Pakistan batter, demoted to No. 6, hits unbeaten 129 to rescue Derbyshire

ECB Reporters Network12-Jun-2023

A brilliant exhibition of counter-attacking batting by Leus du Plooy and Haider Ali halted Yorkshire’s victory charge in its tracks and rescued Derbyshire on the second day of the LV=Insurance County Championship match at Chesterfield.Derbyshire’s decision to move Haider down the order – from opening to No. 6 – proved to be inspired as the Pakistani batter scored his first century for the county and shared an unbroken record-breaking fifth-wicket stand with du Plooy.of 231 from 311 balls.They had come together with Derbyshire heading for defeat at 17 for 4 after Dawid Malan’s 106 guided Yorkshire to 353 and a lead of 242 with Scottish spinner Mark Watt taking a career-best 5 for 83.But du Plooy’s 96 and Ali’s 129 lifted the home side to 248 for 4 and a lead of six when bad light followed by an electrical storm ended play with 10 overs left in the day.Yorkshire had looked set for an even bigger lead until the dismissal of Malan sparked a collapse that saw the last five wickets fall for 28 runs.Malan completed his second hundred of the season from 130 balls but when he failed to get enough on a lofted drive at Watt, Suranga Lakmal took off to his left at mid-off to hold a brilliant catch. Lakmal hurt his right elbow when he fell but was able to take the second new ball although it was the spinners who did the damage.Dom Bess was bowled as he pushed out at Alex Thomson and after dispatching Watt for a big six over long-on, Jordan Thompson drilled the left-armer to mid-on. Matthew Revis edged a big drive at Ben Aitchison before Watt snared his fifth victim when Fisher drove to long-off on the stroke of lunch.File photo: du Plooy clips off his pads•Getty Images

Yorkshire’s advantage was still a substantial one and it looked more than enough when Derbyshire’s top order folded for the second time in the match. Coad struck in his second over from the Pavilion End when a full length ball beat Harry Came’s defensive push and Luis Reece went in the next over.Fisher trapped Reece on the crease and Wayne Madsen went without scoring after he pushed out at Coad and was caught at first slip. When Fisher found the outside edge of Matt Lamb’s bat, a two-day finish looked on the cards but after an uncomfortable start, du Plooy and Haider counter-attacked to put Yorkshire on the back foot.Bess came in for heavy punishment with Haider coming down the pitch to drive his offspin for six and du Plooy swept him for his 10th four to reach 50 off 61 balls.Related

Ollie Robinson, David Bedingham tons put Durham in front

Hasan Ali makes his mark as Warwickshire take control

Yorkshire take charge against Derbyshire on back of Fisher five-for

Haider forced Revis behind square to go to his half-century from 60 balls and when Coad returned to the attack, he dispatched him for three fours in the over. Bess was launched down the ground for another six and by tea, the partnership was 150 in 29 overs with the arrears now down to 75.It had been a spirited response to what looked a hopeless position and it was Yorkshire who now had some problems to solve. They slowed the scoring rate at the start of the last session but there were few signs of the breakthrough Yorkshire were desperate for.Haider swept Bess for his 16th four to reach an outstanding century and then opened up by taking four boundaries in an over from the spinner.The pair passed Derbyshire’s previous highest fifth wicket stand against Yorkshire of 184 by John Eggar and Alan Revill at Bradford in 1949 and when the weather closed in, it was the visitors who were relieved to get off the field.

Tottenham ace Mikey Moore converted from the spot to give England U-19s a share of the spoils in their European Championship opener against Norway.

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• Three goals in frenetic first half
• England dominated the ball, but Norway broke at pace
• Mikey Moore penalty ties the game in 79th minute

• TELL ME MORE

  The game set into an entertaining and frenetic pattern from the off. The young Three Lions dominated possession, and were occasionally able to break down a steadfast low block from the Norwegians. When England gave up possession, Norway broke both accurately and at pace.

  England took the lead on the 11th minute, with Kadan Young striding through the Norway half before finding fellow winger Tom Watson open at the edge of the box. The Brighton youngster's low driven effort deflected past Daniel Gjerde Sætren and into the roof of the net.

  It took Norway just seven minutes to respond, as Hamburg winger Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit drove at the England defence, skipping past two defenders and ploughing past Tommy Setford at the near post.

  Both teams created decent chances for the remainder of the first 45. Norway in particular were unlucky not to take the lead when Setford produced a smart save from point-blank range, and Sondre Granaas struck the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.

  Granaas had his moment, on the strike of halftime, when he coolly volleyed home a perfectly-weighted ball from Røssing-Lelesiit.

  The pace slowed in the second half, as Norway seemed more content to soak up England's pressure without pushing for a third. Snatched opportunities from Watson, and captain Moore did little to trouble Gjerde Sætren, and England failed to capitalise on a number of dead-ball opportunities.

  Just as England looked to be running out of ideas, they received a lifeline. Norway failed to clear their lines, Shumaira Mhueka broke onto a loose ball on the box and was tripped by Mathias Øren. Moore blasted the spot kick home in the 79th minute.

  Norway will rue a missed opportunity in the final knockings, as a brilliant last-ditch tackle by Caleb Khorpa denied Jesper Reitan-Sunde a tap-in in the 89th minute. Worringly, Moore appeared to take a heavy fall over his right ankle in the final minutes of added on time.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  The ease with which Norway broke on the England defence will be a cause for concern. The Three Lions did not concede a single goal during their six qualification games for the tournament.

• THE MVP

  Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit: Unfortunately, a knock picked up in the first half prematurely called time on the winger's day, as he was pulled off the pitch in the 55th minute. He was clearly disappointed, and who could blame him? The Hamburg prospect had the measure of the England defence, displaying the ability to go down the line and cut in from his position on the left flank. Took his goal, and set up the second brilliantly.

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• THE BIG LOSER

  Mathias Øren: The Norwegian centre half had a solid day at the office until giving away the penalty. It appeared the youngster lost his head following the decision, receiving a booking for dissent and getting the hook shortly thereafter.

MatériaMais Notícias

Diferentemente dos principais centros do futebol europeu, como Alemanha, Espanha, França, Inglaterra e Itália, que fechará a janela de transferências deste meio do ano nesta quinta-feira (1º), Portugal só encerrará o período no dia 22 de setembro. E isso auxiliará o Corinthians em situações deixadas em aberto no mercado.

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LÉO NATEL

O primeiro caso foi o empréstimo do atacante Léo Natel ao Casa Pia, time da primeira divisão portuguesa.

A situação foi colocada nas mãos do estafe do jogador, que demorou para apresentar uma proposta concreta vinda do mercado internacional, no qual priorizava, deixando escapar interesses de times brasileiros com o fechamento da janela de transferências nacional no último dia 15 de agosto.

Léo chegou até mesmo a ser reintegrado ao plantel corintiano e foi relacionado para o jogo contra o Fortaleza, há duas semanas, pelo Brasileirão, tendo, inclusive, entrado no segundo tempo.

+ Confira a tabela do Brasileirão e simule os próximos jogos

Contudo, na semana passada, os agentes do atleta trouxeram não só a investida oficial do Casa Pia, como outra, do Famalicão, uma do futebol do Chipre, outra do Japão e a última do Mundo Árabe.

A escolha de Natel, de se transferir por empréstimo de uma temporada ao clube português, ajudou o Corinthians a se livrar de um salário, desonerando a folha, como rendeu 100 mil euros (R$ 514 mil, na cotação atual) aos cofres corintianos, com a taxa paga pelo empréstimo, e pode render no ano que vem mais 1,6 milhão de euros (R$ 8,2 mi, na cotação atual), caso o atacante complete, pelo menos, 45 minutos de 60% dos jogos do Casa Pia na temporada.

MATEUS VITAL

Agora, o território lusitano também pode ser destino para Mateus Vital, outro atleta que, mesmo integrado ao elenco corintiano, sempre teve a sua saída ou empréstimo colocados em pauta pela diretoria do Timão.

O interesse principal era reduzir a folha salarial, assim como Léo Natel. Mas a diferença entre o meio e o atacante é o período em que se encerra os respectivos contratos. Vital tem vínculo até o fim do ano que vem, e em menos de um ano pode assinar pré-contrato com outra equipe, deixando o Timão de graça. Já Natel tem vínculo com o Coringão até o fim de 2024.

Com isso, o Corinthians até admite romper com o contrato de Mateus Vital, mantendo uma porcentagem dos seus direitos econômicos a fim de um possível lucro futuro. E o Vitória de Guimarães, de Portugal, demonstrou interesse nos últimos dias.

A situação é bem parecida com a negociação que o Corinthians costurou com o Valladolid, da Espanha, nas últimas semanas e que esteve perto de se concretizar. O problema com o clube espanhol, que é gerido pelo ex-atacante Ronaldo Fenômeno, foi a distribuição dessas porcentagens, O Corinthians detém, no momento, 85% dos direitos de Mateus Vital e deseja ficar com uma ‘fatia gorda do bolo’.

Mesmo com mais tempo para negociar em relação a outros cenários na Europa, o estafe do atleta está em cima para agilizar qualquer movimento de saída, já que o período de inscrição para as competições em Portugal se encerrará na quinta-feira (1º).

Caso Mateus Vital não saia até no período, a tendência é que ele fique até o fim do ano no Timão.

A parte do percentual está sendo conversada, mas o salário que o Vitória está disposto a pagar para a Vital são empecilhos que possuem grande chance de travar o negócio.

Doug Bracewell, Matt Critchley claim the key wickets to give Essex vital victory in title race

Paul Edwards13-Jul-2023
Lancashire’s cricketers arrived at Stanley Park this morning knowing that if they could bat out the day against Essex, they would certainly earn their team five points. Even in this era of extraordinary feats, chasing down 430 for victory on a fourth-day Blackpool pitch was surely an absurdity. So we thought anyway…But Keaton Jennings and his players also understood that even if they merely scraped a manky draw, it would go some way towards expiating the hurt to their professional reputations suffered by their hogwhimperingly incompetent performance on the third day. So it was one of those times on which county cricketers learn something about themselves that goes beyond technique and character. Colleagues and coaches can help but they cannot face the bowling in either the actual or metaphorical sense.Something like ten hours later, Jennings’ players had indeed discovered much about themselves, even in defeat to a fine Essex team, whose varied attack had conjured a 46-run victory with just ten balls to spare. And rather than block like buggery for 96 overs, Lancashire’s batsmen had played positively, more or less every one of them, to give their side a chance of achieving the highest successful fourth-innings run-chase in their history. As things turned out, it wasn’t quite enough but those who witnessed it, regardless of their loyalties, will not forget it.For in the penultimate over of the day, with Tom Westley’s players perhaps doubting that victory would be theirs, Rob Jones glanced Doug Bracewell into the safe hands of Dan Lawrence at leg-slip. Almost on the instant, Lawrence was mobbed by colleagues celebrating their fourth victory of the Championship season; at the same moment Jones stood motionless in the crease, the fact of his superb 111 suddenly lost amid the desolation of defeat. Of course he received a standing ovation as he returned to the pavilion, but so did Essex’s players at the end of a long drama, whose tension had seemed improbable in the extreme when the rain was cascading down on Monday and Tuesday.But in truth this match was something of a triumph for almost all the players, not least Jennings and Luke Wells whose 58-run stand in the first hour of the day was the highest opening partnership of the contest. However, since the previous three had all been nought, this achievement did not prompt Glen Chapple to lead a conga on the home balcony. What might have pleased Lancashire’s head coach rather more was the sight of his openers negotiating the first hour’s play with few alarms save Wells being dropped on two when Simon Harmer grassed a tough one-handed chance at second slip off Sam Cook. Shortly after midday, however, Jennings was not as fortunate on 30 when he tried to cut Bracewell but only nicked the ball high to Will Buttleman’s left and saw the keeper take an outstanding one-handed catch.Essex enjoyed no other breakthroughs in the morning session. On the contrary, Wells reached his fifty off 83 balls and Josh Bohannon took the fight to Harmer, twice lofting the off-spinner for leg-side sixes. Lancashire came in to lunch prosperously placed on 140 for one after 32 overs, the sort of score that led some well-watered souls in the pavilion to speculate about the chances of their side winning the match. Apparently they were getting particularly animated in the touring version of the 1864 Suite, although that might have been linked to the arrival of three cases of Château Lafaurie Peyraguey.Such excitement was not lessened when Bohannon whacked Harmer for another six over long-on in the second over after lunch but it was stilled a few moments later when Lancashire lost two wickets in the space of five balls. First Wells, having ridden a little luck and been dropped twice was safely taken at backward point by Paul Walter off Matt Critchley. Then Dane Vilas, who is sadly out of nick, could make nothing off Critchley’s googly and was bowled for a five-ball duck.The atmosphere of the game changed almost at once as the Essex fielders encouraged their bowlers with fresh optimism and loud encouragement. Justifiably so, as well, for having reached an impressive fifty off 65 balls, Bohannon again fell to a backward of square leg-side catch off left-arm seamer Paul Walter when a sweetly timed pull off his hip went straight to Jamie Porter at long leg.Phil Salt joined Jones and although Lancashire reached the midpoint of the day exactly halfway towards their target, they did so with their last two specialist batsmen together. And no-one was talking about knocking off 430 now. Yet as paralleled in so many cricket matches, Essex’s best chance of winning the game lay in the fact that Lancashire could also do so. While Jones and Salt were tantalised by the possibility of improbable victory, Westley’s players knew their own chances were increased as long as their opponents still had a sniff.The game swung in Essex’s favour, perhaps vitally so, shortly after tea. First, Salt, having made 41, top-edged a sweep off Critchley to Porter behind square on the leg side. Three overs later, Colin de Grandhomme hooked Paul Walter straight to Jamie Porter at long leg and it became plain that Lancashire were running out of batters capable of scoring the runs they needed for victory.Still, however, with 89 needed off the last 16 overs and the new ball about to be taken, they gave it a go. Tom Hartley made 17 before he nicked Cook to Buttleman. Next over Jack Blatherwick gave Porter a return catch and with seven overs left in the contest Tom Bailey skied Bracewell to backward point, where Harmer took a superb diving catch. Finally, and perhaps just a trifle too late, Lancashire settled for the draw and the crowd subsided into a tense silence. Will Williams defied Harmer with some front foot lunges and the draw beckoned. Then, Bracewell gathered his substantial form and galloped in to bowl to Jones….

Explosive Pakistan batter Ayesha Naseem has retired from international cricket and, as a result, been left out of the squad for the women’s cricket competition at the upcoming Asian Games, to be played in China’s Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8.Naseem’s decision, for “personal reasons”, has been speculated about over the last week but was confirmed by the board in its squad announcement. “We wish the best of luck to Ayesha Naseem in her future endeavours as the PCB understands and respects her decision to quit the game for personal reasons,” Tania Mallick, PCB’s head of women’s cricket, said in a board statement.Naseem, 18, played four ODIs and 30 T20Is – including the T20 World Cups in 2020 and 2023 – after making her debut against Thailand in March 2020. She grabbed headlines for her power-hitting skills down the order and finished her career with a strike rate of 128.12, the best for a Pakistan batter in T20Is. Her tally of 18 T20I sixes is also only behind Nida Dar’s 27 for Pakistan, despite Naseem playing for only three years as compared to Dar’s decade-long career.The Asian Games will be Dar’s first as full-time captain after Bismah Maroof stepped down from the role following Pakistan’s group-stage exit in the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Dar, the second-highest wicket-takers in women’s T20Is, captained the team for the first time in Pakistan’s last game of the T20 World Cup in South Africa. Maroof missed out on the event because of regulations that would not allow her to take her baby daughter along.The squad has reaped the benefits of Pakistan’s participation in the Under-19 T20 World Cup earlier this year. Left-arm spinner Anosha Nasir and batter Shawaal Zulfiqar – both part of that inaugural Under-19 women’s team – were rewarded with maiden national call-ups. The two also played the women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in June where Anosha picked up three wickets and Shawaal opened the batting and scored 39 runs in two innings. The captain of the Under-19 side, the legspin-bowling allrounder Syeda Aroob Shah, also returned to the senior side after three years.Javeria Khan is among the regulars who have been left out of the squad•Getty Images

Diana Baig, who missed the T20 World Cup because of a finger injury, returned to the squad to pair up with the impressive Fatima Sana with the new ball. Allrounder Natalia Pervaiz, 27, also got a look-in, having last played internationals in 2018.Javeria Khan, Sadia Iqbal, Tuba Hassan, Aiman Anwer and Sidra Nawaz, all part of the T20 World Cup squad, missed out.”Our squad for the Asian Games represents the future of women’s cricket in Pakistan,” Saleem Jaffer, PCB women’s chief selector, said. “With a mix of emerging talent and seasoned campaigners, I expect the players to do well in the event.”Pakistan won the gold medal at the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014, the last two times cricket was a part of the competition. This will also be Mark Coles’ first assignment in his second stint as the head coach of the team.Pakistan women’s squad for Asian Games: Nida Dar (capt), Aliya Riaz, Anosha Nasir, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sandhu, Nataliya Pervaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Ameen, Syeda Aroob Shah, Umm-e-Hani

The Americans has retained their No. 1 in the latest FIFA Women's World Ranking despite significant gains from competitors

Spain and Germany apply mounting pressure on AmericansSouth American nations demonstrate growing strengthFrance returns to top 10 while Netherlands drops to 11th positionGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

FIFA released its latest Women's World Ranking, showing the United States maintaining their top position despite a concerning 2-1 home defeat to Brazil in April. The gap between the Americans and their closest challengers has narrowed significantly, with Spain (second) and Germany (third) applying intense pressure after winning all their matches since the previous ranking update. Brazil's victory over the Emma Hayes-coached U.S. squad has propelled the South Americans to fourth place, representing a substantial four-position climb in the rankings.

AdvertisementTHE RANKINGS

1stUSA2ndSpain3rdGermany4thBrazil5thEngland6thSweden7thJapan8thCanada9thKorea DPR10thFranceTHE BIGGER PICTURE

South American women's football has demonstrated remarkable progress, with both Brazil and Argentina securing statement victories against established powers. While Brazil defeated the top-ranked Americans, Argentina's victory over Canada contributed to the dropping one position to eighth. These results represent a significant development in the global women's game, where North American and European nations have traditionally monopolized the upper echelons of the rankings. Meanwhile, England (fifth, down one) and Sweden (sixth) maintain their positions in the top six, while Japan have also experienced setbacks against South American opposition.

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Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?

The United States women face mounting pressure to address vulnerabilities exposed in recent matches as they prepare for upcoming international competitions under Hayes' leadership. The team recently beat Jamaica 4-0 on June 3 and faces the Republic of Ireland twice on June 26 and June 29, and then Canada on July 2.

Nissanka returns to the squad led by Karunaratne, whose fitness status is unclear

Madushka Balasuriya13-Jul-2023

Dilshan Madushanka, the promising left-arm quick from Sri Lanka, will be eyeing a Test debut soon after being picked in the 16-member squad to play the first of two matches against Pakistan starting July 16. The 22-year-old was not initially slated to play but has been picked as a replacement for Asitha Fernando, who was ruled after contracting dengue.Madushanka’s stock though is on the rise, having already caused a stir in the white-ball circuit – he was the biggest buy at the Lanka Premier League auction last month and was considered good enough to be part of Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup side in 2022 before injury forced him out of the tournament. And while he wasn’t originally picked for the World Cup Qualifier, with the selectors preferring to let him play against a touring South Africa A side, he was brought in as an injury replacement for Dushmantha Chameera, where in his four outings he managed to pick up eight wickets at an economy rate of 4 an over.Dimuth Karunaratne, who missed the final of the WCQ with a hamstring strain, will continue to captain Sri Lanka, even though he had expressed the desire to step down following the home Tests against Ireland, which the hosts won 2-0.Sri Lanka’s most recent exertions were all in the one-day arena where they went through tough competition in the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe to book a ticket to India for the ODI World Cup in October. Some of those players – Pathum Nissanka and Kasun Rajitha – are part of this Test squad as well, alongside a new face – Lakshitha Manasinghe, a 23-year old offspin-bowling allrounder with 1111 runs and 124 wickets from 37 first-class matches.Manasinghe’s inclusion follows an impressive string of displays domestically and for Sri Lanka A against South Africa A, during which he picked up 12 wickets – inclusive of two five-fors – in two unofficial Tests. He also grabbed a four-for against Pakistan in the two-day warm-up game in Hambantota.Nissanka returns to the side after an absence of a year – his last Test against Australia in July last year – during which he’s missed Tests against Pakistan, New Zealand and Ireland. His exclusion from those games had raised eyebrows, considering that the Australia tour was the only time where he faced a real dip in form in his brief career thus far. Since making his debut he’s notched up five fifties and a century in 15 innings at an average of 38.35. He finds his way back in the side following a fruitful outing in the World Cup qualifiers, where he was the second-highest run-scorer with 417 runs at an average of 69.5 – including back-to-back tons.Rajitha, who had been omitted from the Tests against Ireland, returns to the fold to spearhead a fairly threadbare seam unit, alongside Madushanka and Vishwa Fernando.The spin department however is stacked – understandable considering both Tests will be in spin-friendly Galle. Left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama comes into the side at the expense of legspinner Dushan Hemantha. Fellow left-armer Prabath Jayasuriya will lead the attack, while there will be ample support if needed from the likes of Manasinghe, and allrounders Ramesh Mendis, Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva.On the batting front, things are fairly settled with Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva and Sadeera Samarawickrama the most likely combination in the middle. The only uncertainty remains at the top, with Karunaratne’s match fitness still unclear. If he is cleared to play, it’s likely Nishan Madushka – who notched a double-ton against Ireland in his last Test innings – will be favoured over the returning Nissanka.Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Nishan Madushka (wk), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Vishwa Fernando, Lakshitha Manasinghe

قدم لاعب فريق مانشستر يونايتد، ماركوس راشفورد، تلميحًا جديدًا فيما يخص رغبته في الانتقال إلى صفوف برشلونة، خلال موسم الانتقالات الصيفي الحالي.

كان راشفورد قد قضى النصف الثاني من الموسم الماضي، 2024/25، على سبيل الإعارة في صفوف أستون فيلا.

وعاد راشفورد من جديد إلى مانشستر يونايتد بعد انتهاء فترة إعارته مع أستون فيلا، حيث لم يرغب الأخير في شرائه بشكل دائم.

ولا يُعد ماركوس راشفورد جزءًا من خطط المدرب روبن أموريم في مانشستر يونايتد، كما أن اللاعب الإنجليزي نفسه يتطلع إلى الرحيل هذا الصيف.

اقرأ أيضًا | دون تجميل.. فليك يفتح صدره لـ تير شتيجن ويخبره بقراره النهائي قبل موسم برشلونة

وظهرت تقارير صحفية، قبل أسبوع، تفيد أن راشفورد ضمن مجموعة من اللاعبين طلبوا من إدارة مانشستر يونايتد السماح برحيلهم في الميركاتو الصيفي لذلك العام.

ولا يُعد سرًا اهتمام برشلونة بضم ماركوس راشفورد لتدعيم مركز الهجوم بعد فشل صفقة نيكو ويليامز، لاعب أتلتيك بلباو، كما أن اللاعب نفسه يتطلع إلى الانتقال لبطل الدوري الإسباني.

وذكرت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية أن راشفورد قدم تلميحًا جديدًا برغبته في الانتقال إلى صفوف برشلونة.

وأوضحت أن راشفورد سبق وأن قدم تلميحًا بعدما قام بمتابعة حساب برشلونة الرسمي عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي، قبل بضعة أسابيع.

كما تابع راشفورد حساب لامين يامال، نجم برشلونة السابق، ولكنه لم يكتفِ بذلك، حسب الصحيفة اليوم الجمعة.

وأشارت إلى أن راشفورد قام بمتابعة لاعبين آخرين من برشلونة عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي، وهما، روبرت ليفاندوفسكي وبيدري.

Liverpool have been in contact with the representatives of an “incredible” player ahead of the summer transfer window, journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed.

Liverpool in need of summer attacking signings

The Reds are still having a superb season, and defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United shouldn’t change that, but it has highlighted the need for attacking reinforcements this summer.

Mohamed Salah has enjoyed a sensational campaign, while Cody Gakpo has also shone, but there are question marks over the futures of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota.

All three have had up-and-down seasons, with Diaz the best of the three, but arguably not at the world-class level Sadio Mane was at when he starred on the left wing for Liverpool. Nunez is still a frustrating player to watch both in and out of possession, while Jota looks like injuries could be catching up with him. He has only scored twice in 2025 to date.

A new centre forward is essential for Arne Slot come the end of the campaign, with Newcastle ace Alexander Isak arguably the top option to come in. Now, a fresh update has dropped regarding Liverpool’s pursuit of him.

Liverpool in talks to sign "incredible" £160m star

Speaking on his YouTube channel on Monday [via The Metro], Romano claimed that Liverpool and by extension FSG have been in contact with Isak’s people, as they look to beat Arsenal to his signature in the summer window:

“Newcastle keep insisting in private and in public that they want to keep Alexander Isak. They hope to be in the Champions League next season but, in any case, they want to keep Alexander Isak at the club, so that’s the message from Newcastle. But I keep telling you that big, big, massive proposals will come to the table for Alexander Isak because Arsenal will be there, Arsenal want Isak.

“[Benjamin] Sesko is the other name on the list but, for sure, Isak and Sesko are the main names. Liverpool are also there for Alexander Isak, they already made some contacts with people close to the player, so both clubs are interested in Alexander Isak. For Arsenal, he is the absolute top target. For Liverpool, he’s one of names they are considering in that position.”

This is another encouraging update, with Isak a player who could transform Liverpool as an attacking force, standing out as arguably Europe’s most in-form striker this season.

The 25-year-old, valued at a whopping £160m, is coming into his absolute peak years, recently being described as “incredible” by Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, and he could be the next great striker at Anfield.

The one concern would be a questionable injury record down the years, so he would be a slight risk if huge money was spent on him, but he has started 25 games in the Premier League this season, which bodes well moving forward, with 19 goals coming his way in the competition.

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Isak has all the attributes to excel under Slot, whether it be great finishing, a silky touch or pace to run in behind, and he could be a game-changer of an addition if Liverpool can sign him over Arsenal.

The dreaded international break has seemingly come at the worst possible time for Manchester United, with the Red Devils having just begun to find their groove under new boss Ruben Amorim.

Prior to this recent halt to proceedings, the Old Trafford side notably put four past Real Sociedad in the Europa League, before breezing past relegations strugglers, Leicester City in their most recent outing.

Following that 3-0 win over Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Foxes, Amorim admitted that it was a “shame” that the international break was set to follow. His captain, Bruno Fernandes, is likely to have felt the same.

It was the Portuguese playmaker who rounded off that King Power rout with a delightful, sweeping finish from just outside the area, with that effort having been the 30-year-old’s fourth goal that week, after also netting a hat-trick just a few days earlier.

With six goals and assists to his name in his last four Premier League outings – having also scored in the FA Cup against Fulham – the former Sporting CP star is bang in form at this crucial stage of the campaign, with Europa League success likely to rest largely on his shoulders.

Bruno Fernandes' record under Amorim

Speaking earlier this month, Fernandes admitted that he had spoken with the United hierarchy about his future at the club last summer, having received an “offer” to leave the Red Devils.

Thankfully, as far as INEOS are concerned, the £300k-per-week hero opted to instead extend his contract at Old Trafford, with the midfielder now once again a key figure under the new Amorim regime.

Year in, year out, the 78-cap international steps up and delivers for the Manchester side, with it no surprise that his new boss lauded him as a “special guy” following that latest win in Leicester.

Despite initial question marks over where he would fit into his compatriot’s 3-4-3 set-up, Fernandes has inevitably made himself a key cog in Amorim’s machine, as his recent form has indicated.

From initially lining up in one of the two number ten berths, the one-time Udinese man has since dropped into a deep-lying berth alongside Manuel Ugarte or Casemiro, with that alteration having proven particularly fruitful of late.

Indeed, since Amorim took charge, Fernandes has already registered 20 goals and assists in just 27 games in all competitions, with the 2020 arrival having featured the most number of times for the new boss, alongside Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui.

Like their captain, both men have proven themselves to be readily available and largely dependable in recent months, with Mazraoui particularly shining of late.

Man Utd's new Bruno Fernandes

What sets Fernandes apart in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era is not only his goal contributions, but also his availability, having missed just a handful of games in over five years in English football. It is no wonder that Amorim has described him as the “perfect captain”.

Similar praise has, however, been dished out for Mazraoui, with the 40-year-old stating that the Moroccan defender is the “future of our team”:

As his regular involvement under Amorim has illustrated, the ex-Bayern Munich man is not one to shy away from the action, with his manager also describing him as “amazing” for continuing to perform despite being physically “dead” on his feet.

Not only is the 27-year-old alike to Fernandes in that regard, but his versatility is also particularly key, having so far operated on either flank, or in the centre of defence in the 3-4-3, while having previously played in a number ten berth against Fenerbahce under Erik ten Hag.

Fernandes, for instance, has played in a deep-lying role or in a more advanced attacking berth of late, while he did also operate in a wide role during Ten Hag’s tenure.

Similar to his skipper too, Mazraoui has also been one of the rare transfer success stories of modern times, with journalist Liam Canning describing him as “one of United’s best signings in the past 10 years”, as he is “so technically good and intelligent” and – as alluded to – “can fill in anywhere”.

It is the full-back’s technical quality that truly does set him apart as he appears at ease when gliding forward with the ball at his feet, while he also ranks in the top 5% of top-flight full-backs for tackles made per 90, again illustrating his commitment to the cause. In the words of Statman Dave, he is a “10/10 every game”.

Rarely in the last decade or so, have United been able to look back fondly on a transfer, but if the early signs are anything to go by, then the £13m capture of Mazraoui could well buck that trend – as Fernandes has already done before him.

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