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Uncapped Arnav Jain also named as Netherlands look to manage in the absence of players participating in the Hundred and the Royal London Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Aug-2022Wicketkeeper-batter Wesley Barresi has been recalled for Netherlands’ three-match ODI series against Pakistan which begins on August 16 in Rotterdam, while uncapped 20-year-old batting allrounder Arnav Jain has also been named in the 15-member squad.Legspinner Philippe Boissevain, who played one ODI in the series against England, has been left out.Barresi, 38, last played international cricket in June 2019 in the series against Zimbabwe. Netherlands look to manage in the absence of players currently participating in the Hundred and the Royal London Cup, with up to seven players currently playing in those two competitions are unavailable for national selection. Fred Klaassen, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe, and Timm van der Gugten are all currently participating in the Hundred, with Paul van Meekeren, Shane Snater and Brandon Glover involved in England’s domestic one-day competition.Scott Edwards, who was named captain midway through Netherlands’ series against England after Pieter Seelaar announced his retirement, takes charge of a full series for the first time.Pakistan arrived in the Netherlands on Saturday and will play three ODIs on August 16, 18 and 21. All three games will be played at the Hazelaarweg Stadium in Rotterdam.Netherlands squad: Scott Edwards (capt), Musa Ahmad, Shariz Ahmad, Wesley Barresi, Logan van Beek, Tom Cooper, Aryan Dutt, Arnav Jain, Viv Kingma, Ryan Klein, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Tim Pringle, Max O’Dowd, Vikram Singh

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has now identified a £50m star as a prime target, and they are well-positioned to win the race for his signature, according to a report.

Reds keen on a left-back

It would be fair to say that Andy Robertson has not been at his best this season, and Jamie Carragher believes the Scotland international needs to be replaced in the January transfer window.

At the beginning of the month, Carragher said: “I just think Andy Robertson, who is an absolute legend, is just hanging on in every game.

“I don’t think Kostas Tsimikas is quite of the standard to come in and replace him. I think if Liverpool could get a left-back in January, I think that’d put Liverpool in a really strong position to win the league.”

Liverpool now leading race for "unpredictable" £10m forward who Slot loves

The Reds are in close contact with the 22-year-old’s entourage.

ByDominic Lund Jan 22, 2025

A number of left-backs have been linked with moves to Anfield, including Alphonso Davies, but with the Canadian set to sign a new contract to remain at Bayern Munich, Slot is turning his attentions to an option from closer to home.

According to a report from GiveMeSport, the Liverpool boss has now identified Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez as his prime target after links emerged last week, with the Cherries believed to be looking for a fee of £50m to sanction the left-back’s departure.

Manchester United are also interested in signing Kerkez, but his preference is to move to Anfield, although any deal will have to wait until the end of the campaign, as Bournemouth unwilling to let him leave mid-season.

Waiting until the summer transfer window suits Slot, as the Reds manager does not feel additions to his squad are necessary before the transfer window closes on February 3rd, according to this report.

Kerkez could be the perfect Robertson heir

Robertson has been a fantastic servant to Liverpool, but with his performances this season not up to his usual standard, it’s a good decision to start looking at potential replacements for the summer.

The 30-year-old has always combined solid defensive work with attacking contributions, chalking up 10 assists in the Premier League in the 2021-22 campaign, and there are signs that Kerkez could be similarly effective going forward.

The Hungarian has two goals and three assists to his name for Bournemouth in the Premier League this season, while he also showcased his defensive aptitude in the 2023-24 campaign, averaging 9.85 defensive actions per 90, the highest of any U23 Premier League left-back.

Kerkez’s performances for the Cherries indicate he could be the perfect replacement for Robertson this summer, so it is exciting news that Slot has identified him as a major target and Liverpool are in a good position to get a deal done.

Bayern Munich are worried they will miss out on a financial boost as Tottenham will decide against signing Mathys Tel permanently.

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Tel joined Spurs on loan in winter windowHas struggled to make an impactTottenham not expected to take up purchase optionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Tel arrived at Tottenham at the end of the winter transfer window and was handed the No. 11 shirt. Tottenham have the option to sign Tel permanently for a fee of €50m (£43m)but do not look like taking it up as the striker is effectively fifth choice now in north London, according to . The striker is described as having been "anything but good" during his time with Spurs and the fear is he's turned into a flop.

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Tel has managed just two goals for Spurs this season. He's netted against Aston Villa in the FA Cup and Southampton in the Premier League but has struggled to impress for Ange Postecoglou's side. If Tottenham do not sign Tel it will be a blow for Bayern, as the club had reportedly been planning on using the funds to help reinvest in the squad which may subsequently affect their summer transfer plans.

DID YOU KNOW?

Tel was wanted by Tottenham's Europa League quarter-final opponents Eintracht Frankfurt last summer. Manager Dino Toppmoller told Sky Sport Germany: “Mathys was a topic during several transfer windows, of course because I know him and there’s simply a connection. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out the way we had hoped. I’m happy for him that he’s now found a club he’s chosen for himself. Let’s see how long he stays there – I believe it’s just a loan. We’ll see.”

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR TEL

Tel will come up against Frankfurt in the second leg of the Europa League tie on Thursday in Germany. Before then, Spurs face a trip to Molineux to take on Wolves on Sunday in the Premier League.

Whilst it’s beginning to feel like deja vu, it would once again be an understatement to suggest that Manchester United need a major overhaul under new manager Ruben Amorim.

They needed exactly that when David Moyes arrived, and then again under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. And who could forget a transfer window that featured the return of Cristiano Ronaldo and the arrival of Jadon Sancho under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer?

Having rebuilt their side using materials suggested by Erik ten Hag before he saw his house huffed, puffed and blown down by the rest of the Premier League, the Red Devils must look towards the transfer market to help Amorim turn things around at Old Trafford.

The former Sporting CP boss has already shown what he’s capable of by defeating Manchester City and earning a point at Anfield against Liverpool in a game that should have ended in all three, but defeats against the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth have exposed that he cannot work miracles.

6 Man Utd players in danger of Amorim axe

Ruben Amorim will be keen to move some players out of Manchester United as he gets to grips with his new team.

ByRoss Kilvington Jan 15, 2025

However, if INEOS truly want to turn things around at Old Trafford, signing these five players would be a good place to start.

1 Bryan Mbeumo Brentford

If INEOS are to prove their transfer genius and take Manchester United away from an era of expensive big-name transfer flops, signing Bryan Mbeumo would be an intelligent first move. The Brentford winger is more than ready for a big move, and as Marcus Rashford heads for an Old Trafford exit, he should be high up on the Red Devils’ list of potential replacements.

Still just 25 years old and at the peak of his powers, Mbeumo’s ability to play as a winger and in the striker role would kill two birds with one stone for Amorim, who could deploy the versatile star next to Rasmus Hojlund.

The Bees have benefited in the past from Mbeumo’s link-up play with a fellow striker when he thrived next to Ivan Toney, and now Manchester United should aim to prosper by combining a powerful forward of their own with the quicker, smarter Brentford man, who’s reportedly worth a hefty £60m this month.

2 Antonee Robinson Fulham

A problem which remains unsolved even as the revolving door of managers at Manchester United continues is the one at left-back. Whether it’s been Solskjaer, Ten Hag or others, Luke Shaw has remained the man relied upon to take that left-back spot. Amorim and INEOS must simply bring that trend to an end amid the England international’s inability to remain fit.

In his place should be someone like Antonee Robinson. The Fulham star has arguably been the best left-back in the Premier League so far this season, and his attacking output suggests that he’d be ready-made to slot straight into Amorim’s left wing-back role within his Manchester United back five.

Starts

21

20

Assists

9

1

Interceptions

41

26

Ball recoveries

84

113

Not many players have been able to match Robinson’s output on the assists front throughout the current campaign, with Dalot simply a level below the American, who could instantly solve United’s issues down the left-hand side.

3 Goncalo Inacio Sporting CP

Whilst some may be scarred by the number of former Ajax players who struggled to perform under Ten Hag, Goncalo Inacio and Amorim could form a far more successful story, which should begin as early as this month.

When looking at Manchester United’s backline, there have been far too many square pegs in round holes to give the United boss a mere fighting chance of consistency.

The former Sporting manager desperately needs a centre-back capable of thriving in his system – ideally, one he knows well. Therefore, Inacio could be the perfect choice. A defender who played his best football under Amorim and one who can play left wing-back and centre-back, all signs point towards him as the ultimate solution for the Red Devils.

Inacio’s name has been mentioned alongside Manchester United for some time, and his reported release clause of just £50m should make any deal even more tempting to pursue before the end of the January transfer window. Next to Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, the Portugal international could quickly plug what has been a leaky backline in recent months.

5 players who could leave Manchester United this January

Ruben Amorim could look to re-shape his squad this winter.

ByDominic Lund Dec 31, 2024 4 Joao Gomes Wolverhampton Wanderers

Having failed to sign Joao Gomes last summer and eventually settling for Manuel Ugarte, Manchester United should go again in their pursuit of the Wolverhampton Wanderers man to form quite the midfield partnership.

Amorim’s system certainly needs an added No 6 next to Ugarte, and when it’s not Kobbie Mainoo, it simply cannot be Christian Eriksen whom he turns towards. Instead, Gomes should emerge.

Whilst the Brazilian’s reported £38m price tag last summer quickly put United off any deal, Wolves’ current fight to avoid relegation could see that valuation drop just in time for those at Old Trafford to make their move. If the Midlands club were to go down, that £38m price tag should plummet into bargain territory for any club willing to complete a summer swoop.

Ten Hag’s lacklustre midfield was arguably his greatest weakness and the beginning of his downfall, but Amorim can swiftly turn that narrative on its head by welcoming Gomes and turning the Dutchman’s shortcomings into his greatest strength at Old Trafford.

Man Utd players out of contract in summer 2025

Is it time for Christian Eriksen to move on this summer?

ByHenry Jackson Jan 14, 2025 5 Viktor Gyokeres Sporting CP

In usual circumstances, any club in the bottom half of the Premier League would be ruled out of signing one of the best strikers in world football. But not every bottom-half side carries the name Manchester United, and not every bottom-half side would have the Amorim advantage in pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres.

The Sporting star thrived under the current United boss and is destined to become a gamechanger wherever he finds himself next, especially if it is Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have been crying out for a talisman for some time. Hojlund arrived and is yet to prove that he’s ready to steal the show, whilst Joshua Zirkzee is arguably more likely to head for the exit door than he is to burst into life in Manchester United colours, opening the door for Gyokeres to do the job that so many have shirked away from.

With a reported release clause of £80m, Gyokeres would not come cheap, but he’d more than pay the Red Devils back if he can replicate the goalscoring record that even Erling Haaland has struggled to match at times this season.

Kane, Gyokeres, Mbappe: Ranking Europe's top 12 goalscorers in 2024

With the likes of Harry Kane scoring goals for the fun, only one can claim to have scored the most in 2024.

ByHenry Jackson Jan 2, 2025

John Turner’s maiden five-for followed by nerveless Toby Albert finale

ECB Reporters Network14-Aug-2022John Turner’s maiden professional five-wicket haul and Toby Albert’s nerveless unbeaten 65 maintained Hampshire’s 100 per cent Royal London Cup record in a nail-biting victory over Lancashire.South African-born Turner’s five for 25 led an impeccable fast bowling display from Hampshire, with Jack Campbell and Scott Currie removing the rest.In form batter Rob Jones crashed 84 in a 119 partnership with Steven Croft, to take his competition average to 239, as Lancashire scored 183.Liam Hurt’s brutally quick three for 25 made sure Hampshire couldn’t ease to victory but 20-year-old Albert, on the back of a match-winning 84 against Derbyshire, managed to get his side over the line with 10 balls to spare.Related

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Hampshire’s eight-wicket victory keeps them top of Group B with a perfect record, with Lancashire now three points adrift with three wins, a washout and this defeat – both will expect to make the knockout stage.On a blistering quick wicket, having been asked to bowl by Keaton Jennings, Campbell and Turner had Lancashire seven for 3 inside five overs.Turner’s first delivery of the match set the tone, with Ben Brown taking the ball at shoulder height a couple of steps in from the 30-yard circle. Jennings couldn’t resist attempting to cut at one though on his return from Lions duty, but the extra bounce found his edge.Luke Wells impatiently skied Campbell and Josh Bohannon was caught behind to a ball which gloriously shaped in.Lancashire still hadn’t scored off a run off the bat at this stage, but Jones pushed and ran to cover before unfurling a square drive to begin a very profitable, and needed fourth-wicket partnership.Jones has been in fine form in the competition with scores of 70 and 85, both without being dismissed. Here he was effortless in reaching a 60-ball fifty, often using the bounce to his advantage.The pair had recovered the situation before Lancashire collapsed again, with the last seven wickets falling for 57 runs. Croft was yorked by Campbell to end the county’s record fourth-wicket stand against Hampshire before George Balderson clothed Turner to midwicket.Currie then opened the floodgates with a triple wicket maiden, taking three wickets in four balls. Jones fell for the first time in this season’s cup when he cut to point, Tom Bailey edged behind first ball before Will Williams defended his first ball but was pinned second. George Lavelle and Liam Hurt were both caught trying to attack Turner to give him his five.Hampshire plodded rather than attacked the target. Ben Brown, promoted to open, was lbw to a Bailey delivery which seamed in, Tom Prest dragged a wide Hurt ball onto his stumps having been bogged down, and Nick Gubbins fell into a perfectly placed short extra cover trap off Balderson.Hurt’s searing pace had Aneurin Donald chopping down and Fletcha Middleton caught behind with a frighteningly quick delivery from his long run-up and low action. Felix Organ also hit onto his own stumps off Bailey and Scott Currie swung two boundaries before he was pinned by Luke Wells.Sixteen-year-old debutant Dom Kelly belied his inexperience with 17 in a 38-run stand with Albert but cut to point with 18 still needed. But Albert reached back-to-back fifties in 64 balls and ticked off the remaining runs with Turner to the backdrop of a raucous crowd, with the winning runs a lofted on-drive for four.

Despite often being cited as the most important position on the pitch, goalkeepers typically haven’t been sold for big money. That has changed in more recent years, with long-standing records tumbling within the past decade.

But who are football’s most expensive goalkeepers? In this list, we’ve taken a look at the priciest transfers concerning those between the sticks, with a detailed summary of the top 10 moves.

The 10 best goalkeepers in the world right now (ranked)

Who’s the world’s best shot-stopper?

3 ByTom Cunningham Nov 15, 2024

Rank

Player

From

To

Fee

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Athletic Club

Chelsea

Alisson

Roma

Liverpool

Andre Onana

Inter

Man Utd

Thibaut Courtois

Chelsea

Real Madrid

Ederson

Benfica

Man City

Gianluigi Buffon

Parma

Juventus

Neto

Valencia

Barcelona

Jasper Cillessen

Barcelona

Valencia

Aaron Ramsdale

Sheff Utd

Arsenal

Jordan Pickford

Sunderland

Everton

Giorgi Mamardashvili

Valencia

Liverpool

David Raya

Brentford

Arsenal

Aaron Ramsdale

Arsenal

Southampton

Robert Sanchez

Brighton

Chelsea

Alex Meret

Udinese

Napoli

Edouard Mendy

Rennes

Chelsea

Manuel Neuer

Schalke

Bayern Munich

Pau Lopez

Real Betis

Roma

Filip Jorgensen

Villarreal

Chelsea

Odysseas Vlachodimos

Nottingham Forest

Newcastle

10 Jordan Pickford Sunderland to Everton (£30m)

Coming in at 10 is Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who joined the Toffees in June 2017 for a club-record fee of £30m, with Everton paying £25 million to Sunderland and then another £5 million depending on team and individual performances.

The goalkeeper signed a five-year contract after only breaking into the Sunderland team just over 12 months before his move to Goodison Park.

Since joining Everton, Pickford has cemented his spot as their No 1 goalkeeper, keeping the role despite the various changes in management. He has also become England’s No 1, winning 73 caps and playing pivotal roles in recent European Championship and World Cup campaigns.

9 Aaron Ramsdale Sheff Utd to Arsenal (£30m)

Aaron Ramsdale made the move to join Arsenal from Sheffield United in 2021. The shot-stopper joined the Gunners worth as much as £30m.

The 26-year-old spent three seasons with Arsenal, keeping 12 clean sheets in 34 Premier League games in his first campaign. Ramsdale then went on to beat that, as he kept 14 the following season, but then lost his place in the 2023/24 season and was sold to Southampton in the summer of 2024.

7 goalkeepers who could replace Robert Sanchez at Chelsea

Chelsea are in dire need of a new ‘keeper…

1 ByBarney Lane Jan 27, 2025 8 Jasper Cillessen Barcelona to Valencia (£31.4m)

Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen joined Valencia in a deal worth £31.4m, where he signed a four-year deal and had a buyout clause worth £71.66m.

Cillessen spent three seasons at Valencia, which were not plain sailing, as Cillessen was in and out of the side through injuries, playing a total of 57 games, conceding 81 goals, and keeping just 12 clean sheets.

He returned to the Netherlands after his time was up at Valencia, turning out for NEC Nijmegen before making a La Liga comeback this summer with Las Palmas.

7 Neto Valencia to Barcelona (£31.4m)

In June 2019, Barcelona signed goalkeeper Neto from fellow Spanish side Valencia in a deal that was worth €35m (£31.4m) including add-ons.

Now at Arsenal, the Brazilian ended a poor spell at Camp Nou by sealing a free transfer to Bournemouth in the summer of 2022, as the cash-strapped Catalans made a nightmare return on their original investment – though their sale of Jasper Cillessen for virtually the same amount the day before meant little harm was done in the end…

6 Gianluigi Buffon Parma to Juventus (£32.6m)

In July 2001, Juventus made history as they paid the highest fee for a goalkeeper when signing Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon. The Turin giants paid £32.6m to Parma, where he came through the academy, to secure the services of a ‘keeper who would become one of the best in the game.

Buffon was the world’s most expensive goalkeeper for 17 years, although interestingly, that depends on which currency you go by. Despite costing just under £33m in pounds sterling, his record in euros (around €50m) wasn’t beaten until the top two goalkeeping transfers took place in 2018.

5 Ederson Benfica to Man City (£35m)

Manchester City signed goalkeeper Ederson in June 2017 for a deal worth £35m, after only recently breaking into the first team in Portugal.

The Brazilian showed his quality straight away, and it wasn’t long before he established himself as one of the strongest goalkeepers in the Premier League. Ederson has been a key part of City’s domestic and European success in recent years continues to be a key part of the City team today.

Man City's most expensive signings of all time

The Citizens have spent a lot of money over the years.

ByBarney Lane Jan 28, 2025 4 Thibaut Courtois Chelsea to Real Madrid (£35m)

Thibaut Courtois ended a seven-year spell at Chelsea when he joined Real Madrid in 2018 for a deal believed to be worth £35m.

The Belgian had become one of Europe’s finest goalkeepers and earned his move to Madrid, which was controversial given his existing ties to rivals Atlético.

The 32-year-old has won three league titles, three Spanish Cups and two Champions League trophies since being at the Bernabeu.

3 Andre Onana Inter to Man Utd (£47.2m)

Manchester United decided to pay £47.2m to bring Andre Onana to Old Trafford as the replacement for David de Gea in July 2023, with then-manager Erik ten Hag working with the shot-stopper at Ajax.

He has come under fire during his time in Manchester, with the Cameroon international guilty of making some high-profile errors, which will surely cast doubt over his long-term future amid the arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim.

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Man United have had some dreadful players since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

ByRoss Kilvington Jan 24, 2025 2 Alisson Roma to Liverpool (£66.8m)

When Liverpool signed Alisson from Roma in July 2018, he became the most expensive goalkeeper in football. The Premier League side paid £66.8m to the Italian giants for the Brazilian’s services, and it has been worth every penny, with the goalkeeper on hand to play a key role in Liverpool winning the Champions League in his first season, all while keeping six clean sheets in 13 European games.

Alisson has since gone on to help Liverpool win the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and Premier League in recent years and has kept over 120 clean sheets in over 280 games for the Merseyside club.

Every goalkeeper to score in the Premier League

It doesn’t happen often, but the Premier League has seen a few goalkeepers get on the scoresheet.

ByBrett Worthington Jan 25, 2025 1 Kepa Arrizabalaga Athletic Club to Chelsea (£71m)

Kepa Arrizabalaga is the most expensive goalkeeper in world football. The Spain international joined Chelsea in 2018 for a record fee of £71m.

Chelsea triggered the release clause in Arrizabalaga’s contract at Athletic Club and he joined the Blues on a seven-year contract. The 30-year-old made an instant impact at Stamford Bridge, becoming the club’s No 1, but after two seasons at the helm, Arrizabalaga lost his place in the starting XI and has struggled to get back in, spending time on loan at Real Madrid and Bournemouth.

Chelsea's most expensive sales of all time

A look at the record departures from Stamford Bridge.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 8, 2025

Lionel Messi has revealed he wanted to return to Barcelona after leaving PSG, but circumstances made the move impossible.

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Messi refused to play for Barca's European rivalsWorld Cup win had a big impact on next moveBecame a "family decision"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

In an interview with , Messi shared the revelation that he has wanted to return to Barcelona since leaving. When a move back to Catalonia after leaving PSG fell through, his World Cup success, the needs of his family and a reticence to play for another European team ultimately facilitated his transfer to Inter Miami and MLS.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Reporting in 2023 suggested ongoing financial sanctions against the club would have required Barcelona to sell multiple players to afford Messi's agreed salary of £21m a year. Ultimately, it was decided a move wasn't possible.

WHAT LIONEL MESSI SAID

Messi said: "I had the intention of returning to Barcelona and being able to go back to a place I always wanted to be, but it was not possible again.

"After that, it became a family decision. The fact that we won the World Cup also had a big impact. I was clear that I didn’t want to be at another team in Europe, I didn’t want to go to any of them."

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Inter Miami are back in action on April 19 when they travel to Columbus Crew in MLS.

Top local contracts are for around A$200,000 for 14 games, while for foreign platinum players it is A$340,000 regardless of number of matches

Andrew McGlashan30-Aug-2022Steven Smith feels the BBL’s priority should be to look after domestic Australian cricketers. The competition offered big sums of money to overseas players in the draft recently – in the end, five of the foreign platinum players, who will earn A$340,000 (US$234,180 approx.) regardless of how many matches they will be available for, were not picked.In the lead-up to the draft, there had already been rumblings of discontent from local players about the difference between what the top Australian earners can currently get from the BBL compared to the overseas stars. The top local contract is worth around A$200,000 (US$137,753 approx.) for a 14-game regular season.Related

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That is certain to change when the new MoU is thrashed out in the coming months, and there is broadly an understanding that this season is about doing whatever it takes to get the BBL back on track after two difficult years, but Smith confirmed there was unease around the game.”I think [the draft] is interesting, I don’t know what the best way forward is,” he said. “In terms of tournaments around the world, you have to look after your local players most importantly.”And seeing some of the players who are coming out for big cash, I know a few of the local players, that are big players, are a little bit disappointed in terms of remuneration for the tournament. I think there’s going to have to be a way around that to keep your local players happy. I’m sure it is something to look at.”David Warner will appear for Sydney Thunder after signing a big-money deal, which matches the platinum level, after having been courted by the ILT20.

“My T20 cricket hasn’t been as good as I would like it to be, so I wanted to get some work in and to not be allowed to play in my domestic tournament was the most disappointing thing for me”Steven Smith, on being barred from playing for Sydney Sixers last season

Smith, too, has been offered a contract by Sydney Sixers to play following the final home Test against South Africa which ends on January 8, but has so far declined. He still holds some resentment for how he was barred from playing for Sixers last year, and has yet to decide what he will do.”Honestly, last year the most disappointing aspect was the series [against New Zealand] got cancelled and there was a window there for me to play some white-ball cricket in the lead up to the Sri Lanka series,” he said. “I wanted to play some domestic cricket in our domestic tournament to get some work in for that. My T20 cricket hasn’t been as good as I would like it to be, so I wanted to get some work in and to not be allowed to play in my domestic tournament was the most disappointing thing for me.”Last month, Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Todd Greenberg said that the players knew they would benefit from a successful BBL, but the tournament needed to be fair.”Players care about the game, they want to be partners,” he told the . “They understand the long-term impacts of broadcast revenues, but to be part of that it has to go both ways. It’s a competitive marketplace, and it is getting more competitive by the minute.”We want our best players playing, but we want them paid appropriately.”While Smith said that he was not looking at overseas leagues, he was cryptic about what he may do in the BBL window, soon after which Australia head to India for four Tests.”I’m just keeping my options open at the moment, there’s a few things I could possibly do,” he said. “I’ll see what happens.”

Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny joked that he advised Lamine Yamal to shave off his hair before going for his eye-catching new trim.

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Barcelona win Copa del ReyYamal sports new hairstyle in victorySzczesny joked he should go baldFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

During Barcelona's dramatic extra-time Copa del Rey final win over Real Madrid on Saturday, the 17-year-old turned heads when he showed off his new blond hairdo. After the match, team-mate Szczesny revealed he wanted the teenager – who initially hid his haircut with a cap – to go for a different look but there was no stopping the Spain international.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT SZCZESNY SAID

When asked about Yamal's new look, he told : "No, don't ask. Don't ask, because I'll have headlines in Spanish newspapers. I'll tell you this, [on Friday] there was a hairdresser at our hotel for players who wanted to change their hairstyle. I tried to convince him to change it and cut it completely, but he didn't listen."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

No matter if he is bald or blond, Yamal is a teenage sensation and starred once again for Barca as they beat their bitter rivals in a thrilling contest. That is their first major trophy of the season, and now they will try and complete a famous treble as they aim to win La Liga and the Champions League in the coming weeks.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Yamal's Barcelona return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they take on Inter in the first leg of this semi-final.

Ben Chilwell’s loan move from Chelsea to Crystal Palace has been given the famous “here we go” from Fabrizio Romano. He is set to undergo his medical on deadline day and will sign on loan at Selhurst Park until the end of the season.

Chilwell is the second player the Eagles have signed on loan from Stamford Bridge this season after Trevoh Chalobah joined the club for the season. However, he was recalled by the Blues in the middle of January. Palace may well have his replacement lined up on deadline day.

Palace target new defender

According to a report from CaughtOffside, the Eagles ‘want to add’ 24-year-old Portuguese defender Tiago Djlao to their squad in order to reinforce Oliver Glasner’s defensive options for the second half of the season. The reports reads that Palace are ‘pushing hard’ to get their man.

They could face difficulties with a potential move for the centre-back. He is currently on loan at Portuguese side FC Porto, meaning parent club Juventus will have to break the current loan in order for Palace to bring him in.

Why Djalo would be a good signing

Frustratingly for Djalo, he has not had much involvement for Porto during the first half of the season, which is potentially a hint they may be willing to break his loan. The 24-year-old has featured just 12 times across all competitions, managing two goals in that time.

However, despite a tough campaign so far, the defender has been a key player in a top European side during his career. He made 102 appearances for LOSC Lille between 2019 and 2023, even featuring in the Champions League.

Djalo would be a key signing for Palace if they are aiming to replace Chalobah on deadline day. The former Eagles loanee was vital for Glasner, playing 14 times in all competitions, starting each game he featured in.

The South London side will certainly be glad Djalo can find the back of the net because it was something Chalobah excelled at. He managed three goals during his short stint at Selhurst Park, including one against Brighton.

To get an idea of how similar the players are, statistical comparisons on Sofascore for Djlao and Chalobah can be drawn. For this comparison, league stats from the 2024/25 campaign have been used despite the smaller sample size.

Both players are impressive on the ball, with the Portuguese defender averaging a pass accuracy of 95% in the Portuguese top flight this term, and Chalobah slightly lower at 82%. The Palace target will certainly raise the technical floor of the side.

In terms of their ability out of possession, the 24-year-old Porto man averages 5.3 ball recoveries per game, compared to 4.4 for the Chelsea man, and wins 65% of his ground duels as opposed to 59% for Chalobah.

Stat (per 90)

Djalo

Chalobah

Pass accuracy

95%

82%

Tackles and interceptions

1.6

3.1

Duels won

3.4

5.3

Ground duel win rate

65%

59%

Ball recoveries

5.3

4.4

If the Eagles can get Juve to break the loan, this could be a smart signing on deadline day. Djalo, described as a “dominant” defender by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, could raise the technical floor of the Palace side whilst also being an imposing defender.

Whether it is on a short-term loan deal or a permanent move, this could be a perfect signing for Palace and be a fantastic replacement for Chalobah. Hopefully, the addition of Chilwell isn’t the end of their deadline day business.

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