Tag Futebol

West Ham United have reportedly made a ‘concrete offer’ to sign Feyenoord defender Marcos Senesi.

The Lowdown: Moyes makes demand…

Despite the signings of Nayef Aguerd, Flynn Downes, Alphonse Areola, Gianluca Scamacca and Maxwel Cornet, it appears manager David Moyes is far from satisfied and expects more this summer.

The Hammers are reportedly chasing a new central defender on top of these names with the likes of Fenerbache star Atilla Szalai also on the agenda at West Ham.

The Premier League side are gearing up for their blockbuster opening game against champions Man City, and with a few weeks of the window remaining have little time to prepare beyond that.

The Latest: West Ham make ‘concrete’ offer…

As per a report from Italy, some Irons transfer news has surfaced as they eye a move for Senesi.

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According to TUTTOmercatoWEB, West Ham have placed a bid on the table to sign him – making a ‘concrete offer’ of €15 million (£13m) for the Argentine.

TMW add that Senesi ‘has been one of the most sought after defenders for several years’ as head of recruitment Rob Newman makes a move for the in-demand star.

The Verdict: Great option?

The centre-half has also been linked to Spanish giants Real Madrid in the past, perhaps highlighting his real quality as a player.

As per WhoScored, the 25-year-old made more blocks and interceptions per 90 than any of his regularly-playing teammates over 2021/2022 as West Ham attempt to sign a clearly combative defensive ace.

Senesi could well be one to watch before the closure of this transfer window.

Everton are yet to make another signing after securing a deal for James Tarkowski earlier this month, although a new update has now emerged on the club’s pursuit of a highly-anticipated transfer target.

What’s the latest?

Speaking on Sky Sports News, journalist Dharmesh Sheth has given an update on the Toffees’ progress in signing Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White this summer.

He told Sky Sports (via Twitter): “Everton remain in talks with Wolves over the signing of their midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, there’s still though a gap in valuation.

“Personal terms would not be a problem, we’re told, if a deal can be agreed, but we think Wolves are looking for in excess of £25m.”

Lampard will be delighted

There is no doubt that Frank Lampard will be desperate to strengthen his squad with high-quality players who can make an instant impact coming into the team at Goodison Park next season, so the Toffees manager will surely be delighted that Gibbs-White is such a promising target this summer.

The 22-year-old has struggled to cement himself as a starter at Molineux, but proved he is worth his weight in gold over the last 12 months when he was given the opportunity to go out on loan to Sheffield United in the Championship.

Over 35 league appearances for the Blades, Gibbs-White scored 11 goals, delivered nine assists and created a whopping 16 big chances. He made 1.6 key passes, took 2.4 shots and won 4.9 duels per game as he showcased an impressive attacking threat which would be a valuable asset to Everton next season.

The talented midfielder has been the recipient of high praise for his performances with the Blades, as Chris Basham dubbed him a “breath of fresh air” in an interview (via Sheffield Star).

The youngster’s former Bramall Lane team-mate said: “Morgan has been in and has been a breath of fresh air. He glides past players, he’s big, he’s strong, he’s powerful – he’s everything that a Wolves player is, basically.”

After losing last season’s top scorer Richarlison, Lampard now has a void to fill in Everton’s attack; and despite Gibbs-White being a midfielder, he could easily be the solution in providing the creativity and goalscoring opportunities for the front three next season in an advanced role to ensure that the Toffees don’t fall short in racking up wins.

The signing of the young Wolves midfielder would be a major coup and great a piece of business for Farhad Moshiri this summer, and it would provide Lampard with a talented player who could make a real difference in the Premier League next season.

AND in other news: Lampard may unearth Everton’s next “world-class” star by signing “really special” gem

Ibrahim Sangare could thrive alongside Frenkie de Jong at Manchester United, according to journalist Jacque Talbot. 

The lowdown

Sky Sports reported earlier this month that the Red Devils are interested in signing Sangare from PSV Eindhoven. The 24-year-old has a release clause in his contract with the Eredivisie club, making him available for €35m (£29.9m).

Meanwhile, United are said to be closing in on a deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

The latest

Talbot has said that the Red Devils admire Sangare and reckons that the Ivory Coast international could be a ‘perfect’ potential accomplice to De Jong in Erik ten Hag’s midfield.

The journalist told GiveMeSport: “There’s clearly some interest there. I think he’s been linked to quite a few clubs, actually, this window, and you suspect a player like him alongside De Jong would be perfect for Manchester United going forward.”

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The verdict

There’s a case to be made that United need multiple midfield additions this summer, particularly as they have lost both Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic at the end of their contracts.

Sangare and De Jong are different enough in profile that they could ideally both slot into the same midfield.

As per WhoScored, the Dutchman’s main strengths are his dribbling and passing, but he averages only 1.7 tackles and interceptions per game. Sangare is an effective distributor in his own right too, but he would likely be tasked with doing the majority of the ball-winning, with 5.9 tackles and interceptions combined in last season’s Eredivisie.

Therefore, you can see why Talbot believes that, if both players end up at Old Trafford in the near future, their skill sets would complement each other nicely.

Manchester City will be welcoming two new attacking players to their ranks in the coming weeks in the shape of Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland.

With the summer transfer window set to open in a matter of days, the Citizens have the chance to make it a hat-trick of attacking recruitments.

Last month, one journalist revealed on Twitter that City had started talks with Jorge Mendes, the agent of AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, some weeks ago over a potential summer switch to the Etihad Stadium.

The recently crowned Serie A champions signed the winger from French club Lille for a fee of £32m.

Since then, the 22-year-old has gone on to score 27 goals and deliver 21 assists in 115 appearances across all competitions.

Labelled as a “diamond” by Paolo Maldini, the £45m-rated youngster has also been praised for his “spectacular” performances on the international stage by Rolando Bianchi.

In 34 league appearances this season, the Portuguese attacker scored 11 goals and provided eight assists for his teammates, leaving him with more goal contributions than any other Milan player including Olivier Giroud and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

To further highlight his attacking talent, no other player at his current club managed to make as many successful dribbles (95), shot-creating actions (105), goal-creating actions (21), shots at goal (97) and shots on target (38) as the youngster.

His overall performances earned him an impressive season rating of 7.37 from WhoScored, making him the highest-rated player at his current team and the second-highest rated player in the entire Italian top flight.

The winger has also been likened to Brazil’s legendary striker Ronaldo in terms of his “pace, technique and the quality of his finishing,” according to Leao’s former youth coach Tiago Fernandes.

Taking all of this into account, the prospect of giving Pep Guardiola his own version of Ronaldo alongside the likes of Haaland and Alvarez could be a frightening prospect for City’s opponents in the future.

While it would be safe to assume that the Serie A champions would rather keep hold of their star winger, City should do all they can to convince Milan to sell Leao and give him the chance to shine in the Premier League.

In other news: Pep can replicate Walker masterclass as Man City plot bid for £18m-rated “class act”

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been dealt a potential setback in their pursuit of Chicago Fire goalkeeper, Gabriel Slonina…

What’s the word?

Bruno Lage’s side have been linked with a move for the American stopper in recent weeks, with reports suggesting that the Molineux outfit were eyeing a £3m deal for the 18-year-old starlet.

However, any hopes of progressing negotiations have been dealt a blow by the latest update on the teenager’s situation from transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who revealed that newly-crowned European champions Real Madrid are preparing a bid for his services.

Writing on Twitter, the Italian journalist revealed that: “Exclusive: Real Madrid are preparing opening bid for talented goalkepeer Gabriel Slonina, born in 2004. Chicago Fire are waiting for the first proposal to arrive soon for USMNT goalkeeper.”

Supporters gutted

Although Los Blancos are yet to make a concrete offer for the 6 foot 4 giant, their interest will likely all but end any hopes of the Old Gold pulling off a deal, such is the historical weight and financial muscle that the La Liga side possesses.

That update will no doubt prove a huge disappointment to Wolves supporters, with the club in need of an able deputy to current number one Jose Sa, following the departure of veteran stalwart John Ruddy.

The former Norwich City man had helped the club to promotion from the Championship during the 2017/18 campaign, although was subsequently dislodged by the now-departed Rui Patricio, before the arrival of Sa who replaced his fellow Portuguese last summer.

With the latter man having since thrived in his debut Premier League campaign – making the fourth-most saves in the division – there is little need to acquire a replacement this summer, although in Slonina they would likely have been able to acquire a player who could well usurp him in the future.

While the Illinois-born gem is something of an unknown quantity for those unfamiliar with MLS, he has seemingly caught the eye after a breakthrough last year or so, with his standout displays even reportedly catching the eye of Chelsea earlier this year.

The £2.7m-rated gem has started 14 games for his current side so far this term, conceding just 20 goals, keeping five clean sheets and averaging a solid two saves per game, showcasing just what a talent he already is, rather than necessarily being just a player for the future.

That is the view of current Chicago assistant coach Frank Klopas, who lavished the youngster with praise back in October after his emergence into the first team:

“He’s so young, it’s amazing. Maybe in 10, even 15 years, we’ll be talking about him and say, he’s hit his prime now.

“It’s scary how good this kid can be and you know what, he deserves only the best. He’s a great kid. He’s very grounded, he’s very mature, and he’s got a tremendous, tremendous upside and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Such a glowing reference will only add to the fury of the Wolves faithful, with the Midlands side seemingly set to miss out on an immensely promising prospect who could have been a mainstay of the squad for years to come.

All is not lost just yet, but with Madrid in the mix, any hope looks set to be extinguished.

IN other news: Lage must now brutally sell Wolves’ £20m “catalyst”, he won’t make it at Molineux…

Celtic secured the SPFL title last night after picking up a point away at Dundee United in Ange Postecoglou’s first season in charge of the Hoops.

Even though the Bhoys still have one league game to play before the season ends and the summer transfer window opens for business, it seems as though the club are already close to completing their first deal.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from the Scottish Sun, Celtic are on the verge of securing a deal for Hammarby defender Mohanad Jeahze worth a reported fee of £2m.

Since joining the Swedish club back in the 2020 summer transfer window, the left-back has gone on to make 56 appearances across all competitions.

Great news for Postecoglou

In those appearances, the Iraq international has scored two goals and delivered 12 assists for his side along the way which shows how much of a useful attacking figure he can be from the defence.

Taking into account how the Hoops have scored more goals than any other side in the league this season as well as conceded the fewest, adding a player like Jeahze could make them even more dangerous going forward.

Even though the Bhoys currently have two left-backs on their books in the shape of Greg Taylor and Boli Bolingoli, the Belgian has only played in two games for his side this season.

This and the fact that he has been away training on his own doesn’t say much for his long-term future at the Parkhead club.

Now that it has been reported that Jeahze is close to a move to Celtic, Bolingoli’s potential exit could see the Hammarby defender take his place in Postecoglou’s squad.

Given how swift the club have been in terms of potentially securing a deal for the 25-year-old, this would surely please the Hoops boss, potentially kickstarting what could be another busy summer transfer period for the club.

If the newly crowned SPFL champions do end up signing the Hammarby left-back, this will then give them the opportunity to move onto other areas of the squad that the 56-year-old may want to strengthen ahead of their next campaign.

In other news: Fewer touches than Hart: “Scary” Celtic dud with 0 shots failed to repay Ange’s faith

This is the first time since the victorious New Zealand tour of 1968 that India have three wins outside the subcontinent in a calendar year

Bharath Seervi10-Dec-20186 – Tests won by India in Australia. This win is only their third in the country in the last 35 years. Their previous two came in Perth (January 2008) and Adelaide (December 2003). The first three wins had come on successive tours of 1977-78 (two) and 1980-81. India are the only team win in Adelaide twice since 2000.India registered their sixth Test win in Australia•ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 – This is the first time India have won the first Test of an Australia tour. On 11 previous occasions, they either escaped with a draw (2) or stumbled to a loss (9). India winning opening Tests on overseas tours is a rarity. They’ve done it once in England (Lord’s 1986), once in South Africa (Jo’burg 2006), thrice in New Zealand and twice in West Indies (both this decade).0 – No Australian side has successfully chased 200-plus targets at Adelaide in the last 100 years. They have lost seven and drawn eight Tests in 15 tries. In fact, no team has managed to chase down 200-plus targets against India in last 10 years. The last time this was achieved was when South Africa did so in Cape Town in 2006-07. Since then, India have won 23 and drawn 11 of 34 such Tests.2 – Twice in the last three seasons, Australia have begun their home summer with a defeat. That’s India in 2018-19 and South Africa in 2016-17. Prior to these three seasons, the last time they started a home summer with a loss was 30 years ago, to West Indies.31 – India’s margin of victory, their third-narrowest in terms of runs. Adelaide follows the 13-run win over Australia in Mumbai in 2004-05 and 28-run win over England at Eden Gardens in 1972-73. For Australia, this is their second-closest defeat at home since 2000.3 – Wins for India after losing their first four wickets for less than 50 runs while batting first. This was the first time they have done it away from home. The other two wins were against West Indies in Chennai in 1974-75 and Australia in Mumbai in 2004-05.1 – Virat Kohli became the first Indian – and Asian – captain to win at least one Test in South Africa, England and Australia. He and his team achieved all these victories in 2018 – at Wanderers, Trent Bridge and Adelaide Oval. The only other year when India had won three Tests in a year outside subcontinent was in 1968, when they won all three Tests in New Zealand.11 – Catches taken by Rishabh Pant in the Test – the joint-most by a wicketkeeper. He equalled Jack Russell and AB de Villiers and overtook Wriddhiman Saha, who took 10 at Cape Town earlier this year.35 – Catches in this Test, a world record. It bettered the the 34 set in Cape Town earlier this year between Australia and South Africa. All 20 wickets in the second innings of both sides were caught.

Partying lifestyle or a healthy one? Cricketers struggle with this dilemma in our Twitter round-up

Alex Bowden03-Sep-2016Mercifully this kind of thing…

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Appears to have finally come to an end.No longer do we have to endure Kevin Pietersen’s “party” lifestyle. Hurray!Now we have to endure his wholesome lifestyle.

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Whatever he’s doing, he’s doing it to a greater extent than you are. That’s probably what we’re meant to conclude from all of this.Just wait until he discovers lounging around watching TV. The sofa will cave under his relentless presence. The empty pizza boxes will tower above him…He hasn’t even been banging on about coffee. We’ve had to head to the Test Match Special commentary box for our obligatory coffee tweet.

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When not working on TMS, James Taylor has been having an even more productive time than KP.

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He has been providing valuable information too actually. A lesson for all wannabe birds/aeroplanes: lemons make a perfectly serviceable alternative to wings… apparently.

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We may have misunderstood that.Taylor’s former team-mate Graeme Swann has been putting his time to good use too. And he’s got even greater ambitions for the future.

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If he was eating one meal a day, drinking juice and training like a mofo, he wouldn’t even need to grow that much.Hashim Amla has been asking the difficult questions.

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Some questions are best left unasked. “They” don’t want you to know the answer to that, Hashim. They don’t want anyone to know the truth about wet outfield roping…Umar Akmal’s Twitter feed remains pretty much as you’d expect. Coming soon to a town near you: one man and his ever-present photographer.

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There’s an outside chance he took this one himself.

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Don’t give us the #brightsunnyday excuse, Umar. We know you wear sunglasses every day of your life, indoors and outdoors, rain or shine. We know this because we’ve seen the photographic evidence.When it comes to selfies, everyone else at least limits themselves to transport. What is it with cricketers? As soon as they’re in motion, they have this irresistible urge to photograph themselves.

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A round-up of the reactions on Twitter to Dale Steyn reaching the milestone of 400 wickets

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jul-2015Dale Steyn became the quickest – in terms of balls bowled – to take 400 Test wickets. Here’s how Twitter reacted to him reaching the milestone.Graeme Smith, his former captain, led with the tributes.

Celebrate @DaleSteyn62 he is 1 in a generation! Congrats bud,couldn't be more proud of you.had a lump in my throat bud. #400 #ProteaFire

— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) July 30, 2015

Many of his South Africa team-mates, past and present, joined in as well.

So proud of @DaleSteyn62! A real role model! As a cricketer, but as a person too! They breed them well in Phalaborwa! #humble#legend#400

— mark boucher (@markb46) July 30, 2015

Well done @DaleSteyn62 .400! You are a picture of athleticism, passion & consistency, an inspiration to our cricket generation. #OfficialCSA

— Morné van Wyk (@Morne_v_Wyk) July 30, 2015

#400 Congrats @DaleSteyn62 wow!! What a bowler! #1

— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) July 30, 2015

Well done @DaleSteyn62. Proper achievement #400wickets!!! #insanewayne

— Albie Morkel (@albiemorkel) July 30, 2015

@DaleSteyn62 400 test wickets. Legendary.! Congrats brother. #400wickets

— David Miller (@DavidMillerSA12) July 30, 2015

Everyone has an opinion on this,but quite frankly, this guy is the best in the business. Congrats @DaleSteyn62 #400 pic.twitter.com/WnbLvPAaqK

— Ashwell Prince (@ashyp_5) July 30, 2015

Dale Steyn…400…nothing more to say! #hero

— Chris Morris (@Tipo_Morris) July 30, 2015

Praise came from cricketers from other parts of the world as well.

Who would you want in your side in all conditions? That's where Dale Steyn scores over the rest-No. 1 Test bowler in the world #400 #Respect

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 30, 2015

Congrats @dalesteyn62 #400wickets #moretocome #legend #betterbloke https://t.co/tDf6aGrHue

— Darren Sammy (@darrensammy88) July 30, 2015

This debate will surely come up when Steyn hangs his boots.

Dale Steyn #GOAT

— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) July 30, 2015

Some were pleased to have played a part in his career.

Congrats @DaleSteyn62 on your fantastic milestone of 400 test wkts.Honoured to have played a small part in ur career pic.twitter.com/FkoAoiKmXg

— Vincent Barnes (@VincentBarnes50) July 30, 2015

There was praise from a few who played before Steyn’s era.

@DaleSteyn62 – from a high school net session in Phalaborwa – to 400 Test wickets in Mirpur… CONGRATS Sunshine! #400wickets #BANvSA

— Dave Nosworthy (@DONCRICKET) July 30, 2015

Dale Steyn reaches 400 test wickets – Say no more

— Meyrick Pringle (@MeyrickPringle) July 30, 2015

There were accolades from sportsmen outside cricket as well.

Well done @DaleSteyn62 400th test wicket! #legend @OfficialCSA

— Joel Stransky (@stranners) July 30, 2015

And from politicians.

Congrats!@DaleSteyn62 for your outstanding monumental achievement keep winning.

— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) July 30, 2015

It was a day when a fellow fast bowler reached a milestone as well.

The two best fast bowlers of this generation reached landmarks today Dale Steyn 400w Mitchell Johnson 300w #Pace pic.twitter.com/qYGJf1v8FH

— Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez) July 30, 2015

Though, perhaps the sad truth is that more people reacted to his milestone on Twitter than at the ground.

Dale Steyn takes his 400th Test wicket in front of barely 500 people. He asks about the crowd in his celebrations.

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) July 30, 2015

A day in the field didn’t stop Faf du Plessis from praising his team-mate.

Sorry tweeps someone hacked my account !!! Hard graft today but good day for us.well done to @DaleSteyn62 on joining the 400 club #gunbowler

— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) July 30, 2015

5:48

Team-mates recall favourite Steyn wicket

One of the most important issues New Zealand need to sort before the fourth ODI is their ability to shut the opposition out after getting to a strong position

Abhishek Purohit in Auckland26-Jan-2014Not many would have bet on New Zealand beating India in three successive matches. The ODI in Auckland showed one of the reasons why. Few top sides would have allowed the opposition to come within one shot of winning from 184 for 6 in a chase of 315. New Zealand had a golden chance to finish the series in Auckland but blew it spectacularly. And for all their recent resurgence and Brendon McCullum’s confident vibes at press conferences, it is this failure to deliver the knockout blow that they have to weed out.New Zealand almost gave the impression that they were pleased at having tied the Auckland match, when it actually had been theirs to lose for a considerable period. McCullum even said they had done reasonably with the ball and on the field, when they had actually allowed what had been a long tail in the first two games to all but run away with the match.”I think we are obviously proud of the way we are playing at the moment and the characteristics that we are showing in some of the cricket we are playing is very good,” McCullum said. “They are the expectations we have of ourselves. We don’t always live up to them. We are starting to see a team that is growing in confidence.”We executed our blueprint pretty well for a majority of it. We lost our way for a little bit. In the field and with the ball we were okay, so from that point of view, I hope it sends the message that New Zealand is starting to get there as a one-day team and can really compete against big nations. We just need to keep backing it up and do it consistently.”Kane Williamson felt New Zealand had been “calm” in tough situations against quality players.”When you play a world-class side like that, you know what they are capable of. You can sometimes let go and they will get away from you at times,” Williamson said. “You get a wicket and you pull it back and for some reason, you can be quite calm in that situation. And I think we were and I think we have been in the last few games.”It’s an important lesson to take forward into the next two games because I think in tougher times, you have world-class players that can take the game away from you but if they get dismissed, whether they score a hundred or not, you have every chance of winning the game. The likes of Virat and Dhoni are extremely dangerous players but if you can get them out, especially chasing, you can defend anything.”New Zealand sent back both Kohli in the 15th over and Dhoni by the 36th over in Auckland. Yet, had Ravindra Jadeja managed to connect the last ball better, New Zealand would have failed in their defence of a substantial score. This is not to run down what has been a performance way above expectations against the world champions. New Zealand did manage to hold out a stiff counter from India in both Napier and Hamilton.But as Jadeja and R Ashwin went after them in Auckland, they cracked.Their fielding, something they pride themselves on, reprieved both batsmen with dropped chances. There was a missed stumping as well. They had relaxed their guard after the huge wicket of Dhoni, and you could sense some panic among the ranks. Boundary balls, wides, the occasional misfields. The wheels had come apart but, fortuitously for them, Corey Anderson just about got away with a very poor final over.Which is why the fourth match at Seddon Park becomes even more crucial for New Zealand. India have sensed the hosts can be vulnerable even when they are on top.”Hamilton will again be a huge game for us,” McCullum said. “It’s a good test for us. We are playing against the best and we have been confronted with some pressure situations and we are learning a lot about ourselves which is good. It should hold us in good stead in 12 months’ time.”McCullum would want New Zealand to apply those learnings as well, for such a meltdown could prove far costlier in the World Cup next year.