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Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Pete O’Rourke has made a promising Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim involving Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

The Lowdown: Spurs yearning for attackers?

Since the departure of fan favourite Christian Eriksen to Inter Milan in January 2020, it is arguable that Tottenham have been missing his presence ever since.

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The Lilywhites have been linked with a few signings who can operate in that position recently, as the likes of Dejan Kulusevski and Jesse Lingard emerge among the most recent names.

Another is Coutinho, as Barcelona look to shake his sky-high salary off their books, with O’Rourke now making a promising transfer claim.

The Latest: O’Rourke makes Coutinho claim…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the reporter has said that the Brazil international ‘would be interested’ in a move to Spurs if the Lilywhites and Barca can agree a deal.

O’Rourke outlined: “If they can agree a deal with Barcelona, there’s a real possibility that Coutinho would be interested in a move to Tottenham and a move back to London, which a lot of these top players do like to do.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

While Coutinho has seen his opportunities at the Camp Nou limited of late, there is little arguing that he has the pedigree to become a success under Conte at Spurs, as his displayed by his record with Liverpool.

Scoring 54 goals and setting up 45 others in 201 appearances for the Reds (Transfermarkt), he is already a proven player in England and has drawn plenty of acclaim, including from international colleague and former Anfield teammate Roberto Firmino.

The Brazilian even called his compatriot ‘magical’ and ‘phenomenal’, summing up Coutinho’s obvious ability, with the only drawback to a move arguably coming in terms of finances.

Coutinho would arguably have to take a seismic pay cut on his £380,000-per-week wages if the Lilywhites were to reach an agreement, but if Spurs can hurdle that barrier, there is little doubt that he would be a quality addition.

In other news: ‘Absolute no brainer’…Sky Sports pundit thrilled by ‘exciting’ transfer news out of Tottenham, find out more here.

While the BCCI is a private body governed by its own constitution and by-laws, Modi can appeal to India’s legal system for justice under certain circumstances according to Delhi-based lawyer Rahul Mehra

Tariq Engineer14-May-2010Sometime on Saturday afternoon, Lalit Modi, the suspended IPL chairman, will present the BCCI with a formal defence of the accusations made against him. The matter will then pass on to the board’s three-man disciplinary committee, comprising Shashank Manohar (president) and two vice-presidents, Arun Jaitley and Chirayu Amin (the interim IPL chairman), which is expected to review the situation in mid-June and then deliver its verdict on Modi’s future.However, even an adverse decision by the disciplinary committee does not mean the end of the road for Modi. While the BCCI is a private body governed by its own constitution and by-laws, Modi can appeal to India’s legal system for justice under certain circumstances. That’s the opinion of the Delhi-based lawyer Rahul Mehra, who over the past few years – and especially the past few weeks – has revealed himself to be something of an expert on the BCCI’s administration. Mehra famously filed a public interest litigation against the BCCI in 2000 in an attempt to extract more accountability from the board.Modi, Mehra told Cricinfo, can seek redress with the courts if the BCCI violates any of the provisions in its constitution or by-laws in the process of prosecuting Modi. Likewise, he can seek a remedy if he has not been given adequate time to respond to the charges against him, or been denied a free and fair opportunity to defend himself. That, he said, could explain why the BCCI was willing to grant Modi a five-day extension to prepare his defence.”The BCCI is trying to be seen as a body which is not just doing justice, but is seen to be doing justice,” Mehra said.Similarly, the emails Modi has sent to BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan demanding the exclusive use of written evidence against him and challenging the validity of the BCCI’s verbal evidence by claiming a “fictitious source”, could be seen as an attempt by Modi to project the BCCI as failing to conduct a fair and balanced inquiry.If Modi does take the legal route, it wouldn’t be the first time a decision by the BCCI has been challenged in the courts. Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja both contested their bans from cricket in the wake of the match-fixing scandal. Azharuddin lost the case against his life ban but Jadeja, who was banned for five years, got the Delhi High Court to quash his ban in 2003 on the grounds that the BCCI’s probe was one-sided.Mehra thinks Modi will eventually have to take the BCCI to court as the board, according to him, seems prima facie determined to oust the suspended chairman. Modi could choose to file a court case before that, or wait until the disciplinary committee issues a ruling. If the committee does decide to remove him from his post as IPL chairman permanently, he can argue that any dismissal is illegal and request the court to reinstate him.Of course, that doesn’t mean Modi will be reinstated. It all depends on the evidence. He needs to convince the court that the officials of the BCCI have fallen foul of their own standards, or the standard of fairness, in their attempt to dismiss him. But if the BCCI has the weight of evidence on its side, then it will finally be the end of Modi’s brief, but spectacular, innings.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s pursuit of Premier League centre-forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang…

What’s the talk?

According to the Mirror, the Magpies have made contact with Arsenal over a possible deal for the ex-Borussia Dortmund attacker.

The report claims that they want to sign him on an initial loan until the end of the season before signing him permanently for £20m.

Kickstart PIF era

Newcastle could kickstart the PIF era with a bang this month if they make Aubameyang their first signing as owners of the club.

He has not played for Arsenal for a number of weeks after a falling out with the club led to him being banished from the first team. This has presented PIF with the opportunity to swoop and it could be a sensational deal for the Magpies if they can snap him up.

Aubameyang is a proven goalscorer at the top level and could be able to come in and fire Eddie Howe’s team to safety with his goals. He has found the back of the net 92 times in 163 matches for Arsenal, including 68 goals in 128 Premier League matches – averaging a strike more than once every two games.

Mikel Arteta previously lauded the gem’s talents and suggested that he is underrated, saying:

“Auba is that he’s right there with the best of the scorers in this league. In the last 10 years if you look at his record and what he’s done in the game it’s phenomenal. In my opinion, he’s up there with the best.

“Obviously with top players who are playing at clubs that are winning constantly, there is more impact on that. But we all know how good Auba is. It is remarkable what he is doing and how consistent he has been over the years to do it, which is very very difficult to do.”

The 32-year-old also proved his goalscoring talents in Germany and France prior to his time in England. He scored 141 goals in 213 games for Dortmund, with 98 goals in 144 Bundesliga outings. In two seasons for Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1, he scored 35 goals and provided 26 assists.

This shows that he has been able to score goals throughout his career in multiple leagues, which suggests that he is able to adapt to different styles and demands from a manager. Given that he has proven his Premier League quality, Howe would surely be able to get him firing if he is able to bring the striker to Tyneside.

Therefore, PIF could make a bang in the transfer market by signing Aubameyang as they would be signing a proven, top-class, predator for Newcastle who could score the goals they need to survive.

AND in other news, “I’m hearing…”: Journo drops exciting NUFC transfer claim that’ll have fans buzzing…

Glamorgan enjoyed the better of a rain-affected drawn fixture against West Indies A in Cardiff

Cricinfo staff07-Jun-2010Glamorgan 261 (D Brown 99, Rees 55, O Brown 5-92) and 172 for 6 (James 56*, Croft 56*) drew with West Indies A 151 (Walton 34, Croft 4-39, Ashling 3-18) and 54 for 1 (Smith 30*)
Scorecard
Glamorgan enjoyed the better of a rain-affected drawn fixture against West Indies A in Cardiff. The hosts were able to add just 46 to their overnight score of 126 for 6, for much of the morning was lost to rain. Nick James and Robert Croft struck half-centuries to take their team’s score to 172 before declaring, and set West Indies a target of 283. In their response, West Indies reached 54 for 1 in 10 overs before play ended. Glamorgan had bowled out their opponents for 151 in the first innings, securing a lead of 110.

Celtic appear to be closing in on the permanent signing of current loanee Jota from Benfica, The Daily Record report.

The Lowdown: Jota spotted in Lisbon

Jota has recently returned to his permanent employers and was spotted at the club’s training complex to assess his hamstring injury.

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The 22-year-old has missed the last seven games prior to the winter break due to injury and was ordered home by Benfica’s medical staff.

Prior to his injury the versatile attacker was in fantastic form and becoming one of Ange Postecoglou’s most trusted players, providing 13 direct goal involvements in 16 starts.

Celtic have the option to make the winger’s loan move permanent for a fee of £6.5m, and it seems as if they are going to do just that going off recent reports.

The Latest: Advanced stages

According to A Bola, relayed by The Daily Record, Celtic and Benfica are now in advanced talks over a full-time transfer.

Jota, described as ‘clinical’ by Owen Hargreaves, could become the club’s third permanent attacking addition, with the Hoops already signing Daizen Maeda and close to landing teenager Johnny Kenny from Sligo Rovers in the coming days.

The Verdict: Brilliant news

The Portuguese attacker has been a revelation at Parkhead since joining in the summer, so a permanent switch should be viewed as excellent news. He was in a real purple patch in front of goal prior to his injury, racking up three goals in his last three Premiership games.

The manager is clearly a big fan too, praising the youngster not just for being ‘very talented’ but also for buying into the system, working hard and pressing from the front.

Jota is still just 22 years of age, so even though the Hoops will need to pay more than his £4.95m Transfermarkt valuation to make him a permanent Celtic player, you’d expect that his market value will surpass the £6.5m mark sooner rather than later due to his displays on the pitch.

It would be the most expensive signing of the Postecoglou era, and over time, it could be viewed as one of the most important.

In other news: Celtic ace could now leave for Italy, find out who it is here. 

Tom Smith blasted an unbeaten 92 and claimed three wickets as Lancashire Lightning moved up to third in the Friends Provident t20 North Group with a convincing 46-run win over Worcestershire Royals at Old Trafford

Cricinfo staff05-Jul-2010
Scorecard
Tom Smith cracked 92 and then picked up three wickets in a superb allround performance•Getty ImagesTom Smith blasted an unbeaten 92 and claimed three wickets as Lancashire Lightning moved up to third in the Friends Provident t20 North Group with a convincing 46-run win over Worcestershire Royals at Old Trafford. The allrounder smashed six sixes and shared half-century partnerships with Paul Horton and Mark Chilton as Lancashire made 170 for 5 at Old Trafford.He then took 3 for 12 as the visitors were bowled out for 124, having at one stage been 104 for 2 and in with a good chance of recording their third straight win.A blistering 54 off just 29 balls from Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya gave the Royals a great start, but Glen Chapple claimed three wickets in four balls and Stephen Parry took 3 for 19 as they lost seven wickets for just 20 runs.Having slumped to 22 for 5 in the five-wicket defeat by Derbyshire just 24 hours earlier, Lancashire fans feared the worst when Stephen Moore and Steven Croft both fell in the opening four balls from Jack Shantry without a run on the board. But Smith and Horton steadied the ship with a 69-run partnership before Horton was caught on the boundary by Phil Jaques off the bowling of James Cameron for 22.Chilton picked up the baton and raced to 34 off just 24 balls, while Smith went past fifty for the third time in the competition this season, following sixes off Moeen Ali and Jayasuriya with two more in successive overs off Daryl Mitchell and Cameron.The pair put on 80 in just 44 balls before Chilton was run out backing up after Smith’s straight drive was deflected onto the stumps by Shantry off his own bowling. But Smith went on to post his career best in Twenty20 cricket, with his 92 coming in 60 balls.Jayasuriya, who had a short spell at Old Trafford in 2007, hit four of the first 13 balls he faced for six and was dropped by Simon Kerrigan, who failed to hold onto an easy chance off Daren Powell’s bowling as Worcestershire started their reply well.At one point the Sri Lankan was 30 off ten balls but Kerrigan made amends in the ninth over as he claimed the catch to dismiss the opener off the bowling of Parry.The Royals were still ahead of the rate at the halfway stage, but then fell foul of some devastating Lightning bowling as Chapple – who accounted for Daryl Mitchell, Jack Manuel and Ben Cox in a four-ball spell – Smith and Parry blasted through the Worcestershire middle and lower order.Lancashire will look to continue their march to the last eight when they host Roses rivals Yorkshire on Friday night.

Tottenham Hotspur are seeking to finalise a move for winger Adama Traore, with the completion of the deal dependent on Wolves’ decision regarding the structure of the transfer fee, according to reports by football.london’s Alasdair Gold.

The Lowdown: Traore not a regular starter

Despite having featured in 19 Premier League games this season, only 10 of these saw Traore in the starting XI, with the majority coming at the beginning of the campaign.

The Spain international has never been known for his clinical nature in the final third, yet it seems that his end product is proving to be even more of an issue this season than before. The 25-year-old has scored just once in the league this term, breaking his duck on Saturday against Southampton, and more shockingly has failed to produce a single assist from a playmaking position on the wing.

As a result, Bruno Lage seems to prefer other options on the right-hand side, opting to utilise Traore’s lightning speed in the final 20 minutes to run tired defenders ragged in search of a late goal.

The Latest: Spurs want to make Traore deal happen

According to Gold for football.london, Spurs remain keen on the signing of Traore during the January window. However, the move ‘all depends on’ whether Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici can come to an agreement with Wolves over the structure of the fee.

Tottenham would prefer a loan deal with an obligation to buy, as this would free up funds which could be used to pursue additional signings in the current window. However, Wolves were resistant to that idea last summer, as they preferred a deal where they would receive the transfer fee sooner rather than later.

The Verdict: Circumstances may make the deal more accessible

Despite the summer’s outcome, it remains to be seen whether Wolves’ stance has softened. Given that Traore is not a regular starter under Lage, and with his contract set to expire in 18 months’ time, it begs the question whether the Midlands club will choose to cash in whilst his value is high.

With Antonio Conte looking for a new right wing-back, Spurs could ramp up their pursuit of the Spaniard, with the hope that the former Inter boss may be able to spark Traore’s previous ‘unplayable’ Premier League form, as Jurgen Klopp called it.

We’re now into the final two weeks of the transfer window, so the clock is ticking if Tottenham want to secure the 25-year-old’s services this month.

In other news: Paratici now incredibly keen to sign ‘formidable talent’ for Spurs; Pochettino called him ‘wonderful’

Moments after celebrating an apparent century, Mark Ramprakash found himself walking back to the pavilion after being dismissed for 99. The scoreboard operators had incorrectly attributed three of Stewart Walters’ runs to Ramprakash so, a couple of balls

George Dobell at Chesterfield28-Jun-2010
ScorecardMark Ramprakash was, once again, the stalwart of the Surrey innings•PA PhotosIt is often said that scoreboard pressure can play a key role in cricket, but rarely can its influence have been so swift or direct.Moments after celebrating an apparent century, Mark Ramprakash found himself walking back to the pavilion after being dismissed for 99. The scoreboard operators had incorrectly attributed three of Stewart Walters’ runs to Ramprakash so, a couple of balls after raising his bat to acknowledge the applause of the spectators, Ramprakash was walking off after falling tantalisingly short of another hundred.While Ramprakash dismissed the incident as “irrelevant”, it did seem to unsettle him. He had scarcely played a false shot to that point and had looked utterly untroubled as he skipped down the wicket to loft the left-arm spin of Robin Peterson for a six to bring up his half-century and eased a series of deliveries from the seamers through the covers off front and back foot.It was an unfortunate end to a fine innings. While Derbyshire’s bowlers rarely allowed him the freedom to flourish, Ramprakash nevertheless produced a masterclass in batting on such low, slow wickets by accumulating quietly and leaving the ball with admirable discipline outside off stump.It was the strokes he didn’t play that were as impressive as those he did. While his colleagues flourished briefly only to fall to loose shots, Ramprakash almost eliminated chance with his stout defence and measured aggression. Immediately after lunch he scored just seven runs in 19 overs.His team-mates should take note. While Rory Hamilton-Brown impressed in taking four boundaries off Tom Lungley’s second over, he looked less impressive when trudging off after edging a lavish cut to slip. Younus Khan’s pleasing innings ended when he was punished for feeling outside the off stump, while Usman Afzaal and Stewart Walters paid the price for similar errors of judgement.It is testament to Walters’ sweet timing, however, that he could be confused with a player as accomplished as Ramprakash. While this was the first half-century of Walters’ season, it was an innings studded with pleasing stokes that promised better times ahead.Surrey were grateful for his contribution, too. The fall of Afzaal’s wicket had precipitated something of a collapse, with the visitors losing five wickets for 65 runs in 18 overs. Wilson was beaten by turn and edged an attempted drive to slip, before Batty dragged an expansive drive on to his stumps and Nel was beaten by one that may have kept a touch low.But if Ramprakash was unfortunate, he was also the victim of a fine piece of bowling. Minutes after leaning into the sumptuous cover drive that was believed to have brought up his century, he was bowled off the inside edge as Tim Groenewald found his way through a small gap between bat and pad.Very well Groenewald bowled, too. While Lungley and Smith were punished for dropping short on this sluggish surface, Groenewald maintained excellent control and probed away just back of a length and was rewarded with the first five-wicket haul by a Derbyshire bowler this season.Groenewald is a much-improved cricketer. The 26-year-old, who attended the same school in Pietermaritzburg as Kevin Pietersen, has thrived on the extra opportunity since joining Derbyshire from Warwickshire at the start of 2009 and now looks a very reliable player.”You learn through playing,” Groenewald said, “and at Warwickshire I was in and out of the side. I’ve learned that you can’t go searching for it. Here I just wanted to hit the deck hard, aim for the top of off stump and not allow them to drive.”Remarkably, it was the second time Groenewald had bowled Ramprakash this season and the third occasion in the last two years. So, what’s the secret to dismissing the most prolific batsman of his generation?”I wish I knew,” said Groenewald. “All three times the ball has just nipped back a little. Unfortunately I don’t always know when that’s going to happen. But he is a class player and I do always challenge myself to perform against the best.”Any batsman would have been distracted. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been there, it’s a different thing batting in the 90s to batting with a hundred. I think he was just looking to push a single and he played-on off the inside edge.”It was the fourth time in Ramprakash’s first-class career that he had been dismissed for 99 and the 15th that he has been dismissed in the 90s. Tellingly, however, it was the first time since 2005.Not only did the dismissal delay Ramprakash recording the 112th first-class century of a remarkable career, but it may also have robbed him of the opportunity to become the first man to 1,000 first-class runs this summer. He currently requires 41 more runs, with the likes of Adam Lyth, Stephen Peters and Chris Rogers breathing down his neck. None of them are likely to catch him in one regard, however. When Ramprakash does record his 1,000th run, it will be the 20th time he has done so and the 12th year in succession. No other current player has managed the feat even half as many times.Still, Surrey’s total could still prove highly competitive. While the fast outfield and short boundaries aid the batsman, there’s just enough in the wicket to encourage the seamers. Surrey’s taller fast bowers may prove better able to exploit such help.

Speaking live on talkSPORT to Jim White and Simon Jordan, as transcribed by their website, reporter Alex Crook has dropped an update on West Ham’s chase to sign Man United star Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: Lingard a top target…

The Red Devils playmaker is also one of manager David Moyes’ top transfer priorities for the January window amid his search for a striker and new defensive signing (The Evening Standard).

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Out of contract in the summer, Man United could now be forced to sell for a cheap fee this month in order not to lose Lingard for nothing at the end of 2021/2022.

He is also attracting interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United with the latter club apparently at work behind-the-scenes.

Crook, in a live on air update as West Ham still chase him, has made an encouraging claim.

The Latest: talkSPORT update…

Speaking to talkSPORT, the journalist says Moyes and transfer chief Rob Newman still haven’t given up on signing Lingard this month.

“They’ve not given up hope, I’m told, of prizing Jesse Lingard away from Manchester United,” he explained.

“So West Ham could be one of the busier clubs in the Premier League come the next couple of weeks.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

Reports indicate that United are sceptical over selling to a top four rival like West Ham or Spurs in January with Newcastle currently the favourites, but if even Lingard manages to leave Old Trafford on a free at the end of this season, he may well come as a stellar free agent signing.

The 29-year-old enjoyed a fantastic spell on loan at the London Stadium last year, bagging nine goals and four assists, and it is believed that the player favours a move back down south over St. James’ Park as things stand.

This could boost West Ham’s chances of a free summer deal at least and it would most certainly be an astute bit of business.

Former England international Paul Robinson is certainly in agreement, calling Lingard a would-be ‘massive signing’ for Moyes who could add ‘another dimension’ going forward (Football Insider).

In other news: ExWHUemployee backs reports as West Ham now willing to bid for ‘phenomenal’ man, find out more here.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans were left slamming referee Kevin Clancy after their 1-1 draw away at Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on Tuesday night.

It was a frustrating game for the Ibrox faithful as they dropped two points in their race for the SPFL title, as Ianis Hagi’s opener was cancelled out by a penalty from Lewis Ferguson after Alfredo Morelos handled the ball inside his own penalty box.

Clancy decided to give the Colombia international a yellow card for the incident too, which seemed harsh as he could not really get his hand out of the way of the line of the shot.

This was one of five yellow cards in total given to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team, including two to Ryan Kent which resulted in a red, again the second seemingly harsh for a minimal clip on former Celtic midfield player Scott Brown.

Nonetheless, a lot of Teddy Bears were left very unhappy with Clancy’s performance on the night.

Rangers fans slam Clancy

These Light Blues slammed Clancy on Twitter, with one Gers supporter even going as far as to call him ’embarrassing’:

“This referee is ridiculous a complaint should be made”

Credit: @linden1974

“Clancy gets paid for this? Absolute farce. Shouldn’t even be on a yellow, never mind a red”

Credit: @D_Boag

“Never a red ref tonight is shocking”

Credit: @gers_fan55

“Does Clancy have a pair of eyes?”

Credit: @_Ryan56

“Ref has lost the plot”

Credit: @real_god69

“Clancy is embarrassing as is Brown. Standard of refereeing is absolutely abysmal beyond belief how bad they are.”

Credit: @Kirky_8

In other news, find out who RFC are now targeting here!