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Los Blancos have already secured a deal to bring Brazilian wonderkid Endrick to Santiago Bernabeu, but they could still be active this winter.

Real Madrid have already got their big January deal over the line. The Spanish giants have agreed a fee with Palmeiras to sign Brazilian teenager Endrick for €60 million (£53m/$64m), securing the signature of one of the most promising youth talents in the world.

He appears to be an ideal fit, too. Karim Benzema is still among the best strikers out there, but, at 35, he doesn't have too many years of top-level football left.

Endrick, although only 16, is being lined up to be the Ballon d'Or winner's long-term replacement. The bad news for Madrid fans is the striker will have to wait 18 months before he moves to Santiago Bernabeu.

In the meantime, there's work to be done. Madrid have a terrific squad, but there are a few flaws.

Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are world-class midfielders, but both are into their 30s, and at least one could depart this summer.

Furthermore, until Endrick arrives, there's no obvious deputy for Benzema through the middle, which could cause a problem if the Frenchman's injury problems continue.

Multiple sources have suggested that it could be a quiet few weeks for Madrid, although the Spanish giants certainly don't lack the resources to make a deal happen, should an opportunity present itself.

GOAL has taken a look at some potential targets for the month ahead…

Getty ImagesSergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio)

Madrid have been linked with Milinkovic-Savic for a couple of years now, and there are reports that Florentino Perez could step in to make the move happen this winter.

Now might be an opportune time for any potential suitors, too, with Milinkovic-Savic only having 18 months remaining on his contract, and having turned down a handsome extension offer last summer.

Since then, whispers of potential destinations have emerged. Juventus are reportedly in the mix, but with their ongoing financial struggles, a massive deal for the midfielder might be tricky to pull off.

Milinkovic-Savic is 27, and in his prime. He could be brought in to lead Madrid's midfield of the future, and there does seem to be some interest.

That said, Jude Bellingham remains the No.1 target for the summer, with the player keen on a switch to Santiago Bernabeu.

AdvertisementSacha Boey (Galatasaray)

Boey might not be the biggest -type signing, but the right-back has impressed immensely in Galatasaray's Turkish Super Lig title hunt.

A modern attacking full-back with valuable recovery pace, Boey could offer cover for Dani Carvajal and also operate as a long-term starter when the Spaniard retires.

He's only 22, too, so there's plenty of upside, and although Galatasaray have indicated they'd be reluctant to sell, a good enough package could force their hand.

Getty ImagesPedro Porro (Sporting CP)

Another solid full-back option who could serve as back-up for Carvajal, Porro has enjoyed an excellent couple of years at Sporting, generating interest from clubs across Europe.

He seems like the right type of player to contribute down the Madrid right, especially if the Spanish side need some attacking thrust. Porro has tallied five league assists so far in the 2022-23 campaign, while he scored his first goal of the season in the 3-0 win over Pacos Ferreira on December 29.

His defensive game certainly needs some fine-tuning, but with the likes of Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger in the line-up alongside him, there should be plenty of positional support. And at 23, he still has plenty of time to develop his craft.

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Getty ImagesEnzo Fernandez (Benfica)

Most of the talk around Enzo Fernandez heading to Santiago Bernabeu is dependent on how successful Madrid are in the pursuit of England star Jude Bellingham.

Bellingham is the jewel of this year's market and an object of fascination for many clubs across Europe. A lot can change, but Madrid are currently leading the race for his signature.

Should that change, however, that's where Fernandez comes in. The Benfica midfielder – who excelled at the World Cup – could be a viable alternative if Madrid's Bellingham pursuit falls short.

He won't come cheap; Benfica have allegedly placed a €120 million (£105m/$127m) release clause in the Argentine's contract. But his marauding performances in Qatar make him one of the most exciting young talents in the world and suggest he's more than capable of stepping into a high-pressure situation.

There is a chance that any deal for Fernandez could drag out until the summer, with Madrid willing to go down to the wire on the Bellingham pursuit. Or, alternatively, Los Blancos might just buy both, starting with Fernandez now.

South Australia will contest the Sheffield Shield final for the first time in 20 years, after Queensland bowed out of contention with an innings defeat at the hands of Western Australia

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Mar-2016
ScorecardFile photo: Chris Lynn made a brisk 80 from 46 balls•Getty ImagesSouth Australia will contest the Sheffield Shield final for the first time in 20 years, after Queensland bowed out of contention with an innings defeat at the hands of Western Australia. The result means that the Redbacks will face either Victoria or New South Wales in the decider, depending on the outcome of the ongoing match between those two sides.The Gabba match marked the retirement of Queensland’s veteran allrounder James Hopes, while Western Australia’s fast bowler Michael Hogan farewelled Australian domestic cricket with a victory. The third morning began with the Warriors at 8 for 337 in their first innings, and they added a further 43 runs for the loss of their last two wickets as Hilton Cartwright moved to 92 and Josh Nicholas made 68.That left the Bulls needing 233 in their second innings to make Western Australia bat again, but they were dismissed in the afternoon for 227, losing by an innings and six runs.Hopes played a typically fighting innings to score 45, after Chris Lynn raced to 80 from 46 balls, including five sixes. Hogan ended up with the best figures for Western Australia in his last innings of Sheffield Shield bowling, taking 4 for 58.

Change of captaincy did little to change the fortunes of Karachi Kings as they went down by nine wickets to Islamabad United in the PSL eliminator at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Feb-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsChange of captaincy did little to change the fortunes of Karachi Kings as they went down by nine wickets to Islamabad United in the PSL eliminator at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.A top-order wobble proved too costly as they slipped and slid to a below par 111 for 9 after being sent in to bat. Islamabad lost Sharjeel Khan early, but two of their experienced overseas professionals – Dwayne Smith and Brad Haddin – made light work of the target, winning with 34 balls to spare. Along the way, they also sounded out a note of caution for Peshawar Zalmi, their next opponent, ahead of the grand finale.That only three Karachi batsmen managed to get into double digits summed up the plight of the side that was led by Ravi Bopara after Shoaib Malik stepped down as captain on match eve.That Karachi were lifted out of the hole they found themselves in at 39 for 4 was courtesy Bopara, who top-scored with a fighting 37 before Mohammad Sami scythed through the lower order to finish with incredible figures of 5 for 8 off his four overs.Sohail Khan gave Karachi a boost upfront as Sharjeel fell for 9 in the fourth over, but Smith, playing in only his second PSL game, drove the chase forward in Haddin’s company; the former Australia wicketkeeper playing the role of an aggressor, hitting an unbeaten 52 off just 29 balls courtesy four fours and three sixes. Smith finished on 50 not out as Islamabad, who began the tournament slowly, appeared to have revved up their engine when it matters the most.

The ECB will establish a groundbreaking tournament next summer when it launches a new women’s domestic T20 competition. The Women’s Super League will abandon the traditional county structure and comprise six teams

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jun-20150:39

Women’s Cricket Super League to be launched in England

The ECB will establish a groundbreaking tournament next summer when it launches a new women’s domestic T20 competition.The Women’s Super League will abandon the traditional county structure and comprise six teams.Potential team hosts will be invited to show an “expression of interest’, a process that will start formally this month, and consideration will be given to bodies outside the current county structure with the ECB saying that “any cricket-minded organisations will be able to submit a proposal to become a host.”The successful candidates will be confirmed by the end of the year.During its first season, the Women’s Super League will be comprised solely of T20 cricket and sit alongside the Royal London Women’s One-Day County Cup and NatWest Women’s County Twenty20 competitions. From 2017 onwards the structure will develop to both T20 and 50-over formats.The ECB is investing £3 million over the first four years of the tournament and believes that the competition will:*Develop higher standards for the England team with greater competition for places and creating more experienced players.*Inspire more women and girls to play cricket at all levels by offering new opportunities, a new narrative for the game, and new role models.*Create more opportunities to play through a network of host clubs linked to their communities.*Increase commercial support and broadcast coverage.The Minister for Sport, Tracey Crouch, was quick to offer support, saying: “”This is a huge step forward for women’s sport, providing female athletes with a platform to showcase their skills. It is also a great opportunity to further grow the game, inspiring a whole new generation of women to take up cricket.”The women’s game in England has made massive strides towards full professionalism in the past two years. In 2013, the ECB followed Cricket Australia’s lead in awarding central contracts to the national squad, allowing players to turn fully professional for the first time.A year later the ECB struck a deal with car manufacturer Kia which secured standalone sponsorship of England Women.Cricket Australia has also announced plans for a revamped domestic T20 league, with a Women’s Big Bash League to run in conjunction with the men’s tournament in December and January.Three England players – Charlotte Edwards, Heather Knight and Sarah Taylor – all played in Australia’s domestic competitions during the English winter.Now, with the advent of fully supported T20 competitions in both hemispheres, the incentives and rewards for female professional cricketer have dramatically increased.The £3m investment will help each team to improve coaching standards and community engagement plans, support a marketing campaign and, for the first time in domestic women’s cricket in England, offer prize money.Tom Harrison, ECB chief executive, heralded a “major step for the women’s game in England.”He said: “We are already very proud of the achievements of the England women’s team and the growth of the game for women and girls over the past decade.”We now have the opportunity to build on this, inspiring more women and girls to take part and offering players a domestic structure that gives the best cricketers the chance to play against each other in the most competitive environment.Women’s cricket is changing for Charlotte Edwards (left) and Clare Connor•Getty Images”The new Women’s Cricket Super League will take standards to a new level and show more women and girls the opportunities that cricket can give.”Clare Connor, ECB director of England women’s cricket, called the league “the next stage in the evolution of women’s cricket in this country” and said it would be a catalyst to increase female participation.”Last year brought the introduction of central contracts for 18 England women’s players and a significant commercial deal,” she said. “Now, through the Women’s Cricket Super League, we will create high-performance training and competition environments, which will constantly challenge our very best players and drive the sustained success of our England team.”We also have the chance to invite the world’s finest players into the Women’s Cricket Super League to drive ever higher standards.

Jadon Sancho is one of the worst signings Manchester United have ever made, according to former Red Devils striker Louis Saha.

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Saha tears into Sancho Flop winger closes in on Dortmund move'One of Man Utd's biggest transfer failures'WHAT HAPPENED?

Sancho is about to seal a loan move back to Borussia Dortmund, two-and-a-half-years after leaving the Bundesliga side to sign for United for £73 million ($94m). Sancho's time with the Red Devils has been a disaster for everyone involved and the player has not played or trained with the first team since lashing out at Erik ten Hag on social media after being omitted from the squad against Arsenal in September.

AdvertisementWHAT SAHA SAID

“Jadon Sancho is one of Manchester United’s biggest transfer failures – you can't have that type of quality sidelined because of his mindset," Saha told “We know that he is good enough, which is why it doesn’t sit right. You can’t be putting yourself in that situation and thinking that you are bigger than the manager. Whatever happens, I don’t back Sancho – which is hard for me as a supporter of United. It’s just horrendous.”

imago imagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Sancho arrived at United hoping to spearhead a title charge under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but he started just four Premier League matches before the Norwegian was sacked, and his place in the team was disrupted by the unexpected return of Cristiano Ronaldo. United will cover the bulk of Sancho's wages and will receive just a €3m (£2.5m) loan fee for parting with the winger, but they will hope that he rediscovers his form so his value will rise at the end of the season and they will be able to sell him in the summer.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Sancho will leave United for Dortmund with just 12 goals and six assists in two-and-a-half years with the club, compared to 114 goal contributions during his first spell at BVB between 2017 and 2021. He has not been selected in an England squad since 2021.

A round-up of all IPL related news on April 23, 2015

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Apr-2015Delhi Daredevils fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the remainder of the IPL season due to a knee injury. The IPL technical committee has approved a replacement for the team, though a player is yet to be named.Earlier this month, Daredevils had confirmed that Shami was unavailable for selection because he had “a minor knee injury” and was “consulting a specialist to chart a quick recovery process.”During the World Cup, Shami had missed the group game against UAE due to a left-knee injury, but recovered from that setback to finish as the fourth highest wicket-taker in the tournament, with 17 scalps from seven matches.Shami was one of 10 players retained by Daredevils last December when the franchise decided to overhaul the squad and released 13 players.Munro likely to replace Finch
Colin Munro, the left-hand New Zealand batsman, is likely to replace the injured Aaron Finch in the Mumbai Indians squad. Finch was ruled out for 12 weeks after undergoing surgery for a hamstring injury he suffered during Mumbai Indians’ match against Rajasthan Royals on April 14.Munro has played 14 T20 internationals for New Zealand. He has scored 1216 runs from 70 T20 games at a strike-rate of 140. He has been in prolific form of late, albeit in first-class cricket, with three centuries in his previous four matches, the latest being 281 off 167 balls for Auckland against Central Districts last month. He hit a record 23 sixes during that innings.Du Plessis ‘learning’ the finisher’s role
Faf du Plessis bats in the top order for South Africa. In previous IPLs, he’s opened the batting for Chennai Super Kings too. This season, however, he hasn’t batted higher than No. 4 for the franchise, and says he is getting used to the role of a finisher.”My role is more of gelling the rest of the batting unit together,” du Plessis told iplt20.com. “We have so many power-hitters and I am not necessarily one of them. I am a power-hitter when I am opening the batting but coming in at the latter stages and hitting is a different skill. I am not used to it but I am learning. My batting position is flexible in the team. If we lose wickets upfront, I go in at No. 4 and if we have a good opening partnership MS goes in ahead of me.”It is a role similar to what S Badrinath performed for Super Kings before he was let go. Du Plessis batted at No. 6 against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday, making 33 off 18 balls, and did not get a chance against Sunrisers Hyderabad despite Super Kings losing four wickets. MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo were promoted ahead of du Plessis in that game.”It is a new thing for me and something that I want to improve on. My whole life I have batted higher up the order and it is good for my game that I have been given an opportunity to learn how to finish games.”I wouldn’t mind going back up the order. But we have such an explosive opening pair now and they are doing a great job. I’ll just do whatever the captain and the coach tell me to do, but opening the batting is nice.”Enjoyed taking Dhoni ‘s wicket
One of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s best performers in their 27-run defeat to Chennai Super Kings was legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who took 3 for 40. His scalps were those of Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni, arguably three of the most dangerous opposition batsmen.”I enjoyed taking Dhoni’s wicket,” 24-year-old Chahal told iplt20.com. “To get a batsman like him in the slog overs is huge. We know what he is capable of doing in those last few overs.”Dhoni was dismissed for 13 off 13 balls in the 15th over, but Chahal’s challenge had begun in the second over of the game. “[Daniel] Vettori sir had told me beforehand that I would be bowling with the new ball,” he said. “It was our plan to stifle McCullum with spin early on. I was just trying to bowl accurately with a few subtle variations. I happened to bowl a slower wrong one and it got me McCullum’s wicket.”Chahal got hit for three sixes by Raina, but he was not too concerned. “Two of them went from the toe of the bat and this is a small ground. So, I wasn’t worried about those sixes.” He had Raina caught next ball.”Virat and Vettori sir have given me a lot of confidence in that regard,” Chahal said. “Vettori sir tells us not to think about the ball you’ve been hit. Forget about it and concentrate on the next ball. That really helps in a T20 game. Virat always tells me not to worry about being hit for sixes. He backs me to bowl whatever I want to bowl and keep a big heart.”

Cristiano Ronaldo was delighted with his side's achievement despite drawing 0-0 with Persepolis in the AFC Champions League on Monday.

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Al-Nassr drew 0-0 with PersepolisRonaldo protested against being given penaltyRiyadh club through to next round of Champions LeagueWHAT HAPPENED?

Ronaldo's team played out a goalless draw on home soil despite being awarded a penalty early on when the Portugal star was brought down in the box. The 38-year-old told the referee that he was not fouled, however, and the decision was reversed after a VAR review.

AdvertisementWHAT RONALDO SAID

Despite taking just a point from the game, Ronaldo expressed his delight on social media. He wrote: "Happy that we qualified 1st in our group and to have achieved 20 games unbeaten. Great Teamwork."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The draw was enough to ensure Al-Nassr progress to the knockout round of the AFC Champions League. They will finish top of the group, with Persepolis sitting five points behind them with just one match left to play in the first round of the competition.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?

Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr team-mates will hope to continue their unbeaten run when they return to Saudi Pro League action with a game against Al-Hilal on Friday. Al-Hilal sit top of the table and four points ahead of Al-Nassr.

The Champions League sees Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani of PSG face Liverpool's Salah, Mane and Firmino – are they among the best triumvirates ever?

GettyMSN

Neymar may have broken up Barcelona's band of brothers last season when he fled to France after a shock €222 million move to Paris Saint-Germain, but the legend of the MSN partnership will live on.

With the brilliant Brazilian lining up in attack alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, the Blaugrana won the Champions League, Club World Cup and La Liga (twice), tearing defences to shreds with their incredible pace, skill and movement

AdvertisementGetty ImagesBBC

While MSN was forming at Camp Nou, Real Madrid saw their own attacking triumvirate become an institution within the Spanish capital.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who has since moved to Juventus, was the undisputed star of the show but the addition of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema added more blistering pace, power and, of course, goals to a forward line that fired the Blancos to four Champions League triumphs in five years.

Getty ImagesBBC2

Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini formed a formidable defence in front of legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon as Juventus set about re-establishing themselves as a major European force.

Together, the BBC provided the foundation on which the Bianconeri's resurgence was founded, helping the Old Lady win six successive Scudetti before Bonucci departed for AC Milan last year only to return this summer.

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GettyAC Milan's Dutch gold

The arrival of Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit at San Siro in 1987 proved instrumental in AC Milan winning a first Serie A title in nine years, but the signing of Frank Rijkaard propelled the Rossoneri to glory on a world stage.

The Dutch trio became the stars of Arrigo Sacchi's wonderful team, helping the Italian outfit win two European Cups and two Club World Cup crowns.

Yorkshire have announced that Headingley will become the first stadium in the world to install a state-of-the-art retractable roofing system in an ambitious commitment that promises to revolutionise the game. The deal will be signed on April 1.

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Apr-2015Yorkshire have announced that Headingley will become the first stadium in the world to install a state-of-the-art retractable roofing system in an ambitious commitment that heralds a revolution in the game.The roof – the substantial cost of which has yet to be revealed – will become the centrepiece of Headingley’s new North/South Stand, and is due to be built in time for the 2019 World Cup and an Ashes Test against Australia.In what must rank as a colossal financial gamble for a county £22m in debt, the new technology will be incorporated into the design of the new Rugby Stand, and will retract across the entire playing area ensuring that no days’ of play will be lost to inclement weather.ESPNcricinfo is one of the major sponsors. David Hopps, UK editor, said: “ESPN has a proud history of investing heavily in English cricket and this is just the sort of daring scheme that attracts us. Our approach to covering sports events is enshrined in the catchphrase ‘We Speak Your Sport’ and in their determination to invest heavily in the future Yorkshire are speaking a language we understand.”The old Rugby Stand was part condemned at the turn of the year and until now had become an embarrassment for arguably the most famous cricket club in the world.Recent England internationals at Headingley have been dogged by bad weather, losing the county several millions of pounds in lost revenue, and Yorkshire have concluded that only such a daring solution can make cricket in the north of England financially viable.A sell-out Twenty20 tie against Lancashire last season was also abandoned without a ball being bowled.The All Sip Roof system has been developed over the past three years in the city of Gelsenkirchen in the Ruhr Valley, the industrial powerhouse of Germany.After prolonged negotiations, the club, in conjunction with its German roofing consultant Dorsal Loafyip, has finally agreed to incorporate the innovative All Sip Roof in Headingley’s medium-term development, which will see the ground become one of the great stadiums of the world.The announcement comes as Colin Graves, Yorkshire’s outgoing chairman, prepares to take over the chairmanship of the ECB and press for radical changes in the future direction of the game.”It is a historic day for Headingley and the All Sip Roof,” said Loafyip. “The Headingley Stadium complex is synonymous across world sport and, in the year it celebrates its 125th anniversary, the cricket ground will continue to innovate with the installation of a retractable roof incorporating a state-of-the-art translucent roof.”We approached Yorkshire six months ago and presented club officials with a strategy to eradicate the fear of too many rained off matches and rain delays especially around the major matches.”Our system will stop the weather from intervening at matches forever. The club has struggled to come to terms with the rain and how it causes problems for players and members. The All Sip Roof will enable matches to carry on even when there is a strong downpour. This is the future of cricket and it will be rolled out first in Yorkshire. We believe other grounds will follow suit.”David Ryder, Yorkshire’s operations director, believes the All Sip Roof will see Headingley lead the way in stadium development when the historic agreement is signed on April 1.”In recent years we have lost too many days of cricket to rain and the All Sip Roof will give us a solution to overcome these challenges we face during the cricket season,” he said.”The All Sip Roof will protect the pitch from inclement weather and the innovative translucent roof will mean that the recently installed floodlights will filter through onto the playing surface. This is real progress for Headingley and cricket in general. We are very pleased to be leading the way in stadium development.”Work on Headingley’s new North/South Stand is set to commence in 2017 and will be ready for use in time for the start of the 2019 season, when the ground will stage an Ashes Test Match and four ICC World Cup matches.

Deandra Dottin’s second successive fifty and a four-wicket haul from offspinner Anisa Mohammed helped West Indies Women secure a 65-run win in the second ODI against New Zealand Women

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Sep-2014
ScorecardDeandra Dottin scored her second successive ODI fifty•WICB Media/Ashley AllenDeandra Dottin’s second successive fifty and a four-wicket haul from offspinner Anisa Mohammed helped West Indies Women secure a 65-run win in the second ODI against New Zealand Women and, with it, a 2-0 lead in the four-game series.The first three ODIs of the series are also a part of the ICC Women’s Championship and West Indies’ 2-0 lead has helped them establish the third position on the points table behind Australia Women and England Women.West Indies won the toss and opted to bat and their batsmen put in another strong performance, led by an opening stand of 63 between Natasha McLean and Kycia Knight. The scoring rate dipped after McLean fell in the 12th over, as Knight and Shemaine Campbelle added just 16 runs in 8.3 overs, but gradually picked up after Dottin came in to bat in the 20th over.When Campbelle departed for 27, with the score at 120 for 3 in the 33rd over, West Indies needed a push to get moving towards a big score and that momentum came from 97-run, fourth-wicket partnership between Dottin and Stafanie Taylor that came in a little more than 14 overs. Taylor contributed a 41-ball 50 to the stand, striking three fours and two sixes. Dottin, at the other end, steadily built her innings and, once Taylor was out, provided quick runs to steer West Indies to 246 for 5. Her unbeaten 82 came off 99 balls with seven fours and a six.New Zealand’s chase had been effectively nullified by the 15th over, as Shakera Salman, Taylor and Mohammed reduced the side to 56 for 5. Sophie Devine anchored the innings with a steady half-century but she found little support from the lower order as New Zealand crumbled to 181 in the 46th over. Mohammed’s fifth four-for in ODIs was well supported by Taylor, who took 2 for 21, and Shanel Daley, who finished with 2 for 25.