Manchester City defender Nathan Ake is now open to leaving the Etihad Stadium in the January transfer window, with the Premier League giants setting his price tag.

The Dutchman has been a fantastic servant for the Citizens since arriving from Bournemouth back in 2020, winning four Premier League titles and one Champions League crown, among other trophies.

That said, the 30-year-old has seen his playing time become more limited under Pep Guardiola this season, making only one start in the league, as well as making four substitute appearances in the competition.

Ake is now into the final two years of his current deal at City, with his contract running until the summer of 2027, so there are decisions to be made by both him and the club.

The Sky Blues may want to cash in on him while they still have time, assuming they don’t see a long-term future for him, and the player himself will no doubt like the idea of enjoying more regular playing time.

Ake wants to leave as Man City set £31m price tag

According to Caught Offside, the battle to sign Manchester City ace Ake is hotting up ahead of the January transfer window, with Inter Milan, Juventus and Crystal Palace all mentioned as options.

It is claimed that the Citizens are open to a deal and want as much as £31m for the Netherlands international. Ake wants to be earning more minutes ahead of the 2026 World Cup and is looking to leave the club in January.

It does feel as though Ake’s time at City is reaching its natural conclusion, during a period in which so many members of the club’s title-winning sides have moved on, not least Kevin De Bruyne earlier this year.

The centre-back is understandably open to the idea of a fresh challenge, given Guardiola’s current stance on him, even though the Spaniard has lauded him as “incredible” in the past.

If Ake does leave City, he will be remembered as a great servant who has done so much for the cause in the past five years, with his ability to thrive at both centre-back and left-back proving to be priceless.

Whoever does potentially sign will be getting an excellent player who still has plenty to offer in his career, with Guardiola also saying of him: “I don’t think you can ever find a single teammate of his who has anything bad to say about him. Both at his clubs and with the Dutch national team. He’s very competitive and I wish he could play a season without injuries, but sometimes you run into those kinds of things. I adore him as a person and as a player.”

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From City’s point of view, if they can get as much as £31m for a player in his 30s, it would have to be considered good business, and they could then bring in a younger replacement instead.

Is Nathan Ake one of Man City's 10 highest-earning players?

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is once again forced into playing without a natural striking option following Viktor Gyokeres’ injury, and while the early signs have been fairly positive that it’s nothing too serious, supporters could have reason to be slightly worried.

Gyokeres is currently undergoing scans on the problem as the north Londoners await results of more definitive testing.

The Sweden international, who was left out of Graham Potter’s national team squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Slovenia this month, missed Arsenal’s 3-0 win away to Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday after being hauled off against Burnley last weekend.

Mikel Merino, who has scored 11 goals in all competitions this calendar year, deputised as a makeshift number nine once again to great effect as the Spaniard’s brace helped to clinch all three points in the Czech Republic.

However, Arteta won’t want to rely on Merino for an overly extensive period as he did last season, despite the midfielder’s excellent performances up top, as Arsenal’s manager has been adamant that Gyokeres makes his side even more unpredictable.

This injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Gyokeres personally, as the £55 million summer signing was just hitting a good run of form with three goals in his last three games — just after the centre-forward went seven matches without scoring in all competitions.

Viktor Gyokeres’ best games for Arsenal in the Premier League

Match Rating

Arsenal 5-0 Leeds United

8.84

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

7.97

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

7.68

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

6.69

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

6.68

via WhoScored

The former Sporting CP star, according to insider Hand of Arsenal and other reliable sources this week, is expected back in time for Arsenal’s crunch North London derby clash against Tottenham near the end of this month — which will come as music to the ears of fans.

Journalist explains why he's worried for Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal

That being said, Arteta has still admitted that he’s quite concerned, potentially suggesting the aforementioned timeframe isn’t set in stone as Gyokeres awaits further test results.

Taking this into account, journalist Charles Watts has told Sports Mole that he’s still “worried” about Gyokeres’ condition and Arsenal face a “massive blow” if it is indeed hamstring-related.

Once Gyokeres does return to full fitness, which Arteta hopes will be in time for Tottenham, it is also imperative that the striker isn’t rushed back unnecessarily.

His readiness to be thrust straight back into action will be key and Arsenal won’t be keen on taking any chances, especially after their plethora of attacking injuries lately.

AC Milan have stepped up their pursuit of Robert Lewandowski, scheduling a new round of talks with his agent Pini Zahavi as the Barcelona striker weighs his future as his contract nears its end. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic pushing internally to bring the 37-year-old to San Siro and Milan rebuilding under Max Allegri, the Rossoneri sense an opening, but salary demands remain a major hurdle.

• Milan accelerate pursuit as Lewandowski weighs future

  According to , Milan are preparing a fresh approach for Lewandowski, with a new meeting scheduled between sporting director Igli Tare and the striker’s agent Pini Zahavi in the coming weeks. The Rossoneri have made the 37-year-old a priority target for June, convinced that his arrival could transform the club’s rebuild under Allegri. Lewandowski’s contract with Barca runs until June 2026, but uncertainty around his long-term role coupled with the club’s plan to sign a new No.9 next summer has placed his future firmly in play.

  Milan rejected the idea of approaching him last year due to salary constraints, but with Champions League qualification now a central objective, the Rossoneri believe the timing may be right to formalise negotiations. The San Siro hierarchy have already tested the waters with Lewandowski’s entourage. This next meeting is expected to focus on possible salary parameters, with the Pole currently earning €20 million (£17m/$22m) net at Barcelona, almost triple the wages of Milan’s highest earner, Rafael Leao.

  With Barcelona evaluating replacements and Lewandowski keeping all options open, the situation is edging into a crucial phase, one that could reshape the summer transfer market.

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  Ibrahimovic’s influence and Barcelona’s search for a new No.9

  This renewed push from the Rossoneri comes with the backing of their former striker Ibrahimovic, now a senior advisor at RedBird and one of the most influential voices behind Milan’s sporting strategy. He views Lewandowski as the type of elite striker who can immediately elevate the squad, much like his own transformative return to the club in 2020.

  On the Barcelona side, their search for a new striker highlights how the club is preparing for life after Lewandowski. Reports indicate that Harry Kane sits at the top of their shortlist, with the England captain scoring 108 goals in 113 games for Bayern Munich since 2023. Other names include Julian Alvarez, long admired by Barca, and even a dream move for Erling Haaland, described internally as Joan Laporta’s “obsession”. Financial realities, however, mean the Catalan giants are also analysing cheaper alternatives such as Etta Eyong, underlining the scale of the transition being planned.

  Lewandowski’s reduced role this season, a result of injuries and the emergence of Ferran Torres has only added to uncertainty. Despite this, he remains Barca’s leading scorer with seven goals in nine La Liga matches, second only to Mbappe in the Spanish scoring charts.

• Lewandowski speaks out and Milan’s project takes shape

  The ex-Bayern striker has been open about his indecision regarding the next step in his career. While on duty with Poland, he made it clear that he does not intend to rush any decision: “I still don’t know the answer. That’s why I’m not in a hurry, I’m at peace with myself. Even if, for example, the club contacted me now, I still wouldn’t answer that question. Because I also have to feel what’s best for me. Now I’m calm, I’m not in a hurry and, at the moment, I don’t expect anything else.”

  His stance aligns with Milan’s long-term approach under Allegri and Tare, who are intent on recruiting experienced leaders to stabilise the squad. Zahavi’s strong relationship with Milan further strengthens their position. For Milan, landing Lewandowski would represent both a sporting coup and a symbolic statement that their project is entering a new era.

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  The next meeting could shape the summer market

  The Rossoneri's upcoming talks with Zahavi will be pivotal. If the two sides can find common ground on salary structure, potentially through bonuses or multi-year guarantees, negotiations could accelerate rapidly ahead of June. Barcelona, meanwhile, are expected to continue planning for a major reshuffle in the forward department, with the Lewandowski decision acting as the first domino.

  As interest from multiple European clubs quietly grows, all eyes now turn to Milan’s next meeting. The battle for Lewandowski is only just beginning and the outcome could define one of the summer’s biggest transfer sagas.

Superchargers join Invincibles on 20 points, both vying for direct qualification to the final

ECB Media23-Aug-2025Northern Superchargers 198 for 4 (Brook 56, Crawley 49) beat Oval Invincibles 182 for 7 (Ferreira 41, Lawes 2-22) by 16 runsThe blockbuster tie at Headingley between the Hundred’s top two saw Northern Superchargers overcome the Oval Invincibles with a spectacular six-hitting blitz from Harry Brook and Zak Crawley.In a competition which has tended to favour teams who chase, the Superchargers bucked the trend, going hard immediately to set an ultimately insurmountable target. Crawley was irresistible, smacking three maximums and five fours in his 25-ball stay, only miscuing a Nathan Sowter legbreak to long-off with a fifty at his mercy.He dominated an opening stand of 76 with Dawid Malan, the two yet again complementing each other beautifully to careen to 49 from the Powerplay, before Brook took over the latter stages with another display of outrageous strokeplay, with a one-handed scythe for six over the deep-third boundary one of five sixes struck from his 27 balls at the crease.Brook tumbles across to scoop•ECB/Getty Images

Sowter was the pick of the Invincibles bowlers, going for just 29 from his 20, but the Curran brothers, Tom and Sam, were treated mercilessly, giving up 83 runs between them from just 35 balls.In reply, Will Jacks and Tawanda Muyeye got off to a flyer, but when Jacks miscued a leg-side flick to be caught on the offside for an 11-ball 25, giving Jacob Duffy the first of his two wickets, the game shifted back to the home side.The combination of Jordan Cox, one of the breakout stars of this year’s competition, and Sam Curran briefly threatened another extraordinary heist. But when Cox was outfoxed by Tom Lawes to hole out in the deep for 24 and Curran edged Matthew Potts to Michael Pepper, the task became impossible. Even a violent 15-ball 41 from the big-hitting Donovan Ferreira was not enough.Tellingly, Ferreira’s four sixes made up half of the Invincibles’ total tally of maximums, against 14 struck by the Superchargers – which also featured a hat-trick of sixes from David Miller in the final set of five. In a game of monstrous hitting, the home side prevailed to take a statement win.”I thought the boys batted beautifully on a good pitch with a fast outfield, and to get a score near enough to 200 was the perfect start to the first innings,” Brook said. “I’m not one – and the team isn’t one – for searching for scores, we assess the conditions as quick as possible and try and communicate off the field what we think is the best score.”I thought our bowlers did a great job there. We were a bit unlucky at times, but they toiled really well there. It’s a beautiful win tonight and we’re happy with the momentum we can take into the next game.”

كشفت تقارير صحفية بريطانية، تطورات جديدة بشأن أحد لاعبي ليفربول ودور محمد صلاح في مستقبله خلال سوق الانتقالات الشتوية القادمة.

ووفقاً لـ”فوتبول إنسايدر” البريطانية، فإن ليفربول كان مستعدًا لتلقي عروض لبيع فيدريكو كييزا خلال يناير المقبل، لكن مستقبله في ملعب أنفيلد أصبح يعتمد على محمد صلاح.

وسيقود محمد صلاح منتخب مصر في كأس أمم إفريقيا التي ستقام بين 21 ديسمبر و18 يناير، ويطمح لتحقيق أول ألقابه مع منتخب بلاده.

وعلى الرغم مما أثير في وقت سابق حول نية ليفربول في التخلي عن كييزا، ولكن الريدز أصبح مترددًا في الموافقة على ذلك وإضعاف قائمة آرني سلوت بغياب النجم المصري صاحب الـ32 عامًا، حيث سيعتمد مدرب الفريق على الإيطالي كخيار أكثر أهمية في مركز الجناح.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أبو تريكة منتقدًا قرار سلوت بجلوس محمد صلاح بديلًا: لماذا لم يفعلها مع ابن بلده؟

ونتيجة لذلك وفي حال تأهل منتخب مصر إلى مرحلة متقدمة في كأس أمم إفريقيا، فقد يحرم ليفربول من فرصة رحيل الدولي الإيطالي في يناير، حيث سيقوم النادي برفض أي اهتمام بشأنه.

وكان ليفربول يخطط في البداية للاحتفاظ بكييزا كورقة رابحة من مقاعد البدلاء بعد أن بدأ الموسم بشكل إيجابي، ومع ذلك قام بتغيير موقفه حيث رغب في الاستفادة من كييزا بعد اهتمام عدة أندية من الدوري الإيطالي بخدماته.

Left-arm fast bowler Ben Lister has also been added to the New Zealand squad as cover for Will O’Rourke

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Aug-2025

New Zealand’s fast-bowling allrounder Nathan Smith has been ruled out of the second Test against Zimbabwe due to an abdominal strain. He has been replaced by pace bowling allrounder Zakary Foulkes, who gets his maiden call-up into the Test squad.Smith sustained the abdominal injury on the second day of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo while batting. A subsequent MRI confirmed the strain, which will require a recovery time of approximately two to four weeks.Meanwhile, left-arm fast bowler Ben Lister has also been added to the New Zealand squad as cover for Will O’Rourke, who experienced back stiffness on day three of the first Test. He is being monitored, according to a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) press release. O’Rourke bowled 13 and ten overs respectively in the two innings of the first Test, picking 3 for 28 in the second stint.Related

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Smith returned 3 for 20 in Zimbabwe’s first innings as the hosts were bowled out for 149. He retired hurt at the end of the 93rd over of New Zealand’s innings on 22 off 79 balls and did not return to the field for the remainder of the game.Smith’s replacement Foulkes has played 13 T20Is and a solitary ODI. He most recently turned out for New Zealand in the tri-series involving Zimbabwe and South Africa, which New Zealand won in a pulsating final. Foulkes, 24, has played 19 first-class games and has 57 wickets, along with 544 runs at 19.42.Lister has also not played a Test yet but has turned out in three ODIs and 12 T20Is for New Zealand. He last played an international game more than a year ago in Pakistan.New Zealand registered a comfortable win in Bulawayo by nine wickets, with Matt Henry returning figures of 9 for 90 for the Test. Regular captain Latham had missed the opening game due to a shoulder injury and it remains to be seen whether he gets fit in time for the second Test, which begins on August 7 in Bulawayo

Still searching for their next manager, Middlesbrough are now reportedly serious about hiring Swiss manager Raphael Wicky, who has emerged as an early candidate to take the job.

Unlike other managerial vacancies in the Championship, coaches would be walking into a fairly healthy environment at Middlesbrough. The Teesside club currently sit second in England’s second tier and five points behind leaders Coventry City. As things stand, they will be earning promotion to the Premier League come May.

A lot can still change, however, and Boro must get their next manager right whilst they are in such a positive position. Just who that next manager is remains the question. Steven Gerrard, Tony Mowbray and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink have all been mentioned as early candidates, with Gerrard the most interesting option of the three.

The former Rangers boss recently rejected the chance to return to Ibrox, but is keen to make a return to the dugout for the right job. With Boro on course to fight for automatic promotion in the Championship, it’s tough to pick out a reason why most managers of Gerrard’s calibre wouldn’t want to walk straight into the job before the end of the international break.

Replacing Rob Edwards, who chose to leave for Wolverhampton Wanderers, will be no easy task for any potential candidate. As much as he has ruined his reputation with those in Teesside, the former Luton Town boss certainly steered the club in the right direction and attempted to explain his decision in a recent statement.

Boro fans are unlikely to forgive or forget any time soon, however, and must instead hope that the club’s next appointment continues their push for automatic promotion.

Middlesbrough get serious about appointing Raphael Wicky

As reported by Sports Boom, Middlesbrough are now serious about appointing Wicky after he impressed Riverside chiefs with an unofficial presentation. The Swiss manager is currently a free agent and will be easier to convince as a result, but that’s not to say the 48-year-old isn’t an impressive candidate.

During his time in Switzerland, Wicky won the league and cup double with BSC Young Boys and his 4-4-2 diamond system proved to be incredibly successful. If Middlesbrough fail to hire the likes of Gerrard, then the former Young Boys manager is someone who’d offer them similar experience and success.

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The manager’s style also includes an exciting high press, which could yet help Boro bridge the gap on an exciting Coventry side at the top of the Championship.

The fact is, although they run the risk of getting their next appointment wrong, Riverside chiefs could also take their side up another level entirely if they get things right.

As things stand, the battle seems to be between Gerrard and Wicky for the job. With both holding similar reputations though, it remains to be seen which direction Middlesbrough head towards.

Middlesbrough make "impressive" manager top target to replace Edwards