Najmul Hossain Shanto has expressed his wish to step down as the Bangladesh captain, according to BCB. Shanto, Bangladesh’s captain in all three formats, has informed the board that he wants the ongoing Test series at home against South Africa to be his last as the captain.ESPNcricinfo has learned that Shanto sent the message to senior board officials following the first Test against South Africa in Dhaka, which Bangladesh lost by seven wickets. The BCB is yet to discuss the matter as president Faruque Ahmed is not in the country – he is expected to arrive in Dhaka on Monday evening.If Shanto’s resignation is accepted, the BCB will have to appoint a new captain on short notice with a packed schedule ahead.Related

• Freed from the burden of captaincy, Shanto could relaunch his career

• South Africa target 2-0 against Bangladesh and stay in race for WTC final

• Mehidy pulls up Bangladesh's top order after home Test defeat to South Africa

• Temba Bavuma to miss second Test against Bangladesh

The second Test against South Africa is scheduled for October 29 to November 2, and Bangladesh are then off to the UAE to play three ODIs against Afghanistan, with the first game on November 6. That series ends on November 11, and they then go to the West Indies for an all-format series – the three-day tour match prior to the series-opening first Test starts on November 15.ESPNcricinfo understands Shanto’s fluctuating form with the bat influenced his decision. He has averaged 25.76 since taking over the Test captaincy last November after being one of the team’s in-form batters at the time.He was subsequently given Bangladesh’s ODI and T20I captaincy too, as the BCB was looking for a man to lead the team through the period of transition with several of their senior cricketers either retiring from certain formats or being on the verge of doing so.Shanto, however, hasn’t done badly as a captain, leading Bangladesh to a Test win against New Zealand last year and then the Test series win against Pakistan in August this year.

Whilst Benjamin Sesko continues to steal the headlines, Manchester United have now reportedly joined the race alongside Tottenham Hotspur to sign a teenage sensation.

Newcastle take advantage in Sesko race

Although initial reports indicated that Sesko is likely to favour a move to Manchester United this summer, it is now Newcastle United in the driving seat heading towards the forward’s signature. According to reports, the Magpies have taken pole position and have submitted a bid worth £70m to match RB Leipzig’s price tag.

As Sky Sports’ Keith Downie reported, however, there is still a chance for Manchester United if they decide to match or better Newcastle’s offer. Sesko is still open to both projects and, as ever this summer, there’s still every opportunity for a transfer hijack to take place.

Ruben Amorim would certainly welcome the chance to complete his revamped frontline too. So far, both Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have arrived to kick things off, but it’s clear that the addition of a star striker would truly round things off.

Of course, what may not help their pursuit of Sesko or an alternative option is the fact that Rasmus Hojlund is keen to stay and fight for his place rather than leave to fund his replacement.

He told reporters after scoring in Man United’s 4-1 victory over Bournemouth in pre-season: “The most important [thing] for me is to keep working hard and stay focused and then we’ll see what happens. My plan is very clear and that is for me to stay and fight for my spot.”

Man Utd now chasing teenage sensation

Whilst it won’t steal the same headlines as Sesko, those at Old Trafford are still chasing one particular incoming. According to Expressen, as relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester United are now racing Tottenham Hotspur to sign Kevin Filling from AIK Fotboll.

The 16-year-old talent has impressed the Premier League duo, who are now looking to secure his signature despite the fact that they will be unable to welcome the forward on an official basis until 2028 when he turns 18.

Unlike in the Sesko saga, however, Manchester United could hold a key advantage thanks to INEOS. The United owners also hold a majority stake in FC Lausanne-Sport and they want to sign Filling then send him on loan to the Swedish club.

Related Most important deal since Bruno: Man Utd make enquiry for "world-class" gem

Manchester United are set to make another key move within this summer’s transfer window.

Posts 1 ByEthan Lamb Aug 2, 2025

In one swift move, INEOS could land a deal that benefits two of their clubs, with those at Old Trafford eventually reaping the rewards by welcoming a player who’s full of potential.

Filling is also a player who has already made his mark on senior football. The teenage gem enjoyed a dream debut for AIK in the Allsvenskan league, scoring in his first game to once again showcase his talent to the likes of Manchester United and Spurs.

Rizwan will take over from Babar, who stepped down from the role recently

Danyal Rasool27-Oct-2024 • Updated on 30-Oct-2024

Mohammad Rizwan has been announced as the new white-ball captain of Pakistan, and his first assignment will be the ODI and T20I series against Australia next month. The squad marks the return of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. The trio, omitted from Pakistan’s last two Tests against England, make a return in both white-ball formats. None of them will feature in the ODI or T20I series in Zimbabwe that immediately follow.Salman Ali Agha, who is in all four white-ball squads for the away tours, has been named vice-captain. He will captain the side in the T20I series against Zimbabwe, with Rizwan sitting that series out.”I am committed to giving my absolute best in this role and look forward to working closely with the selectors, coaches and my immensely talented teammates,” a statement attributed by the PCB to Rizwan stated. “Together, we aim to meet and exceed the expectations of our fans and supporters.”Pakistan’s ODI and T20I squad for the tour of Australia•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq, who both missed out on a central contract, do not feature in any squad, but central contracts weren’t always a reliable indicator of squad composition. Mohammad Hasnain didn’t get a central contract, but his performance in the Champions One-Day Cup – where he was Player of the Tournament – has earned him a berth in all four squads. Shadab Khan has been dropped, left-arm wristspinner Sufiyan Muqeem added to both T20I travelling parties, while offspin-bowling allrounder Qasim Akram will go to Zimbabwe for the T20Is.Related

Pat Cummins, and Pakistan: welcome back to ODI cricket

'Sometimes people need a break' – Masood backs Babar to make strong comeback

Kirsten resigns as Pakistan's white-ball coach

Shan Masood gets PCB contract 'subject to captaincy', Babar and Rizwan alone in top category

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed Fakhar’s dispute with the PCB over a tweet he posted in opposition to Babar being dropped from the Test side was a factor in his omission, though according to the chairman, it wasn’t the biggest reason. “The tweet [he posted] is an issue for us,” Naqvi said. “It doesn’t matter as much as him failing his fitness test though. We have to make a decision over his show-cause notice, and after that he has to pass his fitness test. That’s why he isn’t in. He spoke very well at the connection camp, and it was him raising his voice that has led us to reform our international department. I appreciate that. But it’s unacceptable for a player to tweet against the selection committee. That is not permitted, and it will never be permitted.”Pakistan’s white-ball squads for the Zimbabwe tour•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Pakistan Shaheens wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris has also fallen down the pecking order, failing to make any of the squads, with wicketkeeper Haseebullah Khan, who played a solitary T20I in New Zealand in January, included in all four. His team-mate at Peshawar Zalmi Saim Ayub, who primarily made his name as a T20 top order power-hitter, will not feature in either of the T20I series after a sustained lean run in the format, but has made the cut for both ODI squads.The ODI series against Australia, set to begin on November 4, is Pakistan’s first in the format since the World Cup in India a year earlier. It kickstarts a busy period in the 50-over format in the build-up to the Champions Trophy in February, the first ICC event Pakistan are scheduled to host since the 1996 World Cup. The Australia and Zimbabwe ODIs are followed by white-ball games in both formats against South Africa, and a tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa in Multan just before the start of the Champions Trophy.Australia tour (Nov 4-18)
Pakistan ODI squad: Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Agha Salman, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Irfan Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah AfridiT20I squad: Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), Abbas Afridi, Agha Salman, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Irfan Khan, Jahandad Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Usman Khan.Zimbabwe tour (Nov 24 – Dec 5)
ODI squad: Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Irfan Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Saim Ayub, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab TahirT20I squad: Agha Salman (capt), Abbas Afridi, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Irfan Khan, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Hasnain, Omair Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan11.50 GMT: This story was updated when Rizwan was confirmed as captain

Wolverhampton Wanderers have now made contact with the agent of a Champions League player who is “always dangerous”, according to a report from Sky Sports.

Wolves keen on new right-back following Semedo departure

Nelson Semedo has penned an emotional farewell to Wolves, following the former captain’s decision to leave upon the expiration of his contract this summer, saying: “You made me grow so much as a athlete and as a person.

“I always tried my best every single day to represent this club in a way it deserves and I made sure that I always left the pitch with nothing else to give.”

The Portuguese defender made 34 appearances in the Premier League last term, providing four assists, but having now made the decision to leave Molineux, Vitor Pereira will be tasked with bringing in a replacement.

Approach made: Wolves now make enquiry to sign "unbelievable" £15m striker

The Old Gold have made contact over a deal for a centre-forward, with Vitor Pereira looking to bolster his attacking options.

ByDominic Lund Jul 30, 2025

It appears as though the Old Gold may already be close to doing exactly that, having agreed a £14.8m deal to sign Sevilla’s Juanlu, however, they still need to convince the defender to make the move to the Premier League, amid rival interest from Napoli.

As such, an alternative option may be required, and Sky Sports Germany have now reported that Wolves have made contact with the agent of Borussia Dortmund’s Ryerson, who is also attracting interest from newly-promoted Sunderland.

Despite being content in the Bundesliga, the Dortmund defender dreams of a move to the Premier League, which suggests a deal could be possible, although the Old Gold are yet to enter concrete negotiations.

It is unclear what sort of fee the German side would be looking to receive, but they may be keen to make a profit on the €5m (£4m) they shelled out in 2022, given that the 27-year-old has emerged as an important player in recent times.

"Dangerous" Ryerson could be ideal Semedo heir

Semedo is capable of making a real impact on the front foot, as displayed by the fact he ranks in the 83rd percentile for successful take-ons over the past year, and there are indications the Dortmund ace could be a similar type of player.

Former Dortmund boss Edin Terzic has previously lauded the full-back for the impact he makes going forward, saying: “I took an early liking to him and his style of play. He plays with great intensity and is always dangerous when he’s on the offensive as well. That’s what sets him apart.”

The Norwegian has experience in the Champions League, making 12 appearances in the competition last season, while also finding the back of the net against Maccabi Haifa in the Conference League during his time with Union Berlin.

Following Semedo’s departure, Pereira may be keen to bring in a new right-back who is capable of posing a threat on the front foot, and Ryerson very much fits the bill.

Last summer was a poor one for Liverpool as far as transfer business was concerned.

The sole incoming was that of Italian Federico Chiesa, who moved to Anfield in a deal worth just £12.5m.

Well, a lack of business mattered not as far as Arne Slot was concerned. No Jurgen Klopp, no problem. No mass recruitment, no problem. The Reds still went on to win the Premier League.

Fast forward and the Merseysiders have made an almighty splash in the transfer market, bringing in the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and before too long, Hugo Ekitike is set to be confirmed as a new Liverpool player.

Fabrizio Romano gave the deal his famous ‘here we go’ on Sunday, noting that the French forward is set to sign a six-year deal after a fee of £78m was agreed with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Liverpool may not be done there, however.

Liverpool's transfer plans after signing Hugo Ekitike

Next on the agenda for Richard Hughes and Co will surely be slimming the squad a little. Darwin Nunez has been widely expected to leave for much of the summer while Luis Diaz, subject of a bid from Bayern Munich last week, could still depart.

Should more funds be generated, then a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi could still come to fruition. An agreement on personal terms was reached earlier in the summer, but a club-to-club agreement has not yet been reached between the Eagles and the Reds.

Liverpool appear to be keen on a number of domestic players with fellow Palace star Adam Wharton a target for next summer and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers also on their radar.

TBR Football report that Chelsea are devising a plan to try and sign Rogers this summer but they will face competition from Arsenal and Liverpool who have ‘maintained a watching brief’ of the player.

Previous reports have suggested that Villa would be looking for a fee of £100m in order to sell.

What Morgan Rogers could offer to Liverpool

While this move feels extremely unlikely this summer given the funds Liverpool have already spent on new recruits, if they could maintain their interest in upcoming windows, he’d be a fabulous signing for Slot’s side.

Transfer Focus

Once of Manchester City’s academy, Rogers quietly went about his business in the EFL with the likes of Lincoln City and Middlesbrough before Villa came calling.

In the Midlands, the attacking midfielder has become a genuine sensation. He’s now an England international and deservedly so when you consider the numbers he generated throughout the 2024/25 season.

It’s safe to say it was the best year of young Rogers’ career, scoring 14 goals and registering 15 assists in all competitions.

The 22-year-old didn’t just dazzle in the Premier League but he also took to Champions League football like a duck to water, scoring four goals in 12 games, three of which came in one game as he netted a sensational hat-trick against Celtic.

A goalscorer, a creator, and someone who can play through the middle as well as on the flanks, there are similarities with new Liverpool signing, Wirtz.

If you thought the art of the number 10 role was dying out, then you only need to look at Wirtz. However, he’s not just an attacking midfielder, but also someone who can play in a wider role, just as Rogers can.

Analysing the data above, it’s clear to see why Wirtz has been described as “the best midfielder in the world” by former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes. He’s a generational talent and the fact his data is so far ahead of Rogers, one of the Premier League’s most exciting young players, says a lot.

Still, Rogers does hold his own and if Liverpool are looking to sign England’s version of Wirtz, they’d find few better candidates than the Villa star. He’s notably progressive, ranking inside the top 20% of positionally similar players in the English top-flight for attempted take-ons.

In the words of The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, he’s been an “unstoppable” force over the last year and while he falls some way short of Wirtz in a lot of areas, this is a player who’s already been there and done it in the Premier League.

Principally, he scores goals like Wirtz and he creates them like Wirtz. What’s not to like?

Similar to Wirtz: Liverpool want to sign "special" £112m Diaz replacement

He could be an unbelievable addition for the Reds.

By
Henry Jackson

Jul 14, 2025

It has been a quiet summer so far for Aston Villa. After the disappointment of losing out on a Champions League finish at the back end of last season, the Villans have only made a couple of signings to strengthen ahead of the new season.

With the season now less than two weeks away, Unai Emery’s side have reportedly agreed a deal to sign OGC Nice striker Evann Guessand. The 24-year-old, who was also a target for Premier League rivals Crystal Palace, cost £30m including add-ons.

With Guessand all but through the door, Villa have seemingly turned their attention to another attacker, who can help to strengthen in forward areas.

Aston Villa’s next target after Guessand

The Villans lost Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio at the end of last season, with the loans of both players expiring. There is a clear focus from the club to strengthen in attack, with the signing of Guessand the first new forward through the door at Villa Park.

Transfer Focus

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

Now, a report from journalist Graeme Bailey suggests that the West Midlands club are ‘holding an interest’ in Manchester United and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho.

The 21-year-old is said to be a target for three Premier League sides, with a desire to stay in England’s top flight, and Villa ‘have also entered the race’ for his signature.

Although it is West London giants Chelsea who are the ‘standout option’ for the youngster, he is ‘open to working’ with Emery, and Tottenham Hotspur are also showing an interest. Last month, it was reported by The Mirror that the Red Devils have slashed their asking price to just £40m.

Why Garnacho would be a good signing

Despite being just 21 years of age, Garnacho has already gained lots of experience at the highest level for United. Statman Dave described him as a “special talent” last season, and there were some standout moments.

He played 58 games in all competitions for the Red Devils, whose academy he came through back in 2022. In that time, the winger scored 11 goals and grabbed a further ten assists. However, just eight of those goal involvements came in the Premier League, in 36 appearances.

He has already played a lot of first-team football, notching up an impressive 144 games for United. His record of 26 goals and 22 assists stands out for someone aged just 21, and he’s scored some excellent goals, too. The most famous one came against Everton in 2023/24, with his stunning overhead kick earning him the Puskas Award.

The winger, who was born in Madrid, could well become unplayable with Guessand. Villa’s new attacker shone last term for Nice, scoring 12 goals and grabbing nine assists in 33 Ligue 1 games.

The Ivory Coast international can play right across the front line, highlighted by former manager Antoine Kombouare during his loan spell at Nantes in 2022/23.

Kombouare also described him as a “powerful” and “fast” attacker.

With the Nice academy graduate, a player who is effective both in and around the penalty box and out wide, he could form a deadly partnership with Garnacho at Villa. The winger is a player who loves to drive inside from wide positions, which could lead to some fluid rotations between the pair.

Garnacho’s numbers from the 2024/25 Europa League campaign suggest he could become a regular provider of goals for Guessand. The stats on FBref show he averaged 2.04 key passes per game and 0.37 assists, ranking him in the 82nd and 85th percentile, respectively. If he achieves those numbers for Villa, Guessand could strike gold.

Assists

0.37

85th

Key passes

2.04

82nd

Shot-creating actions

4.17

73rd

Goal-creating actions

0.65

78th

Progressive carries

5.84

95th

Despite his age, Garnacho is already very experienced and has shown his ability to score and assist regularly for United. With Guessand being a striker who facilitates play and creates chances, plus his ability to put the ball in the back of the net, this could become a deadly duo.

£40m is not too much of an investment for 21-year-old Garnacho, with United looking to move him on this summer. Perhaps he is the perfect player for Villa’s new look attack, alongside Guessand.

Dream for Watkins: Aston Villa reach agreement for "Fernandes-esque" star

As Aston Villa seek their first proper signing of the window, could it a “Bruno Fernandes-esque” star?

ByBen Gray Aug 5, 2025

For all the criticism of their transfer policy in recent years, if there’s one thing Chelsea have done well, it’s investing in young, promising talents.

For example, Liam Delap is still just 22 years old, Jamie Gittens is 21, Marc Guiu is 19, and the incredibly exciting Estevao is just 18.

The Blues have a squad bursting with phenoms, but they aren’t the only ones, as London rivals Arsenal have seen their own batch of youngsters burst onto the scene over the last year or so.

Arguably the most exciting has been Myles Lewis-Skelly, who went from winding up Erling Haaland on the sidelines to starting and scoring for England in the space of half a season.

So, the Stamford Bridge faithful should be delighted over reports linking Chelsea to another future superstar who could be Enzo Maresca’s own version of the Gunners star.

Chelsea's window so far

On top of the names already mentioned, Chelsea have continued to sign exciting talents this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

Mamdou Sarr, who is just 19, joined the club from partner club Strasbourg for a fee of around £12m early last month after making 28 first-team appearances last season.

Also, last month, the club splashed around £18m on 20-year-old Dario Essugo, who spent last season on loan at Las Palmas from Sporting CP.

However, while both players could end up having a great career in West London, it is still hard to be sure about whether they will succeed at the very top, which doesn’t seem to be the case for the club’s latest target: Jorrel Hato.

Yes, according to a recent report from Ben Jacobs, Chelsea are still very much interested in the Ajax star this summer.

In fact, Jacobs has revealed that the West Londoners have held fresh talks with the player’s camp over a potential transfer.

Interestingly, even though the Amsterdam outfit have been quoting teams a £60m price tag, Jacobs has revealed that an offer of £40m should suffice.

It would still be a lot to spend on a teenager, but Hato has been brilliant for some time and could end up being Chelsea’s answer to Lewis-Skelly.

Why Hato could be Chelsea's Lewis-Skelly

So, when people talk about Lewis-Skelly, what are the themes that usually emerge?

Generally, it’s how he plays well beyond his years, how well he has adapted to senior football, and that he’s been so good at left-back that he might remain in this position for some time.

These are all things that could be said about Hato and then some.

For example, despite still being just 19 years old, the Dutchman has established himself as one of Ajax’s most essential players.

Since making his debut back in February 2023, at just 16 years old, he has played 111 matches for the first team, scoring four goals, providing nine assists, and even wearing the captain’s armband on three occasions.

Appearances

111

Starts

102

Minutes

9121′

Goals

4

Assists

9

Goal Involvements per Match

0.11

Minutes per Goal Involvement

701.61′

Points per Game

1.86

Additionally, he surpasses the Englishman in terms of national team appearances, having won six caps since making his debut at 17 years old in November 2023.

Finally, on top of showing the same grit and determination as the Arsenal star, the “immense” Rotterdam-born gem, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is also at least somewhat versatile.

He may primarily play at left-back today, but he started as a centre-back and can still fill in there when needed.

Ultimately, it might be a lot of money for someone so young, but just like Lewis-Skelly, Hato already feels like a seasoned professional, and it’s incredibly exciting to think about how good he could be in a few years from now.

PL rivals eyeing £100m Chelsea star; his exit could make room for Ekitike

It would be wise of Chelsea to cash in and upgrade.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 16, 2025

Fast bowling consultant believes England’s options are expanding ahead of next winter’s Ashes

Matt Roller13-Oct-2024England want to arrive in Australia next winter with a “battery” of fast bowlers and James Anderson believes the list of candidates for that tour is “growing and growing”. Anderson has worked as their fast-bowling coach since he was ushered into retirement in July and said on Sunday that he is excited by the emergence of a new generation of seam bowlers.Rob Key, England’s managing director, has been vocal in his ambition to bring through a stock of quicks who bowl “85mph-plus with high skill” as they look to replace Anderson and Stuart Broad. Last year, he offered two-year contracts to four seamers – Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matt Potts and Josh Tongue – whom he believes have the attributes to succeed at Test level.Tongue has spent the last 14 months sidelined with a pectoral injury, while Potts has only played two Tests since June 2023. But Atkinson has thrived, taking 38 wickets at 21.86 in his first seven Tests and scoring a century against Sri Lanka, while Carse impressed on debut in Multan last week with his speed, skill and stamina.Related

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Switch Hit: Multan Magic or Meltdown?

“[Atkinson] seems to rise to every challenge that’s put in front of him,” Anderson said. “Brydon was outstanding… To bowl 90mph in that heat, pretty consistently, was an amazing effort. He was accurate, he bowled good short stuff when we needed him to do that, and he bowls wicket-taking balls – and that’s what we’re after, as a bowling group.”He has always been on the radar of the selectors for the away Ashes… It looks like he has all the attributes to do well there. He has got pace, bounce and he is accurate, and he has skills and he can bat. He is ticking a lot of boxes. Hopefully, he can stay fit and get a lot of confidence from how he bowled the other day.”England are missing Mark Wood in Pakistan due to his elbow injury, while they still hope that Jofra Archer might return to Test cricket next year after a three-year absence. Archer has spent most of that time sidelined with back and elbow issues but has gradually stepped up his workload over the past six months and still has ambitions to play all formats.”The list is not endless, but it feels like it is growing and growing,” Anderson said. “We’ve got the likes of Woody and Jofra [to come back in] but also Olly Stone and Josh Tongue. It feels like there’s loads of guys coming through – Josh Hull as well, who we think has got a good future.”It does feel like there are options there. It is really exciting for an England group at the minute, thinking of what we have ahead with India next summer, then Australia, and then going forward over the next three years.”Anderson’s involvement with England’s fast bowlers is officially as a consultant coach for their winter Test tours to Pakistan and New Zealand, with his longer-term future with the team unclear. He left open the possibility of extending his role further down the line, potentially including next winter’s Ashes tour.”I’m really enjoying it,” Anderson said. “We have an amazing coaching group who have been really helpful. I’ve not officially done this job before, but I feel like it’s not far off where I was for the last few years of my career: trying to be there for bowlers, help them as much as possible, come up with ideas when we’re in the field. It’s been great… so far, so good.”He also played down the significance of his late arrival for the tour, having missed England’s three training days and the first day of the first Test. Anderson was instead playing in a pro-am golf tournament at St Andrews, but said that he had only agreed to participate after running the idea past England coach Brendon McCullum.”I’m not full-time with England, I’m a consultant,” Anderson said. “I was still in contact with the bowlers and in the end, it didn’t really matter that I wasn’t here. I thought we bowled really well… The last few tours I went on, we didn’t have a bowling coach and it is good for the lads to take some responsibility.”

Harry Kane may have departed Tottenham Hotspur two years ago, but his absence is still strongly felt within the current first-team squad to this day.

Losing any key player to a European giant is always likely to cause trouble, but when that player is arguably one of the best to ever wear the club’s shirt – the task of replacing him becomes a near impossible task.

The Englishman registered 280 goals for the Lilywhites, with such a tally making him their highest-ever goalscorer, surpassing the record previously held by the late Jimmy Greaves.

He managed to find the net over 30 times in 50% of the seasons he spent as a first-team regular in North London, further highlighting how important he was to their ambition for success.

However, Thomas Frank has the opportunity this summer to potentially make a move for a star who could emulate the 32-year-old’s massive success within the final third should he make the move.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new attackers this summer

In recent days, Roma star Matias Soule has been touted as a potential option for Spurs, looking to inject needed depth and quality into the club’s forward line.

Recent reports have suggested that Frank’s side have already made a £28m offer to sign the 22-year-old, potentially facing a battle with Aston Villa for the winger’s signature this summer.

However, he’s not the only attacker currently in their sights, leading to key work being done to complete a deal for Real Madrid star Rodrygo, according to one Spanish outlet.

They claim that the Lilywhites have already entered negotiations with the Brazilian’s representatives over a move to North London after he was told he’s free to leave the Spanish giants this window.

Their report also states that the 24-year-old could be available for a fee in the region of £86m, but Frank’s side aren’t alone in their pursuit, with fellow English sides Arsenal and Liverpool also closely monitoring the situation.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be their best attacker since Kane

After selling Kane for £82m a couple of years ago, the hierarchy turned to Dominic Solanke last summer in an attempt to fill the void left by his compatriot.

However, despite costing a club-record £65m, his first season in North London was littered with injuries, only making 25 Premier League starts and netting just nine goals.

He still has time to showcase he was worth the money spent, but the same can’t be said for Richarlison, who could be on the way out of the club this summer.

The Brazilian only managed to score four times in England’s top-flight last campaign, further highlighting the need for added quality in such an area this window.

A move for Rodrygo may prove to be a pricey one, but it’s a deal that could hand Frank the talent he craves to be a success during his first season in the role.

His stats from his most recent season at the Santiago Bernabéu highlight the threat he carries within the final third, arguably being worth every penny of what would be another new record signing.

Rodrygo, who’s been labelled “world-class” by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored 14 times across all competitions last season, having the goalscoring nouse despite his wide position – something the side have desperately lacked in 2024/25.

Games played

30

Goals & assists

11

Pass accuracy

86%

Progressive passes

5.1

Progressive carries

5.3

Successful take-ons

2.3

Key passes made

2.3

Shot-on-target accuracy

38%

Passes into final third

3.1

However, alongside his superb ability to find the back of the net, he also possesses a creative side that could allow those around him to bolster their own tallies next season.

He registered 5.1 progressive passes per 90, 3.1 of which were into the final third, subsequently able to help Solanke in his quest to raise his figures throughout 2025/26.

The Brazilian’s talent on the ball is further reflected in his tally of 2.3 successful take-ons per 90, subsequently wanting to take on his opponent at any given opportunity.

Should he transfer his skillset over to England with him, it would be a sensational piece of business by the board, further highlighting their ambitions of building on the recent Europa League success.

He would offer an all-round ability in attacking areas, similar to that of Kane, having the chance to make himself a fan favourite just like the Englishman did during his stint in North London.

Their own Gibbs-White: Spurs weighing up move for "ridiculous" £40m star

Tottenham Hotspur have started work on a deal to land a Morgan Gibbs-White alternative.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 29, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly submitted a blockbuster £80m+ offer to sign a new left winger after saying an emotional goodbye to Son Heung-min.

Son plays final Tottenham game

Having revealed the news that he wants to leave Spurs this summer and bring an end to an iconic 13-year run last week, Son has now played his final game for the North London club. Bidding his farewell, the winger bowed out in the Lilywhites’ friendly draw against Premier League rivals Newcastle United in his home country, South Korea.

Next up for the 33-year-old seems to be MLS side LAFC, who have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Son and with Spurs over a summer switch.

As for Spurs, their next task is to replace a player that some may deem irreplaceable. Already this summer, they’ve welcomed Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich, Mathys Tel in a permanent deal and Mohammed Kudus.

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Now, however, they could be about to pull off their most impressive signing yet amid reports that Daniel Levy and co. have submitted a stunning opening offer.

Tottenham submit Rodrygo offer

According to Spanish media outlets, Tottenham have now submitted an opening offer to sign Rodrygo worth as much as €100m (£87m) this summer. The Real Madrid winger has been the subject of interest from both Arsenal and Liverpool in recent months, and even agreed personal terms with the Reds recently, but with their focus elsewhere, the Lilywhites are reportedly attempting to steal the headlines with a shock move.

Interestingly, Rodrygo’s statistical profile matches up with another Liverpool signing – Florian Wirtz. Both players rank highly against their positional peers for non-penalty goals, shot-creating actions and succesful take-ons, as per FBRef.

Five similar players to Rodrygo

Club

Florian Wirtz

Liverpool

Kenan Yildiz

Juventus

Nico Williams

Athletic Club

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

PSG

Amad Diallo

Manchester United

Replacing Son is no easy task for all involved in North London, but Rodrygo is arguably the best candidate to do exactly that and more. The Brazilian is a serial winner who has played a pivotal part in Real Madrid’s success in recent years. Now, he could yet become the star of the show under Thomas Frank in what would become Spurs’ record signing by a considerable margin.

However, although Real Madrid have given them permission to speak to Rodrygo, convincing the 24-year-old to swap the Spanish giants for North London will reportedly be a tough task for Tottenham chiefs. And overcoming that obstacle is likely to be the turning point to any deal getting over the line this summer.

Dubbed “special” by former Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, Rodrygo continues to be linked with a summer switch to the Premier League, with Spurs the latest of a growing list of clubs to pursue his signature.