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The Athletic’s David Ornstein has dropped an Aston Villa transfer update on their pursuit of Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that Premier League champions Manchester City have put in a mammoth £100m bid for Villa star Jack Grealish, but it seems that the Midlands club haven’t taken their eye away from making their own big-money moves.

Taking to Twitter, Ornstein said: “EXCL: Southampton reject bid from Aston Villa for James Ward-Prowse. Offer for 26yo was £25m, #SaintsFC would want far more. England midfielder signed new 5y deal last summer. Unrelated to Grealish. W/ @dansheldonsport @TheAthleticUK @greggevans40#AVFC.”

In an accompanying article for The Athletic, he outlined: “The Athletic understands Southampton would be incredibly reluctant to sell their captain to a direct rival and they realise he is their most highly-valued asset. He has just signed a new contract with them.

“It is believed that the initial offer was seen as derisory and not even considered by the south coast club. A second bid is expected.”

Fans will be excited

One of the crucial things for Villa here is that their attempts to sign Ward-Prowse is “unrelated” to what is currently happening with Grealish, which still leaves the door open for the two England internationals to play together at Villa Park.

Whether or not that happens remains to be seen, but the intention is certainly there from Villa that they are not purely looking at the Southampton star as a player to come in from the money they will get for Grealish, but rather one they envisage teaming up with the 25-year-old.

News that Villa are ready to put in a second bid for the Saints captain is yet more exciting news for the Midlands club’s fans as they enjoy an impressive transfer window of new signings this summer.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has confirmed some exciting Aston Villa transfer news…

A stiff target of 364 was overhauled as Pakistan Cricket Academy extended the unbeaten run on their African trip

Cricinfo staff16-Sep-2008
ScorecardA stiff target of 364 was overhauled as Pakistan Cricket Academy beat Kenya by four wickets at Nairobi Gymkhana, thanks largely to an unbeaten 108 from Fawad Alam, who made the home side pay for dropping him twice in an over. The win maintained the Academy’s unbeaten record on their African tour.There was no doubt that the Kenyans were hampered by the absence of their captain Steve Tikolo, who sat the day out after injuring his thumb. But after a full-strength side set such a stiff target, the manner of the loss will be a further concern for the Kenyan selectorsResuming on 76 for 2, Pakistan reached 141 for 2 when Anwar Ali was dismissed for 37. Manzoor, the Pakistan captain, was in sight of his second hundred of the game, but fell two short as left-arm spinner Hiren Varaiya took a catch off his own bowling.Khurram Manzoor had anchored the innings till then, and fortunately for Pakistan, the chase didn’t fall apart once he was out. Raheel Majeed joined Alam at the crease, and scored runs at brisk rate to push Pakistan towards their target. Majeed scored 42 in a partnership of 87 with Alam, before he was caught behind off Alfred Luseno.Alam then took charge of the chase, and received good support from Ali Asad (23) and Naeem Anjum (21 not out). He benefited from Kenya’s sloppiness when Jimmy Kamande dropped him off a return catch and two deliveries later wicketkeeper Maurice Ouma put another chance down.Alam added 50 along with Asad, and went past his hundred as Pakistan reached their target in 111.4 overs.The teams head to Mombasa for the second four-day match starting on Friday.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Nuno Santo has been dealt a further blow…

What’s the word?

According to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Spurs striker Harry Kane failed to show up to training for a second successive day as a stand-off with chairman Daniel Levy and the club begins to transform into a saga.

It’s no secret that the 28-year-old is desperate to move on from his boyhood club amid interest from Premier League champions Manchester City, who could help him achieve his ambitions to add silverware to his glistening goal-laden career.

“Harry Kane on the same position again today morning. He’s not showing up for Tottenham training as he wants to leave the club this summer – tense situation with Spurs board,” tweeted Romano.

A significant blow

This latest update will come as frustrating news for Nuno Santo, who was adamant that Kane would be going nowhere only last month. He told reporters, via Sky Sports:

“Harry is our player, period. There is no need to talk about anything else. Now is the time for him to rest. When he returns we can have a good conversation. I am looking forward to him joining the group.”

With the new season less than two weeks away, the Portuguese coach would’ve wanted to get his star man up to speed with his tactics and system but now he’s going to have to wait – with no immediate end to this saga in sight.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-team-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-much-more-copy” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours, gossip and much more!”]

Furthermore, Football Insider have added further fuel to the fire by suggesting that Kane is prepared to do “whatever it takes” to join international teammate Jack Grealish at the Etihad Stadium this window.

The £108m-rated talisman has finished as Spurs’ top goalscorer in seven straight seasons and even accounted for a whopping 54% of all their league goals scored last term.

That shows just how important he is to the Lilywhites, so to not have him in training and preparing for the new campaign means Nuno has been dealt a major setback before a ball has even been kicked.

Coincidentally, Spurs’ first game of the season is against City. There’s a very good chance that Kane will not be on the pitch – for either side, as a result.

The long-serving 6 foot 2 striker also risks tarnishing his reputation with the fanbase, with many already turning against him, as seen by reactions relayed by This is Futbol.

“Unprofessional” and “disrespectful” were just two words used to describe Kane’s shock actions.

This is the last thing that the new Spurs boss needs as he tries to turn around their fortunes in North London.

AND in other news, Spurs open talks to sign £18m-rated “leader” who “Nuno likes”, he’s a big Dier upgrade…

Sriram Veera previews the second match of the second ICL season between the Dhaka Warriors and Chennai Superstars

The Preview by Sriram Veera11-Oct-2008Match factsOct 11, 2008
Start time 7.30pm (14.00 GMT)
The ICL’s latest recruits, the Dhaka Warriors, will face off against an experience Chennai outfit © Cricinfo Ltd.
Big Picture The ICL’s newest team, the Dhaka Warriors, start their campaign against the former champions Chennai Superstars. Chennai’s strength has been their consistency, and they are in good touch too. They finished second place in the domestic Twenty20 tournament which ended last month and have been the team to beat since the conception of the tournament last year. However, they will miss their captain Stuart Law, who is out of the first two games due to injury, and will be led by R Sathish, who starred in the first season with 383 runs. Hemang Badani, G Vignesh, Ian Harvey and Russel Arnold are the other key men.Dhaka’s batting will hinge largely on Aftab Ahmed, Shahriar Nafees, the captain Habibul Bashar and Alok Kapali. The bowling will be led by Mosharraf Hossain, who picked two wickets in the recent warm-up game against Chandigarh Lions.Watch out forIan Harvey: He was Chennai’s top scorer with 472 runs in the first season, and as a bowler, his effective slower deliveries will be a handful.Hemang Badani: The stylish left-handed batsman has the benefit of international experience, so the Dhaka bowlers will have their task cut out for him.Shahriar Nafees: Nafees boasts of a Test hundred against Australia and importantly, he is in form. In the warm-up game against Chandigarh, he hit a 54-ball 77with nine fours and two sixes.Pitch & conditionsThe outfield was a touch slow yesterday but the pitch played pretty true. It is bound to get better.Quotes”We know Chennai have some big names but we too have a right blend of youth and experience. We want to take home the trophy.”
“We’ve been one of the most consistent sides in the ICL. No other side has been able to do as much as we have done in the last four tournaments. Two titles, a second place and a third place are no mean achievements.”

Sunderland have reportedly edged closer to sealing a deal to sign Spurs left-back Dennis Cirkin, with a medical taking place this weekend, according to Football Insider. 

What’s the story?

Sunderland will have been looking to add additional strength in depth to their defensive options before the summer transfer window reaches a conclusion.

The Black Cats have lost Callum McFadzean after he was released at the end of his contract with the League One side, after making 33 appearances in total for them.

Dion Sanderson also returned to his parent club after his loan spell at the Stadium of Light, which meant that Lee Johnson has found strength in depth hard to find in defence at this moment in time.

Football Insider have reported that Tottenham Hotspur youngster Dennis Cirkin is close to joining Sunderland as they look to add much-needed depth to their defensive options, with a six-figure deal reportedly being agreed.

‘Kid with a lot of quality’

Cirkin has clearly made a good impression whilst playing for the Tottenham Under-23s, and even though his lack of experience in senior football might be a slight concern to some supporters, the prospect of him improving every week should make it an exciting signing for the Black Cats, if the formalities of the move are finalised in the near future.

Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho labelled Cirkin as a ‘kid with a lot of quality’, as he trained with the first-team squad earlier in his career.

“OK, he’s 17, but he’s a kid with a lot of quality, and I look forward to bringing him to train with us and to help his development.”

Cirkin has also had comparisons with Chelsea full-back Ben Chilwell in the pas, and will be hoping he can further his knowledge in senior football at the Stadium of Light with Sunderland.

The Athletic have also stated that Cirkin is ‘energetic’, and ‘strong in the tackle’ in previous reports, and Lee Johnson will be hoping he can see some of those attributes whilst with Sunderland this season.

If Cirkin can hit the ground running with the Black Cats, then Sunderland could have made a shrewd addition in signing the youngster on a permanent basis this summer.

Sunderland beat Wigan Athletic in their first match of the new League One campaign and will be hoping they can go from strength to strength moving forwards.

Lee Johnson’s side are set to return to action on Tuesday evening, when they take on Port Vale in the EFL Cup, in what could potentially be a tricky test for the Black Cats at Vale Park.

Jamie Smith and Gary Putland are both in line for first-class debuts after South Australia made several changes to their Sheffield Shield side

Cricinfo staff07-Nov-2008
Gary Putland has made one-day and Twenty20 appearances for South Australia and is now in line for a Sheffield Shield debut © Getty Images
Jamie Smith and Gary Putland are both in line for first-class debuts after South Australia made several changes to their Sheffield Shield side. The Redbacks, who have no points from their first three games, have named a 12-man squad for the match against Western Australia in Adelaide starting on Monday.Shaun Tait will be rested as a precautionary measure due to tightness in his left hamstring while Younis Khan has temporarily returned to his Pakistan duties for their upcoming one-day series in Abu Dhabi. Younis has had a slow start to the season – his unbeaten 71 against New South Wales has been his only score of note – and he will return to the side for the next game against Queensland later this month.The opener Tom Plant has been axed having averaged 12.50 in three disappointing games. The batting gaps have provided an opportunity for Smith, 20, a top-order batsman who made his state one-day and Twenty20 debuts two summers ago at the age of 18.The attack has also taken on a fresh look with the absence of Tait. Peter George impressed with six wickets on debut this week and the Redbacks will be hoping for a similarly strong start from Putland, 22, a left-arm fast bowler who has been a fringe member of the one-day side over the past few seasons.Sheffield Shield squad Daniel Harris, Michael Klinger, Callum Ferguson, Cameron Borgas, Jamie Smith, Aaron O’Brien, Graham Manou (capt, wk), Mark Cleary, Dan Cullen, Peter George, Gary Putland, Allan Wise.

Many Southampton fans have been left buzzing as the club confirmed the signing of Adam Armstrong on their official Twitter page.

As per their website, the St. Mary’s faithful have signed the striker from Blackburn Rovers on a four-year deal, with Ralph Hasenhuttl lauding him as a ‘dynamic’ player who will bring ‘a lot of qualities’ to the side.

With Danny Ings moving on to Aston Villa on a permanent deal earlier on in the summer transfer window, the Saints desperately needed to bring in a replacement, and Armstrong has all of the qualities to thrive in the Premier League.

The Englishman scored no fewer than 29 goals and made a further five assists in 43 games in total over all competitions across the 2020/21 season (Transfermarkt), and so is more than capable of replacing the goals that Ings guaranteed when he was at the club.

Southampton fans on Armstrong signing

These supporters buzzed as the Armstrong signing was confirmed on Twitter, with one sharing that they are ‘excited’ as fans move on from former favourite Ings…

“LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOO”

Credit: @SaintlyStingray

“Southampton making signings, what a beautiful thing”

Credit: @C0AKESY

“Big big fan of this signing. Cautiously optimistic especially if we get one or two more in. Welcome”

Credit: @dawtry_liam

“We are winning the league aren’t we?”

Credit: @sfcThomas_

“Excited by this lad”

Credit: @ojlaw1991

“He’s here and he’s beautiful”

Credit: @RahilMajid

In other news, find out what recent news has Saints unhappy here!

Chennai Superstars allrounder G Vignesh and Royal Bengal Tigers wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta were docked 50% of their monthly fees for an on-field altercation

Cricinfo staff08-Nov-2008
Deep Dasgupta was docked 50% of his monthly fees © ICL
Chennai Superstars allrounder G Vignesh and Royal Bengal Tigers wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta were docked 50% of their monthly fees for an on-field altercation during the ICL match in Panchkula on Tuesday.The pair were involved in an incident after Dasgupta lofted Vignesh for a six in the 13th over. The match referee, former Indian captain Ajit Wadekar, noticed the incident and asked for a report from the on-field umpires. He also conducted an inquiry into the matter with the two players, their captains and coaches, and the three umpires on Wednesday, after which he imposed the fines.Royal Bengal Tigers stakeholder Mithun Chakraborty said that Dasgupta had been provoked on the field. “It is my opinion that not only the offender but also conspirator is equally guilty,” he said. “I am greatly pleased that the ICL disciplinary committee has taken a similar view towards the incident and penalised both players involved, equally.”

Asad Rauf, the Pakistan umpire, says he has no concerns about travelling to India to officiate in the two-Test series between India and England

Cricinfo staff04-Dec-2008
Asad Rauf: “I am happy to be going there. In fact, it is important to go there because we go as peace ambassadors” © AFP
Asad Rauf, the Pakistan umpire, says he has no concerns about travelling to India to officiate in the two-Test series between India and England with the BCCI guaranteeing the ICC of stringent security measures for match officials.Rauf, one of the two Pakistani representatives on the ICC’s Elite Panel of umpires – the other is Aleem Dar – said he would travel to India as a “peace ambassador.”Relations between India and Pakistan have hit a low following the Mumbai attacks, with the Indian government alleging that the terrorists had a Pakistani link. Pakistan has strongly denied the charges but the four-year-old peace process between the two neighbours is at a standstill.Concerns loomed over a Pakistani national traveling to India, but Rauf remained unperturbed. “I have no concerns at all about traveling to India,” Rauf told Cricinfo. “The ICC has spoken to the BCCI and they have told them that extra security measures will be put in place for us match officials. I am happy to be going there. In fact, it is important to go there because we go as peace ambassadors. Sports and these things should not mix.”Rauf has received no notification from the Pakistan board over the ties between both countries, but he received confirmation of the schedule and itinerary from the ICC on Thursday and will apply for his visa on Friday.Vince van der Bijl, the ICC’s umpires’ and referees’ manager, had asked the BCCI for security measures for match officials – Daryl Harper of Australia is the other umpire and New Zealand’s Jeff Crowe the match referee – at a par with the players. Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive told Cricinfo everyone was an important participant in the Test match and must be accorded similar security measures as the players.England’s tour had been thrown in doubt after the team returned home during the ODI series following the attacks. However, they will fly to Abu Dhabi on Thursday for a training camp before returning to India for the Tests next week.Rauf, who has officiated in 25 Tests, 56 ODIs and eight Twenty20 internationals, last stood in a Test in October, between India and Australia in Mohali – which is also the venue for the second Test between India and England.

Sunderland continued their 100% record in the 2021/22 campaign with a 2-1 win over MK Dons in League One on Saturday.

Lee Johnson’s side have been in fine form to start the season and have now won all three of their competitive games this month. The Black Cats beat Wigan 2-1 in their first league outing before progressing through to the second round of the League Cup by beating Port Vale by the same scoreline.

Ross Stewart and Elliot Embleton scored the goals either side of half-time for Sunderland, with Troy Parrott scoring a consolation for Liam Manning’s team in the 56th minute.

Sunderland Echo reporter Phil Smith highlighted Stewart, in particular, for praise after the game. He scored a goal and won a penalty, with Smith saying that he was excellent at leading the line.

“Another simply excellent display. Led the line so well on a tougher afternoon where possession didn’t always flow. Got his goal, won a penalty.”

However, we believe that another player stole the show for Sunderland against MK Dons – Tom Flanagan.

The central defender was a brick wall at the back and was crucial to the Black Cats eventually coming away with the three points. After Parrott made the score 2-1 there was a flurry of attacks from the home side to draw level in the game, but Flanagan – along with the help of his teammates – was able to halt them.

On Flanagan, Smith wrote:

“Some good interceptions and headers, and was powerful alongside Wright late on.”

Powerful is an apt description of his performance from Smith. He won an impressive 87% of his duels in the game, winning 100% of his aerial battles and four of his five ground duels.

As per SofaScore, the £3.6k-per-week enforcer also made six clearances, made three tackles and one block throughout the game to keep MK Dons at bay as they continued to knock on the door.

Flanagan was not dribbled past on any occasion during the game and committed one foul. This suggests that the MK Dons forwards struggled to get by the 29-year-old defender, whether that be by forcing him to foul them or skipping by him to progress closer to Lee Burge’s goal.

Therefore, he was able to steal the show from the attackers as he allowed their goals to win Sunderland the game with his terrific defending.

Without his excellent interventions to prevent MK Dons from creating chances and scoring, Stewart and Embleton’s strikes would have been in vain.

Hopefully, he will be able to maintain his consistency and continue to deliver similar displays throughout the season. The Black Cats will need them if they are to finally earn that promotion back to the second-tier.

AND in other news, Alan Nixon drops claim on £13k-p/w SAFC “leader”, Lee Johnson will be relieved…