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Sunderland have received a boost in their quest to sign St Johnstone youngster Ali McCann this summer, with Hull City unlikely to snap him up.

The Lowdown: Sunderland interested in signing McCann

Lee Johnson will be looking to delve into the transfer market in the coming weeks as his Black Cats side prepare for another League One promotion push.

One player with whom Sunderland have been linked is McCann, who made his mark for St Johnstone last season, registering two goals and two assists in the Scottish Premiership.

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The Latest: Black Cats given boost

The Black Cats have received a boost in their efforts to acquire the 21-year-old’s signature, with The 72 claiming that Hull are now unlikely to sign him. That is due to a lack of transfer funds, meaning the Championship club may have to bring in players on loan or for free instead.

However, Swansea City and Stoke City are both thought to still be in the race to sign McCann, so Sunderland will have to work hard to get their man.

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The Verdict: Snap him up, Sunderland

McCann is an exciting young player but he already has a wealth of experience, having appeared 84 times for St Johnstone in all competitions and being hailed as “undroppable” by team-mate Jason Holt.

He has also won six caps for Northern Ireland, scoring once, and his quality in attacking midfield could provide extra guile in the final third for Sunderland.

Johnson’s side isn’t far away from returning to the Championship, as illustrated by a couple of play-off near misses, but someone of McCann’s precocious quality could help take them to the next level.

In other news, some Sunderland fans have been reacting to a club announcement. Read more here.

The USACA has set a target of September 2008 for the hiring of a chief executive to oversee the running of the association

Martin Williamson17-May-2008The USACA has set a target of September 2008 for the hiring of a chief executive to oversee the running of the association.The news comes in the light of new rules being considered by the ICC which will entitle the leading Associates to a considerable increase in funding that could run into more than a million dollars a year. While the USA is, because of its clash with the ICC, not ranked highly at the moment, many believe that could change with its recent reinstatement.However, one of the conditions that has to be met to make a country eligible for the various grants is that it has to have a CEO. It’s a chicken and egg situation, as most cannot afford a CEO without the additional income but cannot get the cash without a CEO.The main obstacle facing USACA is how to fund such an appointment in the short term. It is not believed that it has any reserves. This year’s ICC grants of around US$110,000 will be swallowed by regional tournaments as well as sending the national side abroad to play. The USACA has historically found attraction sponsors and investors extremely hard to come by, and the closeted way it has operated hardly helps its own cause.It is thought that USACA might be looking to solve that by appointing an unpaid CEO, although it is hard to see why someone would be willing to undertake what should be a full-time job for free. What will also worry those who have been at loggerheads with USACA is that the names of Paul de Silva and Selwyn Ceasar have been touted as possible candidates.Both men are closely linked with Gladstone Dainty, the controversial president of USACA, and until the March elections both were on the executive board. However, they were replaced as secretary and treasurer by candidates from the rival New Innings team.There also have to be concerns about how much autonomy a CEO would have. At times, Dainty has run USACA as a one-man operation and it would take a marked change in his approach for the CEO to be anything other than a token post.

An update has emerged regarding Aston Villa’s interest in winger Dwight McNeil.

What’s the talk?

According to the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa could step up their interest in Burnley winger Dwight McNeil after failing in their attempts to take Emile Smith-Rowe away from Premier League rivals Arsenal this summer.

The report claims that Dean Smith wants another attacking option to compete in the three positions behind Ollie Watkins, with McNeil believed to be a target. Burnley are ready to demand £40m for the England under-21 international.

Fans would love it

Sporting director Johan Lange must get this deal done for Villa as he could strike gold for Smith. McNeil has already proven himself at Premier League level and would come in as an exciting player with plenty of potential, one who could drive the club forwards for years to come.

If Villa have £40m in the bank to spend on a player, they should spend it on McNeil. Of course, if Lange is able to negotiate a more attractive package for the winger then he should look to do that, but if that is not feasible then they should match Burnley’s asking price and do all they can to ensure that he is playing in a different claret and blue shirt next season.

McNeil’s Burnley teammate Ashley Westwood called him a “special” talent and said that he would not be surprised if teams became interested in the forward because of his performances for the Clarets in recent seasons.

He said:

“He’s really mature. I think the world of him, he’s a special talent. It’s been good to see him grow up because when he first came training with us, he was really quiet.

“He’s already racked up more than 50 games in the Premier League now, which at his age is phenomenal. He’s producing as well so if he keeps doing that and we all keep doing what we’re doing then there will be teams circulating.”

McNeil has been a regular for Burnley in the top-flight over the past three seasons. Since the start of the 2018/19 campaign, the winger has provided seven goals and 17 assists in the Premier League – averaging 1.3 key passes per game. This shows that he has the quality to contribute consistently in the attacking third in terms of creativity, but his goalscoring could do with some work.

At the age of 21, he is also far from the finished article. This means that he could be a player that Smith is able to coach and improve over the course of several seasons. Therefore, the £40m fee could be good value in both the short term and the long term for Villa and that is exactly why Lange could be striking gold with a swoop for the winger.

It would be a move that Aston Villa supporters would love to see happen.

AND in other news, Villa stance on “outstanding” £75k-p/w maestro emerges, Dean Smith will be furious…

Despite an umpiring error that could have had serious consequences for them, Yorkshire ran up a convincing nine-wicket victory over their southern neighbours Nottinghamshire. This earned them a place in the Twenty20 quarter-finals

John Ward at Trent Bridge27-Jun-2008
Scorecard
Gerard Brophy eased Yorkshire into the quarter-finals with an unbeaten 57 © Getty Images
Despite an umpiring error that could have had serious consequences for them, Yorkshire ran up a convincing nine-wicket victory over their southern neighbours Nottinghamshire. This earned them a place in the Twenty20 quarter-finals, their leading performers being legspinner Adil Rashid and their top three batsmen. They were forced to omit Michael Vaughan, who though willing to play was told to rest by the England team management, a decision that caused much criticism.Nottinghamshire decided to bat on winning the toss, and their innings would have been a sorry sight were it not for a commanding innings of 39 off 28 balls from Adam Voges. Even this innings came courtesy of a remarkable blunder from third umpire Mike ‘Pasty’ Harris. There was a monumental mix-up between Voges and Samit Patel concerning a proposed second run, which concluded in the former being run out at the bowler’s end. However, Harris seemed to be the only person to view the slow-motion replay to think that the bowler, the 17-year-old Yorkshire league debutant off-spinner Azim Rafiq, had broken the stumps with his hand before the ball hit them, and Voges was handed an unwarranted reprieve.This was soon after Nottinghamshire lost their openers in quick succession for 32. Voges quickly took advantage, playing a number of powerful drives and adding 44 with Patel, eventually falling for the highest score of the innings. The only other batsman to reach 20 was Chris Read, with 31 off 25 balls, including 15 off the final over bowled by Darren Gough. Otherwise Yorkshire’s death bowling had been superb, only eight runs coming off the four overs before that. So desperate were the home batsmen to score that they succumbed in quick succession to the mesmerizing spin of Rashid, who took a well-deserved 4 for 24.Yorkshire could scarcely have been given a better start, as Andrew Gale and Gerard Brophy shared a superb opening partnership of 99 in 14 overs. They mixed good running with powerful boundaries off the loose balls, yet the home bowlers did manage to keep it from degenerating into a massacre at any point. At 99 Gale unexpectedly chipped a ball from Rob Ferley gently to midwicket, but by then Yorkshire could only win the match unless they threw it away themselves.There was still a little pressure in that more than six runs an over were still required, and 33 off the last five overs. Clearly a couple more wickets could shift the balance. But Brophy reached his 50 off 38 balls, and Anthony McGrath hit some powerful shots, including a high six over extra cover off Ferley, to win the match at a gallop in the end with two overs to spare. They finished unbeaten, respectively, with 57 off 45 balls and 30 off 15.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are among the clubs ‘interested’ in West Ham United centre-back Issa Diop. 

That’s according to journalist Ekrem Konur, who also names Crystal Palace and Southampton as interested parties.

In fact, he claims that Crystal Palace have already gone as far as tabling an ‘official offer’ for the Frenchman, only to see it rejected by the Hammers.

The lowdown on Wolves target Diop

Back in January, Diop was the subject of an enquiry from Champions League outfit Liverpool before they instead brought in Ozan Kabak on loan (via The Athletic).

Diop started 15 Premier League matches for West Ham last season, averaging 1.3 successful aerial duels, 1.1 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, 1.2 blocks and 3.2 clearances (via WhoScored).

The 24-year-old has two years remaining on his contract at the London Stadium and is valued at £16.2million by Transfermarkt.

He’d be competing with the likes of Conor Coady, Willy Boly, Max Kilman and Romain Saiss for a starting spot under Bruno Lage.

Fan feed Talking Wolves relayed the news, and here’s what supporters made of it.

These Wolves fans give Diop move seal of approval

“Not bad. Could do with some genuine competition at the back.”

Credit: @JasGreswal242

“Let’s be fair he’s better than what we have maybe minus Boly”

Credit: @DodgyWolf

“Imagine Diop and Boly!”

Credit: @Life0fsam

“Oh yes please. I think he would do really well at wolves. He’s tall solid and got potential still!!”

Credit: @bo88om

“I mean he’s definitely an improvement on Coady”

Credit: @aepearson02

“I’d have him, don’t care”

Credit: @YasWWFC

In other news, fans gushed over this news.

According to a Tottenham Hotspur source via Football Insider, managing director Fabio Paratici is working on ‘multiple deals simultaneously’ with the club in ‘final talks’ over a few players.

The Lowdown: Paratici at work…

Pictured on his phone throughout Tottenham’s pre-season friendly with Colchester United on Wednesday evening, the Italian transfer guru seemingly never stops working.

The 2021/2022 season is fast approaching and Spurs will need to strengthen sufficiently in key areas before Nuno Espirito Santo’s first full campaign in charge.

Tottenham are now said to be working on multiple signings after a very busy week of transfer activity, with Pierluigi Gollini, Cristian Romero, Bryan Gil and Takehiro Tomiyasu the names on Paratici’s agenda.

The Latest: Spurs source drops quadruple final talks claim…

In quite an exciting claim, a Spurs source has told Football Insider that ‘final talks’ have been taking place over all four men at once as Paratici attempts multiple signings simultaneously for Nuno.

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Indeed, the former Juventus chief is apparently ‘renowned’ for negotiating for as many as five players to strengthen a single position at the same time – ensuring he manages to capture at least one of his top targets.

Even though it is ‘possible’ all deals may not be completed, particularly in defence with both Tomiyasu and Romero on the agenda, it is ‘highly likely’ at least one of these centre-backs will sign for Tottenham.

Gollini now appears certain to be first through the door at this stage, having undergone medical examinations ahead of his move (Sky Sports).

The Verdict: Exciting claim…

News of Paratici being in ‘final talks’ on a plethora of separate deals should come as music to the ears of Tottenham fans.

At one stage of the summer, Tottenham were without a manager and any new signings whilst seemingly looking like they were getting nowhere with either, plummeting towards a potentially disastrous transfer window.

Now, as Nuno enters the helm, another new appointment in Paratici could provide hope for the 21/22 campaign as he gets to work freshening up the squad.

In other news: ‘News regarding Tottenham’…Sky Sports drop big transfer update on live TV, find out more here.

David Green has stood down as Sussex chairman after six years and will be replaced by Jim May, who held the position of treasurer

Cricinfo staff04-Aug-2008Ill health has forced David Green to stand down as Sussex chairman after six years. He will be replaced by Jim May, who held the position of treasurer and who takes over with immediate effect.”It has been an honour and mostly a pleasure to chair SCCC through the most successful years in its long history,” said Green. “In recent months I have had to take a health-induced sabbatical due to having three major operations in a ten-week period. I am now recovering, but will not be fully fit to resume my duties for some months to come. I have therefore decided it is in the club’s best interest that I stand down as chairman. I will stay on as a main board director both of Sussex and the ECB for as long as I am required.”May paid tribute to Green, saying: “Under David’s leadership, Sussex achieved unprecedented success – winning three County Championships in five years. This will stand in the history books. In addition, David worked tirelessly behind the scenes. In particular his drive to create the youth ground at Blackstone near Henfield, the new Indoor School at Hove and ensuring we maximised the Spen Cama [their benefactor] inheritance are evidence of his contribution to Sussex cricket.”May added: “I am honoured to be elected by the board. There is no doubt that county cricket faces an exciting, but challenging future. Uncertainty at international level coupled with domestic restructuring in 2010 means that at Sussex we will have to be smart to remain a top county. Off the field, the challenge of redeveloping the ground at Hove and improving the trading performance are two topics high on the agenda.”May has significant connections in Sussex. He is deputy chairman of Shoreham Port Authority and a non-executive director of Brighton & Hove PCT. He was a banker for 35 years, latterly managing director, South, Royal Bank of Scotland, where he was responsible for the RBS and NatWest commercial business.Gus Mackay, Sussex’s chief executive, said: “It is with regret to learn that David will be stepping down. He has been a great asset to the club. I am delighted that he is to remain on the board.”But he welcomed May’s appointment: “Jim brings with him a wealth of experience and business knowledge,” he said, “which can only be a benefit to the club. I am looking forward to working closely with Jim on some of the exciting projects ahead of us.”

A local Norwich journalist has provided an update on Todd Cantwell’s prospective move to Aston Villa… 

What’s the talk?

Speaking on The Pink’Un’s Window Watch (3:40) on Friday, Norwich journalist Paddy Davitt rejected claims Todd Cantwell is closing in on a transfer to Aston Villa.

Football Insider reported earlier this week that Cantwell is close to signing for Dean Smith’s side and the two clubs are in advanced talks over a deal, but Davitt has poured cold water on that report.

“No. There is no imminent ‘we’re getting to the I’s T’s and he’s off to the Midlands with his representatives doing medicals’. Absolutely not. Categorically not the case. We’ve spoken to the relevant people at the football club.”

“Right here, right now, Aston Villa and Todd Cantwell? No, absolutely not. As far as Daniel Farke is concerned, he’s planning for Todd.”

Fans will be gutted

Villa fans will be gutted by this update as it appears to throw a spanner in the works in regards to a potential deal for the attacker. After the initial report from Football Insider, you could forgive supporters for starting to get excited about the England under-21 forward arriving at Villa Park, but that now appears to not be the case – at least in the immediate future.

This means that the first claim may have been a ploy by his agent to generate interest in his signature, or to use as leverage in contract negotiations with Norwich. It is claimed in the Football Insider copy that Cantwell only has one year left on his deal, but the Canaries hold a one-year extension option as part of the agreement and that means he essentially has two years to run on his contract.

The 23-year-old could be a terrific addition to Dean Smith’s squad and fans will be frustrated if the reports turn out to be completely false. Ex-Norwich centre-forward Dean Ashton once lavished praise on the “wonderful” gem. He said: “When I first saw him I said to Darren Huckerby, ‘how is that lad not training with the first-team?’. He was incredible. The way he was drifting past players. His speed of thought and his awareness. He’s just a wonderful player.”

Cantwell registered six goals and six assists in 30 starts in the Championship as Norwich won the second-tier title last season. This can be compared to Jack Grealish’s year in 2018/19 campaign for Villa, as he managed six goals and seven assists in 34 games in the same division. The pair are similar players in style, as they both like to drop deep and hold onto the ball; drawing fouls, progressing the play and creating chances.

Therefore, the Norwich man could come in as an excellent understudy to the Villa captain and that is why Johan Lange must act on any potential interest in him. Whilst a deal may not be imminent following this latest update, there is still over a month left to go in the window for Lange to do something about it.

AND in other news, “I imagine Villa will…” – AVFC journalist drops transfer claim amid Leon Bailey interest…

Graeme Smith, suffering from a tennis elbow, has said he will make a hastened return to the game

Cricinfo staff04-Sep-2008
Graeme Smith: “I’ve pushed along and I probably pushed myself for too long if I’m honest with myself” © Getty Images
Graeme Smith has said he will not jeopardise his chances of featuring in the upcoming away and home series against Australia by making a hasty return to the game. Smith, suffering from tennis elbow, is set to consult a surgeon next week and “conservative” medical advice suggests he might only be fit in time for the first Test against Australia in Perth, which starts on December 17.Smith also said it was in the team’s best interests to take a break and not play a tri-series, proposed by Pakistan to fill the gap left by the Champions Trophy. “Not only from Pakistan and India but also West Indies, Canada and New Zealand – everyone has tried to get the team on a tour,” Smith said. “If we are going to be successful we need everybody fit and everybody playing well. The build-up process is going to be important for the tour of Australia. A tournament now won’t be in the best interests of the team … I don’t think.”Smith played in England while experiencing discomfort in his elbow, especially during his series-winning century at Edgbaston, but his unwillingness to risk his availability for the Australia challenge could result in him missing the Champions League in India, scheduled from December 3-10. Smith is contracted to the Rajasthan Royals, who qualified for the tournament as winners of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Smith was one of the leading run-scorers for his team but missed the final with a hamstring injury.”I’ve taken injections in the tendon. I’m seeing a surgeon next week and we will take it from there,” Smith said. “There is a lot of time before the next event and I don’t think I will come back till I’m 100% ready. I don’t want be like Jacques [Kallis] who kept coming back too early and ended up having to take a lengthy break.”Kallis persisted despite a similar problem in 2005 and 2006, and missed a major part of the tour of Australia. He finally underwent surgery in mid-2006, ruling him out of the tour of Sri Lanka. “It’s about feeling ready and being ready for it,” Smith said, “and I will make that decision.”Smith admitted he had gone against medical advice in the past but was eager not to miss the Australia tour. “I’ve pushed along and I probably pushed myself for too long if I’m honest with myself,” he said. “We haven’t stopped since the World Twenty20 and I think it just takes its toll on your body. Emotionally and mentally the guys are feeling it at the moment.”Since the ICC World Twenty20 at home in September 2007, South Africa have been on away tours to Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and England, and hosted New Zealand and West Indies. Many of their key players were also part of the IPL, which spanned six weeks. “This period of time must be used properly in terms of training, getting our bodies back to the point where they need to be and come back and start next season stronger, fitter and healthier than we finished this one.”The Australian tour is something that we’ve all worked for and want to be ready for and something we are excited about. I think our results this year have given us confidence and we are looking forward to the tour.”He also backed Kallis to regain his form. Kallis, who led South Africa in Smith’s absence in the final three ODIs, had a torrid time in England with the bat, scoring 104 runs at an average of 14.85 in the Tests, and 68, at an average of 17, in the ODIs.”We are not used to seeing Jacques in a slump … he’s been the glue in our batting for eight or nine years. He’s struggling to find out what it is [that’s wrong] but now he’ll have some time away from the game,” Smith said. “He wants to contribute to South Africa for a few more years.”Mickey Arthur, South Africa’s coach, said he would reconsider South Africa’s one-day squad composition, while Smith admitted the team had failed to fill the void created by Shaun Pollock’s retirement.

Manchester United have suffered a potentially significant blow in their pursuit of Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka.

What’s the story?

The 26-year-old has entered the final year of his current contract at the Allianz Arena and has been heavily linked with a move to United as a result.

However, new Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has recently expressed his confidence over Goretzka agreeing to terms on a new deal, dashing the Red Devils’ hopes of signing the box-to-box dynamo.

“I’m not involved enough that I have a say every day. I stay out of these issues,” said Nagelsmann (as reported by the Manchester Evening News).

“Of course, I have talked to him about my plans for him. I’ve told him I’d be happy if he extended, and I’m also confident. There are several topics involved when it comes to discussing a contract extension.

“I’ll continue to focus on the sports side of things and show him he can be one of the most dangerous midfielders in Europe. He has potential to get even better.”

Solskjaer will be gutted

With Paul Pogba’s future at United far from secure, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is believed to be in the market for a new central midfielder this summer.

Therefore, news that Nagelsmann is confident that Goreztka will commit his future to Bayern, and turn down the Old Trafford outfit’s advances, will surely leave the Norwegian tactician feeling gutted.

The £63m-rated beast has established himself as one of the world’s players in his respective position in recent years, scoring 25 goals and providing 27 assists in 112 appearances for Die Roten.

His powerful and energetic performances have caught the eye of several onlookers since his arrival in Bavaria three years ago, including his new boss Nagelsmann, who said: “Leon is one of the best box-to-box players in Europe. He has incredible goal threat and knows when to bomb forward.”

Goretzka would have been a perfect, ready-made replacement for the potentially departing Pogba or he could have added more stability and strength in depth to United’s engine room if the France international decided to stay.

However, the chances of Goretzka joining the 20-time English champions either this summer or next now appear to be slim, something which will come as a blow to Solskjaer’s ambitions.

And, in other news…Time’s up: Ole must axe £9m-rated MUFC dud this summer, he’s not good enough