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Already preparing for the summer transfer window, Aston Villa sporting director Monchi reportedly sent scouts to watch one of his attacking targets in action last weekend.

Aston Villa's Turkish recruitment mission revealed

The Villans rarely seem to get things wrong in the transfer market these days, for the large part, they’ve got Monchi to thank for that. Their sporting director particularly excelled in the January window, welcoming both Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford online whilst also signing Donyell Malen on a permanent deal from Borussia Dortmund.

Aston Villa in contact to sign "magnificent" France U21 rising star

They could land an absolute bargain…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 1, 2025

Unai Emery’s side have only benefitted from that recruitment ever since too. As things stand, they’ve still got both the Champions League and FA Cup to play for and are set to battle until the very last to secure qualification for Europe’s elite competition next season. But Monchi isn’t resting there.

The likes of Dusan Vlahovic have already made the headlines regarding a potential summer switch to Villa Park and those in the Midlands certainly have the ambition to make such a move happen. Given that the Juventus star is also worth just £33m this summer, it wouldn’t be absurd to suggest that Monchi could land a bargain deal, either.

Away from the Serie A star, meanwhile, the Villans have reportedly set their sights on another attacking target. According to The Boot Room, Monchi sent fresh scouts to watch Baris Alper Yilmaz last weekend as his Galatasaray side squared off against Besiktas in one of the biggest games that Turkish football has to offer.

Ultimately, Yilmaz ended the day on the losing side as Besiktas handed Galatasaray their first league defeat of the season, but that may not be enough to dissuade Villa from making their move this summer.

Despite a game to forget, the 24-year-old has still managed 11 goals in all competitions this season to attract the interest of Villa, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.

"Special" Yilmaz could replace Rashford

Whilst Rashford’s loan spell has so far been a great success, it still remains just that and it remains to be seen whether Villa will trigger their option to secure his signature on a permanent basis this summer. Instead, they could turn their attention towards the younger Yilmaz, who could prove to be just as successful under Emery.

Praised throughout his time in Turkey’s top flight, former coach Ilker Puren told reporters when asked about Yilmaz: “I think Baris Alper Yılmaz can play very comfortably for many teams in the Premier League at the moment. He’s a very special player.

“We worked a lot together. If Barıs Alper improves himself with his final ball, he can easily play for the best clubs in the world such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Arsenal.”

In the last eight of the Champions League, Villa have been among those top clubs this season and could now make a statement by signing Yilmaz when the summer arrives.

He wasn’t at his best as Galatasaray lost last weekend – recording just 0.10 expected goals and 0.06 expected assists – but Yilmaz is undoubtedly a player to watch in the coming months as Villa prepare their move.

A pair of wicketkeepers and a pair of allrounders feature in this list of emerging players

Deivarayan Muthu24-Oct-2025

Muhammad Abbas (Wellington)

A supremely talented right-hand batter and left-arm seamer, Muhammad Abbas enters the new domestic season after playing three ODIs for New Zealand earlier this year. He made an immediate impact on his international debut, against Pakistan, his country of birth, clattering a 24-ball fifty – the quickest on debut in ODI history – in Napier in March.During the winter, he travelled with the New Zealand A side to Bangladesh and South Africa, gaining exposure away from home. In the third unofficial ODI against South Africa A in Benoni, he picked up 1 for 38 in five overs and hit 66 off 70 balls. At 21, Abbas has the shots and gears to succeed in white-ball cricket and though batting is his stronger suit, he can also do a job with his left-arm seam. A big domestic season could potentially propel him into the BlackCaps’ first-choice white-ball side.Adithya Ashok trained at the Super Kings Academy in Chennai during the New Zealand winter•Super Kings Academy

Adithya Ashok (Auckland)

Auckland wristspinner Adithya Ashok has been identified as Ish Sodhi’s successor and he won his maiden New Zealand contract just before Gary Stead exited as head coach. Rob Walter, the new coach, has leaned on the experience of Sodhi in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year. This Ford Trophy and then the 20-overs Super Smash is Adithya’s chance to press his case for a place in New Zealand’s white-ball sides.Adithya built up a strong body of work during the winter, emerging as New Zealand A’s chief wicket-taker in both four-dayers and List A cricket in Bangladesh and South Africa. Between the two A tours, Adithya visited the Super Kings Academy in Chennai to hone his skills during a spin-centric camp.Curtis Heaphy in action in the Global Super League in Guyana•Global Super League via Getty Images

Curtis Heaphy (Central Districts)

A wicketkeeper-batter, Curtis Heaphy averages over 40 in first-class cricket and over 50 in List A cricket. The 22-year-old was the top run-getter in the 2024-25 Ford Trophy, with 502 runs in 11 innings at an average of 71.71 and a strike rate of 77.95. He then helped Central Districts win the 2024-25 Super Smash and broke into the New Zealand A side. Heaphy also contributed handsomely to CD’s first T20 win outside of New Zealand, scoring an unbeaten 50 off 38 balls against Big Bash League (BBL) champions Hobart Hurricanes in the Global Super League in spin-friendly Guyana. He went bigger in South Africa, making a career-best 190 in the second unofficial Test in Benoni. Heaphy could compete with Canterbury’s Mitch Hay for the emerging wicketkeeper’s slot.Max Chu is a 360-degree batter•Getty Images

Max Chu (Otago)

Another exciting wicketkeeper-batter, Max Chu, who represents Otago, has seen his white-ball stocks rise after hitting 230 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 155.40 in last season’s Super Smash. Chu, 25, can play funky shots behind the wicket, which perhaps put him in the ILT20 shortlist (though he didn’t get a gig there) and landed him a deal at the Canada Super60 earlier this month.Chu was New Zealand’s keeper in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup at home and was part of a batch that included Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra and Matt Fisher. This season presents him an opportunity to level up and join his mates in New Zealand’s senior team.Matt Boyle is rated highly by Canterbury coach Peter Fulton•Getty Images

Matt Boyle (Canterbury)

The younger brother of Jack, who will turn out for Otago in the upcoming season, and the son of Justin, who played for Canterbury and Wellington, Matt Boyle is also part of New Zealand’s young talent pool. A top-order batter, who can also pitch in with legspin, Boyle topped the Super Smash run charts last season and scored his maiden List A century during the 2024-25 Ford Trophy. He didn’t score a whole lot of runs on the winter A tours, but is rated highly by many in New Zealand cricket circles, including his Canterbury coach Peter Fulton.Simon Keene poses a threat to batters with his hooping outswinger•Getty Images

Simon Keene (Auckland)

After Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith, Auckland’s Simon Keene, who turned 24 earlier this week, promises to be the next seam-bowling allrounder from New Zealand’s pathway system. Keene bagged a five-wicket haul on his Plunket Shield debut in 2022 and then showcased his ability to swing the white ball in last season’s Ford Trophy, when he razed Canterbury’s line-up with 5 for 29 in Mount Manganui. In addition to his hooping outswinger, Keene can also give it a good whack with the bat like he showed during his 35-ball 81 while opening the batting with Martin Guptill in the Super Smash, and more recently during his 77 off 58 balls from No.8 in a one-dayer for New Zealand A in Benoni.

A university student watches the 2023 final with his peers, but there is only disappointment to bond over

Abhijato Sensarma20-Nov-2023Ashoka University looks barren on Sunday afternoon. The campus is a grand, polished feat of architecture situated in the middle of nowhere in Sonipat, an hour north of Delhi, where land has been given to private investors by the government to create urban university spaces.The university’s students have no one but each other for company most of the time. On Sunday afternoon, many walk towards the multipurpose hall in the sports block to watch India play Australia in the World Cup final. A grand screen is unfurled. More than 300 are expected to come by over the afternoon. The faces of a few of my friends wear expressions of regret, and the India flag painted on. For some of them, their relatives have gone to watch the match live in Ahmedabad, but the next best thing we can do is put on our India jerseys and gather here.The hustle of academic life and the length of one-day internationals means most of us have watched the tournament on our own so far – on our phones in between classes, huddled in small groups at mess tables, or on our laptops when we should have been paying attention to the professor delivering a lecture. Today, we get together to celebrate India’s inevitable coronation.There are seas of “Virat” jerseys in both the stadium’s stands and in our hall. At one point, my room-mate leans towards me and jokes that he will buy a shirt with Kuldeep Yadav’s name on it just to stand out from the crowd. I grin, but we don’t have a lot to joke about once Travis Head catches Rohit Sharma’s mishit in the tenth over.Wickets keep falling. The 300 or so people gathered in the hall are almost as silent as the 90,000 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium when Virat Kohli is cleaned up by Pat Cummins. Soon enough, a few people filter out of the hall to grab a delayed lunch or because they can sense the dream faltering already.

My social media feed has tragicomic pictures of fellow Ashoka students with Shami posters, shaky footage of people celebrating India’s initial dismissals at the hall, and one-liners to cope with Australia’s chase

A girl sitting in front of me has slid down to the floor. Her back is to the screen as she completes an assignment due soon, but she is also praying to the picture of a Hindu deity on her screen. Like many others around me, I lean forward and ask for His blessings too. We do so jokingly, but as we wait for an acceleration that never arrives in India’s death overs, our prayers turn serious.Some of us slowly get up from our seats each time the ball crosses the 30-yard circle, only for the sound of expectation to be replaced by “oohs” and “aahs” as another Australia fielder inevitably cuts off the boundary. The crowd’s pent-up energy finally explodes when Mohammed Shami comes to the crease – for now and ever, he has ascended to the status of cult hero – and nudges a ball off his pads for a rare boundary. But he is dismissed soon as well. There isn’t much else to cheer for and we leave the hall during the innings break.I go back to my hostel room and watch the second innings with a couple of friends, preferring their company over the 100 or so who have returned to the screening hall. But when India pick up their third wicket in the powerplay, I tell my room-mate: “Just one more wicket and we should go back there to celebrate with more people.”That next wicket never quite arrives. We sink into our chairs or under our blankets as Head keeps smacking India’s bowlers into the stands. Hope fades and fades. The crowd empties from our hall and in the stadium, where the orange seats acquire a strange hue on our screens as the camera keeps cutting back to the prime minister and other disappointed celebrities. My social media feed has tragicomic pictures of fellow Ashoka students with Shami posters, shaky footage from the hall of people celebrating the wickets India took, and one-liners to cope with Australia’s chase.We see the Australian cricketers rush to the middle and celebrate another World Cup victory, letting the visuals plunge a dagger through our hearts. Then we switch to watching the latest episode of for some comfort. It’s a fun watch, though I’ve already seen enough celebrity faces for the day.Midway through the episode, I hear impromptu cricket being played on my floor. A tennis ball echoes in the corridor, followed by the appeals and suppressed laughter of those who had probably been watching the final, like us. They are coping with the loss in their own way.
My mind drifts away from the disappointment on the faces of India’s players as well as those of my friends.We remain within a university campus, whose glitzy barrenness doesn’t compensate for the visceral heartbreak of the World Cup final any better than the Narendra Modi Stadium does in Ahmedabad. But at that moment, I realise we’ll move on, rediscovering the imperfect joys of sport in the cracks of our campus and its industrial polish soon enough.

Plus, Wanindu Hasaranga slots into second place behind another Sri Lanka spinner on a coveted list

Sampath Bandarupalli01-Nov-20212 Jos Buttler became just the second player to score a century for England at the men’s T20 World Cup. Alex Hales was the first, having scored an unbeaten 116 also against Sri Lanka in 2014. Buttler is also one of the four men with a hundred in T20Is for England and became the second Englishman with 2000+ T20I runs.ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 Buttler became the first player to score a century in all three formats for England in men’s International cricket. He joins Heather Knight as the only players with a hundred for England in all three International formats.61.96 Percentage of England’s total scored by Buttler, the highest proportion of the team’s total for England in a completed innings in men’s T20Is. The previous highest was 51.54% by Liam Livingstone, who scored 103 out of England’s 201 all-out against Pakistan in Nottingham earlier this year.ESPNcricinfo Ltd77 Runs scored by Buttler in the last ten overs of England’s innings. Buttler struck six sixes and four fours in the 37 balls he faced in the second half. He scored only 24 runs in the 30 balls he faced until the end of the tenth over.45 Balls Buttler needed to complete his fifty in this match. Only one player in men’s T20Is has scored a century after taking more balls to score his first fifty runs – 47 balls by Paul Stirling against Zimbabwe in September this year.Watch cricket live on ESPN+

Sign up for ESPN+ and catch all the action from the Men’s T20 World Cup live in the US. Match highlights of England vs Sri Lanka is available here in English, and here in Hindi (US only).

60.50 Buttler’s batting average as an opener in T20Is across 26 innings in which he has scored 1089 runs. Only two openers with 1000+ men’s T20I runs average more than 50 – Mohammad Rizwan (76.92) and Buttler.4 Centuries in men’s T20Is in the UAE, including Buttler’s unbeaten 101 against Sri Lanka. It was also the first hundred in the UAE in a T20I between two Full Member nations – Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 87 for Afghanistan against Zimbabwe in March this year being the previous highest.112 Partnership runs between Buttler and Morgan for the fourth wicket, the second-highest partnership for England at the men’s T20 World Cup. The highest is 152 between Hales and Morgan for the third wicket against Sri Lanka in 2014. The 112-run stand is also the second-highest for the fourth wicket in the men’s T20 World Cup, behind Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga’s 123 against Ireland earlier this tournament.ESPNcricinfo Ltd50 Hasaranga took his 50th T20I wicket by breaking the Buttler-Morgan partnership. He needed only 660 balls to complete the milestone, becoming the second-quickest to 50 men’s T20I wickets in terms of balls bowled, behind Ajantha Mendis (576 balls). Hasaranga has picked up 14 wickets in the ongoing tournament, the joint second-most in an edition of the men’s T20 World Cup behind Mendis’ 15 wickets in 2012.7 Consecutive wins for England against Sri Lanka in T20Is. England have got the better of Sri Lanka at every meeting in this format since the start of 2016. Sri Lanka’s last T20I win against England was in 2014 at The Oval.

Tottenham have been criticised as of late for a perceived lack of creativity, with it being clear they’re far from the finished article.

Tottenham travel to Everton after lacklustre Monaco draw

Thomas Frank’s side travel to Everton on Sunday with the aim of getting back to winning ways after two uninspired performances.

Their 2-1 loss at home to Aston Villa last weekend heightened concerns around Spurs’ inability to dominate matches or create openings on a consistent enough basis, as critics call for Frank to shake things up.

Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur have been in fantastic form individually, particularly the former, but questions surround whether they should be the north Londoners’ starting pair in central midfield every game.

Frank’s men are struggling to connect defence with attack, and this was on full display during their stalemate in France.

Goalkeeper Gugilelmo Vicario was by far their player of the match against Monaco, saving Spurs time and time again with a string of excellent stops — thwarting ex-Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun three times in the first 45 alone.

In terms of their attacking players, some believed winger Wilson Odobert had his “best game in a Spurs shirt” at the Stade Louis II, but the Frenchman was forced off through injury in the second-half and couldn’t make a further impact.

Even though Vicario has attracted criticism for his handling of crosses into the box this term, based off their 0-0 at Monaco, Frank’s goalkeeping department looks like one of the areas least in need of strengthening come January.

However, journalist Graeme Bailey reports that co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange now have the chance to bring in a pretty big name for that position.

Tottenham offered Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen on loan

According to Bailey, speaking to TBR Football, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has been offered out to Spurs, with the 33-year-old told that he can leave in January.

Ter Stegen, who’s made just nine appearances in all competitions since the beginning of last season due to injury, has watched summer signing Joan Garcia take his number one spot.

The German, who is still captain of Barça regardless of his unavailability over the last 12 months, is close to returning from a back problem, but the La Liga champions have told his camp to find him a new club when the winter window opens.

Tottenham have been approached by intermediaries over signing ter Stegen as a result, with the Lilywhites handed an opportunity to strike a temporary deal.

A six-time Spanish champion with Barça and Champions League winner, ter Stegen’s proven top-level experience could be invaluable to a largely young Spurs dressing room.

However, his fitness issues, combined with a pretty lofty £280,000-per-week pay packet, makes this potential move a fairly risky one, even on loan.

Vicario’s heroics against Monaco prove that Frank already has that base pretty covered, and the club should really be prioritising new additions further forward.

Dominic Solanke’s fitness issues and concerns around Richarlison’s form have prompted reports that Tottenham are targeting a new striker in 2026, with ex-Brentford star Ivan Toney among the names linked as Frank looks to bolster his attack.

Paratici and Lange, after Tottenham failed to sign Savinho in the summer, could also look to target a new winger in the winter.

Tottenham Hotspur returned to winning ways on Saturday, marking their first victory in the Premier League since the final weekend of October.

It was a win that lifted huge pressure off the shoulders of Thomas Frank, who, despite being in the dugout for a matter of months, was already facing questions and scrutiny about his job.

It’s another big week for Spurs who face Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday evening before coming up against Nottingham Forest next Sunday.

Heading into those games, Frank has received some positive and negative injury news.

The latest injury news out of Spurs

French forward Randal Kolo Muani has started to find his feet in Spurs colours in recent weeks, notably bagging against PSG in the Champions League.

However, he was withdrawn during the weekend’s win over Brentford and was spotted limping as he left the stadium.

Fortunately, he trained on Monday and looks set to play a part in Europe this midweek.

For James Maddison, things continue to look tough. The attacking midfielder featured on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football for their coverage of Wolves vs Manchester United and he may have to get used to off-field duties for now.

There is no specific time frame,” Frank began. “It will be a long time unfortunately before he [Maddison] is available.”

Spurs star will now miss the rest of 2025

While there is more positivity about Spurs heading into this week’s run of fixtures, there has been bad news on the injury front for Italian full-back Destiny Udogie.

The young defender has attracted criticism in recent weeks for his displays but missed the win against Frank’s former employers due to injury.

Speaking about the problem, the manager said: “Destiny picked up a hamstring injury at the end of the Newcastle game, so he’s out until January unfortunately.”

Ahead of their clash with Slavia Prague, a late call will be made on Brennan Johnson’s fitness but Yves Bissouma is set to miss out once again after his latest off-field controversy.

The Mali midfielder has not been seen in Spurs colours under Frank after he was dropped from the UEFA Super Cup squad for persistent lateness.

To make matters worse for Bissouma, a report at the weekend showed footage of the Spurs man allegedly inhaling nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas.

Commenting on the matter this week Frank said: “It’s an internal matter that we are dealing with at the moment and when we have dealt with that, then I will comment on it.”

Spurs flop "needs to wake up", he's fast becoming the new Ryan Sessegnon

A number of Tottenham stars have flattered to deceive this season.

2 ByAngus Sinclair 6 days ago

In the almost six years he’s been in charge, Mikel Arteta has helped to transform Arsenal.

He’s led the North Londoners from mid-table mediocrity to genuine Premier League and Champions League contenders.

The Spaniard’s tactical nous and standard-raising philosophy have undoubtedly played a massive part in this turnaround, but so has the club’s recruitment and promotion of youth players, like Bukayo Saka.

The Hale Ender has gone from promising prospect to the face of Arsenal and undoubtedly their most important attacker, although, based on recent reports, the club are looking to sign someone who is playing better than him at the moment.

Arsenal target superstar star attacker outperforming Saka

Since making his debut for Arsenal in a 2018 Europa League group stage match against Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava, Saka has gone on an incredible journey with the club.

Transfer Focus

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

Despite being moved around the pitch and then spending plenty of time at left-back in his early career, the Englishman has now become the club’s go-to right-winger and the first name on the teamsheet when fit.

In all, the 24-year-old has made 280 appearances for the Gunners, in which he’s racked up a sensational haul of 76 goals and 73 assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.87 games.

However, due in part to his injury, he has performed a little under par this season, and now it looks like the club are looking to sign someone who is outperforming him.

At least, that is according to a recent report from Spain, which claims Arsenal are still very interested in Michael Olise.

In fact, the report has revealed that the Gunners are now preparing an ambitious plan to sign the Bayern Munich star and are willing to break their transfer record to do so, preparing an offer of around €150m, which converts to around £132m.

That’s an outrageous sum of money to spend on a player, but given Olise’s ability and potential, it might just be worth it for Arsenal, especially as he’s outperforming Saka.

How Olise compares to Saka

So, the first thing to say is that it seems highly unlikely that Arsenal would sign Olise to outright replace Saka.

After all, the Hale Ender has become the face of the project and probably the most beloved player of the last 20 years among the fanbase.

Instead, the Frenchman could be looked at as someone to offer competition, or, as has been the case with Noni Madueke, someone who can interchange with the Englishman during games, almost making the idea of a starting position antiquated.

With that said, it’s worth looking at how the pair have stacked up against one another since the Bayern ace’s move to Germany.

Last season, his first in Baveria, saw the 23-year-old rack up a sensational tally of 20 goals and 23 assists in 55 appearances, totalling 3842 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.27 games, or every 89.34 minutes.

Appearances

55

37

Minutes

3842′

2619′

Goals

20

12

Assists

23

14

Goal Involvements per Match

0.78

0.70

Minutes per Goal Involvements

89.34′

100.73

Appearances

20

17

Minutes

1583′

1211′

Goals

9

6

Assists

10

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.95

0.47

Minutes per Goal Involvements

83.31′

151.37′

In contrast, Saka scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists in 37 appearances, totalling 2619 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.42 games, or every 100.73 minutes.

Okay, what about this season then?

Well, the former Crystal Palace star has really taken it up a notch, already scoring nine goals and providing ten assists in 20 appearances, totalling 1583 minutes.

That comes out to a staggering average of a goal involvement every 1.05 games, or every 83.31 minutes, and truly justifies analyst Filipe Sousa’s description of him being a “nightmare” for defenders.

For his efforts this season, the Gunners’ talismanic number seven has scored six goals and provided two assists in 17 appearances, totalling 1211 minutes.

That comes out to a somewhat underwhelming – for his lofty standards – of an average of a goal involvement every 2.12 games, or every 151.37 minutes.

Now, it should be said that he suffered another hamstring injury at the start of the campaign and is clearly still not at 100%, but even so, he would likely admit his output has been a little disappointing this season.

Ultimately, while it would cost an egregious sum of money, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Olise, as he could help get the best back out of Saka, and a team with the pair of them in it is a scary team indeed.

The new Rice: Berta enters race to sign £70m midfield "machine" for Arsenal

The international superstar could become Mikel Arteta’s next Declan Rice at Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 3, 2025

Nottingham Forest are on the lookout for solidity under Sean Dyche and could now be set to make an intriguing move courtesy of owner Evangelos Marinakis.

The Tricky Trees had a fairly ominous start to the Premier League campaign that culminated in the departure of Nuno Espirito Santo, which was followed by Ange Postecoglou’s short tenure at the City Ground that ended under acrimonious circumstances.

Now, Dyche is the man at the helm and there is a feeling that improvement is starting to take shape on the River Trent, characterised in clear fashion by their convincing victory over Leeds United before the international break.

Ultimately, Forest are still in the relegation zone and have their work cut out to ensure they survive in the top-flight this campaign, though the fact that players such as Elliot Anderson are earning rave reviews from Thomas Tuchel is a reason for some optimism in the East Midlands.

Paying tribute to the Three Lions midfielder, the England coach labelled him as ‘one of the best midfielders in the Premier League’ before a routine victory in World Cup qualifying over Serbia, emphasising the value of his services that the Tricky Trees have at their disposal.

Even then, a tricky fixture at Anfield awaits for Forest on the other side of the international break before a quickfire double header against Malmö and Brighton, requiring squad rotation to make sure Dyche has fresh options to choose from.

Stability is something that hasn’t always been easy to come by at the City Ground, and club owner Marinakis doesn’t wait around when it is time to make a decision, something he could again demonstrate in January.

Nottingham Forest set for intriguing Christos Mouzakitis pursuit

According to Tuttosport, Nottingham Forest are among a clutch of clubs that are keen on Olympiacos star Christos Mouzakitis, who is also wanted by Arsenal, Manchester United, Aston Villa, AC Milan and Napoli.

Intriguingly, the Greek giants are owned by Marinakis, and he is said to be the one who will have the final say on his next destination amid their £30 million asking price for the 18-year-old midfielder.

Mouzakitis is described by Tuttosport as a player who’s ‘already one of the greatest talents in Greek football history’, with a clutch of Premier League sides taking notuce.

However, Forest may well have an edge given their close ties to the teenager via their owner.

Known to idolise AC Milan veteran Luka Modrić, Mouzakitis is a recipient of the TuttoSport Goldenboy Web Award and has registered two assists in 13 appearances this season across all competitions.

Nevertheless, he is under contract until 2029, and Olympiacos will hold the cards should a bidding war start to take place for his services, making it a tough ask for any suitors to land their man for anything less than a premium.

Either way, Marinakis could be the defining factor for Nottingham Forest in this one, and it may be worth keeping an eye to see what developments occur over the coming weeks and months.

Nottingham Forest could also be set to allow a surprise departure

Ruben Amorim revealed Manchester United could potentially dip into the January transfer market after losing Benjamin Sesko to injury, and with three stars heading for AFCON as well. The striker's late injury cast a shadow over what was otherwise an afternoon of grit and resilience from the Red Devils as they eked out a 2-2 draw against Tottenham in north London on Saturday.

Late drama secures a point for United

The visitors began brightly at a boisterous Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and their patience paid off in the 30th minute when Amad Diallo whipped in a teasing cross from the right for Bryan Mbeumo to head home past Guglielmo Vicario. But the second half told a different story. Tottenham poured forward with renewed purpose, and though United goalkeeper Senne Lammens twice denied efforts from Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha, the pressure eventually told. With six minutes left, substitute Mathys Tel found space on the edge of the area and fired goalward. A deflection off Matthijs de Ligt wrong-footed Lammens and sent the ball spinning into the net. Tottenham thought they’d completed the comeback deep into stoppage time when Wilson Odobert’s speculative drive ricocheted off Richarlison’s head and rolled past Lammens. However, Amorim’s men, battered and shorthanded, refused to die. With seconds left, Bruno Fernandes whipped in one final corner, and there was De Ligt, towering above everyone, to nod home at the back post to make it 2–2. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSesko’s setback and Amorim’s concern

Sesko’s short cameo after being introduced from the bench summed up his season. There were flashes of promise, but the afternoon ended in frustration. The 22-year-old thought he’d snatched the winner moments before his injury when he raced through on goal, only for Micky van de Ven to produce a sensational sliding block to deny him. The challenge left Sesko clutching his knee and grimacing in pain.

Amorim, speaking after the match, could offer little reassurance. "We have to check. He had something in his knee, let's see," he said. When further pressed about the seriousness of the injury, he added, "I have no idea. Because it's the knee, we never know."

Sesko has scored just two goals in 11 league appearances, and at Tottenham, he once again failed to put away two half chances. When Amorim was asked if Sesko's lack of confidence was harming him, the manager brushed aside the idea and said: "No, I think… I think that is not the biggest concern now. That happened in the same way that he is not scoring and then he scores two goals in the next two games [Brentford and Sunderland], so that happens, especially with a striker. I'm more concerned with an injury because it's in the knee and I don't know. We need Ben to be a better team."

Activity in the January transfer window?

With the Africa Cup of Nations looming in December, United’s forward options could soon be stretched thin. Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui will all depart for international duty. Now, with Sesko potentially sidelined, the situation has become more urgent. The Portuguese coach admitted the club may need to dip into the transfer market once the window opens in January.

"We have to check everything, we have to check what has happened with Ben," he said.

"Of course, we are going to have a problem there [with AFCON], but we already knew. Then you can prepare that in the summer, but then you have a lot of players in the summer who are not going to play because it's one game per week. So the management of that situation is going to be hard.

"But let's see when the window is open, if we can improve the team and try to prepare something that happened. Until then, we have to take the chance."

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AFPUnited march on with confidence

The draw keeps United unbeaten in five matches, going into the international break. Although they have drawn back-to-back league games, at Nottingham Forest and Tottenham, there has been a newfound belief in this team, and De Ligt's late equaliser is a testimony to it. Amorim will take heart from his team’s resilience, but the lack of cutting edge, and now the uncertainty around Sesko, remains a nagging concern. United return to Premier League action later this month at home to Everton, before a tricky trip to Crystal Palace closes November’s fixtures.

Sweden has a proud modern history of producing elite strikers, from Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. If the hype is to be believed, then 16-year-old Kevin Filling is the latest sensation off that conveyor belt of talent, and the AIK prospect is already being linked with a transfer to one of the Premier League's big hitters.

Filling's senior career is truly still only in its infancy, but following his eye-catching debut in the summer, the teenager is already in the headlines – finding himself linked with English giants Manchester United, among others.

INEOS have already demonstrated their ruthlessness in pursuit of the best young talent around, snaring another Scandinavian wonderkid in Chido Obi from Arsenal as well as Malian midfielder Sekou Kone since taking control of football operations at Old Trafford in late 2023. Whether another deal for a prodigious teenager is on the cards remains to be seen, with some other big names supposedly in the running while United's name is often used in the press for agents to gain leverage. What's clear, though, is that Swedish football has another huge talent on its hands…

Where it all began

Eligible to represent both Sweden and Senegal through his parents, Filling was born in the Swedish city of Vasteras – about 100 kilometres west of capital Stockholm – in November 2008. His football journey began at Vasteras-based IK Franke, but aged 11 he stepped up to bigger local club Vasteras SK, who ply their trade in the second tier. Interestingly, that is also where ex-United defender Victor Lindelof came through the ranks.

It was there that Filling caught the attention of Stockholm's biggest club, AIK, and he joined their academy ahead of the 2023 season at 14. He made swift progress through the age grades, earning game time with the Under-16s and U17s, ultimately netting 10 times in 14 games in 2023. He continued on that upward trajectory the following year, netting 12 times in 26 games as a fully-fledged member of the U17s squad.

He was promoted to the U19s earlier in 2025, and after a brief loan at third-tier partner club Enkopings SK, where he netted once in just three appearances, the 16-year-old was deemed ready for an opportunity by his parent side.

AdvertisementGettyThe big break

In late June 2025, the teenager was given a huge vote of confidence by manager Mikkjal Thomassen as, out of nowhere, he started the Allsvenskan clash against AIK's fierce inter-city rivals IFK Goteborg.

That roll of the dice paid off handsomely, as Filling scored a debut goal to more or less wrap up an eventual 3-0 victory just before the break. Curving his run to stay onside like a seasoned veteran, the youngster latched on to a cute through-ball and found himself in on goal. Keeping his cool, he rolled the ball under the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to spark wild scenes in the stands. Filling was later taken off to a standing ovation from the home section of the Strawberry Arena.

Explaining the big selection call afterwards, Thomassen said: "He (Filling) started because he trained enormously well. He has convinced me." On whether it was a risk, he added: "It's not about daring. I picked the best team today. It was a 16-year-old and a guy who turned 18 last week. We lined up with the strongest team we had.

"We don't take into account what age they are. Kevin brings quality and energy. We are very impressed by him."

How it's going

The very next day, AIK announced that young Filling had signed a his first professional contract to keep him at the club until June 2028.

"It feels completely unreal to sign my first contract with AIK," he effused. "It is a dream come true to be able to step up to the men's team at the age of 16 and now I look forward to continuing my development in order to achieve my next dream in the future, which is to win the Swedish Championship gold medal with AIK."

However, Filling's goal-scoring exploits on his debut unfortunately did not spark an immediate breakthrough, as it emerged that the teenager had suffered a knee injury. That problem would keep him out for two months, and he has since been eased back into action – starting just one out of eight matches since late August, albeit he will still be happy with that level of game time at his age.

He has, though, bagged his second senior goal for AIK in another euphoric moment, rising highest to head home a 96th-minute winner against Stockholm rivals IF Brommapojkarna. "This is the best there is, this is how football should be," he told afterwards with his arms spread wide in a refreshingly enthusiastic interview. "A chance, a goal, it's enough."

At international level, Filling already forms part of Sweden's U18s squad and recently netted a brace against Wales in a friendly. He had already represented the U15s, U16s and U17s, and seems destined to make his senior bow in the not-too-distant future.

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GettyBiggest strengths

Filling's two senior goals are a reflection of the attributes he is already exhibiting at such a young age. The first against Goteborg showed his speed and fearlessness, as he raced clear of the defence but stayed composed when one on one with the goalkeeper and coolly finished; the second demonstrated his aerial ability, as he already stands at an imposing 6'1" despite having many more years to grow. Indeed, he was clearly up for the physical battle on his debut as he engaged in plenty of duels. He has the versatility to play out wide, too, often operating in the left channel and cutting inside.

"Kevin was one of the first academy players I noticed when I came to the club, and since then his development has been very positive," AIK's head of scouting and recruitment Fredrik Wisur Hansen said when Filling's contract was announced. "With his pace, intensity and natural aggression, he is a perfect fit for the football we want to play."

It seems at this early stage that he has the mentality required to make it to the very top, too. Thomassen revealed after the striker's goal against Goteborg: "(He is) Very ambitious. I had to call him in from the last training session. He stood half an hour after we finished training and practiced finishing. He has taken enormous responsibility for his own development and it has gone quickly forward."