Allrounder Aaron Hardie was in action with the ball amid selection debates around the India series

Tristan Lavalette20-Oct-2024Allrounder Aaron Hardie bowled a lively opening spell in his first Sheffield Shield appearance of the season before Western Australia’s frontline attack restricted Tasmania on a rare rain-interrupted day’s play at the WACA.Only 53 overs were bowled on the opening day with Tasmania finishing at 158 for 5 in a rematch of last season’s Shield final. No.5 Jake Doran held firm with an attractive 59 not out before play was called off after rain lashed the ground early in the final session.Related

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In the wake of Cameron Green being ruled out of the summer, there has been considerable spotlight on Hardie who represents a like-for-like replacement. He impressed on Australia’s recent white-ball tour of the UK, but missed WA’s season opener against Queensland due to a quad injury.There had been speculation that Hardie would play as a specialist batter, but he entered the attack in the ninth over after openers Jake Weatherald and Caleb Jewell comfortably saw off the new ball.Hardie immediately produced sharp bounce and bowled a short of a length line to cause problems for Jewell, who on 11 survived a loud appeal for caught behind.Hardie bowled two three-over bursts but struggled to find the same bite in his spell in the second session. He finished with 0 for 32 from six overs.Allrounder Mitchell Marsh is available to bowl, having played as a specialist batter against Queensland, but has yet to enter the attack and spent most of his time fielding at first slip.Perth is usually known for its oppressive conditions during cricket season, but amid overcast skies and rain in the air, WA skipper Sam Whiteman had no hesitation to bowl first on a green wicket.The WA quicks relished the prospect but offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli, who recently earned Australia A selection, stole the show with the wickets of Weatherald and captain Jordan Silk before lunch.After being well collared by Queensland, with Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja counterattacking him in good batting conditions, Rocchiccioli conjured sharp turn and trademark bounce to put WA on top.He outfoxed Silk, normally very proficient against spin, with a looping delivery that had him dancing down the track but hitting straight to midwicket.Quick Brody Couch, who had a mixed WA debut against Queensland, was fiery and clocked speeds reaching 143kph. He was rewarded for the breakthrough of Jewell, who edged a good length delivery to second slip.WA had a stranglehold but rain cascaded on the ground shortly after lunch causing a brief interruption. The weather change seemed to change the state of the game on resumption with Rocchiccioli unable to have the same impact in very windy conditions and with a damp ball that was suddenly impotent.Doran capitalised and hit several gorgeous strokes straight down the ground as he combined in a half-century partnership with Charlie Wakim. WA were left frustrated and seemingly going through motions until quick Cameron Gannon, who bowled too full with the new ball, had Wakim edging to second slip.Much like Hardie, allrounder Beau Webster might be in Test calculations to replace Green but he made just 3 after nicking off to seamer Matt Kelly as play soon ended prematurely in a rarity at the WACA.

The boundary dimensions in Adelaide mean that a bouncer ploy could prove expensive

Tristan Lavalette05-Nov-2024

Matt Short will return to a ground he knows very well•Getty Images

Pakistan’s insistence on bowling short on a fast and bouncy MCG pitch almost produced a famous heist, but the tactic may not be as successful in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval.In a low-scoring thriller that evoked the heyday of the 50-over format, Pakistan’s pace attack led by speedster Haris Rauf troubled Australia with vicious short-pitch bowling on a surface that stayed true throughout.A sizzling spell from Rauf had the pro-Pakistan crowd in raptures and turned Australia’s chase of a modest 204 on its head before captain Pat Cummins once again calmly lifted his team over the line as the home side claimed a two-wicket victory.Related

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While the approach clearly shook up the Australian batters, with Rauf accounting for Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell in consecutive deliveries as he ramped up his speed, those fireworks are unlikely to be replicated at the traditionally batting-friendly Adelaide Oval on Friday.Bouncers can prove risky on a ground renowned for its short boundaries square of the wicket in a major contrast to the vast expanses of the MCG.”We saw Pakistan’s tactics [in Melbourne] bowling pretty short,” Australia opener Matt Short told reporters on Tuesday. “But I think they may have to change that a little bit at this ground with the shorter square boundaries which are the complete opposite to the ‘G. It’s always a nice ground to bat on.”After making just one run before top-edging Shaheen Shah Afridi, Short will relish returning to his BBL home ground where he has dominated in recent seasons for Adelaide Strikers.”It’s going to feel quite comfortable down there opening the batting, that’s for sure,” Short said. “It’s my favourite ground in the world to play at, and I’ve played there quite a number of times, so I should be pretty familiar with it.”It was not the start to the series envisioned for Short, who is vying to be the permanent replacement for David Warner in the 50-over format. He had entered the series with the inside running after opening in three of the last four ODIs in England and making a match-winning 30-ball 58 in the series-decider in Bristol in a performance that showcased his big-hitting capabilities.Australia had to fend off plenty of short stuff in Melbourne•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

“I came into this series with high aspirations to try to cement my spot in the team,” Short said. “I’m going to go out there and keep trying to be positive and play aggressive cricket. It should pay off at some stage.”With regular opener Travis Head on paternity leave, Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk have formed a new opening duo although both fell inside the first four overs in the first game.Fraser-McGurk, who also has his eyes set on the vacant opener’s spot, made 16 off 14 balls in a whirlwind befitting his ultra-aggressive style. While there may be some belief that Short should rein in his approach to complement his brash opening partner, Australia’s hierarchy are backing all-out attack at the top of the order”The coaching staff give us both the licence to be free and play our shots,” Short said. “Batting with Travis Head as well, if he goes [off] then I let him go and I do my thing.”It’s similar with Jake. It probably didn’t come off last night for him, like myself, but if he is seeing and hitting them well then I probably won’t say much to him and just let him go. And just focus more on myself.”The more important thing in a partnership is that if he is struggling a bit then working through whatever the issues are. It’s really exciting to bat with him…nice to watch from the other end.”

Everton are now preparing a fresh offer for a player who is valued at £40m by his current club, according to a new update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Everton "not ready" for new Premier League season

Blues supporters may be growing a little restless at the lack of activity on show at the club this summer, even though The Friedkin Group have made plenty of funds available for David Moyes.

While it is clearly a case of bringing in the right players rather than rushing into deals, Moyes has admitted that Everton are “not ready” for the start of the Premier League season currently, which may cause some alarm among the fanbase.

That’s not to say that the Blues haven’t already conducted some strong business, including Thierno Barry and Carlos Alcaraz, but more new faces are needed if the Merseysiders are to make a genuine impression next season.

Southampton youngster Tyler Dibling has emerged as a hugely exciting target, with the reliable Paul Joyce of The Times reporting that they have seen a £27m bid turned down for the Englishman.

Everton preparing second offer for "special" £40m star

According to Romano on X, Everton are now preparing a new offer for Dibling – one that is likely to be closer to the £40m that Saints reportedly value him at.

The idea of Dibling in a Blues shirt is mouthwatering, with the attacking midfielder one of the few bright sparks for a Southampton team that were comfortably relegated from the Premier League last season.

The 19-year-old popped up with two goals apiece in the league and the FA Cup, catching the eye with his left foot from either a right-sided or central role, both of which have to be areas of focus for Everton this summer.

Dibling has shown that he can excel in the Premier League in a struggling team, so hopefully, he will shine even more alongside superior players than at Southampton.

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If the Blues had Iliman Ndiaye on one flank and the Saints star on the other, it could make for highly entertaining viewing for supporters in their new stadium.

The 2024/25 campaign was a turbulent one for West Ham United. A change of manager halfway through, moving from Julen Lopetegui to Graham Potter, made things tough, and the Hammers never really gained any momentum, struggling to move out of the bottom few teams in the Premier League.

Yet, relegation was never really a concern, with the Irons finishing almost 20 points clear of 18th.

Looking ahead to the new season, Potter must surely want his side to become more consistent in front of goal. They only managed 46 last season, as per Understat, better than just five other teams in the top flight.

That might be why the East Londoners are targeting a new number nine in the transfer window.

West Ham search for a new striker

After a loan move for Evan Ferguson last season did not work out, the Hammers are still looking for a new centre forward to supplement the likes of Niclas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen in attack. Well, perhaps they have found someone who can add to the goals next season.

According to a report from Tasnim News Agency, the Hammers have ‘expressed interest’ in signing Inter and Iran striker Mehdi Taremi. The 33-year-old’s ‘departure from Inter is now certain’ in the aftermath of Simone Inzaghi leaving the club and the arrival of new summer signings.

This could give West Ham an opportunity to pounce. They are set to go head to head with Fulham, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest for his signature, however, with Turkish side Besiktas also interested.

As for the price, it was reported earlier in the window that Inter would accept up to €10m (£9m) for the 33-year-old this summer.

Why Taremi would be a good signing

The 2024/25 season was tough for Taremi, who struggled for opportunity in the Inter side. Of course, last season’s Champions League runners-up have Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram in their squad, so getting a starting berth ahead of those two is far from easy.

The Iranian international played 43 games last season across all competitions. Although he only managed to find the back of the net three times, he did grab nine assists, four of which came in the Champions League. One of those was in the semi-final second-leg win over Barcelona.

The veteran striker arguably played the best football of his career at Portuguese giants FC Porto. He played 182 games for the club, amassing a sensational 91 goals and chipping in with 51 assists, too. He bagged this acrobatic volley against Chelsea back in 2021, a real standout effort in his large goal catalogue.

Comparisons can be drawn between Taremi and his potential new teammate, Fullkrug. The Germany international joined for £27m last summer from Borussia Dortmund, as an experienced striker, aged 31, when he moved to the London Stadium.

It certainly wasn’t the easiest first season in Claret and Blue for the striker, born in Hannover. He played 20 games for the club, scoring three goals and grabbing two assists. Two separate injuries certainly disrupted his progress during his debut campaign for West Ham.

The similarities between each striker do not stop at the fact that they are both experienced players in their early 30s. In fact, they are both stastically similar on FBref, after their respective Champions League campaigns in the 2022/23 season.

The numbers behind their goal-scoring form in that campaign are alike. The Inter star, then playing for Porto, averaged 0.33 goals and 0.22 goals per shot on target each game. In contrast, West Ham’s number 11, then a Dortmund player, averaged 0.26 goals and 0.27 goals per shot on target per 90 minutes.

Goals

0.33

0.26

Shots on target

1.49

0.96

Goals per shot on target

0.22

0.27

Expected goals

0.43xG

0.47xG

Goal-creating actions

0.87

0.69

At upwards of £9m, this move could be a bargain for West Ham this summer. There are certainly shades of the deal to sign Fullkrug last summer, given their age and similar threat in front of goal.

Taremi is a “complete striker” according to Statman Dave and capable of scoring 20 goals a season, as he showed at Porto. This could be one of the bargains of the summer.

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Manchester United are in a race with fellow Premier League side Everton in a bid to sign a £9 million international who has been labelled the “bargain of the summer”, according to a recent report.

Man Utd eyeing new midfield reinforcements

The Red Devils return to action at the end of this week, as they travel to Stockholm in Sweden to face rivals Leeds United in their first game of pre-season 2025. The hope Ruben Amorim will have is that his side will finally have Bryan Mbeumo through the door before that game gets underway.

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Once the deal for Mbeumo is completed, there has been a lot of talk that the next target will be a striker, but INEOS and co are also scouring the market to strengthen their midfield department. It was recently reported that United have made a move for not one but two new midfielders.

It’s been claimed that United have made an approach to sign Richard Rios from Palmeiras, who has been heavily linked with a move to AS Roma. The Brazilian side are said to want at least £25 million for Rios, who could be considered a replacement for Casemiro.

The second midfielder United are chasing is Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha. The Red Devils have submitted a loan approach for Palhinha, but the German side turned it down straight away, with Bayern looking to sell the player on a permanent basis instead. These two players could be very good signings for United, but there is another midfielder firmly on their list of potential summer signings.

Man Utd in race with Everton to sign £9m ace called "bargain of the summer"

According to Football Insider, Man United are very interested in signing Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City. The 28-year-old has just suffered relegation with the Foxes, and while he is under contract until 2027, the midfielder has a £9 million release clause that can now be activated.

The Nigeria international is expected to leave the King Power Stadium, and while United are an option for the player, Everton, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Juventus are also in the race for the Nigerian international.

Ndidi, who has been dubbed the “bargain of the summer” by Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, has been a Leicester player since 2017. During that time, he has faced the Red Devils on 14 occasions in all competitions, and he has lost 10 times overall, with the Foxes only winning two games.

Apps

220

Goals

7

Assists

14

His potential arrival at Old Trafford could see him be a replacement for Casemiro, who could remain at United but may not have a bigger impact this season than he did last, due to competition for places and the fact he isn’t getting any younger. Despite the Foxes’ struggles last season, Ndidi still managed to impress, recording five assists in 28 Premier League games.

انتهت مباراة الزمالك أمام الجونة بالتعادل الإيجابي 1-1، في المواجهة التي جمعت بينهما اليوم ببطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وأقيمت المباراة بين الزمالك ومنافسه الجونة، على أرضية استاد القاهرة، في إطار مواجهات الجولة السادسة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري.

ورفع الزمالك رصيده إلى 17 نقطة في صدارة ترتيب الدوري المصري، ليوسع الفارق مع المصري صاحب المركز الثاني إلى نقطتين، ومع الأهلي إلى 5 نقاط كاملة، قبل لقاء القمة المرتقب بين القطبين.

طالع | ترتيب الدوري المصري بعد فوز الأهلي على حرس الحدود

ومن المقرر أن يلعب الزمالك مباراته القادمة أمام الأهلي، ضمن مواجهات الجولة التاسعة لبطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز. موعد مباراة الزمالك القادمة أمام الأهلي في الدوري

تُقام المباراة يوم الاثنين الموافق 29 سبتمبر الجاري، في تمام الساعة الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية.

Bavuma was proactive and Verreynne stable to ensure Sri Lanka’s pacers, who were effective, could not skittle the hosts

Firdose Moonda05-Dec-2024Ryan Rickelton scored a first Test century in his eighth match and became the eighth batter for South Africa to bring up a hundred in 2024 on an evenly shared day at St George’s Park.After choosing to bat first in blustery conditions, South Africa teetered on 44 for 3 in the morning session but a 133-run fourth wicket stand between Rickelton and Temba Bavuma, who brought up his third successive score over fifty, saw them take control. They were rocked again at 186 for 5 but Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne put on 77 for the sixth-wicket to re-steady them. Sri Lanka came back with two late wickets in the day and will eye dismissing South Africa for under 300 and making the most of what are expected to be good batting conditions on day two.Sri Lanka, who wanted to bowl first on a surface with a significant grass covering and got their wish despite losing the toss, will feel fairly pleased with their performance, especially as their seamers asked plenty of questions. Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando found just enough movement upfront while Lahiru Kumara was used effectively in bursts and all three were threatening with the short ball. They were not helped by two chances being put down and a few others falling short. But on what is usually a good batting surface on the first day, they will be pleased with their efforts.Temba Bavuma notched up his third fifty-plus score in as many innings•AFP/Getty ImagesSouth Africa’s decision not only to include an extra batter but to use Rickelton in his preferred position paid off. This was the first time he has batted in Tests at No. 3, a position where he has a domestic average of 60.68, and he showed his suitability to being higher up the order. Called on as early as the second over Rickelton batted for most of the day. He showed restraint upfront and then pounced on any width. He was dismissed with eight minutes left in the day’s play and would have been disappointed to have played at a Kumara ball outside off and edged to gully but that was after he had demonstrated some of South Africa’s batting depth after an early wobble.Asitha, who took the new ball after Vishwa, struck with his first ball when he had Tony de Zorzi given out lbw to an inswinging yorker for a duck. De Zorzi reviewed but both impact and wickets-projection were umpire’s calls and the decision stood. Then, Kumara became the fifth Sri Lankan seamer to reach 100 Test wickets when he bowled Aiden Markram, who tried to drive a delivery that nipped back into him to end what could have become a dangerous innings. Markram struck four fours in his 20 and was unafraid to throw his hands at anything wide. Four overs later, Tristan Stubbs, in his first Test at his home ground, reached for a wide Kumara delivery with hard hands and edged to wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, who took a good catch moving to his right.That brought Bavuma, brimming with confidence from his Kingsmead ton, to join Rickelton. Bavuma flicked the fifth ball he faced off Prabath Jayasuriya behind square to bring up South Africa’s fifty. He played some deft strokes including steers between second and third slip and through point. He rode the bounce well and finished the morning session by hitting Jayasuriya over midwicket and out of the ground for six. South Africa got into gear immediately after lunch and took ten runs off the second over of the session. Bavuma was particularly assertive on the drive and in the area through point, where he hit the single that brought up his fifty. It came off 57 balls, his second fastest in Tests after the 52-ball fifty in the innings where he scored his maiden hundred.Asitha Fernando kept South Africa in check•AFP/Getty ImagesRickelton was more cautious and took 122 balls to reach fifty and never got ahead of himself even as things seemed easier against the spinners. As tea approached, Sri Lanka brought on Asitha for a short-ball burst and it worked. Bavuma tried to hook the last ball of Asitha’s 11th over and edged to Kusal.David Bedingham got to tea but was then determined to play as attackingly as possible. He swiped at the fifth ball he faced, from Asitha, and sent it up over the on-side. Three fielders were converging on it and Vishwa, from deep midwicket called for it and caught it momentarily but the chance slipped out of his hands. Two overs later, Bedingham went for it again, this time to a short ball that he top-edged to fine leg. Dinesh Chandimal was the only fielder out there and settled under the ball but it went straight through him. Bedingham’s luck ran out when he tried to take on Jayasuriya, advanced down the track, missed a slog and was bowled.Asitha almost had Verreynne gloving a short ball in the next over but he survived. Runs, however, dried up. South Africa scored 17 runs in 12 overs post tea and Rickelton added only four runs to his total before he broke the shackles by scything Kumara through point for four. Verreynne used the crease well to manufacture scoring opportunities and the pair ran well as the second new ball approached. Rickelton was in the 90s then and got to 98 with a cover drive before being given out lbw off Vishwa. He reviewed, reluctantly it seemed, and Ultra-Edge showed a spike. Two balls later, he hit the ball straight past Verreynne to bring up a 231-ball hundred to much applause.Sri Lanka took the second new ball as soon as it became available and were rewarded with Rickelton’s wicket. Marco Jansen smoked the first ball he faced through the covers for four but was bowled on the last ball of the day as Vishwa, who had toiled without success through the day, broke through his defences.

Zimbabwe have named seven uncapped players for their upcoming historic Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests against Afghanistan. Batters Ben Curran and Johnathan Campbell, wicketkeepers Tadiwanashe Marumani and Nyasha Mayavo, and pace bowlers Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwa Chataira and Newman Nyamhuri have all been included.While six of these seven players have been with the national team before in the white-ball formats, 26-year-old right-arm seamer Chataira has earned his maiden national call-up. He is currently sixth on the wicket-taker’s chart for the ongoing Logan Cup first-class competition.Curran – the middle brother of England internationals Tom and Sam, and son of former Zimbabwe international Kevin Curran – has been rewarded for being the leading run-scorer of the Logan Cup. Nyamhuri, the 18-year-old left-arm seamer who made his Zimbabwe debut in the first ODI against Afghanistan and is also part of the T20I squad, now has the opportunity to make an international debut in all three formats inside a month.The experienced quartet of Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava form the core of the Test squad, led by Craig Ervine.Related

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The selection committee has left out seven players from the Zimbabwe squad that played a one-off Test against Ireland in July. They are batters Clive Madande, Roy Kaia and Prince Masvaure, seamers Tendai Chatara, Tanaka Chivanga and Victor Nyauchi, and left-arm orthodox spinner Wellington Masakadza.The two-Test series will mark the first Boxing Day Test in Zimbabwe since 1996 and their first home New Year’s Test in their history. Afghanistan have also included seven uncapped players in their squad for the series.Zimbabwe Test squad: Craig Ervine (captain), Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Takudzwa Chataira, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Nyasha Mayavo, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is set to miss a significant portion of the upcoming season after undergoing successful surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

The Blues kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Crystal Palace on August 17, but Enzo Maresca will not have the 22-year-old at his disposal after Colwill sustained the injury in training at their Cobham base.

A huge blow for Maresca after a summer full of optimism, the news could possibly open the door for Jorrel Hato to fill in at centre-back, after spending much of his final season at Ajax playing left-back.

However, it is also expected that the Blues will dip back into the market, with Maresca confirming as much.

Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has been strongly linked with a return to his boyhood club, but the name on everyone’s lips in recent days has been Barcelona and Uruguay centre-back Ronald Araujo.

Indeed, Todd Boehly and Co are expected to make a €50m (£43m) bid for the 26 year-old in the coming days, a figure which would be enough to tempt a cash-strapped Barca into a sale, according to reports.

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Guehi and Araujo are not the only names on the agenda, as The Daily Mail believe Chelsea are admirers of of Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie. While their report confirms that both Liverpool and the Blues will press again for Guehi, it seems the Ecuador international, who won a domestric treble in Germany two seasons ago, could be on his way to Stamford Bridge.

Hincapie, who like Hato is a left-sided centre-back who can also fill in on the flank, has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League since his breakthrough into the Leverkusen side, with Liverpool thought to be admirers back in January.

Speaking during the winter transfer window, his agent claimed his client is one of the best in the world at his role.

Chelsea may also have a smooth path to negotiations on the player side of things if they move for the South American, as his AS1 Agency also represent current Blues midfielders Moises Caicedo and Dario Essugo.

What’s more, there is plenty to suggest Hincapie would be a superior signing to Araujo, averaging more tackles, inrterceptions and blocks per 90 minutes than the Barca star over the last 365 days, while also progressing the ball better.

Per 90, Last 365 days

Hincapie

Araujo

Tackles

1.86

1.69

Interceptions

1.07

0.78

Blocks

1.46

1.34

Progressive passes

4.81

4.16

The Blues may need to shift a few of their current defenders – such as Axel Disasi who has been linked with Wolverhampton Wanderers – before making their move, but all signs point towards Hincapie and Hato boasting the perfect balance to reinforce the left side of defence after Colwill’s injury.

Amid all the excitement over Benjamin Sesko’s potential arrival, Real Madrid have now reportedly sent their scouts to watch one of Manchester United’s best players as they plot a blockbuster move.

Sesko chooses Man Utd over Newcastle

It’s been a successful summer for Manchester United so far, all things considered. The Red Devils have welcomed both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to hand their frontline a major boost, whilst also enjoying an impressive pre-season.

In their latest friendly, the Red Devils eased past Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series in a 4-1 victory which featured a much-needed goal from Rasmus Hojlund.

After getting his name on the scoresheet, the Dane also took the chance to add some clarity to his future, telling reporters: “I think the most important (thing) for me is just to keep working hard and stay focused and then obviously we’ll see what happens. I think my plan is very clear and that is for me to stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens.”

That said, fighting for that spot could be about to become far more difficult amid reports that Sesko has now set his sights on moving to Manchester United this summer.

The RB Leipzig forward has been the subject of a £65m transfer battle between Manchester United and Newcastle, but now reportedly prefers a move to Old Trafford.

If INEOS complete their third big-money move of the summer, Ruben Amorim’s frontline will suddenly be transformed. From blunter than ever, United will have three impressive goalscorers to choose from next season. And that would make all the difference.

As one big-money signing potentially arrives, however, one big-money exit could deal Amorim an almighty blow.

Real Madrid set sights on blockbuster Mainoo move

According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid are now plotting a move to sign Kobbie Mainoo in a blockbuster deal worth as much as £70m. Scouts have already reportedly been sent to watch the England international at Old Trafford and new manager Xabi Alonso has earmarked both Adam Wharton and the Carrington graduate as midfield targets.

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It’s bad news for Amorim, who will be aware like most that Madrid often get what they desire in the transfer market. The Manchester United boss knows exactly how talented Mainoo is, too. It was only last week that the former Sporting Club manager spoke about how his midfielder could help captain Bruno Fernandes.

At 20 years old, Mainoo is not a talent that Manchester United will want to lose anytime soon, which should spark plenty of concern about Real Madrid’s presence.