All posts by h716a5.icu

A number of Liverpool supporters are happy with the news that Reds midfielder Marko Grujic looks set to join Porto this summer.

The focus for Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards may be on bringing in new signings in the transfer window, but the manager and sporting director may also be looking to get rid of surplus players. This would help to generate transfer funds for new incomings, along with refining Liverpool’s squad ahead of next season.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

Grujic seemingly has no future at Anfield, with the Serbian sent out on loan numerous times in recent years and making just 16 Reds appearances overall.

According to A Bola [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], the 25-year-old looks set to join Porto for €13m (£11.1m) next week, with Liverpool agreeing a fee with the Portuguese giants to finally end his five-and-a-half-year spell on the Anfield club’s books.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-6/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans react to Grujic rumour

It is a transfer story which has been met with a lot of positivity from some Reds fans, who provided their thoughts on Twitter as they feel that Grujic has no future on Merseyside.

“Praying this is true. One deadwood down. Now only Shaq, Wilson & Origi to go”

Credit: @Homes19LFC

“£10m for Grujic? Wow what a genius Edwards is”

Credit: @JamesTELyerMa

“Bought for €5m, sold for €13m, nice business”

Credit: @MarkAnthonyOloo

“Bought £5.1m, sell £11.1m. Good job Michael Edwards”

Credit: @Kakaroach

“Finally #LFC”

Credit: @Sekaa_YNWA

“Decent profit from the deal, Klopp clearly wasn’t keen on him”

Credit: @UpTheRedmen1

In other news, a journalist has provided an update on Liverpool’s pursuit of one player. Find out who it is here.

John Ward reports on the second day’s play in the game between Lancashire and Nottinghamshire at Old Trafford

John Ward at Old Trafford07-Jun-2008
Scorecard
Steven Croft celebrates his maiden first-class hundred © PA Sports
The match is well balanced at Old Trafford after two days, although a draw is an increasingly strong possibility as only six wickets fell on both days. Nottinghamshire replied strongly and positively to Lancashire’s first-innings total of 384, which was boosted by a determined century from Steven Croft, closing on 148 for 2.Resuming on 260 for 5, Lancashire’s priority was clearly to keep on amassing runs, which they did without too much concern about how long it took. This tied in well with Croft’s aim of reaching his maiden first-class century. He settled in firmly with Luke Sutton, his overnight partner, who started the day with a superb cover drive to the boundary off Charlie Shreck.Croft was working away with dedication, and finally an on-drive for four off Shreck brought him the three figures he had narrowly missed at Headingley last week. It came off 197 balls and contained few memorable strokes, but a great deal of hard work and dedication.This valuable partnership was only broken by a run-out, as the energetic Sutton sought a fourth run off a hit to the distant midwicket boundary, and was stranded in mid pitch thanks to good work out there from Matthew Wood. He made 43, rather slowly but valuably, and Lancashire were 336 for 6.Croft did not change his approach after reaching his hundred, continuing to accumulate steadily, until he was finally caught at the wicket for 122, driving at Graeme Swann. In all he faced 256 balls and hit 14 fours. This was the pattern of the Lancashire innings, which plodded on at less than three an over. The only batsmen who actually exceeded this rate were Dominic Cork (18) and Sajid Mahmood (10) in their brief innings. This approach brought them a very handy total, but it did use up a day and a half.Swann was the most successful of the Nottinghamshire bowlers, taking 3 for 78, with two wickets to both Shreck and Franks. Darren Patterson, wicketless, and Mark Ealham, with just one wicket, deserved better for their fine efforts, but luck did not go their way.Could Lancashire’s rather slow scoring be excused by a pitch that did not allow a good run rate? Nottinghamshire did not think so, as they scored their runs at about four an over for most of their truncated innings. They did begin cautiously, but the bowlers did not find much assistance from the conditions and provided width at times, and the runs began to flow.Wood fell early for 10, pushing forward to Mahmood and being caught at the wicket, while his opening partner, Will Jefferson, was just regaining confidence and showing his range of strokes when a loose slash off Oliver Newby to gully cut him off for 32. Nottinghamshire were 60 for 2 and the innings was in the balance.Adam Voges, however, joined Mark Wagh and the two shared a fluent partnership of 88, unbroken by the close. Croft, with his little medium-pacers, was the only bowler to put a brake on the scoring. To the annoyance of the crowd, the batsmen chose to take the bad light when the umpires offered it to them, despite being well set.Nottinghamshire do not always make pleasant opponents these days, and there was a distasteful incident during the morning when Shreck deliberately stood in Sutton’s way as the latter went for a quick single, almost forcing the batsman to barge him as he ran through. The umpires stepped in and spoke to the bowler and captain, and the matter may well be taken further. But this incident could have been avoided if the umpires, especially Tim Robinson who was at Shreck’s end, had stepped in earlier with one or two quiet words.Only a few minutes earlier Shreck had given Sutton some verbals, and it was not simply a case of the bowler having a bad day or getting out of bed the wrong side, as he had also shown such gratuitous aggression on the first day, apparently overlooked by the umpires then. He was not the only Nottinghamshire offender, and it was unfortunate that the umpires waited until an actual incident took place rather than reckoning that prevention was better than cure.

Newcastle United are in discussions with Southampton over a potential swap deal involving midfielders Isaac Hayden and Mario Lemina.

What’s the story?

According to the Daily Mail, the Magpies are set to demand around £12 million for Hayden while the Saints value Lemina at £4m, due to the Gabon international only having one year remaining on his contract.

The report also claims that French outfit Nice are interested in acquiring Lemina’s signature, meaning Bruce may have to move quickly in order to secure his man.

Fans will be gutted

News of Hayden’s potential departure from St. James’ Park may come as a shock to the club’s supporters, given he signed a new six-year contract just 12 months ago.

Despite initially struggling to settle in the North East of England, the 26-year-old has endeared himself to the Newcastle faithful over the last couple of campaigns, and the fans will surely be gutted to hear this latest revelation.

His importance to Steve Bruce’s side was clear for all to see throughout 2020/21 as the Arsenal academy graduate provided a solid base in midfield from which to build on.

As per WhoScored, Hayden recorded 2.2 tackles per league game last term and made 1.8 interceptions, outperforming his teammates on both metrics, highlighting his importance to this Newcastle side.

While Lemina is undoubtedly a talented player, swapping him for Hayden appears to be a significant mistake by Bruce.

The dynamic midfielder matched the Newcastle man’s 2.2 tackles last season, but managed just 1.1 interceptions and was ultimately unable to prevent Fulham from returning to the Championship.

Therefore, it’s a transfer that makes little sense for the St. James’ Park outfit.

On Sunday, Hayden posted on Instagram: “5 Years today defending the @nufc badge. What a journey it’s been, wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Looking forward to the season ahead. #NUFC” indicating he’s happy on Tyneside, and not the driving force behind this potential deal.

After a strong end to 2020/21, Newcastle fans would have been hoping to see their side strengthened over the summer, building on the momentum Bruce’s charges created. However, selling Hayden would risk losing that feeling, and Bruce needs to think carefully before proceeding with this deal.

And, in other news…Newcastle suffer blow in pursuit of “inspirational” £20m gem, Bruce will be gutted 

Victor Trumper will have a permanent place on the SCG’s old hill after the new grandstand was named after him in a ceremony at the ground

Cricinfo staff12-Jun-2008
Victor Trumper was a player who succeeded in all conditions © Cricinfo Ltd
Victor Trumper will have a permanent place on the SCG’s old hill after the new grandstand was named after him in a ceremony at the ground on Thursday. Trumper was described by Rodney Cavalier, the SCG Trust chairman, as the “the finest Test cricketer Australia has produced”.”His peers did not have a bad word to say of him in life or death,” Cavalier said. “None who saw Victor Trumper conceded they ever saw his equal.”So good was Trumper that cricket writers, attempting to make an assessment of just how good was the Bradman boy from Bowral, dared to compare Don Bradman to Vic Trumper. No other superlative worked, not while the memory of Vic had living witnesses.”Trumper was a graceful batsman who played 48 Tests between 1899 and 1912, scoring 3163 runs at an average of 39.04. At 37, three years after finishing his international career, he died of kidney disease.He beat a field that included the Waugh brothers and Richie Benaud for the naming rights to the $70m stand, which will be completed in December and be ready for Australia’s Test against South Africa on January 3. The extra 8,700 seats will lift the capacity to 47,000.Trumper was born in Darlinghurst, not far from the SCG, and had strong links to the other sports that have been contested at the stadium. “If Trumper had only ever played cricket, his deeds on the field of play alone qualify him for the name ahead of all others,” Cavalier said. “Consider then that Vic played representative games of rugby union and Australian football on our ground.”He was good enough at Australian football that he could well have played for the Swans if that possibility had existed.” He was also a founder of rugby league, which is celebrating its centenary this year.In Trumper’s Almanack obituary it said he was great under all conditions of weather and ground. “He could play quite an orthodox game when he wished to, but it was his ability to make big scores when orthodox methods were unavailing that lifted him above his fellows.”

Pakistan allrounder Yasir Arafat has signed up with Kolkata Knight Riders for the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL)

Cricinfo staff03-Aug-2008
Yasir Arafat becomes the fifth Pakistan player to sign for the Kolkata Knight Riders © AFP
Pakistan allrounder Yasir Arafat has signed up with Kolkata Knight Riders for the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to be held in April 2009.Arafat, who currently plays county cricket for Kent, confirmed that he was approached by the Kolkata team and had accepted the offer after getting a clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “They [Kolkata Knight Riders] approached me and I was keen to join because it was owned by Shah Rukh Khan,” he told . “The team has many exciting players in it.”He was part of the Kent team which narrowly lost to Middlesex in the Twenty20 Cup final recently and was awarded a central contract for the first time in 2007 after his impressive stint with the club. While he has played only four international Twenty20 matches, he has plenty of domestic experience in the format with the Rawalpindi Rams, Sussex and Kent.He becomes the fifth Pakistan player to sign with Kolkata, joining his compatriots Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Salman Butt and Mohammad Hafeez.

Some Wolves fans have been left fuming as a transfer update emerged on Nelson Semedo.

As per a report from earlier on in the week from AS, which has since been shared by Talking Wolves on their Twitter page, the Portugal international has been named as a potential replacement for Kieran Trippier at Atletico Madrid should he leave.

Semedo did not have a bad individual 2020/21 season at the Midlands club, ranking highly among his teammates in terms of average tackles (2.5), interceptions (1.2), clearances (2.1), dribbles (1.8) and passes (46.1) per game in the Premier League (Whoscored).

Considering that it was his first taste of English football since signing from FC Barcelona in a deal worth up to £37m in last summer’s window, he showed some real signs of promise.

Nonetheless, it would not be a wise idea at all for the Molineux faithful to let him go without finding a suitable replacement.

Wolves fans on Semedo transfer update

These WWFC supporters fumed as the exit rumour was shared on Twitter:

“No wow”

Credit: @wwfcglover

“Be clueless if we let him go”

Credit: @_joemorgannnn

“We need to keep him at all costs”

Credit: @Millenwwfc

“Excuse me NO”

Credit: @SamJGollings

“Noooooo!”

Credit: @ShayGri

“Semedo is class be stupid to sell him”

Credit: @Johandershmut

In other news, find out which £12.9m-rated international the Wanderers are in a Premier League race to sign here!

Sri Lanka won the first Test in a little over three days and Mahela Jayawardene said he was surprised by the way India folded up. Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis shared 19 wickets between them as India slumped to an innings and 239-run defeat

Sa'adi Thawfeeq26-Jul-2008
Mahela Jayawardene: “The way we managed to bowl them out in two sessions was a surprising factor. But the credit should go to Murali and Mendis because they bowled really well in tandem” © AFP
Sri Lanka won the first Test in a little over three days and Mahela Jayawardene said he was surprised by the way India folded up. Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis shared 19 wickets between them as India slumped to an innings-and-239-run defeat.”When you see that [Indian] batting line-up you think these guys have a lot of experience, that they will buckle down and really give you a fight,” Jayawardene said. “We were prepared for that. The way we managed to bowl them out in two sessions was a surprising factor. But the credit should go to Murali and Mendis because they bowled really well in tandem. We put a lot of pressure on their batsmen and kept asking questions all the time.”Sixteen wickets fell on day four as India collapsed to their third-heaviest defeat in Tests. At the start of the day, India were struggling to avoid the follow-on – at 159 for 6 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 600 – and Jayawardene said his side was focussed on taking the four wickets early. “There was a little bit of resistance because [VVS] Laxman batted well. We had to be very patient. Once we enforced the follow-on we knew we had to be patient again because the wicket wasn’t doing that much. We were a bit lucky with a couple of early wickets after that Murali bowled brilliantly and Mendis kept the pressure going and picked up a few wickets at the other end.”Jayawardene said that with Mendis. who picked up best figures – 8 for 132 – for a Sri Lankan debutant – maintaining pressure at one end, Murali was free to attack the Indians. “He [Murali] doesn’t have to really control the runs as well as attack but now he can focus on just attacking and picking up wickets which we want. We kept the pressure on and blocked a few run-scoring opportunities. Credit should go to both these guys for it is not an easy batting line up to bowl at. They did a very good job.”Murali praised Mendis’s efforts and said the younger bowler had more variation than he had when he started out. “[Chaminda] Vaas was a wonderful bowler,” said Murali. “He did the same thing like what Mendis did today by keeping the runs down and taking wickets. We both have taken more than 1000 wickets in Test cricket and more than 900 wickets in ODIs. I think Mendis will be another bowler who will strengthen the bowling. He is not just another ordinary bowler.”Mendis said he hadn’t been nervous before his Test debut. “I got from the senior players and having Murali bowling from the other end and giving me good advice,” Mendis said. “I got a lot of support from my captain. He was not afraid to toss the ball to me. If the captain had so much of confidence in me how can I feel nervous? Of course I didn’t expect to end up with such a haul of wickets in my first Test. There weren’t any particular batsmen who struggled against my bowling everybody played well against me. I think I was rewarded because I bowled in the right places. Taking [Rahul] Dravid’s wicket in the first innings gave me a lot of pleasure,” he said.

Manchester United have suffered a potentially significant blow in their pursuit of Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga.

What’s the story?

According to The Manchester Evening News’s Samuel Luckhurst, the highly-rated 18-year-old favours a move to Spain this summer rather than Old Trafford.

United recently held talks with Camavinga’s representatives, but they were described as ‘not encouraging’ due to the France international favouring a move to La Liga.

Solskjaer will be gutted

With Paul Pogba’s future surrounded in doubt, news that his potential replacement is unconvinced over a move to United will surely leave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gutted.

The youngster has established himself as one of the most promising young midfielders in the European game in recent years, making 82 appearances for his boyhood club in all competitions despite his tender years.

However, it appears as though he won’t be gracing English football any time soon. Spanish giants Real Madrid have been heavily linked with a move for Camavinga in the past and could make their move over the coming months.

Rennes are thought to be keen on offloading the combative midfielder in the current window after he entered the final year of his contract with the Ligue 1 outfit.

Camavinga will be able to negotiate a pre-contract deal with foreign clubs in January and could depart the Roazhon Park on a free transfer next summer, meaning this is the last chance Rennes will have to demand a substantial fee for their prized asset.

United had been hoping to take advantage of the player’s contractual situation, although that now seems out of reach for Solskjaer’s charges.

It will come as a sizeable setback in the Norwegian tactician’s plans after overseeing significant progress during his time in charge of the English giants.

The 20-time English champions have already added former Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho to their ranks and have been heavily linked with a move for Raphael Varane as they plot their way back to the summit of English football.

Nevertheless, Camavinga’s preferences mean Solskjaer may have to move on to other targets ahead of the upcoming campaign.

And, in other news…Sky Sports provide major update on £290k-p/w dynamo that’ll leave Man Utd fans worried 

Manchester United are reportedly keen to add Sevilla defender Jules Kounde to their ranks this summer despite the imminent arrival of Raphael Varane.

What’s the story?

According to the Daily Mail, United are preparing a move for the 22-year-old after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made defensive reinforcements one of his top priorities for the current window.

Kounde is thought to have been on the Old Trafford club’s shortlist for some time, with his profile fitting the type of player that the Red Devils are now targeting.

Ed Woodward must swoop

Since arriving at Sevilla from boyhood club Bordeaux back in July 2019, the France international has established himself as one of Europe’s most promising centre-backs.

The youngster has formed a formidable partnership alongside Diego Carlos at the heart of the Andalucians’ defence over the last couple of campaigns, making 89 appearances for the La Liga outfit and winning the Europa League along the way.

Kounde built on his fabulous first season in Spanish football last term, putting in a string of standout performances as Sevilla finished fourth in La Liga. As per WhoScored, the £54m-rated gem managed 1.2 interceptions per league game, 2.9 clearances and 0.5 blocks, placing him in the top three amongst his teammates for all metrics.

His magnificent displays have earned numerous plaudits, including La Liga expert Euan McTear, who recently lauded Kounde in an interview with Football Transfer Tavern.

“He’s still so young, he’s got energy, great positioning too. All the centre-backs, not just in Spain, I think, but if you look around Europe, he’s got to be one of the highest prospects,” said McTear.

“To be playing for France who have countless centre-backs, if he’s able to get himself into that group, then, yeah, he’s pretty special.”

With Varane’s expected arrival at Old Trafford significantly strengthening Solskjaer’s options at the heart of defence, securing a new defensive midfielder should undoubtedly be the Norwegian’s next priority.

However, if enough funds are left in United’s transfer budget, then departing chief executive Ed Woodward must swoop for Kounde over the coming months.

The Red Devils appear to have been priced out of a move for Atletico Madrid right-back Kieran Trippier, and Kounde’s versatility makes him a suitable alternative.

He played at full-back for France during Euro 2020, showcasing his ability to play in a variety of positions, and his arrival would be another major coup for the 20-time English champions.

In other news… Fabrizio Romano provides exciting Man Utd transfer update which will leave fans buzzing 

Bangladesh announced a 15-man National Cricket Academy squad, which will tour Sri Lanka to play two four-day games, three one-dayers, and a warm-up match

Cricinfo staff02-Sep-2008Sourav Ganguly, the former India captain, will deliver a lecture to young Bangladesh cricketers during a conditioning workshop which is being planned by the Bangladesh board’s cricket development committee.”We are planning to arrange a workshop to focus on patience, skill level, and mental toughness and we are trying to provide some international input in this regard,” Shakil Kaseem, the chairman of the development committee, told the . “The good news is that Ganguly has agreed to present a lecture in this regard. And I think there can be none better than Ganguly to lecture on this issue.”Kaseem said players’ physical and mental states were a matter of concern for Bangladesh cricket. “Skill and talent-wise [sic], our cricketers are as good as any other players from the top countries,” he said. “But the problem lies in fitness level and lack of mental toughness. That’s why we want to emphasise on these areas to prepare our players properly.”Bangladesh announced a 15-man National Cricket Academy squad, which will tour Sri Lanka to play two four-day games, three one-dayers, and a warm-up match. The selectors made six changes to the squad, which toured South Africa last month, with Naeem Islam taking over the captaincy from Suhrawadi Shuvo, who managed only one win in five matches.Bangladesh academy squad:
Naeem Islam (capt), Marshall Ayub (vice-captain), Suhrawadi Shuvo, Farhad Hossain, Shamsur Rahman, Imrul Kayes, Nasir Hossain, Mahbubul Alam, Ziaur Rahman, Delwar Hossain, Mahbubul Karim, Arafat Sunny, Sajidul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Ashiqul Islam.