Rangers are believed to have reached a verbal agreement over the signing of an “outstanding” two-time league champion this summer.

Who is Russell Martin looking to sign for Rangers?

Russell Martin knows the importance of hitting the ground running as the Gers’ next manager, as he looks to do a far more convincing job than Philippe Clement before him. New signings will only help in that respect, and the 39-year-old is already eyeing plenty of fresh faces.

Peterborough United attacker Kwame Poku looks likely to join Rangers in the near future, with the winger available on a free transfer, and his club’s current director of football Barry Fry has called him the “best player in League One” currently.

An audacious move for England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has also been mooted in recent days, with the former Arsenal man relegated with Southampton last season. The Saints stopper is unlikely to want to be plying his trade in the Championship, so moving to a club of Rangers’ size could appeal greatly to him, allowing him to be playing European football.

Similarly, Conor Coady is now back in the second tier of English football after suffering relegation from the Premier League with Leicester City, and he is another who Rangers are said to be interested in.

Rangers reach verbal agreement to sign Max Aarons

According to a report relayed by Ibrox News, Rangers have reached a verbal agreement over the loan signing of Bournemouth right-back Max Aarons this summer.

The Englishman was loaned out to Valencia last season, with the Cherries finding it hard to offer him regular football, and it looks like the same will happen again in 2025/26.

Aarons looks like an astute signing by Rangers, and the loan aspect of it also takes away plenty of risk, should the right-back struggle to impress at Ibrox.

There is no reason why that should be the case, however, with the 25-year-old an impressive player who has now racked up a total of 224 appearances in the Premier League and Championship combined.

Aarons is also a two-time league champion in the latter, twice finishing top with Norwich City in 2018/19 and 2020/21, and former manager Daniel Farke has lauded his qualities.

“Max is outstanding in many topics. I can’t praise him enough for what he has done since his first appearance. When you have the clubs interested in him who were interested it is easy to lose the ground under the feet. Maybe you think you know everything about football. He is always looking to work harder. Never ill, never injured. If the best clubs in the world are interested then maybe there is not that much more space to improve.”

Related He's Vaclav Cerny 2.0: Rangers are now set to sign "unplayable" star

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Posts ByDan Emery Jun 16, 2025

At 25, Aarons is still a relatively young player, so if he impresses for Rangers in 2025/26, there is no reason why a permanent move couldn’t come to fruition further down the line.

Everton chiefs are now confident in their bid to sign a “menacing” forward who has a £34 million release clause, according to a new report.

David Moyes wants midfield reinforcements at Everton

Heading into the new stadium, it is clear to see that David Moyes is keen to put together a squad at Everton that can look up the table rather than over their shoulder. The Toffees are unlikely to have lots of money to spend this summer as like everyone else they dance around PSR, but Moyes will have no intentions of another relegation scrap.

Everton in race with West Ham to sign midfielder who can leave for £25m

Everton are now involved in a Premier League race to sign an experienced international midfielder.

ByBrett Worthington Jun 26, 2025

Strengthening his midfield appears to be high on the list, and that can be shown with their latest transfer targets. According to talkSPORT, Everton have returned to Wilfred Ndidi as a potential target this summer. The midfielder could cost Everton as little as £9 million, due to a release clause that has now been activated due to Leicester City suffering relegation.

As well as looking at Ndidi, the Toffees have reportedly registered their interest in signing James McAtee from Manchester City. The attacking midfielder is expected to leave the Etihad due to his lack of game time last season, and he could be available for around £25 million.

There is now a new name on their midfield list, and that is Raphael Onyedika from Club Brugge. Everton are said to be in pole position to sign him, with Club Brugge looking to get £25 million for his services.

Everton confident in their bid to sign Thierno Barry

But as much as Moyes wants a new midfielder, that may have to wait, as the Toffees focus on securing their top striker target. According to TBR Football, Everton are now ready to accelerate talks to sign Thierno Barry from Villarreal.

The Toffees’ interest in Barry emerged at the very start of the summer transfer window, but they have had to be patient when it comes to a transfer, as the forward has been away with France at the U21 Championships, only knocked out by Germany on Wednesday.

Despite interest from other teams across Europe, The Friedkin Group are confident they can sign Barry this summer. The forward’s representatives have already held talks with the Premier League side, and he is now open to the move. The fact that Barry has a £34 million release clause makes the deal easier to do, but the Toffees may even end up paying slightly more than that if they do the deal in installments.

Apps

35

Starts

25

Goals

11

xG

12.41

Total shots per game

2.1

Big chances missed

15

Chance conversion

15%

Assists

4

Big chances created

7

Barry, who has been dubbed “menacing” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, joined Villarreal in August 2024, and in his first full season, the striker scored 11 goals in 35 La Liga appearances.

His presence and ability to find the net have made him a target for Everton, who lacked a serious presence at the top end of the pitch last season and now look set to lose Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the end of this month.

Somerset returned to the top of the South Group after knocking off their target with 45 balls to spare

ECB Reporters Network11-Jun-2024Riley Meredith led the rout as Somerset bowled Middlesex out for 78 at Lord’s – their lowest ever score in the history of Vitality Blast cricket.The 27-year-old Tasmanian with six white-ball caps for his country took 4 for 12, while Craig Overton, Josh Davey and the competition’s leading wicket-taker Ben Green took two apiece in the nine-wicket romp.Middlesex only got within two runs of their previous worst score – 80 against Kent at Lord’s three years ago – thanks to as defiant 10th-wicket stand of 28 between Tom Helm and Noah Cornwell, who top scored with 15 apiece.Tom Banton, 49 not out and Tom Kohler-Cadmore 30 not out were both given lives as Somerset sealed a third win of the campaign. Middlesex remain bottom of the South Group.As well as Meredith and Overton bowled up top, Middlesex contributed to this debacle by batting with reckless abandon. Pinch-hitter Martin Andersson crashed two fours through the covers in the opening over after Middlesex were put in, but once he skied Meredith to mid-on in the next, the rot set in.Stephen Eskinazi fell to a cross-batted slog, before Meredith had Holden taken at mid-on to an even worse heave. Overton cranked up the pressure with a maiden to Ryan Higgins, during which the all-rounder failed to lay bat on ball and in the aftermath Joe Cracknell, back in the side for the sick Leus Du Plooy edged Meredith’s best ball of the match through to wicketkeeper Banton.Davies too had perished by the time the opening bowlers took their leave with the Lord’s tenants in tatters at 34 for 6.The competition’s leading wicket-taker Ben Green didn’t enter the fray until the score was 50 for 7 but made an instant impression taking the wickets of Luke Hollman and Blake Cullen with his first two balls.Cornwell saved the hat-trick before celebrating his call-up to the England U19s by clubbing Somerset skipper Lewis Gregory into the Grandstand but that was about the only cause for cheer for the beleaguered hosts.Will Smeed fell for only one caught on the fence off Helm and had Davies clung on to an inside edge from Kohler-Cadmore in the next over bowled by Cullen Middlesex might have made a fist of it, but the chance was grassed.Middlesex’s misery was compounded when Cornwell was forced from the field mid-over with a hand injury caused trying to take a return catch off one smashed back at him by Banton.Thereafter the Somerset duo settled down, both striking sixes into the Grandstand as the Cider-men romped home with 45 balls to spare.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has sacked Ange Postecoglou. After supposedly a week of deliberation, it was determined the Aussie coach’s Europa League triumph was not enough to save him.

There’s no question this has been one of the most dramatic years in the club’s modern history, certainly one of the most chaotic and turbulent seasons across Europe’s myriad clubs.

All have been watching, though. Watching with glee or compassion, but with eyes riveted on the drama as it unfolded.

Postecoglou made a promise, and that promise was delivered in the most resounding fashion as Spurs won the Europa League in their manager’s second season, salvaging a wretched domestic campaign that has seen the club finish 17th in the Premier League.

Sadly, there will be no season three in this series. There could, however, be an exciting new face in the dugout.

Spurs hold talks for Ange replacement

According to TBR Football, Levy has held talks with a number of candidates for the Tottenham manager’s position, and while Brentford’s Thomas Frank is the leading contender, there’s another Premier League boss who could make the move.

That’s Oliver Glasner, who led Crystal Palace to glory in the FA Cup this term. Earmarked as a potential option, Glasner stated he was “100% committed” to Selhurst Park after the Wembley win against Manchester City, but Tottenham present a compelling long-term project.

The Austrian coach, 50, is even thought to be leading the race to succeed Postecoglou, alongside Frank.

What Oliver Glasner would bring to Spurs

Making the move from a divisional rival below the league’s ‘big six’, Glasner could prove to be Tottenham’s next Mauricio Pochettino, especially since both bosses employ expansive attacking games.

Former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Glasner took the Eagles reins in February 2024, replacing Roy Hodgson after ten defeats from 17 matches. Palace were 15th but lacked inspiration and direction.

Hailed for his “incredible” work in south London by AFTV’s James B, Glasner has led Palace to a 12th-placed finish, but with the highest points total in the club’s Premier League history.

Crystal Palace – Most Points in a PL Season
Season	Manager	Final Standing	Points
24/25	Glasner	12th	53
23/24	Hodgson/Glasner	10th	49
18/19	Hodgson	12th	49
14/15	Pardew	10th	48
21/22	Vieira	11th	48
Data via Transfermarkt

His high-intensity, hard-working tactical approach is something that could see him emulate Spurs’ one-time gaffer, who was actually criticised once for working his players too hard during Tottenham training.

Of course, Glasner’s FA Cup lift didn’t mark the first major trophy in his managerial career, having won the Europa League with Frankfurt, so he’d bring his own brand down N17, simply aligning with some of the principles that have convinced Spurs to make appointments in the past.

In that regard, he’s proven himself capable of outstripping Pochettino, making the move from a divisional rival but with the winning mentality already constructed.

The truth is, there’s a very solid argument behind Levy’s decision to dismiss the man who ended 17 endless years of searching for a major trophy.

And if he moves to appoint Glasner, whose football is entertaining and whose trophy-winning credentials have been illustrated through victory in the FA Cup last month, Tottenham might just go from strength to strength next term.

He's another Bergvall: Spurs enter race to sign "extraordinary" wonderkid

The promising youngster could be a star at Spurs.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 7, 2025

Several days on and Liverpool fans can still rest easy knowing Florian Wirtz plays for their football club.

The Germany international is only 22 but has already established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world, instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen’s invincible Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal wins in 2023/24.

He links right back up with Jeremie Frimpong, whose £29.5m release clause was activated last month, leaving the BayArena to become Arne Slot’s first recruit of the summer.

Milos Kerkez is set to follow, having made clear his excitement of joining Liverpool ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, potentially replacing Andy Robertson as the 31-year-old considers a change of setting in La Liga with Atletico Madrid.

The Reds also want a centre-back to replace Jarell Quansah, who is set to join Leverkusen. However, it’s a centre-forward Liverpool needed when heading into the market, and they need one still.

Why Liverpool are pressing to sign a new striker

Farewell, Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan striker hasn’t actually left the club yet, but it’s been widely reported that Liverpool are looking to offload him, and indeed, the 25-year-old is hoping to move too.

Napoli are focusing their efforts on bringing Nunez over to Serie A, and you can envisage him doing well on the Italian scene. He’s a maverick, lively, vibrant. However, Liverpool wanted something more prolific to marry into that athletic underlayer which has never quite clicked in the Premier League.

What Liverpool need is their next Fernando Torres. Easily achieved, of course.

Once upon a time, Rafa Benitez claimed Nunez, who joined Liverpool from Benfica for an initial £64m (the potential £85m figure has not been met) in 2022, moved with echoes of the silky Spaniard, admiring his movement, pace and instinctiveness. He even declared that El Nino “was not a great finisher” at the beginning of his Merseyside career, signing from Atletico for a £20m fee, aged 23, in 2007.

Ah, to have another incarnation of the iconic forward. Well, FSG might have their sights set on just the player.

Liverpool prepare bid for new striker

Liverpool’s interest in Alexander Isak will come as no surprise, but Spanish reports believe that curiosity could be taken a step further in the coming weeks, with a bid being prepared for the Newcastle United centre-forward.

Transfer Focus

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

In fact, Sunday’s report reveals an offer worth €120m (£103m) is being packaged up in the Merseyside post office, ready to ship over to Tyneside and test Newcastle’s resolve.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has previously allayed Magpies fears of a summer sale, with Eddie Howe’s success in winning last year’s Carabao Cup and qualifying for the Champions League strengthening his side’s position.

However, Liverpool aren’t going away…

Why Liverpool want Alexander Isak

Newcastle might be confident that they can keep Isak at St. James’ Park, and indeed, a recent report from the Telegraph claims that Liverpool would have to pay an earth-shattering £200m fee to prise him away.

Let’s hope such claims are wide of the mark, and merely propaganda to deter hungry suitors such as Liverpool. Isak, after all, has been regarded as “the best striker in the world” over the past year by analyst Raj Chohan, having scored 27 goals across 42 matches for Newcastle.

His killer instinct is a thing to behold, but Isak is so much more than a mere marksman. As per FBref, he ranked among the top 16% of strikers over Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 17% for key passes, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 8% for successful take-on per 90.

He’s regarded as something of a nightmare for defenders, and in that way, Isak is reminiscent of Torres in his Liverpool heyday, so dangerous and dynamic as he drives forwards and strikes on goal (or sparks neat interplay with a teammate).

Steven Gerrard once called Torres “the best striker in the world”, and it was for more than his ability to find the back of the net. The Spain star had an unnatural ability to score with any instrument: right foot, left; fizzing long shots or poaching from close range; finding space and leaping to guide in a cross with his head.

Isak mirrors this, with pundit Alan Shearer dubbing him “the complete striker” and a “conduit” for his teammates, as is evidenced by FBref’s data.

Looking at how Isak and Torres match up across their respective Liverpool and Newcastle careers, there’s certainly a semblance of output on the prolific front too.

Games

109

142

Goals

62

81

Goal rate

0.57

0.57

Assists

11

19

Assist rate

0.10

0.13

G/A rate

0.67

0.70

Remarkably, Isak is scoring at exactly the same rate as Liverpool’s one-time superstar, while marginally behind on the rate of assists. It is no wonder to see him described as a “frightening” forward by LaLiga host Rimedi.

When you consider how both forwards’ styles are defined by swift mobility and an emphasis on intelligent team play, enhancing the squad’s overall tactical synergy, it becomes clearer still that Liverpool would hit the jackpot with the Sweden international.

Furthermore, like Torres, Isak arrived in the Premier League from Spain, joining Newcastle from Real Sociedad for a club-record £63m (Torres became Liverpool’s record arrival when he joined all those years ago).

It’s unclear just how Newcastle would react to an offer almost halfway below last week’s revelations that PIF are seeking £200m to even consider parting ways with their talisman, but the fact that a bid is being prepared at all tells us two things.

One: Slot, Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes all in concert as to the hopes of signing a striker this summer; and two: not only is Isak right at the top of the wist list, but there appears to be a grain of confidence that this saga might just reach a positive conclusion for the Anfield side.

Better than Guehi: Liverpool eyeing one of the best young CBs "in Europe"

Liverpool are looking to bolster their backline with Marc Guehi touted.

ByMatt Dawson Jun 22, 2025

Many thought Liverpool would fall by the wayside when Jurgen Klopp left at the end of the 2023/24 season, but this football club has an uncanny ability to remain with its head above the water.

Indeed, Arne Slot defied expectation when arriving and leading the Reds straight to the Premier League title, and has now been rewarded by FSG, who are spending freely in the transfer market.

Although Florian Wirtz will add a fresh and world-class dimension to Slot’s squad, there’s still the sense that more quality and prolificness could be added.

Liverpool’s Frontline in 24/25 (all comps)

Player

Apps

Goals

Assists

Mohamed Salah

52

34

23

Luis Diaz

50

17

8

Cody Gakpo

49

18

7

Diogo Jota

37

9

4

Darwin Nunez

47

7

7

Federico Chiesa

14

2

2

Data via Transfermarkt

Although with Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong signed to bolster the wide defensive positions, the intensity toward securing new stars is set to simmer down.

But Liverpool remain very much primed to pounce if the right opportunity emerges.

Liverpool's wider transfer plans

Sporting director Richard Hughes cut a contentious figure after his first summer transfer window at Liverpool, having only added Federico Chiesa to the newly arrived Slot’s squad.

But he’s since proven his meticulous, calculated nature, having dotted all the i’s and crossed the t’s ahead of the window and since pounced on top targets, reeling them in.

Any further activity will depend on outgoings, reports The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe. This makes sense, for the Reds have forked out more than £200m already this summer.

Darwin Nunez’s expected transfer to Serie A champions Napoli should see a new number nine acquired, while rumours of a new winger hinge on Luis Diaz’s future, with Barcelona and Saudi Arabian suitors interested.

He’s not Sadio Mane, but the Colombian has been immense in a Liverpool shirt, posting 41 goals and 23 assists across 141 appearances in total.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse Liverpool line up new winger

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are interested in signing Belgian winger Malick Fofana and have been boosted in their bid now that Lyon have been relegated from Ligue 1.

However, Newcastle United have also been named as suitors, and have actually established contacts with the 20-year-old’s entourage.

Earlier this year, the player’s former representatives told Africa Foot that playing in the Premier League, namely at Liverpool, would be his “dream”, and it’s something that Hughes and Co can now bring to fruition.

Chelsea are also keen, though appear to be prioritising a deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens.

This could leave Liverpool with a free shot to sign one of Europe’s most exciting prospects, who is valued at £43m, with Lyon’s fate also suggesting his price tag could be whittled down.

Why Liverpool should sign Fofana

Hailed for his “electric” skills by content creator Dev Bajwa, Fofana is bound to move clubs this summer, but where to remains to be seen.

He’s young and raw, but he’s also naturally “explosive”, as has been said by analyst Ben Mattinson, with his sharp bursts of pace something that could pay dividends for Slot’s Liverpool team, especially when the time comes to replace Diaz.

Fofana is Belgian but he is of Guinean descent, and for this reason he has expressed Mane (and Mohamed Salah) as being one of his footballing idols. For this reason, the left winger could prove to be Slot’s own version of Mane, whose career on Merseyside served to guide Anfield back to the forefront of domestic and continental football.

Part of Klopp’s iconic front three at Liverpool, Mane won the whole gamut after signing from Southampton for £34m in 2016, with the German manager declaring him a “world-class” forward and an absolute “machine”, his work rate and tenacity leaving an indelible mark on the game.

Fofana hasn’t reached that point in his career yet, but has the potential to do exactly that, already performing with a hunger for goal and fleet-footed style that is somewhat reminiscent of the Senegalese star.

As per FBref, Fofana ranked among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last year for non-penalty goals scored and the top 2% for progressive carries per 90, emphasising that very point.

So then, you can see how Mane has inspired Fofana’s early-career development, especially as elements of his defensive work rate can be found in the one-cap Belgium international’s skill set too, for he averaged 1.1 tackles + interceptions in Ligue 1 last year, as per Sofascore, also finishing the term having won 54% of his ground battles.

Slot is not Klopp, but then Fofana is not Mane either, and the Dutch tactician could fashion his own version of the former Liverpool superstar, who certainly has stylistic similarities to the Al Nassr forward, now 33.

Even if Liverpool don’t part ways with Diaz, 28, this summer, it might be worth snapping Fofana up as Lyon plummet into the second tier of French football. After all, there are no guarantees that a new out-and-out frontman will be signed, and Diaz operated so admirably in a false nine role across the 2024/25 campaign.

Given that the Colombian could potentially reprise said role, it might be worth adding some competition for Cody Gakpo to jockey with on the left flank.

In any case, given the player’s desire to move to Merseyside and indeed his Mane-esque qualities rising to the fore, it would be a smart move indeed to ward away Premier League competition and snap him up quickly.

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The left-handed middle-order batter represented UAE in 38 ODIs and 47 T20Is

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jun-2024

Muhammad Usman’s UAE career spanned from 2016 to 2022•Emirates Cricket Board

UAE batter Muhammad Usman has announced his retirement from international cricket. The Lahore-born middle-order batter represented UAE in 85 international games – 38 ODIs and 47 T20Is – across six years.Usman made his T20I debut in February 2016 against Netherlands followed by his ODI debut against Scotland a few months later. Overall, he scored 1008 runs at 31.50 in 38 ODIs including one century and four half-centuries while in 47 T20Is he finished with 891 runs, with three fifties. He was also part of the Asia Cup squad in 2016 where he top scored for UAE with 176 runs in seven games.Usman was born in Lahore and played five first-class and 58 List-A matches. His 1517 List-A runs came at an average of 34.47 and included nine fifties and a century. He last played an ODI and T20I in February 2022 against Oman and Nepal respectively.The 38-year-old expressed his gratitude and hoped to continue being part of cricket post-retirement.”It has been an incredible journey with the UAE cricket team and the cricket board,” Usman was quoted via a press release. “I would like to thank everyone who played a role in my journey including my team-mates, coaches and other support staff. I feel blessed and proud that I got the opportunity of representing UAE for 85 international matches.”I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life as I want to remain associated with the sport. I want to wish the UAE team and the players the very best in what is a very exciting time for the game in the country.”

England’s nine-wicket rout in the first match of New Zealand’s visit represented exactly how the hosts want to play.Having lacked a ruthless streak for much of their victorious ODI and T20I campaigns against Pakistan earlier in the home summer, England crushed the White Ferns on Wednesday, first by bowling them out for 156 in 33.3 overs thanks largely to Charlie Dean’s 4 for 38 before reeling in the target for the loss of just one wicket with a staggering 28.4 overs to spare, via brutal half-centuries from Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier.Beaumont, unbeaten with 76 from 69 deliveries, and Bouchier, who had a breakout tour of New Zealand earlier this year and struck 67 off 50 balls, took England within 20 runs of victory with 137-run opening stand off just 106 deliveries. Combined with England’s spinners Dean, Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn – who took seven wickets between them – it was the sort of clinical all-round performance they had been seeking.Against Pakistan, England scrapped their way to victory in the first ODI before Nat Sciver-Brunt dominated the third, following a second-match wash-out. During the three T20Is, only Danni Wyatt’s quickfire 87 at Leeds stood out after Amy Jones and Dani Gibson rescued them from 11 for 4 in the series opener at Edgbaston and they managed to defend a modest total in the second match by bowling Pakistan out for just 79.It was those sorts of results, Beaumont said after beating New Zealand in Durham, that England had said they wanted to turn into much more dominant victories, especially given the mantra of “inspire and entertain” that has been underpinning their endeavours for the past two years.”We spoke a lot this morning about how we want to play our 50-over cricket, and what inspiring and entertaining is. At times that’s being ruthless and putting on a show like that,” Beaumont said. “To respond to that conversation and go out straight away and put it into action … in particular the bowling was absolutely ruthless.”That’s certainly the word we’ve started to use a bit more,” she added. “We want to enjoy our cricket, we want to show off, we want to show our skills and how much talent there is in that dressing-room, but actually we want to also win games of cricket and really dominate at the same time, and the two can definitely being mutually exclusive. So I think it was still a lot of fun today but still incredibly ruthless, and a bit of a statement for the start of a series.”It’s not necessarily the be-all and end-all. We still want to try and push the game forward and take the game to as many new heights as possible. But at the same time, when you’ve got the foot on the throat, we’re going to try and ram home that advantage.”England’s performance showed what they are capable of, given the talent at their disposal. Heather Knight was barely called upon after arriving with 20 runs still required, Sciver-Brunt and Wyatt went unused, while Alice Capsey and Sophia Dunkley were left out of the starting XI altogether, the latter having won back her place in the squad after a disappointing tour of New Zealand.Beaumont said that while Dunkley’s welcome return increased the competition for places, the same could be said for most spots in the side, as reflected by Ryana MacDonald-Gay’s call-up from an impressive domestic season as cover for injured seamer Kate Cross.Maia Bouchier got to fifty at well over a run a ball•PA Photos/Getty Images

Beaumont and Cross find themselves in a tough place, on the fringes of T20I selection with a World Cup just over three months away but important to England’s 50-over campaign in 2025 and, where applicable, the Test set-up too.And while hosting Pakistan and New Zealand hasn’t carried the same buzz as last year’s Women’s Ashes, Beaumont – England’s double-centurion in the Trent Bridge Test against Australia last June – said she was playing with more freedom now than she was back then, when England came back from a 6-0 points deficit after losing the Test and first T20I to draw by winning both the T20I and ODI series two games to one.”I found the Ashes quite difficult last year,” she said. “You have the high of scoring a double-hundred in a Test match and then literally an hour after the end of the Test, you get told you’re not around for the next 10 days – that kind of took the wind out of your sails a little bit. You then have 10 days of regional cricket and then rock up and you have to win every game of the Ashes to stay in. What the girls did in the T20s was incredible, but actually the pressure to come back in, be the opening batter, and keep that roll on and not be the one that messes it up and loses the Ashes, is pretty tough to deal with.”But unfortunately that’s the situation the likes of myself and Kate Cross are in. It feels like you’ve got to constantly make an impact to stay relevant, but that’s what you have to do. Both of us are good enough at sticking to our game and acknowledging that it’s tough, that’s how it is and it’s not going to get any easier. There’s nothing anyone can do really, unless they pick you in the T20s, but it doesn’t seem to happen. So yeah, that is what it is.”Related

• Nat Sciver-Brunt: 'Being myself and free is the best way of displaying Pride'

• Wolvaardt on playing Tests: It's like last-minute studying for an exam

• Dean, Beaumont, Bouchier lead New Zealand rout

• Heather Knight: New Zealand ODIs offer chance for World Cup experimentation

• Powerplay: Jon Lewis on spinners, stress management and AI

New Zealand have plenty of reflection and improvement ahead if they are to bounce back, having lost their home T20 and ODI series against England in March and April.Had 20-year-old opener Georgia Plimmer not been run out for 29 pressing on for a single after deflecting Melie Kerr’s shot off her boot straight to midwicket, New Zealand may have been able to forge a much-needed partnership. As it stood, only Brooke Halliday’s half-century stood out, and she was the sole White Ferns bowler to take a wicket after playing as a specialist batter during England’s tour of New Zealand while making her way back from a foot injury.”I was a little bit confused because I was just putting my kit on, but yeah, maybe one day when Georgia gets a little bit older, she’ll be able to say ‘no’ to Melie,” Halliday said. “We talked about recently trying to be in the crease a little bit tighter to the stumps to try and help get the single down at mid-on, so that came back to bite her a little bit there… it’s just unfortunate the way she got out, but good signs.”Individually everyone will probably reflect on batting, bowling and fielding and then we’ll come together as a group and see what we want to work on and how we’re going to approach the next game. We’re not going to dwell too much on it, I’m sure, but you’ve always got to reflect and take what you can out of a game like this.”

Aston Villa may have an element of uncertainty hanging over them this window, but that hasn’t stopped Unai Emery pushing hard to sign a talented midfielder from the continent.

Aston Villa could be forced to sell before they can buy

By now, most Premier League fans will be aware that Aston Villa run the risk of being penalised in line with Profit and Sustainability Rules if they don’t manage to sell some players before the June 30th deadline.

In turn, a host of stars have been linked with moves away from the club. Morgan Rogers is said to be a £100 million target for Arsenal and isn’t the only player being lined up by circling sides.

Nevertheless, Emiliano Martinez is one of the most likely candidates to be sacrificed and could ease pressure on offloading the likes of Rodgers this summer. The Argentina international is being courted by Manchester United and several Saudi Pro League teams.

Planning for the future without their long-serving number one, Aston Villa could look to sign LOSC Lille’s Lucas Chevalier, giving an indication of the one-in-one-out policy that could be adopted in the West Midlands to carefully navigate their delicate situation.

Losing out on a Champions League slot has created an unwanted PSR shortfall, but that isn’t something that can’t be fixed with savvy decision-making.

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Leon Bailey could net £25 million if he is sold to Neom SC and Jhon Duran’s big-money sale earlier this year could create some wiggle room later down the line, so who could Aston Villa buy in that case?

If recent developments are anything to go by, Emery is willing to take a major step towards improving his midfield, with the added caveat that his latest target can play in several different positions.

Aston Villa make first move to sign Fares Chaibi from Eintracht Frankfurt

According to reports in Italy via Frankfurter Rundschau, Aston Villa have taken concrete steps to sign Fares Chaibi from Eintracht Frankfurt and the Bundesliga outfit may consider a sale under the right circumstances.

The 20-year-old is predominantly an attacking midfielder, but he can also feature on either flank or through the middle as a centre-forward when needed.

Fares Chaibi in 2024/25 for Eintracht Frankfurt per 90 mins (FBRef)

Shot-creating actions

4.03

Shots

2.05

Progressive passes

4.78

Progressive passes received

6.58

Touches in attacking penalty area

2.67

Earning a modest £12,968 per week in Germany, roughly speaking, Chaibi has registered two goals and three assists in 38 appearances across all competitions this season.

Making their first move, Aston Villa believe the Algeria international has the talent to become a special player at Villa Park, and they are now trying to push a deal over the line.

Moving back to matters previously mentioned, this swoop may be contingent on whether they can come out the other side of the PSR deadline unscathed, so it remains to be seen whether they can force this one through.

The number of upsets – Associate teams beating Full Members – and close finishes in the T20 World Cup 2024 have made Nepal captain Rohit Paudel confident that they can beat an under-pressure Sri Lanka in Lauderhill, Florida, on June 11. It will be the second game for Nepal but a more crucial fixture for Sri Lanka, who are on the brink of elimination after losing their first two matches.”Yeah, absolutely,” Paudel replied when asked about his hopes of beating Sri Lanka. “If you see in this World Cup, you’ll see that the Associate team is beating Test-playing countries. So, it is a motivation for all of us, especially moving forward to tomorrow’s game. So as a team, we believe that we are going to win tomorrow and the way we have been preparing for the last couple of months and the way we have been playing cricket for the last one and a half years, I think the belief is always there in the team and we are looking forward to tomorrow’s game.”We want to go tomorrow and showcase our talent in front of the world.”Related

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The two results that will boost Nepal’s confidence will be USA beating Pakistan and Canada prevailing over Ireland, both results from Group A. Even apart from those, Papua New Guinea gave West Indies a scare early in the tournament and Netherlands nearly pulled off another victory against South Africa in a World Cup. Afghanistan beating New Zealand may not count as an “upset” anymore, but the margin of 84 runs against a much higher-ranked team would have defied many expectations.Paudel said his team would also draw confidence from the fact that it hasn’t been a high-scoring tournament so far and barring the opening game between USA and Canada, venues in the USA have been fairly low scoring. While New York has seen the lowest scores among the three USA grounds, Dallas has also produced scores of 106, 159 and 124 for the teams batting first, after Canada scored 194 in the tournament opener.Rohit Paudel hopes Nepal continue the trend of upsets against Sri Lanka, who have lost two out of two in this T20 World Cup•Getty Images

“Scoring runs is becoming harder due to drop-in pitches and conditions,” he said. “The conditions in New York and Dallas are different from that in Florida. Florida has hosted the India-West Indies game previously. So, I think the conditions then and now are different and in the two-three days we practiced, the wickets looked good. If we respect the conditions and present our skills, we can beat any team. The team believes that. We are very confident for tomorrow.”If you look at this tournament, there have been many ups and downs. So, the team believes, and more than us, as a team, the pressure is on the Test-playing nation. We will utilise the pressure, create the pressure and we want to win the game tomorrow. So, if we do the basic things right, I think we are ahead.”Sri Lanka might have had a tough start to the World Cup with their first two clashes against Full Member sides – South Africa and Bangladesh – and even winning their last two league games may not be enough to make the Super Eight.”I think team Sri Lanka is under more pressure than us,” Paudel said. “And if you look at the conditions in the USA, there are lots of dot balls being played. Yesterday, India scored only 119 [against Pakistan]. I think overall, if you look at the conditions, whoever scores 140 is successful, and I think that’s the winning score if you look at the games. So, there are dot balls in these conditions. Whoever gets a start, they have to utilise it. Plus, like yesterday’s game, batsmen were scoring 30-40, but they were still not able to utilise the start. So, it’s a little difficult for new batsmen to play. I think as a batsman, whoever starts, we have to capitalise and get the team to win. And as a team, I think we still have that belief. The first game didn’t go as we thought, but still, as a team, we believe that we will win the next game. We are looking forward to it. We are very excited.”Lauderhill has played host to 15 completed T20Is in the past, the last of which was in August 2023, when the teams batting first – India and West Indies – had scored 178 and 165 but the teams chasing had won on both occasions. Sri Lanka had played two T20Is on this ground back in 2010 but also featured in the two warm-up games there before this World Cup, in which they first lost to Netherlands and then defended 163 against Ireland.When asked what could be a big threat from Sri Lanka, Paudel said they will have to “tackle” their spinners carefully, who have the exposure of playing “all over the world”.Nepal will get a spin boost themselves with the addition of their star legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who has arrived in the West Indies and is set to play their last two league games against South Africa and Bangladesh in St Vincent. He will miss the game against Sri Lanka, for which Nepal will have 14 players available, because he was denied a US visa twice last month and was a late addition to the Nepal squad for only two games, unless they make it to the Super Eight.