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Arsenal are reportedly in the running to sign Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio, with the player facing an uncertain future in the Spanish capital.

What’s the word?

As per the Mirror, the Gunners have emerged as one of the clubs who are ‘monitoring’ developments regarding the 26-year-old, with the player currently having just a year remaining on his existing deal.

The report suggests that Madrid are set to demand an answer regarding the Spaniard’s future by June 20, having offered the player a contract extension, although there is a ‘belief’ that the former Mallorca man is keen to leave on a free next summer.

As for the north Londoners, they have contracted the player’s representatives to ascertain what his demands are, with the report suggesting that the £36m-rated gem’s primary concern is game time, with the lack of Champions League football ‘not a deal breaker’.

Cazorla 2.0

While the Emirates outfit are likely to face intense competition in their bid to pluck the 26-cap international from the European champions, news of their interest will no doubt generate huge excitement among the club’s support.

The “special” talent – as he has been dubbed by Joey Barton – has played a prominent role for Los Blancos since joining the club in 2016, going on to net 49 goals and register 24 assists in 235 games in all competitions since then, winning a host of major honours in that time.

Although the £117k-per-week ace has struggled to truly establish himself as a regular starter of late – hence his potential desire to depart – he still managed to score an impressive ten La Liga goals last term for the eventual title winners in just 19 starts.

A skilful, fleet-footed talent who has the ability to feature all across the front three and in an attacking midfield role, Asensio has the versatility and quality needed to be a success in Mikel Arteta’s side, having also been previously dubbed a “genius” by one journalist.

That word was so often attributed to another Spaniard to have adorned the red jersey, with the Madrid man potentially set to follow in the footsteps of a real club icon in Santi Cazorla.

Like Asensio, the diminutive playmaker was comfortable in a variety of attacking positions, dazzling the home support with his creative nous and seemingly unique ability to deliver wicked set-piece deliveries with both feet.

Signed from Malaga in 2012 for what proved to be a bargain fee of just £15m, the midfield maestro went on to spend six years with the Gunners, chipping in with 29 goals and 44 assists in 179 games in all competitions.

Beyond the statistics, however, the now 37-year-old was – and still is – a simply joyful player to watch with the ball at his feet, combining delicate artistry with a lethal finishing technique, epitomised by that stunning free-kick against Hull City in the FA Cup final in 2014.

Although possessing a somewhat different physique, Asensio has a similarly agile and instinctive way of playing, with a move to England likely set to allow him to truly showcase just how much of a talent he is.

Arteta knows first-hand how good his former teammate – Cazorla – was, he can’t pass up the chance to sign his heir apparent.

In other news, Arsenal eye bid for £76.5m-rated “fighter” who “always creates”, he’s better than Saka

Nottingham Forest are now looking to the transfer window to strengthen their team ahead of their new chapter in the Premier League, and a reliable journalist has given an update on the club’s pursuit of a potential target.

What’s the latest?

According to Sunday Mirror Sports news editor Darren Witcoop, Nottingham Forest are “leading the race” to sign Lucas Joao.

Witcoop tweeted:

“Reading resigned to losing star man Lucas Joao this summer. Nottingham Forest leading the race for the Portuguese striker. Watford also in the hunt for his signature.”

Keinan Davis upgrade

Nottingham Forest will be in the market for a striker this summer as loanee striker Keinan Davis will return to parent club Aston Villa, but they could be about to sign a massive upgrade on their current number nine as Joao has been much more prolific in front of goal.

Davis scored five goals and contributed two assists this season in 15 Championship appearances, but was only part of the team on a six-month loan.

Joao, however, has been a goal machine for Reading over the last three years scoring 38 times and contributing 14 assists in 83 appearances, with a goal contribution every 116 minutes, proving that he could add a real attacking threat for Forest in the striker role next season.

It’s not just his goals and assists that have caught the attention of Forest, as the 28-year-old has been a force in all areas of his game this season in the Championship winning 4.7 duels and proving successful in the large majority of his dribbles (63%), according to SofaScore.

The 6 foot 2 forward was hailed by former teammate Jose Semedo, who was full of praise for the striker after Joao’s international debut for Portugal.

Semedo told BBC Radio Sheffield: “He’s remarkable. I don’t remember any other player playing second division and getting picked by Portugal.”

“I love the way he plays. He combines power, pace, skill and he’s a big guy.”

With that being said, if Forest could secure the deal for the £5m striker it would be a major signing for the club ahead of next season in the Premier League and would give them more depth in terms of goal contributions.

AND in other news: In talks: NFFC plotting bid for “exceptional” £12.8m dynamo, he can be Cooper’s Tevez

Glasgow Rangers insider The 4th Official has provided an update on the Gers’ pursuit of FC Sochi forward Mateo Cassierra.

The lowdown: On the move

Amidst turmoil in Russia, Colombian attacker Cassierra has recently spoken out about a desire to find a new club prior to the 2022/23 season, citing a pre-existing relationship with Ramgers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst in the process.

This followed links with the 25-year-old former Ajax man as Van Bronckhorst attempts to supplement the Ibrox squad after the departure of Cedric Itten to Young Boys.

Now, an informed insider has shed more light on the potential of the Colombian youth international arriving in Glasgow…

The latest: ‘I was told…’

Taking to Twitter, The 4th Official, a respected podcaster who actually broke the GvB news way back in November, confirmed Rangers are amongst multiple suitors for Cassierra.

They Tweeted: “When pressed on how close the move is in reality, I was told that the player has several options but Rangers is where Cassierra wants to move.

“But, Rangers would not be paying anywhere close to £8.5m for the striker.”

The verdict: Star signing

Having made the switch from Portuguese Primeira Liga side Belenenses SAD in 2021, Cassierra scored 14 times and provided six assists in just 22 Russian top-flight outings this term – including a recent hat-trick against Dynamo Moscow. He earned a superb 7.29 Sofascore rating whilst finding the target with 1.4 shots on average per game in the process.

Standing at 6 foot 1 and possessing a strong variety of key attributes that make him the ideal frontman for Van Bronckhorst’s target man led system, it’s evident to see why the Dutch boss would be keen to sign the man praised for his ‘excellent’ form in Portugal by journalist Jamie Farr.

Despite the obvious need for support for Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos, particularly evident at the end of the season, out of contract in 2023 (Transfermarkt), the mooted £8.5million asking price for Cassierra is somewhat farfetched and the Rangers hierarchy would be wise to stand their ground on achieving a reduced fee.

In other news: Rangers: Pete O’Rourke drops Aaron Ramsey claim

Celtic defender Christopher Jullien has been touted to leave Parkhead during the upcoming summer transfer window.

What’s the news?

Speaking to Football Insider, former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie did not mince his words about the defender’s current situation at the club and what the immediate future could hold for the Frenchman.

He declared: “It’s clear that Ange doesn’t like him [Jullien]. There were so many games to play last season and he never got a look in, that tells me he’s pretty much finished at Celtic.

“[Cameron] Carter-Vickers and [Carl] Starfelt played every game. I think one of them needs a big, powerful defender to partner them at the back and you would think Jullien fits that mould.

“But he hasn’t played and it doesn’t sound like he’s injured again so Ange clearly doesn’t like him as a player.  I expect he will leave this summer because Ange won’t keep anyone who isn’t contributing.”

Fans will be buzzing

Celtic signed the centre-back from French club Toulouse during the 2019 summer transfer window in a deal worth a reported £7m.

Since then, the 29-year-old has gone on to make just 62 appearances for the Hoops across all competitions (47 of those in his first season at the club), chipping in with 10 goals and four assists over the three years.

After being sidelined for the best part of a year as a result of a serious knee injury, the defender only played 16 minutes for Celtic this season once he recovered, which makes it easy to see why McAvennie thinks Ange Postecoglou doesn’t view Jullien as a credible squad option.

With the defender’s current contract at Parkhead set to expire in the summer of 2023, if what McAvennie says is true and the Celtic manager isn’t a fan of the Frenchman, the upcoming transfer window could give the Hoops the best chance to cash in on the 29-year-old.

Taking this into account, if Jullien isn’t likely to have a future at Celtic, then the club getting as much money as they can for him this summer would surely be the best option for all parties. That scenario would likely have lots of Hoops fans buzzing, especially if the club can find a suitable replacement for the forgotten French defender.

In other news: “Celtic have..”: Transfer insider drops exciting claim that’ll have supporters buzzing

A fresh report from the last 48 hours has now shared a behind-the-scenes West Ham United update involving midfielder Tomas Soucek.

The Lowdown: Irons open to offers…

The 2020/2021 Hammers Player of the Year, according to recent claims, could be sold by manager David Moyes if the east Londoners receive a suitable offer from the Premier League or elsewhere (Claret & Hugh).

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West Ham’s manager apparently refused to sanction a sizeable increase on Soucek’s current salary package during the first round of talks over a new deal.

The Scotsman allegedly feels his mainstay midfielder has been a shadow of the player he was last campaign and is now ready to entertain the right bids, with Football Insider now sharing what they know on the situation.

The Latest: West Ham ‘tension’ behind-the-scenes…

According to their information, it is believed there has been ‘tension’ between Soucek and Moyes ‘behind the scenes’ amid West Ham’s contract stand-off.

The report adds that the Irons, and by extension club owners GSB, ‘could now have a big decision to make’ on the Czech Republic international this summer – namely whether to stick or twist.

The Verdict: Keep…

Soucek shined at the London Stadium last season and we believe he could still have a huge role to play over the next few years.

Players can often experience off-campaigns with the 27-year-old, as per WhoScored, actually shining over 2021/2022 in some crucial aspects statistically.

Out of Moyes’ squad at West Ham, only star duo Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice have averaged higher match ratings in England’s top flight Soucek – who puts in a solid 6.98/10 showing per 90.

The colossal midfield man has also won more aerial duels than any of his teammates, perhaps backing why he’s the third-most picked player in the West Ham squad (WhoScored).

As an interesting summer window looms, potentially selling Soucek could perhaps be one of the more risky decisions by Moyes and GSB.

In other news: BBC journalist: Moyes eyeing potential ‘massive signing’, West Ham move already made…find out more here.

The Atlanta Braves have placed outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. on the10-day injured list after he was removed from Tuesday night's loss vs. Kansas City with tightness in his Achilles tendon, the team said Wednesday.

Speaking after the game, Acuna didn't sound optimistic about the discomfort he was experiencing.

"It's an injury; I'm worried," he said, per a write-up from . "It's more pain, but it feels kind of, I feel it a lot when I try to put pressure on it."

The outfielder noted that he first felt the pain when running the bases on Monday night.

"It happened when I scored from first to home on that play," he added, via an interpreter. "They are going to examine me tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes."

In their post on Wednesday, the Braves diagnosed Acuna's ailment as "right Achilles tendon inflammation." Though that's better than a tear, any missed time is surely a blow for the 2023 NL MVP, who missed the majority of his 2024 season with a torn ACL.

"It's an Achilles thing, it's going to take a while," team manager Brian Snitker added Tuesday. "He'll go on the IL, and hopefully in 10 days or so it'll clear up."

For the first time in the series, India’s fast bowlers bowled poorer lengths than England’s. But they regrouped quickly to script a turnaround

Sidharth Monga01-Aug-2025

Prasidh Krishna returned his best figures in Test cricket•Getty Images

“Have you ever felt nothing good was ever gonna happen to you?”At lunch on day two at The Oval, some of the younger players in the India team would have felt the way Chris Moltisanti did when he uttered this immortal line in . Chris is easily frustrated by circumstances, impatient to move up in the North Jersey mafia hierarchy, and even tries his hand at writing a movie script.This Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has been an incredible learning curve for this young India team, a tour where they have had reason to believe that they haven’t been rewarded proportionately for their efforts. The situation at lunch on day two was India 2-1 behind in the series, 224 plays 109 for 1 in 16 overs, and yet another selection looking to blow in their face with just three fast bowlers in the side.Related

• 'That was the plan' – Prasidh on verbal duel with Root

• Siraj, Jaiswal and Prasidh put India in front on 15-wicket day

• Stats – The breathtaking Crawley-Duckett opening salvo

For the first time in the series, India’s fast bowlers had bowled poorer lengths than England’s, hit off the good areas by the sensational and skilful opening pair of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. One more session of it, and the series would have been gone. India badly needed a Paulie “Walnuts” Gualtieri to say, as he did in response to the aforementioned question: “Yeah. So what?”Paulie is one of the most ruthless and trusted henchmen of the mob boss Tony Soprano. He is as psychopathic as the other wise guys but he is not given to feeling pity for himself. He is one of the more stoic wise guys. At The Oval, it had to be one or all of the India fast bowlers to step up and say “so what”. We will get up again and do the work. We will do the right things again. So what if the results haven’t gone our way?Mohammed Siraj is a good fit as Paulie. Never to be Tony Soprano, not even of the fast-bowling group, but happy to do the hard work and step up when needed. Sometimes Siraj even reckons he is proud of being given the responsibility and does better when he is, but he knows he is not quite his “Jassi “. He didn’t start off well, bowling ordinary lines with the new ball, conceding 31 in his first four overs, which is why he had to watch Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna start off this crucial session.3:42

‘A workhorse, a man to have in the team’

Akash Deep had not had a great start himself. He had troubled Duckett, was all over him, hit him in the box, and nearly had him three times in his second over, but a reverse-pull for a six from Duckett completely rattled him. The next time Duckett charged at him, Akash Deep lost his length completely and was dismissively cut away. Duckett was almost telling him – twice in one over – that he was not quick enough. That he could leave the crease early and still have time to cut him if he changed the length.This was Bazball at its best, and India were on the back foot. The height difference between Crawley and Duckett meant India were getting cut and driven from the same lengths, which weren’t necessarily big errors. Prasidh looked the best of the three, but never forget that he was coming off the ignominy of having to sit out at Old Trafford for a bowler straight off the flight.It was this beleaguered trio that needed to say “so what” and get on with it. A session of 6 for 106 was as emphatic a “so what” as any. Being the wise guys, they needed to wise up a little first, which they did among themselves. Take your pick on who Silvio and Bobby – two of Soprano’s other lieutenants – are but this was a chat they needed to have to lift each other up. Prasidh said the three got into a corner and decided what had happened had happened. He said they needed to reassure each other, help each other when they veered off lines and lengths, and also “show some body language”.Mohammed Siraj celebrates after dismissing Ollie Pope•Getty ImagesThey knew they had – as a human reaction – started to bowl hard lengths as if in the middle overs of an ODI, but that was not going to help them. Immediately, they started bowling better lengths for this pitch: one with appreciable seam movement available. India have generally stayed on 6-8m for most of the series, but here they started hitting 5-6m more often: 13.4% of the times as opposed to 7.2% in the first session. So even when they pulled it back in reaction to aggression, they were still on the good length.As a result, they not only kept the edges and the stumps in play – thanks to the seam movement – but also gave the ball a chance to swing. Even though high-seam deliveries went down, their average swing went up, which created the combination India needed. Results were not instant, Crawley resumed just as merrily, but even though he didn’t start bowling, Siraj at mid-on was always reassuring his bowlers they were on the right track.Prasidh said it was challenging to keep bowling good balls when the batters played as well as Duckett and Crawley did, but they needed reassurance from each other that if they bowled well, “it was a matter of time”.1:45

Prasidh: I’ve been picked to do a job

Time, though, was not on their side. There were just three of them on a pitch that needed fast bowling the most. Bringing spin on would ease all the pressure. This is where Akash Deep, who took just one wicket, played a big role. He started the session with a five-over spell, had time off for just three overs, and then pitched in with a six-over spell from the other end. All the while clutching his shoulder and stretching it because of a niggle. These were not just any spells; they were 5-0-16-0 and 6-0-18-0 with plenty of questions asked.At the other end, the only fast bowler left standing after playing all Tests, Siraj pulled in a shift: 8-0-35-3. He pulled out the lethal combination of outswing and wobble-seam. He dragged Joe Root across with outswing before bowling the lbw ball with the wobble seam. As a true disciple of Jasprit Bumrah, in his first 12 overs, Siraj bowled only one ball fuller than 5m: the near-yorker to get Jacob Bethell out.It was then time for Prasidh to take over from Akash Deep and show off his wobble-seam ball. He has been bowling it for a while now, increasing the frequency of it as his trust in it had grown, but he also perhaps produced his first wicket with the way the wobble-seam ball is intended: to nip back in and trap the batter in front, Jamie Overton in this case.Good things now started to happen to the wise guys. The rain break came at just the right time to allow them to stay fresh and limit the damage Harry Brook could cause in the company of the tail. If you are just watching from the outside and thought the series was over at lunch, you are probably reacting like Silvio, a nod to if ever there was one: “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is being backed to grace a seventh World Cup, with FIFA’s flagship event heading to Portugal – as one of several co-hosts – in 2030. If the all-time great were to make that event, then more history would be made. Nuno Gomes can see that prospect appealing to CR7, with a contract extension having already been signed at club level with Al-Nassr.

• Evergreen Ronaldo: CR7 still going strong at the age of 40

  Those terms are only through to 2027, with it yet to be determined what Ronaldo will do beyond that point. He has starred in the Saudi Pro League, with remarkable individual standards being maintained at 40 years of age.

  He continues to make himself available at international level, with 226 caps being earned while scoring 143 goals. Ronaldo continues to chase down 1,000 career strikes – with the record books being rewritten.

  Ronaldo has stated that next summer’s World Cup will be his last, but anything is considered possible where the former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar is concerned. He has kept himself in the best possible shape and made no secret of the fact that he wants to continue for as long as possible.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Home World Cup: Ronaldo backed to make 2030 finals

  Portugal will stage games at the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Morocco – with group stage matches also heading to Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. On Ronaldo bowing out on home soil, former team-mate Nuno Gomes told : “It's a difficult question. I think only him, or maybe not even him, knows the answer because I think he is doing year by year at this age.

  “I think he's still fit to play. He's a really professional player and one of the players that we can point him as an example to follow? For the young generations. But of course he has his age and his capacity is reduced in some qualities, in speed for example. He's not the same Cristiano when he was 18 or 20, but he's still capable to score goals, and in football, it's the most important thing, to score goals and he's still scoring.

  “Of course I think it also depends on the coach. Right now we have Roberto Martinez and I think he adapts the team, having him in the first 11 or not. So I think it will depend on his will, to play more or not. But probably I could tell that it could be his last World Cup. Even though we know that in four years we are hosting some games. And maybe it could be an opportunity to say goodbye at home.”

• Euro 2028 and beyond: When will Ronaldo retire?

  Ronaldo’s former United colleague Wes Brown told GOAL recently when asked if CR7 will play on to Euro 2028: “If he can bring something to the squad, why not pick him? Does that mean he has to play every game? Look at the last competition, everyone was saying he shouldn’t play but he did ok. He knows the press are going to give him stick anyway as soon as he doesn’t score or give an assist. At the same time, he is still there for his younger team-mates and wants them to do well.

  “In his mind he won’t be finished yet and he can still contribute to the team. I don’t think he will retire from international football until he has retired completely. He’s still got the energy, that same belief, and can still do it. There are not many people that can say that at that level.”

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• Getty
  

  Another record for Ronaldo? Oldest player to grace a World Cup

  If Ronaldo were to play towards another major tournament beyond the next European Championship, then he would head into his mid-40s. He will be 41 when representing his country at next summer’s event in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

  The oldest player to make an appearance at the World Cup finals is ex-Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who faced Saudi Arabia in 2018 aged 45 years and 161 days. Ronaldo would be 45 years and 166 days old by the time the 2030 competition comes to a close.

Manchester City moved to within two points of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, until they play on Wednesday night, with a thrilling 5-4 win over Fulham.

Supporters of their title rivals may have turned off the game when Phil Foden made it 3-0 before half-time, expecting a simple victory for Pep Guardiola’s side, but the Cityzens made hard work of their three points in the end.

Some questionable game management and defensive work from City almost led to them drawing the match, and there are several players who may not be too pleased with their own contributions to the result.

Ranking Man City's worst performers against Fulham

Whilst the likes of Erling Haaland, Tiijani Rijnders, and Phil Foden shone at Craven Cottage, some of Guardiola’s players failed to deliver quality displays on Tuesday night.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was one of those players. The Italy number one conceded four goals from five shots on target against him, letting in 1.95 more goals than expected, per Sofascore.

Full-back Matheus Nunes also failed to put in a convincing performance. The Portuguese defender was dribbled past twice, per Sofascore, and found defending the likes of Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Kevin a bit too difficult at times.

The same was true of Nico O’Reilly, who lost ten of his 15 duels and was dribbled past once, on the other flank, whilst at the other end of the pitch, Savinho struggled off the bench, wasting several chances to counter and put the game to bed late on.

It was Bernardo Silva, though, who was arguably the worst performer on the night for the Cityzens, which is why Guardiola should ruthlessly drop him from the side.

Why Pep Guardiola should drop Bernardo Silva

The Portuguese central midfielder should be put on the bench for the clash with Sunderland at The Etihad on Saturday after an underwhelming display against Fulham.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Commentating for Sky Sports, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton described Bernardo’s flicked clearance that fell for Samuel Chukwueze to score his first goal of the game as “careless”.

A few minutes after that comment, Sutton added that he could not understand why the Portugal international was still on the pitch because he “doesn’t have the legs” that he once did, and that Fulham had “run around” him.

Those comments from the Premier League title winner are backed up by the fact that Bernardo failed to complete three of his four attempted tackles on the night, per Sofascore, which shows that he was a yard off the pace when attempting to challenge Fulham players.

Bernardo also struggled to get up the pitch to influence matters in the final third, with no key passes or ‘big chances’ created from 69 touches of the ball, albeit that was not as important on a night where City scored five goals by the 54th minute.

As you can see in the table above, the experienced midfielder was even worse than Nunes, who won more tackles, more duels, and made more ball recoveries, whilst also making more key passes.

Bernardo did well in moments towards the end of the match with his ability to retain possession and calm the play down, but it was partially down to his struggles out of possession and defensively that City were in a position where they had to manage the game in the final minutes.

The left-footed star is, of course, still an important player for Guardiola, having started nine league games this season, but the clash with the Black Cats is one that he should be dropped for after this disappointing showing.

Guardiola could provide Rico Lewis with a chance to play in the middle of the park or play Lewis at right-back and bring Nunes back into his natural role in midfield to see if he can improve on his own underwhelming performance.

Man City now favourites to sign "incredible" £88m star, Pep's captivated by him

City have taken the lead in the race for a Premier League star, with Pep Guardiola a big fan.

By
Dominic Lund

Dec 2, 2025

A game on the bench for Bernardo could, also, keep him fresh ahead of the big match against Real Madrid in the Champions League next week, which is another reason why this could be a good move by the Spanish head coach at the weekend.

The Reds entered the bottom of the ninth inning on Saturday night locked in a tight battle with the Pirates in Pittsburgh. Fortunately, Cincinnati had the powers of Elly De La Cruz to lean on.

With the Reds up 2-1, the Pirates got a man on first, and Nick Gonzales came up to bat with one out. On a 2-2 count, he absolutely mashed a liner— right at De La Cruz, playing deep at the shortstop position. Without wasting even a second, EDLC then rifled a one-hop throw to first for the force-out that ended the game.

It was a very cool play that required remarkable reaction time and De La Cruz was all too happy to show off his.

That is a hard throw to make it to first on a bounce before the runner does. De La Cruz has done it again.

The win marks the Reds' 61st of the season, and it was arguably the most exciting ending yet.