All posts by h716a5.icu

Preparations are already underway for the Premier League season 2023/24 and the pre-season provides managers with the opportunity to go through the gears, integrate new transfers and project their brand around the world. The new season will start on the weekend of the August 12th and conclude nine months later and the clock is ticking. You can review the opening day fixtures on our dedicated page.

Pre-season fixtures by club Arsenal

July 8

NA

Arsenal 1-1 Watford

London Colney

July 13

19:00

Nurnberg 1-1 Arsenal

Max-Morlock-Stadion, Nuremberg

July 20

04:30

MLS All-Stars 0-5 Arsenal

Audi Field, Washington DC

July 22

22:00

Arsenal 0-2 Man Utd

MetLife Stadium, New York

July 26

TBC

Arsenal vs Barcelona

SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles

August 2

18:00

Arsenal vs AS Monaco

Emirates Stadium

August 6

16:00

Man City vs Arsenal (FA Community Shield)

Wembley Stadium

Aston Villa

July 15

13:00

Walsall 1-1 Aston Villa

Bescot Stadium

July 24

00:00

Newcastle 3-3 Aston Villa

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

July 27

12:00

Fulham vs Aston Villa

Exploria Stadium, Orlando

July 31

00:00

Aston Villa vs Brentford

FedExField, Maryland

August 3

19:30

Aston Villa vs Lazio

Bescot Stadium

August 5

20:00

Valencia vs Aston Villa

Mestalla, Valencia

Bournemouth

July 13

18:00

Bournemouth 4-0 Hibernian

Marbella Football Centre, Marbella

July 16

TBC

Bournemouth 0-1 Maccabi Tel Aviv

Marbella Football Center, Marbella

July 25

19:45

Southampton vs Bournemouth

St Mary’s

July 29

15:00

Bournemouth vs Atalanta

Vitality Stadium

August 5

17:00

Bournemouth vs Lorient

Vitality Stadium

Brentford

July 12

19:30

Boreham Wood 1-1 Brentford

Meadow Park

July 23

21:00

Fulham 3-2 Brentford

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

July 26

22:30

Brentford vs Brighton

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

July 30

00:00

Aston Villa vs Brentford

FedExField, Maryland

August 5

19:30

Brentford vs Lille

Gtech Community Stadium

Brighton

July 23

12:00

Chelsea 4-4 Brighton

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

July 26

22:30

Brentford vs Brighton

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

July 29

12:30

Brighton vs Newcastle

Red Bull Arena; Harrison, New Jersey

August 6

15:00

Brighton vs Rayo Vallecano

The Amex

6 Unmissable pre-season fixtures

Burnley

Jul 1

NA

Burnley 3-2 Fleetwood Town

Gawthorpe

July 8

NA

Burnley 1-0 Burton Albion

Gawthorpe

July 11

NA

Burnley 3-1 Port Vale

Gawthorpe

July 22

TBC

Genk 2-0 Burnley

Cegeka Arena

July 28

18:30

Real Betis vs Burnley

Estadio Nuevo Colombino

Chelsea

July 19

00:00

Chelsea 5-0 Wrexham

Kenan Stadium, North Carolina

July 23

00:00

Chelsea 4-3 Brighton

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

July 27

01:15

Newcastle vs Chelsea

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

July 30

19:45

Chelsea vs Fulham

FedExField, Maryland

August 3

00:30

Chelsea vs Borussia Dortmund

Soldier Field, Chicago

Crystal Palace

July 11

19:30

Barnet 1-0 Crystal Palace

The Hive

July 15

14:00

Crystal Palace 2-2 Brondby IF

Crystal Palace Academy

July 19

19:45

Crawley Town 0-4 Crystal Palace

Broadfield Stadium

July 22

13:00

Crystal Palace 2-1 Watford

Crystal Palace Academy

July 26

01:00

Crystal Palace vs Millonarios

SeatGeek Stadium, Chicago

July 31

00:00

Crystal Palace vs Sevilla

Comerica Park, Detroit

August 5

17:30

Crystal Palace vs Lyon

Selhurst Park

Everton

July 14

17:00

Stade Nyonnais 1-2 Everton

Colovray Sports Centre, Nyon

July 22

14:00

Tranmere 1-1 Everton

Prenton Park

July 22

14:00

Wigan 0-1 Everton

DW Stadium

July 25

19:45

Bolton vs Everton

University of Bolton Stadium

July 29

15:00

Stoke vs Everton

Bet365 Stadium

August 5

15:00

Everton vs Sporting Lisbon

Goodison Park

After India’s spin attack overwhelmed the West Indies batsmen with flight and guile, Smriti Mandhana made short work of the 184-run chase with a 108-ball 106

The Report by Annesha Ghosh29-Jun-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsSmriti Mandhana hit 13 fours and two sixes in her unbeaten 108-ball 106•Getty ImagesAfter India’s spin attack overwhelmed the West Indies batsmen with flight and guile, Smriti Mandhana made short work of the 184-run chase with an unbeaten 108-ball 106. Her innings negated the stutter caused by the two early wickets lost in response to the pressure West Indies’ bowlers created with their fast, short-pitched bowling.Mandhana carried on from where she left off against England, bettering her 72-ball 90 with a second ODI century and a first in the World Cup. She hit 13 fours and two sixes, punishing anything short. With Mithali Raj, she steered the larger part of the chase, adding 108 runs for the third wicket, before Raj, four short of her eighth consecutive fifty, holed out to mid-off.Raj’s decision to bowl first failed to find much validation from her two frontline medium-pacers, Jhulan Goswami and Shikha Pandey, who shared the new ball between them for the first six overs. Even though Felicia Walters looked unsure while negotiating Goswami’s off-stump line, Hayley Matthews took the attack to both opening bowlers, hitting them for a combined six fours in 27 balls.On a moist pitch with a tinge of green, Raj turned to her spin spearhead, Ekta Bisht, in the seventh over. The left-arm orthodox bowler struck with her first ball, forcing an edge off Walters with generous flight outside off stump. The nick was adroitly pouched by Sushma Verma, the wicketkeeper, who effected three more dismissals in the game – all of them being stumpings.West Indies’ loss of their first wicket occured one ball after Harmanpreet Kaur – who already sported a heavily strapped right palm – went off the field having dislocated the ring finger of her left hand while diving at mid-off. Despite having to make up for Harmanpreet’s absence from the attack by bringing on Mona Meshram, who had last bowled in an ODI in 2013, India kept a tight leash on the scoring. Having taken 12.4 overs to add 40 for the second wicket with Stafanie Taylor, Matthews popped back a return catch to the offspinner Deepti Sharma.Taylor was run out seven balls later, and Deandra Dottin, the scorer of a 38-ball hundred in T20Is, crawled to 7 off 47 balls before holing out to long-on, to complete a wretched batting day for the two stars playing their 100th ODI.India, meanwhile, had Harmanpreet back on the field after being tended to by the physio, and she was introduced into the attack immediately. She snaffled Kyshona Knight in the 35th over to leave West Indies 91 for 6. Against the collective discipline of India’s spinners, led by Bisht and the legspinner Poonam Yadav, West Indies’ second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth-wicket partnerships together added only 62 off 169 balls.The reintroduction of pace, in the form of Goswami, in the 36th over, gave West Indies some respite. A slew of fielding errors further released the pressure the spinners had piled on. Bisht dropped two straightforward chances, letting off Anisa Mohammed on 0 and Afy Fletcher on 12, before the two went on to add 37 unbroken runs for the ninth wicket. Fletcher’s 36 not out and Shanel Daley’s 33 eventually lifted West Indies to 183.Shamilia Connell began West Indies’ defence by peppering Punam Raut with a flurry of short deliveries, and she gloved the fifth ball of the innings – a well-directed bouncer – to keeper Merissa Aguilleira, failing to connect cleanly with a hook. Deepti Sharma then kept to 6 off her first 22 balls, and was bowled trying to slog Taylor’s offspin in the eighth over as she succumbed to the pressure of the mounting dots.Mandhana and Raj, however, ensured there would be no more flutters in India’s chase.Having motored into the nineties, Mandhana suffered a few nerves: an awkward lofted drive on 93 was followed by a poorly executed pull next ball which lobbed in the air and flew straight to deep midwicket, only for Knight to put her down. A few words between overs from her batting partner Meshram appeared to calm Mandhana down, and she duly reached her hundred off her 105th ball, doing so in the same manner that had brought up her fifty against England: making room and lofting the ball over cover for four.Two balls later, an edge wide of short third man completed India’s victory.

Arsenal might be set to secure one of the signings of the summer, as reports have begun to link them with some truly top-tier talent that could help them surpass Manchester City.

Is Joshua Kimmich leaving Bayern Munich?

The latest comes from Spanish outlet Marca, who suggest that Mikel Arteta could pounce on the uncertain future of Joshua Kimmich by tempting him to north London.

Although the report seeks to detail Barcelona’s interest, as they strive to find a successor to the recently departed Sergio Busquets, Premier League intrigue is instead reserved for the tail-end of the piece.

The Gunners are said to be interested alongside Liverpool, with his FootballTransfers valuation of €67.9m (£59m) sure to whip up interest in the imperious midfield maestro.

How good is Joshua Kimmich?

The 28-year-old machine joined Bayern Munich in 2015 and took no time at all to establish himself as one of the club’s outstanding performers. Mimicking the career path of the legendary Philipp Lahm, moving from right-back into central midfield has unlocked the true creative potential of the German international.

His average rating in the Bundesliga last season serves to outline this, as it stood at a lofty 7.73. This made him the best performer throughout a squad littered with stars, boosted by his 11 goal contributions, 90% pass completion rate and 2.4 tackles, 2.7 key passes and 1.2 interceptions per game, via Sofascore.

There are arguably few in his role across Europe who manage to be as outstanding in every attribute, with Julian Nagelsmann’s claims on the £322k-per-week general making sense:

“The great thing is he's world-class at right-back and in midfield.”

His switch to England, should it be under Arteta’s leadership, would coincide perfectly with the recent departure of Granit Xhaka this summer.

During the campaign, the £120k-per-week gem morphed into a true offensive threat from the engine room as a box-to-box monster, completing his redemption arc and making him one of Arsenal’s key figures.

However, his desire for a long-term contract saw him seek an exit, with his departure to Bayer Leverkusen confirmed earlier this month.

His 14 goal contributions in the league will be hard to replace, and despite having spent over £200m already this summer, none of the three big names brought in are expected to provide such firepower from that role.

Therefore, a huge vacancy has opened up that Kimmich would fill with ease.

Not only do his figures surpass most of Xhaka’s from his most recent triumph, but the deep-lying playmaker also has enjoyed an illustrious career laden with elite honours. His trophy cabinet consists of one Champions League, three German cups and eight Bundesliga titles.

This kind of experience would be invaluable in pushing them one step further in their race for the Premier League title, which they fell so painstakingly short of last year.

To reference the 30-year-old Swiss international’s form from last term, his 7.05 average rating, 86% pass accuracy, 1.3 key passes and 0.9 key passes per game, via Sofascore, pale in comparison to the aforementioned figures of his potential successor.

Fans might have worried when news broke of Xhaka’s imminent departure, but if Kimmich is to be his replacement, they might move on far sooner than expected.

Leeds United appear to be stepping up their preparations ahead of the upcoming Championship campaign, with Daniel Farke and co looking set to make their first moves in the transfer market.

What are the latest Leeds transfer rumours?

As per The Athletic's Phil Hay, the Whites are seemingly closing in on their first signing of the summer after reaching an agreement with Chelsea for the £7m capture of Ethan Ampadu, with the 22-year-old having spent the last four seasons away from Stamford Bridge on loan.

The 44-cap Wales international could be joined in the midfield ranks at Elland Road by Rangers ace, Glen Kamara, with Last Word on Sports revealing that the Yorkshire side have agreed personal terms with the 27-year-old.

If Leeds are to land the formee Dundee man this summer, The 4th Official has previously suggested that it could require a fee of around £4m, with two years left to run on his existing deal at Ibrox.

Who is Glen Kamara?

The Finland international has spent the last four-and-a-half years with the Old Firm giants after signing for a minimal fee of just £50k back in January 2019, with teammate Scott Arfield having branded that deal the "biggest steal of the century" due to the midfielder's subsequent impact in Glasgow.

Lauded as a "class act" by former Gers boss Steven Gerrard, the 5 foot 11 ace has racked up 193 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish Premiership side to date, chipping in with nine goals and 11 assists from his defensive midfield berth.

That stint north of the border has also seen the former Arsenal youth star win the league title and claim Scottish Cup glory, while he was also part of the side that reached the Europa League final back in 2022.

Although the 52-cap maestro did somewhat fall down the pecking order last term – as he started just 12 league games – he has received glowing praise for his displays prior to that, with Gerrard previously stating:

"He’s a terrific footballer in possession, always playing with his head up and looking to connect defence and attack."

With the likes of Marc Roca and Weston McKennie having moved onto pastures new – and with Tyler Adams still facing an uncertain future at Elland Road – Farke could be set to revamp his Leeds midfield by placing Kamara alongside Ampadu next term.

As Gerrard alluded to, the Light Blues ace is able to offer a truly composed presence in the centre of the park, showcased by the fact that he achieved an average pass accuracy rate of 89% in the league last term, while losing possession just 5.6 times per game on average.

With Kamara the man to 'connect defence and attack' – as per Gerrard – Ampadu can then be utilised as something of a midfield destroyer, with the versatile ace, who can also feature at centre-back, having showcased his ball-winning quality on loan at Serie A side Spezia last season.

The 6 foot menace – who is typically deployed in a defensive midfield role for his country – notably averaged 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game in 2022/23 as a marker of his ball-winning prowess, with that an area that Kamara appears to be weak in, having averaged just one tackle and interception per game last term.

The differing strengths of the pair should make them an impressive combination for the Yorkshire side next term, with Farke finally set to be able to put his imprint on the current squad by bringing in fresh faces.

Bangladesh last played a series in England in 2010, but Mashrafe Mortaza, the captain, is hopeful his side will be able to continue the upward mobility, during the Champions Trophy, that has been the hallmark of his side in the recent past

Nagraj Gollapudi31-May-2017″People think that this time we will take the Champions Trophy home.”Mashrafe Mortaza, the Bangladesh captain, could not control his laughter. No, Mashrafe was not trying to pinch himself while talking about expectations of his team back in Bangladesh. It’s likely the laughter was just a way of Mashrafe being realistic about his side’s chances in a tournament where they have not passed the group stage in four previous attempts.At the same time, the Bangladesh captain would not come across as pretentious if he were to drum-roll his team’s chances, for they go into the Champions Trophy with their best-ever ICC ODI ranking: No. 6 – ahead of Sri Lanka and Pakistan.The Champions Trophy offers Bangladesh the opportunity to assert themselves and to walk the talk that they can compete with the best and improve. They start in the tougher of the two groups – Group A, alongside England, Australia and New Zealand. Their first match, on Thursday, is against the team that boasts the best win-loss ratio in ODIs since the 2015 World Cup. England, as many agree, are firm favourites in home conditions. But, for once, Bangladesh are undeterred.Bangladesh last played a series in England in 2010. They have been in England since April 27, and participated in a two-week training camp, in Sussex, which allowed them to get acclimatized. Thereafter, they moved to Ireland for the tri-nation series, where they won two of the four matches, with victories over the hosts and New Zealand.Any complacency the team might have accrued over the preceding month was shaken off by the 240-run drubbing they suffered at the hands of India in their second warm-up match of the Champions Trophy. Before that, they failed to close out the warm-up match against Pakistan, allowing Faheem Ashraf to announce himself to world cricket.Both Mashrafe and coach Chandika Hathurusingha have refused to attach too much concern to the warm-up defeats. The focus, the duo stressed, was on the positives. Bangladesh have a good blend of youth and experience in their ranks. Their old warhorses will continue to be their trump cards: Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Mashrafe. And when such a wealth of experience is clubbed with the potential of Soumya Sarkar, Mustafizur Rahman and Mehedi Hasan, it will be little surprise if the unit shocks the heavyweights.However, if they are to better their rankings, the foremost question Bangladesh would need to address urgently is: can they win the clutch moments? Can they adapt quickly, be responsive to change? Can they muster the required proactiveness to clinch the critical moments when they present themselves? Can they beat England?”The thing is that we all know that on a given day, we can beat anybody,” Mashrafe said, on the eve of their tournament opener. “But we have to start well; if you can start well, then things will come easier.”There will be a lot of pressure, but I think we can cope up. Also, if you go back to the England side, I think they also feel more pressure than us, because they want the trophy. Especially, because this is happening in their home. So, it’s both sides, there is a little bit of pressure, but who can cope up, they will perform their best.”Bangladesh got the better of England in the last two editions of the ODI World Cup, in 2011 and 2015. However, Mashrafe said the England teams on those occasions played a brand of cricket starkly dissimilar to what Eoin Morgan’s men have become known for. The hosts have never looked as fit and fiery as they do at the moment. They can raze 300-plus targets and raise 400-plus mountains with seamless ease. Their bowlers can defend any total and they are one of the most athletic fielding units currently.But Mashrafe remained unfazed. The Oval is sold out for the first match, and Bangladesh are likely enjoy a healthy presence of supporters. The weather forecast bodes a clear and warm day – at least, for the most part of it. All Mashrafe wants his players to do ahead of the clash is relax, without losing focus.Bangladesh’s recent results in the tri-series and overseas have given Mashrafe the confidence that his men can stand their ground, come the hour.”There is a lot of expectation. But we have to understand where we are, and the main thing is that we are progressing or not. Little by little, we are coming up. We are starting from ten to nine, now seven, eight, now six. So, that means that the graph is coming up. So, that’s most important to me, and this trophy, there is a lot of hope, but realistically, we have to play at our best, to be honest.”

Back to reality and back to Championship football. Leeds United has been here before and knows how to escape, but it is a completely different set-up to previous years.

The club was led by the popular and tactically generational Marcelo Bielsa in the scintillating title victory in the 2019/20 season.

Now, the club is attempting to heal from a highly dysfunctional season that oversaw three different managers, a clueless hierarchy, and a deserved relegation.

But, the confirmation of a new ownership will yield fresh ideas and a different vision. The 49ers have made an intelligent first step, appointing two-time Championship winner Daniel Farke to reverse Leeds’ tumultuous fortunes.

As the rebuild begins to source reliable performers to form a promotion push, Grady Diangana would be an astute start to the process.

What’s the latest on Grady Diangana to Leeds United?

According to The Express and Star, Leeds is said to be 'keeping tabs' on Diangana alongside fellow recently-relegated sides Leicester City and Southampton.

Carlos Corberan’s side is in need of balancing the books and the Whites have sensed an opportunity to bounce, and secure of one West Brom’s most valuable assets.

Last month, Nick Hammond was named as the club’s interim football advisor, and it’s assumed he will move away from Victor Orta’s investment in unproven and experimental signings, toward more well-known assets.

The exits of Robin Koch and Brenden Aaronson have already been confirmed to create space for a player that could massively improve the side for next season.

Who can Grady Diangana emulate at Leeds United?

The winger began his career in the West Ham youth system in 2010 and went on to make 21 appearances for the senior side. He then joined West Brom on loan in 2018 and recorded 15 goal involvements in the Championship.

The attacker was then sold on a permanent deal to the Midlands outfit to spark huge disappointment within the Hammers players and supporters. Then-captain Mark Noble poignantly remarked that he was “gutted, angry and sad” that the youngster had been allowed to so easily depart to underline how he was a force brimming with potential.

This season, Diangana has endured a less productive year, but he has still contributed a respectable seven goals and assists in 21 starts. Nevertheless, the £20k-per-week man has still averaged the second-most dribbles per game (1.1) and the third-highest key passes per game (1.3) in the Baggies squad.

Since Raphinha departed Elland Road for Barcelona last summer, Leeds has been craving a tricky and reliable wide presence. The Brazilian registered 29 goal involvements in 65 Premier League outings, as he established himself as one of the club’s most influential and important performers.

He has continued this magisterial form in Catalonia as the £212k-per-week star ranks within the best 15% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for shot-creating actions per 90, xAG (expected assisted goals) per 90, and total shots per 90, showcasing his devastating attacking threat.

As a fellow left-footer who also typically operates on the flanks, Diangana could then prove to be the man to emulate the former Whites star's heroics at Elland Road, having been lauded as a player capable of producing moments of "magic", in the words of journalist Graeme Brown.

Raphinha’s void is seemingly yet to be sufficiently filled – as Leeds' recent drop into the second tier can attest to – so the signing of the “magnificent” Diangana, as described by Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie, could be the man to do so.

Sri Lanka’s selectors are confident that the fast bowler will be fit enough to bowl 10 overs and field for 50 overs by the time of the tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Apr-2017Lasith Malinga, who last played an ODI in November 2015, has been named in Sri Lanka’s 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy in June. Long-standing injuries had put his availability in doubt, but Sri Lanka’s selectors have been satisfied he can be fit enough to deliver 10 overs and field for 50 by the time the tournament starts on June 1.Also in the squad are batsman Chamara Kapugedera, who has not played ODIs since January 2016, and fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep, who has been only a sporadic presence in Sri Lanka’s ODI squads over the past year. Omitted, however, are batsman Danushka Gunathilaka, allrounders Dhananjaya de Silva and Milinda Siriwardana, and quicks Lahiru Kumara and Dushmantha Chameera.The team will be led by Angelo Mathews, who returns after a hamstring injury kept him out of ODI series against South Africa and Bangladesh.Malinga made his return to T20 internationals in February, following a 12-month layoff from all competitive cricket due to a knee injury. Though his form has been somewhat indifferent in the IPL, he has been largely impressive in his international matches this year, even picking up a first T20I hat-trick in his most recent game, against Bangladesh.”Malinga has got his medical clearance to bowl 10 overs, since about two weeks ago,” SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala said. “We need to build him up to bowl 10 overs now. He’s playing in the IPL, which is to our advantage, because he’s in a top-class cricketing environment and he’s practising. Right now we are getting reports that he’s going into eight overs in a spell. We have to make sure he’s fit to bowl 10 by about the 10th of May.”This is the third successive ICC tournament in which Sri Lanka are sweating over Malinga’s fitness, however. He had missed last year’s World T20, from which he withdrew in the week before Sri Lanka departed for the tournament. He had also been injured in the approach to the 2015 World Cup.”Match fitness is what he’s lacking now – his physical fitness is superb,” Sumathipala said of Malinga. “We are looking for Malinga to be fit to play the practice games before the tournament – it’s very important for him to play those games.”Elsewhere on the seam-bowling front, Mathews himself is expected to be fit to bowl at the Champions Trophy – he has begun bowling in the IPL. Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera and Pradeep are the other seam options in the squad. Peculiarly, Sri Lanka have not picked a specialist finger spinner – legbreak bowler Seekkuge Prasanna, and left-arm wrist spinner Lakshan Sandakan have been chosen instead.Upul Tharanga – who led the team in Mathews’ absence – is one of three potential openers in the squad, with Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Perera there as well. Kapugedera’s inclusion is likely thanks to good performances in the ongoing provincial one-day tournament, in which he has scored two hundreds in four innings.Among the standby players for the tournament are Gunathilaka and offspinner Dilruwan Perera – both of whom will be traveling with the squad – and Siriwardana, Kumara and seam bowler Vikum Sanjaya, who SLC said would be undergoing “continuous training” in Colombo.The Sri Lanka squad – including Malinga – is expected to assemble in Sri Lanka on around the 10th of May, before they leave to Kandy for a six-day training camp. Sumathipala said the board chose the Pallekele Stadium for the camp, in order to better replicate conditions Sri Lanka may face in England. The team leaves the island on May 18, and has two ODIs against Scotland scheduled before they are due to play further practice matches – against Australia and New Zealand.On-tour standbys: Dilruwan Perera, Dhanushka Gunathilaka; Standbys on training in Colombo: Vikum Sanjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Sachith Pathirana, Milinda Siriwardana, Akila Dananjaya

An update has emerged on Liverpool and how their midfield is shaping up ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign…

Is Thiago Alcantara leaving Liverpool?

Journalist James Pearce has revealed that teams from Saudi Arabia are eyeing up a swoop for Reds midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

However, the Spain international is not desperate to depart Anfield, despite having one year left on his deal, and has already rejected a chance to complete a transfer.

The reporter Tweeted: "Thiago is the subject of serious interest from Saudi Arabia and has already turned down one lucrative offer. His current plan is to stay at LFC for final year of his contract. Remains to be seen whether that stance changes in the coming weeks."

This comes after GOAL's Neil Jones reported that Turkish giants Fenerbahce are one of the sides interested in a deal for the ex-Barcelona star this summer.

Who could replace Thiago Alcantara at Liverpool?

Jurgen Klopp must ruthlessly ditch the 32-year-old flop as he has become a liability throughout his time at Anfield due to his lack of availability.

The £20m dud has missed a staggering 66 competitive matches through injury or illness over his three seasons in England, which means that he has not been a reliable option for the German boss.

Klopp must now reignite his interest in Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, who was dubbed a "monster" by writer Sam McGuire, in order to free up the space to part ways with Thiago.

Journalist Ben Jacobs claimed that Liverpool explored a deal for the Frenchman, who could cost around €60m (£51m), before they decided to move on after the signing of Dominik Szoboszlai.

However, if the manager truly wants to upgrade his midfield this term, then he must reverse that decision.

Thuram, who has no significant injuries listed in his career to date, has made 89 competitive appearances for Nice over the last two seasons, which shows that the French gem is a durable player who Klopp can rely on to be available the majority of the time.

He is also an impressive performer in the middle of the park. The 22-year-old dynamo averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.04 across 35 league outings last season, which would place him eighth amongst the Liverpool squad throughout 2022/23 and ahead of the likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Curtis Jones.

Thuram, who was hailed as "powerful" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, created 1.1 chances per game for Nice – 0.1 more than any Reds midfielder managed last term – and could use his ability on the ball to open up opposition defences on a regular basis for the likes of Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Darwin Nunez to thrive in the final third.

These statistics suggest that the Ligue 1 sensation has the potential to be an excellent addition to Liverpool's squad and one that would allow Klopp to part ways with Thiago.

Fhe France international is a consistent performer as well as a durable campaigner who does not miss many matches, making him the perfect successor.

ESPNcricinfo’s wrap of the fourth day’s play between Victoria and Western Australia in Alice Springs

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Mar-2017
Scorecard File photo – James Pattinson finished with match figures of 6 for 93•Getty ImagesVictoria will have the chance to win a third consecutive Sheffield Shield title after winning through to the final thanks to their victory over Western Australia in Alice Springs.The Warriors began the final day on 7 for 238, hoping to build a defendable lead, but managed to add only 20 to their total for the loss of their last three wickets. James Pattinson finished with 5 for 58, his first five-wicket haul in a first-class match since December 2015.That left Victoria chasing 83 and they did it comfortably, losing only two wickets along the way. Opener Marcus Harris top scored with 43 and Marcus Stoinis, who is about to join Australia’s Test squad in India, finished unbeaten on 25.The result means Victoria are guaranteed a place in the Shield final, although their opponent is yet to be decided. Depending on results in the final round of matches, any of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia or even Western Australia could yet make the decider.

Pundit Frank McAvennie has been reacting to a Celtic transfer claim regarding Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey.

Are Celtic signing Daniel Amartey?

The Hoops and Brendan Rodgers look set for a busy few months in the transfer market and have already made a start on their summer business, with a move for midfielder Odin Thiago Holm confirmed by the club.

Melbourne City attacker Marco Tilio looks like he could be the next through the door, and another player of interest appears to be Amartey, previously described as "outstanding" and “aggressive” by Rodgers.

Reports earlier this month suggested that the Hoops are prepared to contact Amartey’s agent ahead of a potential move to the Scottish Premiership.

The Foxes defender will officially become a free agent at the beginning of July, and McAvennie has been giving his thoughts on a possible free transfer.

Talking to Football Insider, McAvennie believes Amartey is the type of player Rodgers will want to bring to Parkhead and feels the Ghana international could be a “revelation” in Scotland, who go on to be sold for £20m if he impresses.

“That is the kind of player that Brendan is going to want. The Premier League is a fierce league, it is the best league in the world and it is a lot harder to make it down there than people think it is.

“He might not be getting in the Leicester team but he could come to Scotland and be a revelation.

“They can get him for nothing and if he does well they will sell him for £20m, that has been the blueprint of Celtic for years. He needs game time and he will get it at Celtic.”

Who else could Celtic sign this summer?

Rodgers reportedly has a £30m transfer budget ahead of the 2023/24 season, and there has been no shortage of transfer rumours in recent days.

Former Celtic star Kieran Tierney, now with Arsenal, would consider a return to Parkhead this summer on a season-long loan, and the club could still bring in more players from Asia.

It is believed that a significant bid has been placed for winger Yang Hyun-jun from Gangwon FC, whereas Gwangju FC duo Eom Ji-sung and Jeong Ho-yeon have also been scouted ahead of possible Parkhead moves.

Amartey, who has made more appearances under Rodgers than any other manager during his career, would bring plenty of experience and versatility to Parkhead, should a deal go through, as he is capable of playing in defence or midfield, winning the Premier League and FA Cup while with the Foxes, and a move looks like it could be one to monitor.