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Aston Villa are keen on an ambitious pursuit of Barcelona forward Ferran Torres and his teammate Ousmane Dembele could be part of a 'domino effect' that could lead the Spain international to Villa Park, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Could Ferran Torres end up moving to Aston Villa?

According to reports in Spain via Sport Witness, Aston Villa are 'still pushing' to land Barcelona attacker Torres this summer and the coming days could see movement in their pursuit.

Nevertheless, the report states that much will hinge on the future of Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele and whether he stays or leaves the Catalan giants this window.

L'Equipe via The Daily Mail claim that Paris Saint-Germain have triggered the £43 million release clause of the France international and beat the clock on Monday to do so. Otherwise, his valuation would've risen to a lofty fee of £86 million and they now have until Sunday to strike an agreement with the former Borussia Dortmund man over a potential move to the Parc des Princes.

In the case of Torres, he has spoken about his future in a recent interview on Barcelona's pre-season tour of the United States cited by METRO, stating: "The names on Barca transfer list are placed by the journalists. I have a contract here, I’m going to stay. I don’t care what is said about me. I’m going to work like anyone else. I am the first self-critic, it was not a good season last year but I learned a lot. These ups and downs have helped me to be stronger now."

Last campaign, Torres featured 45 times in all competitions for Barcelona, registering seven goals and three assists in the process, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer insider Jones thinks that a 'domino effect' may occur that will ultimately determine the chances of £164k-a-week ace Torres signing for Aston Villa this summer.

Jones stated: “There is still intent around Torres and I think that is very encouraging because it shows just how serious the club are about backing Unai Emery and also about being successful.

“Ferran would suddenly have some fresh hope of more game time so, as I have said for a while, I would expect the player to only leave Barcelona once the season has begun, meaning he can stake a claim for a place before he gives up.”

Who else could Aston Villa look to sign this window?

According to Czech publication Idnez via Birmingham Live, Aston Villa are keen on Manchester United goalkeeper Matej Kovar, who has also attracted interest from clubs in Germany and Sparta Prague.

Spain international Adama Traore has emerged as a surprise target for Aston Villa following the expiration of his contract at Wolverhampton Wanderers, as per Football Insider.

One outlet in Spain has claimed that Aston Villa are readying a bid worth €15 million for Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos despite his decision to sign a new deal at the Spanish giants earlier in the window.

Over the next few weeks, we will find out where Aston Villa stand with regard to prospective new arrivals as the start of the Premier League draws ever nearer.

This season’s NatWest Blast has set new records for ticket sales, with official attendance rising to 883,000 overall

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Sep-2017This season’s NatWest Blast has set new records for ticket sales, with official attendance rising to 883,000 overall. Finals Day at Edgbaston is also a record sellout, while average attendances among the 18 counties were up to 7500.The return of the competition to a block in July and August – as well as soaring run rates – seems to have helped the Blast’s growth, despite poor weather causing 16 matches to be abandoned. Taking into account those through the turnstiles to watch the Kia Super League, 907,000 tickets had been sold for domestic T20, before the women’s Finals Day at Hove on Friday.The 2017 Blast figures were a 7% rise on the previous record, set in 2015 when the competition was played largely on Friday nights from May through to August. Last year saw a slight drop in attendances, partly down to poor weather.”It’s a genuine pleasure to be able to congratulate all 18 first-class counties for their outstanding efforts in making the 2017 Blast such a hit,” Gordon Hollins, the ECB’s chief operating officer, said.”The competition moved to a new place in the schedule this year, with all games played in a block in July and August rather than spread through the summer. That was welcomed by the players and has helped draw the crowds to NatWest T20 Blast – in bigger numbers then ever before.”The change created some fresh challenges for counties alongside the new opportunities but the record advance sales show how well the game has responded – the counties deserve huge credit. The quality of the cricket has been very clear too, with further records set for runs scored and sixes hit – our thanks to the players for producing such entertaining games.Blast Finals Day, in front of 24,426 people at Edgbaston on Saturday, will see Hampshire, Glamorgan, Nottinghamshire and Birmingham compete to the lift the trophy.From 2020, the ECB is set to introduce a new, 38-game T20 tournament, featuring eight regional/city-based team. The NatWest Blast is planned to continue as a secondary competition for all 18 counties to contest.

Former South Africa captain is set for his first professional coaching stint; also, Stephen Fleming will oversee Stellenbosch Monarchs

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Aug-2017T20 Global League franchise Benoni Zalmi has appointed former South Africa captain Graeme Smith as its head coach. Zalmi team owner Javed Afridi made the announcement on Monday.Smith, 36, last played a competitive game in May 2014, a T20 for Somerset two months after his final Test against Australia. It will be Smith’s first stint as a coach in recognised cricket. Highveld Lions’ Geoffrey Toyana, who was recently among the frontrunners to replace Russell Domingo as South Africa’s coach, will be his assistant. Their first assignment together comes this weekend, when they will have to pick from a pool of over 400 players in the player draft.Elsewhere, Durban Qalandars has put Paddy Upton in charge, with Aaqib Javed to oversee the bowlers. Also, Stellenbosch Monarchs has appointed Stephen Fleming head coach, with Eric Simons named his assistant.Stellenbosch had suffered a setback last week when Brimstone Investment Corporation Limited, the investment company which had been unveiled as its owner by Cricket South Africa, said it will not proceed with the acquisition.ESPNcricinfo understands Brimstone pulled out because it did not want to hold a majority stake. An insider said that Brimstone always wanted a minority stake and that has been their investment model, where the company supports an expert majority partner. The failure to pull together a consortium meant that Brimstone opted to move out and CSA did not stand in its way. Incidentally Brimstone was one of only two South African owners named for the eight teams in June. Faf du Plessis, South Africa’s Test and T20 captain, was named the Stellenbosch franchise’s marquee player by the South Africa board.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Michael Beale has managed to overhaul his playing squad with a host of fresh additions ahead of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership campaign.

Who have Rangers signed this summer?

The Light Blues head coach has bolstered almost every area of the team with eight new signings so far, whilst a ninth is reportedly on the verge of being finalised.

Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers, Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland, Kieran Dowell, Abdallah Sima, Danilo and Leon Balogun have all come through the door.

Read the latest Rangers transfer news HERE…

LAFC central midfielder Jose Cifuentes is also set to join to improve Beale's options in the middle of the park, which is an area that he targeted in January with Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin.

Whilst new signings are exciting and have the potential to take Rangers to the next level, there could be some academy players who are able to push the club on in the years to come – one of those being Alex Lowry.

How many goals did Alex Lowry score last season?

The exciting gem racked up ten goals in 18 appearances for the 'B' team and senior side combined during the 2022/23 campaign, whilst mainly being deployed as an attacking midfielder.

Seven of those matches came with the first-team and his progression out of the academy set-up could make him the dream heir to Cantwell further down the line.

The talented youngster was recently linked with a loan move to English League Two side Tranmere Rovers. However, that appears to be a step down on where he could go as the same report stated that FC Twente and Kilmarnock were keen on a temporary deal for him in January.

Sending him away to play regular first-team football for a season could provide the 20-year-old dynamo with the vital experience he needs in order to take the next step to break into the Rangers side.

Lowry, who was once hailed as "dangerous" by ex-boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, has racked up 12 goals and two assists in 20 academy matches since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, which is a direct goal contribution every 1.43 games on average.

He has also shown glimpses of being able to make an impact at first-team level with two goals and two assists in 15 senior appearances.

Cantwell, who is five years older than Lowry, has produced six goals and five assists across 20 outings for Rangers since his move from Norwich in January, which is a goal involvement every 1.82 clashes on average.

Both players are versatile attacking midfielders who can be utilised through the middle or out wide on the flank if needed and have the quality to score and create goals from those positions.

Lowry, who was once dubbed a "master" of the ball by Scottish coach Andy Goldie, may not be in Beale's immediate first-team plans, given that he has only played in one pre-season friendly, but a loan move could be the catalyst for him to push and fulfil his potential.

If the 5 foot 11 whiz is able to eventually translate his B-team form to senior football then he would be the dream heir to Cantwell as a huge attacking threat from midfield for the Light Blues over the coming years.

On his last leg of rehabilitation from a shoulder surgery, Dale Steyn is “two or three weeks away” from returning to competitive cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Aug-2017Dale Steyn has moved from Cape Cobras to Titans, where he first started his first-class career in 2003-04, ahead of the upcoming South African domestic season. Steyn is on a comeback trail since being sidelined due to a shoulder injury last November, during the first Test against Australia in Perth, and is on “last leg of rehabilitation” according to South Africa’s team doctor Mohammed Moosajee.Steyn also said he was “two or three weeks away from playing my first game.””It was an easy decision for me,” Steyn, who spent seven years at Cobras, told the Titans website about his move. “The luxury of playing for South Africa is that you get to nominate which franchise you want to play for. The Titans laid down the platform for where I am now.”I think the most important thing that I learnt at the Titans were the basics and it is something I still go back to every time I play international cricket. It was a great place to start playing cricket and it’s going to be a great place to go back to.”I played some of my best cricket at SuperSport Park. When you go into that change room and you look at those honours boards, you’ll see my name a couple of times on the five-wicket haul list. I walk in there and I feel at home. I am really looking forward to going back.”While it isn’t clear yet if he will be fully fit in time for South Africa’s next Test assignment, a two-match series at home against Bangladesh starting September 28, Steyn was confident of returning to the field soon.Steyn was particularly excited about linking up with his former South Africa team-mate Mark Boucher, who is now the Titans head coach. “It is going to be fantastic working with him again,” Steyn said. “As a player I looked up to him. He knows me so well, he knows me as a person and also knows about my bowling action, so I am looking forward to that, especially after this long delay with the broken shoulder.”

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.

ECB reporters Network07-Jul-2017
ScorecardIan Bell led Warwickshire;s successful chase•Getty ImagesIan Bell returned after injury with a 39-ball half century to lead Birmingham Bears to a crushing eight-wicket victory over local rivals Worcestershire Rapids in their opening NatWest T20 Blast encounter at a packed New Road.Bell had missed Warwickshire’s one-wicket defeat by Middlesex in the County Championship with tendonitis in an elbow – a setback which leaves them staring relegation in the face in the four-day competition.But it was a different story in the short format of the game as captain Bell and fellow opener Sam Hain put on 98 in 12 overs to ensure their side made light work of a modest 153 target.Bell ended unbeaten on 75 from 55 balls with eight fours and one six while Hain contributed 47 as the Bears won with one over to spare.The veteran bowling duo of Rikki Clarke and Jeetan Patel were largely responsible for the Rapids being restricted to a modest 152 for nine with combined figures of five for 38 from their eight overs.Then the Bell-Hain partnership ensured the Bears lifted the Norman Gifford Trophy – played for by the two counties in the T20 Blast – for the first time.The Rapids were put into bat and were pushed onto the back foot by a fine opening spell from Rikki Clarke.The 35-year-old accounted for Joe Clarke – the replacement at the top of the order for Tom Kohler-Cadmore – who holed out to mid on for 13.Daryl Mitchell (18) then pulled Rikki Clarke into the hands of deep square leg and Brett D’Oliveira (four) was trapped lbw by the same bowler, who finished with excellent figures of three for 20 off his four overs.Olly Stone bowled with good pace on his debut for Birmingham – 13 months after suffering a knee ligament injury celebrating the wicket of Rapids batsman Moeen Ali at Wantage Road when a Northamptonshire player.But it was another golden oldie in spinner Patel who kept Worcestershire in check during the middle overs of the innings.Worcestershire skipper Joe Leach (nine) was trapped lbw by the 37-year-old New Zealander who then bowled his compatriot Mitchell Santner (12).Only when Ben Cox and Ross Whiteley joined forces was there any meaningful acceleration from the home side.They plundered 78 in seven overs before Cox went for a reverse scoop and perished at short third man off Colin de Grandhomme, having scored 43 off 27 balls.Worcestershire needed early wickets to put their local rivals under any pressure but Hain and Bell were quickly into their stride.Hain lofted John Hastings for a straight six and Bell drove Joe Leach for successive boundaries.The opening six-over powerplay yielded 52 runs and only spinner Santner, at the start of his second spell at New Road, was able to exercise much restraint.It needed a mix-up to end the partnership on 98 in the 12th over with Hain run out as he tried to reclaim his ground off the bowling of Mitchell.William Porterfield (five) was stumped by Cox off Mitchell after giving the medium pacer the charge, but that proved to be the only wicket the home bowlers picked up.Bell went to his fifty with seven boundaries and survived a difficult caught and bowled chance on 58 against Hastings before seeing his side to the winning post.

Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi has denied claims that he told Moises Caicedo he could leave this summer amid links to Chelsea.

What's the latest Moises Caicedo transfer news?

It's no secret that the Ecuador midfielder is much-wanted by the Blues right now and they've actually already made an attempt to sign him.

Indeed, as per Sky Sports, Chelsea tabled a bid of £70m for Caicedo but it was rejected out of hand by the Seagulls as they now value their asset at around £100m – which is in the same bracket as Arsenal's record-signing Declan Rice.

No doubt fans of the West London club will be concerned that they might be priced out of a move but there have been some suggestions that De Zerbi gave his midfielder his word that he would be sold this summer.

Indeed, when the player signed a new four-year contract toward the end of last season Fabrizio Romano reported that De Zerbi told Caicedo: "Stay here with us until the end of the season, and we will sell you in the summer."

The journalist added: "This was the plan, this was promised to the player."

However, now refuting these claims, the Brighton manager has insisted that no such promise was made.

Indeed, De Zerbi recently explained to the press the club's current stance, saying: “At the moment Moises is a Brighton player. I spoke with Tony Bloom and he told me if the conditions don’t change, Moises stays with us.

“For me it should be great news because it is difficult to find another player like Moises.”

He then denied talk of there being a verbal agreement to let his midfielder for a certain price, saying: “It is not true. I am coach, not owner, I’m not a sporting director. I’m only a coach. Believe me, it is difficult to be a coach.”

What did De Zerbi say about Colwill and Caicedo?

These claims from the Brighton boss will likely annoy many Chelsea fans who may feel as though this potential summer transfer is slipping through their fingers.

To make things worse, De Zerbi probably then upset even more Blues supporters when he suggested that Caicedo may even play for the Seagulls with their very own Levi Colwill next season.

The Chelsea defender spent last term on loan down on the south coast and is still wanted by Brighton, and they've already had a £30m bid rejected with Mauricio Pochettino keen on keeping him around.

De Zerbi also proposed a possible swap deal as a compromise. In full, he said: “There are two questions. Not only about Caicedo, also about Colwill, and maybe it can be [a swap].

“I would like to play with Caicedo and Colwill together but at the moment I can only speak about Caicedo as Colwill is not one of my players.”

It remains to be seen where the two players end up at the end of the transfer market but at the moment it feels as though any outcome could end up happening.

Perhaps both will stay put at their current clubs, perhaps both will play under De Zerbi for the Seagulls next term, and perhaps both will end up with Pochettino at Chelsea.

Tony Palladino finished with four wickets, but much Derbyshire discussion surrounded a derby debut for a South African loanee from Surrey

Jon Culley at Trent Bridge02-Jun-2017
ScorecardThe vision of a prosperous future that Derbyshire were eager to embrace after Kim Barnett’s dismantling and reconstruction of a failed coaching model over the winter is still more than a little blurred but this was one day, at least, when the picture had a sharper focus.So far this season, Nottinghamshire have for the most part looked like a team playing in the wrong division. Some of Derbyshire’s more cynical supporters have reflected that the same might be true of their side… except there is no Division Three.For Derbyshire to bowl out the leaders for their lowest total to date – the first time, in fact, they have not passed 300 – therefore came as something of a surprise, although having opted to forego the toss and bowl, skipper Billy Godleman clearly thought there might be something in the conditions to exploit on a warm but overcast morning with rain about.He also had something new to toss into the mix in Conor McKerr, who became the 14th player to bowl in five first-class matches for Derbyshire this season, which says something about how far they are from a settled line-up, although injuries have been a factor too.McKerr, on loan from Surrey for 28 days, arrived as an unknown quantity. Aged 19, born in South African and with a UK passport, he had not played a first-class match even in his homeland before this one. All manner of divides – geographical, social – have meant the Peakites have never much cared for the Brown Hats down the years so to be borrowing from their Second XI may for some have been hard to stomach.Yet it did not take long for it to become clear that bringing him north was a shrewd move on director of cricket Barnett’s part, or at least one based on trustworthy advice. Standing 6ft 6ins tall and with a strong upper body, McKerr has a quick arm and some skill too. He took his maiden first-class wicket with his fourth ball.There was a rocky patch after lunch when he conceded 25 runs in three overs but the other 15 cost only 28. That he could come back from that mauling and take his second wicket with the second ball of his next spell suggests a strong temperament too. Had Tony Palladino, at the other end of the experience scale, not dismissed three of Nottinghamshire’s top four, McKerr could arguably have claimed to be Derbyshire’s bowler of the day.Tony Palladino picked up four wickets but an unusual signing also caught the eye•Getty Images”It all happened pretty quickly,” Kerr said. “I got a phone call from Alec Stewart and he said there was an opportunity to go to Derby, would you like it? There wasn’t even a debate. That’s the dream, that’s what I moved from South Africa to England for, I couldn’t be happier.”It was a strange day for the leaders. They were asked to bat first in their first two home matches and made well in excess of 400 in both. Even after Jake Libby’s early demise, edging McKerr to first slip, there looked every prospect of the pattern being repeated.Cheteshwar Pujara, after his home debut century last week, fell for 29 when Palladino had him taken behind the wicket (where Daryl Smit has displaced Gary Wilson), but when Steven Mullaney and Samit Patel then began picking off boundaries seemingly at will, Godleman might have wished he had paid more heed to what happened to Gloucestershire last week, and to Sussex before them.In less than 10 overs, the third-wicket pairing added 72 runs. The punishment suffered by McKerr – slapped almost nonchalantly for six over cover by Patel – was meted out also on Tom Taylor, who leaked 28 runs in three overs. Mullaney took him for four boundaries in five deliveries in one of those.But then, almost out of the blue, Palladino dismissed them both within half a dozen balls, in remarkably similar fashion. Patel, driving extravagantly, missed what appeared to be a fairly straight delivery. Mullaney, similarly loose, followed suit in the next over. Perhaps there was some movement in the air, although by no means substantial.Thereafter, although Riki Wessels tried to rebuild it, the momentum of the innings rather dribbled away and Derbyshire had reason to feel that they had put it a satisfactory shift.They lost two wickets in the 19 overs that remained either side of an eight-over stoppage for rain, the dismissal of Shiv Thakor to a sharp slip catch by Patel in the last of those overs leaving them a tad disappointed. Irrespective of that, it was still their day.

An update has emerged on Liverpool's search for new midfielders to bolster their playing squad before the end of the summer transfer window…

What's the latest Liverpool transfer news?

According to FootballTransfers, the Reds are considering a swoop to sign Bayern Munich titan Leon Goretzka ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The report claims that the German international is one of the 'prime' candidates to fill out Jurgen Klopp's squad as speculation swirls over Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, and Thiago Alcantara's respective futures at the club.

It states that the Bundesliga giants want to overhaul their squad over the coming weeks and, for that reason, they are open to cashing in on the central midfielder for a fee in the region of €40m (£35m).

He would be the third new addition of the summer for Liverpool after they snapped up Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to improve their options in midfield.

How old is Leon Goretzka?

The Bayern machine is in what should be the prime years of his career at the age of 28 and would, therefore, arrive at Anfield as a player who is ready to make an instant impact.

He is not a young player with plenty of development still to come or an experienced veteran whose powers are waning, which could allow him to hit the ground running.

Goretzka has proven himself to be a combative midfielder who can also provide a significant goal threat and that could make him perfect for Szoboszlai next season.

The Hungary international, who recently signed from RB Leipzig, could provide the towering German with the opportunities he needs to find the back of the net as his time in the Bundesliga suggests that he is a creative magician.

Szoboszlai registered 2.3 key passes per match for his former club last season, which resulted in 14 'big chances' being created for his teammates. Meanwhile, no Liverpool player managed more than Trent Alexander-Arnold's 1.9 key passes per Premier League game.

This suggests that the 22-year-old wizard could be Klopp's outstanding creative presence in midfield next season, due to his impressive ability to unlock opposition defences on a regular basis.

Goretzka, who has scored 34 goals in 179 matches for Bayern, ranks within the top 1% of his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions over the last 365 days for non-penalty expected goals (xG) accumulated per 90.

This essentially means that the 28-year-old talent excels at finding himself in high-quality positions to find the back of the net, which indicates that he would be perfect for Szoboszlai.

The German international, who teammate Manuel Neuer hailed as "cold as ice", is a goalscoring midfielder who could benefit from his potentially new teammate's superb creativity to provide a significant goal threat from midfield.

His physicality in that position could also allow Szoboszlai to go about his business without worrying about that side of the game. The 6 foot 2 monster won 58% of his Bundesliga duels, including 67% of his aerial battles, last season, whilst the Hungarian star lost 72% of his contests in the air.

Therefore, Goretzka would perfectly complement the former Leipzig maestro in and out of possession as the £35m-rated colossus has the quality to provide the exciting youngster with a target to find within the box in attack whilst also being able to cover for him defensively with immense aerial ability.