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Wolverhampton Wanderers have once again been linked with a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney this summer.

According to a recent report by 90min (via Birmingham Live), Bruno Lage is in the market for adding a striker to his squad ahead of next season, although his side could be priced out of a move for the Englishman.

Toney has settled into the top-flight excellently after catapulting the Bees into the Premier League last term with 33 Championship goals, finding the back of the net 12 times in the current campaign for Thomas Frank’s side, who now look all but safe after their first season in the first division.

Having played in League One, the Championship and now the Premier League over the last three seasons, the 26-year-old’s rise up the English football ladder has been remarkable.

Netting 139 senior goals over the course of his career, Toney has been a kingpin for Frank’s men, despite only joining in September 2020.

The Danish manager has previously labelled the striker as “special” whilst also claiming that he has the “mindset of a lion.”

The former Newcastle youth player has quickly established himself as one of England’s most prolific forwards and is certainly destined for bigger things, with no disrespect to Brentford.

Although the Englishman would see sides that can offer European football as a preference, joining Wolves would certainly be a step up with the West Midlands club enjoying a successful first campaign under the management of Bruno Lage.

The Old Gold currently find themselves eighth in the Premier League, although they are three points behind seventh-placed West Ham with a game in hand.

Securing European football is still very realistic for Lage’s men which, if they are successful in doing so, will make them a much more attractive prospect for potential signings.

Despite their strong campaign, quality in the final third has frequently been lacking for Wolves who have scored just 33 goals in 32 matches – with only Brighton, Burnley, Watford and Norwich have scored fewer.

Therefore, adding a prolific striker will certainly be a priority for the Portuguese manager.

This season has seen the return of forward Raul Jimenez after a horrific skull fracture that could’ve easily forced the Mexican into early retirement.

However, while the 30-year-old is Wolves’ joint-top goalscorer this term, he has been well below the standard previously set prior to his injury, scoring just six goals.

Although there were extra matches with the West Midlands outfit reaching the quarter-final of the Europa League, the 2019/20 campaign saw Jimenez score a whopping 27 goals and assist a further 10 in 55 games.

Moreover, the season prior saw the Mexican find the back of the net on 17 occasions in 44 appearances.

Had Wolves’ defence not been as good as it has been this campaign, the Golden Boys would undoubtedly find themselves well out of contention for a European spot.

Therefore, adding a more consistent goalscorer over the summer is vital as Lage’s men cannot rely on solely shutting teams out regularly to progress. With a good record, plenty of potential and top-flight experience, Toney would be an excellent candidate.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Wolves dealt late injury setback ahead of Burnley, Lage will be gutted

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm, former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie believes Boli Bolingoli should be sold after hearing that he is underperforming at Lennoxtown.

The Lowdown: Bolingoli at Lennoxtown

The 26-year-old was a peripheral figure for the Hoops earlier in the season, making just two starts in the Scottish Premiership overall.

Bolingoli was then loaned out to Russian side FC Ufa in February, effectively confirming that Ange Postecoglou doesn’t see him as a significant part of his squad moving forward, before that spell ended prematurely.

Since then, he has been training alone, as reported earlier this month, in what has become a strange situation for the versatile Belgian.

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The Latest: McAvennie calls for summer sale

Speaking to Football Insider before the Old Firm, McAvennie suggested that there are issues with Bolingoli’s attitude at Lennoxtown and that he should be moved on in the summer:

“He came in at the start of the season and I thought he did quite well to be fair. That being said, if he was performing in training then he would be in and around the squad.

“Clearly, he hasn’t been doing it in training and that’s unacceptable. If that’s the case, I’m happy for him to go. I’m not sure he fits the new mould of inverted wing-back, the thing Ange likes to do.

“Maybe we could get a bit of money for him and then reinvest that.”

The Verdict: Time to move on

There certainly appears to be some sort of issue with Bolingoli – if not, Postecoglou would have brought him back into regular training alongside his teammates, especially with the injury to Josip Juranovic.

It feels beneficial for all parties for him to be moved on at the end of the season, despite being hailed as a ‘real asset’ by SPFL pundit Alan Hutton, unless something drastic changes in the remaining weeks of the campaign.

Bolingoli’s current Celtic deal expires in the summer of 2023, meaning the next transfer window would likely be their last opportunity to receive a decent fee for him, should Postecoglou indeed deem him surplus to requirements.

In other news, a pundit has made a key claim regarding a deal for one Celtic player. Read more here.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly opened ‘negotiations’ to sign Braga defender David Carmo this summer, according to a Portuguese source.

The Lowdown: Carmo profiled

The 22-year-old worked his way up through the academy ranks with the Primeira Liga outfit and went on to make his senior debut in 2020, registering 55 first-team appearances since then.

Despite the centre-back’s current contract with the Archbishops not set to expire until 2025, there have recently been many reports linking Carmo with a move to the English top flight, with Spurs said to be just one of several Premier League clubs interested.

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The Latest: Negotiations underway

Following a fresh update from Portuguese newspaper A Bola (via Sport Witness), it is claimed that the Lilywhites’ pursuit of the player is now very serious, with both Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund ‘moving’ for the £9m-rated ace.

The article added that both clubs have had their boards ‘opening negotiations’ with Braga ahead of a potential deal during the upcoming transfer window.

It has also been reported that the price tag of the 6 foot 5 colossus has been cut in half, with the likelihood being that Carmo would be let go for £20m, even though his release clause is set at €40m.

The Verdict: Rodon replacement?

The talented prospect has been an absolute rock at the heart of the Braga defence this season, especially given his impressive form in the Europa League, in which he has averaged an outstanding 6.2 clearances, 1.8 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per 90 minutes, via WhoScored.

Carmo, who has been hailed a “fantastic” player by his manager Carlos Carvalhal, is naturally a left-sided centre-back and could therefore be viewed as a perfect fit for Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 formation.

With Joe Rodon likely to leave N17 this summer, the Aveiro native could be an ideal replacement for the Welshman ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, hopefully providing some serious competition for the likes of Cristian Romero and Eric Dier.

In other news… one ‘excellent’ Spurs star has hinted at a possible exit at the end of the season

Manchester City have not been shy when it comes to spending significant sums of money on bringing new players to the club over the years.

However, one figure currently in Pep Guardiola’s squad who has become a big player for the club but didn’t cost them a penny in transfer fees is Phil Foden.

As a product of City’s youth system, the Englishman has racked up 208 appearances for the club in all competitions across their senior and youth sides.

In that time, the 21-year-old has scored 65 goals and delivered 46 assists along the way, showing what a dangerous attacking talent he is.

Now that the next summer transfer window is on the horizon, this will give Guardiola and the Etihad Stadium hierarchy the chance to get their chequebooks out once again and make whatever changes to the squad that they see fit.

In terms of players with whom the Citizens have been linked in recent weeks, one name which sticks out who could be brought in to form a deadly duo with Foden is Mason Mount.

According to a report from The Sun last week, Chelsea are concerned that their midfield star could be lured away to the Manchester club as a result of their current ownership issues.

Should the Citizens launch a move to bring the England international to the north west, Guardiola could then have the opportunity to create a formidable attacking pairing in his team for the future.

To compare the two players from their current individual Premier League campaigns, Mount has made 30 appearances compared to Foden’s 25. In those outings, the Chelsea star has racked up more goals (10 v 8) and assists (9 v 5) than his England teammate.

Even from a defensive point of view, the 22-year-old has overshadowed the City starlet by having a combined total of 53 tackles and interceptions compared to Foden’s 32.

Praised by Joe Cole for his “unbelievable” actions on the pitch, Mount has also been described as “one of the most important players in the country” by the former Chelsea and West Ham star.

Despite having previously been valued at £70m, the Stamford Bridge sensation should definitely be in City’s thinking if a summer move for him becomes a possibility, as the prospect of him playing alongside Foden at club level would be a mouth-watering one.

In other news: Huge behind-the-scenes claim emerges, it’s great news for Man City supporters

Former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has backed West Ham midfielder Declan Rice to remain at the club from next season and beyond.

The Lowdown: Fighting off interest

Although his contract at the London Stadium is not set to expire until 2025, the 23-year-old has been the subject of huge speculation in recent weeks after being linked with a move away from the Irons, with the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea all said to be interested in his services.

However, it was claimed by The Daily Mail just last week that the east Londoners are confident that Rice will stay with them and become the new permanent club captain, and Kenny has insisted that the England maestro will commit his future to the Hammers.

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The Latest: Rice backed to stay at West Ham

When asked about the news that the 29-cap international is likely to remain at West Ham, former Ireland goalkeeper Kenny told Football Insider:

“That’s brilliant news for West Ham. We all know how good Rice is and I think West Ham lose quite a lot when he isn’t there.

“The simple fact is, I don’t think anyone will bid what West Ham will demand for him. The club has also proved it can take Rice into Europe and compete for cups.

“So why would he leave? Can I see Man City or Man United coming in him? Probably not.

“If they make him captain then that is a huge honour and I’m not sure he turns it down to go somewhere else if that is offered.

“He owes West Ham, they have given him a career. So I think he will stay and repay that.”

The Verdict: Rice could stay for another while yet

Rice has been a great servant at the club, having first joined from Chelsea’s academy at the age of just 14. He has since gone on to make 193 senior appearances in a claret and blue shirt, scoring ten goals and providing nine assists in all competitions during that time, as per Transfermarkt.

Such form has also seen him become a regular in Gareth Southgate’s England starting XI and he has enjoyed plenty of prominence on the world stage, having reached the Euro 2020 final with the Three Lions last summer. Therefore, you can see why Kenny feels that the 23-year-old owes a lot to his club.

It has been known that Mark Noble will hang up his boots and retire at the end of the season, so it wouldn’t come as a shock to see the £67.5m-rated Rice take over captaincy duties for the long-term and continue to provide inspiration from West Ham’s midfield for another few years yet.

In other news… one West Ham star has been praised for his outstanding performance against Norwich City

Manchester United could be set to move a step closer to signing Argentinian forward Paulo Dybala as the club looks to build for next season.

What’s the word?

The Juventus forward announced that he was officially leaving Juventus via his Instagram account with a heartfelt message which confirmed his exit from the club: “I thought we would be together even more years, but fate puts us on different paths,” wrote Dybala on his post.

This will put Man United on red alert with a move for the player who they have been linked with perennially in the past.

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Although they face a battle for his signature, with Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur also keen on adding the 28-year-old to their squads.

Their answer to Haaland

A move to the Premier League could suit Dybala, especially to Man United where he would once again team up with Cristiano Ronaldo.

The pair were teammates at Juventus for three seasons and know each other well, the obvious chemistry between them could only be an advantage for Erik ten Hag.

With Ronaldo being the only United forward to score more than ten goals this season (24) adding to his attacking options is an urgent requirement for the new manager.

Dybala, who earns £222k-per-week at Juventus, has netted 15 times in all competitions this season, adding in a further six assists too.

With nearly 40 goals between them, Ronaldo and Dybala could yet again form a dream duo that could lead the Red Devils to glory next season. The Argentinian’s versatility is a key attribute as he could fit in the team around the 37-year-old.

Former teammate Dejan Kulusevski lavished “magical” praise on him when he joined the club and he also been hailed as “like Maradona” by France legend Michel Platini.

His performances for the Serie A side prove that United could land not just a fantastic player but given his wonderful qualities, their answer to Erling Haaland too, who is set to join the club’s rivals, Manchester City, this summer.

On a free transfer, there might not be a better deal out there this summer, and that includes the aforementioned Haaland.

AND in other news, Deal close: Man Utd nearing the signing of £63m-rated “genius”, he’s better than Pogba…

It is unclear whether Siraj was hit and India haven’t made any official complaint

Sidharth Monga25-Aug-2021India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj had a ball thrown at him from the crowd, according to Rishabh Pant, which left the India captain Virat Kohli annoyed. It is not clear what kind of ball it was or if it was deliberately aimed to hit Siraj. India haven’t made any official complaint about it, though.In the press conference following the first day’s play, Pant was asked why Kohli looked upset at what the crowd was saying. “I think, somebody threw a ball inside, at Siraj, so he [Kohli] was upset,” Pant said. “You can say whatever you want to chant, but don’t throw things at the fielders and all those things. It is not good for cricket, I guess.”Earlier in the year, Siraj had complained of racial abuse at the SCG, which resulted in the eviction of the alleged abusers.During the Lord’s Test, KL Rahul was seen throwing back a champagne cork that had made its way onto the ground and possibly hit him. Although India didn’t press a complaint, champagne corks have been a safety hazard at Lord’s, which allows patrons to bring their own alcohol in.In fact, in 2016, the MCC admitted that concerns around flying corks being safety hazards had been “formally raised” by visiting players. A newsletter that year asked the spectators to refrain from aiming the corks towards the field of play in order for the ground to allow the patrons to bring their own alcohol.”In recent times the practice of some members and other spectators opening bottles of champagne in such a way as to allow corks to be projected on to the outfield has been criticised,” the letter read.”Any items which are aimed at the playing area may cause a potential hazard to fieldsmen, and this point has been made formally to the club. Lord’s is now the only ground into which members and ticket holders are allowed to bring alcohol, and in order for this arrangement to continue it is important that all members, their guests and other spectators refrain from the practice that has been described.”

Shamsi believes the current side is on par with the great South African sides of the past

Firdose Moonda12-Sep-2021The decline of South Africa’s men’s team is not quite as bad as many may think, according to first-choice white-ball spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. Speaking after South Africa reeled off a third successive T20I series win, Shamsi pleaded for patience and understanding as the national side seeks to win the country’s hearts and minds following a two-year period of inconsistent form and off-field drama.While South Africa have not played any Tests in the next World Test Championship cycle, are in a precarious position on the World Cup Super League and are not considered among the favourites for the T20 World Cup, they are rebuilding as a unit and Shamsi believes they will only get better with time.”We’re on a run of consecutive series so I don’t think this team is rubbish. I think we are quite good,” Shamsi said. “People speak about the great teams of the past. This team is on par with them.We might not have as many household names because we haven’t played that much international cricket. It doesn’t mean the players are not that good, just because they are not well known.”In this series, Bjorn Fortuin is one of the players who has had, and taken, an opportunity to come to the fore but the spotlight has been on fairly popular names, albeit maybe not in the shortest format. Keshav Maharaj, who was seen to be more of a red-ball specialist, has stepped up in shorter formats and has even led the team in Temba Bavuma’s injury-enforced absence. And Aiden Markram, whose name is attached to the Test side and struggles against spin in equal parts, has debunked both those myths and showed off personal improvement and a versatility of skill that could see him regarded as a genuine allrounder in white-ball cricket.Markram bowled a full quota of four overs for the first time in Sunday’s win – and bagged a career-best 3 for 21 – to add to South Africa’s spin options, which look more plentiful than ever before. “We are bowling so many overs of spin because we have that many quality spinners. That’s been very nice,” Shamsi said. “Maybe in the past, when we got to spinning wickets, we had a reluctance in picking spinners so that’s been a refreshing change. We are picking teams according to the conditions and we have the players to back it up. We have three quality spinners in the side, plus Aiden, and it means the captain can utilise me in different ways.”Rather than operate solely as an attacking spinner, Shamsi now sees himself as someone who can also hold an end. “I’ve realised my role is quite floaty. In the past I would be disappointed if I didn’t pick up wickets. I’ve realised I don’t always have to take wickets to influence the team. If people are playing me cautiously, I have the ability to bowl a cheaper spell,” he said.But there are few things that get him going quite as much as the feeling of adding to his wicket-tally, especially as he remains the leading T20I wicket-taker in 2021. He also took three in the match that clinched that series and enjoyed Dasun Shanaka’s the most, largely because the Sri Lankan attack had smoked him for six the ball before the dismissal.”The emotions that go through your mind when someone smokes you like that… I don’t think I can use the words going on in my head. But to be able to get the person out after that, that gives you a lot of satisfaction,” Shamsi said. “The biggest change that came in my game is when I realised getting hit for six is part and parcel of my job. There’s no embarrassment. If a guy hits me for a six, he hits me for a six, but I am coming back for him.”South Africa play one more match in Sri Lanka before a break as some players head to the IPL and others back home for a new domestic T20 knockout competition. They will regroup in October ahead of the T20 World Cup and even though few expect them to break their trophy drought, Shamsi said they are doing everything to represent the country as best as they can. “It’s South Africa’s team, it’s the people’s team. We are not playing for ourselves. I don’t have my picture here on (the protea) badge,” he said. “It’s our country and all of us are trying to make people proud. We are going to make mistakes but we are freaking sweating here in the sun to try and get results.”

ECB cites player and staff wellbeing and ‘increasing concerns about travelling to the region’

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Sep-2021England’s scheduled tour of Pakistan for two T20Is in mid-October has been cancelled, the ECB have announced.England’s men and women were due to play T20I double-headers in Rawalpindi on October 13 and 14, with the women’s team staying on for a subsequent three-match ODI series.But following New Zealand’s last-minute withdrawal from their tour of the country due to a security threat, the fixtures have been scrapped. The ECB use the same security consultants, ESI Security, as NZC and despite Wasim Khan, the PCB’s chief executive, insisting on Sunday that he expected the fixtures to go ahead as scheduled, they were immediately in doubt after New Zealand flew home.Related

• Why PSL 2022 is a reminder of the ECB's flimsy pullout from Pakistan tour

• Tom Harrison flies to Pakistan in bid to repair relations between ECB and PCB

• West Indies Women to tour Pakistan for three ODIs ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

• England players' body did not play a part in Pakistan tour abandonment

• England's withdrawal is a slap to Pakistan's face

The ECB released a statement on Monday afternoon confirming that its board had “reluctantly decided to withdraw both teams from the October trip”, citing “increasing concerns about travelling to the region” and the prospect of adding “further pressure to a playing group who have already coped with a long period of operating in restricted Covid environments”. Notably, the statement did not specifically mention security concerns.”The ECB has a longstanding commitment to tour Pakistan as part of the Men’s Future Tours Programme in 2022,” the statement said. “Earlier this year, we agreed to play two additional T20 World Cup warm-up games in Pakistan in October, adding a short women’s tour with double headers alongside the men’s games.”The ECB Board convened this weekend to discuss these extra England Women’s and Men’s games in Pakistan and we can confirm that the Board has reluctantly decided to withdraw both teams from the October trip.”The mental and physical well-being of our players and support staff remains our highest priority and this is even more critical given the times we are currently living in. We know there are increasing concerns about travelling to the region and believe that going ahead will add further pressure to a playing group who have already coped with a long period of operating in restricted Covid environments.”There is the added complexity for our Men’s T20 squad. We believe that touring under these conditions will not be ideal preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where performing well remains a top priority for 2021.”We understand that this decision will be a significant disappointment to the PCB, who have worked tirelessly to host the return of international cricket in their country. Their support of English and Welsh cricket over the last two summers has been a huge demonstration of friendship. We are sincerely sorry for the impact this will have on cricket in Pakistan and emphasise an ongoing commitment to our main touring plans there for 2022.”Ramiz Raja, the newly-appointed PCB chair, accused the ECB of “failing a member of their cricket fraternity when it needed it most”.