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Crystal Palace have been in contact to sign a “fantastic” Premier League striker, with his club now willing to cash-in for the right fee this month.

Palace stepping up pursuit of new striker amid interest in Mateta

Jean-Philippe Mateta didn’t exactly put himself in the shop window with his performance against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon, receiving a SofaScore match rating of 5.8, after winning just two of the nine duels he contested in the disappointing 2-0 defeat.

However, as the Frenchman’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and fresh terms are yet to be agreed, interest from some rival Premier League clubs is now starting to grow.

With that in mind, Palace have now set out to bring in a potential replacement, and it was recently revealed that Strasbourg star Joaquin Panichelli has been identified as their top target.

However, another option has also entered the frame, according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states the Eagles have been in contact over a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers star Jorgen Strand Larsen, but they are not alone in their pursuit.

Indeed, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham are also in the race for the striker, with his current employers willing to cash-in for £40m this month, given that they are almost certain to be relegated from the Premier League.

With Wolves keen to protect the Norwegian’s value, they are now open to a sale, but the Eagles should have some reservations about pursuing a move for the former Celta Vigo man…

Strand Larsen would be risky signing for Palace

Crystal Palace have already broken their transfer record once this month, shelling out £35m to sign Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur, and they may need to do so again if they are to win the race for the Wolves centre-forward.

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However, the Halden-born striker’s performances this season leave a lot to be desired, having been relegated to the bench for the past three Premier League matches, as a result of scoring just one goal this term.

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There are some indications the Norway international could be a success at Selhurst Park, given that he scored 14 top-flight goals last season, during which time the Wolves ace was lauded as “fantastic” by former manager Vitor Pereira.

The Eagles’ main priority, however, should be to keep hold of Mateta, as despite struggling against Newcastle last time out, the 28-year-old has been reliable in front of goal this season, netting eight goals in 20 Premier League outings.

Arsenal delivered a devastating statement of intent in the Premier League title race with a commanding 4-1 demolition of third-placed Aston Villa to stretch their advantage at the top to five points heading into 2026.

Manager Mikel Arteta described the emphatic victory as a “beautiful evening” after his side exacted revenge for their stoppage-time defeat at Villa Park 24 days earlier.

Goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and a first from Gabriel Jesus since New Year’s Day had the Gunners four goals to the good at one point of the rout before Ollie Watkins bagged a consolation on his birthday.

Arsenal have now scored 22 set-piece goals, excluding penalties, in consecutive years, becoming only the second team to achieve this feat after AFC Wimbledon between 1993 and 1996.

Gabriel’s 19th Premier League goal also represents the most scored by any defender since his September 2020 debut in the competition.

Villa now sit six points adrift of the leaders with their title challenge potentially extinguished by the scale of this defeat.

Manager Unai Emery had played down championship talk in his pre-match comments, insisting such discussions did “not make sense” for his team, and this chastening experience vindicated his caution.

Second-placed Man City can reduce the gap to two points when they visit Sunderland on New Year’s Day, though Pep Guardiola’s side find themselves under mounting pressure following Arsenal’s most convincing performance in several weeks.

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The Sky pundit has made his feelings clear.

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The Gunners now travel to Bournemouth on Saturday seeking to maintain momentum in what promises to be a grueling title race over the campaign’s second half.

Off the field, sporting director Andrea Berta is working on ways to strengthen Arteta’s squad in any way possible, whether that be in January or next summer.

Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal could be active next month, and a report from CaughtOffside has claimed that Real Madrid sensation Arda Güler is on their radar.

Arsenal view Arda Güler as "Odegaard-style" signing on loan-to-buy

The Turkey international, according to their information, is viewed by Arsenal as a potential “Odegaard-style” project signing via a loan-to-buy deal, even if Xabi Alonso is very reluctant to let him leave.

Right now, Berta and Arsenal are admirers of Guler as they continue montioring his development at the Bernabeu.

The talented playmaker has transformed into a regular starter under Alonso following the Spaniard’s appointment as Real boss last summer.

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Guler has established himself as a genuine mainstay in Los Blancos’ midfield after limited action last term, contributing three goals and seven assists across 25 appearances in all competitions.

The transformation represents vindication for Real’s decision to snub reported loan approaches from multiple clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen, Real Sociedad and AC Milan, over recent windows.

Alonso’s determination to retain Guler could prove decisive in any potential negotiations.

The manager has deployed him primarily as a left-sided attacking midfielder, mirroring the role Florian Wirtz occupied during Alonso’s successful spell at Leverkusen, and Real’s boss has even compared him to the Liverpool star.

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Leeds United have failed to sign a new midfielder for fast-approaching on four-and-a-half years, though that is likely to change in the summer amid interest in Brenden Aaronson.

The last time someone was signed in the role was Adam Forshaw, joining from then-Championship rivals Middlesbrough in January 2018 – since then, the 30-year-old has dealt with a string of injuries, Samu Saiz left the club and Pablo Hernandez has also moved on.

You could argue that the Whites have overachieved in recent times, not only gaining promotion to the Premier League but also maintaining that lucrative position for nearly a third season.

But perhaps an answer could lie from within, in the form of academy dynamo Stuart McKinstry, who is just as capable of playing in central midfield as he is out wide.

The 19-year-old Scotsman bagged for the U23 squad on Monday night in their 4-0 rout of Crystal Palace, making it two goals and four assists from his 12 starts in the Premier League 2 Division 1 this season.

Only Sam Greenwood has been more creative, as per FBRef.

McKinstry, who has been likened to Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets by his academy peers, has been dubbed the ‘next big thing’ to come out of Thorp Arch by ever-reliable journalist Phil Hay of The Athletic.

Those comparisons highlight just how talented he is in multiple ways, to have the flair and dynamism of Messi and the powerful on-ball presence of Busquests. Leeds could have a real star in the making and potentially one fit to replace the legendary Hernandez at Elland Road.

“He’s a very confident ball carrier, he’s physically strong, good upper body strength, excellent feet, good at beating his man and creative. In his head, he probably feels he can play in other positions up front as well,” claimed Hay.

Meanwhile, McKinstry’s former Motherwell academy director Steven Hammell believes that he “will do wonderful things and become a household name in the next three or four years”, as he revealed to the Lanarkshire Live Sport Podcast, where he also dubbed him a “fabulous young player”.

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As one of the academy’s biggest creators, first-team boss Jesse Marsch could do little wrong in handing the teenage sensation more minutes on top of his two senior appearances going forward.

Leeds could finally replace Hernandez and, at the same time, save millions of pounds in the transfer market, should the American turn to the young Scot in the near future.

AND in other news, Leeds United in “pole position” for new signing…

Scottish cricket received a significant boost this week with the confirmation that a sponsor has been found to back a new national Twenty20 competition across Scotland this summer.The format has proved one of the most popular innovations in the sport during the past three years and Scotland will now have its own tournament, with Glasgow-based sponsors, Murgitroyd and Company, agreeing on a two-year deal. It is believed to be worth five figures.The existing 16-team Twenty20 events in the east and west of the country will be re-launched as the Murgitroyd Masterton Trophy and the Muritroyd Rowan Cup. In addition, two new regional competitions will be based in the Borders and the Caledonian district, and the four area winners will proceed to a high-profile national finals day at Shawholm, the home of Poloc CC, on August 3.In its initial format, this seems an ideal opportunity for cricket to raise its profile throughout Scotland in the months ahead. And although the prize money on offer – £600 for the regional winners, with a further £1000 up for grabs for the overall champions – may not be huge at this stage, this development is the most positive thing to have happened in Scotland’s game since the national side were invited to lock horns with the English counties in the NCL in 2003.”This is a fantastic sponsorship, which will spark the imagination and enthusiasm of the participation clubs,” said Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, Roddy Smith, who has worked behind the scenes with Keith Young, the CEO of Murgitroyd, to get the tournament up and running as quickly as possible. “Practically all the sponsorship fund will be returned to the benefit of the participating clubs and district organisers, and it is tremendous news. The new event will enhance and extend the enjoyment and competitiveness which has been a feature of Twenty20 wherever it has been played and this is sure to generate good crowds.”Cricket Scotland has faced criticism for a number of policy decisions over the last couple of years, but on this issue, at least, they deserve praise. As Paul Hoffmann, a former international player whose belligerent batting is likely to make him a very dangerous opponent in the abbreviated game, remarked: “We’ve watched the way that Twenty20 has taken off in England and what a success they have made of their showpiece finals day, and it will be brilliant to have something similar up here in Scotland, because I’m sure that the cricketing public will be really enthused by this.” So, one suspects, will Scottish-based TV producers, if the weather stays fair.

Kent have signed Morne Morkel, the South Africa allrounder, as a replacement for Andrew Hall for their Twenty20 campaign.Hall is on duty with South Africa for their one-dayers against Ireland and India in Dublin later this month.Morkel, 22, made his Test debut last December against India and has also played three one-dayers, most recently for Africa in the Afro-Asia Cup.

Scorecard

Mark Ramprakash continues to be a run-machine for Surrey © Getty Images

It’s still early in the season but you can already here those annual cries of “why hasn’t Mark Ramprakash played more for England?” The blunt answer is because he couldn’t adjust to the pressure and intensity of the higher level, but when it comes to cashing in against mediocre bowling attacks – and for Gloucestershire that’s being kind – he is a class apart on the county scene.There was a sense of inevitability from the moment Ramprakash walked out on the first evening that he wouldn’t be heading back the pavilion without plenty of runs to his name. His latest double hundred, the 11th of his career, was a seamless progression through the milestones as he tucked in against each of the Gloucestershire bowlers and he stands just four shy of a new career-best.Regardless of the quality of the attack some of Ramprakash’s strokeplay just had to be admired. His timing and placement were out of the top draw and one effortless flick through midwicket and two scorching cover drives, with a hint of the Caribbean, were especially memorable. His first hundred took 146 deliveries and then he decided to take his time, as James Benning took over the axe wielding, and reached his double off 324 balls. But even the celebration on reaching his 200 – a casual wave to the dressing room and spectators – was of a man who’d seen it all before.With the double out of the way there was then an exhibition of a side of Ramprakash we never encountered at the top level as he unleashed a series of thunderous blows, especially off Martyn Ball and Carl Greenidge, rattling through the 200s before playing it safe in the final twenty minutes, leaving him to contemplate a maiden triple century.His innings ground Gloucestershire into the dirt and their body language, which hadn’t exactly been sprightly in the morning, sagged dramatically on the warmest day of the early summer. If facing another batting masterclass from Ramprakash wasn’t bad enough, what compounded the misery was a brutal maiden Championship ton from James Benning, who is only playing as cover for Rikki Clarke.Benning started at a decent rate, but it was his second fifty, which took 28 balls, that really sent fielders scurrying to all corners – well, it would have done if they’d been able to reach the ball. He took a particular liking to Steve Kirby who went for 20 in an over. For some reason he thought it would be a good idea to try and bounce out Benning, but by the time the fourth consecutive pull had rattled the boundary boards he probably realised the plan hadn’t worked.Ball was the only Gloucestershire bowler to emerge from the wreckage with any credit as he toiled away with his offspin. He snuck in for the first breakthrough of the day when Scott Newman was trapped on his crease. Newman played some handsome strokes, but repeated a common mistake of his by failing to build on a half-century. His start to the season has been impressive, but big scores talk.Mark Butcher never quite found his fluency – but it hardly mattered – as he added 113 with Ramprakash before top-edging a sweep to short fine-leg. Alistair Brown really missed out, backing away to guide Ball down to third man and now, with the success of Benning and Clarke to return, his place will be coming under question.Ball picked up his fourth when Azhar Mahmood chipped a return catch, after adding a mere 110 with Ramprakash, with the score reading 600 and he claimed one of the more inglorious five-fors when Ian Salisbury fell. Surrey smashed 476 runs in the day; that just about summed it up for Gloucestershire.

Brad Hodge has secured his long-term future at Victoria © Getty Images

Brad Hodge has signed a four-deal with Victoria, which will see him stay with the state until at least 2009-10. The move ended the chance of a surprise switch to New South Wales after they offered him a contract at the end of the season.Hodge, 30, who is currently playing for Lancashire, said he was looking forward to finishing his state days with the Bushrangers. “Victoria is my home, I have established my career here and it has provided me with the opportunity to chase my dream of representing my country.”He said the offer from New South Wales was a good one and deserved to be considered. “However, I am looking forward to furthering my career in Victoria,” he said. “I see some exciting times ahead, both as an individual and as part of the Bushrangers.”The signing of Hodge is another positive for the Bushrangers following the decision of Jon Moss to stay, and the coach Greg Shipperd was delighted his No. 3 was remaining in Melbourne. “Brad is an integral part of our team,” he said. “He has been the backbone of our batting line up for many years and his consistency and leadership are respected and admired by all.”Hodge has been included in Australia’s Test squad for the Ashes series and will join up with the side in July after his stint at Old Trafford.

Australia Women 197 for 6 (Jones 54, Cunneen 39) beat New Zealand Women 196 for 6 (Tiffen 60*, Fahey 41) by four wickets
ScorecardAustralia easily won the final game of the Rose Bowl, beating New Zealand by four wickets to complete a comprehensive 5-1 series win.Set a modest target of 197, Australia achieved their target in the 49th over, with Alexandra Blackwell unbeaten at the end on 22. The chase had been set up by a 63-run second-wicket partnership between Shannon Cuneen (39) and Karen Rolton (31). Mavis Jones, with a fluent 54 off 55 balls, then made sure that nothing further went wrong.New Zealand’s innings began with a doughty innings of 41, off 81 balls, by Maria Fahey, who held one end up but could never quite get the momentum going. Haidee Tiffen made 60 off 83 balls to propel them to 196, but in the end, it wasn’t enough.Rolton was named player of the series, finishing with a total of 394 runs – including one century and three fifties.

Team Canada newsflashWednesday:Canada played the University team “Tucks” — current League Champions in a warm up game.Canada scored 254/7 – top scorers were Joe Harris with 65* and Fazal Samad 46 . Tukkies scored 203 /10 in 45 overs, after falling to 59 for 5. Sanjay Thuraisingam took 3 wickets.Thursday:Team Canada contingent and coach Gus Logie held a coaching clinic in a township school.The Tour Manager and Captain attended a luncheon hosted by the Mayor of Johannesburg.Team Canada attended a great reception hosted by the Canadian High Commissioner.Friday:Canada plays in its first Day/Night (warm up) game.

India will be up against not only a more determined home side but alsoa miserable record at the ground when they go into the second Testagainst Zimbabwe starting in Harare on Friday, chasing a rare serieswin on foreign soil.India have bitter memories of this ground having lost the one-off Testin 1998. Even in Zimbabwe’s inaugural Test in 1992, they had tostruggle to earn a draw. On the other hand, three of the five Testwins for the hosts have come on this ground.But to say that the Indians are on a high after their comprehensiveeight-wicket win in the first Test in Bulawayo would be to state theobvious. The visitors have one of the most balanced sides in years andalmost all of them are in top form.The first win outside the sub-continent in 15 years has done wondersfor their confidence and, as some of the players said after the win inBulawayo, they would go all out for a 2-0 series win.Having said that, the hosts too have prepared well for this Test withcaptain Heath Streak and coach Carl Rackemann saying they haveidentified their mistakes in the first Test and have modified theirstrategy. Zimbabwe was very capable of surprising the Indians, both ofthem stressed.The Indians are most likely to include Hemang Badani as an opener ashis statemate Sadagoppan Ramesh has not yet recovered from a backinjury. Badani, who will make his debut if included, has never openedan innings in his first class career but has impressed with his soundtechnique.The left hander made full use of the opportunity given to him in thetour match against CFX Academy when he scored 35 attractive runs as anopener before retiring. On the other hand, Ramesh has struggled onthis tour with scores of just 2 and 17 in the Bulawayo Test.Another Indian who needs to come good with the bat is skipper SouravGanguly. After a nightmarish series against Australia back home,Ganguly has so far failed to click on this tour also. Though he hassucceeded as a captain, Ganguly knows he needs to get the runs on theboard to silence his critics.With conditions once again favourable to fast bowling, the trio ofJavagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra would be expected tocome up with a performance similar to that in the first Test.Ganguly yesterday cleared all doubts regarding Nehra’s participationin the match saying the left-arm medium pacer from Delhi willdefinitely play. Nehra had put in an impressive performance in thefirst Test claiming five wickets including that of Andy Flower in boththe innings. But he was stopped from bowling for the rest of theinnings for damaging the pitch in his follow-through.Zimbabwe, who were handicapped by the absence of Streak and HenryOlonga in the Indian second innings at Bulawayo, would be bolstered bythe presence of fast bowler Travis Friend, who missed the first Testdue to injury and is all set to make his debut here.”Friend is fully fit for the game. He looked good in the nets todayand is bowling with great pace. He would make it this time," Streaksaid.Streak himself is raring to go though he is still to be declared fullyfit but Olonga will miss the Test. Streak said his team had carefullystudied the mistakes in the first Test and was working hard to rectifythem.”We have realised where we had our downfall and hopefully we will getthings right in the Test,” he said. “We let Harbhajan Singh get awaywith a bit more than he should have. Now with a better balanced side,without any injuries, hopefully we won’t let that happen again. Welacked patience while batting in our first innings and the guysmistimed their shots. We have to address that in this Test,” Streaksaid.Both teams expressed satisfaction with the pitch which seems a littlemore spinner-friendly than the one at Bulawayo though the fast bowlerswill continue to enjoy an advantage.The teams:India (from): Sourav Ganguly (captain), Shiv Sunder Das, SadagoppanRamesh, VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Hemang Badani,Samir Dighe, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath, DebashishMohanty, Ashish Nehra, Sairaj Bahutule and Ajit Agarkar.Zimbabwe: Heath Streak (captain), Dion Ebrahim, Guy Whittall, StuartCarlisle, Alistair Campbell, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, BrightonWatambwa, Andy Blignaut, Travis Friend, Brian Murphy, Gavin Rennie(12th man).Umpires: Ashoka de Silva (Sri Lanka) and Ian Robinson (Zimbabwe).Match referee: Denis Lindsay (South Africa).