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Sheffield United are now plotting a move for a “clinical” Championship star to strengthen a priority position, according to a recent report.

Blades pushing for promotion

Chris Wilder’s side are faring very well in the Championship as we approach the end of the January transfer window, after a solid recent run of form. The Blades are in a very strong position to return to the Premier League at the first attempt, and they are trying to capitalise on the opportunity that has presented itself by making signings capable of aiding their promotion push.

The main aim this month has been to strengthen in attacking areas, and it is job done for Wilder on that front, having moved swiftly to bring in Ben Brereton Diaz and, most recently, Tom Cannon.

Sheffield United reach "full verbal agreement" to sign "brilliant" defender

The 27-year-old is aiming to move to the Championship before deadline day.

ByDominic Lund Jan 21, 2025

As such, the United boss may turn his attentions towards reinforcing other areas of the squad, and Football League World report that signing a new defender is now a priority, in order to replace Harry Souttar, who suffered a season-ending injury in December.

Queens Park Rangers’ Jimmy Dunne has now emerged as a target for the Blades, with the defender out of contract at the end of the season, which means he could be available this month if Wilder pushes to get a deal done.

QPR are having a decent season themselves, now just four points off the play-offs, but they risk losing the 26-year-old for free in the summer if they don’t cash in this winter.

Although Jack Robinson has performed well in Souttar’s absence, Sheffield United are keen to bring in a replacement for the Leicester defender, and they are now plotting a move for Dunne.

Dunne could be the perfect Souttar replacement

Souttar was particularly impressive in the air during his stint at Bramall Lane, and there are signs the QPR defender could be a like-for-like replacement in that regard, having also displayed his aerial ability on a regular basis over the course of the past year.

Statistic per 90

Jimmy Dunne

Harry Souttar

Clearances

5.69 (99th percentile)

5.55 (89th percentile)

Aerials won

4.86 (99th percentile)

3.87 (92nd percentile)

Blocks

1.06 (48th percentile)

0.97 (15th percentile)

Interceptions

1.11 (59th percentile)

1.27 (65th percentile)

Tackles

2.22 (66th percentile)

1.12 (34th percentile)

As shown, Dunne is outperforming Souttar on almost every key defensive metric, so he could be the perfect replacement for the injured Australian.

Not only that, but the £8,500-a-week defender is also a threat on the front foot, having been lauded as “clinical” by journalist Sam Tabuteau at the end of December, and he now has four goals to his name in the Championship this season.

The Blades are already in a very strong position to seal promotion to the Premier League, but signing a top defender could help them get over the line, and Dunne is showing signs he could be the perfect addition to the squad.

With Manchester City currently sixth in the Premier League, a whopping 12 points adrift run-away league-leaders Liverpool, Pep Guardiola will surely look to dip into the transfer market this January, especially considering the Sky Blues potentially have scop to spend big this month.

Last summer, Savinho was brought in from within the City Football Group for a reported £30m, but the club actually made a profit of around £126m in players sales, following the departures of Julián Álvarez (£81.5m), João Cancelo (£21m), Liam Delap (£20m) and Taylor Harwood-Bellis (£20m).

Potentially partially due to Álvarez’s sale, goal-scoring has been an issue for the Citizens this season so far; they’re currently on course to score only 68 goals, having bagged, on average, 96 league goals per season across the last seven campaigns.

So could the return of a former Man City wide-man help get the goals flowing again?

Man City looking to re-sign former winger

According to a report by Pete O’Rourke for Football Insider, Manchester City are preparing a “shock swoop” to bring Leroy Sané back to the club, five years after he departed.

Manuel Veth of Forbes adds that Sané is out of contract with current club Bayern Munich at the end of the season, stating that the winger, who’s now able to agree a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club, is highly likely to depart, given that “no negotiations to renew his deal” have taken place.

Sané joined Man City from Schalke in 2016, the same summer Guardiola arrived, for a reported £37m, scoring 39 goals and providing 43 assists during 135 appearances in sky blue, winning back-to-back Premier League titles, the FA Cup and three EFL Cups.

During this period, Gary Neville described the German as “electric”, adding “as a right-back… I would not want to play against” him.

However, after he rejected the offer of a new contract in the summer of 2020, Sané was sold to Bayern Munich for around £45m, racking up 53 goals and 51 assists in 194 appearances for the Bavarian giants to date.

How Leroy Sané would slot into Man City's team

The 28-year-old has seen opportunities limited under Vincent Kompany, starting only eight matches across all competitions, albeit he did score during Bayern’s final two Bundesliga fixtures prior to the winterpause, on target in defeat at Mainz and then during the 5-1 drubbing of RB Leipzig just before Christmas.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

So, with Sané set to be on the move in 2025, could a return to Man City suit both the player and the Citizens?

Of course, given that Erling Braut Haaland now has 21 goals to his name already this season, one would assume goals are not an issue for the four-in-a-row Premier League champions.

However, after the Norwegian, their next-highest scorers are Phil Foden on five and defender Joško Gvardiol with four, due to the fact the Sky Blues’ wide-players are simply not offering enough end-product, Jack Grealish in particular coming under scrutiny, given that it’s now 389-days, and counting, since his most-recent club goal.

At the weekend, Guardiola admitted Savinho got the nod over Grealish because the Brazilian “is in better shape”, so just how do Sané and Grealish compare, and would the German be an upgrade?

Appearances

69

62

Minutes

4,502

3,362

Goals

16

5

Assists

14

6

Shots

151

66

Shots on target %

41.7%

33.3%

Progress carries

206

215

Shot-creating actions

227

144

Attempted take-ons

283

91

Take-on success %

53.7%

40.7%

Touches

2,572

1,628

The table above clearly outlines, since the start of last season, Sané has been an exponentially more dangerous attacker than Grealish, scoring over three times as many goals, registering over double the number of assists and accumulating significantly more shot-creating actions.

On top of this, Sané has attempted over three times more take-ons, with a significantly higher take-on success %, underlining, as noted by Richard Jolly of the Independent, Grealish is no longer “one of the most exciting attacking players in world football” as he was at Aston Villa, with Richie Mills of Goal arguing Guardiola is responsible for “sucking the football” out of him.

Thus, in summary, re-signing Sané would be a no-brainer, especially considering he’s available for free.

Man City could sign Alvarez replacement who's one of the best in the world

Manchester City have made a move in an attempt to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush, who’s currently the Bundesliga’s second-top scorer.

ByBen Gray Jan 6, 2025

كشفت تقارير إعلامية النقاب عن موقف محمد شريف لاعب الخليج السعودي من العودة لـ الأهلي أو التوقيع لنادٍ مصري أخر بعد انتهاء عقده، وحقيقة اقتراب جوزيه جوميز من تدريب المارد الأحمر.

ونقل الإعلامي كريم رمزي تفاصيل تصريحات على لسان محمد شريف وجوميز مدرب الزمالك السابق، بعد تردد أنباء قوية حولهما خلال الأيام الماضية.

أحمد شوبير: كولر حالته النفسية سيئة.. ولا يُصدق رحيله عن الأهلي

وقال رمزي في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر برنامج “رقم 10” المذاع عبر القناة الأولى المصرية: “محمد شريف قال لي إنه لم يوقع لأي نادٍ”.

وأضاف على لسان محمد شريف: “أتمنى العودة للنادي الأهلي لخوض منافسات كأس العالم للأندية، الأهلي بيتي بالتأكيد وعودتي له أتمناها وبشدة”.

وتابع بنقل تصريحات خاصة على لسان جوميز: عرض الأهلي؟ حاليا أنا مدرب لفريق الفتح، ولدي مباريات هامة للغاية وتركيزي منصب بنسبة 100% مع الفريق”.

وكان اسم محمد شريف قد ارتبط في الأيام الماضية بالانتقال إلى نادي الزمالك بعد انتهاء تعاقده مع ناديه الخليج السعودي، كما ترددت أنباء حول تعاقد الأهلي مع جوميز لخلافة مارسيل كولر.

A 143-run stand between Ameen and Maroof earned Pakistan a victory with 49 balls to spare

Danyal Rasool01-Jun-2022Half-centuries from Sidra Ameen and Bismah Maroof helped Pakistan seal a crushing eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first of three ODIs at Karachi. After Sri Lanka were bowled out for 169, thanks to a sensational spell from Ghulam Fatima, who took four wickets for 21, the batters made light work of the chase, getting to the target with 8.1 overs to spare. It included a 143-run stand between Ameen and Maroof, with Ameen dismissed for 76 just two runs from victory, while Maroof finished undefeated on 62.As with the T20I series, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat once more, but immediately ran into problems owing to a slow start and the early fall of Hasini Perera to a run-out, the malaise that had gripped Sri Lanka in the final T20 showing no signs of easing. Chamari Athapaththu and Hansima Karunaratne rebuilt, but saw their gritty work undone when both fell within an over off each other.It was a theme that would repeat itself throughout the innings. Prasadani Weerakkody and Nilakshi de Silva would combine for a 50-run partnership, finding regular boundaries and pushing up the scoring rate. But just when it appeared as if Sri Lanka were building a platform, Ghulam and Iqbal struck again, getting rid of the settled pair within three balls of each other. Ghulam followed up by knocking back Oshadi Ranasinghe’s stumps the very next ball, the batter leaving a straight one to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 96 for six.It might have ended a lot sooner than it ultimately did but for Kavisha Dilhari, whose breezy, languid strokeplay helped her side pick up valuable runs, giving herself and her bowling partners a semblance of a competitive total to bowl at. Two fours off Iqbal set the tone, before Maroof and Diana Baig were each shown the long handle. Nida Dar was smashed for six as Dilhari fats approached a half-century she richly deserved, only for her to run out of partners as Fatima Sana wrapped up the tail at the other end, leaving Dilhari stranded on an unbeaten 50-ball 49.The defence from Sri Lanka began inauspiciously as Kumari started with five wides before the first legal delivery was dispatched away for four. It might have heralded a quick finish, but Sri Lanka responded with their best passage of play, keeping Pakistan on a leash throughout the Powerplay and picking up the wicket of Muneeba Ali when she top-edged a sweep off Achini Kulasuriya.That might have intensified the pressure on Pakistan, not that Ameen or Maroof let it show. Ameen timed a couple of exquisite consecutive covers drives for four in the 10th over, and that appeared to break the shackles for Pakistan once and for all. Maroof got into the act with two boundaries in the 13th over, and by now even the asking rate was trending downwards.Sri Lanka tried both seam and spin, but couldn’t quite muster the discipline of those early overs. The lines were errant, the lengths failed to penetrate and the intensity simply couldn’t be cranked up. With each run, a below-par total began to look less intimidating, and for much of the last hour, it was more of a procession than a chase. Maroof’s 16th ODI half-century, as well as Ameen’s fourth, served to rubberstamp Pakistan’s dominance, suggesting the upper hand Pakistan enjoyed in the T20Is has very much carried over into the ODI series.

Cole Palmer has been left out of Chelsea's matchday squad to take on Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Blues travel to Gunners
• Palmer unexpectedly absent
• Chelsea lost 5-0 at Emirates last year

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Palmer was expected to be involved for the Blues' trip across London to the Emirates Stadium this weekend, but his name was not on the team-sheet when the lineups were announced 75 minutes before their 13:30 GMT kick-off. Instead, head coach Enzo Maresca is expected to use Enzo Fernandez in an advanced midfield role, with Reece James and Moises Caicedo in deeper positions.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  This is the second-season running that Palmer has missed out on Chelsea's trip to Arsenal, having sat out last year's visit due to a cold. The Blues, then managed by current USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino, were thrashed 5-0 on that occasion.

• WHAT ENZO MARESCA SAID

  Explaining Palmer's absence, Blues boss Maresca said: "He's not in the toilet, for sure! He had, or as we know, last week some problems [with illness]. And unfortunately yesterday he had a very small problem. We think, after the international break, he will be back with us.

  "He had an injury yesterday during the session. It was a very light session. That's why we think it is nothing important. But we wait and the feeling is he will be back after the next international break."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Palmer is currently on a run of 10 games without a goal and uncharacteristically missed a penalty in last week's win against Leicester City. However, he will have to wait a few more weeks to end that drought.

عقد مجلس إدارة الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، برئاسة هاني أبو ريدة، اجتماعه الدوري، يوم الإثنين 7 أبريل، حيث ناقش عددًا من الملفات المهمة. وأسفر الاجتماع عن اتخاذ مجموعة من القرارات على النحو التالي:

أولًا: بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا تحت 20 سنة

اطّلع المجلس على خطاب الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم (كاف) بإسناد تنظيم بطولة أمم إفريقيا تحت 20 عامًا إلى مصر، في الفترة من 27 أبريل حتى 18 مايو 2025، مع اعتماد الموافقة الرسمية من الحكومة المصرية.

نظرًا لضيق الوقت، تقرر:

تكليف المدير التنفيذي وجميع إدارات الاتحاد بتنفيذ المهام التنظيمية وفقًا لاختصاص كل إدارة، مع إشراف ومتابعة أعضاء المجلس.

تعيين المهندس أحمد مجاهد، عضو لجنة الحوكمة بالكاف، منسقًا عامًا للبطولة بين الاتحادين المصري والإفريقي.

تشكيل لجنة الاتصال الحكومي من المستشارين ووكلاء الوزارة المرشحين من وزارة الشباب والرياضة.

اعتماد الموازنة التقديرية للبطولة، وإخطار وزارة الشباب والرياضة رسميًا بها.

ثانيًا: المنتخبات الوطنية

الموافقة على برنامج إعداد المنتخب الأول خلال فترة الأجندة الدولية في يونيو المقبل.

تكليف الدكتور علاء عبد العزيز، مدير إدارة المنتخبات، برئاسة بعثة منتخب الصالات للسيدات المشاركة في بطولة أمم إفريقيا بالمغرب.

ثالثًا: شئون اللاعبين

اعتماد لائحة شئون اللاعبين الجديدة المقدمة من لجنة تطوير اللوائح، بما يتوافق مع معايير الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم (فيفا)، تمهيدًا لإرسالها للفيفا لاعتمادها. ويبدأ تطبيقها رسميًا اعتبارًا من 1 يونيو 2025.

رابعًا: فترات القيد لموسم 2025-2026

تم تحديد فترات القيد كالتالي:

الفترة الأولى: من 2 يونيو حتى 7 أغسطس 2025.

القائمة الأولى: من 2 حتى 20 يونيو.

قوائم الإضافة: تُغلق منتصف ليل 7 أغسطس.

الفترة الثانية: من 1 يناير حتى 12 فبراير 2026.

طالع أيضًا | صور – أشرف صبحي: مصر تهدف إلى أن تكون مركزًا إقليميًا لصناعة الرياضة في الشرق الأوسط وإفريقيا

خامسًا: تراخيص الأندية

الموافقة على بدء إجراءات منح التراخيص للأندية وفقًا للمعايير المعتمدة، وفق الجدول التالي:

تقديم الملفات: من 15 مايو حتى 10 يونيو.

صدور قرارات لجنة التراخيص: 19 يونيو.

فترة الطعون: من 20 حتى 25 يونيو.

البَتّ في الاستئنافات: 26 يونيو.

إعلان القرار النهائي: 29 يونيو 2025.

تكليف المدير التنفيذي بمخاطبة الأندية لحثها على الاستعداد والتقدم بطلبات الحصول على التراخيص في المواعيد المحددة.

سادسًا: تطوير كرة القدم المصرية

تفويض المهندس هاني أبو ريدة بدعوة أندية القسمين الأول والثاني لاجتماع لمناقشة تصور المسابقات في الموسم الجديد.

تنظيم ثلاث ورش عمل خلال مايو المقبل لمناقشة تطوير مسابقات الناشئين، بحضور مسؤولي قطاعات الناشئين بالأندية والفروع.

يتولى وليد درويش، عضو المجلس، عرض التوصيات النهائية للورش تمهيدًا لإعداد جدول مسابقات الموسم القادم.

سابعًا: إيفاد الحكام

تفويض المدير التنفيذي باعتماد سفر الحكام المكلّفين بإدارة مباريات من قبل الفيفا أو الكاف أو الاتحادات الوطنية الأخرى، بشرط عدم تحمل الاتحاد المصري أي أعباء مالية في هذا الشأن.

Ruben Amorim will be travelling to Suffolk for his first taste of Premier League action confident that he can pick up a debut win as new Manchester United boss, with Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town his first opponent.

However, there will also be a lingering anxiety deep within the Portuguese manager that his first game in charge could also end in an unexpected defeat, considering the Tractor Boys are just fresh off a surprise away victory at Tottenham Hotspur.

McKenna will also want to get one over on his former employers, with the Northern Irishman hopeful that his top performers in North London can turn on the style again back at Portman Road.

Key players for Ipswich vs Man United

Liam Delap will be raring to go this weekend when the Red Devils come to town, with the striker’s previous Manchester City connections perhaps working in his favour in wanting to rain on the Amorim parade.

He is also Ipswich’s most potent attacker by some distance, with six strikes registered from 11 league games, which included a tap-in finish versus Ange Postecoglou’s shellshocked hosts to make it 2-0.

Moreover, the likes of Sammie Szmodics and Leif Davis will want to terrorise Man United from minute one of the contest tomorrow, with Szmodics scoring an acrobatic bicycle kick last match, on top of providing his team with some much-needed energy down the left flank.

Likewise, Davis could be key in trying to unlock Amorim’s new side on Sunday, with the attack-oriented full-back averaging an impressive 2.5 key passes per league game this season as an option that is more than comfortable playing out from defence.

He’s also more than adept at firing home first-time strikes, with the former Leeds United product hopeful that his team can pick up their first home win of the season versus Man United, despite being underdogs.

McKenna also potentially has his very own Bruno Fernandes that he could rely on versus the Red Devils to try and cause an upset, with this attacking midfielder in question at the very top of his game versus Spurs.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Ipswich's very own Bruno Fernandes

Whilst McKenna attempts to field all of the attacking players he knows could cause the away side’s defence trouble, he will also need to ensure his defenders are ready for the task of keeping Fernandes at bay.

Under Ruud van Nistelrooy’s interim reign, the experienced United head sparked back into life after struggling under Erik ten Hag this season, with two goals and one assist registered in his last two Premier League outings.

Still, the Ipswich boss won’t want his side to be overwhelmed by the quality of their opponents and simply just give in, with Omari Hutchinson acting as the Tractor Boys’ very own Fernandes in their bid to pull off an unexpected win.

Much like Fernandes, Hutchinson has also been a goal and assist machine for his side in recent times, having helped himself to 11 strikes and six assists just last season as automatic promotion was clinched.

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Shots

1

Touches

56

Accurate passes

23/26 (88%)

Key passes

1

Successful dribbles

5/8

Total duels won

12/23

Whilst the Jamaica international didn’t quite offer the same polished performance that Fernandes managed against Leicester – with a goal tallied up versus the Foxes – the Ipswich number 20 was still lively in the attacking midfield spot for his side versus Spurs, with a stunning five successful dribbles registered across the span of the 2-1 win.

Having played all of last season down the flanks, he has been pushed into the number ten spot that Fernandes stars in after promotion, and McKenna’s experiment with the 21-year-old looked to have finally worked in North London.

The Ipswich boss will just hope this wasn’t a one-off positive display, however, with Hutchinson perhaps acting as a crucial player – like Delap and Szmodics – in the Suffolk side collecting another Premier League scalp this weekend.

Ipswich have found a "remarkable" star who is now rivalling Saka & Palmer

Ipswich Town fans love this star whenever he struts his stuff at Portman Road.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 18, 2024

Wolverhampton Wanderers have learned that it will cost them £2 million to appoint a rising star in the coaching world as pressure continues to mount on Gary O’Neil, according to a recent report.

It has not been the start to the Premier League season that Wolves and O’Neil would have expected, as they are still winless in their opening 10 league games, and that form is, as expected, raising questions about the future of the manager.

Related Wolves could hire their own Postecoglou who's a "breath of fresh air"

Wolves could sack Gary O’Neil and appoint a wildcard replacement

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Nov 6, 2024 Gary O’Neil under pressure at Wolves

The Midlands side have picked up just three points all season, the latest point coming on Saturday as they drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace, a game in which they were winning after first trailing.

But despite picking up a point, it hasn’t stopped talk of the pressure mounting on O’Neil. In a recent report, it was claimed that O’Neil has been given two games to save his Wolves job. The first of those games was against Palace, and the second is against Southampton, whom they face this weekend before the November international break.

The report states that poor results in those games could “change the mood” at Molineux, even though O’Neil does retain the backing of the players. The Premier League side have been linked with a move for Graham Potter, while David Moyes has also been eyeing the job should it become available.

Wolves learn it will cost £2m to appoint Jimmy Thelin

According to reports Wolves will have to pay £2 million to take Jimmy Thelin away from Aberdeen. The 46-year-old had been managing in his homeland of Sweden for all of his career until he joined the Scottish Premiership side in June this year, where he is yet to lose a single league fixture.

Thelin, who likes to play a 4-2-3-1 formation, has managed J-Sodra IF under-17s, as well as their under-19s and first team. He has also managed Jonkoping under-21s and Elfsborg, where he earned his move to Aberdeen. While in charge of Elfsborg, Thelin oversaw 223 games, 104 of which he won.

The Swede has taken charge of 17 games for Aberdeen in total, and although he has tasted defeat in cup competition at the hands of Celtic, he has the Dons level on points with the Hoops and a huge nine clear of Rangers in the Scottish top flight.

Jimmy Thelin’s Aberdeen league record

Games

9

Won

8

Drawn

1

Lost

0

Points per game

2.8

It was reported last month that Wolves are keeping an eye on Thelin as they look at their options should O’Neil need to be replaced. It will cost the Midlands side £2 million to appoint Thelin as their manager, with the release clause inserted into his contract when he joined Aberdeen in the summer.

Nasum Ahmed took 7 for 43 on his return from the UAE but it wasn’t enough for Sylhet

Mohammad Isam10-Nov-2021

Dhaka Division fought back from being 0 for 4 on the first morning to beat Sylhet Division by three runs on the final day of their NCL game in Sylhet. It equaled the closest margin (by runs) in first-class cricket in Bangladesh. The home side was bowled out for 98 in the fourth innings, chasing 102 to win.Rangpur Division remained on top of the Tier I points table after they beat Khulna Division by three wickets at the Sylhet Academy Ground, chasing down a tricky 248 on the last day.Chattogram Division beat Barisal Division by an innings and 73 runs at the BKSP-3 Ground, while Rajshahi Division drew with Dhaka Metropolis at the adjacent BKSP-4 Ground in Savar.Best batters
Chattogram’s Mahmudul Hasan Joy struck back-to-back centuries after he made 121 off 211 balls with nine fours and a six, against Barisal.Tanzid Hasan and Junaid Siddique made hundreds in Rajshahi’s final day rearguard action against Dhaka Metropolis. Tanzid scored a brisk 145 off 171 balls with 15 fours and two sixes, while the experienced Siddique scored a more patient 117 off 346 balls.Best bowlers
Nasum Ahmed took 7 for 43 on the first day against Dhaka Division, a few days after returning from Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup campaign in the UAE. He followed it up with 5 for 70, which gave him career-best figures of 12-113. It was, however, not enough for Sylhet as they fell short in the chase.Instead, Dhaka’s Nazmul Islam, the Player of the Match, finished with 9 for 115 in the same match, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings.Dhaka Metro’s Shohidul Islam took career-best figures of 7 for 48 against Rajshahi, while Khulna allrounder Mrittunjoy Chowdhury took 5 for 62 in their win against Rangpur.Best match
Both Tier-1 games were worth watching. Dhaka bounced back superbly against Sylhet from 0 for 4 to score 123. Sylhet took a comfortable 142-run lead, with Sayem Alam, Zakir Hasan and Jaker Ali scoring fifties as they made 265.Dhaka were bowled out for 243 in their second attempt, with opener Abdul Mazid and No. 4 Raqibul Hasan hitting half-centuries. But Nazmul’s four-wicket haul in the second innings triggered Sylhet’s collapse, as they were bowled out for 98 on the final day.In the other fixture, Rangpur were behind by 35 runs in the first innings when Nasir Hossain’s four wickets, and three each from Alauddin Babu and Sohrawardi Shuvo helped bowl out Khulna for 212 in the second innings. It left Rangpur with a 248-run target.Tanbir Hayder struck 74 to take them to a strong position after lunch but a cluster of wickets left them on 205 for 7. Captain Akbar Ali and Shuvo took them home with a 43-run, unbroken eighth-wicket stand.Points to ponder
Rangpur lead Tier-1 with 26.39 points, closely followed by Dhaka on 22.63 points. In Tier-2, Chittagong look in the strongest position to push for promotion next season, after they ended the round on 26.6 points. Barisal are second on 16.9 points.Players to watch
Youngsters Akbar and Mrittunjoy, both part of Bangladesh’s Under-19 World Cup win last year, played well in this round. Mehidy Hasan Miraz also continued to shine, this time scoring twin fifties and taking five wickets against Rangpur.

Already turning towards the transfer market despite a busy summer window, Julen Lopetegui now reportedly wants West Ham United to sign a forward who has scored three times against the Hammers.

West Ham transfer news

The attacking department was clearly one that sporting director Tim Steidten was looking to improve in the summer. Whether he achieved that improvement is still in doubt, however. The likes of Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug arrived, but neither have hit the ground running thus far to spark regrets over the Hammers’ failed attempt to sign Jhon Duran.

Lopetegui wants "strong" £15m ace who West Ham may sign as early as January

The Hammers are seeking attacking additions…

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By
Tom Cunningham

Oct 5, 2024

Whilst Fullkrug and Summerville have struggled, Duran has been playing the best football of his career to arguably become the Premier League’s most in-form striker alongside Erling Haaland, who stands in a category of his own. The Aston Villa star stands out as one that West Ham will rue missing out on, with no limit to his current goalscoring exploits.

Nonetheless, those at the London Stadium have seemingly put that regret to one side to instead shift their focus to further reinforcements. According to reports in Spain, Lopetegui now wants Steidten to sign Ayoze Perez from Villarreal, who could be in line for a shock Premier League return after finding his best form at 31 years old.

An experienced forward these days, Perez bounced back from Leicester City failure and Newcastle mediocrity in La Liga, first enjoying success with Real Betis and now starring at Villarreal with an impressive six goals in seven games so far this season. Perhaps seeking Premier League redemption, however, Perez could quickly end West Ham’s striker problems and come back to haunt Leicester when 2025 arrives.

West Ham know all about "excellent" Perez quality

It’s no surprise that West Ham are keen to avoid playing against Perez and instead add the Spaniard to their side, given that he’s scored three goals against the Hammers over the years at Leicester and Newcastle. With the form that he’s found this season too, those at the London Stadium would be striking at the perfect time.

Even during what eventually proved to be a disappointing spell at Leicester, Perez earned the praise of Brendan Rodgers, who told the club’s official website after the Spaniard’s strike in a 2-1 win over Sheffield United: “I thought he (Pérez) was excellent. He’s been unfortunate not to have played as much, but the team had been doing well and, in some moments, he wasn’t in the squad. I felt this was a game to give him that opportunity, and it was a really, really good finish.”

At 31 years old, the forward could now get one last chance to steal the headlines in England’s top flight, courtesy of West Ham and Lopetegui in 2025.