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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has now identified a “special” Real Madrid star as a priority target, joining several other Premier League clubs in the race for his signature.

Man Utd's attacking prowess on show in win at Molineux

Man United returned to winning ways on Monday night, putting in a quality attacking performance to secure a 4-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, with Bruno Fernandes bagging a brace.

Bryan Mbeumo also bagged his sixth goal of the Premier League season in the rout, with Mason Mount getting in on the act too, and Amorim was very impressed by the Englishman’s performance.

After the attacking midfielder scooped up the Player of the Match award, Amorim said: “He can defend, he can attack, the quality when he touches the ball is really good, so it’s not a surprise for me,”

“He’s a different type of leader. It’s not like Licha [Lisandro Martinez], for example. It’s a guy that leads by the example.”

With Matheus Cunha also grabbing an assist in the routine win, which lifted United to sixth in the table, Amorim clearly has plenty of top-quality forward options at his disposal, but a Real Madrid attacker is now of interest.

That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which states Man United are now stepping up their pursuit of Arda Guler, who has been identified as a priority target by Amorim ahead of next summer.

Arsenal and Liverpool are also in the race for Guler’s signature, with Arne Slot’s side believed to be leading the race as things stand, although Madrid aren’t planning to sanction a departure easily.

The Turk is viewed as an important part of the Spanish side’s long-term project, so it remains to be seen whether the Red Devils can tempt them into a sale.

"Special" Guler could be fantastic long-term signing for Man Utd

Just 20-years-old, the attacking midfielder has managed to establish himself as an important player for Real Madrid this season, amassing three goals and seven assists across 21 matches in all competitions.

Former manager Carlo Ancelotti has also waxed lyrical about the starlet, saying: “I think the closer to goal, the better. He is very effective, he scores a lot with little space, he has a special talent. He shows it better closer to the goal.”

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Having already proven himself at a high level, setting up two goals in the Champions League in 2025-26, and scoring six goals in 26 appearances for Turkey, the £87k-a-week youngster could be a fantastic long-term addition to Amorim’s squad.

He’s been described as “the single best midfield prospect in world football” by writer Neal Gardner and the fact he finished second in the 2025 Golden Boys rankings, only behind PSG’s Desire Doue, says a lot.

That said, it is somewhat difficult to envisage Madrid sanctioning a sale, given that Guler remains under contract until 2029, so there is no pressing need to cash-in, and he has been a key player for Xabi Alonso this season.

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. is one step closer to making his long-awaited return to the field, as he is set to begin his rehab assignment on Tuesday, May 13 in the Florida Complex Rookie League.

Depending how he does there, Acuña could be ready to jump up to Triple-A sometime soon after that, and then he would be cleared for the majors.

There is still not a set timeline on when Acuña could return to the Braves' lineup.

Acuña hasn't played since May 26, 2024, as he tore his left ACL and underwent surgery soon after. He missed the remainder of the 2024 season, then didn't compete during Spring Training this year. It was expected he wouldn't be ready for Opening Day, but the Braves would likely want him back as soon as they can.

The Braves currently sit third in the American League East with a 19-21 record.

Manchester City and Manchester United have entered a fierce battle to sign Burkina Faso sensation Mohamed Zongo, the 15-year-old attacking midfielder who dazzled at the U17 World Cup. Both clubs have already held talks with the Tenakourou Academy as Europe’s elite begin circling for a prodigy who produced goals, assists and man-of-the-match displays to lead Burkina Faso to the quarter-finals.

Man City and Man Utd interested in Burkina Faso wonderkid

City and United have both made formal approaches to the Tenakourou Academy as interest intensifies in Burkina Faso wonderkid Zongo as per Africa Foot. The 15-year-old attacking midfielder burst into global prominence during the U17 World Cup, where his two goals, three assists and standout performances placed him among the tournament’s top breakout stars. City and United held discussions with his academy as recently as Friday, joining Villarreal and Anderlecht in assessing the rising talent.

Zongo’s displays in Qatar captured attention across Europe, especially his decisive strike in the 1-0 victory over Germany and multiple man-of-the-match honours. Clubs are now evaluating potential development pathways and financial proposals, but his current academy has not yet committed to any agreement. All options remain open as interest grows, with both Manchester clubs determined not to miss out on a rare profile in the age group.

With no deal close and the player still developing domestically, the race has entered an early scouting and negotiation phase rather than a formal bidding stage. The teenager is permitted to continue at the academy while clubs prepare long-term plans for his progression into European football. For now, the situation remains fluid, with both clubs confident they can present the most attractive project for the prodigy’s next step.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportZongo viewed as a 'next-gen Yaya Toure'

Zongo’s emergence comes at a time when both Manchester clubs are aggressively expanding their youth recruitment networks. Manchester City, who have built a reputation for signing elite young talent worldwide, view Zongo as another high-upside midfielder who could either break into their first team or generate long-term value within their City Football Group model. His combination of creativity, drive and defensive intelligence aligns with their emphasis on multi-functional, technically strong academy players.

United, meanwhile, are undergoing a structural rebuild under INEOS and see youth recruitment as central to restoring the club’s identity. The success of recent prospects and the signing of former U17 World Cup star Sekou Kone highlight the club’s commitment to securing elite young profiles before their value skyrockets. Zongo’s positional versatility as a No. 10, box-to-box midfielder or wide playmaker fits well within Ruben Amorim’s long-term system, which values intelligence, mobility and ball-carrying ability.

The rivalry between the two clubs adds a competitive edge, with both understanding the symbolic and sporting significance of winning battles at the academy level. Losing a talent like Zongo to their city rivals would be viewed as a major missed opportunity, particularly given his growing reputation as a “next-gen Yaya Toure” based on his physical maturity and all-round influence. As a result, both clubs are preparing stronger cases in the expectation that negotiations will intensify in the months ahead.

Zongo's spectacular U17 World Cup campaign

Zongo became one of the defining figures of the U17 World Cup, demonstrating a blend of technical quality and tactical maturity that far exceeded his age. His direct running, incisive passing and ability to dictate games allowed Burkina Faso to reach the quarter-finals, where he came close to scoring twice against Italy. His return of two goals and three assists established him as one of the most productive midfielders of the tournament.

His development at the Tenakourou Academy has been tracked closely by scouts, who have highlighted his comfort in multiple roles across midfield. He has been praised for his game awareness, work rate and ability to take responsibility in high-pressure knockout matches, which is rare for a player at just 15.

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AFPMan City and Man Utd have competition in race

Manchester City and Manchester United are expected to continue discussions with the Tenakourou Academy in the coming weeks as they refine their proposals. Both clubs will present detailed development plans, outlining how Zongo would be integrated, whether through academy progression, loan pathways or targeted mentorship. With no agreement yet in place, the next stage will revolve around establishing which environment best suits his long-term growth.

Tenakourou Academy are in no rush to finalise a decision and intend to evaluate every option before committing to a transfer plan. Their priority is securing the right project for the player's development rather than the fastest or most financially appealing deal. European interest from Villarreal and Anderlecht also ensures the Manchester clubs cannot afford to hesitate.

New Zealand Women allrounder Thamsyn Newton has announced her retirement from all forms of cricket. She brought curtains to a 14-year career that included ten ODIs and 15 T20Is between 2015 and 2021, and was part of the New Zealand squads for the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2017 ODI World Cup.Newton was a top-order batter, known for her hard-hitting, and bowled medium pace. In just her third T20I, she ran through Sri Lanka’s middle order with figures of 3 for 9 and in November 2016 against Pakistan, picked up her first five-for in ODIs. But it was in New Zealand’s domestic circuit where Newton truly shone.She began her domestic career with Wellington in 2011-12 before switching over to Canterbury from 2014 to 2018. She returned to Wellington again for a further five years before moving to Central Districts ahead of the 2023-24 season. She appeared in four Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, the domestic 50-over competition, finals – in 2015 and 2017 with Canterbury and in 2022 and 2023 with Wellington – winning it once with each team. She also won the Super Smash with Wellington four times and finished runners-up last year playing for Central Districts in a thrilling finale against her former team.While Newton last played an ODI in 2017, she earned back her central contract with New Zealand in 2021 after a gap of three years. But she only played three more T20Is after that. She also played for Perth Scorchers in the WBBL 2017-18.Newton is also a dual code star and played rugby in the Farah Palmer Cup, the domestic women’s rugby union competition in New Zealand, for Wellington Pride and the Hawke’s Bay Tui.

Manchester United are now determined to sign a “tremendous” midfielder, with it being revealed they are willing to make a £61m offer.

Man Utd want to sign new midfielder with Mainoo heading for exit

It has now emerged that Kobbie Mainoo could now be heading for the exit door, having failed to start a single Premier League game this season, with Napoli close to getting a deal over the line after a recent round of talks.

Ruben Amorim clearly isn’t fully convinced by Mainoo, having opted to give Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro the nod in the middle of the park for the most part, and doubts remain over Manuel Ugarte, who received heavy criticism after the EFL Cup defeat against Grimsby Town.

With that in mind, the Red Devils have set out to bring in a new midfielder, and Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton recently moved ahead of Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba on the list of targets.

According to a report from Spain, however, a different midfielder has now emerged as Man United’s top target, with it being revealed they are willing to make a €70m (£61m) offer for Athletic Club star Oihan Sancet.

United are determined to get a deal for Sancet done, as they believe he fits their desired profile perfectly, and scouts have been sent to watch the Spaniard in action on a number of occasions.

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The Red Devils are now readying a big offer for a January signing, with Ruben Amorim personally very keen.

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The attacking midfielder hasn’t ruled out an exit, but his current employers are working on a new contract, in an effort to stave off interest from elsewhere.

Sancet enjoyed "tremendous" 2024-25 campaign

Many of the Red Devils’ other midfield targets, such as Baleba, Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, play in slightly deeper midfield roles, but the Athletic Club star has an attacking mindset, enjoying a fantastic 2024-25 campaign.

Indeed, the 25-year-old was a constant threat on the front foot in La Liga, amassing 20 goals and assists in all competitions, which impressed Athletic Club sporting director Rafa Alkorta, who described him as “tremendous”.

Sancet clearly has the ability to succeed at Old Trafford, but given his attacking mindset, the Pamplona-born star wouldn’t be a like-for-like replacement for Mainoo, who appears to be heading for the exit door.

Anderson, on the other hand, is accustomed to playing in a deeper midfield role, and the Nottingham Forest star recently displayed his ability to control matches, in what was a remarkable performance for England against Latvia.

Statistic

Number completed

Accurate passes

121/130 (93%)

Key passes

2

Tackles

4

Duels won

7

Chelsea are now preparing an offer worth over £87m to sign an “elite” new striker in a blockbuster move, it has been revealed.

Blues preparing bid for yet another new striker

The Blues made it three wins on the spin in all competitions on Saturday afternoon, with Pedro Neto particularly catching the eye, being awarded a 9.5 SofaScore match rating after chipping in with a goal and an assist.

Enzo Maresca’s side relied on their defenders to provide the other goals, with Josh Acheampong and Reece James also getting in on the act, and it was a late strike from the captain that wrapped up a 3-0 victory on the road.

Joao Pedro, on the other hand, was unable to have much of an impact on proceedings, and the Brazilian has now gone four Premier League games without a goal, after making an impressive start to the campaign.

Of course, it is still way too early to lose faith in Pedro, but the west Londoners are never shy about spending big in the transfer window, and they have now set their sights on a new striker.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states Chelsea are now preparing an offer of more than €100m (£87m) for FC Porto star Samu Omorodion, who has established himself as one of the most promising young strikers in Europe.

There is a feeling that Omorodion would be a perfect fit in the Premier League, and the Blues are now willing to spend big to get a deal done, with the striker potentially in line to become one of their most expensive signings of all-time.

The blockbuster move is being considered for next summer, rather than January, which gives the 21-year-old the remainder of the season to prove he is the right man to lead the line for Maresca’s side.

Chelsea open talks to sign "powerful" £35m forward with 15 goals in 2025

The Blues have entered discussions with the agents of a new forward, who is enjoying an impressive campaign.

ByDominic Lund Oct 19, 2025 "Elite" Omorodion has ability to be the main man for Chelsea

The Spaniard enjoyed a very impressive debut campaign in Portugal last season, and the early signs this season show that he could be capable of eclipsing his previous league goal tally, having made a fantastic start.

Season

Liga Portugal appearances

Goals

2024-25

30

19

2025-26

7

5

Scout Ben Mattinson also lauded the Porto star last season, while also suggesting he has the ability to make the step-up to one of Europe’s top leagues.

Chelsea have implemented a policy of signing and developing exciting young players since BlueCo’s arrival, and Omorodion fits the bill in that regard, with the youngster clearly talented enough to lead the line at Stamford Bridge.

Dominic Solanke was again absent from training ahead of Tottenham’s trip to Norway to face Bodo/Glimt.

Solanke last played for Spurs on August 23 against Manchester City and, even though he recently returned to training after a troublesome ankle injury disrupted his pre-season, he was conspicuous by his absence on Monday morning in Enfield.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank played down concerns over Solanke’s fitness on Friday ahead of the visit of Wolves, but with the England forward not able to feature in open training before the club fly to Bodo for Tuesday’s Champions League clash, the squad are short of attacking options.

Paris St Germain loanee Randal Kolo Muani was also absence as he deals with a dead leg, but Ben Davies did take part in the session after a minor knee issue.

Summer recruit Kota Takai also featured after a plantar fascia problem in recent months and Yves Bissouma was back.

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Bissouma has not played for Tottenham this season after he was dropped from the Super Cup squad for being late on multiple occasions. He then suffered a knee injury in training days later.

Orange Cap leaderboard

After the first game of IPL 2025, Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had the No. 1 spot for his 59 not out against KKR. In the second, Ishan Kishan slammed 106 not out for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and took the top spot. Then, in the fourth match, Nicholas Pooran of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) hit 75 vs Delhi Capitals (DC) and, while that didn’t dislodge Kishan, Pooran’s 70 against SRH in the seventh game did, putting him at the top of the pile.And there he stayed. Till Match No. 39. When GT’s B Sai Sudharsan, who had been second on the table almost this entire while, hit 52 in 36 balls to not only take the top spot, but also become the first batter in the competition to go past the 400-run mark.Pooran is now in the unfamiliar position of No. 2, and while Sai Sudharsan’s prolific form – he has 74, 63, 49, 5, 82, 56 and 36 now – has a lot to do with it, Pooran’s own lack of runs in his last two outings – 8 and 11 – is a contributing factor. He still has 368 runs, mind you, and plays the next game in the tournament, against DC at home in Lucknow on Tuesday. He will want to take that cap right back.Not to forget the new No. 3. It’s Jos Buttler. His 41 not out in 23 balls against KKR has taken his tally for the IPL to 345 runs. His captain, Shubman Gill, meanwhile, hit 90 in 55 balls against KKR, and that has made him zoom past a whole selection of batters to 305 runs, and the seventh spot on the table.Mumbai Indians’ (MI) Suryakumar Yadav, Sunday night’s No. 3, Kohli of RCB and RR’s Yashasvi Jaiswal are the others in the 300-plus club at the moment.Purple Cap leaderboardLess drama on the other table, but Prasidh Krishna, courtesy his 2 for 25, strengthened his position at the top of the table with 16 wickets against his name, that’s four clear of the next best.Not just him, two other GT bowlers, R Sai Kishore and Mohammed Siraj picked up a wicket apiece to take their respective tallies to 12 wickets, which put them level with Kuldeep Yadav (DC), Noor Ahmad of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), RCB’s Josh Hazlewood and Shardul Thakur of LSG.You can check other IPL 2025 stats here:

• Highest batting strike rates
• Best bowling economy rates
• Most sixes
• Best bowling figures in a match

Manchester United pushed the boat out during the summer transfer window and now seem to be planning on their next capture ahead of the market opening for business again in January.

Manchester United set to offload Andre Onana on loan

The English transfer window is now closed and Ruben Amorim will need to work with the players at his disposal for the time being, though he is in the process of sanctioning a departure that could be announced imminently.

Fabrizio Romano has reported on X that Andre Onana is set to leave on loan to join Trabzonspor, in a deal that will contain no loan fee or option to buy the player once his agreement comes to an end.

Concern over Onana’s performances at Manchester United have existed for a long time and his exit will be seen as a timely one by many supporters.

High-profile errors and the weight of the number one jersey at Old Trafford have left the Cameroon international seeking a new challenge, especially after Senne Lammens’ £18.2 million arrival from Royal Antwerp.

Speaking about the realities of Onana’s situation, Roy Carroll has given his own account of the difficulties he faced when between the sticks at the Red Devils, claiming that mental toughness is key for Amorim’s chosen stopper moving forward.

He stated: “It’s not easy playing for Manchester United at the moment, but it was hard back then because everyone was expecting the new Peter Schmeichel.

“Even then, if you made a mistake, it was big news. You had to be mentally strong and that is still the case. But we are not robots; we are all human beings. It is not so much what you do on the pitch as what you do off it.”

With a change of the guard within Manchester United’s backline apparent, the next domino could be about to fall once the January window opens.

Manchester United plan to trigger Dani Vivian's release clause

Onana’s exit will leave Lammens between the sticks, and reports in Spain claim Manchester United could look to trigger Athletic Club defender Dani Vivian’s release clause in January, which stands at the £34.7 million mark.

Deemed similar to Dayot Upamecano by FBRef, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are also keen on the Spain international, who has made 152 appearances for Athletic Club, registering seven goals and two assists.

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Seen as a market opportunity due to his favourable value, Vivian has already won five tackles and made 16 recoveries in La Liga this term, per Fotmob, illustrating his capacity to sniff out dangerous opportunities.

Harry Maguire is into the final year of his Manchester United contract, prompting interest from Saudi Pro League clubs in a money-spinning move for the England international.

With the Red Devils’ veteran at risk of departing, Vivian could be a natural replacement if circumstances align at Old Trafford over the coming months.

Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has reiterated the club's commitment to Harry Kane, stating that they have no intention of parting ways and are focused on helping him succeed. The comments were prompted by Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, who had publicly expressed his openness to Kane rejoining the Premier League club. Coach Vincent Kompany subsequently declined to comment on the matter.

• Thomas Frank says Harry Kane is more than welcome at Tottenham

  Ever since Kane left for Bayern, there has been a constant feeling among the club's supporters that he will eventually return and retire in the league where he found his stride. When Frank was recently asked his opinion on a Kane reunion, the Danish manager said he believes that the striker is doing well at Bayern and will not be thinking of moving to England as of now. However, should he want to rejoin the club, Frank insisted he would be "more than welcome."

  This revelation was significant as Kane is not only the club's record goalscorer with 280 goals but is in the form of his life at Bayern. In addition, the England international reportedly has a €64 million (£56m/$76m) release clause in his contract which can be triggered next year, fuelling more expectations and speculation among the supporters.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Bayern's response to Harry Kane's transfer speculation

  In a pre-match press conference, Bayern sporting director Eberl was asked to comment on Kane and whether his release clause could lead to complications.

  "He's old enough to make his own decisions, whether clause or no clause, whatever – if he says: 'I want to make a decision,' then he'll make it, as he showed at Tottenham," he said. "But our wish is, of course, to be very, very successful with Harry this season and in the future! 

  When the same question was run through Kompany, the coach said: "Harry is in an excellent phase. The last thing I want is to open the door to other discussions."

  He further shared how Kane has developed over time and what he sees now is different from the Kane that he faced during his playing days at Manchester City.

  "They are two different players, the way I saw him then and the way I see him now. I think Harry has made a decision to open up his game more. This allows him to sometimes escape the attention of defenders and still score. I like having him in a position where he can score goals, but at the moment, it's working very well."

• Harry Kane's time at Bayern Munich

  Kane joined Bayern in 2023 as the Bundesliga’s most expensive signing and quickly proved his worth as a goal-scoring machine. In his debut season, he netted 36 league goals, earning the European Golden Shoe, and shattered records, including the fastest to 50 Bundesliga goals. He finished as top scorer in his first two seasons, helped Bayern secure the 2024-25 Bundesliga title-his first major trophy-and became the highest-scoring Englishman in Champions League history. Renowned for both finishing and playmaking, Kane had over 90 goals in just 100 appearances by 2025, cementing his status as a cornerstone of Bayern’s success.

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  Bayern will hope to maintain their win streak

  Bayern have maintained a seven-game win streak this campaign across all competitions, having not lost a single match yet. Kompany's men are set to face Werder Bremen in their next league match on September 26 before they fly to Cyprus to face Pafos in the Champions League on September 30.