On the hunt to end their search for a striker at long last, Newcastle United are now reportedly battling to sign an impressive target who outscored Alexander Isak last season.

Newcastle's striker search goes on

It’s been a disappointing summer for Newcastle, but it’s especially been a woeful last seven days. Having missed out on Hugo Ekitike, it seemed as though the saving grace in that saga would be that Liverpool settled for the Frenchman rather than Isak on top. But the Swede has since dropped a bombshell on the Magpies.

Reports swiftly emerged earlier this week that the forward’s thigh injury was simply a smokescreen for his desire to leave St James’ Park this summer to spark what could be an almighty battle between the player and club as the transfer window progresses.

Having his say on the matter, Eddie Howe told reporters: “Of course there are things going on behind the scenes. He will be aware, he’s in the news every day and I’m sure that’s not easy for anyone in that situation. Conversations that happen between Alex and the club or Alex and myself will stay private for obvious reasons.

“We do share a really good relationship with him. He’s been magnificent for us since he’s joined. He’s very popular in the dressing room. We’d love him to continue his journey at Newcastle.”

Isak’s desire to leave Newcastle isn’t even the latest of a long line of disappointing news this summer, however, with their pursuit to sign Yoane Wissa taking a major twist.

Now, with the Isak sage continuing and Wissa off the table for now, Newcastle have reportedly set their sights on a familiar face.

Newcastle battling for Mitrovic return

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle United are now battling to sign Aleksandar Mitrovic from Al-Hilal this summer, with those at the club warming to the idea of bringing him back. The experienced goalscorer, who still loves the Magpies despite his time at the club not ending in the way he would have dreamed, could put his St James’ Park failure behind him once and for all with a return this summer.

Appearances

72

Goals

17

Assists

10

Seven years on from leaving Newcastle, Mitrovic is far more well-rounded and even outscored Isak’s 27-goal haul last season with 28 of his own in all competitions and loves St James’ Park, once calling it his favourite away ground while at Fulham.

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It was during his time at Fulham that the Serbian earned the most praise, with manager Marco Silva going as far as to describe him as “phenomenal” in 2022. Now, at 30 years old, Mitrovic could return with a bang to St James’ Park to hand Howe an unexpected solution to his growing striker problems.

But he calls for Shakib to appease the public with his “own words” to stave off discontent at his silence on the political situation in Bangladesh

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Sep-2024

Shakib Al Hasan wants to play his final Test match in Dhaka•AFP/Getty Images

Bangladesh’s government will provide Shakib Al Hasan with the security that is accorded to a national cricketer, but Shakib also has to clarify his political standpoint according to the country’s sports adviser Asif Mahmud. Mahmud said that Shakib, a former member of parliament whose party the Awami League was overthrown by a student-led revolution last month, can appease the public with him with his “own words”.Mahmud was alluding to Shakib’s plunging popularity after he remained silent during the student-led protests in July and August, during which hundreds were killed. On Thursday, in Kanpur, during his first press conference since the T20 World Cup in June, Shakib skirted the subject when asked about his position on the political changes in Bangladesh.He announced during the same media briefing that the upcoming Dhaka Test between Bangladesh and South Africa will be his last, provided the BCB and/or the government can guarantee his safety. Since the protests, scores of Awami League ministers and MPs have been arrested in Bangladesh. Shakib, along with 146 others, was named in a murder case related to the protests, and he has not been in Bangladesh since then or for that matter at any point since the start of the T20 World Cup. He linked up with the squad directly in Pakistan and India for Test series.Related

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Sports adviser Mahmud said Shakib’s dual role as a cricketer and a politician had drawn the public’s wrath, and that’s where the complication lies.”The state is bound to give security to each citizen, so we will obviously [provide him with security]. In Shakib’s case, we have to remember that he has two identities – the cricketer and the politician. He took part in the general elections from Awami League. People have mixed reactions regarding both his identities. Now we will give Shakib, the player, enough security, as much as a sportsperson. This is our responsibility. We will give him [security] if he comes to the country.”The public could however be angry at him for his political identity. If half the country’s population is angry at me, then the five or six security persons I have won’t be enough to protect me. Shakib can however reduce the public’s anger through his own words. I think he has to clarify his political standpoint. [Former Bangladesh captain and MP] Mashrafe Mortaza already talked about his situation. So if there are security risks from the people, then no one can give security to anyone. Even [then prime minister] Sheikh Hasina could not be provided the security, she had to flee the country. So Shakib has to make his political stance clear.”Mahmud said that the murder case shouldn’t be an obstacle for Shakib, referring to a recent statement by law adviser Asif Nazrul. Nazrul made statements last month and on September 25 that suggested Shakib will not face arrest by merely being named in a case. “Already the law ministry has said about his case, that a name can be removed if the person is not complicit,” Mahmud said.Mahmud’s statement should hold some assurance for Shakib. He is reportedly heading back to the USA, where his family resides, after the Kanpur Test. Shakib isn’t part of the T20I squad for the three-match series against India starting on October 6, having also announced his international retirement from the shortest format.

Essex’s seamers bowled Warwickshire out for just 78 to take immediate control of their Vitality County Championship match at Edgbaston.Put in on a bowler-friendly track, the home side was skittled in 27.4 overs by Shane Snater – with 5 for 13 – Jamie Porter and Sam Cook. Sustained resistance came only from Will Rhodes (29) on his last home appearance before joining Durham.Essex then dipped to 50 for 5 but recovered to close the opening day on 189 for 9 thanks to astute contributions from Michael Pepper (37), Snater (33 not out) Matt Critchley (32) and Simon Harmer (31). Ed Barnard took 3 for 36 and Craig Miles 3 for 53 but a lead of 111 already looks decisive.Essex have laid the platform for a second successive emphatic win while Warwickshire’s supporters digest one last moderate instalment of a deeply uninspiring home championship campaign.Porter and Olly Hannon-Dalby started the day as the country’s joint leading wicket-takers on 46 and the former took just 16 balls to move to 48 by removing Warwickshire’s openers; Rob Yates lbw and Alex Davies caught at third slip. When Sam Hain, trapped in the crease, was lbw to Cook, Warwickshire were 18 for 3.Eighteen-year-old Hamza Shaikh got stuck in for 37 balls for eight runs before Snater struck twice in seven balls. Shaikh’s off-stump was sent flying and Barnard’s would have been if his pads hadn’t been in the way.Rhodes, warmly applauded to the crease by supporters aware of the void he will leave in Warwickshire’s top order, eked 29 from 98 minutes of toil before edging a peach of an away-cutter from Snater to wicketkeeper Pepper. Any Bears’ hope of recovery vanished with the last ball of the morning when Cook knocked out Michael Burgess’s middle stump.From 73 for 7 at lunch, the innings imploded in another 16 balls, Snater wrapping it up with an lbw decision against Hannon-Dalby to secure his eighth first-class five-for.Batting remained troublesome at first when Essex replied and they lost Robin Das, lbw to Hannon-Dalby, to the 13th ball. Westley decided that positivity was the solution and struck seven fours in a 22-ball 30 but was then also trapped in front by the big Yorkshireman.When Barnard broke through twice in three balls – Dean Elgar caught at first slip and Paul Walter played on – and Noah Thain edged Chris Rushworth airily to second slip, Essex were 50 for 5, but the lower order batted wisely and patiently as the pitch eased in the late afternoon sunshine.Critchley reined in his attacking instincts, taking 23 balls to get off the mark, and with Pepper added 55 in 18 overs against an attack which lost Rushworth injured. Critchley edged Barnard to second slip and Pepper leading-edged a return catch to Miles but Harmer and Snater added a valuable 39.Miles removed Harmer and Cook in three balls but Snater’s cameo, including three successive fours off Miles, lifted the lead over 100.

Birmingham City’s summer transfer business had seemingly gone quiet in recent weeks after some whirlwind activity in and out of the door early on at St. Andrew’s.

However, the typical chaos associated with the West Midlands side could soon be back on the menu as the Blues edge towards two new deals being completed.

Football League World was the outlet that exclusively dropped the news that Chris Davies and Co were very close to landing the signature of Werder Bremen attacker Marvin Duksch, whilst speedy developments elsewhere have now revealed that ex-Derby County centre-back Eiran Cashin is undergoing a medical to come to the Blues on loan.

Cashin will undoubtedly strengthen an already valiant Birmingham side at the back ahead of Championship football returning to St. Andrew’s, with the 23-year-old’s main footballing education to date coming in the EFL’s division when battling week in week out for the Rams.

What Cashin can bring to Birmingham

Whilst he has found his time at Brighton and Hove Albion to date to be fraught with difficulties, as seen in his two minimal appearances in the Seagulls’ first team picture, the Irishman was a firm fan favourite when he was still plying his trade at Pride Park.

In total, Cashin would go on to make a mammoth 144 appearances for his boyhood side, as his final campaign donning Derby white resulted in him being pushed to his limits as he secured safety for the second-tier strugglers.

Still, the mature 23-year-old gave his all across the full campaign as John Eustace’s men just about kept their heads above water, with a crucial two goals coming his way from 39 Championship appearances, away from also averaging an imposing 6.8 duels won per second-tier match-up.

He shouldn’t be fazed by the prospect of returning to the division, therefore, as the “colossal” centre-back – as he was glowingly labelled by ex-Rams manager Paul Warne – now attempts to fit in next to his new, towering teammates at the back in the form of Christoph Klarer and Krystian Bielik.

Whilst Cashin is a standout buy on the surface, he is only used to that dog-fight mentality in the second tier, with a bigger talent than the former Derby number six now potentially on the agenda as they attempt to make their transition back to Championship life look as smooth as possible.

Birmingham targeting a bigger talent than Cashin

You would anticipate, for the amount of cash that has been thrown about, that the ambition in the Birmingham camp is to take the EFL’s elite division by storm, as opposed to just seeking out immediate safety.

If Mateo Joseph were to finally arrive on the scene at the Blues after being linked consistently with a statement switch this summer, he would want to be competing near the top-end of the division, too, with the £10m striker just fresh off a Championship title success with Leeds United.

The Spanish hotshot’s electric form off the bench for Daniel Farke’s champions last season would surely excite the Birmingham masses as to what he could be capable of at St. Andrew’s, with a blistering six goal contributions coming his way from just 11 league starts.

With Kyogo Furuhashi already at Davies’ disposal, alongside the incoming arrival of Ducksch adding in more firepower, throwing in Joseph into the mix too would make the Blues’ attacking options a real sight to behold.

Arguably, that final addition of the “dynamite” forward – as he’s been labelled by U23 football scout Antonio Mango – might just be the signing Birmingham need to get done to believe they can mount a shock promotion charge when the exciting 2024/25 season kicks off, knowing Joseph has been done and done that in the tiring division before.

Obviously, Cashin will also be a valued addition defensively, as Birmingham navigates the initial step-up.

But, Joseph could be that forward-thinking spark that helps the Blues to step it up a notch, away from merely securing survival.

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Bowling coach on Old Course as Stokes doubts compound rawness of chosen seam attack

Matt Roller04-Oct-2024

Olly Stone trains with a medicine ball ahead of a potentially key role in the first Test•Getty Images

As England trained in Multan’s searing heat for the first time on Friday, their fast-bowling coach was fighting the cold over 4,000 miles away in Scotland. James Anderson is spending this week playing the historic Old Course at St. Andrews in a pro-am golf tournament, and his late arrival highlights the extent to which a new batch of England seamers are stepping into the unknown.When England last toured Pakistan, Anderson was instrumental in their 3-0 clean sweep. He played the first two Tests, taking eight wickets at 18.50 – including a ball to Mohammad Rizwan he described as “one of my best” – and doubled up as a fast-bowling coach to Mark Wood and, in particular, Ollie Robinson, who shared 17 wickets between them.But two years hence, they are all absent: Wood has an elbow injury, Robinson has fallen out of favour after one false dawn too many, and Anderson was ushered into retirement in July. Now, it is another step into the unknown for five seamers who have never played a first-class match in Pakistan: Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone and Chris Woakes.Related

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That is only exacerbated by Anderson’s absence in the build-up to the series. England say that he has been in daily contact with their quicks while playing in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, but he will not arrive in Pakistan until the second day of the first Test and WhatsApp is no substitute for in-person coaching.With Ben Stokes emerging as a doubt for the first Test, Woakes is likely to play his first away Test in two-and-a-half years, and his first in Asia since 2016: a chance not only to lead the attack, but to rectify his notoriously thin record overseas. England’s other four fast bowlers have played a single overseas Test between them.Atkinson was rested from September’s white-ball series against Australia after picking up a thigh niggle in the final Test of the summer, but bowled in training on Friday. Carse, Potts and Stone all featured in the ODIs but they will be learning on the job in Pakistan, even if Stone did play one home game for Multan Sultans in February.James Anderson plays the Old Course at St Andrews during the Alfred Dunhill Cup•Getty Images

Stone’s own personal circumstances could play a role in selection during the series. He is due to get married next Saturday, having planned his wedding three years after his most recent appearance: if he plays in the first Test, he faces a rush home after the fifth day’s play to reach the ceremony, and already appears highly unlikely to play in the second.Multan is a place that demands quick adjustment, on and off the field. The temperature touched 40 degrees during England’s first training session on Friday, and while the team are staying in a luxury hotel overlooking a golf course, their presidential-level security means they will see little else of the city over the next two-and-a-half weeks.The ground has not staged a Test since England’s 26-run win two years ago, and the early signs are that there will be some live grass on the pitch. “It has a bit of a green tinge,” Zak Crawley said. “There are two days to go, so with this heat, it could easily turn and be very similar to the pitches last time. We’ll wait and see, but at the moment, it’s certainly a little bit green.”Crawley became the latest England player to reference comments that Shan Masood, Pakistan’s captain, made before their series against Bangladesh last month. Masood suggested his side were at their best “wherever there’s been help for the fast bowlers” but the preparation of a lively surface in Rawalpindi backfired, with back-to-back defeats.”Looking at this wicket – and hearing what Shan said in the media – I feel like it could be a bit more green and a bit more seam movement this time [than two years ago],” Crawley said. “We’ve got a really versatile bowling attack, with a bit of pace and also some skill… and in this heat, I think the spinners are always going to play a part.”[We’ve spoken] a little bit about reverse-swing… it should be easy with the sweat, but maybe not so much with that wicket. The square looks quite green. [Anderson] has not arrived yet but he’s an absolute master of that kind of thing. In these conditions, him and Robbo were a big reason we played well last time. He’ll be valuable when he comes out.”England’s fast-bowling attack has evolved at lightning speed in the last year, with Anderson and Stuart Broad moving on and a new batch of quicks replacing them with a focus on seam movement, rather than swing. The transition has been designed to help England compete more away from home: this series is the first real test for the next generation.

Laxman and Kanitkar prioritise development of players at Under-19 level

Deivarayan Muthu29-Sep-2024Allrounder Samit Dravid, who had been sidelined from the three-match one-day series against Australia Under-19s in Puducherry, hasn’t recovered from a knee injury and will likely miss the upcoming four-dayers in Chennai as well, according to India Under-19s’ coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar.”As of now he’s at the NCA, recovering from his knee injury,” Kanitkar said of Dravid on the eve of India Under-19s first four-dayer against Australia Under-19s at Chepauk. “So, [I] don’t know yet. It looks unlikely.”Samit, the son of former India captain and coach Rahul Dravid, had earned his maiden call-up to the India Under-19s squad after featuring in the Maharaja T20 trophy, where he played for Mysuru Warriors, and the Cooch Behar Trophy, which Karnataka won.Related

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Samit, now 18, however, will not be eligible for the next Under-19 World Cup in 2026. As per the ICC’s regulations, any player who is eligible to feature in the Under-19 World Cup should be aged under 19 as of August 31, 2025. But Samit is set to turn 19 on October 11 and hence will not be able to meet the eligibility criteria for the 2026 Under-19 World Cup.VVS Laxman, the former India batter and NCA head, has said that they are prioritising giving the players exposure to grow over merely selecting a talent pool for the 2026 T20 World Cup.”So, now we are playing a series against Australia Under-19 and luckily a lot of the guys who may miss out on the next World Cup are part of this series,” Laxman said on the sidelines of the inauguration of the new state-of-the-art National Cricket Academy which will be known as the ‘Centre of Excellence’ in Bengaluru.”So overall the exposure is there and they also are not only restricted or constrained only for the World Cup. We want them to evolve as cricketers and just because someone played India Under-19 or someone didn’t play India Under-19 doesn’t mean that they won’t progress in their career but if they play at the highest level, understand the pressures of a World Cup I think that will enhance their mental strength and also progress as cricketers.”VVS Laxman, the head of the National Cricket Academy of India, and Hrishikesh Kanitkar, the head coach of India Under-19, have a chat•ICC/Getty ImagesIndia Under-19 coach Kanitkar eager to test out his players in red-ball cricketThe first youth Test against Australia Under-19s, which will begin at Chepauk on Monday, will be India colts’ first four-dayer in more than five years. Kanitkar also talked up the exposure the Indian players would get, in red-ball cricket, against some Australian players who are on the fringes of Sheffield Shield selection.”I think it’s a great initiative to play Test games because red-ball [cricket] really tests you,” Kanitkar said. “There’s enough time for the bowlers to plan and [make] strategies. So, for both batters and bowlers and even fielders it’s the ideal challenge to see where you stand. I think to be able to play against a foreign side is a great thing. I know a lot of people, including myself who played Under-19 cricket against foreign teams and it really helped us a lot. So, I think it’s going to be magnificent for the players.”India Under-19s go into the four-dayers on the back of a 3-0 sweep in the one-dayers in Puducherry. Kanitkar was happy with the gains India Under-19s had made in those three games, but with Chennai receiving some spells of rain over the past week, to go with extremely high humidity, he was wary of the conditions at Chepauk.”They’re confident and we’ve had a good one-day series,” Kanitkar said. “Having said that, this is a different format altogether. Everything changes and the place is different. So, it’s better to take good things from that and leave the highs back and prepare again.”Pondicherry was hot as well. It’s very similar [in Chennai], so weather-wise, we’re fine. The pitch is obviously different and we will have a look again tomorrow morning. Let’s see if it rains overnight or not because it’s hot and humid.”

Celtic are in the midst of building for the new campaign and are now closing in on a winger who would provide a much-needed fresh face in the wake of a key departure, according to a report.

Nicolas Kuhn's Celtic exit prompts frantic transfer movement

After 18 successful months in Glasgow, Nicolas Kuhn is joining Como from the Scottish Premiership champions in a deal that will see the Bhoys earn a tidy profit on the former Germany Under-20 international, who was brought in from Rapid Vienna for £3 million.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed the Celtic winger’s departure on social media platform X, stating: “Nicolas Kühn, on his way to Italy as he signs in as new Como player on €19m from Celtic. Agreement done as revealed last week and Kühn on his way with agent Fabian Dingler. Here we go, confirmed.”

Leaving Brendan Rodgers short of options out wide, the Bhoys have reacted by putting in a bid for Rapid Vienna star Isak Jansson, who could follow in Kuhn’s footsteps by leaving the Austrian Bundesliga side for Parkhead.

Their offer is said to be in the £2.5 million range, though an unnamed side have put forward a £3.4 million proposal for the Swede, potentially sparking a bidding war between interested parties.

Attacking reinforcements appear likely to arrive sooner rather than later, with Celtic also focused on deals for Kawasaki Frontale striker Shin Yamada and Napoli’s Giuseppe Ambrosino.

Celtic’s opening five matches of their Scottish Premiership title defence

St Mirren (H)

Celtic Park

Aberdeen (A)

Pittodrie

Livingston (H)

Celtic Park

Rangers (A)

Ibrox

Kilmarnock (A)

Rugby Park

Following an end to last term that felt like a slight grind to a halt, new faces are needed to provide a spark once again and the Bhoys are now close to landing a key target, per recent developments.

Celtic close to signing Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha

According to Voetbalkrant, Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha is close to joining Celtic and Marc Overmars is keen to push through a deal swiftly so the Belgian Pro League outfit can begin to work on incomings.

Financially, Antwerp are in a position where they need to sell before they can buy, and it appears that the Bhoys are now on the verge of taking the 24-year-old off their hands for a ‘hefty sum’ of money.

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Enjoying a productive campaign, Balikwisha registered four goals and three assists in 18 appearances across 2024/25. However, injuries have limited his scope to make a greater impact over the last couple of years.

Either way, Celtic are now set to land a key reinforcement out wide and one they have targeted for a long time, providing an injection of quality once Kuhn completes his move to Como.

Time is of the essence for the Bhoys ahead of their Champions League playoff tie in August, so fans will be waiting with anticipation hoping an announcement will soon follow.

With Alexander Isak pushing for a move away from Tyneside, Newcastle United are faced with the difficult task of replacing one of the Premier League’s most technically gifted forwards.

The Swede’s blend of elegance, close control, and clinical finishing has made him a central figure in Eddie Howe’s system. Now, with Liverpool preparing a formal bid, Newcastle are already planning for life without their star striker.

In searching for a successor, Newcastle are looking for someone who shares Isak’s key qualities and possesses the potential to develop into one of the league’s leading strikers.

The forward they’ve identified ticks those boxes…

Latest on Newcastle's search to replace Isak

The bombshell news broke on Thursday that the Magpies’ main man is intent on leaving the club, having thus far failed to commit to a new deal at St James’ Park.

With that in mind, Newcastle are preparing to present their long-term project to Benjamin Šeško, the 21-year-old Slovenian striker currently at RB Leipzig, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Transfer Focus

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

After monitoring his progress since his RB Salzburg days, and previously attempting to sign him in 2022, the club are once again pushing to secure his signature.

With Leipzig finishing seventh in the Bundesliga and tumbling out of the Champions League early, the timing aligns perfectly.

His contract runs until 2029, but a £60m bid, down from the £85m figure previously quoted, could now be enough to secure his services.

Why Šeško is the perfect Isak replacement

With Isak’s departure appearing increasingly likely, Šeško is seen as the ideal successor. Standing at 194cm, he matches Isak’s physical presence but adds an impressive mix of speed, agility, and strength.

Despite operating in a Leipzig side that underperformed last season, his displays in the Bundesliga only strengthened his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young centre-forwards.

Owing to his blend of pace and a towering frame, football talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him the “new Erling Haaland” – though Šeško’s style is notably more measured and refined.

While his overall numbers may fall short of Isak’s, they paint the picture of a striker not just keeping pace with the Premier League star, but exceeding expectations in less favourable circumstances.

The comparisons between the two are striking.

As per Transfermarkt, Šeško scored 21 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions last season, including 13 in the Bundesliga. Though he registered fewer total goal involvements than Isak (18 vs. 29), his efficiency in front of goal was impressive.

He scored 11 non-penalty goals from 8.4 expected, a sharp overperformance that suggests a striker with strong finishing instincts.

That ability to convert is reflected in his other shooting metrics.

According to data from FBref, Šeško averaged 2.5 shots per 90, compared to Isak’s 3.1, and put 43.9% of them on target, a touch higher than Isak’s 43.2%. Though he operates with slightly lower volume, the Slovenian is equally efficient, a valuable trait for a forward potentially operating in a Newcastle team that created fewer clear chances than some of their top-six rivals last season.

Šeško’s pace also adds a key dimension. At Salzburg, he was clocked at 36.11 km/h — one of the fastest top-level strikers in Europe.

In terms of buildup and link play, he’s still developing.

The same data showed that he averaged 15.7 completed passes per 90 with a 67.6% completion rate, lower than Isak’s 17 passes at 75.3%. But he’s competent at holding the ball up and offers glimpses of becoming a more rounded playmaker, something reflected in his 1.74 progressive passes per 90 and 1.93 shot-creating actions.

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

Perhaps most importantly, he appears ready to take the next step. Though he hasn’t agitated for a move, reports in Germany suggest Šeško views a switch to the Premier League as a logical progression.

Arsenal had previously shown strong interest, preferring him to Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres due to his age. However, they stepped back, paving the way for Newcastle to step in and pitch themselves as the perfect platform.

There’s also a stylistic harmony between Šeško and Howe’s approach. Like Isak, he offers vertical threat and mobility, capable of drifting into wide channels to stretch defences and creating space for others.

His pressing numbers are low (just 0.11 tackles in the attacking third per 90, compared to Isak’s 0.23), but his energy and willingness to learn could suit the high-intensity demands at St James’ Park.

With Chelsea target Xavi Simons already edging toward the Leipzig exit and interest in Loïs Openda growing, it feels like the Bundesliga club are bracing for change.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are ready to capitalise — seeing Šeško not just as a replacement for Isak, but a long-term centrepiece for their next phase.

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Australia allrounder Cameron Green’s chances of playing any part in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have all but disappeared with back surgery emerging as a possibility following his latest injury.Surgery is a legitimate option but it is among a host of recovery plans that are still being worked out by Cricket Australia’s medical and high performance team following Green’s injury on the UK limited-overs tour.Green flew home from the UK after complaining of back soreness following the third ODI against England at Chester-le-Street. He had a scan in England and in Australia on return but CA’s medical team have taken their time in assessing how to move forward with no formal plan yet released.Related

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Green, 25, has had four previous stress fractures but none since 2019 and has been managed very carefully through his first four years in international cricket.If surgery is decided as the option, it would rule him out of the entire summer. If a non-surgical recovery plan is taken there is a possibility he could still play cricket this summer as a batter only, but the timeframe on when he would be available is still to be determined.Green’s absence from the series would pave the way for Australia to reshuffle the batting order and allow Steven Smith to move back to No.4. An indication of his batting position for the series is set to come when he returns to Sheffield Shield cricket for New South Wales on Sunday October against Victoria at the MCG.If Green is unavailable, and Smith moves to four, it opens the door for an opener to be picked from Shield cricket with Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw all in the running as they were last summer before Smith put his hand up to open.Harris made the perfect start to the Shield season scoring 143 for Victoria against Tasmania, but it has come on a very placid pitch at the Junction Oval where in-from Tasmania allrounder Beau Webster has also scored a century. Bancroft and Renshaw both made low scores in the first innings of the match between Western Australia and Queensland at the WACA ground.

When Liverpool announced the arrival of Hugo Ekitike earlier this week, it would have been easy to assume that the Reds had ended their search for a striker. But since then, there has been an almighty twist to the tale.

As reported by David Ornstein and the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, Alexander Isak now wants to leave Newcastle United this summer and explore options elsewhere. The Swede was sent home from the Magpies’ friendly against Celtic amid all the speculation, before being left out of their Asia tour courtesy of a ‘thigh injury’.

However, it has since emerged that Isak was left out of the tour after his request to leave St James’ Park ahead of next season. It’s an undeniable blow for the Magpies – their biggest yet in a summer full of disappointment – but Newcastle’s loss could quickly become Liverpool’s gain.

Liverpool informed Newcastle before signing Ekitike that they were willing to break their club record for the second time this summer to sign Isak in a £120m deal. And whilst that becomes more difficult after splashing out £69m to welcome their new French forward, fresh sales could yet leave Liverpool in dreamland.

With the potential to have both Isak and Ekitike at their disposal, AI assistant Grok has predicted and ranked the different formations that Liverpool could use to incorporate the two forwards.

3 4-4-2 (dual strikers)

The natural way to accommodate two talented strikers would be to play the trusty and reliable 4-4-2. The sytem would be a new one for Arne Slot, but could be one worth playing if he is to get the best out of Isak and Ekitike.

In this formation, Isak would likely take up the role of primary goalscorer whilst Ekitike takes up the job of chief creator. The latter’s task would be to drop slightly deeper into the No.10 role or even the false 9 role that Liverpool fans will know so well from Roberto Firmino’s time at the club and provide the link between midfield and attack.

Isak, meanwhile, would be asked to do the very thing that only Mohamed Salah did better than him in the Premier League last season and that’s score goals. The big questions here, though, would be whether Slot would be willing to sacrifice his numbers in midfield and just where he would find a place for Florian Wirtz.

2 4-2-3-1 (Ekitike as No.10)

There is, of course, another way around this. Liverpool could simply revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation – which they used at times last season to great success – and utilise Ekitike as a No.10. The former Frankfurt forward would then have Isak in front of him and likely Cody Gakpo and Salah beside him.

Suddenly, Slot would have a scintilating front four all featuring at once. The last time that Liverpool had something close to such attacking quality were the few months prior to Philippe Coutinho’s exit when the Brazilian stood alongside Salah, Sadio Mane and Firmino. Years later, however, Anfield could be about to see that front four eclipsed.

Alas, there are some downsides to the 4-2-3-1. Where would Wirtz slot in? Liverpool broke the British transfer record to sign the German and for very good reason. There’s no disputing that he should be an instant starter. What’s more, there would be question marks over Ekitike’s ability to remain consistent as No.10 with such little experience in the role.

The Frenchman would be shoe-horned in more than anything and there’s certainly a better way for Slot to get the best out of every one of his stars if Liverpool sign Isak.

1 4-3-3 (Ekitike wide left)

Another option, and one that Slot is more familiar with, would be a 4-3-3 with Ekitike playing out wide. Forming a front three between Ekitike, Isak and Salah, the Reds would have their best trio since Mane, Firmino and Salah and one that would arguably be capable of putting up similar numbers.

Given that Luis Diaz could yet join Bayern Munich in a big-money deal this summer too, moving Ekitike into his left-wing spot would certainly make sense. There may be some concerns that the Frenchman lacks experience in the role, given that he played just 5% of his minutes at Eintracht Frankfurt on the wing, but he certainly has the creative talent.

With 12 assists to his name last season, Ekitike could provide a similar threat to Cody Gakpo by cutting in from the left-hand side using his physical stature. Isak, meanwhile, would once again benefit from the No.9 role, whilst Wirtz could take his much-needed role in midfield.

In terms of familiarity and player roles, utilising a 4-3-3 looks like the best way that Slot would be able to take a squad full of stars to a second-consecutive Premier League title.