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With Alexander Isak pushing for a move to Liverpool and Benjamin Šeško firmly on the radar of Manchester United, Newcastle United’s hunt for a new striker has taken on renewed urgency.

A replacement who can offer a consistent goal threat, hold-up play, and experience at the highest level is now a top priority for Eddie Howe and his recruitment team.

Though Šeško has long been considered Newcastle’s ideal replacement for Isak, the difficulty of securing the Slovenian this summer has forced the Magpies to explore alternatives.

RB Leipzig are open to a sale, but with growing interest from Manchester United, Newcastle are unlikely to match the wages on offer at Old Trafford.

What they need is a reliable, Premier League-proven scorer who can slot straight into Howe’s system without a lengthy adaptation period.

And crucially, someone who wants to join.

Newcastle looking at Sesko alternative

Enter Yoane Wissa.

The 28-year-old Brentford forward has emerged as a frontrunner in Newcastle’s striker search, and with good reason.

While not their first-choice profile due to age, Wissa has made it clear he wants to move to Tyneside, refusing to train with Brentford in a bid to push the transfer through.

Well, there seems to be an expectancy that the move goes through. Speaking to Football Insider, former Manchester United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown revealed this week:

“He’s made it clear he wants to leave, he’s told Brentford that and he’s refusing to train, so Brentford have to decide whether they want an unhappy player at the club. I expect they’ll reach an agreement at some stage.”

Despite competition from Tottenham, Wissa’s priority is reportedly to join Newcastle.

Brentford, who have already lost Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United and Christian Nørgaard to Arsenal, may be forced to lower their original £50m valuation.

So why are Newcastle willing to consider a player much older than their usual recruitment age of 24 and under?

Comparing Wissa to Šeško

The answer lies in Wissa’s output.

In the 2024/25 Premier League season, only Mohamed Salah scored more non-penalty goals.

Wissa notched 20 goals and four assists in 3,072 minutes, a remarkable return in a Brentford side that struggled for form at times last season.

His efficiency in front of goal is particularly eye-catching.

Though he only averaged 1.26 shots on target per 90 minutes, his movement and composure inside the box meant he made those moments count.

Thomas Frank was keen to point this out: “Wissa, we knew, has always been a goalscorer. It’s remarkable. I definitely think he is best as a No. 9. He’s got that nose for goals.”

However, he’s also far more than a poacher. According to FBref, he ranked higher than Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland for completed passes (76.5%) and recorded more shot-creating actions per 90 than Dominic Solanke.

Wissa’s mobility and involvement in buildup play give him an edge over other traditional No. 9s.

Joao Pedro

43.5

Alexander Isak

33.5

Yoane Wissa

28.5

Liam Delap

23.7

Erling Haaland

21.0

Still, comparisons with Šeško are inevitable.

The 22-year-old is a more natural fit for Newcastle’s long-term vision, standing at 194cm with a powerful frame that mirrors Erling Haaland.

His age, athleticism, and contract until 2029 at Leipzig make him a major investment, but potentially a transformative one.

Šeško scored 21 goals in 45 appearances last season, including 13 in the Bundesliga.

Data from FBref also revealed that he offered 1.78 progressive carries and 1.74 progressive passes per 90, alongside a solid 43.9% shot-on-target rate and 2.50 shots per 90.

While Šeško remains an exciting long-term project, Wissa is ready-made.

He has performed under Premier League pressure and is pushing to join a club where his profile suits the manager’s tactical outlook.

One point of concern, however, is availability. Wissa is likely to miss part of the 2025/26 season due to AFCON commitments with DR Congo, something Newcastle will need to weigh carefully.

At nearly 29, he also lacks the resale value that players like Šeško might offer.

Still, in terms of what he offers now, Wissa could be the stopgap solution that Newcastle need.

Newcastle may yet revisit their interest in Šeško if Isak is sold for a huge fee, but in Wissa, they’ve found a player who ticks more boxes than he’s given credit for, and who is desperate to prove he belongs at a higher level.

Elanga's new Wood: Big-money CF has agreement in principle to join Newcastle

A striker has reportedly agreed to join Newcastle United.

ByWill Miller Jul 28, 2025

Birmingham City’s summer transfer business had seemingly gone quiet in recent weeks after some whirlwind activity in and out of the door early on at St. Andrew’s.

However, the typical chaos associated with the West Midlands side could soon be back on the menu as the Blues edge towards two new deals being completed.

Football League World was the outlet that exclusively dropped the news that Chris Davies and Co were very close to landing the signature of Werder Bremen attacker Marvin Duksch, whilst speedy developments elsewhere have now revealed that ex-Derby County centre-back Eiran Cashin is undergoing a medical to come to the Blues on loan.

Cashin will undoubtedly strengthen an already valiant Birmingham side at the back ahead of Championship football returning to St. Andrew’s, with the 23-year-old’s main footballing education to date coming in the EFL’s division when battling week in week out for the Rams.

What Cashin can bring to Birmingham

Whilst he has found his time at Brighton and Hove Albion to date to be fraught with difficulties, as seen in his two minimal appearances in the Seagulls’ first team picture, the Irishman was a firm fan favourite when he was still plying his trade at Pride Park.

In total, Cashin would go on to make a mammoth 144 appearances for his boyhood side, as his final campaign donning Derby white resulted in him being pushed to his limits as he secured safety for the second-tier strugglers.

Still, the mature 23-year-old gave his all across the full campaign as John Eustace’s men just about kept their heads above water, with a crucial two goals coming his way from 39 Championship appearances, away from also averaging an imposing 6.8 duels won per second-tier match-up.

He shouldn’t be fazed by the prospect of returning to the division, therefore, as the “colossal” centre-back – as he was glowingly labelled by ex-Rams manager Paul Warne – now attempts to fit in next to his new, towering teammates at the back in the form of Christoph Klarer and Krystian Bielik.

Whilst Cashin is a standout buy on the surface, he is only used to that dog-fight mentality in the second tier, with a bigger talent than the former Derby number six now potentially on the agenda as they attempt to make their transition back to Championship life look as smooth as possible.

Birmingham targeting a bigger talent than Cashin

You would anticipate, for the amount of cash that has been thrown about, that the ambition in the Birmingham camp is to take the EFL’s elite division by storm, as opposed to just seeking out immediate safety.

If Mateo Joseph were to finally arrive on the scene at the Blues after being linked consistently with a statement switch this summer, he would want to be competing near the top-end of the division, too, with the £10m striker just fresh off a Championship title success with Leeds United.

The Spanish hotshot’s electric form off the bench for Daniel Farke’s champions last season would surely excite the Birmingham masses as to what he could be capable of at St. Andrew’s, with a blistering six goal contributions coming his way from just 11 league starts.

With Kyogo Furuhashi already at Davies’ disposal, alongside the incoming arrival of Ducksch adding in more firepower, throwing in Joseph into the mix too would make the Blues’ attacking options a real sight to behold.

Arguably, that final addition of the “dynamite” forward – as he’s been labelled by U23 football scout Antonio Mango – might just be the signing Birmingham need to get done to believe they can mount a shock promotion charge when the exciting 2024/25 season kicks off, knowing Joseph has been done and done that in the tiring division before.

Obviously, Cashin will also be a valued addition defensively, as Birmingham navigates the initial step-up.

But, Joseph could be that forward-thinking spark that helps the Blues to step it up a notch, away from merely securing survival.

He's a dream for Kyogo: Birmingham close in on signing "extraordinary" star

Birmingham City would get over Alfie May’s exit even quicker by signing this new attacker.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 24, 2025

England opt to manage Atkinson’s workload after haul of 34 wickets across first six Tests

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Sep-2024England have withdrawn Gus Atkinson from their 50-over squad to face Australia later this month, as they look to manage his workload after a summer in which he put himself in the first rank of quick bowlers for the Test side.Atkinson made his debut in July, taking 12 wickets in the match against West Indies at Lord’s, on the way to a haul of 34 wickets in six Tests. He and Chris Woakes were the ever present seamers through series against West Indies and Sri Lanka, which both consisted of back-to-back-to-back Tests.There were signs during the latter stages of the Sri Lanka series that Atkinson’s pace had dropped off through the course of the summer, and he spent time off the field on day three at The Oval with a tight quad – although he was deemed fit enough to bowl 11 overs in the fourth innings, taking one of the two Sri Lanka wickets to fall.The England management have now opted to rest him for their five ODIs against Australia, with Olly Stone joining the squad in his place.Related

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England are due to travel to Pakistan at the end of the September, ahead of a three-Test tour, and then go to New Zealand in November for three-more Tests. They will already be without Mark Wood, who was ruled out for the rest of the year by an elbow injury, and have been working to reshape the seam attack this summer after the retirements of Stuart Broad and James Anderson.”I think he’s okay,” England’s stand-in Test captain, Ollie Pope, said of Atkinson. “He’s obviously got a couple weeks off now just to refresh and move forward. He’s able to put his feet up now, but I think the way he bowled today and just chatting to him, he actually feels like it feels better today than it did when he first felt it so that’s a positive for us. Fingers crossed he’s all good.”The short turnaround until England begin their winter touring commitments in Pakistan, as well as a schedule that will see them play six more Tests before Christmas – with a white-ball trip to the Caribbean sandwiched in between – means player management will be at the forefront of the ECB’s thinking. Aside from Stone, five players who were involved against Sri Lanka are also in the ODI squad: Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Matt Potts and Jamie Smith.Pope was confident there would be no issues motivating the side for Pakistan, where Ben Stokes is hoping to be fit enough to resume duties as captain.”Obviously from a batting point of view it’s different to the fast bowlers, but I think they’ll have a couple weeks off just to refresh and get right for that,” Pope said. “And I think pulling an England shirt on is the greatest honour, so I don’t think there needs to be much more motivation.”We love touring as a team and everything’s a new, exciting challenge. So I think from that point of view, that’s fine. I know it’s a short turnaround, but I think us as a team, we love every bit in an England shirt whenever we get the opportunity to pull it on. So that won’t be an issue getting up for that. There’ll be a lot of excitement come the time ago to Pakistan.”England ODI squad to play Australia: Jos Buttler (capt), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, John Turner

Shubman Gill played the classic anchor. Ruturaj Gaikwad the disruptor at No. 4. And Washington Sundar proved simple offspin can be sexy.At the end of it all, India took a big step towards winning the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe with a 23-run win in the third match to take a 2-1 lead.Gill scored a 49-ball 66 opening the batting and Yashasvi Jaiswal, his partner, slammed 36 from 27, setting the platform for a 28-ball 49 from Gaikwad that helped India to 182 for 4. Washington then picked up three wickets, including two in his first over, for 15 runs to quell chances of a Zimbabwe fightback.Zimbabwe managed to delay the inevitable thanks to a fantastic half-century from Dion Myers, his first in T20Is, and his 77-run partnership with Clive Madande.Yashasvi Jaiswal got India off to a flying start•Associated Press

Gill and Jaiswal reunite at the top

The return of three players from the T20 World Cup-winning squad forced a change in India’s tactics. Jaiswal has been the incumbent opener – whenever India have played without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – and he slotted back at the top with Gill. As a result, Abhishek Sharma, fresh from his maiden international century in the second T20I, and Gaikwad had to play out of positions at Nos. 3 and 4.Jaiswal started with two fours and a six in the opening over. Gill did the same in the second over. India were 29 in two overs, and then 49 in four. Then Blessing Muzarabani found his length and the pace to bowl on a two-paced surface. Sikandar Raza’s spin was tough to put away. And from 54 for 0 in five overs, India crawled to 67 for 0 at the end of eight. Which brought about Jaiswal’s dismissal – miscuing the switch hit to backward point.

Gill anchors, Gaikwad bludgeons

Abhishek had a brief stay in the middle, which brought together Gill and Gaikwad in the 11th over. Wessly Madhevere’s only over – the 13th of the innings – allowed India to change gears. Gill first hit the legspinner for a six before Gaikwad hit him for a six and a four. Gaikwad regularly used his feet even against pace to put Tendai Chatara and later Richard Ngarava, who replaced Luke Jongwe in the Zimbabwe XI, off their lengths.Gill sped up to bring up a 36-ball fifty, his first as India’s T20I captain. However, despite a long batting order – Washington was carded in at No. 8 – India were in danger of finishing with a below-par score when they were 130 for 2 after 16. Which is when an 18-run over from Raza – featuring four byes and a six each from Gill and Gaikwad – lifted them. But the extra bounce on the surface consumed Gill in the 18th, when he looked to loft Muzarabani over the covers but miscued it to Raza tracking back. Gaikwad hit a few lusty blows but fell one short of fifty.Dion Myers hit an unbeaten 65 to lead Zimbabwe’s fight•AFP/Getty Images

India ended on 182, not below par at all. Two half-century partnerships – 67 off 50 between Gill and Jaiswal and 72 off 44 between Gill and Gaikwad – had taken India there, and Jaiswal, at the innings break, felt it was enough.What aided them were a few missed half-chances, two dropped catches – one each of Jaiswal and Gaikwad – and a plethora of misfields.

Fielding lets Zimbabwe down again

When Chatara failed to get a hand to Jaiswal’s pull in the opening over, little did Zimbabwe know it was a sign of things to come. In the next over, Myers was a bit late in reacting to a top edge from Gill and the ball landed short of him running in from midwicket. Jaiswal and Gaikwad received reprieves. A few half-chances were missed. The mishaps on the field were mostly regulation efforts, which meant India raced away to a fast start despite facing 22 dots in the powerplay. Overall, India were beneficiaries of 31 runs according to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data. The eventual win margin was just 23.Ravi Bishnoi is mobbed after pulling off a stunning catch at point•AFP/Getty Images

Zimbabwe lose their way, and find it again too late

Tadiwanashe Marumani replaced Innocent Kaia, who had a split webbing, at the top of the order and started enterprisingly. He belted a couple of fours in the opening over bowled by Khaleel Ahmed – in for Mukesh Kumar – but fell trying to repeat the dose in his next over. From the other end, Avesh Khan first dismissed Madhevere, who patted one to short cover, and then Brian Bennett, thanks to a spectacular flying catch from Ravi Bishnoi at backward point.When Raza swung across the line to hole out to deep square-leg off Washington’s second ball, the writing seemed to be on the wall. It got better for India – and worse for Zimbabwe – when substitute fielder Riyan Parag took a sharp catch at slip to dismiss Johnathan Campbell four balls later off Washington.But Myers and Madande had other plans. India’s decision to accommodate all of their T20 World Cup returnees left them thin on bowling resources. As a result, Abhishek and Shivam Dube had to combine to bowl four overs. Myers and Madande didn’t let them settle and hit a combined six fours and two sixes off them. Those four overs cost India 50. Thanks to the early inroads, it did not cost them on the day.

Although much of the focus has been on incomings so far this summer, one Manchester United player has now reportedly accepted an offer to leave Old Trafford.

Man Utd still working on player sales

With Matheus Cunha already signed for big money and a fresh offer worth over £60m now reportedly submitted to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United must clear some deadwood out of Ruben Amorim’s squad this summer.

The Red Devils must secure departures for the likes of Antony, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho, who Amorim has reportedly told to find a new club this summer.

To that end, reports suggest that there is already work taking place to show the door to a number of players with Hojlund one of the likeliest to depart at this stage. The Dane has been linked with a return to Italy and is reportedly excited by the potential of a move to Serie A champions Napoli this summer.

Meanwhile, Antony has also been the subject of interest from clubs around Europe. The Brazilian enjoyed an impressive revival on loan at Real Betis in the second half of last season and is now reportedly on Bayer Leverkusen’s radar in an unexpected reunion with former manager Erik ten Hag.

Selling Antony and Hojlund would at least be a start for Manchester United, but they may not have the same luck when attempting to show Andre Onana the door.

While they continue to chase Emiliano Martinez, the Red Devils may see their pursuit scuppered by Onana’s reluctance to depart and instead compete for his place.

With their pre-season getting underway on July 7, United will be keen to have their business complete and that includes sales such as Hojlund, Antony, Onana and one big-money player.

Jadon Sancho accepts £160k-p/w offer to leave Man Utd

As reported by Turkish outlet Sabah and relayed by Sport Witness, Jadon Sancho has now reached an agreement to sign for Fenerbahce in a move that will see him earn €10m-a-year (£8.5m-a-year), which translates to £160,000-a-week. Jose Mourinho’s side are looking at an offer of €18m to sign Sancho, who also has interest from Serie A.

The former Borussia Dortmund ace was supposed to be a transformative signing at Manchester United when he first arrived for around £73m in 2021, but things couldn’t have gone much worse.

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Following a subdued first two seasons at the club, Sancho rediscovered some of his spark on loan at Borussia Dortmund only for last season’s loan spell at Chelsea to prove that was nothing more than a false dawn in familiar surroundings. Now at a crossroads with neither Chelsea nor Amorim wanting his talents at their disposal, the England international desperately needs a permanent fresh start.

Appearances

83

Goals

12

Assists

6

20 goal involvements in 83 appearances for the Red Devils sums up Sancho’s struggles in a United shirt and, after four years at the club, the best solution for all parties could be a permanent exit.

Celtic are stepping up their transfer business under Brendan Rodgers and have now made their interest in an exciting attacker concrete by submitting an official bid, according to a report.

Celtic land Kieran Tierney with more bodies to follow

In what became an emotional announcement on Tuesday, Kieran Tierney has officially returned to Celtic, and the Scotland international has signalled his intent to hit the ground running at Parkhead.

“Everybody’s known for a few months and just to be here with the Celtic strip on again just feels amazing. I spoke with the manager, and obviously I had worked with him before and I’ve always kept in touch with him. He’s one of the best so I’m so lucky and grateful that he’s given me the chance to come back again.”

Kickstarting the Bhoys’ incomings, he could soon be joined by Callum Osmand as the Fulham youngster nears a move to Celtic. The Wales youth international is set to arrive from Craven Cottage for a nominal compensation fee after rejecting senior terms in West London.

Following his exploits with Scotland over the last few days, Lennon Miller has continuously been linked with the Bhoys after making a name for himself at Motherwell.

Despite heading into the final year of his deal, the Wishaw-born star is said to be valued at £7.5 million. Besiktas midfielder Demir Tiknaz has also been mentioned as an alternative amid complicated permutations involving loan club Rio Ave.

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ByBen Gray Jun 8, 2025

There is a feeling that there plenty more to come at Parkhead, so it won’t come as a surprise to hear that Celtic have now submitted an offer and received a reply for another reported target.

Celtic receive reply to Nilson Angulo offer

According to Studio Futbol, Celtic have seen a formal bid rejected for Anderlecht winger Nilson Angulo and could return with a second offer to sign the Ecuador international. Several clubs around Europe are said to be privy to his situation, including Premier League giants Liverpool, who have reportedly scouted the 21-year-old during his recent time on international duty.

Nilson Angulo at Anderlecht

Appearances

64

Goals

3

Assists

3

Born in Quinininde, Angulo completed 44 dribbles on league duty last term and could be one part of a strategic effort from Brendan Rodgers to introduce further variation in the final third.

Iconic figure Jota has been ruled out for the next few months due to injury, heightening the need for reinforcements to ensure the Bhoys aren’t caught short in the wide areas.

It remains to be seen whether Celtic opt to submit an improved bid for his services, but fans can take solace either way from the fact their side are active in the market.

The Parkhead hierarchy have plenty of financial muscle to flex after another successful campaign both domestically and in Europe, so it is reasonable to expect that Rodgers will have a strong squad to pick from once the Champions League qualifiers arrive.

Leeds United are said to be interested in completing the signing of a “brilliant” Celtic player this summer, according to a new transfer update.

Leeds eyeing signings amid title push

The Whites have secured promotion back to the Premier League, following a scintillating run of form in the Championship that included a 4-0 win at home to Bristol City on Monday evening.

Daniel Farke’s Leeds side know that victory away to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday will seal the title, too, with their superior goal difference over Burnley meaning the Clarets’ result at home to Millwall will ultimately be meaningless.

Amid all the promotion positivity at Elland Road, the club continue to work on new signings for when the Whites are back in the top flight, with Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone mentioned as a potential upgrade to Illan Meslier and Manor Solomon expected to join permanently.

Bournemouth full-back Max Aarons is another rumoured target for Leeds ahead of next season, with the Englishman spending the second half of the current campaign on loan at Valencia, and possibly not having a long-term future with the Cherries.

Leeds keen on signing "brilliant" attacker

According to an update from The Boot Room‘s Graeme Bailey, Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda is a summer target for Leeds, as they look to strengthen in the final third. He is valued at £25m.

It is claimed that the Whites have “watched” the Japanese star in action, but they are far from alone in that respect, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brentford, Fulham, Crystal Palace and West Ham all getting a mention.

Maeda would be an interesting option for Leeds, possessing blistering pace and end product, having scored 62 goals in 154 appearances for Celtic, as well as registering 27 assists. The 27-year-old is also a five-time league champion, winning four Scottish Premiership titles with the Hoops and one with Matsumoto Yamaga in his homeland, and Brendan Rodgers is a big admirer.

“He’s been absolutely brilliant wherever he’s played, however he’s played, he’s had an amazing season. He earns every penny and we feel as a club he deserves more. He doesn’t give away much, other than saying he’s very happy.”

The step up from the Scottish Premiership to the Premier League is huge, so there would be a risk element in Leeds making a move for Maeda, but the level of interest in him from some of the biggest clubs in the country suggests many believe he is good enough to make the jump.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb May 1, 2025

Still only 27, the 23-cap and four-goal Japan international is at a great age to come in and be a key man for several years – he also knows Ao Tanaka well from international duty and he could help him settle – so it is a deal the Whites should look to strike.

Leeds United are now weighing up whether to make a £3.5 million bid to sign a 26-year-old defender who will likely replace Maximilian Wober, according to a recent report.

Leeds already planning exits ahead of new arrivals

Daniel Farke’s men moved a step closer to the Premier League over the weekend, as a win over Preston North End moved them five points clear of third-place Sheffield United. The Whites now know they need just eight points from the 12 possible to secure a place in the top flight.

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Leeds want to replace the pair this summer.

Posts ByBarney Lane Apr 14, 2025

So as the Premier League dream moves ever closer, Leeds are already looking ahead to the summer transfer window. There are a number of positions that Farke will want to strengthen, as signing a new goalkeeper has become a priority given the poor form of Illan Meslier this season. The Frenchman may soon be on his way out of Elland Road, but he may not be alone, as according to Football Insider, Leeds want to sign a new striker as they believe Patrick Bamford and Joel Piroe are not good enough for the Premier League.

There are doubts at the club about the pair, and therefore, they could be moved on in the hope they can find a better striker in the transfer market.

The departures may not stop there, as Leeds United News states that defender Max Wober is expected to leave the Whites at the end of this campaign. The 27-year-old has had a terrible season with injuries, playing just seven games in the Championship, and despite being under contract until 2027, he could be moved on by Farke, especially if a replacement is found.

Leeds now considering £3.5m bid for Modibo Sagnan

So, given Wober is heading towards the exit door, signing a new defender has become a priority, and according to Africa Foot, Leeds are now considering a move to sign Modibo Sagnan from French side Montpellier.

The report states that several teams are interested in signing the centre-back, who can also play left-back, with the Whites already identifying the 26-year-old as a recruitment priority. It states that Leeds chiefs will have already made contact with Sagnan’s entourage over a possible move to Elland Road in the summer transfer window. Leeds are considering making an offer for the defender, worth €4 million, which is roughly £3.5 million.

Montpellier find themselves in relegation trouble towards the end of this season, and should they be relegated to Ligue 2, it could benefit Leeds when it comes to negotiating a transfer for Sagnan.

Modibo Sagnan’s 24/25 Ligue 1 stats

Apps

26

Goals

2

Clean sheets

0

Interceptions per game

1.1

Tackles per game

2.2

Dribbled past per game

0.8

Clearances per game

4.4

His potential arrival would see him join Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk, who have been Leeds’ main centre-back pairing in this campaign. The Whites are already incredibly short at centre-back, so if Wober does leave in the summer, Sagnan arrives as an important player and one who could play a lot in the Premier League.

On the occasion of Afghanistan’s qualification for the T20 World cup semi-final, their captain was the heart and soul of their victory

Andrew Fidel Fernando25-Jun-20244:14

Rashid: It was hard to stay calm at some points

“I’ve never seen that ever. In any level of cricket.”Ian Smith has developed such a reputation for being on the mic during cricket’s most incredible moments, he should probably publish his commentary schedule so traveling fans can also find themselves witnessing unforgettable sporting history. His is one of those rare voices that reaches into the ether and gathers such perfect descriptions of high cricketing drama that those moments themselves later feel incomplete without. What is England’s 2019 boundary-countback World Cup victory minus Smith’s “by the barest of margins” ringing in your ears?Even he’s at a bit of a loss here, though. But then he’s commentating on Afghanistan. And there’s been a cricket team like this.Right now, we are 19.3 overs into Afghanistan’s innings, and things are going poorly for them against Bangladesh. Rashid Khan had banged a six over backward point previous ball, but still, they are only at 107 for 5 with four balls left. There is history waiting to be grabbed. It doesn’t feel like Afghanistan will quite reach it.Related

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On ball 19.3, Rashid tried to snake-hit a six over the legside, but had only managed a leading edge that went deep into the offside instead. He had turned for a second and come sprinting back to keep the strike. But his partner, Karim Janat, sent him back.So right now, he is mid-pitch, and furious. The ball is only now being gathered, and there are only three deliveries left, and Rashid wants this extra run, and he also wants the strike as he has just smashed a six, and wow why the hell would you turn down this run?Rashid thrashes his bat so angrily that he loses grip and it goes spinning towards Janat, its own little vortex of rage. When Janat returns Rashid’s bat, after Rashid has comfortably regained his ground at the non-striker’s end, he has a sheepish expression. Rashid can’t stand to look at his team-mate.When he gets the strike back later that over, Rashid smokes a six over square leg so perfect it soars over the stand. It is possible no ball has been so cleanly struck all tournament. He finishes with a strike rate no one else in his team has come close to. He stomps off the field, full of intent, and ambition.

****

Fans in Khost celebrate the win against Bangladesh that confirmed Afghanistan’s place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals•AFP via Getty ImagesRashid is an outlier in a cricketing country that itself is an outlier. He is a legspin bowler in a nation which, going from neighbouring Pakistan’s experience at least, you would expect would be known for its fast bowling. When Afghanistan first burst into the global cricket consciousness in the 2015 ODI World Cup, they played to this type – the strapping Shapoor Zadran leading the attack, and Hamid Hassan – Afghan colours worn like warpaint on his cheeks – hurrying the world’s best batters.But if Afghanistan’s cricketing story is one of confounding expectations, and rising spectacularly fast, no one has confounded more, or risen as spectacularly as Rashid. Since making his debut in late 2015, he has been on the frontlines of T20 cricket’s wristspin revolution. He’s grown an entire batting section to his game, like a secondary crop in a spare field, which many other wristspinners, who dominate that one discipline, have not found cause to do.And there can be no resident Afghan quite like him in the world – as prized in Melbourne as Mumbai, as feared in London as Lahore, almost as admired in Cape Town as Kabul. Unusually for legspinners who excel at T20s, Rashid has also rocked Test cricket, taking 34 wickets at an average of 22.35 in the matches he’s played. There is almost no story of Afghan triumph that you can tell to which he has not been central, or at the very least, central-adjacent.2:26

Tamim: This is massive for Afghanistan cricket

As with any Afghan story in the last several decades there are “what ifs” for Rashid, the most obvious of which is “what if he’d just decided to play franchise cricket forever without worrying about national duties”. It’s a good question. It would have freed Rashid up to make more money. Additionally, he would not have to deal with the political realities of Afghan cricket, which have been prescribed by the Taliban since 2021.But he is here instead, in St. Vincent on a rainy night, mid-pitch, screaming at a team-mate, as irate as anyone has been on a cricket field through this World Cup.

****

If you want to know the story of Afghan cricket in the last 10 years, look at Rashid Khan’s statistics. If you want to know the story of this match against Bangladesh, look at his returns. With the bat he hit 19 not out off 10, with three sixes. With the ball, 4 for 23 off four overs. As if to underline his centrality to Afghanistan’s success, Rashid took out the entire middle of the Bangladesh innings, batters four, five, six and seven all dismissed by him.They were classic Rashid wickets. Soumya Sarkar played around a fast one that Rashid turned more than the batter expected, Towhid Hridoy tried to hit against the wind and the turn and was predictably caught at deep midwicket, Mahmudullah gave a thin under-edge to the wicketkeeper (another fast one), and next ball, Rashid bowls Rishad Hossain with a quick googly. There are few bowlers who read the shots batters are looking to play against them better than Rashid. In this Super Eight stage, no bowler has taken more than his eight wickets.Rashid Khan accounted for Nos. 4, 5, 6 and 7 in the Bangladesh batting order•Associated PressBut this is only when he is himself bowling. Because even if you had never followed Rashid’s career, even if you didn’t know that he is one of the most naturally-gifted cricketers of his generation, even if you hadn’t clocked the bleak political reality that this team might not be allowed to play if they hadn’t captured their nation’s attention by being so good, you could still turn up to Kingstown on this rainy night, watch ten minutes of the action, and figure who was at the heart of this team’s success.Rashid is sometimes fielding at the straight boundary, because that’s where the Afghanistan dugout is and he wants to hear what the coach has to say, but he’s charging into the infield any time there’s an lbw shout. When there’s a misfield or a dropped catch – he’s on the scene chiding those players too. Yes, the ground is slippery. Yes, the ball is wet. But the captain has 4 for 23 bowling wristspin. What’s your excuse? He is at times outraged, often intense, frequently animated, almost always in his team-mates’ faces.Late in the match, sometime between the many rain breaks, Smith says of this match: “Whoever has written this script, they have done a fantastic job”.He’s right. It is as absorbing a cricket story as you could encounter. Jonathan Trott, the English coach of the Afghanistan team is barking orders from the dugout. Dwayne Bravo, the Trinidadian fast-bowling coach is prowling the edge of the field. Gulbadin Naib, whose hamstring had apparently exploded in agony as Trott asked for the game to be slowed down, and just-as-suddenly come right, is ranging the infield.Afghanistan are throwing everything at this match. But no one is throwing more at it than their captain, who knows that although he himself is franchise T20 royalty, his national team will always have to fight for every scrap they get. He knows that he and his team-mates will never play an international at home, and that there will forever be battles to fight that most international cricketers on the planet could never even conceive of.1:18

Tamim: Rashid’s mentality as strong as his skills

When he watches that last wicket go down, Rashid sinks into the wet turf and says a prayer. Naveen-ul-Haq, who has just got two wickets in two balls, is racing towards the dugout, most of his team-mates in pursuit. Bravo has erupted into exultation. So has Trott.And whoever you are in the world, whatever has driven you to follow this sport, you can find a kindred spirit in this euphoric melee.You might relate best to Trott, once a pretty dour England player (let’s be honest), now head coach of Afghanistan, who can’t help but be caught up in the moment. You could love Bravo, one of the greatest to ever play this format, erupting outside the boundary he’d been nervously pacing for hours. You could find yourself enraptured in Mohammad Nabi’s exultations – he’s been part of every Afghanistan team you can remember, but is only now about to play the biggest game of his life. You could be Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the highest run-getter of this tournament, and Afghanistan’s top-scorer of the evening, weeping helplessly in the dressing room. You could even be Gulbadin Naib, the fall-guy who doesn’t mind looking foolish to wangle an advantage for his team.Rashid, though, is alone, somewhere near the straight boundary, still on his knees.The first teammate to rush to him and envelope him in an almighty bear-hug is Janat, whom Rashid had thrown a bat at two hours earlier. Who else could have known so viscerally how much Rashid wanted this?But Janat is not the only one who understands that none of this is possible without the man he has wrapped in his arms. He is not the only one who knows how much of this improbable run to the semi-finals rested on Rashid. Or how heroically Rashid has shouldered an entire phase of Afghanistan’s cricket.

“With the very first shot I knew that tonight’s probably the time I have to back myself more and go for my shots”

Sidharth Monga19-May-20222:37

Daniel Vettori: Virat Kohli at his best makes RCB a genuine title contender

Virat Kohli has hit 570 fours in the IPL. The 571st is an inside edge off Hardik Pandya, and he almost starts celebrating. It is quite reminiscent of the outside edge in the tense 2016 World Cup semi-final when West Indies had tied India down in the first half of their innings. That outside edge for four got Kohli going. Here, he has already hit Mohammed Shami for two fours, one back over his head and one over cover.The 572nd four has Kohli properly pumped up. On first look, it seems like he has picked out deep square leg, but it turns out the fielder, Rashid Khan, is too far in off the boundary and is lobbed. Kohli starts gesticulating, making sure he is not pointing to anyone in particular in the opposition, but his lips read, “Go back.” It is almost like he is saying he is King Kohli, and who do you think you are standing in off the rope?Related

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At the other end, Faf du Plessis is riding the wave.”I understand Virat in the sense that it gets him going,” du Plessis tells Star Sports. “It’s that fire, that personality, the character. So I play the role with him, I am getting pumped up. And it’s really fun to bat out there when he is going like that. He has got so much emotion he pulls you with you. In the sense that you are almost ready to play a rugby match. Because of all the energy going through you.”It is a season where Kohli, in the words of Mike Hesson and du Plessis, has found out ways to get out. Hit straight to point and short midwicket first ball, bottom edge into the thigh pad that carries to short fine leg, run out when batting with David Willey, lbw to first ball in the IPL from Dewald Brevis. Perhaps it is this change of luck that Kohli is after, that is apparent to him in these two shots. It is a direct contrast to his walking back, looking up at the skies with a “why me” look.This 33-year-old Kohli, a batter who has conquered pretty much everything there is to conquer in Tests and ODIs, a young parent, has got perspective on life. He knows if he has had some wretched luck of late, he has had some good fortune too.”It’s in that spur of that moment that you feel like why is this happening to me?” he tells Star Sports. “But if you go back to 2018 England, my first innings I was dropped on 22, I got 149. The juggernaut of 2014 could have started all over again. But it didn’t.”There are so many things [that go wrong but] you can’t complain about. I can pick and choose so many moments when I was dropped, I was lucky, and then I played probably some of the best innings of my career. Yes you feel disappointed, but if I am standing here being ungrateful, then I don’t think it’s fair. Because I have been blessed with a lot. I just want to keep working hard, just keep my head down and try to help my team as much as I can.”Keep working hard. It can sometimes become a vicious cycle in cricket. The results are not always in direct proportion to the effort you put in. When you don’t get the results, you can tend to work harder, and then even harder when that doesn’t bring the results.Virat Kohli makes it known how important the half-century was by gesturing towards the sky•BCCI”You just need to keep the perspective right,” Kohli says. “You need to understand there are expectations because of what you have achieved and what you have done over so many years. And sometimes what happens is that in the need to perform and live up to those standards you kind of forget the process that why you ended up performing so well or so much over the years.”So you just need to go back to the drawing board and say you know what I just want to look at the ball and hit it. Sometimes you can think of all the things that can go wrong and not the things that can go right when you are on the field. So I worked really hard before this game. I batted about 90 minutes in the net yesterday. I kept backing myself every ball. I wanted clarity every ball that I played. And I was able to achieve that for 90 minutes. So I came to this game very free. And relaxed that I can back myself every ball out there and not think of what if something goes wrong. So that’s something that you can tend to go into when you have a lot of expectations from yourself.”If he sounds like someone who had begun to doubt himself – and who can blame him, he last scored a century in 2019 – that insecurity had to coexist with unmistakable confidence.”I think with the very first shot I played off Shami I felt like that (his old self),” Kohli says. “Because it was a length ball, and I was able to back myself and hit him back over his head. I just felt like I could hit length balls over bowlers’ head for four and six.”That’s when I know I am in a very good head space because then I am not bothered about the ball pitched in the right area. When I can hit good balls for four, then I know I am going to get balls that I can hit for four otherwise as well. So yeah with the very first shot I knew that tonight’s probably the time I have to back myself more and go for my shots.”Living through all these emotions can be exhausting. It can drain you even before you get into a contest. But half an hour after the contest, Kohli is not at all fatigued and looking for more. It is this small break that he has been waiting for. How much has he left in the tank?”Quite a bit. I can keep going. No issues at all.”