Haseeb Hameed, Ben Slater put on record stand to set Notts up for big first-innings lead

Partnership of 200 puts visitors within one run of Leicestershire with just two wickets down

ECB Reporters Network23-Aug-2020

Haseeb Hameed builds his innings for Nottinghamshire•Getty Images

Openers Ben Slater and Haseeb Hameed put together a partnership of 200 as Nottinghamshire laid the foundations to build a formidable first-innings lead in their Bob Willis Trophy match against Leicestershire at the Fischer County Ground.In so doing they broke a record for the first wicket for Nottinghamshire against Leicestershire, beating the 159 compiled by George Gunn and Garnet Lee at Trent Bridge in 1919.Notts had resumed on 48 without loss, with Hameed on 34 and Slater on 12, and neither batsman gave a chance during the morning session as the Leicestershire seamers struggled to bowl a consistent line and length on an unrewarding pitch.Tom Taylor came closest to making a breakthrough, beating both batsmen with deliveries that swung late, but edges were rare, and when they came fell short of the waiting slips. Hameed, after picking up two boundaries in the first over of the day, played circumspectly, reaching his half-century off 80 deliveries, while Slater – who earlier this season had spent two weeks on loan at Leicestershire – mixed steady accumulation with the occasional flowing cover drive, reaching his 50 off 103 balls.By lunch they had beaten the previous highest first-wicket partnership in the Bob Willis Trophy, 153 between Slater and Hassan Azad, for Leicestershire against Lancashire.Rain meant only 5.1 overs were possible in the afternoon and the evening session saw Leicestershire bowling a better containing line. Even so, both batsmen looked odds-on to reach a century until Hameed, on 87, left a delivery from Alex Evans that swung back in and hit his back leg to be dismissed leg before.Ten runs later Slater – who had passed the landmark of 5,000 first-class runs earlier in his innings – was also dismissed, for 86, edging the persevering Taylor to second slip where Colin Ackermann held a sharp chance at the second attempt.Bad light saw play end when 10.5 overs remained to be bowled, but with better weather forecast to come over the final two days, Notts are in a strong position to end their run of 24 first-class county matches without victory.

Sunderland could tempt Clarke to stay by hiring "manager of the season"

The powers that be at Sunderland will know the next managerial appointment after Mike Dodds is crucial now, with the new man in the dug-out needing to pick up the pieces to try and steer the Black Cats back into the promotion reckoning in the Championship.

After going through Tony Mowbray and Michael Beale in this disastrous second-tier season, as well as Dodds, the Wearside outfit will just pray that the interim boss' successor is a settled face who can lift the spirits at the Stadium of Light alongside attempting a return up to the Premier League.

One rumoured new manager coming into the building could well end up transforming Sunderland if his current job post in the Championship is anything to go by, with Jack Clarke even potentially staying put after watching what this head coach has managed to get out of the attackers at his disposal elsewhere.

Sunderland winger Jack Clarke.

Sunderland's search for a manager

Sunderland have been fishing about for some time now for the perfect replacement to come in after Dodds departs in the summer, with the rumour mill throwing up various different names.

Both Danny Rohl and Paul Heckingbottom have been linked with a switch to Wearside in the off-season, with Sheffield Wednesday hopeful that this is all just speculative talk when it comes to their popular German manager who could pull off an unbelievable relegation escape for the Owls still on the final day of the season.

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The Black Cats could set their sights elsewhere on another second-tier miracle worker, with rumours swirling that Queens Park Rangers boss Marti Cifuentes is being eyed up by Sunderland after turning around the fortunes of the Hoops from relegation favourites to a side who can now beat Leeds United 4-0 with swagger.

The likes of Ilias Chair are loving life under the Spaniard going forward as was seen in that staggering demolition of job of the Whites – scoring once and assisting another two – with Clarke hopeful that Cifuentes could improve his game further if the two link up together at the Stadium of Light next campaign.

Why Cifuentes could be the dream Dodds replacement

Touted to be in the conversation for "manager of the season" by Justin Peach of The Second Tier Podcast, Cifuentes has been a revelation for QPR since coming in last October as an unknown entity from Swedish outfit, Hammarby.

Gareth Ainsworth would win just two of his 15 matches in charge of the Hoops at the start of this season before the left-field face of Cifuentes emerged onto the scene, who has since taken QPR all the way up 17th in the league standings after the club was hopelessly stuck in the bottom three under the ex-Wycombe Wanderers boss.

Manager

Games managed

Wins

Draws

Losses

Ainsworth

15

2

2

11

Cifuentes

32

12

9

11

Cifuentes has also managed to get more of a tune out of the attackers at QPR since coming in, with the aforementioned Chair picking up eight of his 14 goal contributions for the season under the watchful eye of the former Hammarby manager – predominantly operating from Clarke's trusty left-wing area.

Moreover, Lyndon Dykes has become a goalscorer again for the Hoops up top under Cifuentes with all but one of his seven goals for the season coming under Ainsworth's golden replacement.

Operating with a 4-2-3-1 formation over recent months, with a 4-3-3 also in his managerial repertoire, Cifuentes should instantly fit into the new environment at the Stadium of Light with the Black Cats already lining up in the first of those two formations regularly.

Sunderland need a new and fresh revamp in the dugout, and with Cifuentes a hot property in the second tier based off his exploits at QPR, the Wearside outfit should go all in to make him their next manager.

With rumours rife that the aforementioned Clarke – who has 19 goals and assists this season – could be on his way this summer, recruiting such an exciting appointment could well be the solution in tempting the former Leeds United star to stay.

West Ham chiefs discuss hiring ambitious Ruben Amorim alternative

West Ham United chiefs have discussed hiring an "ambitious" alternative to Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim, following the Portuguese's widely reported talks in London earlier this week.

West Ham meet with Amorim as Steidten draws Moyes succession plan

Perhaps the worst kept secret in football over the last few days has been Amorim's meeting with West Ham.

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The Hammers are making contingency plans.

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Emilio Galantini

Apr 23, 2024

The 39-year-old travelled to England via private jet on Monday to hold discussions with West Ham over the potential vacancy left by current boss David Moyes this summer, which sparked excitement as technical director Tim Steidten seemingly gets to work on succeeding the Scotsman.

Sporting Lisbon under Ruben Amorim – the stats

Number (via Transfermarkt)

Matches

208

Wins

146

Draws

31

Losses

31

Goals scored

449

Goals conceded

185

Points

469

Points averaged per game

2.25

Images of Amorim boarding the plane to London were shared on social media, but West Ham have refused to comment on any speculation linking them with him (Sky Sports). The former Braga boss, who guided Sporting to their first Primeira Liga title in nearly 20 years back in 2021, has since returned to Portugal.

Fabrizio Romano, sharing an update on Amorim's chances of joining West Ham this week, says a move is actually unlikely to advance any further than this.

Now, it may be wise for Hammers chiefs to have alternatives to Amorim, and it is believed Thomas Tuchel features among a list of four managerial candidates to succeed Moyes.

West Ham chiefs discuss "ambitious" Thomas Tuchel move

According to GiveMeSport, West Ham chiefs have discussed making an "ambitious" move for Tuchel, with the German set to leave Bayern Munich at the end of this season.

West Ham United manager David Moyes

A Champions League winner with Chelsea, another enticing draw for the east Londoners is his Premier League experience and know-how coaching on the biggest stages in world football. There is, however, the lingering matter of whether he would be open to joining West Ham.

"[Tuchel's continuity] can only be a good thing," said defender Ben Chilwell on Tuchel before he left Chelsea. "As players we have full confidence in the manager – we know we’re not going to get a better manager here. I’m not just saying it. He’s an unbelievable manager in all aspects and I think he has a lot of trust in us as well.

"Now there is that stability, everything that could have potentially been tricky last season has all been resolved so it’s up to us to work and try to get that consistency on the pitch, which is only going to happen if we put the work in away from match days."

"هناك ضوء في نهاية النفق".. ووكر يوجه رسالة تحذير إلى منافسي مانشستر سيتي

وجه كايل ووكر، لاعب فريق مانشستر سيتي، رسالة قوية إلى منافسي النادي الإنجليزي، في ظل تراجع مستواهم وكثرة هزائمهم في الفترة الأخيرة.

وعانى مانشستر سيتي من 4 هزائم متتالية في مختلف المسابقات، تحت قيادة المدرب بيب جوارديولا.

البداية كانت الخسارة أمام توتنهام في كأس كاراباو، قبل السقوط أمام بورنموث في الدوري الإنجليزي ثم سبورتينج لشبونة في دوري أبطال أوروبا، وأخيرًا الهزيمة من برايتون في البريميرليج.

وقال ووكر، في تصريحات للموقع الرسمي للنادي: “هذا هو الوقت الذي أريد فيه رؤية اللاعبين، هذا هو الوقت الذي تظهر فيه الشخصيات الحقيقية”.

وأضاف: “كل شيء كان على ما يرام خلال السنوات الثماني الماضية حيث كنا نفوز بكل شيء ونسيطر على المباريات وكأننا نلعب بكل سهولة، لكن الأمر صعب الآن”.

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وواصل: “هذا هو الوقت الذي يتعين علينا فيه كلاعبين وكأفراد كبار أن ندعم اللاعبين الصغار أو الذين لم يكونوا في النادي لفترة من الوقت ونظهر لهم أسس هذا النادي لأننا بنينا ذلك على مدار السنوات الثماني الماضية وهذا سيساعدنا في تجاوز هذه الفترة”.

وأردف: “إنها كرة القدم، ستمر هذه الأزمة، مع اللاعبين الذين لدينا، ومع المدرب الذي لدينا، ومع النادي والجماهير، ستمر!”.

وأوضح: “ولكننا بحاجة إلى تجاوز العاصفة وبعد فترة التوقف الدولي نعود جميعًا بكامل لياقتنا وجاهزين لخوض جزء مهم للغاية من الموسم!”.

وشدد: “سيكون هناك ضوء في نهاية النفق، أشعر أن هذا لن يمنحنا لقب الدوري الإنجليزي هذه الفترة، ولن يخسرنا اللقب كذلك، من الواضح أنه من الناحية المثالية، أننا نريد أن نكون في الصدارة وألا نخسر المباريات التي خسرناها، لكنها كرة القدم”.

واسترسل: أشعر أن الفرق في منتصف جدول الترتيب تتحسن، فهي تنفق الأموال، وتحاول أن تجعلنا نخسر اللقب الذي فزنا به على مدار السنوات الأربع الماضية”.

واختتم: “لذلك يجب أن يجعلنا هذا أفضل كلاعبين، وأفضل كأشخاص، وأن نضمن تجاوز هذه الفترة الصعبة”.

£128m release clause: Liverpool could sign their new Salah this summer

Liverpool are going to see a lot of change in the months to come. Michael Edwards has returned as FSG’s new CEO of Football, with Richard Hughes in tow as Anfield’s new sporting director, but that is only the tip of the iceberg.

Jurgen Klopp, revered, adored, is leaving the club after over eight years of service, bringing the eminence back to the red half of Merseyside and winning major honours such as the Champions League and Premier League; the latter could yet be gleaned for a second time before the current campaign is over.

The future is painted in obscurity but Klopp is leaving Liverpool in a fantastic position, having replenished the first-team ranks and built up the academy to churn out teenage talent at a prodigious rate.

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He could be a great alternative to the Spaniard.

By
Tom Coates

Mar 18, 2024

Of course, replacing an iconic and irreplaceable manager might seem an impossible task, but there is cause for optimism heading into the unknown, with the rotating of the cogs behind the scenes paving a new road. Expect one or two exciting player acquisitions.

Liverpool's summer transfer targets

According to football correspondent Artur Petrosyan, Liverpool are showing “keen interest” in signing creative midfielder Heorhiy Sudakov from Shakhtar Donetsk, with Juventus and Arsenal also hot on the trail of the 21-year-old.

Considered one of Ukraine’s brightest talents, Sudakov was the subject of a failed €40m (£34m) offer from Serie A champions Napoli in January, and while Liverpool will be tentative to overpay for a relatively untested commodity, Reds scouts have been dazzled by his qualities over the past year.

Who Liverpool welcome to the dugout may well determine whether intrigue becomes something more in the months to come, but the interest is long-standing and he could be shaped into a world-class talent down the line. That £128m release clause may well be problematic, however.

Heorhiy Sudakov's style of play

Sudakov is young but he has already cultivated a weight of expectation after some stellar showings in his homeland. He operates in midfield pockets but bends and contorts opposition lines and wreaks havoc with a multi-functioning, many-faceted attacking tool kit.

This season, the dynamic midfielder has scored five goals and created two assists for his teammates across all competitions, including scoring a fine strike against Barcelona in the Champions League.

In the Ukrainian Premier League this term, he’s been spellbinding. Breathtaking. If midfield creativity was an art, he’d be Picasso. As per Sofascore, he has posted three goals and one assist from 14 matches, but this is not a skill set constrained by goals, by assists. No. This is a player of elite calibre, recognised for the glittering diamond within, entombed in rock.

His 87% passing accuracy denotes his crisp and composed distribution, his 1.5 key passes per game highlight a flow of supplementation for the forwards.

Moreover, Sudakov averages four ball recoveries, 6.7 successful duels and 3.1 successful dribbles per game, the latter coming in at a staggering 80% success rate.

Liverpool is the perfect club to nurture his talents to the fore, currently guiding a rich crop of midfield players and an exciting wave of academy potential.

Heorhiy Sudakov for Ukraine.

As per FBref, based on Champions League performance only, Sudakov ranks among the top 21% of midfielders for shot-creating actions and the top 18% for progressive carries per 90, showcasing his energetic and creative quality against the continent’s best.

He’s not the most combative of players, but then that’s not his role. Harvey Elliott is not the most combative of midfielders either but that does not negate the 20-year-old’s pedigree as a high-class prospect.

Sudakov is two-footed but tends to roam toward the left attacking side, infrequently deployed as a left winger. While there is little doubt that his attributes shine brightest when playing centrally, pushing and prodding toward the final third, Edwards could find that he repeats his brilliant Mohamed Salah acquisition by snapping up this talented player.

Why Edwards could repeat Mohamed Salah deal

To be clear: Sudakov is not cut from the same cloth as Salah. They are actually positionally opposed, but there’s no doubt that there are similarities and Sudakov could be a signing to lift Liverpool in the early phase of a new era, much like Salah did way back when.

Mohamed Salah for Liverpool

Liverpool, with Edwards as the sporting director, signed Salah from Roma for £34m back in 2017 in the early years of Klopp’s reign, with the transfer raising a few eyebrows within the Premier League after the Egyptian failed to succeed at Chelsea.

He’s long put any such doubts to bed, having scored 207 goals and added 89 assists for Liverpool over 337 fixtures, instrumental in the silver-laden success of many campaigns.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored and touches in the attacking penalty area, the top 1% for assists and the top 20% for progressive passes per 90.

All-time Premier League Scorers

Player

Goals

Scoring rate

Alan Shearer

260

0.59

Harry Kane

213

0.67

Wayne Rooney

208

0.42

Andy Cole

187

0.45

Sergio Aguero

184

0.67

Frank Lampard

177

0.29

Thierry Henry

175

0.68

Robbie Fowler

164

0.43

Jermain Defoe

162

0.33

Mohamed Salah

154

0.61

Stats via Premier League

He is also endowed with elite athleticism and holds a mastery of the ambit of facets needed to succeed as a high-class winger.

He was purchased in the fledgling phase of his brilliance and so too could Sudakov be welcomed to Anfield with the raw attributes needed for a great career in the Premier League.

Sudakov is also, as mentioned, more than capable on the wing, with his relentless dribbles, fierce striking ability and expert creativity bearing semblance to Salah when he burst onto the scene, the 31-year-old averaging 2.2 key passes and dribbles apiece during his historic 2017/18 Premier League campaign, as per WhoScored.

Liverpool must take a punt on Sudakov; while there’s work to do until he’s operating at top level, he could be the club’s next “sensation” – as he has been called by talent scout Jacek Kulig – succeeding Salah.

Arsenal can forget all about Toney by signing £64m "serious talent"

So far, the 2023/24 season has been a brilliant one for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta's men have built on their slow and steady start to the campaign and, with just seven league games left, have a real chance of winning their first Premier League title in two decades.

The Gunners have been scoring for fun since the turn of the year, but it was only a few months ago that they looked hopeless up top and found the back of the net just once in 63 shots, so it's not surprising that the North Londoners continue to be linked to several top strikers, such as Ivan Toney, ahead of the summer.

Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

However, as talented as the Brentford ace is, Arsenal could sign a better option based on recent reports.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a report from the Portuguese newspaper Record earlier this week, FC Porto striker Evanilson remains on Arsenal's radar, and the North Londoners have had scouts watch him in person this year.

This isn't the first time the Gunners have been linked with the Brazilian forward this season. Back in January, Football Transfers reported that many within the club saw him as a player with incredible potential and someone worth breaking the bank for, which is something they'll have to do.

According to the same report, the former Fluminense ace will cost Arsenal around €75m to bring to London in the summer, which is about £64m.

While that would represent a hefty investment, it might well be worth it, especially if the alternative is Toney.

How Evanilson compares to Toney

So, comparing strikers to Toney this season is somewhat tricky due to the Englishman's eight-month betting-related football ban, but if you take the Brentford star's output from last season – when he finished third in the Premier League's goalscoring list – and compare it to Evanilson's from this year, the latter's is still more impressive.

In 35 games last year, the former Newcastle United forward found the back of the net 21 times and provided five assists, whereas the Brazilian phenom has scored 22 goals and provided six assists in 36 games so far this season.

Moreover, since the start of the 22/23 campaign, Porto's "serious talent", as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has registered a whopping 47 goal involvements (goals and assists combined), having managed ten goals and nine assists last season, suggesting this is not just a flash in the pan.

So, with the output of the 24-year-old more impressive on the surface, which player has the better underlying numbers?

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.65

0.50

Non-Penalty Goals

0.50

0.33

Assists

0.17

0.08

Progressive Carries

1.82

1.49

Progressive Passes

2.65

2.73

Shots on Target

0.94

1.24

Goals per Shot on Target

0.53

0.27

Passing Accuracy

78.7%

52.4%

Shot-Creating Actions

2.76

2.72

Goal-Creating Actions

0.50

0.41

Miscontrols

1.71

3.64

Dispossessed

1.10

1.32

Well, it's another win for the Fortaleza-born dynamo, as he comes out on top in almost every relevant metric and by quite some margin in some of them.

For example, he produces a higher non-penalty expected goal and assists figure, scores more goals, has much better passing accuracy, is more clinical with the shots he takes, and is far less likely to miscontrol the ball or be dispossessed by an opponent.

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In all, Evanilson looks to be the more complete striker, as well as being four years Toney's junior, so if Arsenal are going to go out and sign a new number nine this summer, picking up the 6 foot Brazilian looks like a far better option, as they could forget about the Brentford star by landing him.

Man City's plans to replace Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva & Ederson revealed amid transfer speculation

Manchester City's transfer plans have been explained as the Premier League champions deal with the potential departures of three key players.

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  • De Bruyne & Ederson 'agree' Saudi moves
  • Silva linked with Barcelona
  • Combined 18 PL titles between trio
  • (C)GettyImages

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    Last week it was reported that agreements had been reached for Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne to sign for Al-Ittihad, and for Ederson to join Al-Nassr. Bernardo Silva, meanwhile, is reportedly interested in joining Barcelona – and even knows what shirt number he wants. These are three important players for Pep Guardiola, but according to, City have no immediate plans to replace them.

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  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    De Bruyne and Ederson's long-term futures appear pretty tenous right now. The Belgian playmaker is out of contract at the end of the coming season and has admitted he is "open" to a Saudi move, while those close to Ederson felt he was ready to move to the Middle East towards the end of the last campaign. In a relief to City supporters, the club reportedly expect both players to remain this summer, and so the need to replace them immediately is reduced.

  • (C)Getty Images

    DID YOU KNOW?

    City have explored the goalkeeper market as they faced the possibility of both Ederson and Stefan Ortega leaving. They may not need to now, though, with Ederson's backup signing a new contract last month to remain in Manchester. He would be considered No.1 if the Brazilian did move on.

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  • WHAT NEXT FOR CITY?

    City have spent the early part of the summer focusing on outgoings, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Tommy Doyle leaving on permanent deals. They could soon complete their first signing with the expected arrival of Brazilian wonderkid Savinho.

Sunderland could take huge risk on 3-5-2 coach who’s unbeaten v Black Cats

Even with Sunderland announcing that Mike Dodds would be manager until the end of the season following Michael Beale's dismissal, that hasn't stopped the Black Cats rumour mill churning out possible Beale successors for the summer.

It will be a major decision for the Black Cats board to get right, with Dodds even in line for the permanent job if he excels in his temporary duties between now and the end of this campaign.

With the likes of Steve Cooper linked to the vacancy, another name that has tasted promotion success up to the Premier League is also being touted to be in the running for the Sunderland job.

Yet, unlike Cooper, this appointment might not be the best fit despite this name's impressive unbeaten record against the Black Cats when occupying the other dug-out.

Sunderland's manager search

TEAMTalk have reported that former Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom will be spoken to regarding the Sunderland vacancy, the 46-year-old manager eager to dip his toes back into the cut and thrust of second-tier football despite the calamitous end to his Blades reign.

This would be a risky decision to take by those associated with the Black Cats, with Heckingbottom exiting South Yorkshire with just one Premier League win from 14 matches in charge this campaign with the Blades looking doomed to an immediate return to the Championship.

Still, with an automatic promotion up to the top flight on his resume sticking out – with football pundit Carlton Palmer describing this feat as "remarkable" at the time – the Sunderland hierarchy could deem Heckingbottom as a potentially successful successor to Beale regardless of any recent misfires.

Heckingbottom's managerial record

The 46-year-old boss is certainly one that divides opinion, with fans of Barnsley and Leeds United cold on their ex-manager after struggling at both Oakwell and Elland Road.

Winning just four matches in charge of the Whites from the 16 games he was in the dug-out for, on top of accumulating 40 losses with the Tykes, it's fair to say Heckingbottom had to rebuild his scarred managerial career somewhat at Bramall Lane.

Heckingbottom would win 51 games for Sheffield United as both a permanent manager and as a caretaker, which coincided in the South Yorkshire outfit winning automatic promotion last season comfortably before the wheels came off making the jump up.

Club

Games managed

Wins

Draws

Losses

Sheffield United (permanent/caretaker)

109

51

18

40

Hibernian

32

12

10

10

Leeds United

16

4

4

8

Barnsley

105

37

28

40

Still, it's not as if Chris Wilder – Heckingbottom's immediate replacement – has fared any better with the Blades rooted to the foot of the Premier League table on 13 points currently.

Heckingbottom's insistence on playing a 3-5-2 formation – which saw varied levels of success at Bramall Lane – could work at the Stadium of Light away from his numbers as a boss, with the likes of Trai Hume excelling potentially as a wing-back figure.

Moreover, amazingly so, Heckingbottom has never lost a game when facing off against the Wearside outfit as a manager – picking up four wins and a draw from his five encounters with Sunderland, with the last win coming just last year as the Blades won 2-1 away from home.

It would be a major risk to throw Heckingbottom into the spotlight at Sunderland, with the job having a reputation for swallowing managers whole and then spitting them back out again as was seen with Beale, but his recent promotion-winning status could sway the Black Cats hierarchy somewhat.

Regardless of who is chosen next as Beale's successor, it will no doubt be an interesting managerial saga to watch unfold with Dodds keen to impress now to stake his own claim for the permanent job.

Man Utd close in on Joshua Zirkzee! Red Devils agree personal terms with Bologna forward ahead of €40m transfer

Manchester United are attempting to finalise the signing of Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee as Erik ten Hag looks to strengthen his forward line.

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  • United closing in on Zirkzee
  • Striker has been a key summer target
  • Personal terms agreed
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Per The Athletic, United are in the process of finalising the signing of Zirkzee from the Serie A club. They have already agreed personal terms and agent fees, but they are now negotiating a transfer fee. The Netherlands international's contract contains a release clause worth €40m (£34m/$43m) but Bologna insist that the clause is paid in full, which has provided a stumbling block. As such, United are weighing up whether to trigger the clause or attempt to negotiate a separate fee.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Zirkzee scored 11 Serie A goals last season as Bologna qualified for the Champions League and United have identified him as their key target to bolster a flagging strikeforce. Last season, Rasmus Hojlund scored 16 goals but their other three top scorers – Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Scott McTominay – are not outright strikers.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Per the report, United view Zirkzee as having complimentary skills to Hojlund and having both in the squad strengthens Ten Hag's tactical options. Anthony Martial left this summer, and United have been seeking a forward to replace him.

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    WHAT NEXT?

    United will hope to formalise the signing of Zirkzee before moving onto other targets. They are also pursuing a deal for a centre-back, having seen an opening bid for Jarrad Branthwaite rejected by Everton.

ماركا ترد على اتهامات سيميوني ضد كورتوا ومطالبته بعقابه

ردت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية على اتهامات المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي أتلتيكو مدريد، دييجو سيميوني، ضد حارس مرمى ريال مدريد، تيبو كورتوا.

وشهدت مباراة ريال مدريد وأتلتيكو مدريد مساء أمس، الأحد، أحداثًا مؤسفة من قبل جماهير الفريق المضيف مما أدى إلى توقفها من قبل حكم المباراة.

وقام الحكم بإيقاف اللقاء وخروج اللاعبين من الملعب لمدة 15 دقيقة تقريبًا، بعدما اشتكى كورتوا من إلقاء جماهير أتلتيكو مدريد لأشياء على أرض الملعب من ضمنها “ولاعة”.

اقرأ أيضًا | أنشيلوتي: قلصنا الفارق مع برشلونة.. وقرار الحكم أثر على أتلتيكو مدريد مثلنا

ولكن على الرغم من ذلك، تحدث سيميوني عن كورتوا، وقال: “إذا كان هناك استفزازًا في البداية منه ستحدث تلك الأشياء وهو ما عاشه مع أتلتيكو مدريد من قبل في ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو”.

وتابع: “يجب معاقبة من قام بتلك الاستفزازات، وليس من يعيش دور الضحية”.

ورغم ذلك، أكدت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية أن استفزازات كورتوا لجماهير أتلتيكو مدريد جاء ردًا على هتافاتهم ضد البلجيكي وترديد: “كورتوا.. مت”.

وهذا ما أكدت كاميرات قنوات “موفيستار” الإسبانية التي تنقل مباريات الدوري الإسباني بعد هدف إيدير ميليتاو في مرمى أتلتيكو مدريد.

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