Sherfane Rutherford hit an unbeaten half-century and earned a five-wicket win for Quetta Gladiators over a depleted Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League on Thursday.Rutherford smashed 58 not out off 31 balls with six towering sixes and a match-winning boundary off the final ball as Quetta recovered from a middle-order collapse to chase down 166 for their fourth win in five games.Karachi couldn’t cash in on James Vince and Tim Seifert’s impactful batting in the powerplay before they got tangled against the Quetta spinners and were restricted to 165 for 8. It was Karachi’s third loss in five games.Several frontline Karachi players including Mir Hamza, Tabraiz Shamsi and Leus du Plooy missed the game because of a viral infection. Du Plooy was hospitalised.Legspinner Zahid Mahmood, playing in his first game of the season, and Hasan Ali brought Karachi into the game with two wickets each and Shoaib Malik had the key wicket of half-centurion Jason Roy as Quetta stumbled to 89 for 5 in the 12th over.But Rutherford led the counterattack – with Akeal Hosein – with his powerful hitting before smashing fast bowler Anwar Ali in the final over. Quetta needed 15 from six balls, and Rutherford’s two sixes off the first two balls tilted the game in their favour.Earlier, Shan Masood’s below-par first season as Karachi captain continued when he was bowled for 2 by left-arm spinner Hosein in the first over.Vince smacked eight fours in his whirlwind knock during the power play before spinner Usman Tariq changed the complexion of the game by trapping both Seifert and Vince lbw in his first over.Abrar Ahmed came back well in his last two overs and got three wickets as Kieron Pollard was bowled by the legspinner in the death overs. Anwar provided a late flurry with an unbeaten 25 that included 20 off Mohammad Wasim’s last over but it was not enough.

Babar Azam talks about being compared to Kohli, imitating de Villiers, and more

Interview by Mohammad Isam18-Dec-2017How different did you feel when you reached you first ODI hundred compared to the seventh?
I didn’t feel anything too different. Early on in my career, I used to get out in the 30s, 40s, fifties and 60s. So I really appreciated reaching my first hundred. But I was as focused when making my seventh hundred as I was during my first ton. I give my 100% in every game.What was it like batting in the 90s ahead of your maiden hundred?
I was quite nervous. I was in some pressure leading up to that game. My focus became double, and thanks to Allah, I reached the three-figure mark. I got a lot of confidence from that game.In the last two years you have become a more responsible player in the Pakistan team.
There’s a lot of expectations on me. I am trying to take my ODI confidence to Test cricket. Early on, I hadn’t done well in Tests. But I am far more focused in the longer format.You did decently well in Australia, but do you still think there’s a gap for you between the two formats?
There is certainly a gap. But to be honest, I like playing in Australia. I have played the Under-19 World Cup there. The ball comes on to the bat better there.Tell us about those three consecutive hundreds against West Indies.
I was quite excited about the first hundred. The confidence got higher after the second. Ahead of the third hundred, I knew that I was looking at a world record. But I felt similar to how it was before the first two hundreds.I knew about the world record because it was all over social media. I stayed focused before the third hundred, never thinking that I have to score a hundred. I remembered my processes of the first two hundreds and applied it in that game. Allah gave me the third one as well.Is there a routine for a hundred?
I train really hard. I do a lot of extra batting drills, apart from the usual nets. My mindset is always focused, which goes up on match days. I think that I want to bat throughout the innings, for the team. You can call this my routine.Tell us your first memory of cricket.
I loved playing cricket from my childhood. My dad made me play in the streets, and my interest grew. He put me in a club, seeing this. My habit grew from that point. I went to practise in the morning, returned home in the evening. I had the craze for cricket from an early age.

“Early on in my career, I used to get out in the 30s, 40s, fifties and 60s. So I really appreciated reaching my first hundred”

The Akmal brothers are your cousins. Did you play with them?
I played in their club and also with them. I changed my club later on. They always tell me when they see me making a mistake. Kami supports me a lot.Who was your batting hero?
I loved watching AB de Villiers in the early days. I used to follow him closely. I copied him a lot too. In the nets, I used to at least try some of the shots he played in the matches.Even those extravagant shots?
Those hadn’t been played back then. I still don’t try those shots. I play normally. Nowadays I follow Virat Kohli, Hashim Amla, and of course, de Villiers.Mickey Arthur compared you to a young Virat Kohli.
He compared me with a very big player. I think it shouldn’t be done. But that is the coach’s thinking. Maybe the stats at the start of our careers are similar, but he is the No. 1 batsman in the world. I want to perform at a high level for Pakistan too.You were a top scorer in the U-19s. Do you use any lessons from those days in your game now?
I certainly do. I played two World Cups in New Zealand and Australia. I learned a lot from those two tournaments. I still love playing in those countries, enjoy my batting there. You learn about wickets there, so it gives you confidence when you go there to play international cricket.Ijaz bhai used to tell me: you stay at the wicket, everything else will happen. I rose to the international level keeping these words in mind; I retained that mindset.What would you tell a youngster who wants to become the next Babar Azam?
I would say, never compromise on your cricket. The more time you give to the ground, the more it will give back to you. Keep an eye on your fitness and give your 100% in matches. Stay focused.

Liverpool are in pole position to secure the signing of a highly-rated Premier League midfielder in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool preparing for EFL Cup final

The Reds faced the disappointment of being eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday night, following a penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield. Arne Slot’s Liverpool side have the perfect opportunity to bounce back this weekend, however, as they prepare to face Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final at Wembley.

It promises to be a tough game for the Reds, especially as Newcastle are looking to end a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy, but they will go into the game as the obvious favourites, as Slot looks to win his maiden piece of silverware as head coach at Anfield.

There are injury concerns heading into the match, with Trent Alexander-Arnold missing out after hurting his ankle against PSG, and Ibrahima Konate also having to come off in extra-time, albeit only with cramp. Away from Sunday’s huge game, an exciting transfer rumour has emerged.

Liverpool leading race to sign Wolves star Joao Gomes

According to Gazete do Urubu [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are leading the race to sign Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes this summer. It is claimed that the Reds are the “main interested party” in the £50m-rated Brazil international currently, and they are “close” to him, ahead of a potential switch to Anfield at the end of the season.

While Liverpool’s midfield feels stocked full of excellent options, not least the first-choice trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, another addition wouldn’t go amiss this summer, especially in terms of players in the mould of Gomes.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed an excellent season for Wolves, starting 24 Premier League games, showcasing his off-the-ball quality with an average of three tackles per match. Meanwhile, pundit Sue Smith has heaped praise on him.

A homegrown Isak: Liverpool teen is already "a better finisher than Nunez"

Liverpool need to address their striking problem.

By
Angus Sinclair

Mar 14, 2025

Gomes already knows English football well from his time at Wolves, so there wouldn’t be any concerns about him struggling to hit the ground running at Liverpool.

Given his age, he would be coming in as a long-term option who arguably offers more natural defensive cover than Gravenberch and Mac Allister, who have averaged 1.8 and 2.8 tackles per game this season in the league respectively.

The conviction relates to whether he and Bushra Bibi waited long enough after Bibi’s divorce before getting married

Danyal Rasool03-Feb-2024Imran Khan’s legal troubles continue to mount, with the former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister sentenced to a further seven years in jail. The conviction, his third of the week, relates to his marriage to his current wife Bushra Bibi, and whether the pair waited long enough after Bibi’s divorce from her previous marriage before formally getting married. It is the maximum sentence the judge could have imposed in the case and the marriage has also been declared void by the court as part of the sentence.The case concerns whether the marriage had taken place during Bibi’s period, a concept in Islam and Pakistani law that requires a woman to wait for a certain amount of time following a divorce or the death of her husband before remarrying. The case was especially controversial because of the extent to which it scrutinised the intensely personal nature of Imran and Bibi’s relationship, going so far as discussing Bibi’s menstrual cycles to determine whether the period had not been breached.While Imran and Bibi had married nearly six years ago, the case was registered by her former husband Khawar Fareed Maneka only in 2023, around the time Imran’s other legal troubles began to snowball. But in 2018, when Bibi and Maneka had separated, Maneka had released a video statement saying Imran was not the cause of his divorce.Related

Imran Khan sentenced to 14 years in prison in 'Toshakhana' case

Imran Khan sentenced to ten years in prison by Pakistan court

Bibi was also sentenced to seven years in prison. Imran and Bibi were also each fined PKR 500,000 (US $1788 approx). Bibi had earlier been incarcerated in the Toshakhana case alongside Imran, and sentenced to 14 years in jail. However, she had been allowed to serve the sentence under house arrest. But it is not yet clear if that changes with the current conviction.This latest conviction is expected to run concurrently to Imran’s other three convictions, which carried sentences of three, ten and 14 years in jail, respectively. Therefore, it does not extend the amount of time he is legally required to be incarcerated. However, it shows the extent to which Imran’s relationship has deteriorated with the state, which has launched a thinly-veiled attack on him and his political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), ever since he was removed from power in a no-confidence vote in April 2022.PTI issued a scathing statement after the sentence regarding Imran’s marriage to Bibi was passed.”How many people have fallen to bring down one person? In this case, Imran Khan and his [Bibi] were not given the right to defend themselves, nor were witnesses allowed to present themselves. When this case goes to the higher courts, in a minute this decision will be rejected and thrown into the trash.”When Imran Khan was arrested in May 2023, violent uprisings took place throughout the country•AFP/Getty ImagesImran’s lawyer called the verdict “shameless and baseless”, and said the decision would be appealed.Imran’s latest conviction comes five days before Pakistan goes to the polls in an election both he and PTI are barred from contesting. Political rallies organised by them have been dispersed and shut down by authorities. Earlier this week, a rally in Karachi was halted by police, who fired tear gas and detained dozens of PTI workers.Earlier today, another PTI political rally in Swabi was dispersed, and for months, there was a de facto ban on even mentioning Imran’s name on Pakistani TV. In the past few months, when PTI attempted to host virtual or online fundraisers, there were nationwide internet blackouts that coincided with the timing of the events. Authorities, however, have claimed the two were unrelated.The International Federation for Human Rights, in a statement after Imran’s other sentences this week, said its findings revealed “a disturbing disregard for the basic principles of justice and due process” after he was denied access to his chosen counsel, which they termed “a flagrant violation of rights enshrined in international law”.Opinion polling in the lead-up to the elections has been non-existent, but the most recent independent polls have shown Imran to be the most popular politician in the country. When he was arrested by paramilitary security forces in May 2023, violent uprisings took place throughout the country that led to an internet blackout that lasted several days; thousands of his political supporters were also arrested at the time.

CA chief Kevin Roberts also lauded the work done by Tim Paine and Justin Langer in leading Australia onwards from the Newlands scandal

Daniel Brettig14-Sep-2019Australia’s selection panel is to be overhauled over the next six months, with the imminent retirement of Greg Chappell and the expiry of Trevor Hohns’ contract at the end of the home summer ushering a generational change to better reflect the Twenty20 era the game has now spent more than a decade in.Reshaping the way Australian teams are chosen is a key plank of the job for the new head of national teams Ben Oliver, who commenced his role at the outset of the Ashes series after a lengthy interim stint by Belinda Clark. Kevin Roberts, the Cricket Australia chief executive, has flagged it to be one of the first issues he and Oliver will address upon his return home from England, via a brief visit to Pakistan that is part of CA’s wider efforts to improve relationships with other boards.Nevertheless, there have already been plenty of moves afoot around the selection area, ever since ESPNcricinfo revealed that Chappell would exit at the end of the Ashes. Discussions have revolved around whether or not the current panel format should be retained or pared down to a single selection convener working with the national team coach Justin Langer and the state and Big Bash League coaches, and also the need for more contemporary voices, particularly relevant to T20. The likes of Cameron White and Michael Klinger have been raised as possible selectors, though there is also a view that selection, complete with an ever more comprehensive use of statistics and analytics, is a skill requiring more than playing experience.Cameron White had a distinguished career with Victoria•Getty Images”Certainly we need to take into account the sorts of experience that are required,” Roberts said. “If you look at the shape of the panel now, one of the things we’d like to have more of in the future is more experience in T20 games as an example. So rather than targeting an individual person, it’s really about determining what are the characteristics or capabilities we need among the panel and who are the people in Australian cricket who can fulfil those.”I think it’s knowledge of the T20 game, whether it be playing, coaching, and various other roles in the T20 game. So I probably wouldn’t describe it as generational change but I would absolutely say it is a matter of having a really deep knowledge of T20 cricket. A lot of Australians have been involved in the IPL and the BBL as well and some of those are young, some are not so young. Really it’s about the experience they’ve had as opposed to when they might’ve been born.A hallmark of Roberts’ tenure so far has been to repeatedly emphasise the need for deeper and better relationships between CA and the state associations, something he said needed also to be reflected in the way selection was done. “The main thing I would say is certain is that we need to deepen the links through the state system and domestic competitions and make sure that we’ve got the best possible view of all players who are in contention to play,” Roberts said.”What sort of form are they in, how’s their physical health, how’s their mental well-being. That’s a key consideration these days in all walks of life and the same certainly goes for players. One of the benefits of splitting the old role and having Ben Oliver playing the national teams role and Drew Ginn the high performance role working with the states is Drew can then work with the states and make sure we’ve got a very clear overview of the top X number of players, their position in terms of form, physical and mental well-being and everything else that contributes to how they’re going as a player. I’m really looking forward to that coming to fruition too.”

“I don’t think there’s another leader in Australian men’s cricket that could’ve done the job that Tim Paine has done over the last 18 months.”CA chief Kevin Roberts

Following the successful retention of the Ashes, the next major goals for Australian cricket are the women’s and men’s Twenty20 World Cups on home soil in 2020, while balancing a sustained bid to contest the first World Test Championship final in 2021. Roberts was rich in his praise for Langer and the Test captain Tim Paine, declaring that no other figure in Australian cricket could have led the team through the choppy waters of 2018 and into the success of this Ashes tour.”I don’t think there’s another leader in Australian men’s cricket that could’ve done the job that he’s done over the last 18 months,” Roberts said. “I also think he’s only been able to do that job because if you think about his challenges over the years he was almost out of the game for a number of years with a smashed finger. He gained some life experience during that time that’s really set him up to be the leader that he is and without that I’m not sure he could’ve done it the way that he has.”We’ve just been so happy with the way he’s led from the front and there’s no thought of succession planning at this stage. He’s got our support to continue leading from the front the way that he has done so far. We couldn’t be happier with the performance of Justin or Tim in terms of the cultural transformation of the men’s team and what that’s contributed to Australian cricket more broadly.”Most pointedly, the Australians have avoided run-ins with officialdom or opponents since the Newlands scandal, returning a clear rap sheet in terms of ICC code of conduct breaches for more than 18 months. “Look at the commitment they’ve made to make Australians proud, and also the commitment we’ve all made as an organisation,” Roberts said. “We’ve said before it’s a professional sport so the goal will always be to win and we shouldn’t hide from that.”The opposition should always know they’re in a contest when they play against Australian but at the same time the non-negotiable expectation we have of ourselves on and off the field is we compete with respect. And Justin has really led that strongly, a values-driven culture. Tim has complemented Justin brilliantly and led with real courage. They deserve huge credit. There’s been so many milestones in the way the men’s team has performed on the field, but the way they’ve done it as well.”If you look at the code of conduct charges, or the lack thereof, over the Australian summer, no code of conduct charges against the men’s team – first time in many many years and not surprisingly that saw a similar trend right across Australian cricket because of the role models the men are. The women’s team are obviously outstanding ambassadors for the game and for our country as well. It’s brilliant to know I can sleep soundly at night in the knowledge we’ve got a men’s team and a women’s team living the sort of values and behaviours that we aspire to as a sport.”As for the use of the Dukes ball in Sheffield Shield cricket, something that better equipped the likes of Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Wade and Michael Neser for their selection on this tour, Roberts indicated that CA should maintain a habit of ensuring players are bred to be versatile. “I think if you ask Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Steven Smith they’d say it’s been tremendously successful, coming into this day Josh and Pat were averaging less than 20 and going for about two and a half runs an over and of course Steve has shot the lights out with the bat,” he said. “In all seriousness we need to keep preparing our players to play in different conditions overseas, whether it be the swinging ball or the spinning ball.”

Liverpool and high-class forwards have long stood in a productive affinity, even before Jurgen Klopp changed Anfield’s direction, previously spiralling out of control under Brendan Rodgers’ wing.

There have been many. Mohamed Salah is the cream of the Premier League’s attacking pool right now, indeed one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history, but Arne Slot’s recognised strikers, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, have been beset with problems this year.

Nunez, in particular, has been a massive let-down. No transfer figure spent in Liverpool’s long history stretches north of the Uruguayan, who joined from Benfica for £85m in 2022 but, now aged 25, is set to depart this summer having failed to ever reach his potential.

He certainly hasn’t succeeded in replacing Bobby Firmino, one of the greatest modern forwards to grace Merseyside.

Why Bobby Firmino was so special

Liverpool signed Firmino from German club Hoffenheim for £29m in 2015, months before Klopp’s appointment changed everything.

Silky and stylish, he was perfect for Klopp’s gegenpressing style of football, an industrious worker, an intelligent technician and a balletic dancer across the frontline.

Distinctive and the connecting axis from which Salah and Sadio Mane swooped and struck from either flank, the Brazilian left at the end of his contract in 2023 with a legacy that most players could only dream of.

His brilliance is all the more sorely missed due to Nunez’s failure to live up to the billing, and Liverpool appear to yearn for that presence at number nine, ramping up their interest in the next version of the South American star.

Liverpool lining up their next Firmino

As per Caught Offside, Liverpool are looking to repeat their Firmino trick in signing an up-and-comer from the Bundesliga this summer, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike in FSG’s scope.

Ekitike has been one of the most talked-about forwards of the current campaign, with his performances catching the eyes of numerous high-profile suitors. Liverpool scouts, indeed, were in attendance when he scored against Tottenham in the Europa League one week ago.

And it’s thought that Liverpool are now moving the 22-year-old up to the top of their summer shopping list, though they would be required to fork out €85m (about £73m).

Why Hugo Ekitike would be perfect for Slot

Alexander Isak would be the dream. But dreams aren’t often bedded in reality, and Newcastle United’s £150m demands are sure to act as a strong repellent on FSG.

And that’s completely fair enough, especially when Ekitike – who data-driven site FBref record as one of Isak’s most statistically similar players – is ostensibly available for half the price.

One of the most attractive parts about Isak’s skill set is that he can marry varying parts of the striker’s game, unleashing himself as a truly dynamic and fearsome force.

Ekitike can be that focal point for Liverpool, indeed replicating Firmino in the process.

Ekitike, like Bobby Dazzler, would be signed from Germany as an up-and-coming attacking talent, albeit with a higher stock.

But the likeness doesn’t end there. Ekitike is not just “one of the best strikers out there,” according to analyst Ben Mattinson, but his protean approach mirrors that of Firmino’s, with Frankfurt correspondent Christopher Michel piling on the praise and claiming “his technique is one of the best in Europe and his foot is like glue for the ball.”

Having struggled to get going as a youngster at Paris Saint-Germain moved on loan to Frankfurt for the latter half of the 2023/24 season before signing permanently for a reported €35m (£30m) fee.

The first impression at his new home was one of promise. He struggled to acclimatise as winter turned to spring, though he finished the campaign off on firm footing, firing home in four of Frankfurt’s final five league matches of 2023/24, assisting in the other.

This season, the seeds of success have bloomed, with the France native having posted 21 goals and nine assists across all competitions, showcasing a balance of output that Firmino would be proud of.

Let’s look at how the players compare. Firmino didn’t play all that much during his final season at Liverpool but you can clearly see the similarities between the two silky forwards, with Ekitike actually proving he has a charged athleticism that could outstrip the Brazilian even in his heyday.

Matches (starts)

28 (26)

25 (13)

Goals

14

11

Assists

5

4

Touches*

34.9

31.2

Shots (on target)*

3.6 (1.4)

1.6 (1.0)

Big chances missed

12

6

Pass completion

77%

80%

Big chances created

9

4

Dribbles*

1.6

0.5

Ball recoveries*

3.1

4.7

Tackles + interceptions*

0.8

1.0

Duels won*

4.0

2.0

This energetic and clinical quality would give Liverpool exactly what they need next season, easing Salah’s burden while giving the likes of Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz (should he stay put) greater license to strike on goal and raise their scoring numbers.

Ekitike is what Liverpool thought Nunez would be, and while he hasn’t yet step foot on Premier League grass, the talented Frenchman has the perfect skill set to front Slot’s system and the data to back it all up.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 7% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 9% for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for all of progressive carries, successful take-ons and touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.

To put that another, more digestible, way: Ekitike is technically gifted, an able runner who not only drives his way into dangerous positions but maximises his chances of making things happen once arriving at such crucial junctures.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

He’s got Liverpool written all over him, and while £73m or thereabouts would put him among the Anfield side’s most expensive signings in history, the pointers suggest this would be a road worth heading down.

Imagine him & Van Dijk: Liverpool lead race for 'world's most in demand CB'

Liverpool are looking to sign one of football’s biggest talents this summer to partner Virgil van Dijk

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 17, 2025

Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur believes her wicket was the turning point that led to a five-run loss that eliminated them from WPL 2024. Mumbai were in the driver’s seat while chasing 136, when they needed 16 runs off 13 balls with Harmanpreet and Amelia Kerr batting and seven wickets in hand.But once Harmanpreet holed out to long-on at the end of the 18th over, the rest of the Mumbai line-up failed to score the remaining runs which became 12 off six after Sophie Molineux conceded just four in the 19th over and dismissed S Sajana.”In 12 balls we just needed one boundary and we were not able to get it,” Harmanpreet said after the match. “That is what this game always teaches you. It puts you under pressure and you have to keep learning from it.”When we lost my wicket, after that our batters could not hold their nerve, that was the turning point.”Related

• RCB spinners and Perry stun Mumbai to seal berth in WPL 2024 final

Mumbai had restricted RCB to 135, a total that looked chasable in the conditions, especially when Mumbai were 60 for 2 at the halfway mark and required 76 from 60. Harmanpreet and Kerr steered them once Nat Sciver-Brunt fell in the 11th over with a steady partnership of 52 that saw them strike regular boundaries after the 15th over. From 43 off 30, they reduced it to 20 off 18 when Harmanpreet survived a stumping chance off Shreyanka Patil when Richa Ghosh failed to collect the ball cleanly. But five balls later Patil had Harmanpreet caught by Sophie Devine at long-on.”We fought really hard,” Harmanpreet said. “This season has been a little up and down for us. Last season as a team we did really well but this time our performance was little up and down. But we learned a lot this season and hopefully next season we prepare really well and come [back] hard.”Harmanpreet, however, praised Sajana who had hit a stunning six off her first ball of the WPL in the opening game of the season to register a last-ball win against Delhi Capitals.”We got SS (Sajana) during this tournament, she is someone who can hit the ball really hard,” Harmanpreet said of their find of the year. “And that is what we want the WPL to do, to create more young players and it’s good to see young girls are coming and giving their 100%.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is personally targeting a “world-class” player, and it is believed that the Gunners are in advanced talks to sign him ahead of the summer window.

Andrea Berta set for busy summer transfer window at Arsenal

New sporting director Andrea Berta will soon commence his official role as Arsenal’s head transfer chief, which has prompted much excitement ahead of what will be his first window at the club.

"Now" – BBC journalist shares Bukayo Saka return twist out of Arsenal

The England star has been out since before Christmas.

By
Emilio Galantini

Mar 28, 2025

The 53-year-old will touch down in the UK before the beginning of next week, according to BBC journalist Sami Mokbel, and is expected to be in attendance for Tuesday’s Premier League clash against Fulham.

Berta, who played a key role during his 12-year stay at Atlético Madrid – orchestrating deals for the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Rodri, Jan Oblak, Yannick Carrasco, Luis Suárez and Marcos Llorente – comes to N5 with a glowing reputation.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games	Date
Fulham (home)	April 1st
Everton (away)	April 5th
Brentford (home)	April 12th
Ipswich Town (away)	April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)	April 26th

Since former director Edu’s departure in November last year, Arsenal had been linked with PSG’s Luis Campos, among other high-profile officials, but Berta seems like a very good fit for Arsenal and Arteta.

There are already reports that Berta is set to splash the cash this summer, with GiveMeSport stating that Arsenal could spend up to £300 million on seven new signings under the Italian.

He is apparently set for a busy opening window as he looks to overhaul Arteta’s squad. Following Berta’s appointment, the Gunners are reportedly after a new back-up goalkeeper, full-back, defensive midfielder, left-winger, striker and, potentially, an alternative to Bukayo Saka out wide (GMS).

However, one of his key goals will be to win the race for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has already stated this week that Arsenal are “almost definitely” going to sign Zubimendi, but contrary reports state that Real Madrid are very much still in the mix.

The 26-year-old’s contract includes a £50 million release clause, which Arsenal are prepared to trigger (Fabrizio Romano). The main obstacle to this move is convincing Zubimendi to swap his boyhood club for the Premier League, which Liverpool failed to do last summer when the Spain international snubbed Arne Slot’s advances.

Mikel Arteta's stance on Martin Zubimendi with Arsenal in advanced talks

Now, a report by TEAMtalk has shared Arteta’s stance on Zubimendi, with Arsenal still in advanced talks to strike a pre-summer deal.

Arteta “certainly” wants Zubimendi at Arsenal, as per this report, and as previously reported, loose terms have already been agreed with the player. However, although negotiations are at an advanced stage, they’re apparently not finalised just yet.

This could hand Real Madrid some hope, but the good news for Arsenal is that Liverpool are apparently not planning to reignite their pursuit this year.

The Sociedad star has previously been called the “perfect” midfielder for Arteta, while Kieran Tierney has labelled him “world-class”. Given Thomas Partey and Jorginho are set to leave for nothing at the end of the season as things stand, it is imperative that Berta seals a move for Zubimendi to fill the void left in Arsenal’s engine room.

Hawks needed 42 off last three overs but three maximums in a row from James Fuller turned the game

ECB Reporters Network02-Jun-2024

Joe Weatherley anchored Hampshire’s run chase•Getty Images

James Fuller, Benny Howell and Liam Dawson’s late sixes gave Hampshire Hawks a stunning comeback victory over Kent Spitfires to get their Vitality Blast campaign going.The Hawks required 42 off the last three overs but three maximums in a row from Fuller turned the game before Howell and Dawson smashed over the ropes in clutch circumstances to win by three wickets.Allrounder Joey Evison picked up 3 for 31 – his second-best T20 figures – to put Kent in control before the late efforts handed Hampshire their first T20 win of the season.Daniel Bell-Drummond and Sam Billings’ 40s were the foundations for the Spitfires’ 165 for 9 but it didn’t quite prove enough as Spitfires have one win and one loss so far.Chasing 166 to win, Ben McDermott and James Vince were circumspect, with barely a shot in anger during a 42-run powerplay, as timing became a struggle.Australian McDermott attempted to accelerate things but while his pulled six worked, his hoick two balls later only picked out the deep midwicket-positioned Zak Crawley.Nick Gubbins was drafted in to replace Ali Orr – who broke his arm while batting against Surrey – but his second T20 appearance for Hampshire ended identically to his first, a duck, which gave Evison his second in an over.Evison grabbed his third when Vince tried a slog out of desperation to end his stodgy 35 off 32 before Friday night hat-trick taker Matt Parkinson joined the party when Toby Albert reversed to point.Joe Weatherley and Fuller continued to tick under the rate until the 18th over as the game looked lost.But with 42 still required, and Beyers Swanepoel bowling, Fuller bludgeoned to long on, straight then straight again for three sixes in a row – bringing up a fifty stand with Weatherley.Even though the South African found an edge the following ball the momentum had swung with 18 needed off the final two overs.Weatherley fell for 49 when he picked out long on but a Howell six off the final ball of the penultimate over moved the dial to the hosts again.With nine now needed in the last, the previously expensive Grant Stewart had Howell caught but was smashed over the ropes by Dawson, before a scampered single gave Hawks an unlikely victory.Earlier, Kent piled on the runs in the powerplay under blue skies. Chris Wood – in his testimonial year – was the only one to stem the early runs with his two overs going for just five.At the other end, Bell-Drummond blitzed 42 off 27 balls with hardly anything avoiding the middle of his bat – with the four overs not bowled by Wood in the powerplay going for 52.But things swung when Fuller had Bell-Drummond caught and bowled after a six-second hang time – after a 59-run opening stand – and bowled Tawanda Muyeye.Fuller would have to wait another five overs for his hat-trick ball, which was keenly dealt with by Joe Denly, although Howell spread Crawley’s stumps.Sam Billings and Denly rebuilt with some smart running in a 60 stand, but they both fell in a Dawson over – the former caught behind while reverse sweeping on 43 and the latter holing out to long-off.From then, the Hawks cramped the Spitfires with 31 runs coming off the final four overs, which all saw a wicket fall.

Galatasaray are pushing hard to land Aston Villa duo Emiliano Martinez and Lucas Digne in a €27 million swoop.

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Galatasaray prepare €26–27m offer to Aston VillaEmi Martínez and Lucas Digne targeted in joint deal Atletico Madrid is also eyeing the Argentine goalkeeper Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to Foot Mercato, the Turkish champions have already been in talks with Villa, as they look to strengthen their defence and goalkeeping. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid have also shown interest in both Aston Villa players as they look to strengthen their squad after a trophy-less season. But Galatasaray are keen to beat them to his signature .

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Emi Martínez appears to be nearing the end of a successful spell at Aston Villa. The World Cup-winning goalkeeper gave an emotional farewell to fans after Villa’s final Premier League match, strongly hinting at an exit. Despite signing a lucrative £7.5 million-a-year contract extension just last summer, Martinez has attracted interest from several top clubs. Alongside Saudi clubs, Manchester United, who are reportedly looking to move on from Andre Onana after a difficult season, are also keeping a close eye on the Argentine.

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Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are in desperate need of a quality goalie after losing Joan Garcia to Barcelona. However, they may hesitate to meet Aston Villa’s asking price. This opens the door for Galatasaray, who are ready to make a bold move and outbid their European rivals.

Meanwhile, Digne has just one year left on his Villa contract and could be a more affordable target for Diego Simone. However, Galatasaray are plotting to swoop for the Frenchman as well.

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR EMI MARTINEZ AND GALATASARAY?

With Martinez under contract at Villa until 2029, few clubs can afford to meet his asking price. Yet Galatasaray seem determined to bring the Argentine to Istanbul. Meanwhile, Villa, who are reportedly under pressure to offload a player before June 30 to comply with the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), could be tempted to accept the first serious offer that comes their way.