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Leeds United could make a late loan move for Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, according to David Norris.

Marcelo Bielsa has strengthened his squad ahead of the transfer window closing, with Junior Firpo making the £13million switch from Spanish giants Barcelona, Jack Harrison joining on a permanent basis from Manchester City and goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson linking up with the Whites.

But Bielsa, who penned a new one-year deal last week, has been keen to add a central midfielder all summer but has missed out on a host of targets such as Conor Gallagher after he opted to join Crystal Palace on loan instead.

Norris believes Oxlade-Chamberlain could be a target if Leeds have still failed to bring in a midfielder with the deadline looming.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was restricted to just 17 appearances due to a knee injury last season but was named in Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp’s starting line-up when the Reds opened the new campaign with a comfortable win over Norwich City.

Former Leeds midfielder Norris has hinted a loan move for the 28-year-old may not be out of the question.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Norris said: “He’s a really good player who has been unlucky with injuries.

“I can’t see Leeds being able to do a permanent deal because I think he’d still have a heavy price tag and wages but, as a loan move, that could happen.”

Everton head into their opening Premier League clash next week in a bit of a sticky situation.

They were ruthlessly beaten 4-0 by Manchester United in pre-season on Saturday so the Toffees will need to significantly improve.

However, with Rafa Benitez spending rather meagre sums so far, it’s been a rather anticlimactic summer to date.

On the chalkboard

Everton have looked to strengthen their options on the wing heading into the new season.

They’ve added Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend to their ranks but you sense they still need a signing of fairly high calibre in that region of the pitch.

Leon Bailey was linked with a move to Goodison Park but ultimately joined Aston Villa instead.

Everton signed James Rodriguez last summer but they lack quality and depth beyond that. Alex Iwobi is the prime example.

Signed for a whopping £34m, he’s scored just four goals since moving to Merseyside and such was his lack of end product that Carlo Ancelotti started fielding him at wing-back.

The solution

One answer to Benitez’s problems could be Josip Brekalo.

The Wolfsburg gem was touted with a move to Goodison Park a few months ago but it looks as though they still have a keen eye on the 23-year-old wide man.

That’s according to Transfer Market Web who suggest a bargain fee of €15m (£12.7m) will be enough to sign him. However, they will need to fend off interest from a number of other clubs including Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.

If they secure his signature then he’d represent a huge upgrade on Iwobi.

For starters, he scored more goals this season than the Everton winger has managed in his entire Everton career to date.

Brekalo found the net on seven occasions last term, taking his tally in Wolfsburg colours to 21 overall.

He also added three assists as he earned his place in Croatia’s squad for Euro 2020.

Not only does Brekalo have end product – something that Iwobi lacks – but he’s also incredibly progressive with the ball.

Described as a player who can “torment defenders everywhere” by journalist Ronan Murphy, he ranks in the 75th percentile for total carrying distance of the ball across Europe’s top five leagues.

Iwobi ranks higher in that department but without goals and assists, it rather counts for nothing.

Dismally, the Nigerian ranks in the 29th percentile for shot-creating actions while Brekalo ranks in the 67th percentile.

As a result, it’s evident why the young attacker would be such an upgrade on Iwobi.

AND in other news, Everton may repeat Lacina Traore howler by signing 83-cap gem Rafa compared to Shearer…

India’s Supreme Court has stayed criminal proceedings against former BCCI president Sharad Pawar and five other board officials

Cricinfo staff05-Dec-2008India’s Supreme Court has stayed criminal proceedings against former BCCI president Sharad Pawar and five other board officials. The order concerns a case of perjury – specifically, the production of a false affidavit – filed by Jagmohan Dalmiya.The BCCI decided last month to challenge the Kolkata High Court’s decision to order the initiation of criminal proceedings against the officials. The case is a fallout of Dalmiya’s expulsion from the BCCI.Apart from Pawar, the officials are Shashank Manohar, the BCCI president, Ratnakar Shetty, the chief administrative officer, Niranjan Shah, the former secretary, N Srinivasan, the current secretary, and Chirayu Amin, vice-president. Pawar was the board president when the matter went to court.Dalmiya, a former board president himself, filed a case of perjury against the officials in June 2007 for allegedly producing false documents in court relating to his expulsion in December 2006.The BCCI had filed an affidavit – signed by the six officials – in the High Court stating that the rule under which Dalmiya had been expelled from the BCCI had been registered as required with the Registrar of Societies in Chennai. Dalmiya then filed a case against the six officials alleging that the documents submitted in court were false and were produced with intent to mislead the court.

Bryce McGain’s tour of India is officially over after Cricket Australia announced he would be flying home due to his lingering shoulder injury

Cricinfo staff03-Oct-2008
Bryce McGain’s first trip with the Australia Test squad has ended prematurely © AFP
Bryce McGain’s tour of India is officially over after Cricket Australia announced he would be flying home due to his lingering shoulder injury. McGain, the legspinner who was rated a strong chance of making his Test debut on the trip, has been unable to bowl properly since straining his right shoulder while playing for Australia A last month.Australia have not yet decided whether to send a replacement player for the four-Test series, which begins in Bangalore next Thursday. Beau Casson, the left-arm wrist-spinner, would be the most likely candidate for a call-up after playing a Test in the Caribbean this year, while the offspinner Jason Krejza is for now the only specialist slow bowler in the squad.Australia’s physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said McGain would have been unable to bowl through most of the tour had he stayed with the squad. “Bryce’s injury was first sustained in an Australia A match in September,” Kountouris said.”Despite his workload being managed throughout the early stages of this tour, he suffered a setback at training on Tuesday in an attempt to be available for Australia’s four-day match currently being played in Hyderabad. As a result, it has been decided that Bryce will not be available for selection for the majority of the tour.”McGain, 36, was considered the first-choice spinner in the squad after beating Casson for the sole wrist-spinner’s position. Had he played in India, McGain would have been Australia’s oldest Test debutant since his fellow legspinner Bob Holland in 1984-85.

Arsenal’s huge investment into revolutionalising their Hale End academy set-up is starting to pay serious dividends and for many of their up-and-coming prospects, the pathway into the first-team has never been better.

And that’s because manager Mikel Arteta dishes out regular opportunities to those that impress him in the youth system.

For a long time, the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere were the only success stories from within but under the Spaniard, who has even donned the Gunners shirt himself, we’re seeing more and more homegrown players make the cut.

Both Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe are now a crucial part of Arteta’s senior squad – but who is likely to follow in their footsteps? We’ve seen plenty of names be given game time throughout pre-season thus far, including Jack Henry-Francis and Omari Hutchinson.

However, Arsenal may have their next Smith Rowe already lying in wait.

“Of all the years I’ve been scouting, he’s the best kid I’ve ever seen,” is how Gunners talent-spotter Brian Stapleton describes 17-year-old gem Charlie Patino to Goal.com.

He has now been tipped to become the ‘next Phil Foden’, a player that Arteta had a big influence on during his time as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City.

Despite not turning 18 until September, Patino is expected to play a major role for Arsenal’s U23 side as a left-footed midfielder primarily operating as a no.8.

Although, his future could lie in that advanced midfield role, according to Nick Ames in the Guardian.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-arsenal-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-much-more” title= “Read the latest Arsenal news, transfer rumours, gossip and much more!”]

It’s also believed that there is a plan in place for him to become part of the senior set-up in due course, rather than sending him out on loan, which only speaks volumes on his ability and potentially how highly Arteta rates him.

“It was clear Charlie was a special talent,” claimed former head of recruitment Steve Morrow.

Patino even cites Arteta as a player he looked up to as a child, alongside fellow Spaniards Santi Cazorla and the aforementioned Fabregas.

“Sean O’Connor discovered Jack Wilshere and he said to me that Charlie is the best player who has ever walked through the doors at Hale End,” added Stapleton. “The kid has got so much potential, but he’s not there yet.”

We’ve seen how quickly someone like Smith Rowe has established himself in North London. He was only on loan to Championship outfit Huddersfield Town in 2020 and now he’s donning the famous no.10 shirt, having signed a five-year contract extension.

Patino certainly looks like he could be the next big thing to emerge from the impressive Hale End academy. The 17-year-old can make great strides this season.

AND in other news, Better than Odegaard: Edu must sanction Arsenal swoop for £60m-rated “special talent”…

Many Wolves fans have been left reacting to a transfer update involving Ruben Neves, which emerged this week.

Speaking on his Twitch channel, Italian football journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed (via Talking Wolves) that a development will come on his future in the next few days, and added that it could be with regards to a potential move to either Manchester United or Arsenal.

The Portugal international has been such a key player at Molineux, averaging more tackles (2.4), interceptions (1.8), shots (1.9), passes (54.9) and long balls (5.3) a match in the Premier League than both Leander Dendoncker and Joao Moutinho in the 2020/21 term (WhoScored).

Thus, it would be such a shame to see him go, especially to another team in the top flight.

Wolves fans on Neves transfer update

These supporters of the Midlands club gave their reactions as the transfer update on Neves was shared on Twitter, and it is safe to say that they do not want to see him leave:

“Pain”

Credit: @wwfcjoe_

“Whyyyyyyyyyyy?”

Credit: @LukasWard12

“Will not begrudge Neves leaving to a top side, he’s good enough to do it. But if he goes to Arsenal then I will do. He’s better than that.”

Credit: @ahyden95

“Yuk!”

Credit: @ACrowe87

“Son’s crying”

Credit: @Harry_Mansell

“If Wolves have any real AMBITION then you keep Neves. The new so called style will rely on a ‘Neves’ to defend deep and spray passes. Let’s see what we get if he goes….”

Credit: @shewardjon1

In other news, find out what training footage has Wanderers gushing here!

The Cape Cobras have signed left-arm spinner Claude Henderson ahead of the new season

Cricinfo staff20-Aug-2008The Cape Cobras have signed left-arm spinner Claude Henderson ahead of the new season. He moves from the Lions back to Cape Town where he previously played after arriving from Boland in 1998.Henderson spends half the year as a Kolpak for Leicestershire in county cricket and Shukri Conrad, the Cobras coach, is pleased to be able to bring in someone with a wealth of experience.”A player of Claude’s experience and calibre is a huge asset for the Cape Cobras,” he said. “I hope his experience will rub off on some of the young Cobras spinners we are busy grooming. I am excited to see how others will learn from his abilities.”The Cobras finished third in the SuperSport series last season and have lost the services of Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince and Mark Boucher during the last few months. However, the team saw little of the trio because of their South Africa commitments.Their SuperSport season starts with an away trip to play the Eagles in Kimberley on October 2 and their preparations begin with a short tour from September 15-22.

Some Everton fans have been left buzzing as transfer updates emerged on both Richarlison and James Rodriguez.

As per Eurosport, both players are looking to move to Spain in the summer window, with Richarlison looking to go to Real Madrid while Rodriguez could join Sevilla.

The Goodison Park faithful would be willing to let the Colombia international go, but they would like to keep hold of Richarlison.

There is no doubt that Rodriguez is a talented player, but he has been criticised for his lack of work rate while playing for the Merseyside club back in his home country, and has not exactly been overly enthusiastic about staying in the past.

Richarlison did not have a great 2020/21 season by his usual high standards, scoring a mere seven goals in the Premier League, and he was criticised by some Blues supporters for a few of his displays.

Thus, it may be an idea for Rafa Benitez’s team to sell both for a profitable sum of money and use that to then reinvest in the squad.

Everton fans on transfer updates

These Toffees certainly liked that idea as the exit rumours were shared on Twitter:

“Tara lads. The door is that way.”

Credit: @bernieo63

“If the price is right for Richarlison let him go”

Credit: @marc_lloydy

“Richy is too inconsistent so no loss there.”

Credit: @lordoftheping

“Nice £110 mil for both that should sort FFP out”

Credit: @amhughes72

“Sell them. If they aren’t happy here send them away…. For a hefty fee”

Credit: @Lawemannen

“See ya Tara!!!!”

Credit: @Garyegerton1

In other news, find out which Euro 2020 star Benitez is keen on signing here!

With talks failing to bring resolution to their dispute over the sponsorship rights for the November 1 Stanford 20/20 All-Star match, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and chief sponsors Digicel will head to arbitration

Kern De Freitas24-Jul-2008With talks failing to resolve to their dispute over the sponsorship rights for the November 1 Stanford 20/20 All-Star match, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and chief sponsors Digicel will head to arbitration.Three weeks of negotiations between the WICB and Digicel have not brought about a mutually favourable solution. Now, legal teams from both parties are working towards a neutral intervention, WICB CEO Donald Peters confirmed yesterday.”Digicel have asked to go to arbitration, so we are prepared to do that,” Peters told the Express. “Our attorneys are working on that, but (we’re) not sure what time it is yet. There are guidelines to the arbitration process, so we will stick with that.”The issue Digicel raised with the Stanford five-year, US$100 million series – which consists of one All-Star match per year against an England Select team – is that the deal with the WICB and Stanford encroaches on the Irish telecommunication giants’ exclusive sponsorship rights. Allen Stanford, however, disagrees.”Digicel has to deal with the WICB, the WICB has the West Indies team,” Stanford said on Monday during the ring presentation ceremony to the Trinidad and Tobago team, the 2008 Stanford 20/20 regional winners. “We have the Stanford Superstar team which was selected by the Legends here, not by the WICB selectors, totally different, totally apart.”A 32-man training squad, including eight T&T players, has been selected for the lucrative, winner-take-all match. Stanford has exclusive television and other rights to the game according to their deal with the WICB, but Digicel has threatened legal proceedings if the issue is not settled soon.

It could be said that England are getting better

Ralph Dellor29-Dec-2002It could be said that England are getting better. Not getting the better of Australia, for they are still facing defeat, but they have at least managed to take this fourth Test into the fifth day. Having been bowled out for 387 in their second innings, largely thanks to an innings of 145 from Michael Vaughan, they set Australia 107 to win. By stumps, eight runs had been knocked off that target without mishap.With Vaughan on his way to his second hundred of the series and passing Sachin Tendulkar’s aggregate number of Test runs in 2002 (the Yorkshireman now has 1481), England enjoyed a good morning. Nasser Hussain was in obdurate mood. Raising English hopes of an epic rearguard action to force a draw, he displayed impressive resolve while his partner scored more freely.Vaughan was the dominant partner during an 80-run partnership for the third wicket. He opened his account for the fourth morning by driving leg-spinner Stuart MacGill for a straight four – one of nine he stroked in the session as he reached his sixth hundred of the year from 153 balls. MacGill’s bowling appeared to be entirely to Vaughan’s liking as he helped England add 63 runs in the first hour of something that has been all too lacking in this series – a genuine contest of Test match cricket.Hussain’s defiant innings of an hour and a half came to an end when he was out-thought by Glenn MacGrath. Failing to spot the slower ball, he pushed it straight back to the bowler to be caught and bowled for 23.Vaughan found a new ally in Robert Key who again showed that he has the temperament for Test cricket. This pair kept the momentum going by adding 67 before Vaughan’s splendid innings came to an end. AfterFinding little difficulty with MacGill in his four and a half hour stay at the crease, he tried to late cut and steered the ball straight to Martin Love at slip to be out for 145.Key reached his first fifty in Test cricket, but having done so fell to the seventh delivery with the new ball as he edged Jason Gillespie to Ricky Ponting at slip.John Crawley and Craig White continued to offer resistance, adding 55 for the sixth wicket before a resolute innings from Crawley ended when he played on to Brett Lee for 33. That was the signal for the Australian attack to pour through the breach as England suffered their customary collapse by losing their last five wickets for the addition of 45 runs in 16 overs.In the next over, White was caught behind cutting MacGill. James Foster went in similar fashion, except that he was superbly caught by Martin Love at slip. MacGill claimed his fifth wicket when Andrew Caddick drove him straight to Steve Waugh in the covers before Steve Harmison was bowled by Gillespie to bring the innings to a close on 387, their highest total of the series, leaving Richard Dawson not out on a valuable 15.The target of 107 is no more than nominal for such a strong batting line-up. Had England managed to have taken a couple of wickets in the two overs before the close, a few feathers might have been ruffled but they did not and now only a day’s rain or the most unimaginable turn of events can prevent Australia taking a four-nil lead into the final Test.