Ashes hopeful suffers low-grade hamstring strain less than a month out from the first Test

Alex Malcolm11-Nov-2021

Queensland are hopeful Test aspirant Michael Neser will still be available for the first Ashes Test after suffering a minor hamstring strain on the opening day of the Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at the Gabba.Neser suffered the strain during his ninth over on the first afternoon after taking the early wicket of Cameron Bancroft. He had a scan on Thursday morning that revealed a low-grade strain in his right leg. Queensland physio and former Australia Test batter Martin Love said he was optimistic Neser would be available for selection in the opening Ashes Test despite it being less than four weeks away.”He will be assessed in the coming days to arrive at a suitable return to play date,” Love said. “At this stage, we are hopeful that, if required, he would be available for selection for the opening Test.”Neser has yet to play a Test match for Australia but has been a regular member of Australia’s Test squads since 2018 and has come close to selection on a number of occasions. The retirement of James Pattinson has pushed him closer to the top of the queue of fast bowlers waiting in the wings behind Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.Neser is a certainty to be named in Australia’s extended squad, due to be announced soon, but his participation in the three-day intrasquad match to be played in Brisbane starting on December 1 is now in doubt. He has had an interrupted start to the season, having missed two of Queensland’s Shield matches due to the birth of his child.Meanwhile, WA veteran Shaun Marsh is set for an extended period on the sidelines after suffering a bad calf injury while batting on the second day. Marsh was forced to retire hurt and did not return to bat or field on day two with his availability for WA’s next Shield game against Tasmania and his participation in the early part of the BBL season for Melbourne Renegades in severe doubt.WA bowler Joel Paris also suffered a minor hamstring injury on day one at the Gabba. He was able to bat on day two but won’t bowl in Queensland’s second innings.

ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the fourth day of the final Test at Lord’s

George Dobell and Firdose Moonda at Lord's19-Aug-2012Drop of the day
James Anderson has a well-deserved reputation as England’s best fielder in any position. But his failure to accept a simple chance at short mid wicket offered by AB de Villiers off the bowling of Graeme Swann when the batsman had scored just 8 was a major blow to England’s hopes. De Villiers went on to score 43 and England later also dropped Jacques Rudolph. It meant that, in this innings they had dropped Hashim Amla on 1, de Villiers on 8 and Rudolph on six and, in the series, that they had dropped nine chances. As if it is not hard enough to beat South Africa….Celebration of the day
South African batsmen have put their emotions into their gestures when bringing up hundreds on this tour. When Jacques Kallis brought up his hundred at the Oval, he pointed to his eye as a dedication to his friend Mark Boucher. When Amla etched his name onto the Lord’s honours’ board for the second time, he wrote a square in the sky with his hands, as though he was calling for the third umpire. Some thought it was a way of indicating that his name would be engraved again but it was actually a television sign, in recognition of the teams’ video analyst Prasanna Agoram who has been helping Amla behind the scenes. Agoram has been with the team for since before their 2010-11 home series against India and previously worked with the Indian Hockey Federation, Royal Challengers Banglalore and Rafael Nadal.Review of the day
If was not for the DRS, this series may have resembled the 1998 South Africa tour of England, one which Allan Donald remembers for the number of umpiring mistakes. One mistake that was not though was the decision Kumar Dharmasena made when he rejected James Anderson’s appeal for lbw against de Villiers. Live it looked as though de Villiers was in line and height was not an issue so England seemed to have called for a good review. Replays showed the ball was only clipping legstump, less than half of it, so the call remained with the umpire, giving a rare upholding to the two men in the middle for this match.Record of the day
Andrew Strauss has not had much to celebrate in this match so far but he did achieve something significant in his 100thTest. When his fingers closed around the delivery that dismissed de Villiers – a waist high catch off a thick outside edge – he had claimed his 121st catch for his country. In doing so he surpassed Ian Botham and Colin Cowdrey and became the England player to have taken the most catches in the outfield.Dosing of the day
Morne Morkel can come across as a dopey character and while batting he showed why. Morkel reached a careful nine runs, during which he reviewed an onfield decision against him which gave him out because he was actually hit on the grill, before a loss of concentration cost him his wicket. Morkel had his front foot just outside the crease when Matt Prior collected a delivery bowled by Swann. Prior waited for Morkel to raise his back foot and took off the bails in the fraction of a second when Morkel did. His timing was impeccable because Morkel’s foot was soon back on the ground, but not quickly enough to avoid him being saved. Prior had tried something similar when Rudolph when he lifted his foot very briefly but got it down in time. On both occasions though, Prior’s attention to detail was superb.

MatériaMais Notícias

da bwin： Com um gol de Raphael Veiga no último minuto, o Palmeiras empatou com o Athletico-PR, em 2 a 2, na Arena da Baixada, nesta quarta-feira, e se mantém vivo na briga pelo título da Recopa Sul-Americana. David Terans e Marlos marcaram para o Furacão, enquanto Jailson e Veiga fizeram para o Alviverde. Agora, no Allianz Parque, quem vencer ficará com a taça, e o empate leva aos pênaltis.

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> ATUAÇÕES: Jailson se destaca, e Veiga decide no final no empate do Palmeiras
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Furacão sai na frente no placar, mas Verdão se recupera e busca empate

O começo do primeiro tempo indicou o que se esperava com as duas equipes se estudando, mas logo aos três minutos o ataque palmeirense mudou a expectativa. Veiga achou um belo passe para Atuesta, cara a cara com o goleiro Santos, desperdiçar a oportunidade de abrir o placar. A bola ficava mais em posse do time casa, que não conseguia ameaçar o desatento adversário.

Mas em uma bola parada aos 18 minutos as coisas mudaram. Em um escanteio controverso, depois de um desvio no meio da área, Terans apareceu livre para mandar para o gol. O bandeira indicou impedimento, porém, com a ajuda do VAR, a arbitragem validou corretamente o tento do Furacão. A abertura do placar fez com o Alviverde, que só tocava bola de lado, fosse buscar o empate.

Em mais um ótimo passe de Veiga, ele achou Dudu, que cruzou rapidamente para a área, lá dentro Rony tentou o chute e Santos defendeu. Na cobrança de escanteio, depois de bate e rebate, a bola sobrou para Jailson que, de bico, chutou bonito para o gol e empatou o placar aos 27 minutos. Quando foi ao ataque, a equipe de Abel Ferreira conseguiu ameaçar e chegar perto da rede.

Ainda assim, alguns vacilos defensivos e desatenções quase levaram o Athletico-PR ao segundo gol. Em cruzamento para a área, aos 42 minutos, Thiago Heleno subiu mais alto do que a defesa e cabeceou forte por cima, perto do gol. Em resposta, aos 47, Rony arriscou um bonito chute de fora da área e acabou acertando a trave, no que poderia ter sido o segundo alviverde.

Athletico consegue o gol para a vantagem, mas Palmeiras empata no fim

No retorno do intervalo, o Athletico-PR colocou o time mais à frente, com os laterais bem avançados, o que jogou o Palmeiras para trás, mas que tinha espaço para o contra-ataque. Aos 11 minutos, Abel tirou Atuesta e colocou Wesley. Aos 14, em boa trama pelo lado direito do ataque, Dudu cruzou para a área, mas Rony não conseguiu completar, assim como Wesley, sem goleiro.

Com a entrada de Wesley, o Verdão parecia conseguir levar o time mais ao ataque, sem ficar preso na defesa, mas esse bom momento não foi aproveitado e o jovem acabou ‘sumindo”. Em mais um momento de desatenção dos palmeirenses, Abner cruzou e Erick desviou para uma linda defesa de Weverton. Em seguida, em cobrança de escanteio, Thiago Heleno resvalou na bola e, no segundo pau, Léo Cittadini desperdiçou oportunidade de cabeça.

Em mais um momento que se desligou do jogo, aos 30 minutos, o Palmeiras acabou sofrendo o segundo. Veiga afastou mal a bola da frente da área, Marlos recebeu dentro da área, cortou a marcação e mandou uma bomba para a rede, sem chance para Weverton. Pouco depois, Gabriel Veron cruzou para a área, a defesa rebateu e a bola sobrou para Veiga, que tentou de cabeça, sem perigo.

Na reta final do segundo tempo, Abel sacou Rony e colocou Rafael Navarro para ser um centroavante de fato. Aos 38 minutos, ele ajudou em um roubada de bola no meio e Wesley lançou Veron, que tocou na saída do goleiro, mas finalizou para fora. Aos 41, Veron foi quem cruzou para Wesley, mas ele se enrolou e não conseguiu finalizar. No fim, Marcinho cometeu pênalti em Wesley. Na cobrança, sempre ele, Veiga marcou para empatar a decisão.

E agora?

Com o empate na partida de ida da Recopa, a decisão pelo título ficará para o Allianz Parque. Em São Paulo, quem vencer, por qualquer placar, ficará com a taça. Se houver o empate, também por qualquer placar, o jogo vai aos pênaltis.

FICHA TÉCNICA
ATHLETICO-PR 2 x 2 PALMEIRAS
Local: Arena da Baixada, em Curitiba (PR)
Data-Hora: 23/2/2022 – 21h30
Árbitro: Facundo Tello (ARG)
Assistentes: Ezequiel Brailovsky (ARG) e Maximiliano del Yesso (ARG)
VAR: Patricio Loustau (ARG)
Público: Não disponíveis
Cartões amarelos:Nicolas Hernández, Erick e Thiago Heleno (APR)
Cartões vermelhos: –
Gols: David Terans (21’/1ºT) (1-0), Jailson (27’/1ºT) (1-1), Marlos (30’/2ºT), Raphael Veiga (51’/2ºT)

ATHLETICO-PR: Santos; Marcinho, Pedro Henrique, Thiago Heleno e Abner (Nicolas Hernández, aos 44’/2ºT); Hugo Moura (Christian, aos 26’/2ºT), Erick (Zé Ivaldo, aos 44’/2ºT) e Matheus Fernandes; David Terans (Marlos, aos 21’/2ºT), Léo Cittadini e Rômulo. Técnico: Alberto Valentim.

PALMEIRAS: Weverton; Marcos Rocha, Kuscevic, Murilo e Piquerez; Danilo, Jailson (Zé Rafael, aos 25’/2ºT) e Atuesta (Wesley, aos 11’/2ºT); Dudu (Gabriel Veron, aos 25’/2ºT), Rony (Raphael Navarro, aos 37’/2ºT) e Raphael Veiga. Técnico: Abel Ferreira.

Mikel Arteta is building something special at Arsenal. He may only have an FA Cup trophy to show for his work so far but they have come incredibly close in the Premier League.

In 2022/23 it was a gap of just five points that separated the Gunners and Manchester City. Last term they got even closer, finishing only two points behind Pep Guardiola's super team.

So, how do they bridge that narrow gap and surpass the 90-point mark? Well, by keeping hold of their best players and adding to those around them.

The trouble is, with Arsenal now such an impressive side, the biggest sides on the continent will no doubt take notice.

Arsenal star becoming a wanted man

It's unlikely that homegrown talents like Ben White, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice will be upping sticks anytime soon.

However, one of their foreign imports, William Saliba may well have his head turned if Arsenal don't win a few trophies soon.

Barcelona have already been linked with a move for the French centre-half, but according to reports Real Madrid are now also interested.

That's according to reports in Spain who suggest that Saliba has 'caught the attention' of the Champions League winners following his displays for club and for country at Euro 2024.

It's said Arsenal would be willing to sell if their financial conditions are met. An alleged £117m price is the magic and unlikely number that Real would have to pay.

Why Saliba is one of the world's best

As scout Antonio Mango put it on social media, Saliba is "one of the best in the world" now in his position.

It's easy to see why. After finally breaking into the Arsenal first-team at the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign following several loan spells, the French centre-back has been nothing short of a revelation.

To underline his importance to the Arteta revolution at the Emirates Stadium, he played every single minute of the club's Premier League campaign last season. As a result, he was perhaps the most important cog in the best defence in England's top-flight last season.

Saliba helped to keep 18 clean sheets, more than any single player in the entire top flight as Arsenal came up desperately short in their bid for league glory.

But what makes him so good and why do Madrid want him? Well, he's unfazed by any situation, possesses immense composure and is incredibly hard to beat physically.

Saliba has already got the better of Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2024, preventing him from scoring and also bodied Erling Haaland last term as the Norwegian failed to find the net against Arteta's side.

To rubberstamp just how good he is, the France international ranks inside the top 9% of positionally similar players in Europe's top five leagues for pass success, the top 11% for challenges lost and the best 16% for carries.

His defensive numbers aren't awe-inspiring but it's worth noting that Arsenal didn't actually have much work to get through at the back in 2023/24 because they keep the ball so well.

Even for a colossal £117m price tag, it would be very difficult to let the 22-year-old walk out the door. Already at such a young age he is one of, if not the best centre-backs in Europe and he's only going to get better.

Arsenal are reportedly moving closer to securing the signature of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori this summer but even if they do get that one over the line, it's imperative that Saliba stays. Arteta trusts him more than any other defender at the club.

Fabregas all over again: Arsenal's "monster" star is wanted by Barcelona

The talented ace is “one of the best in the world.”

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 24, 2024

West Bromwich Albion fans would have been shocked logging into social media last week to see Brandon Thomas-Asante was being linked up with a move up to the Premier League after the former Salford City striker experienced such an up-and-down Championship season.

Thomas-Asante would bag a respectable 11 second-tier strikes during the regular campaign, but his presence in the all-important play-off games that Carlos Corberan's men experienced after this was non-existent, managing a meagre 15 touches of the ball in the first leg before being hauled off by the unhappy Spaniard.

Therefore, if the 25-year-old centre-forward does make a move to the Saints a reality soon, West Brom will no doubt be back in the transfer market for a new attacker to lead the line, having previously been linked with this striker option.

West Brom could go back in for free agent

According to reports from the Daily Mail last week, West Brom have been keen on trying to tempt former Stoke City man Tyrese Campbell to the Hawthorns this coming season, to strengthen their lone striker spot.

They're certainly not alone in their reported advances of the now free-agent attacker, with Rangers up in Scotland named as one interested party, alongside fellow Championship sides in the form of Preston North End, Sheffield United, Queens Park Rangers and more.

Released by the Potters after his injury demons had gotten too out of control, leading to a constantly disrupted 2023/24 campaign, Campbell will hope he can bounce back from these unwanted setbacks and fire in plenty of goals again lining up for a new employer soon.

Why Campbell could finally replace Dwight Gayle

With Josh Maja and Daryl Dike also unreliable options in reserve up top, owing to their own injury issues, this could be a risky move, but one that pays off, especially if Campbell is able to replicate the heroics of Dwight Gayle in Albion colours.

Gayle would also arrive to the Hawthorns off an indifferent spell at Newcastle United himself before bursting into life in his new Championship surroundings, joining on loan for the 2018/19 season after only scoring six Premier League goals the campaign before for the Magpies.

The now 34-year-old free agent would go on to become an instant Baggies legend, netting 24 goals in total when donning his new West Brom strip, from just 41 games.

23/24

Thomas-Asante

11

22/23

Dike/Thomas-Asante

7

21/22

Karlan Grant

18

20/21

Matheus Pereira

11

19/20

Charlie Austin/Hal Robson-Kanu

10

18/19

Gayle

23

West Brom haven't had such a prolific goalscorer since their former deadly loanee left, when glancing at the table above, but the Championship outfit will hope Campbell can be that lethal finisher soon, with or without Thomas-Asante staying put.

Described as being a "handful" by former Stoke manager Michael O'Neill when on top form for the Potters, the former £12.5k-per-week man still managed to bag vital goals last season for his now ex-employers, netting a crucial strike away at Southampton towards the back-end of last campaign to keep his side afloat in the second tier.

The injury-prone 24-year-old would only need 15 touches on the South Coast to fire in the winner against Russell Martin's eventually promoted Saints, which would prove to be one of his last goal contributions for Stoke, taking his goal total to 36 from 164 games.

He could well become even more of a goal threat in his new location, surrounded by the likes of Jed Wallace and Grady Diangana teeing up chances for him, as West Brom eye another promotion charge.

West Brom could sign a "great finisher" who would shine next to Fellows

West Bromwich Albion are eyeing up a swoop for this free agent attacker.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 22, 2024

The death of a friend and team-mate made Surrey keeper Steven Davies wonder if he wanted to continue playing

Ed Kemp23-Apr-2013″After the death of Tom Maynard in June last year, Steven Davies suffered from depression. The daily demands of the county game meant there was no escape from the tragedy, and Davies sought help from a specialist, recommended to him by a friend. It helped a bit, but playing cricket no longer felt important, and certainly wasn’t fun. Although his glovework remained competent, Davies’ form with the bat completely disintegrated – having passed 1000 first-class runs in each of the previous three seasons, he managed just 438 in 2012, 104 of which came in one innings against Somerset in May.”The cricket environment was the last place that I wanted to be,” Davies said. “Every time I went to a cricket ground it would remind me of Tom and I didn’t want that. I was out in the middle not really wanting to be there. The county season is relentless and it just kept building up. There was an occasion when we played Notts away [in the Championship in July] where I rang my parents to tell them that I was going to quit, that I’d had enough of cricket. I was ready to give it all up, because I just didn’t see it coming to an end. I was in a bad place, I hated the game.”That call prompted his parents to visit him in Nottingham. Together they talked things through and agreed he would see it through to the end of the season, then take the winter off, and attempt to “find the love again”.”I just couldn’t wait for the last game of the season, just to get away from it,” he said. I’ve always loved playing cricket, so it was a strange feeling, to really hate the game that much. Looking back, I should have taken the break during the season. But I felt I had a responsibility to keep on going to try and look after the younger players that have come into the squad [although only 26, Davies sees himself as an experienced head in the Surrey dressing room]. In the end it didn’t benefit me and it didn’t benefit the team, really.”As well as seeing the specialist, Davies was also on medication, though it gave him headaches and he came off it as soon as he’d got through the county campaign. “I’m not seeing anyone anymore. It was the family time that I needed. I just spent three-and-a-half months with them, forgot about cricket for a while, and that was the best therapy for me. I’m really glad I decided to take the winter off, because there gay people, so it’s just to say that we’re normal people, exactly the same as you. Being in the closet for so long and being in pro sport, I was worried about coming out, and now I have and I’ve seen the impact it’s had on some people. The response I got was amazing. I feel this resource can really change people’s lives, and it could even save a life.”So what now? “Back in love” with cricket, since Christmas, Davies has worked hard to get himself in nick for the season – and an attempt to reaffirm his England credentials. Though he was on the Pakistan tour to the UAE in early 2012, he hasn’t played international cricket since being dropped from the ODI team just before the 2011 World Cup – and this year he’s targeting a return to the one-day set-up.”I just want to focus on getting back to where I was, on having a bloody good year and getting back into the England side. I’m really energised and excited for the year, and I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be a good one.”No one would begrudge him. As a person, Davies has already had more to deal with than most cricketers his age. But as a player, the serious stuff could well be yet to come.

da 888casino： Everton have submitted a £6.8m offer to sign a 22-year-old defender this summer, according to a fresh transfer rumour that has emerged from Italy.

Everton transfer news

da imperador bet： The Blues have already got some important and impressive summer transfer business over the line, snapping up the likes of Jake O'Brien, Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom, the latter of whom has arrived on loan from Juventus.

That being said, Everton have lost key midfielder Amadou Onana to Aston Villa, which acts as a clear blow, and the likes of Jordan Pickford, Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have been linked with moves away from Goodison Park throughout the summer.

That highlights the importance of making further signings between now and the end of the transfer window, with various names emerging as reported targets in recent days. Two of those are midfield pair Kalvin Phillips and Richard Rios, of Manchester City and Palmeiras respectively, with the Blues reportedly in pole position to sign the former over Villa.

It does appear as though plenty of focus is on finding a replacement for Onana, with the Belgian such an influential figure in the middle of the park before his exit, and Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra is considered another option for Sean Dyche.

In attack, a successor to Calvert-Lewin may also need to be found, or even someone who can provide even more competition for him, and Tammy Abraham has been linked with joining Everton, too. He could leave Roma this summer, following three years with the Serie A giants.

Everton submit bid for 22 y/o international

According to a report from Corriere dello Sport on Saturday [via Goodison News], Everton have made a £6.8m offer for Hellas Verona right-back Jackson Tchatchoua, looking to get a summer move over the line. The bid also includes two bonuses.

The Serie A side are holding out for £8.5m, however, as they prove to be stubborn when it comes to their player, whose current deal doesn't expire until 2027.

Tchatchoua could be exactly what Dyche is looking for at right-back ahead of the new Premier League season, representing a long-term option who could also arrive as a starter from the off. As things stand, Seamus Coleman, Ashley Young and Nathan Patterson are the choices in that position, with the first two ageing individuals who could be squad options instead of key men moving forward.

The young defender made 26 appearances in the league for Verona last season, 19 of which were starts, and he has also won two caps for Cameroon at international level, showing that he can be trusted early on in his career.

Related Imagine him & DCL: Everton can land their own Nico Williams

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It now looks to be a case of whether Everton are willing to up the amount they bid for Tchatchoua, with Verona holding firm and ensuring they get as much as possible for a prized player. He could be worth every penny if the Blues do bid £8.5m, given the number of years left in him.

Next season will be incredibly important for Tottenham Hotspur, as with a year under his belt and a squad he's now familiar with, the pressure will be on Ange Postecoglou to lead the club back into the Champions League.

However, the ease of the Australian's task will be greatly impacted by Daniel Levy and Co's actions in the remaining weeks of the transfer window, as with the right players, the North Londoners could find themselves flying up the Premier League table.

The good news is that the last few days have indicated that the club are intent on upgrading the squad, with Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke set to join.

The Englishman's clinical finishing will bring a cutting edge to Postecoglou's exciting style, and he could have an equally exciting player supplying the 26-year-old with chances, as reports have linked the club with a serious talent from north of the border who could be set to rival James Maddison for role of Chief creator.

Tottenham's pursuit of Solanke

After a relatively quiet summer of transfer activity, bar the signings of Archie Gray and Yang Min-Hyeok, Spurs have burst into life over the last few days to secure the services of Solanke.

The Athletic's David Ornstein confirmed early this morning that the Cherries have agreed to sell the Englishman to the Lilywhites for a "club-record fee," which Fabrizio Romano confirmed this afternoon to be £65m plus add-ons.

It's certainly a lot of money, but considering he scored 21 goals and provided four assists in 42 appearances last season, it could prove to be value for money in the long run, especially if he can finish off the chances that come from Spurs' dynamic style of play under Postecoglou.

However, who exactly is going to provide him with the chances is an interesting question though, as Maddison didn't have a particularly good second half of last season and, according to reports from this week, the club have been offered the chance to sign a midfielder who enjoyed an exceptional 23/24, Matt O'Riley.

How O'Riley compares to Maddison

According to a recent update from Paul O'Keefe, Tottenham have been offered the chance to sign Celtic star O'Riley this summer, who is valued at around £25m.

Unfortunately, O'Keefe doesn't think that the North Londoners are that interested at this point in time, but let's compare the Dane to Maddison to see why they should be.

So the main thing to look at is their output, as it's their ability to create chances for the likes of Solanke and their ability to finish the chances given to them that matters most, and in this metric, it's a big win for the Celtic man.

For example, in 49 appearances for the Hoops last season, the "phenomenal" midfielder, as manager Brendan Rodgers dubbed him, scored 19 goals and, most importantly, provided 18 assists. This means he averaged a goal involvement every 1.32 games, which is seriously impressive regardless of the league.

In contrast, the former Leicester City ace scored four goals and provided nine assists in 30 appearances, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 2.30 games. However, the more concerning part about the Englishman's haul is that in his final 17 league matches, he produced just five goal involvements.

Appearances

49

30

Goals

19

4

Assists

18

9

Goal Involvements per Match

0.75

0.43

A drop-off in form like this wouldn't be an issue for Solanke next season if Postecoglou could rely on O'Riley to pick up some of the creative slack and provide the talented striker with plenty of opportunities to do what he does best: score. In fact, a midfield with both of them could be the perfect way to overwhelm weaker sides who deploy a stubborn low block.

Ultimately, it might not be a transfer we see happen, but based on his form for Celtic last season, £25m seems like a reasonable gamble for a player who could bring so much creativity to the midfield and get even more out of Solanke next season.

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2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 8, 2024

Hoping to land their biggest deal of the summer transfer window so far, Leicester City have reportedly tabled a fresh £21m bid to sign a Serie A star for Steve Cooper.

Leicester City transfer news

The Foxes have created some much-needed positive headlines in recent weeks following a disastrous start to the summer, which saw manager Enzo Maresca and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall complete moves to Chelsea. Since then, Steve Cooper has arrived alongside four fresh faces, with those at the King Power hoping to build a squad capable of avoiding Premier League relegation in their first season back in the top flight.

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ByKelan Sarson Jul 19, 2024

More arrivals could yet be on their way. Reports have linked the likes of Alexis Saelemaekers and Richard Rios with moves to Leicester in recent days, with the Foxes looking to use the next month to add further additions. The Championship winners do have to be careful on that front given that they've already run into trouble with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules once and face potential sanctions.

Nonetheless, those potential sanctions are seemingly not set to stand in the way of one big-money move this summer. According to John Percy of The Telegraph, Leicester have tabled a fresh £21m bid to sign Matias Soule from Juventus and are pushing to agree a deal for the young winger next week.

The Foxes' interest in the Serie A star is an open secret these days, and their £21m move would be their most expensive yet this summer, not to mention a statement of intent ahead of their Premier League return. That said, even if it is their biggest move, it remains to be seen whether Juventus will deem their £21m bid enough to show Soule the door next week.

Still just 21 years old, the Argentinian would undoubtedly be an impressive coup.

"Fantastic" Soule can replace Dewsbury-Hall spark

Following Dewsbury-Hall's exit, welcoming a player who can replicate the Englishman's impressive output and creative spark should be at the top of Leicester's priority list this summer – and that should align with their ambitions to sign Soule.

The Juventus gem enjoyed an excellent season out on loan at Frosinone last term, providing the bright spark in a campaign to otherwise forget for the relegated Serie A side. Following a "fantastic start", as described by Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, Soule only got better, ending the season with 11 goals and 3 assists in all competitions.

A player who still has plenty more to offer, Soule would quickly become a vital part of Cooper's side if he completes a summer switch to Leicester. For just £21m, he may even be looked at as one of the bargains of the window if he hits the ground running in the Premier League.

كشفت تقارير صحفية تطورات تخص ثنائي فريق برشلونة، رونالد أراوخو ورافينها، وموقفهما من المشاركة ضد أوساسونا يوم الخميس المقبل في بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

ويلتقي الفريقان على ملعب “مونتجويك” في مباراة مؤجلة من الجولة السابعة والعشرين من الليجا.

وكان من المفترض إقامة المباراة قبل أسبوعين، ولكن تقرر تأجيلها بسبب وفاة طبيب الفريق الأول لنادي برشلونة.

وقرر الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم إعادة جدولة مباراة برشلونة وأوساسونا حيث ستُقام يوم الخميس المقبل، رغم احتجاج الناديين خاصة البرسا لتواجد أكثر من لاعب في المعسكر الدولي.

وتتركز مشكلة برشلونة أكثر في الثنائي رونالد أراوخو ورافينها، حيث سيخوضان مباراة في إطار تصفيات قارة أمريكا الجنوبية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026.

ويلتقي منتخب أوروجواي مع بوليفيا قبل ساعات من مباراة الأرجنتين والبرازيل، فجر الأربعاء المقبل.

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وذكرت صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية أنه على الرغم من أن مشاركة أراوخو ورافينها في مباراة برشلونة وأوساسونا تبدو مستبعدة إلى حد كبير، فإن المدرب هانز فليك قد يعتمد في نهاية الأمر عليهما، على الأقل للدخول في القائمة.

وأفادت أن الخطة تتمثل في عودة رافينها وأراوخو إلى إسبانيا على متن طائرة خاصة رفقة بقية اللاعبين الدوليين من أمريكا الجنوبية من ريال مدريد وأتلتيكو مدريد، وهم راؤول خيمينيز، فيدي فالفيردي، مولينا، دي بول، أنخيل كوريا، جوليان ألفاريز، إندريك وفينيسيوس جونيور.

وكون مباراة بوليفيا وأوروجواي ستُقام قبل ساعات قليلة من لقاء الأرجنتين والبرازيل في بوينس آريس، فإن ذلك سيمنح فرصة لـ أراوخو للسفر إلى العاصمة الأرجنتينية لانتظار الرحلة الجماعية المرتقبة.

وسيتوجه أراوخو ورافينها إلى برشلونة حيث يصلان إلى العاصمة الكتالونية مساء الأربعاء، رغم أنهما لن يشاركان مع بقية زملائهما في الحصة التدريبية الأخيرة، ولكن ربما يحصلان على فرصة التواجد على مقاعد البدلاء ضد أوساسونا للمشاركة حال الضرورة.