It's fair to say England's homecoming didn't go to plan on Saturday. Returning to action for the first time since winning the European Championship this past summer, the Lionesses were 2-0 down just 18 minutes into their meeting with Brazil, and despite the visitors going down to 10 players not long after scoring that second, England could not make their numerical advantage count in a disappointing 2-1 defeat. What will have made the loss even more frustrating for some, though, was that it came amid a lack of experimentation from Sarina Wiegman.

"It's really good that we have four friendlies over these couple of months," the manager had said in her pre-match press conference. "What you also want to do is try out new things, see players, see different combinations, so there's a huge opportunity." Yet, the line up she wheeled out for the first instalment of this four-legged 'homecoming series' was mainly made up of the Lionesses' tried and trusted stars, featuring six players who started the Euro 2025 final and, in Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly, two established names who were regular substitutes during that tournament.

There are two sides to that story. Brazil are a top team, the South American champions no less, and to experiment too much could put any young and inexperienced players at the heart of that in a situation with more negatives than positives. "We brought players into the squad that are in our environment for the first time," Wiegman noted after Saturday's defeat. "So let's see how they adapt to the situation."

However, this ongoing international break and the one coming up in late November are the only windows England have to really try out different things until at least October 2026, because of the qualifying campaign for the 2027 Women's World Cup beginning in February. It's a period Wiegman and the Lionesses absolutely must take advantage of, in order to see which fresh faces are ready to be a part of this team as that new cycle starts.

So, which players should the England boss be looking at giving an opportunity? Ahead of Tuesday's clash with Australia, GOAL picks out six names…

Getty ImagesAnna Moorhouse

One of the most significant names in Wiegman's starting line up on Saturday was that of Khiara Keating, the 21-year-old Manchester City goalkeeper who was granted a senior international debut at the Etihad Stadium, of all places. The young shot-stopper started a little nervously but grew into the game as England finally addressed the fact that Hannah Hampton, who missed the game with injury, was the only capped goalkeeper in the squad.

However, that doesn't mean that issue is now solved. Injuries happen in football and the way that unit is fixed right now, it is vulnerable to being put in a difficult position if something was to happen, as neither Anna Moorhouse nor Sophie Baggaley, called up in light of Hampton's injury, have a cap to their name still.

Moorhouse has been around this group for a while now. She earned her first call-up in July 2024 and has not missed a camp since, with her part of the squad that won Euro 2025. Yet, she's still waiting for that debut, and Tuesday would be a great time to grant it, particularly with there no need to risk Hampton despite Wiegman admitting that she is progressing well ahead of that game.

Aged 30, Moorhouse has plenty of club experience, helping the Orlando Pride to win the NWSL Shield and Championship last year, so already presents a solid option in between the sticks. A taste of international experience, though, would certainly be beneficial if she was to be called upon in unexpected circumstances in the future.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLaura Blindkilde Brown

England don't have much established depth in the deeper midfield positions, behind Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway, but they do have one of the Women's Super League's most in-form players in that department in their squad for this window, in Laura Blindkilde Brown. The 22-year-old has been playing brilliantly, and consistently, for Manchester City at the start of this new season and looks like a perfect solution to the issue the Lionesses have in that area.

Surprisingly, given her form, Blindkilde Brown didn't get on the pitch at the Etihad on Saturday, with Wiegman opting to throw on Michelle Agyemang for the final few minutes when she withdrew Stanway. One would expect a little rotation for Tuesday's clash with Australia, though, and Blindkilde Brown should be right near the front of the queue when it comes to who is presented an opportunity in that situation. 

The former Aston Villa star only has one cap to her name so far, but should be a player who adds to that total plenty over the course of this next cycle as she looks to grow into an important piece for England.

Getty ImagesLucia Kendall

For similar reasons, it would make sense for Wiegman to get a little look at Lucia Kendall in action in this camp, too. The 21-year-old has come through the youth ranks and now stepped into the senior picture as the Lionesses look to build up that depth in midfield, having started her first season at Aston Villa, and first in the WSL, strongly.

Wiegman's comments about seeing how the newcomers in camp adapt to the environment may suggest that Kendall, accepting her first senior call-up, will have to wait for her opportunity. However, the England boss did give debuts to both Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace during their first camps last December, and the word is that Kendall is settling in nicely. It would be nice to see the midfielder – who can also play at right-back, which is another position of concern for the Lionesses when it comes to depth – get a few minutes off the bench before the window is out.

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Getty ImagesAggie Beever-Jones

Wiegman didn't make many subs on Saturday, but she did still give Aggie Beever-Jones a good 30-minute run-out, albeit in a wide role. England are lacking wingers in this camp, owing to injuries for Lauren James and Lauren Hemp and then the withdrawals of both Jess Park and Grace Clinton, so there was something of a needs-must factor involved in the decision.

However, Beever-Jones has scored more WSL goals this season than any other England international while largely playing in a central position. It's one she has essentially become the back-up for in this Lionesses squad, with Alessia Russo unlikely to lose her starting spot anytime soon, but there is a need for the Chelsea star to make more starts there in order to build greater understanding and chemistry with those who will be providing the service to her when she is in that role.

Given Russo is almost always going to be in the England line up when competitive action rolls around, friendlies are a good chance to give Beever-Jones that time on the pitch. Throw in that Russo is much less likely to be rotated out of the XI at Arsenal as well, compared to Beever-Jones in a more stacked Chelsea squad, and giving the Gunners' centre-forward a rest is another reason to switch things up in attack on Tuesday.

Kotian and Kamboj shared a 121-run stand before Kamboj got two wickets in an over

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jun-2025Tanush Kotian and Anshul Kamboj headlined the final day of the second unofficial Test between England Lions and India A as the match ended in a draw. The two shared an unbroken 121-run stand for the eighth wicket before Kamboj also struck twice in an over before the teams shook hands.The partnership lasted the entirety of the middle sessions, and they scored at a touch over five runs an over for the 29.4 overs they batted together.India A were already looking to accelerate towards the end of the first session, which ended with Shardul Thakur bowled by George Hill as he drove down the wrong line.Kotian and Kamboj then piled on the runs for India A, and the team decided to push back their declaration till the tea break, even if they could have had a crack at Lions earlier in the game.0:28

Watch – Gill faces Bumrah at the nets

Kotian, who signalled his intentions early in his knock with a six off Josh Tongue, took the attack to Farhan Ahmed and the 17-year-old offspinner ended up conceding over 108 runs without a wicket.Like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Thakur before him, Kotian targeted the spinner with big hits down the ground, while Kamboj was happy to dispatch anything short or overpitched from the fast bowlers.They brought up their half-century stand off just 56 balls, soon after which Kotian scored his 16th first class fifty. The tall allrounder then quickened his scoring, with an array of strokes ranging from classical shots to more improvised ones like a ramp over the slips cordon.Lions soon turned to part-time options like their openers Tom Haines and Ben McKinney as well as Emilio Gay, and it allowed Kamboj to ramp up his intent and bring up a maiden first-class fifty. Kamboj’s shot of the day was when he took on a slot ball from Haines and lofted it down the ground for six.After the tea break, the Lions came out to bat, with the declaration leaving Kotian 10 runs short of a fourth first-class century.It was Tushar Deshpande who got the first wicket when he drew Haines’ outside edge and Reddy took a diving catch to his left. Then Kamboj, in his second over, had Gay edging behind before beating Jordan Cox’s outside edge to knock him over.The day had begun for India A with Reddy and Dhruv Jurel watchfully playing out the first hour, although Tongue had Reddy edging to first slip where a regulation chance went down.Reddy was on 17 then and he later brought out some big hits against Farhan to get to 42 before Hill, in the first over of his spell, castled him with a beauty. He got a length ball to seam in from outside off, with Reddy leaving a big gap as he fended down the wrong line.In between the dropped chance and Reddy’s wicket, Eddie Jack, who extracted appreciable movement off the pitch, got one to nip away and take Jurel’s outside edge.Thakur was enterprising in his innings, cutting Jack for four and hitting back-to-back sixes down the ground off Farhan. He tried to drive Hill through mid-off but Hill got it to seam in between bat and pad to end his cameo on 34 off 47 balls.Among the bowlers from the England squad for the first Test, Chris Woakes bowled just three overs on the final day, and Tongue, who became an injury worry for the first Test when he hobbled off on the third day after bowling four overs, came out and bowled five on day four and looked in good rhythm in his spell.

يستعد فريق الأهلي السعودي لمباراة قوية تجمعه مع السد القطري، بالمواجهة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال آسيا 2025-2026.

وتلعب مباراة الأهلي والسد، على أرضية استاد جاسم بن حمد في العاصمة القطرية الدوحة، وذلك ضمن لقاءات الجولة الرابعة من دوري أبطال آسيا.

الأهلي يدخل المباراة وهو في المركز الرابع في المجموعة، ولديه 7 نقاط، بعدما فاز بـ مباراتين وتعادل مرة واحدة دون تلقى أي هزائم.

ترتيب دوري أبطال آسيا بعد فوز الهلال على الغرافة

ويحتل السد المركز العاشر في جدول ترتيب المجموعة ولديه نقطتين من التعادل في مباراتين، وتلقى هزيمة وحيدة.   موعد مباراة الأهلي والسد اليوم في دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة

تنطلق صافرة بداية اللقاء بين الأهلي والسد، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء 4 نوفمبر 2025، في تمام الساعة 7:00 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، والساعة 6:00 مساءً بتوقيت مكة المكرمة والدوحة. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي والسد اليوم في دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة

ومن المقرر أن تذاع المباراة بين الأهلي والسد عبر قناة beIN SPORTS HD3، وقناة الكأس 5. معلق مباراة الاتحاد والشارقة اليوم في دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة

ويتولى الثنائي حسن العيدروس وخليل البلوشي، مهمة التعليق على أحداث المباراة بين الاتحاد والشارقة.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــــا

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle have built their season on defensive solidity.

Heading into their clash with Arsenal, the Magpies boasted the lowest expected goals conceded (xGA) in the league at 2.5, highlighting just how compact and resilient they had been.

That statistic shifted after Arsenal generated 2.04 xG at St James’ Park, pushing Newcastle down to second-best in the league.

Even so, Howe’s side have only conceded five goals all season while keeping four clean sheets, with only Liverpool and Arsenal managing to find the net against them.

Against the Gunners, Newcastle were disciplined and well-drilled, often forcing Mikel Arteta’s side into less threatening areas.

Yet all that hard work was undone in the 96th minute, when Gabriel Magalhães rose highest to score the winner.

How Gabriel helped to down Newcastle

It was a bitter pill to swallow given how well Newcastle had restricted Arsenal, but Gabriel’s decisive intervention underlined the fine margins at this level.

The Brazilian’s influence was evident beyond his goal. He disrupted Nick Woltemade and marshalled the defensive line with authority.

His performance earned him a man-of-the-match rating of 8.6 – a reminder of just how important he is to Arsenal’s title push.

Even if there was that one blemish with Woltemade, it’s safe to say he’s become a force in the Premier League in recent years.

Gabriel’s journey at Arsenal since arriving from Lille in 2020 has been one of steady progression.

Now 27 years old and valued at around £70m by Transfermarkt, he has cemented his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most commanding centre-backs.

His partnership with William Saliba has been the bedrock of Arsenal’s recent success.

Together they have anchored a backline that has kept 29 clean sheets over the last two seasons, while goalkeeper David Raya has claimed consecutive Golden Glove awards.

Beyond his defensive qualities, Gabriel provides a consistent goal threat.

His headed winner against Newcastle was his 21st goal for Arsenal, a remarkable tally for a central defender.

That ability to contribute at both ends makes him invaluable to Mikel Arteta’s side. Statistically, he remains a well-rounded force.

Gabriel – 2025/26
Matches Played	6
Minutes	540
Goals	1
Tackles	8
Blocks	12
Source: FBref

He completes just over 56 passes per match with a 90.2% accuracy rate, while also contributing 4.79 progressive passes per 90 minutes.

Defensively, he averages 0.95 tackles, 0.46 challenges, and 1.6 blocks per 90, illustrating his balance of proactive interventions and last-ditch defending.

His dominance in the air, as demonstrated against Newcastle, adds yet another dimension to his game.

Having also earned 15 caps for Brazil, Gabriel is now a figure of experience and consistency on the international stage.

If Arsenal are to go one better than last season, his blend of physicality, set-piece threat, and defensive nous will be central to their challenge.

But, do the Toon have their own answer to the big Brazilian?

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Newcastle's answer to Gabriel

While Gabriel left St James’ Park with the headlines, Malick Thiaw walked away with plenty of admirers after what has been described as an “outstanding” performance.

The 24-year-old German, a £30m signing from AC Milan, is only a handful of games into his Newcastle career but already looks like a player with huge potential.

Thiaw’s numbers against Arsenal painted the picture of a defender unfazed by one of the toughest attacking units in Europe.

He won four of his six aerial duels, cleared his lines eight times, and registered one interception.

Crucially, he was not dribbled past once, underlining his ability to stand his ground in one-v-one situations.

On the ball, he attempted 23 passes, completing 20, showing the composure that made him such an attractive signing.

He sits in the 95th percentile for pass completion among centre-backs in Europe (93.1%), completing almost 59 passes per match.

He averages 4.43 progressive passes per 90, nearly identical to Gabriel’s 4.79, and also attempts more progressive carries, at 0.60 per 90 compared to Gabriel’s 0.38.

Defensively, Thiaw’s 1.19 tackles per 90 outstrip Gabriel’s 0.95, while he also makes 0.70 blocks per 90.

These numbers highlight subtle differences in style. Gabriel excels in last-ditch defending and aerial duels, while Thiaw appears more proactive in stepping out to intercept and more comfortable driving play forward.

Both are commanding presences, titans at the back, but Thiaw’s on-ball security may give Newcastle an edge in building from the back once Eddie Howe’s attacking system clicks.

The prospect of the summer arrival forming a long-term partnership with Sven Botman is tantalising.

Botman’s anticipation and positional discipline, combined with Thiaw’s composure, could provide Newcastle with a defensive pairing to rival Arsenal’s Gabriel-Saliba axis.

Against Arsenal, Thiaw didn’t just look like a stopgap in Fabian Schär’s absence – he looked like a centre-half ready to shape Newcastle’s future.

His performance against the Gunners suggested he has the physicality, intelligence, and technical quality to become one of the Premier League’s standout defenders.

If Newcastle’s rise continues, Thiaw could be at the heart of it.

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Sep 29, 2025

Juventus are in advanced talks with ex-Italy and Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti to replace Igor Tudor, who was sacked after a dismal run of results. The Bianconeri view Spalletti as the ideal figure to lead their rebuild, with negotiations already underway following the club’s decision to appoint Massimo Brambilla as interim boss.

Juventus move swiftly after Tudor dismissal

Juventus have wasted no time in identifying a successor following the sacking of Igor Tudor on Monday. The Croatian's reign came to an abrupt end after an eight-game winless run culminated in a 1-0 defeat to Lazio, leaving the club’s leadership with little choice but to act. Tudor, who replaced Thiago Motta in March, had initially secured Champions League qualification and earned a contract extension until 2028, but his side’s poor start to the new season proved costly.

Massimo Brambilla, coach of Juve’s Next Gen side, will take charge on an interim basis for the Serie A midweek clash against Udinese. However, the club are determined to secure a long-term solution quickly, and all signs point to Spalletti emerging as the frontrunner to take the job.

According to , the former Napoli and Italy boss is understood to be open to returning to club management after stepping down from the national team earlier this year. With his proven track record in Italian football and tactical pedigree, Spalletti’s profile fits Juventus’ desire to rebuild stability and identity after years of managerial turnover.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSpalletti emerges as Juventus’ top target

According to reports, the Bianconeri have already made initial contact with Spalletti’s camp. Talks have reportedly begun through an intermediary, with the club receiving positive feedback from the 66-year-old, who is said to be “open and enthusiastic” about the idea of taking over in Turin. Juve have proposed an initial six-month contract with an option to extend, potentially linked to Champions League qualification. Spalletti, meanwhile, is believed to prefer a longer deal of around 18 months but remains flexible as discussions continue.

Having guided Napoli to their first Scudetto in over three decades during the 2022-23 season, Spalletti’s reputation as one of Serie A’s most tactically astute managers remains strong. His work with younger players and attacking philosophy align with Juventus’ recent attempts to refresh their squad under sporting director Damien Comolli.

Spalletti’s experience with Roma, Inter, and Napoli adds weight to his candidacy, while his brief but turbulent spell with the national team ending after Italy’s early Euro 2024 exit means he is eager to prove himself once more at club level.

Juventus’ managerial shortlist: Mancini, De Rossi, Xavi and more

While the former Azzurri manager remains the leading candidate, the Old Lady are also exploring several alternatives as they evaluate both sporting and financial options. Roberto Mancini, another high-profile Italian coach and former Italy boss, is one of the names on the club’s radar. Although currently out of work, Mancini’s salary demands and recent departure from Italy’s national setup could complicate negotiations.

Another potential candidate is Raffaele Palladino, a former Juventus player and free agent following his spell at Fiorentina. The 41-year-old has been endorsed by sporting consultant Francesco Modesto, who previously worked with him at Monza. Palladino would represent a more financially sustainable choice compared to Spalletti, especially with the club still paying off Thiago Motta’s contract, which runs until 2027.

According to , the Serie A giants are also keeping tabs on Daniele De Rossi, Xavi Hernandez and Edin Terzic as part of a broader contingency plan. However, sources close to the club insist that Spalletti remains the clear favourite, with talks described as “progressing positively.”

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AFPSpalletti appointment could be sealed soon

Juventus’ immediate focus will be on steadying results under interim boss Brambilla while negotiations with Spalletti advance behind the scenes. The Bianconeri face Udinese in midweek before taking on Cremonese in Serie A and Sporting CP in the Champions League – two crucial fixtures that could shape the timing of the new coach’s arrival.

The club’s hierarchy are pushing for a swift agreement, ideally finalising Spalletti’s appointment before the big clash against Sporting. Talks are said to be progressing positively, with both sides eager to reach common ground on contract terms and duration.

For Juve, the move would mark the beginning of yet another rebuild but one guided by a proven Serie A winner whose tactical acumen and leadership could reignite their domestic and continental ambitions. For Spalletti, it represents a chance at redemption and a return to the elite stage after a challenging summer with Italy.

Manchester City have made a promising start to the season, following some early concerns, and could now be set to make further progress in the January transfer window.

Manchester City gain ground on Liverpool in Premier League race

Pep Guardiola led his side to a convincing victory over Burnley last weekend and would’ve been delighted to hear that Liverpool lost ground in the Premier League title race after a surprise loss to Crystal Palace.

Of course, Arsenal’s last-gasp triumph at Newcastle United has left Mikel Arteta’s side only two points off the top, though the Citizens being five points off the summit is a scenario they would’ve taken after losing back-to-back matches against Brighton and Tottenham Hotspur earlier this term.

Furthering the positive feeling at the Etihad Stadium, Savinho is close to signing a contract extension at Manchester City, closing the curtain on uncertainty surrounding his future after Spurs attempted to bring him in during the summer window.

After a window of upheaval that saw several new arrivals and some key departures, Guardiola told NBC Sports after his side crushed Burnley that he was delighted with his squad’s ‘extraordinary’ solidarity after a statement win on home soil.

He stated: “I didn’t expect otherwise or differently (than to have to work hard to beat Burnley). Premier League is always tough, but since the Manchester United game our spirit is much, much better. We defend as a group, the solidarity is beyond extraordinary, and that is the path.”

After succumbing to Liverpool’s excellent season last term, Manchester City appear to be slowly putting together a run of results and will hope to strengthen in January to heighten the possibility of claiming another Premier League crown.

Now, they look to have set eyes on a potential new recruit who could be pivotal to achieving that mission if they can push a deal over the line.

Manchester City preparing Aleksandar Pavlovic bid

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester City are preparing a £43.5 million bid to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic, who is viewed as one of Europe’s brightest midfield talents. Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on the Germany international, and it is suggested that the Bundesliga holders could be open to sanctioning his exit once the January transfer window opens.

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Labelled “very dominant” by Julian Nagelsmann, Pavlovic has scored once in six appearances across all competitions, and he has also made 13 recoveries on league duty, per Fotmob.

Similarities with Rodri have made him a potential successor to the Spaniard, who has had his fair share of injury issues to deal with over recent times.

Nevertheless, all focus now will be on whether Manchester City can convince Pavlovic that moving to the Etihad Stadium would be the best move for his career at 21 years of age.

Tottenham Hotspur have now joined the race for a “fantastic” midfielder, as they believe he would be a perfect fit for the Premier League.

Spurs looking to sign new midfielder amid Bissouma uncertainty

Yves Bissouma was widely expected to leave Tottenham during the summer transfer window, given the central midfielder’s well-documented fall-out with Thomas Frank, but the Malian ultimately remained at N17 following an injury blow.

Since then, Bissouma has managed to return to action, but he was recently stretchered off after being on the receiving end of a heavy challenge during Mali’s 4-1 victory over Madagascar in World Cup qualifying.

It remains to be seen whether the north Londoners are able to get the midfielder off the books in the January transfer window, but it doesn’t seem like he stands much chance of getting back in the side, given the fantastic start Joao Palhinha has made.

With an average SofaScore match rating of 7.21 in the Premier League, Palhinha is ranked as Spurs’ joint-second best-performing player so far this season, which suggests bringing in a new defensive midfielder will not be necessary anytime soon.

However, Tottenham have now joined the race for a central midfielder, according to a report from Caught Offside, which states they have taken an interest in FC Porto’s Victor Froholdt, who is also being targeted by Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion and Atletico Madrid.

The Lilywhites believe Froholdt’s energy and physical attributes mean he is perfect for the Premier League, and with Porto open to offers, a move could be possible in 2026, although any deal is likely to be on the expensive side.

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The Portuguese club are looking to receive a fee of around €50m – €60m (£43m – £52m), with the race for the midfielder’s signature heating up following several scouting missions.

"Fantastic" Froholdt impressing for club and country

The Danish maestro, who is represented by the same agent as Frank, only arrived at FC Porto in the summer, joining from FC Copenhagen, but scout Jacek Kulig has been left very impressed by the way he has adjusted to life in the Liga Portugal.

Not only has the 19-year-old caught the eye for Porto, but he has also impressed for Denmark in the current international break, chipping in with one goal and two assists across games against Belarus and Greece.

It is still very early days for Froholdt, with the youngster yet to prove himself in a major European league, but if he continues to develop at his current rate, Tottenham should undoubtedly consider a move in 2026.

West Ham United have splashed the cash on some big signings over the years following their move to the London Stadium.

However, the Hammers have also sold a plethora of Irons stars for mega money, even dealing with Premier League rivals on numerous occasions.

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Here is a look at West Ham’s 20 largest sales in their history, with a detailed view at the top 10.

1

Declan Rice

£105m

Arsenal

2023

2

Mohammed Kudus

£55m

Tottenham

2025

3

Dimitri Payet

£25m

Marseille

2017

4

Carlos Tevez

£25m

Man City

2009

5

Gianluca Scamacca

£22.5m

Atalanta

2023

6

Marko Arnautovic

£22.4m

Shanghai SIPG

2019

7

Nayef Aguerd

£20m

Marseille

2025

8

Sebastien Haller

£20m

Ajax

2021

9

Javier Mascherano

£18.7m

Liverpool

2007

=10

Andre Ayew

£18m

Swansea

2018

=10

Rio Ferdinand

£18m

Leeds

2000

=12

Flynn Downes

£15m

Southampton

2024

=12

Issa Diop

£15m

Fulham

2022

14

Craig Bellamy

£14m

Man City

2009

15

Grady Diangana

£12m

West Brom

2020

=16

Said Benrahma

£11.9m

Lyon

2024

=16

Frank Lampard

£11m

West Ham

2001

=16

James Tomkins

£10m

Crystal Palace

2001

=16

Thilo Kehrer

£9.5m

Monaco

2024

20

Cheikhou Kouyate

£9.5m

Crystal Palace

2018

10 Andre Ayew £18m to Swansea, 2018

Swansea City made Andre Ayew their record signing in 2018, and he remains the biggest addition for the Jacks.

Ayew actually joined West Ham from Swansea in 2016, and the Ghanian made 50 appearances for the Hammers.

9 Javier Mascherano £18.7m to Liverpool, 2007

After signing for West Ham from Corinthians in 2006, Javier Mascherano only made seven Irons appearances before he was on the move again.

Rivals Liverpool liked what they saw and signed the Argentine in 2007 following lengthy FIFA and Premier League approval, with West Ham pocketing a reported £18.7m in total.

8 Sebastien Haller £20m to Ajax, 2021

A £45m signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, Sebastien Haller scored 14 goals in 54 games and struggled at the London Stadium.

He was sold to Ajax for £20m 18 months later, where Haller would enjoy his best goalscoring form of his career.

7 Nayef Aguerd £20m to Marseille, 2025

Defender Nayef Aguerd came in with big expectations after a £30m move from Rennes, however, after two seasons where he was never a regular, the Moroccan was loaned out to Real Sociedad.

Then, in 2025, Aguerd was sold permanently for £20m to Marseille, so at least the Hammers recouped over half of what they paid.

6 Marko Arnautovic £22.4m to Shanghai SIPG, 2019

After impressing for Stoke City across four separate Premier League seasons, Marko Arnautovic was signed by West Ham for a then club-record £20m fee.

The Austrian contributed to 34 goals in 65 games in a Hammers shirt, with the club then making a small profit when selling Arnautovic to Chinese side Shanghai SIPG two years later.

5 Gianluca Scamacca £22.5m to Atalanta, 2023

Gianluca Scamacca can go down as one of many West Ham strikers who arrived for big money but failed to live up to the hype.

The Italian scored eight goals in 27 games for the Hammers after arriving for £35.5m from Sassuolo and returned to his native country 12 months later.

4 Carlos Tevez £25m to Man City, 2009

Carlos Tevez’s permanent exit from West Ham was complicated. After a two-year loan spell at Man Utd, it was Man City who came in and paid the Hammers £25m for the Argentine forward.

Tevez only played for West Ham in the 2006/07 season, contributing to 11 goals in 29 games helping the Irons avoid relegation.

3 Dimitri Payet £25m to Marseille, 2017

Dimitri Payet was a firm fan favourite for the majority of his West Ham career, starring with his creativity and set piece ability.

However, after handing in a transfer request in 2017, the mood towards Payet changed, but he got his wish with a £25m move back to Marseille.

2 Mohammed Kudus £55m to Tottenham, 2025

Mohammed Kudus cost West Ham £38m from Ajax in 2023, so when Tottenham offered them a £17m profit two years later, the Hammers were happy to cash in.

The Ghanian lit up the London Stadium and averaged a goal every four games in his short time with the Irons.

1 Declan Rice £105m to Arsenal, 2023

No surprise to see Declan Rice as West Ham’s biggest departure of all time, and his £105m move to Arsenal may never be beaten.

The midfielder came through the Hammers’ academy and starred at the London Stadium, even captaining the club in their Europa Conference League triumph in 2023.

In total, Rice made 245 appearances for West Ham, scoring 15 goals.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is in line to receive a welcome boost, with one star now expected to make an earlier return from injury.

Mikel Arteta shares Arsenal injury update pre-Fulham

The return of Premier League football after another tedious international break, much to the delight of Gunners supporters, is now imminent.

Arsenal take on Marco Silva’s Fulham at Craven Cottage, with Arteta looking to extend his side’s seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions and maintain their place atop the Premier League table.

The North Londoners have failed to win at Fulham’s ground in each of their last two visits, losing 2-1 there at the end of 2023 and drawing 1-1 a year later.

Silva has worked wonders on a shoe-string budget since guiding Fulham to promotion and an immediate return back to the top flight in 2022/2023, and the Whites are currently faring much better than a few of last summer’s much more lavish spenders.

Premier League Clubs ranked by summer Net Spend

Rank

Club

Gross Spend

Sales

Net Spend

15.

Crystal Palace

£48.9m

£67.5m

+£17.7m

14.

Aston Villa

£28m

£43m

+£15m

13.

Fulham

£35.1m

£8.7m

-£26.4m

12.

Burnley

£97.7m

£31m

-£66.7m

11.

West Ham

£131.3m

£55m

-£76.3m

See where Arsenal rank here…

Arteta currently has a few key players out as well, with club captain Martin Odegaard, summer signing Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all unavailable for their trip across London.

Jesus is still recovering from his ACL tear, which has kept him out since last winter, and reports suggest that Arsenal could even sell the Brazilian in January following the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres.

Madueke was in red-hot form before he was sidelined with a knee problem, which was a major blow for the England international, and Odegaard swiftly returned to the treatment table with his own knee issue after just coming back from a shoulder injury.

Havertz, meanwhile, played just half an hour this season before he too suffered a knee complication.

Speaking of the German, reliable club insider HandOfArsenal has shared a very encouraging update on Havertz’s progress via X, which provides further insight into what Arteta said in his pre-Fulham press conference.

Kai Havertz could return "earlier than expected" with Arsenal staff "blown away"

It is believed the attacker is striving to make an earlier return than anticipated, and his performances in rehab have even left Arsenal staff blown away.

This is undoubtedly excellent news for Arsenal, as the 26-year-old has become a crucial figure for Arteta.

Last campaign, Havertz was a key man in their attacking lineup across all competitions, showcasing his creativity and versatility with 15 goals and 5 assists — including four strikes in the Champions League.

These numbers would’ve been even greater if not for a hamstring injury which kept him out for three months towards the end of 2024/2025, and his potentially imminent presence will relieve some of the creative burden on Arsenal’s available forward line.

Havertz will also keep Gyokeres firmly on his toes, with the Swede currently on a six-game streak without scoring.

Guglielmo Vicario joined an elite club after bailing Tottenham out in the Champions League draw as the Monaco boss, Sebastien Pocognoli, accused the goalkeeper of time-wasting. The keeper turned into an immovable wall as Spurs clung on for a gritty 0-0 draw against a dominant Monaco side. The Italian shot-stopper produced a string of outstanding saves to rescue his side from what could have been a humiliating defeat.

• Heroic Vicario saves Spurs from Monaco meltdown

  While the stats showed Monaco launched 23 shots at the Tottenham goal, none found their way past Vicario. And according to Squawka, the keeper kept out 2.68 expected goals and emerged as one of the four shot-stoppers to make more than eight saves to keep a clean sheet for an English side in the last 10 campaigns, following in the footsteps of Alisson Becker, Nick Pope and David De Gea. Monaco, still without Paul Pogba, threw everything at Tottenham. They pressed high, moved the ball with purpose, and flooded Vicario’s box with attacks. Folarin Balogun, the former Arsenal man, seemed destined to haunt his old North London rivals but found Vicario in inspired form. The Italian denied him three times in the opening half alone, including one fingertip save that drew applause even from the home supporters. Just before the break, he pulled off another stunning stop to keep out Maghnes Akliouche, keeping Spurs in the contest despite Monaco’s relentless assault. Four in the first half alone, followed by several more in the second, including a sensational reaction stop from Thilo Kehrer’s close-range header. Then came his crowning moment, when he made an extraordinary reflex block from Jordan Teze, diving full stretch to prevent what looked like a certain goal.

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  Frank praises his keeper’s “exceptional” night

  Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, who cut a relieved figure at full-time, was quick to defend his goalkeeper’s recent critics.

  "I think the two goals against Villa, I don't think it's mistakes. I don't think it's any of that. It was two great finishes," Frank countered. "What I would say, I think he was very good today. I think some of the saves were exceptional. He's a big part of why we got a hard-fought point, but at the end of the day, it can be a crucial point."

  For Frank, the result was as much about resilience as it was about performance.

  "It was a game [with a] relatively even first half and then a second half, where I think Monaco was better than us, where we didn't hit the performance we want," he said.

  "I think we lacked a bit of intensity overall in the game, especially the second half and that combined with a day where we didn't get too many players at a good enough level — that can happen. I think we are learning Champions League and every game in Champions League is difficult, especially away games against a good Monaco side. A Monaco side which I also think it's fair to say they had the best half of the season against us.

  "Fair play to them and then the ability for us to compete in the Premier League and then in the Champions League is a challenge we are up for and want to. It's fair to say, last year we finished 17th and competed in Europa League, so we are taking it step by step. And it's not the worst thing on a bad day to get a point and a clean sheet."

• Monaco’s frustration boils over

  While Tottenham celebrated a hard-fought point, Monaco’s manager Pocognoli was left seething. The Belgian boss accused Vicario of time-wasting, claiming the keeper was deliberately slowing the game to frustrate his side.

  "Vicario was outstanding, he make some great saves. He wasted also a lot of time between each free kick, long kicks," Pocognoli smiled. "He played a good game, but I think it's also because we were strong to create the chances. Good performance from him. Man of the match."

  The draw leaves Tottenham 15th in the overall Champions League group rankings after three matches, with five points on the board. However, two of those games have been away, and Spurs remain unbeaten. It is something they’ve only managed once before in their opening three Champions League fixtures, back in 2017-18.

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  Focus shifts to Premier League action

  Tottenham’s European campaign continues to gather momentum, even if their performances haven’t yet convinced the purists. Next up, they return to domestic duty with a Premier League clash against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday. Frank will be hoping for a bit more fluidity in attack after an inspired performance from Vicario saved their blushes.