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Nottingham Forest are still seemingly on the hunt for a left-wing-back…

What’s the word?

According to the Evening Standard, Atalanta are ready to rival the Reds for Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri.

The Italy international seems set to leave Stamford Bridge after the recent arrival of fellow full-back Marc Cucurella.

Both Forest and Atalanta have made initial contacts for the 28-year-old who impressed on loan at Lyon last season.

 He’s better than Moreno

Despite having secured a deal for Harry Toffolo earlier in the window, Steve Cooper still seems intent on adding more depth to a left-wing-back position where central midfielder Jack Colback deputised so well last season.

Links to Alex Moreno have persisted all summer, however, they were finally put to bed after the Spaniard rejected personal terms and decided to stay at Real Betis.

Fortunately for Forest, they have now set their sights on a player who can far outperform him in the Premier League due to his experience, age and ability.

Emerson spent last season out on loan for Lyon, featuring 29 times in a season the French side would rather forget.

Whilst offering a modest three goal contributions, it is his defensive attributes that truly make him shine, and also make him a better option to the forward-thinking Moreno.

He ranked in the top 4% for pressures, and the top 5% for tackles per 90, outlining him as one of the best defensive full-backs in the league.

Compared to the 15.26 pressures, 2.80 tackles and 2.08 interceptions of the 29-year-old, it is clear that Cooper would benefit much more from the “unbelievable” full-back, especially considering Toffolo could surely bear the offensive responsibility given his 14 goal contributions last season.

The £44k-per-week stalwart also boasts a slightly higher average SofaScore rating of 6.91, suggesting that despite the goals and assists Moreno can contribute, Emerson’s overall play offers more to his side.

Whilst the Real Betis man may be the flashier option, it is clear that the Italy international has dependability that could be integral in Forest’s chances of staying in the division.

One year younger and just entering his prime years, the Euro 2020 winner would surely be a better option now that a move for Moreno is out of the picture.

Dharmesh Sheth has dropped an update on the future of reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Alessandro Bastoni.

What’s the talk?

In a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT, the Sky Sports reporter revealed that, despite Fabio Paratici sealing the signing of Barcelona centre-back Clement Lenglet on a season-long loan this summer, Spurs sporting director will also be keeping a very close eye on the situation of the Inter Milan defender over the course of 2022/23.

Sheth goes on to state that, with Tottenham being linked with a €60m (£51m) move for the 23-year-old earlier this summer, Paratici and his team will continue to monitor the Italy international’s contract situation at the San Siro ahead of potentially launching another move for the centre-back in the summer of 2023.

Regarding Tottenham’s interest in Bastoni, the Sky Sports reporter said: “Because Lenglet is a loan signing, maybe Tottenham have got a longer-term target in mind to go for next summer.

“Earlier on in the window, they were very, very interested in the Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, but Inter simply would not sell him. They consider him as one of their crown jewels, I think.

“But he’s only got two years left on his contract, so I think Tottenham will be keeping an eye on that next summer and, if he doesn’t sign a new deal, they will see if there’s a potential deal to be done.”

Supporters will be buzzing

Considering just how talented a centre-back Bastoni undoubtedly is, Sheth’s claim that Tottenham could reignite their interest in the 23-year-old next summer is sure to have left Spurs supporters buzzing.

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Indeed, over his 31 Serie A appearances last season, the £59m-rated defender was in imperious form for Simone Inzaghi’s side, helping Inter keep eight clean sheets, as well as making an average of making 1.1 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, 1.8 clearances and winning 4.1 duels – at a success rate of 60% – per game.

The £122k-per-week talent also impressed in an attacking capacity, scoring one goal, registering three assists and creating four big chances for his teammates, in addition to completing an average of 50.5 passes, 4.0 long balls, 0.4 dribbles and 0.5 key passes per fixture.

These returns saw the 15-cap international who Statman Dave dubbed a “special CB talent” average a simply sensational SofaScore match rating of 7.10, ranking him as the Nerazzurri’s second-best defender and their eighth-best player overall in the league last time out.

As such, it is clear to see just how exciting an addition Bastoni would make to Antonio Conte’s options in his three-man backline, leading us to believe that Sheth’s update regarding Paratici’s long-term interest in the Italian will delight everyone involved with the north London side – not least the Tottenham manager.

AND in other news: Paratici plotting bid for “unbelievable” £76.5m Spurs target, imagine him & Zaniolo

Nottingham Forest are believed to be edging close to a seventh summer signing, in what is proving a hugely impressive transfer window thus far.

What’s the word?

According to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, the newly-promoted side are set to bring Burnley stopper Wayne Hennessey to the City Ground this summer, with the Welshman likely to provide cover to recent loan arrival, Dean Henderson.

Writing on Twitter about the Midlands side’s interest, the transfer insider stated: “Told Wayne Hennessey to #NFFC is close to being completed.”

Despite having already brought in the aforementioned Henderson, further depth is needed in the goalkeeping ranks having seen Brice Samba and Ethan Horvath depart for Lens and Luton Town, respectively.

World-class addition

Although the expectation is that Hennessey will simply provide adequate cover as an understudy to the on-loan Manchester United man, the 35-year-old is undoubtedly a top-drawer goalkeeper in his own right, having continually performed for his country in recent times.

Despite having made just five Premier League appearances in total across the last three seasons – during his time at Turf Moor and former club Crystal Palace – the 6 foot 6 giant has remained the go-to man at international level, notably playing his part as Robert Page’s side recently secured World Cup qualification for the first time since 1958.

The Bangor-born gem was particularly influential in the crucial play-off clash with Ukraine last month, making nine saves in a truly world-class display as Wales ran out 1-0 winners, while also recording a remarkable 9.3 match rating for his stunning display, as per SofaScore.

That standout showing unsurprisingly led to a glowing assessment from teammate Gareth Bale, with the new LAFC man stating that the performance was the “best I have ever seen to date from a goalkeeper”.

Equally, the one-time Wolverhampton Wanderers man was also dubbed “world-class” by manager Page for that sensational outing, with Forest seemingly set to have more than just a safe pair hands in reserve who can apply pressure on the younger Henderson.

Should the latter man fail to perform, manager Steve Cooper should seemingly have little concern about turning to Hennessey to take on the starting role, with the experienced gem likely to prove a clever piece of business for the club.

AND in other news – Imagine him & Awoniyi: Cooper can form deadly duo by signing “stunning” £10m sta

Within the last 48 hours, a very promising Manchester City transfer update has now come to light involving Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips.

The Lowdown: Man City eye Phillips move…

Having clinched their fourth domestic crown in five seasons, the Premier League champions could be set for another eye-catching campaign under manager Pep Guardiola, going by recent reports.

It is believed that a plethora of Sky Blues first-teamers could potentially leave Eastlands, including the likes of Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Nathan Ake (The Times).

Even Bernardo Silva is on the radar of La Liga giants Barcelona as sporting director Txiki Begiristain faces perhaps his biggest summer yet at the Etihad Stadium.

In terms of incomings, it is reliably believed that Leeds star Phillips and Brighton sensation Marc Cucurella are Guardiola’s top summer targets.

The Latest: Man City ‘expected’ to clinch Phillips deal…

According to a Football Insider report on Monday evening, City and Guardiola are ‘expected’ to complete a ‘big-money move’ for the Whites midfielder, who has his ‘heart set’ on a move to Eastlands.

The report added that Phillips has made it abundantly clear to ‘all parties’ behind the scenes that his wish is to join the English champions this summer, and a deal in the region of £50m could be done ‘in the coming weeks’.

The Verdict: Big news…

The 26-year-old has been a revelation at Elland Road when fit and available over the last two seasons, not to mention being a crucial player for the Whites.

Even though his impact wasn’t felt as much last term, Phillips did spend a lot of the 2021/22 campaign sidelined with a hamstring injury, missing 14 top-flight matches (Transfermarkt).

When he did play, the England international averaged more successful tackles per 90 for Leeds last season than any City player managed under Guardiola – backing how he could add a sense of tenacity in rotation with Rodri as the pivot.

Shining for the Three Lions at Euro 2020 last year, it’s little wonder that Phillips is seen as a ‘superstar’ in Yorkshire, as explained by BBC presenter Kelly Somers.

Sealing an agreement for the midfield maestro could be a brilliant bit of business for City.

Arsenal’s summer transfer window could be an incredibly busy affair with the Gunners aiming to bolster their chances of reaching the top four in 2022/23.

What’s the word?

One area where Mikel Arteta’s men will need severely strengthening is in attack where both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang have departed in the last six months.

Fortunately, it looks as though Edu and the club’s recruitment team have spotted a solution.

According to Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness), they are interested in a deal for Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca.

The Italian has already attracted a bid of €32m (£27.2m) plus bonuses reaching around €40m (£34m) but that has been rejected by the Serie A side.

As a result, if Arsenal want a successful end to talks, it’s thought they will have to pay closer to €50m (£42.5m).

Giroud 2.0

The north London club look extremely short from an attacking perspective as the new season commences.

Eddie Nketiah remains the sole striker in their ranks and even his future is still uncertain. That said, it does look as though he’s set to sign a new £100k-per-week contract with them.

Even if that happens, Arsenal will need to sign another forward if they are to have any chance of leapfrogging their rivals in the Premier League next season.

A deal for Scamacca represents a risk considering his tally of 16 goals last term. That is a solid return but for a player who could cost over £40m, you’d want a bit more for your money.

That said, this is a player who has the all-round game to trouble many a defence with scout Jacek Kulig once describing him as an “outrageous talent.”

The 23-year-old has progressed nicely in recent years, developing from a potent threat in Serie B to now one of the most sought-after forwards in the top-flight of Italian football.

That journey rather mirrors that of former Arsenal star, Olivier Giroud, who also plied his trade in the second tier, albeit in France, before becoming a genuine star in the top division.

Arsene Wenger would later go on to sign the Frenchman and if we dive into FB Ref’s similar players model, Giroud is directly compared to Scamacca when assessing his statistics in Serie A.

Known for his heading and work off the ball, it’s easy to see why he’s cut from a similar cloth as the World Cup winner.

Although Scamacca is vastly better when beating an opponent and carrying the ball forward, there are plenty of parallels between the two strikers.

For starters, they both win a similar percentage of aerial battles with the Italy international reigning supreme in 55.7% per 90 to the AC Milan forward’s 58.7%. With that in mind, they are also fouled at a similar rate when contesting duels with Giroud drawing a foul 1.19 times per 90 minutes compared to Scamacca’s 1.05 fouls drawn.

As for recoveries of a loose ball, there is not much to choose between the two with Arsenal’s current transfer target registering 3.94 per 90 in comparison to their former attacker’s 3.24.

Their attacking numbers also draw parallels with Scamacca’s xG per 90 of 0.45 very close to Giroud’s 0.49 xG. Furthermore, their shot-creating actions are impressive as the Sassuolo star registers 2.22 every 90 minutes while his fellow attacker amasses 2.38.

With that in mind, it’s easy to see why the offensive duo are so similar. The idea of another Giroud penning terms at Colney might not get pulses racing but it would surely be an exciting signing nonetheless.

AND in other news, Left for £0, now worth £49.5m: Wenger had huge Arsenal howler on 29 y/o “maverick”…

Sky Sports journalist Tom White has now revealed some ‘talks’ going on behind-the-scenes at Sunderland.

The Lowdown: Shares sold?

There have been rumours circulating on social media that both Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven have now sold up their shares at the Stadium of Light.

Football Insider have reported that they would part with their shares for £10.7m, while The Sunderland Echo claim that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is looking to take full-control of the Wearside club.

The Latest: Sky Sports update

Taking to Twitter, White, a presenter on SSN, has revealed that Donald and Methven have not shared their shares at the Black Cats, in spite of the rumours, but ‘talks are at an advanced stage’ with one group:

“Regarding the rumours that Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven have sold their shares in Sunderland, it’s my information that talks are at an advanced stage with one group, but there is still a long way to go.”

The Verdict: Get it done

Donald and Methven are clearly not connected to the club anymore, as finance expert Kieran Maguire has claimed that they have left a ‘toxic legacy’, and so their shares need to be sold as soon as possible.

Whether Louis-Dreyfus takes full control, or their shares are sold to another bidder, they need to get their board structure finalised before the start of next season.

Rich Energy drink founder William Storey has reportedly submitted his own takeover offer to the club, and so this is another path to consider as they look to cement their place in the Championship, and potentially push for promotion to the Premier League in the future.

In other news, find out which three Championship clubs are now eyeing this ‘incredible’ SAFC star here!

Manchester United have already had a taste of Erik Ten Hag’s wrath in terms of the changes that he could make to the squad this summer, after reports emerged that the defensive duo of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Eric Bailly are not in the Dutchman’s plans.

One other player who we feel should not be a part of the 52-year-old’s plans for the Red Devils moving forward is Fred.

Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk four years ago in a deal worth a reported £52m, the £120k-per-week Brazilian has failed to repay that hefty price tag.

With 157 appearances under his belt for the Red Devils across all competitions, the 29-year-old has only netted eight goals and delivered just 13 assists in the process.

Just over a year after he made the move to Old Trafford, the midfielder was questioned by Gary Neville over what sort of player he is, what he offers the team and why the club’s decided to pay such a big fee for him.

In fact, in a poll ran by Football FanCast, 92% of participants claimed that United paid too much money for the midfielder.

Now that Fred’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2023, the upcoming transfer window could be the ideal time for United to cash in on the Brazil international and give Ten Hag the chance to totally refresh the midfield.

In terms of who the Red Devils could look to as a replacement for the 29-year-old misfit, one player with whom they have been linked recently and who could fit the bill is Wolves star Ruben Neves.

Having made 212 appearances for the Midlands club, the 25-year-old has scored 24 goals and delivered 12 assists along the way. With 142 Premier League games under his belt, Neves could be an ideal younger replacement for Fred with plenty of top-flight experience to his name as well.

Labelled a “maestro” by Tim Spiers, the journalist also described one of the Portugal midfielder’s goals in 2018 as “stunning.”

To compare the duo’s most recent league campaign with their respective clubs, Neves recorded more passes, shots, dribbles and crosses than the Brazilian, showing how impressive the Wolves midfielder is on the ball.

Off the ball, the Portugal international made more interceptions, won more tackles and made more successful pressures than Fred (FBRef), highlighting his all-round strengths and attributes in midfield.

With a reported price tag of £50m, signing Neves and getting rid of Fred could be the move which gets Ten Hag’s period in charge of United off to a flying start.

In other news: MUFC eyeing £50m dynamo who’s “a nightmare for defenders”, he’s better than Rashford

West Ham United are now seemingly pushing to sign Watford star Emmanuel Dennis as a big transfer update comes to light in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Hammers eye move…

The forward is reportedly a top target for Irons manager David Moyes as the Scotsman aims to upgrade his squad for next season.

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West Ham are seeking to maintain their remarkable rise over the last two campaigns with the possible signings of one more striker, two central midfielders and some wide players (The Mirror).

Dennis is on the radar, with reports claiming last week that the Hammers have been plotting a £20m bid and that they fancy their chances of signing the Nigerian due to Watford’s relegation (The Mirror).

The Latest: West Ham push…

According to Football Insider, a big update has come to light on the chase, with West Ham ‘stepping up their bid’ to sign the 24-year-old and seemingly pushing for him.

Talks have apparently been held over Dennis already as he becomes a ‘top target’ for Moyes and the Irons, coming as Watford are ‘ready to cash in’ on him.

Indeed, with the relegated Hornets now green-lighting his summer sale, it appears that the east Londoners have wasted no time in pursuing a deal.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Standing out as Watford’s best attacker over the 2021/22 Premier League campaign, finishing it as their top scorer and one of their standouts by average match rating (WhoScored), West Ham’s intense interest in the Nigerian appears to be justified.

Still just 24, Dennis has many years ahead at the top level, with reports also suggesting that his club are ready to sell for £20m this summer.

He has also been called a ‘beast’ by members of the media, with the numbers and acclaim backing that he could certainly be worth a significant push from West Ham.

In other news: Offer ready: Newman preparing bid for ‘standout’ as West Ham eye ‘no-brainer’ signing! Find out more here.

After rollicking opening against KKR, Rajasthan Royals had the momentum to build a mammoth total. Their captain’s batting robbed them of that

Sreshth Shah In Kolkata16-May-20181:32

‘Lost because of our batting’ – Rahane

It’s no mean feat silencing the home crowd at Eden Gardens, but here they were, battered into submission inside the first ten minutes of their final home game of the season. They were shellshocked after the Rajasthan Royals openers had just struck ten consecutive boundaries.Rahul Tripathi had just hit a six and a hat-trick of fours off young Prasidh Krishna. The other young pacer, Shivam Mavi, was creamed for 28 runs by Jos Buttler the very next over. In all – before Tripathi fell in the fifth over – Royals had posted 63.Early evidence suggested Kolkata Knight Riders would be chasing a mammoth total. The platform was set, Buttler was galloping towards yet another fifty at breakneck speed, and the Royals dugout still had Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson, Stuart Binny and K Gowtham waiting to have a go. But out came Ajinkya Rahane, who took six deliveries to get off the mark, and that signalled a change in Royals’ fortunes.Yes, he was facing Sunil Narine inside the Powerplay, and the early blitz had given him the cushion to start slow, but Rahane looked uneasy. A glance to gully couldn’t breach the field, the drive to cover couldn’t beat Robin Uthappa. More importantly, all this starved Buttler of the strike. Rahane lasted 12 deliveries and in that 15-ball partnership for the second wicket, Buttler faced only three. Not only did Rahane not get going, he also disrupted Buttler’s rhythm.The pressure – of continuing to step on the gas after a flying start – was telling. Never more so than when Rahane tried an uncharacteristic reverse sweep off Kuldeep Yadav only to be bowled around his legs. Not a pretty way to get out. From 63 for no loss after 4.4 overs, Royals were 79 for 2 after 8. The silent crowd had once again started to roar.

****

A blazing start is best built upon by a batsman who can keep the run-rate from dipping. KKR had done that against Kings XI Punjab when they smashed 245, promoting Andre Russell and Dinesh Karthik up the order after a rollicking opening stand.Royals themselves had done the same only a fortnight ago, when in 72 balls they smashed 146. They had used Buttler as opener for the first time that evening, and he rewarded Royals by smashing 67 off 26 balls. But what of Rahane himself that evening? In a bid to keep his team’s run-rate up, Rahane chose not to bat despite them losing five wickets. Royals might have forced into that move by the situation of that chase, but on Tuesday – when they had a choice – Royals went for the conservative option.ESPNcricinfo LtdAccording to ESPNcricinfo’s Smart Stats, Rahane’s batting has cost Royals 36 runs this season. That’s the fourth-worst among all batsmen. The three batsmen worse than him – Quinton de Kock (-41), Gautam Gambhir (-41) and D’Arcy Short (-39) – no longer feature regularly for their team. It was important to keep the momentum going, force the KKR bowlers into submission, but using Rahane on current form as Royals’ No. 3 at that stage was equivalent to axing one’s own feet.When all their momentum fizzled out, Royals’ batting unravelled quickly. Buttler’s reverse sweep found short third man, Samson was deceived by Narine’s guile as he tried to pull, Binny failed to pick a Kuldeep googly to be stumped and Gowtham was too slow to react to a short ball from Mavi. As their fabulous start slipped away, each fell trying to do too much. Suddenly, KKR’s bowlers had begun to thrive on momentum very similar to what their opponents had possessed only a handful of overs earlier.At the end of the game, Rahane said Royals’ batsmen cost them by being too adventurous. “I think we didn’t apply ourselves in the middle,” Rahane said. “It was all about applying yourself, get that partnership going, especially when you get a start like that. You have to back yourself and apply your mind. We lost because of our batting.”I felt we were too positive with our batting tonight, but that’s the way it goes. In T20s, when you play like that, sometimes you get 200-plus and sometimes you get 140-odd.”

****

Kolkata was way too humid and warm for the Eden Gardens to be full on a Tuesday evening, but the city’s schools had already closed for summer break and that meant a large influx of children at the ground. Kids love making noise of course, but the early onslaught from Tripathi and Buttler had kept them quiet. Perhaps that’s why Royals’ first wicket – Tripathi edging Russell to the wicketkeeper – earned the evening’s biggest cheer.The chase was pretty much chance-less, KKR never gave Royals a look in. The languid pace of proceedings forced some of the children to fall asleep on their parents’ laps, while the others found their attention drifting to the applications on their phone.When Karthik hit the winning runs, it was time to wake up and head home. A family of four – all wide awake – began to make their way out of the ground. The youngest, in a bittersweet manner, said: (we’ll see them again next season).” The least I could do was remind the kid that his team remains very much in contention to play at the Eden in a week’s time, in the Eliminator.

When a part-time club spinner bowled long hops to the two biffers to see how far they could hit it

Simon Shearman04-Sep-2016It was a Joel Garner benefit game just after Somerset sacked Garner and Viv Richards. Our club chairman at Tring Park organised the game. He knew someone down at Somerset. It was bizarre to see our club house packed full of great cricketers. Must have been 6000 spectators at the ground.I didn’t usually bowl that much, but I was sending down a few rubbish offspinners at Ian Botham and Richards to see how far they could hit it.Botham went for the big slog sweep, with that big, heavy Duncan Fearnley bat. It went off the top edge and was heading over the boundary when our deep-midwicket fielder launched himself in the air and took a stunning diving catch right in front of the pavilion.As Botham walked off, he said to the fielder, “People have come here to watch me bat, not to watch you take great catches.”Viv hit the most sublime hundred, off 50 or 60 balls. Lots of sixes. All the bowlers went for plenty. He kept hitting it over the scoreboard and into the 2nd-team ground, where people had parked their cars.The crowd were enjoying watching him bat, so thought I’d float a few up to see how far he could hit it.When Viv had 60-odd, he miscued one straight down long-off’s throat, but the fielder went with such hard hands that it must have bounced about four feet out of his hands and over the boundary for four.After Viv got his hundred, I was back on again, bowling the same rubbish spin, and Viv, by this time, had decided he’d had enough. So he hits one straight up in the air towards long-off, straight to the same fielder and starts walking off. Unfortunately, our man never looked like catching it. So next ball, Viv tries it again. This time the fielder ran the wrong way and the ball went for four. Everyone just fell about laughing. Viv turned to our wicketkeeper. “Is there anyone in this team who can catch?” he asked.Botham and Richards almost didn’t turn up in time for the game. They had gone to the pub down the road for a few pre-match beers. When they got to the ground, they asked for two pints of Guinness to be sent into the dressing room. There they were, two cricket legends, dipping sausage rolls in the beer and eating them.It was an incredible experience. They were two of the very best cricketers in the world at the time. Botham hit it hard, but Viv hit it harder – timed it rather than smashed it.I’ve played against some pretty good club and minor county players, but the difference with those two was the time that they had to play the shots; so much more than anybody else you’ll ever see.