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Everton are in the market to make much-needed improvements to their attacking threat this summer and now a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Everton's interest in Jack Harrison?

According to one journalist, Everton are in talks with Leeds United over a potential deal to sign Jack Harrison.

As per the report, the Toffees are interested in the midfielder who has a £16m release clause and the player would be very much open to a move to Merseyside due to having family connections in the North West.

Would Jack Harrison be a good fit for Everton?

After losing both Richarlison and Anthony Gordon over the last 12 months, Everton's presence in front of goal has been significantly weakened after scoring just 34 league goals last season, having further suffered due to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's constant injury issues.

Sean Dyche will surely be making it a top priority to improve the attacking presence in the team to ensure that his team don't fall into another Premier League relegation battle next season or worse, fall into the Championship.

As a result, the signing of Harrison would be a major coup for the club as the Premier League-proven attacker could not only provide a real threat in front of goal but could even be Everton's next Steven Pienaar.

The former Toffees talisman tallied up 229 appearances, 26 goals and 48 assists in his selfless versatile role at Goodison Park; predominantly deployed in an attacking left midfield position in a time when strikers would often be deployed alone in the final third, he played 37 times in a left-winger role and was also found occasionally in right or attacking midfield positions too.

Now Harrison could emulate Pienaar's strong presence across the Everton attacking threat as, just like the retired South African, the Leeds left-winger also offers huge versatility in his positioning and has often been deployed in a left midfield role, on the right flank and in a central attacking midfield role too.

Over 206 appearances for the West Yorkshire outfit, the 26-year-old whiz – hailed "phenomenal" by YouTuber Conor McGilligan – has scored 34 goals and registered 32 assists, again similarly to Pienaar offers a great balance of both goal-scoring ability and a keen eye for providing goal-creating opportunities for his teammates.

With that being said, if the powerbrokers at Goodison Park can strike up a deal for Harrison this summer it would be a great statement of their ambitious intent to form a much stronger attacking presence against opponents next season.

Liverpool would only consider selling Mohamed Salah for “over £150m ($189m)”, says Jamie Carragher, with interest being shown from Saudi Arabia.

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Egyptian linked with move to the Middle EastTalk of record-breaking contract offerReds understandably reluctant to sell WHAT HAPPENED?

The Egyptian superstar finds himself at the centre of a big-money transfer saga as the summer window in England begins to wind down. There has been talk of the 31-year-old forward being presented with a contract offer from Al-Ittihad that would lift him above Cristiano Ronaldo when it comes to the highest-paid players on the planet.

AdvertisementGettyImageTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Liverpool, with manager Jurgen Klopp leading the way, have been quick to play down the exit talk, with Carragher claiming that an eye-watering bid would need to be tabled in order for a sale to be considered. The Reds legend has told : “I think it’d have to be over £150 million. I’m not saying he’s worth that right now at his age but I don’t think £100m; you’re not replacing Mo Salah for £100m. If they offered a crazy figure but as I said it is so late in the window. If it was earlier – maybe they might think about it because that is the model that they’ve had in the past but I don’t think Mo Salah is going anywhere.”

AND WHAT'S MORE

Salah is tied to a contract at Anfield through to 2025, with Carragher adding on his immediate future: “I don’t think Mo Salah will go. One because it’s so late in the window. I don’t necessarily thing Mo Salah will want to go and what I mean by that is that Salah will be a little bit like Ronaldo. I can see Mo Salah playing until he’s in his late 30s so I think he might think, ‘I’ve got another three or four years’. Well he’s got another two years on his contract [at Liverpool] so I don’t know if he’ll stay after that but he’ll want to score as many goals as he can, win the biggest honours, break records. I think there’s time for him to go to an MLS, Saudi Arabia, maybe somewhere else in the future in his late 30s because I think he looks after himself. He’s such a professional and I think there’s still a lot more years in Mo Salah right now. But if you actually think of the model of FSG and the reason why Liverpool have had so much success, when someone made a crazy offer for Philippe Coutinho five or six years ago – Barcelona paid £130m. They [Liverpool] didn’t try and replace Philippe Coutinho, they bought Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker and then Liverpool went on to win the lot. So in some ways it is the model of the ownership. You’ve bought Salah, you’ve had great years from him he’s over 30 now and someone made a ridiculous offer from him and it was earlier in the window.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Salah has scored 187 goals for Liverpool through 308 appearances, with several records broken while helping the Reds to Premier League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Community Shield triumphs.

Middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane has been ruled out of the fourth and fifth Tests against England with a finger injury

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Dec-20161:01

Quick Facts: Manish Pandey

Middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane has been ruled out of the fourth and fifth Tests against England with a finger injury, while fast bowler Mohammed Shami is an uncertain starter for the Mumbai Test, beginning Thursday.Karnataka batsman Manish Pandey replaced Rahane in the squad, while Shardul Thakur was brought in as back-up for Shami, who has a sore knee. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is likely to be the first-choice replacement in the XI for Shami, while Karun Nair is likely to take Rahane’s place.Pandey and Thakur had to be pulled out of ongoing Ranji Trophy matches and flown to Mumbai. Pandey was playing against Maharashtra in Mohali, and Thakur against Punjab in Rajkot.The BCCI said Rahane had suffered “an avulsion fracture on his right index finger” after getting hit by a ball during a practice session on the eve of the Mumbai Test. He managed only 63 runs in five innings in this series. The board also said that Shami’s fitness was being monitored and a decision on his inclusion in the XI would be taken on the morning of the match.Shami has had trouble with his leg since the start of the series, when he was seen clutching his hamstring on the first day in Rajkot. The team management, however, said he was merely suffering from cramp and he continued to play the remainder of that Test and those that followed in Visakhapatnam and Mohali. Shami was especially potent with reverse-swing, taking 10 wickets at an average of 25.20.If Shami doesn’t make it, India are almost certain to play Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who took a five-wicket haul in the last Test he played. That was why Kohli wasn’t too worried about Shami’s availability.”If you see, whoever has stepped in has given match-winning performances,” he said. “You speak about Bhuvi, he has come in at St Lucia once and in Kolkata once, and both times he has picked up five wickets, and he has been the match-winner for us. I am not worried because the guys sitting outside are waiting for opportunities. It is not like that they are not looking forward to playing, which is I think a great sign for the team and that is why whoever has played at any stage has given those performances for us. As I said they are pretty keen to step on to the field to grab the opportunity with both hands.”Pandey, Rahane’s replacement in the squad, had himself hurt his finger while playing a Ranji Trophy game in November. He returned to action last week, making 75 and 58 against Saurashtra. Thakur, meanwhile, has been a more consistent presence this season, claiming 13 wickets in six matches, including a six-wicket haul against Bengal last week. He had been picked in the 17-man squad for the four-Test tour of the West Indies in July-August, but did not get a game.

Newcastle United are interested in striking a deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher this summer, according to reports.

Where is Conor Gallagher now?

The Premier League starlet is an academy graduate at Stamford Bridge having worked his way up through the several youth ranks to become a regular first-team feature, making 42 senior appearances to date, but his future is very much in the air heading into the upcoming transfer window.

The England international has been limited to just 15 starts in the top-flight this season, with 17 of his outings being as a substitute after coming off the bench, so he is clearly low down in the pecking order with his lack of game time under Graham Potter and Frank Lampard.

Speaking to CaughtOffside in April, Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Blues will consider any offers that arrive at their door for the 23-year-old and the journalist name-checked the Magpies and Liverpool as two potential destinations. It seems Eddie Howe is ready to capitalise on the situation by bringing him to St. James' Park.

Is Gallagher joining Newcastle?

According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle are "keen" to reach an agreement for Gallagher ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, with the manager hoping to "bolster" his central ranks. PIF deployed chiefs to watch RB Leipzig's Dominik Szoboszlai last weekend, but it's stated that the boss would "prefer" a player with experience in the top-flight, matching the profile of his target in SW6.

The Epsom-born talent could be one of the "simplest" deals to get over the line considering how out of favour he is, with Todd Boehly happy to "listen" to bids before the imminent summer arrival of Mauricio Pochettino.

If Gallagher is to leave Chelsea, he will be hoping to settle down and make a new permanent home for himself having had four loan spells throughout his career, and being a long-term target of Howe, Newcastle should consider tabling a proposal to bring the central midfielder to the northeast.

The World Cup participant, who currently earns £50k-per-week, has posted 68 goal contributions (36 goals and 32 assists) in 252 appearances since first bursting onto the scene where after developing his game over the years, has been dubbed a “warrior” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Ranking in the 93rd percentile amongst midfelders for number of touches in the opposition’s penalty area shows that he’s always getting himself into the right positions in the final third. Gallagher additionally has the flexibility to operate in six various roles, including five in the centre and even out wide on the right wing, so as well as him being a cheaper target compared to the likes of Leicester City's James Maddison, he could also prove to be the more efficient choice for the long-term future of the club.

West Ham United are searching for a new manager to take over at the end of the season, and Xabi Alonso is now a strong candidate for the job, according to a recent report from The Sun.

What's the latest West Ham manager news?

West Ham have identified a number of options to replace David Moyes, recently making an approach for Lille boss Paulo Fonseca, as they view him as the "perfect successor" to their current manager.

Reims boss Will Still is firmly in the running to take over at the London Stadium, having been a boyhood fan of the Irons, while Vincent Kompany has also entered the frame, in light of his fantastic spell as manager of Burnley, leading them to promotion.

The same report details the Hammers are set to replace Moyes at the end of the season, despite the fact the club are in the Europa Conference League semi-final, and he will still have one year left on his contract,.

The West Ham hierarchy seem to be adding a number of names to their shortlist, as The Sun report Alonso is now emerging as a strong candidate to come in at the end of the season, should they part ways with Moyes.

It is claimed the Scot has no intention of leaving the club, but the Bayer Leverkusen boss will be in the frame if he does, after putting himself on the club's radar by transforming the German club this season.

The 41-year-old is developing the reputation of a young and progressive coach, which has attracted the attention of the Hammers, despite his lack of experience.

Should West Ham appoint Xabi Alonso?

It is true the Spaniard does not have a greal deal of experience as a manager, however Jose Mourinho has tipped him to be a "very good coach", as a result of working under the likes of Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez as a player.

In his first season as manager of Leverkusen, the Tolosa-born tactician is proving Mourinho's prediction right, with his side currently in a good position to qualify for Europe next season, and into the final four of the Europa League.

Hailed as "fantastic" by journalist Josh Bunting, Alonso could be a very exciting appointment for West Ham, with some members of the media tipping him to be a "generational" coach, having transformed Leverkusen from being relegation-threatened to European contenders.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is struggling behind the scenes as a result of recent changes to key figures in the club's board over the last two years.

Is it time for ENIC to sell?

Spurs are certainly enduring some major struggles both on and off the field in north London with their hopes of Champions League football taking a significant hit over recent weeks.

Adding to their issues has been the recent parting of ways with Antonio Conte and more recently the stepping down of their director of football, Fabio Paratici.

Frustrations among sections of the Spurs fanbase are seemingly growing with their chairman as some chant for him to leave the club along with Joe Lewis.

And speaking on Matt Hayes' YouTube channel, journalist Matt Law has suggested he's heard Levy is stretched across different issues behind the scenes with less experienced figures now in high-ranking positions:

(14:00) "Look, in terms of him isolating himself. There's been a massive change of heads of department over the last two years and going back from that, and it feels like he has less and less experienced people to lean on in these situations and to take charge of different departments and things.

"And I've had it said to me, that his he's stretched all over the place because of this and he's listening to so many different voices and the decision-making has become muddled. Now that's just what's been said to me."

Where do Spurs go from here?

There have been reports suggesting ENIC could look to sell with a number of potential investors – including one from Qatar – believed to have shown an interest in recent months.

However, there have also been claims that if a potential takeover was to happen, Levy could look to remain involved with the club.

And it seems the uncertainty has trickled through the club with Tottenham currently having no permanent manager in charge of the men's nor the women's team.

The club are also now without a director of football after Paratici stepped down on the back of his upgrade worldwide ban from football.

And now four years on from being opened to the Spurs faithful, the club have not been able to secure a sponsorship deal for the naming right of their state-of-the-art stadium.

Their issues do not end there with the future of their all-time record goalscorer, Harry Kane, also in doubt going into the summer transfer window.

Perhaps what is also an issue for Spurs fans is their chairman is very rarely heard from apart from the occasional written club statements.

And at a time when the club is facing many uncertainties, perhaps it could settle some concerns if the chairman was to speak about the steps he is putting in place to rectify the issues.

There is a big game at Goodison Park for Spurs on Monday night and there is certainly potential for the travelling Spurs fans to voice their frustrations with the current issues at the club.

An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their interest in signing Athletic Bilbao enforcer Inigo Martinez in the summer transfer window…

What’s the latest on Inigo Martinez to Aston Villa?

According to the printed edition of Sport (via Sport Witness), the Villans are one of the eye clubs eyeing up a deal to sign the central defender at the end of the season.

The report claims that Villa and Atletico Madrid have both made contract offers to the Spaniard, who is set to be a free agent in the summer, as Johan Lange attempts to secure a swoop for the gem.

However, LaLiga giants Barcelona are also said to be keen on the centre-back and Martinez is waiting to see if Xavi’s team decide to come in with a proposal before responding to any other clubs.

What would Inigo Martinez bring to Aston Villa?

The Athletic Bilbao defender is a vastly experienced player who could bring knowledge and quality to Unai Emery’s squad in the 2023/24 campaign.

Villa could replicate the coup they landed by bringing Ashley Young to the club on a free transfer last season by securing a move for Martinez, as the former England international came in as a veteran and has used his experience to help the team.

Prior to re-joining the Villans in the summer of 2021, the ex-Inter full-back had played a whopping 623 career club matches and has gone on to play 46 times for the team in his current spell.

The 37-year-old, who has been capped 39 times by England, has showcased his quality in the Premier League this season with an average Sofascore rating of 6.93 across 18 appearances, which places him third in the squad.

Martinez, meanwhile, has played 441 club career games, which includes experience in the Europa League and the Champions League, and has been capped 19 times by Spain at international level.

The 31-year-old has used his know-how to be an excellent option for Bilbao in LaLiga this season. He has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.93 across ten appearances in the division and won 63% of his physical contests.

These statistics show that the £85k-per-week enforcer, who journalist Josh Bunting once hailed as “commanding”, is a strong defender who can deliver consistently solid displays in a major European league.

A Sofascore rating of 6.93 would place him level with Young in third place in the Villa squad this season and this indicates that the Spanish international would be a fantastic addition to the team if he can replicate his form in England.

Therefore, Lange could repeat the coup they landed with the ex-Manchester United right-back by beating off competition from the likes of Barcelona and Atletico to sign an experienced, solid, option in Martinez for nothing this summer.

حقق نابولي فوزًا هامًا على نظيره فينيسيا ضمن منافسات الجولة 18 من بطولة الدوري الإيطالي للدرجة الأولى على ملعب دييجو أرماندو مارادونا.

هدف المباراة الوحيد جاء عن طريق البديل جياكومو راسبادوري، في الدقيقة 79، ليحقق فوزًا صعبًا للبارتينوبي.

طالع أيضًا: فيديو | “بطل الشتاء”.. أتالانتا يخطف تعادلًا قاتلًا من لاتسيو ويحافظ على صدارة الدوري الإيطالي

مباراة حاول فيها نابولي كثيرًا على مرمى الضيوف، ولكن الهدف لم يأت إلا عن طريق راسبادوري، المرشح للخروج من الفريق في يناير المقبل.

وتمكن نابولي بهذه النتيجة أن يواصل الضغط على أتالانتا المتصدر ويزاحمه في الصدارة بنفس رصيد النقاط 41، مع فارق الأهداف لفريق بيرجامو.

نابولي في المركز الثاني بفارق نقطة عن إنتر ميلان الثالث، بينما فيتشزينا في المركز قبل الأخير برصيد 13 نقطة. هدف فوز نابولي أمام فينيسيا بالدوري الإيطالي

Not only will Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou be praying that his raft of first-team stars return injury-free following the current international break, but the 58-year-old will also likely be paying close attention to how those figures perform while representing their respective countries.

Although this halt to club action is not yet at an end, there have already been some standout performances from members of the Spurs squad in recent days, with that coming off the back of what has been a fine, unbeaten start to the new Premier League season back at N17.

Which Tottenham players are on international duty?

There are currently as many as 16 first-team players who are turning out for their respective nations, with the Welsh trio of Ben Davies, Joe Rodon and Brennan Johnson notably coming up against South Korean hero, Heung-min Son last week in what was a goalless draw in Cardiff.

Among those also earning a national team call-up was Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, with the 27-year-old – who had been heavily linked with a move to Atletico Madrid – perhaps catching the eye of Postecoglou after scoring against both San Marino and Finland for his native Denmark.

That latter strike saw the former Southampton man score with just minutes remaining to clinch a vital 1-0 win in European Championship qualifying, with the experienced asset having been heavily involved in proceedings after racking up 128 touches in total, while enjoying a stellar 96% pass accuracy rate.

Having been a mere bit-part player in the early weeks of the season in north London, the one-time Bayern Munich ace could well have provided Postecoglou with a reminder of his qualities following those two standout showings, with it perhaps something of a blessing in disguise that the Dane did not seal a move away last month.

Hojbjerg was not alone in having impressed over the weekend, however, with teammate Cristian Romero also proving a real shining light amid his sensational display in Argentina's narrow 1-0 victory over Ecuador at the start of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

How did Cristian Romero perform for Argentina?

While it was talisman Lionel Messi who unsurprisingly stole the headlines with his curling, late free-kick in Friday's triumph, the Inter Miami maestro himself admitted that it was the Spurs warrior who had been "man of the match" following what was an "amazing performance" from the 25-year-old.

Also described as the "best defender in the world right now" by his legendary compatriot, Romero was an immense presence in the backline for Lionel Scaloni's side, with his 8.0 match rating, as per Sofascore, only bettered by Rodrigo De Paul for either side.

The ex-Atalanta man – who has been described as an "animal" in the past by former Tottenham 'keeper Pierluigi Gollini – was his typically tenacious self after winning seven of his eight ground duels as well as four of his seven aerial duels, putting his body on the line repeatedly for the World Champions.

Not only a man mountain at the back, with seven tackles to his name in total, the £165k-per-week asset was also able to showcase his composure in possession after enjoying a 99% pass accuracy rate in total from his 87 touches, proving that he is not always something of "a reckless teenager" – as described by journalist Sam Dean earlier this year.

Reports in Argentina even quipped following that immense performance that Romero would return to England 'overweight' as he has Ecuador's Enner Valencia in his back pocket, while the aforementioned Scaloni hailed that "very complete" display from his defensive star.

It is no doubt a positive for Postecoglou to see the all-action defender – and Hojbjerg – shining so brightly, with that likely to help maintain the strong momentum that the Lilywhites have built-up in the early weeks of the season.

Declan Rice was "outstanding" for Arsenal as his team picked up a narrow victory in their most recent Premier League outing – though he appeared to forget who he was playing for after the game.

How good was Declan Rice vs Crystal Palace?

In the final game of the second round of league fixtures, the Gunners took on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and managed to come away with all three points.

It was some quick thinking by Gabriel Martinelli from a free-kick that opened up the game as Eddie Nketiah was fed in behind the Eagles' backline, only to be tripped by Sam Johnstone.

Referee David Coote pointed to the spot and Martin Odegaard made no mistake from 12 yards. This goal was enough to seal a 1-0 victory although the final stages of the game were complicated by a controversial red card to Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Mikel Arteta and co dug in deep, though, and came away with the win. In no small part, however, the victory was owed to the impressive efforts of new £105m midfielder Rice.

Indeed, as per Squawka, he finished the game with some colossal defensive stats, winning three duels, making one interception, one tackle and also winning possession back four times – while not giving away a single foul.

On top of that, he also contributed plenty on the ball, with 68 touches, a 90 per cent pass accuracy, seven passes into the final third, and once chance created.

Journalist Henry Winter was certainly impressed as he called Rice "outstanding" and this was further backed up by his 8/10 player rating in The Sun.

In that article, Joshua Jones added: "A superb performance in the middle of the park, running the show for large parts from a slightly deeper position but making lots of well-timed runs forward.

"It will take a long time and plenty of silverware to repay his £105million price tag – but more showings like this one in South London will certainly go a long way to doing exactly that."

Rice's highlights have emerged online and they are an absolute masterclass in how to dominate the middle of the park – you can watch them below.

Why does Rice wear 41?

After completing his major move to the Gunners, Rice opted to continue wearing the No. 41 jersey which was given to him as a youngster at West Ham. He explained the origins of this when speaking to Gary Neville in 2022 on an episode of The Overlap (via Goal).

He said: "It was just a number I was given in the academy by the kitman. It's stayed with me since and, to be honest, I had this conversation with my dad – regardless of what happens in my career I might stay with the 41.

"I think 'Rice 41' has a nice ring to it, I've grown up playing in it and I'm a bit superstitious about things like that… I don't know if I changed to a new number if it would hamper my performances, I don't know!"

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

West Ham are still very close to Rice, clearly, and after his stellar display against Palace on Monday night, he appeared to get mixed up about who he was playing for these days.

When talking on Sky Sports' MNF (via Twitter), he had a big slip of the tongue, saying: "Even here at West Ham, the lads are always on to me to shoot more."

While on the same show, he was able to at least joke about no longer being the Premier League's most expensive player after Chelsea recently completed a £115m deal to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton.

He was asked: "Can't believe Caicedo has broken your record already though Declan, you can't be happy with that?"

Laughing, Rice joked back: "I had it up on the wall for two weeks, it's come down already!"