Glasgow Rangers are seemingly edging closer to completing a move for midfielder Jose Cifuentes as Michael Beale’s summer recruitment spree shows no sign of slowing down.

What’s the latest on Jose Cifuentes to Rangers?

The LAFC player looked set to be arriving at Ibrox a few weeks ago, with Fabrizio Romano telling GIVEMESPORT that “the conversation is ongoing with his agents” and that a move looked imminent, with just a fee to arrange between the clubs due to his contract not expiring until December and Beale wanting to sign him this summer.

However, a clearer timeline has emerged, with Ecuadorian source Mr Offsider claiming (via Rangers News) that the Gers will be able to secure Cifuentes’ signature following Ecuador’s final international fixture during this break on 21st June. Beale will therefore be hopeful that a deal will be reached before the month is out.

Could Jose Cifuentes improve Rangers?

Considering his performances for LAFC recently, the 24-year-old would certainly give the Ibrox midfield a boost, especially in an attacking sense.

During the 2022 MLS season, he notched seven goals and grabbed a further six assists from the heart of the midfield while also creating 11 big chances, making 1.3 key passes per game and succeeding with 1.5 of his attempted dribbles each game, showcasing his attacking capabilities. This is something Rangers could certainly do with, especially with a lack of goals coming from their central midfield options last term.

John Lundstram, Glen Kamara, Ryan Jack and Nicolas Raskin scored eight goals between them during the entirety of the 2022/23 season, underlining just how much Beale requires a player who could push forward often and generate plenty of chances.

He could also form a solid midfield partnership with Raskin, as the Belgian can utilise his defensive capabilities in order to give Cifuentes plenty of freedom, knowing that he is doing the dirty work behind him.

Since arriving in January, Raskin was so impressive in the middle of the park that he ranked third in the squad for tackles per game (1.8) and sixth for successful dribbles per game (0.9), and his tenacious nature would be the perfect foil for the Ecuadorian.

Raskin’s key strengths are dribbling and tackling according to WhoScored, while Cifuentes could benefit from his passing ability as the duo would be able to link together well while dictating play for the Ibrox side during matches.

WhoScored also regards dribbling as a strength, and this could give Beale an extra attacking option from deep, while knowing that the space vacated by his movement will be covered by the Belgian could lead to an exciting partnership.

Lauded as being “very dynamic” by LAFC assistant manager Marc Dos Santos, the 5 foot 8 midfielder has shone in America, and the next step is surely to feature in the Champions League, with Rangers being the perfect team in order to continue his journey with.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly identified their target to solve the clubs’ goal scoring woes, as Julen Lopetegui looks towards a busy summer.

The Spaniard will face a challenging transfer window following the emergence of Wolves’ FFP issues, however the show must go on and Molineux must see improvements over the break.

One name has been on the radar since the conclusion of the Premier League season, in a move that could transform Wolves in the final third.

What’s the latest on Viktor Gyokeres to Wolves?

As reported by talkSPORT at the beginning of May, Wolves are interested in Coventry City talisman Viktor Gyokeres.

Since the news first surfaced, it has emerged that the Midlands side will face competition for the striker, with Sporting Lisbon and Burnley also interested.

Portuguese outlet Record (as relayed by Sport Witness) revealed this week that Wolves remain in the race for the Swedish forward, with Sporting CP set to ‘struggle’ to battle the Premier League side due to their ‘bigger financial capacity’.

The report claimed that the price set by Coventry for the goalscoring machine is in the region of €20m (£17m).

What could Viktor Gyokeres bring to Wolves?

Ending the season as the lowest scorers in the Premier League, Lopetegui must solve the equation to get his side firing again, having netted just 31 goals in 38 games.

Once hailed as “unplayable” by former teammate Maxime Biamou, Gyokeres could be the man to end the stagnant nature in front of goal at Molineux, having scored 21 goals in the Championship this campaign.

While Wolves as a club would benefit hugely by the influence of having a goal machine leading the line once again, one player in particular could be unearthed by his presence.

Matheus Nunes made the move from Sporting CP to Molineux last summer, and has shown glimmers of his quality since arriving, but has been starved of having an attacking outlet to generate play with.

Having also been described as a “playmaker” by members of the media, the Portuguese ace averaged 0.8 key passes per game, a number that could be significantly raised should Lopetegui bring in the correct reinforcements.

As per FBref, the 24-year-old averaged 3.06 progressive passes per 90 this season, far fewer than his average the term before in Portugal, where he completed an average of 5.74 per 90, which shows what he is capable of should Wolves sign a frontman.

Gyokeres could finally unlock Nunes by acting as a player that is goal hungry and always looking for the ball, as communicated by his monstrous 11.01 progressive passes received per 90 over the past year, via FBref.

Placing financial constraints aside, Wolves must find a goal scorer this summer and not many could be more suited to the club than Gyokeres, who could prove to be a vast influence on Lopetegui’s attack.

England Under-19s will be without Matt Fisher for their four-day series against India in Nagpur which starts on Monday as they take a protective attitude to a fast bowler in whom they have invested considerable expectations

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Feb-2017England Under-19s will be without Matt Fisher for their four-day series against India in Nagpur which starts on Monday as they take a protective attitude to a fast bowler in whom they have invested considerable expectations.The Yorkshire fast bowler is still struggling with the groin problem he picked up during the one-day series in Mumbai – although England privately stress that he has not suffered a recurrence of the hamstring problems that bedevilled him last seasonFisher will stay with the Under-19 squad for another week to make the most of his first sub-continental experience as a member of England’s leadership group, while continuing to receive treatment from the medical staff. He will then return to Yorkshire to join their pre-season preparations at Headingley.Max Holden, the Middlesex batsman who has been loaned out to Northants for the start of the season, will take over the captaincy as planned for the four-day series.

Reeza Hendricks did the job with bat and ball for Lions, in their opening Momentum Cup game against Warriors, setting up a 44-run win at the Wanderers.Hendricks first scored 101 off 104 in a 178-run opening stand with Stephan Cook to lay the platform for Lions’ 329-run total, before striking twice in an over with his part-time medium pace to rock the chase.Lions were put in to bat and Hendricks and Cook’s partnership ticked over at more than a run a ball before JJ Smuts – the most effective and economical of the Warriors bowlers with 2 for 51 – broke through. A cluster of rapid cameos followed from the middle order to carry Lions well past the 300-run mark.After losing Smuts early, Warriors seemed to have got back on track through a 122-run second-wicket stand between Gihahn Cloete and Colin Ingram. Then Hendricks took the pair out in the space of five balls, and Warriors’ challenge was quickly flagging. No one else could get to fifty for Warriors, though several in the middle order got starts, and eventually they fell well short, bowled out in exactly 50 overs for 285. Lions’ other Hendricks, new-ball bowler Beuran, also did his bit effectively, claiming 3 for 55 in his ten.

Chelsea are now ready to secure the services of the Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson this summer with personal terms already agreed.

How much is Nicolas Jackson worth?

It was a season to forget for the Blues as they were forced to settle for a 12th placed finish in the Premier League as they saw two managers come and go.

Indeed, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter saw the wrath of the Chelsea owner Todd Boehly who sacked both managers over the course of the 2022/23 campaign.

Looking ahead to the new campaign, former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has been handed the reins in west London to try and turn around their fortunes.

One of their biggest issues in the 2022/23 season was their ability to find the back of the net with only five other clubs scoring fewer than their return of 38 goals.

But it seems as if Boehly is looking to provide Pochettino with a player to solve those issues in Jackson.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the Blues are now ready to pay the 21-year-old's £29.8m release clause:

"And now what's going on guys, we can say that Chelsea have, of course, full agreement with the player. He wants impsed to join Chelsea, this something guaranteed and from what I'm told it's going to be a very long contract. So not a regular five-year deal. But more than this, so long, very long term contract is ready.

"But also important to say that, from what I understand, Chelsea are prepared to trigger and activate the release clause of Nicolas Jackson."

How many goals has Nicolas Jackson scored?

The Senegalese striker enjoyed a profitable campaign in La Liga over the course of the 2022/23 term which saw him return 12 goals and four assists in his 26 appearances (via Transfermarkt).

Jackson endured a hip issue during the middle of the campaign which saw the 21-year-old miss a number of games in La Liga.

However, upon his return, the striker showed some stunning form which has earned him the attention of the likes of Chelsea.

Over his final eight games in the Spanish top flight, Jackson provided a stunning return of nine goals and two assists including a goal on the final day against Atletico Madrid.

However, whether he will be able to convert that form into the Premier League is another matter.

Chelsea have been linked with a sensational summer swoop for the mightily impressive Victor Osimhen who has proven himself in Serie A by netting 26 league goals alone (via Transfermarkt).

Considering Chelsea have also allowed Joao Felix to return to Aleti following the conclusion of his loan deal, it will be intriguing to see whether Boehly looks to provide Pochettino with more firepower throughout the summer.

Companies that handle the HawkEye technology and Spider-cam have also pulled out from the final, which will be televised without the supporting components

Umar Farooq28-Feb-2017Sunset and Vine, the UK-based production house that handles the broadcast of the Pakistan Super League, has withdrawn its services for the league’s final which will be played in Lahore on March 5. ESPNcricinfo understands that a Dubai-based company, Innovative Production Group, will handle production of the Lahore match. The PSL is also seeking to replace its overseas commentators: Danny Morrison, Alan Wilkins, Mel Jones are reluctant to travel to Lahore, while Ian Bishop, whose contract was until the play-offs, will leave to cover West Indies’ home ODIs against England.Companies that handle the HawkEye technology and Spider-cam have also pulled out from the final, which will be televised without the supporting components. A drone camera is likely to replace the spider-cam.Sunset and Vine, which had also handled the broadcast for the PSL in its inaugural edition last year, had informed the PCB through an email last week about its reluctance to travel to Lahore. Innovative Production Group was part of the PCB’s contingency plan.On Monday the provisional government gave a public go-ahead to the staging of the final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, after week-long deliberations and assessments of the security situation in the country. The PCB has been working to get the ground ready for the match later this week.The stadium has been renovated extensively, and includes a new media facility at the College End of the ground, with a capacity to accommodate more than 150 journalists, which will be inaugurated before the final. Tickets for the final are also set to be released, with prices ranging between Rs 500 and Rs 12000.To ensure the final features foreign players, the PSL management has asked the four franchises who have made it to the play-offs to work on a contingency plan. The franchises have been asked to nominate a pool of foreign players from a list of over 60 said to be willing to travel to Pakistan, in the event – as seems likely – some of their own foreign players don’t go. Presently, Peshawar Zalmi are most confident their foreign contingent will travel to Lahore, while players from the other three sides are still undecided. Teams can field a maximum of four foreign players in their XI but the rules are flexible enough to allow teams to play with XI local players if necessary.Najam Sethi, the PSL chairman, is optimistic the final will feature foreign players.
“First let the two finalists be confirmed, which will be by March 3,” he said on Monday. “I will be going back to Dubai now and once the finalists are confirmed I will again talk to the franchise owners and foreign players. We have also prepared a back-up list of foreign players in case the overseas signings of the finalist teams refuse to come to Lahore. “

Newcastle United will surely be looking to bolster their squad with talent ahead of their long-awaited return to Champions League football next season and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Newcastle's interest in Moussa Diaby?

According to French newspaper L'Equipe (via Sport Witness), Newcastle have been keen to make Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby the face of their project at St James' Park for a year.

As per the report, the Magpies remain keen on snapping up the services of the talented player this summer but will need to compete with Premier League club Arsenal who are now leading the race to complete a deal.

Who would Moussa Diaby replace in the Newcastle team?

There is no doubt that Eddie Howe will be thrilled with the rapid progress and quality his squad has shown over his first full season in charge at the North East club, however, there will be little room for sentiment when it comes to competing in the Champions League.

Indeed, the former Bournemouth boss already boasts some incredible talent with Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak making an instant impact on the performances, so now there is an opportunity to even further improve key positions on the pitch, especially in the wider attacking roles.

As a result, the signing of Diaby – who has a reported £65m price tag – would undoubtedly be a major coup for Newcastle, but could spell the end of an era for his compatriot Allan Saint-Maximin who could be even further pushed out of the team should Dan Ashworth seal a deal.

The Newcastle wide-man has struggled for consistency with injuries plaguing his tenure at St James' and recently spoke out in an Instagram post fuelling speculation about his future at the club next season.

When comparing the Leverkusen ace's output to Saint-Maximin's last season, it is clear that Diaby has outperformed his positional peer in a number of attributes including goal contributions (17 v 6), shots on target per 90 (1.13 v 0.88), pass completion (73.9% v 70.7%) and progressive carries (125 v 93), as per FBref.

It is clear that acquiring the services of Diaby – once hailed for his "electrifying pace" by journalist Aaron Stokes – could drastically improve the goal contributions from the wide positions in the final third which would be a great asset to Howe when competing in multiple competitions next season and could ultimately push them forward in their pursuit of trophies.

With that being said, if Newcastle can beat Arsenal to the signing of Diaby it could be a great opportunity to improve the attacking threat ahead of competing on the European stage next season, but could also be the final nail in the coffin for Saint-Maximin's future in the North East.

Mario Balotelli says new recruits at AC Milan, such as Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah, need to do more to support the efforts of Rafael Leao.

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Portuguese forward starring for RossoneriNeeds more support from those around himEnigmatic Italian planning future Saudi switchWHAT HAPPENED?

The Rossoneri, who savoured Serie A title glory in 2021-22, have become heavily reliant on their talismanic Portuguese forward. Efforts have been made to bring in creativity and firepower alongside him – with USMNT stars Pulisic and Musah acquired in the last transfer window – but big-money signings are still finding their feet.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ex-Milan striker Balotelli has told of the issues at San Siro: “I like [Stefano] Pioli, but if Leao isn’t good Milan do very little. If Leao has a bad day, it’s difficult for Milan to win.” Pulisic has registered two Serie A goals for Milan, while also being dropped in the Champions League, while fellow United States international Musah is being asked to fill an unfamiliar wing-back role.

WHAT THEY SAID

Milan are considered to be alarmingly short in the striker department, with 36-year-old Olivier Giroud leading the way, and Balotelli has jokingly offered up his services having previously taken in two spells with the club. He added: “Here I am. Milan’s problem is that the young players you sign then have to deal with San Siro, which is not a stadium like any other, you need players with personality.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Enigmatic Italy international Balotelli is now 33 years of age himself and is currently back in Turkey with Adana Demirspor as his nomadic career continues. There will be at least one more adventure left him, with the ex-Liverpool and Inter frontman saying when asked if he could join the mass exodus of players leaving Europe for Saudi Arabia: “If the project works, I too will go in a few years.”

An update has emerged on Manchester United and their plans to bolster their midfield options ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign…

What's the latest on Xavi Simons to Manchester United?

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Red Devils are one of a number of teams showing interest in PSV attacking midfielder Xavi Simons.

However, his former club have the option to sign him back from the Dutch side for a bargain £5m, which could prevent Erik ten Hag from landing the talented ace.

The reporter Tweeted: "EXCL: Paris Saint-Germain buy-back clause for Xavi Simons is just €6m! It can only be activated in July, from 1 to 31st.

"The final decision is ONLY up to the player. He’s waiting to hear from PSG. Man Utd, Arsenal, Brighton, Spurs, BVB and Leipzig asked to be informed."

What is Xavi Simons' style of play?

The 20-year-old maestro is a versatile attacker who can play anywhere across the frontline and has showcased his ability to score and create goals on a regular basis over the last year.

Simons is a natural number ten, but he has also been deployed out wide and as a centre-forward, and could be the dream long-term heir to Bruno Fernandes, who he is over eight years younger than.

The Portuguese, who turns 29 this year, has been a terrific performer for the club as an attacking midfielder in recent years and has proven himself capable of delivering goals and assists week-in-week-out.

Fernandes has racked up 64 strikes and 54 assists in 185 appearances in all competitions, meaning the mercurial ace has registered a goal contribution every 1.57 games on average.

Simons, who is valued at around €34.5m (£30m) by Football Transfers, is a player with the potential to replicate that form in the future if he can adapt to English football.

The former PSG prodigy, who talent scout Jacek Kulig once hailed as "magic", averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.52 and contributed with 19 goals and eight assists in 34 Eredivisie games for PSV in 22/23, which is a direct involvement every 1.26 matches on average.

Simons amassed 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions for the Dutch side, despite only turning 20 in April, and has clearly attracted the interest of a number of top clubs in Europe.

There is no guarantee that the exciting wizard will be able to translate that form over to the Premier League but his impressive displays for PSV suggest that signing him is a worthwhile gamble as he could take over from Fernandes as the chief number ten for United in the future.

Virat Kohli will become the first player to receive the Polly Umrigar Award – given to the International Cricketer of the Year – for the third time, at the BCCI Annual Awards in Bangalore on March 8. Kohli first received the award in 2011-12 and in 2014-15.R Ashwin, the No. 1 ranked bowler and allrounder by the ICC in Tests, will become the first player to receive the Dilip Sardesai Award twice. Ashwin first won the award, instituted to honour the best performance in the bilateral series between India and West Indies, after he was named the Man of the Series in the three-Test series in 2011. Last year, Ashwin was again named the Man of the Series in the four-Test series in West Indies after he struck two centuries and finished with 17 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls.The Mumbai Cricket Association was chosen as the State Association of the 2015-16 season for winning the Ranji Trophy, the CK Nayudu Trophy and the Women’s Plate League Group. They were runners-up in the Cooch Behar Trophy, the Vijay Merchant Trophy and the Women’s One-Day Elite Group.The BCCI Annual Awards Committee, consisting of N Ram, Ramachandra Guha and Diana Edulji, had nominated former left-arm spinners Rajinder Goel and Padmakar Shivalkar for the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award and also instituted the Lifetime Achievement Award for Women starting this season, which will be given to India’s first Test captain Shanta Rangaswamy.Awards list:
CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award – Rajinder Goel, Padmakar Shivalkar
BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award For Women – Shanta Rangaswamy
BCCI Special Award – VV Kumar and Ramakant Desai
Polly Umrigar Award – Virat Kohli
Dilip Sardesai Award – R Ashwin
Lala Amarnath Award for best allrounder in Ranji Trophy 2015-16 – Jalaj Saxena (Madhya Pradesh)
Lala Amarnath Award for best allrounder in domestic limited-overs competitions – Axar Patel (Gujarat)
Madhavrao Scindia Award for highest scorer in Ranji Trophy 2015-16 – Shreyas Iyer (Mumbai)
Madhavrao Scindia Award for highest wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy 2015-16 – Shahbaz Nadeem (Jharkhand)
MA Chidambaram Trophy for highest scorer in Under-23 CK Nayudu Trophy 2015-16 – Jay Bista (Mumbai)
MA Chidambaram Trophy for highest wicket-taker in Under-23 CK Nayudu Trophy 2015-16 – Satyajeet Bachhav (Maharashtra)
NKP Salve Award for highest scorer in Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy 2015-16 – Armaan Jaffer (Mumbai)
NKP Salve Award for highest wicket-taker in Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy 2015-16 – Ninad Rathva (Baroda)
Raj Singh Dungarpur Award for highest scorer in Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy 2015-16 – Abhishek Sharma (Punjab)
Raj Singh Dungarpur Award for highest wicket-taker in Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy 2015-16 – Abhishek Sharma (Punjab)
Jagmohan Dalmiya Award for best woman cricketer (senior) of 2015-16 – Mithali Raj
Jagmohan Dalmiya Award for best woman cricketer (junior) of 2015-16 – Deepti Sharma (Uttar Pradesh)
Best Umpire in domestic cricket in 2015-16 – Nitin Menon
Best Performance in BCCI domestic tournaments in 2015-16 – Mumbai Cricket Association