Arsenal could be closing in on a famous double swoop that could propel them to Premier League glory…

What's the latest on Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo to Arsenal?

According to Football Insider, the Gunners could very well complete two monumental deals this summer, adding both Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo to Mikel Arteta's squad.

One unnamed source within the report suggested that "it's very possible" for such a move to occur, as they both lead the race for the West Ham United captain and are favourites for Brighton and Hove Albion's main man.

Both seem keen on a switch to the Emirates but have been touted at £90m and £120m respectively. Therefore, if moves are to be made, it could end up costing upwards of £210m.

How good are Rice and Caicedo?

Should the north London outfit revolutionise their engine room in one fell swoop, it could immediately see their new duo rated alongside famous partnerships of the past to have graced this fine club.

As midfield pairings go, few have come close to the level of Patrick Vieira and Cesc Fabregas, who boasted the perfect balance of pace, power and technical superiority.

Although they only enjoyed two years within the same squad, as the Frenchman was reaching the twilight of his Arsenal career, they still combined magnificently, particularly in the season following their invincible 2003/04 triumph.

These two legends of the game made 32 and 33 appearances in the league respectively, with the Spanish maestro slowly adding that patented creativity into his style that made him so successful. Just six goal contributions in all competitions suggested the platform for improvement in the future, but his energy and ability to forge chances from deep made him instrumental regardless.

It could be argued that Rice might occupy such a role should he join, who further proved on Sunday his ability to push forward and announce himself as a goal threat whilst also boasting an "insane maturity" that presenter Kelly Somers once lauded.

He too has six goal contributions in the league, but marries this with one key pass and 2.2 tackles per game, via Sofascore. Pairing this kind of all-around expertise with the workmanlike Caicedo could prove imperative in their hunt for silverware, especially given the similarities the Ecuador international shares with Vieira.

As a physically imposing midfield stalwart, the three-time Premier League winner offered a hard-working foil to the somewhat lackadaisical brilliance that Fabregas often produced.

To allow the England international to shine alongside him, Caicedo's 2.8 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game make him a fine facilitator for those around him. However, that is without mentioning his outstanding 1.5 key passes per game too, which indicates that immense quality to further liken the Brighton gem to Vieira.

Given the season where they mainly featured together saw them narrowly finish second and claim two trophies, there is reason to believe that this double swoop might take them a step further in the league after the immense progress they have already made this year.

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jul-2016You can watch the ongoing Test series between Zimbabwe and New Zealand on television in New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka, and maybe several other places, but not in host country Zimbabwe. A source told ESPNcricinfo that public broadcaster ZBC has been offered the feed for free but is experiencing a technical fault, which has prevented it from broadcasting the ongoing first Test. Pay-television network SuperSport, which is South Africa-based and works throughout the continent, did not obtain the rights for this series.Instead, Ten Sports is providing the world feed, which explains why the broadcast is available in the subcontinent. SuperSport was negotiating for the rights until a few weeks ago but failed to come to an agreement, which means the matches are also not being aired in neighbouring South Africa. SuperSport went through similar discussions ahead of India’s limited-overs tour to Zimbabwe in June, and reached an agreement at the eleventh hour to broadcast the matches.Zimbabwean fans expressed their frustration on Twitter, even though they did not turn out in big numbers at Queens. Midway through the first day, there were only a few hundred people at the stadium. With school holidays beginning at the end of this week, better crowds are expected as the series goes on.

It’s been a strong year for Aston Villa who have turned their relegation woes at the start of the campaign to European dreams as the 2022/23 Premier League season comes to a close.

Unai Emery has been highly praised for turning Villa’s form around since his appointment back in November following the sacking of Steven Gerrard.

The Spaniard has improved the playing quality of the squad, and most notably has transformed the seasons of a number of individuals to get the most out of the promising team he inherited from Gerrard.

With a finish in a European spot still in reach, Emery will look towards the summer transfer window to improve his squad, however there is more focus than just the first team when it comes to club improvements.

Villa may not need to look further than their academy for inspiration in attack in years to come, with one name, that of Rory Wilson, stealing the headlines in the U18’s Premier League.

Who is Rory Wilson?

When Villa captured the signature of 16-year-old Scotsman Rory Wilson from Rangers last summer, not many were aware of just what the club were getting out of the deal.

In his final season in Scotland, the youngster netted 49 goals for club and country, being known as one of the most prolific around for his age group.

When his contract expired at Ibrox – where he had been since the age of eight – Villa Park was his next destination as the Villans beat a number of clubs to secure the promising marksman.

Since signing, the now 17-year-old has scored eight goals in nine appearances in the U18s Premier League, as well as contributing four in Premier League 2, a competition typically above his age group.

The sky is the limit for the young star, however such form and consistency at such an embryonic stage of his career has prompted talk about just how far the Scotsman can go.

What is next for Rory Wilson?

Described by Scotland coach James Grady as being “obsessed with becoming the best”, the striker is seemingly fearless when it comes to doing what he does best.

Upon signing for Villa, he was lauded by academy manager Mark Harrison as having a “good thirst” and a strong “mentality to improve”. Indeed, that all stand him in good stead to "play for the first team" one day, as Harrison has predicted.

The youngster is on course to have his name in lights, taking the academy Premier League by storm without requiring time to adapt to his new surroundings.

Naturally, with gifted young players come comparisons to the greats at the club, Villa’s top scorer this season Ollie Watkins has been discussed in relation to the two players’ strengths, however, Wilson’s potential could go further than merely a comparison.

At 27 years old, Watkins has ten years on Wilson who is at the start of his career, however having only signed for the club last year, could the Scotsman one day threaten his senior figure’s place in the starting XI? Judging by his goal record, it wouldn't be a surprise.

Grady explained to the Birmingham Mail the young striker's desire to be “the guy, the top goalscorer” and assuming that Villa Park’s current top goalscorer will deplete with age, Premier League fame could be on the horizon for the young Scot.

Under Emery, Wilson has a coach that will enable him to progress at the highest level, as he did so confidently with Bukayo Saka at Arsenal, introducing the youngster in the Europa League and not stopping his growth by withdrawing him due to age in other domestic competition.

If given time to show his potential in the Premier League, or Europe if Villa should secure a place come the end of the season, Emery could have a threatening forward in the 17-year-old ready and waiting to replace Watkins.

In its drive to fight age-fudging at the junior level the BCCI has asked all state associations to apply regulations more stringently while admitting players at the Under-19 level. Starting from the 2016-17 season, players who enter competitive cricket at the Under-19 level will need to submit at least three documents to attest their date of birth, while the age-verification programme [AVP] and the Tanner-Whitehouse 3 method [TW3] to test bone maturity will continue to be implemented at the Under-16 level.”There are some cricketers who enter at the Under-19 age-group level. Such players should submit at least three documents to support their date of birth if they are to be considered to participate in the Under-19 tournaments directly without having entered the BCCI circuit at the Under-16 level,” Ajay Shirke, the BCCI secretary, said in an e-mail to the state associations on July 1.The move came after the BCCI decided last month, during a working committee meeting, that players who have represented India in one Under-19 World Cup cannot take part in another edition of the tournament, even if they meet the age criteria to do so.Age-fudging has always been a controversial topic and was in the headlines last December after former India captain Rahul Dravid, in his MAK Pataudi Memorial lecture, said the “scourge of overage players” in junior cricket was no different to “fixing and corruption.”Despite its efforts, the BCCI has been largely unsuccessful in tackling age-fudging and players have faked birth certificates to gain entry into junior cricket. According to Shirke, it was the responsibility of the state associations to put an end to the problem of fake certificates. “You are requested to discourage cricketers who submit birth certificates issued just a few years before,” his email said. “As per the Government of India rules, the birth has to be registered within one year of the birth of the child.”In 2012 the BCCI decided to adopt the Tanner-Whitehouse 3 method [TW3], which determines the age of a child based on the growth of bones in the hand, especially the wrist. The margin of error in this method is six months. Prior to that the BCCI had relied on the Greulich & Pyle method [GP method] at a certified hospital, but the margin of error in this method could be up to two years. In 2012, the BCCI also introduced the age-verification programme [AVP], which is overseen by Dr Vece Paes, a former Olympic hockey player and one of the leading sports medicine specialists in the country.Shirke said that both methods will be used to ensure player eligibility at the Under-16 level. “Under-16 is the formal entry point for players participating in the BCCI Junior Tournaments and they have to undergo age verification process to be eligible. The age-verification process involves bone rating – TW3 method. Only those who pass the bone rating are eligible to play in the Under-16 tournaments.”

BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said that Bangladesh was the only country to oppose the proposed two-tier Test structure when it was discussed during the ICC’s annual conference in Edinburgh

Mohammad Isam03-Jul-2016

BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said that Bangladesh was the only country to oppose the proposed two-tier Test structure when it was discussed in the chief executive’s committee (CEC) meeting last week during the ICC’s annual conference in Edinburgh. He said a decision on the matter was likely to come down to a vote by the Full Members, adding that it wouldn’t be “easy” to have it passed in the ICC.”Bangladesh was the only country to oppose this idea in the [CEC] meeting, where we explained our position,” Hassan said. “But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who has opposed it and who hasn’t. The decision will be taken through a vote, so if one or two do not vote, it doesn’t really matter. But I don’t think it will be easy get this passed at the ICC. The issue isn’t so [simple]. It is a tough process.”BCB vice-president Mahbubul Anam, and directors Ahmed Sajjadul Alam and Tanjil Chowdhury, had said last month that they were against such a system being implemented in Test cricket. Should it be implemented, Bangladesh, who are ranked ninth, are likely to slip into Division Two of Test cricket.According to the ICC’s press release at the end of the annual conference, members were updated on the progress being made on the two-tier idea during the CEC meeting. It was proposed that a workshop be scheduled in early September in Dubai, to facilitate discussion between members on this project and to work through some of the details.ICC chief executive David Richardson said that the new structure would make the game more competitive. “This is an unprecedented opportunity for our sport to introduce … structures which are merit and performance based, have context, enhance the value of bilateral cricket, and create a highly competitive environment for cricketers.”This is a complex issue on many levels, but I am heartened by the progress that has been made to date and during these meetings.”

يواصل ثلاثي ريال مدريد، تيبو كورتوا وإيدير ميليتاو وديفيد ألابا، عمليات التعافي، بعد إصابتهم بالرباط الصليبي.

وتعرض كورتوا وميليتاو للإصابة بالرباط الصليبي في بداية الموسم الجاري، ثم أصيب ألابا لاحقًا.

وخضع الثلاثي لجراحات ناجحة، ويواصلون الآن عمليات التأهيل، وكشفت صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية، عن الموعد المتوقع لعودتهم للمشاركة.

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ويشير التقرير إلى أن كورتوا وميليتاو سيعودان قبل نهاية الموسم الحالي، وقد ظهر الحارس البلجيكي وهو يقوم بتمارين مع الكرة، ويعد هو وميليتاو في المراحل الأخيرة من التعافي.

وأشار التقرير إلى أن ريال مدريد واثق من عودة كورتوا وميليتاو بين شهري مارس وأبريل القادمين.

وبالنسبة لألابا فلن يكون جاهزًا هذا الموسم، وقد تم تحديد موعد عودته في الموسم التحضيري للفريق في يوليو القادم.

Manchester United will be aiming to strengthen their hold on fourth place with victory over AFC Bournemouth this afternoon, with Erik ten Hag's men currently just a point ahead of bitter rivals Liverpool, albeit while having played a game less than the Merseyside outfit.

With Jurgen Klopp and co dispatching Leicester City on Monday evening, United can ill-afford a slip up at the Vitality Stadium later today, having got back to winning ways with a comfortable victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.

The Red Devils go into today's meeting on the south coast having secured a routine, 3-0 win when the two sides last met at Old Trafford in early January, although the club's away form will be of concern to Ten Hag, having lost eight of their 18 Premier League games on the road this season.

A further worry for the former Ajax boss will be the doubts surrounding Marcus Rashford's involvement against the Cherries this time around due to illness, albeit with Scott McTominay in contention to make his return from his recent injury lay-off.

With that in mind, here's how Football FanCast predicts that the top-four hopefuls will line up against Gary O'Neil's men…

What will Man United's starting lineup be vs Bournemouth?

Ten Hag could well make three changes from the side that ran out 2-0 winners last time out, with the only potential defensive alteration set to see Diogo Dalot replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back, with David De Gea, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw making up the rest of the backline.

As for the midfield ranks, the Dutchman could make the bold decision to drop Christian Eriksen to the bench, with the £150k-per-week gem having looked rather 'lethargic' against the Old Gold, according to Manchester Evening News journalist, Samuel Luckhurst.

With January arrival Marcel Sabitzer having been ruled out for the season with injury – and with McTominay's involvement still somewhat uncertain – Brazilian maestro, Fred could come in alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, with the 30-year-old having 'brought much-needed energy' to the side as a substitute last week, as per Luckhurst.

Amid the concern surrounding leading scorer, Rashford, Ten Hag could well contemplate handing a start to teenage sensation, Alejandro Garnacho alongside Antony and Anthony Martial, with the 5 foot 11 wizard having netted at the death to seal the win against Julen Lopetegui's side.

Hailed as a real "threat" by former youth boss, Neil Wood, the 18-year-old is arguably deserving of a start ahead of fellow winger, Jadon Sancho, with the latter man failing to register a goal or assist in each of his last four league outings.

Predicted Man United XI – 4-3-3 – De Gea: Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw; Fred, Casemiro, Fernandes; Antony, Martial, Garnacho

Leeds United defender Junior Firpo has underperformed this season and made some high-profile errors that contributed to the Whites' plight and subsequent relegation fears and whoever ends up in the dugout at Elland Road could move to try and offload the 26-year-old in the forthcoming transfer window.

What's the latest news involving Junior Firpo?

Journalist Dean Jones has tipped Leeds to try and move Firpo on this summer regardless of what division they end up in next term due to his recent performances while speaking to Football FanCast, stating: "His errors have been high profile and costly and when the club is going through such troubled times it is difficult not to get emotional about him becoming a liability. I don’t know that he would want to play in the Championship, some might argue he should accept it, but I’m also not sure if he can remain part of the set-up if they stay up, given him performance levels. There would not be a huge queue of interested clubs but it’s definitely an uncertain time."

Firpo was sent off for Leeds last weekend in their 2-2 draw against Newcastle United last weekend, picking up a second yellow card following a foul on Anthony Gordon, as per BBC Sport.

Former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson has hit out at the former Barcelona ace for his display against the Magpies at Elland Road where he also gifted the visitors a penalty. As per MOT Leeds News, the pundit said: “Firpo was the most guilty of it [rash tackles]. He was on a one-man self-destruct mission the whole game. He was lucky to stay on the pitch after the first tackle that he was yellow-carded for, then he gave away the penalty and then the free kick just outside the back.

The Santo Domingo De Guzman-born left-back has made 24 appearances for his current employers this season, registering two goals and two assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Should Junior Firpo have a future at Leeds United going forward?

Irrespective of whether Leeds manage to stay in the Premier League or suffer relegation to the Sky Bet Championship, Firpo looks like someone who has run his race at Elland Road and they should let him go if a suitable offer arises.

WhoScored note that Firpo has recorded an average rating of 6.42/10 for his exploits on the pitch this term, ranking 19th out of a 29-strong squad, showing that the defender has left a lot to be desired at Leeds in 2022/23.

Firpo also ranks in the bottom 20% of full-backs across Europe's top five divisions for the amount of progressive carries he has completed over the last 365 days, managing just 1.26 per 90 minutes in total, according to FBRef.

Speaking on The Times’ The Game Football Podcast, pundit Gregor Robertson didn't mince his words surrounding Firpo's performances, stating: “They still have defenders who feel like they should have clown music playing over them sometimes. Junior Firpo, it’s a big boost that he is suspended; he’s calamitous defensively, he gives something going forwards, but he’s not someone to have in your team."

Earlier this year, Italian outlet Inter Live claimed that Inter Milan were monitoring Firpo's situation and could make a move for the £60k-a-week ace in the summer transfer window.

All things considered, scoping out interested parties in taking Firpo would be the best possible scenario for Leeds as they look to refresh their squad heading into 2023/24.

Insider ExWHUEmployee has revealed that West Ham United have not made a decision on David Moyes' future amid links to Marco Silva.

What's the latest on West Ham and Moyes?

It's been a season of inconsistency for the Irons as they look set to finish down towards the bottom of the Premier League table having placed seventh in the previous campaign.

And while they could still tase European success as they have made it to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, it's no shock that Moyes' future is in doubt.

Indeed, according to the Daily Mail, the Scottish manager is looking increasingly likely" to leave West Ham this summer as the board weigh up replacements.

However, in an update shared on The West Ham Way Podcast, Ex stated that no decision had been made yet although Fulham boss Silva is one of a few names being considered.

He said (11:55): “Paulo Sousa is also interested in the job. Brendan Rodgers is interested in the job now. And apparently, Marco Silva is the latest name to be linked.

"At this point, I don't think a decision has been made. I think it'll be dependent on the Conference League and discussions in the summer.

"But they are some names that are being floated around as potential replacements."

Would Marco Silva join West Ham?

The 45-year-old Fulham coach has done very well of late as he looks to have guided his team to a top-ten finish in the Premier League directly after taking them up from the Championship.

West Ham, on the other hand, will finish much further down the table as they currently sit 15th with just three games to go. So you can see why Silva may look like an interesting alternative to Moyes.

Of course, he isn't the only candidate with Ex noting interest in former Leicester City boss Rodgers and current Salernitana coach Sousa.

However, judging from her recent article in The Sun, Ange Postecoglou may well be the favourite for vice-chairman Karen Brady.

Indeed, after the Celtic manager secured another league title for his side, she urged readers to "raise a glass to" his success, while saying of his career as a whole: "Postecoglou’s feats around the world suggest he would make an impact this side of Hadrian’s Wall."

All in all, it sounds as though there are a number of notable names who could be seen as good Moyes replacements but the writing is not on the wall for the current boss just yet.

أوضح بيب جوارديولا المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي، حالة لاعبه مانويل أكانجي قبل المباراة أمام برينتفورد.

وكان مانويل أكانجي هو اللاعب الوحيد الذي غاب عن تشكيل مانشستر سيتي خلال الفوز 3-1 على بيرنلي يوم الأربعاء.

ويلتقي مانشستر سيتي وبرينتفورد يوم الإثنين القادم في منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “البريميرليج”.

وقال جوارديولا في مؤتمره الصحفي اليوم الجمعة: “بالطبع هذا مهم حقًا، الجميع جاهز، مانويل أكانجي لائق أيضًا”.

وأضاف: “الفترة المزدحمة هنا، دوري أبطال أوروبا على الأبواب، لذا من الجيد أن يكون لدينا الجميع متاحًا”.

أكد جوارديولا أيضًا جاهزية المهاجم إيرلينج هالاند للبدء أساسيًا أمام برينتفورد بعدما شارك بديلاً في الجولة الماضية بعد غياب منذ نوفمبر بسبب الإصابة.

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وأفاد جوارديولا: “نعم، هالاند جاهز، الجميع جاهز، إذا جلسوا على مقاعد البدلاء فهم جاهزون”.

وبشأن جون ستونز أشار: “لم تكن الإصابة عضلية، بل كانت في كاحله، عندما يكون الكاحل على ما يرام، أود أن أقول إن الخطر بسيط”.

وأتم: “إنه بحاجة إلى اتخاذ خطوة للأمام نحو جون ستونز الذي رأيناه الموسم الماضي، خطوة بخطوة، آمل أن يتمكن من الاستمرار وتجنب ذلك”.