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Leeds Live’s Joe Donnohue has dropped a new transfer update on Leeds United’s pursuit of Wolves star Adama Traore.

What’s the story?

It was first suggested back in the closing months of 2020 that Marcelo Bielsa’s side were keen on luring the winger away from Molineux, but a deal failed to materialise by the end of the January transfer window deadline.

In recent weeks, 90min revealed that the Whites are considering making another attempt to sign the 25-year-old this time around, with Wolves now ready to listen to offers for the pacey winger.

But now, speaking on Leeds Live’s Facebook Page (via This is Futbol), Donnohue said: “What I will say is that it’s probably not a move which is very prudent in the eyes of Victor Orta or Marcelo Bielsa. He’s high energy, but in bursts – not over a 90-minute stint.

“I think we saw that at Wolves, Nuno (Espirito Santo) didn’t play him all the time, especially over the last year. I think that’s one that we can shelve; I think we can file that one in the extremely, extremely unlikely category.”

Fans will be gutted

With Donnohue now pouring cold water over a potential move for the Wolves flier, fans may be gutted at seeing their club’s plans to land Traore for the second successive transfer window fail to come to fruition.

Indeed, former Leeds man David Norris threw his backing behind a potential move for the Spaniard, telling FFC: “He (Bielsa) likes them attacking, exciting players that can create.

“They still must work hard, but the way he’s been in the last couple of seasons, and how much of a danger he is and how much he an create, I think that would be a great signing. Leeds are looking for top players and I think he’s a top player.”

A new dynamic winger to compete with the likes of Raphinha and Jack Harrison, and someone who’s proven in the Premier League given the time he’s spent here in English football, would have given Leeds another really exciting attacking option.

With his incredible pace and directness – he averaged the most dribbles per game out of anyone in the top-flight last season – Traore could have brought a game-changing dimension to the Whites, while he’s exactly the kind of player who gets people off their seats, much like a Raphinha.

Leeds fans may be very disappointed at seeing Traore stay put at Wolves.

Meanwhile, Radrizzani is now willing to sanction this Leeds swoop…

The expected withdrawal of Andrew Symonds for next month’s tour of India has the allrounder Shane Watson thinking about his greatest challenge

Cricinfo staff08-Sep-2008
Shane Watson’s skills make him the most convenient replacement if Andrew Symonds is ruled out © AFP
The expected withdrawal of Andrew Symonds for next month’s tour of India has the allrounder Shane Watson thinking about what would be his greatest challenge. Symonds, who was sent home from the one-day series against Bangladesh for going fishing, is waiting to start formal counselling sessions as part of his Cricket Australia rehabilitation and it is highly unlikely he will be picked in the Test squad towards the end of this week.Watson has won support from James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s chief executive, who admitted Symonds could be lost to the game. “I don’t think that’s impossible,” Sutherland said on ABC radio when asked if Symonds might never play for Australia again.”I think the message the Australian players have sent is that we want Andrew Symonds in our team, but we want Andrew Symonds absolutely committed and wanting to be there. They’re really asking him that question. If he can’t answer that question, it may well be that he’s lost to the team.”Sutherland said being without Symonds would be a “great loss”, but there were other young talents who could fill his place. “People like Shane Watson may well get the opportunity they’ve yearned for for so long in his absence,” he said.Watson is the most convenient contender for the No. 6 spot and his all-round skills would give Australia options, including playing another spinner. However, Simon Katich and David Hussey, the batsmen who are part-time bowlers, may also come into contention, especially if fitness concerns remain over Matthew Hayden (heel) and Ricky Ponting (wrist).”There is absolutely no doubt that, if I get the call-up, this would be the biggest challenge I could face as a cricketer,” Watson told the Sydney Morning Herald. “We’ve only won once there in 30-odd years as it is, and there are obviously other considerations as well this time around. I would love to go, but I am not going to spend too much time worrying about selection, like I used to. If it happens, it happens.”Watson said the team was “wishing the best” for Symonds, “but if there is an opportunity there, hopefully I can take it with both hands”. “The leadership group have made a difficult decision [to send Symonds home from Darwin], but the message they were trying to convey was that they needed everyone at 100% to set a good example to the young guys.”After missing the first game in Darwin with a leg problem, Watson picked up 29 and 27 as an opener as well as 2 for 8 in the final encounter. The last of his three Tests came against West Indies in 2005-06, when he partially dislocated his shoulder and was replaced by Symonds.

Paul Stewart thinks Jarrod Bowen should stay at West Ham and reject a move to Liverpool this summer.

Bowen has been excellent for the Hammers since making the move from Hull City 18 months ago – scoring an impressive nine goals in just 51 appearances, whilst also adding nine assists in that period.

He featured in all West Ham’s Premier League matches last season, with his outstanding form catching the attention of Liverpool, who’re looking to freshen up their front-three and are therefore targeting a move for the winger, according to The Athletic.

Bowen proved an important part for David Moyes’ team, who finished sixth and qualified for the Europa League group stages for the first time ever.

However, Liverpool will be playing in Europe’s elite competition once again after their own fine end to the season saw them finish above both Chelsea and Leicester in third.

But Stewart exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that Bowen would be nothing more than a squad and should therefore remain at the London Stadium:

“I’m not sure whether Jarrod should stay for another season at West Ham.

“Moyes did a great job there and will develop him, and who knows, he might become a world-beater, but at this time, I think he would be playing second fiddle to players in front of him, which sometimes can damage a player’s career.”

Danny Ings to Aston Villa came as a bit of a shock to everyone after coming out of nowhere, but Express and Star journalist Luke Hatfield believes that the striker would have been on Villa’s target list this summer.

Ings joined Villa for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract at Villa Park. The 29-year-old scored 13 goals for Southampton last season which took his tally to 46 goals in 100 matches for the Saints.

The striker has joined Leon Bailey, Emi Buendia, Ashley Young and Axel Tuanzebe at Villa Park this summer, with Hatfield reckoning that Ings was on Villa’s radar despite the move coming as a bit of a shock, as he was linked elsewhere throughout the summer.

“Danny Ings will have been on their target list I think, when you look back at the list of targets they probably had, particularly someone up front, him and Tammy Abraham probably would have been up there,” he told Football Fancast.

Ings has a decent goalscoring record throughout his career as he has scored 106 goals, and Villa will be hoping that he has a great season in front of goal this season and helps Villa improve on last season’s 11th-placed Premier League finish.

Dale Steyn, the South African fast bowler, is available for the rest of the international season after having been passed fit from a mysterious virus

Cricinfo staff25-Oct-2008
Dale Steyn will target the home series against Bangladesh next month for his return © Getty Images
Dale Steyn, the South African fast bowler, is available for the rest of the international season after having been passed fit from a mysterious virus. However, Steyn may still miss the upcoming two home ODIs against Kenya and will, in all likelihood, return for the home series against Bangladesh starting November 5.”Dale is 100% fine and he has been given a clean bill of health by the doctors,” Michael Owen-Smith, South Africa’s media officer, told . “He may be left out for the Kenya games but that is a call to be made by Mickey Arthur and the selectors.”Steyn complained of severe headaches and underwent various tests in a Cape Town hospital. Doctors were unable to determine the cause but it is believed that Steyn developed the virus after suffering from sinusitis.Though he has recovered from the illness, he’s not yet match fit. “He is miles behind in bowling and fitness work but he will report to the training camp in Kimberley on Monday,” Owen-Smith said.He hinted that Monde Zondeki, the fast bowler, could take Steyn’s place for the Kenya series. “The selectors want to give Monde Zondeki a chance so the games against Kenya may be the perfect opportunity,” said Owen-Smith.Bloemfontein and Kimberley will host the two one-dayers on October 31 and November 2.

Another twist has emerged in the Harry Kane saga this week…

What’s the word?

The Tottenham striker may have returned to Hotspur Way ahead of the new Premier League season earlier this week but he is still subject to interest from defending champions Manchester City, who have already seen a £100m bid rejected this transfer window.

It appears that Pep Guardiola’s side are not ready to give up just yet, however. According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Citizens are preparing to launch a second bid which is a lot closer to chairman Daniel Levy’s reported valuation of the England international.

He tweeted:

“Manchester City are preparing their new bid for Harry Kane around €150m and would also include add-ons if necessary to convince Spurs.

“Tottenham still hope to keep Kane but Man City are not giving up – bid will be ready.

“Exclusive story earlier today, confirmed.”

Another twist in the tale

With a little over two weeks to go before deadline day, this latest development merely presents a fresh twist in the tale, as earlier this week the ever-reliable Alasdair Gold at football.london revealed that some sources hinted that Kane could make an “incredible” U-turn to stay at the club.

That would even see him sign a new deal, despite currently being under contract until 2024 as their top earner on a reported £200k-per-week.

It now seems that City are prepared to double their summer spending, having brought in Jack Grealish for a record-breaking £100m earlier this month.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-team-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours, gossip and much more!”]

What makes this even more interesting is the fact that these two teams go head-to-head on Sunday to kickstart their 2021/22 campaigns – whether Kane will be involved remains to be seen but it would not be a surprise to see some sort of resolution after full-time.

Romano’s claim is also likely to leave many around North London absolutely livid. In a survey conducted by football.london recently, 83% of Spurs fans questioned believed the England international had tarnished his reputation as a Tottenham Hotspur legend.

Furthermore, 54% of those polled were either unsure or certain that Kane would no longer be a fan favourite at the club, which is rather damning considering that the talisman has been a regularly prolific source of goals for many, many seasons.

As relayed by This is Futbol, some of the Lilywhites faithful have described the 28-year-old’s desire to leave as “disrespectful,” “unprofessional,” and “incredibly disappointing.”

This saga is set to go right down to the wire, and with the new season getting underway, it won’t leave many in N17 happy, particularly the fans who will undoubtedly be left even more fuming by this update.

AND in other news, Paratici could finally replace Eriksen by sealing Spurs swoop for £27m-rated “machine”…

Barbados, Leeward Islands and hosts Guyana managed wins in the opening round of matches in the WICB Cup

Cricinfo staff14-Nov-2008A century from Austin Richards set up an emphatic 184-run victory for Leeward Islands over Canada at the Everest Cricket Club Ground in Guyana. Leewards were put in by Canada and Richards joined with his captain Runako Morton in a 174-run second-wicket partnership before combing with Omari Banks later on. Banks finished unbeaten on 75 and hit eight fours and three sixes, while Richards was bowled by Karun Jethi for a whirlwind 141 from 113 balls, comprising 14 fours and five sixes. Canada never looked in control during the chase and apart from Qaiser Ali (52) and captain Sunil Dhaniram (44) there were no other innings of note. Canada were restricted to 183 for 7 off 50 overs – falling one run short of denying the Leewards an extra bonus point.Ryan Hinds’ all-round show helped Barbados beat defending champions Jamaica by 21 runs at the Bourda. Dwayne Smith top scored with 64 from 47 balls and together with Hinds (56) took Barbados to 249 in the 50 overs. Pedro Collins and Hinds then picked up three wickets apiece to hand Barbados four points. Barbados captain Jason Haynes, electing to bat, put on 70 runs with Hinds for the first wicket before Lorenzo Ingram dismissed him for 30. Hinds struck seven fours and one six in his 88-ball innings, but it was Smith’s lusty hitting, which included five fours and three sixes, that took Barbados near 250 after they were wobbling at 189 for 5. Jamaica suffered an early blow during the reply, when Brenton Parchment was adjudged lbw to Collins for a duck in the third over, but Horace Miller and David Bernard put on 66 for the second wicket to put them back on track. But Hinds removed them both and Danza Hyatt was run out soon after. Captain Tamar Lambert looked to resurrect the innings but the steady fall of wickets meant an uphill struggle as Jamaica were bowled out for 228.A superb century from Romel Currency was not enough to hand Combined Campuses and Colleges a win over Guyana at the Providence Stadium, as the hosts won by four wickets. After his captain chose to bat, Currency put on 55 with Ramnarine Chattergoon for the opening wicket. But Combined Campuses and Colleges were soon reduced to 58 for 3 as captain Simon Jackson and Floyd Reifer fell in quick succession. But Currency’s 133-run fourth-wicket stand with Kurt Wilkinson, who contributed a solid 76 from 98 balls, took the score to 250. Currency hit six fours and a six as he finished on 102. The early fall of Rajindra Chandrika’s wicket during the chase did not deter Chris Barnwell and Narsingh Deonarine as they put on 112 runs for the second wicket. Deonarine made full use of the friendly batting pitch to hit an attractive 67, bringing up his fifty off 46 balls. Barnwell provided able support with 51. But even after he was caught by Chattergoon off Kavesh Kantasingh, Assad Fudadin stroked an unbeaten 57 to seal the win for Guyana with nine deliveries to spare.

South Africa repelled a spirited Bangladesh performance, this time in the field, as their depth finally won the day at Centurion Park with Ashwell Prince and Mark Boucher hitting centuries in a record-breaking sixth-wicket stand

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan27-Nov-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out
Shakib Al Hasan took out three prized wickets in the middle order, but South Africa fought back © AFP
South Africa repelled a spirited Bangladesh performance in the field, their depth winning the day at Centurion Park with Ashwell Prince and Mark Boucher hitting centuries in a record-breaking sixth-wicket stand. The pair broke a 39-year-old mark for South Africa after the middle order suffered a wobble against Shakib Al Hasan, and the recovery was so impressive that the home side ended the day with a comfortable 107-run lead.Their position didn’t look so rosy at 134 for 5 mid-way through the afternoon, but they added 165 during the final session as Bangladesh tired. Prince is one of the unheralded members of South Africa’s line-up, but this isn’t the first time he has bailed the team out of a sticky situation. With the pitch already turning appreciably on just the second day, and the home side batting last, it was important they didn’t hand Bangladesh a lead and built as large an advantage as possible for themselves.With the middle order threatening to stall against Shakib, Prince wasn’t afraid to attack and used his feet to good effect. He had to be on his guard against the spin from the footmarks, but his main discomfort came from a stiff neck shortly after tea. He moved along at a good clip, rarely becoming bogged down, except when he was stalled on 98 for 17 balls. The tension grew with a few nervous pokes against the second new-ball, but relief came when he pulled a short ball through midwicket to reach three figures for the tenth time.Bangladesh’s cause wasn’t helped by Shakib’s absence during the final session and the visitors began to wilt in the field. Mohammad Ashraful tried to hurry along to the second new ball, but all that did was further release the pressure as Boucher produced a typically bustling innings. He is another who has rescued his team on more than his fair share of occasions.When he pulled a short ball from Mashrafe Mortaza through square-leg and took the stand to 201, it went past the previous record of 200 held by Graeme Pollock and Tiger Lance against Australia in Durban at 1969-70. In the final over of the day he cut a wide ball from Shahadat Hossain through point to bring up his fifth Test hundred and the first for five years.Until Prince and Boucher began to dominate it had been tough going for South Africa. Jacques Kallis laboured especially hard for his 24 before becoming Shakib’s first wicket when the ball deflected from pad onto off stump. Hashim Amla produced another fluent display, but his 71 was ended with a thin bat-pad catch to silly point and two balls later AB de Villiers had a hot-headed charge. The ball spun sharply past the edge with Mushfiqur Rahim completing a smooth stumping. For de Villiers it gave him a world record, having waiting 79 innings to collect his first zero in Tests.Whereas spin was the dominate weapon for Bangladesh after lunch, the early skirmishes for South Africa’s top order had been against the swinging ball. The batsmen always had to be wary and Graeme Smith was trapped by a delivery from Mahbubul Alam that pitched in line and straightened. Smith wasn’t happy with the decision – the height was an issue – but it was no means a shocker from the umpire.However, the most intriguing battle was between Bangladesh’s seamers and Kallis, who was left prodding and poking at the swinging ball. There were signs in the one-dayers that Kallis had regained some touch after a poor tour of England, but here he looked woefully short of form. Mahbubul thought he had him caught behind on 2 when a perfect outswinger zipped past the edge, but although Kallis survived he was never comfortable. He is usually a good judge of what to play, but more than once he was left probing at deliveries and was unsure of where his off stump was.There were signs, too, that the pitch was starting to break up when Mortaza bowled an off-spinning slower ball that gripped and went between Kallis’ bat and pad. It was a warning of the problems Shakib would cause and he found turn in his first over of the day. Amla collected his half-century from 110 balls, continuing his impressive form this season, but he was made to work for his runs. South Africa haven’t been stretched too much in the last few weeks, but Bangladesh’s improved performance has kept them on their toes which is no bad thing when Australia are your next opponents.

A number of Sheffield United supporters have laid into Rhian Brewster following the Blades’ disappointing 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

The Blades were looking to get their Championship season up and running after a poor start to the campaign, but it hasn’t panned out that way.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s side faced a Yorkshire derby at home to Huddersfield Town on Saturday, but it was the visitors who claimed the bragging rights at Bramall Lane. United seemed to have earned a point with a last-gasp Billy Sharp equaliser, only for the Terriers to go straight up the other end and nick a dramatic win.

Brewster led the line for the Blades as he looks to kick on in his career, but he was disappointing, failing to have a big enough impact on proceedings. The 21-year-old had just 14 touches in the game and completed a mere four passes. He also won just one of his seven duels and failed to complete a single dribble (Sofascore).

Brewster, who cost the Blades a club record £23.5m, has scored just once in 33 appearances for United and there are no signs of his current woes in front of goal going away.

Sheffield United fans unhappy with Brewster

These Blades fans took to Twitter to vent their disgruntlement about Brewster’s performance yesterday, with one supporter making an unflattering comparison with the club’s former enigma Diego De Girolamo.

“From a contextual perspective, Rhian Brewster is the worst signing United have ever made”

Credit: @ThugWorkout93

“We’d be lucky to scrape £6million for Brewster. Liverpool had our pants down”

Credit: @ShorehamBoy89

“Brewster looking like the next De Girolamo to me. Bring in Jebbison”

Credit: @jonnyksparks

“If Brewster didn’t cost £24m, he’d be joining Rotherham on loan this window. Let’s be honest, what’s his motivation now, even just at 20? I think it’s a case of too much too soon! He’s got a UCL winners medal! Must be on huge wages, LFC on CV will always mean £££/transfers”

Credit: @JuddThomas6

“Bash was good but poor for the winning goal. Fleck was much better than of late. Brewster didn’t do enough for my liking.”

Credit: @johnlcritchley

“From what I’ve seen Jebbison is better than both Brewster and Burke, he should be given a chance”

Credit: @SBatts79

The ECB has proposed changes to the domestic structure of the women’s game for 2009

Cricinfo staff10-Dec-2008The ECB has proposed changes, effective next season, to the women’s domestic game. The Twenty20 Cup will be introduced next season – England host both the men’s and women’s World Twenty20 next year – and Ireland will take part in the County Championship, the women’s 50-over tournament.The County Championship will be longer, with the top 24 teams playing ten games – five each home and away – from May to September. “We have a structure for 2009 that will provide a longer county season and a tougher playing environment for our cricketers,” Clare Connor, the head of women’s cricket, said on the ECB website.One of her priorities this year, she said, was to appraise the competitiveness of the County Championship. The consultation process included county players, county managers, regional and national selectors as well as the England women’s head coach.Connor was enthusiastic about the women’s Twenty20 Cup, and the possibilities offered by the ICC World Twenty20 next year.”Our England players are desperate to play on finals day at Lord’s on June 21 and the more competitive opportunities they are given to learn the art of Twenty20, the better our prospects on the international stage will be.”Ireland are in Division Five of the Championship, while Scotland will once again compete in Division Three besides fielding a team for the Under-17 competition.Division One: Sussex, Kent, Nottinghamshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Somerset
Division Two: Lancashire, Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Middlesex, Cheshire, Essex
Division Three: Derbyshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Scotland, Devon, Hampshire
Division Four: Northamptonshire, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Cornwall, Wales, Durham
Division Five North & East: Leicestershire, Northumberland, Cumbria, Suffolk, Ireland
Division Five South & West: Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Dorset, Shropshire, Oxfordshire