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Everton need to offload a midfielder before they can sign Matheus Nunes from Sporting, according to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

According to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, Everton are ‘very much constrained’ by Financial Fair Play rules in this summer’s transfer window after years of ‘significant losses’.

They’ve been left with ‘next to no wiggle room’ in terms of their net spend.

The Blues have spent a mere £1.8million so far, meeting Bayer Leverkusen’s demands for Demarai Gray. They have also recruited Andros Townsend and Asmir Begovic on free transfers.

Nunes is a 22-year-old central midfielder who made 12 starts and 19 substitute appearances for last season’s Primeira Liga champions. He scored three goals and provided two assists (via WhoScored).

The Brazilian has been described as ‘impossible to catch’ and ‘unbelievable’ with the ball at his feet (via Liverpool Echo).

The latest

The report says that Everton retain an interest in Nunes but are still awaiting the green light to proceed with the signing.

They have placed James Rodriguez, Andre Gomes and Fabian Delph ‘on the market’ in an attempt to facilitate the deal.

The verdict

If you scanned Everton’s squad for deadwood that could still fetch a reasonable fee, Gomes and Delph are probably two of the players you’d pick out.

The team would suffer far more from the loss of Rodriguez, but the player’s recent comments have raised serious questions over his commitment to the cause too.

Everton need quality additions like Nunes in the next three weeks if they’re to be a factor in the race for Europe, and it looks like difficult decisions will have to be made with regards to outgoings first.

In other news, Rafael Benitez is eyeing this defensive reinforcement.

Amjad Ali’s stroke-filled 77 offered UAE some hope as they chased an improbable target of 290

The Bulletin by Nagraj Gollapudi26-Jun-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Amjad Ali’s 77 gave a spirited start to UAE’s chase © AFP
Sri Lanka secured their second big win in two days, this time over UAE, to progress to the second round of the Asia Cup with two points in the bag. Chasing 291, UAE looked like they would make a match of it as opener Amjad Ali hit a spectacular half-century but they hurtled to defeat after his departure, losing their last six wickets for 15 runs as Ajantha Mendis finished with career-best figures of 5 for 22.Shrugging away any exhaustion from having kept wicket earlier, Amjad took three consecutive fours off the opening over from Nuwan Kulasekera. A wristy flick over square leg, a fine glance past fine leg and a punch between mid-on and midwicket proved Amjad was not going to wait for the bowler to make a mistake.Perhaps the shot of the day, though, came in the next over when a forward punch from Amjad, powered by a Lara-esque high backlift, sent the ball racing past mid-off. Even the loss of his opening partner Arshad Ali, who was beaten by a brilliant pick and throw by Chamara Kapugedera early on, didn’t hinder Amjad’s approach.His cavalier approach took UAE to 83 for 1 after 15 overs and even forced Mahela Jayawardene to delay taking the third Powerplay. Although their reaching the target in 39.1 overs – and so pipping Bangladesh to the second round – was unlikely, they were still in with a chance to pull off an upset. Those hopes faded when Amjad fell trying to clear the long-on boundary off Tillakaratne Dilshan in the 24th over and the tail proved unable to deal with Mendis’s mystery spin.Despite the huge margin of defeat, this wasn’t the easy game Mahela Jayawardene would have expected. Having elected to bat first Sri Lanka received an immediate jolt when Wednesday’s centurion, Kumar Sangakkara, was trapped plumb low on his back leg by the accurate Zahid Shah. Bowling a tight line and hitting the seam hard, Shah kept the batsmen guessing and was easily the best fast bowler on the day.After that initial setback, Sri Lanka picked themselves up and sped to 76 for 1 by the end of the first Powerplay. Shah didn’t get any support from Fahal Alhashmi, his new-ball partner, who was, at best, erratic. After bowling two wides in his first over, Alhashmi delivered four more in his next, conceding 15 runs off that over, including an exquisite straight boundary by Mahela Udawatte, who went on to make a patient 67.There was a brief lull before Shah was clubbed by Jayawardene for four consecutive boundaries. But it was important to keep the tempo going in the muggy heat and Jayawardene, who had reached his half-century, looked tired after the drinks break and was run out off a direct hit when going for a tight single.
Mahela Udawatte’s half-century helped Sri Lanka post an imposing total © AFP
At one stage, Sri Lanka seemed likely to cross 300 for the second successive day but a mixture of exhaustion, poor shot selection and impatience helped UAE, who had only played 10 ODIs coming into the game, restrict them.The two Chamaras, Kapugedera and Silva, didn’t show any patience and, attempting to force the issue, threw their wickets in quick succession. Though Sri Lanka raced to 147 in 20 overs, they had lost four top-order batsmen and were left with their last recognised pair of Udawatte and Tillakaratne Dilshan at the crease. The run-rate started to dip as just seven boundaries were scored after the 15th over. And there was not one six in the entire innings.The onus fell now on the tiring Udawatte and Dilshan. But UAE sensed they had an opportunity as runs dried up in the middle overs. Alhasmi came back in style to first get rid of Udawatte, who mistimed while trying to clear the rope and holed out to midwicket. Dilshan then chased a wide off-side delivery and managed a thick edge to the keeper.With just the tail to deal with and Sri Lanka stuttering at 189 for 6 after 30 overs, UAE failed to curb Kaushalya Weeraratne and Nuwan Kulasekara, who stopped the slide and constructed a valuable 53-run eighth-wicket partnership.UAE managed to put on a much better show than the other Associate nation in the tournament, Hong Kong, but the big boys proved too strong for them.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced that the Lancashire and England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is to undergo an intensive rehabilitation programme in order to speed his recovery from a groin injury.

Media Release18-Dec-2002The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced that the Lancashire and England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is to undergo an intensive rehabilitation programme in order to speed his recovery from a groin injury.Flintoff, 25, flew home from England’s tour of Australia last Friday after failing to make a full recovery from a hernia operation carried out at the end of August.The ECB’s Chief Medical Officer, Peter Gregory, said: “Andrew has made anunexpectedly slow recovery, which is still incomplete despite undertakingprogrammes typically carried out by other sportsmen rehabilitating from thistype of surgery. But he has done all that has been asked of him in terms ofrehabilitation and we have found no specific reason for the slowness of recovery.”Failure of repair, infection, muscle/tendon tears and joint problems have all been excluded as the cause of injury. At this stage, he remains weak in important muscles and is continuing to experience pain after short spells offast bowling.”He will require more intensive one-to-one rehabilitation and arrangements are being made for this to begin immediately under the day-to-day supervision of the Lancashire medical team.”At this stage Andrew’s rehabilitation is geared to his being able to provehimself properly match-fit by mid-January. His fitness will be tested asrigorously as possible, including simulation of ODI bowling demands in the nets in about a month if his rehabilitation progresses appropriately in the meantime, and if he is selected for the 15-man World Cup squad.”

Leeds United must avoid making a move for Liverpool striker Divock Origi amid Kevin Phillips’ recent transfer claim.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Jurgen Klopp’s side are ready to let the Belgian centre-forward go this summer after several years at Anfield, and Phillips has suggested that Leeds should be in the race to land him.

He said: “Yeah, I think so. We saw with Bamford last season, at the end he looked tired. He wasn’t the same player he was earlier in the season.

“That comes from playing too much football. They might look for a player who could play wide and through the middle. Maybe someone like Divock Origi. Maybe Leeds could nick in and get him from Liverpool. At that price? Certainly. With the time left in the window, I think we will see Leeds move for him, or a player like that.”

Bielsa would be fuming

While Origi has had some high-profile moments in his Liverpool career – not least his Champions League final goal against Spurs – he simply hasn’t been consistent anywhere near enough for Leeds to feel like they should take a punt on him.

At 26, the Belgian isn’t a young prospect anymore where mere flashes of potential can be accepted. The fact Klopp could only trust him with 181 minutes of Premier League football last season, and on many occasions not even put him in the match-day squad, is a real indication of just how far his stock has fallen.

Leeds have already been burnt by a striker signing based on what a player could potentially do, with the Whites still facing the after-effects of landing Jean-Kevin Augustin.

The Frenchman endured a nightmare spell when he arrived in Yorkshire, playing just 48 minutes worth of football spanning across three appearances – the fact the Whites fought hard to avoid making his loan move permanent speaks volumes of just how disastrous of a signing that was.

The £60k-a-week earning Origi would just be another Augustin-like disaster at Elland Road were he to join this summer. Bielsa would surely be fuming with a move for the Belgian who’s scored just 35 goals in 157 games for Liverpool.

The Whites need a far more proven, and consistent option up front to compete with Bamford, and Origi simply isn’t that man.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has dropped an update on this Leeds United target…

Rangers have been heavily linked with a move to bring Jonson Clarke-Harris to Ibrox to link up with Steven Gerrard in recent weeks, but Barry Fry insists that Peterborough United have yet to receive a single bid for him, although there have been a number of enquiries.

The striker enjoyed a fantastic season as Peterborough won promotion back to the Championship.

In total, the 26-year-old scored 33 goals in 48 games in all competitions and has subsequently been linked with a potential move to the Scottish champions this summer.

However, it seems as though there are seven other clubs who are interested in a deal to snaffle the ex-Rotherham United striker away from London Road.

Posh’s Director of Football Fry is insistent that he is not receptive to low-ball offers, but he is open to kick-starting a negotiation in order to ensure that Peterborough receive the highest fee possible.

Clarke-Harris has been linked with Rangers, with Steven Gerrard clearly keen to take him north of the border.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Fry said: “We’ve had no offers, we’ve had eight enquiries from eight different clubs, saying ‘what would it take’, and I just said ‘make us an offer and I’ll reject it.’

“But that will start the ball rolling. And then we’ll have to sit down. It’s taken us eight years to get back into the Championship, we’re not going to let anybody go cheap.”

Clarke-Harris has endured something of a nomadic career before moving to Posh, playing for playing for six clubs on a permanent basis, including a brief spell with his current club back in 2012/13.

Speaking to Football Insider, pundit and Sky Sports regular Paul Robinson has dropped a claim involving Nuno Espirito Santo as Tottenham Hotspur allegedly eye him as a candidate.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing Nuno…

After failed Tottenham talks for Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte, Paulo Fonseca and Gennaro Gattuso, the Lilywhites have turned their focus to other targets.

Some names from the original shortlist have reappeared, like Brighton boss Graham Potter for example, but names like Nuno are now being considered with Tottenham’s options growing thin.

Indeed, Football Insider recently claimed that Spurs have now turned to the 47-year-old as a candidate as they plot talks behind the scenes.

The Latest: Robinson shares what he’s heard…

Speaking to Football Insider, in reaction to this development, former Spurs keeper and Sky regular Robinson has made a claim involving Nuno from his ‘sources’.

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Apparently, the Portuguese could demand as much as 15-20 backroom staff for the manager’s job.

“He has held talks with Crystal Palace and Everton as well but that has fallen through so something isn’t right there,” explained the ex-England international.

“I heard from my sources that he wants 15 or 20 backroom staff members coming with him but I cannot see that happening at Spurs because Daniel will not want to do that because it will be very expensive.

“There is a particular structure now at Spurs with Paratici coming in. If he wasn’t succeeding at Wolves, why would Tottenham turn to him?”

The Verdict: Intriguing claim…

This information that Nuno could demand a plethora of staff comes as intriguing, especially when you consider the differences Tottenham had with Conte in regards to backroom numbers.

Lauded as a ‘fantastic’ boss by Eygpt international Hassan ‘Kouka’ Ahmed (BBC), who worked with him at Rio Ave, Spurs must still carefully consider Nuno despite the Robinson reveal.

Tottenham are running out of time with non-international players set to return for pre-season training as soon as July 5 and chairman Daniel Levy simply must make a decision soon.

In other news: ‘Tottenham have renewed their interest’…Sky Sports reporter shares news coming out of N17, find out more here.

West Ham United continue to be linked to Aaron Ramsey this summer…

What’s the word?

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, the Irons are among the front-runners to land the 64-cap Welsh international as his time at Juventus seems to be coming to an end.

They are facing competition from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace but a lot will have to be done to get him out of his reported €7m-per-year (£6m) contract at the Allianz Stadium.

It’s thought that West Ham have already tested the waters with an approach, so it now lies in the hands of David Moyes and the club’s hierarchy.

Biggest name since Payet

You get the feeling that this sort of signing would split opinion at the London Stadium.

On the one hand, it’s hard to make a case for a fairly injury-prone 30-year-old who is entering the twilight of his career but adding Ramsey would give the Hammers a player with vast experience of playing in Europe as they embark on a Europa League campaign.

Just this week, the former Arsenal man proved he still had that goalscoring touch from midfield, when latching onto a sublime ball from Gareth Bale to put Wales up against Turkey at Euro 2020.

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It was in North London that Ramsey quickly emerged as one of the Premier League’s best advanced playmakers, earning comparisons to the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

He bagged 65 goals and provided another 65 assists in over 370 matches, in which he recorded a career-best of 13 goals and ten assists during the 2013/14 campaign, via Transfermarkt.

His 76 appearances across both European competitions could provide Moyes with something he’s lacking in abundance, too.

This is the sort of presence that the Irons once had in midfield when Dimitri Payet was at the club and Ramsey is, in our opinion, a much bigger name now than Payet was when he first arrived at the club in 2015.

West Ham have signed a lot of players in the last few seasons but none of those were, in the view of FFC, as high profile a player as Ramsey is now.

Once dubbed “complete” by ex-Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, and a “real leader” and “an outstanding technician” by BT Sport pundit Martin Keown, the Hammers must consider landing the Welsh international this summer.

Him playing alongside the likes of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek would be a mouthwatering prospect in the Europa League.

AND in other news, Forget Kral: GSB must sanction West Ham bargain in £8.5m workhorse who “upset” Ronaldo…

New fast bowler Simon Francis is fully fit and has set his sights on a first team spot with the Cidermen this season

Richard Walsh17-Mar-2002New fast bowler Simon Francis is fully fit and has set his sights on a first team spot with the Cidermen this season.The 23-year-old who was born and brought up in Kent signed for Somerset at the end of last season after he was released by Hampshire.What attracted him to Somerset, I asked. “I had been speaking to Kevin Shine during the season about what he was doing at the club, and talked to some of the players and it all sounded pretty impressive. The set-up here is very professional and now that I’m here it’s even better than I expected.”The two coaches here are so young that they could still both be playing first-class cricket themselves. They are a lot more open-minded and in touch professionally.”The young fast bowler told me that he had been on the Hampshire staff for six years, but missed the first four months of last season after suffering a stress fracture of the back, ironically in the pre-season friendly at Taunton.”I bowled just two or three overs in the match and then had to go off,” he told me.What was he hoping for this season, I asked. “I’m aiming to get a full season under my belt and get a regular first team spot. A lot will depend upon the availability of Andrew Caddick, and with the success that both Richard Johnson and Steffan Jones had last season there will be a lot of competition for bowling places. I see myself as the third seamer in the side.”I asked how his training had gone this winter. “The whole set-up at Somerset is dedicated to success. My bowling has improved and I’ve refined my action. I’m excited and can’t wait for the season to start.”How was he enjoying living in the West Country, I asked. “It’s a lot quieter than I expected, but I’m settling in well down here. Everyone is so friendly and I get along with everybody.”I’m buying a property locally and would like to think that this is going to be my home. I’m looking at being at Somerset as a long-term commitment.”Certainly the Somerset Coach Kevin Shine rates the new fast bowler very highly. “I’ve been aware of him for two or three years and when I heard that he had been released he came straight down here and signed for us, even on the back of his disappointment.”He’s picked himself up and performed really well, which says a lot about him. He’s got himself into good shape and really impressed me with his ability to assimilate and practice. He’s working outside of the comfort zone and will do anything that is required.”Finally I asked Simon what his dream for the season would be. “I would just love to play for Somerset at Lord’s in a cup winning side. I think that’s realistic.”Let’s all hope that the dream comes true for Simon and the rest of the team!