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Arsenal have now made contact with the entourage of an “incredible” striker, who they are now seriously considering making a move for in the summer, according to a report.

Gunners stepping up striker pursuit

Mikel Arteta’s side have been heavily criticised for not signing a striker last summer or during the January transfer window, with Gary Neville describing the decision as a “mystery” earlier in the campaign.

Since then, the Gunners’ hopes of winning any silverware this season have gone up in smoke, with Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-1 aggregate victory in the Champions League semi-final sealing their fate.

As such, you would think that Arteta will finally bite the bullet and sign a top striker this summer, and recent developments indicate the Spaniard is going to do exactly that, with the north Londoners now advancing in talks to sign Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.

There has since been another update on the pursuit of more of a left-field target, with a report from Spain revealing Arsenal are now seriously considering a move for Botafogo striker Igor Jesus, who is also being targeted by West Ham United and Aston Villa.

Jesus is protected by a €100m (£84m) release clause in his contract, but the Brazilian side are believed to be willing to sanction a departure for a lower fee, and such is the Gunners’ level of interest, they have now made contact with his entourage.

The Brazilian is now among the north Londoners’ priority targets, despite the deal for Gyokeres edging closer to completion, with the striker’s performances since signing for Botafogo putting him in the shop window.

Arsenal receive "major" Viktor Gyokeres update amid Sporting deal-breaker

The Sporting CP star is a top target for Andrea Berta.

ByEmilio Galantini May 17, 2025 Jesus could be "incredible" signing for Arsenal

Journalist Zach Lowy branded the Botafogo forward as “incredible” back in December, having started 2024 with some impressive performances in the UAE, before forcing his way into the set-up of the Brazil national side after catching the eye in his home country.

The Cuiaba-born marksman led Botafogo to a league title triumph in 2024, and he has since started the new season in solid fashion, picking up three goals and one assist in eight Brazilian Serie A outings.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Liga Portugal

33

39

8

Champions League

8

6

0

Taca de Portugal

6

4

3

Allianz Cup

3

4

0

Supertaca

1

0

2

That said, Jesus’ lack of experience in Europe means it would be a risk for Arsenal to sign the South American this summer, and a move for Gyokeres could make more sense, especially considering the Swede’s fantastic record in front of goal this season, netting 53 goals across all competitions.

It’s been a rough ride for the Lilywhites this year. The end of the 2024/25 campaign is just one month away, but despite the pain that Tottenham Hotspur have endured, there may yet be light at the end of the tunnel.

Ange Postecoglou made a big claim in the early stage of the season, suggesting silverware may be on the way. Well, even though Spurs are languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League with just a few years of the term left to play, they have one foot in the Europa League final.

Despite his polarising time at the helm, Postecoglou may yet leave an unforgettable legacy down N17.

Postecoglou's Spurs legacy

Tottenham have fallen by the wayside this season, of that there is no doubt. However, they could yet pick themselves back up, with Ange’s attacking philosophy looking to dig its claws back in ahead of the penultimate hurdle in the Europa League.

He’s received a lot of stick for his team’s issues across the term, but Postecoglou’s reign has unfortunately been characterised by persistent injuries.

Even so, he’s managed to create a semblance of offensive quality that was vacant in the years preceding his tenure, those post-Mauricio Pochettino years when things went awry and Tottenham regressed away from their staple flair and fearlessness in the final third.

And it’s remarkable that he’s achieved this. Long gone are the days of Harry Kane, who joined Bayern Munich in an £86m deal two years ago. The Three Lions skipper became Tottenham’s record goalscorer when netting against Manchester City in February 2023, scoring 280 goals across 435 appearances.

His partnership with Dele Alli and Heung-min Son was truly a thing to behold, but Son, now skipper, is the only one still kicking around down N17.

Dele might have endured his share of off-field issues in recent years but he will always be remembered for his prodigious start to life in the Premier League, scoring 37 goals and supplying 27 assists across his first three top-flight campaigns alone.

Son, meanwhile, has long been regarded as a “world-class” forward, as has been said here by former boss Jose Mourinho, with his 127 goals in England’s top flight placing him joint 16th in the all-time scoring charts.

Dele and Kane’s brilliance felt irreplaceable, and Son’s influence and longevity in the Englishg capital too, but Postecoglou’s formula appears to have found a new generation of forwards capable of collecting the torch from their Tottenham predecessors.

Postecoglou took on quite a weight when replacing Antonio Conte, but he’s succeeded in restoring Spurs’ attacking quality, their flair. In fact, he’s even moulded the Londoners’ frontline back into top shape, with three current stars looking like the next version of the iconic trio.

Spurs' new attacking superstars

Though this has been a campaign fraught with peril, Postecoglou has still managed to keep his attacking identity somewhat intact, with the 16th-placed Premier League side still among the division’s top goalscorers.

1

Liverpool

1st

80

2

Man City

3rd

67

3

Newcastle

4th

65

4

Arsenal

2nd

63

5

Tottenham

16th

62

This is largely down to Dejan Kulusevski, whose energy and creativity have been an invaluable source of respite for a sinking ship. However, he’s not done it alone; Brennan Johnson has hit 16 goal contributions in the Premier League alone, despite only starting 23 times throughout an injury-affected year.

Then there’s Dominic Solanke, Kane’s belated replacement as the focal frontman. Injuries have been the crux of Tottenham’s struggle this year, and their club-record signing has very much been a victim of the blows. Even so, he’s been a worthy presence at number nine, notching 22 goal involvements across just 34 starts.

The trio, whose combined wages total some £270k per week, have definitely staked their claim for central roles over the coming years, be that under Postecoglou’s wing or in a different manager’s system.

Having each registered over 20 goal involvements across all competitions, they’ve proven their attacking credentials, with Son and James Maddison also hitting that mark.

But Son is indeed approaching his twilight in the Premier League, and Ange and co will be well aware that Tottenham need a new attacking lifeforce, one which could revive the feeling that the South Korean provided when alongside Dele and Kane.

Of course, these were attacking superstars capable of firing their way to lofty hauls every year, actually becoming the first trio to hit 20 goals each in a campaign back in the 2016/17 year, when the Pochettino era was in its heyday from an attacking standpoint.

Now, Postecoglou has found new players capable of breaking such records, and though there’s been plenty to be desired this year, this certainly bodes well for the years ahead.

Three of Tottenham’s brightest stars of the modern age, they may well be reborn through this new batch of talent, one which might just go one further and end this ceaseless wait for silverware.

Better than Johnson: Spurs racing to sign prolific £25m "physical beast"

The sensational international would be perfect for Spurs.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 3, 2025

Williamson’s diabolical run-out and Southee’s drop on the last ball of the day summed up New Zealand’s mental block against Australia in Test cricket

Alex Malcolm01-Mar-2024Kane Williamson is normally unflappable. His team-mates describe him as a “miniature Buddha”. Always calm. Always present. Never fazed.The sight of Williamson looking stunned, shaking his head, not knowing where to look after a calamitous run-out where he collided with his batting partner Will Young, was the perfect metaphor for the Black Caps’ woes against Australia.It has reached the point where Australia’s Rugby team, the Wallabies, who have an equally woeful record against New Zealand’s All Blacks, should consider walking out for their next Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park in whites and Baggy Green caps, such is mental stranglehold Australia’s cricketers have over New Zealand.After letting Australia wriggle off the hook at 89 for 4, 211 for 7 and 269 for 9 to concede 383 after winning the toss and electing to bowl on a surface that offered plenty, New Zealand lost three wickets in six balls to slump to 12 for 3 on their way to being bowled out for 179.Related

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Williamson’s run-out was diabolical. Having walked out after the loss of Tom Latham, the serene mini-Buddha was in a hurry to get off the mark second ball. He pushed a drive towards straight mid-off and made a late decision to take off without calculating the proximity of a prowling Marnus Labuschagne. Young was late to react to Williamson’s call and, as they both watched Labuschagne swoop, slide and release the throw, they collided mid-pitch. Young dropped his bat, Williamson ricocheted into Mitchell Starc, who was an idle bystander, and Labuschagne hit middle from close range as he so often does.Williamson was frazzled. He turned his head to Young as if to find someone or something to blame. But the reality was, even with a clear and direct path to the crease line, the run would have been incredibly tight.As bad as the run-out was, the entire sequence encapsulated the Black Caps’ mental state against Australia.Latham has been an excellent Test opener over a decade-long career averaging over 40 before this Test with 13 centuries. But in 17 Test innings against Australia, his average drops to 25.29 with a highest score of just 63. Starc has been his chief tormentor. And it didn’t take much for Starc to remove him for a fifth time in Test cricket. A good-length delivery on a fourth stump line exposed an indecisive mind. Latham wasn’t sure whether to leave or play and dragged a late defensive shot onto his stumps.Five balls later, with Williamson having already come and gone, Rachin Ravindra fell meekly. Ravindra has no mental baggage against Australia. He slaughtered them in a stunning ODI century in Dharamsala last year. He made a Test 240 less than a month ago. But he sliced a square drive in the air straight to Nathan Lyon at point off Josh Hazlewood before he had scored.Glenn Phillips was the best on show on the day for New Zealand•Getty ImagesTwelve for 3 became 29 for 5 when two more Black Caps with no mental baggage against Australia succumbed. Daryl Mitchell was tested endlessly on the front foot by Starc, Hazlewood and Pat Cummins as Australia’s trio of quicks bowled much fuller than their New Zealand counterparts had. Mitchell tried to walk down the track at them to mix up their lengths, as he does in white-ball cricket and as Cameron Green had done with great success in his epic 174 not out. But he was beaten time and again. Finally, Cummins pitched short and Mitchell nailed a pull shot for four. Cummins sent square leg back. The next ball was a double bluff. Good length again, nipping away, Mitchell prodded and edged and was on his way.First ball next over, Mitchell Marsh burgled another with Young tickling a leg glance into Alex Carey’s gloves.”Here we go again” was the murmur among the Wellington crowd. There’s a reason New Zealand haven’t won a home Test against Australia in 31 years and none anywhere in nearly 13. The calm, controlled and consistent cricket they play against other nations seems to disappear in the Tasman winds whenever their neighbours arrive from across the ditch.It was telling that the major fight came from two men who have performed well against Australia.Success does breed success. Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips produced two of the standout batting performances in New Zealand’s 3-0 series defeat in Australia in 2019-20.They showed no fear in an excellent century stand to help New Zealand avoid conceding a larger first-innings deficit. Phillips took on Australia’s full lengths, thumping the quicks repeatedly down the ground. He was particularly savage on Starc and later climbed into Lyon on his way to a blistering 42-ball half-century.The day ended with the latest bungle on New Zealand’s part•Getty ImagesBlundell was organised and compact at the other end, but likewise cashed in on anything loose with positive footwork and great timing. But he was undone by Lyon’s turn and bounce, skipping down to the wrong length and gifting a bat-pad catch to Travis Head.Normal service resumed. Scott Kuggeleijn holed out to deep forward square with a filthy slog off Lyon second ball. The stare from Phillips at his partner as he trudged off was far more venomous than Williamson’s to Young had been earlier.Phillips fell by the sword for 71, holing out to fine leg trying to hook Hazlewood. Matt Henry is the only Black Cap to belie a poor prior record against Australia in this game. He continued to carry New Zealand after his five wickets, contributing a vital 41 off 34 with four sixes. But his side still conceded a 205-run deficit as Lyon wrapped up the tail to finish with four.New Zealand are not out of the game. Tim Southee produced two late strikes to remove Steven Smith and Labuschagne but they were not the dismissals of a bowler in top form. A filthy drag-on and a strangle down leg merely dragged his career bowling average against Australia back to 41.97 and his strike rate back to 74.9 after going wicketless in 27 overs in the first innings.The final moment of the day was an exclamation point on the Black Caps’ day and their woes against Australia. The entire team threw hands on heads as Southee sprawled to the turf at third slip having spilled a sitter off Henry to give Australia’s nightwatcher Lyon a life.Here we go again.

Here’s a look at seven players who can use the BPL platform to aim for higher honours

Deivarayan Muthu and Mohammad Isam18-Jan-2022Will Jacks – Chattogram Challengers
The big-hitting Surrey batter, who can also pitch in with handy offspin, adds to England’s already vast talent pool in white-ball cricket. He hit 309 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of just a shade under 150 in the 2020 Vitality Blast, where Surrey finished runners-up. Since being named the Vitality Blast Player of the Year in 2020, Jacks has enjoyed greater exposure, having had stints with Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL, Oval Invincibles in the Hundred and Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10 league more recently. His first BPL stint with Chattogram Challengers is another testament to his growing white-ball stature.Kennar Lewis – Chattogram Challengers
Lewis is another hard-hitting top-order batter who will be featuring in his first BPL. At Jamaica Tallawahs in the CPL, he has spent most of his time in the shadow of Andre Russell. While there are questions over Lewis’ fitness, this is another chance for him to step out of the shadows and shine in the T20 spotlight. In CPL 2021, Lewis shellacked 195 runs off 117 balls in powerplays at a strike rate of 166.66. He was also at it in the T10 league and in the Lanka Premier League.Tanvir Islam is in good form ahead of this season’s BPL•BCBTanvir Islam – Comilla Victorians
The left-arm spinner has the best bowling average and economy rate, and one of the best strike rates, in domestic T20 competitions in the last two years in Bangladesh. Much of it came during last year’s Dhaka Premier League (DPL), when he took 20 wickets at an average of 9.35 while representing Shinepukur Cricket Club.A typical Bangladeshi left-arm spinner who hits good lengths consistently and has great accuracy, Tanvir attracted attention by taking 50 wickets in his first two DPL seasons. The selectors noticed his numbers and picked him for Bangladesh A in 2019, and he has also represented teams like the Emerging Team and Under-23s. He has taken a combined 25 wickets in first-class and List A matches in the 2021-22 domestic season, putting him in good form ahead of this season’s BPL, a tournament where he only has two wickets in eight games.Fazalhaq Farooqi – Minister Group Dhaka
Farooqi remains Afghanistan’s most promising pace-bowling prospect aside from Naveen-ul-Haq, having already established himself as a T20 – and T10 – globetrotter. The left-armer has a good inswinger and a fairly deceptive offcutter that tricked batters who threatened to line him up during his stint with Delhi Bulls in the T10 league. He was also roped in as a reserve bowler by Chennai Super Kings last year, when he bowled with sharp pace and bounce at the nets. Farooqi is likely to join the Dhaka squad after playing for Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series against Netherlands, which ends on January 25.Jake Lintott was Southern Brave’s top wicket-taker in the Hundred last year•Getty ImagesObed McCoy – Fortune Barishal
The West Indies left-arm seamer, who foxed Australia with his slower-ball variations at home in mid-2021, has since spent most of his time on the sidelines with injury. He hasn’t played a competitive match since T20I World Cup game against England in Dubai. Dominic Drakes, who was a back-up bowler at the World Cup, has now taken McCoy’s national spot, but this BPL is McCoy’s opportunity to prove his fitness and form.Parvez Hossain Emon – Comilla Victorians
The left-hand opener has been one of the top-three six-hitters in Bangladesh’s domestic T20 scene over the last two years. He shot to fame with the fastest T20 century by a Bangladesh batter in 2020. Emon struck seven sixes and nine fours in that 42-ball knock in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup. And although Mohammedan Sporting Club in Dhaka signed him for the DPL T20s last year, he couldn’t quite get going, managing just one fifty in 14 games. Emon has also scored just one half-century in the 2021-22 domestic season so far, but at 19, he has a lot of time and potential opportunities lined up.Jake Lintott – Fortune Barishal
After being a wildcard pick in the Hundred, Lintott emerged as Southern Brave’s top wicket-taker, and subsequently won a deal with Barbados Royals in the CPL. In a Barishal side that has two premier Bangladesh left-arm spinners – Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam – it is hard to imagine an overseas left-arm spinner getting a look-in. Lintott, however, brings something different: a T20 specialist who bowls left-arm wristspin. Throw Lintott in the mix, and Barishal’s spin attack could still be potent even without Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who will be on national duty for Afghanistan in the early exchanges of the BPL.

MatériaMais Notícias

Enquanto espera o gramado do Allianz Parque ser totalmente reformado para poder voltar a mandar jogos em sua arena, o Palmeiras foi surpreendido com um evento marcado para o estádio neste próximo sábado (16).

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasDiretor do Palmeiras se revolta com acordo entre São Paulo e TJDPalmeiras13/03/2024PalmeirasAllianz Parque deve ser liberado ao Palmeiras já na próxima semana; leia nota da Real ArenasPalmeiras13/03/2024Fora de CampoEx-BBB, ex do Vini Júnior… Relembre todas as affairs de Piquerez, do PalmeirasFora de Campo13/03/2024

➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

O ‘Dia de Craque’, evento organizado pela empresa que cuida do tour do Allianz Parque, estava marcado para acontecer neste sábado, com a presença dos ex-jogadores Euller e Paulo Nunes.

Torcedores do Palmeiras podem comprar a experiência de ser jogador por um dia e jogar uma ‘pelada’ no gramado sagrado do atual bicampeão brasileiro.

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O fato não foi bem digerido tanto pela cúpula do Verdão quanto os torcedores alviverdes, que se sentiram revoltados com a superficiária do estádio, uma vez que o clube não atua em casa há mais de um mês e meio.

Segundo o jornalista Danilo Lavieri, do UOL, Leila Pereira ficou muito irritada e na visão da dirigente, isso mostra como a W Torre não está nem aí para o torcedor do Palmeiras e também para o futebol que é praticado no estádio, e sim só se mostra preocupada com os eventos e shows que são realizados no novo Palestra Itália.

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➡️ Veja confrontos do mata-mata do Paulistão

A repercussão do Dia de Craque foi tão ruim que a W Torre decidiu cancelar o evento e ele deve ser realizado somente após o Verdão voltar pra casa e o novo gramado estar 100% liberado para jogos oficiais ou amistosos na casa alviverde.

Liverpool have reportedly opened talks this week to sign a key reinforcement who Arne Slot loves ahead of Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2026.

Slot urges Liverpool to "remain humble"

Sunday’s 2-0 victory against West Ham United simply cannot be a false dawn for Liverpool or record signing Alexander Isak. After a disastrous run of form, the Reds must make it back-to-back victories by defeating Sunderland this evening.

Anything but three points would only spark further concerns about Slot’s tenure, as reports continue to suggest potential managerial candidates such as Ange Postecoglou.

Ahead of Liverpool’s clash against the Black Cats, Slot told reporters: “The challenge now will be to build on this win. We do not get to believe that a corner has been turned or that a recovery is under way.

“We have to remain humble, work hard and continue to fight. If we do this then maybe we can continue taking the small steps forward that are very much required.

“I would like to welcome Regis Le Bris, his players and staff as well as the supporters and directors of Sunderland to Anfield for tonight’s game. What they have done in the Premier League already this season reflects incredibly well on all at the club having earned promotion back in May.”

FSG could see £75m bid accepted to sign Liverpool their best LW since Mane

Liverpool are in the market for a left-sided winger this winter.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Dec 3, 2025

It’s been the type of run that sparks serious questions about the January transfer window and the need for reinforcements – particularly on the defensive front. As things stand, Liverpool have just two senior centre-backs available, but have been linked with moves for the likes of Castello Lukeba and, of course, Marc Guehi.

Liverpool open talks to sign Marc Guehi

According to TeamTalk, Liverpool have now opened talks to sign Guehi this week in an attempt to get their deal back on track and land their No.1 defensive target ahead of Real Madrid.

The Reds came within hours of signing the Crystal Palace star in the summer, only for the Eagles to pull the plug on the deal at the death. Now, they’re attempting to jump ahead of the chasing pack by making their move as early as the January transfer window.

Those at Anfield are reportedly willing to offer a deal worth around £30m next month, whilst others wait in line to secure Guehi’s signature as a free agent in the summer.

Not even Slot could hide Liverpool’s admiration for Guehi when they missed out on his signature in the summer, telling reporters: “It would be ridiculous if I were to deny we were close to signing him.

“That is so out in the open. These things happen in football. We would have liked to have signed him, of course. If we feel we can strengthen the team, we never hesitate to do so.”

Whether Crystal Palace willingly part with their defender, who was described as a “monster in defence” by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, remains to be seen, however.

Liverpool star is now very quickly becoming "the next Diaz" at Anfield

Like all clubs of their size and with their history, Chelsea have had some incredible players represent them over the years.

Moreover, those players have often formed brilliant duos, such as Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba and John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho.

Another pairing that enjoyed immense success during their time at Stamford Bridge was Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, who played 107 matches together, averaged two points per game and won two Premier League titles.

So, fans should be excited that the club might be able to recreate a partnership similar to that one with the sensational Estêvãoand one of Cobham’s most promising gems.

Estêvão's start to his Chelsea career

There has long been plenty of hype around Estêvão and the kind of player he could develop into.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

In fact, just a few months before Chelsea signed him, respected analyst Ben Mattinson labelled the teenage phenom a “future Ballon d’Or winner.”

Of course, there is still a long way to go before that could happen, but so far this season, it would probably be fair to say that the young Brazilian has met, or even exceeded, expectations.

For example, in 17 appearances, totalling just 740 minutes, he has already scored five goals and provided one assist.

That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.83 games, or more importantly, every 123.33 minutes.

Furthermore, the Franca-born superstar in the making has also already shown an ability to thrive and score in the club’s biggest games.

For example, he came on against Liverpool a couple of months ago and scored the winner and then, against Barcelona this week, he scored the all-important second goal to take the game away from the Spanish side.

Finally, on top of the output, the former Palmeiras prospect also passes the eye-test with flying colours, as Hazard did; he’s a tremendously fun footballer to watch, and it feels like something is going to happen with a ball at his feet.

Now, as if one young superstar in the making wasn’t enough, Chelsea also have a goalscoring machine in the academy who could become Estêvão’s Costa.

The Cobham gem who could be Estêvão's Costa

As always seems to be the case, Chelsea have plenty of seriously exciting youngsters coming through the academy at the moment, with chief among them, and the player who could form a game-breaking partnership with Estevao, being Shumaira Mheuka.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion prospect joined the Blues’ youth setup in 2022 and, in the time since, has become one of the most promising strikers in academy football.

Now, that might sound hyperbolic, but his output over the last couple of years proves that it very much is not.

For example, despite being just 16 at the start of last season, he ended the campaign with 11 goals and three assists in 30 appearances across the u18s and u21s.

Yet, while that is an impressive return, he’s taken another massive step forward this year.

So far, the Birmingham-born monster has scored 13 goals and provided three assists in 13 appearances for the junior sides, totalling 1,067 minutes.

Appearances

63

Goals

34

Assists

9

Goal Involvements per Match

0.68

That means the prolific number nine is averaging 1.23 goal involvements every game, or one every 66.68 minutes, which is surely a rate of return that warrants him getting more first-team action this season.

It’s not just at club level where the youngster is making a name, though: in 20 appearances for England’s u19s, he has chalked up a huge tally of 14 goals and three assists.

With numbers like these, it’s not hard to see why respected talent scout Jacek Kulig has described the youngster as “the future of Chelsea and English football.”

Ultimately, while it might not happen this year, Chelsea need to play Estevao alongside Mheuka at some point, as they could end up being the club’s new Hazard and Costa.

Chelsea join Arsenal in transfer battle to sign "leader" dubbed the new Saliba

The Blues could get their own version of the Arsenal star.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 27, 2025

Giancarlo Stanton avoided questions that might have tied the New York Yankees' new torpedo bats to his new injury.

Stanton has come down with a case of epicondylitis, more commonly known as "tennis elbow," in both elbows. He was asked if the new bats may have caused the injury, and he shut it down immediately.

"You're not going to get the story you're looking for," Stanton said to reporters on Tuesday. "So if that's what you guys want, that ain't going to happen."

Stanton was placed on the 10-day injured list on March 26 and has been shut down from all baseball activities.

For his part, Stanton began using the bats last season, but when asked what may have caused the injury back in March, he said, "Probably some bat adjustments. That's all I could attest it to," then later said, "I don't know why it happened."

The 35-year-old will continue to use the bats.

Stanton has missed significant time due to injury in his career. In the past four seasons alone, he has missed 183 regular-season games. That doesn't include the 2019 season, where he missed 144.

The bats may not be to blame as much as Stanton's lengthy injury history.

Durham allrounder hits 100 and takes three wickets but ends up on losing side

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay08-Aug-2025

Alfie Ogborne took his first Somerset five-for as Somerset carved out a four-wicket victory over Durham at Taunton to extend their winning start to the Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign.Playing in front of a near-sell-out crowd at Taunton, the 22-year-old left arm seamer claimed 5 for 41 as Durham were restricted to 255 for 9 after winning the toss. Will Rhodes kept the visitors afloat, staging an assured knock of 100 from 120 balls with 10 fours and sharing in stands of 78 with Haydon Mustard and 58 with Paul Coughlin for the fifth and seventh wickets respectively. Mustard contributed 38 and Coughlin, the only Durham batter to score at better than a run-a-ball, raised 38 from 30 balls and accrued two fours and a six.Teenage prospect Thomas Rew then anchored Somerset’s run chase, top-scoring with 84 not out from 81 deliveries and striking eight fours and two sixes as the home side reached their target with 22 balls to spare. He shared in a crucial partnership of 95 for the fourth wicket with his brother, James, who posted 39, while opener Archie Vaughan weighed in with 37 and Ben Green scored 34 not out at the death. The pick of the Durham bowlers, Rhodes capped a fine all-round performance by taking 3 for 42 in a losing cause.Will Rhodes impressed with bat and ball•Getty Images

Durham’s decision to bat first backfired when they slumped to 67 for 4 inside 15 overs. Jake Ball had Emilio Gay caught at the wicket for seven, while the impressive Ogborne persuaded Scott Borthwick to top-edge a pull shot to mid-wicket and then produced a startling yorker to remove Colin Ackermann without scoring. When Ben Green located Ollie Robinson’s outside edge and James Rew again demonstrated sound glovework, Somerset were on top.Charged with the task of rebuilding the innings, Rhodes and Mustard played responsibly, adding 50 in 83 balls to redress the balance.Somerset needed a wicket and skipper James Rew recalled Ogborne at the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion end, the left-armer having Mustard caught by Green at point with the score 145 for 5 in the 34th. When Kasey Aldridge came on at the same end and had George Drissell caught at backward point, the visitors were 170 for 6.That was the cue for Coughlin to seize the initiative, relegating Rhodes to a supporting role in a seventh-wicket stand of 58 in 7.2 overs. Rhodes still saw enough of the strike to post his second List A hundred from 118 balls, clipping Ogborne into the leg side to attain that milestone in the 46th. He was out later in the same over, hoisting Ogborne to square leg.Ogborne then completed his first senior five-wicket haul, inducing Coughlin to hit straight to long-on with the score 237 for 8 in the 48th. Somerset’s chase was afforded a super-charged start, Vaughan and Lammonby assuming T20 mode in harvesting nine boundaries between them in an opening stand of 51 in 8.1 overs as Durham’s seamers struggled with their lengths.Thomas Rew bats under the floodlights•Harry Trump/Getty Images

But the home side did not have things entirely their own way, Mitchell Killeen affording the visitors much-needed relief by bowling Lammonby for 24. Vaughan was then dismissed for 37 in near-identical fashion by Rhodes with the score 78 for 2 in the 16th. That soon became 78 for 3, Goldsworthy shuffling in front of a straight one from Drissell as Durham roared right back into contention.Just as they did when defeating Middlesex at Radlett a few days earlier, Somerset looked to the Rew brothers to steady the ship. Both oozed calm confidence, going about their business in workmanlike fashion to keep the reply on track, James initially proving the more aggressive and Thomas dropping into a supporting role.Elder sibling James timed the ball from the outset, playing a superb back-foot force for four off the bowling of Rhodes as Somerset advanced to 124-3 at halfway, requiring a further 133 at 5.2 an over. The 50 partnership arrived via 59 balls, 17-year-old Thomas raising that landmark with a wristy cut for four off Luke Robinson.Warming to his task, the teenager fine cut Killeen for four through third man and then whipped him over midwicket for six before pulling and cutting Robinson for successive boundaries to overtake his brother. The partnership was worth 95 when Rhodes fooled James Rew into mistiming a drive and holing out to mid-on for 39.Undeterred by events at the other end, Rew junior went to his second successive 50 from 45 deliveries. But Rhodes accounted for Josh Thomas, held at long-on, and Fin Hill was run out for a duck with the score 189 for 6. Calm in the face of pressure, Green offered Rew staunch support thereafter, contributing 34 not out to an unbroken stand of 69 for the seventh wicket.

Erling Haaland gave yet another reminder of his monstrous goalscoring powers as he scored twice in Manchester City's 3-1 win over Bournemouth, and afterwards the Cherries' boss Andoni Iraola and captain David Brooks admitted there was almost nothing they could do to stop him. Haaland drew a rare blank in last week's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa but responded in a typically ruthless fashion.

Getty Images SportBournemouth are Haaland's latest victims

The City striker produced a lung-bursting run from behind the halfway-line after latching on to a Rayan Cherki header to slot the hosts in front and combined with the French playmaker again to restore their lead after Tyler Adams had equalised. Haaland has 13 Premier League goals in 10 matches this season, with 17 in 13 games in all competitions. Including his goals for Norway since the season began, he is on 26 strikes.

AdvertisementHaaland 'always going to be a threat'

Bournemouth captain Brooks told : "We look to press but Manchester City are extremely comfortable on the ball. In the first half we created a lot of opportunities for ourselves through the press. But the big man up top for them – Haaland – is always going to be a threat. It's almost impossible [to prepare to face Haaland]. He's 6ft 5in, strong, a massive threat when the ball is falling to him. He took his chances well.

"It was always going to be a tough game against Manchester City. It's probably the hardest week to prepare for. We knew we had to come here and be the best version of ourselves. A few minor details cost us today."

Getty Images SportIraola: 'You're not recovering from Haaland'

Head coach Iraola added: "In the first half they punished us with Haaland behind our defensive line, probably the coordination between the centre-backs was not spot on. The first goal we were in a good moment before the goal, we were playing in their half but in our attacks we lose the ball, we jump, we don’t cover in behind and he punishes us. You make the smallest mistakes and they punish you. 

"The timing the speed was top class. You sit deeper and maybe Haaland scores two headers at the second post because maybe they have 25 crosses. You lose one metre against Haaland, you are not recovering. It is going to be three metres at the end of the play."

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Guardiola puts Haaland on same level as Messi & Ronaldo

Pep Guardiola put Haaland on the same pedestal as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and said the Norwegian was so dominant that it didn't matter that City's other forwards were not contributing many goals this season. No City player aside from Haaland has scored more than one Premier League goal this season.

"It's a little like when you play with Messi or Cristiano," Guardiola said. "The influence is so big. Of course we need the goals from Phil [Foden] and Tijjani [Reijnders] and the other ones." 

Asked whether Haaland was truly on the same level as Messi and Ronaldo, Guardiola had no doubts at all. "Has he reached that level? You see the numbers of that guy? Oh my God, yeah, of course he's at their level. So the numbers from Cristiano and Messi have been for 15 years. You see Messi still in MLS, he scores two or three goals every day. Cristiano in Saudi is the same. But he [Haaland] is at that level.  

"The first goal, the way he shoots the ball, going down on the grass [saying] 'I am going to score this'. I have said many times, he is incredibly coachable and I am tough with him sometimes. I always try to be open minded with him and there are players who say, ‘What are you talking about?' He is completely down to earth, he wants to do it and he lives for the goals. Without him, it would be tough to be honest."