The transfer window officially opened for business earlier this month and Wolverhampton Wanderers should be in the market to improve their options at the top end of the pitch.

Julen Lopetegui's side were able to beat off a relegation battle with relative ease to finish 13th in the Premier League table but their lack of potency in the final third throughout the campaign was concerning.

Their tally of 31 goals in 38 matches was the lowest in the entire division and they were one of only four teams to fail to average at least one strike per game.

What are Chuba Akpom's statistics?

Lopetegui could go a long way to solving his team's goalscoring woes by securing a deal to sign Middlesbrough centre-forward Chuba Akpom, who is coming off the back of an exceptional season in the Championship.

The reported transfer target, who has been valued at £20m, is a player with the potential to be a prolific scorer, based on his form in the second tier, and pairing him with current Wolves winger Pedro Neto could help him to fulfil his promise in the Premier League.

Since the start of 2020/21, the Portuguese wizard has created 9.95 expected assists (xA) for his teammates in the top flight and has been rewarded with seven assists for his efforts.

This suggests that his fellow attackers have been letting him down over the last few years as they have not been able to make the most of the quality chances that the £50k-per-week ace has provided them with.

Therefore, Wolves could finally benefit from Neto's excellent creativity by signing a striker who has the quality to overperform in front of goal, instead of wasting chance after chance.

Akpom could be that player as the 27-year-old finisher plundered an eye-catching 28 goals in 38 Championship matches for Middlesbrough from 21.9 xG, which showcases his ability to be clinical when opportunities fall his way.

The former Arsenal youth prospect ranks in the top 4% of forwards in the Men's Next Eight Competitions for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.70) over the last 365 days which illustrates how impressive the Boro number 29 has been in front of goal.

He has significantly outperformed his xG in the second division of English football and the prolific dynamo, who was hailed for his ability to score "stunning" goals by journalist Josh Bunting, must now prove himself in the Premier League.

Wolves pairing him with a player like Neto, who has the ability to create good opportunities for his teammates, could allow the English hotshot to thrive and in the process, solve the club's goalscoring issues.

Zimbabwe have now plugged their gap in the international calendar by scheduling a tour of Scotland for two ODIs in Edinburgh

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Mar-2017After hosting Afghanistan for five ODIs in February, Zimbabwe have now plugged their gap in the international calendar by negotiating a tour of Scotland for two ODIs this summer. Before the Afghanistan ODIs, Zimbabwe were looking at a six-month hiatus.This will be the first bilateral series between Zimbabwe and Scotland. Their only meeting so far was at the World T20 in India in 2016, when Zimbabwe won by 11 runs. The two matches in this series will be played at the Grange in Edinburgh on June 15 and 17.”Securing home international matches against a Full Member nation is something we have all worked tirelessly on over the past 18 months so I am delighted we have managed to make these matches a reality,” Cricket Scotland CEO Malcolm Cannon said. “The squad will relish the opportunity to put in some winning performances in front of a passionate home crowd.”Zimbabwe are also slated to visit Sri Lanka in June. With only the hosts and the top seven sides earning a direct entry to the 2019 World Cup, these matches will give Zimbabwe, currently ranked eleventh, a chance to gain significant game time ahead of the World Cup qualifiers set to be held in March-April next year.

Leeds United could be set to swoop for a relatively unknown forward to replace their star man…

What's the latest on Djordje Jovanovic to Leeds United?

The latest comes from Sports Walla, who suggest that the 49ers could kickstart their reign by signing Djordje Jovanovic from Maccabi Tel Aviv FC.

Having reportedly watched the Serbia international last month, who has been in prolific form for the Tel Aviv club, the Whites are interested in his services and likely view the star as a cut-price option able to offer an instant injection of goals for just €1.9m (£1.6m).

Given Rodrigo's desire to leave following their relegation has been well-documented, this option could sanction the Spaniard's exit with minimal fuss due to the quality they would be bringing in.

Who is Djordje Jovanovic?

Although a relative unknown, the 24-year-old has been in deadly form out in Israel, even leading to the accumulation of three caps for his native Serbia.

Standing at 6 foot 1, immediately it is easy to assume that this well-travelled marksman would boast the necessary physicality to compete in the Championship.

Not to mention that since moving to his current club, Jovanovic has been a truly free-scoring asset.

Last term saw him notch 22 goals and five assists across all competitions, funnily enough matching the exact tally he earned from the season prior even to that. Consistency is clearly key for this hulking striker.

Ron Dor, a football scout, sought to outline some of his outstanding characteristics just last year. He wrote: "He shows a very good off-the-ball movement, using his killer instinct." This would then be supplemented with another inspiring claim, noting: "Within a month, he turned to be Maccabi’s savior. A True Poacher!"

This kind of lethal attitude will be a welcome addition, especially if they are to lose Rodrigo this summer too.

Despite dropping out of the Premier League, the 32-year-old still managed to score 15 times across all competitions, making him quite comfortably the club's top goalscorer.

Given that he is only set to depart for a nominal fee too, his exit will sting all the more.

However, if they are to replace him with this experienced young forward who has his whole career in front of him, it could ease the burden and hand them an unknown commodity to potentially take the Championship by storm.

For a fraction of the price the Yorkshire outfit are set to gain, they could end up still making a profit on the former Valencia man, whilst adapting their style to the new challenge that this division will pose. It marks a relatively risk-free deal with the potentially lucrative reward of instant promotion.

Tottenham Hotspur target Conor Gallagher may be a 'better signing' for the Lilywhites than Leicester City playmaker James Maddison but the latter is more likely to sign, according to journalist Paul Brown.

What's the latest transfer news involving Conor Gallagher and James Maddison?

According to Football London, Tottenham have identified Chelsea midfielder Gallagher as a target this summer as they look to strengthen their engine room under Ange Postecoglou.

Spurs have shortlisted the £50k-a-week earner following a meeting between Postecoglou and chairman Daniel Levy to discuss their transfer priorities for this window.

On the other hand, The Northern Echo claim that Tottenham are now 'strong favourites' to sign Maddison from Leicester City in the off-season amid interest from Newcastle United in his services.

The England international reportedly has designs on moving to London and that is said to have put Spurs in pole position to land Maddison despite the Magpies being able to offer him Champions League football in 2023/24.

Contractually, Maddison has one more year on his deal at the King Power Stadium before it expires in June 2024 and he pockets around £110,000 per week, as per Capology.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Brown thinks that Gallagher may actually be a 'better signing' for Spurs than Maddison this summer.

Brown told FFC: "Of the two, you could argue that Gallagher might actually be a better signing for Spurs. That being said, it does seem that Spurs are trying harder to get Maddison than they are for Gallagher. I haven't heard they're out there pushing for Conor Gallagher right now. So, of the two, I think that it's more likely that Maddison goes there."

Would Conor Gallagher and James Maddison both improve Tottenham Hotspur?

Gallagher and Maddison could both add some fresh energy to Spurs' midfield heading into next term, which will be needed as they try to recover from a disappointing eighth-placed finish last time out.

In 2022/23, Gallagher made 45 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea, registering three goals and one assist, as per Transfermarkt.

Maddison enjoyed a productive campaign at the King Power despite suffering relegation, notching ten goals and nine assists in 32 outings for Leicester City, as per Transfermarkt.

Movement with regard to outgoings in midfield at Tottenham may be a key factor in whether Gallagher or Maddison pitches up at Hotspur Way this summer.

SPORT BILD journalist Christian Falk has confirmed on Twitter that experienced Spurs ace Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg could be one name to make way this window amid interest from Bayern Munich in offering him an escape route from N17.

Nevertheless, it will become more apparent in the next few weeks where Tottenham's transfer priorities lie as they get ready for the new season under Postecoglou.

تمكن فريق سيدات الأهلي من الفوز على سبورتنج 3-0 في أولى مباريات سلسلة البلاي أوف Best of 3 بنصف نهائي الدوري المصري للكرة الطائرة سيدات .

وجاءت نتائج الأشواط: “25-17 و25-18 و25-20”.

كما حقق فريق سيدات الكرة الطائرة بنادي الزمالك الفوز على سموحة في أولى مباريات نصف نهائي الدوري 3-0 بنتائج أشواط: “25-22 و25-20 و25-18”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مدرب منتخب الطائرة يتقدم بمذكرة رسمية ضد لاعبة الأهلي

ومن المقرر أن تقام الجولة الثانية غدًا الخميس، وفي حالة اللجوء لمباراة فاصلة ستقام السبت القادم، حيث يؤهل نظام البلاى أوف الفائز بمجموع المواجهتين إلى النهائي.

ويعد فريق سيدات الكرة الطائرة بالنادي الأهلي هو حامل لقب الدوري.

على جانب آخر، استقر مسئولو اتحاد الكرة الطائرة على صرف مكافأة إجادة لمنتخبي الرجال والسيدات بعد التتويج بذهبية دورة الألعاب الإفريقية في غانا في المنافسة التي اختتمت مؤخرًا، بجانب مكافأة سيدات الشاطئية التي أعلن عنها الاتحاد من قبل.

Liverpool are in the process of rebuilding their midfield after a disappointing campaign last season and now a new update has emerged on a huge transfer target that could revolutionise the centre of the pitch at Anfield.

What's the latest on Liverpool's move for Federico Valverde?

According to reports coming out of Spain, Liverpool are preparing a €90m (£77m) bid to sign Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, an offer that Madrid will find very difficult to reject.

As per the report, Jurgen Klopp has been a huge admirer of the player for a while and there are now doubts surrounding Valverde's future at the Santiago Bernabéu due to the competition that exists in the centre of the pitch.

Will Liverpool sign Federico Valverde this summer?

There is no doubt that a refresh in midfield is needed following the departures of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita and the club has already secured a £35m deal for World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister.

Many of the remaining midfield options available to Klopp are reaching the latter stages of their careers with Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara well into their 30s at this point, whilst Fabinho will turn 30 before the turn of the year – so there is a real opportunity to build the next generation of success at Anfield.

As a result, the ambitious move for Valverde would be warmly welcomed as the 24-year-old would not only inject high energy, youth and a strong winning mentality into the heart of the team, but could finally replace Georginio Wijnaldum's deadly press and unrivalled work rate in midfield.

Before leaving the Merseyside giants in 2020 upon the expiration of his contract, Wijnaldum played a vital role in the success that Liverpool have experienced both in domestic competition and on the European stage, providing huge game-changing moments like his semi-final brace against Barcelona to lead the team to their first Champions League trophy since 2005.

Now Klopp could land his next game-changer with Valverde also a big game player who adopts the winning mentality and work ethic that is crucial to earn multiple accolades across several competitions.

The Uruguayan star – hailed "untouchable" by Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti – is an extremely attacking-minded talent who ranks in the top 16% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for non-penalty goals, shots in total, pass completion and progressive carries.

Wijnaldum, by comparison, ranks in the top 8% for non-penalty goals and the best 12% for shots to outline their similar attacking threat.

In comparison to Valverde's positional peers on Merseyside, neither Jordan Henderson nor Harvey Elliott were able to complete more progressive carries (70), goal contributions (11), shot-creating actions (81) or completed passes (1427) than Valverde in the Premier League last season, as per FBref.

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer for Liverpool to acquire the services of Valverde this summer as he could have a huge impact on improving performances next season and become the much-needed game-changer that the team has been crying out for in midfield since Wijnaldum departed.

Sarah Coyte, the South Australia and Adelaide Strikers allrounder, is seeking better balance in life after announcing her retirement from all forms of the game at the age of 25

Daniel Brettig01-Mar-2017

Sarah Coyte, the South Australia and Adelaide Strikers allrounder, is seeking better balance in life after announcing her retirement from all forms of the game at the age of 25. Her decision arrived a year after she stepped down from international duty with the Southern Stars to combat mental health issues.Having come from a strong cricket background in New South Wales – her brother Scott also played for the Blues and went on to represent the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League – Coyte put together a remarkably consistent record for Australia in ODIs in particular, averaging 22.00 with the bat and 22.27 with the ball over 30 matches beginning in 2011.She excelled largely with the ball in Tests and Twenty20s for Australia, and performed similar feats with NSW and latterly SA. Coyte has spoken publicly in the past of her battles with anorexia nervosa while playing international cricket, and said on Wednesday she had made the decision to quit the game and return home to her family in Sydney to continue working on her personal development and quality of life.”The last two seasons with the Scorpions and the Strikers have been the best and most fun of my career,” she said. “I will miss the girls so much; I have really enjoyed being around them. I want to thank SACA for everything they have done for me and the support they have offered during some hard times.”I am going home to Sydney to be close to my family and restore some balance to my life. I have been realising lately how much I have missed my family and it is finally time for me to go home. I am not going back home to play for New South Wales, I am leaving domestic cricket altogether to refocus on myself and my loved ones.”Coyte took on the mantle of a senior player in SA, offering leadership to others that the Scorpions benefited from enormously – never more so than in the 2015 WNCL final when they snapped a run of 10 consecutive titles for NSW in a memorable final. Coyte contributed a typically tidy spell to tie her former teammates in knots.”Since joining SA, Sarah has had such a great influence over the young players, especially in terms of her commitment to strength and conditioning,” the Scorpions coach Andrea McCauley said. “She really led the way for the younger Scorps and showed them just what it takes to be an elite athlete.”It’s disappointing to lose such a quality player. I have enjoyed having Sarah as part of the group for the past two seasons but it’s so important that she looks after herself and does whatever it is she wants to do with her life next. I truly wish her all the best for this new chapter.”Coyte’s efforts were also recognised by the Cricket Australia chief executive, James Sutherland. “On behalf of the board and everyone at Cricket Australia, we congratulate Sarah on a wonderful career, both internationally and domestically, and thank her for the wonderful contribution she has made to Australian cricket,” he said.”She played a key role in making the Australian team the formidable side it is, and should be proud of her efforts and what she achieved in her career. Sarah always showed a great deal of fight and passion when playing for her country, and we thank her for her commitment to the green and gold.”After she returns to Sydney in April, Coyte will expand her burgeoning career in health and fitness, making use of the many lessons learned while playing elite sport.

Colin de Grandhomme, the New Zealand allrounder, has signed for Birmingham Bears for this year’s NatWest T20 Blast.De Grandhomme, 30, made an impressive Test debut against Pakistan in November, claiming 6 for 41 in the first innings to pave the way for an eight-wicket victory. However, it is as a T20 batsman that he has built his reputation, in which format he boasts a strike-rate of 171.04 from exactly 100 matches.He recently forced his way back into New Zealand’s team in all three formats following an impressive domestic season with Auckland Aces, which included 139 runs in four Super Smash T20 games at a strike rate of 220.63.”Colin is a perfect addition to the team for our 2017 campaign, adding the batting firepower that we desire in our middle order, whilst adding depth to our bowling attack as an experienced seamer bowler,” said Ashley Giles, Warwickshire’s director of cricket.”His batting strike-rate is unparalleled in the professional game. He has been in the best form of his career this winter and his power and ability to clear the boundary makes him on of the most exciting batsmen in the game.”I have spoken previously about needing to recruit cricketers who are not only talented, but are hungry for success, can play the entire campaign and have the right character to become a Bear. We certainly get this with Colin and look forward to seeing him join up with the squad in July.”De Grandhomme will be joined in the Bears squad by his fellow New Zealander, Jeetan Patel, who is currently playing against South Africa at Dunedin.”As a New Zealand cricketer, I am really excited by the opportunity to play to become a Bear,” said de Grandhomme. “I look forward to meeting Ashley, the team, staff and its Members in July and working together to achieve our goal of a home Finals Day at Edgbaston.”

Everton have been provided an update on their chances of landing Scott McTominay this summer, with The Guardian reporting that a "considerable" offer would be accepted.

What is the latest Everton transfer news?

The Toffees had a torrid time of it in the Premier League last season, only narrowly avoiding a humiliating drop down to the Championship. With the club able to fight in the top flight for another day and a new campaign, they will now be looking to do enough transfer business this summer to ensure that it doesn't happen again.

And it appears as though they are busy behind the scenes when you consider who they have been linked to so far this window, despite limited spending money. The club will want to improve their backline and it appears as though they could be trying to do that by bringing in Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Man City. It's unclear whether or not that would be a permanent deal or simply a short-term one, but it looks as though they are one of a number of sides all weighing up offers for the centre-back.

Another name rumoured to be on the club's wanted list is Sam Johnstone, with Everton facing the prospect of potentially losing their own number one in Jordan Pickford. If that was to happen, it looks like they could turn to the current Crystal Palace shot-stopper as his replacement.

Scott McTominay is one of the other names that could be available for the Toffees to buy this summer. The midfielder, who has 39 caps for his country Scotland, is wanted by the Goodison Park outfit this transfer window, but he's also being chased by other Premier League outfits. As of yet, nobody has tabled a formal bid for the Man United man.

Are Everton signing Scott McTominay?

Now, according to a report from The Guardian, there has been an update over whether he could be available on a deal this summer. Man United boss Erik Ten Hag likes the player and sees him as "a valuable squad member", but that doesn't mean he won't be sold.

The report claims that they will accept transfer offers for the Scotland international this window – but only if a fee is a "considerable" amount. If nobody is able or willing to pay the amount the Red Devils want, Ten Hag is happy to keep him around.

Whilst a deal might cost a fairly large amount then, McTominay could be worth it for a Blues side in urgent need of some fight and muscle through the middle. He's been praised highly for his work in the centre of the field for Man United by pundits and former players alike, with Danny Murphy saying he would be a "nightmare to play against" and adding that he can "destroy and stop the opposition scoring".

It highlights how fondly he is looked upon by those in the game and as Everton try to push on next season, they could use someone like the Scotland international in their ranks to buff up their spine, especially if Amadou Onana leaves the club.

Newcastle United have had a long-standing interest in Moussa Diaby and now a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of the player during the summer transfer window.

What's the latest on Newcastle's interest in Moussa Diaby?

According to Football Transfers, Newcastle have rekindled their interest in signing the Bayer Leverkusen winger this summer.

As per the report, Eddie Howe is keen to make another attempt to reach an agreement to sign Diaby ahead of next season and is hoping that with just two years left on his contract that a lower fee for the player could be negotiated.

How much does Moussa Diaby cost?

The future has never been brighter at St James' Park and in Howe's first full season in charge he led his team to achieve the dreams many Newcastle supporters thought weren't ever possible to come true just 18 months ago.

The Magpies have qualified for the Champions League for the first time in over two decades after securing a top-four finish in the Premier League last season and now Howe is tasked with a new challenge of competing on the elite European stage.

As a result, the signing of players experienced in the competition would be massively advantageous to the club in their pursuit to make their mark on Europe next season and Diaby could be another player to add that much-needed experience in the team.

The Frenchman – dubbed "incredibly dangerous" by Freiburg's Nils Petersen – has tallied up 37 appearances across major European competitions with nine of those in the Champions League, delivering 14 goals and eight assists in the prestigious tournament and Europa League combined.

Now he could offer his impressive attacking services to Newcastle as they set out next season to deliver the desired trophy and success that the club are desperate to deliver to their supporters and could ultimately be the perfect upgrade for Miguel Almiron next season on the right flank.

When comparing the Leverkusen talent's output to Almiron's last season, Diaby comfortably outperformed his positional competitor in a number of key attacking attributes including goal contributions (17 v 13), shots on target rate (43% v 29%), shot-creating actions per 90 (3.67 v 3.14) and goal-creating actions per 90 (0.53 v 0.47), as per FBref.

Not only that, the 24-year-old is an incredibly versatile prospect for the Magpies boss who is clearly keen to strengthen the wider flanks of his attacking threat, as Diaby boasts almost as much experience on the right side as he does in the left-winger role too, as well as tallying up multiple appearances in a second striker role and as a left-sided midfielder.

Whilst there is no doubt that Diaby would be an incredible asset to Howe, the stumbling block has always been his expensive transfer fee as Newcastle's hierarchy are extremely conscious of the FFP constraints they face at present.

In January the Bundesliga club reportedly quoted interested parties an eye-watering €100m (£88.5m) to sign their star winger, however, Leverkusen now are expecting a fee of around £65m if they are to part ways this summer.

With that being said, if Newcastle can agree a suitable deal for Diaby it would be a no-brainer to snap up his services ahead of next season, as his attacking presence and experience in Europe would be highly valuable in the next chapter of the club's journey for success.