Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly ‘intensified’ their contacts over a potential summer move for AS Roma defender Roger Ibanez.

What’s the latest Tottenham transfer news?

Spurs officials appear to be hard at work in the transfer window after finally bringing their managerial search to an end by appointing Ange Postecoglou last week.

Reports have suggested that personal terms with Brentford goalkeeper David Raya have been agreed, however, the two clubs still need to shake hands on a transfer fee.

Elsewhere, English trio James Maddison, Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho have also been linked with a move to north London. However, it does look as if Tottenham chiefs are also looking abroad when it comes to potential additions, with Ibanez another target.

Recent reports from Italy suggested that Spurs have been handed a boost in their attempts to sign Ibanez, with Roma lowering their asking price, and it looks as if Tottenham could soon make their move.

Sport Witness relayed an update from Italian website Roma Giallorossa on Monday regarding Spurs and Ibanez. They claimed that Tottenham have ‘intensified’ their contacts in the ‘last few hours’, saying that an official offer ‘within a few days’ is now a possibility.

Postecoglou is thought to be an admirer of the defender, and a bid from Spurs in the region of €25m and €30m could be enough to sign him.

Who is Roger Ibanez?

Ibanez is primarily a centre-back but can also play as a right-back or even as a holding midfielder, so could provide plenty of versatility to Postecoglou’s squad, should a move get over the line.

The 24-year-old appears to be at the peak of his powers with a career-high €30m Transfermarkt valuation and has won senior two caps for Brazil.

In total, Ibanez has made 149 senior appearances for Roma, contributing to 11 goals. As per WhoScored, the defender was Roma’s fourth-best player during the 2022/23 season, as per WhoScored, outperforming Spurs defenders Cristian Romero, Eric Dier, Ben Davies, Clement Lenglet and Davison Sanchez.

Therefore, with Spurs conceding the most Premier League goals last season in the top 14 sides (63), you could argue that a new defender is needed. Someone like Ibanez, who is seemingly at the top of his game and has been lauded as "untouchable" by former Spurs head coach Jose Mourinho, could be a shrewd addition, and with Postecoglou a fan, it appears as if a transfer is one to watch.

Kieran Powell’s third century of the tournament and a three-for from Alzarri Joseph helped Leeward Islands open up a six-point lead in the Group A table, following a 105-run win over Kent in Antigua.Opening the innings, Powell shared half-century stands with Montcin Hodge and Nkrumah Bonner for the first and second wickets respectively, guiding his team to 170 for 2 in the 37th over before he was dismissed. Powell’s 106 came off 111 balls and included five fours and four sixes, and was also his fourth consecutive fifty-plus score. After Powell’s departure, contributions from Rahkeem Cornwall (43 off 28 balls) and Gavin Tonge (28 off 15 balls) pushed the score to 275.Kent were reduced to 60 for 4 by the 15th over before Will Gidman and Alex Blake (44 off 76 balls) added the highest partnership of the innings – 41 for the fifth wicket. Once that stand was broken, they suffered another slump, losing four wickets for 36 runs by the 35th over. They were eventually dismissed for 170 in the 40th over. Apart from Joseph, who took 3 for 62, Jason Campbell and Akeal Hosein picked up two wickets each, with Hosein conceding only 28 runs in his 10 overs.Windward Islands eased to a five-wicket win over West Indies Under-19s, banking on seamer Kyle Mayers’ 4 for 38 and Shane Shillingford’s 3 for 22. The pair ensured that WI U-19s were limited to 207 for 9 after a first-wicket partnership off 88 and promising knocks from openers, Shian Brathwaite (42) and Matthew Patrick (45). Shillingford began WI U-19s’ slide with the wickets of Brathwaite and Bhaskar Yadram before Mayers cut through the middle order. Windward suffered a wobble in their pursuit, but an unbeaten 67 off 78 balls from Sunil Ambris – his fourth half-century of the tournament – saw the side home in the 41st over. Shillingford’s supporting role with the bat, an unbeaten 25 off 16 deliveries, helped him clinch the Player-of-the-Match award.

تحدث مدافع نابولي خوان جيسوس عن أزمة العنصرية تجاه اللاعبين في الملاع، في أعقاب الحادث الذي وقع مع لاعب إنتر ميلان فرانشيسكو أتشيربي.

والتقى نابولي وإنتر ميلان يوم الأحد في مباراة انتهت بالتعادل بهدف لمثله في الدوري الإيطالي، وشوهد خوان جيسوس وهو يتحدث إلى الحكم فيديريكو لا بينا في الدقائق الأخيرة من المباراة.

وأشار جيسوس إلى شارة ركلة العنصرية على قميصه موضحًا أن أتشيربي تفوه بلفظ عنصري ضده.

وقد فتح مكتب المدعي العام للاتحاد الإيطالي تحقيقًا، وسيتم استجواب كلا اللاعبين في الأيام المقبلة، وتم استبعاد أتشيربي من معسكر منتخب إيطاليا.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مدرب إيطاليا يتحدث عن أزمة استبعاد أتشيربي بسبب العنصرية

وقال جيسوس في تصريحات نشرها موقع “فوتبول إيطاليا”: “العنصرية للأسف هي الوضع الذي نشهده منذ فترة طويلة، هناك أشخاص يقولون إننا نتحسن، ولكن لسوء الحظ هناك بعض القوانين التي لا يتم احترامها”.

وأضاف: “إنه أمر محزن لأننا جميعًا متماثلون، أبيض وأسود وكل شيء آخر، أعتقد أن الله خلقنا ولدينا جميعًا نفس المهمة، وهي أن نعيش على هذه الأرض، لا توجد اختلافات”.

وأكد مداف نابولي: “للأسف، لا تزال هناك عنصرية في الملاعب، علينا أن ننمو كبشر، وأعتقد أن هناك الكثير من الناس الذين لا يدركون أن هذا شيء يمكن أن يضر، نحن بشر، لدينا قلوب وأرواح وعقول، وآمل أن يتم وضع قوانين أقوى لوقف ذلك”.

وأكمل: “لا يزال يتعين عليك أن تكون قويًا، أولئك الذين يرتكبون أعمال العنصرية لديهم عقول صغيرة، عليك أن تفكر في نفسك، أعلم أنني مثالي، كما خلقني الله، وأنا هنا من أجل حلمي في لعب كرة القدم”.

وأصر: “يجب أن تكون على دراية بنفسك، ويجب أن تقول ذلك دائمًا إذا تعرضت لعمل عنصري، لا يستطيع الناس أن يقولوا ما يريدون”.

وأتم: “أقول للشباب أن يكونوا أقوياء عقليًا، لسوء الحظ تحدث دائمًا أعمال عنصرية عليك أن تكون قويًا، وليس عليك الاستماع إلى أي شخص”.

Bayern Munich are set to make a mammoth £80 million “all in” bid for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, according to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs.

Is Harry Kane leaving Spurs?

The 29-year-old has put many top clubs across Europe and England on red alert with just 12 months remaining on his current Spurs deal.

While there have been talks over a contract renewal for the Three Lions star, an agreement is not thought to be close at this stage, meaning Kane could leave north London on a Bosman deal next summer.

This gives Tottenham and chairman Daniel Levy a major decision to make, and perhaps their most crucial one of the last few years – whether to stick or twist with their superstar forward.

There have even been reports that Kane is “determined” to leave this window, and as he enters the final year of his current deal, Levy could have to contemplate selling him for a large enough transfer fee.

German giants Bayern have already seen a £60 million verbal offer rejected outright for the striker, but according to Jacobs of CBS, it appears they’re set to come back in with an improved bid.

The Bavarians will apparently lodge an £80m “all in” proposal to test Levy’s resolve, but their current stance is that they are set to reject any bid received for their talisman.

Kane was previously linked with an exit in 2021, when Man City held a very real interest and even lodged bids of up to £100 million.

Who is Harry Kane?

Scoring 30 goals in 38 league starts for Spurs last season, Kane has been nothing short of a hero in recent seasons.

The electric striker was only bested by City star Erling Haaland last season, in terms of proficiency, and his performances at international level are nothing short of superb.

It took Kane just over 7 years to reach goals for England, with journalist Dom Smith highlighting this point whilst believing he is “vastly underrated”.

If Bayern were to secure Kane, it would be an almighty loss to Spurs, though Levy appears determined not to part ways with Tottenham’s one superstar.

Declan Rice is said to be "buzzing" about his new move to Arsenal from West Ham United, according to Fabrizio Romano.

When will Rice's move be complete?

After weeks of uncertainty, Rice now knows he will be playing in Arsenal red next season.

The 24-year-old's £105m move, which will make him the second most expensive Premier League player of all-time, is yet to be finalised, but the deal is now all but done after Manchester City dropped out of the race for his signature.

Having enjoyed the dream West Ham send off, helping the club to the Europa Conference League trophy, Rice can now set his sights on his new journey in north London.

According to Fabrizio Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, Rice is excited to get started at the Emirates and looking forward to featuring for last season's Premier League runners-up.

"For Declan Rice, day of silence because West Ham and Arsenal are still working, while I'm speaking, on the payment terms. As I told you yesterday, West Ham wants the payment of £100m to be made in 18 months, Arsenal are offering four years, so there is still distance.

"All parties are now more relaxed because there is an agreement on the fee, it's going to be £105m, so there is no doubt about that. So, all parties are way more relaxed, they know they can take their time. But Declan Rice and Arsenal remains a deal at the final stages."

Romano added: "There is a feeling that Declan Rice is really, really buzzing to join Arsenal, so waiting for these steps of the deal and then we will have the here we go."

Rice is understandably excited to be joining a side that were not too far away from winning the Premier League last season, while Mikel Arteta will be hoping that the Englishman's presence can help push them closer to Manchester City next year. It will also be the first time that the midfielder will get to play in the Champions League.

Who else are Arsenal signing?

Having secured a deal for Kai Havertz, all attention will be on sorting out the final details of Rice's move.

Following that, there is an expectation that the next priority will be finalising a transfer for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, who is expected to arrive at the Emirates for a fee just north of £40m.

That will take the Gunners' total spending to over £200m, meaning there may not be a lot left in the budget for more deals. Having said that, Arsenal will probably be searching for another central midfielder, with links to Romeo Lavia of Southampton still present.

While not a new signing, William Saliba's expected contract extension is also a great piece of business for Arsenal, having also tied down Bukayo Saka to a new deal at the end of the season.

Last year, Hamilton produced a dry, turning pitch which New Zealand exploited brilliantly. More of the same can be expected for this year’s Chappel-Hadlee Trophy decider

The Preview by Brydon Coverdale04-Feb-2017

Match factsSunday, February 5, 2017
Start time 1100 local (2200 GMT)Big PictureThe washout fiasco in Napier means that the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy comes down to this final match in Hamilton. If Australia win and force a 1-1 series result, then as the holders of the trophy they will retain it. If New Zealand win, they take possession of the trophy with a 2-0 series outcome. In fact, more than that is potentially on the line for Australia: if South Africa defeat Sri Lanka in Johannesburg on Saturday, then a loss to New Zealand would not only mean Australia giving up the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, but also the No.1 ODI ranking. In that case, South Africa would be the new No.1, Australia would slip to No. 2, and New Zealand would move up to No. 3.Australia enter this match with a fourth-choice captain – Aaron Finch was given the job because Steven Smith is injured, vice-captain David Warner is resting, and stand-in Matthew Wade hurt his back on the eve of the series – and a batting line-up that requires significant improvement after game one. Focusing on the remarkable unbeaten 146 from Marcus Stoinis at No. 7 obscures the fact that none of the top six batsmen passed 20. And five members of the team – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell and Shaun Marsh – could be forgiven for having a lot on their minds, for straight after this game they will fly to Dubai to join the Test squad in a training camp ahead of their tour of India.New Zealand, likewise, have injury concerns, with Martin Guptill ruled out due to a hamstring issue. But they had a wider group of batting contributors in the first match than Australia, with fifties from both Guptill and Neil Broom, and 48 from James Neesham. They will push for a series win in front of a capacity crowd at Hamilton’s Seddon Park: it was announced on the eve of the match that tickets had sold out.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)

New Zealand: WWWWL
Australia: LWWWL
Sam Heazlett made a century and two fifties in five matches against South Africa A and India A last winter•Getty Images

In the spotlightIn a horses-for-courses approach, New Zealand have brought legspinner Ish Sodhi into the squad for the last match of the series. The selectors recalled the way Sodhi troubled the Australians in the corresponding ODI at the same venue last summer, when he picked up 2 for 31 and claimed the key wickets of Smith and Maxwell. Sodhi is also coming off some impressive form against Australians in another competition: in his final BBL match for the Adelaide Strikers, he took 6 for 11.Through no fault of his own, Sam Heazlett has found himself at the centre of a debate about selection principles in the past week, given he has made his ODI debut without having played a one-day game for Queensland. But there is no question that Heazlett is a talented young batsman: he scored a century and two fifties in five one-day games for the National Performance Squad against South Africa A and India A last winter, and averaged 40 in his maiden Sheffield Shield season in 2015-16. The best thing Heazlett can do in Hamilton is clear his mind of all other matters and prove his worth with a focused batting display.Team newsGuptill’s injury means Dean Brownlie will play his first match for New Zealand since late 2014, and will open the batting. Sodhi has joined the group for this match and would likely be included in the XI. Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell has been released from the squad, and Tom Latham will again take the gloves.New Zealand (possible) 1 Dean Brownlie, 2 Tom Latham (wk), 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Neil Broom, 6 Colin Munro, 7 James Neesham, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Ish Sodhi, 11 Trent Boult.Wade has departed the squad due to his back injury, so Finch will again captain and Handscomb will keep wicket. That should mean another opportunity for the young batsman Heazlett. Adam Zampa will be considered, especially given New Zealand’s mulling over their own legspinner.Australia (possible) 1 Aaron Finch (capt), 2 Travis Head, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Peter Handscomb (wk), 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Sam Heazlett, 7 Marcus Stoinis, 8 James Faulkner, 9 Pat Cummins/Adam Zampa, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Josh Hazlewood.Pitch and conditionsWhen the teams played at Seddon Park at the same time of year last summer, New Zealand’s first-innings 246 was more than adequate for victory on a dry, slowing pitch. The forecast for Sunday in Hamilton is for a fine day and a top temperate of 27C.Stats and trivia These teams have met in four ODIs in Hamilton – New Zealand have won three and Australia one Australia boast four batsmen in the top 20 of the ICC’s ODI rankings but only one of them – Glenn Maxwell – will play in this game. Smith is injured, Warner resting, and George Bailey dropped

Newcastle United could look to the summer transfer window to bolster the depth in their squad ahead of their return to Champions League football next season and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Newcastle's interest in Goncalo Inacio?

According to Spanish news outlet AS, Newcastle are one of the Premier League clubs interested in signing Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio.

As per the report, the Magpies are in the race with Liverpool and Arsenal to sign the player who has a €45m (£39m) release clause, and whilst his Portuguese club is keen to hold on to him, there is potential for Inacio to make a move to the English top-flight this summer.

Will Newcastle sign Goncalo Inacio this summer?

Whilst Eddie Howe will be thrilled with the huge progress his current squad has made over the last 18 months, there is certainly an opportunity to strengthen a number of key roles on the pitch ahead of next season.

The North East club finished impressively in fourth last season which has enabled them to qualify for Champions League football for the first time in over two decades, so it will be an exciting new challenge for the Magpies but will require adding depth to ensure they can compete to the best of their ability across multiple competition.

As a result, the signing of Goncalo Inacio is a great opportunity to add a quality option for Howe in his defensive set-up, and he could even become the perfect heir for Fabian Schar.

The 21-year-old Portuguese talent – dubbed "underrated" by Zach Lowy – ranks in the top 5% of his positional peers in the Men's Next Eight Leagues over the last 12 months for assists, shot-creating actions, progressive passes, progressive carries and successful take-ons, demonstrating that he is an incredibly attacking-minded ball-playing defender.

When comparing his output last season with that of Newcastle titan Schar, the youngster already has outperformed his fellow defender in a number of key attributes including pass completion rate (89.6% v 69%), percentage of dribblers tackled (56.1% v 50%), successful take-ons (85% v 60%) and aerial duels won (60.2% v 51.7%).

Indeed, it is highly unlikely that Howe will be keen to break up the centre-back partnership that Schar and Sven Botman have quickly developed as the duo had the joint-best defensive record in the entire Premier League last season alongside Manchester City, conceding just 33 goals in total.

Having said that, there will be many occasions when Newcastle require rotation and a fresh perspective in the back line next season, as well as a prospect for the future, so if Newcastle can beat their competitors to the signing of Inacio it would be a great piece of business for the future of the squad.

A number of Liverpool fans believe that Virgil van Dijk has hinted that the club will be making multiple signings this summer after his recent comments.

What’s the latest Liverpool transfer news?

The Reds endured a pretty poor 2022/23 Premier League season, finishing in fifth, four points outside of the Champions League spots.

With that in mind, Jurgen Klopp and co will desperately want to vastly improve next term and they’ll stand a better chance of doing that with some clever business in the transfer window.

Liverpool have made a good start on that front, completing an initial £35m move for Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and Hove Albion early on in June.

However, it appears that they aren’t done yet and Van Dijk has essentially confirmed as much when speaking to the press recently.

Indeed, the Dutch defender explained that he was looking forward to the future, with “new players”, plural, coming in this summer.

He said (via The Express): “I still have two years left on my contract and I assume that they [Liverpool] still consider me important for the team. If not, I am sure I would have heard about it.

“My contact with the manager is good and I feel very positive about things again. The way we finished the season motivates me to go into pre-season with the new players who are coming in.”

The quotes were quickly circulated on social media and it’s fair to say a number of Liverpool fans spotted the transfer hint and were left pretty excited by it all. Here are the best Twitter reactions…

The Reds haven’t always been that keen to spend big in the market. Notably, last season when they wanted a new midfielder, Klopp ended up with Arthur Melo on loan from Juventus and he saw just 13 minutes of action before departing.

And after missing out on Jude Bellingham, some fans may have feared the worst…

But VVD’s comments seem to bode well.

Khaya Zondo will replace the 37-year old van Wyk who intends to play on for ‘another two or three seasons’

Firdose Moonda14-Feb-2017Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Morne van Wyk has stepped down as captain of the Dolphins franchise, making way for middle-order batsman Khaya Zondo to take over. Van Wyk will continue playing for the franchise, who have recently had to say goodbye to senior batsman Daryn Smit, who is relocating to the UK.Van Wyk took over at the Dolphins in the 2013-14 summer, when he moved to Durban from Bloemfontein. He led them to their first standalone cup of the franchise era, when they won the domestic T20 competition that season but has also overseen a period of transition which started when Lance Klusener’s contract was not renewed last year. Klusener’s departure also saw Dolphins lose two of their premier international players. Kyle Abbott moved to Warriors – and has since gone Kolpak – while David Miller went to Knights, as Dolphins began this season with a depleted squad and a new coach in Grant Morgan.They have not had any real success – finishing fifth in the T20 challenge and fourth in the first-class competition – but several players are putting in strong individual performances. Keshav Maharaj has earned promotion to South Africa’s Test squad, and Vaughn van Jaarsveld and Zondo were second and third on the first-class batting charts. With one competition, the domestic one-day cup, still to come, they have high hopes of changing their fortunes.Van Wyk believes they have what it takes to win trophies, especially under a new leader. “I have been so privileged to captain the side for four years. I have seen some tremendous growth from players on and off the field over the past four seasons and I think that the timing is right,” he said. “Khaya has really come into his own and taken on the responsibility that he has been given this season well and I am excited to see him grow as a leader.”Zondo captained the Dolphins in their last two first-class matches of the season, something van Wyk said has been brewing since he joined the franchise. “I spoke to Khaya about the captaincy just four months after I arrived here so it is something that I think has been in the making for a number of years,” he said. It’s not a surprise then that van Wyk has offered Zondo his full support.”I am hopefully going to be around for another two or three seasons so I am here to offer Khaya support and guidance if he needs it,” van Wyk said. “I’m not going to be looking over his shoulder all the time, in fact I am actually going to take a step back. If he needs advice I will be a shoulder to lean on but it’s his ship to run now.”

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing PSV star Xavi Simons as Mikel Arteta sets his sights on bolstering his squad this summer.

The Spaniard is set to have a busy transfer window at the helm, working alongside Edu to make sufficient reinforcements to ensure the Gunners can continue their form as title challengers.

The latest link could be a marquee signing for the north Londoners, in a player that has cemented himself as a sensational rising star in Europe.

What’s the latest on Xavi Simons to Arsenal?

Arsenal were first linked to Eredivisie sensation Simons earlier this month, with news from the Netherlands stating the Gunners claimed interest in the youngster.

News reported this week has kept the links between the Dutchman and the Emirates alive, with Dutch outlet Voetbal Primeur – as relayed by Sport Witness – suggesting that Arsenal have been joined in their pursuit of the 20-year-old.

CIES Football Observatory has valued the La Masia graduate at €60m (£51m).

What could Xavi Simons offer to Arsenal?

This past season was an overwhelming success for the Amsterdam-born gem, who registered 34 goal contributions in a total of 48 appearances in all competitions for PSV (via Transfermarkt).

The versatile attacker, who has featured across the frontline but primarily as a central midfielder and left-winger, has skills in abundance that could suit those at the Emirates.

Lauded as “magnificent” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 20-year-old is as creative as he is threatening in front of goal, registering an average of 1.7 key passes per game in the Eredivisie, as well as creating 11 big chances.

While his eight assists and 19 league goals are extremely pleasing in themselves, the Dutchman is mostly identifiable for his playmaking abilities, with him praised as being an “intelligent” asset by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Arsenal have seen a host of playmaking geniuses in their time; from Dennis Bergkamp to Cesc Fabregas, north London has witnessed some magic in central midfield over the years, with one name prominently astounding in the Emirates era.

Mesut Ozil was integral to the Gunners for the majority of his time in the Premier League, and particularly shone in the 2015/16 campaign that saw Arsenal finish second.

Hailed as a “genius” by former manager and Premier League legend Arsene Wenger (via beIN SPORTS), the German recorded 19 assists that season, averaging a monstrous 4.2 key passes per game, via WhoScored.

Ozil ended his time in England having recorded 59 Premier League assists in 184 appearances (via Transfermarkt), with his creative mastery forever ingrained in the club’s folklore.

Arteta could discover his answer to the former midfielder in Simons, who at just 20 years old, is showing signs that he could emulate the playmaking efficiency of the Gelsenkirchen-born gem in north London.

As per FBref, the Dutchman averaged 2.31 passes into the final third per 90 in the Eredivisie this season, as well as recording 4.82 progressive passes per 90 to flex his ability of dispatching the ball into threatening spaces.

Acting as a key creator for PSV, Simons could reinstall an essence of Ozil to the Emirates this summer, as a player that could even succeed the German's influence based upon his impeccable strengths in front of goal – which surpass those of the World Cup winner.

In his best-scoring season, the former Real Madrid ace netted eight goals in the league for Arsenal, with Simons scoring 19 in Eredivisie this term aged 20, showcasing the talent Arteta could have in his possession.