Change is afoot at St. James' Park. Co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi have sold their shares in Newcastle United and will leave after playing instrumental parts in the PIF-backed takeover in 2021.

Paul Mitchell has also been confirmed as United's new sporting director after the protracted Dan Ashworth saga drew to a close at the start of the month. Last month's PSR concerns have been combatted shrewdly with sales that have swerved the gnawing sense that one of the club's top talents needed to be sacrificed, instead, such linchpins stay put.

Eddie Howe is now focused on strengthening his squad, tweaking and tinkering to chart a course back into the Champions League. The 2023/24 campaign was ruined by injuries but now the Magpies can start afresh, and while a spread of positions require attention, sights have been fixed on a Premier League forward… again.

Newcastle lining up new striker

As per Football Insider, Newcastle are prepared to return with a fresh bid to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who had been nearing a move to Tyneside one month ago.

Yankuba Minteh heading toward Goodison was a crucial part of the negotiations but Brighton & Hove Albion prevailed in that race, though Callum Wilson's possible departure could see space freed up for the rangy striker's signing.

Indeed, Newcastle are pushing to sell Wilson for £10-15m, and should interested suitors West Ham United step up their interest, cogs could fall into place nicely.

What Dominic Calvert-Lewin would bring to Newcastle

Calvert-Lewin has been one of the Premier League's most prominent centre-forwards for several years now, an excellent striker with aerially dominant properties that would make him the perfect foil for the dynamic skills of Alexander Isak.

Beleaguered by injuries over the past few years, Calvert-Lewin found his feet toward the end of the 2023/24 campaign, scoring four goals and adding an assist across his past seven appearances, with his revived physicality, if sustained, capable of leading him to a future laden with goals.

Hailed as a "high-level striker" by former boss Frank Lampard, the 27-year-old ranks among the top 6% of centre-forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for aerial duels won and clearances made per 90, as per FBref, something that would allow him to serve as a focal point, with Anthony Gordon and the like bouncing off his presence.

2023/24

32

26

7

2

2022/23

17

15

2

1

2021/22

17

15

5

2

2020/21

33

32

16

1

2019/20

36

30

13

1

2018/19

35

19

6

2

2017/18

32

18

4

5

2016/17

11

5

1

0

Recent injury-hit years have swiped the 6 foot 2 star's prolificness from him but the signs of a resurgence were discernible last term, with The Athletic's Patrick Boyland even remarking that he was "like the DCL of old" during the Toffees' Merseyside Derby victory over Liverpool in April.

Newcastle could unburden the England international of the weight of being the star man up front, instead promising a shared role as Isak's understudy – allowing him to find his feet and rediscover his boots, thus moving back into the ascendancy.

He'd be a perfect fit, if, indeed, he manages to stay fit. Calvert-Lewin is even recorded to have striking stylistic similarities to that of Ivan Toney, so could mark a sense of vindication on Tyneside regarding that one.

How Calvert-Lewin compares to Ivan Toney

Toney cut his teeth at Newcastle but was sold to Peterborough in League One for all of £350k after a series of loan stints and four senior showings in black and white.

The "remarkable" forward, as dubbed by Brentford manager Thomas Frank, has since gone from strength to strength and is now a fully-fledged England international and one of the Premier League's deadliest marksmen, having scored 36 goals and supplied 11 assists across 83 appearances in the division since the Bees' resounding promotion – a term that saw Toney harvest 33 goals in the second tier.

Bold and bullish, the 6 foot 1 talent is a deadly marksman and creative besides, boasting sharp link-up qualities that have led his Three Lions teammate Declan Rice to hail him for being "kind of like Harry Kane in a way where he's not only an out-and-out striker, he's a playmaker as well."

As per FBref, Toney was one of the most similar forwards to Calvert-Lewin in the Premier League last season, himself ranking among the top 3% of forwards last term for interceptions made and the top 17% for aerial duels won per 90.

Calvert-Lewin is also deceptively creative, crafting four big chances for his peers last season despite being limited to only 26 top-flight starts. He's something of a "monster" up front – according to football talent scout Jacek Kulig – but he's also a multi-skilled player.

Newcastle's overall play could also free up greater opportunity for the Evertonian striker, who was left isolated on occasion last season. The Magpies averaged 52.2% possession in the Premier League last season, striking 14.5 shots and completing 9.3 dribbles per game (WhoScored).

Everton, conversely, averaged 40% of possession per match last year, taking less shots (13.3) and completing fewer dribbles (7.3) on average.

They did eclipse Newcastle in aerial duels won per game though (12 vs 18.3), suggesting that Calvert-Lewin's skyward strengths could add an invaluable dimension to the side, all the while using their superiority on the ball to put him in better positions.

Newcastle might not be likely to reclaim Toney's services any time soon, but in Calvert-Lewin, Howe could sign a striker with all the tools to add depth and dynamism to the frontline, gearing it up for an exciting campaign.

Perfect for Guimaraes: Newcastle could land "truly remarkable" £51m ace

He’s one of the most exciting prospects in world football.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 13, 2024

The Alphonso Davies story is set to take another twist as it has been revealed that 'mainly' Manchester United are 'bidding hard' for the left-back.

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New twist in Davies' transfer story Man Utd 'bidding hard' for Davies Real Madrid won't fight other clubsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Davies' future has been the talk of the town since the start of the season as the Canadian's contract with Bayern Munich is set to run out in the summer of 2025. The Bavarians are attempting to renew the deal as a priority so as to keep their first-choice left-back at the club past this season, however, have seen a number of offers turned down by the left-back. Several clubs have shown interest in signing Davies as a free agent next summer with Real Madrid and Manchester United leading the pack.

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Earlier this week, Davies' agent Nedal Huoseh shot down reports that the Bayern Munich star had already agreed terms with Real Madrid over a move next summer. As per Spanish publication AS [via SportsWitness], it’s ‘mainly Manchester United’, who are ‘bidding hard’ for Davies as Real Madrid are not looking to make rash moves for the Canadian.

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According to AS, Real Madrid have already made their last offer to the agent and have decided not to compete with other teams for the signing of Davies. This may give Manchester United the advantage because they need a top-tier left-back more than nearly everybody else as they continue to operate without the injured Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, their only two left-backs.

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WHAT NEXT FOR DAVIES?

Regardless of what happens in the summer, Davies will have to continue fighting to prove a point with Bayern Munich until the of the season as the Bavarians look to reclaim their Bundesliga title from Bayer Leverkusen and make a bigger dent in the Champions League proceedings.

Leeds United have less than a month to complete the remainder of their business before the summer transfer window officially closes for business.

One of their biggest tasks will be replacing the Championship Player of the Year Crysencio Summerville, who completed a move to West Ham United on Saturday.

Fabrizio Romano reported that the Hammers have splashed out a fee of more than £25m and add-ons to sign the Dutch winger from Elland Road.

It will be incredibly difficult for Daniel Farke to bring in a player who can replicate the 22-year-old's impact at the top end of the pitch, as Summerville was in phenomenal form throughout the 2023/24 campaign.

23/24 Championship

Crysencio Summerville

Starts

41

Goals

19

Conversion rate

15%

Assists

9

Dribbles completed per game

2.3

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the former Feyenoord man contributed with a staggering 28 direct goal contributions in 41 starts in the division.

Instead of signing a player to directly replace those goals and assists, Leeds could add a winger with promise and hope that other players step up to make up the difference.

Leeds eyeing winger swoop

The Whites already have their eye on one flanker to come in and bolster the squad. Dutch outlet Voetbal International reports that they are one of the clubs interested in a deal to sign NEC Nijmegen forward Sontje Hansen.

VI claims that the West Yorkshire side are eyeing up a swoop for the 22-year-old talent as a potential replacement for Summerville, as Farke looks to bolster his options in the wide areas.

Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James are the club's only senior players in those positions at this moment in time, after Jaidon Anthony returned to Bournemouth and Summerville moved to West Ham.

The report adds that League One side Birmingham City, who have been exploring the Dutch market this summer, are also in the running to land Hansen.

It states, however, that NEC are in a strong position with the forward, who has three years left to run on his contract, and would demand a high transfer fee for his services.

The outlet does not reveal exactly how much the Eredivisie outfit would demand for the impressive attacker, though, or whether or not Leeds are prepared to make an offer for him.

If the Whites can win the race to sign the Dutch talent before the end of the window then he could be an exciting partner for Georginio Rutter at the top end of the pitch.

Georginio Rutter's impressive form last season

The former Hoffenheim prodigy will be looking to follow on from where he left off in the 2023/24 campaign, as the young whiz enjoyed a superb season as a creative force for the club.

Rutter had struggled in the Premier League, with zero goals and one assist in 11 games, and the relegation to the Championship provided him with an opportunity to flourish in the second tier.

23/24 Championship

Georginio Rutter

Appearances

45

Goals

6

Assists

15

Big chances created

22

Key passes per game

1.9

Pass accuracy

69%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the left-footed magician provided a constant threat at the top end of the pitch by creating high-quality chances for his teammates at an impressive rate.

In fact, he ranked within the top 2% of forwards in the Championship last term for assists (0.39) and Expected Assisted Goals (0.29) per 90 respectively. The talented attacker also ranked within the top 2% of his positional peers for shot-creating actions (4.41) per 90 in the division.

These statistics show that Rutter was one of the best attackers in the second tier at splitting open opposition defences to create opportunities for others, which helped Summerville to plunder 19 goals.

The French ace needs players around him who can make the most of his creativity as his own finishing lets him down, with six goals from a whopping 12.34 xG in the Championship last season.

This means that other players have to step up to provide the goals because Rutter, at this moment in time, is far too wasteful in front of goal to be relied upon consistently.

Why Sontje Hansen and Georginio Rutter would be an exciting pairing

Firstly, it is worth saying that Hansen should not be expected to directly replace Summerville as a player who can fire in 19 goals and provide nine assists straight away in the Championship next term.

The £5.9k-per-week star is a promising talent but has yet to prove that he can deliver those kinds of numbers in the final third from a left wing position.

He was once hailed as "prolific" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, around the time the gem fired in six goals in seven games at the U17 World Cup for the Netherlands, and did show off his finishing ability in the 2023/24 campaign.

23/24 Eredivisie

Sontje Hansen

Starts

25

xG

3.72

Goals

6

Big chances missed

4

Big chances created

7

Assists

4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Hansen more than made the most of the chances that were created for him as he outperformed his xG by just over two goals.

This suggests that the 22-year-old ace, who only missed four 'big chances', is a lethal finisher who can be incredibly effective in front of goal.

Now, imagine if he had the service that Rutter can provide on a regular basis at the top end of the pitch. The French whiz was one of the best forwards in the league at creating high xG chances for his teammates, which suggests that Hansen could improve his goal tally by playing alongside the gem and using his finishing skills to thrive off that level of chance creation.

Therefore, the NEC star should not be judged on his return of six goals in the Dutch top-flight as he could score more goals by being paired with a creative talent like Rutter who can provide him with plenty of chances to score.

Related Leeds keen on "remarkable" wizard who could help Farke forget Summerville

The Whites are one of the clubs vying to complete a deal for the impressive winger.

Posts ByDan Emery Aug 3, 2024

This is why the French sensation and Hansen could be an exciting pairing for Leeds in the Championship next season, if Farke can land a deal for the Eredivisie starlet.

A Kylian Mbappe-less France limped into the last eight of the Nations League as Didier Deschamps' wasteful side drew 0-0 with Israel.

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• France without Mbappe
• Held to 0-0 draw by Israel
• French into Nations League last eight

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  France dominated the encounter from start to finish but struggled to break down the resilient visitors in front of a very sparse Stade de France crowd.

  Les Bleus went close through Eduardo Camavinga, N'Golo Kante, and Bradley Barcola in the first half but Daniel Peretz was in inspired form in the Israeli goal.

  The hosts – who were without Mbappe as he was left out of the squad – rang the changes in the final quarter of the game as they searched for a winner and it nearly came through Warren Zaire-Emery, only for Peretz to pull off a stunning save.

  Didier Deschamps' team, who are ranked 79 places above Israel, had 71 per cent possession and 24 shots to Israel's three but hit the target on just eight occasions, with their profligacy writ large in the French capital.

  In the 96th minute, Peretz pulled off a vital stop to deny substitute Christopher Nkunku to secure the underdogs a well-earned point. The result means France are into the next stage of the competition with Italy, who beat Belgium 1-0, and now both teams will meet this weekend to see who tops League A Group 2.

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• AFP
  

  THE MVP

  Daniel Peretz put in a world-class display in between the sticks as he repeatedly denied France's top talent. While the French, arguably, didn't test the Bayern Munich keeper enough, he was in top form when his side needed him most.

• AFP
  

  THE BIG LOSER

  While Eduardo Camavinga missed a number of chances for France and picked up a foolish booking that will rule him out of the Italy game, Bradley Barcola missed a glorious opportunity in the first half and was wasteful in front of goal.

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• AFP
  

  WHAT COMES NEXT?

  France round off their Nations League group stage campaign away to top of the table Italy on Sunday, whereas basement side Israel take on third-placed Belgium on the same date.

5.1 Dananjaya to Pollard, SIX runs Pollard goes down on one knee and slogs this length ball over long-on. There was a shout of catch it but Pollard cleared the boundary by some distancePhilip Spooner/CWI

5.2 Dananjaya to Pollard, SIX runs This time muscles it into the sightscreen. Too full from Dananjaya this time and Pollard just latched onto thisPhilip Spooner/CWI

5.3 Dananjaya to Pollard, SIX runs Another hat-trick of sixes. Fuller and a touch wider but it makes no difference to Pollard, who smashes it over wide long-off. Pollard isn’t worried by those quick wicketsPhilip Spooner/CWI

5.4 Dananjaya to Pollard, SIX runs Make that four in a row! What a bizarre day for Akila Dananjaya, who has been clubbed for four successive sixes after a hat-trick in the previous over. Was a length ball around off and Pollard slogged it over deep midwicket. He hit it with the spin and it keeps sailingPhilip Spooner/CWI

5.5 Dananjaya to Pollard, SIX runs Whoa! Five sixes in five balls for Kieron Pollard. This is carnage. A length ball outside off, Pollard rocks back and uses all his power to launch it straight over the bowler’s headPhilip Spooner/CWI

5.6 Dananjaya to Pollard, SIX runs no, it doesn’t. Kieron Pollard has smashed six sixes in an over here. Yuvraj Singh has got company. Fired in on to pads and a chip, just a mere chip and it flies over the deep midwicket boundary. A bow from Pollard to acknowledge the applause from his team-matesPhilip Spooner/CWI

WV Raman and support staff contracts extended, possibility of crowds at 40-50% being explored

Annesha Ghosh26-Feb-2021Nine days out from the start of India Women’s first assignment in a year, against South Africa at home, the squads for the five-match ODI series or the three T20Is, the venue or the tour itinerary itself, have not been publicly announced yet by the BCCI, the hosts. CSA, too, has not announced the South African squads yet. The only official statement so far confirming the scheduling of the series has come from the host state body, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), which said in a recent release that all eight matches will be held at the Ekana International Stadium in Lucknow, starting March 7.Related

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While official word from the Indian board remains elusive, the Indian contingent assembled in Lucknow on Thursday. ESPNcricinfo understands that they are currently serving a five-day quarantine and all members of the Indian touring party will have to clear two Covid-19 tests during this period before they can begin training. South Africa, meanwhile, who are due to enter India via Mumbai late Friday evening, will undergo a six-day quarantine upon arrival in Lucknow in the early hours of Saturday. South Africa will take part in their first training session on March 5, two days before the ODI series gets underway.ESPNcricinfo has also learnt that the UPCA is in talks with the BCCI to explore the possibility of allowing crowds up to 40-50% capacity for the best part of India’s eight-match assignment. A final decision is likely to be arrived at during the weekend. This is the first time a women’s international fixture will be played at the Ekana International Stadium, which has a capacity of 50,000. The stadium, built in 2017, hosted its first international match in 2018, when India took on West Indies in a T20I. The Afghanistan men’s team used it as their third home ground in India, after Dehradun and Greater Noida, playing a series apiece across formats against West Indies in 2019.In another development ESPNcricinfo is privy to, it is understood that India head coach WV Raman’s contract, the two-year term of which ended in December last year, has been extended. Long-time team manager Trupti Bhattacharya and physio Tracy Fernandes, whose contracts had expired at the end of the T20 World Cup in March last year and not been renewed during the one-year hiatus, are also back in the fold.As for the make-up of the Indian squads for both the ODIs and T20Is, it is learnt that are a number of experienced regulars do not feature in them. Several new faces, some of whom had travelled to the UAE in November last year for the three-team Women’s T20 Challenge, have received maiden national call-ups.South Africa will enter a six-day quarantine when they arrive in Lucknow•Getty ImagesThe ODI series opener against South Africa will mark India’s return to action after a year. They last played international cricket on March 8, 2020, going down to Australia in the T20 World Cup final at the MCG. The only competitive cricket that the Indian players took part in during this period was the Women’s T20 Challenge held in the final week of IPL 2020, in Sharjah in November 2020. In the past year, a tour of England scheduled in July 2020 was cancelled, while a tour of Australia scheduled for January 2021 was deferred.Both South Africa and India have earned direct qualification for the rescheduled 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand, and will look to use the bilateral series to kick-start their preparations for a busy next year, which will also see women’s cricket make its debut in the Commonwealth Games, in Birmingham, in the shortest format. In 2023, South Africa will host the T20 World Cup, which was deferred by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.The India vs South Africa series were originally supposed to be held in Thiruvananthapuram, but the Kerala Cricket Association informed the BCCI about its inability to host the games as the ground has been “made available to the Indian military for a recruitment drive, without the KCA’s prior knowledge”, and it doesn’t have a venue with “appropriate broadcast facilities”.International cricket in India resumed on February 5, with the Test series against England, of which the first two Tests were in Chennai. Crowds up to 50% capacity of the MA Chidambaram Stadium were allowed for the second Test last week. Up to 55,000 spectators could attend the third Test at the newly renovated Sardar Patel International Stadium (renamed Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday) in Ahmedabad.The Indian government last month revised its guidelines pertaining to spectators at outdoor sports in the country. “For outdoor sports events spectators will be allowed to full seating capacity,” the Indian ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said in a circular updated on January 29. The circular, titled ‘Standard Operating Procedures for opening up of Stadia for sports events’, revised the ministry’s previous guidelines issued on December 26, which had stated spectators can be allowed at 50% capacity for outdoor sports.

A total of 17 wickets fell across two innings, Tamim Iqbal made a stroke-filled 44-ball half-century, and West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite turned out to be one of the unlikely bowling heroes on a day dominated by spinners, as West Indies held on for a 17-run win to seal the series 2-0.However, that West Indies were able to wrest control of a middling 231-run chase for Bangladesh was largely down to the superb exploiting of the turn and bounce on a deteriorating Dhaka pitch by Rahkeem Cornwall, who led the charge as West Indies claimed the Test in an extended final session, wrapping up their first overseas series win since 2017.The win was sealed almost 35 minutes past the scheduled close of play, with Jomel Warrican spinning one sharply from a length outside off as Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who had started a late attack when he was running out of partners, shaped to defend. The edge was travelling low to the right of Cornwall – who else – and the big man dived to his right to pluck out a catch, sparking off big celebrations in the away camp.Iqbal had raised visions of a Bangladesh win with his half-century, hitting eight of the nine boundaries struck in an opening stand that raised 59 off the first 12 overs of the chase. He drove fluently against seam, and chipped down the wicket against Cornwall, and swept Warrican with ease. Sensing the need for a change, Brathwaite brought himself on, and removed Sarkar off his first ball, tempting him into a poke outside off, that took wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva’s pads and fell to Cornwall at slip. Four overs later, the captain tempted Iqbal into a lofted shot towards cover, and on the stroke of tea, Cornwall got one to jump off a length to Najmul Hossain Shanto, taking his glove and then his body before dropping to short leg.After the tea break, the captain Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim briefly appeared to have taken charge of the chase, putting together 23 runs and eschewing risks while facing up to the spin of both Cornwall and Brathwaite. An inspired bowling change came in the shape of Warrican, who got the second ball of his spell to draw Rahim forward, spin across, taking a feather edge through to Da Silva. Bangladesh were left at 115 for 5 when Mohammad Mithun, who had spanked a six by chipping down the wicket, was picked up at leg gully off Cornwall to a ball that turned and bounced across him.Mushfiqur Rahim edged one from Jomel Warrican through to Joshua Da Silva•AFP/Getty Images

Joined by Liton Das, Haque was able to bring the target down to double figures, but appeared anxious to increase the scoring rate, going down the wicket and lofting the ball into vacant spaces on the on side on a couple of occasions. Eventually, he fell to a catch at leg gully as well, Warrican claiming two of three wickets for the day. When Das was smartly caught by Da Silva for 22, and Taijul Islam misjudged a quicker one fired in straight at him, both to Cornwall, the end seemed near at 163 for 8.Miraz and Nayeem Hasan, though, put in a dogged effort, with Miraz beginning to show signs of aggression as the 200-mark neared. Brathwaite brought himself on for another spell, and after firing two down the pads for eight runs as byes, he bowled one fuller and straighter, and Hasan played it with the pads and was given out leg before. With No. 11 Abu Jayed for company, Miraz opened up, striking a six over mid-wicket and then a reverse-sweep for four off successive Cornwall deliveries to bring the target down below 20. Unfortunately for him and Bangladesh, he couldn’t get the team over the line.The day began with West Indies still over 150 ahead and the first over from Jayed to Bonner suggested a long toil ahead for Bangladesh, with the seamer erring in both line and length, allowing Bonner to whip him towards deep midwicket and deep-backward square leg, besides driving towards deep cover.Jayed, who was quick to correct his line and length after the wayward opening over, delivered the first wicket of the day when he pinned nightwatchman Warrican in front of the stumps. That brought Kyle Mayers to the crease, and he punched a short ball first up through the gap between mid-on and mid-wicket for an emphatic four. Mayers later played around his pads against Jayed, operating around the wicket, and departed for 6. Jermaine Blackwood showed early intent, casually lofting the third ball he faced from Jayed over long-on for six. However, on 9, he fell to Islam, wheeling away economically from one end. Islam tempted him to stretch forward, spun the ball across his edge, and Das whipped the bails off with the batsman’s back foot still on the line.Da Silva walked in and set about disturbing the length of the spinners by pulling out a sweep against Islam for four to get moving. He appeared at ease through the rest of his stay, with a slog sweep against Nayeem Hasan, and a cover drive against Jayed taking the West Indies lead beyond 200. However, he fell to the ninth ball after lunch, with Islam getting one to spin across his front foot defensive prod, and took the edge through to slip. Alzarri Joseph struck a massive six over mid-wicket, but fell for 9, when a leading edge off Islam took a deflection off silly mid-off and was gratefully accepted at cover by Najmul Hossain Shanto.Hasan then struck twice in what turned out to be the final over of the West Indies innings, getting Bonner to lose his patience in attempting an awkward reverse-swipe, and going through his legs to rattle the stumps.Cornwall was the last man out, holing out to Rahim at deep mid-wicket, completing a remarkable collapse of four wickets in just 21 balls. The 117 posted by West Indies was their second-lowest ever against Bangladesh, but there has been something different about this West Indies team in the Test series, despite them missing a number of more experienced players. There have been crucial batting contributions from almost all of their players, and captain Brathwaite’s bowling changes and field placements have also been spot on. On the day that mattered, though, it was Cornwall and Warrican who came to the party and made the most of the conditions to seal a famous series win.

After beating Real Madrid in the race to sign Leny Yoro earlier this summer, Manchester United are now reportedly moving in an attempt to lure another young central defender away from the La Liga giants' grasp.

Man Utd transfer news

The Red Devils proved they mean business by signing Yoro, offering Lille and the defender money that Real Madrid were ultimately unwilling to match. With Noussair Mazraoui also reportedly on his way, those at Old Trafford are set to round off the summer transfer window on a high just as the new Premier League campaign rolls around.

Agents of £150,000-a-week star likened to Luis Suarez in talks with Man Utd

The Red Devils could land an attacking reinforcement…

ByTom Cunningham Aug 3, 2024

Aiming to avoid a repeat of their deal to sign Casemiro in 2022 by focusing more on stars for the future, United could yet form the beginning of a future centre-back partnership in the coming weeks. Yoro, still just 18 years old, is on a one-way course to the heart of Erik ten Hag's backline, but he will need a player of a similar calibre to work alongside, which is where a Real Madrid gem could come in.

According to AS, Manchester United are now moving to sign Joan Martinez from Real Madrid. The defender is certainly one for the future, but the fact he idolises Madrid legend Sergio Ramos may make it difficult to tempt him into a Premier League switch. Coming through the ranks since 2023, those at the Bernabeu would be losing a young defender at the same time they've just failed to sign another gem in the form of Yoro.

As for Manchester United, who are racing to sign Martinez alongside Chelsea, they may well deal a second blow in the same summer to the European champions in what would be quite the statement. As the season approaches, the young centre-back is one to watch.

"Dominant" Martinez is destined for the top

Still just 16 years old and attracting interest from Manchester United whilst already coming through the ranks at Madrid, Martinez seems destined to play among the very best for years to come. Earning plenty of high praise in the early stages of his career, analyst Ben Mattinson described the United target as "dominant with excellent timed aggression".

From a club often accused of poor planning, United have already shown signs of becoming a side that looks ahead to the future when it comes to incomings this summer, highlighting the solid work of Dan Ashworth since taking the sporting director role.

Luring a talented youngster away from a club of Madrid's stature would be the ultimate statement that the Red Devils are ready to finally begin their journey back to the top of European and English football, making the pursuit of Martinez one to watch.

Top-order collapse ends Punjab’s unbeaten run as chase fizzles

Deivarayan Muthu29-Jan-2021

File photo: Mandeep Singh’s 42* off 24 balls went in vain for Punjab•BCCI

Lukman Meriwala rattled Punjab’s top order with his left-arm seam and bounce as Baroda cruised to victory and set up a finals clash against Dinesh Karthik’s Tamil Nadu on Sunday. Meriwala claimed 3 for 28 under lights extending his wickets tally in the tournament to 14 and making his case for an IPL contract ahead of the auction next month.He began Baroda’s defence of a total of 160 by storming right through Abhishek Sharma in a wicket-maiden and in his next over, he rushed the in-form Prabhsimran Singh into top-edging a hook to deep square leg. The left-arm fingerspinners, Bhargav Bhatt and Ninad Rathva, then choked Punjab further in the middle overs despite the onset of dew. Meriwala returned to skittle Sandeep Sharma, close out the game and put a smile on his bowling coach Munaf Patel’s face.Punjab captain Mandeep Singh, who had hurt his left shoulder while diving near the boundary in the first half, came into bat only at No.6 and although he top-scored for them with an unbeaten 42 off 24 balls, the rapidly rising asking rate was too much to overcome.It was veteran Kedar Devdhar and rookie Kartik Kakade who had laid the base for Baroda’s victory with contrasting half-centuries.Devdhar, Kakade prop up Baroda
After Baroda were sent in, Rathva, who had been bumped up to the top, eased himself in with a pair of fours off Sandeep in the first over. Stand-in captain Devdhar, too, got into his groove with a pulled six off left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh.However, Punjab regained some lost ground when Siddarth Kaul removed Rathva for a run-a-ball 15 and legspinner Mayank Markande followed it with the wicket of Baroda’s previous match-winner Vishnu Solanki for a run-a-ball 12.When Kakade joined Devdhar, Baroda were 57 for 2 in the ninth over. They went onto add 93 in 65 balls; the next-highest stand in the game was 32. Kakade, who had also been pushed up the order, stuck his first T20 fifty in his first innings. He was particularly strong against spin, muscling Markande against the break over the leg side and launching left-arm fingerspinner Harpreet Brar over long-off. Kakade could’ve been dismissed on 18 in the 14th over had Anmolpreet Singh not misjudged a catch in the outfield.Devdhar wasn’t as fluent as Kakade against spin, but took Kaul for a brace of sixes in the slog overs.Meriwala’s moments
Left-arm seamers are usually attractive T20 options, but despite grabbing 16 wickets at an economy rate of 6.33 last season, Meriwala found no takers in the IPL 2020 auction. He boosted his chances for the upcoming auction by sending Sharma’s off stump cartwheeling and bouncing out Prabhsimran. He also got the ball to skid and kick off the pitch against Anmolpreet, keeping him to 1 off 6 balls.Punjab fade away
Anmolpreet laboured to 15 off 19 balls before holing out off Rathva. By the tenth over, the asking rate had shot past 10 and when Gurkeerat Singh carved a catch to sweeper cover for 39 off 37 balls in the 15th, it became 15.Mandeep, who batted with a heavily strapped shoulder, cracked three fours and three sixes to give Punjab some late cheer before Meriwala and Atit Sheth wrapped up a rousing win.Baroda will take a shot at their third Syed Mushtaq Ali title when they run into TN, who had last won the tournament in the pre-IPL era in 2006-07.

After completing a deal to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, Manchester United shifted their focus towards signing Leny Yoro, but now face a hold-up for his medical despite initial reports.

Man Utd transfer news

The Red Devils finally got their summer business underway by signing Zirkzee in a deal worth a reported £37m, as Erik ten Hag looks to put an end to his side's attacking problems ahead of next season. At 23 years old and fresh from an impressive campaign in Serie A with a Bologna side who shocked Italian football by qualifying for the Champions League, the pressure will certainly be on Zirkzee to hit the ground running at Old Trafford.

After officially putting pen to paper, Zirkzee told Manchester United's official website: "Having had discussions with the manager and the leaders of the club I know how exciting the future is going to be here and I cannot wait to play my part in achieving success for Manchester United.

"I am a player who has always dedicated everything to winning; I’m ready for this next challenge, to go to another level in my career and win more trophies."

The Red Devils haven't stopped there though, having moved on and reportedly agreed a deal worth €62m (£52m) to sign Yoro from Lille. Whilst David Ornstein initially reported that the 18-year-old was on his way to Manchester to complete a medical, Fabrizio Romano has now claimed that Manchester United are still "waiting" for approval to complete that crucial next step.

The plans for the medical are in place so things can go through quickly if everything becomes agreed, but as of right now, the Red Devils have not received the full confirmation needed from Yoro's camp to go ahead with those tests.

In a frustrating twist, those at Old Trafford must now act with patience, before they finally get the chance to welcome their potential new star once those last few details are rubber stamped.

"World-class" Yoro is on his way to the top

For Manchester United to win the race for Yoro's signature ahead of Real Madrid is some statement of intent and there's not many doubts that the teenager is destined for the very top. At just 18 years old, the Frenchman will be tasked with replacing Raphael Varane and stepping into Ten Hag's side to form what the Red Devils will hope to be an impenetrable partnership with one of Harry Maguire or Lisandro Martinez next season.

Progressive Passes

2.29

3.86

Interceptions

1.21

0.98

Aerial Duels Won

1.48

1.37

Ball Recoveries

4.18

4.38

Keeping up with a serial winner in Varane at such a young age shouldn't be looked past. Described as "world-class" by Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, Yoro, if the deal goes through, could quickly turn into one of the biggest transfers of the summer in the Premier League. Manchester United look set to make quite the statement barring any last minute hiccups.