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Punjab Kings’ 25-year-old allrounder also made a vital 17-ball 25 in only his fourth IPL game

Vishal Dikshit01-May-20210:59

Harpreet Brar explains how he took down Royal Challengers Bangalore

Who is Harpreet Brar?
A left-arm spinner and a hard-hitting lower-order batter, Brar hails from Moga, a small city in Punjab, which is also the hometown of Harmanpreet Kaur. Brar played age-group cricket and several club competitions in Punjab before he was picked by Kings XI Punjab in the 2019 IPL auction for his base price of INR 20 lakh at the age of 23.Related

Harpreet Brar's slow road to the top

KL Rahul ploughing a lone furrow for Punjab Kings

What was Brar’s childhood like?
When he was a kid, Brar saw a flyer for a cricket academy stuck on a wall in a nearby market. Excited with the ambition of becoming a professional cricketer, Brar took the flyer home and showed it to his mother to which she said, “‘See, you can join if you wish, but only if you put your heart into it,” as reported by the Kings website in 2019.She said so because Brar came from a family that played cricket but most of his cousins gave up the sport due to “financial difficulties”. With a lot of pressure on him to make it big once he grew older and started representing Punjab in Under-16 and Under-19 competitions, there was even a time when Brar protested going to marriages because his relatives would tell his mother, “Cricket? The whole world plays cricket, nothing will come of it”.But Brar wanted to prove them wrong. If not cricket, he was destined to either join the Punjab Police, where his father worked as a driver, or move to Canada on a study visa for higher studies. But he decided to give cricket one final shot.How did he make it big?
When he was playing at the Under-23 level in 2018, Brar knew time was running out for him. He had already appeared in two trials for the Mumbai Indians but couldn’t make the cut.It was then that Punjab’s Gurkeerat Singh made Brar represent a Mohali district team where Brar shone with his performances, even though he didn’t have enough money to buy new bats at times. Gurkeerat helped him with that as well.”The bats were expensive, so we had to make them last longer by threading it,” Brar told the Kings website in 2019. “Or hope that a senior hands one down. One time Gurkeerat gifted me one.”The tournament that stamped him as a bowler for the next level was the 2018 Under-23 CK Nayudu Trophy in which he ended with a whopping 56 wickets from 11 games at an average of 16.41, that included six five-wicket hauls and best figures of 7 for 23.Not surprisingly, he was handed an IPL contract by the Punjab franchise in November 2018 for the 2019 season.The Punjab Kings left-arm spinner’s match-winning returns•ESPNcricinfo LtdWhat has his journey been like so far since 2019?
Brar made is T20 debut in the 2019 IPL against the Delhi Capitals, when his captain R Ashwin described him as a “mystery spinner” at the toss. Brar impressed with an unbeaten 20 off 12, that included a six off a Kagiso Rabada bouncer, but he was given the tough task of bowling in the powerplay. Brar’s spin was struck for a six first ball by Shikhar Dhawan in a 17-run over, and he went on to play just one more game for a wicketless five overs that season.Brar played the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy later that year and ended as Punjab’s highest wicket-taker with a tally of 14 and an economy rate of 6.89, in a bowling line-up that also featured Sandeep Sharma, Siddarth Kaul and Mayank Markande. Brar’s victims that season featured a star cast of Devdutt Padikkal, Dinesh Karthik, and Prithvi Shaw, among others.Around 10 months later, he flew to the UAE for the 2020 IPL but got just one game and this time he was taken to the cleaners by Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis for 41 runs off his four overs in a 10-wicket loss.In the Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the beginning of 2021, Brar rose again. This time his seven wickets at an economy rate of just 5.70 from seven games played a pivotal role in Punjab’s run to the semi-final after remaining unbeaten in the league stage. By now Brar was one of the main Punjab bowlers along with Sharma, Kaul, Markande and Arshdeep Singh.The magical IPL night
After losing four of their first six IPL games this season, the Kings made three changes against the Royal Challengers, and gave Brar his fourth IPL game.Brar first batted with his captain KL Rahul to finish on an unbeaten 25 from 17 at No. 7 that included 18 runs off five balls against Harshal Patel, this IPL’s highest wicket-taker, with the help of two sixes and a four, that took the Kings to a challenging 179 for 5.But the real magic from Brar came with the ball. Even though his first ball was struck for a six again, by Kohli, Brar broke the back of the Royal Challengers’ chase with his first two IPL wickets off consecutive balls that had the names of Kohli and Maxwell on them; one losing his leg stump and the other his off.And in his next and last over, he even had de Villiers caught at extra cover for a fairytale ending that left the chase at 69 for 4 from where the Royal Challengers never recovered.His first 11 overs in the IPL starting from 2019 went for a wicketless 106 runs, and his next seven balls didn’t concede a single run while removing not one but three big fish.”My first IPL wicket is Virat ‘s wicket so I was very happy when I got that,” Brar said after receiving his Player-of-the-Match award at the presentation. “Once you get one wicket, the mentality changes a bit, you get confidence that you’re landing the ball nicely, so I got the flow and more wickets.” (It feels like a dream).”

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Em enquete realizada no canal do Whatsapp do Palmeiras, a torcida do Verdão elegeu Flaco López como o destaque da equipe nesta edição do Paulistão.

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Após um início conturbado no Palmeiras, Flaco López foi o artilheiro do Verdão no Paulistão, com dez gols.

O centroavante argentino não balançou as redes em nenhum dos jogos contra o Santos, na decisão do estadual, mas deu a assistência para o gol de Aníbal Moreno, que selou o tricampeonato para a equipe de Abel Ferreira.

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O argentino Flaco López se firmou na equipe titular ao lado de Endrick e caiu nas graças da torcida do Palmeiras.

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OS MELHORES JOGADORES DO PALMEIRAS NO PAULISTÃO

1º lugar: Flaco López – 1.2 mil votos
2º lugar: Endrick – 493 votos
3º lugar: Aníbal Moreno – 207 votos
4º lugar: Murilo – 17 votos
5º lugar: Marcos Rocha – 13 votos

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علق مؤيد الحداد، نجم منتخب الكويت السابق، على التعادل مع منتخب مصر، بهدف لكل فريق، في اللقاء الذي أقيم ضمن منافسات كأس العرب.

وتواجه منتخبا مصر والكويت، في الجولة الأولى من منافسات دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس العرب، على ملعب استاد لوسيل.

ويتواجد منتخبا مصر والكويت في المجموعة الثالثة من بطولة كأس العرب، مع منتخبي الأردن والإمارات.

طالع|إسلام عيسى: مواجهة الإمارات بوابة تأهل مصر للدور التالي في كأس العرب

وقال مؤيد الحداد، نجم منتخب الكويت السابق، في تصريحات  لبرنامج البريمو على قناة تن: “منتخب الكويت كأول مباراة له في البطولة أدى اللقاء بشكل جيد، خصوصًا أنه يواجه المنتخب المصري والذي يقدم كرة قوية”.

وتابع: “أداء منتخب مصر لم يعجبني حتى بعد المباراة، تصريح حلمي طولان بأنه كان ممكن يسجل 4 أو 5 أهداف في الشوط الأول والثاني كان غير موفقا، أنت لم تقدر على تسجيل هدف لأن اللعب كان فوضويا للمنتخب المصري ولم أرى أي تنظيم”.

ويحتل منتخب مصر، المركز الأول بشكل مؤقت برصيد نقطة واحدة، ويأتي منتخب الكويت في المركز الثاني بنفس عدد النقاط.

 

Sunderland had to take the long route back to the Premier League after they were relegated from the division at the end of the 2016/17 campaign.

The Black Cats endured seasons in League One, a Championship play-off loss, and a midtable finish in the second tier before they eventually earned promotion back to the big time earlier this year under Regis Le Bris.

One of the most impactful signings made on their journey back to the Premier League, despite it not being in their promotion season, was the loan arrival of Amad Diallo.

Where Amad ranks among Speakman's pre-Premier League signings

Kristjaan Speakman brought a strategy of buying and loaning in talented young players with potential to improve with him to the sporting director role at the Stadium of Light, and has had plenty of success with it over the years.

In the seasons leading up to this summer’s recruitment, it is hard to argue against Jack Clarke being his best piece of business. The winger initially joined on loan in the 2021/22 campaign, signing permanently in 2022, and scored 28 goals in 114 matches, per Transfermarkt.

Rank

Player

1

Jack Clarke

2

Amad Diallo

3

Ross Stewart

4

Daniel Ballard

5

Trai Hume

Ross Stewart also deserves to be up there for his 24-goal haul in the 2021/22 League One season, per Transfermarkt, whilst defender Dan Ballard and Trai Hume also rank highly as they have both played in the Championship and the Premier League.

Amad, though, ranks in second place, with his return of 14 goals and three assists in the second tier on loan from Manchester United in the 2022/23 campaign, per WhoScored.

The Ivorian talent fired the Black Cats to the play-offs, scoring four more goals than any other player in the squad, as an incredibly exciting player to watch on the right wing, and his impact was evident by the fact that Sunderland finished 16th the season after he left.

Now, Sunderland have found their most impactful signing since Amad Diallo by bringing Granit Xhaka to the club from Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

Why Xhaka is Sunderland's most impactful signing since Amad

As Amad was signed more recently than Clarke was, the former United loanee is the player to beat to be the most impactful signing since his arrival on Wearside.

Xhaka, signed from Leverkusen for £13m in the summer, has had a colossal impact on the side with his exceptional performances in the middle of the park for Le Bris.

The left-footed star arrived at the club as a proven Premier League performer, with 297 appearances for Arsenal (Transfermarkt) under his belt, and his performances have reflected that experience.

25/26 Premier League

Xhaka

Sunderland rank

FotMob rating

7.42

1st

Assists

4

1st

Goals + assists

5

1st

Chances created

18

1st

Big chances created

5

1st

Passes made per 90

42.9

1st

xA

1.3

1st

Long passes made per 90

4.4

1st

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, the Switzerland international tops the charts for the Black Cats in a host of key statistics, which highlights just how influential he has been on the pitch in the top-flight this term.

Last month, Wayne Rooney described him as “the signing of the season” and suggested that Xhaka, 33, is like a “father figure” to the rest of the players in what is a young squad, setting an example for his teammates.

Rooney’s point about him being a father figure is an interesting one. He was the oldest signing of the summer, per Transfermarkt, and is the oldest player in the squad to have made an appearance in the Premier League this season.

Whilst this is unquantifiable, someone like Rooney, a Manchester United legend, will know what kind of an impact that can have in a dressing room, and he feels that Xhaka is an important presence for this young Sunderland squad.

Couple that with his clear and quantifiable impact on the pitch in the Premier League, and it is hard to argue against him being the most impactful signing of the summer.

Xhaka has been a phenomenal addition to the squad, their best since Amad’s sublime loan spell, and Le Bris will be hoping that he continues to be a shining light in midfield for the rest of the season and beyond.

Related Sunderland now eyeing move to sign midfield ace who Chelsea wanted to sign

Regis Le Bris could hold one key advantage.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Dec 7, 2025

The signing of the Swiss star has shown how important it is to have experienced players in key positions to be the backbone of the side, in order for the younger players to develop and thrive around them.

Freddie Freeman won't be in the lineup against his former team Monday night for the first game of the Los Angeles Dodgers' series against the Atlanta Braves.

Manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Freeman is considered day-to-day after the star first baseman rather bizarrely tweaked his ankle. Roberts indicated that the injury to Freeman's ankle occurred as a result of a "mishap" while he was entering the shower at his home.

The veteran first baseman had offseason surgery on that same ankle, which bothered him throughout much of the Dodgers' World Series run.

With Freeman unavailable, Enrique Hernandez will take over at first base for Monday night's game and is slated to hit seventh in the lineup.

The Braves will be in Los Angeles from March 31 to April 2, so there's still a chance Freeman can take the field against the team he played for throughout the first 12 years of his MLB career.

Through three games this season, Freeman has a 1.083 OPS with two home runs and four RBIs.

أعلنت جلوب سوكر اليوم الأربعاء، عن المرشحين لجائزة أفضل مدرب عن عام 2025، إلى جانب أفضل لاعب خط وسط وكذلك أفضل لاعب صاعد.

وسوف يقام حفل جلوب سوكر يوم 28 ديسمبر المقبل، حيث ستحتضن دولة الإمارات العربية الحفل والذي يقام كل عام وتوج به كيليان مبابي، نجم ريال مدريد، وكذلك كريستيانو رونالدو من قبل.

وفيما يتعلق بجائزة أفضل مدرب تصدر لويس إنريكي، المدير الفني لنادي باريس سان جيرمان، قائمة المرشحين للفوز بالجائزة بعد المستوى الرائع الذي قدمه الفريق الفرنسي خلال الموسم الماضي.

باريس سان جيرمان توج بثلاثية الدوري الفرنسي وكأس فرنسا، وكذلك دوري أبطال أوروبا الذي حصل عليه نادي العاصمة الفرنسية لأول مرة في تاريخه.

أقرأ أيضًا.. المرشحون لجائزة أفضل لاعب في الشرق الأوسط من جلوب سوكر 2025.. موقف رونالدو ولاعبان عربيان كما يتنافس مع إنريكي هانز فليك، مدرب نادي برشلونة، والذي قاد البلوجرانا إلى الحصول على ثلاثية الدوري الإسباني وكأس ملك إسبانيا، إلى جانب كأس السوبر الإسباني.

وعاد برشلونة إلى الواجهة مع فليك وأصبح من أقوى الفرق في العالم من جديد، وهو ما دفع إدارة البرسا إلى تجديد عقد المدرب الألماني إلى نهاية موسم 2027 المقبل. المرشحون لجائزة أفضل مدرب في حفل جلوب سوكر 2025

هانز فليك (برشلونة).

لويس إنريكي (باريس سان جيرمان).

آرني سلوت (ليفربول).

تشابي ألونسو (ريال مدريد).

فينسينت كومباني (بايرن ميونخ).

أنطونيو كونتي (نابولي).

ميكيل أرتيتا (آرسنال).

إيدي هاو (نيوكاسل يونايتد).

روبرتو مارتينيز (منتخب البرتغال).

إنزو ماريسكا (تشيلسي).

وفيما يتعلق بجائزة أفضل لاعب صاعد، جاء أردا جولر صانع ألعاب ريال مدريد، على رأس المرشحين للحصول على الجائزة، بينما يتنافس معه زميله دين هويسن، وشهدت القائمة تواجد لاعب واحد من برشلونة، وهو باو كوبارسي. المرشحون لجائزة أفضل لاعب صاعد في حفل جلوب سوكر 2025

أردا جولر (ريال مدريد).

دين هويسن (ريال مدريد).

نيكو باز (كومو).

باو كوبارسي (برشلونة).

كينان يلدز (يوفنتوس).

لويس سكيلي (آرسنال).

وارن زائير إيمري (باريس سان جيرمان).

جواو نيفيز (باريس سان جيرمان).

إلياس بن صغير (باير ليفركوزن).

ديزيريه دوي (باريس سان جيرمان).

رودريجو مورا (بورتو).

أما بالنسبة لجائزة أفضل لاعب خط وسط، فقد تصدر جود بيلينجهام، نجم ريال مدريد قائمة المرشحين للحصول على الجائزة، بجانب ثنائي باريس سان جيرمان، فيتينها وجواو نيفيز.

وكان فيتينها بجانب نيفيز عاملًا أساسيًا في نجاحات باريس سان جيرمان خلال الموسم الماضي، في حين شهدت القائمة حضورًا قويًا لنجم نادي برشلونة، بيدري. المرشحون لجائزة أفضل لاعب خط وسط في حفل جلوب سوكر 2025

جود بيلينجهام (ريال مدريد).

فيديريكو فالفيردي (ريال مدريد).

فيتينها (باريس سان جيرمان).

جواو نيفيز (باريس سان جيرمان).

ديزيريه دوي (باريس سان جيرمان).

نيكولو باريلا (إنتر ميلان).

سكوت ماكتوميناي (نابولي).

مارتن أوديجارد (آرسنال).

ديكلان رايس (آرسنال).

كول بالمر (تشيلسي).

ميكيل أوليس (بايرن ميونخ).

فابيان رويز (باريس سان جيرمان).

فلوريان فيرتز (ليفربول).

Manchester United certainly raised eyebrows during the summer transfer window, especially after dropping over £200m on new additions to bolster their first-team ranks.

Such spending may have come as a surprise to many, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe previously stating before the summer that no massive deals would be conducted.

The vast majority of their efforts were directed to the final third, as Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko were all added to Ruben Amorim’s attacking department.

However, the trio have all made an immediate impact at Old Trafford, scoring seven times between them in the first nine Premier League outings of 2025/26.

As a result of their shopping spree, it would be a surprise to no one that other players will need to be offloaded during the January window to try and balance the books.

The United players who could leave the club in January

Over the last couple of days, United forward Joshua Zirkzee has been strongly touted with an exit from Old Trafford – no doubt due to the form of the aforementioned trio.

It was reported earlier this week that the Dutch international is keen on a temporary or permanent move away from the Red Devils in January, with Aston Villa interested in his signature.

Manuel Ugarte is another first-team member who could be shown the exit door in the next few months, with his move to the Premier League failing to deliver at present.

The Uruguayan international cost a staggering £50m from Ligue 1 outfit PSG last summer, but his move has failed to hit the heights – as seen by his lack of game time under Amorim in 2025/26.

He’s only made two starts in England’s top-flight this season, even dropping behind 33-year-old Casemiro in the club’s pecking order during the early stages of the campaign.

One other first-team member in the form of Diogo Dalot could also find himself one step closer to the exit door after failing to impress over the last couple of months.

Despite making six league appearances under Amorim this season, the Portuguese international has fallen way below the standards expected of him – as seen by his tallies compared to the other options at the manager’s disposal.

The 26-year-old has only completed 75% of the passes he’s attempted in the Premier League, the lowest of any defender in the Red Devils squad – showcasing his lack of impact in recent weeks.

The United star now on borrowed time

The Erik ten Hag era at United was a period largely full of disappointment, with the Dutchman unable to take the club back to their former glory during his tenure in charge.

The 55-year-old spent a little over two years in the role at Old Trafford, achieving a 56% win record and also winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup during such a period.

However, the eighth-place finish in 2023/24 was disappointing to many fans, with the start to last season ultimately spelling the end of his time in England.

Ten Hag was responsible for bringing Zirkzee and Ugarte both to the Theatre of Dreams, further highlighting how disappointing his work in the transfer market at the helm.

Despite the failures in the window, the Dutchman deserves huge credit for his work in the development of midfielder Kobbie Mainoo – subsequently handing the youngster the chance to cement his place in the first team.

He would have been an unknown quantity to many supporters, but the 20-year-old amassed a total of 32 appearances in 2023/24, even scoring on five separate occasions.

Many of his efforts were crucial ones, from last-minute winners against Wolverhampton Wanderers and efforts against Manchester City in the FA Cup final – it truly was a season to remember for the academy graduate.

Such performances led to journalist Liam Canning labelling Mainoo as United’s “best player” in March 2024, but it’s safe to say it’s not been plain sailing for the youngster since Amorim’s arrival.

In the Premier League in 2025/26, the Englishman has failed to start a single outing, subsequently being restricted to just seven substitute appearances – totalling just 138 minutes in the process.

Games played

25

Minutes played

1656

Pass accuracy

87%

Chances created

1.7

Successful dribbles

1.3

Tackles won

63%

Duels won

5.9

Interceptions made

1.2

Recoveries made

4.8

Mainoo has previously voiced his displeasure at the lack of action since the 40-year-old’s appointment – even requesting a temporary loan move away this summer to gain valuable game time.

However, such a request was swiftly rejected by the manager and the board, but he still remains behind the likes of Ugarte and Casemiro in the current pecking order.

Given the lack of faith shown in him by the manager, it’s safe to say the youngster will be on borrowed time at Old Trafford, and the club could look to cash in on him – with a £70m price tag previously mooted.

Ten Hag may have struggled in the role, but one of the best things he did in Manchester was show the needed faith in Mainoo to allow him to flourish in the professional game.

Amorim could learn a thing or two from the Dutchman, as the Red Devils potentially risk offloading yet another top talent far too prematurely.

Casemiro replacement: Man Utd to make £42m bid for "one of the best CMs"

Manchester United look set to make a huge move for a new midfielder in January.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 29, 2025

Rio Ferdinand has now claimed Thomas Tuchel “has to” select Danny Welbeck in England’s World Cup squad next summer, having emerged as the second-best striker behind Harry Kane.

Captain Kane will almost certainly be a nailed-on starter at the World Cup, should he remain fit, given that the 32-year-old is the Three Lions’ leading all-time goalscorer, having scored 76 goals in 110 appearances.

The Bayern Munich star has also made an incredible start to the season, amassing 20 goals in 13 matches in all competitions, blowing existing records set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi out of the water.

England’s back-up options aren’t quite as reliable, however, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who scored the winner against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final, netting just one goal in nine Premier League appearances this season.

There may also be doubts about the inclusion of Ivan Toney, given that the 29-year-old arguably isn’t testing himself at the highest level week in week out, having signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in the summer of 2024.

Ferdinand urges Tuchel to take Welbeck to the World Cup

As such, Ferdinand has now made the bold claim that Welbeck should be re-introduced to the England squad, saying: “He’s second to Harry Kane. If you’re talking form right now and the squad was being picked tomorrow, Danny Welbeck has to go, no?

“I would take him. If he finishes the season in the form he’s in right now, there’s no way you can’t take him because he’s only going there for a month, it ain’t like we’re saying to him he has to play a full season, you’ve got to be ready and that role he can do that, coming in and out, be a support act for someone like Harry Kane.”

“Right this second, right this moment in time, form wise he’s [Welbeck] above all of them [Ollie Watkins, Dominic Solanke and Ivan Toney], and playing in the best league in the world. He’s second, for me.”

The ex-Manchester United defender also added: “He’s a class act on and off the pitch, a great guy.”

In fairness, the Brighton striker is in far better form than Watkins, having scored five goals in his last four Premier League games, most recently finding the back of the net against former club Man United with a remarkable free-kick.

That said, it may be a risk for Tuchel to reintroduce the striker to the squad, given that it has been a long time since he was involved in the England set-up, with the 34-year-old’s last cap coming in a friendly against Switzerland way back in 2018.

There is also still plenty of football to be played before the England boss decides his squad, and Toney should arguably be on the plane as the main back-up for Kane, having proven he can handle big-game pressure by coolly converting a penalty against Switzerland in the 2024 Euros quarter-final.

AI has predicted England's squad for the 2026 World Cup Related No Foden or Palmer: AI predicts Tuchel's England squad for 2026 World Cup

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Posts ByMatt Dawson Oct 14, 2025

Celtic have had a mixed start to the season, with their domestic dominance being undercut by a failure to qualify for the Champions League. Despite looking like favourites going into their qualification tie, the Hoops lost on penalties to Kairat Almaty.

While a number of players arrived over the summer, the Scottish Premiership champions went into the season with something of a sombre mood due to the fans and, seemingly, the manager wanting more new signings.

The main area that looked like it could have done with some more reinforcements was the attack, and after going out to Kairat following two goalless matches, it seems like another attacking signing may have helped them qualify for the Champions League, effectively paying for themselves.

It seems that despite not signing another attacker in the summer, Celtic’s board know that they do need to bring one in and are currently plotting a move for a Champions League winner in January.

Celtic eye Rodgers and Sterling reunion

Celtic’s hunt for a new attacker could come in the form of a reunion, as Brendan Rodgers has been linked with signing Raheem Sterling. Rodgers managed Sterling at Liverpool and selected the former England star on 126 occasions, in which he registered 41 goal involvements.

Football Insider’s transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke spoke on the Inside Track podcast about the links between Sterling and Celtic, saying Rodgers could be key to any deal.

The report also states that Sterling had a number of suitors in the summer, including offers from Turkey and Saudi Arabia; however, he opted to remain at Chelsea instead, despite it being clear that Enzo Maresca didn’t have a place for him. A move to Glasgow wouldn’t be as dramatic a change to life as a move abroad, and so Sterling may see Celtic as a more appealing prospect.

The biggest downside for Sterling would be Celtic’s budget restriction. Finances were a large part of the reason that they did not bring in another attacker over the summer, and O’Rourke has shared that if the move were to happen, then Sterling may need to take a pay cut to facilitate it.

Sterling could re-find himself in Scotland

Despite an illustrious career that has seen him score 194 senior goals and years of performing at the highest level, Celtic fans may be slightly disappointed with Sterling being their new attacking signing, as the 30-year-old has struggled in the last few seasons.

Chelsea have been trying to offload Sterling in the last two transfer windows, with the England winger eventually joining Arsenal on loan in the summer of 2024. After failing to secure a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, he has been exiled from the squad with the hopes of a January exit.

Sterling hasn’t managed to score 10 league goals in a season since leaving Manchester City in 2022, and he only managed six goal involvements last season. However, Arsenal were competing at the top of the Premier League and Champions League, meaning Sterling’s minutes were somewhat limited.

Playing in the Scottish Premiership and the Europa League may provide Sterling with the opportunity to rediscover himself, and competing at a slightly lower level may see his goal-scoring numbers rise. Furthermore, Rodgers is a coach who managed to bring about some of Sterling’s best football, so a reunion may provide a further boost.

Liverpool have been warned that they could quickly lose Alexander Isak, as Barcelona might consider a transfer for the Swedish striker once veteran No.9 Robert Lewandowski leaves the club. The forward could be set to go when his contract expires next summer, as the Catalan giants are not expected to offer a new contract to the 37-year-old ahead of the expiry of his current deal.

Isak still settling in Liverpool

It has been only just over a month since Isak joined Liverpool from Newcastle United for a British record £125 million ($169.3m) transfer. The Swede did not have a proper pre-season due to his tussle with the Magpies over his desire to leave, which prompted Eddie Howe to remove him from the first-team squad. As a result, it took some time before Isak could regain his full fitness and match sharpness and he is still adjusting to life in Merseyside.

Isak has appeared in six matches across all competitions thus far, including three in the Premier League, out of which he started in two games. He has one league assist and a goal in the Carabao Cup for Arne Slot's side.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportLiverpool warned Barcelona could come after Isak

Even before he could settle in Liverpool properly, Isak is already being linked with a move away from Anfield as ex-Barcelona and Spain star Gaizka Mendieta has claimed that the Catalan giants could chase the forward as they eye him as a replacement for their ageing star Robert Lewandowski. It was reported last week that Barcelona are leaning towards not offering Lewandowski a new contract when his existing deal expires next summer. The decision means the 37-year-old will be able to walk away as a free agent after four years with the club. The veteran forward has scored 105 goals in 156 appearances for Barca, with four already coming this season, including a brace in a late cameo off the bench to seal a stunning 6-0 win over Valencia in September.

Speaking to OLBG, Mendieta said: "There was talk in Spain of Alexander Isak going to Barcelona before he joined Liverpool who are stronger financially. Of course, there will be links between the best strikers and Real Madrid and Barcelona, at the moment Barca still have Robert Lewandowski, but they'll be looking for his replacement next year and Isak will be looked at. He's a great striker, he's been in La Liga already, he knows the competition. His performances last season for Newcastle were amazing. So far he seems to be settling quickly into Liverpool. Great strikers are never short of offers and opportunities in either Premier League or of course in Spain with the bigger clubs."

Haaland and Alvarez possible options to replace Lewandowski

The other names that Barcelona could consider signing as Lewandowski's replacement are Manchester City star Erling Haaland and Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez. Haaland has reportedly become an "obsession" for Joan Laporta, with Barcelona's president confident that the Norwegian striker can be prised away from Manchester City, despite the striker being tied to a contract in England through to 2034 and is reported to be earning £400,000 ($533,355)-per-week.

World Cup-winning Argentina international Alvarez, who has enjoyed a purple patch ever since he moved to La Liga in 2024, is also under consideration in Catalonia. It is, however, Haaland that remains the dream addition for ambitious Laporta.

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Getty Images SportIsak aiming to deliver for Sweden

Sweden are at risk of losing out on a place at the 2026 World Cup in North America as they have secured just one point from their first three matches and are at the bottom of their qualifying group. During the weekend, Sweden went down 2-0 against Switzerland as both their star strikers, Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, failed miserably. The Reds star will now aim to register a goal and bring his national team back to winning ways against Kosovo on Monday.

Following the international break, Isak will be back in action for the Reds against rivals Manchester United as the two sides lock horns in a crucial Premier League encounter on October 19.