Real Madrid have decided against renewing Antonio Rudiger's contract, which expires next summer, due to his reduced role in the team, a report claims. The German international has failed to convince new head coach Xabi Alonso, despite being a key figure in defence for the previous three years. Madrid want to free up space in their wage bill, with Rudiger being viewed as an expensive backup by the coach.
Real Madrid oversee defensive overhaul
This past summer, Madrid invested heavily in the summer, with three of their five signings reinforcing the backline. Indeed, the Spanish heavyweights signed Trent Alexander-Arnold for free from Liverpool, before splurging a combined fee of €110 million (£95m/$129m) on centre-back Dean Huijsen and left-back Alvaro Carreras. Raul Asencio, after an impressive debut season in 2024-25, earned a promotion from Castilla.
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Huijsen and Militao: Madrid's reliable pairing
Huijsen has already nailed his spot in the Madrid starting XI following some solid displays. Rudiger and Asencio featured alongside the former Bournemouth defender in the Club World Cup, with both defenders showing frequent lapses in concentration. However, since the start of the 2025-26 season, it has been Huijsen's partnership with Eder Militao which has given the highest sense of calm and authority in defence. The Brazilian, having suffered anterior cruciate ligament injuries twice in the previous two seasons, looks like a man on a mission, sometimes even outshining the ever-impressive Huijsen.
Rudiger has lost his starting place at Real Madrid
According to a report from , Alonso is unconvinced by Rudiger's abilities, with the head coach believing that the German international has become extremely injury-prone and inconsistent. Indeed, a hamstring injury in September and subsequent operation means the ex-Chelsea man will remain on the sidelines until at least the start of December. Once he recovers, it is unlikely that he will displace either Huijsen or Militao in the heart of the defence, unless Alonso opts for a three-man defence.
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The end of Rudiger's time at Real Madrid?
Rudiger's contract with Madrid expires next summer. Aware that he will turn 33 in March, and the fact that his role has been reduced to that of a backup, the club's hierarchy are not considering offering an extension to the two-time Champions League winner. Madrid are keen on freeing up space on their wage bill by offloading Rudiger, who currently earns an annual gross salary of €14m (£12m/$16.5m).
Moreover, the record La Liga and Champions League holders have been heavily linked with a move for Ibrahima Konate, who will become a free agent next summer. The likes of Marc Guehi and Dayot Upamecano are on Madrid's shortlist, too.
Pakistan, meanwhile, rode on half-centuries from Muneeba and Aliya to go to the top of the table
Firdose Moonda11-Apr-2025
File photo – Hayley Matthews was West Indies’ hero again, this time with the ball•ICC/Getty Images
West Indies survived a major scare against Ireland on their way to their first points of the Women’s World Cup Qualifier. Chasing 182 in a match reduced to 33 overs a side, Ireland were 57 for no loss in the 11th over, then lost 4 for 23 and needed 98 runs from 96 balls with six wickets in hand. The required rate ebbed and flowed as wickets fell, and at nine down, Ireland needed 26 from 23. That became 15 off 12 and eight off the last over, but Hayley Matthews once again had the decisive say and claimed the final wicket to finish with figures of 4 for 24.Ireland will rue their batting effort in the immediate aftermath, but once the dust has settled will know the game was lost in the field, where they dropped six catches and allowed West Indies to post a challenging target. At least in the batting department, West Indies had contributors other than Matthews as they shook off a slow start in the tournament, following defeat to Scotland two days ago, and criticism over the lack of contributions from other senior stars. This time, a pair of 46s from Stafanie Taylor and Chinelle Henry anchored the innings.Related
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Matthews did provide a rapid start. She hit five boundaries in the 18 balls she faced and was on 23 when Orla Prendagast dismissed her in the fifth over, taking a tumbling catch off her own bowling. Qiana Joseph followed in the next over when tried to hit her way out of trouble but skied Jane Maguire straight up for Arlene Kelly to take a simple catch. Joseph had already been dropped once in her short time at the crease.Zaida James could have gone cheaply for 2 but Ava Canning was unable to hold on and James went on to score a composed 36 off 54 balls and shared in an 87-run stand with Taylor, who was put down on 22. Just as the pair were looking settled, Maguire removed both in the same over. Taylor slashed at a wide ball and was caught at extra cover and James was undone by a slower ball and bowled.From there, Ireland could have run through West Indies’ middle order but they gave Henry chances on 1, 11 and 38 and had to content themselves with wickets at the other end. Henry finished unbeaten on 46 off 36 balls and hit the innings’ only six, and both she and West Indies seemed to have left some runs in the middle.That sentiment was confirmed with the way Ireland started. Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter put on 57 for the first wicket inside 11 overs before Matthews made a telling double-strike. She bowled Lewis with the fourth ball of her third over and then gave Prendagast a taste of her own medicine, taking a catch in her follow-through. Hunter was bowled 19 balls later for 48 by Afy Fletcher, and when Leah Paul fed Matthews a chance at slip, Ireland looked done and dusted.Laura Delany and Christina Coulter Reilly steadied them with a 42-run fifth-wicket stand and the game was slipping away from West Indies. Ramharack didn’t let it. She was at point when Delany cut with little control. The ball reached Ramharack at chest height and she held on. That wicket sparked another collapse as Ireland slipped to 146 for 7, but still stayed in the hunt.Matthews brought herself back at the death when Ireland needed 32 runs off 30 balls, and trapped Ava Canning lbw though the Irish No. 9 seemed to suggest she thought the ball was missing leg. A run-out off the next ball left Ireland teetering, and it was Matthews who had the final say when Arlene Kelly slashed her to Henry at long-on and left Ireland seven runs short of a first win over West Indies since 2003.File photo – Muneeba Ali’s 71 set up Pakistan’s successful chase of 187•Asian Cricket Council
In the day’s other match, also reduced (but to 32 overs a side), Pakistan secured a second win to go top of the points table and a step closer to the World Cup. They beat Scotland by six wickets, with eight balls to spare, in a batting display that started nervously and became more assured as it went on.Chasing 187, Pakistan’ were 36 for 2 in the eighth over after both Gull Feroza and Sidra Amin were out stumped, but half-centuries from Muneeba Ali and Aliya Riaz, who put on 93 for the third wicket, steered them towards victory. Muneeba’s passed 50 for just the fourth time in her 45-match career and her innings was crucial to Pakistan’s cause. She was particularly strong on the pull shot, scored at almost a run a ball – she finished with 71 off 72 – and combined well with Aliya. When Chloe Abel had Muneeba caught at mid-wicket trying to clear the inner ring, Scotland’s chances were all but gone. Though Fatima Sana was dismissed cheaply, Aliya (68* off 70) and Sidra Nawaz eased Pakistan to victory.Pakistan will also be fairly pleased with their bowling performance as only Kathryn Bryce and Aisla Lister put any real pressure on them. Sadia Iqbal and Diana Baig made the early breakthroughs and had Scotland in trouble on 17 for 2 before the Bryce sisters shared a 51-run third-wicket stand. After Sarah was dismissed for 21, Kathryn and Lister put on 55 and were separated by Sadia Iqbal, and only then did the captain see fit to bring herself on. Sana bowled from the 24th over and challenged Scotland’s middle and lower order with her yorkers, one of which bowled Megan McColl. Kathryn stood alone and delighted with excellent footwork and confident sweeping before her opposite number dismissed her nine short of a century. Sana picked up 4 for 23 in five overs.Pakistan have now won matches defending what seemed a below par score of 217 against Ireland and chasing what looked a tricky target of 187 in 32 overs against Scotland, and will feel ready for their big match against West Indies on Monday.
USMNT midfielder Malik Tillman found the net as Bayer Leverkusen battled Borussia Monchengladbach to a 1-1 draw in a Bundesliga clash on Sunday. The former PSV man broke open an otherwise drab affair with a tidy finish inside the box after 70 minutes. Fellow midfielder Gio Reyna came off the bench for Gladbach but was largely ineffective.
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Tillman breaks open the game
It seemed that Monchengladbach and Leverkusen were heading for a scoreless draw until Tillman broke the game open in the 70th minute. The U.S. midfielder needed a stroke of luck to score, but did so all the same.
Striker Patrick Schick fluffed his lines inside the box, and the ball fell kindly to Tillman, who sent it home via the thigh of an opposing defender. It was his second Bundesliga goal for his new club.
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Leverkusen throws away a late lead
It seemed that would be enough for Leverkusen, who defended admirably after going ahead. However, they let the 1-0 lead slip late.
Veteran striker Haris Tabakovic was allowed to ghost into the box late on, and nodded home a corner in the 92nd minute to grab an equalizer that wasn't quite deserved. Still, Leverkusen fell asleep, and failed to track the big Bosnian .
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Reyna nothing more than late sub
After starting last week – and appearing to gain the trust of former manager Gerardo Seoane – Reyna had few opportunities under interim boss Eugen Polanski. The former Hoffenheim head coach left Reyna on the bench, and granted him just 10 minutes of action.
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Draw in battle of new managers
Both sides will likely take the point after a tense clash. Leverkusen made headlines two weeks ago when they elected to fire former Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag after less than two months in charge. Monchengladbach followed suit soon after by letting Seoane go after just three games.
Leverkusen's fixture list gets slightly easier, with St. Pauli, Union Berlin and Mainz all to come in the Bundesliga. Monchengladbach's slate is less kind. They play surprise Champions League contenders Frankfurt next week.
O Botafogo deve contar novamente com Marçal no clássico diante com o Fluminense. O atleta, que não atuou na derrota por 3 a 2 diante do Athletico-PR, na Copa do Brasil, devido a questões físicas, está confirmado para o Clássico Vovô marcado para este sábado, às 18h30, no Nilton Santos.
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O técnico Luís Castro, porém, ainda tem dúvidas para montar a equipe que lutará pela manutenção da liderança da competição nacional.
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As dúvidas se voltam principalmente para o meio de campo alvinegro. A forte sequência física ainda deixa em aberto algumas vagas. Marlon Freitas e Tchê Tchê podem ter um descanso.
A provável escalação conta com: Lucas Perri; Di Plácido, Adryelson, Cuesta, Marçal; Marlon Freitas (Gabriel Pires), Tchê Tchê (Lucas Fernandes) e Eduardo; Júnior Santos, Tiquinho Soares e Victor Sá.
كشف هيثم حسن، لاعب ريال أوفيدو الإسباني، كواليس انضمامه المنتظر إلى صفوف منتخب مصر خلال الفترة المقبلة، في معسكر أكتوبر.
ويمتلك هيثم حسن، لاعب الفريق الإسباني، أصولًا مصرية وتونسية، لكنه يفضل الانضمام إلى صفوف الفراعنة.
ومن المنتظر أن يتواجد هيثم حسن في المعسكر المقبل، بعد التواصل معه من جانب مسؤولي اتحاد الكرة.
وقال هيثم حسن، في مداخلة لبرنامج “الكورة مع فايق”، على قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “تم التواصل معي عن طريق وكلائي والجهاز الفني السابق، وفي النهاية استطعنا أن نتفق سويًا، كان هناك اتصال بشكل مباشر ومتواصل لكي أنضم للمنتخب وهذا هو اختياري منذ البداية”.
وبسؤاله لماذا اخترت تمثيل منتخب مصر؟، تابع: “أنا لم أتوصل لاتفاق نهائي للانضمام للمنتخب المصري، ما زلت في مرحلة الاتفاق، فخور أنني مصري، لكن ما زال وكلائي في محادثات مع المسؤولين، كما أن ما زال أمامي الكثير وعلي تقديم أداء أفضل، لكني لم أتخذ حتى الآن القرار الرسمي لانضمامي لمنتخب مصر، وسأتخذ القرار بعد التشاور مع وكلائي”.
طالع مهاجم ريال أوفييدو يوجه نصيحة إلى هيثم حسن بعد تصريحات ضعف إنهاء الهجمات
وبسؤاله، هل هناك طلبات معينة تسعى للاتفاق عليها مع وكلائك وهل أنت وضعت شرطًا بتمثيل منتخب مصر الأول وليس المنتخب الثاني بقيادة حلمي طولان؟، كشف: “لا لم يكن لدي أي شروط بالطبع، ليس لدي شروط نهائيًا، سأكون فخورًا بتمثيل منتخب مصر، كما قلت أنا على تواصل مستمر مع المسؤولين، وأنا أحترم حسام حسن كثيرًا، وأؤكد أنه ليس هناك شروطًا، ولن أقوم بالطبع باختيار المدير الفني للمنتخب، ليس لدي أي شروط”.
ورد على سؤال متى ستحسم موقفك من الانضمام لمنتخب مصر؟: “لا أعلم، ولكن أعتقد أنه في القريب العاجل بالطبع، أنا الآن في مسيرتي علي التركيز جيدًا، كما أن كأس الأمم وكأس العالم اقتربا وعلي اتخاذ القرار سريعًا، وبالطبع سأتخذ القرار قريبًا لكن لا أعلم متى بالتحديد”.
وعن توقعاته لمباراة القمة بين الأهلي والزمالك وهل يتابع المباريات الكبيرة في الدوري المصري؟، اختتم: “لكي أكون صريحًا فأنا لا أعلم سوى الأهلي والزمالك وهما من كبار الأندية الإفريقية، والدي مُشجع قديم لـ الزمالك، وأنا سوف أتبع والدي وأقول أنني أشجع والدي، لكني أتمنى التوفيق لجميع الفرق، وأعلم أن الدوري المصري يضم عددًا كبيرًا من الأندية الكبيرة”.
Australia’s women’s T20 world champions want to pile on the runs in Brisbane before heading “into the unknown” to defend their title in Dubai
AAP23-Sep-2024
Ashleigh Gardner was back from a concussion scare•Getty Images
Australia have banned the pre-game activity that threatened to derail Ashleigh Gardner’s T20 World Cup as the allrounder challenged her side’s batters to fill their boots in the third T20I against New Zealand in Brisbane on Tuesday.Gardner missed the series opener against New Zealand in Mackay last Thursday after colliding with team-mate Georgia Wareham attempting to catch a soft “Vortex” ball in a warm-up drill.The reigning Belinda Clark Medallist initially laughed off the incident before leaving the ground in tears, fearing an eighth career concussion as she was ruled out of the contest.Related
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She was cleared though and returned on Sunday with a Player-of the-Match effort, her 3 for 16 the headline act of a disciplined bowling performance in a 29-run win over New Zealand.The 27-year-old saw a neuropsychologist in 2018 after suffering four concussions in the space of 20 months.”It’s been nice to get back out there after a weird occasion, a head collision in a warm-up,” she said. “It was weird to wrap my head around, but I’ve felt really good the last couple of days.”I’ve had a lot of head knocks in the past; I know when I am concussed and when I’m not.”There was no sign of the Vortex before Sunday’s game, Gardner confirming their pre-match routine had been tweaked.”That’s the end of the Vortex for the rest of the tour,” she said.Ashleigh Gardner returned three wickets after missing the opening game due to a concussion scare•Getty Images
Usually happy to chase, captain Alyssa Healy opted to bat first on Sunday and force her team to set the pace ahead of next month’s World Cup defence in Dubai.Healy (38 off 25) got off to a flyer but Australia’s innings stalled, the hosts recording their worst collapse in the format when they lost their last seven wickets for 28 runs as Amelia Kerr returned career-best figures of 4 for 20.A total of 142 proved more than enough thanks to Australia’s bowlers. But Gardner wants to see improvements in their final hit-out in Brisbane on Tuesday before flying to the UAE.”There’s still a lot left in the tank; hopefully in this last game if we do bat first we can put a massive total on the board,” she said.She said there were no excuses given the side’s incredible batting depth meant Annabel Sutherland entered at the fall of the sixth wicket.”Sutherland at eight is pretty ridiculous,” she said. “Going into conditions like Dubai, we haven’t played there before [for Australia] so we’re kind of going into the unknown a little bit.”But knowing we have a defendable total like 140, we know our bowling unit is good enough to restrict them”The skill we possess, in all facets… it was pretty clinical.”
تحدث مارتن برايثوايت مهاجم برشلونة السابق، عن طريقة رحيل الأسطورة الأرجنتينية ليونيل ميسي من برشلونة، قبل أن ينضم لباريس سان جيرمان في 2021.
ويعتقد مهاجم برشلونة وإسبانيول السابق أن قائد المنتخب الأرجنتيني لم يكن يستحق الرحيل عن برشلونة بهذه الطريقة، حيث لم ينجح خوان لابورتا رئيس النادي بالوفاء بوعده وتجديد عقد اللاعب.
وقد أعرب برايثوايت عن أمله في عودة ليونيل ميسي إلى برشلونة في أقرب وقت للاعتزال في النادي، ويلعب النجم الأرجنتيني حالياً مع نادي إنتر ميامي الأمريكي وقد حقق معهم بطولتي كأس الدوريات ودرع المشجعين الأمريكي.
اقرأ أيضاً.. لامين يامال يثير أزمة بين برشلونة والاتحاد الإسباني بعد تصريحات فليك
وكان ليونيل ميسي قد غادر برشلونة عام 2021 كلاعب حر بعد أن عجز بطل الدوري الإسباني عن تجديد عقده قبل أن ينتقل لبطل دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وذكر برايتوايت في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “سبورتسكيدا”: “كان الأمر غريباً لأنه حدث فجأة، كنا جميعاً نتوقع تجديده، وكان كل شئ جاهزاً لتجديد العقد وفجأة غادر النادي”.
وختم: “ليونيل شخص محبوب جداً ويساعدنا ونشعر بالراحة معه، كان هادئاً جداً، أما بالنسبة لميسي كلاعب فلا أعتقد أنني بحاجة لقول أي شئ، لم يستحق ذلك وآمل أن يلعب مباراته الأخيرة في مسيرته هناك لأنه يستحقها حقاً”.
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, and the Chicago Bulls legend once told a football superstar they shared the same status in their respective sports, even above Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Since bursting onto the global stage in the mid 2000s, Messi and Ronaldo have dominated the world of football. The Argentina and Portugal legends have won 13 Ballon d’Ors between them – eight of which belong to Messi – while scoring a combined 1,804 goals.
“It was spectacular and a great memory for everyone who enjoys soccer,” Messi said recently of his competition with the Real Madrid and Manchester United legend.
Ronaldo has also been full of praise for his long-time rival: “Amazing player, is magic, top. As a person, we share the stage 16 years, imagine, 16 years, we share.”
Who has won the most Ballon d'Ors in football history?
Player
Ballon d’Ors
Years won
Lionel Messi
8
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo
5
2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
Michel Platini
3
1983, 1984, 1985
Johan Cruyff
3
1971, 1973, 1974
Marco van Basten
3
1988, 1989, 1992
Franz Beckenbauer
2
1972, 1976
Ronaldo Nazario
2
1997, 2002
Alfredo di Stefano
2
1957, 1959
Kevin Keegan
2
1978, 1979
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
2
1980, 1981
Not only have the pair dominated the individual honours, they have also led their clubs to incredible periods of superiority. Ronaldo tops the UEFA Champions League scoring charts with 141 and won the competition five times during his time in Europe, while Messi is not far behind with 129 goals and four winners medals to his name.
Success on the continental stage is often considered the benchmark for greatness in football, but NBA superstar Michael Jordan thinks differently, once telling an iconic player who never won Europe’s elite competition that he is the ‘MJ of soccer’.
Michael Jordan names the greatest football player of all time
Jordan, who won six NBA titles during his time with the Chicago Bulls, is known to be a football fan and is often spotted at Paris Saint-Germain games due to his brand’s collaboration with the club.
But despite his connection to one of the Messi’s former teams, Jordan once told Ronaldo Nazario, often referred to as ‘R9’, that they share a similar status. The Brazil striker revealed the compliment after the pair met at Nike’s headquarters in Oregon, USA.
Messi himself called Jordan the greatest athlete of all time, so his opinion certainly holds some weight, and the Inter Miami star also once revealed that Ronaldo is actually his own favourite player: “Ronaldo Nazario was a phenomenom. Of all the strikers I have seen, for me he was the best. An impressive player from any aspect.”
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While Ronaldo never won the Champions League, he was crowned the best player in the world at the Ballon d’Or ceremony on two occasions, and his performance at the 2002 World Cup is one of the greatest sporting accomplishments of all time, returning from a serious knee injury to lead his team to victory.
“Without Ronaldo, Brazil were a shambles, fortunate even to get to the tournament,” South American football writer Tim Vickery wrote, as the then 25 year-old scored eight times en route to a famous triumph, including both goals in the final.
Although injuries cut his career short, there is no doubt Ronaldo’s ability to drag his team through matches almost single-handedly makes him comparable to Jordan.
Everton are interested in signing another Liverpool player alongside Ben Doak in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update.
Doak heads list of Everton winger targets
The Blues are reportedly interested in making a shock move for Reds winger Doak before next season gets underway, in a transfer that would cause plenty of controversy.
An update from Sky Sports suggested that Everton are one of the clubs who are interested in acquiring the services of the 19-year-old this summer, with the Scot seen as an attacking player with a big future in the game, spending the 2024/25 season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough.
Liverpool have a big decision to make with Doak, with the young Scotland international someone who could potentially be an eventual successor to Mohamed Salah on the right wing, but also not quite mature enough to fully make the grade at Anfield just yet.
From an Everton perspective, the idea of the teenager heading to Bramley Moore Dock is certainly exciting, not only because they would be signing a great young talent, but also due to them snapping up a player from their nearest and biggest rivals. Now, another Reds player is also reportedly wanted by the Blues.
Everton keeping tabs on Gomez's situation
According to a new claim from Empire of the Kop, Everton are “keeping close tabs” on Liverpool defender Joe Gomez, as they eye a summer move for him alongside Doak. The Blues are one of eight Premier League teams who are believed to be in the mix to snap him up, including Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Leeds United.
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez
The £85,000-a-week Gomez could be a really shrewd addition by Everton in the summer, although as is the case with Doak, it remains to be seen if Liverpool will be hesitant to sell to them.
The 28-year-old is now the Reds’ longest-serving current player, winning two Premier League titles and always proving to be an excellent squad player, with Jurgen Klopp a huge admirer.
“He is a lifesaver, to be honest, that he was here, that he could play. People forget how important Joey was in the best years we had. I don’t know how many games he played in the year when we became champions and how many games he played when we won the Champions League – a lot and rightly so because he’s a top-class player.”
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Gomez may like the idea of being a regular for Everton, having had to accept being behind Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the centre-back pecking order, and he also wouldn’t have to up sticks and move away.
Premier League
2024/25
Premier League
2019/20
Champions League
2018/19
FA Cup
2021/22
EFL Cup
2023/24
EFL Cup
2021/22
Club World Cup
2019/20
UEFA Super Cup
2019/20
Community Shield
2022/23
That said, the England international may not want to risk tarnishing his Liverpool legacy by making a controversial switch, so a move elsewhere, or staying put at Anfield, feels more likely.
Leeds United are believed to be readying a move to sign of a player who Daniel Farke has described as “brilliant”, according to a new transfer report.
Leeds one step closer to Premier League return
The Whites picked up another priceless three points in the Championship promotion tussle on Good Friday, battling their way to a 1-0 victory away to Oxford United.
Manor Solomon’s second-half goal proved to be the difference between the two sides, and with Burnley and Sheffield United also winning on the day, victory was imperative.
It means Leeds are now within touching distance of sealing a return to the Premier League from the Championship, sitting five points clear of the third-place Blades with only three matches remaining. It would need a capitulation at this point to prevent the Whites from getting back into the top flight.
If Farke’s side do earn promotion, the manager and the 49ers Enterprises will know that lots of reinforcements are required in the summer transfer window, with the gap between England’s top and second-best league never feeling greater, with the three promoted teams set to go straight back down again for the second year in a row. Now, a new Leeds transfer rumour has emerged.
Leeds pushing to sign "brilliant" goalkeeper
According to Football Insider, Leeds and 49ers Enterprises are “readying a move” for Norwich City goalkeeper Angus Gunn this summer, seeing him as a replacement on the error-prone Illan Meslier.
The Scot is “yet to be offered a contract extension” by the Canaries, meaning he could leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
Gunn could be an astute addition for Leeds ahead of next season, with the Norwich stopper now an experienced head who has proven himself over an extended period of time.
The 29-year-old has 164 appearances to his name in the Championship, showing that he can perform in an extremely competitive league, and he also has 15 caps for Scotland.
Meanwhile, Jackie McNamara has hailed Gunn as an “excellent” player, while even more promisingly, Farke is an admirer, having worked with him in the past, saying:
“Angus is very highly-rated and a really talented goalkeeper. He’s brilliant with his feet as well as his hands and is tall too. We’re happy to have him here for the next season and are thankful to Manchester City for helping us with this deal. I’m looking forward to working with such a great talent.”
The fact that Gunn would be available on a free transfer makes this even more of a no-brainer for Leeds, meaning that it wouldn’t even be much of a risk if it ended up not working out.
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There is nothing to suggest that that would be the case, however, and while Meslier has had good games this season, his penchant for making mistakes has been costly too often, so an upgrade such as the Norwich ace is required.