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The PCB has said that its signing off on the new Test and ODI leagues will depend on the BCCI honouring a bilateral commitment signed over three years ago.

Osman Samiuddin and Nagraj Gollapudi23-Oct-2017Pakistan will continue applying pressure on the BCCI and, indirectly, the ICC, in the hopes of securing 24 matches with India in the new international calendar. At the ICC board meeting in Auckland earlier this month, the PCB, along with all Full Members, approved in principle a fresh league structure to be implemented after the 2019 World Cup. But the PCB maintained that its final decision will depend on the BCCI honouring a bilateral commitment signed over three years ago.That is a stance the PCB first revealed last month, and it means not only will the Test and ODI leagues remain tied to Pakistan’s pursuit of India games, but also to their efforts to seek legal redress for two bilateral series against India that never took place. That case came into the spotlight over the weekend, after comments made by former chairman Shaharyar Khan and the leak of the bilateral agreement the two boards signed in April 2014.In Auckland, the Full Members unanimously agreed on a two-year, nine-team Test league as well as a 13-team ODI league. But the real business of what the actual schedule will look like – with details of who plays whom and how often – has not been finalised. Board chief executives have been working on that at scheduling conferences, and will continue to do so at another tentatively scheduled for November. The plan is for a schedule to be completed by January and presented at the next ICC board meeting in February.The PCB is resigned to not playing India in the leagues – that is something the BCCI has insisted upon – but want matches outside the structure, in an eight-month window when sides are free to play whoever they choose.At the joint session in Auckland between board directors and chief executives (in which the plan for the leagues was approved), the PCB said it was happy with the new structure on the provision it contained the 24 international matches Pakistan were guaranteed to host against India, by the terms of a previously signed MoU. Though there was no reaction, the stance was noted.A page from a letter from former BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel to Najam Sethi on the bilateral series between India and Pakistan•ESPNcricinfo LtdThe agreement, and the legal case, has been the subject of renewed scrutiny over the last few days. Over the weekend, speaking to a local TV channel, Shaharyar suggested that the PCB’s case against the BCCI at the ICC’s dispute resolution committee was not especially strong.”To an extent, it is a weakness [in our case],” he said, having been involved in these discussions until he stepped down as chairman in August. “The weakness is that it is written in there that both sides need government permission [before playing each other]. We have our government’s permission. They haven’t got permission yet, so they could say that it is written that until they haven’t got permission they cannot come and play. These are problems but it’s okay to bring them under some pressure as well.”However, Shaharyar went on, almost immediately, to disown those words. In a signed statement distributed to the media on Saturday, he said: “I strongly deny a statement attributed to me in the media in which I am supposed to have said that the PCB’s case against the BCCI is weak. How could I say such a thing when, in fact, as Chairman and with the approval of the PCB’s Board of Governors, I authorised preparation of a case on the advice of PCB’s lawyers and a prominent QC in the UK who agreed that PCB had a strong case against India.”Not long after, the letter that spells out details of the 2014 agreement was leaked on social media. Officials from both boards have confirmed the authenticity of the letter. Printed on plain paper, without a letterhead and dated April 9th, the letter [see pic] is written by Sanjay Patel, the former BCCI secretary, and addressed to Najam Sethi, the current chairman of the PCB who was, at that time, the interim head of the board. It makes no mention of either side needing government approval.The basis of the agreement is well known: six bilateral series between December 2015 and November-December 2022, with the BCCI making “all efforts” for a short, limited-overs-only tour to Pakistan in November 2014 as well. As categorically stated in the letter, the agreement applied only if the Big Three resolutions for the revamp of international cricket were signed off in June that year, which they duly were.But the November 2014 and December 2015 tours did not materialise and are the subject of the PCB’s legal case. The BCCI argued it did not have government permission to play Pakistan. The 24 international matches the PCB want incorporated in the new calendar are the three remaining tours to Pakistan as part of this MoU: nine games in December 2019, 10 in August 2020 and five in November-December 2022.A page from a letter from former BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel to Najam Sethi on the bilateral series between India and Pakistan•ESPNcricinfo LtdThe legal case has not, strictly speaking, yet begun. Though the PCB intends to file the official notice of dispute that will start the process at the ICC’s dispute resolution committee, it has yet to do so. In fact that process has been delayed slightly because there was a change in the Terms of Reference of the committee at the Auckland meeting. Once they do send in the notice, a panel of adjudicators will be constituted, who will then ask the BCCI to reply. The way of these things suggests that any resolution is still some time away, and what impact that may have on the implementation of a new calendar is uncertain.In Auckland, the PCB also asked that a new Future Tours Programme (FTP) Terms and Conditions document be created to govern the administration of the new calendar. Such a document is likely to detail how older FTP commitments fit into a new calendar, which could determine the status of this agreement.The prospect of India-Pakistan games will also come up for discussion at the next scheduling conference. If the PCB recognises the adversarial nature of a legal case works against that, there is also a suggestion it is using the case as a pressure tactic of sorts, to push the BCCI into agreeing to some bilateral contests.The Pakistan board is confident it has a strong case and that, in particular, their 2014 agreement with the BCCI has all the ingredients that would constitute the basis of a legally binding contract in a court of law. Its argument rests on whether the Indian government has explicitly, and in writing, denied the BCCI permission to play against Pakistan.The BCCI seems unperturbed by the public appearance of this agreement and believes it stands on firm ground whenever the time to defend itself comes. “It is a plain piece of paper,” one official said. “Even if you take this as a letter of intent there was never a formal agreement that happened.”The BCCI official reiterated that the Indian board did not have the authority to commit to a bilateral series with Pakistan without permission from their government.

WAPDA captain Salman Butt has questioned Peshawar’s sportsmanship after their fast bowler Taj Wali clinched a three-run win by mankading non-striker Mohammad Irfan

Umar Farooq18-Oct-20170:43

WATCH – Taj Wali Mankads Mohammad Irfan

Law 41.16: Non-striker leaving his/her ground early

If the non-striker is out of his ground from the moment the ball comes into play to the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the bowler is permitted to attempt to run him/her out. Whether the attempt is successful or not, the ball shall not count as one in the over. If the bowler fails in an attempt to run out the non-striker, the umpire shall call and signal Dead ball as soon as possible

WAPDA needed four runs to win, with more than 78 overs left in the day. Peshawar needed one wicket. Three days of cricket and here we were, the game delicately poised. And then Peshawar fast bowler Taj Wali decided to mankad the non-striker Mohammad Irfan – who had casually taken a step out from the popping crease while the bowler was about to deliver. Following the law, the umpire had no option but to give Irfan out once the bowler appealed – a close finish in this season’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy made controversial.Ahmed Shahab and Faisal Afridi, the on-field umpires, consulted after the incident, and asked the fielding side if they wanted to rethink their appeal. They didn’t, and Peshawar won by three runs – a rare win for a regional side over a department one, and, in this case, no less than the tournament’s defending champions.WAPDA’s captain Salman Butt questioned the spirit of the act.”What’s the point of this law when the winning team isn’t proud and ashamed instead?” Butt told ESPNcricinfo. “We had a great game, fully competitive throughout four days, which saw both teams’ fortunes fluctuate. And suddenly this mankading spoiled it. Sportsman spirit should have been the top priority but the game didn’t end in a proper way. What’s the point of this law when the opponent team despite winning apologises to us?”Peshawar coach Abdul Rehman said his team did nothing wrong since it was within the laws of the game. “We haven’t done anything illegal. If there is something that is allowed by the law then it is legal. If a team or player does something that is within the laws then you shouldn’t say it is against the spirit of cricket.”According to the ICC playing regulations, mirrored in Pakistan domestic cricket, the dismissal was clearly fair. “The bowler is permitted, before releasing the ball and provided he has not completed his usual delivery swing, to attempt to run out the non-striker. Whether the attempt is successful or not, the ball shall not count as one of the over. If the bowler fails in an attempt to run out the non-striker, the umpire shall call and signal dead ball as soon as possible.”

Crystal Palace’s midfield is the subject of a major overhaul. Club servants James McArthur and Luka Milivojevic have announced their departures from Selhurst Park, while Cheick Doucoure is being eyed by Liverpool, who are on the verge of losing Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia.

Upon the expiration of his contract at Bournemouth, Jefferson Lerma was signed by the Eagles to kickstart the rebuild, but they’re still in need of more depth.

One name who is constantly linked with a move to the English capital is Matheus Franca, who has been tipped to perform better for Palace than Albert Sambi Lokonga did last season.

What’s the latest on Matheus Franca to Crystal Palace?

Speaking to Football FanCast, reporter Dean Jones was asked if Franca could be considered an upgrade on Lokonga.

He said: “I’d say he’s a step up on Lokonga. I think Lokonga's found it difficult to assert himself in the Premier League so far. We don't know, maybe Franca will too, but I think that having someone with a freshness into the league will certainly help as well, and I'd actually be quite confident with him being a success.”

This follows a report published by Fabrizio Romano in his CaughtOffside column, which suggested that Palace are stepping up their pursuit of the 19-year-old by preparing to launch an opening bid.

The piece also details that Palace are ahead of Chelsea in the pecking order for Franca as the Blues are no longer monitoring the situation.

It is understood that Palace view the Brazilian as a possible replacement for Wilfried Zaha, and could cost in excess of £22m.

Would Matheus Franca be an upgrade on Sambi Lokonga?

After only making two Premier League starts in the first half of last season for Arsenal, Lokonga sealed a loan move to Palace in January in search of more regular game time.

It appeared the ideal move as the 23-year-old would get the opportunity to learn under the guidance of Gunners Invincible, Patrick Vieira. However, the move materialised as a big disappointment, as Palace failed to win any of the six Premier League games that Lokonga started.

Eventually, the Eagles’ form deteriorated to such a degree that Vieira was dismissed and replaced by Roy Hodgson. However, the veteran coach was uninspired by the Belgian as he was an unused substitute in eight of the final ten games.

Whilst operating from midfield in the Premier League, the former Anderlecht man has failed to impose any dominance, as shown by his disappointing rank within the lowest 29% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive carries, successful take-ons, tackles and blocks per 90.

The end of this underwhelming loan spell has opened the door for a more dynamic and effervescent option in Franca.

Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig has hailed the youngster as “one of the most exciting teenagers in Brazil” and – as Jones phrased it earlier – his ‘freshness’ could be hugely beneficial to the Palace side.

This could come from influence in attacking proceedings, as since making his senior debut for Flamengo, he has notched 19 goals in 59 outings.

Fabio Matias, his former coach, is also among those to sing his praises, adding: “He has many important aspects to his game. In addition to technical and tactical ability, he has a very good understanding of the game. That makes him stand out because he interprets spaces well.”

These are traits that Lokonga struggled to display, as he averaged just 0.1 key passes and 0.1 dribbles per game for Palace – lower figures than the likes of Joel Ward, Marc Guehi and Nathaniel Clyne.

All things considered, Franca could yet possess the profile and potential to be a huge success in south London for Steve Parish.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly interested in West Ham United defender Aaron Cresswell, as Julen Lopetegui aims to bolster his squad this summer.

The Spaniard has focused solely on departures this window, however, is now turning his attention to recruiting reinforcements ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The signing of Matt Doherty added experience and skill to his back line, which he could further in capturing the West Ham veteran.

Could Wolves sign Aaron Cresswell?

As reported by The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas earlier this week, the Midlands outfit are eyeing Cresswell in a deal believed to be in the region of £5m.

Thomas added that the 33-year-old is ‘keen’ on the transfer, with him having just one year remaining on his contract with the Hammers.

The Englishman’s nine-year stint in east London could be nearing a close, with The Athletic relaying that he did not feature in the Irons’ pre-season match against Tottenham ‘amid the transfer speculation’.

How good is Aaron Cresswell?

A true servant to the Hammers, the 33-year-old has made a total of 331 competitive appearances for the club, netting 10 goals and recording 37 assists from left-back over the years.

Having been lauded as “reliable” by renowned journalist Henry Winter, the Liverpool-born dynamo has become part of the furniture in the Premier League, making positive contributions every year when called upon.

Despite the perception that he's fast approacjing a mature age in footballing career terms, Cresswell’s suitability to David Moyes’ set-up has not dried up, with him making 28 appearances for the Hammers in the league last season.

For Wolves, signing the Englishman could be a positive acquisition, considering the potential exit of Rayan Ait-Nouri who is expected to leave Molineux this summer.

The Athletic mentioned the Algerian alongside the links to Cresswell, claiming that the club are ‘exploring options’ for the 22-year-old who ‘may be loaned out’.

The 22-year-old made 21 appearances for Wolves last season, however fell out of favour to the likes of Toti Gomes and Hugo Bueno, sparking rumours of his departure this summer.

Cresswell could be a strong acquisition for Lopetegui to obtain to cover the depth potentially lost in Ait-Nouri’s absence.

As per FBref, the 33-year-old bettered the Algerian in terms of his progressive play, averaging 5.84 progressive passes per 90 to his 3.60, and defensively, with an average of 1.09 interceptions per 90 to the 22-year-old’s 0.75.

An area of Cresswell’s game that could bolster the left-flank at Molineux is his eye for a pass, registering an impressive 1.61 key passes per 90 in the Premier League last term to showcase his versatility as a full-back.

Also lauded as an “unsung hero” by talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino, Lopetegui could add experience and quality to his side in place of Ait-Nouri, in a move that could add some stability to the defence at Molineux.

The Spaniard has already replenished his back line with the experience of Doherty, which could be mirrored to the left through the expertise of Cresswell, who could pose as a strong figure in the depth of the position to allow the talents of Bueno and Gomes to flourish.

Arsenal are reportedly set to be handed a boost in their pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni, as Mikel Arteta aims to revamp his midfield this summer.

The Spaniard is imminently set to announce the signing of Declan Rice in a record-breaking deal worth £105m, however, now that Granit Xhaka has departed, there could be room for more firepower in the middle of the park.

Did Arsenal bid for Aurelien Tchouameni?

In the past few weeks, it has been rumoured that Arsenal are interested in Real Madrid ace Tchouameni, with Football Transfers reporting that the Gunners ‘will reignite’ their interest in the Frenchman if other targets fail.

The deal looked unlikely with the club spending over £100m on Rice, however, an update from the Express, via reports in Spain, has revealed that the north Londoners could capture the 23-year-old at a lower price than anticipated.

The report claims that Real Madrid are active in their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe, with news speculating that Los Blancos could sell the likes of Tchouameni or Federico Valverde to free up funds for the PSG star.

Indeed, journalist Juan Ignacio G-Ochoa revealed that Madrid could allow either of the midfielders to depart for a price in the range of £68m-£85m, giving Arsenal a potentially golden chance to make another signing.

Could Aurelien Tchouameni be a good fit for Arsenal?

Lauded as “sensational” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the Frenchman would be an emphatic addition for Arteta to integrate into his midfield.

At just 23, the midfielder has cemented himself as a valuable member of both Real Madrid and the France national team, earning 25 caps for his country.

With Rice’s arrival imminent, exploring the possibility of signing Tchouameni could take Arsenal to the next level, with a player that could encourage the West Ham captain to reach his best form in north London.

As per FBref, the Real Madrid star sat in the top 1% in Europe’s top five leagues regarding his pass completion, flexing a 92.9% success rate per 90 over the past year.

A similar level was applicable to his rate of defensive work too, averaging 1.98 interceptions per 90, a figure that ranked him in the top 1% of the continent's top five leagues also.

Having a player with such composure in the engine room could allow Rice to explore more advanced areas of his game, while having a trusted anchor in a pivot with him to mediate the transition between defence and attack.

The Englishman has been tipped by writer Henry Winter to take his ‘final-third game’ to the next level at Arsenal, after showing glimpses of what he can do further up the field in claret and blue.

While acting as a prominent figure in deep midfield, the 24-year-old is versatile in his approach to play, as highlighted by his 2.75 shot-creating actions and 1.02 key passes per 90, via FBref.

A confident hitter of the ball and creative distributor, Arteta could see Rice thrive in a slightly more advanced role, which could be made possible by signing the defensive talent of Tchouameni.

The Frenchman is a player capable of holding the fort, in a pivot that could allow the Englishman to develop other areas of his game that truly take him to unplayable levels.

With the 23-year-old reportedly available at the right price this summer, Arteta could inspire his side with a complete upgrade in the middle of the park.

All Stars Cricket, a major grassroots initiative for children aged between five and eight, has gone live today

David Hopps20-Mar-2017Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, says that the launch of All Stars Cricket, a major grassroots initiative for children aged between five and eight, is about creating a new generation of fans in order to sustain the sport into the future.From midday on Monday, parents have been able to sign up their children online to become All Stars in an ECB scheme that aims to introduce the game to 50,000 boys and girls across the country.”I think we’re in a world of competition from many sports,” Vaughan told ESPNcricinfo. “I do think cricket has sat back for many years and expected people to come and play the game. This is a project that takes the game to parents and kids.”The need to engage young children with cricket has never been more pressing as cricket has lost out to a range of individual pursuits that have been galvanised by Olympic coverage and social media interest, and by the effects of a social environment less naturally attuned to team sports.”You only have to look to the left and see the Olympic Stadium,” Vaughan said during the launch event at the ArcelorMittal Orbit in Stratford. “Who’d have thought many years ago that kids would have seen BMX racing on TV, or taekwondo? These kids have been inspired by the Olympics because they’ve seen the game. And that’s really important, that cricket gets seen more.”If one or two England players are made in the next ten years then great, but this is more about creating the cricket fan. I would hope that any youngster who comes through the programme, whether they play or not, they are going to like the game. And that’s what I call spreading the wings of the game. The more we can grab kids of a younger age, the more their wings are going to be spread later in life, and that can only be good for the game.”A clue to the ECB’s priorities comes in the fact that the media release prior to the launch came with enthusiastic quotes not from the MCC or any traditional cricketing body, but from the CEO of Mumsnet, Justine Roberts, who spoke on behalf of parents in celebrating: “Fun sporty activities that their children will love.”ECB close to Olympic Stadium World Cup deal

Tom Harrison, the ECB chief executive, believes a deal is close to being secured to host World Cup matches at the Olympic Stadium in East London during the 2019 event.
Negotiations have been ongoing for some time, and are believed to revolve around two group-stage fixtures, one of which will feature England, and could be played in front of a capacity audience of 66,000 – double the size of Lord’s.
“It would be an amazing statement,” said Harrison. “60,000 people in a ground in the UK watching World Cup cricket. It’s making a statement about what cricket means in this country.”

“We’re trying to make a very early connection with girls and boys around the country, which if you get that right, the return on that time and investment is over a lifetime,” ECB chief executive, Tom Harrison, told ESPNcricinfo. “It’s a fantastic way for us to demonstrate how we are trying to broaden the appeal of cricket around the country, through our club network, county boards and ultimately also through communities that we don’t reach through cricket clubs.”The initiative has been almost two years in the making since the ECB appointed Matt Dwyer, who had successfully promoted the game at age-group level in Australia, as its director of participation and growth.Upon sign-up, participants will receive a cricketing backpack including a bat, ball and everything they need to try the game for the first time. They will then start an eight-week programme at their local centre in May where they will be introduced to the game in “a fun and safe environment”.As a gesture towards educational advantages, children will also learn the social development skills that team sport brings.Each session of the eight-week programme – developed with input from Andrew Strauss and the England performance team – aim to give children the basic skills they need to develop a lifelong love of cricket.Participating centres will receive free All Stars kits, volunteer training and support via a central marketing campaign, celebrating ‘Big Moments’ as children take their first steps in the game. The programme reflects ECB’s strategic framework for growing the game at every level.The project is part of the ECB’s wider ‘Cricket Unleashed’ programme, which aims to re-establish the sport’s relevance to all sections of society. ESPNcricinfo gave more details on the scheme last monthThe ECB has promoted All Stars at a series of meetings in county clubs around the country. Some of those already running successful youth cricket have reservations, bemoaning the fact that they will have no choice but to join a more expensive and glitzy marketing-led scheme.With cricket participation levels down, however, after a decade without free-to-air coverage, and with all team sports feeling a fall in numbers, and pressure on facilities, All Stars comes at a crucial moment for English cricket.Dwyer said: “We have big ambitions to significantly grow the game and this programme is all about putting a bat and ball in the hands of more children at an earlier age. First and foremost, we want to make playing cricket a fun and enjoyable experience for children and give them a passion for the game to last a lifetime.”Drawing kids to the game at an early age will develop more players, create more fans and show the power of cricket in developing physical and social skills.”We also want to make sure that parents have a great first experience at the club and give them the chance to have an hour back with their kids every week. We will be encouraging parents to get involved with sessions, whatever their prior knowledge of the game.”Within weeks of unveiling the programme to clubs we had 2,000 of them sign up to deliver All Stars Cricket and this summer we hope to have 50,000 kids trying the sport all over the country through this exciting nationwide programme.”England men’s and women’s stars Jonny Bairstow and Lauren Winfield joined Vaughan at the event’s launch on Monday evening.Additional reporting by Andrew Miller

A round-up of the Ford Trophy matches played on February 8, 2017

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Feb-2017Central Districts confirmed a third-place finish to the league stage of the Ford Trophy after beating Auckland by seven wickets at Pukekura Park. Auckland crashed out, collapsing spectacularly to hand Central Districts the advantage.Having chosen to bat, Auckland were well placed to gun for a big total when they were 203 for 3 in the 33rd over, courtesy contributions from Jeet Raval (46), Sean Solia (60) and Colin Munro (62 off 43). Ajaz Patel’s dismissal of Solia, to end a 36-run fourth-wicket stand with Colin de Grandhomme (37 off 23 balls), triggered Auckland’s slide: they lost their last seven wickets for 34 runs and were bowled out in the 44th over. Left-arm spinner George Worker was the wrecker in chief, with figures of 4 for 22 in six overs.Central Districts took only 39.1 overs to romp home, thanks to an unbeaten 106 by their captain Will Young (104b, 15×4) and his partnerships of 81 with Jesse Ryder (54) for the second wicket and an unbroken 137 for the fourth wicket with Tom Bruce (70* off 53 balls).Central Districts finished on 16 points, while Auckland ended up on 15. Auckland were knocked out despite having the same points total and a better net run rate (+0.001) than Northern Districts (-0.307) or Otago (-0.448), since Northern Districts had earned more bonus points.Northern Districts, as a result, finished in fourth place and qualified for the playoffs despite losing their last match to Otago, by two wickets at University Oval.An unbeaten 143 (85b, 11×4, 8×6) by Anaru Kitchen helped Otago blaze through their chase in just 34.1 overs, though their frequent wicket losses kept Northern Districts in the game. Northern Districts may have fancied themselves when Otago slipped to 191 for 6, but Kitchen added 67 for the seventh wicket with Josh Finnie (32 off 16) to keep the match in the balance. Finnie and Derek de Boorder fell in quick succession to Ish Sodhi, who finished with figures of 4 for 85), before Kitchen and Christi Viljoen steered Otago home with an unbroken 26-run stand for the ninth wicket.Kitchen also opened the bowling for Otago and bowled economically, finishing with 0 for 21 from six overs. That spell – along with James Neesham’s 3 for 58 and Michael Rippon’s 1 for 34 – helped restrict Northern Districts to 288 despite half-centuries from Bharat Popli (69), Nick Kelly (67) and Daryl Mitchell (72 off 48 balls).Wellington ensured a top-spot finish after beating Canterbury by two wickets at Hagley Oval. An unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 20 between Matt Taylor (48*) and Hamish Bennett (5*) dragged Wellington home after they had slipped to 229 for 8 in a chase of 247. Despite the regular loss of top- and middle-order wickets, Wellington had always stayed in touch with the target thanks to Hamish Marshall’s 100-ball 108. Marshall was one of three batsmen dismissed by the legspinner Todd Astle.Canterbury’s 246 for 9 was achieved on the back of an unbeaten 50 from their No. 6 Cole McConchie, who held one end together even as the lower order fell apart around him, with no one from Nos. 7 to 11 getting into double figures. Canterbury had made a solid start to their innings, thanks to Tom Latham (38), Henry Nicholls (64) and Peter Fulton (43), and were at one point 190 for 4 in the 40th over of their innings. Left-arm spinner Luke Woodcock was Wellington’s most successful bowler with figures of 4 for 50.

Aston Villa could complete the signing of Napoli winger Hirving Lozano in the summer transfer window, according to his former advisor Alessandro Monfrecola.

Are Villa linked with Lozano?

The £97,000-a-week Mexican has enjoyed a hugely successful season at club level, winning the Serie A title with Napoli and becoming an instant hero along with his teammates, considering it is their first league crown since 1990.

That being said, Lozano wasn't actually a guaranteed member the starting lineup throughout 2022/23, invariably having to settle for a squad role and starting only 20 of his side's 38 league matches.

In recent times, the winger has been linked with a summer move to Villa, as the club look to make a number of significant signings to strengthen an already-impressive squad.

What's the latest transfer news on Lozano?

Speaking to Area Napoli [via Sport Witness], Monfrecola admitted that he could see Lozano joining either Villa or West Ham as he enters the last 12 months of his contract:

"West Ham’s proposal for Lozano? I believe that if Lozano leaves Napoli he will do so for an English club. The rumours coming from Mexico tell me that there is interest from English clubs. I think Aston Villa or West Ham will be the solution for Lozano.

"He’s had a year below his expectations, so such a large salary in De Laurentiis’ view is not good. When Raiola died, he was one of the few to change agency, moving towards an agency developed towards buying and selling in England, this is his dream, the boy’s signal is clear. He is fine in Napoli, but his dream is to play in the Premier League."

Lozano could be an excellent signing for Villa, possessing real pedigree at both club and international level, considering he is now a Serie A champion – he won the Erdedivisie with PSV in the past, too – and has also scored 17 goals in 64 caps for Mexico, including one at the 2018 World Cup.

The 27-year-old would add a spark out wide that has arguably been lacking, with someone like Leon Bailey not a consistently strong performer – he only scored four goals in 33 Premier League appearances last term – with his speed and directness having the potential to cause opponents nightmares.

These are exactly the type of signings that Villa need to be making, in terms of taking them to that next level, and bringing in Lozano would feel like a big statement of intent.

Aston Villa are currently in talks with midfielder John McGinn over a new deal at the club, according to a fresh update regarding his future.

When is McGinn out of contract at Villa?

The Scot has been an outstanding servant for the Villans over a sustained period now, maturing by the year and now the captain at the club.

McGinn has racked up 183 appearances for Villa in total, scoring 17 goals and registering 26 assists along the way, and he also has 54 caps to his name for Scotland.

At 28, the midfielder remains at the peak of his powers, so Unai Emery will surely consider him a key man for the foreseeable future. His current deal expires in the summer of 2025, and while that is still two years away, they don't want to reach a point where they could lose him for a cut-price amount.

A new update suggests that an extension looks likely for McGinn, as the Villans try to keep hold of key players this summer, as well as sign exciting additions.

Could McGinn be set to sign new deal?

According to Football Insider, "talks are ongoing between John McGinn and Aston Villa over a new contract at the club", with the 28-year-old still seen as a "key member" of the setup at Villa Park.

It is stated that club chiefs "want to tie McGinn down to a long-term deal to ward off potential summer interest", with the player himself still "happy at Villa Park". There is confidence that an agreement will be reached in the near future.

Tying down McGinn to a new contract is an absolute no-brainer for Villa, with the midfielder such a consistent performer down the years, and someone who brings box-to-box energy in the middle of the park, not to mention provide strong leadership, too.

Last season, the £50,000-a-week Villans ace averaged 1.9 tackles per game across 34 Premier League appearances, as well as 1.3 dribbles per match, showing that he is an effective presence both on and off the ball. He has also been hailed as "universally respected" at the club by Steven Gerrard during his time as manager.

McGinn still has so much to offer, with his best years not likely to go away for another three or four years, and he can continue to be a massive part of the Emery revolution taking place at Villa Park currently.

Everton have increased their interest in Almeria striker El Bilal Toure ahead of a potential move to the Premier League, according to reports.

Are Everton signing El Bilal Toure?

The Mali international has been Rubi’s best-performing offensive player at the Power Horse Stadium this season, so it’s no surprise that his high standard of performance has caught the eye of Sean Dyche, who has already been laying the groundwork on the forward behind the scenes.

Back in April, GOAL in Spain reported that the Toffees had made contact with the 21-year-old’s agent to ask what it would take to complete a deal during the upcoming window despite him having missed 11 consecutive games due to sustaining a muscle injury.

The Goodison Park outfit were later claimed to have been considering submitting an offer but accepted that their financial budget was dependent on whether they survived relegation, though with their top-flight safety now confirmed, they appear to be going ahead with their pursuit.

According to The Daily Mail, Everton are "stepping up" their interest in Toure, who can run at 35km/h which is the same speed as a Spinytail Iguana, ahead of a potential move to Merseyside. The Toffees "want to ensure" that the striker has "fully recovered" from his spell on the sidelines before tabling him a deal, and it's believed that he's priced at £25m by Almeria.

Would Toure be a good signing for Everton?

Everton are clearly serious about landing Toure having made progress in the hunt to sign him over recent weeks, and having been lauded a “major talent” by journalist Graeme Bailey, Almeria’s centre-forward could be a fantastic acquisition at Goodison Park.

The Africa Cup participant, who has the ability to play with both feet, has eight goal contributions (six goals and two assists) to his name in 20 La Liga appearances this season, not to mention that he’s also an ideal target man averaging 2.1 aerial wins per game.

The Adjame native, who has the versatility to operate out wide on both flanks and even in attacking midfield alongside his natural position through the middle, ranks in the 99th percentile for clearances so additionally likes helping out defensively which will be yet another attractive attribute for the boss.

Salernitana are reportedly expected to re-sign Neal Maupay this summer after failing to make a significant impact since joining from Brighton and Hove Albion, so should he depart, Toure may prove to be his ideal replacement and possible upgrade on the Frenchman in L4.