Manchester United could sign Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix this summer as part of a deal that would see Mason Greenwood go the other way.

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Atletico want to sign GreenwoodFelix could head to United in exchangeJuve & BVB interested in English forwardWHAT HAPPENED?

Atletico are one of the teams reportedly interested in buying Greenwood from the Red Devils after his impressive performances for Getafe while on loan from the Red Devils. United could opt to offload him to the Spanish side and the reports they would be open to a swap deal that would see Felix head to Old Trafford in exchange.

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Felix has failed to live up to expectation at Atletico since joining from Benfica in a big-money transfer in 2019. He was eventually loaned out to Chelsea before joining Barcelona in a temporary deal last year. With Atletico open to signing Greenwood, they may be willing to let Felix leave on a permanent basis this time around.

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Greenwood scored eight goals and set up a further six in 33 La Liga appearances for Getafe this season. Getafe are said to be eager to keep him, but the likes of Atletico, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund have also been linked. Portugal star Felix, on the other hand, scored seven times in 30 games in the league and set up a further three.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR UNITED?

The Red Devils hope to strengthen their squad this summer as they look to improve on their eight-placed finish in the Premier League this season. Before they bring in new players, though, they will have to decide whether or not Erik ten Hag stays on as coach.

Tottenham are said to be weighing up an offer to sign a "role model" defensive alternative to Genoa star Radu Dragusin as talks for the Romanian persist.

Spurs working on Dragusin deal

Earlier this week, reliable transfer source Fabrizio Romano shared news that Spurs have already agreed personal terms with Dragusin and negotiations are expected to continue over the weekend.

However, the presence of Serie A side Napoli appears to be complicating things somewhat, and there are some reports in Italy that they've even reached a draft agreement over Dragusin.

While it is believed Dragusin wants to join Spurs, it appears Ange Postecoglou faces stiff competition from abroad for the 21-year-old's signature.

Forward "on the verge" of joining Tottenham with "final negotiations today"

It’s been a surprise development this morning.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 6, 2024

He's been a star player for Genoa under Alberto Gilardino this season, making 19 Serie A appearances as a starter and even chipping in with two goals in that time.

His young age and sky-high potential also makes the player a pretty enticing target for Spurs, but that isn't to say the Lilywhites don't have alternative options to Dragusin.

Trevoh Chalobah

20th December

Jean-Clair Todibo

20th December

Morato

19th December

Radu Dragusin

3rd January

Sebastian Caceres

14th December

Jarrad Branthwaite

13th December

One of them, according to recent reports, is Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly.

The Englishman is out of contract at the end of this season, making him a pretty viable and affordable option for Spurs with Premier League experience to boot.

Tottenham weighing up offer for Kelly

According to broadcast giant Sky Sports, Tottenham are weighing up an offer to sign Kelly from Bournemouth, either in January or in the summer when his contract expires.

The 25-year-old is attracting interest from abroad as well as from clubs in England, with previous reports suggesting Kelly would consider a move to Spurs if offered the chance.

Sky says major European clubs like AC Milan, Juventus and Stuttgart are also interested in a move for Kelly, who is free to open talks with them over a pre-contract agreement for the summer.

The Englishman was targeted by Spurs over the summer window, and it appears they are still real fans of Bournemouth's "role model" player.

“He’s a really good person. He’d give his time to anybody, and he’s an amazing role model," said Bournemouth's former academy manager Gary Probert on Kelly to The Athletic.

"The local lad that lived a stone’s throw away from the stadium, that comes through, plays in the team. He’s the poster boy, really.

“He’s an amazing role model for all of our young players, not just because of the football he plays for his country, in the Premier League and all of that, but just how he is as a person. If he walked into the academy now, you wouldn’t know he’s played in the Premier League and is an England Under-21 international.”

نجح فريق الكرة الأول بنادي الريان القطري في تسجيل الهدف الأول بشباك نظيره الهلال السعودي في اللقاء المقام الآن ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال آسيا.

ويلتقي الهلال مع الريان القطري، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولى من مرحلة الدوري (دور المجموعات)، ببطولة دوري أبطال آسيا في شكلها الجديد وذلك على أرضية استاد ملعب أحمد بن علي.

وأحرز الريان هدفه عن طريق روجر جيديس في الدقيقة 47 مستغلًا تمريرة أشرف بن شرقي، لتصبح النتيجة 3-1.

وكان الهلال قد تقدم بثلاثية سجلها أشرف سافيتش وجواو كانسيلو وماركوس لوناردو في الدقائق 15 و42 و44.

وتواجد في تشكيل الهلال حارس المرمى ياسين بونو، وسالم الدوسري ومالكوم وميتروفيتش، القوة الهجومية الأساسية للزعيم الأزرق.

تشكيل الهلال أمام الريان القطري في دوري أبطال آسيا.. ميتروفيتش والدوسري يقودان الفريق

وأسفرت قرعة دوري أبطال آسيا، عن مواجهة الهلال، لكل من بيرسبوليس الإيراني والشرطة العراقي والاستقلال الإيراني والغرافة القطري والسد القطري والعين الإماراتي والريان القطري والوصل الإماراتي.

ويتواجد المحترف المصري محمود حسن تريزيجيه ضمن صفوف فريق الريان القطري منذ بداية الموسم الجاري، كما يشارك أساسيًا في اللقاء.

وتقام مباريات مرحلة الدوري بمشاركة 24 نادياً موزعين على منطقتين للغرب والشرق، في الفترة من 16 سبتمبر 2024 وحتى 19 فبراير 2025، بحيث يتقابل كل فريق مع ثمانية أندية مختلفة، عبر 4 مباريات على أرضه، و4 مباريات خارج ملعبه.

وتتأهل أفضل ثمانية فرق في كل دوري إلى دور الـ16، المقرر إقامة مبارياته في شهر مارس 2025.

وبداية من دور ربع النهائي وحتى المباراة النهائية ستقام البطولة بنظام البطولة المجمعة (التأهل من مباراة واحدة)، تقام في المملكة العربية السعودية، ذلك خلال الفترة من 25 أبريل وحتى 4 مايو 2025. هدف الريان الأول أمام الهلال

The Dutchman produced a tactical masterclass in the face of growing speculation that he will be sacked, and embarrassed his bosses in the process

Erik ten Hag was in a fighting mood all week, raging against journalists for repeatedly asking him about his future and hitting out at pundits for expecting Manchester United to win every game. And when he got into Wembley on Saturday, he took the gloves off and delivered a knockout blow to Manchester City.

Despite being shown no respect by his INEOS bosses, who have been speaking to other coaches about the prospect of replacing the Dutchman, Ten Hag produced a perfect game-plan and did something that no other coach has managed since Unai Emery in December, to beat City in 90 minutes.

Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were the stars of this cup shock, which was made in United's academy. But Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane also played crucial rules in shutting out City for most of the game until Jeremy Doku caused the Red Devils a late scare.

Doku was the only City attacker who can be pleased with his performance as Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Julian Alvarez all struggled to turn up or take their chances. Pep Guardiola's side were overwhelming favourites, with some bookmakers offering odds of 7/1 for a United triumph, but they couldn't handle the Red Devils, who wrecked their hopes of becoming the first team in English football history to win back-to-back doubles.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Wembley…

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  WINNER: Erik ten Hag

  Ten Hag faced the ignominy of hearing second-hand that he was going to be sacked when he should have been focusing on one of the best occasions of his career. But he used an awful situation to his advantage and masterminded City's first defeat in any competition in six months.

  And, bar a few nervy moments towards the end after Doku had reduced the deficit, his United side fully deserved the win. The Dutchman got his tactics spot-on while making some tough calls, above all dropping Casemiro. Benching Rasmus Hojlund was also a big move, but it got the best out of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.

  It was fitting that Garnacho and Mainoo, the two teenagers whom he had brought into the team from last year, proved the difference. Their goals gave United a second trophy in two years under Ten Hag, having been on a six-year silverware drought before he arrived.

  It won't be enough to keep him in the job and nor should it after a truly terrible campaign in the Premier League and in Europe. But being remembered for winning the club's first FA Cup in eight years while dethroning their arch rivals is a pretty good legacy to leave.

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  LOSER: Sir Jim Ratcliffe & INEOS

  United's minority shareholder, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, took his seat at Wembley next to Joel and Avram Glazer, having made the same mistake the Americans had made at the 2016 FA Cup final. They had agreed to sack Louis van Gaal and replace him with Jose Mourinho, news of which leaked out during United's win over Crystal Palace, leaving a sour taste after what should have been a glorious occasion.

  Ratcliffe and his self-described "best-in-class" colleagues at INEOS were supposed to restore clarity to United, but instead they have created another image of a club that doesn't know what its doing, allowing news that Ten Hag was getting the boot to get out on the eve of the final.

  As it turned out, those reports had no impact on United's fortunes. Indeed, it might have galvanised the team. But it created another ugly situation.

  Given how badly United have done this season, no one could really argue with the decision to part ways with Ten Hag. But the decision should have been communicated earlier. Negotiating with candidates such as Thomas Tuchel and Kieran McKenna behind Ten Hag's back showed a lack of respect to the manager and increased the likelihood of intermediaries spreading the news.

  Announcing that Ten Hag was leaving would have given the boss the chance to have a dignified ending to his reign. Instead, there was a backdrop of distrust and betrayal on what should have been a day of celebration for the club.

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  WINNER: Man Utd's academy

  As the players did their lap of honour on the Wembley pitch with the trophy in hand, the legendary 'Manchester United Calypso' song blared out on the speakers. Written and sung by Edric Connor in 1957, it was an ode to the young, homegrown United side built by Matt Busby, containing the lyrics: 'A bunch of bouncing Busby Babes, they deserve to be knighted'.

  It was an apt song with which to celebrate a game that had been won by two players who came through the club's academy. Mainoo and Garnacho grabbed the headlines, but a total of five academy players contributed to this triumph. Rashford and Scott McTominay also started while Jonny Evans, who graduated from the academy all the way back in 2007, came off the bench.

  The fact that Garnacho and Mainoo were the architects of the triumph was the perfect storyline, as Ten Hag had nurtured their rise from the youth academy and into the first team. Ten Hag invited Garnacho to the pre-season tour in 2022 and had to discipline him for turning up late for breakfast. With a lot of patience, he has helped the Argentine become one of the most exciting young forwards in England, starting him in practically every game since November.

  The Dutchman, meanwhile, gave Mainoo his first-team debut when he was 17 and showed repeated faith in the midfielder after he injured his ankle in pre-season. Sometimes it seemed unfair for him to put so much responsibility on such young shoulders, but Ten Hag knew he had two remarkably talented players on his hands, and on Saturday he was rewarded for his faith in them.

  The manager said this week that the way he has developed certain individuals has been forgotten, but now Garnacho and Mainoo look to be his legacy.

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  LOSER: City's misfiring forwards

  Guardiola's side also looked nothing like the team that had stormed to a fourth consecutive league title. The manager refused to blame the result on his players' wild celebrations from last weekend, but his stars certainly looked like something was not right.

  Erling Haaland had just 12 touches in the first half, although he was inches away from pulling a goal back when he hammered the crossbar shortly after the break. The Norwegian has now played in nine semi-finals and finals for City, and failed to score in any of them.

  Phil Foden, meanwhile, barely produced any of the magic which made him the Premier League's Player of the Year, and Kevin De Bruyne was sluggish and sloppy. Substitute Julian Alvarez wasted his share of chances, too.

  Doku was the only City attacker who could be proud of his contribution as his twisting runs threatened to change the game, and it was his goal which gave City a fighting chance in the end. His team-mates will reflect on a bad day off the office, although they can drown their sorrows on Sunday during the team's parade to celebrate their league crown.

Fast bowler relieved to be given his chance, after pressure for places during Pakistan series

Andrew Miller22-May-2019

Liam Plunkett plays a video game at the England World Cup kit launch•Getty Images

At the age of 34, and with more wickets since the 2015 World Cup than any other England fast bowler, Liam Plunkett probably knew deep down that he had both the experience and the statistics to justify his retention in England’s 15-man squad for the tournament starting next week.But nevertheless, Plunkett still found himself “pacing up and down” in anticipation of his confirmatory phone-call from the national selector, Ed Smith – with his wife Emeleah choosing to keep schtum about some good work-related news of her own – as the battle for England’s final fast-bowling slots went right down to the wire.In the end, England chose to back Plunkett’s proven abilities as a deck-hitting middle-innings enforcer – a role in which he has claimed 85 wickets at 28.43 in 53 matches since 2015 – and instead it was the left-armer David Willey who missed the cut, a decision that Eoin Morgan, England’s captain, said had been the toughest of his career.”You always have that slight doubt in your mind,” Plunkett said at the New Balance England kit launch in East London. “Are they going down this route or that route? I felt like I deserved to be in that squad, but you just don’t know what they’re thinking.”To pass the time and to alleviate his nerves, Plunkett went back to basics, hitting the gym with a vengeance and topping up the fitness levels that will be crucial in retaining his edge as a fast bowler, after a dip in his average speed in the early part of the year appeared to have undermined his status in the side.”I think I did about 12 hill-sprints, and kettle bells, and bikes, pacing up and down,” he said. And all the while, Plunkett’s wife had been sitting on her own announcement – that, as a high-flying financial analyst in the USA, she had just been promoted to director at her company.”She didn’t tell me, she kept that quiet until I found out,” Plunkett said. “[We had a] fairly quiet [celebration], she’s worked just as hard to get there, so it was good to hear that news as well.”With that initial selection hurdle now out of the way, Plunkett can settle down to prepare for his role in what promises to be a gruelling six-week campaign. But with the average score in the recent England v Pakistan series pushing 350, he admitted it can be increasingly hard for a bowler in the modern one-day game to work out what exactly constitutes a good day at the office.ALSO READ: Team culture stronger than it’s ever been – Eoin Morgan “Ideally you want to go for 20 [runs], but realistically, bowlers will take 2 for late-40s, 2 for 50 now, especially when there’s a score like that, and people are going for 60, 70 [in their ten overs],” he said.In fact, Plunkett found himself passing the time with Chris Woakes during their twelfth-man duties in the Pakistan series, trying to compare batting and bowling landmarks in the modern landscape.”I was speaking to Woakesy on the bench the other day, trying to relate what a fifty would be like in bowling figures, and what a hundred is like,” he said. “We couldn’t work out what it would be. Ten overs, 2 for 20 would be like a double-hundred or something. It’s tricky, a tricky period to bowl in.”Plunkett has been around for so long, he can remember the days when feats that can seem common-place in the current climate still seemed extraordinary – such as England’s thrashing by Sri Lanka at Headingley in 2006, when Sanath Jayasuriya led an assault on England’s target of 322 inside 40 overs.”I remember going for 50-odd off nine and I was devastated,” he said (it was actually 46 off five, if the above game was the one he was recalling). “Worst day of my life, but it’s changed a lot now. If you’re picking up 2 or 3 for 50, I’ll snap someone’s hand off, especially in that middle part when you’re breaking the game up, and getting two or three of their main batsmen out.”That middle period remains Plunkett’s point-of-difference in the England set-up. His ability, alongside the legspin of Adil Rashid, to disrupt well-set batsmen and prise openings in an opposition innings, remains a valuable option for England to have in their armoury, even if the arrival of Jofra Archer could provide Morgan with an alternative go-to bowler.”Jofra’s an amazing talent,” Plunkett said. “It’s great to have him in the squad as someone who can rock up and bowl at 93mph consistently, and he can bowl in any part of the game also, so that just adds a bit more variation in the middle. If I’m not picking up, or Rash is not picking up, he can come in and I can work well with Jofra, or Rash can work well with Jofra. It’s good to have that versatility in the middle.”You get compared a lot,” he said, when asked to weigh up the merits of England’s various seam options. “I’ve been through a lot since the World Cup in 2007, and whatever squad you’re in, there’s someone chasing your tail. Whether it be Bally [Jake Ball], or the Overtons, or Lewis Gregory. Or whoever’s in the county circuit. You always get compared to someone”But I feel like I do a different role to the other guys. I think that’s what I’ve done well, and been successful at, and I don’t think they want me doing anything different.”You’re always working on your game, I’ve worked on my death bowling because every bowler has to be able to do all. Some people are better at stuff than other people, but if called upon, you want to be able to step up and do what you’re asked to do.”

Beaten Pakistan have made six changes over three games after their opening match

Osman Samiuddin in Manchester16-Jun-2019Asif Ali made 51, 52, 17 and 22 and he made his way into Pakistan’s World Cup squad. These 142 runs came in four games against the top-ranked side in ODI cricket at their home. They came at a strike rate of 131.48.Despite not having anyone with anywhere near that strike rate, he didn’t make the original World Cup squad. Once he made it, with runs and form behind him, Pakistan didn’t pick him for their opening tournament game against West Indies despite not having anyone else for a position which would otherwise be crucial to finishing off the big starts their top order was giving them.In their second game against England they brought Asif Ali in and dropped Imad Wasim. Against England in the ODI series just before this game, Imad had taken six wickets and, in a very high-scoring series, conceded 6.37 runs per over. They also brought in Shoaib Malik who, at that time, was averaging 14 with the bat in England over his career. They wanted his experience and calm on the field. They dropped Haris Sohail who is considered by the Pakistan management to be the second-best batsman in the squad behind Babar Azam.Shoaib Malik has been under-par with the bat so far•Getty Images

Then they took on Sri Lanka and, fortunately for their selection group, the game got rained off and they didn’t have to pick an XI.Australia next, at Taunton, and the pitch looked green and friendly for fast bowlers. They brought in Shaheen Afridi to bolster their pace attack and dropped Shadab Khan. The latter is their best ODI player and absolutely essential to their bowling attack. They thought they’d be fine getting ten overs from Malik and Mohammad Hafeez. They went 11-0-86-1.Shadab is also their best fielder, the one who sets the tone as much as he can in what is now the worst fielding side in the tournament. Pakistan dropped two catches – one as a direct result of Shadab not being where he would usually be – and were generally abysmal in the field.WATCH on Hotstar (India only) – Fakhar Zaman’s half-centuryWATCH on Hotstar (US only) – Match highlightsAgainst India, Pakistan put Shadab back in the XI and also Imad, dropping Asif and Shaheen. They kept Malik in the side, despite his last three scores reading 4, 8 and 0. Experience, they reasoned, they needed his experience. He was out first ball.Pakistan have made six changes over three games after their opening match. None of them have been injury induced. They have argued the reasons for each change, but whether they are tactical or strategic, it’s clear that they have little idea what their best XI is. Five games into this tournament.Asked about the decision to drop a specialist bowler and batsman on Sunday, Sarfaraz Ahmed insisted it was the right move. “I think it was right. We were going with five bowlers and six batters. So I think our decision was right.” Similarly he had defended the decision to drop Shadab against Australia.Imad, who’s been at the receiving end of these decisions, was suitably diplomatic when asked whether Pakistan knew what their best XI was. “I can’t give an answer to this. Only the captain and the coach can. Whatever XI we put on the field, the players try and do their best.”That isn’t a surprise given that they weren’t all that sure about what their best XV for this World Cup should be. They picked Abid Ali on the basis of two innings in their provisional World Cup squad. Then, having allowed him just one game in the series just before this World Cup, they dropped him.Mohammad Amir was always going to be a part of their plan, even if he wasn’t in the provisional squad but Wahab Riaz had not played an ODI in two years when he was suddenly pulled into the squad. He was nowhere on the scene or in their plans and yet here he is, one of their more successful players. Mohammad Hasnain, picked for his youth and pace, has not played a single game yet and is unlikely to until Pakistan are definitely out. There will be almost certainly be changes for the next game against South Africa too.This is a tournament which they have been building up to for the best part of two years, for which they have actually had a very good run-in, for which they actually have a good, young core of players to work with.”We need to win our next four matches now, we need to play well,” Imad said. “Other results are not in our hands but we need to win those four games.”For that, they will need to first figure out what their best XI actually is.

Neymar has earned the nickname “magician” at Al-Hilal despite his injury nightmare, with the Brazilian following Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia.

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• Brazilian moved to Middle East in 2023
• One of several household names in Pro League
• Standard considered to be on the rise

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The South American superstar opted to head for the Middle East when severing ties with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023. He agreed a lucrative contract with new employers, but suffered knee ligament damage after taking in just five appearances.

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• WHAT KOULIBALY SAID

  Neymar has sat out league and cup triumphs for Al-Hilal, but club colleague Kalidou Koulibaly has told of why the 32-year-old forward is still held in the highest regard: “Neymar is a really important player for us. I call him the ‘Magia’ – magician – because he has so much magic in his feet. When he touches the ball, he is incredible.”

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ex-Napoli and Chelsea defender Koulibaly has enjoyed better fortune at Al-Hilal, with the Senegalese centre-half adding on why more household names are heading to Saudi Arabia: “At the start, nobody really knew much about this league. It was a big decision for me. But when I saw players like Ronaldo, [Karim] Benzema, [N’Golo] Kante – who I was playing with at Chelsea then – make those moves, I also made my choice. I had a difficult year at Chelsea, and I wanted to see something else. When they called me, I studied up about the club, and I’m really happy to be here today.”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Koulibaly added: “When I came, I was thinking this league would be easier than others, but I was surprised about the standard of my team-mates, and surprised at the level of the league. Even clubs that don’t have big, big-name players are very good – it’s difficult to play against them all. The level is not quite the same as Europe, but over time it will get there because the players will want to come and improve the league.”

Nottingham Forest welcome Bristol City to the City Ground this evening as they look to progress in the FA Cup.

The first meeting between the two teams ended in a drab 0-0 draw, which set up the replay for this week.

At the weekend, the Tricky Trees held Bournemouth to a 1-1 draw on the road, with Callum Hudson-Odoi scoring for the visitors.

We could see a similar starting XI to the one that picked up a point against the Cherries, but Nuno Espirito Santo should make a few changes to his side, and therefore, let's take a look at what team the boss could field for tonight's clash.

1 GK – Matt Turner

The USMNT keeper was replaced at the weekend by new signing Matz Sels, but he will return to the side for this one.

Sels is ineligible for selection as he was signed after the first meeting between the two clubs.

2 RB – Gonzalo Montiel

Gonzalo Montiel also only featured for 12 minutes on Sunday, but the Argentine should replace Neco Williams.

3 CB – Andrew Omobamidele

Irish defender Andrew Omobamidele should keep his place in the starting XI this evening.

Moussa Niakhate is back from international duty, but he should only make the bench.

4 CB – Murillo

Murillo continues to impress in the Forest backline, and he will feature as the left-centre back.

The 21-year-old has played every game for the club since his debut in October and is looking like a defender who could go on to become their club-record sale.

5 LB – Harry Toffolo

Nuno Santo seems to rotate his left-back quite frequently, with Harry Toffolo and Nuno Tavares both failing to get a run of games.

However, the boss should opt for the former this time around.

6 DM – Ryan Yates

Captain and leader Ryan Yates will start in his usual role tonight.

The 26-year-old has been in and out of the side this season, but with Orel Mangala leaving, he will get more opportunities.

7 DM – Danilo

Danilo has played 16 Premier League games this season, but he started on the bench against the Cherries.

He will return to the XI to provide energy alongside Yates.

8 RW – Anthony Elanga

Forest's biggest creative outlet, Anthony Elanga, will start tonight on the right.

The Swede has registered ten goal contributions this season in the league, which is the most in the squad.

9 AM – Morgan Gibbs-White

Morgan Gibbs-White completed 90 minutes at the weekend, and he will start once again behind the striker.

Giovanni Reyna is also unavailable for the same reason as Belgian shot-stopper, Selz.

10 LW – Nicolas Dominguez

The Argentine has been pushed forward recently during the recent injury crisis in attack, and he should start in a forward role again due to Hudson-Odoi's setback, which makes him a doubt.

Nicolas Dominguez is the highest tackler in the squad, but he's only scored twice in the league this season.

West Ham are now looking at a possible deadline day deal for one club's "scary" £11 million forward as both Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals near moves away from the London Stadium.

Benrahma and Fornals exits could pave away for signing

Earlier this week, we covered news from ExWHUemployee, with the reliable club insider suggesting that West Ham could finally sign a left-winger if they free up space/funds by offloading certain players.

West Ham eyeing late move for 15-goal forward who could cost just £10m

He’s been in fine form this season.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 1, 2024

The main way that could be possible, as per Ex's information, is through the departures of both Benrahma and Fornals. The former, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, is expected in France this afternoon to have a medical – coming after he reached an agreement on personal terms with Ligue 1 side Lyon.

The Algeria international, who has become more of a bit-part player under David Moyes this season, could therefore be on his way to pastures new for the remainder of 2023/2024. Fornals, meanwhile, has reportedly agreed terms with Real Betis – but Manuel Pellegrini's side may need to increase their bid if they wish to complete a deal (Dharmesh Sheth).

These developments could come as a promising bit of news when it comes to potential new signings at West Ham, even if Fornals' deal has some way to go. Indeed, their exits could well pave the way for West Ham to go for a new forward before the transfer cut-off at 11pm tonight.

Technical director Tim Steidten has been widely tipped with interest in a variety of wingers over the window, including Sunderland starlet Jack Clarke, Ajax captain Steven Bergwijn, Plymouth Argyle's Morgan Whittaker, FC Norsjaelland sensation Ibrahim Osman and Al-Ittihad forward Jota.

Now, according to journalist Graeme Bailey on X, another name has emerged late in the day.

West Ham looking into potential Sarr deal

As per the reporter, with both Fornals and Benrahma looking "likely" to go, Marseille forward Ismaila Sarr is now on Steidten's radar.

The former Watford star, who goalkeeper Ben Foster called "scary" for some of his electrifying performances in England, could be available for around £11 million according to reports in France.

Marseille 3-0 Le Havre

7.99

Nantes 1-1 Marseille

7.80

Marseille 2-0 Brest

7.77

FC Metz 2-2 Marseille

7.22

Marseille 2-1 Reims

6.87

West Ham are now looking at a potential deadline day move for Sarr, so it will be interesting to see if they advance and finally hand Moyes his desired left-winger signing.

The 25-year-old Senegal international has scored three goals over 14 appearances for Marseille this season, bagging a further assist to boot.

Opener hands Surrey advantage but Yorkshire bowlers rewarded for chipping away on soporific day

David Hopps01-Jul-2019At Scarborough’s second-hand cricket books and memorabilia stall, at the last time of checking, a £25 Doulton China toby jug of Fred Trueman had still gone unsold. Fred would have not have survived a fairly sedate pitch like this one without a chunter or two. “I’ve seen more life in a tramp’s vest,” was one of his most famous utterings, which admittedly was not very PC in the 1950s and is even less PC now.On a day that promised to be groaning with runs, the Yorkshire loyalists who had made the pilgrimage to Scarborough knew they might have to withstand an earnest day’s cricket. Around the country, the weather had stabilised and so had the scores. It was just a matter of which Surrey batsman would make them pay.That accolade fell to Mark Stoneman, who made exactly 100 before he was unfortunate to be adjudged caught down the leg side of Duanne Olivier, not just a strangle but a strangle that deflected off the sweat band of his right wrist as Olivier browbeat shoulder-high bounce from a slowish surface.Scarborough was first claimed to have restorative properties in the 17th century even though the spring water tasted somewhat bitter and turned the rocks the colour of a new cricket ball. Understandably, by the 1960s, tastes had changed – so, the story goes, had the water – but Stoneman breathed in the enlivening Scarborough air and achieved only his second Championship hundred since he was dropped by England early in the 2018 summer.Despite sharing the satisfaction of Surrey’s Championship win last season, it has been a tough route back. This was another nuggety innings, occasionally lightened as he drove overpitched deliveries, and unlike his colleagues he made his start pay. Long before the end, Stoneman’s strength from backward point to the cover region was shining through – 10 of his 13 boundaries came in that region. His hundred was secured in slightly fortunate fashion, however, two balls before he was dismissed, when he edged Olivier uppishly wide of first slip.He admitted that an injury to his captain, Rory Burns, when Yorkshire visited Guildford last month, had probably spared him from a spell in the Seconds. “I earned a bit of a reprieve when Rory went down with a bad back,” he said. “I think I was going to get a tap on the shoulder then.”A walk around the ground at Scarborough is a fraternal wander down memory lane. So it was a day also lightened by chewing the cud with old friends (“you didn’t get my bowling off the square once in 30 years”) or fielding the occasional quiz question, such as the last batsman with three initials to make a Championship century for Yorkshire before WAR Fraine, who struck his maiden hundred 24 hours earlier. Peter (PSP) Handscomb was the answer to that, although as he was an Australian it was tantamount to cheating.Stoneman was born not too far north from here, up the coast in Newcastle, and spent much of his career at Durham. Enough north-easterners make the trip for that to qualify him for a measure of respect. His century was spritely enough, too, of 167 balls, but it was a soporific summer’s day by Scarborough standards – the seagulls were lolling contentedly in the calm shallows of North Bay – and more than one spectator curled up on the grass on the boundary edge and slumbered through a tightly-contested match.The next eight Surrey batsmen were dismissed between 24 and 43 as Yorkshire were rewarded for their diligence. Surrey must have had designs on 400-plus, and at 182 for 2 looked as if they would achieve it, only to be pegged back to a first-innings lead of 35. Two wickets in each of the first two sessions were followed by six after tea with only Steve Patterson, among the frontline attack, missing out.Before lunch, Ben Coad had Dean Elgar playing on to his stumps as he tried to leave alone before David Willey had Scott Borthwick caught at first slip by Tom Kohler-Cadmore – his 28th catch in all formats for Yorkshire this season. “Best slipper in the country,” said a spectator beneath the Tea Room, at which point Kohler-Cadmore promptly dropped Ryan Patel.Yorkshire struck in successive overs after lunch when Patel was caught behind by Jonny Tattersall off South Africa’s left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj – his first White Rose wicket on debut on the way to 3 for 75 – before Stoneman fell to Olivier. It looked as if Ben Foakes and Sam Curran might put Surrey on top, but three wickets in the first 15 overs of the second new ball restored equilibrium with Foakes and Curran both falling to excellent diving catches by Jack Leaning.Yorkshire’s short-term loan deal for Maharaj, who will bowl last on a wearing surface, might yet serve them well. “He’s no Phil Hart,” somebody said, after watching an over or two. Hart played three matches for Yorkshire, but he’s a good bloke and a proud Scarborian; that counts for a lot round here.