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It has now been revealed how close Everton were to signing Luis Diaz in the summer transfer window, ahead of another potential move in January.

The Lowdown: Talks

The Goodison Park faithful had reportedly held initial talks with Luiz over a potential move to the Merseyside club.

However, those discussions stalled very late on in the window, and in the end he stayed at FC Porto.

The Latest: Offer made

As per A Bola (via Sport Witness), Rafa Benitez’s side ‘really got ahead’ with an offer of €30m (£25.8m) plus James Rodriguez on loan to sign Diaz, but the former Real Madrid star was ‘turned down’ by Porto manager Sergio Conceicao and the board.

They were ‘pressed’ by their need to raise some cash, but considered that his market value would grow in the future, and so did not feel that it was the right time to sell.

The Verdict: Return in January

With Rodriguez now set to join Al Rayyan, he would not be able to be included in any part of a deal for Diaz in January.

However, providing that enough finances are available, that should not stop the Toffees from returning with another offer, as it seems he was a top target for Benitez and co if they were willing to stump up close to £30m.

The Colombia international has been on fire so far this season with five goals and an assist in six games in the Portuguese top flight (Transfermarkt), and is a player that is very capable of replacing Rodriguez in the team.

At 24 years of age, he will only get better too, and now is certainly the best time to buy given his likely increase in market value.

In other news, find out whose display against QPR was slammed here!

Mark Vermeulen’s rehabilitation is almost complete. A little over a year ago he was in court facing up to 25 years in prison after an arson attack which destroyed Zimbabwe’s cricket academy. But he was acquitted of that charge on the grounds of mental illness, and today he was named in the Zimbabwe A squad to tour Namibia next month.Vermeulen, who turns 30 on March 2, played the last of his eight Tests and 32 ODIs in December 2004, but could yet add to that tally if this comeback proves a success. He has been named alongside other players who have had a taste of senior cricket such as Charles Coventry, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Shingi Masakadza, and Regis Chakabva for the tour that runs from March 10-16 in Windhoek.After their first training session at the CFX Academy on Monday, Zimbabwe A coach Steven Mangongo told the ZC website that he is happy with the enthusiasm displayed by the players during the work-out and hopes to pick the right players for the tour of Namibia.”We had our first proper session with the squad in the morning and tomorrow [Tuesday] we are playing the national team and that should give us some points as to where we stand. It is during such practice matches that we hope to be finalizing on the 14 players and three reserves for the tour,” said Mangongo.Aside from his highly publicised misadventure, Vermeulen has a reputation as a difficult character, a trait that stems in part from a sickening head injury he sustained while batting against Irfan Pathan during Zimbabwe’s VB Series campaign in Australia in January 2004. But Magongo said that he was impressed so far by his attitude in training, and hoped that he would sustain the same commitment and hard work.”Mark is a good player whom I am working with to give the side what we believe he can offer,” said Magongo. “His fitness is fine and we are working with getting him the right technique so that he starts scoring runs for the side, something we believe he can do. If that happens, then our reconstruction on his career would be on the right path.”The team leaves on March 10 and will play three ODIs and one Twenty20 during the tour. Mangongo reckons that the level of the national league is low and that eats into the quality of the players produced, so playing associate nations gives them the opportunity to grow.”The best way of judging our strength is, as a Test nation, our A sides should be able to beat the national teams of associate nations such as Namibia. I believe there is no reason our A side should lose to Namibia as it is the only yardstick we can measure our progress with. We are going to Namibia to win and if that does not happen it means we are not doing enough with our A squads,” said Mangongo, who expects to settle on the final 14 players and reserves by Thursday.Zimbabwe A E Chauluka, M Vermuelen, R Chakabva, B Mlambo, T Ngulube, M Mabuza, P Moore, B Chapungu, T Chimbambo, M Waller, C Coventry, R Chinyengetere, S Masakadza, T Garwe, A Manyumwa, P Charumbira, T Maruma, T Kamungozi, N Mushangwe, T Chisoro. Reserves – C Zhuwawo, M Chinouya, J Nyumbu, B Bala.

Leicester City’s summer transfer window was undoubtedly a success. Brendan Rodgers addressed all the major weaknesses in his squad without losing any star players, but one target who got away may give the Northern Irishman some sleepless nights.

What’s the story?

Following the departure of former loanee Cengiz Under, the Foxes were heavily linked with a new right-winger in recent months, with PSV Eindhoven’s Noni Madueke reportedly high up on their wish list.

However, despite extensive speculation that the highly-rated 19-year-old was set to return to his homeland, the England under-21 international signed a new long-term contract at the Philips Stadion, committing his future to the club.

Nevertheless, despite putting pen to paper on fresh terms, Madueke has admitted in a recent interview that he hopes to play in the Premier League in the future after being released by boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur aged 16.

Leicester City fans will be buzzing

When asked if he has ambitions to play in the Premier League (as relayed by the Leicester Mercury), Madueke said: “Yeah, definitely”.

He continued: “The Premier League is the best league in the world and every young English player wants to be there. But also, I am not someone who is afraid to venture elsewhere, so whatever is best for my development, whichever country, I am a person who won’t be scared to take the leap.

“When I was 16, I didn’t want to go into that under-21 system,” Madueke added. “I wanted to go out and play and be involved in a first-team as quickly as possible.

“I didn’t want to play under-23 football as a talented 16-year-old when I felt I was ready for the first team. I backed myself 100 per cent. I am very impatient.”

After bagging nine goals and providing eight assists in 32 appearances for Roger Schmidt’s charges last season, former PSV ace Tommie van de Leegte labelled Madueke “explosive” following his electric displays.

The youngster has started the new campaign in even more impressive fashion, contributing to seven goals in 10 matches in all competitions, highlighting his top-class potential.

Therefore, Leicester fans will surely be buzzing to learn that Madueke is eager to grace the Premier League in the near future, giving them hope that he could be tearing up the King Power Stadium soon if the Foxes maintain their apparent interest in him.

In other news… Report sheds light on Leicester’s deadline day development, Rodgers will be gutted 

According to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, West Ham United and GSB were also gifted the chance to sign Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek amid their plentiful deadline day transfer activity. 

The Lowdown: West Ham in last gasp swoops…

West Ham were seemingly one of the busier clubs on transfer deadline day as the club attempted to bolster manager David Moyes’ options at the very last second.

Before the final day, GSB had just goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and defender Kurt Zouma to show for nearly three months of scouting and preparation.

However, in the last hours, West Ham managed to complete the signings of both Nikola Vlasic and Alex Kral and they were even linked with some more business after that (Jack Rosser).

The Latest: Crook lifts lid on West Ham transfer chance…

As per talkSPORT journalist Crook, the Irons were also offered the chance to sign Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea on deadline day but refused the approach.

Instead, West Ham snapped up the Czech Republic international Alex Kral on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy at the end of 2021/2022.

“Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who of course was out on loan at Fulham last season, was offered to West Ham.

“They said no. They were offered the chance to sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek, he stays at Chelsea.”

The Verdict: Right call?

The 25-year-old, while arguably failing to reach the heights of his pre-2018 World Cup days with England, still attracted huge praise from former Fulham boss Scott Parker last year.

Indeed, the ex-Hammers midfielder lauded Loftus-Cheek as ‘unbelievable’ all while believing he can be ‘unplayable’ at times (FourFourTwo).

Homegrown and with an arguable point to prove, the midfielder can also be a real threat going forward.

He even completed more dribbles per 90 on average last season (1.3) than Jesse Lingard who enjoyed a fine loan spell at the London Stadium (WhoScored).

Time will tell whether West Ham rue choosing Kral over the 10-cap ace.

In other news: ‘Yayyyy’, ‘Ooooo’, ‘Actually mental’…West Ham fans are raving over ‘fantastic news’, find out more here.

Everton could go back in for a right-back in January, says former Toffees defender Michael Ball.

During the summer transfer window, Everton were heavily linked with a few players for that position, including both Denzel Dumfries and Nathan Patterson.

However, the Merseyside club failed to sign either, with Dumfries instead moving to Inter Milan and Patterson remaining at Rangers. It leaves Everton looking a bit light at right-back.

They do, of course, still have the experienced Seamus Coleman. But should anything happen to him, then Rafael Benitez’s men could find themselves in trouble.

Bearing that in mind, Ball expects his former side to revisit signing a right-back when the transfer window reopens in the new year. He told FFC:

“I think they would have panicked in the past and just paid the money that maybe Rangers wanted for Nathan Patterson; they might have offered more money for [Ainsley] Maitland-Niles just to get the deal over the line.

“I feel Everton could revisit this right-back option in January or next summer.”

Everton still have Jonjoe Kenny in their squad, who played in the 2-1 Carabao Cup second-round win against Huddersfield Town, so there is always that option for Benitez if Coleman picks up an injury.

Former Manchester City star Michael Ball insists that Tottenham Hotspur fans are ready to see Harry Kane join Pep Guardiola’s side.

The England striker has been heavily linked with a potential move to the Etihad Stadium in this transfer window.

Numerous reports have claimed that City are ready to make a bid worth just over £127m, but other reporting has claimed that Kane could be set to stay at Spurs for the remainder of the season ahead of a potential move next summer.

Kane has returned to training with Spurs ahead of Thursday’s Europa Conference League game against Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira.

Ball, though, thinks that the supporters are ready to see their talisman depart in this window should an acceptable bid be tabled.

Indeed, Spurs fans actually sang “are you watching Harry Kane”, as Spurs beat City 1-0 in their opening game of the season.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “Harry Kane’s defended himself, about the Tottenham deal, but I just feel, where Harry Kane’s sat, where Daniel Levy’s sat, where the fans are, I think the majority of the fans are ready to see Harry Kane go, and leave Tottenham.

“They think that’s going to actually happen. Obviously, as we all know, it’s all about the finances.”

A nervous Cameron White prepares himself to possibly take on the role as Australia’s specialist spinner

Cricinfo staff07-Oct-2008
Cameron White: “It’s a little bit daunting, I’m probably a little bit nervous at themoment as well” © Getty Images
Cameron White remains in a daze following the late call-up that could leadto a Test debut on Thursday. Australia’s selectors will look at White, whois usually considered a batting allrounder, to fill the spinner’s spotfollowing a tour-ending injury to Bryce McGain and the poor start of JasonKrejza in the warm-up game in Hyderabad.McGain is confident his Victoria captain, White, can make an impact at Testlevel, but White is unsure what role – if any – he will be asked tofulfill. He has been in India for two days and said it would take time toget his head around the swift elevation.”It’s a little bit daunting, I’m probably a little bit nervous at themoment as well,” White told AAP. “So I don’t really know what myrole is if it does happen, probably a pretty big ‘if’ at the moment. Inthe next couple of days I’ll get more information and go from there.”Beau Casson became Australia’s 401st Test player in Australia’s previousengagement against WestIndies in June, but the selectors have refused to invite him to India,leaving White in a battle with Krejza. The offspinner Krejza was punishedby the Indian Board President’s XI when he failed to take a wicket andconceded 199runs in 31 overs.At Victoria, White, who is more accustomed to containing in the one-dayformat, prefers to rely on McGain rather than use himself for extendedperiods. However, White won praise from Andrew Hilditch, the chairman ofselectors, for his five ODI wickets against Bangladesh recently and was called forhis second Test tour.”If the opportunity did come [my role] would just be to not be tooexpensive, just play that holding role maybe,” he said. “I’m probably nota big spinner of the ball, probably the pitches in Australia tend tobounce a little more.”I’ve only played a couple of four-day games here in the past and I don’treally tend to bowl too wide. I’m usually down the middle of the wicket orthe best part of the wicket, so I just rely more on changes of pace and awrong’un more than anything.”

It would hardly be an overstatement to say that the build-up to Derby County’s Championship campaign has been one of the most challenging any team has ever endured ahead of a new season.

Indeed, with Wayne Rooney having just nine fit outfield players prior to the arrival of centre-back pair Curtis Davies and Richard Stearman on Friday, it appeared – for a worrying length of time – as if the 35-year-old would struggle to muster up 11 players for the fixture against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

Despite this, the Rams put up an incredibly valiant display against the Terriers, taking the lead in the match through the impressive Curtis Davies late on in the first half, only for Huddersfield centre-back Naby Sarr to repeat his counterpart’s feat on the stroke of half time, with the game ultimately finishing honours even.

However, while there were a number of fine performances in the Derby ranks, with Rooney undoubtedly delighted with his team getting something out of the game, there were also a few concerning displays – perhaps most notably from Graeme Shinnie.

While the midfielder picked up the Jack Stamps Player of the Year award for last season before the game, if his performances remain at the level of the Huddersfield clash going forwards, he will certainly struggle to win it again for 2021/22.

Indeed, the 30-year-old was wasteful with the ball, completing none of his five attempted crosses and just one of his four attempted long balls and giving away possession on a whopping 18 occasions.

The £6.2k-per-week man also lost eight of his 15 duels over the course of the 90 minutes, in addition to being dribbled past once and conceding three fouls – with The Telegraph journalist and self-professed Derby fan Ryan Bourne stating his belief that Shinnie looked well “off the pace” in the game.

All in all, the Scotland international’s metrics saw him earn a SofaScore match rating of 6.5, the joint third-worst of the 11 Rams players to start the fixture.

As such, with Derby facing what is sure to be a long and arduous Championship campaign in 2021/22, they will certainly need one of their best performers from last season to step up his game if they are to have any hope of securing survival in the division come next May.

In other news: Rooney heading for grave Derby transfer error over “first-class” £5.4m-rated dynamo

كشفت رابطة اللاعبين المحترفين في إنجلترا عن موعد الإعلان عن جائزة أفضل لاعب عن موسم 2021/2022 في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وسيكون الإعلان عن الجوائز من خلال حفل سيكون على الهواء مباشرة عبر منصات الرابطة على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي “فيس بوك”، “تويتر”، “يوتيوب” وإنستجرام”.

مباشر | جائزة لاعب العام في إنجلترا لموسم 2021-2022

🚨 The PFA Awards will be live-streamed tonight! 🚨

👉 Tune in on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube at 7PM!

🤞 Good luck to all nominees! #PFAawards 🏆 pic.twitter.com/0t9csWO8kV — Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA) June 9, 2022

وحددت الرابطة موعد الساعة الثامنة مساء اليوم الخميس بتوقيت “القاهرة” لإقامة الحفل السنوي الذي سيُعلن فيه عن الفائز.

وينافس جناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول ومنتخب مصر، محمد صلاح، على جائزة الأفضل أمام كل من كيفن دي بروين، هاري كين، ساديو ماني، كريستيانو رونالدو وفيرجيل فان دايك.

The players have voted for their 2022 Men’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year!

🇧🇪 @DeBruyneKev
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 @HKane
🇸🇳 Sadio Mané
🇵🇹 @Cristiano
🇪🇬 @MoSalah
🇳🇱 @VirgilvDijk

🏆 The winner will be crowned tonight! Tune in at 7pm… #PFAawards #POTY pic.twitter.com/rLHutfh6nI — Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA) June 9, 2022

Crowd favourite: Half an hour before the first semi-final, the Wankhede was only about half full. An hour into the game the crowd, now packed to the rafters, was screaming “Watson, Watson” as he smashed Delhi’s bowlers to all parts of the ground. Mumbai has been known to cheer only their own but two neutral teams contesting the semi-final meant that the fans could cheer for the excellent cricket, irrespective of who was playing it.VIP treatment: The union railways minister Lalu Prasad Yadav arrived for the match surrounded by a throng of commandos who wanted to sit next to him to guard him. However, the MCA officials, owners of the VVIP box that sits atop the Garware Pavilion, objected and tempers had to be calmed by Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI chief operating officer. Lalit Modi was obviously irritated and was seen shaking his head.Walking wounded: Graeme Smith was struggling with his leg and his footwork was severely restricted. Glenn McGrath tried to capitalise on the weakness but Smith countered by using his bottom hand to lift two consecutive deliveries for four to deep midwicket. McGrath then replied with a yorker which swung into Smith. Forgetting his injury for a moment, Smith punched hard at the ball, sending it racing to the long-off boundary before hobbling away to the side in pain.Catch it right: The pull from Swapnil Asnodkar came in flat, fast, and above chest height towards Farveez Maharoof at deep fine leg. The thumb rule for catching at that height is to take it with hands cupped in front of the chest – the conventional way. Maharoof tried to catch it Aussie style – with fingers pointing upwards – and spilled it. The ball bounced off his hands, hit his face and went over the boundary for four.Gambhir plays into Watson’s hands: With the asking-rate climbing steadily, Gautam Gambhir, Delhi’s best batsman, decided to force matters but failed repeatedly. He charged out of his crease to pull but was beaten by Watson’s quick bouncer. He then tried to slash through covers but was beaten yet again. A second attempt at pulling also failed and when Gambhir finally connected with a fierce cut, he saw Taruwar Kohli dive to his right to pull off a stunning catch at cover.