Said player and the visiting India squad are staying at different hotels
ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jul-2021
Sri Lanka’s preparations for the India series have been hit again•Associated Press
A Sri Lankan player from the alternative limited-overs squad and bio-bubble in Colombo, which was training as a back-up for the India series, has tested positive for Covid-19. This comes as another setback for the Sri Lankan set-up because the first-choice squad to take on India had already been hit by two Covid-19 cases this week: batting coach Grant Flower and team analyst GT Niroshan.The player who tested positive on Saturday was staying with the alternative group at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo. The visiting India squad is staying at a different hotel.The two back-up squads were training in different bio-bubbles in Colombo and Dambulla, and players from both groups could be called up to play the series against India, which has been pushed back yet again, and is now set to begin on July 18.Related
Sri Lanka allowed to come out of isolation as players return negative tests
Sri Lanka-India series to begin on July 18; new fixtures announced
SL team's data analyst GT Niroshan tests positive for Covid-19
SL batting coach Grant Flower tests positive for Covid-19
The recent Covid-19 cases in the main Sri Lanka squad, after they arrived from England, where the home limited-overs squad was also hit by seven Covid-19 cases, has forced the ODIs and T20Is against India to be rescheduled. As of now, the ODIs are set to be played on July 18, 20 and 23, followed by the T20Is on July 25, 27 and 29.Both Flower and Niroshan were moved to intermediate care facilities, and both had contracted the Delta variant of the virus, which is particularly contagious as well as dangerous. The Sri Lanka squad was expected to come out of isolation and enter the team’s bio-bubble on Friday, but will now be forced to spend at least two more days in isolation, and face another RT-PCR test, the results of which will determine whether the main squad can viably play the series against India.
New Zealand’s series win in England is their first since 1999 and they have an opportunity to add the inaugural World Test Championship title next week when they play India at the Ageas Bowl.Which is the bigger prize? “Both sounds pretty good,” Tom Latham, their vice-captain, grinned after leading them to victory at Edgbaston. “From our point of view, it was about coming here and focusing on these first two Test matches against England and trying to continue doing what we’ve been doing over a couple of years now. Now that we’ve ticked them off, it’s important that our focus shifts to India in a couple of days.”It’s a fantastic achievement from the group. I think it’s important that we celebrate with each other. It hasn’t been done since ’99. For us to come here as a group, it was about trying to play our brand of cricket and I thought we did that really well over the four days and got our rewards at the end.”While New Zealand’s recent record against England has been excellent – they have won four and drawn three of their last seven Tests against them, dating back to 2015 – their away record against the big three of India, England and Australia had been poor since that 1999 triumph, with just two victories in their previous 39 attempts. Latham said that his memories of seeing teams struggle on previous tours made the victory even better.”I certainly remember staying up late, watching teams come over to England and playing Test cricket – at Lord’s, and all these iconic grounds. For us to come here and put a performance on the board that was true to us was really important.”It was about trying to do what we do really well and I thought we did. [It’s] well documented that ’99 was the last time we’d won here and we have been here a couple of times in recent years and haven’t quite got the rewards. It’s certainly an achievement that’s worth celebrating.”New Zealand’s series win also took them back to No. 1 in the ICC’s Test rankings, leapfrogging India, their upcoming opponents. They reached the summit for the first time earlier this year after beating Pakistan, before India nudged past them following their 3-1 series win against England in March.Related
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As it happened – England vs New Zealand, 2nd Test, Edgbaston, 4th day
New Zealand demonstrate bench strength ahead of World Test Championship final
They made six changes from the team that drew at Lord’s, with Kane Williamson, BJ Watling, and Mitchell Santner suffering elbow, back and finger niggles respectively, and Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson all rested ahead of the main event.Latham said that New Zealand expect to have a clean bill of health leading into that final, and paid tribute to the strength in depth within the squad.”It was amazing from a personnel change of six guys. That hasn’t happened for a long time in this group and it has been a hard team to crack into. For all those guys to get that opportunity – Will Young, Matt Henry, Ajaz Patel – was fantastic. They performed their roles really well.”[Watling and Williamson] are travelling reasonably well. It was important for them to get a little bit of rest in order to be fully fit heading into next week. Fingers crossed we’ll have a fully-fit squad.”As for the challenge India will present, Latham said that their performances on their tour of England in 2018 – albeit in a 4-1 series defeat – demonstrated that they would be tough to beat at the Ageas Bowl.”They’ve got a fantastic set of bowlers, [and] a lot of quality batsmen that have scored runs in different conditions all round the world. They were over here a few years ago and played really well, so we know we’ll have to play well to beat them.”Our focus will shift to them in a couple of days. The preparation has been great but it’s important that we do shift our focus and adapt to a completely different side.”
West Ham United won’t be signing an exciting transfer target despite reports claiming they even had a bid accepted, according to Sky Sports' Florian Plettenberg.
West Ham’s summer transfer business
The Hammers, led by technical director Tim Steidten, have been extremely productive behind the scenes at the London Stadium this summer, making nine new signings for Julen Lopetegui.
In total, the club have spent just over £120m on their new additions, with the Hammers recording their first Premier League win under Lopetegui at Crystal Palace last weekend.
West Ham summer signings
From
Fee (Transfermarkt)
Max Kilman
Wolves
€47.5m
Crysencio Summerville
Leeds United
€29.3m
Niclas Fullkrug
Borussia Dortmund
€27m
Luis Guilherme
Palmeiras
€23m
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Man Utd
€18m
Wes Foderingham
Sheffield United
Free transfer
Guido Rodriguez
Real Betis
Free transfer
Jean-Clair Todibo
Nice
Loan transfer
Carlos Soler
PSG
Loan transfer
Mohamadou Kante
Paris FC
Undisclosed
West Ham summer departures
To
Fee (Transfermarkt)
Flynn Downes
Southampton
€17.85m
Said Benrahma
Lyon
€14.4m
Thilo Kehrer
Monaco
€11m
Nathan Trott
FC Copenhagen
€1.5m
Ben Johnson
Ipswich Town
Free transfer
Joseph Anang
St. Patrick's Athletic
Free transfer
Angelo Ogbonna
Watford
Free transfer
Divin Mubama
Man City U21
Undisclosed
Mohamadou Kante
Paris FC
Loan transfer
Kurt Zouma
Al-Orobah
Loan transfer
Nayef Aguerd
Real Sociedad
Loan transfer
James Ward-Prowse
Nottingham Forest
Loan transfer
Maxwel Cornet
Southampton
Loan transfer
There is still time for West Ham to make it double figures for incomings, with the window open until 11pm on Friday, and they have been linked with a number of players. One target in recent weeks has been Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Carlos Soler, with the two clubs locked in talks for the Spaniard.
Elsewhere, another centre-forward after Niclas Fullkrug has also been on the radar in AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham. Reports even claimed that West Ham agreed on a deal to sign the Englishman, an initial loan deal worth €2 million and an obligation to buy at €22 million, which is over £20 million. Talks over salary terms were thought to be ongoing, however, a new update has now emerged.
West Ham transfer update – Tammy Abraham
According to Plettenberg, Abraham “will not join West Ham”, even adding that there are no negotiations.
Since then, it has been claimed that Abraham is now close to a shock move to AC Milan, which will see Alexis Saelemaekers head to Roma.
It does feel as if a move for Abraham is well and truly off the cards following Plettenberg’s comments, and he could have been a shrewd addition at the age of 26 because of his experience in the top-flight with Chelsea and Swansea City, scoring 26 Premier League goals in 89 appearances.
Therefore, it will be interesting to see if Lopetegui feels the need to go after another forward before the deadline. Fullkrug, Danny Ings and Michail Antonio are the centre-forward options for the Hammers at the age of 31, 32 and 34 respectively, so in the long run, West Ham may need to look for a younger attacking option.
Ings has even been linked with a move away before the deadline, so the Irons may not be done just yet in regards to incomings.
Rodri called it "an honour" to be linked to Real Madrid, but hinted he could end up staying with Manchester City for the rest of his career.
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Real want Rodri to add steel in midfieldMidfielder responded to speculationsHas two years left on his contractFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Spanish midfielder has been a central figure in Pep Guardiola's setup since joining in 2019. After winning the fourth consecutive Premier League title with the club and conquering Europe with Spain, the 28-year-old won the Ballon d’Or earlier this year, beating Vinicius Junior to the prize. He has two years remaining on his current contract at City and has been linked with a move to the Spanish capital as Los Blancos are looking to fill the void left by Toni Kroos.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT RODRI SAID
Speaking about his future during an interview with , Rodri said: “I have two years left on my contract, the time is approaching to sit down and speak again. It's clear that [Guardiola's contract extension] is an important incentive. I feel very valued at the club. For the time being, I'm very happy."
While Rodri expressed admiration for Madrid, calling it the "best and most successful club in history," he emphasised that he could well hang up his boots on English shores.
"Obviously when Madrid, the best and most successful club in history, calls you, it is an honour," he said. "You always have to pay attention. But obviously of course not. I don't look too far ahead but it's a possibility that I could perfectly end my career in England."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Nonetheless, Rodri has a special place in his heart for his homeland and acknowledged that he still follows La Liga whenever he can.
"It's a country that has given me everything, I have fallen in love with football there," he said. "The club is spectacular, not just from a sporting level but how it's structured. I feel comfortable and loved there. But Spain is my country. I am always aware of the League, the level of the teams is growing more and more. I've been lucky to play in both leagues, to have the best coaches in the world and I feel very satisfied."
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DID YOU KNOW?
Rodri has been sidelined since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a dramatic 2-2 draw against Arsenal in September. The injury came as a significant blow to City, as his absence coincided with an uncharacteristic slump in form for Guardiola’s side.
The reigning Premier League champions endured an unprecedented four consecutive losses across competitions, including back-to-back Premier League defeats to Bournemouth and Brighton and a Champions League setback against Sporting CP.
Reflecting on the team’s recent struggles, Rodri remarked: “It's clear that we are going through a negative spell. It's not the first time. If there's a team that has shown that it can bounce back it's our team. I have no doubt that we will come out of this. We have a strong team. I'm eager to return in order to give the team encouragement."
Whilst many of Aston Villa's summer arrivals will make an instant impact on Unai Emery's side, the Villans are now reportedly keeping tabs on a future star with room to develop under the Spaniard.
Aston Villa transfer news
Those in the Midlands have been among the biggest winners in the summer transfer window, signing the likes of Amadou Onana, Jaden Philogene, Ian Maatsen and Ross Barkley to instantly put their Champions League status to good use. As the season gets underway, Villa should have higher ambitions than ever in the Premier League.
Emery's side shocked the rest of English football by qualifying for the Champions League last time out and will now be looking to send further shockwaves by making it back-to-back top four finishes. Establishing themselves as a European side would undoubtedly be crucial in pursuit of one particular gem too.
Emery wants £50m+ star at Aston Villa but Man Utd are in talks to sign him
Atletico Madrid have also made an offer.
ByCharlie Smith Aug 17, 2024
According to Graeme Bailey for HITC, Aston Villa are keeping tabs on Jens Hjerto-Dahl and have sent scouts to watch the 18-year-old Tromso midfielder alongside interest from the likes of Liverpool, Everton and Borussia Dortmund.
In a busy chase for the 6 foot 4 teenager, Villa will hope that their project under Emery acts as a vital selling point. Hjerto-Dahl, meanwhile, could have the biggest decision of his career so far to make before the summer transfer window slams shut in a couple of weeks.
Hjerto-Dahl is one for the future
It speaks volumes that Hjerto-Dahl has attracted the interest of a number of European giants, making it even more important that Aston Villa land what would be an impressive coup. His stature, alone, makes the midfielder an interesting one to watch, especially if his future features a partnership with Onana at the heart of Emery's side.
It's worth noting that the teenager does have an eye for a goal, scoring four from midfield last season. Combined with Onana's physical prowess, Villa could unlock their answer in the middle of the park for years to come.
Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana
Aston Villa is certainly the place to be for young players these days, given their current rise. Whether Hjerto-Dahl decides to become part of that remains to be seen, however.
The Villans have shown in the last two years that they're more than capable of competing with some of Europe's best both on and off the pitch, qualifying for the Champions League and signing the likes of Onana. Now, they could prove that one more time by signing future star Hjerto-Dahl.
Lille president Olivier Letang has sent a warning to Europe's elite clubs and stated that Jonathan David won't be sold in January.
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David on radar of Europe's biggest clubsLille could lose him for free in 2025Club president wants him to stay Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Jonathan David's future at Lille has become a subject of intense speculation in recent months as the Canadian striker is yet to extend his contract that expires on June 30, 2025. His situation has piqued the interest of some of Europe's biggest clubs, but Lille president Olivier Letang revealed that they are "under no pressure" to sell the player, having already offered him a new proposal.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
David has earned a reputation as one of the finest strikers in Europe's top five leagues. The 24-year-old has scored 97 goals in 202 appearances for the Ligue 1 giants. His displays alone have caught the attention of the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Juventus.
The Bianconeri are keen on bringing David to the Allianz Stadium in January owing to Arkadiusz Milik's injury issues, which has left the club with only Dusan Vlahovic as a natural No. 9. Meanwhile, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane, respectively, leading the attack. Both players are on the wrong side of their thirties and the clubs see David as a long-term successor.
WHAT LILLE PRESIDENT SAID
"We are counting on the strength of the group, we are very happy to have him with us," Letang stated during an interview with RMC (h/t Calciomercato).
"This summer he had one year left on his contract, but we were under no pressure to sell him, also because no suitable offers arrived. We have already offered him a renewal, and now the decision is up to him. Jonathan loves the club and Lille is his home."
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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR JONATHAN DAVID?
If David doesn't sign an extension with Lille before January, clubs can enter in negotiations with the forward over a free transfer in the summer. Before that happens, though, David will be focusing on his team's next outing, which is against Rennes on Sunday, November 24.
Cast your minds back to January and Arsenal needed a centre-forward. Oh, how they desperately needed a striker.
During a run which likely cost the Gunners the league title around the festive period, they couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo.
Against West Ham in December, a match they lost, Mikel Arteta's men had 30 attempts at goal and still failed to score. They were creating chances at will but simply couldn't find the net.
Their luck changed in the second half of the season as they ran Manchester City all the way for the Premier League title.
The next time they faced West Ham they scored six. Ultimately the north Londoners missed out on the prize but they did end the campaign as the second top scorers on 91.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice.
So, do they still need a new forward? It's perhaps not as pressing but recent reports do reveal some exciting news.
Arsenal's hunt for a new striker
It looked for all the world as though Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko would be on his way to Arsenal this summer.
The RB Leipzig forward had a rather sensible release clause and all Edu and Co really needed to do was just cough up the money. It looked a simple move to complete, right? Well, think again.
Sesko is now set to stay in Germany and sign a new deal with the Red Bull club.
So, according to reports, their attention has now turned to Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres. Arsenal's interest in the Sporting striker has been no secret over recent months but they have now stepped up their pursuit, so much so that there are claims he is now 'on the verge' of signing for the club.
That's according to reports in Portugal, via Sport Witness, who suggest that Arsenal and the Lisbon club have agreed on an initial £76m package that could rise to around £101m in add-ons.
That would make this the second biggest transfer in their history after Declan Rice joined for £105m last summer.
The same Portuguese publication has reported in a separate article that negotiations have advanced rapidly of late, with agent Jorge Mendes leading the transfer.
Sporting CP strikerViktor Gyokeres.
What Gyokeres could offer to Arsenal
Goals. Right, can we finish the article now? We're joking, of course, but the fact of the matter is that the Swede is a monster in front of goal.
Having moved from EFL side Coventry City last summer, the 26-year-old enjoyed one of the most prolific campaigns in the whole of Europe, hailed for his "incredible" finishing by reporter Brian Fonseca.
Gyokeres scored 43 goals in 50 games, and for good measure also supplied his teammates with 15 assists. So, he can find the net, that's one box ticked.
Because of this, he could be a genuine dream for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard in the final third.
Last season, Odegaard was the Premier League's third-highest assister with 10, only behind Cole Palmer (11) and Ollie Watkins (13). Meanwhile, when it came to expected assists (xA), Odegaard (11.2) and Saka (11) topped the tree.
Clearly then, Arsenal could have been more prolific in front of goal because the two players underperformed their xA tally. As it happens, their number 7 was the most deadly in the penalty area, scoring 20 times in all competitions. The next best was Leandro Trossard with 17.
The theme surrounding those two players? They're not centre-forwards. It is difficult not to bring up Kai Havertz. Once moved to the top of the pitch with greater regularity, the German was a revelation, scoring eight and supplying seven goals from 18 matches as a striker. You'd think with a full season in that role he could well reach the 20-goal mark.
However, that's still nowhere near the dizzying tally of Gyokers in 2023/24. Havertz proved game-changing as an option as the focal point of the attack. He'd bring Saka and Odegaard into play brilliantly but Gyokers is no one-trick pony either.
Gyokeres vs Havertz – 2023/24
Stats per 90
Gyokeres
Havertz
Assists
0.31
0.17
Progressive Passes
1.68
3.14
Progressive Carries
3.66
1.70
Goal-Creating Actions
0.66
0.60
Shot-Creating Actions
4.08
3.20
Successful Take-ons
1.96
0.50
Stats via FBref.
As you can see, he managed more take-ons, shot-creating actions and assists per 90 last term than the German. That just shows that Saka and Odegaard's creative numbers could skyrocket next season. Put it simply, they would both love such a clinical asset playing ahead of them.
If a deal really is on the verge of completion, it could be a mega one to kickstart Edu's business for the summer.
What Arsenal’s starting XI could look like after £300m spending spree
Arsenal could have a massive summer ahead of them if they are to finally overtake Manchester City.
Compared to this time last year, Glasgow Rangers transfer activity is looking fairly exciting. Philippe Clement has overhauled the club’s transfer strategy that had been used by his predecessors, preferring to sign young talent as opposed to ageing players eyeing one final payday.
So far, Jefte, Oscar Cortes, Connor Barron and Mohammed Diomande have all joined the Ibrox side. Every one of them is aged 22 or under. Liam Kelly also joined, but the goalkeeper will act as a backup to Jack Butland for the season ahead.
This clearly shows how much faith Clement is placing in young talent ahead of the new season. Is it a gamble? Of course, but something has to give, especially if the Light Blues want to win their first Premiership title since 2021.
One problem the club has had in the past is failing to target players already plying their trade in Scotland. Not only do they know the league, but they can sometimes be much cheaper than someone from outside Scotland.
The Gers have enjoyed plenty of success like this previously, with a notable example being Kris Boyd, who spent five years at Rangers over two spells.
Kris Boyd’s Rangers statistics
Sometimes, the answer to a problem lies closer than first imagined. During the 2005/06 season, Rangers were struggling in the league, trailing Celtic in the chase for the title as Alex McLeish failed to get his team firing.
He needed goals. Kris Boyd had been on fire for Kilmarnock during the first half of the campaign, scoring 15 goals in just 19 league appearances for the Ayrshire side, emerging as one of the best strikers in the top flight.
A bid of around £400k was accepted by Killie in December 2005 and Boyd was on the move to Glasgow. It certainly proved to be an inspiring signing, adding a much-needed clinical threat in front of goal while adding a homegrown player to the squad.
Boyd went on to feature 190 times for the Light Blues during his first spell at the club, scoring a remarkable tally of 127 goals in the process.
Season
Games
Goals
2014/15
43
10
2009/10
40
26
2008/09
40
28
2007/08
34
28
2006/07
28
23
2005/06
19
17
It's safe to say he repaid the £400k back and then some, helping the Gers to win two league titles, two League Cups and two Scottish Cups between 2006 and 2010.
Clement must be keen on taking a deeper look into the talent on offer in the Premiership, hoping that he can repeat the Boyd masterclass from 18 years ago.
Might this come sooner rather than later? As the Belgian is reportedly showing an interest in a striker who terrorised Rangers last season…
Rangers eyeing up move for Canadian centre-forward
According to a report from the Athletic last week, the Ibrox side are showing plenty of interest in signing Motherwell striker Theo Bair this summer, although there are teams in Germany who are also keen on making a move for the player.
Signing players from the same league used to be commonplace when Walter Smith and McLeish were in charge, yet the previous few years have seen this trend buckled.
Theo Bair in action for Canada.
Clement recently added Connor Barron to his squad after his contract expired at Aberdeen. Could he now make an approach for Bair?
While he isn’t Scottish like Boyd, the youngster does know where the back of the net and enjoyed a wonderful campaign for the Steelmen last season, which could see him settle in at Ibrox fairly easily.
Theo Bair’s season in numbers
The 6 foot 3 Canadian first moved to Scotland in 2022, joining St Johnstone. He only managed to score once in 38 games for the club, however, and it looked like Motherwell were taking a risk signing him last summer.
They shouldn’t have worried. Fast-forward 12 months and Bair ended the 2023/24 season with 15 goals and six assists across 41 matches for the club, a wonderful return.
Bair ranked first among his teammates for goals and assists (21) in the top flight last season, while also ranking first for shots on target per game (0.8), fourth for key passes per game (0.9), fourth for big chances created (six) and sixth for successful dribbles per game (0.6).
These statistics clearly prove he offers much more than just a clinical threat in the opposition penalty area, which he proved against Rangers at Ibrox in March.
Theo Bair’s performance against Rangers in numbers
Rangers hadn’t lost domestically in 2024 coming into the game against Well at the start of March, closing down Celtic in the hunt for the title.
Bair thrived during the match, causing havoc against the likes of Connor Goldson and John Souttar at the heart of the Ibrox defence, pulling them all over the shop in a bid to give his team a chance of all three points.
Not only did the Canadian score the opening goal during the tie, but he also made one key pass, took three total shots and succeeded with 50% of his attempted dribbles.
No wonder he was hailed as a “handful” by coach Stuart Kettlewell back in February following his wonderful displays in the top flight, while the manager even claimed that Bair is “unplayable at times” and he certainly demonstrated that against Clement’s men a few months ago.
The move could hinge on how much Motherwell will demand for one of their prized assets, but if it is a reasonable fee, then the move is surely a no-brainer for the Belgian coach.
Bair has shown that he can shine in Scotland, and a move for the striker will add some much-needed depth to the attacking options available to the 50-year-old.
With six signings already this summer, it is clear that an overhaul is happening in Glasgow right now. It should have really happened a few summers ago, but hopefully, this is the moment when Rangers emerge from the shadows to finally take their place as the top dog in Scotland next season.
Clement can finally replace Davis in Rangers move for £25k-p/w star
Philippe Clement is eyeing a move for a Championship maestro this summer
Liverpool and FSG, after once again falling short of Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title last season, appear eager to sign a highly-rated attacker that could be the difference for the Reds in the next campaign.
Liverpool set to shape squad in Slot's image
After moving quickly to secure Arne Slot as their new manager, Liverpool have wasted no time entering the transfer market, looking to bring fresh faces to Merseyside.
Slot must sell Liverpool ace who'd be their 3rd biggest sale since Coutinho
Only Sadio Mane and Fabinho would top this deal since Coutinho was sold for a fortune.
ByAngus Sinclair Jun 25, 2024
The latest rumours out of Anfield have linked the Reds with a move for a number of young defenders. With Virgil van Dijk's long-term future at the club uncertain and Joel Matip set to leave this summer, Liverpool are looking to secure the future of their back line.
Leny Yoro is one name touted with a move to Merseyside with the LOSC Lille defender linked with a £59million move away from France this summer. Joining Yoro on FSG's wishlist is Italy star Riccardo Calafiori. The Bologna man has caught the attention of numerous clubs during Euro 2024 and could be in line for a £34million move to Liverpool this summer.
Reinforcements further up the pitch have also been linked with Juventus' Adrien Rabiot and German talent Joshua Kimmich both rumoured to be of interest to the Reds. With almost every area of the pitch a priority for Slot and co, it now appears that Liverpool are ready to launch a bid for a highly sought-after attacking player.
Liverpool willing to make Lookman offer
As first reported in Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, Liverpool are one of a number of clubs chasing Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and the Reds are willing to make a bid close to €60m (£50.7m) for his services.
Ademola Lookman in action against Liverpool in the Premier League
The outlet cites Chelsea and Manchester United as the other interested parties, meaning that the Reds could have a fight on their hands if they are to get the deal over the line.
Lookman has caught the eyes of numerous clubs this season thanks to his performances for the Bergamo outfit. The Nigerian winger contributed 17 goals and 10 assists over the course of the last campaign, most notably of which was a hat-trick in the Europa League final.
Non-penalty Goals
0.52
88th percentile
Assists
0.33
91st percentile
Shot-creating actions
4.80
99th percentile
Successful take-ons
1.85
94th percentile
Progressive passes
4.61
94th percentile
Interceptions
0.43
91st percentile
Lookman's performance in the final was something of a shock to many English fans who remember the Nigerian for his lacklustre spells with Everton, Leicester and Fulham. Despite this, the 26-year-old has undergone a rebirth in Italy and now looks like one of the continent's top wingers.
Speaking after Atalanta's 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen to clinch the Europa League trophy, Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini explained how Lookman had developed over the last twelve months telling the press: "Lookman is a top player today, but he wasn’t before. He was strong but tended to light up in flashes and at other times would disappear from the game."
Regardless of his history in the Premier League, there is no doubt that this new version of Lookman could be an excellent addition to Slot's side.
The Indian quick hasn’t played top-flight cricket since 2018 because of injuries
Sreshth Shah20-Sep-2020There are four parallels that can be drawn between Pat Cummins and Kamlesh Nagarkoti.The first one is that they achieved fame as teenagers, the Australian as an 18-year-old Test debutant in 2011 and the Indian as an 18-year old at the 2018 Under-19 World Cup. The second one is that both are right-arm fast bowlers. Thirdly, they are part of the Kolkata Knight Riders, and finally both have had to deal with injuries after breakthrough outings.After suffering a stress fracture to the back, Cummins had to wait for nearly six years before he would play Test cricket again for Australia while Nagarkoti hasn’t played top-flight cricket at all since February 2018, having suffered ankle and back injuries. When Nagarkoti was undergoing rehabilitation in Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy, Rahul Dravid, who had coached him in the Under-19 World Cup, would often cite the example of Cummins – currently the world’s No. 1 Test bowler – to motivate him. Now that both men are sharing the same dressing room at Knight Riders, Cummins has some advice for Nagarkoti, who prepares to feature in his first IPL, having been sidelined since he was bought before the 2018 season.ALSO READ: Russell ideal for ‘last ten overs of a T20 game’ – McCullum”The big one that all the coaches and ex-players would advise you is a simple thing – you need to be patient,” Cummins told , when asked what advice he would like to give Nagarkoti. “It is really an easy thing to say and think of but an 18-year-old missing games is actually a very hard thing to live with.”You just need to have the trust that you might miss a season or two at the start of your career but you might end up playing till the age of 36 or 37, as opposed to 31 or 32. Everything that you do during this time, sets up the foundation block for a long and healthy career. Even when I was not playing, I used to hang out with my team-mates. 90% of the time I love cricket is because I can hang out with my mates.”Getty ImagesFor a kid growing up near the Blue Mountains and getting his New South Wales debut at 17, the initial stages of Cummins’ career had seemed rosy. He said “everything happened so quickly” at first, progressing from giving his school exams to playing first-class cricket a couple of weeks later. But the injury, too, came out of the blue, and it left him spending valuable summer days on the sidelines, while his friends and team-mates played cricket.”It was certainly a few tough years,” Cummins recalled. “Since I was six years old, summers for me would mean cricket. I will spend weekends and every day after school playing cricket. And then suddenly, I was a professional cricketer but I wasn’t playing any cricket during summer. It was all weird.”There were these great games at SCG I would feel like playing but I was injured. It was so close but because I was injured, I couldn’t even go and play backyard cricket. In terms of the schedule, just at the start of the Aussie summer, I would get injured and by the end of the summer, I would just be starting to get right. That’s how I would go and play overseas and again at the start of next summer I would get injured.”So, it was tough because I felt I was wasting so many years. But yeah, I again got back to my 100%. So, it was not like I felt I would never be able to bowl at the top level again. It was more of frustration for all the cricket that I was missing out on.”IPL 2020 will be Cummins’ second stint with the Knight Riders; he had been part of the set-up between 2014 and 2015 as well. He played only seven games across those two seasons, but would have a greater role to play this season as the most expensive overseas player in IPL history. He was sold for 15.5 crore (then approx. USD 2.1 million) in December 2019; Ben Stokes was the highest-paid overseas player before Cummins, having been picked up by Rising Pune Supergiant for INR 14.5 crore.Cummins is excited about bowling in different phases in T20 cricket. “The thing I love about T20 cricket is it’s ultra-attacking, or at the death, it’s ultra-defensive,” he said. “There is no middle ground. So, in T20 cricket, if you are an all-out bowler, you get to bowl any time of the match. That’s why I love the format.”