Goal efficiency
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Zamalek SC · Africa Cup of Nations · Defender · #13 · Egypt · 27 yrs
Ahmed Abou El Fotouh plays as a defender for Zamalek SC. Ahmed Abou El Fotouh is a represents Egypt, 27 years old, defender, currently at Zamalek SC. Ahmed Abou El Fotouh wears shirt number 13 for Zamalek SC. Ahmed Abou El Fotouh was born in Egypt on 1998-03-22. Ahmed Abou El Fotouh is 177 cm tall and weighs 68 kg. Ahmed Abou El Fotouh's Sportra profile tracks season statistics across Africa Cup of Nations, Arab Club Champions Cup, CAF Confederation Cup, World Cup, and other leagues. Ahmed Abou El Fotouh's page brings together career clubs, trophies, injury history, multi-competition stats, and related news headlines. On Sportra you can explore Ahmed Abou El Fotouh season statistics, transfer history, trophies, injury updates, and related news across every competition tracked in the profile.
| Season | Team |
|---|---|
| 2026 |  Egypt EGY |
| 2025 | Egypt EGY |
| 2025 |  Zamalek SC ZAM |
| 2024 | Egypt EGY |
| 2024 | Zamalek SC ZAM |
| Date | Type | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-11-02 | N/A |  Smouha SC SMO | Zamalek SC ZAM |
| 2019-01-31 | Loan | Zamalek SC ZAM | Smouha SC SMO |
Season intelligence
Profile as Defender: pressure magnet, defensive work. Archetype: Ball-winning midfielder. Season rating 6.8.
Scaled 0–99 from season output — map to fantasy, comparisons, or scouting cards.
Per-90 rates, efficiency ratios, and Sportra indices from season totals.
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Playmaking output: assists, key passes, and custom chance-creation signals.
Isolation threat and progressive carrying — volume plus success rate.
How often they draw fouls and stay out of trouble with cards.
Tackles, duels, and off-ball defensive contribution.
Shot-stopping, goals conceded, and penalty saves.
Minutes, availability, and how central they were to the team.
Every tracked category for this league and season, grouped by Sportra.
Ahmed Abou El Fotouh plays as a defender for Zamalek SC. Ahmed Abou El Fotouh is a represents Egypt, 27 years old, defender, currently at Zamalek SC. Ahmed Abou El Fotouh wears shirt number 13 for Zamalek SC. Ahmed Abou El Fotouh was born in Egypt on 1998-03-22. Ahmed Abou El Fotouh is 177 cm tall and weighs 68 kg. Ahmed Abou El Fotouh's Sportra profile tracks season statistics across Africa Cup of Nations, Arab Club Champions Cup, CAF Confederation Cup, World Cup, and other leagues. Ahmed Abou El Fotouh's page brings together career clubs, trophies, injury history, multi-competition stats, and related news headlines. On Sportra you can explore Ahmed Abou El Fotouh season statistics, transfer history, trophies, injury updates, and related news across every competition tracked in the profile.
| Season | Team |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Egypt EGY |
| 2025 | Egypt EGY |
| 2025 | Zamalek SC ZAM |
| 2024 | Egypt EGY |
| 2024 | Zamalek SC ZAM |
| Date | Type | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-11-02 | N/A | Smouha SC SMO | Zamalek SC ZAM |
| 2019-01-31 | Loan | Zamalek SC ZAM | Smouha SC SMO |
Season intelligence
Profile as Defender: pressure magnet, defensive work. Archetype: Ball-winning midfielder. Season rating 6.8.
Scaled 0–99 from season output — map to fantasy, comparisons, or scouting cards.
Per-90 rates, efficiency ratios, and Sportra indices from season totals.
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Playmaking output: assists, key passes, and custom chance-creation signals.
Isolation threat and progressive carrying — volume plus success rate.
How often they draw fouls and stay out of trouble with cards.
Tackles, duels, and off-ball defensive contribution.
Shot-stopping, goals conceded, and penalty saves.
Minutes, availability, and how central they were to the team.
Every tracked category for this league and season, grouped by Sportra.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty) Danny Murphy views Arsenal as clear favourites to win the Premier League and says only one team can stop the Gunners from retaining their title. Mikel Arteta’s side begin the defence of their Premier League title on Friday night when newly-promoted Coventry City visit the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal finished as runners-up for three successive seasons before finally lifting their first Premier League trophy since 2004 last term. Ex-England midfielder Murphy believes the outlook of the title race could yet change before the end of the summer transfer window, but says he currently ‘can’t look past’ Arsenal. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. The Gunners have enjoyed another strong transfer window, signing Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis while they are closing in on a £51m deal for England defender Ezri Konsa. Arsenal underlined their status as Premier League title favourites with an emphatic 3-0 win over Manchester City in Sunday’s Community Shield. ‘It is always hard to call it now, especially when it feels like all the top teams have a lot of business to do before the transfer window shuts, but I can’t look past Arsenal as champions,’ Murphy told BBC Sport. Arsenal are favourites to win the Premier League (Picture: Getty) ‘The main reasons being the momentum and confidence they will have from winning the Premier League already, but also the consistency of having the same manager and same players and just sprinkling even more quality on top. ‘They have not lost any of their best players and they have got a group who know what the manager expects from them and are completely on board with it. ‘Mikel Arteta didn’t need to spend half the pre-season drilling them with his methods like a new manager has to.’ Ex-England midfielder Danny Murphy (Picture: BBC) It has been suggested that Arsenal may have to withstand title challenges from the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. But Murphy believes Manchester City will once again be Arsenal’s biggest rival for the title in Enzo Maresca’s first season at the Etihad Stadium. ‘I look at the firepower Man City have got and, whoever the manager is and whoever they are playing against, they are still going to be able to score a lot of goals and win a lot of games,’ Murphy said. Danny Murphy's Premier League top-four prediction Arsenal Manchester City Liverpool Manchester United ‘I would still have them as being Arsenal’s nearest rivals.’ As for his former club Liverpool, Murphy cannot see Andoni Iraola’s side mounting a genuine title challenge but believes they will secure a top-four finish. ‘Liverpool might need a bit more time before they are challenging for the title again,’ Murphy added. New Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca (Picture: PA) ‘I am also not sure whether they think they have already got enough to replace Mohamed Salah by bringing in Victor Munoz and maybe giving Rio Ngumoha a bigger role, or whether they are really going to go for Paris St-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, or someone like him, in the next few days.’ Murphy also named newly-promoted Ipswich Town as his ‘surprise package’ in the Premier League. ‘I am not talking about the top four, but Ipswich might surprise a few people and, out of the the ones who have come up, be the team who don’t struggle,’ he said. ‘They have spent quite a lot, and brought in about a dozen players, like Sunderland did last year, and again they have brought in a similar type of player too, with a lot of athleticism. ‘Their manager Gary O’Neil did all right at Wolves and Bournemouth and he will be as well-equipped as ever to know which games to go after, and when to dig in.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have shared the Saudi Pro League spotlight since their moves to the Middle East, but the latest development surrounding the Frenchman's future could take their rivalry in a completely unexpected direction. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have shared the Saudi Pro League spotlight since their moves to the Middle East, but the latest development surrounding the Frenchman’s future could take their rivalry in a completely unexpected direction. With Benzema’s position at Al-Hilal increasingly uncertain, a surprising Turkish destination has now emerged, potentially setting up a blockbuster reunion with another global superstar. Benzema’s future has become increasingly complicated after Al-Hilal began considering a major overhaul of its attacking options. The former Real Madrid captain remains productive, but his place in Simone Inzaghi’s plans is reportedly under serious scrutiny, creating uncertainty over where the 38-year-old will play next. Benzema joined Al-Hilal in January after ending his spell with Al-Ittihad, but his time in Riyadh could already be approaching an unexpected conclusion. The Frenchman has scored nine goals and provided five assists in 13 appearances for the Blue Waves, showing that his individual numbers remain impressive despite the doubts surrounding his future. The club is reportedly considering terminating his contract as it looks to reshape its squad and accommodate another high-profile striker. Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins and Victor Osimhen have all emerged as possible targets, with Inzaghi understood to want another center-forward for the new campaign. Karim Benzema of Al Hilal celebrates with his coach Simone Inzaghi The situation is complicated by Benzema’s contract, as the striker reportedly wants the full amount owed for the final year of his deal before agreeing to leave. That demand has made negotiations more difficult and could determine whether Al-Hilal can move ahead with its preferred attacking changes. Turkish Super Lig suddenly enters the Benzema race That uncertainty has now opened the door to the surprise development involving Trabzonspor, which has reportedly made contact regarding Benzema. According to Turkish journalist Yagız Sabuncuoglu, the club has inquired about the conditions required to sign the veteran striker while its discussions with Al-Hilal continue. “Trabzonspor inquired about the conditions for Karim Benzema, who wears the Al-Hilal shirt!” Sabuncuoglu reported on X (formerly Twitter). He added: “Trabzonspor has not yet reached an agreement in their discussions with Al-Hilal. As the process continues, Karim Benzema was offered to Trabzonspor, and simultaneous talks with the French star have begun!” Trabzonspor, Al-Hilal ile yaptığı görüşmelerde henüz anlaşmaya varamadı. Süreç devam ederken Karim Benzema, Trabzonspor'a önerildi ve Fransız yıldızla eşzamanlı görüşmeler başladı! https://t.co/1ssqyHDXON— Yağız Sabuncuoğlu (@yagosabuncuoglu) August 18, 2026 The move represents a major change in Trabzonspor’s transfer strategy, particularly because the club had failed to close a deal for Darwin Nunez. With those negotiations yet to produce an agreement, Benzema has emerged as an experienced alternative for the attack. Mohamed Salah could make the move even bigger The biggest twist is the possibility that Benzema could join Mohamed Salah at Trabzonspor, creating a remarkable attacking partnership if the negotiations progress. Salah reportedly joined the Turkish club on a free transfer after leaving Liverpool, signing a two-year contract on August 6. Mohamed Salah at Trabzonspor That would give the Claret-Blues two of the most recognizable forwards of their generation in the same attack. Salah’s arrival has already transformed the profile of the Turkish club, while Benzema would add Champions League experience, elite finishing and the pedigree of a former Ballon d’Or winner. However, the talks remain at an early stage, and there is currently no
Trabzonspor host Ferencvaros at Papara Park on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League playoff-round tie, with both clubs now just two matches away from securing a place in the competition’s league phase. While the Turkish side enter on the back of a frustrating draw in their Super Lig opener, Ferencvaros arrive with […] The post Prediction: Trabzonspor vs Ferencvaros appeared first on SoccerNews.
Mohamed Salah’s arrival made a splash, but the Turkish Super Lig will probably become the latest league to end up as a bailout fund for Europe’s powerhousesMohamed Salah plays in Turkey now. So do Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard and Leroy Sané and Nathan Aké. Mason Greenwood and N’Golo Kanté and Dusan Vlahovic, too.Bruno Fernandes and Gabriel Martinelli may yet follow them there, depending on negotiations and moods and whatever else compels a footballer to leave one club for another. Continue reading...
SEASON PREVIEW : Taking over an unfinished squad and an injury prone defence while tasked with fitting in last year’s expensive signings and replacing Mohamed Salah means Andoni Iraola inherits many of the issues that plagued Arne Slot’s second season, writes Richard Jolly
Taking over an unfinished squad and an injury prone defence while tasked with fitting in last year’s expensive signings and replacing Mohamed Salah means Andoni Iraola inherits many of the issues that plagued Arne Slot’s second season, writes Richard Jolly
While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Cristiano Ronaldo is edging closer to his return for Al-Nassr, with Ange Postecoglou increasingly confident about the condition of his captain. While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Ronaldo has already returned to training after receiving an extended break following Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign and his wedding to Georgina Rodríguez. The 41-year-old missed the opening Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Fateh and Tuesday’s King’s Cup clash with Al-Diriyah, but his absence has allowed Postecoglou to assess his squad without its biggest star. Al-Nassr began the new campaign impressively, beating Al-Fateh 3-0 before overcoming Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the King’s Cup. Joao Felix played a starring role against Al-Diriyah, scoring twice, while Mohamed Simakan and Abdullah Al-Hamdan also found the net. Ronaldo was present around the team despite being unavailable for selection. Before the opening league game, he was filmed encouraging his teammates with a passionate message, telling them, “Passion… play, play, play, play, play. First game is always the difficult one.” Chills 🗣️🔥 Ange Postecoglou & Cristiano Ronaldo combined for a huge pre-game rev up before Al Nassr’s first game of the season. pic.twitter.com/B3Sy8Vjurp— Football360.com.au (@football360au) August 18, 2026 Postecoglou has also been careful to avoid rushing his captain back into competitive action. Ronaldo’s return from his post-World Cup break has been accompanied by a special fitness plan designed to build his match sharpness, with the coaching staff focused on making sure he begins the season in the best possible condition. Postecoglou reveals major Ronaldo update After the King’s Cup victory over Al-Diriyah, Postecoglou offered the clearest indication yet that Ronaldo’s return is moving in the right direction. “Ronaldo is working very hard. He had the World Cup, and he’s important to us. He was busier than any other player, and it’s crucial that he starts the season ready,” the Australian said. The Al-Nassr manager added that the Portuguese superstar has already completed a training session and suggested supporters will see him back with the squad soon. “He’s had a training session, and I’m happy. Day by day, you’ll see him soon,” Postecoglou explained, determined to give his captain enough time to regain full match fitness after a demanding summer. Cristiano Ronaldo in Al-Nassr training Will Al-Nassr change its system for Ronaldo? One of the most interesting parts of Postecoglou’s update concerned how Ronaldo will fit into the team’s tactical approach once he returns. Despite the Portuguese forward’s enormous influence, the coach insists that Al-Nassr’s strategy will remain largely unchanged when its captain comes back. “I don’t think we’ll change our strategy with Ronaldo’s return. When he joins the team, we’ll have more room for improvement,” the Australian manager said. That suggests that he believes Ronaldo can be integrated into the structure already taking shape rather than forcing the team to completely reorganize itself around him. That could be encouraging for the veteran forward, especially after Al-Nassr produced two convincing victories without him. The early performances from Felix, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, and Al-Hamdan have given Postecoglou additional attacking options while Ronaldo works his way back.
Liverpool’s rebuild on the wings could end with an extraordinary double raid on Paris Saint-Germain, with Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye both still firmly on the club’s radar. Andoni Iraola has made wide attacking reinforcements a major priority following Mohamed Salah’s departure, while Cody Gakpo could also leave for Tottenham. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add […] The post Liverpool pushing to make £155m double deal for attacking duo, personal terms agreed appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Cristiano Ronaldo could suffer a major blow in the Saudi Pro league as the conditions for an eventual departure of Karim Benzema from Al Hilal following the substitution drama have reportedly emerged. Cristiano Ronaldo has served as the marquee face of the Saudi Pro League since his arrival in 2022, playing a pivotal role in elevating the league’s global profile to attract star power, with Karim Benzema standing as one of his most prominent acquisitions. However, following recent sideline friction over a match substitution, reports indicate that conditions surrounding Benzema‘s potential exit from Al Hilal have intensified dramatically. Benzema departed Real Madrid in 2023 shortly after winning the Ballon d’Or, joining Al Ittihad where he eventually captured the Saudi Pro League title. However, contractual friction led the French forward to leave Al Ittihad and complete a blockbuster transfer to Al Hilal in February 2026 on one of the most lucrative deals in modern sports. Tension has been mounting ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, with Spanish outlet Diario AS reporting that Benzema is no longer viewed as central to manager Simone Inzaghi’s tactical plans. Under these circumstances, the club’s leadership favors brokering an exit, creating a delicate stalemate between the player and decision-makers. During Al Hilal‘s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Faisaly on Friday, August 14, Benzema opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 19th minute. However, with the match hanging in the balance at 3-2 in the second half, Inzaghi opted to substitute the French striker in the 70th minute for Mohamed Kader Meite, a move that clearly frustrated the veteran forward. 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🎥 #شاهد :غضب كريم بنزيما بعد استبداله 😨😨😨😨😨 pic.twitter.com/Ov2fBR0c6B— أخبار الهلال (@hilalstuff) August 14, 2026 Benzema voiced his frustration while walking off the pitch, confronting one of Inzaghi’s assistant coaches on the touchline. The fallout was immediate, as Benzema was subsequently dropped to the bench for the following King’s Cup fixture against Al Raed, logging just 25 minutes as a 65th-minute substitute. While relations between the manager and star player remain frayed, Diario AS reports that Benzema’s camp has maintained he has no intention of walking away from Al Hilal during the summer 2026 transfer window, intending to honor his contract through June 2027. Benzema’s departure conditions rise On Forbes’ 2026 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, Benzema ranked eighth overall with $104 million in total earnings ($100M salary, $4M endorsements), making him the third-highest-paid soccer player behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. That massive compensation package remains the primary obstacle to a departure, unless Al Hilal agree to pay out the final year of his deal. According to Saudi outlet Al Arriyadiyah, Al Hilal terminating Benzema’s contract hinges directly on securing a replacement striker. With Malcom and Joao Cancelo linked with exits and Darwin Nunez out of Inzaghi’s plans, Al Hilal face a foreign-player roster crunch while searching for an elite center forward suited to Inzaghi’s system. Reports out of Saudi Arabia have linked Al Hilal to Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins as potential replacements to lead the front line. However, no formal bids have materialized for either target. Al Hilal remain active in their pursuit of a marquee striker to lead the squad for the upcoming campaign, effectively phasing Benzema out of their medium-to-long-term plans. Yet until a definitive resolution is reached, the 38-year-old forward remains the second highest-paid player in Saudi Arabia behind Cristiano Ronaldo.
Liverpool have reportedly struck a deal with Ibrahim Mbaye (Picture: AP) Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Ibrahim Mbaye, according to reports in France. Mbaye is widely considered to be among the brightest young talents in French football having broken out of PSG’s academy ranks to make his senior debut for the club in 2024. In that time, the highly rated 18-year-old winger has made 42 appearances in all competitions for the European champions, chipping in with four goals and four assists. But Liverpool have been closely tracking Mbaye’s progress at PSG and appear to have made a significant breakthrough in their efforts to coax the teenager across the Channel. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins claims the Reds have now agreed on the financial terms of a five-year contract with Mbaye’s camp and the player himself is keen to push through a switch to Anfield. Bayer Leverkusen had also been pursuing a possible agreement to bring Mbaye to the Bundesliga, but the Senegal international is said to have his heart set on Merseyside. It’s believed Liverpool are pressing ahead with their pursuit of Bradley Barcola alongside their move for Mbaye and remain hopeful of pulling off a sensational double deal for the two PSG attackers. Mbaye has agreed personal terms over a move to Anfield (Picture: Getty) The young attacker has been capped 15 times by Senegal (Picture: Getty) The Reds are still yet to agree on a price with PSG for either Mbaye or Barcola, though, with the Ligue 1 giants reportedly demanding an eye-watering fee of £145million for the latter this summer. Both Mbaye and Barcola are tied into contracts in Paris until June 2028. In the aftermath of PSG’s Trophee des Champions defeat to Lens at the weekend, Luis Enrique hinted that there was still plenty of time for unhappy players to leave this summer. Liverpool are still working on a deal for Mbaye’s PSG team-mate Barcola (Picture: Getty) ‘We are a very young, very ambitious team,’ the PSG head coach told reporters. ‘It is important for us to make changes and look for players who enjoy playing our way and who love playing for PSG. That is very clear to us. ‘When a player doesn’t want to come here, or doesn’t have a smile on their face about being here, it is better to find another solution.’ Liverpool have had a relatively uneventful summer transfer window following Andoni Iraola’s arrival as head coach, bringing in Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo after wrapping up a deal for Jeremy Jacquet back in February. Meanwhile, the likes of Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa could all be set to follow Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate out the exit door at Anfield before next month’s deadline. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Bradley Barcola from PSG. They are looking to add more quality on the flanks, especially after Mohamed Salah’s departure. The 23-year-old PSG attacker is a priority target, and they have already agreed personal terms with the player. Bradley Barcola keen to leave Barcola is ready to […] The post 23-year-old Liverpool target agrees personal terms as Euro giants drop asking price appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Norwich City are at risk of losing key striker Mohamed Toure, with Hull City and FC Porto both having asked about him. The post Requested Information – Norwich City At Risk Of Losing Key Attacker appeared first on Inside Futbol | Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & Articles.
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty) Danny Murphy views Arsenal as clear favourites to win the Premier League and says only one team can stop the Gunners from retaining their title. Mikel Arteta’s side begin the defence of their Premier League title on Friday night when newly-promoted Coventry City visit the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal finished as runners-up for three successive seasons before finally lifting their first Premier League trophy since 2004 last term. Ex-England midfielder Murphy believes the outlook of the title race could yet change before the end of the summer transfer window, but says he currently ‘can’t look past’ Arsenal. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. The Gunners have enjoyed another strong transfer window, signing Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis while they are closing in on a £51m deal for England defender Ezri Konsa. Arsenal underlined their status as Premier League title favourites with an emphatic 3-0 win over Manchester City in Sunday’s Community Shield. ‘It is always hard to call it now, especially when it feels like all the top teams have a lot of business to do before the transfer window shuts, but I can’t look past Arsenal as champions,’ Murphy told BBC Sport. Arsenal are favourites to win the Premier League (Picture: Getty) ‘The main reasons being the momentum and confidence they will have from winning the Premier League already, but also the consistency of having the same manager and same players and just sprinkling even more quality on top. ‘They have not lost any of their best players and they have got a group who know what the manager expects from them and are completely on board with it. ‘Mikel Arteta didn’t need to spend half the pre-season drilling them with his methods like a new manager has to.’ Ex-England midfielder Danny Murphy (Picture: BBC) It has been suggested that Arsenal may have to withstand title challenges from the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. But Murphy believes Manchester City will once again be Arsenal’s biggest rival for the title in Enzo Maresca’s first season at the Etihad Stadium. ‘I look at the firepower Man City have got and, whoever the manager is and whoever they are playing against, they are still going to be able to score a lot of goals and win a lot of games,’ Murphy said. Danny Murphy's Premier League top-four prediction Arsenal Manchester City Liverpool Manchester United ‘I would still have them as being Arsenal’s nearest rivals.’ As for his former club Liverpool, Murphy cannot see Andoni Iraola’s side mounting a genuine title challenge but believes they will secure a top-four finish. ‘Liverpool might need a bit more time before they are challenging for the title again,’ Murphy added. New Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca (Picture: PA) ‘I am also not sure whether they think they have already got enough to replace Mohamed Salah by bringing in Victor Munoz and maybe giving Rio Ngumoha a bigger role, or whether they are really going to go for Paris St-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, or someone like him, in the next few days.’ Murphy also named newly-promoted Ipswich Town as his ‘surprise package’ in the Premier League. ‘I am not talking about the top four, but Ipswich might surprise a few people and, out of the the ones who have come up, be the team who don’t struggle,’ he said. ‘They have spent quite a lot, and brought in about a dozen players, like Sunderland did last year, and again they have brought in a similar type of player too, with a lot of athleticism. ‘Their manager Gary O’Neil did all right at Wolves and Bournemouth and he will be as well-equipped as ever to know which games to go after, and when to dig in.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have shared the Saudi Pro League spotlight since their moves to the Middle East, but the latest development surrounding the Frenchman's future could take their rivalry in a completely unexpected direction. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have shared the Saudi Pro League spotlight since their moves to the Middle East, but the latest development surrounding the Frenchman’s future could take their rivalry in a completely unexpected direction. With Benzema’s position at Al-Hilal increasingly uncertain, a surprising Turkish destination has now emerged, potentially setting up a blockbuster reunion with another global superstar. Benzema’s future has become increasingly complicated after Al-Hilal began considering a major overhaul of its attacking options. The former Real Madrid captain remains productive, but his place in Simone Inzaghi’s plans is reportedly under serious scrutiny, creating uncertainty over where the 38-year-old will play next. Benzema joined Al-Hilal in January after ending his spell with Al-Ittihad, but his time in Riyadh could already be approaching an unexpected conclusion. The Frenchman has scored nine goals and provided five assists in 13 appearances for the Blue Waves, showing that his individual numbers remain impressive despite the doubts surrounding his future. The club is reportedly considering terminating his contract as it looks to reshape its squad and accommodate another high-profile striker. Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins and Victor Osimhen have all emerged as possible targets, with Inzaghi understood to want another center-forward for the new campaign. Karim Benzema of Al Hilal celebrates with his coach Simone Inzaghi The situation is complicated by Benzema’s contract, as the striker reportedly wants the full amount owed for the final year of his deal before agreeing to leave. That demand has made negotiations more difficult and could determine whether Al-Hilal can move ahead with its preferred attacking changes. Turkish Super Lig suddenly enters the Benzema race That uncertainty has now opened the door to the surprise development involving Trabzonspor, which has reportedly made contact regarding Benzema. According to Turkish journalist Yagız Sabuncuoglu, the club has inquired about the conditions required to sign the veteran striker while its discussions with Al-Hilal continue. “Trabzonspor inquired about the conditions for Karim Benzema, who wears the Al-Hilal shirt!” Sabuncuoglu reported on X (formerly Twitter). He added: “Trabzonspor has not yet reached an agreement in their discussions with Al-Hilal. As the process continues, Karim Benzema was offered to Trabzonspor, and simultaneous talks with the French star have begun!” Trabzonspor, Al-Hilal ile yaptığı görüşmelerde henüz anlaşmaya varamadı. Süreç devam ederken Karim Benzema, Trabzonspor'a önerildi ve Fransız yıldızla eşzamanlı görüşmeler başladı! https://t.co/1ssqyHDXON— Yağız Sabuncuoğlu (@yagosabuncuoglu) August 18, 2026 The move represents a major change in Trabzonspor’s transfer strategy, particularly because the club had failed to close a deal for Darwin Nunez. With those negotiations yet to produce an agreement, Benzema has emerged as an experienced alternative for the attack. Mohamed Salah could make the move even bigger The biggest twist is the possibility that Benzema could join Mohamed Salah at Trabzonspor, creating a remarkable attacking partnership if the negotiations progress. Salah reportedly joined the Turkish club on a free transfer after leaving Liverpool, signing a two-year contract on August 6. Mohamed Salah at Trabzonspor That would give the Claret-Blues two of the most recognizable forwards of their generation in the same attack. Salah’s arrival has already transformed the profile of the Turkish club, while Benzema would add Champions League experience, elite finishing and the pedigree of a former Ballon d’Or winner. However, the talks remain at an early stage, and there is currently no
Trabzonspor host Ferencvaros at Papara Park on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League playoff-round tie, with both clubs now just two matches away from securing a place in the competition’s league phase. While the Turkish side enter on the back of a frustrating draw in their Super Lig opener, Ferencvaros arrive with […] The post Prediction: Trabzonspor vs Ferencvaros appeared first on SoccerNews.
Mohamed Salah’s arrival made a splash, but the Turkish Super Lig will probably become the latest league to end up as a bailout fund for Europe’s powerhousesMohamed Salah plays in Turkey now. So do Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard and Leroy Sané and Nathan Aké. Mason Greenwood and N’Golo Kanté and Dusan Vlahovic, too.Bruno Fernandes and Gabriel Martinelli may yet follow them there, depending on negotiations and moods and whatever else compels a footballer to leave one club for another. Continue reading...
SEASON PREVIEW : Taking over an unfinished squad and an injury prone defence while tasked with fitting in last year’s expensive signings and replacing Mohamed Salah means Andoni Iraola inherits many of the issues that plagued Arne Slot’s second season, writes Richard Jolly
Taking over an unfinished squad and an injury prone defence while tasked with fitting in last year’s expensive signings and replacing Mohamed Salah means Andoni Iraola inherits many of the issues that plagued Arne Slot’s second season, writes Richard Jolly
While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Cristiano Ronaldo is edging closer to his return for Al-Nassr, with Ange Postecoglou increasingly confident about the condition of his captain. While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Ronaldo has already returned to training after receiving an extended break following Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign and his wedding to Georgina Rodríguez. The 41-year-old missed the opening Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Fateh and Tuesday’s King’s Cup clash with Al-Diriyah, but his absence has allowed Postecoglou to assess his squad without its biggest star. Al-Nassr began the new campaign impressively, beating Al-Fateh 3-0 before overcoming Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the King’s Cup. Joao Felix played a starring role against Al-Diriyah, scoring twice, while Mohamed Simakan and Abdullah Al-Hamdan also found the net. Ronaldo was present around the team despite being unavailable for selection. Before the opening league game, he was filmed encouraging his teammates with a passionate message, telling them, “Passion… play, play, play, play, play. First game is always the difficult one.” Chills 🗣️🔥 Ange Postecoglou & Cristiano Ronaldo combined for a huge pre-game rev up before Al Nassr’s first game of the season. pic.twitter.com/B3Sy8Vjurp— Football360.com.au (@football360au) August 18, 2026 Postecoglou has also been careful to avoid rushing his captain back into competitive action. Ronaldo’s return from his post-World Cup break has been accompanied by a special fitness plan designed to build his match sharpness, with the coaching staff focused on making sure he begins the season in the best possible condition. Postecoglou reveals major Ronaldo update After the King’s Cup victory over Al-Diriyah, Postecoglou offered the clearest indication yet that Ronaldo’s return is moving in the right direction. “Ronaldo is working very hard. He had the World Cup, and he’s important to us. He was busier than any other player, and it’s crucial that he starts the season ready,” the Australian said. The Al-Nassr manager added that the Portuguese superstar has already completed a training session and suggested supporters will see him back with the squad soon. “He’s had a training session, and I’m happy. Day by day, you’ll see him soon,” Postecoglou explained, determined to give his captain enough time to regain full match fitness after a demanding summer. Cristiano Ronaldo in Al-Nassr training Will Al-Nassr change its system for Ronaldo? One of the most interesting parts of Postecoglou’s update concerned how Ronaldo will fit into the team’s tactical approach once he returns. Despite the Portuguese forward’s enormous influence, the coach insists that Al-Nassr’s strategy will remain largely unchanged when its captain comes back. “I don’t think we’ll change our strategy with Ronaldo’s return. When he joins the team, we’ll have more room for improvement,” the Australian manager said. That suggests that he believes Ronaldo can be integrated into the structure already taking shape rather than forcing the team to completely reorganize itself around him. That could be encouraging for the veteran forward, especially after Al-Nassr produced two convincing victories without him. The early performances from Felix, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, and Al-Hamdan have given Postecoglou additional attacking options while Ronaldo works his way back.
Liverpool’s rebuild on the wings could end with an extraordinary double raid on Paris Saint-Germain, with Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye both still firmly on the club’s radar. Andoni Iraola has made wide attacking reinforcements a major priority following Mohamed Salah’s departure, while Cody Gakpo could also leave for Tottenham. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add […] The post Liverpool pushing to make £155m double deal for attacking duo, personal terms agreed appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Cristiano Ronaldo could suffer a major blow in the Saudi Pro league as the conditions for an eventual departure of Karim Benzema from Al Hilal following the substitution drama have reportedly emerged. Cristiano Ronaldo has served as the marquee face of the Saudi Pro League since his arrival in 2022, playing a pivotal role in elevating the league’s global profile to attract star power, with Karim Benzema standing as one of his most prominent acquisitions. However, following recent sideline friction over a match substitution, reports indicate that conditions surrounding Benzema‘s potential exit from Al Hilal have intensified dramatically. Benzema departed Real Madrid in 2023 shortly after winning the Ballon d’Or, joining Al Ittihad where he eventually captured the Saudi Pro League title. However, contractual friction led the French forward to leave Al Ittihad and complete a blockbuster transfer to Al Hilal in February 2026 on one of the most lucrative deals in modern sports. Tension has been mounting ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, with Spanish outlet Diario AS reporting that Benzema is no longer viewed as central to manager Simone Inzaghi’s tactical plans. Under these circumstances, the club’s leadership favors brokering an exit, creating a delicate stalemate between the player and decision-makers. During Al Hilal‘s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Faisaly on Friday, August 14, Benzema opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 19th minute. However, with the match hanging in the balance at 3-2 in the second half, Inzaghi opted to substitute the French striker in the 70th minute for Mohamed Kader Meite, a move that clearly frustrated the veteran forward. 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🎥 #شاهد :غضب كريم بنزيما بعد استبداله 😨😨😨😨😨 pic.twitter.com/Ov2fBR0c6B— أخبار الهلال (@hilalstuff) August 14, 2026 Benzema voiced his frustration while walking off the pitch, confronting one of Inzaghi’s assistant coaches on the touchline. The fallout was immediate, as Benzema was subsequently dropped to the bench for the following King’s Cup fixture against Al Raed, logging just 25 minutes as a 65th-minute substitute. While relations between the manager and star player remain frayed, Diario AS reports that Benzema’s camp has maintained he has no intention of walking away from Al Hilal during the summer 2026 transfer window, intending to honor his contract through June 2027. Benzema’s departure conditions rise On Forbes’ 2026 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, Benzema ranked eighth overall with $104 million in total earnings ($100M salary, $4M endorsements), making him the third-highest-paid soccer player behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. That massive compensation package remains the primary obstacle to a departure, unless Al Hilal agree to pay out the final year of his deal. According to Saudi outlet Al Arriyadiyah, Al Hilal terminating Benzema’s contract hinges directly on securing a replacement striker. With Malcom and Joao Cancelo linked with exits and Darwin Nunez out of Inzaghi’s plans, Al Hilal face a foreign-player roster crunch while searching for an elite center forward suited to Inzaghi’s system. Reports out of Saudi Arabia have linked Al Hilal to Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins as potential replacements to lead the front line. However, no formal bids have materialized for either target. Al Hilal remain active in their pursuit of a marquee striker to lead the squad for the upcoming campaign, effectively phasing Benzema out of their medium-to-long-term plans. Yet until a definitive resolution is reached, the 38-year-old forward remains the second highest-paid player in Saudi Arabia behind Cristiano Ronaldo.
Liverpool have reportedly struck a deal with Ibrahim Mbaye (Picture: AP) Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Ibrahim Mbaye, according to reports in France. Mbaye is widely considered to be among the brightest young talents in French football having broken out of PSG’s academy ranks to make his senior debut for the club in 2024. In that time, the highly rated 18-year-old winger has made 42 appearances in all competitions for the European champions, chipping in with four goals and four assists. But Liverpool have been closely tracking Mbaye’s progress at PSG and appear to have made a significant breakthrough in their efforts to coax the teenager across the Channel. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins claims the Reds have now agreed on the financial terms of a five-year contract with Mbaye’s camp and the player himself is keen to push through a switch to Anfield. Bayer Leverkusen had also been pursuing a possible agreement to bring Mbaye to the Bundesliga, but the Senegal international is said to have his heart set on Merseyside. It’s believed Liverpool are pressing ahead with their pursuit of Bradley Barcola alongside their move for Mbaye and remain hopeful of pulling off a sensational double deal for the two PSG attackers. Mbaye has agreed personal terms over a move to Anfield (Picture: Getty) The young attacker has been capped 15 times by Senegal (Picture: Getty) The Reds are still yet to agree on a price with PSG for either Mbaye or Barcola, though, with the Ligue 1 giants reportedly demanding an eye-watering fee of £145million for the latter this summer. Both Mbaye and Barcola are tied into contracts in Paris until June 2028. In the aftermath of PSG’s Trophee des Champions defeat to Lens at the weekend, Luis Enrique hinted that there was still plenty of time for unhappy players to leave this summer. Liverpool are still working on a deal for Mbaye’s PSG team-mate Barcola (Picture: Getty) ‘We are a very young, very ambitious team,’ the PSG head coach told reporters. ‘It is important for us to make changes and look for players who enjoy playing our way and who love playing for PSG. That is very clear to us. ‘When a player doesn’t want to come here, or doesn’t have a smile on their face about being here, it is better to find another solution.’ Liverpool have had a relatively uneventful summer transfer window following Andoni Iraola’s arrival as head coach, bringing in Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo after wrapping up a deal for Jeremy Jacquet back in February. Meanwhile, the likes of Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa could all be set to follow Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate out the exit door at Anfield before next month’s deadline. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Bradley Barcola from PSG. They are looking to add more quality on the flanks, especially after Mohamed Salah’s departure. The 23-year-old PSG attacker is a priority target, and they have already agreed personal terms with the player. Bradley Barcola keen to leave Barcola is ready to […] The post 23-year-old Liverpool target agrees personal terms as Euro giants drop asking price appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Norwich City are at risk of losing key striker Mohamed Toure, with Hull City and FC Porto both having asked about him. The post Requested Information – Norwich City At Risk Of Losing Key Attacker appeared first on Inside Futbol | Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & Articles.
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