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West Ham United are keen on a January swoop for an “unbelievable” striker, who now wants a move to the Premier League.

West Ham looking to provide Jarrod Bowen with support in attack

West Ham have become more difficult to beat since the arrival of Nuno, having lost just one of their last six Premier League games, but they will be disappointed they were unable to hold on against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

The Hammers were in the lead until stoppage time, before Georginio Rutter netted a controversial late equaliser, which Nuno believes should’ve been ruled out, saying: “It was a handball, wasn’t it, and a high foot. No need to speak with the referee. I think it was the main factor.”

Picking up three points against an in-form Brighton side would’ve been an impressive result, but it wasn’t to be, despite Jarrod Bowen putting in an impressive performance, netting his fourth Premier League goal of the season after starting in a central role.

Callum Wilson came off the bench to assist Bowen’s goal, with the former Newcastle United man now up to five goal contributions this season, but with his contract due to expire in the summer, the Irons are looking to provide their captain with some additional support in attack.

That is according to a report from Hammers News, which has provided a new update on West Ham’s Ivan Toney pursuit, stating Nuno’s side are keen on signing the striker in the January transfer window.

The Hammers have already explored a deal for Toney, having been impressed by his performances in England for Brentford, and the centre-forward now wants to make a return to the Premier League ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

However, it is unlikely the east Londoners will be able to get a deal over the line, given the Al-Ahli star’s huge wage demands, which could be a major obstacle.

West Ham now lining up concrete January move for £80k-a-week Chelsea player

The Hammers are looking to sign a “leader” in the upcoming transfer window.

ByDominic Lund 4 days ago "Unbelievable" Toney could help fire West Ham to safety

Despite West Ham being difficult to beat in recent weeks, they are still in real trouble, currently sitting two points from safety and inside the relegation zone.

The former Brentford striker has proven he has what it takes to help fire the Hammers to safety, maintaining a fantastic attacking record across his three seasons in the Premier League with the Bees.

Season

Premier League appearances

Goal contributions

2021-22

33

17

2022-23

33

24

2023-24

17

6

Former manager Thomas Frank also waxed lyrical about the Englishman upon his departure, saying: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Ivan over the last four years. He has averaged more than one goal every two games, which is an unbelievable number.”

With West Ham at real risk of relegation, they definitely need to make some new additions in the January window, and Toney is exactly the calibre of signing they should be looking to make.

Saturday’s edition of was billed as a homecoming for Pat McAfee, the former West Virginia special teams star who grew up outside of the city. McAfee paid tribute to the city’s impressive sports history.

Of course, the modern Pittsburgh sports landscape features both one of the most electrifying athletes in the country—Cy Young winner Paul Skenes—and his otherwise disappointing franchise, the Pirates.

“We even have baseball history,” McAfee said. “Paul Skenes just won the Cy Young, he’s the best player in baseball. That’s sick.”

Cheers for Skenes quickly turned negative, and as McAfee began to address the Pirates struggles, saying, “And although the team may be absolute …” the Pirates fans in attendance came close to drowning him out with loud chants of “Sell the team!”

“Yeah, that’s what they’re saying,” McAfee continued after cutting himself off.

“What’s going on with the Pirates is they don’t spend any money and they don’t actually win, you see, so we have Paul Skenes go on a historic run at PNC Park, the most beautiful ballpark in of MLB,” McAfee continued, acknowledging the fan base’s complaints before kicking it to Kirk Herbstreit for a quick history lesson about great Pirates players and teams of yesteryear.

“Sell the team” chants have become commonplace in Pittsburgh, with Skenes addressing them—and putting the responsibility to win on his own shoulders and those of the team’s players—all the way back in early April. The Pirates would finish 71–91, the franchise’s seventh consecutive sub-.500 season. Pittsburgh last reached the playoffs in 2015, the last of three straight postseason bids for the franchise. The ‘13 trip to the NLDS broke a 20 year streak without playoff baseball.

As we’ve seen in recent days with the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, fan outrage can make impact with a struggling sports franchise. Ousting an ownership group that doesn’t feel incentivized to invest in a winning ballclub is a much more difficult undertaking, even with pressure coming from the set.

By picking for conditions, not reputations, South Africa engineered a rare and hard-earned run of subcontinent success

Firdose Moonda26-Nov-20253:10

Philander: Takes an ‘epic effort’ to beat India at home

They say what makes South Africans unique is that they prefer it when things are tough. Start your World Test Championship (WTC) title defence with back-to-back tours of the subcontinent? Challenge accepted. Win a series in places you haven’t for 18 years (Pakistan) and 25 (India)? Sure. Do it without your captain in the first instance and your premier seamer in the second? Bring it.And while it’s true that South Africans love the bravado of all this, it also holds that none of it happened without careful planning and meticulous attention to detail as they worked their way back up international cricket’s rankings over the last six years.In that time, one of the key things South Africa have got right is selection. It may sound obvious but they’ve picked squads and XIs based solely on who they think can do a job in a specific location, against a specific team, not on reputation, and sometimes not even on form. It hasn’t always seemed obvious – Lungi Ngidi for the WTC final at Lord’s with no red-ball cricket under his belt for ten months, or Tristan Stubbs at No. 3 – but, to date, it has all worked. Over the last two months, better than ever.Related

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• Harmer hands India their biggest Test defeat, seals 2-0 sweep

• Stats – Harmer breaks records as SA thrash India

• 'Just dream a bit' – How South Africa turned hope into history

For South Africa’s trips to Pakistan and India, recalling Simon Harmer was a masterstroke. It demonstrated how well South Africa have moved on from the issues of the past to make the best choices for the present.Harmer left the country’s cricket in the Kolpak exodus of 2017, and has since had strong opinions about everything from the application of transformation targets to the security of a career in South Africa. Some of what he said has rankled, but most of what he did impressed. On the county circuit, Harmer has been prolific – he has been among the top ten wicket-takers over nine English summers and the leading bowler in three of those. Going to the subcontinent, a record like that could not be ignored.In the grand tradition of phoning a friend, Harmer called Temba Bavuma and Shukri Conrad after watching them lift the Test mace at Lord’s to make himself available again.”Seeing them win the World Test Championship as a South African was an extremely proud moment, especially knowing a lot of people in the change room and what it meant to them,” Harmer said at the post-match press conference after South Africa beat India by 408 runs in the second Test in Guwahati.”Never in a million years did I think that I would have another shot at international cricket” – Simon Harmer•BCCIWinning that title also showed South Africa that their methods work. The 2023-25 cycle was, on paper, not particularly challenging with no matches against England or Australia, and an India series at home. Instead, it was sparse, with six two-match series, and South Africa effectively forfeited one when they sent an understrength side to New Zealand to accommodate for the SA20. That meant there was huge pressure on every match, but coach Conrad had discovered a way.For New Zealand, he called on resources far and wide as he brought offspinner Dane Piedt back from his new life in the United States, and medium-pacer Dane Paterson back from what looked like the road to retirement on the county circuit. Paterson was key to the rest of South Africa’s success, which included series wins in the West Indies and Bangladesh, and then four matches in a row at home. Essentially, South Africa got to the WTC final by thinking creatively, and that would have given Harmer hope they would continue to do so on other assignments – especially as defending champions.Harmer was right. South Africa immediately knew that to win in the subcontinent, not only did they have to pick their best players of spin – Tony de Zorzi, who now has two Test hundreds, both in Asia, for example – they also had to have good spinners. And one thing Harmer had done was become a bloody good spinner. In England, he learnt how to bowl on sometimes unhelpful tracks, and to vary his pace. Ten years after he debuted and was then dropped in India, Harmer was able to show those skills again.”That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do – to be able to look back at the end of my career and say that I was the best version of Simon Harmer that I could be,” he said. “The steps I took when I was dropped from the national side to try and get better. Never in a million years did I think that I would have another shot at international cricket. Never in a million years did I think that I would come to India again. To be here, to win 2-0, to be Player of the Series, it’s pretty special and quite surreal.”South Africa drew their Test series in Pakistan before winning the one in India•AFP/Getty ImagesHe also probably never in a million years thought that he would be South Africa’s highest wicket-taker in India, or have the best bowling average for them in a Test series. But these once-in-a-lifetime things do happen. And there’s a romance to them and to thinking that may just be one-offs. Left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Senuran Muthusamy, for example, is highly unlikely to be picked as a specialist batter in home Tests when South Africa have Zubayr Hamza, Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius waiting in the wings. Could he have played his best and last Tests on these subcontinent tours?Harmer will ask the same questions. How will we find his way into the South Africa XI when South Africa next play, 11 months from now at home? There, the surfaces will suit seamers, Kagiso Rabada will be back, and Keshav Maharaj is the first-choice spinner. But this is a South Africa team that say and act like they really are for each other – especially now that they have proven to themselves they can win without either Bavuma or Rabada (but maybe not without both at the same time) – and Harmer seems to have made peace with the uncertainty.”I’m quite happy to come and contribute, and I know it’s going to be a different story when we play in different places around the world,” Harmer said. “For now, I’m very happy to play a supporting role. I want to make South African cricket better. If that means that I only get selected in the subcontinent, I’ve got absolutely no issue with that. I want to contribute. I want this team to do well. I want this team to dominate Test cricket for as long as they possibly can.”South Africa’s series wins in Pakistan in 2007, in Bangladesh in 2008, and the drawn series in India in 2008 marked the start of what became their golden period. They went 15 series unbeaten on the road, and notched up victories in England, Australia and Sri Lanka on the way. This time the sequence is slightly different as victory in Bangladesh last year gave them their first win in the subcontinent in a decade, and they drew in Pakistan but won in India. The last of those is a generational achievement which comes at a time when India have never been more powerful – both as a team and as the game’s economic powerhouse.South Africa have announced their aim to make the SA20 the second-best league, but not to have the second-best national team•SA20Though India were beaten by New Zealand at home last year, that was their first Test series loss on their own soil in 12 years. Either side of that, they won the T20 World Cup in 2024, where they defeated South Africa in the final, and the Champions Trophy early in 2025, while their women’s side also beat South Africa in the ODI World Cup earlier this month.And if South Africa needed any more reminding of who controls the game’s global narrative, they need look no further than their own SA20. All six franchises are linked to IPL teams through ownership. Instead of push back, South Africa have embraced it, happily announcing their aim to have the second-best league in the global game, but not, the second-best national team. It has worked as the league has grown to the point where it is the highlight of the summer, especially this one that will have no home Tests as decided by the Future Tours Programme in 2022.Box South Africans in and tell them to find their way out, and they say the situation brings out the best in them. It allows them to show the full range of their ability to “make a plan”, as the South African-ism goes, which applies to anything that needs to get done and then is. Cricket seemed to stop making plans six years ago, when South Africa lost in India, and the administration imploded.It has taken time and trust in themselves and the people put in charge (and a word here for Enoch Nkwe, the head of National Teams and High Performance, who has created the structures under which the current success grows) to get up again. They have, and now they’re running along the toughest of paths and loving it.

The San Francisco Giants are still fighting to sneak into the MLB postseason, currently sitting 1.5 games out of the final wild-card spot in the National League. With just 13 games remaining in the regular season, the team is dipping into its pool of minor league talent in order to help in their playoff push.

The Giants have promoted prospect Bryce Eldridge, the team announced Monday, bringing the organization's top minor leaguer to MLB for the final stretch of the year.

Eldridge, a first baseman, is ranked as the team's No. 1 prospect and the No. 13 prospect in the sport by MLB Pipeline. He stands a towering 6'7" and boasts plenty of power. The 20-year-old has recorded a .843 OPS across three minor league levels in 2025, logging 25 home runs and 84 RBIs across 102 games.

A former first-round pick in the 2023 draft, Eldridge was selected by San Francisco out of James Madison High School in Virginia.

The Giants are starting a crucial three-game series against the Diamondbacks, who are also competing for a wild-card berth, on Monday before traveling to Los Angeles for another important four-game set against the rival Dodgers later in the week.

Tottenham have been a mixed bag under new manager Thomas Frank recently, but Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has been left impressed by what he’s spotted Kevin Danso doing on the pitch.

Spurs were eliminated from the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, suffering a 2-0 defeat away to Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Fielding a weakened side that reflected the pressures of a congested fixture list, Spurs looked second best throughout the contest as Newcastle capitalized on their opportunities and advanced to the next round at Tottenham’s expense.

Frank made several changes from his regular Premier League lineup, resting key players and giving fringe squad members a chance to impress.

Tottenham struggled to assert themselves, with Newcastle dominating midfield exchanges and denying Spurs any consistent possession. The visitors’ inability to get their attacking players involved was evident, as they created few genuine chances.

Dejan Kulusevski

Knee

22/11/2025

James Maddison

ACL

01/06/2026

Radu Dragusin

Knee

22/11/2025

Ben Davies

Thigh

23/11/2025

Kota Takai

Ankle/Foot

08/11/2025

Yves Bissouma

Ankle/Foot

08/11/2025

Wilson Odobert

Abdominal

01/11/2025

Cristian Romero

Groin

01/11/2025

Destiny Udogie

Knee

08/11/2025

Dominic Solanke

Ankle

08/11/2025

Archie Gray

Calf/Shin/Heel

06/11/2025

via Premier Injuries

Stand-in keeper Antonin Kinsky was also blasted for his error which led to Nick Woltemade’s first and Newcastle’s second goal of the game, with defender Fabian Schar previously opening the scoring in what was a routine win for the Magpies.

Guglielmo Vicario was absent for Spurs’ trip to the North East with a minor injury, it has been suggested at least, though Frank has confirmed that the keeper will be ready for their looming London derby clash against Chelsea this weekend.

It is currently unclear whether Cristian Romero will return from his groin injury in time to feature at home to Chelsea on Saturday, meaning Danso is more than likely set to partner Micky van de Ven once again.

Jamie Redknapp shares what he's spotted Kevin Danso doing at Tottenham

The pair were excellent at Everton last weekend, particularly van de Ven, who scored two goals from set plays as Tottenham became the first ever away side to win at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Minutes

90

90

Tackles won

1/1

0/0

Clearances

18

7

Blocked shots

2

0

Ball recoveries

3

2

Ground duels won

2/2

1/2

Aerial duels won

4/4

1/4

However, Frank was quick to note Danso’s contribution too, with the Austrian “not as highlighted” but equally deserving of praise.

Just before Tottenham’s loss to Newcastle, when on punditry duty for Sky Sports, Redknapp also had good things to say about the January signing who made his move permanent for £21 million in the summer.

Redknapp, speaking to the Sky studio, said that Danso has been “very impressive” in Romero’s absence, with the pundit claiming he’s spotted him becoming more of a “vocal” presence on the field.

As well as this, Redknapp was quick to point out that he could be emerging as a “leader” at Spurs in light of this.

The 27-year-old was believed to be on the verge of a move to Wolves last January before Tottenham hijacked the deal in last-minute fashion.

Now, with Spurs competing in the Champions League after ending their 17-year wait for silverware, and Wolves rooted to the foot of the table, Danso will be delighted as he also impresses whenever called upon.

It was an astute signing by ex-chairman Daniel Levy, and one which provides new boss Frank with vital, capable cover at centre-back.

The Ashes can wait for now as white-ball campaign prepares to get underway in Christchurch

Cameron Ponsonby16-Oct-2025Christchurch. The city of scooters.Contrary to popular belief, not everything runs smoothly in New Zealand. The Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, for instance. A $500 million major sports complex was scheduled for completion in 2015, but when you walk past the site that’s a kilometre down the road from Hagley Oval, the builders are still there. A flat white occasionally takes four minutes to arrive rather than three – and cricket is being played in October.This month’s T20I against Australia, on October 1, was the earliest New Zealand had ever played a home international. Two weeks later, Wellington and Otago are currently playing a pre-season friendly, even though the start of the domestic season is still over a week away. The only team playing competitive cricket in New Zealand currently, is New Zealand. The scooters are good though.But if the timing of this series is considered far too early, and the construction of the local swimming pool considered far too late, then the vibes and morale in both camps is just right.Unusually, in such a crammed cricketing calendar, both sides managed to carve out quality time together in the lead-up to their showdown, which will consist of three T20Is followed by three ODIs. England were down in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, with bungee jumps, skydiving and jet boats available to all.”I was just playing golf,” said Harry Brook.Meanwhile, New Zealand were in Hanmer Springs. An idyllic location consisting of thermal pools, hiking and quiet pubs where the team could get to know one another, and new head coach Rob Walter, that bit better. There are also, at the thermal pools, waterslides.”They got a hammering,” said former No.1-ranked T20I bowler, Jacob Duffy.Jordan Cox will be given a chance at No.7 after his maiden fifty against Ireland•PA Photos/Getty ImagesConditions in Christchurch, where the first two T20Is will be played, are mixed. The mornings and afternoons consist of a strong sun and a jumper wrapped around your waist, while the evenings require multiple layers all at once. The wind that whips round Hagley Oval isn’t for the faint-hearted, and the night-time T20Is will see hands shoved in pockets and jumpers required for players and spectators alike.But, in an oddity of the modern bilateral series, both teams are at close to full strength. Injuries, rather than rest and rotation, are the core reason for any absence. England have left Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith and Jofra Archer at home until the ODIs, but otherwise captain Brook has his full deck to play with.”We’ve got a great opportunity here against a very strong side to go out there and try and capitalise on the momentum we’ve already made,” Brook said. “The last game we played together as a full group, we got 300.”Because of England’s recent ODI woes, it is easy to forget that in T20Is they have been strong, losing only one of their last seven bilateral series. Similarly, New Zealand’s recent T20I record is excellent. The recent defeat to Australia aside, they have lost just one of their previous 11 bilateral series. While a lack of context remains the perennial problem for these series, quality is one thing that the coming week won’t be lacking.As has become customary with this England side, they named their team a full two-and-a-half days before the start, with Sam Curran and Jordan Cox the notable inclusions at No. 6 and 7 respectively.Related

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Curran, previously unfavoured by the McCullum regime, will play a full role as an allrounder, as he has also been included as the fifth bowler. While Cox, off the back of winning the PCA Player of the Year award, will play an unfamiliar finisher role to stake his claim for a place at the World Cup. Jos Buttler, who went down with a stomach bug on the journey over, is now fully fit and will open the batting and keep wicket.England are at pains to stress that the focus of this series … is this series. A bit of T20 World Cup preparation, yes, but the Ashes will come later. And while they may mean it, it’s hard to imagine they really believe it. How could they?Gus Atkinson, for instance – who is not part of the white-ball squads – arrived today to begin his individual preparation to take on Australia, while Mark Wood and Josh Tongue are due to land next week to do the same.They will work with bowling consultant Tim Southee, the former Kiwi legend who has been part of England’s coaching staff over the summer. He had been expected to leave his role following this series and not be part of the Ashes coaching squad. However, this looks subject to change with Southee currently earmarked to stay with the group in Perth for the warm-up against the Lions and for the first Test before leaving to play in the ILT20.”It’s something I’d love to be a part of,” Southee told talkSPORT. “But obviously there’s a few things to go through first.”New Zealand are boosted by the return of Rachin Ravindra and captain Mitchell Santner, but are still missing several players through injury including Finn Allen, Adam Milne, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips and Lockie Ferguson. Kane Williamson and Ben Sears are also absent.”I think we missed him last series,” Duffy said of his captain Santner, whose return has seen Ish Sodhi miss out on selection. “Not only his four overs, but his leadership too. There’s still a few guys missing out, but to have a couple big more horses in the tanks is not going to hurt us.”Even with their number of injuries, New Zealand’s pace attack remains daunting, with Duffy backed by the likes of Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Zak Foulkes. The exciting Bevon Jacobs, who was picked up by Mumbai Indians just under a year ago, before he’d even made his international debut, is also expected to feature.All in all, whether it’s October or not, the contest is well poised and an exciting series of high-quality cricket awaits. And that can never be too early in the year.England XI: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler (capt), 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Harry Brook (capt), 5 Tom Banton, 6 Sam Curran, 7 Jordan Cox, 8 Brydon Carse, 9 Liam Dawson, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Luke Wood.

For the first time in a long while, Manchester United appear to have acted astutely in the transfer market, having notably snapped up Premier League-proven talents in the form of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

Fresh off the back of netting 35 league goals between them for Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively, last term, the £130m+ pairing have scored six times in all competitions in their new surroundings – three of which came at Old Trafford last weekend.

There is a joy in seeing ready-made signings hit the ground running, but so too is there in United unearthing something of a hidden gem.

A player who arrives as a relative unknown, before achieving cult hero status.

Think back to the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, recruited from obscurity in Norway and Mexico, respectively, or even in the current crop, the likes of Senne Lammens and Amad could fall into that category.

In the case of the latter man, the Ivorian has endured a long route to the top at Old Trafford, but now he is truly flourishing.

Amad's long road to becoming a Man Utd star

It was remarkably just over five years ago that the news broke of United’s £19m signing of a teenage Atalanta starlet by the name of Amad, with the then 18-year-old ultimately making the switch in January 2021.

At the time of the announcement on that October deadline day, the youngster had made just three Serie A appearances, totalling only 30 minutes, with the Red Devils gambling heavily on a raw and inexperienced addition.

Despite ultimately making his mark by netting in inventive fashion against AC Milan, the diminutive forward was forced to bide his time under the likes of Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, with the major breakthrough coming amid his stellar loan stint at Sunderland in 2022/23 – following a short spell with Rangers.

With 14 goals and hero status achieved at the Stadium of Light, Amad returned to Erik ten Hag’s ranks in the summer of 2023, albeit with injury curtailing his involvement in the first-half of the subsequent season.

Aside from that FA Cup winner against Liverpool – and a first Premier League goal against Newcastle United – that 2023/24 campaign was something of a write-off on a personal level, with a strong start to 2024/25 quickly halted as he again slid down Ten Hag’s attacking pecking order.

Since the Dutchman’s departure, however, the 23-year-old has gone to a different level under Ruud van Nistelrooy and now Ruben Amorim, producing a string of clutch moments, including goals away at Anfield and the Etihad last term, alongside his late treble at home to Southampton.

Now shifted back to right wing-back this season, amid the presence of Mbeumo, the £120k-per-week wizard is beginning to find his groove, highlighted by his statement early assist away on Merseyside.

Manager

Games

Goals

Assists

Ruben Amorim

36

8

10

Erik ten Hag

24

3

3

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

8

1

1

Ruud van Nistelrooy

4

2

1

Ralf Rangnick

1

0

0

Michael Carrick

0

0

0

Total

73

14

14

It’s been five years or so in the making, but Amad – who is set to head to AFCON later this year – is properly realising his potential in a United shirt.

Perhaps a similar success story could be on the cards?

Man Utd's next Amad in the making

All the focus five years ago was on the £40m capture of Donny van de Beek, alongside the free transfer arrival of Edinson Cavani, with Amad’s announcement something of an afterthought – not least as he didn’t actually make the move until a few months later.

Such a scenario has seemingly been repeated in 2025, with United having quietly confirmed the £6m signing of another teenager, Diego Leon, back in January, with the Paraguayan belatedly joining this summer after turning 18.

Like a young Amad, the rampaging full-back has been signed as something of a project player, more with a nod to the future than with an expectation that he should immediately hit the ground running at Premier League level.

Like Amad too, however – who was even described as “like Messi” in training by Atalanta teammate Papu Gomez – the teenager arrives with a burgeoning reputation, having already scored four times in 33 games for former employers Cerro Porteno.

Comfortable at left-back or left wing-back, the rising star has been hailed for his physical attributes by the likes of analyst Ben Mattinson, who has noted that he “runs like a steam train” down that flank.

Such quality was evident only last week as United’s U21 side saw off Tottenham Hotspur, with Leon surging forward from his left-sided berth, running almost the length of the pitch, before converting for his first goal for the Red Devils.

Unsurprisingly, there is still a rawness to his game – having notably lost the ball nine times from just 31 touches in the recent EFL Trophy defeat to Barnsley, as per Sofascore – but with remarkable pace and power, it might not be long before United’s No.35 is featuring at first-team level.

Indeed, he has been a regular fixture in Amorim’s matchday squads this season, despite not actually making his competitive senior bow, while he has also received a first international call-up from Paraguay.

Paraded on the pitch ahead of the pre-season clash with Fiorentina, the left-footer was no doubt in the shadow of the marquee signings of Cunha, Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, although his time will surely come before too long.

With Patrick Dorgu yet to nail down that left wing-back berth – and with fellow teenager Harry Amass out on loan – there is a clear route to game time in the coming weeks and months, starting with Saturday’s meeting with Nottingham Forest.

While, like Amad, he may have to bide his time, United could reap the rewards later down the line of having invested in such an exciting teenage talent.

Carragher said Man Utd star was "terrible", now he's Amorim's key player

Manchester United now have a talent who has managed to transform his career at Old Trafford.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 30, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O goleiro Cássio se despediu do Corinthians após 12 anos vestindo a camisa alvinegra. Em entrevista coletiva realizada no CT Joaquim Grava, o atleta agradeceu o clube pela oportunidade e pelas conquistas que teve, e afirmou que agora é o momento de um novo desafio na carreira, mas negou que ir para o banco de reservas tivesse sido crucial para a decisão de deixar o Timão.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! Corinthians no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Timão

➡️ Acredita que o Timão avançará em primeiro no grupo da Sul-Americana? Se liga nas odds: 1.53

– Acho que foi uma série de situações. Em certo momento, você entende que seu ciclo acabou e estou tranquilo quanto a isso. No começo do ano, tive uma possibilidade de sair e entendi que naquele momento não era a hora. Acho que nesse momento é hora de ter um novo desafio na minha carreira, e sair bem, sabe? Não estou saindo porque fui para o banco, e sim por entender que o ciclo acabou. Eu fui outras vezes para o banco, em 2016, e não saí por isso – disse o goleiro.

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários de todos os jogos do Brasileirão

Cássio se diz feliz com a fase da carreira, afirma que sai tranquilo do clube e também como gostaria.

– Honestamente, todas as festas feitas, todas as homenagens, não tenho dúvida que saí pela porta da frente. Jogo de despedida é para quem vai se aposentar, na minha opinião. Não tenho dúvida que saio pela porta da frente, não é o que muitos imaginavam, mas não controlamos o futuro. Até brinquei com alguns funcionários, achava que eles iam sair antes. Agora saio em paz, com tranquilidade, olha todo o carinho que recebi, não tive atrito com ninguém, foi tudo conversado – afirmou o goleiro.

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+ Corinthians oficializa saída de Cássio: veja o que sabemos sobre a rescisão do goleiro

Cássio acertou sua rescisão com o Corinthians e irá atuar no Cruzeiro até o fim de 2027. Para antecipar a sua saída do Corinthians, Cássio e Carlos Leite, representante do atleta, abriram mão de alguns valores que tinham a receber da equipe do Parque São Jorge. 

Sobre a questão financeira em relação a sua saída, Cássio se limitou a dizer que está tudo bem resolvido, e que os responsáveis cuidarão disso.

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– Essa situação foi muito bem gerida com o presidente e diretoria. Isso nunca foi problema, em todo o tempo que estive aqui e tudo foi muito bem resolvida. Essa é uma parte que quem cuida são meus empresários e advogados e tudo correu tranquilamente.

O presidente do Corinthians, Augusto Melo, falou brevemente sobre a saída do goleiro. O mandatário, aliás, prometeu um busto em homenagem ao goleiro, que será eternizado no Parque São Jorge.

– Dia triste para nós corintianos, mas faz parte. Nessas horas, não temos palavras para descrever a emoção e tristeza. Agraço a essa pessoa fantástica que convivi, um grande homem e ídolo que ao longo desses 12 anos aprendi a admirar e torcer. Obrigado, Cássio. Obrigado pelos títulos maravilhosos, por entrar na história, você estará eternamente em nossos corações e será lembrado todos os dias quando entrarmos no CT. É um ciclo que se encerra e que você seja muito feliz.

Com 712 jogos disputados com o manto alvinegro – sendo o goleiro que mais atuou –, Cássio é um dos maiores ídolos da centenária história do clube. Ao todo, foram nove títulos conquistados: quatro Paulistas (2013, 2017, 2018 e 2019), dois Brasileiros (2015 e 2017), uma CONMEBOL Libertadores (2012), um Mundial de Clubes FIFA (2012) e uma CONMEBOL Recopa (2013).

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A KPMG, empresa contratada para auxiliar o Corinthians na renegociação de dívidas, alegou calote e moveu uma ação na justiça para cobrar R$ 1,5 milhão do clube paulista.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Timão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Corinthians

A dívida foi confessada por Duílio Monteiro Alves, ex-mandatário do Corinthians, em documento firmado no dia 30 de dezembro, antepenúltimo de sua gestão. À época, Duílio assegurou à empresa que o montante seria depositado até o dia 20 de janeiro, em uma única parcela, o que não se confirmou. 

O acordo com a KPMG foi assinado em maio de 2021, no primeiro ano de gestão do agora ex-presidente. Na ocasião, o Corinthians vinha de um aumento exponencial em sua dívida, que beirava R$ 1 bilhão segundo o balanço financeiro da época.

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O objetivo da parceria entre as partes era trabalhar na renegociação das dívidas do clube, além de auxiliar na captação de novos recursos para complementar a renda. No entanto, a défice financeiro do clube cresceu drasticamente desde então e hoje ultrapassa o valor de R$ 2 bilhões. 

Ao assumir a presidência do Corinthians, em janeiro de 2024, Augusto Melo encerrou o contrato com a empresa de consultoria e contratou a Ernst & Young para assumir a função.

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Pep Guardiola has been backed to deliver more major silverware before Mikel Arteta wins it for Arsenal, as the Spaniard was told that Manchester City are almost back 'at their best'. After a nightmare 2024-25 campaign, the Cityzens have regained this season and are now fighting with the Gunners for the Premier League title. Guardiola's side rose to the second position just before the international break.

• City back in title race

  After winning four league titles in a row, including the treble triumph in the 2022-23 campaign, City saw their form take a major dip since November last year. They somehow finished the season among the top five teams and guaranteed themselves a Champions League slot and ended up 13 points behind eventual champions Liverpool. They also went trophyless in the season after losing against Crystal Palace in the final of the FA Cup this summer. 

  However, in the current season, Guardiola's side have seen a revival of form as they have won seven out of their first 11 Premier League matches and are now four points behind leaders Arsenal. 

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  Pep backed to deliver major silverware

  Former Arsenal and Manchester City striker Paul Dickov has backed Guardiola to win silverware for the Cityzens once again this season, as he told : "I don't think so. I keep saying I don't want to get too far ahead, I'll get too carried away with the recent performances. But there's just something within the club and on the pitch that is near the levels they were at when they were at their best. I know for a fact that there's a hunger, not just from Pep, but from the staff, the players. 

  "They were hurt last season. They were really hurt and there's a big drive within the club to put that right this season. And they were quite happy going under the radar a little bit earlier on in the season, but the performance against Liverpool has given everybody hope and they can still get better. It wouldn’t surprise me if Manchester City are up there winning things at the end of the season again because I think the strength and depth, the quality, it’s up there with the very best."

• 'Pep's got a lot of credit in the bank with the City fans'

  Dickov added: "The one thing Pep's got is a lot of credit in the bank with the City fans and one bad season last season out of all the time he's been here isn't a bad thing. I think the fans realise that, and City fans obviously are very passionate, but they're good football people as well. They understand that it's probably the third rebuild since Pep came in, with the new signings. They'll be patient with them. At times, they’ve lost this season and it hasn’t always looked great, and people were already declaring them out of the title race. But I think that if City can be in and around Arsenal by January, February time, then that's their time.  

  "That's when they know to really kick on. They have still got players like Rodri to come back. I think they're going to wrap him up in cotton wool for the next few weeks just to make sure that by the second half of the season, he's ready to go. I looked at the bench against Liverpool, they're bringing on players like Omar Marmoush and Nathan Ake. John Stones is on the bench and Savinho’s coming off the bench. I think the squad depth and the quality that City have got is as good as anyone in the Premier League. So it wouldn't surprise me if they went on and won silverware again this year."

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  Neville feels Arsenal are favourites to win the league

  In October, after Arsenal's win over Crystal Palace, Manchester United legend and pundit Gary Neville said on the Gary Neville Podcast: "This has got to be them, hasn't it? This has got to be their year. This is the fourth season on the bounce that I've had them to win the league, but they're not necessarily miles better, they're repeating their levels of consistency, and that's all they're going to have to do this year to win the league. They're not going to have to go and get 100 points, they're not going to have to get even 90 or 95 points to win the league, mid-80s, high 80s will win them this title, and they can do that. I mentioned before about the other teams [being] inconsistent and unreliable, that's not this Arsenal team. They're very reliable. You can trust them. The way in which they defend is fantastic. 

  "They're all around each other. They don't concede goals. They've got a threat up front in multiple areas. They've not got a sensational centre-forward, but they've got a battering ram up there as honest as a day's long, and that can work for them. They've got [Eberechi] Eze, they've got so they've got [Noni] Madueke, [Gabriel] Martinelli, [Leandro] Trossard, lots of players who can contribute goals. They've got [Declan] Rice who can obviously deliver in set-pieces. They've got four fantastic full-backs and three excellent centre-backs. So there are a lot of very good things going for Arsenal. It's about making sure now they don't get carried away. It's about making sure they just keep doing the same things. They don't need to do anything spectacular here. Just keep doing your jobs. Keep doing what you do, and you will win this league. It's yours to win. This is your title, Arsenal."