Arsenal have been linked with Porto striker Mehdi Taremi; however, he is not 'on the radar' for the time being at the Emirates Stadium, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

How good is Mehdi Taremi and who has been linked with signing him?

Taremi is a player with a knack of finding the back of the net and enjoyed a masterful campaign for Porto last season, registering 31 goals and 14 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored take into account that Taremi was extremely consistent for the Portuguese giants in 2022/23, recording an average match rating of 7.47/10 in Liga Portugal alongside taking on 2.9 shots per game.

His clinical form in front of goal has attracted interest from the Premier League and O Jogo via TEAMtalk have reported that Arsenal and Manchester United among others are keen to secure the £29k-a-week ace's services in the off-season.

The Sun have picked up on a potential hint from Taremi's agent Borna Khoramdel, who is the CEO of Arvand Sport, that he could be on his way to join Manchester United following a post on Instagram that showed a picture of his representative at Old Trafford.

Sky Sport cite that AC Milan are big admirers of Taremi and claim that Porto have lowered their asking price for the Iran international to €20 million (£17.09 million) plus bonuses. Roma and Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal are said to be monitoring his situation.

Football Insider mooted back in April that Mikel Arteta could look to bring another striker to north London this window that possesses a different profile to current options Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, targeting a physical presence in the frontline.

Nevertheless, transfer insider Jones doesn't think that Arteta will move to bring in an alternative forward to add to his options in the final third.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones stated: "Yeah, I mean, Mehdi Taremi is suddenly being linked with a lot of clubs. Whenever that happens, I'm always a little bit cautious about whether he's just being touted around and what the meaning is behind it.

"I haven't heard too much on this one in terms of Arsenal's genuine interest. As far as I've been told, a forward of this sort of mould isn't really on the radar at this sort of time."

What else is going on at Arsenal this transfer window?

The Gunners have already already secured their first signing in the summer in the form of Kai Havertz, who has moved across London from Chelsea for a fee in the region of £65 million, as per Sky Sports.

West Ham United captain Declan Rice and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber have both underwent medicals at the club and will be officially announced this week, according to The Evening Standard.

Speaking to The Residency quoted by 90min, Arsenal midfielder Jorginho admitted that he has 'no idea' when both deals will be announced.

Southampton star Romeo Lavia is another midfielder that is under consideration from Arteta as he aims to bulk up his midfield, as per The Guardian, signifying that some exciting times may be in store at the Emirates in the next few weeks.

Newly-appointed India coach Ravi Shastri has insisted that his job is only to keep the players in the best frame of mind to perform and that the captain is always in charge

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jul-20172:11

Timeline: Shastri’s path to India coach

Ravi Shastri is clear on one thing as he takes over the position of India coach from Anil Kumble: the captain is the boss of the team. The coach and his backroom staff, according to the new India coach, are there only to make sure the players are in the right frame of mind to perform at their best.Shastri beat four other candidates to the job and said he only applied for the position having understood the “gravity of the situation” once Kumble stepped down in less than ideal circumstances last month.Shastri was team director just before Kumble was appointed coach last year, and he said he had been disappointed when he was overlooked as head coach in 2016. But after Kumble’s one-year contract expired in June, the BCCI chose not to renew it and instead sent out an advertisement seeking candidates for the position. Kumble himself had been one of the applicants, even though he was told he would be given “direct entry”. Shastri, though, was not.The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) – Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman – tasked with finding India’s next coach told the BCCI that Kumble remained their first choice. But Kumble stepped down after realising the differences between him and the captain Virat Kohli had become “untenable”.It was then that Shastri decided to enter the fray, with the BCCI re-opening the interview process.”I had not really wrapped my head around the gravity of the situation,” Shastri told . “There was nothing personal. I really hadn’t begun to understand the seriousness of this. But when I sat down and gave it a serious thought, I began to tell myself: ‘Here is a unit that I have been part of and enjoyed a great working relationship with. Having been part of the unit that helped it become No. 1, I thought the onus is on me now to make it work again, in the best interests of everybody involved. That’s when I knew it’s time for me to apply again.”According to various individuals from the BCCI and CAC as well as the committee of administrators one big point of difference between Kohli and Kumble was who was the boss.Shastri is more than happy to let the captain take charge. “It’s always the captain’s team and it is the leader who calls the shots. That’s how it has always worked. A coach’s role, effectively speaking, is to stay in the background and let the onus be on the players. The coach and support staff’s role is to get the players in the most brilliant frame of mind to execute things and if done effectively, it brings enjoyment to the player’s game.”Shastri said his relationship with the support staff – both Sanjay Bangar (assistant coach) and R Sridhar (fielding coach) were appointed by him – as well as the positive rapport he has with the players meant he could hit the ground running.”I’m simply going to press the refresh button and begin from where I left. I know what I’m stepping into, players have an idea of what’s coming, so that ticks the first box. Just to give you an idea, I won’t be spending the first six to eight months in the job warming up to the team. That had already been accomplished in my previous stint. This time, it’s going to be about getting on the job from day one.”Although Shastri and Kohli will be the men in command, a new challenge awaits them in the form of Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan, who have been appointed as consultants by the BCCI at the behest of the CAC. The CAC felt, with India travelling overseas in the next two years for challenging Test series’ and the 2019 World Cup in England, the players needed experienced specialist hands to ensure success.Asked for his thoughts on working with Dravid and Zaheer, Shastri was optimistic, but hinted he would have the last word on support staff appointments.”In fact, even in my last stint, I had asked people like Rahul and Zaheer to come every now and then,” Shastri told . “I even asked Sachin [Tendulkar] to come at some stage and have a chat with the boys. I always believe that you need a fresh set of ideas. Your core team is meant to do the job for 200 days a year and every now and then, whenever you get some fresh inputs through with the quality of players like Zak (Zaheer) or Rahul it can only be good.”Tomorrow it could be an excellent fielding coach. What stops Jonty Rhodes from coming and having a chat with the boys? Overseas, I could pick the brains of a fast bowler who has bowled very well in those conditions – say in South Africa or Australia. It’s fresh inputs that might trigger off something. I am always open to such kind of ideas.”

Tottenham Hotspur have 'extensively' scouted Bristol City playmaker Alex Scott; however, they are unlikely to bid for the England Under-20 cap this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Is Alex Scott joining Tottenham Hotspur this summer?

As per The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur have previously shown an attraction towards Bristol City midfielder Scott; however, his current employers are said to be demanding £25 million before sanctioning his departure.

Football Insider claim that Wolverhampton Wanderers are 'closing in on a deal' to try to entice the Guernsey-born starlet to Molineux and they will submit a further bid to the Robins after seeing two initial offers rejected.

The report states that Wolves' second rebuffed proposal was said to have been at around the £20 million mark; however, Julen Lopetegui's side will return once more to try and wrap up an agreement for their 'long-term' target.

Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano broke last week that Bournemouth saw a £15 million bid for Scott booted out by Bristol City, as he wrote on Twitter: "Bournemouth have submitted £15m bid for Alex Scott. Rejected by Bristol City earlier tonight. Understand Bournemouth will bid again — they want to insist in the next days, not leaving the negotiations. More to follow."

Last season, Scott shot to prominence in the Sky Bet Championship and put on some stellar displays in the engine room for Bristol City, netting himself two goals and laying on a further five assists in 49 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks that despite running thorough checks on Scott, Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou may look elsewhere to scope out talent to bolster his squad.

Jones stated: "They have looked at Alex Scott lately, he's been on their radar for quite a while and they've scouted him quite extensively. The fact that they haven't voted for him yet suggests to me that they don't feel he's ready to be part of what they're creating right now. If you look at the teams that are actually bidding for him, Bournemouth and Wolves and the level that they're at and where they're aspiring to get to, well, it's below Tottenham and what they're aspiring to get to."

Who else could Tottenham Hotspur try to bring in this summer?

Tottenham boss Postecoglou has already dipped into the market to secure several signings, including goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison and Manor Solomon. Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro's buyout clauses have also been activated by the Lilywhites this window, now making them permanent squad members, as per Transfermarkt.

The Guardian report that Spurs are set to land Blackburn Rovers defender Ashley Phillips after they activated his £3 million release clause at Ewood Park.

Bundesliga pair Edmond Tapsoba and Micky van de Ven are still of interest to Spurs this summer and bringing in a new central defender is believed to be a priority at Hotspur Way, as per The Evening Standard.

Postecoglou confirmed that he would seek to bolster his backline in the aftermath of his side's 3-2 pre-season friendly defeat to West Ham United out in Australia, stating: "“Yeah, I think that’s definitely our intention, absolutely. We’ve been working on it for a while and we’ll definitely try to get it done as quickly as possible."

A move to Tottenham Hotspur is something Manchester United's Harry Maguire would "consider", even without the lure of Champions League football, claims journalist Paul Brown.

Is Harry Maguire joining Tottenham Hotspur this summer?

In a shock to absolutely nobody, Spurs' summer window has once again been dominated by another Harry Kane transfer saga, with links to German giants Bayern Munich refusing to disperse and, if anything, getting stronger as the Bavarians become more bullish in their attempts to sign the England captain.

With only a year left on his £200,000-a-week deal, this saga will continue dominating the narrative around the Lilywhites until a decision is made.

However, this isn't necessarily the worst thing, as it might mean that the club can go about making their own signings with less scrutiny, and so far, they have added real quality to both the first team and squad.

The marquee signing is undeniably James Maddison, but Guglimlo Vicario and Manor Solomon look like shrewd acquisitions in a market increasingly losing any touch it once had with reality.

However, for as good as the recruitment has been thus far, the one area of the team that needs the most attention is centre-back, as the club managed to ship a staggering 63 goals across their 38 Premier League games last season.

The two names linked to the club the most over the last few weeks have been Edmond Tapsoba from Bayer Leverkusen and Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg. However, another name has recently entered the rumour mill, former United captain Maguire.

According to reports from Spain (via Football 365), the England international is emerging as a critical target for the Lilywhites as his time at Old Trafford looks to have finally come to an end.

What has Paul Brown said about Harry Maguire and Tottenham Hotspur?

Brown explained that even without the lure of Champions League football, Spurs is a club that Maguire would consider, primarily due to its size and stature.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: "I think Maguire at Spurs is quite an interesting one. It might be a club he'd consider. I know obviously, they finished well off the Champions League pace last season, so I don't have that to offer him but I think you know, the size of the club and the reputation of it.

"I think it's something, I think it's a move he would consider."

Should Tottenham sign Harry Maguire?

One thing the club should be prepared for if they do pull the trigger on this signing is the fan backlash. The image Maguire has cultivated over the last few years is one of a walking disaster, and fans might fear the worst should he join.

However, as with many opinions in football, it's not entirely true, and the former Foxes man could certainly be useful to Ange Postecoglou in his new-look Spurs side.

His underlying numbers, for example, are actually quite impressive and suggest that in the right system, he could well get back to his best form, the form that saw him earn that £80m move to the Red Devils in the first place.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the "unbelievable" 6 foot 4 sits in the top 11% for blocks, the top 12% for aerial duals won, the top 13% for touches in the oppositions penalty area, the top17% for attempted passes, the top 19% progressive carries, and the top 26% for progressive passes received, all per 90.

It should also be noted that in the last World Cup, he was voted into Sky Sports' Team of the Tournament, and in Euro 2020 – when England almost won it all – he was named in the official Team of the Tournament.

Ultimately, if Spurs can get this deal done for a relatively low price and weather the stick and attention they'll surely get, this could end up being a great piece of business.

Liverpool have reportedly made an offer to sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol ahead of Premier League rivals Manchester City.

Who is signing Josko Gvardiol?

The Reds and Jurgen Klopp have been relatively busy so far this summer in the transfer market, with a number of incomings and outgoings at Anfield, mainly in midfield.

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have signed from Brighton and RB Leipzig respectively, whereas James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all left on free transfers. Jordan Henderson has joined Steven Gerrard in Saudi Arabia, and Fabinho looks to follow suit.

Therefore, another midfielder appears to be on the Anfield radar, with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia seemingly a top target and James Pearce believes it is “increasingly likely that a compromise will be reached”.

However, alongside another midfielder, it appears as if a new centre-back could also be on the cards, with links to Torino’s Perr Schuurs and now Gvardiol emerging.

Read The Latest Liverpool Transfer News HERE…

Gvardiol has been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium this summer and Fabrizio Romano even said at one point earlier this month that a fee had been agreed between the two clubs and the player had even undergone a part of his medical.

However, a move is yet to be officially completed, with Liverpool, and by extension owners FSG, making a move of their own, aiming to hijack City’s deal. Paisley Gates relayed an update from Spain regarding Liverpool and Gvardiol, claiming the Reds are one of the sides looking to take advantage of the current impasse between Man City and Leipzig.

It is alleged that Liverpool have submitted a bid to sign Gvardiol, who is valued at around £86m. Fellow Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United are also pressing to secure the player’s services, but it is City who are still in pole position.

Who is Josko Gvardiol?

Gvardiol is a left-footed defender who is primarily a centre-back but can also turn out as a left-back if required. The Croatia international came through the academy at Dinamo Zagreb and turned out for the first team on 52 occasions before joining RB Leipzig in 2021.

Since then, the 21-year-old has made 87 appearances for the Bundesliga side and has gone from strength to strength, with his Transfermarkt valuation rocketing from €16m to a career-high €75m in the space of two years.

Therefore, you could say that a move to Merseyside to play alongside Virgil van Dijk could be a brilliant move by the Reds and Klopp, with Gvardiol called "elite" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig. He has also had his eye on a move to Liverpool, previously revealing that it was his dream club, as per The Daily Mail.

“My dream club? That would definitely be Liverpool. Since I was little, I watched a lot of their matches with my dad.”

It looks as if a deal for the defender may well be one to keep an eye on, in what could be a busy August at Anfield both on and off the pitch.

تترقب الجماهير الرياضية، ومسؤولو نهضة بركان المغربي واتحاد العاصمة الجزائري، بقلوب حائرة، قرارات الاتحاد الأفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف”، بخصوص مباراة ذهاب الدور نصف النهائي لـ كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية، التي ألغيت أمس الأحد.

وكان من المقرر أن يتواجه فريق اتحاد العاصمة ونهضة بركان بالجزائر، ضمن مواجهات ذهاب دور نصف نهائي بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية للموسم الحالي 2024.

ورفض لاعبو الفريق المغربي خوض اللقاء بالإضافة إلي رفض مراقب المباراة لعدم سماح السلطات الجزائرية بارتداء نهضة بركان قميصه الأساسي الذي يخوض به مباريات البطولة منذ بدايتها.

وأصدر الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف” بيانًا رسميًا، إشار فيه إلى أنه هذه الأزمة سيتم إحالتها إلى الجهات المختصة، للوصول إلى قرار، بعد إلغاء اللقاء.

وبحسب مصدر قانوني لـ “le360 سبور” المغربي، فإن لجنة المسابقات التابعة لـ “الكاف” تنتظر تقرير مندوب المباراة قبل حسم القرار، مؤكدًا على أنه لا خوف على نهضة بركان بعد هذه الأزمة.

طالع أيضًا | اتحاد العاصمة يُهاجم كاف بعد أزمة قمصان نهضة بركان: مندهشون من القرار.. وسنلجأ لـ”التحكيم الرياضي”

وأوضح أن قرار الاتحاد الإفريقي سيكون أحد أمرين لا ثالث لهما، الأول سيتمثل في اعتبار اتحاد العاصمة منهزمًا في النتيجة بثلاثة أهداف دون رد.

وأشار إلى أن القرار الثاني هو اعتبار الفريق الجزائري مقصيًا مباشرةً من البطولة من خلال دور نصف نهائي المسابقة. لحظة مغادرة الجهاز الفني ولاعبي نهضة بركان الملعب بعد الغاء المباراة أمام اتحاد العاصمة

Leeds United could be set to repeat a recent transfer success of theirs, should they choose to once again sign from the Bundesliga.

Is Alexander Nubel leaving Bayern Munich?

With Daniel Farke's summer revamp having been kicked off by the signing of Ethan Amapdu, it now finally feels like the 49ers will start to exert their influence on their new club and help forge a brighter future for this struggling giant.

Dropping into the Championship last season was a gut punch to their reputation, having only spent three years back in the Premier League. However, it already seems like the new owners are planning for an instant return, with a fresh report coming from Sky Sports Germany to reaffirm the Whites' interest in Bayern Munich goalkeeper Alexander Nubel.

Whilst VfB Stuttgart seem in the lead for his signature, the report does not discount the pull of the Yorkshire team, who remain in the race despite having yet to make an offer.

The German shot-stopper is valued at €13m (£11m) by FootballTransfers.

How good is Alexander Nubel?

Having spent the last two seasons on loan at AS Monaco, as playtime at his parent club was limited given the legendary status of Manuel Neuer, the 26-year-old has proven himself more than capable of starring as a first-choice option.

After all, his 6.93 average rating last term in Ligue 1 is indicative of this, with his 71% save success rate feeding into the mammoth 3.7 stops he averages per game, via Sofascore. A tally of 24 clean sheets across his 97 appearances for the French club is an admirable one.

However, his talents reach far beyond his ability to keep the ball out of his net, as Germany's U21 coach Klaus Thomforde claimed: "You can only speak highly of Alex – he's an incredibly talented goalkeeper, with the world at his feet. He's got an extraordinary footballing ability, but he's also very down to earth and is a great lad."

In once again returning to the Bundesliga for a signing, similar to how they did by prying Tyler Adams from RB Leipzig, the Elland Road outfit could be set to repeat old successes that would all but assure their promotion next season.

After all, the USMNT international proved to be an instant hit in the engine room despite relegation, having provided a much-needed injection of pace, dynamism and defensive steel.

This was outlined through his statistics, as he posted 1.5 interceptions, 3.7 tackles, one clearance and one key pass per game, whilst maintaining an 82% pass accuracy too, via Sofascore.

His ability to break up and dictate the play was impressive, as his 6.98 average rating in the Premier League made him the club's best performer of those who had started five or more games.

Sky Sports journalist Tim Thornton sought to support this, noting back in September:

"He's done really, really well. He knows his game. When he came in, he said ‘I'm not going to be the man to replace Kalvin Phillips, I’m my own man.’ There are similarities in the way he plays with Phillips in the way that he breaks play up and screens the defence. But he's also very different in a lot of ways. So he's done brilliantly."

Given the immediate success the 24-year-old garnered, translating his form from Germany to England in a flash, perhaps Nubel could seek to emulate this switch and help alleviate an area of huge weakness for Leeds.

Chelsea making a late transfer approach for Flamengo attacking midfielder Matheus Franca this summer is “not ruled out”, according to reliable journalist Ryan Taylor.

Is Matheus Franca leaving Flamengo?

Since graduating from his club’s academy to get promoted to the senior fold back in January 2022, Franca has clocked up a total of 54 first-team appearances at the Maracana Stadium, and Jorge Sampaoli’s side are in a very good position to retain his services.

The Brazil U20 international’s contract doesn’t expire for another four years meaning, that the Serie A outfit have every right to demand a hefty fee in order to sanction his sale – but this doesn’t seem to have stopped Todd Boehly and Mauricio Pochettino from showing an interest.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano previously claimed that the Blues have “really appreciated” and “been following” the 19-year-old for a “long time”, but have never actually taken their admiration one step further, though that has seemingly now changed.

Read The Latest Chelsea Transfer News HERE…

Are Chelsea signing Matheus Franca?

Taking to Twitter, Taylor revealed that Chelsea are still open and considering making an official move for Franca, but it’s Premier League rivals Crystal Palace who are currently ahead in the race for his signature.

He wrote: “Crystal Palace set to up offer for Flamengo attacker Matheus Franca. Chelsea approach not ruled out but interest has gone quiet since club-to-club meetings earlier this month.”

Expanding in his column for the Daily Express, the reporter claimed that the SW6 side “held formal discussions” regarding a swoop for their target in recent weeks, but Roy Hodgson’s team are, at this stage, “showing more intent” for the £21m-valued star.

How many goals has Matheus Franca scored?

Since the start of his career and indeed his time at Flamengo, Franca has posted 14 goal contributions (11 goals and three assists) in 59 matches, which is a promising return for an up-and-coming teenager, so should the attacking midfielder put pen to paper, he could be an exciting acquisition for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Rio de Janeiro native currently ranks in the 99th percentile for most successful take-ons and is averaging 1.9 shots per league game compared to those playing at a similar level, showing that he loves to dribble past his marker and take aim at the net, making him a dangerous threat for the opposition’s defence to deal with.

Flamengo’s “big talent”, as hailed by football scout Jacek Kulig, would also provide Pochettino with wonderful versatility having played in six various positions on the pitch since first bursting onto the scene, including across the frontline and two roles in the midfield, making him a great option to have available.

Franca has also already had a small taste of success having secured two pieces of silverware with his boyhood club, and if he was to join a team with a history of trophies like the Blues, his desire to win more would surely only increase, with this potential fire and fighting spirit making him an ideal recruit.

Kraigg Brathwaite has been reported for a suspect bowling action following the first Test against England at Edgbaston

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Aug-2017Kraigg Brathwaite has been reported for a suspect bowling action following the first Test against England at Edgbaston.Brathwaite, the opening batsman who bowls part-time offspin, sent down six overs for six runs in England’s innings. He will now be required to undergo testing within 14 days but is allowed to continue to bowl in international cricket until the results are known.He has 12 wickets in Test cricket including a haul of 6 for 29 against Sri Lanka in Colombo although he is far more important to West Indies for his adhesiveness with the bat – he is the only member of the current squad with more than 2000 Test runs. He made a duck in the first innings at Edgbaston but scored 40 in the second before being trapped lbw by Moeen Ali.

Sri Lanka, currently ranked eighth in ODIs with 88 points, can secure direct qualification for the 2019 World Cup if they win at least two matches in the upcoming five-ODI series against India, starting August 20 in Dambulla.Winning two games will push Sri Lanka’s tally to 90 while West Indies, currently placed ninth with 78 points, can at best reach 88 even if they win their six remaining ODIs – one against Ireland and five against England – before the September 30 cut-off. The top seven sides along with hosts England gain direction qualification for the tournament.If Sri Lanka manage to win only one match in the series, however, West Indies could pip them on decimal points, provided they win each of their upcoming six ODIs. A loss against Ireland would rule West Indies out of direct qualification, even if Sri Lanka get whitewashed by India.Sri Lanka’s recent form at home isn’t encouraging: they lost 3-2 to 11th-ranked Zimbabwe last month. They have, in fact, lost seven of their last 10 completed ODIs at home.West Indies’ ODI form isn’t encouraging either: in the last five years, and among Full Members, their average of 27.20 and run-rate of 5.10 are only better than Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe.