Newcastle United are about to enter their fourth transfer window since the new ownership took control, and it promises to be a big one. After all, they now boast a place in the Champions League after finishing 4th in the Premier League.

Their rise has been rapid, with some massive signings that transformed the team under Eddie Howe. They haven't signed every player they hoped for, however, and Football FanCast has taken a look back on some of their near-misses over the last 18 months.

Here's what could have been…

8 Cody Gakpo

Chronicle Live claims Newcastle were big, big fans of Gakpo before his move to Liverpool. They'd actually been watching him pre-takeover and continued right the way through the World Cup.

It always looked likely that Gakpo would move on from PSV Eindhoven in January, and Newcastle were a common name linked. Anfield would be his ultimate destination, however.

7 Mykhailo Mudryk

Just about every Premier League club wanted Mudryk – or at least, it felt that way to start the year. Newcastle were among those, says The Athletic, but they couldn't justify his ultimate fee as Chelsea swooped in.

6 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Kvaratskhelia arrived at Napoli a year ago and absolutely stormed it in Serie A, leading his side to their first title in decades. Naturally, Newcastle were amongst the clubs hoping to sign the now-superstar – according to The Times. All reports suggest he's staying put after signing an extended deal, though.

5 Enzo Fernández

Enzo was one of the biggest stories coming out of the World Cup, with Benfica under pressure to sell the player they'd signed just a few months prior. A Bola in Portugal believed Newcastle wanted him, too, and that they could trigger his release clause. As it turned out, Chelsea would be the ones to do that.

4 Jude Bellingham

Bellingham was quite possibly the most in-demand player on the planet ahead of this summer. Sport Bild claimed that the Magpies were hoping to get involved and make the midfielder a marquee signing. He does feel like the perfect player to build around given his age and quality.

Instead, he has now signed for Real Madrid, but perhaps a Premier League move beckons in the future.

3 Neymar

Okay, so maybe it's time to take these ones with a pinch of salt. Still, rumours swirled this season that Paris Saint-Germain wanted to sell Neymar. Few clubs could actually afford the Brazilian – but Newcastle are one of them.

90min made the link, and while Neymar is ultimately still with PSG, you can expect to hear this one again. Speculation is louder than ever that the playmaker will depart this summer. Maybe Champions League football in the north-east appeals?

2 Kylian Mbappé

There was a lot of drama around Mbappé ahead of the World Cup, with suggestions in France that he wanted out of PSG. Much like Neymar, the number of clubs that could afford the superstar is very small. Newcastle would again be up there, though.

And journalist Ben Jacobs claimed they were a potential destination at the time. Now, again as with Neymar, nothing ultimately happened. But the striker doesn't seem too happy and Newcastle may just have a chance to try again someday soon.

1 Lionel Messi

One PSG star who was on the move was Lionel Messi – he's joined Inter Miami. But there was talk in Spain this year that Newcastle were planning to make a monster offer to arguably the greatest player of all time.

That's what Sport claimed. Barcelona also wanted Messi back but Newcastle were seen as a genuine threat. As it is, Messi will leave elite European football behind and take his talents to South Beach.

Manchester United look keen on signing Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund this summer as Erik ten Hag aims to bolster his attacking options ahead of next season.

What’s the latest on Rasmus Hojlund to Manchester United?

The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell wrote on Twitter:

“MUFC hold detailed talks over Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.

“Erik ten Hag ideally wants a young forward plus an experienced one. Hojlund, 20, falls into former category. Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani also discussed.”

The striker won't come cheap however, with Serie A side Atalanta demanding “north of £60million at the very least this year" according to journalist Jacque Talbot and this is a figure United could afford, especially as Ten Hag will surely move a few players on this summer.

Could Rasmus Hojlund replace Anthony Martial?

The Red Devils only scored 58 Premier League goals during the 2022/23 campaign, and it’s clear they need much greater attacking options ahead of next term in order to mount a serious title challenge.

Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes scored 17 and eight of these goals respectively, while Anthony Martial scored only six league goals all season and Hojlund could certainly be an upgrade on the Frenchman.

The “scary quick” sensation – as once described by journalist Sacha Pisani earlier this year – not only has more goals across all competitions this season (15 to nine) than the United striker, but he has also more than double the number of assists (seven to three), albeit he has played 12 games more.

Not only that, but the Dane has also registered more shots on target per 90 (1.34 to 1.1), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.78 to 2.58), touches in the attacking penalty area (124 to 49) and crosses (12 to four), clearly suggesting he’d be way better than Martial for next season, that’s for sure.

Remarkably, the United hitman is still only 27 years old, yet he has never really fulfilled his potential at the Old Trafford side, managing to score over 20 goals across all competitions in just one of his eight seasons in Manchester, a poor showing.

He has just one year remaining on his contract and this summer could be the ideal chance for Ten Hag to cash in on him to raise some funds for signings. Hojlund, meanwhile, is only 20 years of age and there is no doubt that, given the opportunity under the Dutchman, he could thrive in the pressure cooker environment at United next term.

The next few weeks could be very interesting for the Red Devils indeed.

Babar Hayat and Ashuman Rath’s put on an unbroken 120-run stand to take Hong Kong to victory by 7 wickets (D/L)

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Nov-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
File photo – Babar Hayat scored a career-best 82* and claimed the Man-of-the-Series award as he led Hong Kong to a series win•ICCHong Kong captain Babar Hayat scored a career-best 82 not out to take his team to a seven-wicket win (D/L method) in the rain-affected third ODI against Papua New Guinea and claim the series 2-1.Hong Kong, who were set 245 to chase, found themselves struggling at 61 for 3 by the 14th over before 19-year-old Anshuman Rath (52*) joined his captain to steady the innings. The pair had put on 109 and taken Hong Kong to 170 for 3 when rain halted play in the 33rd over.The delay lasted for more than an hour and forced the implementation of the Duckworth-Lewis method. Hong Kong’s revised target was 178 in 38 overs. They achieved it promptly after play resumed, as Rath brought up both the win and his fourth ODI fifty with a boundary.Earlier, Rath took 3 for 25 – his third consecutive three-wicket haul – including two wickets off consecutive overs as PNG’s top order failed to capitalize on a 56-run opening stand and fell to 79 for 4 in a span of eight overs. But a late surge from No. 7 batsman Mahuru Dai lifted them to 244 for 7. Dai scored an unbeaten 76 off 62 balls. Sese Bau (44) and Vani Morea (35) were the only other batsmen to score more than 30 for PNG.Anshuman Rath was named Man of the Match, while Babar Hayat claimed the Man-of-the-Series award after scores of 77, 0, and 82*.

قرر الجهاز الفني لفريق الكرة الأول بالنادي الأهلي استبعاد اللاعب جناح الفريق من قائمة مباراة بلدية المحلة، بسبب خضوعه لعملية جراحية.

وعلم بطولات أنه تقرر أن يخضع اللاعب التونسي محمد الضاوي كريستو لعملية جراحية بسبب خراج في القدم.

قائمة الأهلي لمباراة بلدية المحلة في الدوري.. الظهور الأول للصفقات الجديدة

ويخوض الأهلي مباراة أمام بلدية المحلة في خضم منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز مساء غد الثلاثاء.

ويحتل الأهلي المركز العاشر في جدول ترتيب بطولة الدوري برصيد 14 نقطة حصدهم من 6 مباريات، ويتبقى له 8 مباريات.

الجدير بالذكر أن كريستو قد أنضم لتدريبات الأهلي مؤخرًا بعد تعافيه من الإصابة في العضلة الخلفية.

وتعاقد الأهلي مع كريستو في يناير قبل الماضي، قادمًا من صفوف فريق النجم الساحلي لمدة ٤ مواسم ونصف الموسم.

وتجدر الإشارة إلى أن الأهلي قد نجح في الصعود لدور الثمانية ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بعد تربعه على عرش صدارة المجموعة الرابعة.

The pitch is a vivid green, and the forecast is for rain, but bury caution, Kane Williamson said; “freedom” is his call to action with the bat.The reasoning is simple: it is what has worked for New Zealand at home, in the past. Thrashed in India, and beaten in South Africa, the hosts now seek to regain the dominance they had had at home, between 2013 and 2015. That attacking blueprint, Williamson said, is what New Zealand must return to.”It’s important when you come off the back of that Indian tour, that you come here and play with some freedom, and express our skills,” he said. “When we do that we play our best cricket. That’s our challenge going into this big home summer. There’s always pressure in international sport, but it’s important that we deal with that and play with freedom without trying too hard.”New Zealand’s most recent home Test had also been at Hagley Oval, and Williamson drew lessons from Brendon McCullum’s first innings from that game. Having come to the crease at 32 for 3 on the first morning, McCullum cut loose in memorable style, crashing 21 boundaries, walloping six sixes, hitting 145 from 79 balls, and breaking the record for fastest Test hundred in the process.”If you look at the last Test here, for example, when we lost the toss on a tough surface which did quite a bit, we saw an innings from Brendon McCullum which was in total contrast to my innings. I took the approach of trying to play late and attack when I thought there was a ball in my area. I got seven off almost 70 deliveries. Brendon was the complete opposite. It was an example of someone playing with complete freedom. I think that can come with the confidence of knowing your own conditions.”Kane Williamson on Tom Latham: ‘Tom has been around a long time in the New Zealand set up. For a while he has been considered a leader in this side’•BCCI

Among the batsmen Williamson expects to carry the flag is opener Tom Latham, who was among the better New Zealand batsmen in India, hitting a fifty in each Test. Though only 24, Latham is now the senior partner in the opening combination, following the axing of Martin Guptill. He has played 25 Tests and so far managed an average of 38.”Tom has been around a long time in the New Zealand set up. For a while he has been considered a leader in this side. He has been performing very well. He’s a strong leader within the group, and maybe he’ll take on that little bit of extra responsibility – not just with opening the batting, but also to play with that freedom.”Opening alongside him will be 28-year-old Auckland batsman Jeet Raval, who will make his debut in this Test. Raval had made a steady start to his domestic season when he was called into the Test side, and Williamson described him as a consummate builder of innings.”Jeet has been a consistent performer for a long time, and he knows how to score runs. I guess he’s a guy that can bat a long period of time. In some ways there are similarities between the two openers. Both are quite headstrong. Both will be challenged in this series by a very good seam-bowling attack.”Whenever you make your debut there’s some unknowns, not having experienced the step up in international cricket. Naturally, there are some nerves there. We’ve chatted. It’s a matter of not changing too much – he has been successful with what he has done. It’s a matter of applying a simple game plan – all those sorts of things that he has been doing well, and earned him his selection.”Though he expected his own team to make good use of home conditions, Williamson remained wary of Pakistan, and their good away record.”Home advantage is a good thing, I think, but it provides opportunities for both sides, and a side like Pakistan who have toured well for a while now will know that. They’ll expect their seamers to do well. It’s about making those adjustments of length, as you come away from the subcontinent and on to our surfaces.”

Bangladesh’s first-class competition, the National Cricket League, has been postponed till the end of the Bangladesh Premier League T20 tournament, which ends on December 9

Mohammad Isam26-Oct-2016

Bangladesh’s first-class competition, the National Cricket League, has been postponed till the end of the Bangladesh Premier League T20 tournament, which ends on December 9. Three rounds of NCL matches in both the first and second tier were held before October 11, but rain affected every match in the third round.The BCB had announced that matches from the fourth round onwards, scheduled for October 14 to 17, were to be put off until the weather improved. But while the weather did improve, the NCL was shelved because of the impending BPL, which begins on November 4.All Tier-1 NCL matches that began on September 25 had ended in rain-curtailed draws and only two Tier-2 matches yielded results. Barisal Division were leading Tier-1 with 23 points while Rajshahi Division, with 33, were on top of Tier-2.The NCL is set to restart in mid-December but will be without Bangladesh’s international players, who will be in Australia for a camp before the tour of New Zealand.The postponement of the NCL came following calls for better first-class cricket in Bangladesh, especially after the senior team’s 22-run loss in the Chittagong Test against England. Bangladesh were mostly competitive in that match but problems with their fast bowling raised questions about the standard of first-class cricket in the country.

Tottenham are “already pushing to seal a deal” for Leicester City star James Maddison, despite there currently being no manager.

Who could Tottenham sign this summer?

Spurs are in dire need of a new head coach to replace the departed Antonio Conte, who left north London over two months ago.

The Lilywhites are also thought to be chasing a new sporting director to succeed Fabio Paratici, but the club haven’t yet announced a new name for either role.

Amid all of this chaos, Spurs are worryingly flirting with being left behind in the summer transfer market, as other clubs are believed to be well ahead of them in preparations.

However, that isn’t to say Tottenham haven’t been linked with fresh faces, as chairman Daniel Levy has reportedly earmarked the signing of a new goalkeeper to replace Hugo Lloris.

Leicester City forward Harvey Barnes has also been tipped as a target in recent days, not to mention Southampton star James Ward-Prowse.

Spurs are targeting attacking players, with Hee-chan Hwang of Wolves mentioned and another key player for Leicester in Maddison.

Sharing news on the latter man, reporter Pete O’Rourke has an update for Tottenham supporters.

Writing for Football Insider, the journalist claims Tottenham are “already pushing to seal a deal” for the England international, and have made him their priority summer target.

One of the site’s well-placed sources has claimed that Spurs are hopeful of winning the race for Maddison, despite there being no manager in place right now.

Newcastle and Arsenal are in the frame too, but it’s Tottenham who think they have the advantage, with the 26-year-old set to become one of this summer’s hottest properties following Leicester’s relegation to the Championship.

Who is James Maddison?

The playmaker, who looks likely to leave the King Power Stadium, has been a pivotal figure for Leicester and star player.

As per WhoScored, he finished the 2022/2023 campaign as their best-performing player by average match rating – having racked up 19 goal contributions in the top flight alone (10 goals, nine assists).

England boss Gareth Southgate has also previously heralded Maddison as a brilliant player.

“He’s a player of outstanding technical ability,” said Southgate to the media back in 2019.

“He has an eye for an incisive pass, his set-play delivery is world class – absolutely top.”

Maddison has long been tipped for greatness, it would seem, and we believe Tottenham could sign a serious upgrade in the former Norwich City star.

Indeed, pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor has even called Maddison a "really top player".

John Hastings has said he was “very disappointed” and “pretty shocked” to be left out of Australia’s ODI squad earlier this week

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Nov-20162:38

‘I was very disappointed not to be in that side’ – Hastings

The omission of John Hastings from Australia’s one-day squad this week left the fast bowler understandably miffed, given that no bowler in the world has more ODI wickets in 2016 than his tally of 29. Hastings broke a finger during the Matador Cup last month but has declared himself fully recovered and is due to return for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield on Saturday.However, despite his outstanding one-day form for Australia this year, Hastings was overlooked when Australia on Wednesday named a 14-man squad for next month’s Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series against New Zealand. Instead, Australia’s attack will be led by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who were both rested from the recent series in South Africa, and Pat Cummins.Allrounders James Faulkner, Mitchell Marsh and the uncapped Hilton Cartwright also offer seam-bowling options for the three-game series. Hastings said interim chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns had called him to explain his omission and said that the return of Hazlewood and Starc, combined with the fact that Hastings had not played for a month, led to the decision.”I was very disappointed – I was initially pretty shocked, to be honest,” Hastings told reporters in Melbourne on Friday. “I felt my performances over the last 12 months had probably stacked up and in my mind, I’m 100% fit.”I know I haven’t played a lot of cricket, but five and a half months of not playing cricket and then going over to Sri Lanka without a game, it didn’t really stack up for me. So yeah, I was very disappointed not to be in that side.”Hastings picked up a career-best 6 for 45 against Sri Lanka in Dambulla in August, having embarked on that tour with no cricket behind him since the IPL in April. Australia play five ODIs at home against Pakistan in January before travelling to New Zealand for a return Chappell-Hadlee Series, and Hohns told Hastings he remained in the selectors’ thoughts.”He [Hohns] just said I haven’t really been playing much and the big boys were back, so that’s all I can take,” Hastings said. “For me, I don’t really have a vessel to get back into that side. The Matador Cup is gone and my next white-ball game will be on Boxing Day, so for me, hopefully I get a game tomorrow in the Sheffield Shield, but other than that, it’s really all I can do.”I’ve taken the most one-day international wickets in the world this year, so obviously I’m disappointed not to be there. But if they think those guys can do a better job, then that’s fair enough, I can cop that. I just have to try to go back and prove people wrong again.”

Arsenal are reportedly ready to compete for the signature of Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze this summer.

What’s the latest Arsenal transfer news?

The Gunners are seemingly hard at work behind the scenes looking to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad with new signings ahead of the new Premier League season.

West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is the top target at the Emirates, with reports suggesting that Arsenal are actually closing in on a deal for the England international.

A fee could exceed £100m with add-ons, with personal terms not an issue ahead of a transfer. Arteta feels that Rice could be key to helping Arsenal mount another challenge for the Premier League title next season and is prepared to make space by allowing Granit Xhaka to join Bayer Leverkusen.

He could soon be an Arsenal player with a transfer seemingly gathering pace, and after Rice, a move for Chukwueze could be next on the agenda for sporting director Edu Gaspar and co.

Sport Witness relayed an update from Calciomercato regarding Chukwueze, where Arsenal were named. The report claims that the Gunners are ready to compete for the attacker’s services alongside AC Milan, with Real Madrid also keen.

Chukwueze, hailed as "sensational" by journalist Zach Lowy for his performances this year, has just over 12 months remaining on his Villarreal deal.

Who is Samuel Chukwueze?

The 24-year-old is primarily a left-footed right-winger who can also turn out on the opposite side or in an attacking midfield role. The Nigeria international has been wanted in north London twice before, so it could be a case of third time lucky for the Gunners.

In total, Chukwueze has made 207 senior appearances for Villarreal, scoring 37 times and registering 31 assists.

As per FBref, Chukwueze is similar to both Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka and could offer another really exciting option for Arteta in the final third. The Villarreal star ranks in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons that lead to a shot and the 95th percentile for carries into the penalty area.

Therefore, with Arsenal set to play Champions League football once again next season, adding strength in depth for Arteta could be a wise move with plenty of football to be played, and by the looks of it, a swoop for Chukwueze may well be one to keep an eye on in a bus few months in the transfer market.

Manchester United hold an interest in the Napoli defender Kim Min-jae and it is a potential deal to keep an eye on over the opening days of the market.

What is Kim Min-jae transfer clause?

The Red Devils' season came to an end on Saturday with defeat at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup final against their city rivals.

However, it was a season to remember with Erik ten Hag's arrival at the club bringing about a third-placed finish in the Premier League and the Carabao Cup.

But it is apparent the Dutchman is not looking to settle for that with new signings expected to help bolster his squad going into the new campaign.

The likes of Mason Mount has been linked with a potential move to Old Trafford even though the summer transfer window has not opened yet.

And another name which has been strongly linked with the Red Devils is Kim who has just got his hands on the Serie A trophy with Napoli.

Italian report (via GOAL) suggest the South Korean centre-back has a clause in his contract which would make him available for a potential transfer for a fee in the region of £42m.

Speaking on The Football Terrace YouTube channel, journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed this could be a deal which could be concluded quickly given the clause is only active for 15 days:

"Kim's one Manchester United have looked at, for sure. And is one to watch in the first 15 days of the window because that release clause is only active in those 15 days.

"Kim himself has always denied any of the rumours and the links, but I think Luciano Spalletti leaving Napoli for a one-year sabbatical is going to be a big factor in all of this because suddenly players that might have wanted to stay will see one exiting and maybe decide that they want a fresh challenge as well. So that one is a very realistic possibility."

Does Kim Min-jae want to leave Napoli?

The 26-year-old – who has bee hailed a "monster" by some in the media – has only been at Napoli for one season having joined the Italian side last summer from Fenerbahce in a deal believed to be worth around £15m.

However, it could be a summer of multiple departures for the newly-crowned Italian champions with their manager Luciano Spalletti set to take a year away from the game.

On top of this, their star striker Victor Osimhen is also expected to be subject of a lot of transfer interest over the coming months with interest coming from the Premier League.

But the South Korean has held a strong viewpoint when it comes to commenting on the rumours surrounding where his future may lie:

“I can't be bothered by transfer rumours because they aren’t true. Now I’m focusing on the team and on the Champions League, rather than that kind of nonsense,” he said.

However, if a club like United are to come in and pay the clause believed to be in his contract, then he may not have much saw as to whether he is to remain at Napoli or not.

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