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Speaking to Football Insider, a Tottenham Hotspur source has shared that Ligue 1 giants Paris-Saint Germain are now ‘close’ to securing a full agreement for the transfer of right-back Serge Aurier.

The Lowdown: Aurier and the exit door…

The Ivorian has been the subject of speculation and widely tipped to be one of the names leaving Tottenham this summer.

Indeed, reliable correspondent Alasdair Gold had touted him as one of the favourites for departure – while the player himself then candidly admitting it is time to move on after reaching the ‘end of a cycle’ (L’Equipe).

Tottenham will need to adopt a sell-to-buy policy this summer to fund marquee additions, with Football Insider now bringing a big development on Aurier’s future.

The Latest: PSG now ‘close’ to securing full agreement…

As explained by FI’s ‘Tottenham source’, PSG are now ‘close to securing a full agreement’ for the player and ‘will meet the conditions of sale’.

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It is also claimed that the 28-year-old has agreed personal terms over a return to the French capital with a Tottenham exit ‘edging closer’.

The defender has been in talks with PSG since last month in a move that would see him reunite with former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino at the Parc des Princes.

Indeed, Aurier has apparently accepted the offer of a ‘lucrative’ four-year deal and will leave regardless of any new stance from an incoming Spurs manager.

The Verdict: Time to go…

Aurier enjoyed a brief spell of brilliant form at the start of last campaign, as highlighted by his particularly excellent display during Tottenham’s historic 6-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The 66-cap international ace also started more Premier League games than 2020 summer signing Matt Doherty at right-back (WhoScored), but we believe his time in north London is definitely up.

Given his age (28) and contract situation, Spurs need to cash-in and fund a major summer overhaul – with a new centre-half desperately required in particular.

In other news: Spurs offered chance to sign ‘sensational’ £120,000-per-week powerhouse, find out more here.

The transfer saga that is agonising for Newcastle United fans before serious talk has even started is Joe Willock, and everyone who watched him during his loan spell on Tyneside knows the Magpies have to sign him permanently – former defender Steve Howey hopes talks have already started.

Willock managed to change the way the Magpies attacked games as his ability and willingness to arrive late into the box allowed Allan Saint-Maximin to release the ball earlier and not have to dribble past as many defenders as he could to cut the ball back.

It has been widely reported that Newcastle are very much interested in bringing Willock back to St James’ Park and a fresh twist has emerged that Steve Bruce could look to offer Freddie Woodman as part of any potential deal for the midfielder.

It would be a huge blow for Bruce if he wasn’t able to bring back Willock who he clearly had a great relationship with, and if there is any chance of a deal getting done before pre-season friendlies begin, talks must already be underway and Howey certainly hopes this is the case – as he exclusively told Football FanCast:

“You would have thought that there’s already been a conversation between the clubs, Arteta and Bruce, to say this is what the fee will be as we want to offload him.”

Willock was reportedly available for £20 million this summer but with seven goals in his last seven appearances for the Magpies, it would be widely expected and acceptable if that fee had increased slightly.

At the end of the season, Mikel Arteta was asked about the future of Willock and he claimed that his future was being sorted and organised to remain at Arsenal but there remains hope on Tyneside that a deal can be done.

The new 2002 Somerset County Cricket Club Yearbook has just been published, and once again editor Michael Hill has produced a tome full of articles and information to keep supporters occupied for many a long hour or wet afternoon

Richard Walsh19-Apr-2002The new 2002 Somerset County Cricket Club Yearbook has just been published, and once again editor Michael Hill has produced a tome full of articles and information to keep supporters occupied for many a long hour or wet afternoon.The full colour front cover is dominated by jubilant pictures from the Lord’s Final when Somerset won the Cheltenham and Gloucester trophy, and inside there are several articles relating to that momentous occasion when the Cidermen put an end to the 18-year silverware famine.Richard Johnson and Keith Dutch are the subject of an article by Mark Easterbrook appropriately entitled `Inspired Signings’ whilst Mark Baldwin of The Times writes about Marcus Trescothick describing him as the `ultimate boyhood hero’.Elsewhere there are articles relating to all aspects of Somerset cricket including reports from the Somerset Cricket Board and all the age group teams.There are two sections of colour photographs, and over 30 pages of statistics to gladden the hearts of all those who like to keep a check on the records.Editor Michael Hill has once again provided the club with an excellent yearbook, one that all followers of the county game will want to have on their shelf.The yearbook is available from the Cricket Shop at the County Ground, priced £7.50, with concessions for members, or by post from Somerset CCC Office, St James Street, Taunton, Somerset TA1 1JT (please add £1.50 post and packing.)

Half-century hero Mario Mohammed shelved his normal flamboyant Caribbean style of batting for the day to haul Trojans out of the mire and set up a four-wicket win over arch Southern Electric Premier League rivals Old Tauntonians & Romsey at Stoneham Lane.Defending a modest 100-run total, OTs eyed an improbable victory with Trojans reeling at 43-6.But Mohammed, with a splendidly crafted 50 not out, and seventh-wicket partner Jamie Donaldson (22 not out) got their heads down to graft Trojans towards their second win in three Division 2 matches.A low scoring affair was always likely on a Stoneham ground which, through neglect and lack of investment, has failed to keep pace with the general overall improved club ground standards in the Premier League.The square, traditionally low in bounce, is in poor condition – inconsistent bounce was the order of the day – and the outfield unkempt and bumpy after use by winter sportsmen.Batsmen had to battle for every run and 16 wickets had fallen for an aggregate 143 runs before Trojans’ seventh-wicket pair got to grips with the situation.That said, few batsmen could blame the poor surface for their various dismissals, though few ever really got themselves in to play with any degree of confidence.Past encounters between the sides have often been fraught and Simon Williams and Stuart Tulk, the respective captains, certainly don’t appear on each other’s Christmas card list.It set the tone for a `derby’ full of niggles, over-excessive appealing and noise from the fielders which often drowned the M27 traffic hum.Pumped up by Williams’s aggressive and vociferous leadership methods, Trojans were buzzing after Giles Lancaster had taken a spectacular catch at second slip to remove the dangerous Charles Forward for seven.When West Indian all-rounder Tim Subnaik, who had jetted in from Trinidad the previous day, had Max Smith caught behind in the next over, OTs faced problems.Ian Tulk (20) played several handsome cover drives to lift OTs spirits, but the introduction of Pat Douglas, coming down the Stoneham slope, had a far reaching effect.Douglas (4-24) produced an unplayable ball which caught Richard Rapley’s top edge, and then clean bowled injured Australian Cameron Sterling, whose first knock on English soil lasted barely two minutes.The Tulk brothers were beginning to redress the balance when, at 53-4, Stuart was run out (attempting a third run) after unwisely challenging Subnaik’s strong arm from the deep.Liverpudlian Stuart Caldicott (15) and Mike Trodd helped the score on to 98-8, but the last two wickets fell for two runs to leave OTs 100 all out in the 46th over.But the contest was far from over as Mike Trodd’s left-arm medium-pace and Jeremy Ord’s nagging accuracy planted Trojans deep in trouble.Trodd (4-35) removed Williams and Le Bas, and Ord (1-13) had Subnaik caught behind as Trojans lurched to 18-3 and later 31-5, with Lancaster and Mike Durand following their team-mates back to the pavilion.But two factors were to turn the match – Mario Mohammed’s resolute batting and the absence by OTs of a third recognised seamer, caused by an injury to Sterling which the Western Australian had apparently taken into the match.Tulk juggled his bowlers and winkled out a sixth Trojans wicket … only to see by far the best and most responsible batting of the day by Mohammed and Donaldson turn the match on its head.The seventh-wicket pair knuckled down to the task and run by run turned the game in Trojans favour.Mohammed, selective with his shots, played with extreme care, while Donaldson, missed by Nick Wood off a fierce return catch late on, punished anything pitched up but generally produced a timely supportive innings.Aided by a spate of wides, the pair added 60 to guide Trojans to a victory which, an hour or so after tea, had looked improbable.

Glasgow Rangers fans have launched a petition urging the SNP’s Humza Yousaf to resign as Justice Secretary after comments the politician made concerning The Gers.

The Lowdown: Yousaf aims criticism at Gers

Rangers players were recently accused of sectarian singing as they celebrated winning their 55th league title last week, but Police Scotland eventually decided there was “no criminality” involved (via The Daily Record).

Upon the allegations, Yousaf called for any Rangers player or staff member found guilty to be sacked immediately, while he also applauded Police Scotland for investigating the claims.

The Latest: Gers fans demand resignation

Following Police Scotland’s announcement, Gers supporters group Union Bears launched a petition demanding the resignation of Yousaf. They said:

“Humza Yousaf has disgraced himself and proven to be completely biased and untrustworthy to be a factual or reasonable member of the Scottish devolved administration.

“He must resign immediately so the Scottish people can have faith that politicians will not use lies or fake videos to smear demographics of society that disagree with his and his party’s political position.”

At the time of writing, more than 18,000 people had decided to take action into their own hands by signing a petition on change.org demanding Yousaf’s resignation.

The Verdict: Difficult

Yousaf seemingly jumped the gun in this case as he demanded strong action from the club before there was any significant proof of any criminality.

It is also not the first time the Justice Secretary has taken a hard-line stance against the Ibrox outfit – it actually appears to be a semi-regular occurrence.

In all fairness, in this case, he did make it clear people should be sacked “if” there was any criminality, so it may be best to give him the benefit of the doubt. However, it appears that thousands of Rangers supporters disagree, hence why there are so many signatures on the petition.

In other news, Rangers fans react to this Steven Gerrard video.

If anything summed up Celtic’s torrid season, it would be the way they ended it on Saturday afternoon.

A dismal 0-0 draw was played out in Scott Brown’s final Hoops clash, a game that typified their lacklustre attack and timid approach under the interim manager.

With just a 40% win percentage, the Bhoys need a new head coach now more than ever.

What’s the word?

Eddie Howe is widely expected to become the new Celtic manager with fresh claims towards the end of last week suggesting he would definitely arrive at Parkhead.

However, despite those reports, regular Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie still doubts he’ll come to Paradise next season.

Speaking to Football Transfer Tavern, he commented:

“When someone does drag their feet it’s almost like they’re waiting for something else. And that seems to be the way for me with Eddie Howe at this moment of time.

“It’s whether he wants to try and get himself into the Premier League or he wants to go and fulfil a dream up in Scotland at Celtic. At this moment in time, I really can’t see it happening.”

Mckay & Desmond growing frustrated

This has been a slog for majority shareholder Dermot Desmond and Celtic’s incoming CEO, Dominic McKay.

Desmond has been questioned over his shares and there has been so much speculation that Celtic had to issue a statement regarding the managerial situation a fortnight ago.

With that in mind, it didn’t appear as though the Bhoys were any closer to announcing a new manager.

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Indeed, this latest claim is unlikely to be received too well by those at Paradise, particularly after their dismal end to the campaign.

John Kennedy showed a lack of invention and flexibility, fielding a number of players against Hibernian on Saturday that won’t even be at the club next season.

He rather strangely dropped Adam Montgomery and only gave the exciting Karamoko Dembele ten minutes towards the end.

The likes of Mohamed Elyounoussi and Jonjoe Kenny were also given outings despite the fact that their loan deals are now coming to an end.

Of course, this game didn’t matter to anyone, but for Kennedy, it was an opportunity to show the hierarchy he deserves a chance to be given the role full-time.

It would be staggering if they turned their attentions away from Howe but after Hendrie’s claim in the last few days, they may have to look elsewhere. Their focus, however, cannot be on Kennedy.

Roy Keane and Lucien Favre are two names to have been interviewed and they may well have to hold more discussions with the two coaches if things go south with Howe again.

After all, this saga looks far from over. Desmond and McKay won’t be able to rest easy until a new manager finally arrives.

For now, they will still be incredibly stressed out over the situation that’s playing out in Glasgow.

AND in other news, Celtic can axe Griffiths by landing “terrific” 18-goal gem, he once embarrassed Bitton…

Molineux was rocking for Nuno Santo’s very final game in charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday but the players on the pitch were unable to send their manager away in style.

It was a tough ask for this Old Gold side as they faced a Manchester United team who had competed so admirably for the Premier League title this year.

Having supporters back in the stadium certainly helped their cause and spurred them on, however.

Nelson Semedo was rampant down the right-hand side and even popped up with a rare goal but Wolves ultimately fell short as they were made to rue Mike Dean and the dreaded VAR.

The Midlands outfit weren’t clinical enough in attack but they let themselves down defensively as they have done for large parts of the campaign.

Donny van de Beek enjoyed some bright touches in the middle of the park and it was the Dutchman that was brought down for a penalty the ultimately won United the game.

Romain Saiss clumsily dangled a leg out with a rash piece of play that cost Wolves the match and let Nuno down on his final match at Molineux.

That said, he wasn’t their worst culprit during the 2-1 defeat.

That honour, unfortunately, had to go to Leander Dendoncker. Fresh from being picked for the Belgium squad at the upcoming European Championships, he hardly sent a positive message to Roberto Martinez.

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Picked in the middle of the park over the more attacking Vitinha and Morgan Gibbs-White, it was a decision that ultimately didn’t pay off.

Dendoncker completed 93% of his passes but in terms of his physical game, he was way off it.

The £75k-per-week earner was anonymous as he somehow failed to involve himself in a single defensive duel.

That meant the Belgian didn’t win a tackle or complete an interception. The midfielder’s stats sheet from the game was full of zeroes with him making no key passes and not registering a single dribble.

This wasn’t the first time he’s let his manager down this season, though. He was skinned by Adama Traore when Wolves played Leeds back in March.

It feels that when the Old Gold play against teams on the counter-attack, Dendoncker seems to struggle with the pace and energy.

Nuno’s spirits won’t be too dampened by this performance but he can’t have been too impressed.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Jimenez: Wolves must swoop for £80k-p/w gem who is “similar to Neto”…

أكد نادٍ برازيلي على تفوقه في القدرات المالية بالمقارنة مع برشلونة من أجل التعاقد مع مهاجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر يونايتد، إدينسون كافاني، في الميركاتو الصيفي المقبل.

وينتهي عقد كافاني مع مانشستر يونايتد في يونيو المقبل، وبالتالي، يحق له الرحيل المجاني عن قلعة “أولد ترافورد” ولأي نادٍ دون الرجوع إليه في الأول من يوليو.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تقارير: برشلونة يقدم عرضًا لـ كيسي لضمه من ميلان

وتحدث رئيس نادي بوتافوجو المنافس في الدوري البرازيلي عن صفقة كافاني عبر قناة “Redacao SportTV”، وقال: “برشلونة في أزمة مالية، اليوم لدينا أموال أكثر منهم”.

وتابع: “برشلونة يواجه صعوبات مالية، ولدينا كل ما يلزم للتعاقد مع كافاني”.

الجدير بالذكر أن برشلونة قد دعم خط الهجوم بقوة في الميركاتو الشتوي الماضي بالتعاقد مع فيران توريس، بيير إيمريك أوباميانج وأداما تراوري.

If you were asked to write down all of the problems with Celtic right now, you’d probably run out of paper and ink.

The Hoops have an endless supply of issues that the hierarchy and coaching staff are struggling to amend.

They can’t find a new manager and neither can they address issues at board level where they’re seeking a new director of football.

The biggest thing they need to resolve is the playing squad. The likes of Kristoffer Ajer, Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie to name a few have all been linked with the exit door.

Though, when it comes to addressing the team, it’s the defence they’ll need to sort out quickly.

The Bhoys conceded a grand total of 19 goals in just six Europa League outings while they have shipped 13 more than Rangers in the Premiership.

Individual errors have plagued their campaign, no more so than between the sticks.

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Scott Bain is the preferred choice at the moment but he’s not been shy of mistakes this term. Neither has Vasilis Barkas.

After Celtic failed to secure the services of Fraser Forster again, it was the Greek stopper who Nick Hammond turned to.

A fee of £4.5m was agreed with AEK Athens but he’s had a disastrous first year in Glasgow.

Like Bain, he has been guilty of poor goalkeeping, something that particularly shone through in Europe. Barkas was at fault when the Hoops were inexplicably knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages at the hands of Ferenvaros and didn’t cover himself in glory against AC Milan either.

With that in mind, signing a goalkeeper in the summer should be right at the top of their agenda.

Dundee United ‘keeper Benjamin Siegrist has been touted with a move but another name mentioned in the last few weeks is Aston Villa’s Tom Heaton.

He’s slid down the pecking order with the Premier League club after they signed Emi Martinez from Arsenal but despite that, he’d be a great addition for any new manager at Paradise.

Speaking to Football Insider, Paul Robinson said: “Tom Heaton is a possibility. Logistically, would he be willing to move to Glasgow? I’m not sure. He might be very settled with his family.

“It would be a great signing for Celtic. Heaton would be a great signing for any club. He is a top-class, reliable goalkeeper who would be perfect for Celtic next season.”

The words reliable and top-class should be music to the ears of supporters at Parkhead.

Those are two attributes that have been completely redundant when assessing the club’s goalkeepers this term.

Heaton, on the other hand, is a proven international. Standing at 6 foot 2, he knows how to command his area and like Forster who was such a hit in Glasgow, he’s capable of producing extraordinary saves.

What Celtic need is someone proven with plenty of experience and leadership skills. The 35-year-old would be that player in a nutshell.

AND in other news, Forget Howe: Desmond could revive Celtic by hiring 58 y/o Rodgers dubbed “world-class”…

أحرز الدولي البولندي بيوتر زيلينسكي، صانع ألعاب نابولي، الهدف الأول لفريقه في شباك فريق برشلونة بالدوري الأوروبي.

ويواجه نابولي نظيره برشلونة على ملعب “الكامب نو” معقل النادي الكتالوني، ضمن لقاءات دور الـ16 من الدوري الأوروبي.

وجاء هدف نابولي في الدقيقة 29، بعد مرور رائع من إلماس الذي أوقع جوردي ألبا أرضًا، ثم مرر إلى بيوتر زيلينسكي، ولاعب نابولي سدد كرة قوية، تصدى إليها تير شتيجن، ثم عادت من جديد زيلينسكي، ليسدد مجددًا بقوة في مرمى الحارس الألماني.

وعاد الحكم إلى تقنية الفيديو للتأكد من صحة الهدف قبل احتسابه، وسط اعتراضات من بيكيه ولاعبي برشلونة، ثم احتسب الحكم الهدف بعد التأكد من صحته من قبل الـVAR. شاهد هدف نابولي الأول في مرمى برشلونة