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Tottenham Hotspur are said to have agreed a fee with Wolverhampton Wanderers for their talisman Adama Traore, but the clubs are at an impasse over their preferred approach to the deal [AS via Sport Witness].

The Lowdown: Paratici eyes more signings

In his quest for continental qualification in 2021/22, Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo will be looking to tap into all avenues necessary in order to secure quality players before transfer deadline day, working closely with managing director Fabio Paratici.

Thus far, the Italian transfer guru has managed to bolster the squad with three additions in the form of Pierluigi Gollini, Bryan Gil and Cristian Romero [Transfermarkt].

Now, Paratici and co look to have moved closer to signing one of Nuno’s former players according to recent reports.

The Latest: Spurs and Wolves agree price

Spurs and Wolves are believed to have reached an agreement on the total price of the Traore deal, totalling around €46 million (£39.5m) [AS via Sport Witness].

However, there is said to be a ‘fine line’ that could alter the path of negotiations at any time.

Tottenham Hotspur want to take the Spain international on loan with a compulsory option to make the move permanent, whilst Wolverhampton Wanderers want the money up front with no loan.

The Verdict: News will breed nervousness amongst the Tottenham Hotspur faithful

With the window set to shut in less than a week, this news may breed nervousness amongst the Spurs faithful.

Traore would undoubtedly add lightning pace and ability to the Tottenham attack, as well as the added benefit of being familiar with Lilywhites boss Nuno.

In 2020/21, the wide-man registered six goal contributions in 41 appearances with three goals and three assists [Transfermarkt], and an improvement on that end product could turn him into a truly elite player.

In the current campaign, his dribbling ability has shone through to an extraordinary extent. Across his two Premier League outings so far this year, he has completed an average of ten dribbles per fixture [WhoScored], managing nine against Spurs last weekend after mustering up 11 at Leicester.

Once labelled as ‘unplayable’ by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, Spurs should look to come to a complete resolution to ensure the deal comes to a close as smoothly as possible [GOAL].

In other news, Tottenham Hotspur face a massive blow in a transfer chase. Find out more here.

Crystal Palace journalist Matt Woosnam believes that Patrick Vieira will be able to call on Arsene Wenger for advice regularly during his time at Selhurst Park.

The former Arsenal captain has been appointed as the Eagles’ new boss after a protracted search involving talks with Nuno Espirito Santo and Lucien Favre.

Vieira has subsequently overseen something of a recruitment drive, with Joachim Andersen, Michael Olise, and Marc Guehi all arriving at Selhurst Park.

Of course, a variety of players have left on free transfers, leaving holes to be filled in the squad ahead of the start of the Premier League season.

Woosnam, though, believes Vieira will be able to call on his old manager as he seeks out advice and expertise, with Wenger previously talking in glowing terms about the multiple-time Premier League winner.

The Athletic journalist was asked about whether Vieira would lean on his contacts book in order to ensure Palace enjoy a successful season.

Speaking to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “I think sort of the night before he joined, he was on beIN Sports, I can’t remember exactly the date, but he was on beIN Sports with Arsene Wenger, and Arsene Wenger was very, very complimentary of him as you would expect.

“I think he’s spoken before about how he can just pick up the phone to the likes of Arsene Wenger if he needs to, so I’m certain that will help them but I just don’t think it will necessarily be massive in terms of transfers.”

استقر إيهاب جلال المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر على تشكيل منتخب مصر الذي سيلعب به أمام إثيوبيا في المباراة التي ستجمع بينهما اليوم في التصفيات المؤهلة لنهائيات كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023.

وتمكن منتخب مصر من الفوز أمام غينيا مساء الأحد الماضي بهدف نظيف، في الجولة الأولى من التصفيات المؤهلة لكأس أمم إفريقيا.

ويتواجد منتخبا مصر وإثيوبيا في المجموعة الرابعة رفقة كل من مالاوي وغينيا.

طالع | تشكيل منتخب مصر أمام إثيوبيا.. أفشة ومصطفى محمد أساسيان

ويعاني منتخب مصر من عدد كبير من الإصابات، أبرزها محمد صلاح وتريزيجيه وياسر إبراهيم ومحمد عبد المنعم، وتأكد غيابهم عن المباراة اليوم.

وأظهرت التدريبات إشراك أيمن أشرف أساسيًا بجوار حمدي الونش في مركز قلب الدفاع. تشكيل منتخب مصر المتوقع أمام إثيوبيا

حراسة المرمى: محمد أبو جبل.

خط الدفاع: كريم حافظ، أيمن أشرف، محمود حمدي الونش وعمر جابر.

خط الوسط: مهند لاشين وإمام عاشور والمفاضلة بين حمدي فتحي و عمرو السولية.

خط الهجوم: أحمد سيد زيزو وعمر مرموش ومصطفى محمد.

MatériaMais Notícias

Um poderoso empresário indiano está “curtindo” o Brasil ao lado de dirigentes ligados ao futebol: Ricardo Teixeira e Marco Polo Del Nero. Lalit Modi é muito ligado ao críquete, com participação direta na criação da liga da modalidade na Índia, e esteve até em uma reunião na CBF nesta semana.

As redes sociais “denunciam”. Primeiro, Modi esteve em Angra dos Reis com Ricardo Teixeira, que já não é dotado do vigor físico dos tempos em que comandava a CBF, e a esposa do ex-cartola, Ana Carolina Wigand Rodrigues. Teve até viagem de helicóptero. Em uma postagem, Modi até usou uma hashtag #Football#King (rei do futebol) ao se referir a Teixeira, que renunciou à presidência da CBF, exilou-se nos EUA, mas precisou voltar por ser alvo de investigações do FBI.

– Obrigado por me fazerem finalmente vir ao Brasil, um lugar para onde sempre quis vir – escreveu o indiano, referindo-se a Teixeira e esposa.

Depois, o magnata indiano esteve na sede da CBF, onde posou com a diretoria da entidade e ganhou das mãos do presidente Marco Polo Del Nero uma camisa da CBF. Nesta quinta-feira, além de visitar o museu da CBF, o empresário até assistiu no auditório o sorteio dos mandos de campo das oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil.

A versão da assessoria da CBF, como relatou a Folha de S. Paulo, é que Lalit Modi veio apresentar a experiência de formação e expansão da liga de críquete. Mas vale lembrar que a entidade tem um projeto de internacionalização em curso para entrar em mercados asiáticos, vender direitos de transmissão da Seleção Brasileira, e a Índia é um dos alvos.

The home team seized the initiative on the opening day of the UCB Bowl match at the picturesque Burt Oval in Constantia

Peter le Grange25-Oct-2002The home team seized the initiative on the opening day of the UCB Bowl match at the picturesque Burt Oval in Constantia. After winning the toss, Western Province struggled at first but some splendid batting from Derrin Bassage and skipper Jonno McLean left the hosts in a comfortable position at stumps.Under overcast skies, Andrew Pringle in particular worked up some disconcerting pace. Rashaad Magiet was flummoxed playing back in the 5th over, and Andrew Puttick should have been caught off the next ball. Puttick and Bassage weathered the immediate crisis, but were far from home and dry when Puttick was bowled by first change seamer Ryan Shutte. However, Bassage and McLean turned the innings around with a magnificent 170-run partnership, made almost at even time. Their task was made easier with the pitch flattening out as the cloud cover disappeared.Bassage reached his century shortly before tea, but the left hander was dismissed immediately afterwards looking for the big shot. McLean went to tea on 99, but showed no nerves as he went to his hundred soon after the break. WP lost some cheap wickets as the compulsory declaration after 100 overs loomed closer, but must have been more than happy to pass 300. They earned 4.18 bonus points for batting to Border’s two for bowling.Left ten overs to bat, the visitors lost Bevan Bennett when he misjudged a Rory Kleinveldt deliver which came back just enough to win the lbw decision. Fellow opener Michael Smith and nightwatchman Siyabulela Nelani saw them through to the close with no further alarms, Border ending the day still 304 behind.

The expansion of the Red Stripe Bowl to include a few undistinguished teams has attracted criticism in certain quarters, but Barbados captain Courtney Browne and coach Hendy Springer are willing to give the move a chance to develop

Haydn Gill21-Aug-2002The expansion of the Red Stripe Bowl to include a few undistinguished teams has attracted criticism in certain quarters, but Barbados captain Courtney Browne and coach Hendy Springer are willing to give the move a chance to develop.Their concerns, however, stem from the way the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has gone about the expansion and the approach of regional associations in the build-up to the Caribbean’s premier limited-overs competition."It will be a good idea when every single regional board gets it act together as far as serious preparation is concerned," Springer said."A lot of these teams started preparation pretty late, hence the quality of the competition."Since the start of the 2002 tournament a week ago, none of the fledgling teams – Antigua and Barbuda, Leewards XI, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Windwards XI, University of the West Indies and Canada – has defeated any of the four major teams – Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.In some cases, matches have been terriblyone-sided.It therefore gives the impression to several observers that the tournament has been watered down."Obviously, you can see that it is a problem. Hopefully the WICB will look at it again and review it and see what they can do to improve our standard of cricket," Browne said. "I don’t have a problem with weaker teams – as long as they are not the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands being separated. We need to keep our six main teams together."His suggestion was to bring in other teams outside of the Caribbean to help boost the quality of the game.The Leewards XI, in particular, have been the major let-downs in the past few days.In their opening match against Jamaica they crashed for 125 and lost by nine wickets about 3 p.m. and when they met Barbados at the Melbourne club ground on Sunday, they lost by the humiliating margin of 193 runs after conceding 323 for five and responding with 130.Springer, however, was not in total opposition to having the teams that are currently on show."It is looking at it from a development level and exposure level," the Barbados coach said. "If exposing all these young guys, young teams and individuals benefits West Indies cricket, it will be doing a good job, but that is to be seen in the future."Barbados beat UWI by 102 runs in their opening match and are yet to be tested. It translates into not being adequately assess their performance, but in light of hardly inadequate preparations, these early matches are giving them a boost before meeting a much more formidable challenge."You always like to measure your performance against the stronger teams," Browne said. "In our zone, we are playing the inexperienced teams early. That’s a good thing, so we can build up for when the meet the Jamaicans and the others."Springer described their first two matches as a"re-familiarising" exercise ahead of their remaining back-to-back preliminary matches against St Vincent and the Grenadies on Friday and against hosts Jamaica the following day."We still need to maintain the level of cricket we are playing," he said. "We know that we’ve got batsmen in our side who are better than the bowling attacks in the opposition teams so far. We’ve been justifying it by getting a couple of runs."

Queens Park Rangers are still pursuing a deal to bring Stefan Johansen to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by West London Sport, who claim that Mark Warburton is hoping to make a further three signings in the summer transfer window, one of whom remains the Fulham central midfielder.

The report goes on to state that talks between the two clubs have slowed following Scott Parker’s departure and Marco Silva’s appointment at Craven Cottage, although QPR are still hopeful that a deal for the 30-year-old can be completed ahead of next season.

Fans surely buzzing

Considering just how impressive Johansen was while on loan at QPR last season, the news that the club are maintaining their pursuit of the Norway international this summer is sure to have left fans of the club buzzing.

Indeed, over his 21 Championship appearances for Mark Warburton’s side last term, the £1.8m-rated midfielder bagged four goals, provided two assists and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of one shot and making 1.6 key passes per game.

The £8k-per-week man also impressed in more typical central midfield metrics, making an average of 0.8 interceptions, 1.1 tackles and completing 44.4 passes in each league appearance.

These returns saw man Ronny Deila dubbed an “unbelievable” player earn an average SofaScore match rating of 7.00, ranking him as the club’s sixth-best performer in the second tier of English football.

As such, if Warburton can indeed go on to seal a deal for the Fulham midfielder in the coming weeks, he would very much appear to be yet another fantastic addition to the QPR squad ahead of their upcoming Championship campaign, with the 58-year-old having already made seven signings this summer, including the likes of Andre Dozzell, Charlie Austin, Jordy de Wijs and Sam McCallum.

This business would appear to bode extremely well for the club’s chances of going on to mount a promotion push next season, something that Warburton will undoubtedly be hoping to mastermind following an extremely strong finish to their campaign last time out.

In other news: QPR confirm big transfer news on “low maintenance” £3.1k-p/w gem, fans surely buzzing

Tottenham have opened talks with Bologna centre-back Takehiro Tomiyasu, as relayed by The Daily Mail.

The Lowdown: Tottenham gear up for 2021/22

Moving into 2021/22, many fans up and down the country will be intrigued to see how the Lilywhites bounce back from a disappointing seventh-placed finish last time out.

Although they have not yet ventured into the transfer market yet as they continue to search for a new manager, Spurs have been heavily linked with moves for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Marcel Sabitzer respectively.

However, they now could be set to notch their first signing of the summer window following recent reports.

The Latest: Tomiyasu opens talks; Spurs confident of striking deal

As it stands, Tottenham have entered discussions about the possibility of bringing Tomiyasu to north London. Believed to be rated at around £15m, he is capable of plying his trade in central defence or at right-back [The Daily Mail].

Wage demands are not said to be an issue, whilst there is an increasing confidence from within the club that the Londoners will land the 1.88m (6 foot 2) stopper swiftly [The Sun].

As Tottenham remain on the lookout for a new manager, he could be in line to be the first recruit of any prospective new regime.

The Verdict: Tomiyasu would be an ideal addition

The 22-year-old defender would appear to fit the profile of signing needed to succeed in north London, particularly with the potential exit of Serge Aurier [The Independent] creating an opening at right-back and the club in the hunt for at least one centre-back if not two [football.london].

In 2020/21, Tomiyasu made 33 appearances for I Rossoblù, scoring twice [Transfermarkt]. Encouragingly, he also illustrated his resolve within the Bologna rearguard by making the joint-most clearances within their entire first team squad, posting 3.3 per match across the season [WhoScored].

Once labelled as ‘promising’ by Italian football analyst Tom Pearce [serieaanalysis.com], he has competed at an elite level, featuring 23 times for the Japanese international side along with his Serie A experience.

With pre-season fast approaching at Enfield Training Centre, Tottenham should look to finalise the deal as swiftly as possible.

In other news, a Tottenham pundit has dropped his verdict on a reported transfer target.

Bathed in sunshine, the County Ground was a hive of activity this morning ahead of tomorrow’s all important Benson and Hedges group match at home against Northamptonshire

Richard Walsh02-May-2002Bathed in sunshine, the County Ground was a hive of activity this morning ahead of tomorrow’s all important Benson and Hedges group match at home against Northamptonshire.The first team squad were practicing in the nets and were joined by Marcus Trescothick, who along with his England colleague Andy Caddick will be available for the final two first round matches, at Bristol on Sunday against Gloucestershire, and against Worcestershire the following day at Taunton.At the end of the morning session I asked Somerset coach Kevin Shine for his thoughts regarding Friday’s match. He told me: "The results from yesterday’s matches seem to have gone if anything in our favour. With Gloucestershire winning it looks like they will qualify, but after yesterday it looks like a very interesting run in."The coach continued: "We have got a belter of a wicket to play on, Phil Frost has done a really good job for us. We need to win all three matches with a high run rate to give ourselves a good chance of going through to the quarter finals."Regarding the team the coach told me: "There is a high chance that the same team that played on Sunday will play tomorrow,” which means that Matt Wood is likely to be the twelfth man again.Somerset captain Jamie Cox told me: "We hope to win tomorrow. We need to catch up with those guys who have got wins on the board. With the two England boys back for the last two games, the result tomorrow is important for us."

Conor Coady is one Wolves player who could lose out following Bruno Lage’s appointment, journalist Luke Hatfield has told Football FanCast.

Lage was appointed as Wolves boss last month and is a manager known for playing 4-4-2.

In contrast, his predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo preferred using a 3-4-3 or something close to that formation during his time at Molineux, meaning a central defender like Coady had more support and cover around him.

With that not being there in a back four, which Lage could potentially use in the upcoming season, Hatfield fears for the England international’s future.

“In terms of winners and losers, I think there’s a real question mark now over a key player really in Conor Coady,” the Express & Star journalist said.

“He is vitally important to them in terms of leadership. The question has always been can he do it in a four? Nuno obviously kind of shifted him as a defensive midfielder into a three and it worked incredibly well in that central role.

“But when Wolves have played a four, he’s been a little bit isolated at times and there are question marks over that. So I think there are serious question marks over him.”

Indeed, there is a bit of uncertainty surrounding Coady following Lage’s arrival. As well as the doubts about whether he can play in a back four, the 28-year-old is also being linked with a move to Everton.

According to Football Insider, new Everton manager Rafael Benitez has given his club the green light to move for the Wolves man.