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According to a report from Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Notícias (via Sport Witness), Wolverhampton Wanderers are now in a three-way battle for Sporting CP midfielder Joao Palhinha. 

The lowdown: Replacements needed…

Wolves could be in the market for at least one central midfielder as experienced star Joao Moutinho fast approaches the end of his contract at Molineux (Transfermarrkt).

As things stand the 35-year-old will move on this summer, whilst Leander Dendonker has been linked with a move to SS Lazio and talismanic star Ruben Neves continues to be indexed with a big-money departure.

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With doubts lingering over the aforementioned trio, it’s no surprise that Wolves are already being touted with possible successors…

The latest: Premier League transfer battle

As per Jornal de Notícias, translated by SW, Wolves are one of the ‘main interested’ clubs in Palhinha alongside Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

It’s claimed that Sporting will listen to offers of around €30-40million (£25-34million) for the 26-year-old Portugal international.

The report states that Palhinha – who was described as ‘brilliant’ and the ‘most underrated player in Portugal’ by journalist Zach Lowy – is a personal priority for Bruno Lage this summer.

The verdict: Make it happen

As the Wanderers prepare for life after at least one of their current midfielders, ready-made additions will be a necessity if Lage is going to push the side forwards once again next term.

Albeit the 2021/22 campaign has been a success overall, the heavy defeat at the hands of Manchester City and the recent form moreover has acted as a stark reminder as to how far away Wolves are from the upper echelons of the Premier League.

Predominantly operating as a defensive-minded midfielder, Palhinha has a Sofascore rating of 7.11 this season in the Primeira Liga, winning an impressive 7.1 duels and making 3.0 tackles on average per game.

Those combative attributes would suggest that the 12-cap international ace could be the ideal candidate to replace Moutinho or Dendonker in the Molineux ranks, particularly at the lower end of the mooted valuation.

In other news, Wolves have been backed to sign a Premier League attacker this summer. Find out who it is here.

An update has emerged regarding Manchester United and soon to be free agent Paulo Dybala.

The Lowdown: Old Trafford meeting

Dybala is out of contract with Juventus at the end of June and looks destined to leave the Italian giants for nothing over the summer.

Reports last month suggested that new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was pushing for a move for Dybala, with the forward’s representatives already meeting with Old Trafford chiefs regarding a potential move.

Ten Hag has been told to scour the free transfer market, and it looks as if one of the most valuable soon to be free agents could be on his way to England.

The Latest: Agent in London

Sports Witness relayed an update from Sky Sports Italia regarding Dybala on Friday. They claimed that the Argentine’s agent, Jorge Antun, ‘is in London’ to ‘test the waters’ and ‘listen to proposals’.

Manchester United were name-checked in the report, saying it is ‘possible’ an €8m-a-year salary at Old Trafford could be offered.

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The Verdict: Get it done…

Ten Hag looks certain to be short of central attacking options over the summer, with Edinson Cavani set to leave on a free transfer. Therefore, bringing in Dybala, valued at £36m, for nothing would be a shrewd move. The 28-year-old can play anywhere in a front four and has scored 115 times for Juventus in 291 games.

He’s also been in fine form in 2021/22, contributing to 21 goals in 37 games, and with United keen to explore the free transfer market, now could be the best time to act by securing a pre-contract agreement.

An €8m-a-year salary would work out at around £130,000-a-week, which would put him on less than both Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof, so you could argue that the Red Devils could even comfortably up that offer with no transfer fee involved.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano: Man Utd have now agreed key deal for ‘important’ Old Trafford move. 

Jurrien Timber has revealed how Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta played a key role in his recovery from an ACL injury.

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• Timber suffered serious injury on Premier League debut
• Arteta provided crucial support during recovery
• Dutch star gunning for Premier League title

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Timber suffered a nightmare start to his Arsenal career, sustaining a serious knee injury on his Premier League debut for the Gunners that required surgery. The Dutch star returned to action in a Premier League 2 game in April, scoring a fine goal just nine minutes into his comeback after eight months on the sidelines. He then made his long-awaited return to first-team action in Arsenal's final game of the season against Everton as Arteta's men finished as runners-up.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Timber will be hoping to make an impact in the new Premier League campaign after returning to full fitness. The former Ajax defender saw his team narrowly miss out on the Premier League title last season and acknowledges there will be little room for error if they are to beat Manchester City to top spot in the 2024-25 campaign. Timber also spoke about how Arteta's support helped him recover from his knee injury.

• WHAT TIMBER SAID

  Timber told TNT Sports: "Last year when we were here he [Mikel Arteta] was very supportive already. And I have to say during my injury as well. It helps to have such a manager like him. Obviously it is [a big blow getting injured after moving to Arsenal], especially at the start. I have to say, at the same time, I just moved to another club, I moved to Arsenal. You have to look at how lucky you are as well, and that is the way I looked at it last year. I had time to work with some fantastic physios, I had good people around me and my team-mates were great."

  The Dutchman also spoke about his team's title hopes: "You said almost perfect, this season we need to make it perfect. Hopefully we are going to end up with some prizes at the end of the season. Lets see, we start from here in the USA, we have some nice games ahead and then we go."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL

  Timber and Arsenal are currently in pre-season mode and preparing for friendlies against Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool in the United States. Arteta's side will kick off their new Premier League campaign against Wolves on August 17.

More players could follow the allrounder into retirement given ICC’s suspension of Zimbabwe

Liam Brickhill22-Jul-2019Zimbabwe allrounder Solomon Mire has announced his decision “to retire from Zimbabwe Cricket in all formats with immediate effect”.”It is unfortunate and untimely however to leave under the current circumstances that are out of my control but i have decided to take a step in a new direction,” Mire said in a statement released via his personal Instagram feed.”Representing my country at the highest level for me has been the highest honour and service i could ever give and I have been extremely privileged to have been afforded the opportunity,” Mire wrote. “My short career has been a roller coaster of highs and lows, stops and
starts, frustrations and joys but will be one I shall look upon and cherish for the once in a lifetime opportunity I was lucky enough to experience and for that i would like to express my gratitude.”Mire, 29, played two Tests, 47 ODIs and nine T20Is for Zimbabwe, scoring one century and five fifties across formats, and taking a total of 14 wickets with his bustling fast-medium seamers. His top score of 112 came amid Zimbabwe’s historic series win over Sri Lanka in 2017,
helping the team chase down Sri Lanka’s 316 for 5 with almost two and a half overs to spare – a record for the highest successful chase on Sri Lankan soil.While he never quite fulfilled his undeniable promise as a devastating batsman in white-ball cricket, Mire also currently holds the record for the highest score for Zimbabwe in a T20I for the 94 he scored against Pakistan last year.He made an impression in Zimbabwean domestic cricket while still a teenager over a decade ago, but it was Mire’s big hitting in Australian Grade Cricket that brought him to the attention of the national selectors. He made community paper headlines in July 2014 when he slammed a 157-ball 260, including 21 sixes, for Waratahs to set a new tournament record in the Darwin and District Cricket Competition. His exploits for Essendon in the Victoria Cricket Association Premiership had also led to a game for Victoria Under-23s, and then a handful of games for Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League in 2013-14 as a community rookie.Zimbabwe eventually came calling, and Mire cobbled together a pair of fifties in unfamiliar conditions in his debut series in Bangladesh in late 2014. He’d done enough to earn a place in Zimbabwe’s 2015 World Cup squad, with his experience of Australian conditions also adding to his value, and had been a regular in Zimbabwe’s squads since then.Mire thanked the various clubs and coaches in Zimbabwe and Australia that played a part in his development as a player, as well as his sponsors. “Also a special thanks to the fans,” he added. “I can hardly believe that I had fans from across the world, I’m sure most were
friends and to the ones I’ll never meet, thank you all so much.”I can say without a doubt that sport and in particular international cricket will always be my biggest lesson in life. Ever.”Mire informed his Zimbabwe team-mates and the national technical staff of his decision to retire after the recent tour of Ireland before going public with his announcement. With Zimbabwe currently under suspension by the ICC, more of those team-mates could soon follow him
into international retirement.”Been a pleasure playing alongside this man over the last couple years,” Kyle Jarvis tweeted. “Enjoy retirement @Kingsoly21 seems we are not too far behind you.”

Jonny Evans has signed a new one-year deal at Manchester United.

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• Evans returning on one-year deal
• 36-year-old says United will "challenge"
• Defender a key player in 2023-24

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United have announced that Evans has signed a new one-year deal at Old Trafford, having emerged as a surprisingly key player for the club last season. The Northern Ireland international is 36 and returned last summer as a stop-gap addition, but he ended up playing 30 games in all competitions.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United were beset by injury problems last season and Evans remained a model professional throughout his first season back at the club, having previously left in 2015. He also won the FA Cup, ensuring that he has now won every domestic trophy available for the club during his career.

• WHAT EVANS SAID

  Evans told the club's official website: “I am delighted to have extended my contract at Manchester United for another season.

  “To play for this great club and feel the support from our incredible fans is always a privilege.

  “Returning to the club last season was an honour; representing the team on the pitch alongside fantastic team-mates under an excellent manager.

  “Winning the FA Cup together was an unforgettable experience; I know we can challenge for more trophies in the season ahead.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  United play their first pre-season friendly on July 15, against Norwegian club Rosenborg. They will also play Rangers, Arsenal, Real Betis and Liverpool before the Community Shield against Manchester City on August 10.

Club currently sit bottom of Division Two after winless start to County Championship season

ESPNcricinfo staff13-May-2025Keaton Jennings has stepped down as Lancashire red-ball captain with immediate effect, with the club sitting bottom of Division Two in the County Championship. Marcus Harris, the club’s Australian overseas signing, will take over as interim captain.Lancashire are winless after five games of the Championship season, having drawn four and lost one. They succumbed to a three-day defeat against Northamptonshire at the weekend, prompting the club’s management to issue an apology to supporters on Tuesday morning, in which director of cricket performance, Mark Chilton, described their form as “not acceptable” and said Lancashire would “make necessary changes” to improve the situation.That has led to Jennings relinquishing the captaincy in Championship cricket, although he will continue to lead the Blast side. Appointed in 2023, he was the team’s leading first-class run-scorer last year, with 1006 at 45.72, but couldn’t prevent relegation. So far this season, he has made 337 runs at 33.70 with two half-centuries.Related

• Stand-in captain Harris signs contract extension at crisis club Lancashire

• Harris dominates for Lancashire with unbeaten 165

• Harrison spins it for Northants after Sanderson onslaught

“It’s been a huge honour to lead Lancashire Cricket in the Championship over the last couple of seasons, a club with rich history that I hold dear to my heart,” Jennings said. “This has not been an easy decision, however after reflection and conversations with the management, I believe the team will benefit from a change of captaincy.”My passion and commitment to serving Lancashire has not and will never change. Our current position in the table is not reflective of our commitment as a team and club to winning. I recognise the best way for me to serve the club is to continue to score big runs at the top of the order and put in match-winning contributions. I feel as though the team will benefit from this change and it will help to drive us forward.”I will of course provide Marcus with as much support as he wants throughout the rest of the County Championship. I know that the team is focused on our collective goal of getting Lancashire back to winning four-day cricket.”Harris is currently the leading Championship run-scorer in either division with 749 at 83.22, including three hundreds. He will be assisted in charge of the red-ball team by vice-captain, Josh Bohannon, and James Anderson, England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker who is expected to make his first appearance of the season in the next round of games, starting on Friday.Chilton added: “Keaton has given his total commitment to the captaincy since taking over in 2023 and remains a key figure in the dressing room.”His experience and professionalism will continue to be invaluable, and I would like to thank Keaton for his service as Lancashire’s County Championship captain in recent years. We hope that the change in captaincy will allow him to concentrate fully on his batting and take some weight off his shoulders.”Marcus will provide an alternative perspective to leadership and, although relatively new to the group, he has worked with Dale [Benkenstein] before, and everyone has seen his impact on the team’s performance in the first five games of this season. We are also hopeful that James Anderson can get back on the field adding vast experience and leadership into the side.”Lancashire’s head coach Dale Benkenstein is under growing pressure•Getty Images

Foremost among Lancashire’s issues so far this season has been an inability to take wickets at home – in three games at Emirates Old Trafford, they have only bowled the opposition out once. Their next two fixtures are against Derbyshire, at home, and Leicestershire, currently second and first respectively in Division Two.John Abrahams, chair of the cricket development committee, said the board retained faith in the coaches, led by Dale Benkenstein.”The Lancashire Cricket Board remains fully behind the coaching group, and we want members to know that the club will do whatever the cricket department needs to effect change quickly,” Abrahams said. “We continually look at different ways we can improve the squad, whether that be loan or permanent additions to the squad.”We are also working closely with the grounds team to look at how we can perform better at Emirates Old Trafford, having experienced the challenging conditions to bowl teams out twice.”I’d like to thank the members for their continued support of the club, and we all hope to see a change of fortunes for the team in the next couple of weeks in the County Championship, ahead of the Vitality Blast starting at the end of this month.”

Celtic will be on cloud line after sweeping aside Rangers to reach the Premier Sports Cup final, and they have now received a response after making a surprise approach to appoint Mark van Bommel as their new manager.

Whether he lands the job permanently or not, Martin O’Neill has once again hammered home his legendary status in the dugout at the Scottish Premiership champions after securing back-to-back wins over Falkirk and Danny Rohl’s men since returning to Parkhead.

After a frustrating start to the campaign under Brendan Rodgers that led to an explosive departure, his Irish compatriot has more than steadied the ship and would be open to taking on the role full-time if discussions with Dermot Desmond were to be forthcoming.

Nevertheless, the search for a permanent fix goes on. Lee Carsley, Nicky Hayen and Kieran McKenna are on Celtic’s list. Meanwhile, Robbie Keane and Wilfried Nancy are outside contenders to fill the void as the race widens before the international break.

One thing is for sure, they won’t have a shortage of talent to work with in Glasgow. Callum Osmand’s Glasgow Derby heroics have given the Bhoys an unexpected striker solution, and Johnny Kenny has also bagged three in his last two games after coming in from the periphery over the last week.

Until January, anyone who takes on the Celtic job may need to play around to find solutions in certain areas. However, O’Neill will leave the squad in a much better place should they find a new head coach, that is, if he isn’t appointed himself.

Either way, time is ticking, and the Hoops are seemingly keen to announce their latest manager, though fresh developments seem to suggest it won’t be a certain former Netherlands international.

Mark van Bommel replies to Celtic management offer

According to a report from Telegraaf, Mark van Bommel has declined an offer to manage Celtic, and he also has offers on the table from Saudi clubs offering more than £1 million per annum, something he has decided to knock back.

The former Royal Antwerp boss doesn’t want to move away from home right now because his son, Ruben, suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury at PSV Eindhoven. In a time where he needs support, the 48-year-old has opted to put his family first.

Honestly, it is hard to fault Van Bommel for his decision. Despite also being linked to Rangers after they sacked Russell Martin, it doesn’t appear that he will be pitching up in Glasgow any time soon.

Throughout his career in the dugout, the Maasbracht-born man has been in charge of PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg and Antwerp, and has claimed the Belgian Pro League, Belgian Cup and Belgian Super Cup during his time at Bosuilstadion.

Celtic could still spring a surprise appointment instead of Van Bommel

Now, Celtic will focus on other targets, safe in the knowledge that O’Neill and Shaun Maloney are getting a tune out of their side in the meantime.

Toni Kroos says Lamine Yamal is "unbelievable" for a 16-year-old and Germany will try to keep him quiet in their Euro 2024 quarter-final with Spain.

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• Germany face Spain in quarter-finals
• Midfielder Kroos to retire after competition
• Hails 'unbelievable' Lamal ahead of last-eight tie

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ahead of Germany taking on Spain in the quarter-finals of the Euros, now former Real Madrid ace Kroos has heaped praise on teenager Yamal. The veteran, who is retiring from football after this tournament, says his side need to keep the Barcelona man and team-mate Nico Williams under wraps if they want to reach the last four of Euro 2024 on home soil.

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  WHAT TONI KROOS SAID

  He told reporters: "In recent years players seem to be better now at younger ages, it’s really incredible. He [Yamal] was Barcelona’s most dangerous player last season. We know what he’s capable of and will try to keep him and Nico Williams as quiet as possible. To be that good at 16 is simply unbelievable."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Germany have impressed this tournament but Spain have, arguably, been the best team so far and are the only side to win every game. This mouth-watering clash could be the last time anyone sees Kroos on a football pitch, but he will want to make sure he goes out with a bang by reaching the final and winning the Euros.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Kroos' Germany team take on Spain at MHPArena in Stuttgart on Friday evening, with the victor lining up against either 2016 winners Portugal or that year's runner-up France in the semi-finals of the tournament on July 9.

Allrounder cleared to bowl against the Adelaide Strikers on Friday night after recovering from a side strain

Alex Malcolm14-Jan-2021
Marcus Stoinis is ready to bowl again for the Melbourne Stars having not delivered a ball in the BBL so far this season coming off a side strain.Stoinis injured his side while bowling for Australia in the first ODI against India on November 27.He missed the rest of the ODI series and played just one game in the following T20I series as a specialist batsman while still injured, as Australia were severely undermanned due to the loss of both Aaron Finch and David Warner.Stoinis has played every game of the BBL so far but only as a batsman due to his side issue, but he is set to be available to bowl if called upon by captain Glenn Maxwell when the Stars host the Adelaide Strikers at the MCG on Friday night.”My body is good,” Stoinis said. “I’m hopeful to be bowling this game. I’m actually fit. I just haven’t been able to bowl at training. We’ve been travelling quite a lot and it’s sometimes hard to get the facilities to bowl. Hopefully, it’s this game, in fact, it will be.”Related

• Dunk and Melbourne Stars part ways by 'mutual' agreement

• Blistering Philippe keeps Sydney Sixers at top

• Ashton Agar set to miss BBL finals and could be doubt for NZ

Stoinis had been given the all-clear to bowl 10 days ago but the strict nature of the BBL hubs has made it difficult for him to gain access to nets in order to get his bowling loads up.The BBL teams and players have not had the freedom to use practice nets and facilities like they would in a normal season due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Stoinis had to get clearance to book a net for bowling session on the Gold Coast the day after the Stars’ loss to the Heat on January 7. The team then had to travel to Adelaide and play on January 11.The inability to get several solid bowling sessions in over that period has meant he could not return to bowl in a game until now.”I have bowled a couple times but that’s what holding me back,” Stoinis said. “I’ve been fit for a week or 10 days but actually having the chance to bowl in the nets hasn’t been an option at the moment. We’ve had that the last couple of days. I’ll have a bowl today, and then everything going well I’m pretty sure I’ll play as a bowler next game.”Stoinis also suffered side strains during the 2019 World Cup but he is confident the recurrence is nothing more than coincidental.”It’s different parts of the side,” Stoinis said. “I’ve done both [sides] now. It’s quite a typical bowling injury, I guess.”Perth Scorchers allrounder Mitchell Marsh also suffered a side strain during the Scorchers win over Hobart Hurricanes on Tuesday and is now unable to bowl for the remainder of the tournament.Haris Rauf has fond memories of the MCG•Getty Images

The Stars are excited to return to Melbourne having played their first nine games of the BBL season on the road.No one is more thrilled about the Stars’ return to the MCG than Pakistan quick Haris Rauf after he lit up the ‘G with a spectacular hat-trick in the Stars’ win over the Sydney Thunder win over Sydney Thunder last season.”I’m so excited to play at the MCG,” Rauf said. “There’s good memories at the MCG, the best game in my life [was when I took] the hat-trick. I [will] remember that, always.”Rauf has had a tough start on his return to the BBL this season after arriving from New Zealand where he toured with the Pakistan side.But he is grateful for the opportunity to come back to BBL, which played such a big part in his propulsion to the international stage.”I’m [still] learning,” Rauf said. “Last year was a good experience in the Big Bash League. After the Big Bash , I had success playing for [my] country.”

Scotland equalled an unwanted record as they crashed out of Euro 2024 after a dramatic defeat to Hungary in Group A.

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• Tartan Army lost 1-0 to Hungary
• Means they finish bottom of Group A
• Had just 17 shots in the tournament

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Scotland's hopes of progressing from the group stages at the European Championships for the first time in history were crushed by a last-minute Hungary winner in their final match. Steve Clarke's side had just 17 shots across their three games, the joint-lowest tally since the groups were introduced in 1980, equalling Northern Ireland's record in 2016.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Scotland's tournament never got going following their 5-1 defeat to hosts Germany on the opening night. They will head home thinking about what could have been, but also with a sense of relief that Hungarian player Barnabas Varga is conscious following a worrying collision with goalkeeper Angus Gunn.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Scotland have never made it out of the group stages in any major tournament they have appeared in. As well as the Euros, the Tartan Army have been involved in eight World Cups, failing to progress in every instance there as well.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SCOTLAND?

  Fans will rightfully let their disappointment sink in over the next few days but work will be going on behind the scenes to determine the future of the national team. Clarke is contracted as head coach until 2026 but will likely face an inquest when he returns home.