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Tottenham Hotspur are now “seriously” keen on signing an “unstoppable” attacking midfielder as an “alternative” to RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, journalist Sebastien Vidal has revealed.

Spurs step up pursuit of new attacking midfielder

Tottenham will be disappointed not to have a deal for an attacking midfielder wrapped up by now, having triggered the £60m release clause in Morgan Gibbs-White’s Nottingham Forest contract, although there is a still a strong chance he ends up at N17.

That is according to Football Insider’s transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke, who said: “He was due to take a medical last week, and then Forest obviously put these hurdles up.

“Gibbs-White has had to go back to Forest to continue pre-season training this week as well, when he thought in his head he was going to be a Spurs player.

“The player has his heart set on a move to Spurs, and we expect that will happen once an agreement is made between Forest and Tottenham.”

However, the Forest star is not the only option on the shortlist, with it recently being revealed that RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons has “begun talks” to join Spurs, although there could be fierce competition for his signature, with Chelsea and Arsenal also keen.

The Lilywhites’ London rivals have also entered negotiations with Simons’ representatives, meaning it could be difficult to get a deal for the Dutchman over the line, and a perhaps more attainable target from the Premier League is also being considered.

Tottenham now very keen on signing "incredible" £50m Palmer-esque forward

Spurs are in the race for an attacker.

ByDominic Lund Jul 21, 2025

That is according to Vidal on X, who states Tottenham are “seriously eyeing Jacob Ramsey as a potential alternative to Xavi Simons”.

Ramsey is viewed as a “dynamic” and “creative” midfielder, and Spurs are “very keen” on securing his signature, but a deal is likely to be on the expensive side, given that the Aston Villa man is valued at £50m by his current employers.

"Unstoppable" Ramsey impressing at Villa

There are some signs the Villa attacker could be a solid alternative option to Simons, with Jamie Carragher singling him out for praise last season, saying: “He is a machine this fella. You see him open up his legs and run. He almost looks unstoppable.”

The 24-year-old also caught the eye in the Champions League, proving to be a constant threat in his side’s 3-0 victory against Young Boys.

That said, the Birmingham-born ace wasn’t exactly prolific in the Premier League, with Simons and Gibbs-White getting on the scoresheet much more regularly in the 2024-25 campaign.

Player

League appearances

Goals

Assists

Morgan Gibbs-White

34

7

10

Xavi Simons

25

10

7

Jacob Ramsey

29

1

5

As such, Ramsey should only be targeted if Tottenham miss out on both Gibbs-White and Simons.

“We’ve seen in the other formats what a side they can be,” Southee says of the Test against Afghanistan

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Sep-20240:43

Southee opens up on NZ cricketers refusing central contracts

The club vs country issue is beginning to hurt New Zealand, with high-profile names opting out of central contracts. As they get ready for a burst of nine Test matches in the next few months, Test captain Tim Southee acknowledged the issue, but put it down to “the changing landscape of international cricket”.He recently expressed hope that the cricket boards and the franchise leagues find a way of “working together” to resolve the issue, and ahead of New Zealand’s departure for India to play Afghanistan in a one-off Test in Greater Noida, said that his country’s board was “trying to come up with what’s best for both parties”.”There are plenty of offers out there that weren’t around years ago,” he said. “But yeah, at the moment it’s concentrate on playing for New Zealand and giving that everything at the moment.”Related

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Southee may not play all upcoming subcontinent Tests

It won’t affect the team, he said: “We’ve seen a number of guys who haven’t taken contracts, guys that are sitting on this plane with guys with contracts.”Among the players who have refused contracts in recent months are Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Milne. Of them, Williamson is in the squad for the Afghanistan Test, which will be the first of six Tests in the subcontinent (with two in Sri Lanka and three in India to follow), after which New Zealand will host England at home in November-December.”If you look at it as a whole – six Test matches in the subcontinent – it’s exciting,” Southee said. “It’s probably something we haven’t done, in my time anyway. It’s a great challenge for the side.”First up: Afghanistan.When they played each other at the T20 World Cup earlier this year, Afghanistan won by 84 runs after bowling New Zealand out for 75 in Providence.

“That part of the world, spin is going to play a big part. They’ve got some quality spinners, mixed in with some quality quicks as well. We’ve seen in other formats that’s been their strength, their bowling unit, particularly their spinners”Tim Southee

“They are still new to the red-ball format, but we’ve seen in the other formats what a side they can be,” Southee said. “Just recently in the T20 World Cup, last year in the one-day World Cup [where Afghanistan finished sixth], they are an improving side. They’ve had great success in those two formats, and I am sure as a country they want to have success in the longer format as well.”Every time we have come up against them in a world event in the last five or six years, we know they are an improving side and a dangerous side. Especially in their part of the world. We just saw them making the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, a couple of upsets last year, and the one-day World Cup as well. So we know they are a very good side in those conditions.”Six Tests in the subcontinent could well mean the quick bowlers taking a backseat at times and the spinners taking centre stage. New Zealand have a good bunch in their tournament party: there is the left-arm spin of Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner, and the offspin of Michael Bracewell, to go with the part-time offspin of Glenn Phillips. Afghanistan’s spin threat, of course, is a real one.1:14

Southee: Afghanistan ‘an improving and dangerous side’

“That part of the world, spin is going to play a big part. They’ve got some quality spinners, mixed in with some quality quicks as well,” Southee said. “We’ve seen in other formats that’s been their strength, their bowling unit, particularly their spinners. It’s going to be an exciting challenge.”[The role of the spinners] might change from venue to venue, change from India to Sri Lanka and back to India. We have the options. We have guys that can bowl spin, offspin, left-arm spin, so we’ve got a good mix, mixed in with some quality pace as well. It’s exciting for all the spinners. We were in Bangladesh last year, so as a spin bowler, I’m sure you’re looking forward to this challenge.”As for his own game, Southee acknowledged, not for the first time, that he wasn’t “at my best towards the end of the summer”. But “the body is good,” he said as a bunch of New Zealand players left Auckland for India, adding, “The cricket I have played since [the last summer] has been pretty good, so I have enjoyed a bit of a break and enjoyed a bit of the cricket as well.”The Test against Afghanistan will be played from September 9 to 13 after which New Zealand will travel to Sri Lanka before returning to India.

Aston Villa have a tricky next nine days to navigate in terms of PSR, with the deadline to balance their books looming on June 30, but that isn’t to say Unai Emery won’t be backed this summer.

NSWE and Monchi can only allow the Villans to register a £15 million loss for 2024/2025, with The Athletic calculating this as the maximum figure to avoid any PSR penalties.

£120k-a-week Aston Villa outfielder has now opened talks to join elite club

He could leave with Emiliano Martinez.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 21, 2025

As things stand, they’re projected to be over this limit and must raise cash through player sales before the start of the next football financial year on July 1.

The marquee sales of Moussa Diaby and Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabia have helped significantly, alongside their £70 million prize money from reaching the Champions League quarter-finals last season, but another big-name sale is required in the coming week (The Athletic).

Emiliano Martinez is attracting serious interest from Man United as an optional sale to bring much-needed funds to the Villa coffers, while it is reported that left-back Lucas Digne is in talks to join Atlético Madrid as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.

Much like Newcastle’s roadblock on marquee transfers due to PSR restrictions, Villa are suffering from having to comply with the limits, with top flight sides only allowed to lose £105 million over a rolling three-year period.

It makes the market all the more tricky for Emery’s side to navigate, and their failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League has come as an almighty blow both on and off the field.

Villa have to settle for the Europa League’s limited prize pool by comparison next term, with Monchi handed the extremely difficult task of both balancing the books and reinforcing Emery’s squad for another season of competing on multiple fronts.

Taking this into account, it makes links to £250,000-per-week Man United attacker Mason Mount all the more surprising.

Aston Villa could make "excellent" move for Man United ace Mason Mount

As per ex-Villa chief scout Mick Brown, in an interview with Football Insider, Emery is a fan of Chelsea’s former star and the Midlands could be a landing spot for him this summer.

Aston Villa could swoop for Mount and offer him an “excellent” move away from Old Trafford, according to Brown, and they want to help the 26-year-old re-discover his past form.

“United have tried to establish whether there is a market for Mason Mount,” Brown told Football Insider.

“Aston Villa have been spoken about and I think they could make a move. People remember Mason Mount at his best, that what Villa want to help him get back to and it looks like he’s back to full fitness now.

“His move to Man United hasn’t been positive by any means, but he’s still a talented player. Villa want to strengthen because they’ve lost Rashford and Asensio, so Mount is on their list.

“Unai Emery is a fan of his and feels he could help him to rediscover his Chelsea form. It would be an excellent move for Mount as well, because Villa are a top club, they’ve got top facilities and they’ll be playing in Europe.“

Given their financial limitations, Villa would surely need Mount to take a big cut on his marquee wages for this transfer to happen, and it would most likely be in the form of a loan deal, or perhaps a loan-to-buy.

They have also retained a host of their experienced domestic players like Russell, Pollard, Narine and Bravo

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jun-2024

Tim David had a middling IPL season•AFP/Getty Images

Trinbago Knight Riders have signed Tim David and Jason Roy for the Caribbean Premier League 2024 season. They have also retained their core of experienced West Indies stars in Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran and Dwayne Bravo.Akeal Hosein, who recently became the first spinner to register a five-wicket haul for West Indies in T20Is during their T20 World Cup 2024 game against Uganda, has also been retained by Knight Riders, along with seamers Jayden Seales and Terrance Hinds and batters Mark Deyal and Keacy Carty. TKR’s squad currently comprises 15 members and they have space to add two more in the draft in July.Fast bowlers Josh Little and Ali Khan, and left-arm wristspinner Waqar Salamkheil are the overseas players retained by Knight Riders.Related

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While this will be the first stint in the CPL for Roy, David has past experience in the tournament, having made his debut for St Lucia Kings in 2021. He was also roped in as a replacement player during CPL 2023 by Knight Riders.Last year, Knight Riders made the final having finished second in the league stage, but lost to Guyana Amazon Warriors. Knight Riders are the most successful team in the CPL, with four titles. Their last trophy, however, came in 2020. They will begin their 2024 campaign against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Basseterre on September 1.

The representatives of a “massive” striker have reached out to Tottenham Hotspur as they attempt to find their client a new landing spot, with his club now ready to sell.

Daniel Levy targeting new forward for Tottenham this summer

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is reportedly on the look-out for new attacking players this summer, even if the club may be forced to adopt a ‘sell-to-buy’ policy over the next transfer window.

Tottenham: Popular £4.2m manager now "top" Levy target after Paratici message

Spurs are serious about him as a potential replacement for Ange Postecoglou.

5 ByEmilio Galantini May 16, 2025

While uncertainty surrounds the long-term future of manager Ange Postecoglou, regardless of what happens in the Europa League final next week, the Australian could be joined out of the exit door by a string of surplus Spurs forwards.

Son Heung-min

7.05

Pedro Porro

6.98

James Maddison

6.98

Dominic Solanke

6.88

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Manor Solomon and Bryan Gil don’t appear to have a long-term future in north London, having spent the 2024/2025 campaign out on loan at Leeds United and Girona respectively, while it is also believed Richarlison could be put up for sale by Tottenham as well.

As such, Postecoglou or any new manager would need attacking reinforcements in the event all three depart Hotspur Way.

Tottenham have expressed an interest in Ipswich Town starlet Liam Delap, who will be available for just £30 million thanks to their relegation to the Championship, with Borussia Mönchengladbach striker Tim Kleindienst also on Spurs’ radar after his impressive season in the Bundesliga.

Levy is also keen to make Mathys Tel’s stay at Tottenham permanent, as per Sport Bild this week, so recruitment plans are in full flow ahead of the first summer window’s opening on June 1.

According to GiveMeSport, Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic could emerge as a target for Spurs as well, with the Serbia international out of contract in 2026 and could be available for an affordable fee this year.

Dusan Vlahovic's agents hold talks with Tottenham

Now, journalist Graeme Bailey has weighed in with an update of his own on the 25-year-old’s future.

Writing for The Boot Room, Bailey reports that Vlahovic’s agents have contacted Tottenham over a potential move to the Premier League, alongside other interested sides, and Juventus are prepared to sell him for around £25 million.

The ex-Fiorentina star hasn’t enjoyed the best second half of 2024/25, scoring just two Serie A goals this calendar year, but Vlahovic does boast 14 in all competitions with four of them coming in big Champions League games.

He can be a truly devastating centre-forward when at his very best and consistently reaches double figures in a season. However, Levy will be very keen to negotiate a salary far beneath his rumoured £320,000-per-week take-home at Juve, which would make him Tottenham’s highest-earner by miles.

“I’ve been saying it for a long time. He’s strong, massive, he fills up front, he’s a reference, he’s a ‘left-footer’ full of courage,” said ex-Juve striker Roberto Boninsegna about Vlahovic.

“A good centre-forward. I also like Retegui from Atalanta, he scores easily.”

Aston Villa may not end the 2024/25 season with a trophy, but Unai Emery could still lead them back into the Champions League courtesy of a top-five finish in the Premier League.

The Spaniard now needs to add some depth to the current Villa squad this summer, especially if they do reach the promised land once again.

Securing a permanent deal for Marcus Rashford – now out for the season through injury – and Marco Asensio could be an excellent way to start his summer business.

It is another Premier League midfielder who Emery has recently targeted, however, and this could be a game-changer.

Why Aston Villa want to sign Kevin De Bruyne

According to Sky Sports last week, Villa have held internal discussions regarding a sensational move for Kevin De Bruyne once his Man City contract expires in a few weeks.

He wouldn’t cost a penny, therefore it could be one of the best bargains of the summer should a potential move go ahead.

After 11 years at City, where he won six league titles and the Champions League, the Belgian is now looking for a new challenge.

He will be 34 by the time the 2025/26 season begins, yet according to Transfermarkt, he is still valued at €27m (£23m) after registering 13 goal involvements this term.

It’s safe to say he’s been one of the most elite playmakers we’ve ever seen in the English top-flight.

A six-time Premier League winner, a Champions League winner and the assister of 121 goals in the Premier League, few have been better when it comes to supplying chances and creating magic than the Belgian.

This is the type of quality Emery needs. Although there is someone who plays in his position that is valued nearly twice as much as the Belgian.

Aston Villa's very own De Bruyne

When Villa spent just £15m on bringing a certain Morgan Rogers to the Midlands from Middlesbrough in the 2024 winter transfer window, it was deemed a signing for the future.

Three goals and an assist in his first 13 top flight games, however, cemented Rogers as one of the finest young talents in the Premier League.

Goals

8

4

Assists

8

2

Big chances created

13

5

Key passes per game

1.3

1.3

Successful dribbles per game

1.8

1.6

This season couldn’t have gone any better for the Englishman who is now following in the footsteps of De Bruyne, creating and scoring goals aplenty while shining on the European stage too.

Across 50 matches so far, he has amassed 27 goal involvements – 14 goals and 13 assists – with seven of these coming in the continent’s premier club competition, the Champions League.

The former Man City starlet even made his England debut against Greece towards the end of 2024 and was called up for Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad for the games against Albania and Latvia.

Following his display against the latter, Glenn Hoddle hailed the midfielder as “wonderful” and his future at both club and international level looks bright indeed.

He ranks 14th for big chances created (13) and eighth for successful dribbles per game (1.8) in the Premier League this season, just rubberstamping those comparing to De Bruyne.

These displays have, unsurprisingly, seen a staggering rise in his market valuation over the previous 12 months.

As per Transfermarkt, Rogers is now valued at €50m (£43m) and this is nearly double what De Bruyne is worth at the time of writing.

If Emery does persuade the City dynamo to join Villa, hopefully it won’t be to the detriment of Rogers, who certainly has the number ten position locked down with a string of excellent performances.

Worth 330% more than Nypan: Aston Villa struck gold with "unstoppable" star

Aston Villa are reportedly closing in on a move to sign Sverre Nypan.

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 23, 2025

Double-World Cup winner and Ashes star, but Woakes’ everyman qualities were his defining trait

Matt Roller01-Oct-2025When a sportsman retires, it is only natural to focus on their successes, and in Chris Woakes’ case, there were many. He is a double world champion, playing in both the 2019 (ODI) and 2022 (T20) World Cup finals, won the Compton-Miller medal in one of his five Ashes series, and finished a 62-match Test career with a batting average over 25 and a bowling average below 30.Woakes became a stalwart for England across formats: he spearheaded the one-day attack throughout Eoin Morgan’s white-ball revolution, regularly ran through touring Test teams, and lent balance to every side he played in. His record in England is outstanding: in 39 home Tests, he took 148 wickets at 23.87, outstripping even James Anderson and Stuart Broad.Yet the response to his international retirement on Monday – he will play on in franchise and county cricket – has underscored the sense that Woakes’ lows were an essential part of his story. His everyman quality made him the most relatable England regular of his generation, and was a huge reason why he is so highly regarded by both team-mates and fans.Woakes was a brilliant all-round sportsman, earning his nickname ‘The Wizard’ when cleaning up at a darts tournament on an Under-19s tour. Yet as a cricketer, for all his qualities, his attributes were relatively unremarkable: a swing – and, later, seam – bowler who spent most of his career bowling closer to 80mph than 90mph, and a solid if unspectacular batter.Woakes claimed three wickets as England prevailed in the 2019 World Cup final•IDI via Getty ImagesHe was not blessed with the natural pace of Mark Wood, Broad’s height, or the freakish athleticism of Ben Stokes, but developed himself into one of England’s most loved players through resilience and determination. He is a rare example of a player who undoubtedly fulfilled his potential, turning his early promise into a stellar international career.There were plenty of challenges. The timing of Woakes’ career meant that he was often competing for a single spot in England’s Test team, with Anderson, Broad and Stokes all automatic selections. He suffered various injuries – an occupational hazard – and, perhaps most notably, he struggled away from home, finishing his overseas Test career with a bowling average of 48.93.Related

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He reflected on those challenges in a candid Sky interview on Tuesday. “[Fans] don’t see it all,” Woakes said. “They don’t see the tough days… the hard moments where you are struggling. It happens in sport, where we often put on a brave face but behind the scenes, within the dressing room and within hotels, there are some dark times.”Woakes also recognised the benefits that overcoming adversity had on his career: “It moulds you as a person, moulds your character. It certainly helped me, the fact that I’ve had those setbacks… There’s been highs, there’s been lows, but the lows make sure that, when you do get success and you get those rewards eventually, that means a hell of a lot more.”Inevitably, there has been a great deal of focus on Woakes’ final act as a Test cricketer since his announcement, and his decision to come out to bat with a dislocated shoulder at The Oval – in a valiant, if ultimately vain, attempt to get England over the line against India – deserves immense credit. It is a reflection on his selfless character that he saw it as his only option.Ben Stokes greets Woakes after his valiant effort at The Oval•Getty ImagesBut as the dust settles, it will be his late arrival in the 2023 Ashes that ought to be the abiding memory of Woakes’ England career. He had not played a Test match for 18 months before he was thrown into the series at 2-0 down with three to play; a month later, he was bowling England to a series-levelling victory at The Oval, finishing the series with 19 wickets at 18.15.It was trademark Woakes, a starring role made even sweeter by the adversity that had come before it. He had feared for his career when he returned from a disastrous tour of the Caribbean in early 2022 needing knee surgery, and he was consistently overlooked at Test level when he was fit enough to return.His comeback at Headingley brought six wickets and a priceless 32 not out to see England home; in Manchester, he took a first-innings five-for; at The Oval, he was named player of the match for his seven wickets, four of them on the final day. Even still, he was happy for Broad – who sealed the win in his final act as an England player – to take centre stage.It was telling that Woakes’ announcement provoked such a strong response, and Key summed up his contribution to England dressing rooms past and present by describing him as “a man who helped every team he played in, even before he walked onto the field”. It takes something special for a player to be so highly regarded by both team-mates and supporters – and Woakes was just that.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após anos na elite, o Fortaleza foi rebaixado para a Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro. Em meio às mudanças no elenco por conta da queda, cinco jogadores do clube cearense estão em fim de contrato.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFortalezaImprensa argentina reage ao rebaixamento do Fortaleza de PalermoFortaleza08/12/2025FortalezaApós cirurgia, Brítez lamenta rebaixamento do FortalezaFortaleza09/12/2025FortalezaEm fim de contrato, Yago Pikachu não fica no Fortaleza para 2026Fortaleza09/12/2025

➡️ Tudo sobre o Leão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Fortaleza

Dois dos nomes são zagueiros. Gastón Ávila está emprestado pelo Ajax-HOL e não deve ficar, visto que custaria um alto valor. O outro defensor é Lucas Gazal, que foi cedido pelo Atlético-GO nessa temporada.

Já o meio-campista Pierre foi emprestado pelo Tombense até o fim do ano. O volante chegou com uma opção de compra em seu vínculo e, após boas apresentações, é possível que o Tricolor adquira seu passe.

continua após a publicidade

➡️ Fortaleza é rebaixado e cumpre apenas uma meta em 2025

Os outros dois nomes da lista são atacantes. Yago Pikachu está de saída após 286 jogos no clube, como apurou o Lance!. No mesmo setor, Marinho também só tem contrato até o fim deste ano.

Há ainda a questão do técnico Martín Palermo, que assinou um vínculo somente para a atual temporada. Mesmo sem a renovação automática em caso de permanência, o Fortaleza deseja contar com o argentino para 2026.

continua após a publicidade

➡️ Rebaixamento interrompe marca histórica do Fortaleza na Série A

Queda interrompe marca histórica do Fortaleza

Com o rebaixamento, uma marca histórica do Fortaleza na Série A foi interrompida. Isso porque, como estava no Brasileirão desde 2019, o Tricolor permaneceu na elite por sete temporadas consecutivas. Esse é o recorde de uma equipe nordestina desde 2003, quando teve início o formato de pontos corridos.

O Leão ficou no G4 em duas oportunidades ao longo dessas sete edições. Além de frequentar a Copa Libertadores, as campanhas renderam idas à Copa Sul-Americana.

Tudo sobre

BrasileirãoFortalezaFutebol NacionalMercado da Bola

كشف الإعلامي هاني حتحوت عن كواليس حديثه مع حسام عبد المجيد، مدافع الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، بشأن مستقبله داخل القلعة البيضاء.

وترددت بعض الأنباء حول إمكانية رحيل حسام عبد المجيد عن صفوف نادي الزمالك خلال فترة الانتقالات الشتوية المقبلة.

وقال هاني حتحوت في تصريحات عبر برنامجه “الكلام المظبوط” على إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”: “التقيتُ حسام عبد المجيد برفقة أسامة فيصل ومحمود صابر، فهم من الجيل ذاته وفي المنتخب معًا، وجاءت المقابلة بالصدفة”.

طالع أيضًا | رمزي صالح: حزنت من شقيق حامد حمدان.. وهذه نصيحتي له بشأن وجهته القادمة

وتابع: “سألته عن آخر المستجدات وما يُقال في الفترة الأخيرة، فأجابني: عقدي ينتهي في الموسم المقبل وليس الحالي، وأنا مستمر في الزمالك بشكل طبيعي، ولن أغادر إلا عبر بوابة النادي”.

وأضاف: “سألته: هل أنت قريب من الرحيل؟ فأجابني: نعم، أنا قريب من الرحيل في فترة الانتقالات الشتوية، التي تبدأ خلال أيام قليلة في شهر يناير”.

واختتم: “ما علمته أن هناك عروضًا متاحة له من البرتغال وفرنسا، وأن هناك اتفاقًا مبدئيًا يقضي بأنه في حال وصول عرض مناسب، فسيتم بيعه في يناير، خاصة أن ملف تجديد عقده معقد، والزمالك لا يرغب في تكرار سيناريو زيزو مجددًا”.

Liverpool’s issues run far and wide this season, and Arne Slot’s second season is falling from a concern to a calamity. Nottingham Forest pitched up at Anfield on Saturday and won 3-0. That’s six defeats from seven Premier League matches for the champions.

The fact that Liverpool produced a confident and front-footed performance for the first half-hour, before Murillo pounced after a corner, is immaterial. Even the residue of the fluent and coherent and tenacious spine has deserted Slot’s side.

Things can change quickly in football, but on the basis of the current evidence, Liverpool will struggle to secure a place in next season’s Champions League, let alone challenge high-flying Arsenal for the title.

Change is needed, a strange thing to say given the Reds’ record-breaking summer of spending. But with such glaring tactical problems, it feels likely that FSG will authorise a signing or two this winter.

Liverpool search for winter signings

With Ibrahima Konate so horribly out of sorts and free to talk to overseas suitors in January, out of contract at the end of the season, there is an understandable anxiety about Liverpool’s defensive depth, let alone the stability of the backline.

This club’s reputation as masterful strategists has disintegrated over the past few months. The squeals of delight from rival fans are loud, and it goes without saying that it’s crucial that sporting director Richard Hughes gets it right if dipping back into the market come January.

Liverpool need a centre-back, sure, but that’s not the extent of their issues, with Slot actually hinting in the past week that his club’s transfer arm may extend in a different direction.

Well, according to Spanish sources, Liverpool are preparing to launch a statement bid for Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, who has been earmarked as an alternative to Antoine Semenyo, admired by FSG and with a £65m release clause that becomes active in January.

Liverpool might have broken the British transfer record on Alexander Isak this summer, but they are now looking to smash that once again with a deal for the French winger, who is valued at €200m (about £177m).

Change is needed at Anfield, and with Olise added to the fold, the intensity and sparkle that have been so sorely lacking may be rekindled.

What Olise would bring to Liverpool

Liverpool have been lacking something out wide this season, and a large part of that has been the failure to effectively replace Luis Diaz.

Diaz, sold to Bayern Munich this summer, was so dynamic and dangerous, and in his new teammate Olise, Liverpool could restore that style of wide forward to their set-up.

Olise has been described as “easily a top-five right winger in the world” by analyst Ben Mattinson, and with the need for a Mohamed Salah replacement intensifying, this could be the perfect move to go for, the Les Bleus star only continuing to go from strength to strength.

Whether Liverpool opt for the cheaper route in signing Semenyo remains to be seen, but this would be a statement, and Olise has proven his capacity to succeed in different systems and different areas.

Of course, there is a big difference between playing for Bournemouth and starring for Bayern Munich. The Cherries are an attractive and impressive outfit, but they lack the offensive freedom of Die Roten at the peak of the Bundesliga.

Michael Olise vs Antoine Semenyo (League Stats 25/26)
Stats (per 90)	Olise	Semenyo
Goals scored	0.63	0.55
Assists	0.63	0.27
Shots taken	4.62	1.91
Shot-creating actions	6.82	3.28
Touches (att pen)	7.55	3.64
Pass completion (%)	81.6	69.4
Progressive passes	6.40	3.55
Progressive carries	5.45	3.19
Successful take-ons	2.31	1.91
Ball recoveries	4.72	5.28
Tackles + interceptions	1.36	1.82
Data via FBref

Olise would be able to transfer his elite-level experience back over to the Premier League, where he has played so spectacularly before, and provide Slot’s side with creative and physical upgrades, echoing Semenyo’s skills in that regard.

But he would also give Liverpool the Diaz-like presence they have missed since the summer. The Colombian’s energy and core strength made him a fearsome Premier League winger, and with 17 goals and eight assists across all competitions last term, he was instrumental in propping up Slot’s reputation.

Podcast host Ryan Dilks said five years ago that Olise was a “superstar in waiting”, destined for the top, and now that has been put into practice, with the 23-year-old in his second season at Bayern and currently boasting nine goals and ten assists across 18 matches in all competitions this season.

It cannot be understated how much of a detrimental effect Diaz’s sale has had on Liverpool’s form and fluency this season. Olise would fix that. As per Sofascore, he has won 4.4 duels per game in the Bundesliga this season. His final season in the Premier League with Palace? Olise averaged 5.7 duels per match.

Liverpool are crying out for this kind of winger, and while Semenyo would add qualities that the club need, Olise is equally tenacious and physical, and he’s far superior from a technical standpoint and proven as one of the game’s most prolific wide forwards around.

Liverpool have slipped and slid into a morass of their own making. There are many circumstances surrounding this current crisis, but Slot is making many questionable tactical decisions and the players themselves have lost every shred of confidence and work-rate, two fixed points of the Dutch coach’s successful first season in charge.

It’s clear that there isn’t enough width and energy down the flanks, and so Olise could be the perfect Semenyo alternative to replace Salah by handing back to Merseyside a bit of Diaz-esque flair.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 24, 2025