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Leeds United are unwilling to pay the £8million Huddersfield Town are demanding for Lewis O’Brien, according to The Athletic‘s Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Leeds keen on O’Brien

Marcelo Bielsa may be on the lookout for a backup to Kalvin Phillips this season, in order for the Whites star to be given a breather now and again after a long, gruelling campaign followed by Euro 2020 in the summer.

One player who Leeds have been continually linked with is O’Brien, who has been a key man at Huddersfield, making 82 appearances for the Championship club.

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The Latest: Hay provides key update

Writing in a Q&A for The Athletic on Friday [via Sportslens], Hay confirmed that Leeds are interested in signing O’Brien, also saying ‘Bielsa likes him’.

The Whites don’t want to spend the required £8million for his services, however, which could scupper a potential deal happening.

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The Verdict: Is £8m too much?

While O’Brien has clearly been an influential figure for Huddersfield, winning the club’s Player of the Year award in 2019/20, £8million does arguably sound a little steep for someone plying their trade in the Championship.

At 22, the midfielder is admittedly a long-term prospect with plenty of time to develop, but Leeds may be wise looking elsewhere unless the Terriers lower their demands.

It would be a hefty amount to spend on a player who wouldn’t even be going into the starting lineup regularly, despite once being hailed as ‘incredible’ by Huddersfield writer Steven Chicken.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly still keen on signing a player who shone at Euro 2020. Find out who it is here.

Cricket Canada is planning a multi-city league to generate more interest for the sport among people in the ICC Associate Member country

Cricinfo staff26-Dec-2008
Cricket in Canada: Thrust worthy © Eddie Norfolk
Cricket Canada is planning a multi-city league to generate more interest for the sport in the country. “This is just the beginning,” Cricket Canada CEO Atul Ahuja told . “Like the National Hockey League [NHL] in North America, we now plan a multi-city league to take cricket to the masses.”We have a five-year strategic plan to take the sport to the grassroots. We want to introduce a multi-city franchise professional league – on the lines of the NHL. Discussions are underway and we are keen that we play this league in the winter months in an indoor arena. We know we can present a world-class league for our spectators and global TV viewers.”Cricket Canada, an associate member of the ICC, took a big leap forward in July when cricket became officially recognised by the government, leaving the sport eligible to potentially receive huge amounts of funding. And under Cricket Canada, the sport has managed to attract top banks and corporates as sponsors.With the help of Scotiabank, Canada hosted its first T20 national league in May. This was followed by an ODI tri-series in King City featuring West Indies, Bermuda and the hosts, in August, where Canada lost the final against West Indies by seven wickets.In October, King City played host to the T20 Canada, the world’s first Twenty20 quadrangular series, involving Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and the hosts. Canada once again came up short, finishing fourth as Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the final by five wickets.Ahuja, however, said he was not worried about the financial aspect as more sponsors were keen to jump on to the cricket bandwagon after the success of the events this year. “When I took over in 2007, I straightway chose to drive change in key areas like corporate sponsorship, spectator-driven events, year-round training, and bring ICC full-member nations to play here,” he said.”For the first time in Canadian cricket, we got corporate sponsorship when Scotiabank signed for a three-year contract to become our national sponsor.”Global TV coverage of these tournaments put Canada on the world cricket map. No other country hosted six ICC members or four ICC full members this year,” Ahuja said.It has been an indifferent year for Canada though, winning two of the six ODIs and two of the seven Twenty20 internationals they played. They also finished a disappointing fifth in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers, which featured the top six associate nations, and were third in the 2008-09 ICC Americas Division 1 tournament which saw the USA clinch the title.However, Ahuja said the impetus from future tournaments may result in a turnaround for the game in the country. “We will be hosting the Under-19 World Cup in 2012 and this will be an opportunity for Canada to be counted as ‘grown-up’ on the world stage – both from governance and performance standpoints. Currently, we are focussing on our U-15 squad to be counted as a winning nation by 2012.”

Arsenal are closing in on two more signings, according to emerging reports…

What’s the word?

According to renowned Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are close to sealing a double swoop for Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard and Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

“Martin Ødegaard will sign his contract as new Arsenal player today. The agreement will be until June 2026 [option included] – Real Madrid are also preparing their official statement,” he tweeted on Thursday.

“Aaron Ramsdale deal between Arsenal and Sheffield Utd will be also completed ‘very soon’.”

Two more incoming

Mikel Arteta and his side got the new Premier League season off to the worst possible start as they were defeated by newly-promoted Brentford away from home last Friday.

But now nearly a week on, there is some positive news that should give hope to much of the Emirates Stadium faithful, especially with huge games to come against Chelsea on Sunday and Manchester City in the early kick-off next weekend.

In Odegaard, the young Spanish boss will be getting a little fix to his creativity problems.

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Arsenal failed to score against the Bees, albeit in the absence of striker trio Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, but only four of their 19 key chances came from the engine room, via WhoScored.

During a successful loan spell last season, the Norweigan playmaker ranked first for key passes per 90 minutes (2.1) in the current squad, so it’s a welcome boost to see him return, in what is expected to be a £34m deal. That should give fans some much-needed encouragement.

They should also be delighted by the fact that they aren’t paying as much as first reported for Ramsdale, who ticks two huge boxes for the club.

Firstly, he’s a homegrown talent, which will help Arteta meet the registration quota, whilst he will also rival Bernd Leno for the no.1 spot – something that has been lacking since the exit of Emiliano Martinez to Aston Villa.

The 23-year-old shot-stopper is likely to cost just £24m upfront, rather than the Blades’ initial £40m asking price. Whilst he may have two relegations on his CV, he’s a necessary addition this month.

Overall, this latest and major development from Romano should have many supporters absolutely buzzing.

AND in other news, Arsenal “in talks” to sign £27m-rated “rare talent”, Edu could find their next Vieira…

Australia’s fresh bowling line-up just managed to make up for their costly slip in the first match by shutting out South Africa to level the series

The Bulletin by Peter English17-Jan-2009Australia 9 for 249 (Marsh 78, Ponting 64, Ntini 3-39) beat South Africa 6 for 244 (Kallis 72) by 5 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Shaun Marsh backed up from his 79 in Melbourne with 78 in Hobart as Australia secured an important victory © Getty Images
Australia’s fresh bowling line-up just managed to make up for their costly slip in the first match by shutting out South Africa to level the series at 1-1 in Hobart. The tourists stole a three-wicket win in Melbourne on Friday and threatened to do it again, finishing six runs short of victory at 6 for 244.With no Lee, Clark, Tait or Watson, Australia instead relied on the next rung of Hilfenhaus, Bracken, Harris, Hopes and Hussey to stifle the South Africans after Ricky Ponting and Shaun Marsh set up their 9 for 249. Jacques Kallis compiled a useful half-century and AB de Villiers chipped in with 44 on a tricky surface offering variable pace and bounce, but the calm pursuit did not include the required amount of urgency until another dramatic conclusion.South Africa left their Powerplay to the 45th over and accelerated to the point where they needed 17 from the final over off Ben Hilfenhaus. Mark Boucher launched a six to long-on and eight were wanted from the last two deliveries, but they could only rush two singles.Kallis, who picked up two wickets earlier in the day, was the key following the loss of both openers as they slipped to 2 for 52 in the 15th over. The batsmen were watchful, taking 27 off the first ten, and Kallis was able to play with the most freedom, although he stayed too cool for too long.He hit five boundaries, including a couple of fierce off-side drives from Ryan Harris, in his 96-ball 72 before exiting when he pushed Hilfenhaus to point. The breakthrough cut Kallis’ stand of 93 with de Villiers that took the visitors to a point where they could launch a late attack.What they didn’t expect was the run out of de Villiers, who was caught a metre short trying for a two to Harris, and the task remained out of reach despite the final flurry. de Villiers limped off with his side in trouble at 4 for 157 and needing seven an over without their two main batsmen.JP Duminy (35) and Neil McKenzie could not break free and the required rate was almost nine when McKenzie played-on to the debutant Harris, who showed energy in his 1 for 54. Hilfenhaus stood out, taking two wickets before he was punished at the end, while Nathan Bracken showed his experience at the start and finish. The offspinner David Hussey and James Hopes were also used cleverly in encouraging signs for the future.The hosts were boosted by Marsh’s fifth fifty in 10 games and 64 from Ponting as they put on 135 for the second wicket. Marsh, the Man of the Match, scored 79 at the MCG and followed up with 78 off 103 deliveries in a careful innings that was essential to Australia’s target-setting. He left with the team in a strong position of 3 for 166, but the situation became more difficult the longer the innings went on.After 15 overs the Australians were 66 and they lifted the rate dramatically over the next 10. Then they were slowed by the South African spinners, disrupted when Ponting and Marsh left and took their Powerplay in the 40th over at 3 for 190. Only 23 runs were added in the next 30 balls and the dismissal of Michael Hussey (28) was followed by Cameron White’s.Further problems came when David Hussey, who was out of sorts with 19 off 30, square drove Makhaya Ntini to Albie Morkel at backward point and the dismissal was repeated for Hopes. Brad Haddin scrambled to 23 before being run out on the penultimate delivery and Harris then holed out to long-off to give Ntini 3 for 39.Marsh was fine once he warmed up and impressed with cut shots and drives as he collected nine boundaries. However, he went in sight of a century when he tried to work Duminy to the legside and Herschelle Gibbs ran in from cover for a diving take.Both Marsh and Ponting left in three overs after the captain struggled in the early stages, crawling to 6 off 18 balls. Once settled Ponting gained speed and his half-century took 56 balls, but he didn’t stay much longer and went pulling Kallis to fine leg. Kallis grabbed 2 for 57 and Steyn earned an excellent 2 for 36 in a bowling display that was much better than the slippery-fingered catching over the first half of the innings. Both Marsh and Ponting had lives that proved costly for the visitors.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are preparing a bid for Wales striker Kieffer Moore, according to Football Insider.

The offer will apparently be in the region of £7m, and it remains to be seen whether that’s enough to persuade Cardiff City, who are open to sale because they’re in need of cash.

Wolves are keen to add another centre-forward to their ranks in the final week of the transfer window. They’ve already offloaded two this summer, sending Patrick Cutrone on loan to Empoli and selling Rafa Mir to Sevilla for a fee of £10.8m.

What’s Moore’s track record?

Moore scored 20 goals in 42 Championship appearances for Cardiff last season as they narrowly missed out on the play-off places. His form was enough to earn him three starts for Wales at the European Championship earlier in the summer (via WhoScored).

However, you can still understand why some Wolves fans may be unconvinced given that the has been plying his trade in the second tier and has never played in the Premier League.

Fan feed Talking Wolves relayed the report, and here’s what some of the club’s supporters made of it.

These Wolves fans far from impressed by Moore links

“Never played in the Prem so would be a clear gamble. Mitrovic at Fulham would be a better fit but even he is out of our reach. A sorry state of affairs if it happens but a clear indication of the downward spiral the club finds itself in thanks to Shi.”

Credit: @dougan_the

“Predictable rumours. In the end we can’t attract ‘Top’ players so we’ll raid the championship, panic buying before the deadline. There’s no recruitment strategy plan B.”

Credit: @wolvesmolinews

“Not the quality we require”

Credit: @W4768721431

“This has gotta be a wind up”

Credit: @gricey88

“Oh well, he’ll be useful in the Championship next year”

Credit: @WWFC_OTD

“Oh dear…”

Credit: @robbiepthewolf

In other news, many Wolves fans were also left raging by this transfer update. 

Former Indian captain Gundappa Viswanath has been chosen for the CK Nayudu lifetime achievement award, the highest honour the Indian board can bestow on a former player

Cricinfo staff07-Feb-2009
Gundappa Viswanath, the diminutive dasher from Karnataka, has been chosen for the CK Nayudu award © Getty Images
Former Indian captain Gundappa Viswanath has been chosen for the CK Nayudu lifetime achievement award, the highest honour the Indian board can bestow on a former player. It will be presented to him on February 18 in Mumbai.The CK Nayudu award comes with a trophy, a citation and a cash prize of Rs. 15 lakh (approx. US$ 38,000).Viswanath has been called the “greatest batsman” India has produced by Sunil Gavaskar, one of the most prolific scorers in the history of Test cricket. Viswanath shot into prominence with a double century on his first-class debut for Mysore (as the Karnataka team was referred to then) in 1967-68. Picked in the Indian side in the Kanpur Test of the 1969-70 series against Australia, Viswanath got a duck in the first innings, but made up with a magnificent 137 in the second.Viswanath played 91 Tests for India, scoring more than 6000 runs at an average of over 40. But he is most appreciated for the fact that he scored his big runs when India needed them most. His match-winning 97 against a powerful West Indies team that included the rampaging Andy Roberts in 1974-75, stands out. But his other knocks came in equally trying conditions – 124 in Madras against West Indies in 1978-79, 83 and 79 against New Zealand on a greentop at Christchurch in 1975-76.Viswanath also served as vice-president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association and had a stint as chairman of national selectors from 1992-96. He is currently working as a batting coach at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

Serge Aurier is set to remain at Tottenham Hotspur past deadline day as a frest twist has emerged on his future…

What’s the word?

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast earlier today, Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge revealed that the 28-year-old right-back was a player that Spurs were very keen to move on.

That should hardly come as a surprise as the north Londoners are on the verge of sealing Emerson from Barcelona in a €30m (£25.7m) deal, a move that would take Nuno Santo’s right-back options up to four.

“Aurier’s the one they want out. There’s a lot of people working on it, trying to get him out,” the journalist told FFC. “Genuinely, all they can, so that’s the one they’re looking to get out.”

However, in a new twist, it seems as if the Ivory Coast international will remain a Tottenham player until at least January.

According to Foot Mercato editor-in-chief Sebastien Denis, Aurier is set to stay at Spurs despite last-minute interest from unnamed teams.

Fresh twist

During an interview with L’Equipe back in May, the former Paris Saint-Germain star made his intentions very clear that he wanted to leave the club this summer.

“Everyone knows that if I wanted to extend my contract at Tottenham, I’d have already done so,” he said. “I’m not going to do that in six months’ time. I’ve experienced the Premier League and a Champions League final. I’ve reached the end of a cycle and it’s time to look elsewhere.”

It’s no wonder that Nuno Santo is yet to select him for any of their matches in any competition so far. Hotspur Way academy product Japhet Tanganga has been the first-choice for the time being. Whether Emerson’s arrival changes that very much remains to be seen.

Aurier’s time in north London has been troubled by controversy. He was fined for breaching the country’s lockdown regulations for a third time last year, whilst ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara has previously lambasted him as an “absolute liability” on the pitch.

He’s also a player that has regular faced the brunt of criticism from supporters and many certainly wanted to see the back of him before tonight’s 11pm deadline.

Amid reports linking him with an exit earlier this week, fans were pleading with the club to get rid of him. “Please go” and “Music to my ears” were just two reactions, as relayed by This is Futbol.

Therefore, they will not be best pleased with this latest development. Aurier and his reported £120k-per-week wages will now be burning a hole in the club’s pockets as it’s clear he is not first or second choice heading into the remainder of the season.

AND in other news, Spurs can end deadline day with a bang by signing £40m “machine”, Nuno and Paratici love him…

West Bromwich Albion face a potential battle to bring Daryl Dike to The Hawthorns in January.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Alan Nixon, with The Sun journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that Crystal Palace very much have the Orlando City centre-forward on their radar for the January transfer window.

In response to a fan asking for an update on Palace’s interest in Dike, Nixon said: “Dike very much on the radar. But was always more likely to be a January job.”

Previous reports have claimed that Valerien Ismael is also keen on a deal for his former loanee at Barnsley, with a January deal appearing much easier to get over the line than this summer, as the MLS season will have then drawn to a close.

Ismael will be gutted

Considering the fact that Patrick Vieira secured the £14.67m signing of Celtic centre-forward Odsonne Edouard on transfer deadline day, a deal that appeared to suggest Palace would be out of the running for Dike this January, the news that the Premier League side still seem to be in the race for the 21-year-old is sure to have left Ismael gutted.

Indeed, while the Frenchman did manage to add Jordan Hugill to his squad prior to the closure of the summer transfer window, with only the Norwich City loanee and the out of favour Kenneth Zohore who could be described as a classic number nine in the 45-year-old’s first team, it would appear as if West Brom are still somewhat short of depth in the position.

And, considering Dike’s form for Orlando so far this season, in addition to his returns while on loan at Barnsley last time out, the USA international would certainly appear to make an excellent January signing for the Baggies.

Indeed, over his six MLS appearances for Oscar Pareja’s side this term, the £9m-rated man has bagged three goals and registered one assist, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots and making 0.5 key passes per game.

These metrics have seen the player Ismael himself dubbed an “unbelievable” talent earn an average SofaScore match rating of 7.15, ranking him as his side’s third-best performer in the division.

Furthermore, over the 21-year-old’s 19 Championship appearances for the Tykes last season, Dike scored nine goals and averaged a SofaScore match rating of 7.02 – returns which ranked him as Barnsley’s third-best player in the second tier of English football.

As such, it would indeed seem as if the youngster would make a tremendous addition to Ismael’s options up top in January, however, with Palace still sniffing around the striker, whether or not a move for the hitman will be feasible for Albion remains to be seen.

In other news: West Brom dealt crushing blow on “brilliant” £4.4k-p/w ace, Ismael will be devastated

Andrew McGlashan presents the plays of the day

Andrew McGlashan in Jamaica04-Feb-2009
A nervous time for Andrew Strauss in his first innings as the real England captain © PA Photos
Missing umpire, missing commentatorAsoka de Silva, the Sri Lankan umpire, was due to be standing in this Test but had trouble getting a visa. Tony Hill, the New Zealander, therefore took his place alongside Rudi Koertzen. There are three top ICC umpires standing in this game because of the continued trial of TV referrals, but the original third umpire Daryl Harper kept his position in the stands. de Silva wasn’t the only person to have trouble getting to this Test. David Gower, who was due here in his commentating capacity, was stuck in Hampshire because of the heavy snow hitting the UK.Any nerves, captain?
It wasn’t the first time Andrew Strauss had come out to open the batting as England captain, but this time it was the real deal and not merely as a fill-in. He has taken his rapid promotion in his stride, but this morning looked a bag of nerves in the middle. He almost fell second ball when he bottom-edged a ball in front of second slip trying to leave. Another flat-footed play-and-miss followed next delivery before he was dropped at third slip by Xavier Marshall off Jerome Taylor. Finally, though, Taylor got what he deserved for a probing start when Strauss nibbled outside off and provided a low catch to Denesh Ramdin.Collingwood’s TV trial
Paul Collingwood became the first England batsmen involved in the umpire decision review system (or UDRS as it will never be known) when Chris Gayle asked for an lbw shout to be sent upstairs to Daryl Harper. Gayle let out a huge appeal when Collingwood was struck on the front pad playing a sweep. Rudi Koertzen said not out, but Gayle produce the ‘T’ signal and it went to Harper. A number of replays were used, but the decisive one was when the stump-to-stump mat was put in place which showed the ball striking outside the line. Decision made, and eventually it was confirmed on the field. One calculation had it taking two-and-half minutes, but it felt a little longer and it proved the on-field umpire spot on.No point asking for that one
Collingwood, though, wasn’t going to become the first Englishman reprieved by TV. When he swept at Sulieman Benn and was given out by Tony Hill he started to walk off then turned around, looking as though he wanted some advice on whether to refer. He seemed to ask Kevin Pietersen, but quickly turned on his heels and walked off. Looking at replays it was stone dead and would have wasted a referral. Pietersen might have said: “Sorry mate, that’s plumb.” It was.In the full glare
Fidel Edwards was a bit off colour during his efforts, but he still made sure he followed-through up close to the batsmen. That was especially true when he bowled to Kevin Pietersen after tea and one ball, which was edged in the air between slip and gully, left him eye-balling the batsman and having a brief chat with Pietersen and Flintoff. He might have had a word with his captain, instead, and asked him for a few more slips.RIP, Bill
The England players wore black armbands in memory of Bill Frindall, the world-renowned cricket scorer and statistician, who died last week. Most, if not all, of the England players will have had career milestones meticulously noted and recorded by Frindall so that their centuries or five-wicket hauls were there for all to recall in years to come. He would have spluttered when the PA mistakenly announced that Pietersen had passed 5000 Test runs when he was in fact on 4101. Bill didn’t make those mistakes.

While Valerien Ismael has seen his West Bromwich Albion side get off to a fantastic start in their 2021/22 Championship campaign, with Albion picking up 13 points over their opening five fixtures of the season, as well as enjoying a relatively successful transfer window, there would nevertheless appear to be one position in which the Frenchman remains short of options – centre-forward.

Indeed, despite securing the signing of Norwich City centre-forward Jordan Hugill on a season-long loan, in terms of further options in the middle of his three-man attack, the 45-year-old can only feasibly call upon Kenneth Zohore – a player who was informed he was free to leave the club in the summer transfer window – working on the basis that Callum Robinson and Karlan Grant are deployed on either wing.

As such, the argument that it would have been wise for Ismael to bring in another option in the position is an easy one to make, especially with Peterborough United centre-forward Jonson Clarke-Harris available on the market for a reported fee of around £8m.

Proven goalscorer

Considering just how impressive Clarke-Harris has been for Peterborough in recent seasons, an £8m outlay for the 27-year-old centre-forward very much looked as if it could have been a risk worth taking for West Brom, as the striker clearly boasts the ability to not only plug a gap in Ismael’s side, but to play a key role in firing Albion back to the Premier League.

Indeed, over his 44 League One appearances for Posh last season, the £900k-rated man scored a whopping 31 goals, registered three assists and created 11 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.9 shots and making one key pass per game.

These metrics saw the £6.1k-per-week striker earn a highly impressive seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.24, ranking him as Darren Ferguson’s second-best performer in the third tier of English football.

And, while the man Ferguson dubbed a “leader” is yet to score over his five Championship appearances so far this season, he has still provided his teammates with two assists, in addition to averaging a SofaScore match rating of 7.02 – ranking him as the club’s best player in the league.

As such, should Hugill go on to repeat his form for Norwich City last season, when the 29-year-old scored four goals over his 31 Championship appearances, Ismael could very quickly live to regret not making a move for a proven goalscorer such as Clarke-Harris.

Ivan Toney has already shown the power of a centre-forward signed from Peterborough can do for a promotion-chasing side in the Championship. Clarke-Harris could have been the Baggies’ own version of the Brentford hitman.

In other news: Masi sheds light on Ismael’s key transfer decision, it should excite West Brom fans