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Newcastle United are interested in a deal to bring Darwin Nunez to St. James’ Park in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Portuguese publication Record (via Sport Witness), who claim that the centre-forward’s agent is currently travelling around Europe in order to meet with a number of clubs interested in the 22-year-old.

Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester City and Newcastle United are all mentioned as potential destinations for the Uruguay international.

However, the report goes on to state that, in order for Benfica to part with the striker in the winter market, they will demand that a buyer meets the player’s release clause, which is believed to be in the region of €150m (£126m).

PIF must act

Considering just how impressive Nunez has looked for Benfica in recent seasons, it would appear highly advisable for PIF to make the 22-year-old their first signing in the January transfer window, despite the forward’s extremely hefty asking price.

Indeed, over his nine Liga NOS appearances this term, the £18m-rated man has already bagged five goals, registered two assists and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.2 shots and making 0.9 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the £31k-per-week striker average a SofaScore match rating of 7.23, ranking him as Jorge Jesus’ eighth-best performer in the top flight of Portuguese football.

However, should an argument against Newcastle signing the striker based on the idea of the Premier League being a more challenging league than Liga NOS, Nunez’s record in the Champions League would suggest he is more than ready for England.

Indeed, over the youngster’s five appearances in Europe’s most prestigious club competition in the current campaign, he has bagged three goals – two against Barcelona and one against Bayern Munich – and averaged a SofaScore match rating of 7.06.

As such, is it no wonder why Jesus believes the 22-year-old’s eventual sale will go on to eclipse the club-record €126m (£114.48m) transfer fee Benfica received for Joao Felix, with the manager stating:

“All this decision-making ability, finishing and speed… He was Benfica’s most expensive purchase, and when there is no pandemic, he will be the most expensive sale. He will be a world-class player. Unfortunately for me, maybe I will lose him in a short time.”

So, while the purchase of Nunez would set PIF back a considerable amount of money this January, is undeniable that signing the 22-year-old dubbed the next Luiz Suarez would be a marvellous move for the club,

Not only would he be a dream signing for Eddie Howe, he could well develop into one of the world’s leading stars at St. James’ Park – something that the Magpies’ owners are surely keen to see happen.

In other news: PIF could “easily” seal NUFC deal to kickstart Howe era in £76m-rated “golden boy”

Arsenal are sweating on the availability of Bukayo Saka heading into tonight’s Premier League clash with Manchester United…

What’s the latest?

The 20-year-old limped off after scoring a goal during the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon with a suspect thigh problem.

He has since been assessed at their London Colney training base and manager Mikel Arteta provided a worrying update in his pre-game press conference this week.

“We have the doubt with Bukayo and another few knocks that we got against Newcastle,” the Spaniard revealed (via the Evening Standard). “I am hopeful, but we don’t know [if Saka can play]. It is a really short turnaround and the player has to be comfortable playing with a little injury.”

Would be a big miss

Saka is an integral member of Arteta’s starting XI in north London and he has played a crucial role in their recent upturn in fortunes on the pitch.

Only fellow Hale End academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe (six) and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (five) have delivered more direct goal contributions than the England international (four) in the Premier League in 2021/22.

Despite only two assists from 12 starts, Saka leads the way for creativity, having averaged a squad-high 1.6 key passes per game (21 in total), per WhoScored.

Back in February, Arteta waxed lyrical about the young gem’s influence on the pitch and how it was hard to leave him out of the starting XI.

“It is (difficult) at the moment because he’s been a real threat. He’s involved in a lot of goals all the time and his consistent performances make him a starter obviously,” he told the club’s official website.

The 14-time England international, who is valued at £58.5m by Transfermarkt, would be a huge miss for the Gunners up at Old Trafford, particularly as there is a lot at stake and three points would seriously bolster their claims to qualify for a place in Europe next season.

Arsenal are sat in fifth place, just one point behind West Ham, so a victory would see them move into the top-four for the first time in what seems like a very long time. Meanwhile, the Red Devils are down in tenth position and could go to within just two points of the north London giants.

Arteta must be hugely concerned about the availability of his star man. Yes, his side went on a ten-game unbeaten run but they were exposed against a big side in Liverpool, before getting back on track against the rock-bottom Magpies.

United, despite their poor form, can pose a big threat and have plenty of big-name stars at their disposal, so without the talents of Saka, the Gunners boss may be a little scared heading into kick-off.

AND in other news, Arteta may have another Saka in “sensational” teen who can help save Arsenal millions…

India’s selectors await fitness updates on key Test players, ahead of their meeting on Thursday to pick the squad for the two-Test home series against South Africa

Cricinfo staff27-Jan-2010India’s selectors await fitness updates on key Test players, ahead of their meeting on Thursday to pick the squad for the two-Test home series against South Africa. While Yuvraj Singh is almost ruled out of the first Test in Nagpur, the panel is not yet sure about the availability of Rahul Dravid (cheekbone fracture), VVS Laxman (injured left hand) and Sreesanth (strained hamstring). Fortunately, Sachin Tendulkar’s shoulder injury is not that serious. Given the long injury list, it’s plausible that they might name a team only for the first match.Accordingly, several middle-order batsmen will spend an anxious night if either Dravid or Laxman, or both, are indisposed. M Vijay, who replaced Laxman in the second Test against Bangladesh, should be slotted in Yuvraj’s place. S Badrinath may make it to the squad as cover, even if Dravid and Laxman are both picked. The next vacancy will interest Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina, who have both been a bit of a fixture in the ODI side of late. Mohammad Kaif, who has scored a double-century and a century in one week, in the ongoing Duleep Trophy, is also believed to have an outside chance.Other batsmen who have been doing well in domestic cricket – Cheteshwar Pujara, Manish Pandey and Ajinkya Rahane – will know that their performances in the Board President’s XI tour match against the South Africans might count for more than usual in these circumstances. The Board President’s side will also be decided on in the meeting on Thursday.If Sreesanth doesn’t recover in time, Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma should make the starting XI. Sudeep Tyagi, who was the fourth seamer for the Bangladesh Tests, should fill in as the back-up seamer. However, for the last home series, against Sri Lanka, India’s squad comprised three fast bowlers, so it’s unlikely that a replacement will be named should Sreesanth fail to recover. If they do name a replacement, Karnataka’s Abhimanyu Mithun, who led the wickets tally in the Ranji Trophy, could get a look-in.The selectors are likely to retain the spin trio of Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha – with two making the final XI. Dinesh Karthik might not be required as back-up wicketkeeper for a home series – unless MS Dhoni’s injury worries them still.

Queensland charged back into the top-of-the-table contest at the start of the third day, but by stumps were staring at defeat after Victoria hit back strongly

Cricinfo staff24-Feb-2010
ScorecardAndrew McDonald’s medium pace gained three wickets in friendly conditions at the Gabba•Getty ImagesQueensland charged back into the top-of-the-table contest at the start of the third day, but by stumps were staring at defeat after Victoria hit back strongly. The Bushrangers collapsed for 104 in their second innings, setting the Bulls a tough 251 for victory, and the hosts finished on 8 for 174 to conclude three dramatic sessions.Seventeen wickets fell as the bowlers exploited the swing-friendly conditions and another two breakthroughs on the final morning will seal a home final for Victoria. That result would leave Queensland to fight off the claims of the other four teams over the last two rounds. However, Chris Hartley, who was 33 when bad light stopped play, and Chris Swan (3) are in charge of performing a miracle.Queensland suffered early in the chase when they were 3 for 38, but Lee Carseldine (34) and Craig Philipson put on 45 before they both fell to dampen the local hopes. Andrew McDonald’s medium pace gained three wickets in the middle of the innings to improve Victoria’s position before Ben Cutting’s run-a-ball 34.Victoria began the day with a 151-run lead but they were soon in serious danger as they tumbled to 6 for 26 in a horror opening. There was plenty in the pitch for the local bowlers and the trio of Luke Feldman, James Hopes and Chris Swan shared nine wickets. McDonald was the unhappiest of the dismissed batsmen after being given out to a catch at short-leg by Wade Townsend, which the allrounder thought had dropped short.John Hastings’ 49 must have felt like a century – the next top scores were 11s to Michael Hill and Matthew Wade – and is likely to be the most important contribution over the final two innings of the game. When Hastings was the last man out Victoria were feeling comfortable again knowing the hosts would need something extra special to win.

With 15 games played so far in the Premier League this season, Everton have a rather mixed bag of results with five wins, three draws and seven defeats.

In those games, the Toffees have conceded 25 goals, leaving only Watford, Newcastle United and Norwich City having let in more this season.

Taking this into account, it seems as though the Merseyside club could have the chance to sign someone in the upcoming January transfer window to help stem the worrying concession of so many goals.

What’s the news?

In a recent report from Sport (via Sport Witness), Spanish club Barcelona are considering letting Neto leave in January, with the goalkeeper weighing up the possibility of joining Everton.

With a total of 258 appearances under his belt throughout his career at clubs such as Fiorentina, Juventus, Valencia and Athletico Paranaense as well as Barcelona, the 32-year-old has kept 91 clean sheets in those games.

Even though Neto has a lot of top-level experience, if he does join Everton in January and potentially supplant first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, this could possibly cause more upset in the squad in the same way that there has apparently been rancour between Rafa Benitez and Everton full-back Lucas Digne, should the England number one react badly to potentially being dropped.

In addition, with Everton already having Asmir Begovic and Andy Lonergan in their squad as backup options to Pickford, it’s not as if they are in any great need to add another shot-stopper to their ranks at the moment.

Taking all of this into account, whether or not Neto – who has previously been described as “brilliant” by his former Valencia manager Marcelino – wants to join Everton, it may not be worth the Merseyside club adding him to their wage bill if he isn’t going to play regularly or could risk further discontent in the squad if he replaces Pickford and duly puts his noise out of joint.

Moving forward, with Digne potentially leaving Goodison Park in January as a result of his apparent falling out with Benitez, and centre-back Yerry Mina having struggled with injuries this season, perhaps the club should be looking at signing some defenders in January rather than another goalkeeper if they want to tighten up at the back.

In other news: Moshiri risks further Everton fury as links emerge on “complete” £110k-p/w machine

Rangers take on Hearts on Sunday in a testing for the visitors at Tynecastle, with the home side enjoying a strong season so far.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side is currently sit nine points clear of the Jam Tarts in the Premiership and will be looking to extend that gap to double figures in what promises to be a tight game.

Rangers captain James Tavernier was dropped in the Europa League game against Lyon on Thursday, but fans will surely be keen to see him return to the side this weekend. Van Bronckhorst’s 100% win record since taking over was lost in midweek, but he will be hoping to come back from that result and get back to winning ways this weekend and continue their unbeaten run.

Former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard was effusive in his praise of the 30-year-old in the past, saying: “Tav is a huge player. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves I don’t think from our own supporters or the credit he deserves from outside. I think Tav is someone who, when he goes through the gears, is unstoppable.”

As quoted by The Glasgow Evening Times, Van Bronckhorst has also heaped praise on the Rangers captain, saying: “He is very influential as a captain and in the way Rangers play.”It is really important in these top-of-the-table clashes to field your most influential and experienced players who will help to lead and control the game throughout, keeping players focused, which Tavernier is more than capable of doing for his team.The 30-year-old has scored 68 goals and bagged 103 assists in his time with the Scottish giants, as well as being integral in Rangers’ invincible 2020/21 Premiership season with 12 goals and 11 assists leading the side to their first top-flight title in a decade, which is a pretty impressive return for a right-back.Van Bronckhorst must utilise and nurture Tavernier’s talents with Rangers, starting by bringing him back into the team on Sunday against Hearts.In other news: Van Bronckhorst has been dealt a blow to his transfer plans

The third day was a hard one for all the New Zealand bowlers but their ageing spearhead Chris Martin has reason to feel concerned

Brydon Coverdale in Hamilton29-Mar-2010The third day was a hard one for all the New Zealand bowlers but their ageing spearhead Chris Martin has reason to feel concerned. The youthful Tim Southee picked up two early wickets and the newcomer Brent Arnel grabbed a couple later in the day but Martin earned none while leaking runs at a greater rate than any of his colleagues.While fast men are entitled to occasional days of difficulty, the worry for New Zealand is that such days are becoming too frequent for Martin. In this series Australia’s batsmen have found his lines predictable and he has taken 1 for 260. Notably, he was the last of the specialist bowlers to whom Daniel Vettori handed the ball on the third day.”It was tough for our seamers,” Brendon McCullum said. “We don’t have that out-and-out pace of some attacks and we need more assistance from the wicket. They did a reasonable job. Tim Southee continued to bowl well; Brent Arnel came back with that second new ball and did a really good job.”It was disappointing for Chris, he probably wasn’t at his best but they attacked him and put him under pressure. For a guy who’s played 50-odd Test matches I’m sure he’ll come back and respond next time.”The problem for Martin is ensuring there is a next time. At 35, a man who offers nothing with the bat or in the field has no option but to take wickets, and an average of 41.14 over the past year is not an adequate return. New Zealand’s next Test tour is not for six months, when they are scheduled to visit Bangladesh, and by then injuries should not be a barrier to choosing Daryl Tuffey, Kyle Mills or Andy McKay.Arnel has shown promise in his first series, nibbling the ball around in both games, and he was nominated by the centurion Simon Katich as the pick of the bowlers on the third day. Southee might not have played this Test but for Tuffey’s injury, yet highlighted his potential with four first-innings wickets and a couple more on the third morning when he bowled to an inventive plan from Vettori.Shane Watson was the first to fall for a well-laid trap, when he pulled Southee straight to the man at deep midwicket. But the masterstroke was the plot to remove Ricky Ponting, who walked out to see the leg-side field stacked, was targeted on his pads and duly clipped the ball straight to short-leg, where BJ Watling held an excellent catch.”It wasn’t something we worked on overnight, just the fact Tim was bowling really well and getting a bit of tail,” McCullum said of the Ponting plan. “We discussed it and it seemed like the right thing to do. It probably wasn’t how we thought we would get him out, but you’ve got to be a bit proactive and try to get in front of the game and hope that things happen.”Unfortunately for the hosts, not much happened for them after the Ponting dismissal as Katich and Michael Hussey built a 155-run partnership and the lead swelled to 300 with six wickets in hand by the close of play. However, McCullum said New Zealand had not given up hope of rattling through the Australian lower order to take a declaration out of Ponting’s hands.”We’re two wickets away from bowling at their bowlers and we saw in the first innings there’s no reason why we can’t run through that bottom order,” he said. “For us the key is to get those first two wickets, and if we do that relatively early then I see no reason why we couldn’t bowl them out and still have the game in our control.”For that to happen, they will need contributions from their best bowlers. There is still room for Martin to stand up and show the skills that have earned him 181 Test wickets, but his time to lift is rapidly running out.

Crystal Palace are thought to be interested in Everton left-back Lucas Digne ahead of the January window, and as to be expected, a number of Eagles fans have been giving their thoughts to the news on social media.

According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux, the Eagles and Patrick Vieira are keen on his services, with the defender reportedly involved in an altercation with Toffees manager Rafael Benitez earlier this month.

The 28-year-old hasn’t featured in Everton’s last three games, with the France international making himself unavailable for the club’s recent draw with Chelsea.

Benitez looks set to add to his left-back ranks in January by bringing in Vitaliy Mykolenko in a deal worth a reported £17.9m, which could mean that Digne becomes surplus to requirements at Goodison Park.

The defender currently earns £110,000 per week on Merseyside, and if he were to join Palace for a similar pay packet, he would instantly become the third-highest paid player at Selhurst Park behind Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the story regarding Palace’s interest in Digne via Twitter. Here is what these Eagles supporters had to say in reply, with some mixed responses and one labelling a possible deal as ‘unbelievable’.

“Absolutely no chance. But my god what a signing that would be”

Credit: @Phillyconcarne

“Would destroy the wage bill”

Credit: @dougCPFC

“Would be an UNBELIEVABLE signing”

Credit: @Benteke_SZN

“I can’t lie we would probs win the league if we signed him, no disrespect to Mitchell who has been excellent but Digne is a level above”

Credit: @TalkCPFC

“Can we maybe get a new RB before LB? Ferguson will never play a minute for this club, Clyne will no longer improve and Ward is out of his depth at RB in the Prem now”

Credit: @rossNOIRElloyd

“I don’t get why, he would obviously slot straight in but when Mitchell is looking good, you’ve got Hannam coming through, it’s bizarre, need to spend on backup midfielders and centre halfs really”

Credit: @nikolimorgan

In other news: ‘Going to be insane’ – Many Crystal Palace fans react to ‘wild’ club update

Somerset have signed Australian paceman Damien Wright for to replacement Murali Kartik for the first month of the season while Kartick is involved with the Indian Premier League

Cricinfo staff31-Mar-2010Somerset have signed Australian paceman Damien Wright to replace Murali Kartik for the first month of the season while Kartick is involved with the Indian Premier League.Wright, 34, has had county experience with Northamptonshire and Glamorgan, and also played for Scotland in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy in 2002. He’s played state cricket in Australia for both Tasmania and Victoria, where he’s had good success this winter. In total Wright has had 103 first-class outings, collecting 335 wickets at an average of 28.72 and also taken 122 one-day wickets at 29.51 runs. He also has a useful first-class record with the bat, making 3,264 runs at an average of 24.35.Brian Rose, Sopmerset’s director of cricket, thinks Wright’s experience is perfect for his stand-in role in early part of the season. “He nearly became my first signing as director of cricket at Somerset and I have always rated him as a fine player. Damien is the sort of bowler who you want if you are looking to fill a gap for four weeks, because he is experienced, he has been there and is performing well,” Rose told Western Morning News.”He will be able to walk in and take on board the conditions that he will face in England early season because he has experienced that during his time at Northamptonshire. He is highly regarded by Cameron White for example and the rest of the Victorian Bushrangers team and is a very skilful opening bowler.”Somerset captain Marcus Trescothick said: “We have made no secret of the fact that we were looking to sign a quick bowler for the opening few matches and Damien Wright is a good performer so I am delighted to have him joining us. I have met him on numerous occasions and got to know him pretty well and several of the other guys at the club also know him so he will fit in well in the changing room and will do well for us out on the pitch.”

Centuries from captain Murray Goodwin and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan helped put Sussexon course for a fourth successive victory in Division Two of the County Championship

28-Apr-2010
ScorecardRana Naved followed his four first-innings wickets with a rapid century from number nine to give Sussex control•Getty ImagesCenturies from captain Murray Goodwin and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan helped put Sussexon course for a fourth successive victory in Division Two of the County Championship. The pair shared an eighth-wicket stand of 164 in 32.2 overs to help their sideto 392 all out – a lead of 278 – on the second day against Leicestershire atHove.The visitors closed on 226 for 3 in their second innings, held together bya unbeaten 68 from Paul Nixon, but still 52 runs behind. Goodwin moved into ninth place on the all-time list of Sussex’s century makers with 41 as he and Rana hammered some woeful bowling during a morning session when 166 runs were plundered in 32 overs.Only acting captain Andrew McDonald seemed able to stem the flow of runs asboth batsmen attacked seam and spin with relish. Rana began the day 24 runs behind his partner but reached his hundred three balls before Goodwin.It was the fifth hundred of his career and second for Sussex and included ninefours and two sixes, both off slow left-armer Claude Henderson. He had added a single when he mis-timed a drive at McDonald and was caught at mid off, having faced 113 balls for his first century at Hove.Goodwin lost little in comparison and was merciless when Leicestershire’sattack fed his favourite areas square on the off side. He recorded the 60th first-class century of his career and it was a surprise when McDonald trapped him leg before for 142 from 173 balls which included 21 fours and two sixes, both carved powerfully over point as he took advantage of a short boundary.Leicestershire wrapped up the innings when Wayne White, surprisingly left outof the attack during the morning session, had Monty Panesar caught behind butSussex’s last two wickets had still added 67.It left Leicestershire with a mountain to climb as they tried to avoid theirfirst Championship defeat of the season. Opener Will Jefferson should have gone first ball but Michael Thornely dropped him at third slip off Rana.Jefferson made the most of his reprieve to hit eight fours as Rana and CoreyCollymore continued to be plagued by over-stepping. But he was undone by some clever captaincy from Goodwin, who moved Chris Nash on to the mid-wicket boundary and saw his plan come to fruition when Jefferson pulled the next ball from James Anyon obligingly into the fielder’s hands.Anyon struck again later in his spell when Boyce was caught low down at slip byMatt Prior after being forced onto the back foot. But veteran Nixon and James Taylor steadied their side with a third-wicket stand of 65 until Anyon returned after tea to trap Taylor in front with his nip-backer.Nixon, however, had resisted for 132 balls by the close while McDonald playedsome aggressive shots in helping him add an unbroken 70 in 12 overs for thefourth wicket.