Unthinkable transfer, priority solved - Five players Man United should target from u21 Euros
With no major senior international tournament to keep fans occupied in the absence of Premier League football, the under-21 European Championships perhaps caught the imagination even more than the money-spinning Club World Cup.
Advertisement
Lee Carsley guided England to a second successive European championship win at under-21 level as the Young Lions beat Germany in Saturday's final in Bratislava.
Goals from Liverpool winger Harvey Elliott and Ipswich Town star Omari Hutchinson put England into a 2-0 lead but they were pegged back thanks to strikes from Nelson Weiper and Paul Nebel.
READ MORE: Man United receive new Viktor Gyokeres transfer green light as £25.6m 'discount' emerges
READ MORE: Bryan Mbeumo to Man United transfer twist as Chelsea offered Ruben Amorim target for just £45m
With the match finishing level after 90 minutes, Marseille forward Jonathan Rowe scored the decisive goal in extra time as England ran out 3-2 winners.
Advertisement
A number of players caught the eye in the competition and, as Manchester United look to strengthen their squad this summer, we have taken a look at five players they should be monitoring in the transfer market.
Harvey Elliott
To cross the divide from Liverpool to United is almost unthinkable but it is perhaps a deal that would suit all parties.
Elliott scored five goals in the competition and was named the tournament MVP. However, game time has been limited at Liverpool and he has hinted he could look for a new challenge this summer.
The 22-year-old would thrive in an attacking midfield role in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 formation and it is a position United need to strengthen.
Advertisement
The rivalry between the two clubs make any move difficult but if the opportunity arises, United would be fools not to consider it.
Djaoui Cisse
United need more strength in depth in midfield and Cisse could provide that. The 21-year-old Rennes midfielder helped France reach the semi-finals of the competition and he was one of the standout performers.
He impressed in the middle of the park and scored three goals in the competition, including in les Bleus' quarter-final win over Denmark.
Nick Woltemade
Woltemade was arguably the breakout star of the competition. His six goals for Germany saw him win the Golden Boot and he has a similarly impressive goalscoring record at club level.
Advertisement
The 23-year-old scored 17 goals for Stuttgart last season as he helped them win the DFB Pokal. United are in the market for a forward this summer and could do a lot worse than the giant striker.
Bayern Munich are keen on a deal, though, and United would have to be quick to challenge the German champions in their pursuit of the forward.
Lucien Agoume
Another midfield option who made quite the impact at these finals. United are known to be in the market for one and the 23-year-old Sevilla star could be a dependable option.
His ability to break up the play was a key factor in France's run to the semi-finals and he has already proven he has what it takes to succeed at La Liga level.
Rocco Reitz
Reitz is a fan favourite at his boyhood club Borussia Monchengladbach and he announced himself on the international scene with his performances for Germany this summer.
The 23-year-old would be another potential midfield option for United to pursue but he still has three years remaining on his current deal at Borussia Park.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Not just Inter struggled: Brazilian sides as Europe's final boss
Fluminense has sensationally knocked out Inter in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup. The Brazilians got off to a better start and then held on with everything they had against the Italian vice-champion. In the end, Flu celebrated the upset victory over this year's Champions League finalist. 🏆 This is the first knockout for a European heavyweight, but not the only defeat against a Brazilian team. On the contrary: the Brazilians have even come out on top in direct comparison with European teams. In the course of the tournament so far, there have been seven encounters between Brazilian and European teams. In these matches, the teams from the country of the record world champion were able to win a total of three times, in addition to two draws and two defeats. In addition to Fluminense's recent victory, Flamengo won 3-1 against Chelsea in the group stage and Botafogo won 1-0 against Paris. 🇧🇷🏆 Advertisement This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here. 📸 Buda Mendes - 2025 Getty Images
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Over half of sports fans are turning to AI or gen AI for more personalized content
Press contact:Elsa Estager BergerouTel: +33 6 59 62 55 13Email: Over half of sports fans are turning to AI or gen AI for more personalized content AI has overtaken traditional search engines as the main source for sports information, with 67% of fans wanting all sports data aggregated in one place. Digital insights are filling gaps in the live sports experience, with nearly 70% of fans seeking stats related to team, players and playing conditions primarily pre-match and during breaks. Spectators want balance between tech innovation and authenticity, with almost three out of five fans worrying that too much technology could impact the thrill of live sport. Paris, July 1, 2025 – The Capgemini Research Institute today released its latest report, 'Beyond the game: The new era of AI-powered sports engagement', revealing how AI and generative AI (gen AI) are reshaping the global fan experience. As AI-powered tools become the primary gateway for sports content and data, fans still seek the thrill of authentic, in-person moments, therefore highlighting the need to strike a balance between the digital and physical worlds of sport. AI and gen AI power the next era of fan engagementAI is redefining how fans interact with sports. Over half (54%) of them now use AI or gen AI tools as their main source of information with 59% trusting content generated by these technologies. From personalized match summaries to real-time highlights reels, fans increasingly expect AI and gen AI to aggregate all sports-related content – 67% want a single, streamlined platform where they can discover information aggregated from websites, search engines and social media. However, personalization and interactivity are key to ensuring a genuine and authentic fan experience. While the report finds fans are returning to stadiums since the pandemic, with 37% already having attended live matches this year, AI is transforming how fans engage with sports overall. The technology is delivering tailored updates that enhance their experience of the game, with stats and facts about their favorite teams, fixtures, and players. Indeed, 64% of fans want AI to provide updates customized to their preferences, a similar number want to compete against well-known players in a virtual space during live games, and 58% would like to replay matches using 'what-if' scenarios. Just over a quarter (27%) are even willing to pay a premium for these AI-driven, interactive experiences. For instance, Tour de France fans can now play and follow their Fantasy team in real time, vote and elect the most combative rider of the day or even experience the race from inside an official fans car. 'The true power of AI in sports, and especially gen AI, lies in its ability to transform how fans connect with the game, with athletes, and with each other,' explained Pascal Brier, Chief Innovation Officer at Capgemini and Member of the Group Executive Committee. 'As technology evolves, unlocking new ways for fans to curate their own unique experience, will be a blend of real-time data with immersive, interactive opportunities. The challenge is to ensure that these innovations deepen the emotional connections that make sport so powerful for passionate supporters, while preserving the authenticity and integrity that defines the spirit of the game.' Balancing innovation with responsibility and the thrill of live sportsSports fans today are hungry for data but the report shows their digital engagement peaks before matches and during breaks, rather than during the live play itself. Nearly 70% of fans want access to player metrics and live match data, using these insights to enrich their understanding when the action pauses. By meeting fans' appetite for insights at these key moments, data enriches the overall viewing experience while keeping the thrill of live sports intact. While digital innovation is widely embraced, nearly 60% of sports fans are concerned that too much technology could dampen the excitement of attending events, and over half fear it could diminish their overall enjoyment of the game or match. This highlights the importance of finding the right balance – leveraging technology to elevate the fan experience while preserving what makes live sports so uniquely compelling. The report finds that there is a lack of awareness about data privacy aspects of AI-powered sports viewing example, whereas about half of Gen Y and Gen Z fans are aware of the various kinds of data collected and explicitly consent to its storage, this is true for only 38% and 36% of baby boomers, respectively. There are also concerns about misinformation, as two-thirds of fans admit being worried that the spread of unverified content on AI or gen AI platforms could increase the risk of athletes being targeted or harassed by disgruntled supporters. What's more, 57% of fans are concerned about the generation of false content resulting in the spread of misinformation about players or sports teams. Stadiums invest in tech to meet rising fan expectationsThe report finds that stadium operators are investing in apps and smart technologies to create smoother, more immersive experiences for digital-native audiences. Over half of attendees say ticketing, scheduling, and real-time apps enhance their stadium experience, while facial recognition entry and digital navigation are also valued. Download the full report here. Report methodologyThe Capgemini Research Institute surveyed f 12,017 sports fans across 11 countries, in March and April 2025: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the US. The research explored fan behaviors, attitudes, and expectations around AI, gen AI, and digital innovations in sports. About CapgeminiCapgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion. Get The Future You Want | About the Capgemini Research InstituteThe Capgemini Research Institute is Capgemini's in-house think-tank on all things digital. The Institute publishes research on the impact of digital technologies on large traditional businesses. The team draws on the worldwide network of Capgemini experts and works closely with academic and technology partners. The Institute has dedicated research centers in India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. It was ranked #1 in the world for the quality of its research by independent analysts for six consecutive times - an industry first. Visit us at Attachment 01_07_Tech in sports 2025 news alert_ENEffettua l'accesso per consultare il tuo portafoglio
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tennis Star Aryna Sabalenka Reveals Her Other No. 1 Goal Without Hesitation
Tennis Star Aryna Sabalenka Reveals Her Other No. 1 Goal Without Hesitation originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Aryna Sabalenka, the world's No. 1 women's tennis player, has surprised fans with a bold admission: she wants to be number one in another arena — modeling. Advertisement In a recent interview with GQ, Sabalenka was asked what else she would love to be ranked No. 1 in, besides tennis. Without hesitation, the 27-year-old from Belarus responded, 'Modeling.' She then playfully struck a pose, pretending she was in front of cameras on a fashion shoot. Away from talk of fashion, Sabalenka has been making waves on the tennis courts. She began her 2025 Wimbledon campaign with a strong win over Canada's Carson Branstine, beating her 6-1, 7-5 in a 73-minute match on No. 1 Court. After the match, Sabalenka shared her thoughts on the ongoing debate about women playing best-of-five sets in Grand Slam events, similar to the men's format. Though she is known for her strength, Sabalenka said she wasn't in favor of longer matches. Advertisement 'Probably physically, I'm one of the strongest ones, so maybe it would benefit me. But I think I'm not ready to play five sets,' Sabalenka said, according to AP News. 'I think it's too much on the woman's body. I think we're not ready for this amount of tennis. I think it would increase the amount of injuries. So I think this is not something I would consider.' World's No. 1 women's tennis player, Aryna Sabalenka is reflecting on her desire to become No. 1 in another field.© Geoff Burke-Imagn Images She added that while watching long matches — like the recent French Open men's final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner — was exciting, she wouldn't want to spend five hours battling on court herself. 'For someone watching, it's amazing to see five hours of great tennis. But I'm not really jealous to stay there for five hours as a player,' she said. Advertisement As Sabalenka continues her quest for her first Wimbledon title, fans will be eager to see whether her off-court dream of modeling becomes a reality one day. Related: Emma Raducanu Addresses Relationship Speculation With Carlos Alcaraz: 'I'm Glad...' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
