Goals, goals and more goals; if there was a thing Arsenal missed this season, it was goals.

Mikel Arteta’s side managed to secure a third successive second-placed finish in the Premier League this season, but unlike the last two campaigns, it was a truly distant second place.

Liverpool ended up finishing ten points ahead of the Gunners, and arguably worse than that, they scored a whopping 17 more goals than the North Londoners.

So, with this in mind, it’s hardly been a surprise to see Arsenal linked with a host of incredible strikers in recent weeks, including one who’s supposedly better than Erling Haaland and would be an upgrade on Benjamin Sesko.

Arsenal's striker search

Given their struggles in attack this season, Arsenal have been linked with a plethora of outstanding strikers in recent weeks and months, from Sporting CPs free-scoring Viktor Gyokeres to Aston Villa’s brilliant Ollie Watkins and even Newcastle United’s likely unattainable Alexander Isak.

How Arsenal's striker targets compare in 2024/25.

However, over the last week or so, a frontrunner to come in and lead the line for the Gunners next season has emerged in Sesko.

The Slovenian forward has been a target for the club since last summer, but according to reports last week, talks between his representatives and the two teams seem to be progressing well.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Yet, another goalscorer has now entered the picture, someone who’d be an upgrade on the RB Leipzig star and who’d hold his own against Haaland: Victor Osimhen.

Yes, according to a recent report from Italian publication Tuttosport, Arsenal are one of several teams now interested in the on-loan Napoli ace.

The report claims that the Nigerian international turned down the opportunity to move to the Saudi Pro League because teams like the Gunners and Manchester United are now keen to sign him.

However, on top of dealing with the competition, the North Londoners will also have to cough up around £63m to activate the release clause in his current contract open to teams outside of Serie A.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Osimhen’s immense ability, it is one worth fighting for, especially as he’d be a big upgrade on Sesko.

How Osimhen compares to Sesko and Haaland

So, if Osimhen is currently one of the options for Arsenal this summer, it’s worth seeing how he stacks up with Sesko, who might be his biggest competition at the moment.

Yet, with the Nigerian international being described as “even better than Haaland” by Italian agent Andrea D’Amico, it’s also worth including the Manchester City star in the comparisons, as should the Napoli star move to North London, the Norwegian will be leading the line for one of his biggest title rivals.

With that said, when it comes to their pure output this season, it looks like D’Amico is correct, as it’s the Lagos-born “superhuman,” as dubbed by journalist Paolo Esposito, who comes out on top.

In 41 appearances, totalling 3236 minutes, he was able to score 37 goals and provide eight assists for Galatasaray, which comes out to an average of 1.09 goal involvements every game, or one every 71.91 minutes.

For his efforts, the City star scored 31 goals and provided four assists in 44 appearances, totalling 3786 minutes, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.25 games, or one every 108.17 minutes.

Appearances

41

44

45

Minutes

3236′

3786′

3258′

Goals

37

31

21

Assists

8

4

6

Goal Involvements per Match

1.09

0.79

0.60

Minutes per Goal Involvement

71.91′

108.17′

120.66′

Finally, the Leipzig star was the worst of the three, scoring 21 goals and providing six assists in 45 appearances, totalling 3258 minutes, which translates to a goal involvement every 1.66 games or every 120.66 minutes.

Moreover, while the former Salzburg gem is the youngest and, therefore, might make the most sense in the long term, Arteta and Co are at a point in the project at which winning here and now has to take precedence over what might be best for a few years down the line.

Therefore, it makes sense to sign someone who massively outperformed both Sesko and Haaland this summer, which is why Arsenal should be going all in on Osimhen.

Arsenal set to submit bid for "incredible" star who's like Rodrygo & Yamal

The impressive winger would be a great addition to Arsenal’s squad.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 9, 2025

Match details

Afghanistan vs India
Bridgetown, 10.30am local, 8.00pm IST, 2.30pm GMT

Big picture – India vs Rashid Khan

This January, these two teams produced one of the greatest T20Is ever – one that needed two Super Overs to produce a result – and that was when they were playing less-than-full-strength teams after the series had been decided. The stakes are a lot higher now. So perhaps Afghanistan and India’s meeting in the Super Eight of the T20 World Cup 2024 will be a little less spectacle and a little more surgical.Afghanistan possess a bowling attack capable of asking questions every over, which works out well because they have to find a way past the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli early to level the playing field. With those two out of the picture, anything can happen. That’ll be Fazalhaq Farooqi’s job. His left-arm angle coupled with the ability to swing the new ball are threats to batters of even the highest quality.Related

• Trott: Day games suit Afghanistan better

• Hayden expects short-of-runs Kohli to 'work out what to do' in WI

• Six-hitter Dube awaits his moment to unleash

• Farooqi: 'Whatever I am doing with the new ball, that is my skill'

If that happens – and it’s a big if – India will come under scoreboard pressure, which is best friends with Rashid Khan. The Afghanistan captain has walked into plenty of situations where the opposition has just started to wobble, and he finishes them off.It takes a genius to beat a genius, and India are lucky to have Suryakumar Yadav, who has dominated Rashid in T20s, scoring 86 runs in 58 balls at a strike rate of 148 without being dismissed. Shivam Dube goes at a higher strike rate (155) over a smaller sample size (18 balls), but that brings into picture the other advantage that India have: left-hand batters. Rashid has not done as well against them in T20s lately. He kept them down to a strike rate of 109 in 2022 and 2023. This year, it’s up at 141.Afghanistan’s bowling is their best strength, but India have them covered. So that means one of Afghanistan’s batters will have to have a field day.

Form guide

Afghanistan: LWWWW
India: WWWWWAxar Patel’s batting gives India the confidence to hit out from ball one•ICC/Getty Images

In the spotlight – Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Axar Patel

Scoring quickly against high-quality bowling requires both skill and bravery, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz has both in abundance. He scored 80 off 56 balls in a match where only two of his team-mates reached double-digits and the opposition – New Zealand – were bowled out for 75. Gurbaz hits pace at a strike rate of 150 and spin at 145 in T20 cricket, and that may very well be a function of how he doesn’t mind taking risks. Batters like that are hard to stop when it’s their day.So much of the focus in this game will be on mystery spin. But underneath all that, happily flying under the radar, giving both tangible and intangible results is Axar Patel. His left-arm spin is all about containment, but he does that by attacking the stumps, while his batting at No. 8 gives India the confidence to hit out from ball one. Axar should also enjoy the fact that Afghanistan should have only two left-hand batters in their top eight.

Team news

India don’t have any need to tinker with their XI. And despite the loss to West Indies, Afghanistan might not either.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Gulbadin Naib, 4 Azmatullah Omarzai, 5 Mohammad Nabi, 6 Najibullah Zadran, 7 Karim Janat, 8 Rashid Khan (capt), 9 Noor Ahmad, 10 Naveen-ul-Haq, 11 Fazalhaq FarooqiIndia (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Virat Kohli, 3 Rishabh Pant (wk), 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Shivam Dube, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Jasprit Bumrah, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Arshdeep Singh1:34

Bishop: Hard to name someone with Farooqi’s skillset

Pitch and conditions

Bridgetown has offered decent batting conditions, having hosted one of the three 200-plus scores seen in this tournament. The weather shouldn’t be a problem.

Stats and trivia

• Afghanistan have played India in 13 games across formats, but are yet to win one
• Gurbaz (167) and Farooqi (12) are currently the highest scorer and the highest wicket-taker, respectively, in the T20 World Cup 2024
• India have not faced Rashid a lot in T20Is, but in two games, they have scored 69 runs in eight overs without losing a single wicket to him
• Rohit and Kohli are tied on 4042 T20I runs, with only Babar Azam (4145) ahead of them

Quotes

“I always thought that during the most difficult phase of T20, like between [overs] 7 to 14, 7 to 16 – I had thought about that a lot before making my debut for India – if I do well here, if I bat with a good strike rate, then I can be a game-changer on that day. And when I kept doing it repeatedly, I felt that this is my game plan going forward.”

Arsenal transfer chiefs are not about to give up their pursuit of new attacking signings any time soon.

In comparison to the previous two Premier League seasons – where they scored 91 and 88 over the course of 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 respectively – Mikel Arteta’s side only managed a meagre 69 over the domestic campaign just gone.

Related £150k-per-week Premier League star in London after agreeing Arsenal move

Arsenal are about to make a signing.

Posts 2 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 25, 2025

Their lack of firepower, which was largely down to injuries to attacking players and the absence of a prolific striker, was a key aspect of Liverpool running away with last season’s domestic crown.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Bukayo Saka was out for months in total during 24/25, while Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard also suffered from lengthy lay-offs. This has made the signing of potential forward reinforcements a vital item on sporting director Andrea Berta’s to-do list this summer, and that applies both further forward and in the wide area.

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo is a top target for Arsenal in that regard, and they’ve already held reported talks this summer over a move for the Brazilian. However, his £77 million price tag and high salary make him a very ambitious target.

The Gunners have looked at alternatives, like Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, as per Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg last month.

Alongside Mitoma, another Premier League star under serious consideration at Arsenal is West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus.

Arsenal plan bid for Mohammed Kudus after talks with him

The Ghanaian has an £80m-plus release clause which is reportedly active from July, but amid West Ham’s eagerness to offload him so they can fund their own transfer plans, Graham Potter’s side would accept around £60 million.

That is according to Graeme Bailey, who also told TBR this week that Arsenal have held talks with Kudus in the last week.

As a result of these discussions, Arsenal are now believed to be plotting a potential bid for the former Ajax star, but it is unclear what his stance would be on a move across London to the Emirates.

Kudus was deployed in a wide variety of roles under both Julen Lopetegui and Potter last term, including as a second striker, centre-forward and CAM, as well as on either flank as a winger/midfielder.

He bagged five goals and four assists in 35 total outings, but what’s more impressive is the player’s outstanding take-on ability.

As per WhoScored, only Man City sensation Jeremy Doku completed more successful dribbles per 90 than Kudus in the top-flight last term, indicating he could offer Arsenal an entirely different dimension.

Arteta also wouldn’t lose Kudus to the Africa Cup of Nations midway through 25/26, as would be the case with many other African stars, considering Ghana failed to qualify for the first time since 2004.

Manchester United have started talks with a big club over the sale of a “world-class” Red Devils player, according to a new update from Sky journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

Several struggling attackers could leave Man Utd

Wholesale changes are needed in Ruben Amorim’s attack in the summer transfer window, both in terms of signings coming in and current players moving on, following a dismal 2024/25 season at Old Trafford.

Jadon Sancho was loaned out to Chelsea last summer, following an underwhelming three years in a United shirt, while Marcus Rashford and Antony also departed on a temporary basis midway through the campaign, joining Aston Villa and Real Betis respectively.

Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojlund experienced a hugely taxing period leading the line for the Red Devils, scoring just four goals in 32 Premier League appearances, while Joshua Zirkzee didn’t exactly set the world alight after completing a move from Bologna.

For that reason, it’s no surprise that a host of attacking players have been linked with a move to United this summer, with Matheus Cunha already arriving from Wolves. Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike are reportedly being considered, with the former looking likely to come in.

Man Utd in talks to sell Jadon Sancho

According to Sky journalist Gianluca Di Marzio [via Sport Witness], Manchester United have entered talks with Juventus over the sale of Sancho in the last few hours. The Serie A giants are said to have “intervened” in Friday, looking to beat Napoli to the signing of the 25-year-old, having had a long-time interest in him.

Believed to be on more than £250,000-a-week, Sancho has been an undoubted disappointment for United, also struggling to impress at Chelsea, only starting half of the Blues’ league matches last term (19) and bagging only four assists in 31 outings in the competition overall.

For that reason, it does make sense for the Red Devils to part ways with the Englishman permanently, even though Lucien Favre has waxed lyrical over him in the past.

“Jadon’s a world-class player, no question about that – but you have to remember he’s only 19 years old. It’s hard to be outstanding in every game.”

He'd be perfect for Bruno: Man Utd set to hold talks for "incredible" star

Manchester United could be about to land a star who could take Bruno Fernandes to the next level.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 20, 2025

Sadly, Sancho simply hasn’t backed up his early-career hype when he was at Borussia Dortmund, and at 25, there is a feeling that he will never reach his vast potential that existed at that point.

United need to sign attackers who can consistently perform and produce end product on a weekly basis, and Sancho has shown for long enough now that he can’t be that player in the Premier League.

Borussia Dortmund

158

53

67

Man Utd

83

12

6

Chelsea

41

5

10

A move to Serie A could benefit him however, in terms of the pace and physicality of the league not being as intense as the English game, with United using the funds received for the winger on a summer upgrade.

Van der Gugten triple-wicket maiden puts seal on impressive display from visitors

ECB Reporters Network06-Jun-2024

Sam Northeast was in fine touch•Getty Images

Glamorgan 177 for 7 (Northeast 67, Carlson 54, Brooker 3-31) beat Middlesex 173 (Andersson 57, Crane 3-28, van der Gugten 3-30) by three wicketsSam Northeast made it over 400 runs in his two visits to Lord’s this season as Glamorgan beat Middlesex by three wickets to win their first ever T20 encounter at the home of cricket.Northeast, who made a record red-ball score of 335 on the hallowed turf in the County Championship back in April struck 67 in 45 balls (1×6 8x4s) as the visitors chased down a target of 174 with 10 balls to spare, despite 3 for 31 for Middlesex quick Henry Brookes.Northeast was aided by Kiran Carlson (54), whose landmark came in only 21 balls with five sixes.Earlier Middlesex were given a wonderful start by Martin Andersson 57, from 34 – his first T20 half-century as he and skipper Stephen Eskinazi (48) shared an opening stand of 108. However, Mason Crane (3 for 28) began the collapse before Timm Van der Gugten’s triple-wicket maiden (3 for 30) including the scalps of Luke Hollman, Tom Helm and Brookes saw Middlesex collapse to 173 all out.Eskinazi provided early impetus before Andersson, employed as a pinch-hitter in the continued absence of Leus Du Plooy, smote Van Der Gugten back over his head for six.Another followed before he was dropped at short fine leg on 29, Dan Douthwaite the unlucky bowler, the ball travelling to the fence. To rub salt in the wound, Andersson struck three further boundaries in the over.With Eskinazi plundering two sixes off Crane the hundred stand came up in the ninth over. However, Andersson’s dismissal stumped attempting a reverse sweep, ending a stand of 108, changed everything.Max Holden went cheaply to Crane and when Eskinazi fell in identical fashion later in the over the hosts hit the skids.Only Luke Hollman cleared the ropes in the remainder of the innings and Van der Gugten’s party piece in the 19th over, helped by a stunning catch from wicketkeeper Cooke left Middlesex looking well short.Noah Cornwell had Eddie Byrom caught at slip from the first ball of Glamorgan’s reply, but Carlson came out bristling aggression, striking first Helm and then Brookes for six.Helm switched to the Pavilion End only for Carlson to club him straight for another maximum as the 50 came up inside five overs.Pace gave way to spin but all were alike to the 26-year-old who planted successive balls from Josh De Caires over extra cover into the Compton Stand to race to 50 in 21 balls.The fun ended when he holed out at deep mid-on from the bowling of Ryan Higgins and when Australian Test opener Marnus Labuschagne was trapped in front by Hollman, at 84 for 3 the Seaxes sniffed a way back.De Caires bowled the dangerous Colin Ingram to heighten the intrigue, but first Northeast and then Cooke were given lives in the 13th over bowled by Hollman, wicketkeeper Davies missing a regulation stumping to reprieve the former on 44, before the latter was spilt at backward point.Middlesex paid for their profligacy, Northeast reaching 50 from 38 balls, while Cooke, who made an unbeaten 113 in this fixture last season, thrashed a Higgins delivery over extra cover for six.Northeast’s first six came soon afterwards and though he and Cooke fell before the end Glamorgan got home.

Somerset lose by one wicket as Derbyshire go top of group

ECB Reporters Network04-Aug-2024Anuj Dal blasted a brilliant century as Derbyshire took over as Group A leaders with a thrilling one-wicket Metro Bank One-Day Cup victory over Somerset at Taunton.The hosts posted 316 for 5 after losing the toss, skipper Sean Dickson lashing 86 off 64 balls, with 8 fours and 3 sixes. James Rew hit 88, Andy Umeed 58 and Josh Thomas 54 not out. Zak Chappell claimed 3 for 54.Derbyshire’s reply of 317 for nine centred on the middle order efforts of Dal, who struck a brilliant 115 off 75 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes, and David Lloyd (71). Seventeen-year-old Harry Moore saw them home with ten balls to spare, scoring 36 not out, while George Thomas returned 3 for 41, also a List A career-best.Moore had previously amassed just ten runs in three List A innings, but the youngster eclipsed that with five fours and a six in a match-winning 20-ball cameo.After Chappell and Sam Conners had removed George Thomas and Lewis Goldsworthy respectively in the opening four overs of the game, Rew and Umeed rode some early luck to compile their second three-figure stand in this season’s Metro Bank Cup, both reaching half-centuries in the 24th over, Umeed off 62 balls and Rew off 66.Umeed fell with the total on 141, caught at short cover off legspinner Mitch Wagstaff. Rew followed with 40 more runs added, pouched at fine leg top-edging a pull shot off Chappell, knowing that the foundation had been laid for a late assault.James Rew top-scored for the home side with 88•Getty ImagesIt came from Dickson and Josh Thomas as Somerset plundered 89 off the last seven overs, Dickson moving to a 51-ball half-century and then clearing the ropes off Conners twice and once off Harry Moore, whose ninth over went for 22.Dickson fell to Chappell, but Thomas continued the rampage, hoisting the last ball of the innings, a free hit off Conners, over long-off for six to reach a 41-ball fifty.Reece ensured a rapid start to the visitors’ reply, smashing 6 fours off the first two overs sent down by Charlie Cassell. Harry Came helped take the score to 60 before being pinned lbw by George Thomas off the final ball of the ten-over powerplay.Thomas picked up a second wicket when Brooke Guest, on 15, edged a catch behind. Then Lloyd called for a quick single after playing a ball from Thomas to cover and Reece, on 44, failed to beat Umeed’s fast throw to wicketkeeper Rew.Matt Lamb was bowled by Jack Leach looking to make room to force through the off-side and Derbyshire were suddenly 89 for 4. That became 90 for five when Samit Patel offered a return catch to Thomas, who flung out a left hand to grab the sharp chance.Lloyd and Dal gave Derbyshire hope with a sixth-wicket stand of 145, both reaching half-centuries in the 33rd over, Dal first off 36 balls and Lloyd off the next delivery from Leach, off 53. The next over saw their century partnership off 82 deliveries.Despite having two England spinners in Leach and Shoaib Bashir bowling in tandem for the first time, Somerset were unable to stem the flow of runs. It took the return of seamer Josh Davey to break the partnership when Lloyd reverse-swept a catch to short third-man. Chappell was caught at cover in the same over to make it 235 for 7.Wagstaff was run out by brilliant direct hit at the bowler’s end by Dickson before Dal reached a 69-ball hundred packed with explosive shots. He was bowled by Davey with 12 runs needed, but Moore held his nerve to clinch a precious win.

Celtic are a club that have been come used to cashing in on their top players once they have developed and impressed at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership.

You only have to look as recently as last summer to see when Matt O’Riley left to sign for Brighton & Hove Albion after winning the club’s Player of the Year award in the 2023/24 campaign.

As you can see in the graphic above, the Premiership champions have a rich history of selling players for big money, including three players who have left for £25m.

The Hoops also cashed in on Japan international Kyogo Furuhashi in the January transfer window, selling him to Rennes for a reported fee of £10m, which placed him on par with Liel Abada’s exit.

Brendan Rodgers, now, is set to have to deal with more exits in the current transfer window, as Nicolas Kuhn is reportedly closing in on an exit from Parkhead.

Journalist Anthony Joseph reports that Como have agreed a deal worth an initial fee of £16.5m to sign the German attacker, who has already agreed a long-term contract with the Italian side.

Why selling Nicolas Kuhn is a good deal for Celtic

Firstly, selling Kuhn will come as an initial blow to Rodgers and Celtic because of the attacking quality that he provided at the top end of the pitch last season.

The 25-year-old winger ended the campaign with a return of 21 goals and 15 assists in 51 matches in all competitions, which shows that the Hoops are set to lose a player who can deliver goals and assists on a regular basis.

However, it is also a deal that also makes a lot of sense for Celtic, given the money involved, and his form in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Scottish giants reportedly paid a fee of £3m to sign the winger from Rapid Vienna, which means that the club are making at least £13.5m in profit just 18 months on from when they snapped him up.

Appearances

15

17

Goals

7

6

Big chances created

7

4

Assists

6

3

As you can see in the table above, Kuhn’s form in the Premiership also dropped off in the second half of the season, with fewer goals, fewer ‘big chances’ created, and fewer assists despite playing two more games.

These statistics suggest that Celtic could be cashing in on him at the right time, because there is the risk that his form will continue to drop after that lightning start to last season.

Meanwhile, there is reported interest in another Hoops superstar whose exit would come as an even bigger blow to Rodgers and the club this summer.

Celtic set price tag for star forward

According to Football Insider, there are a number of teams interested in signing versatile Celtic forward Daizen Maeda before the end of the summer transfer window.

The report claims that Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Fenerbahce, and Brentford are all keen on a deal to sign the Japan international to bolster their respective attacks.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It adds that Celtic are in ‘no mood’ to lose their star attacker this summer, though, on top of already being about to sell Kuhn, and that they have placed a huge price tag on his head.

Football Insider reports that the Scottish giants are not willing to part ways with the 27-year-old winger, who can also play as a centre-forward, for anything less than a fee of £25m, which would be a joint-record sale for the club.

It now remains to be seen whether or not any of the three Premier League teams or Fenerbahce eyeing up are willing to spend that much money on the Japanese dynamo this summer.

Why Daizen Maeda would be a bigger loss than Nicolas Kuhn

If one of those interested clubs swoop to sign Maeda from the Premiership champions for a fee of £25m in the coming weeks or months, it would be a bigger blow than Kuhn’s impending exit is set to be.

The Japan international ended the season with a haul of 33 goals in 51 games for Celtic in all competitions, which means that he scored 12 more goals than the German winger in the same number of appearances.

Maeda, dubbed a “special player” by Alistair Johnston, also has more positional value to Rodgers because he has shown that he can be deployed on either flank or through the middle as a centre-forward, whilst Kuhn made 52 of his 55 starts for the club as a right winger.

This means that Celtic would lose depth in several positions if they cashed in on the Japanese marksman this summer, but they are only set to lose an option on the right wing with Kuhn’s move to Como.

Appearances

34

32

Goals

16

13

Goals per game

0.5

0.4

Big chances created

10

11

Assists

10

9

Assists per game

0.3

0.3

Cross accuracy

17%

5%

As you can see in the table above, Maeda also outperformed the £16.5m-rated winger in the Premiership with more goals and more assists for the Hoops.

This suggests that the £25m-rated forward’s exit would leave an even bigger hole for Rodgers to fill at the top end of the pitch, from a quality perspective as well as the positions that he can play.

Overall, Maeda offers more to the team, with his quality and versatility, and that is why his transfer would be an even bigger blow than Kuhn’s transfer to Como, which is also reflected in the respective reported fees.

Celtic wanting £25m for Maeda, whilst they have accepted £16.5m for Kuhn, speaks to how important they view them within the squad, and that is backed up by their respective statistics.

It'd be Ryan Christie 2.0: Euro club open talks to sign £2m Celtic ace

A European team are interested in a deal to sign a star from Celtic this summer.

ByDan Emery Jul 3, 2025

Hopefully, Celtic will be able to fend off interest from the likes of Spurs and Fenerbache in order to keep hold of their star attacker before the summer transfer window slams shut at the start of September.

The new Premier League season kicks off on Friday August 15 as Liverpool welcome Bournemouth to Anfield, and as always the eyes of Fantasy Premier League players will be on Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian King has been a near permanent fixture in FPL teams since his Reds debut, but has faced more competition for the top scorer crown in recent years, with the likes of Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer challenging his dominance.

Related AI predicts the 2025/26 Premier League table

Who are the winners and losers from AI’s table?

Posts 1 ByCharlie Smith Jun 7, 2025

To help you select your teams for opening night, we’ve asked AI tool ‘Grok’ to predict the ten best FPL assets for the 2025/26 season based on total points.

10 James Maddison (Midfielder, Tottenham) Estimated FPL Points: 130–160

Grok believes a breakout season is on the horizon for England and Spurs star Maddison, expecting an uptick on his end product to around ten goals and 12 assists, with plenty of potential for bonus points due to his chance creation and dribbling ability.

The former Leicester City star has the added bonus of taking several of Spurs’ set pieces, and will hope to take centre stage in Thomas Frank’s new look attack.

9 Eberechi Eze (Midfielder, Crystal Palace) Estimated FPL Points: 140–170

Eze managed 161 points in 2024/2025 and if he stays put under Oliver Glasner at Selhurst Park there is no reason he can’t replicate that feat at the bare minimum.

The FA Cup hero has been linked with a move to Arsenal however, which could reduce his ceiling if he is forced to rotate with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

8 Bryan Mbeumo (Midfielder, Brentford) Estimated FPL Points: 140–180

Grok predicts the Brentford star’s move to Manchester United will go through in the coming weeks, but after ranking as the second-highest FPL scorer in 2024/2025 this is actually expected to reduce his points potential.

Indeed, a reduction in role and no penalty taking duties at his new club leads to a prediction of 10–15 goals and 8–12 assists.

7 Bruno Fernandes (Midfielder, Manchester United) Estimated FPL Points: 150–190

Fernandes has a stunning 62 goals and 51 assists in 195 Premier League appearances, proving himself as one of the most potent midfielders in FPL.

His creativity and penalty taking duties make him a must-own asset whenever Manchester United hit a good run of form or some appetising fixtures.

6 Alexander Isak (Forward, Newcastle United) Estimated FPL Points: 160–200

Isak had his finest season yet in 2024/25, scoring 23 times and recording six assists despite missing a few games through injury.

The Sweden international has now improved his goal tally in each year of his Newcastle career, and his sure fire status as the penalty taker and head of the Magpies’ attack makes him a very safe FPL pick.

Isak in the Premier League

22/23

23/24

24/25

Starts

17

27

34

Goals

10

21

23

Assists

1

2

6

Shots per game

2.3

2.6

2.9

Dribbles per game

1.5

1.4

1.2

5 Bukayo Saka (Midfielder, Arsenal) Estimated FPL Points: 170–210

“Saka’s assists and consistent performances in 2024/2025 made him a key FPL asset,” writes Grok, predicting further success on the creative front due to the arrival of a clinical number nine, such as Viktor Gyokeres.

The England star takes Arsenal’s penalties and has a good record from the spot in the top flight, with just one of his four career misses coming in the league.

4 Florian Wirtz (Midfielder, Liverpool) Estimated FPL Points: 180–220

It may be a surprise to see Liverpool’s record signing crack the top five, but Grok believes he will reach a minimum of 15–20 goal involvements in his debut Premier League campaign, due in large part to a thriving relationship with Salah.

The Germany superstar may have to compete for minutes however, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s running from the number ten position an important part of Arne Slot’s system.

3 Erling Haaland (Forward, Manchester City) Estimated FPL Points: 200–240

Grok expects a bounce back season for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City after a miserable 2024/25 campaign by their own lofty standards.

Haaland is predicted to score a minimum of 22 goals, but will rack up fewer bonus points than Salah due to his role as a pure number nine.

2 Cole Palmer (Midfielder, Chelsea) Estimated FPL Points: 220–260

Palmer led all players in 2023/2024 with 244 points and followed that up with 214 last season, proving he has the consistency to be one of the best assets in FPL.

As the “creative hub” in Enzo Maresca’s system Grok sees another fruitful campaign for the Blues’ new number ten.

1 Mohamed Salah (Midfielder, Liverpool) Estimated FPL Points: 300–350

No surprises here, as the AI tool predicts Liverpool’s Salah to continue his dominance as the go to captain choice most weeks in FPL.

Salah registered 344 points last season, and will now have even more weapons at his disposal with the addition of Wirtz.

Shubman Gill played the classic anchor. Ruturaj Gaikwad the disruptor at No. 4. And Washington Sundar proved simple offspin can be sexy.At the end of it all, India took a big step towards winning the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe with a 23-run win in the third match to take a 2-1 lead.Gill scored a 49-ball 66 opening the batting and Yashasvi Jaiswal, his partner, slammed 36 from 27, setting the platform for a 28-ball 49 from Gaikwad that helped India to 182 for 4. Washington then picked up three wickets, including two in his first over, for 15 runs to quell chances of a Zimbabwe fightback.Zimbabwe managed to delay the inevitable thanks to a fantastic half-century from Dion Myers, his first in T20Is, and his 77-run partnership with Clive Madande.Yashasvi Jaiswal got India off to a flying start•Associated Press

Gill and Jaiswal reunite at the top

The return of three players from the T20 World Cup-winning squad forced a change in India’s tactics. Jaiswal has been the incumbent opener – whenever India have played without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – and he slotted back at the top with Gill. As a result, Abhishek Sharma, fresh from his maiden international century in the second T20I, and Gaikwad had to play out of positions at Nos. 3 and 4.Jaiswal started with two fours and a six in the opening over. Gill did the same in the second over. India were 29 in two overs, and then 49 in four. Then Blessing Muzarabani found his length and the pace to bowl on a two-paced surface. Sikandar Raza’s spin was tough to put away. And from 54 for 0 in five overs, India crawled to 67 for 0 at the end of eight. Which brought about Jaiswal’s dismissal – miscuing the switch hit to backward point.

Gill anchors, Gaikwad bludgeons

Abhishek had a brief stay in the middle, which brought together Gill and Gaikwad in the 11th over. Wessly Madhevere’s only over – the 13th of the innings – allowed India to change gears. Gill first hit the legspinner for a six before Gaikwad hit him for a six and a four. Gaikwad regularly used his feet even against pace to put Tendai Chatara and later Richard Ngarava, who replaced Luke Jongwe in the Zimbabwe XI, off their lengths.Gill sped up to bring up a 36-ball fifty, his first as India’s T20I captain. However, despite a long batting order – Washington was carded in at No. 8 – India were in danger of finishing with a below-par score when they were 130 for 2 after 16. Which is when an 18-run over from Raza – featuring four byes and a six each from Gill and Gaikwad – lifted them. But the extra bounce on the surface consumed Gill in the 18th, when he looked to loft Muzarabani over the covers but miscued it to Raza tracking back. Gaikwad hit a few lusty blows but fell one short of fifty.Dion Myers hit an unbeaten 65 to lead Zimbabwe’s fight•AFP/Getty Images

India ended on 182, not below par at all. Two half-century partnerships – 67 off 50 between Gill and Jaiswal and 72 off 44 between Gill and Gaikwad – had taken India there, and Jaiswal, at the innings break, felt it was enough.What aided them were a few missed half-chances, two dropped catches – one each of Jaiswal and Gaikwad – and a plethora of misfields.

Fielding lets Zimbabwe down again

When Chatara failed to get a hand to Jaiswal’s pull in the opening over, little did Zimbabwe know it was a sign of things to come. In the next over, Myers was a bit late in reacting to a top edge from Gill and the ball landed short of him running in from midwicket. Jaiswal and Gaikwad received reprieves. A few half-chances were missed. The mishaps on the field were mostly regulation efforts, which meant India raced away to a fast start despite facing 22 dots in the powerplay. Overall, India were beneficiaries of 31 runs according to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data. The eventual win margin was just 23.Ravi Bishnoi is mobbed after pulling off a stunning catch at point•AFP/Getty Images

Zimbabwe lose their way, and find it again too late

Tadiwanashe Marumani replaced Innocent Kaia, who had a split webbing, at the top of the order and started enterprisingly. He belted a couple of fours in the opening over bowled by Khaleel Ahmed – in for Mukesh Kumar – but fell trying to repeat the dose in his next over. From the other end, Avesh Khan first dismissed Madhevere, who patted one to short cover, and then Brian Bennett, thanks to a spectacular flying catch from Ravi Bishnoi at backward point.When Raza swung across the line to hole out to deep square-leg off Washington’s second ball, the writing seemed to be on the wall. It got better for India – and worse for Zimbabwe – when substitute fielder Riyan Parag took a sharp catch at slip to dismiss Johnathan Campbell four balls later off Washington.But Myers and Madande had other plans. India’s decision to accommodate all of their T20 World Cup returnees left them thin on bowling resources. As a result, Abhishek and Shivam Dube had to combine to bowl four overs. Myers and Madande didn’t let them settle and hit a combined six fours and two sixes off them. Those four overs cost India 50. Thanks to the early inroads, it did not cost them on the day.