Newcastle United’s progress on incomings has ‘slowed further’, according to The Athletic’s Chris Waugh.

The lowdown

Newcastle, who managed to finish 12th in last season’s Premier League after previously flirting with relegation, want to bring in ‘four or five players’ this summer.

Bringing Joe Willock back to St James’ Park following his successful loan spell is said to be their priority, and another midfielder could also be on the list, along with a centre-back and a back-up for Callum Wilson (The Athletic).

However, Steve Bruce is working within an ‘extremely limited’ budget and will be forced to take a ‘box-clever approach’.

With less than a month to go until the new season starts, Newcastle have yet to sign a senior player. They reportedly considered a move for West Bromwich Albion’s Kyle Bartley, who was valued at £3m, before pulling the plug.

The latest

Waugh noted on Twitter that there’s ‘no (incoming) transfer progress’ to report at St James’ Park.

While Newcastle’s business is normally conducted at a ‘glacial pace’, communication from the club has grown ‘ever more conspicuous by its absence’ with the club struggling to make headway. (The Athletic)

The verdict

It should be stressed that, while the start of the season is creeping closer, the transfer window runs until 31 August. Newcastle still have time to get their transfer affairs in order and you’d like to think they’ll pick up the pace at some point.

However, in the circumstances, the additions are unlikely to be transformative. The realistic goal for 2021/22 will be not to drop further down the table, this time keeping a healthy distance between themselves and relegation trouble.

Still, you’d imagine that another loan agreement for Willock – which they’re ‘confident’ of reaching – would significantly improve the mood on Tyneside in the short term, especially amid continuing uncertainty regarding the proposed takeover.

In other news, could this defender be a realistic option for Newcastle?

PRIME MINISTER’S XI VERSUS ENGLANDI am delighted that Mark Waugh will captain the Prime Minister’s XI for the match against England on Tuesday 10 December at Manuka Oval in Canberra.Throughout the history of the Prime Minister’s XI matches, visits by the English cricket team have always been a much anticipated event for the national capital.The 2002 match is no exception and I look forward to welcoming Nasser Hussain and his team to Canberra next week.England will be meeting a Prime Minister’s XI team that consists of some of the most talented young players in Australia. The Prime Minister’s XI announced by the Australian Cricket Board today is as follows:

Mark Waugh (captain – NSW)
Matthew Bradley (NSW)
Lee Carseldine (QLD)
David Dawson (ACT)
Brad Haddin (NSW)
Shane Harwood (VIC)
Mark Higgs (SA)
Simon Katich (NSW)
Ashley Noffke (QLD)
Paul Rofe (SA)
Cameron White (VIC)

The match will be umpired by Bruce Oxenford from Queensland and Graham Clifton from the ACT.The Prime Minister’s XI fixture would not be possible without the longstanding commitment of the Australian Cricket Board, for which I am very grateful.Also, I wish to thank the ACT Cricket Association for the tremendous job they do every year in hosting this game.The great cricketing tradition associated with an English touring team in Australia ensures that it will be a terrific day for everyone who attends.

Ireland have named a strong squad for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers which will be held in Belfast between August 2 to 4

Cricinfo staff03-Jul-2008Ireland have named a strong squad for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers which will be held in Belfast between August 2 to 4.The inclusion of the county players who missed this week’s tri-series in Scotland will be a major boost. A weakened team were thrashed by New Zealand, losing by a record 290 runs, and then suffered a second defeat to the hosts.William Porterfield, who opted to remain with Gloucestershire, returns to captain the squad, while former skipper Trent Johnston, who stood down last season, also makes a comeback.Phil Eaglestone’s inclusion is dependent on the results of his visit to a specialist this weekend, with Reinhardt Strydom placed on standby should he be declared unfit.Ireland squad William Porterfield (capt), Niall O’Brien, Eoin Morgan, Kevin O’Brien, Andre Botha, Andrew White, Kyle McCallan, Alex Cusack, Gary Wilson, Trent Johnston, Thinus Fourie, Peter Connell, Phil Eaglestone, Gary Kidd.

Manchester City are said to be really confident of signing Aston Villa star Jack Grealish this summer, as their summer recruitment drive intensifies [Pete O’Rourke via Football Terrace].

Enjoying a superb 2020/21 campaign, the 25-year-old registered an incredible 19 goal contributions in 27 fixtures for the Villains; seven goals and 12 assists [Transfermarkt].

Having been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad this window, the Sky Blues could be about to accelerate the process following recent reports.

O’Rourke, who was speaking in the latest issue of The Football Terrace podcast, claimed that City are ‘really confident’ of striking an agreement for the England international, which would cost around £100 million [City Xtra].

In light of this news, loads of Manchester City fans flocked to Twitter to share their opinions on the recent reports.

Manchester City FC fans react:

Replying to popular Manchester City fan outlet City Xtra, here is what some fans had to say about the update, and they don’t seem particularly confident…

“Next week: Man City are even more confident of signing Jack grealish The week after: BREAKING Jack grealish signs villa extension”

Credit: @7Mcfcmax

“Different day, same story”

Credit: @MB264738

“really confident FC now”Credit: @dekmcfc”BRUV YOU SAY THE SAME THING EVERY DAY ARE WE EVER GONNA SIGN HIM”Credit: @philgoatden3″Just get it done, Damn it man”Credit: @Ziniology”Confidence ain’t enough”Credit: @fredijeh2In other news, Manchester City fans react to a transfer update.

يعتقد الإسباني خوسيه إنريكي، لاعب ليفربول السابق، أن اللاعب الذي سيسجل هدفًا ويقود فريقه للتتويج في نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا، سيتمكن من الفوز بجائزة الكرة الذهبية لعام 2022، مُشيرًا إلى أن الأمر سينحصر بين محمد صلاح وكريم بنزيما.

ليفربول يلتقي مع ريال مدريد، غدًا السبت على ملعب “دو فرانس” في العاصمة الفرنسية باريس، في نهائي دوري الأبطال، وتنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، العاشرة بتوقيت السعودية.

وقال إنريكي في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “ليفربول إيكو” البريطانية: “لأكون صادقًا معك، إذا فاز ليفربول بالنهائي وسجل محمد صلاح، فمن المحتمل أن يفوز بالكرة الذهبية هذا العام”.

اقرأ أيضًا – محمد صلاح: لاعب واحد سأختاره الأفضل في العالم بدلاً مني.. وكنت مجنونًا للفوز بالحذاء الذهبي

وأضاف: “ولكن إذا سجل كريم بنزيما وفاز ريال مدريد في المباراة النهائية، فمن المحتمل أن يفوز بنزيما بالكرة الذهبية”.

وأتم تصريحاته قائلًا: “أعتقد أن المباراة تعني الكثير لـ محمد صلاح، لكنني أعتقد، كما فعل مرات عديدة، أنه سيصعد وأتفهم مشاعره تجاه ما حدث في المباراة النهائية السابقة ضد ريال مدريد”.

Sides from Italy are keen on signing Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi this summer, according to Gregg Evans of The Athletic.

The Lowdown: El Ghazi’s Villa career

El Ghazi made the move to the Midlands on loan back in 2018. He helped Villa earn promotion to the Premier League and was signed permanently from Lille in a deal worth £8.1m the following summer.

The 26-year-old, on £38,000-a-week, has made over 100 appearances for Villa in all competitions, with 62 of those coming in the Premier League.

He netted 10 times in 28 top-flight appearances last season, four of which came in Villa’s last seven league games.

The Latest: Evans’ claim

Evans shared a Villa mailbag on Thursday, answering numerous questions from supporters on a number of topics.

He was asked if any permanent departures were expected at Villa Park, aside from Jack Grealish, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City.

Evans said that Conor Hourihane is the most likely to leave but revealed that a few clubs from Italy are keen on El Ghazi.

El Ghazi, described as ‘remarkable’ by pundit Adrian Clarke, has two years remaining on his Villa deal, and Evans admitted he would be surprised to see the Dutch winger leave.

The Verdict: Keep

Although Villa have already bolstered their wide ranks with the club-record signing of Emiliano Buendia this summer, it would make sense to keep El Ghazi ahead of the new season, unless a big-money bid that proves too hard to turn down comes in.

He was Villa’s second-highest scorer last season and now appears to have adjusted to Premier League football following a tricky first season.

Trezeguet is also out with a serious injury, so El Ghazi, Buendia, Jack Grealish, Ashley Young and Bertrand Traore are currently Dean Smith’s wide options at this moment in time.

In other news: ‘I beg we sack Smith’ – Many Aston Villa fans react as plans for £50k-p/w ace emerge.

Carlton Palmer believes Aston Villa will have to pay over the odds to capture James Ward-Prowse after receiving a big-money offer for Jack Grealish.

Premier League champions Manchester City have tabled an English record bid of £100million for Grealish as they look to prise the talisman away from his boyhood club.

It has been reported that Villa are expected to accept the offer despite the England international still having four years remaining on his £120,000-per-week deal.

Prior to City’s bumper offer being lodged, Villa boss Dean Smith had set his sights on persuading Southampton to sell Ward-Prowse but saw a £25million bid rejected.

Ward-Prowse has played every minute in consecutive Premier League campaigns and Saints are keen to hold onto the midfielder.

He contributed seven assists and scored nine goals, including a brace of free-kicks in Southampton’s 4-3 win at Villa Park, last term.

Ex-Southampton midfielder Palmer believes Villa will have to increase their opening offer significantly if they are to have any chance of Saints agreeing to let their captain leave St Mary’s.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Palmer said: “I think an offer of £35million or £40million will get him out of Southampton but they will have to pay over the odds for players because people know they have this money. That’s unfortunate.

“Ideally, Aston Villa would have liked to have done their business before the offer for Grealish.”

According to a report by 90min, Tottenham Hotspur have now made an enquiry to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto alongside the likes of Liverpool and Juventus.

The Lowdown: Molineux raid?

Since Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival and appointment as new Spurs boss, the Lilywhites have been linked to a few Wolves stars as the Portuguese sets sights on raiding his old club.

As per talkSPORT, both Daniel Podence and Willy Boly are names who Nuno could swoop for and try to sign for Spurs this summer.

Elsewhere in the team, they have also been linked with defender Conor Coady, with 90min now namedropping Tottenham alongside another star at Molineux.

The Latest: Spurs make Neto enquiry…

Indeed, according to the outlet, Spurs have now made an enquiry to sign Neto alongside the likes of Liverpool and Juventus.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-updates/” title=”Tottenham latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

As well as Tottenham making an approach, it is also claimed that Wolves are tempted to sell him this summer amid all the interest in his services.

Wolves owners are indeed ‘open’ to letting any of their star men leave, though it would take a bigger offer to seal Neto’s signing.

They hadn’t previously been listening to offers for the exciting 21-year-old, but interest from top clubs all over Europe, including Spurs, is apparently now making them contemplate.

The Verdict: Most exciting one yet…

Amid the plethora of Wolves players linked with a move to Spurs, we believe Neto comes as the most exciting one yet.

As per WhoScored, the young starlet was Wolves’ joint-top goalscorer in the Premier League last season and also notched the most assists.

He also averaged more shots per 90 (2) than any other member of their squad with over 10 league starts – all while completing the most key passes per 90 (2) for Wolves (WhoScored).

Lauded as a ‘phenomenal talent’ by Gabriel Agbonlahor, who raved over him to Football Insider, it’s safe to say the £31.5 million-valued ace would be quite a coup.

In other news: ‘Massive’, ‘Exactly what Levy wants’…Sky pundit in awe of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium news, find out more here.

When Lt

Imran Naeem Ahmad20-Oct-2002When Lt. Gen Tauqir Zia took over as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board in 1999, he perhaps did not realize that whatever he would do, it would come under microscopic analysis and rapt scrutiny.Two years and 10 months on, he chooses to quit, not because of any wrong he did but for the disgraceful second Test defeat the Pakistan suffered at the hands of Australia in Sharjah this month.President Gen Pervez Musharraf, the PCB Patron, fortunately did not accept the resignation, as he felt Tauqir was the right man to handle the hot seat of Pakistan cricket and that it was inappropriate for him to go with the World Cup just a stone’s throw away.Tauqir has had to take a lot of criticism virtually throughout the time he has been in charge of the sport that attracts attention for every little move you make -good or bad. Ask the chairman and he would tell you that all his efforts are genuinely aimed at improving the country’s cricket and making Pakistan team the top side again, as they were some months ago.Before Tauqir decided to resign, he drew criticism no matter what he did. Whether it was the induction of new players, hiring or firing of a coach, or axing a few senior cricketers, there was bound to be criticism. But it has been criticism for the sake of it because critics tend to forget that this man who is at the helm today has done so much for our cricket that none of his predecessors could think of doing.If starting the national and the regional academies is not a good step, then what is? If promoting cricket at the junior level, ignored previously, is not beneficial then what is?Today we have an under-15 side that is in the process of being selected for this December’s Junior Asia Cup in the UAE. There’s an under-19 team that took part in the Junior World Cup in New Zealand this year and then we have Pakistan ‘A’ that beat their opposite number from Sri Lanka only recently. If this is not good for our cricket, then what is?Thanks to Tauqir, cricket is flourishing at the grassroots level because that is where back up to the national team would eventually come from. Today we have players such as Yasir Arafat and Najaf Shah, who have the potential of serving the national team. Good for our cricket, isn’t it?Talk of infrastructure development and the PCB has chalked out a systematic plan with some of the main stadiums being upgraded and club grounds at various centres to be developed. Only a mad-hatter would say it is bad for our cricket.PCB managers in the past never initiated any systematic infrastructure plan and if Tauqir has had the vision and the guts of doing so, he certainly deserves credit.Tauqir does want to do more but his lieutenants, including Ramiz Raja are letting him down. A good part of the year, he is globetrotting commentating on one match after the other. How could he justify his job at the PCB, one fails to understand. Similarly, the selectors too have left a lot to be desired, their wrongs not reflecting well on the general.While his aides could be doing a better job, for now we need to thank president Musharraf for having averted a major crisis on the eve of the World Cup that could have effectively ruined Pakistan’s chances in the tournament. A good decision for our cricket, isn’t it?

Sohail Tanvir says one-dayers and Twenty20 are meant to entertain crowds

Cricinfo staff31-Jul-2008
Sohail Tanvir: “I am comfortable in all forms of the game, but it is Test cricket that I would love to prove myself now” © AFP
Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Tanvir was the Indian Premier League’s (IPL’s) most successful bowler but he has said that it is in the Test arena that he really wants to prove himself.”If you are ranked as a player, it is solely based on your performance in Tests,” Tanvir told . “The one-day and Twenty20 versions are meant to entertain the crowds who come to watch sixes, boundaries, catches and wickets. I am comfortable in all forms of the game, but it is Test cricket that I would love to prove myself now.”Tanvir has played only two Tests so far in his career, making his debut on Pakistan’s tour of India in 2007-08. He had tremendous success with the Rajasthan Royals, who bought him for $100,000, during the IPL. He took 22 wickets in 11 games at an average of 12.09 and economy-rate of 6.46 and held his nerve during the IPL final against Chennai Superkings to score the winning runs off the final ball.”I know I am worth much more,” he said. “And based on my performances, I think I can easily get a million dollars, if not more. I have two or three very lucrative offers from other IPL franchises, but there is time for me to make a decision for next year.”