Craig Miles returns to Gloucestershire

Fast bowler to leave Warwickshire at the end of the season, ending a seven-year stay at Edgbaston

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jul-2025Fast bowler Craig Miles will leave Warwickshire at the end of the season to return to his home club, Gloucestershire, on a three-year deal.Miles, 30, came through Gloucestershire’s academy, making his first team debut as a 16-year-old before departing for Warwickshire at the end of the 2018 summer. He took 134 wickets across all formats for the midlands county, including 37 in their successful 2021 County Championship campaign, at an average of 21.81. Later that summer, he starred in the Bob Willis Trophy Final, taking 5 for 28 in the first innings as Warwickshire beat Lancashire by an innings and 199 runs.In returning to Gloucestershire, Miles will pick back up a record of 313 dismissals from 116 appearances. Though he struggled with injuries at Warwickshire, the seamer has been fit this season but found himself surplus to requirements for their County Championship campaign.He has so far made six appearances in the Vitality Blast for Birmingham Bears, taking five wickets.Reflecting on a return to his boyhood club, Miles said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be coming back to Gloucestershire. The chance to wear the shirt again and represent the Club that played such a massive part in my journey was something I simply couldn’t turn down.”From making my debut as a 16-year-old, to unforgettable wins at the Cheltenham Festival, and that incredible day at Lord’s in 2015 – some of the fondest memories of my career happened whilst playing for Gloucestershire.”Every time I’ve returned to Nevil Road, it’s felt like home, and I can’t wait to be back out there.”I’m hugely excited to work with Mark Alleyne and the coaching team, link up with some familiar faces and old friends, and give everything I’ve got, on and off the field, for the Glorious once again.”Speaking on Miles’ return, head coach Mark Alleyne said: “I very much look forward to welcoming Craig back to Bristol.”He left as a precocious talent and returns with a strong body of work on the first-class stage. His experience will be invaluable as we rebuild a formidable attack to compete in Division One. If we’re unsuccessful this year, his presence for that push in 2026 will be savoured.”As an all-format player, he will add great quality across the seasons to come.”

'Fantastic for the club' – Kai Rooney tipped to make major impact at Man Utd – if he can follow in dad Wayne's footsteps and seal first-team breakthrough

Kai Rooney is being tipped to emulate the achievements of his record-breaking father Wayne by making a major impact at Manchester United. Former Red Devils striker Fraizer Campbell has told GOAL, during an exclusive interview, that it would be “fantastic for the club” to see another Rooney leading the line at some point in the not too distant future.

Yamal & Dowman prove to Rooney that anything is possible

Rooney junior is only 15 years of age, but the hottest of prospects have been making senior breakthroughs at that stage of their respective careers. Lamine Yamal earned his big break at Barcelona while in his mid-teens, while Max Dowman has done likewise at Arsenal.

There is no suggestion that Kai is knocking on Ruben Amorim’s door at Old Trafford just yet, but he continues to make positive progress down that path. He has been promoted through the age groups in United’s academy system, allowing him to prove his worth to club bosses.

Big pressure is being lumped onto his young shoulders, with Wayne Rooney still United’s all-time leading scorer with 253 efforts to his name. He won Premier League and Champions League titles with the Red Devils.

Advertisementsportsphotos.ie InstagramWill Kai Rooney follow Wayne into the Man Utd team?

Kai is eager to follow in illustrious footsteps, and has been catching the eye in a fabled academy. Many are suggesting that he is capable of matching his famous father by becoming a talismanic forward for Premier League heavyweights.

Quizzed on whether that could happen, ex-United star Campbell – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “That would be fantastic. He’s played up for the 18s and the 23s this season, I think. He’s doing really, really well. If he’s anything like his dad, it would be fantastic for the club because Rooney was unbelievable in his playing days – still now, he played in the legends game and he’s still got the technique, that drive and hunger. It would be great for Wayne, Coleen and the family to see another Rooney pulling on the Man United shirt. It would be great for the fans as well.”

Hot prospect: Kai Rooney exciting those at Old Trafford

Campbell is not the first former United player to back Kai Rooney for senior opportunities. Wes Brown has previously told GOAL of that family name earning further recognition in Manchester: “I’m pretty sure if you played for a club and your son comes through, and he’s at a stage now where he’s like YTS, going to training everyday, then at any point you could be picked by the manager and told ‘you’re training with us’ or ‘you’re in a game’. It will be a great experience.

“Kai, knowing the lad he is, he’ll just work very hard. He will have his head down. Obviously, his dad has legendary status, but it’s all about Kai. He will have to work and do everything himself, make sure he puts the graft in and keeps on learning.

“All you can hope for, even when I was a kid, is getting an opportunity. If you do, can you take it? He’s done really well to get where he is at the moment because I’m guessing at some point, it will have been difficult for him.”

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Getty ImagesWayne & Coleen helping to keep Kai grounded

Wayne has tended to stay away from Kai’s matches, in order to avoid becoming a distraction, while mother Coleen is doing her best to ensure that a future away from professional football is also being taken into account.

A source has told of that process: “All the boys are obsessed with football, so Coleen’s had no choice but to embrace it. She wasn’t sure how good they would be, but there’s no denying that Kai has his dad’s talents, and has the potential to make it big.

“Kai is very good, and Coleen and Wayne have always drummed into him that he has to train hard and dedicate himself to it if he wants to make it. But Coleen is determined that he’ll stay grounded, whatever happens. She also knows she’ll have to prepare him for the disappointment if it doesn’t work out. The Rooney name will only get him so far.”

It remains to be seen whether Kai Rooney – who has scored plenty of goals for United at youth level while helping them to trophy wins – will earn first-team opportunities. His dad will always be on hand to offer advice if it is required, with Wayne earning wonderkid status himself when making a senior breakthrough with Everton at the age of 16.

Harris 95 sets up Lancashire to win tense chase

George Balderson half-century, Arav Shetty three-for help overcome Somerset

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay10-Aug-2025Lancashire 254 for 8 (Harris 95, Balderson 65) beat Somerset 250 for 7 (Goldsworthy 63, Vaughan 59, Hill 57) by two wicketsMarcus Harris led the way with 95 as Lancashire recorded a nerve-jangling two-wicket Metro Bank One-Day Cup victory over Somerset at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.The home side posted 250 for seven after losing the toss, Lewis Goldsworthy top-scoring with 63, while Archie Vaughan contributed 59 and 19-year-old Devonian Fin Hill 57. Offspinner Arav Shetty marked his List A debut with 3 for 34 from ten overs.In reply, Lancashire reached 254 for eight with 8 balls to spare, Harris making his runs off 99 balls, with 7 fours and 2 sixes. George Balderson hit 65 and shared a match-winning fifth wicket stand of 101 with the former Australia Test player.A crowd of more than 5,000 at Somerset’s annual Family Fun Day saw the hosts suffer an early setback when Tom Lammonby was caught at backward point off George Balderson with the total on five.Goldsworthy and Vaughan had to exercise caution on a pitch lacking pace and were largely content to accumulate in ones and twos. Goldsworthy was first to fifty, off 70 balls, with 5 fours and the hundred partnership occupied 143 deliveries.Vaughan’s 81-ball half-century included only three boundaries and with 30 overs of their innings completed his side were becalmed on 129 for one.Goldsworthy provided 21-year-old Shetty with his maiden List A wicket, driving a catch to mid-off. With onlyten runs added, Vaughan was stumped advancing down the pitch to the graduate of the South Asian Cricket Academy, who quickly followed up by dismissing James Rew in similar fashion.Seamer Luke Hands claimed his maiden List A wicket on debut, Thomas Rew edging through to wicketkeeper George Bell to make the score 146 for five. Sixteen-year-old Hands ended the innings with a creditable one for 32 from eight overs.Somerset required another meaningful partnership and it came from rookies Hill and Josh Thomas, who added 66 in good style before Thomas holed out to deep square off Balderson for 32 at a run a ball. Hill then hit the first two sixes of the innings in the same over from Charlie Barnard, both launched over the leg side.The youngster’s maiden List A fifty came off 49 balls and enabled his side to post what appeared a below par total in bright sunshin.. Lancashire’s reply began with Michael Jones striking a straight six off Josh Davey in the fourth over, Somerset’s experienced seamer taking quick revenge by having him caught at deep cover with the score on 18.It was 42 for two in the ninth over when Bell, on 21, pulled a catch to deep square off Alfie Ogborne and 51 for three as Bohannon was caught and bowled by off-spinner Vaughan attempting a back-foot forcing shot.Harris responded with a six off Somerset 18-year-old Cornish seamer Kian Roberts, a third player making his List A debut, but lost another partner when Harry Singh inside-edged a wide ball from Vaughan onto his stumps.Harris went to fifty off 61 balls and at the halfway point in their innings Lancashire were 111 for four. The Australian looked to be winning the game as he accelerated with a six over long-off off Goldsworthy in a century stand with Balderson that appeared perfectly paced.With a century in sight, Harris fell to the left-arm spin of Goldsworthy, driving a catch to Roberts at mid-off. Lancashire still required 71, but Balderson was going well and moved to a well-crafted half-century off 62 balls, with 4 fours. Shetty gloved a catch behind off JT Langridge with 25 needed and the left-arm seamer struck again when Balderson top-edged a pull shot.Hands was then yorked by Davey to set up a tense finish, which saw Sutton dropped at cover by Vaughan off Davey before seeing side over the line.

Southampton keen on Carrick and Rodgers with top manager target open to talks

Southampton continue their search for a new manager after the sacking of Will Still, with the Saints’ top manager target open to St Mary’s talks.

Despite only arriving in the summer, Still has been relieved of his duties at St Mary’s Stadium, with last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at home to Preston North End leaving them 21st in the Championship table. Southampton Group Technical Director, Johannes Spors, discussed the exit of the 33-year-old, thanking him for his efforts in recent months.

“Will is a great person who gave everything to try and improve performances and results. Ultimately that process has taken longer than any of us would have liked.

“By making a change now we believe it gives us the best chance of turning things around this season and climbing back up the league table. I would like to thank Will, Ruben, Clement and Carl for their efforts and wish them well for the future.”

It’s now a case of Southampton nailing Still’s successor at the club, with former manager Russell Martin linked with a return to the club, following a disappointing time in charge of Rangers, recently being sacked.

Southampton eyeing Martin to replace Still with Championship rivals also keen Martin keen on sealing Southampton return

According to TEAMtalk, Martin is now Southampton’s top target to take over from Still, making a quick fire return to St Mary’s in the process.

The report states that the 39-year-old is “open to a conversation about returning” to the club, but he is “not the only name in the frame” currently. Michael Carrick and Brendan Rodgers are also mentioned as options, with the pair both out of work after recent stints at Middlesbrough and Celtic, respectively.

Southampton fans are sure to be split over who they want the next manager to be, especially when it comes to Martin, whose tactics divided opinion during his time in charge first time around.

His risk-taking style of play from the back isn’t for everyone, but that said, Pep Guardiola spoke glowingly about his approach and Saints team after his Manchester City side faced them last year.

“When I see the opponent do the things I like to do with my team and they do it really well, I make a compliment. I’m sure I will learn, there were some movements, the reasons why they do things, the movements they make to link to the striker. It’s not easy.”

Martin guided Southampton into the Premier League from the Championship in the past, showing that he knows how to thrive in the division, and there is some sense in sealing a return, in terms of how well he knows the club.

Southampton eyeing Martin to replace Still with Championship rivals also keen

The Saints are searching for a new manager, having dismissed Will Still on Sunday night.

ByDominic Lund Nov 3, 2025

Then again, going with a different option would represent a fresh approach, with both Carrick and Rodgers talented managers who could also shine.

Celebrating Mets Players Abruptly Cut TV Interviews Short for a Team Picture

The New York Mets are headed to the National League Division Series for the first time since 2015 after beating the Milwaukee Brewers in three games in the wild-card round. Pete Alonso hit the go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth, and Francisco Lindor ended the game by connecting with the first baseman on a 6-3 double play.

That's why those two were prime postgame interview targets for ESPN and MLB Network. Lindor spoke with SportsCenter while Alonso went live with MLB Tonight. Both guys cut their interviews short so they could take a team picture.

When you gotta go, you gotta go. A postseason celebration waits for no one. Or in this case, no network.

As you can see in the Lindor clip, he had some words for his teammates before plopping down in front for the picture. After that, they moved to the visitor's clubhouse where the celebration continued.

The Mets have until Saturday to enjoy themselves. Then it's back to stress-inducing playoff baseball.

Paul Skenes Reveals Why He's 'Fired Up' for Second Season With Pirates

Coming off his spring training debut over the weekend, Paul Skenes is feeling "fired up" about the Pittsburgh Pirates' upcoming season. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year returned to the mound on Saturday, impressing with his new cutter.

Yet Skenes' new pitch and improvements off his otherworldly rookie season are far from the only reason he's excited for what's in store for the Pirates this season. Skenes noted that this Pittsburgh team feels "different," pointing to the amount of buy-in he's seeing from his teammates.

"On the pitching side, obviously we have stuff," Skenes said, via MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. "On the hitting side we have a couple All-Stars and a really good opportunity to build this thing from within. I think the thing that fires me up the most this year is that we have a lot of buy-in. It just feels different. 30 clubs are probably showing up with hope to spring training. Hope doesn't win ball games, but it's exciting now to see the differences in the locker room from last year. At the end of the day we have to go out there and do it, we have to go out there and prove it and win and show up every day, but I think we have a really good opportunity this year."

Despite the emergence of Skenes, the Pirates had a relatively quiet offseason outside of trading for Spencer Horwitz. Pittsburgh finished the 2024 season 76–86, last in the NL Central, and are approaching an entire decade without a postseason appearance. Skenes lauded what he's seen internally from the Pirates, but it has yet to be seen if it will be enough to overcome an underwhelming offseason and turn this team around from a near decade of futility.

Kuldeep bags four as India demolish UAE in 17.4 overs

UAE folded for 57, their collapse highlighting the gulf between the two sides

Karthik Krishnaswamy10-Sep-20252:03

What are India’s expectations from Gill?

It took just 106 balls for India to begin their defence of the Asia Cup with the most comprehensive of wins. It took them just 79 balls to bowl UAE out, and just 27 to chase down their target.UAE’s 57 was the lowest total any team had achieved against India in T20Is. India’s 4.3-over chase was their quickest in T20Is.UAE came into this match on the back of encouraging displays against Pakistan and Afghanistan in the tri-series they recently hosted, but all that promise came to nothing against the relentless quality of India’s bowling, with Kuldeep Yadav taking four wickets in no time to celebrate his return to action after a long tour of England spent entirely on the bench.Thereafter, it was just a question of how quickly India would get to their target, and the answer – mostly delivered by their new opening combination of old buddies Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill – was a one-worder: very.ESPNcricinfo LtdBatting depth, two wristspinners, and SamsonA lot of interest surrounded India’s selection for this game, with particularly intense debate surrounding their wicketkeeper, bowling-attack composition, and No. 8. These were India’s choices:Gill displaced Sanju Samson from the opening position as expected, but Samson kept the keeping gloves ahead of Jitesh Sharma. India picked both their wristspinners, Kuldeep and Varun Chakravarthy, and picked the batting allrounder Shivam Dube to give them genuine depth until No. 8, but this meant they only had one specialist quick in Jasprit Bumrah.Some of these choices were surprises. The bigger surprise, perhaps, was that India won the toss – after 15 straight toss losses across formats.Related

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Kuldeep makes it worth the wait

Stats – The shortest T20I that India has ever played

Gill and Abhishek begin new chapter in old bromance

Bumrah bowls three in the powerplayFor the first time since 2019, Bumrah bowled three overs inside the powerplay in a T20I. He took one wicket, crashing through Alishan Sharafu’s defences with a searing yorker, but also conceded four fours, three in one over to UAE captain Muhammad Waseem.With Sharafu and Waseem hitting six fours and a six between them, UAE began well enough, scoring 41 for 2 in their powerplay. But they fell apart thereafter, losing their last eight wickets for the addition of just ten runs.Kuldeep and Dube clean ’em upTo their credit, UAE did not let the loss of two powerplay wickets curb their intent, but on this day they kept losing wickets to low-percentage shots. And they kept losing wickets to Kuldeep in the ninth over – three of them, to be precise.First, Rahul Chopra took on the large outfield at the Dubai International Stadium and the protected long-on boundary and holed out. Three balls later, Waseem was lbw, missing a sweep against a bowler whose stock ball, straightening into the right-hander from left-arm over, is stump-to-stump by design.Kuldeep finished the over with a trademark wrong’un to bowl the left-handed Harshit Kaushik through the gate, and UAE were already five down.India used six bowlers, and five of them ended up on the wickets column, with Bumrah – who bowled three overs in the powerplay, a rarity for him – Varun and Axar Patel taking one each.1:55

Why did Suryakumar let Siddique bat despite being out?

Dube, playing ahead of a second frontline quick to give India batting depth until No. 8, bagged three with his medium-pace, which meant he had taken 5 for 15 in four overs in his last two T20Is. His first two T20Is, it has to be mentioned, since his bowling quality came under severe scrutiny following India’s use of Harshit Rana as his concussion substitute against England in Pune.Here, Dube couldn’t help but pick up wickets even when India didn’t want them. In his second over, a direct hit from Samson caught Junaid Siddique wandering out of his crease – a la Jonny Bairstow – after swinging at and missing a short ball. Siddique was given out stumped but India captain Suryakumar Yadav withdrew the appeal. Next ball, Siddique swung at and miscued a slower ball high in the air, and walked back, c Suryakumar b Dube.Abhishek and Gill do (most of) the restThey’ve been fast friends since the Under-14 level and might have been forgiven for wanting to take a bit of time savouring the feeling of opening together for India, but that was the last thing on the minds of Abhishek and Gill. They clattered 48 runs in just 3.4 overs before Abhishek fell, miscuing a hard-length ball from Siddique, and in that time they played a number of outrageous shots. The pick of them, perhaps, were a dancing flick for six by Gill off Mohammad Rohid, and a falling-away slap over long-off by Abhishek, off a short-of-length dart from the offspinner Kaushik.India were ten away from victory when Abhishek fell, and Suryakumar – whipping his first ball off his hip for six – and Gill took just four balls to finish the job.

Premier League football on Netflix?! Streaming giant eye bid for broadcasting rights that could rival Sky and TNT Sports

Netflix are reportedly considering lodging a bid for Premier League TV rights to rival Sky Sports and TNT Sports. The streaming giant narrowly missed out on securing a deal for UEFA's Super Cup and for Champions League rights in Germany from 2027-31, but missed out to Paramount. Despite that setback, they now have their eyes on English top-flight broadcasting rights.

Netflix upping live sports efforts

Netflix has made a concerted effort to show more live sports, spending nearly £4 billion ($5bn) on WWE, while also streaming high-profile boxing bouts, too. After Paramount won the Champions League rights in the United Kingdom last week in a reported £1bn ($1.3bn) deal, Netflix are expected to rival Sky and TNT when it comes to the domestic Premier League contracts, according to The Times. The streaming giant is also expected to take on NBC for the American rights to the English top-flight. 

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWhen do the Premier League deals run out?

The report adds that the latest domestic deals end in 2029, but NPC's one expires a year earlier. That contract is said to be worth $2bn (£1.5bn) and is the Premier League's biggest overseas deal. Bids for the next packages are expected over the next year.

Incidentally, a source told The Times: "The important thing for football – both European-wide and domestic leagues – is that Netflix has shown for the first time that it is interested in buying rights. When you add that to the fact that Paramount has come into the market, it means good news for football because there will be more competition for rights. The Premier League is the most attractive domestic league in the world, so securing some of its rights would be a likely target for both Netflix and Paramount."

UEFA open to Netflix's introduction

Last month, UEFA appeared to welcome the likes of Netflix and Disney joining the broadcasting pool. To that end, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has talked up the footballing body's commitment to innovation in media rights.

He said to the European Football Clubs General Assembly in October: "Through this joint venture, the game will grow. And with [marketing agency] Relevent at our side, we have the strongest team to make it happen. Together, we are building something unique, with ambition. To deliver the most engaging football, the most innovative, the most accessible. To expand our core revenue streams. To inspire new fans to follow our competitions, to drive engagement with new audiences, especially in an ever-changing media and streaming rights landscape. And to make the most of digital platforms, we’ll bring the game closer than ever to everyone. This is how we will strengthen our clubs and keep European football at the very top."

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GettyWhat comes next for Netflix?

Netflix has enjoyed some success when streaming live sporting events in the past, including bringing in 65 million viewers for the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson boxing match in 2024. The streaming giant does have some rights for the Women's World Cup in 2027 and 2031 in the United States but whether they can obtain rights for men's football remains to be seen.

West Ham now bid £15m+ to sign 6'4 defender for Nuno, Irons get reply

West Ham United have made an offer to sign a new defender ahead of the January transfer window and have already received a reply.

West Ham defence among worst in the Premier League

So far in the Premier League, the Hammers have had their fair share of defensive issues under both Graham Potter and now Nuno Espirito Santo.

In fact, the Irons are yet to keep a single clean sheet in their opening 11 top flight fixtures, having the second-worst defence in the division after conceding 23 goals.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

West Ham 3-1 Newcastle

West Ham 3-2 Burnley

Only bottom of the table Wolves have let in more (25), with Nuno selecting Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo at centre-back in recent weeks.

Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen was dropped by Potter early into his first season at the London Stadium, with Nuno continuing to use Alphonse Areola in goal.

£67m spent & no Wilson or Fullkrug: Nuno's dream West Ham XI after January

This is the dream West Ham starting line-up that Nuno could build in the January window.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 15, 2025

If the Irons are to avoid the drop, then clean sheets and defensive stability will need to be worked on over the coming months, with the January transfer window also giving the club the chance to bring in new faces.

Now, it looks as if those behind the scenes at West Ham have their eyes on a defensive gem and have already submitted a bid.

West Ham make £15m+ bid to sign Tiago Gabriel

According to reports in Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, West Ham have made an ‘official offer’ to sign Lecce central defender Tiago Gabriel.

The Hammers’ proposal is thought to be worth €18m (£15.8m), however, this has already been rejected by the Serie A side as they value their 6ft 4 defender at €25m (£22m).

Lecce’s valuation applies to next summer, so it looks as if there is no chance of a January move materialising.

The report adds the 20-year-old has ‘impressed with his on-ground defending and has also been very dominant aerially’, something which can be backed up by FBref as Gabriel ranks in the top 2% of defenders when it comes to aerials won.

Tackles

93rd percentile

Aerials won

98th percentile

Blocks

85th percentile

Clearances

80th percentile

Tackles and interceptions

94th percentile

% of dribblers tackled

99th percentile

Long pass completion

93rd percentile

Also capable of turning out as a right-back if required, Gabriel is under contract at Lecce until 2027, however, both parties have the option to extend that until 2029.

He’s made 11 Serie A appearances in what is proving to be his breakthrough campaign, and by the looks of things, West Ham like what they see.

West Ham flop was compared to Pirlo, now he's "National League standard"

Wolves now in advanced talks to sign maestro who could be Edwards' first signing

Wolverhampton Wanderers are now in advanced talks to sign Independiente’s Patrik Mercado, with a deal for the midfielder, who is in line to become Rob Edwards’ first signing, almost done.

Wolves are looking to sign a new midfielder amid the uncertainty surrounding Joao Gomes’ future at Molineux, with it recently emerging the 24-year-old would be willing to make a move to Old Trafford.

The Old Gold really would be gambling with their Premier League status if they sanctioned Gomes’ departure next month, but they are already very much up against it, having taken just two points from their opening 11 matches.

Edwards will be looking to oversee a major turnaround, starting this weekend against Crystal Palace, and if the new manager is able to get his side within touching distance of 17th place by January, a few new additions could help propel them to safety.

Wolves now in advanced talks to sign Patrik Mercado

According to a report from El Diario (via Sport Witness), Wolves are now in advanced talks to sign Independiente midfielder Mercado, having emerged as frontrunners in the race for his signature, and the deal is almost done.

As such, the 22-year-old is in line to become Edwards’ first signing at Molineux, and the deal is likely to be relatively inexpensive, with a €5.96m (£5m) fee being touted.

Sevilla and a number of unnamed Portuguese clubs are also in the race for the maestro, but it is looking like he could be heading to Wolves, even though the Ecuadorian would be a risky signing, amid their struggles at the wrong end of the table.

The versatile midfielder, who is capable of playing in defensive and attacking midfield roles, is yet to prove himself outside his home country, and may take more time than Edwards’ side have available to adjust to life in the Premier League.

That’s not to say the Tena-born ace isn’t a future star, having remained a regular source of goals and assists for Independiente across the 2025 campaign, chipping in with 18 goal contributions.

Patrik Mercado’s attacking record in 2025

Appearances

Goal contributions

Liga Pro Serie A

28

11

Liga Pro Championship Round

4

2

Copa Sudamericana

7

4

Copa Libertadores

6

1

Given that a deal for Mercado would be relatively cheap, a deal is still worth pursuing, but having failed to win a single league game so far this season, Wolves may need to bring in more established players to stand any chance of avoiding relegation.

Wolves want deal for "world-class" Real Madrid player done quickly Wolves offer for "world-class" Real Madrid player, want deal done quickly

The Old Gold have submitted an offer for a new forward, who could be available for a bargain fee.

ByDominic Lund Nov 16, 2025

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