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The visitors withstood onslaughts from Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis to successfully defend 209

Madushka Balasuriya21-Feb-2024

Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored at a rapid pace•AFP/Getty Images

Afghanistan withstood onslaughts at both ends of the innings, first from Pathum Nissanka and then Kamindu Mendis, to close out a nervy three-run victory over Sri Lanka in the third T20I in Dambulla. It means Afghanistan end the series on a high, securing their solitary victory at the last time of asking; Sri Lanka win the series 2-1.The difference in the end proved to be the final two deliveries of the respective innings. Afghanistan, having elected to bat first, struck 10 runs off their final two balls courtesy debutant Mohammed Ishaq to push their total to 209 for 5. Sri Lanka in their response ended up needing 10 off 2, but Kamindu could only manage six – that too coming off the final delivery of the game.In between were a host of fierce knocks, foremost from Rahmanullah Gurbaz who struck a 43-ball 70 to set the platform for the visitors’ mammoth score. Opening alongside him was Hazratullah Zazai who bludgeoned an even more brutal 45 off 22.Sri Lanka in response had Nissanka lead the way with a 30-ball 60 before a hamstring strain forced him to retire hurt, but Kamindu’s 65 off 39 ensured the game would go down to the wire.Suffice to say it wasn’t a day for the bowlers with none able to maintain an economy rate of below eight, with the seamers on both sides receiving the brunt of the abuse each taken for more than 10 an over. Gurbaz and Zazai set the stage With just pride to play for, Gurbaz and Zazai set about unloading their frustrations over how this tour has gone, as the pair clobbered their way to an 88-run opening stand in just 48 deliveries.Sri Lanka weren’t spared from either end during a 72-run powerplay as the pair were equal to anything Sri Lanka threw their way. None of Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana – brought in early in attempt to stem the flow of runs – nor Akila Dananjaya were spared, plundered to all parts.Gurbaz, who’s had a torrid tour by his standards, was particularly pleased to finally get some runs under his belt, celebrating his half-century with a look to the heavens and an unequivocal look of relief on his face. He rode his luck as well, dropped on 22 by Dananjaya and then again later on 58 by Sadeera Samawickrama – both chances in the deep and on the run.Partnerships keep momentum going Once the opening partnership was ended, Sri Lanka might have hoped to reel things back but Afghanistan scarcely took their foot off the gas. While they were unable to maintain the scoring rate of roughly 12 an over that Gurbaz and Zazai had been galloping along at, at no point across their innings did the rate drop below 10.Successive partnerships of 25, 28, 41 – all comfortably above run-a-ball – ensured Sri Lanka’s bowlers were never allowed to build any pressure, and then Ishaq’s final-over strikes placed the finishing touches on a dominant outing with the bat.Kamindu Mendis waged a lone battle for Sri Lanka through the middle overs•AFP/Getty Images

Nissanka’s one-man show Over the past couple of years Sri Lanka’s bigger totals had frequently coincided with a Kusal Mendis onslaught, but 2024 has been the Nissanka show as far as Sri Lanka are concerned.While his double-ton in the ODIs seemed to catch many by surprise, Nissanka now seems hellbent on completely transforming his white-ball game into one of a pocket-sized power hitter.He signalled his intent in the very first over of the chase, clipping one fine first ball before swatting a short one past mid-on a couple of balls later. He saved his destructive best though for Fareed Ahmad in the final over of the powerplay, as he took him for six, four, four, first scooped over fine leg, then slapped high down the ground and finally flayed over point.By the time he left the field he had accounted for 60 (off 30 deliveries) of Sri Lanka’s 83 on the board. They will hope the hamstring injury that forced him to retire hurt is nothing serious; his parting shot before leaving the field – a slog sweep over deep midwicket – was a bittersweet reminder of precisely what they’d be missing out on. Afghanistan hold their nerve Despite Nissanka’s blazing start, the required rate still hovered over 10 an over constantly, but Sri Lanka did well to keep the required rate within touching distance even while losing the likes of Kusal Perera and Wanindu Hasaranga cheaply.This was largely down to a momentum-shifting stand between Samarawickrama and Kamindu, the pair putting on 53 off 33. When Samarawickrama fell edging a cut to the keeper, and Mathews shortly after holing out in the deep, Afghanistan might have felt they were home clear, however another quick fire stand shifted the balance once more.Dasun Shanaka and Kamindu put on 35 off 17, but with Shanaka run out and Mendis needing 19 off the final over, he and Sri Lanka fell agonisingly short.

Virat Kohli is now only one century short of equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI hundreds

Ashish Pant19-Oct-20232:13

Did Kohli chase his milestone? Pujara okay with it if it doesn’t hurt the team

Virat Kohli brought up his 48th ODI century by hitting the winning six against Bangladesh in Pune, in the company of KL Rahul after the pair chose not to run a few singles so that Kohli could reach the landmark. He is now only one hundred away from equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most centuries in ODIs (49).After the game, which India won with 51 balls to spare, Rahul suggested it was his idea that they not run singles so that Kohli could keep the strike and increase his chances of scoring a hundred.”He [Kohli] was confused, he said it will not look too nice, not to take the single, it’s still a World Cup, and it’s still a big stage. ‘I don’t want to look like I am just trying to get the milestone’,” Rahul told . “But I said, I mean it is not won but still I think we’ll win quite easily, so if you can get to the milestone why not, you must try. And he did that in the end. I wasn’t going to run the singles anyway.”Related

Hardik Pandya suffers injury scare against Bangladesh

Jadeja, Kohli lead India to fourth win in a row

The pair turned down approximately five opportunities to run singles as Kohli neared his century, which had seemed unlikely at one stage. Chasing 257, India were 229 for 3 after 38 overs and needed only 28 to win. At this point, Kohli was on 73. He and Rahul took a single each off the first two balls of the 39th over. India now needed 26 to win and Kohli needed the same for a hundred.Kohli then smashed Hasan Mahmud into the stands over long-on before slamming Nasum Ahmed for a four and a six. At the start of the 42nd over, with India needing two runs to win and Kohli needing three for a hundred, Nasum fired the ball down leg side but umpire Richard Kettleborough did not call it a wide. Two balls later, Kohli hit the six that sealed India’s fourth win in four games this World Cup.”I wanted to make a big contribution,” Kohli said after the game, having finished unbeaten on 103 off 97 balls. “I have had a few fifties in World Cups, and I have never really converted them so I just wanted to finish the game off this time around. Yeah, hang on till the end which is what I have done over the years for the team.”Virat Kohli and KL Rahul celebrate after the win•Getty Images

It was Kohli’s first century in the ODI World Cup since the 107 he hit against Pakistan in 2015 in Adelaide. He had scored seven half-centuries since then.Kohli couldn’t have hoped for a much better start to his innings when he received two free-hits from Mahmud, which he clobbered for a four and a six to get going.”I was telling Shubman [Gill] that even if you dream about a situation like that you just go back to sleep, you won’t think it is real,” Kohli said. “It was a dream start for me, first four balls two free-hits, a six and four, just calms you down and just gets you into the innings. The pitch was pretty good and it allowed me to play my game…just time the ball, hit the gaps, run hard and get the boundaries wherever needed.”Of India’s 2011 World Cup winning squad, Kohli and R Ashwin are the only two members in the present team, and he said the atmosphere was great within the team.”There is a great atmosphere in the change room,” Kohli said. “We are loving each other’s company, the spirit is for everyone to see off the field, that’s why it is translating like that on the field. We understand it is a long tournament and you need to create some momentum in the change room for the guys to come out and play like this. It’s a special feeling playing at home, playing in front of all these people so we just want to make the most of it.”With four wins in four games, India are level on eight points with table-toppers New Zealand, who have a better net run rate. Their next match is against each other on Sunday in Dharamsala.

Fast bowler joins fellow rookie John Turner on sidelines, will also miss Hundred Eliminator

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Aug-2023

Josh Tongue trains with England ahead of the Headingley Test•PA Images/Getty

England have suffered another injury setback ahead of their T20I series against New Zealand next week, with Josh Tongue being withdrawn from the 15-man squad to be replaced by Chris Jordan.Tongue, who impressed in his two Test appearances against Ireland and Australia at Lord’s this summer, had been expected to make his white-ball debut in the course of the four-match series, with England’s selectors keen to expand their pool of fast-bowling options ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.However, ESPNcricinfo understands that Tongue has suffered a pectoral injury, meaning he will also miss the final stages of Manchester Originals’ Men’s Hundred campaign. Originals are due to play Southern Brave in the Eliminator at the Kia Oval on Saturday, and if successful, will face Oval Invincibles in the tournament final at Lord’s on Sunday.Tongue joins John Turner on the sidelines for the T20I series. Both men are capable of bowling in excess of 90mph, and alongside their fellow uncapped pace bowler, Gus Atkinson – who has also been named in the provisional squad for the 50-over World Cup – they had looked set to offer England a potent range of options in next week’s matches against New Zealand.Now, however, the selectors have reverted to the tried-and-tested. With 96 T20I wickets in 87 appearances, Jordan, 34, is England’s leading wicket-taker in the format, and has been in stellar form for Southern Brave in this year’s Men’s Hundred, claiming eight wickets at an economy of 6.88 in their run to the play-offs.Both Jordan and his Southern Brave team-mate Tymal Mills, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 15 scalps, had been overlooked in the original squad in a deliberate attempt to broaden the squad’s bowling options, as Jos Buttler, the white-ball captain, reiterated on the eve of the Hundred Eliminator, prior to the news of Tongue’s injury.”The T20 squad has been picked with a view to having a look at a few other guys,” Buttler said. “That’s been communicated [to Mills and Jordan] as well. We want to try and broaden that talent pool and expose some people to international cricket to see where they’re at.”Death bowling is obviously a big focus in short-form cricket and we want to see where certain people are at, and give them a chance. Of course, no one’s ever ruled out, but in terms of needing extra motivation, every player should always be motivated in my eyes.”

Manchester United are now set for a transfer battle with Spanish giants Barcelona to sign an exciting young full-back, according to a recent report.

Man Utd eye new forwards as summer plans take shape

It will not come as a surprise to any United fan to see that the Old Trafford chiefs are looking at strengthening their forward line this summer. Rasmus Hojlund, who did score against Leicester City before the international break and then against Portugal for Denmark, has struggled for consistent form this season, while Joshua Zirkzee looks more comfortable in a red shirt recently but has also struggled to find the net regularly.

Amorim working on "unbelievable" forward deal as Man Utd fancy £42m price

United have now turned their attentions to a new centre-forward target, as Ruben Amorim is already working on a potential transfer.

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Brett Worthington

Mar 24, 2025

Therefore, Ruben Amorim is keen to improve this, and ahead of the summer, he and INEOS have their eye on two new strikers, both of whom play for AFC Bournemouth. Over the weekend, it emerged that Antonie Semenyo has emerged as a target for the Red Devils, as his versatility makes him someone who Amorim would love to have in his team. It is claimed that United have already held talks with the Cherries over a potential transfer.

As well as Semenyo, United are also looking at Justin Kluivert and have added him to their transfer shortlist. The Dutchman has been mightily impressive this season and has caught the eye of the Premier League giants, who could sign Kluivert for between £42-46 million this summer.

Man Utd set to battle Barcelona for £20m defender

But it is not just a new centre-forward that is on the mind at Old Trafford, as according to Caught Offside, Man United are keeping a close eye on Feyenoord’s right-back Givairo Read ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report states that Read has caught the eye of several big European teams after his performances for the Dutch side. It is claimed that Liverpool and Barcelona are two teams competing against each other to sign the 18-year-old, but United, along with Atlético Madrid, Chelsea and Arsenal, are also monitoring the defender’s situation.

Read, who is known for being an attacking threat from the full-back position, could be up for grabs this summer despite the fact he is under contract until the summer of 2028. That is because Feyenoord have set a price tag of €25-30 million, which is roughly £20-25 million.

Read broke into the Feyenoord first team this season and has played 17 games in the Eredivisie so far, during which he has recorded an impressive six assists. He is a right-back by trade, but he can also play left-back, central midfield and right wing-back, which would suit Amorim’s need for versatile players.

Read’s 24/25 league stats compared to Dalot’s
	Read	Dalot
Apps	17	28
Starts	13	28
Assists	6	2
Crosses	31	49
Tackles won	23	35
Interceptions	10	35

The Red Devils currently have Diogo Dalot as their main right wing-back, but given his poor campaign, where TalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook stated he had “regressed” this season, Amorim may be looking for a potential replacement.

Dalot has only 22 goal involvements for United in 202 games, which isn’t ideal for a wing-back and, given the fact United were looking at signing Geovany Quenda before Chelsea won that race, it appears a new right wing-back is on their agenda.

Arsenal and England star Leah Williamson enjoyed sunshine, laughs and paddle boarding during a romantic holiday with girlfriend Elle Smith.

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• England captain recharging before Euros
• Soaked up sunshine in the Mediterranean
• Looking to add to Champions League title

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Lionesses captain Williamson is – after gruelling domestic, continental and international campaigns in 2024-25 – readying herself for a European Championship title defence on Swiss soil this summer.

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• THE GOSSIP

  Before another bid for Euros glory gets underway, the 28-year-old has jetted off to Majorca with model partner Smith for some rest and relaxation. Williamson was able to unwind by the pool, while also padding out to sea.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Williamson and Smith had a private pool at their luxury apartment, while plenty of laughs were had when heading out in the evenings for some food. American journalist Smith has since headed to Hamburg.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR LEAH WILLIAMSON & ENGLAND?

  Williamson has been in trophy-winning mood of late, helping Arsenal to a memorable Champions League triumph, and will see England’s Euro 2025 campaign get underway against France on July 5.

Glasgow Rangers are heading for their worst domestic season in years. Knocked out of the Scottish Cup under Philippe Clement by Championship side Queen’s Park came just a couple of months after losing the League Cup final.

In the Premiership, the Ibrox side trail rivals Celtic by 13 points, having lost six and drawn five of their 30 league games so far this season.

Despite this underwhelming campaign, Barry Ferguson delivered two of the club’s finest moments just three days apart.

Firstly, he led the Gers to a penalty shootout victory over Fenerbahçe, leading the club to the quarter-finals of the Europa League for the first time since 2022.

Secondly, he ended their five-year Parkhead hoodoo on Sunday afternoon, with the Light Blues triumphing in the third Old Firm clash of the season, winning 3-2 courtesy of a late winner by Hamza Igamane.

When his effort hit the back of the net, it was a moment of pure inspiration, with the vast majority of the supporters forgetting all about the dismal season at that point.

The key thing now is for the players to carry this sort of form into the remaining few games, proving that the result isn’t a flash in the pan.

Several players proved their worth against Celtic, none more so than Nico Raskin.

Why Nico Raskin is captain material for Rangers

Raskin has stepped up to the plate for Rangers since making his return to the first-team squad back in September after missing the first few weeks of the season due to injury.

It looked as though Raskin would have to force his way back into the starting XI, especially as Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande were beginning to form a solid partnership in the heart of the midfield.

Since returning to full fitness, however, the Belgian has arguably been the club’s best player. Across 26 Premiership matches, Raskin has an 87% pass success rate, while also creating six big chances, making three tackles per game and winning 6.5 total duels per match – a success rate of 59% – in the league.

Against Celtic on Sunday, Raskin made sure the Gers wouldn’t return to Ibrox empty-handed. After testing Kasper Schmeichel with a fizzing shot early on, he subsequently scored from the resulting corner.

Throughout the clash, the 24-year-old dictated the game, working well with Diomande at the heart of the midfield, giving Celtic no time to create anything in the first half.

The Belgian even assisted his midfield partner for the second Rangers goal and this duo could be one to star for the Light Blues over the next few years, that’s for sure.

Raskin certainly exudes plenty of qualities that would make him a fine captain for the club, especially when James Tavernier finally leaves the club.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

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It is Diomande, however, who perhaps has the attributes to be the most important player for the Ibrox side next season and beyond.

Why Diomande is worth more than Raskin

Over the past few months, both midfielders have seen their market valuations soar due to some impressive displays.

According to Transfermarkt, Raskin is now worth €6.5m (£5.5m), which is a massive rise from what the club paid to sign him in January 2023.

Diomande – who cost the Gers £4.5m last January – is now worth slightly more than his partner in midfield, with the Ivorian star now worth €7m (£6m), which is marginally more than Raskin.

Whoever takes over Rangers in the summer ahead of 2025/26 must utilise these two players in their best positions. If so, then the next term could be a lot different to the current one.

Diomande may have been a Jekyll and Hyde-like figure among the Ibrox faithful, with some not convinced of his talents, but his display against Celtic has certainly proved the doubters wrong.

Operating behind Cyriel Dessers in Ferguson’s 3-4-2-1 system, Diomande was given free rein to work alongside Vaclav Cerny in using his running power to have a go at the Celtic defence.

Diomande vs Raskin this season (Premiership only)

Metric

Diomande

Raskin

Assists

5

5

Key passes per game

1.1

0.9

Total duels won per game

4

6.5

Tackles per game

1.1

3

Shots per game

1.4

1

Pass success rate per game

86%

87%

Indeed, the midfielder starlet succeeded with 100% of his dribbles, made one key pass, won four of his six ground duels contested and made two tackles, contributing whether or not his side had the ball.

He scored the second goal for Rangers with a well-taken effort, proving that he can be a key threat in the opposition penalty area.

Overall, it was a sublime performance by the 23-year-old, who has a bright future in the game. That’s a certainty.

Analyst John Walker hailed the midfielder last week, saying: “Scanning is an absolute basic in football but the regularity in which you do it is what can stop a player going beyond SPFL level.

“This basic skill-set, often overlooked, is exactly what can leave you with a 96% pass completion in a massive European tie. Add to that, calm & composed on the ball with the aggression to work off the ball and you have a pretty complete midfielder.”

When compared to his positional peers in the Europa League this season, Diomande ranks in the top 6% for pass completion percentage (82.6%) along with ranking in the top 6% for passes into the final third (4.21) and in the top 14% for tackles won (1.53) per 90.

These statistics showcase his ability to shine in European competition, which will naturally see the player attract interest from elsewhere.

This summer, a new manager will be appointed at Rangers. There are plenty of things to focus on ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, but the most important aspect will be to retain his key players.

This includes Raskin and Diomande. Another season at the club could see their market valuations continue to soar, while also allowing the Gers the perfect chance of securing significant profit on the duo.

Related 83% duels won: Rangers star has just made himself as undroppable as Raskin

The Rangers star put in a fantastic shift against Celtic, as well as Nicolas Raskin.

Posts ByDan Emery Mar 16, 2025

Gary Neville has revealed what plans him and fellow Salford City co-owner David Beckham have for the club in the coming years.

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Beckham & Neville complete Salford takeoverLatter reveal plans for League Two side"Different from Wrexham and Birmingham"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Beckham and Neville led a consortium that gained control of the League Two side in early May, buying out Class of '92 icons Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Phil Neville. Now, the Sky Sports pundit has explained what they want to do over the next five years, while outlining how they differ from Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's Wrexham and Birmingham City – who have NFL icon Tom Brady as a minority investor.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT NEVILLE SAID

He said on The Overlap Fan Debate: “Shares in a football club for most owners, other than the passion and the feelings you get from it, you’re a reliability from an investment perspective more than an asset. We’ve put money into Salford and in January we just thought we needed to get a group of people involved, who we could trust. We knew we’d never have most of the club. What Peter [Lim] did for us is, he gave us most of the club, but put most of the money in. He only owned 40%, he gave us 10% each of the club. Me and Becks [David Beckham] agreed that we would put money in for the next four or five years, which is a commitment we’ve all made.”

Neville added: “Salford City won’t be changing the budget – to reverse out of the model we already have, you need two or three years. You can’t go from investing to becoming sustainable that quick – you need to look at players contracts for three years and you’ve generally got a model that you’ve built which you can’t come away from.  We just need to change the model of the club slightly, in fact quite a bit. It’s very different than Wrexham and Birmingham [City] – you’re talking about millions going into those clubs. That’s not what we’re looking to do with Salford. We want Salford to be a good football project.” 

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Beckham has previously outlined how they want to reach the Championship in the next five years, and this month they showed their ruthless side by axing 17 players. But getting to the English second-tier will be a very tough challenge, not to mention it will require a lot of investment from Neville, Beckham, and the consortium.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Preparations for the new season will already be underway, including players arriving and leaving, as Salford aim to get promoted to League One in 2026.

Ever since Ange Postecoglou arrived in north London, it’s been clear that his emphasis lies on attacking football that easy on the eye and overwhelming.

Tottenham Hotspur are an enigma – at their best, they are capable of giving top teams a hiding, but at their worst, are susceptible to the most ignominious of results or stuck on the wrong side of a basketball scoreline.

Scour through social media and you’ll find rival supporters peddling false claims of Spurs whinging about their injury issues, but there is substantial truth in Postecoglou’s indignation on that front.

Tottenham’s season has been decimated by fitness blow after fitness blow after fitness blow. Oh, he’ll die on his tactical hill to be sure, but the Australian gaffer’s electric start to life down in N17 last season bespeaks his and Tottenham’s potential.

1

Liverpool

1st

56

2

Arsenal

2nd

49

=3

Man City

4th

48

=3

Tottenham

14th

48

5

Chelsea

5th

47

In fairness, Spurs were drained of colour and inspiration as Liverpool picked them apart in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday, but Arne Slot’s side are probably the best team in the world right now, steamrolling through the season.

Naturally, Tottenham didn’t reach the end of the match without another cruel injury blow.

Richarlison added to the injury list

Ever since Postecoglou arrived, Tottenham have wanted to attack. This has been both a blessing and a curse. Son Heung-min is one of the finest forwards of his generation, but aged 32, he has struggled to match the desired intensity this term and has floundered with the cogs crashing around him.

It doesn’t help that his teammates keep getting picked off, with Richarlison unable to complete the Merseyside clash after pulling up with an issue as he was withdrawn before the break.

Postecoglou resignedly said that it was “another one to add to the list” after the fixture, with Richarlison set to return to the medical room only a month after returning from a hamstring problem that had ruled him out for two months.

Mathys Tel arrived on loan last week to add relief, but Spurs need Dominic Solanke to return from the infirmary if their attacking fluency is to be restored.

Spurs have struck gold on Dominic Solanke

Last month, Tottenham’s injury crisis deepened when Solanke pulled up with a knee injury that will take six weeks to recover from. He’s unlikely to return before the end of February.

Solanke is Tottenham’s club-record signing, brought in from Bournemouth last summer in a deal rising to £65m. Richarlison was the previous number one.

The belated Harry Kane replacement, 27, has posted 11 goals and 6 assists across 29 matches in all competitions this season. This is a decent return, built on the excellent campaign that convinced Daniel Levy to pay the big bucks, with Solanke notching 19 top-flight goals for the Cherries last year.

Solanke isn’t the most relentless of goalscorers, only averaging 2.59 shots per Premier League match this season, as per FBref, which puts him in the bottom 45% of strikers in the division.

He suffered from similar defects in his early days at the Vitality Stadium, with former teammate Junior Stanislas highlighting the many other areas that make him a top forward: “His quality was evident in training. His hold-up play, skills and willingness to run in behind – he was someone you always wanted on your team. He brought so much more than goals.”

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Spurs held off from signing a direct Kane successor last season, but Solanke is now proven as a well-thought-out option, bringing his own take on the No 9 role and not expected to bring the obscene strike record of his predecessor.

Moreover, five of his seven Premier League goals this season have come against teams in the top half of the table, with the other two bagged against Brentford and Manchester United (he also put two past the Red Devils as Spurs advanced to the Carabao Cup semis).

He’s a big-game player and a facilitator for teammates such as Son to find more space in the danger areas and wreak the kind of havoc that Postecoglou’s system, at full throttle, provides.

Described as a “pressing monster”, the England international will be a major player over the coming years and will be one of the biggest driving forces as Spurs push to escape from the rut that they are currently bogged in.

Before long, Spurs’ new striker might be worth more than the legendary Kane, whose £54m release clause at Bayern Munich becomes active during the 2026 January transfer window.

Kane, who turns 32 this summer, has scored 72 goals from 73 matches since joining Bayern from Tottenham in 2023, adding 28 assists. The Three Lions captain’s teammate, Jamal Musiala, has described him as “an incredible player, one of the best in the world”.

Certain fans might be tempted to voice hopes of Kane re-joining next summer when his release clause becomes active, but in Solanke, Tottenham have a most industrious and energetic option.

Simply, £54m would be too heavy a price for a player whose 33rd year would be encroaching. Tottenham have endured plenty of misery in the transfer market over the past few years, but in Solanke, they have a striker capable of offering a multi-faceted approach over the coming years.

Re-signing Kane for such a sum would set Levy back, and the fact that Solanke will soon be worth more than his predecessor bears testament to his importance in Ange’s side

He's worth far more than Tel: Spurs hit the jackpot with "world-class" star

The incredible international could become a legend at Spurs.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 8, 2025

Manchester United and INEOS are considering hijacking a transfer deal to sign a £40 million “great” attacking player in the summer, according to a recent report.

Man Utd transfer news

Between now and the end of the season, the transfer rumours around Old Trafford are expected to gather pace, as Ruben Amorim and co. are going to be looking for those who fit his system while also moving on players who have disappointed in a red shirt for too long.

Man Utd eye move for "elite" £83m striker who may join instead of Gyokeres

The Red Devils are keen on signing a striker this summer.

1 ByDominic Lund Feb 18, 2025

One player who appears to be closing in on a move to United is Geovany Quenda, as the 17-year-old has now reportedly agreed personal terms with the Premier League club. Ben Jacobs revealed earlier this week that United were progressing in talks to sign Quenda from Sporting CP, but they want to do a deal at £33 million while the Portuguese side want £50 million, meaning a compromise will be needed from both sides.

As well as looking to sign Quenda, it emerged over the weekend that the Red Devils are also willing to make a £125 million bid to sign Julian Alvarez from Atlético Madrid. This would be a surprise transfer, as the forward has only just joined the Spanish giants, and furthermore, he would be joining United after helping Manchester City win the Premier League and Champions League.

Man Utd considering transfer move to sign £40m Belgium star

New attacking additions don’t stop there for the Premier League side, as according to TEAMtalk, Manchester United are considering making a move to sign Charles de Ketelaere from Atalanta.

The 23-year-old is considered to be one of the best in his position in Europe and is also being looked at by Man City as a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.

However, the Red Devils are also keeping a close eye on the player and could make a move to try and beat their neighbours to the transfer. United and City are not the only teams interested, as multiple other Premier League teams are looking at de Ketelaere as well.

The Belgian international, who has been dubbed a “great” player by analyst Ben Mattinson, joined Atalanta on a permanent basis in the summer after spending the 2023/24 season on loan from AC Milan. De Ketelaere scored 10 goals and recorded eight assists in Serie A last season, while also getting on the scoresheet in the Europa League, as the Italian side claimed European glory.

Apps

88

Goals

25

Assists

22

This season, de Ketelaere has taken his game to the next level, already scoring four goals in the Champions League and five in Serie A, as well as a combined 11 assists in both competitions.

The attacking midfielder is gaining more and more admirers, and with him under contract at Atalanta until 2027, the Italian side are said to value de Ketelaere at £40 million, but that could rise even more by the end of the campaign.

His potential arrival at Old Trafford would be an exciting one, as United are crying out for a new number 10 to help Bruno Fernandes, as United are heavily reliant on the Portuguese, and de Ketelaere would ease the burden and could form a very good partnership with Bruno in the 10 positions of Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.

“I expect all countries to come and compete,” says Anurag Thakur on Pakistan potentially having issues with touring India for 2023 World Cup

PTI and ESPNcricinfo20-Oct-2022 • Updated on 08-Aug-2023India’s sports minister Anurag Thakur said on Thursday that the country’s home ministry will take a call on the men’s team travelling to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup. Thakur also said he is “expecting” Pakistan to play the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.His comments come after the BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, who is also the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president, suggested that next year’s Asia Cup would have to be played somewhere other than Pakistan, given India “can’t go there”. In reply, the PCB had put out a statement saying Shah’s comments were made “unilaterally” and raised the prospect of an “impact” on Pakistan’s participation in the 2023 World Cup.Related

PCB could pull out of 2023 Asia Cup if tournament is moved out of Pakistan

India can't travel to Pakistan for 2023 Asia Cup, says Jay Shah

Shah statement could 'impact Pakistan's visit to India' for 2023 WC

“All teams who qualify for [the World Cup] are invited [to India],” Thakur told a select gathering of journalists, when asked about the events around Shah’s statement. “Many times Pakistan teams have come to India and played. I feel India is not in a position to be dictated [to] and there is no reason for anyone to do that. I expect all countries to come and compete.”Later in the day, the newly appointed BCCI president Roger Binny reiterated what Thakur pointed out suggesting the decision about India travelling to Pakistan was not entirely BCCI’s alone but reliant on the Indian government. “That’s not the BCCI’s call,” said Binny. “We have to get clearance from the government. Once we get clearance, we give a go-ahead. We can’t take the decision on our own.”Asked about India travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, Thakur said, “It’s a decision that will be taken by the home ministry. Overall, players’ safety and security is an important matter.”It was pointed out that international teams have started touring Pakistan of late, but Thakur deflected the question.Incidentally, Jay Shah is the son of India’s minister of home affairs, Amit Shah.