A side normally known for its seam prowess, South Africa, now have a record-breaking spinner to boast about too. Imran Tahir’s 7 for 45 against West Indies are the best figures by any bowler from his country in ODIs.While picking up that haul, Tahir also became the quickest South African to 100 wickets. The legspinner has played 58 matches, one fewer than Morne Morkel who held the previous record.Tahir was able to do his job without worrying about keeping the runs down thanks to his team-mates putting up 343 for 4 in 50 overs. “I had the freedom to bowl whatever I wanted to because the boys put a decent total on the board, especially on a track like this,” he said. “They put us in a position where the bowlers could do whatever they want to do and try to attack and that’s what we did and things went well for us.”South Africa posted the only score over 300 in the Caribbean tri-series so far to silence criticism about their long tail, but it did not always look like it would be enough.West Indies were racing along at 58 for 0 after six overs when Tahir was introduced. His over, full of sliders and googlies, was the first not to include a boundary and his next one produced a wicket – Andre Fletcher caught at deep midwicket. It underlined Tahir’s ability to be effective even against big-hitting batsmen with the field restrictions in place.”They [West Indies] are attacking players and we know that. When someone attacks you, there is always an opportunity and that’s what I look for,” Tahir said. “The West Indian boys can chase anything. It is a big challenge as a spinner to play modern day cricket, where you have to have five players in the circle. Thanks to technology, you can sit and see the opposition’s mistakes and try to learn from them. It’s very challenging as a spinner but it’s good as well because that makes you perfect.”After his initial breakthrough, Tahir was brought back in the middle overs, a period when he has controlled proceedings for South Africa over the last two years. On Wednesday, he removed Marlon Samuels, West Indies’ match-winner when they chased 266 against Australia, for 24.It is unusual for South Africa to play two specialist spinners but they have done so in every match of this series – and once even fielded three. The combination of Tahir and left-arm wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi has helped the balance of their attack and showed that they do posses bowlers who can exploit slower surfaces.”He is a very good talent,” Tahir said of Shamsi. “I’m very happy to see him bowling like that. I’ve been working with him for a long time. He is a brother to me. We played together for a few years in domestic cricket and it’s really nice to see him doing what he is doing.”In a country that has lacked for spin-bowling role-models, Shamsi will have few better teachers than Tahir, who broke the back of West Indies’ chase and then returned to feast on the tail. He got rid of Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite off successive balls and Kieron Pollard later in the same over to take his second career five-for, and then topped up with two more wickets to end with figures better than any South African so far.”I feel really proud. I will take that any day,” Tahir said. “I’m just really pleased. When things like this happen, you feel good about yourself and all the hard work you’ve done in the nets.”

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is preparing an offer to try and sign Giorgio Scalvini during the transfer window according to the Italian media, via Sport Witness.

What is the latest on Giorgio Scalvini to Man City?

The Premier League outfit have shipped just 31 goals so far this season in the top flight, which is a record that is only bettered by Newcastle. Centre-backs John Stones and Ruben Dias also have WhoScored ratings of 6.84 and 6.77 respectively, ranking them as some of the best defenders in the division, which implies their backline is already solid.

Pep Guardiola has already been linked with some other defensive options ahead of the summer though, with Nahuel Molina one potential option to fill a gap at right-back. However, the former Barcelona man is now being linked with a swoop for a more central player in Giorgio Scalvini, who plays as a centre-back.

According to reports from the Italian media, via Sport Witness, the 19-year-old will be a player in demand when the transfer window opens. His current club Atalanta reportedly feel there will be a bidding war for his services, with clubs across Europe keen to bring him in and a starting price set at €40m (£35m). Pep Guardiola can add his name to the list of interested parties too, with the boss personally a big admirer and City "ready to bid".

Should Man City sign Giorgio Scalvini?

The Premier League side are always looking to get better and they could certainly do that by adding the defender to their ranks when the transfer window opens.

For starters, football talent scout Jacek Kulig has showered the youngster with praise, calling him a "complete" defender because of his performances in Italy so far. He also added that he is a quick player and that he is strong in the air to boot.

His performance stats back up these claims. In Serie A this campaign, the 19-year-old has a WhoScored rating of 6.66. He's also bagged two goals and one assist despite playing as a centre-back. Even more impressive was when his country Italy trusted him to line up for them. In his 83 minutes on the field, he won three aerial duels and came away with a 6.69 rating – even better than his showings for Atalanta.

Scalvini then has already showcased his ability despite his age and it suggests he may have the potential to get even better. City and Scalvini then could be a good match, with Guardiola helping to coach the player to be even better.

Newcastle United are likely to get the better of Crystal Palace as both sides battle it out to sign Flamengo youngster Matheus Franca this summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Matheus Franca?

As per The Sun, Newcastle United saw three bids rejected by Flamengo in January as they tried to sign Franca, coming in at around £11.5 million, £12 million and £14 million.

The report claims that the 19-year-old has a release clause of £176 million inserted into his current contract; however, Eddie Howe 'remains a big admirer' of the young midfielder.

BBC Sport have revealed that Crystal Palace are also 'monitoring' Franca and the Londoners have scouted him as they look to add to their midfield department.

Prospectively, the Brazilian could help to bridge the void left by out-of-contract midfielders Luka Milevojevic and James McArthur at Selhurst Park if both choose to seek a new challenge this summer. At the same time, Albert Sambi Lokonga is expected to return to parent club Arsenal at the end of this term.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones is sceptical that Crystal Palace would be able to trump Newcastle United in a straight shootout to land the youngster.

Jones told FFC: "If they're [Crystal Palace] going to go into that market and compete for a player like him, then you're going to be up against a club like Newcastle and there aren't too many teams that are going to want to go into a war with Newcastle on the transfer front this summer. We'll have to see what the player's mindset is and what he's looking for."

Would Matheus Franca be a good signing for Newcastle United in the summer?

Franca is a youngster with plenty of potential – hailed a "top talent" by Fabrizio Romano – and could be an ideal signing for Newcastle United as they look to build for the long term at St James' Park.

This season, the Brazilian midfielder has made 21 appearances for Flamengo in all competitions and registered two goals in the process, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored also show that Franca has had an average of 2.3 shots on goal per match this term, demonstrating his ability to break forward and hurt opposition backlines.

Of course, interest in Franca's services is bound to grow arms and legs between now and the off-season, though Newcastle will be in a really strong position to land him if they can fulfil their quest to qualify for the Champions League.

Former West Indies batsman Ricardo Powell will lead a new five-man selection panel in charge of picking USA senior men’s and U-17 squads for tournaments later this year, including the ICC World Cricket League Division Four in Los Angeles

Peter Della Penna24-Jun-2016Former West Indies batsman Ricardo Powell will lead a new five-man selection panel in charge of picking USA senior men’s and Under-17 squads for tournaments later this year, including the ICC World Cricket League Division Four in Los Angeles. Powell, 37, was also named last month by the ICC to a seven-member advisory group focusing on high performance. This is one of the four national advisory groups created by the ICC to implement its strategy in the USA.The other four selectors serving under Powell are former Pakistan player Asif Mujtaba, former South African first-class player Michael Voss, former USA player Amer Afzaluddin and Barney Jones. Mujtaba served as an assistant coach for USA at the 2012 World T20 Qualifier and currently resides in Texas. Voss is based in southern California while Afzaluddin is out of the Chicago area. Jones – a former USA Cricket Association selection panel chairman – lives in Florida.”For me I take it as an honor to be a chairman of this selection panel, to be able to select the best team possible to represent the USA,” Powell told ESPNcricinfo from his home in Memphis, Tennessee. “I think that’s a very big task and I think it’s a lot of work and something I take very seriously. With the panel that we have, we have guys who are very knowledgeable but we are asking the US public as a whole, and the cricket community, to be patient because this is not going to happen overnight. It’s something we have to all work hard at.”Their first task is to select a 30-man squad to come to Florida at the end of July for a week-long camp to help narrow down the list to a final 14 ahead of Division Four. A 30-member Under-17 squad will also be chosen before a team of 14 is finalised for a tri-series against Bermuda and Canada in Houston from July 14 to 19.Powell, Mujtaba and Voss are new selectors. Mujtaba has also coached Central West Region men’s team since 2014 and has been a steadfast advocate of the country’s talent. Voss, meanwhile, played for Western Province and opened the batting alongside Gary Kirsten. He was appointed to the 10-person participation group, one of ICC’s four advisory panels.The ICC had taken a decision in the spring to dissolve the previous USACA five-man selection panel in the wake of USACA’s suspension last June and revamp the selection process beginning with a series of eight regional Combines. Jones, who chaired the USACA selection panel which had been dissolved by the ICC, applied to be part of the new panel as did his fellow former USACA selector Afzaluddin.”Having someone like Barney on the panel, who is also familiar with most of the players who have represented USA, makes a big deal for me in terms of having that knowledge,” Powell said. “But also for me going about selection, it will be done over a period of time. I want to be able to see these players myself and to basically analyse and see the best team that we can put out there for USA.”Powell, who played 109 ODIs and two Tests for West Indies between 1999 and 2005, served as a guest coach and talent evaluator at the Florida Combine held in Fort Lauderdale in April. He was frank with his opinion of the level of talent he saw there, compared to what he has observed in the past, and said he didn’t feel the best players were on display. He stated that he is open to evaluating players outside of the 30-man camp in July before deciding on the final squad for Division Four.”This initial camp that is going to be had in Florida, with the 30-man squad that we’re going to select, it’s pretty much just a start for me to look into the talent that is here in the US,” Powell said. “So that is not necessarily the final squad that’s going to be selected for USA, this is just a start based on the Combines that we just had. Going forward, I plan to continue to look for talent in the USA and not to be satisfied with what we have. I went to the Florida Combine and I was not 100% happy with the amount of talent compared to what we have in Florida. We did not have the turnout we expected. Maybe guys just did not get a chance to register or were just hesitant based on what was happening.”So hopefully we will be able to see more talented players as we go along throughout the year to come. What we have on paper right now is a lot of good talent, no doubt about that, but I don’t think it’s the end of the road in terms of guys out there who will not be selected in the 30. I think there are a lot of opportunities to come and there is a lot of cricket to be played in America. We are just a panel of five right now and it’s going to take a lot from us to see all the talent in America. We’ll be leaning on the general public in terms of the different cricket regions who helps with that.”Powell stressed his plans for developing better fitness standards for national-level players, something that has been a point of emphasis throughout the eight regional Combines. USA’s fitness has flagged behind other Associate teams, and while players have to juggle cricket around work due to the amateur status, many other Associates face the same issues but are able to maintain fitness.”These guys are playing back-to-back games when they go on tour so you have to be fit,” Powell said. “Overall there are a lot of elements that make up a good XI or a good 14 and we’ll be looking at all those different elements when it comes to cricket, from the skills, to the fitness to the discipline, to the ability to be able to execute, match-winners, guys who can think the game properly and, more so, team players.”There are a lot of components that we’ll be looking at to really come up with this final squad of 14 and I’m really looking forward to seeing these players on this stage, and really select the best for USA. As I said, nothing is written in stone. Guys have been representing USA for a while, they’ve been around but I think with this new panel, a few things will change. Players will have more responsibility, they will be accountable more for their on-field and off-field performance. So those are the things that this selection panel will be looking at.”

Aston Villa have had an emphatic season under Unai Emery, who has taken the club to new heights since taking over in November.

The Spaniard has surpassed expectations in embarking on a journey from relegation candidates to European hopefuls in just over six months at Villa Park.

With two crucial Premier League games remaining for Villa, a top-six spot is all to play for to round off what has been not only an incredible season but the beginning of great things for the club.

As the season comes to a close, the summer transfer window looms with the Midlands reported to be involved in a number of moves as Emery takes charge of his first full transfer term.

With talk surrounding potential incomings taking centre stage, the summer will also be a chance for some of the club’s academy talents to impose themselves on the senior squad, with a range of talent due to return from loan spells.

One name was once the talk of all things bright in the academy, however after a spell of successive loan moves, the time could be nearing for Louie Barry to impress the four-time Europa League-winning coach.

Who is Louie Barry?

From La Masia to Salford City, former West Brom academy product Louie Barry has been on the move since being snatched by FC Barcelona in 2019.

Despite things not going badly for the youngster, he departed Catalonia just six months after signing due to lack of playing time, where he linked up with his boyhood club Villa.

The youngster imposed himself quickly, scoring in the FA Cup against a full-strength Liverpool side, earning praise from Jurgen Klopp when speaking to talkSPORT, calling the forward a “little Jamie Vardy” and "a proper threat."

That season, the teenage forward found the net 13 times in 17 Premier League 2 appearances and has since moved around on loans away from the comforts of the academy.

Whether it be game time or struggling to find the net, Barry has failed to make an impact as great as he did in the academy, however at just 19-years-old, the future is bright.

What could the future hold for Louie Barry at Aston Villa?

Emery is a coach that has handled a share of young players over the years, at Arsenal he nurtured the likes of Bukayo Saka and Matteo Guendouzi, and similarly at Villareal with Yeremy Pino.

Now at Villa, the Spaniard has continued to give Jacob Ramsey room to flourish in his plans, developing him into a star that academy players can hope of replicating.

The likes of Bertrand Traore and Leon Bailey in the flank positions at Villa have been impressive at times, but inconsistent in their brilliance, and flag as a potential area for improvement this summer.

Barry is a player with huge potential, versatile in attack, the forward has been lauded as “outstanding” by club legend Gabriel Agbonlahor as per Football Insider.

The 19-year-old has the talent to surpass such names, with his attacking versatility and ability in front of goal and should be looking at Emery’s squad this summer with the belief that he could make the difference after some time away.

Liverpool are interested in taking advantage of Southampton's Premier League relegation and signing Romeo Lavia this summer, with the prodigious midfielder enjoying a stellar season despite his club's turmoil.

What's the latest on Romeo Lavia to Liverpool?

Speaking to The Redmen TV, Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri stated that the 19-year-old midfielder is currently 'closest' to a move to Liverpool this season following the confirmation of Southampton's relegation from the top-flight after an 11-year stay.

The reporter claimed that his compatriot's departure from St. Mary's Stadium is all but confirmed, with the Reds alongside rivals Chelsea and Manchester United in pursuing Lavia's signature.

As per Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City inserted a £40m buyback clause into the starlet's contract when he arrived at the south coast for £14m last summer, and with that option triggering next summer, it makes sense for Klopp to swoop now.

Why should Liverpool sign Romeo Lavia?

With Lavia scarcely having unpacked his bags in Southampton last year, free-spending Chelsea attempted an audacious £50m swoop on deadline day, swiftly and justifiably rejected by Sport Republic.

Described as "exquisite" for his feats by The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell, Lavia has made 33 appearances this term and scored one goal and assist apiece, emerging as a diamond among the rubble as his side tepidly plummet into the second tier.

As per Sofascore, the ace has recorded an average divisional rating of 6.83 this term – captain James Ward-Prowse is the only midfielder with a higher rating – and has completed 83% of his passes, forged 2.0 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per match, also succeeding with 60% of his dribbles and 57% of his ground duels.

He is blossoming into one of the finest midfielders in Europe at a rate that belies his tender age and inexperience.

He is the equilibrium to Southampton's centre, and while his departure feels inevitable, he will be sorely missed in Hampshire, with FBref also illustrating his prowess by ranking him among the top 9% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues for rate of blocks per 90.

The "monster", as heralded by journalist Benjy Nurick, would be an incredible signing for a Liverpool midfield yearning for a composed presence to reinstate the robustness, and should Klopp prevail in his pursuit, the masterstroke that was the £75m acquisition of Virgil van Dijk might just be repeated.

While the Dutch defender had caught the eye with his imperious displays for Saints, the lofty fee left an eyebrow or two arched as Liverpool completed the deal, but his impact at Anfield has been sensational, and his presence has been instrumental in the inception of the illustrious success under Klopp's wing.

But having now gleaned the Premier League and Champions League among a wealth of major honours, the 6 foot 5 mountain's stunning effect is illustrated with brilliant colour.

Like Van Dijk, Lavia would have the opportunity to be moulded to Klopp's own clay with a transfer to Merseyside, and with years of ostensible success ahead of him, joining the fold at Liverpool could well ensure that future is laden with glinting silver.

India will play two T20I matches against West Indies in Florida later this month, BCCI president Anurag Thakur announced on Tuesday, after the board’s working committee meeting in Mumbai

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Aug-20162:15

‘Good chance to promote cricket in America’ – WICB president Dave Cameron

India will play two T20I matches against West Indies in Florida later this month, BCCI president Anurag Thakur announced on Tuesday, after the board’s working committee meeting in Mumbai. The matches will be played on August 27 and 28 at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill.Officials from both boards had meetings in Florida last week to discuss the staging of the matches at the conclusion of India’s ongoing four-Test series in the Caribbean. The ability to obtain US visas was the primary logistical hurdle before the boards but this was cleared after the BCCI submitted documents for its intended T20 squad to the US embassy in Jamaica, where the second Test is currently being played.In a press release issued by the board, Thakur stated that the series would be developed into an annual event in the USA.”As part of our continuous efforts to reach out to new markets and audiences, I am very happy to announce that Team India will play two T20Is against the current world champions West Indies in the United States,” Thakur said. “This will be a great opportunity for the cricket fans in America to watch the two champion sides in action. This will be developed into an annual cricketing event in the United States.”The Central Broward Regional Park is the only ICC-certified ODI standard stadium facility in the USA and recently hosted six Caribbean Premier League matches between July 28 and 31. The ground has previously hosted four T20Is – in 2010, New Zealand played two matches against Sri Lanka, and returned in 2012 for two games against West Indies.WICB president Dave Cameron said the WICB would also be interested in playing T20s at the Florida venue every year, even if India were not available to do so, to help “develop” cricket in the Americas. “We would like to make it an annual affair from the WICB’s standpoint,” he said. “Is it going to be with India every year? Not necessarily. But from a strategic standpoint, we would like to be playing cricket in the USA on an annual basis.”I think we’ve set that as part of our strategic goal in helping to develop the USA and the Americas. Our view is that proceeds from these games can go towards development of cricket in the USA and Canada and the Americas in general.”

ScorecardRavi Bopara’s all-round excellence kept Essex alive in the tournament•Getty Images

On a night when one campaign would be reignited and another shelved, Essex trampled all over Kent in front of their own fans for a derby hammering that soured a truly exceptional night of revelry. It was standard English T20 fare: ale in the air, kids playing in the array of green nooks that Canterbury has to offer and unhindered sun cheering even the most straight-laced Kent fan lamenting a season in which a side that promised so much has delivered so little.Before the match Ravi Bopara was not entirely sure what Essex needed for a quarter-final spot. Having called the toss correctly, he assumed winning every match might do it. Opting to bat, both he and Tom Westley notched their first half-centuries of the competition to post 190. A turn with the ball, removing Alex Blake and then running out James Tredwell with a direct hit, showed that Bopara was at least up to scratch with the short-term needs if not the bigger picture. He’ll be pleased to know that they now sit in fourth, with their fate in their own hands.With a plethora of English talent on show, Andy Flower was present to soak in an evening when the ground was bursting at the seams with a crowd that pushed the 6,000 capacity to its limit. There was not a seat nor a patch of grass spare on the bank. Standing space, too, had to be earned. The food village at the Nackington Road End was a sweaty mosh-pit of pad thai at the interval. Flower opted for the sedate order of the Sainsbury’s next to the ground.As it happens, he would have made all if not most of his notes of praise during Essex’s innings, as Kent Spitfires’ chase stuttered every few boundaries. Sam Northeast, with 994 Championship runs and, now, over 403 in the T20 Blast, was snipped after 12 balls at the crease, just as he was starting to threaten a thrilling star turn. The returning Lions fared no better: Daniel Bell-Drummond gifting David Masters a high return catch before Sam Billings, given a WWE-style fanfare when he strode to the crease, made a more sombre return walk after just two balls for Masters’ second.Westley shone brightest, coming in during the fifth over and batting right through to the end for 74 off 49 balls. It was typically Westley – a wrist-heavy affair that was more kiss-kiss than bang-bang. He took a particular liking to Darren Stevens, at times allowing deliveries to sit up, on a pitch that responded well to variety, to find gaps on both sides of the wicket.The half-century came off 33 balls, by which point, in the 15th over, Bopara had just 12 from 17 balls. A post-fifty acceleration from Westley allowed his captain the chance to settle before thrashing 15 off the 20th over, bowled by David Griffiths. Bopara’s own half-century saw him redress his stodgy start with 31 off the last 15 balls. Together, they put on 119.Tonight also marked the return of Matt Coles. Since being made unavailable for selection after an indiscretion during the Championship game against Glamorgan in Cardiff last month, the rumour mill has been turning. It is familiar territory for Coles, who is Kent through and through but will find it harder to command the goodwill of a fan base starting to lose their patience with him.News of Coles’ return to the side had not reached those at the ground until the toss, many of whom had already sussed his presence, a spitting burly figure throwing down stumps with Kagiso Rabada in the warm-ups. Brought on after four overs, he conceded consecutive boundaries off his first two balls back but finished the over with the wicket of Nick Browne – caught well by Rabada at deep midwicket- before undoing Dan Lawrence with a change of pace.A penny for Flower’s thoughts: it was he who ejected Coles from a Lions tour in 2013, along with Ben Stokes, as his visit to the camp in Australia coincided with their drunken misdemeanours. Stokes has made his peace by becoming one of the game’s most exciting allrounders as Coles battles on to find his.He needs time to get back to where he wants to be – in cricket and in life. In so many ways, it is hard not to look at Coles and, even considering the self-inflicted nature of his misdemeanours, label him “unlucky”. As one member of that 2013 Lions tour put it: “it’s not that Colesy got drunk – it’s that he got caught”.

Tottenham Hotspur hold a concrete interest in Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti, while they could also target the Serie A side's sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, according to reports from Italy.

What's the latest Tottenham manager news?

There are conflicting reports about who Tottenham's number one manager target is, as it has recently been reported that chairman Daniel Levy is ready to green light a move for Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso.

That would suggest Julian Nagelsmann has fallen down the list of priorities, despite Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg claiming Levy is "pushing" to appoint the German, who is set for "more talks" with the north London club.

Many of the coaches Spurs have recently been linked with have been young, up-and-coming managers, with Ruben Amorim also in the picture, which is why the recent reports about Spalletti may come as a little bit of a surprise.

According to reports from Italy (via Sport Witness), the Lilywhites hold a concrete interest in the 64-year-old, with his future at Napoli uncertain, despite the fact his contract has recently been extended until 2024. Spurs are said to have a number of targets on their list, and they are keen on the Napoli boss, but they are not the only club interested.

Chelsea and PSG are also keen on the Italian, while Tottenham could also consider a move for Napoli's sporting director, Giuntoli, having recently had contacts with the 51-year-old, who could be brought in to replace Fabio Paratici.

Should Tottenham appoint Spalletti?

It is no wonder the Certaldo-born coach is being targeted by a number of top European clubs, as he has recently led Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990, doing so with four games left to spare, after a remarkable campaign.

Hailed as an "elite football coach" by members of the media, the 4-3-3 attacking manager has won nine trophies throughout his career, however it must be noted the vast majority of that success was quite some time ago.

Prior to leading Napoli to their recent Scudetto, the last trophy the veteran manager won was the Russian Premier League with Zenit St Petersburg in 2012, while he has also never managed in England, so his appointment would undoubtedly be a risk.

Given that Tottenham are said to want a young and progressive manager, it would probably be wise to steer clear of Spalletti this summer, despite his achievements with Napoli.

Everton are in desperate need of reinforcements after becoming entangled in another Premier League relegation battle this season and now a new potential transfer target has been approached by the club.

What's the latest on Everton's interest in Ryan Kent?

According to TEAMtalk, Everton have held talks with Rangers winger Ryan Kent about signing him this smmer.

As per the report, the Toffees will need to compete with a number of clubs including Burnley, Sheffield United, Leeds United and Bournemouth who are all also keen to snap up the services of the Scottish Premiership's free agent.

Why do Everton need Ryan Kent?

There is no doubt that improving and adding quality to the Everton forward line should be the highest priority for the powerbrokers at Goodison Park this summer.

Only Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored fewer Premier League goals (31) than the Toffees this season (33), which has been a testament to their poor performances in the final third and a heavy contributor to their struggles.

Indeed, the Merseysiders' unstable situation in the top flight will spark two very different recruitment strategies this summer depending on their fate sealed on the final day, however, the opportunity to secure the services of Ryan Kent for free would be a great boost in bolstering their attacking threat no matter the outcome.

Over 29 league appearances, the £18k-per-week versatile forward – who was dubbed "sensational" by Steven Gerrard – has scored three goals, registered eight assists and created a whopping nine big chances.

On his day he is truly "unplayable" – as per Sky's Andrew Dickson – having averaged 2.1 shots on goal, 2.2 key passes and 1.9 successful dribbles per game, proving he is a huge attacking presence for Rangers.

Not only that, Kent has proven he is capable of winning possession in dangerous areas of the pitch with 5.3 duels and 1.3 tackles won per match too, which is something that Everton have sorely missed since the departure of Anthony Gordon in the winter transfer window.

Indeed, the Newcastle winger proved himself to be a hard worker defensively during his days at Goodison Park, ranking in the best 1% of positionally similar players in Europe's top five leagues for tackles per 90 minutes.

Whilst Dwight McNeil has been effective since the arrival of his former Burnley boss, notably scoring twice in the rout over Brighton, having that balance of quality on both sides of the centre-forward would be massively advantageous to Dyche in his pursuit to improve performances and consistency in front of goal.

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer for Everton to secure the services of Kent on a free transfer this summer as he could completely transform their attacking threat next season and finally replace Gordon in the wider attacking positions.