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Manchester City are looking to sign a new Real Madrid star this summer who Pep Guardiola thinks could be ideal for his side.

Man City braced for summer departures

After four Premier League titles in a row, the Sky Blues haven’t had it all their own way this season and face a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Out of this year’s competition at the hands of holders Real Madrid, City’s best possible scenario between now and the end of the season will be a top-four finish and an FA Cup triumph.

Man City now racing to sign "amazing" £50m+ UCL ace who could replace Silva

Bernardo Silva is reportedly among those who could depart this summer…

ByTom Cunningham Mar 6, 2025

After an active January transfer window that saw five new players signed in Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Juma Bah, City could be busy again in the summer, this time with departures.

Iconic City star Kevin de Bruyne is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to the MLS, whereas Bernardo Silva has also reportedly agreed on personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain as City look to bring in a fee in a transfer fee of more than £40m.

Mateo Kovacic, who was brought in from Chelsea in 2023, has also been linked with a move away and is thought to be keen on the idea of joining Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid.

Therefore, midfield additions could be high on Guardiola and City’s to-do list, and it appears as if they have identified a top target to come in.

Man City make £50m+ Real Madrid star who Pep loves a top target

According to a new report from Spain, Man City have made Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga a ‘main target’ this summer.

Those at the Etihad are facing the departures of De Bruyne and Kovacic, with the Frenchman an ‘ideal option due to his versatility and ability to perform both defensive duties and participate in building the game’. It is claimed that Real Madrid are willing to sell for around €60m-€70m (£50.3m-£58m), a fee that City can ‘easily afford’.

The report also adds that Guardiola appreciates Camavinga’s ‘ability to integrate into the team’s system and his potential to form a solid duo with Rodri when he returns from his injury’.

The 22-year-old has been with Madrid since 2021 and has made 170 appearances at the Bernabeu, winning 11 honours during his time with the Spanish giants.

Capable of playing as a central or holding midfielder and even as a left-back, Camavinga came in for praise from Carlo Ancelotti last year, who said: “He’s a player with extraordinary qualities. He can play anywhere on the pitch, he’s special. He can play as a midfielder, or as a defender.”

It now looks as if a move to Manchester could be on the cards, with both clubs seemingly happy with a deal worth more than £50m, should City firm up their interest with an offer.

“It’s not a matter of what’s happening at the toss as we have struggled to get runs both in the first and the second innings”

S Sudarshanan22-Jan-2023Batting has been West Indies’ Achilles heel in women’s T20Is for some time now. Their middle-order woes have been hampering them for over the last couple of years. Since January 2021, West Indies’ middle order (Nos. 4 to 7) averages 12.12, the lowest among the Full Member teams in T20Is. In their first match of the women’s T20I tri-series against South Africa, Shemaine Campbelle, batting at No. 4, made 11 of the 24 that the middle order scored.While captain Hayley Matthews admitted it was a concern, she said that bigger contributions are needed from the top order, too.Related

Klaas four-for, Marizanne Kapp 52 give South Africa first win in tri-series

“We’re missing a lot of big players,” Matthews said after West Indies’ 44-run defeat. “People like Chinelle Henry, who we usually have in the lower middle order that are capable of hitting the ball out of the park and even Chedean Nation, who played today but just hasn’t been able to get going just yet. So yeah, it’s the same story all around.”We need to improve from the top right down to the bottom of our batting line-up in the way that we are playing at the moment. It’s pretty clear we are not being able to put big enough partnerships. At the same time we have a lot of injuries with key batters out.”Their issues are not just restricted to the middle order. Since Deandra Dottin’s shock retirement last year, West Indies have yet to zero in on an opening batter to partner Matthews. Aaliyah Alleyne, primarily a bowling allrounder, had never batted above No. 7 in T20Is but was pushed up to open in nine matches – four against New Zealand and five against England all at home before the tri-series. The combination had a best partnership of 23 and she was not picked in the XI against South Africa on Saturday.Brittney Cooper, who returned to the squad ahead of the series having last played a T20I in September 2021, opened the batting as West Indies added 32 for the opening wicket in their chase of 142. Cooper looked in fairly good touch, hitting three well-timed fours before being dismissed for 14 off 13 balls. Matthews said that West Indies are still trying to find their best combination at the top and backed Cooper to come good.”At the moment we are trying players and we’re giving players the opportunity to grab that opening spot,” Matthews said. “Britney Cooper didn’t look that bad out there today, so hopefully she’s the one that can come out there and really produce [what we need]. The [T20] World Cup is the main goal for us and we are trying out different options to see what fits best.”Sometimes as international cricket goes, it’s about digging deeper. At the same time we need to get some more runs at the top of the order. It’s not a matter of what’s happening at the toss as we have struggled to get runs both in the first and the second innings.”West Indies also are working around managing Stafanie Taylor, as she makes her return from an injury layoff. She had to retire hurt in the third ODI against New Zealand last September and is working her way to getting back on the field.”For now it’s just about the physio and medical people and the coaches managing the load with Stafanie,” Matthews said. “The T20 World Cup is the main picture for us here in South Africa and we want to try and manage her as best as possible and have her fit and ready for the World Cup.”

With new England boss Thomas Tuchel set to name his first squad since replacing interim coach, Lee Carsley, next week, there may well be a raft of Manchester City connections running through the Three Lions roster.

Indeed, the German tactician could once again call upon the likes of Phil Foden and Rico Lewis, while ex-Etihad star, Kyle Walker, will also be looking to maintain his regular role as he targets 100 caps for his country. Jack Grealish and John Stones will, however, likely miss out through injury.

Perhaps more interestingly, there may also be a wave of one-time City academy stars involved for the March internationals, with Cole Palmer the headline name, while the likes of Liam Delap and Morgan Rogers – who have scored 17 Premier League goals between them season – may also have an outside chance of inclusion after starring for Ipswich Town and Aston Villa, respectively.

There could even be a wildcard opportunity for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens to shine after his return of 15 goals and assists in Germany in 2024/25 to date, with the dazzling winger having departed City on a free transfer back in the summer of 2020.

That handful of names may well be joined by another former Man City asset, with Pep Guardiola having perhaps been left to regret another notable sale of recent times…

Man City's goalkeeping dilemma

Among the number of issues for Guardiola and co to resolve this season is in the goalkeeping department, with the time perhaps having come to acquire a suitable, long-term replacement for Ederson in the sticks.

The unique Brazilian – who has remarkably recorded three Premier League assists this season – had lost his place to teammate Stefan Ortega earlier in the campaign, although has managed to wrestle back his starting berth of late, having started five of the last six top-flight games.

That said, the former Benfica man hasn’t exactly enjoyed a smooth recall to the side, having notably been branded “nowhere near enough” by CBS pundit Jamie Carragher, following the 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid last month.

As Carragher stated following the 31-year-old’s costly errors in that Etihad loss, it is now “at the stage with Man City where they need a new goalkeeper”, particularly with Ederson’s contract set to expire next year.

Ortega has largely been an able deputy, yet the German ‘keeper is even older than his teammate at 32, while having also endured a mixed spell of his own, after scoring an own goal in the narrow victory over Leyton Orient.

With all that in mind – and with reports in recent weeks suggesting that City may splash the cash to sign £62m-rated Porto stopper, Diogo Costa – Guardiola may well regret selling another bright young English talent who could well have walked into the current team.

Man City already sold the perfect Ederson replacement

Ederson may have been off the boil of late, yet it is worth remembering that this is a player who has helped Guardiola’s side sweep all before them over the past eight years or so, with the Citizens having undoubtedly struck a bargain with their £35m capture of the left-footer.

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That said, there may be a tinge of frustration that a better succession plan has not been put in place at the Etihad, outside of signing an ageing Ortega as a backup.

Indeed, there may be those – with hindsight on side – who believe that Burnley number one, James Trafford, should have been kept on board, with the 22-year-old now shining in England’s second tier.

Stat (per 90)

Ederson

Trafford

Goals against

1.22

0.27

Shots on target against

3.61

2.24

Save percentage

69.2%

87.8%

Clean sheets

0.28

0.73

Clean sheet percentage

27.8%

72.7%

Save percentage (penalties)

N/A

100%

Passes attempted

34.5

34.5

Passes completed (launched)

3.22

3.39

Pass completion

86.6%

73.6%

Crosses stopped

0.50

0.52

Tipped to potentially join the likes of Palmer in Tuchel’s England set-up, the former City academy graduate – who joined the Clarets on a £15m deal in 2023 – has been integral to Scott Parker’s promotion-chasing side this season.

The 6 foot 6 stopper has racked up a ridiculous haul of 12 successive clean sheets in the Championship, while conceding just nine times in total in the division in 2024/25.

Such form has led to notable praise from his manager, with Parker stating back in January:

Also tipped to be “world-class” by ex-teammate, Palmer, Trafford was memorably the hero at the U21 European Championship in 2023, having saved a 96th minute penalty to steer the Young Lions to victory.

Of course, the Burnley ace did endure a difficult season last term in the top-flight, after conceding 62 goals in just 28 outings, yet his form this time around has not gone unnoticed, with Newcastle United seemingly showing serious interest.

Amid those links with the Magpies, the belief is that Trafford is worth around £30m, thus marking a 100% increase in relation to his £15m fee from almost two years ago.

If recent signs are anything to go by, that valuation will soar even higher, with City left to regret not holding on to yet another big English talent would could well have walked into the current starting lineup.

Savio upgrade: Man City may regret selling 'the best winger in the world'

Man City might rue selling a player who has shone for his current club since leaving.

ByRoss Kilvington Mar 3, 2025

The England defender scored the only goal of the game at the City Ground to seal a place back at Europe's top table

Chelsea will be playing Champions League football next season after Levi Colwill scored the only goal of the game in a tense, cagey clash with Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League season.

Both clubs knew they had to win to have a chance of a top-five berth, although Chelsea's task was somewhat easier, given they were not relying on results elsewhere, and Enzo Maresca's men got the job done to confirm a fourth-placed finish, even if it was hardly a classic at the City Ground.

A tight first-half did not throw up a clear goal-scoring opportunity until the 43rd minute, and it fell to the hosts, but Chris Wood could only fire over the bar from close-range after Ola Aina's fine delivery. Four minutes into the second half, though, Chelsea had the lead. A scramble in the box saw the ball fall to Pedro Neto, and he sent it towards Colwill, who tapped in at the back post.

Despite the intense pressure on both sides, or perhaps because of it, the game was reduced once more to a midfield battle in the second half, which suited the Blues, given their narrow advantage.

Wood did have a huge chance to level in injury-time, but he scooped his effort over the crossbar, as the Blues, not the hosts, won the golden ticket into Europe's elite club competition.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from the City Ground…

AFPGoalkeeper & Defence

Robert Sanchez (6/10):

Surprisingly, given the stakes involved in the game, he didn't have an awful lot to do.

Reece James (6/10):

Played a reserved role at full-back but was rarely beaten down his side and kept possession ticking when it came to him.

Tosin Adarabioyo (7/10):

Got caught when he stepped out in the first half. Grew into the game and dominated aerially, which is no mean feat against Wood.

Levi Colwill (8/10):

Fine finish at the back post to give Chelsea the lead. Easily the most important goal he will score for the Blues, and a fine defensive display too.

Marc Cucurella (7/10):

Wasn't as adventurous as usual, likely due to Forest's pace on the flanks, but gave Elanga next to nothing to work with, and that was his main task.

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Enzo Fernandez (5/10):

Not as economical in possession as he can be and Chelsea struggled for rhythm in their build-up as a result. A frustrating afternoon.

Moises Caicedo (7/10):

Fortunate to avoid a yellow card for a late challenge on Gibbs-White in the first half. Busy throughout, mopping up well in the No.6 position.

Getty Images SportAttack

Noni Madueke (7/10):

Some purposeful dribbles. Mucked in defensively too in a hard-working performance prior to his sub.

Cole Palmer (6/10):

Mostly peripheral but he always carries such a threat. Interchanged with Neto throughout.

Pedro Neto (6/10):

Regularly swapped positions with Palmer, as they each took turns leading the line. Hooked a chance over the bar on the half-hour mark but looked lively.

Jadon Sancho (3/10):

Completely anonymous until he was subbed for Lavia. Performances like this won't keep him at Stamford Bridge.

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Getty Images SportSubs & Manager

Romeo Lavia (6/10):

On for Sancho. One wild effort went over the bar.

Malo Gusto (6/10):

A second-half sub for Neto. Went into a back five as Chelsea ran down the clock.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (6/10):

On for Madueke with five minutes to go.

Enzo Maresca (8/10):

A fine defensive performance was the bedrock of this win. Maresca may not have instructed his side to play expansively, but they got over the line at Forest's expense. Mission accomplished.

New Zealand keep semi-final hopes alive but need Bangladesh to beat South Africa

Andrew Fidel Fernando19-Feb-2023New Zealand thumped Sri Lanka so severely in each team’s last match of the group stage, in Paarl, that they nullified the terrific start Sri Lanka had to the tournament, and gave themselves a chance of qualifying for the next stage, despite their own underperformance in their first two games.By claiming a 102-run victory, set up by terrific half-centuries from Amelia Kerr, who hit 66 off 48, and Suzie Bates, who made 56 off 49, New Zealand easily eclipsed Sri Lanka’s net run rate (NRR). Both teams have four points, but Sri Lanka’s NRR now finishes at a woeful -1.46; New Zealand’s is 0.138, although that won’t be enough if hosts South Africa beat Bangladesh on Tuesday.But Sri Lanka are out of the competition, despite having delivered an upset to South Africa to start their tournament, before also beating Bangladesh. They have never made it out of the group stage in a T20 World Cup.New Zealand’s 162 for 3 was made possible by Sri Lanka’s repeated fielding mistakes – at least two dropped catches, and as many missed run out chances. But it was not an unattainable score, until Sri Lanka’s top order crashed and burned in the space of 4.5 overs – the first five wickets going down for the addition of 13 runs.The collapse rolled on, and Sri Lanka were all out for 60 inside 16 overs. Seamer Achini Kulasuriya, who appeared to badly injure her shoulder while delivering her third over, could not bat.Kerr and Bates dominateBates and Kerr’s 110-run second-wicket partnership, which came off 83 deliveries, was the centrepiece of their victory. Bates had been the quieter of New Zealand’s openers in the powerplay, letting Bernadine Bezuidenhout create the early momentum with her 32 off 20 balls. But in the company of Kerr, she began to settle into a substantial innings. She struck Kavisha Dilhari for consecutive fours – one through deep third, the other through deep midwicket – in the ninth over, and appeared particularly at home at the crease.Kerr, meanwhile, seemed comfortable from the outset. She struck her third ball – from the experienced Inoka Ranaweera – to the boundary, and breezed her way through the middle overs, venturing only the occasional boundary on a pitch not particularly suited for big runs. At the end of the 14th over, she was 31 off 29, and then began to attack more seriously, finding frequent boundaries in front of square, as she muscled the Sri Lanka bowlers through the leg side with particular relish.They were both dismissed in the final over, but despite not having hit a six between them, had inflicted sufficient damage.Sri Lanka’s woeful fieldingSri Lanka should have had Bezuidenhout out for 7 when she had been stranded mid-pitch in the third over. But Kulasuriya’s throw from backward square leg was wayward and wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani could not collect.Bezuidenhout should have been out two overs later too, for 19, had Harshitha Samarawickrama held a catch at deep midwicket, off the bowling of Malsha Shehani. But she let the straightforward chance slip through her fingers.Bates was also a benefactor of Sri Lanka’s fielding largesse. She was dropped on 37 by Nilakshi de Silva – a skied chance to mid-on going down. Then in the 16th over, on 41, she could have been out again, had either the fielder at midwicket or the bowler who collected the ball made more accurate throws.But what pressure the Sri Lanka bowlers did create did not translate into wickets on account of their fielding.Catastrophic collapse costs SLAlthough New Zealand had made more runs than they ought to on a difficult surface, a target of 163 was not completely beyond Sri Lanka, particularly if their openers got going. Neither did. Sri Lanka struck only one boundary in the powerplay, as Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe, and Eden Carson delivered tight early overs.And once the wickets started to fall, they went rapidly. Harshitha was caught in the outfield at deep midwicket, trying to slog her first boundary after a frustrating start. Vishmi Gunaratne was out next over, when Bates completed a spectacular catch running back from mid-on. De Silva had her leg stump rattled by a Jess Kerr yorker.And when captain Athapaththu was out for 19 in the seventh over, lbw on review against a straighter delivery from Amelia Kerr, Sri Lanka were always going to struggle.Had they made in to 123, they could still have finished ahead of New Zealand on NRR and given themselves some chance of qualifying for the semi-finals. But Sri Lanka’s middle order had not produced significant runs even in their wins. And here, they fell rapidly.

Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford has reportedly received a boost in his chances of joining Barcelona this summer.

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Rashford likely to leave Man UtdHas offer to join Aston Villa for £40mReceives boost over dream Barca moveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Sport states that Rashford's agent had a meeting with Barcelona sporting director Deco at a hotel in the city and took a photo together on Wednesday. They add that his chances of joining this year's La Liga champions have increased as a result of this coming together, with manager Hansi Flick and the club's hierarchy impressed by his 'extreme motivation' to join them.

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Rashford does not appear to have a future at United, and after impressing on loan at Aston Villa, the 27-year-old's options are looking a bit more promising. But United will still want to sell him for £40 million ($53.9m) this summer, and that may put off cash-strapped Barca, unless they make some big player sales.

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The England international, whose lucrative contract at Old Trafford runs until 2028, scored four goals and bagged six assists in 17 appearances for Villa, before his season was cut short by injury.

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As Rashford continues his injury rehab, speculation is likely to increase about a United exit – especially with the summer transfer window just days away from opening.

Manchester City are preparing to sell a player Pep Guardiola recently hailed as “important” this summer, with talks over a move to Atletico Madrid already underway, according to a new report.

Manchester City drop points again against Brighton

Manchester City are struggling again, with Guardiola’s men now having won just two of their last six games in the Premier League.

Their most recent setback came at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend, with the two sides playing out a 2-2 draw at The Etihad.

10x ball lost, 50% duels lost: 6/10 Man City man is now Pep's new Zinchenko

Following Man City’s underwhelming 2-2 draw with Brighton on Saturday, Pep faces another conundrum with a full-back compared to Zinchenko.

ByBen Gray Mar 15, 2025

The slip up means City, who are fifth, now just nine games left to try and qualify for next season’s Champions League. Miss out, and it will mark the first time the Sky Blues haven’t qualified for European football’s elite competition for the first time since the 2009/10 season.

“Nine games, nine finals. It looks like it [will go down to the last day],” Guardiola said after his side’s draw with Brighton. “Nine games still until the end of the season. We have tough games.”

Guardiola also expressed his sympathies for a number of his players who were not involved in the game.

“All the managers around the world, they make the decision,” he explained. “They select the XI it’s because they believe it’s going to win the game. I never found a manager, never ever, that selects 11 players and thinks they are going to lose.”

“Next game we will see who will play, the way we are going to play and with who we are going to play. I feel so sorry for all the players that don’t play. What can I say?”

Man City preparing to sell Kovacic

One player who wasn’t involved against Brighton was midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

The Croatian has often been used as a stand-in for the injured Rodri this term, with Guardiola recently hailing his role in the squad as “important,” but has been dropped to the bench in recent weeks, with January signing Nico González taking his place.

According to TEAMtalk, Man City have now cleared the way for Kovacic to leave the club at the end of the season, with talks about a return to Spain already underway.

The publication reports that the former Real Madrid man has been attracting interest from Atletico Madrid, with the club having already established contact with the player and initiated preliminary discussions with City through indirect channels.

Mateo Kovacic Premier League Stats 2024/25

Games

24

Starts

19

Goals

4

Assists

1

Chances Created

26

Pass Accuracy

93.1%

Stats via FotMob. (Correct as of 17/3/25)

The report states that City are open to selling Kovacic, who turns 31 in May, and would be willing to accept a fee of around €30 million (£25.2 million) for his services.

Atletico, meanwhile, are likely to have to part ways with some players of their own to facilitate Kovacic’s arrival in the summer.

Opener scores second hundred of season as teams shake hands on draw

ECB Reporters Network30-Apr-2023An impressive, unbeaten first century on his home ground from Leicestershire’s Rishi Patel brought pleasant compensation to spectators who witnessed their side’s LV=Insurance County Championship match with Glamorgan fizzle out as a draw on the final day.Patel, 24, whose potential has excited the coaching staff at Grace Road since his move from Essex in 2020, seems now to be realising it. This was his second hundred in three matches after breaking his duck by driving his team to an epic victory over Yorkshire at Headingley three weeks ago.He played superbly, rarely making an error let alone offering a chance, hitting 18 fours and three sixes in his career-best 134 not out before Leicestershire declared their second innings on 252 for 3, most of them coming cleanly off the bat as he picked off boundaries all round the wicket.His captain, Lewis Hill, was unlucky not to join him on three figures, dragging one on to his stumps for 82 having never looked in any trouble, the two sharing a 203-run partnership for the second wicket.Earlier, Glamorgan had extended their overnight lead from 39 to 58 in losing their last two first-innings wickets as they were all out for 465, Chris Cooke the final man to depart after hitting 132. Veteran Leicestershire seamer Chris Wright finished with 5 for 89.Bottom of the table last season, Leicestershire are beginning to look like a team with promotion potential this year, having topped 400 first-innings runs in all three Championship matches played so far and compiling seven partnerships of 100 runs or more in those games, compared with nine in total in the 2022 campaign.Cooke’s century for the visitors followed his unbeaten 191 in the corresponding fixture last season, when his contribution was somewhat overshadowed by Sam Northeast’s epic 410 not out in Glamorgan’s record 795 for 5 declared. It was a match that was arguably the nadir of a desperate Leicestershire season as they lost by an innings despite themselves making 584 in their first innings.This time, in the lead rather than supporting role, Cooke lost his middle stump making room to swing hard as Wright completed a five-wicket haul for the first time since September 2021.Two overs earlier, Andrew Salter had departed in unfortunate and uncomfortable circumstances, a ball from Wright jagging back to strike him somewhere around his protective box and rolling on to the stumps as he dropped to his haunches.Having been 155 for 5, Glamorgan will have felt well satisfied that their second five wickets had put on double that runs tally. Doing so had taken so long, however, on top of overs lost earlier to the weather, that there was little prospect of fashioning a positive result.Glamorgan’s only hope was that they could bowl Leicestershire out in around 50 of the 87 overs still to play and give themselves a modest target in such time that remained. Michael Neser gave them an encouraging start, having opener Sol Budinger out for a single when he prodded at one outside off stump and gave David Lloyd the simplest of catches at first slip.Yet such optimism as that wicket might have stirred was tempered in the next over as Patel pounced on a leg-side delivery from Timm van der Gugten with such timing and vigour that the ball sailed out of the ground and into Milligan Road, coming to rest under a parked van. He followed up with a crisp drive through cover for four.It was an indication of what was to come as Patel picked up boundaries all round the ground. He hammered 18 in one over off Salter soon after lunch, back-to-back swept fours taking him to 51 from 74 balls with nine fours and a six, which he celebrated with another six down the ground off the offspinner, followed by a clip for four through midwicket.Salter recovered well and with Neser taking over from van der Gugten at the Bennett End the flow of runs was temporarily stemmed. But Patel got going again when Marnus Labuschagne replaced Salter, reverse sweeping the Australian to the fence to go to 98 before driving Jamie McIlroy’s medium pace through mid-off to complete a hundred off 137 balls, containing 17 fours and two sixties.Hill went past fifty off 91 balls soon afterwards as Leicestershire’s lead topped 100 with very little doing for any of the bowlers under high cloud.The Leicestershire skipper must have had an eye on his second century of the season but missed out, falling just before tea on 82 as his counterpart Lloyd picked up a first wicket in the second innings, to which he added a second when Colin Ackermann holed out to deep midwicket soon after tea, before the teams shook hands on the inevitable draw at 4.50pm.

Arsenal are now racing to sign an “exciting” £21m player in the summer transfer window, alongside a number of their Premier League rivals, according to a report.

Gunners gearing up for busy summer

As we approach the business end of the Premier League season, it is looking increasingly likely that Mikel Arteta’s side will finish in second place for the third season on the spin, with injury issues doing the manager absolutely no favours.

With that in mind, Arteta has set out to bring in more depth in the summer transfer window, and one position in which he is currently lacking options is striker, with the likes of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres being targeted to fill the gap.

Bukayo Saka’s absence has also exposed the need to bring in new wide options, and the Gunners are now racing to sign Ademola Lookman, while Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Zubimendi are among the targets in central midfield.

Arsenal could now look to hijack Man City move for "world-class" £54m star

The Gunners have joined their Premier League rivals in the race for a defender.

ByDominic Lund Mar 25, 2025

One position which may be viewed as less of a priority is goalkeeper, but with Neto set to return to AFC Bournemouth at the end of the campaign, Arteta may be tasked with bringing in a new back-up option between the sticks.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are now racing a number of their Premier League rivals for Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens, with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Newcastle United also in the picture.

Lammens has caught the eye this season, given his impressive distribution of the ball and presence in the penalty area, with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain also placing him on their shortlist.

Amid the widespread interest in the goalkeeper, Antwerp believe they can hold out for a fee of around €20m – €25m (£17m – £21m).

"Exciting" Lammens is one for the future

There is currently little reason to replace David Raya, who is in the prime of his career at 29-years-old, however there are signs the Antwerp goalkeeper could be capable of being a solid long-term replacement.

Freelance scout Ben Mattinson has spoken particularly highly of the Belgian, having been impressed by his ability to stop crosses and distribute the ball.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has also described the 6 foot 4 colossus as “exciting”, and that is definitely how you would describe his last-gasp goal for Club Brugge to progress against Real Madrid in the UEFA Youth League.

Signing a new goalkeeper shouldn’t be a priority for Arsenal this summer, given that any new signing is unlikely to displace Raya in the starting XI, but Lammens could definitely be one for the future.

Ex-Liverpool striker Andy Carroll and his former partner have accepted a seven-figure offer for their previous home in Essex.

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Carroll and former partner sell houseBordeaux striker has new girlfriendConsidering proposing to Lou TeasdaleFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ex-Liverpool striker Carroll has sold his Essex home for £8.5m after separating from wife Mucklow, according to , and is considering proposing to new girlfriend Teasdale.

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Carroll had put the property on the market back in November and is now said to have found a buyer willing to pay the huge asking price. News of his impending divorce from Mucklow came in September, having secretly split in July.

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Carroll has been plying his trade for Bordeaux in recent years, being paid less than minimum wage by the French side. Les Girondins compete in Championnat National 2, the fourth tier of French football, after financial mismanagement saw them relegated two divisions.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR CARROLL?

Carroll is still contracted for another two years by Bordeaux, who finished fourth in Group B of the Championnat National 2, failing to achieve promotion.