Dave Cameron has been re-elected as WICB president for the third successive term, after being the sole nomination for the post

Nagraj Gollapudi30-Mar-2017Dave Cameron has been re-elected for a third consecutive two-year term as WICB president. Cameron was the lone nominee for the position, and received 12 votes at the WICB Annual General Meeting on March 26 in Barbados. Emmanuel Nanthan, WICB’s vice-president for the last four years, was also set to be re-elected for a third consecutive stint in the position.Despite being an imposing figure within the WICB, Cameron has not been a popular administrator in the West Indies. Throughout his tenure, Cameron’s policies and decisions have been criticised by many former cricketers as well as by fans. The absence of any opposition on the WICB board has been the main reason Cameron has managed to continue as the head of the WICB.Nonetheless some on the WICB board remain sceptical of Cameron. One director, who has been part of the WICB board and observed Cameron closely, felt the Jamaican takes things “personally”, which does allow for constructive discussion.According to this director Cameron needs to focus on improving his relations with WICB board going forward. “He needs to temper himself. It seems to me he still does not have confidence in some directors. The trust is not there. It is also because if some people speak out at meetings, he will feel that those people are against him. But all those people want is the best of West Indies cricket. He takes everything personal, as if they are attacking him.”The director, who wished to remain anonymous, also felt that Cameron “favours” some territorial boards more than others. Asked why the board would elect him for a third successive term, the director said that those who oppose him “prefer to remain silent and go with the status quo”.With West Indies having already missed out on the 2017 Champions Trophy in England, the priority now is to make sure they receive direct entry for the 2019 ODI World Cup, instead of having to go through the qualifier. To achieve that goal, the WICB recently made fresh appointments, hiring former West Indies captain Jimmy Adams and former Australia batsman Stuart Law in important roles. Adams took over as director of cricket from Richard Pybus, while Law was named as West Indies’ coach after the sacking of Phil Simmons last September.It is also understood that Cameron, along with new WICB chief executive officer Johnny Grave, will travel to India to finalise the schedule for the limited-overs series scheduled in July.

The final game of the opening weekend of the 2023/24 Premier League season will see Manchester United host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in a Monday night game under the lights.

It’s set to be a busy summer transfer window for Erik Ten Haag, and Old Trafford will be expecting a new-look United side to line up to get the season underway.

Here is Football FanCast's preview ahead of the return to action…

When is the match and is it on TV?

Man Utd take on Wolves on the 14th of August and is slated for an 8pm kick-off in Manchester.

Although television contracts and deals have yet to be confirmed ahead of the new season, especially with the arrival of TNT Sports (replacing BT Sports), it is likely Sky Sports will have the rights to broadcast this fixture as their first Monday Night Football (MNF) billing of the season.

Who is Manchester United’s key player?

There are certainly a number of players to choose from.

Bruno Fernandes enjoyed a superb season in Erik Ten Haag’s debut campaign. 2022 summer signing Lisandro Martinez is also a crucial part of the team and is arguably the most important piece of the back four.

United’s key man, however, is Marcus Rashford. The forward enjoyed his best season for United in 22/23, netting 17 times and providing five assists. He will be crucial heading into the new season.

Who is Wolves’ key player?

Wolves look set to lose a number of key players in this summer transfer window. The club are shackled by Financial Fair Play rules, and thus have to sell before they can buy. They recently lost star player Ruben Neves to the Saudi Pro League, for example.

Jose Sa in goal looks set to be one of, if not their most important player. The Portuguese international made over 100 saves for Wolves last season, keeping 11 clean sheets.

How will Man Utd line up?

It’s early in the summer window, so it’s hard to pick the exact starting XI for Ten Haag’s United, but with the takeover saga dragging on it has proved a distraction to this transfer window’s recruitment. Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana has been linked with a move to Old Trafford along with Chelsea star Mason Mount. Here’s our prediction:

Onana; Dalot, Martinez, Varane, Shaw; Casemiro, Mount; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial

How will Wolves line up?

It’s more about who Wolves can hold onto in this window rather than who they are going to sign, so don’t expect too many changes from the regular team of last season.

Wolves have been linked with moves for Liverpool youngster Fabio Carvalho and free-kick specialist James Ward-Prowse from Southampton. If they completed these signings, expect them to start straight away on the opening weekend at Old Trafford. :

Sa; Semedo, Kilman, Collins, Dawson, Jonny; Cravalho, Lemina, Ward-Prowse, Neto; Sarabia

What were the last 5 league meetings between the two teams?

The sides have met 18 times in the English Premier League, with United winning 11 of those games. There has been three draws in the fixture, with Wolves winning on four occasions.

It’s a fixture that doesn’t typically produce a lot of goals, but one that United have dominated in recent years:

May 2023: Man Utd 2-0 Wolves December 2022: Wolves 0-1 Man Utd January 2022: Wolves 1-0 Man Utd August 2021: Wolves 0-1 Man Utd May 2021: Wolves 1-2 Man Utd

Every Premier League Opening Day Fixture

Who is going to win?

It’s hard to pick against United on the opening weekend of the season under the lights at Old Trafford. So here, we’re not going to. United should stroll to victory in the final game of the opening gameweek of the new season.

FFC predicts: Manchester United win

Everton's troublesome financial situation is a well-documented one, and so their moves this summer must be frugal. Fortunately, they could have identified one target who fits within their transfer plan…

What's the latest on Ayman Kari to Everton?

According to one journalist in France, the Toffees are one of two English clubs reportedly vying for the signature of Ayman Kari.

The young midfield general has slowly begun his breakthrough into senior football of late, and Sean Dyche could seek to bring him in early and mould him in his image.

The report read: "Leicester and Everton are interested in Ayman Kari and have contacted Paris. PSG already have an agreement with Lorient. Loan + call option of around 5M € (£4m) + buyout clause for Parisians. Lorient has a head start but Ayman Kari has not made up his mind".

Who is Ayman Kari?

With Paris Saint-Germain unlikely to be patient enough to allow this 18-year-old to blossom, the Merseyside club could profit by bringing in yet another midfield general from Ligue 1.

If their last success is anything to go by, it is certainly a move worth making, given how instrumental Amadou Onana has immediately become since his £33m transfer from the French top-flight last August.

The 21-year-old maintained a 6.92 average rating in the league last term, as the fifth-best performer of those within the squad who played more than five games.

His was a figure upheld largely through his impressive defensive statistics, as he maintained 1.1 interceptions, 2.2 tackles and 1.1 clearances per game, via Sofascore. Only Idrissa Gana Gueye and Nathan Patterson averaged more tackles per game than the hulking Belgian, for context.

Whilst Kari is unlikely to come in and have as immediate an impact as this, with the space Tom Davies has just freed up, he could be the new promising young maestro who patiently awaits his opportunity, whilst using sessions alongside Onana and Abdoulaye Doucoure to mimic their starring assets.

When viewing his key attributes, as outlined by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, it is clear this teenage sensation already boasts the physical prowess to adapt to the English game. After all, his pace, athleticism, work rate and tackling are all rated as 'very strong'.

Despite only mustering five senior appearances, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano still noted him as a "talent" whilst announcing his loan spell to FC Lorient in January. It is there where, despite only averaging 21 minutes per game in Ligue 1, he has maintained 0.6 interceptions per game alongside a 92% pass accuracy, via Sofascore.

Whilst only a small sample size, it seems there are a number of key attributes he possesses that suggest a bright future is in store for Kari. Perhaps he could realise this potential at Goodison Park, walking the same path as Onana with hopefully similar success.

Sunderland look good value to challenge for the Championship play-offs once again next season after getting the majority of their transfer business sorted early in the window.

However, questions regarding the future of Jack Clarke refuse to go away, while Tony Mowbray has also confirmed he will be without some key men when the new campaign gets underway in a month's time.

What Sunderland players are injured?

Speaking on Monday, Mowbray revealed in quotes carried by Chronicle Live that Corry Evans and Ross Stewart "won't be making the start of the season".

Dennis Cirkin, meanwhile, is "touch and go" for the big kick-off, while new signings Jenson Seelt and Nectarios Triantis are both nursing injuries and are being monitored.

All four would arguably have made Sunderland's starting line-up to face Ipswich Town on August 6 – and the latter two still might – with the absence of Stewart, in particular, a blow for Mowbray.

Are Sunderland going to sign Ellis Simms?

Stewart scored ten goals and assisted a further three in just 13 Championship outings last season – his average of 1.12 direct goal involvements per 90 minutes being the best of any Sunderland player, as per FBref.

However, the Achilles injury that cut his 2022-23 season short in January is also going to rule him out for the start of the 2023-24 campaign, and it remains to be seen how long it will take the striker to return to his previous best – if he ever does.

Sunderland also saw Amad Diallo return to parent club Manchester United at the end of the previous season, while Premier League clubs will continue to circle for Clarke, meaning Mowbray must surely move for another attacker to join fellow new recruit Hemir.

In Everton striker Ellis Simms, they could have the perfect choice. Simms was next on the list of the Black Cats' most proficient players last season, averaging as he did 0.72 goals and assists per 90 minutes across 17 regular-season matches.

The 0.56 goals per 90 scored by Simms last season came from an expected goals (xG) value of 0.39, meaning he scored 0.17 goals per 90 more than expected on the basis of his chances, whereas Stewart's 0.86 goals came from an xG of 0.84, so he scored near enough at exactly the rate you would expect.

What this tells us is that Simms is a deadly finisher at Championship level – or an "absolute nuisance" for opposition players, as Sunderland Echo reporter Phil Smith put it last season.

Simms struggled to have as big an impact in the Premier League last season when being recalled by Everton in January, and the Toffees appear to be ready to cash in if the right offer is made.

Ipswich Town are believed to have already had a £4m bid rejected for Simms, who is reportedly on as little as £3.3k a week, suggesting Sunderland had better follow up on their own interest swiftly.

Rather than gamble on the fitness of Stewart, Sunderland's hopes of promotion to the Premier League may well come down to whether or not they can bring Simms back to the Stadium of Light.

Liverpool are set to bid for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, according to Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri, with Jordan Henderson edging closer to a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.

Tavolieri also reported that personal terms are not an issue between Lavia and Liverpool, with the player personally keen on a move.

What's the latest on Romeo Lavia joining Liverpool?

After looking fairly set to enter pre-season without a major departure, and Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister welcomed, Liverpool suddenly face the prospect of being left short in midfield.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Jordan Henderson has accepted Al-Ettifaq's proposal, agreeing to their huge contract offer – it will now be down to Liverpool and the Saudi Arabian club to reach an agreement on the potential fee.

Meanwhile, as per David Ornstein, Al-Ittihad are set to bid £40m to sign Fabinho, with the deal expected to develop fast, and with what seems set to be at least one new midfield departure this summer, Jurgen Klopp has reportedly turned his attention towards Southampton's Lavia.

The Saints previously valued the midfielder at £50m, per Romano, but it remains to be seen how much Liverpool offer, should they put a proposal on the table.

Tavollieri reports the opening bid is imminent: "Been told #LiverpoolFC waiting for Jordan Henderson final word about #AlEttifaqFC. before sending first bid for Romeo #Lavia. Belgian player talked to Jürgen Klopp and wants to play for the Reds. Reds truly believe he is definitely a big prospect for the future and was waiting for making space in the midfield in order to make a step forward. Personal terms not a problem anymore."

Should Liverpool sign Romeo Lavia?

Even though Lavia can't replace the leadership qualities and experience of Jordan Henderson at Liverpool, at 19, he is arguably one of the best young players in English football.

Full of praise for the midfielder, The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell said, via ThisIsFutbol, following Southampton's victory over Chelsea last season: “Imagine receiving facing your own goal with four Chelsea players blocking off your nearest five passing options.

"Romeo Lavia having the courage and awareness to perform a no-touch turn (which was the only right decision) is frankly ridiculous."

It may not be a case of replacing their captain with the teenager, but simply thinking of the future. Klopp's midfield last season lacked youthful exuberance at times, culminating in Liverpool's worst full season in the German's tenure.

Fabinho is 29, Henderson is 33, and Thiago Alcantara is 32. All three of those options created a rather stagnated midfield last season. But, months later, and the Reds could line-up with a trio of Lavia, Szoboszlai, and Mac Allister. It would be a dramatic transition, but an exciting rebuild nonetheless.

Given the arrivals of Mac Allister and Szobszlai, Henderson's role was likely set to become far more limited, too, so it's not as if Lavia would be stepping into a vital role so early into his career.

Statistically speaking, the Belgian would be a major upgrade on the former Sunderland man. According to FBref, Lavia made more tackles, more blocks, and made more interceptions than the man he could be about to replace at Anfield this summer.

Balancing creative flair, hard work, and defensive stability in midfield is often difficult, but in Lavia, Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai, Liverpool would have exactly that on paper.

It remains to be seen whether the Reds secure Lavia's signature, but the midfielder wouldn't exactly be a bad Henderson replacement.

أعرب محمد صلاح مدرب الزمالك السابق، عن سعادته بعد فوز اليوم على فيوتشر بهدفين دون رد، بالمباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.

والتقى الزمالك مع فيوتشر على أرضية استاد السلام، في إطار مواجهة الذهاب لدور الـ8 (ربع النهائي) من البطولة الإفريقية.

وقال محمد صلاح في تصريحات عبر قناة “etc”: “أنا قلت لـ ميدو وخالد الغندور قبل لقاء اليوم أننا سنفوز على فيوتشر، وفي هذه الحالة سنصل إلى نهائي البطولة، لأن باقي الفرق مستواها عادي”.

طالع أيضاً.. فيديو | زيزو يقود الزمالك لفوز صعب على فيوتشر في ذهاب ربع نهائي الكونفدرالية

وأضاف: “لكن عندي تعقيب، المستوى ليس هو المطلوب، يوجد لاعبون بنفس الرتم والمستوى منذ فترة طويلة، حسام عبد المجيد يجب أن يكون له حل، أن يرتاح فترة أو يكون له بديل، (أبوس إيديكم كلكم)، الأعذار التي نقولها ليست موجودة في أوروبا، ماذا يعني أن هناك لاعبًا غير جاهز؟”.

وأوضح: “سمعت أن محمود علاء لا يلعب لأنه وقع لناد آخر، أنا أريد أن نأخذ بن شرقي قدوة في الاحتراف، كان قد وقع لناد آخر ولعب حتى آخر دقيقة في عقده مع الزمالك”.

وأكد: “أنا متحفظ على أداء الخط الدفاعي، فتوح مستواه بعيد لأنه لا يلعب منذ فترة ولكنه سيعود لمستواه، لكن حسام عبد المجيد ليس لديه سبب أو عذر”.

وأردف: “أنا أتمنى أن يلعب أحمد حمدي باستمرار، ولو شارك كثيرًا لياقته ستعود، نحسد الزمالك لأنه يمتلك في هذا المركز أكثر من لاعب يستطيع أن يحمل المباراة على عاتقه، و(أبوس على إيدك يا جوميز) أن تضع كل لاعب في مركزه”.

واستطرد: “شيكابالا كان أفضل لاعب حتى خرج، ناصر منسي بهذا المستوى ليس المهاجم الأول في الزمالك، وسيف الجزيري كان أفضل اليوم، وأتمنى أن يُشارك محمد شحاتة الذي يسير بشكل جيد في المنتخب الأولمبي، لكن التأليف في أن يلعب عبد الله السعيد في مركز رقم 6 هذا غير صحيح”.

وأتم: “زيزو ولو بنصف مستواه فهو مُفيد، زيزو في الزمالك مثل صلاح مع المنتخب”.

Middlesex pushed on to a second declaration after Steven Finn’s four-wicket haul and set Essex 452 or a day to survive at Lord’s

Tim Wigmore at Lord's23-Apr-2017
ScorecardIf it is the start of the English season, it must be time to talk about Steven Finn. Every summer it is a source of fascination whether Finn can channel his palpable gifts – pace, bounce from his 6ft 7in frame and the outswing that he has honed in recent years – and become the bowler England supporters have long seen in their mind’s eye. A man not flitting between squads but one who is, instead, a persistent menace in international cricket.It remains far too soon to tell whether this is the summer when Finn makes that transition, rather than just tantalisingly hinting at it, but on a docile Lord’s pitch, he produced a performance of hostility and great skill. It was not so much the four wickets he took – a quick, short ball that Simon Harmer pulled to midwicket; Dan Lawrence deceived with a ball that held its line, rather than swinging away; and a ball that slanted into Neil Wagner and uprooted off stump, to add to the wicket of Tom Westley on the second evening – as his parsimony and immaculate control.Even when bowling loosely, he has always been able to produce brilliant deliveries. But seldom can he have bowled so few poor balls. In 22.1 overs, he conceded just 51 runs; yielding 2.30 an over, Finn was the most frugal of Middlesex’s bowling quintet.”It’s as good as I’ve felt for a while,” Finn said. “Across my career it’s the one side of my game that has not been my best, my economy rate. It’s about keeping it simple, it doesn’t just happen. Without chasing wickets you get your rewards later in the day.”I felt in good rhythm at Hampshire without getting too many rewards and yesterday as well. Today I bowled two long spells and then came back to get wickets at the end.”Few cricketers are aware of the vagaries of professional sport like Finn. The 46 Test wickets at 26.23 apiece he took in 2010, his first year of international cricket, remains his best annual haul for England; last year, he took just 17 Test wickets at 46.64 apiece. Yet his talents are so seductive that England’s interest has never gone away, and here he produced a performance to gladden the selectors’ hearts. If he does it again on the final day, Middlesex will record their first Championship victory of the season, and the case for including Finn in the Champions Trophy squad will become even stronger.”There’s enough eyes around, and people in the know realise when you’re in good rhythm and bowling well,” he said, with the sense of a man who has been here before. “I don’t think everything depends on tomorrow but if you have another good day it furthers your claims even more.”The rest of Middlesex’s bowlers were impressive, too, as they needed to be to restrict Essex to 295 on a picturesque Lord’s day. Toby Roland-Jones generated persistent swing, Ollie Rayner showed his nous, James Franklin embraced bowling with the older ball and Tim Murtagh bowled an expert spell up the slope with the second new ball to account for Ryan ten Doeschate.Against such a well-balanced attack, Lawrence and Adam Wheater needed to summon all of their resolve after Ravi Bopara’s early dismissal, driving indolently at Roland-Jones.Lawrence has won rightful acclaim as one of English cricket’s most promising talents. Perhaps his defining quality is how quickly he judges length, as revealed by a sumptuous push through midwicket for four when Franklin slightly overpitched; a shot to savour. And, just as in a match-saving 141 not out against Lancashire a fortnight ago, Lawrence married such strokeplay with technical fortitude and equanimity rarely spotted in a 19-year-old.Wheater’s contribution was particularly welcome. Having helped to end the career of the brilliant wicketkeeper Michael Bates at Hampshire, his return to Essex has dislodged James Foster, widely acclaimed as the finest of his generation. And Wheater was not even able to score the runs needed to justify the decision, mustering only six in his first three innings of the season.His jittery start betrayed a man woefully short of form, and one badly in need of fortune. That he got, and in bountiful quantity, when he was dropped three times over three consecutive overs off Roland-Jones – by Rayner at second slip, by John Simpson, diving to his right in front of first slip, and by Sam Robson at third slip. In between times Wheater drove with class and swept dexterously, as befitting a man with a first-class average not far shy of 40.Yet Wheater’s dismissal, rather irresponsibly caught at square leg sweeping Ollie Rayner just before the second new ball, triggered the loss of Essex’s last five wickets for 42 runs. A lead of 212, though, was not enough to entice James Franklin to make Essex follow on. It was a “50-50 decision,” Finn said, and cautious, especially with the threat of rain on the final afternoon. Still, Middlesex ought to have claimed the first of the ten wickets needed, only for Nick Browne to be reprieved by Rayner when he edged Roland-Jones to second slip.After Middlesex decided to bat again, what came next was utterly predictable. With the intensity seeping out of the game, their top three all made breezy half-centuries; all squandered the chance to score twin hundreds in the match, Sam Robson coming closest with 77. The only puzzle was why they felt the need to bat on past a target of 420, which Essex’s openers doubtless appreciated.Only one passage of play is worth recalling. In the 33rd over, Stevie Eskinazi scooped Jamie Porter for six, then went down on his front knee to launch him over midwicket, just as Mal Loye once did to Glenn McGrath, before clipping the next delivery over square leg for another six. After launching Harmer over midwicket next ball, Eskinazi was then caught on the extra cover boundary attempting a fifth six in five deliveries. Most remarkable of all was the notion that Eskinazi is normally regarded as relatively sedate, so much so that he has only played a single white-ball game for Middlesex. That will surely change soon.

Liam Norwell led a determined Gloucestershire bowling display in Canterbury where Kent were dismissed for 298 on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship season

ECB Reporters Network07-Apr-2017
ScorecardCraig Miles got among the wickets when he removed Joe Weatherley•PA Photos

Liam Norwell led a determined Gloucestershire bowling display in Canterbury where Kent were dismissed for 298 on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship season.The 25-year-old paceman bagged 3 for 46, while Chris Liddle, Craig Miles and Graeme van Buuren snaffled two apiece as Kent succumbed inside 89 overs on a green-tinted pitch that offered the visiting seamers some assistance throughout the day.Batting first after an uncontested toss, Kent had 25 on the board within half an hour before Daniel Bell-Drummond became their first casualty of the Division Two campaign. Prodding forward to a fine Norwell leg-cutter, the England Lions opener was caught low down at third slip by George Hankins to go for 11.At the other end, Joe Weatherley, who has joined Kent on a long-term loan from Hampshire, looked assured and confident on his club debut. Getting off the mark with a rasping square cut, the wiry right-hander then straight drove left-armer David Payne for another eye-catching boundary.Gloucestershire made a double bowling change before noon – introducing Liddle and Miles – but Kent trundled to 50 in the 18th over of the day and, by the 26th over, Weatherley and Joe Denly had posted their half-century stand.Weatherley’s stay ended soon after for 36 and to the second delivery of a new spell by Miles. In looking to shoulder arms to a good length leg-cutter, Weatherley inadvertently allowed the ball to brush the face of his bat to offer keeper Phil Mustard the simplest of chances.Gloucestershire’s bowlers strengthened their hand in mid-session, taking four more wickets for 129 runs as Kent’s batsmen failed to cash in on decent starts.Denly continued Kent’s profligate trend. Driving imperiously, he cantered to a 96-ball fifty with nine fours but, with 62 to his name he chased a wide one from Norwell to edge to slip and bring an end to a bright third-wicket stand with Sam Northeast that added 58 inside 13 overs.Without addition to the total, Northeast (22) pushed at one from Liddle that nibbled away off the seam and feathered the outside edge to present Chris Dent with a sharp chance at second slip that made it 134 for 4.Will Gidman raised Kent’s 150 with a square drive that rattled the boundary boards but, with his score on 10, the left-hander pushed firm-handed at another beauty to edge to slip and give Norwell a deserved third wicket.Darren Stevens lifted the run rate with a straight six off Jack Taylor that bisected the Cowdrey and Woolley stands as he posted a 51-ball fifty with seven fours to go with his maximum. But, in attempting to clip his next ball through midwicket, Stevens miscued to square leg to be caught by Cameron Bancroft off the bowling of Van Buuren and leave the hosts six wickets down.Soon after the resumption Adam Rouse (13) fenced at a lifting away-swinger from Miles to edge to Mustard, then, after a couple of lusty blows, Matt Coles (11) holed out to deep midwicket to gift Van Buuren a second scalp.James Tredwell and James Harris, the Middlesex seamer and Kent’s second debutant loanee of the day, took the home score beyond 250 until the second new ball accounted for Tredwell (26) who was caught behind off a full-length away-swinger from Payne.Harris and last man Mitch Claydon continued to go for their shots but Claydon spooned to mid-wicket to give Liddle a second wicket and leave Harris unbeaten on 33.In the five overs through to stumps, Gloucestershire’s Bancroft played inside a Stevens away-swinger to lose off stump as the visitors reached 9 for 1 to trail by 289 going into the second day.

Yesterday we covered reports that Newcastle United transfer target Federico Chiesa would accept a move to St James' Park, and it seems that interest is now more advanced with the player actually leaning towards going to Tyneside.

What is Federico Cheisa's salary?

The Italian is arguably one of the most devastating attacking players in Serie A on his day, combining pace, trickery and end product to great effect. He showcased his brilliance on the international stage at Euro 2020, helping Italy go all the way in the competition after their penalty shootout win over England in the final back in 2021.

Chiesa suffered an injury-plagued season at Juventus, however, managing only six starts and 15 substitute appearances, with just two goals coming his way in the process. It could be that the 25-year-old, who currently earns £149,000 per week at the Serie A giants, is allowed to leave in the current transfer window, which could act as a big boost for Newcastle.

The Magpies were linked with a move for the Italy international earlier this week, with the club seeing him as a potentially stellar signing who can bolster their attacking options and be an immediate upgrade on those currently playing regularly out wide, such as Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron.

Will Federico Chiesa join Newcastle?

Now, according to Corriera della Sera [via Sport Witness], Chiesa is "intrigued by Newcastle" after hearing about their interest in him, and is actually tempted to make a fresh start in the Northeast.

He has already turned down a move to Aston Villa, in order to join a team who can promise him Champions League football – something the Magpies can give him, following their superb fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season, as they pipped Liverpool to a place in Europe's most prestigious club competition.

Chiesa really could be a fantastic signing for Newcastle if they can persuade him to make the move to St James' Park, considering what an elite talent he is, hailed as "world-class" and someone who "has all the ability and desire of a great player" by former Italy defender Alessandro Pierini.

At 25, he is right in the middle of his career, gaining lots of experience at the top level but still also having five or six years in and around his peak, making him a long-term acquisition for the Magpies, should they beat others to his signature before the start of the 2023/24 season.

This is someone who has 77 goal involvements (38 goals and 39 assists) in 202 Serie A appearances, not to mention netting five times for Italy, and this level of end product could take Eddie Howe's side up another gear, in terms of the attacking threat they possess, rather than relying too much on the goals of Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson.

A transfer like this would make Premier League rivals sit up and take notice, further suggesting that Newcastle are only heading in the right direction currently, and it could act as a catalyst for other top-quality players joining him at St James' and adding to the rebuild, as the Magpies look to eventually become a genuine league and Champions League force.

Celtic appear to be edging closer to a move for Gangwon FC forward Yang Hyun-jun, with the situation “gradually being resolved”.

Are Celtic signing Yang Hyun-jun?

The Hoops and Brendan Rodgers have acted swiftly in the transfer market following the Northern Irishman’s return as manager at Parkhead, with midfielder Odin Thiago Holm and winger Marco Tilio joining from Valerenga and Melbourne City receptively on five-year deals.

Rodgers reportedly has a £30m transfer kitty to play with this summer, and that figure may have been boosted, with star man Jota since signing for Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad in a deal worth £25m.

As a result, Celtic appear to be on the hunt for another wide forward, with Yang a player they have been heavily linked with. Reports suggested that a £2.1m fee had been agreed between the two clubs, however, as we know, a move is yet to materialise.

Yang has been keen to make the move to Scotland and even previously admitted he would give up his salary to force through a deal with the Scottish Premiership champions.

"Celtic is a good offer, so I want to go. I have to do my best as a member of Gangwon. But I think the desire to go will still be there.

"I want to go to Celtic this summer. I hope Gangwon will allow me to transfer. If the transfer fee isn’t enough, I’ll even give my salary."

The Daily Record shared an update on Celtic and Yang in the last 48 hours, saying that a dream Hoops transfer for the forward is still on. They believe a £2.1m deal is still being floated and shared more comments from the player himself, who said that “situation is gradually being resolved”, with Gangwon re-evaluating Yang’s value following a meeting.

"The stagnant situation is gradually being resolved.

"The club have re-evaluated the value through CEO Kim Byung-ji during the one-on-one meeting. Still, there seems to be some progress. I think I hurt the fans too much. I want to make the fans smile and go to Celtic."

Who is Yang Hyun-jun?

Yang is valued at a career-high €700,000 by Transfermarkt and has made 71 senior appearances for his current employers, scoring nine times and registering five assists in all competitions.

The South Korea U23 international has previously been labelled as Gangwon's up-and-coming star who is unpredictable and eye-catching by K League United columnist Nathan Sartain, so could be a shrewd addition to come in and attempt to fill the void left by Jota.

Primarily a right-winger who can also play on the left or through the middle, the 21-year-old was hailed as “excellent” and a “level above” in the media following a pre-season performance against Tottenham last year.

By the looks of things, he could be the next attacking Asian player to move to Parkhead, following in the footsteps of the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda and Oh Hyeon-gyu, and it appears as if a deal in the region of £2.1m could be edging closer following the player’s recent comments.