Shohei Ohtani has been working his way back to the mound after not having pitched since his last season with the Los Angeles Angels in 2023. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in September of that year, Ohtani was limited to serving as the designated hitter in his first season as a Los Angeles Dodger.
Well, it seems as if he could be toeing the rubber before too long, based on the latest update from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Ahead of Tuesday's game against the San Diego Padres, Roberts told reporters that there's a "north of zero" chance that Ohtani is able to return to pitching ahead of schedule, via Fabian Ardaya of .
The 30-year-old is currently expected to return to the mound after the All-Star break, but after throwing a few simulated innings on Tuesday, Roberts and pitching coach Mark Prior were both impressed with his progress. While Roberts wouldn't commit to Ohtani coming back earlier than expected, he certainly did not rule it out, either.
Ohtani has been hitting leadoff and serving as L.A.'s designated hitter through the first 65 games of the 2025 season. He leads the National League with 23 home runs and a 1.015 OPS, and before long will add his Cy Young-caliber arm to a Dodgers rotation that's been plagued by injury this year.
The last time Ohtani pitched in 2023, he had a 3.14 ERA across 23 starts and struck out 167 batters over 132 innings on the mound.
The two spinners, from MP, claimed 16 wickets between them in the final and were “very difficult to play on this pitch”
Ashish Pant15-Sep-2025Rajat Patidar, the 2025-26 Duleep Trophy-winning captain, hailed the “great character” shown by Central Zone not just in the final but throughout the tournament. He particularly heaped praise on the two spinners, Kumar Kartikeya and Saransh Jain, who shared 16 wickets between them in the final as Central Zone won their first Duleep Trophy title since 2014-15 by defeating South Zone by six wickets.”They have played a lot of matches together, Kartikeya and Saransh [for Madhya Pradesh] and they have the skill and are very difficult to play on this pitch,” Patidar said after the game. “The track was really good to bat and our bowlers dominated and made it tough for the other team. That was a positive sign.”It’s been a flawless tournament for Central Zone, where they cruised through the quarter-final against North East Zone and the semi-final against West Zone, qualifying for the final by virtue of gaining first-innings leads. Then, in what had been a high-scoring tournament, Central Zone bowled first in the final and skittled South Zone for just 149, which paved the way for a comfortable win on the final day.Related
Jain keeps 'India logo on my jersey' dream going with another statement display
Rathod's 194, Jain's all-round show give Central Duleep title
“This wicket was slightly dry, and that is why we decided to bowl first,” Patidar said. “We wanted to bowl them out in the first innings as early as possible. That was our aim and it made the game easier.”We predicted that it would help the fast bowlers, but I wanted to give one spinner at least an over to see how the pitch is responding. I realised there was more help for the spinners rather than the fast bowlers.”L Balaji, the South Zone head coach, meanwhile, lamented the first-innings collapse and missing out on a few runs in the second as the major reasons behind his side’s disappointing performance. Chasing 65 on the final day, Central Zone lost three early wickets but despite the surface doing plenty of tricks, the chase was never going to be daunting.”The last day panned out to be bowler-friendly. Had we got more runs in the first innings or the second, had the partnership [between Ankit Sharma and C Andre Siddarth] been extended, it would have been a solid game,” Balaji said. “[A target of] 150 would have been an ideal kind of fourth-innings target for the bowling unit to fight hard.”Kumar Kartikeya kisses the Duleep Trophy silverware•PTI South Zone’s team combination for the final was also a talking point. They went with three fast bowlers and one spinner in a bid to extend their batting line-up. It backfired with the Central Zone spinners finding plenty of purchase through the game, and the lone South Zone spinner, Ankit, bagging six wickets without any spin support from the other end.”We played three seamers in the previous game and wanted to stick with pretty much the same combination,” Balaji said. “All the bowlers bowled their heart out. Had we won the toss, the third seamer would have come into play. But I felt the boys did well selection-wise. We were consistent when it comes to the combinations.”Balaji also agreed that some of the shots played by the batters in the first innings “were a little bit unnecessary” as South Zone collapsed. But he was confident the experience of playing a major final would keep the players in good stead.”There are a lot of ifs and buts,” he said. “Shot selection-wise, some shots we could have been a little bit restricted. But on the field, when they are instinctively playing, you just have to give them the freedom to play their shot. But it was okay. This is a young batting unit and they will learn from this.”Balaji was also impressed by Siddharth’s temperament in the second innings. The 19-year-old fell for just 12 in the first innings but ensured he made up in the second, scoring an unbeaten 84. He stitched a 192-run seventh-wicket stand with Ankit, keeping the Central Zone players waiting.”We were put under pressure and he came up with a solid knock which we required at that time,” Balaji said about Siddharth’s knock. “That partnership was needed, and yes, coming not out is very important as a cricketer. He will learn. On the way, he will definitely learn a lot from this exposure and from this experience. I am sure he has got the talent to go higher.”
Everton are reportedly pushing hard to complete the signing of Sevilla right-back Juanlu Sanchez, but there is more Premier League interest in him, too.
The 22-year-old is an exciting young talent who has already won an Olympic gold medal with Spain, winning a total of four caps for his country and hoping to be a part of their 2026 World Cup squad.
Juanlu emerged as a target for Wolves during the summer transfer window, with talks opening at one point and a move to Molineux potentially looking on the cards.
In the end, he rejected their advances, however, and decided to remain at Sevilla for the time being, continuing to be an influential player for the Spanish giants this season.
Juanlu has made 10 La Liga appearances in 2025/26 to date, assisting once in the competition, but it looks as though his long-term future may lie away from the club, with Everton seemingly in the mix to acquire his signature.
Everton applying "strong pressure" to sign Juanlu
According to Diario de Sevilla [via Sport Witness], Everton are putting “strong pressure” on to sign Juanlu from Sevilla, with Crystal Palace also in the same boat.
Sevilla’s financial issues could see them forced into selling the wide man, with as much as £17.6m possibly needed to prise him away from Spain.
Juanlu looks like such a shrewd target for Everton, with the Spain international possessing the versatility to add so much depth to David Moyes’ squad, being able to thrive on the wing and even in midfield alongside his natural right-back role.
Still only 22, his best years are ahead of him, with former manager Xavier Garcia Pimienta heaping praise on his qualities as a player in the past.
“He has played as an inside midfielder [before], we were short on space in midfield due to Saul’s [Niguez] suspension and [Albert Sambi] Lokonga’s injury. I spoke to him, I knew he could do well in that position. Juanlu has an incredible present and a better future.”
Aston Villa's move to sign James Garner amid new update on Everton future
The Villans have come forward to sign a new midfielder, with his future at the Hill Dickinson Stadium up in the air.
ByDominic Lund Nov 17, 2025
The lure of Palace may be big, given their status as reigning FA Cup holders, but Everton are enjoying life in their sparkly new stadium, with Jack Grealish a big-name loan signing, and Juanlu will hopefully see them as the more exciting proposition.
Everton enter race to sign £88m South American "machine" with Newcastle
Runs from the in-form Emma Lamb and impressive bowling from wristspinners Hannah Baker and Millie Taylor saw Birmingham Phoenix to an 11-run win over Trent Rockets despite a defiant 64 from Nat Sciver-Brunt.Birmingham Phoenix posted 148 for 5 from their 100 balls, a fine half-century from Lamb (55 from 32) leading the way at the top of the order.Electing to bat first, Phoenix started slowly, reaching 16 for 0 from their first 15 balls. They were 36 for 0 after the 25-ball power play and by the halfway mark, in front of a growing Edgbaston crowd, the home side were 78 for 1, having lost Georgia Voll (19) bowled by Australia legspinner Alana King.Lamb brought up her half-century from 28 balls with eight boundaries, eventually falling with the score on 89, flat-batting Ash Gardner’s offspin into the hands of King at deep midwicket.Emma Lamb swings leg-side•Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images
In reply, economical bowling from the home side then stifled the Rockets’ run chase throughout, Ellyse Perry’s 20 balls conceding just 17 runs as the Phoenix captain led from the front.A lofted drive off Baker saw Sciver-Brunt reach 1,000 career runs in the Hundred, becoming the first woman or man to reach the milestone, reaching the landmark at an average of exactly 50.She brought up her half-century with a violent six off Em Arlott over midwicket and followed it up with a straight four to see the equation to 37 required from 15 balls. Another boundary off Megan Schutt’s final ball then made the equation 27 from 10 balls.Left-arm wrist-spinner Taylor (1 for 22) bowled the penultimate five, conceding just seven to leave 20 runs for Arlott to defend from the final set, and then pulled off a stunning one-handed catch at short fine-leg to see the back of Sciver-Brunt.Arlott finished with figures of 2 for 38 and Baker 2 for 18 from 15 balls as the Rockets closed on 137 for 6.
Aston Villa are keen to climb the Premier League table after a mixed start to the campaign and could now turn to a veteran midfielder once the January window opens.
Aston Villa turn focus to Premier League after Go Ahead Eagles loss
Ultimately, the Villans’ 2-1 loss to Go Ahead Eagles on Thursday night won’t be a result that Unai Emery is too keen to revisit, albeit he will hope it was a blip rather than a sign of things to come.
Providing an honest reflection after the match, club captain John McGinn shared his frustration that the Deventer-based club were given ‘life from nowhere’ to find their way back into the match, which ultimately led to their downfall.
He said: “When you give a team that is really passionate and up for it at home — they’ve not played in Europe for a while — and you give them some motivation and a bit of life, you get punished. Tonight, we gave them life from nowhere, and that’s why we have been beaten.”
Learning harsh lessons, Aston Villa found out the hard way that there are no easy matches in Europe. Still, they are among the favourites to win the competition and could be helped by bringing Real Madrid forward Endrick to the club in January if they can win the battle for his signature.
Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia may also come in to compete within Aston Villa’s forward line, potentially offering an alternative in attack to Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa now keen on signing "spectacular" £53m Champions League striker
The Villans are looking to bring in a new centre-forward, who is now considering working under Unai Emery.
ByDominic Lund Oct 22, 2025
Nevertheless, Emery appears to have the engine room on his mind once the mid-season transfer period comes around and may now have identified his preferred candidate to offer strength in the middle of the park.
Aston Villa eyeing move for Man City star Mateo Kovacic
According to CaughtOffside, Aston Villa are keen to sign Manchester City star Mateo Kovacic and may be able to land the Croatia international for a knockdown fee due to his contract situation.
The report states that ‘there are no talks ongoing over a new contract’ for the ex-Chelsea star at the Etihad Stadium, and Pep Guardiola may opt to cash in during the mid-season window with AC Milan, West Ham United, Villarreal and Real Betis all in the hunt for his signature.
Five similar players to Mateo Kovacic (FBRef)
Vitinha
Paris Saint-Germain
Pierre Hojbjerg
Marseille
Luka Modric
Real Madrid
Nicolo Rovella
Lazio
Patrick Berg
Bodo/Glimt
Earning £150,000 per week in Manchester, Kovacic will be out of contract at his current employers in the summer of 2027, and he is now said to be surplus to requirements after featuring in only four minutes of Premier League football this term.
While he is unlikely to be a long-term midfield solution, he could potentially be an intelligent pickup for Aston Villa as they aim to climb the table and make strides in the Europa League.
Jayden Meghoma believes sticking together is the only way for Rangers to navigate through troubled waters at the Ibrox club.
Under-fire head coach Russell Martin again faced the wrath of the Gers fans following the 1-0 home defeat to Genk in their Europa League opener on Thursday night.
The former Southampton boss has won only four of 14 games since taking over in the summer with the Light Blues second bottom of the William Hill Premiership table and knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers with a humiliating 9-1 aggregate defeat by another Belgian outfit, Club Brugge.
Meghoma, the 19-year-old left-back signed on loan from Brentford, is looking to bounce back against Livingston in West Lothian on Sunday and, asked if the players are supporting each other through a testing period at the club, he said: “Of course, you have to.
Meghoma: Rangers must stick together
“As a team, we have to be together. It’s the only way to get through a tough time like this. I’m enjoying it, but at the same time, I’m always focused on the next game.
“As a team, as a whole, we do need to focus on what we can do together. We’re always attempting to win the game and that’s what we have to do against Livingston.
“Every game has its different challenges and poses a different threat. We know we’re coming up against them and we’re ready for it.
“Like I said, focus on the next game and making sure that we win for this club because it’s a massive club and we should be doing better for this club.”
Livingston boss David Martindale has told his newly-promoted team they need to adapt quickly to the demands of the Premiership after conceding stoppage-time winners in two of their last three matches against Hearts and Dundee.
“If we had got the two points from those games we would have been sitting third on the table last Saturday night, but that’s the unforgiving nature of the Premiership,” said the manager.
Fabrizio Romano shares what he's heard from Rangers on Martin's Ibrox future
The Gers fell to yet another defeat in midweek…
By
Tom Cunningham
Sep 27, 2025
“That’s the fine margins at this level and I feel as a group, we need to understand that very, very quickly. If we play like we did against Dundee in the Championship last year, we’d have probably won 2- or 3-0. It’s just different levels, different players and the unforgiving nature of the Premiership.”
Despite winning only one of their six top-flight matches so far, Martindale sees no reason why his side should be wary of facing Rangers on Sunday.
“We’ll just treat it like any other game, really,” he said. “If we were going away to Ibrox we’d potentially approach the game slightly different, but we’re at home and I think we’ve got to kind of stick to how we want to play.
“I don’t want to play here and shut up shop. I want to stick to as many of the principles that we’re trying to force into the players this year, so we want to go and try and get the three points.”
Mexican Football Federation president Mikel Arriola says El Tri are aiming to face Portugal in the long-awaited reopening of Estadio Azteca, with only a few technical details left to finalize. He also confirmed plans to take the national team to Central America as part of its 2026 World Cup preparations. Mexico have already faced opponents from Asia and South America in their buildup.
Getty Images SportPortugal matchup only pending final details
According to Arriola, the agreement with Portugal is close, and the FMF President insisted the chances of seeing Cristiano Ronaldo on the field are high.
“Most likely, it will be Portugal. We’re just working out the final details, but I’d say it’s practically done. I see Cristiano as a player who always wants to compete, and that’s part of the deal. If he’s fit, he’ll play,” Arriola said.
AdvertisementAFP'The plan is to schedule ‘Triple-A’ matches'
Arriola also explained that head coach Javier Aguirre has requested to play upcoming friendlies in Central America early next year.
“Javier asked us to go to Central America – to play away, to face tough environments, both from rival teams and from fans, with challenging travel, hotels, and even serenades outside the rooms. That’s the kind of experience he wants for the players, and that’s what we’re working on,” he said.
Facing top-level opponents remains a core part of Mexico’s strategic plan toward the 2026 World Cup.
“The plan is to schedule ‘Triple-A’ matches. We’ve already played against Japan and other Asian teams, and we’re finalizing four more games against South American opposition. Javier is identifying the right player profiles, and our goal is to maximize results,” he said.
Getty Images SportArriola expresses full support for Aguirre
Despite recent criticism of the team’s performances, Arriola voiced his full support for Aguirre’s project.
“What’s Javier doing? He’s searching – looking for the right profiles. He’s analyzing which players respond well to different circumstances. There’s now a strong sense of unity between the federation, the coaching staff, and the players, all focused on making sure Mexico has a great World Cup,” he said.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFP'Roughly double what any other national team will get'
The FMF’s preparation plan is one of the most ambitious in recent memory, with Mexico expected to play around 15 friendly matches in total – twice as many as most national teams will have before 2026.
“Our commitment is to make the most of every opportunity. Including the matches we’ve already played, we’ll reach about 15 friendlies, which is roughly double what any other national team will get. Plus, with clubs agreeing to release players earlier, we’ll have around five to six full weeks to work with the squad before the tournament,” Arriola said.
It’s been an up-and-down start to the year for Newcastle United, and they suffered more adversity on their first Champions League appearance of the season when welcoming Barcelona to St. James’ Park.
Newcastle’s European campaign began with defeat. Marcus Rashford was at the double, scoring two spectacular strikes after a closely-contested opening half that will have left Eddie Howe rueing missed chances.
The manager made the bold decision to leave Nick Woltemade out of the starting line-up after the 23-year-old scored a debut winner against Wolves last weekend. Anthony Gordon deputised in his place.
It might have proved a shrewd call but for some shoddy finishing, with Harvey Barnes culpable of that and more on Tyneside.
Harvey Barnes let Howe down vs Barcelona
With Gordon up top, Barnes reprised his role on the left flank. It’s not been the finest start to the season for the 27-year-old, who has gone five games across the Premier League and Europe without registering a goal involvement.
And against the slick and stylish La Blaugrana, he toiled, not only missing a good chance to score but failing with every one of his crosses and not even attempting to win a duel, statistics courtesy of Sofascore.
Jules Kounde whipped in a neat delivery for the Three Lions star, who powered home with a header from around 12 yards out. Barnes should have closed down the French defender, who had space and time to find his target.
Woltemade will expect to start against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday, and Barnes will be sweating over his starting berth, with the goalscoring Gordon sure to be eyeing up a return to his natural position out on the flank.
However, Barnes wasn’t the only one who flattered to deceive, with Joelinton failing to pack a punch in the engine room.
Why Joelinton must be dropped
At times, it can seem inconceivable that Joelinton should be dropped from Newcastle’s starting line-up, so powerful and influential is the South American in the centre of the park.
But it doesn’t always work, and he was reduced in stature against silky opposition.
Chronicle Live weren’t too unforgiving in their post-match assessment, handing the Brazilian a 6/10 rating, but they did acknowledge he lacked his usual bite and brutish efficiency against a well-oiled and cohesive La Blaugrana midfield.
However, such analysis was perhaps generous. Joelinton left plenty to be desired against the Spaniards.
Joelinton lost the ball seven times, having taken 27 touches across his hour on the field. That equates to marginally under a concession of the ball every four touches, which is hardly the sharp and composed midfield play needed against a team such as Hansi Flick’s Barcelona.
After picking up a yellow card in the first half, Joelinton walked a tightrope, and it showed. He only won three of his six contested ground duels and made just one tackle all evening.
All told, it hasn’t been a fantastic start to the season for the hulking midfield presence, though he did catch the eye against Wolves last weekend and now Howe will expect him to return to form.
Minutes played
62′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Touches
27
Shots (on target)
1 (0)
Accurate passes
13/19 (68%)
Key passes
0
Dribbles
0/0
Tackles
1
Clearances
2
Duels won
5/8
With more technically dynamic options such as Joe Willock and Lewis Miley waiting in the wings, perhaps it would be a good idea to place the 29-year-old on the bench against the Cherries, allowing Howe to freshen things up and ensure his midfield does not become too rigid and predictable in its patterns.
Joelinton is a crucial part of this team, but this is a team of many parts, and players are ready to step up and add different dimensions when the need arises.
In this sense, there’s substance to both Barnes and Joelinton stepping to the dugout ahead of the weekend.
When Wissa could make his Newcastle debut as Howe confirms extent of injury
The forward has been sidelined at a frustrating time.
Newcastle United’s summer business looked very different compared to recent years.
After seasons of navigating the tightrope of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), the Magpies were finally able to spend again, but only after some tough lessons in financial housekeeping.
The arrival of Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for £69m, which paved the way for Alexander Isak’s British-record £125m move to Liverpool, was the headline act of the window.
Yoane Wissa eventually followed in a £55m deal, capping off a remarkable string of forward moves in the window, while Jacob Ramsay, Malick Thiaw, Aaron Ramsdale and Anthony Elanga added depth elsewhere.
It was a refreshing change from the three previous windows, in which Newcastle made no first-team signings.
Last summer was especially fraught: the club scrambled to raise funds, reluctantly selling players like Jankuba Minteh, and even entertaining moves for Isak and Anthony Gordon.
Now, with greater stability, Eddie Howe has the squad refreshed and ready for another assault on both the Premier League and Champions League.
But this financial strain has already shaped the careers of some local talents.
Elliot Anderson was one of the unfortunate casualties of last year’s PSR storm, and his career trajectory offers an intriguing comparison to the Magpies’ latest homegrown star.
Elliot Anderson: The one that got away
Born in Whitley Bay and a product of the Newcastle academy, Anderson was supposed to be one of the players to lead the club into a new era.
His versatility and box-to-box energy made him a valuable squad member, but his sale to Nottingham Forest in 2024 highlighted the brutal reality of PSR.
The deal, which saw goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos move the other way, was not desired by either player or club, but pure profit from academy graduates was too valuable to ignore.
It echoed Aston Villa’s decision to part with Jacob Ramsey this summer – a player they desperately wanted to keep, but whose sale ensured compliance.
For Anderson, though, the move has proved a blessing as he has gone on to become a first-team regular at Forest.
Last season, he made 37 league appearances, scoring twice and providing six assists.
His all-action style and adaptability earned him his first senior England call-up, having previously represented Scotland at youth level.
In a recent World Cup qualifier against Andorra, he started in midfield and drew widespread praise.
The underlying numbers emphasise Anderson’s growth.
He ranks in the 88th percentile compared to positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues for assists per 90 (0.19), 77th percentile for shot-creating actions (3.07), and 89th percentile for successful take-ons (1.18).
Defensively, he is just as impactful: 3.07 tackles (88th percentile) and 2.40 clearances (87th percentile) per 90 show his ability to press and recover.
Anderson has carved out an impressive Premier League profile at Forest, but Newcastle may already be brewing an even bigger star at home.
The Magpies' rising star
At just 19 years old, Lewis Miley has become the brightest prospect on Tyneside.
A product of Newcastle’s youth system, Miley has already played 49 times for the first team, including appearances in the Champions League.
Miley was linked with loans to Crystal Palace and Ipswich this summer, but Newcastle blocked any exit after early-season injuries to Joelinton, Tonali and Joe Willock.
That decision reflects his growing importance. As Bruno Guimaraes put it, “Miley is massive, he’s a star.”
His profile is that of a modern box-to-box midfielder: technically gifted, press-resistant, and intelligent in possession.
With a precise first touch, excellent passing range, and an ability to dictate tempo, Miley is already showing signs of becoming Newcastle’s long-term midfield conductor.
His market value, as per Transfermarkt, has soared to £20m, and he is beginning to feature for England’s U21s.
The data comparison with Anderson highlights why Miley may have a higher ceiling and has been noted as the “next young English superstar” by pundit Pat Nevin.
Premier League – 2024/25
Stat
Miley
Anderson
Matches Played
14
37
Minutes Played
313
2,728
Goals
1
2
Progressive Carries
2
52
Progressive Passes
17
143
Source: FBref
His pass completion stands at 88.0%, compared to Anderson’s 78.3%.
He averages more completed passes per 90 (48.0 to 35.8) and slightly more progressive passes (4.86 to 4.72). Defensively, he excels too: four tackles per 90 versus Anderson’s 3.04.
While Anderson leads in progressive carries (1.72 to Miley’s 0.57) and shot-creating actions (2.87 to 1.15), Miley’s calmness and precision make him a more reliable figure in possession.
His game is built less on dribbling bursts and more on orchestrating play, ensuring balance between attack and defence.
With almost 50 senior appearances under his belt before turning 20, Miley is developing in a way Anderson never quite could at Newcastle.
Surrounded by elite midfielders like Guimaraes and Tonali, he has the perfect environment to refine his craft.
If Anderson is proof of what can be achieved after leaving Tyneside, Miley may be the one who makes it all the way at St James’ Park.
For Newcastle, ensuring his development could be just as important as their headline signings in shaping the club’s long-term future.
PIF have already signed Newcastle's new Elliot Anderson and he's "terrific"
Eddie Howe will hope he has his own Elliot Anderson now at Newcastle United in this terrific talent.
With James McAtee, Omari Hutchinson and Arnaud Kalimuendo already through the door, Nottingham Forest have now reportedly made contact to sign a defensive addition.
Nottingham Forest closing in on Luiz agreement
The Tricky Trees may have taken time to truly get going this summer, but they’re now in no mood to stop spending as the Premier League campaign gets underway and transfer deadline day approaches. Evangelos Marinakis has welcomed a flurry of arrivals as of late, and Douglas Luiz looks destined to be the next to be welcomed by the Greek owner.
The midfielder will arguably be Forest’s most impressive signing of the summer if he puts pen to paper as expected. The former Aston Villa midfielder has endured a nightmare spell at Juventus, but will be remembered most by Premier League fans for how he helped Unai Emery’s side into the Champions League two seasons ago.
Now set to return to the Premier League to play for Aston Villa’s Midlands rivals, Luiz will have the chance to restore his reputation in a World Cup year. Given how emphatic Forest were on the opening day against Brentford too, the addition of Luiz is only likely to improve a side that is already firing on all cylinders.
More prolific than Wood: Nottingham Forest chasing £25m "physical beast"
As Nottingham Forest seek to add even more attacking firepower, could they sign a “physical beast” worth £25m who outscored Chris Wood last season?
ByBen Gray Aug 19, 2025
Even after the Brazilian potentially arrives to make it a fourth signing in the last two weeks at the City Ground, however, Marinakis is reportedly not done there in the transfer window. Reports are now indicating that Forest have launched an opening move to sign a Championship defender.
Nottingham Forest make contact to sign Fisher
As reported by Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Nottingham Forest have now made an opening enquiry to sign Kellen Fisher from Norwich City. The 21-year-old has caught the eye of those at the City Ground after breaking into the Canaries’ senior squad last season and since keeping hold of his place under Liam Manning in the current campaign.
Earning plenty of praise from Johanes Hoff Thorup last season, the former Norwich manager explained why Fisher has the ability to play an inverted right-back role as well as in the natural full-back position – telling reporters: “He can do it because he has the technical abilities. He’s a great crossing player, and he’s a great technical player.
Kellen Fisher celebrates Norwich City goal.
“When you have that as one of your skills, then you can cover more and different positions. It’s just praise to him. He’s doing well, and it also creates a little bit more rotation in the team because now he has tried more positions.”
Seemingly doing enough to earn the interest of the Premier League, the young defender could go from Bromley in 2022 all the way to Nottingham Forest in the space of three impressive years.