The pair also put on the second-highest partnership in all men’s T20 cricket: 241
ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jan-2025
Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das put on 241 – the second-highest stand in men’s T20s•Dhaka Capitals
This morning, Litton Das was left out of Bangladesh’s squad for the Champion’s Trophy 2025. By the evening, he was taking his frustrations – if any – out on Durbar Rajshahi at the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He slammed his maiden T20 hundred and batted through the innings for Dhaka Capitals, finishing on 125 not out off 55 balls with ten fours and nine sixes and a strike rate of 227.27. At his side for most of this was Tanzid Hasan, who will be going to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The pair added 241 off 118 – the second-highest stand in all men’s T20 cricket – and Dhaka finished with 254 for 1, which is the highest total in the BPL.Related
Litton Das: 'I was dropped because I wasn't performing'
Litton and Shakib left out of Bangladesh's Champions Trophy squad
Litton got to his hundred off 44 balls, which makes it the second-fastest by a Bangladeshi player in men’s T20s, behind Parvez Hossain’s 42-ball hundred for Fortune Barishal in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup in December 2020. He finished fourth on the list of highest scores at the BPL, behind two efforts from Chris Gayle and one from Tamim Iqbal.Rajshahi had elected to bowl in the game and it seemed like a sound decision when Dhaka got to 22 for 0 after four overs. But then Tanzid took 21 off a Sunzamul Islam over, and Dhaka never looked back. By the end of this over, the fifth, Litton was 10 off 9, but he got going in the next, the last of the Powerplay, hitting SM Meherob for 4, 6, 4 off consecutive deliveries.Litton Das got to his hundred off 44 balls, the second-fastest by a Bangladeshi in men’s T20s•Dhaka Capitals
Litton brought up his fifty in the ninth over, with a six off a no-ball. By the end of ten overs Dhaka were 115 for 0 and they just kept going. Tanzid also brought up his fifty with a six, off Ryan Burl to end the 11th. Litton continued the pair’s pattern of bringing up their landmarks with a boundary, getting to his hundred in the 16th with a four off Shafiul Islam.Tanzid completed the set in the final over, taking four first ball to bring up his hundred, before hitting Shafiul for six more and then holing out for 108 off 64 balls (six fours, eight sixes, strike rate 168.75).By then Dhaka already had the record for highest total in the BPL, and the wicket hardly slowed them down with Sabbir Rahman and Litton hitting one more six apiece to close out the innings on a dazzling 254 for 1.In response, Rajshahi quickly wilted, falling to 34 for 5 before an unbeaten 47 from Ryan Burl held off the inevitable. Eventually, they were bowled out for 105 in the 16th over, falling short of their target by 150 runs.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has delivered a fiery warning to Barcelona ahead of their Champions League opener, insisting the Spanish heavyweights won’t find life easy at St James’ Park. The Magpies icon, speaking ahead of Thursday night’s clash, believes his old club are more than capable of denting Barca’s campaign and snatching vital points on home soil.
St James' Park ready to erupt
The Magpies return to Europe’s top table after finishing fifth in last season’s Premier League, their qualification only confirmed in a nail-biting finale. Despite a final-day defeat to Everton, Aston Villa’s loss at Manchester United saved Newcastle’s European dream. Now, the black-and-white faithful are preparing to unleash a thunderous atmosphere as last season’s La Liga winners roll into Tyneside.
AdvertisementAFPBarca arrive as favourites – but are not untouchable
Hansi Flick’s men are among the bookies’ frontrunners to lift the trophy after storming La Liga last season and reaching the Champions League semi-finals. Yet Shearer believes reputation counts for little under the lights at St James’ Park.
"It's a tough one to predict. I guess Barcelona, because of their history and everything else, may be slight favourites but it'll be a really interesting and tough game," he told "It's a tough one to predict but I think Newcastle, at home, will make it as tough as possible, and I think they'll get something out of the game. I think it may be a draw."
New format could boost Newcastle's chances
Shearer believes the revamped Champions League format could play straight into Newcastle’s hands. The group stage has been scrapped, replaced with a league system that rewards consistency and resilience.
"This new format will suit Newcastle better because they'll be really tough to beat at St James' Park," he opined. "I think I'm like the vast majority in that the format worked last season. It was much better, more exciting and there was more to play for. If I'm right in saying, 11 points was enough to get in the top 24 so I'd be hopeful that Newcastle could do that. I guess getting 12 would most-likely guarantee you getting through but 11 gives you a good chance."
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Getty Images SportEurope braced for a black-and-white shock?
Barcelona are arriving as favourites, but as Shearer notes, they face an almighty task to kick off their European campaign. With Lamine Yamal out injured, their task is that much harder.
West Ham United have now suddenly become serious contenders for the signature of an “exceptional” ace, who plays for a rival Premier League club.
Potter under pressure after torrid start to the season
West Ham couldn’t have gotten off to a much worse start to the new Premier League campaign, suffering a 3-0 defeat at home against Sunderland on the opening day, before being turned over 5-1 at home against rivals Chelsea last Friday.
Speaking after the defeat against the Blues, Graham Potter admitted that both him and his squad need to turn things around soon, saying: “It was too easy to score against us so I take my responsibility and I have to do better. That is the case with all the players. They are honest and want to do more than they are at the moment.”
However, Premier League managers are not often blessed with a lot of time to put things right, so the manager is looking to inject some fresh quality into his squad before the rapidly approaching transfer deadline, with a new midfielder believed to be of interest.
West Ham United managerGrahamPotterbefore the match
That is according to a report from The Boot Room, which states Potter wants to bolster his options in the engine room as a result of the poor start to the campaign, with West Ham suddenly now serious contenders to sign Tottenham Hotspur’s Yves Bissouma.
Tottenham are eager to move Bissouma on this summer, as he has fallen out of favour with Thomas Frank, and the Hammers would be open to a deal if their rivals decide to make the central midfielder available on loan.
Potter knows the Spurs midfielder well, having worked with him during his time at Brighton & Hove Albion, before opting to sell the Mali international to the north Londoners for a fee of £25m.
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2 ByKelan Sarson Aug 25, 2025 "Exceptional" Bissouma could reignite career at the London Stadium
There may be some concerns over the signing of the 28-year-old, given that he was publicly criticised by Frank for turning up late several times this summer, but there are indications the former Brighton man could be a solid option for the Hammers.
The Ivory Coast-born maestro was particularly impressive during his time working under Potter with the Seagulls, with Gary Lineker describing him as “exceptional” courtesy of a solid display against Everton.
Not only that, but the Tottenham ace has continued to impress from a defensive point of view over the past year, performing well across some key metrics, when compared to other midfielders.
Statistic
Average per 90
Tackles
3.11 (91st percentile)
Interceptions
1.40 (85th percentile)
Clearances
2.70 (93rd percentile)
As such, should Bissouma become available on loan, he could be a solid addition to West Ham’s squad, with Potter’s side clearly in need of some more defensive solidity, having shipped a whopping eight goals in their opening two Premier League matches.
أثيرت خلال الساعات الماضية تكهنات حول إمكانية تولي الألماني، رالف رانجنيك، مدرب منتخب النمسا، تدريب النادي الأهلي، بعد تداول أنباء عن عرضه على إدارة القلعة الحمراء من جانب بعض الوكلاء.
وجاءت تلك الأنباء بالتزامن مع ما نشره موقع “ترانسفيرماركت”، الذي أشار إلى أن عقد رانجنيك مع منتخب النمسا ينتهي في 31 ديسمبر المقبل، ما زاد من الشكوك حول مستقبله التدريبي.
لكن المدير الفني لمنتخب النمسا، رالف رانجنيك، حسم الجدل تمامًا في تصريحات خاصة لـ بطولات، مؤكدًا أنه لا صحة إطلاقًا لما تردد بشأن تدريبه الأهلي خلال الفترة المقبلة.
وقال رانجنيك نصًا: “مستحيل هذا يحدث، لأنني مستمر مع منتخب النمسا، وعقدي لا ينتهي في 31 ديسمبر المقبل بل بعد كأس العالم في يوليو 2026”.
ويركز رانجنيك بشكل كامل مع منتخب النمسا، خاصة بعد النتائج المميزة في تصفيات كأس العالم، حيث ينافس على صدارة مجموعته برصيد 12 نقطة من أربع مباريات بالتساوي مع البوسنة والهرسك.
وظهر رانجنيك أمس في تدريبات منتخب النمسا وهو يتنقل بعربة جولف بسبب جبيرة على كاحله، لكنه بدا في حالة معنوية مرتفعة أثناء الإشراف على المران.
وبتصريحاته الخاصة لـ بطولات، أغلق رانجنيك الباب نهائيًا أمام الشائعات، مؤكدًا أن المعلومات المنتشرة عبر المواقع غير دقيقة.
Nathan Lyon has warned Australia could still be years away from Test greatness, despite continuing their blistering summer with a record-breaking rout of Sri Lanka.Australia claimed their biggest ever win on the subcontinent, thrashing Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in the Galle series opener, only weeks after sealing their first series defeat of India in a decade.Related
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The Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph confirmed Australia’s spot in a second consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final, with the ICC’s top-ranked side winning more Test matches in the past cycle than any other team.Elder statesman Lyon saw signs of greatness in the win in Galle, where Australian appeared in control from a first over that featured three fours off Travis Head’s bat. But Lyon does not feel the current crop of Australian players can yet lay claim to being a truly great side.”We want to become a great Australian team. We’re on that journey, we’re not there yet. That’s our end goal,” he said. “Part of that journey is making sure that when we close the window, we nail it shut. It’s all about being ruthless and doing our best thing for long periods of time.”The win in Galle ensured Australia would continue to hold every bilateral trophy for which they are eligible, alongside the ODI World Cup and the WTC trophy.But Lyon was quick to point out that Australia had drawn and not won the past two Ashes series played in England, last winning outright on the road in 2001. Australia have also not won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India since Ricky Ponting’s side took out the four-match series 2-1 in 2004.Nathan Lyon took seven wickets in the first Test•AFP/Getty Images
“There’s a few things [Australia needs to achieve],” said 37-year-old Lyon. “This is only me and my thoughts as well. We’ve got some great players within that change-room, there’s no point hiding behind that. “Australia will have to wait until 2027 for chances at away series wins in India and England. The country’s greatest ever offspinner, Lyon said he “100 percent” hoped to play on that next trip to spin-friendly India as a 39-year-old.Sri Lanka may be the last time before then that Lyon has the chance to bowl in tandem with fellow offspinners Todd Murphy and Matt Kuhnemann.The trio took 17 of Australia’s 20 wickets in Galle, but the team does not have a subcontinent Test tour planned between the ongoing two-match series and India in 2027.”We’re going okay, but I still feel like we’ve got a lot of improvement to do. That’s about being ruthless,” Lyon said of the offspinning trio. “We’re three totally different bowlers with three totally different mindsets as well. I feel like I’m learning off Todd and Matt, and I feel like they’re pushing me to try and get better as well. Hopefully I’m passing on a little bit of knowledge here and there.”Lyon is mostly free of a left hip injury he suffered in the summer, though he is still in pain if he falls on the area.”But I didn’t have to land on it today, so all good,” said Lyon, who took match figures of 7 for 135 in Galle. “Apparently I ripped the deep tissue off the fascia [hip muscle], whatever that means. Apparently there was a bit of excess blood or something in there. Not ideal, but all good now.”
Atual vice-campeão, o Olaria inicia no sábado a sua caminhada na Série A2 do Campeonato Carioca diante do Americano em Campos. O time comandado pelo técnico Palinha Olivério é apontado como um dos favoritos ao acesso para a elite do futebol do Rio de Janeiro. Como ponto positivo na preparação, o clube conta com a manutenção do treinador e comissão técnica que levaram o time da rua Bariri ao título da B1 em 2021 e à ótima campanha na temporada passada na Série A2.
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A permanência do treinador é mais um sinal do novo momento vivido pelo clube. Não é segredo para ninguém que o time do subúrbio carioca vem tendo o seu futebol gerido pela RIC’S Estrelas do Esporte, empresa de marketing esportivo, que desde que chegou no azulão tem resgatado o DNA da Bariri e tem em seus pilares de gestão o trabalho com resultado em médio e longo prazo. Além da montagem do elenco, estrutura para a pré-temporada e análise de cada jogador mapeado pelo clube, a gestão tem investido pesado no departamento de futebol. Paralelo a isso, a diretoria do clube segue com a reforma do estádio Antônio Mourão Vieira Filho, que está com cara de novo para receber as partidas da equipe.
+ Fique por dentro dos confrontos das oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil
– Estamos tocando um projeto audacioso e com planejamento bem definido. Hoje temos a comissão técnica e 80% do grupo que foi mantido da última temporada. É um trabalho executado com muita dedicação e profissionalismo pela direção, executivos, comissão técnica, são pessoas altamente capacitadas dentro de cada função. Posso dizer que o Olaria trabalha para subir de divisão e ficar na elite, estamos prontos para esse próximo passo”, disse Fernando Santos diretor executivo do clube que seguiu acrescentando.
– Nós fazemos contrato longo com nossos atletas e isso atrai o jogador na hora de acertar com clube, a mensagem passada é de profissionalismo. Pagamos em dia e buscamos sempre a melhor estrutura para os jogadores e comissão técnica. Trabalhamos realmente com um projeto de médio e longo prazo, o Olaria é grande, um clube centenário que merece figurar novamente na primeira divisão. Estamos trabalhando muito, respeitamos demais os nossos adversários mas vamos trabalhar dia e noite pelo acesso – encerrou Fernando Santos.
O Olaria viajou nesta sexta-feira para Campos, onde amanhã enfrenta o Americano, às 15 horas, na estreia da Série A2 do Campeonato Carioca, no estádio Ary de Oliveira e Souza
Peter Schmeichel has shared his disappointment at Manchester United's recent acquisition of Senne Lammens. The legendary shot stopper has said he believes the Red Devils should have gone after Aston Villa's Emi Martinez or recent Manchester City signing Gianluigi Donnarumma, rather than the inexperienced Belgian. Schmeichel went as far as to say he had "never heard" of Lammens before the deal.
Schmeichel disappointed at Man United's goalkeeper situation
The Premier League legend made the comments to through Sky Bet. He suggested Martinez is "exactly the kind of goalkeeper" United should have in their team, while questioning if Lammens' one season of top-flight football in Belgium would prepare him for the pressure of the No.1 shirt at Old Trafford.
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United sign Lammens instead of Donnarumma or Martinez
The 23-year-old signed at the close of the summer transfer window, making the switch from Royal Antwerp to Manchester for an initial fee of €21m (£18m/$25m), as Andre Onana was shepherded out on loan to Trabzonspor. Despite a summer of speculation and a notable absence in Aston Villa's 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, Martinez remained in Birmingham. Donnarumma made several key stops in last week's Manchester derby for the Red Devils' fierce inter-city rivals, Man City. The Champions League and Euros winner joined the Sky Blues for a reported €35m (£26m/$41m). With United now left with Lammens and Altay Bayindir as their goalkeeping options, the Dane thinks it's unclear who Ruben Amorim's number one keeper will be going forward.
What Schmeichel said
Schmeichel said, "We should have signed Emi Martinez. In fact, we should have gone for Gianluigi Donnarumma when we had the chance. With Martinez, everything was lined up, and that felt like really good news, because he’s exactly the kind of goalkeeper Manchester United should have."
On Martinez, the United legend added: “He’s proven at the very highest level. He does all the basics brilliantly, but beyond that, he provides real leadership. He’s the sort of goalkeeper who makes strikers think twice. That presence is vital. So it was hugely disappointing to hear the deal fell through for financial reasons.”
On Lammens, Schmeichel said: “As for Lammens, I’ll be honest, I’d never heard of him until the link came up. I know his stats are excellent across the top ten European leagues. But that was with Antwerp in Belgium, in a team that finished fifth. He saved four out of eight penalties, but recruitment based purely on stats is risky. Stats don’t show how you react after a mistake, or how you cope with the pressure of Manchester United. That pressure is unlike anywhere else in football. Lammens could turn out to be the best signing ever – but right now, it feels like a hopeful one, and that’s not what United need at this moment in time. If we’d signed him alongside Martinez, that would have made perfect sense: a proven World Cup winner as number one, with a talented young keeper developing behind him."
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AFP
Lammens in line for Old Trafford debut against Chelsea
The young Belgian can make a huge statement on Saturday. He is expected to be in goal for the Red Devils' Premier League clash with Chelsea. If Lammens can lay down a marker, he could well put a nagging issue for Amorim to bed, and maybe make an admirer out of United's greatest ever goalkeeper.
Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke will be hoping for more additions to the playing squad before the end of the summer transfer window next week.
Lukas Nmecha, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Noah Okafor have been added to the group to bolster his options in the final third, but the former Norwich City manager wants more.
Earlier this month, the boss said: “There is no doubt we need reinforcements, especially in the offence. Dominic can’t be the only step. We are on a good path, prepared for the first games and I hope when the transfer window is over we have a squad who is capable of fighting because we have one clear target – to stay in this league.”
It is hard to blame Farke for having that stance when you consider that the West Yorkshire outfit have only scored two goals in their first three competitive games: a penalty and a Jayden Bogle goal against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.
Another winger, on top of the signing of Okafor from AC Milan, is on the agenda and it will be interesting to see who they go for before next Monday’s deadline.
One player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road before the end of the window is Tottenham Hotspur forward Manor Solomon, who spent last season on loan in West Yorkshire.
Manor Solomon's impact at Leeds last season
The 26-year-old attacker spent the season on loan to help the Whites win the Championship and earn promotion back to the Premier League at the second time of asking.
Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James were already in the building as wide options for Farke to call upon on the left and the right flanks, but he was able to break into the team and establish himself as a key player for the German boss.
Solomon went on to start 30 of his 39 appearances in the Championship, per Sofascore, on the club’s way to hitting a staggering 100 points in the second tier last term.
xG
8.14
Top 8%
Goals
10
Top 6%
Shots on target
25
Top 12%
xA
10.30
Top 1%
Chances created
67
Top 5%
Assists
12
Top 3%
As you can see in the table above, the Israel international made a huge impact in the final third in those 39 appearances, scoring or creating 22 goals in 30 starts.
These statistics show that he performed consistently in front of goal to win vital points for the Whites with goals and assists that changed and won games in the Championship.
Leeds United'sManorSolomoncelebrates scoring their first goal
Whilst the club may yet look to bring him back before the deadline, the Whites are reportedly looking at another player who could be the new Solomon at Elland Road.
Leeds eyeing move for Nottingham Forest winger
Former Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers chief scout Mick Brown has revealed that the 49ers are eyeing a last-gasp move for Nottingham Forest forward Jota Silva.
Speaking to Football Insider, Brown said: “I hear Leeds are interested in signing Jota Silva. They need new wingers, and he is one of the names on their list of targets.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
“When he’s been involved for Forest, he looks busy and bright, always looking to make things happen and not afraid to get on the ball. He likes to get at people and he’s capable of producing in the final third as well.
“He’s a bit of a maverick, and those types of players are always welcome at Leeds. Forest have signed a number of wide players, and spent a significant amount of money on him, so I hear he is questioning where he fits in.”
Nottingham Forest's Jota Silva celebrates with Chris Wood.
It was reported by O’Jogo earlier this summer that Sporting were hoping to land him for a fee of around £10m including add-ons, and it remains to be seen if Leeds are prepared to pay that kind of money for his services.
Why Leeds should sign Jota Silva
Leeds should swoop to sign Jota Silva from the Tricky Trees because he could be a more affordable option on the flank, given that Solomon reportedly has a price tag of £20m over his head.
The Whites save £10m and land their next Solomon by signing the Portuguese star, as another winger who has become surplus to requirements at a Premier League side, just as was the case with the Israel international last summer.
Jota Silva only started five of his 31 appearances in the Premier League for Forest last season, per Sofascore, but showed glimpses of the kind of quality that he has the potential to provide on a regular basis at that level.
The 26-year-old ace scored three goals and created eight ‘big chances’ for his teammates in 891 minutes of action, which shows that he was an effective contributor in the final third despite limited minutes on the pitch.
Jota Silva’s form for Vitoria in Portugal in the 2023/24 campaign, before his move to England, shows that he can deliver consistent quality on the flank when starting regularly.
Appearances
33
xG
7.99
Goals
11
Big chances created
8
Key passes per game
1.0
Assists
5
Dribbles completed per game
1.3
As you can see in the table above, the Portugal international caught the eye with 19 goals and ‘big chances’ created in the top division in his country.
These statistics show that he can be an efficient finisher who also looks to create chances for his teammates on a regular basis at the top level, when playing week-in-week-out, which is why he could be an exciting signing for Leeds.
The versatile forward, who can play on the right or the left as a winger, could be the new Solomon at Elland Road by arriving from a Premier League team to light up the flanks in West Yorkshire with his quality in the final third.
Given the difference in price between the two players, Jota Silva may even be a better option than signing Solomon permanently because he has shown that he can deliver in the English top-flight as recently as last season.
Better than El Khannouss: Leeds prepared to make move for magic £30m star
Leeds United are reportedly considering a move to sign a star who is even better than Bilal El Khannouss.
Liverpool won the Premier League last season, and quite remarkably at that.
Over the past decade, the Reds have gone from bad to good to great to incredible, and it’s through the defining presumption of their brilliance under Jurgen Klopp that they have been expected to compete for the biggest honours each year.
But that changed when Arne Slot arrived last summer. This relative unknown had stepped into big old boots and was expected to drift away like flotsam. He couldn’t replace Klopp: didn’t Liverpool want Xabi Alonso, anyway?
Liverpool manager ArneSlotcelebrates after winning the Premier League
Doubt is one of the first conditions any manager is forced to deal with in the Premier League, both from outside and within, but Slot knuckled down and thrived across his maiden year as the Anfield head coach, not just winning the top-flight title but blowing the competition out of the water.
And he did it with minimal transfer investment, which is quite a thing. However, that’s all changed this summer, and FSG are still keen on bolstering Slot’s squad before the market deadline in under two weeks.
Why Liverpool need a left winger
Should Liverpool complete a statement deal for Isak this summer, the impressive Hugo Ekitike would have a tough time starting invariably from number nine.
Both strikers are men of mobility, and some would say Ekitike’s pace and dynamism lend themselves to a role on the wing. But that is not his natural berth.
In this respect, Liverpool could do with some more depth to even out any wrinkles in Slot’s title-winning team; it’s a new season, and now Liverpool are title challengers just like the rest.
Slot must not ride the coattails of his own previous success, and must instead propose to FSG a plan to complete the Merseyside frontline, even with Federico Chiesa and the Reds in harmony over a role at Anfield across the year for the Italian.
Isak’s stature and track record within the European game demand his signature being a priority, but Liverpool need a left winger all the same, with Cody Gakpo the only senior option operating naturally from the berth.
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo wins the Premier League
Rio Ngumoha looks like a fantastic talent, but overburdening him this year could run counter to the hopes of him reaching his ceiling. If the stars align, sporting director Richard Hughes must sign an alternative.
Liverpool ready late bid for new winger
According to Anfield Watch, Liverpool remain interested in signing Lyon winger Malick Fofana this summer, having opened a line of communication with the French club when selling Tyler Morton to them at the start of August.
Lyon's Malick Fofana
In fact, it’s felt that FSG’s desire to sign a left winger is separate from the bid for Isak, and that Liverpool are ‘ready’ to strike a late deal for Fofana, having scouted him across the transfer window.
Valued at around £43m, Fofana’s signature would be attainable following the sales of forwards like Diaz and Darwin Nunez, and he would arrive primed to rival Gakpo for a starting spot on the left flank.
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What Malick Fofana would bring to Liverpool
Gakpo proved on Friday evening that he’s more than just a goalscorer. Not that he needed to prove anything following a year of meteoric progress in Slot’s Liverpool system.
Cody Gakpo vs Bournemouth
But the Dutchman has his detractors, with some clamouring for a new winger like Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, whose future is up in the air and who has been linked with a move to Liverpool across the summer.
However, Rodrygo would cost something in the region of £86m, and he’d expect to start every week. In a rising prospect like Fofana, Slot would not find that problem at his desk, but rather, would be able to work with an exciting talent who could operate in flux with Gakpo.
Belgium'sMalickFofanain action with Italy's Giovanni Di Lorenzo
Fofana, 20, has enjoyed a rip-roaring start to life in French football, joining Lyon from Genk when he was only 18. Last season, he scored 11 goals and supplied six more assists across 41 matches in all competitions, of which only 23 were starts.
Hailed for his “explosive” style of play by analyst Ben Mattinson, Fofana ranks among the top 11% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe over the past year for goals scored and the top 3% for progressive carries per 90, with such data presented by FBref.
Looking at this data, we can see in Fofana a talented player looking to blend his high-speed running with a natural eye for goal, and in this way, he shares some of Gakpo’s strengths but could actually end up outstripping the Netherlands star.
Matches (starts)
29 (16)
35 (23)
Goals
5
10
Assists
4
4
Shots (on target)*
1.1 (0.5)
1.6 (0.7)
Big chances missed
4
6
Pass completion
84%
84%
Big chances created
6
11
Key passes*
0.9
1.1
Dribbles*
0.8
0.9
Tackles*
1.1
0.8
Duels won*
2.9
3.1
Though Gakpo is currently more clinical and more effective, it’s promising to note that the fleet-footed Fofana has already shown signs of prolific shooting and that he is equally crisp and effective on the ball.
Given the need for depth at Liverpool this season and beyond, should Slot hope to not just defend his Premier League title but claim further silverware too, adding a player like Fofana for a shrewd figure could be a fantastic move.
He would arrive on Merseyside without the weight of expectation that certain other transfer targets would bring, but the Lyon winger could still add much to the Redmen cause, and might even nail down a starting berth on the left wing in the coming years.
Wirtz will love him: Liverpool chasing "world-class" £86m Isak alternative
Liverpool have earmarked this European superstar as a potential signing before the end of the window.
West Ham United are now seriously considering a spectacular move for an “unstoppable” striker, who has made a flying start to the 2025-26 campaign.
West Ham need to sign new striker before deadline
Following Michail Antonio’s departure earlier this summer, West Ham brought in Callum Wilson, but with the 33-year-old joining on a one-year incentive-based deal, he is unlikely to be a long-term solution, especially given the former Newcastle United man’s recent injury record.
Season
Games missed through injury
2022-23
9
2023-24
28
2024-25
29
Jarrod Bowen has led the line for the Hammers in the early stages of the new season, but the 28-year-old is yet to get on the scoresheet, and even clashed with a fan after the most recent 3-2 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the EFL Cup.
With Niclas Fullkrug also set to turn 33 this season, the Hammers could without doubt do with signing a young centre-forward, capable of leading the line at the London Stadium for years to come, and they have now set their sights on a striker who ticks those boxes.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, West Ham are now seriously considering a spectacular move for FC Midtjylland striker Franculino Dju, who is attracting widespread interest after making a flying start to the new campaign.
The Irons and Serie A side Como are among the clubs prepared to make an early move for Dju, with both sides expressing a willingness to offer a fee in the region of £11m for the 21-year-old’s services, although it could be difficult to get a deal over the line.
West Ham in shock talks for "one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's history"
Potter is in a desperate situation.
ByCallum Kemp Aug 27, 2025
The youngster is viewed as a player with top-class potential by Graham Potter’s side, but FC Midtjylland are very reluctant to sell, given that it would be near-impossible to replace their star player, with the summer transfer window set to draw to a close very soon.
"Unstoppable" Dju has made fantastic start to the campaign
Scout Jacek Kulig has been left enamoured by the way in which the young centre-forward has started the campaign, recently lauding him as “unstoppable”, and it is evident to see why.
The Guinea-Bissau international already has nine goals to his name in all competitions, and he is showing signs of real development, having eclipsed his league goal tally from the 2024-25 campaign at this early stage.
It would be a risk for West Ham to sign Dju, given that the Midtjylland star is yet to prove himself in a major European league, but the Hammers are in desperate need of a new centre-forward, with Wilson making little impact in his three outings up to this point.
It is also an added bonus that the former Benfica man is still very young at 21-years-old, given that Potter is well-known to have worked with the oldest squad in the Premier League last season.