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Pundit Paul Robinson believes Leeds United right-back Luke Ayling will sign a new Elland Road contract.

The Lowdown: Ayling and Kristensen

Ayling underwent knee surgery towards the end of May and is expected to be out for two to four months. It looks as if the 30-year-old is in a race against time to return for the start of Jesse Marsch’s first full season in charge, with Leeds acting in the transfer window as a result.

The Whites have signed Rasmus Kristensen from RB Salzburg, and Robinson has now made a claim on Ayling, who is entering the final 12 months of his Elland Road deal.

The Latest: Robinson’s claim

Robinson, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to MOT Leeds News regarding Ayling’s future.

He believes the full-back will ‘extend his contract’ and labelled him as a ‘quality’ member of the Leeds squad.

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“No, he’s signing. He’s signing for an extra year to extend his contract.

“In the last two or three seasons, he’s been one of Leeds’ regular top-performers.

“You’re going to have to do well to replace anyone like that and you give them another two or three-year deal.

“You give him a chance to recover from his injury because you’re going to need him with the type of budget Leeds have in the Premier League.

“They’re not going to get better than what they’ve got in Luke Ayling.

“He’s got quality, he can play anywhere across the back-four and for me, he and Stuart Dallas are the most reliable, dependable players Leeds have got.

“He’s a leader on the field and a voice. He was a man among boys at times this season when they struggled and he’s so versatile. He’s almost irreplaceable and you give him a new contract regardless of what length it is.”

The Verdict: Interesting

With Kristensen coming in and youngster Cody Drameh impressing on loan at Cardiff City last season, it will be interesting to see what Leeds have in store for Ayling over the next 12 months.

Given Ayling’s injury, you’d expect that Kristensen will take over as first-choice on the right after the club spent £11.7m on his services, while Drameh appears to be a star in the making, winning multiple awards in Wales.

There’s no denying that Ayling has been an incredible servant in Yorkshire, making 220 appearances, however, there will eventually come a time when he moves on from Elland Road, and that could well be next summer even if Robinson doesn’t think so.

In other news: ‘Big…’ – The Athletic drop significant update on Raphinha potentially leaving Leeds

Nottingham Forest have joined the race for highly-rated Canadian striker Cyle Larin.

What’s the word?

That is according to Turkish outlet TurkiyeGazetesi, via Nottingham Forest News.

As per the report, Larin has deleted anything to do with Besiktas on his instagram account, with his contract set to expire at the end of this month.

The soon-to-be free agent opted against extending his deal with Besiktas and has attracted interest from Olympiacos, with the Greek side thought to be in pole position as things stand.

As per Transfermarkt, Larin is rated at around £9m and within their current rumours tab, there is a 43% chance that the Canadian opts to ply his trade in the Greek Super League.

Imagine him and Johnson

Since bursting onto the scene with Orlando City in the MLS, Larin’s consistent haul of 12 or more goals across three full seasons saw him secure a move to Besiktas, where he seized his opportunity with the club after a loan spell in Belgium.

His return of 19 goals and six assists in 38 Super Lig games in the 20/21 season was demonstrative of his ability and potency in front of goal.

And whilst he is quick, his strength in holding up play could make him an integral addition to the Tricky Trees’ front-two partnership with Brennan Johnson.

Cooper’s side are expected to start the Premier League in their tight-knit 3-4-1-2 system, which has proven to be a safe choice for a newly promoted team, with Brentford perhaps the best example of recent times.

With Johnson’s creative ability, having managed ten assists among his 28 attacking returns in the Championship last season, he could operate as a floating striker and create chances for the more bolshy asset in Larin.

Dubbed “big and strong” by John Welsh on Twitter and as a “predator” in the box by John Herdman, the 92-goal striker would be the brawn in what could prove to be a mischievous Premier League strike force.

In other news: Nottingham Forest plot bid for “electrifying” £3m magician, he can be Cooper’s Sancho 

Reliable journalist Ryan Taylor has now shares some big transfer news on reported Newcastle United target Moussa Diaby.

The Lowdown: Diaby eyed

It has been widely reported that the St. James’ Park outfit are eyeing up a potential move for Diaby this summer.

It is certainly no surprise to see the interest given the season that he has had at Bayer Leverkusen, where he managed to score no fewer than 17 goals and supply a further 14 assists in total across all competitions, mainly operating from the flanks (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: Not for sale

Taking to Twitter, Taylor has revealed that Diaby is ‘not for sale’ after talking to Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes:

“Sat down with Bayer Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes, who told me NUFC target Moussa Diaby is not for sale.”

The Daily Express journalist shared the following comments made by Rolfes when asked if Diaby could leave:

“We want to keep Moussa for as long as possible. We have no offers & aren’t looking for them at the moment.”

The Verdict: Big blow

It would be a big blow if the North East club were to miss out on signing Diaby this summer.

Morade Djeddi, the president of his first club Esperance Paris 19e, has claimed that the France international has a ‘supernatural, divine gift’, evidenced by his form in front of goal.

He has been praised by German media for his ‘amazing’ dribbling, ‘irresistible’ pace and ‘astonishing’ speed of thought, and was even dubbed ‘unstoppable’ after scoring one goal and setting up another in a crushing 4-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach (Bundesliga).

Diaby and Allan Saint-Maximin could form a quite deadly duo on either wing for the Magpies, but it looks like this is one PIF will have to re-visit some time in the future.

In other news, find out what significant NUFC transfer update has now been dropped here!

Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan has made a claim involving Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou’s future. 

The lowdown: Unbridled success

Since taking over the managerial reins a year ago following the departure of Neil Lennon, Postecoglou has been a breath of fresh air in Glasgow.

The 56-year-old has transformed the fading fortunes at Parkhead and guided the Bhoys to the Premiership title, having lost their grip on the crown in 2021.

Coupling smart recruitment with an impressive tactical nous, the Australian has proven to be a sensational appointment and one that the club will surely be desperate to tie down beyond a current 12-month rolling contract.

The latest: Whelan urges Postecoglou contract offer

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan has implored the Celtic hierarchy to offer Postecoglou a lengthy deal after the 56-year-old recently exclaimed that the Hoops are ‘everything I’ve ever wanted in a football club’.

The former BBC radio host said: “I think you always want that security in place with a manager. That way, he knows he has the backing to go into the transfer market and build the club over a number of seasons.

“He had a fantastic season and shut up a lot of doubters. I was one of them – I had no idea who he was when he came in. It was shambolic at the time, but he’s had an unbelievable first season – his transfer business has been spot on.

“He’s in a really strong position. I’m sure all the Celtic fans would love it if he signed a two or three-year deal.”

The verdict: No-brainer

Appointed as somewhat of a risk having never managed in Europe previously, Postecoglou has certainly silenced his detractors in his first year in Scotland.

Not only has the experienced coach guided Celtic back to Scottish top-flight glory after looking devoid of inspiration under Lennon in the latter stages of the Northern Irishman’s reign, he also ensured a return to the Champions League group stage and with it the ensuing financial windfall.

These feats alone should be enough to offer Postecoglou a lucrative new deal, along with full backing in the upcoming transfer window, having already proven to be an astute market operator.

In other news: Ex-Scotland manager makes Celtic transfer claim

Transfer insider Dean Jones has made a claim regarding Leeds United and the pursuit of Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson. 

The lowdown: Leeds nearing Aaronson swoop

This comes as Leeds edge closer toward making the USA international their first summer signing, having secured survival in the Premier League on the final day of the 2021/22 season.

The Whites are expected to make the 21-year-old a £28m addition to the Elland Road ranks as Jesse Marsch looks to bolster the ranks in Yorkshire.

Aaronson has already made 25 appearances under the 48-year-old during their time together in Austria, and one reputable journalist has pointed out the importance of a prospective reunion between the two…

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The latest: ‘Very significant’

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones suggested that a reunion between Aaronson and Marsch could be pivotal to Leeds’ plans for the future under their current manager.

He stated: “Ultimately, if they can get Brenden Aaronson through the door quickly, that’s a player who’s very, very significant to where Jesse Marsch wants to take this team.”

The verdict: Smart business

Previously a target for Leeds under the stewardship of Marcelo Bielsa, it’s clear that the 18-cap USA international is a huge favourite with the Elland Road hierarchy, and director of football Victor Orta in particular.

The New Jersey native scored six times and provided 10 assists in 41 outings across all competitions for Salzburg this season and will be hoping to rekindle similar form if he links up with Marsch once more in Yorkshire.

The versatile ex-Philadelphia Union youngster won 4.6 duels, took two shots and completed 1.6 key passes per game during the Austrian Bundesliga campaign, earning an impressive overall rating of 6.88 from Sofascore.

Tipped to become a ‘top class’ operator by MLS journalist Chris Smith in 2019, Aaronson is clearly on an upwards career trajectory, and he would seem like a superb addition to the Leeds squad at the mooted price for a player with such a high ceiling.

In other news: Phil Hay claims Leeds are now working on move for ‘confident’ defender; club have already approved his sale

Crystal Palace have had their hopes of re-signing Conor Gallagher boosted, but not in the way you would expect.

What’s the word?

As per a report from The Athletic’s Matt Woosnam, Gallagher could well find himself on loan next season, with his immediate prospects at Chelsea questioned.

In The Athletic’s Crystal Palace match-day discussion, Woosnam said:

“I’m not sure Gallagher gets into that Chelsea team, but then perhaps they’ll set up in a way that suits him better than the slightly more defensive outlook Palace have had in the last couple of months that doesn’t play to his strengths.

“Would not be surprised to see him back out on loan somewhere.”

Great news for Palace

If Gallagher is to head out on a second consecutive loan spell, Vieira’s side should be among the favourites to secure his services once more.

22-year-old Gallagher has built on the glimpses of potential he showed at West Brom the season prior and has shone on the platform that the Eagles have granted him.

It’s been a breakout season for the young midfielder, with his eight goals and three assists a by-product of the emphatic displays he has put in for the Selhurst Park side.

In that time, he has shown maturity in his playstyle and well-roundedness in terms of his ability to occupy more defensive roles in a slightly-tweaked tactical shape.

His form has earned him three caps for England, and in a World Cup year, he will surely want to play it safe in familiar surroundings with guaranteed game time.

He’s been integral to the Eagles’ progress this season, ranking as the second-highest goal scorer at the club, as well as the second-highest assist creator with a combined total of 11 attacking returns.

With Palace’s reported intent of signing a defensive midfielder, the 22-year-old could be granted even more attacking freedom. So, from Gallagher’s perspective, why would you not want to return to a club who are undergoing an exciting transitional project under Vieira, and could bolster your prospects of making England’s World Cup squad?

A second loan spell at the side would be best for both parties.

In other news: CPFC plotting bid to sign “outrageous” 19 y/o “huge talent”, he’s Gallagher 2.0…

Liverpool have been fairly regular in the transfer market in recent years, sometimes spending significant amounts of money on bringing new players to Merseyside.

The Reds have seen the likes of Luis Diaz, Ibrahima Konate and Diogo Jota all come in for hefty transfer fees to help strengthen Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

Looking ahead to the summer transfer window, it appears as though some insight has emerged over another potential big-money move which could be happening at Anfield.

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What’s the news?

After being linked with a move for AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, journalist  Fabrizio Romano was talking about the current situation during a recent episode of Rio Ferdinand’s FIVE podcast.

The transfer expert said of the 22-year-old: “He’s a player that they really like and I see Liverpool doing something in the midfield this summer.

“This summer, Tchouameni is a player that they really appreciate but it depends on the price because at this moment he is performing at a top level and Monaco are prepared to ask for crazy money for Aurelien Tchouameni.

“At the moment, there is interest, there is contact [sic] between Tchouameni’s agents and Liverpool but we are not close to this move.

“Keep an eye on Liverpool because I’m sure that they will explore this kind of opportunity like Tchouameni.”

Since joining Monaco in January 2020, Tchouameni has gone on to make 94 appearances for the Ligue 1 club across all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists in the process.

To highlight his midfield talents, the France international not only has the highest number of tackles (95), interceptions (110) and successful pressures (205) to his name at Monaco in the French top flight, but also the third-highest number of goalscoring actions.

This makes it easy to see not only why Liverpool have their eyes on him but also why his current club would want such a hefty amount of money for him, as Romano mentioned.

It’s also safe to suggest that a lot of Reds fans would be over the moon to hear that contact has apparently been made between the two parties over a potential summer transfer for the 23-year-old.

While it may take a lot of money from Liverpool to add Tchouameni to their ranks this summer, it could be an investment worth making for FSG given his obvious talent and potential.

In other news: Klopp now plotting Liverpool bid for “complete” £30m target, he’s “like Yaya Toure”

After a probing first over, the India captain attacked the bowlers with shots ranging from scoop to reverse sweep

Shashank Kishore05-Sep-20231:57

Uthappa: Rohit’s uber-aggressive approach not necessarily the best for him

“Not really. Honestly, there were some nerves to start with.”Rohit Sharma had a sheepish smile as he recounted the probing new-ball examination by Karan KC in the very first over of India’s chase.Twice he was rapped on the pads by nip-backers, once he pushed feebly down the wrong line. Karan wasn’t just working up the pace but building excellent rhythm. The fifth ball of that working over beat Rohit with the angle, as the ball hit the deck and straightened.Related

• Nepal show they are worthy of more opportunities at this level

• When Nepal fans lit up Pallekele on a rainy day

• Rohit: 'I want to get into the phase I was in before the 2019 World Cup'

Rohit wasn’t pleased with himself, and he seemed to have decided he was going to take the attack to the bowlers. He stepped out to slap Karan over mid-on first ball of his next over, before rain forced the players indoors.Until then, it had been brewing up to be a compelling mini-battle between a bowler working up a good pace and a batter trying to shred a temporary lull that seemed to have boiled over from Saturday, when Rohit was troubled by Shaheen Shah Afridi in the lead-up to his dismissal.Having beaten him twice with deliveries angling away, Afridi managed to sneak through Rohit’s defence with one that jagged back in off the seam. Rohit was only a split-second late in bringing his bat down, by which time the off stump had been pegged back.Karan KC troubled Rohit in the first over•AFP/Getty ImagesOn Monday, Rohit was a bit testy on the field, seemingly irked at catches going down, fielders conceding runs through misfields, and seeing bowlers miss their lengths repeatedly and being unable to close the innings. This frustration peaked when Dipendra Singh Airee and Sompal Kami put on a half-century stand to lift Nepal from 144 for 6 in the 32nd over.Rohit’s own batting form hasn’t been much of a concern, though. He made 103 in the first Test against West Indies in Dominica and followed that up with twin half-centuries in Port-of-Spain. His only ODI innings on that tour, 12 not out, was possible because India collapsed in a heap while chasing 115 and Rohit had to come out, at No. 7, to complete the job.Before the Asia Cup, Rohit looked enterprising at India’s camp in Bangalore, batting with a sense of refreshing freedom. But doing it in a match simulation knowing the price of your wicket is far less than in a crunch game against a gun attack like Pakistan’s is a lot easier.Prior to the Pakistan game, Rohit had spoken of the need to “use my experience” and do what the team needed of him. “Last two years, I’ve played a different style of cricket,” he explained. “I’ve played with a lot of risks but it’s important to balance it out. As a top-order batter, it’s important to bat long and get the team in good situations.”I’ll look to use my experience. Whenever we get a chance, when I’m in good rhythm, I don’t want to leave it easily. In the last one, one and a half years, I hadn’t thought much about these, I was playing with a lot of risks, but it’s important to bring some balance into my game as well.”A rare sight – Rohit playing a reverse sweep•AFP/Getty ImagesOn Monday, there was a small matter of ensuring India didn’t slip up for at stake was a Super Fours berth. And so when he came out to bat after the rain break, with India chasing a revised target of 145 in 23 overs, Rohit seemed clear about his plan.He took apart Sandeep Lamichhane, Nepal’s biggest threat, by employing the slog sweep to good effect. He was equally effective playing the pull – his trademark shot – and in between even treaded into the inventive by playing scoops and an unreal flick-scoop that, much to his astonishment, managed to clear the rope at deep square leg with ease.”I wanted to just chip it over short fine, I had no intention to hit it all the way to deep-backward square,” Rohit chuckled after winning the Player-of-the-Match award for his 74 not out. “I timed the ball really well, but the bats these days are really good.”Rohit’s ease of flicking the switch was quite a treat. After the rain break, it didn’t quite seem the Rohit who had been uncertain against the moving ball. He was quickly into savage T20 mode, picking lengths early, lifting good-length balls down the ground, using his fast hands to thread gaps behind point, and dismissing anything in his zone out of the ground.He wasn’t just intent on being a foil to Shubman Gill, who had taken off like a bullet train with a succession of stunning back-foot punches. There was a ruthlessness in wanting to finish a job that hadn’t begun quite well.While Rohit himself wouldn’t read too much into a one-off performance, fully knowing bigger challenges await, he would be the first to acknowledge a good hit in a competitive game is a box worth ticking off in search of that 2019 World Cup mindset.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has confirmed a "long-term injury blow" to Lewis Brunt as the Red Dragons continue to struggle following a dreadful start to the 2025-26 season. Brunt has already undergone surgery after he injured his thigh during the 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough last Saturday and is staring at a lengthy rehabilitation before he regains match fitness.

• League Cup dream shattered

  Brunt was forced to sit out Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat to Cardiff City in the League Cup, which marked the latest chapter in a spiralling campaign for Wrexham. The midweek clash at The Racecourse Ground was meant to be a night of history as it provided them a chance to reach the League Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1978. Instead, it ended in heartbreak and disappointment. A much-changed Wrexham side fell flat against a fired-up Cardiff team. The visitors took control early on through Yousef Salech’s opener, before former Manchester City striker Kieffer Moore briefly lifted home spirits by levelling the score. But it was Will Fish’s volley that sealed Cardiff’s 2-1 win and bragging rights in their first meeting with Wrexham in 21 years. The final whistle was met with boos and jeers from frustrated supporters, with their anger compounded by another lifeless performance. Their performance in the league has also been ordinary. The Championship newcomers, who climbed from the National League to England’s second tier in just three seasons, are now 16th in the table, having managed just three wins in 12 games. 

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• Parkinson forced to stretch squad

  As if things weren’t bad enough, Parkinson has also confirmed that Brunt is facing a long spell on the sidelines.

  "It's not good with Brunty," he said before the Cardiff game. "He had a scan and he's going to see a specialist. It is a long-term injury; the actual time-scale on that we won't know until he's seen the specialist. We have got problems in a few areas of the team, we're a little bit stretched at the moment, but we'll deal with those and also protect a few of the lads who have been carrying knocks in these last two league games." 

  The manager had to put a lot of thought into picking his starting XI for the League Cup tie, as Parkinson added: "In any situation like this, you have got to balance the team selection out. Not putting players at risk who have played a lot of minutes and after a Wednesday-Saturday game, we have probably got to get some freshness on the pitch. We have got a big game on Friday [against Coventry]. That's what we've done successfully so far in this competition."

  Later, Brunt himself took to social media to deliver an update on his condition, posting: "Gutted. Surgery successful, back soon ❤️”.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Pressure mounting after League Cup exit

  Under mounting pressure after the Cardiff loss, Parkinson cut a frustrated figure in his post-match interview. He admitted his team were “off the pace” and lacked aggression in the first half.

  "We were off the pace in the first half," he said. "That’s probably an understatement. We didn’t close down with enough aggression or intent, and made it too easy for them. Then second half I thought the changes got us back in the game, and I felt we could go on and win the game but we probably didn’t produce the right decisions at the right time in that top third of the pitch. We’re hugely disappointed. We knew it was an important night for us, the supporters."

  Parkinson didn’t shy away from criticism either, even directing some of it at himself.

  "We’ve had lots of praise over the years and we’ll take the criticism, myself included, for going out the cup tonight," he said. "We made a lot of changes and I’m sure everybody will be analysing that, like myself, but I did it for the reasons I thought were the right ones with the schedule we’ve got coming up."

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  Lampard's Sky Blues to inflict more pain?

  There will be no respite for the Red Dragons as they return to league duty on Friday night, hosting table-toppers Coventry City, who are managed by Chelsea legend Frank Lampard. Needless to say, it will be a daunting assignment for a side short on form, confidence, and fitness. A 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough last weekend offered a brief glimpse of resilience, but with Brunt injured and other key players struggling for rhythm, Wrexham face a fight to keep their season from unravelling entirely. Pressure is ramping up on Parkinson, and he must deliver against a team who are yet to lose in the division. 

West Ham boss Graham Potter could have just this weekend’s game against Everton and their trip to Arsenal to save his job, according to reliable reports, following the Englishman’s uninspired spell in the London Stadium dugout thus far.

When Graham Potter could be sacked by West Ham

As per club insider ExWHUemployee, David Sullivan, Karren Brady and the Hammers board could decide to delay Potter’s dismissal until after their clash with Arsenal at the Emirates.

Despite the humongous pressure on Potter right now, great uncertainty surrounding his position and West Ham weighing up new managers behind-the-scenes, Ex suggests that Sullivan may hand the Englishman his P45 in and around the October international break.

This would give any new manager the chance to make a good start at home to Brentford on October 20 — not to mention a good few weeks to settle in and meet some of his new players.

The 50-year-old could even buy himself more time with a convincing performance against David Moyes’ Toffees at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but it would have to be a tremendous West Ham display to convince large sections of supporters that he’s still the right man to take them forward.

So far, the east Londoners have conceded more goals than any other side in the Premier League, with seven of their 13 concessions coming directly from corners.

Since Potter’s appointment in January, West Ham also have the worst overall Premier League record out of every single current side in the division, barring last year’s relegated trio.

Matters are desperate for the ex-Chelsea boss, and Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol has now shared how the squad feel about their under-fire tactician.

How West Ham players really feel about Graham Potter

Speaking on a Sky broadcast, via West Ham Zone, Solhekol claims that, despite their poor start to the season, Potter retains the backing of most West Ham players.

He also reports that the mood around Rush Green is somehow “very positive”, with the squad “united” in getting back to winning ways.

Even if this is the case among Potter’s squad, it is exactly the opposite when it comes to West Ham’s fanbase, who are growing increasingly impatient.

West Ham face fan protests at every Saturday home game this season

As per The Telegraph, the divisive board face protests from supporters at every single Saturday home game this season, with the ‘broken promises’ made after West Ham’s move to the London Stadium viewed as key to their discontent.

West Ham’s Fan Advisory Board sent a letter of no confidence to the ownership recently, having failed to build upon Moyes’ historic Europa Conference League victory in 2023, which ended their 43-year wait for a major trophy.

That night in Prague also marked the club’s first European piece of silverware since 1965, but it’s only been downhill ever since then.

Potter is now the latest coach after Julen Lopetegui to bear the brunt of West Ham’s arguable mismanagement, and it is hard to see how any new manager can restore the positivity from Moyes’ era in charge any time soon.