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Adam Pope has dropped an exciting Leeds United transfer update amid their pursuit of Barcelona left-back Junior Firpo this summer.

What’s the story?

Marcelo Bielsa’s side predominantly used Gjanni Alioski in the role last season in the Premier League, but with the North Macedonian’s future uncertain, it’s unsurprising that the club is eyeing up reinforcements in that area.

BBC reporter Pope has now revealed that the Whites are keen on signing Firpo, with the Spaniard set to cost around €15m (£12.8m).

He added added: “The 24-year-old former Real Betis man is among several targets for sporting director Victor Orta as United look for a new left-back. But Leeds face competition for Firpo from both AC and Inter Milan as well as Premier League rivals Southampton.”

Fans will be buzzing

While Firpo may not have had much game-time at Barcelona last season – he played just 18 times in all competitions – he is the kind of attacking left-back who seems to be a perfect fit for Bielsa’s enterprising Leeds outfit.

A profile piece on Sky Sports revealed: “Standing six feet tall, Firpo has a rangy stride that he uses to power himself down the flank and make infield incursions. He is also no stranger to yellow cards, having picked up four in 13 matches this season.

“Spanish publication Marca describes him as ‘effervescent’, and he perfectly fits Betis coach Quique Setien’s attacking philosophy. He also possesses the versatility to step into a back three on the left.”

He had also been tipped for an exciting career by former Barcelona star Eric Abidal, who told Diario Sport (via Tribuna): “He’s a player with a lot of potential. He could be one of the best left-backs in the world. I always tell him that he must work hard and be aware of the (style of) play. He’s going to get better, for sure. It’s always difficult to get started at Barca.”

Given the relatively low cost of the deal, and that he fits the profile of an attacking full-back, Leeds fans will surely be buzzing at Pope’s transfer update on Firpo.

Meanwhile, this Leeds United transfer target would be a major upgrade…

New Zealand’s one-day team to tour Sharjah and Pakistan is to be named tomorrow on what should be the next phase of the side’s World Cup ’03 development

Lynn McConnell31-Mar-2002New Zealand’s one-day team to tour Sharjah and Pakistan is to be named tomorrow on what should be the next phase of the side’s World Cup ’03 development.But such is the injury count at the moment that it can only be an exercise in match strategy involving some of the second tier of players who may or may not be called on in the final count, depending on the injuries down the line.Out of consideration are: Chris Cairns, Shane Bond, Dion Nash and it could be that the national selectors decide that Daniel Vettori deserves a rest in preparation for the Pakistan Test series which follows the two one-day exercises in Sharjah and Pakistan.Fourteen players are to be named for the tour which includes a minimum of four games in Sharjah and three in Pakistan.In Sharjah, New Zealand play Sri Lanka on April 9, Pakistan on April 11, Sri Lanka on April 14 and Pakistan again on April 15.The tournament final is to be played on April 17.The basis of the side obviously has to be the team which beat England 3-2 and which made the finals of the VB Series in Australia.That would see: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Lou Vincent, Chris Harris, Daryl Tuffey and Andre Adams as certainties for the side.Chris Nevin should be retained as wicket-keeper and with the absence of Adam Parore for future consideration, there is a chance for him to claim the position for himself with the gloves and as an opener.If the selectors decide that Vettori is still in good enough condition to make the tour then he too, will be in the automatic category. However, if he is rested, then Auckland’s Brooke Walker must be the favoured option. He has had chances in the past and while he was covering for injury to Vettori, there must be hope that he has had a chance to absorb the lessons and be reconsidered.Glen Sulzberger has also been part of the mix in recent times and it could be that he gains his place if two spinners are preferred.One important decision that will be made is whether Brendon McCullum holds his place in the squad. He is a long term investment by the selectors and he has too much to offer to be placed on the substitutes’ bench and he should retain his spot.James Franklin should also be recalled to the side to continue his education in international play and his recent run scoring for Wellington will have been appreciated by the selectors.Another consideration will be Central Districts’ captain Jacob Oram back in action after missing much of the season with a foot injury. He was shaping as a key element in New Zealand’s one-day planning after last summer and given the on-going problems with Cairns, he should be a consideration for the side.The final choice will be in the bowling attack. Whether Scott Styris offers anything more in the bowling than that offered already in the attack and it may be that a workhorse-type of bowler like Chris Drum, especially with the Pakistan leg of the tour in mind, catches the selectors’ eyes.That would leave the team possibly looking like: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Chris Nevin, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Lou Vincent, Chris Harris, Daniel Vettori/Brooke Walker, Glen Sulzberger, Daryl Tuffey, Andre Adams, James Franklin, Jacob Oram, Chris Drum.

While Glamorgan Dragons were outwitting Leicestershire Foxes in our featured match, it was appropriate that Worcestershire Royals were crowning the Golden Jubilee with an emphatic win over Yorkshire Phoenix at Headingley

Stephen Lamb04-Jun-2002While Glamorgan Dragons were outwitting Leicestershire Foxes in our featured match, it was appropriate that Worcestershire Royals were crowning the Golden Jubilee with an emphatic win over Yorkshire Phoenix at Headingley. Kabir Ali continued a remarkable run of success, with five for 36 as Phoenix crumbled to 128 all out. Allan Donald marked his first appearance for the Royals with two wickets. Ben Smith then made an unbeaten 38 and Anurag Singh 33 as the Royals coasted home with more than seven overs to spare.Elsewhere in Division One, Neil Carter (five for 31) and Shaun Pollock (three for 10) flattened Durham Dynamos for just 72. It took Warwickshire Bears just 11 overs and one ball to overhaul that, with Carter and Pollock the batsmen to the fore.At Tunbridge Wells, Kent Spitfires flew comfortably over Notts Outlaws with a five-wicket win. James Golding (three for 25) was the Spitfires’ main gunner as the Outlaws were shot down for 191, and an opening partnership of 82 between Robert Key (68*) and Matthew Fleming (64 off just 44 balls) provided rocket fuel for the Spitfires’ reply.In Division Two, Hampshire Hawks won a tense encounter with Middlesex Crusaders at Lord’s. The South African wicket-keeper Nic Pothas was the Hawks’ top scorer with an unbeaten 39 as they reached 183 for eight. The Crusaders were given a solid start by Andy Strauss (35) and Sven Koenig (24), but uniformly tight bowling from the Hawks left the Crusaders just three runs short of victory.There was another tight finish at Northampton, where the Steelbacks overcame Surrey Lions by just five runs. Mal Loye (86) and Mike Hussey (69) laid the foundations for the Steelbacks’ win, setting up their eventual total of 229. Although Ally Brown roared to 55 off just 47 balls, there was always a little too much for the Lions to do, and Ricky Anderson (three for 30) helped to draw their teeth.Sussex Sharks endured no such impediment at Horsham, as the high-flying Essex Eagles fell to earth with a thud. After a waterlogged start, the Sharks were re-floated by wicket-keeper Matthew Prior, who made 73 from just 67 balls. An unbeaten 41 from Kevin Innes pushed the total to 240. A double strike from James Kirtley then reduced the Eagles to four for two, and despite contributions from Graham Napier (50) Andy Flower (49) and Ronnie Irani (51), the Eagles ultimately subsided to 208 all out.In the other Division Two match, played under floodlights at Old Trafford, Gloucestershire Gladiators won the toss and batted first. Despite the fact that Lancashire Lightening’s John Wood took five for 49, the men from Bristol managed to total an impressive 269 for eight in their 45 overs. There were useful contributions all down the order, but top-scorer was the evergreen Kim Barnett with 66. In reply, several batsmen from the home county got a start, but they were undone by some typically persistent and miserly bowling from the Gladiators’ attack and they were shot out at regular intervals. In the end, Lightening could not even survive for the full over allocation and were bowled out for 190 to lose by 79 runs.

Manchester United have had a bid rejected for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane as the race for his signature hots up this summer.

What’s the story?

The Red Devils have been strongly linked with a move for the 28-year-old in recent weeks as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to bolster his first-team squad, and now they’ve made their first move.

A £50m offer was tabled for Varane, but Los Blancos are holding out for closer to £80m despite the World Cup winner only having one year remaining on his current contract, according to the Manchester Evening News.

United must swoop

United are reportedly still in contact with the Spanish giants over a potential deal, as they hope to reach a compromise over Madrid’s asking price.

However, they remain reluctant to match the capital club’s £80m valuation, with Varane set to become a free agent next summer.

The France international has been courted by United for many years now, and it seems as though a transfer could finally be on the cards for the 6 ft 2 centre-back.

David Alaba’s arrival at the Bernabeu means a replacement is already in place, and Madrid’s spiralling debts mean the club’s hierarchy are willing to sell one of their prized assets.

A new partner for Harry Maguire at the heart of defence is thought to be high up on Solskjaer’s wish list for this summer’s transfer window.

Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have failed to prove their long-term suitability as United aim to challenge for football’s top prizes, meaning Ed Woodward and co. must swoop for Varane this summer.

During his decade-long stint in Spain, the former Lens ace has won four Champions League crowns, three La Liga titles, and one Copa del Rey.

His formidable partnership alongside Sergio Ramos led to ex-Real manager Zinedine Zidane hailing Varane as a “leader”, while Gary Neville labeled him an “amazing player.”

It’s clear that Varane’s addition would strengthen United considerably and edge them closer to an elusive 21st top-flight title, and the supporters will surely be hoping that the club’s hierarchy can get this deal over the line.

The club’s hierarchy simply cannot allow a transfer saga to develop and after failing to secure Jadon Sancho last year, they would risk upsetting the Old Trafford faithful even more.

And, in other news…Woodward heading for huge MUFC transfer mistake over £500k-p/w monster, Ole must avoid 

تحدث عمرو السولية لاعب خط وسط منتخب مصر الأول، عن مواجهة السنغال في المرحلة الأخيرة من التصفيات المؤهلة إلى نهائيات كأس العالم قطر 2022.

مران منتخب مصر | مشاركة جميع اللاعبين ومؤازرة جمال علام قبل مواجهة السنغال

وقال السولية في تصريحات تلفزيونية لفضائية “أون تايم سبورتس”: “أدينا بشكل جيد في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا الماضية ولم يحالفنا التوفيق في مباراة النهائي”.

وأضاف: “أمامنا فرصة الآن للتأهل إلى كأس العالم، نحضر لمباراتي السنغال منذ انتهاء بطولة إفريقيا، وكل اللاعبين في قمة التركيز”.

وأردف: “كل لاعبي منتخب مصر يجتمعون ويتحدثون ويعرفون حجم المسؤولية، وسنحاول أن نسهل الأمور على أنفسنا في المباراة الأولى”.

وتابع: “أي 11 لاعبًا سيتواجدون في الملعب سيؤدون أفضل ما لديهم، ودور اللاعبين الكبار ليس قيادي بل نذكر بعضنا البعض فقط ونحمس اللاعبين بأننا سنفرح بالتأهل في السنغال”.

قد أستبدل محمد صلاح أمام السنغال.. كيروش يوجه رسالة هامة لجماهير منتخب مصر

وأتم: “أيًا كانت الطريقة التي سنلعب بها، سنحقق المطلوب ونتأهل، ننتظر الجماهير يوم الجمعة وسيكونون دافع لنا، هناك لاعبين لم يلعبوا أمام جماهير، لكن هدفنا واحد وهو إسعاد جماهيرنا ولا توجد أعذار”.

The annual Division 1 cricket championship, which usually starts inMay, will begin in August this year

Haydn Gill26-Apr-2001The annual Division 1 cricket championship, which usually starts inMay, will begin in August this year.For the first time in recent history, the season will begin with theBarbados Fire & Commercial Cup Limited-overs Competition on May 19.As a result, the new-look Division 1 competition, which features theintroduction of covers and a morning start for two-day matches, willbe delayed until August 11.Play will now start at 11 a.m. daily in the Division 1 competition, anhour later than was originally planned.Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) business manager Rollins Howardsaid the decision to start the season with the Cup competition wasmade primarily to accommodate schoolboys who have examinations in themonths of May and June.”We don’t usually play on Saturday and Sunday at the start of theseason,” Howard told NATIONSPORT.”If we start with the Cup, we will still play cricket every Saturday.The schools will be playing in the knockout competition and it wouldnot impact on Sunday cricket with them.”The Cup competition will run for nine successive Saturdays,culminating with the final on Sunday July 22.Once the Division 1 competition starts on August 11, it will run for13 successive weekends, ending in the first weekend of November.For the first time ever, there will be Reserve League for teamsparticipating in Division 1, registration of clubs and players andmatch referees in Division 1.”There are other changes but the above are those which will have animmediate and the greatest impact on clubs participating in theDivision 1 competition,” Howard said in a memo to clubs and schools.”We appreciate that many changes are being implemented for the newseason and expect that several challenges will present themselves.However, it will be a learning experience for all of us.”Covers, which are to be used in Division 1 and the entire Cupcompetition for the first time, have been ordered for each club andshould soon arrive in the island.In an effort to familiarise the groundstaff with the requirements forpreparation of two-day pitches as well as with the elements involvedin covering pitches, a seminar for groundsmen, sponsored by the BCAand the National Sports Council, was held recently at Queen’s Park.Each Division 1 club will be represented in the Reserve League, whichwill be played on two consecutive Saturdays initially.”This concession is made to allow current clubs time to recruitplayers who will be able to compete in the Reserve League under thesame conditions as the First Division and will not exceed two years,”Howard said.”Clubs are therefore urged to embark on programmes to attract youngplayers.”In these two years, the Reserve League will begin at 12:30 p.m. dailyand will be played on the basis of 35-overs-per-side in the firstinnings with many of the requirements of a regular limited-overs matchin place.The second innings will be played to a normal conclusion. There will,however, be a minimum of 75 overs in the day’s play.Match referees, who have become a regular part of the Fire Cupcompetition in recent years, are expected to be in place for Division1 matches.”There is a need for more match referees and efforts are under way torecruit suitable persons so that all of the competitions can be wellserved,” Howard said.Other changes include the promotion of teams from Intermediate andSecond Division and the introduction of new clubs to the SecondDivision.Barbados Defence Force Youth Programme, champions in the IntermediatePremier League in 1999 and 2000, have been promoted to Division 1 totake the place of one of the Combined Schools teams.Additionally, Conrad Hunte Sports Club, Dover, Wotton and Fustic havebeen promoted to the Premier League; Lords, Parish Land and theBarbados Fire Service have moved up to Intermediate from SecondDivision; and Isolation Cavaliers, Melrose and Brereton are the newcomers to the Second Division competition.There will only be minor changes to the conditions of play in thePremier, Intermediate, Second and Schools divisions.Playing times and general conditions will be the same as in previousyears, with play starting at either 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.The Second Division, however, will play under conditions similar tothe Reserve League.The Fire Shield, which starts on June 10, will be played almostsimultaneously with the Cup and ends with the final on July 15.In another new feature, all clubs will have to register their players.Registration fee per club is $100 and per player $10.Registration for schools is $50, but there is no registration fee forindividual schoolboys.

Manchester United host Fulham this evening as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men look to bounce back from back-to-back Premier League defeats.

The Red Devils have already secured a place in the top four and next season’s Champions League group stage, but they’ll be desperate to regain some momentum and form heading into next week’s Europa League final.

United take on Spanish outfit Villarreal in the showpiece event as they look to end the club’s longest trophy drought in over 30 years, however, they must first complete their final two Premier League games of the campaign.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects the Norweigan to line his side up on Sunday evening, with three changes from the side that started against Liverpool last time out…

Dean Henderson keeps his place between the sticks despite a hugely underwhelming display against Jurgen Klopp’s charges where he made multiple mistakes and conceded four goals.

There’s one change along the back four, with Eric Bailly dropping out for the highly-rated Axel Tuanzebe. The 23-year-old has struggled for game time this season, but with Harry Maguire struggling with injury and United conceding six goals in their last two games, the youngster may get another chance to impress.

In midfield, summer-signing Donny van de Beek may be handed his second start in United’s last three games against an already-relegated Fulham side. The former Ajax man has only featured from the off on three occasions in the league this season, and the visit of Scott Parker’s struggling side could be the perfect opportunity to get some more minutes under his belt.

The forward positions are occupied by the usual suspects, but with the £76.5-rated Marcus Rashford continuing to play through the pain barrier, Solskjaer may be tempted to axe his star forward with one eye on the Europa League final.

And, in other news…Major Manchester United transfer update emerges that’ll surely have fans buzzing – opinion

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, David Norris, who made 36 appearances for Leeds United, has claimed that it appears as though Gaetano Berardi will eventually be leaving Elland Road this summer.

Berardi has been with Leeds since he signed from Sampdoria in 2014 and he has gone onto make 155 appearances for the Lilywhites, which includes 22 in their Championship-winning season.

The Switzerland international has missed much of the 2020/21 campaign after injuring his ACL against Derby County back in July, but despite that he was handed a new one-year contract in October 2020, which is due to expire next month.

Speaking on how it appears to be the end for Berardi at Leeds and how fans will be sad to see him leave this summer, Norris exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

“I think it looks like it’s coming to an end, which is a shame. He came into the club when I was there and he was someone who looked like he could handle the pace and make it last at Leeds.

“I know Leeds fans love him and he loves the place so it will be a real shame, but it just looks like it is one of those things that is coming to a natural end and he’ll move on.”

The £32, 308 per week defender arrived when Leeds appeared to have no hope of making it in the Premier League back in 2014, but players like Berardi with the fight and desire to play for the badge have helped get them to where they are now.

Leeds will be looking to add more quality to their squad this summer as they will want to push on next season and achieve more than just a top-half finish.

أشاد جون ألديريدج لاعب ليفربول السابق، بالنجم محمد صلاح مشيرًا إلى أنه يمكن أن يكون أحد الأساطير العظماء في النادي الإنجليزي إذا استمر.

محمد صلاح المنضم إلى ليفربول في صيف 2017، تمكن من تسجيل 150 هدفًا مع الريدز، وما زال يبحث عن اتفاق مع النادي لتجديد عقده.

جون ألديريدج لاعب ليفربول السابق، كتب في مقالته عبر موقع “sundayworld” البريطاني، عن تجديد عقد محمد صلاح، مشيرًا إلى أنه يجب اعتباره أحد رموز النادي عبر تاريخه.

وفيما يلي، كما جاء في مقالة جون ألديريدج عن محمد صلاح

“سوف يجادل أي من مشجعي ليفربول بأنه يجب اعتبار المايسترو المصري بالفعل أحد رموز النادي عبر التاريخ، وإحصائيات التهديف التي وصل لها تشير إلى أنه يستحق هذا التقدير”.

“ومع ذلك، فإن ليفربول لديه قائمة طويلة من المهاجمين العظماء ويحتاج صلاح إلى فعل المزيد قبل أن يتمكن من القفز على إيان راش أو كيني دالجليش أو روبي فاولر أو بطلي روجر هانت”.

“الآن إذا وقع محمد صلاح عقدًا جديدًا مدته أربع سنوات مع النادي واستمر في تسجيل 250 هدفًا، وفاز بلقبين آخرين في الدوري الإنجليزي وربما دوري أبطال أوروبا، فسيكون لديه الحق بأنه سيكون بجانب راش ودالجليش الأعظم في تاريخ ليفربول”.

“لذلك آمل أن يقدر مالكو النادي ما لديهم هُنا، لأنه حتى لو كان محمد صلاح ووكيله يطالبان بأموال سخيفة مقابل العقد الجديد، يجب على ليفربول أن يعطيهما”.

“نحن نتحدث عن لاعب كرة قدم خرافي، ربما يكون الأفضل في العالم الآن، ووجوده في ناديك سيكلف أموالًا طائلة في الرواتب والمكافآت، لكنه سيلبي لك كل احتياجاتك”.

“لابد أن يظهر ليفربول طموحه من خلال منحه عقد يبرر وضعه في النادي. هدفه في نورويتش سيتي كان عملًا فنيًا آخر، لكنه أصبح ضمن القاعدة بالنسبة للاعب المصري الرائع منذ انضمامه إلى الريدز في 2017”.

“رغم أنه لم يكن في أفضل حالاته ضد نورويتش سيتي وكذلك ليفربول، لكن بعض ومضات التألق التي أظهرها خطفت الأنفاس، وهذا هو ما يقوم به أي لاعب عظيم.. أشياء مذهلة وبكل سهولة ويجعل المستطيل الأخضر بالكامل تحت سطوته”.

“قد لا يسجل محمد صلاح دائمًا هدفًا جيدًا مثل الذي سجله ضد نورويتش سيتي، لكنه سيعطيك دائمًا شيئًا لا يمكن لأي لاعب آخر أن يضاهيه ولهذا السبب يتعين على ليفربول التأكد من تمسكهم به”.

“صلاح يبلغ من العمر 29 عامًا فقط، لائق بدنيًا وسيشكل تهديدًا لأي مدافع خلال السنوات الثلاث أو الأربع المقبلة على الأقل، لذلك يحتاج ليفربول لحسم الأمور سريعًا”.

“محمد صلاح وساديو ماني وراء قوة التهديف لليفربول على مدى السنوات القليلة الماضية، وعندما تراجعا الموسم الماضي، فشل ليفربول في تقديم موسم جيد”.

“وطالما بقي محمد صلاح في صحة جيدة، ينبض بالثقة ويسجل الأهداف، وستتاح لليفربول دائمًا فرصة التنافس على كل الألقاب في كرة القدم”.

Allan Saint-Maximin inspired a stunning Newcastle United comeback on Saturday afternoon to hand a boost to Steve Bruce’s hopes of staying in the Premier League this season, but another name arguably stole the show at Turf Moor.

The Magpies were heading for a frustrating result until the Frenchman’s 57th-minute introduction as he came off the bench to score and assist two goals in quick succession.

He first found Jacob Murphy before a superb solo effort was rifled home, both within eight minutes of coming onto the pitch.

And whilst he deserves plenty of plaudits, Newcastle’s opening goalscorer deserves just as much, having made a considerable impact throughout the 90 minutes.

Indeed, Murphy was amongst Bruce’s highest-rated starters (7.4), as per SofaScore ratings and this was something echoed by ChronicleLive’s Lee Ryder, who claimed the wing-back bounced back from an indifferent opening half to form a brilliant partnership with Saint-Maximin.

The 26-year-old was one of the Magpies’ most influential players as he recorded 66 touches, a feat only bettered by Jonjo Shelvey – understandably as he’s supposed to dictate play from the engine room.

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But that merely showed how Newcastle relied on Murphy down that right flank, he only got better when Bruce replaced the struggling forward duo of Joelinton and Dwight Gayle.

The 5 foot 9 dynamo also managed to provide two accurate crosses and pulled off one successful dribble but he too contributed defensively to great effect.

As per SofaScore, Murphy made two tackles, which was only bettered by one player on the pitch – Erik Pieters (six), who the Magpies star often went to battle with.

By comparison, central defensive duo Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez combined for the same number of tackles. Murphy also chipped in with one interception and one block too.

The £25k-per-week dynamo earned the glowing praise of Alan Shearer on Twitter as he couldn’t contain his excitement at the victory, so whilst Saint-Maximin will be the main name spoken about, you cannot ignore the industrious contribution of the former Norwich City graduate.

He’s still set to be out of contract in the summer, so the Magpies hierarchy will need to act on Bruce’s wishes sooner rather than later after that display.

AND in other news, “There’s rumours” – Exclusive: Marcus Bent drops big claim on ex-player returning to Newcastle…