Crystal Palace are closing in on a £20m deal for defender Joachim Andersen, according to The Daily Mail.

And, as to be expected, a number of Eagles fans have been sharing their positive thoughts to the update on social media.

The Daily Mail report that Palace are hopeful of concluding a deal for Andersen, who spent last season on loan at Fulham.

The 25-year-old made 31 appearances under Scott Parker last season, captaining the club on multiple occasions.

Patrick Vieira has already bolstered his defensive ranks with the acquisition of Marc Guehi from Chelsea and it seems as if Andersen will be the next through the door.

The report also adds that Palace remain in talks for Schalke centre-back Ozan Kabak, despite the development with Andersen.

Palace fans react

Both @cpfc_xtra and @CPFCtransfersHQ shared The Daily Mail’s update on social media.

This is what these Palace supporters had to say in reply, with one describing a likely move as ‘unreal’.

“Holy moly”Credit: @Kevbartleyy”Oh my god”Credit: @unknownbald”Yessss”Credit: @CPFCH10″Would’ve preferred a loan to buy given how much he’ll cost, but still an unreal signing”Credit: @unIocaIpIa9tic”We’re actually cooking”Credit: @w_cpfc”Oh yes”Credit: @PrideOfSouthLDN

In other news: Alan Nixon’s 4-word admission in Palace and Leeds’ battle for Conor Gallagher; favours one club. 

Sheffield United are interested in taking Manchester United youngster James Garner on loan for the 2021/22 season [The Sun].

Enjoying a promising 2020/21 campaign, the 20-year old registered seven goal contributions in 43 appearances for Nottingham Forest, Watford and Manchester United Under-23’s combined [Transfermarkt].

Now, he could be set for another high-profile Sky Bet Championship loan spell following recent reports.

Garner is rumoured to be being lined up by Sheffield United as a target, with the Blades extremely keen on bringing him in to the club [The Sun].

The Birkenhead-born midfielder would be brought in to play a big part at Bramall Lane, whilst could help to deputise in the event of Sander Berge departing amid interest from Arsenal.

In light of this news, no wonder loads of Sheffield United diehards took to Twitter to make their feelings known about recent developments.

Sheffield United fans react:

Replying to multiple different outlets on Twitter, here is what some fans had to say about the Garner news:

“This lad can play. Would be a great addition for the Blades. #twittterblades #utb”

Credit: @simon_christie

“Yes please he will be better they John Lundstram”

Credit: @jackall78013029

“Garner would be a top addition aslong as it’s not at the expense of Berge, keeping him has to be the priority for me”

Credit: @Fonzyy97

“I’ll take that”

Credit: @S_M_R___

“Be some signing this”

Credit: @KieranBatham

“He’s so much better than Hourihane though”

Credit: @SUFC__Josh

In other news, an EFL spy has given Sheffield United a signing recommendation.

عاد التونسي حمزة المثلوثي الظهير الأيمن للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك إلى القاهرة بعد العودة من المشاركة مع منتخب تونس.

وتواجد المثلوثي في تدريبات الزمالك التي تقام على ملعب عبد اللطيف أبو رجيلة بمقر القلعة البيضاء.

طالع أيضا.. مدحت عبد الهادي: إدارة الزمالك لم تستجب لطلبي بشأن فرجاني ساسي

وأدى حمزة المثلوثي تدريبات تأهيلية منفردة بالجري حول الملعب، لتجهيزه للمباريات المقبلة للفريق.

ويستعد الزمالك لمواجهة الداخلية يوم 13 يونيو المقبل، في إطار منافسات دور الـ32 من كأس مصر للموسم الحالي 2022.

An update has emerged on Leeds target Arnaut Danjuma, regarding Leeds’ interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to Marca, via the Daily Star, Liverpool have joined Leeds in the race to sign Bournemouth forward Arnaut Danjuma this summer.

Leeds and West Ham were both touted with interest in the Dutchman earlier this window and could now be competing against the Reds for his signature.

Raphinha 2.0

Victor Orta must react to this news by swooping in to secure a deal for Danjuma as quickly as possible. With more clubs joining the race for his services, it could make it more difficult for Leeds to snap him up.

If the Whites can bring him in then it could be a terrific signing for the club. Marcelo Bielsa would love to coach him next season as he has shown incredible promise with his form in the Championship for Bournemouth. He provided 17 goals and seven assists in 31 starts for the Cherries, averaging an excellent WhoScored rating of 7.21 in the second tier.

Bielsa would be delighted to add another talented attacker to his squad as it would give him more options in the final third.

Last year, Clinton Morrison hailed him as an exceptional talent whilst speaking about him on Quest, via Football League World:

“Danjuma is an excellent player. Whatever happens, he will be playing Premier League football next year, whether it’s with Bournemouth or without them. He’s an exceptional talent.”

Bielsa already has Raphinha on the right-hand side of his attack, but he could have ‘Raphinha 2.0’ on the left by bringing Danjuma in. Whilst the Brazilian is a left-footed attacker who plays out on the right and likes to cut in, Danjuma is a right-footed player who starts on the left and can drift inside or go down to the byline.

Raphinha averaged 1.9 dribbles, 2.1 key passes and 2.2 shots per game last term, compared to the Bournemouth man’s 1.8 dribbles, 1.5 key passes and 2.1 shots per game. This, along with their positional awareness, suggests that they both have a similar style of play and, therefore, Danjuma could be Leeds’ next wing wizard if they are able to secure a deal for him ahead of the likes of Liverpool.

Bielsa would love having two dribble kings on the wings as it could strike fear into opposition defenders. Both Raphinha and Danjuma are capable of taking players on and either creating a chance for a teammate or a shooting opportunity for themselves, which could also excite the fans watching on from the stands.

Leeds need to push ahead and get a deal done.

AND in other news, Orta must complete Leeds United deal for “magical” £30m wizard, Bielsa would adore him…

Nikita Miller, the Jamaica left-arm spinner, had written off his chances of an international call-up for the series against Australia after he was not required for the Tests or the first three ODIs. Miller was one of three new players called into the squad for the final two games in St Kitts and is likely to make his international debut either on Friday or on Sunday.The leading wicket-taker in West Indies’ domestic first-class competition this season, Miller was discussed as a possible Test spinner during the three-match series. However, Amit Jaggernauth was preferred in the opening encounter and Sulieman Benn took the role for the third Test and the first three ODIs, before he was axed for the final matches.”I wasn’t really expecting it for the rest of the series, it came as a surprise but all in all I’m happy,” Miller said of his call-up. “I was looking out for it [earlier] because I had a good season so I always kept my mind in tune for that call so that I won’t be surprised. I was disappointed [not to be called up sooner] but now that I got the chance I have to take it with both hands.”Miller, 26, starred in the Carib Beer Challenge final when he picked up five wickets in each innings to help Jamaica to a nine-wicket win over Trinidad and Tobago. He has played little cricket since early May, when he faced Australia in a tour match, but he remains confident he can quickly find his line and length.”I was preparing for the local one day series [in Jamaica], I’ve been doing a bit of practice at the club I play for, Melbourne,” Miller said. “I have to believe in my skills, I’ve been able to do well at the regional level and all I have to do is believe in myself, I know I can do a good job. I’m pretty happy. I don’t think my bowling can fall off in a month or so.”West Indies have already lost the five-match series but they will be aiming to avoid a whitewash in the remaining two matches. Along with Miller, the uncapped Shawn Findlay and Kemar Roach will be hoping to make their first one-day international appearances.

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de enfrentar The Strongest (BOL), Sporting Crystal (PER) e Santa Fe (COL), os santistas já elegeram o adversário mais violento da Libertadores. Para o lateral-direito Victor Ferraz, os colombianos têm a marcação mais forte, o que deverá se repetir no Pacaembu, na quinta-feira, às 21h45.

No entanto, o camisa 4 não teme as jogadas mais duras e aposta em uma postura diferente do Peixe em relação ao jogo no El Campín, em Bogotá, em que o Alvinegro esperou o Santa Fe em seu campo de defesa para não sofrer com contra-ataques.

-Temer, não. Mas terão a mesma proposta. O Gordillo principalmente. O Copete e o Vladimir falaram que é do estilo dele. Chega forte. A marcação do Santa Fe é agressiva. Costumam deixar a bola chegar no lado e pressionam o lado da bola. Trabalhamos isso com passes rápidos. Vamos tentar usar o gramado molhado do Pacaembu para rodar a bola rapidamente. Eles jogam no contra-ataque. Trouxemos o time para trás para tirar o contra-ataque. deles na Colômbia.

-Vai ser um jogo completamente diferente. Precisamos propor o jogo. Vamos tentar fazer igual contra a Ponte. Amassar eles, empurrar para o campo deles. O torcedor viu um time aguerrido, vibrante. A Ponte não chutou a gol. Isso que queremos. Podendo fazer gols, queremos deixar o jogo mais tranquilo – disse o lateral-direito.

Uma vitória na quinta-feira pode deixar o Santos a quatro pontos do Santa Fe e mais perto da classificação para as oitavas de final.

RelacionadasSantosEm treino fechado, Dorival repete escalação com Matheus na lateralSantos01/05/2017SantosSem Valdivia e lateral, Santos se fecha para o mercado antes do BR-17Santos30/04/2017SantosDorival Júnior abre o jogo ao L! e fala de tática, eleição, questões sociais e desejo de ficar no Santos em 2018Santos29/04/2017

A sample taken from random testing at the inaugural season of the IPL has tested positive, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has confirmed to Cricinfo

Ajay S Shankar13-Jul-2008Drugs in cricketJune 2008: Mohammad Asif is detained by authorities at Dubai Airport on suspicion of possessing drugs. He is released, but the PCB begins its own inquiry.October 2006: Asif and Shoaib Akhtar are withdrawn from Pakistan’s squad a day before the Champions Trophy in India after they test positive for nandrolone in an internal PCB test. Asif and Shoaib were banned, but are let off after appealing.June 2005: Scotland bowler Asim Butt is banned for a year after he tests positive for Ecstasy, a recreational drug.May 2005: Keith Piper, the Warwickshire wicketkeeper, is banned for the remainder of the season after failing a drugs test.October 2004: Graham Wagg, the Warwickshire and England A allrounder, is banned from cricket until January 2006 after being found guilty of cocaine use.February 2003: Shane Warne is sent home from the World Cup in South Africa after it’s revealed that he tested positive for banned diuretics in samples provided to the Australian Sports Drugs Agency in Sydney. Warne is later handed a one-year ban.A sample taken from random testing at the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League has tested positive, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has confirmed to Cricinfo. This is the first step of the verification process, Modi said, and there are several stages before a player is deemed to have failed the test.The tests were carried out by IDTM, a Sweden-based independent agency, in accordance with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards after the IPL adopted the ICC’s anti-doping code. The samples were forwarded to a WADA-approved laboratory in Switzerland for testing. “Two days ago the IPL received a letter from the Swiss lab, mandated by WADA, which said one sample had tested positive,” Modi said. “The IPL will follow set procedures from now on.”The first step, he said, is to match the identity of the player with the sample. Next, the player’s form, filled out before the match, will be scrutinised for any pre-declared or prescribed drug by the IPL medical committee, consisting of an IDTM representative and Dr Anant Joshi; if that matches the drug found in the sample, the matter ends there and the player’s name won’t be revealed.If the medical committee investigation reveals the player had not applied or been granted an exemption for using the drug found in the sample, the player, the concerned IPL franchise and national board will be informed in writing of the positive test that violates the anti-doping code. The player has the right to request that his ‘B’ sample [supplied at the same time as the one that tested positive] be sent for analysis, which he and his representative can attend along with an IPL representative.If that too is positive, the matter will be taken up by the IPL’s drugs tribunal, comprising of Sunil Gavaskar, Dr Ravi Bapat (ex-Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences) and lawyer Shirish Gupte. The tribunal will study the issue and take a decision in accordance with the code. “This is just the procedure,” Modi said, “as of now we are at the first stage where one sample has tested positive. The issue is now with the IPL’s medical committee. The identity of the player will matter only after we check on the pre-declared drugs.”The ICC, in a release, said it had been informed of the “adverse analytical finding” and that it was the responsibility of the ICC member, in this case the BCCI, to deal with the process. The ICC stated it will “be closely monitoring the situation to ensure the correct action is taken by the BCCI”, and “retains a right of appeal if any penalty that may be imposed is inconsistent with the WADA code”.

The last time Graeme Smith toured England with the South African team, in 2003, he had only recently graduated from being a teenage star to the captain of the sid

Ken Borland24-Jun-2008
‘Hopefully I’m a lot more grown up now and we can go a step further’ © Getty Images
The last time Graeme Smith toured England with the South African team, in 2003, he had only recently graduated from being a teenage star to the captain of the side. And despite an amazing start to the series in which he scored double centuries in the first two Tests, England still managed to fight back and secure a 2-2 series draw.This time, Smith is a grizzled veteran of a captain, although still only 27, and is determined to play his cards right and ensure South Africa claim their first series win in England since 1965.”I have wonderful personal memories from that tour, but the team is a lot more settled now,” he said hours before leaving Johannesburg for England. “I put on a very strong outward persona, but there were a lot of nerves inside my stomach. Hopefully I’m a lot more grown up now and we can go a step further.”One potential ace up their sleeve for South Africa will be the presence of Shaun Pollock in England, who will be commentating on TV for the series, having also turned out for Durham in the Twenty20 Cup. Coach Mickey Arthur confirmed that a phone call had already been made to Smith’s predecessor as captain.”We’ve already chatted to Polly and he said he will be free to give us advice. We will bring him in and maybe he can help at a few net sessions,” Arthur said.Smith believes South Africa’s other ace is a bowling attack that will feature last season’s phenomenon, fast bowler Dale Steyn. “I think our attack as a whole has huge potential, the most variety we’ve had and they can adapt to any situation, but I’m not going to put too much pressure on any individuals,” Smith said.The other potential star of the series is also from South Africa – Kevin Pietersen, now heading England’s batting. His spats with Smith in the past have been well-publicised but this time he said there will be no off-the-field hostility from his side.”KP is the key batsman and obviously we will need to control him. But we don’t want to get involved in any personal antics. The best way to silence someone is by the cricket you play.”Smith said it was less clear what other cards England would bring to the table. “I think there are more tactical and selection worries for them,” he added. “They have to decide whether to play an extra batsman or Andrew Flintoff at number six, and I think Michael Vaughan will prefer to have five bowlers, which means they will be a batsman short and that could be a key tactical factor if we can get into their top-order and create some stress for their top four.”Few touring captains have made as dramatic an entry into England as Smith, who scored 277 at Edgbaston in the first Test of the 2003 series before following it with 259 at Lord’s, and he is confident he will have shaken off a hamstring tear by the time this series starts at Lord’s on July 10Smith picked up the injury in the semi-finals of the Indian Premier League, playing for the eventual winners Rajasthan Royals, but he said he had already begun fitness work to ensure he is not too much of a cart-horse in England.”So far, so good, I’ve started running, but there is a lot of hard work ahead. For four weeks I basically did nothing so I need to get some time back in the legs and body. But I’m aiming to be back for the Middlesex match [starting on July 4] and so far I’m on cue.”There is a steely determination about Smith and his team-mates that suggests a top-class contest awaits England.

Luke Edwards has revealed what he has been told about Newcastle United’s transfer business in the summer window.

The Lowdown: No incomings

The St. James’ Park faithful currently remain the only club in the Premier League yet to make a signing this summer (Sky Sports).

They have been linked with moves for a few players recently, including the likes of Hamza Choudhury and Axel Tuanzebe.

The Latest: Edwards on transfers

Writing on his official Twitter page, The Daily Telegraph journalist Edwards has claimed that new players will be coming to the North East, despite progress remaining “slow”:

“Assured new players will definitely be arriving.”

The Verdict: Promising

It is certainly promising to hear that the Tyneside club will be bringing in some new faces before the window shuts.

However, with only a couple of weeks to go until the new 2021/22 Premier League season starts, they really need to get a move on, as every other team in and around them are strengthening.

Steve Bruce’s side will likely explore the possibility of signing Joe Willock from Arsenal again, whether that be on another loan deal or a permanent move, but nothing is a guarantee in the transfer market, and so the Magpies should really be acting now rather than later.

Nonetheless, the Toon Army will be praying Edwards is right about seeing some fresh faces, whether fan favourite Willock is one of them or not.

In other news, find out which ‘outstanding’ top-flight ace NUFC are favourites to sign here!

Aston Villa could get their new Gareth Barry in the form of PSG midfielder Rafinha.

What’s the story?

Having already clinched the signings of Emi Buendia and Ashley Young, Dean Smith’s side have enjoyed a decent start to the transfer window, and appear to have their eye on their next midfield signing.

According to reports in Spain,, PSG are ready to let Rafinha leave this summer in order to raise some funds for their own signings, and Villa could come in for the Brazilian.

Villa’s new Barry

Left-footed, composed on the ball, and aggressive in trying to winning it back, while Rafinha may be thought of as a typical Barcelona academy product who’s invested in a tiki-taka style of play, the Brazilian has a much-more all-round, combative presence that has a lot of similarities to how Barry liked to play.

The former England international spent 11 years in the Aston Villa senior side, playing 433 games for them, before making the switch to Manchester City, where he won the Premier League title.

The City website described him as: “A reliable, composed and tactically astute midfielder with a knack for sniffing out danger, his understated style of play made him one of the unsung heroes of that title-winning side.”

That reliability and composure is exactly what Rafinha would bring to the table at Villa.

Talking about the 27-year-old, former Barca defender Andreu Fontas once said: “Rafinha is a great player. Physically, he is a beast and, technically, he is superb.”

As per Whoscored, the midfielder boasted an impressive 90.9% pass accuracy in Ligue 1 last season (considerably better than any Villa player with more than one start), while he also averaged 2.3 tackles per match as well (only Matty Cash fared better with 2.5).

And, speaking after his performance for PSG last year, now Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, said: “Rafinha showed in this match that he was courageous. He showed that he knows how to take responsibility and he looked for attacking solutions. He had a good match.”

The £13.5m-rated play-maker could bring that same fearlessness and intensity both on and off the ball to Villa Park should Smith land his man this summer.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa are preparing a transfer bid for this player…