Manchester United are reportedly looking to freshen up their attack for Ruben Amorim and are considering two Bundesliga forwards as potential targets.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Man Utd looking to freshen up attack
Target forwards Marmoush and Boniface
Man Utd looking to make signings in January
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
Getty Images
WHAT HAPPENED?
United's troubles this season are well-documented as Erik ten Hag led the Red Devils to just four wins in the first 14 games of the season scoring just 20 goals, with seven of those coming against League One side Barnsley. The Dutchman was fired last month and Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed as interim boss, while the former forward was able to get his side to score goals, the Red Devils' top bosses want to refresh the squad's attacking options for new boss Amorim, and they are now monitoring the situation of two highly-rated forwards.
Advertisement
THE BIGGER PICTURE
As per , Manchester United have earmarked Eintracht Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush and Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface for the winter transfer window, as the Red Devils want to hand Amorim the best possible squad to try and rescue United's poor start to the season. Both the forwards have long-standing contracts with their current clubs and Manchester United will have to pay through their pockets to try and sign them in January.
(C)Getty Images
DID YOU KNOW?
The report has suggested that Eintracht Frankfurt are likely to ask for a price tag close to €60 million (£50.1m/$63m) for Marmoush. Additionally, as Liverpool are likely to make their interest in Marmoush solid, United may have to pay more for the Egyptian if pulled into a bidding war by the Reds. As for Boniface, Bayer Leverkusen are said to value the Nigerian highly and could demand a hefty fee for a January sale.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?
The Red Devils are also said to be facing a few economic issues at the moment, and making big signings in January could be off the table for Amorim this winter. As such, it will be a game of wait and watch to understand what solutions United's top brass come up with if they are to sign either Marmoush or Boniface.
As rivals grumble over Manchester United's successful signing of centre-back Leny Yoro, INEOS grin as their persistent hounding pays off.
Yoro, 18, has yet to kick a ball for the Red Devils but he's showcased his considerable qualities at LOSC Lille over the past two years, garnering a reputation as a 'generational talent', such is the player's technical command and tactical understanding, exhibited at a precocious level.
Talent scout Jacek Kulig had previously dubbed Yoro as "world-class material", while his efforts in Ligue 1 saw him touted for the Young Player of the Season award, pipped by Paris Saint-Germain prodigy Warren Zaïre-Emery.
Matches played
32
Matches started
30
Goals
2
Clean sheets
13
Pass completion
92%
Touches per game
67.6
Tackles per game
1.1
Interceptions per game
1.1
Clearances per game
3.0
Ball recoveries per game
3.9
Duels won per game
3.3 (63%)
United's £52m outlay, rising to £59m, might seem steep to many, but this is a player with the world at his feet, coveted by Real Madrid and Liverpool, bested by Sir Jim Ratcliffe's blooming project.
Raphael Varane's £350k-per-week contract at the Theatre of Dreams has expired, while Villarreal have signed Willy Kambwala, 19, for £10m. United, hungry for success, want another defender.
Man United lining up another defender
As per Sky Sports' Dharmesh Sheth – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – Man United are still in for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who has already been the subject of two failed bids from Old Trafford this summer.
United's interest was complicated by Everton's proposed £50m sale of Amadou Onana to Aston Villa, easing Everton's need to cash in, but following the Freidkin Group's failed Toffees takeover, Branthwaite's future is cast back into doubt.
Sheth says now that the England international is a 'live option' for Erik ten Hag's side, though they would need to hit the £70m ballpark to ensure they complete their backline with a formidable new star.
Jarrad Branthwaite's 23/24 season in numbers
Branthwaite spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, returning to Merseyside last summer and since growing into one of the division's mightiest defenders.
The 6 foot 5 titan, aged 22, featured 35 times in the Premier League last season, scored three goals and kept 12 clean sheets. As per Sofascore, he wasn't just a passenger in a drilled and coherent Everton side, winning a whopping 68% of his duels and averaging 1.9 tackles, 4.5 clearances and 5.2 ball recoveries per game.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 19% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 20% for tackles, the top 18% for interceptions and the top 18% for aerial duels won per 90.
Considering his frame, it's hardly surprising that he's adept in the air, but the way he controls and manipulates with his shifty movements and steely presence in the duels marks him as one of the soundest on English shores.
Take, for example, Everton's struggles in the previous campaign. James Tarkowski is an experienced centre-half, very good at his craft, but he plied his trade on boggy footing and failed to implement Sean Dyche's iron-enforced philosophy, with Michael Keane and Yerry Mina flattering to deceive alongside him.
Jarrad Branthwaite for Everton.
Two points above the drop zone and 57 goals shipped across the 38-game campaign was not a position to take pride in, but despite the din on the blue half of Merseyside, Branthwaite and his defensive contingent have raised the ceiling and then some, confidently finishing 14th last term despite an eight-point deduction – and with a pretty impressive clean sheet record besides.
1.
Arsenal
18
2.
Manchester City
13
2.
Everton
13
4.
Liverpool
10
4.
Newcastle United
10
4.
Fulham
10
4.
Crystal Palace
10
It's clear that Branthwaite is one of the finest young defenders in the Premier League, and he would make such a difference to United's improving project.
Why Man Utd must follow Yoro signing with Branthwaite
Take a look above; the answer is in the metrics. Branthwaite is a hulking unit of a defender, with his sinewed frame and imposing presence setting him up for a career of imperious defence in the rearguard.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
For now, that's at Goodison Park, but United have registered their interest and could now follow up the stunning capture of one of Europe's biggest talents with one of the Premier League's most exciting rising stars.
Crucially, Branthwaite is left-footed. Yoro is not. This could prove to be an almighty partnership down the line, with Branthwaite the "beast" of a defender – as said by analyst Ben Mattinson – to meld into the assured, intelligent security of his French confrère.
The contrast in styles could pay dividends, with the Goodison Park side scarcely employing a possession-heavy style and thus seeing Branthwaite's pass completion rate languish below the, perhaps, desired level.
However, he will undoubtedly see that 80% completion rate rise at Man United, especially next to Yoro, who already ranks among the top 7% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion (92.1%).
Manchester United haven't been shy to spend over the past decade, but it just hasn't come together for the prestigious Premier League outfit. Now, though, the wind has shifted at the Theatre, and the Red Devils are starting to dream.
Imagine him & Yoro: Man Utd could land £46k-p/w De Ligt upgrade
The Red Devils are looking to overhaul the backline this summer.
يواجه جناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، فينيسيوس جونيور، ضغوطًا كبيرة من الدوري السعودي الذي يسعى للتوقيع معه، رغم إعلانه رغبته في البقاء مع الملكي لفترة طويلة.
وأكد عمر مغربل الرئيس التنفيذي للدوري السعودي في تصريحات سابقة، أن انتقال فينيسيوس للعب في دوري روشن ليس حلمًا بعيدًا، بل خطوة يعملون عليها بجدية منذ فترة.
من جهة أخرى، يبدي ريال مدريد هدوءًا تجاه هذا الأمر، معتمدًا على عقد فينيسيوس القوي الذي يتضمن شرطًا جزائيًا بقيمة مليار يورو، لكنه يبقى على استعداد للاستماع إلى رغبات اللاعب.
وتشير التقارير إلى أن نادي الهلال السعودي هو الأكثر اهتمامًا بضم فينيسيوس، رغم التحديات الاقتصادية التي يواجهها النادي في ظل وجود لاعب مثل نيمار، الذين يرغبون في التخلص منه لعدم الاستفادة الفنية مع دفع راتب كبير من أجله.
اقرأ أيضًا | أنشيلوتي يرد على تصريحات سيميوني المثيرة.. ويؤكد: مبابي يسعى للشهرة
ورغم قوة عقد فينيسيوس مع ريال مدريد، فإن تحركات الدوري السعودي المستمرة قد تزيد من تعقيد الموقف خلال الأشهر المقبلة، بحسب صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية.
لأن الدوري السعودي يقدم عروضًا ضخمة لجذب النجوم، كما فعل مع كريستيانو رونالدو الذي يحصل على 200 مليون يورو كراتب وربما يكون له جزء من ملكية نادي النصر لتمديد عقده حتى 2027.
ورغم كل هذه الإغراءات، يواصل فينيسيوس تقديم أداء مميز مع ريال مدريد، فهو هداف الفريق الإسباني في جميع البطولات بالتساوي مع كيليان مبابي برصيد 14 هدفًا.
ولكن مستقبل فينيسيوس مرهون بقراره بين البقاء مع ريال مدريد والمنافسة على الألقاب أو الانتقال إلى السعودية للاستفادة من العروض المالية الضخمة.
وبعيدًا عن استهداف الدوري السعودي للاعب، ريال مدريد سيظل يدعم بقاء فينيسيوس، معتبرًا أنه لاعب مهم في الفريق، حتى لو تراجع أداؤه في بعض الفترات مثل مباراتي برشلونة وسيلتا فيجو.
Northern remain on top even as Central Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded impressive wins
Danyal Rasool05-Dec-2020
Hasan Ali brings out his trademark celebration•AFP
Central Punjab crush SindhSindh slumped to a heavy defeat in the absence of regular captain Sarfaraz Ahmed – who is currently with the national side in New Zealand – as Waqas Maqsood’s nine wickets helped set up Central Punjab’s first win in the competition. Six of those wickets came in the first innings where Sindh were bowled out for 92 to concede a 184-run lead to Central, who had put up 276 thanks to half-centuries from Ali Zaryab Asif and Usman Salahuddin.Sindh had their opportunities in the second innings after they reduced Central to 117 for 8, but tailenders Ahmed Safi Abdullah and Maqsood took the game away from Sindh by pushing the total to 247. Abdullah’s 60-ball 83, supported gamely by Maqsood in a 68-run tenth wicket partnership, gave Sindh a monumental 432 to chase. An attacking 89 from opener Sharjeel Khan led the reply, but support from the middle order was scant.Stand-in captain Asad Shafiq’s vigil at the crease, lasting 54 minutes and 35 balls without producing a run, summed up Sindh’s chase, and indeed their game. The rest was routine, with Hasan Ali making a welcome return to form, taking 4 for 66 as Central completed the rout by 227 runs. They still remain rooted to the bottom of the table, but the win – and the margin of victory – will do their prospects no harm whatsoever.Northern consolidate top spotNorthern strengthened their hold at the top of the table following an impressive six-wicket defeat of Southern Punjab in what turned out to be the only fairly competitive fixture of the sixth round. Southern, batting first after winning the toss, scored 285 which was largely down to a 143-run fourth-wicket partnership between Umar Siddiq and Saif Badar, who scored 89 and 81, respectively. Northern’s response included a hundred from Umar Amin, while Hammad Azam chipped in with 91, as they moved to a 96-run lead.In Southern’s second innings, Agha Salman got his second half-century of the game, and Imran Rafiq also hit a fifty to ensure Northern would have a challenging 200 to chase while batting last. However, the requirement proved more straightforward than what it seemed at first glance thanks to 65 from Amin in a 97-run second-wicket partnership with opener Nasir Nawaz. The pair took the pressure off after the loss of opener Sarmad Bhatti for no score, and Azam ensured his side would finish with a flourish, smashing 53 off 48 to take Northern clear at the top by six points.Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sink BalochistanKhyber Pakhtunkhwa remain hot on the heels of table-toppers Northern following their third win in six games, a 175-run defeat of Balochistan. A magnificent 153 from 25-year old Kamran Ghulam inspired Khyber, as he ended up scoring nearly half the runs in a team total of 320. Ghulam kept the runs ticking over even as his team-mates struggled to kick on despite decent starts, with only wicketkeeper-batsman Rehan Afridi making a respectable 58. In reply, Balochistan collectively managed a mere 120, giving Khyber a decisive 200-run first innings lead.Even though Khyber managed just 199 in their second dig, a Balochistan side that had just one win all season still needed to chase 400 to win, a task that only became more challenging after they slipped to 95 for 3. Though Balochistan gave a better account of themselves in the second innings, no batsman could get to more than Ali Waqas’ 44. That meant the chase was never really a serious prospect, as Sameen Gul followed up his three-for in the first innings with as many wickets in the second to rip through the middle order. Eventually, Balochistan folded up for 224 with Mohammad Wasim also getting three wickets for Khyber.
It is fair to say that it has already been a busy summer for Chelsea Football Club. Following the conclusion of last season, they decided to sack Mauricio Pochettino, despite the fact he got the Blues into an FA Cup semi-final, came runners-up in the Carabao Cup and ensured European qualification for his side.
However, the Argentine was removed from his post and was replaced by Leicester City’s Championship-winning manager Enzo Maresca. The Italian signed a five-year deal with the option of a further year at Stamford Bridge. Already, since the appointment, the Blues have been fairly active in the transfer market.
Chelsea have secured two signings already, bringing Tosin Adarabioyo to the club on a free transfer, after his old deal with Fulham expired. They are also set to sign Marc Guiu from Barcelona for just £5m. The young striker has already had a medical in London according to Fabrizio Romano.
Other potential incomings to Stamford Bridge at this moment include Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who could depart Leicester and reunite with Maresca at Chelsea. Not only that, they are also in need of a centre-forward at the club and are thought to be interested in one player who could bolster their front line.
Chelsea target Bundesliga striker
The player in question here is Hoffenheim and Germany striker Maximilian Beier. The 21-year-old has had a very impressive season for the Bundesliga club, and has now been linked with a move away, with clubs including Chelsea thought to be interested in signing him this summer.
According to a report from Christian Falk for CaughtOffisde, the Blues are “interested” in bringing Beier to Stamford Bridge over the summer transfer window. However, Falk confirms that the striker is “not yet convinced” about moving to West London ahead of next season.
Maximilian Beier
Not only that, the Blues will not be the only Premier League side who are vying for the youngster's signature over the summer. Liverpool are thought to be particularly keen on the move, although fellow Merseysiders Everton, as well as relegated Burnley and Chelsea’s fellow London side Brentford are also hopeful of doing a deal this summer.
In terms of price, Beier has a very cheap release clause that makes a deal even more attractive given the quality of the player in conversation here. Interested clubs can activate his £27.5m release clause to sign the striker this summer, a deal which the likes of Chelsea – or rivals Liverpool – would be able to pull off.
Why Beier would be a good signing
Should Chelsea manage to pull off a move for Beier, it would be reminiscent of their move for Kai Havertz in 2020, whom they paid £71m for from Bayer Leverkusen.
It would be a similar switch given Chelsea would be adding the next big thing amongst German centre-forwards to their squad. Football talent scout Jacek Kulig called Beier “the best German striker at the moment” in March 2024.
Chelsea centre-forward Kai Havertz.
Whilst it did not work out for Havertz at Stamford Bridge – aside from his Champions League-winning goal against Manchester City – he put up some very similar numbers in his final season in the Bundesliga to what Beier has racked up in 2023/24, with the pair proving their clinical nature in Germany’s top-flight.
Stat
Beier (2023/24)
Havertz (2019/20)
Games
33
30
Minutes
2439
2463
Goals
16
12
Assists
3
6
Of course, Havertz has now left the Blues, instead plying his trade down the road for Arsenal. He did not prove to be the striker Chelsea were searching for in the long run, but perhaps Beier will be that man, instead.
In terms of Beier’s profile, the 21-year-old is a tall striker, who has impressive hold-up play, will run the channels well and has a real eye for goal. In terms of pure goals, he was outscored by only four players last season; Harry Kane scored 36 times, Serhou Guriassy found the back of the net 28 times, Lois Openda scored 24 goals and Deniz Undav scored 18 times.
The 21-year-old is an excellent ball carrier, using his lanky frame to his advantage. The German likes to pick up the ball from a wide area and drive into the penalty area. As per FBref, he averages 1.34 carries into the penalty area per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 11%. Football scout Antonio Mango called the striker “exceptional”, and it is attributes such as his impressive carrying from wide areas such a well-rounded player.
For just £27.5m, the signing of Beier could be ideal for Chelsea. They would be able to bring in another genuine number nine, who can compete for the starting spot with Nicolas Jackson. Whilst the transfer itself would be similar to that of Havertz, the Blues will no doubt be hoping Beier can have a more successful time of things at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea plot to steal ace who’d be as influential as Palmer for Maresca
The Chelsea target reached double figures for goals and assists last season.
The summer transfer window officially opened for business on Friday and Aston Villa have plenty of time left to strengthen their squad before it slams shut.
They could start the window with an exit, though, as Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that negotiations are at the final stages to sell central midfielder Douglas Luiz to Juventus, albeit with Weston McKennie and Samuel Iling Junior coming the other way as part of the move.
The Villans are reportedly keen on a deal to sign £35m-rated full-back Ian Maatsen, who spent the second half of this season on loan with Borussia Dortmund, and are leading the race to land Denzel Dumfries from Inter.
They are now seemingly eyeing up a swoop to land a new centre-forward to bolster their firepower, with a free agent number nine on their radar.
Aston Villa's interest in promotion-winning star
According to Football Insider, Aston Villa sporting director Monchi is lining up a deal to sign out-of-contract star Kelechi Iheanacho this summer.
The Nigeria international is currently set to become a free agent at the start of next month, once his contract with Leicester City expires, and that could open the door for the Villans to snap him up for nothing.
Football Insider reports that Monchi had already flown out to hold a meeting with the player's representatives in May over a potential transfer to the club later in the summer.
Leicester City strikerKelechi Iheanacho.
It states that the club are keen to add another marksman to Unai Emery's playing squad as Jhon Duran is said to be in advanced talks over a switch to Premier League rivals Chelsea.
However, it does remain to be seen how many other teams are prepared to put a contract on the table for Iheanacho and whether or not the player is keen on a move to Villa Park.
Why Iheanacho could be a good signing for Aston Villa
If Monchi can get a deal over the line for the former Manchester City, Villa would be bringing in a proven Premier League forward who could be a fantastic alternative to Ollie Watkins next season.
He did, however, just spend the 2023/24 campaign in the Championship with the Foxes and racked up five goals and one assist in just ten starts as his team won the division and promotion to the top-flight.
xG
9.05
3.63
6.13
Goals
12
5
5
xA
3.53
2.71
3.71
Assists
2
5
5
As you can see in the table above, his last three years in the Premier League for Leicester, before their relegation in 2023, proved that he can provide quality in the final third at the top level. Iheanacho, who was once described as a "scary" finisher by ESPN's Colin Udoh, scored 22 goals from an xG of 18.81 across those three years, which speaks to his efficient finishing ability.
Aston Villa now in daily contact with "incredible" £35m target
He was recently called up for Euro 2024.
ByTom Cunningham Jun 16, 2024
The left-footed dynamo only started 39 games in that time and that suggests that he would be the perfect back-up to Watkins as the Nigerian star has proven his quality as a second-choice number nine who does not need to start regularly.
Offspinner hurt his left shoulder while putting in a dive off his own bowling
ESPNcricinfo staff20-Sep-2020R Ashwin’s fitness was put in doubt after he left the field with a left-shoulder issue, after diving to try and stop a Glenn Maxwell punch down the ground during the Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2020 season opener against the Kings XI Punjab in Dubai on Sunday. The Capitals’ captain Shreyas Iyer, speaking after the game, indicated the injury was not as serious as it first appeared, but the team was still waiting on the physio’s word.The incident occurred on the last ball of the sixth over of the Kings XI innings, Ashwin’s first over of the game, in which he had already sent back Karun Nair and Nicholas Pooran to give the Capitals a distinct edge. Maxwell, the new man in at the fall of Pooran’s wicket, drove the ball, Ashwin dived, and looked in pain straightaway after landing awkwardly. Patrick Farhart, the team physio, reached Ashwin on cue, and the bowler went off with his left arm in a makeshift sling, fashioned from his team jersey.Iyer later sounded a positive note when speaking to the official broadcaster, after his team secured the game in the Super Over, saying, “I briefly spoke to Ashwin, and Ashwin said he’ll be ready for the next game, but at the end of the day it’s the physio’s decision. He [Ashwin] is a strong-minded guy, and hopefully he’ll be available.”The Capitals’ next game is against Chennai Super Kings on September 25.
Malan hits 219 before Derbyshire captain’s crucial fifty puts draw in sight
ECB Reporters Network17-Aug-2020
Dawid Malan reached his maiden century for Yorkshire•Getty Images
Home debutant Dawid Malan completed a superb maiden career double hundred before watching Derbyshire battle to within touching distance of the follow-on target of 201 at Emerald Headingley.Malan’s 219 off 244 balls underpinned the White Rose’s first-innings 400 for 6 declared, achieved shortly before lunch on day three of this weather-affected North Group fixture.Derbyshire captain Billy Godleman’s 54 then led his side’s bid to avoid having to follow-on, something which would go a long way to securing an important draw against their fellow challengers.The visitors closed on 198 for 6 from 70 overs, with bad light ending play three overs early. Almost 100 overs have now been lost across three days.The gap between these two leading sides in the North was four points before this third-round clash, with Derby leading the way.England T20 batsman Malan, who could be playing his last county game until mid September should he be involved in forthcoming series against Pakistan and Australia, advanced from 153 not out overnight.He became the first Yorkshire player whose maiden century for the club ended up a double since Jonny Bairstow hit 205 against Nottinghamshire in 2011.The 32-year-old was the primary reason why Yorkshire secured the maximum five batting bonus points for reaching 400. Derby claimed two bowling points.The hosts scored 112 runs in 22.1 overs before lunch, with Malan moving to – and beyond – 200 with two fours and two sixes off Leus du Plooy’s part-time left-arm spin before falling caught at long-off trying to hit a third successive six.He completed a 200-run stand with Jonny Tattersall (66) – a fifth-wicket record for Yorkshire in first-class matches against Derbyshire.Tattersall chipped leg-spinner Matt Critchley to cover before Malan, who batted serenely in especially challenging conditions during Saturday’s opening day, fell 89 runs later.All-rounder Jordan Thompson added an unbeaten 36 before striking with the ball during the afternoon when Derbyshire lost their first two wickets on 58.Godleman and fellow opener Tom Wood united either side of lunch before the latter was caught and bowled by Thompson in the 18th over.Excellent Steve Patterson then trapped Wayne Madsen lbw for a duck before Godleman and du Plooy shared 68 for the third wicket.However, both fell in the space of four balls to Patterson across two overs after tea as Derby slipped to 127 for 4 to give the hosts an opening. Du Plooy was caught low down at first slip by Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Godleman caught behind by Bairstow.Patterson finished with figures of 3 for 16 from 16 overs.Dom Leech had Alex Hughes caught at mid-on by Duanne Olivier following a miscued pull, and Olivier added the wicket of Harvey Hosein, expertly caught behind by a diving Bairstow five overs later with the score on 174.Critchley finished the day unbeaten on 31, with Anuj Dal on 15, as the pair took their side close to a position of safety.
Multan Sultans co-owner Ali Khan Tareen and Kolkata Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore have registered their interest in investing in teams in the Hundred, the ECB’s 100-ball competition which is due to start next summer after its recent postponement.The ECB initially rejected the involvement of private investment when devising its new city-based tournament, but the financial fallout of the Covid-19 crisis – which could cost the English game as much as £380 million (US$470m) – could prompt a softening of that stance. Chief executive Tom Harrison said last week that the pandemic could force the ECB into “a place where we have to look at some of those opportunities”.Tareen – whose father Jehangir is a long-time close advisor to prime minister Imran Khan – told ESPNcricinfo that he believes potential investors should have at least some links to the team they want a stake in. Having owned a house in Hampshire for the best part of a decade, Tareen wants to invest in the Southern Brave, if such an opportunity becomes possible.ALSO READ: Explainer: Will the Hundred make a profit?“I’m a Hampshire boy who loves Hampshire cricket,” he said. “I see it as a way to benefit the counties, so they get more money. If someone with no connections owns a side, they wouldn’t give a hoot about counties. Why would they? Someone like me, who’s an actual Hampshire fan, sees the real attraction of external investment as my opportunity to help Hampshire.”There shouldn’t be a case where the teams are sold fully to a random owner. I’ve heard of problems occurring at the CPL when owners haven’t been vetted, as well as the Global T20 in Canada. The ECB cannot afford to have issues like these happen to their league.”What I suggest is they find people not to own and run teams, but to contribute financially to them because they care about a team or have connections to that area. Even right now, one person doesn’t run the team, a board runs the team. Maybe that one person then gets to sit on the board for a year. They can then help grow the profile of their side and by extension the league in different countries, and leverage local connections. I get that most owners would want to control a side, but this isn’t about that.”Tareen, whose Sultans side finished top of the PSL’s group stages thanks to a data-driven strategy before Covid-19 curtailed the season, said that his ties with coaches and backroom staff could help Southern Brave succeed. “The likes of Andy Flower, Nathan Leamon, Azhar Mahmood, who’ve been involved internationally, perhaps I’d be able to convince them to join up more? That would benefit both the team and the county. As a Hampshire fan, to be a 10% owner, have a board seat, travel with the team, give your own input, is a massive attraction.”Ali Tareen won the ownership rights of the sixth team in the Pakistan Super League
Each county will receive an annual sum of £1.3m (US$1.6m) from the competition, and Tareen said that any private investors should keep in mind that the rationale behind the Hundred was in part to ensure the financial viability of the county game. “The counties are the main stakeholders from this and they need to benefit from the Hundred. With more money, they could benefit cricket in their region. The spirit of the investors needs to be that of benefactors, not profiteers.”Under the Hundred’s existing model, all eight teams are owned by the ECB with no private investors. Last week, a report by the advisory firm Oakwell Sports recommended that the ECB should consider selling equity in the teams to reduce the financial hit of Covid-19, and to help “unlock the south Asian, UK-based fanbase”. The report’s authors included Mike Fordham, who was a senior figure at management firm IMG when they helped the BCCI launch the IPL in 2008 and supported a private ownership model while working as head of the Hundred for two-and-a-half years at the ECB.Mysore, the CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders’ parent company Red Chillies Entertainment, which is owned by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, said that he had met with two ECB representatives “three or four years ago” while the possibility of private investment was being floated, and had engaged in “some interesting conversations” with Harrison in 2015 when the pair were in Barbados. Red Chillies purchased the Trinidad and Tobago franchise in the CPL in 2015, renaming the team Trinbago Knight Riders a year later.Unlike Tareen, Mysore suggested that the group’s interest in the competition would likely demand a controlling stake in a team. “A passive investment doesn’t make sense for us,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “If I go there I want to build a business. We probably do it better than anyone else: we know how to manage from a distance and how to leverage all aspects of running a cricket franchise.”If you go to Trinidad and Tobago – TKR is a household name, during the season if you walk into a restaurant everyone is wearing a TKR jersey. That’s the value that we bring. It has to be a meaningful partnership for us, and it has to be something where the league can also leverage our expertise, otherwise it doesn’t make a lot of sense.Kolkata Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore shares the stage with the side’s newly appointed captain Dinesh Karthik•Kolkata Knight Riders
“We’d be very open to evaluating it and would be very keen on it if it came about, but we don’t know all the details right now. As and when [the ECB] are ready, and if they ask us to evaluate it and send us a proposal, we’d look at it very positively and we’d be very keen.”Mysore said that if the company did invest, the ECB could “rest assured” that the Knight Riders brand would help to engage South Asian fans, both in the UK and overseas. “One market that TKR have been able to tap into is the diaspora in the US,” he said. “There’s a huge market there, and there’s a large number of people that fly into our games from Miami or New York. We can help unlock that market in the UK and bring in new viewerships from the diaspora from round the world.”[The ECB] have to figure out their situation – I know all the counties are involved, and how you balance all these things is important. I honestly don’t know whether the model can be tweaked sufficiently to bring in brands and other investors because of all the other stakeholders who are involved there. That’s going to be their challenge. [Private investment] would make the tournament much bigger.”Any shift towards involving private investors in the Hundred would require counties’ approval, and there is likely to be a review into the competition’s viability when the ECB’s incoming chairman Ian Watmore begins his tenure in August. The ECB decided against such a model in order to maintain control of the new teams but there would likely be no shortage of willing overseas investors. Kings XI Punjab’s owners purchased the St Lucia Zouks in February, while the companies behind PSL teams Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars have previously expressed interest in global expansion.
The golden gate of Champions League qualification has swung open for Aston Villa and Unai Emery, who have soaked up the sunshine of securing a spot among Europe's elite with a top-four Premier League finish.
Emery has refashioned a struggling outfit, rooting out the rot and instilling an inner belief that has been demonstrated through supersonic growth, reaching the Europa Conference League last term before finishing fourth this week.
Aston Villa players celebrate
Now, the gates have indeed unfurled but the progress made must now be viewed as the foundation of years of success yet to come. The looming summer is a critical juncture in this sense.
Aston Villa eyeing exciting transfer
According to a report from French outlet L'Equipe, Paris Saint-Germain's versatile midfielder Carlos Soler is expected to leave the Ligue 1 champions this summer and is attracting a hive of interest, with Villa said to be holding advanced talks regarding the move.
PSG player Carlos Soler
The Spanish star has previously caught the eye of Arsenal and Liverpool and would mark a major coup for the Villans and an illustration of the newfound power that is a product of Emery's prowess.
Why Villa are interested in Carlos Soler
The revisionism vis-a-vis Emery's profile on English shores simply highlights the magnitude of his success at Villa Park, where he has sent a club that, only five years ago, languished in the Championship. The sharpened recruitment strategy suggests that Soler could make a real impact at the club.
PSG signed the Spain international, who is 27, from Valencia in a €20m (£17m) deal back in 2020, and while he has won a wealth of silverware across his two years in Paris, he has started just 25 league fixtures across the two terms.
Still, described as the "complete midfielder" by former Valencia stalwart Curro Torres, Soler would tick a lot of boxes for the Villans, who are seeking new full-backs on both sides and a multi-functioning midfielder, according to Football Insider.
Central midfield
141
26
16
Right midfield
92
11
18
Attacking midfield
28
2
1
Left midfield
25
4
1
Defensive midfield
9
3
1
Right-back
5
1
2
Left-back
2
0
0
Due to the showbiz-cluttered nature of PSG's squad – albeit the club is weaning itself away from this failed strategy – Soler has played seven matches as a wide defender this season, picking up a goal and two assists.
But given that the £79k-per-week star ranks among the top 4% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 18% for assists per 90, as per FBref, it's clear that his creativity could have a real impact within the Villan squad.
With dynamism and versatility on his side, Soler could forge quite the partnership with the focal frontman at Aston Villa, Ollie Watkins, who has scored 27 goals and supplied 13 assists across 52 appearances in all competitions for the club this season.
Watkins is a fantastic player and this comes down to his multi-faceted approach to his football, with teammate Douglas Luiz describing him as an "extraordinary striker" who thrives due to his ability to blend attacking prowess with defensive work rate.
Soler would only serve to increase the depth of the Villan pool of talent and would offer the creative support that could see Watkins carry his storming streak of form into the 2024/25 campaign.
Aston Villa given opportunity to sign £30m star who's like Grealish
He has not had much game time this season but would be an impressive pick up for Villa.