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Football fans far and wide, heading into the 2025/26 Premier League season, must have been expecting that Liverpool would continue their domestic dominance.

It started well for Arne Slot’s Reds, too, as they went about defending their status as reigning champions, with five straight wins picked up in league action in the early stages of the campaign.

However, since they got the better of Everton in the Merseyside Derby in mid-September, it has all gone rather pear-shaped for the Reds, with an alarming six defeats now collected in all competitions, pushing them down to a dire seventh position in the Premier League standings.

Things have to change, and quickly, with many of the players Slot and Co. purchased in the summer failing to live up to their grand expectations.

Liverpool's most underwhelming signings

Liverpool really didn’t hold back this summer when breaking the bank.

Indeed, a jaw-dropping £415m in total was spent on revamping the Reds, with the triumphant top-flight champions waving goodbye to the likes of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the summer for mega money.

Unfortunately, despite sitting at the top of this above list with their spending power, a lot of their high-profile signings have flopped so far at Anfield, with Florian Wirtz – who cost a whopping £116m just on his own – still yet to pick up a single goal or assist in league action, culminating in the German being labelled as “pretty average” by ex-Liverpool midfielder, and compatriot, Dietmar Hamann.

Milos Kerkez has also been subject to some scathing criticism, with the £40m recruit looking like a shadow of his expansive AFC Bournemouth best, particularly against Crystal Palace last time out in the EFL Cup, as Ismaila Sarr confidently collected two goals down his left flank.

Another former Liverpool favourite in Jason McAteer, has even suggested that the move to the Reds was “too big for him”, amid concerns he looks “lost” donning the number six jersey.

Thankfully, Hugo Ekitike has shone in spurts as another flashy new signing, but there is one dud that is extremely concerning now, as Slot potentially has to contend with his own Naby Keita-style blunder.

The £280k-per-week star who is Slot's own Keita

Glancing over Liverpool’s most expensive signings of all time is an intriguing read.

Of course, they struck gold when landing Virgil Van Dijk for £75m as he remains the club’s top leader to this day. But, when you

scroll down more, you’re then greeted by Keita’s name, who is still Liverpool’s eighth most expensive recruit at the £48m mark.

Keita did, of course, have a stunning goal up his sleeve at Liverpool – as evidenced in this glittering highlight package – but he didn’t consistently shine bright enough to justify his once club-record fee, with injuries galore often stopping him in his tracks.

Fast forward to the present, and an eerily similar tale could now be unfolding with Alexander Isak, with the ex-Newcastle United striker – who is prone to an injury niggle himself – yet to get up and running at Anfield, after breaking the Reds’ transfer record when joining in the summer for a ludicrous £125m.

Isak’s numbers this season

Stat

Isak

Games played

8

Goals scored

1

Assists

1

Games missed through injury

5

Sourced by Transfermarkt

After all, Liverpool must have thought they’d sealed the signing of the window when landing the £280k-per-week hotshot, considering he was once branded as a “world-class” talent at Newcastle United by ex-boss Eddie Howe when burying a lethal 62 strikes from 109 games.

But, caution should have been exercised here in trying to temper expectations, considering Jurgen Klopp also hailed Keita as the “best player in the league” in the Bundesliga when sealing his services, only for everything to fall apart.

Indeed, as is the case looking at the table above, Isak has only one paltry goal next to his name so far in his uncomfortable new surroundings, with the extortionate number nine already falling foul of sitting out five games for club and country this season through injury issues.

The hope will be that it doesn’t get as bad as Keita’s injury situation got, with his penultimate season in England seeing him miss a staggering 40 games with recurring trips to the treatment room.

He looks set to miss Liverpool’s must-win clash with Aston Villa on the weekend, to add insult to injury.

Isak, additionally, has the pressure of being known as a lethal goalscorer weighing him down, as the burden of being Liverpool’s most expensive signing proves, yet again, to be a debilitating hindrance, rather than a badge of honour.

The Reds waited a year for Keita to arrive, after initially signing him in advance in 2017, only for the move to end in disappointment.

Having waded through a whole summer saga before landing Isak, it looks as if the Swede could be heading for similar frustration at Anfield.

Related "We never speak about this in here" – Slot stunned at Liverpool press conference

It took the Dutchman by surprise.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Oct 31, 2025

Manchester City suffered their first defeat in October last time out as the unusually wasteful Citizens came unstuck 1-0 away at Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola’s visitors would register 15 shots at the home side’s goal, but even the Erling Haaland-led visitors are prone to a frustrating afternoon here and there, as a fierce Matty Cash strike in the first half ended up being the match-winner on the day.

Heading into this contest, City had powered home seven strikes across the rest of the month, with a staggering six of those efforts that found the back of the net coming directly from the lethal Norwegian.

It really does highlight how dependent Guardiola’s men are on their clinical Scandinavian to bail them out of trouble, as one of his goal-shy attacking teammates in Savinho continued his poor season to date in the West Midlands.

Why Savinho is in danger of being dropped

Only Phil Foden, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Mateus Nunes have chipped in with Premier League goals this season for City, if you take Haaland out of the equation.

Savinho was very close to adding his name to that exclusive list against Unai Emery’s hosts, but the number 26’s two efforts in quick succession in the second half would fail to beat Emiliano Martinez, as Pau Torres also came to the rescue to deny the frustrated Brazilian with an important clearance.

It wasn’t just the 21-year-old’s lack of a clinical edge that would have frustrated Guardiola post-match, however, as the out-of-form winger also failed to register a single accurate cross, on top of only completing one dribble as he routinely struggled to catch Villa out.

City-based social media account City Talk would even state that Savinho offered “nothing” at Villa Park, and it’s a tale of his disappointing season so far, too, with just one meagre assist notched up from six Premier League outings.

Thankfully, Guardiola also has Jeremy Doku, who he can fall back on down the left flank, with the Belgian boasting a far superior tally of three Premier League assists this season so far.

But, he could think outside of the box shortly when searching for talents who can surpass Savinho, with this homegrown talent certainly one to keep an eye out for.

The "unbelievable" 17-year-old who can surpass Savinho

The ultra-successful Spaniard is also a manager who isn’t afraid to test out starlets if he deems they’re first-team ready, as seen in him handing Bury-born Rico Lewis 102 senior appearances to date, after first making a name for himself at the Etihad in the U18 and U21 ranks.

Reigan Heskey will hope he’s the next up-and-coming sensation that is gifted some opportunities in the senior picture, with the 17-year-old winger already being dubbed an “unbelievable” talent for the future by one of his coaches at City in Ben Wilkinson.

He could even be the perfect solution to City’s Savinho troubles, with the Liverpool-born attacker standing out as an extremely direct option down the South American’s left channel, when looking at his flashy highlight reel above.

Indeed, across 57 appearances in various youth set-ups in Manchester, Heskey has established himself as a tricky forward option who, most importantly, has the goals and assists in his locker to back up all his tricks and flicks, with a lethal 31 goals collected.

It is for that reason that he has been likened to another Manchester-born star in the form of ex-Manchester United hero Marcus Rashford, with analyst Ben Mattinson praising his “Rashford-like ability as an inside forward to stretch the defence”.

U18s

31

20 + 8

U21s

14

6 + 1

Youth League

12

5 + 0

Men’s team

1

0

The next major step Heskey will have to make is breaking into the first-team picture, with Guardiola actually handing him first first-ever senior opportunity just this season in the EFL Cup versus Huddersfield Town, with the young Englishman also coincidentally replacing the aforementioned Savinho for the final seven minutes.

Of course, Guardiola won’t just discard the 13-time Brazil international completely, considering he does have four goals and 15 assists next to his name in City Sky blue, away from his poor opening to this season.

But, he will surely be tempted to throw Heskey into the men’s side more regularly now to give the out-of-sorts attacker more competition, with the potential also very much there for the 17-year-old to surpass Savinho down the line, if his blistering academy numbers can be translated to the senior game.

Man City now open talks to sign "sensational" £168k-a-week Bayern Munich star

City have made a move for one of Bayern Munich’s key players, with the German club now “really worried” about his future.

ByDominic Lund Oct 28, 2025

Chelsea “love” an attacker with a “left foot made of gold” and “will push” to hijack Real Madrid’s move, it has been revealed.

Blues looking to sign new attacking midfielder

In Cole Palmer’s absence, the Blues struggled against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, succumbing to a 3-1 home defeat, with Andrey Santos failing to create any big chances prior to being replaced by Josh Acheampong after 54 minutes.

Enzo Fernandez, on the other hand, put in a more impressive performance, scoring his side’s only goal, but the Argentina international has been called into question for his creativity in the past.

With Palmer not fully-fit, Enzo Maresca’s side have put in some poor displays recently, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United, following the England international being forced off with a groin injury just after the 20-minute mark.

Cole Palmer facing several weeks out as journalist details "new" Chelsea injury

The England star was hauled off early in to their defeat at Man United.

ByEmilio Galantini Sep 23, 2025

As such, there is arguably a lack of depth in attacking midfield, which Maresca has now set out to rectify, with Chelsea joining the race for Real Madrid target Nico Paz, according to transfer journalist Mark Brus, in a report for Caught Offside.

Brus’ source said: “Chelsea love Nico, Chelsea will push for sure. Real Madrid are confident, but Como will try to negotiate a new contract for him to remove the buy-back clause. They believe they could then sell him for as much as €80m (£70m).”

Should Paz sign a new deal with Como, it could pave the way for a move to Stamford Bridge, but Real Madrid remain confident about re-signing the attacking midfielder, and they currently remain in control of his future.

Paz could take career to next level at Stamford Bridge

Real Madrid may be ruing the decision to let the Argentinian leave in the first place, given the impact he’s made at Como, chipping in with six goals and nine assists in his first Serie A campaign, and he has since made a flying start to the new season.

The Spain-born star has amassed six goal contributions in his opening five league games, showcasing that he could soon be ready to take his career to the next level by signing for one of Europe’s top clubs.

Lauded as having a “left foot made of gold” by football scout Jacek Kulig, the starlet also fits the bill age-wise, given that he is just 21-years-old, and the Blues are well-known to have a policy of signing young players.

Paz ticks every box for Chelsea, and with Maresca clearly in need of players to provide competition for Palmer’s starting spot, he could be the ideal addition to the squad.

Rajat Patidar would have missed a couple of IPL 2025 games had the league continued as scheduled

Shashank Kishore11-May-20253:10

Is it time to start dreaming for RCB fans?

Rajat Patidar, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain, is currently recovering from a finger injury that would have ruled him out for at least two matches had IPL 2025 not been temporarily suspended due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.The tournament’s temporary pause has given him at least a week’s time to recover without missing matches.Patidar suffered the injury while fielding during RCB’s home game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 3. He was advised to wear a splint to protect the finger and refrain from training for at least 10 days before the injury could be assessed.RCB is being cautious with Patidar’s recovery, keeping in mind his availability for the IPL playoffs and also his possible selection for the upcoming India A tour of England. The squad for the tour is expected to be announced in the coming days.Related

BCCI aiming to resume IPL 2025 in May following ceasefire

IPL 2025 suspended 'for one week' amid India-Pakistan tensions

On Saturday, Patidar returned to Bengaluru from Lucknow with the rest of the RCB squad. Despite the setback, he was optimistic about playing the remainder of the IPL season should it resume in the next week following the announcement of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan on Saturday evening.With Patidar injured, Jitesh Sharma was in line to lead RCB against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Friday before the BCCI suspended the IPL for a week on May 8.”I was very grateful for the opportunity given to me,” Jitesh said on RCB Bold Diaries. “They were giving me an opportunity to captain RCB and it’s a very big thing for me and my family. I was thinking of what the right combination would be because both Devdutt [Padikkal] and Rajat were not available, and it was a big responsibility to replace them.”And as per the position we were on the points table, we would have won this game. All of this was going on in my head and all the meetings with coaches and players in those two-three days, batting order, discussions with bowlers. I had good fun.”Patidar’s injury is one of several RCB have suffered before the IPL was suspended. Opening batter Phil Salt was down with illness and was replaced in the XI by Jacob Bethell; Padikkal was ruled out of the season with a hamstring injury and replaced in the squad by Mayank Agarwal; and Josh Hazlewood had suffered a shoulder injury.As of Sunday, all of RCB’s overseas players and coaching staff had left India but were asked to remain on standby to return should the tournament restart.RCB were second on the points table when the IPL was interrupted, with eight wins and three defeats from 11 games. Their remaining three fixtures are an away game against LSG, and home matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) but those venues could change depending on how the IPL rejigs the schedule for the rest of the season.

Kylian Mbappe, who needs just six goals to become his country's all-time top scorer, believes he "can score against anyone" ahead of France's World Cup qualifying clash against Azerbaijan on Friday. His participation in the game, however, remains uncertain, with the Frenchman picking up a minor ankle sprain in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Villarreal in La Liga last weekend.

• Mbappe eyeing Giroud's throne as France's all-time top scorer

  Giroud retired from international football in 2024 after making 137 appearances and a record 57 goals for Les Bleus. Mbappe currently sits in second position, having scored 52 goals in 92 games. The Frenchman, who has been in breathtaking form at the start of the season, will be aiming to eclipse Giroud in France's next two games – two relatively easy fixtures against Azerbaijan on Friday and Iceland next Monday.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Giroud record not on Mbappe's mind at the moment

  Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the France captain said: "I'm not breaking any taboos when I say I can score goals against anyone. Every match has its own reality. [Azerbaijan] is a team that held Ukraine to a draw, where we didn't have it easy. The stakes are higher than just scoring goals, even if we're not going to deprive ourselves of that.

  "I think I'll beat [Giroud], but when, I don't know. Maybe tomorrow, who knows? Maybe later. It's something that will come naturally and I'll move on from there."

• Mbappe finally the player Real Madrid thought they signed in 2024

  A record-breaking individual season was overshadowed by Real Madrid's failure to secure major silverware. The Frenchman often struggled, especially during the first half of the 2024-25 season, before finding his feet and finishing the season with the Pichichi and European Golden Shoe awards. 

  This season, though, Mbappe has been in transcendental form, scoring 14 goals in 10 games for Los Blancos and finally giving the impression that the version of Mbappe Madrid thought they signed in the summer of 2024 has arrived.

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• Getty
  

  Will Mbappe feature for France on Friday?

  In Madrid's most recent outing, a 3-1 win over Villarreal last weekend, Mbappe came off in the 82nd minute, just moments after he scored a goal. After the game, head coach Xabi Alonso confirmed that the 26-year-old had only suffered a minor ankle sprain. 

  Regardless, he was called up by France boss Didier Deschamps in hopes that he would recover from his knock in time for Friday's clash against Azerbaijan. The former Paris Saint-Germain player missed team training this week, but Mbappe confirmed he would participate in training with the rest of his squad on Thursday.

  "I want to play, the coach wants me to play, I don't think there will be any problems," Mbappe said. "I feel good, we're talking to the coach. I'm going to train today, it's the last test but I'm not particularly worried."

It’s set to be a very busy end to the transfer window all across Europe, but perhaps no more so than at Chelsea.

Given their need to balance the books, and the fact they’re currently employing 42 senior players, the Blues are hoping for a mass exodus between now and Monday’s deadline.

Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Nicolas Jackson, Axel Disasi, David Datro Fofana, Christopher Nkunku and others are all up for sale, so it’ll be interesting to see how many do indeed depart in the coming days.

Meantime, despite having made nine new signings this summer already, Chelsea are expected to make at least one more.

Chelsea's search for more signings

As reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic on X, Chelsea are currently ‘evaluating the possibility’ of signing Fermín López from Barcelona.

Transfer Focus

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

Earlier this summer, it was reported that the Spain international was valued at £43m by Barça, who do not want to sell the 22-year-old, but are open to offers, given their ongoing financial problems.

Nevertheless, given how little time remains in the window, this appears a long shot, although you never know, but there is a highly-rated young talent that Chelsea are far more likely to get their hands on in the next few days.

That’s because, again, as reported by Ornstein in the Transfer DealSheet, Chelsea are ‘expected’ to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United, with the Argentine winger still ‘keen’ on a move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have already seen multiple bids rejected for Garnacho this summer, with Manchester United holding out for a fee close to £50m, despite the fact he clearly has no future at Old Trafford.

This one is likely to go right to the wire, so will the 21-year-old escape the infamous Carrington bomb squad and belatedly move to West London?

What Alejandro Garnacho will bring to Chelsea

Despite having only celebrated his 21st birthday as recently as last month, Garnacho has plenty of experience under his belt.

Already, he has amassed 144 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 26 goals, the unquestionable pick of the bunch being this jaw-dropping overhead kick against Everton at Goodison.

Last season, despite having now been cast aside by Rúben Amorim, Garnacho was a key figure as Manchester United endured their most miserable season since the mid-70s, as the table below documents.

Garnacho 24/25 PL stats
Stat	Garnacho	Man UTD rank
Minutes	2,199	5th
Goals	6	3rd
xG	7.3	2nd
xA	4.5	3rd
Big chances created	4	3rd
Big chances missed	14	1st
Shots	84	2nd
Shots on target	29	1st
Key passes	37	3rd
Shot-creating actions	83	3rd
Progressive carries	141	1st
Prog passes received	290	1st
Attempted take-ons	89	1st
Carries into box	67	1st
via FBref.com & Sofascore

As the table highlights, Garnacho ranked in the top three for every attacking statistic at Manchester United in the Premier League last season, only outscored by Bruno Fernandes and Amad, while he was clear in first place when it came to all dribbling-based metrics.

As a result, Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labelled him a “diamond”, while Statman Dave asserts that he is one of the best two young wingers on the planet, alongside Lamine Yamal, which is certainly high praise.

So, why would he have a bigger impact at Stamford Bridge than Fermín?

Well, the young Spaniard, while obviously highly rated, is significantly less experienced, starting only 39 times for Barcelona to date, with his breakthrough only coming last season, but even then he saw just 12 La Liga starts.

Also, central midfield is certainly the strongest section of Chelsea’s team, with Moisés Caicedo alongside Enzo Fernández, arguably, the best pairing in the division, while Enzo Maresca has also deployed Reece James in that position, with Roméo Lavia and Andrey Santos very viable alternatives too.

This is not to say Chelsea are not overflowing with wingers, but Garnacho appears better equipped to come in and make an impact straight away.

Thus, while of course prioritising sales, the Blues should focus on finalising the deal to bring Garnacho to Stamford Bridge, rather than being distracted by Fermín.

Better than Simons: Chelsea tempted to make late move to sign £80m star

Chelsea could secure a statement deal by landing this £80m Xavi Simons alternative.

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 24, 2025

سيحصل محمد صلاح على فرصة المشاركة في نهائيات كأس العالم للمرة الثانية، الصيف المقبل، بعد أن حسم منتخب مصر تأهله لكأس العالم 2026 في أمريكا الشمالية.

ووفقًا لشبكة “empireofthekop” الإنجليزية، فإن نجم ليفربول لم يظهر مستواه التهديفي المعتاد في بداية هذا الموسم، حيث سجل ثلاث أهداف خلال عشر مباريات.

وكان واين روني المهاجم الإنجليزي الدولي السابق قد شكك في جدارة محمد صلاح بعد الهزيمة أمام تشيلسي نهاية الأسبوع الماضي، بسبب هذا المعدل التهديفي غير المعتاد على النجم المصري.

ومع ذلك فقد كان اللاعب صاحب الـ33 عامًا هو الحدث الرئيسي لمنتخب مصر في فوزه أمام جيبوتي بثلاثية نظيفة، وقد ضمنت هذه النتيجة تأهل للفراعنة لكأس العالم قبل مباراة واحدة من نهاية التصفيات.

ويختتم منتخب مصر مشواره في تصفيات كأس العالم على ملعبه أمام غينيا بيساو، يوم الأحد المقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ليفربول يوجه رسالة لـ محمد صلاح بعد قيادة منتخب مصر للتأهل إلى كأس العالم

وسجل محمد صلاح هدفين في مرمى متذيل المجموعة الأولى بتصفيات كأس العالم، وجاء الهدف الثاني بتسديدة يسارية متقنة، ثم تسديدة رائعة على الطائر في الدقائق الأخيرة.

وسيبلغ نجم ليفربول 34 عاماً خلال نهائيات كأس العالم الصيف المقبل، والتي ستكون على الأرجح آخر فرصة له للمشاركة في البطولة، وسيكون سعيدًا للغاية بالحصول على الفرصة بعد خيبة الأمل التي تعرض لها في عام 2018.

وكان محمد صلاح صاحب القميص رقم 11 مع ليفربول قد قضى أفضل حالاته قبل كأس العالم 2018 وسجل 44 هدفًا في اول موسم له على ملعب أنفيلد، لكن تجربته في روسيا كانت كئيبة له ولبلاده، وفقًا للشبكة الإنجليزية.

وذكرت، أن صلاح تعرض لتدخل عنيف من سيرجيو راموس في نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا في كييف، ولم يكن في كامل لياقته البدنية ورغم تعافيه ليسجل هدفين في البطولة، إلا أن مصر قد خسرت مبارياتها الثلاثة في دور المجموعات ولم يظهر كفاءته على الساحة العالمية.

ولحسن الحظ، ستتاح الفرصة مرة أخرى لمحمد صلاح، لتجاوز ما حدث في 2018 العام المقبل، ولن يكون من المبالغة القول إنه يستحق فرصة أخرى لإلهام بلاده إلى ما هو غير مسبوق في أكبر حدث كروي على الإطلاق.

MatériaMais Notícias

Apresentado oficialmente no fim do mês passado para sua terceira passagem como jogador do São Paulo, o atacante Alexandre Pato pode fazer a sua reestreia pelo clube do Morumbi neste domingo (11), às 16h (de Brasília), no clássico contra o Palmeiras, em casa, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.

O jogador de 33 anos teve o contrato de risco assinado até o final do ano com o Tricolor registrado na última terça-feira (6) no BID (Boletim Informativo Diário) da CBF. Diante do avanço físico que vem apresentando nos treinos no CT da Barra Funda, o LANCE! apurou que a ideia da comissão técnica de Dorival Júnior já é de pelo menos começar a relacionar o veterano para as partidas, visando melhorar ainda mais a sua ambientação ao elenco.

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Pato não joga desde novembro do ano passado, quando rescindiu contrato com o Orlando City, dos EUA. Na ocasião, o atacante passou por uma cirurgia no joelho direito. Como parte do processo de recuperação, ele foi ao Reffis do Tricolor em fevereiro.

Desde que foi anunciado oficialmente como contratação, Pato vem aparecendo nos vídeos de treinos divulgados pelo São Paulo trabalhando sem limitações ao lado dos colegas.

Conforme o LANCE! revelou no dia 20 de abril, o anúncio oficial do retorno do jogador ao Morumbi só não aconteceu ao término da última janela de transferências, no final do mês passado, por conta de dois empecilhos: questões burocráticas envolvendo as luvas a que Pato ganharia e também um período extra necessário para que ele se recupere por completo da cirurgia.

Depois do anúncio oficial da contratação, tornou rotina tanto Pato quanto Dorival não criarem expectativas para a volta do atacante aos gramados.

– Minha conversa com o Dorival hoje foi rápida. “Pato, faz o gol”. Eu falei: “beleza”. Vamos dar tempo ao tempo, tenho que respeitar o processo. Hoje foi meu segundo dia. Eles vão me dando feedback, a data não é o principal agora, mas a adaptação – disse o atacante em sua apresentação.

– Primeiro, nós vamos aguardar a recuperação total do Alexandre. Depois, dentro daquilo que a equipe esteja apresentando… ou que nós modifiquemos alguma coisa… para que ele possa se encontrar nas suas melhores condições e desenvolver tudo aquilo que ele tem, todo o potencial que ele sempre apresentou – completou Dorival, durante uma de suas entrevistas, evitando antecipar também a posição em campo que usará o seu camisa 12.

– Com relação à função ou posição, eu prefiro aguardar um pouquinho, para que, daqui a pouco, nós encontremos.

Pato teve passagens anteriores no clube do Morumbi entre 2013 e 2015, e retornou em 2019, deixando a equipe em agosto de 2020. Somando suas duas passagens pelo time, disputou 136 jogos, com 47 gols marcados e 18 assistências. Além dele, somente outros cinco jogadores acumularam três passagens distintas pelo Tricolor na história: Agostinho, Muller, Leonardo, Luís Fabiano e Hernanes.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

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Manchester City look to be going all guns blazing as they endeavour to reclaim the Premier League title this season, and could now be set to hijack Premier League rivals Chelsea in pursuit of a creative midfield force, per reports.

Manchester City seek incomings due to injuries and potential exits

The Citizens have made a strong start to the transfer window and appear primed to continue dealings right up until the close of play amid recent events involving their squad.

Recently, news that Manchester City pair Rodri and Phil Foden have suffered injury setbacks has put the cat among the pigeons, with Pep Guardiola claiming the former may not reach full fitness until the international break.

Rodri Pep Guardiola Manchester City

He stated: “Phil was doing really good but he had a problem with a knock on his ankle that’s why as a precaution we did it. Rodri’s getting better but he had a big injury in the last game against Al-Hilal and for the last five or six weeks. He’s training right now and in the last two or three days is better. Hopefully maybe the international break is when he will be really really fit.”

With Jack Grealish agreeing to join Everton on loan in a money-spinning temporary deal, there could also soon be news on another one of their wingers heading elsewhere amid Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in a permanent swoop for Savinho.

Leaving Manchester City light on creativity, West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta continues to be linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium as they pull out all the stops to reduce his £50 million price tag.

Man City’s depth out wide if Savinho and Grealish leave

Jeremy Doku

Phil Foden (potential injury setback)

Rayan Cherki

Oscar Bobb

Omar Marmoush (capable of featuring on either flank)

While Paqueta is versatile by nature, the Citizens could find a more natural replacement for either Grealish or Savinho if recent reports come to fruition.

Man City look to hijack Chelsea's Xavi Simons pursuit

Amid plates starting to spin that could leave space for incomings, Manchester City have contacted super agent Ali Barat to try and hijack Chelsea’s move to sign RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons, according to Sacha Tavolieri.

The Netherlands international is viewed as a potential replacement for Savinho and put up some excellent numbers in Germany last season, registering 11 goals and eight assists in 33 appearances across all competitions.

Labelled “amazing” by Dani Olmo, Simons has featured predominantly as a left winger for Leipzig in recent times, albeit he is also naturally adept at excelling in attacking midfield.

With the Premier League title on the line, Manchester City could now be set to ramp up their hunt for quality out wide after Grealish and Savinho’s collective struggle to claim goal contributions at the Etihad Stadium, something their potential successor will hope to remedy.

Liverpool have played the long game recruitment-wise, and boy, does it look to be paying off now.

12 months ago, rival supporters were no doubt sneering at the Reds’ lack of transfer activity, with the Anfield side – who had seen the great Jurgen Klopp replaced by Arne Slot – expected to implode with only Federico Chiesa brought in to bolster the ranks.

A new manager normally calls for a mass overhaul, but instead, the Dutchman merely tweaked and tinkered, ultimately steering an already talented squad to Premier League glory at the very first attempt.

A quiet 2024 window now looks to have paid even greater dividends for the imperious champions, with £187m already dished out on five signings this summer, while further high-profile deals could lie in store for the financially secure outfit.

Recent reports have indicated that Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is expected to be on his way to Anfield, while Newcastle United man Alexander Isak remains the dream target for those on Merseyside.

Whether that ‘dream’ becomes a reality is anyone’s guess, however, with alternatives to the Swede still under consideration.

Latest on Liverpool's transfer dealings

They say to strengthen while on top, and that appears to be exactly what Richard Hughes and co are plotting, with reports outlining that a £120m move could be in the offing for that man Isak.

The Magpies are adamant that the former Real Sociedad striker won’t be sold, however, hence why Liverpool are keeping their options open, with speculation even hinting at controversial interest in Manchester United outcast, Marcus Rashford.

That admiration for the Englishman is unlikely to go any further, however, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike the man being lined up in case Isak can’t be prised from St James’ Park.

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As revealed by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the Reds made contact with the Bundesliga side regarding a potential move for the 23-year-old, amid that parallel interest in Isak.

That has been followed by further reports in France, which suggest that Ekitike has even agreed personal terms with the club, after signing off on a six-year contract with the Merseyside outfit.

The suggestion is that he only wants to join Slot’s side, despite the rival pursuit from Newcastle.

Isak at Sociedad (21/22) vs Ekitike at Frankfurt (24/25)

Stat (*per game)

Isak (LaLiga)

Ekitike (Bundesliga)

Games (starts)

32 (26)

33 (31)

Goals

6

15

Mins per goal

359min

172min

Big chances missed

11

16

Assists

2

8

Big chances created

7

12

Key passes*

0.6

1.3

Successful dribbles*

1.4

1.6

Total duels won*

42%

41%

Stats via Sofascore

A price tag of around €80m (£70m) has been mooted. Watch this space.

Why Ekitike could have shades of Coutinho

It is no secret that Isak is the man that Liverpool want, with there likely to be a sense of Ekitike being left to feel like second choice, should a deal for the former France U21 international be pursued instead.

A move for the Frankfurt man may well be more with one eye on the future, however, with there no immediate rush to propel him into the starting lineup at Anfield, not least with Slot already boasting a title-winning forward line.

Fresh off the back of scoring 22 goals in all competitions last season, Ekitike could be slowly integrated into the team in 2025/26, before truly exploding in years to come. Already looking like “one of the best strikers out there”, as per analyst Ben Mattinson, there is no telling the heights that he could reach.

In many ways then, such a deal could evoke memories of the purchase of a young Philippe Coutinho back in January 2013, with Liverpool forking out £8.5m to sign the then 20-year-old from Inter Milan, ahead of rival interest from Southampton.

Like Ekitike – who only scored four goals in 33 games during a difficult stint at Paris Saint-Germain – Coutinho hadn’t exactly flourished during his time in Italy, making just 47 appearances and scoring only five times in total at the San Siro.

It was a loan switch to Espanyol in January 2012 that appeared to reinvigorate the Vasco de Gama youth product, as he scored five times in just 16 games in Spain. Ekitike, meanwhile, joined Frankfurt on an initial loan 18 months ago, scoring four times in just 14 league games at the tail-end of 2023/24.

Like Coutinho, Ekitike appears to have flourished away from the bright lights of an elite club like PSG, although that’s not to suggest he can’t thrive second time around by joining another European giant in Liverpool.

What particularly stands out regarding the “world-class” talent – as per scout Jacek Kulig – is the creative ability that goes along with his ball-striking prowess, having registered eight assists and created 12 ‘big chances’ in the Bundesliga last time out, as per Sofascore. For comparison, only Mohamed Salah provided more league assists (18) back at Anfield.

That blend of creativity and quality in front of goal was also evident during Coutinho’s fruitful stint for the Reds, having scored 54 goals and registered 44 assists in 201 games, prior to his £142m exit to Barcelona.

Where the pair – who can both operate centrally or in that left channel – are also alike is in their ball-carrying prowess, with Ekitike ranking in the top 4% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues for both progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

For Coutinho, his final season in the Premier League for Liverpool saw him rank in the top 1% and the top 4% of midfielders for those same two metrics, respectively, having possessed that gift for breezing past an opponent with ease.

Having been an exciting young prospect initially under Brendan Rodgers, the Brazilian playmaker ultimately emerged as a central figure for the club over the next few years, with the chance there for Ekitike – alongside Florian Wirtz – to enjoy a similar progression when Salah’s impact ultimately begins to wane.

Related A better signing than Ekitike: Liverpool in talks to land £50m PL striker

Liverpool are considering their options amid links to both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.

Posts 1 ByMatt Dawson Jul 16, 2025