Keeper-batter says he’s been guaranteed white-ball games in Caribbean after coming to Test squad’s rescue

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jan-2022

Sam Billings is keen to grasp the unexpected opportunity of a potential Test debut in Hobart later this week, although his thoughts will quickly return to pinning down a place in England’s white-ball teams.Billings embarked on a 500-mile road trip to join up with England’s Ashes squad shortly after being told not to get on a plane back to the UK. Having finished his stint with Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, Billings had been due to travel home ahead of England’s T20I series against West Indies in the Caribbean, before injuries to Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow, the two frontline Test wicketkeepers in Australia, forced a change of plan.His likely involvement in Hobart means Billings will miss England’s opening T20I in Barbados on January 22 – but he said had received assurances from the ECB of being picked for the rest of the series after agreeing to come to the Test team’s rescue.Related

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“I am 100% ready if required, and I will give absolutely everything I can,” he told reporters in Sydney, where England secured a dramatic draw in the fourth Test. “My game is in a good place. It has been in the longer format for the last three years for Kent.”I have been playing consistent cricket and scoring runs. It doesn’t really matter what format it is, it’s more about rhythm, confidence and mindset. Like any side I go into I will try to make a positive impact on and off the field, in any environment I am put into.”The three guys [Buttler, Bairstow and Ben Stokes] who came out to bat in Sydney with injuries, that’s incredible courage, and exactly what everyone involved in English cricket is about – playing for each other and that resilience. There’s a lot of inspiration we can take from that as a group, that character and over-my-dead-body attitude.”While a regular in England’s white-ball squads over the years, Billings has rarely had an extended run in either the T20I or ODI sides. The absence of Buttler and Bairstow for the West Indies trip meant he was first in line to keep wicket, and he said that Ashley Giles, England’s managing director of men’s cricket, had agreed to his request to play.”I’ve done way too much running the drinks,” he said. “So it was having that real clarity I wasn’t going to compromise that opportunity in the West Indies. Gilo agreed to that.”Billings has spoken previously of his ambitions to play Test cricket, although his proficiency on the T20 circuit has limited his chances to press a case – in the last three years, he has played just 10 Championship games for Kent, averaging 44.58 with three hundreds.”It’s a hard one,” he said. “As a non-contract [England] player, you have to try and maximise those opportunities, because you don’t have that fallback of knowing you’ll be picked in the next squad. Being constantly in that mindset isn’t very healthy. Playing in those T20 leagues, the great thing is you get signed as an overseas player and you get valued in that environment. You know you’re going to play a run of games and it’s great.”He also said that the performance of Usman Khawaja, a team-mate at Sydney Thunder, had provided a source of inspiration. Khawaja returned to the Australia Test XI for the first time in two-and-a-half years and proceeded to score centuries in each innings at the SCG.”He was very honest and said: ‘I wasn’t sure if this opportunity would come again.’ As you’ve seen, that’s how to grab an opportunity. Hopefully I can take some inspiration from him. You have got nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

سجل فريق الزمالك هدفًا قاتلًا أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا، خلال اللقاء الجاري الآن بينهما، ضمن منافسات كأس مصر.

ويلتقي الزمالك مع سيراميكا كليوباترا، في دور نصف النهائي من بطولة كأس مصر للموسم الحالي 2025، على ملعب استاد القاهرة.

طالع.. عبد الله السعيد يسجل هدف الزمالك الأول أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا في كأس مصر (فيديو)

وجاء الهدف عن طريق أحمد سيد زيزو في الدقيقة 90 من المباراة، من تسديدة بالقدم اليمنى سكنت شباك محمد بسام.

وسجل عبد الله السعيد، هدف الزمالك الأول من ركلة جزاء سددها ببراعة في شباك محمد بسام في الدقيقة 33 من عمر الشوط الأول.

وأحرز أيمن موكا، هدف سيراميكا كليوباترا في الدقيقة 58 بعد عرضية أرضية من إسلام عيسى سددها في المرمى. هدف الزمالك الثاني أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا

With Trent Alexander-Arnold still on course to leave as a free agent in the summer, Arne Slot has now been convinced that one La Liga star is good enough to replace the Anfield legend.

Liverpool transfer news

On the pitch, Slot’s start has created history. Liverpool couldn’t have asked for a better start even if the Dutchman himself will be quick to remind everyone about that one defeat against Nottingham Forest. A perfectionist, the new Reds boss would have been satisfied by yet another clean sheet as his side defeated RB Leipzig 1-0 to make it three from three in the Champions League.

Away from the action, however, things aren’t so smooth sailing. As things stand, Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are all set to depart as free agents at the end of the season, with Liverpool desperately looking to negotiate fresh deals for all three. It’s reached a point that those at Anfield simply must have an emergency plan in place though, which has seen them turn their attention towards La Liga.

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According to reports in Spain, Slot has now been convinced by Oscar Mingueza and Liverpool are plotting a move to trigger the right-back’s reported €20m (£17m) release clause in 2025.

Now 25 years old, Mingueza has enjoyed an excellent start to the La Liga campaign at Celta Vigo, scoring twice and assisting a further five times in just nine games. If there are concerns that Liverpool would be unable to replace Alexander-Arnold’s attacking output, then those numbers quickly put those concerns to rest.

"Powerful" Mingueza represents bargain Trent replacement

Replacing Alexander-Arnold is a near-impossible job and one that Liverpool will hope to avoid come the end of the campaign, but Mingueza should be high on the list of candidates to do exactly that should the Reds have no choice. The La Masia graduate found his feet at Celta Vigo and has now put himself back in contention to reach the top in fine fashion.

Even earning his first call-up to Spain’s national team in recent months, Mingueza was the centre of Neal Gardner’s praise back in August. The Spanish football expert described the right-back as a “powerful carrier and progressive passer”.

Whilst Liverpool could be in a state of panic next summer, it’s Mingueza who may well bring the calm amongst a free agent storm to hand Barcelona plenty of regret and leave Celta Vigo without one of their best players down the right-hand side.

Wolverhampton Wanderers secured their first Premier League win of the season yesterday, defeating Southampton 2-0 at Molineux.

Goals from Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Cunha secured the win for Gary O’Neil’s side, putting them just a point off safety after their dismal start in recent weeks.

It gives the 41-year-old an excellent platform to build from going into the third international break of the campaign, potentially being the start of a revival in the West Midlands.

There’s no denying that Brazilian attacker Cunha stole the show in the victory, with his thunderbolt securing all three points – but the same can’t be said for a variety of his teammates despite the win.

It could leave the boss with some crucial calls to make after the international break with one player doing extremely well to retain his place in the starting lineup after his display.

Mario Lemina’s stats against Southampton

Midfielder Mario Lemina started at the heart of O’Neil’s side, lining up alongside Joao Gomes and taking the armband in the process.

However, despite the faith shown in him by the Wolves boss, he was unable to produce an impressive performance, often looking lacklustre and negative in possession.

The 31-year-old Gabonese international may have registered the assist for Cunha’s goal, but it was an all-round afternoon to forget – with Andre needing to be knocking on the door for a start as a result.

Lemina only completed 16 passes at a completion rate of 76%, opting to play three long passes in the process, but was unable to find a teammate with two of those attempts.

He also was dribbled past twice, making just one interception and losing four of the seven duels he entered during the victory.

However, that being said, there was one other Wolves player who failed to impress against Russell Martin’s side – with O’Neil desperately

needing to drop the ace upon the return to action in a couple of weeks.

The Wolves ace who was worse than Lemina

Striker Jorgen Strand Larsen started his 11th consecutive Premier League match after his summer arrival on loan from Spanish outfit Celta Vigo.

He’s registered four goals so far this campaign, only being outscored by Cunha, looking to be an excellent addition and offering the outlet the club have been lacking in recent years.

However, yesterday he struggled massively during the win, featuring for 73 minutes, achieving a tally of just 15 touches – an average of one touch nearly every five minutes.

During his display, he only registered a total of six passes, committing two fouls and winning just one duel – losing a whopping 84% of the duels that he contested.

Minutes played

73

Touches

15

Passes completed

6/9 (67%)

Fouls committed

2

Duels lost

5/6 (84%)

Shots taken

1

Dribbled past

3x

As a result, the 24-year-old was awarded a 6/10 match rating by Sky Sports, the joint-lowest of any player who started the game for O’Neil’s men during the victory.

Whilst Strand Larsen has been an excellent addition since his move, yesterday was by far his worst display – often looking isolated and out of the game for large periods.

Ultimately, he will be lucky to maintain his starting role when Wolves travel to face Fulham upon the return of club football in two weeks time.

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England duo have the last laugh after posting crucial innings at the SCG

AAP07-Jan-2022Jonny Bairstow wishes his abusers were still there when he walked off the SCG in triumph.Security evicted three fans from the ground after Bairstow and Ben Stokes were subjected to verbal barbs during Friday’s tea break.The England pair clearly took exception to something that was said as they were about to enter the visitors’ dressing room. Stokes stared down a member of the crowd, while Bairstow fired back in response. It’s believed three spectators were asked to leave the venue soon after.Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes batted through the afternoon session•Getty ImagesA couple of hours later, Bairstow walked back to the dressing room in triumph after scoring an unbeaten century.”It would be nicer if they were there giving it when we walked off at the end, wouldn’t it?” Bairstow said after the day’s play. “But unfortunately, they weren’t there at the end and they missed the end of a fantastic day’s Test cricket.”Bairstow said the abuse was not on and the fans responsible needed to be told as much.”It was just a bit of bad-mouthing from the crowd and obviously it’s not the greatest and it’s not needed,” he said. “We’re out there trying to do our jobs. People are out there, enjoying the day’s cricket and unfortunately sometimes you have people overstep the mark.Related

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“It’s important to stand up for ourselves, because if we’re not standing up for ourselves as well, then you can cop it and especially when people overstep the mark, they need to be told.”The incident comes one year after India paceman Mohammed Siraj, then fielding on the rope, halted play at the same venue to report racial abuse. Six spectators were removed from the ground on that occasion.Cricket Australia (CA) conducted an investigation into the Siraj episode with NSW Police, clearing the six fans of racially abusing Siraj during the Test. However, CA also made it clear while releasing the result of the probe that “members of the Indian cricket team were subjected to racial abuse”.

Kyle Walker has revealed that he sought “permission” from David Beckham to take No.32 at AC Milan, with the ex-England captain giving his blessing.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Beckham enjoyed two loan spells in Italy
• Walker has trodden a similar path
• Eager to make the most of spell at San Siro

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Manchester United and Real Madrid legend Beckham, who is now working with Lionel Messi as co-owner of MLS side Inter Miami, took in two stints at San Siro when completing loan moves from the LA Galaxy in 2009 and 2010.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Walker has trodden a similar path, with the experienced full-back linking up with Milan on an initial short-term loan from Premier League champions Manchester City. The 34-year-old is embracing a new challenge and following in some illustrious footsteps.

• Getty
  

  WHAT KYLE WALKER SAID

  Walker has told when asked if he is hoping to emulate Beckham after taking the same No.32 jersey: “I don't think I can emulate David Beckham for what he did for football, both on and off the field. He changed football.

  “He messaged me, and I said, ‘I hope you don't mind me taking your number’. He says, ‘No, it's an honour; do it proud’. Hopefully I can keep performing well, keep getting the wins for the team. It was an honour for him to give me a message just to say that I can have permission to wear the top.”

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Walker has moved to Milan in a bid to escape the drama that off-field issues have been causing in England. He is yet to be joined in Italy on a permanent basis by wife Annie Kilner, having fathered two children outside of that relationship with former Love Island contestant Lauryn Goodman.

Manchester City could be dealt a major blow in January as they plot urgent talks to try and avoid losing one of their stars, it has emerged.

Manchester City facing injury crisis

Already without Ballon d’Or winner and leading midfielder Rodri for the rest of the season after he suffered a knee injury against Arsenal, Pep Guardiola is facing a major injury crisis as he looks to defend his Premier League title and claim a fifth successive win.

Young talent Oscar Bobb is also not expected back until 2025 after suffering a fractured leg on the eve of the new season. Meanwhile, Guardiola has several more short term injuries to deal with ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Bournemouth.

England duo Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish are sidelined until after the international break, with Guardiola explaining that they have “no chance to play the next games” which sees Man City take on Ruben Amorim’s Sporting CP in what could be his final Champions League game in charge of the Portuguese outfit amid strong links to Manchester United.

Also absent will be Jeremy Doku, who the Man City boss explained will be absent “a little longer than Jack”, and Kevin de Bruyne is also expected to be sidelined until after the international break.

Meanwhile, there are also question marks after midweek after Manuel Akanji pulled out of Man City’s Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham,while Savio was stretchered off during the game and Josko Gvardiol also went down with an injury.

Manchester City’s potential absentees vs Bournemouth

Rodri

Oscar Bobb

Kevin de Bruyne

Jack Grealish

Jeremy Doku

Kyle Walker

Manuel Akanji

Savio

Josko Gvardiol

Now, City have a longer term concern away from the injury table, and one that needs sorting fast.

Urgent talks needed over £400,000 per week Man City superstar

That comes in the shape of talismanic figure Kevin de Bruyne, who has been long-linked with a departure from the Etihad. He was mooted with a move to Saudi Arabia last summer, though no move materialised.

Now a 33-year-old, he’s in the final months of his £400,000 a week deal in Manchester and is yet to be offered a new contract, meaning that by January he will be free to negotiate with other clubs about a potential move as a free agent at the end of the season.

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Among the highest paid players at the club, a hamstring injury has restricted the Belgian to just four appearances in the Premier League so far, while he has been tipped to make a move to the MLS to end his career, with San Diego FC among the early frontrunners for his signature.

As per Football Insider, Man City are now preparing to hold imminent talks with De Bruyne in the coming weeks, with the club “keen to assess the situation and gauge where all parties stand”.

However, his recent injuries have “raised questions behind the scenes” about a potential contract extension given his massive salary. It is added that the outcome of those talks will be crucial, with a decision to be made “as soon as January” should he want to leave the northwest. Could City be on the verge of waving goodbye to a club legend?

Pat Cummins took an early lead in the head-to-head with his opposite number, Joe Root – the No. 1 men’s Test bowler and batter in the world – on the opening day at the Gabba with Australia delighted they were able to follow the “blueprint” which has previously brought them success.As soon as Root walked out, Cummins brought himself on – removing Mitchell Starc from the attack after he had taken a wicket with the first ball of the series – but never got the chance to bowl at the England captain as Josh Hazlewood found the edge with a perfect delivery that was full enough to draw Root forward.Both sides pointed out that it was just one innings out of 10 Root might play this series, although Australia were able to acknowledge that from a position of much greater strength, but such is the weight that Root carries in this England order that it was one of the day’s significant moments.Related

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“It’s only the first innings of a five-Test series but it’s a huge reason why we were able to knock them over for 147,” Cummins said. “Walk into lunch having them four down, that’s big, by the time the ball gets softer you are already into the batting line-up. One of a number of the batters who were big wickets, after his year and being captain it’s probably a little bit bigger but it’s only the first time he’s batted this series.”Root has not scored an Ashes hundred since Trent Bridge in 2015 and his trip to Australia in 2017-18 was a story of unfulfilled promise as he passed fifty five times. Hazlewood now has Root eight times in 14 Tests and Cummins seven times in 11.”Josh and Pat have almost brought that blueprint from the previous Ashes over in England where they seemed to have their plans down pat to Joe,” Mitchell Starc told during the rain delay. “Fantastic to get off to the start we did and have him for nothing.”Hopefully that continues throughout the series, but those two have carried that blueprint on from four or five Tests in England to now at the Gabba. To stay on top of the opposition captain is a big one and we’ve certainly started off in that fashion today.”Although Cummins missed out on an early bowl at Root, he was able to claim the next-best thing when Ben Stokes edged to third slip shortly after the first drinks break. Stokes, playing a first-class innings for the first time since March, had lined the ball up well during his brief stay, got one boundary away through the covers and hit mid-off a couple of times before playing one from round the wicket he might have left on length.”It’s nice when they don’t get a good look, face too many balls,” Cummins said. “They are a huge part of their batting line-up. Thought Joshy Hazlewood, that’s the blueprint to bowl to Joe Root, high quality relentless bowling and nice to get Stokes’ wicket. Everything went to plan today.”Josh Hazlewood dismissed Joe Root for a duck•Getty Images

Ollie Pope, who was part of England’s best partnership of the innings alongside Jos Buttler, was not reading too much into a lean opening day for Root in a year where he has 1455 runs.”He’s on the back of an amazing summer, sometimes you play and miss, sometimes you nick them,” he said. “Wouldn’t say it dents the confidence of the team at all. Joe’s an amazing player and he’ll come back strong. We don’t look into that much, it’s nice when the captain gets runs but we have enough quality around him to score the bulk of the runs we need.”One of the other big talking points of the day came from England’s selection. It was already known that James Anderson would sit out this Test, but Stuart Broad was also sidelined which meant for the first time since 2016 neither was in the line-up – and the first time in an Ashes Test since the MCG in 2006-07.”Not sure if you asked anyone a couple of days ago if that was going to happen that anyone would believe you,” Starc said. “To take 300 Tests and over 1000 wickets out of their side is pretty interesting. Glad I don’t have to pick any side let alone that, or tap those two on the shoulder to say they aren’t playing but we certainly enjoyed conditions out there.”It meant England’s attack had eight Tests of experience in Australia – four apiece from Stokes and Woakes – and they might have liked the first opportunity on the sporty Gabba pitch.”I thought either one of those two would play in every game,” Cummins said. “Probably surprised but they have plenty of other bowlers to step in. It’s a big day for those bowlers on Thursday.”

Walton, Howell and Shamim make crucial batting contributions in 186 chase

Mohammad Isam12-Feb-2022How the match played outWill Jacks powered Chattogram Challengers to the BPL playoffs, getting the winning runs with a six over wide long-on in the final over against Sylhet Sunrisers. Chattogram won by four wickets, leaving the last playoffs place to be decided after the last game of the league phase between Khulna Tigers and Comilla Victorians.The 23-year old Jacks, who made an unbeaten 92 off 57 balls, not only dominated the Sylhet bowling attack but ensured that he put together important partnerships and stayed till the end of the steep 186-run chase.Jacks’ main partnership was with Chadwick Walton: 69 for the third wicket. He added 35 runs for the fourth wicket with Benny Howell, and another 28 with Shamim Hossain to get Sylhet within touching distance.Sylhet finish their BPL campaign with only one win, with their only other point coming from an abandoned game. As they have done for most of the tournament, they couldn’t defend a big total.Big hit
Sylhet captain Ravi Bopara made his highest score in this season’s BPL, top-scoring with 44 off 21 balls, including two sixes over long-on, one over midwicket and one flicked over long leg. He added 80 runs for the fifth wicket with Mosaddek Hossain. Earlier, Lendl Simmons made 42, his first significant contribution since his century against Minister Group Dhaka.Mrittunjoy Chowdhury continued to shine with the ball for Chattogram, picking up three wickets. He removed Mizanur Rahman, Simmons and Anamul Haque as Sylhet were reduced to 102 for four in the 13th over.Jacks hardly let Sylhet off the hook in the chase, helping Chattogram add 60 runs in the powerplay. He struck three of his sixes over the leg side during this period, and then kept finding the gaps for his eight fours. Jacks was proficient all around the dial, whether down the ground, through the covers or with his bunts into the leg side, and he also struck three fours through backward point. His fourth six was the winning hit.Big miss
Sylhet’s Mizanur Rahman would rue missing out on whatever little opportunities he got during this season’s BPL, after he got out for his second duck in as many innings this season. Mizanur was the highest scorer in the Dhaka Premier League in 2021 with 418 runs at an average of 52.25. His BPL record isn’t too good, though, and this has probably stopped the national selectors from considering him for the senior side.

Last January concerns were raised about the quality of Arsenal’s attack. They were struggling in the final third, lacking purpose, cutting edge and most important of all, goals.

Over the festive and New Year period, there was a run of games where the Gunners scored just once over three games with West Ham, Fulham and Liverpool.

So, what happened next? Various targets were reported including Ivan Toney. Arsenal wanted the player for a bit before turning their attention elsewhere and passing up on the opportunity to bolster their offence.

That turned out to be the right decision as Mikel Arteta’s men began to run riot as 2024 went on. Indeed, throughout a run in February and March where Arteta’s team won six games on the bounce, they ended up scoring 26 goals. Incredible stuff, yet it still wasn’t enough to help win them the title.

What happened in the transfer market? Well, they missed out on a striker again.

Arsenal’s attempts to sign a striker

Edu and Co made up their minds early last summer. Benjamin Sesko was the primary target and they wanted to prise his services away from German employers RB Leipzig.

A deal never materialised for the Slovenian striker who ended up staying in the Bundesliga, penning a new contract that got rid of his release clause.

Another striker target was Victor Gyokeres. Plenty of reports suggested that the Gunners wanted to sign the Swede with one claim even suggesting that he was set to sign. That, of course, was not true.

Playing under incoming Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim at Sporting, he has been a revelation.

Sold by Brighton for just £1m to Coventry City, the hulking centre forward then moved to the Portuguese capital in the summer of 2023. Since then, he’s not stopped scoring.

The 2024/25 campaign has been a particularly notable one for Gyokeres who is showing exactly why Arsenal should have signed him.

The 26-year-old is very much at the peak of his powers having scored 23 times in 17 appearances, three of which came in a stunning display against Manchester City on Tuesday evening.

Sporting sealed a remarkable 4-1 win with Gyokeres the undoubted hero, scoring a brilliant hat-trick past Pep Guardiola’s stunned side.

With Arsenal having now failed to win in their last three Premier League games, they could certainly do with a marksman of the Sweden international’s free-scoring ability.

But…perhaps they’ve already let one goal machine slip through the net.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

Arsenal’s very own Gyokeres

Kai Havertz has done a sterling job as Arsenal’s lead attacker this campaign, bagging seven goals in 15 fixtures and looking every bit the type of striker who could hit 20 plus.

However, it’s not Gyokeres levels, is it? The colossal former Coventry star scored 43 times last season and looks well on his way to matching that tally this time around.

So, who was Arsenal’s very own Gyokeres and where is he now? Well, coincidentally, he’s playing for Man United where Amorim could well find he has another new big-money striker lying in wait.

The player we’re talking about here is teenage sensation Chido Obi-Martin, who in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson, “is a monster on the pitch.”

Both boast powerful frames, Obi-Martin is only recently a United player after leaving the Arsenal academy behind without a single first-team minute to his name.

The motivation behind leaving remains to be seen but what is for certain is that the north Londoners have lost one of the best strikers at academy level in the country.

The Denmark youth international was a freak in front of goal last season. During a run of nine games from 16th March to 11th May, he netted on 28 occasions. Yes, that’s right, 28 in nine games. It’s utterly mind-blowing stuff.

Palace U18

4

Fulham U18

4

West Brom U18

1

Brighton U18

2

West Ham U18

5

Aston Villa U18

1

Norwich U18

7

Spurs U18

1

Chelsea U18

3

At U18 level, the 16-year-old star bagged 32 in 18 across the entire campaign but that wasn’t all he achieved.

There was a seven goal haul for Arsenal’s U18s against Norwich and he even scored a simply unbelievable haul of ten goals in one game for the U16s against Liverpool.

This is an unparalleled level of goalscoring and it’s rather ironic that he’s now set to learn from Amorim, the very man who has helped turn Gyokeres into one of the most sought-after strikers on the continent.

The Portuguese will be rubbing his hands with glee at Arsenal’s expense who have lost a budding young striker ready to emulate the Sporting goal machine.

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