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Italian heavyweights AC Milan want to reward Dutchman Tijjani Reijnders' impressive performances with a wage increment and secure his future.

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Milan ready to double Reijnders' wagesDutchman impressive for Serie A giantsHas garnered interest from the Premier LeagueFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Since arriving at the club in 2023, Reijnders has established himself as one of the pillars of an AC Milan side in transition. To reward his performances and growing importance within the team, the Rossoneri are planning to offer him a contract renewal with a pay rise, according to Calciomercato.

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Reijnders further rubber-stamped his credentials as a man with growing reputation in Europe with an emphatic display in Milan's 3-1 drubbing of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu earlier this week.

His displays for Milan will only strengthen the interest he has attracted from Premier League outfits Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. The club, however, do not want to lose Reijnders, and as such are going to offer him a renewal which will see the Dutchman's wages double from €1.7 million to €3.5 million until 2030.

Frank Rijkaard, the Dutch legend who was part of one of the greatest Milan sides in history, has in particular lavished his fellow countryman with immense praise.

WHAT FRANK RIJKAARD SAID

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Calciomercato), Rijkaard said: "I hope Reijnders becomes one of the best midfielders in the world, but I sincerely believe he is already on the right path. I really like the way he plays. As time goes by he is becoming more and more important for Milan.

"In the middle of the pitch he can cover all the roles and is showing his generosity; he never holds back a run for the team and always gives his all. With the quality he has, he is very good at creating dangerous moves for his teammates.

"His growth also in terms of goalscoring confirms that Reijnders is a key player for the team. Thanks to his progress, Milan is becoming stronger and stronger. I wish him that. The stronger the team becomes, the more chances he has to experience fantastic moments with Milan."

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR AC MILAN?

Coming on the back of a potentially season-altering win over Real Madrid in the Champions League, Paulo Fonseca and Co. will be aiming to spark a revival of their Serie A campaign when they take on Cagliari on Saturday, November 9, at San Siro.

Tottenham have expressed a real interest in signing one star from Barcelona ahead of 2026, according to a new report.

Spurs shortlist attacking targets with big-names on the radar

Spurs are preparing significant investment in attackers for January and beyond, with media sources indicating a new forward or two will definitely arrive at the club next year.

Indeed, Thomas Frank’s side have identified multiple targets as they attempt to revive their campaign.

Tottenham have significant funds available for the right acquisition, with the club willing to test the waters for elite talent. The recruitment team, led by co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange, are expected to prioritise signing a wide forward rather than a central striker, though no final decision has been confirmed as they approach the January window.

Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo remains the primary target, with the Lilywhites now intensifying their interest ahead of January.

The Ghana international has seriously impressed this season with his blistering pace and proficiency, which will definitely appeal to Frank as he seeks to add more creative spark.

Semenyo’s new deal also includes a tempting £65 million release clause which will be active early next month, but this has piqued rumoured interest from the likes of Liverpool and Man City as well.

Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye has emerged as another concrete target, viewed alongside Semenyo as possessing the energy and attacking versatility suited to elevating Tottenham’s forward line.

However, sources indicate Ndiaye is considered more likely as a summer acquisition rather than a January signing.

More ambitious names include Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa.

Tottenham tipped to strike Grealish-like deal for player who'd 'jump' at chance to join

Spurs could get him on loan in January.

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Tottenham are believed to be exploring a potential January deal for Rodrygo, who himself would consider a move to north London as he instructs his representatives to find him a new club.

Aghehowa, who’s been in monstrous form since joining Porto from Atlético Madrid in 2024, also has huge admirers at Spurs, amid reports that they’re also prepared to make a winter move for the Spaniard.

Paratici and Lange appear to be drawing up a shortlist of credible attacking targets as the Lewis family look to kickstart a new era post-Daniel Levy, with Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford now also on their radar.

Tottenham 'determined' to sign Barcelona star Marcus Rashford

Rashford finds himself at a career crossroads following his impressive revival at the Camp Nou, with Tottenham now emerging as serious contenders to lure the forward back to the Premier League.

Despite his outstanding form in Spain, Barcelona remain indecisive about the £30 million purchase option in his loan deal from Man United, creating uncertainty that several English clubs are eager to exploit.

His Barça renaissance has persuaded the Calatans’ hierarchy to at least contemplate activating the permanent deal clause, but their precarious financial situation complicates matters.

While the £30 million fee appears affordable on paper, Rashford’s long-term future hangs in the balance, and Spurs could offer him a route to London.

That is according to Spanish media sources, who report that Tottenham have identified Rashford as the ‘ideal’ profile to rejuvenate their attack.

Spanish newspaper AS, as referenced, claim that Spurs are ‘determined’ to sign the 27-year-old and ready to offer him an ‘immediate leading role’ in the team — though any transfer would have to wait until the summer considering he’s still on loan in La Liga.

Rashford’s wages, reported to be around £325,000-per-week, present a pretty major roadblock for Frank’s side, but his proven Premier League experience and versatility would undoubtedly improve the team.

The United academy graduate, during spells of superstardom at Old Trafford, earmarked himself as an England regular before falling out of favour and impressing on loan at Aston Villa last season.

Arsenal have now joined the race for a £88m forward who recently entered “very advanced” talks over a move to Tottenham Hotspur…

Gunners ramping up pursuit of forward amid Eze criticism

The Gunners’ lead at the top of the Premier League table was reduced to just two points on Saturday, with Aston Villa securing a 2-1 win at Villa Park, and Shaka Hislop was particularly unimpressed with Eberechi Eze’s performance.

Hislop said: “He could have been taken off after 30 minutes, I’ll be honest.

“Now I am as willing as anybody to sing Eze’s praises, but everything from Arsenal came down the right in that first half.

“Everything came through Bukayo Saka, so the change had to be made at half-time because Eze was non-existent.”

In fairness, Eze has made a very promising start to life at the Emirates Stadium, with the England international amassing nine goal contributions in his opening 22 matches across all competitions.

However, the 27-year-old’s best performance arguably came in the 4-1 victory against Tottenham, during which he played through the middle, so there may be room to bring in another left-winger this winter, and Arsenal are now ramping up their pursuit.

It was recently revealed that a strong move is being made for Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola, but the Frenchman is not the only target, with a report from Caught Offside revealing Arsenal have now joined the race for RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande.

The Gunners have been monitoring Diomande’s progress over the past few weeks, alongside a number of Europe’s top clubs, while Spurs are also keen, with Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri recently stating they are in “very advanced” talks with the left-winger.

A deal could be on the expensive side, however, with it being suggested RB Leipzig could look to hold out for around €80m – €100m (£70m – £88m).

Arsenal to "directly contact" £88m forward about joining after talks with his reps

Arteta apparently wants to sign him in January.

ByEmilio Galantini 7 days ago Diomande making "sensational" impact in Germany

The Ivorian only made the move to Germany during the summer, but he has already started to make a major impact, being singled out for high praise by scout Jacek Kulig.

Most recently, the 19-year-old put in a remarkable performance in his side’s 6-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring a hat-trick and completing more dribbles than any other player.

Yan Diomande’s key statistics vs Frankfurt

Number completed

Dribbles (successful)

8 (4)

Key passes

1

Duels (won)

13 (6)

Goals

3

Considering Diomande is still a teenager, the level of his performances in the Bundesliga this season have been remarkable, and he may be ready to join one of Europe’s biggest clubs soon, so it would be fantastic if Arsenal were able to beat Tottenham to his signature.

انتهت قبل قليل مباراة فريقي الزمالك وفاركو في إطار مواجهات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز “النيل” 2024-2025 بفوز الفارس الأبيض بهدف دون رد.

المباراة أقيمت على ملعب استاد الجيش ببرج العرب-الإسكندرية، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة عشر من عمر البطولة المحلية.

بتلك النتيجة يصل الزمالك إلى 26 نقطة، إذ فاز في 8 مباريات وتعادل في 2 وخسر في 3 مواجهات محتلًا المركز الثالث بترتيب الدوري المصري.

تشكيل الزمالك أمام فاركو في الدوري المصري.. الجزيري يقود الهجوم 

ومن المنتظر أن يواصل الزمالك مشواره المحلي بمواجهة فريق بتروجيت العائد هذا الموسم للمشاركة في دوري الأضواء والشهرة.

بتروجيت يتواجد في المركز التاسع في سلم ترتيب الدوري هذا الموسم، لاحقًا -حتى الآن- بركب المنافسين على حسم البطولة في الدور الثاني من هذا الموسم الاستثنائي.

خاض فريق بتروجيت 12 مباراة في الدوري المصري فاز في 4 مباريات وتعادل في خمسة فيما خسر ثلاث مواجهات، سجل 11 هدفًا واستقبلت شباكه تسعة أخرى. موعد مباراة الزمالك القادمة

وتقام مباراة الزمالك وبتروجيت يوم الأحد المقبل الموافق السادس عشر من شهر فبراير الجاري، وذلك في تمام الساعة الرابعة عصرًا بتوقيت مصر والخامسة بتوقيت السعودية.

MatériaMais Notícias

da bet vitoria： O Vasco teve um ano para esquecer em que tudo deu errado e culminou na permanência na Série B. Com isso, o clube segue no processo de reformulação de seu elenco para a próxima temporada. Contudo, um detalhe chama a atenção. Dos dez jogadores dispensados, oito fizeram parte do pacote de contratações de 2021 feitas pelo então diretor executivo Alexandre Pássaro.

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da winzada777： A tendência é que o técnico Zé Ricardo chegue nesta semana ao Rio de Janeiro. O clube ainda não anunciou reforços para 2022, mas segue mapeando o mercado com os profissionaisdo Departamento de Futebol e da comissão técnica permanente. O novo gerente geral Carlos Brazil e o treinador passaram a também atuar nesse processo.

+ Confira a classificação final da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro

Em meio à reformulação, os contratados de 2021 lideram a lista de saídas. O pacote engloba quase todos os setores do campo e teve início antes mesmo do término da Série B. Vale lembrar que Andrey, Léo Jabá, Zeca e Walber tiveram suas férias antecipadas restando ainda três rodadas para o fim da competição.

Em seguida, o volante Michel e o zagueiro Ernando, contratados por Alexandre Pássaro, também deixaram o clube. Na semana seguinte, o volante Romulo e o atacante Morato, que não corresponderam em campo, tiveram o mesmo destino. Nesta segunda, Marquinhos Gabriel foi mais uma contratação de 2021 a ter sua saída confirmada.

Na barca, apenas Andrey e Germán Cano não fazem parte dos ‘reforços’ deste ano. O primeiro, da base do clube, não renovou contrato após 17 anos entrando em campo com a Cruz de Malta no peito. O segundo tornou-se protagonista ao ser o artilheiro do time nas duas últimas temporadas, mas caiu de rendimento e não acertou a renovação.

+Posições: contratações para as pontas do Vasco não correspondem, e jovem começa bem, mas oscila em 2021

Essa análise mostra que o planejamento para 2021 não foi bem aplicado. Muitos jogadores não faziam uma boa temporada há algum tempo e não tinham o perfil da Série B. Um campeonato mais intenso, físico e de muita marcação. Fora isso, houve um desequilíbrio nos setores, não tendo peça de reposição para seus principais atletas.

Dos contratados deste ano, sobraram o goleiro Vanderlei, que tem contrato até dia 31 e foi bastante questionado, e o atacante Daniel Amorim, que encerra contato empréstimo junto ao Tombense neste mês e correspondeu sempre que entrou. Além deles, o equatoriano Jhon Sánchez, que teve poucas chances, e Nenê, único que teve algum brilho no segundo semestre, também ainda seguem no clube.

+Com negativa de Juninho, Vasco chega a um mês sem diretor de futebol

O camisa 77 foi uma das únicas contratações que agradaram a torcida e deu resposta em campo, mesmo chegando na reta final. Velho conhecido, ele tende a ser a referência técnica desse novo elenco e disse que seguirá até o clube voltar à Série A. O nome de Daniel Amorim também agrada, ainda mais agora que o clube perdeu Cano. A reformulação tem sido profunda e resta ao Vasco ser certeiro no mercado para construir um elenco mais forte dentro das limitações financeiras que o clube enfrenta.

Liverpool have now reportedly taken their first step in the race to sign Bundesliga defender Konstantinos Koulierakis, who has been compared to Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven.

The Reds have been back to their best in the last week, beating Aston Villa to end a four-game losing run in the Premier League before suffocating Real Madrid at Anfield to stop the rot once and for all. Victory over the Spanish giants certainly came at a good time too, with a trip to the Etihad to face Manchester City now awaiting Arne Slot’s side this Sunday.

The Dutchman spoke about the Real Madrid win and looked ahead to Liverpool’s clash against Man City this weekend, telling reporters: “It was impressive because we played against an incredible side that is in an unbelievable run of form. So to beat them is very positive but we can say we beat them because of a set piece. We have scored four in the Champions League.

“If we had scored as many in the Premier League we would have more points than we have now, but we have scored none and conceded five. If that is your balance you are not going to pick up many points.

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“Sunday is another game coming up against a very strong team. We have lost too many points in the Premier League but in the Champions League we are doing well. We need to do better and that is what we are going to try and there’s a lot of games coming up for us to show that.”

Meanwhile, as they return to winning ways on the pitch, those at Anfield have reportedly taken their first step towards what would be quite the win away from the action.

Liverpool take first step in Koulierakis race

As reported by The Boot Room’s Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have now sent scouts to watch Konstantinos Koulierakis, who has been compared to Spurs’ Van de Ven. The latest Wolfsburg defender to impress, Koulierakis is still just 21 years old and standing out despite his side’s poor start to the Bundesliga campaign.

The Greek defender wouldn’t be the first centre-back to swap Wolfsburg for the Premier League, either. Of course, Van de Ven is now thriving at Spurs and Maxence Lacroix is also a stand-out at Crystal Palace these days. Now, Koulierakis could be the next in line to make the switch and to the biggest club yet in Liverpool.

Described as “powerful” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Koulierakis could end Liverpool’s search for a centre-back in 2026 and act as an immediate replacement for Ibrahima Konate if the Frenchman fails to sign a new deal at the club.

What we learned: Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has now personally stepped in to prevent Manchester United from making a move for Robert Lewandowski, despite Ruben Amorim being very keen on signing the striker.

Ratcliffe has been unwavering in his support of Amorim during the manager’s first year in the job, recently making it clear he has no plans to part ways with the 40-year-old anytime soon, stating he has three years to prove himself.

The INEOS chairman has also opened up on his personal relationship with the former Sporting CP boss, saying earlier this year: “I really, really like Ruben. He’s a very thoughtful guy. Every time I go to the training ground, I speak to Ruben. I sit down and have a cup of coffee with him and tell him where it’s going wrong, and he tells me to f*ck off. I like him.”

So far, there can be no doubting that the 73-year-old has backed his manager in the transfer market, with the Red Devils investing heavily in the summer, bringing in the likes of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko to upgrade the forward line.

Sesko hasn’t made a flying start to life in the Premier League, with Peter Schmeichel claiming he was an unnecessary signing, but the centre-forward may take some time to adjust, given that he is still only 22-years-old.

Ratcliffe blocks Man Utd move for Lewandowski

According to a report from Spain, Amorim is very keen on signing Lewandowski, who is available on a free transfer upon the expiration of his FC Barcelona contract next summer, but Ratcliffe has stepped in to block the move.

United are set to prioritize the signing of younger players, meaning the 37-year-old doesn’t fit the bill, despite still being regarded as one of the greatest strikers in the world.

The Poland international’s wages are also considered an issue, given that he rakes in roughly £352k-a-week at Camp Nou, which makes him the highest paid player in the squad.

Lauded as a “world-class” striker by journalist Muhammad Butt, the Barcelona star is undoubtedly still a top-level striker, despite his age, having maintained a fantastic goalscoring record since signing for the La Liga side.

Season

La Liga appearances

Goals

2022-23

34

23

2023-24

35

19

2024-25

34

27

2025-26

7

4

That said, it is understandable that Ratcliffe isn’t keen on a move, given that the Pole would likely demand huge wages, while the veteran’s arrival could also hamper Sesko’s development, given that he would be competing with the Slovenian for a starting spot.

It is well-documented that Ratcliffe has been trying to make Man United more sustainable since his arrival, with lowering the wage bill of key significance.

As such, despite Lewandowski establishing himself as a top striker, it would probably be a wise idea for United to avoid signing him next summer.

Robert Lewandowski has been named one of the world's best strikers The Best 15 Strikers in World Football Ranked (2025)

Who is the best number nine right now?

ByCharlie Smith Nov 20, 2025

Neymar has been spotted in Santos training despite reportedly being told by club doctors that he risks worsening his injury. The Brazil icon has a knee issue that will rule him out for the rest of the season if he has surgery. But with the Brazilian outfit in the midst of a relegation battle, the 33-year-old may try and play through the pain to secure his team top-flight safety.

Neymar suffers injury setback

The former Barcelona star has had an injury-hit season, with the veteran only recently returning to action from a hamstring problem. This week, it emerged that Neymar had been struggling with knee discomfort, ruling him out of their 1-1 draw with Internacional on Monday. They currently sit one place above the relegation zone (17th) in the Brasileiro Serie A with three matches remaining. Shortly after picking up that valuable point, Santos manager Juan Pablo Vojvoda revealed what the club have planned for their "leader". 

He told reporters: "The plan is for him to be in the match against Sport. I have to talk to him, I'm not in his physical presence and I will respect Neymar's decisions. But his commitment is to be there, he always wants to be there. Before the Mirassol game, he felt discomfort in his knee. He also felt it during the game. The following day he was experiencing significant discomfort in that knee. We know we have games every three days. With travel, we'll arrive in Santos tomorrow afternoon… He's a player we need for all three rounds and he'll help us. He's our leader on the field. He'll be there. He felt he wouldn't be able to meet the demands of today's game."

AdvertisementNeymar returns to training

Footage from Santos has shown that Neymar trained with his team-mates on Wednesday but it is clear he is not at 100 per cent. According to Globo, he has a tear in the meniscus region of his left knee and the medical recommendation is to have an arthroscopy – a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves inserting a small camera into a joint through a tiny incision. This allows the surgeon to see inside the joint on a video monitor and perform necessary repairs. This injury is said to be causing Neymar 'persistent pain' when exercising but he is considering playing 'in the sacrifice' of Santos. 

Neymar walking a fine line

The report adds that Neymar's knee 'can burst at any major impact' and the doctors are advising that he stop playing/training and undergo an arthroscopy. However, that would end his season, with the Brazilian likely to be out for a month as a result. Incidentally, when Neymar took part in team training, he avoided contact, and he played with support on his left knee. The fear is that if he doesn't rest his knee, this issue could become a lot worse, potentially ruling him out for the start of 2026 and jeopardising his chances of a Brazil national team call-up in March. Despite that, Neymar is reportedly mulling over what to do, as a potential return to the second division beckons.

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Neymar's Santos?

The former Paris Saint-Germain star, who joined Santos at the start of 2025 after having his Al-Hilal contract cancelled, has had a mixed second spell at his boyhood club so far. The ex-Barca ace has been on the sidelines for lengthy periods and a return of seven goals and three assists in 25 matches in all competitions is nothing special. Moreover, he is out of contract at the end of the year, so if he does have the procedure, Neymar may not play for the club again. While Santos are keen to keep him, that will only likely be possible if they stay in the Brazilian top-flight. Next up, they host Sport Recife on Friday, who are rock bottom of the division. This is, arguably, a must-win game for Santos, particularly as Fortaleza have won two matches in a row and are just one point behind the Brazilian giants. It's crunch time for Santos and Neymar.

Yorkers galore, and a bucket put to good use at the WACA

Scott Hazebroek13-Dec-2012Choice of game
The Big Bash match between the Perth Scorchers and the Melbourne Stars was not one to be missed. A good rivalry developed between the two teams last season after their semi-final clash, and who doesn’t want to see Shane Warne in action? I felt before the match the game could go either way, but my gut feeling was the Stars in a close one.Team supported
I was supporting the Scorchers, hoping they could snatch their first win of the season.Key performer
Who else but Lasith Malinga the slinger? Second-best figures in Twenty20 history – 6 for 7. It was a stunning spell of bowling from one of the most devastating fast bowlers in the game. He also got a good round of applause from the crowd when he left the field.One thing you’d have changed
I would have not had the rain, because I had to wait around for about an hour not knowing what would happen, only to see one final ball… which was left through to the keeper. It would have been nicer if the Stars could have just chased down the target without the long delay.Face-off you relished
Malinga v Scorchers! It was always going to be fascinating watching Lasith bowl, and he tore apart the Scorchers line-up. The Scorchers had no answers to his often brutal, sometimes clever, deliveries.Wow moment
Any of Malinga’s wickets would have been okay, but his sixth was breathtaking, especially once the general hope was, “he’s taken five, that’s enough”. Instead he delivered a stunning slower yorker to Joe Mennie, who played all around it and the ball hit off stump. And the next ball he almost had seven, with Michael Beer playing and missing a yorker that just skidded past off stump.Close encounter
Malinga was in front of me for a time, and I tried to get a wave from him, but all I got was a subtle smile. Also in front of me were Clint McKay, Rob Quiney and Nathan Coulter-Nile at different stages of the match. Only Brad Hogg gave autographs and was duly filmed while doing so.Shot of the day
After going for a couple of fours, Mennie bowled a half-volley which Luke Wright lofted with class into the crowd. It symbolised the Stars’ utter domination of the Scorchers.Crowd meter
For a wet, cold Wednesday afternoon the crowd (at least before the rain) was pretty decent. Over 8000 people turned up but were silent for a large portion of the match, due to the shock of seeing the Scorchers collapse. Most people left during the rain break, but some die-hards braved the weather to ultimately see one ball. Fancy dress index The butterfly ladies were back and strolled around the ground. There were people wearing buckets and watermelons on their heads and a lot of orange around the ground. The other noticeable fashion trend was some players wearing their baseball-style caps backwards. The main offender was Glenn Maxwell.Entertainment
Music was played between balls and over the rain delay, although there were no songs of note. The Scorcher’s opening batsmen were greeted with fire and fireworks when they went out to bat, as was the whole team when they entered the “Furnace” to field. There were some fire-shooters near one bank that were activated whenever the Scorchers hit a four (which didn’t happen very often!). There was not much on offer during the delay, apart from my bucket which I was using to collect drips from the roof in front of the dressing rooms. People pointed to it and laughed when they passed it. One guy said, “That’s putting those buckets to good use”. It was so popular a cameraman even filmed it! The entertainment for the kids during the delay was trying to get on camera in the background of TV interviews with a variety of players and coaches.Confusion of the day
No one had a clue what would happen when the rain first bucketed down onto the WACA field. Would we get any more play, how many overs needed to be bowled, what the target would be. Eventually the word was that the cut-off time was 7:52pm and five overs needed to be bowled to constitute a match. The rain slowed down at about 7:35pm. The umpires inspected the ground, and, to the Scorchers despair, decided we could play. Then the target was the subject of confusion. Surely, if the Scorchers scored 69 then the target would be about 15, which the Stars were well past? So why do we need to play? In the end, the target was six runs. However, the ruling was one ball needed to be bowled. There was a lot of warming up by both sides (for one ball), and at 7:53pm Hilton Cartwright bowled a ball outside off, which Quiney calmly left. The crowd booed the umpires off the field, for having to stay an hour to see just one ball. It was called “ridiculous” and “farcical” by members of the crowd (and, as I later found out, by Scorchers captain Simon Katich). Everyone shook hands and that was it.ODI v Twenty20?
Still T20 for me. I like ODIs, but T20s just have a great atmosphere, big crowds, entertainment for everyone, and, best of all, exciting cricket. This all adds up to a better experience. Overall It was a superb performance by the Stars, led by Malinga the slinger. The Scorchers just couldn’t stand up to them on a cold, wet night. The confusion during the rain delay was frustrating, but I feel privileged to have seen one of the best T20 spells ever.Marks out of 10
7.5.

Leeds United are back in action in the Championship this evening as they prepare to travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley in a huge clash at the top of the table.

Defeat for the Whites in Lancashire will see their opponents move level on points with them in the division, although it would take a four-goal or higher victory for the Clarets to put them on top due to goal difference.

A win for Daniel Farke’s men would place them four points clear of Sheffield United, who lost 3-0 to Hull City on Friday night, in second place, leaving them in a great position in the race for automatic promotion.

The West Yorkshire outfit beat Norwich City 2-0 in their last match at Elland Road, thanks to goals from Manor Solomon and Dan James, and it is fair to say that scoring goals has not been a huge problem for Leeds.

They are the top scorers in the division, with 53 goals, but Farke is still keen to add more attacking quality to the group, with a reported interest in Emiliano Buendia, but they look set to miss out on the midfield magician…

Why Leeds could miss out on Emi Buendia

Firstly, it was recently reported that Leeds are playing the long game with the Argentina international and have been hoping that the later it gets in the window the bigger chance they have to sign him.

A transfer that would comprise of an initial loan move from Aston Villa with an obligation to make it permanent upon promotion to the Premier League has been touted for the former Norwich City star.

Buendia scored 15 goals and provided 16 assists in 39 Championship appearances in the 2020/21 campaign under Farke, which was their last season working together, to win the league title.

The German head coach may want to work with the Argentine talent again with the hope that he can get back to that form, although the winger was out for almost a year with an ACL injury and only returned last August, which means that it may take time to get back to his best.

Leeds, however, may not have to worry about whether or not Buendia can get back to his best because interest from a Champions League side has emerged.

Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg has claimed that Bayer Leverkusen, who won the Bundesliga title last season, are exploring a deal to sign the midfielder, and are interested in an initial loan with an option to make it permanent in the summer.

It could be incredibly difficult for Leeds to convince the 28-year-old ace to turn down interest from a Champions League and Bundesliga side, competing for major trophies, to return to the Championship, which is why they look set to miss out on his signature as it stands.

If that turns out to be the case and Leverkusen secure a deal for Buendia ahead of Leeds, Farke could move on from his former sensation in a late swoop for Aston Villa starlet Louie Barry.

Leeds United's interest in Louie Barry

The 21-year-old forward is set to leave the Premier League side on loan before the end of the January transfer window. Unai Emery recently confirmed that their plan is to tie him down to a new contract before sending him out on loan for the second half of the season.

Transfer Focus

Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, and Middlesbrough have all been linked with an interest in the former Stockport County loanee, as they look to bolster their respective attacks.

Scottish giants Celtic were interested in a permanent deal for the English winger and saw an offer of £10m turned down by Aston Villa earlier this month, leaving them out of the race for his signature.

Emery’s confirmation that the forward will be leaving on loan before February’s deadline will come as a boost to Leeds, Wednesday, and Middlesbrough, although Boro completed a deal to sign Morgan Whittaker from Plymouth Argyle last week, so it remains to be seen whether or not they are still in the market for a winger.

Why Louie Barry could be a good signing for Leeds

If the West Yorkshire outfit can win the race for Barry’s signature in the next week or so, Farke can forget about Buendia by signing another supremely talented attacker.

The Argentine winger has failed to provide a goal or an assist in 11 Premier League matches so far this season, which suggests that the Whites would not have been signing the same player who was in the form of his life for the German in the past.

Whereas, Barry is coming off the back of an incredible time on loan with Stockport County in League One. Albeit at a lower level, he is a player full of confidence and could step straight into a thriving Leeds team to hit the ground running, which may not have been the case with a low-on-confidence Buendia.

The English ace, who was once hailed as having “incredible” composure by Declan Rice, scored nine goals and provided four assists in 17 starts in League Two in the second half of last season with Stockport, and made the step up to the third tier this term.

Appearances

23

Goals

15

Big chances missed

6

Big chances created

5

Assists

2

As you can see in the table above, Barry racked up 20 goals and ‘big chances’ created in 23 appearances in League One, which shows that he can adapt his game to higher levels, going from League Two to League One.

He has scored five more goals than any other Leeds player at league level this season, with Joel Piroe currently leading the way for the Whites with ten, which suggests that he has the potential to provide a big goal threat in the second half of the season.

Whilst he has not enjoyed a Championship season as successful as Buendia’s 2020/21 campaign, Barry is an in-form player who could come in and hit the ground running and that is why Farke could move on from the Aston Villa outcast by signing his teammate.

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