Harry Kane received an incredible apology from the German media after some corners of the press previously questioned his €100 million price tag. Kane took his goals tally to eight in four Bundesluga matches for the 2025-26 campaign on Saturday as he scored a hat-trick in Bayern's 4-1 win over Hoffenheim. The England captain has scored 98 goals in 103 appearances since moving from Tottenham in 2023.
Questions from German press over €100m transfer
At the time of his move from Tottenham to Munich, several journalists in Germany questioned Bayern's decision to splash a whopping €100m (£87m/$117m) on a 30-year-old player, who at that point had not won a single trophy in his professional career. However, Kane proved his doubters wrong as he is already nearing 100 goals for the Bavarian side in just over two years.
AdvertisementGettyGerman journalist issues apology to 'Mr Kane'
journalist Alfred Draxler wrote after Bayern's win at Hoffenheim: "I was one of those who viewed the €100m transfer from Tottenham to Bayern Munich in 2023 rather critically. I thought: too much money for a then 30-year-old who had never won a title. There are cheaper options. Niclas Fullkrug, for example, had scored 16 goals for Werder Bremen the previous season.
"[Kane is] never injured! That's not just luck. It speaks volume about strict discipline and hard training. I don't think Harry Kane is vacationing in a hotel where you have to reserve your lounger in the morning. If I ever meet him, I'd get up really early and put a towel on his lounger for him. I wouldn't do that for any English person!"
Kane's ninth hat-trick for Bayern Munich
Kane netted his ninth hat-trick for Bayern Munich against Hoffenheim and his second of this current season. He also has 70 Bundesliga goals to his name in just 67 appearances.
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AFPWhen will Kane play next?
Kane will be back in action on September 26 as Vincent Kompany's Bayern take on Werder Bremen at home in the Bundesliga.
What was shaping up to be a perfect pre-season for Chelsea took a bit of a hit last week.
In a statement on Thursday morning, the club confirmed that defender Levi Colwill had sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury and had undergone surgery as a result.
The Englishman is now set to miss most, if not all, of the upcoming campaign, which is a massive blow for Enzo Maresca considering how well he played towards the end of last season.
Fortunately, with the transfer window still open, it looks like the West Londoners have identified someone who could be the perfect replacement.
Chelsea target perfect Colwill replacement
It’s been another busy summer of spending and selling for Chelsea this year.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
For example, the club made a tidy profit on Noni Madueke and finally shifted Kepa Arrizabalaga, with both going to Arsenal, while bringing in an array of seriously exciting youngsters like Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
On top of that, they continue to be linked with Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho, and now with Colwill out, appear to be targeting another exciting defender.
At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which has claimed Chelsea are very interested in Piero Hincapié.
Although it sounds like the club have already moved beyond mere interest, as the report claims they’ve already prepared an offer worth €50m for the centre-back, which converts to about £43m.
It remains to be seen whether Bayer Leverkusen will accept such an offer, but given Hincapié’s ability and potential, plus the injury to Colwill, Chelsea should do all they can to wrap this potential transfer up as soon as possible.
Why Hincapié would be the perfect Colwill replacement
There will likely be a section of the fanbase who argue that Hato could and should be the solution to this problem for Chelsea this season, and while it’s an argument that makes sense, it’s not one we agree with.
Jorrel Hato
This season is going to be a massively important one for Maresca and his squad, one in which fans will expect them to at last challenge for the title, and so starting a 19-year-old with no experience in a top-five league feels too risky for the club and the Dutchman’s development.
This brings us to the first, and arguably the most crucial, reason why Hincapie would be the perfect replacement for Colwill: his experience.
Despite still being relatively young for a centre-back, the 23-year-old titan has a proven track record at the top level.
For example, at club level, the “absolute beast,” as journalist Antonio Mango dubbed him, has made 115 appearances in the Bundesliga, 26 in the Europa League, 14 in the Champions League and eight in the DFB Pokal since moving to Europe.
Bundesliga
115
10
Europa League
26
1
Champions League
14
1
DFB-Pokal
8
0
DFL Super Cup
1
0
Moreover, he was a key member of the Leverkusen team that won the league and cup double undefeated a couple of seasons ago.
Then, if that wasn’t enough, the “sensational” ace, as dubbed by one analyst, has also won 46 senior caps for Ecuador, with nine of them coming in the Copa América and three in the World Cup.
Piero Hincapie in action for Bayer Leverkusen
Another benefit to this is that he’s already got a well-established partnership and understanding with Moises Caicedo, which would make settling in at Stamford Bridge far easier.
Ultimately, losing Colwill is a massive blow, but thanks to his vast experience and history of winning things, Hincapie could be the perfect solution for Chelsea.
A Salah repeat: Chelsea receive massive offer to sell £100m + "superstar"
Chelsea have a big decision to make regarding one of Maresca’s biggest talents.
Nottingham Forest supporters will now be clamouring for the start of the Premier League season, safe in the knowledge that Morgan Gibbs-White will line up in the famous Garibaldi Red for the Tricky Trees’ opener against Brentford next month.
It really looked as if Gibbs-White would leave Nuno Espirito Santo’s side behind for a switch to Tottenham Hotspur, in a move that would have banked Forest £60m.
However, this controversial move would never get off the ground in the end, culminating in the 25-year-old penning a new, unexpected deal at the City Ground instead.
Forest will be on the hunt for some exciting signings now to further boost spirits in the Midlands, as a £30m attacker appears on the Premier League side’s shopping list, away from Nuno’s men also being close on a deal for Bologna forward Dan Ndoye.
Bologna'sDanNdoyecelebrates with the trophy after winning the Coppa Italia
Forest explore move for £30m attacker
Indeed, it looks as if Ndoye will be lining up next to the much-talked-about Gibbs-White very shortly.
According to Fabrizio Romano via X, the deal is done, as a £35m agreement has been reached between Bologna and Forest, following on from Evangelos Marinakis’ desire to land a standout replacement for Anthony Elanga.
Ndoye isn’t the only addition Forest might be anticipating in the forward areas, however, with a report by the Telegraph now revealing that the top-flight side have ‘discussed’ a potential move for Liverpool hotshot Ben Doak.
The up-and-coming Scotsman would dent the Marinakis bank account even more, with the Reds winger allegedly available for around the £30m mark.
However, this could be a price worth paying if he develops into even more of a blistering performer at the City Ground, with the potential here for Doak to become the club’s next iteration of Gibbs-White in the process.
How Doak can become Forest's next Gibbs-White
Gibbs-White is now a household name in the Premier League, having even been speculated to be on the radar of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City this summer, away from Thomas Franks’ Spurs sniffing about.
However, the 25-year-old hasn’t always been viewed in this glowing light, having struggled to ever get going at former side Wolverhampton Wanderers before embarking on a transformative adventure with Forest.
When plying his trade at Molineux, Gibbs-White would only collect a paltry one goal and one assist in Premier League action. At Forest, though, he is a beast that cannot be tamed, as seen in his ever-growing tally of 45 goals and assists at the difficult level.
Doak will hope, if he leaves Anfield behind shortly, that he can also go on to be as key as the four-time England international is at the City Ground, having been utilised sparingly at Liverpool to date, but he has still managed to show off flashes of his immense quality.
Middlesbrough
24
3
7
Liverpool U21s
16
5
2
Liverpool
10
0
0
Liverpool Youth League
8
4
4
Liverpool U18s
5
2
2
Celtic
2
0
0
Despite failing to break his goal or assist duck in the senior picture on Merseyside, Doak does have a healthy 11 goals and eight assists next to his name in the youth picture at Anfield. If given more minutes in Nottingham, he could go on to be a star in the first-team scene, away from settling for limited chances under Arne Slot’s wing.
After all, last season also saw the “special” forward – as he’s been glowingly labelled by Jurgen Klopp previously – set the EFL light on loan with Middlesbrough, as seen in his hefty ten goal contributions from 24 Boro clashes.
Coincidentally, before gaining more opportunities at Molineux, Gibbs-White was also viewed as a rising star out on loan with Sheffield United, with a mammoth ten goals and 12 assists coming his way at Bramall Lane.
At the time, he was even hailed as having “the world at his feet” by Blades teammate David McGoldrick, with similarly glowing praise heading Doak’s way too last season from Boro-based commentator Mark Drury, who stated that the Scotsman “looks like a natural” under pressure.
Doak might well finally get his big break in the Premier League with Forest, as excitement levels continue to grow and grow at the City Ground about what next season has in store.
As noted by Football scout Antonio Mango, he truly is a “menace” of a player…
Gibbs-White will love him: Nottingham Forest set to finalise "top signing"
Nottingham Forest are close to sealing a £35m deal for this exciting attacker.
Arsenal are very active in the transfer market and could complete an array of different deals before summer deadline day on September 1.
Club now "working tirelessly" to sign Arsenal "magician" for pre-season
It starts in three days.
ByEmilio Galantini Jul 11, 2025
Mikel Arteta is being backed to the very hilt by new sporting director Andrea Berta, who’s making quite the impression since he was officially announced as Edu’s replacement in late March.
The Italian has begun his reign by completing the signings of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke, with the latter undergoing his medical this weekend ahead of a £50 million move from Chelsea (Fabrizio Romano).
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
25/26 – summer
£75m
The England international, who has divided opinions among the Arsenal fanbase, will also put pen to paper on a long-term five-year contract – putting an end to Arsenal’s search for a left-winger.
While their pursuit of an out-and-out wide appears has drawn to a close with Madueke’s arrival, Arsenal still want Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze to complement club captain Martin Odegaard in central attacking midfield, according to Sky Sports.
Arsenal have held positive talks with Eze’s camp, but are yet to open formal Palace talks with regard to paying the 27-year-old’s £68 million release clause.
The potential arrivals of both Eze and Madueke would come as a serious statement from Arsenal, but one area of the squad which quite simply needs to be prioritised is at centre-forward.
Arsenal’s lack of ruthlessness in the final third last term, especially when compared to their previous two campaigns, was a major cause for concern and played a serious role in the Gunners’ lacklustre Premier League title challenge.
Viktor Gyokeres only wants to join Arsenal this summer
The consensus is that Berta’s looking towards Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres to solve this problem.
The prolific Sweden international has been unplayable since moving to Portugal two years ago, scoring 97 goals in just 102 total appearances, but his time at Sporting, it’s safe to say, is now over.
The former Coventry City star is actively refusing to return to pre-season training, and Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Gyokeres, as negotiations rumble on over the final fee.
Now, the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on the situation.
Viktor Gyokeres celebrating.
Writing for CaughtOffside, he states that Gyokeres only wants to join Arsenal this summer, and he won’t entertain talks with any other club as things stand, so there is little danger of a potential hijack from Ruben Amorim’s Man United.
This comes after personal terms were agreed with Gyokeres days ago, but Sporting’s price is a major sticking point.
Some reports have even claimed that their president, Frederico Varandas, could go back on his promise not to demand the player’s full £85 million release clause – due to the toxic situation involving Gyokeres’ agent (CNN Portugal).
With Thomas Frank looking to make his mark from the off, Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly battling Manchester United in another transfer race to sign a £20m gem.
Tottenham open summer business with Tel arrival
Although there are likely to be plenty of others who steal the headlines this summer, Mathys Tel has his place in history as the first signing of the Frank era in North London. The young forward has arrived on a permanent deal following a short loan spell in the second-half of last season. Still just 20 years old, the former Bayern Munich man represents the type of talent that could thrive under Frank’s guidance.
The Lilywhites are unlikely to be done there with attacking additions, however, amid recent reports that suggest they’ve opened talks sign Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.
With Bryan Mbeumo still leaning towards a summer switch to Manchester United, Frank and Tottenham’s attention has seemingly turned towards the Cherries and sealing the arrival of a player who has been on the rise in the South Coast for the last two seasons.
Of course, there will be plenty of frustration if they miss out on Mbeumo – especially given how Frank got the best out of the Brentford star during their time together in West London – but Semenyo very much represents an ideal alternative.
AFC Bournemouth's AntoineSemenyolooks on
The Mbeumo saga may not be the last time that Spurs and Manchester United do battle in the transfer window, either. Reports are now suggesting that both clubs are interested in the same midfield gem.
Tottenham battling Man Utd to sign £20m Agoume
According to reports in Spain, Tottenham are now battling Man Utd to sign Lucien Agoume from Sevilla this summer. The young midfielder is reportedly available for just £20m amid Sevilla’s financial troubles and could be destined for the Premier League one way or another in the coming months.
It’s easy to see why two of the Premier League’s so-called big six teams are interested in Agoume this summer. U23 scout Antonio Mango was full of praise for the 23-year-old in his assessment, going on to describe him as “combative” and “extremely well-rounded”.
If they lose out on Mbeumo to Manchester United, then Tottenham should look to exact instant revenge by signing Agoume ahead of the Red Devils this summer. What could reportedly help their battle to do exactly that is the fact that they have Champions League football to offer, whilst Manchester United, of course, do not.
28-year-old wants to join Tottenham as Levy considers "clever" signing
He’d be an interesting addition.
4 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 21, 2025
It would be quite the moment if Spurs’ Europa League victory over the Red Devils saw them hand those at Old Trafford another defeat away from the pitch in the coming months.
He said he wanted to take India’s existing culture forward with a bit of ‘love and care’
Sidharth Monga18-Jun-20251:38
What to expect from a young India side in England?
That Rishabh Pant and Sunil Gavaskar could turn the “stupid, stupid, stupid” bit into a commercial is as big a sign as any that what might at first appear stupid – Gavaskar’s words, not ours – from Pant can turn out to be beneficial for all concerned after all.It is the usual tight rope that maverick batters such as Pant must walk: pundits tend to comment on the results, not the process. When audacious batting comes off and spreads fields, the same pundits appear in awe. When it doesn’t come off, it can look silly – or stupid. Pant responded to the criticism with his slowest innings of 10 or more but it ended when he pulled a long hop straight to deep midwicket.India could have drawn that MCG Test but Pant would have seen with horror the next six wickets falling for just 34 runs. He was still good enough to top-score for India in both the innings of the next Test, played on a brutish SCG pitch. In the 43 Tests that Pant has played, all top-six batters have averaged 31.33. His average is 42.11.Related
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Pant has an exceptional record over as long as 43 Tests, and part of it is down to his individualistic methods. His audacity is what wins India the Gabba Test and the series even as the coaches are being driven up the wall, hoping he plays for the draw. Difficult as it might be given the scrutiny around India’s cricket, Pant has managed to retain that lightness absolutely necessary for his style of play. He comes back to England not just as the only visiting wicketkeeper to have scored two hundreds, but a tag that might challenge that lightness: that of a senior batter.2:41
Pant doesn’t want to ‘focus on the senior part too much’
There is time to go but Pant wore that tag with characteristic lightness. “It feels good, boss. Finally,” Pant said at the press conference how it felt to be called a “senior” batter. As the laughter subsided, he said: “It feels good but at the same time, you know it’s a responsibility also to share your knowledge, your experience with our new players, new youngsters coming to the team. But at the same time, not focusing on that senior part too much, you still have to play the game, you still have to learn the game as an individual and keep helping people around you. That’s how I look at it.”Pant doesn’t see the seniority – he is the most experienced batter after KL Rahul – affecting his batting when he is in the middle. “See it’s extracted responsibility, but at the same time when you are in the middle of the ground, you are not thinking, ‘Oh, I’m the vice-captain. I’m the senior player.’ You’re just a batsman in the middle. You’ve got to do the best you can from your side, and eventually the game will take care of itself.”It is when he is not batting that Pant wants to take on the weight of the leadership role. “A new start for us,” Pant said as he prepares to be the deputy to Shubman Gill. “Definitely big people have left, yes there will be a gap, but at the same time it’s an opportunity for us to build a new culture or take the existing culture forward, just adding to it.”Being in a great frame of mind, helping the new players to learn and improve themselves in overseas conditions. That is something we look forward to, and sharing knowledge with each other, having that care and love in their dressing room for each other. And that is something we’re looking forward to do.”It is astonishing how much some of the young Indian cricketers go through. Pant is the only visiting wicketkeeper to have scored hundreds in Australia, England and South Africa, something a few acknowledged batting greats haven’t managed. He has done all this in a bowling era. He is a World T20 champion. He has missed an ODI World Cup because of a life-threatening accident. He has been called “stupid, stupid, stupid” on live broadcast by a legend of the game. Now he is the elder statesman. All of this at just 27.You can’t manage all this without the love and care Pant spoke of. It’s his time now to give it.
It ended with honours even, but on most counts – especially the run-scoring charts – England left Australia well behind
Sampath Bandarupalli01-Aug-20232:24
Stokes ‘proud’ of England team and ‘inspiring’ Stuart Broad
England go bang-bang, Australia do the grind
1.39 – The difference in the scoring rates of the two sides. England went at 4.74, while Australia’s run rate was 3.35. This was the highest difference between two teams in a series of four or more Tests, topping the 1.32 in favour of Australia against South Africa during their home series in 1931-32.ESPNcricinfo Ltd10.06 – Percentage of balls left alone by England batters in this series. Australia batters did the same to 19.25% of the deliveries they faced, almost twice that of England.36 – Maiden overs faced by England in the series out of the 645 completed overs. Australia batted out 171 maidens out of 894 completed overs, which meant the England bowlers earned a maiden once every five overs, while it was one in every 19 for Australia.1 – England batted 90-plus overs in this series only once of the seven times they were bowled out. In contrast, Australia lasted 90-plus overs on seven occasions, including in six out of the eight innings where they were bowled out.ESPNcricinfo Ltd4.41 – Difference in the batting averages of England (34.35) and Australia (29.94) during this series. This was the first time England ended an Ashes series with a higher batting average than Australia since the 2013 edition, also in England.
England redefine Test-match batting
Not only did England top Australia in terms of scoring rates, they also showed that their method was not just about big hitting, but scoring at a steady – and fast – clip right through their innings.4.74 – England’s run rate in this Ashes was comfortably the highest for any team in a Test series of four-plus matches. Australia held the record at 4.26, from the 2001 Ashes in England.ESPNcricinfo Ltd2 – Instances of a team not winning the Ashes series despite winning the first two matches, including Australia in 2023. England failed to win the 1936-37 tour of Australia after going 2-0 up as Australia bounced back with three straight wins to win the series.6 – Batters with 300-plus runs for England in this series, including four who ended the series striking at 70-plus and averaging 40-plus – Zak Crawley, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Jonny Bairstow.
Never before have four players scored 300-plus runs in a Test series with a 40-plus average and a 70-plus strike rate, let alone four players from the same team (where data of balls faced is available). The nearest example was of three players doing the same in the 2001 Ashes, all for Australia – Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist.5.27 – Percentage of completed maiden overs faced by England in this series, the lowest for a team in a Test series of four-plus matches. The previous lowest was for Australia against West Indies in 2003, where only 8.13% of the overs they faced were maidens (65 out of 800).
43 – Sixes were hit by England batters in this series, the second-highest for a team in a Test series, next only to India’s 47 against South Africa during their 2019 home series. Australia’s 31 sixes in this series contributed to the series tally of 74, the highest for any Test series.
Quick bowlers in focus for both sides
The lead spinners of both the teams had to go out with injuries. Nathan Lyon’s streak of consecutive Tests ended at 100 after he picked up an injury at Lord’s, forcing Australia to play without a specialist spinner in Leeds, the first time they have done that since 2012.England had to bring Moeen Ali out of Test retirement after Jack Leach’s injury. And then Moeen had to bowl through injury twice in four matches.Mitchell Starc finished as the top wicket-taker of the series after not finding a place in the XI at Edgbaston. Chris Woakes went even further to end as the third-highest wicket-taker without playing the first two games.4.65 – Economy of Australia’s pacers in this series, the poorest for any team’s quicks in a Test series of four-plus matches. The previous record was 4.3 for India during their tour of Australia in the 2014-15 season.
3 – Players to win the Player-of-the-Series award despite missing at least two matches in a Test series, including Chris Woakes on this occasion.Steve Waugh won the series award despite playing only one of the three matches of the 1993-94 home series against South Africa. Waugh made 164 and took a four-wicket haul at Adelaide Oval to help Australia square the series.Much like Waugh, Devon Malcolm was named England’s Player-of-the-Series despite playing only the last game of the three-match series against South Africa in 1994. Malcolm took ten wickets at The Oval, which included a nine-wicket haul in the second innings.4.85 – Starc’s economy rate in this series was by far the poorest for any bowler with 20-plus wickets in the same series. However, his strike rate of 33.4 was the second-best for any bowler in an Ashes series since 1910, behind only Mitchell Johnson’s 30.5 in the 2013-14 home series.
5 – Wickets for James Anderson in this series. It was one less than Joe Root’s tally of six. Anderson’s bowling average of 85.4 and strike rate of 184.8 in this series were his poorest in a Test series where he bowled over 50 overs.
The exploits of the eight Indian players at the Women’s Big Bash League this week
Annesha Ghosh29-Oct-20211:39
Sophie Molineux: ‘To have Harmanpreet Kaur standing at mid-off is pretty handy’
Jemimah Rodrigues A new week brought two new opening partners and a maiden WBBL fifty for Melbourne Renegades opener Rodrigues, who smashed a scintillating 75 not out, the third-highest score of the season, to sink Sydney Thunder. Having made 33, 14, and 13 in her three previous appearances, Rodrigues reached her half-century in 37 balls, adding 84 for the opening stand with Josephine Dooley. Shuffling across her crease, sweeping with ease, and often making room to free her arms, Rodrigues struck nine fours in her 56-ball knock, propelling Renegades to a winning total of 142 in a fixture that saw four Indians locked in a battle of one-upmanship.Related
Indians at the WBBL: Shafali Verma blows hot and cold, and Poonam Yadav rediscovers her mojo
Harmanpreet Kaur A batter historically susceptible to lbw owing to the iffy nature of her front-foot defense, Renegades’ in-form No. 4, Harmanpreet, was trapped in front in a copybook dismissal, having added just three in a 14-run stand with Rodrigues against Thunder. Failure with the bat, however, didn’t deter the allrounder from making an impact on the game, for she knocked the wind out of Thunder’s innings by bowling set batter Smriti Mandhana in a critical phase of their chase and also helped effect the run-out of the middle-order batter Anika Learoyd.That Renegades had won their previous game was also down to Harmanpreet’s all-round brilliance. Her 4-0-17-2 against Sydney Sixers included the wickets of Ashleigh Gardner and Alyssa Healy. She was involved in the dismissal of Shafali Verma as well. And when it was her turn to bat, she capitalised on a lifeline received when she was 20 and pummeled back-to-back sixes in the 17th over to seal Renegades’ 119 chase.Player of the Match Harmanpreet Kaur has a light moment with her India team-mates Radha Yadav (L) and Jemimah Rodrigues (R)•Sarah Reed/Getty ImagesSmriti Mandhana Three single-digit scores preceded a maiden half-century in Thunder colours for Mandhana even as the defending champions remained winless after five matches this season. Early dismissals to pace meant the opener had to depart for 9 and 3 in chases against Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars, before a change of personal fortunes came about, in Thunder’s quest of 143 against Renegades. Though her 44-ball 64 featured an array of trademark lofted shots and a deceptively effortless assortment of pulls, it wasn’t quite enough as her team fell short by nine runs.Deepti SharmaThunder shunted Deepti between Nos. 5 and 8, and she responded with a run-a-ball 20 against Scorchers, 44 not-out off 48 against Stars (a personal best at WBBL), and an unbeaten 10-ball 23 against Renegades. In all three innings, Deepti was either the side’s top-scorer or second most successful batter, but in the absence of sustained support at the other end, her efforts often went in vain. With the ball, the offspin-bowling allrounder picked up two wickets in her three outings this week.Richa Ghosh top-scored for Hobart Hurricanes•Getty ImagesRicha GhoshSlotted below her designated position throughout the opening week, Hurricanes batter Ghosh made 4 and 24 not out at No. 5 and 22 at No. 6. The highest of those scores came in a chase of 145 against Stars. Four fours, including the match-sealing one, underpinned her 16-ball innings. With 119 runs in six innings at an average of 23.80, she holds the eighth position on the highest run-scorers list, three places below Rodrigues.Ghosh also had her first brush with the gloves in the WBBL this week, stepping in for the injured Rachel Priest one over into Heat’s chase, and picking up a smart, low catch to dismiss opener Georgia Redmayne.Poonam Yadav The wristspinner remained wicketless in her two outings this week. In the rain-curtailed 11-overs-a-side contest against Adelaide Strikers, she leaked 19 off just two overs, 13 of which were plundered by Dane van Niekerk alone. Two days later, Poonam, operating in two spells outside the powerplay, kept the leash on the Hurricanes with 11 dots in 3.4 overs that cost only 16. But the final two deliveries of her spell sullied her figures a touch as Ruth Johnston carted her for a six and a four.Radha Yadav In Sixers’ only completed game of the week, against Renegades, Radha could have forced the opposition into a tough spot even in a chase of 119 if Healy had not botched a stumping. Harmanpreet, the eventual match-winner, was enticed out of her crease by a flighted delivery in the 16th over but the wicketkeeper failed to collect it cleanly. One ball later, Radha took a return catch to dismiss Courtney Webb and finished with 1 for 12 off two overs. She also helped effect the run out of Rodrigues with a throw from the deep.Shafali Verma Sixers opener Shafali stumbled to a second straight duck in the WBBL as her oscillation between two extremes continued this week. Her scores so far in the tournament: 0, 0, 57 and 8.
West Ham are expected to make an offer to sign one striker who’s ready to green-light an immediate January exit, according to reports this week.
West Ham target new striker in January
The east Londoners have identified recruiting a forward as one of their primary objectives for the January window as Nuno Espírito Santo battles to steer the club away from relegation.
Currently languishing in 18th with just 10 points from 15 Premier League games, the Hammers have managed a meagre 17 goals this season — the fourth-lowest amount in the top flight.
Callum Wilson’s recent form has been a major positive, but with 2024 summer flop Niclas Füllkrug expected to depart, West Ham quite simply need another option up top.
The German international has mustered just three goals in 29 appearances across all competitions whilst battling persistent injury problems since his move from Borussia Dortmund last year.
Niclas Füllkrug is set to leave the London Stadium in January following his lacklustre stint in England, so West Ham are believed to be looking at strikers to replace him.
Sunderland 3-0 West Ham
West Ham 1-5 Chelsea
Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham
West Ham 0-3 Tottenham
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace
Everton 1-1 West Ham
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
West Ham 0-2 Brentford
Leeds 2-1 West Ham
West Ham 3-1 Newcastle
West Ham 3-2 Burnley
Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham
West Ham 0-2 Liverpool
Man United 1-1 West Ham
Brighton 1-1 West Ham
His lacklustre displays indicate a mutual desire for separation, with Hamburg and Stuttgart reportedly monitoring his availability for a potential Bundesliga return.
West Ham have compiled an extensive shortlist of potential striker targets spanning multiple leagues.
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Santiago Gimenez remains under consideration at the London Stadium, despite his struggles at AC Milan following his January 2025 move from Feyenoord, with intermediaries actively offering the Mexican international to multiple clubs.
Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee has also been linked with a move to Rush Green, while it is believed that West Ham are big fans of Union Saint-Gilloise forward Promise David too.
Now, as per Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, Lazio striker Taty Castellanos is another forward attracting their interest.
West Ham bid expected for Lazio striker Taty Castellanos
West Ham were linked with a move for the Argentine all the way back in 2022 during his time at New York City in the MLS, and that fondness for Castellanos hasn’t gone away.
Lazio's Taty Castellanos vs Atalanta.
According to Il Messaggero, Lazio are actively anticipating an offer worth between £22-26 million from West Ham for the 27-year-old forward.
Lazio desperately need funds to avoid another transfer ban as they continue battling severe financial difficulties.
Crucially, the report indicates Castellanos is prepared to join West Ham, or any other suitor, “straight away” as he looks to greenlight an exit from Rome next month.
The striker’s growing dissatisfaction with life under Maurizio Sarri at Lazio, particularly struggling to adapt to his manager’s tactical approach, means he’s quite keen to leave.
His desire for regular football stems from World Cup ambitions with Argentina, making a January departure increasingly attractive.
Castellanos would apparently give immediate approval to any Premier League approach, though La Liga clubs are also monitoring developments.
West Ham initially registered their interest during the summer transfer window when they made preliminary enquiries about the forward’s availability, with Nuno identifying striker reinforcements as his main January priority.
Lazio have already identified Atlético Madrid’s Giacomo Raspadori as a potential replacement, and the Italy international has told his representatives to explore opportunities within Serie A.
This preparation could prove instrumental in facilitating Castellanos’s London switch, with the clubs potentially willing to conduct business once suitable alternatives are secured.
Shohei Ohtani had a monster game on Thursday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers blew out the Athletics 19-2 at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani hit home runs in back-to-back innings to move into a tie for the league lead during the victory. If there was a bright spot for the A's, it may be that they found someone who can effectively deal with the three-time MVP at the plate: backup catcher Jhonny Pereda.
Trailing by 14 heading into the 8th, Pereda took the mound to try and save the arms in the bullpen. Ohtani came to the plate with two runners on and no outs. Pereda threw four straight fastballs that were clocked between 62 and 68 MPH. After Ohtani took three pitches and fouled one off Pereda reached back and threw an 89 MPH four-seam fastball.
Everything that happened after that was amazing.
First Pereda flinched as he saw Ohtani swing the bat. Ohtani grimaced knowing he had chased one up and out of the zone and missed. The knowledge that he had been struck out by a position player probably didn't help. Pereda tried to stay cool, but couldn't hide his smile. Then he threw the ball over the dugout so that he could keep the ball forever.
Pereda, 29, made his MLB debut last season with the Miami Marlins. He's 6-for-32 with a double and RBI this season with the Athletics. Whatever else he does as a big leaguer, he'll always be able to say he struck out one of the best hitters in the history of the game. And he's got the souvenir to prove it.