The visitors hit the most sixes in a BBL innings while the total was the third-highest ever

AAP23-Dec-2022Faf du Plessis and Josh Inglis provided the fireworks with blistering half-centuries that powered the Perth Scorchers to a 61-run thrashing of the Melbourne Stars.Inglis posted the fastest fifty of the season – from just 25 balls – as the reigning champions flexed their muscle at Junction Oval on Friday.He bettered the mark set by opener du Plessis (68 off 33) earlier in the innings, with the pair helping the Scorchers reach 229 for 7.Related

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It was the third-highest score in competition history – setting a new franchise record in the process – and the first total of 200-plus by any team this season.Du Plessis’ dazzling innings included six fours and five sixes before he was eventually out caught off Luke Wood, who claimed career-best figures of 5 for 50 amid the carnage.Inglis picked up where the former South Africa skipper left off, smashing five fours and six sixes, while Nick Hobson (46 off 26) also made a strong contribution. He and Aaron Hardie (30 off 17) hit three sixes apiece.Scorchers’ batters combined to send 17 deliveries clear over the short Junction Oval boundaries, a tournament record.It left Stars needing to pull off the highest-ever BBL run chase, but they only managed 168 for 8.Stars started positively, skipping to 32 for 0 from three overs, before Scorchers quick Jason Behrendorff removed openers Joe Clarke and Tom Rogers in the fourth.Powerful allrounder Marcus Stoinis’ struggles continued as he managed just 4 from seven balls, following consecutive ducks in the opening two games.Beau Webster and Nick Larkin tried to lift the Stars but the damage had already been done.

The Italian has had his ups and downs since moving to Parc des Princes, but he's been key to the club's sensational 2024-25 campaign

Gianluigi Donnarumma served as a ball-boy during his time in AC Milan's youth sector. Whenever Juventus rocked up at San Siro, he would stand behind Gianluigi Buffon's goal and study the Bianconeri goalkeeper's every movement.

By the age of 16, though, he was lining up against his idol in Turin. At 17, meanwhile, he was coming on for Buffon to make his Italy debut. Comparisons between the two were, thus, inevitable. But also justified. They didn't just share a first name, after all; they also shared the same prodigious physical and mental attributes. In fact, Buffon even felt that Donnarumma was the more mature of the two at the same age.

"I was completely different!" the veteran admitted in 2016. "He's a great lad, very calm, thoughtful, intelligent and has extraordinary qualities. He has everything to make history in the role. We'll just have to wait 20 years to make conclusions."

While we still have more than a decade to go, it's safe to say that Donnarumma hasn't yet attained his mentor's remarkable level of consistency. However, the Paris Saint-Germain No.1 is proving in this season's Champions League that he still has the requisite talent and temperament to emulate Buffon by becoming the greatest goalkeeper of his generation…

AFPPick of PSG's free agents

PSG picked up four free agents in the summer of 2021: Lionel Messi, Gini Wijnaldum, Sergio Ramos and Donnarumma. For all of the fanfare surrounding Messi's arrival at Parc des Princes, Donnarumma actually looked like the more significant deal from a purely sporting perspective.

He was still only 22 (a baby in goalkeeping terms!) and arrived in Paris just days after being named Player of Tournament at Euro 2024, which Italy won thanks in no small part to Donnarumma's decisive displays at Wembley, against Spain and England. He was unquestionably perfectly placed to become PSG's No.1 for years to come.

The only problem was that they still had Keylor Navas on their books, resulting in the Chilean and Donnarumma effectively sharing the goalkeeping duties during the 2021-22 campaign. Clearly, something had to give, and Navas was unsurprisingly the man to make way. However, the wisdom of that decision was repeatedly questioned in the French media, primarily due to Donnarumma's discomfort with the ball at his feet.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMisery in Madrid

PSG's implosion at Santiago Bernabeu on March 9, 2022 was by no means their most painful Champions League capitulation – but it was a horrible night nonetheless for Donnarumma.

Having beaten Los Blancos at home with an injury-time winner from Kylian Mbappe, Mauricio Pochettino's team looked almost certain to progress to the quarter-finals when their jet-heeled French forward netted again just before half-time in the second leg. However, in the 61st minute, Donnarumma dallied on the ball, allowing Karim Benzema to deflect the ball into the path of Vinicius Jr, who immediately teed up his team-mate for a tap-in.

PSG predictably went to pieces, allowing Benzema to complete a hat-trick as they bowed out 3-2 on aggregate, leaving Donnarumma devastated.

Getty Images Sport'Too strong to be affected'

In much the same way as he had consoled Donnarumma after a couple of howlers in the 2019 Coppa Italia final, Buffon was quick to defend his compatriot.

"Errors like that are useful to grow up, they are part of a developing process and I am sure it will have no negative impact because Donnarumma has already proved to have the strength to overcome the difficult moments," Buffon told the .

"He is too strong to be affected by all this. Gigio is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, one of the top three along with Thibaut Courtois and Manuel Neuer."

Buffon was certainly right about one thing: Donnarumma had sufficient strength to put his Madrid mishap behind him. And the support of his mental coach Nicoletta Romanazzi also helped in that regard.

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Getty Images Sport'I can learn from mistakes'

"One thing I've learned is how to react to errors rather than successes," Donnarumma told the . "I always thank Nicoletta because she helps me focus on myself and not think about external elements. Seeking help is no weakness; on the contrary, it makes you stronger.

"The goalkeeper role is one of the most difficult but also the most beautiful. One of my strengths is remaining focused despite some errors. If you think about them, you are dead… People have the right to talk, but an opinion can’t determine a goalkeeper’s value. I am calm, especially because I can learn from mistakes."

That they kept happening, though, became a real cause for concern in Paris.

Bhuvneshwar has led Sunrisers in seven games in the past, winning two and losing five

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Mar-2023In the absence of designated captain Aiden Markram, Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening match of IPL 2023, against Rajasthan Royals in Hyderabad on April 2.Markram is in South Africa for the two-match ODI series against Netherlands and will arrive in India only on April 3. The series is crucial for South Africa’s direct qualification for the ODI World Cup, to be played in India later this year. They need to win both ODIs against Netherlands (without over-rate penalties) and then hope Ireland lose at least one ODI against Bangladesh in a three-match home series in May.Bhuvneshwar has been with Sunrisers since their inception in 2013, and has led them in the past as well – in six games in 2019 and once in 2022. Sunrisers won two of those seven matches.After finishing eighth on the points table in 2022, Sunrisers revamped their squad ahead of this season. One of the big changes was releasing their then-captain Kane Williamson and handing over the reins to Markram.Markram recently led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the inaugural SA20 title, where he also finished as the tournament’s third-highest run-getter, scoring 369 runs at a strike rate of 127. He also bagged 11 wickets at an economy of 6.19 with his offspin.Apart from Markram, Marco Jansen and Heinrich Klaasen will also be unavailable for the first match. That leaves Sunrisers with only five overseas players – Harry Brook, Glenn Phillips, Adil Rashid, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Akeal Hosein – to choose from for their first match.Sunrisers’ second game is on April 7, against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow.

The allrounder says he will “go slowly” with his bowling workload in his comeback for Saurashtra against Tamil Nadu

Srinidhi Ramanujam23-Jan-20230:43

Jadeja trains in Chennai ahead of Saurashtra’s Ranji game

Saurashtra’s nets session on Monday gave a clear picture of Ravindra Jadeja’s determination to get back on the field. In a practice session that spanned over three hours and 20 minutes, Jadeja was one of only two players to have an extended hit at the nets. This was after he was done with his stretching and fielding drills at the MA Chidambaram Stadium and then a round of batting and bowling at the nets. In between, he was also seen giving pep talks, initially with the team in a huddle and then with individual players.Jadeja is returning to competitive cricket after a gap of nearly five months after injuring his knee during the Asia Cup last September and is set to lead Saurashtra in their last group game in the Ranji Trophy, with Cheteshwar Pujara and regular captain Jaydev Unadkat rested.Related

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Both are understood to have been advised rest by the BCCI ahead of the Test series against Australia, which begins in Nagpur on February 9. Both players are part of the India squad for the first two Tests of the four-match series. Both Pujara and Unadkat, as well as Jadeja, will be part of India’s preparatory camp in Nagpur starting February 2.Jadeja’s inclusion in the 17-man squad is subject to proving his match fitness. He could not have asked for a better place for his competitive return than his home in the IPL, Chennai, where Saurashtra will take on Tamil Nadu starting Tuesday.Given that the last time he played a first-class game was the fifth Test against England in Birmingham last July, Jadeja is looking to get game-time under his belt before joining the India camp.”I’m almost ready,” he said with a wide smile when asked about his fitness. “I was at the NCA [National Cricket Academy] for 20 days, doing batting and bowling, but the match scenario is different. I wanted to play one game before the Australia series, that’s why I am here. Hopefully, I will be fully recovered to play the first Test.”Jadeja underwent surgery for a ligament tear in September 2022, and his planned comeback didn’t materialise when he was ruled out of the tour of Bangladesh in December, having initially been selected in both the ODI and Test squads.Jadeja: ‘I will go slowly [when I’m bowling against Tamil Nadu]. Have to see how my leg is feeling and then I will see’•PTI

As of Monday, he wasn’t feeling any discomfort in his knee, but he indicated he wouldn’t be taking on a full bowling workload in the match against Tamil Nadu.”After five months, if you play a competitive game, you don’t feel confident initially,” he said. “But as you progress, you will get better and better.”Injuries are part of the sport. In any sport, if you get injured, you have to start from scratch. Same thing in cricket. I was out of action for five months, so again I have to build my fitness first and then slowly, once I get fit and once I regain my confidence, then definitely I will work on my skills and get better day by day.”While batting in the nets, Jadeja copped a blow to the arm from the side-arm thrower and briefly looked discomfited. However, he continued to bat before coming back to bowl.Speaking about the setbacks he has faced on the road to his comeback from injury, he said: “You feel bad, nobody wants to get injured in the middle of your big season.”It’s a part of the game. You have to keep that in mind, and you have to prepare for it. Can’t do anything. There is no guarantee that nobody would get injured while playing cricket. It’s nice now, coming good. Day by day, I am getting that confidence.”I will go slowly [when I’m bowling]. Have to see how my leg is feeling and then I will see.”During his time away from cricket, Jadeja was busy campaigning for his wife in the Gujarat assembly elections. He said he mostly switched off from cricket during this period.”Fortunately, I was busy with some other things,” he said. “My full focus was there. It helped me a lot. I was also not thinking too much about cricket. Those initial three months after I got injured and got done with my surgery, I was busy with some election things. That helped me a lot. I wasn’t really watching [India] matches. But a few games I did see.”But at the moment, he is “very excited, looking forward to this game. Hopefully, it comes good as a team and as an individual.”

Elation turned to deflation as Liverpool conceded a last-gasp goal in the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday evening, James Tarkowski firing beyond Alisson to salvage a point in the final clash between the Reds and Everton at Goodison Park.

However, that was Liverpool’s game in hand, originally slated for December but called off due to Storm Darragh, and so the point gained moved Liverpool seven points clear of second-place Arsenal, who closed the gap to four points on Saturday after beating Leicester City.

Liverpool can restore their commanding lead at the summit of the Premier League with an Anfield victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers this afternoon. On paper, this is a winnable fixture for the hosts, but the Old Gold are only marginally above the drop zone and defeated Aston Villa in their last top-flight outing.

While Liverpool will be confident that they have enough to turn their guests over, Arne Slot does have to contend with a number of injuries.

Liverpool expecting absentees

Wednesday’s frenetic Merseyside clash could call for Slot to make one or two alterations, especially with a quick turnaround needed ahead of the coming midweek trip to Villa Park.

Curtis Jones is ineligible for this one after his part in the post-match ruckus at Goodison, resulting in a second booking from referee Michael Oliver. Slot has been charged, but the ongoing judiciary process means that he’s expected to be in the dugout this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold will be looking to return to the starting line-up after a fitness issue, replacing Conor Bradley.

Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton remain sidelined, though the former isn’t too far away from returning to first-team training.

Should Gakpo be sidelined for this one, Slot will need to find a way to maintain the overall fluency of the thriving frontline. Luckily, Liverpool aren’t exactly bereft of options.

The players who could replace Cody Gakpo

The most obvious pick to replace Gakpo on the left flank is Luis Diaz. After all, the Colombian is a winger, only featuring in a false-nine kind of focal role this season due to Slot’s dissatisfaction with the likes of Darwin Nunez, who has six goals from 33 matches.

Whether Nunez is presented with a starting berth remains to be seen, but the Uruguayan has suffered patchy form throughout the whole of the campaign and Slot seems more at ease unleashing the 25-year-old in the late stages, using his pace and energy to pick leggy defences apart.

Diaz is a player who goes through waves of potent form, but he has demonstrated through multi-goal performances against the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League that he can bag from the middle. The Colombian’s game is also more than just that of a goalscorer, with slick movement and intelligent decisions enabling the free-scoring success of the likes of Gakpo and Mohamed Salah.

Slot knows what he’s doing, and if he wishes to keep Diaz at centre-forward, an interesting change might be to unleash Diogo Jota on the left flank with the view toward emulating Gakpo’s prolificness.

While Salah is tearing Europe apart with so many goals and assists, there’s a sense that the 32-year-old talisman is shouldering a heavy burden. Diaz, for example, has gone five Premier League matches without a single goal involvement.

However, Gakpo has been thriving, bagging in seven straight Anfield appearances.

This is why Jota could be so important for the home side, especially with the added incentive to impress against his former outfit, who Liverpool paid £41m for in 2020.

A “deadly” finisher in the final third, as has been said by BBC analyst Raj Chohan, Jota ranks among the top 13% of Premier League forwards in 2024/25 for goals scored (0.71), as per FBref, also among the top 1% for touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 4% for progressive carries per 90.

This perfectly illustrates the Portugal international’s innate goalscoring sense and his athleticism, deceptively tricky on the ball and endowed with the positional sense that the likes of Salah and Diaz can use to find him with crisp passes or confusing movements, creating space.

One of Jota’s superpowers is his effortless ability to provide across the frontline. He’s capable with both feet and surprisingly adept in the air too. Slot tends to deploy him up front but with 85 goal involvements from 178 matches on the left wing, Jota is hardly untested in that area.

It goes to show that Liverpool have such impressive strength in depth and surely have enough to put this afternoon’s visitors to the sword. Jota, for sure, will be eager to make his mark after missing much action over the past few months due to injury.

The caveat to all this is that the 28-year-old, who was hailed as one of the team’s most “clinical” players by Jamie Carragher, doesn’t boast the finest of records against the Molineux side. He’s won all seven of fixtures against Wolves but has only scored once, supplying two assists.

However, with 64 Liverpool goals and 21 further assists from just 104 starting appearances since making the move to Merseyside, Jota is an invariably dangerous presence in the final third with the ball-carrying skill and sharp awareness to step into Gakpo’s boots and provide the left side with the assuredness needed to lessen Salah’s load.

Liverpool need to bounce back from the setback at Everton, and with a victory over Wolves, fans will be excited by having stepped one place closer to lifting the Premier League title for the first time under Slot’s wing.

Wouldn’t it be quite something?

Slot has already found Luis Diaz 2.0 in Liverpool's "frightening" 17 y/o

Liverpool believe they have one of Europe’s biggest talents in this forward.

By
Angus Sinclair

Feb 15, 2025

Celtic’s march towards yet another title continues.

Last Saturday evening, Brendan Rodgers’ side battled to victory at St Mirren, leading twice through Jeffrey Schlupp’s sweet strike and then Arne Engels’ spot-kick, only for the Buddies to hit back both times.

Nevertheless, a quick-fire late double from substitute Yang Hyun-jun, with in-form Daizen Maeda on target in between, saw the Hoops collect three points in Paisley.

As a result, given that Rangers were beaten earlier in the day, they are now 16 points clear at the top, on course to wrap up the title before the split, with an Old Firm derby coming up a week on Sunday.

However, would the Hoops be even more potent in attack had they not let go of a former forward who’s now outperforming the returning Jota?

How Jota has performed since returning to Celtic

Jota returned to Celtic in January, to much fanfare, rejoining the club from Stade Rennais for a reported fee of £8m, having departed just 18 months earlier for £25m, a joint-club-record.

Fair to say, the Portuguese winger’s time in Saudi Arabia did not go to plan, making just 25 appearances for Al-Ittihad, thereby featuring in less than 50% of their matches, having not been registered for league matches for more than half the season; the Saudi Pro League has a limit on foreign players.

As a result, last August, Jota was sold to Stade Rennais in Ligue 1 for €10m but, after featuring only ten times for les Rouge et Noirs, he rejoined Celtic in January, with Kyōgo Furuhashi moving in the opposite direction to Brittany.

Since arriving back in Glasgow, the Portuguese winger scored off the bench during his second Celtic debut at Motherwell.

He’s subsequently been on target against both Dundee and Aberdeen, although Rodgers has admitted his marquee January signing “is not quite at the physical level yet”, needing to rebuild match sharpness having played very little for almost two years.

Jota is undoubtedly a beloved figure for all Celtic supporters, but there is a forgotten ex-forward who has outscored the superstar from Portugal in recent times.

Forgotten Celtic forward in form stateside

If you don’t remember too much about Lewis Morgan’s Celtic career, well we don’t blame you.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

He arrived from St Mirren for a reported fee of £300,000 in July 2018, but made just 31 appearances in hoops, scoring only two goals, on target against AIK in a Europa League qualifier in Stockholm, before netting against Rennes in a dead-rubber group game a few months later.

Following a loan spell at Sunderland, Morgan was then sold to Major League Soccer expansion club Inter Miami in January 2020 for around £400,000, as the Celts made a small profit.

His time in Florida was far from spectacular, scoring just seven goals in 58 appearances for Inter Miami, but he must have done something to attract the attention of those in New Jersey because, after two years in Fort Lauderdale, he was sold to New York Red Bulls for $1.2m in General Allocation Money, a pretty sizable fee by intra-MLS deal standards.

The Scottish international has certainly found a home at Red Bull Arena, scoring a hat-trick during only his second appearance for RBNY away to Toronto, netting 18 times during his first season in New Jersey.

Morgan then endured a pretty miserable 2023, only able to make six appearances due to a hip injury that required surgery, given only a 20% chance ‘of returning to his peak’ level, as noted by Joseph Lowery of Back Heeled.

Despite this prognosis, Morgan certainly rediscovered top form in 2024, scoring 13 goals in 29 regular season appearances, a key figure as New York Red Bulls reached MLS Cup Final for the first time since 2008, ultimately beaten by LA Galaxy.

His manager Sandro Schwarz described Morgan’s form as “incredible”, reflected by the fact he was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year in 2024, the award given to a player ‘who showed impressive improvement after overcoming a serious injury’.

So, let’s see how Morgan’s numbers compare to Jota’s over the last 12 months.

Appearances

37

33

Minutes

3,140

1,717

Goals

13

7

Minutes per goal

242

245

Assists

7

3

As the table shows, Morgan has scored six more goals than Jota in the last 12 months although, given that he’s played almost twice as many minutes, their minutes-per-goal records are remarkably similar.

According to Transfermarkt, the Scot is now worth a career-high £5m, 12.5 times more than the fee he was initially sold to MLS for five years ago.

In an interview with Goal, Morgan admitted he grew up a Rangers fan, precluding any chance of his ever returning to Parkhead, but the 28-year-old has certainly shown qualities at RBNY that were never on display during his brief time at Celtic Park. Perhaps they regret letting him leave all those years ago?

Celtic must rue selling "unplayable" star who's outscored Idah for 6 years

The former Celtic striker went on to enjoy a fantastic career after moving on from Parkhead.

ByDan Emery Mar 5, 2025

Ipswich Town’s sole focus going forward rests on Premier League survival, having now exited the FA Cup at the hands of Nottingham Forest.

The FA Cup was never a top priority anyway, but there will still be some comfort taken from the fact Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest could only knock out the Tractor Boys via a penalty shoot-out, instead of the hosts dishing out a thumping.

Whilst there are some positives to hang onto from the dramatic defeat, the ever-growing injury list at Ipswich has only increased after Monday night’s loss, with Axel Tuanzebe now annoyingly sidelined.

The latest on Ipswich's injury issues

Indeed, off the back of the Cup defeat, Ipswich now have four injury concerns heading back into the bread and butter of the Premier League, with Sammie Szmodics and Conor Chaplin both not fit enough to feature against Forest, whilst Tuanzebe and Cameron Burgess had to come off at half-time with concerns of their own.

The ex-Manchester United man now has a hamstring issue that leaves Ipswich a little light in the right-back spot moving forward, considering Championship regular defender Harry Clarke is now out on loan with Sheffield United as an alternative face in this troubled position.

McKenna won’t exactly be enthused to throw Ben Godfrey into this area of the pitch either, considering both of Godfrey’s league run-outs since joining has seen his loan side lose 6-0 and 4-1, with the attackers facing off against the ex-Everton man loving life subsequently.

Ben Johnson is another figure that could come in as a utility option, but the former West Ham United face won himself an assist in the Forest clash playing down the right wing, meaning McKenna might well fancy him more as a presence joining in with attacks over strictly defending.

Therefore, to find a fresh option in the right-back area, the Ipswich boss could be prepared to start this dependable face here, knowing he will put in determined performances.

Chalkboard

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

The Ipswich "warrior" who can solve Tuanzebe blow

Ipswich’s strengths this season haven’t always centred on defensively resilient displays, considering the Suffolk underdogs have leaked a high 57 strikes in the league.

But, regardless of this growing amount of goals, Dara O’Shea has looked composed and competent for the most part at the back, especially when the usual centre-back body was chucked into the team away at Forest down the right.

Minutes played

75

Touches

44

Accurate passes

20/26 (77%)

Successful dribbles

1/1

Clearances

6

Blocked shots

1

Interceptions

1

Total duels won

5/10

Looking at the table above, O’Shea ensured Ipswich remained strong at the back to take Espirito Santo’s hosts the distance with five duels won in total, alongside six clearances being registered.

But, his composure on the ball – away from his “warrior”-like presence at the back – as he’s been praised for in the past by Valerien Ismael – lends itself well to this position on the right flank, with one successful dribble even amassed on top of his 20 accurate passes.

Yet, if the Irishman was to come in and just be a staunch option alongside his fellow defenders, keeping Johnson on the right wing would still be able to gift Ipswich an expansive presence here, with an equally daring Jaden Philogene-Bidace also at McKenna’s disposal for their next league test versus Crystal Palace after being cup-tied.

Whatever personnel he does select for this tough away trip to the Eagles, McKenna will hope a lot of fight and grit is on display, as time starts to gradually slip away from the Tractor Boys in their bid to stay up.

Fewer touches than Palmer: McKenna must axe 5/10 Ipswich ace after Forest

The talented Ipswich star did not play well enough against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 4, 2025

يرغب أحد الأندية في إنقاذ مسيرة الدولي الفرنسي بول بوجبا، والتعاقد معه خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية المقبلة.

وأنهى بطل كأس العالم 2018 مع فرنسا فترة إيقافه بسبب المنشطات في مارس 2025، ويبحث الآن عن فريق يعود من خلاله لممارسة كرة القدم بعدما فسخ عقده مع يوفنتوس.

ولم يشارك بوجبا في أي مباراة رسمية منذ أكتوبر 2023، عندما واجه إمبولي في الدوري الإيطالي، مع فريق يوفنتوس ضمن فترته الثانية.

اقرا أيضًا | يوفنتوس يصدر بيانًا رسميًا بشأن مدربه قبل كأس العالم للأندية

ووفقًا لإذاعة “RMC Sport”، اعتبر موناكو بوجبا، لاعبًا قادرًا على المساهمة بشكل كبير إذا استعاد كامل لياقته البدنية، كما أن المحادثات جارية بين النادي وبول بوجبا الّي أبدى استعداده للالتزام ماليًا براتبه، وهو الآن يُفضل موناكو تمامًا عن أي عرض آخر.

وبرغم أن بول بوجبا أحد أهم اللاعبين الفرنسيين في الجيل الحالي إلا أنه لم يلعب في الدوري الفرنسي ولا مرة، وإذا تمت مهمة انتقاله إلى موناكو فسوف يكون الفريق الفرنسي الأول الذي يلعب له صاحب الـ32 عامًا.

Leeds United are interested in signing a former Championship star in a cut-price transfer by the 49ers Enterprises.

Leeds transfer rumours as 49ers plan for summer

Even though the 49ers Enterprises are looking to expand their network of clubs by agreeing a deal in principle to take over at Rangers, there is still plenty of work going on behind the scenes at Elland Road.

The Whites, under Daniel Farke, are top of the second tier with 11 games to go and are five points clear of third-place Burnley. A 1-1 draw at home to West Brom ended a run of five successive Championship wins, with a trip to Portsmouth on Sunday lunchtime next on the agenda.

Away from the pitch, Leeds are already being linked with a number of potential targets for the summer, where they hope they’ll be preparing for a Premier League campaign.

A plethora have names have been linked with moves to Elland Road, including Celtic’s Nicolas Kuhn and Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale, but there is progress being made on outgoings. A deal has been agreed for defender Rasmus Kristensen to make his loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt permanent, with Leeds set to bring in an initial £5m.

After Kristensen, Leeds have also held talks over a move away or Jack Harrison, who could return to the MLS, whereas Pascal Struijk is wanted by Champions League outfit Feyenoord.

Leeds’ next 5 Championship fixtures

Date

Portsmouth vs Leeds

March 9

Leeds vs Millwall

March 12

QPR vs Leeds

March 15

Leeds vs Swansea

March 29

Luton vs Leeds

April 5

One player who has been linked with Leeds in recent years is Bright Osayi-Samuel, formerly of Queens Park Rangers. The Nigeria international has been with Fenerbahce since 2021, but talks were held with Leeds over a deal to bring him back to England in 2023. Now, a fresh update has emerged.

Leeds interested in signing ex-Championship star for free

According to Africa Foot, Leeds are once again interested in signing Osayi-Samuel, and this time, they may not have to pay a penny.

The 27-year-old’s contract with the Turkish giants is set to expire in the summer, with Leeds and Fulham keen on the versatile right-back’s services.

However, it is Premier League side Crystal Palace who are acting on their interest, tabling a four-year contract to Osayi-Samuel worth £72,500-a-week.

During his time in England with QPR, Osayi-Samuel tended to play in a more advanced role and came in for praise from Mark Warburton, with the former R’s boss hailing the player in 2020.

“I thought he was very, very good. If you remember Bristol City away earlier in the season he gave the full-back a torrid time. He’s been very good in spells in games but today he was consistent from the first whistle to the 75th minute.

“I’m not sure many teams have that blistering pace. As long as he knows how to use it and that’s the key for him learning the game. He’s working so hard. He’s got that sheer pace which terrifies defenders and when he uses it wisely like he did today he looks a real handful.”

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Mar 5, 2025

Leeds may be waiting on securing promotion before making their move for Osayi-Samuel, however, with Palace tabling an offer, they could be pipped to a deal.