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David Saker, Australia’s newly appointed assistant coach, has vowed not to hold back on his opinions when he joins head coach Darren Lehmann in the national set-up

Brydon Coverdale15-Jul-20163:04

‘Hope my English experience helps Australia’ – Saker

Fast bowlers might be the “yeah, nah” men of Australian cricket, but their new coach David Saker is no yes man. The newly appointed assistant coach has vowed not to hold back on his opinions when he joins head coach Darren Lehmann in the national set-up, despite their history of what they have both referred to as “robust” discussions.As coach of Victoria last summer, Saker raised the ire of Lehmann by questioning why Australia would rush fast bowler James Pattinson back from injury, comments that led Lehmann to publicly tell Saker to mind his own business. But Lehmann has spoken of his admiration for Saker’s passion and energy, and Saker said he would continue to voice his sentiments in his new role.”A lot was made out of that, but Darren and I talk on the phone quite regularly and we begged to differ on a few things last year,” Saker said in Melbourne on Friday. “But we’ve both got Australian cricket at heart and we both want the best for Australian cricket.”Sometimes you need good robust conversations in a group. You can’t have people always agreeing. I don’t think that’s a great environment. That’s one of the things that I hope I do bring to the team. I hope I’m honest and say what I think. I think that’s important.”He [Lehmann] probably works a bit similar to me, he’s quite relaxed in the dressing room, he knows a lot about the game, he communicates really well. I think those are the things I do well. We do have some really good discussions at times. Obviously throughout the year we did that. But we both have the best interests of Australian cricket at heart.”Saker will join the Australian group in time for the one-day tour of South Africa in September-October, and will leave his position as coach of Victoria after only one season – albeit one in which the Bushrangers won the Sheffield Shield. And Cricket Australia has already floated the likelihood that Saker will step in as head coach at some point in 2017 to give Lehmann a chance for time off.Western Australia coach Justin Langer was acting head coach during the recent one-day tri-series in the West Indies and has been viewed as a strong candidate to take over the job whenever Lehmann chooses to step down, but Saker’s new role will see him well-placed for the position as well. Saker said he did harbour head-coaching ambitions, but first was keen to learn from Lehmann.”To work with Darren Lehmann and to be maybe put in charge of a tour here and there, that’s really inviting,” Saker said. “It’s a great opportunity and one that I’m really looking forward to.”This is just another learning curve for me. It’s been great, all through my career I’ve learnt off a lot of really good coaches. Working under Darren Lehmann is going to be the same. It’s going to be a really good experience. What happens down the track we don’t know, but I’m always keen to keep going with my coaching and see where it goes from there.”Prior to succeeding Greg Shipperd as Victoria coach, Saker spent five years as England’s bowling coach and during that time was part of their away Test series wins in Australia and India. His brief with Australia will be to help them achieve similar success in such campaigns, initially in India during a four-Test tour early next year.”When they’ve got all their players on the park, they’re a really good team,” Saker said of Australia. “Mitchell Starc is as good a bowler as there is in the world. I think when they get all their bowlers back and firing, you’ve got a really good attack. I think the really pleasing thing about it is there’s quite a lot. You need six or seven of them, and they’ve got that.”Most of them are quite young, compared to Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, who are pretty experienced cricketers. When they get two or three more years of experience, there are going to be some serious bowlers in that group.”

Tottenham Hotspur have held talks with Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner who is officially leaving his club this summer, according to reports.

Who could be the next Spurs manager?

Spurs have shortlisted a succession of managerial candidates in the last fortnight, but as their number of options shrink, supporters are getting a clearer idea of who could succeed Antonio Conte.

Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso and Burnley's Vincent Kompany, who were rumoured to be of interest to chairman Daniel Levy, will no longer be contending as both tacticians commit their long term futures.

Former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann won't be getting the job as things stand with various reports ruling him out of the running.

As a result, Spurs are targeting far narrower options, with Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim, Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi and Slot among the primary contenders.

Glasner, who is confirmed to be departing Frankfurt a year before the expiry of his contract, has been linked with a move to north London and The Daily Mail have an update.

According to their information, whilst the likes of Slot and Barcelona boss Luis Enrique enter pole position, Spurs have also held talks with Glasner behind-the-scenes.

While his appointment could be viewed as an "underwhelming" one, it appears the 48-year-old is still in the frame, and Spurs hope to settle on preffered candidates in the next fortnight.

Who is Oliver Glasner?

The tactican, who won a Europa League title with Eintracht last season, could be a fairly solid option for Levy and co given he is soon to be a free agent.

Favouring the 3-4-2-1 formation, Spurs players would arguably grow accustomed to Glasner's style of play quickly, as it is not too dissimilar to that of Conte.

He will be readily-available for hire this summer which comes as a real pull for Spurs, with no club to stand in the way of Glasner's possible appointment.

Former Wolfsburg boss Niko Kovac gave a glowing endorsement on his counterpart last year, explaining to the Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung (via Bundesliga):

“He’s very structured, very well organised, meticulous, observes the opposition very closely and prepares the team very well for them,"“He doesn’t just let Eintracht run their boots off. He adjusts tactics, tries to simulate the opponent during the week in training. Oliver has transferred his ideas of football well to his team because he works methodically, because there’s no chopping and changing.”

It will be interesting to see if Glasner emerges as a prime contender, with Slot currently thought of as being the frontrunner.

Arsenal are now eyeing a move for Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy who has been told he can find a new club, according to journalist Tom Hopkinson.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

The Gunners and Mikel Arteta have been dealt a hammer blow in their pursuit of a first Premier League title in nearly 20 years, with their hopes all but dashed after a humbling 3-0 defeat to Brighton on Sunday.

Man City, as a result, are now well and truly in the ascendency and could seal their third-successive domestic crown with victory over Chelsea this weekend.

Barring a capitulation from Pep Guardiola's side, Arsenal may already have to look on to next campaign, with sporting director Edu already confirming that plans for summer signings are well and truly underway.

"It's already started because you know what's happening in the market, everybody is doing stuff," said the transfer chief in March."You have to plan with people as well just to be prepared so when you go again in the summer you are very prepared."

As well as reportedly targeting central midfield signings, it is believed that Arsenal could reinforce in defence, with Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi among the players linked.

Now, as per a report by The Daily Mirror and their reporter Hopkinson, Galacticos full-back Mendy could well join Arsenal after he's been told to find a new club by Madrid.

Indeed, Real have apparently informed the 27-year-old's representatives that there is no new deal on the table for him, and that Mendy is free to search for another home.

This is where Arsenal come in, as Arteta's side are apparently now on "red alert" and eyeing a move for the Frenchman, with this report claiming he could cost as little as £17.5 million.

Mendy's agents are likely to seek talks with Spurs, too, but Arsenal's status as a Champions League club for next season could hand them an advantage.

What could Mendy bring to Arsenal?

The former Lyon star is capable of operating as both a left-back and further forward in left-midfield, coming as a brilliant alternative to Oleksandr Zinchenko and replacement for Kieran Tierney, with the latter thought to be leaving.

Former Real star Raphael Varane has also heaped praise on Mendy in past seasons, calling him a "very tough" player with "incredible" physical strength.

He said to Marca in 2020:

"The physical strength he has is incredible. He is adapting very well and allows us to put together great efforts in matches. His forte is defense but he helps us a lot in all facets of the game. He's confirming his potential. We gave him a brick for the clubs he puts in training. He's very tough."

The £154,000-per-week star has been a semi-regular at the Bernabeu since he joined them from Ligue 1, owing to his ability, and now Arsenal could have the chance to bring him to north London for below £20 million.

Sussex’s openers, Luke Wells and Harry Finch, added 212 for the first wicket on the second day of the tour game, underlining how important Mohammad Amir and Yasir Shah are to the visitors’ plans in the Tests

Andrew McGlashan at Hove09-Jul-2016
ScorecardIf it was not already clear, the second day at Hove reinforced how crucial Mohammad Amir and Yasir Shah are to Pakistan’s hopes in the Test series against England. Sussex’s openers, Luke Wells and Harry Finch, added 212 for the first wicket before they declared 72 runs behind, offering Pakistanis the chance to see how keen they are for a proper game on the final day.Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s head coach, had billed this match a “bowl-off” to support Amir and Yasir with two places “up for grabs”. The ball did not swing conventionally before lunch and the lines were not consistent which enabled Finch and Wells to make a flyer: the fifty up in the eighth over, 120 in 27 by lunch.In the first session it was a case of who bowled least worse but in the hour before tea Wahab Riaz – probably playing-off against Rahat Ali for a spot unless Pakistan decide on three left-armers – provided a reminder of the danger that can be posed almost out of nowhere when the older ball starts to move.Wells was the first to fall when Wahab, who overstepped 10 times striving for pace, returned for his second spell of the day, his first from the Cromwell Road End, and started to find reverse swing with impressive pace: he will never be a bowler picked for economy, but he has the ability to rattle the batsmen. Wells drove flat-footed at a full delivery, edging behind seven short of a century, then Matt Machan was almost yorked first ball before being beaten by his second delivery.Finch, opening the batting for the first time in first-class cricket, reached his century in Wahab’s next over, when he square-drove his 16th boundary, but two balls later was tempted into driving a full delivery and edged to slip.At the Sea End, Imran Khan – a name that adorned this ground in the late 1970s and 1980s – picked up a brace himself, although they owed a little more to the batsmen’s errors. Machan was lbw after a horrid swipe across the line then Ben Brown drove loosely at his first ball: 212 without loss had become 233 for 4 in the blink of an eye. Imran had earlier struggled for rhythm as he ran up the hill, at one point delivering three consecutive no-balls.Sohail Khan may still be ahead of Imran in the queue for the right-arm seamer’s role having bowled well against Somerset. Although his figures here were expensive, he produced some sturdy spells, especially one during the afternoon when he troubled Wells, having him edge between first and second slip on 62 and then beating him three times in an over.Wells’ innings was a continuation of a strong run of form for the tall left-hander who had made 181 last week against Glamorgan. His fifty off 54 balls included 10 boundaries and seven more followed before Wahab found his edge.Finch, whose previous first-class hundred had come against Leeds/Bradford MCCU at the start of this season, gave one chance on 64 when he drove low to short cover off Zulfiqar Babar, but he was particularly impressive on the front foot. His century also included three sixes, one a cut over the short off-side boundary off Imran.Another issue for Pakistan, which England will be keen to exploit by keeping them in the field, is the lack of a proper fifth-bowling option. Azhar Ali trundled down a few overs of legspin while Asad Shafiq also had an over, but there will be a lot resting on four frontline bowlers. Yasir will have to keep it tight to allow the quicks to rotate; England will want to push Amir into his fourth and fifth spells of a day to test his endurance having played little multi-day cricket since his comeback.Having come in to face a hat-trick ball on first-class debut, Philip Salt played positively after tea before Craig Cachopa was given lbw on the front foot to Zulfiqar to bring the declaration with 24 overs left in the day.For the fourth time on the tour, Mohammad Hafeez reached double figures but not much further when, on 23, he pulled Jofra Archer to deep square leg. As a senior batsman, Pakistan will need Hafeez to lift his game in the Tests to ensure Azhar Ali and Younis Khan are not constantly exposed to the new ball.Shan Masood reached the close unbeaten on 38 but was never entirely convincing. Having given the same top seven both these warm-up matches, Pakistan have set their stall out for the opening Test but, as far as the first-wicket pair are concerned, they will enter more in hope than expectation.

Manchester United have some talented youngsters thriving in their academy who could be ready to challenge for a first team spot sooner rather than later.

The likes of Manni Norkett, Marc Jurado, Joe Hugill and Alvaro Fernandez have either shone out on loan this term or impressed in the youth age groups and Erik ten Hag will be delighted that he has a range of talent to cherry-pick over the next few years.

One youngster who has been superb during a temporary move is Amad Diallo.

The winger has been impressive for Sunderland this term, helping them reach the playoffs, and he has scored 13 times for the club, showing much of the promise which convinced United to splash out £19m for him in 2021.

Does he have a long-term future at Old Trafford, however?

Ten Hag may have plans for him next year, although there is another starlet coming through at Carrington which could disrupt Diallo’s development in Mateo Mejia.

Who is Mateo Mejia?

The former Real Zaragoza winger joined United from the Spanish second-tier side in 2019 at the tender age of 16, and he has since progressed through the age groups with swift progress.

Although not as big a goal threat compared to Diallo, his positional dexterity – having played across the front three this season – will allow Ten Hag to have multiple uses for the 20-year-old should he graduate to the first team over the next 12 months.

Four assists from 15 appearances in the Premier League 2 prove he is always creating opportunities for his teammates and this selfless nature will stand him in good stead during his career.

Broadcaster Bolarinwa Olajide even described the 20-year-old as a “wonderkid” before he arrived in Manchester, and he is certainly living up to this praise, with even greater things to come, surely.

Mejia is among a group of youngsters who are ready to make that jump to the next level and gain some first team experience.

Ten Hag signed Antony in order to operate on the right wing, and he isn’t likely to be going anywhere anytime soon, however, if the Red Devils find themselves in a fixture predicament in playing twice a week for the majority of the campaign as they have done this term, then the Dutchman will require a far bigger squad.

Instead of splashing out millions on another winger who will fight with the Brazilian over a first team berth, it makes more sense to ease the Colombian in gently and seeing what he is made off, and he could surprise a lot of people with his ability.

A batting promotion worked wonders for Moeen Ali as he scored his second Test century, and the fourth-highest score by an England No. 7, to build an imposing total of 498 for 9 before Alastair Cook declared before tea

The Report by Andrew McGlashan28-May-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsTwo men of the day: Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali share a high five•Getty ImagesPowered by Moeen Ali’s career-best 155 and three wickets on recall for Chris Woakes, England put themselves in position to push for another innings victory as Sri Lanka produced an insipid display on the second day at Chester-le-Street. The visiting batting subsided to 90 for 8 in reply to England’s 498 for 9, the follow-on surely set to be enforced in the morning, although they at least avoided being sent back in during the evening session, which looked a possibility at one stage.Moeen’s second Test century – his first also came against Sri Lanka, at Headingley in 2014 – allowed England to plunder 188 runs off 42 overs, of which Moeen provided 127, before Alastair Cook declared 40 minutes before tea. One down at the break was a passable start given what happened in Leeds, but things quickly unravelled in the final session, Woakes backing up the early incisions of James Anderson and Stuart Broad by quickly locating a challenging length with some late nip allied to eye-catching pace in the high 80s mph. Broad then returned in the final moments of the day to strike two more blows against the lower order.Regardless of the defences that can be given to Sri Lanka about the challenges of the conditions and the rebuilding phase the side is going through it was woeful performance from them. The tone was set early when, in stark contrast to their excellent catching on the opening day, they spilled two crucial chances in the first session: Moeen was dropped on 36 and Woakes on 8 inside the first four overs of the day, and from then on Sri Lanka were listless in the field.The second of those two chances, a regulation outside edge, was spilled by Dinesh Chandimal who was struggling with a thumb injury and at morning drinks was replaced by Kusal Mendis behind the stumps. It begged the question, given that Graham Ford had admitted the injury concern the night before, why the change hadn’t been made at the start of the day.Given a total of 298 at Headingley overwhelmed the Sri Lankans, 498 must have looked a fearful number looming from the scoreboard even as the sun shone brightly during the evening session. Mendis was again the best of an out-classed batting order, although Lahiru Thirimanne showed some pluck to see out the day, but their desperate state was summed up by Angelo Mathews’ review when he was given caught behind (having declined to review last week when he would have been saved from his lbw dismissal).Anderson picked up where he left off at Headingley when he found Dimuth Karunaratne’s leg stump in the third over when the left hander moved too far across to try and protect his outside edge. Anderson’s first spell, split either side of tea as Cook’s declaration allowed his new-ball pair a breather, also included Chandimal whose forgettable day continued when he edged to first slip with hard hands. Broad claimed Kaushal Silva when Jonny Bairstow took a sharp low catch which was referred to the TV umpire, Rod Tucker, although the on-field officials had given the soft signal as out.Woakes, who had played confidently for his 39 after the early life, was given the ball ahead of Steven Finn and in his second over found Mathews’ outside edge. A bowler who has recently taken 9 for 36 probably does not need much of a confidence boost, but when your Test average was upward of 60 removing the opposition’s best player is a perfect way to start.He then added Mendis, exaggerated lift finding the splice of the bat, and Milinda Siriwardana who edged a delivery that kept down – a pair of dismissals which further highlighted why Cook was happy to bat first. Still, it was not a 67 for 6 surface. Thirimanne and Rangana Herath resisted until the penultimate over of the day when Herath sparred to gully. Shaminda Eranga was then taken on the rebound by Joe Root at second slip after James Vince had done well to palm up a fast nick above his head.England resumed on 310 for 6, talking positively of 450 but probably willing to accept 400. By the time Cook declared, the last four wickets had added 271 runs with Moeen finishing with the fourth-highest score by an England No. 7. He received good support from the lower order, adding 92 for the seventh wicket with Woakes and 98 for the last two wickets combined, reaching three figures from 109 balls with a lofted drive down the ground. His next fifty took just another 43 deliveries, as he cut loose with Finn and Anderson for company, with the 150 being raised by a crunching six over deep midwicket off Suranga Lakmal.Although he made a half-century two Tests ago, against South Africa at Centurion, it has been a largely lean time with the bat for Moeen since last year’s Ashes series where his brisk lower-order contributions were vital at Cardiff and Edgbaston. He has not made any secret that he would prefer to bat higher in the order and in the absence of Ben Stokes he has, temporarily at least, moved up a spot. While not a chanceless innings, he appeared more focused than when he is lumped down with the bowlers.The only high point of the day for Sri Lanka was Herath’s 300th Test which finally came his way in his 28th over when Finn top-edged a slog sweep – Herath was not going to leave the catching to any of his team-mates. He became the third Sri Lankan bowler after Muttiah Muralitharan (light years ahead on 800 wickets) and Chaminda Vass (355) to cross the milestone. He was warmly applauded by the crowd and he raised the ball in acknowledgement, although a touch of reality soon dawned when No. 11 Anderson reverse swept him for four. The fact he had batted, and with more defiance than some, by the end of the day further summed up Sri Lanka’s plight.

Manchester United's primary focus this summer is likely to be on acquiring a new centre-forward asset, with the Red Devils having been forced to rely on an underwhelming duo of Wout Weghorst and Anthony Martial in recent months.

The latter man seemingly appears set for a departure at the end of the season having routinely been dogged by injury so far this term, while January arrival, Weghorst, may not have done enough to warrant a permanent deal, with the on-loan Burnley man having scored just twice in all competitions to date.

The obvious candidate to ease those striking woes is Tottenham Hotspur talisman, Harry Kane, with Sky Sports only recently revealing that United would "absolutely explore a deal" for the England captain if possible, albeit with the north Londoners still seemingly adamant that the 29-year-old is not for sale.

That fact will no doubt ensure that the Red Devils are also contemplating alternative targets to potentially lead the attack next season, with Football Insider recently naming Inter Milan marksman, Lautaro Martinez as one such candidate for the role, with the Serie A side said to be willing to cash in on the Argentine this summer.

The report suggests that the 25-year-old is seen as the "perfect forward" by manager Erik ten Hag, with the Old Trafford outfit also not set to be forced to pay over the odds for the 48-cap menace, with Inter said to value him at around £70m.

How would Lautaro Martinez fit in at Man United?

It is evident to most that United are in need of a more reliable number nine to help lead the attack, with the aim no doubt to help ease the goalscoring burden on Marcus Rashford, with the 25-year-old having bagged 29 goals in all competitions so far this season.

While the Englishman has scored just two goals in his last seven Premier League outings, prior to that the £200k-per-week machine had been rather "unstoppable" following the World Cup break, as per his manager, after scoring ten goals in as many league games amid his return from Qatar.

That clinical form – as well as the woes of Martial and Weghorst – have seen the academy graduate moved into a central role on occasion this season, although it would appear that the in-form ace is at his brilliant best when operating from the left flank, having revealed his preference for that position earlier in the campaign.

The signing of Martinez, then, would allow Rashford to remain in that wide berth, with the World Cup-winning striker able to provide a ruthless and prolific presence in a centre-forward role.

The former Racing Club sensation would undoubtedly be able to ease the reliance on the current United talisman having been a reliable goalscoring presence in Italy in recent years, notably bagging 95 goals in 228 games in all competitions to date.

That includes a haul of 21 goals in 47 games across all fronts this term, with the "shot monster" – as hailed by presenter Joe Thomlinson – having been particularly lethal in the Italian top-flight with 17 league goals so far.

Having largely been deployed as part of a strike partnership during his time at San Siro – memorably scoring 41 league goals combined with Romelu Lukaku en route to the title in 2020/21 – Martinez could perhaps be able to dovetail nicely with Rashford as part of a fluid forward line.

That relatively youthful combination could go on to thrive together at the Theatre of Dreams for years to come, with it easy to see why the Inter man is looking like a possible option for Ten Hag and co.

Incoming Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino could decide to keep hold of striker Romelu Lukaku this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

Is Lukaku impressing this season?

The 29-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements by Thomas Tuchel last summer, so he made the move to Inter Milan on a season-long loan. He was exceptional there in 2020/21, which initially earned him a return to Chelsea, but he hasn't done as well this time around, scoring just five goals in 20 Serie A appearances. He has netted three times in the Champions League, however, helping the Nerazzurri reach the semi-finals.

Once this season is done and dusted, Lukaku will return to Chelsea, where imminent new boss Pochettino will have a decision to make over his future. The Blues are badly in need of a top-quality centre forward ahead of next season and remains to be seen if the Argentine views the attacker as someone he wants to keep hold of.

Could Lukaku stay at Chelsea?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Sheth failed to rule out of the prospect of Lukaku staying put at Stamford Bridge beyond this summer:

"You never know, a new manager might bring out the best in Romelu Lukaku. Everyone is immediately assuming that Lukaku probably won't play for the club again, but Mauricio Pochettino will probably want to assess everything that he's got before making any decisions about who's going to be staying in that squad and who's going to be leaving, simply because he will want to bring in some of his own players.

"And if he's going to bring in more players and spend even more money, there's going to definitely have to be more departures at that club as well."

This is an interesting update, and while some Chelsea supporters may not be enamoured with the idea of Lukaku staying put, it is only right that Pochettino gets a chance to assess him. He does turn 30 this year and his last spell at Stamford Bridge was poor – he only scored eight Premier League goals last season – but there is a chance that he could flourish under a different manager.

In truth, it would still be the best outcome to sell Lukaku permanently this summer and sign a younger elite option such as Napoli's Victor Osimhen, but he is still a proven goalscorer who could yet earn another opportunity to prove his worth in west London.

Newcastle United's potential summer transfer targets will be enthusiastic over the prospect of joining the club due to their upward trajectory, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Newcastle United?

The Toon are in a great position currently and sit third in the Premier League table with just seven games left before the close of play, six points clear of Tottenham Hotspur in fifth in the race for Champions League qualification.

Unsurprisingly, the idea of the Magpies in Europe's elite competition has seen them linked with some high-profile summer signings. 90min report that Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is among those they have a keen interest in, though it may cost upwards of £70 million for the Seagulls to sanction his departure in the off-season.

The Sun have claimed that Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney is also a target that Eddie Howe is willing to pursue ahead of next term and it is said that the Scot looks 'increasingly likely' to complete a move to the North East in the forthcoming transfer window.

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount is also believed to be on their radar; however, Football Insider have revealed that the Tyneside club expect their Premier League rivals Liverpool to beat them to his signature.

Despite the transfer rumour mill going into overdrive at present, it is reflective of how incredible Newcastle United's transformation has been over the last year or so.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks that the Toon Army's rise to prominence will have piqued the interest of some of their high-profile transfer targets ahead of the summer.

Asked whether prospective targets would sit up and take notice of their excellent form, Jones told FFC: "Definitely some players will; it's a really exciting place to be at the moment, St James' Park. It's obviously one of the best footballing environments you could ever be when things are going well.

"As a city, it's always buzzing; when the football team is doing well, it's pretty much the best place in the world. Players will be seeing that from afar at the moment."

What type of transfer strategy should Newcastle United adopt this summer?

Even with their well-documented financial power, most people in footballing circles would agree that Newcastle are probably ahead of schedule in their ascent to being a regular challenger for continental qualification and silverware.

The Magpies look likely to clinch a top-four spot this season and have been able to compete with the chasing pack without falling away like some expected, which begs the question, how do they go about their transfer business in order to reach even greater heights?

Since Eddie Howe arrived at the club, some of their best finds haven't necessarily been multi-million-pound acquisitions to the point of extremity, with examples such as Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman coming in and proving to be good value for money on the face of it.

Others such as Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimares, have cost a good chunk extra; however, they have both played significant roles in the club's campaign thus far.

Competing in a European competition next campaign will likely require further squad depth, though it remains to be seen the direction they will take in the market in the off-season.

Everton will surely be in the market this summer for reinforcements after another disappointing Premier League season and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Everton's interest in Luis Lopes?

According to The Daily Mail, Everton sent scouts to Scotland last week to take a closer look at Aberdeen striker Luis "Duk" Lopes.

As per the report, the former Benfica centre-forward has caught the attention of the Everton hierarchy following his impressive goal-scoring form in the Scottish Premiership this season amid their search for a capable striker.

Would Luis Lopes be a good signing for Everton?

There is no doubt that Everton are in desperate need of improvements in their attacking threat after failing to replace the goal contributions of Richarlison and the pace unleashed by Anthony Gordon, which has ultimately been the catalyst in their downfall this season.

No other team in the Premier League has scored fewer goals (24) over the campaign so far, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin continuing to struggle with injuries and summer signing Neal Maupay failing to offer consistent goal contributions since his arrival.

As a result, the signing of Lopes could be the perfect opportunity for Sean Dyche to finally strengthen his strike force with a reliable performer in front of goal.

Over 32 league appearances, the 23-year-old has scored 16 goals, registered two assists and created four big chances as a marker of his all-round presence.

Furthermore, he's averaging 1.6 shots on goal, 1.5 successful dribbles and has won 5.5 duels per game, proving he has been in fantastic form for his club and contributed massively to the club's six-game unbeaten run.

The Benfica academy graduate has been lavished with praise since his arrival in Scotland last summer, with his former coach Joao Tralhao hailing Lopes' best assets:

"He is powerful, aggressive, strong and he works hard to press. He also has an amazing instinct to score goals and you could see that with every year he progressed.

"He has a real instinct for goal, which is his top quality. He just scores goals, with his right foot, left foot, chest, head or every part of his body. He has scored a few acrobatic goals for Aberdeen and trust me, that is not usual. That is just Duk."

With that being said, if Lopes can deliver a similar output at Goodison Park, he would be a great asset for the Toffees next season as Dyche goes in search of finally replacing the aforementioned Gordon and Richarlison.