Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are reportedly keeping tabs on Newcastle United star Alexander Isak after Liverpool's transfer interest was rebuffed.
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أعلن نادي برشلونة تعرض مهاجمه البولندي روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، مهاجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الكتالوني لإصابة قوية في عضلة الفخذ.
وشارك ليفاندوفسكي في مباراة بولندا، أمس، ضد ليتوانيا في تصفيات قارة أوروبا المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم نسخة 2026، حيث فاز منتخب بلاده بهدفين وسجل هدفًا.
وتزداد التكهنات حول مستقبل ليفاندوفسكي، خلال الفترة المقبلة، حيث من المقرر أن ينتهي عقده الصيف المقبل.
وقدم ليفاندوفسكي مستويات متميزة مع برشلونة خلال السنوات الماضية، ولعب صاحب الـ37 عامًا دورًا كبيرًا في حصول الفريق الكتالوني الموسم الماضي على ثلاثية الدوري الإسباني وكأس السوبر الإسباني وكأس ملك إسبانيا.
اقرأ أيضًا | وجهة محتملة غير متوقعة لـ ليفاندوفسكي حال رحيله عن برشلونة
وأعلن نادي برشلونة اليوم الثلاثاء، أن روبرت ليفاندوفسكي يعاني من تمزق عضلي في العضلة ذات الرأسين الفخذية (الفخذ الأيسر) وستعتمد مدة تعافيه على حجم تطور الإصابة.
وسيغيب اللاعب البولندي عن الملاعب لمدة تتراوح بين 4 و6 أسابيع، حسبما ذكرت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسانية، مما يعني غيابه المؤكد عن مباراة الكلاسيكو ضد ريال مدريد المقرر إقامتها يوم الأحد على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو.
عاد ليفاندوفسكي إلى التدريبات في المدينة الرياضية يوم الثلاثاء، حيث خضع لفحوصات طبية بعد الألم الذي عانى منه عقب مباراة الأحد في تصفيات كأس العالم أمام ليتوانيا رفقة منتخب بلاده بولندا.
حتى اليوم، يعتمد هانز فليك فقط على ماركوس راشفورد، وفيران توريس، العائد من المنتخب الإسباني بسبب الإصابة، وروني باردجي في خط الهجوم لمباراة السبت المقبل ضد جيرونا على ملعب “مونتجويك”.
MatériaMais Notícias
da roleta： O Palmeiras realizou na manhã deste domingo (13), na Academia de Futebol, mais um treino em preparação para o confronto com o Cruzeiro, que acontece nesta segunda-feira (14), às 19h, no Allianz Parque, pela 19ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. O Verdão deve ter força máxima para o duelo.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeiras‘Lei do Ex’? Murilo reencontra Cruzeiro pela primeira vez com a camisa do PalmeirasPalmeiras13/08/2023PalmeirasAbel, Rony… Saiba quem será o próximo a completar 200 jogos pelo PalmeirasPalmeiras13/08/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras reencontra o Cruzeiro quase quatro anos depois de ‘rebaixar’ o adversário; relembre o que mudouPalmeiras13/08/2023
da dobrowin： + Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
Primeiramente, o elenco alviverde fez uma atividade posicional com ênfase em construções de jogadas e transições, começando da zaga até terminar em finalizações. Na sequência, o grupo participou de um recreativo e, por fim, alguns atletas aprimoraram arremates da entrada da área.
+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!
Como de praxe em jogos em casa no período da noite, a comissão técnica orienta uma atividade leve na parte da manhã para encerrar a preparação. Dessa forma, o Palmeiras deve treinar mais uma vez nesta segunda-feira (14).
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Vale lembrar que o Verdão não libera a entrada de jornalistas para acompanhar os treinamentos na Academia de Futebol. Assim, as informações são fornecidas pela assessoria de imprensa do clube.
+ Palmeiras reencontra o Cruzeiro quase quatro anos depois de ‘rebaixar’ o adversário; relembre o que mudou
Com apenas Atuesta como desfalque e sem jogos no meio de semana, o Palmeiras deve ter força máxima para pegar a Raposa. Um provável Alviverde é: Weverton; Mayke, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo e Piquerez; Zé Rafael, Gabriel Menino e Raphael Veiga; Artur, Dudu e Rony.
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O Palmeiras é o quarto colocado no Brasileirão com 31 pontos, 16 a menos do que o líder Botafogo. Já o Cruzeiro ocupa a 11ª posição com 24 pontos. As equipes voltam a se enfrentar depois de quase quatro anos.
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BrasileirãoCruzeiroPalmeiras
Chelsea have had a bid for Kenan Yildiz rejected by Juventus as the Serie A side insist the youngster will not be sold this summer.
Chelsea made enquiries about Kenan YildizJuventus decline English club's lucrative proposalYoungster to be cornerstone of club's new projectFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to , the English club offered between €65-68 million (£56m-£59m/$77m-$80m) to the Italian club in a bid to lure away the Turkish wonderkid to Stamford Bridge. However, the attempt was firmly struck down as the Serie A side declined to move ahead in any discussions concerning Yildiz.
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The 20-year-old is highly regarded by Juve and head coach Igor Tudor. The club believe Yildiz to be the cornerstone of their new project and do not want to part ways with the young talent. Yildiz debuted for Juve in the 2023-24 campaign, but the Turkey international truly exploded onto the scene last season, scoring 12 goals and registering nine assists to cement his position as a starter.
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With many top European teams on the lookout to sign the ex-Bayern Munich player, Juve have decided to extend Yildiz's contract until 2030 and increase his wages from €1.5m to €4m (£3m/$5m), making him one of the highest-paid individuals in Turin. This will be Yildiz's second contract extension in under 12 months and is among the top priorities for the club.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR JUVENTUS?
Juventus general manager Damien Comolli is desperately trying to offload Dusan Vlahovic, whose wages are proving to be a problem for the Serie A club. AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri wants to reunite with his former forward, but Vlahovic's huge wages remain a hurdle, with the Serbian striker not willing to take a pay cut.
Sobhana Mostary hits 44 but England spinners shackle chase in low-scorer
Alan Gardner05-Oct-2024
Linsey Smith picked up two wickets as England closed out the game•ICC/Getty Images
England’s four-spinner attack shackled Bangladesh in a low-scorer at Sharjah to get their T20 World Cup campaign off to a winning start. Danni Wyatt-Hodge made 41 off 40 before England fell away with the bat but, on a slow, gripping surface, Bangladesh were kept in check throughout despite Sobhana Mostary’s career-best 44.With dew having played a limited role in the tournament so far, Heather Knight had opted to get a score on the board. Linsey Smith, the slow left-armer who spent six years out of the side, was selected in preference to Lauren Bell, alongside the formidable trio of Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn. Smith bowled two in the powerplay, as England had hinted in the build-up, and finished with constricting figures of 2 for 11, as well as playing a part in the run-out of Nigar Sultana.Bangladesh had defended a similar score at this ground in their opening game against Scotland, but while Fahima Khatun and Ritu Moni were again impressive with the ball, they paid for allowing England to get away in the powerplay. Wyatt-Hodge and Maia Bouchier rode their luck at times – Bouchier was badly missed on 16 – but an opening stand of 48 in 6.4 overs opened up a chasm between the sides.The chase rarely got out of second gear, with only Mostary and Nigar reaching double-figures. Mostary should have been stumped on nought and would have been out lbw on 8 had England reviewed but she prevented the innings from flatlining even as Bangladesh struggled to build partnerships.Mostary anchors, Bangladesh groundedIn contrast to the start made by England, Bangladesh managed just one boundary during the powerplay, losing both openers to be off the pace on 20 for 2. Dilara Akter, into the XI in place of Murshida Khatun, missed a sweep at Dean to be lbw in the fourth over, before Shathi Rani took on Smith only to be taken by the leaping Ecclestone at mid-off.The rebuilding job fell to Mostary, who had top-scored in victory over Scotland, and the captain, Nigar. The latter signalled that Bangladesh weren’t out of it, despite the climbing run rate, as she twice danced out to hit Glenn for fours in the ninth over.Bangladesh reached 42 for 2 at halfway, with Mostary picking up her first boundary shortly after as the third-wicket pair looked to push on. But Nigar was run out taking on Smith’s arm for a second that wasn’t there and Glenn bowled Shorna Akter to pile the pressure on Mostary. She responded by thrashing Dean over deep midwicket for six, leaving the requirement 40 from the last four overs. In the end, it was too much of an ask – although keeping Ecclestone wicketless for only the second time in 36 T20Is was a small victory.Early runningThe opening exchanges were watchful, as England attempted to size up a pitch they had never previously played on. It wasn’t until the fourth over that Wyatt-Hodge hit the first boundary – by which point she and opening partner Bouchier had been involved in three near-mishaps with their running.Bouchier survived a direct hit in the first over, via a well-judged tip-and-run to mid-off. Wyatt-Hodge was then left sprawling face first for the line as she attempted an even tighter single, only saved by the time it took Nahida Akter to return the ball to the non-striker’s stumps. And Wyatt-Hodge should have gone in the next over, picking out Moni in the covers and then sent back by Bouchier – only for the fielder to make a complete hash of throwing the ball in.The pair soon decided that boundaries were preferable to risky singles. Wyatt-Hodge swiped Fahima over square leg and then drilled four more through cover; Bouchier climbed into Marufa Akter as the swing began to wear off, striking back-to-back fours – although she should have gone next ball when prodding to point, where Rabeya Khan put down a straightforward chance. Another brace of fours off Nahida in the sixth over and England were up and running, 47 without loss from the powerplay.England progress stalledFrom that point on, Sharjah’s slow-and-low surface began to exert its influence on proceedings. England scored 29 runs and lost four wickets over the course of the next 6.1 overs as Bangladesh’s plethora of pace-off options came to the fore. Bouchier was first to go, plinking Rabeya to mid-on, and Nat Sciver-Brunt did not last long, playing around Fahima’s legbreak to be plumb lbw.Wyatt-Hodge and Knight steadied things but Moni’s peach did for the England captain, nipping the ball through the gate to hit middle and leg. When Wyatt-Hodge walked past one from Nahida to be stumped miles from safety, England were 76 for 4 and wondering how to resuscitate the innings in suffocating conditions.Alice Capsey became the first batter outside of the top two to find the boundary with a sweep off Nahida in the same over, but she became Fahima’s second victim when reversing straight to point. Danielle Gibson huffed and puffed, striking one four before edging behind for 7 off 11, while Amy Jones tried to make the most of being dropped on 3. From the penultimate ball, Ecclestone finally managed a clean hit, lofting the only six of the innings straight back down the ground.
Fair to say, it has been a very forgettable season for West Ham United.
The Hammers are currently 15th in the table, a major downturn following three top-half finishes in four years, while they’ve enjoyed just five home wins, their lowest tally since being relegated in 2010/11.
The Irons could improve that tally in their final home match of the season on Sunday, welcoming Nottingham Forest to East London, although, having won only four of 16 Premier League matches under Graham Potter, confidence is unlikely to be sky-high.
Thus, a big summer is ahead for the Hammers and, if they’re going to start contending for European spots once again, their recent recruitment record needs to improve.
While many of West Ham’s recent big-money signings have turned out to be massive flops, the reported £22m paid to sign Jarrod Bowen from Hull City in January 2020 has proved to be an absolute bargain.
Now the club captain, he has scored 72 goals and provided 50 assists in 236 appearances for the Hammers, including the historic late winner against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League Final, securing the club’s first trophy for 43 years.
So, let’s assess how he compares to West Ham’s other big-money signings of the London Stadium era.
|
West Ham signings £20+ (2016-present) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Players |
Fee |
Appearances |
|
Max Kilman |
£40m |
39 |
|
Crysencio Summerville |
£25m |
22 |
|
Niclas Füllkrug |
£27m |
18 |
|
Luis Guilherme |
£25m |
12 |
|
Edson Álvarez |
£35m |
71 |
|
James Ward-Prowse |
£30m |
65 |
|
Mohammed Kudus |
£38m |
78 |
|
Lucas Paquetá |
£50m |
118 |
|
Gianluca Scamacca |
£30m |
27 |
|
Nayef Aguerd |
£30m |
58 |
|
Kurt Zouma |
£30m |
103 |
|
Nikola Vlašić |
£33m |
31 |
|
Saïd Benrahma |
£30m |
155 |
|
Sébastien Haller |
£45m |
54 |
|
Pablo Fornals |
£24m |
203 |
|
Jarrod Bowen |
£22m |
236 |
|
Issa Diop |
£22m |
121 |
|
Felipe Anderson |
£36m |
73 |
|
Marko Arnautović |
£20m |
65 |
|
André Ayew |
£20.5m |
50 |
|
All statistics and information courtesy of Transfermarkt |
||
What the table above highlights, first and foremost, is that West Ham have spent, and arguably wasted, an absolute mountain of money since relocating to the London Stadium almost a decade ago.
A few players on that list, namely Kurt Zouma, Pablo Fornals, and Saïd Benrahma did establish themselves as stalwarts, while others have been mercurial talents without ever really getting it all together; looking at you, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paquetá, Felipe Anderson, and others.
That’s not to mention the complete flops, who we won’t name, and let you make up your own mind!
Nevertheless, Bowen has been, indisputably, West Ham’s best signing of the modern era, so should the Irons go shopping in the EFL Championship again, as they search for their next gem?
According to a recent report by Jacob Steinberg of the Guardian, West Ham are ‘continuing’ to pursue a deal to sign Burnley central defender CJ Egan-Riley.
It has been widely reported, including by L’Équipe, that the 22-year-old is close to joining Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, who are owned by Todd Boehly’s company BlueCo, and his current market value is estimated to be around £12m, according to Transfermarkt.
Nevertheless, West Ham are still very much in the running to sign the centre-back who Graeme Bailey of TBR Football describes as a “brilliant young defender”, while Andy Bayes of BBC Sport outlines that he, alongside partner Maxime Estève, has played a ‘key role’ in Burnley’s promotion.
So, let’s assess how Egan-Riley compares to West Ham’s current selection of centre-backs this season.
|
CJ Egan-Riley vs West Ham centre-backs 2024/25 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Statistics |
CJ Egan-Riley |
Jean-Clair Todibo |
Max Kilman |
Konstantinos Mavropanos |
|
Appearances |
43 |
27 |
39 |
34 |
|
Minutes |
3,705 |
1,788 |
3,439 |
2,077 |
|
Tackles |
60 |
41 |
36 |
33 |
|
Tackles won |
42 |
26 |
23 |
39 |
|
Interceptions |
36 |
23 |
42 |
50 |
|
Clearances |
199 |
72 |
202 |
118 |
|
Blocks |
39 |
24 |
56 |
24 |
|
Errors leading to a shot |
2 |
3 |
5 |
1 |
|
Ball recoveries |
185 |
70 |
143 |
70 |
|
% of aerials duels won |
49.3% |
48.9% |
67.3% |
70% |
|
Pass completion % |
86.2% |
87.7% |
86.5% |
85.9% |
|
Touches per 90 |
79 |
58 |
58 |
50 |
|
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt |
||||
As the table outlines, Konstantinos Mavropanos has been West Ham’s best-performing centre-back this season, but Egan-Riley certainly compares favourably to the existing trio.
The Burnley youngster ranks first when it comes to tackles and ball recoveries, while many of his other statistics are more than comparable, while admitting he’s played the most minutes, and is operating at a lower level in the Championship, of course.
Nevertheless, the available evidence suggests he would be an excellent addition for the Hammers, if they’re able to beat Strasbourg to his services, and that is why he could be the best signing since Bowen because, at the age of 22, he could be a star for the club for many, many, years to come.
Huge upgrade on Soucek: West Ham make contact to sign "midfield machine"
West Ham could be about to kickstart the needed overhaul of the squad under Graham Potter this summer.
By
Ethan Lamb
May 9, 2025
England captain empathises with footballers amid public pressure for results
Andrew Miller09-Jul-2024Ben Stokes says that England’s evolution as a Test team has to begin in this summer’s home series against West Indies, because he wants to be able to lead a team into the 2025-26 Ashes tour in 18 months’ time that can “not just compete with Australia, but beat them”.Speaking at Lord’s on the eve of the first Test, Stokes admitted it had been a hard decision to tell James Anderson that his 188-match career has to come to an end this week. However, he acknowledged that the shortcomings exposed in England’s recent 4-1 series loss in India had forced them to redouble their efforts to be ready for their next big overseas challenge Down Under – arguably the one by which the success of Stokes’ era as captain will be judged.”I’m not going to lie: I want us to be able to take a squad out there that I know is going to go at Australia,” Stokes said. “I’ll be nearly four years as captain when we go out there. I want to be able to go out there knowing we’ve done everything possibly right over this 18-month period, to go out there with a strong enough squad to not just compete with Australia, but to beat them.”Ben Stokes has half an eye on Australia as England prepare to learn from their setback in India•Getty ImagesAs Stokes himself admitted, the throw-forward nature of his comments was rather at odds with the ‘live in the moment’ message that had been a bedrock of the so-called Bazball era. But, with Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow already gone from that original genre-bending team, and with Anderson soon to follow, England’s focus has undergone a subtle shift in the four months since the disappointments of the India tour.”It’s probably the first time you’ve heard me speak like that about something so far away, but again it goes back to our progression as a side,” Stokes added. “I want this team to progress over the 18 months, so I’m focusing on that, because I want us to go out to Australia and win the Ashes back.”That ambition, in turn, pointed to an underlying flaw in England’s recent record. For all the excitement that Bazball has stirred up among the cricket-watching public, Stokes bridled when it was put to him that – despite providing some exhilarating entertainment along the way – England have not actually won any of their three full series in the preceding 18 months, including last summer’s compelling home Ashes campaign.Aside from a ten-wicket win in a one-off Test against Ireland, their last outright series win was an unprecedented 3-0 clean sweep in Pakistan in December 2022.”Let’s just take that in,” he said. “Before the last four Tests in India, we won [the first Test] in New Zealand [in February 2022], then lost the second Test by one run. We came back from 2-0 down against Australia, had a drawn match [at Old Trafford] because of weather. [Saying that] we haven’t won a series in that time, I think is going into it a bit too much.”I won’t lie, those last four matches in India were incredibly disappointing, but going at it like that is a bit uncalled for. There’s so much that goes into winning a Test match. We go out there to win, but we put a focus on the way we play our cricket, knowing that we have found a way that brings the best out of us as individuals and a team.”Ollie Pope acknowledges the crowd after his 196 at Hyderabad, in England’s only win of the India tour•Getty ImagesEngland’s India series did feature one extraordinary high point, as Ollie Pope’s second-innings 196 helped overturned a 190-run deficit in the first Test at Hyderabad, before Tom Hartley capped his debut with matchwinning figures of 7 for 62. Thereafter, England had their moments but ultimately were forced to blink at the key moments of the campaign, a fact that Stokes both acknowledged and vowed to learn from.”We know if we play to our capabilities, we will have given ourselves the best chance of winning that game,” he said. “[Since India], what we probably have a better understanding of now is, when the opposition might be on top, how do we handle that pressure? How do we get through that, and put it back onto them?”Sometimes it takes a hiccup to say, ‘if this is going to happen again, how do we handle that?’ But it’s also knowing that we need to put pressure back onto the opposition, rather than taking a backward step and letting them dictate terms. When we are putting pressure back on opposition, that is when we feel as individuals and as a team [that] our mindset is so much clearer.”Stokes added that he empathised with England’s footballers at the European Championship in Germany. They face the Netherlands on Wednesday evening having reached an unprecedented third semi-final in the space of four competitions, yet still come under immense criticism from a demanding public that expects even more.Related
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“It’s not surprising, is it?” Stokes said. “I want all English teams to do well, whatever sport it may be, so as a professional sportsman myself I find it quite tough to see the backlash that the footballers have gotten and they always seem to get.”They’re in the semi-finals of the Euros, they’ve done what they needed to do to get to where they are now. Something that me and Brendon have tried to do is to just relax everyone and keep that noise out. The dressing room is the most important thing.”When you’re an outsider, like I am from the England football team, it’s tough to see that kind of stuff, because I know that all that scrutiny and added pressure isn’t going to help that team go out there and perform as well as they would like to.”I know the public wants to see English sports teams do really well, but I find it tough sometimes when people are quick to hammer down on them. But I understand it, because I know how passionate this country is about seeing their teams do well.”
India captain Rohit Sharma said there was swelling on the knee after the blow on day two; he did not take the field on the third morning either
ESPNcricinfo staff17-Oct-2024Rishabh Pant hasn’t taken part in the ongoing Bengaluru Test after getting hit on the right knee while keeping on the second day (effectively the first day after no play was possible on Wednesday). Dhruv Jurel kept wickets for the remainder of New Zealand’s first innings, but Pant did walk out for a brief throwdown session during the tea break on the third day.India went into tea at 57 for no loss in their second innings, having started with a deficit of 356. Pant is expected to bat if needed, which is likely given the match situation.Pant went out at the interval close to the edge of the boundary near the pavilion wearing just one pad – on the non-injured right knee – but was still hobbling a little bit. He, however, struck the ball cleanly with batting coach Abhishek Nayar keeping a close watch. The focus appeared to be on playing the drives, to stretch and test the knee. At the end of the 15-odd minute session, Pant also played a few aerial shots into the crowd much to their delight.Related
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Rohit Sharma had said on the second evening that Pant had some swelling in the injured area and the team didn’t want to take any risks given Pant had recovered from serious knee injuries sustained in a car crash in December 2022. On the third morning, a BCCI statement said, “The BCCI medical team is monitoring his progress.”In the Bengaluru Test, Pant was hurt in the 37th over of New Zealand’s innings. Attempting to stump Devon Conway off Ravindra Jadeja, he failed to collect the ball and it hit him in the knee He went off the field immediately and was replaced by Jurel.”Unfortunately, the ball hit straight on his knee cap, the same leg on which he has got a surgery done. So he has got a bit of swelling on it,” Rohit said after the day’s play. “And you know the muscles are quite tender at this point in time, so it’s a precautionary measure. We don’t want to take a risk. Rishabh doesn’t want to take a risk because he has gone through a massive surgery on that particular leg. That was the reason for him to go inside.”After suffering career-threatening injuries during the car crash, Pant made his comeback only in IPL 2024.
Celtic completed their first signing of the summer transfer window last week when they confirmed the arrival of Kieran Tierney from Arsenal on a free transfer.
The Scotland international will officially link up with his new teammates when his deal with the Premier League giants expires at the end of this month.
Tierney is not going to be the last signing to walk through the doors at Parkhead this summer, though, as the Hoops are reportedly closing in on the signing of Sweden international Benjamin Nygren.
Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph claims that the club are close to agreeing a deal worth around £2m with FC Nordsjaelland to sign the right-sided attacker.
This means that the Scottish Premiership champions are set to dip into the Danish market, having raided England, France, Germany, Scotland, Belgium, and Spain.
One country the club have not done much business in since Brendan Rodgers returned to Parkhead is Japan, which is where they snapped Daizen Maeda up from.
Celtic have hit gold with Daizen Maeda
The Hoops swooped to sign the Japanese forward from J1 League outfit Yokohama F. Marinos in January 2022 on an initial loan deal, which was then made permanent that summer.
Maeda had scored 26 goals in 70 matches for Yokohama F. Marinos before his move to Scotland, but he was unproven in European football and it was a gamble by Ange Postecoglou to bring him to Glasgow.
It is one that has paid off big time for Celtic, though, as the Japan international has developed into a star at Parkhead, and could be sold for big money this summer.
The 27-year-old is coming off the back of his best season in the Premiership for the Scottish giants, having previously offered a decent threat in front of goal in the league in his first two-and-a-half years.
Appearances
16
35
28
34
Goals
6
8
6
16
Conversion rate
18%
21%
13%
28%
Big chances created
5
6
5
10
Assists
5
5
3
10
As you can see in the table above, scored more than twice as many goals and produced twice as many assists as he did in the 2023/24 campaign.
This has led to reported interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, and Leeds United, with a £25m price tag placed on his head, which shows that Celtic have hit the jackpot with Maeda, because he is now an incredibly valuable asset and star performer.
The Scottish giants have not made a signing from Japan since they made Tomoki Iwata’s loan permanent in the summer of 2023, but they are now reportedly eyeing up a new addition from the J1 League.
Celtic eyeing deal for Japanese defender
According to Celtic Way writer Stephen McGowan, Celtic are working on a deal to sign Albirex Niigata centre-back Hayato Inamura in the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Hoops are interested in signing the 23-year-old defender to bolster their options at the back, as he provides versatility with his ability to play as a centre-back or as a left-back.
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McGowan’s article adds that Nygren is ‘on the brink’ of signing for the Premiership champions, and that Fulham’s Callum Osmand and Aberdeen’s Ross Doohan are also set to join to bolster Rodgers’ options across the park.
Inamura could be another signing on top of those potential deals, in what Celtic Way journalist Ryan McGinlay described as a “surprise move” for the “versatile stopper”.
If the Hoops can get a transfer for the Japanese centre-back over the line in the coming weeks, then the 23-year-old star could be a Maeda repeat for the club.
Why Inamura could be a Maeda repeat for Celtic
As aforementioned, Celtic hit the jackpot with Maeda as they snapped him up from the J1 League and provided him with a platform to develop into a £25m-rated asset thanks to his performances in recent seasons.
The Hoops could strike gold from the J1 League one again by signing Inamura this summer, because he is an exciting young defensive talent who could come in to improve the manager’s options at the back.
Inamura is a left-footed centre-back, who can also play left-back, and this means that he would arrive at Parkhead to compete with Liam Scales and Auston Trusty for a starting berth in the team next to Cameron Carter-Vickers.
His performances in the J1 League during the 2025 campaign so far suggest that he has the potential to come in as an upgrade on Celtic’s two current options in that position.
Appearances
13
26
22
Tackles + interceptions*
1.7
1.9
2.3
Ball recoveries*
5.4
3.9
3.3
Clearances*
5.1
4.8
4.0
Error led to shot/goal
1
1
5
Penalties committed
0
1
0
As you can see in the table above, Inamura could make more defensive interventions per game for the Hoops, with far more clearances and recoveries than the Hoops duo.
He could also be more reliable as a defender. The Japanese titan has only made one error that has led to a shot, goal, or penalty in 25 J1 League games in his career, whilst Trusty, for example, made five such errors in just 22 league outings in the 2024/25 campaign.
Therefore, Inamura could come in as an upgrade on Scales and Trusty in the left-sided centre-back position by offering more quality defensively, and fewer big errors, which also may be why the club are eyeing up a deal to bring him to Glasgow.
If he can translate his J1 League form over to the Premiership, the 23-year-old enforcer could be a regular starter next to Carter-Vickers and establish himself as a star for the Hoops, which would make him a Maeda repeat as another successful signing from the Japanese market.
He's for sale: Celtic feel they can seal bargain deal to sign PL player
Celtic are looking to improve their options in the middle of the park this summer.
ByDan Emery Jun 15, 2025
Defending champions Adelaide Strikers have signed India opener Smriti Mandhana for the upcoming WBBL.Mandhana is the club’s pre-draft signing and she will be playing for her fourth WBBL team after previous stints with Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder. During her season for Thunder in 2021 she hit 114 not out off 64 balls against Melbourne Renegades which is the joint second-highest individual score in the tournament’s history.Related
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Earlier this year, Mandhana captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the WPL title with the side coached by Luke Williams who holds the same role with Strikers.”I always look forward to playing in Australia, and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to a team with a history of success like the Strikers,” Mandhana said. “I’m thrilled to continue working with Luke. Our previous experiences together have been so rewarding, and I’m looking forward to building on that.”Strikers have been keen to bring Mandhana to the club for a number of seasons but last year she opted out of the nominating for the draft to manage her workload. She is expected to miss the first couple of matches due to an ODI series against New Zealand straight after the T20 World Cup but will then be available throughout, including finals if Strikers qualify in their bid for a hat-trick of titles.”Smriti is an exceptional talent, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Strikers,” Williams said. “Her technical skill, experience and strategic insights are a tremendous asset for us. I know firsthand the dedication and energy she brings to the team and on the field. Her expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we drive for success in the upcoming season.”Strikers could further strengthen their top order at the draft on September 1 as they have retention rights for South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt. However, if Mandhana is allocated as their first-round platinum player they would not be able to use their retention in the same round.Strikers have also made a pick trade with Renegades ahead of the draft, handing picks 19 and 30 to Renegades while getting 22 and 27 in return. Strikers have pick 6 in the first round and 14 in the second.
Adelaide Strikers: Smriti Mandhana
Brisbane Heat: Nadine de Klerk
Hobart Hurricanes: Lizelle Lee
Melbourne Renegades: Hayley Matthews
Melbourne Stars: Marizanne Kapp
Perth Scorchers: Sophie Devine
Sydney Sixers: Amelia Kerr
Sydney Thunder: Chamari Athapaththu