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Leeds United boss Daniel Farke will look to add to his goalkeeping pool this summer as Illan Meslier's future becomes increasingly uncertain at Elland Road, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Is Illan Meslier leaving Leeds United?

Last month, Football Insider reported that Leeds United would be open to listening to offers for Meslier this summer and the Whites are said to value the Frenchman at around £30 million.

The report states that Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all previously tracked the talented stopper; however, the latter, Spurs, have already brought in Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli, making a pursuit of Meslier unlikely this off-season, as per Sky Sports.

As per The Daily Mail, they understand that £30k-a-week earner Meslier has a clause in his contract at the Yorkshire outlet that would allow him to leave on loan due to their relegation to the Sky Bet Championship.

Several Leeds United players have taken advantage of this unusual arrangement to secure loan moves, including Robin Koch, Rasmus Kristensen, Brendan Aaronsen and Marc Roca, as per Transfermarkt.

Joel Robles has also left Leeds United after his contract expired at the end of last season and has now joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah, who ply their trade in the division below the Saudi Pro League.

Kristoffer Klaesson and Meslier remain the only two senior options Leeds United now have as their last line of defence, indicating that they may need to enter the market to acquire some depth in the goalkeeping position.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer insider Jones has detailed that work has already taken place regarding a potential new addition to the goalkeeper ranks at Leeds United despite Meslier still being on the books of the club.

Jones stated: “They're all good goalkeepers to be targeting.

"It is a bit of an awkward one though, because Illan Meslier hasn’t actually got a buyer yet.”

Who have Leeds United targeted to strengthen the goalkeeper position?

According to The Northern Echo, Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow is on the radar as a target to strengthen the goalkeeping department at Leeds United; however, they will have to face competition from Middlesbrough, Bournemouth and Blackburn to land the 32-year-old.

Discussions have taken place regarding the prospect of Darlow heading to Yorkshire to join the Whites as Leedd United plan a major recruitment push now that 49ers Enterprises have officially completed their takeover of the club, as per iNews.

Leeds United are believed to be in the race to sign Bayern Munich goalkeeper Alex Nubel as a potential replacement for Meslier, who doesn't see himself having a long term future under Thomas Tuchel, as per BILD.

Stuttgart are also interested in the 26-year-old; nevertheless, Leeds United are thought to be favourites and are chasing a permanent agreement to secure his signature.

'Internal discussions' have taken place at Leeds United regarding Rotherham United stopper Viktor Johansson, signifying that boss Farke has all bases covered in his search for a new goalkeeper, as per Football League World.

حسم فريق الزمالك تأهله إلى دور نصف النهائي من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية للموسم الحالي 2023-2024 بعد التعادل اليوم الأحد مع فيوتشر 1-1.

والتقى الزمالك مع فيوتشر، مساء اليوم، في إطار مواجهات إياب دور الـ8 (ربع النهائي) من بطولة الكونفدرالية على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.

وانتهت المواجهة بالتعادل الإيجابي بهدف لمثله، ليتأكد تأهل نادي الزمالك إلى دور نصف النهائي من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية، بمجموع المباراتين الذهاب والإياب (3-2).

وكان الزمالك فاز على فيوتشر بهدفين مقابل هدف، في مباراة الذهاب التي جمعت بينهما يوم الأحد الماضي على ملعب استاد السلام.

طالع | مواجهات نصف نهائي الكونفدرالية 2023-2024

ويصطدم الزمالك بعد تأهله إلى نصف نهائي الكونفدرالية مع فريق دريمز الغاني الذي استطاع التأهل بالفوز على الملعب المالي.

وكان فريق دريمز الغاني فاز على الملعب المالي بنتيجة 3-2 بمجموع المباراتين الذهاب والإياب.

وحسم فريق اتحاد العاصمة بطل النسخة الماضية لبطولة الكونفدرالية تأهله إلي دور نصف النهائي بعد الفوز على ريفرز يونايتد النيجيري بهدفين مقابل هدف في مجموع مباراتي الذهاب والإياب لدور ربع النهائي.

في المباراة الأخيرة من دور ربع النهائي، نجح فريق نهضة بركان المغربي في التأهل إلي دور نصف النهائي من بطولة الكونفدرالية بصعوبة على حساب أبو سليم الليبي بنتيجة 3-2 في مجموع المباراتين الذهاب والإياب. الفرق المتأهلة إلى نصف نهائي الكونفدرالية 2023-2024

1- الزمالك (مصر)

2- دريمز (غانا).

3- اتحاد العاصمة (الجزائر).

4- نهضة بركان (المغرب).

يستضيف فريق برشلونة الإسباني نظيره فريق باريس سان جيرمان الفرنسي في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، مساء يوم الثلاثاء.

تأتي تلك المباراة في إطار منافسات إياب ربع نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا، على ملعب “مونتجويك”.

وفاز برشلونة في مباراة الذهاب بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدفين، على ملعب “حديقة الأمراء” يوم الأربعاء الماضي.

ويفتقد برشلونة خدمات الثنائي أندرياس كريستنسن وسيرجي روبيرتو بسبب الإيقاف.

طالع | تشكيل برشلونة أمام باريس سان جيرمان في دوري أبطال أوروبا تشكيل برشلونة المتوقع أمام باريس سان جيرمان اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا

حراسة المرمى: تير شتيجن.

خط الدفاع: كوندي، أراوخو، كوبارسي، كانسيلو.

خط الوسط: فرينكي دي يونج، جوندوجان، بيدري.

خط الهجوم: لامين يامال، ليفاندوفسكي، رافينها. تشكيل باريس سان جيرمان المتوقع أمام برشلونة اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا

حراسة المرمى: دوناروما.

خط الدفاع: أشرف حكيمي، ماركينوس، هيرنانديز، مينديز.

خط الوسط: زائير إيمري، فيتينها، رويز.

خط الهجوم: عثمان ديمبلي، كيليان مبابي، باركولا.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

Newcastle United defied expectations and cleaved their way into European contention last term with a fourth-placed Premier League finish, and could now consolidate their newfound stature by signing Southampton's Tino Livramento.

Are Newcastle going to sign Tino Livramento?

According to talkSPORT, the relegated Saints have touted the 20-year-old at £50m after Newcastle lodged a recent offer of £30m for Livramento, who made just two appearances last term due to a long-term injury sustained in April 2022.

This might seem exorbitant, but Southampton's stance is seemingly that the precocious talent played no part in such a dismal year and as such should not see a deprecation in value.

The south coast club signed the emerging ace from Chelsea for just £5m but inserted a £25m buyback clause into the contract, and the Saints hierarchy evidently believes that for Newcastle to find fruit in their pursuit they must stretch closer towards that ballpark figure of £50m.

What position is Tino Livramento?

Having signed Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid for £12m in January 2022, Newcastle unearthed a new focal point from the right-back position to spearhead an ascent that has carried the club away from relegation worries at the bottom of the Premier League and toward Champions League football just 18 months on.

The England international has made 53 displays for the Tyneside outfit, scoring three goals and supplying ten assists to date; he also played an important role in securing the division's joint-best defensive record of 33 goals conceded – alongside champions Manchester City.

Once hailed as a "revelation" by pundit Simon Jordan, Trippier has been immense, but at 32-years-old his influence will not last forever and targetting a worthy successor is paramount to ensure the robustness of the outfit continues.

Livramento played next to no part in Southampton's 2022/23 travails but did impress across the previous campaign, earning an average Sofascore rating of 6.85 after making 28 appearances, making 1.9 tackles and 1.7 clearances and interceptions per game, earning praise as a "future star" by former teammate Theo Walcott, who also called him "fantastic".

One player who could benefit from his arrival at St. James's Park is Anthony Gordon, with the 22-year-old Englishman not quite hitting the ground running since completing a £45m transfer from Everton last January, scoring just one goal from 16 appearances.

Gordon is a nimble and progressive winger and has been called "fearless" by Newcastle icon Alan Shearer, and with both the Liverpudlian and the Southampton starlet in the maiden phase of exciting careers, they could form an innate partnership down the right flank.

Livramento's aforementioned defensive metrics highlight his prowess at protecting the base of his team, which could allow Gordon to thrive as he grows into his skin and harnesses his end product over the next several seasons.

Trippier is a dynamic option and can help Gordon at present with his masterful ball-playing skills, but indeed, several years down the line his presence will have waned and the changing of the guard could reap rewards across several facets of the pitch with Livramento the heir.

Both captains stressed on one thing in the lead-up to a virtual knockout game – the importance of composure

Nagraj Gollapudi10-Jun-2017

One lesson India would have taken from the defeat against Sri Lanka is to not get overexcited. India captain Virat Kohli had stressed that the 321-run target set against Sri Lanka was good enough and Sri Lanka had done well to chase it down. That might have surprised Kohli.Faced with a do-or-die encounter against South Africa on Sunday, at the same ground, on the same pitch, Kohli said if India have to win they need to be “composed”.”You need to have a good balance of being competitive and being passionate about the game, but at the same time, not getting overexcited,” Kohli said on Saturday. “The team that treats the game as normal as possible is the team that’s in a better position to get the right result.”Kohli doesn’t believe this is the biggest match of his short career as captain. Such matches raise the tempo and the spirit of the team, he said, and it is something he “craves” for. Kohli’s message to his players was to make sure they did not overstress themselves.”A lot of times, teams come in and they want to do something special and end up messing up the game in important situations. The team that can have most composure, I would say, to sum it up, will have a better chance of winning the game tomorrow. That’s what I’ve experienced in the past. You tend to get overexcited, and then you commit errors that can cost the team important runs, or you fail to grab all the chances because you’re overexcited and that can cost the team as well. I think composure will be the biggest word for tomorrow.”One other man at The Oval agreed with Kohli – AB de Villiers, the South Africa captain. That both men think the same should not come across as strange, only because they cannot afford to let their teams get carried away.De Villiers, more than Kohli, understands what works and what doesn’t in knockout contests. No other team has experienced the full range of emotions in do-or-die matches like South Africa has.”It is really important to stay calm,” de Villiers said. “Not get overexcited. The tendency will be there, because we all live for these kinds of moments.”Retaining the focus and the energy at key moments can be the difference between winning and losing, de Villiers said.”I’m expecting the same kind of intensity and hunger out there tomorrow but with a relaxed kind of mindset. I think that’s really important to remember we are playing a game of cricket, something that we love doing, and to get that smile on our faces out there when we’re playing. It’s going to be really important and I’ll try and lead that from the front.”

تحدث عامر حسين رئيس لجنة المسابقات بالاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، عن أزمة مباراة الأهلي وإنبي في بطولة دوري 2003، مؤكدًا أنه لا علاقة له بالأزمة.

وقال عامر حسين في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “أون تايم سبورتس”: “أزمة دوري 2003 حدثت في وقت سابق مع نادي سموحة ولم يوجد أي نادي على علم بالتزوير، ولجنة المسابقات لا علاقة لها بالتحقيقات”.

وأضاف: “الأمر يعود لشؤون اللاعبين وبعد ذلك الإدارة القانونية هي التي تتحرى عن اللاعب، إجراءات طويلة ليس من السهل أن تجزم بوجود تزوير”.

وتابع: “الأندية لا علاقة لها بالتزوير، اللاعبون الصغار يمكن أن يغويهم أحد والوكلاء يزورون سنهم، والأمر ليس له علاقة بالأندية”.

فريقان يحتفلان باللقب.. تفاصيل أحداث مباراة الأهلي وإنبي مواليد 2003 في دوري الجمهورية

واستكمل: “الإعلان عن نتائج التحقيقات قبل مباراة الأهلي وإنبي ما كانت ستصنع الفارق، كما أن الشكوى مقدمة من يوم 16، وتأخذ وقتها، والمسابقة تستمر وفي النهاية كل طرف سيحصل على حقه، لكن ليس من الطبيعي إن كل من يتقدم باحتجاج نؤجل المباراة التالية لحين الفصل”.

واستطرد: “الخطاب خرج من اتحاد الكرة بفوز الأهلي في الدوري لحين الفصل في الأمر، وهذا الموضوع لا دخل للجنة المسابقات به”.

وواصل: “الأهلي تقدم بشكوى أيضًا بشأن وجود لاعب مزور في نادي الاتحاد السكندري”.

واستأنف: “ليس لي شأن باحتفال أي ناد سواء الأهلي أو إنبي في الملعب بالتتويج بالدوري، أنا ليس لي سلطة على الأندية من يحتفل ومن لا”.

وأضاف: “أيمن الشريعي رئيس نادي إنبي قال إنني أضع الدوري وفق أهوائي، وفي نفس الوقت قال إننا أجلنا المسابقة بسبب منتخب 2007، وتم الموافقة على الإشتراك في بطولة لمنتخب 2007، هل أنا أرفض قرار اتحاد الكرة واللجنة الفنية؟ ما المطلوب مني؟ إنبي أرسل خطابًا بأن الفريق مُرهق وتم تأجيل مباريات لهم، هل بذلك أنا أعاند إنبي؟”.

وعاد ليؤكد: “إنبي قدم شكوى يوم 16 والموضوع لا يخص لجنة المسابقات، الأمر يخص لجنة شؤون اللاعبين، والتحقيقات مع الإدارة القانونية، الأمر لا يخصني، ولن ينتهي في يومين أو ثلاثة”.

وأشار: “ولا أعلم متى ستنتهي التحقيقات هذا أمر لا يخصني، قبل ذلك سموحة توج بالدوري، وبعد شهر التحقيقات أسفرت عن وجود حالة تزوير وتم سحب اللقب منهم”.

وأتم متحدثًا عن جدول الدوري المصري الممتاز “النيل”: “النادي الأهلي يعتب علي ويقول إنني أضغط الفريق في مباريات، والبعض الآخر يرى إنني (أدلع الأهلي) وأوجل له مباريات، أنا لا أعرف ماذا أفعل”.

Liam Norwell and David Payne produced an inspired new-ball spell as Gloucestershire roared back into the game at Wantage Road

Jon Culley at Wantage Road07-Aug-2017

An impressive performance by a patched-up attack to secure a first-innings lead of 78 for Northamptonshire was severely undermined when they lost their first five second-innings wickets for 19.In a terrific display of new-ball bowling – in complete contrast to the first innings – Gloucestershire’s Liam Norwell and left-armer David Payne left Northamptonshire’s outside chance of promotion to Division One looking decidedly fragile in a match they probably need to win.They were backed up by some fine catching, too, as George Hankins dived to his right at third slip to snap up an edge as Payne removed Rob Newton for a single, before Will Tavare moved sharply to snare Ben Duckett at second slip and give Norwell his first success.Payne then came up with a beautiful delivery to uproot left-hander Max Holden’s off stump, before Norwell pinned Rob Keogh in his crease and produced another cracker four balls later to clip the top of off as Richard Levi groped helplessly.It had taken only six overs to wreck what had been shaping up as an excellent day for the perennial over-achievers, who are nicely placed to advance to the knockout stage again in the NatWest Blast, in which they are looking to become Twenty20 champions for the third time in five seasons, and had put themselves in contention to return to the top division by winning three of their last four red-ball matches.They recovered a little to 50 for 5 at the close but will need a big innings from captain Alex Wakely if they are to construct a lead substantial enough to have a chance of defending.A maiden five-wicket haul for Richard Gleeson had been the key factor in dismissing Gloucestershire for 265, despite the absence of their leading wicket-takers, Ben Sanderson and Nathan Buck, as well as spinner Graeme White, whose injuries have left them seriously short of bowling resources.In addition to Gleeson, the late starter whose success so far has been mainly in T20 and who had played only one first-class match in 2017 before this one, their attack included left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan, who has arrived on a month’s loan after falling down the pecking order with Lancashire, and Atif Sheikh – remember him? – who had played only one first-class match in more than two years.Each of them claimed a wicket, although neither seized his chance anywhere near as impressively as Gleeson. The 29-year-old right-arm seamer from Blackpool had not played any county cricket until two years ago and did not have a contract until this year.A huge success already in T20, in which he took 14 wickets last season despite missing Finals Day through injury and has another 10 this summer, Gleeson demonstrated transferable skills by removing both Gloucestershire openers with the new ball, backing that up with a fine spell in the afternoon that saw Jack Taylor and Craig Miles dismissed off consecutive deliveries and, after Kieran Noema-Barnett had defied his hat-trick attempt, completing the quintet with the wicket of academy offspinner George Drissell, who was making his debut.Late movement accounted for Gareth Roderick and Tavare, who edged to wicketkeeper and second slip respectively, while it was a brute of a ball that did for Taylor, who could only fend to the one slip. The yorker that he has used so effectively in T20 then did its job against Miles and Drissell.Gleeson was understandably chuffed with 5 for 46 against his name, although it would have been better still had Adam Rossington been able to bring the ball safely under his control as Hankins, who went on to make 73, edged one on 33 just before lunch.Kerrigan, who has never been the same since that horrible Test debut in 2013, has made only two Championship appearances this season for Lancashire, where Stephen Parry, Matt Parkinson and perhaps even Arron Lilley are seen to have moved above him in the spin-bowling hierarchy.He showed the skills were still intact when he lured Phil Mustard down the track and spun the ball on to the stumps past the inside edge, although Keogh’s offspin did more damage overall, removing Hankins and Ian Cockbain in the space of seven balls after a fourth-wicket stand of 69. Keogh later dismissed Noema-Barnett, lbw slog-sweeping for a feisty 59.Sheikh, who played for Derbyshire in 2010 and for Leicestershire from 2014 to 2016, does have a hat-trick against Gloucestershire to his name, in 2014, albeit one of limited impact given the opposition total was 591 at the time. He has been playing 2nd XI cricket for Northamptonshire in the hope of rebuilding his career.He took a while to find his rhythm but was eventually rewarded when he took out Payne’s middle stump.The weather forecast for the final two days is not encouraging, although the action thus far has unfolded swiftly enough to suggest a positive result is still likely.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is looking to bolster his backline after qualifying for the Champions League this year, with Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo now being considered for transfer.

How much will Jean-Clair Todibo cost?

That's according to French outlet Nice-Matin – via Sport Witness – who write that Les Aiglons will demand €40-50m (£34-43m) for the one-time Barcelona prospect amid Magpies interest.

Todibo is believed to have been approached by several Premier League sides including Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham United; all three teams play in Europe this year, but Howe will hope Champions League football will sway the odds in his favour.

The Magpies could also be emboldened in their pursuit following the 23-year-old's rejection to play in Saudi Arabia and join the throngs of players making the move to the rising footballing project in the Middle East.

How good is Jean-Clair Todibo?

Newcastle were immense last season and defied expectation by beating the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to a place in this year's Champions League, ending a two-decade absence from Europe's first-class continental competition.

The imperious defence was one of the central factors in the success, Newcastle conceded a league-best 33 goals last term, while Nick Pope kept 14 clean sheets from 37 matches.

Despite this, Howe seemingly feels that a fresh face would prove worthwhile, and Todibo could be the perfect signing to continue the ascent, having impressed in his homeland last year.

As per Sofascore, the Frenchman recorded an average rating of 6.94 in Ligue 1, keeping nine clean sheets from 34 matches, completing 89% of his passes, and forging 2.2 tackles and 3.1 clearances per game, also succeeding with 65% of his duel attempts.

That would go a long way to summing up why talent scout Jacek Kulig suggested he was as "solid as a rock". As such, Todibo could be identified as the heir to Fabian Schar's position in the Magpies backline, with the Swiss, aged 31, entering the final year of his contract at St. James's Park.

Schar has enjoyed something of a redemption arc under Howe after starting just 13 league fixtures in 20/21 and serving as an unused substitute across nine of the first 11 top-flight games of the 21/22 campaign.

He started 36 times last season and earned an average rating of 7.13, making 3.8 clearances per game and succeeding in 65% of his duel attempts, and given the semblance in such metrics between himself and Todibo, Howe might be wise in focussing his attention on providing his squad with a similarly robust new titan.

The £20k-per-week Todibo ranks among the top 12% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive passes and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90, furthering the argument that he is an apt replacement given that Howe will hope to sign a ball-playing defender capable of contributing effectively to the offensive manoeuvres, starting from the back.

Kulig has already proclaimed that the Frenchman would represent a "big bargain" for any suitor, and if he does soon ply his trade on Tyneside Newcastle will edge one step closer to consolidating their newfound position of power.

The format, player movements, where the teams stand, and everything else you need to know ahead of the fifth season of the Caribbean Premier League

Peter Della Penna04-Aug-20172:02

Four reasons you should watch CPL 2017

What is the CPL?
The Caribbean Premier League is a six-team franchise T20 competition that’s perhaps better than England’s T20 Blast but not quite as big as the IPL. From a quality and entertainment perspective, it’s about on par with Australia’s Big Bash League.More than anything, what makes the CPL unique from other T20 competitions is Caribbean flair. It’s not just Dwayne Bravo who is dancing after each wicket. The league is filled with crowd-pleasing entertainers, and that infectious energy spreads into the stands where the support is reinforced by soca, reggae, calypso and other island beats.Each of the six teams plays each other twice, five games each home and away (with the exception of the four neutral-venue games in Florida). The top four teams qualify for the playoffs in Trinidad & Tobago.CPL Draft v IPL Auction
Unlike the IPL auction, where players go to the highest-bidding franchise, the CPL uses a player-draft system modelled on American sports franchises. Each draft slot has a fixed salary; players taken in the first round get US $160,000, fifth-round picks make $70,000, all the way down to $4000 for the final selections in the 15th round.Squads have the choice to retain players from previous seasons or release them back into the draft pool. They also must pick an ICC Americas player from either USA or Canada, who are not considered overseas players, as well as an Under-19 West Indies player to round out their 17-man squads.As teams are only allowed a maximum of four overseas players in the XI, most franchises carry no more than five overseas players in their squad. So, unlike in the IPL, where overseas stars can be picked at will to boost the bench, CPL franchises are much more judicious in their overseas draft picks. If you get a dud, it’s far more difficult to swap them because there may only be one overseas player waiting on the bench and one who is not necessarily a like-for-like skillset swap.Where do the teams stand?
Jamaica Tallawahs
The defending champions are relying more on brain than brawn, after a major revamp in the offseason. Chris Gayle and Chadwick Walton, their openers and two leading scorers, are gone, while Andre Russell, the 2016 CPL Player of the Tournament, is still serving his one-year ban for a doping-code violation.Lendl Simmons was tipped to fill part of the opening void after coming over from St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, while Kumar Sangakkara was retained to provide stability in the top order and behind the stumps. Coach Paul Nixon places high value on players with a winning mentality, and few fit that description more heading into this season than Imad Wasim, who was part of the victorious Pakistan side in the Champions Trophy earlier in the year.Imad forms a three-man left-arm spin attack, along with Shakib Al Hasan and Garey Mathurin, as they focus on building pressure by choking the scoring rate. Kesrick Williams was taken in the 13th round in the 2016 draft for just $5,000, but after topping his team’s bowling charts with 17 wickets, has earned a pay rise to $30,000. Another good season should attract the attention of other overseas leagues.Guyana Amazon Warriors
Three times a bridesmaid, but never the bride. Guyana topped the table at the end of the league stage last year, but with Martin Guptill leaving for New Zealand duty, they were walloped in the final by Jamaica to fall short of the title for the third time in four years.Guyana were dealt a major blow on the eve of the tournament when the leading scorer of CPL 2016, Chris Lynn, was ruled out of the season due to upcoming shoulder surgery. He has been replaced by the up-and-coming Pakistan batsman Babar Azam, while the batting order has been injected with fresh blood in the form of Chadwick Walton and USA captain Steven Taylor, who is expected to take on a bigger role after limited opportunities in his two years with Barbados Tridents.Imad Wasim will form a part of a potent spin attack for the defending champions Jamaica Tallawahs•PSL

The Australian Adam Zampa, last season’s leading CPL spinner, is no longer with the side. In most cases, any replacement would be considered a downgrade, but the arrival of Afghanistan legspinner Rashid Khan may be what this side needs to clear the final hurdle and claim their first title.St Lucia Stars
Formerly called the Zouks, the Stars received a double-blow ahead of their first match when their top two picks, David Miller and Lasith Malinga, withdrew. In their places is a pair of New Zealanders, Mitchell McClenaghan and Jesse Ryder.In the past, Ryder was as capable of imploding as he was of exploding on the opposition. If he can rediscover his peak form, it will go a long way toward ensuring the Stars return to the playoffs for the second year in a row. Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher formed the most consistently destructive opening combination of CPL 2016, but with the exception of Shane Watson, Stars struggled to find support down the order. That will need to change for sustained success.Trinbago Knight Riders
The 2015 champions are the most settled of the six squads, with the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, Dwayne Bravo, supported by fellow returnees Kevon Cooper and Sunil Narine. Outside of Rashid, Knight Riders may have plucked the best acquisition of the offseason by drafting Pakistan legspinner Shadab Khan in the eighth round for $30,000.On the batting front, Knight Riders will have to endure the early-season absence of Hashim Amla, their leading scorer from 2016, while South Africa’s Test series continues in England. Brendon McCullum will have to pick up the slack in Amla’s absence and will be keen to bounce back after a subpar 2016 season.Barbados Tridents
After winning the title in 2014 and losing in the final in 2015, Tridents missed the playoffs for the first time in 2016. AB de Villiers finished as their second-highest scorer despite playing just six games, and they have addressed the top-order deficiency by revamping the batting.Dwayne Smith was brought over from Amazon Warriors, while the CPL’s most high-profile batting newcomer, Kane Williamson, was snapped up in the second round for $130,000. Twin legspinners Imran Khan and Damion Jacobs provide captain Kieron Pollard with attacking options in the field.St Kitts & Nevis Patriots
This side has undergone the biggest facelift during the offseason in a bid to change their fortunes, having finished with at least a share of last place in every season. Gayle was the most high-profile acquisition, and despite a poor IPL, he still possesses the intimidation factor that Patriots lacked in the past. If he clicks, Gayle and Evin Lewis may give Patriots a lethal opening combination.The bigger changes, though, were made in the bowling, which was the weakest of any side last year despite having one of the top T20 bowlers in the world in Samuel Badree. Hasan Ali, the Man of the Tournament in the Champions Trophy, and Afghanistan allrounder Mohammad Nabi are new additions, while the $130,000 big ticket item Chris Morris will enhance the bowling further when he arrives after the end of South Africa’s tour of England.

West Bromwich Albion are reportedly looking to win the race to sign FC Midtjylland forward Sory Kaba.

What’s the latest West Brom transfer news?

Carlos Corebran has been making preparations ahead of his first full season in charge at The Hawthorns, with the Championship season beginning this weekend.

The Baggies open their campaign with a trip to Ewood Park to face Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, and two players who could make their debuts for the club are attacking midfielder Jeremy Sarmiento and forward Josh Maja.

Sarmiento has arrived on a season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, whereas Maja joined on a free transfer, with a deal being confirmed on Tuesday.

The pair are the only summer arrivals so far, and Maja looks set to rival Brandon Thomas-Asante in attack as Daryl Dike is currently injured. However, another new forward appears to be on the radar in the Midlands before the September 1 deadline in Kaba.

According to The Mirror's print edition on Tuesday, as relayed by West Brom News, Albion are hoping to beat second-tier rivals Leeds United, Cardiff City and Watford to the signing of Kaba.

Who is Sory Kaba?

Kaba is an out-and-out centre-forward who began his career in Spain with Elche. He then left for French side Dujon in 2019 before joining FC Midtjylland six months later. During his time with the Danish side, Kaba has been out on loan with Belgian side OH Leuven and most recently with Cardiff City.

The 28-year-old scored eight goals in 17 appearances for the Bluebirds, one of which came in a 1-1 draw against the Baggies last season. His 2023/24 season is already underway, with the Guinea international already finding the back of the net in a Europa Conference League qualifier.

Labelled as “fantastic” after a goal he scored for Cardiff by pundit Clinton Morrison, former manager Sabri Lamouchi also praised the forward back in March, saying:

"This is the challenge for him, to be the best scorer for this team. He can do that. He's scored important goals, he's given us important points and is doing a job. I'm happy for him and happy for the team."

Kaba is represented by the well-known agency CAA Stellar, who also look after Kyle Bartley, so if an agreement can be reached between the two clubs, the finer details of a potential move could be straightforward due to the club’s dealings with Bartley in the past.

On paper, Kaba looks like he could be a smart signing following a successful spell in the Championship last season. West Brom netted 59 times in 46 games in 2022/23, whereas automatic promotion winners Burnley and Sheffield United scored 87 and 73.

Therefore, adding to their final third ranks even further this month despite signing Maja could be a good idea as the club aim for promotion back into the Premier League. It is an extremely long season, so having a number of proven forwards is certainly not a bad thing, and by the looks of it, a move for Kaba could be one to keep an eye on.