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Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move for Philippe Coutinho, according to emerging reports…

What’s the word?

Mundo Deportivo claim that the former Liverpool attacking midfielder is on Spurs’ shortlist, should they sell Harry Kane to Manchester City before this month’s transfer deadline.

It’s thought that the Brazilian playmaker has even been offered to the North London outfit by his agent, Kia Joorabchian.

Coutinho remains under contract at the Nou Camp until 2023 but could be allowed to leave on loan with an option to buy,  a similar deal to the one that saw him move to Bayern Munich in 2019/20.

The 29-year-old cost the La Liga giants around £142m in January 2018 and is now valued at just €30m (£25m) by CIES Football Observatory.

Nuno needs him

Whilst he has struggled with form and injuries over in Spain, Coutinho is still in his peak years and will always be remembered for his glistening stint at Anfield.

Across 201 appearances for Liverpool, the 63-time Brazil international provided 54 goals and 45 assists, which worked out to be a direct contribution every 150 minutes, as per Transfermarkt.

An impressive feat.

At his scintillating best, he was a simply world-class maestro and that much is evident by the whopping nine-figure fee he commanded three-and-a-half years ago.

Coutinho did manage to show a glimpse of that form during a loan spell at Bayern, where his 11 goals and nine assists helped secure the treble.

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Spurs truly do lack a player of his calibre – someone that can outwit the opposition with an exciting bit of skill or a defence-splitting pass, on top of delivering killer set-pieces and that knack for finding the net.

It’s believed that Fabio Paratici and co will now target the addition of a creative player after sealing a marquee centre-back in Cristian Romero. Perhaps the former Reds star is the answer.

During his time at the Allianz Arena, Coutinho averaged 2.2 key passes every 90 minutes. Those returns would see him sit top of the charts in North London, alongside Heung-min Son.

Current creative options at Nuno Santo’s disposal include Tanguy Ndombele (0.8 key passes per 90), Dele Alli (1.3) and Giovani Lo Celso (1.4), so you can see why the Portuguese coach may have requested a new playmaker.

Speaking about Coutinho’s ability in the past, Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino had nothing but praise for his fellow countryman.

“He’s phenomenal. You simply can’t say that he’s not a magician,” he claimed (via Goal.com). “He has magical powers. He produces plays that don’t exist, that you couldn’t make up.”

Spurs very much should consider a swoop for the creative talent this month. Nuno is in need of someone capable of pulling the strings in attacking midfield and there won’t be a more Premier League proven option than Coutinho out there.

AND in other news, “It’s done”: Fabrizio Romano drops exciting Spurs transfer update, fans surely buzzing…

A round-up of the latest Pro40 matches as a number of games down to the final over

Cricinfo staff10-Aug-2008Division OneIt was a battle of England wicketkeepers at Chester-le-Street with Matt Prior edging the honours against Phil Mustard, because his 79 was a key part in a successful Sussex chase, after Mustard’s 82 boosted Durham to a challenging 221. But it was a close-run thing as Sussex squeezed home off the last ball after Ollie Rayner struggled to get one off the final three deliveries. In the end it required a scrambled single to mid-off to reach their revised 224 off 38 overs. Prior got into gear ahead of the one-day series against South Africa with his 83-ball innings, which put Sussex on track until he was stumped by Mustard. They needed 40 off five overs and Robin Martin-Jenkins helped seal the success.Mark Hardinges, who has been told he can leave Gloucestershire at the end of the season, held his nerve to guide them to a two-wicket win off the penultimate ball against Hampshire at Cheltenham. He struck 27 off 20 balls after the middle order had wasted the good work of the top three. Marcus North hit 56 off 52 balls after an opening stand of 78, but when he fell it left Gloucestershire on 189 for 6. However, the lower order had enough in the tank as Hardinges hit the winning boundary off Billy Taylor. Hampshire’s 236 for 5 was built around 88 off 91 balls from Michael Lumb and a second-wicket stand of 116 with Michael Carberry who made 56. Chris Benham’s powerful 49 boosted the final tally, but it wasn’t quite enough.Somerset secured their second Pro40 win of the season but, they too, left it late before edging home with one ball to spare against Nottinghamshire at Taunton. Regular brisk contributions from the middle order, along with Craig Kieswetter’s 57 off 85 balls, kept the target in sight. Graeme Swann made life tricky with an impressive spell which brought four wickets and it came down to four needed off the final over. Somerset were made to sweat as Mark Ealham went for just two off four balls before Omari Banks hit the winning runs. Nottinghamshire were given a solid platform by Will Jefferson’s 53 before Adam Voges controlled the innings. But a steady stream of wickets meant it needed Paul Franks’ 34 off 16 balls – including 28 off the final over – to reach 240.For a full report on Lancashire against Worcestershire at Old Trafford, and Steven Davies’ century, click here.

Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Nottinghamshire 4 3 1 0 06 +0.451 760/135.2 717/138.5 Sussex 4 2 0 0 2 6+0.090 470/77.4 465/78.0 Somerset 42 2 0 0 4 -0.181929/159.5 957/159.4 Gloucestershire 4 11 0 2 4 -0.111 330/53.5337/54.0 Worcestershire 3 1 10 1 3 +1.304 373/65.0 272/61.2 Middlesex 2 1 1 00 2 +0.295 403/80.0 362/76.2Durham 3 1 2 0 02 +0.044 693/114.2 710/118.0 Lancashire 3 0 1 0 2 2-4.200 84/25.0 189/25.0 Hampshire 30 2 0 1 1 -0.454436/75.0 469/74.5

Division TwoA thunderous late assault from Mark Wallace carried Glamorgan to a four-wicket victory with one ball remaining against Leicestershire at Colwyn Bay on an afternoon of thrilling high scoring. The final over started with 17 needed and Wallace swung a four followed by two sixes from the first three balls. It isn’t often that an effort of 114 off 119 balls will go unrewarded, but that’s the position Jacques du Toit found himself in after the home side chased down a huge 292. Batsmen took advantage of some inviting short boundaries throughout and Wallace hit 48 off 17 balls, after coming in with 64 needed off five overs, to haul Glamorgan across the line following Ben Wright’s 45 off 29 deliveries. Michael Powell held the chase together with 81, but when he went it seemed so had Glamorgan’s hopes. Wallace had other ideas. du Toit’s efforts, though, were impressive as he smashed 14 fours and five sixes in his maiden one-day century. The innings was sealed by a stand of 97 with Dillon du Preez, who clubbed five sixes in a 23-ball 49 to follow his century against Yorkshire last week, but it would prove in vain.

Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Essex 5 4 0 1 09 +1.367 858/142.5 798/172.0 Kent 2 2 0 0 0 4+1.152 418/70.2 337/70.2 Warwickshire 32 1 0 0 4 +0.533753/120.0 689/120.0 Glamorgan 3 21 0 0 4 +0.190 639/110.1619/110.2 Yorkshire 3 2 10 0 4 -0.259 690/120.0 679/113.0 Derbyshire 3 1 2 00 2 -0.084 720/115.4 757/120.0Surrey 4 1 3 0 02 -0.785 635/135.0 741/135.0 Leicestershire 4 0 3 1 0 1-0.526 1043/160.0 1126/159.5 Northamptonshire 30 3 0 0 0 -1.482548/117.0 558/90.3

Some Liverpool supporters have been left frustrated by James Pearce’s update on Harvey Elliott, with many thinking it means a new signing won’t come in.

Elliott enjoyed a superb season in the Championship last season, shining on loan at Blackburn Rovers.

The 18-year-old chipped in with seven goals and 11 assists for Tony Mowbray’s side, thriving in the second tier thanks to his technical quality and unpredictability on the ball.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

Jurgen Klopp has the option of loaning out Elliott once more this summer, in order for him to gain more experience, but it looks as though that won’t happen.

According to The Athletic‘s Pearce [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], the young forward looks certain to take Xherdan Shaqiri’s place in the squad, with the Swiss playmaker expected to move on.

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Liverpool fans react to Pearce’s update on Elliott

Despite Elliott’s obvious talent, these Liverpool fans took to Twitter to react negatively to the news, with some claiming it means a more experienced replacement won’t come in.

“This boy needs minutes and experience in PL. Just filling the bench with teenagers will obstruct their development”

Credit: @SchwarzHertz

“Don’t tell me that Elliott is an alternative to Shaqiri and we won’t sign anyone”

Credit: @SamNikeng

“City signing Grealish, Utd signing Sancho but big bad Liverpool with 18 year old Elliott nice innit”

Credit: @amal_lukose

“Need a striker and midfielder badly”

Credit: @John92121476

“So basically he’ll also get no game time just like Shaqiri”

Credit: @Suven2695

“We’ve got no money”

Credit: @RebelYelliex

“In others words Klopp has no money to spend”

Credit: @Corballyred

“We’re absolutely washed next season”

Credit: @RIPJakeFutbol

“We’re done out here”

Credit: @beamerrrrrr

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been left in hysterics at one player’s social media post. Find out who it is here.

Many Aston Villa fans have been reacting excitedly on Twitter following Ralph Hasenhuttl’s comments on potential interest in Southampton forward Danny Ings.

Known to be attracting attention from Aston Villa and Tottenham this summer, the England international has been attracting increasing speculation surrounding his future following his decision to turn down a new four-year contract at St Mary’s earlier this month [Sky Sports].

Breaking his silence on the matter, Southampton coach Hasenhuttl added fuel to the fire, claiming that “it’s not a perfect situation” for Ings or the club that he snubbed the Saints’ contract offer [BBC].

The 28-year-old enjoyed an excellent 2020/21 campaign, with 13 goals and four assists in 33 appearances [Transfermarkt] following on from a 25-goal season before that, illustrating that he can be a consistently reliable scorer.

In light of these comments from Hasenhuttl, many Aston Villa diehards took to Twitter to voice their opinions on the state of play surrounding Ings.

Aston Villa fans react:

Reacting to popular news outlet Aston Villa News on Twitter, here is what some Villa supporters said when asked whether the club should sign the Southampton striker:

“An amazing player but we’d have to find a way of playing both him and Watkins”

Credit: @fobl11″He is quality, however Watkins is our striker and Smith isn’t changing the system, no chance.”Credit: @PJ_Harley”Of course, he’s a great forward”Credit: @Kizzalinka”100%”Credit: @silkievillain”Yes!”Credit: @frenchie1985″Knows where back of the net is…..”Credit: @HammondgrowlIn other news, many Aston Villa fans are keen on this hot prodigy.

حرص إيهاب جلال المدير الفني الجديد لمنتخب مصر الأول، على التواصل مع لاعبي فريق الكرة الأول بالنادي الأهلي، لتحفيزهم قبل مباراة نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويستعد الأهلي لمواجهة الوداد البيضاوي المغربي في “فاينال” البطولة القارية، والمقرر له في الـ30 من مايو الجاري على ملعب مركب محمد الخامس.

طالع | قائمة منتخب مصر لماراتي غينيا وإثيوبيا.. 44 لاعبًا منهم الشحات وعبد القادر

وعلم “بطولات” أن إيهاب جلال أجرى اتصالات بعدد من لاعبي الأهلي، وذلك لتحفيزهم والشد من أزرهم قبل نهائي بطولة دوري أبطال أفريقيا أمام الوداد.

وتواصل إيهاب جلال مع محمد الشناوي وعمرو السولية وحمدي فتحي ومحمد مجدي أفشة وطالبهم بالتركيز في الفترة المقبلة.

واختتم إيهاب جلال حديثه مع لاعبي الأهلي متمنيًا لهم التوفيق في مواجهة الوداد، قبل إنضمامهم لمعسكر المنتخب الوطني.

يذكر، أن لاعبي الأهلي سينضمون لمعسكر منتخب مصر عقب مباراة الوداد، لخوض مواجهتي الجولة الأولى والثانية من تصفيات أمم إفريقيا أمام غينيا وإثيوبيا.

When John Stones came to Everton as a teenager, he was a rare breed, especially for an English centre-half.

Previously, you had to look far and wide for a player with his attributes in England. Stones could play the ball out from the back and dribble forward like a number 10.

He was calm, composed and looked like he’d be at the heart of Everton and England’s defence for years to come.

Stones consequently moved to Manchester City in a deal worth £47.5m, but has since struggled to consistently nail down a place in their starting XI.

He still earned a place among Gareth Southgate’s squad for the 2018 World Cup – a tournament he scored twice at – but his club form began to deteriorate.

City might have sold him and a return to Everton nearly materialised. Yet, the ball-playing defender grabbed the bull by the horns and fought for his place.

The result of which was one of his most mature campaign to date in 2020/21. He played more often Aymeric Laporte and wasn’t forgotten about despite the £65m addition of Ruben Dias.

Stones won the league title and has impressed again at Euro 2020. Though, if the Toffees now have zero chance of bringing him back to Merseyside, they could find a like-minded player in Ben White.

Cut from a similar cloth, Rafa Benitez has been touted with making a £55m switch for the Brighton defender.

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Just 23 years of age, he has only one year of Premier League experience under his belt but looks wise beyond his ears.

His short passing success rate is impressive, completing 90.2% last season compared to Stones’ tally of 95.8%.

White’s dribbling is also an eye-catching characteristic. Throughout 2020/21, the newly capped England defender completed 0.68 successful dribbles per 90 minutes. By comparison, Stones managed 0.42 per 90.

Speaking about the Everton target during 2019, Noel Whelan compared the two, saying: “He is going to be an England international and is heading for a top club, a Champions League club. There’s no doubt he’s good enough.

“Right now, he’s on a par with John Stones, if not better than him. Ben White is much younger, has room for improvement and has a massive career ahead of him.”

Whelan isn’t wrong about his assessments. Arsenal are also in the race to sign the centre-back and even if he favours a move to north London, he mustn’t forget what Everton did for Stones before he joined Manchester City.

This would be a massive outlay for someone with little experience at the top level but he’d surely improve Benitez’s defence.

AND in other news, Brands must seal Everton swoop for “unstoppable” £40m star, Rafa thinks he’s “great”…

Many Sunderland fans are desperate for the club to sign Giorgi Aburjania after the Black Cats were linked with a move for the Georgia international.

We are coming cloeer to the start of the 2021/22 campaign, yet the Wearsiders do not appear to be in the best position for the August kick-off. They have lost several players lately, including Josh Scowen, Grant Leadbitter and Max Power (The Northern Echo), while Charlie Wyke appears to be closing in on a move to Celtic (Football Insider). Not only that, they are yet to make a single summer signing as Lee Johnson’s side attempt to earn promotion to the Championship.

However, it does seem that they at least have some targets in mind. As per Spanish outlet Sport Cartagena, Sunderland are interested in signing 26-year-old midfielder Aburjania this summer. He has 22 caps for his country and currently plays in the Spanish second tier with Cartagena.

The news has been doing the rounds on Twitter and has attracted plenty of attention from Black Cats supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the links with the Georgian midfielder.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the Aburjania rumour

“From these clips he looks solid defensively and can clearly pick out a pass. Looks very comfortable on the ball, doesn’t panic when pressured and can beat a few players also. This new scouting team may have found a gem here like.”

Credit: @Adamdoran97

“Random Georgian international I’ve never heard of…..this is exactly the sort of signing I love!”

Credit: @Hendo1980

“A central midfielder who runs towards the opposition’s goal at pace using skill and technique coming to Sunderland, what type of witchcraft is this. This has to be fake news. I will believe it when he’s holding the strip!”

Credit: @Lordanthony1978

“After watching clips he’s the midfielder we have lacked for years, someone who can dribble and run with the ball with power and speed. Bring him in with that United lad and Embleton we will be solid.”

Credit: @allinson_terry

“The only issue is a work permit and how long it would take to sort one with the new rules. Hopefully the club have all this in place”

Credit: @paulthomase

“Sounds very good and I think he will be a star player in League One. Looks the player we were lacking many years.”

Credit: @hautsi99

In other news, Sunderland want this Manchester United youngster.

Liverpool have been linked with a move to sign Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar over the coming months as they search for Gini Wijnaldum’s replacement.

What’s the story?

According to ESPN, the Reds have joined fellow Premier League clubs Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in the race to secure the 23-year-old’s signature.

The report claims that sources told ESPN that Liverpool have been tracing Aouar’s progress for a while and could be tempted to make an offer this summer, although their relationship with the French outfit was damaged when the deal to sign Nabil Fekir collapsed back in 2018.

Klopp will be buzzing

Aouar has been linked with a move away from his boyhood club for several years now following a string of impressive performances, and Jurgen Klopp may see him as the ideal solution to his midfield conundrum.

Wijnaldum’s decision to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer has left a gaping hole in the Reds’ engine room, but news that the club’s hierarchy are plotting a move for the France international will surely have Klopp buzzing.

The £37.8m-rated beast first caught the eye of English clubs when he put in a standout display against Manchester City in the Champions League back in 2018, earning praise from Pep Guardiola.

“Houssem Aouar is a very good player. He is incredible,” said the Spanish tactician.

“We talk a lot about (Tanguy) Ndombele, but Aouar is also excellent. He’s always very calm with the ball at his feet, with an excellent technical quality.”

After scoring 32 goals and providing a further 31 assists in 170 appearances for Lyon, Aouar may feel that it’s time to take the next step in his career ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Known predominantly for his dribbling skills and creativity, the youngster could offer something different to this Liverpool squad and has the potential to propel them back to the summit of English football.

The Anfield faithful could well be urging director of football Michael Edwards to seal this deal, although he may have to move quickly in order to secure his man given the abundant competition for the 23-year-old’s signature.

In other news… Liverpool make approach for “extraordinary” £63m-rated gem, he’s an upgrade on Shaqiri 

West Bromwich Albion have been linked with a move for Blackpool striker Jerry Yates, as reported by The72.

Enjoying a fantastic 2020/21 season, the 24-year-old played a major role in the Seasiders’ successful Sky Bet League One promotion bid as he registered 32 goal contributions from 54 games in all competitions; 23 goals and nine assists [Transfermarkt].

Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest are all also said to be keen on the striker, who could be available for around £5million to potential suitors [The Sun].

Yates has averaged around 1.9 shots per every 90 minutes across the last year, demonstrating his willingness to regularly propel himself to the forefront of attacking play [WhoScored].

Still manager-less after the departure of Sam Allardyce from the Hawthorns last month and lacking direction as a club [BBC], there is little surprise loads of Baggies fans took to Twitter to share their concern at these latest developments.

West Brom fans react:

Replying to popular West Bromwich Albion outlet WBA Report, here is what some of the fans had to say about the news:

“Can’t see any signings being made until we have a new head coach in the dugout”

Credit: @DanPerk28324820″I think we need to run that past the new head coach ,”Credit: @PaulDoh88239513″How we have no manager or sporting director”Credit: @AdKido44″Nice to know our manager will be able to bring in his targets, oh wait”Credit: @DavidBriscoe9″Would have him though”Credit: @BradSmith_24″It’s the sun”Credit: @ftblchazIn other news, West Bromwich Albion have made a shock off-field decision.

LORD RELATOR penned a famous calypso as a tribute to India’s successful team in the West Indies in 1971 and its outstanding batsman, Sunil Gavaskar.Gavaskar, aged 21 and on Test debut, enjoyed a phenomenal series in which he compiled 774 runs, including four centuries at the incredible average of 154.80.It was the start of a trend of heavy scoring in his duels with the West Indies.After Ajit Wadekar’s men came away with a 1-0 series triumph 31 years ago, Lord Relator, a Trinidadian, composed a calypso that still brings them memories whenever it hits the airwaves.”Funnily enough, I had no idea that calypso had been written until 1974,” Gavaskar admitted to on Saturday.Feared bowlerAndy Roberts, one of the feared West Indies fast bowlers who battled with Gavaskar, drew it to his attention when India were touring England where Roberts was representing Hampshire at the time.”He had it on his tape and he made me listen to it,” recalled Gavaskar, who is now a highly-respected television analyst and newspaper columnist.”I love it. The lyrics are great. The tune is great. It’s very catchy and very popular in India when it is played.”The calypso is likely to be remembered for years to come – not only because of Gavaskar’s astonishing run in that series, but also because of his amazing consistency against the West Indies at a time when the Caribbean side boasted of menacing fast bowling attacks.”Those days were obviously special. I’ve always enjoyed playing against the West Indies,” he said. “They played their cricket hard and aggressive, but they also played in a gentlemanly manner – with none of the kind of abuse that goes on in cricket today.”In five series’ against the West Indies, Gavaskar had to contend with Roberts, Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall, Wayne Daniel, Sylvester Clarke and that lot. Several good players were made to look ordinary against them, but Gavaskar was always a thorn in their side.By the time he was finished, his record against the West Indies in 27 matches included an aggregate of 2 749 runs, an average of 65.45, and a tally of 13 centuries.No one before or after him has had as many hundreds against the world champions of the late ’70s and ’80s. No one has as many as his 34 Test centuries and only Australian Allan Border, who played 31 matches more than Gavaskar’s 125, has more than his 10 122 runs (ave. 51.12)What, therefore, was the secret behind his success?”I guess it was my height – seriously,” said Gavaskar, who stands about 5ft, 5in.”When I say that, a lot of people think I am saying it with my tongue in my cheek. The fact of the matter is that because the West Indians were quick, every time they banged the ball in short, it would go well over my head.”Tall batsmenTaller batsmen, he said, would have been fending those deliveries off their faces.”Being short was a real big plus as far as playing the West Indian quicks were concerned. They had to pitch the ball a lot further up to get the ball to bounce around my throat. Not every bowler can do that.”He describes the West Indies bowlers of that time as “challenging”. Each was different in his own way, but he was always especially careful against Roberts and Marshall.”These two had the ability – not that the others didn’t – but these two had the special ability to bowl the unplayable ball even when you are past 150,” he said.And he passed that landmark against the West Indies on several occasions: 220 at Queen’s Park Oval in 1971; 156 at the same venue in 1976; 205 in Bombay in the1978-79 series; 182 not out in Calcutta in the same series; 236 at Madras in 1983.None of those, however, gave him as much satisfaction as his unbeaten 117 in a match-saving cause at Kensington in 1971 and his 124 in the next match at Queen’s Park Oval when he made 220 in the second innings.Last dayThe effort in Barbados was made on the last day and it allowed India to manage a draw and go into the final Test with a 1-0 lead. In the final Test, Gavaskar made his first innings hundred with an unbearable toothache.”I was under orders from the manager. I couldn’t even take a pain-killing injection to relieve the pain,” he remembered.It might surprise many that he doesn’t rank his 102 at the Queen’s Park Oval in 1976 with the other two. This was a match in which India scored 406 in the last innings to win, but Gavaskar gave most of the credit to Gundappa Viswanath and Mohinder Amarnath.Having triumphed against the awesome West Indies fast bowlers of the past, there are some who might feel Gavaskar can score 1 000 against modest West Indies attacks of the current era.”I don’t think so. The pressures are different,” he said. “They are playing in front of lesser crowds in the stadia, but a much bigger audience on television. The pressures are there on the modern players and his West Indian attack is on a learning curve at the moment.”Gavaskar might have been on such a curve when he came to the Caribbean in 1971. Well, he certainly learned quickly. Ask Lord Relator.