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Leeds United are interested in signing Hertha BSC starlet Matheus Cunha in the summer.

What’s the story?

With the future of Helder Costa at Elland Road uncertain, it seems as though Marcelo Bielsa has his sights set on signing a new star winger for his side ahead of next season in the Premier League.

According to German publication SportBILD (via Leeds Live), the Whites made an enquiry to sign the Brazilian back in the January transfer window, and are now ready to reignite that interest in the summer.

The report adds that interest in the 21-year-old is becoming more concrete, and Cunha is keen to explore new opportunities too.

Julian Nagelsmann rates him

The £35m-rated Cunha has enjoyed an impressive campaign with Hertha in the Bundesliga this season, netting seven goals and providing another six assists in just 27 games in the competition.

Prior to starring for Hertha however, Cunha was on the books at RB Leipzig, and worked under Julian Nagelsmann, and the German was quick to hail the kind of ability the Brazilian youngster has, and the progress he has made since leaving them.

He said: “Matheus Cunha is playing really well at the moment – he’s a huge talent and possesses so much skill.”

And, his former manager at Hertha, Bruno Labbadia, said that Cunha has got the kind of ability and talent to be a real game-changer, and can decide games on his own with a piece of magic.

He said: “Matheus has something special. He can always produce something with a moment of individual brilliance.”

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Described as having speed, skill and intelligence by Bundesliga.com, the 21-year-old seems exactly like the kind of exciting winger that could really set Elland Road on fire, and it’s no wonder Leeds are after him this summer.

Meanwhile, Leeds United handed a huge boost as major Elland Road news emerges…

Victoria may have two cricket captains next season with MatthewElliott tipped to take over the leadership of the one-day side from PaulReiffel.

Paul Gough02-May-2001MELBOURNE – Victoria may have two cricket captains next season with MatthewElliott tipped to take over the leadership of the one-day side from PaulReiffel.While Reiffel, 35, has agreed to play on next season, he is not keen toparticipate in the domestic one day competition, instead preferring to savehimself for the Pura Cup fixtures.”That still hasn’t been decided, and it’s something I will have to talkabout with the VCA (Victorian Cricket Association) but that may be thesensible way to go,” Reiffel told AAP today.”Certainly the workload is a lot heavier now that we play 10 one-day matchesas well (as 10 four-day matches).”If Reiffel was to retire from one-day cricket, the Bushrangers would needanother leader for the one-day fixtures.Reiffel said there were many excellent candidates to take over, includingElliott, who is believed to be favourite for the position.”I’m sure Matty would do an excellent job,” Reiffel said.”But then you’ve also got Darren Berry, who was vice-captain last year, andI’m sure he’d do a fine job as well.”With next season likely to be Reiffel’s last, the Vics are conscious ofdeveloping a new generation of leaders, which should favour Elliott over the32-year-old Berry.Elliott is also likely to be available for the Vics throughout the entireseason after he was today dropped from the list of players contracted by theAustralian Cricket Board.Despite his waning interest in the limited overs game, Reiffel had nohesitation in backing up for another year at first-class level.”You’re a long time retired,” he said of his decision to continue on nextseason.”In the end I wanted to go on and the VCA wanted me to go on, so I will keepgoing.”Reiffel, who last year became the Vics’ greatest ever wicket-taker infirst-class cricket by surpassing Alan Connolly’s record of 330 wickets, hasmade a big impact in his two years as captain of Victoria.He has led the side to the Pura Cup final on both occasions, only to bepipped at the post by Queensland.”It would be nice to go out on a winning note,” Reiffel said.”I managed to do that from international cricket (after he retired followingAustralia’s 1999 World Cup win) but it was not really a motivating factor.”The main thing is I’m still enjoying it.”

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that he would not be surprised if Anwar El Ghazi ditched his old club for AS Roma this summer.

Roma, of course, recently announced that Jose Mourinho will be taking over ahead of the 2021/22 season, and it appears he could return to England to strengthen his squad before the new campaign kicks off.

According to Gazetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the Portuguese coach is looking to bolster his attack and El Ghazi is one name that could be considered.

The 26-year-old has been one of Villa’s form players of late, scoring goals in recent games against Everton and West Brom.

Speaking exclusively to TT about the speculation surrounding El Ghazi’s future, Hendrie said:

“I think he’d probably suit the more foreign game, you know, the Italian style of football. I’m not sure how concrete that is, that Mourinho’s certainly interested in him.

“It wouldn’t surprise me. Like I said, I feel that he would fit the bill playing in a more relaxed style of football because he’s fast and he’s very direct.”

Mourinho will obviously know the English market well and you would assume that he will not get the kind of transfer budget he was receiving during his days at Chelsea and Manchester United – two of the richest clubs in world football.

Bearing that in mind, perhaps the ex-Tottenham boss could turn to a player like El Ghazi this summer if he does indeed decide he wants to improve the Giallorossi’s forward line.

Senior Indian cricketers want the Cricket Board to have a “contract” systemfor greater security and a graded system of payment linked to seniority

18-May-2001Senior Indian cricketers want the Cricket Board to have a “contract” systemfor greater security and a graded system of payment linked to seniority. This was stated by a member of the Board’s finance committee and Mumbai Cricket Association joint secretary Ratnakar Shetty, who was asked by the BCCI to speak to the players regarding the contract system.Shetty told PTI in Mumbai on Friday that this was just a suggestion whichcame from the players. A decision in this regard will be taken by the Board’s finance committee only after going through all the aspects.Meanwhile, Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who had talks with Shetty, said in Bangalore that the contract was likely to take shape after three more rounds of meetings with the Board.Shetty returned here from Bangalore last night after speaking at length to Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, besides Ganguly.Asked whether such system will work in India, Shetty said “it has to be seen after it (system) comes into existence. But for this, the players will have to turn professionals and also their tax and legal problems have to be taken into consideration”.”When a player gets injured and is out of the team for months, he does not get paid enough though the Board bears his medical and travelling expenses,” Shetty said. “Hence, the players want something like a contract system which will give them a sense of security.”However, the players have not demanded a specific amount but asked for graded payment according to seniority as except India and Pakistan, the system is in application in almost all cricket playing countries, he said.Asked for his opinion on these suggestions, the former manager of the Indian team said that it would instil a sense of security among junior players who are knocking at the doors of the national side.Asked how long the Board would take before coming to a conclusion, Shetty said if everything went well, the system could be applicable by the next season.

One of Celtic’s goals for the future should be to hand regular first-team opportunities to the younger players coming through at Lennoxtown.

The Hoops have begun to give them a better platform in the closing weeks of the season but there is still a long way to go before young players view Paradise as a place to rise through the ranks.

There have been exceptions at Parkhead in years gone by with young individuals like Kristoffer Ajer and Kieran Tierney make the breakthrough.

However, under Neil Lennon, he didn’t really give a second look at the reserve team.

Cameron Harper decided his future was elsewhere as he headed back to America while Armstrong Oko-Flex could have easily departed too.

Yet, there are now more positive signs. Karamoko Dembele has scored his first senior goal for Celtic and will be staying at the club this summer with his deal not expiring until 2022.

Many will be hoping to follow in his footsteps next term from Luca Connell who won League 2 with Queen’s Park to Leo Hjelde, a young defender compared to Virgil van Dijk.

One of their brightest prospects, though, is Adam Montgomery.

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Transformed from a striker to a left-back, he’s made his first-team breakthrough in recent weeks, starting against St Johnstone in the 4-0 win and then appearing as a substitute on the final day against Hibernian.

Compared to Tierney by John Kennedy, the 18-year-old looks ready to be given a full-time role at senior level next season. By doing so, Dominic McKay could save the club millions.

That’s because they’re targeting the addition of Bologna full-back Aaron Hickey. Once of Celtic, he left for Hearts and then made the brave jump to Serie A last summer.

He’s developed nicely but instead of bringing one of their ex-players back, they’d be better off investing their time in the development of Montgomery.

Hickey might be more experienced at senior level but they possess similar traits, meaning Celtic could save money to invest in other more important areas of the team.

Speaking about Montgomery after his senior debut, Kennedy commented: “Adam was unfortunate not to play before now. He has been around the first team for the last five or six months training.”

The interim boss added: “He is similar to Kieran [Tierney] in a way. With young players we bring them up to train and after a week or two he made an impression and we could see he could handle it.

“You just see they are good to go – and he was. It’s a great start for him, we have high hopes for him for the future.”

Montgomery showed on his first start that he’s one to watch heading into next season.

The youngster completed 90% of his passes and also won three tackles, demonstrating competency in defence and attack.

It’s been a strange journey for the 18-year-old, but one he’s relished: “When [changing position] was first to put me, I was a bit ‘ahh’. I am a tricky winger normally, I like beating players and getting at people, he said.

“The way Celtic play full-backs is very attacking so going back to full-back, it hasn’t been a massive difference for me. I’m really enjoying it,” Montgomery concluded.

Starting out as a striker in the reserve team, he’s had to learn the ropes defensively but already looks rather accomplished in that area.

That’s more than can be said for the erratic Diego Laxalt, a defender who was at fault considerably during his final few weeks in Glasgow.

Whoever the new manager is, they need to ensure he has a route to first-team starts next season. Signing Hickey would not allow that to happen.

AND in other news, Imagine him under Howe: Celtic must unleash rarely-seen 17 y/o with a “massive future” …

Easton & Martyr Worthy face a gruelling cross-country trip to Rowledge, near Farnham, in the quarter-finals of the Southern Electric Contracting Cup on Tuesday week, June 26 (6pm)

Mike Vimpany14-Jun-2001Easton & Martyr Worthy face a gruelling cross-country trip to Rowledge, near Farnham, in the quarter-finals of the Southern Electric Contracting Cup on Tuesday week, June 26 (6pm).But the tie of the third round is arguably BAT’s clash with Lymington – a match which will see Dan Goldstraw and Damien Shirazi lining up against their old club.In the other ties, cup favourites Havant receive Burridge and rank outsiders Flamingos play Premier Division 1 side Andover at The Holt, Lower Upham.Inspired by the Green brothers, Easton & Martyr Worthy sent neighbours Winchester KS spinning to a 51-run defeat in the second round at Cockets Mead.Steve Green thumped 67 and shared a key third-wicket stand with Dave Birch (40) as Easton rattled up 172-4 in 24 overs.Winchester, who included Sussex pace bowler Billy Taylor, sank to 121 all out, with Shaun Green (3-28) removing the middle-oder.An opening stand of 78 between Dave Carson (52) and Richard Kenway (36) eased BAT Sports towards an eight-wicket win at Trojans (111-6), who were always struggling to make a decent score after Richard Taylor (3-29) and Dan Goldstraw (2-24) reduced them to 27-4.Neil Sutherland’s unbeaten 25 lifted Trojans to 111-6, but it was never likely to be enough.Ian Langdown (69), Neil Staddon (51 not out), Sam Miller (35) and Jerry Hayward (27 not out) made hay as Andover scorched to a massive 199-3 against South Wilts, whose 136-8 contained a fine knock from in-form Russell Rowe (61).Teenager Matt Hooper returned 3-31 as Andover cruised to a 63-run win to Lower Bemerton.Lymington were twice up against it at Paultons, but a century third-wicket partnership between Ben Craft (63) and Daniel Peacock (53 not out) guided them home.Duncan Park (47) and Tony Richman (28) came out of the traps with all guns blazing for Paultons, who totalled 135 before knocking over BrianClemow and Glyn Treagus in quick succession.But Craft and Peacock added 114 to guide Lymington to a seven-wicket win.Neil Cunningham (81) and stylish Simon Creal (54) effectively put paid to Gosport’s chances of an upset, although Borough did hit 154-7 (Lee Wateridge 63) after Burridge had posted a formidable 196-6.Havant over-powered United Services, while Rowledge caused an upset, knocking out last year’s beaten finalists, Liphook & Ripsley, in a pulsating finish.David Lloyd hit 61 as Rowledge just clung on after hitting 138-3 (Dave Booton 27).Liphook steadily lost wickets, but while Chris Yates (4-30) and Chris Eichler (3-54) made inroads, Bill Davenport (45) kept the visitors’ flame flickering.But Liphook were eventually bowled out for 134 off the very last ball.Second round scores -Andover 199-3 (Langdown 69, Staddon 51, Miller 35, Hayward 27)
South Wilts 136-8 (Rowe 61, M Hooper 3-31)Burridge 196-6 (Cunningham 81, Creal 54, Presswell 3-70)
Gosport Borough 154-7 (Wateridge 63, Magee 44, Hawkins 3-16)Easton & Martyr Worthy 172-4 (Steve Green 67, D Birch 40, Butcher 33)
Winchester KS 121 (Naik 26, Shaun Green 3-28)Havant 162-4 (Gillies 42, Gover 38, Hindley 27)
United Services 57 (Geoghegan 20, Copping 4-19)Paultons 135 (Park 47, Richman 28, Smith 3-9, Treagus 3-31)
Lymington 139-3 (Craft 63, Peacock 53 n.o.)Rowledge 138-3 (Lloyd 61, Booton 27)
Liphook & Ripsley 134 (Davenport 45, Yates 4-30, Eichler 3-54)Trojans 111-6 (Sutherland 25, Taylor 3-29)
BAT Sports 112-2 (Carson 52, Kenway 36)

Manchester City’s hopes of signing Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur this summer appear to have been handed a huge boost after he confirmed he wanted to leave the north London club this summer, with the Citizens reportedly now the favourites to sign him.

Pep Guardiola’s side had been heavily linked with the England captain ahead of the summer transfer window but it seemed that they would have to pay an enormous fee to prise him away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, especially considering Daniel Levy’s reputation as a difficult negotiator when it comes to transfer dealings.

However, the 27-year-old has now made it clear that he wants to leave Spurs after a disappointing season which has seen them fail to qualify for the Champions League, suffer an embarrassing exit to Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League, lose a Carabao Cup final and sack manager Jose Mourinho.

The striker spoke about potentially speaking to Levy regarding his potential departure recently, saying: “I think there is definitely a conversation to be had. It’s a moment where I have to reflect and have a conversation with the chairman.”

Therefore, it seems clear that he wants to depart the north London club this summer, and City could be the beneficiaries, with reports also suggesting that the Etihad Stadium is his preferred destination.

Despite Spurs’ disappointing season, Kane has arguably been the best player in the Premier League, scoring 22 goals and assisting 13 in 34 games. That has helped him average a superb 7.76 rating from WhoScored, the best of any player in the top flight, whilst he has 10 goals in other competitions, taking his club tally to the season to 32.

The “special” frontman, as hailed by Mourinho, certainly won’t come cheap regardless of his desire to leave, but it seems clear that Guardiola will want to add a striker to his squad this summer when Sergio Aguero departs, and who better than a player who has hit more than 15 goals in the Premier League in each of the past seven seasons.

Therefore, City sporting director Txiki Begiristain should ensure that Kane joins Guardiola’s side this summer, as he could be a phenomenal addition at the Etihad.

In other news… Pep handed huge boost with “exceptional” beast, City fans will be buzzing

Somerset County Cricket Club captain Jamie Cox returns to England in April with his new wife and baby after a very successful season down under playing for Tasmania

Richard Walsh20-Mar-2002Somerset County Cricket Club captain Jamie Cox returns to England in April with his new wife and baby after a very successful season down under playing for Tasmania.After leading Somerset to victory in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy in 2001 there is just one problem that he faces when he returns to captain the Cidermen in 2002. At the moment he has nowhere to live with his wife Helen and baby son Lachlan.For the last couple of seasons Jamie has lived in a flat within walking distance of the County Ground, but this year he needs extra space to accommodate his new family.Earlier this week his accommodation problem seemed to be solved, but just before all the arrangements could be finalised it fell through, and Jamie and his family are still homeless.Now the club are once again on the lookout for a house for the Somerset skipper and his family. Ideally Jamie would like to rent a three or four-bedroomed house within easy reach of the County Ground, and would need it to be available from April 1st until September 30th.If there are any readers of the website who think that they could help to solve Jamie Cox’s housing problem please could they give Sally Donoghue a call at the County Ground on 01823 272946.

It is likely to be Friday, at the earliest, before a final decision is made on Nathan Astle’s immediate playing future with the TelstraClear Black Caps

Lynn McConnell01-May-2002It is likely to be Friday, at the earliest, before a final decision is made on Nathan Astle’s immediate playing future with the TelstraClear Black Caps.Astle returned home from Pakistan at the weekend with a patella tendon injury and surgeon Paul Armour has requested an MRI Scan be taken of Astle’s knee.New Zealand Cricket’s medical co-ordinator Warren Frost said Armour would not make a judgment until all the information was in.Frost said Astle had been struggling with his knees for a couple of seasons and wanted to get things sorted out in order to look ahead and to be better equipped to go ahead in stronger style.”It is a big year ahead and he wants no half measures to get it sorted out,” Frost said.That could mean that Astle misses the tour of the West Indies next month.A report is also being awaited on the side strain injury suffered by Jacob Oram.”They can be a nasty thing and can hang around a while,” Frost said.

According to a report in the paper edition of La Repubblica (via Sport Witness), Tottenham Hotspur are keen on former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte. 

The Lowdown: Conte quits Inter

Speculation arose over Conte’s future in recent weeks despite the 51-year-old guiding Inter Milan to a first Serie A title in 11 years.

Reports now indicate that the Italian is set to quit the San Siro over Inter’s financial situation and he will be available for hire (Fabrizio Romano).

The Latest: Spurs and Levy eyeing Conte

Bringing the latest on football’s managerial merry-go-round, La Repubblica have dropped an interesting claim involving Tottenham and Conte – with the Italian newspaper believing Spurs are keen on him as well as La Liga giants Real Madrid.

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This has apparently happened in ‘recent hours’ as Daniel Levy and co carry on the search for a new manager over one month after sacking previous boss Jose Mourinho.

Conte to Tottenham apparently depends on one big factor in what direction Madrid choose to take regarding Zinedine Zidane and the future of their club.

They would most likely have first pick of Conte while the Lilywhites sit second in line.

The Verdict: Outstanding candidate for Tottenham?

Out of the long list of candidates linked to Spurs, one could argue that Conte is certainly one of the more prestigious names.

Having won four Serie A titles overall and two Italian Super Cups abroad, as well as a Premier League crown and FA Cup medal in England (Transfermarkt), Conte’s silverware haul certainly marks him out above other names.

Former Spurs striker Fernando Llorente, speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Goal), lifted the lid on his ‘crazy mentality’ and how he ‘gets in your head’ – potentially highlighting Conte’s effective man-management style.

Meanwhile, Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni also told La Gazzetta (via sempreinter.com) that Conte is ‘the Messi of coaches’.

All these accolades point to an impressive candidate, but given Real’s alleged interest, he could yet be out of Tottenham’s reach.

In other news: Spurs could now be offered this ‘phenomenal player’ for Kane, find out more here.