West Bromwich Albion are now considering a move for a “ruthless” striker on a free transfer as Ryan Mason’s first summer signing, according to a recent report.

Mason can't wait to get started as Baggies boss

On Monday the Baggies confirmed the news that Ryan Mason has become their new head coach, signing a three-year contract after leaving Tottenham Hotspur. This will be the 33-year-old’s first permanent managerial role, as he took two interim spells at Spurs as manager but mainly worked as a first-team coach under Antonio Conte and Ange Postecoglou.

After putting pen to paper on becoming West Brom’s new head coach, Mason revealed he is “thrilled” at being given this opportunity and that it is a job he is “excited” about, as the club has a fantastic infrastructure.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have been appointed Head Coach of West Bromwich Albion. This is a huge club with a fantastic infrastructure and an incredible fan base, and I am excited about what we can achieve together.

“Having spoken at length to the board and those at the club, I am convinced that Albion is the perfect place for me to be, and I can’t wait to get started.

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“I will bring with me a huge amount of enthusiasm, dedication and ambition and look forward to a positive future together at such a fantastic club.”

West Brom considering move to sign "ruthless" ace for £0

As Mason gets his feet under the table at the Hawthorns, he is wasting no time in trying to strengthen his new team. According to The Scottish Sun, West Brom are weighing up a move to sign striker Lawrence Shankland.

The Scotland international is out of contract at the end of this month, and he is said to be weighing up his options as Hearts continue to discuss a potential new deal with the forward. That is because while Hearts struggled in the league during the 2024/25 season, the 29-year-old continued to be a threat in front of goal, netting nine times in all competitions, as well as providing 11 assists.

Hearts are hopeful they can keep hold of Shankland, but they are not the only team working on agreeing to a contract with the player. West Brom hold a real long-standing interest in the Scot, who has netted 53 goals in 138 Premiership games, and are hoping his position as a soon-to-be free agent will clear the path for a relatively straightforward deal.

Apps

32

Starts

29

Goals

8

Goals per game

0.3

Big chances missed

11

Chance conversion

9%

Assists

8

Big chances created

14

Key passes per game

1.3

Dubbed “ruthless” by Chris Sutton, West Brom have made contact with the player’s agent to gauge his interest in a move to the Hawthorns. The Baggies are not alone in their pursuit, as Southampton are also monitoring and ready to pounce.

Aston Villa only have a limited time to raise funds in their battle to avoid PSR sanctions, with the footballing financial deadline for 2024/2025 looming on June 30.

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He could leave with Emiliano Martinez.

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Unai Emery’s side can only register a loss of around £15 million for the year just gone, according to a recent report by The Athletic, with Premier League clubs only permitted losses of around £105m over a rolling three-year period.

Villa are forecast to be over this limit as things stand, prompting NSWE to explore the possibility of selling their women’s team in a bid to comply with PSR and swerve breaches.

Emery falling just short of qualifying for the Champions League at the end of 24/25 cost them dearly both on and off the field, and there is every possibility that Villa could look to secure a big-name exit in the next two days to raise funds.

Their marquee sales of Jhon Duran and Moussa Diaby to Saudi Arabia have really helped in this regard, but they could require at least one more as the PSR deadline looms.

Atletico Madrid held talks with Lucas Digne over a switch to La Liga recently, according to Football Insider, and the 52-cap Frenchman, with just one year remaining on his £120,000-per-week contract, could be a prime contender for the exit door.

Emiliano Martínez, Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana are other players named as potential candidates to leave, while clubs are expressing a serious interest in Villa sensation Morgan Rogers as well.

The clock is ticking for Villa to agree a significant departure, and they could be handed a chance to make some money off Kosta Nedeljkovic’s talks to join RB Leipzig permanently (Sky Germany).

However, according to journalist Wayne Veysey, Villa have also alerted representatives to their stance over selling star striker Ollie Watkins.

Aston Villa tell agents they're ready to sell Ollie Watkins

Emery’s side rejected a low-ball £40 million bid from Arsenal for Watkins in January, but the Gunners haven’t followed that up with any formal approach so far this summer.

Writing for Football Insider, Veysey states Villa have told “senior agents” that they’re ready to sell Watkins by Monday, but they’re yet to find a buyer for the talismanic forward, who bagged 17 goals and 14 assists in all competitions last term.

The 29-year-old, who’ll turn 30 in December, also became the club’s all-time top Premier League goalscorer at the back end of 24/25, surpassing Gabriel Agbonlahor, but Villa have apparently made it clear they’re willing to do a deal.

Emery may not be a fan of this decision, or supporters for that matter, considering they already let Duran go earlier this year – and it would be an almighty task to replace Watkins’ influence up front.

“He deserves it completely because he is a hard worker,” said Emery about Watkins, after the ex-Brentford star broke Agbonlahor’s Premier League goalscoring record for Villa.

“He is committed with Aston Villa. His courage has been fantastic and to achieve it is very fantastic. I am so, so grateful to have a player like him.”

Sunderland are in talks over completing the signing of a versatile player in the summer transfer window, according to a promising new update.

Who could Sunderland sign this summer?

The Black Cats are reportedly interested in snapping up Clermont midfielder Habib Keita before next season gets underway, but they will have their work cut out getting a deal over the line.

That’s because a host of English clubs are keen on acquiring his signature, with Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City and Crystal Palace all keeping tabs on him.

Elsewhere, Sunderland are said to be leading the race to sign Vladyslav Vanat this summer, with the Dynamo Kiev striker a potentially exciting addition for Regis Le Bris, as he looks to have enough firepower in his squad to aid their chances of staying in the Premier League and avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

West Brom youngster Isaac Price has also emerged as a reported target for the Black Cats, with the 21-year-old a player who could have a bright future in the game. The midfielder has already scored six goals in 18 caps for Northern Ireland, summing up his potential.

Sunderland in talks over signing £2.5m midfielder

According to a new report from Africa Foot, Sunderland are in talks with the representatives of Yverdon Sport midfielder Moussa Baradja over a potential £2.5m summer move to the Stadium of Light.

The 24-year-old is looking for a new challenge after his team were relegated from the Swiss Super League last season, and the Black Cats are hoping to “reach an agreement” in the near future following contact.

Baradja isn’t necessarily a player who is well-known to the English audience, but he could be an astute signing by Sunderland, in what is such an important transfer window for them.

Perhaps the Frenchman’s greatest asset is his versatility, allowing him to thrive as a defensive midfielder and a more attack-minded one, as well as being able to do a job on the right wing.

This is sure to appeal to Le Bris, who knows the importance of squad depth ahead of Sunderland’s return to the Premier League, and Baradja would likely come in as a relatively cheap addition, assuming they can get him for just £2.5m.

He has made 29 appearances for Yverdon Sport, chipping in with four goals and three assists in that time, and he will be able to offer quality at both ends of the pitch.

Granted, Sunderland also need to sign players who have proven themselves in the Premier League, but Baradji looks like shrewd business that could ultimately be effective over time.

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Still only 24, he wouldn’t be coming in as a quick fix for the Black Cats, instead arriving as a squad player and hopefully becoming a key man as time passes.

Career-best 97 is ample to see off challenge despite Wilson’s 42

ECB Reporters Network16-Jun-2024England hopeful Hollie Armitage hit a fabulous 97 off 64 balls – the highest score in this season’s Charlotte Edwards Cup – as the Northern Diamonds beat Western Storm by 28 runs in a dead-rubber clash at Headingley.A penultimate round group fixture between two regions with only a win apiece in this season’s T20 competition saw the hosts post 146 for three and defend it comfortably.Former England batter Fran Wilson top-scored with 42 in Storm’s 118 for seven, but Scotland international Rachel Slater, Sophia Turner and Katie Levick all impressed with two wickets.Armitage hit 14 fours and two sixes in a career-best score in all T20 cricket. She dominated a 97 opening partnership inside 12 overs with Emma Marlow, who contributed only nine.This game was watched by a number of former Yorkshire players who had been invited by the club as part of their ongoing Celebration of Women’s sport.England legend Katherine Sciver-Brunt, handed an OBE on Friday in the King’s Birthday Honours list, was one.The Diamonds innings was, in truth, all about Armitage, who drove the first ball of the match – from Issy Wong – to the cover boundary, her first of 10 in a 30-ball fifty.The England fringe all-rounder took advantage of a true Headingley surface to pile the pressure on the Storm, especially their seamer Ellie Anderson, who she hit for five fours in the fifth over.When Armitage reached her fifty in the sixth, Diamonds were 56 without loss, and opening partner Emma Marlow basically had the best spectator’s seat in the house.Marlow only contributed five off 11 balls to a 10-over score of 90 without loss, of which her skipper had 82.Marlow fell caught behind for nine off a top-edge against Sophia Smale’s left-arm spin in the 12th over.Armitage raced into the nineties. But, as she got closer to a maiden T20 century, rain started to fall.Whether it contributed to her dismissal – caught and bowled off Chloe Skelton’s off-spin, at 124 for two in the 16th over – remains to be seen.She may have been concerned that the heavens were going to open to deny her, hence shimmying down the pitch and miscueing a return catch.And that was the start of an impressive Storm recovery in the last 10 overs, with loanee quick Wong bowling Sterre Kalis for 22 as Diamonds didn’t make the most of Armitage’s good work.Smale and Wong returned one for 23 from their respective four overs. But it wasn’t enough.Just as Storm were under early fire with ball in hand, they were with the bat too.Left-arm seamer Slater had Dani Gibson caught behind with the first ball of the chase before uprooting Nat Wraith’s middle stump with a sumptuous in-swinging yorker to leave the Storm at one for two after one over.Again, they recovered, with opener Emma Corney and Wilson sharing 50 for the third wicket. But the former holed out for 17 to long-on off Turner’s seam at a crucial juncture – 51 for three in the ninth.From there, Storm just couldn’t get going quickly enough.Miserly Scottish off-spinner Katherine Fraser had Wilson caught at long-on, leaving the score at 80 for four after 14 overs.Leg-spinner Levick removed captain Sophie Luff stumped in the next over, and Diamonds were all but home and hosed. Turner and Levick, the latter defending 33 off the last over, both struck again.

Manchester United’s front line has often contained some top-level talents that have gone on to achieve huge things across many different leagues all across Europe.

Cristiano Ronaldo joined the Red Devils back as a teenager in 2003, with no one anticipating the rise he would have during his time as a player at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese international made 270 appearances in his first stint as a Red Devil, scoring 109 times – winning various major honours, including the Ballon d’Or back in 2008.

Other players have starred alongside the iconic forward, with Wayne Rooney often partnering him in forward areas, still holding the record for the most goals scored by a player in the club’s history.

However, fast-forward to 2025, boss Ruben Amorim doesn’t have that calibre of player to rely on, needing to make the right calls over the summer to hand him with the tools needed for Premier League success.

The latest on United’s hunt for new attackers this summer

After a deal to sign Matheus Cunha was confirmed, United have been working tirelessly to secure a deal for Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo, as the manager looks to add depth and quality in the final third.

It was reported that the 25-year-old wanted a move to Old Trafford this summer, but could be in doubt now after Thomas Frank opened talks with the winger after taking the reins at Tottenham Hotspur.

However, other targets have emerged on their shortlist in recent days, with Viktor Gyokeres once again becoming a man in demand, according to GIVEMESPORT.

They claim that Jason Wilcox has been in constant talks with his representatives over a move to United this summer, calling every day to ensure he’s still keen on a move to the club.

It also states that the Swedish international’s situation with the Portuguese outfit has become tense, with the hierarchy wanting a fee close to his release clause of £84m to sell him this summer.

Why Gyokeres would be a better signing than Ekitike

Given the need for a new striker at United this summer, it has seen countless players already being touted with a move to join the club to improve the current situation.

Gyokeres is just one of many, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitiké the latest player in their sights ahead of the window reopening on June 16th.

The Frenchman has also been of interest from Liverpool and Chelsea this summer, with a three-way battle seemingly appearing over a move for the 22-year-old.

His tally of 22 goals across all competitions this campaign certainly makes him an attractive option, but the club should look to steer clear and focus on a move for Gyokeres during the off-season.

The Swede, who’s been labelled a “monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has massively outscored the French star, whilst also registering a hugely better shot on target accuracy rate – demonstrating his edge within the final third.

Games played

33

33

Goals & assists

46

23

Shot-on-target accuracy

52%

38%

Key passes

1.9

1.5

Take-ons completed

46%

43%

Carries into opposition box

3.1

1.8

Aerials won

51%

46%

He’s also managed to complete more key passes per 90 and complete more carries into the penalty area per game – having the tools to provide his teammates at Old Trafford with added opportunities in front of goal.

The 27-year-old has also dominated aerially in 2024/25, handing Amorim the focal point he’s craved after taking the reins at United back in November.

Given the difference in the figures between the pair this season, it’s evident that the Sporting talisman would be the better option this window, with the hierarchy needing to continue with their persistence to land his signature.

It would be a hefty investment, showcasing the board’s ambitions for Amorim’s tenure, with the Red Devils on their way to building an impressive frontline that could transform their fortunes on the pitch in 2025/26.

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As Sophie Ecclestone’s domination of world bowling rankings moves well into a fifth year, keeping her motivated has become a priority for the England Women’s team. Ecclestone assures them they have nothing to worry about.After Ecclestone ripped through New Zealand’s line-up with her indomitable left-arm spin, snaring 5 for 25 in nine overs during Sunday’s second ODI in Worcester, captain Heather Knight told the post-match presentation: “She loves taking wickets and we have to do some funky fields to keep her interested.”Earlier, after England had defeated Pakistan in two home white-ball series where Ecclestone took 11 wickets from five matches across formats, Jon Lewis, their head coach, said: “She has an incredible talent and now our job is to is to make sure that she keeps enjoying her cricket.”So far, so good on that front.”A massive one for me is the people,” Ecclestone told the ESPNcricinfo Powerplay podcast. “That definitely keeps me interested, that I travel the world with my best mates and you play cricket for your country with your best mates.”And the competition, I love the competition. Ashes series, World Cup finals, super overs in a World Cup, that’s what I live for, that’s what I train for and that’s what we all train for. Winning trophies, it’s obviously up there too, so I’ll always keep interested. I wear my heart on my sleeve and you’ll see that.”Related

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Ecclestone made her international debut as a just-turned 17-year-old in a T20I against Pakistan at Bristol in July 2016. Against the same opposition last month, she became England’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, passing Katherine Sciver-Brunt’s 114. She now has 118 at an average of 14.70 and economy rate of 5.81. In ODIs, she now has 108 wickets at 19.94 and 3.66.Ecclestone didn’t feature in England’s 50-over World Cup triumph in 2017, by which time she had just four international caps in all, but she played in the Women’s Ashes series which followed a few months later where Australia retained the Ashes in the early stages of a reign which is now nearly a decade old.Along with the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh this October, next year’s Ashes series in Australia is a key motivator for Ecclestone who, now 25, has been No.1 in the ICC’s world T20I bowling rankings since February 2020 and since March 2022 in ODIs.”It’s just win a World Cup and an Ashes,” Ecclestone said when asked what remained on her list to achieve. “That World Cup at Lord’s, that was the last World Cup [England] won and we’ve not won an Ashes since because I’ve been a part of them all, so it’d be really nice to do that in the space of six months, win the World Cup in Bangladesh, win the Ashes. It would be an amazing few months for us.””It’s just the history,” she added of the lure of another Ashes campaign. “Also a lot of my mates are from the other team now after playing a couple years of Big Bash and I get on them really well now.”Trying to get one up on your mates and get them out and give them a send-off and have a bit of a laugh afterwards, it’s always just really exciting. They’re a great team to play against, a great cricket team to watch and yeah, hopefully in the new year we can beat them and celebrate hard.”Sophie Ecclestone leads the team out after her second ODI five-wicket haul•Getty Images

After her feats in Worcester, Ecclestone was among three players rested for the rain-hit third and final ODI against the White Ferns in Bristol, making way for leg-spinner Sarah Glenn as Danni Wyatt and Lauren Filer were replaced by Sophia Dunkley and Lauren Bell.Ecclestone and Glenn form part of England’s enviable spin-bowling triumvirate, along with off-spinner Charlie Dean, who took 4 for 38 in the series opener in Durham. That was only the second time all three have played an ODI together but it is a combination Lewis is keen to employ wherever possible.”I always say I’m biased because I love playing with other spinners,” Ecclestone said. “It’s a nice little trio, me, Glenny and Deano, and we all bring something different whether it’s on the pitch or off the pitch. To have them alongside me and play alongside each other, we help each other out.”Deano showed her class other day and Glenny held up one end for Deano to take all the wickets, so it’s not about always taking wickets but working hard for each other too.”If you look at our squad now with the youngsters coming through, you’ve got the likes of Maia Bouchier, she absolutely nailed it the other day, and then you’ve got Alice Capsey, still only 19, she’s ridiculous.”And me, Glenny, Deano also so young and Lauren Bell, the list goes on and it’s so exciting to have these players to be a part of the next generation of women’s cricket and England cricket and it’s really exciting to see what we can do as a group.”