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Southampton are interested in signing a £16 million+ player who has the same agent as Adam Armstrong, according to a recent report from a Sky Sports journalist.

The Saints return to Premier League action this weekend as they welcome leaders Liverpool to St. Mary’s Stadium, looking to bounce back from their defeat to Wolves last time out.

Southampton hit the jackpot selling a star who's now worth £18m less

Southampton sold on this former striker at the best possible time.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 18, 2024 Latest Southampton news

As their game against Liverpool approaches, one concern that will be on Russell Martin’s mind is who plays in goal for his side. That is because Southampton suffered a major injury blow at the start of the international break, as Aaron Ramsdale withdrew from England duty as he suffered a suspected fractured finger and is now looking at a spell on the sidelines.

But this international break wasn’t all doom and gloom for Southampton and some of their players, as defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored on his England debut against the Republic of Ireland. He described it as a “magical” night at Wembley on Sunday as England won 5-0.

He said: “It is every young kid’s dream to make their debut for England, but to get a goal was magical. I was given a few hints on Saturday that I would be needed at some point, so I was just getting myself ready for that, but you also don’t believe it until it happens. When I got the nod to come on, I was over the moon. I fancied myself in the box as I like scoring headers.

“They have always spoken about how there is a pathway [from under-21s to first team], even when Gareth Southgate was in charge. We know the door is open if we take our chances. Playing for my country at every level is something I take great pride in. To play for the seniors is what dreams are made of. It is the pinnacle of football.”

So, as Martin prepares his side for their important winter run of games, the club have their eyes on a player who they could look to sign in January.

Southampton eye move for £16m+ gem with same agent as Armstrong

According to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Southampton are interested in signing Hertha Berlin’s Ibrahim Maza. The Algerian international has been with the German side from an early age but has only just recently broken into the first-team set-up.

The 18-year-old has performed very well for Hertha Berlin in Bundesliga 2 this season, as he’s got three goals and two assists to his name in 12 games. Maza is more known for being an attacking midfielder, but he also has the ability to play as a winger, as well as a striker if needed.

Plettenberg reports that Maza is being scouted by a number of Premier League clubs, with Southampton making regular checks on him, as well as Wolverhampton Wanderers. But they are not the only teams interested from England, as Fulham, Leicester City, Newcastle United, and West Ham are also keeping a close eye on the midfielder.

Games

25

Goals

4

Assists

4

Hertha Berlin want Maza to be part of their promotion push this season, so a move in January could be difficult for the Saints to complete. However, should they fail to be promoted, Maza will likely leave the German side and would be available for a fee of £8-16.7 million. It will obviously depend on where Southampton are playing their football next season, but they could have an advantage in the race, as Maza has the same agent, CAA Stellar, as current Saints striker Armstrong.

The newly-appointed captain of the Ahmedabad franchise says he has “mentally always been ready” to be a leader

Hemant Brar01-Feb-2022″You don’t have to be a captain to lead.”That’s the view of Hardik Pandya, who will lead the Ahmedabad franchise at IPL 2022. Pandya has captained only once at the senior level – in a tour game against Australia in 2017 – but he isn’t bothered about the lack of experience as he has always been “mentally ready”.”I’ve always believed that you lead in a lot of different ways,” Pandya said in a media interaction on Tuesday. “In my team, yes, I will be the captain but everyone else will be also a leader in their own role. Whatever little opportunities or roles I’ve been given [in the past], I’ve always tried to embrace them and learn something new out of them. And now when I have the opportunity, I’ll try to make sure that I use that experience I’ve got from all these little, little roles in my captaincy.Related

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But has he done any preparation for the role?”I don’t think there is a manual to learn how to become a captain,” Pandya said. “But I’ve always been a guy who likes to take up responsibilities in whichever games I have played. I’ll make sure that all the boys who are with me, we play as one [unit]. And that they get enough from me, that is what I’ve learned over the years. I’ll make sure I give a lot of time to the players, my doors will be always open for them. So no preparation as such but I’m looking forward to it and mentally I have always been ready.”During his India and IPL career, Pandya has played under three highly successful captains in MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. When asked what one trait from each of them he would like to have as captain, Pandya said: “From Virat, I would pick his aggression, his passion and his energy, which is tremendous. With Mahi [Dhoni] , the composure, the calmness. In every situation he is the same. From Rohit, I will pick that he lets the players decide what they want to do.”Pandya’s motto as captain, though, is to be there for his players, especially those who are not doing well.”When someone is on a high, when they are doing well, when things are falling in place, generally they don’t need anyone. When someone is having a bad day, that’s when they need you. So as an individual, or as a captain as well, when someone is doing good, I will never bother them. I will let them have their space. But when someone is feeling down, whatever they need from me, I will be always available. That is the motto which I believe in and I’ll try to follow that. And anyone who needs my help, anyone who needs me, I’ll be always there for them.”

“When someone is feeling down, whatever they need from me, I will be always available. That is the motto which I believe in and I’ll try to follow that”

Pandya made his IPL debut in 2015 and until now, he has played only for one franchise, Mumbai Indians. During the seven seasons he played for them, he was part of the title-winning side on four occasions. Talking about the ideal template for a successful T20 team, Pandya said it’s all about winning the small battles.”No matter how much fireworks you have, it’s all about the situation, it’s all about picking the right moments,” Pandya said. “There are small, small moments which you have to win in a T20 game, and for us, that will be more important. We will be focused on the small, small battles – it might be winning the 14th over, or it might be doing well in the 16th over, for example. Whichever team plays the best [in those] situations will win. So that will be my template for our team.”‘I always want to play as an allrounder’In the last couple of years, Pandya hasn’t bowled much because of his back injury. When asked where his bowling is at the moment, he gave a cryptic answer: “It’s a surprise for everyone.”He did say, though, that the Indian team management is aware of his fitness status. “It has been communicated to everyone, so they know where I am.”Of late, there have been many occasions, both for India as well as in the IPL, when Pandya played purely as a batter. And that has been “challenging” for him. However, Pandya is keen to be back as an allrounder.Hardik Pandya has played for the Mumbai Indians since 2015, starring in four title-winning seasons•Sandeep Shetty/BCCI”I’ve always been someone who has given three areas – fielding, batting and bowling, but at that point of time when I decided that I will [only] bat for some time was because I wanted to spend some time on the ground. It has been challenging yes, but I think we all love challenges and I am one of those who like to face them and fight them out.”Healthy criticism is good but generally, criticism does not bother me. I know what I’m doing, I know how I prepare, I know how much hard yards I put. For me, the results do matter but I don’t work hard for the results, I work hard for the processes and the results look after themselves once you have put in genuine hard work, which I’m doing right now.”I’ve realised one thing that I as an allrounder give a lot of different options to the team. For me as an individual, it has always been that I want to play as an allrounder, and I’ll always try to do that. If something does go wrong, my batting is always there. And you know, Hardik Pandya with bat and ball combined sounds better than just a batter.”With bat, Pandya’s role in T20s has been mainly that of a finisher, with him coming in mostly at No. 5 or below. But will that change now given he is the captain?”I have always been a cricketer who has played the situation and whatever the team requires at that point of time. If my team needs certain roles from me, as a group we will decide that when the matches come, but I have not made any plans regarding that yet. If the situation demands me to go in early, I will go in early. If the situation doesn’t demand that, I will stay back and make sure that I look after back end.”

Looking to replace Rodri and get their season back on track, Manchester City have reportedly sent scouts to watch a midfield target who already rejected Premier League rivals Liverpool in the summer.

Man City transfer news

For the first time, it seems as though Manchester City’s luxury of depth has run its course. The injuries have piled so high that even their strength in reserve has reached breaking points, with the likes of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey forced to step up from the academy and into the starting side whilst Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias battle to return to full fitness.

Man City now monitoring another “silky” La Liga gem alongside Swedberg

They’re two players in demand…

ByTom Cunningham Nov 17, 2024

The biggest blow that Pep Guardiola’s side have suffered so far still remains Rodri’s season-ending injury. The glue that has helped combine one of the most historic Premier League sides, the champions have looked lost at times without the Ballon d’Or winner, recently suffering four straight defeats in all competitions.

If the Citizens have their sights set on a fifth-straight Premier League title, they may have to act in January, which could yet see a La Liga star arrive.

According to The Boot Room, Manchester City have now sent scouts to watch Martin Zubimendi ahead of a potential move in 2025. The Real Sociedad star reportedly has a release clause of just €60m (£51m) in what is certainly an affordable price for those at the Etihad to match.

However, Manchester City will have to put together a fairly convincing pitch, given that Liverpool tried and failed to convince the Spaniard to depart his boyhood club during the summer transfer window. Just when it looked as though the Reds were about to welcome the midfielder after triggering his release clause, he chose to stay loyal to Sociedad by rejecting the chance to join Arne Slot’s side.

"Elite" Zubimendi would ease Rodri blow

Liverpool initially went in pursuit of Zubimendi to hand Slot the deep-lying controller that his system needs. Of course, he has since found that with Ryan Gravenberch, but where the Reds failed, Manchester City could convince the Sociedad star to ease their own problems in the middle of the park.

Without Rodri, the Premier League champions have crucially lacked control, leaving them more vulnerable than ever under Guardiola, with Mateo Kovacic so far failing to step up in place of his injured teammate. But if you cast your minds back to the Euro 2024 final, Zubimendi has already proved that he is capable of replacing the Man City man.

Coming from the bench at half-time for Spain after Rodri suffered an ill-timed injury, Zubimendi instantly eased any concerns and simply slotted straight in to take his country to victory against a heartbroken England in Berlin. Dubbed an “elite tempo controller” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the 25-year-old could now receive a similar opportunity in domestic football.

Manchester City are never afraid to splash the cash and now, more than ever, they must flex their financial muscle to welcome a solution to Guardiola’s biggest problem.

Chelsea’s momentum in the Premier League was curbed before the October international break, with Nottingham Forest holding the Blues to a feisty draw at Stamford Bridge to end a three-match winning run.

Enzo Maresca deserves plaudits for taking the reins from Mauricio Pochettino and lifting the club closer to the limelight. It’s going to take several campaigns, but the Londoners are starting to look like they could be serious competitors sooner rather than later.

There’s been plenty to praise regarding the transfer activity from the market just gone, with a wealth of quality brought in, but it’s been particularly pleasing to see the immense Cole Palmer joined by some of his partners from last season in stepping up to the plate.

Noni Madueke got himself on the scoresheet against the Tricky Trees, with his rise really starting to take shape.

Noni Madueke continues to shine

Madueke has been a part of the Chelsea project since signing from PSV Eindhoven in a deal worth £29m, but the 22-year-old joined the cause at a turbulent time and has only recently started to showcase that he can be a leading figure as Chelsea continue to raise the bar.

After losing against Manchester City in a tough season opener, the newly-blooded England international wreaked destruction at Molineux as Chelsea defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 6-2.

Having been a regular feature on the right flank this term, Madueke came up clutch once again last weekend as he fired past Matz Sels after beating the stricken Alex Moreno for a fourth time. It took the winger’s tally to five goals from eight matches in all competitions in 2024/25.

Noni Madueke: Stats vs Nottingham Forest
Match Stats	#
Minutes played	89′
Goals	1
Assists	0
Touches	57
Shots (on target)	7 (2)
Accurate passes	27/32 (84%)
Key passes	3
Dribbles (completed)	5 (3)
Tackles	3
Interceptions	1
Total duels (won)	14 (8)
Stats via Sofascore

Writing in his post-match player ratings, football.london’s Rob Guest awarded Madueke with an 8/10 score, praising his energy and influence across the match, playing his part even if the Blues failed to defeat Forest on home turf.

He wrote: ‘Shot wide following some good movement early on and wasn’t too far off not long after with a curling effort following a sharp turn. Chelsea’s brightest player in the first half with some excellent play down the right and deservedly got his name on the scoresheet with a low effort 12 minutes after the restart. Strong showing from the winger.’

Chelsea have plenty of quality in the final third, but it’s a measure of Madueke’s performances that he’s keeping the likes of Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku and Pedro Neto at bay, playing with gusto and impact.

It was his fine goal that spared the blushes – to a degree – of another Chelsea star over the weekend. Indeed, Nicolas Jackson’s brilliant start to the campaign was stifled, for he flattered to deceive before the October international break.

Nicolas Jackson's performance vs Forest

Jackson has come on leaps and bounds already in 2024/25. He was hardly ‘poor’ during his maiden year in London, joining from Villarreal on an eight-year deal in July 2023 after a fee in excess of his £30m release clause was paid.

He bagged 14 Premier League goals across 34 matches last year, which is an impressive feat for a young centre-forward stepping into English football for the first time – and at a club that had been suffering from harsh climes besides.

With 24 big chances missed, however, it was clear that much work was needed. For reference, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins scored 19 times and only missed 22 big chances.

This season has been a different tale, with the Senegalese striker reaping the rewards of a refined sense of fluency at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are not quite so reliant on Palmer’s brilliance anymore.

Jackson has posted four goals and three assists across his opening seven Premier League matches of the term, although he struggled to add to his efforts against Nuno Espirito Santo’s expertly woven low block, with the aforementioned Guest far more displeased with his display, branding him with a 5/10 match rating and commenting on his ‘frustrating afternoon’ with ‘very little’ falling his way.

Indeed, the 23-year-old was well-marshalled, taking just one shot all game – hitting the woodwork – and taking just 30 touches, as per Sofascore, which was even fewer than that of the hosts’ shot-stopper Robert Sanchez (39).

Forest also had him covered in the air, with Jackson winning only one of his four contested aerial battles.

It’s a reminder that he’s not yet the finished article, and that, with such an array of talent at Maresca’s clutches, he perhaps shouldn’t start every single week.

Why Maresca must consider dropping Jackson

Nkunku missed a glorious opportunity to win it for Chelsea after being introduced, taking Jackson’s place, with ten minutes on the clock, but the France international’s dynamic and breezy style of play might have had an effect in unlocking an iron-willed and bullish Forest backline, had he had longer to apply his instruments.

We all know of Jackson’s quality, and that he’s one of the most talented young forwards in the Premier League. After all, he’s claimed seven goal contributions from as many matches to kick off his second year in England.

But he’s not infallible. Jackson got lost in the forest on Sunday afternoon and proved to Maresca and the Blues fanbase that he’s got much to learn before he reaches the apex of his potential.

With the likes of Nkunku, Felix and Guiu waiting in the wings, it’s simply a reminder that Maresca has an embarrassment of attacking riches at his disposal, and must rotate beyond flicking the switch as his team jumps between Conference League and top-flight football.

For now, Chelsea stand in fourth place in the Premier League after seven matches – only four points behind table-topping Liverpool. Jackson will continue to play his instrumental part in the term, but Maresca must make sure to shuffle the pack and remind stars that they are always apt to lose their starting berth if they falter.

Chelsea star who was a 5/10 vs Nottingham Forest is now droppable

Chelsea man has now become droppable ahead of the Liverpool game

By
Connor Holden

Oct 7, 2024

Everton had a significant transfer window in the summer of 2022 and signed six players on permanent deals, and two on loan.

The Toffees marquee signing that summer was Amadou Onana, who cost £33m from Lille, beating East London outfit West Ham United to his signature.

The other permanent signings included some crucial players still at the club today. One of those was Idrissa Gueye, who returned from Paris Saint-Germain, James Garner from Manchester United and Burnley pair Dwight McNeil and James Tarkowski, with the latter joining on a free transfer.

Whilst all of those permanent signings were successful to some degree, there was one player who joined the Toffees that year who never really settled. That man was Neal Maupay.

Maupay’s Everton career

French striker Maupay certainly had an indifferent time of things at Goodison Park. They bought him late on in the 2022 summer window, moving to the Toffees for £15m from Brighton and Hove Albion.

His Everton career got off to a strong start after he scored in his second appearance for the club, a well-taken striker against West Ham United in front of the Gwladys Street End.

It seemed like Maupay and Everton could be a match made in heaven based on that goal, but sadly that was as good as it got for the Frenchman on Merseyside.

He played 32 games for the club in total, with his goal against the Hammers his only one in that famous Blue shirt. He did manage to register two assists, both in the Carabao Cup. One of those came in his last game before he moved to former club Brentford on a season-long loan.

It was a solid return to the Gtech Community Stadium, with the 28-year-old scoring eight goals and getting three assists in 31 games in all competitions. He earned a move back to France as a result, with Olympique Marseille signing him on loan with an obligation to buy in 2025.

Everton fans will no doubt be frustrated that things did not work out with Maupay at Goodison Park. However, they may be even more disappointed to hear that they could have signed one of Europe’s most exciting strikers instead, Goncalo Ramos.

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast's One That Got Away series.

When Everton wanted to sign Goncalo Ramos

Now plying his trade at PSG after a sizeable £67m transfer, Everton were looking at signing Ramos before the end of the 2022 window. According to reports, the Merseysiders were one of a number of teams looking at snapping him up for a potential fee of around £30m.

Had they brought him in, they would have added a striker with excellent pedigree to their squad. Ramos had a superb record for Benfica, with 106 games under his belt, and 41 goals to his name in that time.

After staying at the Portuguese outfit in 2022/23, he then proceeded to score 19 goals in 30 games in the top flight of Portugal.

Ramos record by season for Benfica
Season	Games	Minutes	Goals	Assists
2019/20	1	3	2	0
2020/21	12	380	4	0
2021/22	46	2449	8	4
2023/24	47	3478	27	8
Stats from Transfermarkt

After an impressive hat-trick at the 2022 World Cup, Ramos earned his big move in the summer of 2023. He signed for the French giants on a loan deal initially in a fee that is over double what he would have cost Everton.

Described as “outrageous” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the striker is a superb penalty box striker and possesses excellent movement. He has scored 14 goals in 41 games in Paris, although is yet to get off the mark this term due to injury.

Everton fans will no doubt be disappointed to miss out on Ramos. Not only would they have signed a superb striker instead of bringing in Maupay, but they would likely have made a healthy profit, judging by the fee PSG paid for the striker last summer.

Everton wanted to sign £25m star who's now outshining Gordon this season

Everton could have signed him over the summer.

By
Joe Nuttall

Oct 7, 2024

Preparing for the January transfer window and beyond, Newcastle United reportedly sent scouts to watch one star in action as Atalanta held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw in the Champions League this week.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have plenty of making up to do after such a disappointing summer transfer window, with those at St James’ Park failing to sign Marc Guehi after a window-long saga. And with forgiveness in mind, Newcastle could finally land a replacement for Miguel Almiron in either the winter window or the summer of 2025.

Mitchell planning huge double contract signing for £9m-a-year Newcastle duo

They would be among the highest paid players at the club.

By
Ben Browning

Sep 21, 2024

Reports have already linked those in Tyneside with a move for Leroy Sane on that front in what would certainly steal the headlines. The Bayern Munich winger has lost his place in Germany to recent arrival Michael Olise and could now be on his way back to the Premier League. A serial winner with Manchester City in his last stint in English football, Sane would be Newcastle’s biggest signing since Alexander Isak.

The German’s not the only winger that they’ve set their sights on though. According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Newcastle sent scouts to watch Ademola Lookman in Atalanta’s 0-0 draw against Arsenal in midweek. The winger helped the Serie A side earn a crucial point to kick off their Champions League campaign, winning six duels up against a stubborn Arsenal side and completing 24 out of his 25 pass attempts, including three successful crosses.

The Magpies’ scouts weren’t the only ones in attendance either, it seems. Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Atalanta’s opponents, Arsenal, were also reportedly taking notes on the winger.

Earning a reported £37,000-a-week in the Serie A, Lookman’s arrival would hardly disrupt Newcastle’s wage bill and would offer Eddie Howe an instant upgrade down his right-hand side. Whilst things haven’t worked out for the Nigerian in past Premier League moves, he’s finally found his best form at Atalanta and is more than ready to take England’s top flight by storm.

"Fantastic" Lookman is Premier League ready

After ultimately failing to make his mark at Everton, Lookman showed a glimpse of his potential at Fulham before finally rising to stardom at Atalanta. Now, he could get the chance to return and complete unfinished business in England’s top tier, helping Newcastle return to the Premier League’s top four in the process.

It’s a rise that former Everton manager Marco Silva saw coming, despite several obstacles along the way, having told Sky Sports during his time at the Toffees: “Fantastic player. I said since the first day that I joined the club that it was really important to keep him.

“You know what happened in pre-season. I put high pressure on and turned his mind to keep him here with our club and I think what we saw today we will see better and better in the future.”

After scoring an incredible 17 goals and assisting a further 10 last season, Lookman was even nominated for the Ballon d’Or in the achievement of his career so far. The fact is, Newcastle wouldn’t be signing a winger who’s on the periphery of becoming one of the most exciting in Europe, they’d be signing a player who’s already there.

KL Rahul made the last of his five Test hundreds at The Oval in September 2018. He had managed just 150 runs in nine innings on that tour prior to that innings, and his position was in doubt. But he changed things around with an attractive 149 on the final day as he and Rishabh Pant nearly pulled off a coup before falling short. Back in England, almost two years since he last played a Test, Rahul is more “focused and determined” and is less worried about being dropped.Related

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“When I got dropped in 2018, I had to go back and discuss with coaches, watched a lot of videos to see where I was faltering and try to correct that,” he told . “I’m happy, time off from Test cricket (has helped). Like they say, failure makes you strong, makes you more focused and determined about the game. It’s no different for me. I’m looking forward to the opportunities, trying to stay a lot calmer and more disciplined.”Rahul is currently a back-up middle-order batter – and not an opener like in 2018 – in the Test squad, and while he isn’t guaranteed a spot in the first XI for the series opener at Trent Bridge starting on August 4, he could be in the mix should Ajinkya Rahane not recover in time from a hamstring niggle.That innings at The Oval, Rahul pointed out, was down to playing with a sense of freedom. “I remember The Oval being the best batting pitch we got in the whole series,” he said. “At the back of my mind, I also knew it was the last game of the series and I hadn’t done well in the series. So, it was only realistic that I would have probably not gotten a chance in the next series.”I wanted to make it count, enjoy my batting. I had a sense of freedom in my head. I thought this may be my last opportunity to let me go and enjoy my game. Me and Rishabh, had we battled for an hour more, we could have won the game. That would have been historic, been the icing on the cake. But I’ll still hold Oval very close (to my heart).”Rahul has only featured in two first-class games in the last 18 months, but his century in India’s lone tour game against a County Select XI last week has again raised hopes of a Test comeback. His last Test was in the West Indies in August-September 2019, in the series that kicked off India’s World Test Championship campaign. Since then, while his white-ball credentials have skyrocketed, his red-ball stocks have taken a hit.KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant almost pulled off a coup at The Oval back in 2018•Getty Images

A hand injury led to him missing parts of the Australia tour in December-January, and the England series at home. In May, during the IPL, he had to have surgery for appendicitis. Now, on his second Test tour to England, Rahul felt he was more aware of his game.”It’s always good to get runs in the white kit,” he said of his century last week. “It’s been a while since I’d played a red-ball game, so it was very nice to be out there, and score runs. It’s important to stay patient and wait for my turn. I’ve been working on my game. It’s good to get some time in the middle and score some runs.”I’ve always been confident. I’ve never really worried about confidence. It’s my self-belief that has gotten me so far, but it’s about maintaining a calm head, learning from your mistakes. I’m just enjoying my game. I’ve made mistakes, I’ve learnt from them. I get stronger. Like I said this is a good opportunity again, hopefully fingers crossed I can do the job for the team.”During that warm-up game in Durham, Rahul had the additional responsibility of keeping wicket, as Pant and Wriddhiman Saha were unavailable because of Covid-19 protocols. It’s not new to him, it’s part of his job profile in short-format cricket anyway.”It’s a good opportunity to test my body and wicketkeeping skills,” he said. “The added responsibility made me really sore but apart from that, it was good time out and it gives me good opportunity to stay in the game. Especially when it is a practice game, sometimes it can feel longer. But when you’re wicketkeeping, you need to stay focused and you’re in the game all the time. So, I quite enjoyed it.”

Ipswich Town are continuing to ramp up their transfer business in the final weeks of the transfer window as they look to build a squad capable of Premier League survival this season.

Ipswich Town's transfer spree continues

Having managed to secure back-to-back promotions, spending was always likely this summer as Kieran McKenna's side looked to overhaul a squad built largely of League One players.

But the scale of business has been impressive from the East Anglian side. Headed by the arrival of Omari Hutchinson on a club-record deal, nine new faces have arrived at Portman Road, including former England Player of the Year Kalvin Phillips and last season's Championship top scorer Sammie Szmodics.

Ipswich Town's summer business so far (via Transfermarkt)
Player	Fee
Omari Hutchinson	€23.5m
Jacob Greaves	€21.5m
Liam Delap	€17.85
Sammie Szmodics	€10.6m
Arijanet Muric	€9.55m
Ben Johnson	Free
Connor Townsend	€590k
Jens Cajuste	Loan
Kalvin Phillips	Loan

They are not done yet either, with McKenna's side on the verge of completing a loan move to sign Chelsea forward Armando Broja, a deal which will contain an obligation to buy the Albanian for £30m should they avoid relegation this season.

On the pitch, they face a baptism of fire. The Tractor Boys fell to a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in their opening game of the season, and face a trip to reigning champions Manchester City in their second. But off the pitch, there is set to be more business even beyond Broja.

Ipswich Town make £15m bid to sign "unplayable" ace

That comes as Sky Sports have revealed that the East Anglian outfit have made a bid to sign Sunderland star Jack Clarke. McKenna's side have tabled an offer consisting of £15m up front plus further add-ons to sign the winger, who is being chased by a whole host of clubs this summer.

Down to the final two years of his £17,000-a-week deal at the Stadium of Light, the Black Cats may be forced to cash in this summer should they wish to extract the best value for the former Tottenham man.

Ipswich could land a bigger talent than Phillips in "incredible" gem

Ipswich Town are looking to the future with this potential swoop.

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 22, 2024

Last season, he caught the eye of several clubs, finishing the Championship campaign with an impressive 15 goals and four assists in 40 outings, and earned high praise from weekly watchers of the EFL including Adrian Clarke.

"Jack Clarke is unplayable," Clarke told the What the EFL?! Podcast.

"When he’s in this form, he looks like a Premier League star. It’s someone who is playing in the wrong division. He had 14 dribbles in this game, six shots, I love the run and pass for the Dan Neil goal, scored himself of course."

Now, he could be set to become a Premier League player after all, with Ipswich offering him a route back into top-flight football. It is added that Ipswich are currently "pushing hardest" for his signature, having already seen a bid knocked back this summer.

Mithali Raj has said she doesn’t heed criticism around her strike rate and instead focuses on shouldering the responsibility bestowed by the team management in terms of playing the anchor role in the Indian ODI side.”I do read the criticism about my strike rate but as I’ve said earlier also, I don’t seek validation from people,” Raj, the India Test and ODI captain, said after sealing a 220-run chase and her side’s thrilling four-wicket win on Saturday in Worcester with an unbeaten 75. “I have played for a long time, and I know that I have a certain responsibility in the team. I don’t look to please people, I’m here to play the role that’s assigned to me accordingly, by the team management.Related

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“When you’re chasing a target, you pick your bowlers, you pick the length, and you pick the areas. And because I am in good flow, I know I need to make the best use of me in the middle. In a way the batting unit revolves around me – that’s the job that’s been given to me by the coach.”I look to not get bogged down because somewhere I do know that the top order is already in the dugout and it was important for me to understand the situation how I can manoeuvre and try to get the match as close as possible with the batters who are yet to come and the batters that I had in the middle. And I guess I need to give credit also to Sneh Rana because that partnership was very, very crucial. She kept her calm, which is very important in such situations.”Picking up her third straight fifty in the ODI leg of the multi-format series, Raj steered India to victory in the final over of the chase after putting on two fifty stands. The second of those was with No. 7 Sneh Rana, whose vital 22-ball 24 earned her praise from Raj.”For me batting has always been a role-play in the team,” Raj said. “The sort of role that is assigned to me over the years is of taking the responsibility of the batting unit and play throughout. And that’s something I’ve always done.”Today also was one of those days where I could plan my innings. Chasing gives me a better picture of building an innings along with the other batters in the middle and I am able to control the game. I think that really worked for me. And having young girls in the side it helps to guide them when you’re in the middle to also sort of help them understand the situation and how to play in these conditions. It works well that way.”En route to her half-century, Raj surpassed former England captain Charlotte Edwards as the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket. She went past Edwards’ tally of 10,273 with a four off Natalie Sciver in the 24th over of the chase.Mithali Raj – “Because I am in good flow, I know I need to make the best use of me in the middle”•Getty Images

“I think the way things have gone, it wasn’t an easy journey,” Raj said, reflecting on her storied 22-year-long international career. “It had its trials and challenges. I’ve always believed that these trials always have a purpose, and there were times when I wanted to give up for various reasons but something kept me going and here I am, 22 years of international cricket but the hunger to score runs for India has never dried up.”[…] I know I have a few months in the run-up to the World Cup, and there’s certain areas, certain dimensions to the game that I would like to add to my batting. I look forward to working on those areas.”Raj, who retired from T20Is in 2019, had before the England tour said the 2022 ODI World Cup would be her swansong. With only tours of Australia and New Zealand so far scheduled before next year’s world tournament, the ODI assignment in England which concluded on Saturday may have been her last one in the country.”Obviously, before the World Cup we don’t have an England tour but I have always enjoyed playing in England against England, one of the quality teams on the world stage,” Raj, who made her international debut in England in 1999, said. “They say English conditions are always difficult, but the bulk of my runs I’ve scored on this soil. I’m just grateful that each time I come here…”There have been times when I’ve toured England from a bad form and I have scored heavily coming to England. So, I am happy the way I started in 1999, and today it’s come a full circle. I just look forward positively for the tours I am yet to play that I continue this form into those series as well.”

Recap how the second day of the final in Brisbane unfolded

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Apr-2021Welcome to our live report for the opening day of the Sheffield Shield final between Queensland and defending champions New South Wales at Allan Border Field in Brisbane. Join us for updates throughout the day.*Most recent entry will appear at the top, please refresh your page for the latest updates. All times are local.4.30pm: Full houseThey had to shut the gates on the second day as the ground reached its Covid-19 limit. Great to see.Getty Images