There has been an obscene amount of cash flying to and from Premier League bank accounts over the last few years, with transfer records tumbling all the time, even in a post-pandemic world and the era of PSR.

Four Premier League clubs received record transfer fees in the summer of 2025.

So which players have gone for club-record sums?

Premier League clubs’ record transfer sales

Rank

Club

Player

Sold to

Fee

1

Liverpool

Philippe Coutinho

Barcelona

£142m

2

Newcastle

Alexander Isak

Liverpool

£125m

3

Brighton

Moises Caicedo

Chelsea

£115m

4

West Ham

Declan Rice

Arsenal

£105m

5

Aston Villa

Jack Grealish

Man City

£100m

6

Everton

Romelu Lukaku

Man Utd

£90m

7

Chelsea

Eden Hazard

Real Madrid

£89m

8

Tottenham

Gareth Bale

Real Madrid

£85.3m

9

Man City

Julian Alvarez

Atletico Madrid

£81.5m

10

Man Utd

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid

£80m

11

Brentford

Bryan Mbeumo

Man Utd

£71m

12

Bournemouth

Dominic Solanke

Tottenham

£65m

13

Wolves

Matheus Cunha

Man Utd

£62.5m

14

Crystal Palace

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Man Utd

£50m

15

Fulham

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Al-Hilal

£50m

16

Nottingham Forest

Brennan Johnson

Tottenham

£45m

17

Leeds United

Georginio Rutter

Brighton

£40m

18

Arsenal

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Liverpool

£35m

19

Sunderland

Jordan Pickford

Everton

£30m

20

Burnley

James Trafford

Man City

£27m

Related All 20 Premier League clubs' record signings

From Manchester City to Ipswich Town, here’s a look at each Premier League club’s most expensive signing.

Posts ByBrogan Clasper Sep 4, 2024 Arsenal: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain £35m to Liverpool, 2017

Given the amount of cash Arsenal have splashed in more recent years, it is perhaps a surprise that their record sale dates as far back as this.

However, the Gunners have been perennially poor sellers, particularly under Arsene Wenger, though he received a pretty cool £35m when Liverpool came calling for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017, just months after the midfielder helped Arsenal to the FA Cup.

Considering Oxlade-Chamberlain only shone in brief glimpses at Anfield, Arsenal can put this down as a fine piece of business.

Aston Villa: Jack Grealish £100m to Man City, 2021

After guiding Aston Villa to promotion and then Premier League survival, it had seemed just a matter of time before Jack Grealish would take the next step in his career.

To the Villans’ credit, they kept hold of the Englishman’s services for a further year, but could not say no to champions Manchester City, who came forward with a British-record nine-figure bid in the summer of 2021.

Grealish was part of City’s treble-winning side in 2022/23, while Villa have gone from strength to strength in his absence, and took part in the Champions League alongside Man City in 2024/25. Grealish’s departure may have been bittersweet, but things have worked out pretty well for the Midlands outfit.

Bournemouth: Dominic Solanke £65m to Tottenham, 2024

Bournemouth broke their own transfer record in 2024, but not before receiving the largest sum in the club’s history for one of their players.

Dominic Solanke’s move to Tottenham Hotspur cost the north Londoners £65m – eclipsing the £40m they received from Manchester City for Nathan Ake in 2020.

The Cherries responded to Solanke’s departure by signing Evanilson for just over £40m from FC Porto.

Brentford: Bryan Mbeumo £71m to Manchester United, 2025

Brentford have been pillaged in recent years with Ivan Toney heading to Saudi, Yoane Wissa making his move to Newcastle and Bryan Mbeumo – the biggest of the lot – heading to Manchester United in a colossal £71m deal in the summer of 2025.

Mbeumo was one of the Premier League’s standout players in 2024/25, scoring 20 top-flight goals. That tally of goals richly deserved a move and he duly got one.

Brighton: Moises Caicedo £115m to Chelsea, 2023

Moises Caicedo was subject to interest from Chelsea and Liverpool in the summer of 2023, with the Ecuadorian selecting the Blues as his next destination after Brighton & Hove Albion accepted mammoth bids from both clubs.

Despite approving a £111m transfer to the Reds, Chelsea decided to go one further by structuring a deal that could yet rise to £115m.

It was reported that £15m of that total is in appearance-related add-ons.

Related Todd Boehly's worst transfers at Chelsea… so far

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Posts 2 ByStephan Georgiou Aug 23, 2024 Burnley: James Trafford £27m to Manchester City, 2025

James Trafford enjoyed a remarkable campaign with the Clarets during their promotion-winning season in 2024/25.

The goalkeeper kept a whopping 29 clean sheets. Quickly becoming one of the best English stoppers around, Man City paid a £27m fee to bring him back to the club where he grew up.

Sadly for Trafford, he was quickly displaced when the Citizens brought in Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Chelsea: Eden Hazard £89m to Real Madrid, 2019

Chelsea have had a history of receiving handsome transfer sums for players in recent years, and while Eden Hazard is undoubtedly one of their better stars within the last decade or so, the £89m they received upfront from Real Madrid turned out to be a terrific steal.

The deal to send the Belgian to the Santiago Bernabeu – which came off the back of Hazard guiding Chelsea to Europa League glory – could have reached over £150m. However, given the Blues legend only featured 76 times in an injury-ridden four-year spell in Madrid before retiring, we highly doubt many of the add-ons were ever activated.

Still, it is comfortably the highest fee Chelsea have received – it is most closely rivalled by Kai Havertz’s move to Arsenal for £65m.

Related Ranking Eden Hazard's 10 best career performances & moments

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Posts ByFreddie Taylor Oct 13, 2023 Crystal Palace: Aaron Wan-Bissaka £50m to Man Utd, 2019

Manchester United’s spending spree in 2019 features multiple times in this list as they parted with nearly £150m that summer alone. A decent chunk of that went on bringing in Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace for £50m.

The six years that have followed have not been too rosy for the club nor the player, with the Red Devils making a significant loss on the full-back when selling him to West Ham United ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Eagles have often been resolute when it comes to high-profile interest in their players, and recently had their resolve tested once more in 2024 as Newcastle threatened to eclipse the sum received for Wan-Bissaka while seeking to add Marc Guehi to their squad.

Everton: Romelu Lukaku £90m to Man Utd, 2017

It has all been downhill for Everton since selling Romelu Lukaku in 2017, when he linked up with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.

However, Everton did manage to secure a princely sum for the striker, with United paying the Toffees an initial £75m in a deal that included a further £15m in add-ons.

It is unclear how much of these were activated, but Everton have struggled on and off the pitch since, finishing in the top half just once since the turn of the decade and remaining out of Europe since the year of the Belgian’s departure – all while being under scrutiny for their finances amid a number of transfer flops.

Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrovic £50m to Al-Hilal, 2023

Fulham were one of the many victims of the Saudi Pro League’s raid on European-based footballers. Their riches were too much for Aleksandar Mitrovic to ignore in the summer of 2023 – and they nearly took manager Marco Silva along with them.

However, Fulham have remained a solid top-flight club after comfortably surviving in their first season back with Mitrovic in 2022/23.

They have invested the reported £50m fee paid by Saudi champions Al-Hilal for the Serbian’s services wisely, with Rodrigo Muniz among those to shine at Craven Cottage.

Chelsea’s ambitious recruitment policy targeting world football’s most exciting young talents continues to bear fruit, with yet another sensation reportedly on his way in.

Chelsea lead youth revolution through BlueCo transfer policy

Brazilian rising star Estevao has already provided spectacular vindication of the BlueCo ownership’s recruitment strategy.

The 18-year-old forward, signed for an initial £29 million from Palmeiras in a deal potentially rising beyond £56 million, has adapted seamlessly to Premier League football since arriving this summer.

His stunning Champions League goal against Barcelona highlighted precisely why the west London club fought off competition from the likes of Real Madrid, PSG and Barcelona to secure his signature.

Nicknamed “Messinho” during his youth, Estevao has marked himself out as a potential world-class superstar.

South American football expert Tim Vickery proclaimed him “the most talented Brazilian since Neymar,” whilst Enzo Maresca has carefully managed his integration, so far electing to play the teenager out wide.

Chelsea’s pipeline extends far beyond Estevao, with multiple generational talents already contracted for future arrivals.

Chelsea star out for a month through injury with January transfer stance shared

The Blues will be without him for weeks.

ByEmilio Galantini 4 days ago

Sporting CP winger Geovany Quenda, dubbed by some Portuguese observers as “the next Cristiano Ronaldo,” will join next summer following a £44 million agreement – securing him for half his £88 million release clause.

Ecuadorian defender Deinner Ordonez has committed to joining in January 2028 from Independiente del Valle, whilst Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez – another highly-rated prospect – will return alongside Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders in 2026.

Kairat Almaty forward Dastan Satpaev and Corinthians left-back Denner are also set to arrive in 2026 with Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha, though a move for the latter won’t be brought forward to January despite Liam Delap’s latest injury (Nizaar Kinsella).

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol revealed Chelsea have signings “already lined up” for summers 2026 and 2027, explaining their extensive recruitment department exists specifically to identify tomorrow’s superstars.

Now, as per Africa Foot, the Blues are closing in on yet another exciting youngster.

Chelsea set to sign Mohamed Zongo after reaching 'full agreement'

According to their information, Chelsea have won the race to sign coveted teenage talent Mohamed Zongo after reaching a ‘full agreement’ for the 16-year-old.

He’s been called the ‘next-gen Yaya Toure’ after emerging as one of Africa’s brightest young stars to watch, and Chelsea have moved to secure the player.

BlueCo have apparently beat off competition from the likes of Man City and Man United for the young prodigy’s signature, who was one of the standout performers at the recent Under-17 World Cup with Burkina Faso’s youth national team.

Zongo is now ‘set to join Chelsea’ despite fierce competition from multiple European clubs, with their comprehensive project convincing all parties involved that Stamford Bridge represents the ideal destination.

However, the youngster will not immediately relocate to London.

Instead, Zongo will continue his progression at Strasbourg, Chelsea’s sister club, allowing him to adapt gradually to European football in an ideal environment before eventually transitioning to Maresca’s first-team.

حقق الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي إنبي، الفوز على نظيره الأهلي، في اللقاء الذي أقيم بينهما اليوم الجمعة، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس الرابطة.

التقى الأهلي مع نظيره إنبي، اليوم الجمعة، في الجولة الأولى من دور المجموعات من بطولة كأس الرابطة المصرية.

طالع.. جيرونا يوضح عبر “بطولات” حقيقة الاهتمام بضم مصطفى شوبير من الأهلي

ويقع الأهلي في المجموعة الأولى من كأس الرابطة رفقة طلائع الجيش وإنبي وفاركو وغزل المحلة والمقاولون العرب وسيراميكا كليوباترا.

وسجل إنبي هدفه في الدقيقة 29 من عمر المباراة عن طريق محمد حمدي من ركلة جزاء نفذها بنجاح في شباك الأحمر على طريقة بانينكا.

وتعرض لاعب إنبي علي محمود للطرد بعد الحصول على الإنذار الثاني بسبب تدخل عنيف على مهاجم الأهلي حمزة عبد الكريم في الدقيقة 80.

ورفع إنبي رصيده إلى 3 نقاط في المركز الثالث متساويًا مع طلائع الجيش وفاركو صاحبي المركزين الأول والثاني بفارق الأهداف. أهداف الأهلي وإنبي اليوم في كأس الرابطة

Tottenham have been given some encouragement over the prospect of signing a Brazil international as his agents work to find him a new club.

Tottenham targeting new attacker in January amid creativity issue

Thomas Frank faces mounting pressure at Tottenham just six months into his tenure, with serious questions surrounding the Dane’s future.

Spurs sit 11th in the table with just 19 points from 13 games, and their home record tells a catastrophic story.

With only one Premier League win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium all season, not to mention 10 home defeats this calendar year, they currently boast the joint-worst record in that regard in the club’s history.

Winless in five matches across all competitions, including losses to Arsenal, PSG and Fulham, their controversial 2-2 draw at Newcastle on Monday evening prevented a fourth straight defeat.

16. Burnley

2

1

4

7

-2

17. Nottingham Forest

2

1

4

7

-5

18. West Ham

2

0

5

6

-9

19. Tottenham

1

2

4

5

-1

20. Wolves

0

1

6

1

-11

Cristian Romero rescued Frank with a dramatic stoppage-time overhead kick. The Argentine scored twice at St James’ Park, his header and acrobatic finish earning a vital point, and his heroics seriously spared Frank’s blushes.

Dressing room unrest is reportedly growing, with reports suggesting players are confused by Frank’s constant tactical tinkering.

Fabrizio Romano shares Thomas Frank update amid mounting Tottenham pressure

The reliable journalist has some information.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 4, 2025

Summer signing Xavi Simons symbolises Frank’s struggles. The £55 million playmaker has started just six league games, relegated to the bench for crucial fixtures despite Spurs’ creative drought, and former defender Ramon Vega has accused Frank of “changing his mind every two seconds.”

Frank apparently retains board backing until at least new year, but improvement must arrive quickly.

January reinforcements remain crucial, with FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa heavily linked alongside Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, who has a tantalising £65 million release clause in his contract which will be active next month.

If Spurs cannot win the race for Semenyo amid interest from Man City, then RB Leizpig’s Yan Diomande is believed to be an alternative, with Sky Switzerland’s Sacha Tavolieri reporting they’ve already held advanced discussions on the player’s side.

Tottenham given Rodrygo boost as agents work on Real Madrid exit

Now, according to TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, the north Londoners have been given a boost in their pursuit of Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

It is believed that Tottenham have emerged among the Premier League clubs that Rodrygo would consider joining, with his representatives actively working to secure a January departure from the Bernabeu.

The Brazilian has seen his situation deteriorate dramatically since Xabi Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti over the summer, becoming the most high-profile casualty.

Only four of his 15 appearances this season have exceeded 45 minutes, with Rodrygo regularly deployed as an impact substitute and falling behind Arda Güler in the pecking order.

Intermediaries representing the 24-year-old are working diligently to identify potential destinations, with Arsenal and Liverpool already engaged in discussions.

Rodrygo himself has made clear he would welcome moves to Man City, Man United, Chelsea or Tottenham too, though currently only Arsenal, Liverpool, City and Spurs are actively monitoring his availability.

Real value him between £70-79 million, and the Spanish giants ideally want to retain Rodrygo until the summer, when Nico Paz’s expected return will likely accelerate his departure.

It isn’t an easy deal to do by any means, with Spurs potentially needing to break their transfer record whilst fending off elite competition from their rivals.

However, there is little doubt this would be a statement move by the Lewis family as they look to usher in a new era post-Daniel Levy.

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo está com conversas avançadas com Danielzinho, meia do Mirassol. A negociação abraçaria os moldes que o Tricolor procura. Danielzinho tem contrato até o final do ano e, a partir daí, ficaria livre no mercado – ou seja, sem custos ao clube.

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➡️Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! São Paulo

Algumas características do jogador chamam atenção, mas entre uma das mais marcantes, é o histórico baixo de lesões. Aos 31 anos, de acordo com dados do Transfermarkt, o jogador praticamente não tem problemas assim. Neste Campeonato Brasileiro, que garantiu a vaga do Mirassol direta na Copa Libertadores, disputou 36 das 37 rodadas.

Vale destacar que este foi um dos maiores dramas do São Paulo na temporada. Ao todo, 70 problemas físicos acometeram a equipe.

Como joga Danielzinho?

Aos 31 anos, Danielzinho é visto como um jogador versátil. Com características ofensivas, se assemelhando ao papel de Marcos Antonio, consegue aparecer na defesa quando necessário também.

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Participativo nos jogos, foi o líder de recuperações de bola no Brasileirão 2025. O atleta estava há três anos no Mirassol, mas não houve movimentação para renovação de contrato. Trata-se de um jogador dinâmico e de muita entrega, com características próximas de um segundo volante, mas que como dito, aparece como um meia armador.

Olhando para o sistema do São Paulo, não chega para ser exatamente um substituto de Marcos Antonio, mas sim um nome que consiga agregar no meio de campo. Na linha do Crespo deseja, é o jogador “saudável”.

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Danielzinho também atuou em times como Grêmio Novorizontino, Sampaio Corrêa, Oeste, Ferroviária, entre outras equipes. Natural de Andradina, no interior paulista, iniciou a carreira profissional no Atlético-MG, em 2014.

➡️Marcos Antonio será comprado? Entenda a situação do atleta do São Paulo

No Mirassol, foi quinto jogador com mais partidas usando a camisa da equipe. Foram 145 jogos com o time, somando todos esses anos.

Números de Danielzinho em 2025

De acordo com os números do Sofascore, o jogador disputou 50 jogos, todos como titular, e registrou 3 assistências ao longo da temporada. Criou 6 grandes chances e, em média, fez 1,3 passes decisivos por partida. Nas finalizações, teve 0,7 por jogo, com 0,1 delas no gol. Com 58% de acerto nos passes longos, o atleta também contribuiu defensivamente, com 1,5 desarmes e 0,8 interceptações por jogo. Ele recuperou 5,3 bolas por partida e teve uma eficiência de 57% nos duelos. Além disso, cometeu 1,9 faltas por jogo e recebeu 6 cartões amarelos ao longo da competição.

Tudo sobre

MirassolSão Paulo

“You don’t come to a country to win a Test match, you obviously want to win the series,” South Africa’s coach says

Firdose Moonda16-Nov-20253:22

Philander: Bavuma ‘a wonderful inspiration’

South Africa have (again) proved to themselves that they can “mix it with the best” after winning their first Test in India in 15 years, in conditions they described as providing “a different experience” to what they are used to.Careful to stress that he doesn’t “have a problem with wickets like this”, South Africa’s coach Shukri Conrad preferred to focus on what it meant to have triumphed over both the surface and the opposition. “There was prodigious turn, and the Indian quartet of spinners just don’t give you anything. You throw Jasprit [Bumrah] in there with a new ball and when it starts reverse-swinging, both him and [Mohammed] Siraj are obviously world-class,” Conrad said at the post-match press conference. “It makes our victory even sweeter that we were able to contend with all of that and come out on top. It gives you a belief that you can mix it with the best and do special things.”That South Africa, who are the current World Test Champions, feel the need to justify their abilities or defend their success may seem strange, but it is because they are not regarded in the same terms as other successful teams on the circuit. Not by themselves and not by others.Related

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Conversations about the best Test batters centre around Joe Root, Steven Smith and Shubman Gill, even though Temba Bavuma averages over 50 as captain. Though Kagiso Rabada does crop up in the same discussions on bowlers, Bumrah and Pat Cummins are usually top of mind. As for South Africa’s spinners? Nobody dreams of mentioning them in the same breath as Nathan Lyon, and that’s because they don’t have the same consistency in success.There is also the reality that the Ashes and the Border-Gavaskar and the Anderson-Tendulkar trophies make more headlines than a contest involving South Africa. Perhaps for as long as the Big Three exist, South Africa will be the outside, noses pressed against the window, but now, they are leaving a print that cannot be ignored. “Whilst we might not have the ability that a lot of teams have, or we haven’t tapped that ability yet, what we lack in that, we certainly make up for in our ability to play as a unit and the resilience we show,” Conrad said. “We never give up.”South Africa’s determination to stay in games has seen them do some remarkable things over the last year, like post a match-winning ninth-wicket stand in the Boxing Day Test last year, complete the joint-second-highest successful chase at Lord’s and come back from defeat in Lahore to beat Pakistan in Rawalpindi. It also saw them go from conceding a 30-run first innings deficit to winning this Kolkata Test by the same margin and ensuring they cannot lose the series. The win means Bavuma is unbeaten in 11 Tests as captain – and South Africa have won ten of those – and Conrad, with a first-choice squad available to him, has not (and will not, irrespective of what happens in the second Test) lost a series.Temba Bavuma and Shukri Conrad hug after the game•AFP/Getty Images

Conrad has also chalked up a series of firsts. After overseeing South Africa’s first series win in the subcontinent in a decade (in Bangladesh last year), Conrad has now presided over their first win in Pakistan in 18 years and India in 15 years, which he rates as highly as their World Test Championship final win over Australia at Lord’s.”This was right up there for us. Coming to India, playing at Eden Gardens, doing something we haven’t done for 15 years, this is right up there,” Conrad said. “We won a Test match in Pakistan, we’ve now won a Test match here but the job’s far from done. You don’t come to a country to win a Test match, you obviously want to win the series.”South Africa have not won a series in India since 2000, and that is the only one they have won out of seven, but they have every reason to believe they can add to that after “finding a way”, as Conrad puts it, in difficult conditions in Kolkata. “I’m so proud of the group in terms of the belief that they’ve got and how they pull together as a unit. It will do wonders for our psyche and it will do wonders for us going forward.”In what became a fight for batting survival, South Africa – and Bavuma, in particular – had more staying power than their opponents. There was also a battle of skill and without Rabada, who has a rib issue, South Africa’s attack, especially Simon Harmer, showed guile and grit to keep them in the contest. Harmer’s performance, both in this match and in Pakistan last month, also marks a turning point for how South Africa’s spin stocks could stack up in future. “Youngsters can now see there’s a line of sight that we’re keen on spinners as well,” Conrad said. “We’re not only a fast-bowling country.”Simon Harmer picked up eight wickets in the Test•BCCI

There is no word on whether Rabada will be available for the second Test and it seems the decision will be, at least in part, left to him as was the case in this match. Rabada was injured in training on Tuesday but only ruled out on Friday morning when he felt discomfort during a fitness test. “We wanted to give him the best chance of being ready, so we gave it up until the morning and when KG tells you ‘I’m not ready’, then you better believe him,” Conrad said. “It makes it so much sweeter that someone that we know can make a huge impact on the game is ruled out and we could still win.”Then he reeled it back in. “It’s important we stay nice and humble and not get too carried away with this. We want to create an environment and a belief in the side that they shouldn’t be surprised when they do certain things. They shouldn’t be surprised when you come to India and beat them. It’s tough. And it’s a massive achievement, but this is what we’re able to do.”The secret to how they did it is that there is no secret: they’re just being themselves.”We’ve really tried to create an environment where, with South Africa being a diverse country with diverse cultures, this change room embraces all of it,” Conrad said. “We’ve allowed players to be exactly who they are and do things how they want to do things. Obviously, we operate with a set of norms and ethics and values as to what’s expected of an elite side and a high-performance side but it’s like a bunch of mates that are playing together. They don’t give up. They practise hard. They’ll party hard. And more importantly, we’ve just allowed a culture to develop organically. I don’t think there’s a recipe or a magic wand. All you can ever ask of a team is to fight for every run and stay in the battle. And I think this side does that.”

Gary Kirsten has been appointed consultant for the men’s national teams of Namibia and will work with Craig Williams, the former Namibian cricketer who is the head coach of the men’s national team in the build-up to the next T20 World Cup, to be played in India and Sri Lanka in February-March 2026.”It is indeed a privilege to work with Cricket Namibia. I have been thoroughly impressed with the dedication and determination to create a high-performance cricket environment,” Kirsten said in a Cricket Namibia statement. “Their new state-of-the-art cricket stadium is a testament to their commitment to making sure their national teams are competing with the best cricket countries in the world. Their senior men’s national team is performing well, and I look forward to adding value to their preparation for the T20 World Cup in February next year.”Namibia, a team on the rise in men’s T20 cricket, qualified for each of the last three T20 World Cups, in 2021, 2022 and 2024, and are in the mix for the upcoming one too, and will also be one of the three hosts for the 2027 edition, with South Africa and Zimbabwe.”Kirsten’s appointment as consultant reflects Cricket Namibia’s commitment to strengthening its high-performance environment and supporting the existing coaching structure,” a statement from the board said. “His blend of international playing experience, coaching success, and passion for player development brings valuable insight and added depth to the Eagles [men’s national team] setup.”Kirsten, one of South Africa’s best batters from 1993 to 2004, turned to coaching after retiring. He was first part of the team that founded a cricket academy in Cape Town and took up roles at various levels in South Africa before becoming India’s head coach in 2007. Under him, India won the 2011 ODI World Cup. He was subsequently appointed head coach of the South Africa national team and has also held positions with a number of teams across the world in T20 franchise leagues. Most recently, he served in an aborted stint as head coach of the Pakistan men’s team in 2024.

It has been learnt that Rashid will not be available for the entire ILT20 and is likely to be around until December 20 before leaving for SA20

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Dec-2025Afghanistan legspinner Rashid Khan has replaced England allrounder Jordan Thompson in the MI Emirates squad for the ongoing ILT20 2025-26. Thompson has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury.Rashid, 27, is no stranger to the MI franchise. He is the captain of MI Cape Town in SA20 and led them to their maiden title earlier this year against Sunrisers Eastern Cape. He has also played for MI New York in Major League Cricket (MLC) in 2023 and 2024, but opted out this season. Rashid played two games for MI Emirates back in 2023, where he took four wickets.It has been learnt that Rashid will not be available for the entire ILT20, which runs till January 4, 2026 and is likely to be around until December 20 before travelling to South Africa for SA20 2025-26, where MI Cape Town play the season opener against Durban’s Super Giants on December 26.MI Emirates, the ILT20 2024 champions, will start this season against Gulf Giants in Dubai on December 4. Led by Kieron Pollard this season, they have reached the playoffs in each of the previous three seasons.The current season began on December 2, with Desert Vipers beating last year’s champions Dubai Capitals.

Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool future remains shrouded in uncertainty after a dramatic public outburst intensified his feud with manager Arne Slot, but the Egyptian has received unexpected support from his first-ever coach. Ivica Todorov has spoken out to defend Salah’s professionalism and commitment, urging observers not to rush to judgment as the transfer storm grows louder.

• Salah's deteriorating relationship with Liverpool

  Salah’s situation at Liverpool has deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks, with the Egyptian superstar finding himself at the centre of a major stand-off with manager Slot. A run of poor form, combined with tactical disagreements and his shock interview following the draw with Leeds United, has amplified speculation over whether he has already played his final game for the club. The matter escalated further when Salah was excluded from the squad for the Champions League clash with Inter Milan, a clear sign of ongoing tension behind the scenes at Anfield.

  The Liverpool hierarchy is now attempting to navigate a crisis involving one of the club’s greatest-ever players, who until recently had been indispensable to their attacking structure. While most figures around the club have supported Slot’s approach, Salah’s own camp has remained firm in their belief he has been unfairly targeted for the team’s struggles. The growing division has prompted major questions about his contract, his January availability, and whether the Saudi Pro League or MLS may attempt a swoop.

  Amid the noise, former coaches, pundits and former players have weighed in on Salah’s character, but few have taken his side until his first manager, Todorov, stepped forward. The Serbian-French coach who gave Salah his debut at El Mokawloon in Egypt has defended the forward’s integrity and work ethic.

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  Salah's first manager defends Egyptian's professionalism

  Speaking to Africa Foot, Todorov delivered an emphatic defence: “I know Mo Salah well. I don’t doubt for a moment his commitment, his work ethic, his lifestyle.”

  He continued with strong praise for the professionalism of the Liverpool icon: “He’s a great professional. But time passes, he’s 33 years old, he’s been at Liverpool for more than eight years. I get the impression that Arne Slot no longer really trusts him.”

  Todorov also questioned the club’s handling of the situation: “It’s going to be difficult for the two men to mend fences. Liverpool is struggling in the Premier League. I don’t understand why the coaching staff is depriving themselves of such an important player to try and get out of it.”

  He concluded by warning that only a few clubs could realistically match Salah’s value: “There aren’t many clubs in the world that can offer him a higher salary than he earns at Liverpool. The Saudis can, but does he want to play in a league that, while it has improved over the last three years, isn’t as competitive as those in England or Spain?”

• Salah linked with a January transfer away from Anfield

  Todorov’s comments arrive at a time when Salah’s relationship with Liverpool feels more strained than at any point since his arrival in 2017. The winger, who once dominated the Premier League and led the club to Champions League and Premier League glory, is enduring one of his least productive seasons, scoring only five goals so far. As the team’s struggles intensify, Slot appears to have made the bold choice to reshape Liverpool’s attack without its long-standing talisman. The fallout has shifted into the public sphere, something extremely rare for Salah, whose career has been defined by professionalism and discretion.

  Meanwhile, external pressure continues to mount, with the Saudi Pro League monitoring developments closely and MLS officials openly expressing interest. Salah remains under contract until 2027, but the longer the tension persists, the more likely Liverpool will need to make a definitive decision. For now, Todorov’s public support adds a rare positive voice for the Egyptian star during a turbulent chapter of his career.

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• Saudi Pro League move on the cards for Salah?

  Liverpool now face a delicate balancing act as they attempt to stabilise their season while addressing the future of one of the club’s most influential players. Slot’s tactical rebuild appears incompatible with Salah’s current form and relationship with the manager, raising questions about whether a January exit may become inevitable. If Salah departs, Liverpool will be tasked with replacing not only his goals but his leadership, a challenge that could reshape the club’s trajectory.

  For Salah, the next few weeks could define the twilight of his career. A move to Saudi Arabia would provide financial magnitude, while remaining in Europe may offer the competitive edge he still craves. Alternatively, a shock move to MLS has entered the conversation, though a resolution between him and Slot remains the least disruptive scenario for Liverpool.

Chelsea have decided not to fast-track Emmanuel Emegha’s arrival from Strasbourg despite Liam Delap suffering another significant injury setback, with the club maintaining their long-planned timeline for the striker’s summer 2026 arrival. Delap’s shoulder issue leaves Enzo Maresca short of natural No.9 options, but the Blues remain committed to their original transfer plans.

Delap's injury won't change Emegha transfer plans

Chelsea entered the week preparing for their Champions League trip to Atalanta with an unexpected disruption in attack after Delap suffered a nasty shoulder injury in the 0-0 draw at Bournemouth. Delap left the pitch with his right arm supported in a sling, leaving Maresca without one of his two recognised strikers and creating immediate questions about the club’s reinforcement plans heading into January. Although early assessments indicate the issue is “quite bad,” there is not yet a definitive recovery timeline.

Because of Delap’s absence, speculation quickly grew suggesting Chelsea might accelerate the arrival of Emegha, the Strasbourg forward already pre-signed for next summer. However, the has insisted that Emegha will remain in France until the end of the season as originally agreed, with no intention of altering the transfer schedule. Chelsea believe they have enough cover internally and prefer not to disrupt the development plan set for the 22-year-old Dutch striker.

Chelsea opted to bring back Marc Guiu from his Sunderland loan back in August after Delap's earlier injury, and the plan is to stick with the former Barcelona star yet again to provide cover for Delap. Guiu replaced the injured Englishman against Bournemouth, with Maresca explaining that the physical nature of the match suited the teenager more than using Joao Pedro as a makeshift centre-forward. As a result, the club does not see the need to adjust their recruitment plans mid-season, even amid another injury blow in attack.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportChelsea left short of No.9s after Delap's injury

The timing of Delap’s injury is particularly disruptive given Chelsea’s need to balance Champions League commitments with Premier League progress. The club has scored in 20 consecutive matches across competitions before the Bournemouth draw, but the stalemate highlighted the fragility of their attacking output when key personnel are absent. Maresca’s forward line now depends heavily on the rotation of Guiu, Pedro, and Pedro Neto, the latter two of whom are not long-term natural fits as a conventional No.9.

While the decision to keep Emegha at Strasbourg appears firm, Chelsea know they must extract maximum versatility from their existing forwards in the coming months. Neto has operated as a false nine before, however, using him in that role regularly may hinder the team’s balance in wide areas. Pedro remains more effective between the lines, meaning Guiu becomes the most natural option, though the club acknowledges he is still raw and in the early stages of his development.

AFPEmegha's move pre-agreed for the summer of 2026

Emegha’s move to Chelsea was agreed months ago as part of the recruitment network shared between the club and their sister side Strasbourg. The plan is for him to complete the season in France to maximise minutes, given that he is still refining his physical and technical profile, and Chelsea consider a mid-season move potentially damaging to his progress. The Blues believe that arriving during pre-season offers him a much stronger platform to integrate and adapt.

These developmental considerations remain central to Chelsea’s reluctance to bring him in ahead of time despite the disruption caused by Delap’s injury. The 22-year-old forward has been closely monitored throughout the first half of the Ligue 1 season, and the west Londoners view his steady progression as evidence that sticking to the original timeline is beneficial. At the same time, Chelsea’s hierarchy trusts Maresca’s ability to extract attacking solutions from the current squad.

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Getty Images SportChelsea to utilise multiple players to cover for Delap

Chelsea are expected to continue with Guiu, Pedro, and Neto sharing responsibilities in central areas while Delap undergoes further medical assessment in the coming days. Maresca will rotate based on tactical needs, while the availability of Moises Caicedo and other key returnees may help stabilise the team’s overall structure. The manager is likely to offer further updates on squad depth following Tuesday’s Champions League match.

Attention will soon shift to Everton at Stamford Bridge, where a more traditional attacking setup may be preferred if Guiu continues to meet training expectations. Chelsea will be cautious not to overwork their young forwards amid a packed schedule, especially with Delap facing another potentially lengthy spell out. January discussions will continue internally, but the stance on Emegha appears settled barring an unforeseen change in circumstances.

Looking ahead, Emegha’s arrival in the summer remains a central part of Chelsea’s evolving forward blueprint, with the club expecting him to compete immediately for significant minutes. Delap’s long-term role will depend on his recovery and ability to stay fit.