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Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner doesn't know if Lionesses star Mary Earps has played her last game for the club, though he hopes not.

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Earps out of contract at Man Utd this summerToone linked with Barcelona moveSkinner addresses futures of bothWHAT HAPPENED?

Earps was in between the sticks for the Red Devils on Saturday as they were brutally beaten by Chelsea, a win that secured the Women's Super League title. There is a possibility that it could have been her final game for the club, with her contract up this summer.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

England's No.1 has been linked with Arsenal throughout the past year and although those rumours have now gone quiet, there is sure to be interest in one of the best goalkeepers in the world if she cannot agree a new deal at United.

WHAT SKINNER SAID

Asked if Earps had played her last game at Old Trafford at the weekend, Skinner replied: "I hope not. I hope not. They are still conversations that are ongoing. At some point, as a head coach, you have to walk away from that situation and allow your focus to be on the team – and the same with Mary. Me and Mary have got a really good relationship and I hope to work with her for many years to come. I'm hoping that we can come to some agreement, but I think it's important we leave Mary out of that situation and the two parties can continue to have conversations away from the player and the head coach."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Ella Toone, another key member of this Man Utd team, has also been linked with a move away despite being under contract. Reports this week suggested that she could be a transfer target for Barcelona, though Skinner said: "I've heard nothing and I'm sure I would have been told if that was the case. From my perspective, everyone knows how important Tooney is to what we do at Manchester United, especially me."

Glasgow Rangers have been linked with a swoop to add another centre-forward to their playing squad during the current January transfer window.

Rangers transfer news – Joe Gelhardt

A report from the Daily Mail has named the Light Blues as one of the two clubs interested in a deal to sign Joe Gelhardt from Leeds United this month.

Rivals Celtic are also said to be eyeing up a possible swoop to sign the former England U20 international from the Championship side to bolster their attack.

However, there is no mention of whether the two clubs are looking at a permanent move for the £14k-per-week youngster, or a loan deal until the end of the campaign – as was the case with the signing of Fabio Silva from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Philippe Clement could now finally ditch Kemar Roofe from the squad by securing an agreement for Gelhardt ahead of the Hoops before the end of the window.

Why Rangers should ditch Roofe

The 31-year-old striker's current contract at Ibrox is due to expire this summer and the Belgian head coach should part ways with him due to a lack of reliability in his availability.

Roofe is not a terrible centre-forward who has consistently failed on the pitch for Rangers. However, he is an injury-prone player who is not a reliable option for Clement.

The former Leeds marksman, who arrived from Anderlecht in 2020, has scored 38 goals in 93 matches in all competitions throughout his career with the club, which is a respectable return.

His issue has been that he has missed a staggering 88 competitive games for the Gers in that time, which means that Roofe has almost been absent for as many clashes as he has played.

Unknown

Four

Knee

35

Knee

22

Knee

Seven

Knock

Six

Calf

Five

Thigh

Two

Calf

Seven

Clement is not able to rely upon him to be available as an option throughout the season and that is why he should be ditched from the squad, which the signing of Gelhardt could facilitate.

The statistics that show why Rangers should sign Gelhardt

The 21-year-old whiz is yet to make his breakthrough at senior level in terms of being able to impact matches at the top end of the pitch on a consistent basis.

He has only made six appearances in the league for Leeds so far this season and managed three goals and three assists in 18 Championship matches for Sunderland on loan during the second half of last term.

However, the young ace, who did assist six goals in 31 Premier League outings for the Whites, was a prolific scorer at youth level for Leeds and Wigan.

Gelhardt, who ex-Leeds chief Victor Orta claimed has "ice with fire" on the pitch, plundered an outstanding 20 goals and six assists in 31 U21 matches for his current club after a return of five goals in five U18 outings for Wigan.

These statistics show that the potential is there for him to be a lethal scorer but he is yet to show that at first-team level in England, which is why a move to Scotland could be the next best step in his development to play in a dominant team that will create plenty of chances for him.

Importantly, he also has zero registered injuries on Transfermarkt in his career to date and this suggests that Gelhardt will be far more reliable, in terms of his availability, than Roofe, which is why Clement could afford to ditch the Jamaica international with a swoop for the Leeds youngster.

Donald, Aiden Markram, Sam Northeast score half-centuries as Hants top South Group and secure semi-finals spot

David Hopps05-May-2019Hampshire trounced Somerset by seven wickets with 18.3 overs to spare at Taunton to confirm themselves as South Group winners and, as a result, secure a home tie in the semi-finals.The absence of James Vince and Aiden Markram to international duties could weaken them in the knockout stages, but Hampshire might just have found an answer in the form of Aneurin Donald. Given his head as an explosive player at the top of the order while Vince was already donning an England shirt in Dublin and Cardiff, Donald has worked out rather well.He followed up his 41 against Sussex at the Ageas Bowl on Thursday with 57 from 53 balls in front of an excellent crowd at Taunton. That Somerset had little chance of defending their 216 on a used but reliable surface became apparent as early as the fifth over when he took successive sixes off Josh Davey, the second of them a wristy affair over midwicket which told of his potential. A third followed late in his innings when he deposited Roelof van der Merwe into the Sir Ian Botham stand before falling later that over by skying to mid off.Once a youthful carrier of Glamorgan hopes, Donald switched to Hampshire late last season with the aim of furthering his ambition to become the first Wales-born player to represent England since Simon Jones in 2005. He said he thought his game was stagnating, and he got out just in time before somebody write a song about him: you don’t have to show much promise in Glamorgan for the rhapsodies to begin.Those England aspirations remain a long way off as a record of only one half-century in 27 List A appearances indicated, but there is certainly something about him. He believes that he is ideally suited to the role of top-of-the-order dasher and Hampshire might have made a shrewd – if enforced – call by giving him a run. The recent call-up of Sussex’s free-spirited opener Phillip Salt into England’s T20 squad has provided further proof that reputations in such a role can be made an instant.”It’s nice to be up there having a bit of a hit,” he said. “It can be a pretty tough time down at No 7. Hopefully I can fill a hole at the top of the order. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I think my game suits it.”I knew what I was getting myself into when I joined Hampshire. I had come down to Hampshire late last season just to settle in and I was hanging around trying to get a game. I knew the white ball came round earlier this year so I’d be in the frame to get a go early on.”Tom Alsop also made punishing inroads into Somerset’s inadequate total, hitting seamer Davey for 4,4,6,4 before pulling a catch to short fine-leg off Craig Overton to give Somerset a breakthrough. But composed half-centuries from Markram and Sam Northeast followed, Northeast reaching the landmark with the winning blow – a regal one-legged flat bat off the long-suffering Davey to win the game in style.A May Bank Holiday chill had descended upon the Quantocks and spectators slumped ever deeper into winter coats as seven of Somerset’s top eight reached double figures without managing a single half-century.Yellow is back in vogue here after the local elections – but regretfully for local tastes it was Hampshire who were wearing it. About the best that can be said for Somerset’s innings, as they were bowled out with nearly 10 overs unused, was that Kewstoke Village Hall would be £25 better off. Peter Trego had promised £1 a run to their village hall fund-raising, but the new football goal posts will have to wait a little longer after he was bowled by Liam Dawson, trying to cut.Azhar Ali’s cautious innings ended when he was caught at the wicket, trying to run Gareth Berg. There were two top-order wickets, too, for Mason Crane’s leg spin, although the first of them, a loopy thigh-high full toss, left him covering his eyes in mild embarrassment as James Hildreth scooped it into the leg side. Tom Abell’s full-blooded sweep was more convincing but he picked out deep square.George Bartlett top-scored with 40 from No. 6, his best List A score, but his inexperience showed in an increasingly skittish innings which saw him perish to an inside-out drive against Dawson. There was even a one-ball partnership between the Overton twins which ended in a first-ball run-out for Jamie. Craig was entirely innocent, responding to his brother’s call instantly only for Jamie, somewhat lumbering, to fail to beat Northeast’s direct hit from mid-off.Somerset must now win their final match, under floodlights against Surrey on the same Taunton ground on Tuesday, and hope that they can secure a place in the top three for a play-off berth. Surrey might be bottom of South Group, but they still possess obvious danger for all that. Somerset’s head coach Jason Kerr termed their display “disappointing, bordering on embarrassing” as a campaign that began well with four wins but which has now lost further impetus with a third successive defeat.To satisfy local sentiments they would have to thrust the England left-arm spinner Jack Leach into the side, but he has little experience of white ball cricket and that is highly unlikely. If they balance up their side, then offspinning all-rounder Dom Bess, who started the tournament, is a likelier choice. Davey, or Jamie Overton, who came unscathed through his first bowl of the season after returning from his latest injury, would be expected to make way.

Gareth Southgate suggested that he could walk away from coaching after Euro 2024 while emphatically shutting down Manchester United talk.

Southgate focused on Euro 2024Suggests he could retire if England win trophyRubbished rumours linking him to Man UtdWHAT HAPPENED?

The England manager made it clear that his sole focus is on leading the Three Lions to continental glory at the 2024 European Championship, scheduled to take place in Germany next month. Since taking the helm, Southgate has steered England to a World Cup semi-final in 2018, a quarter-final in 2022, and the final of the Euros at Wembley in 2021, where the team narrowly lost on penalties. And this time, the manager is more determined than ever to bring home the silverware – which would be the first major honour for the Three Lions since 1966.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT SOUTHGATE SAID

During an interview at England's St George's Park headquarters, Southgate was asked whether it would be his decision or the Football Association's to determine his future contract. He responded: "I imagine both. That's always as we've worked."

However, emphasising the job at hand, he added: "But, the reality of that is we focus totally on this tournament. I've worked in this building for over 10 years and, yeah, the ambition has been to win a tournament. So, there's nothing for us to consider until we've done that. And if we can do that, maybe I'll retire and do nothing anyway."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Despite recent rumours linking him with the managerial position at Manchester United, Southgate categorically denied any discussions with the club and went on to stress the importance of maintaining his commitment to the national team.

"I've never spoken with a club in all my time in the job – I think that would be disrespectful to the position I hold," he asserted.

"When you've worked so long and so hard for the opportunity to take your country and lead them with a chance to win something, then your focus has got to be 100% on that. And that's where mine is."

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT?

England's journey to Euro 2024 begins with their opening match against Serbia on June 16. As the Three Lions prepare for the challenges ahead, Southgate's leadership and strategic vision will be crucial in guiding the team through the rigours of the competition. The exclusion of seasoned players like Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson indicates a bold approach, prioritising current form and the integration of new talent to bolster the squad's overall capabilities. The provisional 33-man squad will be trimmed to a maximum of 26 players by June 7.

Following on from their Europa Conference League triumph in the summer, West Ham United have been enjoying a brilliant 2023/24 campaign.

At the halfway point of the Premier League season, they find themselves in sixth place, and they're doing even better in Europe as they are through to the knockout rounds of the Europa League.

That said, with injuries to key players like Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen, alongside AFCON taking away Mohammed Kudus, David Moyes is looking a little light on attacking options.

Luckily, the club seem to have recognised this, and the latest player touted for a move to the East End could follow in the footsteps of Bowen: Sunderland's Jack Clarke.

West Ham United transfer news – Jack Clarke

According to Daily Telegraph reporter Sam Dean, West Ham are currently "considering" a move for Sunderland's Clarke this month and are reportedly "ready to spend."

That willingness to spend will be essential if they want to secure the former Tottenham Hotspur man's signature, as the Evening Standard has reported that the Black Cats will only listen to offers 'north of around £20m.'

While that isn't an outrageous sum of money in the modern game, it is quite a significant fee for a youngster who has never played in the Premier League.

That said, with the performances he has been putting in for the Championship side recently, it could be a move that ends up mirroring Bowen's transfer from the second tier back in January 2020.

Jack Clarke could follow in Jarrod Bowen's shoes

Now, aside from Declan Rice – who isn't even at the club anymore – there isn't a player who has had as much of an impact on West Ham's fortunes over the last couple of years as Bowen.

The dynamic Englishman – was snapped up on a £20m deal from Hull City four years ago – scored the winning goal in Prague last season and has already racked up 13 goal involvements in just 19 league starts this season.

So, to expect the "unplayable" Clarke, as described by journalist Josh Bunting, to come in from the Championship and immediately produce similar results would be unfair and unrealistic.

However, suppose you compare the Sunderland man's underlying numbers to Bowen's during his final full year at Hull City. In that case, the potential for the Hammers to sign another brilliant attacking prospect from the Championship is impossible to ignore.

In fact, the "super talent", as former manager Tony Mowbray dubbed him, actually outshines his potential new teammate in most relevant metrics.

Stats per 90

Clarke

Bowen

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.43

0.50

Progressive Carries

8.51

2.81

Progressive Passes

4.98

2.49

Passing Accuracy

72.9%

65.9%

Shot-Creating Actions

5.53

2.88

Goal-Creating Actions

0.55

0.32

Successful Take-Ons

3.73

1.51

All Stats via FBref for the 2018/19 & 2023/24 Domestic Seasons

For example, he is producing more than three times as many progressive carries and twice as many progressive passes as Bowen did at Hull.

Furthermore, his passing accuracy is better; he produces significantly more shot and goal-creating actions per 90 and is a far more accomplished dribbler than the Irons star was in his last full season in the second tier.

West Ham can forget Benrahma by signing £30m “diamond"

Moyes could be looking to replace Benrahma this winter.

ByAdam Scully Jan 11, 2024

At the end of the day, even if Moyes had all of his attacking options available to him, West Ham should still be going after Clarke and looking to repeat the trick they pulled with Bowen.

Opener holds innings together with classy century as James Pattinson advances Ashes case with six wickets

ECB Reporters Network17-Jun-2019Zak Crawley’s stylish century led a plucky Kent recovery on the opening day of their 107th Tunbridge Wells Cricket Week fixture against first-division rivals Nottinghamshire.Kent supporters, who made up the vast majority of a sun-kissed 2,000 crowd for the first day of this Specsavers County Championship clash, must have feared the worst after seeing five wickets fall before lunch barely four days after being skittled for 59 by Somerset.However, Crawley – educated four miles down the road at Tonbridge School, the alma mater of Colin Cowdrey and Ed Smith – joined forces with Grant Stewart in a seventh-wicket stand that added exactly a century.Kent’s last-wicket partners Matt Milnes and Harry Podmore then added an invaluable 55 in 14.2 overs to take Kent to the relative riches of 309 all out to bank three batting bonus points.In the 10 overs through to the close, Nottinghamshire’s left-handed openers Ben Duckett and Ben Slater survived a couple of scares in reaching 30 without loss, a deficit of 279 runs going into day two.Batting first after an uncontested toss and on a pitch showing some greenish tints following heavy rain in the Royal Spa Town on Sunday morning, Kent lost Sean Dickson to only the third ball of the game from James Pattinson, the Australian Test bowler. Having got off the mark with a thick edge through the cordon to third man, Dickson drove with firm hands at a Pattinson leg-cutter to be caught behind by Tom Moores.Joe Denly, in need of runs to push his case for inclusion in England’s Ashes squad, had only eight to his name when he worked across the line against Pattinson to depart lbw after umpire Steve O’Shaughnessy upheld the appeal.Though neither player looked totally secure, Crawley and Daniel Bell-Drummond took Kent’s score on to 50 before Bell-Drummond (4) offered a low chance that keeper Moores, diving to his right, failed to cling on to, much to the annoyance of Jake Ball, the bowler.Pattinson rested after a fine spell of 8-2-27-2 at The Nevill Ground’s Pavilion End, to be replaced by Luke Fletcher who struck with his ninth delivery by snaring Bell-Drummond leg-before.Fletcher struck again four overs later, running a full delivery past the crab-like defensive prod of Heino Kuhn to peg back leg stump.Crawley posted his 68-ball 50 with nine fours, but Ball’s luck changed just before the break when he had Ollie Robinson caught on the drive after a game off pass-the-parcel in the slip cordon. The thick edge was initially dropped by Mullaney at third, parried by Matthew Carter at second and eventually caught by Duckett at first slip.Soon after lunch, Crawley lost sixth-wicket partner Wiaan Mulder leg before to the excellent Pattinson, bringing Stewart to the crease to forge a century stand inside 32 overs.Stewart reached his 50 from 69 balls while Crawley posted his third first-class century from 157 balls and with 14 fours before Pattinson’s return caused further mayhem.Stewart missed an ambitious drive to have leg stump pegged back then Ollie Rayner, the Middlesex loanee, bagged a golden duck on his Kent debut, leg before when prodding forward propping forward.Pattinson should have had Podmore caught in the deep for 13 soon after tea when Samit Patel downed a low chance on the run at deep mid-wicket, but two balls later the Melbourne-born seamer ended Crawley’s 284-minute stay with his score on ‘Nelson’s’ by running one through the right-hander’s gate to demolish off stump.Podmore was left high and dry on 49 when Milnes nicked off against the second new ball to be caught at first slip against Ball, who finished with two for 59. Fletcher also bagged a brace, but Pattinson was clearly the classiest act on the field in claiming 6 for 73.

Ryan Reynolds may be on Wrexham transport duty in Vancouver, with the Hollywood star jokingly offering to pick players up in his “uncle’s minivan”.

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Red Dragons heading back to North AmericaWill face the Whitecaps on Canadian soilCo-owners could be in attendanceWHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Dragons, fresh from touring the States in 2023, are heading back to North America for another round of pre-season friendly fixtures. One of those will take place in Canada, against MLS opposition, as the Welsh outfit pass through the home town of co-owner Reynolds.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

There is no word as yet on whether Wrexham’s famous co-owners will be in the stands for a game against the Whitecaps on July 27, with it possible that Rob McElhenney will also make the trip to B.C. Place. Reynolds has, however, hinted at being around.

WHAT KER SAID

Wrexham director Humphrey Ker has said in : “I hope Ryan is going to be there, because he’s promised to pick us all up from the airport in his uncle’s minivan. So if not, the team will be stranded at the airport.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

A visit to Canada will be used to help ready Phil Parkinson’s side for the 2024-25 campaign, as they prepare to take a step up into League One. Reynolds and McElhenney are currently in the process of making funds available for reinforcements to be made in the summer transfer window.

It seemed impossible. Harry Kane? Playing football for a club not named Tottenham Hotspur? Incomprehensible. The England captain had somehow remained at the club after Manchester City's £100m approach in the summer of 2021, also avoiding years of incessant interest from Manchester United.

But last season, it all went wrong and Spurs languished to an eighth-placed Premier League finish to bar entry to European competition after the summer, and after trying his hardest with 30 goals from 38 top-flight contests, Kane decided that enough was enough, having never tasted a major honour as a professional.

He really had given the club his all, graduating from the academy and making a name for himself across numerous loan spells before earning opportunities in the first team.

Fast track to the present and Kane has transferred to German Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich after scoring 278 goals and supplying 64 assists across 430 appearances for Tottenham, draping the curtain as the club's all-time top scorer.

Spurs "looking" at £100m "monster" who's "like Harry Kane"

This first-class striker would end Richarlison’s free-scoring success as the focal frontman.

ByAngus Sinclair Jan 19, 2024

Replacing him this summer seemed an insurmountable task, so Ange Postecoglou… didn't. Instead, the newly-appointed Australian rebuilt the Lilywhites across a multitude of positions and has revived the optimism, with Spurs currently fighting for a return to the Champions League.

Heung-min Son and Richarlison have alternated between the striking position, and while Richarlison has been in fine goalscoring form of late – bagging six from six in the Premier League – he is not the long-term solution at centre-forward and could well be replaced.

With this in mind, here are the current names touted to join Tottenham as the first-choice forward in 2024, be that this month or in the summer.

1 Option 1: Santiago Gimenez

Untested in the Premier League but undoubtedly a factory-built goalscorer, Santiago Gimenez scored 28 goals across all competitions as Feyenoord gleaned the Dutch Eredivisie title.

The Lilywhites are reportedly interested in a deal and would possibly only need to pay £30m for his signature, which is no small sum but definitely feasible.

This term, as per Sofascore, Gimenez has carried over last season's prolific feats and then some, posting 18 goals and four assists from 19 league matches.

As such, the 22-year-old has been praised for his "insane" feats in the Netherlands by scout Antonio Mango and seems to boast that indescribable quality – a matter of positioning and spatial awareness, perhaps – that only the top talismanic forces offer.

As per FBref, the Mexican machine ranks among the top 1% of forwards across divisions similar to the Dutch Eredivisie over the past year for goals scored and touches in the attacking box and the top 2% for shots taken per 90.

With brilliant shooting skills and an imposing presence at the spearhead, Gimenez may not quite have Richarlison's dynamism but he would give Postecoglou that final piece of the puzzle.

To be fair, the likes of Son, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski (and Richarlison, to an extent) provide Postecoglou's system with creativity, and Gimenez would be a worthy addition at the front of the attack.

2 Option 2: Dominic Solanke

Dominic Solanke has been in fantastic form this season and has posted 12 goals and an assist from just 20 games in the Premier League, eclipsing last term's total of six successful strikes from 33 games.

Now shaping into a "top, multi-faceted forward" – as commented by The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell – Solanke is on Tottenham's radar, according to Football Insider, though Arsenal and Newcastle United are both vying for his services too.

Bournemouth are set to demand a ballpark figure of £50m for his departure from the Vitality Stadium and while he has been in fine fettle since last summer, it might be prudent to see his progress over the coming months with a view to lodging a bid come June.

Timo Werner

Tottenham Hotspur

Darwin Nunez

Liverpool

Ivan Toney

Brentford

Eddie Nketiah

Arsenal

Callum Wilson

Newcastle United

Although Solanke has many English top-flight suitors intrigued by a transfer this year, Postecoglou will feel that the promise of regular minutes at the front of an exciting new project could entice the one-time Liverpool prospect to make the move to London.

And if he does now sustain his newfound cutting edge in the Premier League, he would almost certainly prove an upgrade on Richarlison.

3 Option 3: Ivan Toney

Last but certainly not least, Tottenham are among the contenders for Brentford striker Ivan Toney, though it must be stressed that Arsenal and Chelsea are believed to be frontrunners for the 27-year-old's signature.

Valued as high as £100m by the Bees, Toney was in scintillating showing last season and clinched 20 goals and four assists, creating a whopping 12 big chances, across 33 Premier League fixtures before being found guilty of breaching FA betting rules, serving an eight-month suspension.

Returning to competitive action against Nottingham Forest last Sunday, scoring a delightful free-kick to open the scoring as Thomas Frank's side secured a vital three points, Toney probably won't leave his side in January but will look to impress over the coming months and convince a club like Tottenham to make their move.

Minutes played

90'

Goals

1

Shots on target

1

Touches

56

Pass completion

18/33 (55%)

Key passes

2

Crosses

2/4 (50%)

Ground duels won

5/5 (100%)

Tackles

1

Interceptions

1

Clearances

4

As is clear from the £20k-per-week phenom's statistics against Forest, he displayed no sign of ring rust, as it were, instead picking up where he left off with an all-encompassing attacking effort.

A clinical striker who has even been proclaimed to be "like Harry Kane" by England international Declan Rice, Toney would be a massive upgrade on Richarlison and reminded the footballing world of his qualities last weekend, now certain to get his transfer at some point this year.

With Newcastle United currently on a run of four successive defeats in the Premier League, it is clear to see that there is still a real need for improvement at St James' Park, with the Magpies having failed to build on last season's top-four finish.

Currently languishing in mid-table, one particular issue for Eddie Howe's side has been the lack of depth in key positions, with quality options limited outside of Sven Botman and Fabian Schar at the heart of the defence.

With Schar – and club captain Jamaal Lascelles – also now into their 30's – a more youthful partner for Botman may be required before too long, hence the club's interest in a promising talent who is currently shining in Portugal.

Newcastle eyeing move for centre-back starlet

According to a report from Portuguese outlet A Bola, via Sport Witness, Newcastle are believed to be one of several clubs who have sent scouts to watch Sporting CP defender, Ousmane Diomande in action at AFCON this month, ahead of a potential swoop.

The report suggests that while striking a deal for the Ivory Coast sensation is likely to be 'impossible' before the close of the winter window, a summer departure from the Lisbon side cannot be ruled out, raising hopes for Howe and co.

That being said, the piece does claim that a move could be agreed this month if any suitor is to meet the 20-year-old's €80m (£69m) release clause, with it yet to been whether the northeast side would be willing or able to sump up the required cash over the coming days.

How Ousmande Diomande would fit in at Newcastle

Not only would the former Midtjylland man be able to offer a long-term partner to the "incredible" talent this is Botman, as described by pundit Leon Osman, but he could also prove hugely beneficial to influential right-back, Kieran Trippier, amid the Englishman's woes of late.

With Trippier looking set to stay put at St James' despite hefty interest from Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich, the focus for Howe will be on getting the best out of the 33-year-old once again, amid a "disastrous" run for the defender in recent times – as per journalist Harry De Cosmo.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man was notably at fault for two late goals in the defeat to Everton last month after being caught in possession, having also gifted the ball to Mykhaylo Mudryk in the Carabao Cup quarter-final loss to Chelsea.

It was also the veteran defender who failed to prevent Oscar Bobb from prodding him at the back post as Manchester City snatched victory at the death just a few weeks ago, with such errors proving rather costly amid the club's dire run.

The addition of Diomande, therefore, could be just the solution at right centre-back, with the "rapid" youngster – as hailed by writer Zach Lowy – possessing remarkable recovery speed to be able to bail the full-back out when required.

Also dubbed "physically imposing and aerially dominant" by Lowy, the 6 foot 3 menace's defensive prowess could allow Trippier the chance to focus on his primary strengths of running the show in the final third, with the Three Lions star having created ten 'big chances' this season – the joint-fifth most of any player in the division.

Having also been described as "cool and collected carrying the ball out of pressure" – as per Lowy – Diomande is unlikely to play those around him into trouble, instead feeding Trippier et al at any opportunity, showcased by the fact that he ranks in the top 6% among his peers in league's comparable to the Primeira Liga for progressive passes per 90.

Newcastle could make "monster" signing to be their new Cabaye

Newcastle could welcome their next version of Yohan Cabaye to the club this year.

ByMatt Dawson Jan 28, 2024

To have such an all-round "elite talent" – as lauded by talent scout Jacek Kulig – alongside him could be just what Trippier needs to shake off this recent poor run.

Players’ body to comprise only ex-cricketers – both men and women

Nagraj Gollapudi23-Jul-2019In a significant first, the BCCI has approved and recognised the Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA), the official players’ body for former cricketers. Currently, the ICA is not affiliated to Federation of International Cricketers’ Association (FICA), and will be restricted to only former players – both men and women – unlike player associations in other major international countries, which include current players too.According to BCCI, the ICA, which was registered and incorporated as a non-profit company on July 5 is “aimed” at “conserving and advancing the welfare” of former players. “The Indian Cricketers’ Association (the “ICA”), a non-profit company…has been granted recognition by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (“BCCI”) as the official association for ex-cricketers in India,” the BCCI said in a notice, put on its website, on Tuesday.Currently the ICA has three initial directors: former India captain Kapil Dev, former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar and former India women’s captain Shanta Rangaswamy. It is understood these three will hold the position until the ICA conducts its executive elections, expected to take place before the BCCI elections, which are scheduled for October 22.India and Pakistan are the only major countries to not have had a recognised players’ body. As for India, the BCCI has never wanted to have a third party like a player body become the bridge for negotiations with the cricketers. Instead, it has always reached out to the players directly.The BCCI – and even the state associations – have been not just against players’ associations, but also predominantly not backed players moving on to become administrators. The Lodha Committee took notice of this fact and came up with the recommendation of forming a players’ body for the ex-cricketers. That recommendation is now part of the BCCI’s new constitution that came into being last August after the Supreme Court mandated the Lodha recommendations.As per constitution, one male and one female ICA representative will be part of the BCCI’s nine-member Apex Council while one other ICA representative will be the part of the seven-member IPL Governing Council.According to the Lodha Committee report, the ICA cannot be or act as a trade union and its purpose is to represent the interests of the players and look after their welfare. While the ICA will primarily be concerned with the welfare of retired players, it is understood it can also facilitate the interests of the current players. Since the ICA representatives will be part of the BCCI’s powerful decision-making bodies, they can also voice views over the governance and the player-related activities that concern active cricketers. The ICA could have a say on issues such as day-night Test cricket, workload management, player security.As for differently-abled cricketers, while in principle they are eligible to be part of ICA, it is understood the they will be admitted to membership once to BCCI recognises their cricket.Who can become an ICA member? Ex-cricketers who have played at least one international match in any format at the senior level Male ex-cricketers, who have played at least 10 first-class matches* in any format of the game at the senior level Female ex-cricketers, who have played at least 5 first-class matches in any format of the game at the senior level Differently-abled ex-cricketers, who have played either international cricket or first-class cricket, where such cricket is recognised as such by the ICC or the BCCI and is organised by the BCCI or a body recognised by the ICC or the BCCI, in any format of the game at the senior level.* = Every three senior 50-over matches recognised which form part of any BCCI-organised inter-state or inter-zonal tournament(s); and every five senior Twenty20 matches which form part of any BCCI-organised inter-state or inter-zonal tournament(s) shall also be classified as one ‘First-class match’.