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According to Football Insider, West Ham United manager David Moyes has been gifted a ‘huge boost’ in his quest to seal the signing of Paris-Saint Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola after tabling a ‘significant loan bid’.

The Lowdown: West Ham in Areola talks…

As per numerous reports from reliable sources, like the The Athletic and Sky Sports, West Ham are indeed in talks to sign Areola from the Ligue 1 giants on a season-long loan with the option to buy.

The 28-year-old spent 2020/21 on a temporary spell at Fulham in the Premier League and Moyes is looking to reinforce his goalkeeping department despite recently extending Lukasz Fabianski’s contract by one year (football.london).

Areola has reportedly become the primary target in that position after a failed £6m bid to sign West Bromwich Albion ace Sam Johnstone (Sky Sports via Football Daily).

The Latest: Moyes gifted Areola boost…

Football Insider have backed these claims whilst detailing a ‘huge boost’ for Moyes as they reveal the player’s stance on joining West Ham.

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They claimed that the east Londoners have indeed tabled a ‘significant loan bid’ which includes an option to buy as talks remain ongoing, and Areola now has his ‘heart set’ on signing for the club.

The shot-stopper has apparently told his inner circle that he wants to join West Ham as Moyes looks to finalise a deal for his first major summer signing of 2021.

The Verdict: Boost indeed…

West Ham need to get this move over the line and swoop for other targets, so this update comes as good news.

Lauded as an ‘exceptional’ goalkeeper by former Cottagers boss Scott Parker, Areola arguably comes as capable competition and a potential heir to Fabianski as the Polish ace reaches the twilight phase of his career.

As and when the Irons get this deal done, Moyes must turn his full attention to centre-forward targets as West Ham gear up for a campaign competing in the Europa League group stages. Strength in depth will be vital and Michail Antonio’s worrying injury record from last season will be at the forefront of many supporters’ minds.

In other news: ‘Definitely’…Sky Sports reporter makes West Ham transfer claim on live TV, find out more here.

A late start in Lenasia reduced day one of the tour match between Sri Lanka and a Rest of South Africa XI to two sessions of play, allowing the visitors to reach a hard working 226 for four when bad light brought an early end to the day.Heavy overnight rain had seeped through the covers and left a wet patch, just on a length, at the northern end of the pitch. Play could only start after the scheduled luncheon interval.Winning the toss and batting first, even with the first appearance ofMuttiah Muralitharan on this tour, the Sri Lankans made a disastrous start by losing opener Russel Arnold to Garnett Kruger in the first over of play.A 77-run partnership between Marvan Atapattu and Kumar Sangakkara restored the innings but came to an end when the latter, on 40, was run out by a direct hit from Kruger at extra cover. Coming down the pitch from the non-striker’s end, he was sent back by Atapattu with no hope of beating the throw.Atapattu playing a controlled innings of 36 was caught in the slips offPierre Joubert when attempting to drive outside the off. After middling the ball for most of his innings he got one that left him to be well taken at first slip.Sanath Jayasuriya, after a brisk start in which he scored 17 from 11 balls, had just returned from tea when he was well caught at deep point for 33, failing to keep a slashing cut down from the bowling of Jon Kent.With Mahela Jayawardene and Hashan Tillakaratne at the crease the runsflowed steadily with Jayawardene going to his fifty in 166 minutes including eight boundaries. Looking very comfortable at the crease and seeking to control the game, they took the score past the two hundred mark.With bad light imminent, Kruger fired in a bouncer that just cleared the batsman’s head forcing the umpires to offer the light. It was hastily accepted and stumps was called with Jayawardene on 66, Tillakaratne on 40, a partnership of 89, and Sri Lanka 226/4.

It was only a couple of days ago that the crowd at Old Trafford was cheering wildly as an English foot made contact with a ball

Ralph Dellor17-Jun-2002
Vaughan andTrescothick triumphant
Photo Reuters
It was only a couple of days ago that the crowd at Old Trafford was cheering wildly as an English foot made contact with a ball. That was on Saturday when they watched England’s footballers beat Denmark 3-0 in the World Cup on a giant television screen erected in the car park. Two days on, another triumphant cheer rang out as Marcus Trescothick’s leg made contact with the ball and the batsmen scampered through for a leg bye to secure a 2-0 series win for England over Sri Lanka. Set 50 to win this Test in six overs, Michael Vaughan and Trescothick saw them home with all ten wickets intact and a whole over to spare.The day began with Sri Lanka, following on in their second innings, 63 for one, still 196 away from making England bat again. Russel Arnold was batting with great application and Kumar Sangakkara was putting his problems from earlier in the tour behind him.It was all of 17 overs before England got the breakthrough for which Nasser Hussain had been searching with a series of bowling and fielding changes. When it came, there was a slight feeling of unease among the neutrals when Sangakkara was given out lbw to Alex Tudor despite the fact that the ball had pitched a distance outside leg stump.Mahela Jayawardene showed his class in keeping Arnold company until after the lunch interval, at which point it was looking as if Sri Lanka were inching their way towards safety, especially with Arnold so comfortable. However, Ashley Giles got a ball to turn and, importantly, to bounce to have Jayawardene taken at slip by Hussain.There was a talking point earlier on when Jayawardene clipped a ball from Andrew Flintoff out to deep backward square leg where Matthew Hoggard caught it. The significant words were “backward” and “leg”, because umpire Dave Orchard noticed that England had three fielders behind square on the leg side. Quite rightly, he called a no ball and the batsman added an easy single to his score.
Arnold- patient century
Photo CricInfo
Aravinda de Silva was not inhibited by the circumstances in which he came to the middle. With Arnold, he put on 63 in 14 overs, with the bulk of the scoring coming from the delightful strokes of de Silva. He scored 40 of the runs before he faced the third ball of a new spell from Tudor. Hooking to the same deep backward square position that might have accounted for Jayawardene, this time the field was legally set and Vaughan dived fully forward to hold a superb catch only inches off the turf.Arnold went to his century with a somewhat nervous aerial push through the covers and found a resolute partner in Hashan Tillakeratne. They took the innings into the final session when most believed that the game was safe for Sri Lanka, providing they could withstand the new ball that became available immediately after the interval. They could not.Arnold’s six-hour vigil finally came to an end when he edged Tudor to Alec Stewart behind the wicket. He had scored 109, but the value of his innings could be measured in the time he occupied the crease as well as in terms of mere runs. That could be seen as wickets tumbled after his departure.Chaminda Vaas fell lbw to Matthew Hoggard for one, Eric Upashantha was caught behind off Flintoff for three. Suddenly England caught a glimpse of victory, only to have that view obscured by Dilhara Fernando who joined the obdurate Tillakeratne in a partnership that added only 15 to the total but took 11 overs to do so.Now the equation of runs required and overs available came into play. As the lead extended, so the time available diminished, and although Fernando was out lbw to Giles when taking a big stride forward, it was not Muttiah Muralitharan who emerged from the pavilion. It was Marvan Atapattu, nursing his suspected fractured finger, who came out in a brave attempt to stave off defeat.For 12 overs he survived before he too was lbw to Giles. Next ball saw substitute fielder Michael Powell from Glamorgan diving in to snap up a catch at bat/pad to give Giles another wicket and end Muralitharan’s one-ball innings. More importantly, Sri Lanka were all out for 308 and the target was set.Without the fielding restrictions of a one-day game, a scoring rate in excess of eight an over would not be easy, but England did not adjust their batting order despite the fact that Flintoff raced from the field at the fall of the last wicket in anticipation of a place high in the order. He was not needed.With a combination of stealthy singles and clumping blows, Vaughan and Trescothick set after their quarry. Eight runs came from the first Vaas over. Fernando went for 16 from the next. Muralitharan was brought into the attack but went for ten, including a swept six by Trescothick. Could Fernando be risked again? He could, but conceded a further eight runs.Now England were clear favourites. So to the fifth over. Eight runs were needed. Vaughan took a single, Trescothick swept a four. Then Murali produced the rarity of a dot ball, before a catch in the deep went down and they took a single. Vaughan took another off the next ball and then came the final leg bye to win a dramatic game of cricket.

Glasgow Rangers have missed out on the signing of Rafael Santos Borre, who has completed a transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt instead.

The Lowdown: Gers eye Santos Borre

The contract of Colombia international Santos Borre ran out at River Plate recently, leaving him available on a free transfer.

The Gers were linked with a move for the 25-year-old as they attempted to boost their attacking options (El Deportivo).

The Latest: Frankfurt win the race

However, it has now been confirmed the Gers have missed out – the striker has instead moved to Frankfurt, who qualified for the Europa League last term.

He has replaced Andre Silva, who recently made the move to RB Leipzig.

The Verdict: Pipe dream

While the Gers will have hoped they could convince Santos Borre to join them, and may have hoped the potential promise of Champions League would be a big-enough carrot, it always felt improbable that they would capture the Colombia international.

In 149 games for Argentinian giants River Plate, he managed 56 goals (he has 74 strikes throughout his career), and even helped them win the Copa Libertadores in 2018 (Transfermarkt).

With four caps for Colombia you get the feeling that number will only increase in the coming years. There is nothing wrong in aiming big, but this one always felt unlikely for Ross Wilson and co.

In other news, this Rangers man shares his Ibrox desperation.

According to talkSPORT, Tottenham Hotspur have now set their sights on appointing former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo, with Fabio Paratici specifically favouring a move for the 47-year-old.

The Lowdown: Spurs manager quest, will it ever end?

Since Jose Mourinho’s dismissal from the job in April, Spurs have been on the quest to appoint a new manager as his eventual replacement.

Many names have entered and duly exited the fray over the last two months, with Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers the early favourites.

Repeated Spurs manager talks have broken down in the last few weeks, with moves for Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte, Paulo Fonseca and Gennaro Gattuso all failing to result in an appointment.

The Latest: Nuno on the radar…

As per talkSPORT, the club’s new managing director Paratici, who has been tasked with ending the managerial circus at Tottenham, has now set his sights on Nuno, who left Wolves a month ago.

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The Portuguese guided Wolves to the Europa League quarter-finals in 2019/20 as well as helping the Molineux outfit to two seventh-placed Premier League finishes during his tenure.

Paratici is now an admirer and is eyeing an appointment for the 47-year-old in north London, but fellow Spurs chiefs aren’t in agreement, with talkSPORT claiming that those within the club prefer a renewed attempt for former club favourite Pochettino.

The Verdict: Very credible candidate…

Nuno worked wonders at Wolves during his time in the Midlands and shaped them into a very competitive team, despite an underwhelming 2020/21 campaign when they finished 13th.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is among his many admirers, with the Spaniard calling him ‘excellent’ back in 2018 (Express and Star). Also, talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan tipped Nuno as a fantastic candidate for the role  at the very beginning of Tottenham’s manager search, branding him an ‘outstanding manager’.

We believe he should, at the very least, be considered by the Tottenham hierarchy.

In other news: ‘He has already contacted’ – Journalist makes exciting Paratici claim, find out more here.

Speaking in a football.london Q&A, reliable correspondent Alasdair Gold has dropped a behind the scenes Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim involving Fabio Paratici.

The Lowdown: Paratici and Spurs

While Tottenham weren’t able to get former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte through the door, sporting director Fabio Paratici is now set for a big role in north London.

Indeed, reports in the Athletic and the Telegraph believe that the 48-year-old will have a major say on footballing matters including Spurs’ manager search and both incoming/outgoing transfers.

The Latest: Gold drops behind-scenes transfer claim

Speaking in a Q&A, football.london correspondent Gold has backed the reports while dropping an enticing claim involving Paratici.

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As explained, the journalist believes that he has already commenced work in north London on outgoings as Spurs attempt to bolster Tottenham’s finances for possible signings this summer.

“Paratici is working already on potential transfers out to create funds for signings,” Gold stated when asked if Spurs have deals lined up and ready to go.

“The good thing about a director of football structure is that it creates the continuity and the squad and the head coach comes in to coach that.

“Of course certain players can be tailored to different types of head coaches but ultimately you choose a head coach that fits the club and target rather than randomly going after contrasting managers – yes, exactly as Tottenham have done this summer.”

The Verdict: Good news…

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Spurs will need to adopt a sell-to-buy policy and operate within their means.

News of Paratici’s immediate hustle behind the scenes will come as a boost for the club given the transfer window is now open and Tottenham will want to operate as quickly as possible.

The priority, of course, is appointing a new manager at N17 but laying the groundwork for summer deals is arguably just as crucial.

Spurs ended up finishing seventh last season in what was a disappointing campaign and supporters will be hoping Paratici can build the foundations for a much stronger 2021/2022, regardless of who leads the side from the dugout.

In other news: Paratici eyeing this big name for Spurs, Harry Redknapp called him ‘top class’…find out more here.

يعتقد صانع الألعاب الدنماركي، جيسبر ليندستروم، لاعب فريق آينتراخت فرانكفورت، أن فريقه قادر على تحقيق نتيجة إيجابية أمام برشلونة بمباراة الإياب في “كامب نو” بالدوري الأوروبي.

وحسم التعادل الإيجابي بهدفٍ لمثله مباراة برشلونة وفرانكفورت والتي أقيمت مساء أمس الخميس، على ملعب “كومرتسبانك أرينا”، ضمن لقاءات ذهاب ربع نهائي الدوري الأوروبي. شاهد اهداف مباراة برشلونة واينتراخت فرانكفورت

اقرأ أيضًا – مدرب فرانكفورت: كان بإمكاننا الفوز على برشلونة.. والآن علينا رفع مستوى الرهان

وقال ليندستروم في تصريحات لموقع “يويفا”: “لقد قدمنا أداءً جيدًا، على الأقل هنا في ملعبنا، في رأيي كان بإمكاننا تحقيق الفوز”.

وأضاف: “مباراة العودة في كامب نو ستكون قصة مختلفة، إنهم أقوياء جدًا على أرضهم، بالطبع يمكننا استغلال مساحة أكبر عندما نلعب ضد بعض الفرق الأكبر”.

وأتم تصريحاته قائلًا: “نحن كُنا بحاجة إلى تسجيل المزيد من الأهداف، خاصة في الشوط الأول، 1-1 هي نتيجة جيدة”.

The first day of the second Test between Australia and India was a showcaseof the kind of cricket worth traveling far to witness

Anand Vasu11-Mar-2001The first day of the second Test between Australia and India was a showcaseof the kind of cricket worth traveling far to witness. And indeed, the 75,000 odd in attendance at the Eden Gardens got their money’s worth. History was made as Punjab offspinner Harbhajan Singh became the first Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. After being left in the cricketing wilderness by selectors on suspicions that his action was less than perfect, Harbhajan announced his return to the big league with figures of 5/66. Riding on his performance, India restricted Australia to 291/8 at stumps.
Harbhajan- hat trick hero
Photo AFP
Harbhajan Singh’s effort was easily the highlight of the day’s play. However, as is often the case there was more to India’s revival of fortunes than just one man. Charging in with great heart, not unlike one of the proud stallions that the mounted police rode outside the Eden Gardens, Zaheer Khan put the pressure back on the visitors. Pegging away on and outside the off stump on a wicket that offered little to a cricketer of his breed, the left arm speedster pushed the Australians onto the backfoot from the word go. Despite having two catches dropped off his bowling, the left arm seamer managed to end the day with the very respectable figures of 18.4 – 4 – 55 – 2. If he had not gone off the field late in the day with cramps, those figures might have been even better.Spare a thought also for Sourav Ganguly. The Indian skipper has been under fire for both his personal lack of form and his unimaginative captaincy. Today, he made amends on the second score and he will soon get a chance to prove himself with the bat. Bringing himself on to bowl early in the innings, Ganguly showed that he was prepared to lead from the front. Following his early stint of bowling, Ganguly made aggressive changes in the field and juggled his bowlers around efficiently. At the end of the day, India were able to reap the rewards of Ganguly’s much improved approach.In all the excitement of India’s strong fightback, one cannot forget the innings Matthew Hayden played. The southpaw made 97 hard fought runs, neverdominating completely and never being bogged down either. Settling into a good rhythm against the mediumpacers early on, Hayden was able to make merry when the spinners came on. Taking on Harbhajan Singh, Hayden used his feet well, dancing down the track and lofting the ball over the infield.Comfortable playing off either foot, he set up a strong platform for theAustralians. Some of Hayden’s hitting was so clean that it came as a surprise that he was circumspect against the mediumpacers early on. Despite being dropped by Rahul Dravid in the slips at 67, Hayden motored along unaffected. A lapse in concentration late in the day cost Hayden a century that was there for the taking. Pulling hard at a ball well outside the off stump, he holed out to substitute fielder Hemang Badani at midwicket. Hayden had played a valuable knock, falling just three runs short of what would have been a memorable century. Hayden spent just over four hours at the crease, and scored boundaries. In addition, the left hander managed to loft Harbhajan Singh well over the ropes on three occasions.Mark Waugh (22) looked in ominously good touch. Playing the ball off his pads with the elegance of an Olympic gymnast, the New South Welshman dug his own grave by cutting hard at a ball close to his body. Mongia snapped up the catch and Harbhajan Singh had his second wicket of the day. Little could the 20-year-old off spinner know at that time that he was going to do something special. So special that even offspinners of the calibre of Ghulam Ahmed and Erappalli Prasanna fell short.Harbhajan Singh really turned the magic on. Bowling his 16th over of the day, the Punjab offspinner claimed a hat-trick with the second, third and fourth balls. After trapping Ricky Ponting plumb in front with a straight ball, Harbhajan got Adam Gilchrist out first ball with one that kept low and struck the pad. Shane Warne coming in to face the hat-trick ball clipped one from leg stump to short leg where Sadagoppan Ramesh snapped up a smart catch. The matter was referred to the third umpire, Sameer Bandekar, who pushed the button on the red light and heralded India’s first ever Test hat-trick.Of the three dismissals, the one that sent the dangerous Gilchrist back to the pavilion was the only one that gave room for any doubt. The ball that got the Aussie stumper appeared to come off the inside edge. However, even given that, Harbhajan’s effort was one that cannot be belittled in any manner.After being in total control of the match at 193/1, the Australians collapsed to 269/8. Steve Waugh, attempting to piece together an innings with the tail, was unbeaten on 29 at stumps. Jason Gillespie with six to his name was keeping the Australian captain company.

MatériaMais Notícias

A vontade de voltar ao Rio de Janeiro e uma ligação de Abel Braga motivaram o lateral-direito Lucas a aceitar a proposta e defender o Fluminense em 2017. O jogador, emprestado pelo Palmeiras até dezembro deste ano, foi apresentado oficialmente na manhã desta quinta-feira após o treino no CT Pedro Antonio.

– Não pensei duas vezes quando o Abel me ligou. Disse que queria contar comigo e eu já tinha uma vontade enorme de voltar para o Rio. Minha família mora aqui e eu fui para São Paulo morar sozinho, em Belo Horizonte também – afirmou o lateral-direito Lucas, antes de completar:

– O tamanho do clube do Fluminense também me fez acreditar que esse ano será de muito sucesso e de muitas conquistas – afirmou o jogador de 28 anos.

A volta ao Rio de Janeiro acontece após duas temporadas. Jogador do Botafogo entre 2011 e 2014, Lucas foi contratado pelo Palmeiras em 2015 e logo em seu primeiro ano no clube paulista conquistou a Copa do Brasil. Porém, em 2016, perdeu espaço com o técnico Cuca e acabou emprestado para o Cruzeiro.

Apesar de não ter feito um grande Brasileirão com a camisa celeste, Lucas chega ao Fluminense com status de titular. Treinando no CT Pedro Antonio desde segunda-feira, o lateral-direito teve que responder sobre sua condição física logo em sua primeira entrevista coletiva como jogador do Tricolor.

Antes de ser anunciado como reforço, Lucas teve uma foto compartilhada com a camisa do Fluminense que gerou grande repercussão sobre sua forma física. O atleta afirmou estar bem e que se apresenta ao clube em condições boas.

– Estou bem fisicamente. Vocês podem ver. Foi uma situação que me pegou de surpresa. O ângulo da foto não estava muito favorável, mas estou dentro do meu peso. Foi uma situação desagradável, eu vi a foto e realmente parecia que estava acima do peso, mas foi só um susto. Com certeza terei condições de jogar na estreia de e ajudar o Fluminense em campo – explicou o jogador.

Lucas é o terceiro reforço do Fluminense para a temporada. Jefferson Orejuela e Junior Sornoza, contratados do Independiente Del Valle ainda em 2016, são os outros nomes. O elenco ainda passará por mudanças. A direção busca, ao menos, mais dois reforços: um volante e um atacante de área. Além disso, o número de jogadores (36) é considerado alto e alguns atletas serão negociados.

Newcastle United have been gifted a transfer boost as Tottenham Hotspur have rejected the chance to sign wonderkid Bobby Clark.

The Lowdown: Clark has been in-demand

Clark, who is the son of former St. James’ Park star Lee Clark, who made more than 150 senior appearances in the North East, has been in-demand from a number of clubs.

Back in November 2019, the Daily Mail reported that Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Spurs were interested in signing the then 14-year-old talent, who is now 16 years of age.

The Latest: Tottenham reject Clark chance

Football Insider had reported a few days ago that Spurs had been offered the chance to sign Clark, but now, according to the same outlet, the North London club have since rejected the opportunity.

Academy coach Paul Bracewell has advised the Lilywhites not to make a move for him, having watched the Englishman in recent weeks, a Spurs source has allegedly told FI.

The Verdict: Newcastle transfer boost

Even though he is just 16 years of age, it looks as if Clark could grow up to be a star in the beautiful game.

He became the youngest-ever player to represent the Tyneside club at under-18 level at the tender age of just 14 years and 206 days, and has also represented England at under-16 level.

Thus, it may be too early to let a player with such promise go, especially to a rival in the Premier League, and instead let him develop further.

As he gets older he can only get better, meaning that if the Magpies were ever looking to sell him in the future, his value will increase up to a point and therefore they could demand a substantial fee later on.

Of course, there is also the dream scenario he becomes a fixture in the first team for the long haul, something the Toon Army would surely adore.

In other news, find out what big claim has been dropped on the potential takeover after a Mike Ashley development here!