A Rangers transfer update has emerged on Ibrox tank Calvin Bassey as one club eyes him as a potential target…
What’s the talk?
According to Football Insider, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s young defender could be on the move in the summer transfer market.
It’s understood that Premier League side West Ham are interested in a deal to sign the defender in the summer.
The report claims that they are in the market for a left-footed defender and have been keeping tabs on Bassey since they failed to land him from Leicester in 2020.
Disaster
Ross Wilson must avoid a summer disaster with Bassey, as he cannot allow the young defender to leave Glasgow to sign for the Hammers.
The £6.4k-per-week man mountain has been a key player for van Bronckhorst this season and his exit would be a major blow to the Gers in the short-term. It would also be a huge error from a long-term point of view as he has the potential to improve even further and increase his value.
At the age of 22, he is in the early years of his career and could be worth more after 12-18 months of development, which is why Rangers must not sell him this summer.
Earlier this season, Van Bronckhorst heaped praise on the former Leicester tank for how he has adapted to his change in position. He said:
“I’ve been really impressed with Calvin [Bassey] as he does not have a lot of experience in the central positions. He has a lot of physical strength and we will help him to develop and grow. He is very open to learning and is full of energy.
“I think he has the physical ability to play there and we’re helping him a lot in that position when he has to pass when he has to dribble, the position he has to take when the other defenders got the ball.
“He’s a player who’s very open in learning and he gives a lot of energy into the team. The last two games I’m really happy with the way he played.”
In the Premiership this season, the defender has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.95. He has mainly been deployed as a centre-back since the Dutchman came in but he is also able to play at left-back and did so effectively in the recent 5-0 win over Hearts.
Bassey has been a consistent performer on the pitch for the most part, and Wilson must now stand firm and reject interest from the Hammers. He could be a mainstay in the Rangers defence for years to come, and it would be a disaster to lose him so early into his Ibrox career.
AND in other news, Van Bronckhorst can save Rangers millions by unleashing “confident” gem who’s “totally at ease”…
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.
According to transfer insider Dean Jones (via Give Me Sport), Tottenham’s pursuit of winger Adama Traore is set to intensify in the coming days, and the club are ‘quite hopeful’ that Fabio Paratici will get it done.
The Lowdown: Wolves could cash-in on Traore
Traore arrived at the Molineux in the summer of 2018, in an £18 million deal from Championship side Middlesbrough. Wolves have previously offered a contract extension to keep the Spain international at the club beyond June 2023, but the two parties failed to come to an agreement.
As a result, Wolves boss Bruno Lage has admitted that Traore could be sold if it is in the club’s best interests. With only 18 months left on his current deal, Wolves don’t have much longer to do that if they want to make any decent profit.
The Latest: Traore deal to progress this week
Jones believes that Traore’s days in a Wolves shirt are numbered, as Paratici and co are set to step up their pursuit of the player within a matter of days.
Speaking to Give Me Sport, he claimed: “I think it’s going to be the one that progresses this week, for sure. Spurs are quite hopeful that they’ll get him.”
The Times have previously revealed that Tottenham are in talks to sign the 25-year-old in a deal worth £20 million, further reporting that it could be in Antonio Conte’s plans to convert the attacker into a right-wing-back, like he did with Victor Moses at Chelsea.
The Verdict: Form could be a worry
Traore’s form in the Premier League could worry Spurs fans, as he has failed to register a single goal or assist in 18 appearances this season. However, if Conte chooses to utilise him as a wing-back rather than as an attacker, it could make that lack of end product less problematic.
The Spaniard has previously demonstrated his lightning-fast qualities in the Premier League, having been described by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp as ‘unplayable’. Arsenal legend Martin Keown also previously exclaimed that Traore has gone from ‘looking like a learner driver in a Ferrari, to Lewis Hamilton’.
With such high praise from the footballing elite, this could prove to be a shrewd signing for Conte’s side.
In other news, one Tottenham youngster could be on his way out this month…
As per a report by Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, a Tottenham Hotspur transfer update has emerged involving AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie.
The Lowdown: Tottenham eye Kessie move…
The 52-cap Ivory Coast star has been on managing director Fabio Paratici’s agenda for quite a while as Spurs reportedly eye his signing as a free agent next summer.
The Milan midfielder is currently set to leave on a free as things stand, with his contract running down next summer amid claims that Tottenham are certainly interested in him. Paratici is reportedly eyeing top players for low fees as he aims to boost Antonio Conte’s chances of success at N17.
Now, as per Corriere dello Sport, a fresh update has emerged on Spurs’ interest.
The Latest: Kessie handles Spurs offer…
According to their information, relayed by Sport Witness, Kessie has ‘attractive proposals’ from both Tottenham and Paris-Saint Germain, reportedly a major factor as to why he hasn’t agreed a contract extension at the San Siro.
The 25-year-old is demanding €8m (£6.7m) per year while Milan can only offer €6m (£5.07m), with the Lilywhites’ offer apparently more enticing. It is also stated that both Spurs and PSG are ‘on pole’ for his signature.
The Verdict: Get it done…
Thriving further forward under Stefano Pioli last season, scoring 13 goals and four assists in Serie A, Kessie has continued in that vein of form over 2021/22 so far. With five goals across 13 Italian top-flight starts, that’s far more than any Spurs midfielder has managed by comparison, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg coming closest (two).
Despite being a natural defensive midfielder, the Ivorian could provide an extra degree of threat through the middle for Conte, and his signing on a pre-contract deal would certainly be a bargain.
In other news: Conte personally sets sights on signing £21m ‘top player’ with club now willing to sell, find out more here.
A number of Liverpool supporters have reacted positively to Neil Jones’ claim that James Milner will leave the club at the end of the season.
The 36-year-old has been a wonderful servant for the Reds since arriving in the summer of 2015, arguably becoming one of the greatest free transfers in the club’s history.
Milner has now made 268 appearances for Liverpool, winning the Champions League and Premier League along the way and being a great leader in Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
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However, at 36 there is no doubt that the midfielder’s best days are behind him, and his current Liverpool deal expires this summer.
According to Jones on The Redmen TV [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], Milner will move on at the end of the current campaign, joining another club as he nears the end of a stellar playing career.
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Liverpool fans happy about Milner exit claim
These Liverpool fans were pleased to hear that the club are unlikely to keep Milner beyond the end of this season, with some feeling that his best days are behind him, a view perhaps borne out of some recent underwhelming performances and his rarity of starts this season.
“Finally”
Credit: @boff_daddy
“Freedom”
Credit: @_JazzyJaz_
“CM incoming then surely”
Credit: @TWregistalfc
“About time. Been a top loyal servant but is no where near good enough as a player anymore. Thanks Milly”
Credit: @iLikeFutb0l
“Wonderful. I’ll set off fireworks on the day he leaves”
Credit: @Sabista_
“Thank God. Thanks to James for his services, but I was dreading ‘let’s keep him for one more year because of his leadership'”
Credit: @PhilyRedd
In other news, some Liverpool fans are delighted over this Fabrizio Romano transfer claim. Read more here.
Jacques Kallis appears to be winning his fitness battle to play some part in the first Test against England although he remains extremely doubtful to bowl at Centurion Park.
Andrew McGlashan in Potchefstroom13-Dec-2009
Jacques Kallis could feature as a specialist batsman•Getty Images
Jacques Kallis appears to be winning his fitness battle to play some part in the first Test against England although he remains extremely doubtful to bowl at Centurion Park. Kallis had another lengthy net on the final day of South Africa’s camp in Potchefstroom and will now travel with the squad back to Johannesburg.It seems likely that Kallis will take his place as a specialist batsman on Wednesday with South Africa shaping up to have a four-man attack. Dale Steyn bowled at full tilt on Sunday and barring any late reaction to his hamstring problem is ready to be unleashed on England’s batsmen.”The position is that everyone is on track to be fit for the Test,” said a South Africa team spokesman. “Kallis has had two lengthy nets, yesterday and today, and will continue to build up as we get nearer the time. Dale is bowling full out and everyone else is where they should be.”The spokesman confirmed that Kallis hadn’t bowled during the training camp, but couldn’t elaborate on the chances of him playing as a full allrounder next week. However, team sources have indicated to Cricinfo that this remains a distant prospect.Sunday was billed as d-day for Kallis, but given that he is due for another session in an oxygen chamber on Monday it was always unlikely that South Africa would have made a drastic decision three days out from the Test, unless he had broken down again in Potchefstroom. Also, heading into such an important series, there is the possibility of some mind games over what role Kallis will play. South Africa don’t need to give England any extra boost by putting out too many negative ideas.While Steyn’s recovery is also crucial for South Africa, the most eye-catching bowling effort during the two days of skills practice was that of Morne Morkel who extracted considerable bounce from a centre-wicket session. A recall for Morkel, who was dropped for South Africa’s last Test against Australia in March, would keep Wayne Parnell out of the final XI.When Morkel was brought back for the one-day series he made life uncomfortable for a number of England batsmen, notably Andrew Strauss when he came round the wicket at the England captain. There have been questions asked recently about the potency of South Africa’s attack, with Steyn having had a dip in form and Makhaya Ntini’s productivity decreasing, so Morkel will be needed to add another edge. Paul Harris, the left-arm spinner and fourth member of the probable four-man unit, can expect an increased workload if Kallis is unable to bowl.Both teams have lingering injury concerns heading into Centurion with England keeping close tabs on James Anderson’s knee after his workout in East London. It isn’t an ideal way for teams to prepare and the final answer on both fronts probably won’t be 100% clear until Wednesday morning.
A number of West Ham fans have been praising Pablo Fornals after he appeared in his 100th game for the club at the weekend.
The Hammers were held to a 0-0 draw as they faced off against Burnley in an underwhelming performance at Turf Moor. However, there was one positive from the game – fan favourite Fornals racked up a century of appearances for the east London club.
The Spanish midfielder came on as a substitute in the 80th minute, replacing Argentine international Manuel Lanzini.
Despite recently losing his place in the starting XI, the attacking-midfielder remains the Irons’ second highest scorer in the Premier League this season behind centre-forward Michail Antonio, having scored four times in 16 top-flight appearances during the current campaign.
Fornals has been hailed for his great attitude and hard-working nature. The club’s former defender Tony Gale praised the Spaniard in a recent interview, saying: “I don’t think there’s a fitter man at West Ham. He’s a workaholic, his work rate is phenomenal.”
Since joining the Hammers from Villarreal in 2019 for £24m, the 25-year-old has contributed 14 goals and 13 assists, making himself a near-permanent fixture in the first XI under David Moyes. He is also among the squad’s top performers in terms of tackles, shots and key passes per game, an indication of his all-round value to the team.
Fans flock to praise Fornals
West Ham took to Twitter to congratulate Fornals in a post celebrating the Spaniard making his 100th appearance for the club. Many supporters posted their appreciation for the player’s efforts in response, with one fan hailing him as a “baller”.
Here a flavour of the reactions:
“Hope there’s 100 more to come, what a baller he is”
Credit: @jw12045
“That’s gone so quick”
Credit: @DJS97_
“Quality, Quality player, congratulations Pablo!”
Credit: @rickwhufc
“He’s a future West ham legend”
Credit: @fornalsSZN
“Get him back in the starting eleven plz!”
Credit: @FernsSeniors
“What a signing he’s been!”
Credit: @jlouwnel
In other news: ‘Owners taking cheap shortcuts’ – These West Ham fans fume over David Moyes’ comments
O Cruzeiro foi multado em R$ 10 mil pelo Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva (STJD) por conta da conduta dos torcedores celestes durante a final da Copa do Brasil, contra o Flamengo, no dia 27 de setembro. Na ocasião, um objeto arremessado em direção ao campo acertou a cabeça do médico do Rubro Negro, Márcio Tanure, causando sangramento. O fato foi relatado pelo árbitro Luiz Flávio de Oliveira na súmula da partida.
Apesar da punição, o Cruzeiro comemora a decisão, já que corria o risco de perder até dez mandos de campo e pagamento de multa de até R$ 100 mil, conforme o artigo 213 – inciso III, parágrafo 1º – do Código Brasileiro de Justiça Desportiva que defende: “deixar de tomar providências capazes de prevenir e reprimir lançamento de objetos no campo de jogo”. Em sua tese, o advogado Teothônio Chermont, responsável pela defesa celeste sustentou o benefício de dúvida ao clube, mencionando a dificuldade de apontar um culpado entre 60 mil pessoas que comemoravam a vitória do Cruzeiro, também citando a dúvida sobre o objeto arremessado.
– A princípio gostaria de tratar toda essa dúvida colocada pela súmula e pelo depoimento. Entendo que a distinção de objetos é sim crucial no caso em tela até nos atenuantes. A súmula foi muito clara ao dizer que não se sabe se foi uma pedra. O depoimento do Dr Tanure deixou claro que não pode afirmar se foi atingido por uma pedra ou se foi uma pilha. Deve sim ser colocado o benefício da dúvida para o Cruzeiro. Houve o arremesso e o clube não conseguiu identificar o autor. Esse arremesso ocorreu após o jogo com mais de 60 mil pessoas eufóricas comemorando, o que torna quase impossível um policial identificar alguém. Para todos os fins não houve arremesso de pedras – relatou.
O auditor-relator do processo explicou seu voto.
– Houve o lançamento de objeto e foi de elevada gravidade. O depoimento do médico relatou que perdeu os sentidos, recebeu pontos. A defesa do Cruzeiro foi bem colocada, mas a situação gerou uma vítima e está consumado. Por esse fato meu voto é no sentido de aplicar somente pena de multa de R$ 20 mil – justificou.
Otacílio Araújo, também auditor, divergiu para aplicar multa de R$ 10 mil ao Cruzeiro. Seu voto foi acompanhado por Vanderson Maçullo e pelo presidente do STJD Sérgio Martinez.
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According to Transfermarkt, Southampton have a number of players in the current squad, including Alex McCarthy, Fraser Forster, Shane Long and Harry Lewis, who are set to see their current contracts at St Mary’s expire in the summer.
In addition to that quartet, Jack Stephens is also due to see his contract running out at the end of June.
Despite a report from Hampshire Live in September claiming that the defender will be given a new contract to keep him on the south coast for the foreseeable future, there has yet to be any official confirmation from the club on the matter.
If by any chance the club doesn’t have any plans to offer Stephens a new deal before the summer, we think this should be atop their list of priorities.
Overall, he has made a total of 139 appearances for Southampton across all competitions, with six goals and five assists under his belt, playing his way through the club’s youth ranks after signing from League One club Plymouth Argyle for a reported fee of £150k all the way back in 2011.
This season has seen the defender, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £48k-per-week according to Spotrac, play every minute of Premier League action for the Saints before he unfortunately picked up a knee injury in their 0-0 draw against Manchester City in September, highlighting how much trust Ralph Hasenhuttl has placed in him. He has also been hailed as a “brilliant character” by Saints captain James Ward-Prowse.
Moving forward, we feel that it would be a big positive for Southampton if current majority shareholder Gao Jisheng ties down Stephens to a new deal rather than seeing him potentially leave the club and spend his peak years elsewhere in a similar fashion to what Sadio Mane has done at Liverpool since he left St Mary’s. That would be nothing short of a disaster for the Saints.
In other news: Ralph must unleash Saints’ £100k-p/w “full package” tonight, he could destroy Villa
Six sessions remain in which the destination of the Ashes will be decided, and England must surely believe that the litany of surprises that have been strung out across this summer have finally run their course
Andrew Miller at The Oval22-Aug-2009
Jonathan Trott: “There are so many variables in the game of cricket, it’s never a foregone conclusion at all”•Getty Images
It’s happening again. That nagging, gnawing, pit-of-the-stomach doubt that only the most gripping Test series can serve up. Six sessions remain in which the destination of the Ashes will be decided, and England – with every single historical precedent weighted in their favour, including one from their most recent victory at Lord’s – must surely believe, deep down, that the litany of surprises that have been strung out across this summer have finally run their course.But where there is uncertainty, English pessimism is sure to take root, and having watched their own lower-order tee off to contemptuous effect on a pitch supposedly prepared by Doctor Faustus, the sight of Australia’s openers following suit to the tune of 80 runs in 20 overs was all too much for the umbrella-chewing fraternity of English sports-fans.The 2009 Ashes has lacked the class, the 24-7 tension, and, yes, the unfettered jingoism that made the 2005 summer so unforgettable, but the peaks and troughs on display have, if anything, been all the more marked. Which is all the more reason to wonder if a world-record chase – another 466 required in a minimum of 180 overs – could somehow prove attainable.They thought it was possible back in July after all, when Australia were set a hefty 522 to extend their 75-year hegemony at Lord’s, and thanks to a battling partnership from Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin, reached 313 for 5 at the close of the fourth day before Andrew Flintoff stormed in on the fifth to up-end them 115 runs short. But Flintoff has not been the same force since – his only subsequent wicket in nearly 50 overs was the No. 11, Ben Hilfenhaus, in Australia’s first innings on Friday – and 233 runs per day is not a big ask in any version of international cricket.Jonathan Trott has done an astounding job at dispelling the doubters this week – nobody in their wildest imaginations could have predicted he would exactly maintain his season’s average of 80 in his maiden Test performance – but when he was asked if an England victory was in the bag, all of his soothing powers had clearly been expended at the crease.”Until you’ve taken the tenth wicket in the second innings it’s always a game of the unknown,” he said. “There are so many variables in the game of cricket, it’s never a foregone conclusion at all. We want to do as well as we can, break it down, and have a good first hour tomorrow to set the game up from there.”To be fair, England as a unit were not especially downcast as they left the field on Saturday evening. Seeing as Steve Harmison had bowled a grand total of four overs in the first innings, the shiny hard new ball was never likely to be their most incisive weapon, especially when Stuart Broad beat, and then found, the edge with a brace of offcutters in his first over. Australia survived all the same, but as Marcus North – the unlikely star of their bowling performance – admitted, they had seen little to suggest that they’ve got the measure of the conditions.”History is against us,” said North. “It’s too early to look that far ahead, because there’s a lot of cricket to be played. What you’ll see tomorrow is 11 guys who have got a lot of character to show, and they are going to give everything for every contest for every over. Hopefully that can lay the foundation to give us a chance.”The first objective was to get through tonight unscathed and Simon and Watto did that superbly,” he said. “To walk off at 0 for 80, it’s the position we needed to be in, if we can start well tomorrow, get to lunch, and reassess things from there. It’s a massive target to get, but the best thing we can do is not look too far ahead. We’ve given ourselves the opportunity to have that target in sight at some stage.”As for Lord’s, that performance will doubtless weigh on the minds of England’s fans on a packed fourth day at The Oval, but can Australia go one better than that heroic endeavour? “We can take a lot out of all our innings through the series,” said North. “We batted well at Lord’s with some big partnerships, and laid some foundations to give us some opportunity to chase that target down.”But this is a different Test, different conditions, and again we’ll have to show some character,” he said. “Clarke and Haddin did that in that Test, and we’ll have to show some of the same courage and determination tomorrow. Everyone has got the same attitude that I’ve got. The guys are as positive as they can be. It’s a huge task ahead. It’s small steps at a time.”But if omens are what Australia seek – and frankly, in the circumstances, why on earth wouldn’t they – then they can turn for inspiration to two first-class fixtures of contrasting fortunes. In the former, in February 1992, Australia’s current chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch, hit a century, and their coach, Tim Nielsen, shared in the winning stand, as South Australia chased 506 to beat Queensland in the Sheffield Shield. And then, 12 years later in Gurgaon, England A failed to defend 501 against South Zone in the Duleep Trophy. Kevin Pietersen was a member of that beaten team, as was England’s current wicketkeeper, Matt Prior. It’s all stacked up, but is it ready to topple?