'We stay connected' – Sunderland boss hints at move to sign former Arsenal ace Matteo Guendouzi

Regis Le Bris has responded to mounting speculation linking Sunderland with the signing of Marseille's Matteo Guendouzi. While the Black Cats boss did not commit to an approach for the ex-Arsenal midfielder in the January transfer window, he spoke positively of their relationship. Le Bris was managing Lorient's B team as Guendouzi was coming through the ranks at the French club.

Guendouzi to reunite with Le Bris at Sunderland?

The 49-year-old manager revealed that he and his former player keep in touch. Le Bris gave Guendouzi his first foray into senior football back in 2016. The defensive midfielder pushed on from his time Lorient's reserve team, establishing himself in the Ligue 2 outfit's starting XI before making the switch to Arsenal for an undisclosed fee.

Their close relationship and Sunderland's excellent start to life back in the Premier League could be enough to convince Guendouzi to trade Rome for Wearside. Guendouzi joined Lazio from Marseille in on a permanent basis in 2024 after an initial season-long loan spell, for a reported fee of €15 million (£13.2m).

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBlack Cats boss coy on official approach

Despite their positive relationship, Le Bris was coy about the speculation, suggesting the club had not committed to an approach in the coming transfer window. He said: "We still have connections with players and Matteo is one of those players. I worked with him (previously) in Lorient so we stay connected. But at the minute it’s too early to speak about the January transfer window."

Guendouzi not surprised by Le Bris' Sunderland success

Based on his previous comments, a reunion would please Guendouzi, who has credited Le Bris for his impact on his career. Since leaving Lorient in 2016, Guendouzi has made 312 senior appearance in club football and represented his country 14 times. 

The 26-year-old said Le Bris' success on Wearside comes as no surprise to him. Since taking over at the Stadium of Light, the Frenchman has exceeded all expectations leading the Black Cats back to the Premier League for the first time in eight years. Sunderland have punched above their weight so far this term, taking points from Arsenal and Chelsea. Le Bris' side are currently fourth in the table. 

"Honestly, his results at Sunderland don't surprise me," Guendouzi said recently. "A year with him is perhaps the equivalent of three with other coaches. You learn a lot about yourself. Without him, I wouldn't be where I am today."

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Getty Images SportWill Guendouzi make a return to the Premier League?

Guendouzi could well look at at a return to England as a chance to right some unfinished business. He flashed moments of promise in Unai Emery's side, however, he was quickly sidelined by Mikel Arteta. 

Joining a massive club like Arsenal with limited senior experience at the age of just 18 presents a steep learning curve for any player. There were moments of discipline that suggested a player that needed to mature to excel in the world's toughest domestic competition. Now at 26-years-old, Guendouzi could well fancy a reunion with his ex manager, and his midfield running mate Granit Xhaka. For that to happen, the Black Cats will likely have to exceed the €15m fee Lazio paid 18 months ago. 

In the meantime, Guendouzi will have to focus on his duties for the two-time Italian champions. The Biancocelesti currently sit in ninth place in Serie A. They return from the international break when they host Lecce on Sunday. 

Guilherme Madruga vence o Prêmio Puskás no Fifa The Best 2023; veja o gol

MatériaMais Notícias

Guilherme Madruga venceu a competição de gol mais bonito da temporada e recebeu o Prêmio Puskás do Fifa The Best 2023. O brasileiro superou os outros finalistas, Nuno Santos, do Sporting, e Julio Enciso, do Brighton.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasTodos EsportesVini Jr no time ideal, prêmio Marta, Messi sumido e Ederson melhor goleiro; Os destaques do Fifa The Best 2023Todos Esportes15/01/2024Futebol InternacionalFifa The Best 2023: Bonmatí, do Barcelona, vence o prêmio de melhor jogadora do mundoFutebol Internacional15/01/2024Futebol InternacionalMelhor jogador do mundo não aparece para receber o prêmio no Fifa The Best 2023Futebol Internacional15/01/2024

Quando marcou o gol, Guilherme era jogador do Botafogo-SP. O jogador acertou um chutaço de bicicleta, de fora da área, e encobriu o goleiro. Agora, o atleta é jogador do Cuiabá e vai jogar na primeira divisão do Brasileirão em 2023.

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

– Um dia único na minha vida. Com certeza está marcado na minha história e também na memória de todos que me acompanham desde o começo da minha trajetória. É um sonho isso que estou vivendo, estar entre meus ídolos. Eu não esperava isso. Foi totalmente diferente do que planejei, mas foi muito melhor – disse.

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Essa é a terceira vez que um brasileiro vence o troféu. Neymar, quando jogava pelo Santos, em 2011, e posteriormente Wendell Lira, em 2015.

Tudo sobre

Prêmio Puskas

Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe now demanding €260m from PSG in compensation but French giants hit back with even bigger claim as legal dispute escalates

Kylian Mbappe’s feud with Paris Saint-Germain has exploded into one of football’s most expensive courtroom battles, with the Real Madrid star now demanding more than €260 million in compensation. PSG have countered with an even bigger €440m claim, as both sides accuse each other of breaches of contract, bad faith and unfair treatment in a case now before a Paris labour court.

  • Mbappe escalates compensation claim against PSG

    French superstar Mbappe’s long-running contract dispute with Paris Saint-Germain has reached a dramatic new phase, with the forward now demanding over €260m (£229m/$301m) in compensation as the case moves through the Paris labour court. According to a recent report by the Real Madrid striker, who did not attend Monday’s hearing, has massively increased his initial claim of €55m (£48m/$64m), arguing that PSG “owe him that money because his fixed-term contract should be reclassified as a permanent one.”

    This reclassification, his lawyers say, would entitle him to full compensation for unfair dismissal, unpaid wages, bonuses and severance, in addition to substantial damages. His legal team stated: “Kylian Mbappe is not asking for anything beyond what the law provides; he is simply seeking the enforcement of his legal rights, as any employee would.”

    Mbappe’s complaint also alleges moral harassment, undeclared work and breaches of PSG’s duty of good faith, pointing to his sidelining in 2023 after he informed the club he would not extend his contract. The forward was excluded from a pre-season tour and forced to train with fringe players, a practice described in France as “lofting.”

    The case stems from the breakdown of relations following Mbappe’s refusal to activate the optional extension in his 2022 contract, a decision that left PSG facing the prospect of losing a €300m (£264m/$347m) asset for free, and ultimately did.

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  • AFP

    PSG’s accusations of loss of revenue and reputational damage

    PSG have responded with a colossal counter-claim of €440m (£387m/$510m), arguing that Mbappe’s departure on a free transfer inflicted severe financial and reputational harm. The club insists he acted in bad faith throughout the final year of his contract, with PSG saying in a statement: “The club has presented evidence demonstrating that the player acted disloyally by concealing his decision not to extend his contract for almost eleven months, between July 2022 and June 2023, thus depriving the club of any possibility of arranging a transfer.”

    PSG further argue that Mbappe reneged on what they describe as a verbal agreement to forgo certain bonuses in exchange for being reintegrated into the squad during the 2023-24 season. Their statement adds: “The player challenged an agreement reached with the club in August 2023, which provided for a reduction in his remuneration should he decide to leave freely, in order to preserve the club’s financial stability following the exceptional investment made.”

    The French champions also categorically denied allegations of psychological pressure or mistreatment, which Mbappe has been claiming. PSG emphasise that Mbappe still played over 94% of official matches that season, reinforcing that all “sporting decisions were made by a coach who is now a Champions League winner.”

  • Mbappe’s camp challenges PSG allegations and recounts isolation period

    The French captain’s legal team has firmly rejected PSG’s narrative, insisting that the club never provided proof of any agreement to waive bonuses. The player maintains that he was subject to “moral harassment,” pointing to his exclusion from pre-season tours and enforced training away from the first-team squad. His camp argues this treatment created a “hostile working environment” and breached the club’s obligations under the French labour code.

    His lawyers highlight that Mbappe’s sidelining began shortly after he informed PSG he would not extend his contract, claiming this amounted to a clear attempt to pressure him into renewing. They repeated that PSG have “never produced any evidence” of a verbal pact on bonuses or salary reductions.

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  • AFP

    Court ruling could reshape contract disputes across European football

    The star forward, who left PSG having scored a club-record 256 goals in 308 games, believes that the club’s actions were motivated by frustration over his decision to depart for free. His team insists PSG used public pressure tactics to shape the narrative around his exit, a claim the club vehemently denies.

    This legal confrontation has quickly become one of the largest and most complex player-club disputes European football has ever seen, and the combined claims push the potential financial outcome of a figure unprecedented in football labour cases.

    The tribunal is expected to deliver a decision on December 16, though the case may drag on through appeals. 

Sheffield United announce Patrick Bamford free agent signing

Sheffield United have completed a free deal for Patrick Bamford following his departure from Leeds United earlier this season, with the striker signing a short-term contract until January 2026.

The Blades are desperately attempting to turn their season around following a miserable start which saw Chris Wilder return to replace Ruben Selles just three months after he left the club.

Now as low as 22nd and far from the promotion hopes that they had in mind, those at Bramall Lane suddenly find themselves in an early, unexpected relegation scrap which they’ll be looking to turn on its head after the international break.

Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Queens Park Rangers at least stopped the rot and handed the Blades their first clean sheet in four games, but they must find a way to turn a draw into all three points in a crucial clash against rivals Sheffield Wednesday on 23 November.

Speaking to reporters after the QPR stalemate, Wilder admitted his frustration afrer what he felt was a performance worthy of three points.

Goals were once again the problem for Sheffield United, but the arrival of Bamford could help put an end to their unexpected woes in the Championship.

Sheffield United sign Bamford

As reported by The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Sheffield United opened talks to sign Bamford just this week, and things have moved quickly as the Blades announced an agreement on Thursday morning.

The former Leeds forward has been a free agent since leaving Elland Road in August, but now seemingly has the chance to make a return to the Championship on a prove-it deal lasting just a few months.

If Wilder is looking for goals then getting the best out of Bamford will give him exactly that. The 32-year-old has stolen headlines in the Premier League at his best and has as many as 69 Championship goals to his name throughout his career.

Previously dubbed “fantastic” by Leeds boss Daniel Farke, Bamford has the perfect opportunity to get the latter stages of his career back on track by joining Sheffield United. And he could even get the perfect chance to impress on his debut in the derby if he proves his fitness in time to face Sheffield Wednesday.

Wilder set to make ruthless January decision as three Sheffield Utd players get the axe

ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي بعد فوز آرسنال على توتنهام

انطلقت منافسات الجولة الثانية عشر من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2025/26، ظهر يوم السبت وذلك بعد انتهاء فترة التوقف الدولي لشهر نوفمبر.

وتمكن تشيلسي من عبور بيرنلي بهدفين دون رد، في حين تعرض ليفربول للهزيمة أمام نوتينجهام فورست في الجولة نفسها بثلاثة أهداف دون رد.

بينما تعرض مانشستر سيتي للهزيمة على ملعب “سانت جيمس بارك” بهدفين لهدف أمام نيوكاسل يونايتد مساء السبت.

وشهد مساء يوم الأحد قمة منافسات الجولة المذكورة من الدوري الإنجليزي بين آرسنال وتوتنهام، حيث حقق الجانرز فوزًا بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدف.

وانتهت منافسات الجولة الثانية عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي يوم الإثنين بمباراة بين مانشستر يونايتد وإيفرتون، حيث فاز الأخير بهدف دون رد. ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي

1. آرسنال، 29 نقطة.

2. تشيلسي، 23 نقطة.

3. مانشستر سيتي، 22 نقطة.

4. أستون فيلا، 21 نقطة.

5. كريستال بالاس، 20 نقطة.

6. برايتون، 19 نقطة.

7. سندرلاند، 19 نقطة.

8. بورنموث، 19 نقطة.

9. توتنهام، 18 نقطة.

10. مانشستر يونايتد، 18 نقطة.

11. إيفرتون، 18 نقطة

12. ليفربول، 18 نقطة.

13. برينتفورد، 16 نقطة.

14. نيوكاسل، 15 نقطة.

15. فولهام، 12 نقطة.

16. نوتينجهام، 12 نقطة.

17. وست هام، 11 نقطة.

18. ليدز يونايتد، 11 نقطة.

19. بيرنلي، 10 نقاط.

20. ولفرهامبتون، نقطتان.

ويمكنك متابعة ترتيب الدوري محدث لحظة بلحظة من خلال الرابط.

West Indies drop Brathwaite for India Tests; Chanderpaul, Athanaze recalled

Khary Pierre, the left-arm spinner who is yet to play in Tests, has also been called up

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Sep-2025West Indies have dropped former captain Kraigg Brathwaite from their 15-member squad for the two-Test series in India beginning on October 2, while Alick Athanaze and Tagenarine Chanderpaul have been recalled with an emphasis on players well equipped to play spin.Brathwaite, a veteran of 100 Test caps, lost his place in the XI in the final Test against Australia earlier this year, a series which West Indies lost 0-3 and resulted in an emergency meeting which involved the likes of Clive Lloyd and Brian Lara. Also missing from the squad against Australia are Keacy Carty, Johann Layne and Mikyle Louis.Khary Pierre, the left-arm spinner who is yet to play in Tests, has been called up too. Pierre is the second specialist spinner in the squad alongside vice-captain Jomel Warrican, and has been selected after taking 41 wickets at an average of 13.56 in the West Indies championship. Gudakesh Motie, meanwhile, has been rested “given the demands of the upcoming limited-overs schedule,” according to a CWI release.”The return of Tagenarine Chanderpaul is to help transform our fortunes at the top of the order given the recent struggles, with Alick Athanaze being added for his strengths and qualities against spin bowling,” head coach Daren Sammy said in a statement. “Khary is included for the first time as our second spinner in what we expect to be helpful conditions.”ESPNcricinfo LtdAthanaze’s last Test appearance was in the subcontinent against Pakistan in January. Chanderpaul, who last played a Test in January 2024 on the tour of Australia, is likely to partner John Campbell at the top. Kevlon Anderson, who has a first-class average of 42.05, keeps his place in the squad. The other batters are the captain Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach and Brandon King.The spin contingent will be led by Warrican, Pierre, and Chase. The seamers are Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Anderson Phillip and Jayden Seales.West Indies are set to arrive in Ahmedabad on September 24. Only four players – Chase, Hope, Alzarri and Warrican – were part of the West Indies squad that last toured India in 2018-19. The first Test is set to be played in Ahmedabad and the second one in Delhi from October 10.West Indies have a busy season ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup in February-March. Later this month, they play Nepal in Sharjah for three T20Is, then play two Tests in India before flying to Bangladesh for a multi-format white-ball tour in October-November. They close out the year with an all-format tour of New Zealand from November 5 to December 22 comprising five T20Is, three ODIs and three Tests.West Indies Test squad for India series
Roston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican (vice-capt), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales.

Potts keeps Durham afloat after Elgar, Critchley hundreds

Seamer’s three-wicket burst limits hosts’ progress and increases likelihood of draw in relegation battle

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay10-Sep-2025

Matthew Potts made three key breakthroughs to dent Essex’s progress•Getty Images

Matthew Potts made a serious claim for a place in England’s tour party for the Ashes this winter with a three-wicket haul for Durham at Chelmsford including the key scalps of Essex centurions Dean Elgar and Matt Critchley.The 26-year-old pace bowler had been pulled out of next week’s one-day internationals in Ireland by the England management for an up-to-date assessment of his red-ball form with an outing or two in the Rothesay County Championship ahead of the trip Down Under. However, it took him 22 overs of unrelenting toil, and occasional bad luck when his pace beat the bat without reward, before he finally struck to end the 191-run fourth-wicket partnership. Potts finished a day shorn of 57 overs by rain interruptions with figures of 3 for 95 from 30 overs.The obdurate Elgar was at the crease for 98 overs in clocking up 150, his first century of the season, while Critchley’s more flamboyant 129 took just 168 balls. In perfect symmetry, though in great contrast, both batsmen hit 17 fours and one six.Their stand encompassed 50 overs and underpinned Essex’s 457 for 8, which gave them a first-innings lead of 124 in the battle between two relegation-threatened teams. But a lull after the departure of both men within 10 balls from Potts meant Essex missed out on a fourth batting point which had looked a certainty at one point.It had taken Critchley just six balls to move from his overnight 97 into three-figures for the third time his summer. The milestone, from 137 balls, was achieved with a wristy shot to the third-man boundary off Ben Raine. That was followed two balls later with his 14th four, a cover-drive that was both imperious and effortless.Essex moved into the black 15 minutes into the day’s play when Critchley punished Raine with his fourth boundary in the seamer’s opening two overs, again angling the ball through the vacant third man.Elgar was content to watch from the other end as Critchley did the bulk of the early scoring but still crept to 150 from 281 balls. Two balls later, though, he got a thick edge to one in Potts’s fourth over of the day and was caught behind. In his next over, Potts had Critchley playing down the wrong line to one that would have hit middle and off.From a position where the requisite 400 in 110 overs was on the cards, Essex went into the doldrums as the cut-off point loomed. Michael Pepper took 14 balls to get off the mark but fell two balls later when he failed to read an inswinger from Sam Conners and was also lbw. In the end Essex were 29 runs short of the target.Noah Thain hung around for 60 balls in a 52-run stand with Simon Harmer before he became Potts’s third victim, caught brilliantly at full-stretch by Ben McKinney at slip. However, the arrival of Doug Bracewell belatedly increased the tempo as he twice creamed Potts through the covers for fours and then launched Callum Parkinson for a long, straight six.Harmer’s demise after a 70-ball 44, playing on to Raine, brought in the injured Shane Snater with runner Charlie Allison. However, the rain returned as they approached the wicket, though they were soon back for another 10-minute burst of action ahead of a serious bout of heavy rain in mid-afternoon sent the players scurrying for shelter for the final time.

Southampton manager update now shared on Tonda Eckert and full-time move

A new Southampton manager update has been shared from St Mary’s regarding a full-time move for interim boss Tonda Eckert.

Eckert responds to permanent Southampton job rumours

The Saints made the perfect start to life without Will Still in the week, defeating Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Loftus Road.

Eckert was the man in charge of Southampton following Still’s exit, with second half goals from Jay Robinson and Leo Scienza lifting them above rivals Portsmouth.

The 3-4-2-1 caretaker is once again set to be on the touchline this weekend prior to the international break as St Mary’s play host to bottom side Sheffield Wednesday. Talking ahead of the game, Eckert was asked if he fancied the Southampton job on a permanent basis, to which he said:

“Look, the answer is very easy on this one. My job is to prepare the game today in the best way possible. My job is to prepare the game on Saturday (8th November) in the best way possible. That’s what all my focus is on. It’s going to be three very important days until Saturday. Then we can all take a breath.

“I think the only thing I can do is give energy and give a structure, and prepare them in the best way possible. We’re going to do the same thing for Saturday and hopefully confirm [the improvement] and then we’ll go into a break and go again.”

Now, a new update has emerged regarding Southampton’s position over Eckert.

How Southampton feel about full-time Tonda Eckert move

According to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, Southampton now “consider Eckert a potential candidate for the full-time job” following his winning start in temporary charge.

The 32-year-old’s coaching career has mainly been as an assistant, helping some iconic names such as Patrick Vieira at Genoa and Miroslav Klose at Bayern Munich’s U17 side.

His experience in England came during 18 months as an assistant at Barnsley, with Eckert taking charge of Southampton’s U21s in the summer.

Tonda Eckert’s coaching career

Role

Years

1.FC Koln U17

Assistant manager

2013-2016

RB Salzburg YL

Assistant manager

2016-2017

RB Leipzig YL

Assistant manager

2017-2019

FC Bayern U17

Assistant manager

2019-2020

Barnsley

Assistant manager

2020-2022

Genoa

Assistant manager

2022-2025

Saints gem Moses Sesay has been impressed under Eckert, saying he is an “experienced” coach who “demands a lot” in training and is “big on detail”.

“I’ve enjoyed working with him. I took some time to get a good connection with him, because he was new, but I really like him. He’s a good coach. He’s very experienced. He demands a lot from us in training, but I like that as a player. He knows what he wants, which is good.

“Comparing Calum McFarlane (former under-21s boss) with Tonda, I think Cal was maybe a little bit more technical, but there hasn’t been much of a difference.

“Tonda is big on detail. He’s a very good coach. We’ve had good results since he came in and went a few games unbeaten. It’s been good under him.”

Positive words indeed, and if Eckert makes it two from two on Saturday, his stock could continue to rise.

Their own Lampard: "Very intelligent" coach now wants the Southampton job

Upgrade on Nancy: Celtic considering move for "unbeatable" 4-2-3-1 manager

Celtic have just under two weeks to find their long-term successor to Brendan Rodgers in the dugout at Parkhead before the end of the international break.

Martin O’Neill has been in interim charge for the last four matches in all competitions, winning three of them, but he may have managed his last game for the club if they can find a permanent head coach in the coming days.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph recently claimed that Columbus Crew manager Wilfried Nancy has emerged as one of the contenders to replace Rodgers in Glasgow.

Celtic considering move for title-winning manager

The French MLS head coach is not the only name under consideration during this international break, though, as they are also looking at a title-winning boss who would be an upgrade on Nancy.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

According to Sky Sports, Celtic have drawn up a shortlist that includes several of the usual suspects, including Nancy, Kieran McKenna, Craig Bellamy, and Kjetil Knutsen.

The report claims that Club Brugge head coach Nicky Hayen is also one of the tacticians on their radar, as they consider who they want to replace Rodgers this season.

It remains to be seen who they will decide to pursue as their number one target, at this moment in time, but Hayen could be a much better option than Nancy for the Hoops.

Why Nicky Hayen would be a better option than Wilfried Nancy for Celtic

The 4-2-3-1 head coach could be an upgrade on the Columbus Crew manager for Celtic because of his experience in European football and his superior domestic performances.

Per Transfermarkt, Nancy has averaged 1.70 points per game over 169 MLS matches in his career. He also ended the 2025 campaign with a points per game average of 1.59, winning 14 and losing eight of his 34 games.

Meanwhile, per Transfermarkt, Hayen has averaged 2.00 points per game across 83 matches as Club Brugge’s permanent manager, after averaging 2.21 points per game in 14 outings as their caretaker before landing the permanent job.

The Pro League boss, who was described as “tactically unbeatable” by one scout on X, has also won three trophies, including a league title, since the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

Meanwhile, Nancy has won one trophy, the MLS Cup, since the start of 2023, which suggests that Hayen would be the better option out of the pair when looking for domestic success in the Scottish Premiership.

Matches

4

15

Wins

2

6

Draws

1

2

Losses

1

7

Points per game

1.75

1.33

Best finish

Semi-finals

Last 16

As you can see in the table above, the Club Brugge head coach has also had success on the European stage, going further in the Conference League and the Champions League than Rodgers ever did across his two spells at Parkhead with Celtic.

These statistics suggest that Hayen would help the Hoops to compete on the European stage, as he has proven that he can coach at that level, whilst Nancy has only ever coached in the MLS and has no prior experience in the Europa League, Conference League, or Champions League.

Dream Knutsen alternative: Celtic want to interview "incredible" manager

Celtic want to interview a manager who would be a dream alternative to Kjetil Knutsen.

ByDan Emery Nov 11, 2025

Therefore, the Club Brugge boss could be a much better option for the Scottish giants than Nancy, because their respective careers suggest that he has a higher chance of being a success domestically and on the European stage.

Brevis, Markram earn record sums at SA20 2025-26 auction

Dewald Brevis, the holder of the highest individual T20I score for South Africa, broke the SA20 pay record when he was picked up for R16.5 million (US$945,000 approx.) by Pretoria Capitals (PC) at the auction on Tuesday night.Bidding for Brevis, whose base price was R500,000 ($28,500 approx.), was opened by Joburg Super Kings (JSK). They were in a fierce battle with Paarl Royals (PR) up until the R10 million mark. PR, who only had a purse of R14.5 million going in, then opted out but PC entered the contest. They had a bidding war with JSK, who offered R16 million, but bowed out when PC raised it by R500,000. PC used up more than half their available purse of R32.5 million on Brevis.Brevis also became the second player to break the R10 million mark, 12 minutes after South Africa’s T20I captain and two-time title-winning captain at Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) Aiden Markram sold for R14 million to Durban’s Super Giants (DSG). Markram was hotly contested between DSG and PC, with DSG winning the final bid at R12.4 million. SEC exercised their right to match card but DSG increased the bid to R14 million and SEC let Markram go. Markram could be in the running to captain DSG, whose former leader Keshav Maharaj opened the auction and was picked up by PC for R1.7 million.

The double champions came into the auction with 14 player slots available and looking for a new captain after they did not retain Markram. Assistant coach Russell Domingo announced that Tristan Stubbs, the only player they retained, would lead the side despite the acquisition of Matthew Breetzke, who was their most expensive purchase at R6.1 million ($350,000 approx.). Breetzke will reunite with his former DSG team-mate Quinton de Kock, also a captain but a reluctant one, who was acquired reasonably cheaply for R2.4 million ($137,000 approx.).Related

  • Kane Williamson to replace Taijul Islam at DSG ahead of SA20 2025-26

  • South Africa's T20 concerns: Markram's spot, bowling combo, injury management

  • SA20 auction blog – Brevis fetches record bid from Pretoria Capitals

  • How the SA20 squads stack up after the auction

SEC’s coup was scooping Anrich Nortje for R5 million ($285,000 approx.) to join forces with Marco Jansen in leading their attack. Their other key bowlers are Patrick Kruger, Lutho Sipamla and Senuran Muthusamy, while they filled their squad in the accelerated round with James Coles, Chris Wood, Lewis Gregory and CJ and JP King.Defending champions MI Cape Town (MICT) went into the auction with the smallest purse of R11.5 million ($656,000 approx.) and spent almost half of it on getting back batter Rassie van der Dussen, for whom they paid R5.2 million ($298,000 approx.). They got Reeza Hendricks at a steal for R500,000 ($28,500 approx.) and held on to Dane Piedt and Tristan Luus and will go into Season 4 with a squad that most resembles their previous one.While it stands to reason that a successful team would privilege continuity, the opposite applies to those who have struggled and it was all change for PC, DSG and JSK.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

After acquiring Brevis and Maharaj, PC added Lungi Ngidi, who plays his domestic cricket at SuperSport Park, Lizaad Williams, Saqib Mahmood, Codi Yusuf and Craig Overton in what will be a powerful attack.DSG stacked their squad cleverly with quicks including Kwena Maphaka and Gerald Coetzee (R7.4 million – $420,000 approx.), allrounder Eathan Bosch and international Test batters David Bedingham and Tony de Zorzi. In addition to Noor Ahmad and Sunil Narine, who they had on their books before the auction, they added Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam.JSK spent R9 million ($513,000 approx.) on the Johannesburg-based allrounder Wiaan Mulder, who has stepped up across all formats for South Africa, and R6.3 ($360,000 approx.) to hold on to left-arm quick Nandre Burger. Recovering from lower back stress fractures, Burger was unable to play last season and JSK will hope he can be an asset at the Wanderers.Pretoria Capitals’ Sourav Ganguly raises the paddle•SA20

They also bought offspin-bowling allrounder Prenalen Subrayen, whose action was cleared by an independent testing centre recently after he was reported in Australia. They also bought back Imran Tahir, who was unsold until the final round but eventually secured another appearance in a T20 league. Right at the end, they also pocketed Reece Topley, who could be a handful on the Highveld.PR entered the accelerated round still needing eight players with just R3.18 million remaining while JSK needed nine players with R3.60 million remaining, both of which speak to how difficult the first four-and-a-half hours the auction was for them. PR’s most expensive buy was Kyle Verreynne, who had a base price of R200,000, which PC matched. PR pulled out all the stops and paid R2.3 million ($131,00 approx.) for him. They also bought Ottneil Baartman and Gudakesh Motie, whose styles of bowling should suit the slow, low pitch in Paarl. PR also got in Jersey batter Asa Tribe for R200,000. Tribe, 21, hit five successive fifty-plus scores in each of his last five List-A matches, including a hat-trick of centuries – two for Glamorgan and one for Jersey.What they lacked was an out and out quick with Ngidi gone to PC and Maphaka bought by DSG for what ended up being steals at R2.3 million each, but they picked up Hardus Viljoen in the accelerated round for R200,000 and Eshan Malinga in the second accelerated round for R1 million ($57,000 approx.). PR’s auction seemed to go badly as Kumar Sangakkara routinely held his hands across his face but they picked up legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter and Sri Lankan allrounder Vishen Halambage right at the end.Notable unsold players included Andile Phehlukwayo and Junior Dala from a South African perspective, and Mustafizur Rahman, Kusal Perera, Jayden Seales, Jimmy Anderson and Moeen Ali among the international names.

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