With Newcastle United having qualified for the Champions League with a fourth-placed Premier League finish this year, optimism is rife at St. James's Park; the Toon are on the up after years of obscurity.

Manager Eddie Howe deserves all the plaudits for his transformative effect on the squad, but the work plied on the transfer front has been the foundation of the success, and technical director Dan Ashworth will have known the importance of getting it right this summer to solidify the newfound stature.

Well, Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes have completed transfers to bolster the midfield and wings respectively, while a £40m deal with Southampton for exciting young full-back Tino Livramento has recently been agreed.

Read the latest Newcastle transfer news HERE…

It's taking shape, and there is perhaps just fine-tweaking left to unleash the latest version of this burgeoning squad, which could lead to the capture of Edson Alvarez from Ajax.

What's the latest on Edson Alvarez to Newcastle?

According to The Times (as relayed by West Ham Zone), the Magpies are among the suitors for the Mexico international as they prepare for continental football.

However, Chelsea and West Ham United are also pushing for a deal, and Ashworth must act swiftly if he truly wishes to add the 25-year-old, who is valued at €30-40m (£26-35m), to the thriving fold on Tyneside.

Should Newcastle sign Edson Alvarez?

There is no doubt that Alvarez would bring a newfound resilience to the Magpies midfield; that is to no detriment to Howe's current crop, rather, a testament to the defensive, deep-lying ball skills of the Ajax ace.

As per FBref, the 6 foot 2 titan ranks among the top 5% of midfielders across Men's Next Eight divisions for pass completion, the top 1% for passes attempted, the top 9% for progressive passes, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 1% for clearances and aerials won per 90.

And having completed the Eredivisie season with an average Sofascore rating of 7.29 after scoring three goals and assists apiece, completing 89% of his passes and forging 2.4 tackles and 2.3 clearances per game, it's clear that he can match the energy and tenacity of the current United fold.

Described as a "monster in midfield" by reporter Felipe Cardenas, Newcastle could wield their very own version of pre-eminent Manchester City midfielder Rodri by capturing the 69-cap Alvarez.

The Spaniard has been sensational since completing a £63m move to the Etihad Stadium from Atletico Madrid in 2019, having made 207 appearances and won a wealth of silverware including the historic treble this year – where his goal secured the club's maiden Champions League trophy against Inter Milan.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 2% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 1% for passes attempted, the top 8% for progressive passes and the top 9% for aerials won per 90, and through these metrics it is clear to see Alvarez might be able to match the Sky Blue phenom in both passing aptitude and stature in the core of the midfield.

Once hailed as an "incredible" player with "special qualities" by his manager Pep Guardiola, Rodri is the solvent of the imperious Citizen squad and Alvarez could prove to emulate his peer by moving to St. James's Park and etching his own legacy into English football.

Josko Gvardiol's proposed move to Manchester City is still on, according to Fabrizio Romano.

There were rumours that everything was agreed upon, however, those appear to be wide of the mark.

Will Josko Gvardiol join Manchester City?

The Manchester club remains committed to completing a deal for the defender.

Last week, Romano stated that a deal had been agreed between both clubs for the Croatian, with the player having already completed the first part of his medical and agreed personal terms. The Italian journalist even used his trademark phrase 'Here we go'. However, since then nothing has moved forward.

Following Romano's tweet, RB Leipzig director Max Eberl stated:

"There is no agreement with Manchester City. Not even close." as well as saying: "The fact is that Manchester City would like to have him. Currently, we are still very far apart. The transfer of Szoboszlai has secured us financially. We don't need the money. We would prefer Josko to stay."

New reports now suggest that the move is close, with the reported fee set to be €100m (£86m) plus a percentage of a fee from Gvardiol’s future sale, after talks were re-opened via ‘new contacts’ who reportedly should ‘give a new acceleration’ to the transfer being completed.

Should the move be completed for the reported fee, it would make the 21-year-old the most expensive defender in football history, surpassing the £80m fee that city rivals Manchester United paid Leicester City back in 2019 for English centre-half Harry Maguire.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that the deal is "absolutely still on" with the leak earlier on having caused some problems, however the transfer is still expected to be completed:

"Let me say, from what I’m told, the deal is absolutely still on, Manchester City and Leipzig are working to complete the package for Josko Gvardiol, so the deal, whilst I’m speaking is not off and the ‘Here We Go’ remains in terms of the agreement reached one week ago, we are now waiting for the two clubs to discuss about some details because the leak created some big problems for the deal."

How will Gvardiol fit in at Manchester City?

Gvardiol would be a fantastic addition to an already incredible Man City side.

The defender was called "incredible" for his performances at the 2022 World Cup with Croatia as the nation made their second consecutive semi-final. The defender also impressed at club level, and memorably scored against City in the first leg of their Round of 16 clash last season, with his goal proving decisive in the game ending as a draw.

Over the past year, the Croatian has attempted 87.18 passes per 90 according to FBref, which ranks him in the top one percent compared to all other centre-backs in Europe's top five leagues, while he also ranks in the top 16% for pass-completion, showcasing that he will be a fine fit in the City possession and passing system.

Gvardiol would most likely come in and battle with Dutch defender Nathan Ake, who enjoyed a fantastic season last year, and when comparing the two via FBref, Gvardiol beats the former Chelsea man out in blocks, clearances, tackles, and interceptions per 90, suggesting that manager Pep Guardiola has managed to find an upgrade on a player who was very hard to upgrade, whilst also managing to find someone six years younger than his current option.

The Croatian's versatility will also be a big factor behind the move, with his ability to perform at a high level at both left back as well as centre-back giving the Citizens more options going into next season.

إذا كنت تنتظر خسارة باير ليفركوزن الأولى هذا الموسم.. عليك أن تستمر في الانتظار.

عودة جديدة مجنونة من باير ليفركوزن الذي يرفض الهزيمة الأولى هذا الموسم في مباراته على ملعبه باي أرينا، أمام شتوتجارت، ضمن الجولة 31 من الدوري الألماني 2023\2024.

باير ليفركوزن حسم لقب الدوري الأسبوع قبل الماضي، ويعد الأول في تاريخه وتحت قيادة المدير الفني الإسباني تشابي ألونسو.

طالع أيضًا.. جريمالدو يوضح موقفه من الانضمام إلى ريال مدريد رفقة تشابي ألونسو

ظل باير ليفركوزن يحافظ على سجله الخالي من الهزائم هذا الموسم تحت قيادة تشابي ألونسو بمختلف البطولات.

تقدم كريس فيهريش لـ شتوتجارت في الدقيقة 47 بالهدف الأول، وبعد 10 دقائق ضاعف دينيس أونداف زميله النتيجة.

في الدقيقة 62، سجل أمين عدلي هدف تقليص الفارق لـ باير ليفركوزن، وحاول بطل الدوري أن يسجل التعادل، مع احتساب الحكم فيليكس زواير 5 دقائق وقت بدلًا من الضائع.

بونيفاس البديل ورفاقه، ظلوا يحاولون التسجيل مثلما فعلوا في العديد من المباريات هذا الموسم بالدقائق الأخيرة تحديدًا، ليأتي الهدف عن طريق روبرت أندريش في الدقيقة 96.

رفع باير ليفركوزن رصيده إلى 81 نقطة في صدارة ترتيب الدوري الألماني، بينما شتوتجارت يواصل التألق تحت قيادة المدرب سيبستيان هونيس ويحتل المركز الثالث برصيد 64 نقطة، ويقترب من التواجد في دوري أبطال أوروبا الموسم المقبل بنسبة كبيرة.

Craig Meschede led a weakened Glamorgan side•Getty Images

Warmed by the sun and a little surprised by their joy, the Bank Holiday crowd settled thankfully into their cricket and watched Craig Meschede make 87 on the first afternoon of this match. Some of the men discarded their polo shirts and few folk of either sex sought the shadow of the trees dotted around the Penrhyn Avenue ground.Perhaps the Bank Holiday had something to do with all this contentment; a more likely cause, though, was the return of the County Championship and, more persuasively still, the fact that an inexperienced Glamorgan team were making a half-decent fist of things.A first-innings total of 294 did not seem likely when the teams were announced and Sussex had opted to bowl. Moreover, the taking of two prime wickets plus that of the nightwatchman, Danny Briggs, in the 18 overs before the close merely added to the Welsh pleasure. This match is evenly poised.”Digwyddiad Gwych Arall” trumpets the slogan on the tents and gazebos Conway Borough Council have supplied for this game. “Another Great Event”. “You think so?” Glamorgan supporters might have replied when they pondered their side this morning. “We’ll be the judges of that.” Five of the players expected to play at T20 Finals Day on Saturday were omitted; “rested” would imply they had been working hard over the past month or so, which is surely stretching it.As a compensation for supporters such as Swansea’s Balconiers, seven of the side captained by Michael Hogan were either born or raised in Wales. All the same, many feared the game would be as uncontested as the toss. The portents were not good: Sussex had a full-strength team and Glamorgan had their minds on the hwyl of Edgbaston.The early exchanges justified such foreboding: Owen Morgan was leg before when playing across the line to Jofra Archer, giving the Sussex bowler his 50th championship wicket of the season, and the Glamorgan debutant Jack Murphy lasted five runless balls before being taken by Chris Nash at slip, also off Archer. When 20-year-old Aneurin Donald, who can be classed as a senior player in this line-up, was caught behind off a good ball from Ollie Robinson, Glamorgan were 24 for 3 inside ten overs.Yet that was as near to embarrassment as Hogan’s batsmen came. Nick Selman and Kiran Carlson added 72 for the fourth wicket before Carlson was leg before to a full length ball from Archer a quarter of an hour before lunch. For the most part Sussex’s bowlers strove a little too anxiously for their side’s good after taking those early wickets. As if aware of the responsibilities placed upon them, they perhaps thought that the situation required more than a tight line and the exploitation of early moisture.Selman and Carlson capitalised on the consequent lack of discipline by driving firmly and letting the short boundaries and quick outfield do the rest. By 12.30 Ben Brown had even posted a third man, which has become something of a Sabine’s gull among fielding positions. Carlson’s lovely cover-drive off Chris Jordan seemed to capture the relieved mood. A lunch score of 112 for 4 scarcely represented prosperity but it justified something more than the consumption of funeral meats.The first hour of the afternoon’s play saw the removal of both Nick Selman for a well-made 57 and Andrew Salter for 13, yet the session itself belonged to Glamorgan and in particular to Meschede and Tom Cullen, whose 108-run stand for the seventh wicket changed the temper of the contest. To a degree, though, Sussex had only themselves to blame. The discipline that had characterised their cricket in the first hour was abandoned as overthrows were conceded, misfields committed and runs leaked. Deliveries such as that bowled by Jordan which nipped off the pitch and clipped Selman’s off stump became exceptions rather than the ruleMeschede capitalised on these errors and also twice lifted Danny Briggs into the vicinity of the russet roofs on Penrhyn Avenue. He drove the Sussex seamers when their attacking lengths became little more than half-volleys and the electric scoreboard was only halted for long when it malfunctioned. Meschede’s partner Cullen, who was also making his second championship appearance, offered fine support and perhaps deserved more than the 42 runs he had made when he was leg before to Jordan just after tea. Cullen crouches at the wicket in the manner of a sumo wrestler but he is a slight fellow and it is as well he lets his bat do the aggressing.Sussex’s bowlers seemed revived by the second interval; perhaps they had simply been reminded of their responsibilities and of first principles. In any event, they took Glamorgan’s last four wickets in seven overs, Meschede being the last of them when bowled by a Robinson, who finished the innings with four wickets and roared in triumph at the last of them.But if Glamorgan supporters were disappointed not to see Meschede make a century they were revived when Lukas Carey snaked one between Luke Wells bat and pad and again when Stiaan van Zyl edged Meschede to Cullen behind the stumps. What may yet turn out to be a historic week in Glamorgan’s history had begun with a day’s cricket worth recalling for heartwarming reasons.

His normal feelings may, in his words, be limited to “anger and more anger” but James Anderson confessed he was a little overcome at his milestone moment

George Dobell at Lord's08-Sep-20171:57

Anderson delighted with ’emotional’ 500th wicket

His normal feelings may, in his words, be limited to “anger and more anger” but James Anderson confessed he had never felt so emotional on a cricket pitch after claiming his 500th Test wicket.Maybe it was relief of putting the milestone behind him, or maybe it was a realisation of the enormity of the achievement, but Anderson acknowledged that, for a couple of overs after joining the exclusive club of bowlers to have achieved the feat, he struggled to control his emotions.While he quickly remembered that he was gruff, tough, northern fast bowler – “I wasn’t teary,” he added, with a hint of watery eyes and faltering voice – it was clear that the ovation from the crowd, the response of his team-mates and the realisation that he had become one of just six men (and three seamers) to reach the milestone had unsettled his normal equanimity.”I knew my family were in the crowd,” Anderson said. “My kids, my mum and dad and my Mrs. And knowing they were there made it very special.”And sharing the moment with guys that I’ve played over a hundred Tests with was special, too. It was an amazing feeling to see how pleased they were for me.”The emotion took me by surprise a bit. The emotions I normally go through during a game are anger and more anger. But today was a bit more… I wasn’t teary. But it was emotional. I don’t normally get like that during a game. But I got my focus back after a couple of overs.”It’s not hard to understand why he was emotional. While Anderson has been an automatic choice for England for the best part of a decade, there were times early in his career when it was far from certain he would play more than a dozen or so Tests. While the rest of the world revelled in the 2005 Ashes, he sent much of the summer bowling at a cone, and when he did finally win a first taste of Ashes cricket in 2006-07, he found it a painful experience. He claimed just five wickets at an average of 82.60 and England lost the series 5-0. Amid stress fractures and crises of confidence and form, the idea that he would play 100 Tests and claim anything like 500 wickets would have seemed fanciful in the extreme.”I can’t quite believe I’ve taken this many wickets or played this much cricket,” Anderson said. “For a while I was just trying to get back on the park. They were dark times. I’d had a taste of international cricket and I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”But I knew I had the skills and I used to be able to bowl fast. And going through those periods made me stronger. It’s made me stronger as a person and a cricketer. It just made me more determined to improve. I think a lot of players go through periods like that, whether it’s from form or injury. I probably wouldn’t be the bowler I am today without toiling for that period of time.”Anderson has, he admits, “not really” ever been comfortable in the spotlight. He is quite happy to be the man England rely upon with the ball and to revel in the respect that comes with being an integral member of a successful team. But the prospect of talking about himself, of focusing on a personal achievement sits pretty uncomfortably on the shoulders of a man who, for all the grumpiness on the pitch, has remained shy and softly-spoken off it. With the landmark behind him, he can focus on the important business of winning a Test that remains in the balance and then planning for the Ashes.James Anderson acknowledges the ovation•Getty Images”I’m relieved,” he said. “I just wanted to get it out of the way. Ideally I would have done it on the first day, but Ben Stokes didn’t want me to, so I had to wait.”The location and style with which he reached the milestone were fitting, though. It was here, at Lord’s where he introduced himself to Test cricket with a five-for on debut as a 20-year-old swing bowler in 2003. And it here, at the ‘home of cricket,’ that a 35-year-old with wonderful skills and remarkable levels of stamina cemented his reputation as one of the greats with two wickets that not only took him to (and beyond) the 500 mark, but showcased his enduring ability and admirable desire to keep learning and keep improving.The 500th wicket – that of Kraigg Brathwaite – was taken with one of his relatively new tricks: the ‘wobble-seam’ delivery. Having set Brathwaite up with an over of outswingers, “I thought I’d try a full, straight one,” Anderson said. “It nipped down the slope. Lord’s is a great place to bowl.”So resounding was the impact on Brathwaite’s middle-stump, that a large chunk was taken out of the ball and the umpires were obliged to change it. The original has already been passed on to Anderson for posterity.”Lord’s is such a special place for me,” Anderson said. “To get my first Test wicket and my 500th here will live with me for a long time.”Earlier I saw Kemar Roach after he got a five-for. He was mouthing “I’m on the honours board.” You could see what it meant to him. That’s what it means for people to play here and have their name etched in history at such a special ground. I’m so fortunate to have got the wickets I have here.”Anderson’s 501st Test wicket was even better. Bowling round the wicket, he drew the left-handed Kieran Powell forward only to get the ball to leave him off the pitch, beat the perfectly presented bat’s outside edge and take the top of off stump. It was not only an outstanding piece of bowling, it was reminder that, despite his 35 years and all the miles on the clock, he’s good for a few more wickets yet.”That’s the beauty of the slope,” he said modestly. “I was thankful to that slope for both wickets.”But yes, you’re always improving. I try to soak up as much as I can from coaches and other players and add that to my game. It’s endless how much you can do that.”I just love playing cricket. It’s my biggest passion and always has been since I was a kid. To be able to do it for my country – to be able to play in Test matches at Lord’s – is something I could never dream of doing.”The milestones are nice, but they’re not what drive me.”I want to help England win games of cricket. That’s why I turn up every day trying to improve myself. I’m loving playing cricket. I’m really enjoying playing in this team and hopefully that can continue for a while yet.”

Manchester United could be set to repeat a masterclass from just last summer, looking to snag another star from a European heavyweight…

Is Aurelien Tchouameni leaving Real Madrid?

Amidst Erik ten Hag's first window in charge, the Dutchman sought to truly make his mark on a struggling squad with a number of key additions.

Whilst Lisandro Martinez and Antony came from his old club, it was instead Casemiro who stood out amongst all of the new recruits, bringing quality, experience and tenacity in bucketloads.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

Having enjoyed another summer of vast change, he could once again look to Real Madrid to cap off a fine transfer period, with links suggesting they could prey on the frustrations felt by the out-of-favour Aurelien Tchouameni to bring him to Old Trafford.

The Frenchman only moved to the Spanish capital last year, in a switch rising to €100m (£86m).

How good is Aurelien Tchouameni?

Whilst his exit would come as a surprise to many, given the bright future the 23-year-old is set to enjoy at the Santiago Bernabeu, he would almost certainly be assured more play time should he join Ten Hag's revolution.

After all, for all his immense quality, the midfielder made just 24 starts last term in La Liga, averaging 65 minutes per game.

However, he certainly thrived when the opportunity was handed to him, as he used these league showings to maintain a 7.13 average rating. This was a score buoyed by his exemplary defensive figures, as he managed a stunning 94% pass accuracy alongside 1.5 interceptions, 1.9 tackles and 1.5 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

In fact, these figures suggest that he is one of the finest midfield stalwarts on the continent, starring at both ball retention and winning it back.

When compared to other midfielders across Europe, he ranks in the top 1% for both pass completion and interceptions per 90, with journalist Stefan Bienkowski suggesting he remains part of an elite crop of talent at Carlo Ancelotti's disposal:

"Real Madrid already have three potentially world-class midfielders in Valverde, Camavinga and Tchouameni. And yet… they reportedly want another 3-4."

Should he move to Manchester and translate these talents with ease, there is every reason to suggest he would emulate the masterclass had with Casemiro the year earlier.

The 31-year-old tread that same path, and instantly became one of United's top performers in the Premier League, with his 7.21 average rating only surpassed by the ever-brilliant Bruno Fernandes.

He too shone defensively, screening a backline that helped David De Gea end his career at the club with the Golden Glove award.

His 3.2 tackles and 2.1 clearances per game (via Sofascore) bolstered such a notion, which led to widespread praise.

Old Trafford legend Paul Scholes even claimed:

"He's a proper Manchester United midfielder that gets involved in everything. You see him up the pitch, you see him defending, you see him controlling the game at times.

"He's probably as close to Roy Keane as you're going to get. I think he's been brilliant."

And yet, all the figures suggest that Tchouameni, at eight years his junior, could prove just as impactful.

This could be one of Ten Hag's finest coups yet, and not just repeat, but surpass their masterclass by signing Casemiro from Los Blancos the summer earlier.

At the end of the first day in Bloemfontein, Mushfiqur said he wished he hadn’t won the toss, alluding to how poorly his bowlers had performed after he chose to bowl

Mohammad Isam09-Oct-2017

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim’s statements about his decisions on winning the toss, and the team management telling him to field in the deep, has the BCB “concerned”, according to board president Nazmul Hassan.While no decision had been taken on Mushfiqur’s future as Test captain, Hassan said the board would look into the matter after the Bangladesh team returned from the ongoing tour of South Africa.”It is a matter of the country’s image when he [Mushfiqur] makes these statements on tour,” Hassan said. “The board is concerned with his statement because it is not consistent with the information we have. So it is important to find out from him what’s happening. We have to investigate the issue, but only after the series. We will sort out what’s bothering him. If there’s no way out and if we see that leaving the captaincy will be good for Mushfiqur, then we will decide accordingly.”After the first day of the Bloemfontein Test, Mushfiqur said he wished he had not won the toss, alluding to how poorly his bowlers performed. “I think it was my mistake to win the toss,” he had said. “I have been trying to do everything honestly for the last 12 years. But in these last two games it seems it would have been better had I lost the toss. I think it is my personal failure. I am not able to motivate my players or guide my bowlers.”Hassan said the team management – also comprising the coaching staff and manager – was there to provide the captain with specific plans and strategies, and he wanted to find out if Mushfiqur was having problems with anyone.”I don’t think it is the captaincy but something else is bothering him. It could be the management, coach or even us. If we can figure it out, we will solve the problem,” Hassan said. “But let me ask you something: is it the management’s decision to field first in the second Test? Let us find out.”There’s nothing to hide in this case of who took the decision. Management gives a plan. If they don’t give a plan, what’s the use of having coaching staff?”Hassan described Mushfiqur as a quiet person who loses morale when he personally doesn’t perform, which leads to his teammates having to pick him up.”Mushfiq is a little different than others, not in a negative sense. He doesn’t express himself much. The quiet types are hard to understand. And they end up saying unexpected things,” Hassan said. “For example, there isn’t a captain in the world who’d say it was wrong of me to win the toss. But he has said it. Is this a way to answer a question? It shows that he’s having some problem, but I knew it from before.”He wants to perform all the time. If he doesn’t do well, he becomes disheartened in the field. His team-mates have to encourage him, and not the other way around. He becomes demoralised, goes into his shell. But he is one of our best batsmen. He has given a lot for the country.”

Tottenham Hotspur could look to bring in another central defender after the arrival of Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg, according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor.

Which defenders have been linked with Tottenham Hotspur and who could leave?

Earlier this week, Tottenham completed the signing of Van de Ven from Wolfsburg in a deal that could rise to £43 million, dependent on add-ons, according to Sky Sports.

The 22-year-old has signed a six-year contract at the Lilywhites and has followed James Maddison, Guglielmo Vicario, Manor Solomon and Alejo Veliz, who has also put pen to paper on a long-term deal, through the door at Hotspur Way.

Football Insider report that Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba is still a target for Tottenham and they are expected to 'accelerate' their attempts to try and acquire the Burkino Faso international.

Foot Mercato claim that Fulham ace Tosin Adarabioyo has also been on Ange Postecoglou's radar this summer; however, the Manchester-born stopper is keen to move to Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco to replace now-Chelsea defender Axel Disasi.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has delivered an update detailing that Tottenham fringe player Joe Rodon is Leeds United-bound and the Italian has also offered a potential solution to the uncertainty surrounding Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga in N17, stating on Twitter X: "Agreement completed between Tottenham and Leeds United for Joe Rodon. The centre-back joins LUFC on loan until the end of the season. Spurs hope to find solution also for Tanganga and Davinson Sanchez in the next days/weeks."

Cited by The Evening Standard, Australian boss Postecoglou has signalled his desire to bring in another body to strengthen his backline, saying in the aftermath of Spurs' 4-2 loss to Barcelona in pre-season: “Yeah potentially [signing another central defender]. “Again we’ve got to make sure that we keep the squad manageable and see what happens with outgoings, but yeah the potential is there to bring in one more.”

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Daily Express journalist Taylor added his own thoughts on Tottenham's hunt for another central defender this window and thinks that Postecoglou's comments on the matter make for 'interesting' reading.

Taylor stated: "Postecoglou's comments in the week made out that they were going to go straight after another centre-back, which I found quite interesting.

"So I don't really know whether that is a concrete option anymore, particularly for the kind of money Bayer Leverkusen would want. That said, I think there could be scope for another centre back to come in, I'm not sure who.

He then said: "I think Joe Rodon and Davinson Sanchez will depart and there are a few others that could leave too. Hugo Lloris, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Japhet Tanganga as well, so these are players that need to be replaced really."

What next for Tottenham Hotspur?

Resolving the future of Harry Kane will be of paramount importance to Postecoglou as Bayern Munich have now agreed a deal for the striker, which is believed to be around £94.5 million.

Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri has claimed that Gent striker Gift Orban has been earmarked as a potential replacement for Kane and he revealed that contact has been made by Tottenham concerning the availability of the Nigerian talent.

Nottingham Forest striker Brennan Johnson is another attacker that Spurs retain an interest in and it is believed that Postecoglou could offer players in exchange to get a deal over the line for the Wales international, as per The Telegraph.

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly could be tempted to try and complete a 'mad' deal for Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Could Neymar end up completing a move to Chelsea?

ESPN understand that Neymar, who has been hailed as "unstoppable", would be keen to seek a new challenge this summer away from Paris Saint-Germain amid rumours that the £933k-a-week ace could complete a sensational return to Barcelona.

RMC Sport via The Daily Mail report that Chelsea are also believed to hold an interest in Neymar this summer and are said to have held talks with the Brazil international over a move to Stamford Bridge despite his enormous weekly pay packet.

Undoubtedly, the Blues could afford to pay his wage from a financial standpoint; however, co-owner Boehly is exploring the concept of a 'tiered wage' structure in west London, which could reduce the chance of any Premier League move for Neymar occurring this window.

Sky Sports News indicate that Paris Saint-Germain will entertain offers between £50 million and £80 million for Neymar and clubs from the USA, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Europe will all fight it out to try and sign him.

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are keen to build a younger side to challenge for honours both domestically and in Europe and boss Luis Enrique isn't thought to value Neymar as a key component of his plans moving forward.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer insider Jones thinks that Boehly may look at Neymar's situation as the perfect time to pounce, with the recent injury concerns involving Christopher Nkunku potentially being another motivation to try and pull off a blockbuster move.

Jones stated: "The injury to Nkunku is definitely a blow because he’s one of the few sources of goals they have right now.

"It’s a moment like this that makes me think Chelsea might yet do something mad in the transfer market. We know Todd Boehly has a temptation to go for big stars, so it would not surprise me if he decided to do something big and go for Neymar or someone like that, but let's see."

Would Neymar fit Mauricio Pochettino's vision at Chelsea?

Chelsea have signed a lot of young players this window on long-term agreements and any move for Neymar would certainly be billed as a change in tact by Mauricio Pochettino's men, who have adopted a policy of buying into potential rather than bringing in the established elite of the footballing world.

Nevertheless, Neymar is one of the finest players on the planet and would generate major excitement at Stamford Bridge. Last term, the 31-year-old made 29 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain across all competitions, registering 18 goals and 17 assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Providing chances for his teammates with regularity is a speciality of Neymar's game, evidenced in the fact he has churned out around 6.14 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes across the last 365 days, putting him in the second percentile compared to his positional peers in Europe's top five divisions, as per FBRef.

WhoScored take into account that Neymar also achieved an average match rating of 7.71/10 in Ligue 1, encompassing the entirety of 2022/23. Truthfully, it is hard to argue that he wouldn't majorly improve Chelsea's attacking output if he was to arrive in west London between now and the close of play in the market.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has confirmed it will host West Indies for a short tour comprising two Tests in Bulawayo later this month. This will be Zimbabwe’s first Test engagement since their tour of Sri Lanka in July.The first Test will be played from October 21-25, while the second one will follow from October 29. Both matches will be played at the Queens’ Sports Club. A three-day warm-up from October 15 will precede the series opener.Brendan Taylor and Kyle Jarvis are both expected to make their international comebacks during the series. The pair left Zimbabwe in 2015 and 2013 respectively to play in England on Kolpak deals. But they were convinced to opt out of their English deals early and return home following a complete overhaul of ZC’s structures.Tatenda Taibu, the convener of selectors, initiated discussions with Taylor and Jarvis before they received assurances about the new governance and financial model from ZC MD Faisal Hasnain.Their inclusion is particularly significant because Zimbabwe will depend on them during 2019 World Cup qualifiers, which could take place in their own country next March. West Indies, who failed to qualify automatically, will be among their opponents in that tournament and Zimbabwe will perhaps use this series to gauge how they will match up.This will be West Indies’ second tour to Zimbabwe in the last 12 months. They featured there in a tri-series, also involving Sri Lanka, in November last year.