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Manchester City midfielder Rodri is reportedly on Real Madrid’s radar once more, with the Spanish giants prepared to part with €150 million (£130m/$175m) in order to bring the midfielder onto their books. The Ballon d'Or winner is, however, considered to be a priceless commodity at the Etihad Stadium and the Premier League heavyweights have no intention of parting with a prized asset.

• Rodri a stunning success story for Man City

  Rodri, who was named the best player on the planet in 2024 after helping City to another domestic title and his country to European Championship glory, has been in England since 2019. The Madrid native bid farewell to his homeland at that point when severing ties with Atletico.

  The 29-year-old has, after a relatively slow start, been a stunning transfer success story for City. They spent £62.6m ($85m) on him when triggering a release clause and are aware that he is now worth at least double that. The Cityzens are, however, not about to put a price tag around Rodri’s neck as they want him to remain on their books for the foreseeable future.

  Rodri is only tied to a contract through to 2027, though, and that is keeping the likes of Real interested. They hope that a deal could be done next summer, as City cash in rather than risk losing the classy holding midfielder for nothing. According to , a huge offer is being readied in the Spanish capital.

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• AFP
  

  How much Real Madrid are willing to pay for Rodri

  It is claimed that Los Blancos would be willing to pay €150m to make Rodri another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu. That figure highlights how much Real believe the Spain international would be a crucial addition to their ranks – with long-standing interest being held.

  It has previously been claimed that Real would not pay more than €100m (£87m/$117m) for Rodri. They are now prepared to increase that offer in a bid to lure City to the negotiating table. Florentino Perez is said to believe that Rodri could reshape Madrid’s midfield for many years to come – as he fills the void created by Luka Modric and Toni Kroos’ recent departures.

• New contract? Why Man City want to avoid sale

  City, though, consider Rodri to be the man that makes them tick. Pep Guardiola has previously told : "With him, we are a better team. No doubt. If holding midfielders started getting the recognition of Erling Haaland and Kevin, we would have a problem. The holding midfielder has to never, ever be in the highlights. He has to do the job he has to do. But without him, we could not do what we are doing.

  "But the highlights have to belong to other people. The holding midfielder has to think for the rest of the team and do not expect the recognition. But internally? All team-mates and staff, they all know how important and decisive he is. Massively important for us.”

  The latest reports regarding Rodri’s future claim that City president Khaldoon Al-Mubarak is determined to keep the Spaniard in his current surroundings. Unsurprisingly, a contract extension offer is said to be in the pipeline that will increase the midfielder’s salary and bring any unwelcome exit talk to a close.

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• Getty
  

  Immediate future: Rodri recovering from another injury

  If Rodri were to indicate that he is ready for a new challenge, with a return to his roots holding plenty of obvious appeal, then City would have no choice but to listen to what Real have to say. That is not, however, a discussion that they are planning to have any time soon.

  For now, City are focused on nursing Rodri back to full health. They saw him pick up another untimely knock during a Premier League victory at Brentford. Rodri lasted just 20 minutes of that contest before being forced from the field with a muscle complaint.

  No setback has been suffered in his ongoing recovery from the ACL injury that kept him out for several months last season, with Rodri stating that he could be ready for the resumption of Premier League action on October 18 – when City face Everton – having withdrawn from the latest Spain squad in order to avoid any unnecessary risks being taken on his fitness.

Only two more sleeps are left for Sunderland supporters until the drama of the Premier League starts.

It’s been a long but exciting summer to be a follower of the Black Cats, with a mega £132m now spent on 11 brand new signings following the latest capture of Omar Alderete from Getafe, with the aim to give the Wearside outfit the best fighting chance at immediate survival.

Preparations are well underway for their opening clash against West Ham United at the Stadium of Light, with the dream outcome, of course, being a confidence-boosting victory in front of their adoring home masses.

It might not play out like that, however, with the Black Cats not done entirely with their all rampant business either, as more tweaks are potentially made to try and get the best out of a new-look side in the long-term.

Latest on Sunderland's transfer search

Le Bris will have to utilise his full squad across the 38-game marathon of a season to come.

That could result in even more purchases being signed off on, following the £10m addition of Alderete. Dominic Calvert-Lewin had reportedly been on the Sunderland radar as another body up top, before Leeds United then won his services.

Sunderland might be luckier with their advances in defence, with former Newcastle United centre-back Lloyd Kelly now on the Black Cats’ shopping list at around the £17m price range.

There is also a rising star defensively catching the newly promoted side’s eye in the form of 19-year-old Fiorentina sensation Eddy Koudiao.

Reports from Italian outlet La Nazione – via La Viola – are suggesting that the teenage centre-back is being monitored by Le Bris and Co. after impressing in pre-season for the Serie A side, with contests against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United seeing Kouadio stand out at the back.

The Frenchman might well believe he can work his magic on yet another youngster if the Italy U19 international were to relocate to Wearside shortly, with Kouadio – who was linked with a move earlier this year – becoming his next Chris Rigg-style project subsequently.

How Kouadio can become Le Bris' next Rigg

Much like Kouadio has generated plenty of hype in Florence for some time now, Rigg has been shouted about regularly among those with Stadium of Light connections as a youngster ready to burst into life at the very top.

Le Bris would get the maximum out of the versatile 18-year-old last season as promotion was triumphantly secured, with the ex-Lorient manager – who has been dubbed a “specialist” in working with the next generation according to Sky Sports’ Don Goodman – handing Rigg a weighty 47 senior opportunities.

The exciting number 11 would repay his manager’s unwavering faith by smashing home four goals and collecting one assist, with football commentator Ian Darke even declaring that he is “obviously going to play in the Premier League” mid-way through these promising exploits.

Darke has been proven right with his comments, with Rigg thankfully staying put this summer despite previous Manchester United speculation. Kouadio will be hopeful that he can receive similar glowing praise if he’s thrust into the senior spotlight at Sunderland, having shot up the age brackets at Fiorentina with ease, much like his 18-year-old counterpart at his boyhood employers.

Kouadio’s Fiorentina youth record
Position	Games	Goals + Assists
CB	71	2 + 2
RB	11	0 + 1
via Transfermarkt

Indeed, the Fiorentina U19 regular has now accumulated a mammoth 82 appearances for the Serie A giants at youth level, with his ability to play in the right-back slot, away from just being comfortable centrally, making him even more similar to Rigg, who can line up across various midfield positions if needed.

Further, Le Bris will feel somewhat more confident about chucking his new recruit into senior action when assessing how he dealt with those pre-season tests against the Red Devils and the Tricky Trees.

From 72 minutes of action combined across the two friendlies, the 19-year-old would throw himself about into duels without fear, culminating in 50% of his duels being won from four attempts, as per Sofascore.

He would only misplace two of his passes against Forest, too, with there clearly being a lot of promise in the way Kouadio conducts himself.

It will all rest on whether the Italian defender can blossom into Sunderland’s next much-talked-about starlet, away from mere hype, with the hope that he can become the club’s next Rigg down the line, as Le Bris’ expertise in this area works wonders again.

Sunderland could land their own Wirtz with move for "electric" £26m star

Regis Le Bris could soon be handed his very own Florian Wirtz at Sunderland.

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 13, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

De todas as promessas de Cotia promovidas pelo São Paulo, nenhuma viveu tanta expectativa de chegar no profissional quanto Beraldo. Pudera, o zagueiro de 19 anos foi promovido pelo ex-técnico Rogério Ceni. Mas quem pensou que ele ia jogar, logo se enganou. Foi com ele que o ex-goleiro iniciou um projeto particular com promessas da base: ficar treinando um ano na Barra Funda para que se ambiente mais e melhor. Exatos 18 jogos depois no ano, todos como titular absoluto, o plano parece ter dado certo. E o clube do Morumbi prepara uma forma de valorizar sua joia, com um gordo aumento salarial.

A informação foi divulgada inicialmente pelo portal ‘Super Esportes’ e confirmada ao LANCE! por fontes da cúpula são-paulina: a partir da semana que vem, se iniciam as discussões com o estafe de Beraldo para prorrogar o atual contrato do zagueiro, que vai até junho de 2026.

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+ Confira os clubes brasileiros com mais sócios-torcedores

A qualidade da jovem promessa são-paulina vem deixando abismados os adversários. Mas não as pessoas do cotidiano são-paulino. Mesmo só atuando quatro vezes em 2022 e sendo a sexta opção para a zaga naquela temporada, Beraldo chamava a atenção desde que estava no sub-17.

A participação na última Copa São Paulo de juniores ratificou a condição de maior promessa da base para a posição. E levou a diretoria a procurar seus representantes para assinar o primeiro contrato profissional. Isso levou a uma condição irônica. Beraldo, com contrato novo, apenas treinando, acabou superado por Luizão, que foi promovido às pressas e não tinha a mesma atenção da diretoria. Por isso acabou deixando o clube de graça no final do ano.

Seja como for, enquanto baciadas de zagueiros eram oferecidos ao São Paulo no início do ano, Ceni descartou a maioria. Beraldo poderia lhe oferecer o que queria: jogar pelo lado esquerdo e ter velocidade e impulsão para sair jogando. Com as saídas de Luizão, Miranda e Léo e as contusões de Arboleda e Diego Costa, foi o jovem quem abocanhou e segurou uma posição no time titular. Status mantido com a chegada de Dorival Júnior. E que por ora não parece ter data para terminar.

A negociação que se avizinha não será das mais simples. O estafe não quer aumentar o tempo de duração do vínculo. O Tricolor quer mais um ano. Como vai ser? Só o tempo dirá. Enquanto isso o São Paulo se blinda: vetou a participação do jogador tanto no Sul-Americano sub-20, no início do ano, quanto agora, do Mundial da categoria. Afinal, já se trata de um titular absoluto no Morumbi. Com potencial, quem sabe, para aparecer na Seleção principal.

+ Clique aqui e veja como apostar no Brasileirão

+ Confira os jogos e classificação resultados da Brasileirão-23 na tabela do LANCE!

Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis was spotted at the Emirates watching Arsenal thump Nottingham Forest 3-0. Sudeikis attended the game alongside the co-writer and co-star of the hit Apple TV comedy Brendan Hunt, better known to viewers as Lasso's right-hand man Coach Beard. Both men are presumably in London working on season four of the show, which is expected to hit screens in 2026.

• Sudeikis spotted at Emirates for Arsenal victory

  Sudeikis was spotted sporting a flat cap and an Arsenal jacket, proudly showing off the club's old badge. The Hollywood star has previously suggested an affinity for the north London club, but has also hinted at his admiration for Manchester City after appearing alongside Pep Guardiola in a season 2 episode of the Apple TV hit.

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• Watch the clip: Coach Lasso and Beard at the Emirates

• Mikel Arteta's side put on a show

  Hunt and Sudeikis were treated to an outstanding display by Mikel Arteta's men, as they consigned former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglu to a chastening defeat in his first game as Forest boss. Martin Zubimendi bagged a brace, while Viktor Gyokeres bagged his third of the season. 

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• Apple TV
  

  What we know about Ted Lasso Season 4

  Production on season 4 of Ted Lasso started earlier this summer.  The story will pick up with Ted coaching a girl's team in his native Kansas City, with familiar fan favourites including Hunt as Coach Beard overseeing the fate of AFC Richmond. While there is no confirmed release date for the new season, it is expected to drop on Apple TV in 2026.

Jackson Bird has turned back the clock, claiming seven wickets as he ripped through South Australia, paving the way for New South Wales to secure a 30-run first-innings lead by stumps on day one of their Sheffield Shield match.Bird finished with figures of 7 for 46 at Adelaide’s Karen Rolton Oval on Thursday, nagging away outside the off stump of South Australia’s batters as they were all out for 110.NSW went to stumps at 140 for 2, Nic Maddinson leading the way with 69 from 163 balls before being bowled by Lloyd Pope just before the close of play.Fellow opener Sam Konstas also looked solid for his 28, before falling lbw to Harry Conway, in his first game since missing out on Australian Test selection.But while Konstas is seen as the future of Australian cricket, Bird offered a nod to its past. The seamer will turn 38 next month, but he was at his consistent best on the opening day in Adelaide.Five batters fell edging him to the slips, while Conor McInerney also inside-edged a ball in the opening over to Konstas at short leg off the veteran.Bird’s return marked his first five-wicket haul in the Shield since March 2021, when he bagged 7 for 18 against the Blues while playing for Tasmania.”I felt reasonably good out there today,” Bird said. “But in between the wickets I got I didn’t feel like I bowled well in patches. It’s funny how cricket works.”It’s obviously nice to get some wickets, but it’s just one day. We’ve got to come back tomorrow and try and get a big lead and put some runs on the board.”Only Jake Lehmann (25), Henry Hunt (30) and Harry Nielsen (20) offered any real resistance for undefeated South Australia.But after the hosts were all out in 41.3 overs, the winless Blues looked far more composed at the crease. Konstas punched one boundary off the back foot outside off stump, and had one of the shots of the day when he drove Conway back down the ground for four.He hit four boundaries in his 28, before he was again out to a ball that nipped back into him slightly off a good length. Maddinson absorbed plenty of time at the crease before tea, and then took charge in the final session.He played two drives with flourish off Nathan McAndrew as he took 14 from one of the seamer’s overs, before smashing Conway through cover to bring up his 50.But it was a Pope ball that drifted, dripped and spun back between the left-hander’s bat and pad that bowled him, in a rare bright spot for South Australia.

After news emerged earlier this week that Nicolas Raskin’s agent has offered his signature to Real Betis, Glasgow Rangers now face the threat of losing another star man amid reports that Besiktas are preparing a second bid.

Real Betis offered Raskin move

It’s been a busy summer for Rangers so far. Having kicked things off by welcoming new ownership in the form of the 49ers before welcoming Russell Martin in the technical area, the Gers have since been busy with incomings on the pitch. So far, a total of seven fresh faces have arrived, while Oscar Cortes has also made his loan move permanent.

But it’s not all good news. As arrivals begin to settle in, Rangers could yet suffer some frustrating exit news. Already, Martin has seen the likes of Hamza Igamane flirt with the exit door at Ibrox, before his proposed move to LOSC Lille broke down, and now the new manager faces the threat of losing Raskin.

According to recent reports, the midfielder’s agent has now offered his signature to La Liga side Real Betis in a worrying sign for Rangers. As things stand, the main obstacle in the way of the Belgian’s exit remains his £8.6m valuation – one that Betis are reluctant to pay – but it seems unlikely that other potential suitors will take the same stance.

With that said, Martin is keen to keep hold of Raskin and has already shared how he wants to get the best out of his midfield star, saying: “We can get more end product out of Nico by doing a bit less.

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ByDan Emery Jul 19, 2025

“He has big character, he wants to take the ball but I think he’s had to do a lot in the previous season, whereas now we’re going to ask him to do a bit less, and when he does have to stuff, to do it with real quality, intensity and aggression. So, hopefully, we’ll be able to bring out a more impactful Nico.”

Alas, Rangers’ exit concern doesn’t end there. Reports are now claiming that the Gers could yet lose another midfielder this summer.

Rangers braced for imminent Diomande offer

According to Turkish outlet Fotomac, Besiktas are now set to submit an improved offer to sign Mohamed Diomande after Rangers rejected their opening bid worth just over £6.5m. The Turkish club are keen to complete a quickfire deal, but must first find a way to reach an agreement with the stubborn 49ers.

Losing both Raskin and Diomande would be a major blow no matter how impressive Rangers have been in the transfer market this summer.

Both played a “brilliant” role in the Gers’ 3-2 win over Celtic in March, according to Rangers Review’s Joshua Barrie, and both should be built around at the heart of Martin’s side.

Whilst they are yet to officially get their summer business underway, Nottingham Forest have reportedly set their sights on several rising talents and that includes a young Bundesliga left-back.

Nottingham Forest reject Elanga bid

As those at the City Ground push to welcome the likes of Timothy Weah and Samuel Mbangula, they also face a fight to keep hold of Anthony Elanga amid interest from Newcastle United. The Magpies reportedly formalised their interest with a bid worth £45m earlier this week only for Nottingham Forest to reject that bid without any counter as they look to keep hold of a key player.

Whether Newcastle return to the negotiation table remains to be seen, but Forest’s stance may not change anytime soon. The Tricky Trees will be desperate to enjoy a repeat of last season, if not better, when August arrives and keeping hold of players like Elanga will play a large part in matching those ambitions.

Given that Botafogo duo Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus are also reportedly on their way, it’s clear that Evangelos Marinakis is only in pursuit of boosting Nuno Espirito Santo’s attacking options rather than selling key men for profit.

Dream Elanga replacement: Nottingham Forest open talks to sign £12m winger

Nottingham Forest may lose Elanga this summer.

ByJoe Nuttall Jun 25, 2025

One player that the Greek owner will need to replace, however, is Harry Toffolo. The experienced left-back is now a free agent following the expiration of his contract at the City Ground and Forest would be wise to find a replacement.

To that end, it looks as though those in the Midlands have set their sights on young options who could challenge the likes of Neco Williams for years to come and that may see one particular Bundesliga talent arrive.

Nottingham Forest join Ullrich race

According to The Boot Room’s Graeme Bailey, Nottingham Forest have now joined the race to sign Lukas Ullrich from Borussia Monchengladbach this summer. The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in the Bundesliga last time out and has since played his part in helping Germany reach the semi-final of the U21 Euros.

The Gladbach man particularly impressed against Elliot Anderson’s England side in the group stage, providing an excellent assist as Germany ran out 2-1 winners.

Anderson received a first-hand glimpse of the type of quality that he could benefit from next season if Nottingham Forest push on with their move to sign Ullrich.

It won’t be an easy race to win, however, given that they are joined by Premier League rivals Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton in pursuit of the Bundesliga talent.

Gladbach, meanwhile, may not be keen to lose their defender who manager Geraldo Seoane has not been shy to praise. The manager told reporters when asked about Ullrich: “You can see that he’s got pace going forward and that he has a very good mentality. He’s confident, he’s active and he makes runs in behind. He brings a lot to the table playing as an attacking left-back.”

Celtic are on track to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch this week with a deal for FC Nordsjaelland winger Benjamin Nygren moving closer.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claims that the Hoops are close to agreeing a fee with the Danish side for the Sweden international, in a move that is expected to cost around £2m.

The journalist states that there is a desire from all parties to get a deal over the line and that talks are progressing well, as Brendan Rodgers looks to add another forward to his attacking arsenal.

Nygren scored 15 goals in 30 matches in the Danish Superliga during the 2024/25 campaign, as a left-footed right winger, and could compete with Nicolas Kuhn for a place in the team next season at Parkhead.

The Swedish star may not be the only winger to arrive in Glasgow before the end of the summer transfer window, though, as they are also eyeing up a left-winger.

Celtic have interest in Norwegian forward

According to the Daily Record, Brendan Rodgers wants further attacking signings on top of the pending arrival of Nygren, with a couple of left-sided forwards on the club’s radar.

Transfer Focus

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

The report claims that Norway U21 international Sondre Orjasaeter is one of the wingers being eyed up by the Scottish giants, as they look to add more quality to their frontline options.

It states that the Sarpsborg star, who is valued at £7m by his club, is a long-term target for the Scottish Premiership champions, alongside Royal Antwerp’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha.

This should be good news for the Hoops faithful because Orjasaeter would be a signing that is just as exciting as Nygren if they can get a deal over the line before the end of the window.

Why Sondre Orjasaeter is as exciting as Benjamin Nygren

Nygren is an exciting addition because of his impressive goal tally of 15 goals in 30 league games, but the 23-year-old has only provided three assists in his last 50 outings in the Superliga.

Orjasaeter may not be a winger who is going to score 15 goals in a season, which is why Nygren is particularly exciting, as he has only scored six league goals since the start of the 2024 Eliteserien campaign.

However, the Norwegian starlet offers creativity as well as a goal threat from the left flank, and is two years younger than the Swedish forward at the age of 21.

Orjasaeter has created seven ‘big chances’ and delivered two assists in seven Eliteserien outings in the 2025 campaign to date, after he caught the eye in last year’s season.

xG

4.01

Top 26%

Goals

5

Top 18%

Shots on target

30

Top 1%

Assists

5

Top 16%

xA

6.31

Top 11%

Chances created

52

Top 11%

As you can see in the table above, the 21-year-old starlet ranked very highly in the Norwegian top-flight as both a scorer and a creator of goals for his side, and was let down by wasteful finishing from his teammates.

Orjasaeter, who was dubbed a “highly valued player” by Sarpsborg sporting director Hampus Andersson, is a winger who provides a decent goal threat, but also brings the ability to consistently unlock opposition defences with his creativity.

This is why he is as exciting as Nygren, despite the disparity between their respective goal outputs, because they could both offer a lot of quality at the top end of the pitch for the Hoops, albeit in different ways.

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It is now down to the club to ensure that they get transfers over the line for both of these wingers in the coming days and weeks, to give Rodgers plenty to work with next season.

Liverpool will be under no illusions that retaining their newly won Premier League trophy will be a steep hill to climb next season, especially now that Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will leave when his contract expires in the summer.

However, Arne Slot and his squad will also be determined to break ahead of Manchester United as the most successful outfit in the history of England’s top division.

For sure, the Merseysiders are absorbing a blow in Alexander-Arnold’s departure, with his destination set to be Real Madrid, but Liverpool have overcome adversity countless times before and are gearing up for an exciting summer of spending.

Full-backs and central defenders are both needed at Anfield, but there’s no question that Slot needs a high-level centre-forward to take his project to the next level.

Darwin Nunez, sadly, isn’t cutting the mustard, paling in comparison to predecessors such as Luis Suarez and Bobby Firmino.

Darwin Nunez and the ones before

Nunez’s total transfer fee when leaving Benfica for Liverpool comes to a club-record £85m figure. This is more than Suarez (a £23m addition from Ajax), Firmino (who cost £21m in 2015) and Mohamed Salah (who joined from Roma for £34m) combined.

Sure: inflation, clauses, ifs and buts. The plain truth is that Nunez alighted on Merseyside to much fanfare and has failed to respond to the tactical demands of not one but two coaches, both illustrious Premier League champions.

After the towering achievements of central forwards such as Suarez and Firmino, Nunez always had big shoes to fill, but it’s probably fair to say he’s fallen miserably by the wayside in his efforts to succeed as Liverpool’s focal frontman.

Chance after chance after chance; miss, miss, miss. The Uruguay international has only scored 25 times in the Premier League across 92 appearances, across three years. As per Sofascore, he’s missed 53 big chances.

Darwin Nunez – Premier League Career at Liverpool
Season	Apps (starts)	Minutes	Goals	Assists
24/25	27 (8)	1,039′	5	3
23/24	36 (22)	2,045′	11	8
22/23	29 (19)	1,698′	9	3
Stats via Transfermarkt

Erling Haaland, who arrived in England in the same transfer window as Nunez, has scored 84 goals across 94 Premier League games, missing 82 big chances.

At his best, Nunez is as tenacious as a bloodhound. His unpredictability beguiles the Liverpool supporters, strikes fear into the veins of rival fans. If he doesn’t know what’s coming next, how can his opponents?

Sadly, his methods have produced infrequent results on Merseyside, and it’s a shame to say that Slot’s smoothed-out system has actually pushed Nunez back a few steps, whereas so many others have struck a chord with the Dutchman and reached new levels.

Is it any surprise he’s expected to be among the first out of the door this summer, as per Fabrizio Romano? In fact, sporting director Richard Hughes is already preparing a bid for a new phenom at number nine.

Liverpool preparing bid for new striker

Well, according to Caught Offside, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has been identified as the man for the job. Though Arsenal are said to be ‘particularly keen’ on the Slovenia international, Liverpool are warming to the idea of signing Sesko as an alternative to Isak.

While Leipzig are holding out for more, suitors have made it clear that they are willing to pay €70m (about £60m) for the 21-year-old but no more.

In fact, the report claims that the suitors, also made up of Chelsea and Manchester United, are actually preparing bids as you read these words.

Why Benjamin Sesko would be perfect for Liverpool

Nunez hasn’t grown into the complete and devastating striker Jurgen Klopp thought he saw in Benfica’s raw, thrash-metal prospect. He certainly hasn’t reached the levels of his countryman, Suarez.

No one expected the 25-year-old to hit such staggering levels, but Slot is searching for a centre-forward who can provide some of the same gusto and guile in the final third, with Suarez one of the trickiest and most dynamic forwards in the business.

Given that Firmino was never really Liverpool’s principal goalscorer and instead a sort of connective conduit who elevated Salah and Sadio Mane, only scoring 111 goals across 362 fixtures (0.31 per game), Sesko could become Liverpool’s most prolific central goalscorer since Suarez, should he make the move to Merseyside this summer.

The Slovenia international is still so young but already boasts an impressive track record in Germany, scoring 39 goals and supplying eight assists for Leipzig across 85 matches, winning this year’s DFL-Supercup.

He’s powerful, pacy and ever-improving, ranking among the top 12% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, while exceeding his xG (expected goals) haul by 0.14 goals per game.

This basically means he is driving into the danger area with consistency and making excellent use of the opportunities that fall into his path.

Analyst Ben Mattinson has also commented on the rising star’s “ridiculous” ball-striking power, so deadly when accurately channelled.

On top of all this, Sesko has scored 16 times in the Bundesliga this season while only missing 14 big chances. Detractors will point out the several chances that have gone begging this term, but the proof is in the pudding here, and he’s not yet even half-baked.

Suarez is one of the deadliest marksmen of his generation, hailed by Steven Gerrard as “the best I’ve played with.”

Transfer Focus

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

Sesko would need to shift quite the haul to reach the same lofty standard, but he’s definitely got the potential to become something special, outstripping Nunez and maybe even rivalling Suarez down the line too.

He'd be amazing with Sesko: Liverpool preparing bid for £51m "superstar"

Liverpool are hoping to make signings across a range of positions this summer.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

May 6, 2025

An analysis of expected runs and wickets, based on false shots played by batters

Kartikeya Date24-Oct-2024Rishabh Pant made 146 in 111 balls against England in India’s first innings of the Test at Edgbaston in 2022. It remains the second-quickest three-figure innings by an Indian batter in Test cricket since records for deliveries faced became available. The quickest was Mohammed Azharuddin’s 109 in 77 balls against South Africa in November 1996.How good was Pant’s innings? This is a difficult question to answer well, mostly because it is under-determined. For instance, it is not difficult to imagine that if Cheteshwar Pujara played the same 111 balls that Pant faced, he would make different choices and score a different (and almost certainly smaller) number of runs. Would Pujara be more or less likely than Pant to survive for those 111 deliveries? More generally, if the average batter made the choices that Pant made on those 111 deliveries, how many runs would result? And how many times would the average batter be dismissed, having made those choices? What are the expected runs and expected dismissals for the choices Pant made?The answer, according to the model that is described below, can be as follows.Of the 111 balls Pant faced, 73 were from right-arm quick bowlers and 38 from finger spinners. A summary of the shots Pant attempted is in the table below. xR is the expected runs for the average left-hand batter against the given bowling style when playing a specific shot.For example, Pant attempted to pull the right-arm fast-medium bowler nine times (eight of those deliveries were legal) and scored 16 runs. In the record, a left-hand batter has been dismissed 54 times in 485 false shots on the pull against the right-arm pacer. A false shot on the pull for this match-up produces 358 runs off 473 deliveries, while a successful pull shot produces 2464 (off 996). Pant played two false shots in those nine attempts. The expected wickets (xW) for those nine attempts is 0.23 (2*54/485). The expected runs (xR) figure is 18.2.Summing this up for all the shots that Pant attempted against each bowling style, and applying those to the average left-hand batter, it turns out that the average left-hand batter would have scored 97.5 runs off 111 balls and been dismissed 2.4 times, against bowlers of the type Pant faced in that innings.