An update has emerged on Wolverhampton Wanderers and their plans to bolster their attacking options ahead of the 2023/24 campaign…

What's the latest Wolves transfer news?

According to Football Insider, Wolves are one of a number of sides eyeing up a swoop to sign Southampton centre-forward Che Adams during the summer transfer window.

Julen Lopetegui is looking to improve his forward line and has seemingly identified the former Birmingham number nine as a player who could provide the team with an added spark at the top end of the pitch.

However, the report claims that fellow Premier League teams Everton and Bournemouth are also interested in the Saints star, who has one year left to run on his current contract at St. Mary's.

Football Insider do not reveal how much it would take to secure the £52k-per-week gem's services this summer but do state that the Championship outfit are willing to sell him if a respectable offer comes in.

How many goals has Che Adams scored for Southampton?

The Scotland international has scored 31 goals in 145 appearances for the Saints in all competitions and could improve Lopetegui's attack this season, as well as being able to make current winger Pedro Neto better.

Adams has scored 21 goals across the last three Premier League campaigns combined, which works out as seven goals per term on average, and was one described as a "ketchup bottle phenomenon" by former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl due to his knack for scoring a number of goals in quick succession.

Meanwhile, no Wolves striker managed more than three top-flight strikes during the 2022/23 season and no player in any position produced more than six.

This suggests that the 27-year-old marksman has the quality to be Lopetegui's outstanding scoring option through the middle of the park if he is able to carry on that form at the Molineux, or even improve upon it.

His success in front of goal could depend on the service that is provided to him and that is where Neto can play a key role as the Portuguese wizard has been let down by his teammates in recent years.

The former Lazio prospect has created 9.95 xA in the last three Premier League seasons for Wolves and only been rewarded with seven assists, which suggests that his fellow attackers are not making the most of the opportunities that he has been able to create for them.

Neto, who created 2.5 chances per game at the U21 European Championship this summer, could benefit from Adams' arrival as it would provide him with a centre-forward who has the ability to finish on at least a semi-regular basis, whereas the club's current strikers have rarely been able to find the back of the net.

The 23-year-old dynamo has also previously showcased his ability as a scorer, with eight goals in his first two top-flight seasons combined before one in the last two.

Adams could make the left-footed whiz better by being a focal point for the exciting youngster to play off in the final third. The Southampton is able to offer a creative presence as he has racked up 5.58 xA over the last two years and at least three assists in each of the last three campaigns.

Meanwhile, Joao Moutinho (two) was the only Wolves player with more than one assist last term, which suggests that the Scottish ace could provide the club with a boost due to his ability as both a scorer and a creator.

Therefore, the signing of Adams could allow Neto to thrive and get better as it would provide the talented gem with a striker who can both finish off the chances he creates whilst also helping him to add to his own goal tally.

Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham are "leading the fight" for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, and he is "ready" to make a move this summer.

Who will Spurs sign?

Ange Postecoglou will be fairly happy with his side's moves in the transfer window, with Spurs having sealed deals for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, playmaker James Maddison and winger Manor Solomon on a free transfer.

The trio join both Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro in putting pen to paper on permanent moves to north London after their previous loan deals, but reports suggest the Lilywhites could add more new faces.

Postecoglou, speaking to the media recently, confirmed that his club are looking to sign a centre-back to shore up a leaky defence which conceded 63 league goals last season.

"That's definitely our intention, absolutely," said Postecoglou when asked about new defenders.

"We've been working on it for a while and we'll definitely try to get it done as quickly as possible."

"I don't think it's any secret about some of the areas we needed to strengthen. Some of it I identified early on. The goalkeeper was one and central defence is another.

"In terms of the other boys, we've got a big squad but my view is I wanted to bring them along and just work with them, get some clarity in my head and give clarity to them."

Wolfsburg's Micky van de Ven, Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen, Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo, Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet, Galatasary's Victor Nelsson and Juventus defender Gleison Bremer have all been linked to joining for the defensive positions.

Meanwhile, it is also believed that Spurs want to sign a new midfielder to succeed Denmark international Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who could well join Atletico Madrid.

Gallagher is a name attracting their serious interest, with London rivals West Ham and Spurs "leading the fight" for his services.

David Moyes' side have already seen a bid rejected for the 23-year-old, so a transfer won't be easy, but it is believed that Gallagher "ready" to leave Stamford Bridge.

Reliable journalist Nizaar Kinsella wrote in The Evening Standard:

"Conor Gallagher is ready to leave Chelsea after being deemed surplus to requirements, with ­Tottenham and West Ham leading the fight for his signature.

"The 23-year-old, who scored in a 4-3 friendly win over Brighton in Philadelphia on Saturday and also in the 5-0 thrashing of Wrexham last week, is being offered to clubs."

How good is Conor Gallagher?

The midfielder struggled to gain consistent starting places for Chelsea last season, making half of his appearances from the bench (WhoScored).

However, Gallagher showcased his true quality on loan at Crystal Palace over 2021/2022, where the player ranked as their best-performing player per 90 whilst chipping in with eight goals and three assists (WhoScored).

Gallagher has also been praised by former Spurs star Jermaine Jenas, who told Match of The Day (via The Sun) that he is a "game-changer" and similar to Chelsea legend Frank Lampard.

“He reminds me a lot of Lampard," said Jenas.

"I think he is a game-changer aswell Conor Gallagher. He’s the type of player that you bring on and he has an impact on the game.

“He presses, gets himself in the box and creates chances. Also, he’s won a World Cup. He was part of the U17 World Cup-winning side so he understands tournament football and I’m pleased for Conor.”

West Ham United are interested in making a move for Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun this summer, according to reports. The young forward has reportedly asked the Gunners to drop his price-tag, as he looks to make a move in the current transfer window.

What's the latest on Folarin Balogun to West Ham?

West Ham are yet to make their move for Balogun this summer, but are interested in the forward, according to Ben Jacobs, who also reported that the striker has asked current club Arsenal to lower their asking price as he seeks a permanent move, with figures at The Emirates looking for £50m as the minimum.

Balogun reportedly believes that the Gunners are asking for £10m too much, and, in doing so, pricing him out of a move away in the current window.

Arsenal, however, feel as though it is a fair price, given the fact that Balogun scored 21 goals whilst on loan at Ligue 1 side Reims last season.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

Having sold Declan Rice for a reported £105m earlier this summer, West Ham are certainly in a position to splash the cash in the coming weeks, potentially reinforcing their side to ensure a comfortable season in the Premier League after facing relegation fears in recent campaigns.

Should West Ham sign Folarin Balogun?

Signing a player who managed to keep up with Kylian Mbappe in Ligue 1 last season would represent excellent business from a West Ham point of view.

The Hammers' need for a striker who can guarantee goals is no secret. Whilst Michail Antonio is a fan favourite for good reason, and a hard worker, his tally of five Premier League goals simply wasn't enough for the London club last season.

Meanwhile, last summer's arrival, Gianluca Scammaca failed to hit the ground running after completing a move to England's top flight, scoring just three goals in his debut campaign.

Danny Ings' arrival boosted David Moyes' attacking options ever so slightly, but even so, the former Liverpool man only scored two of his eight Premier League goals for West Ham last season, with the rest coming for Aston Villa prior to his January move.

So, with that, it's fair to say that the Hammers must find a goalscorer this summer. And that could come in the form of Balogun, who is still only 22-years-old.

The forward earned plenty of praise during his successful loan spell at Reims, too, with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry telling Amazon Prime Video Sport France, via The Metro: "I’m really happy for him because in general English players don’t go abroad.

"Normally players are loaned either to another Premier League side or in the Championship. He’s a very English-style player who likes to run down the channels but he was missing something, which was his finishing.

"He’s now starting to score goals regularly and I’m happy for that – happy he has gone abroad. It’s especially so considering he is a Londoner, in general Londoners struggle to leave London. When I heard he was coming to France, it made me think he has a refreshing mindset."

There's no higher praise for an Arsenal player than from Henry, and Balogun may well impress the Premier League icon even more if he makes the move to West Ham this summer.

حسم فريق باريس سان جيرمان لقب بطولة الدوري الفرنسي، الموسم الحالي 2023/24 مساء يوم الأحد بفضل نظيره موناكو.

وتعرض موناكو للهزيمة مساء يوم الأحد أمام خصمه ليون، في الجولة الحادية والثلاثين من الدوري الفرنسي، بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدفين (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وتجمد رصيد موناكو بتلك النتيجة عند 58 نقطة في المركز الثاني، بفارق 12 نقطة عن باريس سان جيرمان.

وتُوج باريس سان جيرمان بذلك، بلقب الدوري الفرنسي، الموسم الحالي، وذلك للمرة الثانية عشر في تاريخه.

وتعادل باريس سان جيرمان بصعوبة، أمس مع لوهافر بثلاثة أهداف لمثلها في الجولة نفسها من البطولة، ولكن خسارة موناكو نجحت في منحه اللقب الليلة.

ويُعد باريس سان جيرمان النادي الأكثر تتويجًا ببطولة الدوري الفرنسي، ويليه سانت إيتيان برصيد 10 ألقاب، ثم أولمبيك مارسيليا 9 مرات.

الجدير بالذكر أن باريس سان جيرمان هو من توج بلقب الموسم الماضي من الدوري الفرنسي، 2022/23.

Steve O’Keefe has been recalled in place of the injured Josh Hazlewood to be part of Australia’s squad for the second Test against Bangladesh

Daniel Brettig and Adam Collins30-Aug-20172:05

Chappell: Thought O’Keefe’s international career was over

Steve O’Keefe has been recalled in place of the injured Josh Hazlewood to be part of Australia’s squad for the second Test against Bangladesh, despite still being under suspension from New South Wales and a matter of months after his time in the national team appeared to be over.The national selectors elected not to pick another pace bowler in Hazlewood’s stead, after witnessing the extremely spin-friendly conditions in Dhaka and in the expectation that a similar surface will be prepared for the second match in Chittagong next week. O’Keefe will join fellow spinners Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson in the squad and be a strong chance to play.”With Jackson Bird in the squad we are comfortable with our fast-bowling options for the second Test and have elected to add an additional spinner given the conditions we are likely to face in Chittagong,” the national selector Trevor Hohns said.The Test captain Steven Smith subsequently stated that the decision had been made with an eye on Australia’s next tour of India, four years into the future. “We just see it as a bit of a time to get us someone new into the group,” Smith said on arrival in Bangladesh. “Ashton has been around the group for a quite a while now, he’s worked on his art and he’s becoming a lot more consistent in what he’s doing. It’d be fantastic to see him get an opportunity.”It’s four years until we next go to India which is always a tough tour for us and one that I particularly as captain want to win [at some point] throughout my tenure. It’s an opportunity for Ashton to get some experience in these conditions and hopefully improve, with an eye to the next time we go to India as well.”Following his return from the India tour, where he played an instrumental role in Australia’s surprise opening Test victory in Pune, 32-year-old O’Keefe was fined A$20,000 for offensive behaviour during the NSW end of season awards presentation in Sydney, later revealed to have been directed at the Australia cricketer Rachael Haynes and her partner. He was also suspended from playing for NSW in their next tournament, the domestic limited overs competition due to be played in October.In subsequent weeks, O’Keefe lost his Cricket Australia contract and was omitted from the squad for Bangladesh, as the selectors indicated they wanted to look towards the future by choosing the younger left-arm spinner Agar instead. “Whilst Steve O’Keefe bowled well in Pune,” Hohns said when announcing the squad, “he did not maintain this level in the remaining matches of the series and we believe the timing is right for Ashton to enter the set-up and test his allrounder ability.”At the time, the decision was heavily criticised by the NSW chief executive Andrew Jones, the same administrator who had fined and suspended O’Keefe from the state side, but maintained that his offence had not been of the “career-ending” variety.”It’s unfair to be honest. I think it’s just unjust, ” Jones told the . “I think ‘SOK’ should be in the side. He was the leading wicket-taker in India and had the best figures by any spinner visiting India ever. “Clearly he’s the best left-arm spinner in Australia. I think the facts speak for themselves. Agar will be a good cricketer … but this is not a good cricket decision.”If we thought it was a career-ending offence we would have torn up his contract. And we didn’t. We levied a punishment which we thought appropriate and proportionate. Obviously Cricket Australia agreed with that. The behaviour issue was an issue but it’s been dealt with. There’s no double jeopardy. The feedback is it’s a cricket decision. That needs to be judged on that basis and I just think the numbers tell the story. If I were him I wouldn’t be happy.”O’Keefe subsequently spent time overseas, away from cricket, and has in recent weeks been training as part of the NSW squad, either side of the resolution of the MoU dispute between CA and the Australian Cricketers Association. He was not a part of Australia’s pre-tour camp in Darwin, with the Victorian left-arm spinner Jon Holland chosen to augment the camp’s spin stocks instead.Hazlewood, meanwhile, is expected to spend up to a month out of cricket after suffering a side strain early in the Dhaka Test and then feeling worsening discomfort as the match progressed. “Josh injured his left side whilst bowling during the first session of the match,” the team physio David Beakley said. “This type of injury will require several weeks of rehabilitation, consequently Josh will be unavailable for the second Test against Bangladesh and subsequent ODI Series in India, and will return home for further assessment.”Kane Richardson, the South Australia seam bowler, will replace Hazlewood in the ODI squad for India.

Glasgow Rangers 2023/24 Premiership campaign got off to the worst possible start, slipping to an opening-day defeat at Rugby Park.

The 1-0 loss to Kilmarnock was the Gers at their worst, offering little going forward and despite making nine summer signings, only five started the match as Michael Beale seemingly ran out of ideas.

With there likely to be more outgoings than incomings over the coming weeks, the Light Blues will need to rebound before their Champions League qualifier against Servette on Wednesday evening.

One player who is edging closer to departing is Fashion Sakala, as he looks set to end a two-year stint in Glasgow.

Is Fashion Sakala leaving Rangers?

Having been left out of the squad to face Killie last weekend, Beale offered an update on his future, saying: “Fashion won’t be involved tomorrow because he is away having discussions. He’s talking to one of the Saudi clubs.

“He is a boy and a player that I have a fantastic relationship with but sometimes in football these things happen, an opportunity comes up and you discuss it with the player and from there something can happen.

Read the latest Rangers transfer news HERE…

“So he is away having talks, there is nothing confirmed either way but he won’t be with the squad tomorrow.”

It is looking likely that he will leave before the end of the transfer window, and with Beale signing four forwards during the summer, he may not need to replace him, immediately at least.

The Ibrox side have been linked with a move for Sunderland youngster Tom Watson however, and he has the potential to make Beale forget all about the Zambian in the coming years.

Who is Tom Watson?

The 17-year-old has been lighting up the Sunderland youth teams over the previous two seasons, registering 25 goal contributions across just 43 matches at U18 and U21 level.

This is even more impressive considering he is usually deployed on the left wing, although he can also play in a more central role. This is similar to Sakala, who tended to operate on either wing or through the middle last term.

Watson clearly wasn’t fazed by making the step-up to Premier League 2 level last season, scoring twice and grabbing three assists across seven matches, and his vast potential even led to a first team debut.

Tony Mowbray handed him a two-minute cameo against Huddersfield in April and this will give him a taste of the big time, which should give the youngster more confidence.

Sakala did register 20 goal contributions during 2022/23, however he wasn’t exactly the most clinical of players, missing 11 big chances which also included squandering two open goal chances against Celtic in the League Cup Final and the Scottish Cup semifinal.

Watson could perhaps offer a more ruthless nature in front of goal and was praised for his finishing abilities by journalist Josh Bunting, who said: “Tom Watson is a player to keep and eye on ,he’s scored for Sunderland 18’s against Leeds this afternoon, that’s three goals in his last four games , makes it stick up top , only 16 so is very much new in 18’s football but has taken it to it like a duck to water, natural finisher.”

He may not make an impact straight away should Beale lure him north of the border, but Watson looks to have the ideal qualities which could make him a stand-out figure in the future.

Speaking at the annual Cowdrey lecture at Lord’s, Brian Lara not only called on batsmen to walk but also appealed to the world’s top teams to ensure that the game’s integrity was upheld

George Dobell05-Sep-2017Brian Lara has implored the top sides in world cricket “to ensure that the integrity of the game is upheld” and admitted there were times he was “truly embarrassed” by the behaviour of the West Indies side he represented.Lara, delivering the MCC Spirt of Cricket Cowdrey lecture at Lord’s, not only called on batsmen to “walk” but suggested the leading sides had a responsibility to “show the way and lead the way” in which the game is played.And, despite the outstanding record of the West Indies sides of the 1980s and early 1990s, Lara felt there were occasions when the tactics they employed resulted in them “playing the game in a way it should never, ever be played.”In particular, Lara raised the notorious series against New Zealand in 1980, when Colin Croft shoulder-barged an umpire and Michael Holding kicked over the stumps in frustration, and two series (against Pakistan in 1988 and England in 1990) when he suggested West Indies employed a certain amount of gamesmanship to win at any cost.”The highest-ranked team in the world has the responsibility to ensure that the integrity of the game is upheld every single time they play,” Lara said. “And that the spirit of cricket is with them every time they enter the field.”I grew up at a time when West Indies dominated the world. For 15 years from 1980, the West Indies never lost a Test series. And just before that, Colin Croft decided he was going to take a piece out of Fred Goodall’s shoulder and ran into him during a Test Match. Michael Holding decided he was no longer a cricketer, he was a footballer and he kicked a stump. I’m sure the occurrences during that period had a big effect on cricket.”Despite it being a period when people in the Caribbean were “accustomed to victory after victory,” Lara suggested it was a time he was “not very proud of”. He confessed to being “embarrassed” when a series of umpiring decisions helped West Indies overcome Pakistan in 1988. In particular, he felt Viv Richards was fortunate to survive a leg before appeal against Imran Khan and Jeffrey Dujon fortune to survive an appeal for a catch off Abdul Qadir.Lara referred to events in the 1990 series against England as “disturbing” and suggested that seeing his heroes behave in such a manner was “one of the saddest moments in the world”.”Everyone said England had no chance,” Lara said. “But they won in Jamaica and, in Trinidad, even after rain, had ample time to chase down a small total.Michael Holding kicks the stumps in anger•Getty Images”I had never seen groundsmen and officials fight for Man of the Match. They moved lethargic, slow. If there was a wet spot someone went off the field, they came back with nothing in their hands, they took their time to ensure this game was not going to start any time soon.”Eventually, it started with a couple of hours to go and England still had time. We bowled, in one hour, seven overs. It was dark and Graham Gooch had to call his troops from the field and West Indies grabbed a draw.”This is maybe the most embarrassing moment for me as a young West Indian, watching a West Indies team time-wasting, playing the game in a way it should never, ever be played.”I was 12th man. I was very, very guilty. I was running out with laces, a banana, water, cough tablets, all sorts of things in that last hour. It was truly embarrassing.”They went on to Barbados. It was another keenly-fought Test and Rob Bailey was batting with not much time to go for a drawn Test. He flicked the ball down the leg side and Jeffrey Dujon dived and collected. The first slip – I’m not going to call his name – ran towards the umpire and signalled. The umpire wasn’t taking him on but he kept going and going and eventually he stuck his finger up and gave Bailey out. It definitely wasn’t out.”England sort of lost faith in the game. They lost that Test and the next in Antigua for West Indies to win the series 2-1.”As a West Indian, I was truly embarrassed. As a young cricketer who looked up to a lot of the individuals in the team, it was one of the saddest moments in the world. For me, I felt the West Indies being the best team in the world needed to play cricket in a different way.”Lara also suggested that such gamesmanship actually damaged Caribbean cricket in the long run. The series wins they achieved over Pakistan and England allowed them, Lara claims, to overlook their flaws that might have been addressed had they lost.”People talk about the Test series we lost in 1995 as the time we began to spiral,” Lara said. “I felt we started to spiral years before that when the great players were playing.”And if Pakistan or England got what they deserved in 1988 and 1990, I feel the West Indies officials would have taken a different look into what to do to save West Indies cricket at a time we had senior players who could have guided the younger players to have ensured we were on the right footing. But that didn’t happen.”Lara also used the lecture to appeal for the introduction of a Boxing Day Test in the Caribbean – “the amount of you guys who could come out to Barbados and Antigua would, I’m sure, fill the stadium,” he said – and congratulate the West Indies side that recently won the Leeds Test. Quoting a text message he had received from Sachin Tendulkar, Lara referred to it as “a success the entire world needed.”

Aston Villa are in ongoing negotiations regarding a summer deal to sign Levante defender Marc Pubill, according to fresh reports.

Who is Marc Pubill?

Pubill is naturally a right-back who has plied his trade with Javier Calleja’s side for the past three years since initially joining the U19s on a free transfer from Club Gimnastic Manresa back in 2020, before getting promoted to the first team last summer where he’s made 42 appearances to date.

The Spaniard’s contract isn’t set to expire until 2026, but having majorly impressed after making the step-up to the highest level in La Liga, NSWE, Monchi and Unai Emery appear to have been alerted to his hugely promising potential.

The Midlands outfit recently released Ashley Young as a free agent upon the expiration of his deal which has seen him join Premier League rivals Everton, so the board will have to enter the market to find a replacement for the veteran, and the 20-year-old is the candidate seemingly being discussed.

Are Aston Villa signing Pubill?

According to Deportes COPE Valencia (via Sport Witness), Aston Villa are “in talks” with Levante regarding a summer swoop to sign Pubill. Tuesday’s report states that the coming hours will be “decisive” to “transfer a formal offer”, though it’s currently unclear as to whether an official bid is being prepared.

Sevilla are also believed to be “interested” in the defender who is set to cost approximately €6m (£5m), a fee which is “unlikely to be an issue” for chiefs to cash out. Emery’s side have previously completed business with their target’s club having sent Wesley Moraes there on loan last season, so it’s possible that this could hand them a small advantage when trying to wrap up a deal.

How good is Marc Pubill?

Aston Villa have to be mindful that Pubill is only 20 years of age and hasn’t got that much senior experience under his belt, therefore he’d surely be a signing for the long-term future of the club, but nonetheless the right-back has got so much to offer and there's no doubt that should he join, he would thrive under Emery.

Theyoungster recorded a total of 37 La Liga crosses last season – more than one per game – highlighting his desire to get the ball to his offensive players and push his team higher up the pitch, not to mention that he also won 26 tackles so he isn’t afraid to get stuck in and challenge his opponent.

Furthermore, Levante’s 6 foot 3 titan netted two goals and provided one assist across all competitions during the previous campaign so he’s more than capable of getting on the scoresheet himself and creating chances for his peers when driving forward down the flank.

Pubill has also previously operated slightly higher up on the right side of the midfield and even at centre-back outside of his natural position, so he offers versatility, making him a great option for the manager to have at his disposal should any unexpected injuries occur.

1:38

County Championship round-up: Kleinveldt puts pressure on Notts

Middlesex were hoping for a spicy wicket for their penultimate match of the season to stave off Division Two. They might have got more than they bargained for. After 15 wickets fell on the first day against Lancashire – including ten of their own – they must ensure they can emerge on the right side of an inevitable black-and-white result here at Lord’s.The tops and tails of the day were bleak for the hosts. Opting to bat first on a pitch worn by a season’s graft that they felt would get worse, they were reduced to 28 for 4, as Ryan McLaren and Tom Bailey ran riot. Then, with three overs left in the day, Toby Roland-Jones trudged off, unable to complete his 11th over. The groans from the pavilion, stocked as full as you would expect for the last match of the season at Lord’s, could be felt from the other side of the ground.Adam Voges, Middlesex captain for this match after James Franklin took the decision to drop himself, left the dressing room with Roland-Jones receiving treatment on the physios table to speculated that it was “lower back stiffness”. Thankfully for him and Middlesex, the bitterness bookended a virtuoso display from the England seamer.Roland-Jones’ first contribution was with the bat, firefighting some outrageous movement through the air and off the surface with the abandon of a man who had never been burned before. That he came in at 81 for 6 – soon after 89 for 7, when John Simpson was caught behind for 29, at which point Voges began regretting his decision to bat after winning the toss – seemed at odds with his approach: hitting through the ball, picking up length early and ticking along at almost a run a ball to bring up his fifty from 58, featuring 10 fours.The pitch was green and played to type, but with the pitch already in a state where “plates” were evident on the first morning, Voges decided he would rather bat first than last. The eighth-wicket stand ensured that was still likely to be the case.Crucially, Ollie Rayner matched Roland-Jones’ valour at the other end, in a 102-run stand that arrived in 20.5 overs. The appreciation of their work came when the scoreboard moved on to 178 for 7, with applause ringing out for doubling the score that they met on.A questionable lbw decision ended Roland-Jones’ stay and gave Kyle Jarvis a deserved wicket, but Rayner was able to complete his half-century with a neat four through cover from his 72nd ball. Eight down, Middlesex brought up their 200 for a bonus point that momentarily took them out of the relegation places before Somerset did the same in south London to switch positions back. No. 11 Tim Murtagh, who played all of his 17 balls from somewhere near square leg, slapped a quick 18 before becoming the last wicket to fall to see Middlesex bowled out for 233 in two sessions. Bailey finished with season’s best figures of 5 for 54 – his fourth five-wicket haul in first class cricket.File photo – Toby Roland-Jones played a vital hand with bat and ball•Getty Images

Naturally, Lancashire started steadily, and when Alex Davies was dropped by Simpson for 9 in Roland-Jones’ first over – the very next ball flew through third slip – Middlesex feared the worst. But, as per the morning, a flurry of wickets up front soon arrived: Roland-Jones trapping Haseeb Hameed lbw for a 30-ball 3 at the end of the eighth, before Davies left a straight one from Murtagh at the start of the ninth. Dane Vilas was then bowled for Murtagh’s second, before Steven Finn was given a gift by Liam Livingstone, who slapped a long-hop straight to Nick Compton at point.Out strode Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 43-years-savvy, eyeing up 27,000 first class runs. Middlesex’s insecurities came to the fore: they have spoken openly about an odd blindspot in their game – a struggle in dismissing left-handers and overseas batsmen. Dean Elgar and Kumar Sangakkara have already frustrated them this summer. Here was 164-Tests worth ready to do the same. However, returning for a final spell, Roland-Jones, from around the wicket, was able to draw a false stroke from Chanderpaul, caught by Voges at first slip, and Lancashire were 95 for 5.Two overs later, Roland-Jones appealed for a caught behind off McLaren and stopped short of making it all the way down the pitch. He was bent over, wincing, as Finn walked in from mid-off to check on his well-being. Rayner completed his over. Promisingly for Middlesex and England – Roland-Jones is expected to make the Ashes touring party – he felt able enough to field, but was advised by Voges to leave for treatment. An assessment will be made in the morning but Middlesex hope he will have more cameos to play before this game is over.It is almost a year to the day since Roland-Jones sealed Middlesex’s first Championship in 23 years with a hat-trick at Lord’s. It seems longer given that the same side are battling against relegation and doing so while the captain who delivered them that success watches, fully fit, from the sidelines.It was in a toilet cubicle that Franklin thrashed out the details of a final-innings run chase with Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale for the Championship. A deal was struck and, one thrilling finish later, the title was theirs. Then, Middlesex were drinking to Franklin. Today, he was carrying the drinks.It cannot have been an easy decision, for Franklin or the club. Granted, his numbers have not been great – 12 wickets in nine innings; 296 runs at an average of 22.09, with 112 coming in one knock – but Franklin is the type of character to want to drag Middlesex out of this mess. But with Murtagh returning from Ireland duty, Roland-Jones available and James Harris impressing, along with Dawid Malan returning to strengthen the batting stocks, there was only one decision to make it.He kept a low profile throughout, even choosing to train in the indoor centre during the tea break when the nets out in the open on the Nursery Ground were free. Such a powerful move leaves him in an agonisingly powerless position for the next three days.

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Nesta quarta-feira, Corinthians e Benfica apararam as arestas que estavam impedindo que o contrato de transferência de Pedrinho fosse cumprido. Acontece que um novo acordo foi celebrado e o valor que era de 20 milhões de euros (R$ 131 milhões na cotação atual) passou a ser de 18 milhões de euros (R$ 118 milhões), sendo que o primeiro pagamento será feito em agosto de 2021. O clube brasileiro divulgou nota para esclarecer a situação.

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O entrave no negócio tinha a ver com a devolução de Yony González, que estava emprestado ao Timão até o meio deste ano, mas os dirigentes corintianos, sem interesse em fazer a opção de compra pelo colombiano, optaram por devolver o atleta de forma antecipada, o que não agradou ao Benfica, já que no entendimento dos portugueses o valor seria abatido da transferência de Pedrinho, algo que o Alvinegro não concordou.

Dessa forma, houve a necessidade da readequação dos valores. O negócio, que foi fechado em 20 milhões de euros lá atrás (cerca de R$ 105 milhões na época), teve redução de 2 milhões de euros, restando 18 milhões (R$ 118 milhões na cotação atual) ao Corinthians, que optou por aceitar o acordo diante da valorização da moeda europeia em relação ao real. Na comparação, são mais de R$ 10 milhões a mais do que indicava a cotação em março.

-Nós tivemos uma readequação dos valores que tinham sido pagos e o Corinthians aceitou, o Benfica tinha proposto, e com isso eu vim a Portugal justamente para assinar esse novo contrato. Isso foi feito na tarde de hoje (quarta-feira), está tudo OK entre Corinthians e Benfica, era um entrave que estava acontecendo, mas agora já resolveu tudo e eu creio que a partir de amanhã o Benfica já estará lançando o TMS e ele ficará apto a jogar pelo clube – disse o empresário de Pedrinho Will Dantas, para a SIC Notícias, de Portugal.

Além disso, ficou acordado que o Benfica só pagará a primeira das cinco parcelas em agosto de 2021, mas com a transferência concretizada, o Alvinegro já poderá antecipar a quantia integral junto a um banco europeu, com o qual já negocia há algum tempo. O valor, que terá desconto por conta de taxas bancárias, será importante para quitar dívidas imediatas, como os três meses de salário atrasado do elenco. O clube aguarda o dinheiro para setembro.

Andrés Sanchez se manifestou em seu Twitter e se defendeu das críticas em relação à readequação do negócio que, segundo ele, continua vantajoso para o Corinthians, principalmente por não ter que arcar com os custos que Yony González traria, além do acréscimo que a variação cambial trouxe.

-Tem jornalista reclamando que R$12 milhões a mais do que o firmado em março é mau negócio. Nem pensa nos 3 mi de euros pelo Yony + 3 anos de salario. Sugiro 5 minutos de papo com o financeiro da sua empresa. Fechamos o negócio que melhor atende hoje os interesses do Corinthians – afirmou

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Tem jornalista reclamando que R$12 milhões a mais do que o firmado em março é mau negócio. Nem pensa nos 3 mi de euros pelo Yony + 3 anos de salario. Sugiro 5 minutos de papo com o financeiro da sua empresa. Fechamos o negócio que melhor atende hoje os interesses do Corinthians

— Andres Sanchez (@andresanchez63) August 19, 2020

Confira a nota oficial do Corinthians:

“O Sport Club Corinthians Paulista informa que, em nome de seus interesses financeiros e esportivos, firmou com o SL Benfica (POR) uma repactuação dos termos de valores e prazos envolvendo a transferência do atleta Pedrinho.

Sport Club Corinthians Paulista”