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West Bromwich Albion’s drawn-out search for a new manager has ended with Ryan Mason now officially in the Baggies’ hot seat.

There is plenty of intrigue surrounding this appointment as the Championship side ditch the tried and tested approach of Tony Mowbray for something left-field and fresher, with the 33-year-old taking on his first ever head coach role having only once been a stand-in option at ex-employers Tottenham Hotspur.

He will want to get down to business soon in the transfer market to begin to leave a lasting mark on his new side, with plenty of signings rumoured to be entering the building alongside the fresh-faced manager.

West Brom locked into talks with new striker

Mason could utilise those Spurs connections when adding to his Baggies squad, with North London prodigy Mikey Moore already being tipped to make a loan move to the EFL to expand his horizons, away from previous links suggesting Jamie Donley could call the West Midlands home shortly.

Further, it looks as if West Brom could win themselves a new deadly marksman in the form of Hearts’ goal machine Lawrence Shankland.

Journalist Mark Hendry has now revealed that West Brom are locked in talks about bringing the prolific 29-year-old to the Hawthorns, as the Hearts captain increasingly looks more and more likely to walk away from the Edinburgh giants on a free transfer.

But, the Championship promotion hopefuls aren’t alone in their interest, with Hendry surprisingly adding that both Al-Ettifaq and Al-Wedha are sniffing around from Saudi Arabia.

How Shankland could be West Brom's best striker since Maja

If West Brom were to pip these outfits to the coveted signature of the Scotsman, they could be about to seal their best striker signing since Josh Maja’s addition, with the equally lethal attacker going on to be a golden purchase up top himself, considering he joined the ranks in 2023 on a free transfer as well.

Maja has endured difficult periods at the Hawthorns, however, with a mammoth 44 games missed through injury over the last two seasons.

But, when he’s fit, there’s a real lack of strikers in the Championship that possess the same clinical edge the Nigerian has in abundance, with the devastatingly effective number nine picking up 12 goals last campaign, despite only being fit enough to line up for 26 league clashes.

Shankland has also displayed a “ruthless” cutting edge – in the words of pundit Chris Sutton – throughout his celebrated spell on the books of Hearts, with this last-gasp goal against arch rivals Hibernian just one of many crucial strikes the Glasgow-born attacker has powered home for Derek McInnes’ men.

Having played up and down the various Scottish leagues across his goal-laden career to date, it does feel like the time is right for Shankland to test himself in a new and challenging environment, with the 6 foot 1 menace hopeful he can take to the pressures of the Hawthorns in his stride, much like Maja did when taking the plunge two years ago.

24/25

43

9

11

23/24

47

31

8

22/23

47

28

4

After all, before his return to England, the ex-Sunderland forward had begun to garner his own reputation for being a reliable source of goals when leading the line for Bordeaux, with 29 goals tallied up from 93 appearances.

Therefore, when assessing Shankland’s monstrous total of 68 strikes from 137 contests for Hearts, he should find his shooting boots are an equally uncomplicated find in the EFL’s elite league.

Mason would love to welcome in Shankland then as one of his first signings, with the 33-year-old no doubt crying out for a potent forward line to help his new side instantly gun for promotion.

Mason can sign West Brom's next Fellows in young star who's like "Neymar"

Ryan Mason would love to welcome this stunning star to this brand-new West Bromwich Albion squad.

1 ByKelan Sarson Jun 4, 2025

Arsenal are set for one of their biggest summer transfer windows in recent memory, and new sporting director Andrea Berta has wasted absolutely no time in his attempts to transform the squad.

Arsenal recruitment plans as Berta spearheads major overhaul

Kieran Tierney is set to re-join Scottish champions Celtic and Jorginho has already reportedly agreed to sign for Flamengo before their Club World Cup campaign (Fabrizio Romano), with uncertainty also surrounding the future of star midfielder Thomas Partey as talks continue over fresh terms.

Arsenal "now in concrete talks" to sign £67m striker instead of Gyokeres

Berta is in contact with a club official.

ByEmilio Galantini May 24, 2025

Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga, who are currently on loan deals elsewhere, are also widely expected to not have long-term futures at Arsenal, with winger Raheem Sterling and goalkeeper Neto looking set to return to their parent clubs after the Premier League season ends as well.

In response to the plethora of exits which are set to take place, which could include the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior, Berta has got to work on Arsenal’s summer recruitment drive.

Following Berta’s arrival at N5 in late March, GiveMeSport reported that Arsenal are looking at signing a second-choice keeper, full-back, midfielder, left-winger, right-winger and striker.

Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi is set to join Arsenal this summer, as per Fabrizio Romano, so Berta already has his midfielder en route, while Arsenal are now also in “serious” talks to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko (Florian Plettenberg).

It is set to be a season-defining summer for Arsenal, after they meekly surrendered this year’s Premier League title to Liverpool, and we can expect Berta to spearhead a very busy transfer window at the Emirates.

An intriguing question has emerged from Brazil in the last 48 hours: where exactly does 22-year-old winger Marquinhos fit into all of this?

Cruzeiro tell Marquinhos they're sending him back to Arsenal

The Brazilian joined Cruzeiro on a season-long loan in January, which apparently includes an obligation to buy set at around £3 million, which will be triggered if he surpasses 17 appearances.

That is according to South American journalist Jorge Nicola, who told his YouTube channel that Cruzeiro have informed Marquinhos of their intent to send him back to Arsenal.

“Last week, Cruzeiro’s directors contacted the player’s staff to make it very clear that we no longer count on Marquinhos and we intend to return him to Arsenal,” Nicola explained.

“The big problem is that the English club that owns the economic rights of the 22-year-old player has already stated that it will not accept the return. Arsenal, in fact, is against re-loaning the player.

“It is worth remembering that Marquinhos is on loan until December and the purchase option is very close to becoming an obligation. He has 16 appearances and if he enters the field one more time, Cruzeiro will be forced to buy him for something around €4m.

“And that is precisely why Cruzeiro decided that it will no longer use Marquinhos, a player who is not in coach Leonardo Jardim’s plans. Cruzeiro tried to convince Arsenal to increase the limit of games that would make the obligation, Arsenal did not accept.”

Given Arsenal’s ongoing attempts to sign a new star winger, it is growing more and more unlikely that the forward can force his way back into Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans.

The task for Berta is to find Marquinhos a new landing spot after Cruzeiro, with this ongoing uncertainty over his future proving a real shame, considering Arteta revealed he’s actually a “popular” player at the club.

Arsenal are now in talks to seal an early summer deal for a “sensational” striker, who has now emerged as their top target, according to a report.

Gunners' striker pursuit heating up

These are exciting times for the Gunners, who are daring to dream after defeating Real Madrid over two legs to reach the Champions League semi-final, but there is a feeling a top striker could be the final piece of the jigsaw in their Premier League title pursuit next season.

As such, the north Londoners are now ramping up their pursuit of a new forward, and talks have now been held over a deal for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, with sporting director Andre Berta trying to convince the Slovenian to move to the Emirates Stadium.

However, given that a deal for Sesko could amount to £58m, there may be a temptation to look at a cheaper alternative, and talks have also been held over Lille striker Jonathan David, who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer.

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The tremendously exciting prospect could be incredible for Arsenal.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 21, 2025

Mikel Arteta’s side have expressed clear interest in Sesko and David, but a different striker is now their first choice option for the summer transfer window.

According to a report from Football Insider, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres is now Arsenal’s top target, and they have opened talks to sign the Sweden international in an early summer deal.

Berta is known to be an admirer of Gyokeres, and the sporting director is driving the pursuit, with negotiations ongoing to try and convince him about the move to north London, while the Gunners are also attempting to put a package together.

The Sporting CP star becoming the north Londoners’ top target is the latest ‘twist’ in their pursuit of a new striker, with bringing in an elite forward deemed to be a priority heading into the summer window.

"Sensational" Gyokeres is a goal machine

Despite having an £86m release clause, Fabrizio Romano has revealed the Swedish striker will cost up to £60m this summer, which seems a reasonable fee, given just how impressive his goal and assist record has been this season.

Competition

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Assists

Liga Portugal

29

34

7

Champions League

8

6

0

Taca de Portugal

5

3

2

Allianz Cup

3

4

0

Supertaca

1

0

2

The 26-year-old was lauded as “sensational” by Richard Keys earlier in the campaign, and his performances in Portugal indicate that he is now ready to make the step-up to a top club.

While there may be some concerns that Gyokeres is yet to prove himself in a major league, his Champions League exploits this season suggest he could be a fantastic signing for Arsenal, and potentially the missing piece of the jigsaw in their title bid.

Shohei Ohtani took to the mound on Saturday against the Giants on the team's Bobblehead Day for MLB legend Barry Bonds.

Bonds was in attendance at the game to take part in the festivities around him and his bobblehead. Everyone wanted their hands on a bobblehead as fans lined up outside Oracle Park for a chance to take home one of the 20,000 available. But, it wasn't just fans wanted to take home the souvenir—Ohtani made sure he got to grab one, too.

Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow shared the fun story of Ohtani securing a Bonds bobblehead when appearing on KNBR's show this week. Someone with Ohtani after the game went up to a group of Giants workers who happened to be collecting the leftover bobbleheads after the game. Ohtani apparently wanted one of the bobbleheads, so the guy he was with asked a worker if he could grab one.

“He wanted the Barry Bonds bobblehead,” Krukow said. “Isn’t that a cool story?”

It's understandable why Ohtani would want a Bonds bobblehead—the guy's a legend of the sport. But, the way he went about securing one was pretty funny.

Ohtani walked away with two wins on Saturday. The Dodgers won 2-1 over the Giants, and the pitcher/designated hitter got his bobblehead.

Mikel Arteta has revealed the unorthodox technique he used to get Arsenal players and staff onside when he first arrived at the club in 2019. Having arrived at the Emirates during a transitional period, he used the metaphor of making a "big mess" to represent how those outside the club viewed the Gunners at the time. Urging the players to accept his help in rediscovering "the standards" needed at the club, Arteta's words appear to have had the desired impact.

Arteta's strange technique for first Arsenal meeting revealed

Speaking in an interview with , Arteta set the scene of his first encounter with the playing squad when he arrived in December 2019, as he detailed his expectations of what needed to change.

Returning to the club he had once captained as a player just three years after retiring at the Emirates, Arteta’s comeback was not to be taken lightly and he made an instant impression as he used a bizarre “mess” metaphor to visually represent the state the north London club were in at the time.

While it took some time for Arteta to truly carry out his vision, his words were clearly taken on board quickly as the Gunners have risen back to being one of the Premier League’s elite sides in recent years – though a league title has eluded them up to this point.

AdvertisementArteta speaks on first meeting with Arsenal players

When asked about his first meeting with the players, Arteta said: “It was the players and the staff, and it was in one of the rooms upstairs. And what I did is I put the room in a really awkward place.

"So, a lot of things on the floor. It looked a big mess. And I said 'This is the impression, and this is how a lot of people have described the moment that we are in. So, do you want me to come and help you to get this to the standards and the level, and the enjoyment that deserves to be part of this football club? Get everything together and start working'."

That first meeting set the scene for what would be to come

Arteta’s harsh words certainly set a precedent for what would be to come, as the Spaniard aimed to quickly turn around the culture at the club. Following FA Cup final success in his first season, he gradually moved on from high-earning players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil, bringing through Hale End academy stars such as Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe and Eddie Nketiah.

Once the transition was complete, by 2022-23 Arsenal were title challengers again. Three years of second-placed finishes have followed, but the Gunners currently hold a healthy lead at the top of the Premier League table, and it is widely believed that this campaign is the best chance they have had to win their first top-flight title since the Invincibles in 2003-04.

Whether Arteta’s interesting decision to create a mess in the meeting room in order to put his point across was the first key moment which ultimately led to all of this is a mystery, but six years on the Spaniard is coming ever-closer to achieving all he set out to at the Emirates.

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Getty Images SportArteta reflects on Arsenal squad ahead of January transfer window

Speaking in his press conference on Friday, Arteta reflected on his side and their prospects of strengthening during the upcoming transfer window, as his side continue to be linked with potential new signings.

“We’ve built a squad that we believe is the best one to give us the possibility to do it. Is it where I want it to be? No, because of the injuries that we have," he said.

“To have a squad means that the players have to be fit and available because that has a lot of consequences, not only during matches but also in the way that we prepare for the week, and the options that we have to change and keep the freshness in the team. But certainly, very happy with how we have dealt with certain situations.

“We always have to be prepared. The moment that we have an option to touch the squad, to improve the squad or to protect the squad, I think we need to be open for what is going to happen from now until the window closes, this is football.

“We don’t know, but we’re certainly going to be alert and we know where the risks can come in terms of the squad. We have to be ready in case we need to do something.”

Everton’s good form continued with an impressive 3-0 win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium over Nottingham Forest.

The Toffees move into fifth in the Premier League, taking their record since the start of November to four wins, one draw and one loss.

It was a fast start for David Moyes’ side. Just two minutes into the clash with the East Midlands outfit, Forest centre-back Nikola Milenkovic headed a cross into the back of his own net, to give Everton the lead almost immediately.

Then, in the third minute of stoppage time before half-time, the Evertonians doubled their lead. It was a significant moment for Thierno Barry, who got off the mark in that famous Blue shirt after some impressive performances of late.

Iliman Ndiaye carried the ball to the edge of the Forest box before laying it into the path of Barry, who slotted home.

The perfect day for Moyes’ side was capped off in the 80th minute when another summer signing, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, drilled home a volley after the ball bounced to him from a corner. Everton ran out deserved winners to continue their excellent form.

It was a day to remember for the Toffees, with some standout performances.

Everton’s standout players vs. Forest

This will certainly be a day that Thierno Barry remembers. The Frenchman bagged his very first goal in an Everton shirt, showing the sort of quality in front of goal that earned him the big move to the Premier League from Villarreal in the summer.

What a tidy finish it was from the Toffees’ number 11, too. Ndiaye drove towards the penalty box, with Barry making a good diagonal run to find space.

The finish was composed, slotting it past Matz Sels.

Speaking of Ndiaye, the Senegalese attacker was in imperious form once again. So often the source of everything the Merseysiders do well in attack, he was a handful for the Forest defence and, of course, set Barry up.

One person who was impressed by Ndiaye’s efforts was Chris Beesley, Everton reporter for the Liverpool Echo. He gave the attacker a 7/10 rating, praising him for ‘always providing an outlet for his side’ throughout the night.

However, neither Barry nor Ndiaye were the stars of the show for Moyes’ side in a fantastic win.

Everton’s best player in their 3-0 win

What a performance it was from another of the Everton summer signings, Dewsbury-Hall.

The Englishman was at the heart of the Toffees’ midfield today, scoring his excellent goal late on, putting in the cross for the own goal, and offering plenty more on the ball.

The stats reflect just how well Dewsbury-Hall performed against the East Midlands outfit. He had 56 touches and 86% of his passes.

Off the ball, it was a masterclass from the former Leicester City star. He won an exceptional 8/13 ground duels and made five ball recoveries.

Touches

56

Pass accuracy

86%

Opposition half passes

16/20

Ground duels won

8/13

Ball recoveries

5

Tackles won

3/4

Goals

1

Dewsbury-Hall left thousands of Toffees fans impressed with his performance against Forest. Well, the same can be said for journalists, with Beesley giving him a 9/10 for his efforts, explaining he was ‘bright from the start’.

There is a case to be made that Dewsbury-Hall, described as the club’s “most important and best” player by journalist John Merro, is their best signing since Ndiaye.

The Senegalese attacker has been sensational since moving to Merseyside last summer, racking up 17 goals and assists in 54 games.

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

As for the English midfielder, he has brought creativity and final third threat to Moyes’ side in just 15 games, with four goals and two assists so far.

However, the tenacity off the ball, on full show against Sean Dyche’s side, has been crucial this season too. It is certainly easy to see why Merro is of that opinion.

After paying just £28m for him this summer from Chelsea, it is looking like one of the biggest bargains in 2025. The all-action midfielder has shone so far, just like Ndiaye has on Merseyside.

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Newcastle United are now reportedly preparing a big-money offer to sign a Champions League star, who finished in the top 10 of the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Eddie Howe drops Yoane Wissa update

It was such a frantic summer at St James’ Park that it’s sometimes easy to forget that Newcastle still have Yoane Wissa waiting in the wings. The striker is yet to kick a ball for the Magpies after suffering an injury on international duty not long after his £55m move from Brentford.

That could soon change, however. Eddie Howe recently took the chance to provide an update on his summer signing, who would certainly provide his side with a much-needed attacking boost.

The Magpies won’t want to rush Wissa back, but the fact that he is back training with the team is certainly a positive sign. With fixtures set to come thick and fast across the festive period too, they could do with every option possible available.

Whether Wissa’s return changes Newcastle’s January transfer plans is another question. It will potentially allow them to maintain their focus on signing an added midfield star and another winger.

The likes of Manu Kone have already been linked with a move to Tyneside this week and it’s becoming clear that Newcastle are keen to reinforce their midfield in 2026.

They could also land an instant upgrade on the struggling Anthony Elanga. The winger is yet to make his mark at the club, despite becoming one of the most expensive signings in Newcastle history in the summer and could now be replaced by a sensational move for Raphinha.

Newcastle readying big-money Raphinha offer

According to reports in Spain, Newcastle are now readying a big-money offer to sign Raphinha as PIF look to intensify their pursuit. The Barcelona star finished as high as fifth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or and could now be on his way back to the Premier League in sensational fashion.

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The former Leeds United man would transform Newcastle into a consistent Champions League side and the prospect of a partnership between himself and Nick Woltemade is certainly something to get excited about. In Raphina, the Magpies would be signing “one of the best players in the world”, according to Barcelona legend Romario.

Just how willing Barcelona are to sell one of their main men is the question. As usual, it’s worth noting that they could certainly do with the financial boost that a sale would hand them and this may be their final chance to cash in on 28-year-old Raphinha.

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UAE bring in fast bowler Muhammad Jawadullah for first match of double-header day

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Sep-2025Toss Oman opt to bowl vs UAEOman captain Jatinder Singh won the toss and chose to bowl against UAE, as both teams seek their first points in the Asia Cup 2025.Oman made three changes to the XI that lost to Pakistan earlier in the tournament, with allrounders Wasim Ali and Aryan Bisht and left-arm seamer Jiten Ramanandi coming in for Mohammad Nadeem, Sufyan Mehmood and Zikria Islam.UAE made one change from the XI that lost to India earlier in the tournament, benching left-arm spinner Simranjeet Singh for fast bowler Muhammad Jawadullah.This is the first double-header game of the Asia Cup, played in conditions where the heat rises up to 36 degree celsius.UAE: Muhammad Waseem (c), Muhammad Zohaib, Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wk), Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Jawad, Junaid SiddiqueOman: Jatinder Singh (c), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla (wk), Wasim Ali, Hassnain Shah, Shah Faisal, Aryan Bisht, Shakeel Ahmad, Samay Shrivastava, Jitenkumar Ramanandi