All posts by h716a5.icu

Ipswich Town have now made an approach to sign a new £17m striker, who is also a target for some of Europe’s biggest clubs, according to a report.

Ipswich keen on new striker following Delap departure

Ipswich have made a strong start to the summer transfer window, securing deals for the likes of Azor Matusiwa, Cedric Kipre and Ashley Young.

However, Kieran McKenna has a big decision on his hands following Liam Delap’s move to Chelsea, as he can choose to either press on with George Hirst as the main man in attack, or pursue a move for a new striker.

Hirst arguably struggled to make the step-up to the Premier League last season, scoring just three goals, but the centre-forward was a reliable source of goals and assists during the 2023-24 Championship campaign, amassing 13 goal contributions in 26 games.

As such, the 26-year-old could be capable of leading the line for a promotion-chasing side, but the Tractor Boys have now made an approach to sign a new striker, who is attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

He's their new Delap: Ipswich prioritising move to sign 25 y/o La Liga star

The Tractor Boys desperately need a Delap replacement.

ByTom Cunningham Jul 25, 2025

That is according to a report from Football Insider, which states Ipswich have now made contact over a deal for Metz forward Idrissa Gueye, who could be available for a fee of around £17m this summer.

However, there may be fierce competition for Gueye’s signature, as Liverpool have made an approach of their own, alongside the likes of West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Borussia Dortmund, showing just how highly the 18-year-old is rated.

With a number of the Serie A’s top clubs and Manchester United also interested in the striker, it could be difficult for the Tractor Boys to get a deal over the line, but there is certainly interest on their behalf, and the race is now underway.

Gueye could be real coup for Ipswich

It would be a real coup if McKenna’s side were able to sign the Metz forward, given how highly he is regarded, having previously been likened to a Liverpool legend, with journalist Alan Nixon revealing the youngster is “rated as highly as Sadio Mane was”.

The Senegalese starlet has already managed to force his way into the Metz first team, picking up five goals and one assist in 17 Ligue 2 outings last season, indicating that he may now be ready to lead the line for a Championship side.

However, given that Gueye is being pursued by some of Europe’s biggest clubs, it seems unlikely that Ipswich will be able to get a deal over the line, meaning it may be worth moving on to a more attainable target.

Widespread claims have suggested that Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford could also be in the Tractor Boys’ sights, and the 31-year-old may well be a solid signing, having picked up a total of 69 goals and 15 assists in 217 Championship appearances.

Former Benfica academy player Oliver Sarkic paid tribute to late twin brother Matija who passed away on Saturday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Matija Sarkic passed away on SaturdayWas in Budva during his deathTwin brother Oliver paid touching tributeWHAT HAPPENED?

26-year-old Matija Sarkic, who plied his trade with Championship side Millwall, fell ill while with his friends in an apartment in Budva. Attempts to save his life were unsuccessful as the goalkeeper passed away at a tender age.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Amid tributes pouring in on social media from his fans and colleagues, Matija's twin brother and Decic forward Oliver Sarkic mourned his sibling's passing on X, as he wrote that the family's life will not be the same in his absence.

WHAT OLIVER SARKIC SAID

Oliver wrote: "Thank you everyone for the love and support shown to Matija and our family. Really shows the amazing person he was. I wish he was still here with us I but couldn’t be more proud to say he was my twin brother. Life won’t be the same without you. Rest in peace, we love you."

GettyWHAT NEXT?

Millwall will be looking forward to paying tribute to their player once the Championship side are back in action in August.

Juventus winger Federico Chiesa has emerged as a summer transfer target for Bayern Munich as his contract approaches its final year.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Bayern eye new attacking targetChiesa out of contract in 2025Transfer considered possibleWHAT HAPPENED?

reporter Florian Plettenberg has shared that Chiesa's name has been added to Bayern's shortlist. The Italy winger is out of contract next summer and an initial price range is estimated at a relative bargain €30-40 million (£25m-£34m/$32m-$43m). But with Chiesa away at Euro 2024, no decision is expected to be made on his part for several weeks.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Juventus are unsurprisingly said to be open to extending Chiesa's contract beyond next season, but a transfer is ultimately thought to be possible given that he is expected to have plenty of options on the table. Liverpool were notably linked just last month, with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain both also rumoured to be interested within the last year.

DID YOU KNOW?

Chiesa scored 10 goals for Juventus in all competitions in 2023-24, marking a return to his best form after suffering an ACL injury in January 2022 that had massively disrupted two seasons. Even just the idea of having him link up with Harry Kane should have Bayern fans licking their lips in anticipation.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN MUNICH?

Bayern won't get an answer on Chiesa for a little while, but there is still plenty to be done for new manager Vincent Kompany. The Belgian currently has precious time to familiarise himself with his new surroundings before pre-season training begins early next month for those not on international duty. With Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting moving on and Thomas Muller to turn 35 in September, the attacking ranks are in need of fresh blood if the Bundesliga title is to be wrestled back from Bayer Leverkusen.

Leeds United have now made an approach over a deal for a “special” striker, according to a reporter.

Leeds keen on new striker despite signing Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha

Leeds appear to be very well-stocked in the centre-forward department, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin arriving alongside Lukas Nmecha to complement Joel Piroe.

It was Nmecha who was the match-winner in the Whites’ opening Premier League game against Everton, with the former Wolfsburg man converting a penalty a matter of minutes after being brought on as a substitute.

Calvert-Lewin also seems like a decent capture, given that the 11-time England international was available on a free transfer, and the 28-year-old is vastly experienced at Premier League level, although Daniel Farke has admitted it was a gamble.

Farke said: “Let’s be open about it. It’s always a bit risky to sign players who’ve had difficult years with a few injuries. There are always question marks and doubts. But the second part of the truth is that if he had his prime season last season he wouldn’t be on the market for us.”

Perhaps given the former Everton man’s patchy injury record, the Whites remain interested in signing another striker before the September 1st transfer deadline, and they have now stepped up their pursuit of a Bundesliga star.

Leeds now hold strong interest in signing "phenomenal" 24/25 title-winner

The Whites have set their sights on a defender, who is “open” to leaving his current club this summer.

ByDominic Lund Aug 21, 2025

That is according to Florian Plettenberg, who has now taken to X to reveal that Leeds have recently submitted an enquiry over a deal for VfB Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic, who is attracting widespread interest.

Nottingham Forest have also made an approach for Demirovic, alongside a number of other Premier League clubs, and the striker “remains a player to watch until deadline day.”

However, it could be difficult to get a deal over the line, with the Sky Sports reporter stating Stuttgart are eager to keep hold of the 27-year-old, who is “only willing to consider top offers.”

"Special" Demirovic could take Leeds' attack to next level

A deal for the Bosnia international could be on the expensive side, with Stuttgart thought to be holding out for £35m, but that could be a price worth paying, considering he has the ability to take Leeds’ attack to the next level.

Lauded as “special” by Stuttgart director Fabian Wohlgemuth, the Hamburg-born striker chipped in with 23 goal contributions for Stuttgart across all competitions last season, helping his side secure a shock DFB-Pokal triumph.

Not only that, but the Stuttgart star has retained a fantastic goal record in the Bundesliga across the past two campaigns.

Season

Goals

Assists

2023-24

15

10

2024-24

15

2

As such, if Leeds can afford to stump up the £35m asking price, they should undoubtedly go all out for Demirovic, as the striker could be a real difference-maker in their battle to avoid relegation.

Manchester United have added Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez to their shortlist of potential left-back signings this summer.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

INEOS spearheading recruitment this summer Want cover for Luke Shaw and Tyrell MalaciaKerkez linked as surprise optionWHAT HAPPENED?

Per , United have been keeping an eye on Bournemouth's Kerkez as they seek a new left-back to provide cover for Shaw and Malacia. Shaw was limited to just 12 Premier League appearances in 2023-24, while Malacia missed the entire campaign due to knee surgery and reported mental health issues.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

As a result of Shaw and Malacia's fitness struggles, United have made the decision to sign a new full-back this summer and Kerkez has emerged as a surprise option. Bournemouth, it is reported, would ask for an significant fee, after seeing the Hungary international develop into a first-team star. He made a total of 28 league appearances during the club season, providing one assist.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bournemouth signed Kerkez for £15.5 million ($20m) from AZ Alkmaar last summer and could be in line to make a significant profit if he does depart this summer. He signed a long-term contract upon his arrival.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

United will aim to bolster their squad this summer although it is unclear who exactly will be in charge. Doubts persist over Erik ten Hag's future at Old Trafford.

The 37-year old called time on a two-decade long career, which brought 7081 first-class runs at an average of 40.93, with 17 centuries and 30 half-centuries

Shashank Kishore31-Jul-2019Earning Greg Chappell’s praise and being in the same dressing room as his batting idol Sachin Tendulkar are two of Venugopal Rao’s fondest memories as an India cricketer. On Tuesday, the 37-year old middle-order batsman called time on a two-decade long career, which effectively ended in 2017.Over the last two years, while he has continued playing corporate cricket for MRF, retirement has been a constant thought. He took a final call during his World Cup assignment as a commentator for a regional sports channel. A formal announcement came through the Andhra Cricket Association, the team he represented for a majority of 121 first-class matches that brought 7081 runs at an average of 40.93, with 17 centuries and 30 half-centuries.For now, he has no T20 offers in the pipeline. He is looking forward to his future in Telugu commentary and perhaps some coaching too “if something comes up”.”In the early 1990s, they used to laugh whenever someone from Andhra desired to play for India. To be one of only two cricketers from the region (MSK Prasad being the other) to play for the country proved that you can achieve your goal,” Venugopal told ESPNcricinfo. “To come from a fishing village near Visakhapatnam, where my father worked for a modest salary of INR 7000 to support five children, and play was a big thing. All credit to my parents.”It is nearly fourteen years to the day when Venugopal made his India debut. Tendulkar was still recovering from a tennis elbow, Sourav Ganguly had been suspended for an over-rate offence, VVS Laxman was not an automatic pick and MS Dhoni was asked to open the batting. India needed a middle-order batsman and Venugopal was one of two debutants alongside Suresh Raina.”Playing Muttiah Muralitharan on debut was an unforgettable experience,” he said. “As batsmen, we grew up playing spin, but I felt nothing quite prepared you to face him. He was an exceptional bowler. I have fond memories of that game [even though India lost].”

To come from a fishing village near Visakhapatnam, where my father worked for a modest salary of INR 7000 to support five children, and play was a big thing

In the season that preceded his debut, Venugopal announced himself by smashing a career-best 228 not out in a chase of 501 for South Zone against England Lions in the Duleep Trophy. It was the fifth-highest chase in first-class history at the time, against a competent attack featuring Simon Jones, Sajid Mahmood and James Tredwell, all of whom went on to play for England. Yet, Venugopal believes it was a practice match that turned out to be the difference between an India cap and being on the fringes.”Before the Sri Lanka tour, we had a conditioning camp followed by a match between the 30 probables. The seniors played against the second XI. I made a 90 against the seniors, whose bowling included Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan. That knock convinced [then India coach] Greg Chappell. After the game, he had a long chat with me and the next day, I was informed of my India selection for the Sri Lanka tour.”I was very jittery, I always felt as a cricketer growing up, if someone from Tamil Nadu or Mumbai made 120 runs, I had to make 200 to be noticed,” Venugopal said. “Ahead of my India debut, I was a little nervous. Many thoughts ran through my mind. Greg had just taken up as coach, and he told me ‘Look, for me, where you come from doesn’t matter. I know you are good enough to be here, and that is why you are here.’ Those words gave me a lot of belief.”Venugopal was used as a floater between 2005 and 2006, but his career could not quite take off. He played the last of his 16 ODIs in the West Indies in 2006, with his highest of 61 not out coming against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. He was also India’s first ever super sub. Post his short India career, Venugopal battled injuries and inconsistency to play for Andhra and Gujarat in domestic cricket. He was also part of the IPL title-winning Deccan Chargers in 2009. His last IPL appearance was with Delhi Daredevils in 2014.

Carlo Ancelotti has said he will considering retiring from management after his contract with Real Madrid expires in 2026.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Ancelotti might not join BrazilCurrent Real Madrid contract runs until 2026Manager wants to win record-extending 15th titleWHAT HAPPENED?

Ancelotti was closely linked with the Brazil job in the summer of 2023 as he was tipped to join the Selecao once his contract with Los Blancos expired in June 2024. However, the Italian signed a new deal with the club in January this year that will now keep him at Santiago Bernabeu until 2026.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

With the 64-year-old on the cusp of winning a record-extending fifth Champions League title of his illustrious managerial career with the Spanish champions, he hinted that he could consider retirement after his existing Los Blancos contract expires.

WHAT CARLO ANCELOTTI SAID

Speaking to , the Real boss said: "I'm going to finish my career at Real Madrid, but first I want another Champions League. As long as Real Madrid wants me, I will be here at their disposal."

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Ancelotti's side had a dream run in the 2023-24 campaign having won the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga trophies. They will now aim to win their 15th Champions League title on June 1 as they take on Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

“My captains expect me to take wickets. I tried my best all through my career. I hope all the young bowlers do this as well.”

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jul-2019The ball is curling late. It had come down straight for nearly 80% of the pitch. But then, suddenly, as if by magic, it started swinging in. The batsman is in trouble. He tries to block it but ends up losing so much of his balance that he basically falls face first onto the pitch. Tamim Iqbal is down. His stumps are shattered. And Lasith Malinga runs up to his team-mates with one of his hands up and a smirk on his face. It wasn’t a smile. It was a smirk. As if he was showing the opposition, his team-mates, his fans and even his critics that he still had it. He still had the most devastating yorker in world cricket.But that is now history. Malinga’s ODI career is over. And he finished it in style too, with a wicket off his final ball. Now he wants the younger generation to take over. The 35-year old doesn’t just want them to be good bowlers. He wants them to be strike bowlers. And above all else, he wants them to be match-winners.

Yorker King #ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/NWGV03Q9V2

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 26, 2019

“My captains expect me to take wickets,” he said during the post-match presentation. “I tried my best all through my career. I hope all the young bowlers do this as well. Because just surviving in cricket, I don’t think anyone can go far. You have to be a match-winner. That’s what I’m looking forward to in the future. These young bowlers have to get match winning performances and people have to tell that’s a match winning bowler. We have a couple of guys, they have the ability, we have to look after them.”Malinga finished with excellent figures of 3 for 38, but just like he wanted, there was plenty of support from the other end. Nuwan Pradeep, one of the country’s best line bowlers, finished with three wickets as well and Lahiru Kumara, making a comeback after not being picked for the World Cup, showed improving control along with his raw pace.The other thing that was on Malinga’s mind was to win. Sri Lanka’s ODI form has been up and down over the last four years and the fast bowler wanted to change it at all costs.”I think whether I’m retiring or not, winning is very important. We are a young team and we are looking forward to win. These days we haven’t had the momentum to get wins.”There are still two ODIs in this series against Bangladesh but Malinga felt it was the right time for him to step aside.”I’ve played the last 15 years for Sri Lanka. Really an honour to play and really happy to play for these people and for all the crowd that’s been behind me. I feel this is the time I have to move on because we have to build for the 2023 World Cup and that’s why I realised, okay, my time is up, I have to go.”

South Africa’s veteran spinner will be hoping to kickstart their World Cup against Bangladesh, whether he opens the bowling or not

Andrew Miller at The Oval01-Jun-2019Imran Tahir’s solipsistic wicket rampages are not everybody’s cup of tea. Some might argue, with justification, that in a team sport such as cricket, the direction of travel in that moment of exquisite release after the snaring of an opposition batsman ought to be towards one’s team-mates (including the chap who has often just held a catch for you) rather than towards the most sparsely populated corner of the outfield.But then Tahir’s career has been uniquely reliant on his own sense of direction – whether that means emigrating from his native Pakistan for the love of a good woman (as he did in the wake of the 1998 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa), or making his international debut for that newly adopted country at the age of 31, and at the 2011 World Cup in India to boot.So you could forgive him his glee on Thursday morning, when he conjured up South Africa’s undoubted highlight of an otherwise chastening tournament opener against England. Not content with becoming the first spinner (the first non-right-arm seamer, in fact) to bowl the opening delivery of a World Cup, he followed that up, one ball later, by stopping the previously rampant Jonny Bairstow dead in his tracks for a first-ball duck.ALSO READ: Kagiso Rabada TCM interviewAnd so, while the wider focus for South Africa has to be on those inevitable early frissons of anxiety that only World Cup campaigns can cause, Tahir could be excused for taking a moment on the eve of the game to pause, to take stock, and to reflect on the prospect, unthinkable a decade ago, of playing in his 100th ODI.”It feels really special,” Tahir said. “It’s been an amazing journey. I always dreamt that, but I never thought I will be here one day playing my 100th game for South Africa. It’s an absolute honour and privilege, being given the opportunity by the lovely people from South Africa.”I’m just really grateful to everybody, and I hope that from myself, that I give everything that I could for the country.”While he has clearly been living the dream for the past decade (and a pretty wild one at that, given that it began with him providing for his siblings by packing bags in a retail store in Lahore), Tahir knows that he is nearer the end than the beginning.He turned 40 back in March, and at some stage in the course of the ten fixtures still available to South Africa in this tournament, he will call time on the 50-over leg of his international career at the very least. The World T20 in 2020 remains a plausible postscript for a player who will be returning to The Oval immediately after the World Cup to play for Surrey (his eighth county) in the T20 Blast.”Obviously, if I look back, I’m really proud of myself,” he said. “I’m the guy who come through a lot of hard patches, I’ve seen a lot of hardships. I lost my parents without them seeing me play international cricket. So these things are really special to me, and for my family.”I have not seen my brothers or sisters in the last two years, so this country that I’m representing and every game I’m playing for is really important to me, and I’m really proud. I’m just really grateful to my family. They understand that, you know, I’m away from them, but there is an important reason for that.”Indeed there is. For all the talk of how the round-robin format of the 2019 World Cup can be forgiving to sides who make a slow start to the tournament, South Africa’s itinerary is proof that there will be jeopardy at every step of the group stages. Defeat against Bangladesh – Champions Trophy semi-finalists and recent tri-series winners in Ireland – would leave them excruciatingly placed going into India’s opening match in Southampton on Wednesday.”Look, there is always a pressure if you play every game and especially when you are representing your country,” said Tahir. “But you can take the pressure positively or negatively, and we are very positive. We have been beaten by a very good England team who has been dominating world cricket for a year or so, but we are going to learn from our mistakes.”Imran Tahir celebrates Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal•AFPThose mistakes, for the most part, were made by the batsmen whom Tahir admitted had allowed themselves to be rushed in the run-chase. Broadly speaking, their bowlers and fielders were exonerated after limiting England to a daunting but obtainable 311 for 9 – and Tahir was a key factor in that performance, thanks to that initial impact and the overall energy of his two-wicket display.”I am the kind of guy who likes challenges and I like to think that my captain [Faf du Plessis] can give me a ball in any situation and I will be the first guy to say yes,” he said. “It was a plan which I had been working on for the last year or so, so I think we knew that it was going to be pretty much a shock for everybody.”It was a great challenge, bowling against two top players in world cricket who have been in form, and we were really pleased as a team with the way it came out.”The same strip will be in use for the Bangladesh match, which may tempt South Africa into a repeat performance (not that the man himself would be drawn). But whenever he enters the fray, you can be sure that further crucial breakthroughs will cause his team-mates to gravitate towards him once again … wherever in the outfield his cavorting may carry him.”I always look for one thing, and that’s hard work and to never give up,” Tahir said. “I know I’m the oldest guy on the team, which I’m really proud of, because playing on this team, you need to be very fit.”I’m really enjoying my cricket. I’m enjoying my team-mates. I just hope as a team we have a great World Cup, like how we thought before we came to England.”

Emma Hayes has named her first U.S. women's national team squad ahead of two June friendlies against the Korea Republic.

Hayes names first USWNT squadTwo players given first U.S. call-ups19 holdovers from SheBelieves CupWHAT HAPPENED

Hayes named a 23-player squad on Tuesday ahead of the USWNT's pair of friendlies against Korea Republic. The roster features a total of three uncapped players, including Sam Staab and Hal Herschfelt, both of whom are in their first USWNT camp. They're joined by Lily Yohannes, the young Ajax starlet who was called in for her second USNWT camp.

The squad is headlined, though, by many regulars, including Lindsey Horan, Alex Morgan and Jaedyn Shaw. Also included is Rose Lavelle, who missed out on the SheBeleives Cup due to injury. In total, 19 players return from that SheBelieves Cup-winning team.

In addition to the 23-player squad, Hayes has also called in Olivia Moultrie, Croix Bethune and Kate Wiesner as training players, with the latter two joining the USWNT group for the first time.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesSQUAD IN FULL

GOALKEEPERS:Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage)

DEFENDERS:Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Sam Staab (Chicago Red Stars)

MIDFIELDERS:Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (Ajax)

FORWARDS:Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)

GettyWHAT HAYES SAID

“I’m really looking forward to getting started,” said Hayes. “The preparations have been well underway and I can’t wait to get into camp. We know it’s a short turnaround and we have a lot of work to do, but I’m fully focused on making sure that the performances are at the levels that are required to compete.

"I want to build on the work that Twila [Kilgore] has been implementing over the last six months. I expect complete commitment from everyone to absorb very quickly the things that I value as the most important so that we can compete this summer. I know they are a highly coachable group and I’m looking forward to challenging them.

"It’s time to go to work. I can’t wait to meet the fans and it’s really time to get behind the team as we get closer to putting a roster together for the Olympics.”

USA Today ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Among the notable absentees is Alyssa Naeher, the USWNT's incumbent starting goalkeeper. Naeher recently suffered an injury on the club level with the Chicago Red Stars, leading to her absence.

Additionally, the positional designations could offer some insight into how Hayes sees the squad. Crystal Dunn, long a left-back for the USWNT, is listed as a forward, while Emily Sonnett is listed among the defenders.

Alex Morgan and Tierna Davidson return, however, despite recent injuries at the club level.