Newcastle United need some fresh ideas. This much is clear after a turbulent start to the season that has left Eddie Howe searching for answers, his side 14th in the Premier League after 11 matches.

There are internal solutions available to the esteemed English coach, but there’s no question that he views St. James’ Park academy graduate Elliot Anderson as being the missing cog in the machine.

The Magpies reluctantly sold Anderson to Nottingham Forest for around £35m in 2024 to avoid PSR ramifications falling on their head. But now, the 23-year-old is flying, and his boyhood club want him back.

The latest on Newcastle's interest in Elliot Anderson

It is understood that Newcastle and Manchester United are the most likely clubs to do battle for Anderson’s signature next summer. Word on the street, however, is that Forest are set to demand a figure in excess of £100m.

That might be an exorbitant asking price, but we can see why the City Ground side would be so reluctant to part with their man. Anderson has grown into a world-beater of a midfielder, and he is emerging as the most likely candidate to partner Declan Rice in England’s midfield at the 2026 World Cup over the pond.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed, but with the Tricky Trees likely to prove difficult negotiators, don’t hold your breath.

However, it might be pleasing to note that PIF have been busy at the academy level, reinforcing the youth team with top talents capable of finding a way into Howe’s outfit.

And there’s one who might actually prove a bigger talent than Anderson, once given an opportunity to make his mark.

Newcastle have a bigger talent than Anderson

There has been a concerted effort toward raising Newcastle’s youth system over the past few years. And it is working, with prospects such as Vakhtang Salia added to the fold.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all fancied Dinamo Tbilisi’s talented forward this year, but it is a testament to Newcastle’s development that they won the race, enticing the youngster with a clear pathway toward the first team.

A versatile forward, Salia can play on either flank or in a central striking berth. In Ukraine, he scored eight goals and provided four assists across 57 matches for Dinamo’s seniors.

Salia only turned 18 in August, and it was then that his move to Tyneside was green-lit. However, it’s been a rocky start on English shores for the man who has been likened to Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal. He hasn’t played for United yet, injured early in his new start.

Journalist Graeme Bailey has described him as “one of the best teenage prospects in the world”, and with the right care and attention over the coming years, there is every reason that Salia could be fashioned into a superstar, so naturally gifted and with a physicality on the ball that suggests he could adapt to the brutality of the Premier League.

It is frustrating that Salia should have been disrupted in this way so early into his Newcastle career, but this will teach him about adversity, and in this, he could rival Anderson, who has weathered storms of his own before emerging as a superstar at the City Ground.

Woltemade will love him: Newcastle targeting a "top 5 manager in the world"

Newcastle are in dire straits in the Premier League at the moment.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 19, 2025

Rasooli and Mujeeb got Afghanistan to 143, but Saif’s six-laden 64* wrapped the chase in 18 overs

Mohammad Isam05-Oct-2025

Bangladesh clean swept Afghanistan 3-0 in the T20I series in Sharjah, as they successfully followed a chasing template in all three matches. Saif Hassan continued his good form with an unbeaten 38-ball 64 that powered Bangladesh to a six-wicket win in the third T20I.Afghanistan once again fell well short after being sent in to bat first. They had an ordinary powerplay, followed by an even worse middle overs. Only a late burst from Darwish Rasooli and No. 10 Mujeeb Ur Rahman got them to 143 for 9 in 20 overs.Tanzid Hasan got Bangladesh off to a quick start before Saif took over with his big-hitting. He struck seven sixes and two fours, including several swings, flicks and sweeps on his way to his fourth T20I fifty. Bangladesh did lose a couple of wickets in the middle, but Nurul Hasan struck the winning runs to wrap up victory with two overs to spare.Tanzid provides early fireworksAzmatullah Omarzai provided Afghanistan with the early wicket of Parvez Hossain, when the left-hand batter skied him in the fifth over. Parvez looked good in the early exchanges, striking a four and a six in his innings of 14. But when he tried to loft Omarzai, he was caught at mid-off.Saif started with a six later in the same over, before Tanzid crashed two fours in a row off Rashid Khan in the seventh over.Darwish Rasooli’s innings of 32 propelled Afghanistan•ACB

Tanzid then belted Mujeeb for a six over long-on, before Rasooli dropped a sitter off Tanzid’s top edge in the 11th over. But thankfully, for Abdollah Ahmadzai, who was the bowler, Tanzid top-edged his next delivery, a slower one, to mid-off. But Tanzid’s run-a-ball 33, and his 55-run second-wicket stand with Saif, had given Bangladesh a good base in their 144-run chase.Saif slays, Jaker flailsLike earlier in the series, Bangladesh, though, fell into the pattern of getting into panic mode after a good partnership. Captain Jaker Ali survived two lbw appeals in three balls against Rashid. Both times the ball pitched outside leg stump. Saif then laid into Ahmadzai with a 92-metre six in a 22-run over that should have made life comfortable for Bangladesh.Instead, with just 35 runs to get in 38 balls, Jaker fell to Mujeeb. Jaker took a second review in his 11-ball stay, but this time it didn’t save him. Mujeeb then had Shamim Hossain bowled for a golden duck to make things a little interesting.Saif, meanwhile, cleverly played out Rashid’s last over, the 15th of the innings, with forward-defensive shots, even as it meant giving away a maiden. It didn’t put much pressure on Bangladesh, however, although he made up for it by striking debutant Bashir Ahmad for two sixes in the 16th over. Saif reached his fourth fifty with the second six in the over, a slog sweep that went for 95 meters.Nurul, at the other end, remained not out on 10, including hitting the match-winning runs, a six off Ahmadzai, who had an evening to forget in Sharjah. Nurul thus ended unbeaten in all three matches of the T20I series.Mohammad Saifuddin got three wickets•Afghanistan Cricket Board

Saifuddin leads Bangladesh’s chargeBangladesh’s bowlers continued their dominance in the powerplay in this T20I series. Afghanistan were 39 for 3 after six overs, with Shoriful Islam once again giving Bangladesh an early breakthrough. He removed Ibrahim Zadran in the third over, before Shamim took a screamer at cover to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz off Nasum Ahmed in the fourth over.Wafiullah Tarakhil’s wicket in the sixth over rounded off Afghanistan’s struggle in the powerplay. Sediqullah Atal looked good during his 23-ball 28, before Mohammad Saifuddin had him caught at deep point in the 11th over. Omarzai then skied Rishad Hossain for 3, before Mohammad Nabi and Rashid fell cheaply, and in successive overs.Bangladesh dominated with the ball till the 15th over, and with Afghanistan at 106 for 8, they might have expected to take the last two wickets rather quickly.Rasooli, Mujeeb salvage some prideBangladesh almost had the ninth wicket in the 17th over when umpire Ahmed Shah Pakteen adjudged Mujeeb lbw, only for a review to save Mujeeb. Rasooli struck Rishad for a four and six later in the over, before Mujeeb got two fours off Shoriful in the 18th over. Rasooli, who scored 29, fell trying to slash Saifuddin, thus giving the latter his third wicket, and ending a 34-run ninth-wicket stand.New batter Bashir then survived a caught-behind chance, with the ball having dropped an inch in front of wicketkeeper Jaker. Mujeeb struck one more four to take Afghanistan past 140, thus giving their bowlers something to aim at.

Liverpool know that things need to improve when club football returns this weekend.

The final international break of the calendar year has offered a welcome reprieve for Arne Slot and co following the dour 3-0 defeat at Manchester City, stunting any hopes of short-lived growth and condemning the champions to five defeats from six Premier League matches.

Concerning stuff, to be sure. Liverpool were outthought and outfought, a common theme that must not be given another through line over the winter months, with the Reds sat in eighth place and already such a far cry away from table-topping Arsenal.

Despite the record-breaking summer of spending, Liverpool need some more attacking inspiration from out wide.

It was a mistake not to directly replace Luis Diaz after his £66.5m move to Bayern Munich, but sporting director Richard Hughes is now looking to rectify that.

Liverpool chasing Semenyo upgrade

It has emerged this week that Bournemouth talisman Antoine Semenyo has a £65m release clause. The versatile Ghanaian forward’s buyout option will diminish further at the end of the campaign.

Liverpool are among the frontrunners for his signature, though Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest.

Competition will be thick, and according to Spanish sources, Liverpool have earmarked an alternative who might actually prove an upgrade on Semenyo in Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

It is claimed that, with the 25-year-old currently in the penultimate year of his Los Blancos contract and without a renewal in sight, suitors such as Liverpool smell blood, with the Reds believed to be willing to submit an £88m offer to prise him away from Spain.

Vinicius Jr is one of the finest forwards in the world, and he would certainly be worth chasing over Semenyo, even at a more expensive outlay.

How Vinicius Junior compares to Semenyo in 2025/26

Semenyo is a special athlete, and he has been one of the Premier League’s most dangerous players under Andoni Iraola’s wing at Bournemouth this season.

However, Vinicius Jr is among the finest in the world, and the murmurs of discontent at Real Madrid suggest a transfer to a club such as Liverpool might not be as far-fetched as it might seem.

Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti said that his protege is “unstoppable” when on his A-game, and with 111 goals and 87 assists across 338 senior showings with Real Madrid, this certainly looks to be the case.

This is a man who is made for the big moments, having scored in two successful Champions League finals at Madrid.

He is a cut above someone like Semenyo, who is endowed with such athleticism and pace and power across both wings, but lacks the proof of elite-level performances that Vini has been producing since he burst onto the scene as a teenager.

It would not be unfair to say that Real Madrid’s mercurial winger has been out of sorts this season, and yet he has still maintained a level that would be considered top-notch for most other players.

Matches (starts)

11 (11)

12 (10)

Goals

6

5

Assists

3

4

Shots (on target)*

2.1 (1.3)

2.8 (1.3)

Big chances missed

5

5

Accurate passes

19.8 (77%)

28.4 (82%)

Chances created*

1.0

2.3

Succ. dribbles*

1.9

2.5

Tackles*

1.6

1.3

Duels won*

6.5

6.0

This is Vinicius Jr we are talking about. This is a player that Liverpool knows well.

Described as “the best player in the world” by his Real teammate Jude Bellingham, the South American would light the Premier League up and offer a new dimension to Slot’s Liverpool team.

Semenyo would also be a fine addition, but Vinicius Jr is quite simply on another level.

Bad for Wirtz: Liverpool plan serious bid to sign future big-money superstar

Liverpool are looking for ways to add creativity to Arne Slot’s team.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 18, 2025

Rafa Silva has backed down from his intention to leave Besiktas and returned to training after the Turkish club threatened to report him to FIFA for unauthorised absence. The Portuguese forward, who had been complaining of pain despite clean medical scans, cited "family problems" rather than financial issues as the reason for his actions, admitting his "head was a mess".

Rafa Silva returns to Besiktas training after FIFA threat

The crisis between Portuguese forward Rafa Silva and Besiktas appears to have reached a resolution, with the player returning to individual training this week. According to a report from , Silva had been absent from training and matches, complaining of physical pain despite medical examinations, including an MRI scan, showing no underlying issues. The player had even suggested he wanted to retire with immediate effect in order to break ties with the club.

The situation escalated when Besiktas took decisive action in response to Silva's continued absence. The club's management officially registered his unauthorised absence with a notary last Thursday. Furthermore, club officials contacted Silva's agent, warning that they would file a formal complaint with FIFA if the player's refusal to train and play continued.

This firm stance from Besiktas appears to have prompted Silva to reconsider his position. Facing potential legal repercussions and with no contractual breaches by the club to justify his actions, the 32-year-old forward met with members of Besiktas' football committee to communicate his decision to return.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'The problem isn't money,' insists Rafa Silva

In his discussions with the club's management, Rafa Silva was keen to clarify the reasons behind his recent behaviour, insisting that financial motivations were not the driving force. He emphasised that he had no issues with the club's board or head coach, Sergen Yalcın.

"The problem isn't money. If it were, I would have gone to the Arab countries. I have family problems," Silva explained. He went on to reveal a long-standing desire to leave the club and return to his homeland. "In truth, I wanted to leave at the end of last season. My only wish was to return to my country, but I didn't get a positive response from the management. I was demoralised and very sad. My head was a mess."

Rafa Silva commits to Besiktas for now

Following his period of reflection and the pressure from the club, Silva has committed to fulfilling his professional obligations for the immediate future. He has already begun individual training and is expected to rejoin the team's collective sessions starting this Wednesday.

"After recent events, I've reflected again. I want this problem resolved. I'll be back playing and training," Silva stated. However, he also hinted that his long-term future at the club remains uncertain beyond the upcoming transfer window. "I don't know what will happen during the winter break, but as long as I'm given the opportunity, I'll do my best for the team."

Besiktas management reportedly received Silva's words with satisfaction, welcoming his decision to return to the fold. The experienced Portuguese forward, who joined the club in the summer of 2024 after eight seasons at Benfica, has made 16 appearances this season, scoring five goals and providing three assists.

Despite Silva's return, the underlying tension and his stated desire to leave have led Besiktas to continue their search for a potential replacement in the upcoming January transfer window. The club's management had accelerated transfer activities when Silva was absent and expressing his wish to depart.

According to Polish journalist Lukasz Olkowicz, Besiktas are showing strong interest in Patrik Hellebrand, a Czech midfielder currently playing for Gornik Zabrze in the Polish League. Reports suggest the possibility of this transfer is high, with Gornik Zabrze open to selling the player. Hellebrand has recorded three goals and one assist in 17 appearances this season.

Meanwhile, Besiktas president Serdal Adali has reportedly taken a firm stance regarding any potential move for Silva within Turkey, emphasizing that he would never allow the Portuguese forward to play for another Turkish club.

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Beşiktaş TwitterWhat next for Rafa Silva and Besiktas?

Silva's immediate focus will be on reintegrating with the Besiktas squad and regaining his match fitness. His return to collective training on Wednesday will be the first step. The player will need to demonstrate his commitment on the pitch to win back the trust of head coach Yalcin, who has maintained that team selection is based solely on training performance.

For Besiktas, the upcoming weeks will be crucial in managing the situation. While Silva has returned, his long-term future remains uncertain, and the club's pursuit of a potential replacement like Hellebrand suggests they are preparing for his possible departure in the winter transfer window. The team faces upcoming league fixtures where Silva's availability and performance will be closely monitored.

Very few teams have won three back-to-back trophies in the shortest format. Here is the list

Namooh Shah31-Aug-2025On Sunday, Oval Invincibles will be eyeing their third consecutive Men’s Hundred title when they face Trent Rockets, the winners of 2022 edition. Let’s have a look at the teams who have won three or more consecutive tournaments in men’s T20s before.VictoriaVictoria won the inaugural season of the Australian T20 competition in 2005-06, beating New South Wales with opener Brad Hodge scoring the tournament’s first century. In the next season, they won all three league matches (one was washed out) to top the table and then defended 160 against Tasmania in the final, with Mick Lewis taking four wickets to seal consecutive titles. In 2007-08, Victoria suffered their first ever defeat to Western Australia in the league stage but bounced back with three straight wins before beating the same opponent in the final to complete a hat-trick of titles, the first team to do so in T20s.Sialkot StallionsAfter a poor start in the inaugural Pakistan National T20 Cup, Sialkot Stallions bounced back with six straight league wins in 2006 followed by knockout victories over Faisalabad Wolves to claim their maiden title. In 2006-07, they extended their streak with four more wins and beat Karachi Dolphins by 14 runs in the final for back-to-back trophies. The 2008-09 season saw them stretch their winning streak to 16 games, capped by a seven-wicket victory in the final to complete a hat-trick of titles.Shoaib Malik led an invincible Sialkot Stallions side in the 2000s•AFPIn 2009, the Stallions became the only team to win a domestic T20 competition four successive times. Their success against Lahore Lions in the final meant they had won 20 consecutive games. In 2009-10, they added a fifth straight title with a one-sided final win over Faisalabad Wolves, extending their winning streak to 24 matches, a record that still stands. The team was led by Imran Nazir and Shoaib Malik during this golden run.WayambaWayamba won three consecutive titles in the Sri Lanka Domestic T20 Cup from 2008 to 2010 under Jehan Mubarak. In 2008, after losing once to Ruhuna in the league stage, they turned the tables in the final with a 31-run win to claim their first trophy. In 2009, Wayamba defended their trophy by beating Basnahira South in the final by five wickets, the same side that had defeated them in the league. In 2010, they went unbeaten through the league stage before easing past Basnahira South by nine wickets in the semi-final and winning the final, against Ruhuna, by a massive 95 runs to complete a hat-trick of titles.Trinidad & TobagoTrinidad & Tobago, the most successful team in the Caribbean T20 Cup, won the last three editions under Denesh Ramdin. In 2011, they went unbeaten, sealing the title with a final win against Hampshire. In 2012, despite a league defeat to Windward Islands, they bounced back to dominate both knockout games and retain the trophy. In the final edition in 2013, played in a round-robin format, T&T again finished unbeaten in the league, topped the table and qualified directly for the final where they defeated Guyana by nine wickets to claim a hat-trick of titles.Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo lift their captain Denesh Ramdin after a hat-trick of titles•WICB MediaTitansTitans dominated South Africa’s domestic T20 circuit by winning three consecutive titles under Albie Morkel, topping the table in each of those three seasons (2015 to 2017). In 2015, they defeated Dolphins to claim their fourth T20 title, having previously won in 2005, 2008 and 2012. In 2016, they clinched the title by edging past Warriors by just six runs. In 2017, once again facing Dolphins in the summit clash, Titans completed the hat-trick with a commanding seven-wicket victory.Jaffna KingsJaffna Kings (known as Jaffna Stallions in 2020) became the first and only franchise to win the first three editions of the Lanka Premier League, under Thisara Perera. In the inaugural 2020 season, they beat Dambulla Viiking in the semi-finals and outplayed Galle Gladiators in the final. In 2021, renamed as Jaffna Kings, they topped the table and once again defeated Gladiators in the final for back-to-back trophies. The 2022 season saw them finish second on the table before overcoming Gladiators in the semi-finals and Colombo Stars by two wickets in a thrilling final, thereby becoming only the second team after Victoria to win the first three editions of a men’s T20 tournament.*Comilla Victorians also won three consecutive BPL titles in 2019, 2022 & 2023 but didn’t participate in the 2019-20 edition of the tournament which was won by Rajshahi Royals.

Our writers pick the moments that they will most remember from the pulsating 25-day-long England vs India Test series

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Aug-20253:04

Bangar hails ‘Herculean effort’ from Siraj

No one deserved it more than Siraj

Mohammed Siraj was everywhere. Taking a stunning catch at Edgbaston, on his haunches after falling short at Lord’s, sledging Joe Root, bowling long spells, and missing the catch that nearly lost India the series. He had to endure the crowd’s cheers when the replay of him stepping on the boundary triangle was played on the giant screen. Long the face of India’s misfortune, Siraj turned it around, took a five-for, and sealed India’s narrowest Test win with a cross-seam yorker at the base of off stump. This couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person. There was a lot finger-pointing (and more) between Zak Crawley and Shubman Gill•Getty Images

Lord’s: When the mood of the series changed

It was the time-wasting row during the third Test at Lord’s that changed the mood of the series. When England’s openers walked out – 90 seconds late, according to Shubman Gill – on the third evening, India hoped to squeeze in three overs before the close. But Zak Crawley, clearly relishing his role as pantomime villain, repeatedly backed away as Jasprit Bumrah was running in, then called for the physio after being hit in the glove with one ball remaining. Gill was incensed, telling Crawley to “grow some f***ing balls” and later claiming that England’s actions were against the spirit of the game, and tempers frayed for the rest of the match – and the series.

Old Trafford: I can’t stand but I’ll bat

Amid the talk about the balls going soft too soon, this was a reminder the ball is still hard enough for a slower ball to break a foot. We also take for granted the amount of skill required to play the shots Rishabh Pant does. When one did go wrong, it hit him near the toe, which swelled immediately, an almost certain sign of a fracture. That should have been his series right there, but Pant came back to bat despite a fractured foot and also smacked a six that took him level on sixes for India.Pant, Chris Woakes and Shoaib Bashir carrying on with fractures, and Ben Stokes bowling on and on with a disintegrating shoulder, underlined how much Test cricket means to these athletes, some of whom can easily retire and make more money in the leagues. 2:02

‘A long time coming’: Stokes on Archer’s return

Lord’s: Archer’s long-awaited comeback

It was four years in the making, and who knows how much money was spent, to get Jofra Archer back to Test duty. In between, there were a few stress fractures of the back and elbow, a couple of false dawns, too.But, as he took the second over of India’s first innings at Lord’s, it had already been worthwhile. And then, with just three deliveries, an 89mph delivery across Yashasvi Jaiswal confirmed what English cricket had hoped for but never truly believed – Jofra Archer was not just back, but just as sharp. Just as good.As he wheeled away in celebration, screaming to the heavens in relief, it was clear that maybe he might have himself doubted that this moment would come. Visibly moved as he was mobbed by his teammates, the long roads of rehabilitation, the carefully managed route back via white-ball cricket, were finally behind him. 3:23

Bangar: Gill, the leader, gained confidence through the series

Shubman Gill: Aura well earned

They said he had no aura, they made fun of his high-pitched voice, but Shubman Gill quickly silenced them with three centuries in his first four innings as India’s Test captain. Gill batted imperiously, presenting his broad bat to everything, but the “aura” was earned when he came out of the dressing room at Edgbaston to declare India’s second innings closed, wearing black skins, showing his sculpted body, looking like the Black Panther. Oh, the agony! Mohammed Siraj watches as the ball trickles onto dislodge his leg bail•Getty Images

Lord’s: Bowled off the middle of the bat

The Lord’s Test looked all over when Nitish Kumar Reddy edged Chris Woakes behind, with India needing 81 to win with two wickets left on an up-and-down fifth-day pitch. But Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj dug deep, dragging the Test into its final session as England’s seamers toiled.Shoaib Bashir spent most of the match off the field after Jadeja’s straight drive had broken the little finger on his left hand, but re-emerged on the final day with it heavily strapped. His final act of the series was to see Siraj’s back-foot defence dribble back onto the stumps, and he was mobbed by his celebrating team-mates. Joe Root pays tribute to Graham Thorpe after his century•Getty Images

The Oval: Root’s Thorpe moment

Joe Root was more than a mentee of Graham Thorpe. He was his friend. And when Thorpe passed away last year, Root was one of many who did not just feel his loss, but knew the rest of his life would now be about doing right by Thorpe.That Root was a pall-bearer at Thorpe’s funeral highlighted the significance Thorpe played in his life. And so, upon reaching his 39th Test century, Root put on the white headband made to commemorate Thorpe’s life during The Oval Test and saluted to the heavens. In a series full of emotions, it was a moment that, even in the midst of a make-or-break run chase, made everyone take stock. The importance of life laid bare in front of us.

The moment Ricky Ponting called Joe Root eclipsing his Test match runs tally in the Old Trafford commentary box! pic.twitter.com/u4NPNsD8m1

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 25, 2025