Ireland needed just 18.3 overs on day five – with threat of rain looming – to close out the game

Ekanth10-Feb-2025

Rain was the biggest threat Ireland faced when they came to the Queens Sports Club on day five. But in 18.3 overs, they wrapped up the one-off Test against Zimbabwe with a 63-run win. They needed to create seven chances for the last three wickets, and in the process completed their first hat-trick of Test wins in their ten-match history. It is the earliest point any team has earned a hat-trick of Test wins, bettering South Africa, who needed 14 matches.Matthew Humphreys converted his overnight four-for into a career-best 6 for 57, with Andy McBrine – his spin-bowling partner – closing out the game by knocking over Richard Ngarava with the new ball.Wessly Madhevere, Zimbabwe’s last ray of hope, battled through 195 balls for his 84. When his outside edge was beaten and stumps rattled by a quicker length ball from Humphreys, he could not drag himself out of the field, covering his face with his bat in despondence as the game was effectively done.The day started 30 minutes earlier than scheduled with 37 overs lost on day four. Humphreys, who had bowled 18 overs to stumps, was handed the ball. He needed three overs to create a chance – when he got Madhevere to nearly chip a drive to cover – and one more ball to trap Newman Nyamhuri plumb in front and complete his five-for.McBrine replaced Mark Adair right after and created two chances in his second over, both of which went down. Lorcan Tucker dropped one that went low off Richard Ngarava’s edge, while McBrine failed to hold onto a low skimmer the next ball. In the next over, Paul Stirling shuffled to the right at first slip when Madhevere’s reverse-sweep went aerial but couldn’t get within reach.Ireland took the new ball in the 81st over and McBrine found extra bounce with it right away. The sun broke out but Zimbabwe’s hopes flickered off in the 84th, when Humphreys got Madhevere, his sixth scalp.Blessing Muzarabani had put on 67 for the last wicket in the first innings with Trevor Gwandu, but to put on 74 with Richard Ngarava was too much of an ask. Ngarava hung around for 39 balls and took a couple of swings. He was beaten in the 86th over and knocked over in the next.McBrine flighted a full ball on middle stump, beat the slog sweep, and set the smiles free in Ireland’s camp. When asked about the hat-trick of wins at the presentation, Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie said, “Just waiting for the DVD to come out! We are desperate to play, we don’t know when our next Test match is.”As per the FTP, they are scheduled to play Afghanistan at home in July.

After their late victory against Burnley exposed their problems for all to see once again, Manchester United have reportedly submitted an “improved” offer to sign a major upgrade.

Man Utd eyeing late Onana upgrade

When Andre Onana came flying out of position in an attempt to punch clear against Grimsby in midweek, only to hand the League Two side their second goal on a plate, Ruben Amorim could only watch on as a similar story unfolded. Meanwhile, Altay Bayindir hasn’t been a lot more encouraging, given that his mistake handed Arsenal their winning goal on the opening day.

Simply put, whether it’s been Bayindir or Onana, Manchester United’s goalkeeping department has not been good enough for some time. And INEOS are still attempting to find a solution as Monday’s deadline approaches.

With less than 48 hours left until the transfer window slams shut, fresh reports have indicated that Emiliano Martinez has emerged as an option. The Aston Villa goalkeeper has been linked with a move away from the Midlands all summer and could now finally get a departure courtesy of those at Old Trafford.

League stats 24/25

Martinez

Onana

Minutes

3,194

3,060

Clean Sheets

8

9

Save Percentage

69%

68.9%

Saves P90

2.7

2.59

Whilst Martinez is less mistake-prone than Onana, last season’s numbers suggest that he wouldn’t be the major upgrade that Amorim requires. The similar save percentage between the two makes for particularly concerning reading and the last thing United need is another liability between the sticks.

Moreover, it’s worth noting that Martinez is already 32 years old. If Amorim is to lead a successful project at Old Trafford then he needs a consistent No.1 who will be at the centre of his side for years to come and Martinez cannot guarantee that. Instead, INEOS would be best to turn to a shot-stopper that has been on their radar all summer long.

Man Utd submit "improved" Lammens offer

According to Mike McGrath, Manchester United have now submitted an “improved” offer to sign Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp and a medical could take place on Sunday if the goalkeeper agrees to a move.

Aston Villa have also asked about the shot-stopper and would set off a domino effect resulting in Martinez joining United if they hijacked the Red Devils’ move for Lammens.

Lammens has been the name on United’s list for most of the summer and it’s clear to see why. Praised for a “superb” season by scout Jacek Kulig at the end of the last campaign, the Belgian is still just 23 years old and represents the young, rising star that would suit this stage of Amorim’s project.

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It’s a deal that United simply have to get over the line if they want to see the marked improvement that INEOS will be desperate for this season.

India are set to take a final decision on Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the Champions Trophy on February 11, the deadline for submission of the final squads to the ICC, as uncertainty lingers over his fitness.ESPNcricinfo has learned that Bumrah has had a scan on his back at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru recently. The BCCI’s medical staff will now coordinate with the selectors and the India team management before the decision is taken.Bumrah was included in the provisional 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy announced on January 18, but hasn’t been able to play a part in the ODI series against England, India’s last fixtures before the tournament begins on February 19. While it was hoped that he would be able to play the third ODI in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, Bumrah has travelled to Bengaluru instead.In January, while announcing the provisional squad for the Champions Trophy, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had said that based on information provided by the BCCI medical staff at the time, Bumrah was not “likely to be fit for the first couple of games” of the England ODI series. Agarkar had said that Bumrah was “asked to offload for five weeks” from bowling, before undergoing fresh scans on his back in first week of February.Bumrah has not played a match since he was unable to bowl in Australia’s second innings of the Sydney Test in early January. It is understood he had a stress reaction in his back, which required five weeks of rest.If India feel Bumrah is unlikely to play any part in the Champions Trophy, they could replace him with Harshit Rana, who played the first two ODIs against England. But if there is a chance Bumrah could be available in the later stages of the tournament, India could choose to keep him in the 15 and replace him later subject to ICC approvals. After February 11, any replacement needs the approval of the tournament’s technical committee.India are in Group A of the Champions Trophy along with Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand and will play all their matches in Dubai after not being given permission to travel to Pakistan – the official host of the tournament – by the Indian government. They begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, before playing Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2.

Manchester United’s struggles over the last couple of years have been evident for all to see, with pressure subsequently mounting onto the shoulders of manager Ruben Amorim.

He was brought into the club back in November 2024 to try and overturn the dismal slump under Erik ten Hag, but it’s safe to say his spell at Old Trafford has been disappointing to date.

The 40-year-old has only achieved a win percentage of 39%, subsequently losing 19 of the 46 games he’s taken charge of – with one of the most recent being simply unforgivable.

His Red Devils side lost on penalties to League Two side Grimsby Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup, a result which has undoubtedly fuelled speculation around his future in the role.

However, his decision-making in key moments could prove to be his demise in the Premier League, often calling upon players who have constantly fallen way below the levels the fanbase expects from a United player.

Andre Onana’s decline at Manchester United

When David de Gea was released in the summer of 2023, United decided to fork out a fee in the region of £47m for the signature of goalkeeper Andre Onana – with many supporters hoping he would be able to be the club’s number one for many years.

However, two years on, his move to Old Trafford has been nothing short of a disaster, registering nine errors leading to goals, with many more questionable moments unfolding on the pitch.

Despite his lack of form in 2024/25, Amorim decided to start the Cameroonian against Grimsby – a decision that massively backfired, as he contributed to the host’s two goals at Blundell Park.

The penalty shootout gave the 29-year-old an opportunity at redemption, but he only managed one save from 13 penalties, often parrying the ball into the back of the net.

Such a performance has led to calls from the fanbase for the player to be sold – with a change between the sticks needed if the club are to progress in the near future.

The deadline day arrival of Senne Lammens will only push Onana closer to the exit door, with another first-team member needing to join him in leaving the club in the near future.

Not just Onana: Man Utd big earner needs to go

Spending big in the transfer market doesn’t equal success, as seen by United over the last couple of years, with the hierarchy spending around £800m on new additions since the summer of 2022.

Onana was just one of those additions, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo the last duo to try and transform the club’s fortunes at Old Trafford.

The pair arrived from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford respectively, with their transfers setting the club back around £133.5m, including potential add-ons.

Their combined tally of 35 league goals in 2024/25 has given the fanbase a reason to be positive, but other cutbacks need to be made in other areas of the club are to take the next step in their quest to return to their former glory.

Harry Maguire is another player who cost big money, joining in a £80m deal from Leicester City back in the summer of 2019 – a fee that remains the most expensive ever paid for a defender.

While the England international has racked up over 250 appearances for the Red Devils, he’s not had the impact many fans would’ve anticipated upon his move from the Foxes.

He’s come into question of the fanbase in recent times, just like Onana, with the 32-year-old falling down Amorim’s pecking order over the last few weeks.

Maguire hasn’t started a single league game so far this campaign, featuring for a total of just 13 minutes off the substitutes bench – with his extortionate wage no longer reflecting his importance to the side.

1

Casemiro

£350,000

2

Bruno Fernandes

£300,000

3

Matthijs de Ligt

£195,000

4

Harry Maguire

£190,000

5

Matheus Cunha

£180,000

6

Benjamin Sesko

£160,000

=7

Luke Shaw

£150,000

=7

Mason Mount

£150,000

=7

Bryan Mbeumo

£150,000

The centre-back is still being paid a staggering £190k-per-week, according to Capology, a figure that is higher than new additions Cunha and Mbeumo, who earn £180k and £150k-per-week respectively.

At 32, he’s undoubtedly coming to the back end of his professional career, with the hierarchy needing to clear the Englishman off the wage bill to fund moves for fresh blood at Old Trafford.

It’s clear he and Onana aren’t at the level required for Premier League success, which could see another clear-out of the squad take place in the next couple of transfer windows.

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“There’s nothing to it,” Pakistan batter says of speculation he is planning to end international career

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Feb-2025Fakhar Zaman has dismissed speculation that he is planning to retire from international cricket, and said that he was targeting a return from the injury that cut short his Champions Trophy within the next month.Fakhar, the hero of Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy win with a hundred in the final, strained an oblique muscle chasing a ball in the very first over of Pakistan’s opening game against New Zealand in Karachi. He went off the field immediately, came back later but eventually could only bat at No.4 – instead of his usual opening slot.He struggled visibly with the injury during a 41-ball 24, as Pakistan crashed to a 60-run defeat. Fakhar was distraught in the dressing room after the dismissal and, given the uncertainty surrounding his arrival into the side, and that he turns 35 in April, the fact that it could have been his last game for Pakistan was not lost.But talking to PCB digital, Fakhar confirmed that he was not going anywhere. “I heard about this [retirement rumours] a lot and even my friends messaged me about it, but there’s nothing to it,” he said. “The ODI format is my favourite format. Yes, with my thyroid, there was a thing that I could take more time getting back into it. But I want to play T20s, ODIs, even Tests again. As far as my comeback is concerned, I spoke to the doctor and I can start playing cricket again within the month.”Related

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Aaqib's post mortem: Lack of experience hurt Pakistan

Fakhar had not played international cricket since the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies last June, where Pakistan were eliminated in the group stage too. He last played an ODI at the 2023 ODI World Cup, another event where Pakistan exited before the knockout stages.In the run-up to this tournament, however, he had been left out of Pakistan’s central contracts. And he had also been issued a show-cause notice after a tweet he put out last September criticising the decision to drop Babar Azam from the Test side. Later, when chairman Mohsin Naqvi organised a “connection camp” to get senior players to air their views, Fakhar was among the most outspoken, singling out a senior official for trenchant criticism.That would seem to be in the past for now, with Fakhar committing to a return with Pakistan. “The doctor has advised me that I can start training again in three weeks. So I think I should be back to playing cricket in a month’s time.”Pakistan were knocked out of the Champions Trophy when they lost to India. Fakhar was replaced by Imam-ul-Haq, a move which only enhanced the scrutiny on their top order’s seemingly outdated methods. In both the defeats, the focus was on laborious innings by Babar (64 off 90 balls against New Zealand) and captain Mohammad Rizwan (46 off 77 balls against India), the former stymying momentum in a big chase and the latter leading to a below-par target being set.Pakistan had already lost Saim Ayub to injury before the tournament and the subsequent loss of Fakhar was a double-whammy that coach Aaqib Javed identified as one of the pivotal reasons for their poor showing. Fakhar has a career strike rate of nearly 94 in ODIs and was clear about the way to play in the modern game.”The biggest thing is the situation. If you are chasing 150-200 runs you go in with a different mindset and if you are chasing 350, you have a different mindset,” Aaqib said. “But strike rate does matter, especially these days. And you have to play risky cricket. Cricket has become so fast-scoring, all teams come with that plan. If you take risks, you can score runs, although yes, you can also lose your wicket doing that.”

Tottenham Hotspur also have their eyes on other players amid their widely reported negotiations for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze and Man City’s Savinho, with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy looking to back Thomas Frank over this final stretch of the window.

Following the departure of club legend Son Heung-min to LAFC, 10 years after he joined from Bayer Leverkusen, the north Londoners are now in need of a replacement – prompting them to open talks with City over a deal for Savinho.

The player’s agent, Frederico Moraes, told reporter Jorge Nicola earlier this week that Spurs have seen their opening £42 million bid for the rejected out of hand – with Pep Guardiola’s side valuing him closer to the £70 million mark.

Nevertheless, while there is a significant gap in valuation right now, the consensus is that Tottenham will keep pushing for the 21-year-old, as Frank is reliably believed to be a major admirer of Savinho and actively pushing for him.

Then, of course, there’s Eze. The 27-year-old’s 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last term are glossed over only by his historic FA Cup final-winning strike against City at Wembley, gifting Palace supporters their first ever major trophy to shout about.

Tottenham are in formal talks with Palace over a deal for Eze as they look to fill the gaping creative void left by James Maddison, with the Spurs playmaker expected to miss most of 2025/2026 after rupturing his ACL in pre-season.

That being said, Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge is among the reliable media sources to report that Levy does have alternatives in mind if a deal can’t be done, and Spurs also reportedly want to sign another centre-back.

Their transfer plans stretch beyond just Eze and Savinho, with Barcelona star Dani Olmo now thought to be on their radar too.

Tottenham now preparing £60 million for Barcelona's Dani Olmo

According to reports out of Spain, the 27-year-old former RB Leipzig star has found his way on to Tottenham’s target list.

It is believed that Tottenham are preparing a £60 million offer for Olmo, but given he plays an identical role to Eze, this could likely be a fallback plan from Levy in case a move for their top target goes nowhere.

In any case, the similarities in age, price and position, not to mention Barca’s need to sell so they can register new players, means a move for Olmo could be seen as a pretty realistic one.

Spurs were, after all, once ready to splash £60m on Morgan Gibbs-White in their bid to sign a new playmaker, so a move for the Spain international surely cannot be ruled out.

Called an “outstanding” player by Julian Nagelsmann, Olmo racked up an impressive 12 goals and seven assists in total across 39 appearances last season for the La Liga champions – including strikes against Inter Milan in the Champions League and a brace in the Catalan derby.

It’s probably fair to say Newcastle United fans expected their club’s transfer window to have gone a little differently, but the undertone across the off-season period has been one of disappointment and frustration.

Eddie Howe’s trophy-winning outfit, after all, proved themselves to be capable of permanently shattering the ‘big six’ hegemony in the Premier League, having now qualified for the Champions League across two of the past three seasons, winning the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool in March to boot.

But more is needed, and no mistake. Anthony Elanga adds an injection of pace down the right flank, making 23 sprints on his debut against Aston Villa on Saturday, clocking a top speed of 32.7km, as per Sofascore, making him the second-fastest player on the pitch, only behind his electric teammate Anthony Gordon.

However, Alexander Isak was glaringly absent at centre-forward as the interminable saga rumbles on for the Liverpool-linked star. It needs sorting, but Newcastle would be ignorant to keep 100% of their focus on number nine with other areas in need of redress.

Luckily, they haven’t, with Jacob Ramsey marking an astute piece of business.

Why Newcastle signed Jacob Ramsey

Having signed Ramsey from Aston Villa for an initial £39m fee at the weekend, Newcastle have now signed across the park; Malick Thiaw had strengthened the defence, while loanee Aaron Ramsdale adds quality and depth between the sticks and the aforementioned Elanga blistering pace to the right flank.

The English attacking midfielder cited Howe’s “track record of developing players” as one of the key reasons behind his move to St. James’ Park, and indeed, the player’s quality and industriousness suggests he could dovetail right into the squad’s make-up.

With Sean Longstaff having left for Leeds United earlier in the window, Ramsey adds crucial depth but also dynamism to the central ranks, easing the burden on Howe’s trusted midfield triumvirate.

The 24-year-old’s creativity and energy could prove invaluable if given rise within Howe’s tactical remit. The manager’s track record, indeed, bespeaks the reasoning behind completing the signing, and it might end up proving a blinder, should Ramsey find himself combining with Newcastle’s top attacking transfer target.

Newcastle resume talks for Premier League forward

According to the reliable Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, Newcastle resumed talks with Brentford on Monday as they look to complete a deal for Yoane Wissa.

Despite recent reports suggesting that the Bees have raised their asking price for the 28-year-old striker from £50m to £60m, the Magpies remain focused on getting a move over the line.

However, there is little intention of forking out £50m for the DR Congo international, let alone paying north of that. Hope believes the hours ahead will be crucial in how this saga plays out.

What Yoane Wissa would bring to Newcastle

Of course, there is an elephant in the room in that failure to sign Wissa would reduce the chances of losing Isak significantly, but it’s hard to envisage a repaired relationship with the wantaway Sweden star, who has no intention of accepting reintegration.

And Wissa is a proven Premier League star sure to bring goals to a fluent Magpies side in need of a clinical outlet.

Hailed for his “sensational” finishing by Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam, Wissa notched 20 goals for Brentford last season, including 19 in the Premier League.

Curiously, he only scored ten of his 19 top-flight goals with his preferred right foot, also bagging five with his left and a further four goals with his head, bespeaking an aerial presence that the likes of Gordon and Elanga would relish.

And Ramsey would pounce at the chance of playing with Wissa too.

Ramsey’s versatility makes him an easy sell for a suitor like Newastle, for he is efficient out on the left too. He notched 17 goals and 19 assists for the Villans, and though struggling through injuries over the past few years, showcased his talents in 2022/23, hitting 13 goal involvements across that Premier League season as a promising up-and-comer.

The energetic approach lends itself to Howe’s focus on sharp transitional play, and with someone like Wissa as the focal point to finish off these slick moves, there’s every chance Newcastle will be able to match last season’s success in reclaiming their place in the Champions League.

Below, you will see Ramsey ploughing through West Ham United’s defence to score a well-worked goal for Aston Villa.

Utilising Wissa’s hold-up play, this could become a frequent and productive combination for Newcastle, especially as data-driven platform FBref revealed the Brentford star produced tactically similar results to Isak last year, both clinical and effective on the ball, crisp with his passing.

Similarly, Ramsey is more than capable of returning the favour, having registered five Premier League assists last year despite only starting 19 matches. Sofascore record that he completed 87% of his passes and created five big chances besides.

Having also won 59% of his ground duels, Ramsey embodies what it means to be a top-performing star in a Howe system, and if careful management of minutes ensures an avoidance of injury setbacks, the Englishman could become a star, linking up with Wissa to redefine Newcastle’s frontline while maintaining a semblance of continuity from the successful attack of recent years.

And Wissa? The experienced talisman comes with the assurance of goals and the promise of fluent performances. He forged an iconic partnership with Bryan Mbeumo at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Thomas Frank even describing the partnership as being “unplayable” at times.

Though the 2024/25 campaign stands out as the magnum opus of Wissa’s career thus far, the best may still be to come if he completes a move to Newcastle in the coming weeks.

Howe has spun a web of players all bearing different qualities, yet a sense of coherence in their tactical intelligence, and their dynamic, athletic approach to their play.

With Wissa stepping in to replace, potentially, Isak as the spearhead, there’s every chance that this coming year could be one of even more illustrious success.

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MatériaMais Notícias

Recentemente, em uma visita à Universidade de Parma, Carlo Ancelotti ecebeu o título de Doutor Honoris Causa em Ciências e Técnicas de Atividades Motoras Preventivas e Adaptadas. Porém, o reitor Paolo Andrei acabou entregando o acerto de Ancelotti com a Seleção Brasileira, ao afirmar que será uma “aventura extraordinária”.

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– Em 2024, Carlo Ancelotti passará por uma aventura extraordinária que é apenas um sonho para muitos treinadores: treinar o Brasil. É o primeiro estrangeiro nos últimos 60 anos a dirigir a Seleção, o quarto em toda a história. A admiração que sentimos por ele é generalizada e vai além de qualquer lugar ou time. Será o último prêmio que Carlo entregará – afirmou o reitor.

Porém, Ancelotti, italiano, não seria o primeiro estrangeiro a assumir o cargo. Em toda a história da Seleção, três treinadores estrangeiros já estiveram no comando.

No caso, Ramón Platero, Joreca e Filpo Nuñez. Platero era uruguaio e foi o primeiro treinador estrangeiro a comandar a Seleção, durante o Sul-Americano de 1925. Na época, era para Joaquim Guimarães assumir, mas este ficou encarregado de ocupar o cargo de diretor técnico. Assim, Platero teve a autonomia de escolher os atletas que iriam ser convocados, sem sofrer nenhuma influência.

Jorge Gomes de Lima, conhecido como Joreca, foi o segundo estrangeiro a assumir a Seleção. Português, recebeu o convite para cuidar da ‘amarelinha’ após se destacar em seus trabalhos no São Paulo, quando foi campeão paulista em 1943. A Seleção estava sem treinador desde 1942. Por conta da entrada do Brasil na Segunda Guerra Mundial, que estava acontecendo neste período, a ideia era que o país participasse de dois amistosos, contra o Uruguai, em 1944. Joreca dividiu o posto com Flávio Costa, técnico do Flamengo na época.

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E por fim, o terceiro desta lista foi Filpo Nuñez, argentino (embora tenha sido naturalizado brasileiro também), que assumiu o comando em 1965. Este foi o caso mais recente. Na época, a CDB (que era equivalente a CBF na época), escolheu uma equipe para representar o Brasil no festival que marcou a abertura do estádio do Mineirão. A equipe escolhida foi o Palmeiras. Na ocasião, a Seleção também enfrentou o Uruguai.

Mas vale destacar: nenhum estrangeiro treinou a Seleção Brasileira em uma Copa do Mundo. Carlo Ancelotti seria o primeiro. Conforme publicado pelo Lance! nesta segunda-feira (19), Ancelotti não pode assinar com a CBF antes do semestre que antecede o fim do seu vínculo com o Real Madrid, que se encerra na metade da próxima temporada.

Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl says keeping Harry Kane beyond 2027 is “absolutely conceivable" after the striker suggested he is open to discussing a contract extension with the club. Alongside him, Bayern are also working on Dayot Upamecano’s extension to protect the squad’s core amid their perfect start to the new season.

• Kane’s contract becomes Bayern’s priority

  Kane may still have two years left on his Bayern deal, but the Bavarians are eager to avoid uncertainty. The England captain’s contract runs until 2027, with a reported release clause of around €65 million (£55m/$76m) becoming active in 2026. While that clause has fuelled speculation of a Premier League return, particularly with Tottenham holding first refusal, Bayern are determined to tie their star striker down well before then.

  Kane has been nothing short of transformational since joining in 2023. He won the European Golden Shoe in his debut season, became the fastest player to hit 50 Bundesliga goals, and recently helped Bayern reclaim the league title. On Saturday, he netted his 100th Bundesliga goal after 104 matches, breaking a top-flight record shared by Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland.

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  Max Eberl praises Kane’s leadership

  Speaking ahead of Bayern’s Champions League trip to Cyprus, sporting director Eberl was asked about Kane’s long-term future. His response left little room for doubt.

  “A collaboration beyond 2027 is absolutely conceivable,” he said. “That’s why we will discuss the next steps with him in a relaxed manner. He’s an absolute leader — it would be awesome to win titles with him, and he said that too. We want to do that with him for a long time to come.”

  Eberl’s words echoed Kane’s own comments earlier in the season when he admitted he was “really happy” in Munich and open to staying beyond 2027. With 18 goal involvements already this campaign, Kane remains the heartbeat of Vincent Kompany’s attack, and Bayern view his future as central to their success.

• Dayot Upamecano’s uncertain future draws suitors

  While Kane’s renewal looks promising, the same cannot yet be said of Upamecano. The French defender’s contract runs until 2026, but talks over an extension have stalled in recent weeks. With Bayern hesitant to match his wage demands, several European giants have started circling.

  Liverpool are reportedly leading the chase, viewing Upamecano as a potential successor to Ibrahima Konate, while Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also monitoring the situation. If no extension is agreed by January 2026, the 26-year-old will be free to negotiate a pre-contract with clubs abroad.

  For Bayern, losing Upamecano on a free transfer would be a bitter blow, especially after seeing Leroy Sane depart in similar fashion. The defender has been a cornerstone under Kompany, featuring in over 200 games since joining from RB Leipzig, and his departure would leave a glaring hole in Bayern’s backline.

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  Bayern focus on core players to maintain winning momentum

  Eberl has made it clear that securing the futures of Kane and Upamecano will define Bayern’s long-term planning. The club cannot afford to repeat past mistakes of letting top talent walk away without compensation, and both players are seen as essential pillars of Kompany’s project. At the same time, Bayern know they must balance ambition with realism. Kane’s contract talks will likely be straightforward given his public commitment and the club’s desire to build around him. Upamecano’s case, however, may require tougher negotiations, with rival clubs offering lucrative packages. 

AC Milan cruised into the Coppa Italia round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Lecce at San Siro, but the biggest cheer of the night was for Santiago Gimenez. The Mexican striker finally broke his goal drought with his first of the season, ending months of frustration following the rumours about his future at the Serie A club.

Gimenez ends drought in Lecce win

The 24-year-old opened the scoring in the first half, tapping in from close range after a Davide Bartesaghi assist. The goal came just two minutes after Lecce saw Jamil Siebert was sent off, leaving the visitors with 10 men. Milan took full advantage, with Christopher Nkunku and Christian Pulisic adding goals to complete a comfortable 3-0 win.

AdvertisementGettyGimenez’s Milan journey so far

Gimenez joined AC Milan from Feyenoord in a €37 million deal in January this year, making him one of the most expensive Mexican players ever. He burst onto the scene with quick goals in his first two games, but things soon got tougher as his form dipped and talk of an early exit started doing the rounds, with Roma, Brentford and Newcastle all linked. However, the 24-year-old rejected the move and made it clear that he wants to stay at San Siro and fight for his place. The Mexican international received backing from new manager Massimiliano Allegri, who praised his key contribution in the win over Bologna last week.

Mexican striker fully committed to Milan dream

Speaking to after Tuesday's game, Gimenez admitted the relief of finally finding the net, saying: “As a striker, you have to score goals. In the last few games, I’ve had chances, but the ball just wasn’t going in. The important thing is that one goes in so the others can follow.” 

On speculation linking him with a move away in August, he was clear: "As a child, I dreamed of playing for AC Milan. I'm in my dream team, and I want to fulfill my dreams wearing this jersey. I never thought about leaving."

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Getty ImagesWhen do AC Milan play next?

The Rossoneri now have two big games ahead in Serie A, facing league leaders Napoli on Sunday before travelling to Juventus on October 5. Gimenez has seven goals in 25 appearances since joining Milan, and with his first of the season behind him, fans will hope he can rediscover the form that made him such a big signing.