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Liverpool have recently been linked with a move for Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala, and a reliable journalist has now delivered a definite update regarding the chances of him moving to Anfield in January.

Is Jamal Musiala leaving Bayern Munich?

Musiala has been with his club ever since his childhood days having graduated from their academy to get promoted to the first-team, where he’s made a total of 135 senior appearances to date (Transfermarkt – Musiala statistics).

Germany’s attacking midfielder has previous experience playing his football in England having had spells within the youth set-ups at both Southampton and Chelsea, so he’ll be no stranger to the style of play in this country, and FSG and Jurgen Klopp are keen to bring him back to the Premier League.

According to BILD’s Christian Falk, Merseyside’s outfit are interested in a deal for the 20-year-old at the start of next year after learning that his agents haven’t entered discussions regarding a new contract, though it would appear that the player has had a change of heart regarding his future with Thomas Tuchel's side in the Bundesliga.

Jamal Musiala transfer update

Taking to X, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg offered a transfer update on Jamal Musiala and confirmed that whilst Liverpool are still keeping close tabs on the attacker, he isn't expected to put pen to paper at this stage and is instead focusing on Bayern Munich.

"Jamal Musiala is currently not thinking about leaving FC Bayern. Liverpool is monitoring him as a possible top replacement for Salah in 2024. But his move to LFC is absolutely unlikely. If he really would leave Bayern in the next years there are the only two realistic options for him: Real Madrid & ManCity!"

Falk has since added a new update of his own, revealing Liverpool will have to do battle with Man City if they want to secure Musiala's signature in the future.

How many goals has Musiala scored for Bayern?

During his time at Bayern, Musiala has posted 59 involvements (33 goals and 26 assists) in 135 first-team appearances, which shows how prolific he can be in the final third, but even if the ball doesn’t always hit the back of the net, he poses a constant threat to the opposition's defensive backline.

The Stuttgart native currently ranks in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons so loves to use his athletic pace to dribble past his marker and create as many chances as possible for both himself and his teammates in the final third (FBRef – Musiala statistics).

Furthermore, Klopp’s target is a versatile operator having previously been deployed in seven different positions since the start of his career, including four roles in the midfield and everywhere across the attacking frontline, making him a great option for the boss to have at his disposal should any unexpected injuries occur.

Finally, Musiala already knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level having secured 12 trophies since first bursting onto the professional scene, so he would be able to match the winning mentality of the current squad who are already at Anfield.

Aston Villa are believed to be keen on signing a midfielder in January who would be open to leaving his current club, according to recent reports.

Aston Villa updates: Zaniolo meeting, Vissel Kobe partnership, Williams blow

In a recent Aston Villa news update, the West Midlands-based club have confirmed on their official website that Italy international Nicolo Zaniolo is cooperating with the Italian Football Federation's investigation into alleged illegal betting activity in the country. Having also met with club officials at Aston Villa, Zaniolo remains available for selection under Unai Emery and no further comment will be made by the Premier League side on the matter.

Strengthening their reach across the globe, Aston Villa have also confirmed a strategic partnership with Japanese side Vissel Kobe as they aim to establish a platform for young players from Japan to have further pathways to further their career in Europe and potentially one day turn out at Villa Park. The J1 League side will send a delegation of individuals over to Birmingham at the end of November to formalise the partnership and two of their Under-16 players will train with Aston Villa's academy side as part of their visit to England.

Athletic Club winger Nico Williams is a transfer target for Aston Villa, with reports claiming that his current employers will look to put a new deal on the table to try and prevent the youngster from leaving in 2024. Barcelona have also been touted as a potential destination for the Spain international; however, he could now commit his future to Athletic Club and diminish any chance of Emery being able to tempt him to Villa Park.

Nico Williams statistics – 2023/24 (Transfermarkt)

Appearances, goals and assists in all competitions

Appearances: 6

Goals: 0

Assists: 4

Aston Villa transfer update – Carlos Soler

According to an Aston Villa transfer update from Le Parisien, the Villans, and by extension president of football operations Monchi, are also believed to be keen on Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Carlos Soler, who is open to departing the Parc des Princes in the January transfer window. Brighton & Hove Albion, alongside La Liga side Valencia, are interested in the Spain international, who has been on the periphery at his current employers this term.

In 2023/24, Soler has featured on seven occasions for Paris Saint-Germain and has struggled to become a regular feature of Luis Enrique's plans, registering one goal and a solitary assist (Soler statistics – Transfermarkt).

Described as a "majestic and complete footballer" by Breaking The Lines in an analysis piece on his abilities during his time at Valencia, Soler has managed to record a pass success rate of 89.1% in Ligue 1 this term for Paris Saint-Germain and is a tidy presence in the midfield who can be relied upon to distribute possession efficiently, as per WhoScored.

Aston Villa find themselves in a position where they need to juggle both domestic and European footballing endeavours and bringing in someone such as Soler would serve to further bolster Emery's depth in the engine room.

England’s captain said he had a feeling on an auspicious date, and so it transpired

Vithushan Ehantharajah14-Jul-20250:55

Manjrekar: Stokes always makes things happen

Ben Stokes had a hunch when he woke up on Monday morning.On the sixth anniversary of England’s 2019 ODI World Cup win, on the final day at Lord’s, with six wickets to get before India achieved the remaining 135 to win this third Test, Stokes felt there was only one man who should start the day with the ball.It was not from the end from which Jofra Archer bowled that famous Super Over against New Zealand. Stokes still had two deliveries left after taking out nightwatcher Akash Deep with what became his final ball on Sunday. But the Pavilion End, from where Archer, on Thursday, had taken his first Test wicket since February 24, 2021, would do just fine. Especially when fate was calling.Related

Battered players leave bits of hearts and spirits behind after bruising Lord's Test

Ben Stokes on final-day bowling efforts: 'Nothing was stopping me'

Six balls and a lifetime later, Archer returns with a bang

Memories of the 2019 World Cup final Super Over

Stats – England clinch the narrowest Lord's win

So it proved. A six-over spell produced a pearler to send Rishabh Pant’s off stump for a walk, then a stunning reflex catch – Archer sprawling to his right in his follow-through – did for Washington Sundar. Since 2006, when such records started being kept, Archer’s was the sixth fastest day-five spell recorded.”It felt right in my tummy that Jofra was going to do something this morning to break the game open,” Stokes said. “Gut feel doesn’t always work, but those two wickets he got this morning swung the game massively in our favour.”Undoubtedly, it was Stokes’ dismissal of KL Rahul, sandwiched by Archer’s strikes, that was top of the podium. England’s three wickets in the first seven overs of play had put them out in front. And just when it looked as though India were creeping back into the picture with their ninth-wicket stand, Stokes returned to prise out Jasprit Bumrah, even if the No. 10’s shot selection was curious given the situation.England’s heroes in that 2019 final – both the man who dragged them to that Super Over, and the one who held his nerve to defend 15 therein – were back at it in 2025. Cricket is a sport that, more often than not, baits romance rather than serves it up. However, for Stokes to bowl as much as he did, and for Archer to be back bowling in a Test match at all, provided a moment – as was the case six years ago – that English cricket will not be able to take for granted.Then and now: Six years on from the 2019 World Cup final, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer were centre stage at Lord’s•Getty Images

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Archer was at midwicket when the final ball of the match trickled agonisingly onto Mohammed Siraj’s leg stump. As Shoaib Bashir charged off towards the Grandstand – where Archer himself had been enveloped by Bashir after removing Jaiswal four days earlier – Archer fell to the floor.His resting place was more or less the same patch of grass onto which he had sprinted and dived after Jos Buttler had run out Martin Guptill from Jason Roy’s throw. But the significance of that moment is probably a little overblown, considering Archer could not recall why July 14 was special when Stokes broached it with him”You know what day today is, don’t you?” Stokes had asked before the start of play, looking to stir the 30-year-old. It turns out, Archer thought this was the anniversary of India’s two-wicket win over England at Lord’s in 2002’s NatWest series final. “You know that highlight package of India knocking off 300-odd back in the day with Ganguly?” Stokes explained to the media, referencing the then-India captain windmilling his shirt over his head on the away balcony. “He thought that was a World Cup final. He thought that was six years ago today.”The confusion was broadly understandable. That fixture actually took place on July 13, and highlights of that 325-plays-326 slobberknocker were on the television screens on Monday morning when England arrived at the ground. When Stokes informed Archer he meant the World Cup “we won”, Archer responded with, “oh, that one”.Ben Stokes at the centre surrounded by the rest of England•Getty Images

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Archer will have known which one, of course, and confusing it with a match that took place 23 years ago suggests 2019’s final feels more recent than it actually is.The memories from that summer have kept Archer going, and kept England so invested – literally – in getting him back to this point. He had followed his World Cup haul of 20 dismissals at 23.05 (the third most in the tournament) with 22 more at 20.27 in the men’s Ashes, all of them underpinned by express pace. Few players have had such a sweet first taste of international cricket, and fewer still have nailed their own involvement so spectacularly.Archer’s problems have come ever since. From that summer into this one, his nine Test caps brought just 20 further wickets at 42. When people doubted that Archer could return as the bowler he had been back in 2019, they had their reasons.During this period, England did overbowl him, most notably on a flat pitch in Mount Maunganui, where he sent down 42 in a single innings. The link between his elbow and lower-back stress fractures was easy to make.Even on his thrilling Test debut at Lord’s against Australia, England were already playing recklessly with their new toy, as he sent down 44 overs in the match. And though he did get into a 40th on this comeback, the breakdown of his work suggests lessons have been learned.In 2019, there was an eight- and seven-over spell, along with six other spells at least four. This time, there were only six spells of four or more across the four days England spent in the field, with his two longest at five when opening the first innings, and six on this final morning.Much of that is down to the fact Stokes shouldered the longest burdens. Going into stumps on day four with 4.4 overs, he resumed in the morning for 9.2 more, and then later in the day for 10.While Archer did the post-match media rounds, looking fresh and beaming from ear to ear, an exhausted Stokes, carrying his bowling boots in one hand, blood seeping through the sock on his left foot, began his session for the written media with a simple request: “Any chance you can just do ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions?”2:32

Stokes: I was going to decide when I stop bowling

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The connection between Stokes and Archer truly began in 2019, bound by that World Cup win.Stokes was the first to go over to Archer in the moment of victory, putting his arms around him during those celebrations on the outfield. They have gone on to become good friends, gaming together, even becoming business partners. And as Test captain, with Archer trending towards full fitness throughout Stokes’ tenure, the 34-year-old has been his biggest cheerleader and defender during various setbacks.Despite all the affection, Stokes did lose his cool with Archer on Sunday evening.During Archer’s third over, after Karun Nair had hit him for a second boundary through the covers in four deliveries, he gestured for a man to be placed out as insurance. Stokes refused.At the start of the 16th over, Rahul’s bunt out to deep square-leg was not immediately attacked, resulting in Stokes throwing his arms out at Archer, who was stationed back on the leg-side boundary. As the players walked off after Stokes had taken out Akash Deep’s off stump, Sky cameras caught Archer trying to speak to Stokes, who gave him short shrift.This is not Archer’s first Test in which Stokes has been captain, but it is his first since his regime officially began in 2022. Though Archer has been with the team since the second Test, this was the first time he was really “in it”. It is not a total surprise he is not up to speed with some of the non-negotiables.One insistence he seemed to fall foul of was asking for negative field settings – Stokes believes every fielder should be affecting a dismissal, something he reiterates by telling his bowlers he simply does not care about their economy rates. The other “must” is giving your all in fielding. No dawdling or escorting. A great example was Bashir, an over before he took the final wicket. Nursing a broken pinkie on his left hand that has ruled him out for the rest of the series, Bashir slid along the point boundary to intercept the ball inside the rope – scooping it with his right hand, then cradling it in the pit of his right elbow.Archer, by Monday, had clearly got the memo, diving about in the field, and letting his captain set whatever field he demanded. In return, he maintained his express pace throughout, including when he struck Siraj on the shoulder with a fierce bumper clocking in at 88mph. It turned out to be his final delivery of the match.Ben Stokes celebrates after sending back Jasprit Bumrah•Getty Images

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Stokes revealed the main sticking point he had with Archer on the penultimate evening was not to do with his fielding but where people were stationed. Specifically, Stokes himself.”He wanted me to come to mid-on and Carsey [Brydon Carse] to go to leg slip so he could talk to me,” Stokes said. “But I didn’t trust Carsey at leg slip, to be honest. Honestly, that whole thing was he wanted me to come to mid-on so we could chat about what he’s trying to do.”Even in the heat of this Test match, it was a rare moment of vulnerability from Archer. Public-facing, too. Those chats would have been tactical, but there is something to be said for the extra comfort Stokes would have brought Archer by his side.Stokes was at mid-on for the last ball of the Super Over, collapsing onto his back at its conclusion. His unbeaten 84 had left the match all-square in normal time. But more important even that the eight extra runs he picked off alongside Jos Buttler in setting New Zealand a Super Over target of 16 was his advice to Archer before he took centre stage.Though Archer already had the confidence – he knew he’d have to bowl the Super Over even before Eoin Morgan had confirmed it – he was wary. He would later admit: “I don’t know what I would have done tomorrow” had he been responsible for losing that final.Stokes, however, had experience of that from 2016’s World T20 final in Kolkata. And so, he took Archer to one side and offered the following: “Win or lose, today does not define you. Everyone believes in you.”The irony is failure in this Test may have re-defined Archer. It would have been proof, in the eyes of the doubters, that he was a waste of central contracts. That he has been coddled by the ECB. That maybe he does only care for franchise riches, that he is only good for white-ball cricket. That, you know what, he is overrated. Speaking to Sky in the moment of victory, he railed against the “keyboard warriors” who had been the bane of his rehab for four years.Now, those thoughts can settle down. Of course, much will depend on how Archer recovers from this week’s exploits, though the nine days between now and the fourth Test will help him. A meaningful role in this winter’s Ashes is now a genuine possibility.A lot has happened in six years. And yet here we are, back at Lord’s, with English cricket grateful for Stokes and giddy about Archer all over again. All told, it’s good to be back.

If Temba Bavuma is ruled out of the Cape Town Test, Elgar might be asked to lead South Africa. And that may be the toughest goodbye of all

Firdose Moonda27-Dec-2023Goodbyes are difficult, especially when they come earlier than they should. Dean Elgar’s innings of 140* on the second day of the Centurion Test against India has given us reason to wonder if he falls into that category.His 14th Test century will rank among his best. It came under pressure, in challenging conditions, and against one of the most dangerous new-ball pairs in the game. It amounts to more than half of South Africa’s total so far, underlined the value of an experience – especially in an opening batter – and revealed a desire that has not dimmed.It also showed some aspects of Elgar that have not been seen before: the classy cover driver, the relatively quick scorer, and the ultra-emotionally charged celebrator. And it came from a place of freedom, the kind that a player who is done but not quite done yet has.Related

• Injured Bavuma ruled out of Cape Town Test

• Elgar's hundred gives South Africa the lead

• Hamstring strain puts Bavuma's participation in Centurion Test in doubt

“I don’t think I have a point to prove. I just want to still contribute,” Elgar said at the post-match press conference. “I want to go out with a bang, and try and win a Test match and the series. I don’t have anything to lose. Whether I fail or not, it is still coming to an end.”But there was a lot to lose when Elgar and Aiden Markram walked out to bat an hour into the day’s play – with a heavy cloud overhead, a surface with a good deal of bounce in it, and two of the best seamers in the world to face. It’s no surprise that the opening exchanges were tense, that Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj looked threatening with every ball, beat the bat at least once an over and got an early wicket. Markram eventually had to play at a Siraj ball that took the outside edge.With captain Temba Bavuma unavailable through injury, Markram’s dismissal left Elgar with the least experienced top six line-up for South Africa since 1997 against Pakistan; and things could have gone badly wrong.That it didn’t and Elgar shared in a steadying 93-run with Tony de Zorzi, and a controlling 131-run partnership with the debutant David Bedingham is symbolic of Elgar potentially leaving at the right time: there are others, and they are capable. His time in the middle with de Zorzi was particularly significant because de Zorzi is likely to bat in Elgar’s opening spot in New Zealand, where South Africa will have a makeshift side, and he could end up in the role more permanently in the near future. De Zorzi also has Elgar’s blessing.Dean Elgar had a controlling 131-run partnership with debutant David Bedingham•AFP/Getty Images”That partnership with myself and Tony was pretty important. The ball was going around, Bumrah was swinging it both ways and Tony did bloody well to get through it,” Elgar said. “That period of seeing off that new ball – and getting it old – allowed David to come in and play his natural game – maybe something that won’t be spoken about, but I will speak about it.”Never one to not say what he thinks, Elgar also let his batting do the talking, and in an unexpected way, which he confirmed came from a “mindset of looking to score,” given the difficulty of the conditions. He has never appeared to drive with this much authority in a Test innings before, especially not through the covers. According to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data, Elgar played 24 drives in this innings against the Indian pace bowlers, and was in control for 87.5% of them, at a strike rate of 179.2.Before today, Elgar had played 20 or more drives off fast bowlers in a Test innings only ten times, and in none of those had he scored at a faster clip with better control. He scored 58 runs off the Indian quicks through the off side – the most he has scored in a Test innings – and though they put the ball there for him, he still had to time and place his shots.”When you look to score, you get into a better position as well,” Elgar said. “After lunch, I came out with more of a positive mindset, got into really good positions, and capitalised.””I didn’t have a Test hundred at Centurion – that’s the one that got away throughout my career” – Dean Elgar•AFP/Getty ImagesAt some point, he would also have realised that a piece of history was waiting because he had yet to score a hundred at SuperSport Park. “We spoke about it the other day, and guys were like ‘I thought you’d got a few [hundreds] here’, and I said ‘No, I’ve been rubbish here’. Maybe not too rubbish,” he said.Before this Test, Elgar had played nine others at SuperSport Park, his adopted home ground after his professional career had begun in Bloemfontein, and with four fifties. The closest he came to a hundred was with a 95 against Sri Lanka two years ago. That was a fixture played under the strictest Covid-19 regulations, with not a spectator in sight. But on Tuesday, there were several thousand, and they all urged him on. As he entered the mid-80s, they upped their encouragement.Elgar got to 87 with a whip through mid-on off R Ashwin, to 91 with an outside edge off Prasidh Krishna – and kept the strike at the end of that over – and then to 96 with an on-drive. By the time the pull-off Shardul Thakur that took him to three figures landed on the other side of the boundary, the enormity of this achievement hit him, and he celebrated in wild, David Warner-esque fashion.Elgar got air time on the leap and saluted the crowd several times, and confirmed it was as much a recognition of the people as of the place. “It’s a special game for me. I didn’t have a Test hundred at Centurion – that’s the one that got away throughout my career,” he said. “My family was here, my friends were here watching, all knowing this is the last international fixture I will play here. I’m happy to be on the SuperSport Park [honours] board. I am now on the board at all the Test venues in South Africa, which is pretty cool.”

“By the time Cape Town [the second Test] is finished, maybe it will sink in for me. I want to do things like I have done today, and carry the mantle forward so the young guys know what it’s all about”Dean Elgar is desperate to help South Africa beat India in this series

That sounds like as good a position as there can be to decide to sign off. Everyone finds it easier to laud a player who leaves on a high, and voluntarily, instead of one who hangs on until he is forced out. And there are also other reasons for Elgar’s decision. At 36 years old, with a dearth of Test fixtures in the near future and a coach who has made it clear he is looking for opportunities to blood new players, it seems the time is right. But there may yet be one big statement for Elgar to make in a series he seems desperate to help South Africa win.”At the moment, it’s about contributing, putting the team in a good position, and influencing where I can,” he said. “By the time Cape Town [the second Test] is finished, maybe it will sink in for me. I think I will be on a wine farm somewhere, drinking copious amounts of wine, and I will maybe sit back and enjoy what’s happened in the past. For now, it’s all about business. I want to do things like I have done today, and carry the mantle forward so the young guys know what it’s all about.”The business could also be bigger than he expected it to be. There’s still no word on Bavuma’s availability to bat in this match, though he did not come out when he could have at No. 7, and given the quick turnaround, whether he will be fit to play in the New Year’s Test. If he is ruled out, there’s a good chance Elgar will be asked to lead South Africa one last time in a bid to deny India a chance to conquer what they have called the final frontier. And that may be the toughest goodbye of all.

Stats highlights from the third ODI between Sri Lanka and Pakistan

S Rajesh03-Aug-2009In his 17 previous ODI innings Mahela Jayawardene had scored one half-century, four ducks, and averaged 15.11•AFP The 202-run partnership between Mahela Jayawardene and Upul Tharanga is the third-highest for the first wicket for Sri Lanka in ODIs, and their highest at home. Their highest overall is 286, against England at Leeds in 2006. Of the five 200-plus opening stands for Sri Lanka, Tharanga has been involved in three. It’s also Sri Lanka’s first double-century opening stand without the presence of Sanath Jayasuriya. Jayawardene’s glorious 123 ended a barren run in ODIs: in his 17 previous ODI innings he had an average of 15.11, with one half-century and four ducks. This was also only his second ODI innings as an opener. In his previous effort – against Zimbabwe in Harare in November 2008 – he had failed to get off the mark. Dambulla has traditionally been a difficult venue for batting, but in this game both Pakistan and Sri Lanka scored totals that hadn’t been scored at this ground. In 28 previous ODIs in Dambulla, the highest score had been 282, by Sri Lanka against India in 2004. India chased it bravely, but fell short by 12 runs. Those were the two highest ODI totals here before today. The win also ended a poor run for Sri Lanka in ODI series at home – they had lost their last three, against England and twice against India. (Click here for Sri Lanka’s results in home ODI series.) The pitch was so good for batting that even Muttiah Muralitharan leaked plenty of runs – in ten overs he conceded 64, which is the second-highest number of runs he has conceded in a home ODI. The highest is 66, against India earlier this year. In terms of economy rates, this comes in at third place among his most expensive spells at home. Click here for the full list. It was also a bad game for Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s most consistent spinner. He leaked 7.50 runs per over, his most expensive spell in almost two years. Against India in Kanpur in November 2007, he had conceded 57 in seven, a rate of 8.14 per over. Since then, in 30 ODIs before this one, only twice did he concede more than six runs per over.

أتم مجلس إدارة نادي الاتحاد السكندري، برئاسة محمد مصيلحي، إجراءات التعاقد مع المدافع الدولي محمود علاء، لاعب الزمالك ومنتخب مصر السابق.

ووقع علاء على عقد انضمامه لصفوف الفريق، والذي يمتد لموسم ونصف، بعد جلسة عقدها مع الأستاذ محمد مصيلحي رئيس النادي، بحضور محمد سلامة عضو مجلس الإدارة، وطلعت يوسف المدير الفني، واللواء عبد الجليل إمام مدير الكرة.

طلعت يوسف بعد الخسارة في الظهور الأول: الاتحاد السكندري سيعاني إذا استمر بنفس اللاعبين

وجاء التعاقد مع اللاعب بعد موافقة طلعت يوسف، الذي أشاد بالقدرات الفنية بـ علاء، واصفًا إياه بأنه أحد المدافعين المميزين.

وكان علاء، نجم نادي الزمالك السابق، قد أنهى خلال انتقالات يناير الحالية مشواره مع نادي السويحلي الليبي، مؤكدًا أنه سيعلن عن خطوته القادمة خلال أيام.

وكشف علاء في وقت سابق أن تأخر انطلاق الدوري الليبي كان سببًا في فسخ تعاقده مع السويحلي، كما أن الدوري الليبي أصبح يضم 36 فريقًا، والأمور ليست على أفضل نحو، لذلك قرر إنهاء مشواره معهم.

West Ham United are "now in talks" to sign an "exceptional" player for manager David Moyes, according to Sky Sports this morning.

Hammers yet to make January signing

Despite the club being linked with a new midfielder and attacking additions, West Ham are yet to do any business so far this month, but that could be about to change very soon.

Fabrizio Romano says West Ham could sign club captain if Benrahma leaves

The east Londoners are admirers.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 18, 2024

The Hammers' transfer plans have changed after injuries to the likes of star midfielder Lucas Paqueta and striker Michail Antonio, who recently suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee problem.

While star winger Jarrod Bowen could be back to face Sheffield United this weekend, Paqueta's long-term absence and Antonio's unreliability hand Moyes real squad conundrums.

West Ham's lack of depth behind their traditional eleven has been somewhat exposed, and Mohammed Kudus being at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana is also leaving Moyes pretty short of options – both in the middle of the park and further forward.

West Ham are being linked with a number of attacking stars, including the likes of Santiago Gimenez and Serhou Guirassy, but it's believed they have a serious interest in Man City outcast Kalvin Phillips for the midfield area.

West Ham enter negotiations to sign Phillips

West Ham are touted as contenders to sign the 28-year-old, who has found game time very difficult to come by under Pep Guardiola since joining City from Leeds in 2022.

Dropping a Friday update, Sky Sports have shared some breaking news "this morning", and they claim West Ham are "now in talks" to sign Phillips and offer him a way out of Eastlands.

"What we're hearing this morning, West Ham are now in talks with Manchester City over a move for Kalvin Phillips", said the broadcaster.

They add that the England international, lauded for his "creativity" by Paul Robinson to Football Insider, is being chased by a host of clubs both in Europe and abroad – but it's West Ham who are making the first moves.

Moyes has publicly expressed his admiration for Phillips before, so it is little surprise the Scotsman is attempting to take advantage of the player's dwindling City career.

"I'm a big admirer of Kalvin Phillips and have been for a long time," said Moyes in 2021.

"Every time I went to watch Leeds, and when I was out of work and they won the Championship, I was always thinking he looked a really influential player and a real prospect.

Shoulder injury – 2022/2023

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Hamstring injury – 2021/2022

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Calf injury – 2020/2021

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Shoulder injury – 2020/2021

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"I think he has stepped up really quickly, I think he got into the England squad when maybe other people were suggested in front of him but I think he's done well."

On a reported £135,000-per-week wage packet (Sky Sports), it will be interesting to see if West Ham manage to whittle down his salary and still sway him to east London.

Rangers have been handed a financial boost after a significant update from the Scottish Premiership.

Rangers transfer news

The Gers have had a fairly tumultuous year on the pitch, with Michael Beale's spell as manager a disappointing one, leading to his sacking earlier in the season. Philippe Clement has come in in his place, and the early signs have been positive, with Rangers seemingly firing in all competitions since the Belgian's timely arrival.

For the team to continue heading in the right direction, however, new signings could be required during the January transfer window, adding more quality and freshness to the squad, with Clement reportedly set to make as many as three new additions.

A host of players have been linked with a move to Ibrox, with Rangers keen on signing Everton defender Ben Godfrey, seeing him as a top target to come in and improve the defence. Meanwhile, Aberdeen ace Bojan Miovski has also been tipped to join the Gers.

While there is plenty of focus on the team, a key claim has now emerged regarding the club as a whole – one that will no doubt please supporters.

Rangers handed financial boost

According to a fresh update from Football Insider, the SPFL enjoyed record-breaking revenue in 2022/23, with the eye-watering figures revealed:

"Rangers are set for a financial injection from the SPFL after they posted record-breaking revenue in 2022/23, Football Insider can reveal. The Scottish Professional Football League posted their updated accounts via Companies House for the fiscal year up to 31 May with a turnover of £42.6million.

"It was a record-breaking turnover figure for the Scottish Professional Football League and marked a £3million increase from the year prior."

The money will be distributed out to all clubs in the top four tiers of Scottish football, and while the exact amount heading to Ibrox remains undisclosed, the report claims it will be a record setting sum. It means that a few extra funds should be available for Clement to spend on new signings in January.

1. Tore Andre Flo

£15.7m

2. Michael Ball

£8.5m

3. Mikel Arteta

£6.9m

4. Arthur Numan

£6.7m

5. Giovanni van Bronckhorst

£6.5m

6. Barry Ferguson

£6.35m

7. Bert Konterman

£6.35m

8. Ryan Kent

£6.31m

9. Michael Mols

£5.6m

10. Gaby Amato

£5.6m

What this also does is help persuade potential signings to come to the club, showing that the league is moving in a positive direction and should continue to be able to compete in European competitions, something players are typically drawn to.

Someone like Godfrey for example could jump at the opportunity to earn more regular playing time at Ibrox, and while there's still no chance of the Gers paying him the £76,000 per week he earns at Everton, every little helps.

On the face of it, it has been a positive run for Manchester United either side of the international break, with Erik ten Hag's men having now won their last three games in all competitions to lift the mood at Old Trafford.

Despite the nature of the results, however, the performances have told an altogether different story in recent weeks, with the Red Devils scraping past Brentford a few weeks ago following a thrilling Scott McTominay double at the death, before requiring a moment of magic from Diogo Dalot to see off relegation strugglers, Sheffield United.

As for the midweek meeting with Copenhagen in the Champions League, it was a largely tepid and uninspiring affair for much of the proceedings prior to Harry Maguire's winner in the closing stages, with the hosts having also been reliant on a decisive penalty save from Andre Onana in the game's final act to clinch a pivotal three points.

While such late drama has helped to keep the fanbase captivated and on side of late, Ten Hag will be aware that a far more rounded display will be needed from his side ahead of tomorrow's eagerly-anticipated Manchester Derby, with anything other than a complete performance likely to make it a tough afternoon against the champions.

Man United's injury concerns ahead of the Manchester Derby

Not that there can be many excuses for such an expensively assembled squad, yet it is fair to say that the Premier League giants have been hampered by a spate of injuries this season, with the backline, in particular, having been rather decimated.

Recent months have seen Ten Hag unable to call upon the likes of Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with the former Ajax boss noting on Tuesday night that the lack of a settled backline has been an issue of late.

There will also be concerns over the fitness of Sergio Reguilon after the Spaniard – who had been out with injury himself – was forced off against the Danish side earlier this week, with the lack of a recognised left-back set to be another potential headache on Sunday.

One possible bonus could be the return of experienced midfielder, Casemiro, with the Brazil international having missed the last two games due to injury and suspension, respectively, although is expected to be in line to feature this time around.

There will also be decisions to make in the forward line with United having yet again been reliant on a goal from a defender to bail them out of trouble in midweek, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund having scored just one league goal between them this season.

In the case of Rashford, another goalless evening against Copenhagen may put his starting berth under threat, although the Englishman does boast a strong record against tomorrow's opponents – as does partner-in-crime, Anthony Martial – with vengeance needed following the FA Cup final defeat back in June.

The stats that show why Rashford should start against Man City

With Alejandro Garnacho chomping at the bit to start on the left flank, that man Rashford could find himself ousted from the side sooner rather than later, with last season's haul of 30 goals in all competitions now looking like a distant memory.

Position

Player

GK

David De Gea

RB

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

CB

Raphael Varane

CB

Victor Lindelof

LB

Luke Shaw

CDM

Casemiro

CM

Fred

CM

Christian Eriksen

RW

Bruno Fernandes

ST

Marcus Rashford

LW

Jadon Sancho

That being said, however, when in the right groove the 25-year-old remains arguably Ten Hag's biggest outlet – as his form in 2022/23 indicated – with the academy graduate also boasting the benefit of having regularly torn apart Manchester City over the last eight years or so.

Ever since scoring against the Etihad outfit on his derby debut in 2016 – breezing past a helpless Martin Demichelis before slotting under compatriot Joe Hart – the fleet-footed forward has regularly relished the match-up with United's local rivals, having now scored five goals in 18 appearances against the Champions League holders.

That historical impact in this fixture may be worth tapping into, with the same also true of Martial, despite the fact that the Frenchman has lost his place to the aforementioned Hojlund this season, with just a year left to run on his existing deal.

There may be those questioning the wisdom of unleashing the former Monaco man for a game of such huge magnitude, but with his fellow striker still waiting for a first Premier League goal in United colours, Ten Hag may be willing to take a gamble on the 27-year-old.

Having previously stated last term that the Red Devils play their "best football" with Martial leading the line, the Dutchman certainly has a high opinion of the mercurial talent, hence why he could be tasked with terrorising City yet again.

Anthony Martial's goalscoring record against Man City

Even if not given the nod from the start, the £250k-per-week enigma would certainly be able to impact proceedings off the bench if called upon, particularly when considering he has scored five goals against Pep Guardiola's men – all of which have come in the league.

While his first effort in the fixture came from the penalty spot in a dismal 3-1 defeat away at the Etihad in November 2018 under Jose Mourinho, Martial truly hit stride the following season during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first full campaign in charge, scoring both home and away against City.

In the first meeting that season at the Etihad, a blistering front three of Rashford, Daniel James and Martial brutally exposed the hosts on the counter, with the latter man extending United's lead in the first half with a clinical, left-footed finish from just inside the area.

In the return encounter in March 2020 – the final home game for the Red Devils in front of a packed Old Trafford, prior to the first Covid-19 lockdown – the long-serving marksman set the home side on their way to victory after rounding off a well-worked free-kick routine, prior to McTominay's late clincher at the death.

As for more recent encounters, Marrtial did score twice off the bench in the harrowing 6-3 defeat just over a year ago to help make the scoreline appear somewhat more respectable, with another perhaps more important cameo likely to be required tomorrow.

While his contract may be running down following an injury-hit last few years at the Theatre of Dreams, the polarising striker – once dubbed a "Ferrari" by Champions League winner, Owen Hargreaves – could still have some magic up his sleeve.

Scotland coach Grant Bradburn made clear his disappointment with the Future Tours Programme, and asked the ICC to consider rewarding Scotland’s recent performances

Peter Della Penna21-Jun-2018A week after Scotland scaled new heights by becoming the first Associate team to beat the No. 1 ODI side in the world, a cold dose of reality has brought them back to earth. It comes in the form of the FTP schedule release through 2023. Scotland are nowhere to be found in that.The paucity of fixtures and funding is nothing new for them. But it’s something that coach Grant Bradburn hopes will be one of many areas that will be reconsidered by the ICC administrators going forward, ahead of next week’s ICC annual conference in Dublin.”It’s incredibly sad to see that FTP come out,” Bradburn told ESPNcricinfo. “We’re fully aware that the FTP didn’t just get drafted after our victory against England. Clearly it’s been in the pipeline for some time. Our players hope that the statement that was made with the win against England, and the [wins over Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan] over the past 12 months, force the ICC into reviewing their investment and continuing to see value in their investments so far in the top Associates.”According to Bradburn, his players have come to grips with their failure to qualify for the 10-team World Cup in 2019. He also said that calls for Scotland and other Associates to get more opportunities should not be viewed as a knee-jerk reaction to their win over England but instead as a recognition of their consistent performances since the start of 2017 that has seen them beat four Full Members and tie a fifth in a T20I, against Ireland, during the recent tri-series.As part of the T20I tri-series win, Scotland also notched two dominant wins over Netherlands. Netherlands are now guaranteed 24 ODIs against Full Members over the next three years in the FTP cycle and the ODI League while WCLC runners-up Scotland get none.”Number one, we hope they review that decision for the 2023 World Cup,” Bradburn said. “Number two, and most importantly for us, is that we do hope the ICC continue to invest in us.”The campaign against England, Pakistan, Netherlands and Ireland, we framed it strategically. It’s not a matter of chucking games in here or there. We would love the ICC to give us the ability to plan just like they do the Full Members by putting out the FTP schedule, which is great for them because they can now plan. Unfortunately, we don’t have that luxury.”Unlike the funding distributed to Full Members, Scotland and other Associates have to pinch pennies on shoestring budgets to maximise their efforts both domestically and internationally. Cricket Scotland’s core funding from the ICC as an ODI status Associate is US$1.5 million. However, Bradburn said they successfully appealed for a US$250,000 per year funding boost for 2017 and 2018, which enabled them to play more matches and improve their on-field performance, culminating in the win over England.Scotland celebrates after Mark Watt’s first wicket of the match•Peter Della Penna

“That extra $250,000 enabled us to do extra things like the Desert T20 Challenge, like the tri-series that we’ve just been to in Holland and the preparation in Pretoria before the World Cup Qualifier and also the second trip to Dubai that we had in January before the World Cup Qualifier, which was just fantastic,” Bradburn said. “It was excellent and appropriate preparation for us, and we feel we spent the money wisely. If we had the same or just a little bit more, we could do so much.”What’s on many of our minds is, ‘Wow! Look what we’ve done with $250,000. Imagine if that was $500,000’. And that’s not even a fraction of what the lowest Full Member receives on an annual basis, which is around $9 million per year. So for Cricket Scotland to receive more funding is an absolute must and we just hope that the ICC, when they gather around their table next week, have taken note of the performances and we hope that they are pleased with their investment and continue to see benefits in investing in the top Associates.”The last of Cricket Scotland’s US$250,000 supplemental funding boost for 2018 was spent on the recent tri-series, meaning they have no more money to arrange bilateral fixtures with other Associates. It also means they are short of funds to access facilities they have invested in for the national team’s training camps. Bradburn does not want to see all the momentum that Scotland have built up over the last year and a half go waste when qualification for the 2020 World T20 is just around the corner.”We’ve got a great facility in La Manga, Spain that Ireland and ourselves have invested in but right at this point in time we can’t afford to go there,” Bradburn said. “We’ve only been there once in the last two years and it was just brilliant. It’s such a great training base, a place where we develop our future Scotland internationals and also play games but we can’t afford to go.”As opposed to pleading for money every year, it would be nice for the ICC to turn around and say, ‘Okay, here’s a sum of money per year for the next four years. Go play in a programme that sees you guys continuing your rise toward Full Membership.’ That would be brilliant. But right now we need to apply to the ICC through our chairman Tony Brian who has done a brilliant job pleading our case. We have to apply every time and we’re hoping there might be an answer next week but that answer might not come until the next ICC meeting in October.”At the moment, the best case scenario is that in the last quarter of this year we get confirmation of some funding and can put some cricket in place for November and December which prepares us for the start of 2019. Clearly T20 is going to become more important over the next couple of years with World Cups confirmed in 2020 and 2021. So we would love to be able to position ourselves to continue to get better at that format of the game especially and have a little more funding to continue to improve.