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Everton are reportedly interested in a Premier League gem, as the Blues aim to turn their fortunes around after two dreary seasons threatened relegation.

Sean Dyche will hope for a busy summer at Goodison, with the Toffees requiring reinforcements to pull them away from the lows of the table to get things on the pitch ticking again.

The latest link could emerge as a potential heir to a club legend, in a player that possesses core attributes.

What’s the latest on Ainsley Maitland-Niles to Everton?

As reported earlier this week, Everton have emerged as one of the clubs interested in Arsenal gem Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The versatile defender will be released by the north Londoners at the expiration of his contract, with the report claiming that ‘several’ clubs from the Premier League are ‘keeping an eye’ on his movements.

After spending the season on loan at Southampton, the Englishman returned to his boyhood club where contract talks failed to progress, which has revealed a potential bargain for Sean Dyche.

What could Ainsley Maitland-Niles offer to Everton?

Despite undergoing a tough season at St Mary’s, the 25-year-old has proven himself as a player with innate versatility through the years in his career.

Playing primarily at right-back, the defensive-minded ace could equip Everton with a skill set familiar to that of Seamus Coleman, who at 34 years old could have an heir to his services provided this summer.

Lauded as a “huge talent” by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, the Londoner worked through the ranks with the Gunners, representing the club for a total of 19 years.

The Englishman could ease the transition should Everton opt to fade out the presence of their dedicated servant, as Coleman’s contract officially expires this summer with a new deal offered.

Maitland-Niles possesses talents similar to those shown by the Irishman, as displayed through his statistics, making him a potentially strong addition to Dyche’s side.

When comparing the two on their respective 2022/23 Premier League campaigns, the numbers show that the 25-year-old could be the perfect heir to the 34-year-old.

As per FBref, the former Arsenal gem averaged 2.88 tackles and 1.79 blocks per 90 this term, with Coleman averaging slightly lower with 1.90 tackles and 0.76 blocks over the same period of time for Everton.

Playing as a full-back requires abilities on the ball and going forward also, with Maitland-Niles averaging 1.09 successful take-ons and 3.65 progressive passes per 90 to the Merseyside veterans 0.87 take-ons and 3.32 progressive passes, via FBref.

The numbers convey that Dyche’s side could adapt and progress with the versatile former Southampton star in their ranks, with a player that could ease the transition when Coleman eventually departs.

Manchester United hold a big advantage in the race for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat as Erik ten Hag aims to strengthen his squad.

What’s the latest on Sofyan Amrabat to Manchester United?

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, United are in a ‘two-way’ battle alongside Barcelona for Amrabat this summer, however, the Red Devils hold an advantage in the chase for the player due to the La Liga sides financial situation.

The report also states that the 26-year-old has said ‘goodbye’ to the Serie A side ahead of a potential move this summer.

Ten Hag wouldn’t have to spend extravagant amounts on him either, with Fiorentina wanting a fee of around €40m (£34m) for the midfielder and this shouldn’t be a problem for the Old Trafford side.

Could Manchester United sign Sofyan Amrabat this summer?

There are a couple of factors which ensure United are leading the chase for the Moroccan international. Firstly, the aforementioned financial problems at Barcelona could give them cause for concern when pursing a move, as United are in a much healthier position.

Secondly, Ten Hag knows the player well from their time at FC Utrecht between 2015 and 2017, as he made 50 appearances under the Dutchman, registering 11 goal contributions in that time.

Indeed, Amrabat’s brother recently claimed that the United manager is “charmed” by his former player and this could be another factor which may lead to his arrival at the club this summer.

The Moroccan is a reliable presence in the heart of the midfield, being a wonderful passer of the ball, evidenced by his 90% pass success rate in Serie A last term, which ranks him second in the Fiorentina squad, while he also averages 59.3 touches each game, indicating that he is equally confident on the ball.

It was his performances at the 2022 World Cup however that brought his name to the public eye, especially due to Morocco’s excellent tournament as they became the first nation from Africa to reach the semi-finals of the competition.

He played in all seven games in Qatar, averaging a rating of 6.83/10 as per Sofascore while ranking first in the squad for accurate passes per game, third for tackles per game and eighth for interceptions per game, showcasing his passing and defensive abilities on the grandest stage of all.

Dubbed the “best central midfielder in the tournament” and a “monster” by journalist Carlo Garganese for his displays in Qatar, it proves just how effective he can be, and Ten Hag should be making a move for his former player sooner rather than later.

Blackburn Rovers are interested in signing Queens Park Rangers striker Lyndon Dykes, according to recent reports.

What's the latest Blackburn Rovers transfer news?

With the likes of Ben Brereton Diaz, Bradley Dack and Daniel Ayala all leaving Ewood Park in the coming weeks, it's set to be a busy summer for Rovers as they look to replace them.

After missing out on the playoffs by goal difference, Jon Dahl Tomasson's side has moved quickly, signing Plymouth Argyle striker Niall Ennis last month.

A lack of depth up front has been a cause for concern for the Lancashire outfit all year, with the departing Brereton Diaz (16) the only player to score in double figures for the side this season.

Rovers aren't finished there, though, and according to the Daily Mail, they are among a number of teams interested in QPR striker, Dykes.

The Lancashire Telegraph reports that the club will need to sell players to generate any finances for a transfer, though, with full-back Tayo Edun being linked with a move away from Ewood, with both Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City interested.

Will Lyndon Dykes join Blackburn Rovers?

With eight league goals this season in a struggling QPR side, the 27-year-old would add some firepower to a Rovers team that's been severely lacking it this year.

No Rovers player outside of Brereton Diaz scored more league goals than the Scottish international during the Championship's latest campaign and adding him will help alleviate any pressure on Sam Gallagher's goal-scoring output.

The 27-year-old talisman, once hailed "dangerous" by former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard shortly before his team faced Dykes and Livingston in 2020, excels as a big target man, winning 4.8 aerial duels a game according to WhoScored, almost two more than Rovers' current number nine, Sam Gallagher who wins three per game.

While Tomasson has prioritised a possession-based style of football, playing out from the back, his side has also shown a tendency to pick out a long ball whenever they identify space behind the opposition back line, firing 66 long passes a game, and having a forward like Dykes on the receiving end would see the £8k-a-week man almost certainly reap the rewards.

Rovers certainly aren't the only team interested in the Scottish international, though, with fellow championship outfit Stoke City and newly-promoted Burnley both also targeting Dykes, so the club have got their work cut out for them if they're going to lure the QPR man to Ewood Park.

Chelsea are interested in signing exciting Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update.

Is Ugarte a key figure for Sporting?

The 22-year-old's reputation has been enhanced this season, following a hugely impressive campaign for Sporting. Despite his tender years, he is already arguably one of the first name on the team sheet, mastering the No.6 role and forming a shield in front of the defence.

Ugarte, who is currently on a £16,000-a-week deal, has made 30 appearances in the Primeira Liga, averaging 3.8 tackles per game, as well as a 91.7% pass completion rate. Meanwhile, he averaged six tackles per match in the Champions League, highlighting what a tenacious midfielder he is.

The Sporting star could well move on at the end of the season, however, and there has been plenty of interest in him, including from Chelsea. The likes of Liverpool and Tottenham are also seemingly in mix, and while his current deal doesn't expire until 2026, his current club could find it difficult to keep hold of him.

Could Chelsea seal move for Ugarte?

According to Sport Witness [via Record], the Blues represent a "new option" for Ugarte this summer and are one of three clubs who keen on snapping him up. Liverpool and Aston Villa are other teams mentioned in the report.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is believed to be a "confessed admirer" of football in Portugal and is close to Jorge Mendes, who represents Ugarte. He will bring "concrete proposals" to Sporting, as he looks to acquire his signature over other Premier League clubs.

The Blues will need to match the €60m (£52.1m) release clause in his current contract, however, or they will have no chance of bringing him in.

Ugarte could be an outstanding acquisition by Chelsea in the summer transfer window, with the Uruguayan possessing the energy and bite that their midfield has so sorely lacked all season long. Mateo Kovacic has been disappointing and injuries have hampered N'Golo Kante, so a new signing who can excel in defensive midfield would be perfect.

The Sporting ace has been hailed by Record for being "made of steel" in the recent past and he could be a superb long-term partner for Enzo Fernandez, who doesn't quite possess the same ability to cover ground so relentlessly and make key tackles, albeit still averaging 2.7 per match in the Premier League since arriving in the January transfer window.

Marlon Samuels was named the ODI Player of the Year and Cricketer of the Year at WICB’s annual awards function in Antigua on Tuesday. Samuels has scored 859 runs in 22 ODIs since 2015, including three centuries. With 258 runs at an average of 36.85, he finished as the second-highest run-getter behind Australia captain Steven Smith in the tri-series in West Indies last month.

WIPA/WICB award winners

• Under-19 Team of the Year: Guyana

• Under-19 Player of the Year: Shimron Hetmyer

• First-class Team of the Year: Guyana

• PCL 50-over Player of the Year: Jason Mohammed

• PCL Four-day Player of the Year: Veerasammy Permaul

• Caribbean T20 Player of the Year: Dwayne Bravo

• ODI Player of the Year: Marlon Samuels

• Women’s ODI Player of the Year: Stafanie Taylor

• Test Player of the Year: Darren Bravo

• T20 Player of the Year: Chris Gayle

• Women’s T20 Player of the Year: Stafanie Taylor

• Emerging Player of the Year: Jomel Warrican

• WICB Lifetime Achievement Award: Clarvis Joseph

• WIPA Lifetime Achievement Award: Ralston Otto

• Women’s Player of the Year: Stafanie Taylor

• Cricketer of the Year: Marlon Samuels

Prior to that, Samuels had played a starring role in West Indies’ World T20 title win in India. He smashed an unbeaten 85 off 66 balls in West Indies’ chase of 156, which fetched him his second Man-of-the-Match award in a World T20 final.Stafanie Taylor scooped the Women’s T20 Player of the Year and ODI Player of the Year awards. Taylor, who was appointed captain in September 2015, led West Indies Women to their first World T20 title in April. She was the leading run-getter in the tournament, with 246 runs in six matches, including 59 in the final against Australia Women. Her ODI form since the start of 2015 has also been excellent: 491 runs in 10 matches at 70.14.Darren Bravo was named the Test Player of the Year while Dwayne Bravo took the Caribbean T20 Player of the Year award. Chris Gayle, meanwhile, bagged the T20 Player of the Year award.Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who collected six wickets on Test debut against Sri Lanka at the P Sara Oval in October 2015, was named Emerging Player of the Year.Shimron Hetmyer, who led West Indies to Under-19 glory in Bangladesh earlier this year, won the Under-19 Player of the Year award. He made 158 runs in six matches in the tournament at an average of 26.33.

Liverpool are plotting a summer raid to sign Alexis Mac Allister, with The Times journalist Paul Joyce reporting that the Reds have made the player one of their main targets.

What is the latest on Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool?

The Reds have struggled to get going this campaign, already losing four times more games in the Premier League this season than they did for the entirety of the last one. Despite coming close to claiming a second ever Premier League title last time out, they have laboured to even finish in the Champions League places this year.

They're currently sat in fifth and a large part of their issues have come down to their midfield. Arthur Melo was added to boost the club's ranks in the centre of the field back in the summer but has spent months on the sidelines with a thigh injury. In addition, Thiago has struggled to keep himself fit and is now sidelined for the rest of the season while Stefan Bajcetic is another long-term absentee.

Those who have been fit for Liverpool have also faltered in form. Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Fabinho has not been "flying" this season and Jordan Henderson has also managed just 20 Premier League starts this campaign.

The Reds are therefore "preparing" deals for midfielders, says Joyce, revealing that Mac Allister is one of their main targets this summer for such a move, with the player set to be "high up" on their wanted list.

He could cost the side up to £70m in transfer fees but with Klopp's side struggling in that area, they could still splash that amount to bring him in.

Would Mac Allister be a good signing for Liverpool?

Liverpool are crying out for more options in the middle of the park – especially ones that have a knack for getting the ball forward and driving their team towards the opposition box – and Mac Allister fits the bill.

He's been outstanding for Brighton this season, managing eight goals and one assist, with a WhoScored rating of 7.03. Only two other Seagulls players have a better score than him this campaign. He's also proven he can cut it on the international stage too for Argentina, emerging as one of their best players during the World Cup with a rating of 7.11.

That led to high-praise from La Albiceleste legend Sergio Aguero, who admitted that Mac Allister is an "intelligent" player who has "great ball handling" ability. This is proven by his 51 progressive carries this campaign – his best total yet – and his take on success rate of 60.4% (via FBRef).

Mac Allister is continuing to grow and get better as a player and is now playing without fear – and that is something Liverpool need to add to their team during the summer.

Journalist Pete O'Rourke has claimed that Rangers will sit down with Borna Barisic in the summer to discuss his future amid contract uncertainty.

What's the latest Rangers contract news?

When the season ends, the 30-year-old will enter into the final year of his current deal next season – with expires in May 2024 – and it remains unclear if he will remain at Ibrox beyond then.

Indeed, the player himself has gone on the record about not quite knowing what the next step in his career will look like. He admired as much when speaking recently with a Croatian newspaper (via Daily Record) explaining how things can "change in a day."

In full, he said: "In the summer, I enter the last year of my contract. I have a top relationship with everyone at Rangers. If I went to another club, I would choose the one that was just like Rangers. But you never know what could happen. The situation could change in a day."

By the sounds of it, though, the decision-makers within the Scottish Premiership outfit will at least take the time to discuss Barisic's future this summer.

Indeed, when speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, O'Rourke said: "I'm sure Rangers will sit down probably in the summer and discuss what they're going to do with Barisic and a number of other players."

Will Barisic sign a new contract with Rangers?

The Teddy Bears could be losing a collection of first-team stars at the end of the season with the likes of Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, Scott Arfield, Ryan Jack and others all yet to commit beyond the summer (via Transfermarkt).

With that in mind, Michael Beale may be wary of too much disruption within the squad and may prefer to keep Barisic around. After all, the left-back has played regularly this term and hasn't often let his team down – with the 30-year-old earning a 7.33 average match rating in the league (via WhoScored).

However, in a recent report for the Daily Record, journalist Mark Pirie suggested that this summer could also be the right time to cash in on the £18k-p/w defender.

He explained: "Borna Barisic and John Lundstram will be out of contract in the summer of 2024, and it could prove to be the right time to cash in on the duo. Barisic signed for Rangers for £2.2m from NK Osijek, and the club will be looking to make a profit on a player who has plenty of European football experience since agreeing the deal."

He certainly is a sellable asset if Rangers do want to make some money, but with plenty of other players potentially heading for an exit, it will be interesting to see if Barisic sticks around.

أعلن أفرام جرانت، المدير الفني لمنتخب زامبيا الأول لكرة القدم عن قائمة اللاعبين المستدعاة لبطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023 التي ستقام يناير المقبل في كوت ديفوار.

وتم تأجيل البطولة من الصيف الماضي إلى يناير المقبل، بسبب مخاوف الطقس في كوت ديفوار.

ويتواجد منتخب زامبيا ضمن المجموعة السادسة بجانب الكونغو الديموقراطية والمغرب وتنزانيا، على أن تكون أولى مبارياتهم يوم 17 يناير ضد الكونغو.

وشهدت القائمة وجود المهاجم باتسون داكا، نجم ليستر سيتي الإنجليزي، بالإضافة للاعب وسط سيمبا التنزاني كلاتوس شاما، مع العديد من اللاعبين بالدوري المحلي الزامبي.

طالع أيضًا.. قائمة منتخب مصر النهائية لـ كأس أمم إفريقيا.. استبعاد عبد الله السعيد وموقف حسين الشحات قائمة زامبيا لـ كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023

حراسة المرمى: لاورنس مولينجا “باور ديناموز الزامبي”، فرانسيس موانسا “ترايدنت الزامبي”، تواستر نساباتا “زيسكو الزامبي”.

خط الدفاع: ستوبيلا سونسو “جينان شينغزهو الصيني”، فرانكي موسوندا “آير يونايتد الأسكتلندي”، بينديكت شيبيتشس “ريد أروس الزامبي”، دومينيك شاندا “باور ديناموز الزامبي”، تاندي موابي “مازيمبي الكونغولي”، مفاندي “ريشور الصهيوني”، رودريك كابوي “زيسكو الزامبي”، زيفانياه فيري “بريسون ليوبارد الزامبي”، ميجيل شيوا “يانج بويز السويسري”.

وسط الملعب: كلاتوس شاما “سيمبا التنزاني”، إيمانويل باندا “ريجيكا الكرواتي”، كينجس كانجاوا “ريد ستار الصربي”، كيلفن كابومبو “زاناكو الزامبي”، كيلفن كامبامبا “زيسكو الزامبي”، بينسون ساكالا “باور ديناموز الزامبي”، لاري بواليا “سيخوخون يونايتد الجنوب إفريقي”، فريدريك مولامبيا “باور ديناموز الزامبي”، لوبامبو موسوندا “هنورسينس الدنماركي”، إدوارد شيلوفيا “هاكن السويدي”، جولدن مافوينتا “فيسكوف التشيكي”.

خط الهجوم: باتسون داكا “ليستر سيتي الإنجليزي”، لاميك باندا “ليتشي الإيطالي”، فاشيون ساكالا “الفيحاء السعودي”، كينيدي موسوندا “يانج أفريكانز التنزاني”.

Simon Jordan believes Crystal Palace could bring Shaun Derry back to the club now that Patrick Vieira has been sacked.

The Lowdown: Hodgson may bring back some experience

Crystal Palace and Steve Parish made the bold move this week to bring Roy Hodgson out of retirement and ask him to ensure they avoid relegation, despite his last job at Watford yielding just two wins in 18 games.

Parish clearly believes Hodgson – who is the oldest person to ever manage in the Premier League – is a better pair of hands than Vieira, who put this squad together over four transfer windows following the 75-year-old’s departure in 2021.

One decision that may well have come back to haunt Vieira deciding to release long-time servant Shaun Derry, whose coaching methods seemingly did not align with the Frenchman’s.

The Latest: Derry may be handed Palace return

Former Palace owner Jordan has stated on TalkSport that Derry could be welcomed back to the club following the appointment of veteran manager Hodgson.

He said: “They’re re-jigging the backroom staff; Ray Lewington will go back in, who’s a first-class coach; Paddy McCarthy played for me at Palace; Darren Powell played for me at Palace, has gone in there as well on the coaching staff.

“So they’ve put in a bit of back fabric back into the team – they might even bring Shaun Derry back into the mix, who I think is a first-class fella.”

The Verdict: Parish will be hoping for some Hodgson magic

Parish will be hoping that he gets the Hodgson who kept Palace in the Premier League for several seasons and not the one who oversaw just 11 goals in 18 matches last time out at Watford.

It obviously wouldn’t be great if Palace failed to see an uptick in form under Hodgson, but given their goalscoring woes, with just one strike in their last five games, failure to improve would almost certainly see them taste relegation for the first time in 10 top-flight seasons.

Palace will be hopeful that their talented squad including the likes of Michael Olise, Wilfried Zaha and Marc Guehi will be enough to see them come through the other end of this favourable run of fixtures as a Premier League outfit, and they may do this by bringing in more experienced heads such as Derry alongside Hodgson to drill into the players what it means to be a Palace player.

Troy Deeney has ripped into his former teammate Abdoulaye Doucoure for his role in the second goal Everton conceded yesterday.

The Lowdown: Everton will be frustrated

While taking a point away at Nottingham Forest who haven’t lost at the City Ground since September should be deemed a positive result by Sean Dyche and the Evertonians, the manner of their collapse will be disappointing.

Everton did indeed take the lead twice yesterday which will have filled them with hope of picking up a huge three points against a relegation rival, but old tendencies foiled that idea.

There were errors for both goals from an Everton perspective with Jordan Pickford pushing Morgan Gibbs-White’s effort straight to Brennan Johnson and then Doucoure gave the ball way in his own half just seconds before Forest levelled things up.

The Latest: Doucoure cancels out all his good work

The Mali international put Everton ahead for this second time yesterday when he headed past Keylor Navas, but that was swiftly forgotten as he lazily gave up possession moments before Johnson got his second of the game, which Deeney was quick to highlight on Match of the Day 2.

He said: (44:55) “77 minutes, you’re 2-1 up away from home and this is perfect you’re in control. I played with Doucoure, he’s a lot better than this [giving the ball away] but he’ll be getting absolutely hammered for this.

“At this moment when you’re a player you’re thinking please don’t score and Brenan goes and sticks it into the top bin, so Dyche will be fuming.”

The Verdict: Dyche will be ruing individual errors

It’s been a mixed bag for Everton since Dyche was handed the job as he’s picked up seven points from seven games including two home wins that also resulted in clean sheets, but they’ve also shipped eight in their last games.

The fact that Everton didn’t really make Forest work for their goals as the first one was a tap-in from Johnson and the second one saw Doucoure hand the hosts the ball just a few yards out from Everton’s box will have Dyche fuming.

If Everton are to avoid the drop this season then they will certainly have to cut out individual errors as it is just allowing teams back into games far too easily and giving themselves a mountain to climb in every game.