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Newcastle United have been dealt a blow in their bid to appoint Ramon Planes as their director of football.

What’s the latest?

According to reports from Spain (via Chronicle Live), Newcastle are one of a number of clubs interested in making a move for the former Barcelona technical secretary, who is thought to be interested in taking up a role away from Spain for his next job.

However, in a further twist to the story, 90min has claimed that AS Roma have now initiated talks with the 54-year-old, while Bayer Leverkusen are also believed to be interested in the Spaniard.

Fans will be furious

With the January transfer window edging closer with each passing day, the fact that Newcastle’s new owners appear no closer to appointing a director of football is sure to have left fans of the club furious.

Indeed, the Magpies have been linked with a host of names regarding the position, with Michael Emenalo, Marc Overmars, Michael Edwards, Brian Marwood, Paul Mitchell and Luis Campos all being touted as potential targets for the club.

However, in recent comments cited by Chronicle Live, Mark Douglas suggested that the club are no closer to making an appointment, with the journalist stating: “It may not be the news people want to hear, but I think there’s still a fair bit of work to be done on getting the power lines sorted behind the scenes.

“Some elements of the consortium would go one way and others another way. Michael Emenalo has been mentioned and has several rounds of talks with the hierarchy but it’s getting those things decided.

“I heard a few weeks that they hadn’t decided fully on the structure so that is ponderous in my opinion and they need to get it all sorted before January. It’s something they do need to resolve fairly quickly.”

As such, the news that PIF look set to miss out on yet another target for the role in Ramon Planes, something that it would appear is due to their inability to agree on the club’s overall direction, will undoubtedly be a huge cause for concern amongst fans, who will certainly be hoping the club can make an appointment well ahead of the turn of the year.

After watching talks with Unai Emery fall flat, fans should be concerned over the strength of Amanda Staveley and co’s negotiation skills.

In other news: PIF could “easily” seal NUFC deal to kickstart Howe era in £76m-rated “golden boy”

[ad_pod ]Newcastle completed the signing of Antonio Barecca from Monaco on Thursday, as per the club’s official Twitter account, with the left-back set to stay on Tyneside until at least the end of the season on a six-month loan deal, with a view to joining permanently.

What’s the word, then?

Barecca is a pivotal signing for Rafa Benitez, as the Magpies boss has been desperate for another left-back to compete with Paul Dummett, who was the only recognised option in that role before the arrival of the 23-year-old from Monaco.

The Italian only joined the Ligue 1 club in the summer from Serie A side Torino, but he has made just eight appearances so far this season, as per Transfermarkt, as Monaco sit just one place off the bottom of the league, with relegation a serious possibility.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

Benitez has had to play Matt Ritchie in a left wing-back role whilst Dummett has been missing through injury, so Barecca’s arrival at St James’ Park will be a huge bonus to what was looking like a severely malnourished area in the Magpies’ team.

The beginning of the end for Ritchie?

An exclusive report from TEAMtalk on Thursday suggested that the Scottish international wanted to leave the club in order to move further south to be closer to his family, and following Barecca’s arrival along with the signing of Miguel Almiron (via the BBC), the 29-year-old’s long-termfuture at the club looks bleak.

The capture of Barecca, coupled with Dummett waiting in the wings, should ensure that Ritchie never plays in a left wing-back role again, although his preferred position higher up the pitch in attack is now under threat by the Paraguayan international Almiron.

Given his reported unhappiness at the club, and with his position in the starting XI now under serious threat, perhaps the former Bournemouth man’s time on Tyneside could come to an end in the summer after a two-and-a-half-year stint with the Magpies.

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.

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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.

The investigation of Pakistan’s tour of Australia by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has come as a surprise to Cricket Australia

Brydon Coverdale21-May-2010The investigation of Pakistan’s tour of Australia by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has come as a surprise to Cricket Australia. The ACSU’s outgoing chief, Paul Condon, said on Thursday that Pakistan’s tour during the past Australian summer was “a series that worried us”.Although Condon stressed there was no evidence of match fixing his comments inevitably caused speculation about the memorable Sydney Test, which Australia won despite beginning the final day only 80 runs in front with two wickets in hand. Pakistan collapsed in the chase and the result was hailed as a triumph for a developing Australia team.”It’s come as a total surprise to Cricket Australia,” CA’s spokesman Peter Young said of Condon’s comments. “We’re not aware of and have not been aware of any issues with the Sydney Test match. Our continuing view is that we came from behind and won the game on the merits of our on-field performance and through no other influence.”[CA chief executive] James Sutherland will be writing to the ICC to seek a briefing. We do understand the ICC-ACSU protocol is that they don’t talk to you, you are not aware an investigation is going on unless it involves one of your own players. They haven’t asked us to help them with any of their questions or investigations and we’d be very surprised if they did.”It is critically important that the public has total confidence in the integrity of the outcome of the sporting events they support. As such we are fully supportive of the ICC-ACSU philosophy. We’re confident that it has done and continues to do a very good job.”Intikhab Alam and Aaqib Javed, Pakistan’s coach and assistant coach during the tour, have raised questions of their own about incidents during the Sydney Test.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Christopher Nkunku will be out for three to four weeks after picking up yet another injury.

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Nkunku out of action with another injuryRuled out for three to four weeksSuffered knee injury in pre-seasonGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The French attacker is undergoing a medical assessment at the club due to an unknown injury problem and Pochettino has confirmed that he is facing up to a month on the sidelines. The Chelsea boss also admitted that the 26-year-old is no longer the player he used to be at RB Leipzig.

AdvertisementWHAT MAURICIO POCHETTINO SAID

Speaking to reporters, the Argentine coach said: "We learned yesterday Nkunku got injured but we don’t know when he got injured. We need to see and evaluate every day but he's out for three or four weeks. We hope no more. It’s difficult for him. We watched him when he arrived in pre-season.

"He was flying on the training pitch until he got injured. Now it is nearly eight months and he has been involved again but he is not the same player as before. We have in our head the amazing Nkunku from pre-season but it is not the same player because of the circumstances. That’s why it is sometimes unfair when we judge."

(C)GettyImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Nkunku suffered a knee injury during the club's pre-season tour which forced him to miss the first half of the 2023-24 campaign. Upon returning to action, Nkunku scored his maiden Chelsea goal in the club's 2-1 defeat to Wolves on December 24. He has featured in 10 matches across all competitions for the Blues to date, clocking 394 minutes on the pitch and scoring two goals, with his last outing coming from the bench in the Blues' Carabao Cup final defeat to Liverpool.

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

The Blues will be next seen in action in the FA Cup on Wednesday as they are set to take on Leeds United in an FA Cup fifth-round clash. Nkunku will definitely sit out that tie and a trip to Brentford in the Premier League three days later as Pochettino awaits a proper diagnosis on the forward's latest injury.

Sussex cruised to an eight-wicket win over Northamptonshire at Arundel to consolidate their place at the top of group C in the Clydesdale Bank 40

22-Jul-2012
ScorecardSussex cruised to an eight-wicket win over Northamptonshire at Arundel to consolidate their place at the top of group C in the Clydesdale Bank 40.Chris Liddle took 4 for 21 and Scott Styris 2 for 12 as Northamptonshire were bowled out for 129 after James Middlebrook (37) and Rob Keogh (30) had rescued them from 46 for 6 at one stage. Murray Goodwin scored an unbeaten 67 and put on 96 for the third wicket with Ed Joyce as Sussex eased home in the 31st over.Northants arrived having lost all three of their completed games in the competition and were soon in trouble as they slumped on a tricky wicket. They got off to a bad start when Kyle Coetzer was bowled off the second ball of the innings by Amjad Khan.David Willey followed in the next over to give Kirk Wernars a wicket on his debut in the competition to leave Northants on 2 for 2. Wernars picked up a second wicket when David Sales played on and Alex Wakely’s brief cameo of 16 came to an end when he drove a ball from Liddle straight to Joyce at short extra cover.Styris then removed Rob Newton and David Murphy before Keogh and Middlebrook began the recovery with a partnership of 60 for the seventh wicket. Keogh hit 30 from 60 balls before Liddle returned to the attack to have him caught at long-on while Middlebrook was caught on the boundary in the final over for 37.Sussex’s chase did not get off to the best of starts as Chris Nash chipped a catch to mid-on off the bowling of Willey in only the third over. Luke Wright followed trying to break the shackles of some tight Northants bowling as he skied a catch off the bowling of Coetzer.At that stage Sussex were 34 for 2 after 10 overs and a tricky afternoon looked in prospective but Joyce and Goodwin ensured the hosts cruised home with plenty to spare.After playing cautiously to begin with Goodwin cut loose by smashing Middlebrook for the only six of the match and then hitting Coetzer for three consecutive fours to bring up his 50 off 59 balls. He was dropped on 51 by wicketkeeper David Murphy and finished unbeaten on 67 off 74 balls with six fours and a six.

Leeds United’s director of football Victor Orta can end the club’s ongoing nightmare over Kalvin Phillips by signing Derby County sensation Jason Knight.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are one of a number of teams interested in signing the 20-year-old, and now, according to ExWHUEmployee, West Ham have also entered the race.

It’s been suggested that the Hammers hold a strong interest in the midfielder, and that they will battle it out with the likes of Leeds, Newcastle and Everton among others.

The Kalvin Phillips nightmare

Since really breaking onto the scene during the 2016/2017 campaign – he made 33 appearances in the Championship that season – Phillips has become a cornerstone of this Leeds United midfield.

And while that has seen the Whites eventually get promoted to the Premier League and seen him earn great individual honours by getting recognised by England at international level, it has exposed a worrying issue at Elland Road: the lack of real cover for him.

Already this season Bielsa’s side have struggled without him, losing two and drawing one of the Premier League games that he has missed, while last year was even worse – they won just two of the nine top-flight matches he wasn’t involved in.

Not only do they miss his technical ability in the middle of the park, but also the kind of presence and leadership that he brings to the table too.

In the 20-year-old Knight, however, Orta could go a long way to addressing that void.

In fact, after making Knight captain just hours after he was appointed as the Rams’ permanent manager, Wayne Rooney has been very quick to shower the youngster with praise.

He said: “He’s very vocal, which is very rare for a young player these days. He gives everything in training – tackling, running. Very similar to the way I was at his age.

“He’s a manager’s dream. He gives everything. He’s the one, not just for the younger players in the dressing room but the older lads, who others can look at. He gives you energy, desire, runs non stop.

“I still want more from him quality-wise – in terms of crosses, shots, goals, assists – but in terms of what we are trying to build for this group of players he fully deserves it whether he’s 19 or whether he’s 30. To get the recognition and experience shows how highly we think of him.”

In his short career thus far, Knight has shown incredible versatility by playing all across midfield and in the wide areas, but has primarily played centrally.

With Rooney talking highly of his industry, leadership and tackling, the Derby starlet looks like he’s ready-made to fill in the shoes of Phillips not just for the long-term, but also in the short-term if the England ace is out injured.

Meanwhile, Beren Cross has delivered an update on Leeds’ pursuit of this man…

Ex-Manchester United star Jesse Lingard has received words of encouragement from Patrice Evra after posting another video of a solo training session.

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Released by Forest at the end of last seasonSpent time with West Ham & El-EttifaqRemains a free agent heading into 2024WHAT HAPPENED?

The former England international remains a free agent on the back of his release by Nottingham Forest at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. The 30-year-old playmaker would have expected to have found a new club by now, but contracts are proving hard to come by.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Lingard is doing his best to keep himself in shape, as he works with personal instructors, and will be eager to see his patience and persistence rewarded at some stage. He has spent time at Inter Miami’s training facility, while also taking in trial spells with West Ham and Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq.

WHAT EVRA SAID ABOUT LINGARD

Evra is among those urging Lingard to keep his head up, with the former United defender backing his one-time Old Trafford team-mate to find a new club in the not too distant future. Evra has responded to Lingard’s latest video on social media by saying: “Your time coming soon brother keep working hard.”

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WHAT NEXT FOR LINGARD?

Lingard struggled for form and fitness throughout his one-season stint at Forest, but he is a proven Premier League performer – with 232 appearances for United and 32 England caps to his name – and 2024 could be the year in which his career gets back on track.

The Reds have already signed Cody Gakpo from PSV, but who could follow him through the door at Anfield?

It looks as if the January transfer window is going to be a busy one for Liverpool.

With the Cody Gakpo deal done, the Reds’ business is well underway as Jurgen Klopp looks to strengthen his squad for what looks like being a tense race for Champions League qualification.

Liverpool currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, but will be hoping to see their form pick up considerably in the second half of the campaign, and the arrival of some new faces in January could aid that process considerably.

But who might be on the agenda? GOAL takes a look at some potential targets for Klopp’s side…

Getty ImagesJude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)

It is no secret that Liverpool are desperate to convince England’s latest young superstar to come to Anfield, and it is understood that they, along with Real Madrid and Manchester City, are among the most serious contenders for Bellingham’s signature.

Nobody within the club is playing down the Reds’ interest, with Klopp speaking publicly about the Borussia Dortmund midfielder prior to Liverpool’s game with Aston Villa. “Just exceptional,” was his verdict.

A January move, to Liverpool or anywhere else, looks unlikely, with Dortmund still in the Champions League and Bellingham keen to leave the club on good terms, but a summer switch is undoubtedly on the cards.

As reported by GOAL, Madrid appear to be at the front of the queue, with the England international interested in a switch to the Bernabeu, but Liverpool still hold out hope that they can convince him to join them instead.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesEnzo Fernandez (Benfica)

Another midfielder heavily linked has been Fernandez, who was one of the stars of Argentina’s World Cup triumph.

The 21-year-old only joined Benfica last summer, but reports in Portugal suggest he is already ready to make the next step, with Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea – who have been reportedly already offered over £106 million ($128m) – all credited with an interest.

Liverpool sources have, unlike with Bellingham, dismissed suggestions they are close to agreeing a deal, and have even played down the club’s interest, but it looks likely that Fernandez will be on the move before too long.

GettyMoises Caicedo (Brighton)

It’s all about midfielders as far as Liverpool are concerned, with their defence well stocked and Gakpo’s arrival significantly boosting their attacking options.

Caicedo is one that has caught the eye, the Brighton and Ecuador star emerging as one of the up-and-coming players of the Premier League over the past 12 months.

Liverpool scouts have been suitably impressed, and Brighton’s policy of developing players to sell on – see also; Ben White, Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella – means they would be confident of getting him out of the Amex Stadium.

The fee, however, could be a stumbling block, with Brighton likely to demand more than £50 million ($60m) for the talented 21-year-old.

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GettySofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina)

The links with World Cup stars keep on coming, with Morocco’s Amrabat another to be heavily tipped for a move to Merseyside.

Amrabat, a specialist midfield destroyer as opposed to some of the all-rounders on this list, plays in Italy with Fiorentina and is valued at around £35m ($42m). At 26, he is approaching his prime and may feel the time has come to make a big move.

Whether Liverpool will be in the market, however, is another matter. With Fabinho very much established as their first-choice No.6, and with teenager Stefan Bajcetic emerging as a player with serious potential, their need for a player of Amrabat’s talents is less than it is for, say, a Bellingham or a Caicedo.

The Ajax pair are dominating transfer rumours, but they are not the only exciting youngsters excelling in the Netherlands' top flight

With Ajax's Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt heavily linked to the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City, the Eredivisie has been thrown into the limelight in recent months.

The pair spearhead an exciting new generation in Dutch football, but they are well-backed by a whole host of young compatriots and still just a drop in the bucket of talent in the Netherlands' top flight.

From the top of the table right down to the bottom, from the Netherlands to Brazil and even Japan, here are 15 rising stars in a league where its trust in youth continues to be justified.

GettySteven Bergwijn (PSV, 21)It’s no surprise that PSV have a perfect record in the league this season as, in addition to Hirving Lozano’s contributions on the opposite wing, Steven Bergwijn has provided five goals and six assists. The skilful 21-year-old is a fantastic dribbler with incredible pace, all attributes that have earned him his first senior caps for the Netherlands and links with Liverpool and Manchester United.AdvertisementGettyMatthijs de Ligt (Ajax, 19)Matthijs de Ligt’s name will be familiar to many as it’s one linked with Manchester City, Juventus and Barcelona. The 19-year-old centre-back is a brilliant reader of play, a strong tackler and has an aerial presence that proves effective at both ends of the pitch. Mature beyond his years with technical ability that is typical of any Dutch defender, De Ligt is expected to earn his big-money move sooner rather than later.GettyRitsu Doan (Groningen, 20)Groningen desperately gathered together the funds to make Ritsu Doan’s loan deal permanent in the summer, and it’s clear to see why. The creative midfielder, who is also effective out wide, scored nine times and provided three assists in his debut season and, with Manchester City having shown an interest, it seems unlikely the Dutch club will keep their star man much longer.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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GettyKasper Dolberg (Ajax, 21)Recruited to Ajax by the same man who brought in Christian Eriksen and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kasper Dolberg is a ruthless finisher with excellent technique. His ability was abundantly clear in his 16 goals across 2016-17, before the Dane lost his place, and his confidence, last term. Dolberg is looking back to his best again though, despite injuries in pre-season, with five goals in five starts this year.