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Donny van de Beek will reportedly return to Manchester United as Eintracht Frankfurt are not keen to activate the £8.5m clause to sign the player.

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Van de Beek on loan at FrankfurtHas fallen down the pecking order Club unlikely to trigger buy-optionGetty/GOALWHAT HAPPENED?

Van de Beek's departure to Frankfurt on loan in January was seen as an opportunity for the Dutch midfielder to revive his career after struggling to make an impact at United following his transfer from Ajax Amsterdam. However, according to Frankfurt are reluctant to activate the £8.5 million clause to sign the player permanently after several lacklustre performances. They are unlikely to retain him beyond his loan spell, paving the way for his return to Old Trafford in the summer.

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While Eintracht Frankfurt was aware that Van de Beek might not arrive in peak condition, there was a cautious optimism surrounding his arrival. However, the midfielder's performances have failed to meet expectations during his time in Germany. He has been given multiple opportunities by Eintracht Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmöller but has failed to seize them. He is no longer considered a backup option and has already missed four games.

DID YOU KNOW?

Van de Beek has started just four games in Germany since joining Frankfurt and was left out of the Europa Conference League squad this season. The player's underwhelming performances have led to disappointment across the board which has prompted the club to reconsider its long-term plans for him.

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The uncertainty surrounding Van de Beek's future adds another layer of intrigue to United's transfer plans, as they navigate potential squad changes ahead of the new season. The development comes as a setback for both the player and the clubs involved, who had hoped for a more successful loan spell at Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Cape Cobras have discontinued the contract of South Africa pace bowler Wayne Parnell with immediate effect

Liam Brickhill25-Sep-2018The Cape Cobras have discontinued the contract of South Africa pace bowler Wayne Parnell with immediate effect. Parnell, 29, signed a Kolpak deal with Worcestershire last week, having just been part of the county’s Vitality T20 Blast success. That decision effectively brought his international career to an end, and his unavailability for national selection has now prompted the cancellation of his Cobras’ contract.”The board of the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras unanimously decided to discontinue Parnell’s Cobras contract,” Nabeal Dien, Cobras’ chief executive officer, said. “It was a tough decision, as he was a senior and successful member of the Cobras squad in the past, winning four awards at the Cobras Player Awards in 2015-16. He was voted Player of the Year at that awards ceremony.”Parnell last played for South Africa in October 2017 against Bangladesh and featured in just two matches during the Ram Slam T20 last season, battling injury before losing his national contract earlier this year.Parnell has a deal to play in the upcoming Afghanistan Cricket League in Sharjah, cutting into the time he would have been available to play domestic cricket in South Africa this season.”His decision to sign Kolpak and also to participate in the Afghanistan Premier League has made him available for the Cape Cobras for a very limited period, while he would also not be available for international selection in future,” Dien said.While limited availability may have played a part, it appears Parnell’s decision to follow the likes of Morne Morkel, Kyle Abbott and Rilee Rossouw in taking up a Kolpak deal is at the crux of the Cobras’ decision. “We pride ourselves in being a conveyor belt for international South African players and it’s part and parcel of our mandate,” Dien said.Those concerns were echoed by Corrie van Zyl, Cricket South Africa’s general manager of cricket. “Every player who turns Kolpak, is one less that can be eligible for the South African team and therefore CSA needs to look at ways to protect itself against the loss of experienced and younger players,” Van Zyl said. “Our mandate is to produce players at domestic level who will represent South Africa.”We are concerned about the amount of players who have signed a Kolpak agreement, which makes them unavailable for national selection,” van Zyl added. “Although the experience of the Kolpak players is valuable, CSA needs to ensure that those players, who are still committed to playing for the Proteas in the future, are afforded the opportunities to develop.”Every franchise is entitled to select two Kolpak players in their playing eleven, but those Kolpak players must be paid from the franchise’s own funds, and therefore it is really up to the franchises to determine the value of that player to their team.”

One club's "lion" of a defender is apparently readying a January exit and Tottenham Hotspur are a very possible destination for him.

Spurs thriving without Kane

Ange Postecoglou is a man growing ever more popular in the Spurs dugout as the weeks go by. The 58-year-old has enjoyed an absolutely brilliant start to life in north London, with his side still unbeaten after winning eight out of a possible 10 top flight games. It's the best start ever made by a new manager in the Premier League, and this is all being achieved without star striker and club-record goalscorer Harry Kane, who joined Bayern Munich in the summer.

Wins over Bournemouth, Man United, Burnley, Sheffield United, Liverpool, Luton Town, Fulham and Crystal Palace have cemented Spurs' place at the top of the table, with Kane recently expressing his delight at his former club's electric start to the new season.

"I have made it clear my whole career I am a Tottenham fan and I would love to see Tottenham do well," he said at a press conference with England," said Kane on Tottenham's form.

"It's great to see. I think I've said before, the manager is doing great for them with the way they're playing. The fans are right behind the team and it's definitely what they needed after the last few years. I'll always keep an eye on Spurs and the Premier League. There is no other team in the Premier League I would want to win than Tottenham.

"I have to be respectful to Bayern Munich and of course, the fans know I will always have a soft spot for Spurs – there is no question about that. Of course, I hope [Tottenham] do as well as possible but my main attention is where I am now and trying to perform for Bayern."

Next up, the Lilywhites take on Chelsea next Monday, in what will be a great opportunity for Spurs to inflict more pain on former manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Nelsson "preparing to leave" and could join Spurs

Despite Tottenham's exceptional form without Kane, the north Londoners are believed to be chasing more additions to bolster Postecoglou's options at the back. They're arguably bereft of quality behind centre-back pairing Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, so much so that Spurs have eyes on another defender this January. Tottenham are interested in Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah as an option, while Galatasaray's Victor Nelsson is a Spurs transfer target too.

According to Turkish newspaper Aksam, it is now believed Nelsson is "preparing to leave" Galatasaray this January, and Spurs are a possible destination for the Denmark international. Both Arsenal and Ajax stand out as other mooted landing spots for Nelsson, who looks set for the exit door in what will be a "club-record" transfer.

While his future is now far away from the club, there has been praise for Nelsson and his performances in recent years, with the 25-year-old being called a "lion" by Galatasaray board member Resit Omer Kukner.

Aerial duels

Concentration

"Dear Victor Nelsson, You are Galatasaray's first Danish player," said Kukner on X.

"Beside being a great athlete devoted to his Club, your attitude on and off the pitch is winning hearts of millions. Your jersey gesture after the match is beyond description. You are our Danish lion."

Vijay bagged a pair at Lord’s to follow scores of 20 and 6 at Edgbaston which led to his omission

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Sep-2018M Vijay, the India opener who was dropped after two Tests of the series against England, has joined Essex for the remainder of the 2018 county season.Vijay, 34, bagged a pair at Lord’s to follow scores of 20 and 6 at Edgbaston which led to his omission for the third Test at Trent Bridge. He was then left out of India’s updated squad for the final two matches of the series.”I was here with the India side about a month ago and saw first-hand just how good the crowd is. I can’t wait to play for Essex and hopefully win some matches,” Vijay said.Essex have three games left in their County Championship season and are not yet entirely secure of their Division One status following a heavy defeat by Surrey. Their top three for that match was Nick Browne, Varun Chopra and Tom Westley, and it could be that one of them makes way for Vijay’s arrival.Essex head coach Anthony McGrath said: “We’re delighted that Vijay has chosen to come here. He’s a great batsman who can score runs at the top of the order.”Vijay’s run-scoring ability means he can be the difference-maker in a game, and that skill is something we were looking to bring in towards the end of the season and something that we’re excited about.”The campaign is coming to an end and we have some really big games over the next month, so getting someone in with the experience and international quality that Vijay possesses could make all the difference for us.”

Aged 39, Kei Kamara is signing with LAFC as a free agent as he looks to close in on second-place Landon Donovan on the MLS scoring charts.

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Kamara to sign with LAFC39-year-old two goals shy of surpassing Donovan's tallyWill be 11th MLS club he debuts forWHAT HAPPENED?

Donovan's historic MLS career saw him leave the game with 145 goals scored – a number that stood until ex-San Jose Earthquakes and USMNT striker Chris Wondolowski surpassed him in 2018.

Kamara, meanwhile, has scored 144 goals in MLS since the start of his career in 2006, and he needs just two more in 2024 to surpass the LA Galaxy legend.

LAFC are set to be the 11th MLS club he debuts at, after plying his trade in 2023 with the Chicago Fire, where he netted five goals. According to, Kamara has been training with the Western Conference club as a free agent and they're set to add him to their ranks this week.

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Kamara has been a journeyman his entire career, setting an MLS record in 2023 for debuting with the most clubs across the league with 10. However, he's now set to add an 11th as he looks to surpass Donovan as one of the best-ever strikers in MLS.

LAFC, meanwhile, are in need of immediate striker service prior to the touted arrival of France international and AC Milan star Olivier Giroud this summer. The former Chelsea forward, 37, has 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions for the Rossoneri this season, turning out stupendously for the Italian club.

He'll look to replicate that in Los Angeles once he arrives, but in the meantime, LAFC will be looking to Kamara to be a serviceable option.

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2021 Kamara signed for Finnish club HIFK Fotboll, where he played 14 games, scoring five goals for the club.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR KAMARA AND LAFC?

The 39-year-old will look to ink a deal with the Western Conference giants this week, but in the meantime, LAFC are preparing for the weekend. They take on the Colorado Rapids on Saturday as they look to claim their second-straight three points in MLS play.

Real Madrid intend on absorbing Brazilian wonderkid Endrick into their first-team squad, with a loan return to Palmeiras being ruled out.

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Teenager starring for club & countryWill head to Spain when turning 18Blancos have high hopes for youngsterGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The talented teenager, who opened his senior goal account for Brazil when netting against England and Spain during the March international break, is due to link up with La Liga leaders Real when celebrating his 18th birthday in July.

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With the likes of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior already on the books at Santiago Bernabeu, while a deal for World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe is being lined up, questions have been asked of how much game time Endrick will see in 2024-25 and whether he may benefit from a loan move elsewhere.

WHAT ROMANO SAID ABOUT ENDRICK

A return to Palmeiras has been speculated on, but transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has said of the Blancos’ plans for their latest South American star: “Real Madrid never considered an option to loan Endrick to Palmeiras or elsewhere until December, not even sending him to Castilla team. Endrick will play for Real Madrid first team from day 1 in July, as agreed when he signed for the club in December 2022.”

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Real are acquiring Endrick in a deal that could be worth as much as €60 million (£51m/$65m), with a club famed for its ‘Galacticos’ recruitment model hoping to have unearthed another global superstar who will flourish while on their books.

If Dubai was anything to go by, Australia have shown they’re up for a fight. For a bruised Pakistan, nothing but a win will do

The Preview by Shashank Kishore15-Oct-2018Big PictureThe first Test reinforced a few age-old lessons about cricket in the UAE: dead as the tracks may appear to be, do not jump the gun until both sides have batted once. It may all look dull and dreary halfway into the Test, but a blink and the game springs to life when you least expect it to. Pakistan would certainly vouch for it. Just when statisticians and pundits had begun to check for record double-century opening stands, Australia collapsed dramatically.The collapse handed the advantage to Pakistan, but they weren’t in the mood to take it. A decision to bat on didn’t do them any favours. This has now added to the scrutiny around Sarfraz Ahmed’s captaincy, and nothing but a Test win in Abu Dhabi can sooth a bruised side that is yet to win a Test in UAE in over two years. There isn’t a better time to reverse that, for it would at least give their beleaguered captain some breathing space after a spate of ordinary results, including the ones at the Asia Cup last month.Australia are just beginning to wriggle out of a crisis under a new leadership group. Justin Langer, the head coach, has been quite vocal about the need to not just be satisfied with what they’ve achieved so far. This tour has been in the making for three months now, and has its roots in India, where they played a stream of matches against the A sides of South Africa and India. They’ve even managed to integrate two young Indian domestic spinners into the set up to help prepare them for Tests on dry turners.Visualisation techniques, spin lessons, simulation, matches – they’ve all been checked. The proof of the pudding is in the eating and if Dubai was anything to go by, Australia have shown they’re up for a fight. Langer will expect much more from his boys if they are to move to the next level and for that, the rest of the batsmen have to show the resolve of Usman Khawaja and captain Paine. This could in many ways direct the course the team takes ahead of a big home summer against India.Form guidePakistan: DLWWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia: DLLLWIn the spotlightFakhar Zaman has played just two first-class games since the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final in 2016-17 that brought him into national reckoning. Since then, he’s built a reputation of white-ball destroyer. At the Asia Cup last month, he struggled from what coach Mickey Arthur called a ‘confidence crisis.’ He’s had two weeks to rejuvenate. A finger injury to Imam-ul-Haq means he’s set to receive his maiden Test cap. In that final, he made a quickfire 170 not out. Now, against a potent Australia attack, he may have to shelve some of his flamboyance. Can he display another facet to his game?Even Shaun Marsh will struggle to explain his decade of underachievement since international debut in 2011. Injuries, poor form, and competition may have contributed to him being in and out of the side, but even that can’t explain why he has played only 33 Tests. Now, with Steven Smith and David Warner serving bans, there is an opportunity for him to make the No. 3 spot his own for the immediate future. Scores of 7 and 0 in Dubai – he was out nicking behind in both innings – will add to his itch to make an impression before the bigger challenges later in the summer. Against an unrelenting attack, the pressure isn’t likely to be any less, but he’ll still have to find a way out, even if it means curbing his natural instinct of looking to drive on the up on docile surfaces.Team newsImam’s injury means Fakhar is set to become Pakistan’s 234th Test cricketer. But Pakistan will be asking two other questions. Bilal Asif’s Test initiation with a six-for quickly dissipated after a wicketless show on the final day. This could make them ponder over the inclusion of legspinner Shadab Khan, who has been troubled with a groin strain lately. Also, what of Wahab Riaz, who bowled 27 wicketless overs across two innings? Mir Hamza could come in as a like-for-like replacement, which potentially means two new Test caps for Pakistan.Pakistan XI: 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Haris Sohail, 5 Babar Azam, 6, Asad Shafiq, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed, 8 Mir Hamza/Shadab Khan, 9 Bilal Asif, 10 Mohammad Abbas, 11 Yasir ShahMarnus Labuschagne failed with the bat, but his legbreaks were more than useful. This could earn him another opportunity, even though Matt Renshaw is knocking on the doors for a middle-order berth. They will possibly hand a debut to one of two fast bowlers – Brendan Dogget or Michael Neser – in place of left-arm spinner Jon Holland, who had a forgettable outing in Dubai.Australia XI: 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Mitchell Marsh, 5 Travis Head, 6 Marnus Labuschangne, 7 Tim Paine, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Peter Siddle 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Jon Holland/Ashton Agar/Michael NeserPitch and conditionsA time-lapse from three days prior to the game will reveal how the tinge has changed from green right through to biscuit brown on match-eve. The heat will ensure the track will break as the Test progresses, allowing the spinners to come into the game on days four and five. It should be the best for batting early on. No prizes for guessing what the captain winning the toss will do.Stats and trivia Pakistan’s previous Test win in the UAE came in Abu Dhabi in 2016. Since then they haven’t won a Test in the UAE in four attempts, losing three – one to West Indies and two to Sri Lanka – and drawing the first Test of this series in Dubai. Azhar Ali needs 59 runs to go past Misbah-ul-haq as the batsman with second highest Test runs in the UAE, He is going through a bit of a lean patch of late though, averaging just 17.10 from this last 10 Test innings. Nathan Lyon averages a poor 84.85 from three Tests in the UAE. Elsewhere in Asia, he’s taken 80 wickets at an average of 27.01. Mohammad Abbas is one wicket away from being the joint-fastest Pakistan pacer to 50 Test wickets.Quotes”Can’t say if the pressure will be more on Pakistan or Australia. We are the home side and obviously, people expect us to win and so there is pressure. Having said that, these are favourable conditions for us and we have to make the most of it.”
“It’s one of those things, you can get nailed for it either way, so it can be a hard job, but I’m sure they know what they’re trying to do, we certainly know what we’re trying to do, and what matters to us is what’s inside our four walls and I’m sure Sarfraz and Pakistan are the same.”

A European club already have an agreement in place with Leeds United to sign one player next year, according to a new report.

Leeds exit news

It was a chaotic summer at Elland Road following relegation from the Premier League to the Championship, with new owners, a new manager and a number of outgoings and incomings in the playing squad. Plenty of Leeds players exercised clauses in their contracts to leave on loan after dropping down a division, with Luis Sinisterra the last to leave on a temporary basis, joining Bournemouth on deadline day.

Leeds loan exits

Current club

Marc Roca

Real Betis

Robin Koch

Frankfurt

Max Wober

Borussia Monchengladbach

Brenden Aaronson

Union Berlin

Jack Harrison

Everton

Luis Sinisterra

Bournemouth

Rasmus Kristensen

AS Roma

Diego Llorente

AS Roma

One of the first to go was Marc Roca, who joined Real Betis back in his native Spain. There have been rumours on Roca's future, suggesting he may not return to the Whites next year regardless of what league Leeds are playing in, and a development has now emerged.

Estadio Deportivo shared an in-depth piece on the midfielder’s time at Real Betis so far, with an update on his future. They claim that Real Betis have a €12m option to sign Roca on a permanent deal next summer even if Leeds win promotion to the Premier League, and if the Whites remain in the Championship, there is a verbal agreement in place over another loan move.

So, whatever happens at Elland Road between now and the end of the season, it looks as if Roca will remain in Spain with the player, Real Betis and Leeds “happy” with the agreement.

Marc Roca at Real Betis

Roca, labelled as “impressive” by former Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann, has been a regular under Manuel Pellegrini in all competitions this season, even showing his versatility by playing as a centre-back on two occasions. In total, the 26-year-old has turned out on 16 occasions, scoring three times and providing one assist. (Marc Roca stats – Transfermarkt)

He seems to have benefitted from a move away from Leeds, as his average WhoScored match rating shows, going from 6.50/10 to 6.64/10 in the league while also recording a 6.94/10 score in the Europa League. Roca also previously admitted he was happy when it came to returning to Spain, saying:

“Obviously it’s always positive to return home. I came through in La Liga. I started my career here and after three years abroad, between Germany and England, I really wanted to come to Betis. I’m very happy and very comfortable on the pitch.”

By the looks of things, Leeds fans won’t be seeing Roca in a Whites shirt next season, and some may well be hoping that a permanent move goes through, which will allow the 49ers to receive a fee, as his current Leeds contract doesn’t expire until 2026.

USWNT star Sophia Smith scored a brilliant second half brace against Canada in the SheBelieves Cup final, including a low-driven laser to start.

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USWNT win SheBelieves Cup finalSophia Smith scores brilliant braceU.S. defeat Canada in penaltiesUSA Today Sports WHAT HAPPENED?

After a Lindsay Horan shot attempt was blocked in the box, a bit of pinball and loose passes saw the U.S. regain possession outside the Canada box. Sophia Smith was fed on the right side of the pitch, and after a cheeky shimmy move, she ripped a low-driven effort into the bottom corner of the net to draw the U.S. level just five minutes into the second half.

She notched a brace in the 68th minute with a shot from 15 yards out after a lovely one-two combo play in the buildup with Trinity Rodman to give the USWNT a 2-1 lead.

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Canada opened the scoring in the match in the 40th minute after a blunder between goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and defender Tierna Davidson, and after the halftime break, the USWNT responded phenomenally.

Canada, however, did not give up. With just minutes to spare, they earned a penalty through Adriana Leon, who scored in the 86th minute to make the match 2-2.

The two sides went straight to the penalty spot to determine a victory after a regulation draw, with the USWNT coming out on top 7-6. Naeher saved three penalties as the U.S. claimed victory.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR THE USWNT?

The U.S. will look to prepare for the Paris Olympic Games this Summer as they look to find their way back to the top of the medaling podium. They'll also look ahead to the start of the Emma Hayes era, which arrives after the end of the WSL season for the Chelsea boss.

After suffering the heartbreak of Premier League relegation, Leeds United were forced to bid farewell to a number of players in the summer transfer window, giving new manager Daniel Farke an immediate headache at the start of his tenure.

The former Norwich boss recruited well, however, alongside new owners the 49ers Enterprises, and the Whites are now in the race for automatic promotion alongside Ipswich Town and Leicester City.

Farke's attention may soon turn towards the January transfer window and keeping hold of the new stars that have emerged this season at Elland Road. The last thing he'll want is to do is lose players once again in what would be a major dent in his side's Championship promotion push. And reports suggest that the manager is set to get his wish when it comes to keeping one particular player, too.

Leeds United transfer news

Whilst exits took place during the summer, they did at least give Farke the opportunity to discover new options at Elland Road, whether through the market or the academy. And that includes Archie Gray, who has emerged as one of Leeds' standout stars this season. The teenager has taken his opportunity incredibly well and has quickly become an important part of Farke's side – so much so that the Whites may face a battle to keep hold of him.

Phil Hay shares off-field Leeds agreement from Elland Road

Good news for Leeds fans…

ByTom Cunningham Nov 24, 2023

According to Football Insider, Leeds and the 49ers are set to reject offers for Gray during the January transfer window and are adamant that he'll be staying at the club amid reported interest from Liverpool, Everton and Crystal Palace. The midfielder's current deal runs out in 2025, which hands Leeds a fairly urgent task when it comes to securing his future in Yorkshire, and talks are thought to be in the works over a new contract.

"Fantastic" Gray has become key for Farke

Gray's stats this season show just how important he's been for Leeds. The 17-year-old has started plenty of Championship games throughout the current campaign, whether that be in midfield or at right-back, proving his versatility. Still so young, Gray is only likely to get even better, which is exciting for those at Elland Road.

Farke is certainly a fan too, speaking about Gray's ability to fill in at right-back, saying:

"For Archie, it's definitely not a bad choice at times. We don't play him there just to develop him, it's more we've got the feeling for this game, we need a player there who is capable to handle the pace and the speed and the mobility of the opponent's wingers.

"Also to play a bit more like an inverted full-back, a bit more like a traditional midfield player, Archie would have been the right choice. Thank God he repaid my trust and played some really good games there. He was fantastic in the last home game, solid last away game and he was crucial, especially in the second half."