Archive August 4, 2025

Darwin Nunez’s summer move to the Saudi Pro League is on the rise.

According to BBC Sport, intermediaries are actively looking into negotiating a deal with the Uruguay international, and this summer a potential move to the Middle East has been discussed.

Nunez is wanted by Al-Hilal, who are coached by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi and are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

And transferring Nunez would help Liverpool’s attempts to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle, another PIF-owned club, this summer.

At this point in his career, it’s unclear whether Nunez, 26, is ready to leave Europe.

This summer, Italian champions Napoli have also been interested in Nunez, but other European clubs have shown an interest.

Al-Hilal and Al-Hilal are two of the top Saudi Arabian clubs in which PIF holds 75% of the shares, and Newcastle also has 80%.

Isak’s £110 million bid was rejected by the Magpies on Friday, with Newcastle valued him at about £150 million.

Charlotte Robson, a Newcastle fan, told BBC Sport, “It makes me consider what PIF’s priority is.”

“Today, there has been more and more discontent in the fanbase over Newcastle’s place on PIF’s list of priorities, and allowing another of their clubs to benefit at the expense of us feels even more like we are being overlooked,” said the fanbase.

However, regardless of Nunez’ departure, football finance expert Kieran Maguire claims Liverpool can afford to purchase Isak.

Although they have been very active during the transfer window, he told BBC Sport that if they had really wanted to, they could have spent another £200-250 million and still be within the PSR [profit and sustainability rules] limits.

For a total of about £265 million without add-ons, Liverpool have signed Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Armin Pecsi.

However, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Caoimhin Kelleher, and Luis Diaz’s departures have all recovered an initial £115 million.

In terms of, are you scratching my back, or two plus two equals five, Maguire continued, “I think people are joining the dots.” I’ll make a situation “I’ll scratch yours.” However, in my opinion, that is insufficient evidence.

“I believe Liverpool, rather than a PIF club, will likely be the biggest winner of this.” Isak is not wanted by Newcastle.

In 2022, Isak left Real Sociedad for La Liga for a £60 million move to Newcastle.

He helped the club win the Carabao Cup last year, putting an end to their 70-year search for domestic silverware.

The 25-year-old was reported by BBC Sport wanting to leave Tyneside in July because of what the club called a “minor thigh injury.”

In light of the uncertainty surrounding his future, the Sweden international spent last week alone training with his former club Real Sociedad. However, sources claim he made a return to Newcastle training on Monday.

Isak must “earn the right to train with his squad again,” according to his manager Eddie Howe, who told the Newcastle Chronicle that he had not spoken to the forward since Liverpool made a bid.

Darwin Nunez’s summer move to the Saudi Pro League is on the rise.

According to BBC Sport, intermediaries are actively looking into negotiating a deal with the Uruguay international, and this summer a potential move to the Middle East has been discussed.

Nunez is wanted by Al-Hilal, who are coached by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi and are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

And transferring Nunez would help Liverpool’s attempts to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle, another PIF-owned club, this summer.

At this point in his career, it’s unclear whether Nunez, 26, is ready to leave Europe.

This summer, Italian champions Napoli have also been interested in Nunez, and other European clubs have shown an interest.

Al-Hilal and Al-Hilal are two of the top Saudi Arabian clubs in which PIF holds 75% of the shares, and Newcastle also has 80%.

Isak’s £110 million bid was rejected by the Magpies on Friday, with Newcastle valued him at about £150 million.

Charlotte Robson, a Newcastle fan, told BBC Sport, “It makes me consider what PIF’s priority is.”

“Today, there has been more and more discontent in the fanbase over Newcastle’s place on PIF’s list of priorities, and allowing another of their clubs to benefit at the expense of us feels even more like we are being overlooked,” said the fanbase.

Most fans would prefer an improved contract being offered to Isak, the dust of the summer settles, and he stays with us a little bit longer, they say, perhaps because it’s their clever way of getting money into NUFC.

However, regardless of Nunez’ departure, football finance expert Kieran Maguire claims Liverpool can afford to purchase Isak.

Although they have been very active during the transfer window, he told BBC Sport that if they had really wanted to, they could have spent another £200-250 million and still be within the PSR [profit and sustainability rules] limits.

For a total of about £265 million without add-ons, Liverpool have signed Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Armin Pecsi.

However, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Caoimhin Kelleher, and Luis Diaz’s departures have all recovered an initial £115 million.

In terms of, are you scratching my back, or two plus two equals five, Maguire continued, “I think people are joining the dots.” I’ll make a situation “I’ll scratch yours.” However, in my opinion, that is insufficient evidence.

“I believe Liverpool, rather than a PIF club, will likely be the biggest winner of this.” Isak is not wanted by Newcastle.

In 2022, Isak left Real Sociedad for La Liga for a £60 million move to Newcastle.

He helped the club win the Carabao Cup last year, putting an end to their 70-year search for domestic silverware.

The 25-year-old was reported by BBC Sport wanting to leave Tyneside in July because of what the club called a “minor thigh injury.”

In spite of ongoing uncertainty about his future, sources claim he returned to Newcastle training on Monday after spending the previous week training alone at his former club Real Sociedad.

Isak must “earn the right to train with his squad again,” according to his manager Eddie Howe, who told the Newcastle Chronicle that he had not spoken to the forward since Liverpool made a bid.

Inside the JM Finn Stand at The Oval, opposite the pavilion, is a staircase that leads up to the Test Match Special commentary box. It is used by media and spectators alike.

In the hours after the sensational fifth Test between England and India ended, with the ground emptying, on that staircase was found a left shoe, then some underwear, then a right shoe.

Because of their size, they presumably belonged to a man. Quite how the owners misplaced them, or when they realised their loss, is unclear. However, it raises the prospect that someone left this famous old ground both shoeless and pantless.

It would have been entirely in keeping with the mayhem that had already played out on Monday morning.

There had been 57 minutes of the most intense, dramatic and emotional sport you could ever wish to see.

Twenty-five days of gripping Test cricket came down to a one-armed man painfully scampering 22 yards of south London turf. One wonders how the productivity of the UK was affected at the beginning of the working week, or how many offices in Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru closed early.

There had been an element of farce to the previous evening. Players went to the dressing rooms because of rain and bad light when the game was on a knife-edge, then stayed there as the gloom turned to evening sunshine.

Any frustration over the events of Sunday turned into anticipation of what might be possible on Monday. Thirty-five runs or four wickets. The Oval was sold out, but would anyone bother to turn up?

India began the day with a huddle that seemed to have every member of the touring party included. Security, chef, bus driver. England, naturally, played football.

Fittingly, it was Surrey v England. When Jamie Overton took fours off each of the first two balls of the day, England had almost a quarter of the runs they required. It was the best it got.

Jamie Smith has looked increasingly frazzled in his first five-Test series as a wicketkeeper. He wafted at two deliveries, then edged the third. The dhol drum of the Bharat Army beat out the rhythm of We Will Rock You, and rocked England were. When Overton was struck on the pad, umpire Kumar Dharmasena paid his own 2005 tribute with the slow finger of Rudi Koertzen.

Josh Tongue had a scattergun game with the ball and found himself as the last line of defence before the stricken Chris Woakes.

Earlier this year, Woakes had a tattoo inked on his left tricep in memory of his late father Roger, who died last year. Now the same arm was strapped under his England sweater as he descended the pavilion stairs, putting his broken body on the line for the Three Lions on his chest.

History will remember Woakes as a World Cup winner in both formats, an Ashes winner and one of the finest seamers in English conditions. This will trump them all. The Wizard will always be the man who tried to help England win a Test with only one functioning arm.

How painful it must have been for Woakes to run three times between the wickets, his shoulder jolted by every step. Mercifully, he never faced a delivery. While Woakes played Jack Leach, Gus Atkinson could not ape Ben Stokes. Atkinson was bowled attempting to hit the six that would have levelled the scores and won the series.

The last word went to Mohammed Siraj, who personified the unbreakable spirit and never-say-die attitude of a young India team. He carried the torch of the retired Virat Kohli, with the ability to get into a fight in a phone box.

There was barely a time in this Test when Siraj was not bowling, haring in with the pavilion behind him. Thriving on responsibility, both Siraj’s average and strike-rate are better when he is not playing in the shadow of Jasprit Bumrah. India’s two wins in this series came in matches Bumrah did not play.

A series level at 2-2 was a fair result, even if England will feel aggrieved they were denied in the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford. If they had caught Ravindra Jadeja on nought in Manchester, or any of the six they dropped in India’s second innings here, it might have been different. The sight of India great Sunil Gavaskar leading his TV production staff in song on the Oval outfield said much about which side would be happier with the result.

Whisper it quietly, but there is a chance this was the last home Test for the England team as we know it.

There is certainly a scenario where a poor Ashes leads to one of captain Stokes or coach Brendon McCullum walking away. Stokes may simply decide he has had enough of rehabbing from injuries.

As cruel as it sounds, Woakes’ heroics may be his last act in an England shirt. Mark Wood is 36 in January. England’s next home Test is in June.

There was a moment on Saturday morning of this Test, when England were fielding and contemplating a potential DRS review. In the conversation were Smith, Atkinson, Zak Crawley, Jacob Bethell, Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett. It was a window into what the senior England players will look like the next time India tour this country.

If this is the end of something, England went out playing the hits. Attempting the unthinkable, stirring the emotions like few other teams can. They are exhilarating and infuriating in equal measure, never boring, and responsible for the rebirth of Test cricket in this country.

Crucially, the Bazball era is still to claim a top prize. The full home series against Australia and India played under Stokes and McCullum have been drawn 2-2. England have beaten neither since 2018, when Alastair Cook was still in the team. Trips to both countries have recently ended in shellackings, regardless of who has been in charge.

The next chance to change that record comes quickly, starting in Perth in November.

As the club’s uncertainty persists, Sheffield Wednesday’s players have not decided to go on strike.

Players and staff saw their wages delayed in May, June, and July, making it a torrid off-season for the Championship side.

Owner Dejphon Chansiri wants to sell, despite no progress being made with any potential buyers, and the club has been subjected to a number of registration embargoes over the summer. Danny Rohl has already left by mutual consent.

The players said in a statement released by BBC Radio Sheffield that “players, coaching, and club staff groups at the club have all been impacted by delayed and overdue pay.

Although we are frequently in the spotlight, we are not the only ones playing, “This has been a worrying time for us as players.” We stand with all of the club’s employees who have been impacted.

Players and staff are now experiencing real, practical effects in both their professional and personal lives, and we are “extremely concerned” about the lack of clarity regarding what is happening and when this will end.

The players’ decision to end their planned friendly with Burnley was not taken lightly or without consideration.

“We are fully aware of the additional concern this will have caused supporters, but we can attest that everyone we have dealt with has a real understanding of our unique situation.

We want to reassure fans that no one has ever “downed any tools” on the training ground or that any of us are, and will continue to do so, and that we are all working as hard as we can and supporting the manager and staff.

We like you, and we want to concentrate solely on what transpires on the field and in the upcoming season.

As the club’s uncertainty persists, Sheffield Wednesday’s players have not decided to go on strike.

Players and staff saw their wages delayed in May, June, and July, making it a torrid off-season for the Championship side.

Owner Dejphon Chansiri wants to sell, despite no progress being made with any potential buyers, and the club has been subjected to a number of registration embargoes over the summer. Danny Rohl has already left by mutual consent.

The players said in a statement released by BBC Radio Sheffield that “players, coaching, and club staff groups at the club have all been impacted by delayed and overdue pay.

Although we are frequently in the spotlight, we are not the only ones playing, “This has been a worrying time for us as players.” We stand with all of the club’s employees who have been impacted.

Players and staff are now experiencing real, practical effects in both their professional and personal lives, and we are “extremely concerned” about the lack of clarity regarding what is happening and when this will end.

The players’ decision to end their planned friendly with Burnley was not taken lightly or without consideration.

“We are fully aware of the additional concern this will have caused supporters, but we can attest that everyone we have dealt with has a real understanding of our unique situation.

We want to reassure fans that no one has ever “downed any tools” on the training ground or that any of us are, and will continue to do so, and that we are all working as hard as we can and supporting the manager and staff.

We like you, and we want to concentrate solely on what transpires on the field and in the upcoming season.