كسر إيدي هاو، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي نيوكاسل يونايتد حالة الصمت عن رحيل مهاجمه ألكسندر إيزاك إلى ليفربول بعد صراع طويل دام لعدة أشهر بين الناديين واللاعب.
وشهد سوق الانتقالات الصيفي 2025 جدلاً واسعًا وصراعًا طويلًا حول رحيل ألكسندر إيزاك من نيوكاسل يونايتد إلى ليفربول.
ونجح ليفربول في إتمام التعاقد مع نيوكاسل بصفقة قياسية بلغت قيمتها 130 مليون جنيه إسترليني كأغلى صفقة في تاريخ الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وقال هاو، في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية: “لطالما تمتعت أنا وأليكس بعلاقة رائعة، أحببت العمل معه، وآمل أن يكون قد استمتع بالعمل معنا”.
وأكمل: “لقد كان ذلك التعاون مفيدًا لي وله، ساعدناه ليصبح اللاعب الذي هو عليه اليوم، وهو بالتبعية ساعدنا كفريق على تحقيق إنجازات مبهرة، كان جزءً من فريق ناجح للغاية”.
اقرأ أيضًا | محمد صلاح يفوز بجائزة جديدة ويتفوق على كول بالمر وألكسندر إيزاك
وأوضح: “ولكن لأعطيكم بعض التفاصيل الأخيرة، فلقد تغيرت علاقتنا مع إيزاك منذ اللحظة التي بدأ فيها الإضراب عن التدريبات معنا، أعتقد أن تلك كانت نقطة تحول في العلاقة بيننا وبينه، أصبح التواصل صعبًا منذ ذلك الحين، لن أخوض في تفاصيل أكثر من ذلك”.
وكشف: “امتدت هذه العلاقة السيئة إلى بقية غرف الملابس حيث حاول عدد من زملائه وخاصةً قادة الفريق التوسط لحل المشكلة، لكن في النهاية انتهت هذه الأزمة في اليوم الأخير من الميركاتو”.
واختتم هاو حديثه قائلًا: “كان صيفًا حافلًا، ولم تسِر الأمور كما كنا نتمناها دائمًا، ولكن في النهاية حُسمت الأمور حتى تتمكن جميع الأطراف من السير للأمام”.
He hopes Bangladesh’s upcoming tour to Pakistan “gives everyone something to cheer about” back home
Mohammad Isam08-Aug-2024
The Bangladesh A team players and management offer prayers for the deceased in the anti-government protests•BCB
Bangladesh’s political and social upheaval has touched its cricketers in several ways. Wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan was directly involved in the protests, even at times chased by the police in Dhaka. Others like Akbar Ali and Kamrul Islam Rabbi have openly supported the students right from the early days of the protests. Anamul Haque, the Bangladesh batter, suffered a more direct loss. His close friend Akram died in the student protest in Dhaka on July 25.Anamul, who will lead Bangladesh A in two four-day games against Pakistan A in Islamabad, spoke to reporters at the Shere Bangla National Stadium ahead of the team’s departure on Friday. He explained how traumatising it was to lose contact with his family during the protests, particularly after his friend died.”I think you have heard that a friend, who was like a brother to me, died in the protests,” Anamul said. “We were very close. I get emotional when I think about him. I wish this tragedy and trauma doesn’t happen to anyone. I was in Chattogram, so I couldn’t reach my family in Dhaka. Everyone was touched by this tragedy in some capacity.”Related
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Mushfiqur, Mominul to play for Bangladesh A in Pakistan
Like most others in Dhaka, Anamul also spent sleepless nights after the fall of the Awami League government, as uncertainty and disorder gripped the capital. “I was up from 2am to 5am. I was taking care of my child,” he said. “I went down to see what was going on. I saw many people in the streets, guarding their property. I don’t know what these people want. We don’t want to live like this. We want to live in peace. Everyone deserves their fundamental rights. I think we all work honestly.”He also praised the students for handling Dhaka’s traffic in the absence of the police force, which has gone missing for at least three days. “The students are doing extraordinary work in trying to control the traffic. They are maintaining discipline. This is the country that we have always wanted,” he said.Anti-government protestors display Bangladesh’s national flag after storming prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s residence•AFP/Getty Images
Anamul was diplomatic when asked about the silence from Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza, two of Bangladesh’s biggest icons and Awami League MPs, regarding the protests. One could sense his unease in talking about such a sensitive topic.”I think it is up to the individual, whether they want to talk about it or give a Facebook status. I had a traumatic time. I was concerned about my family, and the family of my friend who died. I spent my time thinking about him,” Anamul said. “I couldn’t meet my family, I couldn’t visit his family. I wrote about him on social media. Someone else probably thought differently. I think they can tell you better. They did what was best for them.”Anamul hopes Bangladesh A’s tour of Pakistan gives the players good preparation ahead of the senior team’s Test series, which gets underway later in the month. He also hopes the cricketers can bring positive news to Bangladesh’s fans in a trying time for many of them.”Cricket is a place of emotion. It unites us,” he said. “This tour will really help us, especially the Test tour that follows in Pakistan. There will be batting-friendly conditions there generally. It gives chance to both sides. We are playing Tests after a long time too. I think we could give everyone something to cheer about.”Bangladesh A will play two four-day and three one-day games against Pakistan A in Islamabad. The senior side will then play a two-Test series which begins on August 21 in Rawalpindi.
قدم أسطورة نادي بايرن ميونخ، دعمه إلى الوافد الجديد بنادي ليفربول، فلوريان فيرتز، في ظل سوء مستوى الأخير مع الريدز حتى هذه اللحظة.
ونجح ليفربول في التعاقد مع فيرتز خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي الأخير، قادمًا من صفوف باير ليفركوزن مقابل حوالي 126 مليون يورو وبعقد مدته 5 سنوات.
لكن على الرغم من التوقعات الكبيرة التي كانت على فيرتز، فلم يستطع الأخير تقديم المستوى المطلوب منه حتى الآن مع النادي الإنجليزي بالفعل وتعرض إلى العديد من الانتقادات.
اقرأ أيضًا .. سلاح خطير.. ليفربول يمنح سلوت أسرع لاعب في أوروبا
لكن أسطورة بايرن ميونخ والكرة الألمانية، لوثار ماتيوس، يرى أن فيرتز سوف يتألق مع ليفربول وأن اللاعب بحاجة إلى الانسجام فقط مع الدوري الإنجليزي ليخرج أفضل ما لديه.
وقال ماتيوس في تصريحات إلى شبكة “سكاي سبورتس”: “ما يحدث مع فيرتز أمر طبيعي بعد انتقال كبير كهذا إلى خارج ألمانيا”.
وأضاف ماتيوس في حديثه: “لكنه لاعب رائع، سيعتاد على الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز مع مرور الوقت، وسيكون قادرًا على تحمل الضغوط الأكبر”.
واختتم نجم إنتر ميلان مسبقًا: “شعرت بنفس الشعور في إنتر ميلان في البداية، وأندي بريمه الذي لم تكن صفقة انتقاله ناجحة، قدم أداءً رائعًا فور انضمامه إلى إنتر، كان علي التأقلم مع كل شيء، ويعود ذلك جزئيًا إلى الضجة الإعلامية وارتفاع قيمة الصفقة”.
England seamer hasn’t give up hope of earning a place in the squad for Bangladesh
Valkerie Baynes02-Jul-20241:13
Cross: England still learning how to be ruthless
Kate Cross hasn’t given up hope of representing England at this year’s T20 World Cup and sees the upcoming Hundred as her chance to clinch a spot.Cross returned to England’s ODI side for an emphatic eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in Worcester on Sunday, after an abdominal strain ruled her out of the series opener, which England won by nine wickets for a 2-0 lead.Ahead of the final 50-over match in Bristol on Wednesday, Cross remained firmly focused on her role in ODIs as England’s senior seam bowler but, when asked, indicated that she would do all in her power to convince head coach Jon Lewis to pick her for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October.”Lewy’s said, ‘never say never,’ with T20 cricket, he’s said he’s definitely not ruled me out for future series or games,” Cross said. “But I can just control what I can control and I know I’ve got the Hundred coming up where I’ll be able to open the bowling and try and finish games off for the Superchargers.”So for me, that’s my opportunity to showcase to him what I can do and if that’s good enough, it’s good enough, and if it’s not, then I’ll obviously support the girls from quite a distance as I won’t be in Bangladesh.”Kate Cross struck early after coming into the side•Getty Images
Until England hosted Sri Lanka late last summer, Cross hadn’t featured in a T20I since December 2019 and she hasn’t taken a wicket in the format since the Women’s Ashes almost six months prior to that. She has 11 wickets from 16 matches at an average of 33.72 and economy rate of 7.22.She wasn’t part of the squad for five T20Is in New Zealand earlier this year, or the three against Pakistan more recently, before taking 1 for 31 from 10 overs to help bowl the White Ferns out for 141 in Worcester, where spinner Sophie Ecclestone took 5 for 25 from nine overs.Should Cross be overlooked for the T20 World Cup, there is an ODI version to aim for next year in India, after the multi-format Ashes series in Australia.”We are probably more focused on the T20 World Cup at the minute, obviously that’s the one more in front of us, but we’re still trying to evolve our 50-over game as well to make sure that we are as well prepared as we possibly can be when it gets to that Ashes series,” Cross said. “And when we get to the World Cup in India, obviously conditions in India, they’ll be so different to what we’re facing at the minute.”That’s where winning games of cricket, how we are at the minute, is really pleasing because we’re playing what’s in front of us and as we keep moving forward as a group and learning how best to play conditions, then hopefully what we’re learning from these series, we’ll travel over and we’ll be able to keep that ruthless nature and take that into big ICC events and obviously that’ll stand you in good stead to win trophies.”Related
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The ruthless streak she speaks of is something England have tried to cultivate since Pakistan’s recent visit, where the hosts won both white-ball series but showed a distinct lack of killer instinct when they had their opponents on the ropes.”We probably had a series against Pakistan a couple of weeks ago where we maybe didn’t play the kind of cricket that we wanted to,” Cross said. “That was something that we chatted quite thoroughly about and how we wanted to go about this series and that’s probably shown in the cricket that we’ve played.”It’s definitely something we talk a lot about. It’s a hard skill to nail down and for different teams I think it looks different and I think that’s what we’re still trying to work out as a one-day unit, how to be consistently ruthless and obviously that changes with pitch conditions, opposition, where we are in the world and how we’re playing our cricket.”That’s something that we’re still learning as a group. We’ve still got a lot of young faces around… there’s still a lot of inexperience in the group and I think everyone now is trying to work out how they individually can be ruthless whilst we’re still trying to be ruthless as a team. I say that… we’ve not lost an ODI series under Lewy yet. So there’s obviously a ruthless element in that.”
Bruno Fernandes has been the shining light in the Manchester United squad throughout the 2024/25 campaign, with it unimaginable to think where they’d be without his contributions.
The Portuguese international managed to notch 37 combined goals and assists across all competitions, helping the side reach the Europa League final.
His tally of 18 contributions in the Premier League was the most of any player in the squad, with such a tally potentially keeping Ruben Amorim’s side in the division.
Bruno Fernandes
The Red Devils managed to finish 17 points above the relegation zone, unable to produce the levels needed to be a success in England’s top-flight throughout 2024/25.
However, if the side are to rise up the table next season, the hierarchy will have to back the manager in his quest, handing him the funds to be a success at Old Trafford.
The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer
Numerous areas of the pitch will need to be the subject of investment, with Amorim’s United side desperately craving added quality and depth at Old Trafford.
Ollie Watkins, Ronald Araujo and Wilfried Ndidi have all been mentioned as potential targets, highlighting the desire of the manager to improve all departments of the squad.
Ollie Watkins for Aston Villa.
However, a new name has been mentioned in the last couple of days, with PSG star Fabian Ruiz linked with a move to join the Red Devils, according to Foot Mercato.
The report claims that Amorim’s outfit are battling numerous Saudi Arabian sides for the signature of the Spaniard, who won the Champions League at the end of last season.
It also states that the French outfit don’t want to sell the 29-year-old this window, with boss Luis Enrique seeing the former Napoli star as a key part of his plans ahead of 2025/26.
Why United’s latest target would be a Bruno & Bellingham hybrid
Jude Bellingham has cemented himself as one of Europe’s leading midfielders over recent years, currently plying his trade at Real Madrid at the tender age of 21.
Real Madrid'sJudeBellinghamcelebrates
The Englishman has enjoyed a rapid rise to stardom, emerging through the Birmingham City academy before moving to Borussia Dortmund and securing a transfer to Madrid in the summer of 2023.
However, his career could’ve been very different, with United firmly in the race to sign the youngster before he completed his subsequent transfer to Germany back in the summer of 2020.
The midfielder even visited Old Trafford before deciding on a switch to the Bundesliga outfit, with United missing out on a now elite-level star who would massively improve their chances of success.
Despite missing out on his signature, Amorim could be about to land a hybrid of the Englishman and Fernandes with a deal for Ruiz, which may prove to be an expensive addition.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz.
He’s been labelled as a similar player to the aforementioned talents by FBref, and managed to outperform the pair in numerous key areas, showcasing why he’d be a mix of the duo.
Ruiz, who’s been labelled “one of the best in the world” by Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, has completed more of the passes he’s attempted, along with more passes into the final third – highlighting the talent he possesses with the ball at his feet.
How Ruiz compared to Bellingham & Fernandes in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)
Ruiz
Bellingham
Fernandes
Games played
30
31
36
Goals & assists
9
17
18
Pass accuracy
90%
86%
76%
Passes into final third
7.2
4.7
6.3
Tackles won
1.5
1.2
1.4
Clearances made
1.3
0.8
1.1
Take-ons completed
70%
54%
41%
Progressive carries
2.8
2.6
2.3
Stats via FBref
The Spaniard has also won more tackles per 90, along with more clearances made, having the ability without the ball at his feet, making him the perfect box-to-box option for Amorim. It’s not wonder he’s been described as “one of the best No.8’s alive” at the moment by one analyst.
However, Ruiz has further impressed, outperforming the pair in terms of take-ons and progressive carries per 90, subsequently able to drive with the ball and provide others around him with opportunities.
It remains to be seen if the 29-year-old would be interested in a move to Old Trafford, but it’s evident that he has all the tools to become a leading talent within the current first-team squad.
He would be the perfect option in the middle of the park, handing the Red Devils the perfect hybrid of Bellingham and Fernandes in their hunt for success in 2025/26.
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The chartered flight “AIC24WC” (Air India Champions 24 World Cup) has been organised by the BCCI
PTI03-Jul-2024
The world champions were made to wait before they were able to bring the trophy home•Getty Images
India’s T20 world champions finally left Barbados for New Delhi on a chartered flight from the Grantley Adams International airport in Bridgetown on Wednesday after being stranded for three days because of a category 4 hurricane, which forced the airport there to be shut down.The special Air India flight AIC24WC (Air India Champions 24 World Cup) took off around 4.50am local time and will land in New Delhi on Thursday at around 6.20am IST.The India players, the support staff, the players’ families and some board officials are aboard the flight along with members of the travelling media contingent. The flight was arranged by the BCCI.
The Boeing 777, which took off from New Jersey on July 2, landed in Barbados around 2am local time at the Grantley Adams International airport, which resumed its operations on Tuesday. The team was scheduled to leave around 6pm local time on July 2 and arrive at 7.45pm IST on Wednesday but that was delayed as the plane landed late in Barbados.India won the T20 World Cup title after pulling off a thrilling seven-run win over South Africa in the final on Saturday.The players are set to be felicitated by India prime minister Narendra Modi within hours of returning to the country. Plans are also afoot to have a roadshow in Mumbai to honour the team, who won a senior ICC trophy after a gap of 11 years.
علّق الصحفي توماس جواش، على تصريحات النجم الأرجنتيني ليونيل ميسي، بشأن إمكانية عدم مشاركته في كأس العالم 2026.
وفجر ميسي مفاجأة حيث صرّح النجم الأرجنتيني بأنه إذا لم يكن في حالة بدنية جيدة، فلن يشارك مع منتخب الأرجنتين في كأس العالم العام المقبل.
وصرّح ميسي: “لا أعتقد أنني سأشارك في كأس العالم القادمة، نظرًا لعمري، فإن الأمر الأكثر منطقية هو أن ذلك لن يحدث، أنا متحمس، لكنني أتعامل مع الأمر يومًا بيوم، ومباراة بمباراة” (طالع التفاصيل).
وبحسب ما نشرت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية، تحدث جواش عن الأمر قائلاً: “كنا جميعاً في غاية الهدوء حتى ظهر ميسي، متسائلاً عن إمكانية مشاركته في كأس العالم العام المقبل”.
وأضاف: “يقول إنه من الطبيعي ألا يكون هناك، ولكن إذا كان لكأس العالم أي جاذبية، فهي الرقصة الأخيرة بين ميسي وكريستيانو رونالدو، فيما سيكون من أروع الملاحم في تاريخ كرة القدم والرياضة العالمية، لكن ليو يُشكك في ذلك”.
وأتم: “أتمنى أن يلعب ميسي في كأس العالم، حتى لو كان مُحنّطاً، لأن 48 فريقاً سيشاركون، ومئات اللاعبين، وميسي فقط سيغيب؟ أعتقد أن الأمر سيكون بمثابة مزحة في عالم كرة القدم، وعلى أي شخص التدخل”.
Glasgow Rangers officially kicked off the 2025/26 campaign by playing their first pre-season friendly in front of supporters at Ibrox against Club Brugge on Sunday.
The Light Blues found themselves 2-0 down at half-time, having conceded twice in the opening 12 minutes, but second-half goals from Mohamed Diomande and Findlay Curtis ensured that they avoided defeat.
Russell Martin was without some of his summer signings to choose from, though, as the likes of Thelo Aasgaard and Joe Rothwell, for example, watched on from the sidelines.
The former Scotland international did get to see Emmanuel Fernandez and Max Aarons out on the pitch for the first time, as the Scottish giants ramp up their preparations for their Champions League qualifying clash with Panathinaikos.
Martin will surely be hoping to get Aasgaard up to speed as quickly as possible in the next couple of weeks, because the former Luton attacking midfielder has the potential to be an exciting addition to the team.
Why Thelo Aasgaard is an exciting signing for Rangers
The Gers recently snapped up the 23-year-old attacker on a four-year contract after agreeing a reported fee of £3.5m to sign him from the English League One outfit.
Aasgaard left the Hatters just six months after he signed for the club from Wigan Athletic, as they were relegated from the Championship last season, which activated a relegation release clause in his contract at Kennilworth Road.
Luton Town's Thelo Aasgaard in action against Sunderland.
Rangers took advantage of that to bring him to Ibrox this summer, and they will now be hoping that he plays a key role on the pitch for Martin for many years to come.
Whilst some supporters may not want to hear this, Aasgaard is similar in style to Todd Cantwell. He is another attacking midfielder who can also play out wide and thrive as a roaming number ten who can carry the ball and dribble past players, rather than being outstanding as a goalscorer or a creator.
24/25 Championship
Thelo Aasgaard per 90
Percentile rank vs midfielders
Goals
0.12
Top 24%
Progressive carries
1.61
Top 26%
Take-ons attempted
2.74
Top 12%
Successful take-ons
1.31
Top 9%
Touches in opposition penalty box
2.62
Top 14%
Fouls won
1.96
Top 11%
Stats via FBref
As you can see in the table above, the Liverpool-born midfielder thrives with the ball at his feet in the middle of the park, picking it up in pockets of space that allow him to then drive forward into the box, taking players on or winning fouls.
He only produced two goals and one assist in his 17 Championship outings for Luton, though, and Martin may want him to improve his output in the final third at Ibrox.
It is his ball-carrying and willingness to take players on, though, that could make him an exciting signing for the club, who are now eyeing up a forward who would be even more exciting than Aasgaard.
Rangers eyeing Premier League winger
According to The Scottish Sun, Rangers are one of the clubs in the race to secure a deal for Crystal Palace youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi this summer.
The report claims that the Light Blues are ‘chasing’ a move to sign the left-footed star, who spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Sheffield United in the Championship.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It reveals that Palace are ready to demand a fee of around £10m to allow the right winger to move on from Selhurst Park before the end of the summer transfer window.
Rangers, however, would prefer to land the talented young forward on a season-long loan, rather than to splash the cash out to sign him permanently, but they would be willing to do a permanent deal if the asking price is reduced.
It now remains to be seen whether or not the Scottish giants can convince the Eagles to allow the dynamo to leave on loan, which may depend on whether or not any other teams are prepared to meet their £10m valuation for a permanent deal.
Why Rangers should sign Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Vaclav Cerny returning to Wolfsburg at the end of last season, after his loan spell at Ibrox came to an end, left a hole in the team in the right wing position.
This means that Rak-Sakyi could slot straight into the starting XI as Martin’s right winger to replace the Czechia international, and his form for Sheffield United suggests that he has the potential to make an immediate impact.
Whilst Aasgaard is an exciting player in his own right, due to his technical ability, the Crystal Palace youngster would be even more exciting for supporters because he also has the ability to deliver goals and assists to get fans out of their seats.
The 22-year-old whiz, who produced 15 goals and eight assists in League One for Charlton in the 2022/23 campaign, ended last season with a return of seven goals and two assists in 22 league starts for the Blades.
This shows that he is more likely to make an impact in front of goal than Aasgaard in the Scottish Premiership next season, as the Norway international only managed two goals and one assist in the same division.
24/25 Championship
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi per 90
Percentile rank vs wingers
xG
0.32
Top 13%
Goals
0.36
Top 11%
xG on target
0.36
Top 9%
xA
0.18
Top 22%
Assists
0.10
Bottom 47%
Successful dribbles
2.44
Top 7%
Stats via FotMob
As you can see in the table above, Rak-Sakyi ranked highly among his positional peers in a host of key attacking statistics, aside from assists, which shows that his teammates let him down with their wasteful finishing.
The left-footed star, once hailed as “remarkable” by Roy Hodgson, is a forward who can provide a threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals on a regular basis, whilst also consistently taking on opposition defenders, as shown by his 2.44 successful dribbles per 90.
This suggests that Rak-Sakyi could be an incredibly exciting player for Rangers supporters to watch, because he can combine exciting dribbling skills with quality end product in the final third.
Whereas Aasgaard has the technical and dribbling ability to get around the pitch, but needs to prove that he can deliver the goals and assists to go along with it, which is why the Palace winger could be an even better signing for Martin in the here and now.
Rangers are closing in on another signing alongside a deal for right-back Max Aarons, according to a report.
Rangers agree Max Aarons loan deal
The Gers already reached an agreement with midfielder Lyall Cameron earlier this year, with his transfer officially unveiled in the week. However, the first target identified by the 49ers Enterprises and Russell Martin who is set to be signed is Aarons.
The Bournemouth right-back spent the second half of the 2024/25 season out on loan at Valencia and looks set for another temporary move away from the Cherries in 25/26.
Rangers have agreed a straight loan deal for Aarons, who looks set to rival James Tavernier for a starting spot under Martin, providing the club captain remains at Ibrox.
Martin previously tried to sign Aarons at Southampton and knows the full-back from his time at Norwich City. Aarons has also praised the Rangers manager in the past.
“When he came and trained with us he had an aura. I always knew he would go on to be a manager. “I think players who played with him always knew that as well. I knew we had to be on it when he was training with us and giving 110 per cent because if not Russ would tell you and I loved that.
“He pushed every single training session. When he was training with us it almost gave me a feel that I was ready to go and make the jump with the senior players.”
Rangers target once worth £38m is now open to Ibrox transfer after contact
This comes as a boost to Russell Martin.
ByCharlie Smith Jun 20, 2025
Attention will be on further signings alongside Aarons, and another heavily linked target also looks to be close to a Rangers move following an update.
Rangers closing in on £350,000 Kwame Poku transfer
Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku is the man who could be next through the door in Glasgow, with The Scottish Sun providing specific financial details over a permanent transfer to Ibrox.
Out of contract at the end of the month, it is claimed Rangers are “homing in” on the signing of Poku and that he “will cost a cross-border fee in the region of £350,000”.
Peterborough’s director of football Barry Fry admitted last month he didn’t think Poku would move to Scotland, but it appears as if a transfer is close. Talking last month, Fry said: “Celtic and Rangers have been at most of our games this season, but I don’t believe Kwame will go to Scotland. He will more likely sign for a top end Championship club.”
Kwame Poku’s 24/25 stats
Games
31
Goals
12
Assists
11
Minuted played
2,364
Turning 24 in August, Poku, dubbed a “huge talent”, had a career best season in 24/25 in regards to goals and assists, so it is no surprise that up to 30 clubs were keen on his services.
Therefore, Rangers winning the race for the Ghana international could be a shrewd piece of business, and by the looks of things, a £350,000 transfer is on the cards.
Arnos Vale has not hosted an international game in nearly 10 years, and both teams will hope for better batting conditions after struggling in New York
Mohammad Isam12-Jun-2024
Bangladesh will hope they can bounce back quickly from a what-might-have-been result against South Africa•Getty Images
Match detailsBangladesh vs Netherlands June 13, Kingstown, 10:30am localBig picture: Winner stays in touching distance of Super 8sNetherlands will hunt for their first big fish (Full Members side) when they take on Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup’s newest venue in Kingstown, St Vincent. It is a fresh pitch where competitive cricket hasn’t been played for a while now. Both sets of batters, battered and bruised in New York, will look forward to a better experience.Bangladesh endured a hectic travel schedule after their South Africa game in New York, with their chartered flight out delayed by five hours. They arrived early Tuesday morning in their Kingstown hotel, and cancelled training on that day.Coupled with the travel stress, Bangladesh are dealing with heartbreak of a close defeat to South Africa. Their inability to put away Keshav Maharaj’s full-tosses in the final over cost them the game. Bangladesh have had trouble closing off T20I chases over the last eight years, and on Monday, Mahmudullah and Jaker Ali, reputed big hitters, could not find a boundary in the last three overs of their chase.Related
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Their top order batting has also been worrying. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto opened with Tanzid Hasan against South Africa, with Soumya Sarkar left out, but neither opening pair has managed a double-digit stand yet in this tournament. Litton Das showed a bit of form against Sri Lanka but gave it away cheaply against South Africa. Only Towhid Hridoy and Mahmudullah have shown batting form, while it has mostly been the bowling attack that has kept Bangladesh afloat.Netherlands will have their hands full against Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Taskin Ahmed with the new ball, before Mustafizur Rahman and Rishad Hossain go at them in the middle overs. The pace trio has done well in the death overs too, and among the spin-bowling allrounders Mahmudullah has been mostly economical while Shakib Al Hasan, despite a poor start to the tournament, can never be counted out.Netherlands themselves have bowled brilliantly in the T20 World Cup, beating Nepal in Dallas and pushing South Africa close in New York. Logan van Beek, Bas de Leede and Tim Pringle have bowled well in partnerships alongside Vivian Kingma and Paul van Meekeren.Like Bangladesh, they too have batting problems. Max O’Dowd has made their only half-century so far, while the rest of the batters haven’t taken off, particularly Michael Levitt who was their form player leading up to the T20 World Cup.This could be a tense scrap in Kingstown, with the result coming down to which bowling attack can better dominate on the day.Form guideBangladesh LWWLL (last five completed T20Is, most recent first) Netherlands LWLLLIn the spotlight – Logan van Beek and Taskin AhmedTaskin Ahmed has performed admirably as the attack leader. He has taken the big wickets of Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, Kusal Mendis and Dasun Shanaka in Bangladesh’s two games, while going at just 5.50 per over. It is still early days but if he can keep getting the ball to shape and maintain his overall fitness, Taskin could end as one of the top bowlers of the tournament.Logan van Beek has already bowled arguably the ball of the tournament. His delivery to Reeza Hendricks in New York pitched on middle and off, squared up the batter, and flicked the off bail as van Beek flew into a celebratory run. He has been Netherlands’ best bowler in their two matches so far, picking up five wickets. Accuracy is van Beek’s hallmark, regardless of whether he is bowling with an upright or wobbly seam.All aboard the Logan van Beek flight•ICC/Getty Images
Team news: Bangladesh could look at batting optionsBangladesh are still unsure about their top and lower middle order. Soumya Sarkar and Mahedi Hasan are among their batting options if they are looking for another change.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Najmul Hosain Shanto (capt), 3 Litton Das (wk), 4 Shakib Al Hasan, 5 Towhid Hridoy, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Jaker Ali, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan, 10 Taskin Ahmed 11 Mustafizur Rahman.Barring last-minute injuries, Netherlands are likely to continue with the same XI.Netherlands (probable): 1 Michael Levitt, 2 Max O’Dowd, 3 Vikramjit Singh, 4 Sybrand Engelbrecht, 5 Bas de Leede, 6 Scott Edwards (capt & wk), 7 Teja Nidamanuru, 8 Logan van Beek, 9 Tim Pringle, 10 Paul van Meekeren, 11 Vivian Kingma.Pitch and conditionsInternational cricket returns to Arnos Vale after nearly ten years. The ground has never hosted a CPL match either, so it is hard to predict what the conditions might be like. There’s a bit of early-morning rain in the forecast in the region.Stats and trivia Bangladesh, incidentally, played the last international match at Arnos Vale, a Test-match defeat to West Indies in September 2014. Mahmudullah is the only member of their T20 World Cup squad to have featured in that game. They will also play against Nepal here on June 17, and a three-match T20I series against West Indies later this year. Bangladesh hold an overall 4-3 win record over Netherlands in all formats but they lost their most recent meeting, the 2023 World Cup game in Kolkata. Netherlands made their best start with the ball against a Full Member team in T20Is when they reduced South Africa to 12 for 4 in their last game. Tanzim Hasan has picked up three wickets in the powerplay overs at this World Cup, at an average of 8.33.Quotes”We spoke about this ground. I think Shakib was telling me that he made his captaincy debut in this ground. Riyad has a Test five-for.” “We are in the ground for the first time today. It seems to be in wonderful shape. The wicket is great. I think tomorrow’s match is one that the island has waited a long time for.”