This summer looks set to be a massive one for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta told us as much in April, and considering his side finished a distant second place to Liverpool in the Premier League this season, it’s not hard to see why.

However, on top of bringing in some truly game-changing attackers to help push the club over the finish line at home and in the Champions League, the Gunners need to address other areas of the team.

For example, while Martin Zubimendi looks set to join, the midfield could still do with more rejuvenation, and based on recent reports, that might happen as the club circle an up-and-coming talent who could send Thomas Partey packing.

Arsenal transfer news

For some time this season, it looked as if Thomas Partey would be thanked for his service and allowed to leave at the expiration of his contract this month.

Transfer Focus

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

However, on April 23rd, The Athletic’s David Ornstein broke the news that talks had begun over a new deal that could see the former Atlético Madrid star remain in North London for two or more years.

Since then, there have been a few updates on the talks, but nothing definitive either way.

Interestingly, while talks are still going on, the club have now been linked to an exciting midfield talent who could be an ideal replacement for the 32-year-old: Lucien Agoumé.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal are now very interested in the Sevilla star.

In fact, the report claims that Arteta, in particular, wants the club to sign the Frenchman, who has caught the eye of Manchester United as well.

A potential price is not mentioned in the report, but considering the £17k-per-week ace joined the Spanish side for €4m – £3.4m – last summer, there is a chance he wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Even so, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Agoumé, as he looks incredibly promising and someone who could make resigning Partey unnecessary.

How Agoumé compares to Partey

So then, if Arsenal are looking to sign Agoumé this summer and as a potential replacement for Partey, how do the pair stack up to one another?

Well, as they are both primarily defensive midfielders by trade, the best way to see what’s what is to take a look under the hood and compare their underlying numbers.

Interestingly, and perhaps somewhat surprisingly, it’s the Sevilla gem, who talent scout Jacek Kulig described as a “10 out of 10 talent” who comes out on top when we do this.

Agoumé vs Partey
Statistics per 90	Agoumé	Partey
Non-Penalty G+As	0.16	0.14
Progressive Carries	1.23	1.20
Progressive Passes	5.74	5.41
Passing Accuracy	81.5%	87.2%
Key Passes	1.15	0.68
Passes into the Final Third	5.36	5.24
Passes into the Penalty Area	0.81	1.02
Crosses into the Penalty Area	0.13	0.10
Shot-Creating Actions	2.55	2.00
Goal-Creating Actions	0.21	0.37
Tackles	2.98	2.63
Blocks	1.28	0.98
Interceptions	1.69	1.11
Clearances	1.79	1.56
Errors Leading to a Shot	0.00	0.12
Ball Recoveries	5.79	4.41
Aerial Duels Won	1.79	0.85
Aerial Duel Win %	51.2%	46.7%
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 Season

Now, while the Gunners’ star does better in some areas, such as passing accuracy, passes into the penalty area and goal-creating actions per 90, he is a distant second in practically every other relevant statistic.

For example, the former Inter Milan gem comes out on top in things such as non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, tackles, blocks, interceptions, clearances, key passes, ball recoveries and many, many more, all per 90.

On top of all of that, the Yaoundé-born star also has a far better injury record, having missed just 16 games for club and country across his entire career.

In stark contrast, the Odumase Krobo-born titan has missed 81 games for club and country since the start of the 20/21 campaign.

Ultimately, Partey has been a great player for Arsenal and could well contribute for another year or two, but if there is an opportunity to sign Agoumé, the club have to take it, as he looks like the perfect midfielder to come in and replace the 32-year-old.

He's just like Saka: £68m winger is Tognozzi's dream target for Arsenal

The exciting wonderkid would be a superb addition to the Arsenal squad.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 13, 2025

It was the most expensive over Starc has ever bowled in T20Is

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jun-2024

Rohit Sharma took 29 runs off Mitchell Starc in a single over•ICC/Getty Images

2.1
Starc to Rohit Sharma, SIX runsBosh, launched up and over! Full outside off and Rohit goes for broke over cover, gets a good chunk of it. First six of the innings2.2
Starc to Rohit Sharma, SIX runsFull, wide and clattered again! Rohit has become a free spirit at the top of the batting, and he has arrived wearing long hair, beads and baggy sweats again. Scuds into the boundary cushion at cover point, just about on the full2.3
Starc to Rohit Sharma, FOUR runsSlammed down the ground now, third boundary from successive balls! Hammered off a length over mid-on2.4
Starc to Rohit Sharma, SIX runsZOMG, tonked into the crowd at deep midwicket! Pitched up, 144kph outside off but it’s basically a slot ball without much swing and Rohit ready and waiting. He was set in front of the stumps and clobbers Starc for six more over the leg side2.5
Starc to Rohit Sharma, no runWide blockhole, good response. Rohit can’t chop down in time2.6
Starc to Rohit Sharma, 1 wideGoes for the wide yorker again, 142kph. But this one slides outside the tramlines2.6
Starc to Rohit Sharma, SIX runsAnother full toss, top-edged for six more! Starc going around the park. This was angling across and Rohit just threw the plumbing, not too bothered about where it went (which was over deep third on the full)

In what could give them an early edge ahead of their opening day battle, Manchester United have now reportedly come thundering into the race to hijack Arsenal’s deal for a £20m midfield talent.

Man Utd gearing up for opening day Arsenal clash

Ruben Amorim couldn’t have asked for a much tougher start to his first full season in charge at Manchester United with the visit of Arsenal awaiting on the opening day. The Gunners will be looking to go again in pursuit of the Premier League title and end their misery at long last and whilst their first hurdle may seem routine on paper, they could yet be up against a new-look Man United side.

The Red Devils have already welcomed Matheus Cunha and are reportedly confident that they will complete a deal to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo. But they’re not done there. INEOS are looking to end this summer having made a statement of intent.

Alongside Mbeumo and Cunha, the likes of Emiliano Martinez and Hugo Ekitike could yet arrive to hand Amorim a major boost at both ends of the pitch.

It’s difficult to mention Ekitike without also mentioning top target Viktor Gyokeres, however. As Manchester United and Arsenal prepare to square off on the opening day, it is the Gunners who could land the early advantage by signing the Sporting Club star amid reports that he prefers a move to the Emirates rather than Old Trafford in the coming months.

As talented as Ekitike is, Gyokeres would undoubtedly transform Manchester United’s frontline. Alas, all signs are now pointing towards North London for the Swede who could be set to instead take Arsenal’s attack to a whole new level.

That may not be the last we see of Arsenal and United’s transfer battle, however, with both sides now reportedly jostling to sign another talented target before they meet in August.

Man Utd blistering into Agoume race

According to TeamTalk, Manchester United are now blistering into the race to sign Lucien Agoume in a move that could see INEOS hijack Arsenal’s move to sign the midfielder.

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If there were any concerns that the Frenchman could be out of United’s price range, then Sevilla’s financial troubles should instantly put those to bed. As the Spanish club look to raise funds, Agoume could reportedly be available for just £20m this summer.

Praised for his “incisive” passing ability by analyst Ben Mattinson, Agoume may yet have the chance to showcase that trait in English football next season. The 23-year-old is reportedly keen to join a Premier League side which should hand Manchester United and Arsenal a major boost.

It’s certainly an exciting time to be an Evertonian, something that very much has not always been the case in recent decades.

David Moyes’ men concluded the last campaign with three successive victories, thereby finishing 13th, the perfect way to wave goodbye to Goodison and commence the club’s new era.

From this season, the Toffees will now call the Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock home, their first-ever Premier League fixture there coming up against Brighton & Hove Albion on the weekend of 23 August.

Ahead of the new campaign, Everton have been busy in the transfer market, so are they about to land another key target?

Everton's search for reinforcements

So far this summer, both Abdoulaye Doucouré and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have departed following the expiration of their contracts; the duo made a combined 439 appearances for the Blues.

In better news, star centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a new five-year contract, while centre-forward Thierno Barro is set to arrive from Villarreal for a reported £30m.

Now, according to Mick Brown of Football Insider, Everton are interested in signing Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City this summer.

The Nigerian is available for as little as £9m, thanks to a ‘release clause’ which was activated following the Foxes’ relegation back to the EFL Championship.

Transfer Focus

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

Thus, he adds that Ndidi will definitely be on the move this summer, claiming many ‘top clubs across Europe’ are monitoring the situation, but Moyes is ‘prepared to rival other interested clubs for his signature’.

A deal could even be done for just £5m, according to GIVEMESPORT, who report that both the Toffees and Manchester United have started ‘working’ on a deal.

So, could the 28-year-old swap the East Midlands for Merseyside?

How Wilfred Ndidi would improve Everton

At the peak of his powers, Ndidi was extremely highly rated, with Adrian Clarke of the Premier League labelling him the division’s ‘most effective all-round holding midfielder’, adding that his ‘greatest strength is his uncomplicated style’.

This led to mass speculation that he would move to one of the country’s biggest clubs, Arsenal and Man United purportedly amongst those chasing his signature at the peak of his powers, but the Nigerian has remained loyal to Leicester, making over 300 appearances for the Foxes to date.

He’s represented the club in all three major UEFA competitions, as well as the EFL Championship, but, following yet another relegation, is seemingly pushing for a move.

So, how does he compare to the man he could be replacing in Everton’s midfield, namely Doucouré?

Appearances

28

33

Minutes

2,337

2,577

Goals

Zero

3

Assists

5

2

All statistics below are on a per-90 basis.

Shots

0.8

0.7

Chances created

0.7

1

Attempted passes

38.7

30.6

Forward passes

10.5

7.1

Passing accuracy %

82.35%

82.74%

Duels contested

13.8

10

Duels won

6.9

3.8

Ground duel success %

49.36%

36.67%

Tackles

3.3

1.7

Interceptions

1.2

0.4

Touches

57

43

As the table outlines, pretty much across the board, Ndidi’s statistics are more impressive than those of Doucouré.

The Mali international did score three goals last season, to the Nigerian’s zero, and created 0.3 more chances per-90, but that’s about all he has going for him.

Ndidi comes out on top in terms of shots, despite being deployed a lot deeper in midfield, as well as passes, duels, tackles, interceptions and touches, which is ultra-impressive, considering he was playing for a largely hopeless Leicester side.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labelled him “an absolute beast”, while Mak Pakhei of Total Football Analysis describes him as ‘physically strong’ and a duel-winning monster, noting that he was one of Leicester’s ‘most crucial players’ when they were regularly finishing in the top five and won the FA Cup in 2021.

So, if Everton are able to convince him to move to Merseyside, for around £5m-£9m, Ndidi would represent an absolute bargain.

Everton hold advanced talks to sign "superb" free agent in bargain deal

The Toffees have stepped things up…

ByTom Cunningham Jul 5, 2025

Arsenal have a massive season ahead of them.

After all, they finished second in the Premier League for the third time on the bounce last season, and there is only so much time Mikel Arteta will have to bring the glory days back to the Emirates.

The good news is that the board seem intent on giving him all the help they can in the transfer window this summer, with a host of brilliant players already touted for a move to N5, like Eberechi Eze.

However, if recent reports are to be believed, Arsenal are now closing in on a deal to sign an international star who would be an even more exciting addition to the team than the Englishman.

Arsenal move to sign a new goalscorer

It was last week that stories linking Arsenal to Eze began to appear, but it was over the weekend that things supposedly accelerated in a meaningful way.

Transfer Focus

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

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According to reports from Monday, the Gunners had held talks with the Crystal Palace star’s camp, and, according to Fabrizio Romano, he’s now more than open to a move to the Emirates.

The 27-year-old has a release clause in his current deal widely reported to be worth around £68m, but even at that price, he could still be worth going all out for.

Yet, it appears as if the North Londoners are now making serious progress in their attempts to sign someone who’d be an even more exciting addition: Viktor Gyokeres.

According to a recent report from Belgium, Arsenal are now in “advanced talks” with Sporting CP over the Swedish international, and feel like they are near the “final line” of the deal.

Moreover, it has been revealed that the club and player have already agreed personal terms.

A potential price is not mentioned in the report, but stories from earlier this week claimed that a fee in the region of £69m could be enough to seal the deal.

It’s a lot of money to spend on one player, but given Gyokeres’ recent record, it could prove to be more than worth it, and he could end up being a far more exciting signing than Eze.

Why Gyokeres would be more exciting than Eze

While there are so many different things to enjoy in football, from a well-timed tackle to a wonderful ball over the top, there is one thing that excites fans more than anything else: goals.

When it really comes down to it, what supporters want to see above all else is their team putting the ball in the back of the net, and when it comes to that, there seem to be few, if any, better than Gyokeres.

It’s this reason why his arrival would be more thrilling than Eze’s, as he’s been a lean, mean goalscoring machine over the last two years.

Gyokeres’ recent form

Season

23/24

24/25

Appearances

50

52

Minutes

4169′

4248′

Goals

43

54

Assists

15

13

Goal Involvements per Match

1.16

1.28

Minutes per Goal Involvement

71.87′

63.40′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, in his first campaign with Sporting, the “ball-striking monster,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored 43 goals and provided 15 assists in 50 appearances, totalling 4169 minutes, which comes out to an average of 1.16 goal involvements every game, or one every 71.87 minutes.

Then, somehow, he managed to do even better last season, scoring 54 goals and providing 13 assists in 52 appearances, totalling 4248 minutes, which comes out to a simply sensational average of 1.28 goal involvements per game, or one every 63.40 minutes.

In contrast, Eze has scored 48 goals and provided 28 assists in the 167 appearances he’s made for Crystal Palace since joining them in 2020.

Ultimately, it is a little simplistic, but sometimes football can be an extraordinarily simple game, and based on the sheer weight of goals he’s scored in recent seasons, we can’t imagine many, if any, players being a more exciting signing for Arsenal than Gyokeres would be.

Related £60m Madueke upgrade: Arsenal eyeing "one of the fastest players in the PL"

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Sunderland are looking to potentially hijack a move for an attacking star in the summer transfer window, according to a new transfer claim.

Le Bris excited about Sunderland signing Sadiki

The Black Cats have completed the signing of Noah Sadiki, with the midfielder arriving at the Stadium of Light on a five-year deal from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

Regis Le Bris is clearly in positive spirits about an exciting piece of business for Sunderland ahead of their imminent return to the Premier League next month, assessing the capture of the 20-year-old.

It’s now a case of Sunderland building on the signing of Sadiki and bringing in more signings before the current window slams shut at the end of August, and a promising new update has now emerged regarding their transfer situation.

Sunderland pushing to hijack £17.2m signing

According to Foot Mercato, Sunderland are in the mix to sign Lens midfielder Neil El Aynaoui this summer, with the 24-year-old valued at more than €20m (£17.2m) by the French club.

Breaking: Sunderland agree quick-fire deal to sign exciting £20m winger

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ByTom Cunningham Jul 5, 2025

The Black Cats are joined by a host of top clubs in the tussle to snap him up, as they look to steal him from under the noses of the likes of Roma, Juventus and AC Milan.

El Aynaoui could immediately improve Sunderland as a team if they managed to get a deal over the line, adding quality in the middle of the park, as highlighted by the calibre of clubs interested in him.

The midfielder is a one-cap Morocco Under-23 international, while journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter has described him as a “highly-talented” footballer, so he would be a signing of real intent.

It is clearly going to be tricky for Sunderland to sign El Aynaoui, given the level of interest in him from some of the biggest clubs in Italy, but they are now back in the Premier League, which is a major attraction for so many players around the world.

Hopefully, Le Bris can sell him the idea of moving to the Stadium of Light, being a key starter instead of a potential cog in the machine elsewhere, as he looks to give his side the best possible chance of survival next season.

كشف المدير الفني لـ منتخب فلسطين، إيهاب أبو جزر، عن غياب 7 لاعبين عن مواجهة ماليزيا الودية بسبب الإصابات.

ويلتقي منتخب فلسطين، مع منتخب ماليزيا غدًا الإثنين على استاد السلطان إبراهيم في مدينة جوهر بحرو الماليزية.

طالع.. خالد الغندور يرد على سخرية سيد عبد الحفيظ: تعلمت الاحترام في بيت المستشار

وأعلن أبو جزر، غياب المهاجم عدي الدباغ إلى جانب ستة لاعبين آخرين عن المباراة الودية أمام ماليزيا.

وأشار أبو جزر في المؤتمر الصحفي الذي عقد اليوم الأحد أن غياب الدباغ جاء بداعي الإصابة، دون كشف أي تفاصيل، لكنه أوضح أن الإصابات التي تعرض لها هؤلاء اللاعبين تعود في معظمها إلى شد عضلي ناجم عن قصر فترة الإعداد للموسم الجديد أو بسبب مشاكل في فترة الراحة.

ويغيب عن فلسطين 7 لاعبين وهم، عدي الدباغ وعميد محاجنة، وعميد صوافطة، وأسد حملاوي، ومحمد حبوس، ومحمد صالح، وأوغسطين منصور.

وقال مدرب فلسطين: “المباراة ستكون فرصة لتجربة لاعبين جدد والوقوف على مستوياتهم، في إطار التحضير لتصفيات كأس العرب وكأس آسيا 2027”.

وأفاد: “المنتخب يمر بمرحلة إحلال وتجديد، وانضم لنا قرابة 10 لاعبين جدد في الأشهر الماضية، ما ساهم في خفض معدل أعمار الفريق بشكل ملحوظ”.

ويلعب الدباغ في صفوف الزمالك، حيث انضم إلى الأبيض خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الماضية.

Tottenham Hotspur’s frontline has impressed throughout the 2024/25 campaign, posting some impressive figures despite their lowly Premier League standing.

The Lilywhites posted a total of 64 league goals in their 38 outings – an average of 1.68 per game, with only six teams in the division scoring more throughout the same period.

Brennan Johnson finished as the club’s top scorer with 11 goals, securing an impressive turnaround after criticism from the supporters led to the Welsh international deactivating his social media accounts.

His £47.5m switch from Nottingham Forest was seen as a huge investment, but given his goal in the Europa League final, it now looks to be money well spent by the hierarchy.

They have the opportunity to land another deal of that magnitude this summer, with new boss Thomas Frank undoubtedly needing funds to transform the squad ahead of 2025/26.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Over the last couple of weeks, new attackers have been on Spurs’ radar, as the hierarchy look to further boost the options currently available in the final third.

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has constantly been touted as a potential option for the club, with the Lilywhites in a battle with Manchester United for the Ghanaian’s signature.

However, another name has been mentioned over the last couple of days, with Brentford’s Yoane Wissa also on the club’s radar, according to The Guardian.

They report that the hierarchy have held internal talks over a move for the DR Congo international, who netted 19 league goals in 35 appearances under Frank this campaign.

It also states that they could face competition from Nottingham Forest, after Nuno Espírito Santo’s side once again entered the race after having a £22m bid rejected back in January.

Why Wissa would be a better signing than Mbeumo for Spurs

After the arrival of Frank from Brentford last week, it’s no surprise to see some of the Dane’s former players linked with a move to North London during the off-season.

Alongside Wissa, winger Bryan Mbeumo has also been mentioned as a potential target, unsurprisingly so given his 20-goal season for the Bees in 2024/25.

The Cameroonian has been one of the most dangerous attackers this season, being one of only five players in the division who have achieved such a feat.

However, Frank will face stiff competition from Manchester United for the 25-year-old’s signature this window, with the London outfit demanding a fee in the region of £70m to part ways with him this summer.

Such a fee seems a little steep, with any pending arrival taking playing time off top scorer Johnson, which could be a controversial decision given his form this campaign.

As a result, Wissa would be a better addition, with the “unbelievable” forward, as labelled by Frank, offering a central option – a position that has been a struggle since Harry Kane’s departure.

When comparing his stats to those of current talisman Dominic Solanke, he’s managed to outperform him in numerous key areas, showcasing the need to pursue a move for the Congolese star.

How Wissa compares to Solanke in the PL (2024/25)
Statistcis (per 90)	Wissa	Solanke
Games played	35	27
Goals & assists	23	12
Shot-on-target accuracy	46%	40%
Pass accuracy	77%	70%
Passes into final third	1.4	1.1
Aerials won	46%	43%
Progressive carries	1.9	1.2
Stats via FBref

He’s massively outscored the club-record signing, whilst also posting a higher shot on target rate – showcasing his clinical nature when in the final third.

The Bees star has also completed more passes and made more passes into the final third, handing the likes of Johnson to improve their own tallies in 2025/26.

His all-round quality is also reflected in his aerial success rate and progressive carries per 90, able to play as a focal point or play on the shoulder of the defender if needed.

It’s unclear how much the Bees would demand for his signature this summer, but he’s proven that he’s a top-level Premier League forward who could further improve Spurs’ fortunes.

Given his impact, the hierarchy need to look past Mbeumo and focus on Wissa, with his addition handing Frank another attacking star in his quest in North London.

Better than Semenyo: Spurs open talks to sign "one of the best wingers"

Tottenham are looking to sign a new forward this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 14, 2025

Fernando finishes with nine in the match to wrap up innings-and-204-run victory

ECB Reporters Network02-Jul-2024A six-wicket haul by Ben Coad carried Yorkshire to a crushing victory over Derbyshire by an innings and 204 runs on the third day of the Vitality County Championship match at Chesterfield.The pace bowler marked his return from a back injury by taking 6 for 30 with Sri Lankan paceman Vishwa Fernando claiming 4 for 58 to finish with 10 wickets in the match.Derbyshire were bowled out for 171 before tea with the only real resistance coming from skipper David Lloyd with 57 and Ross Whiteley who bludgeoned five sixes in his 52.Jonny Tattersall made 107 before the visitors declared on 451 for 9 leaving Derbyshire to score 375 to make Yorkshire bat again but Coad and Fernando ran through them in less than 43 overs.It was the first time Yorkshire had won back-to-back championship matches by an innings since June 2015 when they beat Nottinghamshire and Durham.The overcast conditions made it a good day for bowling but Yorkshire batted on to secure a fifth batting point and to allow Tattersall to complete his third first-class hundred.He reached three figures by steering Daryn Dupavillon behind point for his 13th four before the fall of three wickets for four runs left Yorkshire in danger of missing out on maximum bonus pointsJordan Thompson was lbw playing across the line at Luis Reece who then beat Coad’s big swing in his next over.When Tattersall pulled Dupavillon into Reece’s hands at mid-wicket, Yorkshire were still three runs short but an edge by Fernando to the third man boundary achieved their first target of the day.Derbyshire’s objective was to show some fight after the debacle of the first innings but they lost both openers without a run on the board.The first ball from Coad was in the channel forcing Mitch Wagstaff to play and Tattersall dived across to hold the edge.When Fernando trapped Reece on the crease in the next over, Derbyshire’s hopes of taking the game into the fourth day were already crumbling and by lunch, they were staring at a crushing defeat.Brooke Guest was pinned in front by another full length ball from Coad and after Lloyd pulled Fernando for six when he switched ends, the Sri Lankan struck again by trapping Wayne Madsen lbw.At lunch, Derbyshire were 57 for 4 but Lloyd showed some defiance after the interval, cutting and driving Fernando for two fours in an over before driving George Hill back down the ground on his way to a 73 ball 50.Lloyd and Aneurin Donald shared Derbyshire’s first 50 stand of the match but it ended when Donald played down the wrong line at Coad and had his off stump knocked back.Whiteley survived a sharp chance when a leading edge off Coad flew high to third slip but in his next over, he moved one away to have Lloyd caught behind.Coad completed a five wicket haul by swinging one back in to have Alex Thomson lbw and the next ball took the edge as Zak Chappell pushed forward to give Tattersall another catch.Sam Conners narrowly survived the hat-trick ball at which point Whiteley decided to go down swinging, driving Coad for a big six before dispatching Dan Moriarty for two more maximums.The left-arm spinner was driven and pulled for two more sixes in his next over but Whiteley then pulled Fernando to mid-wicket to give Yorkshire a memorable victory.

Aston Villa will have to sell players this summer in order to comply with PSR rules, as Unai Emery faces the prospect of losing some key figures in the dressing room.

As per a recent report from The Athletic, Villa can only register a loss of around £15 million for the 2024/2025 football financial year and remain in line with Premier League rules.

Aston Villa could be forced to accept £50m-plus Arsenal bid for mainstay

The Villans may reluctantly cash in for below value.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 19, 2025

Their marquee sales of Moussa Diaby and Jhon Duran have seriously assisted NSWE’s mission to comply with PSR for the year ending 2024/2025, as has their estimated £70 million earnings from reaching the Champions League quarter-finals last season, but they’re still walking a tightrope when it comes to PSR.

Villa’s president of footballing operations, Monchi, is reportedly working “around the clock” to secure a big-name exit before the June 30 cut-off date (Football Insider), with the Man United-linked Emiliano Martínez, Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana among their prime contenders to be sold.

Aston Villa's president of football operations, Monchi.

A major debate is surrounding the validity of PSR and whether these tight financial restrictions create an even bigger gap between the ‘big six’ and the rest of England, with clubs like Villa forced to actively weaken themselves just to stay within certain limits.

With Villa in such a precarious position after falling short in their bid to qualify for the Champions League next season, instead having to settle for the much less lucrative Europa League prize pool, reports they could lose goalkeeper Martinez to Old Trafford are heightening.

The Argentine mainstay is rumoured to be very keen on a move to United, and he could well be the illustrious sale made by Villa chiefs in their efforts to stay within the PSR limit.

However, there are other Emery starters who could leave prior to June 30 too, with £120,000-per-week left-back Lucas Digne attracting serious interest from La Liga.

Aston Villa defender Lucas Digne in talks to join Atlético Madrid

The 52-cap Frenchman was a firm regular under Emery last season, making 45 appearances in all competitions, even if he was in and out of the starting eleven towards the back end of 24/25.

Atlético Madrid are actively pursuing a new left-back and Digne is on Diego Simeone’s radar, with Football Insider and journalist Wayne Veysey sharing news this week that he could leave for around £10 million.

Atlético are preparing an opening bid of around £8 million for the 31-year-old, who’s out of contract next summer, but this will fall short of Monchi’s desired asking price, with Villa looking to gain as much breathing room as possible between them and the PSR axe.

Digne has opened talks to join Atletico from Villa, though, so discussions between the former Everton defender’s representatives and Simeone’s side have started.

Emery being in this situation of having to sell important players, amid their efforts to become an elite-level side, is perhaps a damning indictment of PSR and how the governing bodies need to re-assess these roadblocks.

However, at least for now, Villa will need to continue dancing around it.