Manchester United are reportedly planning another raid on Erik ten Hag's former club, Ajax, with promising forward Mohammed Kudus potentially set to join Lisandro Martinez and Antony at Old Trafford.

What's the latest on Kudus to Man United?

According to journalist James Ducker, the Ghanaian playmaker is under consideration as a possible attacking recruit for United this summer, with the transfer insider writing on Twitter: "…Ten Hag also likes Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus. Not just targeting out and out No 9…"

In his attached piece for The Telegraph, Ducker goes on to add that the Red Devils have a 'firm interest' in the exciting 22-year-old, as there is a belief that the club's new forward addition does not necessarily have to be an orthodox striker, like Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund.

As the report also notes, however, the Carabao Cup winners are set to face competition from rivals Chelsea and Arsenal for the former Nordsjaelland ace, with a fee of around £40m having been suggested as a possible price tag this summer.

How good is Mohammed Kudus?

It is fair to say that Ten Hag has shown a pattern with regard to his transfer dealings during his time in Manchester thus far, with the recent signing of Andre Onana from Inter Milan having been the acquisition of yet another player that the Dutchman has worked with previously – alongside the likes of Martinez and Antony last summer.

A move for Kudus could be a continuation of that trend, with the 5 foot 9 ace – who has been dubbed "one of the best players in the Eredivisie" by talent scout Jacek Kulig – potentially set to allow the United boss to oust Jadon Sancho from the side moving forward.

The latter man has been heavily linked with a departure throughout the summer after enduring a difficult first two seasons at the Theatre of Dreams, with club legend Dwight Yorke suggesting that the 23-year-old is now on "borrowed time" due to his ongoing woes.

Although The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell has recently reported that Ten Hag has been trialling the Englishman in a false nine role in pre-season so far in a 'genuine attempt' to see if he could take on that starting berth next season, it may be that Kudus is a more suitable fit for that attacking slot.

Much like last summer in which Alex Telles was utilised in an unorthodox left centre-back role in pre-season ahead of the signing of Lisandro Martinez, perhaps Ten Hag is merely using Sancho as something of a guinea pig to then slot in Kudus later down the line.

The Ajax ace has shown his devastating talent of late after registering 11 goals and three assists in the Eredivisie last season – having been deployed all across the front line – while the current United man scored just six goals and provided three assists in the Premier League.

That came with the latter man typically operating out wide, with the move to a central role something of a surprise as he has only started through the middle a handful of times throughout his career to date, in contrast to Kudus, who has far more regularly lead the line – doing so on 39 occasions.

A further benefit of the Nima-born ace is his impressive work rate as he seemingly has an "amazing engine" – according to Kulig – while Sancho, by contrast, was criticised by club legend Paul Scholes for his lack of defensive contributions during the 6-3 defeat to Manchester City back in October.

With the one-time Borussia Dortmund sensation having had more than enough time to impress since joining back in 2021, the signing of Kudus could well prove to be the end of his hopes of making the grade at Old Trafford.

Arsenal could make another midfield signing this summer despite having spent north of £200 million, according to Sky Sports and presenter Tom White.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

Manager Mikel Arteta has been well and truly backed over what has been one of the most exciting Arsenal transfer windows in recent memory.

Indeed, the Gunners first signed versatile winger Kai Havertz in a £65 million deal from Chelsea, with the club then making a record-breaking move for England international star Declan Rice.

Arsenal agreed a £105 million deal for Rice, including £5 million in add-ons, which comes as their largest ever transfer as the 24-year-old also becomes the most expensive English player in history.

"Declan is a player with fantastic ability and a proven record at both club and international levels," said Arsenal sporting director Edu after his arrival.

“Declan is a high-quality, young international player who will add great strength to our squad, fitting so well into our strategy of competing with young talented players at the centre of our club."

Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber put pen to paper on a transfer around the same period as Rice, a deal which set Arsenal back £38 million.

Edu has done very well to capture Arteta's top targets, but due to finances, the focus will now be on outgoings before bringing in more fresh faces.

That being said, Sky Sports and presenter White have been told not to rule out further additions, especially in midfield, though it will depend on who Arsenal can sell.

"We do have an update from Arsenal actually," said White on Sky.

"We’re told that the focus at Arsenal remains on departures for now. That’s following the club’s £200 million outlay on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.

“A right-sided forward is one of the positions Arsenal have wanted to strengthen for a while and we’re told not to rule out another midfielder if there is a departure.”

Who could join Arsenal?

Belgium international Romeo Lavia, who is a rumoured midfield target for the north Londoners, comes as quite the enticing option.

Having just been relegated with Southampton, there is reason to believe the 19-year-old could move on for an affordable summer fee, and he could well be worth the effort to sign.

Called a "shining star" on the south coast last season, Lavia stood out as one of Southampton's best-performing players by average match rating also (WhoScored).

Man City boss Pep Guardiola also praised Lavia for his development last season, whilst hinting many at City still rate the teenager.

“I am really impressed with what Romeo has done and is doing,” declared the City boss.

“We had, and we have, an incredible opinion about him. We thought to keep him, but maybe he would not (get) enough minutes like he has in Southampton."

أعرب الحكم المصري محمود عاشور، عن حزنه بشأن قرار إيقافه عن إدارة المباريات، مشيراً إلى أن محمد فاروق رئيس لجنة الحكام تفاجئ بتلك القرار.

وقال محمود عاشور في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس”: “أدرت 11 مباراة في كأس أمم إفريقيا وهذا رقم لم يحققه أحد، إلا حكم مغربي، مشاركتي في الأولمبياد نصف الطريق إلى كأس العالم، استمراري في القائمة الدولية كان هدفي”.

وعن سبب غيابه عن مباريات الدوري المصري أفاد: “نعم هذا الكلام عرفته بالأمس، أثير في الفترة الماضية قبل مباراة القمة، أي حكم يتمنى أن يلعب مباراة الأهلي والزمالك، والكل كان يتساءل أين عاشور؟ ولكن بالنسبة لي هذا اختيار لجنة الحكام ولا يوجد أي مشكلة لدي في ذلك، ولكن الذي أزعجني أنني سألت هل أنا موقوف بعد عودتي من كأس أمم إفريقيا، ومحمد فاروق كان رده علي لا يوجد إيقاف”.

طالع أيضاً.. موديست: جاهزون للقتال أمام مازيمبي.. والأهلي لا يخشى أحدًا

وأضاف: “مر أسبوع وأسبوعان وثلاثة أسابيع وسألت مرة أخرى عن غيابي عن إدارة المباريات، قيل لي إنني موقوف بعد تصريحاتي مع أحمد شوبير”.

وأكمل: “أقول رأيي بكل احترام، وأتحدث لمصلحة التحكيم، أنا أكبر حكم متواجد سنًا”.

وأردف: “محمد فاروق نائب رئيس لجنة الحكام تفاجأ أنني موقوف، نحن نحارب للمشاركة في كأس العالم ولكن الناس تبعدنا وليس أنا وحدي، يوجد حكام كبار ودوليين ومرشحين لكأس العالم وكانوا متألقين في الموسم الماضي مثل البنا وأمين عمر وأبو الرجال لا يريدون أن يتحدثوا خوفًا من الذي يحدث، لديهم كلام أكثر من الذي لدي”.

واستطرد: “نحن ندافع عن التحكيم والكيان ونريد تشريف بلادنا، لن نزايد باسم مصر، في الأولمبياد أو كأس العالم تصرف على لاعب 2 و3 ملايين جنيه لكي يأتي بميدالية”.

وتابع: “أثناء تكريمنا من وزير الشباب والرياضة قلنا له الأموال اللي تدفع منذ ثلاثة سنوات للأجانب في لجنة الحكام إهدار للمال العام، 30 و40 مليون جنيه يتم صرفها على الأجانب، وهؤلاء لم يفيدونا ولم ينفعونا بأي شيء”.

وتطرق للحديث: “مارك كلاتنبرج أخذ دولارت ورحل ولم نستفيد منه بشيء، وحصل على الشرط الجزائي، وبعد ذلك تعاقدنا مع بيريرا، لكن الأخير يكون متواجد عكس كلاتنبرج الذي لم نراه”.

وأضاف: “كل ما فعله بيريرا هو عدد الحكام في مصر، كل تركيزه كان في عدد الحكام، وعندما تحدثنا معه فنيًا، أبلغنا أن اتحاد الكرة متعاقد معه لكي يكون رئيس لجنة وليس محاضر”.

وأوضح: “فنيًا لم نحصل في ثلاثة سنوات على أي شيء، تعاقدت مع شخص تعطي له مليون جنية في الشهر لكي يقدم لنا رسم بياني وجدول، وهذا شيء غير مقنع، أنا أتحدث لمصلحة حكام مصر، كان هناك اجتماع لبيريرا مع الحكام وتحدثت معه وعندما تحدثنا بدأ يهاجمنا، وقال لي من الذي قال لك تتحدث بأسم الحكام؟ وقال لي أنت حكم فار”.

وأكد: “بيريرا كان يحاول عمل انقسام بين الحكام الكبار والصغار، اتحاد الكرة لا يعرف أنني موقوف”.

وتابع: “بيريرا قال أن السفارة البرتغالية تحدثت معه وقالت له هناك شخص يهجامك، أنت بتهددنا؟ الانتداب البريطاني والاستعمار انتهى من زمان نحن أكبر من ذلك بكثير جدًا”.

واختتم: “يجب أن يكون هناك شخص باتحاد الكرة مسؤول عن ملف التحكيم، الذي مهتم وليد العطار يتحدث معنا ويسمع لنا، بيريرا يعمل بمزاجه ولا يوجد أحد يحاسبه”.

An update has emerged on Liverpool's attempts to bring in another central defensive option to the squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign…

What's the latest Liverpool transfer news?

According to Tuttosport, the Reds have submitted an improved offer of €40m (£34m) to sign Torino centre-back Perr Schuurs during the summer transfer window.

The report claims that Jurgen Klopp's side have made an official bid as they look to ramp up their pursuit of the Dutch stopper before the start of the Premier League season next month.

It states that fellow top-flight clubs West Ham United and Crystal Palace are also interested in signing the Netherlands U21 international, although it remains to be seen if they are willing to match Liverpool's proposal.

How good is Perr Schuurs?

Schuurs proved himself to be a solid performer at Serie A level last season with his displays at the back for Torino and his arrival could spell the end of Nat Phillips' time at Anfield.

The Liverpool Echo recently reported that a new signing at centre-back would likely restrict the English titan's chances of getting on the pitch next term.

They add that Championship side Leeds United and Eredivisie outfit Feyenoord are both interested in signing the 26-year-old defender, although the club may have to drop their £10m valuation of his talents in order to facilitate an exit.

Schuurs averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.87 across 30 Serie A matches last season, which is a higher score than Ibrahima Konate, Phillips, and Joel Matip managed in the Premier League for Liverpool.

This suggests that the 23-year-old battler has the potential to be one of Klopp's top options in that area of the pitch, if he is able to translate his performances in Italy over to England, whilst also having the scope to progress further.

The Torino star would also come in as the manager's youngest senior centre-back by one year. This means that the talented enforcer would arrive as a player with long-term potential at Anfield, rather than as a short-term signing with little room to grow and develop over the years to come.

Whereas, Phillips is yet to break into the first team on a regular basis by the age of 26. He made two Premier League appearances last season, which came after a spell on loan at Bournemouth in the Championship during the 2021/22 campaign.

This does not suggest that the ex-Stuttgart loanee is on the verge of establishing himself as a frontline central defensive option for the German head coach, which is why the signing of Schuurs could open the door for the club to move him on.

Bringing in the Dutch colossus, who was lauded as a “mountain” by journalist Josh Bunting, would provide the former Borussia Dortmund tactician with a fifth centre-back alongside Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Matip, and Konate, which should be enough cover for injuries and suspensions over the course of the next nine months.

This would, therefore, allow Liverpool to sanction an exit for Phillips, whether that is to Leeds or Feyenoord, as they would know that his departure would not leave them short heading into the upcoming campaign.

Glasgow Rangers could be set to face a transfer battle over Arsenal centre-back Auston Trusty this summer as new interest has emerged from the Championship for the 24-year-old defender and this could tempt Michael Beale into acting swiftly.

Could Rangers sign Auston Trusty this summer?

The Ibrox side were first linked with the American back in May and The Athletic claimed that the Light Blues were still keen on the player last month, with Beale aiming to bolster his defensive options at the club.

There hasn’t been much more progress on a potential move, although with Leon King suffering a serious injury which will keep him out for the foreseeable future and Leon Balogun signing a one-year deal as cover, the 42-year-old will still be hoping another centre-back arrives this summer.

Championship outfit Ipswich Town have now shown interest in Trusty, according to the East Anglian Daily Times, and if Beale really wants the USMNT defender through the door at Ibrox, a move must now be acted upon – sooner rather than later.

What could Auston Trusty offer Rangers?

If the Gers did lure him to the Premiership, then they could well be signing a player who is capable of playing at a better level, with Birmingham City manager John Eustace saying:

“He's been a pleasure to work with, his training standards have been very high, he never misses a day, and I think he's taken to the level quite easily.

“You can see he's going to go back to Arsenal as a Premier League player.”

The 6 foot 3 brute offers a commanding aerial presence at the heart of the defence, as he won 3.1 aerial duels per game for Birmingham in the Championship last term and only John Souttar among the centre-backs at Rangers won more aerial duels per game (3.3), suggesting he could slot in fairly easily.

The £18k-per-week gem was highly influential during his loan spell in the second tier, ranking as the third-best player in the squad, as per Sofascore, whilst also ranking first for interceptions (1.5), second for tackles (2.3) and fourth for clearances (four) per game as he displayed his excellent defensive abilities throughout the season.

Trusty was so impressive that these numbers would rank him first in the Rangers squad across all three of these defensive metrics, indicating that he would be an ideal signing and could be a perfect partner for Connor Goldson.

The Englishman has been a stalwart for the Gers since joining in 2018, missing just 17 games in total due to injury across five seasons, and he was the highest-rated centre-back in the first-team for his performances last term, helping his side keep 14 clean sheets across 25 matches.

Rangers conceded 15 goals during the 13 matches that he missed through injury however, clearly suggesting they are much more solid at the back when he is fit.

Having been lauded as “incredible” by teammate George Friend for his displays last term, Trusty certainly wouldn’t be fazed by playing regularly for Rangers and with the club aiming to secure a place in the Champions League group stages for the second year in a row, this is surely a much bigger incentive rather than playing in the Championship for Ipswich.

Andrew Umeed battled throughout the day to score 95 runs in 96 overs and keep Warwickshire in the game against Lancashire

George Dobell at Edgbaston27-Jun-2017
Scorecard3:57

Does pink-ball cricket have a future in England?

It took 252 years to build York Minster, 400 years to build Angkor Wat and up to 2000 years to carve the citadel at Petra out of rock, so perhaps, in context, Andrew Umeed’s innings here wasn’t so slow after all. Just one of the slowest in Championship history.According to Robert Brooke, the cricket statistician, in terms of minutes, Umeed’s century exceeded the 420-minute hundred by WH Denton for Northants against Derbyshire in 1914, although at exactly seven hours that calculation sounds suspiciously like an approximation. Umeed’s hundred was raised in 429 minutes, although it is a safe guess he faced fewer balls. Only Jason Gallian, who made a 453-minute hundred for Lancashire against Derbyshire in Blackpool in 1994 has scored a slower Championship century.There was a moment – and by a moment, think a couple of hours – when it seemed Umeed might also register the slowest half-century (this time in terms of balls received) in the history of the County Championship. As it was, he edged one through the hands of Alex Davies to reach the landmark in the 71st over of the Warwickshire innings having faced 220 balls. Billy Godleman’s record – he faced 244 balls on the way to a half-century against Middlesex at Lord’s in 2013 – remains unbeaten.Umeed’s innings was, in its way, a masterful demonstration of patience and restraint. He knows where his off stump is and is clearly perfectly happy to leave and defend all day. Of the two boundaries in his first 50, only one – an off drive against Tom Bailey – was hit in front of square. It kept Warwickshire’s heads above water in this game and annoyed James Anderson enormously. At one stage, a pigeon circled and considered landing on his left shoulder. It could have nested quite comfortably without fear of disturbance. While long-form cricket is played, there will still be value – and an entertainment of sorts – in such batting.But it suggested, not for the first time, that there are limitations to the pink ball. It suggests, as was the case when the ball was trailed in a 2nd XI game here last year, that once it goes soft, the game can become terribly, mind-numbingly, counter-productively, stultifying attritional.There’s a place for attrition, of course. But the purpose of the pink ball is, in part at least, to attract a new audience to the game. And if that new audience – and at present, 45% of ticket sales to the Test here in August against West Indies are customers who have never bought Test tickets to this ground before – is presented with a spectacle like this, it’s a fair bet that few of them will be back.Perhaps, on a different type of surface, those factors might have been mitigated. This pitch, used previously for the Champions Trophy semi-final, was unusually slow and probably exaggerated the pink ball’s limitations. Warwickshire, understandably, were reluctant to risk a grassy pitch against an opposition with Anderson in their line-up but may well have learned from this experience and provide bowlers a bit more assistance for the Test. They certainly won’t utilise a used pitch for that Test and this whole game might reasonably be thought of as an experiment.From what we’ve seen in the pink-ball games so far, it seems safe to make a couple of guarded conclusions. For the first 15 overs or so, the ball appears to swing pretty much the same way as a red ball. It also retains its proud seam position for the full 80 overs, which ensures bowlers have at least something with which to work.But it seems impossible to buff, apparently due to a lack of grease in the leather (more grease would darken it), which limits the opportunities for swing – either conventional or reverse (though there was a little reverse in both innings). Combined with its propensity to lose hardness quite quickly, it means bowlers are pretty much reduced to bowling line and length and batsmen, with little pace with which to work, must wait for the poor ball. Which means, when patient batsmen and disciplined bowlers collide, you have something approaching stalemate.Andrew Umeed scored his second first-class hundred•Getty ImagesThat’s pretty much what we saw on day two at Edgbaston. Once Jonathan Trott had departed, attempting to force across the line having made a half-century, and Ian Bell had nibbled just a little tentatively at a fine ball that left him off the seam, the day became a battle for survival between Umeed and the Lancashire bowlers.The seamers gave him almost nothing to hit. But their attempts to lure him into a rash shot – or even any sort of shot – came to very little. He steered one past point and another just past gully – the uncharitable would call it an edge – but generally was happy to accumulate with a push here and a nudge there. There were no pulls and few drives but, for a man playing for his future and his team’s Division One survival, it was an admirable effort. He produced something similar – a 158-ball innings of 45 – in the pink-ball 2nd XI match here last year.He did give a couple of chances. The first, on 19, looked tough – Davies was unable to cling on to one far to his right off Clark – while the second, on 49, was similar and off Anderson. Anderson left Umeed in no doubt as to how he felt about such an innings.While Tim Ambrose, who reached his 10,000th first-class run when he got off the mark, wafted at a wide one, Sam Hain was brilliantly caught by Anderson – left-handed and ankle height – in his follow through. When Rikki Clarke and Keith Barker were dismissed by successive deliveries, victims of the swing of the second new ball, Umeed sped up. His second fifty took a relatively brisk 111 balls with his century brought up with a delightful back-foot force that would have delighted Joe Root. In all, having resumed on 8 overnight, he scored 95 in 96 overs and goes into day three with power to add. Lancashire, you can be quite sure, are sick of the sight of him.With Jeetan Patel adding some impetus, Warwickshire even managed to claim a second batting bonus point and claw themselves close to parity with Lancashire. If the weather holds – and the forecast is not promising – we might even have an intriguing finish.Meanwhile Haseeb Hameed was forced off the pitch after splitting the webbing between a couple of his fingers – he had two or three stitches and is expected to bat without undue impediment in Lancashire’s second innings – and Chris Woakes returned to training. Woakes had a bat on Monday and, after attempting a gentle bowl, decided he was not quite ready for such rigours. He could, if required, play as a specialist batsman for Warwickshire within a week or so.Warwickshire also announced the signing of Yorkshire allrounder Will Rhodes. He is not likely to be the last of their acquisitions, though they will have more scope for movement at the end of 2018 when over £1m of the annual wage bill will be freed up by players out of contract.

India women’s captain Mithali Raj has made it clear that female cricketers should hold their own and not be compared to their male counterparts.On the eve of the Women’s World Cup, Raj, who was attending the opening dinner and media roundtable event, was asked who her favourite men’s cricketer was between India and Pakistan, and had a snappy response.”Do you ask the same question to a male cricketer? Do you ask them who their favourite female cricketer is?” she said to the journalist in question. “I have always been asked who’s your favourite cricketer but you should ask them who their favourite female cricketer is.”Though Raj plays for what is the most popular and well-supported cricketing nation in the world, she was equally quick to point out that the Indian women do not receive the same amount of publicity as their superstar men.”There’s a lot of difference because we are not a regular on television. Now the BCCI has made an effort that the last two home series have been televised and social media has improved a lot of it but there is a still a lot of catch-up to do in terms of recognition,” she said.Mithali Raj and coach Tushar Arothe have a chat during a preparatory camp•PTI

Despite that, she conceded to needing to lean on the expertise of the men’s game, especially in the coaching department. Earlier this year, Tushar Arothe replaced Purnima Rau as the Indian women’s coach and Raj admitted the team has benefitted under his guidance.”Men’s cricket sets the bar. We are always trying to reach where they set the standard. All of us follow men’s cricket because we want at some point that women’s cricket would be up there,” she said. “All of us at some point have been coached by a male cricketer. I strongly believe that they get a lot of intensity into the training sessions. They are very hard taskmasters.”I believe that if you are representing your country, your country should get the best of the best. It’s nothing to do with women coaches [who] don’t have the ability, they do. but if you really want to push the team to the highest level, you need to have somebody who is a tough taskmaster so that the girls really put in the intensity in their training sessions and they carry that into the main tournaments.”

Russell Domingo will have the opportunity to end speculation over his future on Monday, when he can confirm whether or not he has reapplied for his job as South Africa’s head coach

Firdose Moonda02-Jul-2017

Russell Domingo will have the opportunity to end speculation over his future on Monday, when he can confirm whether or not he has reapplied for his job as South Africa’s head coach. Domingo will be presented at a press conference as he prepares South Africa for a four-Test series against England, at the end of which his current contract runs out. CSA has advertised for and interviewed candidates to fill the post but could not be drawn into revealing whether Domingo is among them. The man himself, though, can comment on the process and bring to an end months of uncertainty.Since January, when CSA announced it would advertise the national post, Domingo has been non-committal over whether he wanted to continue in the role. In February, after South Africa beat Sri Lanka, Domingo said he needed “to think about” carrying on and by the end of March, in New Zealand, he told journalists he was was waiting to find out the process CSA was following in appointing a new coach.Subsequently, CSA announced a five-man panel including two former national coaches, Gary Kirsten and Eric Simons, to recommend a candidate for the coaching job. However, as recently as three weeks ago, when South Africa crashed out of the Champions Trophy, Domingo said he had “not yet” reapplied for his job, even though the deadline was less than a week away. CSA closed applications on June 16 and held interviews last week.ESPNcricinfo can confirm that Lions’ coach Geoffrey Toyana was among those interviewed. Toyana is considered a front-runner for the post after winning four trophies in five seasons for the Lions – and his status as favourite is thought to have discouraged other applicants, Domingo included.Several sources said Domingo had initially not been interested in putting his name forward and one insider even revealed that Domingo had enquired about taking over the South African A side. However, reports in the local media suggested that Domingo had either a late change of heart or was convinced to make himself available for the main job. CSA could not comment on the matter as it remains confidential.Many familiar faces have cropped up in reports on the other candidates. Among them is former Titans coach Richard Pybus, who is currently director of cricket in the West Indies, and Phil Simmons. Paddy Upton, who was also linked to an application, has not put himself into contention.CSA’s board will meet on July 21 and will receive the committee’s recommendation on the new coach, but their decision will only be made public after the Test series ends on August 8.

An update has emerged on Celtic and their plans to bolster the playing squad ahead of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership campaign…

What's the latest Celtic transfer news?

According to Football Scotland, the Hoops have an interest in signing Gremio attacker Ferreira before the end of the summer transfer window.

The report claims that they are eyeing up the 25-year-old attacker as they also close in on a deal to sign Legia Warsaw centre-back Maik Nawrocki for a fee in the region of £4m.

This comes after the same outlet stated earlier this week that it could take around £6m for the Bhoys to secure a deal for the Brazilian winger, who has been the subject of an enquiry from the Scottish giants.

How good is Ferreira?

The Gremio ace has endured an injury-disrupted couple of years in Brazil and this transfer would be about how Brendan Rodgers is able to uncover the best of his form, which was showcased throughout 2021.

Ferreira has missed 31 competitive matches through injury since August 2022, due to a muscle problem and a hamstring issue, and this has stunted his development.

The tricky left winger, who has scored three goals and provided three assists in 14 games this season, has the potential to be a big upgrade on current Hoops forward Daizen Maeda if he is able to get back to his best.

During the 2021 campaign, the £6m-rated sensation produced 14 goals and 13 assists across 52 outings in all competitions for Gremio. This works out as a direct goal contribution every 1.93 matches on average – more than one every other game from a wide position.

Maeda, meanwhile, has scored 19 goals and provided 12 assists in 71 appearances for Celtic during his time in Scotland, which is an average of an involvement every 2.29 clashes.

Last season, the Japan international was directly involved in a goal every 2.72 outings with 11 strikes and seven assists over 49 competitive games.

These statistics suggest that Ferreira could provide a greater threat on the left wing if Rodgers is able to get him back to top form at Parkhead, due to his impressive numbers in 2021 for Gremio.

During the 2021 Serie A season, the Brazilian magician completed 84% of his attempted passes and created 1.4 chances per match for his teammates.

Out of Celtic's wingers, only Jota (1.9), who has since moved on to join Al Ittihad, produced more key passes per game throughout the 2022/23 Scottish Premiership campaign, as Maeda ranked 15th among the entire squad with only 0.8 per clash.

This indicates that Ferreira could provide his fellow attackers with more opportunities in front of goal to add to their own tallies, to go along with his superior goal involvement figures.

Of course, this transfer would be a gamble for the Hoops given the 25-year-old wizard's recent injury woes but it is one that has the potential to be worth it due to his sublime form when fully fit for Gremio.

Rodgers could uncover a big upgrade on Maeda on the left flank and it is now down to Rodgers to push for this deal to get over the line over the coming weeks.

James Anderson produced his best figures at Old Trafford as England reduced South Africa to 220 for 9 at the close, still well behind their first-innings 362

The Report by Andrew Miller05-Aug-2017South Africa 220 for 9 (Bavuma 46, Anderson 4-33) trail England 362 (Bairstow 99, Stokes 58, Root 52) by 142 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details2:21

Moonda: Anderson doing what SA would want from Steyn

Honours conferred on active sportsmen don’t always work out as their instigators might have intended – Sir Andy Murray, for one, hasn’t had much to cheer about since being asked to arise in the New Year’s Honours. But for James Anderson, Lancashire’s most prolific Test wicket-taker, the chance to ply his trade from the newly conferred James Anderson End at Old Trafford merely raised his game to heights he has rarely matched in six previous matches on his home ground.By the close of the second day, Anderson’s figures of 4 for 33, his best in Tests at Old Trafford, allied to a brilliant display of ball-striking and strike-farming from Jonny Bairstow in the morning session, had pushed South Africa to the brink of surrender in the series. They limped to the close on 220 for 9, still trailing by 142, with Kagiso Rabada’s last-ball dismissal summing up their futile situation.Anderson’s day was split into three acts, all of them originating from in front of his new fiefdom by the ground’s grand old pavilion. First he strode out with the bat to a hero’s welcome from the crowd, and responded with a vital and undefeated cameo at the end of England’s first innings – 4 not out from 15 balls providing an obdurate foil to the brilliant Bairstow, who reeled off the bulk of a 50-run stand in 9.1 overs for the last wicket before being adjudged lbw for 99 by the tightest of margins. On Bairstow’s watch, England had added 102 runs to their overnight 260 for 4 to turn a dicey position into a dominant one.Bairstow’s 99, Moeen’s best series

15 Players from England to be dismissed for 99 in a Test. Jonny Bairstow is the latest addition to this rather unlucky set. Bairstow also become the first player since Ricky Ponting in 2008 to be dismissed for 99 against South Africa.
12 Average runs addedThree different pairs have been tried by South Africa during this period but the highest stand has been 21.
3 Number of instances Toby Roland-Jones has dismissed Hashim Amla in this series. In 21 balls he has conceded 7 runs and has got him out three times.
20 Wickets for Moeen Ali in the series so far – the most he has taken in a series. His previous best was 19 wickets against India in 2014.

Then, armed with the new ball and doubtless eager to christen his end of the ground with a wicket worthy of the name, Anderson wasted no time in making his mark. Dean Elgar, South Africa’s anchorman, lasted just three balls before being pinned on the shin by a trademark Anderson inswinger to the left-hander. South Africa reached lunch on 12 for 1 after four testing overs.His most telling intercession, however, came midway through the evening session, when he returned in the 39th over to lively up what had been a meandering South Africa innings. His team-mates had, by that stage, fronted up to keep England in command: Toby Roland-Jones continued his improbable stranglehold over the mighty Hashim Amla by dismissing him for the third time in as many innings – appropriately enough, with a strangle down the leg side – while Moeen Ali, enjoying a superb run of form with the ball, applied a mercy killing to a tenacious but teetering stay from Heino Kuhn, inducing a low edge to slip in the second over of his spell.At 131 for 3, Temba Bavuma had been settling into a dogged but essential stay, in partnership with his captain, Faf du Plessis. But in the whirr of a bowling arm, Anderson accounted for both in the space of three balls – first, a snarling inswinger on a full length, that Bavuma attempted to leave but instead saw kiss the top of off stump, before du Plessis was late coming forward to another perfect-length delivery, and inside-edged on to his own stumps for 27.James Anderson produced a three-wicket burst from the James Anderson End•Getty ImagesWith the wind behind him, Anderson could have made it three in nine balls as Theunis de Bruyn flinched a searing lifter into the gully off the splice, where Keaton Jennings made brilliant ground to his left but couldn’t cling on with one hand. And then, to compound England’s momentary frustration, Quinton de Kock was reprieved from the very next ball, dropped by Ben Stokes at slip as he squeezed a cramped cut off Moeen.But England’s progress wasn’t dented for long. With fizzing full-length discipline, allied to a threat of movement and a short ball up his sleeve, Anderson ensured that South Africa’s only instinct remained survival. He conceded a solitary run from his next three overs, and that off a yorker to de Kock that all but wriggled through his defences.De Bruyn, who had got off the mark with an unexpectedly emphatic reverse sweep off Moeen, eventually dented Anderson’s figures a touch with a firm clip for four through midwicket. But, as if affronted, Jimmy made him pay with his very next ball – full, straight and bursting off the edge to Joe Root at second slip, as he completed a brilliant, innings-wrecking spell of 7-3-13-3.England’s erratic dominance continued straight after the evening drinks break, when Keshav Maharaj, on 1, edged Moeen off the tip of Bairstow’s gloves and away through his legs to safety. Maharaj briefly cast off his shackles – and surprised a crowd who seemed to be having a post-prandial snooze – by crashing Moeen over long-on for a vast six to save the follow-on, but three balls later, he was pinned plumb in front of the stumps and had given himself out before umpire Kumar Dharmasena had a chance to raise his finger.At 167 for 7, the ever-dangerous de Kock was South Africa’s last real hope of parity, but he seemed as muted, as he had earlier been in the field. He needed 39 deliveries to reach double figures, scored the second of his two boundaries via a thick edge through third slip, and had already survived a tough stumping opportunity on 16 when Stuart Broad found his outside edge for Bairstow to atone with a well-judged leap to his left.The final overs were a mishmash of intent and reticence from England, who were keen to wrap up the innings, but not so keen that they would be required to face any overs before the close. Dawid Malan even entered the fray for an exploratory over of all-sorts, before Broad set the seal on a day of largely unchecked dominance, Stokes swooping brilliantly in the gully to break a determined ninth-wicket stand of 31.The only minor note of discord in England’s day – at least where a hugely contented crowd was concerned – came when Bairstow missed out on what would have been a richly deserved and wildly acclaimed century.Having resumed on 33 not out overnight, Bairstow lost Roland-Jones and Moeen to an aggressive spell from Rabada in the first half-hour of the day, but took it upon himself to counterattack with the confidence of a man who is in the midst of an 18-month golden period. He was especially harsh on Morne Morkel, cracking him for four fours in 12 balls, and Duanne Olivier, whose first over included a towering six down the ground as he charged into the 90s, but despite Anderson’s most worthy efforts, three figures would prove elusive.With just a single needed for his fourth Test century, Bairstow elected for the sweep against Maharaj. He planted his foot outside off stump, but not far enough to satisfy Dharmasena, whose on-field verdict was upheld on review with the edge of the ball just satisfying the parameters of DRS. A groan of anguish went up from the ground, but Bairstow had done his bit. Not least, in setting the stage for the man that the crowd had really come to watch.