Abhimanyu and Jagadeesan lead India B’s strong charge in the face of India C’s first innings score of 525

Shashank Kishore13-Sep-2024On a day dominated by the batters, Manav Suthar proved his all-round chops as India C posted a mammoth first innings total in Anantapur. India B responded solidly, their new opening pair of Abhimanyu Easwaran and N Jagadeesan hitting unbeaten half-centuries by stumps.Suthar, fresh off a match-winning seven-for in India C’s Duleep Trophy 2024-25 opening game, built on Ishan Kishan’s century on Thursday. Resuming on 8, Suthar brought up his fourth first-class half-century, but fell 14 short of his first-class highest of 96 not out.He was the last batter out as India C, resuming on 357 for 5, finished with 525. Kishan and Suthar aside, there were also half-centuries from B Indrajith and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Anshul Kamboj, the Haryana allrounder, struck a breezy 27-ball 38 in his 56-run stand with Suthar to swell their total further.2:38

Manav Suthar: ‘Ashwin is my bowling idol, Yuvraj my all-time favourite’

Suthar’s Rajasthan teammate Rahul Chahar was among the best India B bowlers, picking 4 for 73, while Mukesh Kumar, who began the day by having Gaikwad bowled, also ended with a four-for.Having been dismissed cheaply while attempting to drive at the Chinnaswamy last week, Abhimanyu would be relieved at having somewhat made amends. He faced 145 balls while hitting seven fours, and will resume on day three looking to get to his 24th first-class century.For Jagadeesan, coming in for Rishabh Pant, the game time couldn’t have come at a better time as he seeks to reinvigorate a first-class career that was seemingly at the crossroads not long ago.

Afghanistan allrounder Mohammad Nabi has said he wants to retire from the ODI format after the Champions Trophy 2025. Nabi revealed his plans at the end of the ODI series against Bangladesh in the UAE, while claiming his Player-of-the-Series award in Afghanistan’s 2-1 series victory.”In my mind, from the last World Cup, I was retired but then we qualified for the Champions Trophy and I felt if I could play that, it would be great,” Nabi told the host broadcaster after the third ODI.It is understood he has communicated the decision to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and will continue playing T20Is. To the ACB media team, he said: “We will see, but no, I will not play for long. God willing, after the Champions Trophy, we will say goodbye to the ODIs.”With 167 appearances in the format, Nabi is Afghanistan’s highest-capped ODI cricketer and the current World No. 1 ODI allrounder according to the ICC rankings.He has represented Afghanistan ever since their debut ODI against Scotland in 2009. With the bat, his 3600 ODI runs puts him at second on the list of Afghanistan’s highest run-getters. He has also hit 17 fifties and two centuries at 27.48. As an offspinner, he has 172 wickets, the second-highest for Afghanistan, at an average of 32.47.The 2025 Champions Trophy will be Afghanistan’s maiden appearance at the event. They made the cut by virtue of finishing sixth at the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. The eight-team Champions Trophy features the top seven teams from the latest ODI World Cup, along with hosts Pakistan.In both T20Is and ODIs, Nabi has been a constant in Afghanistan’s rise up the ranks that culminated in ODI, T20I and Test recognition. He was ODI captain in Afghanistan’s maiden 50-over World Cup appearance in 2015, and featured in the 2019 and 2023 editions too. He retired from Tests in 2019.

Paul Pogba will always remain a what-if player for Manchester United, given his failure to sustain his success during his spell as a first-team member at Old Trafford.

The Frenchman left the club on a free transfer, before joining in a then world-record £89m transfer just a couple of years after originally being allowed to depart the Red Devils.

The midfielder was known for his moments of magic, but questions were always asked about his commitment and effort, which held him back from being one of the elite players in world football.

He racked up over 200 appearances during his second spell in Manchester, but ultimately struggled to match the huge fee he returned to the club with.

However, his individual brilliance will always outshine the tough times he spent at the club, with current boss Ruben Amorim able to land his own version of the 32-year-old this window.

The latest on United’s hunt for new signings this summer

Benjamin Sesko undoubtedly remains as United’s main target this summer, as the club look to provide the boss with the talisman he craves during his spell in charge.

Talks have already been held between the players’ representatives and the Red Devils hierarchy, but any deal will be an expensive one, given the current £78m asking price.

However, the Slovenian international isn’t the only player currently on their radar, with work also being conducted to secure a deal for Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra.

Marca’s latest update claims that Amorim’s side have already reached out to the LaLiga giants over a move for the 22-year-old, who’s currently valued at £25m.

The report also states that AC Milan are also currently exploring a move for the Spaniard, which could see the Red Devils spring into action for his signature in the near future.

Why United’s latest target could be Amorim’s own Pogba

Along with his effortless ability to change a game, Pogba was known for his ball-carrying talent, which often saw him run the game when he was performing in full flow.

During the 2017/18 campaign he spent at Old Trafford, the former Juventus star registered 4.1 progressive carries per 90, a figure that ranked him within the top 5% of all players within England’s top-flight.

His dominance on the ball is further backed up by current professional Declan Rice, who placed the Frenchman within his top three players he’s ever come up against.

United’s current midfield is currently lacking the dynamism that Pogba possessed, which should come as no surprise given 33-year-old Casemiro is still one of the options at Amorim’s disposal.

However, the manager could be about to land his own version of the former fan-favourite this summer, with Guerra possessing a lot of the qualities that made the World Cup winner a hit with the supporters.

Guerra, who’s been labelled “special” by analyst Ben Mattinson, managed to register 4.8 progressive passes and 1.8 progressive carries per 90 – able to glide past opponents when in control of the ball.

Such a skillset may come as a surprise given his 6”2 frame, sitting just one inch smaller than Pogba, with the pair freakishly talented with the ball at his feet given their height.

Javi Guerra’s stats for Valencia in LaLiga (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

36

Goals & assists

6

Progressive passes

4.8

Passes into final third

4.2

Take-ons attempted

2.7

Carries into final third

1.5

Tackles won

1.7

Stats via FBref

However, the youngster’s talents are also further reflected in his tallies of 1.7 tackles won and 1.7 clearances made per 90, able to do the dirty work at the heart of the side before making the desired impact higher up the field.

At just 22, he’s already made a name for himself for his ability to find the net from distance, with his effort against Espanyol arguably the best of his career.

Pogba also managed to possess such a quality, as seen by his own catalogue of strikes, which always managed to excite the fanbase – something which Guerra could do himself should he join the club.

Given his £25m asking price, a deal should be a no-brainer, potentially landing themselves a bargain this summer with a player who could emulate the levels produced by the former world record signing.

Related He's just like Zirkzee: Man Utd preparing move for £40m Sesko alternative

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This summer just keeps on getting better and better for Chelsea.

On top of their impressive performances on the pitch, the Conference League champions have been incredibly effective off of it, in the transfer market.

The latest player who looks set to join Enzo Maresca’s revolution is the promising Jorrel Hato, whose move from Ajax has already been given the “here we go” treatment from Fabrizio Romano.

However, there is one deal the club are supposedly keen on doing, which could split the fan base: signing Alejandro Garnacho.

The Manchester United ace feels like someone the club do not need at the moment, especially as they could use the money on someone else they’ve been linked with, someone who’d be a far better signing.

Chelsea target better signing than Garnacho

There may be a sizable portion of the Chelsea fan base who don’t like it, but as things stand, it does appear as if the club are interested in Garnacho.

Transfer Focus

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

Stories from earlier this week claimed that the Blues would push for the United ace towards the end of the window, and that he could end up costing around £40m.

While the Argentine is undoubtedly a talented player, and there is therefore a chance he could be a hit at Stamford Bridge, this still feels like a transfer that could be a mistake, especially when the club are supposedly still interested in someone who’d be a far better signing.

At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which claims Chelsea are one of several teams keen on England international Marc Guehi.

In fact, the report has revealed that, alongside the likes of Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, the Blues have already made contact with Crystal Palace over the talented defender.

In terms of the money needed to sign the 25-year-old, the story claims Palace want €50m, which comes out to around £43m, and while that’s not cheap, it feels like fair value for a player of Guehi’s quality, and helps make the case he’d be a far better signing than Garnacho.

Why Guehi would be a better signing than Garnacho

While we aren’t denying that Garnacho is a talented youngster with some impressive elements to his game, it’s clear to us that Guehi would be the far better signing for Chelsea this summer, and there are several reasons why.

The first is the simple fact that adding a Premier League-proven centre-back, who’s heading into the peak of his powers, would have a far larger impact on Maresca’s side than adding another young attacker would.

For example, if the United ace were to play in attacking midfield, he’d have to act as backup to Cole Palmer and, if he were to play on the left, we doubt he’d get in ahead of the recently signed Gitten.

Appearances

216

Goals

8

Assists

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.05

National Team Caps

23

In contrast, a partnership at the back of Levi Colwill and the Palace ace feels like one that could make a massive difference to the team, both thanks to his vast experience and the simple fact he’s an excellent defender, as exemplified by his 23 senior England caps and the slew of top sides vying for his signature.

Moreover, according to research carried out by The Athletic, the “monster” defender, as dubbed by reporter Bobby Manzi, is just two years from reaching his peak age.

In contrast, the Argentine is around six years away from reaching his peak, and the club should be looking to win things in the coming seasons.

Finally, the chance of the Eagles ace joining the team and causing problems in the dressing room feels incredibly low, which cannot be said about the Madrid-born star.

He has already publicly fallen out with Ruben Amorim, and it was such a severe falling out that, according to some stories, the manager told him he’d have to pray another club came in for him this summer.

Ultimately, Garnacho might be a talented youngster and someone who could be a great player in time, but thanks to his vast experience and dependability, Guehi would be a far better assignment this summer.

More exciting than Hato: Chelsea close to agreement for "phenomenal" CF

The talented gem could be a superstar for Chelsea.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 31, 2025

Manchester United have been extremely active within the current summer window, already addressing the need for additions in key areas of the pitch.

Bryan Mbeumo is the biggest addition made by Ruben Amorim this summer, with the Cameroonian international moving to Old Trafford in a £71m deal from Brentford.

He arrives at the club with real excitement, after managing to find the net 20 times in his 38 Premier League outings for the Bees last time around.

However, the prospect of the 25-year-old linking up with Matheus Cunha in attacking areas is certainly an exciting one, handing the side the attacking threat they’ve lacked in recent times.

Despite the two previous additions within the final third, further signings are expected between now and the end of the window, further highlighting the ambition of the current owners.

The latest on United’s hunt for new attackers this summer

Benjamin Sesko has been one of the biggest names mentioned with a summer move to join United this summer, unsurprisingly so given his tally of 21 goals across all competitions in 2024/25.

Talks have already commenced over a move to land the 22-year-old this window, being a part of the club’s final shortlist to fill the void at the top end of the pitch.

However, he’s only one of two players currently in their sights, with Ollie Watkins another player currently being considered, according to The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell.

He claims that, like Sesko, the hierarchy are in constant talks with Aston Villa over a move for the 29-year-old, who’s seen as a Premier League proven option for Amorim.

The report also claims that Unai Emery doesn’t want to lose his talisman this summer after scoring 16 times in the league last campaign, subsequently placing a £60m price tag on his head.

Why United’s latest target would be perfect with Mbeumo

Mbeumo will be hoping to make his own impact at Old Trafford next season, wanting to carry over his tremendous form at Brentford that ultimately led to his big-money addition.

He’s capable of finding the back of the net on his own, but will also be able to provide others with the chances to bolster their own tallies after registering seven assists in 2024/25.

Such numbers made him the third-highest contributor in England’s top flight, highlighting the incredible talent Amorim has managed to get his hands on this window.

However, as previously mentioned, he’s unlikely to be the final addition in such an area of the pitch, potentially leading to a move for Watkins in the near future.

A deal for the Englishman could be an exciting one, but one that could allow him to thrive alongside the Cameroonian, just like he did during his own spell at Brentford.

The pair last partnered each other in the Championship back in the 2019/20 campaign, managing to register 40 league goals between them as the side fell at the final hurdle, suffering defeat in the play-off final.

Both ended the year in the top ten of the division’s top goalscoring charts, before taking different paths, which has led them to their current positions in their respective careers.

However, they could star together once again, with Watkins, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by ex-professional Stephen Warnock, able to be the recipient of Mbeumo’s impressive assist tally.

He managed to register 1.4 shots on target per 90, at an accuracy rate of 44% last season, and could be able to transform the fortunes of the side within the final third.

Games played

38

Goals & assists

24

Goals per shot on target

0.4

Progressive passes

1.1

Pass accuracy

72%

Progressive carries

1.9

Carries into final third

1.3

Aerials won

1.9

Fouls won

1.2

Watkins’ all-round ability is further reflected in his tally of 1.9 aerials won, having the ability in the air to add a new dimension to the Red Devils’ frontline throughout the upcoming campaign.

If the pair can rekindle their impressive partnership together at Old Trafford, the side will have every chance of rising up England’s top flight in Amorim’s first full campaign in charge.

It may prove to be a pricey addition, but it’s one that would provide the excitement the fanbase have lacked in attacking areas, making the Red Devils a force to be reckoned with once again.

Their very own Isak: Man Utd in concrete talks to sign "phenomenal" £80m CF

Manchester United could be about to land a star who’d be their own version of Alexander Isak.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 29, 2025

Bayern Munich have now made an approach over a potential deal for a Chelsea star who excelled at the Club World Cup, according to a report.

Blues crowned Club World Cup champions in New Jersey

Few would have predicted the Blues to cause an upset against European champions Paris Saint-Germain, but they put in a remarkable performance to secure a 3-0 victory, with all three goals coming in the first-half.

Cole Palmer is likely to get most of the headlines, with the England international bagging a brace, and the 23-year-old’s second goal was extremely well-taken, creating space with a shimmy that was impossible for Lucas Beraldo and Vitinha to predict.

However, Enzo Maresca has praised the entire team for the way in which they were able to implement his game plan, saying: “It went well, but I think we won the game in the first 10 minutes, when the team came out to demonstrate that we were here to try to win, respecting the rival, considering the rival the best team in the world at this time.

“But I think in the end, you can give the players a plan, but in the end it’s them who have to execute it, and they did it very well.”

Another player who caught the eye was Malo Gusto, with the right-back assisting Palmer’s opening goal vs PSG, while also being trusted by Maresca throughout the tournament, featuring in every single match.

Chelsea now in race to sign PSG's "sensational" £34m Ballon d'Or contender

The Blues are vying to sign one of the world’s best-performing players…

ByDominic Lund Jul 14, 2025

However, according to a report from France, Gusto is now attracting interest from across the continent, with Bayern Munich submitting an enquiry over a potential deal, given that Sacha Boey is expected to leave the German club this summer.

It is currently unclear whether the Blues would be willing to listen to offers for the Frenchman, who started against PSG, but they should be in a strong negotiating position, as he remains contracted until 2030.

Chelsea must reject Bayern's advances

Maresca could be brewing something special at Stamford Bridge, with the statement victory over PSG suggesting his side may be Premier League title contenders next season, and Chelsea must not put that at risk by selling one of their key players.

The France international made 32 appearances in the Premier League last season, indicating Maresca trusts the full-back, with the Italian also describing the 22-year-old as one of his “favourite” players.

As such, it seems unlikely that a departure will be on the cards this summer, especially in the wake of the Club World Cup final triumph, which may convince the defender to continue being a part of Maresca’s project.

That said, if Chelsea do decide to cash-in, they should hold out for far more than the £31m they forked out to sign him from Lyon back in January 2023.

On his poor run with the bat, Rohit says, “Sometimes it doesn’t come off, and this series it hasn’t come off, which I am very disappointed with”

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Nov-20245:00

Rohit: This will be a low point in my career

India captain Rohit Sharma has admitted after a forgettable and India’s first ever 3-0 whitewash at home that he was “not at my best” as both captain and batter, and that his team “failed as a unit” because they made “lots of mistakes.”Chasing 147 to get any possible WTC points from a series already conceded, India crashed and burned to 121 all out against the spin of Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips.”Definitely, you know, something like this will be a very low point in my career, you know, having lost three games at home,” Rohit said at the post-match press conference. “And, yes, we, I fully take the responsibility for that as a captain and as a leader as well. I have not been at the best of my abilities right from the start of the series. And yeah, with the bat as well, I’ve not been good enough.”Related

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For a while, when Rishabh Pant was counterattacking with a 57-ball 64, there was hope for the hosts. But before that it was 29 for 5, and after Pant fell, to a contentious third-umpire’s decision, it all unravelled quite quickly. Rohit looked back on the series as a whole and felt let down by his own decision making.”Right from the start, I said it. You know, I made a decision about batting first on that Bangalore pitch, which was not right,” he said. “And certain tactical errors also, which didn’t go my way. You obviously take chances with those decisions. Sometimes it comes off. Sometimes it doesn’t. And this time around, it didn’t come off, the certain decisions that I took. So, yeah, I was not at my best of my leadership. And probably cost us the series as well.”Rohit’s poor series coincided with an excellent one for Tom Latham – who assumed full-time captaincy of the team just last month – and his men.”New Zealand played better than us throughout the series,” he said at the presentation. “There were lots of mistakes that we made throughout the series, and we have to accept it.Virat Kohli has also been going through a lull•AFP/Getty Images”The first and the second Test, we didn’t put enough runs on the board in the first innings. And we were very much behind the game. This game, we got that 30 [28]-runs lead and we felt that we were a little bit ahead of the game. That target was chaseable. All we had to do was a little bit of application, which we failed to do as a unit.”Questions about Rohit’s own batting form have been cropping up this series. Apart from a 52 in the second innings of the first Test in Bengaluru, he has managed scores of 2, 0, 8, 18 and 11. On ESPNcricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar also spoke about Rohit’s captaincy, and what he called T20 tactics in a Test match.In this chase in Mumbai, Rohit hit two fours in a run-a-ball 11, but fell when he couldn’t get his favourite shot – the pull – right against Matt Henry.”Look, when you’re chasing a target like that, you want runs on the board as well. And that is something that was there in my mind,” Rohit said. “It just didn’t come off. When it doesn’t come off, it doesn’t look that great. There are certain ideas, certain methods that I go into bat with. Sometimes it doesn’t come off, and this series it hasn’t come off, which I am very disappointed with.”

“There were lots of mistakes that we made throughout the series, and we have to accept it.”Rohit Sharma

The other senior batter in the side – Virat Kohli (93 runs in six innings) – has also been going through a lull, which has forced a need for serious introspection. India will be facing the reigning Test match champions Australia in just over two weeks’ time.”Obviously, it’s [his and Kohli’s lack of runs] a cause of concern without a doubt,” Rohit said. “If the batters are not performing, that is a cause of concern. But what’s done is done now. I think as a player, as a captain, as a team, we all have to look forward and see how we can correct what we didn’t manage to achieve here. There is a good opportunity for us to go and do something really, really special in Australia.”But right now, it’s just trying to understand what we didn’t do right [against New Zealand], what are the things that we need to do better as a team. We made a lot of mistakes, so I think those mistakes need to be addressed and something that we will talk about. And then moving forward, when you land in Australia, I think it’s important to just focus on that particular series, the first Test match. You know, it’s a five Test match series, so it’s important to break down those Test series, those Test matches and focus on one Test and then just take it from there.”As always, there were positives. In the batting department as well, where the younger players – Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, and Washington Sundar showed, at various points, that runs could be scored on tough pitches.”Those guys showed how to bat on these surfaces,” Rohit said about the younger lot. “You have to be slightly ahead, and be proactive when you’re playing on a pitch like that. Which we all know. Which we have discussed many a time in the last three or four years. We are aware of what we need to do. It’s just that, this was an unfortunate series where it didn’t come off. We tried to do certain things, it didn’t come off. Which is why we lagged behind in the series.”

Arsenal loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko has been ordered to pay a tax bill of £300,000 after losing a court battle. Zinchenko, who was struggling for game time under Mikel Arteta at Emirates Stadium, joined Nottingham Forest on loan during the summer transfer window.

Zinchenko loses court battleWill also have to clear accountants' billZinchenko joined Forest on loanFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , the HMRC has ordered Zinchenko to settle a tax bill worth £300,000. The details of the tax amount emerged after the Gunners loanee put his Alex Zinchenko Image Rights firm into voluntary liquidation. HMRC had approached the High Court to shut down the firm. Zinchenko was the only stakeholder in the company until Ukraine FA official Artemijs Rjabovs took over and renamed it Ozir Ltd. 

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Zinchenko will also have to pay off bills worth £35,000 to his accountants. The Ukraine international completed a loan move to Forest during the summer transfer window, after he fell out of favour under Arteta and struggled for minutes on the pitch during the 2024-25 campaign. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Forest were forced to leave Zinchenko and record summer signing Omari Hutchinson out of their 2025-26 Europa League squad due to UEFA’s homegrown quota rules.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ZINCHENKO?

With Ange Postecoglou all set to replace Nuno Espirito Santo as Forest boss, Zinchenko will hope to impress the Australian manager and feature regularly in his starting lineup this season. Forest next face Zinchenko's parent club Arsenal on Saturday in the Premier League. 

تتواصل الأنباء حول اقتراب النادي الأهلي من التعاقد مع مدرب أجنبي جديد لقيادة الفريق خلال المرحلة المقبلة، بعد رحيل الجهاز الفني السابق، وسط تكهنات عديدة بشأن الأسماء المرشحة.

ومن بين الأسماء المطروحة، يبرز البرتغالي برونو لاج، المدير الفني السابق لفريق بنفيكا، حيث أكدت مصادر مقربة أن الأهلي فتح بالفعل خطوط اتصال معه لبحث إمكانية توليه المهمة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مدرب عالمي يرد على عرض الأهلي: أريد “Crazy Money”

جواو كاماتشو، وكيل المدرب البرتغالي، تحدث في تصريحات خاصة لـ بطولات، كاشفًا تفاصيل المفاوضات بين الطرفين.

وقال كاماتشو: “هناك بالفعل مفاوضات واتصالات مع النادي الأهلي للتعاقد مع المدرب، لكن ليس هناك اتفاق بعد”.

وأضاف: “المدرب يحتاج لبعض الأيام للحديث مع عائلته وطاقمه الفني للرد على الأهلي”.

وتابع وكيل برونو لاج: “المفاجأة أن هناك وفدًا من الأهلي من الممكن أن يسافر إلى البرتغال خلال ساعات للحديث وجهًا لوجه مع المدرب”.

وبحسب ما علمه بطولات، فإن لاج منفتح للغاية على الاجتماع بمسئولي الأهلي في البرتغال، وهو لا يمانع مناقشة تفاصيل العرض بشكل مباشر.

Manchester United are now preparing an offer to sign an “incredible” £6.2 million Brazilian who wants to join the Red Devils, according to a new report.

Man Utd move on to new targets after finalising Mbeumo deal

The Red Devils have spent the last six to eight weeks working on a deal to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. They had seen two bids turned down for the Cameroon international, but on Friday it was confirmed that they had finally agreed a deal with the London side.

The forward underwent his medical at Carrington over the weekend, with pictures emerging of him wearing the club’s training kit, and now an official announcement is expected soon.

Now that United have wrapped up that deal, they are turning their attention to their next set of targets, and they include signing a goalkeeper and a striker. United have been linked with moves for Nicolas Jackson and Randal Kolo Muani most recently, but the Premier League side have also held internal discussions about signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.

In fact, TEAMtalk report that United are set to intensify their efforts to sign Sesko, who is said to be valued at £67 million by the Bundesliga giants.

Man Utd now set to intensify move for 6'5 "menace" after 3 years of talks

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2

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Jul 19, 2025

Meanwhile, signing a new goalkeeper is also considered a priority for United, and on Sunday, Fabrizio Romano reported that the Red Devils made initial contact to be informed on a deal for Senne Lammens, who currently plays for Royal Antwerp.

The 23-year-old is among the options on United’s list, but he is not their only target, as they are also looking at another name.

Man Utd preparing bid to sign John Victor

According to Goal Brasil, relayed by Sport Witness, Man United are now expected to make an offer in the coming days to sign John Victor from Botafogo.

The report states that United have been in contact with Victor’s entourage since December last year, and he is now considered their top target in their search for a new goalkeeper. It isn’t clear what United’s offer will be, but the 28-year-old does have a release clause worth €7.4 million, which is roughly £6.2 million, and that figure would need to be paid in full to bypass Botafogo.

It goes on to add that other Premier League teams have approached Victor’s agent in recent days, but the goalkeeper is prioritising a move to Old Trafford. However, a deal will only progress when United have made an offer.

The Red Devils are well stacked in the goalkeeper department, as they still have Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, and Tom Heaton in their ranks. The latter pair played in their opening pre-season game against Leeds United over the weekend, but it remains unclear if Bayindir has a future at the club.

Onana has also been linked with a move away and is now dealing with a hamstring injury that could see him miss the start of the season, so Victor, who has been dubbed “incredible” by FIFA’s official media channels, could arrive and have a good chance of being the club’s number one.