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Centuries from Alex Wakely and Rob Keogh gave Northamptonshire an excellent chance to pick up a fifth victory, this time against Leicestershire at Wantage Road

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jun-2017
ScorecardAlex Wakely will be confident of a final-day victory•Getty Images

Centuries from Alex Wakely and Rob Keogh gave Northamptonshire an excellent chance to pick up a fifth victory in the Specsavers County Championship. They set Leicestershire 394 to win at Wantage Road but the visitors survived for 16 overs under the lights until the close of day three at 9.57pm, reaching 44 for 0.Both Wakely and Keogh made their first Championship centuries of the season as Northants quickly built up a big lead. They declared in perfect time with the skies dark enough to encourage the pink ball to swing but unlike on the first evening where the hosts took four wickets, they failed to find a breakthrough as Paul Horton and on-loan Surrey batsman Arun Harinath got through a very tricky period, several edges falling short of the slips cordon and strong lbw appeals from Richard Gleeson against Harinath and Azharullah against Horton turned down.Until the wicketless final hour, it was a perfect day for Northants. After a three hour delay due to a wet outfield, Wakely and Keogh resumed with their side 60 for 3 and the game still in the balance. But Leicestershire couldn’t swing the ball and didn’t bowl accurately enough to even contain Northants – 146 runs came in 28 overs before tea.Wakely suggested Northants would look to be positive before the start of play and was true to his word. He made half-centuries in the second innings of Northants’ previous two matches and here went past fifty again in 55 balls with five fours – only after being put down by Harinath at point on 44.He looked in excellent touch – rocking back to pull Dieter Klein over midwicket and lifting Rob Sayer’s off spin over long-on for six. A fierce cut against Matt Pillans raced to the cover point boundary to raise a century in 108 balls. Wakely was eventually caught at short third man for 112 trying to reserve sweep Sayer.With Keogh, Wakely shared 171 for the fourth wicket – a partnership that took the game away from Leicestershire, who bizarrely only used their strike bowler Klein for seven overs in the second innings.Keogh’s day began with a clip to fine leg for four and he played the shot of the match – a gorgeous extra-cover drive off Clint McKay – on his way to just a second Championship fifty of the season in 77 balls with seven fours.He then skipped down the pitch to lift Sayer over mid-off before sweeping the same bowler for another boundary in front of square. He took tea 70 not out and after the break was forced to work the bowling around against a defensive field, eventually going through to his seventh first-class century in 136 balls – a very pleasant innings and much-needed after a poor first half of the Championship season.

Tottenham Hotspur have now held talks with Lyon midfielder Rayan Cherki's representatives over a potential summer move to the Premier League, but they may face competition for his signature from Chelsea, according to a report from Football Transfers.

What's the latest Tottenham transfer news?

Tottenham have already made a number of attacking signings this summer, bringing in the likes of James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Manor Solomon. However, manager Ange Postecoglou is still keen to bolster his squad even further, recently saying:

“We’re working with the players we’ve got at the moment and I’m really happy with the way they are all working hard.

“But we’ve obviously still got time in the transfer window and we’re still looking to do some business.”

On Saturday night, Spurs were linked with a shock move for Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, as the French club are now considering a sale, however, that move does not seem very likely, given that he will surely be keen to play Champions League football.

Postecoglou is tasked with finding a potential replacement for Harry Kane, amid the uncertainty over the striker's future, with reports from Germany recently detailing his wife and family have been spotted in Germany inquiring about houses and schools.

The Lilywhites have therefore made an approach for Fiorentina striker Arthur Cabral, although the report also claims they have several other names on the list of potential replacements for their talisman.

Tottenham are also seemingly still keen on another attacking midfielder, with Football Transfers recently reporting they have held talks with the representatives of Cherki in London.

The 19-year-old is said to be regarded as one of French football's hottest prospects, and he has been attracting the attention of some top Premier League clubs, with Chelsea also holding talks over a summer move.

As a result of their financial problems, Lyon would be open to selling the youngster, but only for the right price, having already knocked back an offer from Chelsea. The Blues are ready to make an offer of €40m (£35m) for the Lyon star, so Tottenham may have to move swiftly if they are to win the race for his signature.

What position does Rayan Cherki play?

The Frenchman is capable of playing in several attacking positions, including on both wings, and he has occasionally played as a striker, however, he has predominantly featured in an advanced midfield role throughout his career so far.

Lauded as a "difference-maker" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the starlet ranks in the 84th percentile for assists per 90 in the past year, showcasing his creative flair, while he also places in the 97th percentile for shot-creating actions.

The Lyon-born attacker is still very young, but he has already established himself as a key first-team player with his current club, having made 34 Ligue 1 appearances last season, following up the 2021-22 campaign in which he made 27 outings.

As such, the indication is that Cherki would be able to push the likes of Maddison, Kulusevski and Heung-min Son for a starting spot from the get-go, and he could be a very good acquisition for Tottenham.

Tottenham Hotspur target Harry Maguire could fit the mould of Ange Postecoglou's high-octane system and succeed at playing out from deep, but there are some doubts, according to journalist Paul Brown.

Which clubs are keen on Harry Maguire?

One report in Spain via Football365 claim that Tottenham could be about to 'accelerate' their pursuit of Maguire this summer as his time at Old Trafford ticks towards a close.

Spurs boss Postecoglou is believed to want to 'focus all of his efforts on Maguire' and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has emerged as a 'possible destination' for the £190k-a-week ace.

According to Sky Sports, West Ham United have emerged as another potential suitor for Maguire and have held early discussions with the England international over a move to the London Stadium.

Nevertheless, a gap in valuation is said to exist between the Hammers and Manchester United, who would ask for a considerable bid even to consider letting Maguire depart in this window.

Last term, Maguire, who was hailed at "classy" recently, made 31 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils and was mainly used as a rotational squad option, as per Transfermarkt.

In conversation with Lord Ping cited by METRO, former Tottenham and Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham encouraged Maguire to move to Spurs this summer, stating: "Harry Maguire would be an excellent option for Tottenham. Whenever you watch Maguire play for England, he rarely lets anyone down. He is a solid, proven professional that is well suited for the Premier League."

Of course, the former Leicester City defender was recently stripped of the Manchester United captaincy and Bruno Fernandes has been appointed as his successor.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Brown thinks that Maguire to Tottenham is a transfer he could see 'working out' under Postecoglou, though he also stated that his pace could be a "potential issue".

Brown told FFC: "I think the manager and he way he wants to play, you know, with a kind of high tempo, let's go at people kind of style. I think Maguire's ability in possession would be quite important for that, finding that first pass out of defence. I think he fits in possibly quite well there. The only thing I would say is that I don't think the Spurs backline is massively blessed with pace at the moment and neither is Maguire, so that could be a potential issue. In principle, it's one that I could see working out."

What next for Tottenham Hotspur?

Spurs boss Postecoglou will be keen to add to his additions of James Maddison, Gugliemo Vicario and Manor Solomon in the next few weeks as he readies his side for action in 2023/24, as per Transfermarkt.

Football London journalist Alisdair Gold has taken to Twitter X to reveal that Tottenham could be set to bid for Fulham central defender Tosin Adarabioyo, stating on the social media platform: "Also understand there is a growing expectation Spurs will make a bid for Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo as one CB arrival. The 25-year-old is believed to be keen on the move and Spurs have shown a lot of interest in him. Again, they can't hang around though."

In light of speculation surrounding the future of Harry Kane in north London, Flamengo striker Pedro has emerged as an alternative in case the England international is sold to Bayern Munich, according to The Independent.

Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has also been earmarked to replace Kane and has been made available due to financial problems at his current employers, as per Football Insider.

كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية، عن غضب كبير من جانب نادي برشلونة، قبل مواجهة ريال مدريد في الكلاسيكو مساء اليوم الأحد.

ويستضيف ريال مدريد نظيره برشلونة، في الجولة 32 من الدوري الإسباني، على ملعب سانتياجو بيرنابيو، مساء اليوم في التاسعة مساءً.

صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية، أكدت بأن هناك غضباً كبيرًا من جانب برشلونة، حيث لم ترافقهم الشرطة الوطنية من المطار إلى الفندق كما هو معتاد، في مشاهد فوضوية.

طالع أيضًا.. أسطورة ريال مدريد يحذر من برشلونة قبل الكلاسيكو: المفاجآت واردة

وأشارت التقارير إلى أن البروتوكول والشيء المعتاد عندما يسافر نادي برشلونة إلى مدريد، هو أن يقوم أفراد الشرطة الوطنية بمرافقة الحافلة من المطار إلى الفندق.

ولهذا السبب، كان برشلونة متفاجئًا وغاضبًا للغاية لأنه عندما وصلوا اليوم الأحد إلى العاصمة الإسبانية، لم يظهر أي ضابط لتنفيذ البروتوكول المعتاد.

ووصلت الحافلتان اللتان تنقلان اللاعبين والجهاز الفني لـ برشلونة إلى فندق الإقامة بالقرب من ملعب سانتياجو بيرنابيو، ولم يكن هناك أي أثر للشرطة، مع تواجد أكثر من 200 شخص ينتظرون اللاعبين أمام الفندق.

اضطر برشلونة لتأمين نفسه من خلال أمن النادي بالتعاون مع رجال الأمن بالفندق، بمجرد وصول الحافلات، مع تزاحم الجماهير أمام اللاعبين، مما جعل هناك صعوبة في التقاط الصور بسبب التزاحم حول الحافلة.

واضطر أمن برشلونة إلى إنهاء الأمر ولحسن الحظ لم يتعرض أحد لأي شيء قبل المواجهة المرتقبة بين الفريقين مساء اليوم.

ويتصدر ريال مدريد ترتيب الدوري الاسباني برصيد 78 نقطة بفارق 8 نقاط عن ريال مدريد، وخسارة البلورجانا اليوم ستنهي آماله في الحفاظ على اللقب، أما إذا انتصر فريق تشافي، سيقلص الفارق إلى 5 نقاط مع بقاء 6 جولات على النهاية.

Pakistan could be on the verge of hosting their highest-profile international visitor in the last eight years, with Sri Lanka considering a visit for a T20 in September-October

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Aug-20172:21

Maharoof: SL players might have doubts touring Pakistan

Pakistan could be on the verge of hosting their highest-profile international visitor in the last eight years, with Sri Lanka all but committing to play a T20 there in September or October. This would, in itself, represent an extraordinary gesture by SLC, given its own side had been the target of the 2009 terror attack that stopped international cricket being played in Pakistan for six years. Since that attack, in which six policemen and two civilians were killed, only Zimbabwe have toured the country, playing five internationals in Lahore in 2015.Sri Lanka and Pakistan are due to play each other in a full series that starts at the end of September. An SLC release said that “Sri Lanka will play at least one of the three T20s in Lahore, in September,” so long as “the logistical and operational plans fall in place”.Speaking at the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) AGM in Colombo on Saturday, SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala appealed for Asian unity, and cited Pakistan’s willingness to tour Sri Lanka during the island’s own civil war as reason to play in Lahore.”I am keen to take my team to Pakistan,” Sumathipala said. “We have had our security experts visit and make an assessment, and things look positive with things improving all over the country and especially Lahore being cleared. We have three T20 games coming up against Pakistan in September and we would like to play at least one of those games in Lahore.”I call upon each one of you as members to play your role and give Pakistan the security of your support. There is always risk – there were two attacks in London during the Champions Trophy – but cricket continued under the security assurances of the ICC, so likewise we too must be as accommodating and understanding as possible with our members and extend our fullest support to them as the cricketing family of Asia.”Despite Sumathipala’s eagerness, it is not clear yet how Sri Lanka’s players will react to the prospect of playing in Pakistan. Out of the squad that was attacked in Lahore, only Chamara Kapugedara stands a chance of being selected for future T20s, but other players will also have heard the details of that attack from team-mates who had lived through it. Many are likely to have reservations. Thilan Samaraweera, who was shot in the thigh during the attack, has spoken about the trauma the incident had inflicted upon him and his family. Other former players have also spoken of it as being one of the darkest days of their lives.The PCB, meanwhile, confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that preparations to host Sri Lanka will begin now. “The SLC president and I had very fruitful talks on the sidelines of the ACC meet in Colombo on Auguest 11 and 12,” PCB chairman Najam Sethi said. “I am grateful for his decision to support our efforts to bring international cricket back to Pakistan. We shall start preparations to stage one or two T20 matches in October in Lahore. This is a historic decision. Once Sri Lanka have toured Pakistan, the door will be open for safe passage of other teams to Pakistan.”When and whether the game – or games – goes ahead will also depend on how a planned series between Pakistan and a World XI side pans out. The status of that World XI tour – currently scheduled to be played between September 10 and 16 – is still uncertain, and dependent on the political situation in Lahore in September.The scenario has been complicated by the recent dismissal of Nawaz Sharif as prime minister; because of this, a very significant by-election is due to take place on September 17 – one day after the last World XI series is due to be played. A high-profile series so close to an election is likely to stretch security resources in the city. The Punjab government has had multiple meetings with PCB officials and, according to PCB chairman Najam Sethi, are agreed about the dates subject to a go-ahead from the province’s chief minister Shehbaz Sharif (brother of Nawaz). Punjab’s law minister Rana Sana Ullah has confirmed that the government is determined to host the series.Sumathipala’s optimism is also indication that a deal has been reached. With both boards and various governments keen for the match to be played in Lahore, player protestations – if there are any – may not be enough to halt that political will.

The 100th Test match at The Oval concluded with a wonderful piece of theatre when Moeen Ali completed England’s victory in the third Test against South Africa with a hat-trick

The Report by David Hopps31-Jul-2017
1:40

‘I knew Morkel was out’ – Moeen on the hat-trick review

The 100th Test match at The Oval concluded with a wonderful piece of theatre when Moeen Ali completed England’s victory in the third Test against South Africa with a hat-trick. It was the first hat-trick in a Test at The Oval and, even more remarkably, the first by an England spinner for 79 years. Quite a way to complete a 239-run win.England might not have the most illustrious list of spin bowlers in the history of Test cricket, but they have had a number of highly regarded operators since Tom Goddard briefly brought a bore draw in Johannesburg to life on Boxing Day 1938, less than nine months before the outbreak of World War 2.Moeen, whose talents are often underplayed, even by himself, achieved that accolade in the 12th over of the afternoon session, having Dean Elgar and Kagiso Rabada caught at slip and then, with the first ball of his next over, Morne Morkel lbw – this, to add to the drama, after an England review. There are a few nitpickers who claim, of course, that hat-tricks split over two overs are somehow not pure: they should be waved aside peremptorily.Elgar was battered, bruised and not quite unbowed. Long before he departed, that England would take a 2-1 lead to Old Trafford for the final Test, which begins on Friday, looked inevitable.He had put up the doughtiest of resistance, eighth out, for 136 from 228 balls, driving at a delivery from Moeen that turned out of the rough and giving Ben Stokes a simple catch at slip. This was single-handed defiance. Only Temba Bavuma, with 32, offered lasting support as South Africa succumbed for 252 as mid-afternoon approached.Rabada obligingly fell at slip, first ball, catching practice for Stokes as Moeen tossed one up and invited him to do his worst. Remarkably, Moeen was the third England bowler on a hat-trick in the innings, following Toby Roland-Jones and Stokes, the latter then bowling an over in a failed attempt to take the final wicket.Moeen’s next ball thudded into the shins of Morkel from around the wicket, umpire Joel Wilson stood impassively, not even the hint of an eyebrow flicker. Wilson does impassive as impressively as any umpire on the circuit. England reviewed and replays predicted that the ball would have smashed into leg stump to bring hugs of delight and cheers from a modest fifth-day crowd. Even Moeen, who favours a somewhat melancholy look, was animated.Moeen Ali is hoisted after completing his hat-trick•Getty Images

Four down overnight, South Africa lost Bavuma and Vernon Philander midway through the first session in successive balls to Roland-Jones, whose productive Test debut brought 8 for 129 in the match and enhanced his reputation as an England support seamer. He could yet tour Australia this winter and he might as well because with a run that long he is already halfway there.The addition of Chris Morris from the last ball before lunch completed a satisfying morning for England. Moeen’s return to the attack looked like tokenism, a quick six balls to ensure the pasta didn’t go cold, but he found slight turn out of the rough and Stokes held a comfortable catch at first slip. Elgar’s agonised look to the skies spoke volumes. As for Moeen, it was his first wicket of the match and he would have had no great ambitions for many more.Elgar, 72 not out overnight, had withstood some blows on his bottom hand on the fourth evening – he would settle for a diagnosis that his finger was merely bruised once the Test is over – and he was battered again in the fifth over of the day as Stokes worked up a good head of steam.His response could not have been more defiant. Stokes followed up with two successive bouncers in the same over and Elgar pirouetted to strike both through square leg for four. It was as graceful as he gets, if unlikely to win him an audition at the Royal Ballet.Bavuma played with poise and restraint in reaching 32 before Roland-Jones rapped his front pad as he pushed forward. Umpire Aleem Dar rejected the appeal, but Roland-Jones was adamant it was pad first, persuaded Root to opt for a review and was rewarded as Hawk-Eye came down in his favour.Dar’s decision on Philander was more straightforward as he left a length ball, the third dismissal for a South African batsman because of a leave-alone in this match, after the skipper Faf du Plessis having contrived to do it twice.Roland-Jones came mightily close to achieving the first Oval hat-trick that Moeen was to claim a couple of hours later. The delivery was the best of the three, rising and leaving Morris from a good line, Keaton Jennings and Stokes converged in voracious dives from third slip and gully respectively, but the ball fell a foot short of gully.Elgar reached his century in the next over by coming down the pitch and battering Moeen over mid-off, although his satisfaction was tempered by the knowledge that South Africa had just tumbled closer to defeat.So South Africa fell, only Elgar taking a respectable series average with the bat into the Manchester Test. Du Plessis had so far managed to avoid defeat in a red-ball Test as South Africa’s captain.He was absent at Lord’s in the first Test to be at the birth of his first child and South Africa’s defeat in Adelaide last year was a day-night affair with pink balls in use. But this defeat was emphatic and for England, who went into the match with the reputation of a side overly wedded to attack, it had been a victory immensely rewarding in its discipline.

تحدث أيمن الشريعي، رئيس نادي إنبي، عن تطورات شكوى الفريق ضد المصري البرورسعيدي، بشأن وجود حالة تزوير في أوراق أحد اللاعبين، وذلك ببطولة دوري الجمهورية 2003، مشيرًا إلى أزمة مباراة الأهلي التي جمعت الفريقين أمس الأحد.

وقال الشريعي في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس”: “أنا رجل إداري، لدينا مشكلة في دوري 2003، وقبل أن نتحدث عنها لا بد أن نضع لها عنوان، وعنوان المشكلة هي لجنة المسابقات برئاسة عامر حسين”.

وتابع: “في مسابقة 2003 لدينا مشكلة مع نادي المصري، لأنه توجد حالة تزوير، ولكننا حافظنا على سرية المعلومة وأرسلنا خطابات بمستندات كاملة للمدير التنفيذي لاتحاد الكرة، لكي يُرسلها لرئيس لجنة المسابقات، لأننا واجهنا المصري وخسرنا 2-0 وكان الفريق البورسعيدي سنه مزور”.

طالع أيضاً.. فريقان يحتفلان باللقب.. تفاصيل أحداث مباراة الأهلي وإنبي مواليد 2003 في دوري الجمهورية

وأكمل: “لاعب المصري كان يلعب في بني سويف ويلعب في فريق 97، وتم تزوير سنه ولعب مع فريق 2003 في المصري، واللاعب موجود على (سيستم) اتحاد الكرة”.

وأفاد: “أنا أرسلت إلى اتحاد الكرة لمعرفة الموقف بعد الشكوى قبل مباراة اليوم، تحدثت مع أحمد دياب رئيس رابطة الأندية، لأنني لا أعرف كيف أتعامل مع اتحاد الكرة وتحديدًا لجنة المسابقات”.

وأوضح: “أعرف أن أحمد دياب ليس له علاقة بالأمر، ولكن عامر حسين رئيس لجنة المسابقات في اتحاد الكرة وهو أيضًا رئيس لجنة المسابقات بالرابطة؛ لذلك أنا تحدثت مع أحمد دياب خوفًا على شكل الكرة المصرية، وقلت له قبل مباراة الأهلي سوف تحدث مهزلة بعد اللقاء، أو مجزرة”.

وأردف: “أرسلت للنادي الأهلي واتحاد الكرة وطلبت عدم إعلان بطل الدوري إلا بعد انتهاء التحقيقات، لكن لجنة المسابقات تنتظر الحلول القدرية وليست الواقعية”.

واستطرد: “فوجئت أن أحمد دياب قال لي أنت لم تُرسل شكوى، قلت له بل أرسلت وأعطيته رقم الشكوى، وباجتهادات شخصية علم دياب بوجود الشكوى ولكن لم يتطلع إليها أحد، وبعد أن علموا بوجودها لم يتحدث معي أحد، وخلال المباراة أحمد دياب اتصل بي وقال إن الشكوى دخلت للجنة”.

واستكمل: “بعد انتهاء المباراة إنبي كان يحتفل ببطولة الدوري، ولاعبو الأهلي وقفوا في الملعب وبمجرد وصولهم لدكة فريقهم قالوا لهم اذهبوا واحتفلوا، مشهد كان عبثيًا، ولجنة المسابقات هي المسؤولة عن هذا المشهد العبثي”.

وتابع: “استكمالًا للمشهد العبثي، بعد المباراة بنصف ساعة اتحاد الكرة أرسل خطابًا بأن الأهلي بطل الدوري وفقًا للائحة وننتظر نتيجة التحقيقات، وهذا أمر لا يصح أن يحدث، لأنه كان من المفتروض أول أمس بعد إرسال الشكوى كان يُرسل خطابًا للنادي الأهلي وإنبي، ويُخطرهما بأن نتيجة الدوري ستكون مُعلقة لحين البت في الشكوى”.

وتطرق للحديث: “إنبي بطل الدوري، ووليد العطار يعلم ذلك وعامر حسين يعرف ذلك والنادي الأهلي ولاعبيه أيضًا يعرفون إن إنبي بطل المسابقة”.

وأوضح: “لولا أن إدارة الأهلي وإنبي منضبطين يعرفون كيف يسيطرون على اللاعبين، كان ممكن أن تحدث مجزرة في الملعب اليوم، ولولا أن المباراة كانت مُذاعة مباشر لم يكن أحد سيسمع عنها”.

وأتم: “كان لا بد أن يكون هناك قرار واضح قبل اللقاء، ويجب أن يكون هناك وقفة، والوقفة سنفعلها، ونعرف ماذا سنفعل”.

Everton are believed to be in talks with Corinthians over a move to sign forward Yuri Alberto.

What’s the latest Everton transfer news?

The Toffees have brought in two new players ahead of Sean Dyche’s first full season in charge at Goodison Park, looking to avoid another Premier League relegation battle.

Former Aston Villa full-back Ashley Young was the first to make the move to Merseyside on a free transfer, whereas Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma has followed, joining on a season-long loan.

Attention now seems to be on signing a new centre-forward after the club netted just 34 times in 38 Premier League games in 2022/23 – the second-fewest of any side in the division. Dominic Calvert-Lewin struggled through injury, scoring twice in just 18 appearances, with the club’s top scorer being winger Dwight McNeil with seven goals.

Read The Latest Everton Transfer News HERE…

El Bilal Toure was heavily linked with a move to Merseyside and a deal was even thought to be in place, however, he has since opted to join Serie A side Atalanta.

Another forward who was linked with Everton at the end of May was Alberto, and it looks as if the Toffees may have made their move after missing out on Toure.

Journalist Dominik Schneider took to Twitter in the last 48 hours to share what he knows about Alberto’s future. He said a number of clubs in Europe are showing an interest in the player but it is Everton who are in discussions, with a “high transfer fee expected” should he depart.

“Future of Yuri Alberto of Corinthians remains open. Numerous clubs from Europe show interest. Talks with Everton FC are ongoing. Nothing concrete so far. He feels ready for move, waiting for perfect option. Contract until 2027, high transfer fee expected.”

Who is Yuri Alberto?

Alberto is primarily a centre-forward who can also play on the left or right-wing if needed. The 22-year-old came through the youth ranks at Santos before signing for fellow Brazilian side Internacional and then Zenit St Petersburg.

However, things didn’t exactly work out for Alberto in Russia, making just 15 appearances, and after a loan spell with Corinthians, penned permanent terms back in Brazil earlier this year. In total, Alberto has made 182 senior appearances during his career, scoring 57 times and registering 19 assists.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig once hailed Alberto as being “dangerous" and a "complete forward", so a move to Everton could be good for all parties. Meanwhile, former teammate Edinilson described the forward as a player with “huge potential”.

“Since (Alberto) arrived, I have seen huge potential in him. I know that, soon, we won’t have him here anymore because he has really huge potential.”

However, in 38 appearances in 2023, Alberto has scored just eight times, and there’s no guarantee of a similar or better return on Merseyside in the Premier League. It looks as if a move will be one to watch, though, and hopefully, by the September 1 deadline, Everton and Dyche will have a new star striker to select.

Manchester United will speak to Fiorentina about the transfer of Sofyan Amrabat "very soon", but reports of a bid being made are totally false, claims transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.

Is Sofyan Amrabat joining Manchester United?

The transfer window has, so far, been a fantastic success for the Red Devils this summer. It may have started a bit slow, with seemingly more takeover talk than transfer talk, but in the last few weeks, the club has completed some brilliant business.

The first name through the door was England international Mason Mount from Chelsea, who was soon followed by the game-changing signing of Andre Onana from Inter Milan for just £47m.

These two signings alone would represent an excellent upgrade to the first team, but Erik ten Hag's side look set to add the highly-rated Rasmus Hojlund to their attack for around £72m in the coming days.

Read the latest Manchester United transfer news HERE…

As if that wasn't enough, the three-times European champions also want to add Morocco star Amrabat to their squad, though, according to the Daily Mail, the team will have to sell midfielders Donny van de Beek and Fred before they can sign the Fiorentina star for around £30m.

Luckily for United, the 26-year-old has made it clear that he wants a move to Old Trafford above anywhere else and so will likely wait until a deal can be sorted, with the two sides set to talk "very soon", per transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.

He explained the situation on his YouTube channel, saying:

"So the green light from the player is already there, no problem on personal terms. He wants to go to Man United, and this is why we had rumours about Saudi clubs. Yes, it's true they wanted to approach Amrabat, but it was never an advanced negotiation, at least as of now, because Amrabat wants to stay in Europe and wants to go to Manchester United.

"So let's see how the conversation will be in the next days, but on [the] player's side, there is no doubt he wants the move. He wants to go to United. Now it's on the clubs. We had reports from Italy last week, ten days ago, saying [a] bid is one step away from being completed and all these kind of things.

"Then they didn't tell us where these bids have gone because these bids never existed guys. So, no formal bids, no official bids, no verbal bids. Man United and Fiorentina are not speaking yet, they will speak very soon."

How good was Sofyan Amrabat last season?

It's been an unbelievable 12 months for the former Feyenoord man, 12 months that has seen him reach a European final with his club side and a World Cup semi-final with his national side.

According to WhoScored, in his 24 starts in Serie A last season, he provided one assist, averaged a passing accuracy of 89.8% – the highest of any regular starter in the entire team – and averaged a match rating of 6.46.

His out-of-this-world performances for the Atlas Lions in Qatar also drew enormous praise from all quarters, with even French President Emmanuel Macron calling him the "best midfielder of the tournament", per Fabrizio Romano.

It was his performance in Morocco's semi-final against France that caused former England international Stuart Pearce to wax lyrical about the United target, saying:

"His drive, his energy, his leadership, everything that he stood for today, the French didn't have in their ranks."

If the Red Devils can get this deal over the line and Amrabat can show even half of the determination and grit he did at the World Cup, United could have a very useful player on their hands for the next few years.

علق كرونوسلاف يورشيتش المدير الفني لنادي بيراميدز على الفوز الذي حققه لاعبو فريقه على حساب إنبي، بالمواجهة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.

واستطاع بيراميدز الفوز أمام إنبي بنتيجة 1-0 في اللقاء الذي جمعهما ضمن منافسات الجولة الـ20 للمسابقة المحلية.

وقال كرونوسلاف يورشيتش في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة أون تايم سبورتس: “كنا نعلم أنها ستكون مباراة صعبة، وحضرنا لذلك وتحدثت قبل المباراة وطلبت من اللاعبين التركيز والصبر”.

وتابع: “فريق إنبي لديهم تنظيم جيد جدًا ومنافس صعب جدًا، قدرنا أن نخرج بنتيجة إيجابية وكان الملعب غير جيد لأننا نلعب كرة وهذه صعوبات واجهنا اليوم”.

طالع.. فيديو | بيراميدز يقتنص فوزًا صعبًا من إنبي ويعزز صدارته لـ الدوري

وأردف: “أنا سعيد جدًا برد فعل اللاعبين المتواجدين على دكة البدلاء، كان إيجابياً جدًا، والجو العام جيد جدًا للعناصر المتواجدة على الدكة، تحضير المباراة كان صعباً جدًا لأنه كان يوجد لاعبون كثيرون جدًا موقوفين”.

واستطرد: “كان يوجد لدينا غيابات كثيرة مثل لاكاي وكريم وأخر وقت أحمد سامي ورمضان صبحي في المباراة الماضية، ولكن لدينا لاعبين جيدين جدًا قادرين على تعويضهم”.

وبسؤاله هل بيراميدز قادر على حسم بطولة الدوري؟، أجاب: “لا أريد الحديث على ذلك، الوقت ما زال مبكرا جدًا، نفكر وتركيزنا بالكامل على المواجهة المقبلة”.