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Aston Villa are in reported talks over signing a striker whose contract currently runs out at the end of this month, with Unai Emery’s side looking to take advantage of an existing connection in an attempt to facilitate the move.

Aston Villa "moving" for new January signings

Emery, speaking in his latest pre-match press conference ahead of their Premier League encounter with Leicester City this afternoon, has admitted that the club are actively working on transfers for the January window.

Aston Villa in talks with £25m PSG player now willing to complete exit

He’s struggling at PSG…

ByTom Cunningham Jan 3, 2025

Villa’s form has taken a real downturn overall since the beginning of 2024/2025, when they originally started in excellent fashion, and have lost the most league games out of any side in the top 10 alongside current champions Man City.

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They’ve been given encouragement by recent wins against Brentford, Southampton, City and RB Leipzig in the Champions League over this past month, but it’s clear they’re far from the finished article, despite finishing in the top four last season.

Emery says that they could use January as an opportunity to strengthen their ranks, and Villa are “moving forward” in pursuit of potential targets.

“We are starting the New Year, and we finished a fantastic 2024,” said Emery in his press conference on Friday.

“We achieved our best objective we can dream in that moment, to be in Europe and to be in [the] Champions League and this year to be playing Champions League.

“Now, we are starting the new year focused on our match against Leicester, starting at home at Villa Park. We did a very good year, but trying to separate last year, last season and this season. The first part of the season, we are really not thinking we are bad, but could be better, and the league is our priority.

“Of course, we are in the transfer window as well, and the club is moving forward to try to increase our level in the squad in case we can sign new players and in case someone has to leave, we are open to doing it. But the most important for me is the match tomorrow.”

Aston Villa in talks over signing Vissel Kobe striker Taisei Miyashiro

There are reports that Villa are attempting to lure Marco Asensio away from PSG, and it is now believed they have their eyes on Vissel Kobe striker Taisei Miyashiro as well.

Indeed, as relayed by media outlet Villa News, V Sports (the holding company which owns the club) has a direct link with Vissel Kobe as one of the sides under their portfolio, and this could help to facilitate a move for Miyashiro.

VN state that Villa are in talks over signing Miyashiro for Emery, and it is certainly worth noting that the Japanese forward is out of contract at the end of this month, according to Transfermarkt.

The 24-year-old scored 11 goals last year and may well come as a potential replacement for the exit-bound Jaden Philogene.

He may be preferred ahead of Mitchell Swepson, meanwhile Mitchell Starc is set to play after injury

AAP27-Jun-2022Jon Holland has bolted into contention for a shock Test recall if he can overcome a finger injury in time for Australia’s series opener against Sri Lanka in Galle on Wednesday.Australia received a major boost on Monday, with Mitchell Starc cleared to return from a cut finger after a lengthy centre-wicket training session.Bowling for the first time without tape on his finger since slicing it open almost three weeks ago, Starc ran in for around an hour and was able to grip the ball without the wound reopening.Travis Head is also pushing to play and completed fielding and batting tasks as officials wait to see how his hamstring pulls up on Tuesday before making a call on his availability.Related

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But it is the role of fourth bowler that shapes as the point of most contention, with left-arm orthodox Holland and incumbent legspinner Mitchell Swepson vying to play.Coach Andrew McDonald on Monday indicated Australia would go with two slow bowlers, on a ground where finger spin has traditionally had an advantage over wrist-spinners such as Swepson.”We haven’t made that decision, and Mitch Swepson is definitely in the selection frame,” McDonald said. “We’re talking about the direction the ball is spinning and the value of accuracy of finger spin against wrist spin, which at times can be less accurate.”Traditionally, finger spin has done well here, it would be going against the statistics to say it wasn’t. But there also hasn’t been a lot of wrist spin played here.”Holland, who has nine wickets from four Tests at 63.77 apiece, took 20 wickets at 32.10 in the Sheffield Shield last summer, after missing the start of the season with a finger injury. He has not played for Australia since the 2018 tour of the UAE, and has barely been part of a national squad since.If Holland does win out, it would mark an incredible bolt from the blue given he was not even part of the Australia A squad in Sri Lanka a fortnight ago.With selectors opting to give Matthew Kuhnemann experience in Asia, Holland was only called in when Ashton Agar was hurt early in the one-day series.He did not bowl at training on Monday as he rested his sore finger, but McDonald indicated he would play ahead of Kuhnemann if he recovered in time and a finger-spinner was preferred.Holland’s rise follows a remarkably similar path to his Test debut in Galle six years ago, when called in mid-series as injury cover during Australia’s 3-0 loss.He took five wickets in two Tests at 54.80 on that tour, after a preparation hampered by coming out of a Victorian winter with limited bowling behind him. McDonald is confident it would be different this time.”We know what Jon can do, hence why he has been called into the squad,” McDonald said. “He’s always been there or thereabouts with domestic performances. He was called in late, was he a little underdone when he got into the [Australia] A series? There’s no doubt about that. But we feel like he can bowl himself into the form we need him to.”

The tournament, which was slated to begin in two weeks, will take place this year subject to easing of the crisis

Andrew Fidel Fernando17-Jul-2022The 2022 Lanka Premier League, which had been slated to begin in two weeks, has been postponed, because of the economic situation in Sri Lanka.A draft had been held, foreign players supposedly secured, and preparations were underway for the tournament to be held. However, problems with securing adequate sponsorship and cooling franchise interest have led to the postponement. Whether it will be played at all this year may depend on whether Sri Lanka’s economic crisis eases.”This decision was taken by the SLC, following a request made by the Innovative Production Group FZE (IPG), the rights-holder of the tournament, which cited the current ‘economic situation,’ in the country, as not conducive to hosting the tournament,” a board release said.Related

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Lanka Premier League 2022 to begin on December 6

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Even in more favourable economic conditions, however, the league has had problems with funding. It had had little continuity since its outset, with last year’s tournament seeing only two of the original five franchise owners returning.Both the 2020 and 2021 LPL tournaments, had been popular among fans and had helped uncover fresh talent for the national team. Spinner Maheesh Theekshana, for example, first gained notice through the LPL.The news is a further blow to cricket fans in Sri Lanka, who may now not see high-profile cricket on the island for many months following the end of the ongoing Tests against Pakistan. It now appears the Asia Cup, which was set to be played in Sri Lanka, may also be moved elsewhere, also owing to the challenges of hosting a tournament of that magnitude amidst ongoing fuel shortages and political unrest.

As the January transfer window rolls on, Crystal Palace have now reportedly been offered the chance to sign an alternative option to Wilfried Zaha in a deal worth as much as £21m this month.

Crystal Palace transfer news

Zaha has once again been a name mentioned in the transfer window in what would be the second time that he’s returned to Selhurst Park throughout a mixed career. Cold water has quickly been poured onto the burning transfer flames, however, with FIFA regulations stating that players are only allowed to play official games for two clubs in the same season. Zaha, of course, has already featured for both Galatasaray and on loan at Lyon in the current campaign.

With that said, those at Selhurst Park must now turn to alternative options which could yet lead them to a certain Premier League winger this month.

According to Caught Offside, Crystal Palace have now been offered the chance to sign Miguel Almiron in the January transfer window as Newcastle United look to cash in on their out-of-favour winger who they value between €20-25m (£17-21m).

Crystal Palace ready to submit £20m offer for "freak of nature" midfielder

Oliver Glasner has identified a priority target.

ByDominic Lund Jan 7, 2025

Premier League proven, Almiron’s departure away from St James’ Park looks inevitable and Crystal Palace could yet look to take full advantage of the reported offer sent their way.

The Eagles will have to make their decision sooner rather than later, however, with the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City also handed the same offer by Newcastle to potentially form an interesting battle this month.

Crystal Palace could revive "magical" Almiron

Just two seasons ago, Almiron shocked the Premier League and proved Jack Grealish wrong by finally adding some much-needed goal involvements to his game in an impressive run. Despite having a hand in 15 goals in all competitions that season, Almiron has failed to kick on ever since and has instead edged closer and closer to the Newcastle exit door.

Praised by Eddie Howe for his “magical” performances during that red hot season, Almiron could yet rediscover that form in front of the Selhurst Park faithful in what would be a win-win scenario for both the Eagles and the struggling winger.

That said, it remains to be seen whether Palace will be willing to match the hefty £21m price tag that Newcastle have placed on their winger this month, especially given the fact that he’ll be available as a free agent in 2026.

Still just six points clear of the relegation zone as the Premier League enters the second-half of the campaign, Palace could certainly do with some added experience but paying £21m for a player who is yet to score a single goal all season may not be the answer to their current problems under Oliver Glasner.

Ousmane Dembele has been showered with praise by Ronaldinho, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward considered to have “Brazilian style”.

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Teen sensation moved for big moneyLacked consistency at Camp NouStarring again for French giants PSGFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

France international Dembele was a teen sensation in his homeland, earning moves to Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona by the age of 20. His switch to Camp Nou in 2017 came with a €145 million (£124m/$159m) transfer fee.

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Dembele became a World Cup winner during his time with Barca, but struggled for form and fitness at club level. He returned to French football in 2023 when linking up with PSG. After taking a year to settle at Parc des Princes, the 27-year-old is now thriving once more.

DID YOU KNOW?

Dembele has registered 32 goals and eight assists for PSG through 40 appearances in all competitions this season, helping them to another Ligue 1 title and a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

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GettyWHAT RONALDINHO SAID

Ex-Barca and PSG superstar Ronaldinho is a big fan of his fellow World Cup winner, telling when asked to pick out those who have been impressing him in 2024-25: “I don't like to compare much. I mainly look at my old teams and those that are still in the Champions League.

“There's Ousmane Dembele at PSG. I like him a lot. He has a slightly Brazilian style! He's disconcerting, he invents, he provokes. He's often unreadable and, what's more, he scores a lot of goals. He's revealing himself, bursting into a different role than he did at PSG last year or at Barcelona before that.”

A Sky Sports panel has given their verdict on Chelsea now targeting a striker capable of scoring “40 goals a season”, with contact made between clubs as manager Enzo Maresca looks to bolster his forward line.

Chelsea could now sign forward as Bayern Munich chase Nkunku deal

Credible media sources report that Chelsea will push to sign a replacement for Christopher Nkunku if he leaves, and that is starting to look like a serious possibility as Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich earmark the Frenchman as a top January transfer target.

Chelsea table January bid to sign "flamboyant" under-£20 million forward

The west Londoners have made their first offer.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 15, 2025

Nkunku has racked up 13 goals across 28 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea this term, standing out as one of their chief goalscorers, but he’s a bit-part Premier League player under Maresca with the vast majority his strikes coming in cup competitions.

The 27-year-old’s squad status is said to be really frustrating him behind-the-scenes, and Vincent Kompany senses an opportunity to tempt him with a move to Germany.

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So much so, that Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg reports that Nkunku has already verbally agreed personal terms on a move to Bayern – so this transfer looks like a very serious potential one to watch if Chelsea and the European heavyweights can agree on a fee.

The national press claim Chelsea want around £65 million to sell Nkunku before deadline day, so the Bavarians will have to pay up if they wish to shake hands on a deal with Maresca’s side.

Interestingly, the likes of Fabrizio Romano have stated that the west Londoners are considering a potential swap deal, with versatile Bayern striker Mathys Tel heading the other way.

The 19-year-old has struggled for game time under Kompany this season, and some reports suggest that Tel would be willing to entertain a move to Chelsea this month.

Sky Sports react as Chelsea make contact to sign Mathys Tel

Tel can play as a centre-forward, as well as on either flank, which could make him a very useful option for Maresca, similar to Nkunku. Sky Sports reiterate that Chelsea have made contact with Bayern over a deal for Tel, whilst also giving their verdict on the Frenchman – and it is a glowing one at that.

“They’ve contacted Bayern Munich to ask about the availability of Mathys Tel,” said the panel host on Sky.

When asked about what Chelsea supporters could expect from the teenage sensation, one panel member said: “He’s seen as one of the best young strikers in Europe.

“He can play left-hand side, he can play up front as well, I think he’s got the physical presence to play up front, when you see him play he’s lean, he’s mobile, he’s got good pace, which is why most of his opportunities have come from the left-hand side.

“His problem, I guess, is that Harry Kane is ‘the’ striker given how much Bayern spent on him. Last season, he was a real consistent player coming off the bench for Thomas Tuchel, but this season his opportunities have been stunted a little bit.

“When Julian Nagelsmann was there, he said that he was capable of scoring 40 goals a season, they know how good a player he is and I feel like it might be quite difficult for Chelsea to get him out of Bayern at this stage. But, he’s a player who Chelsea have watched for a little while.”

The tournament will take place from June 14 to July 13 in the United States; Monterrey will face Inter in their debut.

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Rayados will play their first three matches in Los AngelesThey share Group E with River Plate, Inter, and Urawa RedsDemichelis stated that Rayados has the best fanbase in MexicoFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

The countdown to the Club World Cup is officially on – or at least, the buzz has begun. With just over two months to go, several participating teams are already turning their attention to the tournament. This year’s edition introduces a revamped 32-team format featuring a group stage and knockout rounds, expected to draw major interest from fans around the globe.

Monterrey head coach Martín Demichelis shared his excitement in a recent interview with FIFA, emphasizing both the significance of the tournament and the passion of the Rayados faithful. He highlighted the benefit of playing the group stage matches in Los Angeles, where Monterrey’s fan presence is strong.

“Representing Monterrey and aiming to perform well in this new format is a tremendous challenge,” Demichelis said. “The entire football world will be watching, and the tournament has been built with a lot of excitement and high expectations — which we absolutely share. While we’re in the middle of our season, we’ll approach the Club World Cup with enthusiasm, hope, and the energy to compete at the highest level.”

Demichelis also praised the club’s supporters and roster depth:

“We have an incredible fanbase – the most passionate in Liga MX – and a great squad,” he said. “Those two elements will be key for us to come together and face anyone without fear. We’ll represent the club with pride and the determination to win.”

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Monterrey has managed to build one of the most powerful squads in Mexican football with the arrival of Sergio Ramos for the Clausura 2025, alongside players who had already joined the team like Sergio Canales, Oliver Torres, Lucas Ocampo, and Germán Berterame. Although the Argentine coach's team is not in its best form in the current tournament and was embroiled in controversy a few weeks ago following a dispute with Canales, can never be ruled out as a title contender in Liga MX, and they will surely be one of the main contenders in the upcoming Club World Cup.

Demichelis, in his interview with FIFA, also spoke about what the arrival of a defender of Ramos' caliber has brought to the club.

"Sergio came with the excitement of coming to win," Demichelis said. "I think he adapted very quickly, despite having been out of competition for nine months after his last stint at Sevilla, and despite his age, he completed two weeks of training at an extremely high level."

He added, "Together, we decided he was ready to step onto the pitch and play. He did very well and gradually adapted more and more to the team, the city, the institution, and his teammates. You can see in every training session his desire to win each drill, and that energy is contagious. So, for him to bring that from his experience, his status, and his personality to each member of this institution, it benefits us. I believe that he raises the drive and internal competitiveness within us, allowing each of us to grow."

AFPWHAT MARTÍN DEMICHELIS SAID

Monterrey will face River Plate on June 21 in their second match of the Club World Cup, something that excites the coach due to his past with the "Millonarios."

"Yes, it's a special match for me because I developed as a player and as a person within the institution. I played in River's youth teams, became a professional player, finished my schooling, started university there, and was sold abroad. I always said when I stepped into Europe that I wanted to represent River well," he said. "During my time there, I stayed in Europe for 17 years of professional football, played for the Argentine national team, and always, in some way, represented River. I had the chance to return to the institution 20 years later, as a coach, having won titles, in the step before becoming Rayados' coach. I come from there, so it’s already a special match."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR RAYADOS?

A very important week for Monterrey and Martín Demichelis as this weekend they will play Clásico Regio 140 against Tigres on Matchday 15 of the Clausura 2025. Rayados are in eighth place in the tournament with 22 points, while their rivals, who will be the home team this Saturday, are in sixth place with 26 points.

The former Australia captain will play club cricket first but the Sheffield Shield is on the horizon

AAP22-Aug-2022Tim Paine could be back playing in Tasmania in six weeks as Australia’s former Test captain prepares for his cricket comeback.Paine is training with Tasmania’s state squad as an uncontracted player as he plots a return for the first time since losing the Test captaincy in a text message controversy.The 37-year-old took time away from the sport after standing down as Test skipper in November last year. Paine never retired but wasn’t contracted on Tasmania’s playing roster for this summer.Cricket Tasmania say Paine is back in training. Tasmania’s first outing this summer is a one-dayer on September 28 against South Australia but Paine is aiming to return in club ranks.Related

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Paine involved in Tasmania coaching set-up

Cricket Tasmania’s grade competition, the Premier League, starts in early October. Tasmania’s opening Sheffield Shield game begins on October 6.”We can confirm that Tim has returned to training with the aim at this stage to play in the CTPL this season,” a Cricket Tasmania spokesperson said.The governing body declined further comment but Paine has another powerful ally in fellow Tasmanian and ex-Test skipper Ricky Ponting.Ponting, recently appointed as head of strategy for Hobart Hurricanes, has openly stated his desire for Paine to again play for the BBL franchise.Paine quit the Test captaincy after admitting involvement in a lewd text exchange with a female former employee of Cricket Tasmania in late 2017.Cricket Australia secretly investigated at the time and exonerated Paine of wrongdoing, but he stepped down on the eve of last year’s Ashes series when made aware the text exchange would become public.Paine’s successor as Test captain, Pat Cummins, said the wicketkeeper hasn’t been forgotten.”Someone like Painey, firstly as a mate you want to make sure he’s okay. We all make mistakes,” Cummins said last week. “He did the wrong thing but he tried to fix the situation as best as he could…I really feel for him.”

Tottenham have now identified a new target to bolster their attacking ranks this winter as they look to move up the Premier League in the second half of the campaign, according to a fresh report.

Tottenham's horror record at Arsenal continues

Ange Postecoglou’s side fell to their 11th loss of the season as they were beaten 2-1 by north London rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Managing just two shots on target, the result leaves the Lilywhites stranded in midtable after extending their horrific form away at Arsenal to just one win in 31 league visits.

European football for next season already seems a longshot, with 10 points separating them from 8th placed Bournemouth, but it is clear that Spurs are moving in the transfer market to try and improve their season in the second half of the campaign.

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The Frenchman has headed to Juventus.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 16, 2025

They have already signed Antonin Kinsky to replace Fraser Forster, while they are also keen to add another forward to their ranks and have been linked with a move to sign Marcus Rashford, who is out of favour at Manchester United.

However, such a move seems unlikely given his mammoth wages at Old Trafford, while a move abroad is currently seen as more likely for the England international. As a result, Spurs have been forced to look elsewhere, and now a report in Spain has claimed that they are looking to poach a forward from Barcelona.

Tottenham table offer for "extraordinary" forward

That is according to Sport, who report that Tottenham have tabled an offer to take Ansu Fati on loan for the remainder of the season as they look to find more attacking options for Postecoglou. The forward spent last season on loan at Brighton and failed to catch the eye, having seen his career blighted with injuries since he burst onto the scene with Barcelona as a teenager.

So far this campaign, he has featured just four times for Hansi Flick’s side in La Liga, starting only once, and it has been made clear to him that he is free to leave before the window shuts on February 3rd.

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However, he is undoubtedly talented, inheriting Lionel Messi’s shirt at Camp Nou and singled out for praise by former boss Xavi, who dubbed him an “extraordinary” talent after working with him.

Currently taking home a mammoth £226,000 a week at Camp Nou, the report claims that Barcelona are willing to let him leave on loan for no fee provided a club covers that salary, meaning that Tottenham will have to shell out around £6m to bring him to north London for the second half of the season.

And that has piqued their interest, it is revealed, with both Spurs and West Ham having lodged bids to bring him back to England, with Spurs having been kicked into action by their defeat in the north London derby.

There is also believed to be an offer on the table from Turkish side Besiktas, but Fati is keen to avoid moving to Turkey and as a result a move to the Premier League seems the most likely outcome. Would he be a good addition for Spurs and Postecoglou’s style of play, even just in the short term?

Home side dismissed for just 76 as Australia legspinner claims women’s Hundred first

ECB Reporters Network13-Aug-2022Alana King took the first hat-trick in the women’s Hundred as Trent Rockets comfortably beat Manchester Originals by 43 runs at Emirates Old Trafford.Fresh from a gold medal for Australia in the Commonwealth Games last weekend, King had a near-perfect day with bat, ball, and in the field, as spin dominated the low-scoring affair.Seven of Originals’ ten wickets fell to spin as they were bowled out in pursuit of 119, after Rockets’ Abbey Freeborn top-scored with an unbeaten 45 off 38 amongst a solid bowling and fielding effort from the home side.But it was King, who scored a quick 19 off nine, claimed 4 for 15 off 20 with the ball, and took a fantastic catch to round her performance off, who will rightly take the headlines.King dismissed Cordelia Griffith, bowled for 12, before Sophie Ecclestone was trapped lbw first ball. With the crowd anticipating something special, Originals’ captain Cross was the victim of the hat-trick ball, as a jubilant King wheeled away in celebration after bowling the England international.After being inserted, Rockets struggled with the bat in the absence of Australia overseas signing Meg Lanning, who is taking an indefinite break from cricket, as they slipped to 43 for 4 after 40 balls.Elyse Villani, standing in as Rockets captain for Nat Sciver, who missed the match for personal reasons, attempted innovation in her three-ball innings, but was out reverse sweeping Hannah Jones for just 4. Marie Kelly, Mignon Du Preez, and Bryony Smith also fell for low scores, as Originals captain Kate Cross utilised the fast-changing nature of the format to introduce all six of her bowlers within the first 30 balls of the match to great effect.Freeborn was the mainstay of the Rockets innings, using a mixture of power and deftness on her way to 45. She was assisted by King’s aggressive 19, including two big sixes over midwicket – the only maximums of the innings – to drag the Rockets to what looked an under-par 119 for 5.The wickets were shared around for Originals with former West Indies player Deandra Dottin’s 2 for 21 from 20 standing out in restricting the Rockets total.Recently retired former South Africa international Lizelle Lee got Originals off to the perfect start, hitting the first ball of the chase for six, and then followed that up with two more fours to take 14 from Katherine Brunt’s opening set of five.However, after Lamb was bowled by Kathryn Bryce for nought, it was Rockets’ spinners that made the key contributions. First, the dangerous Dottin was caught off King without scoring before Sarah Glenn took a spectacular outstretched one-handed catch to dismiss the dangerous Lee for 17. Glenn then struck with her first ball, getting New Zealand’s Amy Satterthwaite stumped.But it was King’s historic hat-trick that the sizeable Mancunian crowd will remember. Her near-perfect day wasn’t over either, as she took an excellent catch diving forward to dismiss Ami Campbell off fellow legspinner Glenn for 13.From there the Originals innings petered out, finishing in disappointing fashion with a run-out to leave them with a heavy 43-run defeat.