da spicy bet： Until the official announcements are uploaded, Florian Wirtz beaming into the lens as he confirms his ecstasy at having signed for the Premier League champions, Liverpool fans would be forgiven for holding onto their jubilation.

da dobrowin： According to German reports, Bayer Leverkusen have on Monday morning rejected Liverpool’s second official bid for Wirtz, worth around €130m (£110m).

The negotiations were never going to be easy, even if this saga is moving forward with comparative swiftness. Wirtz is “probably the best midfielder in the world”, according to former Werkself striker Patrick Helmes, but all parties anticipate a resolution in the coming days or weeks.

With Jeremie Frimpong already completing his move from Leverkusen to Anfield and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez in advanced talks to sign for Liverpool, things are looking good on Merseyside.

However, there’s even more for sporting director Richard Hughes to do ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Liverpool's attacking transfer plans

Darwin Nunez got lost in the celebrations as Liverpool won the Premier League, and these will be the memories he takes with him as he leaves this summer.

It’s not set in stone, but the Uruguayan is expected to leave this summer, with interest rising from Spain and the Saudi Pro League.

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike has been touted as the man to replace him, but Chelsea also have a vested interest in the forward and are considered by BILD reporter Christian Falk to be leading Liverpool in the race.

Believe it or not, even more change may be afoot. Luis Diaz enjoyed a productive campaign, scoring 17 goals and providing eight assists across all competitions, but he has reportedly emerged as a priority for Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. Barcelona also maintain a long-standing interest.

Liverpool have utilised the dynamic forward’s qualities across wide and central berths this season, and if he was indeed to be sold, the club would surely need to bring in an out-and-out striker as a matter of urgency.

Liverpool enter race for new striker

According to Sky Sports, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is on Liverpool’s shortlist of targets at centre-forward with the Anfield outfit ‘looking’ at him alongside widely reported names like Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig.

Interest in Alexander Isak also remains, but he’s off the cards after Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League.

Osimhen has just completed a successful season-long loan with Galatasaray after efforts from Chelsea and Saudi suitors fell through last summer, and there’s no way back for the Nigerian in Naples after an acrimonious divorce.

Napoli would be allegedly looking for a £60m fee, so a deal could certainly be agreed in the coming months, especially if FSG succeed in offloading Nunez.

Why Liverpool should sign Victor Osimhen

Osimhen is one of the finest finishers in the game, hailed for his “world-class status” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley. He’s tenacious, layered and physical, surely the perfect fit for Slot’s Liverpool system.

Victor Osimhen – Past Five Seasons (all comps)

Season

Apps

Goals

Assists

24/25 – Galatasaray

41

37

8

23/24 – Napoli

32

17

4

22/23 – Napoli

39

31

5

21/22 – Napoli

32

18

6

20/21 – Napoli

30

10

3

Stats via Transfermarkt

Though he was forced away from Europe’s top-five leagues this season, Osimhen’s time in the Turkish Super Lig has proved a clinical success, instrumental in Galatasaray winning the league and the Ziraat Turkish Cup.

Aged 26, this would be the time for him to try his hand at Premier League football, and FSG chiefs must seriously consider prioritising him over Sesko and Ekitike, who are both talented but raw and undeveloped.

As per FBref, Osimhen ranked among the top 3% of centre-forwards across Europe in 2024/25 for goals scored, the top 1% for touches in the attacking penalty area, and the top 4% for shot-creating actions per 90, emphasising his elite-level threat.

Sesko, who has a £70m release clause in his contract, and the £84m-rated Ekitike, conversely, still have something to be desired in regard to their prolific output. Across 48 matches this year, Frankfurt’s man bagged 22 goals from 48 matches, while Sesko has posted 27 goals from 64 appearances in the German Bundesliga since signing for Leipzig two years ago.

Coined by analyst Ben Mattinson a “transitional monster” and a “beast in the air”, Osimhen is the real deal, all right, and would provide Liverpool with a ridiculous focal point from which Salah, who turns 33 this month, can ease his burden and the inbound Wirtz can forge a deadly partnership.

That’s not to say Ekitike and Sesko couldn’t make their mark too, but Liverpool are set to undergo some rather drastic changes in the offensive department, and a striker proven to be one of the best in the world would be a sure-fire way to ensure Slot’s finely-woven system remains in place.

Osimhen, furthermore, is more than just a goalscorer. His nifty footwork, swift-limbed and purposeful with his passing and link-up play, suggests there’s a real player in there who could, by turns, make the net bulge himself and feed Salah and co.

Given that, at £60m, Osimhen would come at a cheaper price than Liverpool’s other major striker targets, it feels like a bit of a no-brainer, one that could see the Reds retain their Premier League title and maybe get their mitts on some silverware across other fronts.

One thing’s for certain: all three transfer targets would prove to be upgrades on Nunez, who has sadly fallen by the wayside in Slot’s set-up, and Liverpool cannot afford to have a misfiring number nine fronting the project once again.

Regarded as “the best striker on the market” by data journalist Statman Dave, Liverpool need to make this one happen; Osimhen might just prove to be the final piece of the puzzle for an Anfield side looking to consolidate their position at the very top of the global game.

Related An amazing Mane repeat: £40m star has now "agreed" to sign for Liverpool

Liverpool are set to bid for another star after signing Jeremie Frimpong, and he could be a Sadio Mane repeat.

Posts ByDan Emery Jun 2, 2025

Liverpool have plenty of summer targets in their sights, but they are also aware that departures at Anfield will be needed to supplement incomings.

Liverpool looking to scale upwards in summer window

The Reds have enjoyed a mercurial season under Arne Slot and have been head and shoulders in front of their competitors for the Premier League title.

Nevertheless, the upcoming window is a test of FSG’s long-term ambitions at Anfield. The market sphere is becoming more crowded than ever, and several of their rivals will relish the opportunity to strengthen ahead of next campaign.

Thwarting any optimism that their crown can be deposed is the priority for Liverpool, who now have Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong at the top of their list to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Continuing that theme, the Reds are also monitoring Monaco right-back Vanderson following his exploits in Ligue 1 this term, signifying that they have several contingencies to fill the void that will be left by the academy graduate.

Nevertheless, Alexander-Arnold won’t be the only one to leave Merseyside behind in the coming months. Luis Diaz is being targeted by Saudi Pro League clubs and may fetch £68 million to invest back into potential reinforcements.

Fabrizio Romano reveals what he's heard about Liverpool signing De Bruyne

Could a shock move to Anfield materialise this summer?

By
Henry Jackson

May 9, 2025

Some may think changing things while they are playing out nicely is a strange phenomenon, but there can be no room for sentiment in the hunt for silverware. Ultimately, Liverpool want to be in a position to dominate English football for years to come, so it makes sense to be proactive on all fronts should the right opportunies to conduct business present themselves.

Tapping into that school of thought, Slot may have a decision to make following recent developments involving one of his high-profile stars.

Liverpool receive two offers for Darwin Nunez

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool have received offers for striker Darwin Nunez from RB Leipzig and Napoli following his disappointing campaign at Anfield. The Uruguay international is the subject of bids of around £50.7 million, which has plunged his future at the Reds into doubt due to a lack of consistency since joining from Benfica in 2022 for £71.8 million.

Darwin Nunez at Liverpool – has he been a success?
Appearances	140
Goals	40
Assists	26
Trophies	Premier League x1, Community Shield x1

Labelled “wonderful” by Jurgen Klopp, Nunez has registered seven goals and seven assists in 44 appearances this campaign, though Diogo Jota has sometimes been preferred to spearhead Slot’s attack. Finding himself at a crossroads, the Artigas-born man could be the one to make way as Liverpool hunt for an elite striker to build on their title success.

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak has been mooted as a Reds target. Still, big-money sales are likely to be critical in any successful pursuit of the Sweden international. Nunez doesn’t appear to be front and centre of Liverpool’s plans, making a departure an easy decision for all parties should a deal be agreed upon.

قاد محمد صلاح، منتخب مصر، للتأهل إلى نهائيات كأس العالم 2026، بعد الفوز ضد منتخب جيبوتي على ملعب استاد العربي الزاولي، بثلاثية نظيفة.

ويتواجد منتخب مصر في المجموعة الأولى من تصفيات إفريقيا المؤهلة لكأس العالم، ويلعب بجوار منتخبات بوركينا فاسو وإثيويبا وجيبوتي وسيراليون وغينيا بيساو.

وافتتح إبراهيم عادل التسجيل لمنتخب مصر في الدقيقة الثامنة برأسية رائعة، بعد عرضية جميلة من أحمد سيد زيزو.

وأضاف محمد صلاح الهدفين الثاني والثالث، حيث جاء الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 15 بعد تمريرة رائعة من محمود حسن تريزيجيه.

وأحرز محمد صلاح الهدف الثالث في الدقيقة 84 من الشوط الثاني، بعد تمريرة رائعة من لاعب خط الوسط مروان عطية.

أقرأ أيضاً.. ليفربول يوجه رسالة لـ محمد صلاح بعد قيادة منتخب مصر للتأهل إلى كأس العالم

واحتفل حساب ليفربول الرسمي عبر منصة “إكس” بنجمه المصري محمد صلاح، حيث نشر: “صلاح يسجل هدفين ويضمن تأهل مصر لكأس العالم 2026 بفوزها على جيبوتي، تهانينا يا محمد”.

وعبر العديد من جماهير ليفربول ومتابعيه على حسابه الرسمي في منصة “إكس” عن سعادتهم واحتفالهم بالنجم المصري بالوصول لكأس العالم 2026 وجاءت أبرز ردود الفعل فيما يلي:

“حسناً، يا مو، الآن أعيدوا الأهداف إلى ليفربول من فضلكم”

Well in Mo, now bring the goals back to Liverpool please 😂 — Felly (@FellyTheRed) October 8, 2025

“فقط مرر له الكرة وسوف يسجل”

Just pass him the ball and he will scorehttps://t.co/gQqDqTy9gi — (fan) 𝐌.𝐒𝟏𝟏 (@FCSALAH11) October 8, 2025

“محمد صلاح لم يكن أبداً المشكلة” في إشارة إلى تراجع نتائج ليفربول هذا الموسم تحت قيادة المدرب آرني سلوت

He was never the problem — FEMI 🇨🇦 | (@belafeid_) October 8, 2025

“مبروك للملك المصري، وصل لكأس العالم، هذا إنجاز تاريخي، أرى مصر تقدم أداء جيدًا في كأس العالم وتصنع التاريخ”

Congratulations to the Egyptian king!!!!👑
He got to the World Cup before the Giants of Africa? This is actually historical, I see Egypt doing well in this world cup and creating history — fury (@_stormside) October 8, 2025

“كل الحظ يا ملك”

Best of luck king ⭐ — TheRedKeep (@redknightsofkop) October 8, 2025

“هو يحتاج لفعل ذلك في النادي أيضاً”

He need to do this in his club too — Hunsaifu (@MukSaifullah) October 8, 2025

“مبروك الأعظم في التاريخ”

Congratulations GOAT 📈✨💥 — Dr.நெய்க்குழந்தை (@itzme_parthu) October 8, 2025

“من فضلك، استعيد هذا المستوى لمباراة يونايتد يا مو، أحسنت”

Bring that form back for the United game please Mo. Well done — ShadowBoxer84 (@SBoxer84) October 8, 2025

“عاد صلاح إلى حيث ينتمي، على أكبر مسرح في العالم”

Back where he belongs — on the biggest stage 👑🇪🇬 — GroundRealities (@realities634561) October 8, 2025

“عاد الملك”

He’s back!!!!!👑 — King Daystar🇬🇧🌍 (@KingAdeoluwaa) October 8, 2025

“في كل موسم يقول مشجعو الفرق المنافسة، صلاح انتهى، في المقابل، في نهاية الموسم يسجل صلاح 20 هدفًا أو أكثر ويصنع 10 تمريرات حاسمة أو أكثر، مهاجمهم المفضل 8 أهداف وتمريرتان حاسمتان”.

Every season, rival fans say “Salah is finished”. Meanwhile at the end of the season
Mohamed Salah: 20+ goals, 10+ assists
Their favorite striker: 8 goals 2 assists 😂 — Shalom ⭐ LeScharsz (@le_schars) October 8, 2025

After what was a dire season for Manchester City, they ruined their chance to end it all on a high note on Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s side travelled to Wembley for the FA Cup final with Crystal Palace, but came out second best, much to the dismay of their manager come full time.

They will hope to right their wrongs just a few weeks on when the East Mancunian outfit travel to the United States of America for the Club World Cup, where they will compete for the competition for the first time in its 32-team format. Moroccan side Wydad AC, UAE outfit Al Ain FC, and Italian giants Juventus are their three group stage opponents.

One player who will play a huge role in any success over the next few weeks is Josko Gvardiol.

Gvardiol’s importance for City

There are not many players in the City squad whose form is as important to their success as Croatia international Gvardiol. The 23-year-old was described as a player who “does stuff very few can” by football analyst Umir, who also said the defender has been “brilliant” going forward this term.

There have been just four games in which Gvardiol has not appeared this term, further highlighting his importance to Guardiola’s side. In total, he has played 51 times across all competitions, including all but one in the Premier League.

One of the biggest benefits of the former RB Leipzig is his versatility. A centre-back by trade, he has featured more often than not at left-back for the Citizens this term, which has been important for Guardiola amid injuries and a lack of options.

The other thing that the 23-year-old offers to this City side is goals. He had found the back of the net six times this term, which has been bettered by just five players at City.

The fact that he is such a rich source of goals shows just how important the left-back is to Guardiola.

Interestingly, City are linked with a player who could join the club and become just as important to Guardiola as Gvardiol has this term.

Man City's search for a defender

If a report from Fabrizio Romano earlier this week is to be believed, then City are plotting a move for Newcastle United right-back Tino Livramento.

The 22-year-old is ‘under consideration’ at the Etihad Stadium, with City looking to sign a new right-back. A price tag is not clear at this time, but he cost the Magpies £40m including add-ons almost two years ago.

Described as a “superstar” by Newcastle content creator Kendall Rowan, Livramento has played an important role for Eddie Howe, in a side pushing for a second-place finish this season. That would see them leapfrog City in the Premier League.

The London-born right-back, who is a product of Chelsea’s academy, has played 44 games in all competitions this campaign for the Magpies. Perhaps one of the biggest worries for City is the fact that he has just one assist, which came in a 3-0 win away to Leicester City.

Like Gvardiol, Livramento is a versatile player. This term, he has featured at right-back, left-back and even as a wing-back for Howe’s side.

Admittedly, he has made 29 appearances on his favoured right side, but with another 12 coming on the left, it shows dependable versatility.

In fact, the similarities between the two players do not stop there. The underlying numbers on FBref highlight how alike they are, too. For example, the Newcastle star averages 0.78 key passes per 90 minutes, compared to 0.73 each game for Gvardiol.

Key passes

0.78

0.73

Passes into penalty area

0.88

0.58

Tackles and interceptions

2.53

2.7

Ball recoveries

5.98

3.84

Progressive carries

2.5

2.53

There is evidence to suggest that Livramento could be City’s best defensive signing since Gvardiol. Vitor Reis was one of two defensive signings in January, but he is unproven and has played just three first-team games.

Fellow winter addition Abdukodir Khusanov did well to bounce back from a nightmare start to his City career, following his error on debut against Chelsea, but is also largely unproven at Premier League level, despite glimpses of promise shown.

Matheus Nunes, a midfielder by trade, has been playing right-back this term but “doesn’t know how to defend”, according to Man City content creator Steven Mcinerney.

This could be a wonderful signing for City. There is no doubt about just how important Livramento can be under Guardiola, given his attacking capabilities and how reliable he is defensively. He could certainly be their best signing since Gvardiol, given the lack of experience or struggles those made since have experienced.

If he can replicate anywhere near the impact Gvardiol has had at the Etihad Stadium, this is a signing that City fans can surely get excited about.

Home side build lead worth 261 as Glamorgan attack toils in sunshine

ECB Reporters Network23-Aug-2024

Anuj Dal fell short of a hundred•Getty Images

Anuj Dal led a strong Derbyshire batting display to put the home side in a commanding position on day two of the Vitality County Championship Division Two match against Glamorgan at Derby.Dal made 94 from 135 balls after Harry Came, with 84, and Wayne Madsen’s 70 put Derbyshire on course for a big first-innings total.Glamorgan spinner Ben Kellaway took his first wickets in first-class cricket, finishing with 3 for 59, while Mason Crane claimed 3 for 43 as Derbyshire were bowled out for 429, a lead of 261.Glamorgan were left with a tricky 12 overs to negotiate but they survived to close on 39 without loss, still 222 behind.It was a good day for batting with the County Ground bathed in sunshine which was a good sign for the overnight pair of Came and Madsen who proceeded in untroubled fashion to move past Glamorgan’s modest first innings.Ned Leonard again offered too much width which allowed Came to settle back into his innings by twice dispatching short balls to the point boundary.Glamorgan’s attack struggled to impose a measure of control with Madsen reaching his 50 off 88 balls and the stand was worth 130 when Came threw away the chance of a century.The opener came down the pitch to hit Kellaway back over his head but the bowler leapt to take an excellent catch at the second attempt to claim his maiden first-class wicket.He soon had a second as Madsen attempted a slog sweep but got under it and skied a simple catch to midwicket. That brought together the former Glamorgan pair of David Lloyd and Anuerin Donald, who was intent on taking the attack to the bowlers.He pulled Dan Douthwaite for six and crunched Kellaway through the covers to move to 28 from only 22 balls before a smart piece of wicketkeeping removed him two overs before lunch.Donald paddled Kellaway around the corner but Chris Cooke had anticipated the shot and moved across to take a fine catch at leg slip.Even so, it had been a productive morning for Derbyshire who led by 79 at the interval and they tightened their grip on the game in the second session.Lloyd was closing in on a half-century against his former team-mates when Crane got one to spin between bat and pad to take the off stump.Glamorgan’s hopes of wrapping up the innings quickly faded as Zak Chappell again showed how well he can bat by sharing a stand of 67 from 99 balls with Dal who straight drove Leonard for his sixth four to reach 50.By tea, the lead was over 200 but rather than give their bowlers a session to go at Glamorgan, Derbyshire batted on for another 18 overs, presumably to give Dal a chance of a century.Pat Brown stayed with him for 89 balls while another 48 runs were added but Dal fell short when he drove Crane to long-off.That left Glamorgan with an awkward period to get through and Kellaway enjoyed another landmark when he edged Chappell for four to open his account in the first-class game after three consecutive ducks.Chappell should have removed Billy Root in his next over but Donald spilled the chance at third slip and the pair stayed together to provide Glamorgan with some comfort at the end of another challenging day.

The leaping effort at deep midwicket has been viewed more than a million times on Instagram reels alone

Matt Roller17-Jun-2024It was not enough to keep Netherlands in the T20 World Cup, but it might just have persuaded Sybrand Engelbrecht that nothing was going to top it.Speaking moments after Netherlands’ 83-run loss to Sri Lanka in St Lucia, Engelbrecht played down his superhero-style six-save on the midwicket boundary as “a little bit lucky”, even though his track record suggests that it was simply another moment of stunning athleticism and skill in the outfield. A few hours later, he announced his retirement from international cricket, just 24 matches and eight months after it had begun.Engelbrecht was stationed at deep midwicket when Tim Pringle bowled a thigh-high full toss to Angelo Matthews, who swung the ball into the leg side. He briefly moved in off the boundary before realising that it would soar in the cross-wind. He then flung himself at full stretch to catch the ball over his right shoulder, and in a single motion flicked it back into play as he landed over the boundary cushions.

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