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Manchester United’s summer has been an incredibly busy one with Erik ten Hag joining the club and consequently raiding his native Netherlands for Tyrell Malancia and Lisandro Martinez.

That said, the Red Devils are by no means done in the transfer market yet.

What’s the word?

United’s business this summer has been conducted slowly and after the shambles that was 2021/22, it is perhaps a surprise that their new coach hasn’t brought in more players and gutted the squad in a more ruthless fashion.

The defence has been strengthened, however, and it could still be added to with links to Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard surfacing.

Julian Nagelsmann recently admitted that he would like to keep the player in Munich, suggesting he was an “important player” to their cause.

However, separate reports from German outlet, Sport 1, suggest United have been given a green light to make their move.

They revealed last weekend that the £31.4m player has been offered to both Chelsea and Ten Hag’s side.

Supporters would be buzzing

If United can conclude a deal for Pavard before the September 1st deadline, supporters would surely be delighted with their new look defence.

The Frenchman is capable of playing at right-back or in the centre, thus gifting ten Hag tremendous versatility to a backline that looked all at sea last term.

The 2o-time English champions conceded 57 times in the Premier League last season, the second-highest amount when compared to the remaining clubs who finished inside the top half of the table.

As a result, if ten Hag is to have any chance of reviving this great club, he will need a sturdier defence.

In Malacia, he has found a flying and effective full-back, while in Martinez, he has found a player with bite and determination, who like Pavard, offers strong versatility.

Many will know the Bayern defender for his gorgeous sweeping goal against Argentina at the last World Cup but it’s not just offensive qualities that he offers.

Over the last 365 days, he ranks in the top 7% of full-backs for aerial duels won with 2.28 per 90 minutes. He is also in the highest elite bracket for ball recoveries, sitting in the top 1% of players in Europe’s big five leagues with a whopping 11.04 per 90.

Also sitting in the best 1% of players for carries, it paints a picture of how efficient the 26-year-old is in a host of areas across the pitch.

This would be a highly exciting signing and one that would surely leave supporters elated.

AND in other news, Glazers plotting MUFC bid for “unbelievable” £38m talent, he “dominates in the middle”…

Manchester City are monitoring the possibility of a move for Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry this summer, according to one German outlet.

The Lowdown: Three-horse race

The 26-year-old’s contract at the Allianz is set to expire in just under 12 months, making this a pivotal window to decide his future in the Bundesliga.

It was reported just last month that the winger had turned down a new deal from Bayern, suggesting that he is looking for a move away, and there have been a couple of potential suitors already name-checked.

The Sky Blues, alongside Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, have all been credited with an interest in the forward, but in a fresh update, it’s the top-flight champions who appear to be the most serious contender.

The Latest: Gnabry on City’s radar

In an article published by German outlet SportBILD (via Sport Witness), it’s claimed that Man City have Gnabry firmly ‘on their books’, and are ‘looking at’ him as competition for Riyad Mahrez in that right-wing position.

The source states that the attacker’s transfer situation ‘remains uncertain’, with talks of an extension ‘on ice’ having stalled due to the player’s earlier contract rejection.

It’s reported that there is ‘no truth’ in the rumours that Chelsea are interested in a deal, meaning that a switch to another big English club like City is ‘therefore possible’.

The Verdict: Premier League return

Pep Guardiola is clearly having an attacking overhaul of his squad, with Gabriel Jesus leaving for Arsenal and Raheem Sterling recently ann0uncing his departure to become a Chelsea player, so the boss will be left light in the final third, but that’s where the addition of Gnabry comes in.

The 34-cap international, once hailed a ‘world-class’ player by BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand, was a revelation up top for Bayern last season, recording 27 goal contributions in 45 appearances across various positions, via Transfermarkt, exactly the profile of player that the Spaniard loves in his starting XI.

Gnabry will already be used to life in the Premier League having previously spent three years at Arsenal, but any kind of return to England could now see him changing the colour of his shirt from red to blue.

Newcastle United are still interested in signing Jesse Lingard this summer, according to a report from Scott Wilson for the Northern Echo. 

The lowdown: Free bird

Upon the expiry of a contract at Manchester United, Lingard is currently a free agent having spent 14 years at Old Trafford, making 231 appearances for the club and spending time on loan at Leicester City, Brighton, Birmingham and Derby County in the process.

During the 2020/21 campaign, the 29-year-old spent a temporary loan spell at West Ham where the versatile attacker endeared himself to the club with a host of outstanding displays and rekindled his career at the elite level whilst also earning a recall to the England squad under Gareth Southgate.

However, Lingard became disenchanted once more back in Manchester and is now searching for a new home amidst interest from West Ham, Everton and seemingly, Newcastle.

The latest: ‘Retain an interest’

As per the Northern Echo report from Wilson, the Magpies are believed to ‘retain an interest’ in acquiring Lingard’s services.

It’s claimed that ownership group PIF are ‘adamant they will not dismantle their wage structure’ in order to sign the 32-cap England ace, but the club have ‘rekindled’ an interest following on from January and continue to hold discussions regarding a potential arrival on a free transfer.

The report also states that the attacking midfielder, who was described as ‘absolutely ruthless’ by football writer Kaustubh Pandey last year, wants in excess of £100,000-a-week as well as a ‘significant signing-on fee’ upon making a move.

The verdict: Stand firm

Many might’ve anticipated free-spending upon the arrival of the new owners at St James’ Park, however, it appears as though those in situ are unwilling to splash the cash without due care and attention.

Although Lingard’s undoubted quality, apparent likability to supporters and experience would represent a smart addition to Eddie Howe’s ranks in the North East, the Englishman’s demands would see him usurp Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier as the highest-paid player at the club immediately (Salary Sport), a step the Magpies are clearly uncertain about taking as things stand.

Having earned a reported £80,000 a week during his final year at Manchester United, Newcastle would be well served to make an offer of a similar ilk to sign the man who still holds a perceived market value of £16.2m, despite his free-agent status.

Lyall Thomas has dropped an update on reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Djed Spence.

What’s the talk?

In a recent post on Twitter, the Sky Sports journalist revealed that Tottenham are set for further talks with Middlesbrough regarding a £15m deal for the right-back, with Daniel Levy said to be spearheading negotiations for the 21-year-old.

In his supporting report, Thomas went on to state that the Tottenham chairman is personally handling the club’s pursuit of Spence in order to allow Fabio Paratici to focus on other targets, while the England U21 international is himself said to be desperate to seal a move to north London this summer.

In his tweet, the journalist said: “Daniel Levy drives forward Tottenham’s pursuit of Djed Spence as more talks are expected over £15m-rated England U21.”

Supporters will love Thomas’ claim

Considering just how impressive Spence was for Nottingham Forest last season, in addition to it being reported that the signing of a new right wing-back is one of Antonio Conte’s priorities in the summer transfer window, Thomas’ claim that Levy is set to restart talks over a deal for the Middlesbrough starlet is sure to be news the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium faithful will love.

Indeed, over his 42 Championship outings for Forest last term, the £7.2m-rated talent scored two goals, provided five assists and created six big chances, as well as making an average of 1.0 key passes, taking 0.6 shots and completing 1.8 dribbles per fixture.

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The £4.4k-per-week right-back also impressed in metrics more typical of his defensive position, making an average of 1.5 tackles, 1.6 interceptions, 1.4 clearances and winning 5.8 duels per game.

These metrics saw the England youth international average a rather astonishing WhoScored match rating of 7.05, ranking him as Steve Cooper’s sixth-best performer in the second tier of English football.

Furthermore, with neither Emerson Royal nor Matt Doherty particularly cementing the right wing-back spot in Conte’s back five last season, as well as Spurs having something of a homegrown player issue at present, the signing of a new Englishman in the position would appear to make a great deal of sense for the club.

As such, it is clear to see that Thomas’ update revealing that Levy is set to continue talks regarding a £15m deal for Spence is undoubtedly fantastic news for everyone involved with the club – not least Conte himself.

AND in other news: Italian journo reveals Spurs are “ready to submit” £60m bid, supporters surely buzzing

Everton are reportedly now fighting a number of other clubs to sign Ben Brereton Diaz.

The Lowdown: Premier League bound?

After 22 goals and three assists in the Championship this season (Premier League.

Clubs from the top flight have taken gambles on second-tier strikers before, such as Adam Armstrong moving from the Rovers to Southampton last summer and Ollie Watkins from Brentford to Aston Villa the previous year, so it seems likely that a swarm of suitors will now come after Brereton Diaz while he is still in the Championship.

The Latest: Everton target Brereton Diaz

According to reports relayed by The Daily Mail, Everton are now fighting both Leeds United and newly-promoted Bournemouth for Brereton Diaz, while Sevilla, Real Betis and Valencia have also registered an interest from La Liga.

The striker would cost in the region of £13m, given that he only has one year left on his current deal at Ewood Park.

The Verdict: Sign him

Once dubbed a ‘beast‘ by his Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray, Brereton Diaz is a handful for defenders, as his 6 foot 2 stature would suggest.

At 23 years of age, the Chile international will only get better with a taste of Premier League football, and with the Everton future of Moise Kean in doubt, Brereton Diaz could be the perfect low-risk replacement.

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Also, he shares the same agent as five other Toffees players, which could help to push a deal through.

In other news, find out who Everton are now in contact with over signing here!

If you thought the January transfer window was exciting then get set for what could be an almighty summer market for Newcastle United.

Although far-fetched rumours of signing Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Erling Haaland have now been fully swept aside, the Magpies could find their own answer to the latter.

The dangerous Norwegian will be arriving in the Premier League this summer but it won’t be Newcastle that he signs for. Instead, it’s another Saudi owned club in Manchester City.

The Toon have their own Saudi owners in PIF and they could replicate the Haaland deal with a move for Darwin Nunez.

He has been sublime throughout the 2021/22 campaign and as a result, has attracted a wide range of suitors from Manchester United and Arsenal to Eddie Howe’s side.

Landing the powerful Uruguayan would be a serious statement of intent and would go a long way to helping Amanda Staveley and co realise their ambitions of European football.

That said, it would take a seismic bid of around €70m (£60m) in order to prise the forward away from Benfica.

It’s set to be an intriguing summer for the 22-year-old and a big saga could play out regarding his future. However, Newcastle must ensure they are front and centre when it comes to Nunez’s options.

The young striker is incredibly dangerous and like Haaland, is a genuine goalscorer. He found the net on 34 occasions in 41 outings, demonstrating a threat in front of goal that many throughout Europe would struggle to replicate.

Standing at 6 foot 2, he is just two inches shorter than Haaland but they are capable of genuine moments of genius and magic, with Nunez being dubbed a “monster” and a “sensational talent” by FOX reporter James Dodd.

Those words are apt for a man who could bring huge excitement to Newcastle. They are yet to truly flex their financial muscles since seeing Mike Ashley walk through the exit door but there would be no better way than by landing their very own Haaland in Nunez.

AND in other news, PIF now plotting Newcastle bid for “surprise” £45m talent, he’s better than Ekitike…

Sky Sports have provided a live TV update on Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba amid links to rivals Manchester City.

The Lowdown: Pogba’s Man City links

United’s club-record signing looks set to leave Old Trafford for free when his contract expires at the end of June.

The Frenchman may not line out in a Red Devils shirt again after missing the last four matches with a calf problem. He could remain in England, though, with reports linking Manchester City with a shock move for the 29-year-old.

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The Daily Mail revealed on Friday evening that Pep Guardiola wants a new versatile midfielder to replace Fernandinho, with Pogba on a list of potential targets.

The Latest: Sky Sports update

Sky Sports cited reports linking the 2018 World Cup winner with a move to the Etihad Stadium live on-air on Saturday morning.

They duly added further information, claiming the 29-year-old could remain in England, stating: ‘We’ve been told Pogba will consider every serious offer put to him and hasn’t ruled out staying in the Premier League.’

Sky Sports also stated that Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in the midfielder’s services along with City.

The Verdict: Surely not…

City will have to wait until the transfer window officially opens to make their move for Pogba, while the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus and PSG could strike pre-agreement terms right now.

The France international hasn’t had a great deal of success in the Premier League and has made just 16 starts this season, so it would be a shock if he made the move across Manchester to the Etihad, especially considering the vast talent at Guardiola’s disposal.

It looks as if there is a chance it could happen, though, so Pogba’s next destination is certainly one to keep an eye on following developments in the past 48 hours.

In other news: Man Utd want to hijack Man City’s move for ‘explosive’ star who ‘has no weakness’. 

His return to international cricket was low key, but the opening batsman certainly made a mark in Hyderabad

Deivarayan Muthu in Thiruvananthapuram09-Dec-2019WWE wrestler Randy Orton’s signature finishing move is the RKO. It involves approaching the opponent from nowhere, grabbing the head, and slamming the chin on the floor. Orton has done that to opponents from behind their backs, on top of tables, and even in mid-air. The thing about the move is that it comes out of nowhere and blindsides the opponent.On Sunday night, in front of a capacity crowd in Thiruvananthapuram, West Indies opener Lendl Simmons pulled off the cricketing equivalent of the RKO. “Simmons, where did he come from?” asked a local reporter. Out of nowhere.Before West Indies’ tour of India, to face Afghanistan first and then India, Simmons had last played an international in June 2017. Fellow Trinidadian Samuel Badree had taken the new ball for West Indies in that game. Badree is no longer active in international cricket, and in IPL 2019 he had been hired by Delhi Capitals as their spin-bowling coach. More recently, in CPL 2019, Badree was commentating on Simmons’ batting.ALSO READ: Simmons leads batting charge as West Indies level seriesSimmons wasn’t even supposed to be part of CPL 2019, although he is second only to Chris Gayle in terms of most runs scored in the league over the years. Simmons found no takers at the CPL draft earlier this year, after having fetched the biggest bid in 2018.Then, with Colin Munro being away with New Zealand on international duty, Kieron Pollard’s Trinbago Knight Riders signed him up as a replacement player for the first half of the season. And, after regular captain Dwayne Bravo was sidelined from the entire tournament with injury, Knight Riders drafted him into the squad as a permanent member.Simmons had a point to prove. That he still has it in the CPL. He scored 430 runs in 11 innings at an average of nearly 40 and strike rate of 150.34. Simmons’ hot form in a misfiring Knight Riders batting line-up nearly took them to the final. On the back of his stellar run in the CPL – and under a new management – Simmons was back in the West Indies fold for the India trip.

I’m a bit old school, take my time initially. My job in the powerplay is to go hard. Easier to bat outside the powerplay, knock the ball around and get the odd boundary

After missing the first two T20Is against Afghanistan with illness, Simmons had a low-key return, making an 11-ball 7 in the decider against Afghanistan in Lucknow and then 2 in four balls in the series opener against India in Hyderabad.However, with the series on the line in Thiruvananthapuram, Simmons stepped up on a tricky track and kayoed India with an unbeaten 67 off 45 balls. Simmons was uncertain against swing and the lack of pace in the early exchanges and had a life on 6 when Washington Sundar dropped him off Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He managed a mere nine runs off 13 balls by the end of the powerplay in a challenging chase of 171 on a grippy, dry pitch. At the other end, the in-form Evin Lewis had moved to 30 off 23 balls.Having seen off Bhuvneshwar’s new-ball spell, Simmons got stuck into India’s spinners. After launching Washington, the offspinner, over the sightscreen, he pulled off his version of the helicopter shot against Yuzvendra Chahal, the legspinner. Simmons dared to hit against the break and clear the longer boundary. The approach was fraught with risk, but when Simmons is in his groove, he has the power to clear any boundary. It is that power that has made him a T20 – and now T10 – globetrotter.Lewis, though, was dismissed by Washington in the next over as India sensed a way back into the game. However, Simmons slammed the doors on the hosts and levelled the series 1-1.Lendl Simmons and Nicholas Pooran celebrate victory•BCCIOnce Shimron Hetmyer entered at No. 3 and began clearing the boundary, Simmons sat back briefly and just dinked the ball into the gaps, ensuring that the asking rate was always within West Indies’ grasp.West Indies reached 113 for 2 in 14 overs, and were in need of 58 runs in the last six overs, with eight wickets in hand. Sure, they had captain Pollard waiting in their dugout, but they were without Fabian Allen, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots’ finisher in the CPL. And Brandon King was playing just his sixth international. Plus, India had Chahal to match up with Pollard.Simmons had no problems in dealing with Chahal. He took the chase deep and targeted India’s gun bowler, hitting 20 off ten balls from him. He raised a 38-ball fifty in the 15th over, when he jumped across off and slugged Chahal against the break for another six. Simmons then ran down the track to Bhuvneshwar and crunched him through extra-cover to silence the crowd. West Indies eventually completed the chase with considerable comfort.”[I] like playing against India, it’s a good challenge,” Simmons told after winning the Man of the match award. “[I] haven’t played international cricket for a while, good to be back on the circuit, playing for the West Indies.”Those guys can go at it from ball one, they have a different type of talent. I’m a bit old school, take my time initially. I understand my game, understand my role in the team. My job in the powerplay is to go hard. Easier to bat outside the powerplay, knock the ball around and get the odd boundary. [Nicholas] Pooran and Hetmyer were getting boundaries easily so I played the different role.”Some of Simmons’ strokes revived memories of innings against India in the T20 World Cup semi-final more than three years ago. In fact, that was Simmons’ last T20I half-century before Sunday. That had come out of nowhere as well. He made it to the tournament as a replacement player for the injured Andre Fletcher, flying across continents and hitting the ground running in Mumbai.Simmons will now return to the scene of his previous T20 World Cup heroics, with an eye on the next World Cup in Australia. That’s later, though. For now, India must have an eye on him – he can blindside opponents, you see.

Bhuvneshwar and Shami continued their impressive run at Eden Gardens as India’s fast bowlers stole the spotlight from their spin twins

Bharath Seervi19-Nov-20173 – Number of times India’s fast bowlers have picked all 10 wickets in a Test innings at home. The combined effort of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav is the first time they have done so in over 30 years. The previous instance was against West Indies in Ahmedabad in 1983 when Kapil Dev took nine wickets and Balwinder Sandhu took one. The first time this happened was against England at Wankhede in 1982 when Kapil and Madan Lal shared five wickets each.1986 – The last time three fast bowlers picking two or more wickets for India in an innings of a home Test. Coincidentally, this happened against Sri Lanka in Kanpur, with Kapil, B Arun, India’s current bowling coach, and Chetan Sharma being the trio. Overall, this is the fourth such instance for India at home.31 – Wickets Shami and Bhuvneshwar have combined to pick at Eden Gardens in last three Tests they’ve played here – against West Indies in November 2013, New Zealand in September 2016 and in this match. All other Indian bowlers combined have managed only 17 wickets in these three matches at an average of 29.64. In comparison, Shami and Bhuvneshwar have combined average of 17.77. Shami has picked at least three wickets in each of the five innings while Bhuvneshwar has two four-wicket hauls. Among 23 India bowlers who have picked 10 or more wickets at Eden Gardens, Shami and Bhuvneshwar have the best two averages.

Bowlers Wkts Ave SR 4-forsShami & Bhuvneshwar 31 17.77 32.29 5All other India bowlers 17 29.64 64.64 024.79 – Average of fast bowlers at Eden Gardens in last five years. Among 15 venues that have hosted Tests in this period, only Pune, which has hosted a solitary Test – against Australia earlier this year – has a better average (17.77) for the quicks. In four Tests in last five years at Eden Gardens, pacers have picked up 69 wickets at 24.79, while spinners have 49 wickets at 32.93. In five years prior to that, in three Tests at the venue, spinners had a better average (46.59) than pacers (59.90)9 – Overs bowled by spinners for India in the first innings – eight by R Ashwin and one by Ravindra Jadeja. It is the least that India’s spinners have bowled in the first innings of a home Test. The previous record was in the Delhi Test of 1987 against West Indies, when the spinners bowled 16 overs.2010 – The last time India had century opening partnership in their second innings of a Test before Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul did it in this match. The previous one was between Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir against South Africa in Centurion. This is India’s second century stand for the first wicket this year and both have been put on by Dhawan and Rahul against Sri Lanka.1 – Number of bigger opening stands for India at Eden Gardens than the 166 between Rahul and Dhawan in this match. The highest is 191 by VVS Laxman and Navjot Sidhu against Australia in 1997-98. This is the first century partnership for the first wicket for India at Eden Gardens since 1999, and only the fourth overall.9 – Scores of 50 or more for Rahul in Tests this year, in 13 innings – the joint-most along with Dean Elgar (20 innings). Rahul failed to convert the first eight fifties into hundreds but is unbeaten on 73 at end of day four in this Test. Rahul is the first India batsman in six years to make that many scores of 50 or more in a calendar year; the previous player to do so was Rahul Dravid in 2011.

From a strong IPL influence to persistent questions over financial sustainability, here are four talking points as CPL 2016 gets underway

Colin Benjamin30-Jun-2016Ever since Carlos Brathwaite’s heroics in the World T20 final in April this year, West Indian fans have been waiting to celebrate their world-champion cricketers. They were denied an opportunity to do so during the tri-series against Australia and South Africa in June, after Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy and Andre Russell were left out of the team because of their absence from the WICB’s List A tournament.This then is an opportunity for fans to celebrate with their winning stars in a tournament that also has a strong IPL influence and the best selection of overseas talent. From a West Indies perspective, here are four points of note for this season.Emerging playersWest Indies coach Phil Simmons told after CPL 2015 that, “The tournament is good, but not enough young West Indian players came to the fore. Just the established stars and the overseas players and as coach I would have liked to see more from the young players. I hope that improves in next year’s competition.”Unless the WICB changes its selection policy, or is disbanded in July’s CARICOM government meeting, most of the senior West Indies players could be excluded for a longer period. Thus, big performances in a platform like the CPL will be key for a few next-generation players looking to make a mark.One of them is 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Nicholas Pooran [Barbados Tridents], who made his T20 debut against Guyana Amazon Warriors in the 2013 edition of the tournament. He showed his abilities in a knock of 143 against Australia at the 2014 Under-19 World Cup. He will return to competitive cricket for the first time since December 2014, following a recovery from a car accident that injured his left leg in January 2015. Pooran will have to build on his early potential as West Indies could do with more back-up options for their first-choice wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.The tournament also presents an opportunity for quick bowlers like Ronsford Beaton [Trinbago Knight Riders] and Delorn Johnson [St Lucia Zouks], and allrounders Kyle Mayers [Zouks] and Raymon Reifer [Tridents]. West Indies are short of options in the fast bowling department, even as the selection status of senior allrounders, Bravo, Russell and Sammy, remains unclear.Offspinner Jon-Russ Jaggesar, who played a key role in Trinidad & Tobago’s title win in the Nagico Super50 competition this season with 14 wickets, will be able to test his guile against established international batsmen when he takes the field for Jamaica Tallawahs. Another young player to watch out for is Shimron Hetmyer [Guyana Amazon Warriors], who led West Indies to victory at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year.One interesting subplot in the tournament is be the presence of Ramnaresh Sarwan, who is part of the Knight Riders’ squad. Sarwan hasn’t played competitive cricket in almost two years but could be an important figure for the team once Darren Bravo leaves for the India Tests. After Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s retirement, young batsmen like Shai Hope and Jermaine Blackwood have not been convincing, so the tournament is a chance for Sarwan to remind the selectors of his quality.The clash with the India TestsOne of the biggest issues for contracted West Indies players who were likely to feature in the home Tests against India was that they would not be allowed to participate in the CPL.Earlier this month, however, the WICB released five players – captain Jason Holder, batsman Darren Bravo, allrounder Carlos Brathwaite, legspinner Devendra Bishoo, and wicketkeeper-batsman Denesh Ramdin for the T20 tournament. They have been permitted to remain with their franchises until July 11, ten days before the first Test against India in Antigua. Marlon Samuels, Man of the Match in the World T20 final, was not picked by any franchise during the draft in February this year.During the tri-series in Barbados, Simmons explained the rationale behind the decision to allow players. “It was an easy decision, we would have a five-day camp, then three days before the first test”, he said. “It’s something that everybody in world cricket allows. Joe Root just played a Twenty20 game in between the England and Sri Lanka Tests and, when we were in Australia, [Usman] Khawaja played a few T20 games before the Melbourne Test and came into that game with brilliant form.”A tender for the finals venue is an important source of income for the CPL but questions remain on the league’s financial sustainability•Caribbean Premier LeagueFinancial sustainabilityIn an interview to ESPNcricinfo recently, CPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe offered an interesting insight into how the league made money, particularly through tenders for hosting the finals.”We tender the finals, and last year it couldn’t have been a bigger success than it was in Trinidad,” he said. “The government there paid a decent sum – US$3.5 million – to get the finals last year. Now we’re still in negotiations in relation to the finals, because Trinidad’s economy’s been badly hit with the oil prices and they’re in deep recession. They don’t have that level of money to pay, which is a big challenge for us because that’s a very important revenue line for us. What I explained to the government is that the final is one thing, but actually supporting the team is a huge part of making CPL work long term.”Months of speculation over Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago and Florida hosting the final was put to rest when it was announced only days before the start of the tournament that St Kitts would host the final. According to local media reports in T&T, the government did not want to give US $1 million in foreign currency to host the finals when the country is facing a shortage of foreign exchange. Instead they wanted pay the CPL in T&T currency, which the organisers reportedly rejected.Unlike the IPL and the Big Bash League – where the BCCI and Cricket Australia have strong control over the organisation of the tournament and infrastructure – the WICB have sold the rights to run the tournament in the West Indies. The question, therefore, is how sustainable will it be, in the long term, for cash-strapped CARICOM governments to pay money to host CPL finals?The CPL is a welcome initiative that has also brought in funds for the domestic competitions, but many have criticised the WICB for signing a 50-year contract with the league. This was reportedly one of the factors that led to Dave Cameron’s election over Julian Hunte as WICB president in 2013. Concerns remain over whether the board needed to sign such a long-term contract, considering the uncertain fixtures climate in world cricket.The IPL influenceWhen CPL first started in 2013, there was no indication that linking up IPL teams was part of the league’s plans. In the inaugural year, Hollywood actors Mark Wahlberg and Gerard Butler purchased stakes in Barbados Tridents and Jamaica Tallawahs respectively.Over the last two years, however, the CPL has stumbled upon partnerships with IPL teams. The owners of IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders bought the Trinidad & Tobago team, and renamed it Trinbago Knight Riders, and Indian businessman Vijay Mallya, former owner of Royal Challengers Bangalore, purchased Tridents. As Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore said, the IPL-CPL partnerships are potentially “perfect marriages”.West Indies’ legendary commentator Tony Cozier had earlier revealed before Mallya’s acquisition that the league was contemplating disbanding the Tridents as it had done with the Antigua franchise in 2015.In the current global climate of co-operation at the ICC, perhaps what Mysore and Mallya are doing could lead to the CPL being the first of many T20 leagues where Indian players will be allowed to participate.