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Newcastle United are believed to be happy to sell a “unique” player during the January transfer window, according to a fresh update regarding his future.

Newcastle transfer news

One player who the Magpies have been linked with signing in recent days is Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush, who is enjoying a fantastic season for the Bundesliga club. Scouts are said to have been sent to watch the 25-year-old in action, having registered 18 goal contributions (11 goals and seven assists) in just 11 league appearances in 2024/25 to date.

In what would be a shock signing, in many ways, Paul Pogba has also emerged as a rumoured transfer target for Eddie Howe, with the 31-year-old available to play again in 2025 after completing a ban. The free agent has reportedly turned down Neecastle’s advances, though.

Miguel Almiron has been linked with a move away from St James’ Park plenty of times in recent months, with the Magpies targeting upgrades in his right-sided attacking role. One such figure is PSV Eindhoven ace Johan Bakayoko, who is a young winger with so much potential.

In terms of other attacking targets, Bournemouth hero Antoine Semenyo has been backed to join Newcastle, too, having matured into one of his side’s most important players. He is also predominantly right-sided, however, so it is unlikely that both he and Bakayoko would come in.

"Unique" Newcastle player allowed to leave

According to a new report from The Telegraph‘s Luke Edwards, Newcastle and PIF will let Almiron leave in the January window, allowing the £60,000-a-week winger to enjoy a new challenge in his career, possibly in Saudi Arabia.

The Paraguayan is happy to move on to pastures new and find another club, having increasingly struggled to become an important part of Howe’s plans at St James’ Park.

A January exit for Almiron makes complete sense of everyone involved, with the winger clearly no longer an influential figure at Newcastle, and understandably wanting more playing time at the age of 30.

He has always been a popular figure among Magpies supporters, such is his team ethic, but a lack of end product has too often been a problem, with only 30 goals coming his way in 216 appearances in a wide attacking role.

That said, Howe has always been a big fan Almiron, heaping praise on his “unique” style last year, saying: “He’s (Almiron) a unique footballer. I don’t think there’s anyone better at doing what he does – all energy, all action. I’d like to see his physical stats today because I’m sure they’d be through the roof.”

Newcastle could now sign "exciting" £5m sensation over Celtic and Rangers

He’s one of Scotland’s brightest talents.

By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 29, 2024

Given his age, however, and the fact that he is out of contract in the summer of 2026, now feels like the right time to move him on, receiving a fee for his services and using those funds to find a superior replacement in January or next summer, making this one to watch in the coming weeks.

West Ham United have spent a fortune on strikers over the past few years, and have had little to show for it. Since 2019, the Hammers have splashed a combined £117.5 million on Sebastien Haller, Gianluca Scamacca, Danny Ings, and Niclas Fullkrug. Between them, they’ve scored just 27 goals.

Haller scored 14 in 52 games before leaving for Ajax; Scamacca managed just eight in his only season at the London Stadium; while Ings, who remains at the club, has scored only five goals in 56 appearances.

Fullkrug, who West Ham spent £27.5 million in the summer, has yet to get off the mark for the Hammers, failing to score in his first four games before succumbing to injury. Fortunately for the Irons, amid their striker struggles, they’ve still been able to rely on record scorer Michail Antonio.

His return of just seven goals last season and only one in nine games this term, however, suggests the 34-year-old has run out of steam.

Hammers want Kolo Muani in January

With Fullkrug still out injured and both Ings and Antonio misfiring, West Ham are now turning their attention to out of favour Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani. The 25-year-old, who joined the Ligue 1 giants in 2023 from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth over £75 million, has been a bit-part player for PSG this term and has not featured in any of the club’s last three league games.

TBR Football claim PSG are now ready to let Kolo Muani leave the club on loan in January, and that the Hammers are among those keen to take him on. Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United are also keeping tabs on the France international.

A separate report from L’Equipe’s Florian Plettenberg earlier this week claimed that a number of Premier League clubs, though it did not name which, have already contacted PSG about a loan move for Kolo Muani.

West Ham considering "magnificent" Terzic alternative to replace Lopetegui

Some news on the Spaniard has come out “in the last few hours”.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 6, 2024

Kolo Muani's goal record is impressive

Kolo Muani started his career in his home country with FC Nantes in 2018, for whom he made just shy of a century of appearances before moving to Frankfurt in 2022. In his one season in Germany, his 23 goals in all competitions forced PSG to come calling.

Since moving to the French capital, however, Kolo Muani has struggled. Last term, he scored just nine goals in 40 games, while this term he’s bagged just two in 10. He’s atoned for that with impressive form for France however – 25 appearances for Les Bleus have brought with them eight goals.

After scoring a brace in France’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League win against Belgium in October, France manager Didier Deschamps was full of praise for Kolo Muani.

“He is confident and has a very specific profile where in his runs with the ball there is presence,” said Deschamps of the PSG forward, while his former youth coach has praise his explosiveness and resilience, two traits which should serve him well in spearheading a Premier League attack.

Everton head into the international break sitting 16th in the Premier League table, three points clear of the relegation zone.

Recent results have shown encouragement that the Toffees can avoid yet another battle at the bottom of the table, although Sean Dyche will be hoping for a few more wins when the domestic calendar resumes.

Several players have been performing well of late. Iliman Ndiaye has scored three goals this season, having joined the club in the summer, while Orel Mangala is becoming an important presence in the heart of the midfield, completing 89% of his passes and winning 61% of his ground duels.

Dwight McNeil has been the talisman, however, continuing to shine when others around him are struggling.

Dwight McNeil’s stats this season

The Englishman has netted three league goals this term already, along with registering three assists, creating eight big chances and averaging 2.7 key passes per game.

He is starring under Dyche and could well be the reason Everton stay in the Premier League come next May.

Despite his role as one of the club’s finest performers, his weekly wage is among the lowest at the club.

McNeil earns £25k-per-week for the Goodison Park side, ranking him as the 22nd highest in the squad, behind the likes of Michael Keane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nathan Patterson.

Everton’s highest earners

Rank

Player

Gross pay per week

Gross pay per year

1

Doucoure

£130,000

£6,760,000

2

Pickford

£125,000

£6,500,000

=3

Tarkowski

£100,000

£5,200,000

=3

Calvert-Lewin

£100,000

£5,200,000

5

Harrison

£90,000

£4,680,000

=6

Gueye

£80,000

£4,160,000

=6

Keane

£80,000

£4,160,000

Data via Capology.

The Toffees have spent lavish wages on players who have underperformed in recent seasons, costing the club a fortune in the process.

One notable name is Andre Gomes, who drained the club of millions during his spell on Merseyside yet failed to deliver the goods on the field.

How much money Everton wasted on Andre Gomes

The midfielder joined Everton from Barcelona in the summer of 2019 for a fee in the region of £22m after he impressed during a season-long loan in the Premier League.

Despite this lavish fee, Gomes would go on to play just 85 games for the club over the next five seasons (spending the 2022/23 season on loan at Lille), scoring only three goals in the process.

Marco Silva was the man who signed Gomes, but it was those in charge after him who had to put up with his underwhelming displays.

He played over 20 Premier League games in just one season during his permanent spell on Merseyside, finally departing in the summer to join Lille.

The Portuguese midfielder earned a sizeable £112k-per-week at Everton, a staggering sum for someone who was performing at their best, never mind a player who failed to hit top form.

Andre Gomes’ stats at Everton

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2023/24

14

2

0

2021/22

19

1

2

2020/21

32

0

2

2019/20

20

0

1

2018/19

29

1

2

Via Transfermarkt.

Combine his £22m transfer fee with the £23.4m in wages he took home at the Toffees, and it is clear that the £45.4m wasted on the former Barcelona gem was simply not worth it.

Indeed, his salary last season was four times more than what in-form McNeil was being paid, despite the Englishman emerging as a key player under Dyche.

It will be Dyche’s job to ensure he doesn’t pay silly money for players who fail to perform on the pitch, as this isn’t feasible in the long term.

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Scorchers will spend the rest of the entire season on the road after WA government changed the border restrictions

Tristan Lavalette and Alex Malcolm15-Dec-2021

Perth Stadium unlikely to host another BBL game this season•Getty Images and Cricket Australia

Perth Scorchers will spend the rest of the BBL season on the road with their December 20 home fixture against Hobart Hurricanes moved from Perth Stadium.Cricket Australia was left scrambling on Wednesday to reschedule the fixture after the Western Australian government tightened its border with New South Wales, which has a surge of Covid-19 cases amid the Omicron variant. Under a reclassified “extreme risk” category, travel from New South Wales to Western Australia will not be permitted effective from December 18 unless approved under the strictest of conditions. Victoria is already classified as “extreme risk” by the WA government.Scorchers and Hurricanes both played matches in Sydney in recent days meaning they would not be allowed entry into Western Australia. It was confirmed on Thursday that the December 20 fixture had moved to Tasmania with the teams, currently in Hobart, having played each other on Tuesday night at Bellerive Oval.Having played their season opener against Brisbane Heat at home, Scorchers will be locked out of Western Australia until the state’s hard border comes down on February 5 with players and coaching staff planning to spend the remainder of the BBL interstate. Their second match of the season against Adelaide Strikers was moved from Perth Stadium to Sydney Showgrounds and played behind closed doors after Strikers weren’t allowed into Western Australia because they had played their season opener in Melbourne.Scorchers’ home fixtures against Melbourne Renegades on December 26 and Melbourne Stars on December 30 have been moved to Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Scorchers’ home games against Sydney Thunder on January 5 and Sydney Sixers on January 6 are also likely to be played in Sydney.But the upheaval has not affected the unbeaten Scorchers, who can take heed of last season’s runners-up finish after playing only four games at Optus Stadium.”We are accepting the challenge and look forward to embracing it,” Scorchers batter Cameron Bancroft told ESPNcricinfo earlier in the week. “We have to enjoy this time together and just try to have fun with it.”The fifth Ashes Test, which was originally scheduled to be played in Perth, was recently shifted to Hobart, while the ODI between Australia and New Zealand on January 30 at Optus Stadium remains in doubt.

Rangers aren’t without injury problems at the moment, and a worrying update has emerged to counter the good news that Ridvan Yilmaz and Danilo are nearing their returns to action.

Rangers injury updates

The Gers’ start to the season has been an adequate one, rather than overly impressive, with Philippe Clement finding himself under pressure after some bad moments. His side were dumped out of the Champions League qualifying rounds by Dynamo Kiev, while in the Europa League, they were thrashed 4-1 at home to Lyon last week.

Meanwhile, Rangers are five points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership heading into the October international break, sitting third in the table and the same number of points adrift of Aberdeen. For now, the Belgian appears to be safe in his job, but it may not take many more bad results for a big decision to be made by the Ibrox board.

Clement could do with having more key players fit to help his current plight, with Danilo an influential attacking player who is yet to start a single league game this season, appearing just once in the competition. Rabbi Matondo and Ridvan Yilmaz are two other important individuals who Rangers are currently having to make do without, as well as Oscar Cortes, who is in his second season on loan at Ibrox from Lens.

And while Yilmaz and Danilo are expected to return to training in some form over the next two weeks, the news is not so good on Cortes.

"Long term" Rangers injury blow emerges

Writing on X on Sunday evening, Four Lads Had A Dream confirmed that they had spoken to Clement after the 2-0 win over St Johnstone, who said that Cortes is a “long term” injury concern for Rangers, and was unable to specify a real timeframe.

This is such a disappointing update, with Cortes’ Rangers career failing to ignite yet, having been described as a “very promising” player by The Rangers Journal upon his first arrival at the club at the beginning of the year. Last season, the 20-year-old only made six appearances in the Scottish Premiership, of which just three were starts, with injuries stunting his progress and keeping him out of the team for large periods.

Sadly, it has been similar this time around, too, with only 95 minutes coming his way in the league and his last appearance in the competition coming away to Dundee United in the middle of September.

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The Light Blues colossus enjoyed an impressive evening at Ibrox.

By
Dan Emery

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The training ground injury that was expected to keep Cortes out for “weeks” looks as though it is threatening to be more serious, but Clement will be desperate to have a key attacking option back in his plans as soon as possible. It is a cruel piece of luck for the player, who must be so keen to prove himself in a Rangers shirt, potentially leading to a permanent transfer further down the line.

MatériaMais Notícias

A versão 2022 do Corinthians vem tomando forma nesta semana em que o elenco se reapresentou para a pré-temporada. Desde a última segunda-feira em preparação para competições que virão pela frente, o grupo ainda não está completo nas mãos de Sylvinho. No entanto, com reforços chegando e jogadores voltando pós-Covid, a expectativa é de que isso aconteça em breve.

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> Veja classificação e simulador do Paulistão-2022 clicando aqui

> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

Uma contratação que deve ser efetivada nos próximos dias é a de Bruno Melo, lateral-esquerdo que estava no Fortaleza e chega para suprir uma função que a comissão técnica julgou carente, de um jogador polivalente, que atue em mais de uma posição e se adapta às diferentes variações que forem trabalhadas.

Bruno já fez exames e já treinou no CT Joaquim Grava, agora aguarda os últimos detalhes burocráticos para ser anunciado e se juntar ao grupo de forma efetiva, especialmente nos treinos com bola, que já estão em curso.

Outro que deve chegar nos próximos dias é o goleiro Ivan, da Ponte Preta. As partes estão finalizando o acordo e a partir desta quarta-feira ele já fará exames no Timão. A intenção é ter um reserva imediato para Cássio, uma vez que Matheus Donelli, Carlos Miguel e Guilherme são considerados jovens para assumir essa função como “sombra” de um ídolo tão grande no clube.

Quem deve voltar nesta quarta-feira é Renato Augusto, que desde a última semana estava em isolamento por conta de um resultado positivo para Covid-19. Como “negativou” na última terça-feira, ele já está liberado para se juntar ao elenco corintiano, fazer os exames e iniciar os trabalhos de pré-temporada.

Os próximos a retornarem da quarentena por conta da Covid-19 são Jô e Willian, que tiveram diagnóstico positivo na segunda-feira. Como os novos protocolos preveem apenas cinco dias de isolamento e não mais dez, basta que eles tenham um exame negativo no quinto dia para estarem aptos para voltarem ao CT. Sendo assim, a previsão é de que isso aconteça no sábado.

Paralelamente a isso, a diretoria do Corinthians segue em busca do tão sonhado centroavante para reforçar a equipe titular. Com Cavani e Suárez praticamente fora do alcance neste momento, o foco é se aproximar de Diego Costa assim que ele rescindir com o Atlético-MG. Além de acertar as condições de salários e as luvas, que são altas e carecem de negociação para o acordo.

continua após a publicidade

Three Afghanistan players have been named in the reshuffled squad lists for the upcoming CPL season: the Jamaica Tallawahs’ Qais Ahmad and the Guyana Amazon Warriors pair of Naveen-ul-Haq and Waqar Salamkheil. Ibrahim Zadran and Shafiqullah Ghafari, who had originally been drafted by the Tallawahs and the Barbados Royals respectively in May, were not part of the final squads.Related

• Andre Russell retained by Jamaica Tallawahs

• CPL 2021 schedule tweaked to avoid IPL clash

• TKR to face Amazon Warriors in CPL opener

• Barbados Tridents set to become Barbados Royals

• Saint Lucia Zouks renamed Saint Lucia Kings

Afghanistan is in the midst of major upheaval, with the Taliban taking back the political reins following the withdrawal of US troops from the country. It remains to be seen how cricket is affected by these events, though ACB CEO Hamid Shinwari has been quoted saying he expects the sport to carry on as before.”We will resume our office from tomorrow and the national camp which was underway ahead of the Pakistan series in Sri Lanka will also resume after a two-day break with the change in regime,” Shinwari told on Monday.ESPNcricinfo understands that Naveen, who was the top wicket-taker in the Vitality Blast in England, is already serving his quarantine in St Kitts, which will host the entire CPL season starting August 26.CPL 2021 squad changes•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

The top-tier Afghanistan players – Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman – weren’t part of the initial list. They are expected to be playing for Afghanistan in their three-match ODI series against Pakistan, which is scheduled to take place at Hambantota in early September.Meanwhile, it is understood that South Africa allrounder Chris Morris, who was the Royals’ first-round pick, has opted out of the tournament for personal reasons. In his place, the Royals have signed the New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Glenn Phillips, who has been in good form in the Vitality Blast as well as in The Hundred. Phillips has been a CPL regular, ever since his Auckland coach, Mark O’Donnell, drafted him as a replacement for Shakib Al Hasan at the Jamaica Tallawahs in 2017. He has been the Tallawahs’ leading scorer for three consecutive seasons.South Africans Anrich Nortje and Rassie van der Dussen, who were originally drafted by the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, will miss the tournament, as will Sri Lanka’s legspin-bowling allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga. All three will be involved in South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka, which begins on September 2 and will clash with the CPL.Saint Lucia Kings, though, have retained Faf du Plessis as their captain. du Plessis had recently been ruled out of the Hundred after failing to recover adequately from the concussion he suffered during the PSL two months ago. It remains to be seen whether he is fit again for the CPL.Seam-bowling allrounder Isuru Udana is set to turn out for the reigning champions Trinbago Knight Riders, having retired from international cricket following Sri Lanka’s white-ball home series against India. He will be joined by Tim Seifert and Yasir Shah at TKR. Shah, who is currently part of the Pakistan squad in the Caribbean, will replace Sandeep Lamichhane, while Seifert, who was not initially retained at the draft by TKR, is back in for the Zimbabwe allrounder Sikandar Raza. Zimbabwe will tour Ireland for five T20Is and three ODIs from August 27.Jake Lintott has won a late deal with the Barbados Royals•Tony Marsh/Cricpix

The England trio of Ravi Bopara (Patriots), Samit Patel (Kings) and Jake Lintott (Royals) have also won late deals. ESPNcricinfo understands that they will arrive in the Caribbean after playing in the Vitality Blast quarter-finals for their respective counties.Lintott, the Somerset-born left-arm wristspinner, had not even registered for the Hundred draft nearly two years ago, but is now Southern Brave’s highest wicket-taker in the tournament, with ten strikes in seven games.Singapore-born Hobart Hurricanes batter Tim David will replace Matthew Wade at the Kings. David had a breakout PSL and then extended his strong form at Surrey. Netherlands’ Paul van Meekeren, who was recently in action for Durham in the Royal London one-day cup, will fill in for Nortje at the Patriots.The entire CPL will be hosted by Warner Park from August 26 to September 15. The 33-match tournament will allow fans to attend at up to 50% capacity of the 8,000-seat venue – as long as they show proof of vaccination to enter the stadium facility. Players, support staff, commentators and broadcast crew in the CPL bubble can move directly to the IPL bubble in the UAE.

Squads

Jamaica Tallawahs: Andre Russell, Chris Green, Carlos Brathwaite, Rovman Powell, Haider Ali, Chadwick Walton, Fidel Edwards, Qais Ahmad, Jason Mohammed, Migael Pretorius, Kennar Lewis, Shamarh Brooks, Veerasammy Permaul, Abijhai Mansingh, Joshua James, Kirk McKenzie, Ryan Persaud.Saint Lucia Kings: Faf du Plessis, Keemo Paul, Wahab Riaz, Tim David, Andre Fletcher, Kesrick Williams, Usman Qadir, Samit Patel, Obed McCoy, Rahkeem Cornwall, Mark Deyal, Roston Chase, Javelle Glen, Keron Cottoy, Jeavor Royal, Kadeem Alleyne, Alzarri Joseph.Trinbago Knight Riders: Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine, Colin Munro, Yasir Shah, Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Khary Pierre, Isuru Udana, Tim Seifert, Anderson Phillip, Denesh Ramdin, Tion Webster, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Leonardo Julien, Ali Khan.St Kitts & Nevis Patriots: Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Fabian Allen, Ravi Bopara, Paul van Meekeren, Sherfane Rutherford, Sheldon Cottrell, Fawad Ahmed, Devon Thomas, Rayad Emrit, Asif Ali, Colin Archibald, Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Dominic Drakes, Joshua Da Silva, Mykile Louis.Barbados Royals: Glenn Phillips, Jason Holder, Thisara Perera, Mohammad Amir, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope, Oshane Thomas, Kyle Mayers, Hayden Walsh Jr, Azam Khan, Raymon Reifer, Justin Greaves, Ashley Nurse, Jake Lintott, Nyeem Young, Joshua Bishop, Smit Patel.Guyana Amazon Warriors: Nicholas Pooran, Shoaib Malik, Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Mohammad Hafeez, Brandon King, Naveen-ul-Haq, Romario Shepherd, Waqar Salamkheil, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Odean Smith, Nial Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Ashmead Nedd.

Sri Lanka have lost all but one of their nine completed ODIs this year

Andrew Fidel Fernando19-Jul-20214:51

Aakash Chopra: Whoever has got an opportunity has impressed

Big pictureLess than 48 hours after India put the finishing touches on their thumping of Sri Lanka in the first ODI, the teams have to go again. If you’re a Sri Lanka fan, hold on tight. This might not be pretty.In many senses, we didn’t really learn much from the first match. It was already known that Sri Lanka lack world-class batters. Although the likes of Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa struck attractive boundaries, there was no one to hold the innings together. But for No. 8 Chamika Karunaratne’s unbeaten 43 off 35 balls, Sri Lanka may have stumbled to a truly sub-par total.There was also no surprise in Shikhar Dhawan – a modern ODI behemoth – ending up the game’s top scorer. And India’s staggering batting depth was suspected too; their top order expected to flex against a Sri Lanka attack that has some talent but is woefully light on experience and direction. Still, the breathtaking confidence and striking ability of Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan, and later, Suryakumar Yadav would have quickened pulses around the world. On its own, this young top order is a reason to tune in.If Sri Lanka want to push India on Tuesday, there are a giant list of things they must correct. Their inability to rotate the strike against the spinners held them back during the middle overs, as batters played laboured block-or-bash innings; their fielding was poor, with two chances going down on the boundary; and while Dushmantha Chameera was good again with the new ball, they need to find a more reliable seam-bowling partner than Isuru Udana, who was taken apart in the powerplay and bowled only two overs.Form guide (completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LLLWL
India WWLWWIn the spotlightWhile wristspinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav went looking for wickets, Krunal Pandya kept things tight through the middle overs – his left-arm spin going for only 26 runs in 10 overs. In four ODI appearances, this was by far his best bowling performance – he had actually been bashed around by England in March. In that series, Krunal had showed off his hitting ability at ODI level. If he can add stability to India’s spin attack too, he makes a strong case for consistent selection.Dushmantha Chameera didn’t get any wickets on Sunday, and yet, made several India batters uncomfortable with his pace. While Kishan was walloping everyone else, Chameera was the one bowler who seriously tested him, peppering him with short balls. Chameera had been one of Sri Lanka’s few positives from the recent tour of England, and has finally built up some rhythm after years of his career being frustrated by injuries. With the quick turnarounds this series though, Sri Lanka run the risk of him picking up niggles. As he is one of the few performing players in this side, they can’t really afford to leave him out either.Dushmantha Chameera was the only bowler who tested Ishan Kishan in the tour opener•SLCPitch and conditionsExpect another surface that offers plenty of turn, but remains pretty good for batting. Although showers can occasionally roll through at this time of year, the weather is expected to be good on Tuesday.Team newsWith Bhuvneshwar Kumar having been slightly off – particularly at the death – on Sunday, India may bring in Navdeep Saini.India (possible): 1 Prithvi Shaw, 2 Shikhar Dhawan (capt.), 3 Ishan Kishan (wk), 4 Manish Pandey, 5 Suryakumar Yadav, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Yuzvendra ChahalSri Lanka will probably rethink Udana’s presence in the team. Lahiru Kumara or Kasun Rajitha are likeliest to replace him.Sri Lanka (possible) 1 Avishka Fernando, 2 Minod Bhanuka (wk), 3 Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 4 Dhananjaya de Silva, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt.), 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Chamika Karunaratne, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Lakshan Sandakan, 11 Lahiru KumaraStats and triviaDhawan became the second-fastest India batter to 6000 ODI runs, getting there in 140 innings. Only Hashim Amla (123 inns), Virat Kohli (136) and Kane Williamson (139) have been faster to the milestone.Sri Lanka have lost all but one of their nine completed ODIs this year. Kishan had also hit a half century on T20 international debut. The only other batter to achieve this double is South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen.

The transfer window has been closed for nearly two weeks now, but Manchester United are still continually being linked with new players as INEOS plan more business for the 2025 windows.

Man Utd and INEOS looking at free move to sign 28 y/o "battleship" in 2025

Manchester United already have their eye on one player they would like to sign in 2025.

ByBrett Worthington Sep 12, 2024 Manchester United plotting Unai Simon transfer

Erik ten Hag was backed by INEOS during the summer, as the club added three defenders, a midfielder, and a forward to their squad. But that doesn’t appear to be enough so far, as the Red Devils still have their eye on some big-name players.

Leny Yoro

Lille

Joshua Zirkzee

Bologna

Matthijs de Ligt

Bayern Munich

Noussair Mazraoui

Bayern Munich

Manuel Ugarte

PSG

United are well stocked in the goalkeeping department; Andre Onana currently has the number one spot, followed by Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaten providing backup, but they are also eyeing a change in that area of the pitch.

It has been reported that Man United are “very interested” in signing Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon. The goalkeeper has been really impressive for the La Liga side in recent seasons and has now established himself on the international stage with Spain, playing a key role in their Euro 2024 success.

Those performances have caught the attention of United, who are said to be willing to pay a “considerable sum” to sign the shot stopper. While United weigh up a move for Simon, they are also looking at signing another established international star.

Man Utd now keen on "obscene" £35m target

According to Caught Offside, Manchester United are admirers of AS Monaco defender Vanderson. The report states that fellow Premier League side Chelsea are showing the most interest in the player, but United and Tottenham Hotspur are in the mix.

The 23-year-old, who has been with Monaco since January 2022, has really impressed for the French side lately. Vanderson played 20 times in Ligue 1 last season, scoring three goals and chipping in with one assist. The defender is in the 99th percentile for tackles when compared with right-backs in similar leagues, and FBRef ranks his combination of ferocious defending and attacking quality as a similar profile to Tottenham's Pedro Porro.

Vanderson, who has been described as having "obscene pace and acceleration" by U23 scout Antonio Mango, was linked with an exit during the summer, but Monaco selling Youssouf Fofana to AC Milan eased any pressure they were under to sell. The right-back, who has been capped twice by Brazil, is contracted until 2028, but the French side could be willing to let the player leave for around €35-40 million, which is roughly £29-35 million.

Vanderson has started this 2024/25 season strongly, starting two of Monaco’s three league games, grabbing the assist in their opening day win against Saint-Étienne.

Azam’s rise has also been accompanied by constant talk around his fitness levels and weight

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jun-2021Pakistan’s long, ongoing search for power-hitting options in their middle order has now landed on Quetta Gladiators’ Azam Khan. Pakistan have struggled for firepower in their middle order, in part because the top-order form of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Hafeez has meant those following have had little opportunity but also because the likes of Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah have had lean runs on the international stage.But Azam’s selection for Pakistan’s T20Is in the Caribbean later this summer has not come without criticism. As the son of former Pakistan wicketkeeper and captain as well as Gladiators coach Moin Khan, the usual charges of nepotism have been thrown around. But Azam’s rise over the last couple of years has also been accompanied by constant talk around his fitness levels and weight.Azam’s boundary-hitting ability is what has brought him to national attention – he hits a boundary around every four balls he faces in T20s, and has a strike rate of 157.41. With his Pakistan call-up, he will now be under further scrutiny when the PSL starts on June 9, as much for the runs he scores as the fitness he brings. But, his Gladiators’ team-mate and one of cricket’s fittest athletes, Faf du Plessis was keen to point out that six-packs do not equal guaranteed success.”When it comes to fitness, every guy has a responsibility to try and improve every day,” du Plessis said at a virtual press conference. “That looks different for every single person. For me, at an older age, I don’t stop thinking about how I can improve myself as a cricketer, how I can improve my fitness, how I can improve my body, how I can improve my mind.”The difference between guys who do it for a very short period and guys who do it for longer, it’s just improving, it’s smaller gains right throughout your career. For someone like him [Azam], no, he doesn’t have to look like me to be successful. It would just be small improvements every day. Right now, it might be something like fielding he could focus on, getting quicker to the ball, making sure [the] hands are good, taking all the catches and gradually putting in the work to become a better version of himself, or myself, or someone.”Azam Khan’s selection has been a talking point•PCB/PSLTalk around fitness in Pakistan is especially relevant given the return of Sharjeel Khan to the Pakistan line-up for the recent tours to South Africa and Zimbabwe. Sharjeel’s return to the squad was a point of contention between the team management and chief selector Mohammad Wasim; the former unwilling to compromise on basic fitness standards for those who make it to the national squad, the latter suggesting that, in some cases, skill may allow for less stringency on fitness. Ultimately, a compromise was worked out whereby Sharjeel was assigned a personal trainer on tour and given unofficial targets to meet before selection.What will be important, du Plessis said, was that Azam gives himself the best physical base from which to perform the role he is required to perform.”It’s unfair to compare different people, we’re comparing two different players. He’s a guy who will always come and be a power hitter and hit it a long way. What he will need to work on obviously is how can I make sure I’m fit enough to run between wickets, to get twos and threes for longer periods, when it gets hot out there, or how to make sure I don’t get tired at 20-30, but stay till I get 70, 80, 90. So it looks different for every single guy.”I’m certainly not a believer that every guy has to have a six-pack to be a successful cricketer. You work with what you have. You look at the greats in the game before, there’s been guys long before me and after me and him, who will all look different but had the skillsets to perform.”The immediate task ahead of both du Plessis and Azam will be to turn around Quetta’s poor start to this disrupted season. Five games in, Quetta have a solitary win and sit at the bottom of the table. Given the interruption in the season, however, a total reset is very much possible.”We find ourselves in a position we wouldn’t like to be,” du Plessis said. “Towards the end [earlier in the season] I felt we started playing our best cricket. Also, all of the teams have changed a lot. Even a lot of the teams looking strong at the top of the table would have a lot of changes in their teams because of Covid and the availability of a lot of overseas players. It’s almost like a new tournament and that’s starting on the 9th. Unfortunately we can’t start slow. We have to start in a winning way where we hit the ground running in the first game.”In the first half of the tournament we either batted really well, or we bowled really well. Only in the last game we put it together and put in a complete performance.”