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Everton are in the market for a forward this summer and could now be narrowing down their options to replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin when he leaves the club, according to a report.

Everton's uncertain situation involving Dominic Calvert-Lewin

The Toffees are settling into life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but there is still a question mark hanging over whether a couple of their established stars will be at the club beyond this summer.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out of contract at Everton and looks poised to leave the club despite the offer of a new deal being on the table, which could spell the end to his long-standing status as their number one striker.

71 goals in 273 matches is a respectable record considering the Toffees’ close brushes with relegation over the past few years, with the Three Lions international becoming a reliable focal point due to his hold-up play and instinctual nature.

However, injury struggles and a stalemate in negotiations over Calvert-Lewin’s wages have made him a prime candidate to move on unless an immediate agreement can be found.

In turn, David Moyes has begun his search for a new striker to fill the void, and Villarreal forward Thierno Barry could join Everton for £34 million amid reports they are ready to meet his release clause.

Everton plotting last-gasp move to hijack free signing of Argentina international

The Toffees could steal in ahead of Crystal Palace.

ByTom Cunningham Jun 13, 2025

Rangers striker Hamza Igamane is also on the Toffees’ radar, albeit West Ham United, Brentford, Lens, RC Strasbourg, Lille, and Stade Rennais are also tracking him.

Competition will be high for targets on the market this summer, meaning Everton need to harness their appeal in light of a new dawn for the blue half of Merseyside.

Scouring the market, they have now found a Premier League striker who could be available to make a switch that would create nationwide headlines.

Everton enter the conversation for Brighton & Hove Albion forward Evan Ferguson

According to The Irish Times, Everton are interested in Brighton & Hove Albion forward Evan Ferguson and he may be allowed to leave the South Coast on a permanent deal this summer.

Once valued at around £55 million, an unfortunate period of injury has seen the Republic of Ireland striker’s stock fall; however, he is still only 20 years of age and remains highly regarded among his peers.

Evan Ferguson’s Premier League record – could Everton reignite his fortunes?

Appearances

68

Goals

13

Assists

3

Labelled an “amazing player” by Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, he was most recently on loan at West Ham United and failed to register a goal in eight appearances.

Nevertheless, he was found on the periphery in East London, so it is hard to judge his impact based on the fact that he only completed 151 minutes of football under Graham Potter.

Continuous game time is critical for Ferguson to find his mojo again, and Everton could be the perfect environment in light of their need for depth in the forward areas.

Everton are set for a summer of change as they move to Bramley-Moore Dock and now have a talented defender lined up who could arrive for an inexpensive fee, according to a report.

Everton set for an overhaul this summer

David Moyes has managed to take Everton to the relative comfort of bottom-half obscurity in the Premier League and has earned due adulation for the way he has carried himself despite members of his playing squad facing uncertain futures.

Several of his key stars, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Seamus Coleman and Abdoulaye Doucoure, have yet to agree contract extensions, while Jack Harrison, Armando Broja and Orel Mangala are loanees that could be set for the exit door.

Of course, there is plenty of talent embedded within his group at Finch Farm, but Moyes will be expected to carry out an overhaul as the Friedkin Group begin to make their mark on the blue half of Merseyside.

Making an early start on identifying targets, Everton are doing everything they can to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town as his £30 million relegation release clause continues to attract the attention of top-flight clubs.

Honing in on adding creativity to his midfield, Moyes is also pursuing Sheffield United star Gustavo Hamer in a deal that could be worth £15 million.

Related Premier League club set for talks to sign "underrated" £60m Tottenham player

He thinks they could be a perfect option to leave this summer.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini May 8, 2025

The Toffees are set for an emotional few weeks as they bid farewell to Goodison Park. That said, the future could shine brightly over their new stadium should transfer funds be used wisely by those in charge.

Finding value for money will be key, and Everton are now reportedly well in the hunt to seal a bargain signing after carrying out a detailed scouting mission.

Everton look to sign Torino defender Jackson Tchatchoua

According to Tuttosport (via Cuore Toro), Everton have scouted Hellas Verona right-back Jackson Tchatchoua and are now looking to bring the 10-cap Cameroon international to English shores in the summer window.

Valued at around €8m (£6.7m), the 23-year-old has registered two goals and two assists in 34 appearances across all competitions this season.

Jackson Tchatchoua’s key statistics in 2024/25 – Serie A

Successful crosses

23

Duels won

102

Chances created

33

Successful dribbles

18

Aerial duels won

28

Interceptions

12

Marseille are also in the hunt for his signature and have sent representatives to watch him in action, while Torino are also watching on with interest to see how the situation develops.

Ashley Young and Everton club captain Coleman are two vastly experienced operators in the full-back areas. Nevertheless, it appears that Tchatchoua may be a younger alternative to take over their role in the years to come.

Nathan Patterson hasn’t been a frequent starter this term, so it makes sense that an alternative has been identified to provide strength in depth as the Toffees prepare for life at their new stadium.

Manchester City are thought to have made an offer for a “crazy” young talent, also receiving a reply, according to a fresh transfer claim.

Man City's Champions League hopes boosted with win over Crystal Palace

There is no question that this has been a season to forget for Pep Guardiola’s side, following a meek defence of their Premier League title, with age catching up with certain players and injuries to key figures not helping, especially the ACL damage suffered by Rodri.

That’s not to say that the campaign is dead in the water, however, with an FA Cup semi-final meeting with Nottingham Forest on the horizon and Champions League qualification still more than possible in the league, with the top five getting a place in Europe’s top club competition.

On Saturday afternoon, Guardiola’s men secured an important and impressive 5-2 victory at home to Crystal Palace, having initially gone 2-0 down in the first half. That result, coupled with Forest losing 1-0 to Everton at the City Ground, means City are now only two points behind Nuno Espirito Santo’s third-place team.

When the summer window arrives, the Citizens are expecting to bring in a host of new signings, in order to add some freshness to a squad that feels tired. While current stars will be required to be an instant hit at the Etihad, young players also need to be looked at, and an update has dropped regarding one talented starlet.

Man City table offer for "crazy" young player

According to The Star and reliable reporter Sheffield Wednesday reporter Joe Crann, Manchester City have seen an offer for Owls teenage attacker Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri turned down by the Championship club.

The 15-year-old is a top talent with a bright future in the game, with the Premier League champions seeing him as an exciting option to snap up. The bid in question is claimed to be a “seven-figure sum”, summing up his potential, however, it has been rejected.

Not many City fans will know much about Cadamarteri, which is understandable given his age, but he is a bright prospect who could develop further at the club’s elite academy that has spawned the likes of Phil Foden and Rico Lewis.

"Special" Man City star now willing to take pay cut to complete shock move

He could be one of many to leave.

1

By
Tom Cunningham

Apr 13, 2025

The young Wednesday striker, dubbed “crazy” for his recent rapid rise, has won two caps for England’s Under-16s and his self-confidence is outlined by the social media post from him below, having scored five goals in the same game for the Owls at youth team level over the weekend:

For now, City will have to weigh up whether they should improve their offer for Cadamarteri or not, but the Owls have made it perfectly clear how much they value him by turning down a hefty bid in the first place.

Stubbs, who scored 49 from No. 3 on the opening day, says he prefers to bat there “more than anywhere else”

Firdose Moonda22-Nov-20252:42

Is extreme seam movement as difficult to face as extreme spin?

On a day when the shortest Ashes Test in more than a century was completed in Perth, we know that Test cricket can still be a slow burn. Guwahati showed us that.We also know now that the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, which is hosting its first Test, can prepare a pitch worthy of the occasion. Unlike Eden Gardens, where bounce was variable from the outset, this surface has something for everyone and, in particular, seems good for batting.And we know that South Africa did not take full advantage of that. For the first time in Test history, each of the top four scored at least 35 without anyone going on to make 50. Tristan Stubbs, back at No. 3, came closest with 49. Even though he didn’t manage a milestone, we know now that he is batting in the spot he “prefers more than anywhere else”, as he told the broadcasters afterwards. Of all the things we know from today, that could be South Africa’s most significant.Related

'Big, strong, strapping' Stubbs to be South Africa's new Test No. 3

Kuldeep three-for gives India edge on flat pitch

Over his 14-match Test career, Stubbs has been shifted around South Africa’s line-up from No. 3 to No. 7, which he described as “not the easiest” situation to navigate. Even though he was officially given the No. 3 spot last August, he was only there for four and half Tests before it became something of a rotating door with the likes of Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder and Tony de Zorzi all batting there. We know that was necessitated by South Africa having strong top-order batters and that Stubbs’ reputation as a white-ball finisher means he could be moved around. What we didn’t know was how he felt about that. Now we do and we also know that he worked hard to try and make the spot his own.”It’s not the easiest moving around, but whatever the coach asks [I’ll do]. I’m just happy to be in the team,” he said at the post-match press conference. “I’ve worked a lot on my defence. I had to, coming in as a white-ball player and then being asked No. 3, so I grafted hard on the defence. I find that at No. 3 you can afford to be a little bit more defensive, whereas at No. 5 and 6, you have to come in and take the game on a bit earlier.”

“I’ve worked a lot on my defence. I had to, coming in as a white-ball player and then being asked No. 3, so I grafted hard on the defence”

Stubbs described the adjustment he had to make as “not so much technical, but more mental” and said he looked at “tightening my game plan, especially if it’s doing a bit up front and reining in your scoring options.”That explains why Stubbs has been ultra-cautious in the way he has played. Against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, for example, he scored 13 runs off the first 60 balls before going on to finish with 76 off 205. Here, against a more challenging attack, he was 13 off 37 before he trusted his footwork enough to take on Kuldeep Yadav and hit him down the ground for six. That was one of six attacking shots he played in an innings that was characterised by conservativeness.Stubbs spent a lot of time getting on the front foot to block Kuldeep and later on Jasprit Bumrah, whom he kept at bay successfully. In total, 25 of the 32 balls Stubbs faced from Bumrah were dots and only one of them actually beat him. Stubbs was compact, left no gap between bat and pad, and used his feet well. What he didn’t do as much as he might have liked was look for more run-scoring opportunities, partly because India made it too difficult but also because he is still learning about the tempo of a Test innings and he knows that.”You can bat time, but you look up and the scoreboard’s sort of gone nowhere,” Stubbs said. “They bowled quite well, their seamers especially, just kept bowling a straight line to attack the stumps.”Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs added 84 together•AFP/Getty ImagesStill, his 84-run stand with Temba Bavuma is the highest of the series, albeit the slowest of the match, with a run rate of 2.77. But it showed the kind of guidance Stubbs can thrive under if he can bat more with the top order. Bavuma was more proactive than usual, was scoring quicker than Stubbs, and pushed him for singles. At one point, Bavuma called Stubbs through and ran to the danger end himself as he tried to inject energy into the innings. Stubbs has only played 30 first-class matches, almost half of them Tests, so he has not had many opportunities to build big partnerships with someone of the experience of Bavuma, who has 178 first-class caps to his name.Though Stubbs was ultimately frustrated because neither he nor Bavuma could kick on, what he would have learnt in their time together in this match could be both valuable for his development and instructional for South Africa in how they use him going forward. It’s worth saying that South Africa didn’t play another Test for almost 11 months after this and it also can’t be known if Stubbs will still feel the same way about where he wants to bat. So plans could change but this innings feels important for what it showed about Stubbs’ ability.For now, what’s more pressing is what South Africa do with the four days they have left in this series, given that they ceded some of the early advantage. With five of the top six dismissed by a build-up pressure leading to poor shots, Stubbs owned their errors. “All of us had opportunities and no one kicked on, so we can take that on ourselves,” he said. “When you get in, you don’t want to give it away ever and four or five guys got starts. Ideally, you want one, maybe two, to go on to make big hundreds and then at the end of play, we would maybe have been three down. If you ask any of the batters, they’ll take that on themselves. It’s not nice to score 30 or 40.”All South Africa’s specialist batters have been dismissed, all of the XI can contribute with the bat and the current pair, Senuran Muthusamy and Kyle Verreynne, have had success in the subcontinent. Muthusamy has a career-best 89 not out in Pakistan and Verreynne a century in Bangladesh, and Stubbs suspects South Africa will need something significant from them because on a pitch that is expected to deteriorate, as he said, “first innings runs are gold”.

Bowling in the powerplay is his forte, but the leader of New Zealand’s attack hasn’t enjoyed his usual success in the first ten overs of this World Cup

Karthik Krishnaswamy08-Nov-2023Trent Boult is a World Cup great. He’s been a central figure in New Zealand reaching back-to-back finals, and he’s on the cusp of joining Glenn McGrath, Muthiah Muralidaran, Mitchell Starc, Lasith Malinga and Wasim Akram in the 50-World-Cup-wickets club.Trent Boult is a World Cup great, but he isn’t having a great World Cup. The 2015 and 2019 tournaments brought him 39 wickets in 19 games at an average of 21.79 and an economy rate of 4.61. The corresponding numbers for 2023: 10 wickets in eight games at 38.10 and 5.36.There are many ways to look at these numbers. One, no doubt, is to connect them to the general trajectory of Boult’s career. He went freelance, didn’t he? He picked and chose when he’d show up for New Zealand, didn’t he, playing just 11 of their last 30 ODIs before this World Cup, and just three of their 14 ODIs in Asia?Related

• A New Zealand campaign that was a little 2015 and a little 2019

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• Pluck or luck: New Zealand trust in the 'Kiwi' way

Was he, you may ask, at peak preparedness when he turned up in India to play this World Cup?Dig deeper into his numbers, and the picture becomes more troubling. The first 10 overs are where Boult does his best work. Since 2015, no one has taken more first-powerplay wickets at World Cups than Boult’s 22, but 2023 has only brought him three first-powerplay wickets in eight games, at an average of 59.33 and an economy rate of 5.39. It isn’t as if he has been particularly unlucky either, his diminished returns in this phase tallying with improved control figures for batters facing him.There are mitigating circumstances, though, which his captain Kane Williamson pointed to when asked on Wednesday about Boult’s new-ball performances, and New Zealand’s, at this World Cup.”Without a doubt he’s world class and there’s probably a few factors there,” Williamson said. “The second half or a few of these games that we’ve had, the pitches have been very good and players have been playing really well. And perhaps [it also matters] whether you’re playing day games or night games. It can be quite dependent on the assistance you might get as well with the new ball.”So, there are a lot of factors, but ultimately, it’s about looking to adapt and adjust your game. And if you’re always trying to get wickets and you’re trying to get early wickets – but if it isn’t to happen then it’s about trying to win other parts of the game and adjusting. And I mean he’s very experienced and done that on a number of occasions and yes, there’s another opportunity tomorrow for the guys to go out and operate and certainly try and apply their skills as well as they can and see what happens.”This has been a weird World Cup for new-ball bowlers, who have looked unplayable at some venues, particularly under lights, and taken a pounding at others. Boult and New Zealand have been unfortunate that their games have largely come at venues that haven’t been conducive to new-ball movement.For all that, though, there have been times during this World Cup when Boult has looked far below his best, conditions notwithstanding. Most notable was his new-ball spell at the Chinnaswamy Stadium during New Zealand’s defence of 401 against Pakistan. Anyone could have gone for plenty that day, on that surface, and against Fakhar Zaman in that kind of mood. But where Tim Southee did his best to limit the early damage by banging away on a length, keeping the stumps in play, and restricting width, Boult routinely gave Fakhar room to free his arms or strayed onto his pads or offered up slot balls.As disappointed as he may have been with the outcome – 0 for 50 from six overs on the day – Boult must have been livid with himself for letting his processes go awry. Bowlers have small margins for error when they’re looking to bowl attacking lengths, as Boult was that day, but bowlers with his skill and experience don’t usually miss by that much, and that often, with their execution.One benefit of all that experience and know-how, though, is that they enable cricketers to recover quickly from setbacks. For Boult, there’s no better time to do that than Thursday against Sri Lanka. New Zealand have lost their last four games, back-to-back, but know that a win will give them a strong grip on the fourth semi-final slot. The experience of 2019 will tell them that losing steam towards the end of a league campaign is no impediment to coming within inches of winning a World Cup.They’ll be back at the unforgiving Chinnaswamy, but this time they’ll be able to call on something close to their first-choice bowling attack. Boult is the leader of that attack, in good times and bad, and he’ll want to do everything in his power to ensure that this won’t be his final World Cup game.

Four capped Indians, one uncapped player, and some decorated overseas players are among the front-runners

Nagraj Gollapudi and Gaurav Sundararaman08-Feb-2022Shreyas Iyer
Set 1 – Marquee players
Base price: INR 2 crore
Role: BatterAge, batting talent, brand potential and success as a leader have made Shreyas Iyer such a compelling choice, that franchise officials believe he could end up being the most expensive buy at the auction. As a batter, Iyer has not done much since 2015, when he made his debut for Delhi Daredevils and finished as the Emerging Player of the IPL having scored the most runs – 437 – by a debutant (a record he held until 2018). Handed captaincy midway through IPL 2018, Iyer showed character and led the Capitals to two successive play-offs, including their first final (in 2020). But once the franchise had decided to retain Rishabh Pant as the captain last IPL, Iyer opted to head to the auction this time. IPL teams prefer an Indian player as a long-term captaincy option. Moreover, Iyer is also part of the bunch along with Pant and KL Rahul, who are looked at as future India captains. Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders could be on the lookout for captains. Even the likes of Chennai Super Kings will look for a replacement for MS Dhoni, who is likely to be playing his final IPL this season. Don’t be surprised if the Capitals, too, express interest as that would help them nearly retain the core from the past few seasons.David Warner
Set 1 – Marquee players
Base price : INR 2 crore
Role: Opening BatterNot many would have predicted David Warner to go under the hammer. Warner is an IPL legend. He is the most successful overseas player in the history of the league. Between seasons 2014 to 2020, Warner amassed 3819 runs at an average of 52.31 and strike rate of 144.98. Virat Kohli was next on the runs tally, with 3605 runs, but at a strike rate of 135.27. But the truly astonishing thing was that Warner achieved his tally despite missing out entirely on IPL 2018. He won the orange cap twice and led Sunrisers Hyderabad to the title in 2016. Warner’s biggest strength in the IPL is his ability to play spin and his consistency. Warner has scored over 500 runs in six successive seasons he was part of, and sored them at a healthy strike rate and average. One bad IPL season in 2021 and a few off the field events changed his fortunes. However, Warner was back among the runs as he won the player of the tournament award in the T20 World Cup that took place immediately after IPL 2021. An overseas opener and a seasoned IPL player, Warner still has a lot to offer. There could be some teams who might not be keen on Warner in the set-up, but there will be more teams that do want him, and all of them will have to budget well to get him. Being an IPL-winning captain to boot, Warner could easily slip into the leadership group, if not the leading role itself.He’s back. Ishan Kishan unfurls the big hits once again•BCCIIshan Kishan
Set 4 – Wicketkeepers
Base price: INR 2 crore
Role: Wicketkeeper-batterScouts believe he hits the ball much harder than Pant. That he has a better base than Pant during his set-up. And like Pant, he is short, but recognised as one of the most dangerous powerhitters. He is just 23, but Ishan Kishan has a powerful CV as a wicketkeeper-batter. In IPL 2020, Kishan clubbed a record-breaking 30 sixes, which played a huge role in him ending up as Mumbai Indians’ highest run-getter in their title run. Kishan had shown he was well worth the INR 6.2 crore Mumbai had paid him at the 2018 auction, nearly 35 times the price Gujarat Lions had bagged him for in IPL 2016, after he had emerged as a young talent having led India to the Under-19 World Cup final that year. In the last two IPLs, Kishan scored 757 runs for Mumbai with six fifties, averaging over 40 and striking over 140. Last IPL, he demolished the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling attack on the way to a 16-ball half-century, the fastest last edition as well as being quickest ever for Mumbai. Kishan’s greatest success has come as an opener at Mumbai, but he showed he could bat in the middle order too, something he has also done in red-ball cricket for India A. As a power-hitting wicketkeeper-batter, Kishan is an allrounder that virtually every franchise would covet. Consequently, despite not featuring in the opening rounds of the auction, franchises are likely to dedicate a massive sum for him.Deepak Chahar
Set 5 – Fast bowlers
Base price: INR 2 crore
Role: Fast bowling allrounderTwo of the best batting performances in ODI cricket in the last year come from the flashing blade of Deepak Chahar. Both heroic performances, one which ended in a win – against Sri Lanka – and the other nearly won India a match – against South Africa – showed that Chahar has added another string to his bow. He will be looked at as a bowling allrounder now. A Powerplay specialist with the ball at Chennai Super Kings, the franchise he played for since 2018, Chahar picked up 42 of his 58 wickets in the first six overs. That was 15 more than the next best, Trent Boult, in the last four IPL seasons (2018 to 2021). During this period, Chahar was also the leading wicket-taker for Super Kings, who won the IPL twice. Chahar can swing the ball early, and also has a killer knuckle ball which he is not shy to employ with the new ball. Historically, barring the record sum of INR 11.50 crore that Rajasthan Royals paid for Jaydev Unadkat in 2018, no Indian fast bowler has ever fetched an auction price above the 10-crore mark. Then again, there have been no proven Indian fast bowlers who showed they could win matches with the bat either, till Chahar came along.Jason Holder
Set 3 – Allrounders
Base price: INR 1.5 crores
Role: Fast bowling allrounderJason Holder’s stocks are rising, and rising rapidly. Chennai Super Kings (2013) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2014) picked him very early in his career at low prices. Then in 2020, he went unsold and was picked up as a replacement for Mitchell Marsh by Sunrisers. Holder’s IPL performances went to the next level, taking 30 wickets at an average of 16 and scoring 151 runs, often at crucial times. However, most of his wickets have come in the UAE, so the question of whether he can replicate that in India remains. His height allows him to extract bounce from a good length and his ability to play spin is a big strength. Not many players can give you four overs across phases and bat in the top six. Holder was the player of the series in the recently concluded T20Is against England, taking important wickets at the top of the order. Among the first 170 names in the auction roster, there are only nine overseas players who have listed themselves as pace bowling allrounders. Holder’s competition are Pat Cummins, Dwayne Bravo, Mitchell Marsh, Dominic Drakes, Marco Jansen, Chris Jordan, Jimmy Neesham and Odean Smith. Marsh does not bowl and is injury prone, while Bravo is 37. With teams wanting to lock up their playing XI as soon as possible, one can expect some fierce bidding for Holder. He is also likely to cross the 10-crore mark.Yuzvendra Chahal – will he fetch more than any wristspinner has ever got?•RCBYuzvendra Chahal
Set 6 – Spinners
Base price: INR 2 crore
Role: Lead wristspinnerNo bowler has more than the139 wickets Yuzvendra Chahal has taken in IPL since 2014, the year he joined Royal Challengers Bangalore. It is remarkable that Chahal has managed that despite playing a healthy proportion of his matches in the pocket-sized Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Only Rashid Khan stands in front of Chahal in terms of consistency and impact as a wristspinner. Chahal might have lost the speed and confidence in the last couple of years, but recently he has shown his rhythm is back. While the Royal Challengers did not retain Chahal – unless the legspinner wanted to head to the auction – it would not be a surprise if the franchise bid for him keenly again. Virtually each of the 10 franchises will be on the lookout for a wristspinner, a category that does not have too many quality options, especially when it comes to Indian players. In 2018, Royal Challengers retained Chahal using the right-to-match card for INR 6 crore. Chahal has now shown the potential that he can become the first wristspinner to breach the 10-crore mark.Shahrukh Khan
Set 8 – Uncapped allrounders
Base price: INR 40 lakhs
Role: Power-hitting finisherFinishing a T20 innings is one of the hardest roles to play. Very few have had consisten success in that role. The likes of Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya are a few names that come to mind. On an average, batters at 6 and 7 get just 7-10 balls an innings. To create an impact in such a short time is hard. To fill that position with a specialist in a 10-team IPL becomes critical. With not many overseas finishers around, franchises might look for an Indian to play that role. That is where Shahrukh Khan’s promise and performance becomes critical. At over 6’4″ Shahrukh is a towering presence and is muscular like Pollard. Not many in Indian cricket can hit the ball as hard and far as Shahrukh, according to franchise scouts, who have witnessed his batting for Tamil Nadu in domestic white-ball cricket. His strike rate of 181 in the last two seasons of the 20-over Syed Mushtaq Ali is the fifth-best, and his strike rate of 139.62 in the last two seasons of the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy is the second-best after Suryakumar Yadav. He has also smashed 29 sixes in the Vijay Hazare over the last two seasons, the joint-highest with Venkatesh Iyer. All that prompted Punjab Kings to pay Shahrukh INR 5.25 crore in the 2021 auction. However, they couldn’t find him a regular spot in the team. In the opportunities he has got in the IPL, he has scored 153 runs from 10 innings at a strike rate of 134.21. Indian cricket has been trying hard to find a back-up for Hardik as a finisher who can bowl, and Shahrukh’s selection for the ongoing ODI leg of the West Indies series will come as a boost for the uncapped player on the eve of the auction.Kagiso Rabada
Set 1- Marquee players
Base price : INR 2 crore
Role: Fast bowlerKagiso Rabada has taken the most wickets in the IPL in the last three seasons: 70 wickets at a strike rate of 14.4 and an economy of 8.13. When you look at the stats on the surface, it reads very well. However, when you dig a bit deeper, 45% of his wickets are of batters at six or below and he has conceded 55 sixes – the most by any bowler during this period. While Rabada is a wicket-taker, he could leak many runs as well. The gap between Rabada’s best and worst is significant. But the reason Rabada features in this list is because he can generate 140-plus speeds consistently, not break sweat while bowling Super Overs, something he did more than once at his previous franchise Delhi Capitals, and is one of the fittest bowlers. A fast bowler who can bowl extreme pace and take wickets is one of the most sought-after commodities in the IPL. Multiple teams will be seeking a fast bowler on their first XI sheet, and that automatically means Rabada will gain traction considering he is also among the first 10 players in the auction.

One Mariners fan paid the perfect tribute to Cal "Big Dumper" Raleigh during a rain-delayed Game 3 of Seattle's ALDS series against the Tigers on Tuesday night.

At the top of the ninth with the Mariners leading 6-1, Raleigh sent Tigers reliever Brenan Hanifee's 94-mph sinker out of the park, and the ball bounced straight into the hands of a waiting Mariners fan. As the cameras zoomed in, the fan proudly showed off his "Big Dumper" shirt, which read "DUMP HERE" and the No. 61, referencing what would be Raleigh's 61st home run this season and his first of the postseason.

But that's not all.

After he caught the ball, the fan was seen taking off his shirt to reveal a new one: "DUMP 62 HERE"

Too good.

After a cagey finish in which the Tigers clawed their way back into the game late in the ninth, the Mariners beat the Tigers 8–4 and took home a well-deserved win in Game 3. Seattle currently leads the series, 2–1. Game 4 in Detroit is set for a 3:08 p.m. ET first pitch Wednesday.

Former Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva has revealed the circumstances behind the "rift" which developed between Kylian Mbappe and Neymar during the latter stages of their time together at the Parisian giants. The pair, signed as the world's two most expensive players ever and amongst the biggest stars in the game at the time, shared a close friendship at first but saw issues between them grow over their period at the club.

Mbappe and Neymar relationship at PSG revealed

Silva was PSG captain during the first three seasons of the pair’s time at the club, before departing for Chelsea in 2020 and winning the Champions League at Stamford Bridge. Such European success had not been repeated during his time in Paris despite the record-breaking signings of Neymar and Mbappe, whose relationship deteriorated over time, revealed Silva.

The 41-year-old, now with Fluminense, revealed in an interview relayed by Tribuna that the pair were close early on during their time as team-mates, amid a “beautiful story” prior to their arrival where Mbappe told Silva that even if Neymar joined PSG, he wanted to sign for the club and play alongside him.

The pair were close, enjoying each other’s company on a daily basis, but this changed as a “rift” appeared between them. Silva expressed how unfortunate this was and explained that he does not have all the answers for why this occurred, as it was after he had already departed Paris for west London.

AdvertisementGetty Images'It made me sad' – Silva speaks on Mbappe and Neymar falling out

Silva explained: "At Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe and Neymar got along well at first, but their relationship deteriorated. Why? It was a beautiful story. I remember the Trophee des Champions match against Monaco, Kylian Mbappe's team, in Morocco [a 2-1 victory for PSG on 29 July 2017 in Tangier]. At the end of the match, Mbappe wanted to talk to me. He said, 'Even if Neymar signs, I also want to come and be part of this team. If you could talk to the president…' They both arrived that summer, and their relationship was incredible. They were very close, among those who had the most fun on a daily basis.

"I didn't understand why they drifted apart. I was no longer at PSG. I don't know which of the two caused the rift, but it made me sad. They are two great guys, and it's disappointing that it ended like that."

Both Neymar and Mbappe have publicly had their say

Speaking on a podcast with Brazil legend Romario earlier this year, Neymar gave his side of the story.

"I have my things with him [Mbappe], we had a little fight, but he was fundamental for us when he arrived," Neymar said, as relayed by TNT Sports.

"I used to call him golden boy. I always played with him; I said he was going to be one of the best. I always helped, talked to him, he came to my place, we had dinner together.

"We had some good years of partnership, but after Messi came he was a little jealous. He didn't want to split me with anyone. And then there were some fights, a change in behaviour."

Meanwhile, the Frenchman responded to these claims of jealousy in an interview with TNT Sports Brasil: "The truth is I have nothing to say. I’m very concentrated on what I’m doing here in Madrid. I have a lot of respect for Neymar.

"I could talk many times about Neymar but I want to remember the positives, of a unique footballer in the history of football and all the moments we had in Paris.

"Now I’m in Madrid and I want to enjoy being in Madrid. All the best to Neymar and to all his family and friends."

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GettyMbappe and Neymar both aiming for 2026 World Cup dream

With both players and their former captain having spoken, it is possible that the entire truth may never be revealed about why Neymar and Mbappe fell out in Paris.

Both players have gone on their own unique paths in their careers since, as Neymar spent a period in the Saudi Pro League before returning to boyhood club Santos, while 26-year-old Mbappe is at the peak of his powers shining for Real Madrid.

The France international will compete at the World Cup next summer barring injury, while Neymar is hoping to force his way back into the Brazil squad to get what could be his final chance to play on the global stage.

The 8-time Ballon d'Or winner had a hand in all three goals as Inter Miami saw off Vancouver Whitecaps to win its first MLS Cup

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla – There it is. 

That is what the footballing world wanted, and what MLS perhaps needed. Messi has his first MLS Cup. If there was ever a shred of doubt about Messi’s MLS legacy – if the records, the MVP award (with another likely on the way), and the résumé weren’t convincing enough – then Saturday offered the definitive answer.

The biggest trophy this league can give now sits in his hands, and soon after, above his head. Florida has its first MLS champion. 

And it was deserved. The Argentine provided three decisive moments of magic in a 3-1 win over a resilient Vancouver Whitecaps side.

Give Vancouver some credit here. They are a good football team that plays the game in the right way. But this was Miami’s day. There are such things as narratives in soccer. They seldom pan out. But this was one that came together handsomely. Miami steadily improved over the course of the season. They lost, sometimes embarrassingly, and learned from those defeats. And when it came to it, an otherwise flawed and inexperienced manager in Javier Mascherano, made some gutsy and correct decisions. For that, he deserves immense credit. Still, in the final game at a strange skeletal stadium that they have called home for three years, Miami claimed the thing that they have coveted since the second Messi stepped his foot in the United States. 

This was also about Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who ended their careers, appropriately, with trophies. It might also be the end for Luis Suarez – at least in Miami, who proved in omission that he may not be needed here anymore. Yet the lasting image will be of Leo, lifting that trophy, a beaming smile across his face. Legacy secured.

GOAL breaks down the Winners & Losers from Chase Stadium…

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  WINNER: Lionel Messi

  Sometimes the narrative just has to win. Messi had one of those late-career Messi games. 

  For long stretches, you barely noticed him, and he was rarely involved. He spent most of his time strolling around and shielding passing lanes as Vancouver controlled possession. However, there were two decisive moments in the game, and Messi set up both. He was instrumental in the first goal with his shuffle and through ball to Allende. He set up the second with a silly feed. And he provided the pass for the killer third, too. It was his 63rd goal contribution for Miami this season. This was major trophy number 48, and it wasn't the easiest. Vancouver made it tough. But it is the Argentine's prerogative to decide games. And he managed to make that happen yet again. 

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  LOSER: Edier Ocampo

  Football can be so, so cruel. Ocampo has been the model of consistency for the Whitecaps this season, playing almost every game and being just about as solid a full back as MLS can offer. He keeps it tidy, seldom makes mistakes, and offers stability for a well-balanced side. But finals are decided in moments, and Ocampo was on the wrong end of two of them. The obvious slip-up was his ill-timed dart across the box to cover Allende's pass. Instead of cutting it off, he deflected the ball into his own net. He was also slightly culpable on the Miami third, failing to hold the defensive line and allowing Allende to run in behind and seal the game for good. One to forget, on the biggest of stages. 

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  WINNER: Rodrigo De Paul

  He's always been far more than just "Messi's bodyguard." De Paul has far more attacking quality and soccer smarts than he gets credit for. That is partially, of course, because his role is so distilled to the idea of simply protecting Miami's main man. Yet De Paul showed off all sides of his game here. This was a scrappy one, full of hard tackles that didn't get called, and cheeky shoves that did. De Paul was up for both. He kept his composure on the ball, sprayed it around when needed, and, crucially, scored the winning goal.

  But more valuable than all of that, perhaps, were the seconds squeezed out of the game in between. He stayed down for a few extra moments after every heavy challenge. He took his time on throw-ins. He picked up – and then miraculously recovered from – a series of injuries over the course of the 90 minutes. De Paul is always the unsung hero. Today felt more like main character energy. 

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  LOSER: Vancouver

  How things can change in a year. This time in 2024, the Whitecaps had fired a popular coach in Vanni Sartini and were in the process of selling the team. This was a broken side dealing with rumors of a potential relocation. Yet the Whitecaps rallied, generated a real energy behind a city that seemed to have forgotten, at times, that it has a soccer team. They made it to multiple finals and the fanbase was reinvigorated once again. Then the club was buoyed by the arrival of a global star in Thomas Muller. 

  This is, in fact, a bit cruel. The Whitecaps gave pretty much everything for their city. Canadian soccer still deserves its third MLS club. Yet the team is for sale; their lease at BC Place is up. Vancouver certainly has enough passion to embrace a team. This one just might not be around for much longer. 

Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa has been left out of the DR Congo squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which is slated to commence on December 21. Although the decision will be a shock for the forward, it should benefit the Magpies, who are still waiting to see their £55 million summer signing in action. The 29-year-old has not featured for the Premier League club since arriving from Brentford due to a knee injury suffered on international duty just days after completing his move.

AFPInjury strikes days after his Newcastle arrival

Wissa’s start to life in the North East has been shaped entirely by misfortune. After signing on deadline day, he immediately joined DR Congo for the September international break. He starred in a 4-1 win over South Sudan on September 5 and showed why Newcastle paid a premium for him as he racked up a goal and an assist. But in the following fixture, a narrow 3-2 defeat to Senegal, Wissa sustained the knee injury that has sidelined him ever since. Initial fears centred around possible ACL damage, but Newcastle quickly moved to reassure supporters that the forward had avoided a catastrophic setback. His recovery has been slower than first anticipated, with it reported that the striker suffered a minor setback during rehabilitation.

AdvertisementInternational snub helps Newcastle’s festive plans

Wissa was recruited as a Premier League-ready replacement for Alexander Isak following the Swede’s high-profile exit to Liverpool. His arrival was part of a broader attacking rebuild, and Newcastle believed his work rate and finishing ability made him a perfect fit for Howe’s system. In his absence, fellow summer arrival Nick Woltemade has stepped up impressively with seven goals in 14 starts across all competitions.

Had Wissa been selected for AFCON, Premier League regulations would have prohibited Newcastle from using him during the tournament window, even if he regained fitness earlier than expected. DR Congo’s decision to leave him out means that once he recovers, he is free to feature in every match of Newcastle’s congested festive schedule. If he continues to progress and avoids setbacks, he could finally be named in a matchday squad within the next two weeks, marking the end of a lengthy wait for his debut. 

Getty ImagesHowe doesn't want to rush Wissa into action

Speaking ahead of Newcastle’s Premier League meeting with Tottenham this week, head coach Eddie Howe struck a cautious but optimistic tone.

"He (Wissa) had an 11 vs. 11 game this week while we were at Everton. He will have another one this week, and we will see where he is," he said.

"There has been no change. He is working back, and he is doing well; everything is positive, but he will be back involved when we think he is able to contribute to the group and has a minimal chance of reinjury."

Wissa has been progressing through a tightly managed individual training programme, with Newcastle’s medical staff taking a long-term view of his recovery. Howe has been impressed with the forward’s determination and professionalism, particularly given the psychological blow of joining a new club only to be immediately sidelined.

"He has a very strong character and that comes across," Howe continued. "He’s good with the players, he’s very positive. He’s a leader. You can see that already. He’s trying to inspire and help the players, which is sometimes very difficult when you come to a new club and you’re injured straight away. That’s a real tough mental challenge for him to take on, especially with his transfer fee. There’ll be a lot of emotions going through him, but all he can focus on is trying to get fit and trying to make a difference on the pitch."

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What comes next?

With DR Congo choosing not to gamble on his fitness, Wissa’s pathway back now lies entirely within Newcastle’s hands. If his recovery continues smoothly, the forward could soon begin the Premier League chapter that was put on hold before it even started. 

DR Congo’s AFCON squad in full: 

Goalkeepers: Timothy Fayulu (FC Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre), Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege)

Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Gedeon Kalulu (Lorient), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland), Joris Kayembe (Genk), Rocky Bushiri, Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw)

Midfielders: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Charles Pickel (Espanyol),  Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille), Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht), Theo Bondgonda (Spartak Moscow), Michael-Ange Balikwisha (Celtic), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Brian Cipenga (Castellon)

Forwards: Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Ibrahim Mayele (Pyramids), Samuel Essende (Augsburg), Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor), Cedric Bakumbu (Real Betis).