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Ed Joyce hammered a career-best 160* in an innings that featured 19 fours and three sixes to propel Ireland to a series-levelling win against Afghanistan in Belfast

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jul-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsEd Joyce hammered a career-best 148-ball 160* in an innings that featured 19 fours and three sixes to propel Ireland to a series-levelling win against Afghanistan in Belfast. Joyce’s knock, the second-best score by an Ireland batsman in ODIs and third-highest by a player from an Associate team, helped the side post 265 for 5, a total they defended by 12 runs. The five-match series was tied 2-2.Ireland, who were batting first for the first time in the series, lost captain William Porterfield in the fifth over when he edged to second slip for 8. Sean Terry, playing his third ODI, was dismissed in the 10th over when Yamin Ahmadzai completed a stunning one-handed grab off his own bowling, diving low to his right.Gary Wilson, promoted to No. 4, and Joyce then got stuck into rebuilding the innings. Joyce got to his fifty in the 24th over, off 70 balls. The pair combined for a 134-run stand to set up a strong platform for Ireland in the end overs. In between, Wilson survived a nasty collision with Mohammad Shahzad in the 32nd over, when he tried to return to his crease.Wilson holed out to square leg off the first ball of the 41st over, for 58 off 92 balls. At that stage, Joyce was on 93. After Kevin O’Brien fell in the following over, Joyce took charge and smashed 67 of the 87 that Ireland scored in the last 10 overs. He finished with 60.37% of Ireland’s runs, the highest percentage in a completed ODI innings for an Associate side.After the game, Joyce, who was named Man of the Series, said he was spurred on by his controversial dismissal in the previous match. “I probably was extra motivated; I was actually pretty tired this morning going into the game, had a niggle, but what happened in the last game obviously gave a bit of extra motivation.”Afghanistan’s chase was dented early by the Ireland seamers as they were quickly reduced to 27 for 3. Rahmat Shah (30), captain Asghar Stanikzai (32) and Mohammad Nabi (25) got starts in the middle order but failed to convert as Ireland chipped away.Afghanistan were tottering at 119 for 6 in the 33rd over. Najibullah Zadran and legspinner Rashid Khan, however, put on a 93-run seventh-wicket stand but the soaring asking rate proved insurmountable. Three wickets in three balls – one at the end of the 46th over and two at the start of the next – effectively killed the chase.Dawlat Zadran smashed five boundaries in his unbeaten 15-ball 31 but it wasn’t enough. O’Brien finished with 3 for 57, while medium-pacers Peter Chase and Barry McCarthy picked up two wickets each.

Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a sensational summer swoop for Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar in the upcoming transfer window.

What’s the latest on Neymar to Chelsea?

According to recent reports from France, the Brazilian is looking increasingly likely to leave Paris at the end of the season.

The Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has been described as 'extremely keen' on bringing a star-studded talent to Stamford Bridge and he could find his man in Neymar.

Speculation surrounding the 31-year-old’s departure has been fuelled by his deteriorating relationship with the Parisian fanbase. Supporters recently gathered outside the star’s house and began chanting 'Neymar get lost' as in over five years at the club, he has been unable to deliver a first coveted European title.

As well as Chelsea's interest, Manchester United are also rumoured to be preparing a move for the attacker, but the Red Devils would prefer a loan move.

However, a move to the capital has gained momentum due to the impending appointment of former PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino, which would lead to a reunion between the pair for a potential price tag of €60m (£52m).

Should Chelsea sign Neymar?

The playmaker hasn’t featured since February after having to undergo ankle surgery, but his statistics still translate into extremely impressive reading – registering 35 goal contributions in 29 outings in all competitions to underline his status as one of the world’s most scintillating players.

His current manager Christophe Galtier has labelled Brazil’s joint-record scorer as an "artist" and he could definitely bring an injection of creativity, trickery, and dynamism into an underperforming Chelsea frontline.

The Blues’ attack has only mustered 36 goals in as many games and has desperately lacked potency and invention for months.

Therefore, the former Barcelona man could be the answer to all their woes, perhaps proving to be Boehly's most stunning signing yet given Neymar's calibre in the game.

Indeed, Pep Guardiola has previously lauded his magisterial elegance and said: “I remember watching clips of Neymar there and then thinking this is the king of Santos.

“If Neymar had stayed at Barcelona, they would have won two or three Champions League more. Him, Messi and Suarez were the best up front. I am an admirer. He makes football a pleasure.”

A player of his personality, calibre, and character would certainly add to the soap-opera feeling in west London and who knows how it will affect the already disrupted cohesion in the dressing room.

But, what is undeniable is Neymar’s extraordinary gift, and when we look back at his glittering legacy when upon his eventual retirement, we would most likely ridicule any club that would pass up the unmissable opportunity to have this magician in their ranks.

Suzie Bates hammered 38 and bagged two wickets as the Southern Vipers stormed to the Kia Super League final with a comprehensive 59-run win over Loughborough Lightning

ECB Reporters Network14-Aug-2016
ScorecardSuzie Bates was again instrumental to Southern Vipers’ success•Getty ImagesSuzie Bates hammered 38 and bagged two wickets as the Southern Vipers stormed to the Kia Super League final with a comprehensive 59-run win over Loughborough Lightning.Bates gave the Vipers the perfect start with her quick scoring, before Lydia Greenway and Sara McGlashan push the total to 156. With 1200 watching at the Ageas Bowl, Bates then finished off the Lightning innings, after three wickets each for Linsey Smith and Arran Brindle, to give the Vipers four wins from five in the tournament.The result means Lightning will have to overcome Western Storm on Finals Day to decide who faces the Vipers in the final.After smashing 73 together for the first wicket against the Western Storm on Friday, Bates and Charlotte Edwards wasted little time reacquainting themselves after skipper Edwards had won the toss and batted.Bates, in particular, looked in fine form as she biffed cuts and drives to the boundary, before unleashing a massive straight six straight down the ground. Sophie Devine managed to break the partnership on 49 as she had the subdued Edwards lbw with her first ball but Georgia Adams immediately struck back-to-back boundaries to keep the hosts in control.Bates top-edged a sweep to Thea Brookes at short fine leg for a swift 38 – leaving her one run behind Nat Sciver in the competition’s leading run-scorer list – and Adams was caught by a good over-the-head catch by Georgia Elwiss but Greenway and McGlashan led the Vipers to their highest score of the tournament with a 62-run stand.The pair added quick runs, with the reverse sweep a favourite shot for both, before Greenway was bowled in the last over.For the Lightning, Evelyn Jones, who had spent the rest of the campaign batting in the lower middle order, was sent up to open and she started well, carving early strokes over the off side.While Evelyn Jones prospered her partner Dane van Niekerk struggled, however, her torment over when she was bowled coming down the track to Smith. Left-armer Smith, who took four wickets on her first Ageas Bowl appearance earlier in the week, bowled Devine two balls later.Evelyn Jones was given a life when Katie George spilled a catch on the square leg boundary but an over later she departed leg before to the standout Smith for 33.Amy Jones and Ellyse Perry attempted to get the Lightning back on track but the run rate slowed to five an over, before Amy Jones was bowled by Brindle. Captain Elwiss was caught by Greenway, Sonia Odedra was run out, and Thea Brookes was stumped to leave the Lightning facing defeat.Paige Scholfield holed out to deep midwicket off Bates before Beth Langston ramped on to her leg stump to hand the Vipers a third bonus point win from three at home.

WICB chief executive officer Michael Muirhead has said there was no one specific reason for the termination of coach Phil Simmons’ contract, nor was it a sudden development

Nagraj Gollapudi14-Sep-20160:56

Simmons’ tumultuous tenure

WICB chief executive officer Michael Muirhead has said there was no one specific reason for the termination of coach Phil Simmons’ contract, nor was it a sudden development. In a nutshell, Muirhead said, Simmons’ vision did not “align” with the strategic approach of the WICB and the divide widened over the past few months, reaching a point where a final decision had to be made.The decision to relieve Simmons of the job was taken by the board of directors at the quarterly WICB meeting last weekend in Dominica. It is understood the directors were asked to vote on the matter, but Muirhead would not reveal whether it was a unanimous decision to terminate Simmons’ contract. “It was the board’s decision. Let us leave it at that,” Muirhead told ESPNcricinfo.Asked whether it was his appraisal that eventually led to the decision, Muirhead did not reveal much. “I hired him, so therefore I have to release him but that is on the recommendation of the board,” he said. He did point out though that the WICB and Simmons had been deliberating on quite a few contentious issues behind the scenes. “The coach has an opinion and the board collectively had another opinion, and that had happened on more than one occasion.”It is a whole number of things over a period of time. I can’t say it was really one thing. There is no one thing that defines what may have taken place. I think things came to a climax when a decision needed to be made.”Simmons’ track record as West Indies coach was mixed. Appointed after last year’s World Cup, the high points of his tenure were West Indies’ draw at home against England last summer, and the World T20 win in India in April. Importantly, the players seemed to be on the same wavelength as Simmons. But Muirhead and the board of directors remained unconvinced. “Ultimately it is performance of the team, and we want the team to perform the best it can do,” Muirhead said. “Was it [doing so] is a question that is still unanswered.”Technically, Muirhead was not Simmons’ boss. That was Richard Pybus, the WICB director of cricket. Simmons had mentioned in an interview that he and Pybus were not on the same page. “Relationship is a difficult word,” he had said of Pybus, soon after the World T20 triumph. “He communicates via emails but he has not spoken to me since the suspension. It’s sad because this is not about him or me, this is about West Indies cricket.”At last weekend’s meetings, the board discussed several reports including the “Cricket Report” submitted by Pybus and the CEO’s report prepared by Muirhead. Pybus’ report was an overall review of cricket across the Caribbean, not limited to the West Indies teams and coaching staff.Reiterating the lack of alignment in strategies, Muirhead said: “It has been an ongoing thing where I think Phil, in all that he has said and done, he has not aligned… the relationships were breaking down. I think he himself had ideas for a different strategic approach, notwithstanding one already having been approved and adopted by the board. I don’t think he was aligned with that.”In a media release sent out on Tuesday, the WICB had pointed out it had identified “differences in culture” as one reason behind the friction between both parties. Muirhead elaborated: “The other thing was the work culture was a little different. It was how we do business, how we execute things. It was an organisational culture. It was not the difference in ethnic culture as has been pointed out elsewhere.”Muirhead said he had had conversations with Simmons, and he had to intervene on quite few occasions to resolve issues. The last time they had met was about two months ago, he said. When he called Simmons on Tuesday to reveal the board’s decision, he said the chat was “cordial” and not “hostile” in any way.Muirhead pointed out it was a “matter of coincidence” that the Simmons’ termination was announced the day the West Indies limited-overs squad left for the UAE to play Pakistan. “The sanctions and other things could not be discussed without the board meeting. We have board meetings every three months, where we discuss everything including the performance of the teams and the coaching staff.”

Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as a possible destination for Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane this summer, Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

What's the latest on Harry Kane's future?

The striker is entering the final year of his contract at Spurs, and with the Lilywhites failing to qualify for the Champions League or challenge for major honours, the 29-year-old could leave in search of trophies.

He is believed to be Manchester United's top target for a summer transfer, but it remains to be seen whether Spurs would be willing to sell him to a rival, or indeed sell him at all.

Paris Saint-Germain have now emerged as a possible destination, with Lionel Messi and Neymar expected to depart the French capital this summer.

Speaking on The House Of Champions, Romano revealed that the French giants could explore a move for the England captain.

"I would also keep an eye on Paris Saint-Germain, because Paris Saint-Germain are going to look for a top striker in the summer, and in case Harry Kane will be on the market, he could be one of the options to keep an eye on, so this Harry Kane situation is still open," he stated.

"But again for Tottenham, there is a chance to keep the player and the chances to pick the right manager, the right director to offer him a project and not just a contract, not just money. This is crucial for Harry Kane."

Should Kane move to PSG?

PSG are French champions again, and if Kane does move to the Parc des Princes, he could give himself a good chance to win silverware.

With Messi and Neymar both set to leave, Kane could line up alongside Kylian Mbappe as the main stars in the team, and could help PSG in their quest for Champions League glory.

The Parisians have often struggled to reach the latter stages of the competition, and it is a trophy that has evaded them despite heavy spending over the past decade.

Spurs could be happier to sell Kane for a large fee abroad rather than to a rival, and PSG may be best equipped to offer enough money to convince Daniel Levy to part ways with his forward.

However, Kane himself may prefer to run down his contract and leave in a year's time. Playing abroad may not appeal to the £200k-per-week attacker right now, given that he is chasing Alan Shearer's Premier League top scorer record, and if he is able to move for free, he could have his pick of Europe's top clubs.

South Africa have left for Australia with two spinners, but Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj could end up being tourists on the three-Test tour

Firdose Moonda16-Oct-2016South Africa have left for Australia with two rookie spinners in their squad, but Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj could end up being tourists on the three-Test tour. With five specialist seamers to choose from, and JP Duminy’s offspin, South Africa have plenty of other options, and an all-pace attack is not out of the question, especially in the first and third Tests.”The big decision will be whether to play four seamers or [three seamers and] a spinner,” Russell Domingo, South Africa’s coach, said. “We will have to assess how guys go in the warm-up games, what type of spinner we are looking for in those conditions, if we do play a spinner, and what the best four seamers will be in those conditions, if we play four seamers.”Although the WACA is not the pacemen’s paradise it once was, and South Africa will be wary not to repeat what they did in anticipation of a green mamba in Brisbane in 2012 when they picked four quicks and Duminy (who then got injured), it remains an option to give all of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and fit-again Morne Morkel a go, especially as it will be a rare opportunity for them to play together. Morkel sat out the New Zealand Tests with a back injury, but confirmed his return to fitness by turning out for the Titans against the Warriors last week. But with the new transformation targets, the return of Steyn and Philander, and the emergence of Rabada, he may not get into the team unless South Africa play four quicks. And that means Kyle Abbott will be lucky to be considered at all.The other venue where South Africa will consider an all-pace attack is Adelaide because that is where they play their first day-night Test. On the evidence of last summer’s match between Australia and New Zealand, and what Domingo saw of the ongoing Pakistan-West Indies match, he expects the fixture to be headlined by bowlers. “It definitely looked like it was swinging quite a bit in Dubai,” he said – South Africa’s departure press conference was done before legspinner Devendra Bishoo set about dismantling Pakistan.The feedback Domingo received from members of South Africa’s A squad, which included opening batsmen Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma, who used the pink ball during their unofficial Test series in Australia in August, also suggested there is an advantage for bowlers.”A lot of our players played with the pink ball on the South Africa A tour, and they have given us feedback. I don’t know if it’s going to last five days. I think they’ve got to leave some grass on the wicket because the pink ball has got a history of scuffing up, so they try and prolong the quality of the pink ball while leaving some grass on the wicket. We’ve also heard that it is very tough to bat under lights and the ball does nip around,” Domingo said. “I don’t know how many pink-ball Tests there are going to be, but I know most of the players are really excited by it, especially the bowlers. The bowlers are licking their lips. The batters might not be that excited, but the bowlers are looking forward to it.”South Africa have ample opportunity to see if the bowlers will benefit as much as has been hinted at in their warm-up matches. Their first practice game will take place under lights in Adelaide and they have a second in Melbourne ahead of the third Test. As an added bonus, they also have another two-day games ahead of the first Test to prepare themselves thoroughly.Among the things South will concentrate on in the regular red-ball game is which of their spinners to play, if they are to pick one. They have already noted that Australia struggled to pick Shamsi in the ODIs and may want his surprise factor. However, Maharaj is hot off a 13-wicket haul in the opening domestic first-class match of the season. South Africa have dispensed with the idea of an offspinner, given “Australia, generally, hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for offspinners”, according to Domingo. “The Australian line-up does have a lot of right-handers – Steven Smith, Joe Burns, Adam Voges, Peter Neville, so quite a lot.” And if South Africa want someone to turn the ball away from the left-handers, Duminy, who has made public his desire to contribute more with the ball, will be looked at.The spotlight on their own attack does not mean South Africa have forgotten about the opposition’s. Australia’s young seamers were the focus of the recently-completed ODI series, where they failed to trouble South Africa’s line-up and did not manage to bowl them out once. But they will be replaced by the big guns in the Tests. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will be back, and du Plessis indicated South Africa are ready for the challenge.”Starc is a huge bowler for them, but, statistically, he has been more an asset in one-day cricket than in the Test team. There will just be a little bit of preparation for us with left-arm quick again,” du Plessis said. “He is one of those guys who can crank it up and get it close to 150 and also reverse swing. Josh Hazlewood is a pretty standard bowler, he just hits good lengths all day, similar to someone like Dale and Vern.”South Africa know the difference players of the quality of Steyn and Philander can make to the team, after struggling through most of the previous summer without them, and so will know how much Starc and Hazlewood will buoy Australia. And, so, they also know how much they will have to do to get the better of Australia in their backyard.

With Ange Postecoglou now at the helm, Tottenham Hotspur are seemingly set to step up their summer transfer dealings, with the Lilywhites seeking to improve upon a rather turbulent and underwhelming 2022/23 campaign.

As per 90min, the 57-year-old has already given his approval with regard to certain transfer pursuits – including the club's interest in James Maddison – while there are also said to be fears among those at his former club, Celtic, that the Greek-Aussie may return to raid the Old Firm outfit.

The piece notes that among those who the one-time Australia head coach may be keen to reunite with is wing wizard, Jota, with the Portuguese sensation having dazzled under Postecoglou's watch over the last two seasons.

The 24-year-old was originally snapped up by the experienced coach on a season-long loan deal from Benfica back in the summer of 2021, before signing permanently with the Parkhead giants on a £6.4m deal a year ago.

That bargain capture already appears rather astute as the wide man is now said to be valued at around £12m, according to Football Transfers, with that a marker of the meteoric rise he has made of late.

Who is Celtic's Jota?

The £17k-per-week trickster could well prove to be the heir apparent to Heung-min Son on the left flank, with the Celtic star mirroring the South Korean international with his ability to offer quality service and a clinical presence in front of goal.

While Son endured a poor season by his own lofty standards – after scoring 'just' ten Premier League goals – the 30-year-old has typically been a consistent force for the Lilywhites over the years, bagging 145 goals and providing 80 assists in 372 games across all fronts.

Much like Jota would be to most Spurs supporters, the former Bayer Leverkusen ace was something of an unknown quantity after initially making the move to north London in 2015, although has gone on to establish himself as a "world class" talent, according to former boss, Antonio Conte.

While the Bhoys ace may not be quite at that level just yet, the Lisbon native has been something of a "revelation" in Scottish football to date, according to pundit Alex McLeish, having contributed 54 goals and assists in just 83 games in all competitions for his current side.

The 5 foot 9 ace notably showed flashes of his quality during the club's Champions League run having whipped in a delightful free-kick in the defeat to Real Madrid back in November, with pundit Frank McAvennie subsequently stating that it was "scary" that the playmaker could get even better, having not been fully fit at the time.

Evidently a man for the big occasion – having registered five goals and assists in just ten meetings with rivals Rangers – Jota also mirrors Son due to his creative quality having created 13 big chances and averaged 1.9 key passes per game in 33 Scottish Premiership games this season, while the current Spurs ace has created nine big chances and averaged 1.8 key passes per game from his 36 league outings.

Although Postecoglou is unlikely to upset the apple cart by replacing Son in the short term, the incoming boss could well find a suitable, long-term replacement for the long-serving speedster with the signing of his former asset.

Manchester United are admirers of Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka as Erik Ten Hag looks to bolster his midfield with some quality additions this summer, journalist Dean Jones has suggested.

What's the latest transfer news involving Manchester United and Leon Goretzka?

According to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Manchester United are monitoring Goretzka as a potential alternative to Declan Rice, who has also been a target for the Red Devils this window.

Taking to Twitter, Plettenberg stated: "News Goretzka: Man Utd is monitoring his situation! MUFC is aware of the fact that his future his uncertain because of Rice. But no concrete talks or negotiations yet. Goretzka is staying calm and his position is clear: He definitely wants to stay as he identifies 100 % with FC Bayern! And: Rummenigge supports him."

As per The Daily Mail, Bayern Munich are also keen suitors in the hunt for West Ham United midfielder Rice, potentially creating a transfer domino effect; however, The Guardian have since revealed that the 24-year-old could be en route to Arsenal in a deal worth a fee in the region of £100 million.

In 2022/23, Goretzka, who has been hailed as a "chameleon" by Bundesliga and an "incredible goal threat", made 40 appearances for Bayern Munich across all competitions and managed to notch six goals and six assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Salary Sport understand that the Germany international earns around £231k-a-week on a contract that runs until the summer of 2026.

Writing in his column for GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones has indicated that Goretzka is definitely a player that is liked by chiefs at Old Trafford.

Jones suggested: They also need to sort the midfield, where Marcel Sabitzer was on loan last season and Fred and Scott McTominay prepare to have their partnership broken up once and for all. We have seen them make early strides for Mason Mount but look out for the likes of Romeo Lavia. Other players they admire are £230,000-a-week star Leon Goretzka – described as being an "extraordinary" player – Declan Rice and Adrien Rabiot but top target Frenkie De Jong is off limits.

Who else have Manchester United been linked with?

Manchester United have been linked with several players this summer as their hunt for signings gets underway and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has emerged as a key target, with a bid expected to be formalised for the England international, as per Sky Sports.

Napoli defender Kim Min-jae is also on the radar at Old Trafford and has been earmarked as a priority target this off-season, according to Foot Mercato via ESPN.

Sky Sports also claim that Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund is someone who has been identified to spearhead Manchester United's attack, though a bid for Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane is unlikely.

Ten Hag will be keen to see if he can build a side capable of challenging for the Premier League title next season and Manchester United fans will be pleased to see that their club are taking a proactive approach in the transfer market.

Satterthwaite became the first woman to score three consecutive centuries in ODIs, as she struck a 99-ball 123 to lead New Zealand women to victory in the final ODI to seal the series 5-0

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Nov-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsFile photo – Amy Satterthwaite opened the innings and scored 123 off 99 balls•IDI/Getty ImagesAmy Satterthwaite led New Zealand women – as captain, and with the bat – to a win in the last match of the ODI series against Pakistan in Nelson, helping them complete a 5-0 series sweep.Satterthwaite became the first woman to score three centuries in consecutive innings in ODIs. Opening in place of regular captain Suzie Bates, who sat out of the game, Satterthwaite struck 18 fours in her 99-ball 123 after Pakistan had won the toss and set New Zealand 221 to win. New Zealand chased it down in the 39th over.Earlier, medium-pacer Thamsyn Newton and 16-year-old legspinner Amelia Kerr both picked up career-best figures – Newton took 5 for 31, Kerr took 4 for 42 – to subdue Pakistan after they had got off to a strong start. Ayesha Zafar (50), Javeria Khan (50) and Nahida Khan (31), the top three in the order, were responsible for that. But Newton and Kerr struck regularly as Pakistan went from 157 for 2 to to being bowled out for 220 in the 50th over.New Zealand’s chase was powered by Satterthwaite, who scored most more than half the runs required, having begun by monopolising an opening partnership of 73 with Sam Curtis (9) that took only 9.2 overs. She then put on 53 for the fourth wicket with Katie Perkins – the second-highest scorer, with her 23 – to bring New Zealand within 35 runs of the target before Sadia Yousuf (3-49) broke the stand. The left-arm spinner dismissed Satterthwaite shortly after, but New Zealand had no trouble chasing the target down.When asked about what the record means to her, Satterthwaite said she was happy, but New Zealand’s performance as a team had impressed her more, particularly in the absence of some stalwarts.”It’s always nice to achieve something like that, but at the end of the day, you just want to put your best performances to contribute to a team win,” Satterthwaite said. “It was great for our team to get a win without having Suzie (Bates) and Rachel (Priest). They’re important players for us and to perform like that without them was great.”This was both teams’ last ICC Women’s Championship fixture, and the win sealed third spot for New Zealand. Pakistan finished in seventh place.

Newcastle United are interested in making a "staggering offer" RB Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update.

Is Szoboszlai shining for Leipzig?

This is arguably the most exciting time to be a Magpies supporters in many years, with everything seemingly going smoothly on and off the pitch under Eddie Howe.

Newcastle are preparing for a return to the Champions League next season, having finished fourth in the Premier League in 2022/23, and it now essential that they bring in top-quality new signings to ensure they keep moving in a positive direction.

One of those players could be Szoboszlai, who has caught the eye with his performances for Leipzig of late, proving to be one of their most effective creative players. Last term, he scored six goals and registered eight assists in 28 Bundesliga starts, as well as averaging 2.3 key passes per game – more than any other player at the club.

With Newcastle still seemingly circling for the £35,000-a-week Hungarian's signature, a key update has now emerged regarding the current situation.

Could Newcastle sign Szoboszlai this summer?

According to L'Equipe [via Sport Witness], the Magpies are "preparing to make a staggering offer" for Szoboszlai, amid interest in Lens striker Lois Openda, too.

The Leipzig man's current deal doesn't expire until the summer of 2026, meaning they aren't necessarily in a rush to sell him, although they would clearly be able to receive big money for his services if they do move him on during the upcoming summer window.

Szoboszlai could be such an eye-catching signing for Newcastle, should they get a deal over the line, with the youngster a huge talent with an enormous future ahead of him. He has already scored 62 goals and added 67 assists during his club career, despite his tender years, across spells at FC Liefering, RB Salzburg and Leipzig, not to mention finding the net seven times in 30 caps for Hungary.

He has been dubbed "The Hungarian Maestro" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who has also described him as "something special", further highlighting what big talent he is.

Most at home in a central attacking midfield role, Szobozslai could be an alternative, and potentially cheaper, option to rumoured Newcastle target James Maddison, coming in and offering more of an attacking spark and goal threat than the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, for all their many plus points as players.