There was also call-ups for opener Ishma Tanjim and left-arm spinner Sabikun Nahar

Mohammad Isam23-Jun-2024Bangladesh have brought back the experienced pair of Rumana Ahmed and Jahanara Alam after more than a year out of the squad for the Women’s Asia Cup starting next month.Though allrounder Rumana and seamer Jahanara have played 134 and 130 internationals, respectively, the Bangladesh selectors seemed to have moved on from them to build a relatively younger side. But it appears losing back-to-back T20I series to Australia (3-0) and India (5-0) recently has forced them into a rethink.Jahanara was the top wicket-taker in this season’s Dhaka Premier Division Women’s Cricket League (DPDWCL), with 25 wickets in nine matches, while legspinner Rumana took 17 wickets.”Rumana and Jahanara were out of the team for 12 months. We have to keep in mind that there is very little training facilities for our female cricketers, so it is to their credit that they held on to their fitness,” women’s chief selector Sajjad Ahmed said. “They performed very well in the Premier League. It is a good news for us that we can get their experience in our squad, which allows us to have a balanced squad.”There were also call-ups for opener Ishma Tanjim and left-arm spinner Sabikun Nahar, who are highly rated by the selectors.”Ishma Tanjim is a free-flowing opening batter. She plays some great shots,” Sajjad said. “She is technically very sound. She had a nearly 100 strike rate [in the DPDWCL], second-highest behind Dilara Akter. She made runs in some good matches, which prompted me to pick her. Sabikun Nahar is a left-arm spinner who can partner Nahida [Akter]. I feel her pace, variation and accuracy will release pressure on Nahida.”Bangladesh left out Habiba Islam, Fahima Khatun, Sobhana Mostary and Fariha Trisna from the team that played against India in May. Sajjad said that he is hopeful that this squad can get Bangladesh to the Asia Cup semi-finals.”I think we have a great prospect in the Asia Cup this year,” he said. “We open the tournament against Sri Lanka. If we win that game, we have a great chance of playing in the semi-final.”Bangladesh take on Sri Lanka on July 20, followed by matches against Thailand and Malaysia on July 22 and 24, respectively.Bangladesh squadNigar Sultana (capt, wk), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Dilara Akter, Rumana Ahmed, Ritu Moni, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Rubya Haider, Shorna Akter, Ishma Tanjim, Sabikun Nahar and Shorifa Khatun

A trial by spin awaits Australia in the T20 World Cup 2024, with them looming as the odd team out in an otherwise all-Asian Super Eight group.Having won their first three games, Mitchell Marsh’s side will progress to the next stage of the tournament whatever happens in Sunday’s clash with Scotland in St Lucia.The main talking point of that match will be the impact it has on England – with an Australia loss enough to knock out the defending champions. But that aside, Australia’s path to a second T20 World Cup and the capture of all three current men’s ICC global titles is becoming much clearer.Related

• Starc to media: Hazlewood's comments 'blown out of proportion by you lot'

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Based on pre-tournament seedings, Australia will meet India and Afghanistan in their Super Eight group. Bangladesh are in the box seat to join them, after Nepal fell one run short of shocking South Africa on Saturday.That trio will make for a significant challenge against an Australia team who have traditionally had difficulties on spinning wickets.”A lot of us have prepared for plenty of spin depending on what venue you get to,” Australia’s vice-captain Matthew Wade said. “Guys have been preparing for that through the world, through IPL into the start of this World Cup.”We expect nothing different, and on their day they’re all going to be very very hard teams to beat. We’re expecting them to hit us with a fair bit of spin over the next little bit.”India have so far relied more on their quicks for their matches in the USA, but have Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav at their disposal for the slower Caribbean pitches.Afghanistan can call on Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed and Mohammad Nabi, although have lost Mujeeb Ur Rahman to injury, while Bangladesh will also fancy their spinners as the wickets grow tired. Legspinner Rishad Hossain, who Australia have not faced before, has impressed with seven wickets in three matches.There was significant help for the spinners in the South Africa-Nepal match in St Vincent where Australia will meet Afghanistan.Meanwhile, Wade added he hoped this tournament would not signal his farewell for Australia. He was expected to retire after the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, but at 36 has continued to be a threat for Australia batting at No. 7.”I’m at my best when it’s the last opportunity,” Wade said. “Hopefully I can pull some good stuff out in the next little bit, but it will be the same conversation at the end of this one. There are going to be players go out of this team. I’m more than comfortable if I’m one of them to get the next cycle of players coming in to play for Australia.”

Manchester United’s hunt for a new striker this summer has constantly led them back to Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, with the Swedish international firmly on their radar.

Ruben Amorim has previously managed the 27-year-old during his stint in Portugal, which has undoubtedly contributed to the rumours around his move to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils would be getting themselves a clinical option if his current goal record is anything to go by, after he registered a total of 54 goals in his 52 club appearances in 2024/25.

However, despite holding talks with the striker’s representatives, he’s currently involved in a dispute with the Liga Portugal side that could scupper any potential reunion with Amorim this summer.

As a result, other targets have been considered, with the manager working tirelessly with the board to secure the additions he needs to turn the current situation around.

The latest on United’s hunt for a new striker this summer

Whilst Matheus Cunha has already secured his move to join United, it’s expected that the Brazilian international is set to operate in a number 10 role behind the striker.

The likes of Dušan Vlahović, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Aleksandar Mitrovic have all been considered for the role, but appear to be backup options given the moves made elsewhere.

In recent days, it’s emerged that the Red Devils have made contact with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt over a potential move for forward Hugo Ekitiké, according to Sky Germany.

They claim that the French star, who’s scored 22 times across all competitions this campaign, has a €100m (£84m) release clause in his current deal, with Chelsea and Arsenal also interested.

It also states that Amorim’s men have expressed concrete interest over a move for the 22-year-old, but doesn’t mention if they are willing to pay the clause in his current deal.

Why United’s £84m target could be their own Isak

The Premier League has become a brutal division over recent years, with many sides taking advantage of you if you fall below the required standard of England’s top flight.

Alexander Isak is a player who has been the thorn in many teams’ sides over recent seasons, netting a total of 54 Premier League goals in his last three seasons at Newcastle United.

Such form has led to him being one of the most sought-after talismen in Europe, with Eddie Howe’s side placing a £150m price tag on him amid interest from Liverpool and Arsenal.

If any side were to pay such a fee, it would make him the most expensive signing in the history of English football, but United could look to steer clear of any move in favour of a switch for Ekitike.

When comparing his stats to those of Isak from the 2024/25 campaign, the Frankfurt ace has managed to match or better him in numerous key areas – making the £84m fee appear somewhat of a bargain.

He’s been ranked as a similar player to the Swede by FBref, managing to register more shots on target per 90 – leading to talent scout Jacek Kulig labelling the French star as “world-class”.

Ekitike also completed more passes than Isak, whilst completing more of the take-ons he’s attempted, offering Amorim an all-round option in his attempts to take United back to their former glory.

How Hugo Ekitiké compares to Alexander Isak in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)	Ekitike	Isak
Games played	33	34
Goals & assists	23	29
Progressive carries	3.3	2.7
Shots on target	1.5	1.3
Shots taken	4	3.1
Pass accuracy	76%	74%
Shot-creating actions	3.5	3
Take-ons completed	1.8	1.4
Stats via FBref

If he can transfer his form from the Bundesliga over to England in the coming months, it would be a deal that could be one of the best in the club’s history – allowing him to cement himself in the club’s history forever.

It may be a deal that will cost the club somewhat of a small fortune this summer, but the key is the limit for the youngster, with such a price tag being worth every penny if he can catapult them up the table in 2025/26.

He'd be amazing with Ekitike: Man Utd "optimistic" of sealing deal for star

Manchester United appear to be edging closer to completing a deal for one top-level talent.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 13, 2025

Newcastle United are now keen on signing a Manchester United star on loan, but the Red Devils are looking for a permanent transfer instead, according to a recent report.

Newcastle hold talks for Premier League stars

The Magpies are back in the Champions League next season, and given they will want to be competitive in both that and the Premier League, it can be expected that they will have their eye on making a few signings this summer to bolster their depth.

Newcastle talks held over "brilliant" £75m forward, PIF have the cash ready

The Magpies are looking to conduct a deal.

BySean Markus Clifford Jun 18, 2025

Signing a new centre-back could be high on the agenda, given the ages of the likes of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn and the fact that Jamaal Lascelles looks set to be leaving St James’ Park at the end of the month.

It’s been reported this week that Newcastle are in fact in talks with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jan Paul van Hecke over a transfer to the North East this summer. Talks have begun with the player’s representatives ahead of the club making contact with the Seagulls, who are looking to get around £60 million for the defender.

As well as holding talks over signing a new defender, The Athletic have reported that Newcastle have held internal talks over signing Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United.

The forward has a release clause worth £75 million, and it is believed the Hammers are open to selling Kudus, given he has fallen out of favour under manager Graham Potter. The pursuit of Kudus could be seen as an alternative to Bryan Mbeumo, and they are not the only forwards on their list, as the Magpies are also weighing up a move for another Premier League attacker.

Newcastle want to winger Man Utd ace on loan

According to The Sun, Newcastle are interested in signing Marcus Rashford from Manchester United on a season-long loan deal.

The Englishman looks set to leave Old Trafford this summer, and the Magpies are now ready to make their move, as they believe they can offer him the right stage to get his career back on track. Rashford isn’t seen as a player to replace Alexander Isak, who has been linked with a move away.

However, there is a stumbling block, as the Red Devils would prefer a permanent exit, following his loan spell at Aston Villa.

Rashford himself meanwhile, who has been dubbed “world-class” by his United teammate Luke Shaw in the past, is believed to see Barcelona as his preferred destination, but the Spanish side have their eyes on other targets. Villa decided against the option they had to buy, and that means he is now set to return to United pre-season training next month as things stand.

Apps

297

Goals

89

Assists

52

It’s been claimed that United would like to sell Rashford this summer if they receive a fee of £40 million, but as of yet no club has come forward. Rashford’s potential arrival at Newcastle would not only see him fight for a spot alongside Isak, but he would also have the likes of Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes to deal with, both players who have been key under Eddie Howe.

English statistician developed the DL method with Tony Lewis and it was first used in international cricket in 1997

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jun-2024

Frank Duckworth: 1939-2024•Getty Images

Frank Duckworth, one of the inventors of the Duckworth-Lewis (later Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) method to determine results in rain-affected cricket matches, died on Friday, June 21 at the age of 84.The original method, devised by English statisticians Duckworth and Tony Lewis, was first used in international cricket in 1997 and was formally adopted by the ICC as the standard for setting revised targets in truncated games in 2001. In 2014, it was renamed the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method after the retirement of Duckworth and Lewis and the modifications made to the system by Australian statistician Steven Stern.Duckworth and Lewis were both awarded MBEs in June 2010.The DL method replaced the rain rule that was used previously to calculate targets in interrupted matches, most infamously during the 1992 ODI World Cup semi-final between England and South Africa in Sydney.Duckworth was a consultant statistician with the ICC until 2014.”Frank was a top statistician who was respected by peers as well as the wider cricket fraternity. The DLS method that he co-created has stood the test of time and we have continued to use it in international cricket more than two decades after its inception,” Wasim Khan, the ICC general manager – cricket operations, said in a press statement. “Frank’s contribution to the game has been immense and the world of cricket is poorer with his death. We send our condolences to his family and friends.”

With the 2024/25 domestic season now behind us following the Champions League final, a big talking point is the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.

Paris Saint-Germain produced a stunning display against Inter Milan with a 5-0 victory, the biggest margin in a European final, which has resulted in numerous of their stars being tipped to lift the famous individual honour later this year, with the ceremony scheduled to take place in Paris on 22 September 2025.

The next 10 Ballon d'Or winners predicted by AI

Who could win the Ballon d’Or across the next ten years?

ByMatt Dawson May 31, 2025

However, Grok, the AI tool on X, has already predicted the top 10 standings for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, and there is one surprise inclusion.

AI 2025 Ballon d’Or top 10 in pictures:

Rank

Player

Age

Club

Nation

Ousmane Dembele

27

PSG

France

Lamine Yamal

17

Barcelona

Spain

Raphinha

28

Barcelona

Brazil

Mohamed Salah

32

Liverpool

Egypt

Lautaro Martinez

27

Inter Milan

Argentina

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

24

PSG

Georgia

Pedri

22

Barcelona

Spain

Kylian Mbappe

26

Real Madrid

France

Desire Doue

20

PSG

France

Gianluigi Donnarumma

26

PSG

Italy

10 Gianluigi Donnarumma PSG and Italy

One of four Paris Saint-Germain players on the list is Gianluigi Donnarumma. In fact, the Italian is the only goalkeeper in AI’s top 10 list, so he could quite easily take home the Yashin Trophy for the best keeper in the world.

Donnarumma kept his 12th clean sheet of the season in Munich against Inter, helping PSG to a treble as well as the French Super Cup at the beginning of the year.

Games

54

Clean sheets

12

Trophies

4

9 Desire Doue PSG and France

Someone who has really burst onto the scene in 2025 is Paris Saint-Germain winger Desire Doue, and he has deservedly snuck into AI’s top 10 prediction.

The 20-year-old was the star of the show in Munich, scoring two goals and getting an assist in the Champions League final. As a result of his impressive displays, he was named the 24/25 Champions League Young Player of the Season.

Games

54

Goals

15

Assists

16

Trophies

4

8 Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid and France

Despite not winning any major honours in his first season at the Bernabeu aside from the Super Cup, Kylian Mbappe still had a brilliant individual campaign with Real Madrid.

The French superstar actually scored more goals than any other Real Madrid player in their first season at the club (43), including two brilliant hat-tricks against Man City and Barcelona.

Games

56

Goals

43

Assists

5

Trophies

1

7 Pedri Barcelona and Spain

With Barcelona lifting the Supercopa de Espana, Copa del Rey and La Liga in the 24/25 season, there was always going to be some Catalan stars on the list.

Pedri has been key to Barca’s success, playing just shy of 60 games in all competitions. He was also dubbed “the best midfielder in the world” by Thiago Alcantara, and it looks as if he’ll soon be entering the prime years of his career.

Games

59

Goals

6

Assists

8

Trophies

3

6 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia PSG and Georgia

Winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was a machine in 24/25, starring on the flank with his speed and skill. In the first half of the season, he impressed for Napoli before joining Paris Saint-Germain in January, and he’d go on to help the French giants to a treble, scoring in the Champions League final.

Napoli also won Serie A, meaning Kvaratskhelia became just the second player in history after Alvaro Odriozola to win two league titles and a treble in the same season.

Games

44

Goals

12

Assists

9

Trophies

4

5 Lautaro Martinez Inter Milan and Argentina

Despite not winning any major honours in 24/25, Inter Milan did come close in the Champions League, Italian Super Cup and Serie A title race.

Captain Lautaro Martinez was influential for his side and led them to Munich, scoring nine goals in 14 European appearances. However, with Inter not lifting any silverware, it is surprising to still see the Argentine’s name rank so highly.

Games

49

Goals

22

Assists

7

4 Mohamed Salah Liverpool and Egypt

After setting a record for the most goals and assists in a 38-game Premier League season and lifting the title with Liverpool, Mohamed Salah was always going to be in AI’s top 10 list.

The winger also committed his future to the Reds in 24/25, but after exiting the Champions League to the hands of eventual winners PSG in the last 16, Salah’s wait for a Ballon d’Or could go on.

Games

52

Goals

34

Assists

23

Trophies

1

3 Raphinha Barcelona and Brazil

Many thought Raphinha was in pole position to win the Ballon d’Or for large parts of the 24/25 season, however, Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final exit to Inter Milan may have dented his hopes.

The Brazilian still enjoyed a phenomenal campaign, which was actually the best of his career to date. In total, Raphinha contributed to 59 goals in 57 games, winning the Supercopa de Espana, Copa del Rey and La Liga.

Games

57

Goals

34

Assists

25

Trophies

3

2 Lamine Yamal Barcelona and Spain

On the other flank to Raphinha at Barcelona, Lamine Yamal continues to grow into a worldwide superstar at the age of 17. Interestingly, Yamal contributed to 16 fewer goals than Raphinha in 24/25 but is above him in AI’s predicted Ballon d’Or standings.

Cutting in from the right and scoring with his left has become a trademark move by the Spaniard, and it feels like a matter of time until the award is his. Yamal doesn’t lack belief, though, and has admitted he thinks he can win the Ballon d’Or this year.

Games

55

Goals

18

Assists

25

Trophies

3

1 Ousmane Dembele PSG and France

Leading the way as AI’s predicted 2025 Ballon d’Or winner is Ousmane Dembele. The French winger helped Paris Saint-Germain to a treble as well as the French Super Cup. The Ligue 1 and Champions Legaue Player of the Season also enjoyed the best year of his career in the final third with 33 goals and 15 assists.

Talking after the Champions League final, PSG boss Luis Enrique backed his star winger to lift the award, saying: “Everyone is talking about the Ballon d’Or, but I would give it to Ousmane Dembele just because if we think about how he defended today, he showed just what he was made of.

“He was a leader, he was humble, he got back down [the pitch] and he defended, and I think that without a shadow of a doubt he deserves this, not only for the goals that he scored but also for the pressing that was seen. We’ve seen such a season from him, but he was exceptional in this final.”

Games

49

Goals

33

Assists

15

Trophies

4

Dravid says that he had no plans to continue as India head coach after the ODI World Cup final defeat, but a call from his captain changed his mind

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jul-20242:07

Rahul Dravid on what went into India’s planning for the T20 World Cup

Rahul Dravid was done as India head coach after his initial two-year term ended at the end of last year’s ODI World Cup, where the team finished runners-up to Australia. Then came a call from Rohit Sharma, and everything changed.”Ro, thank you very much for making that call to me in November and asking [me] to continue,” Dravid, whose tenure ended after India’s T20 World Cup 2024 title win, said in a video posted by the BCCI.”I think it’s been such a privilege and a pleasure to work with each and every one of you, but Ro, also thanks for the time. There is a lot of time we have to chat, we have to discuss, we have to agree, we have to disagree at times, but thank you so very much.”Related

Good luck finding another Rahul Dravid

Dravid: Win a 'great testament to the fight in the team'

As coach, apart from winning the T20 World Cup, Dravid was in charge when India got to the World Test Championship final in June 2023 and the ODI World Cup final in November 2023.In his moment of glory as coach, Dravid said he didn’t believe in “redemption stories”. That was in response to a question on whether it was particularly satisfying to lift the World Cup on the same shores where India were dumped out of the ODI World Cup in the first round in 2007 with Dravid the team’s captain.”I’m not usually short of words but on a day like today, for me to be part of this, I could not be more grateful,” Dravid said. “For the respect, for the kindness, for the effort that each and everyone of you have shown to me, to my coaching staff, to my support staff.”All of you will remember these moments. We always say, it is not about the runs, it is not about the wickets, you never remember your career but you remember moments like this, so let’s really enjoy.”Dravid was hoisted by the entire team on the field during the victory celebrations, with Virat Kohli and Rohit leading the way. Dravid and the selectors were responsible for bringing back the two senior players to the T20I side earlier this year despite them having not featured in the format for a long time.8:43

Rohit Sharma: ‘This has to be my greatest achievement’

As they celebrated together, Dravid had a small message for Kohli: “All three whites ticked off. One red to go. Tick it.” The reference being to India’s wins in the ODI World Cup in 2011, the Champions Trophy in 2013 and now the T20 World Cup, all of which Kohli was a part of, and the Test championship, which India haven’t won yet despite reaching the final on both occasions so far.Dravid’s successor is expected to be named soon. VVS Laxman is coaching the second-string side that will play a series of five T20Is in Zimbabwe starting July 6, and Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, has said that the next coach will be named ahead of the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in late July. Gautam Gambhir is the frontrunner to be named head coach.Last month, prior to the start of the T20 World Cup, Dravid had cited the packed calendar as a major reason for not reapplying for the job. “Unfortunately, just the kind of schedules [that are in place in international cricket] and where I find myself in this stage in my life, I don’t think I’ll be able to reapply,” he had said upon India’s arrival in New York.

The ban came following an Afghanistan Cricket Board anti-corruption investigation into the 2024 Kabul Premier League

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Aug-2024Ihsanullah Janat, the Afghanistan top-order batter, has been banned from “all forms of cricket activities” for five years for corruption, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said on Wednesday. The ban is effective immediately. The board said that the breaches of the ACB’s and ICC’s anti-corruption code had been committed during the second edition of the Kabul Premier League earlier this year.”Janat was found guilty of violating Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, which involves improper influence or efforts to fix the result, progress, conduct, or any other aspect of a match,” the ACB said in a statement. “In light of this violation, he has been handed a five-year ban from all cricket-related activities. Janat has admitted to the charges and confessed to his involvement in corrupt activities.”The statement added that the ACB’s anti-corruption unit has been investigating “three other players” for possible involvement in corrupt activities. “Decisions regarding their involvement will be made upon confirmation of their guilt,” the ACB said.Related

Ihsanullah, another jewel in the Mangal family

Ihsanullah, 26, was in action for Shamshad Eagles at the Kabul Premier League 2024, and scored 72 runs in four innings at an average of 18 and strike rate of 150. The team finished last on the six-team league table with just one win from five games.Internationally, Ihsanullah has appeared in 20 games for Afghanistan across the three formats. Following his debut in an ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare in February 2017, Ihsanullah has played 15 more times in the format, scoring 307 runs (average 21.92) and has also turned out in three Tests (110 runs at 22.00) and one T20I, where he scored a 14-ball 20. That T20I, in June 2022 against Zimbabwe in Harare, was his last appearance for his national team.Ihsanullah comes from a family with close ties to the game, with his brother Nawroz Mangal one of the country’s stalwarts in their early years of international cricket. Nawroz was the captain of the national team when they became the first Affiliate nation to gain ODI status at the 2009 World Cup qualifiers, and again when they qualified for the 2010 T20 World Cup.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ready to back new manager Thomas Frank in the summer transfer market, as the Lilywhites scour for more new forward options after sealing a £30 million permanent deal for Mathys Tel.

Tottenham hold talks to sign £65m star, but his club prefer he joins Chelsea

Spurs are set for a transfer tussle with their London rivals.

6

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 20, 2025

Tel showcased flashes of his ability during his initial loan, which has now been made permanent for £15 million less than the originally agreed £45 million buy-option with Bayern Munich, and Frank has expressed his serious excitement over this move by chairman Daniel Levy.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025	Average match rating
Son Heung-min	7.00
James Maddison	6.98
Pedro Porro	6.95
Dominic Solanke	6.84
Dejan Kulusevski	6.83
via WhoScored

“Very, very excited about Mathys signing with a permanent deal,” said Frank.

“I think he’s a very talented player that can play across the front four positions. He’s a goalscorer that we can develop even further to be more consistent in his all-round game but also to more consistently land in the right positions in the box. So I’m looking forward to it.”

The Frenchman will help to replace Timo Werner, who’s returned to parent club RB Leipzig after a lacklustre one-and-a-half-year temporary stint in N17, but Spurs may soon find themselves needing another wide player.

Son Heung-min’s exit from Tottenham is seen as a real possibility this summer, with the 32-year-old about to enter the final 12 months of his contract. Levy just has this window to make any significant cash back off his sale, and he’s apparently placed a £50 million price tag on his head, according to reports in Asia.

Frank’s need for a potential Son replacement has prompted links to a few intriguing targets this week, including Man City’s Jack Grealish, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus and Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.

The latter bagged 20 goals in all competitions under Frank last season, and Tottenham are believed to have held initial talks over signing Mbeumo, even if Man United have been tipped as his preferred destination (Sky Sports).

Fabrizio Romano also claims that Tottenham began internal conversations over a move for the Cameroonian as soon as Frank signed his Spurs contract, so he appears to be a serious option if United cannot meet Brentford’s valuation.

Good chance that Bryan Mbeumo chooses to join Tottenham

According to journalist Duncan Castles on The Transfers Podcast this week, there is a “good chance” that Mbeumo chooses to join Tottenham, contrary to reports of his United preference, but Levy needs to meet his £70 million asking price.

“The indication from Manchester United was Mbeumo had chosen to move there and verbally told them that his preference was to move there,” Castles said.

“But I’m not hearing exactly the same on that. I think there is a good chance that Mbeumo, should Tottenham get to the price that Brentford are asking, that he might choose Spurs ahead of Manchester United.

“There are a couple of obvious reasons for that. One is that it allows him to stay in London, and secondly, it allows him to carry on playing for Thomas Frank, who has joined Tottenham as the replacement for Ange Postecoglou.”

The versatile African would be a quality heir to Son on the right-hand side, and he’s adept at playing as a centre-forward too, meaning both Mbeumo and new signing Tel could help to ease the goalscoring burden on club-record signing Dominic Solanke.

Wanindu Hasaranga has resigned as Sri Lanka’s T20I captain after roughly six months in the role. He said in a statement put out by the board that his decision was in the best interest of Sri Lankan cricket.”Sri Lanka will always have my utmost best efforts as a player, and I will support and stand by my team always,” Hasaranga said in his resignation letter, later seen by ESPNcricinfo.*Related

• Calm, chilled and selfless: captain Asalanka steps into Sri Lanka cricket's melee

• Jayasuriya appointed Sri Lanka's interim head coach

• Jayawardene resigns as SL's consultant coach

Although Hasaranga’s resignation came on the heels of a poor World Cup in which Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the Super Eight, it was still something of a surprise. There was little public pressure on him to be ousted, partly because he was still so new in the role. He also appeared to be relishing the job, even prioritising Sri Lanka commitments over IPL appearances this year as he recovered from a foot injury.In his resignation, he lamented Sri Lanka’s World Cup campaign at length.”Sri Lanka’s early exit at the T20 World Cup is extremely disappointing to me as the captain and for the entire team,” he wrote. “As a team and a nation our expectations were high, and I was confident that the best Sri Lanka team was selected to play the tournament.”I do not wish to place excuses to condone our below-par performance, but also wholeheartedly believe that the Bangladesh game was very close and we should have been able to pull through [Bangladesh won by two wickets, with six balls remaining]. If so, circumstances and the fortunes for our nation would have been very much different.”Sri Lanka won six of the 10 T20Is they played under Hasaranga, winning bilateral series against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan to start 2024. He had also been suspended for two matches for abusing an umpire during this stint.He remains captain of the Kandy Falcons Lanka Premier League team in the ongoing franchise tournament.While there are no obvious candidates to replace him as captain of Sri Lanka in T20Is, Charith Asalanka’s name will be discussed. He took the reins in the two matches Hasaranga had been suspended for, and also leads Jaffna Kings in the LPL this year.Sri Lanka’s next T20I assignment is the three-match series against India at the end of this month. Sri Lanka will enter that series with a new coach as well, with Sanath Jayasuriya taking over in an interim capacity after Chris Silverwood stepped down following the World Cup. Mahela Jayawardene, too, had quit as consultant coach last month.