The Cubs became the third MLB team to clinch a playoff spot this season after beating the Pirates 8–4 in Pittsburgh on Wednesday.
The Chicago squad all partook in a champagne spraying celebration after the win, which marks their first postseason appearance since 2020. For a lot of the Cubs players, this will be their first career trip to the playoffs.
One Cubs player who has yet to make the playoffs in his career is All-Star pitcher Justin Steele. Unfortunately, Steele has been out since early April as he underwent reconstructive elbow surgery that put him out for the remainder of the season. He was watching the game from home on Wednesday and made sure to send a message of congratulations to his teammates.
"Just sitting here smiling at my TV," Steele wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Steele will easily be one of the Cubs' biggest supporters this postseason, even if he has to watch his team on television instead of joining them on the field. Hopefully he'll be back next season and can lead the Cubs to a second consecutive playoff run.
David Warner has backed his former opening partner Usman Khawaja to return to the top of the order for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, believing that having Travis Head at No. 5 is the option that can give England the most problems.If Khawaja is passed fit following his back spasms, Australia’s selectors face a huge call ahead of the match where the home side could secure the Ashes. Since Khawaja was unable to open in Perth, Head and Jake Weatherald, the latter in his first Test series, have produced two impactful partnerships.Opinions are divided over the best way for Australia to go, and coach Andrew McDonald suggested that using Khawaja in the middle order could be an option. But Warner is of the view they should revert to their original plan.Related
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“I think Uzzy comes back in, slides to the top, and Trav goes down,” Warner told reporters ahead of captaining Sydney Thunder in the BBL “That’s probably a worse result for England, Travis Head going back down the order.”Head averages 41.46 at No. 5, where he has made eight of his ten Test centuries including three on his home ground at Adelaide Oval. Warner added that Head opening could remain an option when Khawaja retires, although he said there was no guarantee it would work in the longer run.”At the end of the day, Travis put his hand up to bat in the situation he was in,” Warner said. “He came out and batted in the way Travis Head does. You see plenty of interviews from Trav saying that is Uzzy’s spot, and if when the time comes they ask him to go up the order, he wouldn’t mind to do that.”We didn’t have that aggressor down in the middle order [in previous years]. Australia has that now as well, and moving forward with whatever Uzzy decides to do, if he hangs them up, they can look that way.”But then it’s on all of us to understand that potentially might not work and Travis will have to go back down the order. And then they are going to have to look for another replacement. The selectors have a headache.”Warner endorsed Queensland’s Matt Renshaw as the long-term option to open when Khawaja steps away.Travis Head’s batting position has been constant topic of discussion•CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images
“We’ve got a lot of young [opening] talent there at the moment that’s coming through,” he said. “But what I will say to George Bailey and the selectors is to show faith in their 31-year-old, Jake Weatherald. I think experience is key as well.”So credit to them if they’ve picked him. But moving forward, Renshaw could be one. I think he’ll slide straight back in there. He’s had a taste of Test cricket.”Australia have not had a settled opening combination since Warner retired in early 2024. Prior to Khawaja’s injury, he had gone in with five different opening partners across 15 Tests.Unlike what Warner did ahead of the 2023 Ashes, Khawaja has not publicly talked about an ideal end point for his career although this series ends at his former home ground of the SCG, the venue where he revived his Test career with twin hundreds in early 2022.”At the end of the day, having been in that situation, you still have to score runs,” Warner said. “You will deserve [the dream farewell] if you score runs and then the selectors stick by you. It’s not by chance he’s in this position now. He is 38 years of age, he knows what’s required.”
Rangers have sacked chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell, with Sky Sports reporter Luke Shanley sharing an update live from Ibrox on Monday regarding the search for their replacements.
The pair have been the target of intense supporter unrest after a disastrous start to the season in which Gers won only one of their first eight league games and suffered seven consecutive European defeats following a much-maligned summer recruitment drive.
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Thelwell’s short spell at Ibrox is largely defined by the decision to appoint Russell Martin, who proved to be Gers’ shortest-serving permanent manager in history when he was sacked in October after just 17 games in charge.
Although domestic form has improved since Danny Rohl replaced Martin as manager, the American owners have acted decisively after taking some time to assess the situation at Ibrox.
“Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell are leaving Rangers Football Club,” said chairman Andrew Cavenagh on Monday.
“Responsible change is measured and steady. Our first priority has been to improve the sporting performance, and that led to our decision to part ways with Russell Martin and bring in Danny Rohl. Danny has now started the process of improving the on-pitch performance, and that has given us the chance to focus on other parts of the club.
“Patrick and Kev are both skilled executives and have delivered a lot for the club in their time with it. We’ve now had six months since we became part of Rangers to assess the club’s needs as well as to get to know Patrick and Kev a bit more.
“Simply put, when we think about what we need in both CEO and sporting director today, it’s different than who we think Patrick and Kev are.
“We want people that align with the vision for the next chapter. I will not throw dirt on either of them. I think very highly of them both on personal and professional levels. It’s just the reality that the club needs different things today than it did six months ago.
“We’ve already started the hiring process and hope to have appointments soon, but we will prioritise quality and fit over speed.”
Fraser Thornton, the Gers’ director, will act as interim CEO, and Shanley shared a quick update on next steps live from Ibrox on Sky Sports News on Monday, revealing Cavenagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe will personally oversee the process.
It should be music to fans’ ears that the new men in charge at Ibrox are taking personal ownership of the hiring process. With arch-rivals Celtic’s board facing their own turmoil, the opportunity is there to snatch back the crown of Scottish football if the American duo can get their next appointments right.
First and foremost, Newcastle United have no pressing concerns relating to finances and the ever-ominous profit and sustainability rules in the Premier League.
Furthermore, technical director Ross Wilson is now settled into his chair in the St. James’ Park offices, and have formed a good early relationship with Eddie Howe as they look to tackle key areas of the squad.
Now is the time for action. It’s been a wobbly start to the season after a summer of upheaval, but United are beginning to show green shoots in their bid to cement themselves as Champions League contenders and a multi-trophy-winning outfit.
Defensive positions are being examined, but with Joelinton’s form lacking in stages this season, Howe wants a new midfielder.
The question on everyone’s lips: Will it be Elliot Anderson?
Newcastle chasing elite midfielder
Howe spoke at the start of October about his desire to bring Anderson back home. The 23-year-old was sold to Nottingham Forest in 2024 and he has since become a top-class midfielder. It was not a happy sale for the Magpies, whose hand was forced by PSR.
Now, United want him back. The problem? Manchester City and Manchester United are also keen, and the Tricky Trees have priced their gem in excess of £100m.
This is a superstar in the making. Already, he is ranking favourably against the likes of Sandro Tonali in the Newcastle midfield; the Italian is widely regarded as one of the best in the Premier League.
If Newcastle are fruitless in their bid to sign Anderson, they could do worse than fall back on Scott McTominay, who was named the Serie A MVP last season after leading Napoli to the Scudetto.
As per Chronicle Live, McTominay is reportedly unsettled in Naples and is considering a return to the Premier League. Newcastle would be right there, offering the Scotland star a chance to take his career to the next level.
Valued at £70m, McTominay, 28, will not be short of suitors in 2026, but sources close to the player suggest that he would be open to moving to Tyneside and working under Howe’s stewardship.
What McTominay would offer Newcastle
It’s a testament to McTominay’s meteoric rise in Italy that had Newcastle signed him from Manchester United, it would have been a move met with indifference.
But now, he is revered as a hero for both club and country, 18th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings and regarded as a “true superstar of European and world football”, as said by content creator Adam Joseph.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær, his former boss at Old Trafford, also hailed him as a “physical monster” once, and this is why McTominay could be such an interesting Anderson alternative.
He is capable of show-stopping moments, but the Tartan Army hero also has the athleticism and defensive attributes to dovetail right into Howe’s engine room.
His high duel success bespeaks his tenacity, and his eye for goal makes him an intriguing option to place just ahead of Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, both elegant and combative players with excellent passing ranges, sure to pick out the Napoli star’s surges into the danger area.
Matches (starts)
37 (33)
34 (33)
Goals
2
12
Assists
6
4
Touches*
54.2
43.1
Accurate passes*
28.7 (82%)
22.7 (85%)
Chances created*
1.0
0.8
Dribbles*
1.0
1.1
Ball recoveries*
5.6
4.2
Tackles + interceptions*
2.5
2.0
Duels (won)*
6.5
6.1
Anderson has since raised his level, but McTominay has hardly regressed himself, instrumental in a title-defending Napoli team that trail first-placed AC Milan this season by only a single point.
There is a winning mentality about McTominay that Newcastle need to take their project to the next level, and while the 23-year-old Anderson would be a fantastic addition, this would provide Howe with the instant effect he and his team need.
Newcastle need a new midfielder, and that won’t change. Either of these stars would mark stunning acquisitions.
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O Corinthians está perto de confirmar a contratação do meia Igor Coronado para a temporada 2024. O clube superou dificuldades impostas nas negociações e aguarda a chegada do jogador até o fim desta semana.
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➡️ Tudo sobre o Timão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Corinthians
Um dos últimos entraves solucionados pela diretoria alvinegra era o alinhamento do pagamento das luvas (“prêmio” pego pela assinatura do contrato”).
Agora, o Corinthians aguarda a chegada de Igor Coronado para realização de exames médicos na sexta-feira (16), data limite para inscrição de jogadores no Paulistão. Se tudo correr dentro do esperado e o atleta for aprovado, assinará contrato em definitivo até 2025.
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A informação sobre o encaminhamento do acordo foi noticiada inicialmente pelo “Ge” e confirmada pelo Lance!. Coronado atuava no Al-Ittihad, da Arábia Saudita, e rescindiu contrato com o clube recentemente.
O meia será o nono reforço do Timão para a temporada. Além dele, chegaram os zagueiros Félix Torres e Gustavo Henrique, os laterais Diego Palacios e Hugo, o volante Raniele, o meia Rodrigo Garro e o atacante Pedro Raul.
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QUEM É ELE
Perto do Corinthians, Igor Coronado teve destaque no futebol da Arábia Saudita. Sua última equipe foi o Al-Ittihad e, em três temporadas, ele acumulou 75 jogos, 16 gols e 35 assistências.
Tottenham Hotspur have some painful attacking teething problems under Thomas Frank. Everything is relative, and there are variables at play, but the struggle to impress on the playmaking front is becoming an unwelcome narrative for the club this season.
But that aside, there is also the sense that purses may need to be pulled out for a new centre-forward in 2026. It feels like Richarlison’s days are numbered at number nine, and Dominic Solanke hasn’t fared all that well since his £55m move from Bournemouth last year, too often injured and too often unconvincing.
Both strikers are 28 years old, and while service has proved thin in recent months, Tottenham will need to consider their options in January.
There is another solution, of course. Randal Kolo Muani appears to have replaced Richarlison as Frank’s first-choice frontman, having started two games in a row in the Premier League.
But, unless a formula is discovered to support him, the Frenchman’s season-long loan spell is going to be a forgettable one.
Randal Kolo Muani's opportunity to shine
Tottenham have more than their share of issues at the moment. It’s an interesting one. They are more stable with Frank at the helm, competitive at the upper end of the Premier League and unbeaten on their return to the Champions League, three games in.
But we cannot ignore the depletion of creativity that has left things feeling rather pedestrian, and even with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski sidelined since the start of the campaign and a distance away from returning, there is much to improve upon down N17.
Kolo Muani has not scored or assisted across his six outings in a Spurs shirt so far, and the 26-year-old may well feel somewhat aggrieved by the lack of service that came his way against Chelsea, taking only 16 touches across 76 minutes of action, creating a chance and getting stuck in but failing to unleash a single shot (as per Sofascore).
One content creator acknowledged the Les Bleus star for his exciting, progressive efforts when on the ball. However, such efforts were, as stated, few and far between, and he said it “must be absolutely horrible playing up front for this team”.
Premier League 25/26 – xG Leaders
Club
Goals Scored
xG
(1) Crystal Palace
13
18.2
(2) Man City
18
17.8
(3) Man United
15
17.5
(4) Chelsea
18
17.1
(5) Arsenal
18
16.9
(=5) Liverpool
18
16.9
(15) Tottenham
16
10.1
Data via FBref
Tottenham don’t create enough chances, and this is impeding Kolo Muani in his desire to get going in white. However, given that he’s only here for the season, it’s unlikely a permanent deal would be explored if things continue as they are.
Especially when the Lilywhites have an exciting up-and-comer making his way toward the surface.
The Spurs talent who could end Kolo Muani's stay
Tottenham have long boasted one of the most efficient production lines in Europe, and Mason Melia is set to make his way as the latest in this long line of hopefuls.
However, while the pathway from youth to professional football is long and treacherous, Melia is regarded as a rising star with the potential to nail down a place under Frank’s wing, with The Athletic’s Connor O’Neill saying he’s “easily the best young talent I have seen in the League of Ireland”.
The 18-year-old striker has already played 98 senior matches for St. Patrick’s Athletic, scoring 25 goals and registering eight assists. Across the 2024/25 campaign, he posted 14 goals and four assists. As a Republic of Ireland U21 international, he has bagged three goals from just four caps so far.
Both confident in front of goal and athletic enough to drive into the danger area himself, not reliant on his creative teammates, Melia could provide a tonic to Spurs’ current tactical pecadillos, lacking as they are in attack.
He is very young, of course, and could hardly be expected to waltz in and prove an instant upgrade on an established European star like Kolo Muani, but Harry Kane proved in the past that a young striker stands a chance of succeeding where senior peers fail.
Tottenham signed the teenager earlier in 2025 for a record-breaking £3m fee, making him the most expensive footballer to leave Ireland’s top flight. However, he has yet to wear the Spurs shirt in a professional capacity, having agreed to leave his homeland in January 2026.
St. Pat’s’ Young Player of the Year last season, he is widely regarded as one of the most exciting talents in Irish football, with his touch and speed and awareness in the final third all suggesting he has the bearing of a Premier League-level striker.
Given the paucity of reliable options in the final third at Tottenham right now, and with Richarlison among those slated to leave next year, Melia could find himself fast-tracked under Frank’s wing, earning regular opportunities in the first team and potentially even outperforming someone like Kolo Muani, who must continue adapting to the English game himself.
Tottenham might need to play the waiting game for now, but with Melia set to arrive in just a few months, he may find himself earning a string of opportunities before the end of the campaign.
And should he impress as if talent suggests is within his capacity, then it’s hardly out of the question to imagine that Melia could be leading the line in the not-too-distant future.
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Tottenham Hotspur appear to have got it all wrong with the addition of one first-team member.
Simpson continues form with 85 as contest peters out on flat deck at Chester-le-Street
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 25-Jun-2025A watchful century from Danial Ibrahim and a gritty 85 from John Simpson guided Sussex to a draw on the final day of their Rothesay County Championship clash with Durham.The pair were watchful as they looked to protect their position in the match, with a probing opening spell from Matthew Potts the most trouble the visiting batters faced on a sedate final morning.Simpson and Ibrahim got the Sussex lead past 200 and resumed after lunch. Sam Conners removed Simpson 15 runs short of another century, but Ibrahim remained calm to reach three figures for the second time in his first-class career.Sussex finished on 322 for six with the teams shaking hands at 4.50 pm.The draw means that both sides have consolidated their position in a congested mid-table region following this game, with Sussex hosting Warwickshire in the next round that starts on Sunday, while Durham travel to The Oval to face second-placed Surrey.Resuming on 111 for four with a lead of 145, Sussex pair Simpson and Ibrahim were watchful in the face of some probing bowling from Potts and Ben Raine.Sussex continued their plan, taking time out of the game, with the pair rarely letting their rearguard action slip in the first hour.Potts had a couple of LBW shouts against Ibrahim turned down as the Durham quick searched for a breakthrough.Simpson broke the shackles as he got the first boundary of the day 50 minutes into proceedings, flicking a Raine delivery off his legs for four.The first hour was successfully negated and Alex Lees brought Bas de Leede into the attack, which brought around some aggression from Ibrahim, who picked up back-to-back boundaries, his first of the day.Ibrahim then brought up his first half-century of the season from an attritional 161 deliveries, while skipper Simpson pulled a Conners ball for four to reach his fifty from 106 balls.The lunch break came and things continued in the same vein, with the Durham bowlers toiling while Sussex were happy to edge further towards the draw.Ibrahim did punish any freebies offered by the Durham bowling attack as he pulled a Will Rhodes short ball for four, but he survived an LBW shout from Raine when Durham took the second new ball.He then responded by playing a delightful cover drive off the bowling of Raine, but the Durham man was testing the 20-year-old.The Sussex lead was edging towards an insurmountable target for Durham with the clock ticking and overs running out.Simpson was also having a testing time against Potts, with the England man sending a couple past the Sussex captain’s outside edge, but he responded by playing a crunching cover drive off Raine for four.Potts came so close to a breakthrough, but Ollie Robinson dropped Simpson on 77 as the Sussex skipper gloved one down the legside, but Conners got him soon after for 85 when he chipped one up in the air and Lees produced an excellent catch at mid-off.Ibrahim then reached his first century of the season from 264 deliveries with a single on the legside.The 20-year-old guided his side to tea alongside Fynn Hudson-Prentice, who tried to be aggressive after the break but Drissell bowled him for 26 as he missed one completely.That brought Jack Carson to the crease who was there with Ibrahim when the two sides settled for a draw.
Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis will return to the side for the opening match in Barbados
Andrew McGlashan19-Jun-20252:14
Cummins: The new WTC cycle feels like a reset
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped for the first Test against West Indies and Steven Smith ruled out through injury with Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis named as their replacements.The two changes were confirmed five days before the opening Test in Barbados on June 25, meaning Australia will have a significantly different batting line-up to the World Test Championship final against South Africa.Related
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Konstas will earn his third cap having not featured since the two outings against India which began with his 60 off 65 balls on debut at the MCG. Inglis scored a century on his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Galle earlier this year.Labuschagne had been moved to up to open in the WTC final, with the selectors opting for a last show of faith, but came away with scores of 17 and 22 to continue a two-year lean run in Test cricket.Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from the Test side for the first time since 2019•Getty Images”Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “He understands his output hasn’t been at the level we, or he, expects. We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively.”Smith, meanwhile, suffered a compound dislocation to the little finger on his right hand when dropping a chance offered by Temba Bavuma on the third day at Lord’s. He avoided surgery but has to wear a splint for eight weeks. However, there is hope he will be able to play later in the West Indies series.”Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we’ll give him another week’s rest and assess his functionality after that,” Bailey said. “We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus. We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers.”In his only opportunity in Test cricket to date, Josh was outstanding in Sri Lanka, showing great intent and ability to put pressure on the opposition.”The final XI and the batting order will be confirmed closer to the Test, although Konstas will likely open with Usman Khawaja. Depending on conditions there is a chance Australia could go opt for two frontline spinners with Matt Kuhnemann partnering Nathan Lyon.
Arne Slot, lauded as a tactical genius. And rightly so. The Liverpool coach’s smart-witted approach saw him lift the Premier League title in his first year last season, head and shoulders above his rivals.
But there’s no denying Liverpool look tactically imbalanced this year, and there are wrinkles to be ironed out. The Dutchman sprung a tactical surprise against Crystal Palace, but it didn’t work out and the Reds were ragdolled throughout a bleak first half at Selhurst Park.
They rallied, and Federico Chiesa’s late goal off the bench looked to have sealed a point. Maybe all three. Liverpool pushed and pushed and they huffed and puffed, but their late-hour charm ran out as Eddie Nketiah struck at the eleventh hour to hand the champions their first league loss of the term.
There’s a lot to unpick, but let’s dilute it down to just a few talking points here. Right-back has been a hot topic on Merseyside this summer, and Conor Bradley flattered to deceive on his return to the starting line-up.
Bradley's performance vs Palace
Bradley filled big boots this summer, with Trent Alexander-Arnold up and leaving for Real Madrid. The Northern Irish right-back has dazzled in the Premier League before, but suffered with injuries for much of Slot’s debut term.
Aged 22, Bradley has started Liverpool’s past two Premier League matches, and while he did a decent job against the in-form Jack Grealish in the Merseyside derby, he endured a game to forget against Oliver Glasner’s Eagles, hooked at half-time.
Lacking any semblance of clarity or creativity on the ball, Bradley failed with three of four attempted dribbles and lost possession 12 times, also losing four of his seven contested ground duels, as recorded by Sofascore.
However, with Ibrahima Konate producing another sloppy performance, laden with errors, Bradley was always going to be up against it.
And, moreover, Mohamed Salah was anonymous once again.
Slot should have axed Salah
Salah, 33, has been Liverpool’s all-inspiring superstar for so many years, and he ran roughshod over Premier League defences all through the 2024/25 campaign en route to the title.
Mohamed Salah for Liverpool
He has posted three goals and three assists across the opening weeks of the season, but has also lacked much of his usual swagger and gusto, and that has not been more apparent than against Palace on Saturday afternoon.
The right winger missed a big chance and created two chances, but his moments of real joy were few and far between, losing all five of his ground duels, and this is not an outlier, with the metrics across the term, when collated against last year’s data, highlighting his regression.
Matches (starts)
38 (38)
6 (6)
Goals
29
2
Assists
18
2
Touches*
49.1
43.2
Shots (on target)*
3.4 (1.6)
1.7 (0.8)
Accurate passes*
22.4 (74%)
21.0 (75%)
Key passes*
2.4
1.3
Dribbles*
1.5
0.2
Ball recoveries*
2.7
3.3
Tackles*
0.6
0.0
Duels won*
3.3
1.7
We are still early in the season, but the underlying data is telling. Salah has fallen off a proverbial cliff in regard to his application and effectiveness.
Now playing a role with a greater emphasis on hugging the touchline and maintaining space for the reformed number nine squad, the veteran is toiling.
And Chiesa’s resurgence in red continues. The Italy international has now posted two goals and two assists apiece across all competitions since the summer, and he looks a different beast indeed, with observers anticipating a return to one-time elite form.
Analyst Josh Williams remarked that the 27-year-old “should’ve started today”, and that’s an accurate assessment. Liverpool risk become stagnant and predictable, reliant on late goals, and Chiesa’s form denotes his applicability for a starting berth in the Premier League going forward.
The Liverpool Echo branded him with a 4/10 match rating and wrote that Salah ‘struggled with the basics’ and provided non-existent defensive cover for Bradley, who had a poor game but was sandwiched between two of Liverpool’s biggest problems: Salah and Konate.
Federico Chiesa equalises for Liverpool
Salah is a Liverpool great, and he will continue to play a talismanic role for the club across the season. However, there’s no denying he has looked off the pace for much of the campaign so far.
He has played every minute in the Premier League since the opening whistle against Bournemouth in August, and his performances haven’t warranted that mark.
Chiesa convsersely, has looked very bright indeed, and yet the £150k-per-week ace continues to serve a peripheral role.
Now worth more than Guehi: Liverpool lost "superstar” for less than Quansah
Liverpool must regret parting ways with this iconic Jurgen Klopp talent.
Leeds United have now been handed the opportunity to hijack a move for a “superb” midfielder, as his move to a rival Premier League club has stalled.
Leeds keen on new attacking midfielder before deadline
With the summer transfer window now winding down, there is still work to do at Elland Road, with Daniel Farke keen on bringing in a new attacking midfielder, and a number of different options have made their way onto the shortlist.
Target
Current club
League G/A in 24/25
Gabriel Sara
Galatasaray
11
Facundo Buonanotte
Brighton
7
Bilal El Khannouss
Leicester City
5
However, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has made a poor start to life at Leeds, missing three big chances in the EFL Cup exit at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday, before going on to blaze his penalty over the bar in the shoot-out.
Farke publicly backed Calvert-Lewin after the Englishman’s disastrous debut, saying: “For him, it’s a little bit like a pre-season. I’m happy that he has the chance and I know that a top fit, 100% Calvert-Lewin use this chance but he needs desperately the minutes today to build up his fitness.”
That said, it would not be a surprise if the manager is privately having doubts, and with the Whites perhaps in need of another striker, alongside an attacking midfielder, they are now one of the clubs to “enter the scene” for Getafe’s Christantus Uche.
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That is according to reporter Eduardo Burgos on X, who reveals Leeds have now been handed a boost in the race for Uche, with a hijack possible, given that his move to Wolverhampton Wanderers has now stalled.
The Nigerian is blocking the move to Molineux via his agents, with a number of other clubs now “evaluating the situation”, including Crystal Palace, OGC Nice and AC Milan.
Christantus Uche.
The 22-year-old is expected to cost around £17m, but it remains to be seen whether he is keen on a move to Elland Road, having been hesitant to commit to a move to Molineux.
Uche could be "superb" signing for Leeds
The Getafe star took a little while to adapt to life in La Liga, but he enjoyed a very strong end to the campaign, receiving particularly high praise from scout Jacek Kulig.
The Nigeria international’s versatility would also be very useful for Farke, given that he is able to play in both attacking midfield and at centre-forward, with the jury still out on Calvert-Lewin, while it remains to be seen whether Joel Piroe can adjust to the Premier League.
Uche is in fine form, having already picked up a goal and an assist in La Liga this season, but a move to Elland Road seems a little unlikely, given that he is hesitant to join Wolves, who are a more established Premier League side.