Mark Goldbridge Calls For £30m Man United Ace To Be Sold

Mark Goldbridge has been reacting to the latest news surrounding a Manchester United player that could be on his way out of Old Trafford this summer.

Is Scott McTominay leaving Manchester United?

As per The Manchester Evening News, Manchester United turned down a bid in the region of £30 million for midfielder Scott McTominay from West Ham United.

The outlet has reported that another approach from the Hammers for McTominay is doubtful and indicate that selling McTominay was not 'provisionally' planned by Erik Ten Hag this summer; however, Fiorentina anchor Sofyan Amrabat is believed to have been identified as a potential replacement for the Scotland international.

Cited by The Mirror, TNT Sports pundit Ally McCoist has spoken about McTominay's future and believes that he may have to seek a fresh challenge to safeguard his opportunities for first team involvement moving forward, as he said: "He might have to move. I really hope he doesn't, because I genuinely think he could play that position for United, I genuinely think he's talented enough. I just think sometimes, I'm not saying in this particular case, but I just think sometimes the less glamorous players can fall foul of things that are out of their control, shall we say."

Last term, McTominay made 39 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United, chipping in with three goals and a solitary assist, as per Transfermarkt.

Reliable West Ham source Sean Whetstone has revealed another twist in the tale regarding the McTominay saga and has claimed that the Hammers are 'still in talks' with Manchester United over prizing the 26-year-old away from Old Trafford this window.

Producing his best form for his country, McTominay has been in blistering goalscoring form for Scotland in their EURO 2024 qualification campaign and has hit five goals in four matches as the Tartan Army bid to seal a place at the finals in Germany next year.

Scott McTominay

Manchester United are seeking to recoup a fee in the region of £40 million for their Carrington graduate despite McTominay falling way down the pecking order in the North West, according to talkSPORT.

Fringe players Fred and Donny van de Beek could be set to join the mini-midfield exodus at Old Trafford and Harry Maguire, who was stripped of the captaincy at Manchester United earlier this window, is also expected to join West Ham where he could potentially team up with McTominay.

Speaking on The United Stand YouTube channel, Manchester United pundit Goldbridge has backed the Red Devils to aim to move McTominay on this summer.

Goldbridge stated: "I don't know how he's worth £30 million, I've still not heard from anybody that can justify £30 million for Scott McTominay. Based on what? What has he done in a United shirt to be worth that, I don't even know. If we reject that, which we have and we don't sell him, in a years time, his value is only going to go down because it's going to be another year of hardly playing and when he does play, he's not very good."

Despite making his senior debut for Manchester United back in 2017, McTominay is clearly still a player that divides opinion among the Red Devils fan base and it remains to be seen whether he will stay at the club to provide support in midfield or whether he will look to become an influential starter at another destination.

Delhi stumble after Gambhir's 86

ScorecardAFP

Left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar’s three wickets led Uttar Pradesh’s comeback on the second day after Delhi had threatened to dominate on the back of a Gautam Gambhir half-century.Delhi needed less than half an hour in the morning to take the two remaining UP wickets and bowl them out for 291. Upendra Yadav, who had dragged UP’s lower order to stumps on the first day, continued to attack Delhi’s bowling. He brought up his fifty early in the day when he squeezed a cover drive to the boundary. He followed it with a slap on the up to send an Ishant Sharma ball into the pavilion’s roof. The tailenders weren’t as comfortable against the new ball and Upendra was unbeaten on 67 as UP folded in 89.5 overs.Delhi’s response was brisk, with Gambhir slashing the first ball he faced through point. He backed that up with a few clips through midwicket, comfortably negating UP’s tactics of bowling at the stumps.His opening partner Unmukt Chand wasn’t as comfortable, but his 21 contributed to an opening stand of 59. No. 3 Dhruv Shorey then joined Gambhir and the pair put on 66 for the second wicket. Saurabh, who had dismissed Chand, also got rid of Gambhir to prop up the visitors.A shuffled Delhi batting order then unravelled quickly either side of Rishabh Pant’s 23-ball 30. The shuffle was made because left-handed batsman Nitish Rana had to be taken to hospital after copping an underarm throw in his face during warm-up. The batsman came in at No. 7 and made 13 before seamer Ankit Rajpoot had him caught behind.Shorey witnessed the collapse at the other end, but dug in to score an unbeaten fifty and keep Delhi alive in their pursuit of the first-innings lead.

Tottenham: Spurs Could Make "Ridiculous" Striker Signing

Italian journalist Davide Chinellato has shared an update on Tottenham Hotspur's striker plans with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic in the running to succeed Harry Kane.

Who will Spurs replace Kane with?

The departure of Spurs legend Kane leaves a gaping hole in Ange Postecoglou's squad as the new season gets underway, and it's a problem which needs to be solved quickly.

Kane's transfer to Bayern Munich was sealed after Tottenham agreed a €100 million (£86m) plus an extra €20 million (£17.2m) in possible add-ons, but there is an argument to be made that the 30-year-old is practically irreplaceable.

Postecoglou, speaking after the striker's move to Bayern, admitted that he knew it had been coming for a long time.

“I had a conversation with Harry the first day he arrived and he was up front and honest, and I was the same,” the 57-year-old said ahead of their opener against Brentford on Sunday.

“You get an indication there that he kind of made up his mind: that if the clubs agreed he would go, particularly if it was before the first game. That was my preference as well.

“There's nothing along the way that's sort of made me feel there's anything other than this outcome. None of these things happen in isolation, everyone is pretty clued into to what's going on, so from my perspective I hadn't received anything from Harry, the club or anyone else to suggest to me anything had changed about his stance."

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

Montpellier striker Elye Wahi and Gent's Gift Orban, as well as Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku, have all been linked with moves to Spurs following Kane's exit.

Vlahovic, who the Lilywhites have held a long-standing interest in, is another name to be mentioned as a candidate to step into Kane's shoes.

That is according to Chinellato, who wrote for La Gazzetta dello Sport that the attacker "could come back into the news" as Tottenham draw up a shortlist of striker targets.

"Tottenham had monitored the Serbian's situation last month," wrote the reporter.

"But had given up when it seemed that Kane would have to stay. Now it could come back into the news, provided that Levy decides to invest the 80 million (£69 million) that Juve values ​​him in the 23-year-old. And that Dusan decides that a season at Tottenham."

How good is Dusan Vlahovic?

Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.

Vlahovic finished the 2022/2023 Serie A campaign as Juventus' top scorer with 10 goals.

While that isn't exactly mouth-watering, the striker did bag 17 in 21 Italian top flight appearances for Fiorentina the previous campaign.

Vlahovic is a striker of real quality when playing at his very best, a sentiment echoed by pundit Micah Richards, who lavished praise on him back in late 2021.

“I have watched him a couple of times now,” Richards told BBC Radio Five Live (via The Independent).

“He is lightning. It’s ridiculous. He has got 16 in 18 this season. His left foot is like a wand. I am telling you now, he is everything, he is everything you need.”

However, Vlahovic's marquee price tag of around £69 million could well prove a sticking point for Spurs.

Yorkshire falter in face of Collingwood's wondrous season

Paul Collingwood might never see 40 again but his defiant form is once again a bright spot in Durham’s careworn season

ECB Reporters Network04-Aug-2017Paul Collingwood’s T20 season goes from strength to strength•Getty ImagesYorkshire’s hopes of a quarter-final place in the NatWest T20 Blast suffered another setback when they failed to complete the double over north group stragglers Durham at Chester-le-Street.After the previous night’s defeat by Derbyshire, Yorkshire made a hash of chasing Durham’s 157 for 3, finishing on 156 for 7 after they appeared to be coasting.The turning point came when man of the match Paul Collingwood followed his unbeaten 88 with a direct hit from deepish mid-off to run out Alex Lees for 29, ending a stand of 47 with David Willey.When Willey lifted a catch to deep mid-wicket to depart for 40 it was left to Jack Leaning and Tim Bresnan to score 40 off the last four overs.With 22 needed off two, Bresnan drove Paul Coughlin to long-on, but Leaning smashed the next two balls to mid-wicket for six and four before skying to extra cover.With ten required, Usman Arshad began the last over with a wide, but Adil Rashid and Azeem Rafiq were unable to find the boundary and three were needed off the last ball.Azeem swung and missed and they managed only a bye, giving Durham their second victory of the series by one run.Collingwood continued his remarkable form by following his maiden Twenty20 century at Worcester on Sunday with his second highest score in the format.That Worcester century had made him the oldest man to make a professional T20 hundred.He appeared to be limping from early in his 54-ball innings, but his seven fours and two sixes provided nearly all the strokes of authority in an innings which would have foundered without him.Michael Richardson contributed 32 to an unbroken stand of 86 and from 68 for 3 after ten overs Durham did well to set a competitive target.Yorkshire looked well on course when Adam Lyth and Tom Kohler-Cadmore launched the reply with 35 off the first four overs.The ex-Worcestershire man drove Barry McCarthy for a huge straight six, but the Irishman had both openers caught at third man off successive balls to give Durham hope.Left-handers Lees and Willey accumulated steadily until Paul Coughlin brought himself on for the 12th over and Lees lifted his first ball over the stand at mid-wicket.He was then run out and Sarfaraz Ahmed managed only six before miscuing to mid-wicket to give McCarthy a third wicket.Collingwood kept it tight, conceding 26 in his four overs, and when Willey departed it left the rest with just too much to do.

Wood given all clear after scans on heel

Mark Wood has been passed fit for the third Test against South Africa with scans clearing him of injury after he had reported soreness in his left heel

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jul-20171:06

Butcher: Wood’s spot under scrutiny

Mark Wood has been passed fit for the third Test against South Africa with scans clearing him of injury after he had reported soreness in his left heel.However, he could still be under pressure to retain his place after managing just 1 for 197 during the first two Tests at Lord’s and Trent Bridge.Wood has undergone three ankle operations between October 2015 and his return to England colours at the start of the season, but the soreness felt at Trent Bridge was never thought to be related.Wood has not bowled badly in the two Tests but has not consistently provided the extra edge to the attack that he had been earmarked for alongside James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Form aside, there may also be concerns about asking Wood to play three Tests in quick succession due to his injury history.Toby Roland-Jones, the uncapped Middlesex seamer, has been part of the squad for the first two Tests and could come into contention. Chris Woakes, who suffered a side strain during the opening match of the Champions Trophy against Bangladesh, is not expected to be available until the West Indies series in mid-August.Despite the positive news over Wood’s fitness there will be at least one change to the England side for The Oval after Gary Ballance suffered a broken finger while batting in the second innings at Trent Bridge. Liam Dawson’s position will under come under scrutiny, but coach Trevor Bayliss suggested that Keaton Jennings, who has made three single-figure scores in the series, will be given further opportunity although that may come at No. 3 depending on who replaces Ballance.

Davies hundred leaves Essex with fading hopes

ScorecardAlex Davies put a troubled season behind him by posting his maiden first-class century to help Lancashire set Essex 478 to win – or four full sessions to save the game – in a decidedly one-sided opening match of the Specsavers County Championship season.Essex knocked off 89 of the runs in 38 overs before the close. They lost both openers in the process as Lancashire closed in on their first Championship win in 12 attempts.The day, though, belonged to Davies. He had been within one run of a century against Kent at Old Trafford almost two years ago, but batted throughout the 94.3 overs of Lancashire’s second innings at Chelmsford to finish unbeaten on 140.Essex were made to pay dearly for dropping the wicketkeeper-rookie opener twice on the second afternoon when he had just 10 and 26. Neil Wagner floored a third chance on the long-leg boundary off Tom Westley, but by then the 22-year-old had 132 to his name.Davies showed he had all the orthodox shots in the textbook as well as a punishing reverse-sweep, one of which was sent scudding to the boundary off Simon Harmer, another lobbing gently over Wagner standing at point.A fierce drive off Wagner was so straight it smashed into the stumps at the bowler’s end and ricocheted for one of his 21 boundaries. Twice he stepped back to leg and cut Wagner firmly square of the wicket. He took successive fours off Ravi Bopara to bring up the century partnership with Dane Vilas. It was not far off brutal.Davies had reached his half-century from the penultimate ball of the second day, and went to lunch on the third 97 not out. He pushed his third ball after the interval through midwicket off Harmer to reach three figures from 214 balls with 17 fours.Davies had to fight back from 11 months out of the game with a knee injury that required an operation during the winter.He said: “There were a couple of dark moments during that time. But you have to stay positive and have belief in your own ability, belief that you will get back fit, that you will get back playing. It was tough to watch Lancs last season and see people move ahead of me. But I had that belief deep down, the hunger, and that will stand me in good stead.”Yes, there are days when you think, ‘I’m injured’ and you get down on yourself. But deep down it’s always been there and hopefully there is plenty more to come. But this was really amazing and it’s good to get it off my back really. I’ve had a lot of chances in the past and not quite got over the line. It’s just another day, but a really special one at the same time.”Head coach Glen Chapple told Davies during the winter that he would be both No1 wicketkeeper and opening batsman. “I love it,” he said. “I want to bat higher, I don’t want to be the keeper who bats seven. I want to bat higher because I believe I can. It fits best for the team at the moment that I open the batting, and if it’s best for the team it’s good for me.”It was a chastening experience for newly-promoted Essex who enjoyed only two moments of success in the field during the day. The first arrived in the seventh over of the day when Aaron Beard took his second wicket of the innings. Liam Livingstone, having helped put on 51 with Davies, tried to force the young bowler through the off-side but only picked out Nick Browne at cover point and departed for 28.Lancashire’s third wicket fell 49 overs later when Jamie Porter took out Vilas’s middle stump and precipitated the declaration. In between Davies and Vilas made hay in the sunshine, adding 183 runs and taking the game out of Essex’s reach. Vilas reached 92 off 165 balls, with just five fours, and it looked for all the world like he was set fair for a ton.The Essex openers negotiated seven overs before tea and a further 11 afterwards without undue alarm before Browne carelessly gave his wicket away. He dragged a rank long hop from Stephen Parry straight into Haseeb Hameed’s hands halfway back to the boundary at midwicket for 18.With just 12 runs added, Varun Chopra (29) played across one from Ryan McLaren and turned to see his off stump cartwheeling into the distance. Westley had lives when 10 and 11, dropped by Shivnarine Chanderpaul at short extra cover off McLaren, and then by Livingstone at slip off Parry. But he reached the close on 27 with Dan Lawrence on 13.

Arsenal Could Sign "Generational" £70m Van Persie Clone

Arsenal’s transfer business thus far this summer has been near-flawless, having overcome every obstacle to attain their top targets.

It was reported that they saw off Real Madrid to bring Kai Havertz across the capital, and it seems that even Manchester City refuse to compete with them over Declan Rice.

The free-spending nature of Edu and Mikel Arteta has taken many by surprise, but it is likely just the cost of competing with Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning outfit.

Despite this, earlier in the window it was reported that the Spanish head coach still craved a physical forward to compete with Gabriel Jesus, in an effort to mix up their play from their usual style. This is likely a desire that has not subsided given their transfers thus far.

It is this report, plus another from Italy, that compounds their interest in Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic.

His €80m (£70m) price tag would put most off, but as aforementioned, the Gunners are not afraid to pay whatever it takes to encourage another title push.

This acquisition, for all the excitement that Rice and Havertz might bring, could be the most important in offering a fresh dimension to help them edge out games they would otherwise lose.

Is Dusan Vlahovic similar to Robin van Persie?

As a tall, powerful, left-footed striker linked with a north London switch, it is hard not to immediately draw comparisons with Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman spent eight impressive years at the Emirates, recording 190 goal contributions across just 278 games.

The manner of his exit was frustrating, but having immediately claimed a Premier League title upon moving to Manchester United, it was largely understood. He remains arguably one of Arsenal’s greatest players in recent memory, and the task to replace him will always be a tough one.

However, the early-career form of this Serbian forward shows promise, with his tenure at Fiorentina far more impressive than his current one in Turin.

In his final full season with the Viola, the 23-year-old would score 21 league goals, before recording another 24 across two clubs during the 2021/22 season where he moved. Either of these figures would have made the youngster comfortably the club’s top scorer last campaign, to emphasise how impressive they are.

He uses his hulking physique to bully defenders, and his explosive left foot to leave goalkeepers stranded.

arsenal-robin-van-persie

Despite having struggled at his new club amidst all the turmoil, journalist Emmet Gates still claimed: “Dusan Vlahovic has the ability to be a generational talent, but he's suffering in this iteration of Juventus. To paraphrase a famous Zlatan line: He's a Ferrari being driven like a Fiat.”

Although it could be argued he is far from as well-rounded as the 39-year-old was, his youth marks a precious resource with which Arteta could mould the marksman at his will. Given how the likes of Martin Odegaard, Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Martinelli have all made notable improvements under him, with their average Sofascore ratings in the league improving from the 2021/22 season to the 2022/23 campaign, there is every reason to believe he could repeat such a feat with his target man.

Perhaps this supercar of a player could now move to the truly well-oiled machine his quality merits, as the natural successor to one of the greatest strikers of their generation.

Leeds Eyeing Approach For "Outstanding" New Goalkeeper

Leeds United are considering an approach to bring Rotherham United star Viktor Johansson to Elland Road, according to reports.

Who is Viktor Johansson?

Johansson is a goalkeeper who currently plays his football for Matt Taylor’s side in the Championship having joined on a free transfer from Leicester City’s U21s back in 2020. He also has other experience in England having previously been a part of Aston Villa’s youth sides, as per Transfermarkt.

The Swedish shot-stopper still has another two years to run on his contract at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, but having established himself as his outfit’s overall third best-performing player last season with a WhoScored match rating of 6.97, has caught the eye in Yorkshire.

Whites number one Illan Meslier has been heavily linked with a departure and in particular a move to Chelsea -which he’s publicly admitted that he would be open to – and Joel Robles is also confirmed to be leaving, so reinforcements will be needed between the sticks, which is where the 24-year-old comes into the conversation.

Are Leeds signing Johansson?

According to Football League World, Leeds are "keeping tabs" on Johansson ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. The LS11 hierarchy have begun "internal discussions" over strengthening the goalkeeping department and are "keen" on Rotherham's first-choice. Whilst competition is expected, chiefs are closely "monitoring his situation", so this could be one to watch in the weeks ahead.

Rotherham United goalkeeperViktor Johansson.

Rotherham have Johansson as their regular number one so he would be likely to succeed Meslier rather than Robles, as he won’t want to leave just to be a back-up elsewhere. Should he put pen to paper, he would be a fantastic acquisition, having been lauded an “outstanding” goalkeeper by journalist Josh Bunting.

The Stockholm native, who pockets £3.5k-per-week, kept 13 Championship clean sheets last season and he was rewarded for his impressive performances by being handed the man-of-the-match award on three occasions.

During the previous term as per FBRef, the A.M.A Sports Agency client made 157 saves from 211 shots on target against, giving him a success rate of 75.4%, which was considerably higher than either of the two keepers managed at Elland Road.

So when you think about just how much of an upgrade he’d be on the current options, the 49ers shouldn't even have to think twice about testing the waters this summer.

Arsenal: Arteta Wants To Sign £45m "Monster" Over Caicedo At The Emirates

Arsenal have now turned their attention to Romeo Lavia after holding internal discussions about their transfer plans, according to reports…

Arsenal transfer news – Romeo Lavia

The Gunners are believed to be pushing to seal a deal West Ham United captain Declan Rice as their first priority but according to The Guardian's Jacob Steinberg, manager Mikel Arteta is keen to sign two midfielders, having also been linked to Brighton & Hove Albion gem Moises Caicedo.

It's now thought the north London outfit have shifted their focus onto other players due to the sizeable sum it would take to secure the Ecuador international, as per the aforementioned report. Lavia is one potential alternative, with talks being held about making a potential move to bring the relegated Southampton star to the Emirates Stadium this summer.

The Sun, meanwhile, claim the Belgian midfielder is valued at around £45m by the Saints and is viewed by Arteta as 'a better option' than Caicedo.

Elsewhere, Arsenal are also keen to sign Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz, with the German said to be "very close" to joining, whilst the north Londoners are said to be in pole position to land Moussa Diaby of Bayer Leverkusen too.

Should Arsenal sign Romeo Lavia over Moises Caicedo?

Lavia was perhaps one of Southampton's only shining lights in what was a dismal Premier League campaign, one which saw them relegated to the Championship for the first time in 11 years.

The former Manchester City youth product was second to only James Ward-Prowse when it came to the average match rating of the Saints' engine room options and similarly, he ranked second for tackles per game (2.1) too, as per WhoScored.

Such impressive form saw Independent journalist Benjy Nurick hail the teenage sensation as an "absolute monster" and it also led to him picking up his first cap for the Red Devils back in March 2023.

Lavia grew up idolising Spain powerhouse Sergio Busquets and that is quite apparent when watching him play, with the same reporter waxing lyrical about his qualities as a defensive midfielder, taking to Twitter to say: "Always offering himself as an option to the defence, great range of passing, and a devastating turn away from markers with a little drop of his shoulder."

At just £45m, the dynamic 5 foot 11 enforcer would represent a shrewd piece of business, especially with Brighton looking 122% more (£100m) for Caicedo.

Lavia is not only younger, fitting in with Arteta's developmental project, but he has also come through an all too familiar system at City, where the Spaniard was Pep Guardiola's assistant prior to taking the helm at the Emirates Stadium.

These factors could indeed make him a better option than Caicedo this summer.

Chelsea Are "Favourites" To Sign "Phenomenal" 90k p/w Ace

Chelsea are 'favourites' to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer due to the financial backing afforded to the club by Todd Boehly, according to journalist Alex Crook.

What's the latest transfer news involving Victor Osimhen?

As per Calciomercato via The Daily Mail, Napoli are looking to offer Osimhen a new contract to stave off interest in his services in the forthcoming transfer window.

Chelsea and Manchester United are keen on a move for the Nigeria international, who has also commanded attraction from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco.

Former Chelsea player Scott Minto has signalled that he would prefer to sign Osimhen this summer to the likes of Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane, who has also been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge to rekindle his relationship with Mauricio Pochettino.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Minto said: “He (Osimhen) would be my number one choice. Harry Kane’s not going there, so he would be my number one choice.”

ESPN report that Chelsea have also made an offer worth €80 million (£69.2 million) to sign Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic, as the Serbia international is believed to be 'unhappy' at the Allianz Stadium.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Crook has said that Chelsea are 'favourites' to sign Osimhen this summer despite their interest in Kane and Vlahovic.

Crook said: "Vlahovic would be cheaper than the other two, but Chelsea are the favourites for Osimhen because of the price.

"I think Daniel Levy is still reluctant to sell Kane to a Premier League rival and Manchester United want to get their business done as early as possible because they don't want to get drawn into a Frenkie de Jong-style pursuit where they don't end up getting him."

Would Victor Osimhen be a good signing for Chelsea?

Osimhen, who has been hailed as "stronger than Cristiano Ronaldo" by Giordano for heading, has been one of the most prolific forwards in Europe this campaign and would add a major presence in attack for Chelsea moving into 2023/24.

In 2022/23, the 24-year-old was in sublime form, firing in 30 goals and laying on a further five assists in 38 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

victor-osimhen-napoli-chelsea-transfer-gossip-pochettino-haaland-guardiola

The £90k-a-week earner has been labelled as "phenomenal" by former Cagliari boss Walter Mazzarri and it is easy to see why. WhoScored note that Osimhen had an average of 4.2 shots per match in Serie A this term, proving to be a constant headache for opposition backlines.

As per FBRef, Osimhen has also excelled in the art of touches in the attacking penalty area and has fared well in comparison to his positional peers in Europe's top five divisions, obtaining roughly 7.48 per 90 minutes across the last 365 days, putting him in the third percentile for this metric.

Chelsea need to make a statement signing to try and build confidence ahead of what will be a new era under Pochettino and Osimhen would be a prime candidate to lead the line at Stamford Bridge.

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