Reliable reporter John Percy has had his say on Aston Villa’s links to Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey.

The Lowdown: Bailey links

Villa’s interest in Bailey emerged on Wednesday, with reports suggesting the club were eyeing up a £30m swoop for the wide man.

The 23-year-old is viewed as an attainable target by Villa and are thought to be readying an approach to the Bundesliga side.

Bailey, who scored 15 goals and registered 11 assists last season, has just under two years left on his Leverkusen deal.

The Latest: Percy’s post

Percy, who writes for The Telegraph, responded to a Villa supporter on Wednesday evening suggesting Bailey fits the criteria for Villa in terms of position and price, however, he didn’t feel a move is imminent.

Another Villa fan then quoted his tweet, sharing his disappointment, with Percy replying to the supporter in question, saying:

“Never said he wasn’t on the list mate”

Percy, who has over 120,000 followers, can get hundreds of retweets and thousands of likes on his transfer posts, but as this was a reply to a fan, it seemed to go under the radar with just two retweets.

The Verdict: Sign

Bailey could well be on Villa’s shopping list, according to Percy, and a move for the Jamaican could turn out to be an excellent piece of business.

He’s capable of playing on either flank or as a centre-forward, with his main position coming on the right.

Should he move to the Midlands, Dean Smith may well then decide to use Jack Grealish in a central role, if he stays at Villa Park of course.

A front four of Bailey, Grealish, Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins looks dangerous on paper, but a lot could happen between now and Villa’s opener against Watford on August 14.

In other news: Everton ace keen on Villa move, find out more here. 

Speaking to Football Insider, pundit and BBC Radio Leeds regular Noel Whelan has been left in awe of Tottenham Hotspur after their approach to sign Miralem Pjanic on loan from Barcelona.

The Lowdown: Spurs make Pjanic approach…

As per Spanish publication Sport, Tottenham’s managing director Fabio Paratici asked the La Liga giants about loaning Pjanic in a recent transfer approach.

The Bosnia international is being linked with a move away from the Camp Nou this summer after featuring only sporadically last season in La Liga. Pjanic was handed just six starts by Catalans boss Ronald Koeman, with Tottenham now making an approach to take him to north London.

The Latest: Whelan in awe of Pjanic call…

Speaking to Football Insider, BBC pundit Whelan has praised Tottenham and Pjanic after this development, calling the midfield maestro a signing fans want to see.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-updates-3/” title=”Spurs latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

He also hailed the former Juventus star as an ‘amazing player’, saying: “Fans will want to see players like that coming to Tottenham.

“Despite them not being in the Champions League, they’ve got to find quality somewhere.

“Players that are going to accept not playing in those sort of competitions. Someone who is looking to the future to put themselves back in contention to play there.

“It’s vital as a manager that you don’t just go out there looking for 21-year-olds. There’s been a lot of criticism of how they’ve dealt with picking the manager.

“He’s a Bosnia international. He’s been at Barcelona, he’s an amazing player, he’s competitive. That’s what’s Tottenham need to be again. They need to find that nice balance.”

The Verdict: Avoid…

Over the league games in which he did feature, Pjanic averaged an excellent 91.4% passing accuracy in the middle of the park, highlighting his quality as a ball-distributor. However, his wage demands – reported to be around £210,000 per week – far exceed anything he can bring to the table for Tottenham.

It seems unlikely that chairman Daniel Levy would be willing to pay this hefty salary as Barcelona seek to trim their enormous wage bill. With Gareth Bale going back to Real Madrid, Pjanic’s current paycheque would make him the highest-paid player at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Bosnian would come as a man with proven quality, but this move could be too detrimental financially to Spurs, especially with Pjanic now 31 years old.

In other news: ‘Understand’…Alasdair Gold backs big news coming out of Tottenham, find out more here.

Hampshire Hawks give a first team debut to Jimmy Adams in the Norwich Union League Division Two floodlit match against Surrey Lions at the AMP Oval on Wednesday, the match starting at 3:10pm.

Vic Isaacs18-Aug-2002Hampshire Hawks give a first team debut to Jimmy Adams in the Norwich Union League Division Two floodlit match against Surrey Lions at the AMP Oval on Wednesday, the match starting at 3:10pm.The Winchester born, left handed batsman Adams who had performed well for Loughborough University earlier in the season, earning him a first-class debut for British Universities against the touring Sri Lankans at Northampton in May, and Hampshire Second team subsequently, scoring a double century against Derbyshire Seconds last week, gets his chance as John Crawley will be on England duty.Both first-team strike bowlers, Alan Mullally with a side strain and Chris Tremlett who is having a scan on his right foot this Monday are missing, so James Hamblin and James Tomlinson return to the side.The eleven are: Neil Johnson, Jason Laney, John Francis, Will Kendall (captain), Jimmy Adams, Nic Pothas (w/k), Lawrence Prittipaul, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Shaun Udal, James Hamblin and James Tomlinson.

MatériaMais Notícias

Dentro da zona de classificação para as semifinais do Carioca – no quadro geral da competição – o Botafogo ainda terá dois desafios pela frente para confirmar a vaga na fase principal do torneio. Um dele será nesta quinta-feira, contra a Portuguesa-RJ, em Los Larios. E para este confronto, em Xerém, o técnico Jair Ventura poderá contar com o retorno de, pelo menos, quatro titulares ao time.

Seriam eles Emerson Silva, Airton, Bruno Silva e Camilo. Os quatro não atuaram contra o Bangu – poupados – e estão à disposição do comandante. Inclusive, eles participaram da atividade de reapresentação do Botafogo, nesta última segunda-feira. Ambos são considerados peças importantes dentro da equipe.

Além dos quatro citados, dois nomes também podem virar novidade entre os relacionados para o jogo: Gatito está em São Paulo, com a Seleção Paraguaia, que enfrenta o Brasil nesta terça. Como não tem sido titular, o goleiro poderia chegar no Rio de Janeiro e substituir Saulo. A comissão técnica que irá definir.

Na defesa, Carli segue fazendo tratamento nas dependências do clube. Com um histórico de lesões recentes, o caso do argentino é diferente. Ele deve ser preservado para retornar 100% contra o Resende, na última rodada da Taça Rio. Renan Fonseca ou Igor Rabello seriam as eventuais opções para o setor.

Apesar do retorno quase certo de quatro titulares e a dúvida quanto aos outros dois, o Glorioso também terá desfalques para o jogo em Los Larios. Victor Luís e Rodrigo Pimpão estão suspensos e não poderão enfrentar a Portuguesa-RJ.

RelacionadasBotafogoCom alguns titulares e dois atletas na transição, Botafogo se reapresentaBotafogo27/03/2017BotafogoDepois de cirurgia no joelho esquerdo, Jonas reaparece no Nilton SantosBotafogo27/03/2017BotafogoEm quatro jogos, Fernandes supera números da dupla titular no meioBotafogo27/03/2017

Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills believes Kalvin Phillips’ superb Euro 2020 campaign can only be a good thing ahead of next season.

The Lowdown: Phillips outstanding for England

England lost to Italy in the final on Sunday night, but there is no denying that a number of players stood out for the Three Lions.

Phillips was one of them, with the Leeds hero starting every game in the tournament and showing incredible energy levels in the middle of the park.

If Whites supporters already knew how good the 25-year-old was, the rest of the country has now sat up and taken notice, too.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Mills tips Leeds star to improve further

Speaking to Football Insider, claimed Phillips’ all-round game has shone throughout this summer, tipping him take his form with him to Leeds and go up a further gear:

“Going through those experiences, the highs and the lows, playing against quality opposition under severe pressure is so difficult to do.

“He’s made that step up really quickly and looks at home really quickly.

“That bodes well for Leeds for the rest of the season. He’s shown he’s not just a holding midfield player, he’s got more to his game. Most Leeds fans will have known that. It’s mind-blowing.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-8/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Most important player?

There is a strong argument to say that Phillips is Leeds’ most important player and he is going to be enormous for the Whites next season if they want to finish higher than last term’s ninth.

The Englishman is the heart and engine room of Marcelo Bielsa’s team – Gary Neville has hailed him as ‘amazing’ – but he also possesses great quality on the ball, completing 84.7 percent of his passes in the Premier League last season.

It’s nice to hear a pundit discuss what the now-England star will offer Leeds next season rather than debating fictional moves away.

In other news, Leeds have been tipped to sign a Euro 2020 star this summer. Find out who it is here.

أعلن اللاعب الألماني أنطونيو روديجر، رحيله عن صفوف تشيلسي هذا الصيف من أجل خوض تجربة جديدة في مسيرته.

ويمتلك اللاعب صاحب الـ29 عامًا، عقدًا رفقة تشيلسي ينتهي في يونيو 2022.

وقال روديجر عبر حسابه الرسمي على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “تويتر”: “لا أحب الوداع.. لكنني سأحاول أن أجعل هذا الأمر مميزًا من القلب”.

I don’t like goodbyes. But I will try to make this one special, from the heart.

My piece with @PlayersTribune @TPTFootball. #AlwaysBelieve #Hustle
https://t.co/FI6sVGnDGi — Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) May 20, 2022

شارك المدافع في 53 مباراة هذا الموسم رفقة تشيلسي بمختلف المسابقات، وتمكن من تسجيل 5 أهداف وقدم 4 تمريرات حاسمة.

اقرأ أيضًا – روديجر: بنزيما أفضل مُهاجم في العالم.. وأظهر قيمته الحقيقية بعد رحيل رونالدو

ستكون المباراة المقبلة لتشيلسي يوم الأحد أمام واتفورد وذلك ضمن منافسات الجولة الأخيرة من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ومن المتوقع أن ينضم الدولي الألماني لصفوف ريال مدريد بشكل رسمي في قادم الأيام بعد أن توصل إلى اتفاق مع المرينجي.

Following the departure of Nigel Russell as Chief Executive of Sussex CCC the Club has announced that for the foreseeable future the Club will be run by the current Operations Manager, Hugh Griffiths in the role of Acting Chief Executive. There are no plans at present to actively seek a new CEO.Mr Griffiths will take control of the administrative side of the Club whilst the cricket side will come under the guidance of Peter Moores in the new role of Director of Cricket. Mr Moores will be responsible for all aspects of cricket from the professional squad to youth development. He will report to former-Sussex captain John Barclay who was co-opted on the SCCC Committee in May this year as Cricket Chairman.David Green, Chairman, said: “Peter was appointed Director of Cricket over six weeks ago but we awaited the end of the season in order to set up a properly integrated cricket and coaching department under his direct control which has the depth and flexibility of personnel in order that Peter can continue to be hands on with the First XI during the season. With this in mind Mark Robinson is confirmed as Club Coach.”

Having missed the majority of last season through injury, the EFL insider reckons that Charlton would be a good move for Dujon Sterling to get his career back on track.

The Chelsea youngster was a regular for Coventry in League One in 2018-2019, although the right-back’s previous two seasons have halted his development.

12 months later, Sterling spent the campaign with Wigan, featuring just eight times, before failing to play a single first-team match last season – with his only game-time coming for Chelsea Under-23s.

However, Sterling is now back fit, and according to Football.London, has impressed Thomas Tuchel and has been promoted to gain valuable experience by training with Chelsea’s first-team in pre-season.

Sterling will be hoping to continue catching the German’s eye ahead of the new Premier League season, but a third EFL loan spell could be the most likely next step for the 21-year-old as he continues his development.

Charlton already have two experienced right-backs in Adam Matthews and Chris Gunter, but the EFL spy exclusively told Football FanCast that a move to The Valley could get Sterling’s career on track:

“Dujon Sterling of Chelsea would also fit the bill after a bad injury, and he still needs game time before moving on again.

“He needs to hit the ground running with this move after he was hammered a bit over the last season. He’s attack-minded and will excite fans.”

As a result of input from players, fast short-pitched balls over head height can now be called a wide and not a no-ball.This is aimed at preventing bowlers using the last ball of the over to prevent a batsman changing ends.In first-class games bowlers had the right to bowl two bouncers, while in one-day games they were allowed one bouncer an over.With umpires now able to judge on that basis, the batsman can get an extra ball from the wide.The change to the law states: “… a ball that passes above head height of the batsman, that prevents him being able to hit it with his bat by means of a normal cricket stroke shall be called a wide.”At the same time umpires have also been given the power to include the wide ball as one of the allowable short-pitched deliveries in the over.In one-day games the wide rule will also apply to short-pitched balls.Other changes to the playing conditions this year preclude the use of artificial lighting in first-class matches.In regard to over-rate penalties, umpires will be asked to indicate any mitigating circumstances for a team’s over-rate falling below 15 per hour.Also, for a consultation to take place between umpires on a decision, the consulted umpire must be in a better position to see. Hearing does not come into the equation.

Sheffield United right-back George Baldock is now Celtic’s top target, according to Scott Burns of The Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Baldock links

A number of Celtic officials will know plenty about Baldock. He was linked with a move to Parkhead back in 2019 when Neil Lennon was in charge.

Lennon spoke with Baldock, who was keen on a Celtic Park switch, however, he remained with the Blades.

The £10,000-a-week full-back has been linked with a move to Scotland again this summer, with Ange Postecoglou giving the green light to a transfer.

The Hoops boss has watched footage of the 28-year-old, likened to George Best by BBC pundit Garth Crooks back in 2019, and it seems as if he is now the club’s main target.

The Latest: Burns’ claim

Burns shared a story on the Hoops after their move for centre-back Carl Starfelt was announced on Wednesday evening.

The Daily Record reporter suggested that Postecoglou has now made a right-back his top priority and Baldock is at the top of the list when it comes to right-back targets.

It remains to be seen if Sheffield United will entertain any move, however, the defender has less than 12 months left on his Bramall Lane deal.

The Verdict: Needed ASAP

A new right-back is needed as soon as possible, to put it lightly. Postecoglou has just Anthony Ralston and Lee O’Connor as options in that area at the moment, with the latter yet to feature for the Hoops in any competition.

Jeremie Frimpong and Hatem Elhamed left earlier this year, and along with the money the Hoops received for Kristoffer Ajer, you’d expect there would be funds for a new right-back.

The Blades could make it difficult, but if Postecoglou wants Baldock, the Hoops must make their move over the coming days.

In other news: Sources share Odsonne Edouard latest, find out more here.