All posts by h716a5.icu

Newcastle United have now made Matt Targett their ‘number-one’ option at left-back, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.

The lowdown

The 26-year-old is currently on loan at St James’ Park from Aston Villa until the end of the 2021/22 season.

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has written that Eddie Howe ‘really rates him’ based on what he has seen so far, but at the manager’s ‘behest’, head of recruitment Steve Nickson was drawing up a list of alternative left-back options.

Newcastle were keeping their options open, indicating that they weren’t entirely convinced by Targett, with Jones saying in March that a permanent move was unlikely. By contrast, 97.5% of supporters polled by Waugh indicated that they wanted him to stay long-term.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-6/” title=”Newcastle news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The latest

Jones has said that Newcastle’s stance has changed in recent weeks and that they will now look to secure a permanent deal for Targett in the near future. He added that the defender is expected to cost the Magpies around £15m.

The journalist told GiveMeSport: “I think he has, in the last few weeks, become the number one target. I think, things have changed. I think there’ll be a deal looking to be made soon to sign him. I think it’s about £15m.”

The verdict

This is a wise decision from Newcastle, if indeed they go through with it. Targett is available for a reasonable fee, perhaps in part because Villa have shelled out up to £25m on another left-back in Lucas Digne.

The 26-year-old has 139 games’ worth of Premier League experience and won’t need an adjustment period at St James’ Park like a new arrival would.

Despite joining midway through the season, Targett ranks second in the Newcastle squad for chances created with 37, behind only Allan Saint-Maximin (46).

Therefore, it’s no wonder that Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher regards the loanee as a ‘huge improvement’ on what’s come before at Newcastle, who would be well advised to pay the £15m which is apparently needed to make Targett a permanent Magpies player.

In other news, Frank McAvennie reacts to this rumoured Newcastle exit

Brighton confirmed Fabian Hurzeler as Roberto De Zerbi's successor after the German worked wonders at St Pauli.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Brighton get a new head coach Signed Hurzeler from St. Pauli Youngest ever PL manager at 31 WHAT HAPPENED?

The Seagulls made a bold and historic appointment by appointing 31-year-old Hurzeler as their new manager which makes the German the youngest full-time manager in Premier League history. Hurzeler’s rise to prominence came through his exceptional work at FC St Pauli, where he guided the team to the Bundesliga 2 title in the recent season. Under his leadership, St Pauli won 20 of their 34 matches, showcasing a blend of tactical acumen and motivational prowess.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Hurzeler's success at the German club made him a standout candidate for the Brighton job, earning him a contract until 2027. tenure with Brighton will commence once he receives his work permit, allowing him to join the squad in time for pre-season preparations in July. The club is eager to integrate him into their system, aiming for a smooth transition and a strong start to the new season.

WHAT BRIGHTON CHAIRMAN SAID

Chairman Tony Bloom said, “Fabian has a style of play that aligns with how we want a Brighton & Hove Albion team to play, and I’m confident it is one our supporters will appreciate and enjoy. Fabian also has an excellent coaching pedigree and has worked with the German federation at various age group levels. We are really excited to start working with Fabian to prepare for the upcoming season.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Hurzeler's age presents a unique dynamic, as he is younger than several of Brighton’s senior players, including James Milner, 38, Danny Welbeck, 33, and Lewis Dunk, 32. This scenario is unusual in top-flight football, where managers are typically older and more experienced. However, Hurzeler’s modern coaching techniques and fresh perspective are expected to resonate well with the team, potentially bridging the age gap through mutual respect and professional camaraderie.

Barcelona have reportedly opened talks with FC Porto to facilitate the sale of centre-back Mikayil Faye but have one main condition for a deal.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Barcelona looking to sell Mikayil FayePorto interested in signing for €15m (£13m/$16m)Barca want to include buy-back clauseBarcelona Twitter WHAT HAPPENED?

Over the last season, Faye has impressed a lot during his time with Barca Atletic and even received two call-ups to the senior team. So much so that former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez even pondered upon making the sale of left-footed senior centre-back, Inigo Martinez to make room for Faye as a rotation centre-back. However, with the arrival of Hansi Flick, the chances of Faye making it to the senior squad have dwindled and he may now be moved on for a cash influx.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

As per Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have been approached by Liga NOS side Porto, who are willing to offer around €15 million to acquire Faye's services this summer. However, the report has stated that the Catalan club are looking to add a buy-back clause on the talented 19-year-old sale agreement so that they could potentially re-sign the Senegalese back in the future.

Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

Barca Atletic started their season with a centre-back pairing of Faye and Pau Cubarsi, with the latter having been shifted to the first team, it was reported that Xavi wanted to do the same with the Senegalese in the coming summer. However, that will likely no longer be the case with Flick having taken charge of the senior team.

WHAT NEXT FOR FAYE?

The season is not yet over for Faye and Barca Atletic as they continue on with their promotions playoffs in Primera Federacion as the club looks to make their way back to the second tier of Spanish football for the first time since 2018.

Kagiso Rabada takes seven wickets in the match as England slide to innings defeat

Alan Gardner19-Aug-2022South Africa completed a crushing innings win over England at Lord’s, dismantling the home batting line-up for the second time in three days to go 1-0 up in the series. Anrich Nortje ripped the heart out of innings with a three-wicket salvo after lunch, while Kagiso Rabada finished with match figures of 7 for 79, as England were blown away in 37.4 overs.The result handed Ben Stokes his first defeat as England’s full-time Test captain, and confirmed that after a run of four wins in a row, South Africa would present a stern test of the new management’s attacking philosophy.In the build-up, Dean Elgar had bullishly declared he was not concerned with how England might try to play, and his players backed up that stance by asserting themselves from the outside in a concerted collective display. The bowlers, in particular, were ruthless. Rabada and Nortje shared 13 wickets and they had superb back-up from Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj, the spinner who struck twice before lunch on day three to undermine England’s hopes of batting their way back into the contest.Related

Brendon McCullum wants England to go 'harder' after regime's first setback

Ben Stokes urges England to keep the faith as rollercoaster hits first dip

Dean Elgar's quiet achievers lay another marker for resurgent South Africa

Kagiso Rabada: numbers worthy of bowling greatness

Dean Elgar revels in South Africa's 'positivity' after winning Lord's Test in style

Although South Africa’s innings only contained one half-century, from the opener Sarel Erwee, nine of the XI reached double-figures as they carved out a decisive 161-run lead on first innings. England could point to having been inserted in helpful conditions but, for the first time this summer, they found themselves deep in a hole and without the carrot of trying to engineer a chase. It did not take long for the wheels to come off.Alex Lees was dropped in the cordon in Rabada’s second over, and Elgar’s decision to turn to spin brought a few raised eyebrows. But Maharaj responded by taking wickets in his first and third overs, Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope both trapped lbw. Crawley fell sweeping at his third ball from the left-armer, extending his trough of form – he averages 15.64 from his last seven Tests – and Pope was pinned on the back foot, via a review, with the last ball before lunch.South Africa had the bit between their teeth, and Lungi Ngidi claimed the prize wicket of Joe Root, tempted into pushing at one that left him down the slope for a low catch at second slip. A three-day finish was suddenly looking increasingly likely, but such was the speed of England’s subsequent capitulation that the result was done and dusted before tea, Nortje ripping out three wickets in 10 balls before the last four were blitzed for the addition of eight runs in 3.3 overs.Anrich Nortje roars in delight after netting Jonny Bairstow for the second time in the Test•PA Photos/Getty ImagesIf South Africa’s success was largely marked by a quiet intensity, in the manner of their captain, Elgar, the passage in which Nortje removed Jonny Bairstow, Lees and Ben Foakes was pure fast-bowling bombast. Although he seemed to be battling with the slope from the Nursery End, he found his range during an over in which every delivery was above 90mph/145kph and at one stage topped 95mph/153kph.Bairstow had twice used the extra pace to cut boundaries but was caught behind by one that left him. Nortje then went round the wicket in his next over, taking the ball up the slope to feather Lees’ outside edge; two balls later, Foakes flinched at a 92mph/148kph delivery in the channel, and Kyle Verreynne again completed the dismissal.The response from Stokes and Stuart Broad was to try and hit their way out of trouble, and their success during a stand worth 55 from 45 balls briefly raised the possibility of South Africa having to bat again. Broad closed his eyes and swung Nortje for six into the Tavern Stand, but was then foxed by Rabada’s slower ball for the second time in the match.A diving catch in the deep from Maharaj presented Rabada the wicket of Stokes, and with Jansen hitting the stumps of Matt Potts and James Anderson either side, the end came swiftly. With England batting for fewer than 90 overs across their two innings, South Africa’s four-man pace attack could look forward to two extra days of rest before the second Test of three begins at Old Trafford next Thursday.The morning began with England claiming a wicket third ball, but that was about as good as it got, as South Africa’s solid batting effort cemented their hold on the Test. The lead was already a handy 124 overnight, and although Rabada was dismissed early, via a spectacular one-handed catch from Broad, England’s attempts to finish the innings quickly by bowling short were frustrated by a 29-run stand between Nortje and Jansen.Nortje dealt with the barrage capably, despite a couple of half-chances that did not go to hand, and began to push the scoreboard on, driving Stokes sweetly through mid-on from one of the rare balls in his half. Jansen was the more watchful, adding just seven runs to his overnight score before edging Broad to slip just shy of a maiden Test fifty, as England finally reverted to a more orthodox approach. Ngidi also fell to a catch in the cordon – Bairstow holding on at the second attempt – but there was to be no Bazballing their way out of this one.

Leeds United and the 49ers Enterprises have made an enquiry to sign another new midfielder ahead of Premier League rivals Burnley and Everton.

Leeds bolster midfield with Longstaff and Stach signings

The Whites have been busy in recent weeks ahead of their top flight return, with two of their recent signings coming in midfield.

After bolstering Daniel Farke’s defence with Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Gabriel Gudmundsson, Leeds have since added Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach.

Signed for a combined £29.4m from Newcastle United and Hoffenheim respectively, the duo look set to provide competition for Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev this season.

Talking after signing, Longstaff said: “I think from the first time I spoke to Leeds, I got a feeling that they really wanted me. It just fills you full of confidence and it just makes you want to repay those people. It is a massive, massive football club – similar to Newcastle in a lot of ways.”

Meanwhile, Stach added: “I am excited to join such a good team, such a good Premier League team, and I am looking forward to the next season. My style of play, I would say I am an aggressive player. I am good in duels. I am good at anticipating passes from the opponents and it would be good for the Premier League. Now we will see, I will try my best.”

Even better than Muniz: Leeds lining up move to sign "dominant" £30m star

Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing a striker who is even better than Rodrigo Muniz.

ByDan Emery Jul 31, 2025

The Whites don’t seem to be stopping there when it comes to midfield reinforcements, though, going off a new transfer update.

Leeds make contact to sign Benfica’s Florentino Luis

According to journalist Gianluigi Longari, relayed by MOT Leeds News, Leeds have made an enquiry to sign Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis.

It is claimed that the Portuguese side could be open to selling Luis after bringing in Richard Ríos, with Leeds, Everton and Burnley all making approaches in recent weeks.

The 25-year-old appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €22m Transfermarkt valuation. Luis has been with Benfica since 2019, winning two league titles, and is under contract until 2027.

He caught the eye of football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who dubbed the midfielder the “Portuguese Octopus”, and he also ranks high for a number of areas over the last 12 months.

Tackles

97th percentile

Interceptions

99th percentile

Tackles won

94th percentile

Passes blocked

82nd percentile

Pass completion (long)

94th percentile

A move to England could be one to keep an eye on following the recent transfer update and it’ll be interesting to see if Leeds firm up their interest after making contact.

The agency representing some of the biggest names in football – including Virgil van Dijk – is now under the UTA umbrella with LeBron James.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

UTA acquires ROOF agencyPlans to integrate with KLUTCHVan Dijk & LeBron join togetherWHAT HAPPENED?

ROOF (Representatives Of Outstanding Footballers) has been acquired by UTA (United Talent Agency), expanding the group's global sporting reach by entering the soccer market. It is a move that will put management of footballing superstars like Van Dijk and Kai Havertz under the same parent company as LeBron and other top basketball players.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

In recent years, UTA's sporting portfolio has been led by KLUTCH, which represents basketball icon James and has negotiated $4 billion worth of contracts on behalf of its clients across the NBA, WNBA, NFL and MLB. As part of the takeover, UTA said that ROOF will integrate with KLUTCH "to reimagine the landscape of representation for a new generation of top football stars". But ROOF will retain its own name and founding management. As it stands, ROOF represents around 130 players and 20 coaches across Europe's big five leagues. But the ambiiton is international expansion beyond current bases in London, Madrid and Munich.

WHAT UTA SAID

"Football is the most global and popular sport on the planet, and in charting our path into the game, we've searched for a partner who aligns with KLUTCH's values and takes a similar client-first approach," said Rich Paul, co-head of UTA Sports and KLUTCH founder/CEO.

"It was clear very early on that ROOF was the perfect fit; our agencies share the same philosophy, passion and professional approach to representing the world's best athletes. Together we look forward to bringing new energy to the beautiful game and its athletes through the lens of empowerment, storytelling and forward thinking."

DID YOU KNOW?

In additional to Van Dijk and Havertz, other top players like Sadio Mane, Serge Gnabry, Harvey Elliott and recent Europa League final hero Ademola Lookman are on the books at ROOF.

Legspinner managed shoulder complaint throughout World Cup campaign, and will undergo a period of rehabilitation before England’s T20I series in New Zealand

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Aug-2019Adil Rashid, England’s World Cup-winning legspinner, has been ruled out for the rest of the season as his shoulder injury continues to plague him.Rashid’s shoulder injury was first made public when England’s World Cup squad was announced, and was cited as a reason for the inclusion of Liam Dawson over Joe Denly.It was not sufficiently serious that it caused him to miss any World Cup games, but Rashid revealed that he had needed an injection to manage the pain, and said that bowling his variations in particular had hurt.He declared himself “100% fit” after the group stages, but after a brief period of rest, told Yorkshire’s medical staff that the injury was “the worst it has been this summer”, and withdrew from their Vitality Blast squads.Rashid will undergo a period of rehabilitation, and hopes to bit fully fit in time for England’s T20I series in New Zealand in November.An ECB spokesman said that Rashid was suffering from “chronic pain” and added: “We believe intense rehabilitation and rest will be sufficient over the next six to seven weeks. He might need further treatment ahead of the winter if this persists. That will be decided in due course.””The aim was to come back after the World Cup and play for Yorkshire,” Rashid said. “I enjoy playing for Yorkshire, but it just wasn’t meant to be. I’ve had a shoulder problem for a little while and I got through the World Cup with an injection. Obviously, as time has gone on the injection has worn out and, after the World Cup, I started feeling a bit of a pinch in my shoulder.”These things can happen and fortunately it hasn’t happened to me earlier than it has. I’ve played 13-14 years of professional cricket and this is the first time I’ve suffered an injury to my shoulder.”I’m very confident, after being ruled out for the rest of the season, that I can get myself fully fit before we go away in the winter. I’ve got two months now to get myself fully fit and it’s as simple as that.”Rashid’s withdrawal from Yorkshire’s squads caused eyebrows to be raised, with his contract up at the end of the season, and director of cricket Martyn Moxon telling the there was “no guarantee” Rashid would play red-ball cricket for the club this season. He had opted out of first-class cricket last year, only to change his mind after being recalled to England’s Test squad.Yorkshire have subsequently re-signed South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj as cover, who will be available for the rest of the Blast, as well as Championship games against Nottinghamshire and Somerset.But Rashid quashed any idea that he might not be motivated to turn out for the county. “When I can play, I’ll play,” he said. “I just wasn’t anywhere near fit enough to play. People may have other views, but I just can’t play. Any other talk is nonsense. I enjoy playing cricket and enjoy playing for Yorkshire, but this year it wasn’t possible with how the shoulder was.”

Mason Greenwood has been named Player of the Season at Getafe as reports suggest Manchester United are looking to put another transfer deal in place.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Forward starred during Spanish loan spellBeing linked with clubs across EuropeRed Devils expected to sanction a saleWHAT HAPPENED?

The 22-year-old forward is expected to sever ties with the Red Devils on a permanent basis during the summer window. He has plenty of options to consider, with a loan spell in Spain bringing him to the attention of clubs across Europe.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Greenwood has been billed as a “starboy” at Getafe, with a 10-goal haul endearing him to team-mates, coaching staff and a loyal fan base. Said efforts have been recognised with a prestigious award, as the one-cap England international is considered to be the best performer at Coliseum Alfonso Perez in 2023-24.

WHAT GREENWOOD SAID

Greenwood has said of picking up a Player of the Season prize: “It feels amazing to receive this kind of award but I obviously wouldn’t be able to get this kind of achievement if it wasn’t for my team-mates and the coaching staff. Everyone has done well in helping me get this award and I just want to say thank you.”

WHAT NEXT?

Juventus, Napoli, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are among the clubs to have been credited with interest in Greenwood, as United open themselves up to offers, while there has been talk of teams in the Premier League and Saudi Arabia asking to be kept updated on future developments.

I think I’ll be apologising to them for the rest of my life, says Ben Stokes about the four overthrows off his bat in the final over

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jul-2019Ben Stokes: Yeah. Don’t know, I’m pretty lost for words. All the hard work over the four years, to be champions is an amazing feeling. This is what we aspire to be. To do it in such a good game, don’t think there’ll be a better game in history than this. Pretty done to be honest, Playing against New Zealand is a great event to be part of. They’re great lads. I think I’ll be apologising to them for the rest of my life [for that overthrow for four off his bat in the last over]. There’s no chance I wasn’t going to be there till the end. You live for these moments. I walked up to Jof (Jofra Archer) before he bowled that over (Super Over) and told him: “whatever happens from here, this isn’t going to define your career, because I’ve been through a tough time before (2016 World T20 final).” It’s absolutely fantastic, without the lads in both the one-day and Test team, and my family – the support has been incredible.Jonny Bairstow: Elated! Massive commiserations to New Zealand. One hell of a game, edged one way and then another. What a hell of a tournament. The way the guys came out in the Super Over, huge! Ben Stokes’ performance was amazing. They bowled pretty well, they put us under heck of a lot of pressure. The ball was doing something. The way Jos [Buttler] and Stokes put together that partnership, it won us the game at the end of the day. What a special moment, what an atmosphere. To play at Lord’s is one thing, to play at Lord’s in a World Cup final is a completely different matter. To have friends, family and rest of the amazing fans – it’s difficult to put to words.Jos Buttler: It’s unbelievable! I thought I’d seen everything in cricket. The game was ridiculous, amazing occasion. Very hard to put words to it at the moment. What an unbelievable day. We wanted to take it deep, knew the run rate won’t be an issue if we batted till the end. We wanted to put a partnership together and tried to put the pressure back on New Zealand. Unbelievable.Joe Root: Unbelievable! Wow! Hard to sum it up. What a tournament. The lads have done everything asked of them. We’ve come through difficult periods in the group stages, performed when the pressure was on. Feel for Ben – he’s been through a tough time, his family has been through a lot, and now to see him here, can’t be more pleased for him.Liam Plunkett: It hasn’t sunk in yet. What a great finish! Great game. Hats off to the Kiwi boys. We’re over the moon. I knew we still had batters when I got out. I just felt like it was going to happen for us.Jofra Archer: I’m pretty sure I was going to bowl it [Super Over]. So I just had a double check. Heart’s still racing, sorry. It’s the biggest thing. It’s one of the only tournaments I’ve ever won in my life. The boys started so well. It’d be really disappointing if we didn’t win. Especially this man Stokes calming me down before I bowled. It’s the best family.

Aurelien Tchouameni could miss out on playing at Wembley in the Champions League final as he is yet to recover from his injury.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Tchouameni suffered injury against Bayern Frenchman could miss out on playing Champions League final Midfielder remains hopeful of playing at Wembley WHAT HAPPENED?

The midfielder suffered a stress injury during Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final second-leg clash against Bayern Munich earlier this month and has remained out of action since then. Now reports that the Tchouameni could miss out on playing at Wembley on June 1 as he faces a race against time to fully recover ahead of the Borussia Dortmund clash.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The report further claims that the France international suffered breakage of a third metatarsal on his left foot which will likely keep him away from the grand finale. Last week, the player claimed that he was doing everything he possibly could to regain fitness and remained optimistic about making it to Carlo Ancelotti's travelling squad.

DID YOU KNOW?

The 24-year-old has been an important part of Los Blancos' squad this season which won the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga titles and are just a step away from registering a record-extending 15th Champions League title win.

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

The newly crowned Spanish champions will play their final league game of the season on Saturday as they take on Real Betis at Santiago Bernabeu.