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According to reports in Italy, promotion hunting West Bromwich Albion have made an approach to sign Lazio striker Vedat Muriqi this transfer window.

Journalist of Italian news outlet Repubblica Enrico De Lellis revealed on his Twitter account that West Brom, as well as Leeds United, have approached Lazio for the striker, however, “neither club, at the moment, has reached an agreement with the club.”

The 27-year-old striker has been restricted to one Serie A start this campaign, making 11 appearances in all competitions. Moreover, the Kosovan is yet to score and has registered one assist.

However, the £5.4m-rated forward had been prolific at former club Fenerbahce before making the move to Rome in September 2020, scoring 17 goals and registering seven assists in 36 appearances for the Turkish giants.

With West Brom now into the second half of their season, it is vital that they continue winning matches to climb up the league table. Valerien Ismael’s side, in his first season at the Hawthorns, are currently fifth in the Championship, seven points off of the automatic promotion places.

The Baggies have been solid at the back, conceding the fewest goals in the second-tier. However, nine clubs have scored more than Albion’s 31 goals thus far. In fact, league leaders Fulham have scored over double the amount West Brom have in one game fewer with 64 goals in 25 games.

Ismael has recently become reacquainted with former Barnsley loanee Daryl Dike, signing the American striker from MLS outfit Orlando City, but could do with adding extra firepower on top of the 21-year-old.

Striker Karlan Grant is the club’s top scorer with nine goals whilst Callum Robinson has six. However, Norwich loanee Jordan Hugill has only netted once this campaign.

The 29-year-old’s loan spell at the Hawthorns has failed to bare fruit yet this season, despite featuring in all bar one of the Baggies’ league games since his arrival in late August.

Compared to Muriqi, who is two years his junior, Hugill doesn’t have nearly the same sort of experience as the Kosovan, who has played in the Italian and Turkish top-flight as well as featuring in both the Champions League and Europa League.

Moreover, the 27-year-old has international experience, having made 37 caps for Kosovo and scoring 18 goals in that period.

He is a man mountain at 6 foot 4 and thus, earned the following appraisal from Smarter Scout who have previously described him as “utterly dominant in the air.”

As for Hugill, the 29-year-old has just three Premier League appearances from his spell at West Ham, playing most of his football in the Championship as well as featuring in League One, League Two and the National League.

If the Baggies are serious about securing an instant return to the top-flight, they will need to improve their goals output, something that Muriqi could potentially offer.

In other news: West Brom handed worrying transfer update that will have fans sweating

West Ham United have reportedly made a bid for Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa as David Moyes looks to add to his squad ahead of the January transfer window closing in just over a week.

What’s the latest?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Peter O’Rourke has confirmed that the Hammers have been negotiating a deal to sign Barbosa on an initial loan deal from the Brazilian outfit.

“They’re still in and around Gabigol but the problem is Flamengo would prefer a straight-up sale for the Brazilian striker,” said O’Rourke.

“West Ham are trying to negotiate a loan deal with an option to buy and so far Flamengo are not interested in that, so it’s a bit of a stalemate at the minute.”

The east London club have just one senior striker in Michail Antonio and are yet to make a signing this window, meaning that Moyes and co. could be set for a dramatic final week.

West Ham must sign Barbosa

Chasing Champions League football with one senior striker is a disaster waiting to happen for the Irons. Luckily, Antonio has only missed one Premier League game for West Ham this season but could easily pick up an injury or suspension over the final months of the season.

The Hammers have been able to find goals of late from their wingers, with Jarred Bowen in particularly hot form, scoring four goals in his last four games. However, that isn’t sustainable and the east Londoners will need to add depth to their attack.

Valued at £23.4m by Transfermarkt, Barbosa’s record for Flamengo is particularly impressive, scoring 84 goals in 123 appearances for current employers Flamengo, with the Brazilian outfit signing the 25-year-old from Inter Milan two years ago.

In fact, Flamengo legend Zico showered the striker in high praise, stating: “I think Gabigol has everything to be the greatest striker in Flamengo’s history. It’s getting there. His performance got better and better, consolidating himself as one of the greats.

“He’s already gone down in history. He is young and can do much more, and hopefully, he can do it. Doing this is always good to give joy to the Rubro-Negro fan and, logically, we always expect this from a guy who has the potential that he has.”

Granted, the Brazilian has already endured spells in Europe which proved unsuccessful, making just ten appearances for Inter Milan and scoring once as well as playing in five matches for Benfica, also scoring once.

However, West Ham, in the predicament that they’re in, cannot ignore a goal record like the one Barbosa has at Flamengo, regardless of the level at which he has been playing.

Not only is Antonio Moyes’ only senior striker, but he hasn’t exactly set the world alight this campaign. After a prolific start to the season where he scored five goals in his first six Premier League games of the season, the Jamaica international has only found the back of the net on three occasions in the top-flight since.

If the Hammers are serious about making a push for a top-four finish, it is vital that they add at least one reinforcement up front.

Meanwhile, West Ham target is made available for sale…

Paul Robinson has now dropped a big Newcastle United claim involving Ciaran Clark.

The Lowdown: Clark’s indiscipline

The Irishman has come under the spotlight recently due to his indiscipline, as footage shared last month showed him punching an opponent in a friendly against Al-Ittihad, which resulted in him being sent off.

This comes after he was given a red card just nine minutes into their 1-1 draw at home to Norwich City in the Premier League in November, and with the signing of Dan Burn from Brighton on Transfer Deadline Day, the 32-year-old’s future at St James’ Park will have to be questioned.

The Latest: Robinson reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson – who regularly appears on Sky Sports – has now claimed that Clark may have even played his last game for Newcastle, saying:

“You don’t know what has gone on behind the scenes but that was the perfect example of how not to perform in an audition in front of your new bosses.

“You don’t get sent off in a friendly game in front of your new owners when you’re on a training camp.

“He has played in quite a few games this season. If the manager sees him as surplus to requirements I’m surprised we didn’t see him move on before the deadline.

“Given his recent disciplinary record, this could be the end for him at Newcastle.”

The Verdict: Get rid

Following the arrival of Burn on Tyneside, Newcastle can now afford to get Clark off of their books.

The Republic of Ireland international is currently ranked as the fifth-worst player in the top flight at the moment, and the worst out of his teammates (WhoScored), so he would not be a big loss should the Magpies decide to get rid.

Nonetheless, he should at least be frozen out by Eddie Howe for his indiscipline until such time that a suitable buyer comes in for him.

In other news, NUFC are interested in this £83.3m-rated ‘engine’

Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw looks likely to sign a new deal at Elland Road, according to an update from reliable journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Forshaw enjoys brilliant comeback

The midfielder has endured an injury nightmare in his career, missing nearly two years of action with a career-threatening hip problem.

Thankfully, Forshaw made his return earlier this season and has looked as good as ever, proving to be an influential performer and making 11 appearances in the Premier League.

The 30-year-old’s Leeds contract expires at the end of the season but an update on his situation looks positive.

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The Latest: Phil gives positive update

Writing for The Athletic on Saturday, Hay confirmed that the Whites are in ‘active discussions’ with Forshaw’s representatives over a new deal and ‘want to avoid a scenario where they lose him for nothing.’

The midfielder has made 66 appearances for Leeds overall but that tally would be far higher had it not been for his aforementioned injury woes.

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The Verdict: Richly deserved

Forshaw’s return has been one of the most pleasing aspects of a disappointing season for Leeds so far, with the Englishman not looking a lesser player, having been hailed as ‘excellent’ by Noel Whelan back before his injury nightmare started.

He has enjoyed an 82.8% pass completion rate in the league in 2021/22, as well as averaging 2.5 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per match, highlighting his ability on and off the ball.

Tying Forshaw down to a new deal not only makes sense in terms of simply keeping Leeds’ options strong but it also negates the issue of losing him on the cheap in the near future.

In other news, Leeds have been backed to sign one player – find out who it is here.

Avik Chowdhury has been admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital where he is under ventilation

Cricinfo staff19-Oct-2009Bengal allrounder Avik Chowdhury has been put on a ventilator at an intensive care unit in Kolkata, after being critically injured in a car accident on Sunday evening. The accident happened when the car Chowdhury was travelling in, along with four of his friends, rammed into a median divider on Eastern Metropolitan Bypass near Ruby Hospital.Chowdhury, 24, who is part of the Bengal squad for the East Zone T20 meet in Dhanbad, was visited by Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Jagmohan Dalmiya and former India captain Sourav Ganguly. The Bengal team’s departure for Dhanbad has now been postponed by a day because of the accident and they will now be leaving on Tuesday.”His [Chowdhury’s] condition is very critical. He has injuries to the abdomen, diaphragm and the spinal cord with fractures in three vertebrae,” said SB Purakayastha, CEO of Ruby Hospital. “His entire lower half has been paralysed. Until his condition is stable, we cannot operate upon him.”An employee of the income tax department, Chowdhury took part in the practice match at Eden Gardens in the morning, scoring 15 off eight balls and taking a wicket. He has also led Bengal at the junior level and plays for Kalighat in the local circuit. He made his Ranji debut last season and was also part of the preliminary Kolkata Knight Riders squad.He has seven first-class matches and 13 List A matches, and most recently turned out for Indian Revenue in the BCCI Corporate Trophy last month, where he scored an unbeaten 110 against ITC in Mohali.

Ryan Sidebottom has said he has ‘nothing to prove’ as an international player but conceded that regular injuries have forced him down the England pecking order in recent times

Cricinfo staff13-Apr-2010Ryan Sidebottom has said he has ‘nothing to prove’ as an international player but conceded that regular injuries have forced him down the England pecking order in recent times.Sidebottom was a surprise inclusion in England’s 15-man squad for the World Twenty20, which starts at the end of April in West Indies. He has been unable to complete a series since England hosted New Zealand in 2008 and was forced to fly home from England’s recent tour to Bangladesh with a thigh problem he picked up in the first ODI in Dhaka in February.In his absence Tim Bresnan and Steven Finn impressed and Sidebottom admits he now has to try and earn his place back. “There’s nothing I have to prove as a player or a bowler, I’ve proved that I’m good enough to play at the highest level. [But] the likes of Finn and Bresnan have come in and done pretty well, so I’ve got to keep going and try to push them out of the side.”Everybody knows what I’m capable of. I’m not the fastest bowler, but I offer accuracy and swing, and I put batsmen under pressure. If [England] need my experience then I’m here.”Sidebottom has played just one Test match in the last 12 months, when he was surprisingly called-up to replace Graham Onions for the final Test against South Africa at The Wanderers. England lost heavily and Sidebottom was unable to make a significant impact. His performance prompted suggestions that his pace was significantly down from when he led England’s attack so successfully in 2008.Yet Sidebottom insists that rather than his pace suffering from injury, there is instead a lack of consistency in his bowling due to the disruption caused by the string of back, hip, groin and Achilles injuries he has endured. “Nothing has changed in my action and my pace hasn’t changed,” he said. “I just need to get back into [match] action. I don’t think there’s much difference at all. What I have found tough is constantly stopping and starting again with injuries.”As a bowler you need rhythm. When I was playing regularly for England, I didn’t worry about anything. But recently, I’ve played one game, been 12th man and then tried to get back in the team. It’s not been easy to find rhythm.”Sidebottom hopes to take some momentum into the World Twenty20 by bowling plenty of overs for Nottinghamshire as they begin their Championship campaign against Kent on Thursday. He bowled 18 overs for Nottinghamshire in a warm-up game against Durham MCCU, collecting 3 for 48 in 18 overs.Mick Newell, the Nottinghamshire coach, thinks Sidebottom needs overs under his belt to be at his best but says Sidebottom has to sustain the intensity he showed between 2007 and 2008. “Ryan likes to bowl, even though it might not look like that when he’s pulling his hair out. He’s not bowled enough overs, whether it’s in nets or matches, because of the injuries he’s picked up.”International cricket is played at a higher intensity than county cricket. He did well for the first 18 months but he’s suffered a little bit with that of late. He’s got to stay at that higher intensity the whole time. But he wants to do well with England for another couple of years yet.”

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke (as per GIVEMESPORT), West Ham will only be able to sign Benfica’s Darwin Nunez if they qualify for the Champions League this season.

The Lowdown: Nunez thriving for Benfica

Since arriving in Portugal in 2020 in a deal worth £21.6m, Nunez has emerged as one of Europe’s most prolific scorers, having netted 32 times in 65 appearances for the Lisbon club, including a phenomenal 13 goals in as many league games this season.

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This follows an emphatic performance against Barcelona in the Champions League during the autumn, with the 22-year-old scoring twice as Benfica dominated the Spanish outfit in a 3-0 victory.

The Latest: O’Rourke makes Nunez claim

The Hammers have recently been linked with a potential swoop for Nunez and are said to have joined the increasingly competitive race to sign the Uruguay striker. It has been reported that Benfica would require €120m (£101.6m) to let the player leave, which would surely price the Irons out of any realistic transfer.

However, O’Rourke believes that there could be a chance if the Hammers manage to secure qualification for Europe’s top club competition.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: “For West Ham to have any chance of signing someone of his quality, they probably need to be qualifying for next season’s Champions League if they are to try to sign him in the summer. But I think a January deal is a no go.”

The Verdict: Could be tough for West Ham to pull off

With his exceptional goalscoring record, Nunez would be an unbelievable signing for David Moyes’ side, having been labelled as “special” by Joao Goncalves, the sporting director of his former club Almeria.

Benfica boss Jorge Jesus has also hailed the 22-year-old, claiming that it is only a matter of time until he becomes ‘world-class’. He said: “All this decision-making ability, finishing and speed…He was Benfica’s most expensive purchase, and when there is no pandemic, he will be the most expensive sale. He will be a world-class player.”

West Ham are set to face tough competition in pursuit of Nunez’s signature, and with his price tag inevitably rising with each goalscoring performance, it seems increasingly unlikely that the east Londoners will come out on top in this transfer chase, particularly given how their ailing form in recent weeks has made a top-four finish a tough task.

In other news: ‘Fallen off a cliff’, ‘Isn’t actually a footballer’ – Many West Ham fans slammed this player’s performance against Southampton

Matthew Hayden and the Mongoose combined in a deadly manner as Hayden smacked 93 off 43 to almost singlehandedly chase down Delhi Daredevils’ 185

The Bulletin by Sidharth Monga19-Mar-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Matthew Hayden and the Mongoose combined in a deadly manner•Associated PressIndia, say hello to the Mongoose, the shorter, thicker bat with the longer handle. You already knew Matthew Hayden, but might have forgotten him momentarily after his ordinary start this year. On Friday, the two combined in a deadly manner. Hayden smacked 93 off 43 balls to almost singlehandedly chase down Delhi Daredevils’ imposing target. Delhi’s innings featured a similarly dominant effort. If Hayden scored 93 of the 142 while at crease, Virender Sehwag pummelled 74 out of 103.That Hayden’s effort was longer meant Chennai Super Kings prevailed in the battle of superb fielding. Three good catches from Chennai’s stand-in captain, Suresh Raina, and a spectacular effort at the boundary from Justin Kemp, a near replica of his ICL catch, kept Delhi under 200. Tillakaratne Dilshan took a blinder charging in from long-on to deny Hayden a century, and Chennai a jitterless finish.Delhi, and their new captain Dinesh Karthik, will wonder if they brought Dirk Nannes back too late – in the 13th over – and why the bouncer was not tried against the Mongoose. It was not as if Hayden necessarily needed the new bat to cause wreckage.By the time he called out for the Mongoose, Hayden had already smashed four boundaries off his first nine balls. That may have given him the confidence to call for the newest beast in town. It was not as if Hayden necessarily needed the new bat to hit the five fours and seven sixes that followed in the next 34 deliveries he faced.His hitting was so clean that it perhaps didn’t need the rumoured 20% extra bat power on most of the occasions. Only the second of three sixes in Dilshan’s over – the eighth of the innings – was mis-hit, but the ball managed to sail over wide long-on. That six also brought up his fifty, off 24 balls, and by the end of the over, he had reached 61, and Chennai 85.More down-the-ground carnage followed in the next four overs, and Hayden had reached 87 off 37 with Chennai needing just 57 off 48, when Nannes was called back. A tight over later, Hayden hit Amit Mishra powerfully down the ground, and Dilshan ran in and caught it inches off the ground. Would it have carried had it been hit with a normal bat?Albie Morkel and Justin Kemp failed to contribute much, and the onus fell on Raina after Chennai lost three wickets for 27 runs. However, he kept picking up boundaries – six of them – whenever the equation started to look tricky, and his unbeaten 49 carried Chennai home with five balls to spare.With the way Sehwag was going, though, Raina’s team was looking at a much bigger target. His 38-ball 74 came as easy as his strolled singles, but Chennai managed to create and latch on to more catching opportunities to slow down Delhi just about enough in the last eight overs.Sehwag’s innings took about as much time as it took David Warner and Dilshan to struggle and get out, managing 21 off 32 between them. Sehwag was in the scoring zone right from the first ball he faced, flicking it neatly to midwicket. He found the middle of the bat and the gaps started appearing from the second ball on. In the first eight overs, he displayed almost the whole array of effective Twenty20 shots: hits down the ground, through extra cover, over wide long-on and midwicket, and the square-cut.The first over he faced from Muttiah Muralitharan, though, was the highlight. He came down the track first ball, Murali bowled flat, he checked his shot. Anticipated a flat delivery next up, he stayed back and opened the face to beat short third man. The standout shot came later in the over when he waited even more and took the ball from in front of stumps, guiding it to the left of short third this time. By the end of that over, eighth of the innings, Sehwag had scored 61 off 28, out of the team’s total of 79.Just in time, Kemp produced the moment of inspiration, jumping at the right time and taking a one-handed catch behind his body at the long-off boundary. Immediately before and after that, Raina produced two good catches to get rid of Dilshan and AB de Villiers.With 7.3 overs still to go, there was time enough for either side to win or lose. Although the balance was retained, the 78 that Karthik, Mithun Manhas and Rajat Bhatia added proved to be inadequate when compared to Hayden and his Mongoose.

Mary Earps congratulated Manchester United loanee Grace Clinton after the 20-year-old marked her Lionesses debut with a goal.

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Earps sends message to Clinton on debut 20-year-old bags goal in Austria United keeper benched as Hampton given chance GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The goalkeeper had an unusual vantage point for England's 7-2 thrashing of Austria in Andalusia on Friday night with manager Sarina Wiegman opting to give Chelsea's Hannah Hampton some international experience.

But Earps was delighted by what she saw from the sidelines, in particular with Clinton, who earned a call up after some impressive performances on loan at Tottenham Hotspur this term.

AdvertisementWHAT MARY EARPS SAID

"So buzzing for you Grace Clinton. What a debut," posted the England number one.

Instagram @1maryearpsGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

While Earps sat out Friday night's romp in southern Spain, Wiegman made it clear that she will keep the gloves when England return to competitive action.

After a stellar year during which Earps swept up a bewildering number of individual trophies, England's number one has regularly paid tribute to Wiegman, emphasising the role that Dutch manager played in restoring her confidence after being dropped by the previous management team.

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WHAT NEXT FOR MARY EARPS?

The Lionesses face Italy in another friendly on Tuesday in Algeciras. Fans will be keen to see if Wiegman picks another experimental team or goes back to something resembling a full-strength line up.

A big update has emerged regarding Newcastle United and their interest in Nottingham Forest winger Brennan Johnson.

What’s the talk?

According to The Independent, the Magpies are scheduled to hold talks with the player’s representatives ahead of the summer, along with Leicester and Villarreal.

Brentford and Everton are also interested in the gem and are hoping to snap him up for a fee in the region of £20m-£25m. He has one year left on his contract with the Championship club and his agency – including his father – wants him to make the step up to the Premier League next season.

Johnson can get St James’ Park rocking

PIF can get St James’ Park rocking with a deal for Johnson, as he would be an exciting addition to the Newcastle squad in the short- and long-term.

He has been in phenomenal form for Forest in the Championship this season and has shown that he has the potential to make the step up to the Premier League next term.

Ex-Forest striker Glenn Murray showered the youngster with praise earlier this season, saying: “For me, Brennan, he just looks special. He just looks a cut above and he’s destined for the top.

“Yes, he’s not getting everything right at the moment but he looks at the top-level easily. I expect a really big future from him.”

In the current Championship campaign, Johnson has produced 15 goals and 10 assists for Steve Cooper’s team. This shows that he has been able to make a big impact in the final third as he has consistently delivered with the ball at his feet, scoring and setting up goals on a regular basis.

At the age of 20, he is still in the infancy of his professional career. He is just getting started and should have plenty of scope left to grow and develop as a player. This means that he would be a sublime long-term signing for the Magpies, as they would be able to watch his improvement over time and benefit from it on the pitch as he hones his skills.

Newcastle fans will surely be buzzing with the club’s efforts to bring such a talented and promising young player to the club. St James’ Park would be rocking with excitement if PIF can get a deal over the line for the 20-year-old, and that is why the Magpies hierarchy must work hard to snap him up in the coming months.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Bruno: PIF must finally launch NUFC move for “outrageous” £50m dynamo…