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An update has emerged on Everton target Jesse Lingard, regarding Manchester United’s valuation of the midfielder.

What’s the talk?

According to The Express, Manchester United are now willing to accept offers in the region of £20m for Everton transfer target Jesse Lingard.

The report claims that West Ham are interested in snapping him up on a permanent deal following his loan spell with the club, whilst the Toffees have been linked with a swoop for him this summer.

New Tim Cahill

Everton have reportedly told James Rodriguez that he is free to find a new club between now and the end of the window, which means that Lingard could be brought in as a direct replacement for the ex-Real Madrid man. It could be time to wave bye-bye to James and say hi to the England international, especially given this latest update.

With Lingard available to buy for £20m, Rafa Benitez and Marcel Brands must act on their interest and submit an offer for him. They could run the risk of West Ham, or another club in England or abroad, swooping in to snap him up if they do not move with urgency, which is why they must prepare a bid immediately.

Benitez could unearth Tim Cahill 2.0 with a deal for the attacking midfielder, as he is someone who is capable of chipping in with goals from behind the striker. The retired Australian scored six or more Premier League goals in six separate seasons for the Toffees, regularly providing a goal threat from midfield for the club over the course of a number of years – in total, he finished with an impressive haul of 68 goals in 278 games for the Merseyside club.

With Lingard, Everton could finally find the heir to his goalscoring throne. The 28-year-old spent the second-half of last season on loan to West Ham and proved to be an instant hit, with a stunning nine goals and five assists in 16 league appearances.

In his last 30+ appearances season for Manchester United, Lingard managed eight goals and six assists in the Premier League. This suggests that he has the quality to score and assist goals on a regular basis if given the game time to make an impact.

Red Devils legend Rio Ferdinand once hailed Lingard as an ‘intelligent’ footballer and claimed that he could play in any team. Ferdinand said on Five:

“I’ve argued with pundit after pundit, on-air, and off-air. He could play in any top team because he’s an intelligent footballer. He can play off one touch or two touch.

“He gets judged on his antics on social media. Some people, it rubs them up the wrong way, and they don’t like him because of it and a lot of the youngster generation love it.

“But if you’re looking at him as just a cold footballer, anyone who knows football surely has to see the kid has a talent.”

This shows how highly Ferdinand rates the midfielder and is another reason why Benitez must sanction a deal for Lingard in the coming days.

Dubbed as “special” by Stuart Pearce, if Everton can bring the Englishman through the door then they could have their new Tim Cahill…

AND in other news, Everton could sign major Doucoure upgrade in “very complete” £55k-p/w powerhouse…

Many Wolves fans have been left fuming as a transfer update emerged on Okay Yokuslu.

As per The Express & Star journalist Liam Keen, reports linking the Celta Vigo midfield player with the Midlands club are ‘wide of the mark’.

It was reported last week that both the Molineux faithful as well as Watford are interested in signing Yokuslu before the summer window ends, and that he would cost a fee in the region of £5m.

While on loan at West Brom in the 2020/21 season, he ranked highly among his teammates in terms of average tackles (2.4), interceptions (2.2), dribbles (1.2), passes (33.1) and pass success (82.5%) per match in the Premier League (Whoscored), and so could prove to be a very handy player to have in Bruno Lage’s current squad.

However, it looks as if the Wanderers are not close to his potential signing.

Wolves fans on Yokuslu transfer update

These WWFC supporters fumed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it was ‘ridiculous’:

“Jesus Christ. We are really going to end up not signing anyone. I’m getting worried”

Credit: @ChriWoodward

“This is getting ridiculous now. We need players, even Dendoncker has come out and said that! I’m not one for ‘pant wetting’ as some on here call it, but even the most positive of Wolves fan must be thinking the same?”

Credit: @app588

“Our transfer windows get worse. It’s a bit embarrassing now after Jeff said trust him as far as strengthening first team. Feel for Bruno”

Credit: @Ianph61

“Got to be the worst window surely?”

Credit: @Alexwwfc_

“Relegation”

Credit: @lewis__wwfc7

“We’re going down”

Credit: @JackRaybould_

In other news, find out what transfer update has Wanderers buzzing here!

South Africa eased past a plucky Bangladesh by 12 runs in the Twenty20 at Johannesburg

Will Luke05-Nov-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out
Abdur Razzak bowled a tidy line, picking up 4 for 16, but Bangladesh’s batsmen couldn’t chase down 122 © AFP
Mohammad Ashraful and Tamim Iqbal gave Bangladesh genuine cause for hope, but South Africa’s greater experience eventually told in the tour-opening Twenty20 in Johannesburg. In a match restricted to 14 overs by an electrical thunderstorm, Bangladesh were given a confident start in pursuit of a Duckworth-Lewis-revised 122, before imploding as the pressure began to toll.South Africa, who had batted frenetically earlier in the evening, opened their attack with Johann Louw, the tall seamer making his Twenty20 debut, but it was a tactic that didn’t pay off. Tamim and Junaid Siddique took him for easy runs in an entertaining opening stand of 25 in three overs. Siddique soon fell, but that paved the way for Bangladesh’s captain and most entertaining player, Ashraful, to light up the evening with a sparkling 21 from 10 balls.Rory Kleinveldt, bowling much too short, was pulled for four, slashed for another and cut for a third by a counter-attacking Ashraful. Even Morne Morkel, who has enjoyed an excellent start to the domestic season, couldn’t apply the brake as Ashraful cut him for two savage fours. South Africa’s field was scattered and Bangladesh were in charge. However, Johan Botha – stand-in captain for the injured Graeme Smith – brought himself on and immediately ripped one through Ashraful’s defences to put South Africa back in the hunt.The hunt soon became a charge to victory as the pressure began to toll on Bangladesh. Raqibul Hasan was caught behind off Morkel while, at the halfway point, Tamim fell attempting to charge Botha. 34 were needed from 24, the sort of equation South Africa themselves might have fancied, but it was a little too much for Bangladesh. Mushfiqur Rahim edged Albie Morkel past the slips for four, then lifted him down the ground for another boundary, but an excellent comeback over from Louw, in which he conceded just three runs, left the visitors too much to do. Dale Steyn, bowling with serious pace, took 2 for 18 and looked in coltish form.A comprehensive win on paper for South Africa, then, but their 118 for 7 was a curious mix of the sublime and the frenetic. Loots Bosman and Herschelle Gibbs set the tone in style, particularly Gibbs, who unleashed his trademark cover-drives, standing tall to drive Syed Rasel, on the up, for two creamy fours. Neither Rasel or Shahadat Hossain found any swing, and Bosman took full advantage to pluck Hossain over midwicket for another four.After four overs South Africa had raced to 43 without so much as threatening an ugly slog, but Rasel maintained a good line outside Gibbs’ off stump, cramping him for room to have him bowled off an inside edge. Bosman motored onwards, threatening a big score when he plucked Hossain for six deep into the midwicket stand. He lost his wicket attempting an even bigger heave off the impressively controlled slow-left-arm spin of Abdur Razzak.Thunder and lightening sent the players off for half-an-hour, and again for 45 minutes, but South Africa rather lost their way on their return. Only AB de Villiers (36) looked to have the situation under control as the likes of Justin Ontong, JP Duminy and Albie Morkel – all of whom made 6 – fell to needlessly extravagant strokes. Razzak’s impressive line earned him career-best figures of 4 for 16.Bangladesh now face South Africa in three ODIs, the first of which gets underway at Potchefstroom on Friday.

Crystal Palace are reportedly keen to bring RB Leipzig winger Ademola Lookman to Selhurst Park on a season-long loan deal this summer.

What’s the story?

According to The Sun, new manager Patrick Vieira is keen to add the highly-rated 23-year-old to his first-team squad this summer as he continues his revolution in south London.

The report states that fellow Premier League sides Watford and Burnley are also interested in acquiring Lookman’s services and that Leipzig’s £3.5 million loan fee, plus wages of £50,000 a week, are too much for other admirers.

Steve Parish must swoop

Although he was unable to prevent Fulham from suffering relegation last season, Lookman enjoyed a successful return to the Premier League with the Cottagers.

The former England under-21 international caught the eye with a string of impressive performances for the capital club, bagging four goals and laying on a further four assists in 34 top-flight appearances, earning praise from his former manager Scott Parker.

“You can see the quality the boy’s got. We knew that at the start of the window when he was the main one I wanted in – the main one I was calling for,” Parker revealed.

“I think you can see in a short space of time – at Brentford the other night and now here today – that the boy’s got unbelievable quality. He’s a big plus for us this year, and he’s going to be a big help for us. Hopefully, he can keep playing the way he is.”

Lookman was one of Fulham’s standout performers throughout 2020/21, achieving a WhoScored rating of 6.92, bettered only by Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and his arrival at Palace would be seen as a significant coup.

The Eagles have already brought in several young, exciting additions in the current window and Lookman would be another intriguing signing for Vieira’s charges.

With Eberechi Eze out injured until the new year, Lookman could be the ideal temporary replacement for the ex-Queens Park Rangers ace, perfectly offsetting his enforced absence without Palace having to splash out on a permanent acquisition.

Therefore, chairman Steve Parish must swoop for the diminutive forward over the coming months, providing Vieira with the necessary quality and squad depth for the season ahead.

And, in other news…Report drops exciting Palace transfer update on 19 y/o prodigy, fans will be buzzing 

Jonathan Bairstow has followed in his father’s footsteps by signing a two-year contract with Yorkshire

Cricinfo staff17-Oct-2008
Jonathan Bairstow: ‘This is where the really hard work starts now’ © Wisden
Jonathan Bairstow has followed in his father’s footsteps by signing a two-year contract with Yorkshire.Bairstow, son of David, the former Yorkshire and England wicketkeeper, turned 19 in September and was the inaugural winner of the 2007 Wisden Schools’ Cricketer of the Year award. He enjoyed a fine 2008 season for Yorkshire seconds, scoring 308 runs at 61.60 in the Second XI Championship, and was understandably delighted in joining the club on a full-time basis.”It’s every Yorkshire boy’s dream to play for this club and to sign my first contract is very special,” he told Yorkshire’s website.”This is where the really hard work starts now, to move on in the professional ranks and do well enough to get into first team contention. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Hot on the heels of Mushtaq Ahmed’s retirement from county cricket, Sussex have swooped to sign another Pakistani, Mohammad Sami

Cricinfo staff31-Aug-2008
Mohammad Sami adds sheer pace to Sussex’s Championship ambitions © Getty Images
Hot on the heels of Mushtaq Ahmed’s retirement from county cricket, Sussex have swooped to sign another Pakistani, Mohammad Sami.Mushtaq, who has suffered from persistent knee trouble, hung up his boots four days ago, and has been instrumental in helping Sussex secure Sami’s services.”Mushtaq helped massively with the signing of Mohammad – spending ten days, almost non-stop, on the phone making sure that everything went smoothly,” Mark Robinson, the club’s cricket manager, said. “We had originally hoped that Mohammad would be here in time for last week’s match with Nottinghamshire. However, his arrival late last night will give everybody a boost for what is increasingly looking like an extremely important game at Scarborough on Wednesday.”Gus Mackay, the club’s chief executive, commented: “Mohammad’s arrival comes just in time for an intense finish to the domestic season. It will be an exciting month and his experience and ability should prove vital in our search for more silverware.”Sussex, the Championship title holders, are placed sixth in Division One, yet only 16 points separate them and the leaders, Nottinghamshire, in another frantic finish to the season’s premier competition.

Aston Villa have suffered a major blow in their pursuit of Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe.

What’s the story?

The Villans have already seen separate bids of £25 million and £30m turned down by the north London outfit for their academy graduate this summer, but their hopes of striking a deal appear to be all but over.

That’s after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was adamant that Smith Rowe will be staying at the club following their pre-season defeat to Hibernian.

“Without a question. Yes. He will stay here. 100%,” stated the Spanish tactician.

Dean Smith will be gutted

Villa enjoyed a fabulous campaign in 2020/21, finishing in 11th position in the Premier League standings despite club captain Jack Grealish suffering a serious injury, limiting him to 26 top-flight appearances.

The Midlands outfit are keen to build on their impressive showing last season, already adding former Norwich City ace Emi Buendia to their ranks in a big-money deal.

Smith Rowe had been identified as Dean Smith’s next priority signing, but the England Under-21 international appears set to remain at the Emirates Stadium for the foreseeable future.

Arteta’s latest comments will surely leave Smith feeling gutted after missing out on one of the nation’s most promising young talents, although Arsenal’s determination to keep hold of the highly-rated gem should come as no surprise.

After a string of injuries sidelined several star names in the Gunners’ first-team squad, Smith Rowe was handed his opportunity to impress alongside fellow academy graduate Bukayo Saka last term, and he certainly made the most of the opening.

“I know what they are capable of doing. They are developing really well, and that’s a merit to them, a merit for their teammates and everybody that is involved to try to support them and protect them as well,” claimed Arteta.

“But the performances that they are putting in are extraordinary.”

Arsenal’s stance leaves Villa back at square one in their mission to bolster Dean Smith’s options, although attempting to pull off a deal for Smith Rowe was always going to be ambitious.

And, in other news…Manager delivers blow to Villa over “exemplary” £14k-p/w beast, Smith will be gutted 

Newcastle United are reportedly in talks to sign Mario Lemina in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Lemina impresses

Despite Fulham getting relegated from the Premier League down to the EFL Championship at the end of the 2020/21 season, Lemina had a fine individual campaign while on loan there from Southampton.

The Gabon international won no fewer than 4.5 of his duels per game in the top flight, and also averaged 2.2 tackles and 1.1 interceptions a match (Sofascore).

The Latest: Lemina talks

As per The Daily Mail, the St. James’ Park faithful have revived talks with the Saints over signing Lemina in a deal worth in the region of £4m, and hope to reach an agreement later on this week.

The North East club tried to sign him last month, offering players in exchange, but Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team were keen to cash in on a player with just a year left on his current deal at St. Mary’s.

The Verdict: Sign

Lemina has plenty of experience of playing in the Premier League, and at 27 years of age, is about to enter his prime years as a footballer.

While his £64,000-per-week wages may prove to be a stumbling block, to sign him for just a £4m fee could certainly prove to be a bargain, given that he is currently valued at £9m by Transfermarkt.

Nonetheless, he would be a welcome addition as another handy option for Steve Bruce in the centre of midfield, where his options will be looking very thin if a deal for loan favourite Joe Willock cannot be completed.

In other news, find out what promising takeover claim Steve Wraith has issued here!

Leeds United defender Leif Davis is set for a loan move to Bournemouth following a surprise late development.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days had suggested that the 21-year-old was in advanced talks with Scott Parker’s side over a season-long loan move, but that appeared to have fallen through. Football Insider claimed that the plug had been pulled on the young defender’s move to the south coast, and that those involved in the discussions did not expect talks to be restarted.

However, it now appears that a deal has been resurrected at the 11th hour, with Football Insider revealing some big news from behind-the-scenes.

They outlined: “A Leeds source has told Football Insider that Davis underwent a Cherries medical on Saturday after the two clubs reached agreement over a season-long loan.

“The transfer is expected to be completed in the next 24 hours. Davis will then be able to link up with his new teammates and prepare for Bournemouth’s Championship campaign starting against West Brom on 6 August.

“Marcelo Bielsa is keen for Davis to get regular senior playing experience rather than be a bit-part figure at Leeds. Davis, who is primarily a left-back but can also move across to centre-back, is keen to be playing regularly.”

Bielsa will be delighted

Having played just 31 minutes of football in the Premier League last season, and predominantly spending his time with the under-23s, Davis didn’t get too many opportunities to impress in the first team.

However, there’s no questioning that those behind the scenes at Leeds rate him very highly indeed, with The Athletic’s Phil Hay making a big claim about how the staff at Thorp Arch think of the 21-year-old.

Hay said: “He’s very well thought of, is Davis, and he has been since he came, and of the Under-23s, he’s really been as involved as most under Bielsa and has quite often been the go-to player when Bielsa’s needed a left-back.

“The bottom line is that at Leeds, they think an awful lot of Davis, and they think that he’s a bit of a steal for what they paid to sign him from Morecambe.”

Getting him a season-long loan move to a promotion-chasing side like Bournemouth, where he should play consistently, is exactly what’s needed for his development, and he should return as a much better player and person for it next summer.

Given Football Insider’s claim that Bielsa is “keen” for Davis to be playing regularly, most probably with a view to eventually using him in the first team setup at Leeds in the coming years, the Whites boss must be delighted that a loan move is now set to happen for the youngster.

Meanwhile, Leeds United have made an approach for this English youngster…

BRISBANE, Nov 29 AAP – Western Australia has defeated Queensland by six wickets in a thrilling ING Cup one-day match at the Gabba tonight.

AAP29-Nov-2002BRISBANE, Nov 29 AAP – Western Australia has defeated Queensland by six wickets in a thrilling ING Cup one-day match at the Gabba tonight.Almost two and a half hours of play was lost during the evening sessions due to thunderstorms, meaning the Warriors target was revised twice under the Duckworth-Lewis system.After the second stoppage due to rain, WA was set 127 off 25 overs and they reached the target with six wickets and only one ball to spare with captain Mike Hussey and Murray Goodwin guiding the Warriors to victory with a 51-run partnership.Openers Chris Rogers and Scott Meuleman got WA off to a flying start with 50 off less than 10 overs and the Warriors looked to be cruising to victory, however after the loss of Rogers along with Marcus North and Ryan Campbell in quick succession, Queensland looked to be in the driver’s seat.Hussey and Goodwin came together with the score at 4-76 and had to score at a run a ball for the last six overs.The Warriors required 11 runs off the last over after the Bulls turned the screws in the closing stages, however Hussey was able to hit the winning runs off the second last ball to give WA its first win in the ING Cup season.Fringe Australian paceman Brad Williams made Queensland’s prospects of victory as gloomy as the skies over the Gabba.Williams ripped through the Queensland batting line up returning figures of 4-29 to help dismiss the home side for 190 off 49.1 overs.Williams bowled with genuine pace and hostility to lead the impressive Warriors attack that made the most out of a bouncy Gabba wicket and overcast conditions.Only a gutsy 84 by Queensland captain Jimmy Maher, who won the toss, prevented a complete washout.Playing on the same pitch that yielded an outright result for Queensland in just seven sessions in the Pura Cup clash earlier in the week, the Bulls were in trouble early with both Martin Love and Lee Carseldine back in the pavilion with the score 2-12.Maher and Clinton Perren steadied the ship, compiling a 63-run stand that was gathering momentum before Perren fell to a sharp catch by Jo Angel off his own bowling.Dangerman Andrew Symonds had the crowd salivating with a magnificent cover drive to get off the mark but he was out just two balls later to leave Queensland 4-80.Maher began to establish promising partnerships with both Brendan Nash and James Hopes but their untimely dismissals took away any momentum.Nash played on to his stumps off the bowling of Williams for 14 while Hopes was trapped in front of his stumps by Kade Harvey for 17 as the Bulls floundered on 6-139.Maher shone like a beacon, playing a true captain’s knock which included bringing up his 50 with a cheeky reverse sweep.It was Maher’s 17th domestic half century but was certainly not his most convincing knock for Queensland as he played and missed on numerous occasions to Williams and Matthew Nicholson.Some lusty hitting late in the innings added respectability to the total with Maher the last to be caught behind by Campbell off Nicholson just eight runs short of becoming the leading run scorer in Australian domestic one-day competition.Before this evening’s match Queensland was on top of the table with two wins from three matches while the Warriors had lost their only outing.