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Manchester United's efforts to land Kim Min-jae this summer have been handed a boost with Il Mattino in Italy reporting that the Glazers are prepared to pay the player's release clause – and that the defender has said yes to a move.

Are Man United signing Kim Min-jae this summer?

The Premier League outfit have been linked with a move for another midfielder and striker mainly this summer, with reports suggesting that a player in each of those positions is a transfer priority for manager Erik Ten Hag.

However, the Red Devils have also been linked with a swoop for another defensive reinforcement during the summer transfer window as well. Whilst the club already have a number of options to choose from in their backline, that number could decrease when the season comes to a close. Harry Maguire has been linked with an Old Trafford exit for example, which would free up some space in the centre-back positon and so has Victor Lindelof. Further to that, some depth will be created by the departure of Phil Jones, who is likely to leave as a free agent this summer.

It means that United want to sign a defender and the most heavily linked name is that of Kim Min-jae from Napoli. The Red Devils have been keen to do a deal for the Napoli man and it appears that their chances of getting one over the line have been boosted today.

That's because a report from Il Mattino in Italy states that the side's owners, the Glazers, are prepared to trigger the player's release clause of 56 million Euros (£48m). The centre-back himself is also believed to be up to an Old Trafford move, with the report adding that he will say yes – especially when his salary is likely to be quadrupled if he completes a move over to the Premier League. A deal then looks like it is moving along nicely and could soon be completed for the club.

Who is Kim Min-jae?

The Napoli defender has caught the eye with some superb performances for his club in Serie A and in Europe over the course of the current campaign. Marshalling the backline, he has managed a WhoScored rating of 7.10 in the domestic league, which marks him out as one of the better options in his position in the division.

In addition, his performance level increases when given the chance to perform on the big stage. In the Champions League, that WhoScored rating increases to 7.20 for example and with 2.4 interceptions per game in that competition, it shows his adept ability to read opposition play and break it up to help his side start attacks of their own.

Further to this, former Premier League and Man United man Park Ji-Sung has heaped the praise on the defender. He called the centre-back "extraordinary" and added that he is a "technical leader" too.

United then would be getting a standout player in Kim – so if a deal does get done, it would be good business from Erik Ten Hag's side.

Durham need a further 46 runs to not only defeat Somerset but to improve their chances of winning the Specsavers’ County Championship after another day of extraordinary action

ECB Reporters Network05-Aug-2016
ScorecardRyan Davies was part of a lower-order rally•Getty ImagesDurham need a further 46 runs to not only defeat Somerset but to improve their chances of winning the Specsavers’ County Championship after another day of extraordinary action.However, they are making heavy weather of matters at Taunton. Chasing 176 to win, in their second innings, the visitors reached 130 for 5 at the close.It has been a remarkable game during which Durham’s seamers have taken 18 of the 20 Somerset wickets to fall and the Somerset spinners, Roelof van der Merwe and Jack Leach, have helped themselves to all but three of the 15 Durham wickets to tumble.”It was one of those mornings where we hardly played and missed. Every good good ball got the edge,” Matthew Maynard, the Somerset coach, said. “The first ball straightened on Marcus and he nicked it. One has come back to the skipper, quite sharply and then, Hildy got a good ball. They were got out by decent balls.”However, to be still in the game tonight from 33 for 6 is a great effort from the lads and especially our low middle order.”It has been an absorbing game of cricket. Fair play to them, they have utilised the new ball brilliantly, especially in the second innings, when we knew that if we got off to a good start we could push on. But their seamers have got a lot more out of this wicket than we thought they would.”After an opening day during which 17 wickets had fallen, the second day began with Durham resuming their first innings on 154 for 7. They lost Mark Wood and Chris Rushworth to Leach and van der Merwe respectively before Graham Onions was trapped lbw to Leach at 180 all out.Trailing by only five, on first innings, Somerset sensed an opportunity to build a big enough lead to put serious pressure on Durham, in the game’s fourth and final innings. It was not to be. They lost Marcus Trescothick, Chris Rogers and Tom Abell without scoring as Durham reduced their hosts to 0 for 3 in quick time. For Abell, it was a second first ball dismissal of the game.James Hildreth managed 8 before he was snapped up by Onions at 21 for 4 and when Peter Trego was trapped leg before by the former England seamer, Somerset were staring down the barrel of a humiliating defeat. Unfortunately, for Somerset, it got worse before it got better, with Jim Allenby, who looked relatively comfortable in reaching 15, becoming Wood’s first scalp of the day at 33 for 6.Craig Overton and van der Merwe showed what fighting spirit can achieve – either side of lunch. The pair added 72 for the seventh wicket before van der Merwe was finally out, three short of his half century at 105 for 7.Thirteen runs later, Overton was yorked by a decent ball from Adam Hickey and Leach followed in similar fashion, this time off the bowling of Wood.Wicketkeeper Ryan Davies, one of the shining lights with the bat in the first innings, played with great guts and gusto and with Tim Groenewald put on 52 for the final wicket. Davies looked odds on to reach his 50 when he chipped a Hickey delivery to midwicket.Having capitulated to the spinners in their first innings, Durham lost two early wickets to seamer Overton, at 1 for 1 and 19 for 2. Keaton Jennings departed without scoring and Scott Borthwick pulled a short ball to Hildreth at mid-on.Michael Richardson and Mark Stoneman were separated at 88 for 3 when the former was adjudged lbw off the bowling of Jack Leach and Stoneman followed at 118 for 4 when van der Merwe found a way through his defence.Somerset kept themselves in the hunt by taking the wicket of Gordon Muchall before the clock ticked over to six o’clock on a dramatic day.

James Anderson has emerged as an injury doubt for the first Investec Test against Pakistan next month

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jun-2016James Anderson has emerged as an injury doubt for the first Investec Test against Pakistan next month due to a stress fracture in his right shoulder blade.The ECB confirmed he will miss Lancashire’s County Championship matches against Middlesex and Nottinghamshire and that his availability will be confirmed nearer the opening Test at Lord’s on July 14.Anderson picked up the injury during the third Test against Sri Lanka earlier this month although it is understood not to be as serious as other types of stress fractures.”Due to the nature of the injury, Jimmy’s availability for the Pakistan Test series, commencing on July 14, will be determined following ongoing management and review by both the ECB and Lancashire’s medical teams,” an ECB statement said.Anderson, England’s leading Test wicket-taker, claimed 21 wickets at 10.80 in the three Tests against Sri Lanka, and despite the strength of England’s pace-bowling stocks, it would be a significant blow to lose him. In 10 Tests against Pakistan, Anderson has taken 45 wickets at 17.06 – his lowest average against any team.Anderson has had a slightly chequered injury record over the last year. He missed the final two Tests of last year’s Ashes series with a side strain and then the first Test against South Africa, in Durban, due to a calf injury.Should Anderson be forced to miss the opening Test against Pakistan, he could be replaced by Ben Stokes, who made his return for Durham in a T20 on Friday night, following knee surgery. However, Stokes is not yet ready to return to bowling duties, and England will be reluctant to rush back such a precious asset.Jake Ball, the uncapped Nottinghamshire seamer, was part of England’s squad throughout the series against Sri Lanka and would be another likely candidate to step in.

اختار الدولي الهولندي، فيرجيل فان دايك، قائد فريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي ليفربول الإنجليزي، لاعبًا مفاجئًا كأصعب منافس واجهه خلال مسيرته.

فان دايك واجه العديد من المهاجمين خلال مسيرته، مثل محمد صلاح عندما كان الهولندي مع ساوثهامبتون، بالإضافة لـ ليونيل ميسي وكريستيانو رونالدو من بين آخرين.

طالع أيضًا.. جناح ليفربول الأسبق: بيع نونيز مقابل الحفاظ على محمد صلاح نجاح كبير

وعندما سُئل عن أقوى مهاجم واجهه، رد فان دايك: “أوليفيه جيرو هو الأصعب، تعتقد أنك قادر أن تسيطر عليه، ولكنه دائمًا ما يتمكن من التسجيل بطريقة أو بأخرى، بالرأس والقدم والركبة، لقد سجل في كثير من الأحيان ضدي، وأهدافه دائمًا ما تكون صعبة”.

لعب جيرو ضد فان دايك مع آرسنال وتشيلسي، أمام الهولندي في ليفربول وساوثهامبتون، لكن الفرنسي ذهب إلى ميلان، وتقتصر المواجهات على البطولات الأوروبية أو مباريات هولندا وفرنسا.

وأضاف فان دايك: “كنت أشعر كلما واجهت جيرو أنني أحكم السيطرة، لكنه كان ينجح في التسجيل، ويهرب من الرقابة في لمح البصر، سواء مع آرسنال أو تشيلسي أو حتى في فرنسا”.

وأكمل: “عندما توجنا بالدوري، حققنا الفوز بخماسية مقابل 3 على تشيلسي وكنا متقدمين 3-0، لكنه سجل هدف قبل نهاية الشوط الأول، وكانت له فرصة في العارضة”.

وأشار: “جيرو هو الرجل الذي يمكنني أن أصفه بالبعبع، إنه أكثر لاعب تسبب لي في إزعاج، رغم أنني واجهت الكثير من المهاجمين الرائعين”.

واختتم: “لعبت ضد ميسي وأجويرو وهالاند، إيرلينج لاعب صعب ويمتلك كل شيء، لكنني سأختار جيرو”.

The managerial merry-go-round season in the Premier League has well and truly begun, but the latest reports suggest that West Ham United won't be taking part.

What's the latest West Ham manager news?

The Hammers are one of just two sides in the bottom half of the top flight to have not sacked a manager so far this campaign, with Nottingham Forest also keeping faith in Steve Cooper following their promotion from the Championship last season.

Swapping managers at Everton, Wolves and Bournemouth has arguably had the desired effect, with those three sides looking more solid under new leadership, but it is still any three from eight in the Premier League who could go down, in what will surely go down as one of the tightest relegation battles in history.

Despite the Hammers enjoying regular top-half finishes under David Moyes in recent seasons, as well as impressive runs in the Europa League and Europa Conference League, there is no doubt that the Scottish manager has been one of the prime candidates for the sack this season, considering the perceived strength of his side compared to others in the bottom half.

The former Manchester United boss was on the brink of the sack ahead of the 4-0 win against Nottingham Forest and probably saved his own skin with another victory against relegation rivals Southampton last weekend, although the performance suggested that the long-term future under the 59-year-old is not bright.

Unfortunately for dissatisfied West Ham fans, the latest reports suggest that David Sullivan has no intention of sacking Moyes or bringing in the likes of Brendan Rodgers or Graham Potter, despite their recent sackings by Leicester City and Chelsea.

Will West Ham consider Rodgers or Graham Potter?

According to Claret and Hugh, West Ham won't look at Rodgers or Potter, despite previously claiming that there were no suitable candidates to replace Moyes, and that is why he was safe at the London Stadium.

This season has seen the experienced Scottish manager muster just one point per game in the Premier League, whereas Rodgers would average 1.59 points per game in his time at Leicester, and has previously impressed in spells with Swansea City, Liverpool and Celtic, notably winning several trophies in Scotland.

Potter, too caught the eye with Swansea in the Championship and worked wonders with Brighton, helping lay the groundwork for their phenomenal Premier League season this year, so he shouldn't be judged too harshly for his failure at Chelsea, where he was expected to keep a huge squad of players happy.

Both represent younger, more attack and possession-minded managers than Moyes, who has shown this season that he cannot get the best out of the talented squad available to him at the London Stadium.

With big players likely to depart in the summer regardless of the division West Ham find themselves in, sticking with Moyes could see Sullivan better his 2010 mistake of hiring Avram Grant, with the former Chelsea boss overseeing relegation to the second tier despite being handed a lengthy four-year contract.

So bad was that season that former goalkeeper Rob Green claimed "it was the hardest year of my career by a mile."

Now that two talented managers are available, Sullivan should be acting quickly to sack Moyes, before another club takes a chance on Rodgers and Potter.

They will surely not be short of suitors, and sticking with the current manager looks likely to end in another disastrous relegation.

When Rory Wilson left Glasgow Rangers last summer, it was looked upon as the club losing one of their most talented youngsters, with the striker dazzling in the Ibrox academy.

He joined Premier League side Aston Villa, who had to fork out £350k for his signature, and he was yet another player lured to the riches of England, following the likes of Billy Gilmour previously.

Wilson has netted 15 goals from 16 appearances for the Scotland U17 side and was expected to shatter records at the club, yet it was another Gers teenager who moved south of the border a few years before the Villa striker that appears to be another disaster for the club – Dire Mebude.

Who is Dire Mebude?

The young right-winger joined Rangers aged just ten alongside his brother, Dapo, following his family’s decision to move to Scotland. While his older brother scored three times for the B side and made his first team debut under Steven Gerrard, he eventually moved onto Belgian outfit KV Oostende.

Dire was also highly regarded and with a bright future ahead of him at the Glasgow side, made the decision to turn down professional terms, subsequently joining Manchester City in 2020. Since then, it would not be a surprise if the Light Blues regret that move considering his progress.

The move to City has worked wonders, with the winger scoring 29 goals across both the U18 and U21 teams while winning the player's player of the year award for the U18 side last term, registering a whopping 31 goal contributions in all competitions.

He is also making his name on the international stage, having made appearances for the Scotland U16 and U19 teams, he recently made his debut for the U21 side and scored on his debut with a wonderful solo effort against Sweden.

Journalist Simon Bajkowski has lauded him for being “lively” and his recent performances have certainly demonstrated that praise to full effect as he has looked eager to push his boundaries. As such, the Ibrox side will be kicking themselves for letting him leave.

Talent such as Mebude’s doesn’t come around often and seeing him make the move, and indeed perform well at a club such as City, proves that he may have enjoyed a bright future at Rangers.

With Wilson embracing life at Villa, Rangers have now seen a repeat of that disaster by letting Mebude depart.

Arsenal bolstered their lead at the top of the Premier League standings, going five points clear of their nearest challengers, after a resounding victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon.

A trio of assists from Leandro Trossard in the first half sent the Gunners on their way, with both Gabriels – Magalhaes and Martinelli – and Martin Odegaard getting their names on the scoresheet.

The Belgian dynamo was handed the ‘Player of the Match’ award by Sky Sports and it’s easy to see why as he was the complete difference-maker against the Cottagers.

It was also the first time that an Arsenal player provided a hat-trick of assists in a first half since Cesc Fabregas against Blackburn Rovers in 2009.

How did Leandro Trossard do vs Fulham?

Just as journalist Charles Watts described, the £27m winter signing was absolutely “unplayable” as he was everywhere on the pitch, meaning Fulham couldn’t get near him.

Indeed, he did more than just provide all the assists for the Gunners’ three goals as he also had two shots, on top of his 100% dribble success rate and four created chances, via Sofascore.

It was very much a display that has put his name on the map, at least in terms of Mikel Arteta’s thinking heading into some more crucial fixtures and some could make the comparison back to one of the last few times that the north Londoners took home the Premier League title.

A fresh-faced Freddie Ljungberg proved instrumental during the run-in back in 2001/02, having only signed a season earlier from Sweden. An injury to Robert Pires put their hard work in grave danger but it allowed the 5 foot 9 maestro to emerge from the shadows.

That season, Arsenal won their second Premier League and FA Cup double and that’s because the Swede found the net in the majority of their final matches, including a stunning winner against Chelsea in the final of the latter competition.

Whilst Trossard didn’t score against the Cottagers, this outing could very much have been his ‘Ljungberg moment,’ with him only really starting due to the absences of Gabriel Jesus – who returned for the first time in many months to the bench – and Eddie Nketiah.

“Immaculate touch, intelligent movement,” is how The Athletic’s James McNicholas described the former Brighton and Hove Albion sensation, whilst reporter Haley McGoldrick dubbed him as a “magician.”

With his diminutive frame offering a low centre of gravity and a further ability to play anywhere across the frontline, Arteta may well have just stumbled upon Arsenal’s next Ljungberg in the form of Trossard.

He’ll surely have a big part to say in the closing months of the season as the Gunners look to land their first league title in nearly a decade.

AND in other news, Arteta must soon unleash “Hale End’s finest†talent who’s yet to make Arsenal debut…

Injury expert Ben Dinnery believes Leeds United defender Max Wober is a ‘major doubt’ for Saturday’s crucial fixture against Southampton.

The Lowdown: Everton injury

Wober once again got the nod at centre-back last time out against Everton but was forced off at the interval in a 1-0 defeat. The January signing appeared to dislocate a shoulder in the opening stages but managed to make it to half time before being replaced by Rasmus Kristensen.

Javi Gracia is the new man in charge at Elland Road and will hopefully be in the dugout this weekend, however, he may have to make do without Wober.

The Latest: Dinnery’s comments

Dinnery, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to GiveMeSport regarding Wober’s injury. The expert said that he has been ‘red flagged as a major doubt’ for the game this weekend but did claim that the fact Wober played through pain at Goodison Park is a ‘good sign’.

“You certainly can’t rule him out for a long period because there have been examples of players who have been able to return within seven to 10 days, while others can stretch up to three, four or even five weeks. It comes down to the severity of the problem.

“The fact that he was able to continue through until half-time, although obviously painful and sore, should be taken as a good sign. The possibility is that they will be working on that shoulder this week and then maybe getting some kind of supportive brace to protect that joint as well.

“Obviously, he has been red flagged as a major doubt this weekend. But, in the grand scheme of things, it certainly isn’t something which is too long-term or serious.”

The Verdict: Not ideal

Wober has been a regular in the side over recent weeks, so losing his services for the relegation six-pointer won’t be an ideal start for Gracia.

Hailed by Jesse Marsch as ‘very intelligent’, ‘gifted’ and a ‘real leader’, the Austrian has made the left-sided centre-back position his own in recent weeks alongside Robin Koch, making the biggest impact out of the club’s three winter window additions.

Therefore, Gracia may have to check on club captain Liam Cooper, who has also missed games in recent weeks through injury, or go with Pascal Struijk at centre-back, which will more than likely result in Junior Firpo continuing at left-back.

Journalist Damian Spellman believes Newcastle United have to improve their midfield department this summer.

The Lowdown: A lack of depth may be concerning

The Magpies appear to be in something of a slump as they’ve drawn five out of their last six games in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, their sole win in that run came against Fulham, largely thanks to Aleksandar Mitrovic double-kicking his penalty before Alexander Isak headed in an added-time winner.

This run of form has also come at a worrying time for Eddie Howe, as his squad is being stretched, with Bruno Guimaraes out for another game, Jonjo Shelvey having left for Nottingham Forest and Joe Willock going off against Bournemouth with a hamstring injury.

It was reported in January that Newcastle’s main priority during the transfer window was to improve the centre of midfield, but despite losing Shelvey, that didn’t end up happening, which has left the Magpies short in the middle of the pitch.

The Latest: Newcastle will look to improve in the summer

Newcastle will have aspirations of playing European football next season and that would require a deeper squad – something Spellman expects them to address this summer as he spoke on the Everything is Black and White podcast.

He said: “There’s no secret that Eddie Howe didn’t want to let Jonjo Shelvey leave, and I suspect when he did okay it, he thought they might get somebody in – and ultimately they didn’t.

“I think it’s glaringly obvious that that is one of the departments in which they need to strengthen and I think it will be somewhere they’ll invest in the summer – and we all know they’ve looked at people for that position or that area of the pitch.”

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The Verdict: PIF to go big next transfer window

While not spending heavily in January will likely put Newcastle in a healthier spot to spend more freely in the summer, if it ends up costing them either the top four or a chance to lift the Carabao Cup, that decision will likely be criticised.

Howe made it very clear during January that Newcastle didn’t want to spend money for the sake of it as they hoped to avoid handcuffing themselves financially for future windows, so it’s a very sensible approach taken by the club’s owners.

However, if Newcastle don’t make the top four, the calibre of players they could attract could drop significantly, so it’s a risky strategy and one that may well come back to bite them if they keep picking up injuries and fail to capitalise on a bizarre season where several of the usual suspects have been left behind in the Champions League race.

Chelsea transfer target Moises Caicedo will cost £90m if the Blues want to sign him, according to The Independent journalist Miguel Delaney.

The Lowdown: Chelsea eyeing up Caicedo move

The Blues continue to look bullish in the transfer market, having already acquired the services of six players (including Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk) this month.

Another player who has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge is Caicedo, who has excelled for Brighton this season but is now looking to force an exit from the Amex Stadium.

However, despite the player’s apparent desire to leave and his social media actions enraging club bosses, his current employers won’t simply let him walk away for a song.

The Latest: Brighton want £90m for Caicedo

Taking to Twitter in sharing a corresponding article for The Independent, Delaney said that Brighton will only sell Caicedo for an eye-watering amount of money.

He tweeted: “Chelsea and Arsenal would have to go to £90m on Caicedo.”

The Verdict: Is he worth it?

Caicedo does look like an exceptional young midfield talent, having won 2.9 tackles and 1.3 aerial duels per game in the Premier League this season and previously being dubbed a “terrific athlete” by South American football expert Tim Vickery.

No Chelsea player has averaged more tackles per match, barring Mudryk in one appearance, highlighting how much bite the Ecuadorian could add to the Blues’ midfield.

That being said, £90m is a vast sum of money who has only played 26 times in the Premier League, and it could be argued that the £15,000-per-week Caicedo hasn’t proven himself to be worth that sort of fee over a prolonged period of time.

That would make Chelsea signing the 21-year-old for such a figure a clear gamble, even though he has been hailed as ‘fantastic’ by his former Brighton boss Graham Potter, and the Blues could be wise to hold off for now or consider a cheaper alternative.