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Aston Villa want to sign Pau Torres this summer, with Unai Emery personally trying to convince the Villarreal centre-back to join, according to recent reports from Spain.

What's the latest Aston Villa transfer news?

Villa are keen on strengthening at centre-back in the upcoming transfer window, despite the fact Diego Carlos is set to play a "big part" next season, according to transfer insider Dean Jones, and they have set their sights on a number of key targets.

According to reports from Italy, the Villans have started to move for AS Roma's Roger Ibanez, with the Italian club said to value the defender at around €35m – €40m (£30-£35m), amid interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

Back in May, it was reported that Emery was considering a move for Barcelona's Andreas Christensen, and the Dane is not the only target from La Liga, as Torres has been heavily linked with a move in recent weeks.

According to reports from Spain (via Sport Witness), Emery is now personally trying to convince the Villarreal defender about a move to Villa Park, hoping that he will be enticed by becoming a part of the "ambitious project."

The Spaniard has a €60m (£51m) release clause included in his contract, although this is unlikely to be triggered as he has just one year remaining on his current deal, which means the two parties will need to negotiate.

Given his contract situation, the 26-year-old is one of the main players that Villarreal could choose to cash in on this summer, but they do intend to offer him a contract.

Who is Pau Torres?

It would be a big decision if the Spain international were to decide to leave this summer, as barring a loan spell with Malaga, he has played for Villarreal for his entire professional career, having come through the youth ranks at his hometown club.

It is no wonder Villa are so keen on signing the 6 foot 3 colossus, however, as he is a very impressive modern-day centre-back, as highlighted by how composed he is on the ball, ranking in the 98th percentile for successful take-ons, and the 96th for progressive passes.

With a 7.06 average Sofascore rating in La Liga this season, Torres is ranked as Villarreal's fourth-best performing player, while he has also been hailed as "fantastic" by Owen Hargreaves, indicating he could be an excellent signing for Aston Villa.

يرتبط نادي ليفربول الإنجليزي بتشابي ألونسو المدير الفني لفريق باير ليفركوزن الألماني، لخلافة المدرب الحالي يورجن كلوب.

وأعلن كلوب في وقت سابق رحيله عن ليفربول بنهاية الموسم الجاري، وبرز اسم تشابي على رأس المرشحين لخلافته في تدريب ليفربول.

وبحسب صحيفة “ميرور” البريطانية، اتخذ ليفربول خطوة هامة في مشوار مفاوضاته مع تشابي لتدريب الفريق.

ويوضح التقرير أن ليفربول أرسل أحد كشافيه لمشاهدة مباراة بايرن ميونخ وباير ليفركوزن في الدوري الألماني قبل أيام، لمتابعة تشابي.

اقرأ أيضًا | موقف أرنولد من المشاركة في مباراة ليفربول وتشيلسي بنهائي كأس كاراباو

ونجح تشابي ألونسو في قيادة باير ليفركوزن للفوز بثلاثية نظيفة أمام بايرن ميونخ في إطار مباريات الدوري الألماني.

ويتصدر ليفركوزن ترتيب الدوري الألماني متقدمًا بفارق 5 نقاط عن بايرن ميونخ أقرب ملاحقيه في الجدول.

وقبل أيام أكد سيمون رولفس، المدير الرياضي لباير ليفركوزن، على استمرار تشابي ألونسو في منصبه خلال الموسم المقبل.

وقال رولفس في تصريحاته: “متأكد من استمرار تشابي ألونسو، أولًا العقد مستمر حتى 2026، وثانيًا هو يشعر بالراحة مع النادي”.

Hamish Marshall’s fourth championship century of the season – his 22nd for his county – and an unbeaten 58 from David Payne enabled Gloucestershire to gain an advantage in Cardiff

ECB Reporters Network07-Sep-2016
ScorecardHamish Marshall’s hundred put Gloucestershire in control•Getty Images

Hamish Marshall’s fourth championship century of the season – his 22nd for his county- and an unbeaten 58 from David Payne enabled Gloucestershire to gain a lead of 127, with two wickets remaining, by the close of the second day in Cardiff.With Payne and Josh Shaw having already shared an unbroken partnership of 56 for the ninth wicket, Glamorgan have much to do if they are to avoid losing their seventh championship game of a disappointing season.Marshall returns to New Zealand at the end of the season after spending 11 years in the West Country and, although he did give a difficult chance to wicketkeeper Mark Wallace on 40, he rescued Gloucestershire after they had earlier slumped to 38 for 3. He also found a staunch ally in George Hankins, the 19-year-old England U-19 batsman who stayed with Marshall for 47 overs to share a partnership of 120 for the fourth wicket.Resuming at their overnight score of 62 for 3, Marshall and Hankins batted throughout the morning session, and were not separated until 20 minutes after lunch when Hankins feathered a catch to the wicketkeeper off Graham Wagg. Hankins was at the crease for three-and-a-quarter hours for 43, and struck only five boundaries, but he was the perfect foil for Marshall, and with more experience at county level he will only prosper.Despite adding 56 with Marshall for the fifth wicket, Phil Mustard was never at ease, and when Michael Hogan took the new ball, Mustard soon edged to slip. Marshall’s innings ended in Hogan’s next over, when he was adjudged lbw, and was either unhappy with the decision or disappointed with himself as he took some time to drag himself away from the crease.Craig Miles and David Payne then strengthened their team’s position with a stand of 60 for the eighth wicket, although Wallace missed a stumping off Kieran Carlson with Payne on 20. Shortly afterwards Carlson was rewarded when Miles, who made 34, chipped a low catch to Wagg at short midwicket, but Payne further frustrated Glamorgan by reaching fifty shortly before the close.Although Payne and Josh Shaw scored slowly, their approach were certainly justified with the game only at the half way stage.Marshall, who scored his second century in three games, said: “It’s always nice to get into a run of form, especially on a good pitch, but the game has a long way to go and we would ideally like to get a big lead and put Glamorgan under some scoreboard pressure”.He also praised George Hankins, saying: “He has a big future, is never overawed and just gets on with it.”

Journalist Alasdair Gold has slammed the Tottenham Hotspur board for the "bewildering" decision not to try and appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager.

Did Levy try to hire Pochettino again?

In the last few days, it has been confirmed that the former Spurs boss will be joining London rivals Chelsea this summer.

As per Sky Sports News, the 51-year-old Argentine will arrive as the Blues' new head coach on a two-year deal, with the option of a further year.

It will no doubt be strange for many Tottenham fans to see a man once so loved, now in the dugout of another Premier League team – who also happens to be one of their club's biggest rivals.

And what will hurt even more is the fact that they too are in need of hiring a new manager and yet Daniel Levy and the board didn't even approach Pochettino about a possible return to north London.

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Gold confirmed that it's true, "he was never sounded out" and then suggested it was a baffling decision.

He said (4:45): “I've seen people saying, you know, blaming it all on Levy, the club ENIC, whoever you want to call it, the board… for not ever making that phone call to him, which it is bewildering that he was never sounded out, definitely.

"But there you go…”

Why do Spurs fans love Pochettino?

It's no secret that a large section of the Tottenham Hotspur fanbase would have loved to see their former coach return this summer.

Indeed, earlier on in the season, during an unconvincing win over Brighton & Hove Albion, the home crowd was heard loudly singing Pochettino's name.

The Argentine was sacked back in 2019 without winning a trophy but led the side to a Champions League final and brought an attacking brand of football to the club that was appreciated by the fans.

Indeed, journalist Graham Hunter has told Chelsea supporters to expect a team that loves "possession of the ball" and is "always attacking, playing to win – not to draw."

With that in mind – and the small fact that Tottenham haven't been able to find a manager who actually wants to join – it does seem odd that Levy and co have not seriously considered  speaking to Pochettino about a possible return.

All in all, it seems as though Spurs' loss will be Chelsea's gain as he now arrives back in the Premier League while his former side remain directionless for the time being.

تحدث أحمد محمود لاعب فريق الجونة عن المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم أمام المصري في الدوري، موضحًا حقيقة رغبة الزمالك في عودته خلال الانتقالات الشتوية الماضية.

وانتهت مباراة المصري والجونة بالتعادل 2-2 في إطار لقاءات الجولة الثانية عشر من الدوري المصري، الذي استأنف نشاطه بعد توقفه بالفترة الأخيرة بسبب مشاركة منتخب مصر في كأس أمم إفريقيا.

وقال أحمد محمود في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس”: “الحمد لله على الأداء، لسنا سعداء بالنتيجة لأننا كنا الأفضل ونستحق الفوز، اجتهدنا ولكن التعادل أفضل من الخسارة”.

طالع | علاء عبد العال: فقدنا نقطتين أمام المصري.. وأشكر لاعبي الجونة

وأكمل: “بين الشوطين كنا نعلم أن فريق المصري سيضغط علينا، وكنا نريد أن تمر أول ربع ساعة وبعد ذلك كل شيء سيكون سهلاً، وعلاء عبد العال طلب منا ألا نتراجع وندافع، وضغطنا من البداية وسجلنا الهدف الثاني”.

وبسؤاله هل حدث تواصل من الزمالك لعودتك في يناير الماضي؟، أوضح: “أي لاعب له الشرف في التواجد ضمن منظومة الزمالك، نعم تواصلوا مع إدارة الجونة من أجل أن أعود في يناير لكن الإدارة هنا تمسكت بي”.

وتابع: “إدارة الجونة أبلغتني أنني سأستمر معهم لنهاية الموسم، وأنا لم أتكلم لأنهم أصحاب فضل علي، ولا يجب أن أدخل معهم في أي صدام”.

وأتم: “بالتأكيد أتمنى العودة للزمالك هذا شيء مؤكد، لكن أيضًا الجونة يحتاجني وطلبوا مني الاستمرار لنهاية الموسم، وبعد ذلك سأعود للأبيض”.

A day that began with the acclamation due to a new young champion ended in a somewhat mystifying draw

Paul Edwards at Old Trafford16-Aug-2016
ScorecardHaseeb Hameed continued to notch up the landmarks in a memorable season•Getty Images

A day that began with the acclamation due to a new young champion ended with many spectators questioning the tactical judgement of the current champions after the 269th Roses match had ended in a somewhat mystifying draw at Old Trafford. However, since cricket is, above all, a team game, let us leave the glittering talent of Haseeb Hameed for later consideration and proceed immediately to the issues that were puzzling some spectators as they left the ground on Tuesday evening.The facts are these and it is important to keep a tight grip on them: in the morning session Lancashire scored 162 runs in 23 overs before declaring on 232 for 3. That closure challenged Yorkshire to score 367 in 71 overs to win the game and thereby close the gap on  Middlesex to 15 points, with Andrew Gale’s team having a game in hand on the leaders.Although Adam Lyth was dropped in the gully by Alviro Petersen when he had made 3, he and Alex Lees batted in untroubled fashion for the entire afternoon session and Yorkshire were 148 for 0 off 41 overs at tea. At that point the visitors needed 219 off 30 overs, an asking rate of 7.3 runs an over. Demanding? Most certainly, but nothing that this Yorkshire side is not used to tackling in an era of T20 cricket.This is not T20, though, and that needs to be borne in mind when considering Yorkshire’s decisions. Bowlers can bowl higher and wider than they can in the short-form game and they can bowl as many overs as needed. Moreover, fields can be set more or less as a skipper wishes: nine men on the boundary if you like. This was also, of course, a fourth day wicket, although the ease with which Lees and Lyth added 188 runs in 52 overs suggested that it was hardly littered with unexploded bombs.All the same, with absolutely nothing to lose but a few wickets in an attempt to secure what would have been a most wonderful victory Yorkshire agreed the draw when they required 179 runs off 19 overs with all their wickets to spend. Fifty years ago such a decision may have seemed explicable although it is doubtful whether Brian Close would have opted against having a gamble. After all, who turns down a free lottery ticket, even if the odds are massively stacked against winning? Yorkshire, one thought, might at least have given it a go.Their first team coach, Jason Gillespie, took a different view. “Chasing was in the back of our minds. We thought we’d assess at tea, which we did. We thought ‘let’s keeping batting and we’ll get feedback from Lythy and Leesy’ he said. “They are the two lads who were out there. Their feedback was that with the deteriorating pitch, it would be a big challenge for them to go for it, let alone a new batter coming in. If it was 40 or 50 fewer runs, absolutely we’d have had a crack.”There were a couple of those moments where we thought ‘come on, we can do this’. Leesy and Lythy are always very much if push comes to shove, they want to take the attacking option. But both their feedback was the same. They felt that the pitch was deteriorating.”Perhaps unsurprisingly, Lancashire’s director of cricket, Ashley Giles, took a slightly different view. “We were a little bit nervous on the balcony,” he admitted. “When they got to that position with none down we perhaps thought they might have gone on a little bit longer. But that’s their decision and nothing to do with us. We are happy to come out if it with a strong draw against a very good team.”And perhaps no one wearing the red rose was happier in his humble, self-effacing fashion on Tuesday evening than Hameed, who, when he reached a century off the ball immediately before Lancashire’s declaration, became the youngest batsman in the history English first-class cricket to score two centuries in a match.There is going to be ballyhoo and there is going to be hype. That was almost certain well before half-past twelve when Hameed pushed Adil Rashid to cover point for the single which made him the first Lancashire batsman to score two centuries in a Roses match and only the third batsman from either side to do so. Percy Holmes, in 1920, and Ted Lester, in 1948, were the others. Once Hameed had joined them, however, a tide of remarkable statistics continued to flow in, proclaiming the emergence of one of the most talented opening batsmen the English game has seen, at least since the emergence of Alastair Cook.When he reached 70 in this innings, Hameed became the youngest Lancashire player to make a thousand runs in a Championship season. He is also the first teenage opener from any county to make four centuries in a Championship season. And he hasn’t stopped breaking records yet. In fact, he has only just begun.So the glare of national publicity will soon be turned on the head of this 19-year-old Boltonian who wants nothing more from life than to be allowed to pursue his vocation as a professional cricketer. Fortunately, one senses that despite his inexperience, Hameed is well able to cope with all the attention that will come his way. Amid all the questions and doubts that surrounded this day’s cricket, that much is certain. It is a comforting thought on a strange evening.

Manchester City are ‘expected to pursue’ a deal for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, claims Daily Mail journalist Jack Gaughan.

The Lowdown: Fernandinho’s departure

After nine years at the Etihad, club captain Fernandinho is set to return to Brazil with a move back to Athletico Paranaense.

The 37-year-old said his goodbyes during Monday’s Premier League title parade after winning his 14th trophy with the Sky Blues.

The defensive midfielder amassed 383 appearances for City, scoring 26 goals and producing 33 assists during this time.

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The Latest: Phillips the perfect target

With Fernandinho’s departure, City have set their sights on signing a new central midfielder.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, Leeds star Kalvin Phillips tops the list of potential replacements. The 26-year-old has been identified as having the ‘perfect profile’ for the position.

Daily Mail journalist Jack Gaughan also shared the news to Twitter, claiming: “Man City expected to pursue deal for Kalvin Phillips over the coming weeks”.

The Verdict: Great signing

With previous reports linking West Ham ace Declan Rice with a move to the Etihad, the news that City are interested in his England midfield-partner hardly comes as a surprise.

With Fernandinho’s departure, it is necessary for director of football Txiki Begiristain to dip into the transfer market and sort a replacement, given the Brazilian’s importance to Pep Guardiola’s side.

Therefore, if City can convince Leeds to sell their ‘powerful’ midfielder for the right price, this will be a great signing for the Cityzens and possibly a cheaper one than Rice.

In other news: Manchester City: Danny Mills makes Declan Rice transfer claim

West Ham United are interested in a deal to bring Calvin Bassey to the London Stadium in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to ExWHUemployee, with the Irons insider revealing on The Fourth Official (via West Ham Zone) that David Moyes’ side have now opened talks with Glasgow Rangers regarding a move for the versatile left-back at the end of the current campaign.

In the post, Ex said: “I have been told by several reliable sources that several Premier League clubs, including West Ham United, are interested in the services of Calvin Bassey. The defender is under contract until 2024 so it is going to take an obscene amount of money to tempt Rangers.

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“The player caught the eye of the world with his performances but the interest from West Ham United in the left-back turned centre-half was there from before the Europa League final. Apparently, the interest has been amped up since the final, with West Ham starting talks with Rangers for the defender.”

A signing “like Van Dijk”

Considering just how impressive Bassey has been for Rangers this season, and with it being reported that West Ham are targeting the signing of a new centre-back who can also play on the left, it is easy to see why the Irons would be interested in a deal to bring the 22-year-old to east London this summer.

Indeed, over his 29 Scottish Premiership appearances this term, the £10k-per-week defender has been imperious in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s backline at both left-back and in the centre. He has helped his side to keep 13 clean sheets, registered three assists and created one big chance for his team-mates, along with making 52.3 passes, 0.7 interceptions, 1.5 tackles and 1.2 clearances and winning 5.2 duels (at a success rate of 63%) per game.

The former Leicester City starlet, who Jamie O’Hara claimed is “like Van Dijk”, also impressed over his 14 Europa League outings this term, helping the Gers to keep two clean sheets en route to the final. He provided one assist and created two big chances, in addition to making 1.4 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and 1.6 clearances and winning 4.1 duels (at a success rate of 60%) per match.

Furthermore, according to FBRef data, the Nigeria international ranks in the top 1% of centre-backs in Europe’s big five leagues and continental tournaments for blocks per 90, in addition to the top 6% for pressures, the top 9% for tackles, the top 1% for dribbles completed, the top 5% for assists and the top 17% for xA over the last 365 days.

Considering his age, positional versatility and undoubted ability – not to mention his very reasonable £9m asking price – it would very much appear as if the signing of Bassey could be akin to West Ham landing their own Virgil van Dijk this summer. That leads us to believe that Moyes must do everything he can to convince the 22-year-old of a move to the London Stadium at the end of the current campaign.

AND in other news: Fabrizio Romano claims West Ham are set to seal 1st summer signing, Moyes will be buzzing

One of Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, according to Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Futures up in the air

The Reds may be riding the crest of a wave at the moment following their FA Cup triumph on Saturday, but some off-field matters are causing concern.

Both Salah and Mane are out of contract at the end of next season, and as of now, neither have signed new deals to prolong their respective stays at Anfield.

That means that they could both leave on free transfers next year, or possibly exit in a big-money move this summer.

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The Latest: Whelan backs either Salah or Mane to leave

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan backed one of the Liverpool superstars to move on this summer. The one-time BBC radio pundit said:

“I do believe that one of them will go, whether it’s Salah or Mane. I’ve just got this gut feeling. I would love the two of them stay at Liverpool, I really would.

“It’s a really difficult proposition for Liverpool because I’m not sure what they would want to do. I would love to keep both of them, I really would.

“I just think financially, for the club, you wouldn’t want to hold on any longer. It’s either you sign the two of them now and give them what they want for four years and you take everything out of the equation, or you bring in some capital where you’re going to use on a player for the longevity.

“I just think there might be something in the pipeline, there might be a surprise at the end of the season. Whether that’s a Jude Bellingham or another winger, you’ve got Carvalho coming from Fulham. That’s an extra winger already.”

The Verdict: Will they both stay?

In terms of their own careers, it makes perfect sense for both Salah and Mane to stay on at Liverpool, with the Reds arguably Europe’s best and most appealing team at present along with Manchester City.

For that reason, you would still expect the legendary duo to remain at Anfield – Jurgen Klopp has described them both as ‘world-class’ – but there seems to be no guarantee of that currently.

It could simply be a case of waiting for the season to end before agreeing terms on new contracts, but there is a constant nagging feeling that one could suddenly depart, which would feel like a massive blow to the Reds given their enormous goal tallies of 155 for Salah and 119 for Mane at Liverpool.

Mane arguably feels the more likely of the two to move on, with Bayern Munich linked with signing the Senegal star this week, but he still has so much to offer and Liverpool must nail him down to a new contract, especially with him being in such good scoring form in 2022.

In other news, one Liverpool transfer could be announced imminently. Read more here.

Newcastle United will be looking to play their part in the Premier League title race as they face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium today.

The Magpies lost 1-0 to Liverpool last time out and now come up against the reigning champions away from home. A win for the Toon will hand the Reds a major boost in their pursuit of the title and improve their own chances of finishing in the top half.

Eddie Howe’s men had won four consecutive games prior to their clash with Jurgen Klopp’s side and will be hoping to resurrect that form for this meeting with Pep Guardiola.

One player that the 44-year-old must brutally axe from the starting XI is Joe Willock after his disappointing display last week.

Howe must axe Willock

Freddie Ljungberg previously dubbed the midfielder as “passive”, and that is exactly what he was against Liverpool. As per SofaScore, the 22-year-old lost four of his seven duels and only completed seven passes in his 67 minutes on the pitch. He also had just 19 touches and failed in 100% of his attempted dribbles. 

In the Premier League this season, he has lost 60% of his aerial battles and 52% of his individual duels. This shows that he has been a lightweight throughout the campaign as he has failed to outmuscle the opposition on a regular basis.

His lack of strength in the middle of the park means that he can be a passenger in games, as he is unable to hold his own weight against teams who use their physique to their advantage. This is why the £80k-per-week dud must be dropped for today’s match, as he would likely be dominated by the Manchester City players.

Rodri has won 69% of his aerial battles and 56% of his duels overall in the top flight. This suggests that the Spaniard will be able to dominate Willock if it comes down to a physical confrontation between the two in the middle of the pitch.

The ex-Arsenal man has also not done enough in possession to make up for his weak play off the ball. He has scored two goals and failed to provide a single assist this season, which means that he has not made enough of an impact in the final third to warrant a start for this particular match-up when his lack of strength could be his downfall.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Bruno: Howe must land NUFC swoop for £17.1m gem who “radiates calmness”…