Aston Villa keen to beat Barcelona in race to sign "relentless" £48m star

Eyeing a return to the transfer market yet again this summer, Aston Villa are now reportedly keen to beat Barcelona in the race to sign an attacking addition worth £48m.

Aston Villa transfer news

After selling Jhon Duran for a hefty fee in the January transfer window, Aston Villa decided to lay down a marker. In came Marcus Rashford, in came Marco Asensio and in came Axel Disasi all on loan as the Villans set their sights on the Premier League’s top four. If recent cameos are anything to go by, it was job well done by those at Villa Park.

Rashford and Asensio put on a short show in their respective debuts against Tottenham Hotspur last time out, with the latter particularly silky. All of a sudden, the depth of Unai Emery’s frontline is worthy of a place in the Champions League for a second season on the bounce.

Stacked with Ollie Watkins, Donyell Malen, Morgan Rogers, Rashford, Asensio and Leon Bailey – just to name a few – Aston Villa look unstoppable going forward on paper. But they’re seemingly not done there.

According to The Boot Room, Aston Villa are now keen to sign Nico Williams ahead of Barcelona and Premier League rivals Arsenal this summer. The Athletic Bilbao winger lit up Euro 2024, but has struggled to find his best form ever since. Aware of what he can do when firing on all cylinders, however, Villa could yet trigger his reported £48m release clause.

Aston Villa enter race for "world class" £247k-p/w star who Emery rates

The Villa boss is interested in signing a defender who he believes could become a key player.

ByDominic Lund Feb 12, 2025

A move which considers Emery’s long-term options to replace loanees such as Rashford and Asensio, Williams could quickly rediscover his red-hot Euros form at Villa Park this summer, should he complete a move.

"Relentless" Williams needs big move

After scoring eight and assisting a stunning 19 goals last season, Williams has since followed that up with four goals and five assists in the current campaign in what has been a frustrating drop-off. At just 22 years old, however, clubs in pursuit of his signature have seemingly shown much-needed patience and remain in the race to welcome the winger.

Spain star Nico Williams

Following a disappointing season, the Spaniard should look to depart as soon as possible this summer and earn the big move that many believed he’d earn after Euro 2024 last year.

Receiving plenty of praise even amid his struggles at times in recent months, analyst Ben Mattinson dubbed Williams a “relentless dribbler” at the beginning of the year.

Whether that sees Aston Villa swoop in remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that Emery certainly knows how to get the best out of exciting talents of Williams’ calibre.

نتائج قرعة كأس العالم تحت 20 عامًا.. منتخب مصر مع تشيلي واليابان

أجرى الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا”، اليوم الجمعة، قرعة بطولة كأس العالم للشباب تحت 20 عامًا، المقرر إقامتها في دولة تشيلي.

وتُقام بطولة كأس العالم تحت 20 عاماً في دولة تشيلي بمشاركة 24 منتخبًا خلال الفترة من 27 سبتمبر إلى 19 أكتوبر 2025، بتواجد منتخب مصر.

وكان منتخب مصر للشباب قد حصد بطاقة تأهلة إلى البطولة، بعدما احتل المركز الرابع في كأس أمم إفريقيا تحت 20 عامًا، والتي أُقيمت في مصر، حيث حل في المركز الرابع بعد خسارته أمام نيجيريا في مباراة تحديد المركزين الثالث والرابع بركلات الترجيح.

طالع أيضاً.. موعد والقنوات الناقلة لقرعة كأس العالم للشباب تحت 20 عامًا

وجاء منتخب مصر ضمن المستوى الرابع في تصنيف المنتخبات رفقة المغرب وباراجواي والسعودية.

ويقود منتخب مصر للشباب جهاز فني بقيادة أسامة نبيه مديرًا فنيًا، ويعاونه علاء عبده مدربًا عامًا، ومحمد عمر النور مدربًا، وأيمن طاهر مدربًا لحراس المرمى.

وأسفرت القرعة، عن وقوع منتخب مصر تحت 20 عامًا في المجموعة الأولى رفقة كل من منتخبات تشيلي ونيوزيلندا واليابان. المجموعة الأولي

1- تشيلي (البلد المستضيف)

2- نيوزيلندا

3- اليابان

4- مصر المجموعة الثانية

1- جمهورية كوريا

2- أوكرانيا

3- باراجواي

4- بنما المجموعة الثالثة

1- البرازيل

2- المكسيك

3- المغرب

4- إسبانيا المجموعة الرابعة

1- إيطاليا

2- أستراليا 

3- كوبا

4- الأرجنتين المجموعة الخامسة

1- أمريكا

2- كاليدونيا الجديدة

3- فرنسا

4- جنوب إفريقيا المجموعة السادسة

1- كولومبيا

2- السعودية

3- النرويج

4- نيجيريا

Prolific Daniel Hughes stars as New South Wales crush Tasmania

Chris Green, making a rare appearance for his state, picked up four wickets

AAP17-Nov-2022

Daniel Hughes added another century to his one-day tally•Getty Images

Daniel Hughes smacked yet another century before spinner Chris Green weaved his magic with the ball to lead New South Wales to a crushing 160-run win over Tasmania in the one-day clash at Blundstone Arena.Just days after missing a Sheffield Shield clash due to Covid-19, Hughes scored 101 off 114 balls as the visitors reached 8 for 300 after being sent in to bat.In reply, Tasmania were skittled for 140 in 28.1 overs, with Matthew Wade (42 off 49 balls) the only home batter to post a score of any substance. Green starred with the ball, finishing with figures of 4 for 20 off nine overs.NSW entered the match yet to taste victory this season in either the one-day competition or the Sheffield Shield.But the 207-run opening stand between Hughes and Kurtis Patterson (92) put the Blues on track to end the rut. Hughes has now posted three one-day centuries this season and he can consider himself unlucky to be overlooked for Australian selection following Aaron Finch’s retirement.Thursday’s innings took his average to 67.8 for the past four seasons with only Shaun Marsh having more one-day domestic centuries – 10 to Hughes’s nine – of current players.The left-hander was strong square of the wicket, cutting, pulling and pushing off the back foot whenever Tasmania dropped short.Sitting pretty at 0 for 194 after 32 overs, the runs dried up slightly for NSW after Patterson picked out the man on the legside boundary while trying to pull Tom Rogers.It kickstarted a collapse of 5 for 35 in the next six overs as Rogers, Nathan Ellis and Tom Andrew pulled back the Blues. Jason Sangha and Baxter Holt were the only remaining batters to pass 20, as NSW took just 63 runs from the last 10 overs.Tasmania’s run chase started poorly with the home side crashing to 3 for 35. Wade sent a scare through the camp when he was struck on the side of the helmet by a Liam Hatcher bouncer. The veteran had raced to 21 off just 11 balls but struggled for fluency after being hit.Wade even fell to the ground later that over while evading another Hatcher bouncer and he eventually holed out 10 overs later in the search for quick runs.The bonus-point win lifted NSW (five points) off the bottom of the ladder, but they are still five points adrift of the third-placed Tasmania (10 points).

Pressão não assusta auxiliar de Bustos no Santos: 'Precisamos estar à altura'

MatériaMais Notícias

Após a goleada sofrida para o Corinthians, pela Copa do Brasil, por 4 a 0, o Peixe voltou para a Neo Química Arena tentando ‘recuperar’ a imagem, desgastada após o clássico.

RelacionadasSantosAuxiliar de Bustos admite que goleada ‘mexeu com o orgulho’ do SantosSantos25/06/2022SantosÂngelo tem cronograma para voltar a ser titular do Santos em um jogo inteiroSantos25/06/2022SantosAuxiliar vê Santos diferente em empate contra o CorinthiansSantos25/06/2022

O empate em 0 a 0, mesmo sendo bem avaliado pela comissão técnica e jogadores, não aliviou a pressão para cima do técnico Fabián Bustos.

O Santos tem apenas uma vitória nos últimos dez jogos. Empatou com Ceará, Banfield, Athletico-PR, Internacional, Atlético-MG, Red Bull Bragantino e Corinthians. Foi derrotado em dois clássicos, contra o Palmeiras, na Vila, e Corinthians, na Neo Química Arena. A única vitória foi contra o Juventude, no Sul do País.

– A pressão sempre vai existir. Santos é um clube grande que conquistou títulos importantes e precisamos estar à altura. Sabemos que existe a pressão e vamos enfrentar com o maior profissionalismo. Defendemos o escudo do Santos e a obrigação de jogar cada partida para ganhar – disse Lucas Ochandorena.

– Falar do que aconteceu quarta, já foi. Todos sabem o que aconteceu. Acredito que foi uma noite má. Não estamos eliminados. Temos sempre que acreditar. Do impossível ao possível é um caminho só, que é acreditar. Vamos jogar na Vila e buscar o resultado com toda a competitividade do mundo. Hoje demonstramos, contra um grande rival, em um clássico, que temos orgulho. Devíamos uma partida assim para a nossa torcida – completou.

Com o resultado, o Peixe subiu para 6ª colocação do Campeonato Brasileiro, pelo menos até os jogos de amanhã, com 19 pontos. O time de Fabián Bustos não perde há seis jogos no torneio nacional. Porém, venceu apenas um entre esses jogos.

O Santos volta a campo pelo Brasileirão no próximo sábado (2) para encarar o Flamengo, às 19 horas, na Vila Belmiro. Antes, porém, tem pela frente do Deportivo Táchira, na Venezuela, pela Copa Sul-Americana. O jogo de quarta-feira (29) será o primeiro das oitavas de final da competição continental.

Botafogo pode ter até 'um time' de desfalques contra o Fluminense

MatériaMais Notícias

Luís Castro terá que ‘rachar a cuca’ para escalar o Botafogo visando a partida contra o Fluminense, neste domingo, pela 14ª rodada do Brasileirão, no Estádio Nilton Santos. Entre lesionados e suspensos, o português pode ter até 16 desfalques.

RelacionadasBotafogoBotafogo lança nova linha de roupas focada no ‘street’Botafogo24/06/2022BotafogoEmpresário pretende fazer investimento bilionário em empresa de John Textor, dono do BotafogoBotafogo24/06/2022BotafogoLuís Castro critica estrutura do Botafogo e centro de treinamento: ‘Bom para estacionar carro’Botafogo24/06/2022

+Quem é William Foley, acionista da empresa de John Textor, do Botafogo, e ‘no topo’ dos mais ricos do mundo

Essa é a quantidade de um time titular completo e cinco reservas – número de representantes que uma equipe podia levar no futebol até o começo dos anos 2000.

+Quem é melhor: Botafogo ou Fluminense? Veja votação jogador por jogador feita pela redação do LANCE!

O principal problema vem no meio-campo. Patrick de Paula e Kayque, que vinham sendo a dupla titular de volantes nos últimos jogos, estão suspensos. Ambos levaram o terceiro cartão amarelo contra o Internacional.

A preocupação é ainda maior porque Del Piage e Luís Oyama, duas das reposições imediatas, não estão totalmente em condições físicas para jogar. Liberados de recentes lesões, a dupla até foi ao gramado nesta sexta-feira, mas não fizeram trabalhos específicos com bola. Ambos são dúvidas. Tchê Tchê e Breno, que ainda não atuou com Luís Castro, são as opções ‘prontas’.

+Erison diz que torcedor ‘pode ficar tranquilo’ sobre renovação: ‘Botafogo é minha casa’; veja o vídeo!

O setor ofensivo também é alvo de dor de cabeça. Erison foi poupado de atividades mais pesadas do último treino por conta de lesões no tornozelo, mas, apesar de não preocupar, pode ser poupado visando o jogo da Copa do Brasil na quinta-feira – mesmo caso de Joel Carli.

Lucas Piazon, que vinha sendo titular, também está suspenso. Chay, que aparecia como substituto natural, é dúvida por problema físico, enquanto Lucas Fernandes está descartado por lesão muscular. Victor Sá também está fora.

Luís Castro tem um quebra-cabeça de mil peças para montar e menos da metade do que precisa para completar tudo. Da defesa ao ataque, o português terá que se desdobrar atrás de soluções para o Botafogo.

+ Jornal coloca Matheus Nascimento, do Botafogo, na mira do Real Madrid: ‘9 para o futuro’

PROBLEMAS DO BOTAFOGO

Lesionados: Rafael (lateral-direito), Carlinhos (lateral-esquerdo), Victor Sá (atacante), Gustavo Sauer (atacante), Diego Gonçalves (atacante) e Barreto (volante) e Lucas Fernandes (meia);

Suspensos: Philipe Sampaio (zagueiro), Patrick de Paula (volante), Kayque (volante) e Lucas Piazon (meia);

Dúvidas: Joel Carli (zagueiro), Luís Oyama (volante), Del Piage (volante), Chay (meia) e Erison (atacante).

Callum Parkinson loses Leicestershire captaincy over contract stand-off

Spinner replaced by Lewis Hill after declining to sign extension

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Nov-2022

Callum Parkinson is contracted to Leicestershire until the end of 2023•Getty Images

Callum Parkinson has been stripped of the Leicestershire captaincy after declining to commit to a contract extension.Parkinson, who took over from Colin Ackermann midway through the 2022 season, is contracted to the club until the end of next season but Leicestershire said in a statement that he “does not currently consider himself to be in a position to commit to a contract extension”.Instead, they have appointed Lewis Hill as their captain for the County Championship, after two seasons leading the 50-over team in the Royal London Cup. “Whilst disappointed with the decision, Parkinson has offered his full support to Hill and the club,” Leicestershire’s statement added.Parkinson, 26, was mentioned as a prospective England spinner after taking 50 Championship wickets at 29.04 in the 2021 season, though his returns dipped last year. He has also been a key player for Leicestershire in T20 cricket, and is the club’s all-time leading wicket-taker in the format.Claude Henderson, Leicestershire’s director of cricket, said: “Firstly, we want to congratulate Lewis on his new role. We have full belief in his abilities to lead Leicestershire to success moving forwards.”We also want to thank Callum for his duties during 2022, as well as for standing firmly behind both Lewis and the club. Although we are disappointed Callum can’t commit at this stage, the club will continue to have conversations with him to try and ensure his future lies with LCCC.”Hill said: “It’s a really proud moment for me to be selected as captain of Leicestershire. I’ve loved my two seasons skippering the 50-over side, so I’m really excited for the challenge ahead.”I want to continue the good work Callum led last year. He’s still going to be an important player in our team, and I know I can draw on his experience whenever required. There are promising signs within the squad and we’re all fully focused on delivering success in the County Championship next season.”

Wolves must rue selling big-money star who is now outperforming Ait-Nouri

Wolverhampton Wanderers head into their next Premier League match full of confidence, despite the daunting task of Arne Slot’s table-topping Liverpool that awaits them.

Vitor Pereira’s Old Gold have picked up two wins on the bounce in all competitions with two clean sheets also in tow, with the potential for a shock result to be on the cards if the Reds are still bruised from their shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Plymouth Argyle.

Of course, nobody will be expecting Wolves to pick up anything at the intimidating fortress of Anfield, but the ex-Al Shabab boss will still be keeping his fingers crossed all the same that a shock result can be achieved, especially if Matheus Cunha and his other star talents are firing on all cylinders.

The numbers behind Wolves' standout players this season

Cunha continues to lead by example for his relegation-threatened side, with his emphatic strike last time out clinching a comfortable FA Cup win versus Blackburn Rovers.

That powerful effort bumped Cunha’s goal total for the season all the way up to a stunning 12 from 25 clashes, with no real concerns now on Wolves’ end too regarding his commitment to the club, considering the Brazilian penned a new deal at Molineux until 2029 at the start of February.

It could be argued that the Old Gold do over-rely on the ex-Atletico Madrid man to get them out of sticky situations, with their most potent player now – away from an injury-stricken Jorgen Strand Larsen – being left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri.

He is an attack-minded defender after all, which can clearly be seen in his sterling Premier League numbers this campaign, with the Algerian currently boasting three goals and five assists in the top-flight.

Whilst Pereira will be pleased he has such a high-octane option available to him down the left, he will want more from the attackers nearer to Cunha, with an annoyance at Molineux that an ideal Cunha partner – who is now outperforming Aït-Nouri – left in 2022.

The former Wolves "magician" now outperforming Aït-Nouri

Wolves have had to heartbreakingly wave goodbye to a whole host of stunning stars over the past couple of years, with Ruben Neves relocating to Saudi Arabia for megabucks, whilst the likes of Pedro Neto and Diogo Jota moved up the food chain in the Premier League.

Wolves' most expensive sales of all time

A a look at Wolves’ 20 most expensive departures.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 10, 2025

Morgan Gibbs-White is another sale that will sting when looking back, even if the Old Gold did manage to sell their homegrown product for a steep £42.5m.

Fresh off the back of scoring and assisting 22 goals on loan at Sheffield United, Forest pushed the boat out to land the now England international which is a decision they’ll look back on and applaud.

Having only ever tallied up a measly four goal contributions from 88 appearances at Molineux, it’s clear that Wolves wanted to cash in whilst they could, evidently not realising the “magician” – as he has been labelled by statistician Statman Dave – would turn into a Premier League star.

Cunha vs Gibbs-White in 2024/25 PL

Stat (* = per game)

Cunha

Gibbs-White

Games played

23

20

Goals scored

11

5

Assists

4

4

Shots*

3.1

1.8

Key passes*

1.7

1.7

Big chances missed

2

2

Big chances created

12

6

Total duels won*

5.5

5.4

Stats by Sofascore

Looking at the table above, Gibbs-White would have been a top partner for Cunha to bounce off if he had somehow remained in the West Midlands to this day, with the Forest number ten up to nine goal contributions in the league after scoring last time out in his side’s 7-0 demolition job of Brighton and Hove Albion.

That is one more than Aït-Nouri, with a worry that Wolves need more firepower moving forward to complement Cunha’s explosiveness in order to beat the drop.

Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White

This won’t be the last time Wolves fall victim to a blunder like this, as Gibbs-White continues to go from strength to strength under ex-Old Gold boss Nuno Espirito Santo, whilst his former employers hold on for dear life.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

مصدر يكشف لـ«بطولات» كيف رد رامي ربيعة على عرض الزمالك لضمه

أعلن النادي الأهلي، بشكل رسمي رحيل مدافع الفريق رامي ربيعة، بعد نهاية عقده مع القلعة الحمراء، مساء الخميس.

وأكد مصدر لـ بطولات: “أن ربيعة حتى اليوم لم يوقع لـ أي فريق ومازال في مرحلة تفاوض مع عدد من الأندية الخليجية”.

وأضاف: “شقيق ربيعة يتفاوض مع أندية من الإمارات، العين وعجمان والشارقة وليس العين فقط، وأيضًا هناك تفاوض مع أندية خليجية أخرى مثل الريان القطري والفتح والفيحاء والخليج في السعودية”.

وأشار إلى أن الزمالك عرض على رامي ربيعة الانتقال لصفوفه مقابل عقد مميز عن طريق أحد الوسطاء.

طالع | متغيرات كثيرة.. رامي ربيعة يبرر رحيله عن الأهلي ويوجه رسالة إلى الجماهير

وأكمل :”ربيعة رفض فكرة الانتقال للزمالك حفاظًا على تاريخه مع الأهلي، كما أنه لن يلعب في مصر إلا للأهلي، هذا قرار اللاعب”.

وأتم: “رامي ربيعة سيقوم بدراسة كل العروض، وسيختار الأفضل ماليًا من بينها”.

ترتيب مجموعة فلسطين والأردن في تصفيات كأس العالم

أسدل الستار اليوم الثلاثاء، عن مواجهات الجولة العاشرة والأخيرة من المرحلة النهائية للتصفيات الآسيوية المؤهلة لـ كأس العالم 2026.

وافتتحت الجولة بمواجهة بين منتخبا الكويت وكوريا الجنوبية، على ملعب سيؤول، واستطاع الأخير الفوز برباعية دون مقابل.

وتضم المجموعة الثانية لـ تصفيات كأس العالم، كل من الأردن وفلسطين والعراق وعمان والكويت وكوريا الجنوبية.

طالع أيضاً.. المنتخبات المتأهلة للملحق الآسيوي المؤهل إلى كأس العالم 2026 (محدث باستمرار)

وفي مواجهة أخرى، تعادل منتخب عمان مع فلسطين بهدف لمثله في مباراة مُثيرة أُقيمت على ملعب الملك عبد الله الدولي.

وفي ختام مواجهات الجولة، تفوق المنتخب العراقي على نظيره الأردني، وفاز بهدف دون رد، على ملعب مجمع السلطان قابوس الرياضي في العاصمة العمانية مسقط.

ويتأهل مباشرة إلى نهائيات المونديال المنتخبان صاحبا المركزين الأول والثاني في كل مجموعة، بينما يخوض أصحاب المركزين الثالث والرابع مرحلة إضافية من التصفيات.

وفي المرحلة الرابعة، يتم تقسيم المنتخبات المتأهلة إلى مجموعتين، يتأهل المتصدر من كل مجموعة مباشرة إلى كأس العالم، بينما يخوض وصيفا المجموعتين مواجهة فاصلة، والفائز بها يتأهل إلى الملحق العالمي، ليكتمل بذلك عدد مقاعد آسيا في المونديال. ترتيب مجموعة فلسطين والكويت في تصفيات كأس العالم

1- كوريا الجنوبية – 22 نقطة.

2- الأردن – 16 نقطة.

3- العراق – 15 نقطة.

4- عمان – 11 نقطة.

5- فلسطين – 10 نقاط.

6- الكويت – 5 نقاط.

يمكنكم متابعة ترتيب تصفيات آسيا المؤهلة إلي كأس العالم 2026 محدث باستمرار.

Com 'porópópó' e 'vai, Corinthians', Vítor Pereira vai se tornando um corintiano, maloqueiro e sofredor

MatériaMais Notícias

A cada dia, a identificação do técnico Vítor Pereira com a torcida do Corinthians é maior. Na última terça-feira (5), ao comemorar a classificação corintiana às quartas de final da Libertadores, contra o Boca Juniors-ARG, o professor do Timão não pensou duas vezes em vibrar na direção da Fiel presente na Bombonera.

continua após a publicidade

+ Onde estão os jogadores do Timão que conquistaram a Libertadores há 10 anos

Em meio a festa em que os jogadores corintianos faziam no gramado, havia um Vítor empolgado e querendo curtir aquele momento com os seus atletas. O comandante corintiano também buscou estar perto do torcedor, que tomou a bandeja superior do estádio argentino. E foi na direção desse setor que o português, junto com o zagueiro Raul Gustavo, mandou ver no ‘pórópópó’, coreografia tradicional da Fiel Torcida nos estádios.

– Sim, eu fiz aquela dança que a torcida faz – disse rapidamente à reportagem do LANCE! em Buenos Aires, após conceder entrevista coletiva.

Ao responder os jornalistas depois da classificação na capital argentina, Vítor Pereira também soltou um mantra corintiano em uma das respostas.

– Muita paixão, emoção, capacidade de sofrer nos momentos mais difíceis e vai, Corinthians – declarou o comandante corintiano.

+ Confira a tabela da Libertadores e simule os próximos jogos​

O português tem entendido que para ser Corinthians precisa ser sofrido. Ele não queria tanto chegar a esse ponto, mas também tem aprendido a desfrutar de grandes momentos, como este, contra o Boca Juniors, em Buenos Aires.

Desde que chegou ao Timão, no fim de fevereiro, Vítor Pereira está imerso em seu trabalho diário. Ele entende que o calendário é desleal, mas trabalha para gerir o elenco em meio a isso. Assim, a vida dele tem sido dirigida em montar as estratégias de trabalho no CT Joaquim Grava, o que não tem dado tempo nem para o treinador alimentar a sua vida social.

– Não tem tempo aqui. Com esse calendário, não é possível desfrutar. Isso vai passando. Não dá sequer para conhecer São Paulo. Essa é a nossa vida. É um grande clube, não há dúvida nenhuma. É muita paixão e capacidade para saber sofrer – disse Vítor Pereira na entrevista coletiva após o jogo.

Mas é assim, com o time extraindo tudo, quando ninguém dá mais nada, que Vítor tem trabalhado o seu elenco na base da superação, mesmo com uma série de desfalques e problemas.

Também é dessa forma que o português tem se tornado cada vez mais aquilo que a Fiel se intitula: um corintiano, maloqueiro e sofredor.

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