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Still helping his former side out, Luis Suarez has now reportedly told one Barcelona player to move to Liverpool in 2026, handing Michael Edwards a major boost.

Liverpool's 2026 transfer plan

After spending over £400m in the summer transfer window, Liverpool may take more of a back seat in 2026 but that does not mean there won’t be any incomings at all. The Reds still need to add a centre-back to their ranks after missing out on Marc Guehi on deadline day and if it’s not the Crystal Palace captain that arrives, then they’ll have to turn their focus towards other options.

It’s highly possible that those at Anfield still have plenty to spend too, given the money that they generated from player sales in the summer. Manager Arne Slot was quick to remind reporters about those sales earlier this season.

On the transfer front, rumours are already beginning to emerge ahead of 2026. Guehi is, of course, the biggest name to watch in the next year with Liverpool likely still leading the chasing pack in pursuit of his signature. The big question will be whether they wait to secure a free deal or attempt a cut-price January deal.

As things stand, the England international would be replacing Ibrahima Konate next summer by completing an Anfield switch. The Frenchman is yet to sign a new Liverpool deal and could yet join Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid as a free agent.

Liverpool now eyeing PL star quicker than Frimpong, Ferdinand loves him

He could be a fantastic addition for the Reds.

By
Henry Jackson

Sep 19, 2025

Replacing a player of Konate’s calibre would be no easy task, however, and Guehi’s not the only name on Liverpool’s shortlist of defenders as a result.

Suarez tells Araujo to join Liverpool

Amid rumours that the Reds are ready to submit an offer to sign the Barcelona man, reports in Spain have now claimed that Suarez has told Ronald Araujo to join Liverpool in 2026. A fellow Uruguayan, Araujo has been advised to join the forward’s former club and potentially become the replacement for Konate in doing so.

It’s not often that a player as talented as Araujo is available, but the reports have been circling around his Barcelona future ever since he lost his starting place under Hansi Flick. Leaving the door ajar for Liverpool to swoop in, the Reds should take full advantage.

That said, despite often overlooking the South American, Flick made it clear in January that he wants to keep Araujo, telling reporters: “I want him in my team because he’s one of the best defenders.

“We’re all professionals. He’s come back from a serious injury. We’ve taken great care of him over the last month, and now he’s back. He’s strong and ready to play, and he’s an option for the team. He’s very professional, and that’s what I want from him.”

Everton have now gone three games without a win in the Premier League, but they have eight points after six matches and sit ninth in the standings.

The corresponding point from the 2024/25 campaign? The Toffees had four points on the board, having woefully lost four straight to kick off the term under Sean Dyche’s wing.

The draw against West Ham United on Monday night was probably a fair reflection of the fixture contested. The hosts started on the front foot and were well worth their money when Michael Keane rose and powered home from James Garner’s swept cross.

But Everton let the game get away with them, and United were playing with a new sense of iron about their will, having dismissed Graham Potter days before and replaced him with Nuno Espirito Santo.

Still, not everyone in blue covered themselves in glory. Beto toiled at number nine once again, but Jake O’Brien was also culpable for a poor performance at right-back.

Jake O'Brien raises questions

Everton signed O’Brien from Lyon for just over £16m in July 2024. Formerly of Crystal Palace’s academy system, the Republic of Ireland international had been hailed by journalist Zach Lowy as a “revelation in defence” for the French side, before completing his switch.

Last season, he struggled to break his way into the team before Moyes’ appointment, but thereafter, he played consistently from the outset at right-back, starting 17 times across the second half of the season.

So far this term, he has played every minute of the Hill Dickinson Stadium side’s Premier League campaign, though the recent draw to West Ham ended up shining a light on the need for a natural right-sided defender, one who can defend and attack with equal sharpness.

The Liverpool Echo handed the 6 foot 6 Toffee a 5/10 match rating after a performance that left plenty to be desired, while former Everton writer Adam Jones criticised the deployment, saying, “O’Brien at right-back just does not work in the long term.”

The Irishman is industrious and has been a shrewd signing for the Merseysiders, but it does beg the question as to why a high-level right-back was not signed this summer, with Ashley Young gone and Nathan Patterson unable to shake persistent injury problems.

Moreover, Everton have signed Jack Grealish on loan, and while the silky playmaker is flourishing on Merseyside, it has shifted Iliman Ndiaye out onto the right flank.

Everton's Iliman Ndiaye problem

When Everton welcomed Grealish to the pack, Moyes would have known that this would limit Ndiaye’s playing time from his favoured left flank.

Last season, the Senegalese winger was Everton’s most potent threat, finishing the campaign as their top scorer with 11 goals across all competitions.

Hailed by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp for his “dynamite” qualities on the ball, the 25-year-old also ranks among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe for successful take-ons and the top 8% for tackles won per 90, data courtesy of FBref.

Four of his Premier League goals with the Blues have been struck with his left foot, but Ndiaye is clearly more comfortable arcing into space to unleash with his right, having only featured twice as a right winger across the entirety of the 2024/25 season.

Could it be said that he is being wasted in this new role? It perhaps bears testament to Ndiaye’s remarkable skill that he has hardly fallen by the wayside in this new role, but the sense that he would be performing at a higher level in his previous role cannot be shaken at this moment.

The player’s speed and athleticism lend themselves to joy across the frontline; and indeed, Ndiaye has played all around the park, though Moyes has been the principal architect of his new home in unfamiliar territory.

Grealish, too, operates at his best in a left-sided midfield zone, but Moyes will be aware that both of his mavericks can play in a centralised attacking position, and maybe that’s food for thought, especially if Tyler Dibling makes the necessary developments over the next few weeks and months and nails down a prominent role at Everton.

But this does loop back to O’Brien. Is the hulking defender the option on the right side of the defence? Does he provide the requisite creative support?

Ndiaye’s defensive focus has been sharpened since joining Everton from Marseille for £15m just over one year ago. However, he in turn needs help from the full-back behind him.

Given that Beto and Thierno Barry are struggling at number nine right now, and Ndiaye is Everton’s deadliest goal threat, there’s a chance that Moyes opts to field him as a centre-forward at some stage. In any case, appeasing the star is crucial if the club hope to stay competitive.

Ndiaye might have received a bit of criticism in recent weeks, but he’s still been dangerous across the opening weeks of the campaign, scoring two goals and assisting another.

But if Grealish becomes a permanent fixture on Merseyside, and Ndiaye is told that he will play off the right with regularity, a few more tweaks might be needed in the transfer market to achieve the kind of balance that will propel Everton into the ascendancy.

He's now world-class: Everton sold bigger talent than Ndiaye for just £22m

Everton messed up getting rid of this former star who is now worth £30m more.

By
Kelan Sarson

Sep 28, 2025

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is reportedly playing at just half of his capacity due to a painful groin injury. Doctor Pedro Luis Ripoll says the 18-year-old’s physical issue is severely restricting his movement and shooting ability, with the youngster’s ongoing struggle evident during Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in El Clasico on Sunday.

• Yamal battling pubalgia as fitness concerns mount

  Barcelona’s teenage sensation is playing through significant discomfort as he battles pubalgia, a chronic groin injury that has limited his effectiveness in recent weeks. The issue, which causes persistent pain in the pubic region, is said to have reduced the forward’s mobility and explosiveness, traits that define his game.

  Yamal appeared visibly restricted in movement and reluctant to shoot as Barca suffered a 2-1 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu. According to medical experts, the pain associated with pubalgia can fluctuate in intensity but often worsens during high-intensity matches, precisely the kind of fixtures where Barcelona need Yamal’s creativity most. The youngster’s physical limitations have been increasingly noticeable this month, prompting concern within both Barcelona and the Spanish national team camps. Club doctors are reportedly managing his workload carefully to avoid aggravating the condition further.

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  Doctor explains Yamal’s condition

  Speaking to , renowned sports traumatologist Dr. Ripoll offered insight into Yamal’s physical struggles, describing pubalgia as a “disabling” condition that significantly reduces athletic performance.

  "It is an injury that is frankly difficult to treat. It's characterised by pain that reduces the player's ability to move and shoot by almost 50%, which is exactly what we saw in El Clasico," Dr. Ripoll explained.

  “He hardly shoots at goal, he has difficulty moving, he constantly stretches… It’s a disabling pain that allows the player to participate in matches but keeps him from his best level and significantly diminishes his performance.”

  Ripoll further clarified that while the injury does not involve structural joint damage, it can take weeks or even months to fully heal if not managed correctly. His assessment confirms what many Barcelona supporters have observed that Yamal, while still playing, is far from his peak physical condition.

• Carvajal’s latest setback adds to Madrid’s injury woes

  Dr. Ripoll also commented on the injury sustained by Los Blancos captain Dani Carvajal, who suffered another setback to his right knee, the same one that sidelined him for much of last season. Madrid announced that the defender is dealing with a “loose body” in the joint, a condition that can cause swelling, pain, and in serious cases, mechanical locking.

  “It’s a piece of the joint surface, normally cartilage and bone, that comes loose and moves uncontrollably inside the joint,” Ripoll said. "In very serious cases, can cause a blockage, which is quite serious for a joint. It depends on the size of the player and the amount of space left in the joint. If the space is in the joint's weight-bearing area, the problem will be more serious."

  The 33-year-old's recurring injury leaves Madrid short on the right flank once again, with options like Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has only recently recovered from a muscle injury, and Fede Valverde expected to provide cover. The defender’s absence could also impact Spain’s national setup, where both he and Yamal are regular call-ups – a concern ahead of next month’s international fixtures.

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  El Clasico chaos: Brawl, tension, and fallout

  The injury talk followed a chaotic post-match scene at the Santiago Bernabeu, where tempers flared between players from both sides. Carvajal confronted Yamal moments after the final whistle, allegedly telling him: “You speak too much. Speak now.”

  The exchange stemmed from Yamal’s pre-match Twitch comments in which he jokingly claimed “Real Madrid steal”, remarks that reportedly angered several Los Blancos players. A heated confrontation ensued, with Vinícius Jr. and Jude Bellingham also involved before officials intervened to separate the teams.

  Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong later defended his young teammate, accusing Madrid players of overreacting and “trying to provoke” the 18-year-old. No disciplinary action has been taken so far, though the incident has sparked debate across Spain about professionalism and mutual respect between senior and emerging stars.

  The defeat leaves the Catalan giants five points behind Madrid in the La Liga standings, and with Yamal struggling for full fitness, Hansi Flick faces a major challenge to reignite his side’s attacking spark ahead of their next fixtures.

It wasn’t the perfect start to Nuno Espírito Santo’s tenure at West Ham United on Monday night, but it wasn’t far off.

The Portuguese manager’s first game in charge saw the Hammers take on David Moyes’ Everton, and while they fell behind in the first half, they rallied, equalised in the second 45 and could have gone on to win on another day.

However, while it’s not quite as important as the team’s fightback, the coach’s decision to leave James Ward-Prowse back in London suggests he’s ready to make significant changes to the team.

However, there is another member of the squad who isn’t good enough and should be left out, just like the Englishman, going forward.

Why Ward-Prowse's time is up under Nuno

West Ham paid Southampton around £30m to sign Ward-Prowse in the summer of 2023, and aside from a few good performances here and there, and the odd free-kick, it’s a move that can only be described as a disaster.

The former Saints star is not agile, powerful, or quick enough to play as one of the team’s two central midfielders, but at the same time, he has not shown enough in-game creativity to start in the ten, especially not when Lucas Paqueta is still at the club.

The Portsmouth-born ace has been so lacklustre since his move to London Stadium over two years ago that he was sent on a season-long loan to Nottingham Forest, only to be sent back halfway through the campaign, having made a grand total of ten appearances, six of which were starts.

Now, some may claim that with a new manager through the door, all of the players who struggled under Graham Potter should be given another chance, but unfortunately for Ward-Prowse, it was Nuno who refused to play him at the City Ground.

Perhaps the best example of why the 11-capped international has to be moved on as soon as possible are the statistics from his last game for the club.

For example, in the game against Crystal Palace, he misplaced four of five crosses, lost eight of nine duels, was dribbled past twice, lost possession of the ball 14 times, and committed three fouls.

In other words, Ward-Prowse was, and is, a liability for West Ham and therefore, should ideally be sold in the winter window, alongside another player who has consistently failed to impress in East London.

The West Ham player who has to be dropped with JWP

The unfortunate reality for Nuno is that, while West Ham do have a number of quite brilliant players in the squad, they also have plenty who should be moved on as soon as possible.

Chalkboard

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

One of those who, unfortunately, falls into the latter camp is Konstantinos Mavropanos.

The Greek defender joined the club from Arsenal in the summer of 2023, and once again, while there have been some impressive moments here and there, he’s largely failed to live up to expectations.

We can see this in his underlying numbers.

According to FBref, he ranked in the top 6% for interceptions in the league among centre-backs last season, but just the top 35% for tackles, the top 56% for shots blocked and the bottom 23% for passes blocked.

In other words, the numbers back up the eye-test, and while it might sound harsh, they lend credence to the claim from journalist Tom Rennie that the 27-year-old is “nowhere near Premier League quality.”

A new manager didn’t make a difference either, as the former Stuttgart ace failed to prevent Michael Keane from opening the scoring on Monday night, despite initially being well-placed to do so.

Now, if there were no other options in the squad to replace him, Nuno might be forced to persevere with the Athens-born titan, but he has summer signing Igor Julio and Jean-Clair Todibo to choose from.

Ultimately, West Ham should look to sell Mavropanos and bring in a replacement in the winter window, as, like Ward-Prowse, he is not good enough to play under Nuno.

Fewer touches than Areola: Nuno must drop West Ham's "old-fashioned" flop

Nuno Santo has some big decisions to make at West Ham already.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Sep 30, 2025

When it comes to a country's player pool, Sarina Wiegman is certainly one of the more blessed international managers in the women's game right now. The England boss can call upon world-class players across various positions and has incredible depth in her squad, with the names on her bench making for enviable reading for most of her peers. However, that is not to say that the Lionesses do not have gaps in their squad, and even their starting line-up, that they need fresh faces to step up and fill as attention turns towards the 2027 Women's World Cup.

There are several positions where that is particularly obvious. Left-back has been the Lionesses' stand-out issue for a long time, because there is still not a dependable or natural option for the role, and Taylor Hinds' call-up this month is as clear an indication as any that England are trying to address that. Then there are positions like right-back, occupied by a stalwart like Lucy Bronze but with little in the way of back-up behind her. That's a big reason why there is such a debate over Maya Le Tissier's role in the Lionesses team.

It's a similar situation in the deeper midfield roles. While England have plenty in the way of options to be their No.10 – picking from the likes of Ella Toone, Grace Clinton, Jess Park and even Lauren James – it's quite different when it comes to the positions nailed down by Keira Walsh, as the holding midfielder, and Georgia Stanway, in the box-to-box role.

Call-ups this month for Lucia Kendall, Missy Bo Kearns and Laura Blindkilde Brown, who combine for just two caps between them, is evidence of Wiegman looking to build the depth behind her trusty first-choice duo, and it is the in-form Blindkilde Brown who feels best-placed to show she can assert herself higher up the midfield pecking order as the Lionesses enter a new tournament cycle.

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  Bubbling under

  Blindkilde Brown is a player well-known to Wiegman and her staff. Even before she earned her first senior England call-up in November of last year, and debuted in the second of the Lionesses' games in that camp, the 22-year-old will have been a name the manager came across plenty in her regular meetings with the staff who oversee the youth national teams. After all, Blindkilde Brown made her senior club debut as a 16-year-old, became a regular in the Women's Super League at Aston Villa and represented England across the underage levels during all that. She's long been a talent that many in the country have been excited about.

  But after bouncing between the senior side and the Under-23s over the course of the past year, Blindkilde Brown has started the new WSL campaign in excellent form for Manchester City, whom she joined in the January transfer window last year, and it is amid that mark she is making on one of the very best sides in the country that she feels primed for a growing role with the senior England team.

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  Patience is a virtue

  It's no great surprise that it has taken a bit of time to get to this point. Joining any club midway through a season is tough enough, but especially when you're a young player trying to take the next step in a big team that has fierce competition for places. City's injury crisis did pave the way for some extra opportunities for Blindkilde Brown last year, though an ankle issue of her own would sideline her for six weeks, and a pretty tricky situation for the team overall, which led to a shock managerial change five days before the League Cup final, didn't help for consistency.

  The start of the 2025-26 season has been extremely straightforward in comparison. Under new head coach Andree Jeglertz, Blindkilde Brown has started all-but two of City's first eight games and she has looked excellent, so much so that she was named the club's Player of the Month for September. Her goal-scoring display against London City Lionesses was a particular highlight, though it is her work away from the final third that has perhaps caught the eye most, especially in relation to England's needs.

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  Showing her versatility

  That's a change for Blindkilde Brown, who has largely been seen as a player for more advanced areas of the pitch in the past. Though capable of operating deeper, she often played behind the striker or even out wide at times, explaining in an interview with GOAL during her Villa days that her aim was to be more of "an impact player" who not only provided assists but scored goals in order to help the team win.

  Now, though, she's thriving in a role that takes her closer to the back line than perhaps ever before, at least at club level. It's something that the 22-year-old was doing under City's previous permanent coach, Gareth Taylor, though on a more varied basis. "I don't really mind which position I play. I like the defensive side of it, but I also do like the attacking side of it," she explained, before adding: "It also does help with opportunities, knowing that I can do both."

  She has the skillset for any role in midfield, too. "I think the biggest thing with her is her quality on the ball," Emma Coates, England's U23s coach, noted. "Wherever that sits tactically, that's a decision for whoever's making the game plan and [taking into accounting] the players available. But I think with Laura, she's such an exciting player on the ball. Some of the tightness, her ability under pressure, is a pleasure to watch, frankly."

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  Exactly what England need

  To see Blindkilde Brown bringing that to the table in a deeper role, on a consistent basis, will have been welcome viewing for Wiegman as she looks to build the depth behind Walsh and Stanway. Since the post-Euro 2022 retirement of Jill Scott, who provided great back-up in deeper areas during Wiegman's first tournament in charge, England have welcomed different options into camps, but none have really stuck and made their mark on the squad as the manager would have liked.

  Jordan Nobbs, Katie Zelem and Laura Coombs went to the last Women's World Cup to beef up the midfield department, but none have had a call-up since 2023, with Wiegman turning her attention elsewhere. Clinton, who deputised in Stanway's box-to-box role during the Bayern Munich star's injury absence earlier this year, is the closest the manager has come to nailing down another option, though Clinton is still arguably better in the No.10 role.

Manchester United are in a predicament and could look to the transfer market to bolster their backline when the January window opens for business.

Ruben Amorim identifies what Man Utd are 'missing'

Supporters of Manchester United have had to endure their fair share of heartache in recent years. However, Ruben Amorim is the man tasked with turning that around and will hope to be given an extended grace period by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been linked with the Old Trafford post, and he won’t be the only coach mentioned if inconsistent results continue to crop up, albeit there is a chance for their current boss to ease pressure against Sunderland.

Speaking to Owen Hargreaves via TNT Sports, Amorim has admitted that his side are ‘missing’ leaders and sometimes struggle to keep their spirits high in the face of adversity.

He stated: “We have a lot of players that were here for many years and we are struggling so that is always in your mind. It’s not just the leaders, we need leaders, but sometimes what I’m thinking is we miss some crazy guys, you know?

“The guys. I think Cunha is a little bit like that. He’s a guy that is a good guy but who doesn’t care who you are. He can play wherever and he will go with the ball. This kind of feeling, we need that.

“Harry Maguire was captain and played for the national team, but you can feel sometimes that when things are going wrong we go down. No matter if it’s Bruno (Fernandes) or Harry and that is in the past, we need to live in the future.”

With their Premier League position under focus, January could be a key time to secure improved reinforcements and Manchester United could now be in position to pursue a World Cup winner.

Man Utd fighting Man City for Nahuel Molina

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are keen on signing Atletico Madrid defender Nahuel Molina in January and he may be available for a fee just over the region of £26 million.

The Argentina international has made six appearances across all competitions this season, albeit he has started just once and is also being monitored by Manchester City.

Chairman in overdrive trying to stop 3-4-2-1 manager joining Man Utd

He’s already had greater success in England than Amorim.

By
Callum Kemp

Oct 2, 2025

With his contract set to expire in 2027, there is scope for an affordable deal to be done after Molina was replaced by Marcos Llorente in Diego Simeone’s starting line-up.

Praised by Lionel Messi for his role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory, the 27-year-old has made a reasonable impact in the Spanish top-flight this term, creating four chances and delivering four successful crosses despite having his minutes reduced.

Manchester United are in need of leaders, as Amorim pointed out earlier in the week, and Molina would certainly fit the bill at Old Trafford.

Serie A giants AS Roma have initiated contact over a possible move for Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutch forward, who was once a menace at Bologna, has not been the same character in the Premier League, and reportedly has fallen out of favour in Ruben Amorim's setup, resulting in a lack of playing time. Hence, he is now seeking a move out of Old Trafford.

• Game time a concern for Zirkzee

  It is the fourth month of the 2025-26 season, with the Premier League ticking off back in August, and United's Dutch forward is yet to start in the Premier League. Even in their Carabao Cup campaign, which saw United knocked out by fourth-tier outfit Grimsby Town, he was not in the starting lineup and was later called in as a substitute. Recording just 82 minutes of playing time this season in the English top flight, with five-minute and eight-minute cameos against teams like Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion, Zirkzee is now encouraged to rediscover himself by walking out the door at Old Trafford.

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  Move back to Serie A looming over Manchester United forward?

  According to Sky Sport, Zirkzee has informed his representatives to search for a club and ensure him a loan move in the upcoming January transfer window. Meanwhile, he has already garnered interest from two prominent heavyweights in the Serie A, a competition he bossed during his tenure at Bologna. 

  The club with a concrete interest are AS Roma. The outfit is in contact with his representatives over his salary. Notably, Zirkzee, in order to seek a revival, is ready to accept a pay cut from what he receives at United. With Paulo Dybala receiving a thigh injury against Milan on Sunday, and the extent of his injury yet to be revealed, Gasperini is in trouble to rejuvenate his attacking third, which has produced only 10 goals in the ongoing domestic league, the lowest among the top 10 teams in the table. 

  Critical of the sluggish nature of his forwards, the Italian mentor wants clinical players up front in the coming days to bolster their chances of winning the coveted Scudetto and the Europa League. Zirkzee, who scored 14 times and assisted on nine occasions during his 58-game tenure at Bologna is understood to be the player which Gasperini wants in his contingent.

• Surprise Serie A outfit to join Zirkzee transfer battle

  Even if United sanction Zirkzee's move abroad to Italy, Roma are expected to face stern competition from fellow Italian giants Milan. Ever since Massimiliano Allegri took charge of his 'once' former team this summer, the Rossoneri are determined to re-establish themselves on the Italian map after recent unsuccessful tenures. They, like United, are not a part of European football this season, but want to win the Serie A title. With Santiago Jimenez and Christian Pulisic injured at this moment, new signing from Chelsea, Christopher Nkunku is the only centre forward at Allegri's disposal, who at times has not shied away from deploying Portuguese winger Rafael Leao as a No.9. 

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  Roma's attacking third in dire straits?

  Roma have only two proper No.9 profiles in their squad list, namely Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk. While Ferguson is out injured, the pressure is on newcomer Dovbyk, who is taking time to adapt to the competition and the side. Amidst this, their talismanic figure in the attacking third, Dybala finds himself out with a thigh injury. The Gialorossi have concerns with their attacking third, and if they want to improve their conversion rate, which has cost them points this season, they would need someone like Zirkzee, who had been a clinical player at Bologna. 

Cristiano Ronaldo endured a nightmare evening on Thursday as he was shown a straight red card in the second half of Portugal's World Cup qualifier with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. The hosts took a 2-0 lead in the match, thanks to two goals from Troy Parrott, and their hopes of snatching a famous victory were boosted further when the Portugal superstar was handed his marching orders.

• Ronaldo rages after red card

  Ronaldo saw red just after the hour mark for a petulant elbow on Dara O’Shea. He was originally awarded a yellow card but the decision was upgraded following a VAR review. The decision was met with delight by the home fans who were happy to let the Portugal star know their thoughts. He responded by ironically applauding the fans as he walked off and went straight down the tunnel. Ronaldo's departure left Portugal with a mountain to climb in the match, already two goals down and now a man light for the final half hour. The sending off is Ronaldo's first for the Portugal national team and means he now faces a ban.

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  Portugal star had promised to be a 'good boy'

  Ronaldo had promised to be a "good boy" ahead of the match as he previewed his team's World Cup qualifier. He told reporters: "‘It’s a pleasure to come and play here again. Of course, it will be tough. I hope they don’t boo me too much tomorrow. I swear that I’m going to try to be a good boy. But of course, I do my job. I try to win the game and try to score to help my team. I’m sure that the game will be difficult."

  The Al-Nassr star had also admitted before the game that next year's competition will be his final World Cup. He explained: "Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment in the big competition. I'm enjoying the moments, but when I mean soon, it's really soon because I give everything for football. I'm in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything. I have many records in different scenarios for the clubs and the national teams. I’m really proud, let's enjoy the moment, live the moment."

• Ronaldo now facing ban

  Ronaldo's red card means he will now face a suspension which will be a blow to the superstar and his team. The forward is expected to receive at least a two-match ban, meaning he will miss Portugal's final World Cup qualifier on Sunday against Armenia and, should Roberto Martinez's side qualify automatically, his team's first match of the tournament proper, as reported by BBC Sport's Dale Johnson.

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  What do Portugal need to qualify for World Cup 2026?

  Portugal had flown out to Ireland aiming to secure their place at World Cup 2026 with a win but return home pointless and still with work to do. Martinez's men return to action on Sunday against Armenia in Lisbon and will be hot favourites to take all three points. A win will be enough to secure top spot in the group, regardless of results elsewhere, while Ireland take on Hungary in their final group fixture. A win for either side will secure the runners-up spot in the group.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter was not in the club's lineup for a win-or-go-home Game 5 in the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians due to a hamstring injury. But Carpenter was spotted heading to the batting cages, without a limp, shortly after news of his exclusion from the starting lineup broke.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters before Saturday's game that he was "optimistic" that the club would get good news on Carpenter, adding that the "adrenaline" the outfielder was feeling would help him fight through the soreness in his hamstring. Hinch's comments left the door open to Carpenter potentially being utilized as a bench bat.

And that's exactly what happened Saturday.

In the top of the fifth inning with a runner on first and no one out in a scoreless game, Hinch called upon Carpenter as a pinch hitter, and the 27-year-old did not disappoint.

With the count 3-and-1, Carpenter lined a fastball into deep right field—a ball that surely would have led to extra bases. Carpenter, who could barely run, was held to a single, but the huge hit scored shortstop Trey Sweeney all the way from first base to give the Tigers the lead.

What a gutsy play from Carpenter.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, the lead was short-lived. Ace and presumptive AL Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal yielded the tying run and then surrendered a go-ahead grand slam to Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas in the bottom half of the inning. And perhaps even more unfortunate is the fact that Carpenter found himself up with the bases loaded and a chance to cut into the Guardians' 5–2 lead—but he struck out.

If the gritty Tigers are to keep their magical season alive, they will need to mount a rally against a stout Guardians bullpen.

West Ham are in the midst of a striker crisis as Nuno Espírito Santo’s side fail to impress once again in their latest outing at home to Brentford.

Nuno slammed for West Ham line-up after defeat to Brentford

You’d be hard-pressed to try and remember a more uninspired home performance than West Ham’s 2-0 loss to the Bees on Monday night.

Goals from Igor Thiago and Mathias Jensen sealed the deal for Keith Andrews’ side, who dominated West Ham right from the get-go and were barely troubled all night, with Jarrod Bowen’s brilliant low-drive to the far-post coming as their only real effort of the game.

By contrast, Brentford had a whopping 17 shots, and West Ham’s much-changed defence really struggled to cope.

Olly Scarles and Kyle Walker-Peters started as full-backs on their opposing sides, with Andy Irving and Tomas Soucek given the nod by Nuno in West Ham’s engine room.

In the build up, much had been made about a potential West Ham start for youngster Callum Marshall after Niclas Füllkrug picked up a thigh injury just before the international break.

However, Nuno instead opted to play Lucas Paqueta up there instead — which hardly paid dividends as the £150,000-per-week star failed to influence proceedings and lost possession 23 times on a night to forget.

West Ham have now lost all of their opening four home league games for the first time in the club’s history, and Nuno’s team selection has been slammed following the array of questionable calls.

Paqueta’s ineffective display as the number nine, combined with Marshall’s inexperience and Callum Wilson’s torrid injury record, gives Nuno a real striking conundrum to solve.

Fullkrug is expected to be back in the next few weeks, but the German has proved that he cannot be relied upon ever since his move from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

The 32-year-old missed 28 games for West Ham and Germany combined last season, and his fitness woes have stretched into 2025/2026 as supporters call on David Sullivan to sign a proven goalscorer.

West Ham 'working' on Ivan Toney deal with striker open to joining in January

According to journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, there’s been some fairly good news on that front.

Nixon writes that Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney is indeed a target for the Hammers, despite reports to the contrary.

The England international has scored for fun in the Saudi Pro League since his £40 million switch from Brentford last year, and Nixon reports that West Ham are already ‘working’ on a deal to sign Toney on loan.

The 29-year-old could also be open to the possibility as he eyes a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Having scored 20 Premier League goals during his best season at Brentford in 2022/2023, Toney is an undeniably proven scorer at this level and has showed no sign of letting up since his move to the Middle East.

It is also believed that West Ham could be prepared to pay a large portion of his estimated £426,000-per-week pay packet, which is a real signal of intent from Sullivan and Brady amid repeated calls for them to leave the London Stadium.