Gilchrist claiming 4 for 43 to threaten an unlikely Kent comeback. But Australia international Green performed admirably under pressure to post a crucial match-winning innings of 67 not out from 90 balls, including a six and six fours, as the hosts dug in to reach their target with 13.5 overs to spare.Ben Charlesworth had earlier produced a startling cameo with the ball to set up Gloucestershire’s first home win in nearly three years. Regarded as an occasional bowler after being restricted by injury in recent times, the right arm seamer took three wickets in a devastating 14-ball burst as Kent were dismissed for 253 inside 89 overs in their second innings.Chris Benjamin and Grant Stewart appeared to be making a decent fist of saving the game when staging a half century partnership for the fifth wicket, only for the latter to fall to Charlesworth shortly before lunch and spark a collapse in which the visitors lost their last five wickets for 20 runs in 10.5 overs.This was Gloucestershire’s first home win in 16 attempts since beating Warwickshire at Bristol in September 2022 and this first victory of the season was greeted with glee by long-suffering supporters. The home side banked 24 points to climb the table, while Kent took six after suffering a second defeat in as many outings.Resuming on 135 for 4, a slender lead of 43, Kent batters Benjamin and Jack Leaning extended their defiant partnership to 82 in the face of a probing examination from Gloucestershire’s seamers, who bowled well as a unit to build pressure.Imaginative in his field settings, Gloucestershire skipper Cameron Bancroft deployed a short midwicket and invited a mistake. Leaning fell into the trap, attempting to force a ball from Josh Shaw into the on side and looping a catch up to Ollie Price to afford Gloucestershire the breakthrough they craved. He had contributed a patient 34 from 86 balls and frustrated the home bowlers for best part of an hour on the final morning.Ahead by 88, Kent were now pinning their hopes on Stewart and Benjamin mustering a repeat of the huge partnership that formed the basis of their first-innings total on day one. Benjamin upheld his end of the bargain, going to a watchful half-century from 129 deliveries. Rather more robust in his approach, Stewart played his natural game, taking on the seamers and scoring 41 at better than a run a ball to dominate a progressive stand of 53.That was the cue for Bancroft to throw the ball to Charlesworth, who effected a crucial double breakthrough shortly before lunch. Stewart’s high-risk strategy backfired, the Italy international dragging the ball on to his stumps, and when Charlesworth bowled Jaydn Denly for 5 soon afterwards, Kent were 241 for 7, and in trouble. The lead was 149, but the new ball was two overs away and Gloucestershire sensed an opportunity.Before even the new ball could be taken, Charlesworth made a further intervention, inducing Jake Ball to send a leading edge to point where a full-length Miles Hammond took a startling catch on the run to reduce the visitors to 243 for 8. Having previously sent down a mere 33 overs and taken three wickets at an average of 47.3 this season, the 24-year-old allrounder had doubled his tally in the space of six overs from the Ashley Down Road end to utterly transform his team’s prospects.The rout continued after Gloucestershire took the new ball, Ajeet Singh Dale dismissing Kashif Ali lbw for three on his way to career-best match figures of 9 for 179, eclipsing the 7 for 41 he took against Worcestershire at New Road in April 2023. Benjamin was last man out, edging Tom Price to second slip after chiseling 58 from 149 balls.If Gloucestershire believed the route to victory would be straightforward, they were made to think again, losing both openers inside three overs. Pushing half forward to a length ball from Gilchrist, Charlesworth was brilliantly caught by Leaning at second slip, while Ball produced an excellent delivery to have Bancroft caught behind as the hosts slipped to 12 for 2. Gilchrist then held a return catch off his own bowling after squaring up Ollie Price to further reduce Gloucestershire to 37 for 3.It was 57 for 4 soon afterwards, Hammond inexplicably playing at a wide delivery from Stewart and nicking off to Tawanda Muyeye at first slip for 18. Their nerves jangling, Gloucestershire then received a crucial let-off when the diving Leaning put down a sharp chance at second slip off the bowling of Kashif, affording Green a life on 3. Gloucestershire managed to reach the tea interval without further loss on 65 for 4, requiring 97 more to win in 38 overs.A period of stability was called for and Green and James Bracey calmed any nerves, raising a 50 partnership from 58 deliveries, and then accelerating as the ball softened and Kent’s bowlers wavered. Making good his earlier escape, Green hoisted Kashif over midwicket for an imposing six and mustered five fours on his way to a 71-ball half century.But Kent still fancied their chances when Gilchrist returned to take two wickets in as many balls, Bracey holing out to deep midwicket for 19 and Graeme van Buuren offering a catch behind to bag a pair as Gloucestershire slipped to 121 for 6 with 41 still needed. Tom Price pursued a ball down the leg side and was caught behind off the bowling of Stewart to set-up a tense finale, but the indomitable Green and Zaman Akhter carried the home side over the line.
Tottenham are planning fresh negotiations with Bayern Munich after one player has made it clear he wants to seal a North London move in 2026.
Tottenham face Leeds United after Bodo/Glimt draw
Spurs boss Thomas Frank is now 10 matches into his tenure and there have been some fairly promising signs for the Dane, although they’ve been made to work very hard to salvage some games against lesser sides.
"I've heard" – Pundit suggests Tottenham could move for Lucas Bergvall-like starlet
The Swede has been a revelation.
ByEmilio Galantini Oct 1, 2025
The Lilywhites were extremely fortunate at best to come away from the Arctic Circle with a 2-2 draw against Bodo/Glimt in their last outing. A quick-fire brace just after half-time from Jens Petter Hauge very nearly made Tuesday night one to forget for Frank, who watched his side be dominated by the Norwegian minnows for extended periods.
Luckily for the Spurs boss, captain-elect Micky van de Ven was on hand to head home a delightful Pedro Porro cross and grab a goal back just minutes after Hauge’s second, before a dramatic late own goal from Jostein Gundersen spared Frank’s blushes.
Thomas Frank’s managerial record at Tottenham so far
Stats
Matches
10
Wins
5
Draws
3
Losses
2
Points
15
Points per game
1.80
Tottenham’s came back from a losing position to earn a result for the third time this season, despite not being at their very best, which is in itself an encouraging sign — as all the best teams in Europe display this level of grit when required.
That being said, supporters will be hoping for much more convincing overall displays moving forward, and critics certainly weren’t impressed by what Spurs had to offer in Norway.
Next up, Frank’s side travel to Leeds United for what is a tough clash at Elland Road, with all three promoted sides from last season thus far showing they won’t be canon fodder like in the previous two campaigns.
Summer loan signing Joao Palhinha will likely play a key role after his excellent start to life at N17, and reports suggest that the Portugal international is very keen on remaining there beyond 25/26.
The former Fulham star was insistent that a buy option was to be included when Tottenham negotiated the deal with Bayern (Ben Jacobs), and he’s now attempting to play his way into the club’s long-term plans.
Tottenham plot fresh Bayern Munich talks with Joao Palhinha clear he wants 2026 move
Palhinha’s man of the match display away to Man City in August, his last-gasp equaliser against Wolves last weekend and an overhead kick at home to Doncaster Rovers tell just half the story.
The 30-year-old is forming an excellent partnership with Rodrigo Bentancur, who’s just signed a new contract, in the middle of the park — with Palhinha seriously impressing on-lookers as ex-chairman Daniel Levy’s best signing of the summer so far.
Resultingly, as things stand, it appears very likely at this point that Tottenham could choose to activate his £27 million buyout clause.
That being said, according to reliable journalist Ben Jacobs for GiveMeSport, technical director Johan Lange and the Spurs recruitment team might not actually trigger the clause.
Instead, Tottenham are considering re-opening talks with Bayern over new terms for Palhinha to try and get a cheaper deal, with that seen as a distinct possibility.
Joao Palhinha’s only season at Bayern Munich
Stats
Appearances
25
Goals
0
Assists
0
Bookings
2
Red cards
1
Minutes played
986
via Transfermarkt
The former Sporting Lisbon star has made it clear behind-the-scenes that he’d prefer to stay in London beyond this season, as per GMS, while reports in Germany suggest that Bayern are hoping that Tottenham do sign Palhinha permanently.
A deal is definitely there to be done, but it’s unclear whether Bayern would let him leave for less considering Palhinha’s top form right now.
Talks over the£135,000-per-weekstar may not be the only bit of business Tottenham do with Vincent Kompany's side, either. Tottenham could re-sign Harry Kane next year
Spurs legend Harry Kane has a £54 million release clause in his deal which becomes active next summer, and his former club also possess first refusal rights in talks (The Telegraph).
The 32-year-old, if he were to go anywhere next year, would return to England, and Kane is also set to consider the possibility of a Bayern exit after the 2026 World Cup (Ben Jacobs).
This could open the door for Spurs, with it possible that both Palhinha and Kane seal moves to Tottenham next year.
While it certainly wasn’t a disaster, it would be fair to say that Arsenal’s season was something of a failure this year.
A combination of injuries, suspensions and a lack of cutting-edge coalesced to see Mikel Arteta’s side end yet another campaign without a major trophy to their name.
Yet, there were at least a few positives, most notably the continued development of Bukayo Saka.
Saka’s 24/25
Appearances
37
Minutes
2619′
Goals
12
Assists
14
Goal Involvements per Match
0.70
Minutes per Goal Involvement
100.73′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, even though he missed over three months of action with a hamstring injury, the talismanic number seven was still able to amass a sensational tally of 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 appearances.
So, fans should be seriously excited about recent reports linking the club to a Premier League star who could help the Englishman become even more unplayable next season.
Arsenal looking at big-money Premier League star
With how lacklustre the rest of Arsenal’s attacking options were this season, it’s not been a surprise to see the majority of links in recent weeks concern strikers and wingers like Benjamin Sesko and Rodrygo.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
A deal to sign the former, who produced 27 goal involvements in 45 games this season, seems to be moving closer and closer now, with reports from earlier this week claiming that an agreement has been reached on the player’s side and that an offer of between £68m to £85m will be enough to tempt RB Leipzig into selling.
Regarding Rodrygo, talks reportedly took place between the Gunners and the player’s representative last month, while reports from this week claim that a fee of around £77m could be enough to secure his services, and while that is a lot of money, it would likely be worth it, as he’s managed to 14 goals and provide 11 assists in 52 appearances for Real Madrid this term.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo
However, while both players would help alleviate some pressure on Saka in the frontline, a new creative force in midfield would surely be the best way to help boost his numbers, which is where Morgan Rogers could come in.
Yes, according to a recent report from GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal are seriously interested in the Aston Villa star.
In fact, the report has revealed that the Gunners have already made contact and inquired about the possibility of bringing the young Englishman to the Emirates this summer.
However, on top of potentially having to deal with competition from Chelsea, the North Londoners would also have to stump up a fee of around £90m to land the 22-year-old, who has five years left to run on his £75k-per-week contract at Villa Park.
It looks like it would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Rogers’ immense ability and potential, it is one worth fighting for, especially as he could help Saka become even more dangerous.
How Rogers could make Saka even better
Now, while there is likely a whole array of ways in which Rogers could help Saka to get even better, from covering for him when he needs a rest, to building an even stronger understanding of one another’s game on international duty, there is one reason more important than the rest: his output.
Morgan Rogers
For example, in 54 appearances for Villa this season, the “unstoppable” midfield maestro, as dubbed by Jamie Carragher, scored 14 goals and provided 15 assists, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.86 games.
Just imagine how many more goals the Gunners’ number seven could score next season with a number ten as effective as that behind him.
Moreover, with the Villa ace being such a goal threat in his own right, there is every chance that the Hale End icon could see his own assist tally soar as well as having more space to himself with opposition defenders having to pay more attention to the Halesowen-born “machine,” as dubbed by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell.
You can also get a good idea of just how dangerous a ten the former Middlesbrough ace is by comparing him to some of the other leading attacking midfielders in the Premier League, like Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White and the North Londoners’ own Martin Odegaard.
Rogers vs Palmer vs Gibbs-White vs Odegaard
Players
Rogers
Palmer
Gibbs-White
Odegaard
Appearances
54
47
38
45
Goals
14
15
7
6
Assists
15
12
10
12
Goal Involvements per Match
0.53
0.57
0.44
0.4
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Impressively, only the Chelsea ace does marginally better than the Claret and Blue star, but given how he is the talisman of that side, and almost all attacks seem to flow through him, that’s not much of a surprise.
Moreover, if you’re achieving numbers only marginally worse than a player as talented and highly rated as he is, that can only be a good thing.
Ollie Watkins celebrates with Morgan Rogers for Aston Villa.
Ultimately, while the focus of this summer should be on the frontline for Arsenal, they should also do what they can to sign Rogers, as he’d undoubtedly improve the midfield and help make Saka even more unplayable.
Arsenal told key Benjamin Sesko transfer condition as agent makes statement
He’s expressed what it will take for the Slovenian to leave Leipzig this summer.
Birmingham City are reportedly in talks to complete the long-term signing of a top target in their third deal of matching kind this summer.
Birmingham have to be "picky", says Davies
The Blues are preparing for life back in the Championship, following such a dominant and memorable title-winning season in League One, with the club in an exciting place currently.
Manager Chris Davies has outlined Birmingham’s approach this summer, admitting that they now need to be “picky” with signings, which hasn’t always been the case under him.
“Last season we found that we were convincing players and selling them a project. I was saying to them, ‘Look, come here and in 10 months’ time we won’t be in League One, we’ll be a Championship team’. Now they’re coming to us. A lot more are coming to us, ‘We want to be part of this’.
“You’ve got to be a bit more picky now about who you engage with. Birmingham is a club that is going somewhere and everybody wants to be at a club that’s going somewhere. A lot of people are talking about the club around the country, and internationally as well, so people want to come here. It’s important now that we make sure we pick the right ones.”
Birmingham are being linked with some exciting players, from Tommy Doyle to Demarai Gray, and now it looks as though they are looking to get another important piece of business over the line.
Birmingham in talks to sign Davies permanently
According to a new update from Birmingham World, Birmingham are in talks with Ben Davies over completing a permanent move to the club, following a successful loan stint from Rangers last season.
The Englishman only has one more year remaining on his current deal in Scotland, so they may be happy to cash in on him now, with his current market value said to be £2m.
The club have already completed two deals of this kind this summer, turning the loan moves of Alfons Sampsted and Taylor Gardner-Hickman into permanent signings.
In Davies’ case, the former Liverpool defender made 35 appearances in League One overall, 32 of which were starts, and he averaged 6.2 clearances and 4.1 aerial duel wins per game en route to the Blues comfortably securing promotion to the Championship.
Ben Davies’ 2024/25 stats in League One
Total
Appearances
35
Starts
32
Minutes played
2959
Clearances per game
6.2
Aerial duel wins per game
4.1
Tackles per game
1.1
Goals
1
Assists
1
Now 29, Davies is a hugely experienced head who could be a great squad option for Birmingham, with Klopp speaking fondly of him after he arrived at Liverpool in a shock deal in January 2021.
“He’s a really good footballer, looks like a proper leader in this Preston team, good in challenges, looks football smart, can play different positions because he played in a back three and a back four and all these things. That makes him really interesting so I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
After Kyogo: Birmingham want to sign new ST who's better than Stansfield
Birmingham are interested in signing a forward who would be even better than Jay Stansfield.
1 ByDan Emery Jun 26, 2025
There are few negatives to Birmingham snapping up Davies this summer, and if he performs like he did last season, the Blues’ hopes of a good campaign will be improved instantly.
After agreeing a deal worth over £17m to sign Fer Lopez from Celta Vigo, with a medical now scheduled, Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly submitted a bid to sign another impressive star.
Wolves on course to sign Fer Lopez
Having lost both Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri to both Manchester clubs, Wolves were always likely to spring into action in the transfer window sooner rather than later. It’s a crucial summer for Vitor Pereira, who has the task of pushing the Midlands club into mid-table and away from the relegation zone once again in his first full season in charge.
Lopez’s arrival is a good start on that front. The 21-year-old winger is someone who is only likely to get better, but also a player who is perfectly capable of making an immediate impact. After scoring eight goals and creating another three in all competitions at Celta Vigo last season, the Spaniard will have his sights set on improving those numbers in the Premier League.
At over €20m (£17m), Wolves’ deal to sign Lopez may seem steep but they’ve still got money to spend after selling Cunha and Ait-Nouri for large fees earlier this summer. Just what they do with that money now that they’ve added Lopez is the big question.
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To that end, a number of rumours have already arrived. The likes of Robert Renan, who Pereira has worked with in the past, has been among the headlines in recent weeks but those in the Midlands have seemingly set their sights on a Ligue 1 star before anything else.
Wolves submit offer to sign striker Guessand
According to Africa Foot, Wolves have now submitted an offer to sign Evann Guessand from OGC Nice this summer. The French club reportedly value their forward at around €30m (£26m) and, whilst it is currently unknown just how much Wolves offered, that is a price tag that they should be able to afford in the coming months.
Evann Guessand in action for Nice in Ligue 1.
Like Lopez, Guessand would help to replace Cunha’s hefty output at Molineux, having scored 13 goals in all competitions for Nice last season and create another 10. Suddenly, in two transfers, Wolves could be adding 21 goals and 13 assists to their side to more than replace Cunha’s 23 goal involvements last season.
Dubbed “electric” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Guessand would represent another impressive piece of business if Wolves manage to reach an agreement with Nice this summer.
Chelsea are showcasing real ambition in the transfer market after qualifying for the Champions League next season, with the Blues looking back to manager Enzo Maresca after a successful debut campaign in the dugout.
Chelsea seal Liam Delap deal with more signings identified
On Wednesday, Chelsea officially announced the arrival of striker Liam Delap, who joins in a £30 million deal from Ipswich Town.
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Delap, who scored 12 league goals for the Tractor Boys last season, but couldn’t save them from relegation, will wear the number nine shirt and becomes eligible to take part in the Club World Cup later this month.
Liam Delap’s best Premier League games for Ipswich last season
Match Rating
Ipswich Town 2-0 Chelsea
8.08
Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich Town
8.05
Ipswich Town 2-2 Aston Villa
8.04
Ipswich Town 1-2 Southampton
7.83
Fulham 2-2 Ipswich Town
7.55
via WhoScored
Chelsea can register players in time for FIFA’s competition due to a unique mini-transfer window, which is open until June 10, with Maresca having four more days to reinforce his squad ahead of the tournament.
BlueCo want one or two more new arrivals through the door before their CWC campaign kicks off, and Stamford Bridge chiefs have a number of plates spinning.
Journalist Simon Phillips claims Chelsea held fresh talks over a deal for Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato recently, with personal terms not seen as an issue considering the defender’s desire to join Maresca’s side.
Meanwhile, links continue to surround Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike, who could be their second striker signing after Delap.
As well as in attack and defence, Chelsea haven’t given up on signing AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan, who’s about to enter the final 12 months of his contract at the San Siro.
AC Milan's MikeMaignanreacts
The France international, who captained Milan last season, is valued at around £25 million by the Rossoneri, despite his contract situation. Right now, Chelsea appear unwilling to go that far, but there is a major willingness from the 29-year-old himself to make the move happen.
Mike Maignan tells AC Milan he wants to join Chelsea
According to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, backing up other reports, Maignan has informed Milan that he wants to join Chelsea.
Convincing him is no issue, with the clubs now having to find common ground when it comes to his asking price. Maresca’s side only want to pay around £10 million for the keeper as things stand (The Mail), so there are plenty of negotiations still to be had if a deal is still possible.
France's Kylian Mbappe, Jules Kounde andMikeMaignanduring the national anthems before the match
This comes after another report from the reliable Fabrizio Romano, who told GiveMeSport that Maresca has personally approved Maignan’s potential switch to west London.
With Chelsea’s manager and the keeper wanting this deal done, they’re simply waiting for club-to-club talks to reach a positive resolution.
Maignan, described as a “world-class” shot-stopper, has plenty of top-level experience – which is something lacking in Chelsea’s overall squad – and is widely regarded as one of Serie A’s top keepers.