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West Ham still have a good chance of signing Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes this summer, according to a key update from transfer expert Dean Jones.

Is Harvey Barnes off to West Ham this summer?

The Hammers are hopefully in the process of having an excellent summer in the transfer market, with last season a disappointing one in the Premier League, even though UEFA Europa Conference League glory was so memorable secured.

It is essential that a number of new faces arrive, in order to freshen up the squad, and the vast amount of money received through the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal will surely generate more funds for incomings.

One player who has been linked with a move to West Ham a number of times in recent months is Barnes, who looks almost certain to leave Leicester sooner rather than later, following their relegation to the Championship back in May. The £40,000-a-week winger scored 13 times for the Foxes in the league in 2022/23, despite their struggles as a team, and it would be a big surprise if he wasn't representing a top-flight team next term.

Now, a new update has emerged regarding the Englishman's current situation, as West Ham look to get a significant piece of business over the line.

What's the latest on Harvey Barnes to West Ham?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones claimed that there is still plenty of work to do regarding West Ham's pursuit of Barnes, but generally spoke positively about the moving coming to fruition:

"I think very quickly we'll start to see that move forward very quickly in terms of finding out how much he will cost and whether he's willing to commit to a move to a club like West Ham, or whether he's looking to keep his options open for a little bit longer."

Barnes really could be such an ideal signing for West Ham ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, with the one-time capped England international ticking so many boxes as an addition.

At 25, he is at a real sweet spot in his career, possessing plenty of experience but also have so many years ahead of him, and he has now racked up 35 goals and 25 assists in the Premier League, highlighting the productivity he could bring in the final third at the London Stadium.

Barnes' pace and directness have arguably been lacking at West Ham of late, and he would represent a different type of player than someone like Said Benrahma, for example, offering more runs in behind and stretching opponents in the process.

The Leicester star has been hailed as "unbelievable" by iconic Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, which is no mean feat, and if the Hammers can beat other clubs to his signature, it would feel like a statement signing for them before the campaign gets underway.

Newcastle are believed to be right in the mix, though, and their guarantee of Champions League football could understandably turn Barnes' head, but West Ham must do all they can to get their man this summer, ensuring he is part of a major squad build in the process.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim has brushed aside suggestions that the one-off Test has historic relevance, saying that their focus is on putting up a strong performance against a good team instead

Mohammad Isam01-Feb-2017

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim has brushed aside the portrayal of their maiden Test in India next week as a “historic” one, saying that he feels it is more important to treat the game as an opportunity to show Bangladesh’s measure in world cricket. He also hopes that a good performance in the one-off game will prompt the BCCI to invite them frequently.The team leaves Dhaka on February 2, to play a two-day practice match against India A and the Test in Hyderabad, which will be Bangladesh’s first in India since gaining ICC Full Member status in 2000. Interestingly, it was the BCCI’s push that was vital in their ascent from Associate Member, and India played against them in their inaugural Test on November 10, 2000. India toured Bangladesh four more times to play Tests thereafter.”I’m a little surprised, I don’t believe that this is a historic Test,” Mushfiqur said. “Take for example when we play against Zimbabwe. The pressure is more because if we lose against them then there is nothing more shameful than that. I will say that it is better that we are going there now and not five years ago.”We want to tell world cricket what we can do in India. I don’t think about how many years later we are going to play in India. We want to play in such a way that India invites again and again. This to me is just another Test match.”Mushfiqur, who has returned to the Test squad after missing Bangladesh’s last game in New Zealand due to a finger injury, said that he hopes the team puts together a collective performance. Bangladesh lost both Tests in New Zealand but gave the home side some tough sessions.”I hope that the recent performers will hold on to their form and put together a team performance. And to those who haven’t done well in the recent past, you have a chance to give a good account of yourself.”A team effort will give us a good result. They have a strong squad, and are always really good in their home conditions. We want to do well against them over five days, and not just two or three days,” he said.Mushfiqur said Bangladesh’s squad is balanced, with four pace bowlers and three specialist spinners and depth in the batting department.The return of Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur himself means that Bangladesh have their full batting strength back. Soumya Sarkar and Imrul are likely to be in competition for the role of Tamim Iqbal’s opening partner, while Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan and Sabbir Rahman will be expected to make runs in the middle order.”No matter what conditions they offer, we have a balanced side. We have enough pacers and spinners and depth in batting.”I think our batsmen will have a challenge in their hands against their world-class attack. As a bowling unit we are inexperienced, but one or two bowlers did do well in New Zealand. If we can perform as a team we can do well against any other good team.”

The win took Chittagong Vikings to 12 points, tied with Dhaka Dynamites and Khulna Titans

Mohammad Isam29-Nov-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details Tamim Iqbal hit eight fours and one six en route to a match-winning 66•BCB

Tamim Iqbal withstood Khulna Titans’ efficient bowling attack to guide Chittagong Vikings to their fifth win in a row. The Chittagong captain was unbeaten on 66 off 59 balls which included eight fours and one six.The five-wicket win, with eight balls to spare, put them on 12 points, level with Dhaka Dynamites and Khulna Titans.Chittagong had suffered a top-order collapse after Chris Gayle fell in the fifth over. Anamul Haque and Shoaib Malik were run out before Zakir Hasan was stumped in the 11th over, thus reducing Chittagong to 64 for 4, after being comfortably placed at 39 for no loss in the fifth over.Tamim and Jahurul Islam stopped the rot with a 37-run fifth-wicket stand before the latter gave short midwicket a simple catch after making 22. He left when Chittagong needed 31 off the last four overs. Jahurul fell but soon Tamim reached his fourth fifty in this season’s BPL.Tamim survived on 24 when Shuvagata Hom dropped him at mid-off after a miscommunication with Alok Kapali, who was running in from cover. Shuvagata also dropped a chance, offered by Mohammad Nabi on one, in the 18th over, running in from long off.Nabi finished the chase with two consecutive fours in the penultimate over, ending up on 17 not out off eight balls.But it was chiefly Chittagong’s bowlers who, for the third consecutive game, gave them a strong platform. This time it was Imran Khan and Taskin Ahmed who were among the wickets, with support from Nabi, Subashis Roy and Saqlain Sajib.Imran removed the in-form Riki Wessels at the start and the dangerous Kevon Cooper in the slog overs, apart from his direct hit that dismissed Ariful Haque. Taskin took the big wicket of Mahmudullah – who top scored with 42 – and Nicholas Pooran in the final over.

West Ham United may dip back into the transfer market for Universidad de Chile forward Dario Osorio.

What’s the latest on Dario Osorio to West Ham?

According to ex-Universidad de Chile ace Johnny Herrera (as quoted by Bolavip), the Hammers made a £5.5m offer for the Chilean last year and Leicester City has submitted an improved bid this time around.

He said:

“One of the majority shareholders (at Universidad) told me that (an offer) came of £5.5 million arrived from West Ham. Now, one from Leicester for £6.7 million as well. “I know of two offers for Osorio. One last year and this one from Leicester.”

If David Moyes can pull this off by reigniting his interest, it would signal the exciting direction that the east London outfit are willing to embark on.

How talented is Dario Osorio?

The 19-year-old made his professional debut in a 2022 Summer International Tournament played in Argentina, scoring a goal against Colo-Colo.

Since then, the teenage sensation has made 42 senior appearances for his side and has notched eight goals.

Furthermore, the attacker has also demonstrated devastating versatility, having appeared across the frontline, predominantly as a right-winger, but also on the left and as a striker.

Within his homeland, Osorio has already generated wide acclaim for his generational potential and drawn comparisons to Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal for the journey that lies ahead of him.

Former Chile U20 manager Raul Toro said:

“He is the jewel of Chilean soccer, at any moment he scores a goal or a goal play.

“Young people have to get used to it, and suddenly they give the blow. This is what happened with Alexis and Vidal and those kids who went from the sub-20s to the adult team of one and they were extraordinary. I think the same thing will happen with this child."

Vidal made his European debut as a 19-year-old for Bayer Leverkusen in August 2007, whilst Sanchez followed the next year at the same age but with Udinese.

As well as these Chilean heroes, the wunderkind has also been likened to Ángel Di María by talent scout Jacek Kulig, who described him as a “flamboyant winger” thanks to his “dribbling” and “ball control.”

The former Real Madrid star has enjoyed an illustrious period that has seen him win one LaLiga, one Champions League, and five Ligue 1 titles.

Internationally, he has completed football, scoring in Argentina’s mind-boggling World Cup victory over France in 2022.

Their nimble frames, their ability to play on either flank and their dazzling inventive nature mean the pair share an abundance of similar traits.

If Osorio can even partially mimic the stunning creative intricacy of his elder, then a glittering, trophy-laden career sits on the horizon for the youngster, who has the world at his feet and that is exactly why Moyes must return to the fray before the relegated Foxes get their hands on an undoubted talent.

تمكن نادي لوتون تاون من تسجيل هدفه الأول في مرمى مستضيفه ليفربول، في إطار الجولة السادسة والعشرين للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “البريميرليج”.

ويحل لوتون تاون ضيفًا على ليفربول، ضمن مباريات الجولة السادسة والعشرين للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “البريميرليج”.

اقرأ أيضًا | وكيل كلوب يُعلن موقفه النهائي من تدريب بايرن ميونخ وبرشلونة

ورغم الضغط القوي من ليفربول لكن لوتون تاون سجل هدفًا في الدقيقة 13 عكس سير اللقاء عن طريق الأيرلندي البالغ من العمر 26 عامًا تشيدوزي أوجبيني.

ونجح تشيدوزي أوجبيني من متابعة كرة تصدى لها الحارس كيليهر ليحولها برأسية لهدف في مرمى ليفربول، لتصبح النتيجة تفوق بهدف نظيف للضيوف.

ويغيب النجم المصري محمد صلاح عن قائمة ليفربول لمباراة اليوم، حيث لا يتواجد في التشكيل الأساسي أو مقاعد البدلاء. هدف لوتون تاون الأول في ليفربول

Arsenal officials have “monitored” Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba in recent weeks ahead of a potential move, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Who is Edmond Tapsoba?

The Burkina Faso international made the move to Germany from Vitoria Guimaraes back in 2020 and has since gone on to make 136 appearances to date, becoming a regular feature of Xabi Alonso’s first-team recording 31 starts from 33 Bundesliga games this season.

The 6 foot 4 centre-back still has another three years remaining on his contract at the BayArena, but that hasn’t stopped Edu and Mikel Arteta from wanting to bring him to the Premier League, and not for the first time.

Back in February, Rudy Galetti, reliable journalist, reported that the Gunners have followed the 24-year-old for a “long time”, and the upcoming window might finally be the opportunity that they successfully secure their target’s services.

Who is signing Tapsoba?

Taking to Twitter, Romano confirmed that Arsenal are still keeping tabs on Tapsoba ahead of the 2023/24 term. He wrote:

“Premier League clubs are now tracking Edmond Tapsoba ahead of the summer transfer window — he’s one of the CBs to keep an eye on. Arsenal and Tottenham scouts have monitored Tapsoba in recent games but the race is absolutely open — Bayer will only sell for [a] huge bid.”

Arsenal are clearly serious about signing Tapsoba having attempted to recruit him more than once, and after being dubbed as “solid as a rock” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the centre-back would be a fantastic acquisition for the outfit at the Emirates Stadium.

The Champions League participant, who pockets £37k-per-week, currently averages three clearances, 1.6 tackles and the same number of aerial wins per league game, via WhoScored, so is commanding at the heart of the backline, but is also capable of contributing to his team’s efforts at the opposite end of the pitch.

The Bayer colossus has posted four goal contributions across all competitions this season and ranks in the 96th percentile for progressive passes so is strong in playing out from the back and is constantly looking to push his side as high up the field as possible.

Whilst Tapsoba’s specific price tag remains to be seen, Arsenal will know that the only way of getting a deal over the line is by tabling a sizable offer, so the hierarchy may look to test the waters to see if an agreement can be reached this summer.

ScorecardRoss Whiteley’s blitz won it for Worcestershire [file picture]•Getty Images

Worcestershire Rapids kept alive their slim hopes of reaching the NatWest T20 quarter-finals with a five wicket victory over local rivals Birmingham Bears after some explosive hitting from Ross Whiteley.The Rapids ended a run of five successive defeats in completed matches and completed a double over their neighbours to retain the Norman Gifford Trophy.Some explosive hitting by Ross Whiteley enabled the Rapids to reach their 165 target with four balls to spare.He showed the form which brought him 29 sixes in last season’s competition in smoting an unbeaten 42 off 20 balls with four sixes and three fours.Now the Rapids must now defeat Derbyshire Falcons in their final North Group match and hope other results go their way if they are to reach a fourth quarter-final in five years.In contrast, Birmingham’s colossal collapse when baqtting meant they have now lost three matches in a row in the competition to undermine their own hopes of a last eight spot.Dougie Brown, Birmingham’s director of cricket, said: “It wasn’t a case of the game drifting away. We were masters of our own demise again. We were last week as well. We lost eight wickets for 19 runs from a real position of authority.”Worcestershire were immediately on the back foot as they lost three wickets inside the first four overs.Tom Kohler-Cadmore clipped Rikki Clarke into the hands of deep mid wicket, Joe Clarke played on to Oliver Hannon-Dalby and Joe Leach sliced Recordo Gordon to backward point.Brett D’Oliveira, who this week earned his first England Lions call-up, and skipper Daryl Mitchell tried to repair the damage as their half century stand came up in seven overs.The Rapids needed 95 off the final 10 overs and Mitchell targeted the first over from Aaron Thomason to increase the tempo, striking two sixes as the all-rounder conceded 19 overs.The return to the attack of Clarke ended a stand worth 76 in nine overs as D’Oliveira skied a comfortable catch to Josh Poysden at backward square leg.Mitchell reached his half-century off 29 balls with two sixes and four fours but Clarke also brought about his downfall on 61 as he drilled a catch to Sam Hain at mid off. But then Whiteley moved into overdrive with support from Ben Cox to turn ther game in ther Rapids favour.Birmingham appeared to be heading for a score in excess of 200 after reaching 120 for 1 in the 12th over.But a dramatic collapse saw nine wickets fall for just 35 runs and the Bears were bowled out for 164 in 19.3 overs.Australian wicket-keeper Matthew Wade led the initial onslaught for the visitors in his second T20 appearance for the Bears.He raced to a half century off just 23 balls with the aid of three successive sixes over long on off spinner D’Oliveira in an over costing 25 runs.Wade and Sam Hain plundered 103 in just nine overs for the second wicket. But the Rapids struck back once Wade, having made 74 off 32 deliveries, was caught by Rhodes at long-on off Ed Barnard.Rhodes then came into the attack and in his second over picked up three wickets as Laurie Evans, Hain (46) and Clarke all perished to the off spinner.Ateeq Javid was run out attempting a second run in the next over from Rhodes before Mitchell pulled off a fine one-handed catch at mid wicket to account for Jeetan Patel.Rhodes finished 4 for 13 from three overs in only his second T20 appearance before Henry polished off the innings with two wickets in his final over of his current spell at New Road.

Guernsey left-arm spinner Max Ellis teamed with Thomas Kirk at first slip for four dismissals on the way to bowling out Nigeria for 99, setting up a ten-wicket win at St Saviour on Tuesday. Kirk also claimed another catch at slip for medium pacer Luke Nussbaumer to take five grabs in a stellar individual fielding effort. All ten wickets for Nigeria were either bowled, lbw or caught between first slip and gully as they lasted just 34 overs after choosing to bat first on a sunny and cloud-free morning.It could’ve been even worse for Nigeria with No. 3 batsman Salako Abdulazeez put down on nought by wicketkeeper Jason Martin, diving to his left across Kirk to spill a one-handed effort in the third over off Newey. Abdulazeez wound up making 20, one of three players to reach double-figures while three deliveries down the leg side that went to the boundary for five wides were part of Guernsey’s 22 extras conceded, joint second-highest score of the innings behind opener Joshua Ayannaike’s 26.Ellis entered in the 18th over and struck with his fourth ball, clipping the edge of Leke Oyede for 3 and continued to rip out the middle and lower order to finish with figures of 4 for 9 in nine overs including five maidens. It followed on from Nussbaumer’s incisive spell that wiped out the top order and resulted in 3 for 13 off four overs.Matthew Stokes and GH Smit began cautiously in pursuit of the target, especially after both were dropped in the slips on 9 and 1 respectively inside the first six overs off opening bowlers Okpe Issac and Chimezie Onwuzulike. They were going at barely above three an over through the first 12 before Stokes started to come out of his shell with a pair of sweeps to the square leg boundary against spinner Sesan Adedeji in an 11-run over to take the score to 48 after 13.Smit cracked three boundaries in the 16th and Stokes did the same in the 18th to take the score to 98. A sliced two past gully five balls into the 19th by Smit ended proceedings ahead of the scheduled lunch interval as Smit finished on 38 with six fours while Stokes walked off unbeaten on 48 with eight boundaries. Stokes has 126 runs so far in three innings at this tournament and has been dismissed just once.Hosts Jersey defeated Tanzania by 85 runs at St Clement behind an unbeaten century and two wickets from left-arm spinning allrounder Ben Stevens. Jersey captain Peter Gough opted to bat first at the toss and struck 47 in an 87-run opening stand with Nat Watkins before making way for Stevens in the 18th over. Stevens teamed with Cornelis Bodenstein and later Corey Bisson for a pair of half-century stands on the way to making 103 not out off 88 balls.The left-hander brought up his first fifty off 61 balls – with his fourth boundary in the 42nd over – then accelerated dramatically to club 51 off his next 27 deliveries, with only four dot balls in that stretch. On 93 at the start of the final over, Stevens struck his third six and then followed it with a two to bring up three figures as Jersey ended on 273 for 5.Tanzania posted their highest score of the tournament so far in reply, batting out all 50 overs to end on 188 for 8, but scoring at three per over through the first 35 overs they were never a serious chance of overhauling the target especially once star allrounder Kassim Nassoro fell to Ben Kynman for a top score of 42 to make it 106 for 5.Stand-in captain Shaheed Dhanani, deputizing for the omitted Hamisi Abdallah, also made 42 before being bowled by Charles Perchard, one of two wickets for the medium pacer in the final over of the match.At St Martin, Oman cantered to victory over Vanuatu by nine wickets with 9.2 overs to spare. Zeeshan Maqsood followed up his half-century against Jersey on Monday with an unbeaten 130 off 138 balls to spearhead the chase of Vanuatu’s respectable total of 204 for 7 after the Pacific islanders opted to bat first.Vanuatu did themselves no favours in the field though, dropping Maqsood twice in the slips in the opening three overs off Nalin Nipiko and Callum Blake before the allrounder had reached 15. They entered the day already behind the eight ball with leading pace bowler Patrick Matautaava ruled out with a left quadriceps injury and things got worse later on when Nipiko, who took the new ball in Matautaava’s place, walked off halfway through the innings with a left groin injury. Both Matautaava and Nipiko remain in doubt for Vanuatu’s final two fixtures against Tanzania and Nigeria.Earlier, Nipiko made a valiant unbeaten 93 off 108 balls, but Vanuatu struggled to maintain momentum – their best partnership was 44 runs for the fifth and eighth wickets – with Oman’s attack taking wickets at regular intervals at the opposite end. Rajeshkumar Ranpura took 2 for 37 to lead the attack with Munis Ansari having a rest day following his career-best 5 for 27 against Jersey.Tuesday’s results moved Guernsey to 3-0 and they’ll take on 2-1 Jersey on Wednesday at St Martin in a pivotal showdown that could determine promotion berths for Division Four a day ahead of the end of the group stage. Wins by Guernsey and Oman, who face Tanzania at St Saviour, would clinch promotion to Division Four for both sides.A Jersey victory over Guernsey though could leave the door open for a three-way tie between the three sides at 4-1 if Guernsey goes on to defeat Oman on the last day of group play paired with a Jersey win over Nigeria. In such a scenario, the tiebreaker to decide the two teams promoted would be decided by net run rate. After three rounds of play, Guernsey holds a +0.141 advantage over Oman and a +1.099 advantage over Jersey. Vanuatu and Tanzania sit at 0-3 and have already been eliminated from contention for promotion while Nigeria at 1-2 is also a threat of being relegated.

Journalist Pete O'Rourke has been left thrilled as Arsenal eye a move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, calling him a potential "big-name" signing.

What's the latest news on Vlahovic to Arsenal?

Mikel Arteta's side are currently locked toe-to-toe with Premier League champions Man City for this year's domestic crown with 2022/2023 coming as one of their most important campaigns to date.

The Gunners dropped points away to Liverpool on Sunday, meaning Arsenal may have to win all of their remaining games and cannot afford to drop points with Pep Guardiola lingering just behind them.

It's set to be a dramatic last eight games of the season for supporters, and while Arteta fights to end Arsenal's near-20-year wait for a league title, transfer chief Edu is working on strengthening the Spaniard's options.

Indeed, it has been reported that Serbia international Vlahovic is among Arsenal's transfer targets amid their search for more forward options with a summer attempt to sign him 'very likely' (Niccolò Ceccarini). This comes after Arsenal tried to sign the 23-year-old before his move to Juve.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, reporter O'Rourke has raved over the links to Vlahovic – claiming their ambitious interest shows just how much progress Arsenal are making now.

He also says that the attacker would come as a 'big-name signing' for Arteta. O'Rourke explained:

"He's a proven striker; he's done really well in Serie A and also on the international scene as well, so that'd be a big-name signing and it would just continue to show the progress that Arsenal are making that they are actually able to make these types of signings."

Would Vlahovic upgrade Arsenal?

Injuries to both Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus at various points this season perhaps suggest that Arteta could benefit from having another centre-forward option.

Vlahovic, who is Juve's joint-top Serie A goalscorer alongside Adrien Rabiot, could fit the bill – having racked up 10 goal contributions in 18 league starts this season.

As well as this, the former Fiorentina star has averaged Juve's highest rate of attempts at goal per 90 (2.8) with only Jesus totalling a higher number at Arsenal this term (WhoScored).

Vlahovic is also still only 23, so could potentially arrive as both a statement acquisition and a long-term investment for the future. To keep playing at this level and challenging the likes of City, Arsenal should be attempting to make these kinds of signings.

Journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke has mooted Ruben Amorim as the next possible man to take charge of Tottenham Hotspur after Antonio Conte was fired.

What's the latest on Ruben Amorim and Spurs?

To absolutely no one's surprise, Spurs decided to part ways with their Italian head coach following the fall-out of his remarkable recent press conference.

Indeed, after the draw at Southampton, Conte seemed to take aim at his own players as well as the way the club has been run under Daniel Levy.

Indeed, he said: "I see selfish players, I see players that don't want to help each other and don't put their heart."

Before adding: "They don't want to play under pressure, they don't want to play under stress. It is easy in this way. Tottenham's story is this. 20 years there is the owner and they never won something but why? The fault is only for the club, or for every manager that stay here? I have seen the managers that Tottenham had on the bench."

Consequently, Tottenham are now on the hunt for a new manager – while Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason will remain in charge for now – and a number of big names will likely be linked in the near future.

While speaking about the possible options on TalkSport, Pitt-Brooke outlined a series of possible options before tipping Amorim as his personal favourite.

He explained (4:29): “It's going to be really interesting to see what sort of manager they're able to land. Will it be Luis Enrique, is someone who [Fabio] Paratici is a big fan. [Mauricio] Pochettino is obviously the fans' favourite choice.

"My personal preference would be for someone a bit fresher. Like Ruben Amorim. I think would be great. Roberto De Zerbi would be great. But frankly, we're all in the dark. Everyone is in the dark about what next season's gonna look like at Tottenham Hotspur at the moment.””

Why would Spurs want Amorim as manager?

Seeing as he recently master-minded a Europa League quarter-final win over Spurs' bitter north London rivals Arsenal, it's not hard to see why some may already be excited to see the 38-year-old manager linked.

What's more, despite being pretty young, Amorim already has plenty of experience winning major trophies having the Portuguese league with Sporting Lisbon as well as multiple other domestic cups, including the league cup when still at Braga.

And so, he already ticks the box on that front and will certainly be interesting to see if Spurs make a move for the talented coach in the near future.