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Journalist Beren Cross has revealed that Leeds United were keen on handing Jack Harrison a new contract but a recent bid has thrown “cat amongst the pigeons”.

What’s the word?

Earlier this week, The Athletic reported that Leicester City made a £20m offer for the player and it remains to be seen if he will be allowed to leave in January.

As things stand, Harrison has 18 months left on his contract which expires in the summer of 2024 and he has been a regular member of Jesse Marsch’s team this season.

According to Cross, the player’s agent was set to hold talks over a new deal with Leeds in February with all parties keen to extend his current terms. However, Leicester’s bid may have now changed things.

Talking on a LeedsLive Facebook stream, the journalist explained (17:34): “He’s only got 18 months left on his deal. Now, we’ve had nothing to suggest Leeds don’t want to give him a new contract.

“We spoke to Harrison in December in Spain, and he made it clear then that his agent would be coming over. And there was every intention of signing a new deal.

“You know, I’ve spoken to Harrison’s camp, we’ve spoken to Leeds. All parties were very, very clear they wanted to sign a new deal.

“Leeds were keen for it to go into February, get the January window out of the way. So that was the plan. But Leicester, of course, put a cat amongst the pigeons.

“And in my opinion, it’s very hard to turn it down if they can maybe squeeze out another £5m or £10m. I think £20m seems a bit short in the current market.”

Keep or sell?

Interestingly enough, while the news broke recently it didn’t stop Harrison from starting and scoring in his club’s FA Cup win away at Accrington Stanley.

And with 20 appearances, two goals and seven assists in all competitions so far this season, it’s fair to say Marsch trusts the 26-year-old as a key part of his team.

Still, now could be the perfect time to sell with just 18 months left on his contract and this new bid potentially changing Harrison’s willingness to sign a new deal.

What’s more, with the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Luis Sinisterra,  Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto, and Georginio Rutter in the squad, it’s not as if the Whites don’t have depth in that part of the field.

Still, seeing as Anthony Gordon is joining Newcastle United for around £45m – and he has just seven Premier League goals to his name in his career – Leeds may well feel as though Harrison (who has 17) may be worth a bit more than the £20m offered.

Leeds United could be set to complete another signing, as they close in on one for the future…

What’s the latest?

At least that is the assumption of the Yorkshire Evening Post, who yesterday all but confirmed that a deal was in place for the Whites to sign Diogo Monteiro.

The suggestion is that the youngster should get his big move to Elland Road once he turns 18, and as such is expected to complete the transfer around the 28th of January.

This would mark their third signing of the month, with one eye on replacing the current crop of defenders should they begin to decline.

He’s an ideal Koch heir

Already boasting a distinctly youthful team, it seems Jesse Marsch is still not content with having the second-lowest average age of a starting XI in the league.

He aims to further secure the future of his club with incredible talent, and as such has clearly instructed Victor Orta to complete this mission.

Having returned with Monteiro as the answer, and with the relative ease they seem to have acquired him, it marks a huge coup for the Yorkshire outfit who are admittedly a little thin when it comes to defensive reinforcements.

Even those that do feature are guilty of being one of the worst teams in the league at the back, having conceded 33 goals in just 19 games. Only four teams boast a worse record than this.

At the heart of that contingent is Robin Koch, who seems to be growing into his role despite a shaky start to life at the club.

Initially brought in under former manager Marcelo Bielsa, he featured heavily in the squad that nearly succumbed to relegation last season.

Featuring 20 times in the Premier League, he was handed a 6.51 average rating, indicative that the 26-year-old certainly can struggle in the league at times.

Having now bumped that up to a 6.71 this year, things are looking up for his future at the club, and he could bestow that wisdom of overcoming such adversity onto Monteiro. This would hopefully allow the 17-year-old to avoid a potential teething period like the one Koch endured, and see that when he is called upon he is ready to instantly shine for Leeds.

The Portugal youth international is already starring in the top league in Switzerland for FC Servette, where he has showcased his classy demeanour on the ball that outlines him as a fine modern defender.

Earning a 6.70 rating from his three games, he is averaging an 83% pass accuracy, spreading 2.3 completed long balls per 90 as well as 10.3 accurate balls in the opposition’s half, via Sofascore.

His creativity often gives way to his defending, which Koch could again look to teach him ways to excel at both.

Despite this, he remains the “beast in the making” that football scout Ron Dor once dubbed him, one that could grow into a sensational defender. He may, therefore, be the perfect foil to Koch should his performances ever dwindle like last campaign.

Nottingham Forest are reportedly ‘in talks’ to sign Palmeiras defensive midfielder Danilo.

The Lowdown: ‘Busy’ January

Steve Cooper recently admitted that the January transfer window is a ‘really busy’ time for the club, and that there is an ‘opportunity’ to improve his squad.

This is despite them making a staggering 23 new signings in the summer, as well as bringing in attacking midfielder Gustavo Scarpa from Palmeiras on a free transfer.

The Latest: Danilo ‘talks’

Taking to Twitter, Midlands football reporter for The Daily Telegraph John Percy has revealed that Forest are ‘in talks’ with Palmeiras to potentially sign Danilo, with a fee of around £15-20m being mooted:

“#nffc transfer news: Forest are in talks with Palmeiras over a possible deal for defensive midfielder Danilo. Fee of around £15-20m, but also interest elsewhere. A “No 6” is a priority for Forest in this window.”

Expanding in his corresponding article for The Daily Telegraph, Percy adds that Premier League leaders Arsenal are among a number of clubs that have previously investigated the possibility of signing Danilo, and notes that he is a two-time Copa Libertadores winner and was called up for the Brazil squad last year after he impressed at the Club World Cup, where Palmeiras were defeated in the final by Chelsea.

The Verdict: Statement signing

Given that Arsenal were previously linked with him, and he has impressed the Brazilian national team, Danilo would certainly be a statement signing at the City Ground.

Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig has noted some of his strengths as being ‘fast & athletic’, a ‘tireless runner’, ‘technically gifted’ and a ‘tenacious tackler’ with ‘superb long passing ability’, all of the qualities needed to thrive in the Premier League.

He has already played 121 times for Palmeiras by the age of 21, scoring 12 goals and making nine assists (Transfermarkt), and looks to be another big talent coming out of Brazil.

Nonetheless, with the injuries to the likes of Cheikhou Kouyate, Jesse Lingard, Moussa Niakhate, Omar Richards and Giulian Biancone, Danilo could come in and make an impact in Cooper’s team straight away.

Antonio Conte has reportedly ‘asked’ Tottenham Hotspur to sign Bayer Leverkusen central defender Piero Hincapie in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Emerging talent

Hincapie is certainly an emerging talent in the game, and has even been dubbed ‘South America’s best young defender’ in the past.

At just 20 years of age, he has already played 51 games for Leverkusen, including five times in the UEFA Champions League this season (every minute of Ecuador’s FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar.

The Latest: Conte request

Taking to Twitter, TuttoMercatoWeb journalist Marco Conterio has revealed that Conte has personally ‘asked’ the Spurs hierarchy to sign Hincapie in January, as he ‘wants’ the central defender to reinforce his defence:

“Antonio Conte asked for Piero Hincapie of #Bayer04 to the management of #Tottenham. The Italian coach wants the Ecuador central defender to reinforce the #THFC defence.”

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The Verdict: Get it done

Hailed as ‘colossal’ by journalist Victor Hernandez Molina, Hincapie would certainly be an ideal signing for the North London club to improve sort their shaky defence.

After Boxing Day’s 2-2 draw away at Brentford, they have now conceded 23 goals in the Premier League, with only nine other sides conceding more despite sitting in fourth place.

Hincapie is already one of the best centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues, ranking in the top 4% for dribbles completed, 7% for xAG and progressive passes received, and 8% for blocks per game over the past year, while he shares a similar playing style to the Lilywhites’ own Cristian Romero (FBRef).

Lauded as being ‘excellent’ in a back three by South American football expert Tim Vickery, Hincapie could slot in perfectly under Conte.

Rumoured Manchester United transfer target Kylian Mbappe could leave Paris Saint-Germain next summer, according to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth.

The Lowdown: Mbappe on fire in Qatar

The world-renowned attacker has been the star player of the 2022 World Cup so far, strengthening his reputation as perhaps the best footballer on the planet.

Mbappe leads the way with five goals already in the tournament, despite only starting three games, including a ruthless double in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Poland the last 16.

Last month, United were linked with an audacious move for Mbappe as Erik ten Hag looks to make some serious inroads in the transfer market.

The Latest: Summer exit likely?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Sheth claimed that Mbappe could leave PSG at the end of the season, at which point there would be a huge tussle for his signature.

The Sky Sports reporter said in response to being asked when United could strike a deal for the 23-year-old:

“I think next summer. It’s really crazy to think because when someone signs a new contract, you think you’ve got a lot of breathing space. But a lot of these contracts are normally four or five years so, one year into that contract, the club aren’t thinking about a renewal.

“But when Kylian Mbappe signed this contract last summer, it was only a three-year contract, so you immediately pointed towards next summer and thought he’s only going to have two years left then. Are we going to go through this circus again?

“Once you get to two years left on your contract, clubs start getting a little bit nervous about whether they can tie a player down or not.

“It’s going to be interesting to see. I think probably next summer rather than January with regard to Mbappe.”

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The Verdict: Could United really get him?

The notion of seeing Mbappe lining out in a United shirt is beyond exciting, considering that the Frenchman looks like the leading player of his generation, scoring 190 goals in 237 appearances for PSG.

Whoever signs him will need to pay an eye-watering sum of money, though, both in terms of the fee and wages – he is valued at €160m (£137.2m) by Transfermarkt and earns £42.5m per year in wages – and whether or not United could offer enough for him is up for debate.

A move to Real Madrid still feels like the most likely outcome, as has often been touted, but if the Red Devils were to snap up Mbappe, it would have the potential to be one of the most significant signings in their history.

Considering his phenomenal goal record and his ability to excel on the biggest stage, signing him would feel like a game-changing move in terms of pushing once again for Premier League glory.

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly sent scouts to watch Marcus Thuram and Youssoufa Moukoko in action last week. 

The Lowdown: Spurs’ transfer history

The north London club have not been shy when it comes to signing players from clubs across Europe’s top leagues. The likes of Ivan Perisic, Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, Emerson Royal and Bryan Gil, among others, have all moved to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in recent years from overseas clubs.

It now appears that the Lilywhites have their eyes on potentially signing two players who are currently doing the business in Germany.

The Latest: Spurs scouts watch Thuram and Moukoko

According to a recent report from 90min, Tottenham had officials in attendance to watch Thuram and Moukoko in Friday’s clash between Borussia Monchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund, with the former scoring in a 4-2 win for his team.

The report added that Spurs and Manchester United were also keeping a watchful eye over Monchengladbach and United States right-back Joe Scally, who has impressed officials from both clubs this year.

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The Verdict: Tough choice for Spurs

Focusing on Thuram, the Monchengladbach attacker has had more shots at goal (56) and more shots on target (30) than any other player in the Bundesliga this season.

With Moukoko, the 17-year-old has netted six goals and provided three assists across his 14 league games, making him Dortmund’s top scorer in the division.

Even though only Manchester City (40) and Arsenal (33) have scored more goals in the Premier League this season than Spurs (31), the fact that the Lilywhites have been scouting these two players suggests that Antonio Conte wants to add more attacking power to his squad.

Taking all that into account, it’s easy to see why the north London club reportedly sent their scouts to watch the two attacking players in action. Given how impressive they have both been this season, it could be a tough decision for Spurs to make over which player they decide to pursue in the future.

Tottenham Hotspur could be handed the chance to bring Milan Skriniar to the Premier League on a free transfer next summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by 90min, who claim that, with the centre-back’s current deal at Inter Milan set to expire at the end of the current campaign, and with the 27-year-old being yet to put pen to paper on a new deal at the San Siro, Fabio Paratici could be given the chance to sign the Slovakia international on a pre-contract in January.

However, the report goes on to state that Inter’s CEO Beppe Marotta is hopeful of agreeing fresh terms with Skriniar prior to the break for the Qatar World Cup this winter. Meanwhile, the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be keeping a very close eye on the centre-back’s situation.

Regarding the future of the defender at the San Siro, Marotta said: “As far as Skriniar, who is absolutely top-class both on and off the pitch, I hope we can agree a new deal very much, and I’m very optimistic that the negotiations can reach a conclusion by November 13. The conditions look to be positive for me to say this.”

Conte’s dream

Considering just how heavily Spurs have been linked with Skriniar since Antonio Conte’s appointment at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last November, should Paratici manage to land the centre-back on a free transfer in January, it would undoubtedly be a dream deal for the Italian and the north London club.

Indeed, Skriniar was a rock at the heart of Conte’s title-winning Inter defence in 2020/21, with the £56.5m-rated talent helping his side to keep 12 clean sheets in his 32 Serie A appearances. He also averaged 1.5 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 2.7 clearances and won 3.5 duels (at a success rate of 52%) per game.

The £93k-per-week defender also chipped in for the Nerazzurri going forwards that season, scoring three goals during the campaign in addition to making 62.2 passes, 2.6 long balls and 0.3 key passes per game, demonstrating the 27-year-old’s ability to both play out from the back and launch counterattacks.

These returns saw the 54-cap international – who Tibor Goljan dubbed a “leader”, Siavoush Fallahi labelled a “monster” and Andy Castell tagged as “unreal” – average a very impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.07, ranking him as Conte’s seventh-best performer in Inter’s Scudetto-winning campaign.

Furthermore, with FBref ranking Skriniar in the top 3% of centre-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for passes completed per 90 – as well as the top 29% for dribbles completed, the top 25% for shots and the top 28% for shot-creating actions over the last 365 days – the Slovakian would very much appear to possess the forward-thinking mindset that Conte likes his defenders to have.

As such, considering the 53-year-old’s history of success with Skriniar, coupled with the 27-year-old appearing to be a perfect fit for Conte’s tactical set-up in north London, the signing of the player who was valued at €80m (£69.5m) this summer on a free transfer would undoubtedly represent something of a dream deal for the Italian coach.

BCB says those who came in close contact with the infected player have also been isolated

Mohammad Isam20-Sep-2020

A Bangladesh men’s player, who was among the 27 to participate in the skill-training camp ahead of the Sri Lanka tour, has been isolated after showing “classical Covid-like symptoms”, according to the BCB. Those who came in close contact with him have also been isolated, following the latest Covid-19 tests conducted by the board ahead of the camp that began in Dhaka on Sunday. Their next set of tests will be on September 22.The BCB said two players were identified as “borderline negative” in the tests conducted on September 18 and 19, including the one with Covid-19-like symptoms. The players in question did not participate in the camp.”Out of the 27 cricketers for the Bangladesh team skill camp tested on September 18 and 19, two cases have been identified as ‘borderline negative’ with one of them showing classical Covid-19-like symptoms,” the BCB said in a statement. “As per the Covid-19 management guideline and to maintain Bio-Secure Environment standards, the symptomatic individual along with all the players who have been in close contact with him recently, have been isolated until the next test on September 22.”The BCB, however, didn’t say what would happen to the other player who it called “borderline negative”.Saif Hassan, too, is scheduled to be tested for a third time, on September 22. Hassan is currently quarantined at home after two recent positive results, although he is part of the 27-man training squad. These players have been isolating at a city hotel, from where they are expected to go to Mirpur every day for the next six days, starting Sunday.

West Ham United youngster Flynn Downes has hinted at David Moyes to give him more playing time moving forward, having so far had his minutes restricted at his new club.

The Lowdown: Downes struggling for minutes

The 23-year-old has found himself very much on the fringes so far this season, playing just one minute of Premier League action, which came against Manchester City on the opening weekend.

Downes only joined West Ham from Swansea City during the summer transfer window but it appears as though he will have to bide his time to become a fixture in the team.

It looks like he is a little frustrated by the current situation, following some recent remarks in light of a rare start for the Irons.

The Latest: Downes’ message to Moyes

Speaking to The Athletic, Downes said that he hopes to feature more prominently after a ‘man-of-the-match’ performance (in the words of writer Roshane Thomas) in Thursday’s 1-0 win away to Anderlecht, but admitted that his game-time will be at the mercy of Moyes’ discretion.

The 23-year-old said of his scant game-time so far for West Ham:

“It’s been tough. For any player not playing it’s tough. You’ve just got to keep your head down, keep working hard, trying to improve and get in the team.

“Then, when you get opportunities like that, you’ve got to take them. That’s what I’m trying to do and I’ll give 100 per cent every time I go out there.

“I felt alright out there, felt sharp, felt strong, and obviously when you don’t play week in, week out, it’s hard to get that match fitness. There are so many games — that’s why we’ve got a big squad. Hopefully, the gaffer can see what I can do and hopefully he plays me a bit more.

“But that’s up to him.”

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The Verdict: Time for a Premier League start?

Downes was excellent in the aforementioned win over Anderlecht in the Europa Conference League, enjoying a 90% pass completion rate, winning 10 duels and making two interceptions, according to Sofascore.

Following that performance, Moyes admitted that the 23-year-old has given him “something to think about” and “did a really good job” in Brussels on Thursday.

With Tomas Soucek struggling to find his best form this season, now could potentially be an opportunity to hand the Englishman his first Premier League start alongside Declan Rice in the middle of the park – something which has been hinted by Thomas of late.

Sunday’s home clash against Fulham could be an opportunity for Moyes to do just that, although whether or not he will be bold enough to take a gamble on a relatively unproven player at top-flight level remains to be seen.

West Ham United will be hoping to return to winning ways once Premier League action resumes this weekend, with the Hammers currently languishing in the relegation zone having picked up just four points from their opening seven games.

That measly return ensures it is the club’s joint-worst start to a top-flight campaign since the 2016/17 season, while only during the 1973/74 season have the east Londoners registered fewer points (three) at the same stage.

The club’s most recent meeting came in familiar surroundings for David Moyes at Goodison Park, with the former Everton boss seeing his old side run out 1-0 winners courtesy of a Neal Maupay stunner, ensuring that the visitors have now lost eight of their last ten league away games.

Thankfully, the London Stadium outfit will be on home soil against Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend, with the encounter offering the chance to leapfrog Bruno Lage’s men and move out of the drop zone.

To ensure victory, Moyes may well need to make alterations from a side that has been so distinctly underwhelming in recent weeks, with one notable casualty surely that of the struggling Tomas Soucek, with the Czech Republic international having come under fire so far this term.

The 27-year-old has started all seven league games so far this term alongside skipper Declan Rice, although has scored just once and failed to register a single assist, with his tepid form having seen him branded “awful” by journalist Alan Rzepa.

Such worrying displays were also evident last term for the £67k-per-week colossus, as he has struggled both in and out of possession over the past year, notably ranking in just the bottom 18% for pass completion among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, as well as only in the bottom 35% for tackles made.

While he remains a threat in the air due to his towering 6 foot 4 frame – ranking in the top 2% for aerial duels won – the £40.5m-rated man seemingly has little else going for him at present, following a summer which had brought uncertainty over his future amid a reported breakdown in contract negotiations.

Despite his woes, the 52-cap brute remains a regular fixture of the side due to the potential lack of a genuine alternative – with the club having missed out on Amadou Onana over the summer for instance – with journalist Paul Brown perhaps rightly suggesting that it is a “bit too cosy and safe for him.”

Although not a high-profile name, there is a clear replacement for Soucek in the Hammers ranks in the form of Flynn Downes, with it time to hand the boyhood fan a start in the league with the 23-year-old having largely been on the periphery since his £12m move from Swansea City.

The youngster had made just a solitary substitute appearance in the league thus far this term, while he’s featured in three of the Europa Conference League games to date – including qualifiers – albeit having only started one of those.

It could potentially be another case where such a “special” talent – as lauded by one source – is signed by Moyes only to then be simply resigned to the bench, with that having been the case for loanee Alex Kral last term who was bizarrely overlooked for effectively the entire season.

In the case of Downes, the Englishman may not offer the same imposing presence in midfield as that of Soucek, although he is seemingly far more comfortable in possession, having recorded a pass accuracy of 93% in 37 games in the Championship last term, in contrast to his current teammate who had a pass accuracy of just 77% during the 2021/22 campaign.

With the latter man having also underwhelmed for his country against Portugal at the weekend – being branded ‘useless’ by the Czech media – it could well be an ideal time for the new signing to finally get his first league start for the club against Wolves on Saturday evening.