All posts by h716a5.icu

West Ham United are said to be eyeing a potential move for Lyon midfielder Thiago Mendes in the upcoming transfer window.

The Lowdown: Mendes profiled

The 30-year-old first joined the French giants from Lille back in 2019 and has since gone on to make 107 appearances in all competitions for Peter Bosz’s side, providing 11 goal contributions during that time, as per Transfermarkt.

He is a crafty and versatile defensive midfielder, capable of playing the box to box or defensive role and even filling into the heart of defence at times, per Whoscored.

Now, a new update has emerged regarding the 5 foot 8 maestro making a possible transfer to the Premier League, and it’s one that fans of David Moyes’ outfit might just want to hear.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-newest-updates/” title=”West Ham newest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Latest: Opponent to teammate?

According to Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola (via Sport Witness), it’s claimed that the Hammers are ‘interested in signing’ Mendes and ‘intend to make a bid’ for him, after being majorly impressed with his displays when facing Lyon in the Europa League.

The source states that the Irons would have ‘an advantage’ in the race for his signature, as a result of being able to offer him more money alongside granting him the opportunity to play in England.

The Verdict: Potential bargain

The £49k-per-week star currently has one year remaining on his current contract at Lyon, but they obviously won’t want to lose him for free, putting the Irons in a good negotiating position.

The man who was once hailed as a “key” player by Rangers coach Michael Beale has had a huge drop in value in recent times, which started out at £22.5m three years ago, to now being rated just £9m, so GSB could grab a possible bargain.

If the hierarchy could successfully secure his arrival at the London Stadium, it could prove to be an astute piece of business for West Ham, adding depth in multiple positions at little cost.

As per Jeunesfooteux, some Tottenham Hotspur transfer news has come to light involving ex-Manchester City midfielder Seko Fofana.

The Lowdown: Paratici sets sights on summer market…

Seemingly transformed under Antonio Conte, the Lilywhites are now major contenders for the Premier League top four and qualification for the 2022/23 Champions League.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-newest-updates/” title=”Tottenham newest updates…” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Winning six out of their last seven league matches, this rejuvenated Spurs team have reignited faith amongst their supporters whilst providing real hope for next term.

However, as Conte aims to reinvent this team in his own image, he will need backing in the summer as club director Paratici is tasked with doing just that.

Sharing news on a possible transfer target, it appears that the Italian transfer chief has his eyes on a new one for Spurs.

The Latest: Tottenham official sent to Lens…

As per Jeunesfooteux, a Tottenham official was sent to run the rule over Lens midfielder Fofana, as well as Cheick Doucouré.

It is added that Paratici and Spurs ‘strongly appreciates’ the profiles of both players, but we believe that Fofana emerges as the more promising of the pair.

The Verdict: Register an interest?

The 26-year-old has come on leaps and bounds since leaving the Etihad Stadium and is a key player for Lens in Ligue 1, leaving little wonder as to why Spurs have taken note.

According to WhoScored, Fofana stands out as a major threat for Franck Haise’s team, taking more shots at goal per 90 than anyone in their squad this season and ranking as Lens’ second-highest scorer.

French football experts such as Get French Football News journalist Tom Scholes have raved over the player’s ‘imperious’ and ‘unbelievable’ performances this season.

As per a recent claim by Jeunesfooteux, the price tag stands at around €30m (£25m) – a seemingly affordable fee and a possible incentive for Paratici to consider bidding.

In other news: Tottenham could strike quick agreement to sign ‘magical’ £25m striker! Find out more here

A round-up of matches from the Twenty20 leg of the ICC Women’s Cricket Challenge

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Oct-2010
ScorecardShandre Fritz broke the record for the highest score in women’s Twenty20 International cricket as South Africa won the second of their two matches•International Cricket CouncilPakistan slid to heavy defeat against Sri Lanka in one of the the first-round games from the ICC Women’s Cricket Twenty20 Challenge at the North-West University No. 2 Ground in Potchefstroom.After being asked to bat first, Pakistan had reached 33 for 1 in the sixth over before their top-order was blown away in 16 deliveries. Top-scorer Marina Iqbal was stumped off Lasanthi Madushani for 16 before three wickets fell for six runs to leave Pakistan reeling at 39 for 5. A 24-run ninth-wicket stand between Asmavia Iqbal and Sania Khan pushed the total to 80.Sri Lanka’s openers added 56 inside 10 overs before Chamari Polgampola was trapped in front for 18. Inoka Galagedara stood firm and steered her side to victory, ending unbeaten on a run-a-ball 42 and picking the Player of the Match award.West Indies Women 101 for 4 (Nero 39, Ismail 1-18) beat South Africa Women 98 (Chetty 43, King 3-19) by six wickets
ScorecardSouth Africa lost eight wickets for 20 runs to slide to defeat to West Indies at the North-West University No.1 Ground in Potchefstroom.The hosts were favourites after winning the one-day leg of the ICC Women’s Cricket Challenge but their batting collapse left West Indies needing just 99 for victory. They suffered a batting scare of their own when they were wobbling at 35 for 3 in the 9th over but a 33-run stand between Juliana Nero and Deandra Dottin steadied the chase.Fittingly it was Stacy-Ann King who finished proceedings with a run-a-ball 17, completing a fine all-round game after her 3-19 ushered South Africa’s collapse.Having been asked to bat first, South Africa reached a steady 78 for 3 in the 14th over before collapsing. Trisha Chetty top-scored with 43 from 47 balls but she could not find much support after Anisa Mohammed picked two wickets in two balls with her offspin. King took two more in quick succession as the home side were bundled out for 98.Sri Lanka Women 127 for 6 (Galagedara 28, Delany 2-16) beat Ireland Women 116 for 7 (Joyce 37, de Alwis 2-21) by 11 runs
ScorecardSri Lanka claimed their second win of the day when they held off Ireland in a hard-fought contest at the North-West University No. 2 Ground.Having eased past Pakistan earlier in the day, they were given a much stiffer test by a spirited Ireland side thanks mainly to the all-round effort of Isobel Joyce.Joyce, whose brother Ed has a ODI hundred for England against Australia, first took two wickets to restrict Sri Lanka to 127 and then spearheaded a bright start to the chase with a fluent 37 but it wasn’t enough.Batting first after winning the toss, Galagedara picked up from where she left off against Pakistan, stroking six boundaries on her way to a breezy 28 from 23 balls. She received able support from the rest of the middle order with Dilani Manodara ending unbeaten on 26 to set Ireland 128 for victory.While Joyce was motoring along, cracking five boundaries in her innings, Ireland seemed to be well placed. She carried the score to 60 for 2 off 8.3 overs before falling to Shashikala Siriwardene’s offspin. Thereafter Laura Delany was the only Ireland player to find any fluency, finishing unbeaten on 24 as Sri Lanka’s bowlers ensured victory.South Africa Women 205 for 1 (Fritz 116* Chetty 55) beat Netherlands Women 90 for 7 (Wattenberg 22, Nell 2-12) by 115 runs
ScorecardShandre Fritz blazed a world record 116 off 71 balls to lead South Africa to a crushing victory over Netherlands at the North-West University No. 1 Ground.South Africa lost their earlier game against West Indies after a batting collapse but there was no mistake here as Fritz shared a 170-run opening stand with Trisha Chetty who made 55.All the Netherlands bowlers suffered as Fritz cracked 12 fours and two sixes to bat through the 20 overs and beat West Indies batsman Deandra Dottin’s 112 not out against South Africa, which was the previous record. Fritz fell one short of equalling Chris Gayle’s 117, the record in the men’s game.Chetty at the other end was no slouch either, smiting six boundaries in her 41 deliveries. It took a run out to separate the pair but the arrival of Jana Nell did nothing to halt the run-rate as South Africa powered on past 200.It was always going to be too tough a chase for Netherlands but after Masabata Klaas struck twice in her first two overs the game was as good as over. Nell added two wickets to her contribution with the bat, removing Esther Lanser and Denise Hannema, but Netherlands’ lower order managed to bat through the 20 overs.

Derbyshire opener Wayne Madsen was denied a batting ‘hat-trick’ as Worcestershire’s bowlers hit back on a rain interrupted day in their County Championship Division Two clash at the County Ground

Cricinfo staff22-Jul-2010
Scorecard
Derbyshire opener Wayne Madsen was denied a batting ‘hat-trick’ as Worcestershire’s bowlers hit back on a rain interrupted day in their County Championship Division Two clash at the County Ground. The South African would have become only the fifth player in the county’s history to score three consecutive Championship centuries but he fell to Richard Jones for 75. That ended a century stand with Chesney Hughes who was out in Jones’ next over for 44 and the match was finely poised at the close of day two with Derbyshire on 183 for 4, 96 runs behind.The day had started well for Worcestershire who made the perfect start when they removed the dangerous Chris Rogers with the second ball of the morning. The Derbyshire skipper was caught behind down the legside for 22 and the visitors were celebrating a second wicket in the next over.Garry Park scored the first run of the day but then played around a ball that swung in from Matt Mason and was lbw. Worcestershire should have removed Madsen in the final over before lunch when he gloved a ball from Jones on 43 but wicket-keeper Ben Cox spilled the chance diving to his left. That was the last action for more than three hours as a thunderstorm followed by steady rain prevented any further play until 4.20pm and wiped 37 overs from the day’s allocation.Madsen showed his concentration had not been affected by the lengthy delay by driving former Derbyshire seamer Alan Richardson down the ground for his eighth four which took him to a 115-ball half century. He must have thought it was going to be his day when he was given another let-off on 57 with Moeen Ali failing to hold a one-handed catch at gully off the unlucky Richardson.Madsen had scored hundreds in both innings of the previous Championship match against Surrey at Chesterfield and he was closing in on becoming the first Derbyshire batsman since Kim Barnett in 1990 to make three centuries in a row when Jones struck.The 26-year-old right-hander had hit 11 fours and faced 158 balls when he tried to force the fast bowler and was caught low down at gully by David Wheeldon. He departed with an angry swish of the bat and Hughes, who had shared a stand of 113 in 40 overs, followed him to the pavilion after Cox was treated for an injured finger.The Anguillan edged the first ball after the stoppage down the legside and this time Cox made no mistake to put the game back in the balance but Greg Smith and Dan Redfern prevented further setbacks by batting out the last 15 overs.

Lance Klusener has finally turned down the offer to take over as Bangladesh’s bowling coach, ending a prolonged period of speculation over his possible appointment

Cricinfo staff02-Sep-2010Lance Klusener, the former South Africa allrounder, has finally turned down the offer to take over as Bangladesh’s bowling coach, ending a prolonged period of speculation over his possible appointment. Klusener, who was in discussions to replace Sri Lanka’s Champaka Ramanayake, was reportedly unable to convince his wife about a permanent move to Bangladesh.BCB had tried to be flexible with Klusener’s demands to return home between series. “We are ready to fulfill all his demands,” BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus said. “He wanted some additional facilities and we agreed. We were also ready to allow him to go on a long leave between the twin home series against New Zealand and Zimbabwe and the World Cup.” However, the board was not open to the idea of having him on a strictly tour-by-tour basis.Klusener, who has a level-three coaching degree, was in the frame following Ramanayake’s resignation due to illness. “He put us in a serious trouble as we are now facing a race against time to appoint a bowling coach for the Tigers,” Yunus said. “We don’t have too many options now.”England’s Andy Caddick was an option but he has a business interest at home. We had also contacted Venkatesh Prasad, but he is also unlikely to come as he has a chance of joining the Asian Cricket Council as a development coach.” Colin Croft , the former West Indies fast bowler, had expressed interest in the role but was rejected for a lack of coaching experience.Meanwhile the board appointed sports psychologist Soumendra Saha as a consultant for the side. Saha who joined the squad’s training camp in Mirpur, will work closely with the players for three weeks before returning to his teaching job with a university in Malaysia.

An exciting Rangers claim has been made regarding where the Ibrox club could look to strengthen… 

What’s the talk?

Finance expert Kieran Maguire has backed the Gers to invest in their infrastructure to improve their youth setup in the years to come.

He told Football Insider: “Yes, I’d expect more investment in the academy.

“You only have to strike gold once. But you do your homework before you start drilling, you’re much more likely to strike gold. Some people do feel a bit uncomfortable in viewing young men as commodities, but it is part of the nature of football.

“If we take a look at Rangers’ sales since 2012-13, they have generated £12m worth of sales up to 30 June 2021.

“So Patterson has effectively doubled in one transaction what they made in nine years previously. In that same time, Celtic have generated £122m, so that’s a £98m gap.“

Fans will be buzzing

Rangers fans will surely be left buzzing by this news, as it suggests that they could look forward to more academy players making a huge profit for the club.

They can live vicariously through the player as the academy prospect potentially lives out their own fantasy on the pitch for the club. It also allows the supporters to resonate with them more than a player who may come in from elsewhere as they are ‘one of their own’, having been developed at the club.

They could follow a similar path to Nathan Patterson, who came through the ranks at Ibrox before joininh Everton for a club-record transfer sale this month.

Rangers porting director Ross Wilson paid tribute to those at the academy for their part in the 20-year-old’s progress, saying: “Our Academy staff can be proud of the role they’ve played in Nathan’s development. We are proud of Nathan, he leaves as a champion and I will follow every step of his career and journey and he will always be connected to Rangers. I am sure we will see him back supporting the lads at Ibrox soon.”

Imagine what Rangers could do with more funds and better facilities with which to work in the coming years. They could develop multiple players for the first team instead of one every now and then, and the club could have a conveyor belt of talent ready for Giovanni van Bronckhorst to unleash.

Fans will surely love to see that happening, and that is why they must be buzzing by this claim from Maguire. Hopefully more money will now be invested into the academy and the next Patterson can emerge sooner rather than later.

AND in other news,  Rangers headed for huge January blunder as Wilson could make a decision which would anger the fans…

Aston Villa are in talks with Galatasaray over a potential exit for Trezeguet, according to Turkish outlet Fanatik (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

The Super Lig outfit will be familiar with Trezeguet, who played for Kasimpasa before he joined Villa in a £9million deal in 2019.

Villa have already allowed one wide player to leave the club this month, with Anwar El-Ghazi joining Everton on loan. That agreement additionally includes an option to buy at the end of the season.

Egyptian international Trezeguet is currently representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations, and it’s unclear if that might delay any transfer.

The latest

The report states that there are ‘hot developments’ coming out of the Istanbul-based club.

They’ve begun negotiations with Villa as they look to land 27-year-old Trezeguet.

But there’s a need to ‘raise funds’ before any deal can be completed.

The verdict

It’s hard to say how much Gerrard values Trezeguet because he only returned from a long-term knee injury last month.

Since then, he’s played just 10 Premier League minutes, but Villa may be managing his return to action very carefully.

Gerrard’s 4-3-2-1 system, described as a ‘Christmas tree’ formation, may not be the best-suited to traditional wingers because it involves a relatively narrow front three.

So from that point of view it may be wise to cash in on Trezeguet, who retains his £9million value after 14 direct goal involvements in 64 appearances.

In other news, could this be a potential CB signing for Villa?

Leeds United ambassador Noel Whelan has backed Diego Llorente and Robin Koch to start at centre-back together against Burnley this weekend.

The Lowdown: Leeds host Burnley

The Whites get their 2022 action underway on Sunday afternoon, with the Clarets making the trip to Elland Road. It is a crucial game at the bottom of the table as Marcelo Bielsa’s side desperately look to find some form and pull themselves clear of danger.

Leeds have been injury-plagued at centre-back throughout the season but Llorente and Koch are both fit for the weekend showdown, with the pair in contention to start.

[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″]

The Latest: Duo backed to start at centre-back

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan backed the duo to face the Clarets on Sunday in the absence of the injured Liam Cooper, saying:

“This is what we bought them for. We bought these players to be our regular centre-halves.

“It’s only due to injuries when they first came into Leeds United. You’ve had Struijk who came into some really good form and started pushing and competing for these places.

“I would love to see the two of them start together. I think a lot of the fans will love to see that partnership try and develop over a space of time, especially when you’ve got Liam Cooper out.

“You can get yourself Luke Ayling back to the right wing-back role, which is fantastic. That’s where he’s got all the energy. Then pop Dallas back into that central midfield area, where we know he loves to play in that position.

“I think you’ve got to look at those two. You’ve got to stop putting round pegs in square holes here and play two quality, international centre-halves together.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-29/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Form a partnership

Having a settled centre-back pairing is crucial to any team’s success, laying the foundations and allowing two players to build a strong on-pitch relationship.

Llorente and Koch may well be tasked with doing that in the coming months, with Cooper expected to be out until March, and Sunday could be the first test of their credentials.

Both players have suffered injuries of their own this season – they have only started 15 league games between them – but now is the time for them to show their worth, hopefully playing their part in Leeds rising up the table.

In other news, Leeds have suffered another big injury blow. Read more here.

Liverpool are “big admirers” of Leeds United star Raphinha amid rumours the club are keen on signing him.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks had revealed that Jurgen Klopp’s side are very much interested in a move for Raphinha, amid speculation that Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich were set to sign him this month.

Now, journalist Pete O’Rourke has delivered an update on the Reds’ current stance on the exciting winger.

He said: “He figures on the list of a lot of clubs. The likes of Liverpool, big admirers of the Brazilian.”

Anfield would be rocking

Dubbed as “star dust” and a “match-winner” by The Athletic’s Leeds correspondent Phil Hay, Raphinha has simply been a revelation for Marcelo Bielsa’s side since his arrival from Rennes.

This season has seen him score an impressive eight times in 17 Premier League games as well as provide one assist too, including netting against the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea recently too.

Raphinha’s displays had Leeds teammate Patrick Bamford hailing him after the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last year, with the Englishman telling Sky Sports: “I think, to be honest, he has been a steal for Leeds. I am surprised. As soon as he came in, you saw him in training, you know sometimes with players whether they are good or they are top class, and he really was. He stood out straightaway.

“I am surprised that bigger teams, more established Premier League teams I should say, haven’t taken a punt on him because he really is someone special, and he is young.”

As per Whoscored, Raphinha averages a whopping 3.1 shots and 2.4 dribbles per game in the Premier League this season, both of which rank him very highly compared to the rest of the division – in fact, only Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah shoot more often than him, while only Lucas Moura, Allan Saint-Maximin and Adama Traore complete more dribbles.

The £36m-rated star would surely get Anfield absolutely rocking with his direct and exciting style of play.

Meanwhile, this Liverpool target has shades of Steven Gerrard…

Everton have a number of ageing players in their squad, which has an average age of 28.1, and Rafael Benitez will likely be looking to add new players in the transfer window to build for the future.

There is one player who has been heavily linked with the Toffees who could solve a substantial issue for the manager.

What’s the word?

Rangers youngster Nathan Patterson continues to be linked with a move to Everton, and now former Ibrox defender Alan Hutton has weighed in on the potential signing for the Toffees, telling Football Insider: “We’re talking £10million-plus. He’s not playing, it doesn’t look like Tavernier is going to go anywhere anytime soon.

“I think you’re looking at probably £10million plus add-ons. I know he’s not held down a regular place in the Rangers team but we’ve seen, given the opportunity, he can play at a high level.

“He’s played in European competitions, he’s an international player. Obviously, what he can become in the future, the talent is there for everybody to see.”

The 20-year-old has made 11 appearances for Rangers so far this season across all competitions and has featured in the Scotland national team, scoring his first goal for his country in November against Moldova. He also set up Che Adam’s second goal in the 2-0 win which clinched a place in the World Cup play-offs.

Scotland team-mate Adams showered the defender with praise after the game against Moldova, saying: “Nathan’s an amazing player and a great guy off the pitch so I’m delighted for him.

“He’s a good young prospect coming through for the nation and hopefully he can continue and keep adding goals as well.”

Benitez could solve big issue with Patterson

Everton captain Seamus Coleman is now 33 and will be out of contract in 18 months’ time, so Benitez will be looking for a reliable and consistent right-back who can come into the fold at Goodison Park and take over from the £3.15m-rated Irishman, who has 363 appearances over 13 seasons, with the manager likely to begin phasing the defender out of the starting line-up in the near future.

If Patterson does join in January he would have the perfect opportunity to work with a hugely experienced right-back in Coleman, which could be highly beneficial to his development in succeeding the 33-year-old when he ends his lengthy Merseyside stay.

Signing Patterson would be great for both him and Everton, allowing Benitez to implement a freshness to a crucial area of the pitch, and to replace someone in Coleman who is perhaps turning into a liability given his defensive lapses of late.

In other news: Mykolenko could earn this dizzying sum if he signs