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According to Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas, Tottenham Hotspur are ‘deciding’ whether to pursue a move for Blackburn colossus Ashley Phillips after Fabio Paratici ‘watched him’ in action midweek.

The Lowdown: Tottenham leading the race

The 17-year-old is a highly sought-after talent after breaking into Rovers’ first-team this season, and with his contract at Ewood Park expiring next summer, a sale for Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side needs to happen now if they want to cash in.

The Daily Mail recently claimed that several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester United, were interested in the centre-back, though the report stated that it was the Lilywhites who were in pole position to secure his signature.

The Latest: Paratici in the stands

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Thomas revealed that Spurs are indeed ‘keen’ to sign Phillips, and although it’s not as far along as the Mail suggested, they are currently weighing up whether to submit an offer.

“#Tottenham are keen on Ashley Phillips but no bids yet. Paratici watched him play last night in only his third game for #Blackburn, who want to tie him to a new contract. #Spurs still deciding. If he goes to #thfc, he’s a youth player or goes on loan.”

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The Verdict: ‘Monster’

Antonio Conte has already added Destiny Udogie to his defensive ranks before sending him straight back out on loan, and with Phillips’ age, it’s likely that he would go down the same route if he put pen to paper in the capital.

The 6 foot 4 ‘monster’, as dubbed by Spurs insider John Wenham, has averaged an outstanding six clearances (more than any Spurs player this term) and 2.5 successful aerial duels per game in the Championship this season, via WhoScored, and has bags of potential to offer.

Phillips would become the fourth defender to join Tottenham this summer after Clement Lenglet, Djed Spence and Udogie, and is a hugely exciting player for the future.

Tottenham Hotspur have been given hope of tying Harry Kane down to a new contract…

What’s the word?

In a recent column for the Telegraph, journalist Matt Law claimed that the smart money is ‘very much’ on the 29-year-old extending his current deal after sporting director Fabio Paratici conducted “phenomenal” work to keep him at the club.

Of course, the England international was heavily linked with a move to Premier League champions Manchester City last summer and even publically stated his desire to leave.

‘Those involved in talks about Kane’s future describe Paratici’s impact as “phenomenal” and with [Erling] Haaland now at City the smart money is very much on the England captain eventually signing a new Tottenham contract,’ he wrote.

Best business yet

Forget Richarlison, forget Cristian Romero, forget the lot. If Spurs can tie Kane down for the foreseeable future, then it would be Paratici’s best business yet.

After a slow start to the season in 2021/22, the Englishman bounced back and became a key cog in manager Antonio Conte’s system. He ended the campaign as their top goalscorer in all competitions on 25 goals, a feat that he has managed in each of the last eight years.

He also topped the charts for assists, too, managing ten, meaning he was the biggest threat for Tottenham in the final third.

Conte has regularly waxed lyrical about his talisman.

“To have a player like this in your team is very important. He can score goals and create chances. I like him as a person,” he told reporters (via the Daily Mail).

“Talented players don’t always want to work hard but from the first day I arrived here, he set an example. You think that’s normal but it’s not. Great players are sometimes lazy and that’s not him. He’s a big example for his teammates. He’s encouraging us to be competitive.”

It echoes his comments from many years ago, where during his stint at Chelsea, he dubbed Kane a “complete striker” and that he was “one of the best strikers in the world.”

Back in April, GOAL lauded the Spurs talisman in a similar nature, so that only goes to show the level of consistency that he has been delivering over a long period of time, despite the lack of silverware in N17.

With Law suggesting that it’s likely Kane signs a new contract, we should expect the prolific marksman to keep up such form over the coming season and beyond.

He and Conte are at the forefront of Spurs’ current transformation and that should leave many concerned with the club absolutely delighted.

AND in other news, Spurs can finally end their Pochettino nightmare as Fabrizio Romano drops exit update…

Newcastle United would be taking a ‘big gamble’ if they do not sign another striker and rely on Callum Wilson’s fitness, says talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor.

The Lowdown: Eddie Howe’s risk

As per the Daily Mail, Eddie Howe is prepared to take a gamble on Wilson’s fitness going into the 2022/23 Premier League season.

The Magpies boss is confident that his number nine can score 15-20 goals in the league and has further backed Chris Wood to add to that tally.

As a result, it is allegedly expected that Newcastle’s remaining transfer budget will go towards bringing in a wide attacker to St James’ Park.

The Latest: Agbonlahor’s claim

Agbonlahor worries whether Wilson will be able to maintain full fitness throughout the campaign. Indeed, he’s been plagued by injuries throughout his career, demonstrated by the fact that he missed 23 games last season alone

Speaking with Football Insider, the former Villa striker said: “I think they should definitely keep him as their number one choice.

“But I still feel it is a big gamble because he’s had his injury problems. Sometimes the injuries he’s been getting have been bad luck, especially with his ankle.

“I think they should bring in another striker, especially if they want to start challenging for the European places.”

The Verdict: Need one more

Wilson has a great record playing in the black and white stripes of Newcastle, having netted 20 goals in 46 appearances for the club.

With Chris Wood having scored just two goals in 16 games for the Toon, it is imperative that Wilson stays fit this season, with the former Cherries man needed to lead the line.

However, since the start of the 2020/21 season, the 30-year-old has missed 35 games due to various injuries.

Wilson cannot guarantee his fitness for the entire campaign, so it is essential that Howe brings in an adequate addition this summer ahead of next season.

Leeds United journalist Phil Hay has shared an update regarding Luke Ayling and his injury situation.

What’s the news?

In a recent Twitter post, relaying information that Leeds manager Jesse Marsch shared after seeing his side beat Blackpool 4-0 in their first preseason game of the summer, Hay had this to say.

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He said: “Ayling was here tonight. He’s ahead of schedule but will miss the very start of the season and is on course to start training again next month. #lufc”

Back in May, the defender had surgery on a knee issue that he originally felt last year in a game against Newcastle United.

Great news for Leeds fans

It was originally reported that the Englishman was set to return to training at some time in the autumn, however, with this latest update saying he will be able to start training next month, this will be a big boost for the club and the player.

Last season saw the 29-year-old show in the 26 Premier League appearances he made just how valuable he is to the Whites.

In terms of his defensive work, Ayling won 45 tackles and made 49 blocks, 54 interceptions and 68 clearances in total.

Even though Leeds only saw Norwich City (84) concede more goals in the league last season than them (79), it’s safe to say that had they not had Ayling in the team for the majority of their games, they could well have been relegated by the end of the campaign.

From an attacking point of view, the Englishman showed how useful he can be. In addition to scoring two goals and delivering two assists, the full-back also delivered 25 crosses and made more dribbles (41) than any other defender in the squad.

This shows just how important he was for the team last season and why he’ll be a significant figure for Marsch and the club going forward.

Moving forward, if the veteran can stay on course to make an earlier than anticipated return to action, this will surely be great news for Leeds fans and give them hope that their side won’t concede as many goals in their upcoming campaign as they did last time out.

AND in other news: Marsch drops big behind-the-scenes transfer claim, Leeds supporters will be gutted

Liverpool won’t bring Gini Wijnaldum back this summer and will instead wait to sign a younger midfielder, according to former Premier League striker Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Wijnaldum linked with shock return

A midfielder is reportedly on the Reds’ wish-list currently, with several players in that department now in their 30s and fresh blood required at some point in the next 12 months.

Wijnaldum has recently been linked with a surprise return to Anfield after a disappointing first season at Paris Saint-Germain, with a loan move back to Merseyside seemingly a possibility.

The 31-year-old enjoyed five superb years at Liverpool between 2016 and 2021, winning the Champions League and Premier League, being hailed as ‘sensational’ by Jurgen Klopp.

The Latest: Whelan laughs off rumour

Speaking to Football Insider, 47 year-old Whelan, former Leeds United front man turned club ambassador, claimed he can’t see the move happening, with younger midfielders arriving instead:

“If you ask the majority of Liverpool fans, they’d probably want him back.

“When it comes down to manager and the logistics of everything, it’s very hard to bring a player back so soon after they’ve left. Once you’ve made that decision, you’ve got to stick to that decision.

“He’s a fantastic player and he’d be a stop-gap, that’s all he would be. Liverpool need a more solid base when it comes to that midfield player that comes in. Someone with a bit of longevity.

“I think they are doing the right thing by biding their time and waiting for the right people to become available and go into the club for years and not just one season.”

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The Verdict: Seems highly unlikely

Wijnaldum was a fantastic servant for Liverpool for five years, making 237 appearances and proving to be such a key man in the middle of the park, but it is hard to see this move happening.

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At 31, the Dutchman is in a similar boat to James Milner, Thiago and Jordan Henderson in terms of age, and signing him would arguably feel too short-term and desperate.

It may simply be that Klopp is happy to wait a year before signing someone like heavily linked Jude Bellingham, showing faith in his current midfielders, including young pair Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott.

Everton are reportedly leading the chase to sign Burnley central defender Ben Mee this summer, according to The Mirror. 

The lowdown: Top class pedigree

A product of the Manchester City youth system, Mee spent a short period of time on loan at Leicester City before moving to Burnley, where he became a mainstay in the heart of the defence.

The 32-year-old former England Under 21 international has made 376 appearances for the Lancashire club but couldn’t prevent relegation from the Premier League last term.

Set to become a free agent at the end of June (Transfermarkt), Everton could be now readying a move for Mee…

The latest: Mirror puts Everton in pole

As per The Mirror, Everton and Aston Villa are the ‘frontrunners’ to sign the experienced star.

It’s claimed that Burnley have offered Mee a new deal to stay but the Englishman had ‘put off making a decision’ for the time being.

However, now it’s stated that the man praised for an ‘outstanding’ display against Man City is now ‘reluctantly ready to quit’ Turf Moor in search of continued top-flight action.

The verdict: Double swoop?

Already heavily linked with a move for Burnley centre-back partner and fellow soon to be free agent James Tarkowski, Toffees boss Frank Lampard and Director of Football Kevin Thelwell could be poised to strengthen the defensive department at Goodison Park twice over without spending a penny in transfer fees.

Regardless of Mee’s advancing years, the imposing star scored three times in 24 appearances across all competitions last season and remains an impressive Premier League operator, as proven by a 7.07 Sofascore rating including coming out on top of 5.0 duels and making a monstrous 4.4 clearances on average per game.

After conceding 66 goals in the league in 2021/22 – 11 more than relegated Burnley – adding Mee to the ranks and perhaps allowing the no-nonsense defender to work alongside Michael Keane having obtained invaluable coaching experience would be a no-brainer for the Blues.

In other news: Everton: Oleksandr Zinchenko touted for Toffees move

Tottenham Hotspur ‘hierarchy’ are willing to back manager Antonio Conte with risky signing this summer, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Spurs set for exciting summer?

The Lilywhites, after announcing a £150 million equity increase earlier this week, were further boosted by the news that Conte is now set to stay for the 2022/2023 Premier League season.

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Transfer chief Fabio Paratici and the head coach even held a meeting in Italy on Friday to discuss the club’s summer recruitment plans with a major overhaul on the cards, according to The Telegraph.

It is believed that the Italian is set for Tottenham’s full backing, and as per The Athletic, they’re even willing to go against their transfer policy for one of Conte’s targets.

The Latest: Tottenham hierarchy willing to make risky Eriksen move…

According to their information, despite the ‘element of risk involved’ in re-signing former star Christian Eriksen on a Bosman deal, it is believed that Spurs ‘hierarchy’ are willing to make ‘exceptions’ in ‘exceptional circumstances’.

Signing the Dane is viewed as a gamble given his ‘harrowing health scare’ at Euro 2020, not to mention the fact he has recently turned 30 with little sell-on value.

However, there is an ‘acceptance’ among the north London chiefs, including Paratici, that a sensational reunion for Eriksen could be viewed as one of those exceptional circumstances over bringing in younger players.

The Verdict: Promising update…

The Athletic also state that Eriksen is a personal target for Conte, backing recent reports that the former Chelsea boss is personally ‘pressing’ for his signature.

We believe the Tottenham boardroom have adopted the right stance when it comes to making a move for the international, especially considering his phenomenal campaign at Brentford under Thomas Frank.

He finished 2021/2022 as their best-rated player by average match performance with a solid 7.37/10 (WhoScored), not to mention his creativity is seemingly intact.

Making more key passes per 90 in the final third than any Brentford player, the midfield ace could well gift Conte and Spurs an injection of quality further forward.

In other news: ‘Not only Perisic’…Tottenham push for ‘genius’ signing after Conte call ‘in recent days’…find out more here.

West Ham United have now emerged as favourites to sign a Premier League ‘beast’ for manager David Moyes this summer, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Irons eye striker move…

Over a year-and-a-half after club record signing Sebastien Haller left east London, the Hammers are still without an alternative striking option to mainstay Michail Antonio.

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As a result, a new forward is firmly on the agenda for West Ham and Moyes in the next transfer window with recent links emerging to the likes of Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah and Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins.

Journalist Dominic King of The Daily Mail, sharing news on Twitter, now has an exciting update for Irons supporters on their Gunners attacking target.

The Latest: West Ham favourites…

According to the reporter, West Ham ‘will move’ for Nketiah if there is no resolution to his contract stand-off at the Emirates Stadium have now emerged as favourites to sign the Englishman – entering pole position as he explains in his article.

Taking to social media, he says:

“West Ham want to sign Eddie Nketiah and will move for him if there is no resolution to his contract stand-off with Arsenal.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

Rush Green officials leading the race for Nketiah comes as a promising development on it’s own, but does that mean he is the right man to finally end West Ham’s striker hunt?

He has been in scintillating form lately, starting all of Arsenal’s last five top flight matches and scoring four in that time – backing why his potential 2022 free agent status is turning a few heads.

Mikel Arteta has raved over Nketiah’s attitude and application this season, likening him to a ‘beast’ in training, and the 22-year-old can still get better going by his fairly young age.

While it is arguably a gamble to solely rely upon the youngster as a back-up to Antonio, for zero cost, he could be a real investment for the future while Moyes also scours the market for a more senior option.

In other news: ‘Evolving situation’ – Journalist says West Ham are now eyeing a ‘massive signing’ for Moyes, find out more here.

India T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur smashed 103 off 51 balls, becoming only the third woman to hit a century in the World T20

Shiva Jayaraman09-Nov-20182 Number of centuries made in the Women’s World T20 before Harmanpreet Kaur’s 103 against New Zealand. Australia’s Meg Lanning and West Indies’ Deandra Dottin are the other batsman to do so. Click here for a list of the highest scores in the Women’s World T20.97* The previous highest score by an Indian in women’s T20Is, which was made by Mithali Raj against Malaysia earlier this year. India’s highest individual score in the World T20 before this was by Harmanpreet herself; she had made 77 off 59 balls against Bangladesh in the 2014 World T20.8 Sixes hit by Harmanpreet Kaur, equaling the second-most in a women’s T20I innings. Dottin had hit nine sixes against South Africa in a T20I in 2010 which is the highest individual tally. New Zealand’s Sophie Devine had hit eight sixes against India in a T20I in 2015. The eight sixes in this innings are also the most by an Indian T20Is. Harmanpreet beat her own record of five sixes which she hit against Sri Lanka in September.201.96 Harmanpreet’s strike-rate in this innings – the third-highest in an innings of 50 or more runs in the Women’s World T20. Only Dottin has struck faster in the tournament history. Harmanpreet’s strike rate is the best by an India batsman in a score of 50 or more in all T20Is.305.88 Harmanpreet’s strike rate in the death overs; she faced 17 balls in the last five overs hitting 52 runs off them. Forty of those runs came in boundaries – four sixes and four fours. Harmanpreet had started her innings slowly, having scored just five runs in her first 13 balls before hitting the first of her eight sixes off her 14th. Harmanpreet bludgeoned 98 runs off the remaining 38 balls she faced in the innings at a strike rate of 257.89.191 for 4 The previous highest total in the Women’s World T20 – amassed by Australia against Ireland in the 2014 edition. India’s 194 for 5 in this match is also their second-highest in a T20I. They had hit 198 for 4 – their highest – against England in Mumbai in March this year.

KL Rahul stood out for India on the first day of the Bengaluru Test, and he showed how he could change gears against spinners, especially with wickets falling around him

Karthik Krishnaswamy in Bengaluru04-Mar-2017In the nets in the lead-up to the Bengaluru Test, KL Rahul was sweeping and reverse-sweeping pretty much every second ball of spin he faced. It was only to be expected, therefore, that he would try to sweep Nathan Lyon in his first over on the first morning of the Test, and reverse-sweep him in his next over. He ended up missing the sweep and sending the reverse ballooning off the back of his bat towards the vacant – and soon-to-be filled – leg-slip area.KL Rahul on…

Bengaluru pitch
“I think this is pretty much the same wicket we get for Ranji Trophy. Maybe the cracks start to open up at the end of the second day or the third day. But here the wicket was pretty dry and the cracks were prominent. Their bowlers, especially when Starc bowls from over the wicket, creates that rough for Lyon which helps them get that spin and bounce.”
Why it became difficult for India to score
“Once the spinners came on I felt that the wicket was a little damp in the first session. That’s why they were getting some spin and the ball was holding to the wicket. To drive or to go over the top wasn’t really easy. Once the ball got older and there was more rough outside the off stump, Lyon exploits the rough. He kept bowling there consistently and got some purchase out of the wicket.”
Nathan Lyon
“It gets a little difficult to play him if he starts getting some spin and bounce. He was very consistent, kept putting the ball there and kept asking questions. He got the rewards this innings.”
Ashwin potentially emulating Lyon
“That’s the only way we are looking at this match. The cracks are opening up and it’s only getting harder to bat on this wicket. We know Ash is a top-class bowler and once he gets a couple of wickets and gets into that rhythm then he is going to run through the Australian batting line-up, which we are very confident of.”

Lunch was approaching and Rahul, having just entered the forties, was looking a little edgy. On 30, he had been dropped by a diving Peter Handscomb at short mid-off, when he looked to drive Steve O’Keefe and ended up – not for the first time – playing well out in front of his body.India, at that point, were in a relatively solid position, their score 61 for 1 when Rahul played that miscued reverse-sweep. Either side of lunch, however, Lyon sent back Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli and India were far less secure at 88 for 3.Around this point, Rahul changed his approach against the spinners. He shelved the drive, and, barring one lap-sweep that he middled to present a half-chance to leg slip, the sweep as well, and began trusting his defence far more. With both spinners protecting the boundaries towards the direction of their turn, he was content to pick up singles to the deep fielders.It was about the most comfortable that India looked all day. Rahul added 30 with Ajinkya Rahane and 38 with Karun Nair, stumpings terminating both partnerships just as they were promising to grow into serious proportions.”That’s been my responsibility and the gameplan in the last six to eight months. As soon as the spinner comes on, it’s important for an opening batsman to not let him settle. So that’s what I tried to do,” Rahul said at the end of the day’s play, when asked about the thinking behind his change of approach. “The wicket was a little damp so [Lyon] was getting a lot of bounce.”I felt like if I swept I could get the top edge. They had the fielders back right from the first ball. We couldn’t really get the big hits or boundaries. So I looked to play time and tire out the bowlers. We were getting singles pretty easily when I was with Ajinkya and then when Karun came in. Strike was being rotated and we were getting three to four runs [an over] without any risk. That’s when I decided that I’ll be happy with the singles and maybe then they will pull the fielders in and I can take a chance. But that didn’t happen because we kept losing wickets at regular intervals.”KL Rahul fell short of yet another milestone falling on 90 trying to take the spinners on•AFPRahul may have had cause to feel miffed at how Rahane and Nair – who looked more fluent than pretty much every other Indian batsman while scoring 26 off 39 balls – were dismissed, but he was philosophical about it.”Karun and Ajinkya looked set, they were batting on 20 each, and looked set,” Rahul said. “We were getting runs quite easily. Our game plan was to attack the spinners whenever we could but sometimes it just doesn’t go your way. We have to take it in our stride and come back stronger.”Kohli’s dismissal was another point of debate – for the second time in successive innings, he was out not offering a shot to a spinner, this time lbw to Lyon, struck in front of middle stump.”Virat’s ball didn’t spin as much,” Rahul said. “The whole over it was spinning and bouncing and that ball went straight, which can happen.”In the end, Rahul fell ten short of a hundred when, running out of partners, he decided to go after the spinners and spooned Lyon to mid-off. By then, however, he had shown he was capable of batting at more than one gear. He hit eight fours in scoring 48 off 93 balls before lunch, and only one more while scoring a further 42 runs off 112 balls.The two phases of Rahul’s innings seemed like a reverse-chronological microcosm of his career so far: the all-format dasher turning back the clock and transforming into the technically correct, patient accumulator of his early years. At this point in his career, Rahul is still finding the balance between the two approaches, but innings such as this one – or his 158 in Jamaica or his 199 in Chennai – hint at the fully formed batsman he promises to grow into.