Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has shared news live from outside St James’ Park on Friday afternoon after Liverpool’s opening bid for Alexander Isak was rejected.

David Ornstein revealed earlier on Friday that the Magpies were swift to refuse the Reds’ first official offer for the Swedish superstar, which is believed to be in the region on £110m-£120m.

There are rumours Isak has already agreed personal terms on a move to Anfield, and Downie, speaking live on Sky Sports, has now revealed the next steps.

Second Liverpool bid being prepared "as we speak"

“We expect Liverpool to come back in with a second formal offer, they’re preparing that formal offer as we speak. But Newcastle standing firm, rejecting the first one,” said the North East based journalist.

He continued: “This could be the biggest transfer of the summer. It would be a Premier League record if Liverpool were to get their man.”

There has of course been plenty of conversations around how the Swede would fit with Hugo Ekitike, who arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth £79m if add-ons are met.

BBC tactics writer Alex Keble has suggested using Isak as the out and out number nine, with the Frenchman deployed from the left.

One thing is for sure, Isak would bring the guaranteed clinical finisher Liverpool thought they were buying with Darwin Nunez three summers ago.

The Uruguay international, who is expected to depart this summer if Isak joins, scored five Premier League goals last season from 5.8 expected based on the quality of his chances. Newcastle’s star man on the other hand managed 23 strikes from an expected goals of 20.3, and he has now out-performed his xG in all three of his seasons in England.

Isak is thought to be training alone in Spain in a bid to be ready for his big switch, with Newcastle captain Kieran Trippier commenting on the situation earlier this week: “Alex has got a thigh injury – that is the reality.

“Personally, I think there is no point him coming out here if he can’t play in any games.

“He is doing rehab. But we have to do what we have to do with the players we have got, Sean Neave came on and done very well, young kid who has done well.

“We have tough games coming, but we stick together now as a team, and hopefully Alex will come back when he is fully fit.”

يخوض الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، مبارة قوية من العيار الثقيل أمام منافسه الزمالك، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع الزمالك، على أرضية استاد القاهرة الدولي، ضمن منافسات الجولة التاسعة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

طالع | تشكيل الأهلي أمام الزمالك في الدوري المصري.. القوة الضاربة

يدخل الأهلي المباراة محتلاً المركز الثامن بجدول ترتيب الدوري المصري برصيد 12 نقطة، جمعها من 7 مباريات، حقق الفوز في 3 لقاءات، وتعادل في مثلها، بينما تلقى هزيمة واحدة.

طالع أيضاً.. على رأسهم زيزو.. 6 غيابات عن الأهلي أمام الزمالك في الدوري المصري

على الجانب الأخر، يحتل الزمالك صدارة ترتيب جدول الدوري المصري برصيد 17 نقطة من 8 مباريات، فاز في 5، وتعادل في 2، وتلقى هزيمة.

وأظهرت تدريبات الأخير ملامح التشكيل المتوقع للأهلي الذي سيخوض به عماد النحاس مباراة الزمالك. تشكيل الأهلي المتوقع أمام الزمالك في الدوري

حراسة المرمى: محمد الشناوي.

خط الدفاع: أحمد نبيل كوكا – ياسر إبراهيم – أحمد رمضان بيكهام – محمد هاني.

خط الوسط: مروان عطية – أليو ديانج – محمد علي بن رمضان – محمود حسن تريزيجيه – طاهر محمد طاهر.

خط الهجوم: محمد شريف.

Carlo Ancelotti fired a warning to Neymar regarding his selection in Brazil's World Cup squad after he admitted that the Santos star is not guaranteed a place in his plans for next summer's tournament. Since taking charge of the Selecao earlier in the summer, Ancelotti has omitted Neymar from his squads for the June and September international breaks.

• Why wasn't Neymar picked in Brazil squad?

  Neymar was one of several household names to be left out of the Brazil squad for their most recent round of the World Cup qualifiers. While the head coach had explained that the attacker was overlooked due to fitness issues, the 33-year-old contradicted the coach's statement by claiming that he was left out due to technical issues.

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  Ancelotti's issues warning to Neymar

  Ancelotti has now warned Neymar that he could be left out of the final Selecao squad for the World Cup and his selection will entirely depend on his physical condition. The Italian coach also revealed the positions he would deploy the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star in.

• What did Ancelotti say about Neymar's selection?

  Speaking to , the Italian coach said: "We are not going to observe how Neymar plays, obviously. Everyone knows his talent. In modern football, to take advantage of his talent, the player has to be in good physical condition. If he is in his best physical condition, he will have no problems being in the national team. Everyone wants Neymar in the national team in good physical condition. I spoke with him, and I said 'you have time to prepare in the best way to be there and help the team try to do their best in the World Cup.'"

  He added: "I spoke with him. He came to the hotel before the game against Paraguay [in June] and we talked about it. [I would select him] as an attacking midfielder or striker. He has to play centrally, he can't play on the outside because modern football needs forwards who have physical quality, it's very important. He can play as an attacking midfielder without problems."

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  When is Neymar next playing for Santos?

  The superstar will be back in action for Santos this Sunday as the club face Atletico Mineiro in a Brazilian Serie A clash. He will hope to stay fit in the coming months and prove himself to his international manager.

Klinger will combine role with coaching positions in the WPL and WBBL

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Nov-2024

Michael Klinger, the former Australia batter, has been named head coach of Manchester Originals women’s team, replacing Stephen Parry in the role.Klinger has juggled a number of coaching and administrative jobs since finishing his playing career in 2019. He currently coaches WPL team Gujarat Giants, is general manager of Washington Freedom in MLC, and assistant coach at Sydney Thunder in the WBBL.He was previously head of men’s T20 for Cricket New South Wales and coached Melbourne Renegades in the BBL between 2019 and 2021.”This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for me, and I am eagerly looking forward to arriving at Emirates Old Trafford next summer,” Klinger said. “The Originals women have an extremely talented group of players, and we will have the opportunity to add to that with the squad retentions and draft coming up early next year.”I hope that I can help the team to push on, achieve our ambitions and bring success to Manchester in the Hundred women’s competition.”Originals finished seventh and sixth in their two seasons under Parry and are the only team in the women’s Hundred never to have qualified for the knockouts.James Sheridan, Manchester Originals chair, said: “We are delighted to bring one of the world’s leading franchise cricket coaches to the group as part of our ambition to provide our fans with the very best cricket stars and sporting entertainment in Manchester every August.”Michael was the outstanding candidate throughout the process – led by Mark Chilton – and will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, across both women’s and men’s cricket, with him to Manchester Originals next summer.”This appointment marks the start of a new era for the team, and we are extremely excited by what this group of players can achieve under Michael’s leadership.”

“Quicks will get a bit out of it, spinners will be able to get height and bounce, but also important for us to get some partnerships in,” says the curator about the pitch

Alagappan Muthu04-Dec-20247:56

KL Rahul: ‘Focus is on winning each session and not worry about whole game’

Forty-eight hours from the start of the day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide, India know what their batting order is going to look like, particularly who their openers are going to be.”I’ve been told [my position],” KL Rahul, who began the Border-Gavaskar series as opener, said on Wednesday. “But I’ve also been told not to share it. We’ll have to wait for day one or maybe when the captain [Rohit Sharma] comes here tomorrow.”So it seems Rohit, who has been a regular for India at the top of the order for the last five years, has made his decision. He batted at No. 4 in Canberra, where Virat Kohli didn’t take part in the practice game against a Prime Minister’s XI. That was the only opportunity India had to face the pink ball in a match situation and it feels telling that they were happy with Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top.Related

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India have since moved to Adelaide and spent two sessions at the nets, getting used to the rhythms of day-night cricket, and they have found it quite enlightening. Rahul said it hasn’t always been straightforward to see the ball out of the hand. Mohammed Siraj said holding it in the hand can feel a bit weird at the start. Those are steps one and two of batting and bowling and they are almost having to re-learn it. Only eight members of this squad have ever played day-night Test cricket and of those only three – Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and R Ashwin – have experienced the quirks of this format in Australia.These quirks rise out of the pink ball having a few extra layers of lacquer to protect it from wearing and tearing too quickly and that seems to have a significant impact in the way it behaves. “[It] seems a bit harder than the red ball,” Rahul said. “While fielding as well, you can feel it hitting your hand a lot. A lot quicker and a lot harder. Same with batting. It just seems to get to you much quicker than the red ball.”It does seam around a little bit more than the red ball [too]. So that’s the challenge we’re looking forward to. For me it’s exciting because it’s my first pink-ball game. So I’m going in with a clean state. I’ll go there and see what really happens. And try and face up to whatever comes my way.

“We’ve seen enough day-nighters to know that if you get the new rock under lights with two new batters in, that it can be very tricky”Damian Hough, the Adelaide curator

“These few days have only been about understanding how the ball reacts. And how easy or hard it is to play against the pink ball. If you look at all the games that have been played with the pink ball, it hasn’t really lasted a long time.”So that tells you that there will be a lot of help for the fast bowlers. And there will be a lot of seam movement. That’s something that we faced even in the nets. But that happened even in Perth on day one. There was a lot of seam movement. And I’m sure that will be the same [in Adelaide].”There are strategies unique to day-night Test cricket as well. Australia, who have won every day-night match in Adelaide, typically try to bat first, bat big, and set themselves up to bowl at twilight on day two. The 15-20 minutes leading into sunset – which will be around 8pm local time – and the 15-20 minutes after that are the times teams pay particular attention to.”It’s just getting used to seeing the ball off someone’s hand and just getting used to that,” Rahul said. “And I feel like that’s step one of a batter. If you can pick that, then you give yourself the best chance to react and be in good positions. So yeah, that’s been something that all batters have been speaking about and trying to play a lot more balls so that you get used to it.”The curator Damian Hough will be leaving 6mm of grass on the Adelaide pitch – same as the 36 all out game and same as a few nail-biting games in the Sheffield Shield this season. South Australia hung on for a nervy draw against Western Australia in the closing stages of day four, helped a little bit by some rain. There are thundershowers forecast for Friday, the first day of the Test match, but from there on the weather should be clear and conducive for cricket.”Everything seems to stay the same,” Hough said about the pitch he is preparing. “So it’s, of course, matted grass, even grass cover, good, deep moisture, but dry and hard. So, something where quicks will get a bit out of it, spinners will be able to get some height and bounce, but also important for [batters] to get some partnerships in at the most, and be able to play their shots.”Both teams have, like, elite bowlers, world-class bowlers. I mean, we’ve seen enough day-nighters to know that if you get the new rock under lights with two new batters in, that it can be very tricky. So, you know, the teams obviously play that game and adapt and are quite tactical when they do that. If there’s an opportunity to get the new ball under lights, it’ll be tricky. So if they don’t, which the Shield pitch showed, that if you didn’t get the new ball under lights and you had a couple of set batters in, you’re able to see through some night-time cricket.”

Everton’s resurgence under David Moyes last season brought much-needed optimism back to Goodison Park.

A 13th-place finish may not look glamorous on paper, but the club’s climb away from the relegation battle during the second half of the campaign provided a foundation to build on.

This summer has therefore been about capitalising on that momentum, ensuring Moyes has the tools to push his side into the top half of the table. Some progress has already been made.

Carlos Alcaraz, who impressed on loan last term, has joined permanently from Flamengo, while Thierno Barry has been signed from Villarreal.

The blockbuster coup came in the form of Jack Grealish, brought in on loan from Manchester City after being told by Thomas Tuchel that regular football would be vital if he is to stake his claim for a World Cup place.

But while Grealish’s arrival has stolen the headlines, Everton still have one glaring vacancy: the right wing.

The Toffees’ search for an answer has been dominated by their pursuit of Southampton teenager Tyler Dibling, but their multiple bids have all been rejected.

That has led them towards a player closer to home – one who could provide the pace, power, and creativity Moyes craves on the right-hand side of his attack.

Everton step up interest in Championship star

According to EFL Analysis, Everton are lining up a move for Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu, who has an estimated price tag of around £10 million.

The Ghanaian international has long been admired for his dynamism in the final third, and with Leicester struggling financially after a turbulent few years, his name is firmly on Moyes’ shortlist.

Leicester’s transfer business has been telling.

The Foxes missed out on Richard Kone, who opted for QPR, and there are fears that further sales may be required with Valencia circling around Harry Winks and Patson Daka.

Against this backdrop, Everton see Fatawu as a realistic target. The 21-year-old joined Leicester permanently from Sporting Lisbon in 2024 after an impressive loan spell in the Championship.

Transfer Focus

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

His raw pace and ability to stretch defences made him one of the most exciting young wingers in the league. Talent scout Jacek Kulig went as far as to call him “unplayable.”

Everton are not alone in monitoring the situation, though. Aston Villa could enter the race should Leon Bailey depart for AS Roma, though for now it is Everton who have shown the most concrete interest.

Why Fatawu would be a big upgrade on Harrison

The potential signing of Fatawu would inevitably draw comparisons with Jack Harrison, who occupied Everton’s right flank for much of last season while on loan from Leeds United.

Harrison has since returned to Elland Road, leaving Moyes short of options in that role.

Statistically, the contrast between the two players is stark. Harrison, now 28, managed just one goal and one assist across 34 Premier League appearances last season, per Sofascore.

While his work ethic has never been in question, his lack of end product often left Everton blunt in attack.

Fatawu, by contrast, offers significantly higher upside.

At 21, his dribbling and progressive carrying ability are among the best in Europe, while his tackling and defensive numbers suggest he could thrive in Moyes’ high-intensity structure.

He is also far more direct, always looking to beat his man and create overloads in the final third.

On the international stage, Fatawu already has 19 caps for Ghana, scoring twice, and is seen as a rising star in African football. His progress, however, was disrupted by a cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for 29 matches last season.

What makes him particularly attractive to Everton is his statistical profile.

Few young wingers in Europe rank as highly across so many metrics.

Abdul Fatawu – Stats 2024/25

Progressive carries per 90

6.53

Successful take-ons per 90

4.51

Tackles per 90

3.26

Clearances per 90

1.87

Aerial duels won per 90

2.18

Such numbers point to a winger who is not only explosive going forward but also relentless in his defensive contribution.

For Moyes, whose system demands a high work rate from his wide players, that blend is invaluable.

Moreover, his profile mirrors that of players such as Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest) and Brentford-bound Dango Ouattara – both highly sought-after wide players whose blend of speed and physicality has become increasingly valuable in the Premier League.

For a relatively modest £10 million outlay, Everton would be securing a player whose trajectory points sharply upwards.

The risk, of course, lies in his injury record.

But his recovery has shown encouraging signs, and at his age, there is reason to believe he can overcome those setbacks.

Landing Fatawu would also send a message.

Everton have already made a statement by bringing in Grealish, but supplementing that with a hungry, high-ceiling talent on the opposite wing would transform the look of their attack.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin departing as a free agent and Abdoulaye Doucouré also moving on, Moyes is in the process of reshaping his squad.

Fatawu fits the mould of what Everton need: energy, unpredictability and a dash of star potential.

Their opening fixture at Elland Road against Leeds will be an early test, but the season is long, and depth across the wide positions will be crucial.

He's another Grealish: Everton in the race to sign "world-class" £25m star

Everton are eyeing a Jack Grealish repeat in a swoop to sign this star.

ByWill Miller Aug 16, 2025

Fatawu may not be the finished product, but as an upgrade on Harrison and a player with genuine resale value, he could be one of the smartest additions of Everton’s summer.

Arsenal have announced that former Rangers winger Archie Stevens is now a Gunners player, with the promising forward signing a professional contract with the Premier League giants. The talented teenager saw his time in Scotland brought to a close when walking away from Ibrox upon the expiration of his deal in Glasgow over the summer – making him a free agent.

Senior debut at 16 & then released

Stevens, who has represented England at U17 and U18 level, now finds himself back in his homeland. He made just one senior appearance for Rangers, in a Scottish League Cup clash with Queens of the South in August 2022 – when he was just 16 years of age.

AdvertisementGettySenior experience: Useful loan taken in

A loan spell was taken in at Dunfermline Athletic of the Scottish Championship last season, allowing more useful game time to be seen. Stevens will now be dropping back from senior action and into the U21 ranks at Arsenal.

Mertesacker impressed with new arrival

Terms have been presented to him after impressing during a trial spell. Arsenal’s academy manager Per Mertesacker has told the club’s : “Since Archie has been with us, he has really impressed as a person and player. He has fit into our environment seamlessly and has been really impressive in matches and in training. Archie has absolutely earned this next stage in his career with his professional contract with us. We welcome Archie to our Academy and are all looking forward to working with him in his continued development.”

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Goal account opened in friendly

Stevens said of lining up against Chelmsford City and Monaco II in pre-season friendlies, with the target being found against French opposition: “My first game was against Chelmsford in pre-season, I think I gave a good account of myself. Then we had the Monaco game out in France, which was a great opportunity. I came on in the last 30 minutes, so I wanted to make an impact. I saw the ball come to me in quite a wide area, but I thought I need to get something away, whether it’s a shot or a pass and I went for goal.”

He added on his ambition: “I can't wait to show what I can do. Obviously, it's such a massive club, so it's a dream come true to be here, I'm just grateful for the opportunity.”