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The treble winners have been dismantled. A new era has begun at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.

Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker and, of course, Jack Grealish. All now yesterday’s news.

They were all crucial in the greatest season in City’s history, but time waits for no one. Following a turbulent 2024/25 campaign, Guardiola has overseen substantial change this summer, ushering in a wave of exciting, bold additions. Old with the old, in with the new.

Success for most managers operates on a boom or bust cycle. Take Jose Mourinho or Antonio Conte, for example, serial winners across multiple different stints, albeit with both men having the tendency to implode.

The very best, like Sir Alex Ferguson – and now Guardiola – have that ability to build, grow, evolve; ride it out even when things begin to get tougher.

Having already phased out one great side containing the likes of Vincent Kompany, David Silva, and Sergio Aguero, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is doing so again.

The Etihad’s latest array of stars are beginning to shine brightly – there are now new poster boys to get behind…

Man City's new-look side is starting to come together

Heading into the recent international break, there were perhaps questions being asked of just where this City side is at, having slipped to defeats against both Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton, after thrashing Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening weekend.

Following a much-needed reset, the Citizens have returned with a bang over the last week or so, having surged to a deserved 3-0 win in the Manchester derby, spearheaded by the brilliance of Erling Haaland at the top of the pitch, with debutant Gianluigi Donnarumma in sparkling form at the opposite end.

A key figure in that convincing win was also the lively Jeremy Doku, with the fleet-footed Belgian beginning to translate his devastating attacking threat into a consistent end product.

Minutes

77

Touches

48

Assists

2

Key passes

4

Pass accuracy

83%

Dribbles completed

2/6

Total duels won

7/14

Possession lost

17

Fouls won

4

The former Rennes speedster notably skipped past Luke Shaw as if the Englishman wasn’t even there before teeing up Phil Foden for the opener, having also provided the assist for Haaland’s first of the game after expertly fending off Leny Yoro.

Unplayable at his best, the marauding winger got in on the act himself in the midweek win over De Bruyne’s Napoli, skipping his way into the area before firing home from the angle.

Alongside the likes of Haaland and Foden, Doku could be the face of this youthful, fresh outfit. So too can Tijjani Reijnders, with the £46.3m Dutchman notably netting at Molineux on his Premier League debut.

Trickier tests have followed since, although the ex-AC Milan midfielder was back to his best last time out, providing the assist for Doku’s clincher, while also boasting a 93% pass accuracy, as per Sofascore.

While injury has largely kept new men Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki out of action, Reijnders is front and centre.

Guardiola now has a fresh spine to build around, while there is further reason for optimism all across the pitch.

How Doku and Reijnders' market value compares

New signings, of course, are crucial to this Etihad rebuild, although Guardiola can also look in-house in order to find the tools to assemble his next title-winning outfit in Manchester.

While currently ousted from his right-back berth by Abdukodir Khusanov, young Rico Lewis is among those who will likely play a part for the long haul at the club, having only recently committed his future to City.

Despite notable interest from the likes of Nottingham Forest over the summer, the 20-year-old has since signed a new deal at the Etihad until 2030, with director of football Hugo Viana stating that the youngster “embodies everything we aspire to be at Manchester City”.

Once lauded by Guardiola as “one of the best [he’s] ever trained” – having also been dubbed a “wonderful” player by one-time wonderkid, Joe Cole – Lewis has certainly enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks in recent years.

As his recent role on the bench has indicated, his progression hasn’t been perfect – not least amid the debate over his best role in the side – yet to have already racked up 98 first-team appearances by the age of 20 is a testament to his quality.

That quality is also evident amid his soaring market value, with the City hierarchy perhaps right not to have cashed in amid Forest’s desire to seal a reported £25m switch.

Indeed, as per Football Transfers, the homegrown sensation is now said to be worth as much as €75m (£66m). For context, that even exceeds the value of both Doku and Reijnders, with the pair said to be worth €66m (£57m) and €63m (£55m), respectively.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

Guardiola’s “little Phillip Lahm”, Lewis is destined to have a bright future in this evolving City squad and starting XI.

Khusanov might have the jersey right now, but such a valuable asset like the seven-cap England international will surely weave his way back into the side before too long. He’s too good not to.

8 key passes: 8/10 Man City man showed why he'll be Haaland's new De Bruyne

On a record breaking night for Erling Braut Håland, Manchester City began their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Napoli on Thursday.

Sep 19, 2025

“I will have to give some time to my body and my bowling to get those speeds back,” the LSG quick said

ESPNcricinfo staff08-May-20251:48

Rayudu: ‘Maybe Mayank Yadav isn’t ready yet’

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fast bowler Mayank Yadav feels that the drop in his speeds after returning from a long injury layoff “is normal”, asserting that he needs to give his body time to return to the same match intensity and fitness standards.Mayank, who returned to professional cricket only late last month after a gap of close to six months due to multiple injuries, is far from the tearaway speedster that he was in his breakthrough IPL 2024 season. He consistently clocked speeds in excess of 150kph last year, touching a high of 156.7kph. This season, though, his pace has mostly been in the 130kph range, occasionally breaching the 140kph barrier. Mayank, however, is not bothered.”This is normal,” he said ahead of LSG’s crucial league game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Lucknow on Friday. “I had a major injury because of which I was out of cricket for five to six months. The body will adapt and take its own time. I will have to give some time to my body and my bowling to get those speeds back. There have been no changes in my bowling technique.”Related

Mayank Yadav returns from injury a slower bowler

Zaheer: 'Mayank's speeds are going to get better as he plays more'

Mayank was one of the three players retained by LSG ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. He even made his India debut against Bangladesh in October last year, but has missed a chunk of IPL after missing the entire domestic season in 2024-25 with a back injury. His return was later pushed back by a toe injury.”There is no drastic change in my strategy,” Mayank, 22, said. “I will continue to do what I used to. My body is taking a little time. I have not seen the intensity, [and] the match pressure for a while now. So it is very normal that the body is responding a little differently after a major injury. I don’t have a different mindset or intent. That remains the same. But I need to read the wickets and the batsmen quicker.”Mayank has had a lukewarm time in the two games so far this season, picking 2 for 40 against Mumbai Indians, followed by 0 for 60 against Punjab Kings. He has also relied a lot on change of pace and slower balls, which he says is a part of the plan. Despite the slow start, Mayank also wants to be seen as LSG’s “strike bowler” and a “wicket-taking bowler”.”I have been doing this right from the start, the variations, the slower ones,” Mayank said. “I didn’t need it last season. The few matches that I played in the main demand was to bowl quick and hard length deliveries. This time the wickets, wherever I have played using variations have been important.1:30

Mayank Yadav’s variations impress Anil Kumble

“My mindset is to contribute as much as possible for the team. In the last match, my spell was a bit expensive. Whenever I bowl, the team should feel that I am a strike bowler and a wicket-taking bowler. I just try to be positive for my team.”Mayank accepted that LSG have made mistakes in the tournament so far, and find themselves in a must-win situation against RCB. It has not helped that their captain Rishabh Pant has had a poor tournament, where he has managed only 128 runs in 11 innings, and is averaging a mere 12.80. Mayank, however, is backing his captain to bounce back, and is also positive about his team’s playoffs chances.”I have known Rishabh for a while now because we play for the same club in Delhi,” he said. “Whenever I have spoken to him, I have not felt that he is under pressure. He is confidently talking to me about the game, about the situation, [and] about the opposition batsmen.””We have been a little late in assessing the grounds and the wickets. We have made mistakes there; I’ll accept that. But we have three matches, and if we win that, there might be a chance we can make the playoffs.”

New-look opening pair set stage before middle-order put big runs on the board against visitors

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay04-Apr-2025

Paul Walter moved up to open the batting•Getty Images

Essex (Cox 117, Walter 95, Critchley 45* Westley 40) vs Surrey Jordan Cox made sure his name remained on the England selectors’ radar with the ninth first-class century of his career, and fifth inside a year since joining Essex, as reigning champions Surrey toiled under bright Chelmsford skies.The 24-year-old Cox was on the cusp of an England debut in New Zealand last autumn before suffering another injury setback. But a swashbuckling 117 from 148 balls in the opening Rothesay County Championship match of the season can only have helped his cause ahead of a year in which England face first Zimbabwe and then India and Australia.His powerful innings overshadowed an otherwise excellent 95 from makeshift opener Paul Walter. The 30-year-old left-hander, better known for his big-hitting exploits in T20 cricket, fell just short of what would have been only his third red-ball century.Walter’s stands of 78 with rookie opener Charlie Allison and 100 with Cox, along with Cox’s 92 with Matt Critchley, underpinned an Essex total of 356 for 4 on the first day against a Surrey pace attack devoid of the likes of Gus Atkinson, Dan Worrall and Tom Lawes. Kemar Roach added some respite with 2 for 54 from 18 overs.Essex had won the toss and elected to bat on a benign green-top in front of a bumper home crowd of 2,370.Walter set the tone by marching to his fifty from 58 balls when he turned James Taylor off his legs for a single. He had dominated the first hour as Allison marked his first-class debut in look-and-learn mode. The 20-year-old, replacing Dean Elgar at the top of the order while the South African becomes used to the idea of being a father of twins, took 38 balls before hitting his first boundary, a square drive off Matt Fisher that took his score into double figures.The first-wicket stand ended when Dan Lawrence entered the Surrey attack and with his fourth delivery had Allison lbw for 25, playing down the wrong line, much to the delight of the former Essex man.Where Walter had been dominant in the opening stand, he became becalmed in the fifties either side of lunch as Tom Westley briefly took centre stage. The Essex captain rolled his wrists to turn Taylor through midwicket for four and later thick-edged Lawrence past a despairing slip.Westley contributed 40 towards a 48-run second-wicket stand before turning Roach into short midwicket’s hands. Walter added just five to his total in that 16-over partnership but then opened his shoulders and square-cut the first ball after Westley’s departure for his 10th four.There was greater equality between the third-wicket pair with Walter and Cox trading blows. Some of Cox’s hitting was effortless with no discernible back-lift, most notably his ninth boundary, a drive that scorched past mid-off, and brought up his half-century from 77 balls.The century partnership was reached with a single from Walter, but two balls later he gave Fisher his first Surrey wicket since the winter move from Yorkshire, when mis-hooking to Ben Foakes diving full-length down legside. Walter’s innings had lasted 172 balls and included 14 fours.Cox took up the cudgels immediately after tea, hitting Roach to three different parts of the boundary in an over. There was a strange incident just before Cox reached three-figures when he appeared to hit Foakes with his bat as the ball lobbed towards the wicketkeeper. No censure ensued and the century duly arrived with a straight drive off Lawrence for his 18th four.Cox added three more boundaries before he was beaten for pace by Roach to end a stay of a tad over three hours.It was just left to Critchley to confirm Essex’s domination as the sun went down with three successive fours off the expensive James Taylor and reach the close on 45 not out.

تأهل منتخب جنوب إفريقيا للمرة الرابعة في تاريخه، إلى نهائيات كأس العالم 2026، المقرر إقامتها في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وكندا والمكسيك.

منتخب جنوب إفريقيا واجه رواندا، في إطار الجولة العاشرة والأخيرة من عمر منافسات المجموعة الثالثة للتصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم، اليوم الثلاثاء.

واستطاع منتخب جنوب إفريقيا تحقيق الفوز على رواندا، بنتيجة 3 أهداف دون رد، ليتصدر ترتيب المجموعة، برصيد 18 نقطة.

وسجل أهداف منتخب جنوب إفريقيا أوزوين أبوليس وثالينتي مباثا وإيفيدنس ماكجوبا، في الدقائق 5 و26 و72 على الترتيب، ليحقق منتخب البافانا بافانا التأهل الرابع في تاريخه إلي المونديال.

طالع | المنتخبات الإفريقية المتأهلة لـ كأس العالم 2026 

وبذلك، تم أقصاء منتخبا نيجيريا وبنين المنافسين لـ جنوب إفريقيا في المجموعة على التأهل المباشر إلى نهائيات كأس العالم.

وفي نفس التوقيت ضمن نفس المجموعة، انتصر منتخب نيجيريا على بنين، بأربعة أهداف دون رد، ليصل رصيده إلى النقطة 17 متساويًا مع بنين في عدد النقاط، ويحتلان المركز الثاني والثالث على الترتيب.

وينتظر منتخب نيجيريا نهاية مباريات التصفيات، لمعرفة مصيره بالتواجد في الملحق القاري المؤهل إلى كأس العالم، بين 4 منتخبات ستكون أفضل من احتلت المركز الثاني في المجموعات التسعة. ترتيب مجموعة جنوب إفريقيا ونيجيريا في تصفيات كأس العالم

1- جنوب إفريقيا، 18 نقطة.

2- نيجيريا، 17 نقطة.

3- بنين، 17 نقطة.

4- ليسوتو، 12 نقطة.

5- رواندا، 11 نقطة.

6- زيمبابوي، 5 نقاط. أهداف مباراة جنوب إفريقيا ورواندا اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras treinou na manhã desta segunda-feira (19), na Academia de Futebol, dando sequência à preparação para o confronto diante do Bahia, que acontece nesta quarta (21), às 21h30 (de Brasília), na Arena Fonte Nova, em Salvador, pela 11ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. O lateral Vanderlan, substituto de Piquerez caso o uruguaio não jogue (ele está com a seleção de seu país), valorizou o período sem jogos e projetou o confronto com o Tricolor de Aço.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol NacionalPlataforma de palpites compra naming rights de podcast do PalmeirasFutebol Nacional19/06/2023PalmeirasVai repetir? Veja probabilidade de título do Palmeiras no Brasileirão 2023Palmeiras19/06/2023PalmeirasNova lesão reacende drama de Jailson com o Palmeiras e escancara ‘buracos’ no elencoPalmeiras19/06/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Durante o treinamento, a comissão de Abel Ferreira comandou, inicialmente, um trabalho técnico e tático com ênfase em transições, construções de jogadas, balanços defensivos e posicionamentos. Na parte final, os atacantes e os meio-campistas aprimoraram lançamentos, cruzamentos e finalizações, enquanto os defensores, saídas de bola e rebatidas.

– Foram dias muito bons, primeiramente para a mente, pois conseguimos descansar e sair um pouco da rotina, que é muito corrida. E, em segundo lugar, com os treinos, deu para melhorar alguns aspectos que não é possível fazer com a quantidade de jogos. Então, foi muito importante, principalmente para mim, pude trabalhar as partes defensiva e ofensiva, e para o grupo todo, pois voltaremos todos descansados e com as energias renovadas. Deu para ajustar muitos detalhes dentro e fora de campo – disse Vanderlan.

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– Sabemos a qualidade do adversário, será um jogo muito difícil dentro da casa deles, mas vamos fazer o que sempre fazemos e, independentemente de quem jogar, vamos em busca de mais três pontos.

+ Nova lesão reacende drama de Jailson com o Palmeiras e escancara ‘buracos’ no elenco

Ainda, Vanderlan afirmou estar preparado para ser titular do Verdão na possível ausência de Piquerez, enaltecendo o apoio dos mais experientes do elenco e da comissão técnica aos jogadores da base. O jovem lateral soma 38 partidas e um gol pela equipe profissional do Alviverde.

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– O elenco todo ajuda muito, principalmente nós, garotos da base. Os mais experientes passam muita coisa para a gente, é muito bom compartilhar o dia a dia com eles. Quando a oportunidade aparece, a gente trabalha duro todos os dias para isso. Então, me sinto muito pronto e ainda mais com a ajuda de grandes jogadores, que falam e conversam bastante com a gente. A comissão técnica também ajuda muito e, assim, fica mais fácil – concluiu o camisa 6.

Já classificado para as oitavas de final daLibertadorese e nas quartas daCopa do Brasil, o Verdão é o atual segundo colocado do Brasileirão com 22 pontos, sendo o único invicto após dez rodadas disputadas. A diferença para o líder Botafogo é de apenas dois pontos.

Frenkie De Jong is back in training with no serious injury scare but coach Hansi Flick is taking a cautious approach with the midfielder.

Flick exercising extreme caution with de Jong Goal is to have him at his peak for Champions LeagueClub prioritising shift in strategy to avoid setbacksFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Barcelona’s star midfielder De Jong has returned to the training pitch. The 28-year-old, who suffered a gluteal injury while on international duty with Netherlands, trained outside the group under the close supervision of the club’s fitness coaches. According to , he arrived later than his team-mates for a light, partial session, a move that confirms his injury is not a long-term one. However, it also shows the club’s newfound philosophy of extreme caution, prioritising a full recovery over a rushed return.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The absence of players like Gavi and Alejandro Balde have created a midfield selection crisis, forcing Flick to rely on others like Marc Casado and Pedri. This situation has been a major blow to Flick's plans, which rely on a physically robust squad to execute his trademark high-pressing and quick-transitioning tactics. The club's medical team are also working to get youth player Marc Bernal back on the pitch, but his return is also being treated with immense caution, given that it has been 365 days since he underwent surgery.

TELL ME MORE

De Jong’s return to training is a welcome sign, but he has been ruled out of the upcoming La Liga match against Valencia. The club’s main goal are to ensure he is in peak condition for the upcoming Champions League match against Newcastle. Meanwhile, the situation with Gavi is far more complex. The discomfort in his right knee – the same one that underwent ACL surgery – has persisted, and while the club are still pursuing a conservative approach with physical therapy, the possibility of a minor arthroscopic procedure is now being considered more seriously to alleviate the pain.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR FLICK?

With a midfield depth crisis, Flick will have to rely on a mix of senior players and promising youth talents to navigate the upcoming matches. The highly anticipated return of De Jong, along with the lingering fitness issues of Gavi and Balde, means that the club’s medical team will continue to play a crucial role in deciding which players can and cannot take the field.

يلاقي فريق مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي نظيره هدرسفيلد، مساء اليوم الأربعاء، في إطار مباريات بطولة كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية.

ويستقبل هدرسفيلد خصمه مانشستر سيتي، في إطار منافسات دور الـ32 من كأس كاراباو لموسم 2025-2026.

وكشف مدرب مانشستر سيتي، بيب جوارديولا، عن آخر المستجدات المتعلقة بلاعبي فريقه وموقفهم من المشاركة خلال اللقاء.

وأكد جوارديولا، أنه سيجري تغييرات بالتأكيد في تشكيلة الفريق، على الرغم من تأكيده أن ريان شرقي وريان آيت نوري وعمر مرموش غير متاحين بعد بسبب الإصابة.

وأفاد جوارديولا بأن مباريات الكأس فرصة للاعبي الأكاديمية للمشاركة، في ظل خوض الفريق مباريات عديدة في مسابقات متفرقة على رأسهم الدوري الإنجليزي ودوري أبطال أوروبا. تشكيل مانشستر سيتي المتوقع أمام هدرسفيلد

حراسة المرمى: ترافورد.

خط الدفاع: لويس، ستونز، آكي، أورايلي.

خط الوسط: نيكو جونزاليس، موكاسا، برناردو سيلفا.

هخط الهجوم: سافينيو، بوب، دوكو.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

Sunderland are pushing ahead with even more exciting signings ahead of the brand-new Premier League season getting underway.

This time around, it looks as if the Black Cats have won the coveted signature of Armand Lauriente for a fee around the £17m ballpark, after the 26-year-old attacker amassed a blistering 18 strikes for Sassuolo in Serie B last season. Can he shine now in a similarly frightening manner in the English top-flight?

That remains to be seen, with the Black Cats now targeting some defensive reinforcements after splashing more cash on the forward areas, with one notable Premier League-experienced centre-back on Regis Le Bris and Co.’s agenda.

Sunderland submit offer for £10m star

Every new day brings about a fresh rumour involving Sunderland, with multiple centre-back targets on the ever-expanding shopping list.

Indeed, Lille powerhouse Bafodé Diakité is reportedly on the Black Cats’ radar, but a hefty £35m price tag above the promising Frenchman’s head might well put the newly promoted side off, regardless of their lavish spending to date.

Instead, they might well travel down the cheaper route to bolster at the back, with Turkish outlet Takvim reporting that Sunderland, alongside Burnley and Leeds United, have made bids to pick up former Aston Villa titan Diego Carlos.

The outlet claims that all three sides have ‘knocked’ on Fenerbahce’s door with offers to sign the central defender on loan for the 2024/25 campaign.

It is reported that his current side are open to allowing the 32-year-old defender to leave Turkey this summer, with initial offers coming in on a loan basis. However, the Super Lig giants will only entertain an offer if a mandatory buy option is also included, having forked out £10m for Carlos just this January.

Whilst he might not be a first-team regular in Turkey, Carlos should be able to come into the growing Sunderland group and offer lots of experience and quality to their maiden Premier League voyage, making him a better potential signing than Lauriente in the process.

Why Carlos could be a better signing than Lauriente

After all, there is no guarantee, despite his 18-goal heroics in Serie B last season, that Lauriente instantly makes an impact in Le Bris’ first team on his arrival in England.

When glancing at the Frenchman’s options up top, he already has the likes of Simon Adingra to choose from down the left wing, who could well get the first team nod over Lauriente, owing to his eight strikes in the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Moreover, there is also Enzo Le Fee on the left channel, who dazzled Championship defences last season, alongside Romaine Mundle, who will be eager to succeed in the Premier League, having once been discarded by Tottenham Hotspur, meaning the 26-year-old winger will have his work cut out for him to come in and suddenly leave a mark.

On the contrary, Carlos – with his 40 top-flight experiences in the top division with the Villans – will feel he has more of a chance right away at pushing into Le Bris’ XI, with his career numbers in the tough league previously showing him to be a nice mixture of both Daniel Ballard’s calmness on the ball, alongside possessing Luke O’Nien’s well-known grit.

Games played

40

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Passes completed

2078 (88%)

Duels won

83

Clean sheets

6

Looking at the table above, it’s clear that the Brazilian prides himself on being a smooth operator from the back, with 2078 accurate passes managed across his Villa stint, which left him with an 88% accurate pass completion percentage overall. Last season in the EFL, Ballard finished his season with the exact same percentage.

Therefore, the pair together could well be an intimidating duo for Premier League attackers to come to terms with, with his 83 duels won overall also gaining him a reputation for being “imposing”, as he was labelled by football journalist Mat Kendrick when still situated at Villa Park.

With his time at Sevilla also seeing him compete in the Champions League, alongside claims from football journalist David Ornstein that he was “the best defender in Spain”, this does feel like it could be a steal at around the £10m price mark.

On the contrary, with Lauriente only notching up 12 more career strikes for Sassuolo away from his breakout 24/25 offering, there will be a worry he’s an expensive misfire, as opposed to a gamble that works out.

Better signing than Henderson: Sunderland open talks to sign £17m "monster"

Sunderland could now win a far better signing than Jordan Henderson by picking up this £17m leader.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 17, 2025

Nottingham Forest are thought to be among the frontrunners to sign an “insane” £20 million-plus star who could replace the departed Anthony Elanga, according to a recent report.

Elanga sends Nottingham Forest a goodbye message

Newcastle United confirmed on Friday evening that they had completed the signing of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. The Reds have sold the Sweden international to the Magpies in a deal worth £55 million after he scored six goals and recorded 11 assists during the 2024/25 Premier League season, as Forest secured a place back in European football.

Nottingham Forest bid to sign "rated" Brazilian attacker who Dortmund want

He’s out of contract in 2026.

3 ByCharlie Smith Jul 12, 2025

After his transfer to Newcastle was completed, Elanga took to Instagram to send a goodbye message to Forest and their supporters. The winger described Forest as a “family” and said he will never forget walking out at the City Ground and feeling their energy.

Elanga wrote: “My Forest Family— it’s been real! From day one, the love has been crazy, and I felt it every time I stepped on that pitch. Grateful for the memories, the lessons, and the chance to wear that shirt with pride.

“Big love to my teammates, coaches & all the backroom staff, and to the City Ground faithful… You all made it special. I’ll never forget that feeling of walking out to your energy.

“Time for the next chapter. But this one? Forever in my heart. Thank you, Nottingham Forest. YOU REDSSS.”

Nottingham Forest among frontrunners to sign "insane" £20m+ star

Now Elanga has left, the Reds are wasting no time in finding a suitable replacement, as according to journalist Sebastien Vidal, Forest are progressing in their talks to sign Johan Bakayoko from PSV Eindhoven and are among the frontrunners.

It could cost the Premier League side well under half of what they sold Elanga for to sign Bakayoko, as the Dutch champions want just £22 million for the exciting winger.

However, since then, Sacha Tavolieri has added that it is Bayer Leverkusen who are in the lead for Bakayoko, who has agreed a five-year deal with the Bundesliga giants.

The 22-year-old, who has been dubbed an “insane” talent by football scout Ben Mattinson, has been at PSV since 2019. During that time, Bakayoko has won the Dutch title, the Dutch Cup, and the Dutch Super Cup twice, playing a key role in a lot of those campaigns.

Apps

131

Goals

33

Assists

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Bakayoko scored nine goals in 30 Eredivisie games last season, but given he is out of contract next summer, PSV may see this as the right time for him to move on. Bakayoko poses a similar threat to Elanga; he is a very quick and direct winger who has enormous ability and can also play in numerous positions across the frontline. The fact he may well be available for just £22 million means he could be a bargain purchase for the Reds, who are looking to go even better than last season.

With Newcastle United now confident that they’ll sign Anthony Elanga, Nottingham Forest have reportedly entered the race to sign his replacement in a deal worth over £50m.

Newcastle optimistic about Elanga deal

After rejecting Newcastle’s initial offer, some around the City Ground may have been hopeful that would be the end of the Magpies’ chase to sign Elanga, but that has proved to be far from the case. Instead, the Magpies have reportedly returned with an offer worth £55m and are now optimistic that they’ll secure the Swede’s signature, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Given the importance of Elanga in Nuno Espirito Santo’s side last season, it would be an undeniable blow if Forest were to lose the winger to Newcastle this summer. As ever though, their attention is likely to turn towards incomings of their own.

Already, those in the Midlands have welcomed a fresh attacking boost in the form of Botafogo star Igor Jesus and now they could shift their focus towards other reinforcements.

After putting pen to paper, Jesus told Forest’s official website: “I’m really happy to be a part of this new story, especially at a club like Nottingham Forest.

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“I didn’t have to think twice about the offer, I embraced it. I embraced the project that they sent me. I am delighted to be coming here and hope to do some great work. I will do my very best to achieve great results and bring joy to all the Forest family.”

With Jesus secure and Elanga potentially leaving, reports are now suggesting that Forest’s efforts have turned towards a winger who’s worth over £50m this summer.

Nottingham Forest join race to sign Lookman

According to reports in Spain, Nottingham Forest have now joined the race to sign Ademola Lookman from Atalanta, who are set to demand as much as €60m (£52m) to sell their star man this summer. Joined by Atletico Madrid and Midlands rivals Aston Villa in the battle for the Nigerian winger, Forest will hope that the funds gained by potentially selling Elanga are enough to jump ahead of their competitors.

Losing Elanga but replacing him with Lookman could quickly prove to be an act of genius by all involved at Nottingham Forest. The latter enjoyed a sensational season in Italy last time out, scoring 20 goals in all competitions, and could finally prove any doubters wrong in the Premier League following tough spells at Everton, Fulham and Leicester City.

Full of praise, former Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini told reporters last season: “Lookman became a fantastic player when he improved his perception of the team. He used to have a more individual approach.

“He wasn’t a bad guy, but he mostly focused on the individual. He made Atalanta great, and Atalanta made him great. I am convinced he can be the captain before the end of the season.”