An “unbelievable” Liverpool player is now reportedly “ready” to complete a move to a major club who have met the Reds in multiple major finals.

Players who could leave Liverpool this summer

For all the current stories linking the Premier League champions with new signings, constant speculation is also rife regarding outgoing moves in the summer transfer window.

Andy Robertson is reportedly keen on a shock move to La Liga giants Atletico Madrid, with some claiming that he is a “top target” for them. The 31-year-old wasn’t at his best last season, and Milos Kerkez is expected to join Liverpool from Bournemouth, but seeing him leave would still be a surprise.

Elsewhere, the likes of Kostas Tsimikas, Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez are far from guaranteed to be at Anfield next season, with Elliott arguably hinting the most about a new challenge: “I’m coming into an age now where I’m 22, I’m gonna be 23 next season, and I don’t really want to be wasting years in my career because it’s a short career, you don’t know what’s gonna happen.

“Injuries and things could shorten it. So I think it’s a situation that, as I’ve said before, I need to reflect, I need to see if I’m content in doing what I’m doing and how can I improve as a player.”

Liverpool attacker "ready" to leave Anfield

Now, according to Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy [via Sport Witness], Liverpool striker Nunez is now “ready” to secure a move to AC Milan this summer, moving to the Reds’ 2005 and 2007 Champions League final opponents.

Milan are dreaming of snapping up a “big No.9” and the £140,000-a-week Uruguayan has emerged as a target, even though his wages could be expensive for both themselves and fellow suitors Napoli.

Nunez moving on from Liverpool this summer is the right decision for everyone concerned, with the 25-year-old ultimately not good enough over the past three years.

Arne Slot has made it clear that he doesn’t see him as a key part of his plans, simply by not picking him often, even though his assist for Elliott’s winner away to Paris Saint-Germain last season was described as “unbelievable” by Ally McCoist during commentary on the game.

Liverpool need to sign a higher calibre of striker before next season gets underway, unless Slot plans to use Florian Wirtz as a false nine, and Nunez can still generate a healthy amount of money for the Reds.

Better than Ekitike: Liverpool make approach to sign "the new Haaland"

Liverpool could be about to forget about Hugo Ekitike with a move for another talisman.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 16, 2025

While clearly a popular figure among the fanbase because of his personality and work ethic, the Merseysiders must be ruthless with him, and Milan could be an ideal destination.

Arsenal are in talks over a move for Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze, according to widespread reports, but another high-profile attacker may well follow the 27-year-old to north London.

£140m signings start alongside Zubimendi: AI predicts Arsenal's 2025/26 line-up

It could be a productive transfer market for the Gunners.

4 ByCharlie Smith Jun 28, 2025

GiveMeSport and other reliable media outlets reported that Eze’s representatives held “positive” talks with Arsenal last weekend, and the England international is pretty keen on a switch to the potential Premier League title challengers.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£5m

Andrea Berta also possesses the option of paying his £68 million release clause in installments, which they’ll likely take up, as Arsenal look to back Mikel Arteta whilst erring on the side of caution when it comes to PSR.

The notion of spreading out Eze’s transfer fee will also be a huge help when it comes to signing another star winger, which is what Arsenal are expected to try and do (Fabrizio Romano).

It is believed that Arsenal are looking at both a right and left-winger, with Eze potentially poised to fill just one of these spots as Berta looks at signing another wide player to come in with the 27-year-old.

One of their other wide targets, alongside Chelsea forward Noni Madueke, is £206,000-per-week Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.

The Brazil international is said to be a “dream” target for Arteta’s side, and he could push to leave the Bernabeu once their Club World Cup campaign concludes.

“I think Rodrygo is quickly emerging as Arsenal’s dream target,” journalist Graeme Bailey told TBR Football this week.

“From what I’m hearing, from people close to the situation, once Real Madrid get back from the Club World Cup, Rodrygo is going to make it clear that he wants to leave.

“I think everything points towards Rodrygo leaving and my belief is that Arsenal will be towards the top of his desired places to go.”

Arsenal will move to sign Rodrygo with Eberechi Eze on one condition

Now, GiveMeSport provide another update on Arsenal’s interest in the 24-year-old – who’s bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions since the start of 2024/2025.

They report that Arsenal would love to sign Rodrygo this summer, and will move for the ex-Santos sensation with Eze on one condition.

If they get clear signals from the South American that he’s willing to leave Real and make a Premier League move, then Arsenal will make an approach, but until that point, they’re still waiting for his green-light.

Considering the other reports that he’s likely to request a transfer from Real, Arteta might not be waiting too long for Rodrygo’s approval, so this could be one to keep an eye on.

Los Blancos legend, Luka Modrić, has already stated that Rodrygo is a “world class superstar” – partly highlighting why Arsenal are so keen on him.

From crossing the divide between both Manchester United and Manchester City and starring at Juventus to featuring for Argentina, it’s fair to say that Carlos Tevez’s career isn’t short on moments to remember, or teammates for that matter.

The iconic forward shared a dressing room with some of the best players in football history, but the two that instantly stand out are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Whilst Tevez did become an Olympic Gold Medalist with Lionel Messi for Argentina in 2004, it was with Ronaldo at club level that he enjoyed the most success.

During the two seasons they played together at Old Trafford from 2007 to 2009, the attacking duo won the Premier League twice, the Club World Cup, the League Cup and the Champions League. To say their partnership was a success would be an incredible understatement.

Their best season together came in the 2007/08 campaign as they combined to score a total of 45 Premier League goals and help Manchester United on their way to another title-winning season.

Appearances

34

34

Goals

14

31

Assists

6

6

Of course, it wasn’t long after that when Tevez committed the ultimate sin of swapping Old Trafford for the chance to join arch-rivals Manchester City, whilst Ronaldo also left for Real Madrid at the same time.

The impact Tevez often made when partnering Messi for Argentina and Ronaldo at Manchester United is undeniable and the forward has been full of praise for both over the years, previously telling reporters: “Cristiano had to work and prepare himself to be the best, while for Leo it comes naturally.

Sir Alex Ferguson named Arsenal star as "perfect" for Man Utd and tried to sign him

The Red Devils and the Gunners have had a fierce Premier League rivalry.

ByCharlie Smith May 22, 2025

“Those are the greatest differences that I see between the two best players on the planet. Messi plays another sport. For him to score three goals [in any given game] is normal.”

As much as Messi and Ronaldo steal the headlines, however, when asked to pick his best ever teammate, Tevez chose to name an England and United legend instead of the men who dominated the Ballon d’Or podium for over a decade.

Carlos Tevez: Rooney was my best ever teammate

Snubbing both Messi and Ronaldo, Tevez revealed that Wayne Rooney was his best ever teammate during an interview relayed by GiveMeSport.

The impact that the England legend made as part of a deadly front three with Ronaldo and Tevez is clearly something that the latter has not forgotten and will not do so anytime soon.

Whilst some are quick to undervalue Rooney’s influence, Tevez went as far as putting the former United forward above two of football’s greatest-ever players when discussing his best teammates.

Celtic are in the market to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch during the summer transfer window, having already added defender Kieran Tierney to the group.

The Hoops are reportedly closing in on the signing of Sweden international Benjamin Nygren from FC Nordsjælland to add to Brendan Rodgers’ attacking arsenal.

In the 2024/25 campaign, the left-footed star, who usually plays on the right wing, scored 15 goals in 30 matches in the Danish Superliga for his club.

This suggests that the 23-year-old forward could provide a good goal threat for Rodgers on the right flank next season, if he can adapt to Scottish Premiership football.

Celtic keen to sign another winger

Nygren may not be the only wide option added to the Hoops squad before the summer transfer window slams shut at the start of September, though, as they are also eyeing a left-sided attacker.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Celtic remain interested in a deal to sign Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha ahead of next season.

The reporter claims that the deal has slowed down in recent weeks, but that all parties, including Royal Antwerp and the Belgian dynamo, are keen for the 24-year-old forward to sign for the Hoops before the window closes.

Tavolieri adds that the Pro League side are demanding a fee in the region of £5m for their star winger, and it is now down to the Scottish giants to stump up the cash to get this deal done.

Why Balikwisha would be as exciting as Nygren for Celtic

If the Scottish giants can wrap up a move for the Belgian wing wizard in the coming days or weeks then he would be a signing that would be as exciting as the pending addition of Nygren.

As aforementioned, the Swedish star is an exciting purchase for the Hoops because of the potential he has to deliver goals on a regular basis from the right wing for Celtic.

Balikwisha, meanwhile, is a winger who carries a dual threat on the left flank as someone who can both score and create goals at a fairly impressive rate, albeit he is coming off the back of an injury-laden year that restricted him to just 12 starts in the Belgian top-flight.

The Royal Antwerp star had scored seven goals and provided five assists in 33 outings in the division during the 2023/24 campaign, before a disrupted season this term.

24/25 *per 90	Balikwisha (Pro League)	Nygren (Superliga)
Starts	12	28
Goals	4	15
Assists	3	2
Goals*	0.31	0.53
xA*	0.22	0.21
Assists*	0.23	0.07
Chances created	1.99	1.62
Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, the Belgian star’s performances in limited minutes this season suggest that he has the potential to offer more to the team as a creator than Nygren does.

Balikwisha, who was described as “creative” by analyst Will Glavin, can consistently create high-quality opportunities to assist his teammates, whilst still offering a threat as a goalscorer.

Therefore, Celtic could have a good balance on the flanks as they would have Nygren to provide a huge goal threat and Balikwisha to be the main creator, whilst both players can also chip in with assists and goals respectively.

This means that both wide players are exciting in their own right, as they offer quality in different departments, and that is why Hoops fans should be excited by the prospect of both stars ending up at Parkhead this summer.

Bigger blow than Kyogo: UCL club in talks to sign "breathtaking" Celtic ace

Celtic are in talks with a European team over a deal for one of their star players.

By
Dan Emery

Jun 23, 2025

Liverpool are now reportedly preparing to spend big once again this summer, this time to welcome an impressive midfield star and a key defensive reinforcement for Arne Slot.

Latest on Liverpool's incomings and outgoings

The Reds have spent more than ever this summer, even breaking the British transfer record to secure Florian Wirtz’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen. The German international is one of the best attacking midfielders in the world and will only improve a side that already have a Premier League title to their name under Slot.

The former Leverkusen star isn’t the only fresh face in Liverpool’s dressing room, however. Joining him, Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong, Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili and third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman have also all put pen to paper on Anfield moves this summer.

After signing as many as five fresh faces though, the Reds are now looking to open the door to a number of stars which could yet include Luis Diaz. The Colombian winger has found himself on the radar of both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, with the latter now reportedly willing to spend over £50m to secure his signature.

Whether Liverpool chiefs deem that offer acceptable is the big question. For over £50m, they would be selling a winger who is 28 years old and into the final two years of his current deal with fresh terms not guaranteed. And with that money, the Reds could go out and welcome two more fresh faces to round off their summer spending.

Liverpool preparing £86m double Barcelona swoop

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are now preparing a €100m (£86m) offer to sign both Fermin Lopez and Andeas Christensen this summer.

The Barcelona duo have entered Liverpool’s radar, who are seemingly looking to reinforce both their midfield and backline ahead of their Premier League title defence with £69m on Lopez and £17m on Christensen.

Slot reportedly thinks they’re both a perfect fit at Anfield, but out of the duo, it is Lopez who instantly stands out as a talent to watch. The Spaniard earned high praise from scout Jacek Kulig, who praised his “incredible” 2024. Now, he could be on his way to the home of the Premier League champions.

Perfect Diaz replacement: Liverpool weighing up move for £68m "superstar"

Liverpool’s Colombian forward is edging closer to an Anfield exit this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 8, 2025

Christensen, meanwhile, wouldn’t exactly be a bad backup for Liverpool given his Premier League experience at Chelsea. Whether those at Anfield are prepared to pay his £146,000-a-week salary is another question entirely, however.

كشف مصدر بـ النادي الأهلي، عن أول قرار تجاه اللاعبين بعد التعادل خلال مباراة اليوم أمام إنبي، ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.

وتعادل الأهلي مع إنبي، إيجابيا بهدف لمثله، في إطار مباريات الجولة السادسة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري.

طالع | أحمد حسن: الأهلي يفتقد الروح والشراسة.. وهناك شيء غير مفهوم!

ويحتل الأهلي المركز الخامس عشر في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 6 نقاط جمعها من الفوز بمواجهة وحيدة وهزيمة أمام بيراميدز والتعادل في 3 لقاءات.

وقال المصدر في تصريحات خاصة لـ بطولات: “العقوبات مستمرة على اللاعبين بعد التعادل مع إنبي بسبب سوء الأداء الفني”.

وأتم: “سيتم توقيع العقوبة من وليد صلاح الدين مدير الكرة على لاعبي الأهلي بخصم من راتبهم الشهري بسبب سوء الأداء”.

ومن المقرر أن يواصل الأهلي مبارياته في الدوري المصري بخوض لقاء قوي أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا، في إطار مواجهات الجولة السابعة من المسابقة المحلية. 

Turning their attention towards a third addition after Lukas Nmecha and Jaka Bijol, there have now been claims that Leeds United have a “verbal agreement” in place to sign a £20m+ star.

Jaka Bijol: Leeds move "biggest of my career"

It’s been a busy summer at Elland Road thus far. To kick things off, the Yorkshire club welcomed Nmecha in a bargain deal at the end of his Wolfsburg contract and have since spent big for the first time to sign Bijol from Udinese. The defender was officially unveiled as a Leeds player earlier this week and instantly stated that it is the biggest move of his career.

The defender told the club website: “This is a big day for me, for my family and I’m happy to be here. Maybe the biggest one of my career so far, but I’m ready for it.

Best signing since Raphinha: Leeds close to landing "exceptional" £21m star

Leeds United are closing in on a deal for a star who would be their best signing since Raphinha.

1 ByDan Emery Jun 23, 2025

“I work for it and that’s why I’m here, because it’s a big challenge for everyone. It’s a big challenge for me, for the club, and we’re getting ready for it together. I think the club and myself are ready for the Premier League.

“I can promise that I will give everything, that I will give everything in every training as well to be ready for the first game of the season and then just go from there.”

At £15m, the deal hasn’t come cheap, but it was one that the 49ers were clearly keen to get done ahead of Leeds’ return to the Premier League in the coming months.

Serie A seems to be where it’s at for the American owners too, amid claims that they’ve returned to Italy’s top flight to strike another agreement.

Leeds have "agreement" to sign £20m Krstovic

According to reports relayed by MOT Leeds, Leeds have now got an “agreement in principle” to sign Nikola Krstovic from Serie A side Lecce this summer. In a deal reportedly worth around £20m, the forward could arrive to boost the Whites’ attacking options alongside Nmecha in the coming months.

While a “verbal agreement” is reportedly in place, however, the player himself is reportedly yet to reach a decision regarding an exit away from Lecce this summer, and that decision will ultimately be final.

All involved at Leeds should, of course, be keen to receive the green light from the talented 25-year-old after he scored 12 goals in all competitions for Lecce last summer. If there were any doubts over his ability to perform at the top level then his Serie A record should have helped put those doubts to rest.

After spending big on Bijol, signing Krstovic for an equally impressive fee would send a statement of intent from the 49ers, who will be desperate to help push Leeds away from the dropzone next season.

Arsenal are very active in the transfer market and could complete an array of different deals before summer deadline day on September 1.

Related Club now "working tirelessly" to sign Arsenal "magician" for pre-season

It starts in three days.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Jul 11, 2025

Mikel Arteta is being backed to the very hilt by new sporting director Andrea Berta, who’s making quite the impression since he was officially announced as Edu’s replacement in late March.

The Italian has begun his reign by completing the signings of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke, with the latter undergoing his medical this weekend ahead of a £50 million move from Chelsea (Fabrizio Romano).

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£75m

The England international, who has divided opinions among the Arsenal fanbase, will also put pen to paper on a long-term five-year contract – putting an end to Arsenal’s search for a left-winger.

While their pursuit of an out-and-out wide appears has drawn to a close with Madueke’s arrival, Arsenal still want Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze to complement club captain Martin Odegaard in central attacking midfield, according to Sky Sports.

Arsenal have held positive talks with Eze’s camp, but are yet to open formal Palace talks with regard to paying the 27-year-old’s £68 million release clause.

The potential arrivals of both Eze and Madueke would come as a serious statement from Arsenal, but one area of the squad which quite simply needs to be prioritised is at centre-forward.

Arsenal’s lack of ruthlessness in the final third last term, especially when compared to their previous two campaigns, was a major cause for concern and played a serious role in the Gunners’ lacklustre Premier League title challenge.

Viktor Gyokeres only wants to join Arsenal this summer

The consensus is that Berta’s looking towards Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres to solve this problem.

The prolific Sweden international has been unplayable since moving to Portugal two years ago, scoring 97 goals in just 102 total appearances, but his time at Sporting, it’s safe to say, is now over.

The former Coventry City star is actively refusing to return to pre-season training, and Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Gyokeres, as negotiations rumble on over the final fee.

Now, the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on the situation.

Writing for CaughtOffside, he states that Gyokeres only wants to join Arsenal this summer, and he won’t entertain talks with any other club as things stand, so there is little danger of a potential hijack from Ruben Amorim’s Man United.

This comes after personal terms were agreed with Gyokeres days ago, but Sporting’s price is a major sticking point.

Some reports have even claimed that their president, Frederico Varandas, could go back on his promise not to demand the player’s full £85 million release clause – due to the toxic situation involving Gyokeres’ agent (CNN Portugal).

Frontline spinner Abrar Ahmed has been released to play for the Shaheens

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Aug-2024Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in the first Test in Rawalpindi next week without a specialist spinner, after Abrar Ahmed was released from the Test squad to join the Shaheens squad.It means Pakistan will field an all-pace attack, with the return of Naseem Shah to the Test side after a year out bolstering an attack that also includes Shaheen Shah Afridi.Khurram Shehzad and Mir Hamza, who both impressed at times during Pakistan’s last Test assignment in Australia, and Mohammad Ali are the other fast bowlers in the squad. Aamer Jamal, though, is unlikely to be available for the first Test. Jamal was the standout performer in Australia, taking 18 wickets and scoring valuable runs. But he’s been suffering from a lower back complaint since earlier this summer, one which affected and ultimately curtailed his county stint with Warwickshire.Abrar, who missed the Australia Tests with an injury, has been released alongside Kamran Ghulam, in the interests of both playing cricket rather than sitting on the bench. Ghulam will captain the Shaheens side against Bangladesh A in a four-day game, which begins in Islamabad on August 20, one day before the Test series.Related

Shan Masood: 'We want to give Saim Ayub a fair chance'

Aamer Jamal's back issues rule him out of Bangladesh Test series

Bangladesh look to shut out the noise and find rhythm in Rawalpindi

Pakistan vs Bangladesh Test moved from Karachi to Rawalpindi

Pakistan to play Karachi Test against Bangladesh without spectators

Abrar’s absence means Pakistan will be without a frontline spinner for only the second time in a home Test – including their UAE Tests – since September 1995 (though they did play a couple of Tests in the early 2000s with Shahid Afridi as their sole spinner). The only other time they played an all-pace attack was also at Rawalpindi, in December 2019, in what was their first Test in Pakistan in 10 years. That was part of a strategic shift under the new leadership of Azhar Ali, who, with Yasir Shah’s form dipping drastically, wanted to rely more on pace. It didn’t last long as Yasir returned and, in subsequent seasons, pitches were prepared to assist spin.Abrar Ahmed will play for Pakistan Shaheens against Bangladesh A next week•Matthew Lewis/Getty ImagesThe move to release Abrar doesn’t mark a broader change in philosophy as much as it acknowledges what Pakistan hope the surface in Rawalpindi will be – one with pace and bounce. If so, that will be a significant change from recent Test surfaces at the venue: lifeless and full of runs.It is also a nod towards the relative lack of resources in Pakistan’s spin cupboard, with neither Sajid Khan nor Noman Ali really having nailed down a spot in the Test side over the last few seasons. The first Test will be the fourth instance of Pakistan not picking a spinner in their playing XI in their last 32 Tests. By contrast, only twice in 201 Tests before that did they not play a specialist spinner.

I believe we have all bases covered, and it’s a very exciting time for the Pakistan Test sideRed-ball coach Jason Gillespie

It will leave Salman Ali Agha to shoulder the spin load for this Test, though increasingly that is a responsibility he has looked well-equipped for. In his last six Tests, since the start of 2023, he has bowled on average 12 overs per innings, including twice bowling 20 or more overs in Australia. He’s also made a habit of picking up useful wickets in that time, something that has not gone unnoticed.Asked on the last week whether Pakistan were short of spinning options, Test coach Jason Gillespie said: “You can look into whatever you want. But to start, I think we’ve got two special spinners. Salman Ali Agha is good enough to be classified as a specialist spinner. From what I’ve seen, he has a lot of potential with his offspin. Abrar (Ahmed), obviously, is a fine young bowler in the early stages of his career.”So, I think we’ve covered a lot of bases. We have a lot of seam-bowling options and spin-bowling options. Our batting is varied as well. I believe we have all bases covered, and it’s a very exciting time for the Pakistan Test side.”Both Abrar and Ghulam will rejoin the Test squad after the conclusion of the Shaheens four-day game and will be available for selection for the second Test in Karachi.

Scotland pushed Australia hard at the T20 World Cup earlier this year – a victory would have dumped England out of the tournament – and have genuine belief they can go a step further in the three-match ODI series in Edinburgh.After Brandon McMullen’s 60 off 34 balls, the equation got down to Australia needing 87 off 39 deliveries and there was a realistic chance of an upset before Marcus Stoinis carried the game away from them. Having been 90 for 0 against England when the match was abandoned, it was an agonizing difference between the Super Eight and going home.Related

• Scotland call up Charlie Cassell and Jasper Davidson for Australia T20Is

• Connolly's love of the 'big moments' puts him on the fast track

• Australia's road to 2026: Eyes on Fraser-McGurk and Ellis' chance to lead

Three games in four days with home advantage, and against an Australia side with some less experienced names, gives Scotland the chance to secure a first victory over them – and they aren’t just targeting one win.”I think we’re after a little bit of blood this week, and not just win a game but win the series”, left-arm spinner Mark Watt told the Cricket Scotland website. “We can definitely take inspiration from that game in St Lucia, but we also have a little bit of a point to prove, as we all believe we should have won that game and kicked on further in the World Cup. We can say we got close, but actually in the back of our heads we’re disappointed that we didn’t win.”All 15 players who were at the T20 World Cup are part of the squad for this series, but one new name for the Australians who were there will be pace bowler Charlie Cassell who burst onto the international scene with the best figures on ODI debut when he took 7 for 21 against Oman.”It’s a great opportunity for them to share the field with world-class players,” Scotland head coach Doug Watson said when the squad was announced. “They’re wanting to put in some huge performances and compete, and really push this Australia team. The goal for us is to win this series. The first game is really important – if we can win that, it’ll set up the next two matches.”Scotland have been the beneficiary of Ireland being unable to host Australia as originally scheduled due to financial constraints. Australia last played a bilateral match against them in 2013 when Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh combined for a first-wicket stand of 246. Current captain Richie Berrington was part of the Scotland side.In 2018, Scotland had one of their most famous days when they beat England by six runs at Edinburgh but opportunities against the leading nations outside of global events are few and far between and they are desperate for more.”It is frustrating we don’t get the opportunities to play the big boys, so to speak,” Michael Leask told . “Even the likes of Bangladesh and West Indies, we don’t get opportunities to play against them. And we would take any opportunity, because the more high quality cricket we get, the better we get.”We would love them to come and play us more often but we understand sometimes it is not feasible. We want any fixture we can get against the big boys, but they have got a heavy schedule. This is our opportunity. It would be nice if the higher associates got more exposure. We punch above our weight a lot of the time and that is down to the quality of the group we’ve got.”