Aston Villa are set for a big second half of the 2024/25 season. Unai Emery’s side have so far not quite been able to repeat last season’s heroics when they finished fourth. They currently sit eighth in the Premier League, with 32 points to their name, four points behind Chelsea, who occupy the final Champions League spot.

They might have to strengthen their side in the January transfer window to help qualify for the Champions League again. Reports suggest they are interested in Oscar Mingueza, and he could be the Villans’ first signing of the window.

They are also believed to be targeting attacking reinforcements this winter.

Aston Villa’s attacking target

The player in question here is 24-year-old Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao. The Brazilian has impressed for the Dutch outfit so far this season, and could now depart the club with several Premier League sides interested.

According to a report from CaughtOffside, Villa are one of the English top-flight clubs considering a move for the winger. The Brazilian, who is yet to be capped for his country, has ‘impressed’ the scouts of the Midlands club, and they could well make a move for him before the window slams shut in February.

However, they will not be the only side trying to sign Paixao over the winter window. Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested, and London pair Tottenham and West Ham have also scouted him.

Outside of England, Roma are also linked with the winger. In terms of a price for the 24-year-old, he could cost anywhere upwards of €35m (£29m).

Why Paixao would be a good signing

It has been a really strong first half of the 2024/25 season for the Feyenoord winger. He has played 24 games across all competitions so far, scoring five goals and grabbing an impressive 13 assists.

The tricky winger went on a run of five assists in as many Eredivisie games across November and December.

In that same time period, he also grabbed an assist against Manchester City in Feyenoord’s incredible 3-3 draw at the Etihad Stadium, having been 3-0 down. Paixao assisted Slovakian defender David Hancko for the equalising goal.

There is no doubt that the “explosive” winger, as football talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, would add firepower to an attack which already has some excellent players, including Morgan Rogers.

The Villa star has been fantastic for Emery this term and has six goals and four assists in 25 games in all competitions.

Arguably his finest hour this season also came against Pep Guardiola’s City side. Rogers scored and assisted in the Villans’ 2-1 win over his former academy side earlier in the season at Villa Park.

Statistical comparisons between the Villa number 27 and their reported target Paixao can be drawn, with the pair noted to be similar players among those in their position in the Champions League this season, as per FBref.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The pair have both excellent seasons in the Champions League, and given their similar styles, excellent ball carrying and the ability to churn out chances, are reflected in the stats.

The duo are both creative machines, with the Feyenoord star averaging 2.63 key passes per game and Rogers slightly less, with 1.93. Indeed, their ball-carrying skills are a key feature of their game. Paixao averages 2.11 progressive carries each game with the Villa attacker just edging him, with 2.98 progressive carries.

Stat (per 90)

Paixao

Rogers

Key passes

2.63

1.93

Expected assists

0.21

0.14

Progressive carries

2.11

2.98

Carries into final third

1.4

1.75

Carries into penalty box

0.88

0.88

Should the Villans win the race for Paixao, they would be signing someone who is almost a carbon copy of Rogers, a man Jamie Carragher described as “unstoppable” earlier in the season.

It would be an exciting addition to Emery’s side as they look to make a push for a top-four spot in the second half of the season.

Big upgrade on Cash: Aston Villa in talks to sign "buccaneering wingback"

Aston Villa could sign a forward-thinking defender this month.

ByBen Gray Jan 6, 2025

Manchester United fans fear Jadon Sancho is "soft launching" his return as the Chelsea loanee hinted he had patched things up with the Red Devils.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Sancho turned 25 on Tuesday
• Man Utd sent wishes on social media
• Player reposted message on his Instagram story

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The winger, who is currently on loan at Chelsea, has had a turbulent time at Old Trafford since he returned from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, with his relationship with the Red Devils further deteriorating after a public fallout with ex-manager Erik ten Hag. However, that bitterness seems to have been put in the past as the club took to Instagram to post a picture of the winger in a United shirt, accompanied by the message: "Wishing Jadon Sancho a happy 25th birthday." Sancho responded positively to the birthday wish and reposted it on his Instagram story, saying "Thank you!".

  @sancho Instagram

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• WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  However, United fans were in no mood to forget the bad blood and fear that Sancho would be back at Old Trafford in the summer.

  A despairing @UTDFEVER_6 wrote: "Ffs he is cumin back."

  @Gideoomatic wrote: "Soft launch".

  Whereas, @bokani_, wrote: "@Nkosi_nathi17 he saw reports that Chelsea is not signing him".

  Meanwhile, @alfievincentt, wrote: "F*ck that guy."

  @CR7_TDU echoed the same sentiment and wrote: "I don't need this tw*t anywhere near my club."

• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Sancho has frequently made headlines off the pitch, particularly for his activity on social media. One of his most notable incidents involved a subtle dig at United on Marcus Rashford’s recent post – a move that backfired as his on-field performances have failed to match the bravado. His struggles at Chelsea have compounded his issues, leaving both clubs facing a difficult decision regarding his future.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  United had included a £25 million ($32.3m) buy option in his loan agreement, but Chelsea could opt out by paying a £5m fee instead, which would allow them to avoid a full purchase while terminating the loan. With it unclear whether the Blues will retain him, United are now facing a potential dilemma regarding his return as the 24-year-old winger is currently on a £250,000-per-week wage, and bringing him back would put a strain the club's financial structure.

Newcastle United are believed to be planning a major contract offer for a “top striker” in 2025, according to an update from reliable journalist Alan Nixon.

Newcastle transfer news

In a worrying new transfer claim, Bruno Guimaraes has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, with the Ligue 1 giants seeing him as a priority target in the near future. Losing the Brazilian would be a huge blow for the Magpies, given his influence at the heart of the midfield.

In terms of more positive transfer news, Newcastle are in a strong position to complete the signing of AC Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori, as Eddie Howe looks to boost his defensive options. He hasn’t always found regular football easy to come by this season, so he could eye a move elsewhere.

Matheus Cunha has been one of the few positives for Wolves in a tough Premier League season to date, and he has been backed to seal a switch to St James’ Park, in what could be such an exciting piece of business. He has scored 10 goals in 17 starts in the league, also chipping in with four assists.

A right-sided attacking player is seen as an important area to strengthen in and Southampton ace Tyler Dibling has been linked with Newcastle, in what could be a superb addition. The 18-year-old already looks the part in the Premier League for Southampton and could jump at the chance to join a bigger club.

Newcastle planning major contract offer for "top striker"

According to Nixon on Patreon [via Goodison News], Newcastle and PIF are planning a major contract offer for Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin next summer, as they are reluctant to pay a big fee to sign him in the January transfer window.

The 27-year-old forward is on course to be available on a free transfer at that point, with the lack of a fee meaning the Magpies can justify paying him significant wages.

Calvert-Lewin has been a target for Newcastle for some time, and if he came in as a direct replacement for Callum Wilson at the end of the season, it could be a great piece of business,

Granted, injury problems have dogged the 27-year-old throughout his career, but he has been untroubled in that respect this season, starting 16 Premier League games. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti has hailed his quality as a striker in the past, saying:

“The goal he scored today is one of a top striker. It’s a goal where the striker prepares his movement and moves at the right time with a lot of speed and then he was cold in front of the goalkeeper.”

Calvert-Lewin is now a hugely experienced top-level player, scoring 56 goals in 230 appearances in the Premier League, as well as netting four times in 11 caps for England.

Related PSG now make Newcastle star their priority target; £83m move possible

One of Eddie Howe’s key players could be on the move…

Posts 2 ByDominic Lund Dec 29, 2024

The fact that the Everton man could be available for free takes away any risk element with the injuries, and as mentioned, replacing Wilson for Calvert Lewin could be a seamless swap.

MatériaMais Notícias

Tchê Tchê pegou referências com três jogadores que tiveram passagens positivas pelo Botafogo recentemente antes de assinar com o clube. Reforço do Alvinegro, o volante revelou que teve conversas com antigos companheiros para tomar a decisão.

RelacionadasBrasileirãoHugo deve ser a novidade no Botafogo contra o Ceará; veja provável timeBrasileirão16/04/2022BrasileirãoCom dores no joelho, Gatito é cortado da relação do Botafogo e fica fora contra o CearáBrasileirão16/04/2022BotafogoBase: Botafogo tem vitórias em diferentes categorias dos estaduais neste sábadoBotafogo16/04/2022

+ Amuleto em título e motivo de briga com rival: quem é Biriba, mascote do Botafogo que ‘viralizou’ na internet

– Estava com o (Igor) Rabello lá (no Atlético-MG), também o Erik, atacante, que joguei no Palmeiras, conheci o Gabriel zagueiro no Gabriel, todos são apaixonados pelo clube e pelo tratamento da torcida e espero sentir esse calor, demonstrar a minha gratidão pelo clube pelo esforço. Estou aqui de coração, corpo e alma – afirmou, em entrevista à “BotafogoTV”.

+ VEJA A TABELA DO BRASILEIRÃO

A “rotina” do jogador de 29 anos começou antes do acerto, confirmado durante a semana. Tchê Tchê afirmou queRhavier, filho do atleta, é fã do hino do clube de General Severiano.

–Uma curiosidade especial é que meu filho escuta hinos de clubes e ele gosta bastante do hino do Botafogo, tem até uma versão de funk que ele escuta. A gente acabou ficando com isso na cabeça, quando soube que era real torci para que desse certo. O clube passa por uma nova fase e tenho certeza que vou passar minha alegria, bom humor e trabalho para que o Botafogo esteja no lugar mais alto – contou.

MAIS DECLARAÇÕES DE TCHÊ TCHÊ

Como foi para o Botafogo
–Tenho certeza que o primeiro contato foi há mais ou menos um mês, depois disso não soube mais de nada… Na segunda-feira o Rodrigo (Caetano) me chamou e disse que meu empresário havia conversado com ele falando sobre a oportunidade de jogar em outro clube, mas que ele não sabia. Como estava terminando meu empréstimo no Galo, não sabia que clube era e fiquei ansioso. Só faltavam dois dias para a janela acabar e meu empresário falou que era o Botafogo.

SAF
–É um novo modelo de gestão que agrega muitas coisas. Todo mundo trabalha para receber em dia, todos trabalham para levar o sustento para dentro de casa, então essa é uma maneira dos clubes em se organizarem. É uma forma de preservar o clube e organizar o futebol brasileiro.

Como joga
–Sou um cara bastante aguerrido, polivalente… Quando precisar consigo fazer outras funções, mas deixando bem claro que sou um meio-campista, tenho bastante técnica, procuro ajudar na parte defensiva como um volante, mas gosto de chegar na frente também.

Estilo
–Estou aqui de corpo e alma para que a gente possa conquistar grandes coisas. Vou deixar minha garra inteira para que o Botafogo vença sempre. Claro que terão jogos que talvez a gente não consiga, mas a entrega vai ser 100%. Se faltar técnica, aça e vontade nunca vai faltar. Vou dar meu máximo todos os dias para fazer todos os dias.

Worcestershire 140 for 3 (Ali 45, Haynes 44*) trail Durham 672 for 7 dec (Ravindra 217, Raine 103*, Coughlin 100*, Borthwick 96, Bushnell 66) by 502 runsDurham mustered their third-highest first-class total of 642 for 7 to take control of their LV= Insurance County Championship Division Two clash against Worcestershire at Seat Unique Riverside.Rachin Ravindra continued his fine debut for the home side scoring his maiden first-class double-hundred, notching 217 before he was finally dismissed for the second-highest score made by a Durham debutant. Paul Coughlin and Ben Raine also became centurions for the first time, sharing a record-breaking stand for Durham’s eighth wicket worth 213 to leave their side in a dominant position.Raine got the better of the visitors once more this time with the ball, claiming the wickets of Jake Libby and Azhar Ali to reduce Worcestershire to 140 for 3 at stumps, trailing Durham by 502 runs ahead of day three.Resuming on 178 not out, Ravindra wasted no time in pushing his score towards 200 with three early boundaries. The left-hander slipped through the gears and reached his double-century with a gentle nudge into the leg-side before saluting his new team-mates, becoming only the third Durham player to score over 200 on their debut. Jonathan Bushnell failed to kick on from his overnight score of 61, adding only five further runs before Dillon Pennington prised him out.Ben Gibbon was given a rough ride by Ravindra after being dispatched for back-to-back boundaries down the ground, but he earned a semblance of revenge by removing the New Zealander, who was out in a tame manner caught behind from a leg glance for 217.The Worcestershire left-armer completed a double-wicket maiden by sending Liam Trevaskis on his way before Ned Eckersley continued the procession, losing three wickets for four runs. Durham’s wobble threatened to prevent them from capitalising on a flat wicket.However, Raine and Coughlin allowed the hosts to regain their stranglehold of the contest, taking a defeat out of the question, with a record-breaking stand for the eighth wicket. Raine was first to pass fifty from 72 balls before Coughlin soon caught up with a flurry of boundaries, including two sixes over cow corner, for his first half-century of the campaign.The milestones kept coming for the hosts as Coughlin and Raine surpassed the 200-run mark for the eighth wicket before both men became first-class centurions for the first time. Coughlin had a straightforward path to three figures, nurdling a single into the leg-side to reach his ton from 117 balls. Raine followed in the same over, although his heart would have been in his mouth as his sweep off Libby just had enough elevation to beat mid-on to reach his maiden hundred.Durham declared on their third-highest first-class total and the pressure was on the visitors from the off as Chris Rushworth removed debutant Taylor Cornall from his second delivery with one that kept low. Libby survived an outside edge that travelled between the slips to deny Rushworth a second wicket, and the opener worked with Ali to see off the new ball with a partnership of 58.Raine continued his impressive day to break the stand as Libby edged to Scott Borthwick at second slip. Ali and Jack Haynes settled in on a flat wicket with another solid partnership worth 69 to edge the visitors towards the close, but Raine again was the man for the hosts as he returned after a stoppage for bad light and dismissed Ali for 45, inside edging onto his own stumps, to leave Durham in command.

With the exodus of other professional teams, the Oakland Roots stand strong in representing the historic sporting city

Of course the new era of the Oakland Coliseum was christened with something to remember. It just had to be. This is an old stadium. The outside world will tell you it’s decrepit, even unfit for sports. Professional teams in the NFL and MLB have abandoned the 59-year-old stadium. But it’s also a place full of memories and great sporting moments that this city can still cling onto.

And on March 22, Justin Rasmussen added another. He really could have nodded it back to the open man on the edge of the box, or hooked it back into the mixer – with two teammates wide open at the back post. Instead, Rasmussen, a left back for the USL's Oakland Roots, swung one foot over another, judging the shape, spin, and flight on the ball, and bashed a bicycle kick into the top corner. And in response, 26,575 people rose to their feet in unison. Another memory for the collection.

From the outside, it may appear to be a story of fight and resilience. And in many ways it is. Three major franchises – count them off: the Oakland A's, the Oakland Raiders and the Golden State Warriors – have left the city in the past five years. The Roots remain, flying the flag for sports in this town that has long embraced its teams.

But in reality, the Roots have always been here, deeply embedded – indeed, deeply rooted in Oakland.

“As someone born and raised in Oakland, it's a huge disappointment," Tommy Hodul, the Roots' senior vice resident of communications and Oakland native, told GOAL. "I grew up an A's fan, I grew up a Warriors fan. I grew up a Raiders fan. And it's like, even with how great it is for the Oakland Roots, it's still not the best thing for our city."

Getty ImagesFinancial incentives

This starts – and ends – with money. Every single owner to pass through Oakland with a major professional sports franchise has bolted for greener pastures with financial interests in mind.

The Golden State Warriors, who enjoyed immense success in the latter years at the Oracle Arena, realized they could make more money in San Francisco. The Raiders – who have now left the city twice – bolted for the bright lights of Las Vegas. And the Athletics will follow, playing in Sacramento before moving across state lines in 2028.

It is, in many way, the death of sporting culture in the city. Oakland Coliseum is the birthplace of "the wave" – the fan cheer created in 1981, and now featured in almost all sporting events. The Black Hole was one of NFL’s finest fan groups in their day. The Warriors, when successful, curated one of the best home atmospheres in American sports. The best days of the Coliseum as both a baseball and football venue are still held in high regard.

These days, though, just the soccer team is left. The Roots bounced around various venues in their first few years of existence, playing on a Cal State campus in the nearby city of Hayward. Now, though, they’re back in the town of their namesake. And they argue that they’re the only team that has been truly authentic to this city – uncompromising when others so readily uprooted.

"I was excited, actually," Warren Chu, a spokesperson for the group Save Oakland Sports told FOX 2 Sports. "First, it's really, something positive and the opportunity to play at the Oakland Coliseum is great. It's a great facility for fans."

AdvertisementOakland Roots SCBuilding a brand

The first thing that catches the eye is the kits. American soccer, in some ways, has a problem with authenticity. Some names – Real Salt Lake, Chicago Fire, the chucking of an “SC” at the end of any random town – feel like caricatures of European clubs.

In a country that is still in its gestation period with the sport, how do you create a product that fans can relate to? How can this franchise, which has only existed since 2019, represent the 464,000 residents of this town?

A good starting point, Roots president and co-founder Edreece Arghandiwal argues, is to piece together something desirable. And Oakland has done just that. They technically don’t have a team color, their jerseys a patchwork of hues and shades. The kits, then, are unique, a world away from the standard templates of MLS or the U.S. national teams. It doesn’t hurt the finances whatsoever, with the club’s merchandise routinely outselling those of major American soccer sides, Arghandiwal said.

But this isn’t just technicolor for the sake of. Oakland is, on the face of things, a tricky city to represent. Both the Hell’s Angels and Black Panthers were founded here. It is 27 percent Latino, 22 percent Black and 16 percent Asian. Simple tones can’t come close to representing all of that. So, everything is bright and vivid.

Getty ImagesThe best pun in American soccer

Even the name circles back into that same principle. This is a club that, quite literally, recognizes its roots. It’s a pun hiding in plain sight.

“We came up with the name that is authentic to our city,” Hodul said.

And the club has done pretty much everything to back that up. The training ground – formerly owned by the now-Las Vegas Raiders – is complete with murals and street art from the local communities. A local artist is painting a canvas of every single home game this season.

A land blessing, effectively a homage to the Native American community, was conducted before the home opener – acknowledging the land they play on was once inhabited by Native Americans. At that same game, local rap legend Too $hort – a pioneer of West Coast Hop Hop who worked with both Tupac and the Norotious B.I.G. – put on a half time performance.

"There's a relationship. You have to understand that what uplifts Oakland isn't only sports. There's a thousand things that do. The history here will tell you that everybody's welcome,” Hodul said.

GettyStaying when everyone else leaves

So why has all of these teams left? If this place is so special, so deeply rooted in community, why are the Roots the only club that remain? Hodul argues that it’s a financial issue. In the history of all American sports, franchises uproot and find new spots where fans will happily pay big money to come to state of the art stadiums. The Los Angeles Rams did it in 2016, but this has been happening since the mid 1900s. California alone has seen 10 teams change locations alone in the last 50 years.

“You go and find a community that is so desperate for identity and self identity that you can convince them to play hundreds of millions of dollars to build you a stadium that you then get to have for free,” Hodul said. “And what I mean by that is these billionaire owners are getting the poorest people in the world to build them something, and then they are in control of it.”

The Roots have gone the opposite way.

“What we are doing in Oakland is very much indicative of the right process and how things should be built,” Arghandiwal said. “Which is community-centric, community focused, built by common people, by the people that support the effort, day-in and day-out.”

While there is no denying that any team would like a state of the art, new facility, local dollars are going elsewhere. Hodul insists that they’re fine with that reality.

“The city of Oakland has come from very, very liberal, forward thinking people and understand funding Oakland education is more important than funding a billionaire's project, of any type, not just sports. And I think that Oakland is going to be last city that will get scammed by this,” Hodul said.

Of course, money plays a factor here. And the Roots have more than enough to get by, as well as a stadium to play in – even if it has its critics. Communities local and abroad have seen that, too, with the club raising $3.8 million from 6,000 investors last year. There is also a celebrity influence to be found here. Former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch is in the ownership group. Green Day singer Billy Joe Armstrong and NBA Hall of Famer Jason Kidd also have stakes.

"When I got the opportunity to come home and play my final seasons in the Coli, it was special,” Lynch said. “I won OAL titles there with Oakland Tech. What that building means to Oakland and the culture is everything. Now we got Roots moving in and we gonna hold it down.”

It’s been a bit of a weird campaign for Arsenal so far this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side have looked brilliant in some games, such as the wins over Sporting CP, Crystal Palace and West Ham United, but have looked really quite poor in others, such as the draws against Fulham, Everton and Atalanta.

However, while some players have taken a step back this year, like Leandro Trossard, others have stepped up, including one international who might be in his best run of form since joining the club.

However, reports from late last month have revealed that Arsenal could lose the player in question for nothing in the summer, in a move reminiscent of Aaron Ramsey’s departure in 2019.

Aaron Ramsey's Arsenal exit

Ramsey famously chose to join Arsenal as an up-and-coming 17-year-old in 2008, which he later said was down to Arsène Wenger’s track record with young players and the effort the club made to try and bring him in.

Over the next 11 years, the Welsh legend endured plenty of lows, such as spells of poor form and breaking his leg against Stoke City in 2010, but he also enjoyed plenty of highs.

For example, he scored the winning goal in two FA Cup finals and played the full 90 minutes in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa.

By the time his time in North London was up, he had racked up 64 goals and 60 assists in 369 appearances, which equates to a sensational average of a goal involvement every 2.97 games.

However, despite being offered a new deal by the club in the summer of 2018, the former Caerphilly-born star opted to sign a pre-agreement with Juventus the following January, which saw him move to Turin that summer.

Arsenal

369

64

60

Juventus

70

6

6

Cardiff

46

6

3

Nice

34

1

3

Rangers

13

2

2

Forest

5

0

0

Unfortunately for the 34-year-old, he would only make 70 appearances of the Old Lady over the following years before joining Rangers on a short-term loan in January 2022, then OGC Nice for a season that summer, before finally moving back to his boyhood club, Cardiff City, last summer, where he remains today.

Things might not have panned out for him since leaving the club, but there can be no doubt that losing Ramsey, especially for free, was a significant blow for Arsenal, and it’s a blow that could happen again with another midfielder this year.

Arsenal's potential Ramsey repeat

So, to get straight to the point, the Arsenal player in question is Thomas Partey.

According to a report from Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo late last week, as relayed by Sport Witness, Barcelona have a list of potential Frenkie De Jong replacements, and the vastly experienced Ghanaian is someone they are incredibly keen on.

Akin to the Ramsey situation in 2018/19, the report has revealed that Arteta and Co are pushing to keep the 31-year-old beyond the expiration of his contract in the summer and are happy to offer him a two-year extension.

However, it is not clear if this is an offer the former Atlético Madrid star will accept, and he now holds all the power as he is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs this month.

Now, had this news broken at the end of last season, fans and pundits may have seen this transfer as a useful way of offloading Partey’s hefty £200k-per-week wages, as the last couple of years have seen injuries severely limit his role in the team.

However, while he played just 883 minutes of football for the club last season, he has already played 1976 minutes this year, and to say he’s been a useful player for the manager would be an understatement.

For example, in just 18 league appearances this term, the “sensational” leader, as dubbed by La Liga expert Gerry Armstrong, has scored two goals and provided two assists, meaning he’s averaged a goal involvement every 4.5 games, which is only made more impressive by the fact that four of those appearances have come at right-back.

Ultimately, while he’s not a long-term option, Partey has shown this season that he still has the ability to be a top-quality midfielder for a title-chasing team in the Premier League, and therefore, Arsenal must do what they can to ensure he doesn’t leave on a free as Ramsey did.

He's like Nwaneri: Arsenal chasing outstanding Martinelli upgrade for free

The “incredible” international would be a game-changing signing for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 2, 2025

Sri Lanka suffered a huge collapse to lose 9 for 28 after a strong start from the top three

Andrew Fidel Fernando07-Jun-2022

By the end of the Powerplay, Sri Lanka were a healthy 59 for 0. Halfway through their innings, they’d got to 87 for 1.They were like a sports car traveling rapidly through the night, until they missed a turn and crashed through the barriers. In the end, their plunge into the ravine was more dramatic than their rush through the early overs.Having got to 100 for 1 in the 12th over, Sri Lanka plummeted to 128. Josh Hazlewood produced an excellent middle-overs spell and claimed four wickets in all. Mitchell Starc, who put the collapse in motion, picked up three although may miss the second of the back-to-back games having suffered a cut finger in his opening over. There were two run outs in addition.Despite a big rain break late in the game, Aaron Finch and David Warner blazed Australia to the target inside 14 overs. Finch walloped four sixes and four fours in his 40-ball 61 not out. Warner cracked nine fours in his 70 off 44. And Australia began their tour with as emphatic a victory as they could have hoped for.Related

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The catastrophic collapse starts…There was some tight bowling from Hazlewood and Ashton Agar through this period, but little in the pitch to aid the bowlers, and it was hardly unplayable bowling. This was more collective hara-kiri.Pathum Nissanka was the first to be dismissed, ending his 61-run stand with Charith Asalanka. Having got on one knee to essentially slog sweep Starc through midwicket for four earlier in the 12th over, he tried the same thing again, and was fooled by an excellent yorker, which slipped underneath his shot at 131kph and took out the stumps.… and continues in a triple-wicket Hazlewood overAgar then delivered an excellent follow-up over, conceding just two singles, and bowling four dot bowls, which set up the pivotal Hazlewood over. Kusal Mendis top-edged a heave across the line and was caught by Agar, getting under it from cover. Bhanuka Rajapaksa edged one behind trying to open the face. Last ball, Dasun Shanaka shuffled across the stumps trying to work Hazlewood to leg and was hit in front of middle instead, his review turning out to be futile. That over cost Australia just one run and brought three wickets. Sri Lanka had lost three batters for three runs at this stage.7:31

Bishop – Hazlewood, the most improved T20 bowler in last 12 months

Sri Lanka’s lower order falls apart tooThe likes of Wanindu Hasaranga and Chamika Karunaratne have played good innings from lower down, but have not produced a lot with the bat in recent months, which meant than Asalanka – the most fluent Sri Lanka batter of the evening – needed to hang around to head a resurgence. He was run out at the non-striker’s end attempting a bye (Hasaranga had called him through), however, and from there, Sri Lanka never looked like they would put up so much as a respectable total.Sri Lanka mustered only two fours from the 15th over onwards, as they lost another to a run out, and the lower order holed out.Finch and Warner boss the chaseIf there was a nervous moment for Australia, it came in the first over, when Maheesh Theekshana was awarded an lbw decision against Finch, third ball. That decision was overturned when Finch was shown to have edged that delivery into his pads. And it wasn’t long before Australia’s openers exploded.The first six came off Dushmantha Chameera, who Finch launched over long off to end the third over. And when Hasaranga came on, both batters made it a point to take him apart in the powerplay. Warner came down the track and smoked him over mid-on to start, then Finch struck him for fours through midwicket and backward point, before sending the ball sailing over the cow corner rope.There wasn’t much relent after that. Warner got to a beautifully controlled half-century off 32 balls. Finch got there off 37 balls with a sliced boundary over backward point. Warner had had one hiccup – when he was dropped by Nissanka off the bowling of Karunaratne, on 55. But it wouldn’t have made much of a difference.Rains came down midway through the 12th over, with the score on 101 for 0. But when the shower cleared up, the pair sprinted home.

علق الدولي الألماني أنطونيو روديجر لاعب فريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي ريال مدريد، على إصابته بعد أن أجرى جراحة صباح اليوم الثلاثاء.

اللاعب الألماني غادر مواجهة برشلونة وترك مكانه لـ إندريك، قبل أن يخسر النادي الملكي بثلاثية مقابل هدفين، بنهائي كأس ملك إسبانيا السبت الماضي.

وأعلن ريال مدريد خضوع اللاعب لجراحة في الغضروف المفصلي، وحسب ما أفادت التقارير، فإن فترة غياب الألماني ستكون بين 6 لـ 8 أسابيع عن النادي الملكي.

طالع أيضًا.. غضب عارم ضد روديجر وحملة لإبعاده عن منتخب ألمانيا بسبب سلوكه العنيف

وكتب روديجر عبر حسابه الرسمي على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “إنستجرام”: “بعد أن لعبت لأكثر من سبعة أشهر مع ألم شديد، كان لابد للأسف أن أخضع لجراحة الغضروف المفصلي”.

وأضاف: “الآن وأخيرًا تخلصت من الألم، وكانت الجراحة ناجحة. شكرًا للفريق الطبي، وأريد أن أكون قادرًا على اللعب مرة أخرى في أقرب وقت ممكن”.

وأشار: “في ظل وجود بطولتين كبيرتين أمامي هما دوري الأمم الأوروبية وكأس العالم للأندية، يتعيّن علي الآن أن أنظر إلى الأمر أسبوعًا تلو الآخر، وسنرى ما سيحدث. لكنني سأفعل كل ما بوسعي لتحقيق ذلك. أراكم قريبًا”.

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ويستعد ريال مدريد لخوض بطولة كأس العالم للأندية في الصيف المقبل، حيث يتواجد بالمجموعة الثامنة التي تضم باتشوكا المكسيكي والهلال السعودي وريد بول سالزبورج النمساوي.

وسيخوض ريال مدريد مباراته الأولى يوم 18 يونيو المقبل ضد الهلال السعودي على ملعب هارد روك.

بينما المنتخب الألماني يستعد لخوض نصف نهائي دوري الأمم الأوروبية يوم 4 يونيو في مواجهة البرتغال، على ملعب أليانز أرينا بمدينة ميونخ الألمانية.

Manchester United have made a transfer approach to sign a “monster” new forward, according to a recent report. The January transfer window is fast approaching, and the Red Devils are trying to get their ducks in a row for what could be a busy month of activity.

Man Utd already in talks with "great" £100m Premier League star over move

He could suit Amorim’s system.

By
Tom Cunningham

Dec 16, 2024

Marcus Rashford expected to leave Man Utd

There could be one or two exits at Old Trafford come the New Year, which would help United balance the books and give Ruben Amorim the chance to bring in a few new arrivals.

One player who could be facing a January transfer is striker Marcus Rashford, as reports emerged last week that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is ready to part ways with Rashford in order to raise funds to sign a replacement.

The Englishman has struggled to find his best form in front of goal once again this season, and after a poor display in the Europa League on Thursday, Amorim made a surprise move and decided to leave him out of the squad in the Manchester Derby victory on Sunday.

The 27-year-old is under contract at Old Trafford until the summer of 2028, but the Red Devils could look to move the Englishman on in January, as they need to raise funds if they are to sign any new players. It could take just £40 million for United to part with Rashford, as Barcelona are interested in a potential deal, but they face competition from PSG, who are also keen on signing the forward.

Man Utd make approach to sign Victor Osimhen

According to Caught Offside, Manchester United have made a fresh approach over the possibility of signing Victor Osimhen. The Nigeria international is a hot topic ahead of the January transfer window opening, as Napoli remain keen on securing him a permanent transfer away from the club.

Osimhen, who has been dubbed a “monster” by analyst Raj Chohan, is currently on loan at Turkish side Galatasaray and has been performing very well for them, taking home roughly £159,000 per week in wages, significantly less than Rashford’s rumoured £300,000.

It emerged last week that United have made signing Osimhen a priority in January, and this new report goes on to back that claim, stating that it is because of the doubts the club has over the futures of Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee. It could be a costly purchase for the Red Devils, as Napoli are believed to be looking to get around £62 million for their striker.

But United do face stiff competition to sign Osimhen, with his entourage expecting interest to come from Juventus as well as they potentially look for a replacement for Dušan Vlahović, who continues to stall over a new contract. There is a growing feeling that Juventus could be Osimhen’s preferred destination, but United will be keen to try to entice the player to move to the Premier League and Old Trafford.