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Leeds United are in pole position to sign Wigan Athletic attacking midfielder Sean McGurk, following an update from The Times correspondent Paul Joyce on Twitter.

The Lowdown: Leeds prepare for 2021/22

Moving into the 2021/22 season, many Whites supporters will be itching to see how Marcelo Bielsa plans to improve on their commendable ninth-placed effort last term.

Already successfully plotting their conquests in the transfer market, they have completed the acquisitions of former Birmingham City youngster Amari Miller along with making loanee Jack Harrison’s stay in Yorkshire a permanent one [The Athletic].

Could Leeds now be set for a third summer signing in quick succession following recent reports?

The Latest: Leeds ‘close to deal’ for 18 y/o starlet McGurk

According to Joyce on social media, the Elland Road outfit are ready to raid the League One club for 18-year-old wonderkid McGurk.

Communicating to his Twitter followers, the journalist stated: “Leeds United close to a deal for Wigan teenager Sean McGurk. Fee of around £175,000 has been discussed but transfer may yet be settled by tribunal”.

In recent times, Scottish Premiership duo Celtic and Rangers have also been credited with an interest in the out-of-contract teenager, but they now look set to miss out on him to Bielsa’s side [Leeds Live].

[web_stories_embed url=“https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-7/” title=“Latest Leeds United news!” poster=“” width=“360″ height=“600” align=“none”]

The Verdict: McGurk would be a solid addition

Upon reflection, McGurk would be represent solid business for Leeds as they prepare for the new season. Technically gifted, his propensity to participate within a high-octane brand of football makes him the idea type of prodigy to develop at Thorp Arch.

Despite never featuring at senior level for Wigan, he has caught the eye in the FA Youth Cup for their under-18 side, registering four goal contributions from five appearances across two years with three goals and one assist [Transfermarkt].

Once labelled ‘brilliant’ by Wigan under-18s coach Peter Murphy, the Whites should look to secure his signature ahead of the upcoming pre-season owing to his vast potential. Only required to pay a small fee whether through settlement of tribunal, he could prove to be a bargain buy in years to come.

In other news, a prospective signing has been tipped to shine at Elland Road.

MELBOURNE, Dec 28 AAP – English fast bowler Andy Caddick received an official reprimand here today after pleading guilty to an on-field misconduct charge during the fourth Ashes Test.

AAP28-Dec-2002MELBOURNE, Dec 28 AAP – English fast bowler Andy Caddick received an official reprimand here today after pleading guilty to an on-field misconduct charge during the fourth Ashes Test.Caddick received a Bronx cheer from the crowd yesterday after 100 runs were recorded against his bowling and in response gave his knockers the finger.Match referee Wasim Raja conducted a hearing this morning and Caddick apologised.Raja said in a statement that he took into account Caddick’s previous excellent record, but warned him about his future conduct.

Lots of Everton fans have been giving their thoughts on Twitter as a transfer update emerged on Richarlison.

As per ESPN journalist Joao Castelo-Branco, Carlo Ancelotti has asked to sign the Brazil international for Real Madrid in the summer window, with him firmly on their radar.

Richarlison did not have his best season in 2020/21, scoring just seven goals in the Premier League, and was often criticised by some members of the Goodison Park faithful for his performances.

However, he has been a key player for the Toffees over the years, scoring 42 times and supplying a further 10 assists in 119 games in all competitions across the last three campaigns (Transfermarkt).

Therefore, Rafa Benitez’s side should only consider selling the 24-year-old if a big offer came in which would be hard to turn down.

Everton fans on Richarlison transfer update

These Toffees supporters seemed split as the transfer update was shared across Twitter, with one fan describing it as ‘amazing news’ that Ancelotti wants a swift reunion with the Brazil international:

“If we sell him I’m buying a banner”

Credit: @James50581391

“Carlo, I’ll never forgive you if..”

Credit: @markowenf24

“GET OUT!!!”

Credit: @CathyMcAlle

“£80m and I’ll drive him there myself. Maybe he’ll then show up more than one game in three.”

Credit: @DougalPaver

“This is amazing news, the lad is absolutely bang average. Get the biggest fee possible and run”

Credit: @andyb4ker

“I’d snap their hand off, too inconsistent”

Credit: @neilbretherton

In other news, Everton are in a Premier League race to sign this ‘giant’

Many Sunderland fans were delighted with the performance of Callum Doyle during their 2-0 pre-season victory over Hearts.

The Black Cats had played just one pre-season clash before this game, drawing 2-2 with Spennymoor, but they improved significantly against the Edinburgh-based outfit. Aiden McGeady scored both goals in what was an impressive victory for Lee Johnson’s men.

The clash also saw Doyle make his first appearance for the Wearsiders since making the move to the northeast on loan from Manchester City (BBC). Despite being just 17 years of age, the centre-back did not look out of place, with the club’s official match report singling him out for an “impressive” display.

He may have given Johnson some thinking to do ahead of the start of the League One campaign, and the boss may even decide on giving him a starting role once the competitive action starts next month.

Sunderland’s official Twitter account asked their followers to describe Doyle after his display, and fans responded in their droves. These supporters took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the teenager’s showing, with one Mackem lauding the teenager as a “baller”.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Doyle’s performance

“Superstar in the making”

Credit: @StephenStokoe

“Stunning.”

Credit: @AvengerThor3006

“Baller”

Credit: @snaith_76

“Class”

Credit: @SAFCLJ25

“Sublime”

Credit: @ChristianLukeF1

“Superb”

Credit: @JaiOliver5

In other news, many Sunderland fans were fuming over this ex-Black Cats player’s comments.

Chris Gayle, the West Indies captain, believes a more mature outlook from his developing squad was responsible for their competitive efforts against Australia over the past three Tests

Cricinfo staff16-Jun-2008
Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Dwayne Bravo fought hard on the final day in Barbados and the team’s resolve pleased the captain Chris Gayle © AFP
Chris Gayle, the West Indies captain, believes a more mature outlook from his developing squad was responsible for the competitive efforts against Australia over the past three Tests. Australia won the series 2-0 but they were strongly challenged by an improving West Indies, who pushed all three matches to the fifth day and looked far better than their No. 8 world ranking.”The guys are really enjoying their cricket and they’re becoming more mature and so on, so hopefully we can continue in the same vein,” Gayle said. “We played good cricket right throughout the series but unfortunately we came out the losing side.”The result was confirmed on the final day in Barbados, where his men were pursuing a daunting 475 for victory, which was 57 runs greater than the highest successful run chase ever achieved in Tests. Gayle said West Indies genuinely felt they had a chance when Dwayne Bravo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul were building a 122-run stand.”It was a good game today,” Gayle said. “I can’t fault the guys for the effort they’ve put in today, to put on 380 runs is pretty good but unfortunately we lost. We knew that it was not going to be easy, someone had to get a big hundred which we didn’t get in this game.”A key moment came when Chanderpaul was lbw for 50 and it was only the third time Australia had managed to dismiss him during the three Tests. Despite the loss, Chanderpaul was pleased with the side’s resolve throughout the series.”We’re playing the No. 1 team in the world, we’re ranking No. 8 right now and nobody expected the game to go to a fifth day and all the games so far went to the fifth day,” Chanderpaul said. “It’s pretty well done on our behalf and I must commend the guys for the effort they’ve put in.”Chanderpaul said the side was not helped by the lack of a big group of senior players. “It is hard at times because you have a bunch of young guys, and they are learning, but they are learning slowly,” Chanderpaul told AFP.”When I came into the team, I had a bunch of senior fellows around – men who played their cricket tough – so it was easy for me to learn from them, but we have a whole heap of young guys and there are not a lot of senior players to guide them. But we are trying to mould them, and they are learning, but they are not learning fast enough, because at this level you need to learn fast.”He said the only way to fill the West Indies stadiums, which were empty for much of the series, was to win consistently. “In the Caribbean, we have a way of being negative,” he said. “Sometimes we can be very negative, rather than positive and looking for ways to try to help each other.”We are down. We are not the team we had in the past. We do not have the big names. We are not dominating. We are ranked at No. 8. We need help and we need the public to support us, and help us all the way.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers are considering the possibility of selling Portuguese winger Pedro Neto this summer, with a number of clubs around Europe including Liverpool having made enquiries [90Min].

Enjoying a very profitable 2020/21 campaign, the 21-year-old sensation registered 11 goal contributions in 35 appearances; five goals and six assists [Transfermarkt].

Currently recovering from a fractured patella injury, that setback hasn’t stopped interest in his services from emerging.

Liverpool, Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur are all believed to have asked about his availability in recent weeks, however the Molineux outfit would only sell one of their prized assets for a very sizeable transfer fee [90Min].

Jurgen Klopp is known to be seeking further options in wide areas this summer, with question marks over the Anfield future of Swiss wide-man Xherdan Shaquri [METRO].

In light of this news, loads of Liverpool diehards took to Twitter to express their opinions on these latest developments.

Liverpool FC fans react:

Replying to 90Min journalist Sean Walsh on Twitter, here is what some supporters had to say about the Neto rumours:

“This i could get on board with.”

Credit: @DPSD37″GET IM INNNNNNNNNNNNNNN “Credit: @TheOrigin__96″Yes please”Credit: @l96__”Would take Pedro Neto alright, would be a great signing!”Credit: @CurtyCM”This would be a phenomenal capture, NGL”Credit: @SamuelAdams89″This would be an amazing signing.”Credit:@KopTalk1892In other news, Liverpool fans are outraged at a transfer rumour.

Led by an unusually cautious century from Mohammad Ashraful, the second of his career, Bangladesh cruised to a 96-run win over UAE in their Asia Cup opener in Lahore

The Bulletin by Ashok Ganguly24-Jun-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Mohammad Ashraful played a conservative knock by his standards to help Bangladesh to an imposing 300 © AFP
Led by an unusually cautious century from Mohammad Ashraful, the second of his career, Bangladesh cruised to a 96-run win over UAE in their Asia Cup opener in Lahore. Ashraful was supported by Raqibul Hasan, who made his second-successive 80-plus knock as the pair put on 141 off 122 balls before the left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak sealed the win, in the process becoming the third Bangladeshi bowler to take 100 wickets.The UAE seamers had a tough time settling in after Bangladesh chose to bat, conceding six wides in the first two overs. Bangladesh did not make use of the freebies, however, as the over-eager Nazimuddin flirted with a perfectly-bowled outswinger from Zahid Shah. Ashraful, off the very next ball, had a lucky escape when an inside edge missed the stumps. He had two more slices of luck but the signs were ominous when he latched on to a short delivery from Amjad Javed.Meanwhile, Tamim Iqbal, who’d struggled to get going, flicked Fahad Alhashmi to the fine-leg boundary to bring up Bangladesh’s fifty and move into double figures. Ashraful then played a copybook extra cover drive against the wayward Javed to bring up the fifty-run stand.The introduction of spin slowed things down but UAE missed a trick in not using offspinner Mohammad Tauqir after he conceded only six runs off three overs. Against the run of play, Tamim failed to heed Ashraful’s call to avoid an unnecessary third run in the 24th over. As though venting his frustration at the run out, Ashraful played a stunning inside-out shot to reach his half-century, followed by another scorcher to the extra cover boundary off Shadeep Silva, though it grazed the hands of the cover fieldsman.Raqibul, who batted with verve, made his intentions clear by lofting the left-arm spinner, Khurram Khan, one bounce to long-on. Ashraful then hit two successive boundaries against the same bowler, and ran sharp singles and twos with Raqibul as he moved from 73 to 100 without the aid of a boundary.Raqibul, though, was aggressive, taking three boundaries apiece against Khurram and legspinner Arshad Ali as he picked up 27 from nine balls. He missed out on a golden opportunity to reach his maiden ton, however, when a top-edged pull sailed to the ‘keeper Amjad Ali; UAE could have picked up two in two had Javed held on to a catch off Ashraful at long leg. Ashraful was run out soon after and was one of four wickets to fall in quick time. Dollar Mahmud ensured that they did not muddle up the finish, making 20 off 9 to take Bangladesh to their highest score away from home.Five statsBangladesh’s total of 300 is their second-highest score in ODIs, just one run less than the 301 they scored against Kenya in Bogra in March 2006.The 141-run stand between Ashraful and Raqibul Hasan is the highest for the third wicket in ODIs for Bangladesh.Khurram Khan’s 78 is the second-highest score by a UAE batsman in ODIs, six short of Saleem Raza’s 84 in the 1996 World Cup.With the wicket of Khurram, Abdur Razzak became the third Bangladesh bowler to take 100 ODI wickets, after Mohammad Rafique and Mashrafe Mortaza. Razzak was playing his 69th ODI; only three other spinners have been quicker to 100 wickets.Raqibul’s 83 is his third half-century in nine innings, and just six short of his highest score.Javed gave UAE a flying start by taking ten runs off the first over bowled by Mashrafe Mortaza, hitting the first ball of the innings to the cover boundary before striking him over long-on in the sixth. But Mortaza had his revenge when he induced a top-edge from Javed, which was pouched by Tamim. Indika Batuwitarachichi lasted only two balls, trapped by Shahadat Hossain.The two Ali’s, Arshad and Amjad did not let the early wickets faze them and took the attacking route. Amjad was particularly impressive, twice driving the ball through the covers and once straight down the ground, but the shot which stood out was a flick off Mashrafe to the midwicket boundary which had a Caribbean flair to it. Arshad almost matched that stroke with a powerful pull off Shahadat. The duo had raised 32 off 28 balls, but their promising stand was stalled when Razzak, introduced in the ninth over, got Amjad to edge to first slip with his first ball.Arshad kept up the fight, punishing a couple of short balls from Mahmud. But when spin was introduced at both ends, UAE found the runs hard to come by. Mahmudullah, bowling quickish offbreaks, then accounted for UAE’s captain, Saqib Ali, who cut him uppishly to Shahadat at backward point.Khan survived a couple of close lbw appeals, but got going by striking Mahmudullah for a couple of attractive boundaries, one to long-on and then past extra-cover. The 47-run fifth-wicket stand between Khan and Arshad ended when Arshad mis-hit Mahmudullah to Raqibul at midwicket. With wickets falling at regular intervals, Khan let loose a barrage of aggressive strokes. He reached his maiden half-century in the 38th over bowled by Mahmud, during which a misdirected throw from Ashraful gave him four additional runs. After Khan holed out to Razzak, Alok Kapali helped himself to a couple of wickets to seal the result.

VVS Laxman won’t be joining Nottinghamshire as their overseas player because of the county’s links with Indian Cricket League players

Cricinfo staff24-Jul-2008
VVS Laxman won’t be gracing the county scene this season © Getty Images
VVS Laxman won’t be joining Nottinghamshire as their overseas player because of the county’s links with Indian Cricket League players.Laxman had earlier agreed to sign until the end of the season but the BCCI is refusing to sanction the move after it “advised” its own contracted players not to play for counties with players in the ICL.Mick Newell, the Nottinghamshire director of cricket, said he had spoken to two other players in line to replace Laxman.”I’ve spoken to two players and we need to contact them again if he doesn’t come,” Newell told BBC Radio Nottingham.Laxman, currently with the Indian Test team for a three-match series in Sri Lanka, was set to join the county in August as a replacement for Adam Voges, the Western Australian batsman. But the restriction imposed by the BCCI could also affect legspinner Piyush Chawla’s plans of joining Hampshire. Ajit Agarkar, the fast bowler, has already called off talks with Worcestershire.”We thought we’d done a deal with VVS,” Newell said, “and we thought we had permission from the BCCI, but somebody’s spotted something and now they want to question the whole deal.”

An update has emerged on Leeds transfer target Yangel Herrera, regarding Manchester City’s valuation of the midfielder.

What’s the talk?

According to The Telegraph, Leeds United target Yangel Herrera is a player on Manchester City’s chopping block this summer. The Premier League champions are looking to raise funds and are willing to cash in on the midfielder for a fee in the region of £20m.

Crystal Palace, Southampton and West Ham are said to be interested in signing him, whilst Leeds have also been linked with a swoop for his signature this month.

Imagine him and Phillips

Victor Orta must sanction a swoop for Herrera as he could land a dream midfield for Marcelo Bielsa by partnering Kalvin Phillips with the Manchester City man.

The Venezuela international could be a terrific addition to the Argentine’s squad and bolster their chances of another successful season in the top-flight, which is why Orta must pounce on this opportunity to bring him in.

Bielsa often opted for a 4-1-4-1 last season, but also utilised a 4-4-1-1 variant and that is where the midfielder could slot in alongside Phillips.

Mateusz Klich’s performances were inconsistent and his dismal average WhoScored rating of 6.51 reflects this. This suggests that a replacement for the Poland international is needed heading into the 2021/22 campaign.

Herrera averaged a score of 6.84 across 42 appearances for Granada on loan in Spain, playing in La Liga and in the Europa League.

In 10 European matches, he averaged an eye-catching score of 7 whilst winning 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game. This shows that he has the quality to compete at the top level and, therefore, could be a shrewd signing.

Venezuelan football expert and journalist Carlos Ponte has lauded the midfielder as complete and elegant, praising his work rate across the pitch. 

He said: “In Venezuela, we’ve never had as complete a footballer Yangel – elegant in possession, tall, very physically imposing, good at bringing the ball out, good in the air, the right mentality, and a good head on his shoulders.

“He has a lot of energy and stamina, is great at providing cover and a true team player. He’s good at bringing the ball out with a certain degree of elegance.”

These quotes pair nicely with Herrera’s statistics at Granada to paint the picture of an impressive young talent who could pair with Phillips, 25, and create a strong midfield base for Leeds to build on.

At the age of 23, he still has plenty of time left to develop and improve as a player under Bielsa’s coaching, which means that him and Phillips could have the potential to be a dream pairing for many years to come at Elland Road.

AND in other news, Leeds must land “explosive” £60m-rated gem who’s “so fast”, Bielsa’s desperate for him…

Paddy Kenny has expressed confidence that new Everton signing Andros Townsend will ‘do really well’ at Goodison Park. 

The former Leeds and Sheffield United goalkeeper was speaking to Football Insider.

The lowdown

Everton confirmed the signing of Townsend last week following his release from Crystal Palace. The 30-year-old, who has also played for Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, signed a two-year deal at Goodison Park.

Speaking exclusively to Football Transfer Tavern, former Premier League striker Dean Windass described the transfer as a ‘great bit of business’ but did say it came as a ‘big surprise’ given that Townsend hadn’t ‘pulled up anything for a few seasons’ at Selhurst Park.

The winger made 34 Premier League appearances for the Eagles last season, scoring once and providing five assists (via WhoScored).

The latest

Kenny feels that Townsend will improve Everton’s depth in wide areas and insists that he still has a lot to offer both on and off the field.

The former Ireland goalkeeper told Football Insider: “He’ll make the squad better, 100 per cent.

“He’s experienced and he’s still a quality player. He might be 30 but he is still a fit lad. He’ll be good to have in the dressing room.

“I’m sure he’ll enhance the squad and the whole club and do really well at Everton.”

The verdict

Townsend is hardly an inspiring signing for Everton. You wouldn’t expect him to be a starter necessarily, but even as a backup option there are question marks when you look at his rather barren level of productivity last season. Would you really want to be relying on him in the event of an injury?

However, the focus very much seems to be on stylistic compatibility. Townsend produced 1.6 accurate crosses per game last season – more than any Everton player. The idea will be that, when called upon, he furnishes the aerially prolific Dominic Calvert-Lewin with plenty of inviting deliveries from out wide.

In other news, many Everton fans react to links with this La Liga-based starlet.