Liverpool scouts were keeping a close eye on Lens midfielder Seko Fofana on Saturday ahead of a potential move to the Premier League, according to reports.

What's the latest on Fofana to Liverpool?

The Ivory Coast international first arrived in Ligue 1 back in 2020, and since making 109 appearances to date, has become such an integral member of Franck Haise’s first-team that he is now their club captain.

Despite the 28-year-old’s contract not expiring for another two years, he’s also his squad’s second overall best-performing player with a WhoScored match rating of 7.06, and this standout form has caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

Back in November 2022, Fabrizio Romano revealed via CaughtOffside that the French outfit’s skipper changed agents in the hope of securing a move away this year, where at the time he’d already been heavily linked with the Reds and Arsenal.

Now, according to 90min, Liverpool, the Gunners, Manchester United, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Wolves and West Ham all “sent scouts” to Lens’ 2-1 victory over Marseille on Saturday, with the Merseyside chiefs “keeping a close eye” on the performance of Fofana.

FSG and Klopp have reportedly held a “long-standing interest” in their target and he is a player on the “lengthy list” of central candidates that they have been monitoring. Alongside the midfielder, Kevin Danso, a centre-back, also “attracted particular interest” throughout the 90 minutes.

Would Fofana be the right fit for Liverpool?

Fofana is naturally a central midfielder but is much stronger in the attacking aspect of his game having been lauded Lens’ “creative spark” by journalist Josh Bunting, and with the leadership qualities that he’d also add to the squad, he would be an excellent addition at Liverpool.

The 6 foot 1 star, who currently pockets £30k-per-week, has posted 30 goal contributions (19 goals and 11 assists) in 109 Lens appearances, but even if he’s not always on the scoresheet, he’s constantly looking to make the magic happen in the final third.

The Paris native ranks in the 97th percentile for total shots and the 96th percentile for number of attacking touches in the opposition’s penalty area compared with other midfielders, as per FBRef, so is always a real threat in and around the box at the top end of the pitch.

Finally, Fofana is a versatile operator having played in an impressive six different positions since the start of his career, including everywhere across the midfield and even once at centre-forward, and the fact that he's previously endured spells with Manchester City's U21s and later Fulham means that he's no stranger to English football, so he could be the perfect profile of midfielder for Klopp.

Ravi Shastri, who had served as team director for almost two years leading up to Anil Kumble’s appointment as coach, has said he was “very disappointed” not to get the job himself

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jun-2016

Ravi Shastri, the former India allrounder who had served as team director for almost two years leading up to Anil Kumble’s appointment as coach, has said he was “very disappointed” not to get the head coach’s job himself. He said Sourav Ganguly, one of the members of the cricket advisory committee which played a key role in choosing the coach, was not present when the rest of the committee interviewed him.”Well, actually he wasn’t there,” he told the , when asked about his interaction with Ganguly during his interview. Shastri was being interviewed via Skype – he was in Thailand while committee member VVS Laxman and chief coordinator Sanjay Jagdale were in Mumbai. Sachin Tendulkar, also a member of the committee, tuned into the interview via Skype from London. Ganguly, though, was away at a Cricket Association of Bengal meeting.His interactions with the rest of the committee went well, though, Shastri said. “Meeting was great. Some great questions from VVS, Sachin and Sanjay. I put my way forward for the team. They wanted to know how do I plan to do well in all formats, how we should look at fast bowlers, and things of that sort.”But former India legspinner Kumble was named coach earlier this week. Shastri said he was disappointed to miss out since the team had done so well under his guidance as team director. “I was very disappointed. Disappointment because the hard work the entire unit had put in in the last 18 months. To see where they were when the support staff and I took over and to where they reached in 18 months makes me feel proud.”They got up, threw punches and ended up where they were. No. 1 in Test cricket, No. 1 in T20, No. 2 in ODI [at various points during Shastri’s tenure]. You can’t ask for more. Even I didn’t’ expect such a transformation in 18 months with this young team. I feel really proud.”I was honest, worked hard along with the support staff, and the players were fantastic. During those months, with the BCCI being hammered in the court and media for various reasons, cricket was the shining light. People really took to watching the way the Indian team was playing.”Under Shastri, who had taken over as team director in August 2014, India made it to semi-finals of successive global events – the 2015 World Cup and the 2016 World T20, and also climbed to No. 1 on the Test rankings for a period of eight weeks until Australia took over in February 2016. In this period, India also won their first limited-overs bilateral series in Australia, whitewashing the hosts 3-0 in a T20 series. Shastri was assisted by Sanjay Bangar (batting coach), B Arun (bowling) and R Sridhar (fielding). All their contracts expired at the end of the 2016 World T20, prompting the search for a new coach. Bangar had coached the team in the interim, in Zimbabwe.Shastri told the that Kumble had already spoken with him, and he hoped the team moved forward under him. “He [Kumble] called up yesterday [Thursday]. He has a great team, he said that. I wish him all the luck.”The team is right up there in all formats. Now is the time to take one step forward, especially after the [upcoming] tour of the West Indies; there is a lot of cricket at home [after the West Indies tour], you have to cash in on the home advantage. It would be great if he can take it forward.”India tour the West Indies in July and August, before returning for a home season consisting of a record 13 Tests against New Zealand, England, Australia and Bangladesh.

Manchester United now want to sign Barcelona forward Ansu Fati but his release clause could be a massive obstacle, according to reports.

What's the latest Manchester United transfer news?

Accoding to Mundo Deportivo, via Sport Witness, Manchester United, Tottenham, Bayern Munich and PSG are all keen on signing Fati. The report from Sport Witness discusses previous links with Wolves, but the latest update makes no mention of the Molineux outfit.

Instead, they state that is is United who have previously offered £150m to sign Fati with the offer comprised of a fixed fee and bonuses. That bid was reportedly rejected by Barcelona, and the player apparently doesn't want to leave Camp Nou at this moment in time.

It's likely Erik ten Hag would love to have a player like Fati. Why wouldn't he? It's also likely that Fati's reported €1 billion (£875m) release clause, which was added when he signed a lasting deal until 2027, would be an issue for any interested clubs.

Should Manchester United find a way to sign Fati?

The main argument against not signing Fati is that he plays the same position as Marcus Rashford. The Englishman is one of the best left wingers in the world and is the future of United's team.

Last year, Eric Garcia said the 20-year-old Barcelona gem is one of those special players "born with that talent and that magic", so he could certainly flourish in the Premier League but there are also concerns over his injury record. According to Transfermarkt, he's already missed 521 days through injury in his career although he has been fitter this season missing just two games with a bruised knee and has made 43 appearances.

What United need is a centre forward that can bring the best out of Antony while being able to work in tandem with Rashford. It's a tricky task and one that will take proper planning but if Ten Hag is financially backed, the Dutchman needs to consider his options very carefully.

Recent Manchester United managers have failed at signing a long-term solution at striker with Romelu Lukaku and Cristiano Ronaldo both having some success but ultimately not being what United need to restore the Premier League dominance they have been searching for since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

It's clear the experiment with Wout Weghorst has been a failure but the Dutchman has been a decent link between midfield and attack. He just lacks the clincal edge to be an elite forward for Manchester United.

Newcastle United's planning for the upcoming summer transfer window is already underway as the Magpies have been linked with a number of players in recent weeks.

The last few games of the campaign could dictate who they end up being able to bring in as the club compete to secure a place in the Champions League for next term.

Their chances of completing ambitious signings could be boosted by playing in Europe's premier competition and this could be the case with West Ham United's Declan Rice, who is a reported £90m target for Eddie Howe and Dan Ashworth.

How would Declan Rice fit in at Newcastle?

The England international could be the dream partner for Bruno Guimaraes in the middle of the park as the arrival of a natural defensive midfielder would allow the ex-Lyon man to play further up the pitch.

Newcastle's star scored three goals and provided one assist in nine appearances as a central midfielder in the Premier League for the Magpies last season but 28 of his 29 outings in the division this term have been in a holding role – resulting in three goals.

Guimaraes created three 'big chances' in his 11 starts in the top-flight in 2021/22 but has only provided two in the current campaign, which suggests that his threat in the attacking third is being diminished by the club's need to play him in a defensive position.

Rice has made 4.1 tackles and interceptions per match in the Premier League this term and won 58% of his individual duels, whilst ranking in the top 3% of his players in his role for interceptions per 90 (1.86) in Europe's top five leagues over the last 365 days.

The Hammers skipper is an exceptional defender in the number six position, which is backed up by the aforementioned statistics, and his presence in Howe's midfield would allow Guimaraes to play as one of the eights ahead of Rice.

This would provide the Brazilian with more opportunities to make an impact in the final third by being further up the pitch and his statistics from 2021/22 suggest that he could be a difference-maker for the Toon Army if deployed in an advanced position for an entire season.

Therefore, the £90m star, who was lauded as a "generational talent" by The Athletic journalist Roshane Thomas, could be the perfect partner for the 25-year-old.

His defensive quality could brilliantly complement Guimaraes' skill and poise in possession to create a frightening midfield for Newcastle, which is why Howe and Ashworth must work hard to get this deal over the line in the coming weeks and months.

A superb unbeaten 126 by Tasamul Haque lifted Kalabagan Krira Chakra out of the relegation zone and into contention for the Super League, guiding the team to a six-wicket win over Mohammedan Sporting Club.Kalabagan climbed to eighth place with ten points, level with three other teams, while Mohammedan went down one place to third after their fourth defeat in the competition.In a high-scoring encounter at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium, Kalabagan lost Jashimuddin off the the second ball of their innings while chasing 291. But Tasamul and opener Hasanuzzaman added 140 for the second wicket in under 18 overs to bring them back into the contest. Hasanuzzaman blazed to 95 off 53 balls with eight sixes and four fours.Paras Dogra, their new Indian recruit, and Mehrab Hossain jnr fell cheaply but Tasamul and Tanveer Haider sped from the 24th over, adding an unbroken 129 for the fourth wicket. Tanveer finished not out on 52 while Tasamul, who struck eight fours and two sixes, ended on 126 off 129 balls. Tasamul struck his second six to take Kalabagan home, the win coming with 6.5 overs to spare.Mohammedan virtually had no reply with the ball, with most of their in-form bowlers like Subashis Roy, Naeem Islam jnr and Habibur Rahman going for plenty.They had a better time with the bat. Bipul Sharma, who played for the IPL-winning Sunrisers Hyderabad side, struck his maiden List A hundred as Mohammedan piled up 290 for 6 in 50 overs. Dewan Sabbir bowled Bipul after he had made exactly 100, with six boundaries and eight sixes.He came to the crease with Mohammedan in trouble at 69 for 3, and went on to add 171 for the fourth wicket with captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who chipped in with a 71-ball 75.Victoria Sporting Club crushed Brothers Union by 112 runs in Mirpur, after Abdul Mazid’s first century of the competition lifted them to a formidable 302 for 9. Mazid dominated the 170-run opening stand with Fazle Mahmud, which lasted 33.3 overs. Mazid cracked eleven boundaries and four sixes in his 118 off 117 balls, his highest List-A score.Though they lost Mazid and Mominul Haque in the space of three balls, and Mahmud – for 71 – in the 39th over, Victoria didn’t lose much momentum, taking 84 runs off the last ten overs with Al-Amin, Chaturanga de Silva and Dhiman Ghosh making rapid contributions. Left-arm spinners Nabil Samad and Asif Hasan took four and two wickets respectively, while offspinner Iftekhar Sajjad bagged two.Brothers Union collapsed in their chase, with only their captain Tushar Imran standing firm, scoring his fifth half-century of the season. The other five members of their top six, however, fell single-figure scores as Brothers Union slipped to 92 for 8 in the 27th over.Tushar and Asif then added 97 for the ninth wicket, but it only delayed the inevitable. Brothers Union were eventually bowled out for 190 in 45.3 overs. Tushar made 93 off 126 balls with eleven fours. Pace bowler Mahbubul Alam took three wickets while there were two each for offspinner Al-Amin and paceman Kamrul Islam Rabbi.Legends of Rupganj trounced Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by seven wickets at the BKSP-3 ground. It was a fine effort for a side that was without their captain Mosharraf Hossain and their in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Mithun, both serving one-match bans.Nahidul Islam made 92 and Junaid Siddique was unbeaten on 53 as Rupganj completed a chase of 185 with 17.1 overs to spare. Nahidul, who earlier took 2 for 38 with his offspin, struck nine fours and three sixes during his 99-ball innings. He came to the crease after Jahurul Islam was given leg-before off the first ball of the innings.He added 46 for the second wicket with Soumya Sarkar, who was also out leg-before, and another 125 for the third wicket with Junaid. Nahidul’s end also came through a leg-before decision, though by then the win was only 13 runs away.Sent in to bat, Dhanmondi lost wickets regularly. Left-arm spinners Murad Khan and Taijul Islam took three wickets each after seamer Alauddin Babu struck twice in the fourth over to remove the big-hitting Mahbubul Karim and the steady Marshall Ayub. Abdullah Al Mamun (24), Mahmudullah (35) and Nazmus Sadat (41) steadied Dhanmondi’s innings, but they collapsed thereafter, losing their last six wickets for just 28 runs to slump from 156 for four in the 36th over to 184 all out in 45.

قرر السيد الغديري، لاعب وسط فريق 2003 بنادي الزمالك، الرحيل عن القلعة البيضاء، بعد عدم تصعيده للفريق الأول لكرة القدم.

وعلم “بطولات” من مصدر خاص، أن الغديري كان يأمل في تصعيده للفريق الأول طوال الفترة الماضية، لكن هذا لم يحدث، إلى جانب عدم حصوله على مستحقاته المالية منذ انضمامه للفريق من الدوري الإمارتي.

طالع أيضًا | الزمالك يعرض صفقة تبادلية على فيوتشر لضم ناصر ماهر

وأدى ذلك إلى شعور اللاعب بالإحباط، واتخاذه قرارًا بالرحيل عن الزمالك والسفر إلى ألمانيا؛ من أجل خوض فترة علاجية والبحث عن فرصة الانضمام لأحد أندية دور الدرجة الثانية هناك.

يذكر، أن الزمالك يخوض بطولة كأس دبي الودية، خلال معسكره الحالي في الإمارات، ونجح في الفوز على الرجاء المغربي بركلات الترجيح (4-2) وتأهل للمباراة النهائية لمقابلة الفائز من لقاء الأهلي السعودي ووهان ثري تاونز الصيني.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan has suggested that the Pakistan board should receive a ‘higher percentage of the income’ from matches against India at ICC events

Umar Farooq04-Jul-2016With the PCB looking to raise funds in the absence of international cricket in the country and the deadlock with the BCCI in terms of bilateral series, chairman Shaharyar Khan has suggested that the Pakistan board should receive a ‘higher percentage of the income’ from matches against India at ICC events. According to a paper circulated among the PCB’s directors – accessed by ESPNcricinfo – Khan presented the suggestion while making a strong case for a support system for the board at the recent ICC annual conference in Edinburgh.He also made Pakistan-specific points during the meeting, including a request that the ICC compensate Pakistan for having to arrange home fixtures outside the country.”Pakistan continues to play India in ICC events. The interest and finances that these generate are unparalleled. Tickets for the World Cup matches in Adelaide and Calcutta sold out quicker than other major sporting events – Wimbledon, the Olympics being two examples,” the paper stated. “The financial income in ICC championships benefits enormously from India – Pakistan clashes. Currently, all members benefit from the windfall from these matches. [The] Chairman proposed that Pakistan should be given a higher percentage of this income.”Barring Zimbabwe’s limited-overs tour in May 2015, Pakistan has not hosted an international game since the attack on Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009. The UAE has subsequently become their new base. However, the paper says, the extra cost that the PCB has borne to host its cricket in the UAE has placed a huge financial burden on Pakistan cricket and is directly hampering the development of the game in the country.During the isolation, the development phase was put on hold in Pakistan and regional academies were gradually closed due to lack of funds. The project has been revived partially under Mudassar Nazar, who was recently appointed director of Pakistan’s national cricket academy.The lack of bilateral series, however, has been a major concern for the PCB at every level, including Under-19s, A team tours and the women’s team. Pakistani teams can tour foreign countries but the cost of hosting matches in the UAE makes it difficult for the PCB to organise reciprocal home series. The report also reflected on how the isolation has upset Pakistan’s capacities in other areas, as curators and umpires are unwilling to come to the country.”Pakistan is the only country that plays its home matches in a third country,” the paper said. “This has placed a huge financial burden on Pakistan cricket. This includes having to play host in one of the most expensive destinations in the world. Dubai, for example, was recently ranked as the most expensive holiday destination. To host two teams – Pakistan and the opposition, scorers, umpires, other officials – in the UAE is prohibitively expensive. In addition, the hiring of grounds is a further drain. Little is recouped through gate receipts. Therefore, every time we play at home it is a further drain on resources.”Pakistan is also suffering cricket-wise. Many of the national teams have never played a match at home against international teams. These cricketers have been denied the opportunity to benefit from home crowds. At the same time the cricketing public is starved of cricket at home – when Zimbabwe toured all five matches [two T20Is, three ODIs] were sold out in minutes.”The political situation between India and Pakistan has also had an impact. The BCCI had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to play six series with Pakistan between 2015 and 2023, with the first to be hosted by the PCB in the UAE in December. As has often happened in the past, the strained political relationship put the series in doubt. The last full series between the countries, including Tests and ODIs, was in 2007 when Pakistan toured India. Since then Pakistan have played only one limited-overs series in India, in December 2012, and the teams have mostly met in multi-team competitions and ICC events. India’s refusal to play has cost the PCB over $80 million in terms of broadcasting and other commercial deals.”This needs to be further put in perspective when we remember that India has refused to play Pakistan since 2006,” the paper stated. “Therefore, the principal source of income has been cut off for a decade. Pakistan, in the meantime, has twice been to India since 2006 without reciprocation and the 2014 MoU has not been fulfilled as the Indian government has yet to lift the embargo on cricketing relations.”

Everton midfielder Dele Alli potentially permanently joining Besiktas this summer “makes no sense”, according to Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell.

What's the latest on Alli's future?

The Premier League veteran joined the Turkish outfit on a season-long loan in August 2022 but had his spell cut short after returning to Goodison Park to receive treatment on his hip tendon injury, not to mention that they decided not to trigger the buy option included in his terms.

England’s former international had a disappointing time in the Super Lig, scoring just three goals all season, but despite his poor form, the club’s president Ahmet Nur Cebi recently admitted that they could look to take the 27-year-old back on a permanent basis during the upcoming window.

Back in April, Sean Dyche revealed that no decision has yet been made regarding the future of the Toffees star, who will be out of contract next summer, with the boss first and foremost wanting him to focus on getting fully fit again.

Speaking to Goodison News, Campbell delivered his verdict on Alli returning to Besiktas for good should his deal at Everton get terminated, and it’s fair to say that he’s completely against the move taking place. He said:

“No I just don’t see it. I don’t know what’s going on. To me that makes no sense. He’s not good enough for you now so you’re sending him back, but you’ll sign him on a free in the summer? That makes no sense. No sense at all.”

Should Everton keep or sell Alli?

Everton will have a lot of decisions to make on the futures of their senior first-team players if they get relegated at the end of the season, but Alli has only ever made 13 Merseyside appearances and has hugely disappointed during those, so regardless of the club's league status, Farhad Moshiri should cut all ties this summer.

The Adidas-sponsored athlete has scored zero goals with no assists for the Blues since joining, and throughout the 2021/22 season where he made the bulk of his outings, he only managed to record three shots all campaign, with none of those even being on target, as per FBRef, not to mention he was ranked the 21st worst member of the squad with a WhoScored match rating of 6.26.

If there was further reason to get him out of the building, Alli also pockets £100k-per-week and is the third-highest earner on the books, which is unbelievable for a player who isn't even part of the senior fold right now, so letting him go would help free up the wage bill and put the spare cash towards signing some fresh faces in the weeks and months ahead.

Bayern Munich want Chelsea to make an offer for Sadio Mane this summer, according to an update from reliable journalist Christian Falk.

Could Mane leave Bayern this summer?

The Senegalese opted to leave Liverpool at the end of last season, enjoying a fresh challenge at Bayern while he was still in the peak years of his career. His time in Germany has not gone to play so far, however, with a combination of injuries, patchy form and disciplinary matters holding him back.

Mane had been limited to 17 starts in the Bundesliga (before their match against Werder Bremen yesterday) and his tally of over 12 goals in over 30 appearances, in all competitions, is a solid but unspectacular return. The 31-year-old was also suspended and fined recently after a clash with teammate Leroy Sane, and manager Thomas Tuchel could potentially be happy to offload him at the end of the season.

That's certainly looking increasingly likely at the moment and Chelsea are one of the clubs who have been linked with snapping him up this summer, as the Blues look for attacking reinforcements.

Are Chelsea going to bid for Mane?

Speaking to Caught Offside, Falk claimed that while there is no strong interest in Mane yet, Bayern are eyeing an offer from Chelsea for his services:

"After his issue with Leroy Sané, Mané now has problems with his team-mates, and furthermore, his level of performance has disappointed Thomas Tuchel.

"Bayern are hoping for an offer from Chelsea – offers from Premier League clubs are welcome in Munich – but there are no seriously interested parties at this stage. Any potential interest from Newcastle doesn’t appeal to Mane either."

There is no doubting Mane's pedigree as a footballer, considering he won the Champions League and Premier League at Liverpool, among numerous other trophies, and has been hailed as "world-class" by Jurgen Klopp in the past. That being said, he doesn't quite look like the force he once was, which is only natural at 31, so Chelsea would be wise to look at bringing in a younger alternative instead, such as Victor Osimhen or Lautaro Martinez.

If the Blues did snap up the £306,000-a-week Senegal legend, he could still have a big impact, having scored 111 goals and registered 47 assists in the Premier League, but there is the threat that they spend big on a player who isn't the absolutely elite footballer he used to be during his Liverpool days, when he was so devastating alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

Tottenham Hotspur and chairman Daniel Levy by extension hold the most serious interest in signing Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

What’s the latest Spurs transfer news?

Spurs have a plethora of issues to resolve before the summer transfer window opens for business, namely who they will be their permanent manager and Antonio Conte’s full time replacement.

Ryan Mason has been placed in temporary charge until the end of this Premier League campaign with Europa League qualification still very realistic.

In the meantime, Levy has been scouring the market for appointments, as well as looking out for a new sporting director to replace the departed Fabio Paratici.

On top of all this, Spurs must think about a long-term successor to goalkeeping mainstay Hugo Lloris, who is entering the final 12 months of his contract alongside star striker Harry Kane.

Tottenham have been repeatedly linked to signing Lloris’ replacement this summer, with Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret thought to be attracting serious interest.

As well as Meret, it is believed the likes of Mike Maignan (AC Milan) are in Spurs’ thinking, with a report by journalist Gaston Edul saying another shot-stopper is on the agenda.

According to the TYC Sports correspondent, writing on Twitter, Villa’s Martinez is a very serious target for Spurs and Levy with the north Londoners having a move “in the pipeline”.

Martinez, who helped Argentina to World Cup victory at the end of last year, could be on the move and Tottenham are very likely to go a ‘step further’ for his signature over rival clubs.

Edul explained:

What could Martinez bring to Spurs?

The 30-year-old has been praised for his form at Villa Park over the last 12 months, with defender Matty Cash summing up his quality perfectly.

Cash, speaking to the media (via The Shropshire Star), said:

“He (Martinez) normally buzzes off clean sheets. The first thing he said to me in the dressing room was: ‘I’m gutted we conceded’. He’s unbelievable. One of the best goalkeepers in the world. To have him there is really good for us. He has made so many big saves for us.”

To replace a figure as important as Lloris, this could be exactly the type of character needed at Tottenham, both in terms of goalkeeping contribution and elite mentality.

Members of the media have also called him “world class” for his exploits at international level.