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The Quest for a Striker Intensifies – Who’s Still on the Market?

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With just a month left before the Premier League kicks off, the search for a striker is heating up. Chelsea has already made swift moves by acquiring Liam Delap from Ipswich and Joao Pedro from Brighton, while clubs like Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal are still in pursuit of their ideal forward. With multiple teams eyeing several players and competing for the same targets, it’s easy to lose track of the latest developments. Here’s a breakdown of the current striker landscape by BBC Sport.

Nearly Off the Market

Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting)
The Sporting striker has attracted interest from various clubs this summer, but the 27-year-old, formerly of Coventry, may soon be unavailable. Arsenal is close to finalizing a £63.5m deal for the Swedish forward after his impressive tally of 97 goals in 102 appearances in Portugal. The Gunners have been in the striker market for a while, and if Gyokeres joins, they will likely withdraw from their search for a forward.

Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea are among the clubs that have shown strong interest in the Nigerian striker, but his situation may soon come to a resolution. Napoli is currently in discussions with Turkish team Galatasaray, where Osimhen spent last season on loan, and it’s reported that he’s interested in a return to Turkey. However, if the two clubs fail to reach a financial agreement, other interested parties might quickly become involved. Last season, the 26-year-old played a key role in Napoli’s first Serie A title win since 1990, despite missing the chance to repeat the achievement this season.

In Demand

Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
Newcastle’s stance is clear: Isak is not for sale, but hints suggest that this may not be the last we hear about his future. Liverpool is keen on the 25-year-old Swedish forward but would need to break the British transfer record to have a chance at signing him. Reports suggest that acquiring Isak could cost around £130m.

Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Both Newcastle and Liverpool have expressed interest in the 23-year-old Frenchman recently. Chelsea was also a significant player in his pursuit, but after signing Delap and Joao Pedro, they appear unlikely to seek another forward unless player departures occur. Ekitike enjoyed his best scoring season yet, netting 15 goals and providing eight assists for Frankfurt, which resulted in a third-place Bundesliga finish and a Champions League spot. Newcastle’s initial £70m offer was rejected, and they do not view Ekitike as a replacement for Isak. He remains on Liverpool’s list of striker options.

Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
Recently, Manchester United’s pursuit of the Brentford forward has quieted down. However, those at Old Trafford are hopeful that Mbeumo’s protracted transfer for over £60m can be wrapped up before Ruben Amorim and his squad begin pre-season training this weekend. Tottenham is also eyeing the 25-year-old Cameroon international, though no bid has been made yet, while several Champions League sides are monitoring his situation.

Yoane Wissa (Brentford)
Tottenham is exploring a move for another player from Brentford. Reports indicate that Brentford is aware of the interest in the 28-year-old, potentially reuniting him with his former manager Thomas Frank, who is now at Spurs. Wissa scored 20 goals last season and attracted interest from multiple Premier League clubs, with Nottingham Forest failing to secure his services in January. Liverpool is also tracking Wissa but has other main targets in mind.

Players to Keep an Eye On

Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig)
The 22-year-old Slovenian appeared to be a target for Arsenal this summer, but with Gyokeres now prioritized, that move seems off the table. Sesko has also been linked to Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool. Should United succeed in signing Mbeumo, they would need to sell players to fund a potential striker acquisition. Leipzig is reportedly seeking around £85m for Sesko. Keep an eye out for a potential move from a top European club later in the transfer window.

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Arsenal made a late approach for England striker Ollie Watkins before the winter transfer window closed, but Aston Villa rejected a reported £40m offer. Watkins is a player many clubs are watching closely, including Liverpool and Manchester United, though Villa is not inclined to sell. Still, a significant late bid could change their stance.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
Another forward linked with a move this summer, Crystal Palace is determined to retain the French striker. Various clubs have shown interest in him.

Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)
Last season, Jackson was Chelsea’s primary striker, but the addition of Joao Pedro and Delap has created some uncertainty. The 24-year-old Senegalese player netted 10 goals in the Premier League during the 2024-25 season, and he would likely attract considerable interest from other clubs if he were to be put on the market.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
Now a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Everton this summer, Calvert-Lewin has drawn attention from Newcastle and Manchester United, as the 28-year-old England forward seeks his next opportunity.

SOURCE: BBC

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Tobi Amusan Shines Bright with Silver at the World Athletics Championships

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Nigeria’s sensational hurdler, Tobi Amusan, has made headlines once again, clinching the silver medal in the women’s 100m hurdles at the 2025 World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo, Japan. This marks her return to the podium for the first time since 2022, showcasing her incredible talent and resilience.

Amusan demonstrated her elite athleticism by finishing the race in an impressive 12.28 seconds, securing a well-deserved second place. The gold medal was claimed by Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who set a new national record with a remarkable time of 12.24 seconds. Meanwhile, the bronze medal went to Grace Stark of the United States, who completed the race in 12.34 seconds.

Earlier in the day, Amusan had already impressed fans by winning her semifinal heat in 12.36 seconds, setting the stage for a thrilling final. Her fierce competitiveness and dedication were on full display, reaffirming her status as a powerhouse in the sport.

Tobi Amusan’s stellar performance at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships not only adds to her accolades but also solidifies her place among the elite in track and field. The future looks incredibly bright for this remarkable athlete!

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Tonali Rescues Italy from World Cup Crisis Against Israel

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Sandro Tonali clinched a thrilling 5-4 victory for Italy over Israel on Monday, delivering a crucial late goal in the 2026 World Cup qualifier just as the Azzurri appeared to be spiraling into another crisis. The Newcastle United midfielder celebrated exuberantly in stoppage time after his speculative shot navigated through a crowd of players and found the back of the net, sealing a dramatic match in Debrecen, Hungary, which Italy seemed to be on the brink of throwing away.

The Azzurri, having missed out on the last two World Cups, were dominating 4-2 in the 81st minute when Giacomo Raspadori, who came on for the impressive Moise Kean, scored almost immediately after his introduction. Kean had previously set the tone by netting Italy’s first two goals.

However, an unfortunate own goal by Alessandro Bastoni and a header from Dor Peretz brought Israel back to level terms just when it looked like Italy would secure a comfortable win. Tonali’s fortuitous goal lifted Italy to second place in Group I, now tied on nine points with Israel, who have played one more match, putting them in a playoff position.

Gennaro Gattuso, Italy’s new coach, remarked, “We’ll take the win, which was crucial for us, but we’re completely crazy because we conceded some absurd goals. We have to address that issue because we’re too fragile; we allow goals too easily. The players realize this, but it’s my problem to solve. However, credit must go to the boys for showing the courage to fight back every time they faced adversity.”

Italy trails group leaders Norway by three points, still holding a potential chance to secure the top spot and the sole direct qualifying berth for the World Cup. Yet, Gattuso faces significant challenges ahead of the upcoming matches against Estonia and Israel, especially as the Israeli players donned black armbands in remembrance of the victims of a deadly shooting earlier that day in east Jerusalem.

Despite being the nominal home team, Israel could have justified a draw, having seen Kean repeatedly pull Italy out of trouble following an early own goal from Manuel Locatelli and a stunning strike from Dor Peretz in the 52nd minute in a mostly empty Nagyerdei Stadium.

The match was overshadowed by political tensions stemming from Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip. A small contingent of Italian fans turned their backs during the Israeli national anthem, and boos echoed from some parts of the stadium, accompanied by banners reading “stop.” The Italian players also seemed disinterested at the match’s outset, as Israel showed more urgency and commitment compared to the four-time World Cup champions.

The nominal home side had a goal disallowed before Locatelli’s own goal put Israel ahead. He nearly redeemed himself with an acrobatic volley that struck the crossbar. However, ten minutes later, Kean scored a low drive past goalkeeper Daniel Peretz after receiving a knockdown from Mateo Retegui.

Kean found the net again nine minutes into the second half, equalizing right after Peretz had put Israel ahead again with a brilliantly placed shot. Politano eventually gave Italy the lead with a well-placed volley assisted by Retegui, and when Raspadori added a fourth goal, it seemed Italy would emerge victorious. But it was Tonali’s unconventional winner that ultimately secured the three points for Italy, averting a potential disaster that would have left their World Cup qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

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EPL: Postecoglou Set to Take Over as Nottingham Forest Head Coach

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Ange Postecoglou has reached an agreement to become the head coach of Nottingham Forest, following the club’s decision to part ways with Nuno Espirito Santo. According to reports from Sky Sports on Tuesday, the 60-year-old Australian is preparing to return to Premier League management, having finalized terms just ahead of Forest’s upcoming match against Arsenal.

After discussions with the club earlier this week, both parties quickly came to an agreement. Postecoglou is set to be the eighth permanent manager at Nottingham Forest since Evangelos Marinakis took ownership in 2017.

The former Tottenham manager was released from his position at the end of the previous season after a disappointing run that saw Spurs finish 17th in the Premier League. Nevertheless, he managed to secure a historic Europa League victory, ending the club’s long wait for a trophy.

Currently, Forest occupies the 10th position in the Premier League table after three matches this season. Nuno Espirito Santo’s tenure came to an end after 21 months, with his last game resulting in a 3-0 loss to West Ham before the international break in September.

Espirito Santo took the reins in December 2023 following Steve Cooper’s dismissal and successfully maintained the club’s top-flight status. Last season, he led Nottingham to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League, marking their best standing since the 1994-95 season and resulting in their qualification for European competition for the first time in thirty years.

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