Celtic are considering appointing Nicky Hayen as their next manager and a new update has now emerged regarding their pursuit of the Belgian.

Hayen has been mentioned as one of the leading contenders to replace Brendan Rodgers at Parkhead, with the Northern Irishman departing last week. The 45-year-old has been very open about potentially leaving his role in charge of Brugge, hinting that he would be keen on coming in as the new Celtic boss.

Hayen is far from the only option for Celtic, however, with Martin O’Neill thought to be open to the idea of staying in charge of the Hoops for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, should the club’s owners like that idea.

The likes of Lee Carsley, Kieran McKenna and Damien Duff have all been linked with the job, too, as the Scottish Premiership champions look to nail their appointment and claw back the deficit on Hearts in the title race.

Celtic willing to offer Hayen big wages

According to Voetbal Nieuws [via Sport Witness], Celtic will try to “lure” Hayen away from Brugge with a high salary, and have knocked on his door. The Hoops are trying to use “money, prestige, and the lure of Glasgow” to bring him to Parkhead, with his current club hesitant to allow him to leave without receiving plenty of compensation.

It is easy to see why Hayen is a leading contender to be Celtic’s next manager, with the Belgian averaging 2.03 points per game across 80 matches in charge of Brugge. He also won the league title with them in 2023/24, and the Belgian Cup last season, showing that the Hoops would be bringing in a manager who knows how to win trophies.

Hayen’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation isn’t dissimilar to Rodgers’ 4-3-3 system, meaning Celtic’s players shouldn’t find it too difficult to make the adjustment, and at 45, he is still a young manager who would bring vibrancy to Parkhead.

Postecoglou 2.0: Celtic looking at hiring "box-office" McKenna alternative

With Ange Postecoglou unlikely to return to Celtic, should the Hoops appoint a “box office” title-winning manager instead of Kieran McKenna?

By
Ben Gray

Nov 1, 2025

There may be a temptation to give O’Neill the job until the end of the season, but if Hayen makes himself available very soon, he should be looked at as a great option.

Celtic are looking at hiring "box-office" alternative to Nicky Hayen

Tottenham Hotspur returned to winning ways on Tuesday night when they secured an impressive 4-0 win over Copenhagen in the Champions League, after their defeat to Chelsea at the weekend.

Thomas Frank’s side put in, arguably, their best performance of the 2025/26 campaign as they created a whopping eight ‘big chances’ to find the back of the net.

That is the most ‘big chances’ the Lilywhites have created in a single game under the former Brentford head coach, per Sofascore, and they did so despite going down to ten men when Brennan Johnson was sent off.

Spurs are yet to find consistency in their creative play in the Premier League, though, as they rank 12th for ‘big chances’ created (17) and 15th for xG (10.1), per Sofascore and FBref.

Frank needs to find a way for his team to create chances in the way that they did against Copenhagen on a regular basis in the Premier League to improve those rankings.

The North London outfit rarely used to have a problem with creating chances when they had Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen in their side.

Why Spurs need their next Christian Eriksen

The Lilywhites need their next version of the Denmark international, who is currently at Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, because he provided a consistent creative presence in the middle of the park.

Signed from Ajax in 2013, Eriksen hit double figures for assists in four of his seven Premier League campaigns with Spurs, per Transfermarkt, which speaks to his consistency in the final third.

The right-footed playmaker produced 69 goals and 88 assists in 305 matches for the club in total before his departure in the summer of 2020. He offered a goalscoring threat to go along with his impressive creativity.

The former Manchester United central midfielder is, undoubtedly, one of the most creative players to have worn a Spurs shirt in the Premier League era.

Only Heung-min Son (71) has assisted more Premier League goals for Tottenham than Eriksen (63), but he played 107 more matches to assist eight more goals, per Transfermarkt.

Heung-min Son

71

Christian Eriksen

63

Aaron Lennon

49

Harry Kane

46

Dele Alli

34

Robbie Keane

31

Gareth Bale

27

Erik Lamela

23

Dimitar Berbatov

22

Jermaine Defoe

22

Eriksen’s eye for a pass and ability to execute all kinds of passes made him a constant threat with the ball at his feet and a joy to play with for any forward with intelligent movement, because they knew that he would be able to find them.

The Danish maestro had the quality to create high-quality chances on a regular basis, as evidenced by his impressive assist haul for the club, and that is what Spurs need in the Premier League in the present day.

Frank, though, does have a player within his Tottenham squad who has the potential to be Eriksen 2.0 for the Lilywhites this season, and beyond.

Chalkboard

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

Dutch attacking midfielder Xavi Simons put in an impressive performance against Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and showed that he does have the quality to be the club’s next Eriksen if he can add consistency to his performances.

Why Xavi Simons can be Tottenham's new Christian Eriksen

The Netherlands international created three ‘big chances’ in the first half of the 4-0 win, the most by any Spurs player in a Champions League match for the best part of a decade.

Per Sofascore, the former RB Leipzig star ended the night with four key passes, three ‘big chances’ created, and one assist in 61 minutes of action, before he was withdrawn after Brennan Johnson’s red card.

The Dutchman registered his assist by playing a brilliant through ball for Johnson to race onto and slot into an empty net after dribbling past the goalkeeper.

After the win over Copenhagen, Spurs writer and content creator Mitch Fretton claimed that Xavi is “going to be an elite player for Tottenham”, and it is hard to disagree with that assessment, despite his rocky start in the Premier League.

The £52m signing from RB Leipzig has yet to set the world alight since his move from Germany, as he has produced no goals and one assist in the top-flight so far.

xG

0.28

Bottom 20%

Goals

0.00

Bottom 3%

Shots on target

1

Bottom 13%

xA

0.60

Top 46%

Assists

1

Top 46%

Chances created

6

Top 49%

As you can see in the table above, Xavi has yet to provide consistent quality in the final third in the Premier League, but his performance against Copenhagen was a glimpse at what he can produce at his best.

The 22-year-old star assisted 11 goals in 48 matches for PSV and racked up 24 assists in 78 appearances for RB Leipzig, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he has provided consistent quality as a creator for his previous clubs.

Xavi also scored 22 goals each for PSV and RB Leipzig in that time, before his move to Spurs, and can offer a threat as a scorer as well as being a creator when he is on form.

Frank will now be hoping that his brilliant creative display against Copenhagen will allow him to kick on and make an impact in the final third on a consistent basis.

As good as Simons: 8/10 star had his "best performance in a Spurs shirt"

Spurs put in their best display under Thomas Frank yet against Copenhagen in the Champions League.

ByDan Emery Nov 5, 2025

If the Dutch playmaker can replicate the level of consistency he showed at PSV and Leipzig, Spurs could unlock their next version of Eriksen in the middle of the park.

Chelsea are thought to be leading the race to sign FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, and a January transfer is now a possibility.

The Blues bounced back from the home defeat to Sunderland with an impressive victory on the road on Saturday, defeating London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the Premier League, with Joao Pedro scoring what proved to be the winning goal in the first half.

Enzo Maresca will no doubt be happy with the result, while the manager will also be pleased that Pedro managed to break his duck, having failed to score since the 2-0 victory against Fulham at the end of August.

BlueCo invested heavily in the frontline in the summer, with Liam Delap also arriving from Ipswich Town, but the Englishman struggled with injuries at the start of the campaign, and Maresca wasn’t impressed with his red card against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Maresca said: “We had a very stupid red card that was completely unnecessary and was absolutely deserved,

“After the first yellow card I told him [Delap] four or five times to keep calm. But Liam is a player who, when he’s on the pitch, is probably playing the game for himself and struggles to realise and listen to those around him.”

Chelsea in pole position to sign Aghehowa

It has now emerged that Chelsea are looking to sign a new striker, having moved into pole position in the race for FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, alongside London rivals Spurs.

That is according to a report from Correio de Manha (via Sport Witness), which states the Blues are in the lead in the race for Aghehowa, with Porto now willing to sanction a departure as early as January.

Club president André Villas-Boas is prepared to cash-in for a fee of €80m (£70m), so the west Londoners will need to spend big in order to get a deal over the line.

That said, there are signs the Spaniard could be worth splashing the cash on, having maintained a fantastic record in front of goal across his opening two seasons in Portugal.

Season

Appearances (all competitions)

Goals

2024-25

45

27

2025-26

11

9

At 21-years-old, the youngster could be capable of leading the line at a top club for over a decade, with scout Ben Mattinson of the belief he is too good to be playing in Portugal.

There are question marks over whether Aghehowa would be a necessary signing, given that Maresca already has Delap and Pedro at his disposal, but he would undoubtedly be an exciting addition to the squad.

Joao Pedro named as one of the best strikers in the world The Best 15 Strikers in World Football Ranked (2025)

Who is the best number nine right now?

ByCharlie Smith Nov 20, 2025

Tim David produced a brutal display of hitting with Australia’s fastest T20I century from 37 balls as the visitors surged to a series-winning victory by chasing 215 with a massive 23 deliveries to spare on a boundary-filled night in St Kitts.Shai Hope’s maiden T20I century, in which he formed an opening stand of 125 with Brandon King, helped West Indies post 214 for 4 and when Australia wobbled on 87 for 4 in the ninth over, the target was a considerable distance off.However, David produced a breathtaking performance which rewrote the record books with firstly Australia’s fastest fifty from 16 deliveries, and then the century mark with the boundary that also brought victory. In all he plundered 11 sixes in his maiden T20 century.Mitchell Owen, in his first international series, played his part with 36 off 16 balls in a fifth-wicket stand of 128 from just 46 balls.

David’s masterclass

This was only the eighth time in his 42 T20I innings for Australia that David had batted higher than No. 6 when he walked out following a scratchy innings from captain Mitchell Marsh. He was 15 off seven balls when he faced up to Gudakesh Motie in the 10th over and collected four consecutive sixes.In the next over from Akeal Hosein he added two more, with a boundary between them taking him to fifty off 16 balls. Such was his focus and confidence of match-ups, that he turned down a single in Roston Chase’s only over so he could retain the strike against the offspinner and proceeded to take three further sixes as the chase quickly came down towards a run-a-ball. Numerous times the umpires needed to call for the replacement box of balls with a few souvenirs now lying outside Warner Park for anyone who wanted to have a look.0:17

Watch – Shai Hope records first T20I century

The game was probably gone from West Indies, but they gave David a life on 90 when King dropped a sitter at deep midwicket. After that, the only slight danger to the century record was whether Owen would finish the game first. But despite Owen being handed a six when Rovman Powell stepped on the rope taking a catch at long-on, David wasn’t denied and comfortably eclipsed the previous record of 43 balls set by Josh Inglis against Scotland last year.

Shai gives hope

West Indies’ captain put together a top-class innings to dominate the home side’s display, becoming just the second West Indian after Chris Gayle to have centuries across all formats. He was a little sluggish initially and was 5 off seven balls before finding his first boundary but from there was in control throughout. He hit his stride by taking advantage of Glenn Maxwell’s powerplay over with a four and consecutive sixes, and then put Owen out of the ground – the first, but not last instance of that for the night.Hope’s fifty came from 26 balls – with King’s following off 30 deliveries – and he then motored towards three figures including consecutive sixes off Adam Zampa. However, it took him eight balls to go from 92 to his century, reaching from 55 deliveries, as Australia again bowled well in the closing overs.

Abbott stands out

As well as West Indies started, there was always a question of how many would be enough on the postage stamp ground where mis-hits would sail for six. After the opening stand of 125 was broken they also struggled to really put their foot down in the latter stages of the innings with overs 15 to 18 providing 36 runs. Sherfane Rutherford produced an especially momentum-sapping 12 off 13 balls.In a game where the ball was regularly flying over the rope, Sean Abbott’s figures stood out like a beacon. Having been recalled in place of Matt Kuhnemann, he finished with 4-0-21-0 including 14 dot balls. He bowled two inside the powerplay for 11, a third in the midst of the King-Hope stand which cost just three in the ninth over then his last in the 17th.As so often, Nathan Ellis also played his part by conceding just six off the 18th over as Hope and Rutherford became stuck in the closing overs. Australia were not blemish-free in the field, particularly around the boundary, but David’s display meant it barely mattered.

MatériaMais Notícias

A Série A1 do Campeonato Brasileiro Feminino 2024 começa nesta sexta-feira (15) e contará com um investimento pesado da CBF. Ao todo, serão destinados cerca de R$ 25 milhões para a realização da competição, que termina apenas em setembro.

Todas as cotas de participação dos clubes terão reajuste em relação ao ano passado. Os prêmios ao campeão e ao vice também serão maiores. Abaixo, o Lance! Biz apresenta todos os valores.

➡️Acompanhe os negócios no esporte em nosso canal. Siga o Lance! Biz no WhatsApp

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasMercado do EsporteCamisa de Messi é a mais vendida da Adidas em todos os esportesMercado do Esporte15/03/2024Mercado do EsporteBarcelona recebe proposta bilionária de rival da Nike e pode trocar de fornecedorMercado do Esporte15/03/2024Mercado do EsporteSão Paulo fecha acordo para impulsionar plataforma de streaming do clubeMercado do Esporte15/03/2024

Em 2023, cada um dos 16 participantes do Brasileirão Feminino recebia R$ 30 mil pela participação na primeira fase. Este valor passará para R$ 300 mil neste ano.

Nas quartas de final, os oito classificados receberão R$ 100 mil, enquanto o valor era de R$ 35 mil até ano passado.

➡️ Corinthians, Flamengo ou Palmeiras: quem vai faturar mais com as placas de publicidade?

Os quatro semifinalistas ganharão mais R$ 100 mil – anteriormente eram R$ 50 mil. No total, os clubes vão dividir R$ 6 milhões em cotas de participação.

Avisa lá que eu tô de volta! Começa HOJE o #BrasileirãoFemininoNeoenergia 2024! 🥳 🏆 pic.twitter.com/HywkgfXDoZ

— Brasileirão Feminino Neoenergia (@BRFeminino) March 15, 2024

Além destes valores, há uma premiação extra para os dois finalistas. O campeão vai receber R$ 1,5 milhão, enquanto o segundo colocado receberá R$ 750 mil -um reajuste de 25% em relação a 2023.

💰 Cotas e premiação do Brasileirão Feminino 2024:

Primeira fase – R$ 300 mil
Quartas de final – R$ 100 mil
Semifinal – R$ 100 mil
Vice-campeão – R$ 750 mil
Campeão – R$ 1,5 milhão

* Nota: Os valores acima são acumulativos. O campeão, portanto, receberá um total de R$ 2 milhões ao final da campanha.

continua após a publicidade

Para a Dra Flávia Magalhães, médica do esporte que já trabalhou em clubes como Atlético-MG e América-MG, e que esteve presente em todas as edições do Brasileirão Feminino, o crescimento da competição é notável.

– Fico muito feliz por ver a valorização do futebol feminino no nosso país, porque sei que isso é fruto de uma luta nossa, de todas e todos que estão envolvidos nesse cenário. É louvável a evolução do campeonato desde a sua primeira edição, em todos os aspectos: técnico, organizacional, financeiro…Certamente ainda temos muitas barreiras para serem superadas, mas é necessário celebrar cada passo e cada conquista da modalidade – pontua.

Tudo sobre

Brasileirão femininoCBF

When Everton wrapped up a season-long loan deal for Jack Grealish ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, it felt like the Three Lions star had entered the last-chance saloon.

It also raised questions as to what David Moyes was to do with his Toffees talisman, Iliman Ndiaye. Both mavericks couldn’t play on the left flank, after all.

But Ndiaye has performed excellently in a new right-sided berth, leading the club’s scoring charts with three goals from nine Premier League matches.

Iliman Ndiaye's importance to Everton

Alongside Grealish, he is the standout star in Moyes’ squad. Ndiaye only arrived in 2024, signing from Marseille for about £15m, but he was a beacon of hope throughout the end of Sean Dyche’s tenure and has scored nine goals under Moyes; no active Everton player has bagged more.

His electric pace and sharp-witted brain makes him a tricky customer for even the sternest Premier League defence. As per Sofascore, the Senegal international has won seven duels per game so far this season, and he has yet to miss a big chance when played in on goal.

Grealish has a unique skillset of his own, but there is really no one else quite like him on the blue half of Merseyside, perhaps the red streets too.

He wears the #10 shirt with pride and purpose, and it’s unlikely anyone in Moyes’ squad has the quality to take it from him right now.

There is an Everton up-and-comer who would fancy his chances, though. He’s currently out on loan, and causing quite the storm as he angles toward an emphatic return to the Premier League next season.

The Everton prospect who could take Ndiaye's shirt

For those of an Everton persuasion, it’s a hard thing to admit, but if Ndiaye isn’t playing European football before long, he may well cast an eye on the continent. Already, the likes of Tottenham Hotspur are weighing up a bumper bid, and the Friedkin Group have responded with a price tag spilling over the £70m mark.

Should he leave, Harrison Armstrong might fancy himself worthy of the summer. Certainly, the teenager has been riding the crest of a wave out on loan in the Championship with Preston North End this season, with his performances leading writer Jonny Nelson to predict that he “will be playing for England in two years”.

The 18-year-old has the grace, technical skill and physicality to become a mainstay in the Premier League, and after a promising spell on loan with Derby County last year, he has taken his game to the next level at Deepdale.

Rangy and ever-more athletic, he’s already featured eight times for Everton’s senior side and has racked up three assists, having played prominently for the development side before being determined to warrant a series of loan moves at a lower level.

Lauded for his “unreal” recent performances by the Second Tier Podcast, Armstrong is going from strength to strength.

We are seeing improvements. We are seeing maturity and growth. Armstrong ranks among the top 10% of Championship midfielders this season for progressive carries and the top 13% for successful take-ons per 90 (data via FBref).

But, more crucially, it is the overall level of his game that has been raised, more confident on the ball, more combative against the run of play. This is a Moyes midfielder, and one who stands a compelling chance of emulating Declan Rice at West Ham United, who was schooled into the superstar he is by the Scotsman.

Harrison Armstrong in the Championship

Stats (* per game)

24/25

25/26

Matches (starts)

15 (12)

8 (5)

Goals

1

0

Assists

0

0

Touches*

33.6

35.0

Accurate passes*

14.8 (68%)

20.1 (82%)

Chances created*

0.3

0.3

Dribbles*

0.6

0.8

Ball recoveries*

3.8

3.0

Tackles + interceptions*

3.2

2.1

Ground duels won*

2.9 (57%)

2.8 (59%)

Aerial duels won*

1.0 (45%)

1.1 (75%)

Data via Sofascore

He is not a winger, and would not replace Ndiaye in terms of tactical role, but the Finch Farm starlet has what it takes to dazzle on Merseyside and provide Everton with a new dimension, much like the silky winger.

Everton might just have a superstar on their hands in Armstrong, one who could hit the heights Ndiaye has reached, and more.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Oct 27, 2025

The Milwaukee Brewers suddenly find themselves with one of the best records in baseball, and they are reportedly acting the part.

The Brewers are finalizing the acquisition of catcher Danny Jansen from the Tampa Bay Rays, according to a Monday afternoon report from Jeff Passan of ESPN. Jansen, a 30-year-old native of Elmhurst, Ill., has spent his entire eight-year career in the American League East division with the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Rays.

Jansen has played in 73 games for Tampa Bay this season, slashing .204/.314/.389 with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs. He remains better known for his glove, with his 1.2 defensive bWAR exceeding his 1.1 offensive bWAR.

According to Will Sammon of , the Rays will take back High-A infielder Jadher Areinamo in the deal. Tampa Bay is also reportedly acquiring catcher Nick Fortes from the Miami Marlins to spell Jansen, per Ken Rosenthal of .

His current one-year contract carries a mutual option for 2026. The Rays are 53-53, and sit three games back of the AL's final wild-card slot.

Milwaukee, on the other hand, is on a protracted tear that has the team tied with the Chicago Cubs for the NL Central lead.

Leeds United fans will be fearing the worst regarding their lowly team when you glance at the slog of Premier League fixtures coming the Whites’ way across the rest of November and December.

Indeed, November ends with two tough contests versus Aston Villa and Manchester City, with Daniel Farke’s men needing to make home advantage count against the Villans, before travelling to the Etihad to take on the Erling Haaland-led Citizens.

December then throws up clashes with Chelsea and Liverpool, with Farke’s precarious position in the Elland Road dug-out no doubt on even shakier foundations if the losses continue, and Leeds slip into the bottom three in the league.

The pain of poor results across these winter months can always be somewhat remedied by the January transfer window opening, as Leeds attempt to turn around their fortunes with a big signing or two…

Where Leeds can bolster their forward line in January

Based on current rumours coming out of West Yorkshire, it’s clear that a new striker addition is a priority.

In recent days, Leeds have been tipped to make some statement moves, with an audacious swoop for Ivan Toney alleged. Moreover, FC Midtjylland centre-forward Franculino has been on their radar as Farke attempts to move away from solely relying on Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha.

On top of talk of Toney and Franculino, Leeds are also chasing after the services of AZ Alkmaar goal machine Troy Parrott, who is very much in the limelight now for his Republic of Ireland heroics.

A report from Dutch outlet Voetbal Neuws, which has been relayed by Sport Witness, states that Leeds have entered discussions to sign the clinical 23-year-old, after being interested in the Dublin-born striker’s signature since the summer.

Now, with a hat-trick under his belt for his nation against Hungary, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur wonderkid is a hot commodity once more, with a bid in the region of £26m expected to be enough to prize him away from the clutches of his Eredivisie employers.

How Parrott can be Leeds' next Rutter

Splashing out such a big amount on an attacker could see Leeds pick up their next iteration of Georginio Rutter, with Rutter eventually going down as a fan’s favourite at Elland Road, after departing Hoffenheim for some lavish bucks.

After a wobbly start mid-way through the 2022/23 season, arriving in a whopping £35.5m deal, Rutter would find his feet under Farke during the following season.

In total, the attacker scored eight goals and tallied up a bumper 18 assists for the Whites, before leaving the building for a Premier League opportunity at Brighton and Hove Albion for £40m. Despite only being around for 66 matches, the skilful Frenchman is still very much fondly remembered, with pundit Jeff Stelling labelling him as a “class act” to watch in West Yorkshire.

Much like Rutter made everything look effortless and smooth donning Leeds white, Parrott has made goalscoring look like clockwork lining up for AZ Alkmaar.

He has netted a ludicrous 13 goals this season in all competitions from only 14 outings, meaning the Irishman is very much living up to his billing of being a “natural goalscorer”, which was handed to him by one of his former coaches in Darragh O’Riley, way back in 2019.

The hope would just be that Parrott would be able to enter the English game and be a hit from the first second he entered the Elland Road turf, with Leeds’ survival chances perhaps resting on the 23-year-old’s lethal instincts getting Farke and Co out of some sticky situations.

Parrott’s career goal record
Stat	Parrott
Games played	248
Goals scored	97
Assists	26
Career hat-tricks	6
Top goalscorer awards	2x
Sourced by Transfermarkt

If he can be a reliable source of goals towards the foot of the difficult division, he will easily be able to reach the same fan favourite status as Rutter before him, with a mighty 97 career goals next to his name at the time of writing.

Parrott could well hit a century of goals in West Yorkshire; therefore, with his former international manager, Stephen Kenny, also noting that the in-demand centre-forward can “elevate” himself to that next level with ease, which could stand him in good stead to become a feared Premier League marksman.

Leeds would have to put their money where their mouth is in landing Parrott, but if the tale of Rutter is anything to go by, it could be worth splashing the big bucks in January as a new fan favourite is potentially unearthed.

Leeds can forget signing Ivan Toney by unleashing 17-year-old goal machine

Leeds United can forget about pursuing a move for Ivan Toney by unleashing one of their homegrown youngsters into the first team mix.

By
Kelan Sarson

Nov 17, 2025

Manchester United are now eyeing Hertha Berlin’s Kennet Eichhorn, with it being revealed the midfielder has an affordable release clause, but there could be rival interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.

Gary Neville has suggested that Ruben Amorim may need to upgrade the spine of his team, given that his current options are arguably in the latter stages of their career, saying: “You’ve got the midfield, Casemiro and Bruno have got massive experience.

“Up front, they haven’t got the experience. But to me, that spine of Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Maguire and De Ligt is ageing, but should be doing a lot better at holding it all together than they do.”

Casemiro has been proving age is just a number with some of his recent performances, which has led to United contacting his agent about a new contract, but with the Brazilian set to turn 34 in just over three months time, Amorim may need to start thinking about a long-term replacement.

Carlos Baleba was named as the Red Devils’ dream target earlier this week, with Elliot Anderson also of interest, despite Nottingham Forest’s huge asking price, but they have now joined the hectic race for another up-and-coming prospect…

Man Utd eyeing Hertha Berlin's Kennet Eichhorn

According to an update from Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg on X, Man United are now eyeing Hertha Berlin maestro Eichhorn, who recently broke the record to become the youngest player in the history of the 2. Bundesliga.

Lauded as an “exceptional talent” by Plettenberg, the 16-year-old is already a regular starter for the German second tier side, which has led to interest from some of Europe’s top clubs, including RB Leipzig, Ajax, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

The teenager has an affordable release clause of just €10m – €12m (£9m – £11m) included in his contract with the German club, and there are plenty of indications he could be a fantastic long-term addition to Amorim’s squad.

Becoming a first-team regular at just 16 is an achievement in and of itself, with the youngster making ten appearances all competitions this season, and he has put in some impressive performances, given his age, in order to keep his place in the side.

Last month, the Hertha starlet showcased his all-round attributes in a 2-1 win against Munster, creating one big chance, while also making a combined four interceptions and tackles to keep the opposition at bay.

Eichhorn is certainly one for the future, but it is also paramount Man United bring in a midfielder capable of immediately slotting into the starting XI in January, given that Casemiro’s contract is set to expire in the summer, and Kobbie Mainoo’s future is still in major doubt…

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Amidst discussions over his future, will Kobbie Mainoo move away from Old Trafford?

ByJames O'Reilly Nov 7, 2025

Hosts turn the tables in thrilling late burst as Birmingham are left stunned at Taunton

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay06-Sep-2025Sean Dickson hammered a magnificent 71 off 26 balls to see Somerset through to Vitality Blast Finals Day with a nerve-tingling four-wicket victory over Birmingham Bears at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.The visitors posted 190 for six after winning the toss, Alex Davies top-scoring with 71 off just 39 balls, with 13 fours. Rob Yates provided a lightning start with 25 off ten deliveries, but Ben Green’s two for 30 enabled Somerset to peg their opponents back.Even so, it took a stupendous knock from Dickson, who blasted 5 fours and 6 sixes, to see the home side to victory with just one ball to spare. Tom Abell made 51, while Oliver Hannon-Dalby claimed three for 24.Bears looked set for a mammoth total when scoring 82 off the six-over power play. Yates hit every ball of Riley Meredith’s first over, the second of the match, for four, while Davies took five boundaries off the fifth over, sent down by Craig Overton.Overton had broken the partnership with the score on 39, having Yates caught at fine leg. Davies then dominated a half-century stand with Dan Mousley, who fell for 12, bowled by Somerset captain Lewis Gregory.At the halfway stage of their innings, Bears had 119 on the board, Davies having reached a 24-ball half-century after being dropped in the deep on 44 by Will Smeed off Jake Ball. But when he fell in the 12th over, bowled by Green attempting a ramp shot, which had served him well, it signalled a turning point.Alex Davies attempts a ramp during his 71 from 39 balls•Getty ImagesGreen and Gregory bowled economically, along with left-arm spinner Lewis Goldsworthy, as three more wickets fell and the innings ended without a single six having been hit. Kai Smith finished unbeaten on 28, but after the blistering start the Bears final total looked no more than par on a typically bat-friendly Taunton pitch.The first maximum of the game was struck by Tom Kohler-Cadmore off George Garton over mid-wicket in the third over of Somerset’s reply. The next over, bowled by Richard Gleeson, saw the dangerous Will Smeed caught off a top-edged pull with the score on 28.The power play ended with Somerset 49 for one. That became 64 for two when Kohler-Cadmore, on 32, drove a straightforward catch to long-on off Oliver Hannon-Dalby and at the halfway stage of their innings the hosts were 73 for two, needing more than 11 an over.James Rew was dropped at short fine leg off Garton, but departed for 11, caught off the very next ball, before Abell brought the hundred up in the 13th over with a six over mid-wicket off Ed Barnard. Dickson followed up by clearing the ropes off Briggs and Garton to raise Somerset hopes.Abell went to fifty off 39 balls, with 5 fours and six, but perished soon afterwards, caught at long-off skying a ball from Briggs. Dickson replied with a six in the same over before another skyer accounted for Gregory off Hannon-Dalby, who then sent back Green in what seemed a decisive 18th over.Despite Dickson’s 19-ball fifty, Somerset required 19 off the final over, bowled by Barnard. But he was far from finished, clearing the ropes twice and smashing a straight four to cap a memorable innings and win the game for his side.