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Rangers star Ryan Kent is now in talks with Burnley over a free summer move, according to a report by Ibrox News.

Who could leave Rangers this summer?

The Glasgow giants, as things stand, could see a plethora of both first team and fringe players leave the club very soon as their contracts expire in May. Indeed, Kent, Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Jack, Filip Helander, Scott Arfield, Steven Davis, Allan McGregor and Kieran Wright are all out of contract just next month (Transfermarkt).

As such, Gers supporters could be about to witness a real year of change in their attempts to keep pace with Old Firm rivals Celtic. Decisions have apparently already been made on a select few, with defender Helander reliably tipped to leave after an injury-ridden season.

Meanwhile, reports surround the likes of Morelos and Kent, with the latter attracting interest from major clubs south of the border. The 26-year-old, who has a market value of £9.7 million according to Transfermarkt, is set to leave Rangers for nothing as things stand with sides looking to take advantage.

One of them is Championship high-flyers Burnley, who have just been promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking under the guidance of Man City legend Vincent Kompany.

According to a report by Ibrox News, Kent and his entourage have held discussions with the Clarets this week in an attempt to seal a Bosman move. Burnley have apparently made 'the first move' with talks now 'underway' with the midfielder.

An Ibrox 'source' told the outlet that Burnley negotiations have 'already commenced' with Kent and his representatives as Kompany looks to reinforce his squad ahead of next campaign.

New Kent contract talks appear to have resulted in nothing as things stand, opening the door for interested sides like Burnley to make an approach.

Potential Gers blow

Losing the Englishman would be an undoubted blow for the Gers considering just how important he is in the final third for Beale.

According to WhoScored, no Rangers player has completed more successful take-ons per 90 than Kent, who also ranks in their top three for key passes made.

Kent's tally of 11 goal contributions in the Scottish Premiership alone demonstrate his status as a key, key player – with only Borna Barisic registering more assists than the winger this season (WhoScored).

Not even acquiring a transfer fee for his services would surely leave a sour taste, yet according to this latest update, it appears to be heading in that direction.

Aston Villa have been handed a “huge” transfer boost in their pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, Football Insider report.

What’s the latest transfer news on Villa and Phillips?

Phillips has struggled at the Etihad Stadium under Pep Guardiola after making the move across the Pennines from Leeds United last summer in a deal worth £45m. The 27-year-old is still yet to start a Premier League match this season, which has resulted in speculation of a move away.

Villa, who were first linked with the midfielder back in 2019, have once again been backed to make a move over the coming motnhs. Reports have suggested that Unai Emery is after a “top-class signing capable of running the midfield”, and the Spaniard feels Phillips fits the bill.

A further update has now emerged from Football Insider reporter Wayne Veysey. He revealed that ‘Villa have been making discreet enquiries about Phillips’ availability and the information they are receiving is that City could be willing to sell at the right price’.

The report states that this is viewed as a “huge” boost for those at Villa Park, with Emery feeling Phillips can help take the club to the next level.

Record move but is it a risk?

It is believed that City would ask for a fee in the region of £45m to part ways with Phillips, who is under contract in Manchester until 2028.

That would be a record signing in the Midlands, although, reports have claimed that NSWE are willing to smash their transfer record this summer ahead of Emery’s first season in charge.

However, splashing the cash on Phillips, who has played just 405 minutes of first-team football this season could be a risk. He has also struggled with a shoulder injury and is on £160,000-a-week in Manchester.

Therefore, it could be a gamble, but if it pays off, Emery could help Phillips get his career back on track. Hailed as a "monster" by former Crystal Palace man, Yannick Bolasie, Phillips has been praised by the likes of Fabio Capello, who described him as "the best modern midfielder I have seen on the pitch", and Xavi Hernandez, who called him "superb".

Villa and Emery currently have two defensive midfielders and three central midfielders to choose from, so signing Phillips, primarily a holding midfielder, could balance his options, and it looks as if the club are making moves to sign the City man.

Glamorgan have confirmed the signing of the South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn for a seven-match stint in the Natwest T20 Blast

ESPNcricinfo staff20-May-20162:42

Cullinan: Not in Steyn’s best interests to have a rest period

Glamorgan have confirmed the signing of the South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn for a seven-match stint in the NatWest T20 Blast. Steyn will join the team after completing the ongoing IPL season with Gujarat Lions. Glamorgan are scheduled to start their tournament against Surrey on May 26 – Steyn may have to miss the match if Lions make it as far as the IPL’s second Qualifier on May 27 or the final on May 29.Steyn’s decision to play for Glamorgan leaves him potentially at odds with CSA, his home board. South Africa had left Steyn out of their ODI squad for a triangular series in the West Indies, which begins on June 3, in order to rest him ahead of a Test series against New Zealand in August. The Natwest T20 Blast coincides with the triangular series.

Looking forward to it! See you all soon https://t.co/ZrIU0550G7

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) May 20, 2016

“The timing of this opportunity is ideal and there is no better way to prepare than playing in the IPL,” Steyn said. “I know that Jacques [Rudolph, the Glamorgan captain] and the rest of the team have set an initial target of qualifying for the quarter-finals and I will do all that I can to give the team the best possible start.”It’s also a valuable opportunity to get some overs under the belt in the lead up to the SA Test series in a controlled T20 environment.”

Liverpool are keen on completing a deal to bring Paris Saint-Germain defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu to the Premier League, according to reports.

Who is El Chadaille Bitshiabu?

The Frenchman is an academy graduate at the Parc des Princes having worked his way up through the various youth ranks to eventually get promoted to the first-team last summer, and he’s already made 16 senior appearances so far this season.

However, the 17-year-old’s contract is set to expire at the end of next season meaning that the upcoming window will be Christophe Galtier’s side’s final big opportunity to cash in should they not want to extend his stay further.

Top-flight rivals Leeds United and Fulham have both already been credited with an interest in the centre-back, but the teenager has since caught the eye of two more potential suitors in the division, including Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

According to Le10 Sport (via Empire Of The Kop), Liverpool are “interested” in securing the services of Bitshiabu ahead of the 2023/24 term. The Merseyside outfit, alongside Manchester United, have also now joined the race, with the duo individually expressing a “strong” admiration in “recent days”.

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly yet made “no decision” regarding his future in Ligue 1, but the fact that he’s recently changed his agent to Jorge Mendes and Gestifute could give the Reds an advantage with Fabinho, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez also represented by the same company.

Where would Bitshiabu fit in at Liverpool?

Football Insider have reported that Liverpool are open to offers for Joel Matip and Nat Phillips this summer so should one or both of the pair depart, Klopp will need backline reinforcements before the new season kicks off, and that's exactly where Bitshiabu would slot in.

The 6 foot 5 colossus has won 70 per cent of his tackles so far this campaign and has a 91.6% league pass success rate so is extremely comfortable and composed both on the ball and off it, but can also use his height to his advantage at the opposite end of the pitch.

Bitshiabu, who has the versatility to operate at left-back alongside his natural centre-back position, has been hailed a "huge talent" by football scout Jacek Kulig and he wouldn't be a massive earner to have on the books as he only currently pockets £8.9k-per-week, so he would be a relatively cheap and exciting prospect for the long-term future at Anfield.

Alastair Cook has said that England will seek to ‘park’ all of the off-field hype surrounding Mohammad Amir’s comeback to Test cricket

Andrew Miller07-Jul-2016Alastair Cook has said that England will seek to “park” all of the off-field hype surrounding Mohammad Amir’s comeback to Test cricket, despite reiterating his belief that players who get involved in corruption ought to be banned for life.However, he also admits that the distractions may help to galvanise a Pakistani team that is eager to make amends for the controversies of their 2010 tour.”We’ll spend a lot of time talking about it in the build-up,” Cook told ESPNcricinfo during a Yorkshire Tea event at The Oval, “but once we get out there we’ll just be thinking about playing.”Obviously it’s more of a distraction on the Pakistan side, but we know they tend to get united behind distractions. But all that stuff off the field, we’ve just got to park it, and we’re pretty good at that.”Nevertheless, ignoring the hype of Amir’s comeback is not the same thing as ignoring the threat that he will pose in his first Test appearance since the lifting of his five-year ban for spot-fixing, and Cook in particular remembers the challenge he posed as a teenaged prodigy that summer.Cook was dismissed three times each by Amir and his then new-ball partner, Mohammad Asif – who was also implicated and jailed in the News of the World sting, as he mustered 57 runs in six innings, either side of a cathartic and career-changing century at The Oval in the third Test.”It was warm and humid, it was muggy,” Cook recalled. “When the sun was out it was hot and there was rain around. The ball swung.”He bowled brilliantly as a youngster on his first tour, in good conditions he was an absolute handful,” he added. “But a lot of water has gone under a few bridges since then, so it’ll be interesting to see how he copes and see the crowd reaction is.”But as an England side, we’ve got to stay away from that sideshow. Whether you agree with him playing or you don’t, that’s not for us to say as players. It’s down to us to play him as a fantastic bowler.”Nevertheless, memories of the 2010 Lord’s Test are sure to come flooding back when the players take the field for the first Test next week, and Cook admitted that the atmosphere on that fourth and final day six years ago, on the morning after the newspaper’s revelations that Pakistan’s bowlers had been bribed to bowl no-balls to order, was one of the most peculiar he had ever experienced on a cricket field.”It was very surreal, horrible,” he said. “Did Swanny [Graeme Swann] get a five-for? I don’t think anyone celebrated any wickets. It was a disappointing day as we were on the verge of what we thought was a genuine win.”And that’s the problem when you fix games of cricket, or spot-fix, you tarnish games of cricket for the players, the crowd, everyone. The punishment should be befitting of someone who does that.”Guys who are paying a lot of money to watch us want to see a genuine spectacle, they want to know the 22 players, and the two umpires, are trying their best, and nothing should distract from that.”My feelings are clear, if you get caught matchfixing, you should be banned for life.”England come into the Test series off the back of a convincing 2-0 victory over Sri Lanka but with recent memories of their own 2-0 loss against Pakistan in the UAE last winter – when a near-miss in the first Test at Abu Dhabi gave way to two comprehensive defeats at Dubai and Sharjah. Cook, however, is confident of setting that record straight.”They are massively different conditions,” he said. “Misbah scored about 95% of his runs against spin, I don’t think he’ll be facing as much spin as he did there.”They’ve got a very good bowling attack, with a lot of variety, backed up by good spin. But it was a very close series. I don’t think 2-0 quite reflected the sides. We are a bit more comfortable in those conditions, but we were unlucky in that first Test.”

Man United are still keen to sign Harry Kane this transfer window but are worried that Tottenham's Daniel Levy could hinder the deal, as reported by Football Insider.

What is the latest on Harry Kane to Man United?

The Spurs striker has been at White Hart Lane for the entirety of his career, minus some loan spells further down the football pyramid. Since bursting onto the scene in the Premier League, he has emerged as one of the best players to ever grace the top flight, bagging an astonishing 209 goals so far.

In fact, his goalscoring prowess has led to him breaking records for goals scored and moving up towards the very top of the 'All-Time Goalscorers' list in the division. He currently sits in second place, just behind Newcastle legend Alan Shearer – he's already overtaken the likes of Wayne Rooney, Andy Cole and Sergio Aguero and will have the Geordie firmly in his sights.

It's this ability that has put him on the transfer radar at Man United. There has been uncertainty over Kane's future before, with it previously appearing as though the striker would leave White Hart Lane. However, the player has since stayed put with Spurs, but has yet to agree a new contract despite his current deal expiring in 2024.

Now, the Red Devils are ready to swoop for his signature. According to Football Insider though, Erik Ten Hag's side are worried about potential negotiations for the striker as they feel Daniel Levy may drag out and stall transfer talks. The Glazers feel he could make things harder in terms of getting a deal over the line and are "wary" of the club's chairman.

Should Man United go for Harry Kane?

The goalscoring ability of Kane is almost second to none in European football right now. His 26 goals in 35 Premier League appearances this year certainly make him one of the best in England, with the player currently ranking as second in the division for hitting the back of the net despite playing in a stuttering Spurs side.

Put him up against others in the 'Big Five' European leagues and he still ranks second for his goals. That's above the likes of Kylian Mbappe (24), Victor Osimhen (23), Robert Lewandowski (19) and Lautaro Martinez (19). Osimhen himself was also a target for United before they "pulled the plug" this week.

If the Red Devils want to add goals to their game, then they would certainly be doing that by snapping up the Spurs man then. He is experienced in the Premier League, is still one of the best strikers around and has also expanded and improved his game with the player having expected assists rate of 0.19 which is one of the best rates for a striker in the Big Five leagues.

United then should do whatever it takes to add Kane to their squad after missing out on Osimhen, even if it does mean dealing with Levy.

Manchester City will offer influential midfielder Ilkay Gundogan a contract extension, according to a major update from renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Is Gundogan having a good season?

The German is in the midst of an imperious run of form this season, playing a massive role in Pep Guardiola's side pushing for a legendary treble. The £140,000-a-week star has scored eight goals and registered four assists in the Premier League in 2022/23 to date, including two brilliant strikes in last weekend's 3-0 win away to Everton.

Gundogan's future has been a key talking point, however, with his current contract expiring at the end of the current campaign, and Barcelona showing an interest in snapping him up on a free transfer. He is yet to agree an extension at the Etihad, as he weighs up his options.

Will Gundogan sign new Man City deal?

Writing on Twitter on Saturday, Romano said that a new deal will be offered to Gundogan, with the potential for it to last until 2025:

"Understand Manchester City will offer Ilkay Gundogan a new deal valid until June 2024 with an option for further season, potentially June 2025.

"Talks will continue in the next days — Barça proposal remains valid on the table. NO decision made by Gundogan yet."

This is simply a no-brainer for City, with Gundogan such a superb footballer, combining tactical intelligence with end product in the final third. Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane has described him as "outstanding" which is high praise from someone who isn't easy to please, and he has been one of his side's best players in what could be a legendary season.

At 32, there is an argument to say that his brilliance could begin to dwindle, and that allowing his contract to run down is the right decision, but he still has so much to offer and giving him a one or two-year extension makes complete sense. The potential issue could be if Guardiola is unable to guarantee him regular starts moving forward – something Barca may be able to do – but if he is still happy at the Etihad, extending his stay would be brilliant news.

For years, Gundogan has arguably felt underrated, but he is now receiving the credit he has always deserved, and he could even be a City legend at this point, especially if this current team goes on to complete the treble with wins against Inter Milan and United.

Despite a century from Chesney Hughes, the tenth of his career and his third against Glamorgan the home side remain on course to win their first Championship win of the season at Colwyn Bay

ECB Reporters Network19-Jul-2016
ScorecardChesney Hughes fought hard for Derbyshire but defeat still loomed•Getty ImagesDespite a century from Chesney Hughes, the tenth of his career and his third against Glamorgan, and 90 from Wayne Madsen as third-wicket pair added 180, Glamorgan remain on course to win their first Championship win of the season at Colwyn Bay.At the close of the third day’s play, Derbyshire were 413 for 6, a lead of 72 on a pitch which is giving little assistance to the bowlers.With Hughes and Madsen both out, much will depend on the Derbyshire middle and late order batsmen if they are to set Glamorgan a challenging target. Their captain Billy Godleman was 66 not out.After Hamish Rutherford had edged Graham Wagg to the wicketkeeper after scoring 45, Glamorgan had to wait another 46 overs for further success, as the third-wicket pair consolidated throughout a sweltering afternoon.Hughes played and missed many times – especially against the accurate Michael Hogan – but in between played some handsome strokes on both sides of the wicket.He reached his century by sweeping Owen Morgan’s left-arm spin for six, before he was out, edging Wagg to Wallace.Madsen survived a difficult chance down the leg side to Wallace on 70, and a more straightforward chance six runs later to Aneurin Donald at slip, and he appeared destined for three figures before he became Wallace’s fourth victim, when he edged Andrew Salter’s arm ball to the wicketkeeper.Hogan was eventually rewarded when he pinned Neil Broom in front and at that stage Derbyshire were nineteen runs behind. Godleman, batting at No. 5 after being taken ill the previous day, and Shiv Thakor then cleared the arrears and settled into an useful partnership with Godleman reaching fifty from 90 balls .They put on 63 before Thakor shuffled in front of his stumps and was leg before to David Lloyd for 29.Both teams applied themselves well on sweltering day; Derbyshire for their application and determination to improve on their dismal first innings performance, and Glamorgan’s bowlers who stuck to their task and by the end of the day had put their side in sight of a first win.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a challenging Premier League campaign that has featured change and adaptation in order to gain survival.

When Bruno Lage was dismissed at the start of October, Wolves had won just once in their previous 15 and sat just two points above the relegation zone.

Julen Lopetegui was the man hired for the challenge to keep the Midlands side in the top division, which the Spaniard succeeded at, with survival confirmed on top of some impressive displays.

With just two games of the season remaining, the former Real Madrid manager is reportedly looking ahead to the summer transfer window, where he’ll have the opportunity to put his stamp on the side he inherited from Lage.

The club have been linked with a number of players to solve weaknesses presented this term, most recently with a Bundesliga star that could armour Lopetegui’s defensive woes.

What’s the latest on Ridle Baku to Wolves?

As reported by German news outlet Wolfsburger Allgemeine (WAZ), Wolfsburg right-back Ridle Baku could be on the move to Wolverhampton this summer.

The report speculates that Wolves want to lure the versatile defender to Molineux when the window opens with the German international valued at €26.1m (£23m), as per FootballTransfers.

The 25-year-old made the switch from Mainz to Wolfsburg in 2020 and is contracted to Die Wolfen until the summer of 2025.

What could Ridle Baku bring to Wolves?

Described in a feature article on the Bundesliga official site as being 'among the league’s best players' and as "ambitious" by ex-manager Oliver Glasner, Baku hosts a showcase of attributes that would be a fine fit for Lopetegui’s side.

Also hailed for his versatility, the Mainz-born gem has featured predominantly at right-back for Wolfsburg this season, however, he has the potential to also play in central midfield and further up the pitch on the flanks.

His attacking prowess is highlighted most prominently through his contributions to eight goals this season, having scored five and assisted three across 31 Bundesliga appearances this term.

The best full-backs in the Premier League all boast the ability to be strong going forward while maintaining defensive stability on the flanks, making Baku a good suitor for Wolves and Lopetegui, in particular.

Since signing from Barcelona in 2020, current first-choice Nelson Semedo has struggled to live up to expectations at Molineux, so the introduction of a competitor could be the push that the Portuguese man needs to improve his form.

The two are very similar in their playing styles, with both winning around 51% of their ground duels on average per game, as per Sofascore.

Baku provides a significantly higher threat going forward, however, with Semedo only assisting once this season and is yet to score in 34 appearances. The German is lively on the ball, averaging 4.50 progressive passes per 90, in comparison to the Wolves man's 3.74, as per FBref.

Having been hailed as “outstanding” by former Mainz coach Sandro Schwarz, Baku could be the live wire required to spark creativity back into Wolves’ side and the player to reignite the hunger in Semedo through competition.

With the summer window fast approaching, only time will tell if Lopetegui will get his man, but there is no denying the quality he could bring to Molineux.

In a stark indication of the game’s convoluted and context-less international schedule, Australia’s captain Steven Smith was handed the mace by the ICC’s chief executive David Richardson in a “closed event” in Kandy

Daniel Brettig in Kandy25-Jul-2016If the cricket’s Test Championship mace is presented to the world’s No. 1 team at a private function, is there any point presenting it at all?In a stark indication of the game’s convoluted and context-less international schedule, Australia’s captain Steven Smith was handed the mace by the ICC’s chief executive David Richardson in a “closed event” at the Earl’s Regency Hotel in Kandy, with no access to the public or the media. Next to the presentation of the football and rugby World Cups, or even cricket’s own global events in ODIs and Twenty20s, this was a ceremony that bordered on the farcical.ESPNcricinfo understands the privacy was the result of a last-minute request by Sri Lanka Cricket to keep the event low key, so as not to deflate their players before the looming Test series between the two nations, due to begin at Pallekele on Tuesday. So late was the decision reached that the ICC had already hired an MC for a public event, but he was instead left as a bystander to the hushed handover.”David Richardson is in Kandy for the presentation of the mace to Australia, which finished as the No.1 ranked Test side at the 1 April cut-off date,” an ICC spokesman said. “As this is a sponsor-related activity and unrelated to the forthcoming series, the ICC, in conjunction with the Members/teams, decided to keep this presentation as a closed event.”Australia had effectively claimed top spot as far back as February with a 2-0 series win in New Zealand, something formalised when the ICC rankings had their “annual adjustment” on April 1. But the mace stayed with the previous holders India throughout the year, rather than being presented at a more opportune moment in New Zealand.This is not the first time the mace’s presentation to Australia has not coincided with a notable victory. In 2014 it was handed over at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane in April after Michael Clarke’s team had usurped South Africa as No. 1 with a dramatic final- day victory at Newlands in Cape Town. The lack of a distinct moment at which to hand over ownership of a trophy meant to be the game’s most sought-after prize is symbolic of the problems of context and meaning that the ICC are presently trying to solve with a new bilateral schedule.A proposal for a new two-tier structure, with seven teams in division one and five in division two, was discussed at the ICC’s annual conference in Edinburgh in June. Under the plan, a Test Champion would be decided every two years, with all top division teams playing each other in a series over that time to work out the winner. Further talks to add detail to the proposal, which includes the provision for bundled television rights to provide guaranteed revenue flows for competing countries, are scheduled for September ahead of the next formal ICC meetings in October in Dubai. SLC has indicated their opposition to the proposal.Smith said he was delighted to have taken possession of the mace, and shrugged at the circumstances in which it had been delivered. “It doesn’t bother me too much really, I guess it’s just the way the rankings work,” he said. “They decided this was the right time to do it, and it was a great honour to accept the Test Mace as the No. 1 team in the world at this stage.”A lot of hard work in front of us to make sure we stay at No. 1. We do have a couple of tough Test series coming up, so for us we know there’s a lot of hard work in front of us if we want to stay at No. 1, we’re going to be the hunted now we’re at the top of the tree, so we have to work hard to make sure we stay there.”In a statement, Richardson spoke of exciting times for Test matches. “The mace is a symbol of excellence and recognition of a side’s outstanding achievement in the toughest format of the sport,” he said. “Australia’s winning performances have been exceptional and they thoroughly deserve to be awarded the mace.”These are exciting times for Test cricket as the top four ranked countries are involved in high profile series across three different continents showcasing the very best this format of the sport has to offer. I am sure the incentive of achieving the number-one ranking will further motivate them, bringing out the best in the players.”Broadcasters had recently indicated to the ICC that bilateral series lacking context were losing their commercial value, forcing the game’s custodians to drastically rethink the structure of the international game. The events in Kandy on Monday served only to underline the need for change.